Wymau.] 296 



the pectoral fins were enlarged three or four times then- 

 normal size. 



Professor Wyman remarked that this specimen had evi- 

 dently retained the proportions of the head belonging to 

 embryonic life ; that the short and broad form of the head 

 and large eyes were occasionally met with in the four classes 

 of vertebrates. He had observed several instances among 

 deformed calves ; and in Buenos Ayres there was a breed of 

 cattle in which this shape of the head existed. A similar 

 form of the head had been noticed among birds, but was 

 most commonly met with in fishes and mammals. These 

 forms were all embryonic. 



Mr. H. Mann made a communication on the flora of the 

 HaAvaiian Islands, pointing out its strong relationship to the 

 Australasian and southern Polynesian Floras, and speaking 

 of the very large amount of trees and woody j^tlants in pro- 

 portion to the herbs found in this group. 



The following gentlemen were elected Resident Members : 

 Messrs. H. P. Bowditch of Roxbmy, J. Ingersoll Bowditch 

 and L. N. Elliot of Boston. 



February 21, 1866. 

 The President in the chair. 



Thirty-five members present. 



The following paper was read : 



Notes on the Modifications of Oceanic Currents in Suc- 

 cessive Geological Periods. By N. S. Shaler. 



In the followhig notes it will be assumed that all oceanic move- 

 ments, of sudicient magnitude to form efficient agents in the distribu- 

 tion of life, or of sedimentary materials, are to be attributed to the 

 friction of atmospheric currents upon the surface of the winters. The 

 theory which has assigned to the difference of temperature of tropi- 

 cal and polar regions the chief agency in the production of oceanic 

 streams, is neglected, for the double reason that the cause has been 



