M^'Z

^ibrarn of i^t Ulus^um

OP

COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY,

AT HARVARD COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

The gift of t:

No, ii]

JOURNAL

OF THE

Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society,

VOLUME IV— PART I.

— a"XJ2^a■E loo-z.

^

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE:

R. H. GRAVES,
J. A. HOLMES,
J. L. LOVE.

PERMANENT SECRETARY:
F. P. VENABLE, CHAPEL HILL, N. C.

OFFICERS
1885-1886.

President— THOMAS F. WOOD, M. D., Wilmington, N. C.
Vice-President— J. A. HOLMES, B. Agr., Cha;pel Hill, N. C.
Secretary and Treasurer— F. P. VENABLE, Ph. D. F. C. S.,
Chapel Hill, N. C.

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE.

J. W. GORE, C. E., W. B. PHILLIPS, Ph. D.,

J. L. LOVE, B. A.

1887-1888.

President— R. H. LEWIS, M. D., Raleigh, N. C.
Vice-President— W. L POTEAT, Wake Forest N. C
Resident Vice-President— W. B. PHILLIPS, Ph. D., Chapel

Hill, N. C.
Permanent Secretary and Treasurer— F. P. VENABLE,

Ph. D., Chapel Hill, N. C.
Recording Secretary and Librarian — J. W. GORE, C. E.^

Chapel Hill, N. C.

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE.

R. H. GRAVES, C. & M. E., J. A. HOLMES, B. Agr.,

J. L. LOVE, B. A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

o

Page.

Officers 4

Keport of the resident Vice-President for the year 1886-87 5

Report of the Secretary 8

Treasurer's Report 12

A Sketch and Bibliography of Nicholas Marcellus Hentz 13

A New Trap-door Spider i 16

A Family of Young Trap-door Spiders 26

Some new Salts of Camphoric Acid 52

Decomposition of Potassium Cyanide 54

Lead Chlor-Sulpho-Cyanide 55

Solubility of Alumina in Sulphuric Acid 56

Analysis of Water from the Artesian "Well at Durham, N C 57

The Fertilizer Trade in North Carolina in 1886 58

List of Exchanges 66

JOURNAL

OF THE

Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society.

REPORT OF THE RESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT
FOR THE YEAR i886-'87.

J. A. HOLMES.

The Society has now completed the fourth year of its
existence. And the result of its work during the past year,
and of the three years preceding, afford the assurance that
it may be now regarded as a permanent institution. Kind
words of encouragement have come in from eminent sources;
applications for the Journals of the Society have increased in
number; the society has now on its exchange list Journals
of many of the more prominent societies of the United States,
and of several foreign societies; and there has been a steady
improvement in the extent and character of the original in-
vestigations being carried on by members of the Society.

It is worthy of mention, too, that the system of public lec-
tures which was inaugurated at the State University by this
Society has been adopted by other institutions in this and
adjacent States. And the Secretary of this Society has been
in correspondence with gentlemen connected with other
Southern institutions who intend organizing similar Societies.
We may believe, then, that this humble beginning made here
less than four years ago, is doing something to awaken a
new activity in scientific work not only in our own State but
also in other Southern States.

The following summary will exhibit in a general way the

6 JOURNAL OF THE

work of the Society during the past four years of its existence :

1883-'84 '84-'85 '80-86 '86-37 Totals

Meetings, 6 5 8 9 28

Public Lectures, — 4 — 3 7

Papers presented 67 43 60 53 223

Papers published 98 100 148 150* 500

The above table shows a decrease in the number of papers
presented; but there has been a decided improvement in the
length and value of the papers, that has more than counter-
balanced the falling off in number. The Journal for 1886
and 1887, which is to be published in two parts, will proba-
bly contain more papers than is indicated above. A detailed
statement would show more clearly the growth of the Society;
but this can not be given here.

But while the Society is making real advancement it is
doing so under disadvantages. Its membership has not
been increased as was hoped it would. The students and
graduates of the University and odier institutions have not
associated themselves with it, nor have taken part in its work
as it was expected they might, and as it is hoped they will do
in the future. Nor has the Society received the liberal finan-
cial support which it needs to increase the publication of its
Journals. The Society needs in every way a more generous
support; and for this it must appeal to its members and all
others interested in scientific work in the State.

Among the present and pressing needs of the Society I
may mention the following :

(i) The hearty co-operation of a much larger number of
persons in the State engaged in, or interested in, scientific
work. All such should become members of the Society and
co-operate with it in its work.

(2) A more liberal financial support. During the past
year for want of funds the Society was unable to publish
several papers presented for publication in the Journal.
Among the members of other Societies are often to be found
men of wealth and liberality who contribute largely to the
financial support of the Societies to which they belong, and
have won the title of "patrons' of the Society A few mem-
bers of the Mitchell Society have contributed liberally to its

' ' ■"■■ ■ ~' — — — - — — - — ■-■- ■ ■ ■ — ■ ■■ ■ ■ I ■ .pii . ..■ I.-. ■ ■.J

*Jfumloer of pages^egtjmated— not yet published.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 7

financial support during the past year; and it is earnestly
hoped that this membership will increase.

{3) Contributions to the Library of the Society. During
the past few months an encouraging beginning has been
made in this direction, and it is hoped that much more will
be accomplished during the coming year. The Society de-
sires to collect together for preservation and reference, all
books, pamphlets, manuscripts, maps, &c., that have any
bearing upon the history, natural history, or resources of
North Carolina, and any books, pamphlets, maps, &c., writ-
ten by members of the Society, or workers in North Caro-
lina. Already there has been collected together upwards of
400 such books, pamphlets and journals of other Societies.

A system of public lectures was organized again during
this year, and three lectures have been given. These will be
continued during the next year under the* direction of the
council.

The Journal of the Society for i885-'86, published during
the past year, was a pamphlet of 148 pages. The Journal
for i886-'87 will be published in two parts of probably 76
pages each. Part I will be printed during the early summer.
Part II will appear later in the year.

As a continuation of the series of biographical sketches
Part I of the Journal will contain a short sketch of Prof. Mar-
cellus Hentz. Part II will contain a sketch of the late Prof.
W. C. Kerr.

The President of the Society, on account of ill health, has
been unable to meet with the Society during the year; but
in various ways he has given assistance and encouragement.

During the year one death has occurred among the Life
Members of the Society: Right Rev. Wm, M. Green, Bishop
of Mississippi, and one among the regular members. Col.
J. B. Wheeler.

8 JOURNAL OF THE

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

F. P. VENABLE.

BUSINESS MEETINGS.

August 28, 1886.

Prof. Holmes in the chair. The date of the pubHc meet-
ings was changed to the second Tuesday in each month.
The condition of the Treasury was discussed and the Treas-
urer was directed to advertise and place on sale the new
Journals.

October 15, 1886.

Prof Holmes presided. It was directed that papers pre-
sented before the Society be, as far as possible, on uniform
paper, as to size at least, and that the Publication Committee
take charge of the papers immediately after each meeting,
deciding which are to be published and which placed on file,
finally placing them in the hands of the Secretary.

Arrangements were directed to be made for storing the
books and pamphlets belonging to the Society where they
would be convenient for reference.

A Committee was appointed to take steps towards effect-
ing an interchange of publications with other bodies having
a like aim with this Society.

May 7, 1887.

Prof Holmes in the chair. The Secretary and Treasurer
presented his reports.

It was ordered that the monthly bulletins containing ab-
stracts of papers read at the public meetings be issued also
during the coming year.

In view of this increase of the Secretary's duties and of the
rapidly growing library of the Society the office of Record-
ing Secretary and Librarian was created,

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 9

By a vote of the Society the office of Corresponding Sec-
retary was made permanent.

To insure more rapid publication of the material on hand
it was decided that hereafter the Journal be published in two
semi-annual parts.

The following officers for 1887- 1888 were then elected:

President — Dr. R. H. Lewis, Raleigh, N C.

Vjce-Presidents— Prof. W. L Poteat, Wake Forest College, and Dr.
W. B. Phillips, Chapel Hill.

Secretary and Treasurer — Dr. F. P. Venable, Chapel Hill.

Recording Secretary — Prof. J. W. Gore, Chapel Hill.

Publication Committee — Profs. Graves, Holmes and Love, Chapel
Hill

As Honorary members the following were elected :

Major J. W. Powell, U. S. Geological Survey; Hon. S. F. Baird, Smith-
Bonian Institution, and Dr. C, V. Riley, Department of Agriculture.

As Corresponding members :

Prof. E. E. Smith, University of Alabama; Dr. D. Day, U. 8. Geologi-
cal Survey; Dr. J. M. McBryde, University of South Carolina, and Prof.
W. J. McGee, U. S. Geological Survey.

A number of regular members were also elected, a list of
whom will appear in the second part of the Journal.

PUBLIC MEETINGS.

Natural History Lecture Room,

XX. PUBLIC meeting. September 14, 1886.

1. Examination of certain North Carolina Clays, W. B. Phillips.

2 Treatment of Refractory Phosphates, W. B. Phillips.

3. Report on the last meeting of American Association for

the Advancement of Science, J. W. Gore.

4. Report on recently Discovered Elements, F. P Vena'.le.

5. Report on Saccharine F. P. Venable.

6. New Instances of Protective Resemblance in Insects, G. F Atkinson^

7. Report on a Recent Discovt-ry in Biology, G. F. Atkinson.

XXI. PUBLIC meeting. November, 1886.

8. On the Parameter of a Plane, R. H. Graves and W. B. Phillips.

10 JOURNAL OF THE

9. Report on Arsenic as a Poison F. P. Venable-

10. A New Glow Worm, G. F. Atkinson

11. A singular occurrence of Cerusite, W. B. Phillips.

13. Report on Earthquakes occurring at Charleston, from

18th Century to present time, J. A. Holmes.

xxri PUBLIC MEETING. November, 1886.

13 On Universal or Cosmic Time, J. L. Love.

14 A New Lamp for Laboratory Use, F. P. Venable.

15. A List of Minerals containing Phosphoric Acid W. B Phillips.

16. Subsidence along the Coast of New Jersey J, A Holmes.

17. Report on the Recession of Niagara Falls J. A. Holmes.

XXI PUBLIC MEETING. December, 1886.

18. Solar Eclipses J. W. Gore.

19. External Signs of Lodes and Veins, W B. Phillips.

20. Report on the Isolation of Fluorine, F P Venable.

21. Ancient Mathematics, R H. G^raves.

XXIV PUBLIC MEETING. January 25th, 1887.

22. Report on Isolation of Fluorine, (continued), F. P. Venable-

23. Utilization of Wool Grease, F. P. Venable.

24. Can an Air-bubble Function as an Organ of Respi-

ration, G. F. Atkinson.

25. Classification of Ore Deposits, W. B. Phillips.

26. Rainfall Statistics for North Carolina, J. A. Holmes.

XXV PUBLIC MEETING. iebmary Sih, 1887.

27. The True Source of the Mississippi, J. W Gore.

28. Nomenclature of Lodes. Beds and Veins, W. B. Phillips).

29. A New Insec Epid^-mic, G. F. Atkinson.

30. Report on Carbon Dioxide in the Air,, F. P. Venable.

XXVI PUBLIC MEETING. March 8th, 1887.

31. Sepulchral and Perpetual Lamps, Dr. H. C Bolton.

32. A New Test for Iron, F. P. Venable.

33. A Madstone, W B. Phillips.

34 Reversion of Superphosphates when Bottled, W. B. P. illips,

35. Temperature Statistics for North Carolina, J. A. Holmes.

XXVII PUBLIC MEETING. April I2th, 1887.

36. A Sarcoptid Mite G. F. Atkinson.

37. The New Glow Worm, G. F. Atkinson

38. Flowering of P ants in Ch;ipel Hill section, L. W. Lynch.

39. Eine Verschiebung, W. B. Phillips.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 1 1

40. Harnett County Fire Clay, W. B. Phillips.

41. Rf'port on the Evaporation of Water on Stoves, F. P. Venable.

42. Report on the "Genesis of the Elements," F. P. Venable.

43. Average Elevation and Rainfall of North Carolina,. . .J. A. Holmes.

XXVIII PUBLIC MEETING. May lOf/?, 1887.

44. Hetero-somatism, W B Phi hps

45. Meteorology of Chapel Hill, J. W Gore.

46. Pr. liii.luary List of Butterflies of Chapel Hill, A, Braswell.

47. Notes on Protective Ri semblance in Butttrfiii s, F. M. Harper.

48 Notes on A, pie Blight, G. F. Atkinson.

49. Prulimi.-ary Li t of the Birds of Chapel Hill, G F. Atkinson.

50 Action of Chi rine Monoxide on Hixylen, R. G. Gris om.

51. Actr n of Haloizen Acids on Lead, Arsenate »nd

I'h' sphates, H. F. Shaffner.

52 f^ome New Lead Salts, F. P. Venable.

53 Repor- s of Officers for 1886-1887.

PUBLIC LECTURES.

V— March 1, 1887.
The R' sicrucians, F. P. Venable.

VI— March 22, 1887.

A Ske'ch of Mathematical and Physical Sciences from Ar-

istarchu- to Hipparchut", li. H. Graves.

VII —April 26, 1887.
Galilei, J. W. Gore.

12 JOURNAL OF THE

trp:asurer's report.

F. P, VENABLE.

Balance from October 1886 $ 85 57

Additional fees for 1886 25 00

Additional Journals sold 84 40

Special contributions 85 00

Fees collected for 1887 72 00

Printing of Journal |

Postage

Stationery

Advertising

Platps

Freight and Expenses

Total amount received 351 97

Total amount expended 284 92

Balance on hand iMay 15th 67 05

Amount due from members 56 00

Estimated sales of Journals 60 00

Estimated expeiises 250 00

231 85

21 92

4 50

1 55

22 50

2 60

It is evident from the above table that the estimated expenses run con-
siderably beyond the probable income, and yet these expenses are placed
at a much lower figure than for last year. It is therefore essential that
special contributions reach the society's treasury in order that the work
be maintained as heretofore.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 13

A SKETCH AND BIOGRAPHY OF NICHOLAS

MARCELLUS HENTZ.

N. M. Hentz was born in Versailles, July 25, 1797. To
this place his flither, who was active in political affairs, had
been obliged to flee from Paris, and conceal himself under
an assumed name (Arnold). His son showed a remarkable
talent for miniature painting while quite young, and attained
considerable proficiency in this art. In 18 13 he entered the
Hospital Val de Grace as a student in medicine, where he
rem lined busied with his studies and duties as hospital as-
sistant until the fall of Napoleon. At this time his %ther
was proscribed and obliged to flee to America.

The family, after their arrival in this country, spent a few
weeks in New York City and Elizabeth Town, when they
removed to Wilkesburg, Pa., the latter part of April, 1816.

For some years Hentz was engaged in Philadelphia and
Boston as teacher of French and miniature drawing. Fol-
lowing this, for a short time he was tutor in the family of a
weathy planter (Mr. Marshall) on Sullivan's Island, near
Charleston, S. C.

While engaged as a teacher in a school for boys at Round
Hill, Northampton, Mass., he was married to Miss Caroline
Lee Whiting, the daughter of Gen. John Whiting, of Lan-
caster. His wife afterwards became well known as a poet
and novelist.

Soon after his marriage, in 1824, he moved to Chapel
Hill, N. C, where he had charge of Modern Languages in
the State University until 1830. From this time up to 1849,
he was in charge of various female seminaries and academies
in the South; at Covington, Ky., Cincinnati, O., Florence,
Tuscaloosa, and Tuskegee, Ala., and Columbus, Ga. His
health having failed, he moved to the residence of his son
Charles, at Mariana, Florida; where he died Nov. 4, 1856.

It is a remarkable fact that during his long life as a teacher
he was one of the pioneers in American Entomology, and
became during his time the highest authority on American
Spiders. His life and work then are of special interest to
the members of the Mitchell Society because of his connec-
tion with the University of North Carolina. All of his leis-

14 JOURNAL OF THE

ure hours, during his Hfe as a teacher, were devoted to these
studies.

He was an intimate friend and co-worker with the well
known entomologist, Harris, as the publications of the Bos-
ton Society of Natural History will testify.

He was very fortunate in selecting the spiders as his special
field of study, for little or nothing at that time had been pub-
lished on North American Spiders. His time was given to
the observation of their habits, and to the collection, descrip-
tion and representation of the various species. He published
a few papers in Silliman's Journal, and in the Journal of the
Philadelphia Academy of Arts and Sciences, and then
brought together his extensive series of notes and paintings,
and offered them to the Boston Society of Natural History
for publication in its Journal. The publication of these ex-
tended over a number of years, A few years ago, as many
of the publications were out of print, the Council of the So-
ciety determined to republish, in a connected form, all of
Hentz's arachnological writings. When this was done, a
considerable number of notes and descriptions were added by
Mr. J. H. Emerton, who has paid much attention to our na-
tive spiders. A few notes were also added by Mr. Wm. E.
Holden of Marietta, O.

After Hentz's death, his collection of spiders went into the
hands of the Boston Society, but has since been nearly de-
stroyed.^ G. F. Atkinson.

LIST OF THE WRITINGS OF PROF. HENTZ.

1821. A notice concerning the spider whose web is used in medicine
{Tegenaria medic'inalis) Jour. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sci., II., p. 53-55.

1825. Soma observations on the Anatomy and Physiology of the Alli-
gator of North America. Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, II., pp. 216-338.

1835. Description of some new species of North American Insects.

Jour. Phil. Acad. "Nat. Sci , V. pp 373-375.

1829. The same paper in Ferusac's Bulletin des Sciences Naturelles,
XViri.,pp 475-476.

1830 Description of eleven new species of North American Insects.

Trans. Amer. Soc, III,, pp. 253-258.

*The Spiders of the United States by Nicholas Marcellus Hentz, M. D.
Occasional Papeis of the Boston Society of Natural History, II, Preface

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 15

1830. Remarks on the use of the Maxillae in Coleopterous insects, with
an account ot two species of the family Teluphoridae {Chauhogfiathus mar-
gi/iatus, and 0. bimaculas), and three of the family Mordeliidae {R. hipi-
phorus (Umidiatus, R. Limbatus and R. trutia) which ought to be the type
of two distinct genera. Ibid. pp. 438-463.

1832. On North American Spiders. Silliman's Journal of Science and
Arts. XXI., pp. 99-152.

1833. Enumeration of the Spiders of the United States. Hitchcock's
Report on Geology, etc., of Massachusetts, p. 564, (cout tins only the list
ot genera published in the preceding paper).

1835. List of Spiders of the United States. IbU. Second edition. (This
edition enumerates one hundred and twenty-five species, mostly by name,
and arrange i under the gener l given in the first edition. The species are
those described in the J )urual Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist.)

1841. Description of an American Spider {ISpei m 'phora vneriu'ionalis)
constituting a new subgenus of the tribe InaequitalcB, Laireille. Ibid. XLl.
pp. 115-117.

1841. Species of Mygale of the United States. Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat.
Hist., I. pp 4: -42.

1842. D .•scrii)tion atid Figures of the Araueides of the United States.
Jourrrdl Bost. Soc. Nist.,IV., pp. 55-57. Pi. 7. Contiiiuation, pp. 223-231.
PI 8.

1844. Continuation, ibid., pp. 386-396, PI. 17-19.

1845 C -ntinuation, ibid , V., pp. 189-2 )2. PI. 16, 17.

1846. Continuation, ibid , pp. 352-369. PI. 21, 22

1847 continuation, ibid., pp. 444-478. PI. 23, 24, 30, 31.

1850. Continuation, ibid , VI., pp. 18-35. PI. 3, 4. Conclusion, pp.
271-295. PL 9. 10.

1867. Supplement to the Description and Figures of the Araneides of
the United States. Edited by S. t£. Scudder. Pr.»c. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist.,
XL, pp, 103-111, with two plates.

NoTd. — This list is taken from "Occasional Papes of the Bost. Soc.
Nat. Hist , IL The Spiders of the United Slates by N M. llentz, M. D.

G. F. Atkinson.

i6 JOURNAL OF THE

A NEW TRAP-DOOR SPIDER.

BY GEORGE F. ATKINSON.

In his excellent work on trap-door spiders, Mr. Mog-
gride says, " There would doubtless be a just feeling of pride
and satisfaction in the heart of a naturalist, who could say
that he had made himself thoroughly acquainted with all the
species of a particular group of animals, had learned their
most secret habits, and mastered their several relations to
the objects, animate and inanimate, vvhich surrounded them.
But perhaps a still keener pleasure is enjoyed by one who
carries about with him some problem of the kind but par-
tially solved ; and who, holding in his hand the clue which
shall guide him onwards sees in each new place that he vis-
its fresh opportunities of discovery. The latter is certainly
the condition of those who take an interest in searching out
the habits and characters of trap-door spiders.'"

While many interesting facts, in the life history, and arch-
itecture of trap-door spiders were observed and collected by
Mr. Moggridge, he very modestly says that many remain
yet to be gathered in ; that we are only on the threshold of
discoveries of these creatures who have lain quiet in the
earth century after century ; and that he will be satisfied to
have been able to " hold the door sufficiently ajar to permit
those who love nature and her ways to catch a glimpse of
the wonders and beauties of the untrodden land that lies
beyond."'

A favorable circumstance afforded me an opportunity for
making some observations on the unseen " wonders and
beauties of the untrodden land " which is the abode of these
interesting creatures, and it is with a sense of pleasure that
I note them.

Some time the latter part of May, or early part o( June,

'Harvesting Ants and Trap-Door Spiders. Supplement, p. 180.
-UarvresLing Ants and Trap-Door Spiders, p. 136.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 17

1885, Mr. Meriitt, of Pittsboro, N. C, brought to Chapel
Hill, two trap-door spiders with their nests, and placed them
in the care of Prof Holmes, for the University of North Car-
olina. The nests with their occupants were placed in the
ground for the summer. On Nov. 12, after a careful search
Prof Holmes was able to find only one, and this one with
difficulty, as for some reason it had dug through the lower
end of the tube and was hidden in the earth. Later I shall
offer what seems to me may be an explanation of this. On
the morning of the same day, the spider with its trap-door
nest was placed in my keeping, which was the first intima-
tion I had of the presence of such an agreeable neighbor.

At 4:3c, p. m., I placed 'dj4 inches of earth in a glass jar
5 inches in diameter and 7 inches deep. Two thirds of the
surface of the soil was then covered with moss. In this the
spider was placed, and the jar and its contents taken to my
room, that I might, if possible, observe the operation of dig-
ging the tube and making the trap-door.

The results were most gratifying. Just before going to
supper, at dusk, I observed that the spider had not under-
taken the work. Upon returning at 8:30, p. m., I found the
task undertaken. The spider was resting m a hole about
2o"i.ni. deep by 22"^-™- in diameter, which she had excavated at
iOne side of the jar. I placed the jar upon my study tabic,
just beneath the light of a student lamp, so that while read-
ing I could observe any movements made by my companion.
The spider was resting in the hole with its legs partially
folded, the anterior ones lying upon the edge of the exca-
vation

After I had been quiet for some time the spider began to
move cautiously, and turning about slowly, went head first
into the hole, and dug from the bottom with her mandibles a
pellet of earth about the size of a small pea. Then turning
carefully around she placed it at the edge of the hole where
she pushed it off with aid of her palpi, at the same time
working her mandibles up and down. At first the spider
seemed timid, and would cease operations upon the slightest
movement on the part of myself During the course of the
evening three other persons who came to my room had the
fortune to witness the operation of digging out the earth.
The spider soon became bold, paid no attention to move-
ments in the room, and permitted me to watch her very
closely. Occasionally, by using both palpi at once, the
dirt was flirted suddenly from the grasp of the mandibles

i8 JOURNAL OF THE

with such force as to strike against the opposite side of the
jar. Had it not been for this obstruction the dirt must have
been thrown three or four feet.

After depositing each load on the edge of the hole the
spider would turn around agai'n for another load, but before
picking it up, she would project the posterior pair of spin-
nerets about 5"^-™- from the abdomen, and carefully knead
the viscid liquid upon and around the freshly placed
pellet of earth, and over the edge for a distance of 4™-™- or 5
m.nt.^ for the purpose of making the soil adhere and prevent its
caving in. In Plate I, Fig. 4, the spider is shown in
the act of removing a pellet of earth from her mandibles. In
^ig- 5. is represented the application oi the viscid liquid.
The ends of the spinnerets are applied to the surface alter-
nately, as shown in the illustration. The legs took no part
in the application of the viscid liquid ; nor did the liquid
form a thread when the spinnerets were drawn from the sur-
face, as I have since seen it when the spider was crawling
about on the surface of the earth.'

At 1 1:30 o'clock, when the hole was about 4™-^^- in depth,
to my surprise and pleasure the spider began to make the
** trap-door." Standing upon its fore feet and placing the
spinnerets against the glass jar at the level of the edge of
the hole, the spider covered the glass with the viscid liquid.
Several pellets of earth were stuck to this, each time another
portion of the viscid liquid being applied. After a depth of
^iii.m. j^^(-j been built up in this way, which was to answer as
the hinge, the spider cut a sprig of the moss and cemented it
to the hinge so that the end projected above it. Small sticks,
particles of moss and earth were constantly placed upon the
edge of the growing door. Each time the spider would come
out of the hole for new material, retreat backward, and turn
halfway around so as to apply it to the door. Placing the
load on the under side of the partial door, she would care-
fully move it up to the edge. Then placing the distal por-
tion of the palpi and anterior pair of legs above, while the
proximal portion of these limbs and the ends of the mandi-
bles were on the under side of the pellet and door, she would

'As I am now writing, Jan. 16, 1886, 11:55, p. m., the spider is crawl-
ing about on the surface of a freshly prepared jar of eanh. Sometimes
the viscid liquid adhering to some object is drawn out in a band of silk
2m. m. wide, and the pieces of moss strewn on the earth are loosely matted
together in the path of the spider about the side of the jar.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 19

fit and press it in shape, as one would mold with the hand a
moist portion of earth by pressing it into a thin sheet. This
is illustrated in Fig. 7, Plate XXII. Indeed it looked very
much like the black bony fingers of a hand performing the
work of pressing. The greatest pressure seemed to be
brought to bear upon the rounded ends of the madibles.
After fastening on a portion thus, the spider would take an
inverted position and apply viscid liquid along the edge
and under surface of the door, as shown in Plate XXIII,
Fig. 6. She would then turn about and crawl out for more
material. The hole being by the side of the jar, I could
watch the operation both in the hole and upon the cover.
By I o'clock in the morning (Nov. 13,) the door was finished
so that the spider could pull down the lid, which completely
closed the entrance, nicely fitting in around the edge and
appearing as if there was no hole nor spider, but through
the glass the spider could still be seen.

At intervals during the construction of the door, the spider
would pull it down to observe where the next pellet should
be placed in order to make the door fit the circular opening
of the tube. Discovering this she would turn completely
around, and not being able with her head in the bottom of
the tube to see the place where she intended to put the next
load, she would find it by feeling about with her spinnerets.
The viscid liquid would then be applied ^nd the pellet of
earth fitted with extreme nicety. Satisfied with the result of
my experiment I retired.

By daybreak I found that the excavation was continued
after the completion of the trap-door, the soil being deposited
around the nest to raise the surface of the earth in the jar to
a level with the top of the nest. Without close searching it
was impossible to detect the door.

The mode of making the trap-door by this spider differs
very widely from that observed by other naturalists so far as
I can find any record. Mr. Moggridge saw the female, Ne-
inesia Meriodinalls, construct a trap-door in captivity. He
made a cylindrical hole in a flower-pot of earth. Into this the
spider disappeared. " During the night following the day of
her capture she made a thin web over the aperture, into
which she wove any material which came to hand. The
trap-door at this stage resembled a rudely constructed, hori-
zontal, geometrical web, attached by two or three threads to
the earth at the mouth of the hole, while in this web were
caught the bits of earth, roots, moss, leaves, etc., which the

20 JOURNAL OF THE

spider had thrown into it from above. After the second
night the door appeared nearly of the normal texture and
thickness, but in no case would it open completely, and it
seemed the spider was too much disgusted with her quarters
to think it worth while to make a perfect door.'"

He also records the making of a door by a very young
one of this species, in which the threads, except at the hinge,
were cut so that the door would open and shut.*

The only thing he records which seems at all analagous
to the mode of making a trap-door exhibited by the spider
in my possession is that manifested in the enlargement of
nests and trap-doors by spiders as they grow larger, and
consequently require nests of larger dimensions. This ope-
ration was not witnessed by him, however, but the additions
to the size of the door were proven by measurements and
observations upon nests of young spiders at different seasons,'^

It would seem natural to suppose that, in making slight
additions from time to time to the edge of the nest, the spider
would cement pellets of earth, pieces of moss, etc., to the
edge, instead of first spinning a web ; unless the web is spun
over the lower side of the door and made to project just far
enough to fit the enlarged tube. In Plate XXIII, Fig. 8,
can be seen eight concentric " lines of growth," as they might
be termed, of the trap-door, corresponding to the growth and
needs of the spider. These I judge to represent the succes-
sive enlargements of the door concomitant with the enlarg-
ing of the tube. We can safely say that these additions were
made by cementing the material, piece by piece, which forms
each ring, to the edge of the door. These " lines of growth "
are not present in the door made by the adult spider in cap-
tivity. I induced the spider to make the door the fourth
time, (Jan. 19, 1886,) in order to observe if there was any
regularity in the cementing of the particles, which might
form these lines of growth in a door made by an adult spider.
There is no such regularity. Indeed his last door was made
of about a dozen very large pellets of clay, which, being very
plastic, the spider was able to press each pellet into a sheet
of considerable dimensions.

It is to be regretted that Mr. Moggridge did not have the

'Harvesting Ants and Trap-Door Spiders, p. 118.
'Harvesting Ants and Trap-Door Spiders, p. 119.
^Idem. pp. 123. 127 and 150, and Supplement, p. 245.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 21

opportunity ©f observing the manner of enlargement of trap-
doors made by the spiders which he studied, or that he did
not offer some theory as an explanation. If the particles are
cemented to the edge, it would be quite natural that the spe-
cies of spider in my possession once made its door by first
spinning a web across the mouth of the tube, and then weav-
ing into it other material, as in the case of N. meridiortnlis;
and that the habits, followed through life and successive gen-
erations, of making additions to the door by cementing par-
ticles to the edge, finally became so fixed that this mode of
making additions to it became the permanent habit and type
of construction of the trap-door from the foundation ! The
rapidity, ease, and intelligence manifested in this method of
building up the door, piece by piece, certainly indicates a
higher development of instinctive power. A perfect and
neatly fitting and swinging door made in i y^ hours !

When I took the spider from her nest it was necessary to
remove nearly all of the soil from the jar and take her from
the lower end of the tube, as all efforts to attract her from the
nest failed. As the soil was very loose and the nest not
long made the walls of the tube collapsed. In ten days the
spider was returned to the nest. Though the trap-door was
capable of being used, and seemed to satisfy the spider's idea
of the " fitness of things," it was in a very dilapidated condi-
tion. This agrees wnth. what Mr. Moggridge says of the re-
luctance manifested by spiders to abandon an old nest.
The examples cited by him are that if a door be pinned
back, during the night a second door will be made ; that if
the nest be covered with earth the tube will be prolonged to
the surface of the superimposed earth and a new trap-door
will be made ; and that in some cases nests become inverted,
when, a door being made at the now upper end of the tube,
the nest will have a door at each end ! ' The conduct of my
spider under another condition farther illustrates this feature.
Wishing to observe the habit of the spider if possible while
the door of the nest was closed, I prepared a glass test tube,
jyiri.m. jj^ diameter by placing, 4*'"' from the mouth, a cork
bottom, so that the spider might have something on which
to stand while making the door. This, with the spider in it,
I placed in the glass jar and surrounded it with earth to
darken the walls, hoping thus, because of the firm smooth
surface of the tube she would not line it with silk, and by

'Harvesting Ants and Trap-Door Spiders, pp. 121 and 122.

22 JOURNAL OF THE

lifting the tube from the soil I could observe the position of
the spider as it held down its door. The experiment was a
decided success.

This was prepared at eleven o'clock on the night of Dec.
27, '85. Pieces of moss were strewn about the tube. By
morning a perfectly fitting door, beautifully covered with
moss had been constructed (Plate XXtV. Fig. 3). About
this time many visitors came to see the spider, and in pulling
at the door to show how persistently she would resist its
being opened, the hing became loosened, and the door was
pulled down upon her. She held on to the door with such
tenacity that I pulled it into bits in my efforts to remove it
from her grasp. It was removed Dec. 30, '85, and on the
following night she built another as neatly as the first. The
hinge to this became loosened and the door moved down
about 5™-"i- from the mouth of the tube. Here she strength-
ened the hinge by spinning a broad piece of silk, the width
of the hinge, from the door down on to the wall of the tube.
Several times in endeavoring to open the door I tore pieces
from its edge and in every instance the spider repaired it.
Finally, when I wished to remove her from the tube I was
obliged to push up on the cork bottom, and in this way
crowd her out through the door. After this was done it was
with some difficulty that she freed her posterior feet from
the silk bag which she had constructed at the bottom, so
firmly did she hold on.

I have this yet to add. In a note I have mentioned the
wandering of the spider about in a jar of freshly prepared
earth, Jan. 16. For three days she has been restless, and
though several attempts have been made to dig a tube she
has failed. I came to the conclusion that the soil was not
such as she could work easily or satisfactorily. Wishing to
have soil which would make a more desirable tube than the
loose soil in which I saw the first nest made, I used a large
proportion of fine plastering sand mixed with black earth.
This was wetted, and pieces of moss strewn over the surface.
She tried several times to take up pellets of the earth, but
seemed to be disgusted with its crumbling. She then tried
to bore a hole by pushing down with her mandibles while
turning her body around. She evidently wished to hide her
head from the light, for after making a hole 2"^"' deep she re-
mained with her head at the bottom. To-day, Jan. 14, '86,
the soil in the woods having thawed sufficiently 1 prepared a
jar of moist, ferruginous clay, very much like that of which

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY 23

the nest is constructed that came from Pittsboro. Upon this
I put a fine mat of fresh moss, coverin^^ the earth except a
spot at one side 2}4''^*' in diameter. In this I placed the spi-
der at noon. I then covered it from the h"^ht. As I returned
to m}' room after dinner she was restini^ in a hole 3 '"' deep
which she had excavated, and small pellets of earth were
placed against the moss at the mouth of the hole. She
would not work durini^ the day unless I covered the jar
from the light. During the evening, by lamp light, I had
the pleasure of seeing her make another door. It required
about I j/ hours. Only one piece of moss was used and
that I let drop into the hole while she was at work. This
seemed very strange for the tube was the onl)' i)lace not
covered with moss, and to save her the trouble of cutting
the moss I had strewn loosened particles about the hole. In
this case all of the earth used in the con.struction of the door
was taken from the bottom of the hole. The door being
made almost entirely with the clay was v^ery conspicuous in
comparison with the surrounding moss ; though the door
fitted ver}' neatly, the tube being built up to a level with the
top of the moss. This time instead of making the hinge
against the side of the jar, it was made on the opposite side
of the tube.

I was unable to understand how the resistance to opening
the door was offered, if the spider fastened its fangs and (ill
of its claws into the under surf ice of the door, as Mr. Mog-
gridge states.' A reference to Plate XX I \'. J'^gs. 3 and 4,
will show the results I reached in the experiment when the
spider was induced to make a trap-door to the mouth of a
glass test tube. The portion of the tube from h to r was not
lined with silk. The spider, evidentl)' not admiring the cork
at (/ for a bottom to her nest, carried in pellets of earth and
bits of moss as shown at </. .She then spun a short bag of
silk, /', which was attachnd b)- the mouth to the walls of the
tube at (\ and resterl on the piece of cork. The mouth of
the test tube was lined with silk froui the edge for about
-„,.,... to 7 '■'■•"•. The ends of the silk lining at />] and the silk
bag at r, were for some flistance transparent so that J w as
enabled to see the spider fairl)' well. As can be seen in fig.
14, the si)ider clings to the bag of silk at the bottom (or
walls of the tube) with the claws of her two posterior pair of
legs, and to the under surf ice of th(' door with her fin<'"sand

'Harvesting Ant.s and Trap Door Spiders, pp. *J5 and 00.

24 JOURNAL OF THE

the claws of her anterior pair of legs. By partially lifting
the door I was enabled to see the hold upon the door, and
when I pushed the spider out of the tube, as before stated, I
found her feet entangled in the bag of silk. The manner in
which this spider holds down the nest is precisely the same
as that described by P^merton' in the case of Cteniza Calif or-
nica, except that he states the " 3rd and 4th pairs of legs are
pressed out against the walls of the tube."

The nest of this spider belongs to the simple, unbranched
type with shallow cork door. The door belonging to the
nest in which the spider was caught (Plate XXIV. Fig. i,)
measures 3 to 4™-™- in thickness ; the edge is beveled and
fits neatly in the mouth of the tube. The door measures
2^m.m. across near the hinge ; the tube 6o"^*""- in length. The
walls are badly collapsed and the lower edge ragged and
open. It will be remembered that the spider was found in
the earth below the tube when the nest was taken up in No-
vember. The first nest which the spider made under my
observation was open at the bottom, and when I attempted
to take her out, finding she could not hold down the door
she attempted to bury herself in the soil at the bottom of
the tube. The question naturally arises, Is this not left open
as a last means of escape from enemies ? I am inclined to
think it is, in some cases at least with this species, as this is
the only resort for safety after the door is open. Further
observation is needed on this point. The trap-door of this
nest is so hung that it tends to close itself. In Fig. 2, Plate
XXIV. at (I are patches of silk that are drawn on the stretch
when the door is open. When all resistance is removed these
tend to close the door.

The subject of the food of trap-door spiders is an interest-
ing one, and much is yet to be learned of their habits in this
respect. While I had the spider out of her tube I offered
her several house flies, holding them by one wing, with the
forceps, near her head. The struggles of the fly attracted
her attention. With a quick sweep of the palpi and anterior
pair of legs she would clutch the fly and place it between
her powerful mandibles, crushing it immediately. She held
some of these about one minute, but I very much doubt her
having derived any nourishment from them. One of the
smaller species of the flies belonging to the genus Tabanus
was offered her. It seemed only to frighten her as she could

'Structure and Habits of Spiders, p. 45.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 25

not be made to touch it even by being angered, but would
turn and run away as if in great fear. After returning the
spider to her nest, Dec. 8, I placed in the jar two ants and a
small carabid beetle. The ants hid themselves in the earth.
Dec. 14th, the beetle was still unharmed and I concluded
the spider did not come out for food. I then lifted the trap-
door and placed the beetle inside. Dec. 16, I found the bro-
ken hard parts of the beetle strewn about just outside the
nest. It had been killed, the soft parts eaten by the spider,
and the parts of the skeleton ejected from the nest. Jan. 17,
'S6, I placed a half dozen large yellow ants in the jar.' As
they attacked her she would catch and crush them but I did
not see that she ate any of them.

Jan. 2, '86, which was like a summer da}' at Chapel Hill,
I went into the woods for the purpose of collecting some
mo.ss. While tearing up a large patch of this, at the foot of
a tree, I discovered a hole which I thought to be the nest of
a trap-door spider. I dug down into the tube and found at
the bottom a spider belonging to this family. In the after-
noon I found several nests and one more female spider.
Under some stones I found a male. I placed them in jars
of earth containing moss. One of the females escaped ; the
other built a nest and made a slanting double door, which
might be compared to an outside cellar door. Each door is
made of moss cemented with silk and hung by a semicircular
hinge. These the spider will open and shut at pleasure,
sometimes fastening them together with a thread of silk. In
both of the nests in which I found these spiders, there were
the lemains of ants. I had intended to illustrate and describe
farther the nests and habits of these found by myself at
Chapel Hill, as they are lively creatures and seem to offer
interesting objects for study as to habit, food and architect-
ure. But as this article is already long, and I wish to make
further collections and study their habits more closely in
captivity I will reserve the subject for a future time.

'The spider was not in her nest.

26 JOURNAL OF THE

EXPLANATION OF PLATES.

PLATE XXIII.

Fig. 1. Sj/ider, natural tize; dursal view.

'■ 2. tspider, natural size : ventral view.

" 3. Spider, U'itural size ; side vii w.

" 4. Spider in the act of unloading a pellet of earth while exca"
vatmg the tube. <(,, peilet of earth.

" 5. Si)ider ai>i)l}ii)g vii-cid 'i([nid to tlie fre.shly i»laced pellet of
e'arth. «, si)inneret.

" 6. Si)i(!er applying viscid litiuid to the eelge of the partially con-
struct* el door. <*. spiiui' rets. />, door, c, i^ieces t)f moss.

" 7. Spider in the act of titting U) edge of the door a pellet of earth, ".

*' 8. Trap-door showing eight concentric rings which represent the
successive additions to the edge of the door corresponding to
the enlargement of the tube, a, hinge

PLATE XXIV.

Fig. 1, Natural size of nest in which the spider wa? caught.

" 2. Trap-door open, a, bands of silk which tend to close the

open door, b, claw and fung marks of spider made while

holding dow-n the door.
" 3. Nest made in glass test tube. «, hinge. /, bag of silk. rZ,

cork bottom, g, j-ieces of moss and earth.
'* 4. Spider in act of holding down the door, while in the nest. All

natural size.

A FAMILY OF YOUNG TRAP-DOOR SPIDERS. "^^
(Pachylomerus, 4 — spinosus.)

Two questions were asked by Mr. Moggridge about the
habits of young trap-door spiders. For the answer to these
he was unable to inake any observations, so far as the record
shows. The questions are ; 1st, do young traprdoor spiders
make nests like those of the parent without being shown ?

*Thi8 paper has been previeusly published in the Entomologica Amer-
icana, Vol II, Aug. 1886. (3)

PLATE XXIII.

1

5 -

6

CL

CFAthinsori del.

{'•'

^m^-ctrm

A new Trap door Spider.

PLATE XXIV.

^ 2

A new Trap- door Spider.

:i

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 27

2nd, do the males of trap-door spiders make a nest with a
trap-door when very young ? To the first question we
would almost unhesitatin<^ly reply in the affirmative, without
direct observation. In regard to the second, it is well
known by those who have given much attention to the
habits of trap-door spiders, that the mature males, at least,
do not build trap-door nests, but seek a hiding place under
stones, logs, etc.

