RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS. 85 



HOW in the hands of the Treasurer, be hereby appropriated in accordance 

 with tlie expressed wishes of said donors. 



Dr. C. H. Preston read an intei-esting paper, presenting a 

 brief synopsis of scientific progress for the past month. 



President Hunting stated that tiiis paper, prepared at his sug- 

 gestion, was intended as the commencement of a series of such 

 reports to be presented at the regular meetings of the Academy, 

 and asked the active co-operation of the members of the Acad- 

 emy in carrvine* out tliis desio;n. 



Prof. H. T. Woodman, upon inv^itation, addressed the Acad- 

 emy on the subject of Coral Formations, recent and fossil, 

 exhibiting some interesting specimens of the latter, recently dis- 

 covered by him. In regard to recent coral formations he had 

 arrived at a conclusion opposed to that held by Prof. Agassiz, 

 his numerous observations showing conclusively that the range 

 and limit of particular species of reef-building corals was de- 

 pendent on the temperature of the water, and not on the deptli 

 or degree of pressure. He also showed that, owing to an im- 

 perfect knowledge of the development of recent coi-als, several 

 fossil forms, representing only different stages of development, 

 had been described as different species or even genera. He also 

 exhibited specimens of Catenipora^ showing a distinct ray struc- 

 ture which had not been noticed in previous descriptions. He 

 alluded to the singular metamorphoses of corals in geodes, etc. 



In reference to mound explorations. Prof. Woodman stated, 

 as an item of practical value in such explorations, that a dis- 

 tance of fifteen feet, or a multiple of it, was frequently observed 

 in these deposits. He complimented the Academy on the prog- 

 ress it has made in such explorations, stating that in some respects 

 the collections here exhibited were unequaled by any other col- 

 lection in tlie country. 



On motion the thanks of the Academy were voted to Prof. 

 Woodman for his interesting address. 



February Otu, 1877. — Historical Section. 

 J. A. Crandall in the chair. 

 Four members present. 



