ous specimens illustrating the mode of life and especially the structure of the mouthparts were exhibited. The Color-Pattern of Nanemys guttata Schneider (a preliminary report): ROBERT M. YERKES, Harvard University. 1. The young of this species of tortoise usually have a single yellow spot on each plate of the carapace, except the marginals. With age the number of spots increases, they appear on the marginal plates also, and their arrangement becomes irregular. 2. The epidermal layer is transparent immediately over the mass of yellow pigment in the outer bony layer, hence, window-like regions in the outer portion of the shell. 3. Although the females are slightly smaller than the males they usually have about 15 per cent. more spots on the carapace. The average number for the males is 60, for the females 69. This would seem to indicate that the brightly colored spots serve as both sex and species marks. Probably they serve to render the females conspicuous. 4. Statistics indicate a greater number of spots on the left side of the carapace than on the right in both males and females. It is possible that this is to be correlated with right-handedness and righteyedness. Chromosome Vesicles in the Maturation of Nudibranchs: W. M. SMALLWOOD, Syracuse University. Between the anaphase of the first maturation and the prophase of the second the chromosomes pass through some important changes. The first indication of the presence of vesicles is noted at about the time that the young amphiaster of the second maturation figure is forming and moving into a radial position. At this time a dis tinct membrane appears around each chromosome, which lies so close to the chromosome as to be overlooked in some instances. It frequently happens that one chromosome vesicle contains two or more chromosomes, in which case the chromosomes are united by narrow strands of chromatin. The chromosomes do not always pass into vesicles, but go through the well-known changes as described for other molluscs, annelids, etc. During the prophase of the second maturation the solid chromosomes enclosed in vesicles may lose their reaction to basic stains almost entirely, with the result that each vesicle represents in miniature a nucleus having chromatic granules, linin threads and an achromatic substance. After this condition the granule, or granules, within the chromosome vesicle increases in size until it has the normal appearance of a chromosome lying in the cytoplasm. It is an open question as to the fate of the surrounding vesicle. The fibers constituting the second maturation spindle are formed in part of the eggs from the cytoplasm after the spindle has taken a radial position and the centrosomes are fully differentiated into centriole and centroplasm. The chromosomes which pass into the first and second polar cells may each have a separate vesicle or all of the chromosomes may pass into one vesicle. All combinations between these two extremes occur. These and similar results on Haminea suggest that the chromatin passes through a liquid state during maturation, at which time there may be a complete chemical rearrangement of the molecules in the chromosome, which, if it were true, would interfere to some extent with the theory of the qualitative division of the chromosomes. The complete paper will appear in the Morphologisches Jahrbuch, Bd. XXXIII. Experimental Studies of Adaptation and Selective Elimination in Fishes: FRANCIS B. SUMNER, College of the City of New York. No abstract. Habits and Reactions of Crabs bearing Actinians in their Chelipeds: J. E. DUERDEN, University of Michigan. Möbius in 1880 first made known the fact that the crab, Melia tessellata Latr., has the remarkable habit of carrying a living actinian in each claw. The polyps are carried about in front of the crab, held in a kind of defensive attitude, and it is assumed that the actinians, by means of their stinging threads, may be useful to the crab for purposes of offense and defense, while the activity of the crab may serve to bring the actinian into the neighborhood of more prey. During a recent visit of the writer to the Hawaiian Islands, under the auspices of the Carnegie Institution, two specimens of Melia, both bearing an actinian in each claw, were collected, and observations made upon their habits and reactions. These may be summarized as follows: 1. The commensalism is not restricted to a single species of actinian. One crab carried a Bunodeopsis and the other a Sagartid. The species are interchangeable, and the crabs will dislodge a small polyp to take up a larger. Apparently the crab is not aware of the presence of an actinian until it comes in actual contact with it; dislodgment of a fixed actinian is brought about by means of the first pair of ambulatory limbs. 