330 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences^ Arts, and Letters. 



The report was referred to the Finance committee, consisting of Prof. W. 

 W. Danells, Hon. Burr Jones and Gen. Geo. Delaplaine. 



The paper announced for the evening was not read, owing to the absence 

 of the author, Mrs. Willis. 



The Academy then adjourned to listen to the address of Pres. Bascom, of 

 the State University, before the state teachers' association. 



Second Session. 



Wednesday, December 29, 9:30 A. M. 



Academy called to order by the treasurer, Hon. S. D. Hastings, he being 

 the only officer present. On motion of Prof. W. F. Allen, Dr. P. R. Hoy was 

 elected to the chair, and Prof. A. O. Wright elected secretary pro tern. 



Tne report of Prof. E. A. Birge, librarian, was presented by Julius Nelson, 

 acting librarian, and was adopted. 



The following resolution was offered by Hon. S- D. Hastings: 



Whereas, Prof. J. E. Davies and Gen. Geo. P. Delaplaine have rendered 

 some eight years valuable service to the Academy, the first named as gen- 

 eral secretary and the other as treasurer, therefore as an acknowledgment of 

 our appreciation of their faithful labors they are hereby elected life members 

 of the Academy. 



The resolution was referred to a committee consisting of Hon. S. D. Hast- 

 ings, Hon. Burr Jones and Prof. T. 0. Chamberlin, who v/ere to report on 

 the legality of adopting the resolution. 



Prof. Butler read a paper on " The French Pioneers of the Northwest." 

 [See page. 85.] 



Discussed by Prof. A. O. Wright, Prof. W. F. Allen and the chair. 



Academy adjourned until 2 o'clock. 



Third Session. 



December 29, 2 P. M. 

 Prof. R. D. Irving in the chair. 



Several names were proposed for membership and referred to the com- 

 mittee on Nomination. 



A paper was presented by Mr. J. C. Arthur, of the University, on " The 

 True Form of Pollen Grains," to which he appended a paper on " The Vari- 

 ous Forms of Trichomes of Echinocystis lobata." Both papers were illus- 

 trated by drawings. In the first Mr. Arthur contended that in general the 

 observations upon pollen grains are made when these have lost a considera- 

 able portion of their moisture and are consequently wrinkled. In the second 

 he showed the many and curious forms which the vegetable cell assumes in 

 the hairs or down upon the leaves, stem and fruit of the plant. 



Prof. T. C. Chamberlain, of Beloit, state geologist, gave a lecture illustrated 

 by drawings, on " A New Element in the Preliminary Estimates for Artesian 

 Wells." 



The professor held that the water contained freely in the microscopic 

 crevices of rocks would, when these lay above the valley, give a resultant 

 pressure which must be recognized in determining the height to which the 

 water would rise in an Artesian well. Prof. J. E. Davies took exceptions to 



