New-York Lyceum of Naturag History. 199 
of the Abbé Correa de Serra, deceased. P.R. Ricard Ma- 
dianna, of Paris, and J. I. Bigsby, of the British Medical 
Staff were chosen Correspondents. 
March 22.—Captain Le Conte read ‘ Observations on the 
North Ameriean species of the Genus Gratiota.”’ Insert= 
ed p. 114. A specimen of earth called “ Matari”” was pre- 
sented by Dr. Madianna, used by the negroes of the Antilles 
as au article of food. It is a soft steatitic earth, with a 
small proportion of iron. It resembles a similar earth which 
is frequently eaten in Africa, with little injury to the system. 
The use of the Matari, however, generally proves fatal, in- 
ducing inflammation of the stomach or dropsy. 
March 29.—Dr. Van Rensselaer read a paper by Dr. J. 
I. Bigsby, entitled ‘* An Account of Minerals and Organic 
Remains occurring in the Canadas.”? Vide American Jour- 
nalof Science and Arts, Vol. VIII. p. 60. Dr. Madianna 
read his ‘ Researches and Experiments on some spe- 
cies of thegenus Passiflora.”’ Inserted p. 127 of the Annals. 
April 5.—Mr. Barnes communicated ‘‘ Observations on 
Cyprea,” &c. with descriptions of some apparently new spe~ 
cies. 
April 19. Mr. Cooper communicated a paper ‘On the 
Megatherium, recently discovered in Georgia.”? This paper 
was accompanied by a collection of the bones themselves of 
this huge extinct quadruped. Inserted p. 114 of the Annals. 
Mr. Halsey read a paper entitled ‘‘ Remarks on certain Eu- 
tozoical Fungi.’? Inserted p. 125 of the Annals. Prof. J. 
G. Christian Lehman, of Hamburgh, was elected Honorary 
Member in the room of the Abbé Haiiy, deceased. 
April 26.—Dr. Van Rensselaer read an analysis of Hum- 
boldt’s work entitled ‘‘ Essai Geognostique sur le gissement 
des Roches dans les deux hemispheres,” referred to him at 
a former meeting. Col. Totten read a paper entitled * Notes 
on some new Supports for Minerals subjected to the action of 
the Blowpipe.”” Inserted p. 109. Dr. Madianna communi- 
cated a paper on the poison of the Hipomana mancinella, of 
the Antilles. 
May 2.—Captain Le Conte read a paper on the Genus 
Ruellia. Inserted p. 140 of the Annals. 
May 10.—A paper by Mr. Ralph Granger, of Ohio, was 
read, announcing a variety of Corydalis formosa, accompa- 
nied by specimens. Dr. Hancock of Demarara, and Drs. 
Wm. R. Wainy, and I. C, Habersham, of Savantah, Geo. 