2. When irritated the crab moves its chelipeds so as to place the actinians in such a position as to best serve as a means of defense. Food given the polyps is abstracted by the crab by means of its first pair of walking limbs, the stimulus to activity being probably derived from the diffusion of the meat juices. 3. Melia has lost the direct use of its chelipeds as organs of defense and offense, or for grasping objects other than the actinians; in correlation with this the functions of the first ambulatory appendages have become largely modified. 4. A second species of crab, Polydectus, was also found which bears an actinian, Phellia, in its chelipeds. On the Structure of the Larval Oyster and its Occurrence in the Plankton: JOSEPH S. STAFFORD, McGill University. Read by title. A Statistical Study of Correlation and SCIENTIFIC BOOKS. LUD Vorlesungen über Pflanzenphysiologie. In the form of forty odd lectures the author presents a comprehensive view of the whole field of plant physiology. In the preface he states that it is his purpose to supply, in this volume, a book for the student, which will fill the gap between Pfeffer's exhaustive treatise and the short accounts found in various general text-books. In this he has succeeded and has filled a long-felt want for the reader who wishes a full, but not too detailed, account of the important facts and problems of plant physiology. There is a departure from the usual mode of treatment, in that the subject is divided under three main heads, instead of two. The first of these concerns the chemistry and nutrition of the plant and occupies somewhat less than half of the book. The rest is about equally divided between a section entitled 'Formwechsel,' treating of growth and reproduction, and another entitled 'Energiewechsel,' which has to do with movements of both growth and locomotion. In general the treatment of nutrition does not differ materially from that of many other books, except that it is fuller. Under the general term assimilation is considered both photo-synthesis and the assimilation of nitrogenous substances. This is to be regretted, for it fails to bring out the essential differences between these forms of chemical activity within the plant. This is especially true since the author follows the fate of the nitrogenous products up to the point of the final construction of albuminous material and even considers the processes of digestion before a word has been said about respiration and the accompanying phenomena. It is true that in the following section, on dissimilation, as the author terms it, the phenomena connected with respiration are spoken of from the standpoint of the release of kinetic energy, but the importance of this in the upbuilding processes in nitrogen assimilation is not sharply brought out. The first part, on nutrition, closes with a cleverly constructed diagram which brings out the origin and fate of the various substances connected with nutrition processes. In the already noted division of the balance of the book into two parts, it is not altogether evident that there is much advantage over the more usual plan. The problems connected with the change in form, in short the growth of the plant, are in many ways intimately connected with growth curvatures, yet in the arrangement followed the former are included under Formwechsel,' the latter under 'Energiewechsel.' If this treatment tends to draw the attention of the student from the relation of expenditure of energy to ordinary growth phenomena, or if thereby growth curvatures-tropism-are separated too sharply from unmodified growth responses, it seems to hinder rather than help the proper appreciation of the question as a whole. Some subdivision is certainly an advantage, but it might have been better if the title Energiewechsel' had been used for both of the sections and suitable subtitles devised to indicate more adequately the different phenomena. Aside from such points, which are, perhaps, after all, but matters of opinion, there can be no question but that the book is an excellent one. It is clear, concise, fairly up to date as regards the literature, and, moreover, written in a style which makes it attractive and interesting reading. One can but regret that there In A few years ago the Museum of Comparative Zoology brought out Mr. Springer's beautiful and exhaustive account of Uintacrinus, and now we have before us a similarly complete paper on one of the oldest of known Crinoid genera-Cleiocrinus. This genus was described by E. Billings in 1856, from specimens found in the Lower Silurian at Ottawa, Canada. It has been discussed by various authors, who have had great difficulty in placing it in the system of classification, owing partly to its anomalous character, and partly to the condition of the specimens. 