DECEMBER 10, 1897.] 
The paper by Dr. H. B. Ward on ‘ Factors 
in Civilized Life which modify the Abundance 
of Parasitic Animals’ in man and domestic ani- 
mals dealt with the advantage of modern 
methods of stall-feeding, watering from wells, 
cleanly modes of killing and packing. Dr. E. 
H. Barbour reported progress on the study of 
Dictomaceous Earths in Nebraska. Lymneza, 
Physa and Planorbis occur as fossils. The 
beds are furnishing excellent material for pack- 
ing engine boilers as a non-conductor of heat. 
“The Flora of a Dried-up Mill Pond,’ by C. J. 
Elmore, included alist of species and a classifi- 
eation of them according to habit and mode of 
distribution. Most of the species did not occur 
on the adjacent bank. 
Dr. C. E. Bessey presented evidence of 
poisoning by Rhus radicans without direct con- 
tact and concludes that Dr. Pfaff’s non-volatile 
toxicodendrol may not be the only poisonous 
principle present or that it must be sufficiently 
volatile to escape in hot moist air. Dr. Roscoe 
Pound presented observations on the ‘ Abun- 
dance of Certain Secondary Species in Prairie 
Formations,’ and showed how it may be deter- 
mined quantitatively by definite count, and how 
misleading any other estimate is apt to be. 
Professor F. W. Card presented ‘ Notes on Root 
Growth,’ showing that whether roots were cut 
back much in planting or not the new roots in 
any case arose mainly from the base of the 
roots rather than from the callus at their tips, 
so that best results were obtained by leaving 
the roots without cutting back. 
Mr. H. M. Benedict discussed the generic 
characters of the genus Ichthyotenia and de- 
scribed a new species. Professor G. D. Swezey 
reported upon experiments with color screens 
in astronomical photography, by which an or- 
dinary visually corrected objective gave good 
results in photographing bright objects. 
The evening was devoted to a lecture by Mr. 
N. H. Darton, of the U. S. Geological Survey, on 
‘Some Points in the Geology of Nebraska,’ with 
lantern illustrations, and to a banquet for mem- 
bers and their wives. 
The first paper on November 27th, by Dr. E. 
W. Davis, was a discussion of certain mathe- 
matical relations between the surfaces, edges 
and vertices of regular solids. Miss Carrie Bar- 
SCIENCE. 
885 
bour reported upon the history and results of 
the Morrill Geological Expeditions. Dr. E. H. 
Barbour reported upon ‘A Second Nebraska 
Meteorite,’ weighing six pounds; also upon 
‘Our Beds of Voleanic Ash,’ which are 
found widely distributed in the State and which 
furnish a very pure polishing powder. They 
are found distinctly stratified and fossiliferous, 
showing aqueous deposition. 
A paper by Dr. E. W. Davis on ‘ Karl Pear- 
son’s Researches on the Mathematical Theory 
of Evolution’ showed how the theory of proba- 
bilities may be used in the discussion of biolog- 
ical and similar data. Mr. W. D. Hunter re- 
ported upon ‘ Additions to Professor Bruner’s 
List of Nebraska Birds’ and upon progress in 
compiling lists of insects of various orders for 
the State. Dr. Roscoe Pound reported upon 
the ‘Progress of the Botanical Survey of Ne- 
braska,’ particularly upon the beginnings of a 
study of the phytogeographic as distinguished 
from the mere floral aspects of the subject. Dr. 
R. H. Wolcott presented a paper ‘ On the Genus 
Atax,’ giving an account of generic characters, 
habits and a number of new species. 
For lack of time the following papers were 
read by title only : 
The Fern Allies of Franklin county, Neb.: E. M. 
Hussong. 
The Peat Beds and Underlying Diatomaceous De- 
posits along Cedar Creek and Tributaries: J. P. 
Rowe. 
On the Experimental Proof of Faraday’s Theory of 
Electricity : Louis T. More. 
Announcement of New Nebraska Fossils: Dr. E. 
H. Barbour. 
Observations on the Concretions of the Pierre 
Shale: Carrie A. Barbour. 
On the Taxonomy of the Nemathelminthes : Dr. 
H. B. Ward. 
Oolitic Sands from the Dakota Cretaceous of Ne- 
braska : Dr. E. H. Barbour. 
Some Points in the Geology of Lincoln and its 
Environs : C. E. Fisher. 
The following officers for the ensuing year 
were elected: 
President, Dr. H. B. Ward, Lincoln ; Vice-Presi- 
dent, Dr. A. 8. von Mansfelde, Ashland ; Secretary- 
Treasurer, Professor G. D. Swezey, Lincoln; Cus- 
todian, Professor Lawrence Bruner, Lincoln. 
