2o8 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OK NATURAL SCIENCES. 



The Curator, Mr. W. H. Pratt, exhibited over two dozen crania 

 which have been collected by Capt. W. P. Hall from ancient mounds 

 in Arkansas, and explained the circumstances under which they were 

 found, many of them having been buried, with other bones of the skel- 

 eton, in the large earthen vessels, of which a fine collection has also 

 been secured. A considerable number of these skulls are very much 

 distorted by artificial compression during life, flattened both in front 

 and rear, making the breadth in some instances to exceed the length 

 of the skull. 



The Curator, Mr. Pratt, also exhibited an improved craniometer of 

 his own invention and construction, and explained its use by applying 

 it to several si^ecimens. The skull being placed in an inverted posi- 

 tion, is so supported in that position by two steel points, and when the 

 several parts of the apparatus are adjusted, the length, breadth, height, 

 and foramina! distance are all read off without measurement or change 

 of position, giving at once all the important characteristics, except the 

 capacity, which is found by fiUing the skull with flaxseed with a gradu- 

 ated vessel — the whole constituting an accurate and rapid method of 



measurement. 



March J, 1882. — Regular Meeting. 



Adjourned from February 24th, on account of the "Art Exhibition " 

 then in progress. Vice-President H. C. Fulton in the chair, and eleven 

 members present. 



Donations reported from Dr. G. E. Bowman, of Inland, Iowa, and 

 Mr. A. S. TitTany, Davenport. ■ Also the reception from Mr. Gass of 

 a curved-base pipe found by him in a mound at Muscatine, and two 

 pipes from mounds near Paducah, Kentucky, obtained by exchange. 

 One is of sandstone, the bowl being carved in the form of a human 

 head; the other of clay, representing a horned animal, probably the 

 buffalo. 



The Committee on Art Exhibition reported net proceeds $100.20. 



Miss Dr. Jennie McCowen and Mr. Frank Edwards were elected 

 regular members. Mr. W. H. Pratt was elected Corresponding Secre- 

 tary to fill the vacancy occasioned by Dr. Preston's resignation. 



March ji, 1882. — Reciular Meeting. 



President Preston in the chair; eight members present. 



Mr. Benjamin Glime was elected to regular membership. 



W. H. Pratt read a short paper on the artesian well at the glucose 

 works in this city. He also presented a paper on certain bones (as- 

 tragali) found by Captain Hall in southern mounds. 



