314 Proceedings. 



[abstract.] 

 Professor Nachtrieb briefly outlined the plan of work of the zoological 

 division of the geological and natural history survey of Minnesota, as laid 

 down by him after the botanical and zoological work of the survey had 

 been placed under the directorship of the respective departments of the 

 university by the Board of Regents. He also stated that during the first 

 two summers nothing could be done by the State Zoologist — one season on 

 account of other special university duties, and the other season chiefly on 

 account of sickness. During the past summer about four weeks (as much 

 of the season as the amount left after purchasing necessary apparatus, etc., 

 out of the j'ear's allowance, would permit) were spent in the field around 

 lake Vermilion. The season was stormy and very disagreeable, so that a 

 large portion of the time had to be spent in camp. Notwithstanding this 

 hindrance considerable material and data were collected that will be of 

 value in the future. Special attention was devoted to the Fishes and their 

 parasites. It is the intention of the State Zoologist to investigate first 

 those things of direct and immediate economic importance. But even such 

 problems absolutely require the kind of work popularly called purely sci- 

 entific and impractical. The fact is that no investigation of living things, 

 however remote from practical ends it may at first sight appear, is ever 

 completed without having an economic bearing. During about two weeks 

 insects were looked after by Professor Otto Lugger, who gained some val- 

 uable information that will be given to the public as soon as he has studied 

 his material. Among other interesting things found in certain bays of the 

 lake were mentioned Hydra fusca, Cristatella mucedo, Flascularia ambiqua 

 and several species of sponges. The survey is also taking steps to get the 

 status of the beaver in Minnesota and to find out whether it will be possi- 

 ble to have a beaver reserve established in some suitable quarter of the 

 state, and thus do something towards preventing the elimination of this val- 

 uable and interesting animal. Such reserves have been in successful oper- 

 ation for years in England and Europe, and there is every reason for hav- 

 ing at last one in our state. 



November 8, I89I. 



One hundred and twenty-five persons present. 



Messrs. J. C. Bryant and Chas. Schuchert were elected to 

 membership. 



The programme consisted of a lecture by Dr. W. Xavler 

 Sudduth, of the College of Dentristry, University of Minnesota, 

 on the evolution of the teeth. The lecture was well illustrated by 

 means of a series of photo-micrographs thrown upon the screen. 

 A series of skulls was also displayed to illustrate points in the 



lecture. 



[abstract.] 

 The lecturer, in discussing the subject of mechanical evolution, held 

 that, in so far as the teeth were concerned, the theory had no basis in 

 fact, no matter how plausible it may appear, for the following reasons : 



