1896. ] NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 143 
evolution along determinate lines as the skeleton, and yet it is 
well known that they do not improve by use, but rather deterio- 
rate. Thus the explanation is not one which satisfies all cases, 
but it does seem to meet, and to a certain extent undermine, the 
special cases of evidence of the inheritance of acquired charac- 
ters, collected by Professor Cope in his well-known papers upon 
this subject. Harrison G. Dyar, Secretary pro. tem., 
(per C. .L..B:) 
STATED MEETING. 
March 14th, 1896. 
The Academy met with President STEVENson in the chair; 
twelve persons present. 
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. 
The following nominations for resident membership were re- 
ceived and referred to the Council: Mr. Louis C. Whiton. 114 
West 76th St.; Mr. Wm. F. Havemeyer, 29 West 19th St.; Prof. 
J. Dyneley Prince, 19 West 34th St.; Prof. Charles B. Bliss, 
University Heights, New York; Prof. Lawrence A. McLouth, 
University Heights, New York; Dr. Emil Leytter, 305 West 
127th St.; Prof. F. H. Giddings, Columbia University. 
The Section of Geology and Mineralogy then organized. 
The first paper of the evening was by Mr. Heinrich Ries, on 
“A Visit to the Bauxite Mines of Georgia and Alabama.” Mr. 
Ries described the geological relations of the bauxite deposits 
of the region, basing his remarks on notes taken last October. 
The paper was illustrated by numerous lantern views and speci- 
mens and was discussed by Messrs. Dodge and Kemp. 
The second paper of the evening was by Prof. R. E. Dodge, 
on the “ Cretaceous and Tertiary Peneplains of Eastern Ten- 
nessee,” on the basis of observations accumulated during two 
summers’ field work in the region under Mr. C. W. Hayes, of 
the U. S. Geological Survey. The speaker described the geo- 
