195 



Mr. Trego announced the death of Prof. H. C. Oersted, a 

 member of this Society, who died at Copenhagen on the 9th 

 of March, 1851, in the 74th year of his age. 



Prof. Frazer briefly spoke of the scientific labours of Prof. 

 Oersted. 



Mr. Franklin Peale presented for the inspection of the mem- 

 bers, a gold piece of the value of $50, coined in California, by 

 Mr. Humbert, U. S. Assayer at San Francisco. He also ex- 

 hibited several of the new three cent pieces, coined at the 

 mint in this city, pursuant to a recent Act of Congress. 



Dr. Emerson mentioned to the Society, the passage of a re- 

 cent Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, for the registra- 

 tion of births, marriages and deaths, in the State, distinguish- 

 ing between those of the white and black inhabitants. 



Mr. Justice exhibited a specimen of the new preparation of 

 ^' flax cotton" by Mr. Clausen. 



Mr. Fraley made some observations upon specimens of pre- 

 pared flax, made some fifteen years ago, at New Hope, Pa., 

 and stated that he had seen about the year 1822, some speci- 

 mens prepared without water-rotting, at a mill in Manayunk, 

 the property of Mr. Alexander Wilson, for the purpose of ma- 

 nufacturing; and that Commodore Barron had about the same 

 time invented a machine for the same purpose. 



The stated business of the evening, the balloting for candi- 

 dates for membership was then proceeded with; all other busi- 

 ness having been finished, the ballot boxes were opened, and 

 the following gentlemen were declared duly elected members 

 of the Society : 



Rev. Henry A. Boardman, of Philadelphia. 



Dr. Thomas D. Mutter, do. 



Dr. Caspar Morris, do. 



Dr. William Pepper, do. 



Isaac Hazlehurst, Esq. do. 



Peter M'Call, Esq. do. 



Dr. William Shippen, do. 



Dr. Joseph Pancoast, do. 



Jacob G. Morris, do. 



Robert Patterson, do. 



