1891. J 



81 



antecedents ? In this way we have the explanation of the germ resulting 

 only as the harmonic product of suitable vibrations of the hereditary 

 transmission of qualities and of the variations from type which occa- 

 sionally occur. We have also the explanation of the cessation when life 

 vibrations shall have been exhausted or transmuted into other forms of 

 life itself, or so-called death. We have also the explanation of the perio- 

 dicity of many, if not all, of the functions of living bodies, both in health 

 and disease. Likewise, we have an explanation of the effects of drugs on 

 certain organs and functions. To say "that opium produces sleep on 

 account of its somniferous tendency" is to veil our ignorance very thinly. 

 But, if we suppose that nerve tissue has a certain vibration, so differing 

 in period from that of the morphia molecule which we introduce into the 

 blood, that until the latter is eliminated or changed the nerve vibrations 

 are modified or suspended, we can form a much more rational conception 

 of the effect of opium. So also with the selection of appropriate food 

 from a common plasma by different organisms, and also from the blood 

 by the various organs and structures of the body. In fact, a new field is 

 opened to biologists, naturalists, physiologists and physicians whose limits 

 are at present far beyond our ken. 



New nomination No. 1217 was read. 



The Committees appointed at last meeting, of which Dr. 

 Cope and Mr. Biddle were respectively Chairmen, were con- 

 tinued. 



And the Society was adjourned by the presiding member. 



Stated Meeting, January 16, 1891. 



Present, 73 members. 

 President, Mr. FRALEY, in the Chair. 



Correspondence was submitted and accessions to the Library 

 were reported. 



Mr. L. Yossion and Prof. Gr. S. Fullerton took their seats. 



A circular was received from the Museo de la Plata, Argen- 

 tine Republic, requesting exchanges, also sending one of its 

 publications. 



Letters of acknowledgment were received from the Geologi- 

 cal Survey of India, Calcutta (131, 132, 133); Taschkent 



PROC. AMER. PHILOS. SOC. XXIX. 135. K. PRINTED JUNE 10, 1891. 



