H 
116 Proceedings of Scientific Societies. [January, 
the direction and force of submarine currents can be accurately 
determined at any depth.” 
— Says the late Chauncy Wright in one of his essays: “At 
cording to Mr. Spencer's views, the first strata, had they been P 
preserved, would have contained the remains of protozoa and pro 
tophytes ; but, for aught we dare guess, they might have con- 
tained the foot-prints of archangels.” Truth is stranger than fit f 
tion. What else can be the Carson footprints ? i | 
and has been a healthy stimulus to scientific progress. : 
— We learn that Mr. R. E. C. Stearns has resigned his posi- 
tion ash curator of mollusca in the U. S. National Muse 
on account of ill health, by the advice of his physician. 
— Aristotle’s “ History of Animals” has been translated by 
Monsieur Bartholemy St. Hilaire, and the work will soon be pu 
lished with preface, notes, and commentary. 
he was professor of zodlogy in the University of Cope 
— Dr. F. H. Troschel, professor of zodlogy at Bonn, and 
many years one of the editors of the Archiv fiir Naturgeschi¢ 
author of a treatise on zodlogy and of many papers, as well 
zoOlogical artist of distinction, recently died at Bonn. 
—Correction. On page 742, volume 16, eighteenth lin 
“ sub-connate”’ read sub-carinate. 
Ss :0:—— ; 
PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. | 
_ BiorocicaL Socrety oF Wasuincton, Nov. 10.—Comm 
tions were made by Professor J. W. Chickering, Jr., on the “ 
of the southern mountains; by Professor C. V. Riley on the “ Cl 
fly,” Pollenia rudis; by Dr. Geo. Vasey on the pines of 
America; and by Dr. John A. Ryder on the rationale of the 
tening process employed by oyster planters. 
Nov. 24..—Communications were made by Dr. Elliott Coue 
the present status of the avifauna of the District of Columbia: 
