1887.J 419 [General Meeting. 



deposition account for certain important successions of deposits 

 and in some cases may explain the interruptions in the continuity 

 of beds. By far the larger portion of the intervals between the 

 beds of stratified rocks, however, must be accounted for in another 

 way. The most likely explanation of them appears to be that 

 which is above suggested, viz. : the shocks produced in earthquake 

 movements and the consequent disturbance of the mud on the sea 

 floor. No other cause appears to be of, so general a nature as 

 this. Though the poisoning action of volcanic gases may effect 

 considerable destructions of marine life, it does not seem proba- 

 ble that they can account for any considerable part of our strati- 

 fication planes. To seismic movements it appears to me that we 

 must look for the larger part of the horizontal divisions which 

 characterize our sedimentary deposits. 



Dr. T. S terry Hunt and Prof. Hyatt discussed the subject. 



Dr. G. L. Goodale showed some glass models made by Blatschka 

 of Dresden, illustrating the morphology of plants. 



Dr. Goodale also spoke of the discovery by Just of new respira- 

 tory organs in certain plants. 



Dr. T. Sterry Hunt gave an account of his personal experience 

 of the Sonora earthquake of last May. 



Professor Shaler stated that he had been investigating the ex- 

 tent of earthquake action in New England since the Glacial period, 

 and would be glad to receive information concerning the location 

 of balanced rocks. 



General Meeting, Dec. 21, 1887. 



The President, Prof. F. W. Putnam, in the chair. 



The President called the meeting to order and addressed the 

 members as follows : 



Members of the Society: — 111 health has prevented my being 

 with you for the* past two meetings, and I. regret that on resuming 

 this chair the sad dut}' again falls to me of announcing the loss of 



