Fewkes.] 
200 
[March 6, 
identified with natural history and agricultural matters, was also 
thoroughly in earnest in the part he took in the educational mat- 
ters of this city, where he served for several years on the School 
Committee. After resigning his position as Secretary of the State 
Board, he became an active member of several agricultural socie- 
ties and clubs ; and his broad mind led him also into historical and 
genealogical studies. In 1857 he was married to Ellen E. Leland 
of Grafton who died in 1875, leaving three children who are still 
living. Since 1875 Mr. Flint has been a member of the Council 
of our Society, and we all know of his constant attendance at the 
business meetings, where his advice and influence always received 
the attention due to one who was so much in earnest in his efforts 
to advance the interests we all have at heart. For several years 
past, as known to you all, he has been a constant attendant at our 
general meetings, where we shall all miss his kindly face as well 
as the benefit of his counsel. 
Prof. W. O. Crosby then read a paper on the “Relations of the 
Pinite to the Felsite and Conglomerate of the Boston Basin.” 
The following paper was then presented : 
ON A'METHOD OF DEFENSE AMONG CERTAIN MEDUSAE. 
By J. WALTER FEWKES. 
The Siphonophora in common with other Medusae, as is well 
known, possess a very powerful organ of defense, in the stinging- 
cells, also called lasso-cells and nematocysts. There is reason to 
believe that there may be, at least, one other method of protection 
adopted by these animals. I propose this evening, to lay before 
3^011 the evidence of the existence of this second method of defense 
made use of by these animals and to open the discussion of the 
homologies of the structures, in which this new means of protection 
is lodged. 
It may be well to anticipate what follows, by the Statement that 
the new method of defense is that of discoloring the water by the 
emission of colored pigment from certain chromatic cells on the 
bracts, and that these cells bear relationships and perhaps are ho- 
mologous with the nematocysts in other genera of the groups in 
which they exist. The new method of defense is found, as far as 
