N.

PRO^CEEDINGS

:i^. C

jSoBton Sonetg of Natural ^istorg.

VOL. III.

1848 TO 1851.

CAMBRIDGE:

PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY,

BY BOLLES AND HOUGHTON.

1851.

;^

•'Vv

^IV)U

PATRONS OF THE SOCIETY.

John R. Ad an.

Nathan Applelon.

Samuel A[)pleton.

William Appleton.

F. H. Ap[)leton.

T. G. Ap[)leton.

Charles Amory.

Satnuel Austin, Jr.

John A. Binney.

Mrs. Amos Binney.

Miss Mary G. P. Binney.

Miss Emeline Binney.

S. Batchelder.

Peter C. Brooks.

P. C. Brooks, Jr.

John Bryant.

James Brown.

W. S. Bullard.

Henry Cabot.

Samuel Cabot.

Henry Codman.

J. Chickering-.

John P. Cushing,

P. R. Dalton.

James Davis, Jr.

J. J. Dixvvell.

J. W. Edmands.

Richard Fletcher.

J. M. Forbes.

J. L. Gardner.

B. A. Gould.

Ozias Goodwin.

F. C. Gray.

Horace Gray.

John C. Gray.

Benjamin D. Greene.

J. S. Copley Greene.

Franklin Haven.

Augustine Heard.

Samuel Hooper.

P. T. Homer.

Charles Jackson.

P. T. Jackson.

P. T. Jackson, Jr.
Miss A. P. Jones.
George H. Kuhn.
Amos LaMTence.
Ahbot Lawrence.
William Lawrence.
Thomas Lee.
Benjamin Loring-.
F. C. Loring.
John A. Lowell.
F. C. Lowell.
Theodore Lyman.
George W. Lyman.
James K. Mills.
Charles H. Mills.
T. H. Perkins.
Edward D. Peters.
Edward B. Phillips.
Pascal P. Pope.
Miss S. P. Pratt.
George Pratt.
Josiah Quincy, Jr.
E. H. Robbins.
Henry B. Rogers.
William Ropes.
Ignatius Sargent.
Willard Sayles.
David Sears.
Robert G. Shaw.
George C. Shattuck.
Philo S. Shelton.
William Shimmin.
M. H. Simpson.
Francis Skinner.
W. W. Stone.
William Sturgis.
J. E. Thayer.
John C. Warren.
T. B. Wales.
John Welles.
Thomas Wigglesworth,
John D. Williams.
J. H. Wolcott.

Note. By the Constitution of the Society any person contributing to its funds
a sum not less than fifty dollars, becomes a Patron.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 1 JAN. 1S48.

PROCEEDINGS

or THE

BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY.

TAKEN FROM THE SOCIETY'S RECORDS.

January 5, 1848.

The President in the Chair.

The Society met for the first time in their new Hall, in
Mason Street. A large number of members was present.

The President congratulated the members on the agreea-
ble circumstances under which the first meeting of the new
year was held. He remarked, that the Society had strug-
gled long under the difficulties imposed by narrow means
and limited accommodations, yet it had in past years proved
itself active and energetic, and had labored well, and con-
tributed its share towards the advancement of Natural His-
tory. He hoped it would go on with renewed zeal and
vigor for the future, and, under more favorable circum-
stances and increased means of usefulness, would not per-
mit the achievements of its maturity to contrast unfavorably
with those of its youth.

Dr. Storer corrected the record of the last meeting. His
statement that the Carcharias obscurus was the only Shark
of our waters with serrated teeth arose, not from any doubt
that the teeth of C. ceruleus were serrated, but from a doubt
whether that species was an inhabitant of our waters. He
has not known of any individual of that species having been

taken in our waters ; but he had been told, though not by
that gentleman himself, that Prof. Agassiz has a specimen
so taken.

Dr. Gould stated that the singing Mouse, caught in Bos-
ton, which he had exhibited at the last meeting, whose
performance at that time had been rather feeble, had aflford-
ed a sufficient excuse by producing the next morning three
young ones. Dr. G. had hoped to have preserved them, to
ascertain if they possessed their parent's musical powers ;
but they had all been destroyed by the mother, who has
since sung almost incessantly, and with more vigor than
before. Dr. G. said he had not yet ascertained by what
means the sounds were produced, but thought they might
be made by the labial fissure.

Mr. Desor remarked, that the power of a mouse to utter
musical sounds was in analogy with a similar faculty pos-
sessed by another family of the Rodentia, the Marmots, to
which it has long been known to belong.

The President exhibited casts of the Bones of Dinornis
giganteus, and compared them with those of the Ostrich
and Dodo. He also gave a sketch of Mr. Owen's latest
observations on the subject of the last-mentioned bird, and
the Apteryx of New Zealand.

Mr. Stodder exhibited specimens of manufactured Gutta
Percha, and made some observations upon its properties.

Mr. Desor, lately observing a luminous spot at night in
the waters of Boston harbor, took a boat and went to the
place, and obtained a bucket full of the water. It was
found abundantly stocked with c.ustacea, drawings of
some of which, as displayed by the microscope, were exhib-
ited by Dr. Gould. One of them appeared to be Calanus
arietis, Templeton.

Mr. Desor remarked, that the light was of a bluish tinge,
and is, as he conceives, dependent on the will of the animal.

Dr. Storer exhibited a Fish, of the genus Alotella, to
which he had given the name caudacuta. He remarked,

"This genus has been unknown to ihe waters of North Amer-
ica until 1 received the specimen which I now exhibit. Two
specimens were cast upon the beach at Long Point, Province-
town, in November kist. Capt. Atwood brought me one of them,
which I determined a new species, and have called caudacuta.
In some respects it agrees with F3iYne\Vs M. cimh^ia, or foiir-
hearded RockliJig, but differs in several important particulars.
The form of the tail furnishes the specific name."

Mr. Ay res presented specimens of two species of Fish
Aphrododerus Sayaniis, which Dr. Dekay says he has
never seen, although this specimen was taken within a short
distance of Dr. D.'s house ; and Leucisciis nasutus, from
Hampden county, Mass. The individual presented was
the one from which iMr. Ayres constituted the species.

Dr. Gould made some remarks upon the importance of
depositing in public cabinets, whenever they could be pro-
cured, the identical specimens from which species had been
described, and also of authentic specimens labelled by de-
scribers themselves, and of so designating them that the fact
should appear. He hoped the practice would prevail among
naturalists.

Mr. J. D. Whitney exhibited and described Jacksonite, a
new mineral from the Lake Superior region.

The analysis of the ignited mineral gave

Oxvgcn.

Ratio.

Cakailatcd

Silica

46.12

23.96

3

46.17

Alumina and a little Fe

25.91

12.09

H

25.68

Lime
Soda

27.03)
.85)

7.90

1

28.14

99.91

The oxygen of the silica, alumina and lime being as 3 : IJ- : 1^
or 6 : 3 : 2, the formula will be

Ca^ Si + Al Si
This, it will be perceived, is the formula which is given by

Walmstedt for Prehnite, except that it contains no water. The
Jacksonite, dried at 100° C, was found to contain less than -^^
per cent, of water. The ratio of the oxygen in this mineral is
an unusual one, and had led Berzelius to adopt another formula
for Prehnite.

Dr. Cabot announced the donation from Mr. James Rich-
ards, of a fine specimen of the Wandering Albatross, Diome-
dea exulans, Lin.

Mr. Sharp presented a Seed-vessel of Nelumbium luteum.

Messrs. Junius Hall and Horatio Bigelow were elected
members of the Society.

Dr. Storer offered the following resolutions, which were
unanimously passed.

Resolved, That the heartfelt thanks of this Society be present-
ed to those gentlemen whose munificence has enabled us to call
this temple our own.*

Resolved, That we will endeavor to prove our sense of obli-
gation by a renewed devotion to the cause of science.

Resolved, That we deeply feel the kindness and liberality of
George M. Dexter and Edward C. Cabot, Esqrs. in advising and
aiding in the architectural arrangements of our building ; and
most especially do we feel indebted to N. B. Shurtleff, M. D., for
the skill he has exhibited in adapting, and the zeal and fidelity
with which he has for months superintended the advancing work.

Dr. Storer remarked, that there were many individuals whom
it would be grateful to his feelings to thank, by name, for the aid
they had rendered in money and labor in the accomplishment of
the work. But, as he could not name some and omit others,
without injustice, he forbore. There was, however, one individ-
ual, whose services had been so efficient, that it might truly be
said that without him the enterprise could not have been accom-
plished. He meant the President of the Society. He was sure
that every member must feel how deep was our obligation to
that gentleman.

The Secretary offered the following resolution, which
was adopted.

* The sum of $28,660 was contributed for this purpose, mostly by the persons
whose names have been given on the first page, as Patrons of the Society.

Resolved, That each individual member be requested to con-
sider what books, if any, he can spare from his private collec-
tion, and make more extensively useful by adding them to the
Library of the Society ; and that he be requested so to deposit
them, either as a gift or under such conditions as he may see fit.

January 19, 1848.
The President in the Chair.

A large number of members present.

Dr. Kneeland read an account of a dissection by him of
the organs of an Alligator, which died recently in this city,
from injuries received by falling out of a window. Paper
referred to Publishing Committee.

Dr. Gould made some remarks in regard to the phospho-
rescence of animals, alluded to at the last meeting, and the
experiments and conclusions of Prof. Matteucci with refer-
ence to it. Prof. M. had placed glow-worms in oxygen gas
and in atmospheric air, both the entire bodies and the lumi-
nous portions only. After the luminosity was extinguished,
he found the air had lost oxygen and gained carI)onic acid.
Hence he concluded that a real combustion takes place.

Dr. Gould thought the experiments indecisive, inasmuch as the
effects observed were precisely those of respiration, for which no
allowance had been made. It did not appear that the same results
would not follow from placing any other insects under the same
conditions. In some of the experiments, parts of bodies only
were used ; yet the bodies of insects being provided with air-
tubes and ganglia throughout their whole length, portions of them
for some time after separation would still produce the effect of
the entire body, on the surrounding air.

Dr. Cabot remarked, that fire-flies leave a line of light on any
surface upon which they may be rubbed. The odor of fire-flies,

8

he said, resembles that of phosphorus. He regarded their light
as analogous to that of phosphorus.

Dr. C. T. Jackson mentioned having heard Prof. Hare, of Phil-
adelphia, speak of experiments he had made on fire-flies. He
had placed them in oxygen gas, but did not find that their light
was increased thereby. Dr. J. thought the odor to resemble that
of ozone, the odor which accompanies the development of elec-
tricity, to which, in his opinion, the light of fire-flies was owing.

Prof. Rogers remarked, that the point of combustion varied
very much in difTerent bodies. In some it was very low ; so that
it was difficult to pronounce in all cases that it did not exist.

Mr. Teschemacher exhibited several fine specimens of the
fossil vesretation of the anthracite coal, with sections and
portions of the leaves of recent palms, part of them artifi-
cially carbonized, in order to show the analogy between
their structure ; particularly as respects the character of the
transverse vessels. One of the specimens exhibited the in-
ternal part of a portion of a very large leaf (?) lying parallel
with, and only one-fourth of an inch distant from a mass of
stem of Sigillaria, probably belonging thereto.

He remarked, that the specimens on the table were but a
small portion of the new and undescribed forms of vegetation he
had discovered in the coal ; that in these the impression of form
or outline was not the most important evidence, for here was the
identical substance of which the plants were composed, carbon-
ized certainly, but nearly as perfect in the form of cell and ves-
sel, and in their relative position to each other, as when the
plants were in existence. He made various other observations
on the subject, and finally remarked, that although extremely
averse to theorizing in the present infancy of science, he could
not avoid stating his investigations thus far had inclined him to
the opinion of those geologists who considered the anthracite an-
terior to the bituminous coal formation. Beyond this, he thought
the result of these investigations might show the anthracite to
have undergone much more intense pressure than the bituminous
coal, and to be composed chiefly of large non-resinous acotyledo-
nous and monocotyledonous plants. That the subsequent appear-

ance of the resinous coniferse, &c. pervading the whole bitumin-
ous formation, was a step, perhaps not the first, in the progress of
the vegetable creation towards, he would not say those more per-
fectly developed forms, but towards those dicotyledonous forms
of the present day possessing more functions, and qualities more
adapted to the use of the animals, terminating with man, which
were to appear on the globe ; a progress somewhat analogous to
that supposed to have taken place in the animal creation.

He much regretted that the want of books, of living and dried
specimens of tropical acotyledonous and monocoty ledonous plants,
particularly of Palms and Graminese, and of a proper microsco-
pical apparatus, impeded his further and more minute investiga-
tion of this interesting subject.

Prof. Rogers hoped Mr. Teschemacher would persevere in the
investigation. Books could and ought to be procured. He
offered from his own collections, made in Pennsylvania, an abun
dant supply of specimens. On the subject of the relative ages of
the anthracite and bituminous Coals, he could not agree with Mr.
T. He thought his own and his brother's researches in Penn-
sylvania had demonstrated the parallelism of the two kinds, and
the progressive augmentation of bitumen as you advance towards
the west.

Dr. Gould exhibited specimens of Bulla solitar^ia, from
Plymouth Beach, collected by Rev. Mr. Hincks, who found
them in great numbers. Dr. G. was not before aware of
the existence of this shell in that locality. It had been
found at Newport, R. I., and Roxbury.

He also presented, on behalf of B. A. Gould, Esq., a por-
tion of the Jaw of a Skate, Raia ocellata, and a specimen
of Phrynosoma orbicular e. Also, an Agama from Prof.
Cleveland, of Bowdoin College.

Dr. Bacon exhibited masses of Gutta Percha, to show the
appearances which had been mistaken for wood and bark.

Mr. Teschemacher reported on the Seed-vessel of Ne-
lumbium luteum. Mr. Ayres remarked that the plant was
found as far north as Connecticut, in a pond in Middle Had-
dam, in that State.

10

Messrs. John B. Kettelle and John C. Dalton, Jr. were
elected members of the Society.

On motion of Mr. Teschemacher, it was

Voted, That the thanks of the Society be presented to Dr.
Storer, Dr. Cabot, and their associates of the Committee who
have labored with so much earnestness, perseverance, and suc-
cess, to raise funds for the purchase and adaptation of the build-
ing in which we now meet, for the use of the Society.

A specimen of Tillandsia usneoides^ taken from a live-
oak tree growing at Bona Vista, about three miles from
Savannah, was presented by George Griggs, Esq.

February 2, 1848.
The President in the Chair.

Seventeen members present.

Dr. Stone read an extract from the Penny Cyclopedia,
on Lampyris noctiluca, the Glow-worm, in which detona-
tion of hydrogen gas was said to have followed an immer-
sion of one of them in it.

Dr. Gould considered the phosphorescence of insects as
analogous to the luminous appearance sometimes presented
by putrefying fish, rotten wood, &c. He stated that Prof.
Agassiz was at present engaged in investigating the subject.
The President remarked, that Prof. A. had, in a recent lec-
ture, spoken of the coincidence of the luminous portion
with the position of the nerves, seeming to indicate a con-
nection between the luminosity and nervous action. Dr.
Gould reminded the Society of the fact that the electric
power of certain animals also rested in the nervous system.

The President compared the head of an Albatross with

11

the cast of that of a Dodo, and pointed out a general resem-
blance between them. Dr. Cabot remarked that the head
of the Dodo strongly resembled that of some of the Doves.

Mr. Desor stated that among the various animals that he
had procured lately by dredging in Boston harbor at a depth
of twenty-five or thirty feet, there were many specimens of
a small Star-fish, probably a new species, of the genus Echi-
naster, nearly allied to the European E. sanguinolentus.

Several specimens of these star-fishes carried around and be-
fore their mouths large bundles of small yellow bodies, of the
size of small pins' heads, which were the eggs. An interesting
fact is the existence of a strong maternal instinct in these animals.
On removing the eggs from the mother^s embrace, she was seen
to move at once directly towards them, and clasp them again.

On examining the eggs under a microscope, it was ascertained
that each egg contained a large, opaque, yellow sphere, which
was surrounded by a transparent fluid, similar to that which is
found in the eggs of the MoUusks, and being by no means of an
albuminous character. On escaping from the eggs the spheres
began almost immediately to contract at one extremity, so as to
form a sort of peduncle. It was no longer a simple yolk, but an
embryo. The peduncle became more and more marked, and
after a short time (commonly the first day) the embryo had as-
sumed a form very similar to that of a mushroom. In the mean
time there could be seen a distinct separation of the embryo into
two layers, an external one, more or less transparent, and an in-
ternal one, more opaque. Both were composed of very minute
nucleated cells, some having even a nucleolus.

In many cases the division into two zones may be perceived,
even when the embryo is still enclosed in its shell ; showing that
in these lower animals the hatching does not occur at a fixed
epoch of development, but that it may be considerably accelera
ted or retarded according to circum.stanees.

Dr. Storer announced the reception, from Capt. Atvvood,
of a Shark, captured at Provincetown, of a species which
he at present considered new. It might perhaps be the
same as one described by Dr. Wood, of Portland ; but as

12

his description was from a stuffed specimen, it was difficult
to decide whether it related to the same fish as the present
one, or not. If it did, it was far from a correct description
of the fisli in its natural state. The name of Dr. Woods's
species is Lyodon echinata.

The donation of a copy of the Map of the State from the
State government, was announced. The thanks of the
Society were voted for the same.

Messrs. Theodore Simmons, B. H. Dixon, and John H.
Stevenson, were elected members of the Society.

February 15, 1848.
The President in the Chair.

Twenty members present.

In reference to the remarks, at the last meeting, on the
connection between the luminous power in animals and nerv-
ous action, the President reminded the Society of the exist-
ence of phosphorus in the substance of the brain and nerves.

Dr. Kneeland read a paper on the anatomy of the inter-
nal organs of the Shark, lately received from Capt. Atwood.

Mr. J. D. Whitney exhibited a beautiful specimen of a
new mineral, Chlorastrolite, from Isle Royale, Lake Supe-
rior. The analysis showed it to belong to the Zeohte
family.

Dr. C. T. Jackson read a paper from Dr. H. C. Perkins,
of Newburyport, describing some experiments with Chloro-
form upon the lower animals, the result of which was to
show that Chloroform had the effect to retard the circulation.

Dr. Gould expressed surprise at this result, inasmuch as it
seemed different from the effect recorded by other observers ;

13

and he mentioned that Dr. Wyman, who has been engaged in
experiments of the same kind as those of Dr. Perkins, has made
no mention of such an effect.

Mr. Desor gave an account of some experiments of his own with
chloroform on various animals. He found the articulated animals
most readily affected. Cottiis resisted its influence for fifteen
minutes. Gammarus was paralyzed instantly on coming in con-
tact with a drop of chloroform ; they generally recovered after
different intervals. Asterias was as if dead for three days, and
revived on the fourth. Actinia was affected. In this animal
nerves have not been detected, although Prof Agassiz has disco-
vered muscular fibres. Their being susceptible to chloroform
goes to indicate the presence of nerves. As soon as a drop is
put on their tentacles, long white strings come out, the Sperma-
tophora, so called.

Dr. Gould remarked, that in examining ova, the application of
chloroform had the effect of stopping the motion of the ovule.
The strings mentioned by Mr. Desor, he thinks offensive and de-
fensive organs, which the animal thrusts out when irritated. The
stinging power of these animals is well known ; it is sufficient to
enable them to destroy small animals, and at a considerable dis-
tance. It probably resides in these threads.

Dr. Bryant remarked, that the effect of chloroform was by
some supposed to prove that the capillaries of the nerves of sen-
sation, being very minute, were affected before those of motion.

The President remarked, that Ether belongs to the class of
Excitants. The sedative effect is probably the effect of exhaus-
tion. Ether excites to increased energy, devouring, as it were,
the nervous energy.

Dr. W. F. Channing stated, that thinking it desirable to have the
effect of the inhalation of the vapor of the Hypo-Nitrous Ether
tested, as an opinion had prevailed that it was dangerous to life,
he had tried it on himself, and found the effect extremely dis-
tressing, and such as would probably be fatal, if carried to a
great extent.

Mr. Desor gave a further account of the development of
the embryo of the Star-fish, in the study of which he is now

14

engaged. The only observations we possess upon the Em-
bryology of these animals, are those of the Norwegian nat-
uralist, Rev. M. Sars ; but these concern merely the exter-
nal changes which the embryo undergoes. Mr. Desor has
devoted a closer attention to the internal organization. The
peduncle plays a most important part in the development of
the star-fish, being a receptacle for the yolk intended for the
nutrition of the embryo ; in consequence of which, its vol-
ume diminishes in proportion to the growth of the embryo,
until the yolk is completely exhausted, when it is taken up
into the body, like a reduced hernia, and becomes part of
the intestine.

After having gone through the Mushroom form, mentioned on
a former occasion, the embryo assumes gradually the shape of a
pentagon, the angles of which are at first very obtuse, but be-
come more and more projecting. After a few days (commonly
on the 3d or 4th) a swelling, like a transparent vesicle, may be
seen at the lower part of each angle of the pentagon. This is
the first indication of the tentacles. Some days after, the num-
ber of the vesicles had increased, and there were now for each
angle of the pentagon three vesicles, later still five, then seven,
&c., being separated by a depression, in which the first trace of
the ambulacral furrows was recognized. At the saine time
there was a small red dot appearing on each of the terminal
vesicles, which proved to be the rudimentary eyes. They are
mere pigment cells. On compressing an embryo of this age, we
see three separate zones ; an external one, generally somewhat
translucent, a second very transparent, and the internal yolk
mass, which is most opaque. The same layers exist also in the
peduncle.

On motion of Mr. G. B. Emerson, the thanks of the So-
ciety were voted to Dr. Shurtleff, for the great care he has
taken, for the time he has given, and for the taste and skill
he has exhibited, in providing for the accommodation of the
Society and its Collections.

Dr. William Read was elected a member of the Society.

15

March I, 1848.
The President in the Chair.

Present eighteen members.

Dr. Bacon, on behalf of Dr. Kneeland, read a paper on
the Anatomy of the internal organs of the Thresher Shark,
comparing them with those of the Shark from Provincetown,
described by him at the last meeting.

Mr. Desor continued his account of his experiments with
chloroform on animals.

Two small fishes, a Minnow and a Stickleback, were placed
in a jar of water. Twelve drops of chloroform being added, in
from four to five minutes they became stupefied. On being re-
moved from the jar, they revived in from twelve to fifteen min-
utes. On one specimen the experiment was tried five times, with
a manifestation of increased susceptibility with each repetition.
The circulation under the microscope was seen to be retarded ;
and in one experiment, where the fish was kept in the jar forty
minutes, it was brought to a complete stop. The fish was how-
ever not dead. The eye was clear, the color of the body un-
changed, and it continued poised as in life, with the back upper-
most. The circulation appears to cease first in the minute
capillaries of the tail. The hind part of the body is generally
bent. Motion in the pectoral fins ceases long after it does in the
others.

Dr. Cabot read a paper on the Dodo, which Cuvier ar-
ranged with the Gallinaceous birds, and Mr. Owen has since
classified with the Raptorial. Dr. Cabot classes it with the
Columbidge. His paper was referred to the Publishing
Committee.

Dr. Storer stated that the Shark recently received from
Provincetown, proved to be the same species as that taken
on the coast of Maine two years since, and which was de-
scribed and the description communicated to him at the

16

time by Dr. Wood, of Portland. After our specimen was
stuffed and dried, it proved to be the Somniosushi^evipinna,
Lesueur. Lesueur described his fish from a dried and
stuffed skin, which he saw in Marblehead, in 1818. Our
fish, when recent, did not answer at all to that description or
figure ; but when stuffed and dried, it agreed with it per-
fectly. One characteristic in particular worthy of notice,
the lateral line, scarcely observable in the recent fish, is ex-
ceedingly well marked, exhibiting the vertical bands pointed
out by Lesueur. These three specimens, Lesueur's, Dr.
Wood's, and the one belonging to the Society, are all the
Somniosus brevipinna, the Nurse or Sleeper Shark.

Prof. Rogers made some remarks upon the Infusorial de-
posit at the mouths of rivers in the Southern States. On the
Rappahannock, York, and James rivers, these deposits are
in great development. They are caused by the influx of
vast numbers of marine Infusoria by the flood-tide, which,
on meeting the fresh water of the river, are instantly de-
prived of life, and sink, leaving their silicious or calcareous
covering to swell the mass of delta and raise the river bed.

Dr. Goald remarked, that not only do the Marine animalculse
perish on meeting the fresh water, but tribes of fresh water
species also are destroyed by the access of the water of the
ocean, and add their bodies to swell the general mass.

Mr. Desor presented some remarks on some peculiar bo-
dies which are seen moving in the interior of the eggs of
different kinds of Eolis, and which have been described by
M. Nordmann as parasites, under the name of Cosmella hy-
drachnoides.

They are small spheres, with long, transparent threads attach-
ed to them, by means of which, with undulations like those of a
whip-lash, they move about with great activity. Some observers
might be led to consider them as independent existences. One
might even suppose them to be the first stale of those peculiar
parasites which Dr. Gould has found so numerous on the append-
ages of the full-grown Eolis. But, on the other hand, when we

17

consider that motion is by no means a characteristic peculiar to
animals, there would seem to be just as good ground for consid-
ering these moving bodies with their cilia as mere cells, similar
to the vibratile cells described by Henle. The fact that they
are only found when the embryo is already furnished with its
long cephalic cilia (cirrhi) might easily lead to the supposition
that they are only similar cilia detached from the head of the
embryo ; which is the opinion of Vogt. At any rate, they must
be proved to be animals befors they can be quoted as an argu-
ment in favor of the theory of spontaneous generation. Mr.
Desor exhibited to the Society these bodies under the microscope.

Dr. Cabot announced that he had procured in Boston
market a specimen of Turdus ncBvius, the first of the spe-
cies he had known to be procured east of the Rocky Moun-
tains. It was shot in New Jersey.

Dr. Shurdeff announced from the publishers of the Bos-
ton Atlas the donation of their newspaper. The thanks of
the Society were voted for this donation.

Dr. Gould announced the donation of a fine Collection of
American Insects, from John Bethune, Esq.

Dr. G. H. Lyman was elected a member of the Society.

March 15, 1848.
The President in the Chair.

Present, twenty-four members.

Mr. Desor gave a further account of the development of
the Star-fishes.

When the embryo is so far advanced that we can distinguish
the ambulacral furrows with the rudiments of the tentacles, we
may perceive, on compressing it, in the interior of the body,
several spots of a calcareous network between the outer zone

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 2 MAY, 1848.

18

and the internal yolk mass. These calcareous spots are not
scattered at random ; there are generally eleven principal ones,
five corresponding to the radii or ambulacres, five to the spaces
between them, and a central one, the rudiment of the madreporic
plate. The five interambulacral plates, which answer to the
masticating apparatus in other Echinoderms, approach after-
wards nearer to each other, so as to form a ring around the
attachment of the peduncle ; whilst those corresponding to the
rays recede, and form as it were a second ring outside of the
first. In the mean time new spots appear, but instead of form-
ing outside of those already existing, they come between the
two rings ; so that the ambulacral spots which were at the begin-
ning near those of the interambulacral ring, are constantly car-
ried further from the centre. The last plate of each ray is
therefore the oldest ; a fact by no means extraordinary if we
consider that it is connected with the eye, and protects it. In
a similar way we see, in the higher animals, the hand formed
before the arm and forearm. As the ambulacral plates are con-
nected with vision, and the interambulacral plates whh the func-
tion of nutrition, their early appearance may be considered as
an illustration of the general law, that the most important
organs are formed first.

Mr. Teschemacher observed, that in the Address, which
he had the honor of delivering before the Society in 1841,
and on several subsequent occasions, he had regretted the
neglect, by Geologists, of the study of Mineralogy. That
he had considered this study, as regards the unstratified
crystalline rocks, the equivalent of Paleontology, as regards
the sedimentary stratified deposits ; and that he had no
doubt ere long some master-spirit v^^ould derive from Mine-
ralogy many of the safest and surest landmarks of Geology.
These anticipations have been made good, in some papers
read before the Geological Society of France last year.

Mr. T. gave an account of those papers. First, that of Prof.
Scheerer, of Christiania, on some of the minerals in the Granite
of Norway, showing the existence of primitive, basic water in
them ; which, in the opinion of the Professor, militated against

19

the igneous origin of those rocks. Next, a paper by M. Virlet
D'Aoust, who contends that Granite and Gneiss are the result of
a " normal metamorphism " of stratified Slates and Schists. A
third paper, by M. Achille Delesse, on the chemical and mineral-
ogical character of the unstratified crystalline rocks of the
Vosges, in which he arrives at the generalization, " that rocks of
the same age are of the same chemical and mineralogical con-
stitution ; and reciprocally that rocks of the same chemical and
mineralocrical constitution are of the same age." He enters into
a minute examination of the Felspars and other minerals of those
rocks, and considers that the water chemically combined in the
Felspars is inconsistent with the idea of their igneous origin.

Mr. Teschemacher urged the importance of studying with
minuteness the mineralogical character of the boulders of this
country, before a proper comparison could be made between
them and the rocks in situ from which they are supposed to have
been separated. This he considered indispensable, before a true
judgment could be formed of the means by which, and the course
in which ihey had been moved. Mr. T. exhibited a ^Q\y speci-
mens in elucidation of his ideas.

Mr. Desor remarked on the metamorphic character of the
crystalline rocks of the Alps, and the absence of Granite in those
mountains. What had been called such was undoubtedly trans-
formed sedimentary rocks. He had himself collected Belemnites
in the so-called Mica-slate of St. Gothard.

Dr. Jackson said he had long been familiar with the altered or
metamorphosed rocks, and had minutely described them in his
State Geological Reports, particularly in that of Rhode Island, in
which he had described the alterations in the shales of the coal
measures. There may be seen, on the borders of the Rhode Isl-
and coal field, all the changes referred to ; and a mica-slate rock,
such as is used for scythe-stones, gradually passes into a slate and
sandstone rock of the coal measures. He had seen specimens
like those described in Mr. Teschemacher's communication.

As to the existence of water in minerals, he would say that it
existed in most volcanic minerals, and in many of those from
the primary rocks, and must have been present at the time of
their formation. He did not regard its presence as any proof

20

that the minerals were not of igneous origin, for if the water was
under pressure it might have been heated to a very high tempe-
rature without escaping. Indeed it is well known that water,
under artificial pressure, may be heated to redness without form-
ation of steam.

Prof. Rogers expressed the opinion that changes upon the
strata resulted not so much from intrusive veins or dykes, as from
the gases and steam discharged during paroxysmal action. He
illustrated it by the phenomena exhibited all along the south-east
side of the Appalachian chain, especially in its extension through
Western Massachusetts and Vermont. The crystalline marbles
of Berkshire are only the older Appalachian Limestone, (the Ma-
tinal series of his nomenclature, the Chazy limestone of the New
York survey) in a metamorphic dress ; their fossils obscured or
effaced by crystallization. This view, long ago advocated by him,
has been confirmed by the discovery, by Mr. Hall and others,
of organic remains in the less altered portions of the same form-
ations in Rensselaer county, New York. The strata equivalent to
the Hudson river Slates are to be seen in the western ranges of
Berkshire, altered to the Talcose and Chloritic Schists. Locali-
ties were pointed out, where the Argillaceous rocks are to be
seen under the aspect of true Gneiss, and the so-called Vitreous
Quartz rock appears in the disintegrated condition of a soft
Sandstone. Through all this belt of country there is an almost
entire absence of veins or dykes.

