He had lately examined young specimens of Achirus lin- 

 eatus Guv., and had discovered that they possessed pecto- 

 ral fins, which were situated very near the opercular 

 openings and composed of four well developed rays. In 

 two specimens, which were nearly three inches in length, 

 the pectorals were perfectly developed, except on the left 

 side of one specimen where no fin could be traced. In 

 another specimen, about four inches in length, both pec- 

 torals were present. A number of larger specimens were 

 without pectoral fins which has been considered as the 

 normal condition of the species of the genus Achirus. 



Donations to the Library and Museum were announced. 



Voted. That this meeting be adjourned to Tuesday ev- 

 ening next. 



TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28. Adjourned meeting. 



Vice President Goodell in the chair. 

 Hon. C. W. Upham read an interesting memoir of our 

 late esteemed member, GEORGE A. WARD. 

 On motion of Dr. Wheatland, it was 



Voted: That the thanks of the Institute be tendered to 

 Mr. Upham for the highly interesting and valuable memoir 

 of the life, character and services of our late member, 

 George A. Ward, and that a copy be placed at the disposal 

 of the Publication Committee for publication in the " His- 

 torical Collections.' 7 



MONDAY, MARCH 6. Regular meeting. 



Vice President Goodell in the chair. 

 Letters were read from : 



The Department of the Interior, giving notice of the transmission of 

 twenty-eight volumes of Public Documents : S. P. Fowler of Danvers- 

 port ; N. Brown of Boston, relating to the publications ; Natural His- 

 tory Society of New Brunswick, acknowledging the receipt of publica- 

 tions : T. A. Cheney of Havana, N. Y., relating to an exchange of pub- 

 lications : Prof. James Hall of Albany, N. Y., offering to complete the 

 Institute's set of the Reports on the New York State Cabinet : W. W. 

 Burrage of Boston, relating to the printing of Reports of the Classes 



