BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 57 



3. That they do not belong to a race of dwarfs, because history teaches the truth of 

 the doctrine of Geoffroy St. Hilaire, that dwarfs cannot perpetuate their kind. 



These children were subsequently brought before the Society, and being placed upon 

 the table, the members sitting around, amused all by their interesting and lively move- 

 ments. There was nothing disagreeable in their appearance or manners. 



The views of Dr. Warren were fully corroborated l)y a letter received from Mr. E. G. 

 Squier, respecting their origin. 



At the annual meeting the usual reports were made, the several departments being rep- 

 resented as in good condition. That of Ornithology had received valuable donations from 

 Mrs. G. H. Shaw, Dr. Henry Bryant, Mr. J. C. Leighton, Mr. Theodore Lyman and others ; 

 that of Geology from the Hon. East India Co., Dr. C. T. Ja?.kson, Messrs. Moses H. Per- 

 ley and Alexander Vatiemare ; that of Ichthyology from Mr. Horatio R. Storer, Dr. 

 Henry Bryant, and Dr. Samuel Kneeland, Jr. 



The Report upon the department of Comparative Anatomy was unusually full, embrac- 

 ing what had not before been presented for several years. From it is learned that there 

 were in the collection at this time, 73 complete skeletons, 17 human skulls, and 143 of 

 animals, including birds ; 85 jars of specimens in alcohol ; and 25 stuffed skins. 



The Treasurer reported the total receipts during year, $2218.59, expenditures, 

 11714.54, leaving a balance of $504.05 in his hands. 



The Librarian reported the addition to the library of 353 volumes, and 130 pam- 

 phlets, and that the whole number of volumes in the Library was 2569, including 59 

 copies of the Society's Journal, and 28 of the Proceedings ; unbound volumes 1280, 

 including 80 Legislative reports on the natural history of the State; and about 500 

 pamphlets or parts of volumes. The number of volumes in circulation during the year 

 was 506. 



The only change made at the annual election, was in the choice of Horatio R. Storer as 

 Curator of Herpetology in place of Prof. Jeffries Wyman. 



1852. The Reports of the Curators at the annual meeting in 1852, were brief, and 

 excepting that upon the Crustacea and Radiata, presented but little of interest. The collec- 

 tion of that department was represented to have suffered very seriously from the attacks of 

 insects. Almost all the specimens of Crustacea had been mutilated, limbs detached, and in 

 some cases lost. Many very valuable species had been entirely destroyed. Of the Radi- 

 ata the soft parts had been comj^letely consumed. 



The Treasurer reported a balance of $754.56 in his hands. The Librai'ian, alluding to 

 the fact that the Smithsonian Institution at Washington had made such arrangements as 

 to enable the Society hereafter to transmit abroad, and to receive from foreign Societies, 

 publications at little expense, recommended a more liberal exchange of our Journal and 

 Proceedings, for the works of such Societies. 



Before the election of officers, final action had been taken upon a proposed amendment 

 to the Constitution, by which the number of Curators was no longer limited. In July of 

 the previous year. Dr. Thomas M. Brewer had been placed in charge of the nests and 

 eggs of birds, and Mr. W. 0. Ayres of the Crustacea and Radiata of the Society, 

 and at this election these gentlemen were made Cui'ators of the two departments respect- 

 ively. 



