Proceedings of the Society. ' 7 



genera, and if possible the species. And let such other matter be 

 added as will give an ade(iuate idea of the scientific treasvnes of 

 our neighborhood. We should thus have an epitome of the natu- 

 ral history of our city and its vicinity, which would l)c not only a 

 monument to the memory of Dr. Dun, and one which he would 

 have appreciated, but a work of vast usefulness. 



Let me illustrate why this last would be the case. Suppose a 

 young person desirous of studying the fossils so numerous in our 

 neighborhood, and also desirous of identifying his specimens as he 

 finds them. In the present state of palaeontology he is comi)clled 

 to seek the large libraries of the city, if he lives there, or of his 

 friends, if he has any. The volumes necessary to consult are beyond 

 the reach of the majority, as they are so numerous as to compel 

 one to spend a small fortune for them. It is the same with other 

 branches. Take, for instance, beetles or butterflies. What book 

 is there for a young student to turn to? With one exception, none 

 whatever. So that he is compelled to stagger along under enor- 

 mous difficulties, carrying his specimens to the collections ot his 

 friends, and often even then receiving no definite satisfaction for 

 his pains. With birds, animals and plants it is a little different. 

 Here, it is true, we have manuals, but even in these cases a con- 

 densed manual would narrow tiie labor down to such a point that 

 it would become a pleasure instead of a task. 



Such a memorial volume as I suggest, could be published by 

 subscription of the very numerous friends of Dr. Dun, under the 

 sanction of the Society. The latter, in the event of not enough 

 money being collected, agreeing to bear the balance of the expense. 

 As an earnest of my desire to see this project carried out, I will 

 subscribe $5 to head the list — the ability and not will is the only 

 limit to the amount of the subscription. 



Respectfully, Joseph F. James, M. S. 



Miami Univesity, Oxford, O. 



It was ordered that the consideration of publishing a memo- 

 rial volume, as suggested in the commuication, be left to a com- 

 mittee. 



The Chair appointed Messrs. Dury, Fisher and Knight, com- 

 mittee. 



Mr. Dury read some extracts from a letter from Mr. William 

 Doherty, now traveling and coUeciing in Borneo. 



