1885.] Proceedings of Scientific Societies. 833 
in the bottom of Ungava bay. The united glacier still moved 
eastward round Cape Chudleigh into the Atlantic.” 
Farther observations on the geology and natural history as 
well as ethnology of this region are desirable, and will be made 
during the season of 1885. e steamer Alert, in command of 
Lieut. Gordon, R. N., left Halifax, May 30, Dr. Bell being the 
scientist of the expedition. Stores sufficient for more than a 
year will be taken to provide against any emergency. The round 
trip is expected to occupy five months. The stations to be visited 
are Port Burwell, near Cape Chidleigh, Ashe inlet, near North 
bluff, Stupart’s bay, near the Prince of Wales Foreland, Notting- 
ham island, Digges island and Nachvak bay, all of which were 
founded last year. These stations will all be continued, except 
the last named, which will be dispensed with on the score of 
economy. Lieut. Gordon expected to reach Hudson’s strait by 
June 10. Provisions for the ensuing year and eighteen tons of 
hard coal will be left at each station. A large quantity of evapo- 
rated vegetables will be taken to the stations. Forty applica- 
tions have been made for positions as observatory men. Much 
valuable information is expected to be gained from the observa- 
tions made during the past year as to the formation and breaking 
up of the ice and in regard to its movements, also relative to the 
navigation of the strait. After leaving Fort Churchill, a running 
survey will be made on such portions of the eastern shore of the 
bay as are practicable. The A/ert is expected to arrive back in the 
strait about August 25, and the remainder of the time will be occu- 
pied in surveying as much of the coast of the strait as is possible. 
PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 
PHILADELPHIA ACADEMY OF NATURAL Sciences, March 24.— 
Mr. Garrison communicated the results of his examination of. 
slag from an iron furnace. 
Mr. A. H. Smith and Mr. Edw. Potts described borings in the 
vicinity. One in Cumberland county, N. J., reached a depth of 
650 feet, and at 570 feet passed through a bed of oyster shells, 
stated by Professor Heilprin to be almost certainly Cretaceous. 
Dr. Leidy spoke upon the giant extinct sloths, and stated that 
among fossils received last year from New Iberia, La., were three 
teeth, a close study of which indicated that the form described 
by Owen as Mylodon harlani should be returned to the genus 
Orycterotherium, in which it had been placed by its discoverer, 
Harlan 
arlan. : 
Mr. Eastlake presented Entomologia Hongkongensis, and Mr. 
A. F, Gentry a description of a supposed new species of Cyano- 
co 
orax. 
March 31.—Dr. Horn referred to certain sexual characters 
separating forms of the Staphylinide. The gradual disappear- 
ance of these forms might be considered as an instance of nature's 
