Record. xliii 



Professor A. W. Greelej' presented a report on experi- 

 ments on the nature of the contraction of muscle. These 

 experiments were undertaken with the view of working out 

 more fully the mechanism involved in the galvanotropic and 

 chemotropic reactions of Paramecia in acid and alkaline 

 media, as described in Mr. Greeley's report before the 

 Academy last spring. In the experiments on the contraction 

 of muscle, it was found that when the medusa, Goniomemius, 

 was exposed to the constant current, rhythmical contraction 

 began always on the cathodal side when the medusa was 

 immersed in normal sea water, but that the contractions 

 began on the anodal side in acidulated sea water. Likewise 

 it was shown that acids induce a phase of contraction, alkalis 

 a phase of relaxation. It was suggested that these results 

 may throw some light on the supposed electrical nature of 

 muscle contraction, and that they offer additional evidence 

 toward the conclusion that the charge carried by the pro- 

 toplasmic particles depends on certain definite chemical 

 conditions of the surrounding medium. 



Two persons were proposed for active membership. 



December 7, 1903. 



Vice-President Smith in the chair, forty persons present. 



The Chairman stated that because of the necessity of pro- 

 viding the new building with fuel, furniture, lighting appli- 

 ances, etc., the expenses of moving, added insurance, the 

 final payment on the Yandell collection, and other unusual 

 expenses, the Council was confronted by the necessity of 

 temporarily raising some $1,750.00, which it was hoped could 

 be repaid in a few months, after suitable arrangements had 

 been made for securing revenue by renting meeting accommo- 

 dations in the Academy Building to other societies. He stated 

 that as this was a very important matter, the Council wished 

 action on it to be taken by the Academy. On motion, the 

 Council was authorized, by a unanimous vote, to raise the 

 necessary sum by borrowing on the securities representing 



