
436 PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES, 
of England, France or Germany, we hope this section will continue to 
flourish and increase in influence and importance, and stimulate our manu- 
facturers of microscopes, and observers, to still greater perfection in the 
construction and use of this instrument. S a Natural History journal 
we are not called upon to report the doings of Section A, Mathematics, 
Physics and Chemistry, but we should say that its meetings were this 
year especially interesting from the numerous papers on the recent eclipse 
which were presented 
The American Association dates its origin as far back as 1840, when 
some eighteen gentlemen, connected with the geological surveys then in 
progress, met in the hall of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, and or- 
ganized an association under the name of “The Association of American 
Geologists.” At the meeting held'in 1842 the name was changed so as 
to read “‘The Association of American Geologists and Naturalists,” and 
in 1847 its sphere was enlarged and its present name adopted; thus em- 
bracing every department of science. 
The meetings were suspended during the years 1861-65, but since the 
value of these annual reunions cannot be too highly estimat 
An important change in the Constitution was pro meg which, if 
adópted at the next meeting, will greatly facilitate business, and will 
place all the Sections on an equal footing. The change proposed is as 
follows: Rule V to read — 
“The Association shall be divided into two sections, A and B. Section A to be 
divided into the following subsections: 1, Mathematics and Astronomy; 2, Physics 
and istry; 3, Microscopy. Section B into the e followmg: 1, Geology and Palzon- 
Lee id ` Brod and Botany; 3, Archeology and Ethnology. The two sections may 
It was voted that the next meeting be held at Troy, N. Y., on the first 
Wednesday in August. 
Officers present at the Meeting: J. W. Foster, President; F. W. 
Putnam, Acting Permanent Secretary; O. C. MARSH, Ewan Secretary ; 
J. W. Foster, F. W. PUTNAM AM, O. C. MansH, B Gourp, LOUIS 
A OSEP TERR 
Hunt, J. S. NEWBERRY, ALEXIS CaswELL, W. C. Kerr, Standing Com- 
(Messrs. Roop, Lovertne, ELWYN, ROCKWELL and WHITTLESEY 
-) 
_ Section B. (Natural History) — Prof. L. Acassiz, Chairman; Prof. T. 
Srerry Hunt and Rev. G. A. LEAKIN, Secretaries. Subsection C. Gol 
end 1 . ARN oLD GUY 



