UC-NRLF

B 3 33fl Efl?

JOURNAL

OF THE

ESSEX COUNTY

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY;

CONTAINING

VARIOUS COMMUNICATIONS

TO THE SOCIETY,

SALEM:

PRINTED FOR THK SOCIETY BY WM, IVES & CO

1852.

HI

ear

d

CONTENTS,

Page,

AN Address delivered before the Essex County Natural History Society
on its Second Anniversary, June 15, 1836. By JOHN LEWIS
RUSSELL

Act of Incorporation of the Society. ..... 2&

Constitution. 2C

By-Laws 28

Officers of the Society for A. D. 1833 to 1837. . . . . 82

Catalogue of the Library, A. D. 1837 33-

Familiar Notice of some of the Shells found in the Limits of Essex County,
Massachusetts : with references to descriptions and figures. By JOHN
LEWIS RUSSELL 47

^Notice of the occurrence of specimens of Vespertilio pruinosus, SAY.

Hoary Sat. By H. WHEATLAND. ... 7G

A Sketch of the Geology and Mineralogy of the Southern part of Essex
County, in Massachusetts : communicated to the Essex County Na-
tural History Society, April 24, 1839. By WILLIAM PHESCOTT. 78

Two Species of Musci. By JOHN LEWIS RUSSELL. ... 92

Remarks on Hyla (Femoralis) Pickeringii observed in the North Parish

of Danvers. By ANDREW NICHOLS. 9$

Notice of rare plants : with a description of a (supposed) variety of Clado-

nia Uncialis. By JOHN LEWIS RUSSELL. .... 96

Remarks upon Scarabseus Goliatus and upon other African Beetles allied
to it. By THADDEUS WILLIAM HARRIS 101

Retrospect of some of the Shells found in Essex County, . . . 110

Occurrence of Scaphiopus solitarius in Essex County; v;ith some notice of
its history, habits, &c. By ANDREW NICHOLS. . . .113

iv. Contents.

Observations on the Polytrichacenc : with a notice of some ppccios occur-
ring in Essex County, Massachusetts. Dy JOHN LEWIS RUSSELL. 11?

The Danvers Bowlder or Ship Rock. 120

Minute PoJythalamous Shells occurring on the coast of Maine, New

England. By JOHN LEWIS RUSSELL, ..... 121

Notice of several fishes of raro occurrence. By II. WHEAT-LAND. 122

Further notice of raro plants. By JOHN LEWIS RUSSELL. 125

Conspectus of Shells found in Essex County, &c, 126

Index, 134

JOURNAL

ESSEX COUNTY

50

fLJ~
VOL. I.— NO. I.

SALEM:

PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY, BY
W. and S. B. IVES,

and sold by

IVES <fc PUTNAM, 198 ESSEX STREET.

M DCCC XXXTI,

ADDRESS

DELIVERED BEFORE THE

ESSEX COUNTY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY,

SECOND ANNIVERSARY,

Jute IS, 1836.

BY JOHN LEWIS RUSSELL, A. M.,

PROFESSOR OF BOTANY AND VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY TO THE MASSACHU-
SETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, ETC.

SALEM OBSERVER PRESS.

ADDRESS.

Mr. President, and Members of the

Essex County Natural History Society, —

THE duty of appearing before you on this
occasion, to deliver the first anniversary Address of
our County Society for the promotion of the study of
Natural History, I accept with pleasure. Interested
in the same common object, I hail with delight the
present prospect of success, and anticipate with in-
creasing confidence our future results.

As in some proposed expedition, or private and
solitary ramble in pursuit of the subjects of our study,
we occasionally cast a look behind, rejoicing that we
have passed the rough road, — the dusty and beaten
high way — the weary hill, which intercepted our
scene of enjoyment, and then gaze with admiration
on the extended prospect, and smiling landscape before
us — or quietly sitting down for a while, consider
what we may yet gain and what new pleasure awaits,
so in the present success and future prospects of this
Society, we must congratulate ourselves, on what has
been done and be stimulated to effect still more.
Engaged with a sympathetic and fraternal feeling in
the same studies, though in different departments,
2

according to different inclinations or taste, we have
assembled on the second anniversary under auspicious
and interesting circumstances.

It was during the year of 1833 that some unusual
attention to the pursuit of Natural Science seemed to
agitate the minds of several of our citizens. Aided by
the kind suggestions and assistance of others in our
neighborhood, who were well known as decided friends
to our cause, a train of circumstances was laid, which
resulted in the organization of the present Society,
just before the clcse of that year, on the eighteenth
day of December.

On the sixteenth day of April, 1834, the Society
held a meeting in Topsfield, at which was a conside-
rable attendance of the friends of Natural History,
from the vicinity. Several plates of Audubon's mag-
nificent work on the Birds of America, were exhibited,
besides many prepared specimens. The season, the
weather, the day were auspicious. It seemed as if
Nature herself was smiling on our prospects, and in-
viting us to her study and acquaintance. The fields
and meadows had assumed a livery of beauty, the
feathered choristers of heaven were filling the air with
harmony — the early vernal and delicate flowers of the
lovely Hepatica, and pure Sanguinaria, were blooming
under our feet, or assisted to adorn our tables, and
add to our delight.

By the liberality of one of our Vice Presidents* the
Society was generously presented with a loan of all
the then published engravings, of our American Orni-
thologist,f for public exhibition, to aid its funds.

* William Oakes, Ipswich. t J. J. Audubon.

From the middle of May following, for a few weeks,
•(hey were opened to the public of this city and vicinity.
Donations of value, in every department of study,
were received. It was about this time that horticul-
ture and floriculture, the junior and accompanying
arts of natural scientific knowledge, were permitted to
lend their aid. Fifteen weekly exhibitions of what-
ever was rare and beautiful from the gardens of the
citizens, were held, during the rest of the season.
Public curiosity and regard seemed awrakened in our
favor. On the opening of the next year, arrangements
were made for the continuance of such floral displays.
By the kindness of our floricultural friends, our flower
stands were rendered highly attractive and splendidly
conspicuous. Amid the various representatives of
the kingdoms of Nature, were the choice productions
of human ingenuity co-operating with her in their
mutual employments. The gorgeous Dahlia, the ever
charming, lovely Rose, the rich and variegated Tulip,
and other prominent individuals of the Liliaceous
family, were blended in unison with the simpler, yet
elegant flower of our native fields. The splendid
Magnolias of China vied with the fragrant and grace-
ful co-species* of our own neighborhood. The deli-
cious productions of Pomona, were contrasted with
the more mild and humble offerings of Tellus and
Ceres.

The commencement of the present year finds us in
the spacious and commodious halls, which we now
occupy, furnished with elegant and useful cabinets

* The most northern limits of the only species of the White Bay or Small
Magnolia (M. Glauca) found in New England, are the swamps of Cape Ann.

8

and valuable specimens. During the last session of
the Legislature, we have become an incorporated body.

Among several other specimens of the higher-order
of animated beings, we have in our possession that
curious and anomalous inhabitant of New South
Wales, the Ornithorhynchus para doxus. BLUMENB.

Sixty specimens of birds, mostly native, with a
corresponding suite of nests and eggs occupy their
proper station.

Rare and elegant species of Testudines ; foreign
and native Reptilia ; the commencement of a fine
cabinet of Conchology, and another of Mineralogy ;
the rich foreign, with the more humble native species
of the insect world, and the prepared treasures of the
vegetable kingdom, may be found in their several
compartments. Comparative anatomy has not been
unoccupied in its curious researches ; and the Library,
consisting of an hundred volumes of elementary and
higher appropriate reading, is furnished with a pros-
pective view of usefulness.

Thus in the brief space of scarcely more than two
years, a Society, extensive in numbers and embracing
in its precincts a large and flourishing County, has
risen from the united and zealous endeavors of a few
individuals, to its present condition. Without a spe-
cimen of any kind, destitute of a single work on
Natural Science, with no endowment or pecuniary
aid at that time ; and now, with an increasing list of
members, our shelves and cabinets enriched with val-
uable acquisitions and a spur given to a more general
taste for such studies. We owe much to the kind-
ness of our friends for our rarer and valuable foreign

specimens, some of which are seldom to be found in
the collections of older Societies. We hope still, to
merit such tokens of their interest in our behalf and
in the general cause of science. A casual glance at
our cabinets, will however, convince the observer, that
while foreign seas and climates have contributed to
our acquired treasures, the no less interesting though
more neglected department of Nature at home, have
not been disregarded. This is as it should be. The
primary design of a Society like our's is the intention
to direct the mind of every lover of science and truth,
to a study of those glorious objects of Creation, which
are every where around and about him. How many
are those, whose wayward and idle curiosity is un-
duly awakened to the merest insignificance of misspent
human industry, and totally blind to the unsurpassed,
unrivalled workmanship of Nature's plastic hand.
How many too, with listless and indifferent eye, can
pass over and heedlessly tread down the gorgeous
flower of their native fields — and yet gaze with pre-
tended admiration at some frail production of a more
distant clime ! What curiosity is awakened at the
meanest shell, or the smallest fragment of animated
nature from distant countries, while far more curious
and wonderful objects are cast up by every returning
wave on the neighboring seacoast, or may be gathered
on the smooth and pebbly margin of many a broad
and extended lake, or the sedgy border of some crys-
tal pond ! What inestimable value does a shapeless
and rude fragment of some utensil of semibarbarous
nations, a handful of dust from the site of some over-
thrown and almost forgotten city, the most useless

10

and veriest insignificant substance of ancient art and
of ancient pride possess, while the never changing^
imperishable, ever eloquent, constantly useful, and
always instructive types and originals of Creation's
first Existence are overlooked and despised ! These
tell of the majesty and excellence, the deep thrilling,
instructive voice of Nature, to the reflecting and
thinking mind; those — that individuals of our own
species, once lived — and died — and passed away into
comparative oblivion. These unfold to us leaf after
leaf, of those constantly instructive pages, which are
written on the heavens and engraven on the earth, —
while those only assure us, that the same operations
of the natural world are every where the same in
mode and effect. These exhibit to our admiring eye,
the inimitable perfection of Creative Power, — and
those, only the extent of human industry and skill.

It is with pleasure then, that we perceive the efforts
and studies of our Society principally directed to the
natural productions of our own immediate vicinity,
though by no means regardless of other and more dis-
tant. Perhaps few are aware, how wide is the field,
not only of observation, but of actual discovery imme-
diately around them. If the more obvious may be
already familiar, the patient and curious eye, and the
constant untiring observation, is rewarded in some un-
expected manner. Apart from the pleasure and value
of a general knowledge of any branch of science,
which the labor and ingenuity, the research and talent,
of others may have prepared for any one's more ready
acquisition, — such is the amazing extent of inquiry,
which can constantly employ the mind, such the mys-

11

teries of the laws of organic matter, — it were scarcely
possible, that some, new and hitherto unobserved
truth should not be unfolded. Hasty and casual ob-
servation is led to suppose that little remains to be ac-
complished after the labors of some devoted and emi-
nent student in a particular department of research ;
but it needs only a more familiar acquaintance with
the subject to expose the error. With what fidelity
and almost veneration have the grossest and most
anomalous mistakes been cherished and maintained in
the very opposition to reason and observation ! Nat-
ural Science in common with every other branch of
human knowledge is yet, too much indebted to the
dulness and obstinacy, the theories rather than practi-
cal experiments of its advocates and disciples, for the
most palpable errors. The pages of misnamed treatises
on the subject, are too often burdened with idle
speculations on idle themes. It becomes us then par-
ticularly, not to err on such grounds, preferring rather
a single correct and personal observation to a multi-
tude of fictitious, though recorded, opinions.

The pursuit of Natural History is in this point of
view, entirely in the power and at the option of every
one. Well would it be, were the first and oftentimes
feeble efforts, — feeble, because unaided and unsup-
ported by the sympathy of kindred spirits, — of many
a curious observer of Nature rendered available and of
utility to himself and others. But the existence of
the present circumstances may be in a great measure
attributed to the popular system of education and
mode of thinking. The almost intuitive love for, and
admiration in such studies, with the young, by some

12

sad and lamentable error is discouraged and frustrated.
It requires a strong and unconquerable predilection, an
independence of action, or fortuitous and prosperous
circumstances, for one to become a Naturalist. The
sneer of the unthinking, the " world's dread laugh,"
the fear of singularity has deadened and extinguished
many a bright spark of genius and talent for such
studies, which fostered and cherished, might have serv-
ed to illume and enlighten and benefit a more or less
extended sphere. One of the most prominent objects
of this Society was to render an essential service to the
cause of science by extending that sympathy to such
enterprises, which they so much need, and to promote
a more general attention to the importance of the sub-
ject, especially among the friends of education, through-
out the County. It is hoped, that to a certain extent,
its success has proved the wisdom of the scheme, and
we could wish that the zeal and spirit manifested
throughout the sphere of its operations might be mul-
tiplied and increased.

The common observation that a pursuit of Natural
History is rendered difficult and tedious through the
technicalities of science, is neither founded in truth
nor is the result of observation and experience. The
nomenclature to every branch of human knowledge is
necessarily more or less difficult to acquire and under-
stand. The Natural sciences are no more singular in
this respect than other sciences or arts. A slight ac-
quaintance with philology enables any one to acquire
all that is needful in the perception and comprehension
of scientific terms. Nor is even this necessary, though
desirable. Nature is not read in books and systems,

13

but from her own productions. An ardent admirer of
her operations, an observer of her phenomena, a stu-
dent of her mysteries, in fine, a genuine naturalist, — -
one of practical observation, arid of sound, solid know-
ledge may seldom or never have occasion to consult
other than

" books in the running brooks,
" Sermons in stones and good in every thing."

The pleasing volume of the " Natural History of Sel-
borne" has long held its character of general interest
and value, and displays the results of attentive obser-
vation with slight materials of operation and appar-
ently limited means of acquiring scientific truth. Still
later, the deservedly popular work of the delightful
" Journal of a Naturalist," confirms us in our asser-
tion, that the technicalities of science, are neither
absolutely necessary to its study, nor serious objec-
tions to its pursuit. Scarcely a subject is there to be
found — from the gigantic oak of centuries' duration,
and monarch of the hills, to the elegant and fugacious
mushroom of a few hours existence — from the exten-
sive operations of agriculture to the minute detail of
its younger sister, horticulture ; — quadruped, bird,
insect, — their admirable economy and unsurpassed
beauty, — falling under the cognizance of a limited
field of observation, which is not rendered in these
fascinating pages the instance of some interesting
consideration. Who in reading the simple and inar-
tificial description of Audubon on the feathered deni-
zens of our Western world, and has marked the
enthusiasm, which infancy exhibited, and matured
years have not served to diminish ; has been led to
3

14

suppose that other than practical, individual observa-
tion and a genuine love for his pursuits could have
enabled him to present to the admiring world a spe-
cimen of his genius and industry. How many, who
have read his " Biography of the Birds of America,"
cast a glance at or for a moment think of the accom-
panying and purely scientific descriptions. They for-
get in the admiration of the naturalist, the precision
of his favorite science. Who, that peruses the no
less artless and beautiful essays on the same subject
in the works of Alexander Wilson, would fain per-
suade himself, that the pioneer of American Ornitho-
logy was an humble individual of ordinary talent and
acquirements, and that by industry, perseverance, in-
domitable zeal, and sincere love of his early predilec-
tions, he claimed the meed of fame awarded him.

But while in this manner, endeavoring to justify
and promote a general study of Natural History, by
showing the facility of its pursuit ; still we do not
wish to depreciate the great value of system and or-
der. Could we remove the supposed difficulty, which
deters many from attempting to acquaint themselves
with the subject, the result is not to be feared. That,
is not only a truly beneficent plan of Providence, but
in its extended operations constitutes a glorious fea-
ture in the human character, which induces a farther
search and constancy increasing desire for knowledge,
from the pleasure and benefit arising from that already
acquired. On studies so extensive, I may almost
say, illimitable, the mind never can have a moment
for cessation to its improvement. Ten years of de-

15

voted study to the minute and microscopic infusorial
animals, enabled Ehrenberg to discover the most
wonderful and surprising features in the external and
internal anatomy of their systems. Imperceptible to
the unaided vision, yet peopling with myriads the
liquid drop of water and inhabiting almost every form
of matter, we were ignorant of the extent of their ac-
tive being, until the microscope revealed both their
existence and economy. With motions as rapid as
thought, limbs of the most exquisite form and propor-
tions anomalous to every other body, which we see
around us, they possess all the necessary functions
of animated beings and astonish us with the compli-
cated harmony of their structure.* In the examina-
tion of a single insect, Lyonnet employed several
years, and yet left for farther research, much to com-
plete the history of that single individual species, in
the larva of the Cossus ligniperda. FABR : he counted
above 4000 muscular bands, precisely adapted to the
performance of the required effects. To support life
and perform all the functions necessary to an insect
not exceeding an inch in length M. Straus enumer-
ated 872 organs, composed of tracheae, muscles, nerves
and scale-like plates : " a spectacle," says Cuvier,
" altogether transporting by its delicacy and regular-
ity. Even to the fine assortments of its colors, every
thing seems as if made on purpose to please the eye
of man, which now perhaps looked upon it for the first

* Ehrenberg has proved the existence of Monads, which are not larger
than the 24.000th of an inch. He computes that 500,000,000 of these micro-
scopic animals may be contained in the space of a single drop of water ; — a
number equalling the amount of human beings existing on the surface of th«
globe. Roget's Bridgewatcr Treatise. Vol. I. Introduction p. 25.

16

time since the creation."' A short life, whose whole
extent was only thirty-one years, enabled Bichat to
give that impulse to animal physiology and anatomy,
which is felt at the present day, and opened a wide
field for extended and eminently useful investigations :
while the prolonged life of the Father of Natural His-
tory, though diligently employed, served only to leave
behind the rudiments of a " System of Nature" which
would require ages to perfect. The patient researches
of the illustrious Cuvier, on one single subject,
have restored to form and symmetry the original in-
habitants of a former world, whose mighty relics are
scattered in profusion over the earth's surface, and
given us ideas of the vastness of Creative Power and
the astonishing results of human industry with mental
application : — while the no less interesting studies of
Brongniart are presenting to our mind's eye and actual
observation, the gigantic flora of those ages, which
bore in luxuriant exuberance the mighty prototypes
,of our now more humble and pigmy vegetable fonns.f
Half a century of constant .experiment unbaffled and
undismayed by repeated and severe misfortunes,
enabled the Belgian horticulturist, the distinguished
Van Mons, amidst the more imperative duties of his
profession to establish important facts in vegetable

* Rapport sur 1'Histoire Naturelle. Jardine's Naturalist's Library. En-
tomology— Vol. II. p. 72.

t "Some of the fossil ferns are so similar to those now growing on the sur-
face of the earth, that no doubt is entertained, that they are generically the
same ; this is the case especially with the Equiseta. — Some of the fossil
Selaginales are very similar to the Lycopodia of the present day, such as
Lycopoditfsfalcatus, which is an oolitic fossil. But the most numerous and
remarkable Lycopodial remains, are those gigantic fossils called Lepidoden-
dra and Utodendra, some fragments of which measure nearly fifty feet in
length \"—Burnet's Introd. to Botany, Vol. 1. pp. 339*341.

17

physiology, the benefits of whose results not only
Europe, but this country now enjoys.

The manifest enthusiasm and devotion, which we
see exhibited in these instances are neither rare nor
singular. And it may be safely asserted, that a sim-
ilar, if not so intense attention, would be awakened in
every one who willingly entered the field of study.
The very results of such pursuits produce that desid-
eratum, which at first was thought indispensable.
Analysis, observation, experiment and actual demon-
stration, all essential to success, render the perception
and adoption of system arid nomenclature gradually
easy of comprehension.

It were hardly necessary for me in this place and
on this occasion to expatiate on the reasons for an
attention to Natural Science, or point out the benefits
arising from its pursuit. In a community like ours, in
which an attention to Agriculture as well as to Com-
merce is so extensive, and the spirit of sound practice
with judicious theory adopted, the natural advantages
of some acquaintance with other, and not immediate,
though still connected subjects, must be apparent.
Permit me therefore to congratulate you on the sym-
pathy, which we have received from the aid and mu-
tual assistance of individuals, engaged and practical
in such employments — employments the first, greatest
and most important of civilized life — whose names are
enrolled on our records and whose talents and devotion
to the studies of their choice are known and acknowl-
edged. We trust that their influence in co-operation
with our own will be yet more widely felt, in giving a
new impulse to the success and prosperity of Agricultu-

18

ral knowledge — that the laws which govern the tpate-
rials, which are rendered subservient to the supply of
our wants and every relative acquirement, which
places the very elements in our power and promises a
certainty of success may be understood and compre-
hended ; while the errors and prejudices which have
heretofore retarded its progress shall be banished and
destroyed.

We hail with unfeigned pleasure the prospects of
the Society from a similar manifestation of interest in
its welfare among the artists and mechanics of this
city and county, confident that mutual benefits will
accrue.

Ever forward in the cause of good, the ladies have
engaged in our behalf with a spirit, which seems to
augur well for our success. The names of several of

O

our city, who are known as general patrons and stu-
dents of Natural Science, we are gratified to say are
already enrolled on our list of members. We would
cordially and respectfully welcome others in following
so laudable an example. In Botany, a study pecu-
liarly appropriate to the developement of refined sen-
timents of innate purity and loveliness of character,
we find many admirers. The herbarium of the So-
ciety is the result, in a considerable degree, of the
kindness of one. Valuable and rare shells enrich the
drawers of its Cabinet from the liberality of others.
Several private collections in that elegant and delight-
ful department Conchology, remarkable for extent and
worth, in the possession of many in this city, are suf-
ficient proofs that Natural History has lost nothing of
its charms and merits, nor has been overlooked in our

19

community. Unable to possess all that knowledge
with the molluscous tribes of the watery deep, which
we could wish, the study and taste, which prompts to
an intimate acquaintance with their singularly fabri-
cated habitations speaks of the delight experienced in
any contemplation of Nature. The topics for inquiry,
which the fragile shell of some production of the
waters may call forth, the elegance and symmetry of
form and proportion, the richness of coloring, mocking
even the rainbow's tints, the value to mankind as an
article of luxury or use, the perfection and adaptation

of means to the end — are but a few arguments in favor

o

of so rational and so refined a taste. Circumstances
of the greatest importance, facts of the most serious
moment, may be indebted to this single branch of
knowledge. The minutiae of Nature are truths in
themselves, each important in the great scheme. The
adventurous exploits of the little and fearless voyager
in its pellucid and pearly bark, engaged the attention
of the earliest Naturalist, and to this day, though
speeding with outstretched sail and pendent oars over
the ocean's surface, its real economy and habits are
by no means ascertained.

Thus the whole history of the lower animals and of
organized matter is bui a constant arid tangible witness
of our own ignorance. With a perception and fore-
sight peculiar to each, the very operations, which years
of the most patient industry and the concentrated ef-
forts of ingenuity can only effect, have been from the
first executed in perfection, unperceived. The pensile
nests of several species of birds exhibit a facility of
interweaving various and heterogeneous substances in

20

a manner almost inexplicable. The curious nest of
the Bengal grosbeak, the actually sewed cradle of
the tailor bird, of India, (Sylvia sutoria,) the beauti-
ful intertwined and grassy nest of the tiny marsh wren
of our neighboring swamps (Troglodytes brevirostris.
NUTT.) the woven and strong pouch-like nest of the
vivid and splendid golden robin, (Icterus baltimore.
BONAP.J and the yet more singular texture of the
orchard orioles (Icterus spurius. BONAP.^) are striking
instances. The workmanship of the loom is naught
in comparison with the ingenuity of the cunning and
active spider — and while for centuries the treasures
of intellect and mind were committed to various sub-
stances of inferior value, for general diffusion, the
ingenious wasp, was hourly fabricating its elegant
nest, with the now universally used and almost indis-
pensable article of paper, which has superseded all
else.* With a precision unparalled and undeviating
the bee (Apis Mellifica. L.) whose history is only
coeval with man, solved at each repeated construction
of its cell, the problem, which required the skill of
a mathematician, aided by the infinitesimal calculus
to prove. The tissue and internal structure of vege-
table sf outrival the curious and costly productions of
art, and the gorgeous and magnificent vesture of the
" lilies of the field," furnished in Holy Writ, a strik-
ing and persuasive argument in the support of divine
truth.}

* Polistes Nidulans of Cayenne, constructs a nest of genuine paste board,
and several American species of Vespa and Crabro, use paper of their own
fabrication, in the construction of their cells and nests.

t The lace tree of the West Indies, (Lagctta lintearia) furnishes from its
inner bark a beautiful substitute for lace.

$ Matthew vi. 28 29.

21

And this communion with Nature ! what more con-
ducive of good and greater source of pleasure and
instruction ? Is it not well to steal away from the
too absorbing cares of the busy world, to lay aside for
a few moments the assiduous devotion to its interests,
to quench the fever of excitement and passion in the
calm and grand repose of her studies ? What the
very end and pursuit of life, but that course, which
affords present, solid and satisfactory good and prom-
ises future benefit ? In a scene second only to that
primeval condition of the progenitors of the human
race,~where magnificence, beauty, order, loveliness,
harmony and peace are all displayed, we seem to be
invited and allured by every object of sense and fea-
ture of excellence, to commune with higher, nobler,
better things than those of earth. It is the inter-
course of spirit with Spirit. The Creator is yet
holding converse with His creatures through the me-
dium of His works. In the first vernal motion of
returning vital energy in the humblest moss, as in the
majestic structure of the mightiest vegetable form,
whose duration is coeval* with the present appearance
of the earth, — in the gauze-like wings of the minutest
fly, which dances in the bright sunbeam, with all the
pleasure of simple existence, as in the noble economy
of the gigantic quadruped, — in the comminuted parti-
cle of dust, as in the lofty mountains, which rise, in
silent, solitary and barren grandeur over the plains,
there is the same common voice of welcome and the

* Individuals ofrfdansonia, of the Natural order Bombacese, are the largest
trees known ; their age has been computed at from 5 to 6000 years, which
though probably an erroneous calculation, yet they may be, as. Humboldt
conjectures, some of the " oldest organic monuments of our planet."

22

same common language of instruction. In studies so
extensive and pursuits so glorious, who can become
an unprofitable learner ! No place so solitary, no spot
so desolate, no circumstance in life so devoid of inter-
est, but could furnish a solemn and important lesson
of truth.

Such then are the subjects of our mutual studies,
such their extent and such their salutary influence.
It remains for us in our endeavors as a Society to
pursue them with that attention, which gives the con-
viction of our delight in them. May the happy efforts
towards the advancement of a more general taste for
such subjects, which are so far crowned with success,
be yet increased, that collections from every depart-
ment of the Natural world may add to the value of
our labors, and our halls still afford an occasional
resort for an enlightened community, where the grace
and loveliness of Nature shall minister to the refine-
ment and elegance of society.

Peace to the ashes, and deep respect to the memory
of that venerable and learned man,* who has so lately
departed from the scene of his favorite studies and
extensive usefulness. Although devoted to the in-
terests of Natural Philosophy, he was by no means
unmindful or inattentive to those of Natural History.
We remember, for how can we forget, his occasional
presence in our halls and at our floral exhibitions ;
and many there are, who have enjoyed his liberality
in the use of the rarer and splendid works from his
Library, or listened with delight to his instructive

*Rev. JOHN PRINCE, LL.D.

23

conversation. His life is an exemplification of the
influence of such pursuits as our's, on the heart and
mind.

In conclusion let me add, that much remains to be
accomplished in every department of science under
our immediate cognizance. The flora of this County
contains many beautiful and elegant productions. A
full and perfect herbarium is essential to our Cabinet.
An attention to the cryptogamous plants will interest
many, who hitherto may have overlooked them. Of
diminutive size and of humble rank in the order of
vegetable forms, their real beauty and inimitable per-
fections are imperceptible without minute study and
examination. Assisted by the microscope we are as-
tonished and delighted with their wonderful and
unique economy. Composing a vast group of an ex-
tensive variety of forms, they are scattered over the
earth's surface, with a profusion equal only to the
benefits which they confer in the great operations of
existence.

Those rarer phaenogamous plants too, which the
research of the respected President of this Society has
heretofore discovered in our immediate vicinity, should
prompt others to a similar spirit in each section of the
county. The peculiar beauty and value of the dried
specimens of another, who is also well known as an
accomplished botanist, will serve as models of our
own. Our Entomology demands particular attention.
The members of the Society will confer a great ser-
vice to the general cause, by transmitting at the end
of each season, collections of every species of insect
which falls under their observation.

