TITLES AND ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS 139 



MINUTES OF THE SECTIONAL MEETING OF VERTEBRATE PALECNT<.LOG i' 

 W. D. MATTHEW, SECEETARY 



The section was called to order at 10.40 a. m., Wednesday, December 

 31, with E. S. Lnll as chairman. W. D. Matthew was requested by the 

 chair to act as secretary, and the meeting proceeded to the reading of 

 papers. 



The first paper was presented by the author and illustrated with lantern 

 slides; 15 minutes: 



FINAL RESULTS IN TWE PHYLOOENY OF THE TITANOTHERES 

 BY H. F. OSBORN 



The author reviewed briefly the final phylogenetic conclusions of his mono- 

 graph on this family, pointing out the numerous parallel phyla represented and 

 the remarkable completeness of the series of stages. Exceptions were found 

 in the break between Lower and Middle Eocene stages in the phyla and another 

 between the Upper Eocene and Lower Oligocene. 



Discussion 



Professor Scott called attention to the fact that the generic name Menodus 

 used by the author was antedated by Menodon. Professor Osborn replied that 

 this did not constitute preoccupation according to the ruling of the Interna- 

 tional Zoological Congress that uames with the different terminals — us and 

 on — should not be considered as identical. Professor Scott rejoined that this 

 ruling appeared to be untenable, as it might involve an identical family name 

 for two distinct groups, and that the ruling would probably have to be re- 

 scinded in favor of that adopted by the American Ornithologists Union. 



There was then presented by the author the following paper; 15 min- 

 utes : 



RESTORATION OF SOME PYROTHERIUM MAMMALS 

 BY FREDERIC B. LOOMIS 



The author described the skeletons of four types of mammals of the Py- 

 rotherium fauna — Rhynchippus (order Toxodontia), Prosotherium (order 

 Typotheria), Protheosodon (order Liptoterna), and Pyrotherium (order Pyro- 

 theria). He regarded the last as related to the Proboscidea. 



Discussion 



Professor Scott remarked on the importance of Doctor Loomis's work on the 

 Pyrotherium fauna and noted certain interesting features. He dissented from 

 the author as to the position of Pyrotherium, but .postponed giving his reasons. 

 Professor Osborn was inclined to interpret the resemblance between Pyro- 



