34 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
boring into the roots and lower parts of the stems of Acrostichum 
aureum, a fern growing near salt water. 
Mr. Howard spoke concerning the larval respiration of Cory- 
dalus cornutus, calling attention to the fact that the contraction 
of the branchiae is more frequent in proportion as the water in 
which the larvae are kept grows more stagnant, and that there 
is a definite relation between the heart-beat and this contrac- 
tion. 
Mr. Mann illustrated the use of the Dewey decimal system by 
exhibiting samples of Dr. Dimmock's method of preparing classed 
title-card headings, the system being, in his opinion, even more 
valuable to scientific workers than for library purposes. 
JANUARY 7, 1886. 
Ten persons present. President Riley in the chair. 
Prof. Herbert Osborn was elected a member of the Society. 
The election of officers for 1886 took place. Dr. C. V. Riley 
was elected president, but declined to serve on account of his ill- 
health and as he had already served two terms. A second ballot 
resulted as follows : 
President, L. O. Howard ; ist Vice-President, Dr. J. G. Mor- 
ris ; 2d Vice-President, Dr. Geo. Marx ; Corresponding Secretary, 
J. B. Smith ; Recording Secretary, E. A. Schwarz ; Treasurer, B. 
P. Mann ; Members of Executive Committee, Dr. C. V. Riley, O. 
Lugger, and Theo. Pergande. 
The Corresponding Secretary read the following letter from 
Judge Lawrence Johnson : 
MINDEN, LA., Dec. 16, 1885. 
Mr. L. O. HOWARD : 
* * * Still let me send in my contribution to specimens : 
1. Fragments of iron ore and other rock, with cases of Ephemerids at- 
tached. There is a larger rock for you in one of my geological boxes. It 
is from Poston Bayou, of Red River, Bossier Parish. The principal thing 
worthy of note is how the little fellows adapt themselves to circumstances. 
In the softer clay of the same bank they excavate burrows, and where the 
rock is too hard they have contented themselves with a caddis of silk and 
bits of silt adhering to the rock. 
2. A vial containing Mallophagous parasites of the large White Pelican 
of Bisteneau Lake, La. * * * The bird had been killed about twelve hours. 
