267 



over the dry and polished surface of the ice by the action of the winds, 

 and it seemed as if they might be transported in the' same manner to 

 indefinite distances, unless arrested by the continued intervention of 

 open water. 



Dr. Kane alluded to the infusorial dust of South America and 

 Africa, and the diffusion of volcanic ash and scoria over extended 

 areas, as also to the presence of acetic and hippuric acids, &c., in 

 the atmosphere, as detected by Fresnel and Horsford. He believed, 

 however, that this was the first instance of an analogous observation 

 with regard to organized and vegetable matter, and he regarded it as 

 having an interesting connection with the proto-coccus nivalis, and 

 other growths upon a naked snow surface. 



In reply to the questions of members. Dr. Kane stated that he had 

 collected the red snow at a point within the Arctic Circle, as high as 

 lat. 76° 15', and from the shores of Wellington channel to those of 

 Greenland. Throughout all this extensive range it was in no case 

 found on snow devoid of other vegetable life. It generally occupied 

 dependant valleys and grooves, and was found there in connection 

 with the fronds of lichens, portions of mosses, carices, the catkins of the 

 willow, &c. &c. The intensity of its colouring appeared to bear a 

 certain marked relation to the quantity of such foreign matter present 

 in these localities. 



Dr. Kane added, that Sir Edward Parry had detected this singular 

 vegetable organism on the distant Spitzbergen ice-fields, and Saus- 

 sure, Baer, and others, on isolated Alpine slopes ; but that, even in 

 these cases, it could not be said that the snow surface was absolutely 

 without a vegetable nidus. He had himself collected this snow 76 

 miles from any land, and from surfaces which, but for a critical 

 examination, would have seemed altogether pure. 



He did not wish his remarks to be understood as bearing upon the 

 general question of the ability of snow water to afford the necessary 

 ammonia for the supply of the plants, but as simply indicating for 

 many of the heretofore " isolated'''' localities of the red snow, the pre- 

 existence of a matrix of vegetable character. 



Dr. Leidy read a paper "On Extinct Species of the Ameri- 

 can Lion/' which was referred to a Committee, consisting of 

 Dr. Hays, Dr. Ruschenberger, and Mr. Lea. 



The election of members having been adjourned to this 

 meeting, the Society proceeded to ballot for candidates. 



