406 The American Naturadist. [May, 
pleurocentrum, the vertebral body becomes a hypocentrum. 
Tf now the pleurocentrum should grow at the expense of all 
the other elements, we would have such a vertebra as Cope 
and others find in the Amniota: And considering what we find 
in the temnospondylous Stegocephali, in the Clepsydropide, 
and in Sphenodon, I cannot refuse to believe that such a course 
of development.has been pursued. 
It appears to me unnecessary to suppose that the embolomer- 
ous condition has at any time resulted from the rhachitomous. 
In some cases probably the latter has grown out of the former; 
but it is by no means a necessary course. Probably in most 
cases the lower intercalated cartilages have suffered reduction 
before codésification has united them with the upper intercal- 
ated pieces. 
THE SEVENTH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL 
GEOLOGICAL CONGRESS. 
This will probably eclipse any previous session in many 
respects and will enjoy the distinction hitherto conceded to the 
second, or that of Bologna, of being the most notable con- 
course of geologists, and of making the most important contri- 
bution to geological knowledge, both practical and theoretical, ` 
in the history of this Congress. Many circumstances conspire 
to produce this result. In the first place Russians share with 
Americans the reputation of being lavish in expenditure and 
prodigal in hospitality ; it may be added of both nations also, 
that this extravagance is not diminished because it furthers 
some important project. 
When at the London session of 1888, it was decided to hold 
the fifth session of the Congress in Philadelphia in 1891, the 
geological world was prepared to be astounded at the profusion 
of the hospitality and the generosity exhibited in the general 
‘management and especially in the long excursions. That the 
bacillus of Officialism infected this egg before it was laid in the 
wrong nest, and broke hope’s promise as to its hatching, only ` 
