ration that in a general view and in reference to the geologico-geographi- 

 cal distribution of the human races, the brown or reddish-brown color 

 appears, on the whole, to occupy an area of the globe lying between the 

 yellow and white races on the north and the black race on the south, in 

 respect of their original habitat. And it would seem to be probable that a 

 brown type existed contemporaneously with the yellow and black types at 

 the earliest period of the evolution of the human races. 



This matter of the geologico-geographical distribution, not specially 

 examined in this work, would seem to be of great importance. Geography 

 gives the distribution in space ; geology, the distribution in time. They 

 are necessary coordinates. Mr. Wallace has made a valuable contribution 

 in reference to all classes of animals except Man : the like work remains 

 to be done with regard to the human races. 



Dr. H. Kinner exhibited a live specimen of Menobranchus, 

 found in the Mississippi river at this place, and thought it might 

 be a new species. This idea v\^as based on the markings of the 

 animal. This decision was called in question by Mr. Riley, who 

 remarked that it was well known that great changes occur in the 

 life history of these animals. The present markings may change 

 for others, and further observation would be desirable. 



Mr. H. W. Leffingwell was elected to associate membership. 



March 4, 1878. 



The President in the chair. Seventeen members present. 



The Corresponding Secretary presented a paper from Dr. G. 

 Seyftarth on Egyptian Theology, which was referred to the Pub- 

 lication Committee. 



Mr. Collet presented the Academy with an American edition 

 of Weisbach's Mechanics and Engineering. 2 vols. Philadel- 

 phia, 1848. 



Mr. J. A. Dacus presented a lithograph received from Don 

 Antonio de Corruna, of Santo Domingo, Chiapas. The lithograph 

 represents the ruins of a vast palace at Xayi, Chiapas, Mexico. 

 Mr. Dacus read, from an accompanying letter, of some remarka- 

 ble discoveries recently made in this palace. In subterranean 

 chambers of the ruins, a prodigious number of terra cotta tablets 

 were discovered, each eight inches long, six inches wide, and half 



