1890.] Proceedings of Scientific Societies. 1103 
PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 
Biological Society of Washington—Meeting October 18, 
1890.—Mr. H. E. Van Deman, speaking on cultivated fruits in the 
mountains of North Carolina, said that while scarcely anything had 
been done in fruit raising for commercial purposes, he believed it 
would be a profitable investment. Even with the shiftless and slovenly 
manner of cultivation now in vogue, it was successful, At an altitude 
of from 2,000 to 3,800 feet the climate is suitable for the growth of 
apples, and those raised are as fine and keep as well as any grown in 
the northern States. The flora at the elevation stated being similar to 
that of New England, he thought the inference fair that fruits succeed- 
ing in one place would also succeed in the other. Peaches did. not do 
very well; but the pear, quince, grape, currant, and other northern 
fruits, he believed could be raised successfully and profitably. 
Dr. D. E. Salmon, in discussing the paper, referred to his experience 
in the region some years ago, and seemed to be rather doubtful that 
fruit could be successfully raised. The sudden changes from warm to 
cold often caused a failure in crops, especially with peaches. These 
last frequently bloom in February, and then the March frosts are fatal 
tothe crop. He did not find the soil as fertile as had been depicted 
—rather the contrary; and altogether his picture of the beauties of 
western North Carolina was not as enticing as that of Mr. Van Deman. 
Dr. Theodore Gill spoke upon the characteristics of a new family 
of fishes, the Cyclopteroidea. He referred to the genus Cyclopterus, 
commonly known as the lump-fish, as having been placed in several 
different positions in schemes of classification. All the earlier writers 
had given it a wrong position, and it was only in 1872 that Professor 
Putnam had placed it where it properly belonged, namely, near the 
Cottide. This Dr. Gill believed to be its true position. Examina- 
tion of its osseous structure, its nervous system, its digestive system, 
and other points, all show its near alliance with the Cottidz, instead 
of with the Gobiide, Gadid&, or Pleuronectidz. He gave an out- 
line of the anatomy of the genus, and compared it with other forms, 
stating his conclusion that its structure showed it to be entitled to rank 
as the type of a superfamily, which he had named Cyclopteroidea. 
Prof. Lester F. Ward spoke on the American Triassic Flora. The 
best development of this series of strata is found in the Connecticut 
valley, where great numbers of tracks, formerly supposed to be birds, 
