1883. 107 Trans. N. V. Ac. Set. 



connecting link with the ancient trilobite, and as few succeed in getting 

 hold of any, I think it very likely that some of them might be desired, 

 and shall be most happy to donate some of my specimens. They are 4 

 mm. or less in length, and without the abdominal spine. . . . Staining im- 

 proves them very much and brings out a curious oval spot on the head- 

 shield, external and somewhat anterior to the compound eyes ; but it 

 is somewhat difficult to get the color to strike in. Moreover, the saline 

 matter retained within the outer crust makes some trouble with the 

 coloring. The latter cause is now partially removed, as I have several 

 times changed the alcohol, and is probably quite removable by longer 

 soaking and changing." 



The Chairman remarked on the interesting relationship of the 

 " horseshoe crab " {Limiiliis), and the ancient trilobite, and the 

 difficulty of obtaining the larvee, in spite of the abundance with 

 which they somewhere breed. 



About 200 specimens of the larvae were distributed, later in the 

 evening, among the members of the Academy present. 



Prof. Charles B. Warring, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., then read 

 a paper, entitled : 



a study of the CHALDEAN "ACCOUNT OF CREATION," 



as translated by Mr. George Smith and Profs. Sayce and Lenor- 

 mant, and also of the account of Berosus, in reference to their con- 

 nection with the first chapter of Genesis. 



(Abstract). 



There are three kinds of Chaldean myths ; those purely mytholog- 

 ical; those referring to the Deluge; and those said to give an account of 

 the Creation,* and, which, it is claimed, are the originals of the story, in 

 the first chapter of Genesis. Of these "creation" myths there are 

 three : that on a series of tablets — the most famous one, that found on 

 the tablet of Cutha, and the story related by Berosus. 



The object of the present paper is to examine this claim, first, by 

 inquiring whether there is historical evidence in its favor. There ap- 

 pears to be none. Secondly, are there strong probabilities in its favor, 

 which themselves rest on admitted facts } Only two have been named, 

 the great age of these myths, and the fact that the Hebrews were car- 

 ried to Babylon and remained there many years. However it may be 

 as to the other myths, all admit that the " creation " myth was writ- 

 ten in the reign of Assur-bani-pul, 670 B. C, no very great age as 



" *No Chaldean account of the Fall has as yet been found." Prof. Sayce's Smith's Chal- 

 dean Genesis, page 88. 



