293 
geologists, and the opportunities they present the microscopist 
of obtaining specimens for study makes them doubly attrac- 
tive. The Hoboken and the Cape Henlopen specimens 
will be examined and reported upon hereafter. 
Mr. Jas. Hyatr made some remarks on the Occurrence of 
some Plants in the vicinity of New York city. The Cotton 
Thistle, Onopordon, may be found at Fishkill Landing, on the 
Hudson River, a short distance from the Rail-road Station, at 
the office of the Iron Works. He was able to secure flowers 
there for Dr. Torrey’s collection. The plant has maintained 
itself there for several years. 
Gentiana Quinqueflora abounds in South-Kastern Dutchess 
County and, from thence, he was able to furnish, for Dr. 
Torrey’s collection, the only specimens from this State. Viola 
rotundifolia abounds at Weehawken, N. J., at the foot of the 
Palisades, West of the Ferry dock. 
The following paper was read. 
How far is Smoke transported by the Wind? 
By F. CoLLinewoop. 
On the morning of Friday, October 6th, I left New 
York for Elmira on the express train of the Erie road. 
A severe rain-storm prevailed in the city, but we passed out 
of it before reaching the summit between the Delaware and 
Susquehanna rivers, and at Susquehanna station the sun 
was shining. Soon after passing Binghamton however (the 
next station west of Susquehanna) I noticed a dense cloud 
in the west, having the curtain like appearance so common 
in heavy thunder showers. 
To my astonishment, as the cloud approached close to us 
we met instead of rain, dense masses of smoke which were 
hurled along by a strong wind until they completely covered 
the landscape; so that hills a mile distant were absolutely 
invisible. 
