[vol. i\'. Proceedings of Societies. 195 



fore, very natural that mistakes and misinterpretations should 

 occur frequently. The botanical part of the Century Dictionary 

 is largely a compilation of words and definitions without due 

 criticism. 



In reference to the revaews of this book which have appeared 

 in the Botanical Gazette and in the Bulletin of the Torrey 

 Botanical Club, one of two conclusions appears inevitable. 

 Either the writers are themselves ignorant of modern botany, or 

 they have followed the common and reprehensible practice of 

 reviewing a book without having read it. The latter is the 

 probable and more charitable conclusion. 



In contrast to these complimentary reviews of the book in 

 question, we can only say it would have been much more 

 beneficial to the study of botany in this countr}^ if the book had 

 never been printed. Theo. Hoi,m. 



PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



California Academy of Sciences. May /, iSg^. Presi- 

 dent Harkness in the chair. 



Donations to the museum were reported from S. J. Holmes 

 and W. L. Watts. 



The Librarian reported 236 additions to the library. 



Dr. George H. Horn, the well-known entomologist, was 

 introduced by the President. 



Walter E. Bryant read a paper on the " Variations of the 

 Bill of the California Jay." 



William L. Watts read a paper entitled " Notes on Quick- 

 silver Deposits in California." 



Jiaie J, rSgj. President Harkness in the chair. 



Donations to the museum were reported from W. W. Price, 

 Mrs. R. M. Austin, W. E- Watts, Gustav Eisen, Mrs. Geo. 

 Buttner, Mrs. C. A. Boland, Charles Fuchs, Frank E. Harris, 

 F. W. Gill. 



The Librarian reported 352 additions to the library. 



Dr. Gustav Eisen read a paper on •' Recent Investigations on 

 the Pollination of the Fig." 