There is also another question as to the constancy with
which species follow a unifonit type in the construction of
their nests. Some naturaHst make the different kinds of
nests a partial basis for classification, and others are looking
for differential characters manifested in the variationsof the
trap-door; whether the door is horizontal ; the hinge lower
or higher than the distal part of the door sloping one
side, etc.

Tlie object of this paper is to present the variations pro-
duced by a family of 2(S young trap-door spiders, in the
building of their nests, which I have carefully observedand
noted. I trust also to show that, from the labors of these
little creatures, and of several mature ones, which I have
had in captivity, a great deal of light is thrown on the
questions stated above.

The family was captured by D. E. Woodly, student at
Chapel Ilill.'N. C, March 17, 1886. The mother had either
deserted her children, or liad met with her death. The tube
was doorless'and near a decaying stump. The 28 childre n
were living ))eacefully together in the silken cocoon which
had contained the e^i^s at the bottom of the tube. A fter
keeping them together in a small vial for one day, I prepared
a bottle of earth for each one. The bottles measure i Yz
inches in diameter by three inches deep. In each about
I Yi inches in depth of earth was placed. The earth was
moi.st, loose, but smoothed over and gently packed to furnish
a smooth surface for operations.

The following table shows the time of beginning and com-
pletion of the work of each. In column 4 is given the time
when the work bei^an which was carried to completion.
Some began work earlier than here in dicated but aban-
doned it.

28

JOURNAL OF THE

1

2

Time plac-

4

5

6

No.

Date

rime when work

Time whn trap-

Time trap-

Mar. '86.

"d in bot

began.

door was beg'-n

was c<)m])'d

1

18

5pm

Unobserved.

Unobserved.

Unobserved

2

18

5 p m

«(

li

((

^

18

5pm

({

.i

u

Mar 19, 3.30 a m

5 a m

5.15 H. m*

4

18

5 p m

" 19,12.30 am

1 a m

2am

5

18

5pm

" 19, 2 30am

4 20 a m

5am

6

18

10.30 p m

" 18, 11.15 am

Mar 19, l2.30arr
" 19, 3 5r, a m

lam
4.20 a m*

7

18

10.30 p m

11.30 pm

" 19, 12.30 am

2 30am

8

18

10.30 p m

Mar 19, 12 30 a m

3 20 a m

4 a m

9

1«

10.30 p m

" 19, 2am

3 20 a m

4am

10

18

10.30 p m

" 19,7 am

9am

10 am

11

19

4.10 p m

4.15 a m

5.5j p m

7.30 p m

12

19

4.10 p m

•' 20, 11 a m

Unobserved.

2.30 p m

13

19

4.10 p m

" 19.4.30 pm

5.50 p m

6.30 p m

14

19

4.10 p m

•' 20, 10 a m

1pm

2.30 p m

15

19

4.10 p m

" 19, 5.18 p m

Unobserved

Unobserved

16

19

4.30 p m

5.15 p m

6 20pm

((

17

19

4 30 p m

4 45 p m

Unobserved

((

18

19

4.30 p m

5.10 p m

5 50 p m

6.30 p m

19

J9

6 30 p m

7.-0 p m

9.15 pm

Unobserved

20

19

6.30 p m

Unobserved.

Unobserved.

(I

21

19

6.30 D m

((

((

«

22

19

6.30 i) m

9 20 p m

t(

ti

23

19

9pm

9.50 p m

((

((

24

19

9pm

9 25 p m

(C

(;

25

19

9pm

Unobserved.

I

((

26

19

9pm

Mar 20, 4pm

Not noted.

Not noted.

27

19

9pm

" 21, 10 p m

1pm

5 p m

28

19

9 p m

" 20, 10 p m

11 a m •

1 1 30 a m

* Nest was. destroyed and another built.

Variation'^ fvdin the normal ti/pr. By the normal type is
meant that which seems to be the simplest, most nearly per-
fect, plan of construction, is followed by a majority of those
observed, and seems to indicate a vafiind hisifind, a more
potent influence of inherited habit in some, while in others
the instinct seems to be latent at first and gradually unfolds
with the dawning of consciousness ! According to the nor-
mal type, the spider takes up pellets of earth with its man-
dibles, and turning around, places them upon the soil by the
side of the tube, which is being dug ; or carries or throws
them to a short distance. Occasionally with its spinnerets
it applies viscid liquid to the pellets and QdgQ of the tube,
much as an artificer would alternately place cement and
bricks in the construction of a column. The trap-door is
built in the same manner, by beginning, at one side of the

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 29

edge of the hole, a horizontal wall to which particles are ce-
mented and pressed in shape to make a flat, circular, lid to
the tube.*

By a study of Plate IV we shall see some of the variations
from the normal type. Vig. i, a, represents one of the
spiders, natural size, />, section of a nest built after the nor-
mil type, door represented open, alsonitural size. All of
the other fig-ures, except 15 and 16, are mignified. In fig.
2, one side of tube, a, is extended above ground and carried
over the tube. The door, represented open, is hinged at /> ;
when closed it slopes downwards from the hinge attach-
ment, fig. 3. This was the work of No. 3. The arched wall
from fi, was pressed in shape in the same way that the trap
door is, so that when the spider began it at n, I thought it
had begun the trap door, and m ide this entr}^ in my notes:
"At 4.30 door begun ; two-thirds of the edge used for attach-
ment of the hinge, making an awkward door." When the
hinge was m:ide at A, it was easy to see the arching of the
wall was intentional. In fig. 10, the tube is curved above
ground in a similar way, but the hinge is at one of the slop-
ing sides, m iking a door that swings to the right and left in-
stead of up and down. This wms mideby No. 25. Fig-
ures 4, 5, 6 and 7 represent the work of No. 15. A trench
was dug, using the excavated eirth for a wall on each side ;
the walls were then united by an arch over the middle, one
end closed and a trap-door made at the other end. Fig. (S,
represents the nest of No. 22, built in the same way as that
of No. 15, except that at a, the hole was not entirely closed.
No. 13 built what is shown in fig. 9. A trench with a wall
each side was first built; in the middle of the trench was due
the tube and the door hinged at the base of one wall at *-/,
with the distal part of the door elevated at h. Fig. 11,
shows the work of No. 24; a trench was dug b\' the side of
the glass with a wall on one side at o ; on the other side
earth was carried upon the side of the glass and attached in
small lumps at A; f\ represents the nest, a small tower
against the glass. Fig. 12, was made by No. 26. This is
interesting as being the only one showing the concentric
" lines of growth" usually noticed in the doors of nests that
have been used for a year or so. No. 14, first dug a shallow
hole as represented at A, fig. 13; abandoning this it dug

*Por description aud il.u.-^tration of tlio building of a nest and trap-
door by P. Caribivorus, see Amer Nat for July 1886.

30 JOURNAL OF THE

another at c ; it then removed the earth at d, making a
trench ; next it began the tube at c, but soon abandoned it,
began again at 6, restored d, and completed the nest in the
normal way. The following table shows the varying posi-
tions of the door when closed.

Horizontal: Nos. i, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, lo, 1 1, 12, 14, 16,
18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 27, 28.

Sloping downward from hinge attachment: Nos. 3, 7, 8,

15, 17, 22, 24, 26.

Rising from hinge attachment : No. 13.-

Slopi'hg door with hinge at one side : No. 25.

Table showing the kinds of nests.

Curved tube: Nos. 3, 8, 25.

Straight tube: Nos. I, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,

16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28.
Trench with arched walls : Nos. 7, 15, 17, 22.

Nests of mature spiders, of this genus made in captivity
present some of the variations mentioned above, as also
some of the nests found in a state of nature.

One of the most interesting things which came under my
observation during the work of these spiders was the vary-
ing potency of instinct manifested in the aptness with which
each performed the task of building its home. This will be
best illustrated by giving a few of the more striking ex-
amples recorded in my notes. No. 6, was placed in the
bottle at 10.30 p. m. and began digging the tube in the nor-
mal way at 11. 15 p. m. It worked rapidly, sometimes
aking up and unloading a pellet of earth in 10 seconds.
Indeed it worked with as much ease, accuracy, and apparent
thoughtfulness, as the mature one which I have described in
the previous paper. Sometimes with its palpi it would flirt the
pellet across to the opposite side of the bottle. It began
making the trap-door at 12.30 a. m. and completed it at i a
m. ; one hour and forty minuts from the time it began work,
and two hours and thirty minutes from the time it was
placed in the bottle.^ During the operation every move-
ment seemed to facilitate the work. No. 19, was placed in
the bottle at 6.30 p. m. : my notes read as follows : — "Began
digging tube in normal way at 7.50. Does not seem to be
satisfied with work, and begins in another place. This is
done several times : 915 began making trap-door," etc. No.

*One eompleted the work in one hour and 20 minutes ; and another 1
hour and 30 minutee.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 31

26 was placed in bottle at 9 p. m., Mar. 19th. At i p. m.,
Mar. 20th, it began digging and soon abandoned this place
for another. This it repeated as many as a dozen times,
sometimes returning to the work and tearing away at the
soil as if in a frenzy, and impelled by some irresistible
power. Then suddenly leaving the spot it would wander
and endeavor to climb the side of the glass ; when it would
as suddenly be seized with an irresistible inclination to tear
away at the earth without any seeming purpose. Occasion-
ally it seemed to work with more deliberation, as if it were
gradually becoming conscious of a latent instinctive power!
At 4 p. m. it continued work in one place until the nest was
completed, but the door, which is represented in fig. 13, was
barely hung together and was loosely hinged by three
strands. A few days later I tore down this nest, when the
spider went to work in the normal way and built a perfect
nest. Upon this point alone it would be interesting to fol-
low carefully the notes I have taken on all, but I fear it
would make the article too long, so I will conclude this sub-
ject with reference to a few others. One without digging in
the normal way pressed the dirt aside ; buried itself, and
then spun a bag of silk surrounding it. When removed
from this it went to work in the normal way. Several
others acted very much like this one, and No. 26.

These variations could not be attributed to a difference in
the nature of the soil as in the case of variations noticed
among adult spiders, when the soil at times was of a differ-
ent character. Care was taken that the soil should be of the
same compactness and moisture for each. In some cases a
hard lump caused the spider to remove to another place, and
in one or two instances the spiders waited so long before be-
ginning work that the soil was too dry ; pouring in water
packed the earth too hard and it was necessary to loosen it
before the spider could take up a pellet. With close watch-
ing and due allowance for conditions just mentioned there
seems to be great variableness in the attitude which different
young individuals at first show in the construction of their
nest. In some cases the consciousness, if fit might so be called,
of instinctive power flashes upon them when they first are
made to shift for themselves ; while with others there seems
to be a greater or less development or dawning of the same
consciousness.

Mr. Moggfidge also asks at which end of the tube the
spider begins to spin the silken lining ? This pecies, so far

32 JOURNAL OF THE

as I have observed, (I have watched over thirty individuals,)
always be^jins at the upper end. I had several opportunities of
witnessing this among the young ones, and one mature one,*
when the spinning of the lining was done very beautifully.
In fig. 14 a spider is represented in the act of spinning the
silken lining at the upper part of the tube. When the viscid
fluid coming from the spinnerets cools before it is applied
to an object it forms a broad band or ribbon as it might be
called ; by elevating and depressing the body perpendicu-
larly as shown in fig. 14, and touching the spinnerets here
and tiiere to the wall of the tube this ribbon of silk is fas-
tened. By moving around the tube at the same time the lin-
ing is made complete for the perpendicular distance covered
by the spider in its movements. Some times instead of ele-
vating and depressing in the manner just described the
spider will move around the ^tube fastening the ribbon in
circles.

Figs. 15 and 16 represent a novel way of excavating a
hole which I witnessed in the case of a mature spider. With
its legs as supporters on each side of the tube it would elevate
its abdomen in the air and hook its mandibles in the earth at
the bottom of the hole ; then revolving through a quadrant
about the axis at n^ fig. 15, it would bring the earth to the
surface and push it off with its palpi, as shown in fig. 16.

From this study we may conclude the young of trap-door
spiders build their nests instinctively ; that males as well as
females build trap-door nests before the sexual character
and habits are well developed, which in the case of the males
make a somewhat wandering habit necessary in order to find
the females ; that young and old vary in making their nests
from the normal type, so that die position or relative sloping
of the door or tube could not be of any value in the classi-
fication ; that this species does not use its legs to aid in spin-
ning the lining to its tube, and that they spin the lining at the
upper end of the tube first ; and lastly that they vary in the
degree of skill manifested as artificers and the maturity of
instinctive power.f

EXPLANATION OF PLATE.

Fig; \. a, Young trjp-door spi^^ler, natural Kfze h, section of ne>t with
ope»i door, built in normnl way, also natural size. Fig-i. 2 and 3 curved

*P lurris

tAU of the observation^^ maie use of in the preparation of this aiticle
were made on three species. Description*? of the new species collected,
their nests, and food habits, I hope to have published in a subsequent article

h'

G-co ^- fV^K\^&oA;^Tim\ T\eiUv2..

¥ f

'A'

••J

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 33

tube with slanting door. Fig. 4, trench with wall each side seen from one
end. Fig. 5, arch. connecting walls. Fig 6, same, closed at one end. Fig.
7, same, with trap-door built «t the other end. Fig 8, another built on
same plan, but the first opening n'»t quite closed, a loose flap at a. Fig.

9, tube dug between two walls, hiage at <f, distal part of door at h. Fig.

10, curved tube with door hung so as to swing to the right and left. Fig.

11, section of bottle showing work of spider : a, wall, b, pellets of earth
earned up and stuck to the glass, c, n^-st, a tower against the side of the
bottle. Fig. 12, nest showing concentric "lines of growth," in the trap-
door. Fig 13, h, first hole dug by spider, c, second one, d, wall between
which was r moved making of the excavation a trench, subsequently d,
was rest red and nest built in normal way at h. Fig. 14, spiders repre-
sented in act of spinning silUen lining to the upper end of the tube. Figs.
15 and 16 P. turris adult spider taking a novel method of excavating a
hole

Note. — The doors of all the young trap-door spiders' nests are very
thin, from 2 to 3 °"^. in thickness. One spider worked so rapidly tliat it
would sometimes pick up and unload a pellet of earth in 8 seconds. As a
rule they required a much longer time than this.

DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME NEW TRAP-DOOR
SPIDERS; THEIR NESTS AND FOOD HABITS.

A few months after writing the previous article, "A new
trap-door spider," I found a specimen which differed so
markedly in color from the one, the subject of that article,
and agreed so closely with the one described by Hentz as
Mycfih' cnrolinensis,' now Paclnjlnmomis cfrroh'jK'ih'sis^' Hentz,
that before having an opportunity to study them carefully I
concluded the only difference was in color. Just after the
article "A family of young trap-door spiders," w^as ready, I
discovered that the two forms were different species ; that'
the one called *'A new trap-door spider,', and the young
spiders whose work has just been described in the Ento.
Am. were both new species : the former I have called
Pachylo merits carahivoruSy and the latter Pachjjlonierus
Ai-sjnnoHUs.

The nests of P, cnruhivorus^ P. ^-spinosus, have already

^The Spiders .'fthp United States, by Nicholas Marcv llus H<-ntz M.
D, Boston Journnl, IV; p. 56, pi. VIl, fig. 3.
■^Beitra.g€ zur Kenniniss der Teiritelariae, Ausserer, p. 147.

34 JOURNAL OF THE

been described in the articles referred to. One thinc^, how-
ever, in regard to P. canibivorus is worth adding. The last
trap-door made by this species as described on p. 20 was in
sharp contrast, being made almost entirely of clay, with the
surrounding moss. In a k\w days the spider made an exam-
ination of its work and found it had made a mistake in not
placing moss in the door. It reiTiedied this as well as pos-
sible by cementing moss to the edge of the door and press-
ing the ends down so that about half of the door was covered
with moss !

NeM of FacJiylomeTUf^ turns. March 5, 'S6, on turning
over an old log, a sudden movement of an object downward
attracted my attention, I looked and discovered a silken
tube, with particles of earth and leaf mould attached extend-
ing above ground. On one side the silk was so extremely
thin as to afford a "window" to the spider's house ! It was
through this that I had discovered the movement which at-
tracted my attention. Nearly the entire remaining portion
of the tube was covered with earth and leaf-mould, and here
the silk was thinner than in other portions, yet intact. It
seems almost incredible, yet from the wonderful intelligence
manifested by these spiders, I was led to think this ''window"
had been purposely made : that the spider would sit by it
and watch for beetles crawling about under the log, and see-
ing one would rush out through the door, seize its prey and
return to its tower ! It seems more reasonable when we
consider that Nidivalvafd inarxn (see food habits of this
species,) will nightly open its doors, remain out of sight,
watch for passing insects, and rush out and seize them. The
tube was about 8cm. in length, and there was only a very
shallow excavation in the clay soil. The door is of the
"wafer type," and was fastened down by silk, probably in
the fall when the spider prepared for hibernating.'

In the evening I placed the spider in a bottle of earth.
During the night it burrowed into the soil and made a rude
door, which appeared more like a flap hung from one side
of the mouth of the tube. On the evening of Mar. 7, I re-

'Mr Mog^ridge says in Harvest Ants and Trao-door Spiders, Supple-
ment, p. 286 : *I have on very few occasions, found the doors of a
wafer or cork nest.spun up during the winter at Mentone, and on dig-
ging have discovered the spider alive, though partially torpid, inside ;
but this I think is quite an exceptional event. I should like to know
however, whether this becomes the rule in the case of the nests of those

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 35

moved a portion of the soil and placed in a portion of clay
intermixed with loam, scattering over this a few bits of moss.
I did not see the spider make the burrow, but next day saw
it make two-thirds of a door, when I put an end to opera-
tions on that nest. The door was made practically in the
same manner as that by P. carahivorus, but was a wafer door.

From the appearance of the tube and the soil about it in
both of the nests made in captivity, I felt sure this spider did
not dig the hole in the normal ivaij. Accordingly, Mar, 8,
I prepared a jar of wet clay. Up to 1 1 p. m. the spider had
not begun work, but in the morning the work had not pro-
gressed too far for me to observe it. The spider begins the
burrow in a manner similar to that practiced by Nidivalvata
Marxli by pressing the earth aside from a central point with
its anterior legs, using also its mandibles, but it is much slower
in its movements than' N. marxii. Paehy/omerus turris is
the spider represented in fig. 15 and 16 of Plate III.
excavating in a "novel way." In making the trap
door, sometimes when in this position tt would cement the
particle to the door by pressing on top of the door with its
posterior legs, against the ventral surface of the cephalotho-
rax. When the hole was about 3cm, deep it would occa-
sionally take earth out in the normal way.

It will be seen that the habit of this spider is not wholly
nocturnal in building its nest During the month of July
while I was at Ithaca, N. Y., I had a specimen of P. carahi-
vorus make a nest for Prof. Comstock. This was made en-

trap-door spiders which inhabit climates less favored than that of Men"
tone." He also speaks of a Lycossa that is said to close her nest in Can
nes in winter. I.atreille, in Mem Soc. Hist. Nat. Paris, (an VII, de la
Repubique) p. 124, says "L'araignee tarentule ferrae aussi son habitation,
mais cet opercule n'est pas mobile, et n'est construit que pour I'hiver." I
have on stveral occasions found that P. cnrahivorus. after eating one or
two beetles, fastens down the lid with silk. Nklivalvafa Marxli, I have
found fastens the door at times (See Amer. Nat. \o\. XX, p. 592.)

O. P. Cambridge, in Annals of Nat. Hist 1878, 5th series. Vol. I, p. 107,
says that in all cases that came under his notice the upper extremity of
the nest of ^f?/p?t.s' p/Vf'u.s was without any perceptible orifice. He finally
came to the conclusion that the spider gnawed its way out and then
closed it with fresll thread again. These examples seem to indicate that
spiders will very frequently at least fasten the doors to their nests during
a period of rest, when inactive and more liable to be injured, when hav-
ing had sufiicient food, and perhaps sometimes at regular periods when
not engaged in watching for food. It seems reasonable to suppose that
in climates where the spiders are in a torpid state they would fasten their
doors during this period.

36 . JOURNAL OF THE

tirely during the day. By reference to the young trap-door
spiders it will be seen that -l\ 4-.syjmo.s'?t,s' works just about as
well in day as at night.

Neni of Nidivalvata marxiL The first one of this species
which I found was taken Jan. 2, 1886, and which I have
formerly mentioned as making in captivity a " folding door."
In tearing up some moss I observed a tube in the bottom of
which was the spider. Whatever there was at the upper end
of the tube was destroyed in removing the moss, so that I
have not had an opportunity to observe the door to the nest
where the spider makes its nest in a patch of moss. I have
found several nests of this species by gathering moss. In
all there were what appeared to be branches just above the
surface of the p:round at the base of the moss. These I re-
gard as avenues in which the spider would search, or lie in
wait, for ants.

In captivity this spider made a very interesting nest with
folding doors (See figs. 17 and 18 Plate IV) and I believe it
is with some such arrangement that it closes its tube in a
state of nature, for the spider makes use of it in catching its
prey, as will be described in the food habits of this species.
This kind of a duor, I believe, has never before been seen or
described, and adds one to the different types of nests which
Mr. Mop;i^^rid?>^e has described and named."" The v\<A\t name
for this. type should be "double door," but as Mr. Mog-
gridge has used that name for a nest which has two doors,
one at the upper end of the tube and another some distance
below at the opening of a branch in the main tube, it cannot
be applied to this one. So I have called this new type the
folding (loornesf, from the manner in which the door opens
and shuts.

This species begins the excavation of its tube by parting
the earth from a central point with its anterior legs and palpi
turning around at the same time so as to push the earth on
all sides. It works with exceeding rapidity, and in this re-
spect is in strong contrast with the members of the genus
PacJiylomr.rus, though the young ones of that genus work
more rapidly than the older ones. When beginning the
nest in a patch of moss the spider will dive down in the
moss and begin turning rapidly in all directions, at t!ie
same time spinning threads to fasten together the pieces of

*-HiuTesting Ants and Trap-Door Spiders ; and Supplement.

I

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. ^7

moss around and over it. I have watched four diFfcrent
ones make the nest, two beginning in moss which I had
placed over the earth, and two beginning in soil. Two of
these I had make a nest several times, and thus' far every
one has first entirely closed the entrance to the tube by
building a sort of dome above it. Later, in one case a
week, cutting through this and making the folding door.'
Usually while a.t work near tlie surface of the earth it will
burrow out in different directions and elevate the surface of
the earth. This I think is partly for the purpose of provid-
ing a place to put the earth which it excavates from the
lower portion of the tube as I have seen these filled up; and
in one specimen, after the tube was about 2 cm. deep I ob-
served the same habit of digging and cementing to the edge
of the tube, as observed in the case of P</chf/fo)ncru.'i cinih/-
voriiH and ^.-f^pinosus. This individual made the dome by
carrying up three sides regularly until it had completely
covered the entrance. Usually in making the dome earth is
placed on and about the i^d^g^:! of the tube, occasionally ap-
plying viscid liquid and spinning threads over it. Then the
spider would, with its anterior legs and palpi pull the edge
over the tube. This operation would l^e repeatetl until tlie
dome was complete," When moss is convenient the door is
made almost entirely of moss and silk ; each door is a sur-
face of a half circle, is hung by a semicircular liinge, and the
two meet, when closed, in a straight line over the middle of
the hole, as shown in fig. 18, Plate IV. Every night (I ob-

' Note — In the Encyclopedia Briitanic.-i, 9'h edition, 1875, Vol. II,
p. "I'M, O. P. Cambridge says: '* Tlu^ present wriier wns once told ])y a
gentleman wlio had lo meily lesifh^-d in the ^^■'(!8t Indies that trap-door
spid( rs invariably ma le tlu; tube; and lid ol"ouo continuoiH, solid, homo-
geneous piece, and tlit^n cut out tlie lid wit'n the fVilci rs. Th's acf',ount,
e>ip(^ci:diy as coming from a non NMtni-alist setans impi()bal)le,a spider's
faI(HMS being in no way titled a,p uentiy for such an oixsratiou " Where
tlie silk lining was thin, it would be a V' ly easy matter for a spider to cut
through, and then repair the r)nghness by cemcnnng on particles. It is
pr»)t ably iiu exagg! ration t<» say that they " invariably" construct them
ui that nianiur, ' ut 1 should not be surpri.-ed it s-onic species made the
trap-door in the manner de-criticd by this non " naturalist."

•I have never seen this sj^idcv p.e-s the lid on tlui i n i of its mandi-
bles as do."s /'. cnr<th>ri>r>is. I think this slitiws th;! adaptjition of the
spf^. iai a,]-iiifitnr'' <»1' the inandbile of /'. r/trahir'^rns, and related forms,
for fastening the eattli to Ihe lid. /'. riirah.v 'ms usuaby makes no
thrcMd in applying the viscid rnjuid to the <!oor u Idle adding particCs,
but ptit' it on as a i'mnid. 'i'he large point of the; mandibles, which is
covere I with shoit strong spines serves a!mirably to pun<di the e irth
irregularly int^) the portion of the door already made, and causing it
to adhere firndy.

38 JOURNAL OF THE

served one in my room for tliree months) the spider would
throw open its doors as shown in fig. 17, Plate IV and in the
morning close them. If I opened the door during the day
time the spider would invariably come up and close it, but
never immediately, and never did it offer to catch the door
and resist its opening. When members of this genus build
their nest under stones, as they sometimes do, if the stone is
elevated from the earth in one place the spider builds the
tube above ground to the under surface of the stone, and
here makes some sort of door, I have never been able to see
just what, but probably very much like the ones made in
captivity. A longitudinal section of one of these nests which
I found under a stone is shown in fig. 11, Plate IV, the sur-
face of the ground at a and the mouth of the tube at b. On
turning over the stone I saw what I thought was the cocoon
of a moth, from Avhich the insect had escaped at the upper
end. I picked it up, and discovered the tube which I found
about 12 inches deep, with the spider' at the bottom. This
nest, perhaps inappropriately, I have called the hrdl dunr nest,
because of the enlargement just within the entrance. This I
consider would be of advantage to the spider in managing
the door while catching an ant. The portion above
ground was made of loam and leaf mold cemented with vis-
cid liquid and lined on the inside with silk. So far as I have
observed, the members of this genus line only that portion
of the nest with silk which is liable to cave in near the upper
portion of the tube.'^

Nest of MyrmekiapJdlafoUata.

The nest of this species is not constant in type, and shows
widei variation in different individuals than any of those thus
far described ; but when taken in connection with the food
habit of the species there does not seem to be a very great
departure from a common type.

The first individual was collected March 13, '86 by my-
self. In collecting specimens of ants and their root feeding
" cows " (Aphides) which they were protecting through the
winter, I found a trap-door on turning over a stone. The
tube I traced down about 14 inches, when I came upon and
struck the spider off at one side. In doing so I broke off a

' Nidivalvatn angustnta.

'^ I have observed the same thing with Myrinekiaphila foliata.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 39

leg and palpus so that the spider died the next day. At the
time I thought the spider must have underground galleries
in which it hunted for ants similar to the galleries in the
moss of the nest of iV^/f//iT//i/Y//a marxii. But since finding
the nests of other individuals I think there must have been a
branch from the main tube with a trap door, and the soil
being so full of rocks I failed to find it.

The second individual I collected on the morning of Apr.
6, '86, while digging into a side hill with a southern expos-
ure for white ants (7Vrme9 ^r/r/p'-s). Discovering a tube I
traced it until I found at one side a trap door opening into a
short branch. In this I found a fine specimen of trap-door
spider. The nest I concluded belonged to the type called
by Mr. Moggridge, *' Double door branched nest," but dif-
fers from that in having a cork door instead of a wafer door.
I did not see the door at the end of the main tube, it there
was one, as the soil was very loose and rocky, and every
trace would have been destroyed before finding the main
tube.

The third individual was collected in the afternoon of the
same day, by one of the students, D. E. AVoodley. The
tube ran under a stone, a trap-door was at the upper end,
but the branch and second door was not seen. Mr. Wood-
ley said, however, that it might have escaped his notice as
the tube was not traced out very clearly.

The fourth individual I collected Apr. 6. On turning over
a stone I saw what is represented in fig. 16, Plate IV, except
that the trap door was closed, and the spider was in the tube
a short distance below it. The space above the trap door is
a portion of an ant's nest, h is the entrance from the surface
of the earth ; a, «, is a broad hall-way leading off into galler-
ies on the side. The spider had come down at h, undoubt-
edly during the night while the ants were quiet, unconscious
of the purpose cf their terrible enemy, dug the hole in the
center of this hall-uay, and covered it with a trap-door be-
fore the ants were stirring at the break of day. The soil
was in a good condition for tracing out the tube, which I did
very carefully and found neither branch nor second door, so
that this nest was of the type si mjle cork (h)<n\tuil>r(nK'h('(l nest .

The fifth I collected on the same day and not more than
10 feet distant. Turning over a stone I saw a tube which
ran down one of the perpendicular sides of the hole, in
which the rock fitted, then along the bottom to near the cen-
ter of where the stone lay. Here it disappeared taking a

40 JOURNAL OF THE

perpendicular direction again. I ran a straw down this tube
and felt the movements of the spider. The spider would not
seize the straw, as they sometimes will, and soon I could no
longer feel the movements. I theii dug carefully around
the tube, and at the depth of about ten inches struck the
spider, splitting open its caput. This happened because the
spider was in the branch : when I first ran the straw into the
tubes she was in the main tube, and probably being frighten-
ed ran into the branch and caught hold of the door. This
confirms what Mr. Moggridge believes to be the case with
spiders making a double door branched nest, that when an
enemy succeeds in getting entrance to the main tube the
spider will run into the bnmch.' This nest is represented
in fig. 15, Plate IV. Though the tube is represented nearly
natural size the length is much fore-shortened. The space
represented by the dotted lines <i and l> was 10 inches for
each. The spider was found at h ; the cork door can be
seen at c.

Another specimen was found, about which, unfortunately,
I have no record or recollection, except that it was collected
sometime during the spring. This, though I have not given
it a careful examination I believe to belong to the same
species. I left it in the possession of Dr. Geo. Marx, at
Washington.

The specimen collected Apr. 6, I placed in a jar of earth
to see what kind of a nest it made in captivity. For several
days it showed no signs of working. Finally I found it bur-
ied in the earth much as J/idltxflccfd- nuirx'n is, when having
just completed the dome over the tube, and from the appear-
ance of things I think the burrow was started, and the dome
made in the same way as in the case of that species. The
next day in place of the dome, in which there was no moss,
was a perfect cork door with an abundance of moss in it.
The spider had evidently cleared away the dome, which was
made of earth and silk, and made the door of new material.

When I lifted up this door the spider would catch hold of
it. In a few days I found this door fastened down and that
end of the tube filled with earth for a distance of 5 cm. The
tube extended in a circuitous direction for 10 cm. or more
where it came to the surface and was closed by another
nicely fitting trap-door: I think the spider was alarmed at

'Harvesting Ants and Trap-Door Spiders.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 41

the discovery of her nest, and attempted by this strategy to
deceive her enemy. If the jar of earth had been more capac-
ious, and a longer time given the spider, she might have
made a branch and second door.

Food liahifs. I have not yei had an opportunity of mak-
ing very extensive observations on the food habits of these
species, and cannot say that each one is confined to the in-
sect for which I am certain it lias a special fondness as an
article ofdiet. Of the speci es of /'ac/u/lonicrns my observa-
tions have been confined to 'P. carftblvortis. I have already
stated the fondness which this speeies has for carabid beetles,
and though killing several ants and flies did not use them
for food. During July, while at Ithaca, N. Y., I fed several
carabid beetles to a 7^. cir-foloorus which I had alive. June
20, I placed a TtiTo-sfichnJi 1 uciihlo nilus\ Say, in the bottle con-
taining the nest of the spider. During the night the spider
came out of the nest, caugt the beetle, ate it and ejected the
hard parts from the nest. July 1st, it disposed of a 'Pterjst'i-
r./ius Sat/i\ Brulle. June 29 it ate a beetle of the genus
ChhviiiiiH. At another time it ate three good sized beetles
of the genus Chhi^nius in one night.

The observatiion which I made on iVidiuaJvahi Afarxii in
captivity are very interesting. I noticed that at night the
spider would throw its doors wide open'' as shown in fig. 17,
Plate IV. One evening I placed several in the jar containing
the nest. When an ant approached so near the door as to
send communication to the spider of its presence, the spider
sprang to the entrance, caught a door with the anterior legs

' I am iariebted to Prof J. A. Comst jck for the identitication of the
species of beetles.

- The position of Nhlwalvdn in the subfamily Krwchniili cp shows its
near relation to the Ah/]>him I liave often been struck with ns likf ness
to the A'}iph:(p,, especially in the kin<l 'f ^^ nest it makes, Hnd though I
l)ave never seen an .4///2>".v, nor one of its nests, I have often ( oncluded
tliat ln>m the form o' lis nest i' must be somewliat similar to J^'idivdlvaia
in architectural habit, and that i1h^ |<rcsen<',e of a (]<)f)]\ (r covtrir^ for
the tMitraiure to its nest insiead ot'b' ing wanting, lias Ix't'n overl<r krc* ;
Ibat in the ca-es where 'he nest was open, accident had removed ihe,
door. What (>. P. Cambridge says in Annals of Nat. Hist. 4'h s^eries
1875, Vol. XVI, p. 240 -A\, seems to me to indicate that Afi.p'is is very
similar in h ibit to this genus JNTot only in the form of the nest, but in
its food habit. He says that on one occasion a nest which apparently
had no oritice was buried in a box of earth; subsequently the uibe was
observed with a wide open mouth, and again was closed the following
morning. The spider probably opens the doors at night to watch lor
food, and closes them in the morning as doei iV. marxii.

42 JOURNAL OF THE

on either side, and pulled them nearly together, so that there
was just space enough left for it to see the ant when it crossed
the opening. When this happened, the spider threw the doors
wide open, caught the ant, and in the twinkling of an eye
had dropped back to the bottom of the tube with its game.
This I saw repeated several times during the months of Jan-
uary and P\^bruary. At one time I placed a large cricket in
the jar. The spider made several attempts to capture it but
was not strong enough. It would probably eat crickets
when fortunate enough to catch one. I think also that it
would eat small carabid beetles, for I found several in the
moss where I collected the spider. I have found the remains
of ants in the nests.

I hav^e made no observations on Mf/DnrkiapIuJn/o/uf.'n in
captivity, but from the location of their nests it is quite
evident that the members of this species are extremely fond
ofants, and seek to build their nests either directly in an ants
nest or in close proximity to it. I think in some cases it is
intended that the main tube shall be used as a passage for
ants, so that by coming out of the branch the spider can
capture its food, for it is certain in these which I have ob-
served that the external door is either wanting or old and in
a neglected condition, while the door at the branch is kept
well repaired. If I am correct in this conclusion it would
account for the apparent variation noticed in the kind of
nest built by this species. In the nest represented in fig. i6,
Plate IV, the entrance b, and^the landing ((, a, of the ants'
nest answers for the main tube of the spider, and only the
one tube and trap-door is required for the use of the spider.'

' Note. — There ^^viriently is quite a variation, even with the same
species, in the kind of a nt St which trap-door spiders mnlce. As these
prove to be very iDtelligent creatures, I beli« ve the vary in the «'ou-
siruction of ihe nest as ihe conditio s of their environment varies, an i
that tliey adopt that plan which provides for them the safest abode, and
at the sime time will serve them the best as a trap At the same time
we must not lose sight of a common typn, wliich, with some useful
variati(ms, each species follows; though specie- otdiffiijent genera may
n)ake the same kind of h nest, and be identical in food habit, srecies of
the same genus may yary with regird to the C')mmon type; so that »he
use of msts, and food habits, becomes of less \alue ihan has b eu h' re-
tofore supposed by S'>me f )r purp 'ses of clas-ification.

Mr. Moggridge says, "H. A. and T. D, Spiders" Supplement, pp. 230,
and 237 ; the range and distribution of a sptcies largely I'epeud upon the
niture of its food, aud this will also bean indication of the rivals, etc, —
''and in many cases even the .structure ^nd position of its dwelling place
will be governed by this same all — important question of food supply.

Rev. O. P. Cambridge, at that time came to this conclusion, "and in

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 43

DESCRIPTIONS.

Prefatory Note. It is not surprising that in a collection
of some forty specimens there would be found several
species, nor that a large number of these would prove to be
new and undescribed forms, where so little attention has
been given to spiders in general, and especially those of the
order Territelarice, as has been given in America.

It has been a great pleasure to me to observe the nests
and habits of so many of these creatures, which by their
solitary and secluded life generally escape our observation.
It has seemed necessary, that, in connection with interesting
descriptions of their nests, architectural and food habits,
these forms should be described and named. So interested
have I become during the past year in the work of N. M.
Hentz, that it would have given me more pleasure to find a
specimen described by him than to find a new form. I feel
sure that I have found one of his species, and possibly one
other related species. I undertook the work of description
with great reluctance, and have found it to be no small task.
But my labors have been greatly lessened and I have been
sensibly encouraged by the kindness of Dr. George Marx, of
Washington, Prof J. H. Emerton and Samuel Henshaw, of
Boston. Dr, Marx loaned me works from his private library,
Prof Emerton placed for my study his excellent collection
of Arachnological publications, and specimens for compari-
son, which are now in the Mass. Inst. Tech., and showed me
further kindness in directing me to the most useful works in
the Library of the Boston Natural History Society. Mr.
Henshaw also aided me in the same way and gave me the
use of the specimens of Territelarice which are in the Museum
of the Society.

I have also found works in the Boston Public Library
which have aided me.

In the value of generic and specific characters I have been

the present case it is very important, as well as interesting, to conclude
with som certainty that differences of type in the tubular ne^ts of the
spiders Mr. Mcgti ridge has observed so closely and accurately, are joined
to Well marked specific differences etc. "Harvesting Ants and Trap-
Door Spiders, Supplement p 301." Later, Cambridge doubts such close
union of specific character and architectural habit, for he finds nests of
Atypufi piceus varying greatly in construction. (Annals of Nat. Hist.
1878, 5th series, Vol. 1, p. 107.) From nests made in captivity, I know
that Pachyhmerus hirris 'and Nidivalvnta anguslata make different nests
according as the environments change.

44 JOURNAL OF THE

guided by those adopted by Anton Ausserer\ and the Rev.
O. P. Cambridge', who have given considerable study to
members of the Territelarice.

I have followed the classification adopted by Ausserer in
his Beitraege zur Keiintidss dtr l^rritelaricB.

I subjoin, for clearness, a brief synopsis of his Classifica-
tion.

Suborder Territdarice. This was divided by Thorell into
3 families, as follows *

2, lung sacs Catadisoid(s.

4, luner sacks,

a. AYithout spint) erets Liphistoidice'

b. With spinnerets TheraphosoidcB ^

The family Theraphosoidae, Thorell, is further divided into
three subfamilies as follows :

Maxillge well broadened at the base, palpi inserted laterally, . Atypinae Thorell
Maxillae little broadened at base, palpi inserted laterally

Eriodontinse Ausserer.
Maxillffi not broadened at base, palpi inserted on the end,

Theraphosinae Thorell.

The Theraphosoidae are then further divided into two
groups, based on the relative elevation of the caput above
the throax.

a. Caput well elevated, ^picephoM'

b. Caput not much elevated, Tapinocephali.

In specific descriptions I have endeavored to not repeat
characters which seem at present generic, so that in most
cases it will require both the generic and specific characters
to identify a single species ; for this reason I have given the
characters of the genus Tachylomertcs, established by
Ausserer.

Family THERAPHOSOID^, Thorell.
Subfamily Eriodontinae, Auss.

1. Genus Nidivalvata, n. gen.
(nidus, nest, valvata, having folding doors.)
(PI. V, figs. 8, 9, 10, 13, 23.)
Ceph'x little longer than broad ; greatest breadth at middle*, tapering
very gently and equally to both ends ; edges of posterior half slightly
scalloped ; small, deep, circular, depression in center from which radiate
to edges of ceph'x 6 depressed lines quite well marked. Caput well ele-
vated, sloping to thorax gently, not broadly a' died as in Murmekiaphilt.
In front, caput gently drawn to a short, blunt point about which the eyes

' Beitraege zur Kcnntniss der Terrielariae, Auss. 1871, and Zweit.r
BeitrfHg, etc., 1876.

- Encyclopedia BritaDuica, 9th, Ed. pp. 291 and 597, Harvesting Ants
and Trap Door Spiders, Moggridge, and Supplement.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 45

are crowded. Eyes can be better described by speaking of them as X>e-
ing in three groups ; the anti-centrals a diameter or less distant and sit-
uated at the top and on sides of the hill ; on each side of these, not far
separated is a group of three eyes forming a crescent with the concavity
toward the midd e group; the eyes in this group nearly or quite touch
each other. Fig 8, PI. V, represents the eyes as seen from the Iront at an
angle of 45^ to a plane parallel with the base of the ceph'x

With this view the ant- and pott-laterals form a trapezium, base at
post laterals one-fourth larger than opposite side; height about one-
third of base, post centrals slightly in front of base of trapezium. Ant-
laterals comparativtly large; others varying in relative size in different
fcpecies, and it may be found that the relative position varies also as in
Pachylomerus. Maxillae extended in front, but not so much as in Eriodon.
Fig. 10 represents a maxilla showing insertion of palpus. Labium
triangular, distal end rounded, longer than broad at iDase. Mandibles
strongly kneed in front of pprpendicular clypeus.

About half or less than half as long as ceph'x , br )ad and deep, armed
with a compar.itively strong fang ; the inner edge only of furrow for re-
ception of fang arme I with terth ; upper and inner edges of anterior half
armed with short spines, which also extend part way around base of
fang.

Legs 4, 1, 3, 2. 4, 1, 3. 3, or 4, 1, 2, 3 ; palpi long. 3 tarsal claws.
Claw of palpus unarmed. Abdomen short oval. Spinnerets 4, the upper
pair long and slender.

1. Nidivalvata marxii, n. sp.' female 1 specimen.

(PI, V, figs, 8, 9, 10, 13, 23.)

Ceph'x broadly oval 6 mm long by 5 mm. broad Caput back of
ocular prominence not perceptibly elevated, slope down to depression in
center of ceph'x gradual. Caput in front not much contracted on sides.

