114 Associatiofi of American Geologists and Naturalists. 



Lowell, who, by a most rigid analysis and a most ingenious train of 

 reasoning, had found them to be not only coprolites, but the coprolites 

 of birds ; and not of birds only, but of a particular kind of birds, viz. 

 the omnivorous, such as have deposited guano. These conclusions de- 

 pended chiefly upon the existence in the coprolite of uric acid, which 

 Dr. Dana had proved by a most elaborate analysis. These conclusions 

 of Dr. Dana the author regarded as one of the most ingenious applica- 

 tions of chemistry to geology he had ever known, and stated that hith- 

 erto the coprolites of birds had not been discovered. 



This paper was illustrated by a drawing of the Labyrinthodon, an enor- 

 mous frog as large as an ox ; also, by a drawing of a bird on the type 

 of the Apteryx, intended to represent the gigantic Dinornis, or danger 

 bird, whose bones have been lately found in New Zealand. The draw- 

 ing was sixteen feet high. There was shown also a drawing of a bird- 

 nest twenty-six feet in circumference, and two feet eight inches high, 

 found by Captains Cook and Flinders on the coast of New Holland ; and 

 it was suggested that perhaps this might have been the nest of the Dinor- 

 nis ; and if so, that this enormous bird may still be alive in that country. 



Several gentlemen followed Prof. Hitchcock's paper with oral 

 remarks. 



Capt. Charles Wilkes then read a paper " On the formation of 

 the Antarctic Ice," accompanied by illustrations and a chart of 

 the Antarctic Continent. 



Capt. W. considered these bergs and floes as due for their increase 

 chiefly to the congelation of atmospheric moisture, and that it was from 

 this cause that they were always found to consist of pure fresh water, 

 with which he frequently supplied his ship. His illustrations showed in 

 a spirited way the mode of decay and the forms assumed by the bergs 

 in melting : and he explained how powerful theywere as agents in trans- 

 portation of geological materials. 



The Association then adjourned to assemble at the residence 

 of Capt. Wilkes in the evening, with the view of seeing the draw- 

 ings and illustrations, charts, &c., the result of the labors of the 

 gentlemen engaged in the Exploring Expedition. 



Blonday morning, 9 o^clock. — Dr. Locke in the chair. The 

 meeting was called to order, and the Secretary read the minutes 

 of Saturday's session. After some minor business matters were 

 disposed of, it was 



Resolved^ That this Association hold its next meeting at New Haven, 

 in Connecticut. 



Resolved, That the thanks of this Association be tendered to Prof. 

 Henry D. Rogers for his excellent and instructive address before the 



