Meetings of Affiliated Scientific Societies in America

Abstract

AN important series of scientific meetings was held at Philadelphia, December 26–28, under the leadership of the American Society of Naturalists, and including six other Societies. The opening address of President Edward D. Cope to the Naturalists' Society was on the formulation of the natural sciences. A discussion on the flora and fauna of the Antarctic and adjacent regions occupied most of the time of this society. Angelo Heilprin opened the discussion. He said that very little was known about the Antarctic region. It appeared to him that the coast-line of this region did not outline a continent, but only a group of islands. The supposed continent had been regarded as destitute of vegetable life till lichens were discovered there last year. It is thought from geological formations that the continent was once connected with Australia, South America, and perhaps Africa. W. B. Scott said that a study of fossils of animals shows that Australian forms are found in South America, but no South American forms in Australia; thus indicating that there was first a connection between Australia and the southern continent, and later between South America and the southern continent.