Proceedings. 167 



Professor L. W. Chaney, of Carleton College, read a paper on 

 "earthworms, their anatomy, their economic value and some points 

 on their embryology." A general discussion followed. 



Mr. 0. W. Oestland then read a paper on, "the position of Min- 

 nesota in the zoological provinces of North America. 



(abstract.) 



Three of the largest and most important zoological provinces of North 

 America come to a common point within the state of Minnesota. The Mis- 

 sissippi valley, with nearly all of the United States east of it, is included in 

 the eastern or Atlantic province, to which also the greater part of Minnesota 

 belongs. To the north, the Boreal or Canadian province extends across the 

 continent, including the northeastern part of the state, and corresponds in 

 the main to the British possessions and the greater part of Alaska. To the 

 west, the central province includes all of the high mainland west of the 

 Mississippi valley, extending into the British possessions north of Montana 

 and to the south into Mexico, with exception of California, which forms a 

 part of the small but distinct western or Pacific province. 



The fauna and flora of Minnesota agree in the main with those of the 

 eastern province, but in the great pine district and along the lake shore in 

 the northeastern part of the state are found many species peculiar to the 

 Canadian province, and along the western border of the state not a few pe- 

 culiar to the central province have already been observed These facts will, 

 no doubt, show the fauna and flora of Minnesota richer in number of species 

 than those of any other state of like area. Many questions of great interest 

 can also here be studied to most advantage on the borderland of these prov- 

 inces. Minnesota, favorably situated in man}- respects, is no less so in 

 regard to the study of the fauna and flora of North America. 



June 4, 1887. 



No quorum present. 



Herbert W. Smith, of St. Paul, presented a specimen of horn- 

 blende biotite granite from the Mesabi quarries, in the northern 

 part of the state. 



October 4, 1887. 



Twenty-three persons present. 



Under communications and presentations, thirteen species of 

 Minnesota fish were presented by F. L. Washburn, as follows: 



