Transactions of the Academy 



The Zoological Section of the Academy met at the resideuce of Mr. 

 and Mrs. Ohas. S. Thompson. 1721 Mission St., South Pasadena, on Fri- 

 day evening, December 13, 1912, at 8 P.M., Chairman J. Z. Gilbert pre- 

 siding. The following men were present: Homer P. Earle, R. L. Beards- 

 ley, J. Z. Gilbert, C. S. Thompson, C. A. Whiting, and F. Grinnell, Jr. 



Mr. O.S.Thompson gave a very interesting talk on ostrich-like birds, 

 their eggs, habits and distribution"; illustrated with the finest series of 

 their eggs in North America. He traced their probable dispersion over 

 the world on a large wall map. After a few questions, those assembled 

 went to the "egg room" and viewed the whole oological collection of 

 Mr. Thompson; rarities and oddities from all parts of the w^orld were 

 seen. Many interesting books in his library proved of interest. 



To conclude the profitable evening, delicious refreshments served 

 by the hostess were indulged in. 



Adjournment at 10 o 'clock. 



The Entomological Club met on Thursday evening, September 5, 

 at the residence of Mr. H. B. Dixon, 1429 Lenioyne St., Los Angeles, with 

 four men present: H. H. Newcomb, H. Hehre, H. B. Dixon and F. Grin- 

 nell, Jr. 



Mr. Grinnell exhibited a series of colored lantern slides representing 

 the life histories of a few of the common butterflies; Vanessa antiopa, 

 Anosia plexippus, Pieris rapae, Fenisesca tarctuinius, Pyrameis atalanta, 

 and slides of Lim. lorctuinii, Heterochroa californica, and Lim. archippus, 

 illustrating the subject of mimicry; and other interesting species. Pack- 

 ard's genealogical tree of the Lepidoptera was discussed. 



Mr. H. B. Dixon showed some view^s on the screen of the Yosemite 

 Valley region, the habitat of some interesting butterflies. 



Mr. Hehre, specimens of a curculionid beetle reared from seeds re- 

 ceived from Ceylon; and a specimen of a eerambyeid from Los Angeles. 



Mr. Grinnell, a box of Hepialus and other forms of primitive Lepi- 

 doptera; and dried specimens of Saturnid larvae used by the Indians of 

 the Mono Lake region as food; collected by Prof. J. M. Aldrich. 



Refreshments were served by Mrs. Dixon, during which enthusiastic 

 discussion of various subjects was indulged in. 



Adjournment at 10:30. 



The Biological Section of the Southern California Academy of Sci- 

 ences met on Thursday evening, November 7, 1912, at 6:45, at Christo- 

 pher's, on South Broadw-ay, Los Angeles, Dr. C. A. Whiting, chairman 

 of the Section, presiding. The following men were present: C. A. W^hit- 

 ing, chairman; A. Davidson, W. A. Hilton, C. L. Edwards, Prospero Bar- 

 rows, C. O. Esterly, L. H. Miller, Theodore Payne, F. Grinnell, Jr., and 

 Drs. Hunt and Lund, R. L. Beardsley, and H. H. Newcomb. 



After a sumptuous banquet, jarovided by the cafe at $1 per plate, 

 during which enthusiastic conversation on various topics took place. Dr. 

 Charles L. Edwards was introduced by the chairman, who spoke on: 

 Recent Work on Sex Chromosomes, illustrated by many diagrams show- 

 ing the chromosomes of Ascaris fells, as studied by the speaker; chrom- 

 somes of other forms, especially insects, were alluded to. The sex-de- 

 termining chromosomes which are believed to be suchi are variously 

 termed, — idio, x — , y — , hetero — , and accessory chromosomes, have been 

 studied by Wilson, Stevens, Montgomery, Boveri and others, and they 

 agree in essential points. Considerable discussion was aroused which was 



22 



