376 Proceedings of Scientific Societies, 



Prof. Bache stated, that along with Messrs. Walker, Kendall, Cresson, 

 Frazer, and a pupil of the High School, he had watched for meteors or 

 shooting stars, at the High School, on the nights of Nov. 12-13, and 

 13-14, and met with the usual negative results of the observations before 

 made in Philadelphia. 



Dr. Horner called attention to the noise and shock observed about 9 

 o'clock on Saturday evening last, (Nov. 14,) which were supposed by 

 some to be those of an earthquake. Judge Hopkinson referred to a state- 

 ment, that the phenomena were supposed to be produced by the explo- 

 sion of a near meteor. Mr. Nicklin mentioned facts, which induced him 

 to think there had been a slight shock of an earthquake at the time men- 

 tioned. Dr. Chapman and Mr. Cresson attributed the rumbling noise and 

 shock to thunder. Dr. Chapman had noticed a flash of lightning near 

 the horizon, which was followed by thunder. Mr. Cresson had noted an 

 interval of nearly two minutes between the flash of lightning and the clap 

 of thunder. 



Prof Henry described an apparatus for producing a reciprocating mo- 

 tion by the repulsion in the consecutive parts of a conductor, through 

 which a galvanic current is passing ; and made some remarks in refer- 

 ence to the electro-magnetic machine invented by him in 1829, and sub- 

 sequently described by Dr. Ritchie, of London. The machine referred 

 to had been applied recently by Prof Henry in his experiments. 



Prof Bache communicated an extract of a letter from Prof Rumker, 

 director of the observatory of Hamburg, which contained the results of his 

 observations of Galle's first comet, and occultations observed in April, 

 May, June, and August, 1840. 



Dec. 4. — The committee, consisting of Mr. Richards, Dr. Ludlow, and 

 Mr. G. M. Wharton, on a communication of Prof Forshey, of Natchez, 

 containing a description of the great mound near Washington, Adams 

 county, Mississippi, reported favorably of the same, and expressed the 

 hope, that the author might be enabled to prosecute farther examinations, 

 "the result of which, with his enlightened commentaries, would furnish 

 a most acceptable addition to the Transactions of the Society." 



The mound, described by Professor Forshey, is found about nine miles 

 north-east from the city of Natchez, Mississippi, upon the most elevated 

 portion of that comparatively low and level region, It is approached on 

 all sides by a slope. The elevation of its base above the mean level of 

 the waters of the Mississippi, at Natchez, is estimated at 265 feet, and the 

 greatest height of the mound above the earth, 84 feet. The whole eleva- 

 tion above the waters of the river 348 feet, giving to the spectator a clear 

 horizon of 150 degrees, embracing, in that flat region, a rich and extended 

 prospect. 



The mound is an irregular artificial elevation of earth, varying, in its 

 general line, from 40 to 46 feet in height, and encloses an area of about 