24

In fine, let an enthusiasm and laudable taste for
the contemplation of the natural world be cherished
and cultivated bv every member, and our united
labors in so good and glorious a pursuit must and will
insure the prosperity of the ESSEX COUNTY NATURAL
HISTORY SOCIETY,

{NoTE. — There have been also two exhibitions of Fruits and Flowers at
Bradford, under the direction of the Society, — one in September, 1834, the
other in September, 1835; — both of them were very fully attended, and ex-
cited much interest in the cause of science.]

ERRA.TA. — On page llth, 16th line, for misnamed .read misnomered.
" " .18th « for idle themes read idler themes.

GommonUieaUfi of

In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.

AN ACT

To incorporate the Essex County Natural History Society.

it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives in General Court assembled and by the authority of the
same, That ANDREW NICHOLS, WILLIAM OAKES, and WIL-
LIAM PRESCOTT, and their associates, are hereby made a
Corporation by the name of the ESSEX COUNTY NATURAL
HISTORY SOCIETY, for the purpose of promoting the Science
of Natural History with all the powers and privileges and
subject to all the liabilities contained in the forty fourth
chapter of the Revised Statutes of this Commonwealth
" passed on the fourth day of November in the year one
thousand eight hundred and thirty five," and for the purpose
aforesaid may hold real estate to the amount often thousand
dollars, and personal estate, exclusive of the books, papers
and articles in the cabinet of said Society to the amount of
twenty thousand dollars.

House of Representatives Feb. 11, 1836— Passed to be enacted.

JULIUS ROCKWELL, Speaker.

In Senate, Feb. 12, 1836— Passed to be enacted.

HORACE MANN, President.

COUNCIL CHAMBER, 12th Feb. 1836.— Approved.

EDWARD EVERETT.

A true copy — attest.

JOHN P. BIGELOW, Secretary.

ARTICLE I.

THE Society shall be called the " ESSEX COUNTY NAT-
URAL HISTORY SOCIETY. It shall consist of two classes of
members, Resident and Corresponding; Resident Members,
such as reside in the County of Essex ; Corresponding Mem-
bers, such as reside elsewhere.

ARTICLE II.

ANY person may become a Member of this Society by
signing the Constitution and paying the annual assessment ;
or may become a life member, — exempt of all assessments,
by the payment of twenty dollars.

ARTICLE III.

CORRESPONDING Members, shall be chosen by ballot,
after having been n&minated at a meeting previous to that
on which the ballot is taken ; the votes of two thirds of the
members present shall be requisite for an election.

ARTICLE IV.

THE annual assessment of each member shall be two dol-
lars ; and no resident member, who shall be in arrears for
one year, shall be entitled to vote or be eligible to any
office in the Society.

ARTICLE V.

MEMBERS may be expelled from this Society by a vote
of three fourths of the members present at the annual
meeting.

ARTICLE VI.

THE Officers of this Society shall be a President, two
Vice, Presidents, Secretary, who shall also act as Treasurer,
a Librarian and Cabinet Keener.

27

It shall be the duty of the PRESIDENT, and in his ab-
sence of one of the VICE PRESIDENTS, to preside in all the
meetings of the Society and Curators, to call meetings of
the Curators and Special Meetings of the Society, by the
advice of the Curators.

It shall be the duty of the SECRETARY to attend the
meetings of the Society and Curators and record their pro-
ceedings; to keep on file all letters and papers respecting
the Society and to manage the correspondence of the Society
under the direction of the Curators; to keep copies of all
letters written for the Society in a book provided for that

purpose ; to receive and pay all monies subject to the order

of the Curators.

It shall be the duty of the LIBRARIAN and CABINET
KEEPER to receive and have in his custody all specimens,
books, papers, &LC. of the Society, which he shall arrange in
classes and register in a book with a proper description of
each article, the donor's name, when the same shall be a
present, time when received, also to acknowledge all dona-
tions whatsoever in such a way as the curators may direct.

ARTICLE VII.

THE President, Vice Presidents, Secretary and Cabinet
Keeper, ex officio, with four others chosen by the Society
shall be the CURATORS. They shall direct the Secretary
and Cabinet Keeper in the performance of their respective
duties ; present to the Society such by-laws and regulations
as shall be thought expedient, and manage the finance of the
Society subject to the direction of the Society.

ARTICLE VIII.

THE Officers and Curators shall be chosen at the annual
meeting by ballot.

ARTICLE IX.

THE Annual Meeting shall be on the third Wednesday in
June.

28

ARTICLE X.

THIS Constitution may be altered by a vote of three-
fourths of the members present at any regular meeting of
the Society; the intended alterations being submitted at any
two previous meetings.

CHAPTER I. Of Members.

RESIDENT members only shall be entitled to vote or be
eligible to any office.

A resident member on removing from this County may
become a corresponding member on giving notice thereof
and paying all arrears; and a corresponding member who
shall hereafter reside within this county shall become a resi-
dent member.

No resident member, who shall be in arrears for one year,
shall be entitled to vote or be eligible to any office ; and if
any one so in arrears shall refuse or neglect to liquidate his
dues within six months after being duly notified, he shall
cease to be a member of the Society.

The yearly assessment is payable at the annual meeting
in June.

CHAPTER II. Of Officers and Curators.

THE PRESIDENT and in his absence one of the VICE
PRESIDENTS, shall preside in all meetings and regulate the
order thereof. He shall have a casting vote when there is
an equal division amongst the members.

The SECRETARY shall be present at all meetings arid re-
cord the proceedings ; read all communications made to him

in his official capacity ; notify all corresponding members of
their election ; also all officers when the same shall not be
present at their election, and notify all meetings.

As TREASURER he shall receive all dues to the Society
and pay all debts after they have been approved by the
Curators : he shall keep an exact account of all receipts and
expenditures, and report the same at the annual meeting.

The CURATORS shall hold meetings for the transaction of
business as often as once a month, at such times and places
as may be most convenient : four members shall constitute a
quorum.

CHAPTER III. Of Committees.

THE following STANDING COMMITTEES, viz : on Mam-
malia; Jives; Reptilia and Pisces ; Mollusca and Radiata
(native ;) Mollusca and Radiata (foreign ;) Articulata ;
Comparative Anatomy ; Botany ; and Mineralogy and Geol-
ogy ; — shall be chosen at the annual meeting. It shall be
the duty of these Committees to assist the Cabinet Keeper
in the arranging and preserving the specimens of Natural
History in their respective departments, and to report at the
annual meeting in June the state of their respective collec-
tions ; — they shall alone be authorized to select duplicate
specimens and make exchanges.

CHAPTER IV. Of the Cabinet.

ALL donations shall have the donor's name affixed thereto.

No cabinet specimen in Natural History shall be removed
from the rooms of the Society without the consent of a
major part of the Curators.

All donations shall be referred to Committees to report
thereon as soon as possible.

CHAPTER V. Of the Library.
THE Library to be under the control of the Curators.

30

No book to be purchased except by the written consent of a
major part of the Curators.

The Curators, for sufficient reason, may withhold any
book from circulation, such books being marked in the cat-
alogue and also on the cover "not to circulate." The
Librarian shall insert in a book provided for that purpose
the names of the borrowers, the time when taken out and
when returned.

Each member shall be entitled to take from the Library,
one folio or one quarto, or two volumes of any lesser fold,
at one time; separate volumes of plates, to accompany the
text as a part of the same, may be delivered in addition.

No person shall lend any book belonging to the Society,
excepting, to a member, entitled to take out, under a penalty
of one dollar, for every offence.

If any book is damaged or lost, the person for whose use
it was taken out, shall make good such damage or loss as
the curators may determine.

The Curators may on special occasions, permit any per-
son not a member of the Society to use the books belonging
to the Library, under such restrictions as they may think
proper.

The members of the Society residing in the city of Salem
or in the towns of Beverly or Danvers, shall not detain any
book longer than two weeks, under a penalty of twenty-five
cents per week. Members resident in the more distant
towns of the county, shall not detain any book longer than
four weeks, under the same penalty.

If any member of the Society, not resident in the city of
Salem or either of the towns of Beverly or Danvers, should
wish to obtain the use of a book or books, then in the hands
of some other member of the Society not resident in either
of the aforesaid places, that member may receive such book
or books from the other member, on condition that both
parties notify the Librarian by letter (post paid.) Non-

31

compliance with this condition, shall subject the member
who received the book or books direct from the Library, to
the usual fine. In all cases of loss or damage the original
receiver shall be held responsible to the Curators ; and
should any demur or difficulty arise, the parties shall settle
it between themselves, responsibility always attaching to the
first receiver of the books.

On the Wednesday preceding the annual Meeting all
books shall be called in, and the Curators shall examine the
Library. They shall note all missing books, the state of
the Library and report the same at the annual meeting.

CHAPTER VI. Of Meetings.

THE ordinary Meetings of the Society shall be held on
the third Wednesday of every month, at 3 o'clock, P. M.

Visitors may be introduced by any member.

The annual and all special meetings of the Society shall
be notified by circulars, signed by the Secretary, and sent
to each member, at least six days before said meeting.

32
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.

Elected Dec. 18, 1S33.

PRESIDENT.

ANDREW NICHOLS, of Danvers.

VICE-PRESIDENTS.

WM. OAKES, of Ipswich, GARDNER B. PERRY, of Bradford.

SECRETARY AND TREASURER.

JOHN M. IVES, Salem.

LIBRARIAN AND CABINET KEEPER.

JOHN LEWIS RUSSELL, Salem.

CURATORS.

WM. OAKES, Ipswich. THOMAS SPENCER, Salem.

JOHN C. LEE, Salem. CHARLES G. PAGE, Salem.

Elected June IT, 1833.

PRESIDENT.

ANDREW NICHOLS, of Danvers.

VICE-PRESIDENTS.

WILLIAM OAKES, Ipswich. GARDNER B. PERRY, Bradford.

SECRETARY AND TREASURER.

HENRY WHEATLAND, Salem.

LIBRARIAN AND CABINET KEEPER.

WILLIAM P. RICHARDSON, Salem.

CURATORS.

JOHN G. LEE, Salem. JOHN M. IVES, Salem.

WM. PRESCOTT, Lynn. CHAS. G. PAGE, Salem.

Elected June 15, 1830.

PRESIDENT.

ANDREW NICHOLS, Danvers.

VICE-PRESIDENTS.

WM. OAKES, Ipswich. GARDNER B. PERRY, Bradford.

SECRETARY and TREASURER

HENRY WHEATLAND, Salem.

LIBRARIAN and CABINET KEEPER

WILLIAM P. RICHARDSON, Salem.

CURATORS

JOHN C. LEE, Salem, JOHN M. IVES, Salem,

WM. PRESCOTT, Lynn, CHAS. G. PAGE, Salem.

OF

THE LIBRARY,

OF THE

25S3EX COimTlT N.£.TUZl<aZ. HISTORY SOCIETY.

1. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Journal of, 8vo, G vols.
and part 1st of vol. 7th. Philadelphia, from 1817.

2. Audubon, J. J., Ornithological Biography, roy. 8vo, vols. 1 and 2.
Philadelphia 1832, and Boston 1835.

3. Bakewell Robert, an introduction to Geology, (2d American from the
4th London edition, edited by B. Silliman,) 1 vol. 8vo. New Haven, 1833.

*4. Bigelow Jacob, Florula Bostoniensis, 1 vol. 8vo. Boston, 1824.

5. Boston Journal of Philosophy and the Arts, 3 vola 8vo. Boston,
from 1823 to 1826.

6. Boston Society of Natural History, Transactions of, Nos. 1,2 and 3, of
part 1, 8vo. Boston.

7. Brewster's David, New Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, 31 Nos. 4to. Phila-
delphia.

* 8. Brown Thos., Zoologist's text book, 2 vols 16 mo. Glasgow, 1832.

9. Cabinet of Natural History and Rural Sports, 2 vols 4to. Philadelphia,
from 1830 to 1832.

10. Cuvier G., Animal Kingdom, (translated and abridged by H. M'Mur-
trie) 1 vol. 8vo. New York, 1832.

* 11. Animal Kingdom, with supplementary additions by E. Grif-
fith, Class Reptilia, 1 vol. 8vo. London, 1831.

* 12. Animal Kingdom, with supplementary additions by E.

Griffith, Class Insecta, 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1832.

13. Dana J. F. & S. L., Outlines of the Mineralogy and Geology of
Boston and its vicinity, 1 vol. 8vo. Boston, 1818.

14. De Candolle A. P., Theorie Elementaire de laBotanique, 1 vol. 8vo.
Paris, 1819.

15. De la Beche H. J. Application of Geology to the useful purposes of
life, (republished from his late work, by the N. Y. Lye. Nat. His.) 8vo.;
pp. 22. New York, 1836.

16. Elliott Stephen, a Sketch of the Botany of South Carolina and Geor-
gia, 2 vols. 8vo. Charleston, S. C. 1821.

* Books thus marked are not to circulate.

34

17. Essex Agricultural Society, Transactions of, vol. 1, and 5 Nos. of
rol. 2. Salem, from 1818.

18. Fairholme George, a general view of the Geology of Scripture, 1 vol.
12 mo. Philadelphia, 1833.

19. Godman John D., American Natural History, 3 vols. 8vo. Phila-
delphia, 1831.

20. HildrethC. T., case of Notencephale, 8vo. pp. 16. Boston, 1831.

21. Hitchcock Edward, Report of the Geology, Mineralogy, Botany and
Zoology of Massachusetts, (Isted.) 1 vol. 8vo. with plates. Amherst, 1833.

*22. The same (2d edition.) Amherst, 1835.

23. Humboldt Alex, de, De distributione Geographica Plantarum, 1 vol.
8vo. Paris, 1817.

24. Imperial Mineralogical Society of St. Petersburg, Transactions of,
roy. 8vo. vol. 1, with plates. St. Petersburg, 1830.

25. Insects, Natural History of, (compiled from Swammerdam, Brookes,
&c.) 1 vol. 8vo. Perth, 1792.

26. Jay John C., Private Catalogue of Shells, Aug. 1st, 1835, 12mo.
pp. 55. New- York, 1835.

27, Another copy.

28. Kirby and Spence, Introduction to Entomology, 4 vols. 8vo. Lon-
don, 1828.

29. L'Etablissement Geographique de Bruxelles, Lettre sur, ICmo.
pp. 49. Bruxelles, 1836.

30. Ouvrages Publiee, 16mo. pp. 20. Bruxelles, 1836.

31. Lindley John, Introduction to the Natural System of Botany (1st
Am. ed. with an Appendix by J. Torrey) 1 vol. 8vo. New- York, 1831.

32. Lyceum of Natural History of New- York, Annals, vols. 1 and 2, and
Nos. 1 and 2 of vol. 3. New- York, from 1817.

33. Charter, Constitution and Bye-Laws, 8vo. pp. 24. New-
York, 1835.

34. duplicate of the same.

35. Lyell Charles, Principles of Geology, [4th ed.] 12mo. 4 vols. London,
1835.

36. Mawe J., Voyager's Companion and Shell-Collector's Pilot, &c. &c.
1 vol. 18mo. London, 1825.

37. Michaux F. A., North American Sylva, roy. 8vo. 3 vols. Paris,
1819.

38. Miscellany of Natural History, [vol. 1st, Parrots,by Sir J. D. Lander
and Thos. Brown,] 1 vol. 12mo. Edinburgh, 1833.

39. Mohs Frederick, Treatise on Mineralogy, translated from the Ger-
man by Wm. Hardinger, 3 vols. 12mo. Edinburgh, 1825.

40. Montague G., Ornithological Dictionary (Rennie's edition) 1 vol. 8vo.
London, 1831.

41. Nuttall Thomas, Genera of North American Plants and Catalogue of
Species to 1817, 12mo. 2 vola. Philadelphia, 1818.

35

42. Ornithology of U. S. A. and Canada, part 1st, Land

Birds, 12mo. 1 vol. Cambridge, 1832.

43. Ornithology of U. S. A. and Canada, part 2d, Water

Birds, 12mo. 1 vol. Boston, 1834.

*44. Practical Naturalist, Manual of, 1 vol. 16mo. Boston, 1831.

45. Pursh Frederick, Flora America? Septentrionalis, 8vo. 2 vols. Lon-
don, 1814.

46. Riddell John L., a Synopsis of the Flora of the Western States, 8vo.
pp. 116. Cincinnati, 1835.

*47. Robinson Sam'l, a Catalogue of American Minerals, with their lo-
calities, 1 vol. 8vo. Boston, 1825.

48. Russell John Lewis, a Discourse delivered before the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society, Sept 17, 1835, 8vo. pp. 36. Boston 1835.

49. Say Thos., Explanation of terms used in Entomology, 8vo. 1 vol.
Philadelphia.

50. Shepard C. U. Treatise on Mineralogy, 2d part consisting of descrip-
tions of the species, &c. 12 mo. 2 vols. New Haven, 1835.

51. Silliman Benj., The American Journal of Science, 8vo. 30 vols. New
Haven, from 1819.

52. Smith, J. V. C., Natural History of the fishes of Massachusetts, 1 vol.
12 mo. Boston, 1833.

53. Swainson Win., a Preliminary Discourse on the study of Natural
History, (No 59. of Lard. Cab. Cyc.) 1 vol. 12mo. London, 1834.

54. A Treatise on the Geography and classification of animals,

(No. 66, of Lard. Cab. Cyc.) 1 vol. 12mo. London, 1835.

55. Torrey John,- Compendium of the Flora of the Northern and Middle
States, 1 vol. 12mo. New York, 1826.

56. Duplicate ot the same.

57. Upham C. W., a Discourse at the funeral of the Rev John Prince,
on the 9th of June 1836, 8vo. pp. 31. Salem, 1836.

58. Wildenow C. L., species Plantarum, 12mo- 24 vols. Berolini, 1797.
* 59. Wilson, Alex., American Ornithology, 3 vols. roy. 8vo. with 1 vol

of plates, 4to. New York and Philadelphia, 1829.

60. Wright J. and Hall James, a catalogue of Plants growing without
cultivation in the vicinity of Troy, 8vo. pp. 42. Troy, N. Y. 1836.

61. Zoological Society, Gardens and Menageries of, 8vo. 2 TO!S. Chis-
wick, 1831.

TO THE

The numbers against the namei correspond with those in the catalogue,

J. C. Lee, 3, 7, 8, 12, 31, 39, 47, 50.

William Oakes, of Ipswich, 51 from vol 11 to 20 inclusive.

Miss S. Burley, 35.

C. Cramer, of New- York city, 24, 26, 29, 30, 33, CO.

Wm. P. Richardson, 57.

B. H. Ives, 49.

John Lewis Russell, 18, 4G, 48.

Mrs. A. Dunlap, 15, 27, 34.

Milliard, Gray & Co. Boston, 42, 43.

Thomas Spencer, 40.

Henry Whipple, 25.

A. L. Peirson, 20.

Massachusetts Legislature, 21, 22.

DONATIONS

TO

OF THE

ESSEX COUNTY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY,

From January 1st, 1834, to September 1st, 1836.

1834.
Jan.

Skulls of Fiber Zibethicus, Mus-
tek lutreola, and Sciurus Caro-
linensis.

:ad skulls of Larus
lymbus sp. Sorex

Rana pipiene

sp. and

brevieaudus.
April. Starling, from the Falkland Islands.
Falco levei iarws, female & eggs —

Testudo Soabra.

Skeleton of Fringilla Canariensis.
Malformed claw of Astacus marinus
Venus mercenaria.
Helix,

July. Spotted Jaspet, from Saugus, Mass.
Anadonta, from S. Carolina, Cy-

praeae, Murices, Strombi, &c.

Minerals from Brunswick and Au-

gusta, Me., & Newbury, Mass.

several species of native shells.
Egg of Casuarius vulgaris.
Condylura cristata, ,var. ? Mus

musculus.
Aug. Hirundo pelasgia— Pupae and Lar-

vae of several Lepidoptera.
Falco sparvinus, adult male.
Skull and spine of Felis cata.
Skeleton of Scolopax Wilsonii.

Nest of Icterus Baltimore. — Box

of Native Insects.
Vespertilio murinus.

Box of Coleopterous Insects — Co-
coons of Bombyx mori.

Vespertilio Noveboracensis.
Do. Murinus

6

Samuel P Fowler, Danvers.

John M. Ives.
Thomas Spencer.

Abel Nichols, Danvers.
John S. Appleton, Gloucester.
. John M. Ives.
Andrew Nichols, Danvers.
Samuel P. Fowler, Danvers.
Wm. Prescott, Lynn.

Mrs. A. Dunlap.

John Lewis Russell.
Benj. Shreve.

John Lewis Russell.

Charles G. Page.

Geo. H. Devereux.

Joseph Farnum, jr.

John S. Appleton, Gloucester.

Henry Wheatland.
Geo. Silsbee.

Abel Nichols, Danvers.
Wm. B. Johnson.
B. Hale Ives.

1834.

Aug. Tantalus rubra. Rhamphastos
erythrorynchus.

Exuviae; of Gryllus sp.

Native fishes,

Cyprinus sp.

Falco columbarius, young male.

Sept. Pagurus longicarpus Native

shells — Nest of Troglodytes
palustris.

Monoculus Polyphemus — Skull of
Ovis aries var. polycerata—Skull
and claws of Strix nyctea and
nebylosa.

Shells, several sp. from Thames
river, England,

Sylvia Canadensis
Vespertilio Noveboracensis

Shells from Ouisconsin river and
South Carolina

Falco haliaetus, adult male
Falco sparverius
Falco leucocephalus, young
Alcedo alcyon, female
Foreign shells

Solen sp. Paludinia decisa, Cyprea
caput-serpentis, &c. &c.

Nest of Card-making Wasp from
Cayenne

Quartz crystals

Spicular Iron Ore, from Elba

Volcanic Nitres and Sulphurs,
from the Mediterranean — Na-
tive Insects

Palmated Sponge, from Ipswich
Beach, Mass.

Oct. Minerals, from Franconia, N. H.

Native Minerals, and Vertebra of
a Whale

Turdus Wilsonii

Fiber zibethicus

Madrepora sp.

Bog Iron ore, and Lacerta sp.

Insects

Tetraodon sp.

Exocetus volitans, and Coluber sp.

Emys sp.

Coumarouma odorata

Fulica atra and Native Insects

Foreign Minerals and Shells

Stephen Driver, jr-
Miss H. Perkins.
Geo. A. Perkins.
John M. Ives.
William Rose.

John Lewis Russell.

Joseph Farnum, jr.

Henry Wheatland,
William Peele.
Miss Prince.

Mrs. Dunlap.
Samuel Gardner.
Nathaniel West, 3d.
James Brown.
William Rose.
Mrs. Benja. Shreeve,

Mrs. J. Chadwick.

Miss P. A. Winn.

Jas. D. Gillis.

B. W. Crowninshield,

Charles G. Page.

John M. Ives.
Horatio Robinson.

Joseph Farnum, jr.
John Henfield, jr.
William Rose.
Miss H. S. Haskell.
Daniel P. King, Danver*,
George A. Perkins.
Francis H. Tufts.
Rev. John Prince.
Henry Perley.
Miss P. A. Winn.
Henry Wheatland.
John M, Ives

39

1834.

Aug.

Nov.

Dec.

1835,
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
April.

Skull of Ardea Herodias
Balanus sp. from S. American coast
Scolopendra morsitans
Nest of Icterus Baltimore
Mustela lutreola
Crystallized Quartz
Capsules of Capsicum baccatum,
and skin of Dasypus tricinctua

Sturnus praedatorius

Mergus Merganser

Syngnathus typhle — Native Insects

Exocetus exiliens, &c.

Lepus cuniculus, male and female

Copal, containing insects

Capsule of Bertholletia excelsa

Pods of Tamarindus Indica

Box of Native Lepidoptera

Sciurus Carolinensig

Strix nyctea

Bowlders, from St. Petersburg

Strix nyctea

Skull of Corvus corone

Testudo radiata

Falco leucocephalus, (young)

Joseph Farnum, jr.
John Lewis Russell.
George P. Farrington.
Elias E. Porter, Danver*.

Shatswell.

Francis Cummins.

Charles H. Fabens.

Moses Home, jr. Topsfield.

James Balch.

B. Hale Ives.

J. Fisk Allen.

Francis H. Tufts.

Andrew Leach, Beverly.

Mrs. John Chadwick. ,

Mrs. Newcombe.

Abel Nichols, Danvers.

Joseph Farnum.

"William Oakes, Ipswich.

Charles Cramer, N. Y. city.

James Brown, Danvers.

Charles G. Page.

Mrs. Arrington.

Joseph Grover, Concord, N. H.

Erastus Ware, Marblehead.

Benj. Creamer.

Samuel P. Fowler, Danvers.

Henry Wheatland.

William P. Richardson.

William Fettyplace.

F. W. Paine, Worcester.

Strix Virginiana and cinerea

Cervus paludosus, young female

Eggs of 15 species of native birds

Antlers of Cervus Virginianus

Do. do. and Fringilla purpurea

Stalactites, from Girgenti, Sicily

Native Minerals — 23 specimens

Seeds and Bird-skins, from Sand-
wich and Society Islands

Minerals and seeds of Mangifera
Indica

Fulica Americana

Native Minerals and Sylvia pinus

Reptiles, from Para, S. A.

Shells, from Fegee Islands

Minerals

Prepared heads of 17 species of Birds John M. Ives.

Reptiles and Bird-skins, from Para Benj, Cox, jr.

Unbroken fibre of Musa sp. from
which Manilla hemp is obtain-
ed—Specimen of cotton, with
seed enclosed Jona. P. Felt.

John B. Williams.

Mrs. J. Chadwick.

George Prince.

Andrew Nichols, Danver*.

Tho's P. Pingree.

John W. Rogers.

John C. Lee.

40

George Osgood, Danvers.
F. W. Paine, Worcester.

William P. Endicott.
Wra. P. Richardson.

Pickering Dodge, Lynn.

Andrew Nichols, Danvers.
Abel Nichols, do.

J. Willard Peele, Manilla.

1835.

May. NotonectsB

Several species of Paradisea
Nux Moschata, Caryophyllus aro-
maticus — Draco lineatus, &c.
in spirit

Fossil impressions of Ferns-
Coluber constrictor and Gymno-

tus sp.

Petrifactions, &c. from the collec-
tion of the late Dr. Holyoke —
and Native Minerals

Earth, from Epsom

Box of Insects, from Manilla

Foreign shells, 12 species — Tusk

of Halicore Indicus — and leaves

and fruit of Jatropha elastica John Warden.
Foreign shells, 96 species Miss E. Hodges.

Sphinges and Mantides, from Ma-
dagascar Jacob Kittredge.
Scolopax flavipes,AIauda magnate. Nath'l West 3d.
Native Minerals— Turdus auroca-

pillus — Vireo olivaceus, &c.
Skin of Felis onca

" of Canis (vulpes) fulvus
Fossil Coral, from the Gypsum

formation, Baltimore
June. Foreign Shells

Reptiles from Para, S. A.

Molar tooth and femur of Loxo-

odonta Africanus, and skin of

Boa constrictor

Chama Hippopus and Rhomb spar
Skin of Kangurus labiatus
Box of Chinese Insects
Lead Ore, from mines near Galena

Skin of Arctomys inonax, and
Iron pyrites

Sepia officiualis

Minerals, from Worcester county
Calosoma calidum & Saturnia lo
Attacus luna

Bog Iron Ore, from Gloucester
Tail of Elephas Indicus
Claw of Astacus marinus, which
weighed 39 Ibs.

Calosoma scrutator, 2 specimens
Emys scabra, 2 specimens
Egg of Struthio camelus
Native Minerals

Andrew Nichols, Danvers.
T. Perkins Pingree.
Samuel Honeycomb.

Charles G. Page.
Nath'l L. Page.
James Creamer.

Robert Brookhouse.
Henry G. Bridges.
Philip Hammond.
Samuel Barton.
Miss M. J. Scobie.

Theodore Morgan.

Francis H. Tufts.

William H. Brooks.

Geo. A. Perkins.

Miss Sarah Cook.

John S. Apple ton, Gloucester.

B. K. Churchill.

Moses H. Shaw, Gloucester.
W. C. Wiggin, Danvers.
B. Hale Ives.
Chas. M. Richardson.
Wm. Stearns.

41

1835.

