54 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [jAN. 26, 



Resolved, That this preamble and these resolutions be entered 

 on the minutes, and be communicated to Captain Casey. 



Dr. Hubbard introduced Prof. A. J. Dubois, of Yale Uni- 

 versity, New Haven, Conn., who delivered a lecture on the fol- 

 lowing subject : 



SCIENCE and miracle. 



At the close the Academy passed a vote of thanks to Prof^ 

 Dubois, and then adjourned. 



January 26th, 1891. 

 Stated Meeting. 

 Vice-President Dr. Hubbard in the chair. 

 About forty persons present. 



Minutes of January 19th were read and approved. 

 The following papers were read : 



the geographical DISTRfBUTION OF NORTH AMERICAN 



MAMMALS. 



BY PROF. J. A. ALLEN. 



(No abstract.) 



THE ORIGIN OF THE AVEFAUNA OF THE BAHAMAS. 

 BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN. 



(Abstract.) 



The conclusions from this paper may be classified as follows : 



1. The Bahamas are largely West Indian in their affinities, and 

 the group of islands may claim the rank of a fauna of the Antil- 

 lean region characterized by the prevalence of forms differenti- 

 ated from their West Indian ancestors and by the infusion of a 

 slight Floridian element. 



2. A greater number of endemic species have been derived 

 from Cuba than from any other region. 



3. North American migrant species which breed in higher 



