ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS PRESENTED 109 



PALEONTOLOOICAL NOTES: 1. POLY PHY LETIC GENERA. 2. AN 

 ILLUSTRATION OF WAAGEN'S THEORY OF MUTATIONS 



BY A. W. GBABAU 



{Abstract) 



1. Polyphyletic genera. — The genus Philipsastraea among the Paleozoic corals 

 is a complex of at least three genetic series of which its species represent the 

 end members. The first is the typical group, derived, as Freeh has shown, 

 from Acervularian (Prismatophyllum) ancestors. This group is essentially 

 European, having emigrated, however, into western North America. The 

 second group appears to be a derivation from Strombodes, and includes the 

 typical Onondaga species of eastern North America, such as P. gigas Billings, 

 etcetera. A third group is apparently derived from the compound Heliophyl- 

 lums, and is represented by P. billingsi of Iowa and Michigan. Other illustra- 

 tions will be given from Heliophyllum, etcetera. 



2, An illustration of Waagen's theory of mutation. — Among the forms classed 

 together under the Linnaean species Spirifer mucronatus are at least five dis- 

 tinct mutations, occurring with constant diameters in various horizons of the 

 Middle Devonic of North America. Each of these would be considered a sep- 

 arate specific group if occurring alone. In each group there is further an 

 orthogenetic series showing progressive modifications in definite directions 

 within the same geologic horizon. These would constitute the variations of 

 Waagen, but are better considered as submutations, since they also represent 

 definite modifications. 



The vertebrate section of the Society, having completed its program, 

 now met with the general section. The paper on Cuban Fossil Mammals, 

 by W. D. Matthew, before the vertebrate section, proved of such general 

 interest that upon motion of the Secretary it was repeated at this point. 



CUBAN FOSSIL MAMMALS; PRELIMINARY NOTE 

 BY W. D. MATTHEW 



Presented without notes and illustrated by drawings and specimens; 

 10 minutes. Discussed by Charles Schuchert, (J. F. Baton, R. S. Lull, 

 and W. D. Matthew. An abstract of this paper is presented on page lis. 



The following paper was then read Tor the author by A. F. Foerste 

 and illustrated by charts; :'><) minutes. Discussed by R. S. Bassler: 



NOMENCLATURE, STRUCTURE, I \ /' CL ISSIFICATIO* or Tin: ORBM WRINID B 



BY E. (). ULBICH 



(Abstract) 



The paper aims primarily to clear hi* the tremendously involved synonym 

 of ;i group of crinolds hitherto commonly known as the Calceocrlnldft, ii being 

 shown Hint Hie term < !alceocrlnus was never properly established As ii baa 



