1876.] Proceedings of Societies. 255 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
Acapemy or Narurat Sciences, Philadelphia. — February 24th. 
Professor Cope gave a history of the progress of the doctrine of evolu- 
tion of animal and vegetable types. (This is printed elsewhere in this 
number of the NATURALIST.) Dr. Allen called attention to a remark- 
ably prognathous human skull, from Australia, belonging to the academy, 
in which the monkey-like characters were unusually apparent. Other 
peculiarities observable only by anatomical experts were pointed out. 
A paper by Dr. Charles A. White, entitled Descriptions of Fossils from 
Paleozoic Rocks of Iowa was presented for publication. 
Acapemy or Science, St. Louis. — February 7th. Prof. C. V. Riley 
remarked on insectivorous plants, stating that while Drosera, Dionea, 
etc, actually digest animal matter, the only benefit Sarracenia received 
from captured insects was from the liquid manure resulting from their 
putrescent bodies. 
Sociery or NATURAL History, Boston. — February 16th. Prof. 
William B. Rogers presented some geological notes on the thickness of _ 
the Virginia Tertiaries as indicated by the artesian borings at Fortress 
onroe; on the Upper Secondary Sandstone of Virginia as including 
an ancient drift, and its relation to the post-tertiary cobble-stone deposit ; 
with suggestions in explanation of the course assumed by all the great 
rivers of the Middle States on entering the region of tide-water. 
Professor W. G. Farlow remarked on the nature and mode of growth 
of the “black knot ” of plum and cherry trees. This is an American 
fungus, and has spread from our wild plums and cherries to the cultivated 
trees. Professor Farlow recommended the wholesale destruction of our 
wild species, especially Prunus Virginiana, as breeders of the disease, 
Which, if followed up by careful pruning of trees in cultivation, could not 
finally to eradicate the black knot. 
- CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL Crus. — January 14th. It was voted 
a a publication fund should be established, amounting to at least two 
5 a dollars, the interest of which should be expended in publishing 
ia. e, as in no other way would it be possible to maintain the publi- 
wid: of the Bibliographical Record of North American Entomology, 
ch is already recognized as more complete than any other similar 
eds. or any department of science. A committee was appointed to 
this fund. ' 
I Scudder pointed out the presence of some hitherto unparalleled 
ar m the thorax of Anisomorpha buprestoides, and presented a paper 
n the subject for publication in Psyche. 
Papilio 7 - Stebbins, Jr., mentioned the capture, near London, of a 
She achaon which had five wings. The specimen is now in the 
Ra Museum. 
ebruary 11th. Mr. Scudder said that he considered that Mr. Riley 