June. Condylura cristata
Stalactite

Mica, from New-Brunswick
Tremolite, from Lubec, Me.
Calosoma calidum
Sphinx sp. and Testudo serpentina
Helices, from England
Nest of Sylvia aestiva
Minerals
July. Fruit ot Juglansalba, from Penn.,

Fasciculus of Western Vernal

Plants, Minerals, and 28 species

of Uniones from Ohio
Skull of Mephitis Americana

" ofFelisonca
Pterornys volucella
Mactra grandis,from Chelsea Beach

Fruit of Psidium Catteleyanum
and Cactus sp.

Malformed hen's egg

Pagurus sp.

Shells and corals from Phillips'
Beach— Reptiles from Para —
Beak of Xiphias sp., and Molar
tooth of Loxodonta Africanus

Nest and eggs of Fringilla palustris

Pupa and imago of Cicada pruinosa

Scolopendra morsitans, young

Minerals, from Saugus

Native Minerals

(I 1C

Foreign Shells, 4 species — and
Testudo radiata

Ichneumon sp.
Syngnathus typhle
Coluber vernalis
Falco borealis, young
Aug. Vespertilio Noveboracensis
JSative Insects (rare*)

Testudo tabulata, from Brazil
Minerals, from Chelmsford, Mass
Cottus quadricornus
Anas Gambiensis
Crotalus horrid us & corvus corone

Molar tooth of Loxodonta Afri-
canus

Head of Testudo sp. from S. A-

Charles Dodge.

Lander.

Charles G. Page.

S. & L. Brcoks.

Col. Dodge, Wenham.

John M. Ives.

John Full.

Wm. P. Richardson.

Charles Cramer, N. Y. city.

John L. Russell.
Theodore Morgan.
Jos. Farnum, jr.
Henry Wheatland.
Joseph Moriarty, Boston.

Theodore Morgan, jr. Maranham.
Samuel Cur wen.
Miss Eliza Perley.

Charles G. Page.

E. N. Wead.

William Ives.

John Wheatland.

John C. Lee.

Thomas Prince.

Andrew Nichols, Danvers.

Miss M. A. King.
John Howard.
Wm. B. Dodge.
John M. Ives.

Rand.

Joshua Safford.

T. W. Harris, Cambridge.

George D. Phippen.

Wm. H. Osborne.

J. W. Stearns, jr.

Geo. M'Duffie.

Francis Spinney, Lynnfield.

Nicholas Boylston.
Thomas Dewing.

1835.
Aug.

Minerals, from Franconia and

White Hills, N. H.
Chelonura serpentina and native

minerals

T. P. Shepard.

Abel Nichols, Danvers.
Luther Upton.
Robert Hill.
Mrs. Johonnot.

Shark's jaw,

Capsules of Bertholletia excelsa
Skin of Penguin's neck
Suite of Shells, from Island of Java John C. Lee.
Sept. Turkey tracks in Sandstone, from

Montague, Mass.
Sphinx sp. from Para
Coluber sp.
Minerals, from Franconia and

vicinity

Madrepora and Minerals
Petrifactions, from Cattskill Mts.

N.Y.
Native Insects, Skulls of Canis

(Vulpes) fulvus, Cervus Vir-

ginianus, Canis familiaris (b.

Terrarius) <fcc.
Oct. Uniones, several species

Unio, from Fox river, Michigan

Territory
Fulica Americana
Podiceps rubricollis
Eggs of Ardea nycticorax
Ornithorhyncus paradoxus, and

Pickering Dodge.
William Rose.
Joseph Brown.

Francis Cummins.
Miss S. Silver.

George A. Perkin*.

Henry Wheatland.
Mrs. Dunlap.

Mrs. Elkins.

Upton, Danvers.

Wm. Cheever.
Francis Cummins.

Nov.

Dec.

1836.
Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Falcosp. from New South Wales Win. Driver.
Charadrius melodus John M. Ives.

Skull of Buceros sp. from Sumatra Charles Procter.

" " Equus caballus, female Wm. Osborne.

Nest of Hirundo edilis, Fruit of
Citrus paradisus, Shells, & Che-
Ionia mydas, var. from Java

Hyria, two species, Turbo, Can-
cer, &c.

Skull of Loxia cardinalis, male

Palate bone of Drum fish

Skin of Felis tigrina, from S. A-
merica

Jaw of Delphinus delphis

European (chiefly Russian) Insects T. Wm. Harris, Cambridge.

Skull of Sus babyroussa, from

Island of Timor John G. Waters.

Bradypus didactylus, Chelys Ma-
taraata and 12 species of Simiae
and Lemurei, from S. America Benj. Upton, jr.

Richard Wheatland.

Geo. H. Brown, Beverly.
S. P. Fowler, Danvers.
Nath'l Weston.

Daniel Shepard.
Joseph Farnum, jr.

1836.

Mar. Fish, several species from Indian

Ocean

Native Minerals
Antler of Cervus Alces
April. Strix Virginianus and egg of do.
Mass of Magnetic Iron, from the

New York fire
Skulls of Phoca vitulina and Arc-

tomys monax
Jaws of Squalus sp.

•' " " " andDelphinus
delphis

Exocetus sp. and Jaws of Delphi-

nus delphis
Molar tooth of Elephas Indicus,

from Ceylon

Strix nyctea

Sepia and Exocetus, from Indian
Ocean, Agates, Petrifactions, &
Sticks of Laurus Cinnamomum

Nest and eggsofFringillamelodia
Carbonate of Lime, from Sing

Sing, N. Y.

Collection of Shells from E.Indies
Skin of Boa Constrictor from Cey-
lon, and Capsules of Medicago
sp. from Patagonia

May. Molar tooth of Loxodonta Afri-
canus

Galena and Sulphuret of Copper,
from Galena, Mi.

June. Minerals

Eggs of Struthio camelus and
Comb of Apis Mellifica

Stalactite from St. Michael's Cave,
Gibraltar

Fruits of Banksia serrata and
Hakea sp. from Sidney, New
South Wales

Coluber Sipedon

Fruit of species of Palm from

Brazil and Hyla versicolor
Attacus luna
Libinia canaliculata
Native Crustacea

Insects and Reptiles, skins of Strix
sp. Ardea sp. and Dasyurug
pencillatus ; Foot of Kangurus
labiatus, Pressed Plants, Fruits
of Banksia serrata, &c. from
Swan river, Western Australia,

John Webb.
Wm. Prescott, Lynn.
Geo. H. Devereux.
Pope, Danvers.

Wm. Brown.

S. P. Fowler, Danvers.

J. H. Eagleston, Baltimore.

Mrs. J. Chad wick.
Chas. Farrington.

Robert W. King.
Palmer Tufts, Danvers.

Joshua Kinsman.
Andrew Nichols, Danvers.

Geo. A. Perkins.
James B. Briggs.

Wm. P. Richardson.
John Lewis Russell.

Increase S. Smith, Hingham.
Geo. H. Brown, Beverly.

H. K. Oliver.
John Tucker.

Chas. F. Richardson.
Osgood Parker.

John Lewis Russell.
Thomas Cole.
Charles G-. Page.
Wm. Prescott, Lynn.

John B. Williams.

44

1836.

June. Specimen and eggs of Emys picta
Box of South American Insects
Echinus sp. from Maranham
Eggs of Coluber constrictor
Specimens of Calosoma scrutator
Julus sp. and Minerals
Maenura lyra, from New South
Wales

Fasciculus of Pressed Plants
July. Cistudaclausa,frem Reading, Mass.

" " " Barnstable co.

Mass.
Minerals and Petrifactions from

Ceylon and Franconia
Lacerta sp.

Eggs of Emys scabra
Limeston containing shells

Petromyzon fluviatilis
Helices

Foreign Shells, several species
Native Fish

Vespertilio sp.,and several species
of Insects & Reptiles from Java
Aug. Derbyshire Spar

Skin of Squalus tigrinus, from
Swan river, Western Australia
Serpentine, from Lynnfield, Mass
Eggs of Coluber constrictor

George A. Perkins.

Mrs. Thorndike Deland.

Luther Upton.

Jas. Stone.

W. C. Wiggin, Danvers.

Theodore Morgan.

Miss Sarah Mugford.
Miss N. Gay.
Geo. B. Foster.

William Mack.

Robert W. King.

John H. Parnell.

II. Wheatland.

Thomas Hunt, jr. Danvers,

Luke Towne, Topsfield.

Mrs. J. Brazer.

Mrs. J. B. Briggs.

E. H. Payson.

R. G. Wheatland,
Mrs. E. Lander.

John B. Williams.
Andrew Nichols, Danvers.
Wm. Osborn.

JOURNAL

OP THE

ESSEX COUNTY CTATimAI. HISTOJnT SOCIETTT.

VOL. I. JUNE, 1839, No. 2.

PREFATORY REMARKS.

It may be expected on the commencement of a 2d number of
our Journal, that some brief account be given of the state and
progress of the cc ESSEX COUNTY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY,"
since the issue of the first, containing its anniversary address,
etc. At that time, (June 15, 1836,) the Society was considered
in a prosperous condition. Its intentions since, as ever, have
been to promote the Natural History of the County.

Our County Geology and Mineralogy have, thus, been exam-
ined and specimens collected. A valuable group of native birds
has been provided for its Ornithology. The Conchology of our
ocean shores has been regarded. Nor has our Botany been
overlooked. Beautifully dried Plants, both of the Phaneroga-
mous and Cryptogamous orders, and also prepared fruits and
seeds will be found in their proper compartments. Attention to
the Mammalia, Reptilia and Fishes, as also to Comparative
Anatomy has been on the increase. Some rare and valuable
works have been added to the Library. Rich donations, have
been made by Correspondents, in foreign specimens. The
Floral Exhibitions have maintained their usual and proper posi-

tion. The Society's Hall have been ever open to the enquiring
and curious ; and it is still the wish of the Curators and others,
that the public may feel itself interested in a free and liberal
invitation to a participation of its advantages.

The second number is now offered in the spirit and intention of
the Society's plan. The articles will be found devoid of as
much of the technicalities of science as is compatible with toler-
able descriptions. Hoping to interest others as we have been
interested in the Natural History of our County, these simple
efforts and gleanings of our experience and labors are respect-
fully submitted.

Salem, Mass., May 1, 1839,

FAMILIAR NOTICE OF SOME OF THE SHELLS FOUND IN THE LIMITS
OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS : WITH REFERENCE TO DESCRIP-
TIONS AND FIGURES. BY JOHN LEWIS RUSSELL.

THE object of the present paper is to give a simple account of
a few shells found in this immediate vicinity, avoiding as much as
is possible, the objection of scientific and technical description.
No specimen has been noticed, which has not been found within
the county. I have taken this precaution, that one of the pri-
mary intentions of the Society should be fulfilled, viz. to procure
the Natural History of Essex County.

Scattered throughout a multitude of various scientific publi-
cations, and oftentimes unaccompanied by figures, the descrip-
tions of our native shells, escape the observation of the private
student, whose access to libraries, or whose privileges in the use
of Cabinets are limited. In thus collecting, as it were, these
scattered descriptions, I do not presume on originality, but only
aim at usefulness. To this end, I have gathered wherever such
information came in my way, or was at my disposal, interspers-
ing private observations as they occurred to my mind.

With a few exceptions, the species are marine ; the land and
fresh water shells, may perhaps constitute another paper at a
future time.

PECTINARIA. BELGICA. Lam. BELGIC PECTINARIA.

Brown's Zoologist's Text Book. pi. 92. fig. 20.
Conchologist's " pi. 19. fig. 20.

A curious shell, made up of small particles of sand loosely
agglutinated, and shaped like the foreign Dentalium. Care
should be taken in collecting it as it is very fragile.

Found in the stomach of the haddock, offNahant.

Cabinet of the Society.

OBSERVATION. May be found in great abundance at very low
tides at Lynn and neighboring beaches ; the animal is very cu-
rious, and to be captured the shell should be very suddenly re-
moved from the sand, or its inhabitant easily escapes. A singu-
lar fringed head, and numerous spiny bands or joints may be
noticed on the body.

43 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of the

SFIRORBJS, Latin A Spiral Orb.
NAUTILOIDES, resembling a Nautilus.

A pretty and minute shell found in profusion on sea weed,
(Algae,) ivory white, curled. In order to preserve specimens
for the Cabinet, it is better to select a piece of the sea-weed,
that the shells may remain uninjured.

Brown's Zoologist's Text Book, PI. 92. fig. 15.
Conchologist's " PI. 19. fig. 15.

Cabinet of the Society.

The following shells belong to the class of Molluscous ani-
mals called CIRRHIPEDA, i. e. having feathered feet. They are
attached to other bodies, and sessile or fixed in one spot. They
may be found in the class X of Lamarck and under his 1st order.

BALANUS, Greek, an acorn.
MISER, Latin, small, insignificant.

A small, sharp angled white shell, composed of many valves,
and very abundant on the rocks, pebbles, and other objects on
the sea shore.

Cabinet of the Society.

BALANUS OVULARIS. Lamarck.
Egg shaped or oval sea acorn.

A larger and prettier species than the foregoing, with striated
valves. Found on the piles and stones of the bridge, near Legg's
Hill, last summer, by Jos. True, sometimes attached to the liv-
ing shells of the common muscle.

Figured in Griffith's Cuvier's Animal Kingdom Molluscay
p. 136., pi. 7., fig. 1.

Cabinet of the Society.

Kept alive in sea water, (as it may be for several days) it will
open and close the valves of its mouth, and protrude its feath-
ered feet in search of food, presenting an interesting spectacle.

BALANUS GENICULATUS. Conrad. Latin genii, a knee.

Kneed sea acorn.

A large fine species, found on the Lynn beaches, attached to
other shells, particularly to those of the Horse muscle : white

Shells found in Essex County. 49

with prominent longitudinal ribs, and two angular elevations on
each.

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,
Vol. VI., p. 265, pi. xi., fig. 16.

Cabinet of the Society.

ORDER II. PEDUNCULATA, i. e. having foot stalks to the
shells. Lam.

ANATIFA. Latin, anas, a goose, and fero, to bear, (from an
old notion that the barnacle goose was produced from this shell.
Vide. Drummond's Letters to a Young Naturalist, p. 148, fig. 12.)
LAEVIS, Latin, smooth. Smooth anatifa.
SYN. LEPAS ANATIFERA. L.
PENTALEPAS LAEVIS. Blainville.

Multivalve, furnished with a cartilaginous stalk or stem, by
which it is affixed to the bottoms of vessels and to floating tim-
ber. Edges of the valves covered with an orange membrane.
Number of the valves five.

Griffith's^Cuv. Mollus. pi. 2, fig. 1. Bosc. coquilles, pi. 46,
fig. 1. Blainville's Manuel, pi. 84, fig. 3. Brown's Zool. Text
Book, p. 92, fig. 5.

Cabinet of the Society.

TEREDO. Greek, a ivoodboring worm.
NAVALIS. Latin, belonging to a ship. Ship worm.

Found in the sheathing of vessels from foreign seas. Some-
times of extraordinary size : the tube attached to the shell, and
which is formed of calcareous deposit to line the drilled hole,
being two feet long.

Griffith's Cuv. Mollusca, p. 122, pi. 8, fig. 2. Brown's Con-
chol. Text Book. pi. 18, figs. 18 to 22.

Very fine specimens in the collection of the East India
Marine Society.

50 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of the

PHOLAS. Greek, a burroiv, (in allusion to Us habits.)

CRISPATA. Latin, crisped or curled.
The curled shelled Pholas or Piddock.

A fine delicate shell, with a singular spoon-shaped tooth,
beneath the beak of the shell and within ; furnished with smaller
pieces or valves, varying with the particular species.

Rare on the beaches of Essex Co., and found generally in
fragments, or single valves.

Brown's Zool. Text Book, pi. 92, fig. 17. Blainville's
Manuel pi. 79, fig. 7.

Brown's Conchol. Text Book, pi. 19, fig. 17.

PHOLAS LAMELLATA. Turton. Small plaited Piddock.

This species, of which some doubt is entertained of its identity
with the British specimens as figured by Turton, was found at
Phillips' beach, Lynn, during the past summer. It resembles
the young of Pholas crispata, but differs from it in having only-
one accessory piece, a medio-dorsal. Bores into the clay and
also into decayed wood : its burrow being eight inches long,
the shell occupying the middle, and the animal extending above
and below, so as to completely occupy the space. Its valves
are of great delicacy, and when removed from its burrow, the
attempt of the animal to withdraw itself into the shell often rup-
tures them. About an inch long, pure white and beautiful.

Turton's British Bivalves.

Presented to the Society's Cabinet by Jos. True, to whom I
am indebted for the above observations.

The following are BIVALVES, i. e. having but two shells, and
belonging to the Class XI. of Lamark, viz. CONCHIFERA, i. e.
having shells, (there being Molluscous animals without shells,)
and to his 1st order BIMUSCULOSA, i. e. having two muscular
impressions on each valve. The usual habitation of this group
of animals is in mud or sand, though sometimes coining out of
it, at pleasure.

Shells found in Essex County. 51

SOLEN. Greek, a tube.
ENSIS. Latin, a sword. Scimitar shaped.

The Sivord Solen or Sabre Solen.

Linear, shaped like the scabbard of a sword, white within,
brownish or green without, of various lengths ; sometimes eight
inches long. An interesting species. Lynn beaches and com-
mon on the coast. Fine specimens at Plum Island, sometimes
called " Long Clam," on the South Shore.

Brown's Zool. Text Book, pi. 91, fig. 11. do. Conchol. Text
Book, pi. 18, fig. 11.
Cabinet of the Society.

, SOLENCURTUS. Blamville. Solen and curtus short.

COSTATUS. Say. Latin, ribbed.
SYN. SOLEN COSTATUS. Say. Journ. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sc.

vol. 2, p. 315.

A delicate and very beautiful shell, very abundant on the
sandy shores of Essex County, especially at Lynn. Teeth,
three in each valve, a strong white rib passes from the beak to
the base, whence its specific name. Color, brownish without,
pearly violet within.

Say's American Conchology, plate 18.

GLYCIMERIS, Greek.
SILIQ.UA. Latin, pod-shaped. Pod Glycimeris.

Shell thick, widely gaping at each extremity, covered with a
black epidermis, toothless and callous near the hinge.

A shell of little beauty, living in deep water, and eaten by the
larger fish. A specimen with the animal, with several others of
valves only, taken from the stomach of a cod fish, were pre-
sented to the Cabinet of the Society, by Dr. W. P. .Richardson.

Brown's Zool. Text Book, pi. xci, fig. 7. Do. Conchol. Text
Book, pi. 18, fig. 7.

MYA. Greek, a muscle.
MERCENARIA. Latin, for sale. Merchantable.

Common Clam. Soft Shell Clam.

This shell fish, so well known as an article of food, and abun-
dant on our shores, is not wholly devoid of interest as a conchol-

62 RusseWs Familiar Notice of some of ihe

ogical specimen. Its ciliated foot furnished with two apertures
(called mouths) bear no unapt resemblance to a small zoophyte.
This is protruded from the burrow of the animal on the approach
of the tide, and receives with the wave the minute objects which
constitute its food. A variety of tints may be discovered in the
valves, from a deep blue, to a yellowish and even pure white.
The latter color obtains when the shell is found in clay.

Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii. p. 313. Blainville's
Manuel, pi. 77, fig. 1, Bosc. Coquilles, pi. 41, fig. 2.

ANATINA. Greek.
LEAN A. Lea's Jinatina.

A. small, whitish shell, with rounded ends, the anterior rather
shorter than the posterior, elliptical, fragile, resembling a small
Mya,but differing in the teeth, "having two spoon shaped teeth
instead of one ; " each tooth in each valve precisely alike, the
ligament inserted between. Named in honor of I. Lea of Phil-
adelphia, by Mr. Conrad, its discoverer.

Lynn beaches and the shores of Essex County.

Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. vi., p. 263, pi, xi., fig. 11.

Cabinet of the Society.

MACTRA. Latin, a kneading trough.

GIGANTEA. Latin, gigantic, large.

SYN. MACTRA SOLIDISSIMA Say.

Shell thick, very large ; covered with a pale yellow epidermis,
which becomes more or less destroyed, as the shell grows older.
The prettiest specimens are the young, and these according to
Du Ravenel have been mistaken for a distinct southern species.
M. Similis, (see his observations in "Catalogue of recent
shells," Charleston, S. C. 1834.)

Known in some places as the "Hen Clam," and considered
excellent food. The valves are often used in dairies for skim-
ming milk. Found after a severe storm, and taken from the
sand only at low tides. Nahant and other sandy beaches. En-
cyclopedic Methodique, pi. 259, fig. 1. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc.
Phil., vol. vi., page 257.

Shells found in Essex County. 53

MACTRA GIGANTEA varietya.

A small, (young?) specimen I have lately met with, on the
Lynn beaches, whose valves were variegated with a few angular
lines of black ; probably accidental and subject to obliteration
on age.

Variety b. Glaucous green with three or four broad oblique
transverse bands. From stomach of fish.

Cabinet of Society.

MACTRA ARCTATA. Conrad. Latin, bent, (posterior margin

curved.)

A pretty and rather common species, especially on the
beaches of Cape Ann ; residing in small burrows in the sand,
to which it may be traced by a slight furrow, made by the edges
of the shell in moving. Color white or very slightly yellow. I
have seen fine specimens from Plum Island.

Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol vi., p. 257, pi. xi, fig. 1.

Cabinet of Society.

MACTRA TELLINOIDES. Conrad. Tellina, and Greek, similar to
Tellina-like Mactra.

Shell ovate, thin and very fragile, with raised lines (striae;)
resembling a tellina from a slight fold on the smaller side.
Abundant on the muddy shores of South River, and elsewhere
in this neighborhood.

Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol vi., pi. xij fig. 4.

Cabinet of Society.

SOLEMYA. Solen and Mya, (signifying that the shell is allied to

Solen and Mya.)
VELUM. Latin, a veil.

The veiled Solemya.

Shell very thin and fragile, the epidermis extending beyond
the valves in a singular manner, furnishing a not unapt resem-
blance to a veil or drapery. Very rare ; to be found after a
long storm, and then generally broken. A desirable acquisition
to the Cabinet.
2

54 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of the

A very fine specimen in possession of Wm. Oakes of Ips-
which, was obtained by him from the beach of that part of Essex
County.

SANGUINOLARIA. Latin, blood, (allusion to color of some species.)
FUSCA. Conrad. Latin, dusky.

Dusky Sanguinolaria.

A common and rather pretty bivalve, occurring on the muddy
shores of our estuaries.

May be collected at Winter Island, South River, and else-
where in this neighborhood.
Cabinet of the Society.

PANDORA. Greek, no obvious meaning.
TRILINEATA. Say. Latin, three lined.

Three lined Pandora.

A rare, beautiful and pearly shell, occasionally found on our
beaches ; and seldom perfect. Four single valves only have
come under my observation, and these much worn, and all right
valves, being distinguished easily by their more convex figure.

About an inch long; posterior margin, very round, anterior
beaked.

Described in Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii. p. 261, and
figured in Says' American Conchology, pi. ii.
Cabinet of the Society.
My Cabinet.

SAXICAVA. Bellevue. Latin, saxum, a stone, and cavus, a holhiv.
DISTORTA. Say. Latin, crooked.

Distorted Saxicava.

The name of Saxicava was given to denote the habits of this
animal to hollow out stones for its dwelling ; an instinct, I be-
lieve not observable in the present species. The teeth, which
are prominent in some specimens, are seen only when young,
and become obliterated as the shell arrives arrives at maturity,
and the crooked appearance of the valves also disappears. A
curious rather than pretty shell, and probably overlooked, except

.Shells found in Essex Counlij. 5.3

by minute observers. Found occasionally at Lynn. Length
about half an inch.

Described by Say, in Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii.,
p. 318.

Cabinet of the Society.

Obs. I have found it more abundant on the shores of Maine
than in this vicinity.

PETRICOLA. Latin, Inhabiting rocks.

FORNICATA. Latin, fornix, a furnace.

Arch ribbed stone borer.

Shell transversely lengthened out, posterior side very short ;
anterior gaping a little. Across the valves are numerous lines ;
those nearest the posterior, furnished with ribs or arches,
(costae.) Teeth two, on each valve ; one of which is nearly
divided to its base, giving the appearance with the other of there
being three. Color white ; texture delicate, nearly smooth
within ; excepting the deep grooves towards the posterior end.

Described very minutely by Say, in Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc.
Phil., vol. ii., page 219.

SYN. PETRICOLA PHOLADIFORMIS, Lamarck, and figured, as
such in Say's Am. Conch.", pi. 60, fig. 1. A poor figure in
Brown's Zool. Text Book, pi. xc. fig. 17.

Very abundant on the sandy beaches of Essex County, and
boring in great quantities into the hard blue clay, at low water
mark, on Phillips' beach, Lynn.

This beautiful native Mollusk will present to the attentive ob-
server of Nature, an interesting subject for study. Two living
specimens, one in my possession, and the other in possession of
a friend, lived for several weeks in apparent health, by the occa-
sional change of sea-water. With a little sand on the bottom of
the vessel in which it was placed ; my specimen, would ele-
vate or depress itself by the muscular action of its body, ex-
tended from the edges of the valves. The other was not furn-
ished with sand. Two curious tubes similar to those of the
Pholades, were extended from the beaked end, the aperture of
which served for the imbibition and rejection of water, a constant
current of which was kept up when these tubes were beneath the

56 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of the

surface. But when the tubes were elevated above the surface,
an occasional jet only was observable.

The orifice at the tubes exhibited a beautiful structure. A
series of cilise (hair-like bodies) delicately fringed on both sides,
consisting of four larger, alternating with an equal number of
smaller, seemed intended for the creation of a current of water,
similar to that observed in the Infusoria. The same number of
short and obtuse points, without any fringe were inserted on the
margin of the tube used for rejection of improper substances,
the economy of which does not appear.

TELLINA. (Jl well known genus of great beauty.)
POLITA. Latin, smooth, polished.

Polished Tellina.

A very small, smooth, and sometimes rose-tinted shell, ap-
pearing concentrically striated under a magnifier. Found on
sandy beaches, among broken fragments of other shells, in some
furrow or basin made by the tide. Lynn, Nahant.
Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii, page 276.
Cabinet of the Society.

TELLINA TENERA. Say. Latin, fragile.

Fragile Tellina.

A very delicate species similar to the proceeding in general
appearance; the hinge teeth two, the larger emarginate.
Found on beaches in Essex County.
Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii. page 303.
My Cabinet.

TELLINA SORDIDA. Couthouy. Latin, sordid, mean.

A new, rare, and inelegant species, discovered by Capt. Jos.
P. Couthouy, and described by him in the Boston Journ. Nat.
Hist., vol. ii. , page 59.

" Shell oval, somewhat compressed, bluish white without,
miiky white within."

Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii. plate in., fig. 11.

Taken from the stomach of a haddock, off Half-way rock, by
Dr. W. P. Richardson, July, 1838, and presented by him to the
Cabinet of the Society.

Shells found in Essex County, 57

ASTAUTE. Sowerby, (a classical allusion to the Syrian Venus.)

CASTANEA. Latin, resembling a chesnut.

Chesnut Astarte or Sea Chesnut.

SYN. CRASSINA. Lamarck. VENUS CASTANEA. Say. Journ.
Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii., page 273.

Shell suborbicular, closed entirely, hinge teeth strong, dis-
tinct, two on each valve, ligament exterior.

A thick almost round shell, dark brown epidermis, smooth ;
within, pure white, crenated on the edge. Rare. Beaches of
Essex Co.

My Cabinet and that of the Society.

Say's Am. Conchol., pi. 1, (a beautiful figure.)

Obs. Two varieties of this shell seem to have been ascer-
tained in this vicinity. I have a specimen from Cape Cod,
(Provincetown) with a more arquated beak, and distinctly ele-
vated acute ribs, not a little resembling Venus crassatella. Blain-
ville, pi. 75., fig. 7.

The second variety seems to be indicated in the catalogue by
Thomas A. Greene, appended to Hitchcock's Geol. Report, thus
" Astarte, a distinct species with margins entire." Perhaps
his and mine own may prove identical.

SYN? Astarte castanea vary B, Totten. Silliman's Journ.,
vol. 28, p, 348. plate, fig. 2,

CYPRINA. [nearly related to Venus : a classical allusion.)
Is LAND ic A. Lamarck.

Islandic Cyprina.

