PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 18T 



which will also be regarded with interest by the present age, so 

 distinguished for its steady advance into the realms of the un- 

 known. 



Whih the members of the Society congratulate Professor Hall 

 upon the success which has crowned his persevering efforts, and 

 admire the modesty which characterizes his account of them, 

 they feel proud to claim him as one of their number. 



As every one who makes an important discovery either in the 

 arts or sciences, beneficial to mankind, stamps a coin that will 

 transmit his name with honor to future ages, so in time to come 

 will be perpetuated the name of the distinguished discoverer of 

 "Afi,>oj" and " <E>6(3o5". 



Reaolved, That a copy of the above resolution, engrossed and 

 signed by the President and Secretaries, be presented to Professor 

 Hall, with the request that he will permit his paper to be pub- 

 lished in the Bulletin of the Society. 



Mr. Lester Ward continued a communication on 



THE NATURAL SYSTEM OF PLANTS. 



Mr. Antisell made remarks on the proper basis of classifica- 

 tion ; Mr. White on fossil plants ; and Mr. Gill on the cau- 

 tiousness with which resemblances should be used, though they 

 may be taken as a guide in first examinations, giving instances 

 of strong resemblances in animals of different orders, and of su- 

 perficial resemblance and different anatomical structure. 



Mr. G. K. Gilbert made a communication on 



THE RECENT HISTORY OF THE GREAT SALT LAKE, 



giving the evidence, obtained while engaged in investigating the 

 agricultural resources of Utah, of an increase in the flow of the 

 streams, and rise and increased area of the lake itself. There 

 were also annual fluctuations caused by the melting snows in 

 spring and the heat in summer. He also discussed the causes to 

 which the progressive rise has been attributed, viz., volcanic 

 action, change of climate, agency of man. He spoke also of 

 similar increase in the streams and lakes of Colorado. 



Remarks were made by Mr. Hayden and Mr. White. 