Prof. Rogers adverted to the progressive diminution of the
bitumen in the coals of the Appalachian chain, wherever we cross
the chain in the direction of northwest to southeast. This dimi-
nution reaches its maximum in Anthracites, to be met with only
along the south-east side of the belt ; where not only the coal, but
all the formations give evidence of igneous action. Yet here are
no traces of igneous, mineral injections. These facts have in-
duced him to refer the whole change to the agency of effluent
hot steam and gases, discharged during earthquake movements
that elevated the whole mountain chain.

With respect to the presence of water in igneous minerals, he
remarked that we should view water in its elements as among
the essential constituents of the molten interior of the globe ; 45
per cent, of the whole fabric visible by man consisting of one of
those elements alone, viz. oxygen.

21

Dr. Gould presented specimens of Land Shells from the
Phillippine Islands, selected from some sent to him by Mr.
Cuming. They were authentic specimens, being sent by
the original collector, and labelled by him. The labels were
marked A, to show their authority, and Dr. G. had added
some of his own, marked O, to show them to be originals.

Dr. Cabot said he had seen a specimen of the European
Widgeon, Anas penelope, which had been shot in New
Jersey ; the first instance he had known of that bird being
found in this country.

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY DURING THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel-
phia. Vol. III. No. 10. July and August, 1847. From the
Academy.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. 133. October,
1847. 8vo. London. From the Courtis Fund.

Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences,
pp. 49 to 160. 8vo. pamph. Boston, 1847. Fro?n the Academy.

Gelehrte Anzeigen der Koniglichen Bayerischen Akademie
der Wissenschaften. 22, 23. 4to. Munchen. 1846. From the
Academy.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. Tome 4. Feu-
illes 26-52. 8vo. Paris, 1846-7. From Soc. Geol. de France.

American Journal of Agriculture and Science. Conducted by
Dr. E. Emmons and A. Osborne. No. 18. October, 1847.
8vo. New York, 1847. From the Editors.

American Journal of Science and Arts. 2d Series, No. 12.
November, 1847. 8vo. New Haven. From the Editors.

Investigations in relation to Cane Sugar, made in obedience to
an act of Congress. 8vo. pamph. Washington, 1847. From
R. C. Winthrop.

Magazine of Horticulture, &c. No. 155. Edited by C. M.
Hovey. New Series, Vol. III. Nov. 1847. From the Editor.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. XX. No. 134.
November, 1847. 8vo. London. From the Courtis Fund.

Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Russischen Mineralogischen

22

Gesellschaft, zu St. Petersburg. Jahre, 1845-6. 8vo. pamph.
From the Imperial Mineralogical Society of St. Petershirg.

Magazine of Horticulture, &c. No. 156. December, 1847.
Froin the Editor.

Enumeration of North American Lichenes ; to which is prefix-
ed an Essay on the Natural Systems of Oken, Fries, and End-
licher. By Edward Tuckerman. 12mo. Cambridge, 1845.
Fro?n the Author.

American Journal of Agriculture and Science, June and Sep-
tember, 1847. 8vo. New York. Frojn the Editors.

Gray's Genera of Birds. Part 42, for October, 1847. Fro7n
the Audubon Fund.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Nos. 135 and 136.
Supplementary No. December, 1847. London. From the
Courtis Fund.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. 2d Series.
No. 13. For January, 1848. From the Editors.

Thomas Brown. Book of Butterflies, Sphinxes, and Moths.
Vol. II. 12mo. London, 1832. From H. H. Tuttle.

Philosophical Transactions. Vol. I. From 1665 to 1666.
From. B. P. Haines.

Darwin's Zoonomia. 4 vols. 8vo. London, 1801. Presented
by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr.

J. E. Smith. Compendium Florae Britanicae. 12mo. London,
1828. From the Same.

Darlington, W. Reliquiae Baldwinianse. Selections from the
Correspondence of the late William Baldwin. 12mo. Philadel-
phia, 1843. From the Same.

Rousseau, J. J. Letters on the Elements of Botany. With
Notes by T. Martyn. 8vo. London, 1785. From the Same.

Farrar, John. Elements of Electricity, Magnetism, and
Electro-Dynamics. 8vo. Boston, 1839. From the Same.

Experimental Treatise on Optics. 8vo. Cambridge, 1826.
From the Same.

J. Jonstoni. Thaumatographia Naturalis. 18mo. Amster-
dam, 1732. From the Same.

Bichat. Traite des Membranes en general et de diverses
Membranes en particulier. Nouvelle edition, revue et augmentee
des Notes par M. Magendie. 8vo. Paris. From the Same.

23

Annals of Botany. No. 5. 8vo. London, 1845. The Same.

Latreille. Memoires sur divers sujets de THistoire Naturelle
des Insectes, de Geographic Ancienne et de Chronologie. 8vo.
Paris, 1819. From the Same.

G. Breschet. Recherches Anatomiques et Physiologiques sur
I'organe de I'Audition chez les Oiseaux. 8vo. pamph. Paris,
1836. Atlas to ditto, 4to. Paris, 1836. From the Same.

Manual of Magnetism, with 180 Illustrations. 2d edition.
12mo. Boston, 1847. Presented ly Daniel Davis.

J. D. Dana. On certain Laws of Cohesive Attraction. 8vo.
pamph. Boston, 1847. Presented hy the Author.

Bulletin de la Societe Imperiale de Naturalistes de Moscou.
Nos. 1 and 2. Moscow, 1847. From the Soc. Imp. Nat.

Rapport sur la Seance Extraordinaire de la Societe Imperiale
de Naturalistes de Moscou, 8vo. 1847. Presented hy Charles
Cramer.

Researches into the Comparative Structure of the Liver. By
Joseph Leidy, M. D. 8vo. pamph. 1848. From the Author.

Twenty-seventh Annual Report of the Mercantile Library As
sociation. 8vo. pamph. New York, 1848. From the Asso
elation.

Outline of a Course of Geological Lectures. 8vo. New Haven
1829. From Dr. N. B. Shurtleff.

J. G. Spurzheim. Observations on the Deranged Manifesta
tions of the Mind, or Insanity. With Appendix, by A. Brigham
8vo. Boston, 1833. From the Same.

Letters on Entomology for Young Persons. 12mo. London
1825. From the Same.

F. J. Grund. Elements of Chemistry. 12mo. Boston, 1833
From the Same.

F. Accum. Practical Essay on the Analysis of Minerals
12mo. Philadelphia, 1809. From the Same.

R. B. Thornton. Grammar of Botany. 18mo. New York
1818. From the Same.

Domesticated Animals. 18mo. Boston, 1835. From the
Same.

N. Boubee. Geologic Elementairc. 18mo. Paris, 1833.
From the Same.

24

J. Joyce. Dialogues on Chemistry. 2 vols. 18mo. New York,
1818. F}'om the Same.

J. Rennie. Alphabet of Botany. 18mo. New York, 1833.
From the Same.

J. F. Dana. Epitome of Chymical Philosophy. 8vo. Con-
cord, N. H. 1825.

Lavoisier. Elements of Chemistry. 8vo. 2vols.ini. New
York, 1806. From the Same.

Bordeau. Dissertation sur les Eaux Minerales du Beam.
18mo. Paris, 1750. From Mr. S. G. Drake.

Phillips, W. Outline of Mineralogy and Geology. 18mo.
New York, 1816. Frojn the Same.

Dobson, M. Medical Commentary on Fixed Air. 8vo. Lon-
don, 1807. From the Same.

Poncelet. Histoire Naturelle du Froment. 8vo. Paris, 1779.
From the Same.

Annals of Philosophy, Natural History, &c. Vol. 3d. 8vo.
London, 1804. Fro?n the Same.

Pouillet. Elemens de Phisique Experimentale et de Meteo-
rologie. 4 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1832. From Dr. John Bacon^ Jr.

Pursh, F. Flora Americas Septentrionalis. 2 vols. 8vo. Lon-
don, 1814. From the Same.

Barton, B. S. Elements of Botany. 3d. ed. 8vo. 2 vols.
Philadelphia, 1827. From the Same.

De Candolle. Vegetable Organography. Translated by B.
Kingdom. 2 vols. 8vo. 2d ed. London, 1841. From the Same.

Davy, H. Elements of Agricultural Chemistry. 6th ed. 8vo.
London, 1839. From the Same.

Lindley, J. Theory of Agriculture, with Notes, &c. by A. J.
Downing and A. Gray. 12mo. New York, 1841. From the
Same.

Arnott N. Elements of Physics, with Additions, by Isaac
Hays. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1834. From the Same.

Mrs. Somerville. Connection of the Physical Sciences. 12mo.
Philadelphia, 1834. From the Same.

Combe, Andrew. Physiology of Digestion. 12mo. New York,
1836. From the Same.

Audubon and Bachman. Plates 121-125, to their Quadrupeds
of America. From the Suhscrihers.

25

Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. Parts
2-5, vol. iv. and Part 1, vol. V. 8vo. London, 1846, 1847.

Proceedings of the Same, pp. 97-144. 8vo. London, 1847.

Address of the Rev. F. W. Hope before the Same. 8vo.
pamph. 1846.

Address of Mr. George Newport before the Same. 8vo. pamph.

1845. All presented hy the Society.

Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia. Nos. 1,
2, and 3. July, August, and September, 1847.

Transactions of the American Philosophical Society of Phila-
delphia. Part 1, vol. X. 4to. From the Society.

Seventy-five plates of rare, unfigured Plants, from the Lin-
nasan Herbarium. Long 4to. From C. J. Sprague.

Journal of the Indian Archipelago, Nos. 4 and 5, for Octo-
ber and November, 1847. 8vo. pamph. Singapore. From the
, Editors.

Transactions of the Linnscan Society. Vol. XX. Part 2. 4to.
London, 1847. From the Society.

Proceedings of the Linnsean Society, pp. 305-340. 8vo.
London, 1846, 1847. Frojn the Society.

American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by B. Sil-
liman, &c. 2d series. No. 14. March, 1848. From the Editors.

J. A. Smith. Mutations of the Earth. 8vo. pamph. N.York.

1846. Fro)n Francis Alger, Esq.]

J. Chickering. Statistical View of the Population of Massa-
chusetts, from 1765 to 1840. 8vo. pamphlet. Boston, 1846.
From F. Alger, Esq.

Synopsis of the Lichenesof New England, the other Northern
States, and British America. By Edward Tuckerman. 8vo.
Cambridge, 1848. Fro?n the Author.

Leidy, Joseph. On a new genus and species of Fossil Rumi-
nantia, Poebrotherium Wilsonii. 8vo. pamp. Philadelphia,

1847. Fro?)i the Author.

Gray's Genera of Birds. Part 43. Long 4to. London,

1848. Audubon Fund.

Edinburgh Review. Vols. 80, 82, 84. 8vo. New York,
1844-7. From T. Bulfinch, Esq.

Travels in North America. By Charles Lyell. 12mo. New
York, 1845. From the Same.

26

How to Observe. Geology. By H. T. De la Beche. 2d ed.
8vo. London, 1836. From the Same.

Molluscous Animals, including Shell-fish. By John Fleming.
8vo. Edinburgh, 1837. From the Same.

Remarks on the Geology and Mineralogy of Nova Scotia. By
Abraham Gesner. 8vo. Halifax, 1836. From the Same.

Phrenology, in connection with the Study of Physiognomy.
By G. Spurzheirn. 8vo. London, 1826. From the Same.

Memoirs of James Jackson, Jr. By James Jackson. 8vo.
Boston, 1835. Fro7n the Same.

Botanical Text-Book. By Asa Gray. 12mo. New York,
1842. From the Same.

Political Economy. By A. Potter. 12mo. New York, 1842.
From the Same.

Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy. By J. F. W.
Herschel. New edition, 12mo. New York. 1840. From the
Same.

April 5, 1848.
The President in the Chair.

Twenty members present.

The President read a written report on the first volume of
the Transactions of the Royal Society, which had been
committed to him.

Prof. Agassiz commenced an account of the Annehda of
Boston harbor, noticing particularly on this occasion the
Tubulibranchiate Annelids. These animals have been
classified by their branchial and locomotive appendages ;
but Mr. A. showed that these organs were not well adapted
to form a basis for classification, inasmuch as they are
transitory, are modified, or disappear, in the course of the
life of the animal. He described the growth and appear-
ance of these animals in the several genera of which he had

27

found specimens ; viz. thirteen genera, comprising seventeen
species ; many of which are different from the know^n genera
of Europe.

Dr. Gould read a letter, from Dr. Perkins in West Africa,
giving an amusing account of his own experience of the
difficulties with which Naturalists and collectors have to
struggle, in their intercourse with the natives of barbarous
countries, in endeavoring by their aid to procure specimens
or elicit information.

Dr. James W. Stone and Mr. John E. Williams were
elected members of the Society.

April 19, 1848.

The President in the Chair.

Twenty members present.

Prof. Agassiz made some remarks on the existence of
numerous minute tubes in Fishes, opening externally, which
have hitherto been considered mucous tubes, but which he
is convinced are tubes for the introduction of water into the
body. These openings in some fishes are extremely nume-
rous, existing over the whole external surface. In fresh
water fishes, and in those living in shallow waters, they are
comparatively few. They are most numerous in fishes
which swim at great depths.

In reply to a question of Dr. Wyman, he said that he had not
as yet found them in the sharks and rays. These openings are
sometimes visible to the naked eye, and sometimes require a
magnifying power for their detection. They are very large and
numerous, and easily seen, in the head of the common shad.
These minute tubes unite into larger ones, in a manner which
seems to be the same in each class. He thought this circum-

28

Stance might be of some value in the classification of fishes.
The tubes grow larger and larger as they approach the heart.
They open into the circulating system near the heart. Prof. A.
had injected the heart through these tubes, and had drawn blood
from them by a syringe. He had injected the external surface
through a single tube, and that whether opening near the head
or the tail, or in other parts of the body. He believes these
tubes an apparatus for the safety of fishes living at great depths,
to enable them to resist the great pressure to which they must
there be subjected. He did not deny the existence of mucous
tubes in fishes, for there are such, about the heads of sharks for
instance, from which mucus may be obtained by pressure ; but
he is sure, that what have been considered hitherto as mucous
tubes are in reality water tubes.

Dr. C. T. Jackson made some remarks upon the drift
scratches and cleavage planes of the Roxbury Greywacke.
He gave the particulars of the directions of the scratches,
and measurements of the angles of the cleavage planes.
The former run S. 20« E. S. 24° E. S. 40° E. The line
of fracture of the pebbles is N. 30° E.

Mr. E. C. Cabot mentioned a ledge of Puddingstone, in Brook-
line, at the cutting for the Water-works, conspicuously marked
with scratches in a direction N. and S. 17° E.

Mr. Desor remarked of the same rock, that the scratches were
found not only on the prominent parts of the surface, but also on
the depressed portions, between the projecting pebbles ; while on
other parts they were wholly wanting. This fact is not easily
explained except by supposing that the presence of the scratch-
ing body was not great enough to affect the pebbles, which are
of a harder nature than the cement between them.

Mr. J. E. Teschemacher recurred to an observation made by
him at a previous meeting, respecting the process of the meta-
morphism of rocks, for the purpose of doing justice to the earli-
est eflTorts of this Society, as well as to the labors of one of its
distinguished members. In a very long paper, read before the
Geological Society of France, in 1846, entitled " Studies on the
Metamorphism of Rocks," by M. Durocher, the author states,

29

that from his own experiments he finds the mineral " Made" to
be " Andaiusite," and also that the dark clay slate in which it is
imbedded, and which often forms the centre of a group of crys-
tals, exists in these centres in a pyramidal form. Mr. T. then
exhibited the first number of the Journal of this Society, publish-
ed in 1834, containing a paper by Dr. Charles T. Jackson, in
which the latter fact is distinctly slated, and analyses given prov-
ing clearly that the " Made " is Andaiusite. The results of this
paper have been copied into almost every work on Mineralogy
since published in the English language ; and Mr. T. expressed
his surprise that a mineralogist, of so little knowledge as to claim
these facts as his own discoveries, should attempt to write on a
subject requiring the most extensive and acute mineralogical
science.

The last investigations respecting this Andaiusite were, he
believed, by Svanberg and by Erdmann ; their analyses agreed
with those of Dr. Jackson as nearly as could be expected from
analyses of a mineral from different localities and so closely im-
bedded as the Made.

Mr. T. thought that the expression of the opinion of M. Duro-
cher, that the Made was the clay slate metamorphosed, ought to
have been accompanied by accurate analyses of the slate, par-
ticularly of that part immediately in contact with the mineral, in
order to afford comparison of its ingredients with those of the
Andaiusite.

He made several other observations on metamorphism, and
urged the necessity of accurate analyses of the various rocks.
He did not think the idea of Mr. Durocher, of the resemblance of
the process of metamorphism to that of the cementation of iron,
well founded.

Mr. Teschemacher observed that he had collected and measur-
ed many specimens of the cleavages of sedimentary rocks, both
clay slates and sand stones. Amongst them were forms varying
very considerably in their angles. In all these the cleavage was
clear. Each piece, however small, could only be cleaved into
similar forms, and one set of faces could be more readily pro-
duced than another, precisely like many regular crystalline bo-
dies. He thought therefore that the particles of these rocks, like

30

the atoms of crystals, had taken their places during their deposi-
tion, according to exact laws, and that this idea derived much
support from the recent discoveries of Faraday, that all bodies
possessed inherent magnetism of a certain intensity. There
was no reason to suppose that a grain of silex, forming a portion
of a sedimentary rock, should not still be possessed of the original
qualities by which it took a crystalline form.

Prof. Rogers presented a specimen of altered Rock, from New
Hope, on the Delaware. At this place a dyke of Greenstone
passes through the Argillaceous Red Shale, within an hundred
feet of which specks or centres of imperfect crystallization are
perceptible, and nuclei of Epidote and Tourmaline. The sedi-
mentary rock assumes the appearance of Greenstone. He also
spoke of the rocks at Newton Tunnel. An Agillaceous Sandstone
is there seen altered to Porphyry. The original bedding is un-
effaced. Prof. R. made some remarks on slaty cleavage ; and
promised to go more fully into the subject at a future meeting.

Dr. C. T. Jackson read from his note-book notices of
experiments on solutions of Gun-cotton, which had been
read at the meeting in January, 1848, but had not been
particularly recorded.

The date of the entry is Dec. 20, 1847, and it is as follows :
*' Tried the solubility of my Gun-cotton. That of one hour's
immersion will not dissolve in ether, and does not lose its explo-
sive quality when dried. That of twelve hours' immersion dis-
solves quickly and entirely in sulphuric ether, and numerous
bubbles of oxygen disengage from the dissolving mass. The
ether solution is an excellent cement and varnish. It dries into
a pellucid substance, like horn ; and when dried more, turns
white. It is not explosive ; but an immersion in the mixed acids
renders it so again readily. Its ethereal solution is precipitated
by water, white and flocculent. Acids will not dissolve it, nor will
boiling water ; but the latter renders it hard, or rather exces-
sively tough. Paper immersed in the ethereal solution, became
glazed, and is good for writing."

Mr. Ayres, on behalf of Dr. Storer, exhibited a figure,
with a description, of a new genus of Fish, Blennius ser-

31

pentinus ; so named by Dr. Storer, who had received it
from Capt. Atwood, who took it from the stomach of a cod.

A cast of Isotelus gigas, and tail of Asaphus, with eye
and mouth pieces, was laid on the table, and committed to
Dr. Wyman.

Dr. Kneeland placed on the table several Skeletons, pre-
sented by Mr. Ogden. They were as follows : Numidian
Crane, Civet Cat, South American Monkey, Humming Bird,
King Charles's Spaniel, and the Skull of a Chinese Dog.
He also presented, from Mr. Ogden, a Bird of Paradise,
mounted by him. On motion of Dr. Cabot, the thanks of
the Society were voted to Mr. Ogden for this donation.

Dr. William Keller, of the Cambridge Scientific School,
and J. Wingate Thornton, Esq., were elected members of
the Society. Dr. Siedhoff, of Newton, was elected a Cor-
responding member.

May 3, 1848.

ANNUAL MEETING.

Dr. D. H. Storer, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Present, twenty-one members.

A portion of the record of the last Annual Meeting was
read by the Secretary.

The Curators presented and read their Annual Reports,
of which the following is an abstract.

The Curator of Herpetology reported, that the additions to his
department during the past year, had been few. The more lib-
eral accommodations of the new hall, however, afforded him an
opportunity of placing many specimens on the shelves, which

32

have hitherto been kept out of sight for want of room. The Col-
lection is particularly deficient in specimens from the Southern
and Western parts of North America.

The Curator of Comparative Anatomy reported the addition,
during the past year, of several very valuable specimens in his
department.

The Curator o^ Mineralogy reported, that of the specimens in
his department belonging to the Society, eight hundred only
were thought worthy of a place on the shelves in the new build-
ing, where they have been deposited and classified. By permis-
sion of M*". Alger, he had selected from his cabinet eighty dupli-
cate specimens, which he now presented in his name. He had
also made choice of 850 worth of minerals, from a quantity de-
posited with Mr. Alger on sale, to be paid for from the money
subscribed in aid of the Society at Mr. Alger's solicitation.

The Curator of OrnitJioIogy reported, that there have been
presented, by various individuals during the past year, eighty
Birds. He proposes to present, from his own Collection, over
one hundred specimens as soon as funds can be procured to
defray the expense of mounting them.

A valuable collection of Birds' Eggs has been received from
G. A. Bethune, Esq. All the Bird Skins belonging to the Society
have been mounted and put in the cases. The whole number is
about six hundred and eighty. The Curator had, by his own
effort, raised a subscription of $120, to aid in defraying the ex-
pense of mounting the specimens under his charge. Donations
to this department during the past year have been received from
Major Townsend, Messrs. G. M. Dexter, E. C. Cabot, W. Sohier,
Robbins and Ogden, and Drs. Cabot, Shurtleff, Read, and Abbot.

The Curator of Ichthyology reported, that the Cabinet under
his charge is not in so perfect a condition as it was several years
since, owing to the losses produced by the ravages of insects and
the means used to eradicate them. Several fine specimens have
however been received from Capt. N. E. Atwood, of Province-
town ; among them Somniosus hrevipinna^ and a new. species of
Blenny and Motella ; the latter two genera being new to the
waters of Massachusetts.

33

The Lilrarian repoi'ted, that during the past year there had
been received 120 volumes, and 102 pamphlets and parts of
volumes, most of them donations from friends of the Society ;
among whom he mentioned the names of the late Hon. Judge
Davis, (who by his will authorized us to select twelve volunr-es
from his valuable library), Alcide D'Orbigny, Akademie der
Wissenschaften zu Miinchen, Drs. Kneeland, Shurtleff, and Bacon,
Thomas Bulfinch, Esq., and the subscribers to Audubon's Quad-
rupeds of America. The whole number of volumes in the Li-
brary is 1260, pamphlets and parts of volumes 120. Abundant
space is afforded in the new Library room for at least 10,000
volumes.

The Treasurer reported, that during the past year,

The amount received from general sources was $1,288 96
Amount expended for general purposes . 1,300 35

Balance due him . . . . . . 11 39

Amount received from trustees of Courtis Fund 1,103 6Q

" paid from Courtis Fund . . . 450 73

Balance due to Courtis Fund .... 652 83

Amount received from subscribers to building 26,999 75
" paid towards building . 20,000 00
" paid on account of repairs 7,257 63

27,257 63

Leaving a balance due the Treasurer . . 257 88

Total receipts 29,392 27

" expenditures 29,008 71

Balance due from Treasurer .... 383 ^Q

Owing for building . . . 3,000 00

Interest 425 00

3,425 00

Owing to Messrs. Dexter & Cabot, about . 1,100 00

" for iron shutters, say . . . 195 00

4,720 00
To pay which, are still due from subscribers to

building 1,720 00

Balance to be provided for ... . 13,000 00

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 3 JUNE, 1848.

34

The Treasurer and the Committee of Finance were aii- |

thorized to adopt such measures towards liquidating the |

debt as they might see proper. i

The Society next proceeded to the choice of Officers for

the ensuing year, and elected the gentlemen presented as ^

candidates by the nominating committee, as follows : .

President, ^

Dr. John C. Warren.

Vice-Presidents,
Dr. C. T. Jackson. Dr. D. H. Storer.

Corresponding Secretary,
Dr. A. A. Gould.

Recording Secretary,
Dr. S. L. Abbot.

Treasurer,
P. T. Jackson, Esq.

Librarian,
C. K. Dillaway, Esq.

Cabinet Keeper,
Dr. Samuel Kneeland, Jr.

Curators,

J. E. Teschemacher, Esq. Of Botany.

Dr. John Bacon, Jr. Mineralogy.

Dr. N. B. Shurlleff, Comparative Anatomy.

W. J. Burnett, Esq. Entomology.

W. O. Ayres, Esq. Ichthyology.

Prof. Jeffries Wyman, Herpetology.

T. T. Bouve, Esq. Geology.

Dr. Samuel Cabot, Ornithology.

Dr. William Read, Conchology.

Dr. Cabot, of the nominating committee, read a commu-
nication from Thomas Bulfinch, Esq., declining to stand as
.a candidate for the office of Recording Secretary another

35

year, which he had filled for some years past. On motion
of Dr. Storer, it was

Voted^ unanimously, That the thanks of the Society be pre-
sented to our late Secretary, for the fidelity and zeal with which
he has ever performed the duties of his office, and that his com-
munication be placed on file.

On motion of Dr. N. B. Shurtleff, it was unanimously

Resolved^ That the thanks of the Society be presented to Drs.
Harris and Gay, for their valuable services as Curators for many
years past.

Mr. J. E. Teschemacher asked the attention of the Soci-
ety for a few minutes, to the following statement :

It was well known, that he had been, for two or three years,
studying the vestiges of the fossil vegetation existing in the An-
thracite Coal ; he had, on several occasions, and particularly be-
fore this Society, expressed his opinion, that the vegetation of
which the Anthracite Coal was formed, differed essentially from
that forming the Bituminous Coal ; this latter containing resinous
woods, which were absent from the former.

He understood that Dr. Carpenter was delivering a Course of
Lectures in London, on Paleontology, in which he touched on
the Anthracite deposites in Wales, (Eng.) and stated his view,
that the vegetation forming this deposit was non-resinous, differ-
ing from that forming the Bituminous Coal, which was resinous.

Mr. T. observed, that although this had been his opinion for
several years, yet he thought it highly probable the idea was
new with Dr. Carpenter, and hoped it had arisen from his study
of the Welsh Anthracite ; it would then be a strong presumption
in favor of this view. Mr. T. thought that the fact of the alter-
nation of Anthracite and Bituminous Coal in Whales, mentioned
by Prof. Rogers at a previous meeting, was incompatible with
the theory of the metamorphism of Bituminous into Anthracite
Coal by igneous agency.

B6

May 17, 1848.

Vice-President, C. T. Jackson, in the Chair.

After the Record of the last meeting had been read by
the Secretary, the Annual Address was dehvered by Dr. D.
H. Storer. It was an interesting historical sketch of the
origin and progressive growth of the Society up to the pre-
sent time. Dr. Storer availed himself of the opportunity to
acknowledge the indebtedness of the Society to its nume-
rous friends and benefactors, who at all times have been
ready with a liberal hand to supply its wants and promote
its interests, until, by a crowning act of their munificence,
it has been furnished with a building in every respect suited
to its wants. He urged with great earnestness upon the
members the duty of making redoubled efforts in the cause
of science. The Address was listened to with great atten-
tion by a crowded audience.

At the conclusion of the Address, on motion of B. D.
Greene, Esq. it was voted, that the thanks of the Society be
presented to Dr. Storer, for his eloquent and interesting
Address, and that a copy be requested of him for publi-
cation.

Prof. Agassiz asked permission to make a few remarks of
a general character, which he thought would not be ill-
timed on the present occasion, although it was a meeting
for a special purpose. He then made a most earnest and
stirring appeal to the students of science in America, to
seize the present opportunity to make a greater effort than
they had ever made before, to promote the cause of science.
Hitherto, he said, we had been obliged to look up to Europe
as our leader and guide in this pursuit. American Natu-
ralists had done much, considering the circumstances under
which they had labored, but little in comparison with what

37

they could do. The present disturbed condition of political
affairs in Europe must, for a time, suspend the progress of
science there. It was for us now to make a strenuous, self-
sacrificing effort to carry it forward here. A short period
of persevering labor on the part of a number of individuals
would place America in the position hitherto occupied by
the Old World.

June 7, 1848.
The President in the Chair.

Present, fourteen members.

Dr. Gould had recently examined the Shells collected by
Mr. J. Bartlett, in the south-western States, for the late Dr.
Binney, in reference to his proposed work on the Land Mol-
lusks of the United States, and which Dr. B. had been una-
ble to examine previous to his decease. Dr. G. was pleased
to find several new species of much interest, as they tended
to illustrate the gradual modification of species in their geo-
graphical succession. He gave descriptions of the following :

SucciNEA LUTEOLA. Tcsta variabiH, ovato-turrita, solidiuscula,
laxe striata, extus alba vel cornea, sed plerumque lutescente,
intus lutea ; anfr. 4, supernis rotundatis, ultimo conico-ovato ;
apertura modica, ovata, partem dimidiam longitudinis vix supe-
rante ; columella normaliter arcuata, baud pllcata, ad regionem
umbilicalem reflexiuscula. Long. ^, lat. |- poll. Hah. Texas.

Very variable in its proportions as well as in coloring. Short
specimens resemble S. campestris of the South, but want its col-
umellar fold. The elongated specimens are like S. amphibia ;
and in the diminutive size of the aperture it is like S. vermeta.
Fresh specimens are well characterized by their golden yellow
color. It may possibly be Say's S. undulata.

38

SucciNEA coNCORDiALis. Testa tenui, lucida, oblique ovata,
acuminata, reflexa, cerea et ad apicem rubicunda, leviter striata
et lineis obscuris volventibus insculpta ; anfr. 3 perobliquis, su-
pernis parvulis, tumidis, sutura profunda ; apertura ovata, trien-
tes dufe longitudinis testse sequante, basi rotundata ; columella
arcuata, absque plica, leviter arrecta ; intus micante. Long ^,
lat. ^ poll. Hab. near Lake Concordia.

At first view, this might be mistaken for Limnea columella.
Its color and texture are like S. amphibia, from which it differs
chiefly in the slight upturning of the edge of the columellar lip,
the presence of the obscure revolving lines and the ruddy apex.

Helix selenina. Testa parva, discoidea, pallida, tenuissima,
exiliter striata, diaphana ; anfr. 5 convexis, ultimo subangulato,
sutura impressa ; basi convexo, umbilico infundibuliformi perfo-
rate ; apertura angusta, lunari, labro simplici. Diam. -} poll.
Hab. Georgia and Florida.

About the size of H. arborea, distinguished by its delicacy, its
pale, opaline color, its small well-defined and deep umbilicus, its
discoidal spire and its narrow aperture. Its color and superior
aspect may be compared with H. lineata.

Helix rotula. Testa parva, discoidea, pellucida, nitida,
electrina, H. suppresses siniili, umbilico infundibuliformi profundo
perforata ; anfr. 6^, vix convexis, striis distantibus superne im-
pressis, sutura marginata ; apertura semilunari, labro simplici,
baud incrassato. Diam. \ poll. Hab. Tennessee.

