1885.] Proceedings of Scientific Societies. III 
New York Acapemy oF Sctences, Nov. 10.—The following 
paper was read : Elephants, ancient and modern, with reference 
also to the extinction of the mammoth; and notes on the small 
elephants lately brought to this city from farther India (with 
lantern illustrations), by Professor H. L. Fairchild. 
Dec. 1.—The paper of the evening was Iroquois customs and 
language, by Mrs. Erminnie A. Smith. 
Boston Society oF Naturat History, Nov. 5.—Mr. S. Gar- 
man exhibited a novel type of flounder; and Mr. John M. Batch- 
elder spoke of the lamprey as a builder. 
Dec. 3.—Mr. F. W. Putnam gave an account of the explora- 
tions of ancient earthworks in Ohio, made during the past sea- 
son by Dr. Metz and himself for the Peabody Museum. 
AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL Society, Nov. 10.—Lieutenant Shu- 
feldt, U. S. Navy, delivered a lecture entitled, Madagaskara: the 
land of Sinbad, the sailor; a journey of exploration across the 
great African island (illustrated with twenty-five stereopticon 
views from original photographs taken by the lecturer). 
APPALACHIAN MounTaAIn CLuB, Boston, Nov. 12.—The reports 
of councillors was presented, and Mr. Samuel H. Scudder read a 
paper entitled, The Alpine Club of Williamstown, Mass. 
PHILADELPHIA ACADEMY OF NATURAL Sciences, May 1.— 
No less than fifty distinct species of sponges from Florida 
were presented by Mr. Jos. Willcox. This gentleman remarked 
that the limestone of the peninsula is eroded into numberless 
caverns, and is full of sinkholes, yet when exposed it is 
hard and in some localities marble-like. He believed that sea- 
urchins cannot have protection in view when they cover them- 
selves with sea-weed, as they are more conspicuous thus covered. 
e common Busycon pyrum of the coast always deposits its 
eggs below the sand, attaching the egg-cases to a shell at least 
eight inches below the surface. Two mollusks, Fasciolaria tulipa 
and Melongina corona, break holes in the shields of king-crabs 
and eat out the flesh. Saw-fishes are abundant in shallow water, 
and it was observed that when they were speared they would 
turn up the saw and pull it repeatedly across the handle of the 
spear, soon making a notch. The sand of the beach is siliceous, 
and is probably derived from the mainland of Georgia. Mr. 
Potts stated that he had received several fine fresh-water sponges 
from the St. John’s river, near Palatka. One of these he believed 
to be a new Meyenia, for which he proposed the name suddivisa. 
Mr. Ford reported the finding of Pholas cuneiformis in a billet of 
wood at Anglesea. 
May 8.—Dr. Leidy exhibited fragments of a tapeworm widely 
differing from the tapeworms usually found in man, and probably 
