410 The American Geologist. December, 1897 
determined previously at h meeting of the council; and at the council 
meeting it was evident that the nature of the vote had been decided be- 
forehand by the one or two members always composing, of course with 
the officers of the bureau, a sort of steering committee. In some cases 
where it was to be feared that there might be opposing views and a 
doubtful result, the presiding officer, in stating the question on which 
the ayes and noes were to be demanded, held up his own hand when 
asking for an affirmative vote, in this way — that there might be no mis- 
take. In other cases it was "assumed," if no objection were made, 
that the proposition was accepted. Indeed a few decisions were taken 
"unanimously" in a direction opposite to that of the conviction of the 
majority present, "so as to avoid lack of liarmony." as our diplomatic 
Italian ex-president and general helmsman put it. But this absurdity 
is inherent in the system, and cannot be altered so long as future ses- 
sions attempt so much in so short a time. With all the distractions 
surrounding the late meeting no proper and serious debate was possible 
either in council or general session, and the question was either decided 
at once as the steering committee wished, or it was adjourned, or put 
out of the way summarily under rule twenty eleven. Such was the fate 
of the resolution passed unanimously at the Zurich session by both 
council and general session, requiring the late bureau to formulate some 
rule which would define the qualifications of a member and those of a 
delegate (if both terms were to be used). The bureau found this an 
unpleasant task, it is to be presumed, for it ignored the subject alto- 
gether. It would seem wise, if the taking counsel together of experi- 
enced geologists is to be continued, that there should be certain sessions 
of this Congress without excursions or other distractions at least during 
the day time. The problems with which such a body has to deal should 
be clearly presented, divested of supsrfluous matter, and really proposed 
and debated by those best qualified to do this. 
Even if no decision were arrived at such a debate would pave the way 
for a future decision; and if properly reported, become part of the most 
valuable literature pertaining to the particular question. 
On Sunday, the 17 (29) August, 1897, in the upper hall of the zoologi- 
cal museum of the Academy of Sciences, at 10 a. m., the members of 
the Council of Zurich then present in St. Petersburg, having been con- 
voked, the president, M. Karpinsky, welcomed them. The Ijureau of 
the St. Petersburg session was then constituted by the election of 
Honorary President, James Hall (former president). 
Former Presidents, Capellini, Renevier. 
President , Karpinsky. 
General Secretaries, Tschernyschew, v. Vogdt. 
Vice Presidents. 
Germany, Von Richthofen, H. Credner, V. Zittel: Argentina, Berg: 
Aicsti-ia- Hungary, Tietze, Bockh; Belgi^im, Mourlon; Bulgaria, ZIh- 
tarski; Cajiada, La Flamme; Dewma?*/t', Ussing;»Si/)a'm, Cortazar; United 
States, Marsh, Emerson, Frazer, Emmons; France, Gaudry, Bertrand, 
Ch. Barrois; Great Britain, A. Geikie, Hughes, Murray; Italy, Cochi, 