This delicate little species has the size and color of H. inden-
tata, and is similarly striated above ; the whorls are numerous
and closely convoluted like H. suppressa, but it has a larger
umbilicus, like H. las?nodon, and has no thickening or plate
within the aperture.

Helix maxillata. Testa parva, globoso-lenticulari, pallide
castanea, solidula, H. hirsutcB simili : apertura lineari, labro re-
fiexo, prseter emarginationem inconspicuam dente obsoleto divi-
sam integro, fauce lamellam sicut maxillam pone labrum ge-
rente ; lamella columellari recta, superne bifurcata. Diam. ^
poll. Hab. Tennessee.

This shell, which is smaller and somewhat more globose than

39

H. hirsuta^ is well characterized by its partially bifurcated pillar
tooth, and by the peculiar jaw-like plate, almost concealed behind
the inflexed lip, within the fauces.

Helix leporina. Testa parva, lenticulari, lucida, rufo-cornea,
pilosiuscula, leviter striata, vix perforata ; spira depressa, anfr. 5
convexiusculis, ultimo superne subangulato ; regione umbilicali
excavato ; apertura lunata, labro incumbente, reflexo, roseo,
dentes duos albos sinum amplectentes gerente ; lamella columel-
lari obliqua, alba, erecta, acuta, rectangulari, callo lineari superne
ad angulum aperturse juncta. Diam. ^-, alt. |- poll. Hab. Mis-
sissippi and Arkansas.

Intermediate between H. hirsuta and H. inflecta, though small-
er than either. It is less globose than hirsuta, while the aperture
is much the same, except that the sinus of the lip is formed
by the projection of two teeth instead of by an emargination,
in this respect resembling H. injiecta. From the latter it differs
in the columellar tooth. It resembles II. piistula still more, but
the umbilical region wants the peculiar channel of that species.

Helix vultuosa. Testa depressa, utrinque convexiuscula,
tridentata, rufo-cornea, late umbilicata, H.fallaci et H. texasi-
ana intermedia ; anfr. 5^ arete volutatis, convexis, ultimo ad
peripheriam sub-angulato ; apertura arete lunari, labro albo,
crasso, tortuoso, dentibus duobus instructo, quorum altero medi-
ano profunde posito, retrocedente, altero basali, marginali,
falcato ; lamella columellari obliqua, arcuata, erecta, faucem
fere occludente. Diam. |, alt. } poll. Hah. Arkansas and
Texas.

Differs from H./allax in being generally smaller and more
convex, with a narrower aperture more nearly closed by the
teeth, and in having the basal tooth much more developed and
the median one deeper seated and directed more inward ; from
H. texnsiana it is distinguished by having an open umbilicus,
and by having no line of callus connecting the pillar tooth with
the upper angle of the aperture, forming a re-entering angle.

Many other Shells are contained in the Collection, which are
either new species, or very strongly marked varieties of the
northern types. Among them is one, which seems to be quite

40

common from Georgia to Texas, and which Dr. Binney regarded
as the southern form of H. thyroidus^ though some of his speci-
mens were labelled " clausa 7 " They have the globular form of
H. clausa, sometimes approaching even to H. elevata in height ;
the aperture is large and rounded, the umbilicus generally quite
closed, and the columella sometimes possesses and as often is
destitute of a tooth like H. ^7tz/rozrf«s. I think further observa-
tion will establish its claim as a distinct species, and in such case
I would propose for it the name of H. b'jcculenta.

Another form, found in the south-western States, is allied to
H. appressa and H. palliata. It is a little more globular than the
former, has its peculiar imperforate base, but its aperture is more
open and roimded, and destitute of a tooth. H. Columbiana is
still more globular, smoother, with an open umbilicus and a pe-
culiar sinuosity of the lip. 1 would indicate this form by the
name of H. abjecta.

Pupa variolosa. Testa minima, ovato-conica, rufa, sub-per-
forata, confertim indentata ; anfr. 4-5 turgidis ; sutura profunda ;
apertura oblique semiovali, dente columellari, altero labiali, altero
postico lamellari armata : labro vix reflexo. Long, j^^ P^^^-
Inhabits Florida.

Smaller than any of our species except P. milium, and is dis-
tinguished by its short, conical form. The five specimens ex-
amined, all presented the crowded thimble-like impressions under
a magnifying power of 20 diameters. I think no other Ameri-
can species has the revolving tooth on the penult whorl.

Pupa modica. Testa minuta, fragili, ovato-conica, elongata,
alba vel cornea, edentata, anfr. 5 convexis, V.fallaci simillima,
sed minore dimidio, anfractibus duobus carente ; apertura cam-
panulata, labro expanso, baud planulato. Long, y^^y, lat. -^^ poll.
Hah. Florida.

Differs from F.fallax only in being one half its size, in having
two whorls less, and in having a bell-shaped aperture with a thin
revolute lip instead of a thick flattened one.

Cylindrella pontifica. Testa parva, ovato-fusiformi, su-
perne attenuata, griseo et fusco marmorata ; anfr. ad 12 rotund-
atis, costulis crebris obliquis, alternis suturam praetereuntibus,

41

ornatis, ultimo carinato : apertura lateral!, circulari, campanula-
ta ; columella recta, umbilicum linearem tegente; peristomate
reflexo, fere continuo.

Allied to Pupa imicarinata^ Lk., and P. iiirrita, Pfeif., but is
smaller, more coarsely ribbed, has a more complete aperture,
projecting to the left side, and is readily distinguished from either
of them by the projection of the aliernate ribs across the suture,
giving the whorls a dentate or coronated appearance. Its color-
ing is like that o^ Pupa cinerea.

Cylindrella jejuna. Testa fusiformi, solidiuscula, truncata,
pallide cornea, fills tenuibus albis longitudinaliter lirata : anfr.
superstitibus ad 9 (totis ad 18) convexis, ultimo exiliter carinato ;
sutura bene impressa ; collo brevissimo ; apertura expansa, peri-
tremate albo, continuo, anfractui penultimohaud annexo. Long,
f , lat. y^j poll. Hah. Florida.

This may be a form of C. lactaria, so common in Florida, and
which presents so many varieties, especially in the length of the
neck and the development of the lip. But it seems to be con-
stantly smaller, darker colored, more solid, and with more convex
whorls. The peritreme also seems never to rest on the penult
whorl, as is usually the case in C. lactaria.

The President expressed his regret at his necessary ab-
sence from the city at the time of the Annual Meeting.
He gave an interesting account of his visits to the Collec-
tions of objects of Natural History, brought home by the
United States Exploring Expedition at Washington, the
Collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philadel-
phia, and the Baltimore Museum. Having made an espe-
cial study of the fossil remains of the Mastodon giganteiis,
he was particularly interested in finding at Washington a
tooth of an individual of this species, brought from Oregon,
the first known to have been received from that locality.
In Philadelphia he saw a tooth of 31. angustidens, proba-
bly the identical specimen formerly exhibited in Baltimore
as having been found in the Miocene formation of the State
of Maryland, not many miles from that city. As it was a

42

solitary remnant of the individual, and as no other trace has
been found of the existence of this species in North Ameri-
ca, much doubt is thrown upon the fact of its discovery in
tlie alleged locality.

The President's remarks led to a general conversation on the
importance of using great caution in fixing the true locality of
specimens in scientific collections. Prof. Agassiz laid great
stress upon it. Fie said, the name of the locality should be in-
delibly inscribed upon every specimen as soon as it is received,
even if its scientific name be as yet unknown. By this simple
act great confusion and doubt might be sometimes avoided. He
said, that he had had for several years in his possession a very
interesting fossil fish, MaUotus villosus, which he had received
without any mention of the locality from which it had been ob-
tained. This fish was of great geological importance, as it was
the only instance of a Fossil being identical with a living species.
On visiting Dublin several years after it came into his possession,
he was shown other specimens of the same fish, and learnt their
singular history. They were brought from Iceland, on the
shores of which large numbers of them are annually destroyed
and converted into this state by volcanic disturbances, by which
they are killed and buried in the mud, and become petrifactions.
Prof. Agass z,and Drs. Gould and Cabot, all mentioned instances
of specimens of Natural History having been brought from local-
ities where they were said to have been found, but which must
have been previously carried there from other localities.

Prof. Agassiz had recently made some observations on
the structure of the Foot in the embryo of birds, which he
thought would throw new light on the classification of birds,
and perhaps call for radical changes in the system now in
use. He had examined the feet of the embryo of Turdus
migratorius, Hirundo riparia, Sylvia cestiva, and Frin-
gilla melodia, and found the following appearances in all.

The four toes, which in the mature bird are separate, three
being directed forwards and one backwards, are in this state all
directed forwards, and webbed. There is as yet no trace of
bone in them, there are only rows of cartilaginous cells in the

43

position to be occupied by bnne, which are more closely group-
ed together at the points where the joints are destined to appear.
The lower extremity is, in fact, at this time a fin. The upper
extremity is in a similar condition, presenting, however, only
three rows of cartilaginous cells, united by a membrane. As
this condition of the extremities exists in different families,
Prof. A. thinks that the present grouping of all web-footed
birds together, may be incorrect ; particularly since they differ
as much among themselves in other respects as they do from
Land birds. lie found that the bill of the immature Robin
resembled that of a Vulturine bird, being straight near the base,
and curved at the extremity, the upper mandible being longer
than the lower. This would seem to indicate that the Vulturine
form is a lower type than it has usually been considered. This
appeared to derive confirmation from the great resemblance of
the bill of some of the Water birds to that of some of the Vul-
turine family, that of the genus Lcsti^is, for example. Some of
the birds of prey also have another point of resemblance to
Water birds in a rudiment of a web between two of the toes.
Hereafter, birds having all their toes directed forwards, must be
regarded as of a lower type than those which have one directed
backwards ; as, for instance, the Pelicans and Cormorants among
Water birds, and the genus Cypselus among Swallows. From
the result of his examinations of the embryos of birds, Prof. A.
had recently, before a scientific society, ventured to predict that
hereafter, among the higher Mammalia, the foot of the embryo
would in the same way be found to be webbed, like that of the
Seals and Cetacea. Prof. Jeffries Wyman immediately after-
ward confirmed the truth of the prediction in the case of the
foetus of a Cat. A similar appearance had been figured as ex-
isting in the human embryo, but its philosophical bearing had
not been before noticed.

Dr. Cabot read a statement of the comparative measure-
ments of the American and European Oyster-catcher. His
observations tend to confirm the opinion of the distinctness
of the two species, which have sometimes been confounded
with each other.

44

HcBtnatopus palliatus.
Female, inches.

Length from tip of bill to tip of tail 21

Ticeinatopus ostralegus
Female, inches.

. . . 18i

Extent

36

.

32S

Length of tongue
(Esophagus to proventriculus
Proventriculus in length

f
1

• •

4

7
If

Intestines to vent*

40

.

59

Cceca enter intestine at

2^ from

vent.

3

Length of coeca
Trachea to bronchi .

2f
4i^

•

•

4J

4tV

Keel of sternum in depth, not quite 1

.

.

1

" " in length

. . 2^

.

2i

Prof. Rogers had recently revisited the Anthracite Coal
deposites in Rhode Island, and confirmed his previous
opinion, that they are of the same geological epoch as the
Anthracite Coal-fields in other parts of the United States.
In fact, he was satisfied, from the identity of the Fossils
in this formation and the adjacent Slate, both in Europe and
America, that the age of these deposites must be the same
everywhere ; and any theory to account for their existence
must be " world-wide.''

Dr. Gould presented several specimens of rocks from
Burmah ; also, six or eight Shells, among them Auricula
vulpina, from St. Helena, interesting from the fact that this
species has become extinct within a few years.

Dr. Gould read a note from Mrs. Binney, offering as a
donation to the Society's Collection a large number of
Shells and Fossils from the Southern region of the United
States, and of native Fishes beautifully preserved in large
jars, which had been collected for her husband, the lamented
Dr. Amos Binney, the late President of the Society. On
motion of the President, it was voted that the thanks of the
Society be presented to Mrs. Binney, for this manifestation
of her interest in our welfare ; with the assurance that the
Society will endeavor to dispose of them for the best inte-
rests of science, according to Dr. B.'s well-known desire.

* A very minute remnant of vitelline duct found at I83 inches from vent.

45

Dr. Cabot announced the addition to our Collection of
the following Ornithological specimens : Larus Bonapartii
two specimens, adult male, spring plumage, and adult fe-
male, changing from winter to spring plumage ; Hirundo
rufa, male ; Hirundo purpurea, male ; Tetrao Canadensis,
male and female ; Strepsilus interpres, adult male, spring
plumage ; all purchased for the Society. Calidris arena-
ria, male, spring plumage, presented by Mr. Robbins, of
Boston market. Tringa alpina, male, spring plumage ;
Erytlirospiza purpurea, male ; Carduelis pinus, male,
presented by Mr. E. C. Cabot. Corvus frugilegus, pre-
sented by Mr. E. Cabot. Hirundo rufa, female ; La go-
pus mutus, male, winter plumage ; Bonasia sylvestris,
male ; Pica caudata, male ; Perdix cinerea, male ; all
presented by Dr. Cabot. Ardea exilis ; Loxia leucoptera,
male and female adult, and adult male changing plumage ;
received in exchange.

Dr. Cabot also presented to the Society, in the name of
R. B. Forbes, Esq., a complete suite of specimens of the
Nutmeg, Myristica moschata, in different stages of devel-
opment. The thanks of the Society were voted to the donor.

A donation was announced from Mr. Horatio R. Storer,
of a number of small Fishes, taken by him in the vicinity of
the Orkneys and in the Baltic; also several Crustacea,
taken from the stomachs of fishes caught on the same voyage.
The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Storer for his
donation.

Dr. John Bacon presented, in the name of Dr. Coale,
specimens of Leucite and Olivine from Mount Vesuvius.
The thanks of the Society were voted to Dr. Coale.

A singular specimen was deposited in the Cabinet of the
Society by Mr. J. L. Clarke, of a pair of Horns of Cervus
virginianus deeply imbedded in the trunk of a small oak
tree. The block was cut from the trunk at the height of
twelve feet. The thanks of the Society were voted to him.

46

June 21, 1848.
The President in the Chair.

Present, fifteen members.

Mr. Ayres gave an interesting account of some researches
he had been making in reference to an obscure point in the
anatomy of the genus Leuciscus. In the fish of this genus
the pharyngeal bones are armed with strong teeth, and by
the action of powerful muscles they are brought together,
crushing the food before it enters the stomach. For a long
time Mr, A. had failed to discover any point of origin for
the small muscles, whose function it is to separate these
bones after they have been brought in contact. He at last
discovered this to be a pair of extremely small, needle-like
bones, articulated perpendicularly upon the small bones
connecting the branchial arches. The tension upon these
delicate bones is sustained by two little ligaments extending
from their extremities, on the side opposite to the muscles,
to the roof of the mouth, like the backstays of a mast. Mr.
Ayres displayed this apparatus in L. pulchellus. He pre-
sented to the Society specimens of L. cornutus, L, atrina-
sus, and Fundulus fuscus.

A portion of a letter from Dr. Mantell to the President of
the Society was read, in which he mentioned that he had
recently obtained exquisite specimens of the soft parts of
Foraminifera, preserved in chalk and flint. He had also
recently obtained a portion of the lower jaw of the adult
Iguanodon, with the teeth in place. Referring to the
sketch accompanying the letter, he says,

" You will see, at a glance, that it is wholly unlike the jaw of
any reptile, and in truth is not similar to that of any creature,
recent or fossil. This relic is the right dentary bone (lower jaw)
with the symphysis perfect, two successional teeth in place, and
sockets for eighteen mature teeth, not one of which remains.

47

'The extraordinary character is the prolonged and edentulate
symphysis, and the great nuniber of vascular forannina on ihe
anterior and external part ; of course indicative of a large, fleshy
under lip, and a large, prehensile tongue, both adapted for a
large vegetable feeder. You will remennber the extraordinary
form and structure of the teeth of the Iguanodon. The only
analogy I can find is in the symphysical portion of the jaw of the
Sloth, and particularly in the colossal extinct Edentata, the My-
lodons ; with which other osteological peculiarities of my gigantic
reptile correspond ; for example, the vascular dentine of the
teeth, and the sacrum formed of five anchylosed vertebrse."

Dr. J. M. Warren presented to the Society a beautiful
stuflTed specimen of Boa ; also, an admirably mounted skin
of a Baboon of doubtful species. Dr. W. stated that this
individual had possessed immense strength, having been
able to lift a common man from the ground, and cast him
from him several feet. Dr. Warren also presented a fine
stuffed specimen of an adult male Chimpanzee, four years
of age.

Dr. Cabot announced the donation from Russell Sturgis,
Esq., of seventy-two valuable East India Bird skins. The
thanks of the Society were voted to the donor.

Dr. Gould announced the gift of a number of specimens
of Rocks from Malta, from an unknown donor ; also, a do-
nation of several jars containing Reptiles, Fishes, and Birds
from Dr. F. W. Cragin, of Surinam. The thanks of the
Society were voted to Dr. C. for this renewed evidence of
his interest in our welfare.

A valve of Chama, weighing over two hundred pounds,
was presented by Mr. Benjamin Kent, of Roxbury. The
thanks of the Society were voted to him.

A donation of Shells was received from J. J. Dixwell, Esq.
a member of the Society ; also, a present of Cocoons of an
unknown insect, from Mr. Batchelder, of Saco, through
Dr. Storer.

48

Drs. George Derby and W. W. Morland were elected
members of the Society.

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY DURING THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30.

Audubon and Bachman. Plates 116-120. Also, 124-130,
to their " Quadrupeds of America." From Subscribers.

Gelehrte Anzeiger, herausgegeben von Mitgliedern der Akad-
emie der Wissenschaften. Vols. 6-20. 4to. Miinchen, 1838-45.
From the Academy at Munich.

Leidv, Joseph. On a new Fossil Genus and Species of Ru-
minatoid Pachydermata, Merycoidodon Culbertsonii. 8vo. pam.
Philadelphia, 1848. From the Author.

George Berkeley. Treatise concerning the Principles of Hu-
man Knowledge. Part I. 12mo. Dublin, 1710. From S.
Kneeland, Jr.

Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia. No. 6,
and Supplement to No. 5, for December, 1847. 8vo. Singa-
pore. Fro?}i the Editor.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, of
"Vol. I. 2d Series, June to April. 8vo. London. Courtis Fund.

Rennie, James. Ornithological Dictionary of British Birds.
By Col. G. Montague. 2d ed. With a plan of Study, and New
Articles and Original Observations. By J. Rennie. 8vo. Lon-
don, 183L Frojji Dr. W. Read.

Elements of Physiophilosophy. By Alonzo Oken. M. D. From
the German, by Alfred Tulk. 8vo. London, 1847. Courtis
Fund.

Memorials of John Ray. Edited by Edwin Lankester, M. D.
&c. 8vo. London, 1846. Courtis Fund.

Alternations of Generations. By J. J. Sm. Steenstrup. Trans-
lated from the German, by George Bush. 8vo. London, 1848.
Courtis Fund.

Outlines of the Geography of Plants. By F. J. F. Meyen.
Translated by Margaret Johnston. 8vo. London, 1846. Cour-
tis Fund.

Ray Society. Reports on the Progress of Zoology and Botany.
1841-1844. 2 vols. 8vo. Edinburgh, 1845. Courtis Fund.

49

Organization of Trilobites. By Herman Burmeister, M. D.
Translated from the German, by Prof. Bell and Prof. E. Forbes.
4to. London, 1846. Courtis Fund.

Illustrations of the genus Cinchona. Baron Von Humboldt's
Accounts of the Cinchona Forests of South America, and Lam-
bert's Memoir of the different Species of Quinquina. Disserta-
tions of Don Hip. Ruiz on Medicinal Plants of South America.
Account of the Spikenard of the Ancients, by A. B. Lambert.
4to. London, 1821. From Dr. S. Cabot, Jr.

Alder and Hancock. Nudibranchiate Mollusca of Great Bri-
tain. 3 Parts. 4to. 1844-1846. London. Courtis Fund.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila-
delphia. Vol. in. Title page and Index. 8vo. 1848. Also
Vol. IV. No. 1. From the Academy.

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. IV.
No. 39. July to December, 1847. From the Society.

Joseph Leidy, M. D. On some bodies in the Boa Constrictor
resembling the Pacinian Corpuscles. 8vo. Pamph. Fi^o7n the
Author.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. 2d Series.
No. 15, for May, 1848. New Haven. Exchange.

Reports and Abstracts of the Proceedings of a Committee for
the Investigation of the Coal and Mineral Resources of India, to
May, 1841. Long 4to. Pamph. Calcutta, 1841. From J. Mc-
LeJland.

Audubon and Bachman. Plates 131-135, of their Viviparous
Quadrupeds of North America. From the Subscribers.

Recherches Geologiques sur le Jura Salinois. Par M. Jules
Marcou. Premiere partie. 4to. Pamph. Paris, 1846. From
the Author.

American Almanac for 1831 and 1833. 2 vols. 12mo. Bos-
ton. Frojn Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr.

Recherches Cliniques et Medicales sur la Creosote. Par E.
Miguet. 12mo. Pamph. Paris, 1834. From the Same.

Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, conducted by Prof,
Jameson. No. 51, for January, 1838. From the Sa?ne.

Catalogue des Coleopteres de la Collection de M. le Compte
Dejean. 2 vols. 12mo. Pamph. Paris, 1833. Deposited by Dr.
T. W. Harris.

rROCEEDINGS B. S. N. II. 4 OCT., 1848.

50

Report of Lieut. Neil M. Howisen, on the Territory of Oregon.
Congressional Documents. Svo.Pamph. Washington, 1847. From
Hon. R. C. Winthrop.

Andry's Manual of Diseases of the Heart. Translated by
Samuel Kneeland, Jr. 12mo. Boston, 1846. From the Trans-
lator.

Class Book of Botany. By Alphonso Wood. 8vo. Boston,
1845. From Dr. A. A. Gould.

Botanic Essays. By Patrick Blair. 8vo. London, 1720. Fro7n
the Same.

American Annual Register. 1829, 18.30. 8vo. Boston. From
F. ,T. Gray.

Rordansz, C. W. Europe, Commerce, or Mercantile Guide to
the Continent of Europe. 8vo. London, 1818. From the Sa?ne.

Congressional Documents, &c. 8 vols. 8vo. From the Same.

Robertson, WHliam. History of America. 2 vols. 8vo. Phila-
delphia, 1822. Fro7n the Same.

Humboldt, Alexander Von. Political Essays on the Kingdom
of New Spain. 2 vols. 8vo. New York, 1811. From the Same.

Brydone's Tour through Sicily and Malta. 1 vol. 8vo. Dub-
lin, 1774. From the Same.

Gerard's Essay on Taste. 8vo. London, 1759. From the
Same.

McLellan, J. Journal of a Residence in Scotland. 12mo.
Boston, 1834. From the Same.

Linne, C. General System of Nature. 8vo. London, 1806.
From J. C. Haijden, M. D.

Manual of Botany for the Northern States. By Members of
Botanical Class in Williams College, (Mass.) 12mo. Pamph.
Albany, 1814. From Dr. A. A. Gould.

Eaton, Amos. Index to the Geology of the Northern States.
12mo. Leicester, (Mass.) 1818. From the Same.

Descriptive Catalogue of the Anatomical Museum of the Bos-
ton Society for Medical Improvement. By J. B. S. Jackson, M. D.
8vo. Boston, 1847. From the Society.

Gray's Genera of Birds. Part XLIV. for June, 1848. Lon-
don. Audubon Fund.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. 6, for June,
1848. Courtis Fund.

Genera of the Plants of the United States, illustrated by Figures

51

and Analyses from Nature. By J. Sprague. Superintended,
and with Descriptions, by Asa Gray, M. D. Vol. I. 8vo. Bos-
ton, 1848. Fro7n Rev. Francis Parkman.

Dr. Theodore Cantor. Spicilegiunn Serpentium Indicorum.
8vo. pamph. London, 1839. From the Author.

Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the Malayan Peninsula and
Islands. 8vo. Pamph. Calcutta, 1847. From the Author.

Sheet from Proceedings of Entomological Society of London.
1842. (Coleopterous Insects from Chusan and Canton, by Rev.
T. Hope.) 8vo. London. Fro7n the Author.

General Features of Chusan, with Remarks on the Flora and
Fauna of that Island. 8vo. Pamph. London, 1842. Frotn the
Same.

Catalogue of Mammalia inhabiting the Malayan Peninsula and
Islands. 8vo. Pamph. From the Same.

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. V.
No. 40. January to April, 184S. From the Society.

Memoires de la Societe Phisique et de Histoire Naturelle.
Tome XI. 2d Partie. 4to. Geneve, 1848. From the Society.

Bulletin de la Societe des Sciences Naturelles de Neuchatel.
1844-1846. 8vo. Neuchatel, 1847.

July 5, 1848.
Dr. D. H. Storer, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Present, twelve members.

Mr. Desor announced that he had recently been studying
with the microscope the development of the ovum of a
marine v\^orm of the genus Nemertes,

The eggs of this animal, which are of a bottle shape, are laid
in long strings, which are nearly of the size of the parent animal.
They are attached to the strings by the small extremity, and are
generally arranged in pairs. Two or three yolks are usually
found in each, and sometimes as many as nine, ten, or eleven,
rarely, only one. They are of very soft consistence, and are

52

usually compressed from lying one upon the other. Soon after
the eggs are deposited, the division of the yolk commences, but
does not proceed so regularly as in some ova. Each division
contains a transparent dot. On the twelfth day, each yolk,
being provided with cilia, has a revolving motion. This
movement has been noticed in so many ova of different classes
of animals, that it may be considered as the rule for all embryos.
Mr. Desor supposes it to commence as soon as the division of the
yolk ceases. It varies in its rapidity, is without any special direc-
tion, and never stops. At the fifteenth day, when examined with
a high power, the yolk presented the appearance of two zones,
the outer of which was furnished with cilia, and was of a lighter
color than the inner. On the sixteenth day, with a power of two
hundred and fifty diameters, the inner body was seen to be moving
within, by means of proper cilia, similar to those of the outer.
Some days afterwards this inner body assumed the appearance
of an embryo worm. On pressing the envelope it tried to escape
from it, and succeeded, moving freely about, and dragging after it
the remains of the outer coat. This appendage had no analogy
to the placenta or the membranes of other embryos, but was
exclusively composed of cells of the original yolk. Mr. Desor
remarked upon the extreme singularity of this double and inde-
pendent motion of the two parts of the ovum. The motion of
the inner, he said, seemed to be voluntary, while that of the
outer clearly could not be, and resembled greatly that of the
spores of Confervse. The discovery of the existence of these
two movements is something new in Embryology. Mr. D. made
some remarks, which he said he intended to present hereafter in
a more extended form, on the nature of the fluid in which the
yolk of the Nemertes floats. It exists probably in all ova, but
its true nature has hitherto been mistaken by embryologists. He
proposes for it the name of the ^^Biogen liquid.''^ In the course of
his remarks Mr. D. said that embryologists had laid too great
stress on particular days as the epochs of certain stages in the
development of ova. These are never precisely uniform in the
date of their occurrence, but depend somewhat upon outward
circumstances, such as the temperature, for instance.

Prof. Wyman exhibited specimens of various orders of
the Ants which inhabit the gigantic Ant-hills of Africa, the

53

Termites bellicosus. Naturalists have described five orders
as belonging to each colony. Of these Prof. W. exhibited
four, viz. workers, soldiers, males, and the queen. The
body of the last, the parent female, was enormously devel-
oped, to accommodate the ova with which it was distended.
This great, enlargement takes place by an increase of tlie
substance between the scales of tlie abdominal segments.
The royal cell, which was also displayed by Prof. W., is of
compact clay, with openings for the free ingress and egress
of all the orders except the queen, who is immovably in-
carcerated in it. There is also a sort of gallery or passage-
way surrounding her, with wdiich the external openings com-
municate. The specimens were brought from Africa by
Dr. T. S. Savage.

Prof. Wyman mentioned that he had recently obtained
specimens of Clepsina, with the young attached to the
abdomen of the parent. The mother was observed to sit
upon the eggs soon after they were laid. At first tlicse were
spherical, but in a few days became elongated. After four
or five days they became attached to the mother, and the
yolk began to divide in the usual way, and the development
of the alimentary canal commenced.

Prof. Wyman also communicated some results obtained
by dissections of the nervous system of frogs. He had
found attached to the trunk of each of the Spinal Nerves,
just before their division into motor and sensitive roots, a
vesicle containing a white ciialky substance, which under
the microscope was shown to be composed of vast numbers
of minute crystals, (probably Carbonate of Lime,) each
having a hexagonal form, and terminated at either extrem-
ity by a six-sided pyramid. The sac containing them was
well defined, about half a line in diameter, and subdivided
internally by numerous septa into small cavities in which
the crystals were lodged. Nervous filaments were traced
into the interior of the sac. A deposit of similar crystals
was also noticed around the veins in the Spinal Canal, and
on the base of the Cranium.

54

The chalky matter found in the vestibule of the ear he
proved by the microscope to be composed of crystals sim-
ilar in size and appearance to those found attached to the
Spinal Nerves. He had sought for them in great numbers
of Frogs of different species, and in no instance had he
failed to detect them. He had not found them in Meno-
branchus or in Tortoises, except in the vestibules of the latter.
From their constant presence in frogs he was disposed to
regard them as essential parts of their Nervous system.

The vesicles have been noticed by Swan in his " Illustra-
tions of the Comparative Anatomy of the Nervous system,"
but have not been described. Prof. Wyman had been in-
formed by Prof. Owen that he had called attention to them
in his lectures at the Royal College of Surgeons, but no
detailed description had been given of them.

Mr. Ayres presented specimens of the young of Lends-
cus pulchellus, exhibiting a characteristic black, lateral
stripe. As the fish grows older this mark becomes nearly
obliterated. It remains distinct, however, until the end of
the first year. It is found in L. pulchellus, L. cornutus,
and L. atririasus, in which last it is permanent.

Mr. A. also presented a specimen of Pytuophis melano-
leucus, Hoop Snake or Bull Snake, six feet in length, which
had been captured on Long Island. This is a very common
species in the southern parts of the United States, but has
not hitherto been noticed so far north by naturalists. There
is a popular notion that this snake takes its tail in its mouth
and thus, in the form of a hoop, rolls itself over the surface
of the ground. Hence its common name. Mr. A. also
presented to the Society a specimen of Hydrargira multi-
fasciata.

Dr. Storer presented from Mr. J. T. Plummer, of Rich-
mond, Indiana, the following list of Fishes found in his
vicinity, viz., Ammocetes bicolor, Fetromyzon argenteus,
Bodianus flavescens, Cichla cenea, Gasterosteus inconstans,

55

Etheostoma variata, E. caprodes, Catostomus Duquesnii,
C. erythurus, C. nigranSy Minnilus dinemus, Luxilus
chrysoceplialus, L. elongatiis, SemoHlus cephalis, S. dor-
salis, S. diplema, S, biguttatus, Hydrargii'a limi, Esox
reticulatus, Pimelodus coerulescens, P. ciipreus, Hypentel-
ium macropterum. Dr. Storer also presented a specimen
of Cory dolus coiiiutus, in the name of E. P. Clark Esq.,
and a South American insect on behalf of Dr. F. W.
Cragin.

Mr. Thomas Bulfinch presented to the Society, a small
lobster undergoing the process of changing its shell.

Dr. Francis Minot was elected a member of the Society.

