INSTITUTE NOTES. 



Since the last issue of the Proceedings there has been 

 organized a Section of workers for the Summer months under 

 the title of " Section A." Heretofore it has been the custom 

 of the Institute during the Summer to meet only once a 

 month. There is, however, so much of scientific interest 

 occurring during that season of the j^ear, especially as regards 

 biological subjects, that the organization of such a Section to 

 carry on weekl}- meetings was a happy thought. The first 

 intention was to limit its field of activity to biology and kin- 

 dred subjects, but such wide interest has been taken in the 

 meetings that the Section is now open to all branches of 

 science. 



The year 1909 is remarkable for the warm weather that 

 occurred during the month of February. During that month 

 in this locality maple trees were in bud, the crow blackbird 

 was observed as early as February loth, and a large flock of 

 robins as early as February 24th. The latter species may be 

 found in sheltered situations in this locality throughout the 

 colder months, but not in flocks. 



In the Proceedings of October, 190S, reference was 

 made to a fossil tree stump to be seen on the grounds of the 

 old Shortlidge Academy, Media. This stump had been 

 brought down from the coal regions of Pennsylvania about 

 the year 1886. The Institute has been fortunate enough to 

 obtain possession of the fossil and it now occupies a post of 

 honor on the lawn of the Institute Building. 



A live specimen of the small brown bat ( 1 'cspcrtilio sub- 

 ulatus), recently captured by a member of the Institute, has 

 offered an opportunity for some interesting observations. One 

 noticeable characteristic about the animal was the peculiar, 

 stale odor which accompanied it. .Another equally unpleas- 

 ant characteristic was the fact, disclosed bv an exnniiuation 



