274 



rias. From the state of preservation in which these were 

 found, these gentlemen were enabled to determine that the 

 fossil plant, known as stigmaria, was the root of a sigillaria. 

 Observations of a similar character, anticipating this discovery 

 of Messrs, Binney and Harkness, were made some time since 

 by Mr. Steinhauer, a member of the Society, and published in 

 its Transactions. 



Dr. Emerson remarked on the course and character of the 

 late meteor: one of the most singular of its phenomena was its 

 apparent proximity to the place from whence it was observed. 

 Its movement was gradual from south to north, but, without 

 approaching the horizon, it suddenly disappeared. Dr. Patter- 

 son stated these were the usual phenomena wherever it had 

 been observed, but that its real distance was far greater than 

 that at which it appeared to the eye. 



New nominations, Nos. 190, 191, were read. 



The Librarian reported, that in accordance with the request 

 of the Chairman of the Curators, he had delivered to Henry 

 M'llvaine, Esq., attorney of Joseph E. Bloomfield, the two 

 silver Peruvian vases and the silver cestus, which were depo- 

 sited in the Cabinet of the Society, by Mr. Bloomfield, on the 

 16th of July, 1820. 



It was moved by Judge Kane, that so much of the By-laws 

 as relates to the nomination of members, be referred to a Com- 

 mittee, to report such alterations as they may deem expedient. 

 The motion being agreed to by the Society, Judge Kane, Dr. 

 Ludlow, and Dr. Bethune, were appointed the Committee. 



Mr. Ord offered the following preamble and resolution, 

 which were adopted: — 



Whereas the eighth meeting of the Italian Association for the Ad- 

 vancement of Science, will be held in the City of Genoa on the 14th 

 September next, and it is expedient that the American Philosophical 

 Society be represented in that learned body, it is hereby — 



Resolved, That our fellow member, Charles Lucien Bonaparte, 

 Prince of Canino and Musignano, now residing at Rome, be invited 

 to act as our representative at the meeting of the Association afore- 

 said, and that he be requested to aid in advancing all those objects 

 wherein the Italian Association and this Society have a mutual in- 

 terest. 