July 19, 1848.
Dr. D. H. Storer, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Present, ten members.

Dr. Cabot announced that among the specimens for which the
Society is indebted to Dr. Cragin, of Surinam, he had found the
male and female of a species of Chordeiles, which he was at
first disposed to consider as undescribed, but which he finally
concluded must be C. laheculatus, which has been described from
the female, by Jardine. There are, however, some marked differ-
ences between our female specimen and his description. The
female of our bird measures eight inches, instead of seven and
a half, the measurement of Jardine's. On the left wing, at a
point opposite the tips of the sixth and seventh primaries, a
white band occurs, extending quite across the first three pri-
maries, and becoming rufous on the fourth, and not quite crossing
the web on either side of its shaft. On the first primary this
band is divided by a black mark along the shaft. On the right
wing the band extends across both barbs on the third primary

56

only, there being no white on the outer web of the second, and only
a mere trace on the outer web of the first. In all other respects
the bird agrees exactly with Jardine's description. Therefore,
considering that his specimen had lost the first and second pri-
maries, and that he mentions another specimen which he consid-
ered as belonging to the same species, in which he observed some
white upon the wings ; and considering also the marked differ-
ence between the two wings in our specimen, it is fair to con-
clude that these are merely different stages of plumage in the
female of the same bird.

The male is eight and one half inches long; its wing six and
five-eighths inches from the flexure. Tt strongly resembles the
female, but has not the rufous markings to the same extent,
either on the head or wings. The white band on the wing is
purer, and extends entirely across each of the first four primaries.
The tail is dark brown, crossed by six or seven greyish bands,
and has also a white band, which extends across all but the
two middle feathers, at about one half an inch from their tips.

Mr. Forbes, of Windsor, Vt., present by invitation, gave
an account of a curious formation, apparently Stalactitic,
discovered buried in the sand in a cut for the Central Rail-
road, at Sharon, Vt. Large masses of a calcareous sub-
stance have been found beneath the surface, of a tabular
form, a few inches thick. From their under surface
depend groups of conical projections, some of them of gro-
tesque shape, others hollow, like some stalactites, and termi-
nating in a point. Occasionally a mass has been found in
an inverted position, with the plane surface down, and the
points upward. No satisfactory solution of this phenomenon
has as yet been given.

Dr. Gould deposited in the Cabinet of the Society, a very
fine specimen of Cerithium giganteum, from the Paris basin.

A specimen of Fringilla sanguinolenta was presented
by Dr. J. B. S. Jackson.

Two beautiful specimens of Coral were presented in the
name of Miss Champney, of Roxbury. The thanks of the
Society were voted for the donation.

57

Messrs. John A. Henshavv, of Cambridge, John H.
Thompson, of New Bedford, and Frederick A. Whitvvell, of
Boston, were elected members of the Society.

Sept. 6, 1848.
Dr. D. H. Storer, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Present, eleven members.

A skeleton of a marine bird was presented in the name
of Dr. T. M. Brewer. It was said to have been prepared
in the short space of two hours, by exposure to the attacks
of a kind of vermin found on the Banks of Newfoundland,
which is said to be very destructive to the cod-fish there
found. The bird was lowered to the bottom by means of a
weighted line, and drawn up in two hours a perfect, liga-
mentary skeleton.

Mr. Ayres announced that during a recent visit to Long
Island, he had obtained a specimen of Myliobatis acuta, a
rare fish in a locality so far north. It was taken off the
south side of the Island. He presented to the Society
specimens of Hydrargira fasciata, Lebias ellipsoides, and
a young Mustelus canis.

Dr. Cabot announced that the following birds, belonging
to the Society, had been recently mounted and put in the

cases ; viz., Pardalotus percussus, male ; Fringilla ,

adult and young male ; Regulus calendula, male ; Cotimiix
cambaiensis, female ; Carduelis tristis, female ; Pitta cy-

anoptera, male ; Spermestes , male ; Charadrius

melodus, male ; Lestris Richardsoni, young ; Cryptonyx
coronata, adult and young male ; Bucco Henricii, Treron
olax, Irene puella, Cimbyrhincus macrorliincus, Chara-

53

drius pluvialis, Sterna argentea, Rallus virginianus, all
males ; Hemipalima multistriata, young male. Dr. Cabot
remarked that the H. muUistriata is extremely rare in Mas-
sachusetts, the specimen which he now presented, with two
others purchased at the same time in Boston Market, being
the first of the species he had ever seen here. Porphyrio
, male. This bird flew on board of a vessel six hun-
dred miles from land, in the latitude of the Cape de Verd
Islands. It lived for several days. It was among the
specimens recently given by Mr. Gassett.

Mr. Burnett announced the donation from Dr. T. W.
Harris, of between six hundred and seven hundred valuable
insects of the order Coleoptera, from the interior of Europe.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30.

Amer. Journal of Science and Arts. 2d series. No. 16.
July 1848. Exchange.

Report to the Stockholders of the Dauphin and Susquehanna
Coal Company. 8vo. Pamph. Phil. 1848. From T. Buljincli.

History of Framingham, 1640 to 1847. By W. Barry. 8vo.
Boston, 1847. From Francis Parkman.

Annual Report of the Commissioners of Patents, for 1847.
8vo. Washington, 1848. From R. C. Wintlirop.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. No. 161
to 177. July, 1846, to June, 1847. 8vo. Lond. From the Zobl.
Society.

Reports of the Council and Auditors of the Zoological Society
of London. April 1847. 8vo. Pamph. Lond. From the Zool.
Society.

List of the Fellows, &c. of the Zoological Society of London.
June 1847. 8vo. Pamph. Lond. From the Society.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. VII. for July,
1848. Courtis Fund.

Ancient Sea-margins, as Memorials of Changes in the Rela-
tive Level of the Sea and Land. By Robert Chambers. 8vo.
Edinburgh, 1848. From Gould, Kendall ^ Lincoln.

Principles of Zoology. By Louis Agassiz and Augustus A.
Gould. r2mo. Boston, 1848. From the Authors.

59

Proceedings of the Academy of Nat. Sciences. Vol. III.
Nos. 5, 9, 11. 8vo. Pamph. Pliil. 1846 - 7. From the Acad-
emy of Nat. Sciences,

Anner. Journal of Agriculture and Science. For Nov. 1847.
8vo. New York. From the Editors.

Audubon and Bachman. Plates 136 to 140, inclusive, of Vi-
viparous Quadrupeds of America. Fro?n Suhscrihers.

Descriptions of Plants collected by William Gambel, M. D., in
the Rocky Mountains and Upper California. By Thomas Nut-
tall. 4to. Pamph. Phil. 1848. From W. Gamhel

Proceedings of Zoological Society. 8vo. Pamph. pp. 123 to
233. Lond. 1847-8. From. J. E. Gray.

Geographical Memoir upon Upper California, in illustration of
his Map of Oregon and California. By John Charles Fremont.
Addressed to the Senate of the United Stales. 8vo. Pamph.
Washington, 1848. From R. C. Winthrop.

Manual of Mineralogy. By James D. Dana. 12mo. New
Haven, 1848. Frojii the Author.

Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the State
of New York. 8vo. Pamph. Albany, 1848. From R, C.
Beck.

Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Vol. I., pp. 297-346. 8vo. Boston. 1848. From the Am.
Academy.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 2d series. No. 8,
for Aug. 1848. Courtis Fund.

Gray's Genera of Birds. Part 45. Lond. 1848. Audulon Fund.

Third Annual Report on the Geology of Vermont. By. C.

B. Adams. 8vo. Pamph. Burlington Vt., 1847. From C. B.
Adams.

American Journal of Science and Arts. 2d series. No. 17,
for Sept. 1848. Exchange.

Addresses on the Dedication of the New Cabinet and Obser-
vatory of Amherst College. 8vo. Pamph. Amherst, 1848.
From C. B. Adams.

Popular Description of the New Cabinet and Astronomical
Observatory of Amherst College. 8vo. Amherst, 1848. From

C. B, Adams.

Geographical Memoir upon Upper California. By J. C. Fre-
mont. 8vo. Pamph. Washington, 1848. From R. C. Winthrop.

60

Traitc Elemenlaire de Miiieralogie. Par T. S. Beudant.
2eme edit. 2 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1830. From G. B. Emerson.

System of Theoretical and Practical Chemistry. By. Fred.
Accum. 2 vols. 8vo. Phil. 1814. From G. B. Emerson.

Lectures on Geology. By Jer. Van Rensselaer. 8vo. New
York, 1825. From G. B. Emerson.

Treatise on Mineralogy. 2d Part. By C. U. Shepard. 12i-no.
2 vols. New Haven, 1835. From G. B. Emerson.

Report of the Fifth Meeting of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science. 8vo. Lend. 1836. Froin G. B.
Emerson.

System of Chemistry. By Thomas Thomson. 8vo. Vols. 2,
3, 4. With Notes by T. Cooper. 8vo. Phil. 1818. From G.
B. Emerson.

Catalogue of American Minerals, with their Localities. By
Samuel Robinson. 8vo. Boston, 1825. From G. B. Emerson.

Account of a Geographical and Astronomical Expedition to
the Northern Parts of Russia. 4to. Lend. 1802. By Martin
Sauer. From G. B. Emerson.

Illustrations of the genus Cinchona, &c. By A. B. Lambert.
4to. Lond. 1821. From G. B. Emerson.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. Deuxieme serie.
Tome 5eme, Feuilles 1-3. (8-22 Novembre 1847.) Froin
the Societe Geol.

Annals and Mag. of Nat. History. No. IX. 2d series. For
Sept. 1848. Courtis Fund.

History of the Fossil Fruits and Seeds of the London Clay.
By J. I. Bowerbank. 8vo. Pamph. Lond. 1840. From Joseph
Leidy.

Address at the Anniversary Meeting of the Entomological
Society of London. Jan. 1848. 8vo. Pamph. London. From
Joseph Leidy.

Notice sur la Valeur du Caractere Paleontologique en Geologic.
Par L. de Koninck, D. M. 8vo. Pamph. Bruxelles, 1847. Fro)n
Josepih Leidy.

Notice sur quelques Fossiles du Spitzberg. 8vo. Pamph. Par
L. de Koninck, M. D. Frorn Josejjh Leidy.

61

October 4, 1848.
The President in the Chair.

Present nineteen members.

The business of the meeting was opened by Prof.
Agassiz, who announced that during a recent visit to Lake
Superior, he had made a special study of its fishes. Among
them he had found several new species, and even new
genera ; and one fish, with a head like a perch, and a se-
cond dorsal fin, adipose, concerning which he was in doubt
in what family to place it. He proposed, on the present
occasion, to confine his remarks to the SalmonidcB. Prof.
A. then gave a general sketch of the classification of the Sal-
monidcE, now in use, and passed on to some observations
on some of the Lake Superior species. One of them he
believed to be identical with Salmo fontinalis, the com-
mon Brook Trout of the streams of other parts of the
United States.

Salmo amethystus, Namacusli. Of this species Prof. A.
remarked, that the color to which it owes its name does not show
itself distinctly while the fish is swimming, or when first caught;
but only after being taken from the water, when the mucus on
the surface begins to dry. The general color of this species
varies with the ground on which it is caught. Those found on
a muddy bottom are generally greyish, while those from a grav-
elly bottom are of a reddish color, with much brighter fins. The
sexes differ in shape, the male having a more pointed head than
the female, although the jaws are of equal length. The ventral
fins are placed very far lack ; a valuable specific mark in the
SalmonidcB^ a family in which it is very difficult to fix on charac-
teristic differences. The S. amethystus is the most valuable fish
for food found in Lake Superior. In answer to a question from
Dr. Storer, Prof. A. replied that he did not notice the amethystine
color in the mouth of this species.

Salmo siskiwit, Ag. This also is a fish of high flavor, but

62

so fat as to be unfit for food ; the greater part of it melting down
as it were, in the process of cooking. It is stout, broad and
thick ; more so than any species of Salmon except the S. trutta
of Central Europe. The nostrils are nearer the eye than in
S. ainelhystus^ and the dorsal fin is larger. Tail much less
forked, and of a crescent shape. The color varies according to
the feeding ground on which it is caught, and is brighter during
the breeding season. The latter fact Prof. A. remarked is true
of fishes in general. The young of the S. sUkiioit have trans-
verse bars which disappear with their growth, like those of other
species of salmon.

Prof. A.'s remarks on the color of fishes during the
breeding season led to a general conversation on the subject.
Mr. Ayres said he considered color a very uncertain mark
on which to base specific difTerences. He had frequently
noticed the brighter hue during the breeding season, but so
far as his observations extended it existed only in the males.
Prof. Agassiz remarked that in the genus Phoxinus, the
reverse is the case. He agreed with Mr. Ayres, that color
cannot be relied on as a specific character. Dr. Bryant
remarked that he had noticed at Newport a difTerence of
color in the Tautog, Tautoga americcma, of different sexes ;
the females being mottled, and the males of a darker, more
uniform hue, with white chins. Mr. Ayres said that he had
hardly seen two specimens of this fish alike in color, and
the white chin he considered due to the locality. Dr. Storer
spoke of the remarkable varieties of color noticeable in the
brook trout from difTerent localities ; those from waters with
sandy bottoms being very bright, while those from waters
over muddy bottoms are extremely dark. This difference
is even more striking in specimens of pickerel from differ-
ent places. Mr. Ayres had noticed similar distinctions in
trout caught in different parts of the same stream. Prof.
Agassiz had observed them in trout frequenting opposite
sides of the same brook, according as they were habitually
in the sun or shade.

Mr. Burnett read a paper on the Peeping Frog of New
England, from which the following are extracts.

63

*' The Peeping Frog has been hitherto considered by Herpe-
tologists as the Hijla squirella, and a description and account of
it to this effect have been given in the last Report on Massachusetts
Reptiles. My friend Dr. D. S. C. H. Smith, of Providence, R. I.,
lately showed me the true Peeping Frog, which has been vocal
until a week since, so that there can be no doubt of the charac-
ter of the animal. It differs widely from the H. squirella.^' It
proves to be the Hylodes Pickeringii. Mr Burnett doubted the
existeace of the H. squirella among us. His paper continued :
" There is something quite curious in the coloration of this ani-
mal, which it possesses in common with others of the same order,
consisting in a constant, apparently volitional change of hue. It
immediately assumes that of the object on which it rests, be it stone,
wood or leaf; and I have noticed it pass in a few minutes, from
fright, through all the tints, from a pea-green to the lightest wood
color. The habits of this little animal do not differ materially
from those of the genus Hyla. The peeping sound is produced
by both sexes. In summer they cease to be vocal, and retreat
from the pools, where the eggs are deposited, to the woods,
where they live, hopping about on the boughs of the trees, feed-
ing upon insects, and occasionally making a shrill whistling
noise. Having by autumn become quite fat, they leave the
woods and pass the winter at the bottom of pools, or in the mud
in their vicinity." Mr. Burnett exhibited colored drawings of
the animal taken at different seasons.

Dr. Cabot announced that the following ornithological
specimens had been recently received by the Society, viz.,
Cypselus pelasgius, Chimney Swallow, presented by Mr.
F. Gassett ; Ardea nydicorax, Night Heron, young, pre-
sented by Mr. W. Minot Jr. ; Tringa rufescens, Buff-
breasted Sandpiper, presented by himself. He also pre-
sented specimens of gold ore from the Cabarras mine,
in the name of Mr. T. G. Cary, Jr.

Specimens of Coal containing vegetable Fossils ; Fossil
shells from the Catskill mountains, and a Turritella were
presented in the name of Daniel P. Curtis, Esq. The thanks
of the Society were voted for the donation.

Prof. Wyman presented specimens of Fossil fish from
Beyroot.

64

Dr. A. A. Gould presented specimens of Mallotus vil-
losus in a fossil state, contained in clay concretions from
the coast of Maine. This fish is interesting as being the
only species known to naturalists, in both a living and fossil
condition.

Octobe?' 18, 1848.
Mr. E. C. Cabot in the Chair.

Present, ten members.

Dr. Gould presented several specimens of new shells,
and read descriptions of them.

Glandina bullata. Testa papyracea, bullala, diaphana,
elHpsoidea, lactea, ferrugineo tincta, longitudinaliter crebro
striata ; spira octantem longitudinis sequante, anfr. 5 convexius-
culis ; sutura modica ; apertura f longitud. testse, late lunata ;
columella modice arcuata, lamina callosa induta. Long. 1^,
lat. f poll. Hah. Louisiana.

This shell was received in considerable numbers from Rev.
E. R. Beadle, of New Orleans. It differs from G. truncata in
its extreme tenuity, inflated form, and short spire, in the smaller
number of its whorls, its paler color, finer striation, and nearly
straight pillar.

LiMNEA lanceata. Tcsta raediocri, fragili, diaphana, cornea,
attenuata, striis incrementalibus et striis volventibus argute reti-
culata ; spira anfr. 6 planiusculis, perobliquis, ultimo f testes
aequante ; apertura angusta, dimidiam longitudinis fere adequante,
postice acuta ; plica columellari conspicua, acuta, vix spirali ;
labro fascia castanea submarginali picto. Long, f, lat. ^ poll.
Hob. North shore of Lake Superior, " Pic Lake," where it was
collected by Prof. Agassiz.

Next to L. gracilis this is the most delicate species we have.
It may be compared with L. attenuata and L. rejiexd, from both

65

of which it differs in the flatness of its whorls, in its aperture,
which is proportionally much longer and narrower, and in being
only about half their size. It is much like large specimens of
Physa hypnorum reversed.

Prof. Agassiz read a paper on the necessity of a thorough
revision of the system of classification in Zoology now in
use. He gave a sketch of Cuvier's system, and showed its
many deficiencies in the present advanced stage of science.
He thought that a more perfect system was called for, based
upon the embryonic development of animals, and the order
of their appearance at the various geological epochs. His
views were illustrated by many interesting facts. Dr. Gould
followed with some interesting observations in confirmation
of Prof. A's. views, drawn from his study of the Mollusca.
He had noticed among them a structural agreement, accord-
ing to their position in the scale, with the order of geologi-
cal succession. Points to which he alluded in illustration
were the degree of development of parts, as that of the
head, for instance ; the development of distinct organs, as
of the eyes ; and the shape of the shell.

Mr. Desor gave an account of his recent zoological inves-
tigations among the shoals of Nantucket, whilst on board
the surveying steamer Bibb ; Capt. Davis having afforded
him every opportunity for dredging in depths varying from
three to twenty-five fathoms.

Among the radiated animals which thus came under his
examination were the following:

HYDROIDIAN POLYPS.

1. Plum ARIA A RBOREA, Desor. Polypidom arbuscular, irregu-
larly branched ; branches long and pinnate, the pinnae leaning
to one side. Cells pyriform, with a plain margin, very close
together, on the internal side of the branches. From 4 to 6
inches high. Dredged on the Shoals of Nantucket, ten miles
east of Sancati Head, from a depth of fourteen fathoms.

2. Sertularta filicula, Ellis. From 2 to 3 inches high.

PROCEEDINGS B. S, N. H. 5 NOV. 1848.

66

Found in great quantity on Nantucket Shoals, adhering to stones
and shells, at depths varying from six to twenty-four fathoms.

3. Sertularia argentea, Ellis. Varies in size from 3 and
4 inches to 1 foot and a half. Common at depths of from three
to five fathoms ; also found frequently on tlie heaches around
Cape Cod, where it is thrown by the waves.

4. Sertularia plumea, Desor. Polypidom very fine, like
down ; stem very little branched. Cells opposite, very close.
Differs from S. rosacea, Johnst., in being much less branched.
Height 1 inch. Dredged from twenty-two fathoms near South
Shoal.

5. Laomedea dichotoma, Lin. From half an inch to an inch
high. Attached to stones and shells. Found at a depth varying
from ten to fifteen fathoms, near South Shoal.

ASCIDOIDIAN POLYPS OR BRYOZOA.

6. Flustra truncata, Lin. Very abundant near South Shoal,
at depths varying from fifteen to twenty-two fathoms.

7. Cellularia turrita, Desor. Polypidom dense, like a bush ;
stem orange colored, divided into a great number of branches,
so that each stem looks like a small tower or pyramid. Found
in depths varying from three to fifteen fathoms. Thrown in
great quantity on the beaches of the islands of Nantucket and
Martha's Vineyard.

8. Cellularia DENSA, Desor. Polypidom very dense, bushy :
divided into a great many branches, which are brittle when dry.
Somewhat allied to C. aiicularia, Pallas, but differs in the form
of the cells, which are more simple. Dredged from a depth of
twenty-two fathoms near the South Shoal.

9. Lepralia variolosa, Johnst. Very abundant on the
Shoals of Nantucket, at depths of from ten to twenty-five fathoms,
where it covers almost every stone and shell. Its color is of a
bright red, but it fades very soon after being brought to the sur-
face.

10. Membranipora tenuis, Desor. Cells lobate, more elonga-
ted than in M. pilosa, Pallas, with a plain margin of a pale pink

67

color. Abundant in Muskeget Channel at a depth of from three
to five fathoms.

ECHINODERMS.

11. AsTERACANTHioN FoRBEsi, Desor. Rays about two and a
half times as long as the disk is broad. Differs from A. rubens
in its more cylindrical rays, and in its spines, which are not
pointed, but obtuse and canaliculate along the avenues. Color
reddish brown. Dredged from a depth of eight fathoms in the
Vineyard Sound.

12. AsTERACANTHiON KUBENS, Mull. Found at all depths,
from low water mark to twenty-five fathoms.

13. AsTERiAs spoNGiosA, Fabr. Frequent among barnacles,
at depths of from five to fifteen fathoms.

14. Ofhiocoma aculeata, MiJlI. Frequent amonoj barnacles,
at the same depth as the preceding species, and commonly asso-
ciated with it.

15. EcHiNARACHNius PARMA, Rumph. Found in great
quantity among the Shoals of Nantucket, at an average depth of
from six to twenty fathoms. Of a bright red color, but turns
green after death. E. atlanticus^ Gray, is nothing but a young
individual of this species.

16. Echinus granulatus. Say. Found scattered at all depths
from low water mark to twenty-five fathoms. Of a beautiful
green color at the greatest depths.

17. SiPUNCULUs bernhardus, Forbes. Frequent in the Vine-
yard Sound, at the depth of from six to twelve fathoms. Found
generally in the shells of Buccinum triviitatum, Say, which are
very common in this locality, at that depth.

18. CucuMARiA FusiFORMis, Forbes. But one specimen was
found, white, tinted with pink on the back. It was dredged near
South Shoal, from a depth of twenty-two fathoms.

Mr. Desor described also two new species of Sponges.

19. Spongia urceolhta, Desor. Cup-shaped, with a lobated
margin ; perforations very minute. Diameter 1 inch. It is of a

68

bright red color, but turns black after death. Dredged in the
harbor of Edgartovvn, from a depth of four fathoms.

29. Spongia sulphurea, Desor. A large species, massive,
variously crooked and bent, often annular. Surface covered with
many scar-like impressions, at the bottom of which are seen
small perforations. It is of a bright yellow color when alive,
like sulphur, but turns black after death. Found in great abund-
ance in the Vineyard Sound at a depth of from six to ten fathoms,
attached to stones or old shells.

Among the twenty species here enumerated, nine only are
mentioned in Gould's Report on the Invertebrata of Massachu-
setts, seven are entirely new, and four have not been found before
on this side of the ocean. Most of the species seem to be caxIu-
sive inhabitants of the deep waters, with the exception of the
two very common species of Echinoderms, {Echinus granulatus
and Asterias ruhens^) which are found at all depths.

Mr. Desor offered for the acceptance of the Society, the
original specimens of the above-described species.

Mr. Burnett read a long and interesting paper on the
" Hibernation of Insects, and its relation to their Metamor-
phoses." After some preliminary remarks on the relations
of the functions of animal organisms to the season of the
year, and the laws regulating the phenomena of hibernation,
he carne to the consideration of these law^s as particularly
manifested in the economy of insects. In the course of
his observations this autumn upon the NoduidtB, he had
noticed that the ova of one species, Clisiocampa americana,
the common Tent Caterpillar, instead of remaining all win-
ter, as has been supposed, exposed to the cold and storms
in an undeveloped slate, begin at once to undergo the
embryonic changes. He found in every egg which he
opened, a young caterpillar with the vitelline sac attached
to it, the vitelline duct entering upon the back. He had
observed the same thing in several other species of Noctui-
dfs, and therefore infers its probable existence in all. He

69

exhibited to the Society specimens under the microscope,
displaying these appearances.

Mr. Burnett remarked of those species which hibernate
under ground, that he had found that they undergo at once
the transition from the Pupa slate to that of perfect insects,
as occurs in the diurnal Lepidoptera. He said he thought
that a kind of alternation of generation, as it is explained
by Sars and Steenstrup, was noticeable in insects. He
illustrated his point by a very interesting account of Bom-
bus americanus, the American Humble-Bee. His paper
concluded with some observations on the distinction between
the hibernation of animals, and the Pupa condition of
insects. (For the paper in full, see Journal of the Boston
Society of Nat. History, Vol. VI. No. 1.)

Mr. Ayres read a paper on a very curious fish which he
exhibited to the Society. It was taken at sea, south of
the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, in 42° N. lat. and 50°
W. long., by Capt. Porter, of St. Stephens, New Brunswick,
and is now in the possession of Miss L. Felt, of Boston.
When taken it was in a vertical position, with the snout a
little above the surface of the water. It was living, but
made no attempt to escape. It somewhat resembles the
genus Scopelus, but differs from it in so many particulars
as to make a new genus necessary to receive it. From a
striking peculiarity, the softness of its bones, Mr. Ayres
proposes for the genus the name of Malacosteus, and for
the species, from its color, Malacosteus niger.

Some of its most striking features are the large size of the
eye, the great development of the facial and branchial apparatus,
making the head appear to be one quarter of the length of the
whole body, while the cranium in reality is remarkably small ;
the immense gape of the mouth and gills, v/hich is greater than
in any other known species ; the long sharp teeth in the lower
jaw ; the small fins, indicating slowness of progression ; the
absence of scales or any traces of their development; the exist-
ence of a singular spot on the cheek, a short distance below

70

the eye, resembling very much the lens of that organ ; the
extreme softness of the bones, which can be pierced even in their
hardest parts by a needle, with the greatest ease ; the absence of
branchial rays ; and the existence of only a trace of humeral
bones. Length 8^ inches.

From an imperfect dissection, all that he was permitted
to make, I\Ir. Ayres had ascertained a few particulars with
regard to its anatomy.

The ovaries present a striking peculiarity in their want of
symmetry. They are dissimilar in form, size and shuation ; a
character unknown in any other genus.

The apparently single bone proceeding from the cranium to
the articulation of the lower jaw, is found to consist of the tem-
poral, tympanal, and jugal bones united. Of the other bones of
the cheek no ossification can be found. The organ on the cheek
resembling the lens of the eye, is found under the microscope to
be composed of muscular fibres, and is probably part of the
masseter. (For the paper in full see Journal of the Boston Soci-
ety of Natural History, Vol. VI. No. 1.)

Dr. Storer had recently received from Capt. Atwood, of
Provincetown, a beautiful specimen of Zygcena, Hammer-
head Shark. The Zygcena of our waters has been hith-
erto considered by naturalists the Z. malleus. Dr. Storer
had never before seen a perfect specimen. From an exam-
ination of the specimen from Provincetown he was now
enabled to say that the species is not the malleus, but a
new one, to which he proposes to give the name Z. suhar-
cuata. Dr. Storer exhibited a fine drawing of the fish,
and read the following account of it.

"When my ' Report on the Fishes of Massachusetts' was
published, in 18.37, I had not seen a specimen of a Zygcena
belonging to our waters. Two years afterwards, I received a
dried one, which was taken at Chatham, on the south side of
Cape Cod. Imperfect as it was, I described it in a supplement to
my report, which appeared in the fourth volume of our Society's

71

Journal ; and agreeing as it did, in some important particulars,
with the malleus^ as described by Valenciennes in the ' Memoires
du Museum d' Histoire Natureile,' which latter species is said by
this writer to be found upon the coast of Brazil, I concluded it
must be that species.

DeKay in his Report on the Fishes of New York, after having
seen several specimens, arranges it also as the malleus.

A recent specimen, brought me by my old friend Capt. Atwood,
from Provincetown, where it was taken a few weeks since,
enables me to determine the species — to settle the question that
it is not the malleus, but an undescribed species, which I would
thus characterize.

Zygcena subakcuata. — Head, broad again as long; anterior
portion of head convex ; posterior margin of head concave. Dis-
tance from snout to first dorsal fin equal to one fourth the length
of the fish.

The malleus is described as having the head three times
as broad as long ; the distance between the snout and the first
dorsal fin equal lo one third the entire length of the fish ; the
anterior portion of the head slightly scalloped, and its posterior
margin nearly straight.

The specimen above described is two feet long, and is the
third of this species I have known to be taken north of Cape
Cod, — all of which have been caught in the harbor of Province-
town, in nets set for mackerel.

DeKay speaks of a specimen having been taken eleven feet
in length. He says the species is ' much dreaded for its bold-
ness and ferocity ; ' and Mitchill tells us of a specimen in whose
stomach was found ' many detached parts of a man, together
with his clothing.'"

Dr. Storer also read a paper on a new species of Carcha-
rias, as follows :

" Two or three months since, I read a description and presented
a figure of a species of shark, measuring nearly thirteen feet in
length, and supposed to weigh about 1500 pounds, which was
captured at Provincetown in June last. Thinking this enormous
species must have been described by some previous Ichthyologist,
I was unwilling to hazard a description'until I had further investi-

72

gated the subject. Now, not having been able to find a descrip-
tion which answers to it, I feel compelled to consider it as a new
species, and would offer the following characters.

Carcharias atwoodi. Above, of a leaden gray color, white
beneath. Body very short anterior to the ventral fins. Pec-
torals large. Anal back of second dorsal. Teeth in both jaws,
large, triangular, serrated ; those of the lower jaw, the smaller.
About twenty-four teeth in each row.

I know of no species which can be thought of, while exam-
ining this species, unless it be the C. vulgaris, the great White
Shark. In that species however, the aiial Jin is opposite the
second dorsal, and the upper lobe of the caudal Jin has no trian-
gular termination.

The absurd notion of indiscriminately annexing the names of
individuals to objects of Natural History has been almost discarded,
unless in cases where the persons so specified have in some way
advanced the boundaries of science. In the instance before us,
I feel you will all agree with me in acknowledging that the com-
pliment here offered, is deserved ; when I remind you that the
hardy fisherman referred to, while constantly engaged in the
fatigues of his exceedingly laborious profession, has transmitted
me within the last two seasons, besides the species here described,
a species of Blennius, and Motella, both of which genera were
new to our waters ; besides a specimen of the Somniosus Irevi-
pinna, previously only known by a description of a stuffed spe-
cimen met with by Lesueur, at Marblehead, thirty years ago; and
a specimen of Aspidophorus monopterygius, never but once pre-
viously met with south of Greenland ; without referring to
numerous specimens of our most common species. I would at the
same time reiterate, what you have repeatedly heard me state,
that he is more conversant with the history and habits of the
Fishes north of Cape Cod, than any individual with whom I am
acquainted ; or in other words, that he is our best practical Icthy-
ologist."

Dr. Gould presented, in behalf of Mr. B. S. Porter, the
skin of an African bird which is frequently transported to
South America, where it is kept for a cage bird. In South
America it is called La Viuda or Widow Bird. The dona-

73

tion was accompanied by a letter giving an account of some
of its habits and changes of plumage.

