Donations to the Library: Washington Astronomical Observations for 1864, 4to, Washington, 1867. Report on Interoceanic Canals and Railroads between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, 8vo, 1867. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner on the Cession of Russian America.
A letter from George Gibbs, Esq., transmitted through the Smithsonian, and urging the importance of collecting Indian crania on this coast, was read and commented on by Professor Whitney. He also exhibited a part of a jaw of Oreodon, sent from Montana, by Mr. Keyes. The precise locality where it was said to have been found is about twenty miles northeast of Bannock City, on Rattlesnake Creek, a branch of the Beaver Head. If there is no mistake in the locality, this is a very interesting occurrence, as the existence of these tertiary deposits characterized by bones of extinct mammalia (the White River beds) was not before known as far west, or at as high an elevation, as this.
Professor Whitney gave an account of his recent visit to Oregon, Washington Territory, Vancouver Island, and British Columbia. He spoke particularly of the volcanoes of that region, and remarked that he had ascertained, by rough trigonometrical measurements, that Mount Hood was at least two thousand feet lower than Mount Shasta. He was about to ascend the first-named peak, in order to measure it barometrically; but, on learning that Colonel Williamson was intending to do the same thing, during the present season, he proposed to await that gentleman’s measurement, the result of which could not fail to be accepted by all as eminently trustworthy. Professor Whitney remarked that his journey had been undertaken chiefly with a view to the study of the “surface-geology,” and that he would, on a future occasion, bring before the Academy the results of his observations.
Mr. Bolander made some remarks on the distribution of the redwoods and Big Trees in California, and exhibited a map, prepared at the office of the Geological Survey, on which the extent and position of the regions occupied by these two species of Sequoia were shown by colors.
Dr. Ayres remarked on explosive sounds heard by him recently, during perfectly clear weather, in the vicinity of Borax Lake. They seemed to come from beneath the surface, and recalled the subterranean explosions or noises mentioned in the Geology of California, Vol. I, as having been heard in the vicinity of Mount Helena.
Regular Meeting, September 16th, 1867.
Vice President Ransom in the chair.
Twelve members present.