Shell, thick suborbicular, heavy, covered with a light brown
epidermis ; abundant at Nahant, and thrown on the beaches by
violent storms, A casual observer might mistake it for a va-
riety of Quahog. The epidermis at once distinguishes it. Used
for food and not inelegant in appearance.
Lister's Conchology Table, 272, fig, 108.
Blainville's Manuel, pi. 70. bis. fig, 5.

Brown's Zool. Text, Book, pi, 89, fig. 22. Ibid. Conchol.
Text Book, pi. xvi., fig. 22.
Cabinet of the Society.

58 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of the

VENUS. (Jlllusion to the beauty of many species.)
MERCENARIA. Saleable, merchantable.

Quahog. Hard clam.

A well known shell fish, more esteemed at the South, (New
York and New Jersey) than with us. Probably introduced into
our estuaries by the Indians; from the purple edges of the valves
of which, they procure their wampum. This color is often
exceedingly rich, and sometimes entirely wanting.

VENUS GEMMA. Totten. Latin, gemma, a gem.

A very small and beautiful species of a bluish purple, inner
margin crenated, common size 1-lCth of an inch long.

Totten in Silliman's Journ,, vol xxvi., p. 367, plate, fig, 2.

Found among sand and fragments of other shells in the mill
pond, near the Eastern Rail Road, Salem.

My Cabinet.

CARDIUM, Latin, a heart.

PINNATULUM. Conrad. Latin, slightly winged,
A small yellowish white and delicate shell with about 26 ribs,
slightly muricated.

Found occasionally on Lynn and Ipswich beaches.

Journ. Acad Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. vi., page 260, pi, XL, fig, 8.

My Cabinet.

NUCULA, Latin, a small nut, ' (from a resemblance of some spe-
cies.') LIMATULA. Say.

Shell elongated, green without, pearly white within, margin
entire, teeth prominent and numerous. Rare, Found by J.
Chadwick, among the Mytilus edulis — by J, True among the
Ostrea virginica, I have a specimen formerly belonging to Prof.
Peck, taken from the gullet of a duck.

Say's Am. Conchol,, plate 12.

Cabinet of the Society.

NUCULA TENUISULCATA. Couthouy. Latin, finely furrowed.
A curious rostrated or beaked species, slightly gaping at the
extremity of the anterior portion. Minutely described in the

Shells found in Essex County. 59

Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii., p. 64. I beg leave to dis-
pute its rarity, as the Society has in its possession very many
specimens, taken from the stomach of haddock, in the summer of
1838.

Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii., pi, iii. fig. 8,
JV. B. Strongly resembles Nucula concentrica. Say's Am.
Conchol., pi. xii., but which however is fossil.

NUCULA MYALIS. Couthouy. Latin, like a mya.
Mya-like Nucula.

A species of little beauty, first described by Couthouy, in Bos-
ton Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. n., p. 62, pi. cxi, fig. 7. "Shell
ovate, slightly gaping at both extremities, with numerous ridges
of growth — teeth 20 to 22. Color, dull, yellowish white within;
epidermis dark olive." When this is worn off, the shell resem-
bles a young Mya or clam. A glance at the teeth, near the
beak, at once distinguishes it.

Lynn beach. Cabinet of Dr. Wm. Prescott.

UNIO. Jl Pearl,

COMPLANATUS. Lea. Latin, flattened.
SYN. UNIO PURPUREUS.

Purple Unio.

Common in all the ponds of Essex Co., and occasionally of
much beauty ; though more or less eroded on the beaks.
Cabinet of the Society.

Nicholson's Encyclopaedia, 3d Am. Ed., 1819, vol. iv, plate.
Very fine specimens of varieties have been collected by Dr.
Prescott, from Flax pond, Lynn, which would vie with any from
the Western States ; one, in particular, should be mentioned of
a most superb salmon, and were color of nacre alone sufficient
for specific distinction, it should be called Auratus, which I per-
ceive is a species of RarTinesque, and regarded as a synonym by
Conrad. Another is curious in having one valve purplish, and
its corresponding valve orange. Others with pure white nacre,
are of great beauty.

" 60 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of the

UNIO RADIATUS. Say. Latin, rayed. (Minding io the green
markings on the epidermis.)

Another very beautiful native species, elegantly striped with
transverse rays of dark green, some broader than others : upon
a lighter green epidermis ; within bluish pearl.

Flax Pond, Lynn, Dr. Prescott .

Cabinet of Dr. Prescott and of the Society.

UNIO NASUTUS (Say.) Latin, beaked, (alluding to its elon-
gated and sharp form.)

A fine, delicate shell ; compressed, fuscous without, within
bluish white, teeth crenate : more or less distinctly radiated.

Described in Nicholson's Encyclop., 3d Am. Ed. Phil., 1819.
vol. iv., article " Conchology," with an accompanying figure.

Obs. The specimens from the Hudson's River, N. Y. are
usually bluish within or slightly tending to purple, but speci-
mens from our own ponds are very beautifully and deeply purple,
and very dusky without. Mr. Conrad, in a little work published
in 1834, mentions the fact that this species is purple, as occur-
ing in the Schuylkill. Pa., and also in Chester River, Md.

Pound in Flax Pond, Lynn, by Dr. Prescott.

His Cabinet and Cabinet of the Society.

ANADONTA. Greek. Destitute of teeth.
CATARACTA. Latin, belonging to streams.
Common in ponds and still ditches in this vicinity. Light
green, very fragile and beautiful, six or more inches in length.
Sometimes found in the Reservoir of the Aqueduct, at Tapley's
Brook.

Nicholson's Encyclopaedia, vol. iv. plate.

ANADONTA.

IMPLICATA. Say. (No obvious meaning.)
Shell thin, elongated, somewhat beaked, very dark brown
without, pearly within ; common in ponds of Essex County.

Shells found in Essex County. 61

The following belong to the second order of Lamarck, viz.
UNIMUSCULOSA, i. e. having but one muscular impression on each
valve.

MODIOLA. Latin, a little measure.
PAPUANA. Lamarck. " Horse Muscle."

A Genus invented by Lamarck, to denote some trifling distinc-
tion between this shell and Mytilus to which it is closely allied.
A better distinction is made by the celebrated anatomist Poli, on
account of some peculiar organization of the animal, and called
by him Callitriche. Very common on our beaches and washed
ashore by the gigantic Alga, "Laminaria," (kelp) which, being at-
tached to the shell, tears it from its bed, by the action of the
waves. Specimens are oftentimes of great size, and of consid-
erable beauty.

Say's Am. Conchol., plate xlv. Blainville's Manuel, pi. Ixiv.
fig. 3. (A poor figure.)

Cabinet of the Society.

MODIOLA PLICATULA. Lamarck. A Latin diminutive, little
plicated.

The common longitudinally grooved Muscle, beautifully pear-
ly within, and on the removal of the epidermis, having the same
pearly lustre without. Fixed by a silken cordage (byssus) to
piles, piers and wharves, and adhering to each other in similar
situations. Almost incredible stories are told in the British pub-
lications of the strength and tenacity of these shells, in preserv-
ing from destruction structures of wood and stone, from the vio-
lent action of the waves by means of the byssus.

Cabinet of the Society.

MYTILUS. Latin. JL kind of Muscle.
EDULIS. Latin. Eatable. Edible Muscle.
The common black or dark purple shell fish, so abundant on
our muddy shores, and considered a delicate article of food in
England, more than in this country ; against which a prejudice,
founded in part on facts, exists. At certain seasons of the year,
the animal feeds on the spawn of "The Five Finger/' (Asterias)
which renders it dangerous or at least suspicious ; instances of
3

62 RusseWs Familiar Notice of some of the

severe indisposition being recorded from partaking, under such
circumstances. Rather a pretty shell.

Brown's Zool. Text Book, pi. Ixxxviii., fig. 16. Ibid, Conchol.
Text Book, pi. xv., fig. 16.

Cabinet of the Society.

MYTILUS PELLUCIDUS. Latin. Pellucid, transparent.

Pellucid Muscle.

Described as a species, but in reality a variety of the preced-
ing. Very beautiful and very various. . Sometimes clear amber :
or with a few delicate lines, or purple with violet stripes, or white
with blue stripes. Found with Mytilus edulis.

Figured in " Letters to a Young Naturalist," p. 226, fig. 26. b.
Pennant's British Zoology, vol. v, plate 66.
Cabinet of the Society.

PEC TEN. Latin. A comb, (some have longitudinal ribs like

comb teeth.)

MAGELLANICUS. Lamarck. (Supposed to have belonged to
straits of Magellan.)
Magellan Pecten.

A very fine and large Pecten, abundant at Eastport, Maine,
a native on that shore. Epidermis, light brown, within dingy-
white.

Occasionally found on our shores. A single valve very much
worn, I picked up near Winter Island, several years ago, and
another, in possession of J. True, was gathered by him on the
Lynn Beach.
Cabinet of the Society.

ANOMIA. Greek. Anomalous.
EPHIPPIUM, L. Horse foot Jlnomia.

Shell thin, paper-like, grey, one valve convex, the other plane,
at the upper edge of which is a circular hole : (curious )
Occasionally met with on the beaches of Essex Co.
Blainville's Manuel, plate lix., fig. 3.
Bosc. Coquilles, vol. ii, plate xxx., fig. 1.
Letters to a Young Naturalist, p. 223, fig. xxiv. 6.
My Cabinet.

Shells found in Essex County. 63

TEREBRATULA. Latin, the little peircer. (Jllluding to its sup-
posed habits.)
SEPTENTRIONALIS. Couthouy. Latin. Western.

Western Terebratula.

Shell oval, valves unequal, one very much beaked and perfo-
rated, the other flat, both delicately ribbed, immaculate.

A single specimen of this elegant little shell, was procured
from the stomach of a haddock, off Half-way Rock, Aug., 1838.
Also found on Lynn Beaches.
Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii., pi., iii., fig. 18.
Cabinet of Dr. Prescott and of the Society.

The following belong to the Class XII. or MOLLUSCA, i. e.
soft bodied animals, with or ivithout shelly coverings, and are com-
prised within the 2d order, GASTEROPODA, i. e. having a foot
immediately attached to the belly.

CHITON. Greek, a coat of mail.
FULMINATUS. Couthouy. Latin, flamy.
Zigzag or flamy Chiton.

The curious Multivalve scaly shells to which the present is
referred, are familiar to every collector of foreign species. Oth-
ers of native habitat have been long known, while several new
species besides, have been lately discovered and described by
Capt. Couthouy. Unlike the specimens from foreign seas, ours
are small, yet beautiful. The beauty of C. fulminatus, it needs
a close examination to develope ; but like many of the minute
shells, is exquisitely marked.

Valves granulated in quincunx order, dotted with white, and
having zigzag markings, on a red ground.

Found in the stomach of haddock, in Mass, bay, during the
summer of 1838, by H. Wheatland ; also found on Lynn beach,
by Dr. Wm. Prescott.

Described at length by Couthouy, in Boston Journ. Nat.
Hist., vol. ii., page 80, pi. iii., fig. 19.

Cabinet of the Society.

64 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of the

PATELLA. Latin, a littte basin. > (Both in allusion to its

ALVEUS. Conrad. Latin, a trough. $ figure.)

SYN. PATELLOIDEA. (Gaimard.) See " Couthouy's Remarks

on two species of Patelloidea." Boston Journ. Nat. Hist.

Vol. ii., p. 171, &c.

A delicate, semitransparent, small shell, beautifully diversified
in markings, spotted with white, scarcely exceeding one fourth
of an inch in length.

Abundant on the sandy shores of the vicinity, especially near
Orne's Point, North Salern, and contiguous to the Marine Rail-
way, South Salem.

Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. vi., page 267, plate xi., fig.
20.

Cabinet of Boston Society of Nat. Hist., No. 777.

Cabinet of the Society.

PATELLA AMCENA. Say. Latin, pleasant, delightful, (signifi-
cant of its beauty.)
SYN. PATELLOIDEA. Gaimard.

A larger, thicker and more showy species than the preceding,
and not so common. Within, variously marked with brown and
white, sometimes with a deep margin of pure white.

Obtained by searching at low tide among the rocks, to which
it will be found closely adhering.

Lynn beaches and other rocky shores on the coast of New
England.

Described by Say, in Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc., Phil., vol. ii.,
p. 223.

Cabinet of the Society.

CREPIDULA. Latin, a little slipper.
FORNICATA. Latin, an arch.
Arched or convex Crepidula.

A Genus nearly related to Patella, yet quite distinct. Adhe-
rent to various marine substances, this shell seldom quits its res-
idence ; a striking similarity in habits to the preceeding.

The present species bears no unapt resemblance to a boat,
with a small half deck ; being more convex than most others.

Shells found in Essex County. 65

Bf3autiful varieties may be obtained by careful search. Those
thrown upon our beaches present little interest, being bleached
in the sun. A favorable locality is on the flats and rocks, near
Beverly bridge.

The fibres and sometimes the entire leaves, (fronds) of spe-
cies of sea weed (Algae) are often seen upon these shells. The
Laminaria or kelp is not an unfrequent companion. This being
produced from its seed-like bodies upon the shells, and growing
in a calm sea throughout the summer months, is of no probable
disadvantage ; but no sooner do the autumnal storms commence,
than the little shell fish is ungenerously torn from its situation,
by the agitation of its unwieldy parasitic neighbor, to be cast
upon the shore. Rolled pebbles of a large size are also lifted
from the bottom, by the simple and perfectly natural agency of
this marine vegetable.

Common on the beaches of Essex Co.

Cabinet of the Society.

•^ •

CREPIDULA PL AN A. Say. Latin, flat. .0
Flat slipper Shell

A very pretty, pearly vitreous species ; about an inch in
length ; found sometimes perfect, but more commonly much
worn. Diaphragm or deck occupying half the length of the
shell. Shell generally flat, but sometimes tortuous or reflexed,
according as it has resided on a plane or curved substance.

Lynn beaches, rare.

Described in Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii., p. 226.

Say's Am. Conchol., pi. xliv.

My Cabinet and that of the Society.

ANCYLUS. Latin, a buckler.
RIVULARIS. Say. Latin, belonging to streams.

River Jlncylus.

Shell very small, exceedingly thin and yellowish, sometimes
white within when old and dead ; resembling a minute Patella.
Found under the leaves of the Yellow Water Lily, (Nuphar
advena L.) in ditches, ponds, and sluggish streams.
Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol i., p. 125.
My Cabinet.

66 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of Ike

VELUTINA. Blainville. SYN. GALERICULUM. Brown.

RUPICOLA. Latin, living on rocks.

Rock Velutina.

A very delicate shell, first discovered by Dr. Charles Picker-
ing, (formerly of this city,) on the shores of this vicinity, affixed
to rocks.

Fragile, almost transparent, covered with a brown epidermis ;
aperture very large, left side slightly reflexed into an apparent
ootumella : whorls, two first small, body whorl large.

Is not this Oxynoe glabra; Couthouyl Of four specimens in
my possession, no two are exactly similar. One is covered with
the epidermis, and was taken from an haddock's stomach, from 15
fathoms ^of water. The three others collected at Phillips' beach
by J. True, though evidently the same species, yet vary in them-
selves. The smallest, a little more than 0.02 inch long, has no
perceptible reflexion, is covered with an epidermis, and has a
dozeji or more raised longitudinal striae, which by comparison
with the next specimen, seem confined to the epidermis ; its
margin more reflexed; the last smooth, with minute striae, light
rose color. This gradation in the form of the left margin would
seem to agree with Blainville's description of Velutina, which
although " Sans collumelle," yet presents, ('ledroit se reunis-
sant au gauche, par un depot calcaire, lamelleux."

These shells are worthy of being searched for, and would con-
stitute no mean addition to any collection. A very fine speci-
men of extra size is in possession of Wm. Oakes, gathered by
him on Ipswich beach.

Described and figured in Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol vi.,
p. 266, pi. xi., figs. 17, 18, by T. A. Conrad.

See also Blainville's Malacologie, Art : Velutina, p. 469, and
forCouthouy's Oxynoe Glabra, see Boston Journ. Nat. Hist.,
vol. ii., p. 90. Gould's Report, &c., April, 1838, Catal : New
Shells.

The Marine Shells only, of the order TRACHELIPODA, are de-
scribed, as follows.

Shells found in Essex County. 67

NATICA. Referring to its cockle or boat shape,
HEROS. Say. Latin, large.

Saifs large Natica.

A familiar and well known shell, sometimes called { 'cockle," and
abundant on the muddy shores of our estuaries, and not uncom-
mon on the beaches among kelp. Very little can be said in
favor of its appearance, being of a dirty bluish color exteriorly,
and within of a brownish hue, furnished with a large horny oper-
culum. Sometimes of great size. Burrows, under the mud
throwing it up, into little prominent heaps. One of those Mol-
lusca, which bore other shell fish to extract their food.
Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii., p. 243.
Society's Cabinet.

NATICA. TRISERIATA. Latin. Three banded.

Three zoned Natica.

A smaller and very pretty species, with three more or less dis-
tinct interrupted bands of dark brown ; found near the City
Mills, among the Zostera, and on the shores oi the basin. Also
upon the beaches of the vicinity.
Cabinet of the Society.

NATICA CONSOLIDATA. Couthouy.

Thickened Natica.

A new species, native and abundant in this vicinity, but only
taken from fish in deep water ; it has been hitherto overlooked.
About the size of the proceeding, more solid, of a dingy white ;
umbilicus nearly closed by the callus. Seems to be a common
and favorite food of the haddock. Many specimens were col-
lected for the Society by Dr. William P, Richardson, during the
summer of 1838.

Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii., p. 89, pi. iii, fig. 14. '
Cabinet of Society.
i

MELAMPUS Monif.
BIDENTATUS. Latin. Two toothed*

Two toothed Melampus.

Shell thin, delicate, of a dingy brown, almost egg-shaped,
aperture long, narrow, two prominent teeth on the labium ;

68 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of the

sometimes prettily banded. Common on salt marshes, and may
be found crawling up the stems of grass. Also washed on shore
with Patella alveus, on the sands of Orne's Point, North Salem.

Journ. Acad Nat, Sc. Phil., vol. ii., p, 245,

Cabinet of the Society.

LACUNA. Latin, a furrow.

PERTUSA. Conrad. Latin, cracked, or having a hole,
Shell resembling Turbo or Paludina, having a spire of five
whorls, sutures impressed. Columella deeply furrowed, with a
profound umbilicus. Found on the beaches of Essex Co. —
Described and figured in Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc., vol. vi., p. 266,
pi. xi., fig. 19.

Cabinet of the Society,

NASSA. Latin, Nassa, a bow Net ?
OBSOLETA. Say. No obvious signification.

Whoever has observed the muddy bottoms of our docks and
shores at low tide, must have noticed innumerable black shells,
slowly crawling, or stationary. These individuals, thus humble
in their localities, and devoid of elegance in their habits, consti-
tute the species before us. On nearer inspection and better
acquaintance they present a tolerable aspect, not wholly wanting
in beauty. The aperture is of a deep blue purple, and beneath,
the epidermis is a lighter blue tint. Numerous cancellate spots
cover the spires. A species so familiar needs but a passing
notice.

Described by Say, in Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii.,
p. 232.

Society's Cabinet.

NASSA TRIVITTATA. Latin, three fillets.

Three banded Nassa.

A much prettier species which I have found only in a dead
condition, upon our sandy beaches. Pale yellow or white, gran-
ulated, with three reddish bands.

Lynn and Nahant beaches — common.
Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii., p. 231.
Cabinet of the Society.

Shells found in Essex County. 69

TRICHOPTERIS. Sowerby. Greek, triche ; hair, bristle.
COSTELLATUS. Latin, ribbed.

Shell ovate, whorls six ; lowest larger and longer, having five
or six prominent ribs, with alternate strite, (markings.) Interior
brownish. Epidermis, yellowish white : occasionally hairs or
bristles occur at the edge of each successive growth, giving the
shell a hairy appearance, and suggesting its generic name
Might be mistaken for Purpura, but very distinct.

Described by Couthouy, in Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii.,
pi. iii., fig. 2.

Jay's Catalogue of Shells, p. 86, pi. i.. figs. 19 and 20.

Taken off Halfway rock and Nahant.

Cabinet of Society. ^rN

BUCCJNUM. Latin, a trumpet.
UNDATUM, Latin, ivavy or waved.
The Wavy or Undulated Buccinum.

A fine large univalve, seldom seen in perfection on our
beaches, although very fine on the shores of Maine. Shell three
or four inches long, ovate conical, ventricose, obliquely furrowed
and transversely striated. Aperture of a fine yellow : edge of
aperture white.

Brown's Zool. Text Book, p. 392, pi. Ixxxiv., fig. 14.

Conchol. " " pi. xi. fig. 14.

Blainville's Manuel, pi. xxii., fig, 4.
Letters to a Young Naturalist, p. 216, (excellent.)
Beaches in Essex County,
Cabinet of Mrs. Dunlap, Cabinet of Society and my Cabinet.

PURPURA. Latin, affording a purple color.

LAPILLUS. Latin, stone.
The Stone Purpura or Dog whelk.

SYN. BUCCINUM LAPILLUS. L.

The most common white cockle upon the rocky shores of our
coast, frequently used by marine anglers for bait, in catching sea
perch, (Crenilabrus bergall) varies in color from pure white to
brown, yellow and reddish, sometimes black — banded, often
beautiful.

70 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of the

This little shell furnishes the identical color rendered so fa-
mous as the Tyrian dye. Linen, accidentally spotted by it, has
retained its indelible impression unchanged by any application to
remove it. Equally common on the English coast as on ours.
See Drummond's Letters to a Young Naturalist, p. 233.

Cabinet of the Society.

PURPURA IMBRICATA. Lam. Latin, imbricate or scaly.

An evident variety of the preceding, and found in all stages
of asperity or smoothness, in still waters, and even on our wave
beaten coast. The imbricate or scale like processes upon the
whorls, give them a curious and pleasing appearance.

Among Ulva and Zostera (sea weeds) near the City Mills.

Cabinet of the Society.

Fusus. Latin, a spindle, (alluding to their usual form.)

DECEMCOSTATUS. Say. Latin, having ten ribs.

Ten ribbed Fusus.

Fragments only, of this fine native shell are usually found upon
our beaches ; and occasionally a perfect specimen, but bleached
and dead. Very beautiful and perfect specimens I have received
from Dr, Ray, of Eastport, Me., where it occurs in native
locality.

Shell two and a half inches long ; whorls five or six, with ten
very prominent transverse ribs on the body ivhorl, a character
which readily distinguishes the species : minuter transverse and
longitudinal striae between the ribs. Aperture about half the
entire length. Interior pure white, with brown markings on the
lip, (sometimes grooved) corresponding with the ribs. Epider-
mis cinereous. Lynn beaches.

My Cabinet — Cabinet of the Society.

Fusus CORNEUS. Say, Latin, horn like.

Horn colored Fusus.

Another fine species, usually found in more perfection than
the preceding. Shell more elongated ; volutions seven or
eight, sutures profound. Perceptibly striated transversely,
covered with a light green epidermis 'which when perfect gives a
fine aspect to the shell. Beak much produced. Aperture more
than half the entire length ; pure white within.

Shells found in Essex County. 71

In the young, frequently taken from the stomach of fish, and
about half an inch long, the transverse striae are much more
perceptible.

Say's Am. Conchol,, plate xxix.

My Cabinet.

Fusus CINEREUS. Say, Latin, ashen.
Ash-colored Fusus.

Shell, short fusiform, cinereous without, reddish brown within;
whorls five or six with thick longitudinal ribs, about eleven of
which are on the body whorl ; beak short and a little reflected —
outer lip somewhat crenate. Length about two inches. Com-
mon in our estuaries, especially in this vicinity, about the City
Mills.

Described by Say, in Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii.}
p. 236, and in his Am. Conchol., pi. xxix.

Cabinet of the Society.

Fusus HARPULARIUS. Couth. Latin, resembling a harp.

Shell, small, oblong, turreted, whorls about eight, with nume-
rous oblique ribs ; canal short, inclined to the left.

Described in Boston Journ. Nat Hist., vol. ii., p. 106, pi. i.,
fig. 10.

Found in abundance on Lynn beaches, by Dr. Prescott j

His Cabinet and Cabinet of Society.

TURRITELLA. Latin, diminutive. A little turret.
EROS A. Couth. Latin, eaten or eroded.

Shells turretted, whorls about ten, gradually tapering to a
point ; transverse furrows on each whorl three to five. Upper
whorls much eroded. Color reddish brown or lilac ; with an
epidermis.

An exceedingly pretty little shell, first described by Captain
Couthouy, who found it in the maws of fishes caught in our bay.
Specimens taken in the same manner off Half-way rock, last
summer, by Dr. Wm. P. Richardson, were presented to the
Society. A species of Pagurus, (Hermit crab) seems to select
this shell for its favorite retreat.

Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii., p. 103, pi. iii.? fig. 1.

Cabinet of the Society.

72 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of the

TURBO. Latin, a wreath or whorl.

PALLIATUS. Say. Latin, having a cloak. (JYb obvious
signification.)

Shell, almost oval, spire very obtuse ; length about one third
of an inch.

A most common and exceedingly pretty little native univalve,
profusely abundant on the Fucus and rock weed of the shores in
the neighborhood. With a little attention, several interesting
varieties may be gathered, sometimes golden yellow, sometimes
orange, brown, green, dark olive with broad black bands ; cin-
erous with narrow brown lines, and occasionally these lines,
(always transverse) are in pairs.

Description of the animal : Tentacula two, filiform ; eyes
black, conspicuous at the base of the tentacula. Tentacula and
foot pale reddish yellow.

Journ. Acad Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii., p. 240.

Society's Cabinet.

TURBO VESTITA. Say. Latin, having a garment. (Probably
alluding to its dirty pigment.)

In constant contiguity with the preceding and equally inter-
esting. Shell conic ; whorls six ; spine elongated ; suture be-
tween the whorls, deep. This shell is sometimes elegantly
reticulated, with whitish spots on a greenish ground.

Every where on the rock weed (Fucus nodosus) of our shores.

Journ, Acad, Nat. Sc. Phil., vol. ii.. p. 241.

Cabinet of the Society.

TURBO OBLIGATUS, Say.

Found with the two proceeding, but in my own experience
much rarer. Whorls five, with prominent transverse wrinkles,
and slight longitudinal striae. Labrum considerably thickened ;
edge of the labium paler than the interior of the aperture. —
Length about a third of an inch.

Description of the animal : Tentacula black on the upper side,
and white on the under side ; reddish or crimson at base, near
the eye which is black ; foot cinereous above and white beneath.
In a specimen collected in Oct. 14, 1838, were numerous eggs.
Shores of Massachusetts bay.

Journ, Acad. Nat. Sc, Phil, vol. ii., p. 241.

Cabinet of Society.

Shells found in Essex County. 73

TURBO INFLATUS. Totten. Latin, swelled.
Totten's swollen Turbo.

A very delicate and pretty species, not so common as the pre-
ceding, but found by a careful investigation. Color, "brown-
ish yellow or horn color : operculum round, horny, multispirate."

Length about a third of an inch.

Discovered and described by Lieutenant Totten, in Silliman's
Journal, vol, xxvi., p. 368, fig. 5 of plate.

Found near City Mills, by J, True.

My Cabinet.

TURBO MINUTUS, ' Totten, Latin, minute, small.

Little Turbo.

Shell very small, conic, thin, whorls six. Color yellowish or
brown, within whitish. Length an eighth of an inch. May be
found in profusion adhering to the Confervse in the ditches on
salt marshes.

Totten, in Silliman's Journ., vol, xxvi., p. 369, fig. 6 of plate.
My Cabinet and Cabinet of Society,

TURBO INCARNATUS. Couthouy. Latin, flesh colored.
SYN, MARGARITA. Sowerby.

An exceedingly beautiful species, taken from stomachs of cod
and other large fish, by Capt. Couthouy, and described by him
with the following cospecies. Shell thin, dark red, interior
perlaceous, resplendent,

A single specimen exists in the Society's Cabinet, collected
on Phillips' beach, five years since, and others have been sub-
sequently found at the same place, by J. True.

For minute description, see Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii.,
p. 98, pi. iii., fig. 13.

Cabinet of Society.

TURBO CINEREUS. Couthouy. Latin, ashen.

Shell thin, grey colored, whorls five, with numerous transverse
elevated striae ; umbilicus deep.

Couthouy in Boston Journ. Nat. Hist,, vol. ii., p. 99, pi. iii.,
fig. 9.