Mr. Henry W. Abbot was elected a member of the
Society.

November 1, 1848.

The President in the Chair.

Present, nineteen members.

Dr. Gould now gave descriptions of the following shells
from the Collection of the Exploring Expedition.

Natica algida. Testa parva, tenuis, globosa, glabra, albido-
livescens : spira anfr. 4 ventricosis juxta suturam linearem tabu-
latis, ultimo magno ampullaceo: apertura semilunaris; colu-
mella arcuata : basis umbilico modico spirali funiculato, ad aditum
anguiato, perforata. Long, f ; lat. f poll. Hah. Rio Negro.

Differs from N. soluta principally in its sutural region, and in
its umbilical region, in which latter respect it differs from several
allied species such as N. glohosa, N. borealis, &c.

Natica dilecta. Testa parva, globulosa, solida, sub epider-
mide sordida eburnea, lineolis rubiginosis araneosis scutulata et
prope suturam lituris castaneis maculata ; spira rotundata, anfr. 5
ventricosis : apertura semilunaris ; labro crasso ; columella valde
callifera, callo antice et ad funiculum castaneo, et canali trans-
verso fere diviso ; umbilico amplo, funiculo fere impleto.
Long. I ; lat. |- poll. Hah. ?

Has a general resemblance in size and form to N. maroccana^
and must also be allied to N. lupinus, Desh. The whorls are
closely appressed at the suture, and the network coloring is much
like that on the bands of Conns ammiralis.

Stomatella decolorata. Testa auriformis, depressa, sub-
perforata, albida maculis lacteis et labeculis sanguineis marmor^

74

ala, costulis numerosis confertis cincta, striis minutis ad paginam
superiorem interpositis : spira prominiikij anfr. 4 planulalis, sulura
profunda discretis : apertura obliqua, sub-circularis ; columella
acuta, superne reflexiuscula, areola lata inornata adjacente.
Long. |- ; lat. |- ; alt. f poll. Hab. Mangsi Island.

Allied to S. maculata, Quoy., but the spire is less elevated, the
aperture is more rounded, and above all it is characterized by
the plaiji white lunate area adjacent to the columella.

Stomatella tumida. Testa subglobosa, ampullacea, tenuis,
nitida, cinereo-olivacea, prope suturam albido ct rufo seriatim
maculata et lineolis sagittatis vitlata, subtus flavescens, sulcis
remotis cincta, sulcis basalibus fusco-articulatis ; spira anfr.
4 tumidis : apertura circularis ; labro acuto, albo ; columella
revoluta, callo copioso, erecto, albo-striato marginata ; intus mar-
garitacea. Long. l|;,lat. f; alt. |- poll. Hah. China Seas,
Moluccas.

Distinguished by its globular form, shining surface, peculiar
coffee-colored ground with delicately ])ainted feathery ridges and
the large white erect columellar callus. It accords with the
figure in Chemnitz, named Turho papyracea, but that shell is
described as perfectly smooth.

Ampullaria columellaris. Testa ponderosa, imperforata,
rhomboidali-ovalis, nitida, sed sub lente argute reticulata, flavo-
viridis, fasciis rubidis cincta : spira elevata, anfr. 7 ventricosis :
apertura semilunaris f iongitud. testae adeequans ; columella axil-
lari, prselonga, cylindrica, contorta ; labro flavido, evaso ; fauce
castaneo. Long. 2^ ; lat. 2 poll. Hab. Province of Maynas,
Peru.

Remarkable for its solidity, its elongated form, its want of
umbilicus, and the presence of a columella like that of the buli-
moid helices.

Amnicola badia. Testa minuta, elongata, ovato-turrita, badia :
spira acuta, apice erosa, anfr. 5 convexiusculis, ultimo vix angu-
lato ; sutura impressa : apertura ovata, peristomate continuo,
obtuso, fusco. Long, ^ ; lat. y^. poll. Hab. Banks' Peninsula,
N. Zealand.

A small elongated species like A. preissii of New Holland.

75

Its color and its dark obtuse peristome give rather marked char-
acters to a shell so small and simple.

Amnicola egena. Testa minuta, tenuis, sub-perforata, elon-
gato-turrita, epidermide virescente induta : spira acuta, anfr. 5
convexis ; sulura profunda : apertura ovata ; peristomate con-
tinuo, labro acuto, patente. Long. I ; lat. y'j poll. Hab. Banks'
Peninsula, N. Zealand.

More slender and less solid than A. hadia, and of an entirely
different color. It is very much like Paludina acuta of Europe.

Lacuna carinata. Testa parva, tenuis, ovato-globosa, epider-
mide cornea tenui undulatim' striata induta: spira anfr. 5 ventri-
cosis, ultimo carina filosa cincto : apertura semicircularis dimidiam
testae adsequans ; columella rotundata. Long, y^^ ; lat. -^ poll.
Hah. Paget Sound.

In color and marking much like L. vincta of our shores. Our
shell sometimes has the last whorl perceptibly angular, but it
never has the filiform carina.

LirioPA DEcussATA. Tcsta parvula, perfragilis, acuto-conica,
badia; spira anfr. 8 convexis, transversim striatis, apicalibus
plicatis : apertura ovata antice subtruncata ; labro simplici ; col-
umella arcuata, antice unidentata. Long, ^^g ; lat. -^^ poll.
Found on floating wood, lat. 37° 40' N., long. 54° 30' W.

Agrees well with L. striata, Pfeiff., except that it is less than
half the size.

Mr. Desor exhibited specimens and gave an account of a
new species of Salpa obtained by him off the coast of Nan-
tucket.

This genus is interesting as furnishing an instance of
alternation of generation ; one generation consisting of many
individuals united together in a common chain, the next of
separate individuals, and so on in alternate succession, each
kind producing the other. Mr. Desor gives to his new-
species the name Salpa Caboti. The genus Salpa had
been doubtfully classed, he stated, among the Mollusks.
It differs from them in the following particulars. The
intestine is reflected, and opens at the common orifice of the

76

body. The circulation (which is not a true circulation, but
a simple oscillation of the fluids from one side to the other,
first in one direction and then back again,) is regulated by
a valve which is not found in the Mollusks, and acts in
either direction, according to the motion of the current.
Locomotion is produced by the contraction of strong mus-
cular bands, whereas in the Mollusks it is generally pro-
duced by the alternate contraction of many small muscles.
In the Salpa it is difficult to say which is the anterior and
which the posterior extremity. On the other hand it resem-
bles the Medusae, especially the Bercie, in its transparency ;
in the character of its tissue, which is furnished with similar
projecting points ; in its stinging power when held in large
quantities in the hand ; and in the position of the embryos
around the stomach. The Salpa propels itself by taking
in water and expelling it again with force by openings,
which in the separate individuals are two in number, in the
complex chain one for each member. In reply to a ques-
tion from Dr. Gould, Mr. Desor said that so far as he had
been able to examine it the nervous system is ganglionic,
like that of the Mollusks.

Mr. Desor also exhibited some drawings of a new
species of Pelagia obtained by him in Nantucket Bay.
This genus has not before been found on this side of the
Atlantic; and the species, characterized by having eight
eyes, and five long slender threads, he proposes to call P.
quinquecm'ha.

Dr. C. T. Jackson exhibited specimens of a new mineral
found in the copper deposit of the Pittsburg and Boston
Company's mine at Lake Superior. He had not yet com-
pleted its analysis, but it belonged, he said, to the family of
the Zeolites. He also exhibited rings ingeniously made of
native copper and silver, the two minerals remaining in con-
tact just as they occur in the mine. He gave an interesting
account of the mining processes carried on at Lake Supe-

77

rior. He stated that the sandstone of that region agrees in
its characters with those of the oldest of the sandstone for-
mations. He concluded with an account of the immense
quantities of Specular Iron ore found in the region south
of L'Anse, Lake Superior, on or near the Machigamig
river.

Dr. Storer presented a specimen of Cottus, taken in
eighteen fathoms of water on Nantucket Shoals. It was
only one inch in length, and proved to be the C variabilis
of Ayres, which is improperly described by DeKay as the
C. oeneus of Mitchill. The true C. ceneus is another species.
The C. variabilis is usually found in shoal water along the
shores ; and it is a curious fact that the specimen presented
should have been taken in such deep water. Three were
caught by Mr. Desor, of which the specimen presented was
one, in water of twelve, fifteen and eighteen fathoms depth.

Dr. Storer also presented, in the name of Dr. Forsyth of
Chelsea, Mass., a specimen of Chimizra Colliei, from Califor-
nia, described and figured in the Zoolooy of Beechey's
Voyage. This genus of fishes is remarkable for having on
the top of the head a large projecting mass, covered with
spines, which shuts down over it like a hood, and serves as
a protection.

Dr. Bacon presented, in Mr. Alger's and his own name, a
number of mineralogical specimens, most of which had been
recently collected during a mineralogical excursion to the
western part of New Jersey.

Dr. David S. C. H. Smith of Providence R. I., was
elected a Corresponding Member.

78

November 18, 1848.
Dr. D. H. Storer, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Present, twenty-four members.

Mr. J. D. Whitney exhibited and described a large
reflecting goniometer, made by August Oerthng, in BerHn.
This instrument is in its general form and arrangement sim-
ilar to that described by Mitscherlich, in the Transactions
of the Berlin Academy ; it has, however, several improve-
ments over any other instrument which has been as yet con-
structed. The execution of the work is highly creditable
to the maker, who is well known as one of the most skilful
and ingenious workmen in Germany.

By a slight change in the arrangement of some of the
parts, this instrument may be used for the determination of
indices of refraction, and for other purposes in physical
research, when nice angular measurements are required.
The graduation is on silver, and reads by two verniers
to 10^'.

Mr. Whitney read a paper containing the results of the
chemical examination of certain American minerals. The
mineral named by Nuttall, Nemalite, and since analyzed by
Thomson and Connell, with very discordant results, is simply
a fibrous hydrate of magnesia, as was supposed by Nuttall
himself without analysis. The name Nemalite ought not
to be continued, since the substance differs only from
Brucite, or hydrate of magnesia, by being in a fibrous state.
Mr. Whitney read a description and analysis of a mineral
from the north shore of Lake Superior, which had been
hastily and incorrectly examined by Mr. Le Conte, and
named by him, Coracite. This mineral contains the oxide of
uranium, U, combined with oxide of lead and lime, also,

79

carbonic acid, water, silica, alumina and oxide of iron. It
differs from pitchblende in its ready solubility in acids ;
the uranium existing in pitchblende as U U, the proto-per-
oxide, and of course in an insoluble state. He also read
analyses of Pectolite from Isle Royale and Bergen Hill, and
showed that the Stelliie of Beck from Bergen Hill, as well
as the Stellite and Wollastonite of Thomson, ought to be
united with Pectolite, since they agreed with it entirely in
chemical and physical characters.

Mr. Desor exhibited a number of Drift fossils from Nan-
tucket, which he had collected in company with Mr. E. C.
Cabot. They were taken from the cliff at the east end of
the island. The outlines of the strata on the surface of
this cliff are somewhat obscured by the sand which has been
blown over it. About half way up it is an oyster bed, from
which the specimens were taken. It contains many fossils
in a remarkably perfect condition ; even crab's claws being
found here unbroken. Its position indicates that it has not
been disturbed since it was formed. It contains most of the
species found on the neighboring beaches. Specimens of
Venus are sometimes found with the valves open, as if from
the relaxation of the muscles at the moment of death.

Until within two years it has been supposed that there
were no fossils in the drift south of Lake Champlain. Last
year Mr. Desor discovered a similar fossil deposit on Long
Island in Brooklyn, which was then carefully examined by
himself and Mr. Redfield. Its origin was very doubtful how-
ever, as the shells were very much broken and worn. But
at Nantucket, a point between these localities, the formation
is now found to exist without the least trace of disturbance.
The strata at the east end of this island dip towards the
west, the angle of dip gradually increasing from the highest
to the lowest. The fossils are of the same species as those
now living on the neighboring shore ; an interesting fact
indicating a similarity of climate at the time they were de-

80

posited with that of the present. In Europe the opinion
has prevailed among geologists that at the epoch of the drift
the climate was colder than it is now.

Beneath the oyster bank of Nantucket is a stratum of
coarse, sandy clay, very much like that at the base of the
cliff of Gay Head, which was regarded by Prof. Hitchcock
as a tertiary deposit. It is probable, therefore, that these
two formations are the outcrops of a Tertiary basin which
passes underneath these two islands of Nantucket and Mar-
tha's Vineyard and the intervening sea.

Boulders are found on the surface of both of these islands.
It is an interesting inquiry how those on Nantucket could
have been deposited above the bed of fossils without disturb-
ing it. The regularity of the stratum of sand under them,
and the character of the climate as indicated by the shells,
are incompatible with an explanation based on the glacial
theory. They could hardly have been brought by Icebergs,
for among them are masses of Pudding-stone, such as exists
at Hingham and Roxbury, which rest here at a higher level
than their source.

Prof. Agassiz gave an account of two new fishes obtained
by him at Lake Superior, which he regarded as the types of
two new genera. The first is an entirely new type in the
class of fishes. Prof. A. incidentally alluded to his former
researches, by which he had demonstrated the constant
relation existing between the character of the scales and the
general character of the fish, and mentioned some instances
in illustration.

The first of these two new species is a small fish, five or
six inches long, in its general shape resembling a Leuciscus,
It has the adipose fin of the SalmonidcB, but not the jaws
of that family ; these strongly resembling those of the Perc-
oids. In its scales, which are serrated on their margins, it
also resembles the Percoids. Its characters are sufficiently
peculiar to justify the establishment of a new family from

81

this single species. Fossil species with similar characters
are found in the cretaceous formations. This is the second,
Prof. A. remarked, of the '' old-fashioned " fishes, so to
speak, corresponding in their structure to fossil species,
which has been observed in this country. The other, the
Lepisosteus, is the only living representative of a large fam-
ily of fossil species. The existence of these two species has
undoubtedly reference to the fact, that America is the oldest
extensive continent which has been upheaved above the level
of the sea. In New Holland, two genera exist, bearing
similar relations to older families ; a fish, the Cestracion,
or Port Jackson Shark, and a shell, the Trigonia, which
have their analogues among the oolitic deposits. Prof. A. ex-
hibited a colored drawing of the new fish of which he was
speaking, by Mr. J. E. Cabot ; and presented specimens for
the cabinet of the Society. He has given it the name
" Percopsis,^^ on account of its resemblance to the Percoids.

The second species, to which Prof. A. gives the name
Rhinichthys, is characterized by its long snout, the position
of the mouth beneath it, and the arrangement of the teeth.
The male is brighter than the female.

This genus belongs to the family of Cypiinidce, and
should be placed in the vicinity of Barbus, though it has no
barbels. Leuciscus nasuius of Ayres, and L. atronasus of
Mitchill, belong to this genus.

Prof. Agassiz also exhibited a colored drawing of Sphar-
gis coriacea, Leather Tortoise, which was recently cast on
shore at South Wellfleet, Cape Cod. It is the second only
of this species which has been obtained from our waters.

Dr. Cabot stated that during a recent visit to the east end
of Long Island, he had made some interesting observations
on the formation of fresh water ponds by the closing up of
the entrances to inlets from the sea. About three miles
from the end of Montauk Point is such a pond, from four
to six miles in circumference, separated from the sea by a
sand beach about twenty rods wide. Within the memory

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 6 MARCH, 1849.

82

of persons now living it was an open strait, by which small
vessels passed through the island. Its waters are now en-
tirely fresh, and contain fresh water animals, such as Emys
pieta, E. punctata, and Emysaurus serpentina ; and fresh
water plants, among which is the Valisneria. It is the resort
of myriads of water fowl, such as are usually found on fresh
water. To a great distance from the shore this pond is
very shallow, but becomes deeper towards the centre in the
probable situation of the old channel. Within twenty years,
oysters could be obtained here, and their shells are still
abundant. In the vicinity of this pond are smaller ones of
a similar character. In other places the process of trans-
formation may be seen now going on. The sea washes up
a sand bar across a bay, and in time stops up its entrance.
Sometimes this obstruction is broken through by storms, and
the sea again enters until the passage is once more closed.
Sometimes the barrier is removed by the neighboring inhab-
itants, to permit the entrance of the herrings. It is an in-
teresting question how the water in these ponds becomes
changed from salt to fresh.

Mr. Desor mentioned several similar facts in confirmation
of Dr. Cabot's statements.

Mr. Ayres said that he was very familiar with the region
which was the subject of Dr. Cabot's observations. He
stated, that in the pond to which he had particularly refer-
red, there are still to be found specimens of the Striped
Bass, Lahrax lineatus, which had been shut in when it
was cut off from the sea.

Mr. Whitney suggested as an explanation of the change
from salt to fresh water in these ponds, that, as the bottom
is sandy, all the water originally enclosed had escaped by
percolation, and its place has been gradually supplied by
rains and neighboring springs.

Mr. Ayres stated that in the neighborhood of these ponds
there exist, on the sea-shore, the remains of a pine forest,
which has been submerged. At low tide, a strip of this

83

forest, consisting of numerous stumps with their roots, from
which a large part of the soil has been washed away, is left
dry upon the beach ; down which it extends below low
water mark to an unknown distance.

Dr. Gould read descriptions of the following new species
of shells, brought home by the U. S. Exploring Expedition :

LiTTORiNA. PATULA. Testa mngna, solida, rudis, rotundato-
ovata, cinereo-olivacoa albido maculuta : spira anfr. 5, ultimo
magno, ventricoso ; sutura vix impressa : apertura ampla, ro-
tunda; columella lata, oxcavata, alba ; facie ventrali testae quasi
attrita, et macula fusca notata ; fauce castanea, antice albo-
vittata. Long. |, lat. J- poll. Hab. San Francisco.

Remarkable for the amplitude of the aperture, the broad
excavated columella, apparently ground away by the protrusion
of the operculum.

LiTTORiNA LEPiDA. Tcsta parva, solida, elongata, biconica,
nitida, livida vel sanguinea albido tessellata vel zonata prsesertim
prope suturam et ad peripheriam, spiraliter crebre et tenuiter
puncto-striata : spira acuto-conica, anfr. 5. ultimo angulato : aper-
tura ovata ; labro acuto, pallido ; fauce rubra, albo-zonata ; col-
umella planulala, sanguinea. Long. |, lat. f poll. Hab. Puget
Sound.

A small, biconical species like L. Uneaia^ characterized by its
finely puncto-striate sculpture, its range of articulate spots, and
by the blood-red color of the columella.

LiTTORiNA SCUTULATA. Tcsta parva, ovato-conica, plcrumquc
erosa, castanea vel livida albido inordinatim maculata, striis obso-
letis cincta : spira anfr. 5, ultimo ventricoso : apertura late ovata ;
labro acuto, pallido ; columella planata, antrorsum expansa ;
fauce livido. Long, f , lat. |- poll. Hab. Puget Sound.

Allied to L. ienebrosa, but has a more elongate and acute spire ;
also to L. lepida, but is more inelegant, and without the coloring
of the base and aperture of that shell.

LiTTORiNA CALiGiNosA. Tcsta parva, ovata, tenuis, Isevis vel
lineis incrementalibus striata, epidermide fusco-virente luteo mac-
ulato induta : spira, apice erosa, anfr. 4-5, ventricosis ; sutura
profunda : apertura vix ^ longitud. testse adequans, rotundato-

84

ovata ; labro continue, acuto, pallido, vix everso ; fauce livido.
Long, -i, lat. ^ poll. Hob. Terra del Fuego.

Has the general characters of small specimens of L. tetiehrosa,
and its structure and color give it somewhat the aspect of a fresh
water shell.

LiTTORiNA ACUMINATA. Testa parva, solida, nitida, elongata,
conico-turrita, livida obscure flammulata interdum maculis albidis
articulatis cincta: spira acuta, anfr. 6, planulatis, ultimo suban-
gulato ; sutura profunda ; apertura ovata ; columella nitida, mori-
tincta. Long. y%, lat. -^ poll. Hab. Mangsi Island.

A small, much elongated species in the style of L. lincata,
known by its regular grooving, and its mulberry-tinted columella.

LiTTORiNA PLENA. Tcsta parva, solida, ovata, cinereo-oliva-
cea, interdum albido reticulata, striis spiralibus insculpta : spira
parva, acuta, anfr. 5, ultimo globoso, subangulato ; sutura pro-
funda : apertura parva, dilatata et angulata ; columella planulata,
rufa, albido marginata ; fauce castanea, albo-zonato. Long. ^,
lat. -1 poll. Hah. San Francisco.

The globoseness of the last whorl is remarkable. It is less
elongated than L. acuminata, and smaller, more polished, and
with a smaller aperture than L. scutulata.

Stilifer acicula. Testa minuta, imperforata, elongato-subula-
ta,acutissima, ad apicem integerrimaet lente distorta, nitidissima,
livido-lactea interdum flavescente : spira anfr. ad 12 planulatis ;
sutura lucida : apertura angusta, ovalis ; labro simplici,antrorsum
arcuato, antice evoluto ; columella vix arcuata. Long, f, lat. yV*
Hah. Fejee Islands, in Holothuria.

A much more delicate species than any one of Stilifer or
Eulima described. The little Phasianella stilifera, Turt. {Stili-
fer iurtoni, Brod.) is somewhat like it. S. suhulatus, from the
West Indies, is much less slender.

Solarium egenum. Testa parva, ovato-conica, exalbida, sub-
margaritacea : spira anfr. 6 convexis, liris acutis 4 cinctis, posterior-
ibus granulatis ; basis convexiuscula, perforata ; umbilico scalari-
formi, ad ambitum acuto, crenulato : apertura circularis ; labiis
fere continuis. Diam. y^^y, alt. ^ poll.

The characters of this shell do not bring it strictly within the
typical form of Solarium.^ but its facias is rather that of Solarium

85

than of Trochus. It is to be grouped with S. dealhalum^ Hinds,
which it closely resembles. It is also similar in form, color, and
size to Margarita ohscura, Couthouy. Perhaps it would come
under the genus Torinia, Gray.

Dr. Gould presented to the Society an imperfect speci-
men of Anodon gigaiitea, Middendorff, from the river
Onon, northern Siberia, received from the describer. It
was 1 1 inches long, and 6} high.

Dr. Cabot exhibited to the Society the following birds,
new to the collection, which had been recently mounted for
the Cabinet ; viz., Picus auratus, male, presented by Wm.
Minot, jr. ; Aix sponsa, male, presented by Mr. Robert
HoW ; Mergus serrator, female, presented by Mr. F. H.
Jackson ; Ortygometra carolinensis, presented by Mr.
Nathan Robbins ; Fuligula marila, male, presented by
himself; Mergus cucuUatus, young male, purchased in Bos-
ton Market ; Picus pileatus, male ; Andus , Tetrao

rupestris, male, from Newfoundland ; and Astur cooperi,
female, received in exchange.

December 6, 1848.
Dr. C. T. Jackson, Vice President in the Chair.

Present, nineteen members.

Mr. Desor gave an account of his investigations to ascer-
tain the true character of the ovarian egg. He stated that
up to the present time the yolk had been regarded by em-
bryologists as a homogeneous, granular mass. This has
been considered its fundamental character. Mr. Vogt, in
studying the embryonic development of the Salmonidce,
had noticed that in the ovarian egg the granules of the yolk
showed a disposition to accumulate around the germinative

86

vesicle, and in course of time became condensed about it.
Mr. Desor had, he said, noticed similar appearances in the
ovarian egg of Nemertes and Ascidia. The egg of the
latter is at first merely a transparent cell, containing the
germinative vesicle, about which, at an early stage of devel-
opment, a cloud of small granules seems to be forming.
These granules are probably cells. As the process goes on,
the surrounding area becomes crowded with them, but they
are the most numerous near the germinative vesicle. At a
later stage the granules recede from the circumference of
the sphere, to become compact about the germinative ves-
icle, forming the perfect yolk, and leaving the surrounding
space filled with a transparent fluid. This liquid has been
hitherto regarded by embryologists as albumen. As Mol-
lusks, however, have no oviduct in which albumen could be
formed, this cannot be its true character. Mr. Desor had
therefore been led to the conclusion that it is a true
" mother liquid," from which the yolk has been precipitated,
crystallized, as it were. It must for this reason be the most
important part of the ovum, and accordingly he proposes
for it the name " Biogen liquid.^^ The facts observed in
the development of Mammalia strongly inclined him to the
opinion that this process of precipitation from the Biogen
liquid would be found to be universal. Bischoff has figured
the Rabbit's ovum surrounded by the chorion, with the
whole of the enclosed space filled up by the yolk. As
development goes on, the yolk is found not to occupy the
whole interior, but it is occupied in part by a clear fluid,
which surrounds the yolk, the nature of which BischofF
acknowledges he is at a loss to understand. This, Mr.
Desor suggested, is probably the Biogen liquid. Thus it
would appear that all yolks are formed by condensation : a
fact of great interest, indicating as it does, that the great
law of attraction is at the bottom of the formation of
organic, as well as inorganic bodies; and that the same
force which has condensed the heavenly bodies, acts with

87

equal power in uniting the particles which make up a living
animal.

As soon as the egg enters upon its organic life it begins
to revolve, and in this movement we have another coinci-
dence with the order of things in the formation of the plan-
etary system, according to the nebular hypothesis.

With regard to Fishes, Mr. Desor remarked that it is not
yet certain that in their embryonic development they follow
exactly the process which has been observed in, the ova of
other animals. In the ovum of this class while yet in
the ovary, the yolk substance, containing a number of oil
drops, fills the whole space. When more developed it is
separated from the circumference of the ovum by a trans-
parent interval. It is a question yet undecided whether
there exists a true shell-membrane in these eggs, through
which water may have penetrated by endosmose, following
the condensing yolk.

Here Mr. D. read a letter addressed to him by Prof. Gil-
man, of New York, confirming his observations, and coincid-
ing in his views with regard to the Biogen liquid, but going
even further than Mr. D. himself; and shewing that, by his
own researches, he had ascertained that even the germina-
tive vesicle is formed from it. He also expressed his belief
that a shell-membrane exists in the ovarian egg of most
Fishes, and that the liquid between it and the yolk-mem-
brane must have entered by endosmose. So that for the
present, the embryonic development of this class of animals
would seem to be an exception to the general rule.

Mr. Ayres stated that he had recently been engaged in a
careful dissection of Catostomiis, to ascertain whether there
exists in this fish the curious arrangement of the muscular
apparatus of the pharyngeal bones, which he had demon-
strated in the genus Leuciscus. (See Proceedings, June
21st, 1848.) He had found that although the same muscles
exist in the throat of Catostomus as in Leuciscus, their

88

insertion is different. They are inserted directly into the
second branchial bone. Tiie little needle-like bones, which
in Leuciscus show such an ingenious contrivance, do not
exist in Catostomus. Mr. Ayres said he had found them
in all the species of Leuciscus which he had examined.

Dr. C. T. Jackson, in reference to Mr. Desor's remarks
at the last meeting, stated, that on the coast of Maine, near
Newcastle, there exists an oyster bank, sixty feet thick,
similar to that on Nantucket, containing various species
of Mollusks, of which living specimens may be obtained in
the vicinity, but in deep water. Ignorant of this fact, and
knowing that they do not now exist on the shores of Maine,
Mr. Lyell had been led to the erroneous conclusion that
they now belong only to more northern latitudes.

In reply to a question from Mr. Desor, as to his opinion
of the age of the American Continent in comparison with
that of the other continents. Dr. C. T. Jackson said, that it
was his belief that the American Continent was upheaved
the first, as the granite bears obvious marks of greater age.
Mr. Desor replied that he did not consider this evidence
conclusive as to the continent's having been upheaved above
the water level.

Dr. Bacon presented, in the name of Mr. William Stimp-
son, specimens of dendritic oxyde of Manganese on slate,
from Charlestown, Mass., and Shark's teeth from the green
sand of New Jersey. He also presented minerals from
Mexico, consisting of silver ore, crystallized calcareous spar,
and calcareous sinter, from Rio del Munte and its vicinity ;
and opal from Guanaxuato, received in exchange, from
Lieut. J. McNab, U. S. A. He also announced that there
had recently been purchased by Mr. Alger, for the Society,
mineralogical specimens to the value of $'175; this being
the balance of a sum of ,^300, which Mr. A. had been
authorized to expend for this purpose, from the funds
raised by him in 1847 in aid of the Society. Dr. Bacon

89

also presented from Mr. Alger, specimens of Hematite,
from Amenia, N. Y., Fluor-spar, from Cumberland, Eng.,
and variegated Copper Ore from the Bruce mine, on the
north shore of Lake Huron.

Dr. Cabot exhibited a number of birds, which had been
recently mounted for the Society's collection. Among
them were the Roseate Tern, Sterna paradisea, obtained by
him at Beverly, Mass., the most northern locality in which
it had as yet been found ; and Saltator raptor, a Yucatan
species, described and figured by him in the Journal of the
Society, Vol. V., p. 90, as Pyrrhula raptor.

Mr. Ayres presented to the Society a number of speci-
mens of the Cyamus ceti, Whale louse, attached to a piece
of skin of the Right Whale.

December 20, 1848.
The President, in the Chair.

Present, twenty-two members.

Dr. Gould presented descriptions of the following shells
brought home by the U. S. Exploring Expedition :

Turbo confragosus. Testa solida, albida, pyramidata, rudis,
rugosa ; rugis parvis, obtusis, ad peripheriam et ad angulum
anfractuum interdum in splnis compressis prominulis productis :
spira anfr. ad 6, angulatis superne declivibus, ultimo ad peripher-
iam acuto ; sulura callosa : basis planulata, liris squamosis con-
centricis inequalibus ad 8 cincta : apertura circularis ; labro
acuto, perobliquo ; columella curta antice dentata ; fauce mar-
garitacea. Lat. 1^, alt. |- poll. Hab. Dean's Island, Paumotu
group.

This species has the low conical form, and bony aspect of the
stellate species found in the West Indies. I know of no other

90

similar one from the Pacific. Its wrinkled surface, polygonal
whorls, and the squamous basal ridges mark it.

Turbo sirius. Testa parva, imperforata, pyramidata, dilute
beryllina, leviter corrugata; spira anfr. 4 conicis, infra oblique
plicatis, ad peripheriam acutis et spinis compressis ad 18 armatis :
basis planulata, stellaris, liris concentricis muricatis ad 5 insculp-
tis; regione columellari arcuala, laevigata; labro perobliquo.
Diam. ^, axis -^^ poll. Hab. New Holland.

The multitude and regularity of the triangular projections of
the periphery, when viewed from below, give the base a beauti-
ful star-like form, much like T. stellaris.

Turbo laciniatus. Testa rudis, depresso-conica, cinerea
roseo-tincta : spira anfr. 4, irregulariter plicatis, plicis ad peri-
pheriam acutissimis, dilatatis et in spinis elongatis compressis
excurrentibus : basis convexiuscula, liris muricatis concentricis
10- 12 insculpta : apertura circularis ; columella Ise.vi, arcuata,
rosea ; labio perobliquo : faux margaritacea. Lat. f , alt. f poll.
Hab, Manilla.

Closely allied to T. rhodosto?nus, Lk., but wants the double
series of spines at the periphery.

