RECORDS OF MEETINGS 369 



SECTION OF BIOLOGY 



13 April, 1914 



Section met at 8:15 p. m.. Professor Eaymond C. Osburn presiding. 

 The minutes of the last meeting of the Section were read and approved. 

 The following programme was then offered : 



Symposium on Porto Eico 



James F. Kemp, Geography axd Geology. 



Charles Lane Poor, Oceanography. 



Henry E. Crampton, Zoology (including results of expedition of De- 

 cember, 19 13- January, 1914). 

 N. L. Britton, Botaxy (including results of expedition of Janu- 



arv'-Februar}^, 1914). 



Summary of Papers 



Dr. E. 0. Hovey outlined the plans for a Natural History Survey of 

 Porto Eico, which had been adopted by the Council of the Academy, 

 imder the leadership and with the patronage of President McMillin. 



Professor Kemp summarized existing knowledge of the topography and 

 geology of Porto Eico and indicated the need for further field studies. 



Professor Poor spoke of the strategic importance of the seas around 

 Porto Eico in certain oceanographic problems, such as the place of origin 

 and movements of the tides of the Atlantic and their relationships with 

 the tides of other ocean basins ; and he urged the desirability of equipping 

 an oceanographic expedition for securing data bearing on such problems. 



Professor Crampton described his recent journey in Porto Eico. In 

 the course of a general reconnaissance of the island in the month of De- 

 cember, 1913, he had covered some 1,500 miles, traversing the principal 

 physiographical and ecological areas, the characteristics of which he de- 

 scribed, and thus learning the places where detailed natural history sur- 

 veys could be most profitably undertaken. 



Professor Britton spoke of liis recent visit to tlie island and illustrated 

 characteristic elements of the flora. 



The Section then adjourned. 



William K. Gregory, 



Secretary. 



