Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Vol. VI. No. Prof. Trego announced the death of Mr. W. C. Redfield, of New York, a member of this Society, who died on the 12th inst. in the 68th year of his age. In reference to the application of photography to produce correct representations of the moon's surface, spoken of at the last meeting, Dr. Le Conte remarked that the distortion of the moon, in consequence of the attraction of the earth, had, as Prof. Hansen observed, resulted in an elevation of the visible face of the moon of about eight miles; and that, in his opinion, the surface, at this elevation, would be deprived in great part, or, indeed, entirely, of the ordinary physical agents of geological changes. Mr. Justice expressed doubt as to this being the case, and thought it probable that changes are going on there as every where else in nature. Prof. Cresson referred to the changes of temperature on the moon, owing to its position with regard to the action of the sun's rays, as likely to produce meteorological phenomena on that planet, of a nature and intensity of which we can have little conception. The minutes of the Board of Officers and Council at their last meeting were read. On motion of Dr. Harris, it was resolved that the Board of Officers and Council be requested to consider the expediency of appointing a member to bring forward a subject for discussion, and to give his views thereon; or of any other measure which, in their opinion, may tend to increase the interest of the meetings, and promote the objects for which the Society was instituted. On motion of Mr. Fraley, the following resolution was adopted : Resolved, That the Board of Officers and Council be requested to inquire and report, whether it be expedient to make any alteration in the regulations under which the Magellanic and Extra-Magellanic VOL. VI.-2 L premiums are awarded; and if they may deem alteration expedient, then to report such modifications in the regulations as will invite regular claims for such premiums. Special Meeting, February 27. Present, twenty-four members. Dr. DUNGLISON, Vice-President, in the Chair. The presiding officer stated that he had ordered a special meeting to be called, under the conviction that the Society would be desirous to pay their tribute of respect to the memory of a distinguished member, Dr. E. K. Kane, whose services to science and humanity are appreciated by the whole civilized world; whose life had been one of adventurous daring and of genuine philanthropy; and whose enlightened efforts had greatly enlarged the boundaries of geographical and general knowledge. Whereupon, the following resolutions were offered by Dr. William Harris, and unanimously adopted: Resolved, That this Society has heard, with deep regret, of the death of its late distinguished member Dr. Elisha Kent Kane, who fell a victim to his zeal in the cause of humanity and of science, from the effects of exposure and sufferings endured during his last expedition to the Arctic regions, in search of Sir John Franklin and his party. Resolved, That in the death of Dr. Kane, this Society has lost one of its brightest ornaments; science a distinguished contributor; humanity a devoted friend; and the world an intrepid navigator and learned geographer. Resolved, That in respect to the memory of the deceased, the Society will, as a body, attend the funeral of our late associate. Resolved, That a portrait of Dr. Kane be placed in the Hall of the Society, as a continuing memorial of him, which may silently teach us, and those who are to come after us, how to pursue and to adorn science with persevering energy, truth, modesty and excellence. Resolved, That a member be appointed to prepare a notice of the life, character and services of Dr. Kane, and that the same be published in the proceedings of the Society. Resolved, That a letter expressive of condolence and sympathy for their loss, be addressed on behalf of this Society, by its officers, to the family of Dr. Kane, with a copy of these resolutions. Stated Meeting, March 6. Present, nineteen members. Prof. FRAZER, Vice-President, in the Chair. Dr. E. Brown-Sequard, a recently elected member, was introduced, and took his seat. Letters were read: From the Society of Antiquaries, dated London, Nov. 28, 1856, and from the Natural History Society of Newcastle upon Tyne, dated December 13, 1856, returning thanks for Nos. 53, 54, of the Proceedings of this Society: and— From Prof. A. D. Bache, dated U. S. Coast Survey Office, Washington, February 24, 1857, announcing a donation for the Library. The following donations were announced: FOR THE LIBRARY. Documents relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, procured in England, Holland and France. By John Romeyn Brodhead, Esq., Agent. Edited by E. B. O'Callaghan, M. D., &c. Vol. I. Albany, 1856. 