158 Miscellanies. 



Dr. Torrey laid before the society the first volume of N. A. Grami- 

 neae and Cyperaceae, by Asa Gray, M. D., illustrated by dried spe- 

 cimens of the plants. On motion, a copy of this work for the libra- 

 ry was ordered to be purchased. Mr. Edward Haj'ris was elected a 

 resident member. 



March 10. — The President in the chair. The Treasurer laid on 

 the table the December and January Nos. of the Philosophical Maga- 

 zine. The President read a letter from the Secretary of War, in 

 answer to that conveying the resolution of the society relative to the 

 appointment of a scientific person to accompany the proposed expe- 

 dition to the far West, in which it is stated that no provision has been 

 made for a naturalist to the expedition, but that any such person can 

 join the expedition at his own expense. The President also read a 

 letter from Mr. Geo. Catlin, corresponding member of the society, 

 accompanying a beautiful specimen of Baculite, from the banks of 

 the Missouri, and offering to procure a further supply for the cabinet 

 of the Lyceum. The Corresponding Secretary read a letter from 

 the U. S. Naval Lyceum, conveying thanks for the donation of min- 

 erals lately made to that institution. Dr. S. L. Metcalf read a paper 

 on "Molecular Attractions," in which he considers caloric as the 

 cause of that and all other attractions. A. R. Thomson presented 

 a specimen of native copper from Soraerville, N. J. ; referred to Dr. 

 Gale for examination and report. 



March 17. — The President in the chair. The Treasurer laid on 

 the table Phil. Mag. for February, and Mag. Nat. Hist, for January, 

 1834. Dr. Gale reported on the specimen referred to him at the 

 last meeting, that it is native copper and red oxide of copper. Mr. 

 Cramer exhibited to the society a drawing of a gigantic emerald, 

 discovered in the Ural Mountains, and which is at present in the col- 

 lection of the Emperor of Russia. On motion, the President was 

 requested to acknowledge to Mr. Geo. Catlin the receipt of his letter 

 and the accompanying specimen of Baculite, and at the same time to 

 request him in the name of the society to furnish specimens of all 

 such fossils as he may be enabled to collect from the locality men- 

 tioned in his letter, or its neighborhood, with any information he can 

 furnish respecting them. An undetermined mineral from the socie- 

 ty's collection was referred to Dr. Feuchtwanger for examination 

 and report. Mr. Cooper presented three different species of Asteria 

 from Turks Island ; also, a number of preserved fishes, of species 

 not previously in the museum of the society. 



