Wilder.] 



154 [April 5, 



lain, and called attention to the number of fine specimens of 

 both sexes, of the double striped " walking-stick insect," the 

 Spectrum bivittatum of Say; — a species that had hitherto 

 been unrepresented in the Society's Cabinet. 



The Secretary read a letter from Dr. T. M. Brewer, an- 

 nouncing a donation of bird-skins to the Society, from Mr. 

 Thure Kumlein of Wisconsin, also a mounted Erismatura 

 domi?iica, the second specimen known to have been taken in 

 this country. 



The following paper was presented : — 



Intermembral Homologies. By Burt G. Wilder, M. D., 



Professor of Comp. Anat. and Zool., Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 

 INTRODUCTION. 



The general correspondence of the limbs with each other was re- 

 cognized by the ancients. The first detailed comparison was made 

 by Vicqd'Azyr, in 17 74. Since then the subject has received atten- 

 tion from nearly all anatomists, and there have come to my notice 

 about seventy-five works wherein it is discussed. Of these about one 

 half have appeared since 1860, and the number and eminence of their 

 authors give reason for expecting much work to be done in coming 

 years upon intermembral homologies. Yet so radical is the present 

 difference of opinion among the more earnest workers, and so many 

 and profound are the problems involved, that there is little hope of 

 its final settlement within the present century. For several years I 

 have lost no opportunity of collecting material upon the subject, and 

 have announced my intention to devote myself chiefly to its investi- 

 gation, in the hope of deciding one great question in homologies ; but 

 I had also resolved to publish no more upon the subject until I could 

 begin the publication of a series of monographs treating in full of the 

 various subdivisions of the question. My intention has been altered 

 by the following circumstances : — 



1. Several recent English writers have regarded the question as 

 already decided in their favor, Flower, QQ, 1 240; Eolleston, 61, 219; 



1 The numbers refer to the bibliographical list at the close of this paper, the 

 first number indicating the work, the last the page, and the middle one, when it 

 occurs, the volume. 



