Amateur botanist and student of sponges, Potts was best known for his publications about fresh-water sponges. He was a member of the Academy who reported the information 'herein contained at the meeting on Oct. 12, 1879. This was published verbatum in the Proceedings for that meeting but the Minutebook has only an abstract of his remarks. It is not in the handwriting of Edward Potts nor in that of Nolan, the recording secretary, but on the back is a filing notation in the unidentified hand stating that it is a communication of E. R. Potts, Oct., 1879. This must surely be in error since Edward Potts is the acknowledged author of the published article and was present at the meeting when the oral report was given. The remarks may have been written for Edward Potts who handed them to the secretary for inclusion in the minutes.