188 Association of American Geologists. 



position of the bird in the embalmed specimens is found to be 

 invariably the same. The neck and head are drawn down be- 

 tween the legs, the lower mandible being presented outward and 

 downward, and the legs drawn forward beneath the body of the 

 bird, as if in a sitting posture, with the wings folded over the 

 neck and legs. Some specimens less perfectly bandaged seem to 

 have undergone a process of carbonization, and on the removal 

 of the linen folds crumble into a dark powder, in which the bones 

 appear, though reduced to a brittle state. 



Dr. Morton referred to the very recent appearance of the pot- 

 tery ware in which these specimens were contained ; notwith- 

 standing their extremely ancient date, which is at least three 

 thousand to four thousand years. The pyramids of Sakhara are 

 among the most ancient monuments of human art. These cases 

 containing the embalmed ibis are still found in great numbers, 

 though the traveller, Dr. Pococke, gave his opinion one hundred 

 years ago, that they would probably soon become extinct. 



Dr. Morton then proceeded to open another envelope contain- 

 ing some unknown embalmed object, which he conjectured to be 

 a mass of snakes or serpents. This was less carefully enclosed 

 than the ibis, being coarsely enveloped in rags rather than ban- 

 dages, though still covered by hundreds of folds of linen. These 

 being at length removed, disclosed the loing of a hat! 



The next embalmed object unfolded was a young crocodile, 

 {Crocodilus niloticus,) about a foot in length, and in good preser- 

 vation. Dr. M. observed that this animal is found in embalmed 

 specimens of all sizes, from the apparently just hatched young to 

 those of five feet in length, one of the latter size being at present 

 in his collection. 



Mr. Quinby exhibited specimens of silver, lead, and other ores 

 from the Andes in Peru, accompanying them with some observa- 

 tions upon their product, situation, &c. 



Prof Johnson showed specimens of magnetic iron ore from the 

 State of New York, which he had found to contain titanic acid, 

 combined with iron and manganese. 



Dr. Locke made some observations on the application of mag- 

 netism to the discovery of metallic veins and deposits. 



The following resolutions being moved by Prof Rogers, were 

 unanimously adopted. 