Radial depressions all quite deep ; the posterior one of the laterals on
each side, seeming to unite with the central depression. The depressions,
though distinct in this specimen, have d<-epened somewhat by alternately
being in alcohol and in the air while being studied.

In each anterior radial depression on sides of base of caput is a well
marked depres-ion, though not deep

Post-central eyes fully as large as the ant centrals, eyes of the outer
group almost or quite touching. Ant-laterals dark orange, remainder
transparent, legs 4, 1. 3, 2. 3rd 12 mm., 2d Hi mm. Sternum longer
than broad, with three distinct circular punctures on each side. Abdomen
])roadly oval and bluntly rounded at eacti end ; on ventral surface nar-
rowed in front

Armature Very few hairs ; short and fine on abdomen, longer and
darker on the 4 distal joints of legs. Metatarsus IV, w.th a row 01 spines
on each side, and one on under side, with additional spines at each end;
tibia IV, witli few long spines irregularly placed on upper side, 3 dis-
tinct rows, two on under side and one on anterior side, with extra spines
at each end. Patella two double rows ot spines on upper surface.
Metatarsus III, 4 rows of spines, two upper and two lower edge: spines
irregularly placed on upper side. Patella III, patch of spines on upper
anterior surface, broadesr, at distal end; this is separated from a few
spines on the p)steri()r surface by an oblique denuded line. Metatarsus
II, two double rows of spines, one on anterior surface, and one of long
spines on under surface; tibia II and I, double row of long spines on
under surface, and single row of short spines on anterior surface. Met-

^ In honor of Dr. Geo. Marx.

46 JOURNAL OF THE

atarsus I, three rows of long spines on under and anterior surface Palpus,
tarsus and tibia a somewhat double row of long spines on each si'Je;
patella, one or two spines on interior surface

Labium separated from sternum by a deep farrow.

Colors. Upper surface Ceph'x and legs, olive browm. Under surface
legs dull yellowish Sternum a little darker. Maxillae dull rufous, with
reddish hairs. Ocular prominence black. Ablomen dull yellowish un-
derneath, brownish yellow above, wjth two rectangular rich dark brown
spots on anterior end Mandibles rufous. Colors little change 1 in al
cohol, not so bright however, and marks on abdomen aisappeared.

2. Nidivalvata angustata n sp. female 2, specimens.

Ceph'x oblong, 5f mm long by 4 mm broad Caput in front below
eyes perceptibly narrowed; caudad of ocular prominence perceptibly
elevated, making the descent to the thorax steeper than in N. marxii.
Legs 4, I, 2, 3. Anterior central and 1 teral eves dark, the others light ;
posterior centrals much smaller comparatively than in iV". m irxii, ani the
lateral groups of three distinctly separated. Radial furrows on thorax
not so deep as in N. marxii. Otherwise the same.

II Genus MYRMEKIAPHILA, n. gen.

{murmekia, ants' nest or hill plulos loving )

(PI, V, figs. 6, 7, 12, 14 and 23.)

Ceph'x perceptibly longer than broad, nearly J- : crescent shaped de-
pr'S^on^ distance from posterior edge, convexity caudad, ends not so
extended as iu Pachylomeru^; 6 radial lines, s )metimes qui e indistinct.
Greatest width about the middle, narrowing gently to the anterior end,
and more percepdbly t )ward posterior end

Caput large, high and broadly arched in the anterior f , then steeply
descending to depression aad narrowing on the sides to this point.

Eye^. Anterior and posterior laterals forming a rectangle, the height
of which U equal to two fifths the b ise. Ant-laterals oval, largest ; p jst-
centrals near the post laterals; ant-centrals ia a line aboat f from bise of
rectangle. Legs 4, 1,2,3. L ibium, trapezoidal, shorter thaa broad at
base. Maxillse extending forward not quite so muc;h in proportion as in
Nidivalvata. See fig 12, Plate V.

Mandibles, half or more than half as long a3 ceph'x slightly kneed in
front of mirgin of caput, aroaed with a strong faog.

Inner edge only of groove for reception of fang armed with short
teeth; Iront of mandible, on the inside of the insertion offmg < rawn out
into a three cornered toothed pr jection, much as in Pa':hylomerus, but a
little smaller ; short teth along anterior half of inner upper eJge of
mandibles, and few at base of fang. Abdomen elongate, cylindrical,
tapering gently to each end. Spinnerets 4, upper pair medium size and
length.

I have been somewhat in doubt about placing this genus

in the subfamily Eriodontuiae, as it has some affinities with

members of the subfamily Theyaphosince, division JEpice-

phali. But I think, after a comparison of the maxillae, with

those of Cteniza, Nemesia, and Eiui/pelma, some species of

which have a prolongation of the inner distal end, that the

character of the maxillae would place it in the subfamily

Eriodontuiae. If, however, it should prove to belong to the

Theraphosinae, it would constitute a genus related with,

Aepycephalus, Cteniza^ Cytocarenum^ and CyrtaucJienius, in the

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 47

group Aepycephali. It can, however, be separated easily
from these genera by the following characters/

Aepyeephahis. ' Head high and somewhat pointed, ceph'x broad as
long, side e}es form a trap-zium, lip broad as long, etc."

Vteniza "Side eyes from a trapeziimi. Lip somi what three cornered,
spinnerets short ami thick Abdomen great, eggforme 1, etc."

Cyrlocfirenum. ' Ceph'x as m ( ^e7ai:a ; but head broader in front. Eyes
occupy whole breadth of head, a'^dom ;n and spinnerets as in Cienua,
etc."

Ci/r(auchenhis. "Foim of Ceph'x, ana position ol eyes as in Oyrioca-
rertLtn^ maadibits nut drawn int) a point, etc."

As the nesting and food habits singularly resemble those
of members of the genus Nemesia, and the form of the abdo-
men also, it might be confounded with that genus, which be-
longs to the group of TherapJiosinae called Tajn/ioccpludr^ as
Nemesiai, as being related to the genera above mentioned
represents the passage from the Aepycephali to the Tapino-
cephalL The generic characters given by Ausserer*'' however
easily distinguished it.

JVcmeMi, "Head h)W, little elevated above the thorax. Depression
with the concavity behind "

The specimen of Nemesia caementaria which I saw in the
Museum of the Boston Soc. of Nat. Hist, is readily distin-
guished generically from this.

1 . Myrmekiaphila f oliata, n. sp. female 5 specimens. (PI. V, figs.
6, 7, 12, 14, and 2z )

In addition to the generic chiracters are the following specihc charac-
t-TS Anterior ceotr il eyes'* situate 1 from each other aboui t)ne diameter.
Posterior lateral eyes a little larger than the ant-centrals. Post-centrals
slightly angulated a little smaller ihan the ant-centials, each one about a
diim^iter distant from the correspondinij: post lateral, and situated a very
litle cephalad of the base of rectangle bounding the lateral eye?. Ant
centrals on point of hill higher than tbe others. Ant-laterals lowest;
th^se and the post-laterals situated at bnse of the low hill for the eyes.

Legs of one of largest specimens. 4th, 21 mm. 3d, 14^ mm. 2d, 16
mm 1st, 17 mm., palpus il 5 mm. Ceph'x 9x7 mm.

In the anterior radial lines, on each side of the caput is an elongated
shallow depression. Two lateral radials on each side show a long, nar-
row, shallow depression, post radials indistinct in some Edges of ceph'x
slightly crenate, and showing shaUow, irregul-ir depressions: posterior
margin emarginate. Caput 3.5 mm. elevated above thorax.

Sternum 5 mm. long by 3.75 mm. broad, broadest part one-third dis-
tance from posterior end, distinctly angled. Labium slightly tmarginate.
Abdom m 10 mm. long by 7 mm .broad.

Armilure. Very few hairs, more perciptible on abdomen, and still
more so on th i three and four cistal joints of the legs, where the hairs are

> Beitroege zur Kenntniss der Territtlariae, Auss pp. 150. 151, 152, 156
and 161.

2 Beitraege zur Kenntniss der Teirit-lariae, Auss. p. 165.

^ It seems unnecessary to repeat the description of the eyes so far as
given for the genus. Soma variation should, however, be allowed for
other species which may be found.

48 JOURNAL OF THE

darker. Tarsus IV one or two spines on anterior side. Metatarsus IV
with four or five long spines on under side, distal end 1 or 2 near centre.
Tibia IV with scattered stiffhairs. Patella IV, upper and anterior side
with numerous slender spine-^, With quite a strong base. A broad long-
itudinal denuded space on upper side, divides this pach of hairs Femur
IV with a numbi-r of spines on distal upper end. Tarsus III, 2 spines on
under side. Metatarsus III, 1 or 2 spines on under, distal end, 1 or 2
more nrar middle ; two rows 3 or 4 ppints each on upper anterior, and
posterior ed^e Upper surface of tibia and patella III, covered with
spines, which are divided into two patches by an oblique, denuded, nar-
row space. Tibia III, shorter than patella III. Tardus II, 1 or 2 spines on
posterior under edg'^ ; mcatarsus II and I with 2 or 3 spines on under,
distal end, and 2 or three near middle. Dense row of hairs on anterior
arid posterior side of taisus and metatarsus I; palpus, tarsus as in I; tibia
with spine on under distal en i, and one or two near middle Labium
separated from sternum by a deep furrow. Maxillae and labium v/ith
very short, brown, strong spines at the oral extremities

Colors Ceph'x dull olive with a rufous tioge; legs more decidedly
rufous, except the femora which are piler atid indi-tinctly tinged with
yreen. Mandbl-^s, sternum, maxillae and labium decid -dly rufous.
Ends of mandibles darker Ocular prominence black; posterior eyes
li^ht; otr ers usually black. Abdomen dull yellowish; broad longitudinal
dortal band of delicate brown, from which branch on each side 7 bands
(if samf^ color, extending down midway of abdomen. Above colors from
a coholic specimens. Id some specimens the alcohol has entirely effaced
the foliation on the abdomen, but it was distinct in all the specimens
when a'ive. When alive the femora were of a delicate light, olive green.

Subfamily THERAPHOSIN^.

Group ^picephali
I. Genus FACIIYLOMERUS Ausserer.
"Cephnlotliorax nur wenig Unger a's breit, lang, nach hinten allmaeh-
lij; abfallend. Die halbkreisfoermige, nach vorn geoeffnete Rueckengrube
etwas hochliegend, da von hier der Thorax nach hinten noch fast unter
demselben Winkel sich abdacht wie der K<»pf, wsehrend bei verwandten
Gattungen hlnter der Grube der Th- rax fast horizontal verlseuft. — Augen
ctwas gedrsengt, auf niedrigem Huegel. Die vier ovalen Seitenaugen die
groessten, mitsammen ein Rechtecfe bildend, dessen Hoehe gleich der
halben Bisis. V^rdere Mittelaugen hoher sr^hend als die Seitenaugen.
Mandibles stark, wenig loenger als hoch, in eine mit Dornen bewaffnete
Spitze vorgezogen. Falzrand beiderseits mit einer Reihe starker Zsehne
bewaffnet. Lippe so lang, als am Grunde breit, vorn zugespitzt. Die
Extremiiseten der bei 'en Hinterpaare auffallend verdickt, ihre Schenkel
in der untern Haelfte baucbig aufgetrieben. Tibia III kurzer als Patella
III, oben an der Wurzel mit tiefem Eindrucke. Die beiden vorderen
Fusspaare und die Pa'p n female etwas schwach, ihre beiden Endglieier
untt-n Hach and beidfr?eits mit einem breiten Bande kurzer, st>rker,
di htgedraengTt-r Stacheln bewaffnet. Abdomen maessig gross, eiformig,
Spinnwarzen vier, etwas dick und kurz,''

Ausserer takes P. glaber Dall, as type of this genus and
says "ob die uebrigen vorLneufig hiereingereihten Arten wirk-
lich hierher gehoeren, lasst sich bei den etwas mangelhaften
Beschreibungen nicht mit voUer Sicherheit bestimmen.'"

' Beitrsege zur Kenntniss der Territelariae,Auss., p. 145 and 146.
^ Idem, p. 146.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 49

P. carolinensis Hentz, was one of those to which he refers.
I think he was right in placing it in this genus, but for the
relative position of the eyes, aud some slight difference in
the form of the labium there should be allowed some varia-
tion in generic character, which he undoubtedly would
have done, had he the opportunity to see the specimens.

1. Pachylomerus carabivorus, n. sp female. 5 specimens, (Plate
V, figs 1 and 4, and 20.)

Eijes. AnteriMi and posterior la'erals 'orming a trapezium; base '>f
which formed by the po,-t-laterals one-fifth longer than the opposite side.
Height about one-third of base. Vii.-w of eyts taken perpendicularly to a
plane parallel with the ventral surf ce of the ceoh'x. With this view
the ant- and po-t lateral eyes app ar elliptical in outline; but viewed
from a point toward whi h each eye may be said to ' look" they are
nearly circular n utline, ani app.-^ar like "dormer windows," from the
arched portion of the caput for each one. Fig. 3, Plate V , rep-esents
position aud re'ative size of the eyes as s^en from the v ew exi lained
above ; the arrows indicate the direction from which ihe greater number
of rays of light enter the eyes. Aline through the center of the ant cen-
tral eyes would pas=i a little above a line half way betw een the base and
O! posite side of the trapezium ; ant-centr^ls are s-ituated trom each other,
and from the ant-later% s about one diameter; receive the raj s of light
directly from above. Post-lateral eyes in line with base of trapezium, or
a trifle anter'or in some specimens, receive the rays of light from a point
ciudo-dor^al. Ant-lateral, largest, ant-central and post-1 tteral of about
equal size, post-central smallest, though in one specimen they are of
equal size with the ant-central and po.-t- lateral.

Ceph'x a liitle longer than bnwd at widest pa^^. In one specimen 9
mm. X 8 25 mm., anoth' r 11 mm x 10 mm.,.&c, U-shaped ('epression
situa'ed about two-thirds of the distance from the ant' rior margin of the
caput. Base of ceph'x 3.5 mm; posterior angles quite sharply defined;
Literal edg'% from posterior angle to point of greate-t width, straight
Greate-t height of ceph'x, 6 mm. Mandibles 3 5 mm. long x 3 mm. dc-p.
Abdomen 12 mm. long, whole leng h of spider 24 5 mm. Legs: 1st, 16
mm; 2d, 15.25 mm ; 2rd 15-25 mm ; 4th, 19 5 mm. These aie meajure-
ments taken from one individual. In some the legs are 4, 1, 2, 3.

Armature. The legs have few hairs, though more abundant on tibia,
metatarsus and tirsus, of all the legs, and patella III and IV.

Patella iV on sides of proximal half covered with very short sp'nes.
Anterior side of metatarsus and tarsus IV slender spines; a few spines
on under side, distal end of tibia IV. Trochanter III with a short papilla.
Anterior side and upper distal end o* patella III, whole upper surtare of
metatarsus III, and oistal end of tibia III, covered with short, strong,
black spines. On upper side of proximal end of metatarsus III is an
elongated denuded spot, which seems to be the miniature of the smooth
depression at proximal end of tibia III; tarsus III with few spines.
Tibia, mttat'-irsus and tarsus of II and I. and tibia and tarsus of palpus,
with dense row of short, strong, Mack s- pines on anterior and posterior
sides

Sternum with f.w hairs on c^ge, longer than broad, in one specimen
6.25 mm. by 5.75 mm., Sharply angled between the articulation of the
coxse; greatest breadth between coxae II and III.

Maxilla? longer than coxa I ; at edge of base a clustered row of short,
strong, brown spines; densely hairy with rufous hairs on anterior edge.
Labium broadest at base, distal end truncate, anterior angles well

50 JOURNAL OF THE

rounded ; as long or nearly as long as broad at base ; armed near distal
end with a few spines similar to those on the maxilla- ; separated from
the sternum by a deep furrow.

Colors. When alive. Ceph'x and legs def'p glossy black. Abdomeu
light brown End- cf ma < ibU s, hairs in end of mandible<^, and on
anterior edtfe of maxillie reddish. P-tclla IV alo reddish on upper sur-
face. Under par s iigher colored. M» mb nne CuULecting legs to ceph'x
a» d the joiuts of the legs whitish. When placed in alcohol thf glossy
black after a while disappears, and becomes a dark rufous brown, ends
of legs remaining darker because of the presence of numerous v«.ry short,
black spines.

Pachylomerus carabivorus. var. emarginatus, n. var. (fema'e
1 specimen.)

This seems to te a varietal form of P. carabivorus, Labium trapezoirlal,
anterior corners rounded ; shorter than broad at base. Ceph'x nearly
as broad as long, 10 mm. long Marginal configuration as in P. cara-
bivorus, except that the posterior margin is strongly emarginate. Wh le
upper portion of cepii'x seeriis to be elevated, showing quite a breadth
of membrane which c nnects it with the cox.ie. Middle portion of caput,
perceptibly elevat' d and broadened a 1 ttle caulad ol the eyes. Leg-*:
4 h, 23.5 mm; 3rd. 19.25 ri.m; 2d, 18.5 mm; 1st, 20 mm In fnmt of
ihe U-sliaptd depressi<m the caput is emar.inat^, the depressi-n ext'-nd-
ing for a short distance rephalad in the median line. This is seen to a
certain extent in some good specimens of P. carabivorus. Otberw.se as
in P, carabivorus.

Pachylomerus carolinensis, Hcntz. female 1 specimen. (Plate
V, figs 2 and 3, and 20.) Beitrage zur Kej ntniss <^er T err tetariae, Aus-
serer, 1871, p. 147. M gale carolinensis, Hentz ,. Boston Journ IV, p 53,
pi. VII, fig 3.

This specimen I am convinced is the same as the o-'C describ d by
Hentz as Mygale carolinensis. The description is very imperfect, and I
take this ( pportu' ity of mMkiog it a liiile more compl' te. and • a-y to
ident fy. Hjs description is as follows : ' Brownish, very gh^ssy ; cep-
hal thorax with :wo slii^ht impressions near the base ; abd« men black-
ish, not glossy; third joint of the third pair of I gs very short and
crooked; feet 4, 1. 3, 2." Tbe spinal armature is the S'unp as in P cara-
bivorus,hut the ceph'x and arrangement ot eyes are quite distinct. Ceph'x
longer in proportion to m idth than in P. carabivorus, 10 mm. x 8 mm.
in th's specimen. U-shaped depression situated more than two-thirds
the distance from anterior margin of caput, making caput larger in pro-
portion. In the curve f the U shaped depression, theri is scarcely any
depression ; a very faintly depres.-ed line, which is quite readily seen
because it is very dark, connects the two well marked depressions at the
anterior ends of the U. As Hentz's specimen was a small one, these de-
pressions would be smaller than in the specimen I have. Had it been a
well marked U-shaped depression, he would have noted it, as he has in
the case of May gale trancata.^

Caput caudal of eyes slightly elevated, making the slope quite steep.

Kadial depressions distinct, straight. Base of ceph'x 4 mm; angles not
sharply defined; lateral edge from posterior angle to point of g latest
breadth curved, with convexity ou; ward, fig. 2, pi. V, represents the
ceph'x 01 this species. By comparing it with fig. 1, can be seen the dit-
ferences of the two species in the configuration and markings.'-' Fig- 3

' Boston Journ. IV, p. 55. Spiders of the U. S. N. M. Hentz, p. 16, pi.
I, fig i.

"^ The curvature of the lateral radials I do not think is constant.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 51

ffprefents the eyes of p. (■nr()lin''n.sis ; fig. 4 of P. cnrahiroi'Hs ; fig 19
tarsal claw, spur at base with a, small spine on each side ht it3 base;
fiistan of this a sp're divicUd at the end Labium as long or longer
than broad at base.

Eyes. Ant- and post-laterals form a trapezium as in P. carahivorvs, but
the ant centrals are situate don a line hallway between the base of the
trapezi im and the Of posite side ; the pnst-laterals and cenirals forma
curved Ime with convexiiy caudad, instead ■ f a straight line as in P.
carahivorvs.

Sternum as broad as long, 5 mm., broadest part one third from caudal
end.

M}j<jnle .solMltiolifi.^ Hentz : I am inclined to think, is the
male of this species. The depressions in the ceph'x are
similar, the difference in the lengths of the 2d and 3rd pair
of legs is not of much specific importance in many species.
The depressions on the abdomen are just what will appear
in any of these species, when the abdomen becomes small
for want of food, or after the depositing of eggs. In nearly
all specimens either one, two, or three, or more pair of cir-
cular depressions can be seen. When the abdomen shrinks
the space between the depressed dots of each pair becomes
depressed in the form of a rectangle as seen in Hentz's
{\gurQ of Mj/'/alr solsfitifilis. The difference in color of the
two is not of specific importance, for the young of /\ mrahiv-
orns have a brow^nish ceph'x, the old a glossy black, and

when transferred to alcohol, this soon changes to brown.

Pachylomerus turris, n. tp. lemale, 1 specimen. (Pi. V, fig. 5)

L\ph'x 6 ij mm long x 6 n m bicjad. Mur^inal configuratit n ^a in P.
r.arnhv ms; lateral radial depressiors in torm of crescents with the
concavities caudad ; anterior ladial depressions indistinct, but marktd
by a de(p, smfill cylindrical punciure; aimature eame as P. cnmbhorvs,
with the exception of the lack here and Ihere of a few spines, which
may be accidental.

Sternum nearly as broad as long, distinctly angled between articula-
tions of coxa?. Labium shorter than broad at base, nearly triangular,
separated from sternum by a furrow.

Eyes. Upon the arrangement ot the eyes is laid the ffr^ atest stress in
establishing this species. Ant- fcind post laterals forming a rectangle;
posterior row curved with the cnnvex'iy caudad.

Tuft of hairs ondyi^eus with f w hairs; also very few hairs or signs of
th ir haviiigbeen any, in the th'ee lines caudad of tlie eyes.

Pachylomerus 4-spincsus, n. sp (PI V, fig. 21.)

Eyes as in P. -jirolnx nsis. L gs 4, 1, 3, 2, tibia III with deprrsiiion at
proximil end, but distal end not enlarged as in the other species. Ar-
mature very distinct from the other species. Patella IV with a number
of spines; distal end of patella and meta'arsus Til, two spines ; two on
proximal end of m* tatartus ai.d two or three on distal end of tibia III :
row of spine on each lower side 01 II hud I, arranged thus in each row,
one on tarsus, two on mttatar^us, and two on tibia; palpus with a row

I

Boston journ. IV. p. 56. Spiders of the U. S. N. M. Hentz, p. 17,
pi. l.f. 3.

52

JOURANL OF THE

on each lower side, arranged Son tarsus, 2 on tibia, one on patella, and
one on femur. Spines at ^ase of maxillae and on labium as in the other
species if l^achylomfms. All the spines on ihe legs are m dium length,
and not sho't as in the other spe( ies. Cej h'x and 1- gs pale rufous, ab-
domen 1 ght brown. Specimens young. Palpal claw is shown in fig.
21, plate V, at. b»se i-* a large short spine, winch has four divisions at Ihe
terminal end, the distal cne the longett, and the others decreasing suc-
cessively in length.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE V.

Fig.

I"

[ "
' It

m

r

(C

u
((

«

1

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

i^>

14.

9.

8.
10.
13.
11.
15.

16.

Ceph'x of Fachylomerus carahivorrs

c woiinfriais .

u

>(

{(

((

n
u
u

u
t(

(.1

<(

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23

Fig

Eyes of

carabivorus.
turris.
Myrmekiaphila foliata, dorsal view.

eyes of.
maxill " of
side vi^^w.
Nidivalvata ma rxii, dorsal view.

eyes of.
maxillae of.
" '* side view.

" an^iisiafa^ nest of.

Nest of Myrmek'Kiphihi. folkda ; dotted line at a represents bottom
of place where stone lay. Spdce represented by dotted lin s a
and (7, niuch f re-shortened ; />, where spider was caught; <\
trap door.

Nest of My) mekiaphUa foliata in an ant's nest; o^', landing in
ant's nest, hading off into galleries; />, entrance u> ant's nest,
d, tube of spider ; c, trap-door.
N» st of yidivalvaia marxii, open.
" " " " closed.

Palpal claw fema'e, of P. r.arolincnsis.
" " .« *t p carabivoi'us.

Palpal claw of P 4i-spino8us.
" " female of M. foliata.
" " " " N. marxii.

3. 1, 3, 6, 9, 13 and 14, about nrtural size.

SOME NEW SALTS OF CAMPHORIC ACID.

I. H. MANNING.

Although this acid has been known for over one hundred
years, comparatively few of its salts have been prepared and
studied. The present work was undertaken with a view of
extending this list, but was interrupted before very many
additions could be made.

The camphoric acid was prepared, according to the direc-
tions of Wreden, by dissolving 150 grams of camphor in 2
litres of nitric acid, sp. gr., 1.27, and heating the solution 50
hours on the water bath. The liquid was then satuated
with sodium carbonate, filtered, neutralized with hydrochloric

^.jV fi,^.Ji

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 53

acid, and the separated camphoric acid purified by crys-
tallizing from water. The yield was about the same as that
obtained by Wreden, when great care was exercised in the
purification by crystallizing fi'om water. The pure crystals
gave the melting point \y6°c. (uncorrected). A ten percent,
solution of caustic potash was saturated with camphoric acid
and the solution of potassium camphorate so obtained was
used in preparing the other compounds.

Manganese Camphorate. When a few drops of potassium
camphorate were added to a nearly saturated solution of
manganese sulphate in a small watch-glass, no precipitate
was formed until it had been heated on the water-bath. A
white amorphous precipitate was then gotten, which was
easily soluble in cold water. This could always be repre-
cipitated on heating. In preparing the salt on a larger
scale the mixture of potassium camphorate and manganese
sulphate was heated to precipitation and the precipitate
well washed with hot water. The precipitate was
then dried at 100°. If exposed in the moist condition it
showed browning. There was a slight discoloration even
when rapidly dried. At 150° decomposition was very slight;
at 200° it was marked. When some of the purified manga-
nese camphorate was dissolved in water and evaporated over
sulphuric acid a crust of the salt was obtained, but no crystal.

I. .2790 grammes of su' stance gave .0859 primines, Mn304

II. .4460 " " " " 1"80
III 4875 " ' " " .1330

landlU was determi'ei precipitjtiou as carliouate, II by ignition.

p. c. Mn. ca'c f.)und

Mn. Ci„H,,0, 23 07 1.22.07 11.21.39 III. 22.50

As it was very difficult to wash away all of the potassium
camphorate the low results are probably due to the presence
of the same as an impurity.

Chromium Camphorate. On adding potassium campho-
rate to a solution of chromium sulphate a heavy precipitate of
a biuish-green color is formed. This is not very soluble and
can be thoroughly washed with cold water. It can be dried
at ioo°c. losing all water at this temperature. Before reach-
ing 150° slow decomposition sets in.

Analysis.

I. 4280 gratnm'S of substance yi Ided on ignifon .0810 grra. Cr-j O3

II. 16870 " " * " •' " .134J " C'-o O,

calc found in I. found in II.

Or2 (Dio Hn 04)3 P.O. Cr 14 81 1^5 93 14 40

The Sample in I w as different fi om that in II and evidently nut so
pure. *

54 JOURNAL OF THE

Ferric Camphorate. A strong solution of ferric chloride
was precipitated with potassium camphorate, a bulky yel-
lowish precipitate was formed, quite insoluble in water and
hence easily washed. This gave on drying at ioo° a buft-
yellow powder. An analysis of this powder gave the per-
centage of iron as 19.34. The calculated percentage for
F^2 (^10 H,4 OJs is 15.86, This powder was then probably a
subcamphorate. It was treated once more with a moderately
strong solution of ferric chloride and again thoroughly
washed. Analysis of this gave p.c. Fe=" 18.84 ^^id 18.90.

Mercuric Camphorate. A white heavy precipitate is
formd in a. concentrated solution of mercuric chloride on
adding potassium camphorate. This was washed thoroughly
and dried at ioo°c. It forms a heavy white powder.

Analysis.

I. .4400 gramme of substance jielded .2150 grammes Fg.

II. .3ci40 " " " " .1920

calculated found in I. in II-

Hg. 50.25 4«86 50.00

ClO H14 O4

Chem. Laboratory, U. N. C.

DECOMPOSITION OF POTASSIUM CYANIDE.

I. n. MANNIJIG.

Under the head of "Condensation of hydrocyanic acid"
(Berichteder, d. chem. Ges. 18,1875) von der Pfordten dis-
cusses the discoloration produced in solutions of potassium
cyanide by the addition of free acids, or of certain salts, or
by simple heating the cyanide alone. This phenomenon
was examined and studied to a certain extent by Mr. Wilkes
in the first number of our journal (p. 19.) Herr von der
Pfordten speaks of the decomposition of the cyanide on heat-
ing some hours in a test-tube placed in a water bath, as being
due "probably to the long continued action of the carbon
dioxide of the air." That this could not be the case was
shown by Mr. Wilkes, who proved that the decomposition
took place in the cold with all carbon dioxide carefully
excluded.

The following experiment were undertaken to test th^
conclusion of Mr. Wilkes:

I. A saturated or nearly saturated solution of pure po-
tassium cyanide was placed in a tube which was then sealed.
Only a very nimute amount of carbon dioxide could have
been present, yet the various changes of color were observed
and after some weeks the liquid had become black and a
blackish deposit had formed.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY- 55

2. A similarly prepared tube was placed in boiling water;
within five minutes a change to brownish-red was noticed,
and the color lapidly darkened with the exposure,

3. A similarly prepared tube was fitted with cork and
tubes, and while it was in the boiling water carbon dioxide
was introduced. The changes were noticed very much as in
experiment 2; apparently they were slightly delayed rather
than hastened.

4. Into a tube prepared as in 3, hydrogen was passed in a
rapid continuous stream. The changes were greatly delayed
and no very deep discoloration was obtained.

5. If experiment 3 is so reversed that the carban dioxide
is passed above a cold solution of the cyanide, giving oppor-
tunity for its absorption, the change of color is rapid and
deep.

From these experiments the conclusion can be drawn that
though carbon dioxide hastens the decomposition of the
cyanide, as any free acid would do, yet it is not essential for
this decomposition.
Chem. Laboratory, U. N. C.

LEAD CHLOE^SULPHO-CYANIDE.

R G. GRISSOM.

This new compound of lead can be easily prepared by
acting on lead chloride with a strong solution of potassium
sulpho-cyanide. Freshly precipitated and recry.stallized
lead chloride was covered with a solution of potassium
sulpho-cyanide in excess, and allowed to stand for several
days. The liquid was then poured off and the residue
treated several times with boiling water until all was dis-
solved. This fractional solution was carried out to separate,
if possible, substances of different solubility. The fractions
rapidly deposited crops of crystals on cooling, but examina-
tion under the microscope showed that these crystals were
identical in crystalline form.

Analyses were made as follows :

.6220 gram, of subs-ance gave 5730 gram Pb SO, or 68.57 per ct Pb
1.0280 't » " '•' .7047 " " 0168.55 " " "

For chlorine and sulphocyanic acid 1.0700 grammes of

the substance was dissolved in water and precipitated with

silver nitrate. This was filtered and treated with strong

nitric acid thus oxidizing the sulpho-cyanide. After dilution

it was again filtered. The silver chloride was burned and

the sulphuric acid determined in the filtrate in the usual

way.

56

JOURNAL OF THE

1.0700 gram'5. of pubstanoe vielded .1321 rrams. of AgCe or 12.34 per ct.
CI and .8440 grams Ba ^O, or 19 62 perct CNS
calc. found

Pbo 68 46 68 57 68.55

CI2 1191 12 34

(0^S)2 19.41 - 19.63

The formula for the compound then is PbCl^. Pb(CNSX.
There is no water of crystalHzation and the substance can be
he.ited to 150° without decomposition.

The solution poured off from the original lead chlor-
sulpho-cyanide yielded mainly crystals of potassium chloride,
together with some unchanged potassium sulpho-cyanide.
The potassium sulpho-cyanide used was freshly prepared
and purified by frequent recrystallization.

It is proposed to pursue farther the study of these double
compounds of lead in the laboratory here.
Chem. Laboratory, U. N. C.

SOLUBILITY OF ALUMIN'A. IN SULPHURIC ACID.

R G GRTSSOM.

Ordinary commercial alumina is not very easily acted on
by sulphuric acid, and this solubility varies very decidedly
with the strength of the acid. The following experiments
were undertaken to determine at what concentration the acid
has the most powerful solvent action.

The sulphuric acid used contained 95.25 per ct. H, SO,.
Ten grams of alumina were put in a 200 c. c. flask, and the
mixture of sulphuric acid and water (cold) poured upon it.
A series of such flasks were heated to 30° for one hour. The
contents were then largely diluted and filtered as rapidly as
possible into looo c. c. flasks. The alumina was then deter-
mined in duplicate, using 25 c. c. for each determination.

c-c.

» C.

K tio

lii soive'i

Dis -solved

No.

H, SO4
5-4

H2O

H^SO, to H2O

AI2 'sSO^C

A'203 100° c.

I

0

20:1

1

1.6100

3.9300

2

5-4

I

4:1

1.2400

3

5-4

2.3

2:1

1.6000

4

5-4

4-9

1:1

2.76CO

5.2800

5

5-4

1 0.0

1:2

3.1200

6

54

15. 1

1-3

3.1800

5.8400

7

5-4

20.3

1:4

3.2000

8

5-4

25.4,

1:5

3.2400

6.0600

9

108

61. 1

1:6

3.5200

10

10.8

81.7

1:8

3.2400

II

10.8

102.3

1:10

2.6900

5.5200

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 57

In the last column Nos. i, 4, 6, 8 and 11, only were re-
peated and in the first four cases 10.8 c. c. acid were used, as
this amount suited better the weight of alumina taken and
the size of the flask. These experiments of course do not
determined the absolute solubility of alumina in sulphuric
acid. The temperature and length of exposure are both fac-
tors in the solution. They serve to show soley to what extent
it is advisable to dilute the acid in order to bring about the
greatest solvent action. The best ratio of dilution seems to
be 1:5 or 1:6.

Chem. Laboratory, U. N. C.

ANALYSIS OF WATER FROM THE ARTESIAN WELL AT

DURHA]VI, N. 0.

As this is the only deep artesian well in this State, it
seemed of interest to have an analysis of the mineral matter
held in solution by its water. A carefully drawn sample of
this water was therefore analized. The .sample was drawn
during the summer of 1885, about five gallons being sealed
in a new and clean demijohn and sent to this laboratory, under
the direction of Mr. J. S. Carr.

The analysis resulted as follows :

In one kilogram of the water,

K30

.00817 grammes.

NasO

.02352

4i

CaO

.06160

l<

MgO

.01717

u

FeO

.02400

i<

S0«

.00446

li

01

.03412

l<

SiO^

.06200

«

Total solids .2240

(i

Or expressed in grains per gallons.

Potassium chloride

29 grains

Sodium

chloride

8.84

Sodium

sulphate

.42

Ferrous

bic-.rbona'e,

31

• Oalcium

ibic;irbo(.ate

11.43

Magn siuni bicarbonate

3.65

Total solids by

evaporation,

18.86

This well is drilled through the older Mesozoic rocks. Ac-
cording to Mr. O. R. Smith, who had charge of the work,
the drilling was stopped at 1,650 feet without reaching over-
flowing water.. The cutting was mainly through sandstone,
and at. different depths brine and traces of oil and gas were

S8 JOURNAL OF THE

struck. A sixty pound charge of dynamite was exploded in
the hope of increasing the supply of water and by this the
well was blocked up to within 528 feet of the surface. At-
tempts at drilling through these obstructions failed, and the
explosion of an additional ten pound charge of dynamite
brought about no good results. An iron casing was there-
fore let down to this depth, and the water analized was
pumped from the 528 feet well.

F. P. Venable.
Chcm. Laboratory, U. N. C.

THE FERTILIZER TRADE IN NORTH CAROLMA IN 1886-

W. B. PHILLIPS.

About 100,000 tons of Commercial Fertilizers are used in
North Carolina annually, sold by 58 companies under 90
brands. Each brand pays an annual license tax of ^500.00.
Since the establishment of the Agric. Dept. in 1877, and the
inauguration of the fertilizer control by the Agric. Expt.
and Fert. Control vStation, the number of brands and con-
sumption of Commercial Fertilizers has shown a marked
increase.

Brands of Fertilizers entered and amounts consumed from
1879 to 1886, inclusive:

Oomsnruption-
short. tona.

60,000

80.000

85,000

92,000

95,000

95,000

95.000—100,000

95,000—100,000

Each brand is subject to analysis at the Expt. Station, and
the figures allowed for available Phosphoric Acid.

(Soluble and Reverted.") Ammonia and Potash at the
sea-board are as follows:

Gents per pound.

Available Ph( sphoric Acid, 7^^

AmmoDia, 16

Potash, (K2O) 6

Accapting these figures agreed upon by the State Chefrt-
i8t$ of North and South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama

Brands.

1879.

42

1880.

48

1881.

58

1882.

86

1883.

92

1884.

80

1885.

83

18S6.

90

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 59

the following table will show the commercial valuation of
the ammoniated super -phosphates ivith potash ("complete
fertilizer") from 1880 to 1886, inclusive, as given in the 1886
report of the N. C. Expt. Station, page 21.

1880
per ct

1882
per ct.

1883
per ct.

1884
per ct.

1885
per ct.

1886
per ct.

Aviiilable Pho3. Acid

7.40
2.70
13U

8.91
2fi0
1.82

8 59
2 33
.218

1^22.53

8.15
2.67
2.13

9.13
2.65
2 34

8 96

Amajonia

2.53

Potash

2.30

Valuation on 1886 basis

$21.04^*23 51

122 90

$24 52

$28.44

The following table will show where the brands used in
North Carolina are manufactured, (Rep. N. C. Expt Station,
i8«6, p. 21).

Massachusetts. .
Connecticut. . . .
New York. . . .

New Jersey

Delaware

Maryland

Pennsylvania.. .

Virginia

North Carolina.
South Carolina.

Total

1880

1881

1882

18»3

1884

1885

2

3

.^_

2

2

3

1

2

2

4

3

3

3

6

5

3

2

4

3

3

1

1

1

2

2

2

2

2

2

4

21

25

45

1

15

42

1

17

30

31

! '^

9

20

18

3

3

6

6

8

9

5

6

9

14

12

11

57

59

86

92

80

85

1886

1
1
3

8

4
35

1
21
10
11

90

6o

JOURNAL OF THE

The following table shows the amounts of Kainit, Guano,
Phosphate and Phosphate Rock received at the Port of Wil-
mington, N. C, from January ist to December 31st, of each
year.

1

Pbosph ite

Kainit. j

Guano.

Phosphate.

Rock.

Year

Imported
from

Tons

Value

Tons

Value

Tons

Value

Tons

Value

1877

Germany . . .

1,200

fl0,548

$

$

$

1878

Germany . . .

300

2,098

1879

Germany . . .

1.257

9,262

1880

Germany . . .

3,068

14,894

1880

Nova Scotia

600

615

1881

Germany.. .

3,334

23,696

(Rock

564

1882

Germany . .

6,867

43,219

■{ Plaster

1882

England. . . .

325

18,414

400

7,283

I 500

1883

Germany . . .

8,220

54,619

1884

Germany .

13,348

82,503

1884

England

950

23,809

1885

Germany . . .

9,084

62,851

1885

England. ..

980

10,760

1.20a

15,113

1886

England, ,. .

76

2,493

745

8,752

1886

France

855

48,178

1886

Germany.. .

13,042

91,776

Total

59720

$395566

2236

183844

3295

$54957

600

Rock
Plaster
550

t6l5
S564

In addition there is brought into Wilmington from outside
the United States, about 5,000 tons of Navassa Phosphate
Rock annually, costing, f o. b., about ;$7.0o, from the Navassa
Island, West Indies, all of which is consumed by the Navassa
Guano Company of Wilmington. One cargo of 500 tons
Roncador Island Phosphate Rock was brought into Wil-
mington in February 1885, but the venture was not success-
ful, and no more has been brought.

Production of Fertilizers in North Carolina in 1886.

Location.

Product

Company.

Guano
short tons

A'd Phosphate
short tons.

Gr'd Rock
nhort tons

Navassa Guano. . . .
Acme Manufacturing
Goldsboro Oil

Wilmington,

Wilmington - Cronly
Goldsboro

6000
2152
2250

1000
1000

10000

N. C. Phosphate ....
French Bro.'s

Raleigh

est'd 500

Rockv Point

900

Enterprise Fertilizer
Durham Fertilizer . .

Tarboro, estimated . .

Total

12402

10000

140)

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 6i

The value of these products can not be stated exactly, but
will be very nearly given by the following figures:

Value of fertilizers produced in North Carolina in 1886.

12,402 tons Guano - 1^23.00 1^285,246

10,000 tons Acid Phosphate 14.00 140,000

1,400 tons Ground Rock 9.00 12,600

23,802 " Fertilizers valued at - ^437,846

It must, however be noted here that some of the companies
buy acid Phosphate of North Carolina make, mix it with
cotton-seed meal or other ammoniate and sell it as Guano. It
is difficult to say exactly how much acid phosphate is thus
counted twice, first as acid phosphate, the company selling
it as such, and then by the purchaser as Guano after it has
been dry mixed with some ammoniate. But there is reason
for believing that this would not exceed 1,500 tons of the
acid phosphate, corresponding to about 2,500 tons guano.
A fair allowance would be 1,500 tons to be subtracted from
the guano out-put. The preceding table would then stand
corrected as follows :

12,402 tons Guano less 1,500 tons —

10,902 tons Guano at - $23.00 ;^250,746

10,000 tons Acid Phosphate at 14.00 140,000

1,400 tons Ground Rock at 9.00 12,000

22,000 tons fertilizers valued at ;^403,346

The 1,400 tons Ground Rock is not counted twice as it is
North Carolina Phosphate Rock, Phosphate Conglomerate,
etc., raised in the State, and sold as "fine ground " without
being acidulated or ammoniated.

By reference to the table of production it will be seen that
two companies make a speciality of " fine ground " Rock,
French Bros at Rocky Point, Pender county, and the North
Carolina Phosphate Company at Raleigh.

