14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY 'OP [1881. 



water's edge, it would certainly account for tlie absence of ar- 

 boreal vegetation from these immense lacustrine lands from the 

 ver}- beginning of their formation. Of course with this view we 

 should have to look for some evidences of man's existence, both on 

 the lands which were once under water, as well as those which were 

 timber lands at his first appearance there. He did not know how 

 many such evidences have been or ma}^ be found. Man's traces in 

 the past are at best but rare, and they would naturally be much 

 more scarce in the lacustrine regions than in lands dry at the 

 same epoch. At any rate, this part of his remarks he said, must 

 be taken as mere speculation ; but, as we could see on the basis of 

 sound scientific investigation why there could be no trees on 

 these grassy prairies within the range of indubitable history, it 

 was a fair inference that some such cause had continued from the 

 beginning; namely, that annual fires had ever been the reason why 

 arborescent vegetation had never had an existence there. 



The resignation of Mr. Edw. S. Whelen, as a member of the 

 Council and Finance Committee, was read and accepted. 



February 15. 

 The President, Dr. Ruschenberger, in the chair. 

 Nineteen persons present. 



A paper entitled " The Honey Ants of the Garden of the Gods," 

 by Rev. Henry C. McCook, D. D., was presented for publication. 



February 22. 

 The President, Dr. Ruschenberger, in the chair. 

 Thirty-six persons present. 



The death of Harry C. Hart, M. D., a member, was announced. 



Mr. Isaac C. Martindale was elected a member of the Finance 

 Committee, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. 

 Edw. S. Whelen. 



Mr. Charles P. Perot was elected a member of the Council for 

 the unexpired term of Mr. Whelen. 



Robert P. Field was elected a member. 



John Brazier, of Sydne}^, N. S. W. ; Rafael Arango, of Habana, 

 and Chas. Mohr, of Mobile, Ala., were elected correspondents. 



The following were ordered to be printed : — 



