RECORDS. 165 



the characters have become mixed in all possible proportions, 

 and the limit of variation thus reached, normal mitoses probably 

 occur. Thus it appears that the mingling of the characters, as 

 well as the regular reversion in hybrids, may have a morpho- 

 logical basis. 



Professor Dean, first reviewed the history of the study of 

 zoology, and then considered the present status of zoological in- 

 vestigation and teaching in that country. With the aid of lantern 

 illustration, descriptions were given of the laboratories, the fauna 

 available for study, and the prominent Japanese workers. 



Professor Osborn's paper was presented by Dr. Hay. This 

 has been published in full in Science for February i 3, 1903. 



M. A. BiGELOW, 



Secretary. 



SECTION OF GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 



February 16, 1903. 



The section met at 8:15 P. M., Professor J. F. Kemp presid- 

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

 The following program was then offered : 



William Hallock, An Ascent of Mt. Whitney, Cali- 

 fornia, WITH Notes on the Geology. 



J. F. Kemp, The Leucite Hills of Wyoming. 



Summary of Papers. 

 Professor Hallock's paper was as follows : Mt. Whitney with 

 an altitude of 14,625 feet claims the distinction of being the 

 highest peak in the United States. It is a mountain of high 

 relief in a rugged country. The easiest way to the summit is 

 by a five-day journey skirting the canyons from the southwest. 

 Sedimentary rocks do not occur in the part of the Sierras near 

 Mt. Whitney. The country rock is a deeply weathered granite, 

 split by countless joint planes. Mt. Whitney exhibits the 

 effects of glacial sculpturing, and adjacent to its top, holds 

 many small lakes in the cirques, which have resulted from ice 

 undercutting. Professor Hallock also described a lava flow 