French Bros, have been in the business for several years,
mining and grinding their own rock from contiguous de-
posits. The rock is a phosphatic conglomerate, a mass of
phosphatic pebbles and nodules in a cement of carbonate of
lime. It is burnt in kilns, screened, and the residue ground.
This residue may contain :

Phosphate of Lime - - 20.34 per cent.
Lime, as oxide and hydrate 37.52 per cent.

62

JOURNAL OF THE

(For further information as to this see under "General Ob-
servations.")

Owing to insufficient machinery this company has not
been able to place as much of their product on the market
as they expect to do before long. The ground rock has a
good reputation as a fertilizer.

The North Carolina Phosphate Company at Raleigh uses
this rock also, obtaining it from Castle Hayne near Rocky
Point They have a very complete mill, with a Foster
crusher, and two Frisbee-Lucop grinders, and are doing an
increasing business, with a daily capacity of thirty tons.

Besides these two companies there are none that use North
Carolina rock.

NAVASSA GUANO CO., WILMINGTON, N. C ;

works at Meares Bluff, Cape Fear river, five miles above Wil-
mington, established in 1 869, and do the largest business of any
company manufacturing in North Carolina. They use 1 1 ,000
tons of crude rock per annum, of which 5,000 tons is Navassa
and 6,000 tons South Carolina Rock. Their daily capacity is

Ground Rock - - - 33 tons
Acid Phosphate - - - /o tons
Guano - - - - 75 tons

Total 178 tons.

Of their total production of 16,000 tons, they sell in North
Carolina 10,000 tons. They make their own acid from Sicily
Sulphur, and are well equipped and well situated.

ACME MANUFACTURING CO., WILMINGTON, N. C.

works at Cronly, on Carolina Central Railway, 17 miles from
Wilmington. The year ending December i, 1886, is really
their first year in the business, as they were experimenting
and getting ready. They use South Carolina rock, and have
a daily capacity of

Ground Rock, - - 15 tons.

Acid Phosphate - - 30 tons.

Guano - - - 60 tons.

Total 105 tons.

They make their own acid from Sicily Sulpher, and are
well equipped, though not very well situated. They sell
nearly all their product in North Carolina.

The Goldsboro Oil Co., the Enterprise Fertilizer Co.,

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY- 63

(Tarboro), and the Durham Fertilizer Co., buy Acid Phos-
phate, and 'dry-mix' their own Guano.

THE PRESENT OUTLOOK IN NORTH CAROLINA.

Opinions vary. Some think the prospect fair, others are
inclined to take rather despondent views.

Fertilizers have declined in price, and the $500 tax is not
popular. There has been little or no mining of the regular
North Carolina Phosphate Rock (containing 20-22 per cent.
Phosphoric acid), for the reason that it lies in 'pockets' some-
what widely separated, and the topography of the region is
unfavorable for cheap mining. As long as Charleston, S. C
Rock guaranteed to run 55 per cent. Bone Phosphate (25,19
per cent. Phosphoric acid) can be bought f. o. b. for $$.$0 to
$6.50, there is but little prospect of the North Carolina Rock
coming mto market in any quantity.

The first systematic investigation of this Rock was made
by W. B. Phillips in September, 1883, at the request of the
Navassa Guano Company. In his report to that company,
published in pamphlet form (" North Carolina Phosphates
October, 1883") he took the ground that the steepness of the
slopes on the sides of most of the little streams where the
rock occurs would necessitate an excessive amount of dig-
ging, with proportional increase of expense, which the low
grade of the rock would not repay. In march 1884, appeared
the Report of the Experiment Station on North Carolina
Phosphates, and since that time numerous references have
been made to the matter in the publications of the Station,
and of the Agricultural Department.

While the rock makes an excellent quality of acid Phos-
phate it remains to be seen whether it can compete with
Charleston Rock. So far it has not competed, for the reason
that none of it has been offered. As to how soon, if at all,
it will be offered.is a very obscure question, and one which
time, and it may be a good deal of it, alone can answer. As
to the other raw materials for the manufacture of fertilizers,
viz : fish-Hcrcqj and cotton .seed meal as nitrogenous matter,
pyrites as source of sulphuric acid, and hones, the following
may be said :

FISH, OIL, AND SCRAP MILLS,

There are seven (7) in the State, three (3) of fair capacity,
and four (4) small. P^mployment is given from April to
November, to about 400 men, and the yearly value of the oil
and scrap is about ;$ 150,000.

64 JOURNAL OF THE

The amount of North Carolina fish-scrap bought by the
Navassa Guano Company in two years, ending February 5,
1885, was about 3,500 bags (140 tons), and they buy most of
the scrap made in the State. This will give 1,700 bags (75
tons) per annum, w^hich is perhaps rather less than the real
production. The true figures will fall not far short of lOO
tons. Good scrap should yield 10 per cent, ammonia on 10
per cent, water. The account w^ill stand.

One hundred tons fish scrap lO per cent., a ;^2.50 per unit,
;^2500. About one-third (fA,) of this is made at the mouth
of the Cape Fear River, and the other two-thirds on Pam-
lico Sound, around Beaufort. The industry might be greatly
enlarged, as there is always a good market for the scrap.

GOTTON SEED OIL MILLS

There are nine in the State, with a total capacity in seed
of 200 tons daily. A ton (2000 lbs.) of seed should yield
800 pounds of cake. The cake is worth $2.50 per unit of
Ammonia, and should run 8.5 per cent.

It is not know what proportion of the cake made goes into
fertilizers, probably not above 4,000 tons. The product of
two average size mills (the Acme and Goldsboro) is almost
entirely used in this way.

PYRITE3.

None mined for sulphuric acid. All the acid used in the
manufacture of the fertilizers is made from Sicily Sulphur.

BONES.

Bones are collected, but only in a small way. There is at
Salem a small mill for grinding bones, and the Navassa
Guano Company buys them from local dealers in small lots.
The total quantity is hardly above lOO tons per annum, and
so we have lOO tons Bones a ;$io, ;^ 1,000.

MARL.

The use of marl is local, and confined almost entirely to
the Eastern part of the State. Very little, if any, is shipped
by rail, each neighborhood using what is convenient, and
easily transported by wagons. This is to be regretted, as
the heavy clay soils of the middle part of the State would
respond very readily to such an applicatiou.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The most marked feature of the fertilizer trade in North
Carolina in 1886, was the increased demand for fine ground

I

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 65

phosphate rock. The new mill at Raleigh was built to sup-
ply this demand, and the steady growth of the sales is an
indication of the esteem in which the product is held.

An analysis of the article made at the Experiment Station
is as follows:

Analysis of Ground North Carolina Phosphate Rock :

' Bone Phosphate - - 1 1. 16 per cent.
Carbonate of Lime - - 64.26 per cent.
Magnesia - - - 0.81 per cent.

Potash - - - - 0.40 per cent.
Water - - - . - 1.39 per cent.

The fine ground rock offered by French Bros, is of a
somewhat higher grade. An analysis of their best grade is
as follows :

' Phosphate of Lime - - 20.34 per cent

Carbonate of Lime - -

Lime as Oxide and Hydrate - 37-52 per cent

Oxides oflron and aluminum, and loss 5.65 percent

This analysis represents the composition of the residue
from burning and screening.

The composition before burning and screening is as
follows :

' Phosphate of Lime - - 16.42 per cent.

Carbonate of Lime - - ' - 54.71 percent.

Lime as oxide and hydrate

Oxides oflron and Aluminum, and loss 3.91 percent.

The burning and screening separates the phosphatic
nodules from the cement of carbonate of lime and converts
this last into lime oxide and hydrate. All three of these
articles are growing in favor with the farmers. The utiliza-
tion of raw ground rock in the preparation of home-made
manures, is one of the reasons why the price of acid phos-
phate and guano has declined. Extra inducements in the
shape of lower prices have now to be offered since the
farmer has discovered that he can buy a good article for
nearly 50 per cent, less than he has been accustomed to pay.

^ Equivalent to Phosphoric acid 6.11 per cent.
2 Equivalent to Phosphoric acid 9.31 per cent.
'■^ Equivalent to Phosphoric acid 7.52 per cent.

66 JOURANL OF THE

Total value of all fertilizing materials made in North
Carolina in 1886.

10,902 tons Guano at $23.00 - - $250,746

10,000 tons acid phosphate at 14.00 - - 140,000

1,400 tons Ground Rock at 9.00 - - 12,600

100 tons Fish Scrap at 25.00 - - 2,500

4,000 tons Cotton Seed Meal at 22.00 - - 8,800

100 tons Bones at 10.00 - - 1,000

Total value $494,846

W. B. PHILLIPS.

LIST OF EXCHANGES.

GEBMANY.

Der Naturhistorishe Verein in Bonn.
Der Naturwissenschaftliche Verein in Magdeburg.
Der Naturwissenschaftliche Verein in Bremen.
Berliner Entomologischer Verein.
Die Naturforschende Gesellschaft in Danzig.
Der Naturwissenschaftliche Verein in Regensburg.
Der Naturhistorische Verein in Augsburg.
Die Senckenbergische Naturforschende Gesellschaft in
Frankfurt.

SWITZERLAND.

Die Naturforschende Gesellschaft in Bern.

LaSociete Fribourgeoise des Sciences Naturelles Fribourg

FRANCE.

La Societe Linneenne, de Normandie.

La Societe Linneenne, du Nord de la France, Amiens.

ITALY.

Socie'^e Toscana di Scienze Naturali in Pisa.

Regie Istituto Veneto di Scienze Letture ed Arti, Venice

RUSSIA.

La Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes, de Moscou.

La Societe des Naturalistes de la Nouvelle Russie, Odessa.

MEXICO.

Sociedad Mexicana de Historia Natural.

GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Society, Halifax
England.

Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History Society
Dumfries, Scotland.

Belfast Natur«^lists Field Qlub, Belfast, Ireland,

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 67

CANADA.

Royal Society of Canada, Ottawa.

Ottawa Field Naturalist's Club.

Canadian Institute, Toronto.

Nova Scotian Institute of Natural Science, Halifax

Natural History Society, Montreal.

Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, New Haven

Academy of Natural Sciences, Davenport.

Kansas Academy of Sciences, Manhattan.

National Academy of Sciences, Washington.

Peabody Academy of Science, Salem.

Society of Natural History, Brookville.

Natural Science Association of Staten Island.

Science Association, Peoria. * ^

Scientific Association, Meriden,

Natur-al History Sr)ciety, Trenton. (

Li nnean Society, New York, '

Academy of Science, St. Louis. I

Washington Chemical Soceity.

Michigan Horticultural Society. }

Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History.

Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philadelphia.

American Academy of Arts and Science.

Western American Scientist.

LeanderMcCormick Observatory, University of Virginia

Smithsonian Institution, Washington.

Washburn College Laboratory of Natural History, Kansas I

United States Geological Survey ' j

Johns Hopkins University.— Circulars. j

Cornell University.— Bulletins. /

University of California.— Agricultural Reoorts

Modern Language Notes. —Baltimore.

Boston Public Library.— Bulletins.

N. C. Medical Journal.

N. C. Board of Health —Reports.

N. C. Department of Agriculture.— Bulletins.

UNITED STATES.

California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.
New York Academy of Sciences, New York.
Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
Elliott Society of Science and Arts, Charleston.
Society of Natural History, Cincinnati
Minnesota Academy of Natural Science, Minneapolis.

WASHINGTON CARUTHERS KERR.

JOURNAL

OF THE

ELISHA ilTCHELL SCIENTIFIC

r^

J

nm

Y,

VOLUME IV — PART II.

JULY-DE^CKMIBER,

1887,

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE

R. H. GRAVES,

J. A. HOLMES,

J. L. LOVE.

PERMANENT SECRETARY:

F. P. VENABLE,

CHAPEL HILL, N. C

E. M. UZZELL, STEAM PRINTEU AND IJINDEK.
RALEIGH, N. C.

1S87.

OFFICERS

1887-1888.

PRESIDENT:

R. H. Lewis, M. D., Raleijjh, N. C

VICE-PRESIDENT :

W. L. PoTEAT, Wake Forest, N. C.

RESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT:

W. B. Phillips, Ph. D., Chapel Hill, N. C.

PERMANENT SECRETARY AND TREASURER:

F. P. Venable, Ph. D., F. C. S., . . . . Chapel Hill, N. C.

RECORDING SECRETARY AND LIBRARIAN:

J. W. Gore, C. E., Chapel Hill, N. C.

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE :

R. H. Graves, C. and M. E., J. A. Holmes, B. Agr.,

J. L. Love, B. A.

LIBRARY AND PLACE OF MEETING:

CHAPEL HILL, N. C.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

PAGE.

Biograpliv of I)i-. W. ('. Kei r. By J. A. Holtnes J

The Study of Local Floras. By (ierald McCarthy 25

The Limits (.f the Senses. By F. P. Veiiahle 31

The Elenients, Historically Considered. By V. P. Venable 36

Effect of Decomposing,' Organic Matter on Lisoinble Pli()S{)hate of Lime.

By F. B. Dancy 41

Pieliniinary (,'atalo^Mie of the Birds of North Carolina. By (i. F. Atkin-
son 44

Singular A<iaptation in Xest-rnakini^ l)y an .\nt. By (i. F. Atkinson 88

Ren)arkable Case of Phosphorescence in an Ivirth-worrn, By (1. F. Atkin-
son 89

(Jbservatitjns on the Female Form of Phengodes Laticollis Horn. By

G. F. .\tkinson 92

Analyses of North Carolina Wines. By F. P. Venable and W. B. Phil-
lips 96

Action of Chlorous Acid upon He[)tyleu. P>y K. G. Grissom 99

A New Form of Buiisen Burner. By F. P. Venable. 103

A New Test for Iron. By F. P. Venable 105

Electrolysis of Water. By F. B. Venable 105

List of Pa|>ers Read at the Regular Meetings. 107

Public Lectures 108

Use of the Library 108

Publications Received since July, 1887 108

An Index to the First Four Volumes Ill

JOURNAL

OF THE

Elislia Mitchell Scientific Society,

A SKETCH OF PROFESSOR WASHINGTON
CARUTHERS KERR, M. A., D. Ph.

A Lecture before the Mitchell Society, at the University of North
Carolina, January 34, 1887, by J. A. Holmes.

Mr. President and Gentlemen:

The life and work of Professor Kerr is a theme which needs
no introduction before members of this society. Probably but
few of those here present knew him personally, but in one sense all
knew him. He knew North Carolina better than the people of
North Carolina knew him; and yet he was quite widely known,
both at home and amoug; scientific circles abroad. In travelino:
recently through some of the nooks and corners of this State
I have been surprised at times to hear him spoken of where I
least expected it; and I know that his fellow-geologists in this
country have placed a high estimate on his character and on his
scientific work.

We may be sure of this much at any rate: that wherever in
the State there is located a mine of importance, or other valua-
ble mineral deposit of any kind, a fine water-power, valuable
tracts of timber land, or interesting geological formations —
wherever there has been, during these past twenty years, a man
who souu;:ht information concerniim: the natural resources and
material prosperity of North Carolina — there J*rofessor Kerr's

2 JOUJRXAL OF THE

name is a familiar one, and there, especially, during the two
years and more since his death, there has been a realization of
the fact that the important place he occupied among the people
of the State is now vacant.

Professor Kerr was in birth, in education (in part) and in his
life work closely identified with this State; and, as far as I am
aware, he is almost the only native-born North Carolinian who
has at yet attained a position of eminence in the ranks of sci-
ence. Of the few others belonging to these ranks who have
worked in the State, Professors Olmsted and ^litchell were
natives of Connecticut, Dr. Von Schweinitz of Pennsylvania,
and Drs. Curtis and Emmons of Massachusetts.

Washino-ton Caruthers Kerr was born in the Alamance reo:ion
of Guilford county, N. C, May 24, 1827, and died in Asheville,
Auo;ust 9, 1885. His ancestors were amon<r the sturdy Scotch-
Irish families who came into this State from time to time about
a century ago, and who have been important factors in the growth
of several portions of North ("arolina. His father, William M.
Kerr, was a farmer of small means. His mother, Euphence B.
Doak, was a woman of marked characteristics, and is said to
have possessed a mechanical talent unusually well developed.
They had six children, of whom the subject of the present
sketch was the third. Both parents died early in life, leaving
their young children with no fortune save such early training
and education as they had been able to give them at home.

Young Washington Caruthers, thus early thrown upon his
owai resources, soon developed the qualities he exhibited so
prominently throughout his whole career — energy, perseverance,
decision of character, a thirst for knowledge, and deep piety.

After the death of his parents he was taken in charge by the
Rev. Dr. Caruthers, a Presbyterian minister, author of ^^Revo-
lutionary Incidents" in North Carolina, and widely and favor-
ably known in the State for his piety and learning.

Dr. Caruthers had been long the pastor and friend of the
Kerr family, and the boy he thus adopted had been named in
his honor. In addition to his labors as a minister he conducted

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 3

a school at or near Greensboro, where he lived, and largely under
his instruction young Kerr was ])repared to enter the Univer-
sity— which lie did in 1847, as a sophomore. He was gradu-
ated in 1850, taking highest honors in his class.

I cannot dwell long upon Professor Kerr^s University life,
though, in some respects, no part of his career is more deserv-
ing of consideration. It does not apj)car that he exhibited at
this time any special tendencies in the direction of his later })ro-
fessional work, but we must remember that in 1847, chemistry,
geology and natural history were all taught from text-books, in
the class-room, by one man, who })erforme{l other duties besides.
There was then no brino;ino; the student face to face with nature;
no inducement, no opportunity for original investigation by the
student; no awakening of interest in such work. But in gen-
eral scholarship in the University and in the debates of his
literary society he was without a superior among his classmates.
He was a hard-working, careful student, full of energy and
ambition, and always ready with speech and pen.

His University life was not, however, in every respect a pleas-
ant one. It was a struggle against poverty, and he was proud
and sensitive. Here again, however, the necessary aid was at
hand ; the University made no charge for his tuition, and the
Dialectic Society, of which he was a member, made him its
beneficiary, and paid all necessary living expenses during his
connection with the institution. Some years after graduation
he returned to the University and brou^rht his wife with him,
and showing her the places familiar to him as a student, he took
her to a certain spot on a street in Chapel Plill, and told her how
once Dr. Mitchell (then the Bursar) approached him there and
reminded him of some small payment due the University. '^The
Doctor went on,'' he said, "and there I stood, and where under
all God's skv I could raise five dollars I did not know. The
agony and humiliation were too great, and T resolved to quit
college and give up all hope of an education."

Fortunately for us, and for himself, he did not go, but such
an experience he never forgot. To help other people in like

4 JOURNAL OF THE

straits^ was in after life one of the ways in w^hich he expressed
his remembrance. And nearlv thirty vears after his graduation,
when the University was in need of funds, and its friends were
asked to contribute money for tlie repairs of the buihlings,
Professor Kerr was one of the few who remembered how much
it had done for him, and contributed largely for a man of his
limited means. And I may here mention another incident in
the history of his University life which illustrates the rip-id
honesty of the man. The sum granted annually by the Dialectic
Society for the support of its beneficiaries, just enough to supply
the necessaries of life, was always given and accepted as a free
and willing gift. Young Kerr found that by cutting his wood
and attending to his fires himself, and by practicing economy
in other ways, he could live on less than the amount set apart for
his support, and returned the surplus to the Society. The
only case of the kind on record, so far as I am aware.

During the first year after his graduation, young Kerr taught
school at Williamston, Martin county, N. C. Shortly after this
he was elected to a professorship in Marshall University, Texas,
which he accepted; but after a brief stay there he resigned his
position to accept an appointment (1852) as computer in the office
of the Nautical Almanac, then located in Cambridge, Mass.
Prof Kerr's connection with the Nautical Almanac (from June,
1852, to January, 1857), and his consequent life at Cambridge,
marks an important period in his 'life. On the Almanac he was
principally employed in making astronomical computations,
computing the moon's right ascension and declination, its culmi-
nation over the meridian at Washington, and the lunar distances;
he also computed the eclipses for the year 1857.

But this work on the Nautical Almanac, though Professor
Kerr's source of support (and yielding him an income more than
sufficient fi)r this), wjis by no means the most important feature
of his life in Cambridge. Here, for the first time, he was in an
atmosphere of active scientific work. Here he met, as instruct-
ors or associates, Agassiz, Pierce, Davis, Lovering, Horsford,
Eustis, Guvot, and many others. Here he bea^un his own work

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 5

in science. Here he made acquaintances and formed friendships
that yielded pleasure, encouragement and assistance during the
remainder of his life. During the earlier part of his stay here
(1853) he was happily married to Miss Emma Hall, of Iredell
county, N. C.

The work on the Nautical Almanac did not require all of his
time, and during the years 1853-'4 and 1854-'5 he is recorded
as a member of the Lawrence Scientific School, studying geology,
mathematics and engineering. During this time (1853-'56)
he also studied zoolooi;v under Professor Ai^-assiz, botanv under
Professor Gray, and chemistrv under Professor Horsford.

These years at Cambridge were among the happiest of Pro-
fessor Kerr's life. In after years his face always brio;htened
when he referred to them. Naturally enough, Agassiz was the
central figure amon<»: those whom he admired and under whom
he worked. He often alluded to his first lesson in o;eoloii:y —
Agassiz's giving him a handful of sand and asking him to
report on its contents — and other incidents connected with his
great teacher. He was just beginning, under Agassiz, a piece
of original research in connection with some newly-discovered
species of fossil fishes, wliich was interrupted by his being
offered, and accepting, in February, 1856, the t)rofessorship of
chemistry and geology at Davidson College, in this State. How-
ever, he remained at Cambridge a year after this, continuing his
connection with the Nautical Almanac (until January 13, 1857),
and during his spare time preparing himself more fully for his
future work at Davidson College, where he begun the duties of
his professorship early in the year 1857.

In speaking of Professor Kerr's work at Davidson, I cannot
do better than quote from a letter on this subject written by a
gentleman who was one of his students at the college during
1858 and '59, and whose name would be a sufficient guarantee
of the accuracy of his statements. He says of Professor Kerr:
"He was an ardent student, an enthusiastic and successful
teacher, and it seemed almost by contagion his students would
catch something of his spirit. He had little patience with dull-

6 JOURXAL OF THE

ness — none with idleness — and his class-room was dreaded by
the indolent or careless. It was the deli<i:ht of others. He was
a successfnl experimenter, and every operation in chemistry was
beautifully illustrated, with the imperfect appliances at his com-
mand. He taught by text-books, with explanatory and supple-
mental lectures. He was alwavs addino: to the museum, and
gathering about him specimens, maps and sections to illustrate
his teaching in geology and mineralogy. We used to call him
^ Steam Engine,' instead of Kerr, such was his promptness to
titne and rapid motion."

Another of his students of 1857 and ^^8, whose statement
may be relied upon, says: ^^ Professor Kerr brought new life to
the college, and was the most industrious teacher I have ever
known. He awakened thought and investigation. My class
never did so hard work for any other teacher." He occasionally
took his students on field excursions in geolog^^ During the
summer months of 1861 he led a party of them through a con-
siderable portion of the mountain region of North Carolina,
making extensive geological and topographical observations.

Professor Kerr's connection with Davidson College continued
from 1856 to July, 1865 (the date of his resignation), but his
active work there ceased three years prior to this latter date.
Soon after the beginning of the civil war there was a falling
off in the income of the college and in the number of students.
Professor Kerr requested, and was granted (July, 1862), a leave
of absence until such time as he was needed, and in the latter
part of 1862 he became chemist and superintendent to the Meck-
lenburg Salt Company, whose works were located at Mt. Pleas-
ant, near Charleston, S. C.

This position he continued to hold until April, 1864, when
the works were destroyed or abandoned. The company
worked profitably during its short existence, and Professor
Kerr's services were highly commended. While engaged in the
work he introduced several improvements in the process of
manufacture of salt, chiefly in the construction of better chim-
neys, which operated a larger number of salt-pans; in placing

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 7

the pans in positions better suited to more extensive work with
less handling, and in the pumping apparatus for ti'ansferring the
brine from one pan to another. These improvements were so
eflFective that their introduction reduced the cost for wood one-
half, and also greatly lessened other necessary expenses.

After tlie destruction of the salt works Professor Kerr
returned to North Carolina and was appointed State Geologist
of North Carolina by Governor Vance in 1864. This office he
held — quoting his own words — '^during tiie last year of the war,
nominally y and icithout pay, and with special instructions to look
after certain chemical and mineral manufactures in which the
people of the State were vitally interested." Under circum-
stances like these there was, of course, neither time nor money
for the ordinary work of a geological survey, and the time of
the nominal State Geologist was fully occupied in advising and
directing in connection with the manufacture of salt, saltpeter,
copperas, sulphur, sulphuric acid, medicinal extracts from plants,
and various other substances needed for purposes of w^ar or
home consumption. And subsequent to this came the closing
scenes of the war, when all was confusion and disorganization,
and even the nominal geological survey disappeared from view
until April, 1866, when it was revived and Professor Kerr
re-appointed State Geologist by Governor Worth.

The work with which the name of Professor Kerr is to be
permanently associated is that done in connection with the Geo-
logical Survey of North Carolina. He begun this work in his
mature maidiood, and devoted to it the best years of his life.
His more important scientific work was done during this time, and
as far as these are known to me, all his scientific papers were
])ublishcd during his connection with the survey. From the
time of his appointment as State Geologist (April, 1866), he
contimied his connection with the survey without interruption
until August, 1882, when he resigned to accept the position of
geologist on the United States Geological Survey. And when
declining healtii compelled him (in September, 1883) to resign this
latter position, he returned to North Carolina, and, in part.

8 JOURNAL OF THE

renewed his connection with the State Survey, hoping that he
might be able to complete certain unfinished work. But the end
came and found his hope unrealized.

In endeavoring to understand clearly the character and extent
of the work undertaken bv Professor Kerr in the organization
and prosecution of his survey, it will be well for us to review
briefly the work done and that left undone by his predecessors.
As to the survey by Professors Olmsted and Mitchell (1824-':^8),
at so late a date as 1866, it was of interest mainly from an his-
torical stand-point, as being the first geological survey under-
taken by any one of the States. It located a few of the valuable
mineral deposits and approximately some of the geological for-
mations, but as a scientific survev it could liardlv be considered
more than a preliminary geological reconnolsscmce. After the
close of this survey (1828), Professor Mitchell continued for sev-
eral years to make explorations in different portions of the State
at his own expense, and the general results he published in 1842
in a small volume'^ accompanied by a geological map of the
State. This geological map of the State was the first published,
and none other appeared until 1875. It reflected credit upon its
author, but was uot found suflicnentlv accurate in detail to be of
any great value, in the work of the survey under Professor Kerr.

Dr. Emmons, while State Geologist (1851-'63), did a large
amount of valuable work, especially in connection with the
geology and agriculture (including the swamp lands) of the
eastern region, and the geology, mining and agriculture of the
middle region; and he made several geological excursions into
the western portion of the State. At the breaking out of the
civil war, he had nearly completed a geological map of the State,
a map of the coal fields, manuscript reports on the agriculture
of the middle section, and a partial report on the general
resources of the western section, of the State. But in the tur-

* Elements of Geolog}', with an Outline of the Geolooy of North Carolina: for
the use of the students of the University. By Elisha Mitchell, Professor of
Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology, in the University of North Carolina. 1842,
12 mo., 141 pp., with a geological maj) of the State.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. V

moil and excitement of the war all of these, together with all
the manuscript and field notes of the survey, were lost or
destroyed, and the industrial enterprises inaugurated or stimu-
lated by the ten years' existence of the survey were checked or
permanently suspended.

As the tangible results, then, of the Emmons survey, we have
his five published reports relating to the geology and agriculture
of the eastern section (including; the swamp lands), and the
geology and mining of the "Midland Counties" as far west as
the Catawba river — these and, practically, nothing more.

Organized under the same law. Professor Kerr's survey had
in view the same general purposes as the Emmons survey which
had preceded it, viz., investigations into the general geology
and natural history and the natural resources of the State. Such
being the case, it was Professor Kerr's plan to determine what
of the objects had been most fully accomplished during the
administration of Dr. Emmons, and as far as possible to avoid
iinnecessar}' repetition in supplementing the work already done.
But he found that in a study of the general geology of the
State, and in making a new geological map, it was necessary to
go over the entire State again. In the eastern region much still
remained to be done in determining the relative age of the
deposits, and in the middle and western regions, with the
improved meth(Kls of lithological study, it was found necessary
to have the rocks of both regions carefully examined.

But l)efore this work in general geology and the making of a
reliable geological map could be successfully prosecuted, it was
necessary that the survey be in possession of a topographical
map of greater accuracy thati was then to be had ; and for several
years no small part of Professor Kerr's time was necessarily
given up to this topographical work. In connection with this
work he found it necessary to determine the elevation, lati-
tude and longitude of quite a number of places in the middle
and western regions of the State — his work in this direction
supplementing that done by Professor Guyot and the United
States Coast and Geodetic Survey.

10 JOURNAL OF THE

Also in the departments of mining and paleontology
much remained to be done. In connection with the departments
of agriculture it was necessary to make arrangements for the
analyses of numerous soils and marls; in meteorology, stations
Avere to be organized in many parts of the State, and each sup-
plied with instruments, for the purpose of determining, as far as
possible, the climatology of the State. Indeed, but two branches
of the survey, viz., zoology and botany, had been worked up
(and these by Dr. Curtis) w^th a thoroughness that could be con-
sidered sufficient for existing purposes.

The new features undertaken bv Professor Kerr in connection
with the survey were the investigation into the topograpliy, the
climatology, water-power, mineralogy and lithology. Of work
alreadv undertaken bv Professor Emmons he endeavored to
continue that relating to agriculture, ore deposits, general geology
and paleontology.

Wiien it is remembered that all the work outlined above was
to be undertaken with an appropriation of "not more than five
thousand dollars per annum," it will be understood that the sur-
vey must necessarily have been organized on an economical basis,
and the work prosecuted at a disadvantage. And such indeed
was the case.

When in 1866, Professor Kerr was appointed State Geologist,
he did not bring to the work of the survey an extended profes-
sional experience; nor may we consider him at that time in any
high degree a trained specialist. He at once, however, devoted
himself to the task of organizing the work of the survey, in all
its departments, and in accordance w^ith the terras of the law and
the interests of the State. He associated with himself such
specialists as Cope, Conrad, Genth, Julien and others, and placed
in their hands for examination the collections belonging to their
respective departments.

So great was the variety of work the survey was authorized
to undertake that, with the small appropriation at its disposal,
it was often necessary that the Geologist should undertake in
person investigations of a widely different character. This was

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 11

especially the case in connection with the topographical work of
the survey. There was in 1866 no even approximately accurate
map of the western part of the State u})()n which could be laid
down the data for a geological map. During almost the entire
period of the existence of the survey Professor Kerr, in making
his geological excursions, combined topographical and geological
work. And in this way he became quite proficient in the detec-
tion of geological structure as exhibited in the topography of
the region.

In some cases his topographic observations were only approxi-
mate, taken with a pocket compass, pocket level, or aneroid
barometer; but as a rule these instruments were used only to
fill in details after the more important measurements had been
taken by means of more accurate instruments. During several
seasons, early in his connection with the survey, Professor Kerr
devoted a considerable portion of his time to topographic
work (or geological and topographical work combined) in the
mountain region.

These numerous topographic observations, made by himself
and his assistants, bore fruit in 1882, when he published the new
State Map, to be used as a base for the geological map.

In connection with this work, he examined all the accessible
records of the surveys of railroads, rivers, canals. State and
county boundary lines, and of the United States Coast and
Geodetic Survey, within the limits of the State; and com-
binino; the results of these examinations w^th those of his own
and his assistants' work in the field, he produced a map which
in point of accuracy is incomparably in advance of any map of
the State that preceded it; and maps published subsequent to its
date will be indebted to it more than they are wont to admit.
Its preparation cost its author no small part of fifteen years of
labor.

Professor Kerr was a rapid worker in the field, and at no time
could this fact be observed to better advantage than during one
of his horseback trips through the mountain region of the State,
which he seemed to enjoy so much. After his appointment as

12 JOURNAL OF THE

State Geologist lie dev^oted himself first to these western coun-
tieSj whieli had been more or less neglected by Dr. Emmons.
He traveled, mainly in the saddle, 1,700 miles over mountain
roads and mountains without roads, within less than four*
months; and in two seasons (parts of 1866 and 1867) traveled
on horseback a distance of more than 4,000 miles.

It was during this rapid reconnoissance of the mountain region
that he became acquainted with many of the problems which
the structure and drainage of this region present. The drain-
age, especially, interested him, and he recognized what appears
to be the true explanation of the origin of its prominent fea-
tures, viz., the existence of the Blue Ridge as the original water-
divide, from the crest of which, at approximately right angles
to its course, flowed the accumulated waters of the larger
streams; the subsequent slow and gradual elevation of the
Smoky Mountains and the intervening plateau region on the
west, through which the rivers eroded their YnWeys, pari passu ,
as the elevation progressed. The smaller streams tributary to
these rivers as a rule have their general course at right angles to
the latter, and parallel to the mountain range and to the out-
crop of the more or less nearly vertical strata, into the upturned
edges of the less durable layers, of which they have carved their
channels. During these and subsequent years he collected a
large amount of material with a view to writing a special report
on the drainage and physical structure and history of this
region; but the press of other duties, and later, declining
health, prevented its preparation.

Durins; his entire connection with the survev Professor Kerr
spent a considerable portion of his time in field explorations. He
traveled a good deal along the lines of railroads, on hand-cars or
on foot, leaving the railroad at intervals to examine soils, rocks,
mines, &c. At other times he traveled in a buggy or spring
wagon, prepared especially for his purpose, or in hilly regions
on horseback. In studying the geology of the eastern region of
the State, along the water courses, he traveled by boat.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 13

111 one or the other of these wavs he traversed in different
directions every connty in the State — some of them many times.
Occasionally he delivered a lecture in the town through which he
passed. Generally as he traveled he collected for the State
Museum specimens of rocks, soils, minerals, ores, marls, woods,
and other products. His field note-books are full of notes con-
cerning especially the rocks, soils and forests of the regions
through which he passed.

There were no permanent assistants employed on the survey,
and in view of the limited appropriation at his disposal, Pro-
fessor Kerr adopted the plan of doing in person the general
work of the survey, and engaging the services of specialists or
general assistants when these were needed. He attended to the
official correspondence, without the aid of either clerk or amanu-
ensis; and no one w^ho has not occupied a somewhat similar
position can realize the amount of labor and time this demanded.

His correspondence concerning the mineral, mining and other
economic interests of the State was quite large, and with men in
many parts of the United States and Europe. His correspond-
ence with citizens of this State was large and covered almost
every subject. In the same mail one might see the following
assortment of letters, addressed to the State Geologist: One ask-
ing for instructions as to the best method of developing or sell-
ing a gold mine; another asking for similar information about
a deposit of mica; another (or several) accompanying specimens
of rocks, minerals or ores, asking for a complete analysis and
instructions for development or selling the property; and per-
haps a dozen others asking for information about the gold depos-
its, the water-power, and the climate of the State, the practica-
bility of a railroad passing through this or that region, the im-
provement of worn-out lands, as to the best methods of raising
silk-worms, making vinegar, medicine for a sick horse, and sub-
jects not more germain.

In endeavoring t(^ estimate the results of Professor Kerr's
work we may confine our attention to the period of his connection
witli the survey, whether we have for consideration the material

14 JOURNAL OF THE

benefits resulting to the people of the State, growing out of his
work as State Geologist, or his contributions to science. The
former of these cannot now be estimated with accuracy, but we
may safely say that his work has been an im])ortant factor in the
recent material growth of the State.

In connection w^ith the mining interests, during the past twenty
years, several millions of dollars have been brought into the
State; and while exercising an important influence in connec-
tion with this, the survey has encouraged a more judicious
investment of home ca})ital, and has done an important work in
preventing numerous investments where the undertaking would
have proved a failure and the money invested lost.

The agricultural interests of the State received at all times
Professor Kerr's earnest attention. He made numerous analv-
ses of soils and marls, and he did all in his power to stimulate
the improvement of worn-out soils by the use of marls, lime
and other fertilizers, and by other methods. The inspection and
analvses of commercial fertilizers, inaugurated and continued for
several years by him, and later carried on by the Experiment
Station, has proved of incalculable benefit to farmers in every
portion of the State; and Professor Kerr, together with the hon-
ored President of this University and a few others, was instru-
mental in the establishment of the Department of Agriculture
and the Agricultural Experiment Station. He inaugurated the
movement of a few years ago looking to the increase in supply
of food fishes in the streams of the State; and (as stated already)
he established and kept in existence for a time a series of meteor-
ological stations in different portions of the State. He originated
the silk-raisino; movement in North Carolina — a result of his
visit to the Vienna Exposition. He measured the water-power
of all the important rivers of the State.

In the matter of advertising the State's resources by making
collective exhibits at great expositions, Professor Kerr believed
that much benefit would result to the State, and subsequent
developments have proved that he was correct. In 1873,
though the Legislature of the State declined to appropriate

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 15

money for the purpose, he, together with two or three otlier
patriotic citizens, contributed of their own private funds suffi-
cient to enable him to collect specimens illustrative of the State's
resources, which he took to Vienna and exhibited at the Inter-
national Exposition.

In connection with the Philadelphia Exposition of 1876,
though the State again failed to make an appropriation for the
purpose. Professor Kerr, out of the limited funds of the survey,
made an exhibit of the building and ornamental stones of the
State, which Avas commended for its excellence; and he remained
at Philadelphia during much of the time of the Exposition as
one of the judges. While there, under the direction of the
Exposition authorities, he delivered an address on the history
and resources of North Carolina, and did everything in his
power, by way of distributing reports and circulars, and by per-
sonal interviews, to direct the attention of capitalists to the
State. Subsequently he was the leading spirit in making the North
Carolina exhibit at the Atlanta Exposition (1881), and his pre-
liminary work made the fine exhibits at Boston (1882) and New
Orleans (1884) practicable undertakings.

The distribution of Professor Kerr's reports, and his official
correspondence with persons in our own and other countries, have
been doubtless of great service in the development of the State's
resources; not only in importing capital, but also in educating
the people of the State, thereby giving them a more intelligent
understanding of the nature, extent and worth of their proper-
ties.

The educational value of his work among the people of the
State — accomplished through his reports, newspaper articles, cor-
respondence, lectures, private talks, and the State Museum — has
been of itself a matter of considerable importance.

Not least among his undertakings was the State Museum, at
Raleigh. It was a part of his plan, from the time of his first
connection with the survey, to bring together such series of
specimens as would represent the general natural history and
natural resources of the State. He used to say that he wanted

16 JOURNAL OF THE

to 'Mjriiig Xorth Carolina together in one building/' where she
might be studied by specialists in science^ or by persons looking
to an investment in the State, and where the people of the State
might go and become familiar with her native wealth — vl plan
full of promise; but, unfortunately Professor Kerr, had neither
the time nor funds to enable him to carry it into full exe-
cution. He collected from all parts of. the State a large amount
of material, consisting mainly of specimens of rocks, minerals,
fossils, soils, marls, agricultural products, woods, and others of
miscellaneous character, but had not been able to arrange them
fully up to the time when press of other work and declining
health compelled him to give up all endeavor in this direction.

But it is impossible in a few statements to give an adequate
conception of the extent and of the benefits, to the people of the
State, of Professor Kerr's work^ — benefits that will continue to
be felt during years to come. He begun his work at a time in
the history of the State — just after the close of the civil war —
when her industrial as well as her social condition was one of
disorganization and suspension. It was his desire and aim to
stimulate and encourage her material prosperity, and while
favored with good health he gave himself up to this endeavor
with a foresight, energy and devotion not often surpassed.

Among other results of general interest, it may be stated that
Professor Kerr has left us a fairly good knowledge of the physi-
cal structure and climatology of North Carolina and has mapped
the outlines of the geological formations of the State much more
fully and accurately than had been done before. Could he have
lived a few years longer he would heve added materially to our
knowledge in these directions. His scientific work was chiefly
in physical geology, and though not extensive, it was sufficient
to give him an enviable position among American geologists.
Professor Dana savs of him, in the American Journal of Sci-
ence for 1885 (xxx, p, 248): "He was an excellent observer in
geology, and in his few publications brought out results of great
interest. He was the first in the country to call attention to,
and rightly explain, the unequal steepness in the opposite banks

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 17

of streams, where flowing through yielding deposits (Rep. Geol.
N. Carolina, Vol. I, p. 9*); and the first to appreciate ade-
quately and describe the action of frost in producing the deep
movement and bedded arrangement of loose material on slopes
(Am. Jour. Sci., Ill, xxi, 1881, p. 345t), the depth in
North Carolina being such as to indicate, in his view, the unu-
sual conditions of a Glacial era." In 1881 (Am. Jour. Sci., Ill,
xxi, p. 216) he suggested the glacial origin of certain topographi-
cal features of the hydrographic basins of rivers in the southern
Appalachian region (North Carolina), but this does not appear
to have met with general acceptance.

A full list of Professor Kerr's reports and more important
scientific papers will be given in the bibliography, published in
the Journal of the Society as an appendix to this sketch. Of
his official reports, the two first were small reports of progress,
published in 1867 and 1869, discussing mainly the general and
economic geology of the part of the State west of the Cataw^ba
river — especially the mountain region. The first of these con-
tained also (Chapter III) a short general discussion of the
''Minerals of North Carolina," which was subsequently, in part
or as a whole, several times republished by the State and pri-
vate land agencies. A third small re[)ort was published in
1873, as an appendix to the report (Vol. I, 1875) then in press,
which was an abstract of that report, intended for general and
immediate distribution. This small report was subsequently
revised and republished in 1879, under the title of a "Physio-
graphical Description of North Carolina." The most impor-
tant of his reports is that of 1875 (Geology of North Carolina,
Vol. I), treating of the physical geography, general and eco-
nomic geology of the State. This re})ort was offered to the
Legislature in 1870, but its appearance was delayed until 1875,
the Legislature having failed to make an aj)propriation for its
publication. It was Professor Kerr's plan to prepare a second
volume (Vol. II of his Pinal Report), to contain a more full

*See also Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, xiii, 1873, p. 190.

tSee also Trans. Am. Inst. Mining Enjjineer, viii, 1879, p. 462.

