the structure and properties of hairs, and illustrated by drawings the peculiar appearances which they present when subjected to a high magnifying power. Some remarks were made by Dr. Dunglison on the re-production and growth of hairs. The annual report of the Treasurer was read, and referred to the Committee of Finance. The Committee of Publication presented their report, which was read. Stated Meeting, December 21. Present, sixteen members. Dr. DUNGLISON, Vice-President, in the Chair. Mr. Samuel Powel, a recently elected member, was introduced and took his seat. Letters were read: From the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester, dated Society's Rooms, George street;-and from the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle upon Tyne, dated Newcastle, Oct. 27, 1855,—transmitting acknowledgments for Transactions and Proceedings of this Society: and From the Royal Asiatic Society, dated London, Nov. 17, 1855, returning thanks for Nos. 51, 52 of the Proceedings. The following donations were announced:— FOR THE LIBRARY. Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, in Worcester, Oct. 22, 1855; with a List of the Officers and Members. Boston. 8vo.-From the Society. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Vol. V. No. 16. Nov. 1855. Boston. 8vo.-From the Society. The U. S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere, during the years 1849, '50, '51, '52. By Lieut. J. M. Gilliss, Superintendent. 2 vols. 4to. Washington, 1855.-From Lieut. Gilliss. Les Ouvriers Européens: Etudes sur les Travaux, la Vie Domestique, et la Condition Morale des Populations Ouvrières de l'Europe:precedées d'un Exposé de la Methode d'Observation. Par M. F. Le Play, Ingénieur en Chef des Mines, &c. &c. Paris, 1855. Folio.-From Mr. Henry Seybert. Distribution Géographique de la Famille des Limaciens,-par le Doc teur de Grateloup. Bordeaux, 1855. 8vo.-From the Author. Deux Tableaux Statistiques et Géographiques du nombre des Espèces de Mollusques Terrestres et Fluviatiles, vivants et fossiles, de la France, &c. Par MM. les Docteurs de Grateloup et V. Raulin. Bordeaux, 1855.—From the same. Memoir of Dr. Amos Binney :-by Augustus A. Gould, M.D. Boston, 1850. 8vo. From the Author. The Astronomical Journal. Vol. VII. No. 17. Dec. 13, 1855. Cambridge. 4to.-From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr. Editor. Mr. Justice laid before the meeting several specimens of engraving on tin plates, with the printed impressions therefrom. The merit of this invention consists in its economy of preparation and engraving of the plates, and the facility with which they can be restored when worn by use. For many purposes these plates of tin appear to be destined to supersede the use of wood-cuts, and probably, in some cases, the more expensive copperplates, now commonly used. The inventor of this mode of producing impressions is Mr. Samuel W. Lowe, of this city. The Committee of Finance reported that they had examined the accounts of the Treasurer for the fiscal year, ending Dec. 1, 1855, and found them correct. The Committee recommended the following appropriations for the current year, which were ordered to be made accordingly: MAGELLANIC PREMIUM OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. This premium arises from a donation made to the Society by John Hyacinth de Magellan, of London, the interest of which is annually to be disposed of in premiums, to be adjudged by the Society, according to certain regulations, to the author of the best discovery, or most useful invention relating to Navigation, Astronomy or Natural Philosophy (mere natural history only excepted). According to the conditions prescribed by the donor, the premium shall consist of an oval plate of solid standard gold, of the value of ten guineas, with appropriate inscriptions, &c. The candidate shall send his discovery, invention or improvement, addressed to the President or one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society, free of postage or other charges, and shall distinguish his performance by some motto, device, or other signature. He shall also send a sealed letter, containing the same motto, device or signature, and subscribed with the real name and place of residence of the author, which letter shall not be opened unless the candidate be successful. No discovery, invention or improvement shall be entitled to this premium which has been already published, or for which the author has been publicly rewarded elsewhere. The candidate shall communicate his discovery, invention or improvement, either in the English, French, German or Latin language. Philadelphia, Jan. 1, 1856. Judge KANE, Vice-President, in the Chair. The judges and clerks of the annual election, held this day, for officers of the Society, made report that the following named gentlemen were elected: President. Alexander Dallas Bache. Vice Presidents. John K. Kane, Robley Dunglison, John F. Frazer. Secretaries. Charles B. Trego, John L. Le Conte. Members of the Council, for Three Years. Isaac Hays, Charles D. Meigs, Henry Vethake, Curators. Franklin Peale, John C. Cresson, M. Fisher Longstreth. Treasurer. Charles B. Trego. VOL. VI.-2 A The following donations were announced:— FOR THE LIBRARY. Memoirs of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester. Second Series. Vols. XI. XII. London, 1854-5. 8vo.-From the Society. 8vo. Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXX. No. 6. Dec. 1855. Philadelphia. 8vo.-From the Institute. Report of the Commissioner of Patents, for the year 1854. Arts and Manufactures. Vols. I. II. Washington, 1855. From the Hon. J. R. Tyson. Message of James Pollock, Governor of Pennsylvania, to the Legislature, 1856. Harrisburg. 8vo.-From Eli K. Price, Esq. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. LXI. New Series. January, 1856. Philadelphia. 8vo.-From Dr. Isaac Hays, Editor. The Medical News and Library. Vol. XIV. No. 157. Jan. 1856. Philadelphia. 8vo.-From Blanchard & Lea. . Pending nominations for membership were read. Stated Meeting, January 18. Present, twenty-six members. Dr. DUNGLISON, Vice-President, in the Chair. Letters were read: From the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences, dated Berlin, Aug. 23, 1855, announcing a donation for the library, and returning thanks for publications of this Society. From the Imperial Academy of Sciences, dated Vienna, Oct. 1, 1855, accompanying a donation for the library. The following donations were announced: FOR THE LIBRARY. Abhandlungen der Königlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin: aus dem Jahre, 1854. Berlin, 1855. 4to. Monatsberichte der K. Akad. der Wissenschaften zu Berlin, aus dem Jahre, 1855. Berlin. 8vo.-From the Royal Academy of Sciences, Berlin. |