Dec, 1901.] Proceedings of the Society. 199 



of restricted location could be given. In earlier periods California was more isolated 

 particularly from the Sonoran region and northern influences prevailed. Then such 

 genera as Ontus and Pleoconia became first established. Subsequently a few southern 

 forms such as Coniontis and its congeners gained access. These constituted the old 

 California fauna, but when the southern isolation ceased, followed by the invasion 

 of Sonoran forms, a new or later fauna was developed. This theory is partially 

 supported by the fact that in the islands off the coast and in certain still isolated areas 

 are faunas which are largely sui generis, and typical of the old California fauna above 

 described. A better knowledge of the hitherto unexplored adjacent regions is re- 

 quired however before a satisfactory determination of the origin of species can be 

 reached. Enough has been said however to demonstrate of how little value is the 

 mere designation of material as Californian-North American would be nearly as de- 

 finite. 



On motion of Dr. Love, duly seconded a vote of thanks was extended to Dr. 

 Van Dyke for his instructive and entertaining remarks. Dr. Van Dyke, in response 

 to questions from the members, gave much valuable information relating to localities, 

 the distribution and character of the native vegetation, and the occurrence and meth- 

 ods of capture of lepidoptera and coleoptera derived from his extensive experience 

 in collecting in nearly every county of the State. 

 On motion the meeting then adjourned. 



Meeting of December 3, igoi. 



Held at the American Museum of Natural History, New York. 



President Beutenmiiller, in the chair. Eight members and two visitors present. 



The minutes of the last meeting read and approved. 



Mr. J. N. de la Torre Bueno was elected an active member of the Society. 



Dr. E. C. Van Dyke, Oakland, Calif., and Mr. H. C. Fall, Pasadena, Calif., 

 were proposed for corresponding membership by Mr. Schaeffer. 



The resignation of Miss Valpey was read and accepted. 



After discussion it was decided that an auction sale of insects be held on the 

 second meeting of the Society in January, 1902. 



The publications received in exchange for the Journal were exhibited and the 

 advisability of appointing a librarian was discussed, but no definite action was taken. 



Mr. Seifert exhibited a beautiful series of Olene leucophaa which he raised from 

 the eggs collected by him in Florida. Mr. Schaeffer showed a series of ten species 

 of Oxyporus and stated that he had on some occasion expressed his doubts, as to the 

 validity of O. fasciafus, taking it to be a color variety of O. vittatiis, but finding a 

 number of specimens amongst the extensive materials collected by Mr. Beutenmiiller, 

 in the Black Mts., N. C, which agree perfectly with the description of O. vittahis : 

 he said that we may have to restore Gravenhorst's name cinctus to the form, with dark 

 head, thorax and abdomen, of which O. fascia tits seems to be a variety. He also 

 exhibited two species of Derobrachus forreri, one without locality and one from the 

 Hy. Edwards collection from Lower California, as D. geniinatus. It is very distinct 

 from geniinatus, by the much longer antennce, with the joints comparatively more 

 slender and longer, the very approximate eyes, the narrower neck, the spinose apex 

 of the elytra and other characters. 