74 Russell's Familiar Notice of some of the

Beaches of Essex County ; rare ; taken from fish in deep water.
Found with the living animal on Phillips' beach, by J. True.
Cabinet of the Society.

TURBO^OBSCURUS. Couthouy. Latin, dull, obscure.

A pretty new species, more or less pearly under the epider-
mis ; thin ; a single line on each whorl ; aperture nearly circu-
lar ; operculum horny.

Described by Couthouy, in Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii.,
p. 100, pi. iii., fig. 12.

Nahant and Lynn beaches.

My Cabinet— Cabinet of Society.

ADDENDA.

CANCELLARIA BUCCINOIDES. Coutlwuy.
Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii., p. 105, pi. iii., fig. 3.
Shell oval ; whorls five. Cross barred with striae and points.
Columella with three oblique striae. Color white ; resembles
somewhat, Nassa.

Stomach of fish at Half-way rock, and also on Lynn beaches.
Cabinet of the Society and of Dr. Prescott.

ROSTELLARIA OCCIDENTALS. Guerin; Mag.

Western Rostellaria.

Fragments of this fine shell at Phillips' beach.
I possess a tolerable specimen, which I collected at Saco,
Me., in the summer of 1834.

PYRAMIS. Brown.

STRIATULUS. Couth. Latin, slightly striated.
Shell elongated, pyramidal ; whorls about nine ; aperture
ovate ; color, bluish white. Rare. Lynn beaches.
Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii., p. 101, pi. i., fig. 6.
Cabinet of Dr. Prescott.

Shells found in Essex County. 75

MODIOLA DISCREPANS. Montague,

A small, thin, delicate shell, with twelve or more crenated
elevated lines on the posterior part of the valves, an elevated
single line passing from the apex of the shell obliquely to base
of valve ; and otherwise minutely striated with a pale yellow-
ish epidermis, and white perlaceous within ; pretty.

Lynn and Nahant.

My Cabinet and Cabinet of Society.

Gould's Report and Catalogue, 1838.

THRACIA CONRADII.

Single valves of this shell are found on Lynn beaches.
Cabinet of Dr, Prescott and of the Society.

BULLA TRITICEA. Latin, wheat, (like a grain of wheat.)

A very delicate, small, native species, found occasionally on
our beaches. Shell cylindric, covered with brownish or rusty
epidermis, and longitudinally and transversely striated ; colum-
ella white, and reflected on the body of the shell.

Lynn beaches.

Described by Couthouy, in Boston Journ. Nat, Hist., vol. ii.,
p. 88, pi. ii., fig. 8,

Presented to the Society's Cabinet, by Dr. Prescott.

SCALARIA. Latin, a stair case.
SUBULATA. Couth. Latin, awl shaped.
Awl shaped wentle trap or stair case shell.
A beautiful little native species of this fine genus so well
known to collectors. Shell tapering to a sharp point ; whorls
nine ; longitudinal ribs ten on the body whorl ; pure white and
deflected a little from the base of the ribs on the next whorl.
Color brownish between the ribs and transversely striated.

Described in Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. ii., p, 94, pi. iii.,
fig. 4.

Lynn beaches.
Cabinet of Dr. Prescott and of the Society.

76 Notice of Vesperlilio Pruinosus.

SOLEMYA BOREALIS. Totten.
Northern or Boreal Solemya.

Shell oblong, fragile : hinge without teeth. Valves radiated
transversely. Epidermis, dark brown, extending beyond the
edge, where it is paler and torn. Color within, greyish blue.

Resembles Solemya Velum. Say. See Journ. Acad Nat.
Sc. Phil. vol. ii. p. 317. ; and description on page 53 of this
paper.

See Totten, in Silliman's Journ. vol. xxvi. p. 368. fig. 1.

Found on Lynn beach, by Dr. Prescott, (a fine specimen.)

NOTICE OP THE OCCURRENCE OF SPECIMENS OP VESPERT1LIO
PRIHNOSUS. Say. HOARY BAT. Br H. WHEVTLAND.

Description. EARS large and short ; aperture of the nostrils
widely separated. Canine teeth large and prominent ; on the
upper jaw, one distinct cutting tooth on each side, conical in
shape and placed very near the canine ; under jaw, six incisors.
The under side of the anterior margin of the brachial membrane
covered with fur of a yellowish white color ; the upper side of
the interfemoral membrane is likewise covered with fur, but of
a ferruginous grey color ; the fur of the back, long, black brown
at base, then pale brownish yellow, then blackish and then
white, thus giving to its general appearance a variegated hue, in
which the white however predominates : colors beneath similar
to those on the back.

Long's Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, vol. i., p. 167.

Godman's American Natural History, vol. i., p. 68, pi. iv.,
fig. 3.

Harlan's Fauna Americana, page 21.

Harlan in American Journal of Geology, page 219.

Notice of Vesperlilio Pruinosus. 77

Gray in Jardine's Magazine of Zoology and Botany, vol ii.,
p. 498, classes the present species in his Tribe iii. and Genus
Scotophilus of Leach.

This beautiful and somewhat uncommon species of our Amer-
ican Mammalia, has been discovered as resident in this vicinity.
Three specimens have been presented to the Society's collection.

The first was captured September 14th, 1838, while hanging
from a grape vine contiguous to the residence of Mr. Nath. Pope,
(near the crossings of the Andover and Newburyport turnpikes)
Danvers. Its dimensions were as follows. Extent of wings 16
inches. Length from vent to mouth 3 inches. Total length
from tip of nose to extremity of caudal membrane 5 1-2 inches.
Breadth of forehead between the ears three fourths of an inch.

The second specimen was captured by the sons of Mr. John
Preston, about a mile north of the Village meeting house, Dan-
vers, on the first of October, 1838 ; confined in the Society's
rooms, it survived several days.

The third was taken on the 22d of November, 1838, by Mr.
Rums Tapley, Danvers, near the last mentioned place.

Say, in Long's Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, has given
the first description of this species of Bat ; and we are indebted
to him for nearly all that has been written on its habits and char-
acteristic marks. He mentions it as being common in the vicin-
ity of Engineer Cantonment, where the expedition wintered ;
also of its being observed near Council Bluffs, by Mr. Nuttall ;
and that the late Professor Bartdn, presented a specimen of this
bat, that had been captured in Philadelphia, to the Philadelphia
Museum. It is probably common in ,the Western States, but
with us it must be considered as remarkable and rare. About
thirty years since, a specimen was observed by .Mr. Abel
Nichols, of Danvers, in this vicinity.

The present species may be considered an important addition
to the Natural History of Essex County, and, in this point of
view, I trust, it will prove interesting.

A SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY OP THE SOUTH-
ERN PART OF ESSEX COUNTY, IN MASSACHUSETTS. COMMUNI-
CATED TO THE ESSEX COUNTY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY,
APRIL 24, 1839. BY WM. PRESCOTT.

THE following sketch embraces the city of Salem and the
towns of Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Lynn, Nahant,* Sau-
gus and Lynnfield. The principal rocks, areSienite, Greenstone,
Porphyry, Silicious Breccia arid Brecciated Porphyry, Chlorite
Slate, Argillaceous Slate, Silicious Slate, Magnesian or Verd
d'Antique Marble, and Varioloid Wacke. Sienite and Green-
stone are by far the most abundant rocks.

GRANITE.

No bed or deposit of granite occurs in this section of Essex
County. A few scattering bowlders only are found in Lynn and
Saugus, which increase in size and frequency as you proceed
north, through Danvers and Lynnfield, towards the beds of
Granite in Boxford. These bowlders of granite are of a very
dark color from the black mica which they contain, and in the
north part of Danvers, frequently occur several feet in diameter.

Bowlders and masses of a light colored granite are frequently
seen cast upon the shore, on the east side of Nahant, and on
Lynn beaches.

GNEISS.

The rocks at the north west part of Danvers are more or less
stratified, evidently the termination of the Gneiss and Mica slate
formations. This structure may be seen as far as Newburyport
turnpike, and occurs rarely south east of that road.

* Notwithstanding Nahant constitutes a part of the town of Lynn, yet, isolated, as it is,
from the main land, stretching several miles into Massachusetts Bay ; and being in many
respects peculiar in its geological features, it will in the following sketch, be made a locality
for distinct reference. For particular localities, the reader is referred to Lewis' map of
Lynn and Saugus.

of the, Southern part of Essex County. 79

ARGILLACEOUS SLATE,

Occurs at the south east extremity of the promontory of Na-
hant, associated with flinty slate and argillaceous limestone. Its
color is black, ash color, and occasionally striped with green and
gray.

SlENITE.

An extensive bed of sienite extends in a north east and south-
west direction across the south part of Danvers, the south part
of Lynnfield, the north part of Lynn, and the north part of
Saugus to the town of Chelsea, This range is bounded by Tap-
ley's brook on the south east, and by Proctor's brook on the
north ; and is from one to three miles in width, forming in many
places, high hills of solid rock, and craggy cliffs. Bowlders of
sienite from this locality are easily distinguished from those orig-
inating from any other. No bowlders of this sienite are to be
found to the north of Proctor's Brook, the northern boundary of
the bed. In Danvers it is extensively quarried and wrought into
mill stones, and into all those architectural articles for which
granite is useful. It yields a considerable income to the citizens
of Danvers, and has become very celebrated in makirig mill
stones of a very superior quality.

Another range of sienite, but of different quality, extends from
Flax pond in Lynn, to the ocean at Swampscut, (also in Lynn.)
This sienite is traversed by numerous trap veins, the feldspar is
of a red color, and the proportion of hornblende much less than
in the Danvers sienite. This variety of sienite extends on the
sea coast from King's beach, Lynn, to the line of Marblehead.

A bed of sienite occurs at Beverly, extending in a north east
direction from the north end of Beverly bridge, towards the town
of Essex. This bed is but a few rods in width ; greenstone trap
prevailing on both sides of the road, leading from Beverly to
Gloucester, on the south east ; also on the west side of the most
eastern branch of the North River, on the north west. This
Sienite is also traversed by numerous dykes or veins of trap,
which have been injected into it ; some of which are several feet
in thickness. In excavating for the Eastern Rail Road, sixty or
eighty rods north of Beverly Bridge, these trap dykes are ex-
posed to the depth of twenty or thirty feet ; several of which are

80 Prescolt's Sketch of the Geology and Mineralogy

so completely disintegrated as to be converted into a perfectly
friable earth, or soil, of a dark brown color. This gives to these
veins a singular appearance and renders them worthy the atten-
tion and inspection of the Geologist.

The north eastern section of Nahant, is also composed of
sienite. The west part of Nahant, called Bass Point, is com-
posed of a different species of sienite, the hornblende and feld-
spar being in nearly equal proportions.

At the south east part of Little Nahant, occurs a singular
rock, composed of hornblende, and a dark reddish brown feld-
spar, and may be classed as a variety of sienite.

In general sienite passes into greenstone, and often by insen-
sible shades, and greenstone may be seen protruding above the
surface, near the base of all the hills of sienite, and often crop-
ping out at considerable elevations. The same occurs among
all the porphyry hills in Lynn and Saugus.

Although bowlders of the Danvers sienite are never seen
north of the bed, yet at the south, they occur scattered over the
greenstone ridges of Salem and Marblehead, and over the por-
phyry ridges of Lynn and Saugus. Many are found on Nahant
and a large number occurs on Little Nahant. These bowlders
resemble the Danvers sienite, and differ from any found in the
vicinity.

A rock, somewhat different from any other in its composition,
but which may be classed with the sienite rocks, occurs in the
west part of Topsfield, and the east part of Middleton, near their
junction with the north part of Danvers. This rock is com-
posed of red feldspar, quartz and green chlorite ; the chlorite
taking the place of hornblende. In passing north through Dan-
vers, you meet with small bowlders of this rock, several miles
before reaching the north line of the town, and as you advance
north they increase in size and frequency ; until (within a mile
or a mile and a half of the ledge) the stone walls are chiefly
composed of it. This ledge or parent rock, you will find in
place on both sides of Nichols' Brook, in the corner of Middle-
ton and Topsfield. The general aspect of this rock, from the
red feldspar, which is the most abundant ingredient, will very
readily distinguish it from any other in this section of the county.

of the Southern part of Essex County. 8 1

In some portions of it, the feldspar is compact, and the mass
appears almost homogeneous.

GREENSTONE,

Greenstone trap is the most abundant rock in this section. It
prevails in Marblehead, Salem, all that part of Danvers north
and east of Proctor's Brook, the whole of Beverly, with the ex-
ception of the b«d of sienite before described, and the east part
of Lynn. Greenstone may be seen also, protruding above the
surface, near the base of all the faiils of porphyry, in Lynn and
Saugus, and also, at the base of the hills and ledges of sienite^
in Danvers, Lynn, Saugus and Beverly. Greenstone, occurs
on the west side of Nahant, including Black Rock, and also on
the east part of Little Nahant.

Dykes of a fine grained compact greenstone or trap, from one
inch to forty feet in diameter, traverse the slate and sienite in
every section of Nahant and Beverly, as well as the coarser
variety of greenstone in Salem and Marblehead.

The greenstone, in this region, presents a considerable diver-
sity of aspect, depending on the general structure, or on the
size, proportion and mixture of its constituent parts. In some
of the more common varieties, the two ingredients are in distinct
grains of considerable size, like those of granite, aud sometimes
the grains are so minute, and SQ intimately and uniformly min-
gled, that the mass appears altogether homogeneous.

The chief part of the greenstone, especially in Salem and
Marblehead, is injected by numerous veins of sienite, or rather
of quartz and feldspar, the hornblende generally being nearly or
quite wanting. These veins, which traverse the greenstone in
every direction, are, in many places so numerous as to give the
rock quite a brecciated appearance. This appearance is very
conspicuous at the south end of Beverly bridge ; along the sea-
shore at Marblehead, and various other places, where the rocks
have been exposed by blasting for the Eastern Rail Road, and
for other purposes.

Many of the trap dykes are rendered porphyritic, which, by
contrasting the crystals of white feldspar, with the black horn-
blende of the trap, becomes quite beautiful when polished.

Greenstone porphyry, and compact feldspar porphyry passing

82 PrescolCs Sketch of the Geology and Mineralogy

into greenstone porphyry, some of which contains crystals, of
a beautiful variety of green feldspar, occurs at Nahant and sev-
eral places in Lynn, as will be more fully explained under the
head of porphyry.

PORPHYRY,

The only range of porphyry, extends from the village of Wood
End in Lynn to Chelsea, through Lynn and Saugus. This
range is bounded on the north, by the range of sienite before de-
scribed, and on the south, by tide water, varying in breadth from
cue to two miles, forming a range of barren hills and craggy
cliffs. The base of this porphyry is compact feldspar, its colors
various, but generally some shade of red or brown ; but grey,
purple and black are not uncommon. Some portion of it is des-
titute of crystals, so from this circumstance and its peculiar
hardness and fracture, it has generally been considered as a
variety of hornstone.

The eminence called Lover's Leap in Lynn, and a spur of
Pine Hill, half a mile west of Lover's Leap, are composed of a
solid mass of this species of compact feldspar or hornstone. It
also occurs in beds throughout the whole range of porphyry .
The most important localities of this variety of hornstone, are
Red Rock, at the west end of King's beach, Wood End, vicinity
of High Rock, vicinity of India Rubber Manufactory, Lover's
Leap, south east spur of Pine Hill, Lynn, besides several places
in Saugus.

Several of the trap veins traversing the trap rocks in the va-
rious localities of this formation, are rendered porphyritic by
containing distinct crystals of feldspar. There are several of
these veins or dykes on Nahant, Marblehead and Beverly, which
contain crystals from half an inch to two inches in diameter,
some of which are hemitrope. This forms the black porphyry of
the ancients.

The compact feldspar porphyry receives a good polish and
will become valuable whenever the wealth and demands of the
country shall be sufficient to defray the expenses of quarrying
and working it. A peculiar variety of greenstone porphyry oc-
curs on Bayley's hill, on the west end of Nahant. The im-
bedded crystals are green feldspar, some of which are beautiful.

of the Southern part of Essex County. 83

Compact feldspar porphyry passing into greenstone porphyry
occurs at Nahant, and about 80 rods south of the Dye Factory,
Lynn.

SILICIOUS BRECCIA AND BRECCIATED PORPHYRY.

An interruption exists in the porphyry range, before described,
by a bed of breccia, which extends quite across it, on the east
side of Saugus river. This bed is about half a mile in width from
its eastern boundary to the river on the west, and not far from
one mile in extent from the sienite on the north, to tide water on
the south.

It has the appearance of being thrown up, in great confusion,
forming precipitous cliffs and narrow ravines. A considerable
portion of this formation is a conglomerate rock of the grey-
wacke series.

The celebrated Pirate's Glen, is situated in this region. This
bed of Breccia embraces also, Willis' Hill, (or Tower Hill,) on
which is situated the Lynn Alms House. An eminence on the
west side of Saugus river, about half a mile north west of
Childs' Mills, has its southern portion made up of porphyry, and
the northern of the same species of breccia, which appears to be
composed of fragments of porphyry, compact feldspar, horn-
stone, jasper, serpentine; &c. The greatest part appears to be
brecciated porphyry, but large portions of it are composed of
fragments of the other rocks, but quite destitute of fragments of
porphyry, forming a pure silicious breccia. Specimens of this
variety can be obtained, that are very beautiful.

Brecciated porphyry occurs also at Red Rock, Lynn. And
it is a fact worthy of remark, that distinct and isolated fragments
of compact feldspar, exist in nearly all the porphyry throughout
the whole range ; but in some places they abound much more
than in others.

A few bowlders and masses are occasionally found, thrown
upon the eastern shore of Nahant,

84 PrescoWs Sketch of the Geology and Mineralogy

" AMYGDALOIDAL TRAP/**

In Saugus, on the west side of the river, between Childs' mills
and Saugus factory, is a round isolated hill, from seventy five to
one hundred feet in height, in which occurs a rock of moderate
hardness, green color, and argillaceous odour when breathed on,
containing imbedded in its substance, innumerable white sphe-
roidal nodules of quartz, feldspar, and carbonate of lime, from
the size of a pin's head to that of a rifle bullet ; but few however
exceed the size of an ordinary pea. This is the vari&loid wacke
of Professor Hitchcock.

About half a mile south by west of the former locality, occurs
another of the same rock, but the imbedded nodules are not so
numerous as in the former, and some portions of the rock in
both localities, are entirely destitute of these imbedded nodules,
At the latter locality are several bowlders, of a different variety
of the same rock, t)f a rich chocolate color. The parent bed
from whence they proceeded has not been discovered. The
imbedded nodules are similar to those in the green variety, and
of the same white color. In some portions of one of these
bowlders, however, the imbedded substance was of a greenish
color, and not so distinctly nodular.

A little south of the first locality, (the round hill) and in the
vicinity of the last, occur numerous bowlders of a conglomerate
variety of this rock, consisting of fragments of rounded masses
of different varieties, some of which are of the amygdaloidal
variety, others not; some a darker, others a lighter green ; some
more, while others are less compact. Some portion of this con-
glomerate forms a beautiful breccia, and is probably of the
grey-wacke series.

MAGNESIAN, SERPENTINE OR VERD D 'ANTIQUE MARBLE.

A valuable and interesting bed of Magnesian Marble occurs
in Lynnfield, and a quarry has been opened near the centre of
the town. It is said to extend from three to five miles in a north
east and south west direction, but in no place, except at the
quarry, has it been found sufficiently soft to be worked with ease.

* Varioloid wacke of Prof. Hitchcock, but Dr. Jackson considers it as Amygdaloidal Trap.

of the Southern part of Essex County. 85

When first quarried it can be cut with a saw or turned in a
lathe, but in this state it will not receive so good a polish. Af-
ter being exposed to the atmosphere it becomes dry, much
harder, receives a good polish, and is a good substitute for mar-
ble where stones of a dark color are preferred.

Near the surface, it is so much divided by veins of asbestos
and other foreign substances, as to be of little value, except for
the manufacture of Epsom Salts ; but at the depth of fifteen or
twenty feet, slabs sufficiently large can be obtained, to answer
all ordinary purposes.

This bed, in all probability, is the dividing line between the
gneiss formation on the north west and the sienite on the south
east,

From 100 parts of this rock, Dr. C. T. Jackson obtained by
analysis :

Silica, -v^fS?.1 '-"• "• ••'•'':<••' '-'.?-, \"*b''''"^ 37

Magnesia, V": 4 . / ' :'.( ;V^; " .\ 42

Oxide of Iron, , .'*•]• •*' '•1;^' vV ^" v'i • 1'.' /".""'. ~

Water, . -. ; '. /v . . , . . ^

Loss, . . •• ;'.» ' ^ VV*£ ^*:v;/: .... • . . • : ^

100

Dr. Jackson says, that from 100 grains of the rock, united
with sulphuric acid, may be prepared 127 grains of dry Sulphate
of Magnesia, or 198 grains of crystallized Epsorn Salts.

This will give, by decomposition with the carbonate of soda or
potassa, 98 grains of the common carbonate of magnesia of the
shops.

In Roxbury, works have been erected where Epsom Salts are
now extensively manufactured from this rock.

SIMPLE MINERALS.

CLASS I. ORDER III, GENUS III. LIME.
Species I . Fluate of Lime. A few specimens at Nahant, one
or two small crystals of Derbyshire spar, also at Nahant.
6

86 PrescoWs } Sketch of the Geology and Mineralogy

Species 2. Carbonate of Lime, Calcareous Spar.

Var. 1 . The crystallized and laminated, occur at Nahant,
and at New Cove, Lynn, some brilliant specimens have been
obtained ; but it generally occurs in thin veins, in the trap
rocks at the above, and at some other places on the sea coast.

Var. 2. Fibrous carbonate of lime — one locality of this va-
riety has been found on the east side of Nahant, at Saunders'
Ledge.

Species 3, Magnesian Carbonate of Lime.

Var. I . Rhomb spar occurs at the south eastern part of Na-
hant, in a vein in the slate.

Var. 2. Dolomite or granular Magnesian limestone occurs,
associated with the argillaceous and flinty slate, on the south
eastern part of Nahant, between East Point and Castle Rock.
Species 4, Silicious Borate of Lime, (Datholite,)

A. mineral occurs incrusting the trap rocks at Saunders'
Ledge, Nahant, which appears to be datholite ; but as it has not
been analyzed, I am unable to speak with confidence.

GENUS IV. MAGNESIA.
Species 1. Carbonate of Magnesia.

Carbonate of Magnesia occurs at Lynnfield, in veins, in the
rnagnesian marble of that place.

CLASS II.
Species 13. Quartz.

Var. I. Greasy quartz, occurs in veins in various parts of
Lynn and Nahant, but New Cove is the most celebrated locality.

Var. 2. Bowlders of common and greasy quartz, are to be
found in Danvers, and the numbers increase as you approach
the northern limits of the town.

Var. 3. A few pebbles of yellow quartz are to be found on
the borders of Nahant.

Var. 4. Radiated and drusy quartz, occurs in veins in the
slate, on the south eastern part of Nahant ; also on the west
side of Bass Rock,

of the Southern part of Essex County. 87

Far. 5, Crystallized quartz may be found in many places, but
very few specimens worthy a place in a cabinet.

A very interesting variety of crystallized quartz, however,
occurs in a vein in the trap rocks, near Crystal Beach, Nahant.
Many of the crystals are tinged with the green chlorite, which
is diffused in the trap.

The width of the vein is from three to eight inches, and the
crystals being attached to the sides at right angles, are variously
interlaced with each other ; making it difficult to procure good
specimens.

The crystals are covered with a coating of drusy quartz, and
many of them appear to have been once broken, the two extrem-
ities more or less displaced, and reunited, forming an offset.
The crystals of quartz at this locality are very easily broken ;
occasioned by the chlorite.

Sub species 1. Prase.

Epidote intimately combined with either quartz, feldspar, or
hornblende, occurs abundantly at Nahant, and from thence along
the coast to Marblehead.

Sub species 2. Chalcedony.

A few small pieces of chalcedony have been found on the
beaches in Lynn, and among the gravel upon the track of the
Eastern Rail Road,

Sub species 3. Jasper.

Saugus, has long been known as a celebrated locality of jas-
per. It occurs of a beautiful red color, in a plain, on the west
bank of Saugus river, about qne mile northerly of Childs'
Mills. Some portions of it are striped, spotted, or clouded with
grey or white. Until recently, this was the only locality of
jasper known in this section.

It is now, however, well known that great abundance of dif-
ferent shades of red, purple, green striped, spotted, clouded, va-
riegated and veined jasper, exists, about half a mile west and
south west of the former locality, where the finest specimens of
each variety may be obtained. Some portions of the variegated,
exhibit a beautiful mixture of green and purple, others of red
and grey, and others of purple and grey, (or white) with nume-
rous ramifications of scarlet colored veins.

The veined jasper is a great curiosity ; it is a deep red, or

83 Prescolt's Sketch of the Geology and Mineralogy

dark purple, containing numerous ramifications of minute veins
of a scarlet color, exactly resembling the minute ramifications of
injected blood vessels. These veins become very conspicuous
upon being moistened with the breath.

Numerous pebbles, bowlders, and masses of beautiful red,
purple, striped, and variegated jasper are thrown upon the south
west shore of Nahant, between Bass Point and Crystal Beach.
Some of the finest specimens have been obtained from this place.
The locality of the bed must be beneath the ocean.
Sub species 4.

Porcelanite and silicious slate, exists at the south east part of
Nahant, associated with argillaceous slate, argillaceous carbonate
of lime, &c. It occurs also in the western section of Topsfield,
arid eastern section of Middleton, and bowlders of it may be
found in the north part of Danvers.

SPECIES 14. MICA.

A foliated variety of black mica occurs on Salem Neck, asso-
ciated with feldspar and foliated hornblende. The lamina vary
in size from an inch in diameter to minute scales ; and when
associated with foliated hornblende, it is difficult for the eye to
distinguish one from the other. In this instance the mica seems
to have assumed the place of quartz, which enters largely into
all the compounds of hornblende and feldspar, but which in this
locality is entirely wanting.

SPECIES 15. SCHORL.

Beautiful radiated black schorl, has been found by Dr. A.
Nichols, on a bowlder of hornblende rock, about half a mile north
of the South Village in Danvers.

SPECIES 16. FELDSPAR.

Feldspar, exists in great abundance. It forms an essential
ingredient in sienite and greenstone, and occurs crystallized in
various species of porphyry, and associated with quartz, horn-
blende, epidote, &c. It is of a white, gray, brown, green and
red color, and of various shades.

Large hemitrope crystals of a grey feldspar, with a pearly lus-
tre, occur in the trap rocks, about the middle of the south east-
ern shore of Little Nahant,

of the Southern part of Essex County. 89

A variety occurs at Marblehead, which very much resembles
the opalescent feldspar or Labradorite. It is of a grey color, and
occurs in veins in the trap rocks.

Compact feldspar exists in great profusion, especially through-
out the region of porphyry. A variety occurs at Beverly, (Hos-
pital Point) in which are imbedded innumerable minute crystals
and grains of quartz.

Most of the hornstone and jasper, in Lynn and Saugus, are
supposed to be compact feldspar, more completely fused.

SPECIES 17, EPIDOTE.

An exceedingly beautiful variety of epidote exists, in great
plenty, in veins, in the sienite and greenstone at Nahant, either
alone, or associated with quartz, hornblende, and other minerals.
It occurs also with quartz, in a vein in the sienite at New Cove,
Lynn. Associated with other minerals it occurs throughout the
coast, from Nahant to Salem, Marblehead and Beverly, forming
prase and other aggregates. Epidote also exists in narrow
veins, throughout the whole greenstone region.

At Nahant, the epidote presents all shades of green, from a
greenish yellow to a blackish green, and some specimens are
almost black.

SPECIES 18. PREHNITE.

A beautiful variety of crystallized prehnite was discovered at
Saunders' ledge, east shore of Nahant, in Sept., 1837. It was
expected this would yield a supply of specimens sufficient for
any demands, but upon blasting, it proved that the inroads of the
ocean had nearly exhausted the vein. A few good specimens,
only, could be obtained.

SPECIES 19. ASBESTOS.

Fibrous ligniform and compact asbestos, occurs in veins in
the hornblende rocks, on the east side of Nahant, (marked on
Lewis' map, " the Iron Mine,") These veins are from a quar-
ter of an inch to three inches in diameter.

90 Prescotfs Sketch of the Geology and Mineralogy

SPECIES 20. HORNBLENDE AND HORNBLENDE ROCK.

