436 Historical Sketch of Minnesota Academy of Science 



which she was voted thanks "for the valuable specimens presented, 

 prepared, as they were, with artistic skill." 



The year 1881 opened with a paper from Mr. Charles Hallock of 

 Hallock, Minn., former editor of "Forest and Stream," on "The Fauna 

 of Northern Minnesota," read by A. B. Jackson and published in the 

 Bulletin. "Mr. T, S. Roberts read an interesting paper upon "The 

 Orchids of Minnesota," speaking first of the peculiarities of the fam- 

 ily in general and the various curious adaptations for cross fertiliza- 

 tion, the writer directed his attention to the orchids native to the 

 state, of which thirty-two species have been identified. Taking them 

 lip in the order of Gray's Botany, each of these was briefly described, 

 with additional notes upon peculiarities, habits, etc" (From the rec- 

 ord of the secretary, C. L. Herrick, as the paper was unfortunately 

 not published.) "President Winchell read a paper entitled "Where 

 did Carver Winter in 1766?" Carver's account was shown to be 

 vague and in some respects unreliable. He was in search of the 

 'Northwest Passage to Asia.' He says he ascended the 'Minesotay' 

 200 miles, which is an evident exaggeration. Evidence seems to 

 point to the mouth of the Cottonwood river as the actual site of this 

 disputed locality. The paper elicited questions and remarks. Mr. 

 Upham, in response to question, said that he found several evidences 

 of two glacial epochs in the portions of the state which he had ex- 

 amined: First, vegetable remains in situ between layers of boulder 

 clay, also fresh-water shells under the same circumstances; second, 

 terminal moraines in succession. He also spoke of the evidence 

 that there had been more than two such epochs. The universal pre- 

 valence of glaciation indicates the astronomical origin of glacial 

 epochs. In response to a question from Mr. Gale, Professor Win- 

 chell restated briefly the method by which he had estimated the 

 time since the last Glacial epoch by the data afforded by the reces- 

 rsion of the Falls of St. Anthony." (All from March, 1881.) 



Mr. Chas. Hallock then gave a personal lecture upon "Fish and 

 Fishing," illustrating his remarks by exhibiting the various para- 

 phernalia of the sport. On motion of Professor Hall the Academy 

 "requested Professor Weitbrecht of St. Paul, Professor Gray of St. 

 Cloud, Professor Boutelle of Winona and Dr. C. N. Hewitt of Red 

 Wing to collect data in reference to the recent and earlier floods of 

 the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers and other waters of the state, 

 in order to made a permanent record of the floods which periodically 

 devastate the state." (July, 1881.) The last meeting for 1881 was 

 held in the new room to which the Academy had moved, back again 

 in the Wensinger Block, 100 Central avenue, where the rent was $100 

 per year, and insurance for $500 was placed on the collections. 



The year 1882 began with Professor Winchell's retiring pres- 

 idential paper on "The Geology of Minneapolis," the same being a 

 report on the product of the drilling of an artesian well at the Wash- 

 burn A mill and comparing it with the various geological formations 

 throughout the state." "From the section of Astronomy Judge N. H. 

 Hemiup, Chairman, read an interesting paper on 'The Other Side,' 

 drawing conclusions from the writings of astronomers concerning the 

 actual physical condition of the moon," calling forth much discus- 

 sion from Professors Winchell and Downey. "Warren Upham read a 



