378 Intelligence and Miscellanies. 



*s 



signated for that purpose. The spacious and circular yard 

 of that fort, called, after the late general Gansevoort, and 

 the adjoining buildings, will become an excellent laboratory, 

 and school of aerostation. In the mean while, Dr. Jones, 

 may animadvert as much as he pleases, he may rest assured 

 that I shall not take the trouble of answering his lucubra- 

 tions, following in that respect, the example of Montgolfier, 

 who, when he published his discovery of the balloons and his 

 contemplated experiments, was assailed from all quarters, 

 with the most scientific dissertations, attempting to prove by 

 all the rules of mathematics, and the formulas of algebra, 

 that he would fail. I am, I confess, more than ever san- 

 guine in my expectations, but if I am disappointed, you will 

 I know, Sir, be one of those who will say, as of the unfor- 

 tunate Phaeton, Magnis tamen excidit Ausis. 



Respectfully yours, E. C. Genet. 



4. Proceedings of the Lyceum of Natural History, N. York. 

 January, 1827. — A communication was read by the Sec- 

 retary on the Sorghum saccharatum, as an important material 

 to be employed in the manufacture of hats. The author 

 was requested to give publicity to his communication. 



Mr. Bull presented a valuable series of specimens illustrat- 

 ing the Lehigh coal formation, and announced his intention 

 of presenting a detailed memoir, on the subject at a future 

 meeting. The same gentleman presented fossil ferns, and a 

 new and very remarkable variety of pulverulent talc from 

 the above locality. 



Major Delafield, presented a remarkable specimen of na- 

 tive magnet, from Warwick, Orange county, and of spinelle 

 in calc. spar from Amity, Orange co. of the variety called 

 ceylanite. 



The Prince of Musignano read a continuation of his Sy- 

 nopsis of the genera of American birds. 



Mr. Barnes communicated a paper on several rare and 

 new species of mollusca. 



February. — Mr. Barnes presented five varieties of clay 

 from the vicinity of Augusta, Geo. one of these a very fine 

 white clay, is from the locality called chalk hills, and is sup- 

 posed there to be properly a chalk. 