Hornblende, is diffused in great abundance, forming essential
ingredients in greenstone and sienite. It occurs crystallized,
foliated and compact, at Nahant, Lynn, Salem, Marblehead, and
Beverly. The principal localities of crystallized hornblende
are, the eastern part of Nahant, near Hospital Point, Beverly,
and Marblehead. The most celebrated localities of the foliated
variety occur at the eastern part of Nahant, and Salem Neck.
In the latter place it is associated with mica. Foliated horn-
blende occurs also in numerous bowlders of hornblende rock,
which are found scattered in great profusion in almost every part
of Danvers. These hornblende rocks, are more or less im-
pregnated with chlorite, which imparts to them a greenish color;
the chief of the hornblende is of a jet black, some however has
a tinge of green.

A bowlder of hornblende rock has been found in Danvers,
containing columns or needles' of black hornblende, from half an
inch to two inches in diameter, and several inches or a foot in
length, crossing each other in various directions, and which,
contrasted with the quartz and white feldspar, of which the base
of the rock is composed, give it a picturesque appearance, not
unlike rocks that are traversed in like manner by crystals of
schorl. Bowlders of an indistinct variety of hornblende slate
occur at Nahant.

SPECIES 21. CHLORITE AND CHLORITE SLATE.

Chlorite and chlorite slate exists in the northern and eastern
sections of Lynnfield, and the western and north western parts
of Danvers. It exists in great abundance in Reading, and part
of Middleton, from whence great numbers of bowlders have
been carried southwardly into those towns lying in that direc-
tion ; some of this chlorite is of the earthy variety, but mostly of
the foliated. It is generally of that peculiar green color so com-
mon to that mineral, but in Danvers, where it approaches the
greenstone, (and is associated with hornblende) it becomes
darker, and at last nearly or quite black. Much of the green-
stone in that section is impregnated with it.

Chlorite occurs at Crystal beach, Nahant, and is associated
with feldspar, forming a species of sienite at Little Nahant,

of the Southern part of Essex County. 91

Lynn, Middleton and Topsfield. From the latter place great
numbers of bowlders are carried into the north western part of
Danvers. In all these instances the feldspar is of a red color.

CLASS IV. METALS.

The southern section of Essex County is very destitute of
metals, no metallic bed having yet been discovered ; all there-
fore known of the metallic substances is to be found in diffused
state.

GENUS IV. COPPER.

Pyritous copper is found in small masses and grains, diffused
through the trap and slate rocks of Nahant.

GENUS V. IRON.

Species 1. Sulphur et of Iron (Pyrites), is diffused through
the trap rocks in many places at Nahant, Lynn, and Saugus,

Species 2. Specular oxide of Iron, occurs forming a drusy
coating upon the rocks, at the south part of Little Nahant.

Species 3. Argillaceous oxide of Iron, (Bog-ore) occurs in
Saugus, near the Newburyport turnpike.

GENUS VI. LEAD,

Species 1 . Sulphuret of Lead, ( Galena) a few particles have
been found in the prase of Nahant, and in a vein of carbonate ot
lime, near Phillips* beach, Lynn.

GENUS VII. MANGANESE.

Species 1. Oxide of Manganese, occurs in beautiful dendrites
in the crevices of brecciated porphyry, in Lynn, a few rods north
of the establishment for the manufacture of India rubber «loth,
and at Lover's Leap.

But the most splendid dendrites of this oxide, occur in a ledge
of porphyry and compact feldspar, at Wood End, Lynn, in the
track of the Eastern Rail Road ; while blasting for that road in
1838, vast quantities of the fragments of the rocks thrown out,
exhibited upon their surface a most fanciful and splendid display
of dendrites.

TWO NEW SPECIES OF MUSCI; WITH FIGURES: By JOHN LEWIS RUSSELL.
PotYTRlCIIUM.

(Section I. Hooker.) Calyptra naked. CATHARINEA. Ehrh.

POLYTRICHUM *INCURVATUM I Nobis.

P. foliis lanceolatis suberectis, marginibus planis, apicibus
serratis : nervo valido multipticato undulato : theca cylindracea
cerniuscula.

Obs. Forsan Polytriehum Lcevigatwn. Wahlenberg.

Description. Stems short, leaves rather delicate, remarkably
hygrometric, curling inward at the tips or apices, which are of a
reddish-brown color. Entire plant, scarcely an inch in height.
Perhaps it is Wahlenberg's P. lasvigatum, which it resembles in
having the calyptra " perfectly smooth.'*

Entire plant: and leaf magnified.

Habitat. On old decayed logs ; Chelmsford, Middlesex
County, Massachusetts.

Discovered while in search of specimens of mosses, April,
1839.

(Section 2. Hooker.) Calyptra covered with filaments.

POLYTRICHUM *BoREALE. Nobis.

P. foliis lanceolatis acuminatis ; marginibus planis ; nervo
totali validissimo : caulibus brevissimis : pedunculo terminali
semiunciali : theca cylindracea recta, operculo conico, centro
breviter apiculato recurvato.

Remarks on Hyla femoralis, fyc. 93

Description. Leaves lanceolate acuminate, margins plane,
without serratures, minutely toothed near the summit : nerve
distinct and continued to the tip or apex. Stems short : fruit-
stalk terminal, half an inch in length : calyptra hairy : theca
cylindrical upright : lid conic : beak short and a little recurved.

Leaf magnified : entire plant : and hairy
calyptra little magnified.

Habitat. On gravelly banks in woods. Littleton, Coos
County, New Hampshire.

Observation. I had the pleasure of detecting this little and
interesting species, in the several stages of its growth, with and
without its calyptra, during a short residence in the vicinity of the
White Mountains, in the winter of 1837-8. Its diminutive size,
and smoothly margined leaves seem to denote its variation from
any previously described species.

THIS species of Hyla, called peeping frog, seems to be not
well determined. In the Catalogue of the Reptilia of Massa-
chusetts, it seems to be considered as Hyla Squirella ? Daudin;
the note of interrogation implying doubt as to the correct spe-
cific distinction. Yet the Hyla Squirella of the Southern States
and our own cannot be confounded. This, with the Hyla versi-
color or common tree frog, or tree-toad as it is more usually
7

TWO NEW SPECIES OF MUSCI; WITH FIGURES: By JOHN LEWIS RUSSELL.
POLYTRICIIUM.

(Section I. Hooker.) Calyptra naked. CATHARINEA. Ehrh.

POLYTRICHUM *INCURVATUM : NoblS.

P. foliis lanceolatis suberectis, marginibus planis, apicibus
serratis : nervo valida multiplicato undulato : theca cylindracea
cerniuscula.

06s. Forsan Polytriehum Lcevigatum. Wahlenberg.

Description. Stems short, leaves rather delicate, remarkably
hygrometricj curling inward at the tips or apices, which are of a
reddish-brown color. Entire plant, scarcely an inch in height.
Perhaps it is Wahlenberg's P. laBvigatum, which it resembles in
having the calyptra " perfectly smooth.'*

.Vote. HYLODES PICKERINGII. This beautiful native reptile, first described and figared
by Dr. Holbrook, in his North American Herpetology, will be found mentioned in this num-
ber under an incorrect name, viz. (Hyla femoralis, var. c.) see page 93. The Genus
Hylodea was separated from Hyla by Zitzenger, on account of the absence of a sternum,
(breastbone) as in the true Hyla. Our distinguished fellow townsman, Dr. Charles Picker-
ing, now attached to the Exploring Expedition, discovered it, in this vicinity, eight or ten
years since, and, as a new species, it has been dedicated to him : a tribute of scientific
respect.

1839.

(Section 2. Hooker.) Calyptra covered with filaments.

POLYTRICHUM *BOREALE. Nobis.

P. foliis lanceolatis acuminatis ; marginibus planis ; nervo
totali validissimo : caulibus brevissimis : pedunculo terminali
semiunciali : theca cylindracea recta, operculo conico, centro
breviter apiculato recurvato.

Remarks on Hyla femoralis, <^c. 93

Description. Leaves lanceolate acuminate, margins plane,
without serratures, minutely toothed near the summit : nerve
distinct and continued to the tip or apex. Stems short : fruit-
stalk terminal, half an inch in length : calyptra hairy : theca
cylindrical upright : lid conic : beak short and a little recurved.

Leaf magnified : entire plant : and hairy
calyptra little magnified.

Habitat. On gravelly banks in woods. Littleton, Coos
County, New Hampshire.

Observation. I had the pleasure of detecting this little and
interesting species, in the several stages of its growth, with and
without its calyptra, during a short residence in the vicinity of the
White Mountains, in the winter of 1837-8. Its diminutive size,
and smoothly margined leaves seem to denote its variation from
any previously described species.

REMARKS ON HYLA FEMORALIS, OBSERVED IN THE NORTH PARISH
OF DANVERS. BT ANDREW NICHOLS.

THIS species of Hyla, called peeping frog, seems to be not
well determined. In the Catalogue of the Reptilia of Massa-
chusetts, it seems to be considered as Hyla Squirella ? Daudin;
the note of interrogation implying doubt as to the correct spe-
cific distinction. Yet the Hyla Squirella of the Southern States
and our own cannot be confounded. This, with the Hyla versi-
color or common tree frog, or tree-toad as it is more usually
7

94 Remarks on Hyla femoralis, fyc.

called in this vicinity, whose croaking in the orchards and about
our gardens from May to August, is so frequently heard and so
little admired, even by naturalists, becomes particularly clam-
orous on showery days and in warm evenings. But the cheerful
notes of the little peeping Hyla, may be emphatically styled the
"Voice of Spring," to the full chorus of which season it so
largely contributes.

Description. The Hyla femoralis or Peeping Frog, is about
one inch in length, of a fawn color, with delicate dots of black
about the body. These dots in two rows form a cross upon the
back. The eyes are very prominent, limbs long, slender, formed
for great activity. In fine, it possesses in a high degree that
form and beauty, and that most graceful motion, peculiar to the
frogs.

The Hyloe or tree frogs, differ only from other frogs in the
extremities of the toes, each of which is expanded into a rounded
viscous pellet or tubercle, enabling them to adhere to the sur-
face of bodies, and to climb trees and bushes ; where, in fact,
they remain all summer living upon insects. Many of them,
chameleon-like, have the power of changing their color to that of
the bark of the tree to which they adhere ; consequently they
are seldom noticed. They spawn in water, and in winter enter
the mud. The male has a pouch under the throat, dilating when-
ever he cries.

Natural Science so forbidding to most minds by its systems, is
happily relieved by its Poetry, Who, unmoved, can listen to
the voice of spring — to the song sparrow — to the blue bird, and
even to the little peeping frog ? And what are these emotions,
which fill the soul with gladness, but the poetry of Nature — of
Life ? The human mind is inquisitive. It wishes to know more
and more of the objects — the beings which afford it pleasure.
Many of our race have received delight from even the Hyla,
who knew nothing of the creature save its voice. Spring after
spring it has saluted their delighted ears, from every fen and
morass, like a fairy sound, telling them that " the winter has
past — the time of the singing of birds is come." But few, very
few, even of our rural population, whose dwellings are in the
midst of myriads of these beautiful, active and cheerful little rep-

Remarks on Hyla fe moralis, $c. 95

tiles, ever saw the frog itself ; or at least they never recognised
it as the creature to which they are indebted for so much plea-
sure. The "voice of the turtle," so often mentioned in Scrip-
ture, in connexion with the text above quoted, probably gave
origin to the singular notion somewhat prevalent, that the spotted
backed turtle, (Emys punctata) was here implied, which inhabits
the same morass whence this shrill sound proceeds. Others
suppose it to proceed from the speckled frog, (Rana fontinalis)
or from some species of this family, with which they are better
acquainted.

About forty years since, a farmer boy, I first satisfied my
own curiosity by catching the creature in the very act of vocif-
erating, the well known monosyllable peep — peep* This was
effected by wading, soon after sunset} into a wet meadow where
these frogs were numerous. As I approached, every voice was
hushed, every head hidden. I stood perfectly motionless for a
considerable time, until at length an individual near my feet
resumed its piping. Presently the inflation and collapse of the
membrane beneath the throat, (occasioning the emission of
sound) caught my eye. In the twilight, nothing more of the
creature could be seen. With a quick motion, the frog, together
with a handful of mud and grass, was seized, borne in triumph
home, placed in a glass vessel, and examined at leisure.

The piping of the Hyla commences 'as soon as the frost is out
of the swamps, in which they have hybernated, and is continued
usually through the month of May. They are silent, in summer.
The same note from a solitary individual on some tree, vine or
bush, is sometimes heard in autumn ; but whether it proceeds
from the same creature or from some other, that mimics its voice,
I have never been able to determine. It is not improbable how-
ever, that though thus out of season, it comes from the frog
itself. Thus also in the autumn a few trees* will blossom, and
birds| sometimes resume their spring notes. So likewise may it
not be inferred, that this favorite saluter of Spring, sometimes
though rarely, exhibits this anomalous trait ?

* The apple avd pewr; Cinnamon Rose) (Rosa dnnaanomea] Japan Quince, (Cydonia japo-
H/crt) occasionally blossom in autumn.

f The blue bird (Sylvia sialis. Wilson) often fe visits the spot where it has reared its young
Ui* previous spring, and there continues two or three days before its departure to the South.

96 Notice of rare Plants, $c.

With a specimen of the common tree frog, I have forwarded to
the Cabinet of the Society, one of the peeping frogs, captured
in a swamp in North Danvers.

NOTE. It has been deemed advisable to append a more minute description of this inter-
esting reptile. A careful examination enables us to furnish the following.

HYLA. FEMORALIS Le Conte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. I. p 280.

* Variety c.

Move fawn color, changeable to dark cinereous ; marked with two transverse narrow black
lines, forming a cross, and an irregular narrow line on each side producing with the other
lines a general rhomboidal configuration 5 a large triangular spot on the back of the head,
formed by the junction of lines proceeding from the centre of the irides ; a spot at the
insertion of the fote legs, rather than "an angle " as in the true species : a pale yellowish
line margined with black, bounds the back. part of the fore and hind legs; an irregular
spot on the extremity of the rump ; beneath granulated on the abdomen, legs and thighs ; a
character also perceptible in some degree, on the upper surface. Head, rather obtuse, lower
lip whitish; throat, cheeks and auricles minutely spotted with black dots: irides golden-
copper. When resting on a dark substance, it changes at pleasure to a dark ashen hue, the
lines becoming ^black and piominent, and the spots on the head and rump very perceptible,
as- also the transverse bars on the upper surface of the legs. v

Length of body from snout to vent, one inch : of hinder thighs and legs, each half an inch ;
of tarsus and toes 7-10 Mis. of an inch ; of longest toe 4-10 tJis. of an inch. Entire length of
fore legs half an inch.

The present specimen may be the young, and on that account liable to vary from the de-
scribed species, and perhaps the season of the year may have some influence on the color.

NOTICE OF RARE PLANTS ; WITH A DESCRIPTION OF A CURIOUS
VARIETY OF CLADONIA UNCIAL1S. By JOHJI LEWIS RUSSELL.

CHARA VULGARIS. L.
Bigelow's Plants of Boston, 2d ed., p. 334.

Natural order Characeae. Richard.

I met with this obscure but exceedingly interesting aquatic, for
the first time, in a brook, running parallel with the Eastern Rail
Road, on the farm formerly in possession of I. Tucker, Esq.
While, with a friend, searching for microscopic objects among the
Infusoria, my attention was drawn to the floating tufts of this
brittle and crystalline plant, growing from the bottom. Submit-
ting it to the microscope, we had the pleasure of perceiving the
motion of the sap in those mysterious and beautiful currents,
better known among botanists as Cyclosis. Vesicles of a glob-
ular form were perceptible traversing the internal cavities and

Notice of rare Plants, 8$c. 97

vessels of the plant, sometimes in direct, but mostly in spiral
channels, now flowing with accelerated motion, and now in a
slower degree. Whenever internodes, or even the apparent
rudimentary gems of a new branch occurred, these globules
would contract so as to allow their passing round the knot, and
on being relieved from such constraint, would instantly recover
their former size and shape.

I would here observe, that to appreciate fully the beauty of
this phenomenon, the microscope must be of a deep penetrating
power, and if convenient, an achromatic lens should be em-
ployed. For further particulars of this curious subject of
Cyclosis, the reader may consult with advantage the ingenious
papers of Messrs. Varley and Slack, in vol. xlix., of London
Transactions of Arts and Sciences, p. 179 and seq., plates.

Different opinions seem to have been entertained respecting
the position, which this plant should hold among the classes and
orders of the vegetable system. Vaillant, first established the
Family of Characeae in 1719, when it contained the single genus
Chara. Linnaeus, at one time placed the plant in his Crypto-
gamia, but afterward removed it to his class and order Monoecia,
Monandria : while Richard grouped the Characeoe among
Acotyledonea3, to which they seem allied and approximate to
Marsilea, in the common structure of their seed-vessels.

The original specimens collected as mentioned above, have
been growing during a space of eighteen months, in a vial
closely sealed, making a profusion of new branches and seeds.

ZOSTERA MARINA. Linnwi species Plantarwn, 1374.

Eel grass. Sea-wrack.
Natural order. Fluviales. Lindley.

In a search for shells on Plymouth Beach, last summer, I had
the good fortune to find several specimens of this plant in full
fructification. Dr. Bigelow, in his Florula Bostoniensis, men-
tions that he had never been able to discover it in this condition.
The fact is worthy of notice.

The fruit of the Zostera is disposed in two rows, in sheaths
formed from the dilation of the leaves, infolding, like the spathe
of an Arum, but confined to the middle ; the leaf assuming its
usual ribbon-shape immediately above the seeds. Each of these

98 Notice of rare Plants, fyc.

seeds is cylindric, beautifully ribbed lengthwise, and somewhat
wrinkled between the ribs. The albumen, of a singular blue
color. On comparing a specimen with the fine figure of
Prof. Hooker, in Flora Londinensis, and again with T. 467 of
English Botany, and also through the suggestion of Geo. B.
Emerson, (President of the Boston Society of Natural History).
I am inclined to think, that ours is a distinct species, though
seemingly heretofore confounded by American Botanists, with
the British species. A subsequent examination gave me the
following results, viz.

1. Greater length of leaves : ours being many yards — the
British according to Hooker " from four inches to a span long."

2. Want of distinct sheaths, at base of leaves.

3. Leaves of American species, mucronate, (ending in a short
point :) while those of the British species are " obtuse at the
extremity."

4. Flower-sheath at a greater distance from the sheaths,
than is represented in the figures of Hooker, and English
Botany.

This part of the subject will receive further attention.

Zostera belongs to the natural group of Naiadre of Jussieu,
and Potamophilae of Richard, and Fluviales of Lindley. Lin-
noeus places it in Gynandria ; Withering in Polyandria, Polygy-
nia ; and in this country Elliott, Nuttall and Bigelow, consider
it as referable to Monoecia. Its Spathseform floral envelope
allies it to Aroideas, as noticed by Richard, who also points out
the real distinction between each.

EcHIUM VULGARE. L.

Viper's Bugloss. Bigelow 's Plants, &c., p> 70.

Natural order. Boraginse. Jussieu.

This, though a common weed in the dry pastures of England,
especially near Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, has been consid-
ered remarkable for beauty, and for striking effect when growing
in masses. Its raceme-like flowers on a prickly stem, its leaves
studded with red tubercles, its rosy buds and rich purple blos-
soms render it highly conspicuous. The first instance of its
occurrence in this vicinity, was noticed by me during the past

Notice of rare Plants, $c. 99

summer, near Pickman's Farm, on the Eastern Rail Road. For
a beautiful figure, see English Botany, table 181.

UTRICULARIA INFLATA Walter.
Vesicular Bladder-wort : Bigelow's Plants, p. 8.

Natural order. Lentibularioe. Richard.
Specimens of this elegant plant were found last summer, in
Bartlemy's Pond, Danvers. The petioles are singularly vesicu-
lar and buoy up the foliage, so that the flowers are raised above
the water.

CETRARIA ISLANDICA. Iceland Moss.

Natural order. Lichenes. Jussieu. Cryptogamia. Linne.
Found by Dr. A. Nichols, on the dry hills of Danvers, and
by myself in similar situations in Hingham.
Herbarium of the Society.

STICTA AURATA. Jlch : Methodus.
Golden-edged Lichen. English Botany, table 2359.
Description. Thallus, varying from rich dark brown to a rich
fawn color ; superbly edged with granulations of golden yellow.
Rare. (A tropical .species.) Fine specimens from trunks of
Pinus rigida in Kennebunk, Me., Dec., 1838.

STICTA PULMONACEA.

Liverwort Lichen.

Said to be rare in fruit, but I obtained excellent specimens in
that condition, from Topsham, Maine, May, 1838.

BORRERA FUHFURACEA.

" Lichenes of New England.3" Tuckerman. Boston Journ.
Nat. Hist., vol. ii., p. 258.

Doubtful Synonym. Evemia purpuracea. Mass. Catalogue.

Large specimens, frequently in fruit, I have found this spring
in woods, on the bark of pitch pine, Chelmsford, Mass.

B^EOMYCES ROSEI7S. Adi. MelhodllS.

Abundant on sand near Leach pond, Plymouth, Mass.

100 Notice of rare Plants, fyc.

CLADONIA UNCIALIS. Jlch .

Variety, e. * Reticulata.
Netted Coral Lichen. Cryptogamia, L.
Natural order. Lichenes. Jussieu.

Stems three or four inches long, glaucous green, elongated,
depressed, carious : branches numerous, forked, sometimes per-
forated in the axils, but generally covered with a net work ;
summits tending to cup-shape; the edges proliferous, and branch-
ed in forks ; tubercles minute but distinct^ brown.

My herbarium and that of the Society.

OBSERVATIONS. The genus Cladonia to which this curious va-
riety belongs, is distinguished by its upright and fistulous stems,
furnished with numerous branches, each tipped with a small
black, brown or red body (its propagulum) or organ for contin-
uing the species, analogous to those stem-bulbs seen on some
kinds of the more perfect vegetables. Whoever has rambled
over dry pastures in the months of summer, must remember the
crackling under feet, of species of this group of brittle coral-like
plants.

In it may be found the valuable Rein Deer Moss C. rangife-
rinum, and the beautiful scarlet C. bacillaris, which delights to
grow on decayed trees, posts, rails, and is not unfrequent in the
interstices of large sunny rocks contiguous to the forest.

The subject of the present observations was found in Hing-
ham, Plymouth County, on a mild sunny day of the last winter,
and subsequently in great abundance at the same place among
the mossy rocks of a pasture, south east of " Tranquility
Grove ; " a sylvan retreat well known to the inhabitants of that
town for its delightful shade, and pleasant summer pic nic par-
ties. I have given it the name of Netted Cladonia or Coral
Lichen, and consider it the fifth variety of Cladonia uncialis,
of which Acharius in his Prodromus, has mentioned four pre-
viously ascertained.

REMARKS UPON SCARAB^US GOL1ATU3 AND OTHER AFRICAN
BEETLES ALLIED TO IT. BY THADDEUS WILLIAM HARRIS.

THERE has recently been added to the Cabinet of the Society
a gigantic beetle, belonging to the genus GOLIATH of De La-
marck. The enormous size4 extreme rarity, and great nominal
value of the African insects of this genus, render the acquisition
of this specimen, which is in perfect preservation, an occurrence
of signal good fortune, and affords a suitable occasion for some
remarks upon the species.

The earliest account of them on record is contained in Dru
Drury >s* " Illustrations of Natural History," a work in three
volumes, quarto, published at London in 1770, 1773, and 1782,
and illustrated by figures of exotic insects, drawn and engraved
by the celebrated entomologist Moses Harris. Mr. Drury
seems, for many years, to have been the only possessor of one
of these beetles, which he states was brought from Africa,
where it was found dead and floating in the river Gaboon, oppo-
site to Prince's island, near the equinoctial line. It is said that
this specimen cost Mr. Drury the sum of ten pounds sterling, a
high price as compared with the present diminished value of
money. This beetle was described and figured, in 1770, in the
first volume of Drury ?s Illustrations, page 67, plate 31. From
this description and figure Linnseus drew up a specific character
of it, and inserted it, in 1771, in his "Mantissa altera," under
the name of Scarabceus Goliatus, a name which was subse-
quently adopted by Drury, in the index appended to the second
volume of the Illustrations. Mr. Westwood, the editor of a

* Mr. Drury was a London goldsmith and jeweller, who devoted his leisure to the study
of natural history, and particularly to that of entomology, and was a fellow of the Linnaean
Society. His collection, in the increase of which he spared neither expense nor trouble,
contained eleven thousand insects, which after his decease, were sold by public auction.
Mr. Diury was of a very ancient family, and it is believed was lineally descended from i*ir
Dru Drury , of Q,ueen Elizabeth's time. He died on the 15th of January, 1804, at the ad-
vanced age of eighty. His son succeeded to his business, and his daughter was married to
a Mr. Andre, a merchant in London, and unele to the unfortunate and lamented Major
Andre. See Gentleman's Magazine for 1804, part 1, p. 86.

8

102 Harris's re.nwks upon Scarabceus golialus, fyc.

new edition of Drury's work,* informs us that this specimen of
the Goliatus came into the possession of Dr. William Hunter,
who subsequently bequeathed it, with his own collection, to the
University of Glasgow, where it is still preserved, and forms
one of the most interesting objects of the Hunterian museum.
This beetle remained, for a long time, unique in Europe ; but
there is now another one, resembling it in color, but of inferior
size, and with the horns on the head not so much developed, in
the magnificent collection of W. S. Macleay, Esq., of London.
While the Goliatus was in the possession of Dr. Hunter, it was
seen both by Fabricius and Olivier, and the latter took a drawing
of it for his {{ Entomologie," where"]" it is referred to the genus
CETONIA. More recently it has been a third time figured in Mr.
Duncan's volume on beetles, pi. 16, belonging to Jardine's
" Naturalist's Library." Although it has been repeatedly rede-
scribed and refigured, I believe that these are the only original
figures, and that all the others are mere copies from them.

The Chevalier De Lamarck, having found it expedient to
propose a new genus for the reception of the Scarabceus (or
Cetonia) Goliatus and some other allied insects, regardless, as
he always was, of the rights of his predecessors, converted the
Linntcau specific name for the insect in question to the generi-
cal name of Goliath, and substituted that of Jlfricanus for the
species. The characters of this new genus were published, in
1801, in the Systeme des Animaux sans Vertebres," and the
general name was retained by Latreille in the first volume of his
" Genera Crustaceorum et Insectorum," which appeared in the
course of the same year. Now, however, this name is usually
written Goliathus ; and to the species, instead of Jffricdnus,
that of giganteus, proposed by Mr. Kirby,J is applied, in the new
edition of De Lamarck's "Histoire Naturelle des Animaux
sans Vertebres," and in Westwood's edition of Drury's work.§
Mr. Duncan calls this same species Goliathus magnus.

* Illustrations of Exotic Entomology, &c, by DruDrury; a new edition, with additional
matter by J. O. Westwood. 3 vols, quarto, London, 1837.

f Entomologie, Vol. I, No. 6, page 7, pi. 9, fig. 33.

J Kirby and Spence. Introduction to Entomology, Vol. Ill, p. 33.

$ Alluding to this species, in the third volume of Drury'a work, pp. 54 and 55, Mr.
Westwood, apparently through inadvertence, calls it Goliath, maxtmus.

Harris's remarks upon Scarabwus goliatus, fyc. 103

The second species, and in point of time the second described
individual of this genus, was also contained in Drury's collec-
tion, and was first described and figured in 1782, in the third
volume of this author's Illustrations, page 55, and plate 40. It
was procured near Sierra Leone in Africa. Drury says of it,
that " this ^insect is of the same genus with that described in
Vol. I., plate 31 ; but I judge it to be a different species ; "
and "it is an undoubted nondescript." Subsequently, however,
Drury inserted this species in the index to his work as a variety
of Scarabaius Goliatus. Mr. Westwood considers it to be a
distinct species, and, in his edition of the Illustrations, names it
Goliathus Drurii, in honor of its first describer. At the sale of
Drury's insects it was purchased by Mr. Macleay, senior, for
the sum of £12. 1. 6. sterling, and still remains in his collec-
tion. Mr. Westwood says that "a very fine and recent speci-
men has lately been received by Mr. Havill, of Oxford street,
(London), printseller and naturalist, who has demanded the sum
of fifty pounds for it ; " and I am informed that he has actually
been offered and has refused forty pounds for the specimen.

