268 proceedings: biological society 



The 510th meeting was held March 22, 1913, with Vice-President 

 Bartsch in the chair and 52 persons present. . 



Barton W. Evermann reported the executive order of President Taft 

 made March 3, 1913, setting aside the entire chain of the Aleutian 

 Islands as a wild mammal and bird reservation. The reservation is to 

 be under joint charge of the Departments of Agriculture and of Com- 

 merce. A. D. Hopkins announced the recent organization of a new 

 scientific society, The Society for the Advancement of Forest Entomology 

 in America. ^ 



The regular program consisted of two communications: 



1. Recent progress in the study and culture of the common eel: Hugh 

 M. Smith. This was a comprehensive outline of the recent discoveries 

 concerning the life history of the common eel. Statistics of the com- 

 mercial uses of the eel and the methods employed abroad for its propaga- 

 tion and distribution were given. Numerous lantern slides were shown. 



2. Tree-shrews: Marcus Lyon, Jr. This paper was based upon a 

 study of many specimens of these squirrel-like, insect-eating animals. 

 Of less than 800 known specimens in museums, the British Museum 

 possesses 355, the U. S. National Museum 324, and about 100 are in other 

 collections. The paper was illustrated by lantern slides. Messrs. 

 Bartsch and Wm. Palmer took part in the discussion. 



The 511th meeting was held April 5, 1913, with President Nelson 

 in the chair and 43 persons present. 



Under the heading Brief notes, Paul Bartsch reported observations 

 on the habits of the two common toads of the District of Columbia, 

 Bufo americanus and Bufo fowleri. Henry Talbott commented on 

 the possible agency of man in the dispersion of animals during the 

 relatively recent geological ages. 



The regular program consisted of two communications: 



1. A commercial aspect of paleontology by a layrnan: Henry Tal- 

 bott. 



2. The zoological results of the Denmark expedition to northeast Green- 

 land: Fritz Johansen. The speaker, who accompanied the expedi- 

 tion, gave an account of climatic conditions and the fauna and flora 

 encountered. Mammals and birds received the principal attention. 

 Maps and numerous lantern slides were used. 



D. E. Lantz, Recording Secretary. 



