600 The American Naturalist. [June, 
there appeared on page 28, the following statement: “* * in Amer- 
ica the friends of paleolithic man have with few exceptions deserted the 
proposition as an unsupportable theory.” 
Without raising any discussion upon the theory of the paleolithic 
age in America, I desire to enter my protest against the correctness of 
the foregoing conclusion. 
There may be those who believe the existence of a paleolithic period 
in America is not yet proved; who only believe in its probability and 
do not reject the evidence cited in its favor; but of all those thus 
classed, I know of none who “have deserted the proposition as an un- 
supportable theory.” 
Respectfully, 
THomas WILSON. 
The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, Jan. 30th, 1895. 
PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 
Boston Society of Natural History.—April 17th—The fol- 
lowing paper was read: Prof. William Libbey, Jr., “Two Months in 
Greenland ;” stereopticon views were shown. 
May 1st.—The reports of the Curator, Secretary, Librarian, Treas- 
urer and Trustees were read, also the report of the Walker Prize Com- 
mittee. The election of officers for 1895-96 was held. The following 
paper was read: Mr. J. L. Tilton, “ On the Geology of the Southwest- 
ern Part of the Boston Basin.” 
May 15th.—The following papers were read: Prof. Thomas Dwight, 
“ Notes on the Dissection of a Chimpanzee, with Especial Reference to 
the Brain.” Prof. N. S. Shaler, * The Conditions of Escape of Gases 
from the Interior of the Earth.” —SAMUEL Hensuaw, Secretary. 
Academy of Science of St. Louis.—April 15th.—Miss Mary 
E. Murtfeldt presented a paper on “The Habits of Certain Seed- 
Feeding Insects.”—A. W. DouGuas, Recording Secretary. 
American Philosophical Society.—April 19th—Dr. D. G. 
Brinton read a paper on the “ Proto-historic Ethnography of Western 