18 JOURNAL OF THE

discussion of the general and economic geology of the State;
and Chapter I of this volume, discussing the "Minerals and
Mineral Localities of North Carolina/' was j)ublished by him
in 1881; but press of other duties at that time, his resignation
in 1882, in order to undertake the topographical and geological
work on the Appalachian division of the United States Geologi-
cal Survey, and his subsequent decline in health, all combined
to interrupt the completion of this report. So much of it as
relates to the economic geology of the State is now being pub-
lished under my own direction. Three additional small reports
of the survey were published by the State as public documents,
viz., a Keport of Progress in 1873, a Report on the Expendi-
tures of the Survey and a Report Concerning the Establisliment
of a State Department of Agriculture, in 1877. In 1882, Pro-
fessor Kerr published his new Map of North Carolina.

He was appointed special agent of the Tenth United States
Census to report on the cotton production and general agricul-
tural features of Virginia and North Carolina; and his sepa-
rate reports on these States were published in Volume VI of
the Census Reports (1884). He was an occasional contributor
to the scientific journals of this country, and his more valuable
contributions are to be found in the American Journal of Sci-
ence, and in the Transaction of the American Institute of Min-
ing Engineers. He wrote the article on North Carolina in the
Encyclopaedia Britannica (9th Edition).

Professor Kerr was a member of several learned societies, in-
cluding the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the
American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, and the Philo-
sophical Society of Washington. He was also a Fellow of the
American Association for the Advancement of Science. He
was a member of, and during the years 1884-'85 was President
of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society.

When in August, 1882, he was offered the position of geolo-
gist on the United States Geological Survey, he accepted the
appointment in the hope that he might be able to carry into
execution a long cherished plan of making a more systematic

ELISHA MITriIf:LL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 19

and thoroiigli study of the topoi^rapliy and theological structure
of the Appahu-hlau re<>:ion. But in this disappointment awaited
him. He had but fairly heirun the topoo;ra])liic work when, in
vSepteniber, 1883, failing health necessitated his resignation.

The disease — catan-h of the digestive organs — which had for
so long a time preyed u}>ou him, had now greatly weakened his
svstcni. Dui-in*!' the two vears f »llowin<i: he was unable to do
any active work. He spent the winters at Tampa, Floi'ida, and
the summers in the mountain region of this State. It was dur-
iuLT these stavs at Tam|)a that he made obsei-vations on the
eocene deposits there, his notes on which were j)ul)lished subse-
quent to his death, in the Journal of this Society (188o-'8(J).

Professor Kerr was through his whole life at the disadvan-
ta2:e ordinarily attendant on a iihvsical oroanization to() frail for
the work imposed upon it. He was of the sturdy and enduring
Scotch-Irish I'ace, but there must have been a cross of some other
blood which <»:ave him the verve and delicacv of luind and bodv
that distinguished him, and that even in early \\i'(^ indicated him
as one not likelv to see old aire. For tiu; last fifteen or twentv
years the condition of his health was a constant source of anxi-
ety to his friends and family. Still he would not succund), but
clunu: to his woi'k, imi)elle(l and sustained bv nervous enerjxv
alone, and undertaking additional labor even after it was plainly
apparent that his day w;is over.

Many things dei)ressed him, many things irritated and hin-
dered, which, if his j)hysi(pie had but been coarser and stronger,
he would n(»t have felt. No memoir that means to do him fid!
lustice should onu't to indicate; these characteristics, since bv them
lie was often judged aixl mi-judged.

r^r<»m the time of his apj)oiiitiuent as State (Jeologist to the
day of his death he spared himself no j)ains, no exertidU, no
fatigue in lii> ai'dor for the development of" North ("ai'oliua, his
anxiety to see her among the fbi'emost in the new raee set before
the S(»uth. 'I'he State has never had a more genuinely and
sagaciously publie-<pirited eiti/cn than he. But the times wei'c
evil, and for several vears Prol'essor Keir shared the fate ol' all

20 JOURNAL OF THE

public officials who were endeavoring to adjust, to reconcile, and
to go forward. His motives were misrepresented, his character
assailed, his abilities questioned, his work maligned.

The effect of such an ordeal on a man of delicate nervous
fibre and of refined feeling may easily be imagined; nor can it
be wondered at that he was often impatient, often despondent,
and often fairly unhino;ed bv the obstacles set in liis way.
Almost every session of the State Legislature was a season of
humiliation, and, as he himself expressed it, of "real torture^'
to him. At the adjournment he would draw a long breath of
relief, and say the incipient paralysis Imd passed off and he
could go to work again and feel like a gentleman once more.

In his own house. Professor Kerr's hospitality was unbounded.
Scientific visitors would sometimes remain with him weeks at a
time. He thought it his duty to entertain strangers, and every
public occasion in Raleigh filled his house with guests. He was
a most interesting companion, animated, receptive, sympa-
thetic, taking a vivid delight in conversation, and as ready to
listen as to talk.

His belief in the outcome that there was in this State,
in the great future that lay before her people, was com-
mensurate with his knowledge of her natural resources. He
knew^ them well and rated them justly, and was never so enthu-
siastic, so vivid, so eloquent, as when dwelling on these advan-
tages. In his death the State has met with an inestimable loss.
In some respects he has lived ahead of his time. He was, in
his own department of work, more widely and favorably known,
and deservedly so, than any man the State has produced or the
State University has graduated.

He was an exceedingly liberal man; a man of generous tem-
per, and of large views not only, but open-handed to every call
in State or Church, or private benevolence that his judgment
approved. He was deeply religious, and always prominent,
though in an unobtrusive way, in matters pertaining to his
church. As a Christian gentleman, those who have known him
best have admired him most. His heart was warm and gener-

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 21

ous, his mind was clear, active and progressive, his conscience
keen and inflexible. He was honest in every sense of the word.
There was nothing of policy in his thonght or action. On the
contrary, he was frank and outspoken, at times even to a fault.
He left his native State the better for his example and for the
work that he did in her service. If he failed to do all he
aspired to do, and was compelled to leave his task incouiplete, it
was no more than an oft accompanying condition to human
endeavor weighted by human frailties.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

The following is a list of Professor Kerr's more important
published papers and reports:

"^Report of the Progress of the Geological Survey in North
Carolina, 1866; by Professor W. C. Kerr. Raleigh, 1867. 8
vo., 56 pp.

Report of the Progress of the Geological Survey of North
Carolina (for 1866 and 1867). N. C. Ex. Doc. No. 27. Session
1868-'69. Raleigh, 1869. 8 vo., 57 pp. (\V. C. Kerr, State
Geologist).

Appendix to the Report of the Geological Survey of North
Carolina, 1873, being a brief abstract of that report, and a gen-
eral description of the State, geographical, climatic and agricul-
tural. By W. C. Kerr, State Geologist. Raleigh, 1873. 8 vo.,
24 pp. and map.

Topography as Affected by the Rotation of the Earth. By
W. C. Kerr, State Geologist of North Carolina. Trans. Am.
Phil. Soc, Vol. XIII, 1873, pp. 190-93.

Report of State Geologist on the Progress of the Survey. N.
C. Pub. Doc, No. 16. Session 1872-'73, 14 pp. (W. C. Kerr).

*The concluding chapter (III) of this report on the " Minerals of North Caro-
lina " was originally published by Professor Kerr (see pace 44) in substantially
the same form as here, just prior to his re-appointment as State Geologist (April,
1866), and was, as far as known to me, the first of his published papers. No
copy of it has been found, and its exact title, dale and paging are unknown.

22 JOURNAL OF THE

Report of the Geological Survey of North Carolina, Vol. I,
Physical Ge()o:rai)hv, Resume, Economical GeoloofV. Bv W. C.
Kerr. Raleigh, 1875. 8 vo., XVIII, 324 and 120 pp., 9 i)lates
and geological map.

Report of State Geologist on the Expenditures of the Geo-
logical Survey. Pub. Doc. No. 21. Session 1876-'77, 17 })p.
(\y. C. Kerr).

Report of State Geologist Concerning the Establishment of a
State Department of Agriculture, etc. N. C. Pub. Doc. No.
32. Session 1876-'77, 12 pp. (W. C. Kerr).

Physiographical Description of North Carolina. By AV. C.
Kerr, State Geologist. Raleigh, 1879. 8 vo., 32 pages and
map.

The Gold Gravels of North Carolina. By W. C. Kerr,
State Geologist, Raleigh, North Carolina. Trans. Am. Inst.
Mining Engineer, Vol. VIII, pp. 462-466, 1880.

The Mica Veins of North Carolina. By W. C. Kerr, State
Geologist, Raleigh, North Carolina. Trans. Am. Inst. Mining
Engineer, Vol. VIII, pp. 457-462, 1880.

Remarks in Discussion on Maynard's Gold Specimen. Trans.
Am. Inst. Mining Engineer, Vol. VIII, pp. 456-457, 1880.
(W. C. Kerr).

Minerals and Mineral Localities of North Carolina; being
Chapter I of Second Volume of the Geology of North Caro-
lina. Raleigh, 1881. 8 vo., 122 pages. (F. A. Genth and W.
C. Kerr).

Origin of Some New Points in the Topography of North
Carolina; by W. C. Kerr, State Geologist of North Carolina.
Am. Jour. Sci., Ill, xxi, 1881, pp. 216-19.

Action of Frost in the Arrangement of Superficial Earthy
Material; by Professor W. C. Kerr. Am. Jour. Sci., Ill,
xxi, 1881, pp. 345-58.

Some Peculiarities in the Occurrence of Gold in North Caro-
lina. By A\'. C. Kerr, State Geologist, Raleigh, North Caro-
lina. Trans. Am. Inst. Mining Engineer, Vol. VIII, pp.
456-457, 1882.

ELISHA MITCPIELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 23

Map of North Carolina. By W. C. Kerr, State Geologist,
assisted by C'apt. William Cain, C. E. Scale ten miles to the
inch. Xew York, 1882.

The Geology of Hatteras and the Neighboring Coast (Ab-
stract). By W. C. Kerr. Bull. Phil. Soc. Washington, D.
C, Vol. V, 1883, pp. 28-30.

Report on the Swamp Lands (of North Carolina). By W. C.
Kerr, State Geologist (being a report made to his Excellency,
Jonathan Worth, Governor of North Carolina, in 1866). Ral-
eigh, 1883, 23 pp.

North Carolina, the article on, in the Encyclopaedia Britannica,
9th Edi., Vol. XVII, 1884. (W- C. Kerr).

Report on the Cotton Production of North Carolina, with a
discussion of the General Agricultural Features of the State.
By W. C. Kerr, State Geologist, Special Census Agent. Tenth
Census Report, Vol. VI, Part II, 1884, 83 pp.

Report on the Cotton Production of the State of Virginia,
with a brief discussion of the General Agricultural Features of
the State. By W. C. Kerr, State Geologist of North Carolina,
S|)ecial Agent. Tenth Census Report, Vol. VI, Part II, 1884,
25 pp.

Distribution and Character of the Eocene Deposits in East-
ern North Carolina. By ^X. C. Kerr. Journal of the Elisha
Mitchell Scientific Society, 1884-^85, pp. 79-84.

Notes on the Geology of the Region about Tampa, Florida.
By W. C. Kerr. Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific
Society, 1884-'85, pp. 86-90.

Ores of North Carolina (being Chapter II of the Second
Volume of the Geology of North Carolina). By W. C. Kerr
and George B. Hanua. Raleigh, N. C, 1887. 8 vo.

The following papers were read before the American Associa-
tion for the Advancement of Science, at a meeting held at Bos-
ton, Mass., August, 1880, but not published in the proceedings
(see Proceedings A. A. A. S., Vol. 29, pp. 603-604, 1880):

Ancient Topography of North Carolina.

24 JOURNAL OF THE

Recent Geology as Illustrated in the Coast Ke^^ion of North
Carolina.

Some Points in the Structure of Mica Veins in North Caro-
lina.

A New Mode of Vein Formation.

Brief reports on the operations of the survey, made to the
Board of Agriculture by Professor Kerr, are to be found in the
Monthly Bulletins of the North Carolina Department of Agri-
culture for December, 1880; January, 1881 (misprinted 1880);
July, 1881; January, February, March, April and June, 1882.

The following short papers were published by Professor Kerr,
as State Geologist, in the liulletin above mentioned:

Mineral Wealth of North Carolina— Mo. Bull. N. C. Dept.
Agr., Feb., 1881 (misprinted 1880).

Water-power and Other Manufacturing Facilities of North
Carolina— Mo. Bull. N. C. Dept. Agr., March, 1881.

Chart and Instructions for Silk Growers in North Carolina —
Mo. Bull. N. C. Dept. Agr., April, 1881.

The History of Silk Culture in North Carolina — Mo. Bull.
N. C. Dept. Agr., May and June, 1881.

On Some Useful Plants — Mo. Bull. N. C. Dept. Agr. for
February, March, April and June, 1882.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 25

THE STUDY OF LOCAL FLORAS.

GERALD MacCARTHY, B. Sc.

Every State iu the Union has a flora more or less pecnliar to
itself, and tliere is scarcely a county in any State wiiich has not
its local rarities, found nowhere else.

Almost ev^ery community, too, has its botanical enthusiast,
who is not infrequently of the tender sex. Useful work has
been and is being done by these isolated observers. But because
of the lack of organized effort, and of a clear apprehension of
the end to be achieved by botanical study, a great deal of well-
meant energy is misap{)lied and wasted.

The capital error of most amateurs and beginners in botany
is the exaggerated opinion they entertain as to the value of the
herbarium.

There is said to exist in Hindostau a sect of religious enthu-
siasts who infest the high-roads by which travelers enter India
for the purpose of ingratiating themselves into the confidence of
strangers, wh(»m they then entice into some lonely spot and
murder as a sacrifice to the goddess Kali.

We have among ourselves a class of scientific enthusiasts,
worshippers of the mummy god Herbario, who with unwearied
patience and tireless limb hound high-road and byway, bog and
mountain ])eak, ever on the look-out for floral strangers, whom
they ruthlessly sacrifice to the glue-and-paper deity.

To laboriously collect, dessicate, ])oison and mount plants on
sheets of costly white ])aper, and then lay them away in a cabi-
net probably never to be disturbed during the owner's life-time,
may be good physical excercise, and is scarcely more straining
upon the brain than whistling. But it is a question whether
this is science. It certainly is not religion, nor yet common
sense, both of which prescribe as the proper aim of the activity
of a rational creature, "the greater glory of God and the im-
provement of man's estate." It is probably true that a herba-
4

26 JOURNAL OF THE

riuraist now and then stumbles upon a useful fact, and in the
aggregate, taking the whole country into account, these discov-
eries amount to something; but that the discoveries are not com-
mensurate with the enero^v absorbed is a matter that admits of
no debate.

As far as the average student is concerned, the study of plant
life may be rationally pursued for two purposes, namely: for
the mental discipline it affords and for the useful information it
furnishes bearing upon the aifairs of practical life. But the
average student is usually content to study his plants only just
so far as may be necessary to learn their names and proper
places in the herbarium. This sort of information is certainly
not practical, and as for the mental discipline it affords, after
the student has once got the 'Mvcy'^ well under control, it prom-
ises even less than whistling; for the whistler is often, greatly
to his moral and spiritual welfare, kicked by men and bitten by
dogs, whereas the herbariumist is too frequently the victim of
the undiscriminating and hurtful praise of the vulgar. The
only real use subserved by a collection of dried plants is that it
enables nomenclators to compare one species with another so as
to determine their relationship and position in the natural sys-
tem; and as a pendant to this, to preserve typical specimens for
the purpose of giving stability to botanical nomenclature. It is
necessary that plants should have distinctive and well recognized
names, so that they may be intellii^ently studied by diiferent
botanists and generations of botanists. But the herbariumist
works in a circle. He studies his plants for the purpose of
learning their names, notwithstanding that nomenclators have
already named them that they might be studied.

Gray, Chapman, Vasey and Watson have so thoroughly sys-
tematized the nomenclature of American plants that very little
now remains to be done in that line, and that little can be done
only by botanists who have access to extensive museums and
libraries, such as no private collector can hope to own. Isolated
collectors can be of real service to the cause of science and
human progress only by placing their services at the command

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 27

of the curators of some of the larger public aud semi-public
herbaria, of which the country hn'^ already an ample supply.

The Gray herbarium at Cambridge, Mass., would alone be
sufficient for all necessary purposes. Besides this, there are at
the National Capital two large collections : one at the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, of which Dr. George Vasey is curator;
the other at the National Museum, in charge of Professor Lester
F. Ward. These herbaria are public property and may be con-
sulted in person by any student, or by letter addressed to the
respective curators. As the value of such collections depends
laigely upon their completeness, private collectors should take
pride in making them as complete as possible by depositing with
them all their more valuable typical specimens, and by collecting
further under the intelligent direction of the curators.

But this kind of botany, though not to be despised, is not the
most valuable work that the local botanist may do. He may,
by observation aud experiment, seek to discover the useful aud
noxious properties of the plants more or less peculiar to his
locality; the environment most affected by particular species; the
means by which they accomplish the fertilization of their ovules
and the dispersion of their seeds; the effect of wet and dry, hot
aud cold seasons upon plant growth ; the parasites they harbor,
and many other interesting, useful and yet unsolved problems in
plant physiology and pathology. A single student of this sort
of botany may do more in a life-time to advance the cause of
human progress than can be accomplished by the united labors
of any number of herbariumists continued through all eternity.

Activity of whatever kind whicli subserves no useful purpose
in regard to human welfare is a criminal abuse of the trust
Humanity has reposed in each one to whom she has given the
power of thinking and acting, that tliey might thereby smooth
her pathway and accelerate her progress toward perfection.
Viewed solely as a means of discij)lining the intellectual facul-
ties, botany is unequalled by any other of the natural or i)hysi-
cal sciences.

28 JOURNAL OF THE

Botany is pre-emineDtly the science of observation, and the
observino; faculty is the most fundamental faculty of the mind.
Observation supplies the solid foundation upon which all the
higher faculties must rest, when they rest upon anythino^. With-
out such a foundation, and the check a well disciplined observ-
ing faculty places upon the imagination, the latter faculty is very
apt to run away with the judgment. We daily see. often to our
cost, how inherited instincts and developed prejudices so pervert
judgment and reason that two men of equal respectability and
mental calibre^ if they belong to different political faiths, will
make diametrically opposite reports concerning the working of
some law or set of circumstances.

As already remarked, neither for mental discipline nor for
useful knowledge does the private herbarium subserve any use-
ful purpose. But it would perhaps be over-sanguine to expect
that a simple expostulation like tiiis will suffice to convert the
present generation of herb-secreting botanists.

i^ccording to the famous law of Mr. Darwin, the modern
herbariumist, while deluding himself with the fancy that he is
doing something useful, is in reality merely gratifying a once
useful instinct which has outlasted its function — an instinct
inherited from a long line of herl)ivorous and nucivorous, pre-
hensile-tailed ancestors.

Since, then, the private herbarium may not be done away with
at a .stroke, some directions tending to shorten the time absorbed
in the mechanical work of the herbarium may not be wholly out
of place.

In the first place, good, .symmetrical and full-grown plants
should be selected for specimens. Collect the whole plant — root
and branch — when not over three feet high. When higher than
this, that length, measurirjg downwards from the top, may be
cut off; and in addition, a few inches of the stem with the leaves
next the ground, and the root, .should be secured.

Of trees, flowering twigs, showing the bark as well as leaves
and flowers, will suffice. A sharp knife to cut off twigs, a
trowel to dig up roots, an air-tight tin box of convenient size,

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 29

and a pocket magnifier, are all the a|)})aratus necessary for field
work. A good drying-press is two latticed fratnes 12Jxl8J
inches. These can be made ont of a few laths by any one. The
best drying paper is the soft felt paper used by builders and for
placing under carpets. Common straw wrapping paper will,
however, do very well. Pressure may be applied by means of
a cord or trunk-strap passed around the package and pulled as
tight as a good strong arm can do it — sixty pounds at first, and
afterward one hundred pounds, is the proper pressure to apply.
The jtackage thus compressed should be hung up in the sunshine
and air, or placed near the kitchen stove. The paper must l)e
changed every day for the first three days. After that the press
may be left alone till the plants are entirely dry, which will take
two or three days more. Plants should, when possible, be iden-
tified and labelled before putting to press, but labelling may be
done afterward. Under the usual routine, the next thing would
be to soak the dried specimens in a solution of corrosive subli-
mate, re-dry them, and then mount them on heavy white paper
by means of gummed slips. But all this work may be well dis-
})ensed with. Procure a supply of soft, uucalendared manilla
paper in double sheets, size ll|^xl7J inches. Take four parts
of white arsenic, five parts of washing soda; boil in thirty-five
parts of clear rain-water for fifteen minutes, or until the solids
are dissolved. Replace the water eva|)orate(l with water heated
to boiling. Into this solution the manilla sheets are to be dipped,
holding them by the open edge. It is best to keep two or three
inches of the open edge un wetted, so that in turning over the
leaves the fingers may not get l)urnt by the poison. The wet
sheets are to be spread out in the sunshine to dry. Between the
leaves of these poisoned sheets the plants with their labels are to
be laid, but not attached. The labels had better be written on
pretty thick card-l)oard so that they will not easily "dog's-ear."
Arrange the species of each genera al})habetically and enclose
the whole in a tliin jrenns cover in the iisual wav. Write on the
lower left-hand corner the name and serial number of the genus,
and the name of the natural order to which it belongs. Arrange

']0 JOURNAL OF THE

the genera of each family according to their serial numbers, and
place them between two thick genus covers, opening into each
other. Write on the lower left-hand corner of" the package the
name and serial number of the natural order, and place around
the whole a stout elastic band, or a piece of tape, to keep all
snug and tight.

The packages thus made up, each containing the plants of one
natural order only, or, if the order be too extensive, a part of
an order, are to be laid away in pasteboard or other kind of
boxes of sufficient size to receive the packages without compress-
ing. It is best to have the boxes all of uniform depth. Those
used in the herbarium of the United States National Museum
are 12Jxl8Jx 6J inches. They are of stout pasteboard, cov-
ered with black muslin. The cover comes off in the usual way;
the front end is hinged at the bottom and falls down wdien the
cover is lifted up, exposing tlie labelled ends of the enclosed
packages. Each box has a brass ring fastened to the outside of
the front end b} means of which it is readily pulled out of its
pigeon-hole. Spaces for the name of owner and for the names
of the natural orders inclosed are also provided. The names of
the genera included may, if desired, be written or pasted on the
iyiside of the hinged end. A small piece of naphthaline should
be pinned in one corner of the box. The odor of this substance
is very disagreeable to insects, and will prevent the female insect
from entering to deposit her eggs. The boxes, arranged in regu-
lar succession, may be kept on racks, in the cases usually
employed, or as suits the fancy ; but so that any one box may
be taken out and returned without disturbing the rest.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 31

THE LIMITS OF THE SENSES.

F. P. VENABLE.

It is surely a profitable field of research, in this age of the
credulity of science, to see what limits are set to the powers of
investigation themselves. The error of believing all things
within the grasp of natural science is, at least, as common as that
of setting too narrow bounds to this ever-progressing branch of
human knowledge. Of late several efforts have been made to
determine how far man is capable of laying hold upon the secrets
of the nature that environs him. To gather and sum up these
results, together with whatever additional facts experiments have
enabled us to learn, will lead to a clearer conception of our
powers and of the boundaries of man's field of work.

We are broug-ht into communication with our environment bv
means of five or more senses. Bv means of these senses onlv
can we examine into the nature of that environment. In fact,
it is throu":h them onlv that we are aware of the existence of
such an environment. The settlement of the question as to how
far-reach iuii: these senses mav be is rendered difficult bv the two
facts: first, that they are highly susceptible of training, and
hence we meet with them in different degrees of perfection in
different individuals, and secondly, that by various appliances
man has found it possible greatly to extend and amplify some
of them, giving them wonderfully increased powers. It is not
possible, then, to state that the end has been reached; that the
particular organ of sense can never be trained to a higher degree
of perfection, or that no improvement upon such appliance and
instruments can ever be designed. AVe can at best but learn
the limits of present knowledge together with the probabilities
of further progress. Not only are the limits of the unaided
senses to be pointed out, l)ut as well those of the instruments
that aid or magnify them.

32 JOURNAL OF THE

Most importaut in tlie field of physical iDvestigation are the
senses of taste, of smell, and of sight. The sense of touch may
be very marvellously developed in some cases, especially where
there is a deficiency in one or more of the other senses. This
compensating power of nature is true of all the senses, and of
course must be taken into account in any discussion of their
bounds. The loss of one results in greatly increased acuteness
of the others. What may be true of the sense in its normal or
average condition would have to be greatly modified for it when
thus abnormal. The limit found in the one case must be
extended much farther in the other. It is highly probable that
this increase of power in the remaining senses is chiefly the
reward which Nature places upon increased training and that
similar power can be attained without the loss of any of the
senses by subjecting oneself to equally careful training. It is
well known that the blind can easilv distinguish the nature of
objects which they pass, even though at quite a distance from
them. The test of touch is one of the earliest we apply from
our infancy on, yet from its superficial nature it can solve but
few of the problems and explain scarcely any of the mysteries
which surround us.

Akin to the sense of touch is the temperature sense. It is not
generally known, though researches at Upsala and Neissa and
Baltimore have shown, that on our bodies we have spots capable
only of sensations of heat, others capable only of cold, and
between the two those capable of neither heat nor cold, but of
pressure only. These spots have even been carefully mapped
out. Thev are verv small and are easily exhausted. With all
their sensitiveness, however, these spots are not capable of meas-
uring heat very delicately. The sensations, too, are based on no
fixed standard. The measurement of temperature by means of
a thermometer without a degree marked upon it would be mere
guess-work and niemory, and this is the case with this "tem-
perature sense." Hence the frequent recurrence of phenomenal
temperature, summer and winter, exceeding the bounds of the
inemorv of the "oldest inhabitant." It is warm, it i>< cold,
according as the preceding sensation was colder or warmer.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 33

We must, then, to decide this matter of temperature, have
recurrence to auxiliary appliances, these recording their results
throuo-h the sense of si^ht. As achievements in this line we
have a mercurial thermometer, reading to the one-thousandth
part of a degree, the exceedingly delicate bolometer of Langley,
and lastly Vernon Boys' modification of D'ArsonvaPs instru-
ment, which he calls the Radiomicrometer. This last measures
the one luindrcd-millionth of a degree. In the report of its
exhibition before the Royal Society it is said to show the heat cast
by a candle-flame on a half-penny piece 1,168 feet distant. This
gives the present limit to our process of determining tempera-
ture, and there is no reason for saying that this limit may not at
some time be transcended.

The sense of hearing seems to reach its limits rather quickly.
As, accord i no; to the theory of sound, heariu": is but the result of
the beating of sound-waves upon apparatus placed within the
ear, it does not lie far to infer that the bounds of hearing will
be determined by the sensibility to the greater or less rapidity
of the strokes. It is found that sounds with less than sixteen
beats to the second and those with more than thirty-five thousand
do not impress themselves upon the average ear. A wide scope,
but still a decided limit, and we can let the fancy play at will
among the "voiceless" sounds which must fill the world around
us.

When we consider the sense of sight we find assistance from
magnifying instruments very essential. The limit of the unaided
sight is soon reached. If a line an inch long be cut into ten
equal parts we can easily see each separate one. If divided into
one hundred such parts they merge into one another, and it
requires a clear vision to separate them. This separation is
easily accomplished by the microscope, however. Yet when each
one of these divisions is further divided into one thousand, or
the whole line into one hundred thousand, even the microscope
and light itself fails us, for at this point the waves of the light-
rays interfere witli one another and the divisions, though sfiarp-
cut, seem blui-red. So that the very force of nature which affects
the organ of sight itself sets a limit to its usefulness.

34 JOURNAL OF THE

Just as the ear caD adapt Itself only to sounds having a lim-
ited range of beats or wave-lengths, so the eye can receive impres-
sions from those rays only which move within a limited range of
velocity. Beyond the red rays of the solar spectrum are many,
quite invisible to the eye because of the length of their waves
and the slowness of their movement, yet readily detected by a
thermometer or thermopile. And so beyond the blue are very
many invisible rays, too rapid and short in their motion, which
are revealed to us by means of sensitized paper and which can
only be seen then in their photographs. There are rays of light,
then, of which tiie eye takes no cognizance which have an impor-
tant warming and life-giving part to play in nature. We are
forced to recur to the thermometer and that valuable coadjutor
in scientific research, the photographic apparatus, to detect and
measure these for us. If we retain the old definition of lio-ht as
the force of which we are sensible by means of the organs of
sight, can we call those light-rays which do not affect the optic
nerves, and if not light, what are they ?

Astronomers tell us that imperfections of instruments, impuri-
ties and peculiarities of the atmosphere, limit the usefulness and
the power of telescopes. Apparently not much more is hoped
from the expensive and laborious enlarging of the glass lenses.
No wonderful revelation is looked forward to. The limit in tin's
line seems nearly reached.

In the spectroscope we have a wonderful and powerful instru-
ment, and one from which much has been expected. One of the
greatest workers with the spectroscope. Dr. Crookes, whose pains-
taking patience seems almost marvellous, tells us that its vision
extends almost to infinitesimal particles. Of sodium, for instance,
we can detect the one fourteen hundred-thousandth part of a
milligramme.

One would hardly suspect that the sense of smell was more
delicate than that of sij^ht, vet the researches of Fischer and
Penzoldt have shown that the nose is capable of detecting some
substances with a delicacy two hundred and fifty times greater
than the spectroscope. That is, without any external assistance,

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 35

it is more far-reaching into the realm of Nature's little things
than the most powerful instrument devised to aid the eye. How
infinitesimally small must be the particles which for years arise
IVom the few grains in a box of musk, and yet the sense of
smell can unerringly detect them. How tiny the particles of
perfume rising fi'om some small flower and scenting the breezes
for hours — that is, conferring fragrance upon many miles of air.
Still how easily the delicate nostril detects the presence of the
sweet fragrance.

This would seem to open up a new field of work for the ana-
lyst, offering him most delicate assistance, and indeed Dr.
Crookes suggests as much, but unfortunately, though so easily
affected by some substances, the great majority of them do not
affect the organ of smell at all, or in very slight degree, no
matter in what quantity they may be used. So far as the quan-
tity of matter is concerned, it is usually the case that the smell
becomes less and less apparent as the quantity is increased, after
a certain limit is reached. If too much ottar of roses or hydro-
gen sul})hide be used, the sense of fragrance or of its opposite is
largely lost.

Turning now to the sense of taste, the last of these senses to
be investigated, I can find no reported experiments upon its
delicacy. Apparently only a few approximate statements have
been made with regard to one or two substances. I have with
some care experimented upon this point with a few characteristic
substances, utilizing the sense of taste of two persons so as to
partly eliminate personal errors. Known weights of the sub-
stances, dissolved in the pro})er solvent, were diluted until the
taste was barely perceptible, a slight further dilution causing its
disappearance. The results show the sense of taste much less
delicate than that of smell. Of sugar, y^^Q-g- of a gramme barely
tastes; of salt, j-^^; of acid (hydrochloric), xordo"? *^^ saccha-
^'•'^ 1000000^ ^i"^l ^f strychnine j^-^5___^ ^f .^ gramme gave
barely a perceptible taste, and this was the greatest delicacy of
taste, or persistency of taste, reached with the substances experi-
mented upon. Tf we compare the delicacy of taste towards

36 JOURNAL OF THE

strychnine with the delicacy of the spectroscope towards sodium,
we find the latter in the neighborhood of one hundred times
stronger.

These, then, are the bounds of our senses, so far as can at
present be determined. That they were unlimited was not to
be expected. Yet when we see these limits there is no room for
a feeling of disappointment that man cannot grasp everything.
The field for his powers is almost infinitely vast as it is, and the
only cause for discouragement lies in the sharp limit put to the
attainment of knowledge by the short space of his working time.

THE ELEMENTS, HISTORICALLY CONSIDERED.

F. P. VENABLE.

According to the modern definition an element is the simplest
form of matter. It cannot be further decomposed nor reduced.
Other elements may be added to it and compounds formed, but
nothing can be taken from it when in its elemental state. If it
can be decomposed it ceases to be considered an element. Hence
we can only state that such and such forms of matter are ele-
ments, because at present no means of reducing them is known.

This is an interpretation which has gradually grown up. In
earlier times the idea was ratlier that of the genesis of matter.
This last has been a puzzle which man has long striven to solve,
and not merely a vexed question of these modern days, as we,
in our arrogant assumption of vast intellectual superiority, are
^pt to think. Dr. Gladstone, in his address befi)re the British
Association, at its meeting of 1883, says: "In the childhood of
the human race the question was eagerly put, ^By what process
were all things made?'" Shoo King, the most esteemed of
Chinese classics, comprises the Great Plan with nine divisions.
The first division relates to five elements — water, fire, wood,
metal, earth. And this idea of the genesis of matter is attached

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC S0CIE:TY. 37

I

to the word element down to a little more than a century ago,
when in Macqiier's Dictionary of Chemi.stry — English Transla-
tion, 1777 — we meet with the modern definition, worded as fol-
lows :

"Those bodies are called elements which are so simple that
they cannot by any known method be decomposed or even
altered, and which also enter, as principal or constituent parts,
into the combination of other bodies, which are therefore called
compound bodies/' But he adds: "The bodies in which this
simplicity has been observed are fire, air, water and the purest
earths/'

In Table I, will be found the supposed primal elements at
different periods, reaching as far back as history goes. It is but
just to state that Dr. Crookes recognizes the insufficiency of data
to support the theory of a primal element, and hardly does more
than suggest "protyle" as an interesting possibility.

In Table II a list is given of those at present acknowledged
to be elements, with the date of discovery and name of discov-
erer. ^yith regard to the dates of discovery, it is interesting to
note that nine were known in the earliest historic times, four
more were discovered before the eighteenth century, fifteen dur-
ing the eighteenth century, and forty during the nineteenth cen-
tury.

The last thirty years of the eighteenth century form an espe-
cial season of activity. Twelve out of the fifteen elements dis-
covered during that century were discovered in those years.
Taking the present century by decades we find that fourteen
elements were discovered in the first, four in the second, seven
in the third, five from fourth to sixth, inclusive, three in the
seventh, five in the eighth, and two in the ninth. Davy with
his discoveries made 1808 the most prolific year, but Wohler in
1828 runs him a close second.

As to nationality, Germany can claim the first rank with
eiirhteen discovered elements. Euii^land comes next with seven-
teen, France lays claim to eleven, and the discovery of the
remainder is due mainlv to the labors of Scandinavians. It is

38

JOURNAL OF THE

strange that while other countries have elements named in their
honor, England alone is without this distinction, notwithstand-
ina: her sons have been so industrious and successful in their
search.

Table III gives a list of the supposed elements discovered
since the modern era of chemistry. It is difficult to make such
a list complete, as mistakes and errors in science, as elsewhere,
are very numerous, and this is in large measure a list of mis-
takes. It can only be said of the present list that it is as com-
|)lete as the literature at command would admit of. Wherever
possible the dates when the errors were found out are also given.

The latter portion of the table cannot be called a list of errors.
It represents new work, however, and that so recently completed
that other workers have not as yet fully substantiated the
results. When such confirmation is complete these "supposed
elements" would have to be transferred to Table II.

With regard to dates and names in both of these last tables
(II and III) one meets with some confusion and contradictory
statements. This is especially true in Table II. The best
authorities and evidence attainable have been followed.

TABLE I PRIMAL ELEMENTS.

AUTHORITY.

DATE.

PRIMAL ELEMENTS.

1

"Shoo Kids:"

Before 11 no B. C...
Before lOOU B. C...
COOB. C

Water, fire, wood, metal, earth.

Indian tradition

Thales

Subtle ether, air, light or fire, water, earth.
Water.

•Vnaxinnenes

Air.

ITeraclvtus

Fire.

Theracleidos

Earth.

\ristotle

Fire, air, water, earth.

I'ersiau?^ .

Fire.

Kfirvntians

Water.

freber

8tli century

.Sulplmr and mercury.
Sulphur, arsenic and water.
Sulphur, mercury and salt.
Sulphur, arsenic, salt.
Water, air?

Albertus Magnus...

Basil Valentine

Paracelsus

Van Helmont

13th century

1.5th century

16th century

17th century..

17th century

17th century

17th century

18th century

1777

1770-1780

Hoyle

Becher

Lemerv

Defined elements as we do, but did not name them.
VV'ater, terra lapidea, terra piuguis, terra fiuida.
Water, spirit, oil, salt, earth.

Hoerhaave

Macquer

Majority chemists...

Pfout

Says it is a question not to be answered by chem-
istry.
Fire, air, water, earth.
Phlogiston, water, acid of sulphur, phosphorus.

1

181.5

metallic oxides, the earths, the alkalis.
Hydrogen.
Protvle.

Crookes

1886

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETV.

:^9

TABLE II ELEMENTS.

NAME.

Aluminium...

Antimony

Arsenic

Barium

Boron

Bismuth

Bromine

Cadmium

Caesium

Caicium

Carbon

Cerium

Chlorine

Chromium ....

Cobalt

Columbium...

Copper

Didymium ....

Erbium

Fluorine

Gallium

Germanium...

Gluoinnm

Gold

Hydrogen

Indium

Iodine

Iridium

Iron

Lanthanum ..

Lead

Lithium

Magnesium....
Manganese ...,

Mercury

!\Iolvbdenum

Nickel

Nitrogen

Osmium

Oxygen

Palladium

Phosphorus ..

Platinum

Potassium

Rhodium

Rubidium

Ruthenium...,

Samarium

Scandium

Selenium

Silicon

Silver

Sodium

Strontium

Sulpliur

Tantalum

Tellurium

Thallium

Thoiiuni

Tin

DISCOVEREE.

Wohler

Basil Valentine

jBrandt

I Davy

JGay Lussac and Thenard.

[Basil Valentine

jBalard

|strome3'er

iBunsen and Kirchhott'

JDavy

DATE.

Titanium ..
Tungsten ..
Uranium ..
Vanadium .
Yttcrl)iuni .

Yttrium

Zinc

Zirconium.

Klaproth

Scheele

Vauquelin

Brandt

Hatchett

Prehistoric

Mosander

Mosander

.Moissan

IDe Boi.sbaudran

Winkler

Wohler

Prehistoric

Cavendish

Reich and Richter

Courtois ,

JTennant

(Prehistoric

Mosander

Prehistoric

Arfwed.son-

Davy

Gahn

Very early

Hjeim

Cronstedt

Rutherford

Tennant

[Priestley

Wollaston

iBrandt

Watson

r)avy

Wollaston

iKirchhoff and Bunsen

Clans

De Boisbaudran

Nilson

Berzelins

Berzelius

Prehistoric

Daw

Davy

Prehistoric

Ekeberg

jKlaproth

Crookes

Berzelius

Prehistoric

Gretior

D'Elhujar

Klaproth

Sefstrom

.Mnrignae

Wohler

[Paracelsus

I Berzelius

1828.

1490-1500.

1733.

1808.

1808.

15th century.

182G.

1818.

1860.

1808.

1803.
1774.
1797.
1735.
1801.

1841.
1843.
1886.
1875.
1886.
1828.

1781.
1875.
11812.
1804.

1839.

1817.
1808.
1774.

1782.
1751.
1772,
1804.
1774.
1803.
1009.
1750.
1807.
1804.
18G0.
1846.
1878.
1879.
1817.
1823.

1807.
1808.

1802.
1798.
1861.
1828.

1789.

1783.

1789.

1831.

1878.

1828.

16th century.

1824.

40

JOURNAL OF THE

TABLE III — SUPPOSED ELEMENTS.

NAME OF ELEMENT.

DISCOVEREK.

DATE.

WHERE FOUND.

PROVED TO BE

DATE

Hvdrosiderum

Meyer

1780...
1781...
1777...
llSi...
17Sf)...
1790...
1800...
1800...

Cold short iron....
Cold short iron....

Diamond

Lead ore

Iron phosphide...
Iron phosphide...

Siderum

Bergman

Terra Nobilis

Monnct

Klaproth

Satnrnit

Peculiar Eartli

Diamond spar

Sand

Beryl

Sioa, AI2O3, Fe203
Sioj, .M2O3, FeaOa
Calc'ni phos'ate i

Sj'dneia

Agnsterde

Wedgwood

Fi'ommsdortt

Andronsia

Winter!

Thelike

Hahnemann

1800...
1801...

Marble

Alkali Pneum

Borax

Ervtlironium

Del Rio

1803...
1805...
1818...
1818...
1820...
1820...
1829...

Lead ore

Xiokei ore

Nickel oi-e

Cobal t ore.

Lead vanadate....
Impure nickel....
Impure nickel....
Impure nickel....
Im're magn'sia...

Nikoiannum

Richter

Vestimn or Sirimn,
Wodanium

Vest

Lamoadius

Croiloniiim

Frommsdorff

Sulphuric acid. ..

Aurmn Milliimi

Mills

Osann

He I'm an n

Plnralium

Platinum metals..

Ilmenium

Niobium

Donium

Richardson

I83fi...

.Alumina

Donarinm...

Be rg m an

Tliorium

1863

Noi-inm

Svanberg

H.Rose

Uligreen

Von Kobell

Bahr

Bischoff

Kern

Hermann

Prat

Lawrence Smith

Garland

Delafontaine

Soret

Dahll

Guyard

Cleve

Lawrence Smith

Scaechi

Kaemmerer

1845...

1863

Peiopinm

184()...

Niobium

Aridium

1850...

FeaOa, CrjOa, P2O5

Niobium

1854

Dianium

18(31)...

Wasiiim

1863...

A new earth

1863...

Davyum

1877...

1877...

1877...

1877...

1878...

1878...

1878...

1878...

1879..

1879...

1879...

1879...

1879...

1879...

1879...

1880...

Platinum ores ....
Columbite

Pr'bly mixt're....

Neptunium

Lavoesium

Pvrite

Mosandrum

Samarskite .

New eartlis

Unnamed min'r'l
Samarskite

Philiippium

Deeipiuni

Samai'skite

Gadolinite

Gersdorflfite

Platinum

X

Mixture

1887

Norvvegium

Uralium

Thulium

Gadolinite

Mixture

Mixture

1887

Holmiurn

Gadolinite

1887

Columhium

Samarskite .

Rogerium

Samarskite

Vesbium

Lava

Venad'm oxide...

