1878.] 



279 [Putnam. 



be regarded as the equivalents of the ancient strata found in Norway, 

 to which Kjenelf has given the name of Taconic, or of the oldest 

 Cambrian beds of Sweden and of Wales, was discussed, and the 

 evidence declared insufficient for a solution of the problem. In the 

 limestones and slates of Hastings County, Ontario, which have been 

 already referred to the Taconian, Scolithus has been found by Dr. 

 Dawson, together with a form of Eozoon closely resembling that of 

 the Laurentian. 



Mr. J. A. Allen read a paper on an inadequate " Theory of 

 Birds' Nests," criticizing Mr. A. R. Wallace's views on the 

 relation between the colors of a bird and the character of its 

 nest. 



Mr. F. W. Putnam exhibited a specimen of the common 

 eel (Ang. bostoniensis.) 



This was one of eight eels received at the Museum of Compar- 

 ative Zoology on the 31st of Dec. from Mr. Vinal N. Edwards of 

 Woods Holl. A few weeks since Prof. Baird informed Mr. Agas- 

 siz that Mr. Edwards had discovered eels with eggs, and, at Mr. 

 Agassiz's request Mr. Putnam at once wrote to Mr. Edwards ask- 

 ing him to. send specimens to the Museum. The reply was the 

 reception of the eight specimens mentioned, which were obtained 

 by Mr. Edwards in the market at New Bedford. Thus to Mr. 

 Edwards belongs the credit of brino-ino- to notice in this country 

 eels with eggs. As is pretty generally known, it has been some- 

 what of a mystery how, when and where eels- were developed, and 

 many singular and fanciful statements have been made regarding the 

 method of reproduction of this very common fish. At present all 

 that is known, is that this year, for a month past, the eels brought 

 into New Bedford are with eggs in various stages of development. 

 Where they spawn is not yet known, so far as Mr. Putnam was 

 aware, but Prof. Baird, the U. S. Commissioner of Fisheries is 

 now undoubtedly investigating this important and interesting sub- 

 ject. Attention was here called by Mr. Putnam to the transla- 

 tion of the paper by Dr. Syrski contained in Prof. Baird's last 

 report, p. 719. The eight specimens received, and examined by 

 Mr. Putnam, had the ovaries in various stages of development. 

 In two the ovaries were very small and the eggs in them exceed- 

 ingly minute. From these the series showed a gradual increase 



