502 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



the Saline, in Russell County, and in various parts of the State. The conclusion 

 drawn by Mr. Hay was that all his researches "pointed one way, namely, to the 

 cretaceous origin of most of the specimens of fossil wood found on our prairies." 



Prof. Patrick exhibited two rare minerals found by him last summer while in 

 New Mexico, giving an interesting oral description of the discovery of the same, 

 together with the classification of the rare specimens in his collection: The two 

 minerals in question are vanadates of lead, containing the rare mineral vanadium. 

 One is supposed to be Dechenite. a mineral discovered in Bohemia, and thus far 

 hardly ever found elsewhere. The species of the other mineral has not yet been 

 determined, as it differs in appearance from all the known vanadates. 



Afternoon Session. — Academy convened at two o'clock P. M. President 

 Thompson in the chair. An increased attendance, including a number of ladies. 



Prof. Carruth gave an interesting account of a recent visit to the southwest- 

 ern part of the State in quest of additional botanical specimens. Th6 species of 

 flora known to Kansas botanists Mr. Carruth stated to be 1,400, of which 200 

 are not found in Wood & Gray's botany. 



A thoughtful paper upon "Kansas Ethnography," designed as an introduc- 

 tory paper, was read by Dr. A. H. Thompson, which was listened to with close 

 attention, giving rise to an extended discussion, participated in by Messrs. In- 

 man, Snow, and others. 



Professor Snow made some highly interesting remarks upon the " New Kan- 

 sas Coleoptera," and presented a list, which called forth an animated discussion. 



A carefully prepared paper upon "Are there Igneous Rocks in Kansas?" in 

 opposition to the theory, was read by Mr. Erasmus Haworth, which called forth 

 an animated discussion, participated in by Messrs. Patrick, Inraan, Snow and 

 others. 



Mr. Haworth showed some beautiful specimens of the copper ore, " Chalco- 

 pyrite," found in Cherokee County, which has not before been found in Kansas. 



Professor Snow exhibited a specimen of the Gila monster, Heloderma suspec- 

 tum, captured by him last summer while in New Mexico, an animal held in great 

 dread by the natives and regarded by them as being highly poisonous, which the 

 Professor declared was erronous ; giving a humorous account of sundry experi- 

 ments which he had made with the animal to test this fact. 



Evening Session. — A fine audience greeted the Academy in the evening, 

 to listen to Professor H. S. S. Smith's paper on comets. This gentleman's sub- 

 ject was ably and carefully handled. He advanced no new theories, but pre- 

 sented seriatim the popular views in relation to comets in the olden time, when 

 astronomy was crudely understood, and the most advanced idea of to-day relat- 

 ing to these strange celestial visitors. He seemed to argue most favorably for the 

 electrical theory, though he admitted that all was conjecture and that nothing 

 was known positively of their origin or purpose. The lecture was listened 

 to attentively, and at its close provoked some pleasant and instructive discussion 

 by several of the members present. [A portion of this paper is presented to the 

 readers of the Review on pages 465 to 467 of this number. — Ed. Review. 