Comesium

Ya

Marisnac

1880...
1880...
1881...
1882...
18S3...
1884...
1885...
1885...
1885...
1885...
1886...
1886...
1886...
18!<6...
1880...
1886...
1886...
1886...
1886...
1886...
1886...
1886...
1886...

Gadolinite

Gadolinite

Zinc ores

Yb

Phipson

Cleve

Wilm

Websky

Welsbach

Boisbaudran

Actinium

Die

Gadolinite

Nameless

Platinum ores

Iduninm

Lead Vanadate ...

Didymium

Didymium

Didymium

Xeodvmium

Mixture

.Mixture

1887

Praseodymium

Za

1887

Zb

a

Linneman

Boisbaudran

Didymium

Zc

Terbia

Didymium

Austrium

Dvspiosium

Mixture?

Mixture

1886
1887

Da

f 'rook PS .

Sb "

Samarskite . .

Sc

Samarsjnte

(^A

Gadolinite

(rp

'1

(C

a

Pringle

Gadolinite

Gc

Gadolinite

Gn

Gadolinite

Gadolinite

Ge

Gp

Gadolinite

Gg

Gadolinite

Polvmnestum

Ferruginous Q'tz
Ferruginous Q'tz
Ferruginous Q'tz
Ferruginous Q'tz

Fn named

En^)odium

" 11880...
" 11886...

" iissn...

Gadenium

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY.

41

TABLE III PRIMAL ELEMENTS (CONTINUED).

NAME OF ELEMENT.

DTSCOVEREB.

((
«
«

Kruss & Nilson.

Hesperisium [Pringle

Unnamed ' "

Xa DeBoisbaudran &Cleve

Xb

Xc

Xo

Xe

Xp

Xg

Er,

Eib

TnriA

TlTlB

Dh

DlB

Dir

Dio

OlE

Dip

I>iG

r^iH

Di,

SrriA

HrriB

New earths Demareav

DATE.

tc
<(
((

•

tc

(C
(C

1886..
188G..
1887 .
1887..
1887..
1887..
1887.,
1887..
1887.,
1887.,
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887.
1887..

WHERE FOUND.

PROVED TO BE iDATE.

Ferruginous Q'tz',

Ferruginous Q'tz

Soret's X

Soret's X

Soret's X

Soret's X

Soret's X

Soret's X

Soret's X

Erbium

Erbium

Thulium

Thulium '

Didymium '

Didymiiim

Didymium

..Didymium

.jDidymium

. I Didymium

.Didymium

., Didymium

.Didymium |

.Didymium i

.JDidymium

.ICerite

Note.— Mr. J. C. Roberts rendered valuable assistance in preparing Table III.

Contributions from the N. C. Agricultural Experiment Station.

No. XVI.

EFFECT OF DECOMPOSING ORGANIC MATTER ON
INSOLUBLE PHOSPHATE OF LIME.

F. B. DANCY

Some time ag;() I instituted a few rough ex])erinients with a
view to a.scertainino; if the process of cleconi])o.sition »f organic
matter, or the products of such decomposition, had any eifect on
tri-calcic phosphate of lime in the way of converting it, or any
part of it, into its soluble form. The first results were of such
a character that the exj)eriments were not carried on to the extent
originally contemplated, hut I thought it migiit be well to call
attention to them as far a.> thev went.

6

42 JOURNAL OF THE

For my samples I selected, first, a good specimen of ground
bone, containing 40.01 per cent, phosphate of lime and 54.02
per cent, volatile-and-organic matter, and ground fine enough to
pass a 60-mesh sieve. Next, I chose an especially pulverulent
sample of South Carolina phosphate "floats," and then selected
some good fish-scrap, ground to pass a 40-mesh sieve, and some
excellent specimens of cotton seed meal, dried blood, and "am-
monite," all ground to pass a 60-mesh sieve. In all these sam-
ples I determined the per cent, of phosphate of lime and of
volatile-and-organic matter. I then made four mixtures, con-
sisting of fish-scrap and floats, cotton seed meal and floats, dried
blood and floats and ammonite and floats, in such proportions by
calculation that the content of volatile-and-organic matter in
each should be the same as in the ground bone, namely, 54.02
per cent.

I then took 25 grammes of the ground bone and 25 grammes
of each of the four mixtures, rubbed them up well with water
in mortars, and transferred them to filters in funnels, let the
water extract filter through, and then washed the contents of the
filters with successive portions of water until my filtrates
amounted to, I think, about a liter each. I then stopped the
ends of the funnels with little stoppers and left the moist con-
tents to rot at the ordinary temperature of the laboratory, w ith
free access of air. During the process of the decomposition I
kept the masses moist by additions of water from time to time,
and, by stirring them, kept fresh portions turned up and exposed

to the air.

I found the per cents, of soluble phosphoric acid in my fine
samples, just after mixing and before rotting (obtained in the
filtrates just alluded to), to be:

TABLE I — BEFORE ROTTING.

1. Bone meal 0.1149 per cent. Soluble P2O5.

2. Fish and floats 0.1292

3. Meal and floats 0.0486 "

4. Blood and floats 0.0289 *'

5. Ammonite and floats 0.1537

ELIBHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 43

In seventeen days the n)ass of moist bone meal was thor-
on«;lilv rotted, and a week later the other mixtures showed that
they, too, were well decomposed throughout. The putrid smell
from each of the five was highly offensive — alipost unbearable.
I now leached out the soluble again with the same amount of
water as at fir.>t. The filtration was exceedingly slow, requiring
about six davs, so slowlv did the successive additions of water
percolate through the putrid masses.

In my filtrates I determined the soluble phosphoric acid as
before, and found it to be as follows:

'J'ABLE II AFTER ROTTING.

1. Bone meal 0.0G.34 per cent. Soluble PaOs.

2. Fish and floats 0.0894 " "

3. Meal and floats 0.1561 " " "

4. Blood and floats 0.(J969 "

5. Ammonite and floats 0.1052 " " "

The filtrates, reeking as they were with organic matter, pos-
sessed a more or less opacity, and I w^as led to suspect that in
the cases of 2, 3, 4 and 5 there might be some of the finer por-
tions of the floats passed the filter. So I evaporated these four
filtrates down, which cau.sed a separation and collection of the
suspended matter, and filtered each into two parts, determining
the phosphoric acid in each of the filtrates and residues thus
obtained. The figures given in Table II are the sum of these
two determinations in each case. In every case but 3 (that of
the cotton seed meal) the phosphoric acid in the residue was in
excess of that in the filtrate, tending to show that most of the
phos})horic acid leached out from the rotted samples was
mechanically carried through the filter rather than pas.sed in
genuine solution. The cotton seed meal seems to have had most
effect. But, granting that the whole of it was carried through
in genuine solution, the per cent, is so sn)all as to show that
little reliance can be placed on the decomposition of the organic
matter with which our in.soluble phosphates are in contact as to
rendering these pho>])hates soluble.

44 JOURNAL (3F THE

What assistance the soil may give should the decomposition
take place there, or what aid the })Iant juices may lend to the
end desired, must be determined by more elaborate experimenta-
tion.

Had the per cent, of soluble phosphoric acid been considera-
ble after the first rotting it was intended to carry on the rotting
further and see the effect of prolonged decomposition, but as the
effept brought about by thorough putridity was so insignificant
it was concluded that further investigation would be a loss of
time on these particular experiments.

Contributions from the Biological Laboratory of the Univ. of N. C.

No. VI.

PRELIMINARY CATALOGUE OF THE BIRDS OF
NORTH CAROLINA, WITH NOTES ON SOME OF
THE SPECIES.

GEORGE F. ATKINSON.

PREFACE.

Object of the catalogue. Previous to the work which was
undertaken to prepare the present preliminary catalogue, very
little systematic eifort had been made in the study of the birds
to be found in the State of North Carolina. Of the earlier
works mention should be made of Catesby's Natural History of
the Carolinas;* but this work covered an extent of territory
much larger than North Carolina, and included species which
belong to an entirely distinct fauna.

*The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, aud the Bahama Islands, by Mark
Catesby. 1771.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 45

Beside the VVoodv Plants of North Carolina* and a cataloerne
of the flowering plants and cryptogamsf of the State, the Rev.
M. A. Curtis prepared for publication a "Description of the
Quadrupeds'' and a ''Description of the Reptiles'' of Xorth
Carolina. It is unfortunate that an appropriation was not made
for the publication of these valuable reports; and still more so
that the manuscript copies are probably lost, as frequent search
has thus far failed to reveal their existence. In the letter! which
recommends the publication of the above two reports Mr. Cur-
tis says, "I have also in preparation, if desired, a 'Descrip-
tion of the Birds of North Carolina.'" The extent of his work
upon the birds of the State remains as yet unknown, whatever
portions of it were completed being wrapped in the same
obscurity which involves his work on the quadrupeds and rep-
tiles.

The object of the present catalogue is the enumeration of the
birds which liavc been observed and absolutely identified within
the State since about 1880, though most of the work has been
done since 1884 and 1885; together w^ith notes on their occur-
rence, distribution, and nesting. The work is recognized as
incomplete in that it is a preliminary catalogue. The hope that
the publication now of the records of the work, so far as it has
progressed, may stimulate a desire in resident North Carolinians
in different parts of the State to collect material and record
observations of the birds to be found within our State limits;
and the knowledge that the present catalogue would not only
convey some useful information, but serve as a convenient
pamphlet for reference and check list, induces me to present it in
its present imperfect form.

* Geological atnl Natural History Survey of North Carolina, Part III, Botany.
The Woody Plants of the State, with descriptions of the Trees, Shrubs, and
Woody Vines.

ilbid. Part III, Botany. Containine: a catalogue of the Indigenous and Natu-
ralized Plants of the State. 1867.

:}: Through the kindness of Professor Holmes I had the privilege of consulting
the letter from Rev. M. A. Curtis to His Excellency, Governor Worth, January
27, 1866.

46 JOURNAL OF THE

Material. The collection of material at Chapel Hill was
begun by myself in January, 1886; and, assisted by some of
my students in the laboratory, has been continued to the present
time, though no collections were made during the summer and
fall of 1886. University duties interfere greatly with collection
of material during the time for transient visitors, but such time
as has been practicable has been zealously devoted to the collec-
tion and preservation of material for study and future reference.
In all about 120 species have been observed and absolutely
identified by myself at Chapel Hill; \Vl species have been pre-
served. In December, 1887, I visited Beaufort and New Bern,
examined the collections of Mrs. Geoffroy and Mr. A. Finer, at
Beaufort, and that of Clark and Morgan at New Bern ; and also
made some collections and observations in the vicinity of Beau-
fort, in all absolutely identifying about 50 species in addition to
those taken at Chapel Hill.

I am greatly indebted to H. H. & C. S. Brimley,* taxider-
mists of Raleigh, for records of species collected and observed
by them during a period extending over the last four or five
3'ears, in the vicinity of Raleigh, Currituck Sound, New Bern
and Beaufort. One hundred and seventy-five species were noted
in the vicinity of Raleigh, many of these being duplicated and
some additions made from the coast region.

I have also had for reference "A List of Birds of Buncombe
County, N. C.,'' by John S. Cairns,t Weaversville, N. C. This
list enumerates 169 species observed in Buncombe county.

Mr. Charles F. Batchelder, of Cambridge, Mass., kindly sent
me a copy of a pamphlet^ describing his observations upon the
winter birds of the mountain region in 1886. In this he enu-
merates 40 species.

* Any parties desiring good skins for mounting:, or wishing any work from a
taxidermist, will do well to write to Mr. Briraley. I have seen specimens of his
workmanship. The work is in every way satisfactory.

t Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII, No. 1, 1887.

JThe North Carolina Mountains in Winter, by Charles F. Batcheldor. The
Auk, Vol. III. 1886, pp. 307-314.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 47

Mr. William Brewster, of Cambridge, Mass., curator of birds
aud mammals in the Museum of Comparativ^e Zoology, loaned me
a copy of a pamphlet* describing a two weeks tour in the mountain
region, from which I have gleaned the most important informa-
tion concerning the occurrence of the summer visitors of that
region. This pamphlet enumerates 102 species.

The private collection of James Busbee, of Raleigh, contains
87 North Carolina species, most of which were collected in the
vicinity of Raleigh. This list furnishes some very rare occur-
rences.

I take this opportunity of recognizing the aid given, in deter-
mining the nesting of our birds, by Drs. Kemp P. and Herbert
B. Battle, of Raleigh, from a collection of eggs made by them.
The 3ggs were recently determined by the curator of oology at
the Smithsonian institution. The list contains 57 North Caro-
lina species.

Where credit is due any of the above named gentlemen for
observations on any but our very common birds, I have given
it under each species.

Rich variety of bird life. A glance at the map of the East-
ern United States will show that North Carolina is peculiarly
situated, not only with reference to its central position from
north to south, and its great extent east and west, but also in the
variety of its physical features. It is situated between the par-
allels of latitude 33|° and 36|° north, and longitude 75J° and
84 J° west from Greenwich ; approximately 580 miles long from
Cape Hatteras to the western limits of Cherokee county, and
200 miles wide in the vicinity of Ca})e Fear, with 300 miles of
sea-coast in the east and 200 miles of mountain rano;e in the
west. The coast region, with Currituck, Albemarle, and Pam-
lico, and the lesser sounds, with the attendant estuaries, numer-
ous rivers, and extensive salt and fresh water marshes, invites
vast numbers of Diving Birds, Long-winged-, Toti])almate-, and
Lamellirostral-Swimmers, Shore Birds, Herons, Ibises, Rails,

* An Ornithological Reconnaissance in Western North Carolina, b}' William
Brewster. The Auk, Vol. Ill, No, 1, January, 18«6.

48

JOURNAL OF THE

etc., and becomes, from its extent in central position, the recip-
ient of many extra-limital species from the fauna to the north
and south. Perha[)s no phice east of the Rockies is more inter-
esting in proportion to its area than is the mountain region of
Western Nortli Carolina. It possesses the liighest peak east of
the Rocky Mountains. Starting in the valleys at the foot of
some of the highest peaks, in the ascent of th(i mountain side
we can pass through successively four different faunae, the Lou-
isianian, Carolinian, Alleghanian, and Canadian,* having rep-
resented as it were upon one mountain side characteristic species
from an extent of territory reach i no: from the Gulf States to
British America. In the middle region nature has also pro-
vided for the retention of numbers and variety of the feathered
kind, notwithstanding the encroachment of human civilization
upon their primeval haunts. The "rolling" character of the
surface with its attendant tree- and bush-begirt streams and val-
leys; the worn-out hillsides grown up to "old field pine"; and
the steep rocky places incapable of cultivation, offer a peaceful
harbor to such as are not yet emboldened to live near the habi-
tation of man.

The varied climate in different sections also testifies to the
natural adaptation of the State to the reception of widely differ-
ent fauna?, or the same fauna at different parts of the State at
different seasons of the year. The following table will illustrate
the average temperature of the different regions for the four sea-
sons of the year. The figures are taken from a table made by
the North Carolina Geological Survey, covering observations
made during eight to fifteen years in various parts of the State.
I select only those figures which represent the temperature of
the regions I have chosen for use in the present pamphlet.

Mountain region.

Middle region

Coast region

SPRING.

52°
57°
59°

SUMMER.

70°

76°

77°

AUTUMN.

50°

58°
63°

WINTER.

36°
40°
45°

*See Auk, Vol. Ill, No. 1. January, 1886. Brewster.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 49

These represent the average taken from a number of places
in each region. In the mountain region it gives no adequate
idea of the temperature upon the upper slopes of the highest
mountains, where we have represented the Canadian fauna. A
table for Smithville, in the extreme south-eastern part of the
State, will illustrate how much warmer is such a southern point
on the coast.

SPRING. SUMMER. AUTUMN. WINTER.

Smithville

f)3° 79° 66°

49°

In the mountain region, for example, we find on the higher
mountains as summer sojourners Wilson's Thrushes, Yellow-
throated Vireos, Rose-bi'easted Grosbeaks, Winter Wrens, Gol-
den-crested Kinglets, etc., which in the middle region are only
winter visitors, or only transients going to Middle America,
Northern South America, or the West Indies for the winter;
while some, the Towhee Bunting {Pipilo erythrophthalmus), for
example, are summer sojourners in the mountain region, tran-
sients in the middle, and winter visitors in the coast region, and
the extent of the State from north to south scarcely exceeds 2^
degrees latitude! We cannot, of course, say that the same indi-
viduals spend the entire year in the State, but it would not be
singular if quite a number of the summer visitors to the mount-
ain region pass eastward with the approach of winter and reside
for the time in the coast region.

While at Beaufort in the latter part of December, 1887, Cat-
birds (Galeoscoptes cavolinensis), Brown Thrashers {Harporhyn-
chus rufus), Towhee Buntings (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), were in
abundance, and evidently settled down for the winter. I was
told that they were common during the winter.

Take such a point as Smithville, and we might expect to find
((uite a number of winter visitors that are only known as ti'an-
sients in the middle, and summer sojourners in the mountain
region.

50 JOURNAL OF THE

Rare species , and non- occur rence of species once abundant. As
rare species we may reasonably expect to take, at least in the
south-east part of the State, nearly all the species commonly
accredited to South Carolina. The taking of Helinaia swain-
sonii by Brimley is an evidence of this. The nesting of Peuccea
cestivalis hackmani at Cliapel Hill also shows how well adapted
North Carolina is for species accredited usually to the States
farther south. A glance at the map will show that Smithville
is only one degree of latitude north of Charleston, while it is
more than one degree south of the northern border of South
Carolina.

The disappearance of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and the
Carolina Paroquet from North Carolina and the other States
constituting the northern portions of their habitat, and their
restriction to the Gulf States, furnish examples of the change
of distribution of some species, as affected by changes in their
environment. It would not be surprising if at some time in the
not far future they should become extinct species. They are
placed in the present catalogue because of their former abund-
ance in the State, and the possibility that their restriction to
more southern districts may prevent their ever being taken in
the State again. They should be looked for in the south-eastern
part of the State.

Preserve a rich avian fauna. The value of birds as scaven-
gers, in destroying injurious insects, and their value in affording
objects for the cultivation of our perception of the beautiful, is
well recognized. Birds are subject to the same laws in the
struggle for existence that other animals are, and man should
take care that unnecessary encroachments u[)on their existence be
avoided. The reckless and indiscriminate collection and rob-
bing: of birds' nests, which annually cuts off thousands of the
possible increase of beautiful and useful birds, should be
stopped. The merciless and wholesale slaughter, which some-
times takes place during the migration of birds to their summer
abodes, should cease. Laws to this effect would be of little avail
without the support of an interested pul)lic sentiment. Let a

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 51

few men in various parts of the State devote their spare time to
the study of the birds of their section, recording the result of
their observation ; let a general knowledge of the habits and use-
fultiess of birds become a part of the instruction in the common
schools, and ere long the birds will be in such popular favor
that thev will be encourag-ed to come and stav, instead of beino;
gradually driven to remote regions and to possible extinction.

Explanation of terms in the catalogue. In arranging the cata-
logue I have followed the "Canons of Nomenclature" adopted
bv the American Ornit hoi ovists Union.

The catalogue enumerates 255 species and subspecies.

An Appendix is added, consisting of 81 species and sub-
species, which we may reasonably expect to take, with careful
work, within the limits of the State. This would make in all
336 species and subspecies, and there is a hopeful possibility of
the number being still farther increased by the appearance of
casual and accidental visitors.

The numbers in parenthesis correspond with those of the A.
O. U. Check List of North American Birds.

The vernacular name adopted by the A. O. U. is placed
immediately following the scientific name, and in some cases
synonymic vernacular names are added in quotation.

(Coll. of 1877) refers to specimens which were collected at
Chapel Hill, during the spring of 1877, by several students at
the University.

(Univ. Coll.) refers to the specimen deposited in the Univer-
sity museum. Any one wishing to donate specimens to the
University may be assured that they will be well cared for, and
properly labelled.

The numbers marked * are species known to breed in the
State. Many others breed, but we have as yet no positive evi-
dence of the fact.

52 JOURNAL OF THE

CATALOGUE

Order PYGOPODES. Diving Birds.

Family PODICIPID.E. Grebes.

Genus CoLYMBUS Linnaeus.

Subgenus Colymbus.

1. (2). a holbwim (Reinh.). Holboell's Grebe. Chapel Hill.
(Coll. 1877). J. I. Dunlap.

Subgenus Dytes Kaup.

2. (3). C. auritus Linn. Horned Grebe. Currituck Sound,
February, 1884; rather common (Brimley).

Genus PoDiLYMBUS Lesson.

3. (6). P. podiceps (Linn.). Pied-billed Grebe. Middle and
coast regions, common in the latter place. (Univ. Coll.).

Family URINATORID^. Loons.
Genus Urinator Cuvier.

4. (7). U. imber (Gunn.). Loon. Winter visitor, rather rare.
(Univ. Coll.).

5.(11). U. lumme (Gunu.). Red- throated Loon. Coast, win-
ter visitor.

Order LONGIPENNES. Long-winged Swimmers.

Family LARID^. Gulls and Terns.

Genus Larus Linnteus.

6. (51a). L. argentatus smithsonianus Coues. American Her-
ring Gull. Coast, common in winter.

7. (54). L. delaivaren^iis Ord. Ring-billed Gull. Coast,
rather rare.

*8. (58). L. atridlla (Linn.). Laughing Gull. Coast, com-
mon, breeds. The young are so different in color from the

K'^

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. bo

adults that fishermen generally insist that tliey are a diiferent
species. They call them '^Fool Gull." Mr. Finer tells me the
name is given them because they can be so easily approached
and shot, due as he rightly judges to the fact that they are young.

9. (60). L. j)kUadelphia (Ord.). Bonaparte's Gull. Middle
and coast regions, not very common.

Genus Sterna Linnaeus.

Subgenus Thalasseus Boie.

10. {'o^^)' S. maxima Bodd. Koyal Tern. Coast, rather

common.

Subgenus Sterna.

11. (69). 8. farderi Nutt. Forster's Tern. Coast, common.

12. (70). 8. hirundo Linn. Common Tern. Coast, com-
mon.

Subgenus Sternula Boie.

*13. (74). 8. antillarum (Less.). Least Tern. Coast, com-
mon, breeds.

Subgenus Haliplana Wagler.

14. (75). 8. fuliginosa Gmel. Sooty Tern. Coast, common.

Genus Hydrochelidon Boie.

15. (77). H. nigra surinamensis (Gmel.). Black Tern. Coast,
common.

Family RYNCHOPID.E. Skimmers.

Genus Rynchops Linnaeus.

16. (80). R. nigra Linn. Black Skimmer. Coast, com-
mon.

Order TUBINARES. Tube-nosed Swimmers.

Family PROCELLARID.^:. Fulmars and Shearwaters.

Genus Puffinus Brisson.

17. (88). P. borealis Cory? Cory's Shearwater. I saw at
Beaufoi't a wing of one of the Sliearwaters taken at that place.
From the length of the wing, and from a description of the bird
given to me, I judge it to be this species.

04 JOURNAL OF THE

Order STEGANOPODES. Totipalmate Swimmers.

Family PHALACROCORACID^E. Coimorants.

Genus Phalacrocorax Brisson.

Subgenus Phalacrocorax.

18. (120). P. dllophus (Sw. & Rich.). Duuble-crestecl Cor-
morant.

Family PELECANID^. Pelicans.

Genus Pb:lecanus Linnaeus.

Subgenus Cyrtopelicaxus Reichenbach.

19. (125). P. erythrorhynchos Gmel. American White
Pelican. One taken by Brimley on State Carp Ponds, Raleigh,
May 12, 1884.

Order ANSERES. Lamellirostral Swimmers.

Family ANATID^E. Ducks, Geese, and Swans.

Genus Merganser Brisson.

20. (129). 31. americanus (Cass.). American Merganser.
Coast, rather rare. (Coll of 1877).

21. (130). 31. serrator (Linn.). Red-breasted Merganser.
Coast, rare.

Genus LoPHODYTES Reichenbach.

22. (131). L. ciicullatus (Linn.). Hooded Merganser. Coast,
common; aiiddle region, rare.

Genus Anas Linnaeus.

Subgenus Anas.

23. (132). A. boscha.s Linn. Mallard. Winter visitor,
common.

24. (133). ^1. oh^cura Gmel. Black Duck. Winter vis-
itor, rare in middle region, common on coast.

Subgenus Chaulp:easmus Bonaparte.

25. (135). A. strepera Linn. Gadwall. Coast, common;
middle region, rare.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 00

Subgenus Mareca Stephens.

26. (137). .4. americana Gmel. Baklpate. Coast, common.

Subgenus Nettion Kaup.

27. (139). A. carolinensis Gmel. Green-winged Teal.

Transient visitor, sometimes common on coast, rare in middle

region.

Subgenus Querquedula Stephens.

28. (140). A. discors Linn. Blue-winged Teal. Transient
visitor, rather rare.

Genus Spatula Boie.

29. (142). *S'. dypeata (Linn.). Shoveller. Coast, rare.

'' Spoonbill."

Genus Dafila Stephens.

30. (143). TJ. acuta (Linn.). Pintail. Transient visitor,
coast, rare. Called also "Sprigtail.*^

Genus Aix Boie.

*31. (144). ^4. sponsa (Linn.). \yood Duck. Resident;

entire State; recorded by Batchelder in mountain region during

winter. Brewster says it breeds numerously along the mountain

streams.

Genus Aythya Boie.

Subgenus Aythya.

32.(146). ^4. americana (Eyt.). Redhead. Winter visitor;
middle and coast region, rather rare.

33. (147). A. vallisneria (Wils.). Canvas-back. Rare.

Subgenus Fuligula Stephens.

34. (148). A. marila nearctia Stejn. American Scaup Duck.
Winter visitor, rare in middle region; common (^n coast.

35. (149). A. affinis (Eyt.). Le.sser Scaup Duck. Winter
visitor, verv common on coast. Called also "Black-head.''

36. (150). ^4. collaris (Donov.). Ring-necked Duck. Win-
ter visitor, coast, rather rare.

Genus Glaucionetta Stejneger.

37. (151). G. clangula americana (Bonap.). American Gol-
den-eye. Coast, winter vis-itor, rather rare.

56 JOURNAL OF THE

Genus Charitonnetta Stejneger.

38. (153). C albeola (Linn.). Bnffle-head. WintcM' visitor,
middle region, rare; coast, common.

Genus Clang ula Leach.

39.(154). C.hyemalis (Lmn.). Old-squaw. Winter visitor,

coast, rare.

Genus Oidemia Fleming:.

Subgenus Melanitta Boie.

40. (165). O. deglandi Bonap. White-winged Scoter.
Casual winter visitor. One taken at Beaufort.

Subgenus Pelionetta Kaup.

41. (166). 0. persjjlcillata (Linn.). Surf Scoter. Winter
visitor, coast, rare. One taken at Beaufort.

Genus EriSxMATURA Bona})arte.

42. (167). JE. rubida (Wils.). Ruddy Duck. Probably a resi-
dent. Common in winter. Called also ''Paddy," ''Light- wood
Knot,'' " Butter-ball." Names applied also to several related

species.

Genus Chen Boie.

43. ( ). C. ccendeseens (Linn.). Blue Goose. Determined

from a live specimen in possession of S. J. Moore, Beaufort.
Has been in captivity for three years; taken on Bogue Beach,
one mile from Fort Macou, by James W^illis, of Morehead City
in spring of 1884; rare.

44. (169a). C. hyperborea nivalis (Forst.). Greater Snow
(xoose. Winter visitor, rare.

Genus Anser Brisson.

45. (171a). A. (dbifrons gambeli (Hartl.). American White-
fronted Goose. Buncombe county (vide Cairns).

Genus Branta Scopoli.

46. (172). B. canadensis (Linn.). Canada Goose. Winter
visitor, rather common.

47. (173). B. beniida (Linn.). Brant. Winter visitor,
rather common in Beaufort market, December, 1887.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 57

Genus Olor Wagler.

48. (180). 0. columhianus (Ord.). Whistling Swan. Cnrri-
tnck Sound, February, 1884, common (Brimley).

( )r(ler HERODIONES. Herons, Storks, Ibises, Etc.

Family CICONIID.E. Storks and Wood Ibises.

Genus Tantalus Linnaeus.

49. (188). T. locidator Linn. Wood Ibis. One killed at
Garners, fiv^e miles south of Raleigh, July, 1884 (Brimley).

Family ARDEID.E. Herons, Bitterns, Etc.
Genus BOTAURUS Hermann.
Subgenus Botaurus.

50. (190). B. lentiginosus (Montag.). American Bittern.
Rather rare. Has various popular names, ^' Stake Driver,"
"Thunder Pump," etc.

Subgenus Ardetta Gray.

51.(191). B. exUis{Q(mQ\.). Least Bittern. Rare; occasion-
ally taken in marshes of the coast region.

Genus Ardea Linnieus.

Subgenus Ardea.

52. (194). A IierocUas Linn. Great Blue Heron. Summer
sojourner, rather common.

Subgenus Herodias Boie.

53. (196). A. egretta Gmel. American Egret. Rather
rare. Sometimes called "White Crane.'^

Subgenus Garzetta Kaup.

54. (197). A. candidhshna Gmel. Snowy Heron. Coast,
rare. One from A\'ilmington in collection of James Busbee,
Raleigh. One in collection of A. Finer, Morehead City.

Subgenus Florida Baird.

55. (200). A. cosndea Linn. Little Blue Heron. Rare.

8

58 JOURNAL OF THE

Subgeuus BuTORiDES Blvth.

*56. (201). A. virescens Linn. Green Heron. Generally
distributed, common. Commonly called ''Schytepoke/' "Fly-
up-the-creek," etc.

Genus Nycticorax Stephens.

Suboenus Nyctherodius Reichenbach.

57. (203). N. violaceus (Linn.). Yellow-crowned Night
Heron. One taken at Beaufort, May, 1887; mounted by firm
of Clark & Morgan, New Bern.

Order PALUDICOL^. Cranes, Rails, Etc.

Family RALLID^E. Rails, Gallinules, and Coots.

Genus Rallus Linn?eus.

*58. (208). B. elegans Aud. King Rail. Summer so-
journer, rare.

59. (211). i?. longirostris crepitans (Gmel.). Clapper Rail.
Coast region, abundant (Brimley).

60. (212). R. virginianus Linn. Virginia Rail. Coll.
Clark and Morgan.

Genus PoRZANA Vieillot.
Subgenus Porzana.

61. (214). P. Carolina (Linn.). Sora. Transient visitor,
rare. (Univ. Coll.). ''Carolina Rail,'' "Ortolan," etc.

Subgenus Coturnicops Bonaparte.

62. (215). P. noveboracensis (Gmel.). Yellow Rail. Rare.
One captured alive near Raleigh, September, 1882 (Brimley).

Genus loNORNis Reichenbach.

63. (218). /. martinica (Linn.). Purple Gallinule. Rare.
One taken June 6th, 1887, by Brimley, near Raleigh.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 59

Genus Gallinula Brisson.

64. (219). G. galeata (Licht.). Florida Gallinule. Rare.
One specimen taken by Brimley in New Bern, 1885. One taken
near Asheville by Brewster in early summer of 1885.t

Genus FuLiCA Lin mens.

65. (221). F. amerlcana Gmel. American Coot. Common
in coast region; rare in middle region. One walked into Mr.
McCauley's store at Chapel Hill on the night of April S, 1887,
at 8 o'clock, and was captured. A heavy wind and rain storm
was prevailing, and had continued all day. (Univ. Coll.).

Order LIMICOL.E. Shore Birds.

Family SCOLOPCID.F:. Snipes, Sandpipers, Etc.

Genus Philohela Gray.

"^66. (228). P. minor (Gmel.). American Woodcock. Gen-
erallv distributed, rather rare.

Genus Gallinago Leach.

67.(230). G. delicata(On].). Wilson's Snipe. Rather com-
mon, transient throughout the State.

Genus Mackorhampus Leach.

68. (231). 31. griseus (Gmel.). Dowitcher. Common in
coast region, rare in middle region. One killed July, 1884, on
State Carp Ponds, near Raleigh, by Brimley.

69. (232). M. SGohpaceus (Say). Long-billed Dowitcher.
Identified from one specimen seen at Beaufort.

Genus Tringa Linnaeus.

Subgenus Actodromas Kaup.

70. (239). T. maculata Vieill. Pectoral Sandpiper. Rare.
One taken by Brimley at Raleigh, April 2, 1886.

71. (242). T. minutilla Yieill. Legist Sandpiper. Tran-
sient visitor, common in coast, rather rare in middle, and very
rare in mountain region. (Brindey and Cairns).

tSee "Auk," Vol. Ill, No. I, January, 1886.

60 JOURNAL OF THE

Subgenus Pelidna Cuvier.

72. (243a). T. alpina pacifica (Coues). Red-backed Sand-
piper. Identified from two specimens seen at Beaufort.

Genus Calidris Cuvier.

73. (248). C arenaria (Linn.). Sanderling. Common in
winter in coast region.

Genus Totaxus Bechstein.
Subgenus Glottis Koch.

74. (253). T. melanoleucus (Gmel.). Greater Yellow-legs.
Raleigh, reported by Brimley for April, 1887.

75. (255). T. flavipes (Gmel.). Yellow-legs. Middle and
coast regions, transient visitor, rather rare.

Subgenus Rhyacophilus Kaup.

76. (256). T. solitarim (Wils.). Solitary Sandpiper. Tran-
sient visitor, middle and mountain regions, rather common. I
have seen this bird, when frightened by being wounded, swim
under water, using its wings as oars.

Genns Symphemia Rafinesque.

*77. (258). S. semipalmata (Gmel.). Willit. Beaufort, com-
mon (Brimley).

Genus Bartramia Lesson.

78. (261). B. longicauda Bechst. Bartramian Sandpiper.
Raleigh, April, 1887 (Brimley).

Genus AcTiTis Illiger.

79. (263). A. macidarla (Linn.). Spotted Sandpiper. Resi-
dent in mountain region (Brewster and Cairns). Thus far deter-
mined as transient visitor in middle region.

Genus Numenius Brisson.

80. (264). N. longirostrls Wils. Long-billed Curlew. Beau-
fort, common (Brimley).

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 61

Family CHARADRIID^E. Plovers.

Genus Charadrius Linnaeus.

Subgenus Squatarola Cuvier.

81.(270). C. squatarola (hmu.). Black-bellied Plover. Iden-
tified from one specimen at Beaufort.

Subtrenus Charadrius Linnaeus.

82. (272). C. dominicus Mull. American Golden Plover.
One taken at Raleigh in autumn, 1884. Rare, transient.

Genus yl^GiALiTis Boie.

Subscenus Oxyechus Reichenbach.

*83. (273). A. vocifera (Linn.). Killdeer. Resident, gener-
ally distributed, rather common. (Univ. Coll.).

Subo-enus JEgialitis Boie.

84. (274). A. semipahnata Bonap. Semipalmated Plover.
Rare transient, taken bv Brimley at Raleitrh in May, 1884.

Family APHRIZID^. Surf Birds and Turnstones.
Genus Arenaria Brisson.

85. (283). A. interpres (Linn.). Turnstone. Beaufort, rather
common (Brimley).

Order GALLINtE. Gallinaceous Birds.

Family TETRAONID-.E. Grouse, Partridges, Etc.

Genus CoLiNUS Lesson.

*86. (289). (7. mV^^rm? amis (Linn.). Bob-White. Very com-
mon throughout the State. Called '^Partridge'' at the South,
''Quail" at the Xorth. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Boxasa Stephens.

*87. (300). B. umheUus (Linn.). Ruffed Grouse. Mountain
region. Xot very common. At breeding season above altitude
of 4,000 feet. Mountain people say it is as common in valleys
as at hitrh elevations. Brewster thiid\S this mav be true in
autumn and winter, but doubts it during breeding season.
Occurs as far east as Old Fort {vide Brewster).

62 JOURNAL OF THE

Family PHASIANID.E. Pheasants, Etc.

Genus Meleagris Linn^ens.

'^^%. (310). J/, gallapavo Linn. Wild Turkey. Resident,
generally distributed. Rare in some localities, rather common
in others. (Eggs in Univ. Coll.).

Order COLUMBJE. Pigeons.

Family COLUMBID^E. Pigeons.

Genus EcTOPiSTES Swainsou.

89. (315). E. mlgratorius (Linn.). Passenger Pigeon. Rare
transient (Brimley and Cairns).

Genus Zenaidura Bonaparte.

*90. (316). Z. macroura (Linn.). Mourning Dove. Gener-
ally distributed, resident, rather common. (Univ. Coll.).

Order RAPTORES. Birds of Prev.

Family CATHARTID.E. American Vultures.

Genus Cathartes IlhVer.

*91. (325). C. aura (Linn.). Turkey Vulture. Resident,

very common.

Genus Catharista Vieillot.

- *92. (326). G atixita (Bartr.). Black Vulture. Resident,
common.

Family FALCONID^E. Vultures, Falcons, Hawks, Eagles,

Etc.

Genus Elanoides Vieillot.

93.(327). E. forjicatus (Li\nn.). Swallow-tailed Kite. Casual
in mountain region (vide Cairns).

Genus Circus Lacepede.
94. (331). C. hitdsonius (Linn.). Marsh Hawk. Winter vis-
itor, rather common.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIP^IC SOCIETY. 63

Genus Accipiter Brisson.
Subgenus Accipiter.

95. (332). A. velox (Wils.). Sharp-.shinned Hawk. Rather
common. (Univ. Coll.). Rare resident in mountain region
{vide Cairns).

96. (333). A. Gooperi (Bonap.). Cooper's Hawk. Resident,
rather common and generally distributed throughout the State.
Sometimes called "Blue Darter," '^Chicken Hawk/' "Pigeon
Hawk/' which latter two names are also applied to A. velox.
Probably A. velox and cooperi both breed in the State. (Univ.
Coll.).

Genus Buteo Cuvier.

Subgenus Buteo.

97. (337). B. borealis (Gmel.). Red-tailed Hawk. Rather
common; probably resident throughout the State; reported as
resident in mountain region {vide Cairns). (Priv. Coll.).

"^98. (239). B. lineatiis (Gmel.). Red-shouldered Hawk.
Resident, common throughout the State.

99. (342). B. swainsoni Bonap. Swainson's Hawk. Re-
ported as accidental in mountain region [vide Cairns).

100. (343). B. latissimus (Wils.). Broad- winged Hawk. Re-
ported from mountain region (vide Brewster). Also taken in
vicinity of Raleigh (vide coll. of James Busbee).

Genus Aquila Brisson.

*101. (349). .4. c/i/'^sae^06' (Linn.). Golden Eagle. Mount-
ain region, resident. Said to breed on inaccessible cliffs and
ledges of the higher mountains {vide Brew\ster).

Genus Halleetus Savigny.

*102. (352). H. leucocephalus (Linn.). Bald Eagle. Resident,
generally distributed, but rare. Said to breed in coast region ;
the young, in this section, during change of pliuuage, called by
many "Gray Eagle."

64 JOURNAL OF THE

Genus Falco Liniiieus.

Subgenus RHY^x•HODOX Nitzscli.

*103. (356). F. peregrinus anatum (Bonaj).). Duck Hawk.
Mountain region. Resident; mountaineers say they breed in
same places many years in succession. They also believe they
"go blind'' in August and consequently die of starvation (vide
Brewster).

Subgenus ^Esalon Kaup.

104. (357). F. columbarius Linn. Pigeon Hawk. One taken
by Brimley near Raleigh, October 1, 1886.

Subgenus Tinnunculus Yieillot.

105. (360). F. sparverius Linn. American Sparrow Hawk.
Resident, probably breeds. Also called '^American Kestril."
(Univ. Coll.).

Genus Pandion Savitrnv.

106. (364). P. JiaUceetus earolinensis (Gmel.). American
Osprey. Rare transient visitor for middle and coast region.
Rare summer visitor in mountain region {vide Cairns).

Family BUBONID^. Horned Owls, Etc.
Genus Asio Brisson.

107. (366). A. tcilsonianus (Less.). American Long-eared
Owl. One taken near Raleigh, in coll. of James Busbee.

108. (367). A. accipltrinus (Pall.). Short-eared Owl. Rare,
taken both at Raleigh (Brimley and Busbee) and in Buncombe
county (^vide Cairns).

Genus Syrnium Savigny.

*109. (368). S. nebulosum (Forst.). Barred Owl. Resident,
generally distributed, rather common.

Genus Megascops Kaup.

*110. (373). 31. asio (Linn.). Screech Owl. Resident, gen-
erally distributed, very common in middle, and coast, and rare
in mountain region. (Univ. Coll.).

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 65

Genus Bubo Cuvier,

111. (375). B. virginianus (Gniel.). Great Horned Owl.
Resident^ generally distributed, though not very common.

Genus Nyctea Stephens,

112. (376). N. nyctea (Linn.). Snowy Owl. Rare straggler
to mountain region {vide Cairns).

Order PSITTAI. Parrots, Macaws, Paroquets. Etc.

Family PSITTACID^.

Genus CoNURUS Kuhl.

113. (382). C. carolinensis (Linn.). Carolina Paroquet. For-
merly a resident of North Carolina, now confined to the Gulf
States and Lower Mississippi Valley. Should be looked for as
accidental in the south-eastern parts of the State.

Order COCCYGES. Cuckoos, Etc.

Family CUCULID.E. Cuckoos, Anis, Etc.

Genus CoccYZUS Vieillot.

*114. (387). C. americanus (Linn.). Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
Summer visitor, generally distributed, common. (Univ. Coll.).

115. (388). C. erythrophthalmus (Wils.), Black-billed Cuckoo.
Summer visitor, rare (Brindcy). Common transient and rare
summer visitor in mountain region {vide Cairns).

Family ALCEDIXID^E. Kingfishers.

Genus Ceryle Boie.

Subgenus Streptoceryle Bonaparte.

IIG. (390). G alcyon (Linn.). Belted Kingfisher. Resi-
dent, generally distributed, common; probably breeds. (Univ.
Coll.).

QQ JOURNAL OF THE

Order PICI. Woodpeckers, Wrynecks, Etc.

Family PICID.E. Woodpeckers.

Genns Campephilus Gray.

117. (392). C. principalis (h'u\n.). Ivory-billed Woodpecker.
Formerly a resident of North Carolina, now confined to the
Gulf States and Lower Mississippi Valley. Should be looked
for as accidental in the south-eastern parts of the State.

Genus Dryobateh Boie.