1886 Messrs. Wachsmuth and Springer wrote: 'If certain parts were better known, we should make it the type of a new family, but at present, having no positive knowledge of the basal regions, nor even of the arms, we are not in a position to give a satisfactory definition of the group.' Mr. Springer does not now establish the family Cleiocrinidæ, in so many words, but it is evident that the expectations of 1886 have been more than realized. The story of the discovery of the new characters is so dramatic that it is worth quoting nearly in full: It was apparent, however, that no further information was to be obtained, unless we could find some means of seeing what is underneath the column. My examination of the specimens gave no hope of being able to detach the column in either of them; but after a very careful study of specimen B [one of Billings's types borrowed from the Geological Survey of Canada], under a strong magnifier, I came to the conclusion that it might be possible to get at the inside of the base by removing a part of the plates above it. The small size of the specimen and the uncertainty as to how the fractures might run, rendered the operation a delicate and risky one to undertake with a type specimen; but I thought the benefit to be gained in case of success would warrant the risk. I accordingly laid the matter fully before Dr. Whiteaves, and requested his own. # * authority to undertake it. This he gave without hesitation, and in the most liberal manner, leaving me free to act with the specimen as if it were my * The work of removing the necessary plates and debris from above the base of the specimen was tedious and difficult, being performed entirely under a ten-power microscope, with tools specially fashioned out of needles and fine steel pens. It was completely successful, however, without any mishap, and disclosed a structure most extraordinary and anomalous, unlike any of the previous suppositions, and wholly at variance with that of any other known crinoid. It is finally concluded that the genus is intermediate between the great groups of Flexibilia and Camerata; nearest, apparently, to the Reteocrinidæ. The memoir is illustrated by a beautiful plate of drawings by K. M. Chapman and E. Ricker, showing not only all aspects of Cleiocrinus, but also Reteocrinus and Glyptocrinus for comparison. T. D. A. C. SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS AND ARTICLES. THE Journal of Experimental Medicine established by Dr. W. H. Welch, of the Johns Hopkins University, will hereafter be published under the auspices of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, and will be edited by Drs. Simon Flexner and Eugene L. Opie. The scope of the Journal will suffer no alteration by reason of the change of management, and it is hoped that it may continue to cover, as heretofore, the field of experimental medicine. It is proposed to issue numbers of the Journal at bimonthly intervals, six numbers to constitute a volume, which will contain not less than six hundred pages. THE opening (January) number of volume 6 of the Transactions of the American Mathematical Society contains the following papers: P. F. SMITH: On the linear transformations of a quadratic form into itself.' E. V. HUNTINGTON: A set of postulates for real algebra, comprising postulates for a onedimensional continuum and for the theory of groups.' W. A. MANNING: On the primitive groups of class 3p.' L. E. DICKSON: The minimum degree of resolvents for the p-section of the periods of hyperelliptic functions of four periods.' 6 The Museums Journal of Great Britain for January contains the second part of an article on School-Children and Museums,' by Henry Coates and Alex. M. Rodger, and 'The School Nature-Study Union,' under which is given a list of the museums, zoological and botanical gardens, in and about London and the facilities they afford teachers and students. There are a description of the Liverpool Museum as now arranged and a large number of notes about museums. Like Nature the Museums Journal is particularly strong in its notes, which form a most important portion of any scientific journal. SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES. THE NEBRASKA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. THE fifteenth annual meeting of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences was held in the Hall of Mechanic Arts, State University, Lincoln, January 