238 Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 



Switzerland, by Keller ; The History of Inventions, in 4 vols., by 

 Beekmann ; and the Antediluvian Ph3'tology, b}^ Artis ; also, from 

 same donor, a shrew from Colorada ; from Dr. D. S. Young, a pouched 

 gopher ; from James L. Ruffin, three snakes,^ in alcohol ; from J. W. 

 Shorten, six young opossums, in alcohol ; from J. E. Fre}^ & Co., 

 oyster shells with barnacles attached, and a singular mackerel from 

 Pensacola, Florida ; from Dr. O. D. Norton, an Indian hoe, made 

 from the scapula of an elk, and a small earthen vessel from Fort 

 Berthold, Montana, and a specimen of Smerinthus modestus, from 

 this vicinity ; and from the officers of the Rockwood Furnace, a col- 

 lection of Coal Measure plants. 



Tuesday Evening, December 7, 1880. 



Dr. R. M. B3'rnes, President, in the chair. In the absence of the 

 Secretary, W. A. Dun acted as Secretary pro tern. Present, 20 mem- 

 bers. 



Mr. V. T. Chambers read, by title, two papers: " Two New Species of 

 Entomostraca," and some new species of "Tineina;" and made some 

 remarks upon the extensive development of foraminiferous Miocene 

 strata, in California. 



Prof. R. B. Warder read a paper on the recent progress in chemical 

 dynamics. 



Dr. Woodward, of Florida, througli Mr. Chas. Durj^, presented a box 

 of the seeds of the " cabbage tree" (Sabal palmetto), containing beetles 

 {Caryohorus arthriticus), an insect belonging to the famil}^ BrucliidcB. 

 Mr. Dury said that the larvse of this insect eats out the internal part 

 of the seed as the ''pea weevil" [Bruchus pisi) eats the pea. Of in- 

 terest, in connection with these specimens is the fact that all of the 

 insects were presented toward the opening with tail foremost, allowing 

 them to use their powerful enlarged femurs of the posterior legs with 

 which to kick out. Suggesting one use, at least, of this modification 

 (action of evolution or creative eccentricity) other than their perplex- 

 ing habit of jumping out of reach when the hand of the "big hunter" 

 is thrust out to seize them. 



Jos. F. James resigned as a corresponding member, and was elected 

 to regular membership. 



Prof. Mickelborough made some remarks upon part of the skull of a 

 horse that had recently been presented to the Societ3\ 



Dr. W. A. Dun and V. T. Chambers made remarks upon the evolu- 

 tions of crustaceans b}" changing the condition of their habitat. 



Prof. Ormond Stone made some remarks upon the uncertainty of the 

 time indicated by chronometers; and said that Prof. J. B. Bailor has de- 

 termined the magnetic declination of this locality to be, approximatelv, 

 2° 15' E. of N., at the Observatory. There is an established meridian 

 at that place. 



On motion of Dr. J. F. Judge, a committee of three were appointed 

 to report upon the advisability of organizing a chemical section, and 

 if favorable to report a plan for the organization of the same. The 

 chair appointed as such committee, Dr. J. F. Judge, S. A. Miller, and 

 L. S. Cotton. 



