303 



Prof. Hall made a statement in regard to some Canadian 

 publications, regarding bis discoveries, and asked that the 

 following communication be entered on the minutes, which 

 was unanimously granted : 



Albany, May 12, 1862. 



I certify, that on the ninth day of February, 1861, I sent 

 to Captain James Anderson, at that time of the Cunard 

 Steamer Canada, a box of fossils, among which were some 

 specimens of Potsdam sandstone from Trempaleau, "Wis- 

 consin, containing small linguloid shells, given to me by 

 Prof. James Hall, under the name Lingula polita, which 

 name was written upon the labels sent with the specimens. 



Without being able to designate the precise time, I know 

 of my own knowledge that at a time previous to the date 

 specified above (ninth of February), Prof. Hall had made 

 comparisons of this small fossil with the figures and descrip- 

 tions of Dr. D. D. Owen, who had designated it as Obolus 

 apolinus, and that its relation to Obolus and its differences 

 therefrom, as exhibited in figures given by Davidson, 

 were fully discussed by Prof. Hall and myself. 



Signed, R. P. Whifield. 



On motion, it was resolved, that the next meeting be the 

 last for the present season, and that then the Institute ad- 

 journ to meet on the third Tuesday of October. 



December 16, 1862. 

 The president, Mr. Pruyn, presided. 



Donations were announced. 



A paper was then read by Mr. Murray, on the History 

 and Prospects of Petroleum. 



Some account was given of the geographical and geolo- 

 gical distribution of it ; its introduction as a branch of 

 commerce ; its utility as an illuminator, and its explosi- 

 bility. 



Some remarks were made by Prof. Hall and others, in 

 regard to the same subject. 



