1897,] Proceedings of Scientific Societies. 261 
balance of $56.89 in the regular fund, and $514.14 in the Buchanan 
und, 
The Recording Secretary, Dr. Rusby, reported an average attendance 
of 31 persons at the 15 meetings held during the year, 2 deaths, a net 
gain in active membership of 28, a present active membership of 219, 
corresponding membership 150, honorary membership 4, scientific 
papers presented 37, of which 22 had been published. Several hundred 
new species and a number of new genera had been communicated, and 
there had been a marked increase in the attention given to anatomical 
and cryptogamic subjects. 
The Editor reported that Vol. 23 of the Bulletin had aggregated 548 
pages and 34 full-page plates, and that two numbers of the Memoirs, 
aggregating 206 pages, had been issued. There was a cash balance from 
publications of $48.09 in addition to the balance already reported by 
the Treasurer. 
The officers for 1897 were elected as follows: President, Addison 
Brown ; Vice-Presidents, T. H. Allen, H. H. Rusby ; Treasurer, Henry 
Ogden ; Recording Secretary, Edward 8. Burgess ; Corresponding Secre- 
tary, John K. Small; Editor, N. L. Britton; Associate Editors, Emily 
L. Gregory, Arthur Hollick, Anna McVail, B. D. Halsted, Lucien 
M. Underwood ; Curator, Helen M. Ingersoll; Librarian, William E. 
Wheelock. | 
The scientific program of the evening included papers by Mr. A. J. 
Grout and Dr. N. L. Britton. 
In the first paper, “ Notes on Some American Brachythecia,” Mr. 
Grout compared the principles of classification employed by the two 
prominent bryologists, Schimper and Lindberg, and stated his reasons 
for preferring those of the latter to those of the former. He then 
exhibited and remarked upon four American species of Brachythecium, 
oa expressed the opinion that they represent a genus distinct there- 
rom. 
The paper will be published in full in the Bulletin. 
Dr. Britton’s paper was upon “Linum Virginianum and its Rela- 
tives.” He illustrated the chief distinguishing characteristics of the 
Species of Linum of the Virginianuwm group, and dwelt particularly 
upon the claims to specific rank of L. Virginianum medium Walter. 
—Epwarp S. BURGESS, Secretary. 
American Philosophical Society.—February 5th.—This be- 
ing one of the three meetings during the year at which special subjects 
are considered, the Committee on Programme selected “ The Genesis 
