51 [Bouve. 



dition : The tree, eight inches in diameter, had shown signs 

 of decay the last year, and this year put out no leaves except 

 on a few hmbs ; on examination the bark appeared to be split, 

 and it was found that a new bark was forming beneath the 

 old, and that the new roots were put out here and there be- 

 tween the two layers of bark, aiming unquestionably to reach 

 to the ground, and assuming by their position a strange flat- 

 tened appearance. Prof Wyman mentioned that in a similar 

 case in his own garden the roots had really reached the 

 ground. 



Dr. W. E. Rice presented, on behalf of Mrs. Rice, an oil 

 painting, by herself, of the Hayward quarry at Braintree, 

 famous for its remains of Paradoxides ; the thanks of the 

 Society were voted to Mrs. Rice. 



Mr. T. T. Bouve moved the passage of the following vote : 



Voted, That the President and Treasurer of the Boston Society of 

 Natural History are hereby authorized to accept on behalf of the 

 Society, from William J. Walker, his gift of $20,000, on the conditions 

 which shall be agreed upon between the said William J. Walker on the 

 one part and the said Boston Society of Natural History on the other, 

 and to affix to the said agreement their names and the corporate seal 

 of the Society. 



Mr. Bouve moved that when the Society adjourned, it be 

 to the third Wednesday in September. 



On motion of Mr. Bouve it Avas voted that the names of 

 subscribers to the Working Fund be entered upon the Record 

 of the Society. 



Prof Wyman mentioned that Dr. W. J. Walker had pointed 

 out to him a peculiar habit of the earth worm of puUing into 

 its hole the tops of onion stalks, which was done by the 

 passage of the body around one side of the stalk a little way 

 above the ground, and bringing the top to the ground by the 

 weight of its body. Prof Wyman was shown many instances 

 where the onion-tops penetrated to the depth of two or 

 three inches. 



The following gentlemen were elected Resident Members ; 

 Messrs. Jeremiah Whipple and Abner Chapman. 



