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tained in a trough holding about a barrel of water were introduced into a dark closet in a cellar; the water was occasionally changed, and they were well supplied with food, consisting of Confervæ, leaves, grass, and some animal matter. The thermometer in the closet ranged from 33° to about 60° F. They measured, at the time of introduction, between three and four inches in length; as they were probably hatched in the spring, they were therefore about six months old.

During the month of September, 1852, (ten months after they were introduced into the cellar,) a few were removed to another trough, which, though under cover, was exposed to the ordinary light, and the temperature of the air; these tadpoles soon exhibited signs of metamorphosis; their legs were developed and their tails absorbed.

The remainder have now been seventeen months in the cellar, and if (as there can be little doubt) they were hatched in the spring of 1851, they are now (April, 1853) at least nearly two years old. In the mean time they have not materially changed in size; the legs, which were mere rudiments when they were introduced, have not increased; and as far as appears, the tadpoles have no tendency to metamorphosis.

Assuming the natural larva period to be one year (and this corresponds with observation), that period has in this experiment been extended to nearly double its usual duration.

It was noticed, that when the thermometer was at its greatest depression, the tadpoles exhibited a much greater degree of activity than fully developed frogs, exposed in the same closet to the same degrees of light and heat. The tadpoles were frequently moving about, when the frogs were wholly torpid.

Three hundred and seventy-eighth meeting.

May 3, 1853. - MONTHLY MEETING.

The VICE-PRESIDENT in the chair.

The Corresponding Secretary read a letter from Lieutenant J. M. Gilliss, of the United States Navy, presenting, from the

Council of the University of Chili, a copy of the Anales de la Universitad de Chile, which was laid on the table.

Professor Peirce made a communication on the caloric engine, in reference to the relations of different gases and vapors to heat.

Professor Treadwell followed, with some remarks on the same subject.

Three hundred and seventy-ninth meeting.

May 24, 1853. ANNUAL MEETING.

The PRESIDENT in the chair.

The attendance of members being very small, on account of the Inauguration of President Walker occurring on the same day at Cambridge, the meeting was adjourned to May 31st, at half past three, P. M.

Three hundred and eightieth meeting.
May 31, 1853.

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ADJOURNED ANNUAL MEETING.

The VICE-PRESIDENT in the chair.

The Corresponding Secretary announced that he had received letters from the Royal Academy of Sciences, &c. of Belgium, and the Royal Society of London, acknowledging the reception of Vol. IV. Part II. of the Memoirs of the Academy; from the Royal Institution of Great Britain, acknowledging the reception of Vol. II. of the old Series, and Vol. II. of the Academy's Proceedings, pp. 233-359; a letter from M. Vattemare, presenting, from the Secretary of the Statistical Committee of Belgium, fifteen pamphlets on Political Economy and Statistics, and also urging on the notice of the Academy the advantage of the adoption by all civilized nations of a uniform standard of weights and measures, and of currency; a letter from the Curator of the Museum of Practical Geology of London, presenting, from the British Government, through Sir Henry de la Beche, several valuable works on Geology, published under his superintendence.

The Treasurer presented his report, which was accepted. Professor Lovering read the report of the Publishing Committee, which was accepted.

Mr. Lovering announced that Vol. V. Part I. of the Academy's Memoirs, and the Map of the Tornado at Medford, were completed, and ready for distribution.

Mr. Lovering then made the following communication:

"Within a few weeks, as we all know, two of the former members of this Academy have left us, Mr. John Farrar of Cambridge, and Dr. Peirson of Salem, but under circumstances which strangely contrast together. One of these gentlemen died at an advanced age, after a painful and unusually protracted illness, the course of which had been long watched with care and sadness by many friends and admirers. The other was cut off by a terrible accident, in the strength and maturity of his years, and while enjoying health and professional activity. It is more than seventeen years since the sweet and dig. nified face of Mr. Farrar has been seen at our meetings. On the other hand, it seems but yesterday that Dr. Peirson was with us, eagerly interested in all questions of science which touched his own profession, and that hearty tribute of respect which he so recently paid to an associate in the Academy and a fellow-townsman has scarcely ceased to be heard, when we are called on to offer a similar memorial to him.

