ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 13} 
deposited in lakes and alluvial deposits along rivers, and become so inter- 
mingled with the remains of more recent times, as to give them the appear- 
ance of being contemporaneous. 
By referring to the researches of Agassiz, Forbes, Tyndall, and other emi- 
nent investigators of glacial phenomena, it will be seen that they admit the 
influence of the air-currents in glacier-building. 
The great return trade-wind current, that sweeps in a curved line across 
Northern Africa and the Mediterranean Sea, deposits its accumulated vapors 
in snow upon the Alps, where the glaciers of the present time have given 
scientists an opportunity to study their formation and movements, and to 
trace out, to a limited extent, the causes that produce them. 
I must beg the indulgence of the Academy and scientific investigators gen- 
erally, for the incomplete and somewhat crude style in which this interesting 
subject has been presented by me; but I must express the hope that it is 
sufficient to call the attention of abler minds to the broader field it opens up 
for future investigations, and that it willadd a little to the sum of our present 
knowledge of one of the most interesting periods in the geological history of 
our planet. 
Saur Laxe Crry, February 12th, 1875. 
Mr. Stearns and Dr. Blake made some verbal remarks on the 
subject of the above paper. 
The Secretary read an extract from a letter by A. W. Kiddie, 
County Surveyor of Plumas County, confirming the claim of Dr. 
Harkness as the rightful discoverer of Lake Harkness. 
Reevurar Meetine, June 7ru, 1875. 
Vice-President Gibbons in the Chair. 
Twenty-five members present. 
S. B. Christie and Frank Soulé were elected resident members. 
A. W. Crawford, Dr. G. King and Dr. F. W. Godon were 
proposed as candidates for membership. 
Donations to the Museum: From F. Gruber, specimens of 
green-winged teal and blue-winged teal; from Samuel Purdy, 
galena and silver ore from Utah, bismuth from same place, and 
