PREFACE. 



In conformity with the custom inaugurated three years ago, a 

 brief biography of the third president of the society is presented 

 in this volume. 



The front covers of the five numbers comprising this volume 

 may be bound in the volume, if it is desired to mark off conven- 

 iently the communications of each meeting and to provide separate 

 tables of contents. The printed matter on the rear covers of the 

 numbers is given in the abstract of the executive proceedings 

 (page 149) or in the list printed on page 157. 



The numerals in parenthesis above the titles of the abstracts 

 (pages 1-134) indicate numerical positions in the entire series of 

 communications presented before the Society since its organization 

 in 1903. The numerals in the index at the end of this volume 

 correspond with those in parenthesis above the titles of the abstracts. 

 Consequently none of the numerals in the index of this volume 

 duplicates any of the numerals in the indices of the first four 

 volumes. Convenience in reference was sought by the adoption 

 of this plan of enumeration. 



The recapitulation of the names of the authors and of the titles 

 of the communications, presented on page 139, serves as an "author 

 index." Only the numerals in parenthesis above the abstracts are 

 indicated in it. 



The constitution and by-laws have not been amended since 



their publication in Vol. IV. 



New York, 



July 1, igo8. 



(iii) 



