Wyman.] 278 [June 5, 



be adapted to the wants of any individual, but capable, by a variation 

 in the quantity and proportions of each, of being adapted to the con- 

 ditions of life of every member of the series. Carus in his " Urtheilen 

 des. Knochen und Schalen geriistes " attempted such an archetype. 

 O wen in his " Homologies and Archetype of the Vertebrated Skele- 

 ton," has constructed anbthcr on essentially the same basis, but far 

 more complete. Neither Carus nor Owen have, however, admitted 

 the idea of fore and hind symmetry. If we admit this, then the 

 archetype must be so modified as to conform to it. The typical struc- 

 ture which represents or occupies the place of the head at one end, 

 if we will carry out the idea, must be represented by a similar re- 

 versed structure at the other. If, for example, we would adopt 

 Owen's modification of Carus's archetype, we must divide it in the 

 middle and replace the hinder half with a reversed repetition of the 

 fore half. The skeleton would not in this way be provided with two 

 heads, but only with the rudiments of these capable of being devel- 

 oped or arrested in development, in such a manner as the conditions 

 of individual existence may require. 



Whether we adopt the doctrine of fore and hind symmetry or not, 

 such a conception as an archetype involves is necessary in our 

 attempts to study the creative idea which underlies all animal struc- 

 tures, apart from their adaptation to the modes of existence in each 

 species ; and just in proportion as such a conception is based upon a 

 more and more complete knowledge of the plan of structure and of 

 development, anatomy will, in the same degree, become philosophical. 



The Rev. Mr. Waterston exhibited two pillow-cases which 

 had been in use in different families for some time ; in both 

 cases the feathers were stripped of their plumules and the 

 filaments formed a plush-like nap of remarkable uniformity 

 which adhered firmly to the whole interior of the case. The 

 change appeared to have been a mechanical result of its long 

 use. Several other instances were cited. 



A letter from Professor Baird was read by the Secretary, 

 giving an account of a proposed expedition to the island 

 of Socorro, one of the Revillagigedos, two hundred and fifty 

 miles west-south-west of Cape St. Lucas, S. California. It 

 was undertaken by Col. A. J. Grayson under the auspices of 

 the Smithsonian Institution ; the cooperation of the Society 

 was desired. The Secretary stated that the Council had 



