198 New-York Lyceum of Natural History. 
halftheir length. Such hail-rods are estimated to cost not 
more than fifty centsa piece, and to last from twelve to fif- 
teen years. ‘They must be raised, however, after harvest, 
ut under cover with the other rural implements, and only 
replaced at the vernal equinox. By these rods the light- 
ning, is diverted from houses and barns, and the fields pre- 
served from hail-storms. Their effects appear to extend on 
a radius of fifty. for each rod, and they should be placed 
— one hundred or one hundred and thirty feet of cach 
otner, 
communication on the above subject, (post 
Any ¢ 
paid) will be thankfully received by Dr. Felix Pascalis, Presi- - 
the Linnzan Section, No. 486 Pearl-street, N. 
or by Dr. Elijah Mead, Secretary of the same, Beekman- 
street, near Pearl. 
II. Domestic. . 
1. Proceedings of the New-York Lyceum of Natural History. 
: [Continued from Vol. IX. p. 91.] 
March 1, 1824.—-Dr, Madianna read his “ nase 
and experiments onthe seeds of the Cenpera Tuevert 
Sodaxiad p- 86 of the Annals of the Lyceum. The President, 
Dr, Torrey, read an account of the Columbite of Haddam, 
(Conn) with polices of several other North American mi- 
nen inserted p. 8 
8.—Dr. Mivchill communicated a paper “ On the 
iwo- ‘banda Serpents of North America,’ wale was referred 
o the Committee of Publication. Dr. Dekay read an ac- 
count of the Phoca mig recently taken in ‘the vicinity of 
New-York. Inserted p. 9 
15.—Mr. J. eit reported on a poisonous fish 
of the Avtillee, presented at a former meeting. It is the 
Tetrodon testudineus of authors, and is highly deleterious. 
A paper, by More King & Ludlow, entitled “‘ Appearances 
on dissection of the Phoca cristata,” was then read to the 
Sosiety. It was accompanied by several beautiful and inter- 
esting preparations made from this animal. Baron G. Cu- 
vier, of Paris, was elected an i ala Member in the place 
