134 Association of American Geologists and Naturalists. 



Resolved, That the thanks of the Association be presented to the pro- 

 prietors of the Unitarian Church and of the Medical College for the use 

 of their buildings. 



The Treasurer's Report was then read. 



Resolved, That all persons who wish may resume their papers, and 

 publish them where they please. 



Resolved, That the local committee have power to invite persons to 

 our next meeting at their discretion. 



The Association then adjourned to meet next year at New 

 Haven. 



The present session of the Association was rendered peculiarly 

 interesting froni the opportunity presented them of viewing in 

 detail the collections of the recent Exploring Expedition under 

 Capt. Cliarles Wilkes, now exposed, and in good measure ar- 

 ranged, in the extensive and magnificent hall in the new Patent 

 Office. More particularly were the members gratified by the 

 courtesy extended to them by the distinguished commander in 

 exhibiting to them at his house the drawings of the artists and 

 naturalists in the various departments of science, as well as of 

 national costume and scenery. A general expression of surprise 

 was heard at the vast amount of valuable labor performed by the 

 Expedition in all its departments ; and in no field will the value 

 of these labors be more generally felt than in the minute and 

 accurate surveys of the groups of Pacific islands visited by the 

 squadron, mostly regions heretofore known to mariners only con- 

 jecturally. A beautiful specimen of this sort of work was shown 

 on the large chart of the Feejee group. 



A good account of the labors of this Expedition has already 

 been laid before the public in the pages of this Journal by one of 

 the gentlemen of the scientific corps. The geological collections 

 are particularly interesting as being many of them derived from 

 regions where present causes are in the most active operation in 

 producing geological change. Of this nature are the corals, coral 

 chalk, and indurated limestone, as well as the extensive suits of 

 modern volcanic rocks. The fauna and flora of New South Wales 

 and Oregon present many new forms to the eye of the naturalist, 

 and give new importance to several departments of palseontology. 



John Locke, Chairman. 



B. SiLLIMAN, Jr. > c< t • ^ 



r\ Ti xr ? Sec7'etartes. 



U. if. Hubbard, 5 



