July 19, 1921 proceedings: biological society 315 



The method has proven to be the simplest and most satisfactory so far 

 developed for the seaUng of glass without distortion. It is, of course, par- 

 ticularly adapted to thin walled articles such as absorption cells and boxes. 



The paper was discussed by Messrs. White, Fenner, Sosman, Crittenden, 

 and others. 



H. H. Kimball, Recording Secretary. 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY 

 620th meeting 



The 620th meeting was held in the lecture hall of the Cosmos Club on 

 February 5, 1921, with President Hollister in the chair and 50 persons 

 present. On recommendation of the Council, Mr. Glenwood C. Roe and 

 Mr. Maurice K. Brady were elected to membership. The deaths of Mr. 

 W. J. Bennetts on September 13, 1920, and Mr. W. W. Welsh on January 

 31, 1921 were announced, both having been members of the Society. 



Informal Communications 



Dr. H. M. Smith exhibited a string of artificial pearls, and a bottle of 

 finely comminuted fish scales in suspension. The industry of making arti- 

 ficial pearls was transferred to this country during the war, the Bureau of 

 Fisheries assisting by suggesting fish whose scales were of desirable luster. 

 Dr. Smith also exhibited the smallest and consequently the youngest eel ever 

 captured. It was 2 cm. long, taken at 150 meters depth about 150 miles 

 southeast of the Bermudas. This is the locality where fresh water eels of 

 Europe and America resort to breed. The specimen was taken by Dr. 

 ScHMiTT in his recent expedition to study eels. 



Dr. R. W. ShuFELDT stated that in his studies of birds and mammals 

 fractured bones are sometimes found. An instance in Oxymicterus rufus, 

 a large mouse from Brazil, was described, in which the greatly extended 

 olecranon or elbow process of the forearm was broken, and a false joint had 

 formed. 



Regular Program 



Ivar Tidestrom : Notes on the flora of the Iberian Peninsula. 



Mr. Tidestrom showed that Spain possessed 60 per cent of Europe's 10,000 

 species of plants, many of which are peculiar to Spain, and explained this 

 fact, as well as the relation of Spain's flora to that of other countries, by her 

 more continuous elevation above sea level in the later geological periods. 

 The resemblance of Spain's topography to that of our own Southwest, and the 

 similarity of climatic and botanical zones, was shown in detail. The paper 

 was illustrated by maps, topographic sections, and landscapes. 



R. S. Bassler: Paleontological work at the National Museum. 



The work of the National Museum is divided into three principal fields: 

 the care of the collections, exhibition, and investigation. The space in the 

 museum building is divided approximately into thirds among zoology, paleon- 

 tology, and anthropology. In the exhibits of invertebrate and botanical 

 paleontology', the plan is to have large exhibits, suitable for cursory obser- 

 vation, in the center of the halls; at one side, a series in geological sequence; 

 and on the other side, further large exhibits showing details, restorations, 

 and the like. In the hall of vertebrate paleontology another plan is necessary 

 on account of the size and variety of the exhibits. The display here is de- 

 servedly popular on account of the admirable specimens, some of which are 

 unique. 



A. A, Doolittle, Recording Secretary. 



