ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 187 
contingencies of their habitat, and possess a greater degree of vitality or abil- 
ity to live without food than related forms in what may be considered more 
favorable regions, and through and by reason of their long sleep or hiberna- 
tion, more properly estivation, with its inactivity and consequent immunity from 
any waste or exhaustion of vital strength, are enabled to maintain their hold 
upon life when animals more highly organized would inevitably perish; and 
we are furnished with an illustration, in the instances cited, how nature works 
compensatively, when we institute a comparison with the opposite condition 
of activity, and the food required to sustain it. 
Mr. Stearns called the attention of the Academy to certain 
fossil forms of the genus Scalaria, belonging to the sub-genus 
Opalia, discovered by Mr. Hemphill near San Diego. 
Reevtar Merertine, Novemper 1st, 1875. 
Dr. Stout was called to the Chair in the absence of President 
and Vice-Presidents. 
Twenty-eight members present. 
Messrs. Charles W. Banks and G. F. Becker were elected res- 
ident members. 
Donations to the Museum: From W. E. Burleigh from Island 
of St. George, Alaska, one full-grown male fur seal, one full- 
grown female fur seal, one foetus (nearly full grown) of fur seal, 
one young sea lion two months old, head of walrus two years old. 
The fur seal are carefully collected specimens, complete and 
suitable for preservation. | 
My. Filhol was introduced by the Chairman and made a few 
remarks. 
Dr. Gibbons made some verbal remarks on the difference in 
the rainstorms here and in the Eastern States. 
Dr. Parry read a short paper in relation to botanical subjects 
in California. 
