RECORDS 161 



by tactile sense organs in the cephalic cirri. The particle is 

 grasped between the palps or by the mandibles, or by both, and 

 is then conveyed with a fair degree of precision to a place at 

 the edge of the tube. During the construction Diopatra peri- 

 odically ceases to build in order to " glue " the gravel and shell 

 together. The mucous-secreting organs are pads upon the 

 ventral surface near the head. These organs are brought in 

 contact with the inner surface of the tube by long and vigorous 

 contractions and expansions of the trunk-segments. All or 

 nearly all of the newly-constructed portions are gone over in 

 this way before the animal renews its search for bits of gravel 

 and shell. 



Henry E. Crampton, 



Secretary. 



SECTION OF GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 



December i6, 1901. 



Section met at 8:15 P. M., Dr. A. A. Julien presiding. 



The minutes of the last meeting of Section were read and 

 approved. 



The following program was then offered : 



D. W. Johnson, Notes on the Geology of the Saline 

 Baslns of Central New Mexico. Illustrated by diagrams. 



D. S. Martin, Geological Notes on the Neighborhood of 

 Buffalo. 



A. J. Queneau, The Grain of Igneous Rocks. 



On motion, Professor Richard E. Dodge was made Secretary 

 pro tejji., owing to the necessary absence of Dr. Hovey. 



Summary of Papers. 



In the Antonio Sandoval Grant, near the centre of the Terri- 

 tory of New Mexico, are noted saline deposits which have 

 served as important sources of a very pure salt in past years. 

 The character of these basins was discussed in some detail, and 

 points concerning their historical interest briefly touched upon. 



