309 



Dr. Barker of the Albany Medical College, exhibited the 

 Spectroscope, explained its construction and showed speci- 

 mens of its analysis. The instrument used was manufac- 

 tured for Henry T. Martin, Esq., under his supervision and 

 from plans furnished by himself. A chart, exhibiting the 

 solar spectrum with its chief lines, and the spectra of dif- 

 ferent elements was shown. It was drawn on stone by B. 

 F. Smith, Jr., and printed by Lewis & Goodwin. 



At the close of these proceedings, the Institute, without 

 further business, adjourned. 



March 3, 1863. 



The president, Mr. Pruyn, presided. 



Donations were announced as follows : 



HalliwelPs Provincial Dialects of England, presented by 

 Joel Munsell, publisher. 



Memorial of Semi-Centennial Celebration of Hamilton 

 College, 1862, presented by Hon. J. Y. L. Pruyn. 



Boston Journal of Nat. Hist. Society, Vol. VII., No. 2. 



Mr. Benjamin of the N. Y. State Library, then read a paper 

 upon the habits of burial and the cemeteries of different 

 nations. The earliest and simplest of the modes of burial 

 was the mound of earth, remains of which still exist. This 

 was succeeded by the heap of stones, and this by the pyra- 

 mid. Another style of burial was in caves, and from this 

 originated the catacombs, specimens of which remain at 

 Rome and Paris. Then our present method of burial grad- 

 ually sprung up, in which we deposit our dead in conse- 

 crated ground or in consecrated buildings. Westminster 

 Abbey, the Chapel of Henry VII., the Mausoleum at Halicar- 

 nassus, the Taj-Mahal in Hindoostan, are all buildings either 

 built or devoted partly to the purposes of burial. 



Mr. Benjamin's paper having been concluded, the Insti- 

 tute, without further business, adjourned. 



March 17, 1863. 



In the absence of the president, Dr. Vanderpoel presided. 



It having been stated that a movement was about to be 



[Trans, iv.] 41 



