INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 



This volume of Proceedings is published in obedience to the 

 vote of the Society, passed May 26, 1882. The Biological Soci- 

 ety of Washington was organized December 3, 1880, and at the 

 time of its summer adjournment, in 1882, carries upon its roll the 

 names of one hundred and thirty-nine active members, one hon- 

 orary member, and twenty corresponding members. It has held 

 thirty-one regular meetings, three special meetings, and one field 

 meeting. At its regular meetings fifty-four communications have 

 been presented, nearly all of which, except informal verbal com- 

 munications, have already been published, as is indicated in the 

 bibliographical foot notes. It has inaugurated and, in conjunction 

 with the Anthropological Society, carried on a course of eight 

 popular scientific lectures, four of which were delivered in its 

 special behalf, and all of which were delivered by its members. 



The meetings of the Society have always been held in rooms 

 provided by the courtesy of the Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution ; the first fifteen in the Regents' Room of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution ; the sixteenth to the twenty-fourth in the 

 Archive Room of the National Museum ; the subsequent meetings 

 in the Lecture Room of the Museum. 



In preparing the proceedings of the Society for publication, the 

 Secretaries have omitted the record of the election of members 

 from the minutes of the several meetings, the information there 

 contained being presented in a much more convenient form in the 

 " List of Members." 



