177 



Mr. C. endeavoured roughly to ascertain the velocity of the 

 wind by parachutes, and found it to be about sixty feet per 

 second. 



Mr. Justice referred to the case related of a person, partially 

 drowned, in which the circumstances of the person's life pass- 

 ed rapidly and vividly through his memory. Mr. J. had re- 

 cently met with a similar case, in which the patient, without 

 knowledge of the former incident, described the same effect as 

 having occurred to him. 



Mr. Trego, for Mr. Du Bois, made the following statement 

 concerning a remarkably large specimen of gold from Califor- 

 nia: — 



The largest lump of gold in quartz, which, as it is affirmed, has 

 yet been found in California, was brought to the Assay Office of the 

 Mint of the United States, a ihw days since, to be valued without 

 being destroyed. Mr. Eckfeldt, the principal assayer of the mint, 

 found its weight to be 265-j^yQ- ounces troy, the fineness of the gold 

 902 thousandths, the specific gravity of the lump 7.99. Assuming 

 2.6 as the average specific gravity of ferruginous quartz, and taking 

 the known specific gravity of gold of the above fineness, when alloy- 

 ed with silver, 17.93, it follows that the lump was composed of 

 209.48 oz. of pure gold, and 56.02 oz. stone: the consequent mint 

 value was 83906. The gold is reputed to have been found in dry 

 diggings, not far from Tuolumne river, by two Mexicans, belonging to 

 what is known in California as the " Sonorian Camp." It is now in 

 the possession of Messrs. Ludlow, bullion brokers, in Third street, 

 where it may be seen. 



There not being a sufficient quorum for the amendment of 

 the laws of the Society, the subject was necessarily postponed. 



Pending nominations were read. 



The following resolutions, offered by Mr. Justice, were read, 

 considered and agreed to: — 



Resolved, That the sum of three hundred dollars be paid to the 

 Librarian, in addition to the amount provided for in the laws of the 

 Society, for his services during the present year; for which ex- 

 tra compensation, he shall continue to arrange and make complete 

 the catalogue of our library, now in progress; prepare and forward 

 the Proceedings to our correspondents, and generally to transact all 



