274. 
Prof. Frazer offered the following resolution : 
WueEreEas, The prosecution of certain lines of original research simul- 
taneously by a number of able observers has led to confusion as to the 
authors of specific names to whom the merit of discovery should be as- 
signed, and 
WHEREAS, There seems to be a difference of understanding the term 
publication, and : 
WueEnreas, It is earnestly desired by the workers in the above-mentioned 
fields that the date allowed to a description of a species should be as soon 
as possible after the discovery which that description implies, therefore 
Resolved, That this Society will accept as the date of the discovery of a 
species the date at which a careful and comprehensive abstract of such dis- 
covery or discoveries shall have been published in any public journal or 
magazine, 
Provided, That the terms of the abstract shall sharply and distinctly de- 
fine what has been discovered, and how far these discoveries may be con- 
sidered by their author to affect scientific questions, and 
Provided, That no additions or modifications of such abstract be per- 
mitted. 
On motion, the above preamble and resolution were 
referred to the Secretaries. 
. And the Society was adjourned. 
Stated Meeting, December 7, 1877. 
Present, 11 members. 
Vice-President Mr. Fratny in the Chair. 
Letters of acknowledgment were received from the R.S. 
New 8S. Wales, Sydney, October 12 (96); K. K. Geol. R. 
Vienna, November 4 (99); Royal Ast. S., London, Novem- 
ber 12 (99); Radcliffe Observatory, Oxford, October 4 (99); 
and Dr. Siemens, Westminster, 8S. W. London, September 
Aarl((S)l Se )5)) 
Letters of envoy were received from the K. K. Hoffbuch- 
handlung, Wien, Graben 27, October 30, asking exchanges ; 
N. Gesell, Freiberg i. B. August 8; the Batavian Society, 
Rotterdam, May, 1877; and the Holland Society at Harlem. 
Donations for the Library were received from Mr. John 