Trochus pruninus. Testa solidula, elevata, ovato-conica,
laevis, nitida, prunina, lineis capillaceis numerosis cincta : spira
anfr. 7 convexiusculis, ultimo subangulato ; sutura profunda :
apertura subcircularis ; columella rotundata, alba, antice roseo-
tincta, subsinuosa : interior margaritacea, vivide iridescens. Alt.
^, lat. y^g- poll. Hab. Auckland Island.

This peculiarly colored species has the form, thickness, and
appearance of the delicately lineated specimens of Liltorina
angulifera.

Trochus texturatus. Testa conica, imperforata, solida, cin-
erea viridi vel roseo-tincta, liris volventibus roseo-maculatis et
laminis incrementi tenuibus clathrata : spira anfr. 7, vix convexis,
ultimo sub-angulato : apertura rotundata, antice evoluta ; col-
umella rotundata, labro declivi, acuto : interior margaritacea,
iridescens. Alt. 1, lat. y^g- poll. Hab. New Zealand.

This may be well compared with the coarse, solid, sulcated
variety of Litiorina angulifera.

91

Trochijs ligattjs. Testa solida, ovato-conica, imperforata,
costulis rotundatis flavescentibus ubique cincta, intervallis incar-
natis concinne clathratis, ad apicem violacea : spira anfr. 6 con-
vexis : apertura circularis ; columella recta rotundata ; labro
crenulato: regio umbilicalis vix indentata. Alt. f, lat. § poll.
Hah. Puget Sound.

This shell resembles, in most respects, T. doliarius ; small
specimens are like Margarita cinerea, Couth,

Trochus pdpillus. Testa parva, elevato-conica, margaritacea
extrinsecus incana, filis virido-fuscis ubique cincta, ad interval-
los minutissime clathrata : spira anfr. 6 convexis : basis planius-
cula, fissura umbilicali perforata: apertura circularis; columellal
arcuala : faux fulgida, minutissime punctata. Lat. ^, alt. y^^j poll.
Hah. New Zealand.

Somewhat similar to T. ligatus, but much smaller, more del-
icate, more nacreous within, and partially umbilicated. It is still
more like Margarita cinerea, but is more solid, and more del-
icately marked.

Trochus jucundus. Testa parva, solida, conica, flammulls
radianlibus invicem coccineis incarnatis et albis picta : spira
anfr. 6 sub-angulatis, filis granulosis alternis minoribus cinctis :
basis convexiuscula,. imperforata, liris concentricis linearibus
articulatim pictis insculpta ; regione umbilicali indentata : aper-
tura rhomboidea ; columella arcuata, laevi ; labro simplici. Long, f ,
alt. f poll. Hah. New Zealand.

A very beautiful shell, both in color and sculpture, quite dis-
tinct from any described species.

Trochus gradatus. Testa parva, solida, perforata, ovato-
conica, turrita, cinerea ferrugineo-flammulata : spira anfr. 5,
declivibus, ultimo carinis duabus biangulato quorum suprema
secundum spiram volvat; interspatio trilineato et concinne cla-
thrato : basis convexiuscula, liris granulatis concentricis ad 8
insculpta; umbilico ample, infundibuliformi : apertura circularis ;
columella tenui, recta, antice dentifera. Alt. |, diam. f poll.
Hah. Pacific Islands.

In most respects it is like T. eximius., Reeve, which, however,
is imperforate. It is also somewhat like T. sulcaius, Wood's
Sup.

92

Trochus acinosus. Testa solida, convexo-conica, seruginosa,
seriebus 4 papillarum insignis et lineolis capillaceis volvenlibus
ubique insculpta; serie antica majori : spira anfr. 6 planiusculis,
ultimo acutangulato : basis excavata, cinerea, filis concentricis
fuscis cincta ; interspatiis indentatis ; regione umbilicali infundi-
buliformi et costis duabus tri-partita : apertura rhombea ; colu-
mella laevi, contorta ; labro simplici, perobliquo. Diam. f , alt. f
poll. Hah. New Zealand.

The peculiarities of this species are, the series of tubercles on
the delicately lineated ground, the excavated base with its thread-
like unbeaded lines, and the two white ribs in the umbilical pit.
May be. compared with T. vernus, Chem.

Trochus elisus. Testa parva, elevato-conica, imperforata,
cinerea: spira anfr. 6 declivibus, sutura fossali valde profunda
discretis, costulis transversis granosis tribus (quorum interme-
diani minore) cincta, interspatiis clathratis : basis convexa, cos-
tulis clathratis insculpta : apertura subcircularis ; columella gran-
ulata ; labro intus sulcato. Diam. f, alt. ^ poll. Dredged at
Singapore.

Distinct from any described species. Its markings are deeply
sculptured, and its peculiar sutural region is a character which
cannot fail to be noticed at first glance. It is quite probable that
it may be colored differently when quite fresh.

Mr. E. C. Cabot read a paper giving an account of some
researches he had made during the last autumn, in company
with Mr. Desor, to determine the fact of the constant pres-
ence of fresh water in Dune sand and sand spits. These
researches were conducted at Cape Cod, which they visited
for that purpose in the U. S. Surveying Steamer Bibb,
under the command of Lieut. Davis, with whose assistance
they were made.

In every instance where there was a body of sand above the
tide level, with salt water on opposite sides, or entirely surround-
ing it, fresh water was discovered on digging to a moderate
depth. Thus at Monomoy, a long, low island of sand, south of
Cape Cod, fresh water was found at its highest part, at a depth
of two feet. On the beach, at the line of high water, it was

93

obtained almost on the surface. The same fact was observed on
Sandy Neck, a long sand peninsula, which separates Barnstable
Bay from Barnstable Harbor, and at Provincetown. At the for-
mer place, it is particularly striking, as good water is very
scarce in the town of Barnstable, on the main land directly
opposite. In this town is a well, about one hundred and fifty
feet from the shore, in which the water rises and falls with the
tide, although only through a space of one foot and a half.

As yet, Mr. Cabot had not been able to satisfy himself whether
the amount of rise and fall in wells showing this sympathy with
tidal fluctuations, depends upon their distance from the salt water
or not. Since making these observations he had noticed that
such a rise and fall is not limited to wells in a natural formation.
He had observed that in loose deposits of an artificial character,
in the vicinity of salt water, they also occur. Thus, in Suffolk
street, which is laid out on newly-made land, this fluctuation
takes place in the wells ; and in some trenches which he had
caused to be dug recently in Charles street, for the foundation of
a building, at high tide fresh water makes its appearance, while
at low tide they are empty. An interesting inquiry suggests
itself as to the origin of these deposits of fresh water in such
loose soil. They cannot be derived from springs, for these occur
distinct from them, in the same formations, and present peculiar
characters of their own ; often bubbling out from the surface of
the sand, even below the line of high water on beaches. It might
be supposed that they are the result in part of a filtration of the salt
water through the sand. To test this, Mr. Cabot poured a quan-
tity of salt water through sand, and found that it lost two per
cent, of its specific gravity ; a curious and unexpected result, but
not sufficient fully to explain the case. On the whole, he was
inclined to accept the opinion of Mr. Mather, that these sup
plies of fresh water are derived from rains, and are pre
vented from oozing out laterally, by the pressure of the neigh
boring salt water. ' As this advances, it recedes, and its leve
rises ; as the tide goes out, it follows, and its level is depressed
The practical result from these investigations is, that it will un
doubtedly be found that in all deposits of sand like those exam
ined by Mr. Cabot, an abundant supply of fresh water may be
obtained at all times ; a fact of great importance to mariners.

94

Mr. Ayres stated that he had made similar observations
to those of Mr. Cabot.

He knew of an instance of a sand bank, eight feet high,
formed within his recollection, in which fresh water miglu be
obtained at the depth of eighteen inches. At Sag-Harbor, where
he had resided for some years, there is a well, about forty
rods from the tide, in which the waier rises and falls four
feet, a liitle after the tide. A little further from the shore is
another, which rises and falls two feet; a well still further off,
rises and falls one foot ; at a short distance above this is one
which is not sensibly affected.

Mr. J. E. Cabot mentioned a statement of Darwin's, that
on the Coral Islands of the Pacific, fresh water may be easily
procured by digging a short distance below the surface.

Dr. Pickering stated that he had himself seen the natives
of these islands obtain a supply whenever it was wanted, by
making a slight excavation. In reply to a question from
Mr. Ayres, whether the water in the lagoons of these islands
is always salt, he stated that so far as he had examined
them it is so. They either communicate directly with
the sea, or else are separated from it by a barrier over which
it easily passes in storms. In reference to the point that
fresh water in sand deposits does not necessarily correspond
in level with the neighboring salt water, he called the atten-
tion of the Society to the fact, that imbibition or capillary
attraction affords a ready means of accounting for it. In
Lower Peru, w^here it never rains, and the country is fertil-
ized by irrigation, he remarked that the soil is found to be
moist several feet above the surface of the water in the
canals.

A gentleman present, not a member of the Society, sug-
gested that the difference of specific gravity of salt and
fresh water might be a satisfactory reason for their not inter-
mingling in the sand formations examined by Mr. Cabot.

The subject under consideration suggested to the Presi-

95

dent some interesting facts and questions as to the nature
of springs and wells.

It was impossible, he said, to account for the water in the wells
of Boston, by the supply afforded by rains alone. Water is
found abundantly in places at so great an elevation that mere
drainage could not have furnished it. It would seem, therefore,
that it must have been brought by underground currents, perhaps
from a great distance, following the course of an impervious
underlaying stratum. Such an underground current he stated to
exist at the south part of the city. The President also stated
that in the vicinity of the state-house, there is a very deep well
which rises and falls with the tide.

Dr. Cabot called the attention of the Society to a com-
munication which had appeared in several newspapers of
this city, over the signature of Prof. Horsford, of Harvard
University, in which he attributes the form in which the
gold is found in California, to the grinding action of gla-
ciers. Dr. Cabot wished to know whether those gentlemen
of the Society most conversant with such subjects, coincided
with Prof. Horsford in his views.

Mr. J. D. Whitney said he saw no sufficient reason for
calling in the glacial theory to explain the phenomena in
question, since gold is very commonly found in vein rock,
either in the form of rounded grains or scales. Simple de-
composition of the rock would liberate it in the shape in
which it is found in California.

Mr. Desor said that the movement of glaciers is so slow,
he doubted if they could by any possibility produce such a
violent disruption and grinding to powder of the rock for-
mation, as Prof. Horsford supposes to have taken place.
Neither does it appear that there are any striae on the sur-
face of the rocks in place, such as are invariably found in
the track of a glacier. Nor was Mr. Desor aware that any
evidence had been heretofore adduced, of the existence of
glaciers at a point so far to the south, on the North Amer^
ican continent.

96

Mr. J. D. Whitney gave the results of the chemical
examination of three minerals, described as new species, by
Prof. C. U. Shepard, (Am. Jour, of Science, New Series,
Vol. 2, p. 249,) namely, Arkansite, Ozarkite, and Schorlo-
mite. Th^se minerals are all from the same locality, in
Arkansas.

The first, Arkansite, which Prof. Shepard supposed^ lo be a
niobate of yttria and thorina, is titanic acid, with a little iron,
crystallized in the form of Brookite, and having the specific
gravity of that variety of titanic acid, while it has, at the same
time, the opacity and color of nigrine, a variety of rutile.
Ozarkite is a zeolitic mineral, a silicate of alumina and lime,
with a little soda. It is probably scolezite. Among the speci-
mens of the third mineral, schorlomite, there appear to be at
least two distinct substances. One is colophonite, or lime-iron
garnet, which occurs both massive and crystallized ; the other is
a substance considerably resembling black garnet in external
characters, but which proved, on chemical examination, to be a
new titaniferous silicate. As this new mineral, however, differed
so widely in chemical composition, and in certain important
chemical characters, from Prof. Shepard's schorlomite, Mr.
Whitney had given it a new and more appropriate name, and
the name of schorlomite can be dropped till the real " hydrous
silicate of yttria, thorina, and oxide of iron" shall be found. The
name given to this new mineral is Ferrotitanite, in allusion to
its analogy with titanile or sphene, and to its containing iron in
addition to the elements of sphene.

Its chemical composition may be represented by the formula

(Ca3 Si + Fe Si) -f- Cafi^,

which agrees very nearly with the results of the analyses of
this mineral. For particulars of the examination of these min-
erals, see the Society's Journal, Vol. VI., No. 1.

Dr. Bacon exhibited eighty mineralogical specimens pre-
sented to the society by Mr. Alger. About a year since,
Mr. A. offered the society the selection of four hundred
specimens from his private collection. At that time eighty

97

were taken, and the specimens now exhibited were a
second instalment.

Dr. Cabot exhibited twenty-eight birds, which had been
recently mounted for the Society. Among them was a
remarkably fine pair of Argus pheasants, — Argus gigas.

Dr. Cabot announced, on behalf of Dr. Storer, that a
specimen of the Nurse or Sleeper Shark, Somniosus brev-
ipinna, ten feet in length, had been recently caught at
Nahant. This is the second of that species, which has been
captured in Massachusetts Bay within a year.

Dr. Henry Wheatland of Salem, was elected correspond-
ing member, and Mr. James West, of East Boston, an im-
mediate member of the Society.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31.

Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. Vol. V.
Part 2. Lond. 1847. From the Entomological Society.

Journal of the Indian Archipelago, and Eastern Asia. Nos.
1 to 5 of Vol. II., and Supplement to No. 6 of Vol. I. 8vo.
Singapore, 1847 - 8. From the Editors.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. Deuxieme
Serie. Tome quatrieme. Feuilles 53- 62. (17me Mai, 1847.)
Tome cinquieme, Feuilles 4-8. (22me Nov. 1847 — lOme
Janvier, 1848.) Fro7n the Societe Geologique.

Annales de la Societe Linneenne de Lyons. Annees 1845-6.
8vo. Lyons, 1847. From the Societe Linneenne.

Annales des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles, d'Agriculture
et d'Industrie. Tome IX. Annee 1846. 8vo. Lyons. From
the Societe Roy ale d' Agriculture.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. X., for Oct.
1848. 2d series. Vol. II. Courtis Fund.

Mollusques Vivantes et Fossiles. Par Alcide d' Orbigny.
Livraisons 1-7. 8vo. Paris, 1845. From the Author.

Audubon and Bachman. Plates 141 - 145, of Viviparous
Quadrupeds of America. From Suhscrihers.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 7 APRIL, 1849.

98

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. 2d series.
No. 18, for Nov. 1848. Exchange.

Recherches sur les Poissons Fossiles. Par Louis Agassiz.
6 vols. 4to. Planches, 3 vols. Folio. Neuchatel, (Suisse,)
1833-47. From Ho7i. Nathan Appleion.

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York.
Vol. IV. No. 12. Sept. 1848. From the Lyceum.

Descriptions of new species of Bullia and Marginella. By
J. H. Redfield. 8vo. Pamph. New York, 1848. From the
Author.

Distinctive characters of Cyprsea reticulata of Martyn, and
Cypraea Histrio of Meuschen. By J. H. Redfield. 8vo. Pamph.
New York, 1847. From the Author.

Annual Report of the Regents of the University on the con-
dition of the State Cabinet of Natural History. 8vo. Pamph.
Albany, 1848. From the Regents of the University.

Natural History of Fossils. By E. Mendes da Costa. Vol. I.
Part I. London, 1757. From S. G. Brake.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 2d series. Vol. II.
No. 11, for Nov. 1848. Courtis Fund.

Manual of Chemistry. By Wm. T. Brande. 8vo. London,
1819. Fro7n G. B. Emerson.

Book of Nature. By John Hill. Folio. London, 1758.
From G. B. Emerson.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. Vol. I. 4to. Wash-
ington, 1848. From the Smithsonian Institute.

Journal of the Indian Archipelago. Nos. 6, 7, 8. Vol. II.
Singapore, 1848. From the Editors. ,

Beschreibung der, in der Grossen Knochen Hohle, Tennessee,
(Nord America,) gefundenen fossilen Knochen des Megalonyx
laqueatus, von R. Harlan, M. D. ; verdeutscht durch Charles
Cramer. 8vo. Pamph. Moscau, 1847. From C. Cramer.

Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
New series. Vol. III. 4to. Cambridge and Boston, 1848. From
the American Academy.

Gray's Genera of Birds. Part 46. Long 4to. London,
Dec. 1848. Courtis Fund.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 2d series. Vol. II.
No. 12, for Dec. 1848. Courtis Fund.

99

January 3, 1849.
The President, in the Chair.

Present, twenty-nine members.

Mr. Teschemacher called the attention of the Society to
the fact, that some years since, he had exhibited, at one of
its meetings, specimens of a curious slaty substance found
in digging a well in Newton, on which were beautiful den-
dritic forms. At that time his impression, and that of Mr.
G. B. Emerson was, that these markings were the remains
of sea-weed, and were produced by external pressure.
Analysis showed them to be composed of Manganese. Mr.
Teschemacher, at that time, tried the experiment of pres-
sing clay between layers of glass, and succeeded in pro-
ducing similar appearances.

He now had to exhibit to the Society a Venus^ from the Nan-
tucket oyster bank, which bore on its inner surface, precisely
similar dendritic markings, of a reddish color, following the line
of a crack. He was inclined to consider these markings also as
due to sea- weed, subjected to pressure. Their chemical charac-
ter was the same as that of the specimens formerly exhibited.
He was unable as yet, to say whether Manganese is a constituent
of sea-weed, or not. The lines are somewhat finer than the
fibres of the sea-weed, but this he thought might be explained
by supposing Manganese to be present in very small quantity,
while the other constituents of the sea-weed had disappeared.
The color was also to him an evidence of the origin of these
markings.

Mr. Teschemacher also stated that these forms had been found
on the new mineral, Idocrase^ found by Prof. Webster, in Maine.
As this is an eruptive mineral, of course it can contain no sea-
weed. In this case he supposed liquid Manganese had been
subjected to pressure. Manganese is an element in Idocrase^ but

100

as its quantity is not constant, he did not consider it an essential
ingredient.

Dr. Gould asked, if pressure had caused the appearances in
question, how could this explanation be admitted, in the case of
the markings on the Venus ? The specimen was from the Nan-
tucket bluff, remarkable for the undisturbed and unopened condi-
tion, and perfectness of its shells. If the markings were caused
by sea-weeds, he thought the red color might be explained without
ascribing it to Manganese. All the deep water sea-weeds, and
animals, such as Crabs and Star-fishes, are red when first drawn
up, but turn green in a short time.

Mr. Teschemacher replied that he had been unable to ascertain
whether the particular shell exhibiting the markings in question,
had been subjected to pressure or not. As to the change of
color referred to by Dr. Gould, he remarked that the mineral
Chameleon, which changes its color so curiously under the
influence of light, is an oxide of Manganese.

Mr. J. D. Whitney said he did not consider pressure necessary
to explain these phenomena. The dendritic is a well known
form of crystallization. On the shell exhibited, it followed the
line of a crack, as is often seen in chemical experiments.

Dr. Bacon stated that he had seen such forms on Quartz crys-
tals, where there was no crack to guide them. It was evident,
therefore, that such an arborescence might be independent of any
leading line.

Mr. J. D. Whitney read the following remarks on the
composition of Chloritoid or Chlorite-spar, and Masonite.

" The true chemical composition of the substance called
chloritoid is a matter of some uncertainty. BonsdorfT, who,
according to G. B-ose, undoubtedly analyzed the real chloritoid,
in which water was an essential ingredient, gave as the result of
his analysis,

■^^' ' Si + A12 Si + 3H;

j.

- Mg3
the ratio of the oxygen of R, Al, Si and H, being

101

7.88 : 16.61 : 14.27 ; 6.17, for which he adopted the ratio

3:6:6:3. Rammelsberg has taken the ratio as 3 : 6 : 5 : 2,

and gives the formula of this mineral as

3 Rs Si + 2 A13 Si + 6 H,

which requires

Silica 25.18

Alumina 33.61

Protoxide of iron 35.31

Water 5.88

99.98
Erdmann has analyzed a mineral supposed to be the chlorite-
spar or chloritoid described by Fiedler, and gives as the result of
two analyses, agreeing closely with each other, the formula,
FeS Si + AF Si.
The substance analyzed by Erdmann did not contain water,
and there seem to be two distinct substances, one of which is a
hydrous silicate, and the other anhydrous. That the analysis of
Bonsdorff was probably correct, is shown by the following
analysis of the mineral described by Jackson as Masonite, which
I find to have the same composition as the chloritoid of Bons-
dorff, which it closely resembles in external characters.
The results of an analysis of Masonite were as follows :

Oxygen.

Ratio

Silica

28.27

14.55

3.2

Alumina

32.16

15.02

3.3

Protoxide of iron

33.72

7.49

1.6

Magnesia

.13

Water

5.00

4.44

1.

99.28

The ratio of Si, Fe, Al, and H, being nearly 6:3:6:2,
the formula will be

Fe3 Si + A12 Si + 2 H,

which is that given by Bonsdorff for chloritoid, with one atom of
water less, which we may easily conceive to have been stated
too high, if the mineral had not been carefully dried, especially
as there is an excess of 1.6 per cent, in the analysis.

102

The formula given above requires

Silica 28.56

Alumina ^ 32.06

Protoxide of iron 33.60

Water 5.60

100.02

This, it will be seen, agrees very nearly with the results of
the analysis ; I would thei'^fore suggest that the name of Mason-
ite should be retained for the hydrous chloritoid, as the formula
given by Erdmann has been generally adopted for what is sup-
posed to be the real chloritoid.

Mr. Whitney made some remarks on the remarkable vein of
black oxide of copper which was formerly worked at Copper
Harbor, Lake Superior, but which was abandoned after some
forty or fifty thousand pounds of this very valuable ore had been
raised. It was the only vein of this substance, and perhaps
the only locality known in the world, and specimens will be
highly prized by the mineralogist hereafter. The substance
called copper-black, and sometimes, black oxide of copper, which
occurs in an earthy, pulverulent form, is not to be confounded
with the pure oxide of copper found at Copper-Harbor. Copper-
black is a mixture of various hydrated oxides, especially of iron,
manganese, and copper, of which the latter forms but a small
portion ; it occurs as an incrustation on other ores of copper,
and is evidently the result of their decomposition. Semmola,
l;iowever, has described a substance occurring in small tabular
crystals, belonging to the hexagonal system, which, according to
him, are pure oxide of copper, Cu. To this substance he has
given the name of Tenorite. The oxide of copper found at
Copper-Harbor is generally compact, though the purer specimens
have a crystalline structure. Mr. Teschemacher has, however,
two specimens, which he has kindly allowed me to examine, in
which this substance is distinctly crystallized in cubes, with their
solid angles replaced. The question arises, was the substance
described by Semmola as crystallized in the hexagonal system,
really Cu, or is this substance dimorphous ?

Some portions of the oxide of copper from Copper-Harbor
are almost chemically pure, though it is generally mixed with a

103

little silicate of copper. One of the purest specimens contained
only 1.2 per cent, of impurities, mostly silica, with traces of
lime and iron.

As the oxide of copper of this remarkable vein has not been
mineralogically described, the following description is added.

Substance tesseral, crystallized in cubes, with their solid angles
occasionally replaced ; generally, however, massive, with crys-
talline structure, sometimes earthy ; no traces of cleavage ;
H.= 3 ; S. G.= 6.25 ; color, steel-gray to black ; lustre, metallic,
the earthy varieties acquire a metallic lustre on being scratched
or cut with a knife ; opaque ; chemical composition, Cu, almost
pure ; containing

Copper 79.86

Oxygen 20.13

Mr. E. C. Cabot stated that since the last meeting he had
made some experiments to ascertain, if possible, the cause
of the non-intermingling of salt water with fresh, in dune
sand.

Having nearly filled a vessel with salt water, he immersed in
it a large sponge saturated with fresh water, containing imbedded
in it, perpendicular tin tubes, with perforated sides. The exter-
nal pressure caused water to appear in these tubes, and to
rise to the level of the surrounding fluid. After standing
some hours, the water in these tubes was found to be fresh. On
reversing the experiment, placing the sponge full of fresh water
first in the vessel, and gradually filling the surrounding space
with salt water, the same result followed. Capillary attraction
seemed to be the force which kept the difl^erent fluids apart.
With regard to the difference between fresh water in dune sand
and springs, Mr. Cabot said he did not consider it an essential
one. In the former case, the water formed, so to speak, a homo-
geneous spring; in the latter, underlying strata, and lateral
boundaries limited it, and gave it the character of a current.

In connection with this subject, Mr. Ayres said that since
the last meeting, he had read, in Capt. Henry's account of
Mexico, some interesting facts. It was there stated that at
Corpus Christi, fresh water could be procured within a few

104

»

rods of the sea, by digging in the sand beach. At the
depth of two or three feet, the water was fresh, but on dig-
ging deeper salt water was found. Capt. Henry also men-
tions the existence of fresh-water ponds, separated by only
a small ridge from the Gulf, and in their immediate vicinity
salt ones, under precisely similar conditions. The Secretary
suggested that the salt ponds might have been more recently
cut off from the sea than the others, and had not yet had
time to undergo transformation.

The President recurred to the subject of the mastodon,
spoken of by him at the last meeting, in order to answer a
question which had been put to him by Dr. J. B. S. Jack-
son, as to the number of species of this extinct genus. He
stated it to be his present opinion that there are but two
species known, M. giganteus and angustidens, and in
North America there has as yet, been found only one, the
giganteus. In the present imperfect state of our knowledge
of the fossil bones of the mastodon found in South Amer-
ica, New Holland, &c., he should be inchned to refer
them, he said, to M. angustidens rather than to any other
species.

Dr. Cabot said he thought such an opinion should be
accepted with some hesitation, as it would be entirely at
variance with the facts usually observed in the distribution
of animals. He thought it impossible, under the present
geographical conditions, that the angustidens could have
passed by way of the continent of Asia and the North-west
coast of America, to South America, without leaving traces
of its existence in North America.

Dr. Cabot exhibited a number of birds which had
recently been mounted for the Society, among which were
two of special interest, from Europe ; viz., Corvus corone,
and Buteo vulgaris. Corvus corone, Dr. Cabot remarked,
had been commonly confounded with the common Amer-
ican Crow. He was satisfied, however, that it is a distinct

105

species. The common name of the European bird, viz.,
the Carrion Crow, points to a characteristic difference of
habit. The feathers of the breast and front of the neck
are stiff, sharp-pointed, and lustrous, in the European bird,
very much Uke those of the Raven ; while in the American
species they are soft, downy, and uniform. The bill of the
European species is also more hooked than that of the
American.

The common Buzzard of Europe, Buteo vulgaris, has
been by some regarded as identical with the American
species ; but from a slight examination of the specimen
before the Society, Dr. Cabot was disposed to doubt the
correctness of this opinion. The American is a southern
species, the European a northern one. So far as careful
comparisons have been made, none of the species of birds
in the middle temperate regions are the same in both con-
tinents.

Dr. Wyman presented in the name of Dr. Mantell, of
London, a monograph on the Iguanodon, and one on Bel-
emnites. The thanks of the Society were voted to the
donor.

Mr. B. S. Shaw was elected a member of the Society.

January 17, 1849.
The President in the Chair.

Present, twenty-one members.

Mr. J. E. Teschemacher exhibited a specimen oi Harmo-
tome, from Isle Royale, Lake Superior, the first of this
species that has been found on this continent ; it was col-
lected on Datholite, by Mr. J. H. Blake, who passed the
summer of 1847 in those regions.

106

Harmotome is one of the rarest of those silicates which are
usually found in Trap formations, and generally occurs in macled
crystals ; the form is a right rectangular prism.

At Strontian, in Scotland, it is sometimes found in uncombined
crystals ; a figure of one of which is given in Dana's Mineralogy,
p. 332; the crystals on this specimen resemble those, and like
them, are found coating carbonate of lime. Harmotome may
therefore be added to the list of American minerals.

Mr. Teschemacher also exhibited specimens of a new mineral
from the Clifl?' mine on Lake Superior, resembling in many of
its properties VoIbortJiite, a Vanadiate of Copper.

Dr. Gould presented descriptions of the following shells,
brought home by the U. S. Exploring Expedition :

Trochus bicrenatus. Testa pyramidata, flavescens, flam-
mulis rufis alternis saturatioribus ornata, lineis equalibus granu-
losis cincta : spira anfr. 7-8, pene concavis, ad peripheriam
acutis et denticulis roseo-crenulatis ad 15 munitis : basis planu-
lata ; vortice umbilicali eburnea : apertura trapezoidea ; colu-
mella contorta. Diam. |, alt. f poll.

The species most resembling it are T. fanhriatus, Lam., afid
T. Buschii, Phil. ; but from these and all others, it is well distin-
guished by its doubly crenate margin, as viewed from below.
The profile outline is a little concave.

Trochus circumsutus. Testa solida, elevata, accurate conica,
imperforata : spira anfr. 9, subangulatis superne declivibus, infra
nodis obliquis et liris granosis cinctis : color cinerea, portionibus
cavatis saturate olivaceis suturas similantibus : basis planulata sulcis
filiformibus concentricis ad 12 insculpta ; regione umbilicali ebur-
nea : apertura transversa, sub-rhombea ; columella brevi, acuta,
contorta. Lat. -^^, alt. -^^ poll. Hah. Madagascar ?

In form and sculpture this may be compared with the tip of
T. pica. The peculiar coloration, representing courses of olive-"
colored stitches is characteristic.

Trochus spurcus. Testa parva, solida, globoso-conica, nitida,
ubique striis volventibus exilibus insculpta, oblique strigis angu-
latis stramineis et fuscis alternantibus variegata, prope suturam
maculis quadratis quoque picta : spira anfr. 4-5 ventricosis, '
ultimo subangulato ; sutura impressa : basis concavo-conica, im-

107

perforata vel arete umbilicata : apertura perobliqua, circularis ;
columella arcuata ; labro acuto, simplici ; fauce submargaritacea.
Diam. f, alt. -j^ poll. Hah. Madeira.

Has most of the characters of T. Fermoni., but is very much
smaller, wants the peculiar channelled shoulder of the whorls,
and the widely open umbilicus.

Trochxts amcenus. Testa parvula, depressa, globoso-conica,
levis, nilida, fusca, punctis luteis ubique irrorata, et maculis
piceis cum flavidis alternantibus ad suturam et ad peripheriam
ornata : spira anfr. 4-5 convexis, ad suturam constrictis : basis
convexa, imperforata, concentrice striata : apertura sub-circu-
laris ; regione columellari complanata, alba; columella antice
dentifera; labro acuto, striate; fauce livida, margaritacea. Diam.
y^^, alt. y\ poll, Hab. Feejee Islands.

A pretty shell, allied to some of the Mediterranean species,
like T. Lessoni. Its small size, minutely freckled surface, with
the articulated bands of black and yellow, may mark it.

Trochus (Monodonta) colubrinus. Testa depressa, conico-
globosa, imperforata, olivacea maculis subquadratis hepaticis
tessellata, sulcis inequalibus minime profundis cincta: spira
anfr. 5, planiusculis, ultimo ad peripheriam obtuse angulato :
basis convexiuscula, regione centrali absque colorem : apertura
semi-circularis, columella acuta, antice truncata et dentem men-
tiente ; labro acuto, viridi ; fauce submargaritacea. Diam. |^,
alt. f poll. Hah. Madeira.

This shell has the form and texture of Tr. umhilicaris. It
seems not to be an uncommon shell, but I find no description
of it.

