RECORDS. 85 



four luiiulix'd i^ai^cs. For instance, volumes might be written on 

 the chniate ; another, to accompany a geological map, on the 

 physiography, evergreens, mammals, etc. ; and these volumes 

 might be not only readable and interesting to the public, but 

 also contributions of permanent value to science : for experience 

 has shown that technical language is not indispensable for recording 

 knowledge. As it seems very desirable to widen the scope of the 

 Society's usefulness your Secretary respectfully recommends that 

 a committee of seven, to include the President, be appointed to 

 consider the matter, and with full powers to take such steps as 

 ma}- seem to them desirable, — it being understood that this com- 

 mittee is not to form a board of editors, — which, if it shall become 

 necessary, shall be appointed in such manner as the Society at its 

 next meeting shall determine. 



Your Secretary, in presenting his last report, begs to thank all 

 the members for the kindly relations which they have maintained 

 with him throughout his period of office, and to express his 

 moi'e than i-eadiness to be at the service of the Society hereafter 

 to the extent of his ability and- whenever called upon. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



Charles Sedgwick Minot, 



Secretary. 



It was moved, seconded, and carried, to accept the report. 



The following persons were elected members : Walter B. 

 Barrows, F. J. H. Merrill, J. Francis Walsh. 



Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee it was 

 voted to amend Article I., Section i, of the Constitution, so that it 

 shall read : — 



This association shall be called the American Society of 

 Naturalists. 



The fjllowing letter was read ; — 



" Botanic Garden, 



"^ Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 18, 1SS5. 

 " Chas. S. Minot, Esq_. , Secretary of the Society of Natural- 

 ists^ E.U.S. : — 

 "Dear Sir, — Accept my thanks for the invitation to attend 

 the ensuing meeting of 30ur Society. I will do so, if my time 



