20 



on the Character and Prospects of the Copper Region of Gi- 

 bara, and a Sketch of the Geology of the North-east part of 

 the Island of Cuba," and "Notice of Fossil Arborescent Ferns 

 of the Family of Sigillaria and other Coal Plants exhibited in 

 the Roof and Floor of a Coal Seam in Dauphin County, Penn." 

 — and the communication by Prof. Booth and Mr. Boye, en- 

 titled, "On the Conversion of Benzoic into Hippuric Acid," — 

 all of which were read at the centennary meeting, — severally 

 reported in favour of the publication of the communications re- 

 ferred to them; and the publication was ordered accordingly. 



Dr. Bache announced the decease of Dr. Richard Harlan, a 

 member of the Society, who died at New Orleans on the 30th 

 of September last. 



Dr. Mease laid before the Society the Proceedings of the 

 Medico-Chirurgical Society of Louisiana, on the occasion of 

 Dr. Harlan's death; and they were read. 



Mr, Walker gave a succinct account of the condition of the 

 questions in regard to the orbit of the comet of February, 

 1843, as left by observations. 



He also read an extract from the Astronomische Nachrich- 

 ten of August 12, in which Mr. Clausen, an assistant at the 

 Dorpat observatory, under date of 21st April, 1843, affirms the 

 identity of the comet of February with that of 1668 and 1689; 

 this conclusion coinciding with that announced to the Society 

 by Messrs. Walker and Kendall in May last, and published in 

 the 27th No. of the Proceedings. Mr. Clausen asserts the 

 probable return of the comet in 1865. 



Stated Meeting, November 3. 



Present, thirty-three members. 



Dr. Patterson, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Professor Wylie, of Indiana University, was introduced as a 

 visiter. 



Letters were received and read :— 



From the Secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, dated 



