1064 The American Naturalist. [December, 
The authors think it would have been possible to prolong the experi- 
ment beyond the ninety hours without danger, except in one of the 
three cases. These results contrast favorably with those obtained by 
M. de Manacéine upon young dogs. The animals were kept from 
sleeping and died at the end of the fourth or fifth day.—H. C. WARREN- 
PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 
American Philosophical Society.—November 6, 1896-—The 
following communications were made: “ Recent Archeological Ex- 
plorations on the Shell Keys and Gulf Coast of Florida,” by Frank 
Hamilton Cushing, followed by Dr. D. G. Brinton and Prof. F. W. 
Putnam. 
November 20, 1896.—Prof. H. V. Hilprecht addressed the Society on 
his recent archeological discoveries at Nippur, and exhibited a collect- 
ion of tablets with Summerian inscriptions. A paper on “ A New 
Physical Property of the X-Ray,” by Charles L. Leonard, M. D., 
was read. 
University of Pennsylvania, Bro.tocical CLus.—November 2, 
1896.—The following demonstrations were made ; Descriptive Exhibi- 
tive of Streptocarpus and Ephedra by Dr. J. M. McFarlane and of 
Botrychium by H.C. Porter. The following communication was 
made ; School Museums, by Mrs. L. L. W. Wilson. 
H. C. PORTER, Secretary. 
The Biological Society of Washington.—The following com- 
munications were made; Theodore Gill, “ The Category of Family or 
Order in Biology ;” C. Hart Merriam, “ Notes on the Fauna of Ore- 
gon;” E. A. DeSchweinitz, ‘Some Methods of Generating Formalde- 
hyde, and its Use as a Disinfectant ;” C. Hart Merriam, “Supplement- 
ary Notes on Tropical American Shrews. 
November 21st.—The following communications were made: G. H. 
Hicks, “The ‘Mildews’ (Erysipheæ) of Michigan;” Frederick V. 
Coville, “The In florescence of the Juncacee;” Theodor Holm, 
“The Alpine Flora of Pikes Peak and Grays Peak in Colorado ;” 
C. L. Pollard, “Some Further Remarks on Briton and Brown’s Illus- 
trated Flora.” 
FREDERIC A. Lucas, Secretary. 
