BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 151 



to be overcome by a steady slow pressure. The plan was similar to one adopted in the 

 Smithsonian Institution and was recommended by Professor Baird." 



The Custodian reported that the effort to free the Ornithological collection from the 

 further ravages of Anthreni had been successful. Some of the birds had been so badly 

 affected as to require their being operated upon over twenty-five times before they were 

 entirely freed from the pests. 



In the Conchological department much work had been done by Dr. P. P. Carpenter, 

 and by exchange with him a valuable collection of British shells had been procured for 

 the Society. 



In the department of Entomology also much work had been done by Mr. Sprague in 

 completing the general collection of Coleoptera placed in the rail cases of the upper gal- 

 lery. The specimens of Coleoptera were mentioned as numbei'ing about 10,000, and are 

 in the improved boxes adopted by the Council. 



The Mineralogical department had received by donation from Mr. F. Alger, the large 

 specimens of beryl wliich have since occupied the window recesses in the hall of entrance 

 to the Museum, exciting the interest of beholders. 



The Geological department had been enriched by the presentation on the part of the 

 Technological Institute of the magnificent mass of hematite iron ore and jasper which 

 may be seen with the beryls above mentioned in the hall of the Museum. From Mr. L. S. 

 Burbank a series of specimens had been received illustrative of a paper by him upon the 

 Eozoon canadense, from Dr. S. Kneeland some lavas, and from Mr. Thomas T. Bouve a set 

 of polished marbles. 



The other collections were mentioned as in fair condition. Much work was constantly 

 required upon many of them in consequence of defective cases. 



Of the publications two quarterly parts of the fourteenth volume of the Proceedings 

 had been issued, and four articles of the Memoirs. 



The Library had received 424 volumes, 943 parts of volumes, 268 pamphlets and 32 

 maps and charts. 



There had been eighteen general meetings with an average attendance of thirty-two ^^er- 

 sons, nine of the section of Microscopy with an avei'age of ten, and eight of the section of 

 Entomology with an average of eleven. Six Corresponding and thirty-four Resident Mem- 

 bers had been elected. There had been eighty-two communications, of which seventeen 

 were before the Entomological section and twelve before the Microscopical section. 



Previous to the election of officers, the department of Geology and Minerals was divided, 

 and at the election the following members were chosen on the respective committees: 

 Geology ; William H. Niles, William T. Brigham and Thomas T. Bouv^ ; — Minerals ; 

 Thomas T. Bouve, Charles T. Jackson, M. D., and L. S. Burbank. The only other change 

 made at the election was in substituting Dr. Samuel Kneeland in place of Mr. J. A. Allen 

 on the Committee for Fishes and Reptiles. 



Leave of absence was granted in June to the Custodian for one year, his salary to be 

 relinquished until his return to the duties of his office. He wished to visit Europe and 

 make himself acquainted with its museums and men of science. 



Walker Prizes. In June the Council awarded the first prize of one hundred dollars 



