332 



After a lengthy discussion, it was voted that the library 

 be removed forthwith to the new building, and that the 

 meetings of the Society be held in the new library so soou 

 as the introduction of the gas would allow. 



Messrs. Lyman Mason and William H. Dall of Boston, 

 and Mr. A. S. Packard, jun., of Cambridge, were elected Resi- 

 dent Members. 



November 18, 1868. 



The Society met, for the first time, in their new ai?d capa- 

 cious building; the President, Dr. Jeffries Wyman, in the 

 chair: 79 members present. 



Mr. F. W. Putnam read the following letter he had re- 

 ceived from Mr. James G. Shute : — 



VfOBUKN, Nov. 11, 1863. 

 My dear Sir: — 



As I cannot be present at the next meeting of the Society, I would 

 like to have you read the following observations on the mode of birth 

 in the Opossum, made by me while in Beaufort, N. C, March 16, 1863.. 



During the delivery of the young, the parent lay upon the right 

 side, with the body curved in such a manner as to bring the vulva 

 nearly opposite the mouth of tbe pouch, which was opened, or drawn 

 down, by contraction of the muscles, so as to receive the young when 

 delivered. The young were seven in number. The time occupied in 

 the delivery was about four hours. The parent remained in the same' 

 position about thirty-six hours, and refused all sustenance. 



Immediately after the transfer of the young to the pouch, I removed 

 one, by detaching it fi'om the teat, in order to ascertain If the move- 

 ment of the foetus was instinctive. I found that it was at least partly 

 voluntary, as It made an effort to regain Its place In the pouch ; and 

 the same movement was made on the part of the parent to receive it 

 as at first. I did not notice any use of the lips or limbs of the parent 

 during the transfer. March 24, the parent was killed, and I put the 

 young in alcohol. Yours truly, 



James G. Shute. 



The President spoke of the value of these observations, 

 and of the difficulties previously encountered in observing 

 the transfer of the young to the pouch. Drs. Myddleton 



