135 
December 12, 1870. 
The President in the chair, twenty-seven persons present. 
Pror. C. A. SEELY exhibited a specimen of Cuttle Fish, 
(Octopus,) which had been captured in the Kast River, near 
one of the wharves at Williamsburg, L. I. When it came 
into his possession it was alive and he was enabled to’ ob- 
serve some curious facts connected with its dying. During 
this period it changed several times in color; the tints being 
-various and the changes of a character difficult to describe 
something like that which takes place in what is known as 
“changeable silk” when it is moved. The color appeared to 
come and go at distinct points situated all over the animal’s 
body and this variation continued as long as it lived, until it 
assumed the pinkish-purple tint which it still had. 
In connection with this power of changing their color 
which several aquatic animals possessed, the President, Dr. 
J. S. NewBerry described the way in which the Stickleback 
(Gasterosteus) built its nest. As soon as this nest, which 
consists of sticks and similar materials welded and woven 
together and is of a tubular form open at both ends, is finished, 
the male fish drives its mate into the nest, where she deposits 
her eggs. As soon as this is done, he enters from behind, 
driving her out again and begins to deposit his ‘ milt,” or 
spermatic fluid upon the eggs) At the same time and 
immediately his whole appearance undergoes a great change; 
the animal appearing to be under considerable nervous 
stimulation and excitement. The eye brightens and the skin, 
which hitherto has been of a dull greenish-grey tint, is illu- 
minated with a flush of brilliant scarlet. This same color 
appears during other circumstances of excitement, as when 
attacking an enemy, which this fish readily and often does, 
the Stickleback being an exceedingly pugnacious and coura- 
geous little fellow. 
Pror. H. Wurtz exhibited specimens of Cannel Coal of a 
very good quality. It is from a new locality situated about 
sixty miles west of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and is said to 