4to. Catalogue of the New York State Library, 1855. 2 Vols. Albany. 8vo.-From the Trustees of the N. Y. State Library. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XVII. No. 3. January, 1857. London. 8vo.-From the Society. Proceedings on laying the corner stone of the Library Edifice for the Free Public Library of the City of New Bedford, Aug. 28, 1856. New Bedford. 8vo. From the Trustees. Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXXIII. No. 2. Feb. 1857. Philadelphia. 8vo.--From the Institute. Report on the Commercial Relations of the United States with all Foreign Nations. Edmund Flagg, Superintendent. Prepared under the direction of the Secretary of State. Vol. I. Wash ington, 1856. 4to.-From the Hon. J. R. Tyson. Official Army Register of the United States, for 1857. Published by order of the Secretary of War. Washington, 1857. 8vo.From S. Cooper, Adjutant General. Anniversary Address before the American Institute of the City of New York, Oct. 28, 1856. By Prof. A. D. Bache, Supt. U. S. Coast Survey. New York. 8vo. Inauguration of the Dudley Observatory at Albany, Aug. 28, 1856. 8vo. U. S. Coast Survey Maps: York River Harbour, Maine. Newbury. port Harbour, Mass. Gloucester Harbour, Mass. Salem Harbour, Mass. Charleston Harbour, S. Carolina. Mobile Bay, Alabama. Key West Harbour, Florida. Galveston Entrance, Texas. Reconnaissance of the Western Coast of the U. S. from San Francisco to Umpquah River, California and Oregon. Reconnaissance from Umpquah River to the boundary, Oregon and Washington Territory. Lines of equal Magnetic Declination for the year 1850. Lines of Equal Magnetic Dip and Horizontal Intensity for the year 1850.-From Prof. A. D. Bache, Supt. of the U. S. Coast Survey. The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol. XXIII. No. 68. March, 1857. New Haven. 8vo.-From the Editors. Report of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, for the year 1856. By Thomas S. Kirkbride, M. D., Physician to the Institution.-From the Author. Twenty-second Annual Report of the Trustees of the Philadelphia Gas Works, to the Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia, January 1857. 8vo. Report of the Board of Managers to the Stockholders of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Rail Road Company, at their Annual Meeting, January 12, 1857. Philadelphia. 8vo.-From Prof. J. C. Cresson. Twenty-ninth Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the House of Refuge. Philadelphia, 1857. 8vo.-From James J. Barclay, Esq. The Medical News and Library. Vol. XV. No. 171. March, 1857. Philadelphia. 8vo.-From Blanchard & Lea. Biographical Memoir of the late François André Michaux. By Elias Durand. (Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. Vol XI.) Philadelphia, 1857. 4to.-From the Author. The Committee to which was referred a paper by Dr. Adamson, entitled "Notes on certain methods of measuring minute intervals of time," made a report favourable to the publication of the paper in the Transactions of the Society, which was ordered, and the committee discharged. Dr. William Harris referred to the decease of Dr. E. K. Kane, at Havana, on the 16th ultimo, in the 38th year of his age; and spoke of his early devotion to scientific pursuits, his assiduity as a student, his energy as an adventurer, and his excellence as a man and a Christian. On motion of Dr. Harris, the Rev. Dr. Boardman was appointed to prepare an obituary notice of Dr. Kane. Dr. E. Brown-Sequard exhibited crystals from blood taken from the veins of dogs after the extirpation of the supra-renal capsules, and mentioned the results of several experiments upon animals in relation to the extirpation of these glands, upon the duration of life after the operation, and other phenomena connected with the functions of those capsules. Dr. Dunglison expressed his gratification at the statements. of Dr. Brown-Sequard. The functions of the supra-renal capsules had recently received great attention, and it had been found by Dr. Addison that their disorganization was accompanied by a fatal wasting and bronzed appearance of the skin, a diseased condition, to which the name "Addison's disease"Maladie d'Addison-had been given. After further remarks upon the subject, Dr. D. expressed his hope that the attention of Dr. Brown-Sequard might be turned to other ductless glands-the thymus and the thyroid, for example-to determine whether they also do not possess more intimate relations with the great vital functions than are at present admitted. Mr. Peale solicited the attention of the members to a new form of valves which he submitted for their inspection. He remarked that he used the word new, but in doing so desired to explain that they were imitations, as near as the means permitted, |