198 New-Yark Lyceum of Natural History. 
halftheir length. Such hail-rods are estimated to cost Hot. 
more than fifty cents a piece, and to last from twelve to fil- 
teen years. ‘They must be raised, however, after harvest, 
put under cover with the other rural implements, and only 
replaced at the vernal equinox. By these rods the light- 
ning is diverted from houses and barns, and the fields pre- 
served from hail-storms. Their effects appear to extend on 
a radius of fifty for each rod, and they should be placed 
within one hundred or one hundred and thirty feet of cach 
ether. 
N. B. Any communication on the above subject, post 
paid) will be thankfully received by Dr. Felix Pascalis, Presi- 
dent of the Linnzan Section, No. 486 Pearl-street, N. ¥. 
or by Dr. Elijah Mead, Secretary of the same, Beekman- 
street, near Pearl. 
If. Domestic. 
1, Proceedings of the New-York Lyceum of Natural History. 
{Continued from Vol. IX. p. 91.] 
March 1, 1824.—Dr. Madianna read his ‘“ Observations 
and experiments onthe seeds of the Cersera Tueveria.”* 
Inserted p. 86 of the Annals of the Lyceum. The President, 
Dr. Torrey, read an account of the Columbite of Haddam, 
{Conn.) with notices of several other North American mi- 
nerals, inserted p. 89. 
March 8.—Dr. Mitchill communicated a paper “‘ On the 
two-headed Serpents of North America,” which was referred 
to the Committee of Publication. Dr. Dekay read an ac- 
count of the Phoca cristata recently taken in the vicinity of 
New-York. Inserted p. 94. 
March 15.—Mr. J. Cozgens reported on a poisonous fish 
of the Antilles, presented at a former meeting. It is the 
Tetrodon testudineus of authors, and is highly deleterious. 
A paper, by Messrs. King & Ludlow, entitled ‘“‘ Appearances 
on dissection of the Phoca cristata,” was then read to the 
Society. It was accompanied by several beautiful and inter- 
esting preparations made from this animal. Baron G. Cu- 
veer, of Paris, was elected an Honorary Member in the place 