The insect in the Cabinet of the Society is the third known
specimen of Goliathus Drurii. It agrees with Drury's figure in
all essential characters, and, to the best of my recollection, dif-
fers from it only in having- a few white dots on each side of the
great white patch on the elytra, not symmetrically arranged, but
placed irregularly near the margin of the patch. It was pre-
sented to the Society in November, 1837, by Dr. Joseph Far-
num, of Salem, and was brought to this place from Africa by a
seaman, whose account of it is substantially the following.
About two years ago he was on board of a Salem trading vessel,
which put into a small port on the western coast of Africa, be-
tween Sierra Leone and Cape Palmas. Whilst there the vessel
was visited by the natives for the purpose of trade, and one of
them brought this beetle dead, and in the state in which it now
remains. The natives, furthermore, said that these insects fly
about in the woods during the night.

In 1785, Voet* figured and described another species of this
genus under the name of Cacicus ingens. It is smaller than the

* Besclireibungen und Abbildungen hartschaaligtcr Insecten ; Coleoptera, Linn. Vol. I.,
p. 101. pi. 22, fig. 151. Quarto, Erlangen, 1785, &c.

104 Harris's remarks upon Scarabceus goliatus, $c.

two preceeding species, and the elytra are entirely of a pearl-
white color. The specimen was stated by Voet to be a native
of America, and to belong to Renger's rich cabinet. Olivier
and Fabricius call this species Cetonia Cacicus, and repeat
Voet's statement, that it is a native of America. Mr. Hope, in
his little work, entitled " the Coleopterist's Manual," puts down
the Cacicus as a native of Guinea, from which place he says
that he has received a specimen. In the Cabinet of the Mu-
seum of Natural History of Paris is another specimen, which,
though it resembles Voet's figure of the Cacicus in most re-
spects, differs from it in having a triangular black spot on each
elytron, near the humeral angle. Messrs. Gory and Percheron
have described and figured it in their " Monographic des Ce-
toines," p. 150, pi. 24, fig. 2., and give, as its native country,
South America, but state that this locality is not indeed certain.

Dr. Klug is said to have described a female of some species
of this genus in Erman's "Reise," under the name of Goli-
athus regius. The description I have not yet met with ; but
Mr. Westwood, who saw the insect in the Royal Museum at
Berlin, says that it has the head unarmed, and that it agrees in
color and markings with the G. Drurii.

One more insect belonging to this genus, as restricted by Mr.
Hope, remains to be noticed. It is in the cabinet of Mr. Hope,
who received it from Guinea, and ascertained it to be a female
by dissection, and, on the fifty ninth page of his " Manual,"
states that he thinks probably it is the female of Goliathus
giganteus. While the Manual was passing through the press,
Mr, Hope added some interesting observations on the Gol-
iathidae, together with a full description of the foregoing female,
under the provisional name of G. princeps, with the following
remarks. " In the present state of our knowledge it is difficult
to decide with certainty whether this insect be the female of any
of the already described, or of a still unknown, species. It is
better therefore to give it a provisional name, although the insect
is evidently a female, than let it remain undescribed. At a fu-
ture time it can be changed when more accurate information is
obtained." A beautiful figure of this insect, from the accurate
pencil of Mr. Westwood, is prefixed to the Manual, from which,
and from the description, it appears that the edge of the clypeus
is rounded and unarmed, like that of the regius.

Harris's remarks upon Scarabccus goliatus, fyc. 105

The genus Goliathus, as restricted by Mr. Hope, has the
thorax rounded, is peculiar to Africa, (for it seems that the
Cacicus is really an African and not an American insect,) and
contains, at present, only the five foregoing insects, or species,
if they be truly distinct from each other ; and, of these Goliathi,
only the ten individuals, which I have enumerated, are, as yet,
known ; namely, eight males and two females.

It is much to be regretted that De Lamarck's numerous and
unwarrantable innovations in nomenclature* should- still be re-
tained. Specific names are the property of the first describers
who make use of them, and should not be altered or removed.
It seems to me, in the present instance, no more than an act of
justice to restore the original Linnasan specific name to the typ-
ical species of Goliath, or Goliathus, and to give to the genus
another appellation. I propose therefore to call the latter
Hegemon^j and add a brief description of the insects included
in it.

Genus HEGEMON. Harris.

1. H. Goliatus. Clypeus bifurcated ; thorax black, with
seven whitish stripes ; elytra chocolate-brown, margined be-
fore with white. Length over four inches.

2. H. Drurii. Clypeus bifurcated ; thorax cream-white,
with six black lines ; elytra black, with a common triangular
patch and the outer margin cream-white. Length four inches.

3. H. Cacicus. Clypeus bifurcated ; thorax ochre-yellow,
with six black lines ; elytra pearl-white, with a narrow black
border. Length over three inches.

Var. ? With a triangular black spot on the humeral angle of
each elytron. Length nearly three inches and a half.

4. H. Regius. Is said to resemble H. Drurii in color and
markings ; but it has the head unarmed.

5. H. Princeps. Clypeus entire, rounded ; thorax black,
with seven ochre-yellow stripes ; elytra blackish, at the sides
and tip pearl-white. Length three inches.

* How many of the Testacea now retain the specific names which Linnrcus gave to them?
t From »;ye(«djv, a chief or commander.

106 Harris's remarks upon Scar abacus golial-us, fyc.

Mr. Hope, in the little Manual before mentioned, proposes to
divide the Family Goliath-Ida, as he calls it, into two groups ;
the first including those genera in which the thorax is rounded,
and the second those in which it is trapezoidal, or broad behind
and narrowed before. In the former he places three genera,
Goliathus (Hegemon^), Dicronocephalus, and Incas ; in the latter,
Mecynorhina, Dicronorhina, Rhomborhina, Jumnos, and an un-
named genus, the type of which is a Mexican insect, the
Goliathus Hoepfncr of Gory and Percheron.* The genus Incas
or rather Inca of Lepeletier and Serville comes very near to
Trichius, is peculiar to South America, and contains some spe-
cies of large size and considerable rarity, but which cannot
compare, in these respects, with their African prototypes. Mr.
Hope does not inform us by whom or where the characters of
Dicronocephalus are defined, nor does he name the species upon
which the genus is founded ; but merely gives it as an East
Indian genus. I think it probable that the Goliathus Wellech
(Wallich ?), of Gory and Percheron,f may be the type ; and,
if this be the case, the East Indian genus Narycius of Dupont,
in Guerin's " Magasin de Zoologie," for 1835, pi. 128, will
probably have a place very near to it, in the first group of this
family. The characters of the first three genera in the second
group, with a trapezoidal thorax, are given by Mr. Hope in the
Manual. To Mecynorhina, the magnificent Scarabceus Torqua-
tus of Drury is probably to be referred, the male of which has
recently been described and figured, for the first time, by Mr.
Waterhouse, in Charlesworth's "Magazine of Natural His-
tory," New Series, Vol. II., page 635. Of this insect, which
is nearly three inches in length, or scarcely inferior in size to
the species of our genus Ifcgemon, and is also a native of the
western part of Africa, only two individuals are yet known ;
one, a female, with the clypeus unarmed, the original unique
specimen from Drury's cabinet, "is still in existence, and
graces the rich collection of Mr. Macleay ; " the other, a male,
with the clypeus produced into a long, pointed, recurved horn,
was lately obtained at Sierra Leone, by Lieut. Strachan, in

* Monogr. des Cetoines, page 154, pi. 2G, fig. 2.
| Monogr. des Cctoiweg, page 154, pi. 2G, fig. 1.

Harris's remarks upon Scarabceus goliatus, fyc. 107

whose collection it is preserved. The type of this genus is the
Celonia Polyphemus of Fabricius. The following remarks,
made under this species by Mr. Hope, may serve as a caution
to those persons who possess rare and valuable insects, and will
show to this Society the necessity of immediately providing for
the safe keeping of their specimen of Hegemon Drurii. " This
insect (Mecynorhina Polyphemus), for many years, was consid-
ered unique, and was the chief ornament of the Banksian cab-
inet : it has been stolen from thence by some individual un-
worthy of the name of naturalist. I regret to state also that a
box, containing some rare and singular insects, from Sierra
Leone and New Holland, has disappeared from my own collec-
tion." The Polyphemus, however, is not lost to science ; for it
seems that there is a specimen in the cabinet of Messrs. Gory
and Percheron, who have described and figured it in their
Monographic.

JOURNAL

OF THE

ESSEX COUNTY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

THIRD AND LAST NUMBER.

IN bringing the Journal to a close, a few words may be
expected by way of preface.

Since the issue of the second number, materials of vari-
ous character have been from year to year collecting. These
were offered at the annual and other meetings of the Socie-
ty in the form of verbal and written Reports. From them
the present number has been compiled, by reference to the
Specimens in the Cabinets, to the Records and to the files
in which memoranda as well as the reports had been pre-
served.

The collections have increased within the last twelve
years to a gratifying extent. Each department of Natural
History has its Representatives. The Herbarium is rich
in native and foreign species. The Conchological cases ex-
hibit our own Mollusca arranged side by side with British
cospecies. Other foreign species of Shells have been secur-
ed by private generosity or by a system of exchanges. The
same may, in fine, be said of all the other departments. Of
the natural history of Essex County much knowledge has
been gained. The geological features of a section in the
immediate vicinity of the City of Salem have been rendered
interesting by the Society's possession of a natural curiosity,
familiarly known as Ship Rock, a massive boulder, to
which reference may be made in this number. The Mi-
croscope has likewise been employed, and some of the ear-
liest instances of Silicious Earths, containing infusorial re-
mains, occurred within our immediate neighborhood.

We have called this the third and last number, and we

110 Retrospect of the Shells of Essc.r County.

here take leave of our Journal as an indication of the doings
of the Essex Count/ Natural History Society. The ESSEX
INSTITUTE was formed in 1848, by the union of the E. 0. N.
H. Society with the Essex Historical Society, and duly in-
corporated by an Act of the Legislature. All future publica-
tions of our research or discovery will be issued under the
name of the Proceedings of the Essex Institute.
Salem., March, 1852,

RETROSPECT OF SOME OF THE SHELLS FOUND IN
ESSEX COUNTY.

In the second number of this Journal will be found a
sketch of some of the shells (Mollusca) which had occurred
to the writer. A reference therein to the materials of his
"Familiar Notice, &c." exhibits the facilities of which he
was possessed. The number was issued in June, 1839. In
1841 the State Report of Dr. A. A. Gould was published.
Subsequently communications appeared in the Journal of
the Boston Society of Natural History, in later volumes of
Silliman's Journal of Science and in Proceedings of Scien-
tific Societies, detailing new facts in this branch of Zoology.

The present paper is intended as an alphabetical list of
those species alluded to, in the second number, and they
are now arranged according to the nomenclature of Dr.
Gould. The names in the ' Familiar Notice' will be found
to be generally synonyms.

Alphabetical List, fyc.

N. B. The figures on the left hand of the line refers to
the page of the second number of this Journal ; those on the
right hand refer to Gould's Report, except when otherwise
specified.

49. Anatifa laevis, Linnwis., pp. 19. 20. Wood cut on

p. 11

60. Anodon fluviatilis, Lea, 117. f. 80.
60. Anodon implicates, Say, 118. f. 78.

Retrospect of the Shells of Essex County. Ill

57. Astarte castanca. Say, 76. f. 45 and variety B. pro-

cera 78.

62. Anornia ephippttttn, Limiaus, 138.
65. Ancylus rivularis, Sat/, 224. f. 153.

67. Auricula bidentata, 197. f. 130.
48. Balanus ebarnens, 15. f. 6.

48. Balanus geniculatus, Conrad, 14. f. 9.

48. Balanus ovularis, Lamarck, 17. f. 7.

68. Buccinum obsoletum, Adams, 308. f. 210.
68. Buccinnm plicosurn, Menke, 303. f. 213.

68. Buccinum trivittatum, Adams, 309. f. 211.

69. Buccinum undatum, Linnceus, 305. The shell and

animal are figured in the Penny Cyclopaedia, vol.

IX. p. 454.

75. Bulla triticea, Coutlwuy, 165. f. 98.
74. Cancellaria Couthouyi, Jay, 283, f. 190.

58. Cardium pinnatulum, Conrad, 90. f. 57.
64. Crepidula fornicata, Lam: 158. f. 17.
64. Crepidula plana, Say, 159. f. 16.

63. Chiton fulminatus, Couth., 148.
73. Cingula minuta, 265. f. 171.

52. Cfochlodesma Leana, Conrad, 49. ff. 29. 20.

53. Cumingia tellinoides, Conrad, 56. f. 36.
57. Cyprina Islaridica, Lam,.. 82.

70. Fusus decemcostatus, Say, 287. f. 202.

70. Fusus Islandicus, Martini, 284.

71. Fusus harpularius. Couth., 29. f. 191.
51. Glycimeris siiiqua, Lam., 39.

68. Lacuna vincta, 262. f. 178*

72. Littorina palliata, 260. f. 177.*
72 Littorina rudis, 257. f. 175.^

72. Littorina tenebrosa, 259. f. 176.*
64. Lottia alveus, 154. f. 13.

64. Lottia testudinalis, 153. f. 12.

51. Machsera costata, 34.

52. Mactra solidissima, Chemnitz, 51.

73. Margarita arctica, Leach, 255. f. 173.*
73. Margarita cinerea, 252.

1 12 Retrospect of the Shells of Essex County.

74. Margarita obscnra, 253. f. 171.*

73. Margarita undulata, Sowerby, 254. f. 172.*

53. Mesodesma arctata, 57. f. 39.

75. Modiola discrepaus, Montagu, 129. f. 83.
61. Modiola modiolus, Turton, 123.

61. Modiola plicatula, Lam., 125. f. 81.

61. Mytilus edulis, Linnceus, 121. f. 82. This, though

a very common shell, yet not devoid of beauty,
especially in the varieties, of which M. pellucidus
of Pennant and others, is most distinguished as
noticed in Number II. p. 62, where dele the name,
as a distinct species.

62. Mytilus pellucidus, variety of Mytilus edulis. 122.
51. Mya arenaria, Linnccus, 40,

67. Natica clausa, Broderip and Sowerby, 238. f. 167.

67. Natica heros, Say, 231. f. 163. Dr. Gould gives

an interesting account of its habits.

67. Natica triseriata. Say, 233. f. 165.

58. Nucula limatula, Say, 98. f. 62.

58. Nucula minuta, Turton, 101.

58. Nucula myalis, Couth., 99.

54. Pandora trilineata, Say, 44.

62. Pecten magellanicus, Lam., 132.
47. Pectinaria Belgica, Lam., 7.

55. Petricola pholadiformis, Lam., 63.

50. Pholas crispata, Linnaus, 27. Found living in a

young state at Phillips' beach, Lynn, as noticed
on p. 50, (No. II.) under the name of Pholas lamel-
lata, Turton, which latter, dele.

69. Purpura Lapillus, Lam.} 301, also variety imbrica-
ta, 302.

74. Pyramis striatula, Couth., 269. f. 174.

74. Rostellaria occidentalis, Beck, 298. f. 205.
54. Sanguinolaria fusca, Conrad, 66. f. 42.
54. Sanguinolaria sordida, Couth., 67.

54. Saxicava distorta, Say, 61. f. 40.

75. ScalariaGrsenlandica, Chemn> 249. f. 170.*

51. Solen eusis, Linn&us, 29.

Nichols on the Scaphiopiis Solilariiis. 113

76, Solemya velum, Say, 35.

48. Spirorbis nautiloides, Lam, 8.

75. Thracia Conradi, Couth., Boston Juurnal of Natur-
al History vol. II., p. 153, pi. 4. f. 1, Gould, 50.

56. Tellina poll ta, Say. This is probably an error. See
Gould's Report, p. 69, in note on Tellina tenera.

56. Tellina tenera, Say, 68. f. 44.

63. Terebratula caput-serpentis, Lam., 141.

49. Teredo navalis, Linnmis, 26.

69. Trichotropis borealis, Sowerby, 300. f. 207. This is
the Trichotropris costellatus, Couthouy, as given
on p. 69, where dele 2d and 3d lines and substitute.

71. Turritella erosa, Couth., 267.

59. Uiiio complanatus, Lea, 107. f. f. 68. 69. 70. Said

to be peculiar to the fresh waters of the Eastern
slope of the Alleghany mountains.

60. Unto nasutus, Say, 109. f. 71.
60. Unio radiatus, Barnes, 110. f. 73.
58. Venus gemma, Totten, 88. f. 51.

58. Venus mercenaria, Linn&us, 85. f. 67.

66. Velutina laevigata, 241. f. 159. This in the Veluti-
na rupicola Conrad, as quoted on p. 66. where
dele the query about Oxynoe glabra.

OCCURRENCE OF SCAPHIOPUS SOLITARIUS, IN ESSEX COUNTY : WITH SOME
NOTICES OP ITS HISTORY, HABITS, &c. BY ANDREW NICHOLS, M. M. S. S-, Presi-
dent of the Society. Read June 17, 1843.

In a shallow basin surrounded by ledges of greenstone
rock, which retains water during the winter and spring,
and is occasionally rilled in summer by great rains to the
depth of one to four feet, on the brow of a hill in Danvers,
over which the old Essex Turnpike crosses, and near the
intersection of this road by the Newburyport Turnpike, an
interesting colony of this rare reptile, hitherto unobserved
north of South Carolina, has been lately discovered. Some-

114 Nichols on Scaphiopus Solilanus.

where-about the years 1S10; 1S11 or 1812, subsequent to a
great rain in summer, several frogs of this curious species
were noticed by John Swinerton, Esq., now deceased, who
resided very near this spot for sixty successive years, and
had ample opportunity to observe them. Their numbers,
in this, their first appearance, was as great as at any time
since; determined by the testimony of several witnesses.
At this time, during one or two days and nights, they were
very noisy and actively engaged in fulfilling the great fiat
of creation; and soon afterwards they disappeared. Nothing
more was seen of them for several years. Their voices or
note so nearly resembled that of young crows, that it at-
tracted the attention of a Mr. Elijah Pope, a farmer, who
lived half a mile distant ; and, accompanied by his son,
sallied forth, gun in hand, to kill what he so naturally im-
agined were mischievous birds in his corn-field. From
this little anecdote I am enabled to determine their first ob-
served appearance with some degree of certainty ; thus de-
fining the time as about the first of September, when corn
is in a state to be fed upon by the crow : while, again, the
years mentioned above, agree with a statement of the son,
Mr. N. Pope, who from his own present age, concludes that
1812 or a year or two earlier, was the time of their first
visit.

So far as recollection serves, nothing more was seen of
them, until July, 1825, on a day memorable for the passage
of LA FAYETTE over the Newburyport Turnpike close by,
on his return to Boston from his eastern tour; at which time
their voices added to the welcome greetings of a nation's
guest ! Since this last date, thus rendered conspicuous as
well as certain, whenever the basin has been filled in warm
weather, these reptiles invariably make their appearance.
This has occurred, however, only three times, viz. : August
12th, 1834: again in the summer of a year whose date is
forgotten; and on June 16th, 1842. The forenoon of this
day, last mentioned, was dark and rainy, as the day and
night previous had been. Their croaking attracted the at-
tention of an acquaintance of miiiCj and information of their

Nichols on Scaphiopus Solitarius. 115

appearance, with a pair of the frogs, were forwarded tome
by Mr. Amos Swinerton. In the afternoon of the same day,
I repaired to the spot, accompanied by several members of
the Essex County Natural History Society ; but the sun had
appeared meanwhile, — their voices were hushed, and none
were even to be seen. In examining the water, however,
we found it filled with spawn — and two females were
drawn from the bottom of the pool. In the evening follow-
ing they came out again ; resumed their croaking and ama-
tory habits. Several more specimens were captured and
kindly presented to us, by Mr. Nathl. Pope, whose name
has been already mentioned. The old frogs were not seen
again. In five days after, I found the spawn had become
tadpoles, of which about a hundred I took home — kept
them in glass globes, — fed them on fish and flesh — scarcely
one died. They remained longer and grew larger in the
tadpole state than did those left in their native pool, which
latter became perfect animals in less than four weeks. On
the other hand, those kept in water, without any opportu-
nity to crawl on land, or on any substitute for it, such as a
floating chip, or some foothold firmer than water, were
slower in their development. It seems then, that the de-
velopment and successive changes of the organs, conform
to circumstances. So long as water is wholly their resi-
dence, their caudal appendage is necessary and according-
ly used, retaining its proportionate size and strength, and
the growth of the legs is in the same proportion. If the wa-
ter be gradually withdrawn, and mud, moist earth and then
dry, gradually substituted, they will much sooner undergo
the change from the embryotic to the infantile condition of
existence. Thus, at the end of four weeks, all the water
in which the spawn was deposited had evaporated ; in some
of the lowest spots of the basin a little mud of the consist-
ence of clay-mortar alone remaining. Here the young frogs
were merrily hopping about, enjoying life on dry land,
while those in confinement in water, were still increasing
in size, and yet in an embryo condition. This very short
natural period of the tadpole state admirably fits them for

116 Nichols on Scaphiopus Solitariits.

such breeding places as the one in which the subjects of
this paper were found; a locality where water can remain
for a short time only, and this in the most wet seasons.

I also kept a few of the old frogs, three in number, two
females and a male, in a barrel, a third part filled with
moist peat muck, containing some earth worms* and other
small creatures. Occasionally I threw in a few garden
snails,! small pieces of meat, fish or insects. Whether they
ate of these provisions is uncertain. Occasionally I found
one or two of them out of the mud, in which they usually
buried themselves, reserving only a small breathing hole,
opening above their heads. I frequently shook them out
for the purpose of exhibiting them ; but they would soon
bury themselves again, by the dexterous use of their hind
feet. I kept them till the last part of November, when care-
lessly permitting the earth to become frozen, they were killed.

Holbrook, in his N. A. Herpetology, vol. L, pp. 85-7,
says that he has found these reptiles in three states only,
viz : Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee — that they
go into the water only in the breeding season, which he ob-
serves is in the spring ; and that they live in holes in the
ground of about six inches in depth, excavated by them-
selves— never coming out of these, except during the night
or after heavy rains. This explains the mystery of their
sudden appearance and disappearance, as above mentioned.
It would also seem that they are Southern reptiles ;— chilled
by our northern climate, they want a more genial season
to celebrate their nuptials ; and thus without a suitable pool
to receive the spawn, year after year in this instance trans-
pired, until a summer freshet filled their native habitat suf-
ficiently.

I have some reasons to conjecture that other colonies of
these frogs exist in New England. An intelligent farmer
ofTopsfield, (Mass.), to whom I showed my specimens,
and related the foregoing history, told me he had several
times heard a similar croaking in a temporary pond of wa-
ter near his dwelling, but he never went to see from whence

*Lumbricns terrestris, L. tLimax agrestris ? L.

The Polylrichaccfc of Essex County. 117

the noise proceeded. Something of the same kind has
been noticed also in Framingham, in this State, by a stu-
dent of medicine, who relates that he and a friend of his
were kept awake on the identical night, June 16th, 1842,
by the noise of frogs or something of the kind in a ditch of
water near his lodging ; that they went out to discover what
they were, but on drawing near the place, the noise or cry,
which resembled that of young crows, suddenly ceased, and
nothing was to be seen.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE POLYTRICHACE^E ; with a notice of some species occurring in
Essex County, Massachusetts.

This family of the mosses, embraces several distinct
genera, which formerly were all comprised under one genus,
and known as Polytrichum. Growing in situations sub-
jected to alternate dryness and moisture, the polytrichnms
are found inhabiting wide-apart regions of the globe.
Assuming a gregarious habit and in many instances corn-
posing a close turf of perennial continuance, they are well
adapted to clothe the surface of the earth, in high northern
latitudes. Particular species are decidedly montane and
even alpine, while again on the other hand several grow in
rocky situations, near the sea coast.

The polytrichums are mosses of an upright form, bearing
on the summits of the stems and embosomed in the foliage,
two kinds of reproductive organs; the one consisting of a
series of stiff and colored bracts of a stellulate outline,
enclosing the antheridia and pistillidia, from the latter of
which, the future seed-vessel (capsule) is gradually pro-
duced. Sometimes however the stellulate appearance
remains, crowning the summit, and on the next annual
growth furnishing a continuation of the stem from its
midst, which is also provided with the regular foliages, and
the individual plant is thus for a time in a sterile condition.
The office, which the antheridium and pistillidium perform
2

118 The Polytrichacea of Essex County.

is supposed to be analagons to that of the stamen and pistil
in the higher plants. The pistillidium elongates and rises
to a considerable height, constituting the pedicel; and en-
larges at its apex into the capsule, which is surmounted by
a caplike organ, called the calyptra. On the ripening of
the capsule the calyptra falls off, but when studied with
other structural differences, it forms a good criterion to
divide the many species into the several genera, Thus, in
Polytrichum proper, the calyptra is densely hairy, while
the capsule, which it invests, becomes, when mature, of a
four or six sided figure. The name Polytrichum is derived
from an allusion to the character of the calyptra, polus being
the Greek for many and thrix Gr. for hair, so that it may
be familiarly termed, the haircop or the many haired moss.

In Pogonatum, the calyptra is hoodshaped and also dense-
ly hairy, while the mature capsule is cylindrical, so that
these forms distinguish it. From pogon Gr. beard we derive
Pogonatum the bearded hood moss, or bearded cap moss.

In Atrichum, the calyptra is smooth, but its tip is spinu-
lose, its form is hood shaped, and the capsule is elongated-
cylindraceous and slightly curved. Hence the smooth ca-
lyptra is signified in the generic name, a, (privitive) without
and thrix Gr. hair, the hairless cap or smooth cap moss.

Further distinctions need not be pointed out ; these general
and more obvious characteristics being deemed sufficient
to our present purpose. We come to an enumeration of the
species according to our plan.

1. POLYTRICHUM COMMUNE. Linnesus Species Plantarum,
p. 1573. Hooker and Taylor's Muscologia Britannica, 2d
Ed., p. 46, table X. Smith's Linnaeus Flora Lapponica,
pp. 322. 326. Sullivant in Gray's Botany of the Northern
United States, &c. &c.

This species is to be found in moist places, and as its
name implies is a common plant. It varies considerably in
sizes. Its capsule is four sided and acute-angled, which
the ferruginous colored hairy calyptra completely "covers,
extending below the base : its operculum (the lid covering
the orifice of the capsule) is short* The stem} which rises

The PolytrichncccB of Essex County. 119

from the earth, is simple and clothed with linear-lanceolate
shaped leaves, which are bent backwards when in a fresh
state, and are likewise serrate on their margins and backs.
We are informed by Linnaeus that this moss enters largely
into the comforts of the inhabitants of Lapland, who use it
for bedding and similar purposes. "In the north of Eng-
land, mattresses superior to those of straw are sometimes
made with it, and Burnett also adds, after quoting Johnston,
for the last statement, that it " was formed for promoting
the growth of the hair, and that in Germany it is esteemed
as a sudorific.' " Outlines, vol. I, pp. 287-8. Nor less in-
teresting is its geographical distribution, having been found
throughout Europe, in temperate and frigid parts of Asia,
in Kamschatka, North America, Newfoundland, Peru, the
Falkland Islands and Madagascar.

2. POLYTRICHIJM GRAciLE (Mcnzics. Trans. Linn. Soc.
IV. &c.) Bridel., Brylogia Universall. 154. Sulliv.in Gr.l.c.

Usually of smaller size than the last, with a four to six-
sided and obtuse-angled capsule, a longbeakcd lid; the
hairy calyptra shorter than the capsule.

Detected in boggy places at Ipswich, by the late WILLIAM
OAKES.

3. POLYTRICHUM juNirERiNUM. Hedwig. Species Musco-
rum, &c. Brid. Bry. II. 136. H. & T. Muse. Brit. tab.
X. Sulliv. in Gr. 1. c.

Stem either simple or divided,leaves terminating in a some-
what stiff point ; the margins fold inwards and are smooth on
their edges ; a peculiarity which distinguishes the species.
It is also quite a common plant.

4. POLYTRICHUM PILIFERUM. (Schreber) H. & T. Muse.
Brit. tab. X. Brid. Bry. II. 142. Sulliv. in Gr. 1. c.

This common and striking little moss occurs on sunny
aspects among rocks, and can be readily known by its long
white awns at the tips of the leaves, which when appressed
to the stem by dryness, give the plants a hoary look. Its
capsule is oblong, four-sided, its lid is conical, beaked, and
its foliage crowded at the top of the stem.

