pal 
Mr. CoLLInGwoop mentioned a peculiar circumstance in 
regard to the apparent alteration of iron water-pipes in certain 
localities, and presented the subject for inquiry. Ata point 
in New Jersey, near this city, where pipes of this description 
are carried through a marsh, a part of the pipe is found to be 
seemingly decayed, and altered into a substance resembling 
graphite. Of course no satisfactory conclusion could be 
reached without an examination of the changed material. 
The PRESIDENT gave some account of the explorations of 
Mr. Gilbert in the Western Territories, under Lieut. Wheeler, 
and illustrated his remarks by diagrams on the board. He 
referred particularly to the change of level of the Great Salt 
Lake, which formerly had an area equal to Lake Michigan. 
Pror. SEELY made allusion to the views of Mr. Herbert 
Spencer on the origin of instinct, advocating his theory that 
animal instincts are to be regarded as inherited habits. 
ProF. STEVENSON claimed that these opinions had been 
set forth long before, by Dr. Darwin, in his Zodnomia. 
Dr. B. N. Martin argued that all instincts are not merely 
inherited habits. There may be such, indeed; but by far the 
most important and universal animal instincts have a physio- 
logical basis, and stand in the closest relation to the structure 
and functions of the organism. Mr. Spencer’s view is wholly 
defective and inadequate. The instinct of food-taking, for 
instance, is not an inherited habit, but a physiological neces- 
sity. 
April 7th. Business Meeting. 
President Newberry in thechair. YT ifteen persons present. 
Communications from the Publication Committee, and from 
the Corresponding Secretary, were received and discussed, to- 
gether with various other items of business. 
