An Engraved Charter for Framing.
Our attention has been called to the fact that heretofore we have sent to our Chapters no charters, or certificates, suitable for framing.
To remedy this deficiency, we have engaged one of the leading firms of New-York City to design a very beautiful A. A. Charter, to be handsomely engraved on bond or parchment paper. The size of the charter will be about 12 × 18 inches or larger.
At the top is drawn an open St. Nicholas, showing on one page Prof. Agassiz's portrait, and on the other, representations of the animal and vegetable kingdoms.
Above the magazine is our badge, the Swiss Cross; and below is the motto, Per Naturam ad Deum. Then follows the certificate proper, handsomely ornamented, bearing the name of the founder of the Chapter, the name, number, and letter of the same, and signed with the autograph of the President of the A. A. Of course the first two hundred impressions—or artist's proofs—are the finest. Many members are so pleased with them that they wish to secure copies for their individual possession.
The Class in Mineralogy.
None of the courses of study we have ever had the pleasure of offering to our friends, has had the magnificent success which is attending Prof. Crosby's class in mineralogy. At this writing no less than eighty-nine pupils are enrolled, and as Chapters usually take the course through one representative, this number doubtless means that at the least five hundred persons are learning how to observe and describe minerals, under most competent instruction. To each pupil is sent a set of thirty valuable specimens, and all exercises are corrected and returned for revision. Geographically, the class extends from Washington Territory to England.
Reports of Chapters.
We have to begin again this month, as last, by presenting the excellent reports of dilatory Chapters. A little more promptness hereafter, good secretaries, if you please!
37, Kingsboro, N. Y. By some mischance, your card notifying me that our report is due has just come to my notice, and I hasten to write, fearing our "candlestick may be removed." Last week three of us visited a gold-mine and brought home specimens of rock from which gold is obtained, averaging about twenty dollars per ton. The rock is dark, fine-grained, and resembles lime-stone. It effervesces with acid. We have here beautiful specimens of the Azoic rocks, and we could make up named collections to exchange for other specimens.—W. W. Thomas, Box 711.