132 Association of American Geologists and Naturalists. 



niously elected. Previous to the commencement of the regular pro- 

 ceedings, Mr Teschmacher of this city, informed the members that 

 large masses of the Lake Superior copper-ore were left at the Pro- 

 vidence Railroad Depot, and that individuals interested might have 

 an opportunity of examining them. 



A paper was presented by Mr B. L. C Wales upon the forma- 

 tion of the jSIississippi Bluff, near Natchez. This paper, in the 

 absence of Mr Wales, was read by the secretary. It went to ex- 

 plain the respective agencies of diluvium and glaciers in the forma- 

 tion of the Bluff. It also explained the manner in which animal 

 remains had been found in the ravines, near the locality, shewing 

 that land slides and floods were continually depositing in the ra- 

 vines bones and other articles from the higher regions, and which 

 from time to time had been dug up and exhibited. There was a 

 large number of specimens from the locality, consisting of fossil 

 woods, favosites, carnelians, jaspei's, and ochres, &c. 



Mr P. A. Browne, of Philadelphia, read a paper, entitled " Ani- 

 mal Torpidity." He first treated of the respiration of hibernating 

 animals. With mammals the respiration does not cease at once, 

 but gradually, and no oxygen is consumed by the animal in a com- 

 pletely torpid state. The respiration of the torpid state may be 

 only imperfect, as, for instance, when the animal breathes and then 

 ceases from breathing for minutes, and it may be for hours. Ani- 

 mals, when about to enter the torpid state, seek retirement. The 

 mammals roll themselves up into as small a compass as possible, 

 and retire into holes or caverns ; the moUusca retreat into their 

 shells ; flies, spiders, &c., creep into holes. 



A Hamster kept in a box of straw, in a sufficiently cold place, did 

 not become torpid ; but when buried in the ground he became torpid, 

 and revived as soon as he was dug up. Hamsters have been kept in 

 a cage and fed, eating during the season when they usually hibernate. 

 Opinions are various upon the point of the total extinguishment of 

 respiration during torpidity. Some naturalists assert, that in hiber- 

 nation animals do not breathe, while others contend that respiration 

 is not extinct. A torpid animal immersed in carbonic acid gas will 

 not die. The respiration of animals is subordinate to temperature 

 — in summer quick ; in autumn slow ; in winter, none at all. 

 Experiments have shewn that hibernating animals consume oxygen, 

 considerable in volume, when in an active state ; that the consump- 

 tion diminishes as the temperature falls ; that they can exist in an 

 air which will neither support life nor combustion ; that in a torpid 

 state the consumption of oxygen is small ; and that in a perfect state 

 of torpidity no oxygen is consumed, and there is no respiration. 



The Alligator, when about to hibernate, takes a pine or cypress 

 knot in its mouth, completely closing it ; it then retires into holes 

 under water, where it remains until the warm weather in the spring 



