54 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [JAN. 26, 
Resolved, That this preamble and these resolutions be entered 
on the minutes, and be communicated to CAPTAIN CASEY. 
Dr. Husparp introduced Pror. A. J. Dusois, of Yale Uni- 
versity, New Haven, Conn., who delivered a lecture on the fol- 
lowing subject : 
SCIENCE AND MIRACLE. 
At the close the Academy passed a vote of thanks to PRor. 
Dusotis, and then adjourned. 
January 26th, 1891. 
STATED MEETING. 
VickE-PRESIDENT Dr. HUBBARD in the chair. 
About forty persons present. 
Minutes of January 19th were read and approved. 
The following papers were read : 
THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF NORTH AMERICAN 
MAMMALS. 
BY PROF. J. A. ALLEN. 
(No abstract.) 
THE ORIGIN OF THE AVEFAUNA OF THE BAHAMAS. 
BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN. 
(Abstract. ) 
The conclusions from this paper may be classified as follows : 
1. The Bahamas are largely West Indian in their affinities, and 
the group of islands may claim the rank of a fauna of the Antil- 
lean region characterized by the prevalence of forms differenti- 
ated from their West Indian ancestors and by the infusion of a 
slight Floridian element. 
2. A greater number of endemic species have been derived 
from Cuba than from any other region. 
3. North American migrant species which breed in higher 
