MINUTES OF SECTION A. 



April 22, 1909. — A meeting to consider the formation of 

 a Section devoted to the investigation and discussion of the 

 sciences convened in the hall of the Institute on the above 

 date. Albert S. Barker was nominated for Director and San- 

 ford Omensetter for Recorder, and they were unanimously 

 elected to those positions. Dr. B. M. Underbill reported that 

 he had so far been unable to determine the species of insect 

 found parasitic upon the body of a mole ( Sea/ops aqiiaticus ) , 

 captured in Media Cemetery. The Doctor exhibited speci- 

 mens of the long nosed ox louse {Hematopiujis vituli), pro- 

 cured from a cow. The usual habitat of this species is upon 

 calves. He also showed a specimen of Filaria inimitis, a 

 thread-like worm infesting the right ventricle and pulmonary 

 artery of a dog, and was first described by Prof. Leidy. 

 C. M. Broomall presented milk apparently colonized by a red 

 mould, most likely in the mycelium stage. He was requested 

 to preserv^e some and await developments. The following 

 question was referred to T. Chalkley Palmer: "What is the 

 reaction between formaldehyde and potassium permanganate ?" 

 Albert S. Barker showed Closterium (a desmid) in conjuga- 

 tion, with twin spores, collected April 17th last in a marshy 

 spot near Broomall's Run. Also \'auclieria , with sexual 

 organs, collected same date and place. A specimen ot the 

 fresh water species. Hydra viridis, excited much interest. 

 Section adjourned. 



April 29, 1909. — The Section convened with the Direc- 

 tor, Albert S. Barker, in the chair. The minutes of the last 

 meeting were read and approved. The question of rules and 

 method of obtaining membership in the Section were spoken 

 of, but no action was taken, except that those present seemed 

 to advocate meetings of an entirely informal nature. C. M. 

 Broomall read from " Waves and Ri]3ples '" ( J. A. Fleming, 

 London ) an account of llie cru]ition of tlic \-()lcan(i Krakatoa 



