171 



Mr. Richards exhibited a piece of plumbago from the South- 

 ampton mine, Bucks county. Tlie specimen was 12| inches 

 long, by I and f inch thick, and was sawed from a much larger 

 piece, remarkable for its purity. Mr. R. stated that the plum- 

 bago of this mine had been found better for the purposes of 

 making crucibles, &c. than the imported article, on account of 

 its greater purity, but that, unfortunately, it was more expen- 

 sive owing to the depth of the mine and the difficulty of work- 

 ing it. Mr. R. gave a brief history of the mine. 



A discussion in regard to the geology of the district arose, 

 in which Dr. Coates, Mr. Trego, and Prof. Frazer took part. 



Mr. Justice made some remarks upon a recent statement as 

 to the beneficial effects of wire gauze in case of near-sighted- 

 ness, which led to a discussion, in which Dr. Coates, Dr. Hays, 

 and Prof. Cresson took part. 



The Treasurer of the Society and the Committee on Publi- 

 cation made their annual Reports, which were referred as 

 usual. 



Pending nominations were read. 



There being no sufficient quorum present, the alterations of 

 the laws could not be considered. 



Stated Meeting, December 20. 



Present, twenty-six members. 



Dr. Patterson, President, in the Chair. 



Letters were read:-- - 



From Baron Von Hammer Purgstall, dated Vienna, 301h 

 April, 1850; and from Benjamin Ferris, dated Wilmington, 

 State of Delaware, respectively announcing donations to the 

 Society. 



The following donations were announced: — ■ 



FOR THE LIBRARY. 



The following works by the Baron Von Hammer Purgstall, of Vi- 

 enna: — 

 Abhandlung iiber die Siegel der Araber, Perser und Tiirken. 



