PREFACE. 



With this volume the Society inaugurated a plan of issuing in 

 sections the volumes of its proceedings. The reasons for this de- 

 parture are given on page 175. 



The front covers of the seven numbers comprising this volume 

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

 veniently the communications of each meeting and to provide sepa- 

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

 the numbers is given in the executive proceedings (page 175) or in 

 the list printed on page 183. 



The numerals in parenthesis above the titles of the abstracts 

 (pages 1-162) 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 ab- 

 stracts. Consequently none of the numerals in the index of this 

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

 three volumes. Convenience in reference was sought by the adop- 

 tion of this plan of enumeration. 



The recapitulation of the names of the authors and of the 

 titles of the communications, presented on page 163, serves as an 

 "author index." Only the numerals in parenthesis above the ab- 

 stracts are given in it. 



The constitution and by-laws, as reprinted on pages 185-8, 



include all amendments. 



New York, 



August 1, igcj. 



(iii) 



