THE LOSS OF THE PROTEUS. 369 
discussion concerning annual growth of trees >i< * * * ^ 
I have to say briefly that my experience coincides with that of the doctor. 
Formerly, I believe it was almost or quite universally conceded that what were 
familiarly known as annual rings, were unerring indications of the age of the 
trees. I know they are not." 
Governor Furnas attended the recent American Congress of Forestry at Min- 
neapolis, Minn., and reports that this subject was introduced in the Congress, and 
that Prof. Budd, of the Iowa Agricultural College, presented a specimen of 
known age, or near fifteen years, with thirty rings; also some specimens of spruce 
frome Puget's Sound, one foot in length, with eighteen rings on one end and 
twelve on the other. 
This drew from Commissioner Loring, the opinion that "it settled the ques- 
tion that rings could not at all times be relied upon." 
The Governor has also kindly presented me with sections of several trees of 
his own planting or of positively known growth and age; viz.: a black-walnut of 
five years with twelve rings. A green ash of eight years and twelve rings. A 
pignut hickory of eleven years and twenty four rings. A burr oak of ten years 
and twenty-four rings. A Kentucky coffee tree of ten years and twenty two 
rings. 
H. P. Child, Superintendent of the Kansas City Stock Yards, contributes 
a pine of eight years and twelve very distinct rings with nineteen additional finer 
or sub-rings ; also a soft maple of near fourteen years and sixteen very distinct, 
and sixty-three fainter or sub-rings. 
I will add, that of most of the previously described specimens, there can be 
more generally found certain more distinct and pronounced rings, which will 
answer to the commonly received annual rings ; and yet they very frequently, in 
other parts of the circumference, run into and are lost in, or entirely overshad- 
owed by the sub-rings to such an extent that it authorizes the common expression 
of all who have thoroughly examined the question that "the rings cannot be 
received as a reliable index of the years of trees. 
EXPLORATION. 
THE LOSS OF THE PROTEUS. 
On June 29th the United States Steamers, Proteus and Yantic, sailed from 
St. Johns in search of and for the relief of the Arctic exploring party that went 
out under Lieutenant Greely in 188 1, On the 13th of September the Yantic 
returned to St. Johns alone, bringing the officers and crew of the Proteus, which 
was crushed in an ice pack at the entrance to Smith's Sound, 200 miles south of 
Lady Franklin Bay — the point of destination — on the 23d of July, less than one 
