Bouv<5.3 242 [March 15, 



Mr. Alex. Agassiz gave an account of his recent studies on 

 the affinities and homologies of the various groups of Echin- 

 oderms, and pointed out the relationship of these with the 



Coelenterates. 



Dr. H. Hagen read a paper calling attention to the dangers 

 with which the presence of white ants in New England 

 threatens us. The importance of a full recognition of this 

 source of danger was strongly urged, and measures for les- 

 sening and removing it were suggested. 



March 15, 1876. 



The President, Mr. T. T. Bouve in the chair. Forty-nine 

 persons present. 



The President read the following address : — 



When, five years since, I became President of this Society, I did 

 so with much misgiving, having great doubt of my ability to meet 

 the reasonable expectations of those who had urged me to accept the 

 exalted position that had been occupied and graced by such men as 

 had preceded me, more especially as I was called upon to immedi- 

 ately succeed one so universally loved for his modest worth, so highly 

 respected for his rare attainments, so distinguished for his devotion 

 to, and his great accomplishments in, science, as was Dr. Jeffries 

 Wyman. I could not but feel at the time that it might be far wiser 

 for the Society to elect some one better known than myself in the 

 scientific world, some one that would bring to it the prestige of a 

 name renowned for successful labor in some of the branches of sci- 

 ence, whose cultivation it is the object of our Society to foster; or at 

 least some one who, free from business engagements and devoted 

 to scientific work, might give a large portion of his time and 

 thought to the interests of the Society. I myself proposed the names 

 of one or two whom I thought might prove acceptable, hut being 

 over-ruled by others finally consented to allow my own to be used in 

 nomination, the result of which has been my service in the high office 

 to which I was electee! for rather more than five years ; whether to 

 the o-reat advantage of the Society or not, it becomes me to be silent. 

 I have done the best I could for your interests, and shall be con*te«n>t 