"But I rise principally to invite the attention of the members of the Academy to some appropriate notice of the death of Mr. Farrar. Mr. Farrar became a member of the Academy in 1808, and served it in various capacities.

"He was the Recording Secretary for fourteen years. He acted on the Committee of Publication for fifteen years. And he was

Vice-President in 1829 and 1830.

"He also contributed the following papers to the Memoirs of the Academy :

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"In the third volume of the Old Series, Observations of the Comet of 1811';- 'Abstract of Meteorological Observations made at Cambridge,' from 1790 to 1807 by President Webber, and from 1807 to 1813 by Mr. Farrar;-Abstract of Meteorological Observations made at Andover, by Rev. Jonathan French.'

"In the fourth volume of the Old Series he published 'An Account

of the Violent and Destructive Storm of the 23d of September, 1815.' Also, An Account of a Singular Electrical Phenomenon, observed during a Snow-storm accompanied with Thunder.'

"Not the least important of the services rendered to science by Mr. Farrar was the translation and introduction into general use in the American colleges of the best French text-books in Mathematics, and Physics or Natural Philosophy; which prepared the minds of teachers and pupils for a system of instruction in these branches superior to that which had hitherto been imitated from the English Universities."

Mr. Lovering concluded with the following resolutions :

"Resolved, That the Academy are deeply sensible of the loss they have sustained by the long illness and recent death of John Farrar, LL.D., formerly Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Harvard College. Although his inspiring presence has not been with us for a period of years which now equals two thirds of a generation, we still remember with gratitude his various official services to the Academy, and his valuable contributions to science in the flower of his life. We remember still the poetical ardor with which he cultivated his favorite sciences, the fervor and enthusiasm with which he taught them, and the rare fascination and eloquence with which he discoursed upon them. We also remember the silent eloquence which beamed from his countenance in sickness and even death. For his rich intellectual gifts, and his Christian dignity and courtesy, which many of us enjoyed so long, we would ever hold him in grateful remembrance.

“Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary of the Academy be requested to communicate these proceedings to Mrs. Farrar, and to assure her of the sympathy which the members of the Academy feel in this her hour of heavy bereavement."

Professor Peirce alluded in terms of admiration to the important services rendered to mathematical science by Mr. Farrar, and ascribed to him, more than to any other man, the adoption of the present admirable system of instruction in the mathematical sciences. He seconded the resolutions offered to his memory.

Professor Treadwell followed in some remarks on the many

beautiful traits in the character of Mr. Farrar, and especially on his readiness and willingness to communicate his varied knowledge, and to assist in all ways in his power every student of science, however humble, who might apply to him for advice and instruction. The resolutions of commemoration offered by Mr. Lovering were unanimously adopted.

Dr. B. A. Gould, Jr. called the attention of the Academy to the decease of another of its members, the late Sears C. Walker, to whose labors astronomical science owes much of its recent advancement.

Professor Peirce spoke in the highest terms of the scientific ability and attainments of Mr. Walker, and seconded the resolutions offered by Mr. Gould; which were as follows:

"Resolved, That the Academy have received with profound sorrow the afflicting intelligence of the death of their honored associate, Sears C. Walker, by whose premature decease American science has lost one of its ablest devotees, and this Academy one of its brightest

ornaments.

"Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Academy, the labors and enthusiasm of our late associate have signally contributed to the recent advances of astronomy and physics in our own country, while his able and profound investigations have enriched the science of the world.

"Resolved, That we offer to the family of Mr. Walker the assurance of our sincerest sympathy in this their great bereavement. "Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be communicated to the family of our deceased associate."

These resolutions were unanimously adopted.

Professor Gray, in behalf of the committee to whom was referred the revised list of classified members recently adopted, reported some slight corrections, chiefly from the death of members; it was then voted that this list be referred to the Recording Secretary for the addition of new members, and be by him transferred to the Publishing Committee for printing.

The scrutineers reported that the following gentlemen were chosen officers for the ensuing year, viz. :

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