118.(393). D. villosus (JJnn.). Hairy Woodpecker. Mount-
ain region, rare resident. Single male shot among balsams of
Black Mountains; referred by some to D. v. leucomelas {vide
Brewster). Reported also by Batchelder in winter, and by
Cairns as a " rare resident.'^

119. (393b). D. viUosus audohonii (Swains.). Southern Hairy
Woodpecker. Resident, generally distributed, rather rare.

*120. (394). D. pubescens (Linn.). Downy Woodpecker.
Resident, common. (Univ^ Coll.).

121. (395). D. horealis (Vieill.). Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
Probably a resident of the coast region. I shot one December
14th, 1887, in marshy woodland about two miles from Beaufort.
Standing in the road I could count at a dozen specimens within
a few rods. They were searching very industriously on pine
and oak trees for insects, and uttering a peculiar, sharp,
^^eh-r-r-r-r.'^ (Priv. Coll.).

Genus Sphyrapicus Baird.

122. (402). S. varius (Linn.). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
Common in fall, winter and spring; reported as resident in
mountain region (mde Cairns). (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Ceophlceus Cabanis.

*123. (405). C. pileatm (Linn.). Pileated Woodpecker.

Resident, generally distributed, rare. Eggs taken in Buncombe

county April 20, 1886, by Cairns. The adult is a very shy

bird. When young they are comparatively tame. In June^

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 67

1887, four nearly full-grown ones came into the grove on the

University grounds. After pui'suing them for some time, and

shooting one, they lighted in a large oak so near one of the

buildings that I killed two at one shot from my open window.

(Univ. Coll.).

Genus Melanerpes Swainson.

Subgenus Melanerpes.

124. (406), 31. erythrocepalus (Linn.). Red-headed Wood-
pecker. Rare as resident, common in summer in localities; gen-
erally distributed. (Univ\ Coll.).

Subgenus Centurus Swainson.

125. (409). M. carolinus (Linn.). Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Resident, generally distributed, rather rare, but common at times
in localities. Very common at Chaj)el Hill in autumn and
winter of '87 and '88. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus C0LAPTE8 Swainson.

*126. (412). C. auratus (Linn.). Flicker. Resident, gener-
ally distributed, common. Abundant as transient in Buncombe
county, but rare in summer and winter [ride Cairns). In sum-
mer Brewster saw^ them in mountain region only on plateaus
between 3,000 feet and 4,000 feet. Popularly known as ''Yel-
lowhammer," ^'Golden-winged Woodpecker," etc. (Univ. Coll.).

Order MACROCHIRES. Goatsuckers, Swifts, Etc.

Family CAPRIMULGIDiE. Goatsuckers, Etc.

Genus Antrostomus Gould.

127. (416). A. carolinensis (Gmel.). Chuck-will's- widow.
Raleigh, summer visitor, rather common.

*128. (417). A.vociferus {Wih.). Whip-poor-will. Summer
visitor, generally distributed ; less common in mountain region.

Genus Chordeiles Swainson.

129. (420). C. virginianus (Gmel.). Nighthawk. Summer
visitor, more common as transient; generally distributed. Brews-

68 JOURNAL OF THE

ter records only one specimen seen near Aslieville, though it was
reported as of general occurrence. Buncombe county, common
transient, and rather common summer visitor {vide Cairns). A
specimen was brought me in August, 1887, while at Balsam Sta-
tion, by a mountaineer. (Univ. Coll.).

Family MICROPODID^E. Swifts.

Genus ChtETURA Stephens.

*130. (423). C. pelagica (Linn.). Chimney Swift. Gener-
ally distributed, summer visitor, common. (Univ. Coll.).

Family TROCHILIDiE. Humming Birds.

Genus Trochilus Linnaeus.

Subgenus Trochilus.

*13L (428). T. colubris (Lmn.). Ruby-throated Humming-
bird. Generally distributed, summer visitor, common. At
Balsam Station, in August, I found this species exceedingly
abundant. Called "Whizzers'' by the mountaineers of that
Section. (Univ. Coll.).

Order PASSERES. Perching Birds.

Family TYRANNID^. Tyrant Flycatchers.

Genus Tyrannus Cuvier.

*132. (444). T. tyrannus (Linn.). Kingbird. Summer vis-
itor, common in middle and coast region, rather rare in mount-
ain region. Called also "Bee Martin." (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Myiarchus Cabanis.

*133. (452). if. crinitus (Linn.). Crested Flycatcher. Sum-
mer visitor, generally distril)uted, common. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Sayornis Bonaparte.

*134. (456). 8. phoebe (Lath.). Phoebe. Generally distrib-
uted, rather rare in winter, common in summer. Middle region
nests under bridges and in deserted buildings. I have taken the

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 69

bird from the nest. Brewster reports it as breeding under rocks
and earth banks in mountain region. At Chapel Hill wrongly
called "Cowbird'' by egg collectors. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus CoxTOPUS Cabanis.

*135. (459). C. borealis (Swains.). Olive-sided Flycatcher.
Taken in south-east corner of Macon countv bv Brewster. He
saw several pairs preparing to breed. Buncombe county, rare
transient (Cairnsj.

*136. (461). C. vlrens (Linn.). Wood Pewee. Summer vis-
itor, generally distributed, common. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Empidonax Cabanis.

* 137. (465.) E. acadius (Gmel.). Acadian Flycatcher. Com-
mon summer visitor in middle and mountain region. Brewster
says it is common below 3,000 feet.

138. (467). E. minimus Baird. Least Flycatcher. Sum-
mer visitor, mountain region, generally distributed though not
common (vide Brewster and Cairns).

Family ALAUDID.E. Larks.
Genus Otocoris Bonaparte.

139. (474). 0. alpestris (Linn.). Horned Lark. Middle
region, winter visitor, sometimes very common. (Univ. Coll.).

Family CORVID^. Crows, Jays, Magpies, Etc.

Genus Cyanocitta Strickland.

*140. (477). C. cristata (Linn.). Blue Jay. Resident, gen-
erally distributed, common. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus CoRVUS Linnaeus.

14L (486). C. corax sinuatus (Wagl.). Mexican Raven(?).
The following subspecies (C c. principalis) was separated from
C c. sinuatus by Ridgway since the latter was reported in the
State. Brewster and Cairns l)oth report the Raven from the
mountain retjion ; the former savs it is "common almost everv-
where above 3,000 feet." On the principle that the avian fauna
of the higher portions of the mountain region is similar to that

70 JOURNAL OF THE

of the Canadian avian fauna, as Brewster has shown, the form
from this region would be that of the Northern Raven. In the
absence of positive testimony on this point I place this sub-
species in the list provisionally.

142. ( — ). C. corax prlncvpalis Ridgw. Northern Raven.
One specimen taken by Clark and Morgan, of New Bern, and
now in their possession, I have determined as belonging to this
subspecies. I saw the specimen and took the following meas-
urements: Length 26.50, wing 16.75, tail 10.25, tarsus 2.85,
culmen 3.19, depth of bill at nostril 1.12. The Raven is
reported from the coast region by Brimley, but no measurements
given. It may be quite possible that both subspecies, and inter-
grade forms, w^ould occur, situated, as the State is, somewhat
between the Canadian and Mexican faunae.

143.(488). C. americanus Au(\. American Crow. Resident,
generally distributed, common. (Univ. Coll.).

144. (490). C. ossifragus Wils. Fish Crow. New Bern
(Clark and Morgan).

Family ICTERIDJE. Blackbirds, Orioles, Etc.
Genus DoLiCHONYX Swainson.

145. (494). D. oryzivorus (Linn.). Bobolink. Transient vis-
itor, rare in the mountain region, more common eastward.
(Coll. of 1877). Called also " Reedbird,'' " Ricebird.''

Genus MoLOTHRUS Swainson.

146. (495). 31. ater (Bodd.). Cowbird. Common transient.

Genus Agelaius Yieillot.

*147. (498). A. ijhoeniceus {\J\nu.). Red-winged Blackbird.
Resident throughout the State, common, rarer in mountain
region, except as a transient, and confined to the lower valleys.
(Priv. Coll.).

Genus Sturnella Vieillot.

*I48. (501). S. magna (Linn.). Meadowlark. Common in
winter throughout the State; rare in summer in mountain region.
Said to breed sparingly in Macon county {vide Brewster).
(Univ. Coll.).

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 71

Genus Icterus Brisson.
Subii'eiuis Pendulinus Vieillot.
*149. (506). I. spurius (Linn.). Orchard Oriole. Summer
visitor, common throughout the State and confined to low coun-
tries in mountain region. (Univ. Coll.).

Subjienus Yphantes Vieillot.

150. (507). J. ^a/6it/a (Linn.). Baltimore Oriole. Rare tran-
sient in middle region, rather rare summer visitor in mountain
region ; probably breeds there. One in Univ. Coll. taken by G.
W. Edwards in Allegheny county.

Genus ScoLECOPHAGUS Swainson.

15L (509.) S. carolinus (Miill.). Rusty Blackbird. Rather
common transient. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus QuiscALUS Vieillot.

Subgenus Quiscalus.

*152. (511). Q.quiscul a (Linn.). Purple Grackle. Common
transient in middle and coast region, rather rare summer visitor
in mountain region. Seen breeding in Asheville by Brewster.
(Priv. Coll.).

Subgenus Megaquiscalus Cassin.

153. (513). Q. major Vieill. Boat-tailed Grackle. Rare
transient in mountain region (vide Cairns); common resident in
coast region, where it probably breeds.

Family FRINGILLID.E. Finches, Sparrows, Etc.
Genus Carpodacus Kaup.

154. (517). C. purpureus (Gmel.). Purple Finch. Tran-
sient, and winter visitor throughout the State, sometimes very
common. At Chapel Hill, in the spring of 1887, hundreds
remained on the University grounds for a month or more, asso-
ciated with numbers of Spinus tristis, and feeding on the buds
and tender seeds of the elm. Brewster reported it abundant at
Old Fort, and thinks it breeds there. (Univ. Coll.).

72 • JOURNAL OF THE

Genus LoxiA Linn sens.

155. (521). L. carvirostra minor (Brehni.). American Cross-
bill. Small fl(x;ks on Black Mountains, above 5,000 feet; said
to appear at Highlands in winter regularly (vide Brewster).
Rare transient at Raleigh (Brimley).

Genus Spinus Koch.

"^166. (529). S. tristis (Linn.). American Goldfinch. Resi-
dent in middle and mountain regions; abundant especially in
winter. In August I found it abundant at Balsam Station.
(Univ. Coll.).

157. (533). /S^. /)i??.it6- (Wils.). Pine Siskin. Mountain region,
common transient, and rare winter visitor (vide Cairns); Black
Mountains June 2d, 1886 (vide Brewster); middle region,
sometimes common in winter (Brimley).

Genus Pooc.ETES Baird.

158. (540). P. graraineus (Gmel.). Vesper Sparrow. Com-
mon during winter in middle and mountain regions. Cairns
says rather common in Buncombe county in summer. (LTniv.

Coll.).

Genus Ammodramus Swainson.

Subgenus Passerculus Bonaparte.

159. (542a). A. sandwichensis savanna (Wils.). Savanna
Sparrow, Winter visitor, middle region, rather common.
(Priv. Coll.).

Subgenus Coturxiculus Bonaparte.

'''IGO. (546). A, savannarum passerinus(W\h.). Grasshopper

Sparrow. Common during summer near Franklin in mountain

region and apparently breeding (vide Brewster). Rare transient

eastward.

Genus Zoxotrichia Swainson.

161. (554). Z. leucophrys (Forst.). White-crowned Sparro\v.
Accidental at Raleigh. (Coll. of James Busbee).

162. (558). Z. albicoUis (Gmel.). White-throated Sparrow.
Common winter visitor throughout the State. (Univ. Coll.).

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 73

Genus Spizella Bonaparte.

*163. (oGO). 8. socialis (Wils.). Chipping Sparrow. Sum-
mer visitor, common, and generally distributed. (Univ. Coll.).

164. (561). S. pallida (Swains.). Clay-colored Sparrow.
Accidental. One taken at Chapel Hill, March 8th, 1886.
(Univ. Coll.).

*105. (563). S. pusilla (Wils.). Field Sparrow. Common
resident, and generally distributed. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Passer Brisson.

*166. ( — ). P. domeMicu^ (Linn.). Abundant in towns and
villages. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus JuNCO Wagler.

167. (567). /. hyemalis (Linn.). Slate-colored Junco. Com-
mon winter visitor throughout the State. (Univ. Coll.).

*168. (567b). J. hyemalis carolinensis Brewst. Carolina Junco.
Found by Brewster in summer only on Black Mountains, and
at Highlands above elevation of 4,300 feet. Nests collected at
the latter place. Found in winter by Batchelder associated with
J. hyemalis in valleys.

Genus Peuc^ea Audubon.

*169. (575a). P. cestivalis bachmanii (Aud.). Bachman's
Sparrow. Rare summer visitor. Single specimen taken by
Brewster at Franklin. A few taken in March and April, ^85
and '87, at Raleigh by Brimley. One taken from a breeding
pair by myself at Chapel Hill. The nest was found by Willie
Gulick ; eggs 4, size .63 x.76, dull whitish; nest a bulky struct-
ure on the ground made of coarse grasses. I believe the nest
and eggs have never before been described. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Melospiza Baird.

170. (581). J/, fasciata (Gmel.). Song Sparrow. Common
winter visitor. (Univ. Coll.).

171.(584). 3L fjeorgiana (Ijnth.). Swamp Sparrow. Com-
mon transient in mountain region, winter visitor in middle
region.

10

74 JOURNAL OF THE

Genus Passerella Swainson.

172.(585). P. ^7iaca (Merr.). Fox Sparrow. Common win-
ter visitor. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Pjpieo Vieillot.

173.(587). P. erijthrophthalmns{lj\v\u.). Towhee. Common
transient in middle region, common resident in mountain region^
and winters in coast region. Probably breeds in mountain
region. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Cardinalis Bonaparte.

*174. (593). C. cardinalis (Linn.). Cardinal. Generally
distributed, common, resident; lower valleys in mountain region.
Called also "Cardinal Grosbeak/' "Winter Redbird/' etc.
(Univ. Coll.).

Genus Habia Reichenbach.

175. (595). H. ludoviciana (U\\\u.). Rose- breasted Grosbeak.
Rare transient in middle region. Summer sojourner on high
mountains, range from 3,800 feet to 5,000 feet on Black Mount-
ains, and 3,500 feet to 4,500 feet at Highlands {vide Brewster);
Craggy Mountain {vide Cairns). Probably breeds. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus GuiRACA Swainson.

*176. (597). G. Gcerulea (Linn.). Blue Grosbeak. Rather
common summer sojourner in middle region, where it breeds.
Single specimen seen at Asheville by Brewster. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Passerina Vieillot.

*177. (598). P. cyanea (Linn.). Common summer visitor,
generally distributed; in mountain I'egion below 4,500 feet.
(Univ. Coll.).

178. (601). P. ciris (Linn.). Painted Bunting. Summer
visitor Beaufort, (Brimley).

Family TANAGRID.F. Tanagers.

Genus Piranga Vieillot.

*179. (608). P. crythromelafiYieiU. Scarlet Tanager. Spring
and autumn transient in middle region, rare. Summer sojourner

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. (0

in mountain region, abundant in hard wood timber of Black
Mountain up to 500 feet {vide Brewster, Cairns). It probable-
breeds in mountain region. I took a young male at Balsam
Station in Auijust, 1887, and saw several others. Two vouns:
males and one female taken at Chapel Hill in Septeml^er, 1887.
Both males with black wings and tail, female with wings and
tail dark ash. One male with black spots on crown and sca-
pulars, and faint tinge of reddish on interscapulars and tips of
upper tail coverts. Otherwise both males rich olive green on
u])per parts, and rich greenish yellow on lower parts. (Univ.
Coll.).

'^180. (610). P. rubra (Linn.). Summer Tauager. Summer
visitor, generally distributed, rather rare and local in mountain
region. Seems to breed numerously in middle region. Two
females were taken at Cha[)el Hill parti-male-colored ; one
taken from a nest was olive-yellow below, olive-green above;
heavily washed on entire under parts, neck, lesser wing-coverts,
tail-feathers, back, except interscapulars and rump, with red;
crown, interscapulars, rump and wings only slightly tinged with
reddish. (Univ. Coll.).

Family HIRUNDINID.E. Swallows.

Genus Progne Boie.

*181. (611). P. subis (Linn.). Purple Martin. Summer
visitor, rather rare, but sometimes common in localities, usually
towns and villages.*

Genus Petrochelidon Cabanis.

182. (612). P. lunifrons (Say). Cliff Swallow. Rare tran-
sient in mountain region {vide Cairns).

Genus Chelidox Forster.
183.(613). C.erythrogaster(^o(\(\.). Barn Swallow. Rather
rare transient.

Genus Tachyctneta Cabanis.

184. (614). T. bicolor (Vieill.). White-bellied Swallow.
Rather common transient in middle and coast region.

76 JOURNAL OF THE

Genus Stelgidopteryx Baird.

*185. (617). >S'. serripennis (And.). Kough-winged Swallow.
Common summer sojourner, generally distributed. Settled por-
tions of mountain region up to 2,500 feet, nesting in ledges and
clay banks (vide Brewster). (Univ. Coll.).

Familv AMPELID.E. Waxwings, Etc.

Genus Ampelis Linnieus.

*186. (619). A. cedrorum{WQ\\\.). Cedar Waxwing. Com-
mon resident, generally distributed, very common in flocks in
winter, rather uncertain and irregular in localities. On Black
Mountains a pair preparing to breed at altitude of 5,000 feet
(vide Brewster). (Univ. Coll.).

Family LAJSTIID^. Shrikes.

Genus Laxius Linnaeus.

187. (622). L. ludovicianus Linn. Loggerhead Shrike.
Rather rare winter visitor in middle region. (Univ. Coll.).

Family VIREONID.^. Vireos.

Genus ViREO Vieillot.
Subgenus Vireosylya Bonaparte.

*188. (624). V. olivaceus (Linn.). Red-eyed Vireo. Com-
mon summer visitor, generally distributed, in mountain region
below 4,000 feet. (Univ. Coll.).

189. (626). V. philadelphicus (Cass.). Philadelphia Vireo.
Rare transient in mountain region (vide Cairns).

190.(627). T". ^//I'w.s (Vieill.). Warbling Yireo. Rare sum-
mer visitor, mountain region (Old Fort and Buncombe county,
vide Brewster and Cairns).

Subgenus Laniyireo Baird.

191. (628). F. flavifrons Yieill. Yellow-throated Yireo.
Summer visitor, rather common in middle and mountain region.
(Univ. Coll.).

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 77

192. (629). V. solitanus (\Y Us.). Blue-headed Vireo. Eather
common transient in middle and mountain regions, and rare
summer visitor in latter place.

193. ( — ). V. solltarlus alticola Brewst. Mountain Solitary
Vireo. Mountain region, some places common, in oak and
chestnut woods ranging from 4,200 feet to foot of the balsams,
5,000 feet {^vide Brewster).

Subgenus ViREO Vieillot.

194. (631). V. noveboracensis (Gmel.). White-eyed Yireo.
Rather rare summer visitor, generally distributed. (Univ. Coll.).

Family MNIOTILTID.^. Wood AVarblers.

Genus Mniotilta Yieillot.

*195. (636.) 31. varia (Linn.). Black and White Warbler.
Common summer visitor, generally distributed. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Protonotaria Baird.

196. (637). P. citrea {Bode].). Prothonotary Warbler. Rare
summer visitor, middle region (Brimley).

Genus Helinaia Audubon.

197. (638). H. swainsonii And. Swainson's Warbler. One
taken at New Bern April 13, 1885, by H. H. Brimley. First
record of its occurrence in North Carolina.

Genus Helmitherus Rafinesque.

198. (639). U. vermivorus (Gmel.). Worm-eating Warbler.
Rather rare transient in middle region, rare summer visitor in
mountain region. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Helminthophila Ridgway.

199.(641). H. pinus (Jj]\)\\.). Blue-winged Warbler. Rare
summer visitor in mountain region (Craggy Mount, Cairns).

*200. (642). H. chrysoptera (Linn.). Golden-winged Warbler.
One taken by Brimley near Raleigh August 26, 1886. Rare
summer visitor in mountain region (eggsiaken by Cairns at foot
of Craggy Mount June 2, 1885). Brewster found it common
in Jackson and Macon counties, ranging from 2,000 feet to 4,000
feet in open oak woodland.

78 JOURNAL OF THE

201. (645). 11. ruficapilla (Wils.). Nashville Warbler. Rare
transient in mountain region {vide Cairns).

202.(647). U. 2:>erefjrina{\\\]s.). Tennessee Warbler. Rare
transient, middle and mountain regions (Brimley and Cairns).

Genus CoMPSOTHLYPiS Cabanis.

*203. (648). C. americana (Linn.). Parula AVarbler. Com-
mon summer v^isitor throughout the State. (Univ. Coll.).
Called also ^^Blue Yellow-baeked Warbler."

Genus Dendroica Gray.

Subc>:enus Perissoglossa Baird.

204. (650). D. tigrina (Gmel.). Cape May AVarbler. Rare
transient in Buncombe county {vide Cairns).

Subgenus Dendroica Gray.

*205. (652). D. cestiva (Gmel.). Yellow Warbler. Common
summer visitor, generally distributed ; in mountain region below
2,800 feet, along streams (vide Brewster). (Univ. Coll.).

*206. (654). D. ccerulescens (Gmel.). Black-throated Blue
Warbler. Common transient in middle, and also sojourner in
mountain region; Brewster found it abundant at Highlands in
Rhododendron swamps and along Rhododendron bordered
streams of Black Mountains, says it probably breeds. (Univ.

Coll.).

207. (655). D.coronata(L\nn.). Myrtle Warbler. Common
winter visitor throughout the State, sometimes appearing in
large flocks. (Univ. Coll.). '^ Yellow-rumped Warbler."

208. (657). D. maculosa (Gmel.). Magnolia Warbler. Rather
rare transient in middle, and more common in mountain region.
(Univ. Coll.).

209. (658). D. ccendea (Wils.). C?erulean Warbler. Rare
transient in middle and mountain region.

*210. (659). B. pensykamca{\ Aim.). Chestnut-sided Warbler.
Rather rare transient in middle, and common summer sojourner
in mountain region, where it is generally distributed 2,000 feet
to 4,000 feet {vide Brewster). I took a pair at Balsam Station
in Augu.st, 1887; probably breeds. (Priv. Coll.).

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 79

211. (661). D. striata (Fovst.). Blaok-poll Warbler. Rather
rare transient visitor in middle and coast region. (Coll. of 1877).

*212. (662). I), blai'hhumke (Gmel.). Blackburnian Warbler.
Middle and nionntain region^ transient in former and snmmer
sojonrner in latter, where it is somewhat irregnlarly distributed;
rare in Buncond)e connty (Cairns) ; Jackson and Macon coun-
ties abundai't everywhere above 3,000 feet, and on crest of
Cowee range, and about Highlands the commonest of birds;
evidently breeding (Brewster).

*213. (663). D. domhiica (Linn.). Yellow-throated Warbler.
Summer visitor, generally distributed, rather rare. (Univ. Coll.).

*214. (667). D. V ir ens (Gme].). Black-throated Green Warbler.
Rare transient throughout the State except on Black Mountains,
where Brewster found it abundant in the balsam forests above
0,000 feet; he says it probably breeds.

*215. (671). D. vigorsii (And.). Pine Warbler. Common
resident in middle and coast regions, rare resident in mountain
region, but common as a transient. (Univ. Coll.).

216. (672). D. palmarum (Gmel.). Palm Warbler. Rather
rare transient and winter visitor, (Univ. Coll.).

*217. (673). I), discolor {Y\q\\\.). Prairie Warbler. Rather
common summer visitor in middle region. Brewster found it
common at Old Fort. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Seiurus Swainson.

218. (674). .S'. aurocapillus (Linn.). Oven-bird. ComuKKi
transient in middle region, and common summer sojourner in
mountain region. (Univ. Coll.).

219.(675). 8.noveho7'acensis{Gme\.). Water-Thrush. Rather
common transient in middle region, and rare summer visitor in
mountain region (S. ncEvius, vide Cairns). (Univ. Coll.).

*220. (676). S. motadUa (Vieill.). Lotiisiana Water-Thrush.
Rare summer visitor in middle and mountain retrion.

Genus Geothlypis Cabanis.

Subgenus Opohornis Baird.

221. (677). G. formosa (Wils.). Kentucky Warbler. Sun-
nier visitor, rare in middle region, rather common in mountain

80 JOURXAL OF THE

region, where it is generally distributed in valleys and np mount-
ain sides to 3,500 feet.

222. (678). G. agilis (Wils.). Conneeticut AVarbler. Taken
at Raleigh by Brim ley October 15, 1884.

Subgenus Geothlypis Cabanis.

*223. (681). G. trichas (Linn.). Maryland Yellow-throat.

Summer visitor, rather common throughout the State. (Univ.

Coll.).

Genus IcTERiA Yieillot.

*224. (683). I.virens{\Jinn.). Yellow-breasted Chat. Every-
where abundant, summer sojourner. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Sylyania Nuttall.

225. (684). *S'. mitrata (Gmel.). Hooded Warbler. Rare
transient throughout the State, and rare summer sojourner in
mountain region, where it is generally distributed in ^'Rhodo-
dendron thickets along streams, ranging to 3,800 feet" [vide
Brewster). (Univ. Coll.).

226. (685). S. pusilla (Wils.). Wilson's Warbler. Rare
transient (Busbee and Cairns).

*227. (6S6). 8.ca7iadensis(L\nn.). Canadian Warbler. Sum-
mer sojourner in mountain region. "Abundant from 3,000 feet
to tops of highest mountains; breeds at Highlands" (Brewster).

Genus Setophaga Swainson.

*228. (687). S. ruticilla (Linn.). American Redstart. Com-
mon transient and rather rare summer sojourner in middle and
mountain regions. (Univ. Coll.).

Family MOTACILLID^^. Wagtails.

Genus Anthus Bechsteio.

Subgenus Anthus.

229. (697). ^. j^ensiYrrtmcits (Lath.). American Pipit. Win-
ter visitor in middle and coast region, irregularly distributed ;
rare transient in Buncombe county {vide Cairns).

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 81

Family TROGLODYTID^. Wrens, Thrashers, Etc.

Genus Mimus Boie.

*230. (703). 31. poly f/loitis (L'mn.). Mockingbird. Rare and
local summer visitor in mountain region, where it breeds spar-
ingly ; abundant resident and breeder in middle and coast region.
(Univ. Coll.).

Genus Galeoscoptes Cabanis.

"^231. (704). G. caroUnensls (Linn.). Catbird. Common
summer visitor throughout the State. Winters in portions of
coast region. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Harpoehyxchus Cabanis.

Subgenus Methpiopterus Reichenbach.

*232. (705). H. rufiis (Linn.). Brown Thrasher. Rather
common summer visitor. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Thryothorus Vieillot.

Subgenus Thryothorus.

*233. (718). T.ludomcianus{ljdiih.), Carolina Wren. Com-
mon resident in entire State, breeding throughout its range.
(Univ. Coll.).

Subgenus Thryomanes Sclater.

*234. (719). T. beioichii (And.). Bewick's Wren. Resident
in mountain region, rather common in summer in towns, breeds
in sheds and out-buildings (vide Brewster).

Genus Troglodytes Vieillot.

Subgenus Troglodytes.

235. (721). T.aedon\\Q\\\. House Wren. Rare transient.
(Univ. Coll.).

Subgenus Anorthura Rennie.

236. (722). T. kiemalis Yieill. Winter Wren. Rather rare
winter visitor in middle region; resident in mountain region;
^'abundant in balsams of Black Mountains 5,000 feet to 6,000
feet [vide Brewster). (Univ. Coll.).

11

82 JOURNAL OF THE

Genus CiSTOTiiORUS Cabaiiis.
Subgenus Cistothorus.

237. (724). a stellaris (Licht.). Short-billed Marsh Wren.
Rare transient, Buncombe county {vide Cairns).

Subii^enus Telmatodytes Cabanis.

238. (725). 0. palustris (Wils.). Long-billed Marsh Wren.
Rare transient, taken at Raleigh in ' April and May, 1886
(Briniley).

Family CERTHIID.E. Creepers.

Genus Certhia Linnaeus.

*239. (726). C. famillaris americana (Bonap.). Brown Creeper.
Common winter visitor and transient in middle region; resident
in mountain region, common in winter, abundant transient, and
rare in summer. '^Common at Highlands and Black Moun-
tains, in balsams, above 4,000 feet, breeds'' (vide Brewster).
(Univ. Coll.).

Family PARID^. Nuthatches and Tits.
Genus SiTTA Linnaeus.

*240. (727j. S. carolinensis Lath. White-breasted Nuthatch.
Rather common resident throughout the State. (Univ. Coll.).

*24L (728). S. canadensis Linn. Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Rare winter visitor in middle region; rare summer visitor in
mountain region. In balsams of Black Mountains from 5,000
feet to 6,000 feet, breeds (Brewster).

*242. (729). S. j)usilla Lath. Brown-headed Nuthatch.
Rather common resident in middle and coast regions; rather local.

Genus Parus Linnaeus.
Subgenus Lophophanes Kaup.
*243. (731). P. bicolor Linn. Tufted Titmouse. Common
resident, generally distributed. (Univ. Coll.).

Subgenus Parus Linna3us.
*244. (735). P. atricapiUus L'mn. Chickadee. Rather com-
mon resident in mountain region, breeds (vide Brewster and
Batchelder).

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY 83

*245. (736). p. carolinensis Alu]. Carolina Chickadee. Com-
mon resident throuohout the State. (Univ. Coll.).

Family SYLVIID^l^. Wari)lers, Kinglets and Gnateatchers.

Genus Regulus Cuvier,

246. (748). R. satrapa Lieht. Golden-crowned Kinglet.
Rather common winter visitor in all parts of the State; in sum-
mer balsams of Black Mountains {vide Brewster). Probably
breeds, and is a resident in mountain region. (Univ. Coll.).

247. (749). R. calendula (Linn.). Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Rare transient in mountain region; rather comaion winter vis-
itor in middle and coast regions.

Genus PoLiOPTiLA Sclater.

*248. (751). P. ccerulea (Linn.). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
Common summer visitor. (L^niv. Coll.).

Family TURDID^l^. Thrushes, Solitares, Stonechats, Blue-
birds, Etc.

Genus TuuDUS Lin mens.

Subgenus Hylocichla Baird.

*249. (755). T. niustelinus Gnni\. Wood Thrush. Abundant
throughout the State, breeds everywhere. (Univ. Coll.).

*250. (756). T. fascesecns Steph. Wilson's Thrush. Rare
transient in middle region; summer visitor in mountain region;
Craggy Mountain (Cairns); abundant on Black Mountains and
at Highlands from 3,500 to 5,000 feet; breeds at Highlands
(vide Brewster). (Univ. Coll.).

25L (757a). T. alicice bicknclli (Ridgw.). Bicknell's Thrush.
Rare transient near Raleigh (Brimley).

252. (758a). T. udulatus swainsonii (Cab.). Olive-backed
Thrush. Rather common transient visitor in middle reirion :
summer visitor in mountain region: '^common on Craira:v
Mountain" (vide Cairns), Does it breed;? (Univ. Coll.).

253. (759b). T. aonaiaschkoi pallasii [Odh.). Hermit Thrush.
Rather common winter visitor throughout the State. (L^niv.
Coll.).

84 JOURNAL OF THE

Genus Merula Leach.

*254. (TGI). M. migratoria (L\un.). American Robin. Rather
common residentj sometimes sparingly in locah'ties, abundant
during spring and autumn migrations. (Univ. Coll.).

Genus Si ALIA Swainson.

*255. (766). S. sialis (L'mn.). Bluebird. Common resident.
(Univ. Coll.).

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 85

APPENDIX.

(containing a list of BIRDS WHICH WE MAY REASONABLY
EXPECT TO YET TAKE IN THE STATE).

1. (36). Stercorarius pomai'inus (Temm.). Pomarine Jaeger.

2. (37). Stercorarius 2^(^f^vasiticus (Ijmu.). Parasitic Jseger.

3. (38). Stercorarius longicaudus Vieill. Long-tailed Jseger.

4. (59). Larus franklinii Sw. & Rich. Franklin^s Gull.

5. (63). Gelochelidon nilotica (Hasselq.). Gull-billed Tern.

6. (64). Sterna tschegrava Lepech. Caspian Tern.

7. (67). " sandvicensis acuflavida (Cabot). Cabot's Tern.

8. (71). " paradiscea Briinn. Arctic Tern.

9. (72). '' dougaUi Montag. Roseate Tern.

10. (79). Anous stoUdus (Linn.). Noddy.

11. (89). Puffinus major Faber. Greater Shearwater.

12. (92). '' auduboni Finsch. Audubon's Shearwater.

13. (94). " stricklandi Ridgw. Sooty Shearwater.

14. (106). Oceanodroma leucorpoa Vieill. Leach's Petrel.

15. (109). Oceanites oeeanicus (Kuhl). Wilson's Petrel.

16. (115). Sula sula (Linn.). Boobey.
17.(117). '^ bassana (Jumu.). Gannet.
18.(118). Anhinr/a anhinga (Linn.). Anhinga.

19. (119). Phalacrocorax carbo (Linn.). Cormorant.
20.(120). " dilophus floridanus {Km\.). Florida

Cormorant.

21. (126). Pelecanus fuscus Linn. Brown Pelican.

22. (128). Fregata aquila (Linn.). Man-o'-War Bird.

23. (172a). Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Sw. & Rich.).
Hutchins' Goose.

24. (174). Branta nigricans (Larr.). Black Brant.

25. (181). Olor buccinator (Rich.). Trumpeter Swan.

26. (183). Ajaja ojaja [JAnn.). Roseate Spoonbill.

27. (184). Giiara alba (Linn.). AVhite Ibis.

S() JOURNAL OF THE

28. (186). Plegadis aidumnaUs (Hassalq.), Glossy Ibis.

29. (202). Nydicorax nydicorax ncevius (Bodd.). Black-
crowned Nii»:ht Heron.

30. (204). Gnis americana (Linn.) Whooping Crane.

31. (206). " mexicana (Miill.). Sandhill Crane.

32. (216). Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.). Black Rail.

33. (223). Phalaropits lobatus (Linn.). Northern Phalarope.

34. (224). " tricolor (Yieill.). Wilson^s Phalarope.

35. (225). Pecurvlrostra americana Gmel. American Avocet.

36. (226). Himantopus mexicanus (Miill.). Black-necked
Stilt.

37. (233). Micropalama Jiimantopus (Bonap.). Stilt Sand-
])iper.

38. (234). Tringa canutus Linn. Knot.

39. (235). " maritima Briinn. Pnrple Sandpipei*.
40.(240). " fuscicollisY leiW. White-nimped Sandpiper.

41. (241). " bairdii (Coues). Baird's Sandpiper.

42. (246). Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.). Seniipalmated Sand-
piper.

43. (247). Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr. Western Sandpi})er.

44. (249). Limosa fedoa (Linn.). Marbled God wit.

45. (251). '* hcemastica (Linn.). Hudsonian Godwit.

46. (262). Tringites subrujicollis (YiaWi.). Buff- breasted Sand-
piper.

47. (265). Numenius hudsonieus Lath. Hudsonian Curlew.

48. (266). " borealis (Forst.). Eskimo Curlew.

49. (277). ^Egialitis meloda (Ord.). Piping Plover.

50. (280). '' wilsonia (Ord.). Wilson's Plover.

51. (286). Htematopus palliatus Temm. American Oyster
Catcher.

52. (320). Colwnbigalliiia passerina (Linn.). Ground Dove.

53. (328). Ekmus leucurus (Vieill.). AVhite-tailed Kite.

54. (329). Idinia miasissippiends (Wils.). Mississippi Kite.

55. (347). Archibuteo lagopus [J^vmw).). Rough-legged Plawk.
b^. (365). Strix pratincola Bonap. American Barn Owl.

57. (372). Nyctala acadica (Gmel.). Saw-Whet Owl.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 87

58. (376). Nyctea nyctea (Linn.). Snowy Owl.

59. (445). Tyrannus dominicensis (Gniel.). Gray Kingbird.

60. (463). Empidonax flaviventris Baird. Yellow-bellied Fly-
catcher.

61. (460a). Empidonax pimllus trailil (And.). Traill's Fly-
catcher.

62. (511b). Qidscalas quiscula ceneus (Ridgw.). Bronzed
Grackle.

63. (534). Pledrophenax nivcdls (Linn.). Snowflake.
64.(536). Calcariuslapponicus {Li'mu.). Lapland Longsjnir.
65. (541). Ammod ramus prlnceps(M'dyn.). Ipswich Sparrow.

hensloiuil (And.). Henslow's Sparrow.
leconteii (And.). Leconte's Sparrow.
caudacutus (Gmel.). Sharped-tailed

" nelsoni Allen. Nelson's

mariiimus ( Wi Is.). Seaside Sparrow.

71. (559). Spizella monticola (Gmel.). Tree Sparrow.

72. (583). Melospiza lincolni (And.). Lincoln's Sparrow.

73. (604). Spiza americana (Gmel.). Dickeissel.

74. (612). Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say). Cliff Swallow.

75. (616). Clivicola riparia (Linn.). Bank Swallow.

76. (646). Helmhithophila celata (Say). Orange-crowned
Warbler.

77. (660). Dendroicacastanea{y\^\\^.), Bay-breasted Warbler.

78. (670). " hirtlandi Baird. Kirtland's Warbler.

79. (672a). " pahnai-um hypochrysea Ridgw. Yellow
Palm Warbler.

80. (679). Geothlypis Philadelphia {\Y\U.). Mourning Warbler.

81. (757). Tardus alicice Baird. Gray-cheeked Thrnsh.

66. (547).

((

67. (548).

i(

68. (549).

it

Sparrow.

69. (549a).

li

Sparrow.

70. (550).

({

88 JOURNAL OF THE

No. VII.

SINGULAR ADAPTATION IN NEST-MAKING BY AN
ANT, CREMASTOGASTER LINEOLATA"' SAY.

[See plate at back of Journal.]

GEORGE F. ATKINSON.

A month ago I received an ant's nest, sent by Assistant En-
gineer Henry A. Brown to General W. Lewis, of Goldsboro, N.
C. The nest was built several feet from the ground on a bush,
in the marshes bordering Broad creek, Hyde county, N. C.

This ant usually nests " under stones or underneath and within
the decayed matter of old logs and stumps. This material is
sometimes prepared by the ant as a paper-like pulp, and arranged
into cells and chambers, which are attached to the surface of the
logs.'^t

This nest is about eighteen inches long by twelve inches in
circumference at greatest diameter. I made a longitudinal sec-
tion of it, and had a photograph taken, so as to represent both
the external form and internal structure. The ants were alive in
the nest when I received it. They were chloroformed before
sectioning the nest. I took from the nest about one-fourth pint
of adults, pupse, and larvae. They were collected in a mass
through the chambers within a space four inches in length of
the nest. This space is about two-thirds the distance from the
lower end. The material composing the cells in this space is
lighter in color than the other internal parts. It appeared also
in the photograph, as can be seen by looking at the right-hand
figure. Probably it will be visible in the photoengravure.

The material used in making the nest seems to be the same
used by the ant in making its nest under stones, etc. Beside the
woody pulp, a microscopic examination seems to reveal also

*The ant was determined for me through the kindness of Prof. C. V. Riley.
tComstock's Report on Cotton Insects, 1879, p. 188.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 89

some portions of dried grass. The nest is supporte<l by the
branches of the bush ; a vine and some stalks of marsh-grass are
fastened in it. Upon the outside the material is of a light gray
oolor, much like that of" the nest of the white-faced hornet. Tn
the interior it is darker, in some places almost black. Probably
the high tides causing the creek to overflow forced the ants to
build their nest above the high- water mark instead of under
stones and within logs. One cannot help thinking that possi-
bly some species of Hymenopteia, which now altogether build
elevated nests, once built them near the ground, and being forced
for a long time by conditions surrounding them, similar to these,
finally acquired that habit permanently.

This would seem more plausible if General Lewis is correct in
a fact which he states, that the yellow-jackets along Holly creek,
in Pender countv, build nests on the bushes to avoid the tide.
I mean to investigate this and see if they are the same species
which under ordinary circumstances build nests in the ground.

No. VIII.

A EEMARKABLE CASE OF PHOSPHORESCE.NX^E IX

AN EARTH-WORM.

[See plate at back of Journal.]

GEORGE F. ATKINSON.

On the night of June 20, 1887, when returning from placing
some Phengodes females where they might attract the males, I
saw in the path before me a small phos})horescent light. As I
apj)roached it became larger; now an inch, and the next moment
two inches long. I was on the })oint of declaring I had found
another Phengodes when suddenly it became three, four, and six-
inches long, now darting in this direction and then in that.
]2

90 ' JOURNAL OF THE

Thinking there might be an insect capable of running and
giving a phosphorescent light to objects in its path in sncli a
way as to cause them to be illuminated for a short time, I struck
a match so that I might see to capture it. As the light of the
match overcame the j)hosphorescence and lighted up the objects
on the ground, the only insect I saw was a Myriapod scampering
away under the leaves. All this took place in less time than it
takes to tell it. Thinking the insect was hidden under the
leaves, when the light of the match was extinguished I began to
brush them away with my hand. The phosphorescence appeared
again, and the light advanced as rapidly as I moved my hand.
I thought certainly I was in pursuit of the prize, and in my
anxiety to capture it I would catch up a whole handful of earth.
But I always noticed that I left the ])hosphorescent light on the
ground. The insect eluded me, I thought. After pursuing the
phantom in vain for some time, I stopped to ponder. After
the habit of a puzzled man in an inquiring mood, I brushed my
foot across the earth before me, when lo ! each little pebble and
pellet of earth bristled with a phosphorescent light. For a
moment I seemed to lose confidence in the fact that all such
phenomena are due to natural causes. The air was sparkling
with fire-flies, and the earth at my feet was bristling with phos-
phorescence. Had time sped backward twenty centuries, and were
the vestal fires lighting around me ? Or was some great calamity
impending? I seemed to hear these words repeated from the
sky: " Nate dea, quo fata trahunt retrahuntque^ sequamur ; Quid-
quid erit superanda omnis forturia ferendo est^ But in a mo-
ment more I had brushed away these delightful superstitions,
and went to work to find the cause.

