Proceedings of the Section of Biology 171 



Mr. C. L. Pollard reported some interesting observations and 

 experiments on hybridization of the Cynthia moth (Philosamia 

 cynthia) illustrated with specimens. 



November 14, 1908 



The meeting was held in the museum. 



Mr. C. L. Pollard announced the death of Dr. James Fletcher, 

 a prominent entomologist of Ottawa, Canada. 



The acquisition by the Association of a valuable collection of 

 photographs of Staten Island scenery, presented by Mrs. C. W. 

 Hunt and Mr. George S. Humphrey, was commented on by Mr. 

 Pollard. He stated also that the University of Missouri Studies 

 had been added to the exchange list of the Association. 



The dried carcass of a cat was shown, which had been found 

 in a furnace pipe at 37 Central Avenue, Tompkins ville. It was 

 presented to the Association by Mr. J. J. O'Doran. 



Mr. Pollard showed a new museum exhibit, consisting of 

 various kinds of silkworm cocoons, and illustrating the char- 

 acteristic methods by which various members of this family build 

 their cocoons. 



Mr. William T. Davis exhibited a collection of most of the 

 species of Xiphidium occurring in the eastern United States. He 

 mentioned the fact that the length of wing is not a good specific- 

 character in this genus. He commented on the invalidity of cer- 

 tain species, which had been described on the basis of this char- 

 acter; and also on the occurrence of X. striatum at Arrochar,. 

 Staten Island. He showed also an insect box of his own make, 

 lined with corrugated paper instead of cork or turf. He stated 

 that Dr. W. A. Murrill, of the N. Y. Botanical Garden, had 

 identified the fungus exhibited at the last regular meeting of the 

 Association as the true chestnut fungus, and that the jelly-like- 

 streamers shown by this specimen were mentioned by Dr. John 

 Mickleborough in Conservation 14: 585. 1908. 



Mr. Howard H. Cleaves read a paper on " Comments on the 

 Contents of a Grebe's Crop " (published in full in this issue,. 