Trochus (Monodonta) instrtctus. Testa parva, elevata,
ovato-conica, arete perforata, albida et maculis dilute rufis prope
suturam picta : spira anfr. 5, convexiusculis, sub-imbricatis,
sutura profunda canaliformi sejunctis, liris acutis ubique cinctis,
interspatiis concinne clathratis : basis convexa : apertura oblique
semicircularis ; columella acuta, obliqua, in dentem terminante;
labro incrassato, intus sulcato, juxta columellam rugoso et emar-
ginato. Long, f , lat. -^^ poll. Hah. Pacific Islands.

Trochus (Monodonta) atropurpureus. Testa parva, depressa.

108

ovato-conica, atropurpurea, liris granulosis ubique cincta : spira
anfr. 5-6, ultimo subangulato : basis convexiuscula, late per-
forata; umbilico cavernoso, limine acuto, denticulato, prope colu-
mellam interrupto: apertura circularis ; columella obliqua, acuta,
antice dentata, emarginata ; labro albo et nigro articulato, intus
sulcato ; fauce margaritaceo. Alt. j^^, lat. y^g- poll. Habitat,
Tutuilla, Navigator Islands.

Allied to T. pharaonis and T. canaliculata, in its habitus and
umbilicus, but more like T. corallinus in size and general charac-
ters. Its uniform color and granulation, toothed margin of the
umbilic, with the conspicuous tooth above, are its characters.

Trochus (Monodonta) rotellinus. Testa parva, solida, len-
tic^ilaris, nitida, fissura latebrosa perforata, dilute incarnata,
flammulis flexuosis saturatioribus, et seriebus duobus transversis
macularum fuscarum variegata : spira anfr. 5, convexiusculis :
apertura parva, subcircularis ; columella perobliqua, arcuata pos-
tice ab anfractu sejuncta, antice in dentem acutum terminante ;
labro prope dentem quasi emarginato. Diam. f, alt. ^ poll.
Hah. Mangsi Island.

This curious little shell would at first be taken by its form,
polish, and color, for a Rotella, while the notch of the aperture
resembles that of Buccinum neriteum. But its umbilic and col-
umella place it with Monodonta, or more properly in that sub-
division of Trochus named Clanculus by Montfort.

Mr. Desor addressed the Society upon the subject of the
distribution of animal life among the Shoals of Nantucket.
At a former meeting he had given descriptions of the various
species found in this locality, and he now proposed to con-
sider the law of their distribution.

The Shoals off Sancati Head, he said, might be regarded as
a vast sub-marine plateau, with a depth of water upon it, at no
place greater than twenty-five fathoms. Its surface rises into
four principal ridges, which approach the surface of the water at
different places to within fifteen, ten, six feet, or even one foot.
The varying depth of water between these ridges gives rise to
four principal horizontal divisions, marked by the absence or
the distinct characters of animal forms.

109

The first division takes in the top of these ridges, and extends
horizontally to various distances, according to the configuration
of the Shoal. It is composed of sand, mostly quartzose, con-
taining very little Feldspar, with some grains of Hornblende
very much worn, but no animals. This sand, although very fine,
is remarkable for its almost stony hardness. It has been a ques-
tion to what this should be attributed. Some have thought that it
may be owing to a cement combined with it, but on being dried it
is found to lose its compactness. Mr. Desor stated it to be the
opinion of Lieut. Davis, of the U. S. Coast Surveying service,
that it is produced by the hammering action of the waves.

From the second division, which is directly below this, the
dredge brings up nothing but broken shells, exhibiting marks of
the powerful action of the sea. It is the opinion of Lieut, Davis,
that those species in this division, which have not come from the
deeper water at the base of the sand ridges, are brought from
the neighboring shore by the tides ; but as yet this needs confirm-
ation. This division extends to a vertical depth of from three
to five fathoms.

The third division, next below the second, contains pebbles, a
few barnacles, and some species of Memiranipora.

The fourth division, at the bottom of the interval between the
ridges, abounds in animal forms. Every stone is entirely covered
with corals or barnacles. It is worth remarking that the species
here existing are not peculiar to this place, but are found under
other conditions nearer the surface of the water. Thus, the
Natica heros^ found on Nantucket Shoals at a depth of from tej
to fifteen fathoms, may be obtained on Chelsea Beach. The
common Star-fish, found at the depth of twenty-five fathoms
on Nantucket Shoals, exists at Beverly in shallow water. Other
species, as Cardita horealis, for instance, species of Buccinum
and Astarte, are subject to similar conditions of distribution.
These facts are at variance with the opinion entertained by some,
that each marine species has its district at a fixed depth below
the surface. It may be true of some, however, which are found
in brackish or fresh water. The pressure of the water prevents
the existence of animals at a very great depth. The beating of
the waves, on the other hand, limits their range upwards. On
Nantucket Shoals this is very powerful, and is supposed by Lieut.

110

Davis, to be felt to the depth of perhaps ten fathoms. In shel-
tered harbors, such as Massachusetts Bay affords, species which
on the Shoals are compelled to live at the bottom of the trenches,
can find protection at the depth of a few feet. The fact that
specimens obtained from the deepest water on the Shoals are
entirely covered with delicate corals, proves the entire quietness
of the water.

Dr. Bacon exhibited the specimen of Quartz crystals
having on their surfaces dendritic oxide of manganese,
which he had mentioned at the last meeting. He also
announced the donation of ^bout one hundred and twenty
minerals from Messrs J. E. and E. C. Cabot ; also, a third
instalment of minerals from Mr. Alger, making in all nearly
two hundred specimens selected from his cabinet.

Dr. Bacon likewise presented in the name of Mr. C. J.
F. Binney, a curious specimen, consisting of silver dollars
and a grape shot, incrusted with a calcareous deposit. It
was taken from the wreck of the Spanish Frigate San
Pedro, which was lost forty or fifty years ago, in the Carib-
bean Sea.

Dr. Cabot exhibited to the Society fifty-six birds, ready
to be put into the cases. Most of them were from Mexico,
and new to the Society's collection. The remainder were
from Mr. Gassett's donation.

A fine specimen of Coral, from Bermuda, presented by
Mr. T. G. Appleton, was laid on the table. The thanks
of the Society were voted for the donation.

Messrs. F. Freeman, John K. Manley, and E. W. Dana,
all of Boston, were elected members.

Dr. Leo Lesquereux, of Columbus, Ohio, was elected
Corresponding Member.

Ill

February 7, 1849.
The President in the Chair.

Present, twenty-nine members. Mr. J. W. Foster, of
Ohio, present by invitation.

The President exhibited to the Society the various speci-
mens of teeth of the Asiatic and Indian Elephants, and
Elephas primigenius, belonging to its collection, and dem-
onstrated the distinctive structure of each. He recurred to
the opinion expressed by him at a former meeting, of the
probable identity of the South American mastodon with the
M. angustidens, although this is at variance with the facts
usually observed in the geographical distribution of animals,
and stated that this opinion was sanctioned by the warrant
of Cuvier, Owen, and Darwin.

The question of the geological position of the Mastodon
giganteus was, he said, one of great importance. Dr. R. W.
Gibbes of Columbia, S. C, who had made it a subject of some
study, had been inclined at first to refer the remains of this
species found near Charleston, S. C, to the miocene ; but more
recently had referred them to the pleiocene^ guided by the char-
acter of the shells found with them. In reply to a question from
Prof. Rogers, the President stated that the remains of two mas-
todons had been found in the north-east section of this country.
One of them was obtained in Connecticut, about midway between
the Connecticut river and the Hudson, casts of the bones of which
may be seen in the Collection at New Haven.

Mr. Foster spoke of the position of the mastodon remains in Ohio,
The general contour of the eastern part of that State, he said,
was rounded and undulating, the highest ground being about
six hundred and fifty feet above Lake Erie. Towards the west
it assumes the character of a nearly uniform, level plain, which
he considered as a subaqueous or lacustrine deposit. It consists
of layers of regularly stratified clay of a very fine character.

112

Beneath is a thick, uniform stratum of blue clay ; over it an
equally regular stratum of yellow clay, on the surface of which
are found boulders of native copper and granite. Remains of
Mastodon, fossil Elephant, and Castoroides are found in the blue
clay, and in erosions in the yellow filled with fresh water marl.
Such is their position at Big Bone Lick, the great charnel house
of these remains. At this place a small creek traverses a nar-
row valley of three-quarters of a mile in width, and empties into
the Ohio. The swamp is filled in with blue clay, and on the
adjacent banks the yellow clay is visible. The presence of the
bones in the blue clay, which underlies the yellow, led him to
consider this valley as one of denudation. The face of the
country he thought had undergone no very great change since
they were buried. If we suppose the Ohio to have been dammed
up by a barrier five hundred feet high, all the level part of the
State and the adjoining country would be an immense lake, the
tranquil deposition from which, would account for the extensive
clay formation. Some idea of its extent might be obtained from
the fact that it had been traced over 8° lat., and that at Detroit
its thickness is one hundred and ten feet. The position of their
remains in this clay would give to these animals a very high
antiquity, long anterior to man. He thought there was evidence
of the existence of such an extensive lake at a former epoch, in
the terraces and other geographical features of the country. Its
northern part would border on a region which three quarters of
the year would be one of ice and snow. This would explain
the presence of the boulders in the South, which must have come
from this district, as it would admit of the supposition of the
transporting agency of icebergs, by which he had no doubt they
had been brought down. The geographical features of the
country excluded all possibility, he thought, of the action of
glaciers. It seemed to him impossible that they could have
traversed a nearly level plain, for a distance of six hundred
miles. Neither was he inclined to believe in the power of water
as a transporting agent in the present case. It is difficult to
believe, he said, that water could have brought such masses of
native copper a distance of sixty miles. Had such a power been
in action, the largest and heaviest boulders would have been
dropped first. But it is found that at the most southern limit of

113

their distribution their size is as great as near their source.
They are found deposited according to the configuration of the
country.

Prof. Rogers said he wished to recur to his question as to the
epoch of the mastodons. He had been long seeking light upon
this subject. There was no doubt that in many places the re-
mains of this animal had been found above the drift, in basins on
its surface. They had been said to have been also discovered under
the drift. It was out of all analogy to suppose that the race had
existed at different dates at different places. How then were
these discrepancies to be explained ? He thought the facts of
the case demanded a more thorough investigation. He had sup-
posed that at Big Bone Lick the bones had been found in a drift
formation. He would ask Mr. Foster whether at that place there
was the same continuous boulder stratum as on the upland ?

Mr. Foster replied that where the strata of clay had been cut
through, the superincumbent boulders had dropped down into the
valley, and rested on the clay imbedding the bones. The southern
limit of the boulders, he said, was about lat. 40°. Very few are
found south of the Ohio. They rest on the yellow clay.

Prof. Rogers said he thought there was the same room for
doubt as to the age of the bones in question as in the case of the
human remains found at Natchez, of which an account had been
given by Dr. Dickerson. In a valley of denudation the deposit
at the bottom may have been swept over into it, and be in reality
composed of more recent materials than the higher formations
in its vicinity, as was shown in the Mississippi case. He was
still inclined to doubt the extensive character ascribed to the blue
clay of Ohio, by Mr. Foster, and the consequent inference of
the high antiquity of the relics entombed in it. He could not
resist the impression that this deposit would prove to be a local
one, thrown down by a circumscribed body of water. There
had been so much doubt as to the age of the specimens from
Carolina when presented at Philadelphia, that he had felt him-
self warranted in asking of Dr. Gibbes specific evidence as to the
actual material from which, and from under wliich they were dug
out. He said that he must dissent from Mr. Foster and Mr. Desor,
as to their theories of the drift. He was no glacialist in any

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 8 BUY, 1849.

114

way. He could see no evidence, except in the ancient estuaries
of the eastern part of the country, of an extensive sea four or
five hundred feet deep, across which icebergs might have
floated.

Dr. Pickering stated that Mr. Nuttall had obtained a large
number of bones from the vicinity of the Neuss. Mr. N. had never
attributed to them an age equal to the Tertiary. In the neighbor-
hood of Big Bone Lick and the whole valley of the Ohio, there are
no marine shells later than the Secondary. The same was true,
he said, of the deposites in which mastodons had been found in
New Jersey and New York.

Prof. Rogers remarked that he thought we should not assume
the age of a formation without organic remains to prove it. He
was glad he had it on Dr. Pickering's authority, that there are no
marine fossils in the interior, associated with the remains in ques-
tion. It was a point on which he had himself insisted for years.
It was certainly very strange, if such an extensive submergence
had existed, that no trace of animal life could be detected, even
by the microscope. In the absence of such evidence he thought
we must resort to the theory of inundation to explain the marks
of aqueous action over so large a district, so near its present
level.

Dr. Pickering said that he had asked Mr. Nuttall, if among the
bones which he had collected from various localities, he had dis-
covered any fossil shells ; and it was his impression that he replied,
he had not. Dr. Pickering also stated that the region from which
Dr. Gibbes obtained his specimens, is strictly an alluvial district,
made up of mixed materials ; and that no dependence should be
placed on the shells there discovered as indications of the age
of the bones buried in it. He himself had seen a specimen of
a Helix now living, found in this deposit.

The President remarked that Mr. Conrad held the opinion that
the formation on the Neuss containing the fossils in question,
belonged to the Medial Tertiary or Older Pleiocene deposit.

Mr. Foster stated that several years since, when engaged on
the geological survey of Ohio, in the eastern part of the State, a
number of mastodon and other bones were discovered, projecting
from a bank of clay forty feet in thickness, over which was a

115

heavy growth of trees, at a ptace where a creek had cut through
the stratum and partially exposed them to view. By digging in
horizontally many bones were obtained. The material in which
they were imbedded was exceedingly fine. With the exception
of a layer of about two inches in thickness it contained no rock
of a size larger than a buck-shot. He would ask Prof. Rogers
how it was possible that such a deposit could be formed in a state
of things requiring a violent transportation of such boulders as
lay above it. One would naturally suppose that the bones and
boulders and materials would be mixed together, if this view were
correct. On the other hand, he said, he saw evidence in the
ridges and other features of the country, of an upheaval subse-
quent to the deposition of the clay. The most recent deposit in
which mastodon remains had been found, was in Crawford Co.,
where a perfect cranium had been discovered in an erosion of
the clay filled with fresh water marl. There were no shells
found with it, only leaves.

Mr. Desor made some remarks in relation to a point to
which Prof. Rogers attached much importance as evidence
against the plausibility of Mr. Foster's and his own views, viz.,
the want of marine remains in the deposite under discussion.
In a recent exploration of Tuckanuck shoal, near Nantucket, in
an area of twelve square miles, with a nearly uniform depth over
the whole surface, he had found, he said, not a single trace of shells
at a depth of about five fathoms. They could only be obtained
from the deep valleys intersecting the shoal, as explained at the
last meeting. On the coast of Texas, where similar flats exist, so
far as he had heard, the same barrenness prevails. Prof. Rogers
considered it strange, that in so wide a country as North Amer-
ica there were no traces of marine remains to prove the exist-
ence of such an extensive submergence ; for this submergence
must have been very extensive, as specimens of Tellina groen-
landica had been found near Montreal, at an elevation of five
hundred and forty feet above the present sea-level. If the water
stood at this height, there were very few points in the north-east-
ern and western part of the country which could have been above
the surface. That marine shells had not been found in the inte-
rior was no evidence that such would not be found. He would
remind Prof. Rogers that two years since it was thought there

116

were no fossils in the drift south of Lake Champlain and Ports-
mouth. Since then they had been obtained at Nantucket and at
Brooklyn.

Prof. Rogers replied that he considered these remains evidence
of the former existence of an extensive strait, which cut off
New England from the main continent. He would ask Mr. Fos-
ter, if any bones had been found in Ohio except at such localities
as Big Bone Lick.

Mr. Foster replied, that in sinking wells in different parts of
the State, the same layers of clay had been found. Bones had
also been obtained at a distance from Big Bone Lick, in the blue
clay.

Dr. Pickering said he wished to recall the attention of the
Society to the original subject, the mastodon. It was well known,
he said, that the remains of this animal and kindred species had
been found in high northern latitudes, entirely unsuited now by
their climate and vegetable products, to their structure and habits.
An opinion had been advanced, that since the epoch of these
species the earth's equator had shifted.

It would aid us in considering the subject of the distribution of
these animals, if we were to suppose, as some had done, that
since the epoch of their existence the earth's equator had shifted.
On referring to a globe it might be seen that, if the zenith were
made to pass through London or Paris, the equator would just cut
off the extremity of South America, so that nearly all the land
would be in one hemisphere, and the water in the other. In this
view the land would have more the appearance of one continuous
territory, allowing a free migration from one part to another,
than it has in the common way of regarding it.

Prof. Rogers, in reply to Mr. Desor's deduction from the bar-
renness of Tuckanuck shoal, said that he thought the examina-
tion had not been thorough enough to furnish an argument for
the condition of a wide continent. The Tellina groenlandica
had been found by Mr. Lyell at Montreal, it was true, at an ele-
vation of five hundred and forty feet, but at Augusta marine
shells had been found at a height of seventy feet, near Quebec at
eighty or ninety feet, and on Lake Champlain at a different level
still. These facts indicated a want of that parallelism of level which

117

Messrs. Foster's and Desor's theories would require. On the
other hand, the shells discovered by Mr. Lyell near Montreal
were much broken and worn, and had evidently, he thought,
been swept up from below and lodged in angles and depressions.
Prof. Rogers also stated that in studying the geology of Pennsyl-
vania during a period of ten years, he had found no marine
fossils in the drift.

Mr. Desor remarked that Prof. Rogers's theory would not
account for the regularly stratified ridges of six hundred, seven
hundred, and nine hundred feet in height found in Ohio, which
were probably at various periods the shores of vast collections of
water.

Dr. Bacon announced the donation from Prof. J. W.
Webster of five specimens of Idocrase, from Sanford, Me.,
the new locality of this mineral discovered by him last sum-
mer. From Francis Alger, Esq., two specimens of oxide
of Tin from Cornwall, two of the rare mineral Murio-
phosphate of Lead from Keswick, Cumberland, and one of
Phosphate of Lead from the same locality.

Mr. Joseph W. Balch and Dr. Geo. A. Bethune were
elected members of the Society.

February 21, 1849.
The President in the Chair.

Present, fourteen members.

Dr. Gould stated a fact bearing upon the question dis-
cussed at the last meeting, as to the nature of the Ohio
clay formation containing the mastodon bones. Up to the
time of Mr. Lyell's visit to that State, geologists had sup-
posed and asserted that no shells existed in that deposit.
Mr. L. however, succeeded in finding at Big Bone Lick six

118

or seven fossil shells, all fresh water species, imbedded
in company with the bones.

Dr. Gould presented the following descriptions of new
species of shells, brought home by the U. S. Exploring Ex-
pedition :

Trochus tantillus. Testa minuta, conico-discoidea, flavido
cinerea, lineis radianlibus flexuosis fuscis picta : spira depressa
anfr. 4-5 angulatis, ultimo ad peripheriam dilatato, acuto : basis
convexiuscula, perforata, flavida, liris duabus concentricis pro
clivibus munita: apertura obliquissima. Axis -^^, diam. | poll
Hah. Sandwich Islands.

I have met with no description of a species so small as this
and yet its characters are very prominent. Its form and concen
trie ridges give it the aspect of a conical operculum.

Planaxis lineolatus. Testa minuta, solida, acuto-conica,
ex albido fuscescens, lineis castaneis numerosis cincta: spira
acuta, anfr. 6-8 planulatis, supernis granulatis, ultimo f testse
longitud. fequante, ad peripheriam sub-angulato : basis spiraliter
striata: apertura rotundato-ovata, postice baud callifera; labro
pallido,vel fusco tessellato, intus denticulato; fauce fusco. Axis ^,
diam. ^ poll. Hob. Wilson's Island.

This little shell is not infrequent in cabinets, but I find no de-
scription of it.

Pyramidella ambigua. Testa minuta, albida, imperforata,
ovato-subulata, costis longitudinalibus exilibus ad 20 ornata, inter-
vallis spiraliter striatis : spira acuta, anfr. ad 10 planulatis : aper-
tura auriculata, antice subefFusa ; columella callosa, gibbosa, an-
tice sinuata ; labro simplici, incrassato. Axis J- ; diam. j\j- poll.
Hob. Clermont Tonnere Island.

The characters of this little shell, which I have for the present
placed under Pyramidella^ are somewhat abnormal. Its size and
sculpture would suggest Truncatella ; its aperture is somewhat
like the effuse form of Eidima ; the form of aperture is also like
Pyramidella, though it has no proper plaits, but merely an intru-
sion of callus with an adjacent sinus in place of them, and in
this, is like Monotigma.

Cerithium (Potamis) sacratum. Testa rudis, elongata, badia

119

et fascia lutea cincta : spira turrlta, anfr. ad 10 convexis, vix
angulatis, et liris obsoletis cinctis, supernis plicatis, ultimo glo-
bose, abnormali, varice magno munito ; sutura profunda, lutea :
apertura rotundata, antice efFusa, baud emarginata ; labro everso,
polito, piceo: operculum multispirale. Long. 1^; lat. |- poll.
Hah. Sacramento River, California.

Allied to C. varicosum^ Sowb. The surface, though not
smooth, is destitute of longitudinal ribs except near the tip ; it
has also a pale sutural region and a less marked canal.

Cerithium aduncum. Testa solida, distorta, acuminato-con-
ica, leviuscula, filis tenuibus cincta, luleo-cinerea, fusco-tincta :
spira acuminata, anfr. 9 planis, sutura vix discretis, ultimo gib-
boso, valde deflecto : apertura angusta, callosa, in canalem
adscendentem producta ; labro crasso, simplici ; fauce livido.
Long. 1 ; lat. f poll. Hah. Mindanao.

This smooth, solid, dusky species is plainly marked by its
peculiarly distorted form, the last whorl being so flexed upon the
others that its ventral outline is straight, while the dorsal outline
is remarkably arched.

Cerithium irroratum. Testa ovato-conica, transversim stri-
olata, fusco-nigricans, punctis elongatis cinereis irrorata : spira
conica, anfr. 7, planulatis, longitudinaliter undulatis, ultimo
dimidiam testae superante ; sutura obsoleta : apertura rotundato-
elliptica; labro declivi ; canali brevissimo ; fauce livido, albo-
fasciato. Long, f ; lat. ~ poll. Hah. ?

Generally resembling C. ocellatum, Lam., which has a median
tuberculated angle on each whorl and an excavated sutural region,
while this has a regularly curved outline and folded surface.
The pale sp6ts are less numerous, and the proportions of the
aperture are different.

Cerithium sordidulum. Testa elongata, rubiginoso-albida,
costellis numerosis et filis volventibus alternatim majoribus reti-
culata : spira turrita, acuminata, anfr. 11 planulatis, ultimo vari-
coso, granuloso ; sutura profunda : apertura ampla, ovato-rotun-
data ; labro crenulato, extus incrassato, rufo-tincto ; rostro atten-
uate, valde recurvo ; fauce alba. Long, -^jj lat. ^ poll. Hah. .?

In its general structure, especially in the development of the
last whorl, this may be compared with C. columna, Sowb., but it

120

differs entirely in sculpture, its beak is very much shorter, and it
is very much smaller.

Cerithium invaginatum. Testa elongato-turrita, sordide
alba, ad apicem et interdum ad rostrum rufescens, filis tenuibus
cincta ; spira anfr. 10-12 angulato-convexis, superne tabulatis,
inferne constrictis, nodoso-plicatis et concinne lamelloso-rugosis,
ultimo carinato : apertura subquadrata, alba; rostro gracili,
recurvato. Long. |^, lat. ^ poll. Hab. Feejee Islands.

A very peculiar species. The tuberose whorls narrowed an-
teriorly, so as to appear when viewed from above as if crowded
into each other, and the very delicate wrinkling of their superior
portion renders their diagnosis clear.

Cerithium c^latum, Couthouy MS. Testa subulato-turrita,
dilute rufa : spira anfr. ad 13 vix convexis, longitudinaliter crebre
sulcatis, et lineis duabus impressis cinctis, ultimo anfr. ad basim
inornato ; sutura impressa : apertura rotundata ; columella arcu-
ata, rostro brevissimo. Long, f ; lat. ^ poll. Hah. Terra del
Fuego.

This species belongs to the same group as C. iurriteUa, which
it resembles ; but in its delicate form it still more strongly resem-
bles C. sardou?n, Cantr.

Cerithium filosum. Testa parva, elongato-turrita : spira
anfr. ad 8 planulatis, sulcis et liris alternantibus cequalibus ad
4 cinctis, et coloribus cinereis et pallide rufis partitis ; sutura
impressa : apertura parva, semi-elliptica, antice emarginata ; col-
umella vix arcuata ; labro acuto. Long, f, lat. ^ poll. Hab.
Puget Sound.

Only a single specimen of this turritella-like Cerithium has
been examined. It is of the same type as C. ccElatum^ and is
well characterized by its simple revolving lines and grooves, and
its coloration.

Cerithium pusillum. Testa minuta, fulva, turrita, varicosa,
longitudinaliter undata, undis ad 10 prope basim evanescentibus :
spira acuminata, anfr. 8 convexis, filis tenuibus granulosis 4 cinc-
tis, anfractu ultimo multicincto : apertura lata, ovata, obliqua ;
rostro brevissimo ; labro varicose ; columella arcuata. Long. ^,
lat. -jL poll. Hab. Sandwich Islands.

121

A little shell about the size, and with many of the characters
of C. Emersonii. It also resembles C. ferrugineum, Say, but is
much smaller.

Cerithium egenum. Testa minuta, lanceolata, albida, ad
basim maculis parvis fuscis notata : spira acuminata, anfr. ad 10
convexiusculis, filis ad 5 cinctis, quorum centrali et suturali ma-
joribus, anfractu ultimo utrinque varicoso : apertura rotundato-
ovalis ; rostro brevissimo ; columella postice callosa. Long, f ,
lat. -^ poll. Hab. Wilson's Island.

The characters of this little shell are somewhat negative, but
on the whole it may be distinguished by its sharp revolving lines
having a tendency to granulation, without longitudinal folds; the
little blotches in the region of the rostrum seem to be constant.
It is a little like C. lacteiwi, but much smaller.

Cerithium ianthinum. Testa parva, tenuis, ovato-lanceolata,
violacescens sed labro sutura et varicibus albis : spira acuminata,
anfr. trivaricosis ad 10, filis tenuibus ad 8 cinctis, quorum medi-
ani majori et granoso ad anfractus apicales : apertura ovato-ro-
tundata ; rostro brevissimo ; columella vix callosa. Long. -I,
lat. 2^0 poll. Hah. Clermont Tonnere.

If this be not the young of some other species, which I some-
what suspect, it is very well marked by its color alone. The
contrasting of the white and violet, and its numerous ribs being
beautifully displayed. It is larger than C. ? ?.

Mr. Ayres exhibited the skull of a fish, showing a curious
malformation. The anterior sphenoid bone was disarticula-
ted, and turned up into the orbit of the eye, causing a dis-
placement of the temporal and maxillary bones. Mr. A.
remarked that it was a curious fact, that the only two
instances in which he had found this malformation were
species of the genus Labrax ; L. lineatus and mucronatus.

A circular from the Smithsonian Institute relative to an
extensive system of meteorological observations, and asking
co5peration by Societies and individuals, was read by the
Secretary. It was laid on the table to be at the disposal of
any one who might wish to undertake the duty.

122

March 7, 1849.
The President in the Chair.

Present, twenty-five members.

Dr. C. T. Jackson exhibited to the Society specimens of
gold ore from the Virginia mines, containing the rare min-
eral Tellurium in the form of a Telluret of lead and gold
with a little silver, and a small amount of Silenium. These
minerals. Tellurium and Silenium have never before been
found in America. With some of the specimens Bismuth
is found, a rare combination. The form, however, in which
the ore is brought from the mines makes it difficult to say
whether it is actually combined or only mixed with it.

Dr. Jackson presented, in the name of Elie de Beaumont,
a monograph, entitled " Note sur les Systemes de Montagnes
les plus anciens de I'Europe, par M. L. Elie de Beau-
mont, and gave a general account of its contents.

Prof. Rogers said he wished to present for the considera-
tion of the Society some views of his own with reference
to a certain peculiarity in the structure of Glaciers as he
saw them in Switzerland, which had not been before
explained.

The general structure of Glaciers, as has been pointed out by
Agassiz, Forbes and others, is looped ; presenting a series of
concentric curves bulging downwards, extending across the
Glacier. Agassiz has determined that the middle of the Glacier
moves the fastest, and has shown that these loops are caused by
the closing up of fissures. The ice in fact presents in a fixed
shape the conditions impressed on a current of water. Prof.
Rogers said there was another looped structure, not so readily
explained, which had come under his notice. About the end
and on the edges of the Glacier the ice is in a condition of cleav-
age very much like that seen in a slate quarry. This appear-

123

ance is due to a series of thin plates or layers which lie
like a series of troughs, one within the other, in a direction
almost parallel to the enclosing walls and end of the glacier.
They are of such thinness that it is not uncommon to find three
or four of them in the width of an inch. This structure is not
due to the cause which produces the transverse loops, or any
mechanical cause, but in Prof. Rogers's opinion, to a true mo-
lecular action in the substance of the ice. He said that he had
before advanced the opinion that all cleavage in rocks is parallel
to the planes of the highest temperature. He had been greatly
interested in finding a precisely similar structure in glaciers under
the same conditions. Prof. Rogers, with a view to an explana-
tion of the phenomenon in question, stated a fact observed in ice
held for a long- time at a point just below melting. A block of
clear ice kept for some time at this degree of temperature loses
its transparency and cohesiveness, and on being struck falls to
pieces in a number of perpendicular, thin, columnar fragments.
The shape of these pieces is not due, he said, to the enlarging
and running together of a number of air bubbles, but it is a true
acicular, crystalline structure. The opacity of the ice he con-
sidered evidence of a change in the arrangement of its particles.
He thought it possible that the laminated structure of the glacier
of which he was speaking might arise from a similar cause.

Dr. Jackson said he was inclined to attribute the appearances
in question to the action of air bubbles. Water he said, contains
two and one half per cent, of atmospheric air. Its presence
renders ice vesicular. He had never found a piece of ice with-
out air-bubbles, and it can only be obtained for experiments by
exhausting the air from the water by boiling, and rapidly freezing
it. As to the first looped structure spoken of by Prof. Rogers,
he could not understand it if Agassiz's theory were true, namely,
that glaciers move by the alternate freezing and thawing of water
in their interstices. If such were the case, then the thin glaciers
would move fastest, other things being equal. As the freezing
and thawing are the greatest on the edges, then the motion must
necessarily be the greatest on the edges, which is not the case.
The thickest are found to move the fastest, even on very slightly
inclined surfaces, because there is less resistance on the sides in
proportion to the mass. Mr. Forbes had found that glaciers

124

descend on themselves, as it were, and move fastest in the middle.
If they moved by alternate thawing and freezing, since these
processes occur most readily on the edges, the motion would be
greatest there, and they would be depressed below the centre.
He himself was inclined to the opinion of Mr. Desor, that gla-
ciers are in the condition of a soft solid substance, like a mass of
dough for instance, and descend principally by the force of
gravity. Such a mass descending in a confined space would
naturally take the bowed shape noticed in glaciers. He suggest-
ed that the laminated structure mentioned by Prof. Rogers,
might be caused by the freezing of water which had run down
the sides of the barrier mountains.

Dr. Gould read a note from Prof. J. W. Webster of
Cambridge, presenting to the Society a number of medi-
cinal plants from the interior of Paraguay. The thanks of
the Society were voted for the donation.

