210 Proceedings of Sctentific Societes. [Feb. 1887. 
scribing their segmentation, were totally erroneous. A superficial 
segmentation is of necessity meroblastic. In Arthropod eggs the 
first segmentations are central, and the blastoderm is formed by 
migration of the resulting cells to the surface. With this new 
view it is a comparatively easy matter to reconcile the process 
of gastrulation in the Hexapods with that of other Metazoa. 
It affords an excellent example of the theory of acceleration, 
or concentration of development, held by Professors Cope and 
Hyatt. The nauplius of Crustacea was regarded as an adaptive 
stage, and one which had far less phylogenetic significance than 
was usually assigned it. Professor Hyatt spoke of the early 
development of the sponges, and instanced cases which paral- 
leled and supported the views of Dr. Kingsley 
General meeting, Wednesday evening, February 16.—The fol- 
lowing papers were read: “On the Range of Variations in the 
Human Shoulder-Blade,’ by Dr. Thomas Dwight; “A Study 
of North American Geraniaceæ,” by Professor Wm. Trelease. 
Middlesex [ Mass. ] Institute-—January 19, 1887.—Mr. Frank 
S. Collins read a paper on “ Curious Conceits of the Older Her- 
balists,” quoting from Gerarde and earlier writers. 
New York Academy of Sciences.—Monday Retin A het 
.—The following paper was read: “ Report upon ink. 
Dolomite recently obtained near Morrisania, with LEA by 
Mr. A. B. Bjerregaard. 
onday evening, February 14.—The following paper was 
read: “ The Landskibet, or Viking Ship, discovered near Gok- 
Se Norway, in 1880” (with lantern illustration), by Dr. John S. 
hite. 
Biological Society of Washington.—February 5, 1887.— 
The following communications were read: Mr. William T. Horn- 
aday, “ The Last of the Buffalo; Mr. Richard Rathbun, “ Ocean 
Temperature Charts in Connection with Studies in Geographical 
Distribution ;’ Dr. C. Hart Merriam, “ Contributions to North 
—— Mammalogy. Description of a New Species of Wood- 
Rat” (Neotoma); Mr. Henry W. Elliott, “ Ridgeway’s Nomencla- 
ture of Colors for Naturalists;” Dr. $a BY tejneger, “ Exhibition ; 
of New Species of Birds from the Sandwich Islands ;’ Dr. Tar- 
leton H. Bean, “ Variation under horns of the Rainbow 
_ Trout” (with exhibition of specim 
Sinti 19—The | following Oa s were read: 
—— ED m “An Un described — s of Snake from 
id 5; 
= “ae E. Patines “6 Professor RE C. we E Notes on Physian- 
ee P sex Moth-tr 
