122 The American Geologist. Feb. isqo 
This was a mere abstract, the purport of which was to show that 
structural features, even those of generic importance, proceed from 
incipieucy, along different aliiliated lines to states of full development. 
The facts tended to show first, the prevalence of variability among the 
forms of the extinct world, and second, to demonstrate such interrela- 
tionsliips as imply a genetic evolution. 
The last paper read was by Mr. F. J. H. Merrill, "On the metamor- 
phic rocks of southeastern New York." 
The following papers, on suggestion of their authors, were read by 
title : 
On Glacial Phenomena in Canada. By Robert Bell, Canada. 
The structure and origin of glacial saiid plain.s. By Wni. M. Davis, Cambridge. 
On certain peculiar structural features in the foothill region of the Rocky moun- 
tains near Denver, Colorado. By Geo. II. Eldridge, Washington. 
On the relation between the mineral composition and the geological occurence of 
the igueoi:s rocks at Electric Peak and Sepulchre mountain, Yellowstone National 
Park. By Jos. P. Iddings, Washington. 
The crystalline schists of the Black Hills, Dakota. By C. R. Van Hise, Madison, 
Wisconsin. 
On the intrusive origin of the Triassic traps of New Jersey; with snecial reference 
to the Watehung mountains. By Frank L. Nason, New Brunswick, N. J. 
The geology of the Crazy mountains, Montana. By J. E. Wolif. Cambridge. 
On some ancient shore-lines and their history. By F. J. H. Merrill, New York. 
Geology of the Bostoa basin. By W. O. Crosby. 
On the collection and preservation of geological photographs by the American 
Geological Society, and the facilitation of their exchange among its members. By 
J. F. Kemp, Ithaca, N. Y. 
Experiments with cave air for cooling and ventilating rooms. By M. H. Crump, 
Bowling Green, Ky. 
On some porphyries of the Plain of Mexico. By Persifor Frazer, Philadelphia. 
On the Horned Diuosauria of the Laramie. By E. D. Cope, Philadelphia. 
On pot-holes nortii of lake Superior unconnected with existing streams. By 
Peter McKellar, Fort William, Oi^tarlo. 
The total number of memoirs presented was 43. Of these 28 were read 
either in full or in abstract. With a view to completing the business, 
a meeting was held on Friday evening, and the last meeting was pro- 
longed from half-past four to six Saturday evening. The wealth of 
communications was an embarrassment to the Council. It had been 
determined to allow full discussion on each and reporters were 
on hand to record the discussions. The plan was impossible of com- 
plete execution, for two reasons: Many of the papers greatly over- 
ran the estimates of time made by their authors ; and not a few were 
handed in too late to be announced among the abstracts published. 
Three days were therefore too short a time. Very many of the later 
memoirs could only be read in abstract, and many others were only 
read by title. It is expected, however, that all will appear in the 
BULLETIN. On future occasions it will perhaps be necessary to meet in 
two sections, or to prolong tlie session so as to include the Sunday be- 
tween Christmas and New Year's day. 
It is evident that the success of the Society is greater than could 
have been anticipated. The scientific contributions have not only 
been numerous, but the subject matter has generally been weighty. 
Several of the memoirs mark positive and considerable advances in 
our knowledge of the geology of North America — from the gulf of Mex- 
ico to the Arctic ocean. In the work of the Society the Canadian geol- 
ogists appear to be hearty and unrestrained participants, and this 
sympathatic relation, it is to be hoped, affords as great satisfaction to 
them as to the geologists on the south of the international boundary. 
The work of printing the Bulletin is commenced, with W. F. McGee 
of Washington, as provisional editor. 
The TWO regular meetings of the Boston Society of Natural 
History on the evenings of Jan. 1st and 15th were occupied in a gener- 
al discussion of the climatic conditions of the glacial period, by Prof. 
F. W. Putnam, G. F. Wright, W. O. Crosby, N. S. Shaler and AV. M. 
