156 Miscellanies. 



Samuel L. Mitchill presented eighteen boxes of minerals, being the 

 chief part of the valuable collection of the late Dr. Mitchill, the 

 former President of this society. This donation contained a large 

 number of choice and elegant minerals, which the cabinet of the 

 society did not previously possess, and was particularly rich in spe- 

 cimens of the metals. The Secretary was directed to announce 

 their reception, and communicate the thanks of the society to Mrs. 

 Mitchill. It having been mentioned by the President at the last 

 meeting, that it was the intention of the Government to send the 

 newly raised corps of U. S. Dragoons, during the ensuing summer, 

 to the Rocky Mountains and different other parts of the western 

 country. Dr. Torrey suggested, that it would be very desirable that 

 the society should exert its influence to obtain the appointment of an 

 experienced naturalist to attend the expedition ; and upon motion it 

 was resolved, that the President and Corresponding Secretary do 

 make application, in the name of the society, to the Secretary of 

 War, for the purpose of obtaining such appointment to be made, in 

 which case the society will cheerfully undertake to find a person ia 

 all respects qualified for this duty. 



Feb. 3. — The President in the chair. The Corresponding Sec- 

 retary presented, from the Russian Consul, in the name of the Im- 

 perial Academy of Sciences, the following works, viz. — "Memoires 

 de 1' Academic Imperiale des Sciences de St. Petersbourg," Vol. 11, 

 in four parts; "Catalogue raisonnee des objets de Zoologie recuilles 

 dans un voyage au Caucase," &c. par E. Menetries; " Transactions 

 of Imperial Academy at St. Petersburg," Dec. 1832. Mrs. J. G. 

 Bogert presented " Memoirs of Baron Cuvier, by Mrs. Lee." A 

 MS. communication, received through Mr. Audubon, from the Rev. 

 John Backman, of Charleston, S. C, was read, "On the powers of 

 Sight and Scent possessed by the Turkey Buzzard, (Cathartes aura,) 

 and the Black Vulture, (Cathartes atrata,)" detailing a series of ex- 

 periments tending to prove that these birds are attracted to their prey 

 only by the sight, and cannot discover their food, however strongly 

 tainted, if hidden from view; also, that they very readily feed on 

 fresh as well as putrid meat. On motion, this paper was forwarded 

 to Prof. Silliman for publication. 



Feb. 10. — The President in the chair. The President reported, 

 that the resolution of the society on the subject of the expedition to 

 the Rocky Mountains, had been communicated, as directed, to the 

 Secretary of War, 



