395 



dorsal cord is seen between the auditory capsules only. If the 

 dorsal cord is to be regarded as an index of the extent of the 

 jDarts considered serially homologous with vertebras, then it may 

 be inferred that the vertebral column extends originally through 

 the base of the cranium, and consequently that the cranium 

 conforms to the vertebral type. 



Dr. Wyman also gave some account of the habits of 

 the Alewive in depositing its eggs, as observed in Fresh 

 Pond, in Cambridge. 



The eggs are about 3V of an inch in diameter, and are laid 

 in April and June in the greatest abundance; the localities 

 selected being usually gravel or sandy bottoms, but sometimes 

 they are laid among small stones, and in five or six inches of 

 water. The alewives move ordinarily in small shoals along the 

 borders of the pond, but varying from two or three to very 

 numerous pairs. The males follow the females very closely, and 

 when entering a small shallow cove, often some of the number 

 are pressed entirely out of the water on the shore. 



The Corresponding Secretary announced the receipt 

 of the following letters, viz : — 



From the Royal Society of London, March 8, 1856, acknowl- 

 edging the receipt of the Society's publications ; das Bibliothe- 

 kariat der K. Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, January 

 12, 1856, acknowledging the same, and presenting various works ; 

 from the same, January 20, 1856, asking for duplicate copies of 

 all works presented by the Society, and offering to reciprocate 

 with its own publications ; die K. Akademie der Wissenschaften, 

 Wien, November 1, and December 30, 1855, presenting its pub- 

 lications ; der Zoologisch-botanischer Verein, Wien, December 

 12, 1855, presenting Vols. 3 and 4, and parts 1, 2, and 3 of 

 Vol. 5 of its Transactions, and inquiring as to the reception of 

 Vols. 1 and 2; George Frauenfeld, Wien, December 12, 1855, 

 presenting publications of his own and asking an exchange on 

 the part of the Society. 



Dr. Brewer announced the second arrival of specimens, 

 principally, of Birds, Plants, and Eggs, from California, 



