288 



existed at this remote epoch, perhaps some of the tracks of 

 the Connecticut River Sandstone were made by this class. 

 Fossil bird remains had previously not been found older 

 than the base of the eocene. 



Dr. Pickering stated that he had seen, many years ago, bones of 

 birds in the green-sand of New Jersey, which he had determined to 

 belon<T to the scolopax family ; they were described by Dr. S. G. 

 Morton. 



Dr. Wyman thought that the prevailing character was reptilian, 

 though some of the features were decidedly ornithic. 



Mr. Marcou also referred to human instruments found in strata un- 

 doubtedly of an age anterior to many extinct mammals, like the spelaean 

 bear and the mammoth. 



Mr. Francis Alger presented, in the name of Mr. Harris, a 

 number of geological specimens collected by himself in the 

 recent expedition to the Arctic regions under Dr. Hayes. 

 Most of them were primitive rocks, obtained between 75° 

 and 81° 35' "N., the farthest point gained ; no indication of 

 iron, copper, or other metalliferous deposit was found. He 

 presented also some plants from 78° 37^, stating that the 

 growth is exceedingly rapid, taking place in eighteen to 

 twenty days. 



A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Harris for his valuable 

 donation. 



Mr. Harris exhibited several of the weapons and imple- 

 ments of the Esquimaux, and explained their mode of using 

 them. 



In 78° 37', their winter quarters, there was abundance of 

 game, two hundred and fifty reindeer, beside walruses and 

 bears, having been killed during their stay, keeping the party 

 free from scurvy, and in good health to start northward in 

 the spring. Above 79° no animal life was found, the princi- 

 pal reason why the search for the polar sea was not more 

 persistently made. The average temperature was 45° to 47° 

 F. below zero, the lowest 68° below, and the highest 60° 

 above; the prevailing winds were north-east and south- 

 west, and strong. 



Mr. Scudder presented the resignation of Mr. Albert 

 Ordway, Curator of Crustacea, he having accepted a position 

 in the Federal Army. His resignation was accepted. 



