391 
of West Northfield, Cook Co., Illinois. Mr. K. proposes 
to exchange fossils, reptiles, birds, and fishes for a copy 
of the Journal of the Society. 
It was voted that a copy of the Proceedings, and of 
such numbers of the Journal as are not scarce, be for- 
warded to Mr. Kennicott in consideration of his proposed 
exchange. 
Dr. Brewer called attention to an interesting fact 
noticed by Mr. Kennicott, viz: that Plotus anhinga 
(Snake Bird) is found in Illinois; also that the Wood 
Ibis ( Tantalus loculator) is common in Southern Illinois, 
where it probably lays its eggs. Mr. Kennicott saw the 
latter bird frequently near Cairo, in August and Septem- 
ber of last year. 
At the meeting of May 21, Mr. N. H. Bishop presented 
samples of a peculiar crystalline salt which he ha 
brought with him from South America. Mr. Bishop’s 
account of this peculiar mineral is as follows : — 
It is found mixed with the soil in greater or less abundance, 
from San Luis de la punta, (a town on the western side of the 
pampas of the Argentine Republie, where the grass plains 
ZIP NO and the travera or desert commences,) to the foot of 
the Andes, 
San Luis lies in Lat. 339 16/ S., Long. 66° 27’ W., and is the 
capital of the province of the same name. From this town, 
Westward, the soil is almost worthless, until the River Mendoza is — — 
reached, where irrigation commences. D 
. The soil is very light and dry, not compact in the nr. due ; 
» probably caused by the dryness of the atmosphere and absence 
9f water; for when Mr. Bishop crossed that part of the TAPT 
they were obliged to purchase water that had been caught in 
oles for the use of cattle. Stones are rarely met with; where 
J do exist, at the base of the Andes, he did not observe the 
of this salt There are several spots on the 
v meen San Luis and Mendoza, furnishing a poor quality of 
