New-York tribune., 1874-12-01
PROCEEDINGS of SOCIETIES

great discoveries may not be made by such institutions,
they have important influence In STIMULATING
research.
BALTIMORE: MARYLAND ACADEMY OF Sci
ExCEs: Nov. 16-Dr. Murdock gave an account OF his
experiments with the Venus Fiyrap, plant that mas
excited much interest OF late account OF Its digestion
OF insects entrapped within its In his opinion the
insects dgcsted but he thinks that the lear or
that portion which catches them. viii soon die ana
fail ~ the ground seryinS possibly 1s nanuro " 'o
plant.
WILMINGTON: DELAWARE HISTORICAL SoCT-
ETY.: Nov. ia committee OF the Society announced
that the annual meeting of the Society would be held on
the 4h OF December be devoted exclusively to busi
ness and reports from the officers. Also that MI VIII
liam N. Candy and others propose TO take measures
toward publishing work on the botany OF the otate Vi
Delaware.
PHILADELPHIA: NATIONAL ACADEMY OF
SCIENCES, Nov. 35-Semian Mecting.-Ihe regular
meetings OF this Association are held IN Washington III
April of each year; but intermediate meeting usually
takes place in the Autumn, Cambridge having been Sc
lected in 1872; NewYork in 1879 and Phladcphia In
1874. About 80 Of the IS members were present Int
proceedings have already been reported III de'al Ill lhb
TRIBUNE
BALTIMORE: MARYLAND ACADEMY OF SCI
EScEs: oct ia large number OF donations was an
nounced at this meeting paper was read on the
Geology the New Red Sandstone found on the line o
the Western Maryland Railroad.
PHILADELPHIA: BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY, NOV.
"A special meeting or the society was l" S"h-
slider the question acceptance rejection OF an
offer to the Society by the Trustees OF the Alfred Cope
Fund of s25OOO upon the following conditions: fHSf
That all malt ynous, sprtuOu5 liquors snal DC iOr
ever excluded from the premises occupied Dy the oocIc
Secoud That no exhibition performances by
persons or animals be permitted. beyond simple
Illustration OF the training OF such animals as
are domesticated by man; and that with such
exception the animals be not disturbed for the pur
nose OF entertaining spectators but that they be suffered
To act nature may prompt IhTd' lndt tnts9
Conditions be embodied tue constitution, ana
tncrewth clause prohibiting the repeal O TINS atuce'
unless with the consent OF the trustees o lhl uiu,
ter considerable discussion the onr was accepted uhah
inOnsy.
SAN FRANCISCo: ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Nov.
2-Donatons of interesting fossil remains from C"or
MIA were presented by several members. MI Henry
ars caye an account OF the butterflies OF the genus
Pdpilio DR.. Ben read paper on the ErcdyptaS 0oou
s which he thought especially valuable for the manu-
acture OF shingles DIR. III Hlrkness gave an account OF
an extinct volcano lately observed BY him in Puma'
County, Cal. lie was OF the opinion that the volcano
had been action within the past % years. as there
appeared be indications that existing trunks OF trees
were enveloped in the flowing lava. He announced
that near this locality he had discovered lake some
what larger than Like Tahoe having an altitude OF
1880 feet above sea- being probably the highest Oody
OF water in the tied States. This he proposed TO call
Lake Livingston The concluding business Of the even
in; was discussion OF plan for utilizing the Lick
landed property at the command or the Academy INTO
available FUNDS.
PHILADELPHIA: NUNuSMiTIC AND ANTIGUA
RIAN SOCIETY: Nov. 5.-Tne Society held It's regular
monthly meeting the hall at the southwest cor
ner Of Eighteenth and Chestnut streets the old quarters
having found INADEQUATE to the accommodation Of
It's members. AmOngthe donations announced
were two Mexican idols, brought by Mr.. McCrary from
Mexico. Mr.. Ettng presented a manuscript report
made to the old Bank OF the United States 1906, upon
propriey of importing specie the conclusion OF the
report being that it would not be safe, however desira-
ble the could not be accomplished except on
terms dsadyantageOus to the bank.
Dr Daniel G.. Brinton gave account OF recent dis
cOvcres by Dr. BeryndU regard to tho ethnoo2y and
philosophy Of the aboriginal tribes of Central America
Among the conclusions arrived at By this explorer is
one that the tribe OF Mosquito Indians, usually cassed
as the Caribs, Independent, with entirely different
dialect and that the OF the Eastern and estern
coasts OF this continent from different sections,
showing that the emigration was from ono center; and
Asa be taken as tt cIhteT some went 10 tue easI
reproduce his remrls in the form Of lecture on the
progress Of American ehnOlogY to be delivered before
the Society Its annual meetlng in January. 1875.
NEW-YORK: LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY;
CHEMICAL SECTION Oct. IA paper was read by DR..
Guy ID. DAILY the Molecular Structure OF Chemical
Compounds in which he stated that by assuming that
particular form Of structure give rise 10 func
ton only or that two chemical compounds
struced different types possess slml ar junction,
satisfactory representation. and one in accordance with
the experimental results, may be obtained for the most
complex organic compounds. Several examples OF this
were presented by him. Dr. DAILY illustrated length
the theoretical structure Of various chemical types.
such as alcolols, adchy ydes. ethers etc., pointing out
many remarkable relations not otherwise readily de-
scribed
Prof. Stevenson presented some remarks respecting
the Age OF the Rocky Mountain system. A the result
OF his studies IN Southern Colorado he had come To the
conclusion that during the history OF that region there
had been four principal epochs OF accelerated upneayal
between which there had been deprcssiOnS. The first
rked elevation at the close OF the Carb0n;crous
the second was at the co'e or the lrasSc. and was
third the close OF rue Cretaceons and was accom-
panied by Volcano oyerlDws, producing sheets OF
eruptive rock' some OF them 1000 to 5000 feet thick
the fourth during the Tertiary. aud OF slight mpor
ttuce. OF these the first and third were most general
ia their effects.
ST. LOUIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Nov. g.
Tie following communication from Mr.. Amos Sawyer,
ON the Origin OF Rlylucs in the rares" was read
Tue prairie situated mile east of Isboro, could 30
years during the wet season. truly be said to be
immense lake, ntcrsporsed with ISLANDS, for tho tough
SOL, together with the rank growth OF grass reeds ana
1lg~ offered considerable barrier 10 the rapid How of
the water during the Spring aud summer foods. requr
Iug at that early day weeks 20 discharge the same
volume that Will now pass of In ~ hours The change
wrought IN this way After the ist of June, until
late in the Fail. the prairies used 10 swarm with
"Grccn-hcai flies" and so vigorous IN their attacks
were they' nat al domestic animals were driven 10 ths
woods after O'Clock In the morning. did they dare
to until iu,t before sunset. when they would
emerge from their retreats and march In single lie
through the long grass 70 the nearest pond for water
and thence 10 their feeding ground In course OF
tmc this constant passing to and from the pond
pleely killed sol. aud when the sprug came
tho path being lower and the water meeting with
no obstruction poured down these found channels.
and in time cut rayiue which In most instances has
become OF sufficient size and importance where 1t
crosses public road to require bridging.