Taking a quantity of the earth, I went to my study. First I
took several pebbles into a dark i-oom and rubbed them in my
hands; no light appeared. Then I took some i)ellets of earth
and treated them in like manner; result the same. Surely, I
thought, the ])hantom lies in these decaying leaves, but disap-
pointment was also the result of the third investigation. I
returned to my package of earth, and saw a lone earth-worm

ELISIIA MITCHELI^ SCIENTIFIC SUCIETY. 91

writhing in pain. "I will trv him," I thought. I took it into
the dark room. It showed no sign of phosphorescence, I rolled
it once across mv hand. The 2)Ji(nitom became real. Not oidy
was the whole body of the earth-worm luminous, but the entire
palm of my hand was aglow with phosphorescence. I niade
several trips to the place and secured other worms which
exhibited the same peculiarity.

Probably the Myi'iapod which I saw had pounced upon one
of these worms for a meal. It became phosphorescent, which
may have frightene<l the Myria})()d, and it ran, dragging its prey,
and the worm's body touching the ground illuminated it, thus
attra(;tino: mv attention. When the earth is disturbed, the fric-
tion of the body against tlic particles gives phosphoresence to
them. The earth-worm is probal)Iy a species of I^umbricedse.

Professor Forbes, of Champaign, 111., has kindly sent me an
extract from '^System und MorpJiologie der OUcjochaeten ; von
Dr. Franz Vejdovsky, p. 67, 1884,""^ from which I make the
following abbreviated translation:

It appears probable that this remarkable phenomenon lies in
a substance secreted by glands of the skin. The phosphorescence
of earth-worms has been repeatedly observed. The first publica-
tion thereupon was by Grimm in 1670; and later by Flaugergues
in Liclitenberg's Magazine (1781 ).t In the present century Cohn
published some observations. J; A. Delia Valle, Panceri, Siechi
and Phipson have each undertaken researches upon this subject.
Panceri§ declares that the phosphorescence of earth-worms lies
in single glands u])on the surface of the body, and that the eleva-
tion of the temperature pioduces the phosphorescent light.
Siecthiy found by spectroscopic analysis that the phosphorescent
light is not monochromatic, but is made up of red and violet
rays. Phipson^ traced the production of the light in animals
to a homogeneous substance (uoctilucln) which seems to possess
the power of oxidation when in contact with damp aii'.

*Ueber die Phosphoresceuz der Regenvviirnier.

tUber das phosphorische Licbt dt-r Erdwiirmer.

JUeber die Pbospboresceuz der Regenvviirmer, z. f, vs. z. 1873, p. 459 — 461.

^Etudes sur la pbosph. des animaux marius, Aun. Sc. Nat. 1872. T. XVI

\lbid.

llCompte Reudues, 1872. p. 548

92 JOURNAL OF THE

No. IX.

OBSERVATIONS ON THP] FEMALE FOKM OF
FHENGODES LATICOLLIS HORN.

[See plate at back of Journal].

GEORGE F. ATKINSON.

Entomologists will remember the interest taken, about one
year ago, in the discovery that the female form of a Lampyrid*
(Zarhijns rwersi) was larva-like, and liiat the three stages — larva,
pupa, and adult — differed but little. On the night of September
27, 1886, a larviform, luminous beetle was collected on one of
the walks of the campus of the University of North Carolina.

Pupa State. — As the insect cast its skin only once — in the
spring of 1887 — after coming into my possession, this must rep-
resent its pupa state.

Description. — Length when crawling, two and three-fourths
inches; width, three-eighths inch. Flattened, larviform, lumi-
nous ; composed of twelve segments (exclusive of the head), taper-
ins: gentlv behind, and more decidedly on the three anterior seg-
ments. Chitinous plates on dorsum blackish-brown, the second to
eleventh inclusive with a pair of large, light-brown, oval spots.
Anal plate light-brown, except a median band of blackish-brown,
convex behind. First plate light-brown, except a median irregu-
lar and two lateral blackish-brown spots. Below each stigmata,
on the fourth to eleventh segments inclusive, are two longitudinal
folds, the anterior half of each fold blackish-brown, shading into
light-brown in the middle, and becoming yellowish-white, with
an olive tinge on the posterior half. Posterior edge of each dor-
sal plate dark olive-brown; the posterior angles of the pro-,
meso-, and meta-thoracic plate and the anterior third of the pro-
thoracic plate yellowish-white, tinged with olive. On the fifth

*Ara. Nat., xx, 64S. See also, Eut. Am., iii, 203.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 93

to ninth segments inclusive (ventral surface) are one pair each of
small, elongated, black clots, corresponding very nearly in posi-
tion with the pairs of luminous organs of the ventral surface.
Anal proleg blackish-brown above, yellowish-white below.

Besides the stigmata on the fourth to eleventh segments, there
is one on the ventral surface of each anterior corner of the meso-
thoracic segment; also two pairs of small dorsal spiracles, one
each between the fourth and fifth, and fifth and sixth segments.

Thoracic legs brown, suffused with yellowish-olive. Tarsus
two-jointed; single claw curved. Anterior edge of femur with
a row of short hairs; under edge of tibia and first joint of tar-
sus with a similar row of hairs; under edge of last joint of tar-
sus with small, short papillae. Head black, 2| mm. in width,
retractile. Mandibles curved, sickle-shaped, black. Antennae
four-jointed: labial palpi two-jointed (or three-jointed? Those
of a larva collected in July appear three-jointed): maxillarv
palpi four-jointed.

The location and form of the phosphorescent lights are as
follows: On each side is a row of circular ones, one on each seir-
ment from the second to the twelfth inclusive. Each of these is
nearly one-eighth inch in diameter, and situated in the posterior
end of the upper longitudinal fold. The posterior edge of each
segment, from the second to the twelfth inclusive, emits a band
of light. On the under surface are five pairs mere points, one
I)air each on the fifth to ninth segments. The general appear-
ance is that of a worm beautifully illuminated with bluish-white
lights, which are disposed in a longitudinal row on each side, and
in transverse bands.

The insect was placed in a small, elongated vial, so that I
might ea.sily observe and exhibit the display of lights. The light
was brilliant until 11 p. m. on the night of September 27. At 2
A. M. on the 28th the phosphorescence had disappeared. It did
not appear again until the night of the 30th, when, by disturb-
ing the insect, the lights began to glow, but continued only for a
few hours. For a few nights, within the space of a week, I
observed that the insect glowed only when disturbed. After that

94 JOURNAL OF THE

the phosphorescence re-nppeared, and I do not believe once disap-
peared again until it was placed in alcohol, June 16, 1887.

October 1, 1886, I placed it in a glass jar of earth. It made
a cell in the earth next the side of the jar, Avhere I could observe
the phos])horescence, and where it remained (excepting one warm
day in February, 1887, when it came to the surface, and returned
at night when I placed the jar in a cooler ])lace in my room)
coiled up until the 15th of A])ril. At that time the luminosity
was becoming more brilliant and the brown color was disappear-
ing, to be replaced by a uniform cream coloi\

I removed the earth from above the cell and took tlic insect
in my hand. It immediately straightened and began crawling.
When placed in the jar it sought its cell and there remained.
Instead of returning the earth I placed a glass over it, so that I
might observe the beautiiul display of light. It was so strong
that I could read print by it when the letters were one-eighth
inch lono;. About the 1st of May it ca^t its skin and became of
a uniform cream color, lighter on the sides and ventral surface
and between the segments of the dorsum.

Every night it came from its cell and wandered about the jar,
probably striving to attract its mate. May 8 I took it out of
doors at night, and placed it on the ground for about fifteen
minutes. Nothing was attracted. Twice I took it in the day-
time,— the 10th and r2th of May, — but nothing was attracted.

May 19 I placed it, with another (collected by Professor
Holmes), in a large, open, glass jar, with about one inch in depth
of earth. This I partly sunk in the earth in the open woods just
at dusk. At nine o'clock the same evening I visited the place
and saw a male within the jar. When it left its mate I caught
it.* On the f >llowing morning I found another male outside
the jar. The Ibllowing night I captured two more males. Dur-
ing the day the females remained beneath the surface of the earth.

The luminosity in this case is decidedly of sexual significance,
attracting the males at night. Mr. Rivers concluded that the

^Determined by Professor Riley as Pheiigodes laticollis Horn.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 9o

lunniiosity of the female Zarhipis riversi was not of sexual sig-
nificance, as males were attracted by day. He was at a loss to
account for its utility.

Soon after meeting with the males the females became less
active, and the luminosity, though plainly visible, was less in
brilliancy. About June 4 they made each a cell in the earth and
began depositing eggs. One deposited about twenty, and the
other about thirty-five. The eggs are dull whitish in color, 3
mm. to 4 mm. in diameter. This, I believe, is the first instance
on record yf the eggs of any of the Phengodini. The female is
coiled up in the cell while depositing the eggs, and afterwards
lies coiled up on them. They are then very weak, and soon die.
Can it be that the parent yields its dying or dead body as the
first meal for its young? One which was found in September,
1886, was taken from the eggs when nearly dead and placed in
alcohol. The eggs of this one proved infertile. The mouth
parts, and especially the legs, were very much atrophied, and
description was well-nigh impossible. In general appearance the
adult is very much like that of the larva and pupa. The two
which I observed did not, however, resume the dark-brown color,
but remained of an uniform pale-cream color, lighter on sides,
under parts, and between the segments of the dorsum.

Occasionally during the adult state the one which I kept
through the winter showed signs of luminosity on the pro-tho-
racic segment. Tlie other one exhibited no sign of luminosity
on the pro- and meso-thoracic segments. Professor Riley, some
years ago, figured a similar phosphorescent insect, and in the
paper, read before the Washington Entomological Society, he
says that one found by him in 1869 was figured in Le Baron's
fourth Illinois report.

The males are insignificant when compared to the females in
size and beaut v. Thev are 15 mm. to 20 mm. in lenpth. AntenuiTe
plumose, and half, or more than half, as long as the body. The
elytra are short, thin, and subulate.

96 JOUJINAL OF THE

Contributions from the Chemical Laboratory of the University of N, C.

No. XXXIV.

ANALYSES OF NORTH CAROLINA WINES.

F. P. VENABLE AND W. K. PHILLIPS.

So far as we are aware no analyses of the wines profluced in
tliis State have ever been published. As the industry has grown
greatly in the past few years and gives promise of still greater
growth, it is manifestly of importance that these wines should
be analyzed. A comparison is thus possible with the wines of
other localities and our knowledm) of the chemistry of wines
increased. The wines were, in all, save one case, furnished us
direct by the makers. Where we have learned of additions
made to the fermented juice of the grape, note has been made
of it in the table.

Of special interest are the analyses of wines made from the
native Scuppernong vine and t'le closely related grapes — the
Mish, or Meisch, and Bulay. The Scuppernong is very abundant,
hardy and prolific in certain sections of the State, and the
problem, of fermenting and blending, so as to secure a good wine
from it is very important.

In the accompanying table will be found analyses of nineteen
varieties of wine. The analyses were carried out according to
the methods recommended by the German Commission of 1884
as recorded by Earth. The figures in the last nine columns
represent percentages. The percentage of alcohol is given both
by weight and by volume. The "extract" is that which is
called generally the "body" of the wine and includes all of that
portion which will not evaporate at 100°.

With regard to the volatile or acetic acid, the total acid was
first determined then tliat whicli was left after evaporation on
the water-bath. The method was carefully tested and found to
be correct. The tannin was determined by comparison of the

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 97

depth of precipitate produced by ferric chloride after the addition
of sodium acetate, with that produced in solutions of known
strength. The extract was determined by evaporation on a
water- batli followed by two and a half hours heating in the
steam bath. As the temperature of the steam-bath generally
lies between 95° and 97° the results thus obtained are high com-
pared with those gotten by heating at 100° or 110°.

13

98

JOURNAL OF THE

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ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 99

No. XXXV.

ACTION OF CHLOROUS ACID UPON HEPTYLEN

ROBERT G. GRTSSOM.

The lieptane from Pinus Sabiniana has been shown by Schor-
lemnier to be propably a normal heptane. The heptylen nsed
in the following experiments was prepared from this heptane by
first brominating it and then acting upon the secondary bromide
formed with sodium eihylate. It was found that the best results
were secured by allowing the sodium ethylate to act from twelve
to twenty-four hours in the cold and then distilling off the hep-
tylen and alcoiiol together. The end of the condenser tube may
dip underneatli water or, better end just above the surface of it,
thus separating the alcohol from the heptylen. The latter does
not seem to be soluble in water to any extent. This heptylen
was dried, re-distilled and the portion boiling at 98 — 100° was
used for the experiments.

The chlorous acid was formed by the action of sulphuric acid,
diluted with two parts of water, on a mixture of potassium chlo-
rate with half its weight of oxalic acid. The stream of chlorous
acid gas mixed with carbon dioxide, thus produced, was then
led into the tube containing the heptylen. To start the evolution
of the gases the small flask containing the potassium chlorate
and oxalic acid mixed with sulphuric acid was gently warmed by
placing it in warm water. Application of cold svater was used
to moderate the action when necessary. Only ten or fifteen
grammes of potassium chlorate were used at one time.

Following the directions of Domac (Annalen d. Chemie 213,
p. 12o), the heptylen (about 110 grammes) was placed in four
tall test-tubes so that each was a little over half full. These were
properly connected with the flask for generating the gases and
were surrounded by ice-water. The gas delivery tube ended just
above the surface of the heptylen, thus adopting Domac's pre-

100 JOURNAL OF THE

caution, so as to avoid the troublesome explosions. To make
the absorption as regular as possible the position of the tubes
with reference to the generating flask was regularly changed.
The absorption was rapid, the heptylen going through various
changes of color from yellow to deep orange-brown. When the
deeper color was reached, the tubes were disconnected from the
generating flask and placed in direct sunlight until the orange-
color was lost. If taken from the ice-water the heptylen became
very warm and a rapid evolution of gas took place. It was
much the best, and tended to prevent a complication of reactions,
to keep the tubes all the time at a low temperature and to shade
them well from sunlight during the passage of the gas. After
some days the absorption took place more slowly and an exposure
of many hours was needed for decolorization. Even with great
care explosions would take place after the heptylen was largely
saturated with the gas, and about half of the heptylen was thus
lost. It was necessary then to stop before complete saturation or
a permanent coloration w^as reached. The oily liquid was thor-
oughly washed with water until the washings no longer had an
acid reaction. This wash-water acquired a pungent irritating
odor. The remaining oil w^as dried over calcium chloride.

Aqueous Solution. — On examining first the water used in
washing, it was found strongly acid, still but little of the original
liquid seemed to have gone into solution. A portion of the
water was placed over sulphuric acid and on evaporation left a
small residue, white, deliquescent and somewhat oily. The main
part was apparently crystallized, contained chlorine and had the
smell of acetic acid and its chlorine derivatives. The amount
obtained was too small for purification or further attempts at
identification. The remainder of the solution was neutralized
with barium carbonate, changing from a clear liquid to a rosy flesh-
color, with the same fruity, pungent, irritating odor. This was
filtered and, after evaporating to a small bulk, the barium precipi-
tated by sulphuric acid. After filtering again, it was distilled.
Three fractions were taken. The first under 100° gave no test
for chlorine. The second, 100 — 101 ° contained chlorine. The

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY 101

third^ 101 — 110° contained both chlorine and .sulphuric acid, the
latter coming from the slight excess used in precipitating the
barium. As the first only gav^e promise of interesting results,
it was saturated with Agfi, filtered, evaporated over sulphuric
acid and the thin crystalline film left was analyzed. xVs the
amount of silver found was within two per cent, of that required
for silver acetate it was concluded that the principal acid present
in the aqueous solution was acetic acid. The presence of the
chlorine, sulphuric acid and oily impurities prevented an exami-
nation of the other fractions for butyric or other acids and the
amount was too small to attempt to purify them.

The Oil Insoluble in Water. — The oily portion after the
washing and thorough drying over calcium chloride was sub-
jected to fractional distillation under diminished pressure."^' In
this fractionation that part boiling below 120° was looked upon
as mainly unchanged heptylen. The fraction from 120° — 160°
was set aside. It contained chlorine and in after attempts at
reduction persistently retained it. The remaining portion was
fractionated three times, yielding fractions as follows : A. 160° —
173°; B. 173°— 177°; C. 177°— 185°; D. 185°— 200°; and
E. over 200°. This last fraction was quite small, the thermom-
eter rising rapidly until only a few drops remained. None of
these fractions were more than a few c. c. in amount. All were
at first clear, colorless liquids, but the last two rapidly darkened
even thouo^h in sealed tubes and carefully secluded from the liiiht.

Fraction B was the largest in amount (6 — 7 c. c), and as the
thermometer rose slowly from 173° — 177° this was supposed to
be the purest substance or the nearest approach to a single chemi-
cal individual. As stated before, it was the result of three care-
fid fractionations. It was subjected to the first and most com-

*It was found in this case and others where a not very stable product had to be
distilled that a reduction of pressure by 100 mm. was sufficient to admit of the
distillation eoing on without decomposition. Apparently all that was necessary
was a rapid removal and condensation of the vapors formed so as not to subject
them for any great length of time to the action of the heat or of products of
decomposition already formed. The reduction of pressure reached could ouly
lower the boiling point a few degrees.

102

JOURNAL OF THE

plete examination. All of the temperatures by which these frac-
tions are distinguished are subject to correction due to the press-
ure being reduced by 100 mm.

The following analyses were made of these respective fractions :

Fraction B. 173°— 177°:

I. Amount taken = .3170 g; H2O obtained =.2205; CO2 obtained = .6300; H =.0245;
C = .1718 ;p. e. H = 7.73 ; p. c. C = 54.19.

II. Amount taken = .3202; H2O obtained = .2547; CO2 obtained = .6336; H = .0283;
C == .1728 ; p. c. H = 8.83 ; p. e, 0 = 53.94.

III. Amount taken = .4181; H2O obtained = .3287; CO2 obtained = .8268; H = .0365;
C = .2255; p. e. H = 8.73; p. c. C= 53.93.

IV. Amount taken = .2785; silver chloride obtained = .3139; chlorine = .07758;
p. c. CI = 27.85.

V. Amount taken = .2750; silver chloride obtained = .3043; chlorine = .07513;
p. c. 01 = 23.03.

Fraction C, 177°— 185°:

VI. Amount taken = .3259; H2O obtained = .2575; CO2 obtained = .6544; H = .0286;
C = .1785 ; p. c. H = 8.78 ; p. e.C = 54.77.

Fraction T>, 185°— 200°:

VII. Amount taken = .2642; H2O obtained = .2087; CO2 obtained = .5402; H = .0232:
C = .1473 ; p. c. H = 8.78 ; p. c. C = 55.79.

Fraction E, over 200° :

VJII. Amount taken = .3165; H2O obtained = .2513; CO2 obtained = .6567; H = .0279;
C = 1791 ; p. c. H = 8.81 ; p. c. C = 56.27.

IX. Amount taken = .2260; H2O obtained = .1794; CO2 obtained = .4072; H= .01993;
C = .1274; p. e. H = 8.82; p. c. C = 56..38.

X. Amount taken = .2080; silver chloride obtained = .255; chlorine = .00295 ;
p. c. CI = 23.49.

The ft)llowing table will show how these percentages compare
with those calculated for the chlorine compounds which suggest
tliemselves as possibly formeol during the reaction :

B.

C.

D.

"=

C7H13 CI2O.

CyHu CI2O.

C7HUCI2.

H

8.83
53.94

27.85

8.78
54.77

8.78
55.79

8.82
56.38
23.49

8.76
56.60
23.85

7.57
45.45
38.31

8.29

c

49.76

Cl

41.94

It will be observed that while the percentage of hydrogen is
about the same throughout the percentage of carbon increases

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 103

Up to the last fraction E. This one approaches in all of its
percentages very nearly to C^ H,3 Clo. That it is free from impu-
rity is hardly possible because of inconstant boiling point. As
to the nature of the more highly chlorinated body or bodies with
which it is mixed, nothing can be determined by the analyses.
From the great difficulty with which the chlorine was removed,
it is most probable that simple chlorides were present. Nitric
acid caused complete decomposition only in the neighborhood of
200° and nascent hydrogen failed to act.

As the nature of the reduction products would throw some
light on the composition of these fractions, their reduction was
attempted. First iron filings and acetic acid were used, then
sodium amalgam, but the chlorine was not entirely removed even
after days of action. The small amounts experimented with
rendered vain any attempt at separation by distilling. To
sum up the results of the action of hypochlorous acid upon
heptylen from Pinus Sabiniana, we find acetic acid and some
chlorinated solid acid fi)rMied by the oxidiziup; action, but the
main portion changed into a chlorhydrin mixed probably with
chlorides. The ease of decomposition of the hypochlorous acid
renders it hardly possible to limit the nature of the reaction and
prevent its becoming very complex.

No. XXXVI.

A NEW FORM OF BUNSEN BURNER.

[See figure at back of Journal.]

F. P. VENABLE.

In using gas prepared from gasoline for heating purposes in
the laboratory, I have been much troubled bv the smoky flame
given by the ordinary burner when fresh gasoline is in the gen-
erator. This is due to the larger amount of light hydro-carbons
present at that time and to the decreased pressure.

104 JOURNAL OF THE

For the complete combii.stion of the gas, then, it is necessary
to increase the proportion of oxygen admitted to secnre a good
flamCj the pressure must be greater and a fine draught insured.
Since devising this modification of the Bunsen burner, I have
had no difficulty in the use of the carburetted air. The Spring-
field gas machine in use is a small one, holding about three bar-
rels, and we pay careful attention to the specific gravity of the
gasoline used and to the weight of the stone which runs the fan,
thus securing the best results. The burner presents so many
advantages in its use, however, that I have thought it advisable
to draw attention to it as a good form also for laboratories where
coal-gas is at command. The main feature is that the supply of
gas is regulated at the base of the burner by a milled wheel and
that this supply is diminished only at the issuing jet inside the
chimney.

The advantages are: 1st. An easy and convenient mode of
regulating the supply of gas, independent of the regulation of
the air.

2d. The screw motion gives a means of securing a gradual and
accurate decrease or increase of flame.

3d. As the gas is checked in its flow only at the issuiag jet
there is but little diminution of pressure, which for the use of
gasoline gas is a very essential point. It enables one to secure
a very small and still colorless flame.

4th. This burner is a very powerful one.

This burner has proved very satisfactory in the laboratory
here, and very favorable reports of it have been received from
laboratories using coal-gas where it has been tried. The burner
is manufactured by Gilbert & Barker Manufacturing Company
of New York.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 105

No. XXXVII.

NOTE ON A NEW TEST FOR IRON.

F. p. VENABLE.

A solution of cobalt nitrate to which strong hydrochloric acid
has been added, is blue. It was noticed that when some impure
hydrochloric acid was used a green color was gotten instead of
the blue. This change was traced to the iron in the acid, and as
I have seen no mention of it elsewhere, I venture to give the
present notice of this test. It is very simple, rapid and delicate
for detecting traces of iron and is especially useful in testing
strong acids. The delicacy of the test is such that when even
TFoVo 0" ^^ ^ gramme of a ferric salt are added to the blue strongly
acid solution mentioned abov^e, the green is clearly given. With
a somewhat larger amount this green is quite vivid. If too
much of the ferric solution is used the cobalt solution becomes
pink from the addition of water. The test is not given by fer-
rous salts, nor does the presence of ferrous salts interfere with it.
I have thought that the green was due to the addition of yellow
ferric chloride to blue cobalt solution. Other yellow solutions
which I have tested failed, however, to give the green.

ELECTROLYSIS OF WATER.

[See figure at back of Journal.]

F. P. VENABLE.

A short note recently appeared in the Journal of Analytical
Chemi.stry (No. 3, 1887, p. 287), describing a simplification of
the ordinary condenser. Adopting, in part, the same idea, I have
devised the following simplification of ITofmann's apparatus for
the electrolysis of water. This will prove useful where the high

14

106 JOURNAL OF THE

price of the ordinary apparatus is a serious objection to its use,
or where one is at a distance from the supply stores and hence
forced to make use of some substitute for the store- bought article.
The figure at the end of this Journal will show the form of
the ap|)aratus. B B are two tubes (about 8 x J inch) which can
easily be gotten in the form in the diagram by taking a single
tube of double the length mentioned, giving it the desired bend
and then scratching and breaking in the middle. A stout piece of
rubber tubing unites these at A. This tubing is by means of a
cork-borer perforated in the centre between the tubes B. Into
this opening a tube C is inserted, bent at right-angles at P and
with its end enlarged to prevent leaking. It is not necessary to
bend at right-angles for some kinds of supports, but the opening
in the rubber A may be directly on top and the tube C let right
into it. D is a funnel with stop-cock fastened to C by the rub-
ber connection A. Into the tubes B wires F F (best of plati-
num, with flattened ends, though copper will answer) are placed,
reaching nearly to the bend and coming out under the rubber
connections O O, passing a short way down the outside, wound
round the tube two or three times and ending in loops to which
the battery wires may be attached. The tubes B B are connected
with jet pieces by means of rubber tubing, and can be tightly closed
by pinch-cocks. All rubber connections must be tightly wound
with w ire to prevent leakage. The gases produced can be exam-
ined at the jets, or a delivery tube attached, running under a
test-tube which is placed in a pneumatic trough. As a support
the ordinary iron retort-stand may be used, fastening the tubes
with wnres. It is better, however, to have a board, blackened or
covered with black paper, and nailed to a block so as to stand
upright. The tubes B B can be fastened to this by wires going
through gimlet-holes. The funnel D can rest in a hole or slit
cut in a thin strip tacked across the top of the board.

ELTSHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 107

LIST OF PAPERS

READ AT THE

REGULAR MEETINGS, FALL TERM, 1887.

XXIX Regular Meeting. September 12, 1887.

1. Garnierite from Jackson County, N. C W. B. PhilUpa.

2. Phosphorescence in an Earth-worm G. F. Atkinson.

3. A Peculiar Ant's Nest G. F. Atkinson.

4. Additional Notes on the Glow-worm G. F. Atkinson.

5. The Mastodon in North Carolina J. A. Holmes.

6. Triassic Traps J.A.Holmes.

7. Geological Maps of the Counties of South Carolina, J. A. Holmes.

8. Formations at the Head of Chesapeake Bay /. A. Holmes.

9. A Profile Map from Morrisville to Nevvbern J. A. Holmes.

10, Report on the Meeting of the American Association

fir the Advancement of Science J. A. Holmes.

11 \ 1 f XT .1 z^-- r w j F. P. Venable.

11. Analyses or North Carolina Wines { „, „ TtL-n-

{ W. B. Fhillips.

XXX Regular Mep:ting. October 11, 1887.

12. Limits of the Senses F. P. Venable.

13. Apparatus for the Electrolysis of Water F. P. Venable.

14. A Cotton Plant Having Seeds and no Lint J. A. Holmes.

15. Report on Progress in Physics 7. W. Gore.

16. Report on Progress in Geology. J. A. Holmes.

17. Report on Progress in Mineralogy and .Metallurgy... IF. B. Phillips.

r

XXXI Regular Meeting. November 8, 1887.

18. Historical View of the Elements F. P. Venable.

19. The Origin of the Hudson River Palisades ./. A. Holmes.

20. A New Food-plant for Blissus Cucopterus . G. F. Atkinson.

21. The Rust Mite on Cotton G. F. Atkinson.

22. A List of Birds Collected by Students at Chapel

Hill, Spring of 1877 G. F. Atkinson.

23. Report on Progress in Chemistry F. P. Venable.

24. Report on Progress in Metallurgy and Mining W. B. Phillips.

108 JOURNAL OF THE

PUBLIC LECTURES.

VIII Public Lecture. September 26, 1887.
Bread and Brains Dr. W. B. Phillips, Chapel Hill.

IX Public Lecture. December 6, 1887.
Ditch Water Prof. W. L. Poleat, Wake Forest.

USE OF THE LIBRARY.

The following abstract from the Minutes is printed for the information of
members:

Council Meeting, December 10, 1887. The following resolutions were
passed :

1st. That a list of all publications received be published in each issue of the
Journal.

2d. That by payment of postage any member can have a book or pamphlet
in the library mailed to his address Postage must be i)repaid.

3d. The book or pamphlet must be returned at the close of two weeks, the
member borrowing it paying for the return.

Information as to articles on special subjects appearing in Journals can
generally be gotten by applying to the Secretary, enclosing a stamp for reply.

Where abstracts of articles are desired, the services of an associate member
can probably be secured.

PUBLICATIONS

RECEIVED SINCE JULY, 1887.

Augsburg — Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein fiir Schwaben and Neuburg.
1877, 1879, 1881, 1883, 1885.

Belfast— Naturalists' Field Club. Series II, Vol. II, Pt. VI.
Berlin — Enlomologischer Verein, Zeitschrift. 1887.
Bonn— Naturhistorischer Verein, Verhandlungen. 1887.

ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 109

Bremen — Natiirwissenschafllieher Verein, Abhandlungen. Band IX, 3
and 4.

Boston — American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Vol. XXII Popular
Science News. July-December, 1887.

Baltimore — Johns Hopkins University Circulars, Nos. 59, 60, 61; Modern
Language Notes. December, 18S7.

Champaign — Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History, Vol. II,
Cincinnati — Society of Natural History, Vol. X, 2 and 3.
Danzig— Naturforschende Gesellscliaft, Schriften Neue Folge. Band VI, 4.
Dumfries — Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Transactions. 1883,
1884, 1884-'85, 1885-'86; List of Flowering Plants of Dumfrieshire and
Kirkcudbrightshire.

Fribourg— Societe des Sciences Naturelles, Bulletin. 1879-80, 1880-'81,
1881-'82.

Frankfort — Senckenbergische Naturforschende Gesellschaft, Bericht.
1887.

Madison — Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters. Vols. Ill,
IV, V, VI.

Magdeburg — Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein, Jahresbericht und Abhand-
lungen. 1886.

Montreal — Natural History Society, Canadian Record of Science, Vol.
II, 5 and 6.

Michigan — Horticultural Society, Grand Rapids, Reports 1874, '75, 76
'79, '80, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86.

Moscow — Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes, Bulletin. 1886, 4; 1887, 1.
Meteorologische Beobachtungen. 1886, 2.
New Haven — Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, Vol. VII, Pt. I.
New York — Academy of Sciences, Transactions, Vol. I, 7, 8; Vol. II,
Vol. V; Annals, Vol. Ill; Linnean Society, Vols. I and II.

Odessa — Societe des Naturalistes de la Nouvelle — Russie, Journal, Vols.
X and XI; Flora Chersonsis, Vols. I and II; Die Fossilien Vogel Knochen
der Odessaer — Steppen.

Ottawa — Royal Society of Canada, Vols. I, II, III, IV; Field Natural-
ists' Club; Ottawa Naturalist, Vol. I, 4-9.

Philadelphia — Academy of Natural Sciences, 1887, Pts. I and II; Wag-
ner Free Institute of Science. Vol. I.

Pisa — Societa Toscana di Scienze Nalurali, Atti, Vol. V.
Mexico — Sociedad Mexicana de Historia Nature), La Naturaleza, Tomo
1,4.

Raleigh — North Carolina Horticultural Society Rejmrt, 1886; Depart-
ment of Agriculture Bulletins, 1887.

Regensburg — Naturwissenschaftli(;her Verein, Correspondenz Blatt, Jahi--
giinge, 39 and 40.

Port Hope — Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XIX.

110 JOURNAL OF ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY.

Leipzig — Insekten — Borse, Nos. 21, 22 and 23.

RoTHAMSTED — Memoranda of Experiments, June, 1887.

Toronto — Canadian Institute Journal, 3d Series, Vol. V, Fascie 1.

Staten Island — Natural Science Association, Proceedings 1887.

Washington — National Academy, Smithsonion Institution, National Mu-
seum Reports, 2-9; Department of Agriculture — Report of Commissioner for
1887.

Wilmington — North Carolina Board of Health Bulletins, July-December,
1887; North Carolina Medical Journal, July-December, 1887.

Washington — U. S. Signal Service, Weather Review, 1887 ; List of Ento-
mological Writings of Dr. A. S. Packard.

San Diego — W^est American Scientist, Nos. 26-31.

San Francisco — California Academy of Sciences, Vol. II, No. 7.

Zurich — Der Naturforschende Gesellschaft Vierteljahrschrift. 1883-'86.

AN INDEX

TO THE FIRST FOUR VOLUMES, 1883—1887.

AWies Canadensis and Piniis Strobus in Central North Carolina. I, 86.

Alnnnina, solubility of in sulphuric acid. IV, 1st 56.

Ammonia in Saliva. II, 85.

Ammonium Citrate, neutrality of in determining Phosphoric Acid. Ill, 58.

Ant, singular adaptation of nest-making by an. IV, 2d 88.

Artesian Well at Durham, N. C, analysis of water from. IV, 1st 57.

Atkinson, G. F. Ill, 68, 74. IV, 1st, 13, 16, 26, 33. IV, 2d 44, 88, 89, 92.

Barium Chromate, solubility of. II, 90.

Battle, H. B. Ill, 27, 30, 32, 48, 51, 53, 54, 58.

Battle, K. P. I, 45.

Battle, R. H. I, 45.

Birds of North Carolina, preliminary catalogue of the. IV, 2d 44.

Blephilia Ciliata, sport in leaf of. II, 94.

Borden, J. L. I, 43, 53, 87.

Burner, new form of. IV, 2d 103.

Butter from weighed amounts of milk. I, 68.

Catfein in Yeopon leaves. I, 85.

Camphoric Acid, new salts of. IV, 1st 52.

Carbon Bisulphide, hydrated. I, 69.

Cassilerite from King's Mountain, N. C. I, 79.

Chapel Hill, elevation of. I, 82.

Chapel Hill, latitude of. II, 32.

Chapel Hill, analysis of well-waters in. I, 23.

(Jhapel Hill, temperature of the well-waters in. I, 82.

Cigarette Beetle. Ill, 68.

Coal, analyses of bituminous North Carolina and Tennessee. Ill, 51.

Constitution. I, 90.

Copper and Barium Acetate, attempt at forming. I, 50.

Cotton-seed Analyses. I, 54.

Curtis, Rev. M. A., sketch of botanical work of. II, 9.

Cyclones. Ill, 145.

Dabney, C. W. Jr. I, 64, 79.

Dancy, F. B. II, 41, 66; III, 37, 43; IV, 2d 41.

Dog Tooth Spar, analysis of. II, 62.

Earth-woriij, remarkable case of phosphorescence in. IV, 2d 89.

Electrolysis of water. IV, 2d 105.

Elements historically considered. IV, 2d 36.

112 INDEX.

Eocene deposits in Eastern North Carolina. II, 79.

Exchanges, list of. IV, 1st 66.

Fall of blood in Chatham county, N. C. I, 38.

Fertilizer trade in North Carolina in 1886. IV, 1st 58.

Filters washed with hydrofluoric acid. I, 86.

Flora, Wilmington. Ill, 77.

Floras, study of local. IV, 2d 25.

Flowering and foliation of plants. I, 45.

Freezing of standard solutions. Ill, 43.

Gasoline on Copper, action of. I, 88.

Gore, J. W. I, 5, 8, 51, 82 ; II, 3, 32 ; III, 3.

Grady, B. F. Ill, 145.

Grissom, K. G. IV, 1st 55, 56. IV, 2d 99.

Harris, T. W. II, 59.

Hematite from Forsyth county, N. C. II, 95.

Hentz, N. M., sketch of. IV, 1st 13.

Heptylen, action of chlorous acid upon. IV, 2d 99.

Heptyl-Benzol, attempts at forming. II, 77.

Holmes, J. A. I, 28, 73, 86; II, 59, 92, 94; IV, 1st 5; IV, 2d 1,

Howe, J. L. 11,69; HI, 143, 144.

Hyams, M. E. II, 72, 94.

Ilex Cassine, analysis of leaves of. II, 39.

Indian antiquities of Caldwell county, N. C. Ill, 45.

Indian burial mounds in Eastern North Carolina. I, 73.

Iron, a new test for. IV, 2d 105.

Iron ores from Chapel Hill mine, analyses of. I, 26.

Jackson, Max. II, 46, 85.

Kaolin from Jackson county, N. C. II, 93.

Kerr, J. P. I, 68.

Kerr, W. C. II, 79, 86.

Kerr, W. C, obituary notice. II, 8.

Kerr, W. C, biography of. IV, 2d 1.

Lead chloride, action of ammonium hydrate on. I, 24.

Lead, chlor-sulpho-cyanide. IV, 1st 55.

Lead iodide, action of ammonium hydrate on. I, 43.

Lithographic stone from Tennessee. Ill, 144.

Library, gifts to. II, 96.

Library, use of. IV, 2d 108.

Magnetite from Orange county, N. C. I, 87.

Manning, I. H. II, 93, 95 ; IV, 1st 52, 54.

Members, list of. I, 93; II, 97.

McCarthy, Gerald. 111,77; IV, 2d 25.

Mercurous hypophosphite, attempts to form. II, 78.

Meteorological record at Chapel Hill. I, 35; II, 48; III, 34.

Mitchell, Elisha, sketch of. I, 9.

INDEX. 113

Moisture in commercial fertilizers. Ill, 54.

Moisture, loss of in bottled samples. HI, 30.

Octyl Benzol. Ill, 60.

Orchard Scolytns. Ill, 74.

Peanuts, occurrence of citric and malic acids in. II, 47.

Petrified human body. II, 59.

Phengodes Laticollis, female form of. IV, 2d 92.

Phillips, C. I, 9.

Phillips, Jas. I, 35, 45.

Phillips, W. B. ], 21, 56, 60; II, 33, 60, 62; IV, 1st 58. IV, 2d 96.

Phosphate, manufacture of acid. II, 33.

Phosphates in North Carolina. 1, 60, 64.

Phosphate rock from North Carolina, solubility of I, 53.

Phosphoric acid, insoluble, effect of organic matter on. IV, 2d 41.

Phosphoric acid, reverted, comparison of methods for determining. Ill, 48.

Phosphoric acid, soluble, use of different aniounts in determining. III, 53.

Phosphoric acid, total, determination of. II, 41.

Phosphoric acid, reversion by heat. I, 21.

Phos[)horus, amorphous, alterahility of I, 37,

Phosphorus, reactions of. II, 57.

Pickel, J, M. Ill, 40.

Plants of North Carolina, additions to catalogue of. II, 72.

Plants around Wilmington, catalogue of. III, 77.

Plant transpiration. II, 63.

Potash, determination of III, 37.

Potassium Cyanide, decomposition of. I, 18; IV, 1st 54.

Propenyl-iso-toluylen-amidine. III,-40.

Pulverization, effect on fertilizer samples. Ill, 27.

Kadcliffe, Thos. 1,83,84.

Report of President, I, 3.

Report of Secretary. I, 5; II, 5; III, 5 ; IV, 1st 8.

Report of Treasurer. I, 8; II, 7; III, 8; IV, 1st 12.

Report of Vice-President. II, 3 ; III, 3; IV, 1st 5.

Roberts, J. C, I, 26, 37, 50.

Salt-making, analysis of a deposit from. II, 60.

Salt from Saltville, Va., analysis of I, 83,

V. Schweinitz, E. A. I, 23, 54; II, 47, 78; III, 60, 63.

V. Schweinitz, L. D., sketch of life and scientific works of. III, 9,

Senses, limits of IV, 2d 31.

Sodium Chloride as a wash, II, 66,

Spainhour, .J. M. Ill, 45.

S()ecular iron ore from Forsyth county, N. (J. II, 95.

Spider, new Trap-Door. IV, 1st 16.

Spiders, nests, &c., and foud habits of some Trap-Door. IV, 1st 33.

Spiders, a family of young. IV, 1st 26.

114 INDEX.

Spiegel-iron from North (.'arolina, analysis of. II, 4().

Stephenson, J. A. I). I, 40.

Storm of April 22d, 1883. I, 83.

Sugar beets from Kentucky. III. 143.

Sugar in urine, quantitative determination of. II, 69.

Superphosphates from Red Navassa Rock, reversion in. I, 06.

Tampa, Fla., geology of the region about. II, 8G.

Taxodium in North Carolina quaternary. II, 92.

Thermometer for class illustration. Ill, 142.

Thiophen octyl derivatives. Ill, 63.

Tornado in Catawba and Iredell counties, March 25, 1884. I, 40.

Tornado in Richmond county, February 19, 1884. I, 28.

Tornadoes, theory of. I, ol.

Twisting of trees. II, 94.

Venable, F. P. I, 3, 38, 47, 69, 82, 83, 85, 86, 88; II, 5, 7, 39, 48, 57, 63, 77 ;

III, 5, 8, 34, 142; IV, 1st 8, 12, 57; IV, 2d 31, 36, 96, 103. 105.
Wash-bottle for chemical laboratories. Ill, 32.
Wilkes. .J. F. I, 18; II, 90.
Wilson, A. E. II, 95.

Wines from North Carolina, analyses of. IV, 2d.
Wood, Julian. I, 24.
Wood, Thos. F. II, 9; III, 77.
Yeopon, analysis of leave.'*. II, 39.
Zinc in drinking water. I, 47.
Zinc, oxide deposit of. I. 84.

PLATES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of Elislia Mitchell, D. D. Vol. 1.

Portrait of M. A. Curtis, D. D. Vol. II.

Portrait of L. D. v. Schweinitz, D. D. Ph. D. Vol. III.

Ma{) of New Hanover county, N. C. Vol. III.

A new Trap-Door Spider, PI. I, PI. II. Vol. IV, 1st.

Family of T. D. Spiders, PI. I, PI. II. Vol. IV, 1st.

Portrait of W. C. Kerr, Ph. D. Vol. IV, 2(1.

Ants' Ne.st. Vol. IV, 2d.

Earth-worm. Vol. IV, 2d.

A new Bunsen Burner. Vol. IV, 2d.

Electrolysis of water. Vol. IV, 2d.

Figures in the text. Vol. I, 52 ; Vol. Ill, 32; Vol. Ill, 142.

Phengodes lati-
collis, showing
luminosity.

\

^^—— \ -Thumb Nut

A NEW FORM OF "BUNSEN" BURNER.

Apparatus for Electrolysis of Water

3 2044 106 256 076