Trans. N. Y. Ae. Sez. 16+ May 8, 
May 8, 1882 
SECTION OF BIOLOGY. 
The President, Dr. J. S. NEWBERRY, in the Chair. 
Forty-three persons present. 
Mr. G. F. Kunz exhibited choice specimens of several varieties 
of feldspars, including ‘‘ moonstone” from Ceylon, and from Chester 
County, Penn., “sunstone” from Chappaqua, N. Y., oligoclase 
from Norway, etc. 
He also announced the death, on May 5, of a Corresponding 
Member of the society, Mr. WiLL1aM S. Vaux of Philadelphia, long 
eminent as a mineralogist, anda leading patron of science in the 
city of his home. Mr. Kunz made special reference to the extent 
and elegance of his celebrated collection. 
The PresIDENT spoke further of Mr. Vaux, and particularly of 
his active connection with the Academy of Sciences of Philadelphia, 
and with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 
Prof. H. L. Farrcuitp then gave the address of the evening, 
largely illustrated with blackboard drawings and lantern views, on 
the subject of 
METHODS OF ANIMAL LOCOMOTION. 
(Abstract.) 
Self-motion is the most prominent characteristic of life. This re- 
markable power of overcoming the forces of Inertia and Gravitation is 
not confined to animals. Many plants have, besides the capability of 
upward growth and extension, more or less motion of some organs. 
In the lowest forms of life, plants and animals can not be distin- 
guished by their locomotive powers. Many microscopic plants move 
about in water as lively as animals, and propelled by similar organs, 
Nor can the movements be distinguished as voluntary in animals and 
involuntary in plants. Consciousness and will are not more evident in 
the lowest animals than they are in the Venus Fly-trap and the Sensi- 
tive Plant. 
It is doubtless true that all animals can move from place to place at 
some period of their life. For example the coral polyp, oyster and 
barnacle possess locomotive powers only in the embryo state, becom- 
ing fixed in the adult ; while in some other animals, as the jelly-fish 
these conditions are reversed. 
The means of locomotion are exceedingly various. The lowest 
method is exhibited by the amoeba, in which progression is secured by 
