Kneeland.} 244. [May 7, 
Dr. Kneeland also described the phenomena of the frozen 
well at Decorah, Iowa. 
This is situated at a depth of 50 to 60 feet in a rocky bluff about 
the same height above the river, and 125 feet from the lateral face of 
the bluff. It is a small, irregular-shaped cave, into the top of which 
water trickles from the surface through a narrow cleft, probably 
caused by a fault. In summer the sides and bottom of the cave are 
covered with ice, and in winter with a muddy slush. 
He thought the explanation of Mr. N. M. Lowe, of Boston, in- 
genious and probable, viz.: that in summer the water passed down 
the crevice, carrying with it air; this air, in descent of 50 to 60 
feet, would be much compressed; and when the mingled water and 
air escaped into the cave, the sudden expansion of the air would 
take so much heat from the water, or create such a cold, that ice 
would be formed. In winter when the outer surface of the bluff is 
sealed over by ice, no water nor air could enter, and the summer ice 
would be melted into the semi-fluid mud then found. 
As the cave is independent of the changes of external air accord- 
ing to season, and is in the interior of a high, rocky bluff, no glacial 
remains, or similar geological cause, would seem adequate to explain 
ithe phenomenon. 
The thanks of the Society were voted to Messrs. E. A. 
and O. Bangs, G. O. Welch, and Harry Merrill, for gifts to 
the New England Collection of Birds. 
Annual Meeting. May 7, 1879. 
Vice-President Mr. S. H. Scudder in the chair. Thirty- 
nine persons present. 
The following annual reports were presented : — 
Report oF Pror. A. Hyatt, CUSTODIAN. 
The work of the Society and the condition of its collec- 
tions during ‘the past year call for no special remarks which 
will not appear under the separate headings in this report. 