5. POGONATUM BREVICAULE. Brid. Bry. II. 114. Polytri-

120 The Danvers Bowlder.

chum Pmnsylvanicum. Hedvv. Sp. Muse. t. 24. Sulliv.
in Gr. 1. c.

One of the smallest of the polytrichacese, and not unfa-
miliar to any one, who has been attracted by the habits of
some of the mosses, that delight to grow on moist slopes of
sandy or clayey soils. Its stems rise from a flat tissue of
green, closely compacted filaments. On their summits are
a few crowded and appressed, somewhat denticulate leaves.
It is specified incorrectly, as a new species in a previous
number of this Journal, on page 92, line 20, where it may
be erased and the true name substituted.

6. ATRICHUM ANGUSTATUM (BEAUVAIS.) Sulliv. inGr. 1. c.
Catharinea angustata. Brid. Bry. II. 105. Polytrichwn
angustatum. Hooker; Muse. Exot. t. 50.

The leaves of this pretty moss are thin, delicate and in-
clined to curl inwards at their tips, suggesting the specific
name on the 92d page of No. II. of this Journal where, erase
the 4th line. The description there found, refers to the
name and synonyms at the head of this paragraph, and the
plant in question has also, no particular affinity with " Po-
lytrichum lacvigatum of Wahlenburg," which is exclusicely
a species of high northern latitudes.

The Atrichum angustatum may be seen in thin, grassy,
and moist places under trees, or in spots wherever shade
and moisture prevail.

THE DANVERS BOWLDER, or Ship Rock.

The phenomena of bowlders have been considered the
most instructive index we possess of a powerful diluvial
agency. They are found in great numbers throughout the
whole extent of Massachusetts, are usually somewhat
rounded in outline, and are rendered quite smooth by attri-
tion or by atmospherical agency.

Russell on some Polylhalamia. 121

SHIP ROCK stands upon the summit of a precipitous cliff,
about half a mile distant from Tapley's Brook, and directly
I'.orth of the dwelling house of Mr. David Newhall, on the
road to Lynnfield. It is of granite, and measures forty-five
feet in length, twenty-two in height and twenty-five in
width. Its shape is tolerably regular, resembling in some
respec(s an inverted vessel, whence its name, but not ad-
mitting of a very exact measurement. Supposing its mean
circumference to be one hundred feet, its diameter would
be about thirty feet, and if it were spherical, its weight
would be about eleven hundred tons. The area surrounding
the Rock is also covered with loose masses of stone, many
of which are estimated to weigh from fifty to seventy-five
tons.

MINUTE POLYTIIALAMOUS SHELLS OCCURRING ON THE COAST OF MAINE, NEW
ENGLAND. By Jous LEWIS RUSSELL, Member of the Society, &c. Read June 29, 1842.

The advantages which the microscope affords the natur-
alist, seem likely to be appreciated in these times of general
inquiry. Worlds of beauty — rare gems of exquisite per-
fection, and objects of consummate skill, with unsurpassing
instances of design, are daily unfolding themselves to the
curious eye. The representatives of animated creation in
the lower forms of animal and vegetable life, so minute as
to escape the common observation are revealed by this
instrument in modes well calculated to excite surprise,
admiration and instruction.

The sands on the calcareous coasts of England, present a
variety of the most beautiful forms of minute creatures
belonging to the order of FORAMINIFERA, established by
D'Orbigny. They serve a similar purpose as the silicious
coverings of the infusoria, in making up by their vast con-
geries, entire strata and large proportions of soil in different
parts of the world. " The sea downs of some and probably
of most coasts are still in course of formation by living
Bryozoa, which though very small, resembling grains of

122 Notices of several Fishes of Rare Occurrence.

sand, are yet for the most part larger than chalk animal-
cules, and a large proportion of the sand of the Libyan
Desert has been proved to consist of such grains." Wea-
ver's Views otEhrenbergs discovery, in PhilosophicalJour-
nal of London and Edinburgh, vol. 18. p. 386.

I have seen no notice of these minute shells in this
country excepting an accidental one by Dr. A. A. Gould,
in his Report on the Invertebrate animals of Massachusetts,
in the following words, viz : "Of the very curious and
minute Nautilacess, so many of which have been found
about the British islands, there are doubtless many among
the sands of our shores ; but none have as yet been detect-
ed." p. 317.

During the month of August, 1841, 1 had the satisfaction
of finding several of these "curious and minute" shells,
mixed with sand, adhering to a species of marine Conferva
on the beach of Kennebunk, Me. Two distinct species of
these were nautiloid in their structure, and resembled No-
NIONINA as figured by Ehrenberg in the Abhandlingen der
Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin, aus
dan Jahre, 1839 : described as found living in the North
Sea. Another species appeared to belong to ROTALIA, and
still another species to UUINQUELOCULINA. They are all very
minute, and can only be distinguished by a magnifying
glass, perceptible to the naked eye as mere points or specks,
when laid on some colored substance. The two nautiloid
species are very beautiful as seen highly magnified, of a
pearly lustre, and partially translucent.

To the Conchologist, the microscope willopen'perhaps. a
new field of interesting observation, and in these and simi-
lar " gems of the ocean" hidden wonders surpassing in
elegance the richest treasures of the cabinet may be detected.

NOTICE OF SEVERAL FISHES OF RARE OCCURRENCE. By HENRY WHEATLAXD.

MONOCANTHUS AURANTiACUs, MITCHELL. The Orange File
Fish. See Dekay's Rep. on Fishes of N. Y. p. 333, pi.

Notices of several Fishes of Rare Occurrence. 123

LV1I. fig. 186. Storer's Synopsis, p. 244. Proceed. Host.
Soc. Nat. Hist. II. p. 72.

A specimen now in the Society's collection was captured
at the Forest River Lead Works in Salem, Aug. 9, 1845.
It was observed in the act of feeding upon the barnacles
(Balanus ovularis) which grew upon the wood work of the
pier, and was noticed for some time before it was secured.
It is a Southern species, and therefore a stranger to us. Its
size is appended as follows, viz : Length 21 inches, depth
across from base of the dorsal spine 8 1-2 inches. This
dorsal spine is single, measuring two inches in length, ser-
rated on the posterior edge, and forms a sort of armature.

LEPTOCEPHALUS GRACILIS. STOKER in Proceed. Bost. Soc,
Nat. Hist, vol. II. p. 70. Storer's Synopsis, p. 272.

Through the kindness of George H. Devereux, the speci-
men of this new and exceedingly rare little fish, was for-
warded to the Society in the year 1845. It was taken at
Cherryfield, Maine, from a basin formed in a timber raft ;
and its occurrence introduced a new genus to the Ichthyo-
logy of this continent. Its appearance is like that of a
narrow piece of tape, ending in a somewhat acute point at
the snout, and diminishing gradually in a similar way, to
the end of the tail, which is however rather more blunt. It
is also so thin that when alive it must have been transpa-
rent. In Pennant's British zoology, vol. III. p. 212, pi. 28,
mention is made of a species still rare in England, under
the title of Leptocephalus Morrisii. The same is described
and figured in London's Mag. of Nat. Hist. vol. 6. p. 531 ;
and reference is made to four other specimens in the fifth
vol. pp. 313. 742., occurring in Great Britain. The Cher-
ryfield specimen is a distinct species, as shown by Dr.
Storer in his observations, as quoted at the head of this
paragraph.

THYNNUS VULGARIS. Cuv. AND VALENC. Common Tu-
ny. See Yarrell's British Fishes, vol. I. p. 134, and fig.
Storer's Report of the fishes of Massachusetts, p. 47, &c.

121 Notices of several Fishes of Rare Occurrence.

A specimen of this rare fish was found stranded on the
flats of the North River, Salem, between the Railroad and
Beverly bridges, Aug. 23, 1846. It is commonly known to
us as the Horse Mackerel or Albicore ; but seldom seen in
our waters and never noticed in shoals as in the Mediterra-
nean Sea.

The size of the specimen by measurement was found to
be nine feet and six inches in length, and in girth seven feet,
measured near the pectoral fins; which it is to be observed,
exceeds the usual size as judging from those caught in the
Mediterranean where they seldom exceed four feet in length,
and frequently are not more than three feet long.

PRIONOTUS Spp. Guv. AND VALENC.

Two specimens were presented to the cabinet during the
summer of 1847, caught in Salem Harbor; supposed to be
Prionotus lineatus and Prion. pileatus. See Storer in Pro-
ceed. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. p. 77. Storer's Synopsis, pp.
50 and 270.

CARANX DEFENSOR. Southern Caranx. Dekay, Report,
Fishes of N. Y. p. 120. pi, xxiv. fig. 72.

This beautiful fish was found on the Lynn beaches,
during the summer of 1S47, by Mr. Joseph True, to whom
we are indebted for the specimen. It is fourteen inches in
length.

TETRAODON TURGIDUS. MITCHELL. Swell Fish or Puffer.
See Storer's Report, p. 169. Storer's Synopsis, p. 241.

A specimen of this curious fish was caught in Salem Har-
bor in the summer of 1848. Though very common south
of Cape Cod, yet it is not usually seen in Massachusetts
Bay.

SEBASTES NORVEGICUS. Cuv. Norway Haddock. Also
known as the " Rose Fish" t£ Hemdurgan" and
" Snapper." See Storer's Report, p. 26.— Synopsis p. 60.
A specimen of this uncommon species was caught offMise-

Rare P hints of the Vicinity, 125

ry Island, in Salem Harbor, August, 1848, and presented
to the Society.

ECHENEIS ALBICAUDA. MITCHELL. White Tailed Re-
mora. See Storer's Report, p. 153. Synopsis p. 231.

A specimen was caught in Collins' Cove, Salem, Au-
gust, 1850, by Mr. Jacob Striley. Cabinet of the Society.

FURTHER NOTICE OF RARE PLANTS. BY JOHN LEWIS RPSSKT.L.

ZOSTER A MARINA. L. Eel Grass. Sea wrack. This
plant may be readily found in blossom in the month of June ;
at which season of the year, I have repeatedly gathered it
near the tide mills in Salem, and likewise in other places
on our shores.

VACCINUM VITIS ID^EA, L. This beautiful representative
of a more Northern flora was detected by the late William
Cakes, in a pasture in Danvers, in the year 1820. The
spot has been favorably regarded ever since, as interesting
to the botanist, and according to the observations of Samuel
P. Fowler, the plant has gradually increased from year to
year. Mr. F. has had the satisfaction of detecting another
locality about two miles distant, where a variety of the
plant with narrower leaves occurs. It is likewise suscepti-
ble of cultivation, as Mr. F. has proved.

CLADONIA UNCIALIS, variety e, ^reticulata.
In great perfection of size and fructification at Duxbury,
Plymouth County, where I have gathered it in abundance,
and I have noticed it also on Monadnoc in a sterile state.
3

1.26 Shells found in Essex County.

It now constitutes a species under the name of CLADONIA
BOREGI. Tuckerman, for reasons, which he specifies in his
Synopsis of the Lichenes of Northern United States, &c.

CLAUOMIA GRACILTS. Variety elongata, FRIES. In a fine
fruited condition on a high rocky hill in Danvers.

CONSPECTUS OF SHELLS FOUND IN ESSEX COUNTY, &c.

The attention, which the study of the lower tribes of
marine and of molluscous animals have received within
the last twelve years, since the issue of the second number,
induces the attempt to furnish a list of the localities of those
usually called shells, as well as the occurrence of other
species of the same, not specified in the " Familiar Notice."
In preparing the present paper, constant reference has been
made to Dr. Gould's Report on *he Invertebrata of Massa-
chusetts, published in 1841, to the several volumes of the
Boston Journal of Natural History, to the Proceedings of
the Boston Society of Natural History, and likewise to the
" Shells of New England," by Win. Stimpson, 1851.

The waters of the bay which wash the shores of our
County have been dredged, the maws of fishes caught in
deep water have been examined, and the various seaweeds
driven on the beaches by winds have been carefully search-
ed. The muddy bottoms of estuaries where fresh and salt
waters combine, have been inspected, and our rocky hillsides
and extensive ponds have received attention, by members
of our Society and by others. The names of Dr. William
Prescott, formerly of Lynn, of Dr. Henry Wheatland, of
Salem, of Mr. Joseph True of Salem, of Messrs. Tufts and
Haskell of Lynn, of Mr. William Stimpson of Cambridge,
may be adduced.

S/iclls found In Essex County. 127

As a condensed view of the present knowledge of this
portion of the Zoology of Essex County, the list may be of
value, while it may serve at the same time to awaken new
zeal in further scrutiny.

The following abbreviations have been employed to de-
note authorities.

Gould's Report, &c., G.

Boston Journal, &c., Bost. Jourri.

Proceedings of the Boston Society, &c.. Bost. Proc,

Stimpson's Shells of New England, St. Sh.

Dr. Henry Wheatland, W.

Dr. Wm. Prescott, P.

Joseph True, Tr.

S. Tufts, jr., T.

Tufts £ Haskell, T. & H.

Wm. Stimpson, St.

J. P. Cothouy, Couth.

Prof. Adams, A.

Lamarck, Lam.

Linnaeus, L.

Adeorbis costulata. St. Bost. Proc. iv. p. 14. In deep
water off Cape Ann.

Alasmadonta marginata. G. Shawshin River, Andover.
Amicula vestita. St. Sh. Chiton Emersonii. Couth. G.
Salem Harbor. W.

Anatifa vitrea. Lam. On fuci thrown up on Lynn beaches,
after storms in summer. Tr.

Ancylus fuscus. A. Andover. G.

Anodon irnplicata. G. Ponds, Lynn. P. Brown's Pond,
Danvers, W. These and the other Naiades of New Eng-

Shells found in Essex County.

land seem to have been under revision by Agassiz : See
Stimpsorfs Shells of N. E., at pp. 13. 15.
Ariomia ephippium. L. About Orne's Point, W.

Variety aculeata. Lynn. P. -Tr.

Variety squamula. Lynn Tr.

Astarte castanea. G. Orne's Point, W.
Astarte quadrans. G. Lynn, P. Salem Harbor, W.
Astarte sulcata. G. Orne's Point, W. Marblehead Har-
bor at low water. St. Sh. IS. Lynn, Tr.

Buccinum plicosum, G. Common in the tide-mill ponds,

Salem, Tr.
Buccinum undatum, L. Salem harbor. T. St. Sh. 46.

Bulimus lubricus, G. Salem, Tr.

Bulk punctostriata, St. Bost. Proc. iv. 17. Off Cape Ann.
Bulla triticea, G. Off Kahant. T. & H. St. Sh. 50. Sa-
lem, Tr.

Cemoria Noachina, G. Stomachs of fishes. Salem har-
bor, W. Lynn beaches, Tr.

Chiton albus, G. Stomachs of fishes. Also cast ashore
upon the Lynn beaches, Tr.

Chiton marginatns, G. "Found living, a few years since,
by DR. CHARLES PICKERING, at Phillips beach," — Gould :
and " no other specimen has been found on our coasts."
St. Sh. 28.

Chiton ruber, G. Stomachs of fishes, W. Mr. True finds
this species to be the most abundant of any of the Chi-
tons on our beaches.

Cingula minuta, G. Lynn beaches, Tr.

Cochlodesma Leana, Couth. Anatina Leana, Conrad. G.
In a living condition at Point beach, Lynn, Tr.

Columbella Gouldiana ? "Ag. Ms." St. Sh. 48. Lynn
beaches, among the roots of kelp. (Laminaria Sp.) Tr.

Shells found in Essex County. 129

Cumingia tellinoides, G. One living specimen in tide-mill
pond, Salern, Tr.

Cyclas dubia, G. Lynn, P.

Cyclas partumeia, G. Lynn, P. Salem, Tr.

Dentatium dentale, G. Marblehead harbor by dredging
fifteen to twenty fathoms. W. Lynn beaches, Tr.

Fusus decemcostatus, G. Off Nahant, T. & H. St. Sh. 46.
Fusus harpularius, G. Dredged at Lynn, T. — Salem, W.

St. Sh. 49. Near Nahant, Couth. G. 291.
Fusus Islandicus, G. Tritonium Islandicum, Loven. Off

Lynn, T. & H. St. Sh. 46. — Also Variety pygmaeus, G.

Trytonium pygmceum, St. Sh. 46. Salem harbor. W.

HELICES. The following list of Helix proper was fur-
nished by Mr. S. Tufts, jr. He detected all the species on
wooded hill sides fronting a southern aspect at Swampscot,
Lynn. Mr. True has found the same in the limits of Sa-
lem, with one or two other species.

Helix albolabris, G.

Helix alternata, G.

Helix arborea, G.

Helix electrina, G.

Helix exigua, G.

Helix hortensis, G. Helix subglobosa, Binney, Bost.
Journ., vol I. pi. 17. On Eagle Island, Salem harbor,
occurring abundantly with H. H. alternata and albola-
bris.

Helix indentata, G.

Helix labyrinthica, G.

Helix lineata, G.

Helix minuscula, G.

Helix pulchella, G.

Helix chersina, G. Salem, Tr,

Helix Sp. Salem, Tr.

] 30 Shells found in FJsscx County.

Kellia rubra, G. On various species of sea -weeds (Algx)
in summer, abundant, Lynn beaches, Tr.

Leda limatula, St. Salem harbor, W. St. Sh. 10. Lynn

beaches. Tr.

Leda myalis, St. Nucula — G. Lynn beaches, P.
Leda sapotilla, St, Nucula — G. Salem harbor, W.

Limnceadct. Mr. True has found the following species of
this order near Salem, within its limits: and nearly all
the same have also been detected by Dr. Prescott, in
Lynn.

Ancylus fuscus, G.

Limnsea columella, G.
Limnsea elodes, G.
Limnsea macrostoma, G.
Limnsea modicellus, G.
Limnsea umbilicata, G.

Planorbis armigerus, G.
Planorbis bicarinatus, G.
Planorbis campanulatus, G.
Planorbis deflectus, G.
Planorbis exacutus, G.
Planorbis elevatus, G.
Planorbis hirsutus, G.
Planorbis lentus, G.

Physa ancillaria, G.

Physa elongata, G. Lynn, T.

Physa heterostropha, G.

Lucina radula, G. Single valves on Lynn beaches, Tr,

Shells found in Essex County. 131

Mactra lateral is, G. Abundant in the muddy bottom of

the tide-mill pond, Salem, W.
Margarita arctica, G. Salem, Tr.
Margarita argentata, G. Off Cape Ann. Gould, 256.

Lynn beaches, Tr.
Margarita obscura, G. Beverly harbor, Agassiz. Off Egg

Rock, near Nahant, T. &. H. St. Sh. 31.
Margarita undulata, G. Alive on Phillip's beach, Gould,

254.

Menestho albula, St. Pyramis striatula, Couth. Vicinity
of Cape Ann, Couthouy. Gould, 269. Off Baker's
Island, Wheatland, St. Sh. 40.

Mesodesma arctata, G. Off Nahant, Gould 57. Abun-
dant at Plumb Island, near Newburyport, W.

Nassa trivittata, Say. Buccinum trivittatum, G. In abun-
dance at Phillip's beach in a living condition. Dr. Pres-
cott, Gould 309.

Natica flava, G. One specimen, Salem, Tr.

Natica immaculata, G. Salem harbor, W. St. Sh. 43.

Natica pusilla, G. Stomachs of fishes off Half-way rock,W.

Nncula delphinodonta, Mighels. Off Cape Ann, St. in
Bost. Proc. iv. 13.

Osteodesma Hyalina, G. Salem, Tr.

Paludina decisa, G. Common in ponds and fresh water
streams in Essex County.

Pandora trilineata, G. Beaches at low water, W. In a
living condition, Lynn beaches, Tr.

Pecten Magellanicus, G. Orne's Point and Beverly Bar,W.
Philine formosa, St. in Bost. Proc. iii. 334. Off Cape Ann.

Pleurotoma bicarinata, G. Off Nahant, Couthouy. Lynn,
Dr. Prescott. Gould, 281,

Shells found in Essex County.

Plerotoma violacea, St. in Bost. Proc. iv. 17. Muddy bot-
tom of Salem harbor.

Pupa curvidens, G, Phillips' Point, Lynn, Gould 189.

Rissoa eburnea, St. in Bost. Proc. iv. 15. Two specimens

in thirty fathoms, off Cape Ann.
Rissoa multilineata, St. in Bost. Proc. 1. c. Dredged in five

fathoms off Great Misery Island (Salem) and also near

Nahant.
Rissoa pelagica, St. Cingula semicostata, Mighels, Bost.

Journ. iv. 49. Somewhat abundant in deep water off

Cape Ann. St. Sh. Bost. Proc. iv. 15.

Scalaria Groenlandica, G. Off Nahant, T. & H. St. Sh.

39, stomachs of fishes, Salem harbor, W. Lynn beaches,

Tr.
Scalaria Novanglise, Couth., Bost. Journ. ii. 96. pi. 3. f. 5.

A single specimen off Cape Ann, Couth. 1. c.

Serpula vermicularis, G. Lynn, P. Beaches at Lynn, on
the smaller sea weeds, Tr.

Solemya velum, G. Salem and Lynn, Tr. See Stimp-
son's " Shells of New England," p. 21, for an account of
the habits of this animal.

Solen ensis, L. Shores Lynn, Salem, &c.

Spirorbis sinistrorsa, G. Abundant on Fuci. &c., Salem,

Tr.
Spirorbis spirillum, G. On algae, Lynn, Tr.

Succinea campestris, G. Salem, Russell.
Succinea ovalis, G. Salem, Russell.

Terebratula septentrionalis, G. Salem harbor, not rare, W.

Teredo dilatata, St. in Bost. Proc. iii. 113. In floating
wood, such as buoys at Marblehead and Lynn, T.

Thracia truncata, Mighels. Deep water off Lynn, T. St.
in Bost. Proc. iv. 13.

Shells found in Essex County. 133

Turritella acicula, St. From fishes caught off Lynn,
Tufts ; also off Cape Ann. St. in Bost. Proc. iv. 16.

Turritella areolata, St. From fishes off Cape Ann, St. in
Bost. Proc. iv. 16.

Velutina haliotoides, Moller. Beverly harbor, Agassiz.
St. in Bost. Proc. iv. 44.

Velutina zonata, G. From stomachs of fishes off Half-way
Rock, W. Lynn, Tr.

NOTE.

HYLODES PICKEBINGII. This beautiful native reptile first described and
figured by Dr. Holbrook, in his North American Herpetology, will be found
to be described under an incorrect name, viz: (Hyla femoralis, var. c.)
See p. 93. The Genus Hylodes was separated from Hyla by Zitzenger, on
account of the absence of a sternum (breastbone) as in the true Hyla. Dr.
CHARLES PICKERING, formerly of this city, discovered it, in this vicinity, several
years ago, and, as a new species, it has been dedicated to him ; a tribute of
scientific respect.

INDEX.

Page.

Page-

Act of Incorporation
Address before the Society

25

5

Ascription of Hyla
dolomite

96

86

Agriculture connected with Natural

donations (1836)

87

History

17

)onors to Library

80

Albicore

121

Dru Drury Mr. (note)

107

Alphabetical List of County Mol-

lusca

110

£arly Flower Exhibitions

7

Amygdaloid trap
Argillaceous Slate

84
79

Scheneis albicauda
^chium vulgare

125

98

Asbestos

89

^hrenberg (note)

15

Atrichum angustatum

120

Smys punctata

95

^pidotc

87,89

Bacomyces roseua

99

?,psom Salts

85

Balanus ovularis

123

ixtra price for an insect

103

Bass rock

86

Bichat on Anatomy

16

familiar Notice of Shells, &c.

47

Borrera furfuracea

99

Felspar

88

Brecciated porphyry

83

Filefish

122

Bye-Laws

28

Fluate of Lime

85

Foraminiferae

121

Cacicus ingens

103

Fossil vegetation

16

Calcareous spar

86

Fructification of Zostera

97-125

Caranx defensor

124

Carbonate of Magnesia
Catalogue of Library (1836)

86
S3

Gneiss
Goliathus Drurii

78
103

Cetonia

102

G. giganteus

104

Cetonia cacicus

104

G. maximus (note)

102

Cetonia polyphemus

107

G. princeps

104

Cetraria Islandica

99

G. regius

104

Chara vulgaris

96

Granite

78

Chalcedony

87

Greasy quartz

86

Chlorite

90

Greenstone

81

Chlorite Slate

90

Cladonia Boryi

126

Harris on African beetles

101

Cladonia Floerkeana

100

Hegemon

105

Cladonia gracilis variety clongata

126

Heg. Drurii

107

Cladonia rangiferina
Cladonia uncialis 100,

100
125

Hemdurgan
Hope on Goliathiada1

124

106

Committees

29

Horsemackerel

124

Compact felspar
Conspectus of Essex Co. Shells

89
126

Hyla Pickeringii 93
«« " and note 133

Constitution

26

Copper
Crystal Beach

91

87

Importance of minuti^
Insect paste board (note)

19
20

Cyclosis

96

Iron

91

Datholite

86

Jasper

87

Derbyshire Spar

85

Index.

135

Labradoritc

Lead

Leptocephalus gracilis

Library

Lyonnet

Manganese

Magnesian Carb. lime

Magnesian Serpentine

Magnolia

Mecynorhina

Meeting at Topsfield

Metals

Mica

Monocanthos aurantiacua

Natica heros noticed
Natural Lace (note)
Natural history easy
Nautilacce
Nichols on Hyla
Nichols on rare toads
Nonioninoc
Norway haddock
Notice of rare plants

Officers (1833-1837)
Origin of the Society
Ornithorynchus

Peeping frog

Pogonatum brcvicaule

Polythalamia

Polytrichum commune

P. gracile

P. juniperinum

P. piliferum

Porphyry

Prase

Prehnite

Prionotus

P. lineatus

P. pileatus

Puudingstonc

Quartz
HuiuqueloculitKi

Page.

Page,

89 Rana fontinalis

95

91

Rare fishes

122

123

Red Rock

83

8

Remarks on Hyla

93

15

Rosefish

124

Rotalia

122

90

Rhomb Spar

86

86

89

Sand of the Desert

122

7
107

Scaphiopus
first appearance of

113
114

6

time of spawning

116

91

Schorl

89

88

Sea wrack

125

122

Sebastes Norvegicus

124

Shells

49

112

Ship Rock 109

, 120

20

Sienite

79

11

Siliceous Breccia

83

122

Snapper

124

93

Southern Caranx

124

113

Species of Hegemon

105

122 Sticta crocata

99

124

S. pulmonacea

99

96

Swell fish

124

32

Tetraodon

124

6

Thynnus vulgaris

123

8

Unio complanatus, its localities

113

94
119

Unique specimen
Utricularia inflata

107
99

121

118

Vaccinium vitis Idaoa

125

119

Varioloid wacke (note)

84

119
119

Verd antique marble
Very old trees (note)

84
21

82

oa

Vespertilio pruinosus

76

80

89

Willis' Hill

83

124

Woodend

91

124

124

Yellow Quartz

86

8

Zostera marina

125

86

122

ERRATA,

Page 46. Line 1 — for have read has .

47. 13— dele the comma.

48. 1— after Latin insert a comma.

49. 27 — after being insert often.

02. 23 — after solid issima, insert a period

52. 27— for Du read Dr.

53. 1 — for variety a read variety ', a.
53. 18 — at its close insert a period.

55. 31— for the semicolon substittite a comma.

57. 22 — for vary read variety.

63. 1 — for peircer read piercer.

71. 8— after short insert a comma.

75. 1 — for Montague read Montagu.

S2. 2 — for occurs read occur.

88. 30 — after Feldspar dele the comma.

93. 7 — after calyptra insert a.

99. 16— for Aurata read Crocala.

100. 22 — for bacillaris read Floerkeana.

113. 12— for Trichotropris read Tricholropis.

117. 16 — for aud read and.

117. Third line from bottom for foliages read foliage

118. Fourth line from bottom for sizes read size.

119. 10— for formed read famed.

119. 18— for Brylogia read Bryologia.

120. Twelfth line from bottom for exclusicely read exclusively.

121. 10 — for huundred read hundred.

125. 14 — for Vaccinum read Vaccinium.

126. 3— for BOREGI. Tuckerman read BORYI of Tuckerman

127. 18— for Cothouy read Couthouy.
129. 6— for Dentatium read Dentalium
129. 13— for Trytonium read Trilonium.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY