PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 101 



elected to, and had accepted membership in, the Philosophical So- 

 ciety, viz: Ezra Westcott Clark, Henry Flagg French, 

 Henry Allen Hazen, Charles Hugo Kummel, Israel Cook 

 Russell, William Wirt Upton, Albert Lowry Webster. 



Mr. Ferrel then presented to the Society a communication 



ON SOLAR RADIATION AT SHERMAN, WYOMING. 



The next communication was by Mr. C A. White 



ON ARTESIAN WELLS ON THE GREAT PLAINS. 



This communication has been essentially reproduced with the 

 title, " Artesian Wells upon the Great Plains," (subscribed C. A. 

 White,) in the American Review for August, 1882, No. 135, pp. 

 187-196. 



Mr. Antisell called attention to previous attempts on the part 

 of the Government to obtain water on the great plains by boring 

 artesian wells. During the surveys and explorations of the 39th 

 parallel, for the purpose of ascertaining the feasibility of building 

 a railroad to the Pacific Ocean, special attention was given to the 

 matter of obtaining water by means of artesian wells, and at that 

 time he reached the same conclusion essentially as that now pre- 

 sented by Mr. White. Mr Antisell's published report upon this 

 subject may be found in volume 7 of the Pacific Railroad Re- 

 ports published in 1854. 



Mr. Mussey called attention to boring now in progress along the 

 line of the Southern Pacific Railroad in New Mexico ; boring 

 being in progress at the expense of the railroad company for the 

 purpose of supplying water for locomotive purposes. 



Mr. Gilbert considered the argument conclusive as to the failure 

 of artesian wells on the great plains to be of any practical value 

 for irrigating purposes, but for some other uses, such as stock rais- 

 ing, farm uses, etc. Some wells in favorable localities had proved 

 a success, and others would also undoubtedly prove successful. 

 Geological prophecy is generally, however, to be made with great 

 caution, and to be received with caution equally great, a propo- 

 sition which was supported by citing several cases in the experi- 

 ence of himself and others. 



