1885. | Proceedings of Scientific Societies. 929 
Professor Heilprin called attention to the grouping, by Professor 
Eugene Smith, of the phosphate beds discovered by the latter, 
with the Jackson and Vicksburg deposits, as Oligocene. The 
palzontological character of the beds was given, and the conclu- 
sion drawn that there was a strong line of demarkation between 
m. 
“A review of the genera and species of Mullidæ,” by E. A. 
Hall and T. Z. McCaughan, was presented for publication. 
May 19.—Professor Lewis announced the discovery of genthite 
in the Lafayette soapstone quarry. ccurs in small, bright, 
emerald-green crusts, showing the stalactitic structure character- 
istic of the species. This discovery proves the presence of nickel 
in the Pennsylvania serpentines. 
Mr. Jos. Willcox stated that genthite had also been found at 
Webster, N. C. 
Dr. Leidy described a number of tape-worms of a new species 
from a trout. The specimens were mature, measured from three 
to eight inches in length, and contained eggs in the segments near 
the head. The name Bothriocephalus cestus was proposed for it. 
Mr. Potts stated that he had found a digestive cavity in the 
hydroid without tentacles previously described by him, and had 
seen it capture and swallow its food. he name Microhydra 
ryderi was given to it; genus and species both new. 
Miss Fielde stated that, as a high authority upon nerve tissue 
had suggested that its reproduction in the earth-worms she had 
experimented upon was simulated, and that such reproduction 
was impossible, she had carefully examined the specimens, and 
found the tissue to be real, and as sensitive as the primitive growth. 
All the life processes were now performed as completely by the 
worms which had been decapitated as by those which had not 
been injured. 
May 26.—Professor H. C. Lewis gave the result of his studies 
of the extreme southern edge of the ice-sheet in Pennsylvania. 
Certain short ridges of stratified drift, which often seemed to repre- 
sent a backward drainage of the melting edge of the glacier, were 
spoken of as marginal kames. The speaker then described kames, 
eskers or osars, as studied in various parts of the world, and dis- 
cussed the various theories of their origin. The kames are of 
gravel, fine within, often coarse without, and boulders and till 
often lie upon them. They contain no shells, and their courses 
coincide with the general drainage of the country. These kames 
seemed to be due to sub-glacial streams draining the edge of the 
ice-sheet. When the terminal moraine rested against an upward 
Slope this drainage was backward or into the ice. ' 
June 2—Mr. W. N. Lockington gave an account of the pro- 
gress of European colonization in Africa, and the opposition to it 
likely to be presented by the spread of Islamism. 
Mr. Potts called attention to a curious fresh-water sponge which 
