Niles.] 280 [April 20, 



Mr. W. H. Niles thought that there were certain features 

 in the topography and surface-geology of the region spoken 

 of which it would be difficult to reconcile with a terminal 

 moraine located as described by Prof. Shaler. 



In Watertown, not far from the locality mentioned, stratified sands 

 and gravels occur at a higher level. These are frequently obliquely 

 bedded with marked evidences of shallow water and strong currents. 

 He believed these beds to be later Post-tertiary deposits. Such facts 

 would show that in the latter portion of the Post-tertiary, currents of 

 water must have acted with considerable power at this higher level. 



Furthermore, in the vicinity of Boston there are unmistakable evi- 

 dences of aqueous erosion at lower levels, corresponding with the 

 level of the locality in question, He spoke of some of the features 

 to be observed on Winter Hill, Somerville. About the upper portion 

 of the hill the slopes are quite regularly curved, and the underlying 

 slate rock is smoothed and finely striated. Descending the slope 

 towards Mystic River, the striae disappear and the surface becomes 

 irregular. He regarded these facts as clear evidence that, subsequent 

 to the glaciation which gave the form and the striated surface of the 

 upper portion of the hill, currents had so eroded the lower portion of 

 the slope as to cause the irregularity of surface. That, since the 

 glacial epoch, aqueous agencies have extensively rearranged the sur- 

 face materials jn more elevated situations, as well as at the same level 

 with said locality, is quite evident. He argued that it would be diffi- 

 cult to account for so perfect a preservation of a terminal moraine in 

 the locality specified, while the even more substantial portions of the 

 region were so extensively modified. 



The following changes in the Constitution and By-Laws 

 were adopted : — ~ 



CONSTITUTION. 



Article Y to be altered so as to read — 



The officers of the Society shall be a President; two Vice Presi- 

 dents; a Corresponding Secretary; a Recording Secretarv; a Treas- 

 urer; a Librarian; a Custodian; and a Committee of three on each 

 department of the Museum; who, together, shall form a Board for 

 the management of the concerns of the Society, and be called the 

 Council. 



