3o8 T. C. CHAM BERLIN 



upper layer was regarded also as probably Pleistocene, but some 

 reservation was expressed respecting this. 



STAGE II. CONCERTED INVESTIGATION AND CO-ORDINATE 

 PUBLICATION 



Closely following this introductory stage Dr. Sellards extended 

 cordial invitations to various specialists to inspect the deposits 

 and the material already gathered from them, and to join in further 

 inquiry. Two field conferences followed. The earlier and larger was 

 held in October, 1916, participated in by Dr. George G. MacCurdy, 

 anthropologist of Yale University, who gave special attention 

 to the archaeological evidence; Dr. Ales Hrdlicka, anthropolo- 

 gist of the U.S. National Museum, who gave special attention 

 to the human bones; Dr. Thomas W. Vaughan, geologist in charge 

 of the coastal plain investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey, 

 who viewed the matter from the standpoint of the regional geologist; 

 Dr. Oliver P. Hay, research associate of the Carnegie Institution 

 in Vertebrate Paleontology, who studied in particular the evidence 

 of the vertebrate bones; Dr. Rollin T. Chamberlin, associate pro- 

 fessor of dynamic geology at the University of Chicago, who gave 

 special attention to the physico-dynamical vestiges of the deposits 

 and their import; Assistant Geologist Herman Gunter, of the 

 Florida Geological Survey; Mr. Isaac M. Weills and Mr. Frank 

 Ayers, citizens of Vero, who had taken an active interest in the 

 discovery from the outset. 



The results of this first conference were gathered into a sym- 

 posium in the January-February, 191 7, number of this Journal. 

 The contributions were from Dr. Ehas H. Sellards, embracing a 

 report by Dr. Robert W. Shufeldt on the fossil birds (pp. 4-24) ; 

 Dr. Rollin T. Chamberlin (pp. 25-39); Dr. Thomas W. Vaughan 

 (pp. 40-42); Dr. Ales Hrdlicka, including a letter from Professor 

 Wilham H. Holmes (pp. 43-51); Dr. Oliver P. Hay (pp. 52-55); 

 and Dr. George G. MacCurdy (pp. 56-62). 



The second conference was held in March, 1917, Dr. Sellards 

 again serving as host, participated in by Professor Edward W. 

 Berry, paleobotanist of Johns Hopkins University, who gave 

 especial attention to the testimony of the fossil plants; Dr. Rollin 



