1888 .] 
37 
[General Meeting, 
would have abandoned the Taconic system rather than have incor- 
porated the Potsdam with it. But Mr. Marcou makes the Potsdam 
a part of the Taconic, and therefore he does not accept the views of 
Emmons. If one were inclined to be humorous he would inquire 
if it were not possible that Mr. Marcou was trying to suppress the 
Taconic system. 
The writer has no desire to disparage the value of Emmons’ ob- 
servations. He has gone so far as to propose to the International 
Geological Congress to call the rocks containing the first fauna of 
Barrande either Potsdamic or Taconic, out of regard for the gen- 
tleman who first proposed the use of both names. If general con- 
sent could be obtained, either name might be used appropriately 
for the whole system. 
General Meeting, November 7, 1888. 
The President, Prof. F. W. Putnam, in the chair. 
The President addressed the Society in the following words : 
Members of the Society : — We have come together again after 
our summer excursions or weeks of quiet study, as the case may 
have been, to renew our pleasant and instructive meetings, and I 
am sure there will be no lack of subjects to be brought forward for 
discussion in the fourteen meetings which will be held before an- 
other summer again entices us to the fields or to the shore. 
We must not forget that we are united as a society for mutual 
instruction and that the unwritten law which is binding upon all 
naturalists demands that what has become known to one shall be 
made known to all. Let obedience to this law be the strong in- 
centive to overcome shyness and false modesty. Do not let fear 
of giving offence prevent free criticism in our discussions, and 
above all do not let us blindly follow and agree with others when 
we are confident that our researches lead to different conclusions. 
Perfect freedom of discussion, within the limits of the subject be- 
fore us at any time, I earnestly ask for and sincerety hope you will 
give. 
An object that calls for earnest work upon our part, and one 
which we must keep constantly in mind, is the carrying out of the 
plans for the Natural History Park which were started so auspi- 
