Ixxviii 



germinating the same fall that the seed ripens. In some respects 

 it resembles the Long-leaved Pine of the South, and still more 

 the Maritime Pine of southern Europe {P. Pinaster)^ and seems 

 to be confined to South Carolina, and perhaps Georgia and Flor- 

 ida. He explained the character of the pollen in pines generally, 

 and how fertilization takes place mostly by the agency of the 

 wind, and illustrated the hygrometric nature of the mature cones. 

 Prof. R. Pumpelly, Chancellor W. G. Eliot, Prof. M. S. Snow, 

 and Messrs. John B. Thompson, B. V. B. Dixon, R. J. R©m- 

 bauer, Geo. W. Belcher, and M. L. Harter, were elected asso- 

 ciate members. 



March i8, 1872. 



The President in the chair. 



Nineteen members present. 



Dr. Briggs presented some fine specimens of gold-bearing 

 quartz from California. 



Mr. Edwin Harrison donated a large photograph likeness of 

 Prof. Louis Agassiz. 



Dr. Wislizenus reported an abstract of his Meteorological Ob- 

 servations for the last three months : 



The winter had been remarkable for its steady cold weather, yet the 

 thermometer had at no time sunk below 3° below zero; while in previous 

 years, it had been observed to fall 20° and 22° below zero. It had been 

 peculiar for its extreme drought. The following table shows the tempera- 

 ture and rainfall for December, January and February, compared with the 

 average for the last 30 years : 



Temperature. — December, 1871 29.0° F. Average.. 33.8* 



January, 1872 27.1 " 32.4 



February, 1872 31.4 " 35.3 



Average 29.2 33.8 



Rainfall. — December, 1871 •••• 1.12 inches. Average.. 3.16 inches. 

 January, 1S72.... 1.15 " " 2.14 " 



February, 1872.... 2.02 " " 2.66 ** 



Total 4.29 7.96 



Messrs. H. E. Paulin, Louis F. Soldan, Hugh McKittrick, and 

 £nos Clark, Esq., were elected associate members. 



