1884. 55 Trans. N. Y. Ac. Sci. 
an effective defence, was so cumbrous that, if the occupant of one of 
these steel prisons was so unfortunate as to be thrown on the ground, 
he could hardly, unaided, recover himself. Now all this system of de- 
fence has been abandoned, and celerity of movement and improved 
weapons have made the light-armed troops of to-day far more effec- 
tive. 
In the competition between the iron-clads and improved projectiles, 
which has been in progress during the last twenty years, we have a 
parallel instance of the reciprocal influence of improvements in the 
means of attack and defence. 
Prof. W. P. TROWBRIDGE remarked on the interest of this subject. 
As an instance, the box-turtle had a perfect protection in his shell, 
which could only be destroyed by being dashed against a stone. But 
the very difficulty in such cases had often called out the ingenuity of 
animals. Crows have been often seen by him in Puget Sound dashing 
mussels against the rock, by dropping them from a height of twenty or 
thirty feet. 
The immeasurable superiority of Man was shown in his absolute 
power of overcoming all obstacles by his intelligence. No animal can 
resist his power and will. This absolute power of Man to provide, 
both for his defence and for the destruction of the lower animals, ren- 
ders it difficult to believe in his origin by development from them. 
January 28, 1884. 
LECTURE EVENING. 
The President, Dr. J. S. NEwBERRY, in the Chair. 
A large audience was present to listen to the first lecture of the 
Course of 1884, by Prof. J. W. PowELL, of Washington, D. C., on 
THE MYTHOLOGY OF THE INDIANS OF THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY. 
At the conclusion of the lecture, on motion by Prof. O. P. Hus- 
BARD, a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Prof. POWELL. 
February 4, 1884. 
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING. 
The President, Dr. J. S. NEWBERRY, in the Chair. 
Sixty-five persons were present. 
Mr. S. LoweELt ELLiot was elected a Resident Member, and 
the resignations of Messrs. I. L. CLosr and TuHos. A. CLARKE 
were accepted. 