27-28, and included a business session, sessions for the reading of papers and a social session on the evening of the latter date. The following papers were presented: PROFESSOR H. B. DUNCANSON: President's Address: The Relation of the State to Scientific Investigation.' DR. H. H. WAITE: The Duty of the State to the Public in the Prevention of Certain Diseases.' DEAN H. B. WARD: 'Some Observations on the Biological Conditions of Elevated Lakes' (with lantern). PROFESSOR O. V. P. STOUT: An Economical Design for Measuring Flumes.' DR. G. E. CONDRA: The Possible Development of Nebraska's Stone-quarrying Industries.' PROFESSOR F. D. HEALD: 'Preliminary Note on a Black Rot of Apples.' DR. R. H. WOLCOTT: A New Mite Affecting Greenhouse Plants.' PROFESSOR B. E. MOORE: A Color Study of Cobalt Solutions.' PROFESSOR L. BRUNER: Some New Nebraska Orthoptera.' PROFESSOR G. E. CHATBURN: The Quality of Nebraska Timber.' DEAN CHAS. FORDYCE: Additional Notes on the Cladocera of Nebraska.' PROFESSOR F. D. HEALD: A Convenient Incubator for Student Work.' PROFESSOR W. A. WILLARD: The Zoology of the Bermudas' (with lantern). PROFESSOR W. W. HASTINGS: A Preliminary Report on the Respiratory Function.' MR. F. D. BARKER: 'Some New Avian Parasites' (with lantern). PROFESSOR F. D. HEALD: A Disease of the Cottonwood.' PROFESSOR G. R. CHATBURN: 'Thoughts on Highway Improvement.' DR. S. R. TOWNE: How Typhoid is Spread.' PROFESSOR J. H. POWERS: 'Causes of Color variation in the Amblystoma.' DEAN C. E. BESSEY: 'Observations on Planted Forests in Europe.' MR. G. A. LOVELAND: The Effect of the Rotation of the Earth on Wind Direction.' DEAN E. W. DAVIS: How the Wind Changes its Direction.' MR. A. E. SHELDON: Some Prehistoric Indian Fire-places in the Bad Lands' (with lantern). DR. R. H. WOLCOTT: Some Observations on the Fauna of Nebraska' (with lantern). MR. E. E. BLACKMAN: 'New Types of Nebraska Flint Implements' (with lantern). DR. G. E. CONDRA: Delimitation of Nebraska's Coal-bearing Formations' (with lantern). Aside from the routine business which was transacted, resolutions were offered and passed endorsing legislation for the protection of noninjurious large game and other animals and also approving of the setting aside of forest and game reserves under government control. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President Dr. R. H. Wolcott, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Vice-President-Dr. S. R. Towne, Nebraska State Board of Health, Omaha. Secretary-Professor F. D. Heald, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Treasurer-Mr. A. E. Sheldon, Lincoln. Directors-Mr. William Cleburne, Omaha; Dr. James B. Hungate, Weeping Water; Professor G. R. Chatburn, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Professor G. A. Loveland, University of Nebraska, THE NORTHEASTERN SECTION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. THE fifty-seventh regular meeting of the section was held Friday evening, January 27, at the Tech Union,' Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with President Norris in the chair. About sixty members were present. Professor Frank H. Thorp, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, gave a paper entitled 'Some Notes upon Recent Foreign Literature of Chemical Technology.' Mr. Arthur D. Little gave an eulogistic address on the 'Life and Work of the late Dr. Carl Otto Weber.' ARTHUR M. COMEY, Secretary. THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. THE 163d meeting of the society was held on Wednesday evening, February 8, 1905. Messrs. David White, M. L. Fuller and W. T. Schaller presented informal communications, and the regular program was as follows: Notes on the Fossils of the Bahamas: Mr. W. H. DALL. The rocks of the Bahamas, apparently all Pleistocene, are of two kinds, marine sedimentary and æolian calcareous sands. The former contain the common marine West Indian shells now living about the Bahamas, with no extinct species. The æolian rocks proved to contain quite a fauna of land shells, especially characterized (like the recent land fauna) by the profusion of Cepolis and Cerion. In this respect it recalls the Oligocene land shell fauna of the Tampa silex beds, of which the Bahama Pleistocene shells are an analogue but not a derivative. The latter unexpectedly proved to contain a number of extinct species, doubtless the ancestors of the present fauna. Curiously enough, these ancestral forms are more like existing species of Haiti and Cuba than they are to their actual descendants, which may be accounted for on the hypothesis that a great increase in variability accompanied their invasion of the newly elevated |