Mr. Bouve announced a donation from Mr. Theo. Lincoln
of Dennis ville, Me., of several impressions of Fucoides on
sandstone. The thanks of the Society vi^ere voted to Mr.
Lincoln.

Prof. Rogers presented various books from Mr. Double-
day, The Entomological Society of London, Mr. Spence,
Mr. Tilton, and Mr. Adam White, for which see Quarterly
List. Prof. Rogers announced that sets of casts of the Fos-
sils in the British Museum had been made, and were to be
obtained at the Museum at cost, it being the object of the
Managers of the Institution to make its collection as exten-
sively useful as possible.

125

March 21, 1849.
Dr. A. A. Gould in the Chair.

Present, sixteen members.

Mr. Desor, not having been present at the last meeting,
introduced the subject then treated of by Prof. Rogers,
namely, the ribbon structure of the ice in Glaciers.

This had not, he thought, been satisfactorily explained before.
This was partly owing to a confusion in the minds of those who
had discussed the question, between the transverse looped struc-
ture and the ribbon structure in question, which is longitudinal.
The cause of the former of these was, he thought, pretty well
understood. He agreed with Prof. Rogers as to the resemblance
in the ribbon ice to narrow bands of slate. At the head of the
Glacier, as had been pointed out by Charpentier and Agassiz,
after successive freezings and thawings, this ribbon ice is formed,
but the plates are not of such regularity and length as lower
down. At a lower point their appearance is as Prof. Rogers
described them. Sometimes for a mile in length they are per-
fectly straight and of uniform thickness. In some places fissures
of a few inches depth are seen in this ice parallel to its course,
suggesting the question, whether they indicate the cause of the
phenomena, or are only the effects of melting. An objection to
the supposition that these layers of ice are produced by water
freezing in cracks of the glacier exists in the fact, that they
extend across deep ravines, and preserve for so great a distance
such a strict parallelism and regularity. On the whole, Mr.
Desor said he was inclined towards Prof. Rogers's theory, that the
ribbon structure is due to a true molecular change in the sub-
stance of the ice itself, although it is not as yet demonstrable.

Prof Rogers said he was glad to hear from Mr. Desor such a
confirmation of his own views. He was not before aware that
the blue bands are more irregular and infrequent at the upper
than at the lower part of the glacier. He regarded the fact as a

126

strong one in favor of his theory ; for it was quite natural to sup-
pose that this would be the case, since the ice at this point had
not been exposed to the influence acting upon it long enough to
produce the structure in question. He regarded Prof. Forbes's
opinion that the ribbon ice is caused by a movement of the mass
on itself, by which longhudinal fissures are formed, as unphilo-
sophical; since it would suppose a cohesiveness among the par-
ticles, and a disposition to separate into planes parallel to its
course, not in accordance with the laws of such a mass. The
fissures spoken of by Mr. Desor he regarded as the effect of
atmospheric erosion, like those in a slate quarry. The bands
could not be caused by water freezing in cracks of the glacier,
as such ice would be likely to have an irregular, crystalline
arrangement, as is seen where cracks in pond ice have been
closed up.

Dr. Jackson asked Mr. Desor if he knew M. Elie de Beau-
mont's opinions on the structure under consideration.

Mr. Desor replied that M. de Beaumont admitted the constant
correlation between the fissures and the bands, and attributed the
former to a shrinking in winter.

Dr. Jackson said it did not seem to him important that the fis-
sures should penetrate the whole mass. The contraction would
be the greatest on the sides where the glacier is the thinnest, and
where these bands of ice are found.

Mr. Desor remarked that it had been ascertained that below a
depth of about ten feet, the centigrade thermometer stands inva-
riably at zero.

Dr. Jackson replied that he did not attach much importance to
this fact, since if the surface were to contract, the fissure would
extend downwards to a depth proportionate to the toughness of
the ice, and on the sides this process would go on the easiest.

Prof. Rogers said, that if fissures, ultimately giving rise to the
bands in question, were thus formed by radiation from the bar-
rier mountains or the direct rays of the sun, they would neces-
sarily occur on the side of the glacier most exposed to these
influences, and in accordance with the direction of the glacier.
This was not found to be the case. In fact, none of these me-

127

chanical views would account for the length, parallelism, thin-
ness, and trough-like arrangement of the plates.

Dr. Jackson stated as a curious fact, that in the Pudding
stone of Roxbury, fissures exist which pass through the
pebbles as well as the matrix in which they are enclosed.

As the pebbles are much harder than the enclosing rock, it is
difficult to explain this phenomenon. But in no instance. Dr.
Jackson stated, is the pebble loosened and dropped from its bed
by the opening of the fissure. In some cases it is broken into
three pieces, one remaining imbedded in each face of the open-
ing, and the third being locked between them. Dr. J. had
observed the same thing in the Pudding-stone of Rhode Island.
If these fissures had been produced by contraction of the rock,
the pebbles should drop out. In conclusion, he suggested that
an earthquake shock might have been the cause of the phenom-
enon.

Prof. Rogers said that he did not believe the appearances in
question could be explained by earthquake movements, as the reg-
ular forms of the masses bounded by the fissures were at variance
with the observed effects of these movements. Nor was he wil-
ling to admit any other mechanical cause as sufficient to account
for them. He thought that this division was due to a similar
cause to that producing slaty cleavage ; some corpuscular force ;
a force generated at the place of action, and extending through
the whole mass of matter, such as that arising from electric or
magnetic attraction and repulsion.

Dr. Jackson thought that the heterogeneous character of the
Pudding-stone precluded the possibility of accounting for the
fissures by any general cause such £^Prof. Rogers assigned for
them, excepting heat. In reply to a question from Mr. Desor, he
stated that the Pudding-stone belonged to a date anterior to the
Coal.

Mr. Desor presented to the Society a new theory to
explain the formation of fogs on banks and shoals, which
he thought would also account for the formation of ground
ice.

128

It is a well known fact that fogs are of very common occur-
rence over the shoal water of the Southern seas. Their outline
is so definite, that according to an expression of Humboldt, they
present themselves to the eye like air pictures, in which the
fashion of the boltom is reflected. Dr. Franklin first noticed
that the water in such places is colder than the surrounding sea.
As to the cause of this difference of temperature there have
been various opinions. None of them, however, seem to be
satisfactory.

Mr. Desor then proceeded to unfold his own views as follows :
It is not, he said to foreign causes that we must look for an
explanation of this phenomenon, but to the shoals themselves.
The atmosphere over the water is cooled down by the abstrac-
tion of caloric, caused by the radiation through the water of heat
from the bottom. The suspended moisture is consequently con-
densed in the form of fog. That such a radiation takes place is
sufficiently evident from the formation of ice at the bottom of
ponds and rivers, called ground ice. This sometimes accumu-
lates in such a quantity, as when detached from the bottom to
raise and bear off from their bed large stones and boulders.
There is little doubt that the extensive ice fields found in the
spring in the vicinity of the Grand Banks, and which Mr. Desor
himself saw covering the sea for many miles, in March, 1847,
are made up of ground ice which has floated to the surface. It
will be seen that the agency of ground ice furnishes a means of
solving many difficulties in the distribution of the drift, such as
the transportation of those blocks and boulders which are found
at a level higher than their source.

Mr. Burnett exhibited a series of drawings representing
the progressive development of the eggs of a spider, of a
species unknown to hip. They were magnified to one
hundred and sixty diameters. He stated that there was a
difficulty in studying the embryonic development of the
Arachnidse, growing out of the opacity of the envelope of
the egg, and the extreme delicacy and semi-transparency of
the germ. By the appfication of acetic acid he succeeded
in removing the horny envelope without injuring the vitel-
line membrane. Mr. Burnett's observations were found to
coincide very exactly with Herold's.

129

Mr. Bouve presented to the Society specimens of Orthis
testudinai'la from the blue limestone of the Ohio, Leptoena
sericea, and Favistella stellata from the basin of the Ohio.

Dr. Bacon, presented in the name of Mr. Francis Alger,
sixty mineralogical specimens, mostly from New Jersey.

Mr. John Ayres of Boston, and Dr. Andrew Henderson
of Chelsea, were elected members of the Society.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31.

Observations on Belemnites and other Fossil Remains of Ceph-
alopoda. By G. A. Mantell. 4to. London, 1848. Pamph.
From the Author.

Structure of the Maxillary and Dental Organs of the Iguan-
odon. By G. A. Mantell. 4lo. Pamph. London, 1848. From
the Author,

Stratigraphical Section from Alherfield Point to Black-Gang-
Chine, on the Isle of Wight. By W. H. Fitton. 1 sheet, fol.
London. From the Author.

American Journal of Science and the Arts. 2nd series, No.
19, for Jan. 1849. -Exchange.

Plates 140-150, to the Viviparous Quadrupeds of North
America. Folio. Also Title-page and Index to Vol. III. Suh-
scrihers.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences. Pages
57-112. 8vo. Pamph. Phil. 1848. From the Academy of
Natural Sciences.

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. V.
No. 41, for Dec. 1848. Fro?7i the American Philosophical Soci-
ety.

Notes on the Medical Application of Electricity. By W. F.
Channing, M. D. Boston, 1849. From the Author.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. 2eme Serie.
Tome IV. Feuilles63-73. Tome V. Feuilles 9 - 15. From
the Societe Geologique.

Twelve Lectures on Comparative Embryology, by Louis
Agassiz. 8vo. Pamph. Boston, 1849. Frotn A. A. Gould.

FROCEEDLXGS B. S. N. H. 9 MAY, 1849.

130

Gelehrte Anzeiger herausgegeben von Mitgliedern der K.
Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschafteii. Vols. 24, 25. 4to.
Miinchen, 1847-8. From the Munich Academy.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. XIII., for
January, 1849. 8vo. London. 2d series. Courtis Fund.

Catalogue des Coleopteres de la Collection de M. Le Compte
Dejean. Nos. 1 - 5. 8vo. Paris, 1833 - 4. Fro?n Dr. T. W.
Harris.

Observationes quasdam de Salamandris et Tritonibus. Auctore
C. J. Ernest de Siebold. 4to. Pamph. Berolini, 1828. From
Dr. Joseph Leidy.

Geographical Memoir upon Upper California in illustration of
his Map of Oregon and California. By J. C. Fremont. 8vo.
Pamph. Washington, 1849. From Hon. R. C. Winlhrop.

Slraligraphical account of the section from Atherfield to Rock-
en-etid in the Isle of Wight. By W. [I. Fitton. 8vo. London,
1847. From the Author.

BiiHetin de la Societe Geologique de France. 2ieme serie.
Tome IV. Feuilles 74-78, et Tome V. Feuilles 16-28. 8vo.
Pamph. 1846-8. Paris. From the Societe Geologique.

Second Annual Report of ti^e Regents of the University on
the Condition of the State Cnbinet of Natural History. 8vo.
Pamph. Albany, 1849. From the Regents of the University.

Note sur les Systemes de Montagues les plus anciens de
PEurope. Svo. Pamph. Par M. L. Elie de Beaumont. From
the Author.

List of specimens of Dij)terous Insects in the British Museum.
Part I. 12mo. Pamph. London, 1848. From E. Douhleday.

List of specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the British
Museum. Parts I. and II., and Appendix. 12mo. Pamph.
London, 1844-8. From E. Douhleday.

Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. Vol. V.
Parts 1, 4, 5. 8vo. Pamph. Lond. 1845-8. From the Ento-
mological Society.

Zoology of the Voyage of H. M. S, Samarang. Edited by
Arthur Adams. Mollusca. 4to. Pamph. Part I. By A. Adams
and L. Reeve. London. From A±dam White.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. XIV. 2d
series. February, 1849. Courtis Fund.

131

American Journal of Science and Arts. 2d series. No. 20,
March, 1849. Exchange.

Verhandlimgen der Russich-Kaisorlichen Mineralogischen
Geselischaft zu St. Petersburg. Jahr 1847. Bvo. Pamph.
St. Petersburg, 1848. From Charles Cramer.

Address before the Entonnological Society of London. By
William Spence. 8vo. Pamph. London, 1848. From the En-
tomological Society.

Researches in Meteorology. By Bennett Dowler. 8vo. Pam.
New Orleans, 1848. From the Author.

Review of Mr. Solly's book on the Brain. By B. Dowler.
8vo. Pamph. From the Author.

Researches on the Capillary circulation. 8vo. Pamph. By
B. Dowler. New Orleans, 1849. From the Author.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. 2eme serie.
To.no Vf. Feuilles 1-4 (6-20 Septembre, 1848.) From the
Socilte, Geologique.

April 4, 1849.
The President in the Chair.

Present, twenty members.

Mr. J. E. Teschemacher read a paper giving the results
of his measurement of the angles of the mineral recently
described by Prof. C. U. Shepard as Arkansite, as fol-
lows ;

Among some crystals of Arkansite kindly presented to me by
Prof. C. U. Shepard, I found two or three with extremely brilliant
planes, which enabled me to measure the angles with accuracy
by the reflecting goniometer. I present herewith, a complete
figure of the crystal, and the measurements of nearly all the
planes. This has not hitherto been published.

132

M on M' 100

M « M 80

M '' d 133.35

d " ^/ 135.45

c " c 124
Plane / too round to be measured.
Terminal planes P are entirely oblit-
erated by modification d; on some cry.s-
tals they exist, but are not sufficiently
brilliant for accurate measurement.

The form, as correctly slated by Prof. Shepard, is a right
rhombic prism, but it will be seen that this form as well as the
values of the angles, are precisely those of Brookite. The qual-
itative analysis of Arkansite by Mr. J. D. Whitney, recently read
before the Society, therefore leaves little doubt of its being this
mineral, hitherto so extremely rare as to have only been analyzed
by Prof. Rose of Berlin.

The specific gravity of the oxide of Titanium has been shown
by this chemist in his elaborate paper, to vary according to cir-
cumstances. Of Rutile it is 4.25, of Anatase 3.85.

Shepard's specific- gravity of Arkansite is 3.857. But this
gentleman has published the result of his qualitative analysis of
Arkansite, which he calls a Niobate of Yttria and Thorina. New
Thorina has a specific gravity of 9.00, being more than double
that of the highest oxide of Titanium. The presumption is, that
if Thorina formed an essential ingredient of Arkansite its specific
gravity would be much higher tlian 3.857.

Mr. Whitney also states that its specific gravity, which he had
ascertained to be 4.085, is sufficient proof that its composition
could not be that of the Niobate in question.

The Arkansite of Prof. Shepard is therefore unquestionably
identical with Brookite, and this country in another instance fur-
nishes in abundance a very interesting mineral hitherto of too
rare occurrence in Europe to reach the hands of the analyst.

Dr. C. T. Jackson laid before the Society the results of
his observation of the comparative effects of the inhalation
of nitrous oxide, and the vapor of chloroform and sul-
phuric ether.

133

Nitrous oxide, he said, administered in large doses, produces
great excitement, which increases with the quantity inhaled. The
vapor of chloroform, on the other hand, when inhaled rapidly,
causes an immediate and entire prostration. The same is true in
a less degree, of sulphuric ether. They do not produce the
intoxication which is caused by nitrous oxide. This agent
administered slowly, fails to produce the usual effects. In
1837-8 Dr. Jackson administered it to his pupils from a bag
with a very small aperture, without in any instance succeeding
in causing intoxication. The vapor of chloroform slowly inhaled
has an injurious influence. It disorganizes the blood, and stops
the circulation in the capillaries. When suddenly introduced it
retards, but does not stop the circulation. Patients to whom it is
slowly administered recover slowly. It is very important that
enough air should be admitted with it. Persons inhaling nitrous
oxide retain the sensibility to touch, and the respiratory action is
quickened, increases and becomes deeper as the inhalation is
prolonged. During the inhalation of chloroform and ether, on
the contrary, the respiratory power diminishes. Under the influ-
ence of exhilarating gas the system is made very irritable.
According to Davy it is not a suitable agent for producing insen-
sibility in grave surgical operations. Dr. Jackson thought that
the few cases of excitement after the inhalation of ether might
be attributed to the previous state of mind of the patient, or to
alcohol combined with it. Conclusions drawn from experiments
upon animals with these agents should be received with great
caution. Their action on animals differs according as they have
or have not a cutaneous perspiration. It kills those of the latter
class. Dr. Jackson recommended a mixture of chloroform with
alcohol, in the proportion of an eighth or a quarter of an ounce
of the former to four ounces of the latter.

The President remarked that from his own experience he pre-
ferred ether to chloroform, as being much safer. He alluded
to the fatal cases that have been reported from the use of the
former, and said it was not easy to explain this result. He pre-
ferred, in his own practice, chloric ether to either of the other
anaesthetic agents.

Mr. Desor said that he had lately observed among the

134

polyps which grow in the neighborhood of Boston, a species
of the genus Syncoryne. The species comes nearest to
Syncoryne Listeri, Van Beneden, from which it differs
however, in being less branched.

As this polyp was covered with buds, Mr. Desor was induced to
follow up its development, which led him to the result that these
buds give rise to those little jelly-fishes, which are found in so
great abundance about the wharves of Boston during the months
of April and May, and which have been described under the
name of Oceania tubulosn.

The formation and growth of these buds or embryos is very
simple. A kind of hernia is formed in the outer membrane of
the polyp. Into this the alimentary (sap-like) liquid, which
circulates through the stem of the polyp, enters, eddies in it, as
in a reservoir, and flows out again. As the bud grows the liquid
is seen to penetrate into it in four other directions, and to form
thus the four accessary channels which surround the central res-
ervoir, and are easily recognizable by the same red color. At
the summit of these four accessary tubes are then seen four black
spots, which are the so-called eyes of the embryo Medusa.
When the bud has reached the size of a large pin's-head, it
extends from its interior four threads, being the prolongations of
the four accessary channels, which become the four tentacles
or nettling organs of the young Medusa. One day Mr. Desor and
Mr. Cabot saw a large number of buds or embryos in this state, con-
tracting violently, evidently in order to break the peduncle by
, which they were attached to the polyp stalk. This they succeeded
in doing, and moved freely about in the water, like Medusas.
The central reservoir was then closed up at the top, where a
navel was formed, and became the stomach of the Medusa ;
whilst a new opening appeared at its opposite extremity, which
was the mouth.

Similar metatnorphoses were some years since traced in dif-
ferent polyps, and several authors have pointed out the resem-
blance between these buds and some small Medusae ; but they
have generally looked upon it as a mere analogy. Thus Loven
considers them as the female polyps. Steenstrupp regards them as
nurses ; and he suggests the idea that many small Medusae might

135

prove to be nothing but nurses of polyps ; an idea which has
since been repeated by others, but without any proof. Van
Beneden, on the contrary, who has made the most extensive inves-
tigations in the development of these animals, asserts positively
that there is no identity between these embryos of polyps and
true Medusa ; that the resemblance is merely apparent and exter-
nal, and that the bud, after being freed, fixes itself and becomes
a new polyp. He has even drawn a hypothetical figure which is
intended to show the manner in which this supposed transforma-
tion takes place in Tubularia. (See Mem. de I'Acad. de Brux-
elles, Tom. 17.)

Mr. Desor's investigations show that the embryo of Syncoryne
is neither a nurse nor a female polyp, but that it became really
a genuine Medusa, (the Oceania fAibulosa), which does not turn
into a polyp, but which is found afterwards to have its ovary
filled with eggs, which are laid, and probably produce in their
turn young Syncoryne.

The two animals Syncoryne and Oceania fuhulosa, widely dif-
ferent as they are in shape and structure, being thus proved to be
the same animal, like the caterpillar and butterfly, they ought
henceforth to be designated under one name. The rule in such
cases generally is to retain the name of the perfect form. But
as the Oceania in question does not agree exactly with the figure
given by Ehrenberg, Mr. Desor proposes to adopt in this case
the name of Syncoryne*

Mr. D. laid before the Society a series of drawings illustrating
the above development.

Mr. Adams exhibited to the Society a daguerreotype view
of a spider's claw as seen through a microscope. It was a
very perfect representation of the object, and according to
Mr. Adams, the first successful application of this process
in this country to such a purpose.

Donations of books were announced, from Dr. R. W.
Gibbes of Columbia, S. C, Hon. R. C. Winthrop, and from
Mr. Isaac Lea of Philadelphia, for which see Quarterly
List.

* See note page 139.

136

A specimen of flexible sand-stone from the neighborhood
of Agra, Hindostan, was presented in the name of Mr. W.
S. Eullard.

Mr. Bouve presented a fossil coral, from Trenton Falls,
in the name of Mr. John Perry, Jr.

A number of insects well preserved in gum copal, were
exhibited by Dr. Gould in the name of Thomas W. Taylor,
of Salem.

Dr. Cabot announced the addition of the following birds
to the Society's collection, and exhibited the specimens,
viz.: Mergus castor, male, presented by himself; Anas
boschas, received in exchange ; Artamus leucorhynchus,
from Mr. Gassett ; Anous stolidus ? exchange; Sylvia pete-
chia, adult and young male, S. discolor^ male, iS". striata,
male and female, S. parus, Anthus ludovicianus, Troglo-
dytes hyemalis, from John Bethune, Esq., a member of the
Society ; a male wild Turkey, Meleagi'is gallopavo, from
Col. Jaques of Charlestown, Mass. ; and a White-fronted
Goose, male, Anser erythropus, shot at Q,uincy, Mass.

Capt. N. E. Atwood of Provincetown, Mass., presented
a female Harlequin Duck, Fuligula histronica.

April 18, 1849.
The President in the Chair.

Present, twenty-four members.

Mr. Burnett read a paper on the power of resisting cold
possessed by some of the lower animals.

He had come to the conclusion, by experiments on fish,
leeches, spiders, &c., that although these animals might become
quite stiff by exposure to extreme cold without losing their vital-

137

ity, yet actual congelation of their tissues was fatal to theni. In
those cases in which it had been said that fish had been actually
frozen and afterwards recovered their activity, he supposed that
a low degree of action in the organs of circulation and respira-
tion must have been still kept up.

Mr. Ayres stated that he had received during the winler a
Cat-fish in a frozen state, which when thawed was found to be
living. He had also had in his possession a species of LinmcEa
inclosed in ice without injury.

Mr. Desor gave an account of his recent investigations
upon the development and transformation of the common
Jelly-fish of Boston harbor, Aurelia au7'ita, Mlill. as fol-
lows :

It is now ten years since M. Sars first astonished the scientific
world by his discovery that the Medusae undergo a series of
transformations not less remarkable than those of insects. The
brood when first hatched resemble infusoria, being covered with
fine ciliae, by means of which they swim about in the water.
After some days they become fixed by one extremity, whilst at
the opposite extremity those little processes appear, which by
degrees are transformed into tentacles. Transverse folds are
said to appear next, at regular distances on the body, the grooves
between which, gradually deepen, and the folds become serrated
on the edge, so that the whole mass takes the appearance of a
pine cone. At last the fissures become so deep that the layers
between them are united only by a very slender axis, so that they
resemble a pile of saucers. At a later stage they disengage
themselves from each other, and each division becomes a free
Medusa.

Larva forms of the Medusa have, since their discovery, been
observed only in Scotland by Sir John Dalyell, who made them
the subject of an elaborate investigation. They had never been
noticed on this side of the Atlantic. It was Mr. Desor's good
fortune, in visiting in company with Dr. Bowditch one of the
wharves of Boston, at the beginning of the present month, to find
them attached in great numbers to the logs. They appeared to the
naked eye, as small red dots, which might easily be mistaken for
very young Aclinicc.

138

A number of these little bodies were kept for several days in
jars, and were seen by Mr. Desor, as well as by Drs. Bowditch,
Cabot, and Abbot, and several other persons, to contract violently
until the different cups became detached from the mass and
were seen swimming about as free Jelly-fishes, of the species
hitherto known as Ephyra. The base remained and preserved
its polyp-like form ; being of a white and sometimes of a light
orange color, whilst the bunch of young Medusse was pink.

The observations of Mr. Desor confirm entirely the views
taken by Sir John Dalyell, as to the nature of this basis or trunk
of the larva, which is described by him under the name of
Hydra tuba. It is a genuine polyp, bearing all the characters of
the true Hydra, so that it seems difficult to separate it from that
genus.

But this polyp by no means transforms itself into a Me-
dusa, either entirely, as M. Sars supposes, or in part, as is
supposed by Sir John Dalyell. It remains a genuine polyp during
its whole life, and buds in a manner similar to that of Syncoryjie,
Tubularia, and- other Polyps, but with the difference that the bud,
instead of growing from the side or from the axis of the polyp,
grows from within the circle of the tentacles, in the form of a red
hernia, which soon elongates, becomes wrinkled transversely as
it grows, and finally transforms itself into as many small Me-
dusse as there are transverse divisions of the bud.

The circumstance that this bud when fully developed is larger
than the polyp itself, has probably prevented the above-mentioned
eminent naturalists from understanding fully its true meaning; and
led them to consider erroneously the whole process as a trans-
formation or metamorphosis of the polyp itself, while it is really
nothing but the growth of a bud out of the body of the polyp;
which is found unaltered after it has fallen off, with just the same
form and outline as before ; just as the Syncoryne remains
unaltered and continues its polyp life, when its offspring, the
Oceania^ has fallen off. [See Page 133.] Mr Desor said
that neither he nor any of the gentlemen who watched these
larvse saw any indication of tentacles at the top of the bud.
The tentacles of the polyp remained unaltered at the base of the
bud, where one would expect to find them, as the bud grows
from within, and seems to undergo no change either in form or

139

size. Possibly the clefts or lobes of the topmost disc may have
been mistaken for tentacles, as they are sometimes very slender
and long ; or else there must be in the European species some
appendages of a peculiar kind, belonging to the bud, which do
not exist in the Boston species.

According to a suggestion of Dr. T. W. Harris, the transverse
divisions of the bud should be considered as indicatino; its pro-
gressive growth ; and this view seems to be more in accordance
witli the mode of budding in other polyps, than if we consider
the divisions as occurring after the bud has arrived at its full size.

Mr. Desor infers from his observations, that there is no real
difference between the development of the common Jelly-fishes
{AureJia,) and that of the Oceania and other small Medusae. The
law of development is the same for all. They all originate from
polyps by budding, and the division which some naturalists have
proposed to establish between free Medusse and fixed Medusse
proves thus to be without any foundation. It has been suggested
that the whole classification of the Medusae must in consequence
of these new facts, undergo considerable modification, and most
of the Ac ulephcE (at least all the Discophori or Pulmoni grades)
should be united with the Hydroidian polyps, as bearing to them a
similar relation to that which the butterfly bears to the caterpillar.
On the other hand, as the common Hydra is so similar in structure
to the polyp state of the common Medusa (Hydra tiiba,) the ques-
tion arises as to its real aflinities, since it is not known to undergo
any similar process of budding. Is Hydra therefore to be removed
entirely from the other Hydroidian polyps^ such as Hydra tuba,
Tubularia^ Syncoryne, &;c., or does it undergo some similar pro-
cesses which have heretofore escaped the attention of naturalists ?
This question will no doubt be soon decided. Meanwhile it ought
to be remembered that Sir John Dalyell kept for several years
numerous specimens of Hydra tuba under his eyes, before they
began to produce Medusce. Mr. Desor himself saw these buds
only during a few days, in Boston harbor, and since that time he
has not been able to find any.*

* The observalions^f Mr. Desor on the development of Medusae, give confir-
mation to the views already advanced with more or less accuracy by many nat-
uralists. ^For a historical summary of the results obtained by different observers,
see Dujardin, Annales des Sciences Naturelles, T. IV. p. 257, 1845; and for a
general analysis of labors in the same department, see the Lectures on Compar-

140

The above facts and demonstrations were illustrated by a
series of drawings laid before the Society.

Dr. Gould presented descriptions of the following species
of shells from the Collection of the U. S. Exploring Expe-
dition.

Pleurotoma seminifera. Testa subulato-turrita, fuscescens,
filis deorsum crescenlibus cincta: spira anfr. ad 12, juxta sutu-
ram carinatis, deinde excavatis, ad medium nodulisobliquis rubris
ornatis : aperlura angusta, | long, testse adequans ; cauda brevi ;
sinu seque lata ac profunda ; columella rectiuscula ; fauce livido.

Long. If ; lat. f poll. Hah. .

Closely allied to P. mierrupta, Lk., but differing from the fig-
ures in color, and from the description in having a more deci-
dedly excavated girdle in front of the suture, in the greater
obliquity of the folds, and in their not reaching to the suture
below.

Mangelia cithara. Testa parva, rhomboideo-fusiformis, cin-
erea, costis acutis longitudinalibus 7 instructa, interstitiis conca-
vis, subtiliter transversim striatis : spira turrita, anfr. 7 bene dis-
cretis, ultimo ovato-triangulari | long. testsB adequante : apertura
angusta, labro lato, varicoso, postice rectangulari vix sinuato ;
columella concinne rugosa. Long, f ; lat. /g- poll. Hah. Feejee
Islands.

alive Emtiryology before the Lowell Institute, by Louis Agassiz, Professor in the
Lawrence Scientific School, Harvard University — 1849. Below are given refer-
ences to the more important labors of those who have studied the metamorphoses
of Medusae. — Publishing- Committee.

Dalyell, in the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, 1836.

Dalyell's Rare and Remarkable Animals of Scotland. London, 1847.

Siebold. Beitrage zur Naturgeschichte der Wirbellosen Thiere, 1839.

Sars' Fauna Littoralis Nor\'egice.

Sars. Annates des Sciences Naturelles, Tome XVL 1841, p. 321. (Translated.)

Loven. Memoires de I'Academie de Stockholm, translated into Archives de
Wiegmann, 1837, p. 249.

Nordmann. Comptes Rendus, de I'Academie dcs Sciences. 1839,

Van Beneden. Memoire sur les Campanulaires, 1843 ; and Recherches sur le
embryologie des Tubulaires, 1844.

Du Jardin. Sur la Developpement des Meduses et des Polypes Hydraires.
Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Tome IV. p. 257. 1845.

Agassiz. Twelve Lectures on Comparative Embryology, delivered before the
Lowell Institute, December and January 1848- 1849, p. 36 et seq.

Forbes' Medusse of Great Britain.

141

Much like M. Hornbeckii^ a West Indian species, but has a
much narrower aperture, fewer ribs, and the last whorl shorter.
M. pessulata has also many more ribs, and is much less acumi-
nated anteriorly.

Fusus LiRATUS, Couth. MS. Testa parva, solida, ovato-fusi-
formis, straminea, longitudinaliter plicis angularibus instructa et
striis profundis cincta ; spira brevis, conica ; anfr. 7, ventricosis
postice angulatis, ultimo | iong. testre adequante, antrorsum in
rostrum tenuem, contortum subito contractum : apertura angusta,
ovata, in canalem obducta ; columella polita, contorta, alba.
Long. J, lat. f poll. Dredged at Orange Harbor.

The prominent trigonal ribs, cut by the deep, somewhat dis-
tant revolving lines, with its slender rostrum, are characteristic of
this species. It resembles Buccinum canceUarioides, Keeve.

Fusus cRispus, Couth. MS. Testa parva, subrhomboidea,
elongata, rudis, cinerea, plicis laminosis 8 variciformibus e striis
laxis incrementalibus compositis instri:icla, et liris obtusis cincta :
spira acuto-conica, anfr. 7-8, convexis, postice plus minusve
angulatis, ultimo ventricoso, § long. testsB adequante, antrorsum in
rostrum acutum subito attenuate : apertura rolundato-ovata, labro
semicirculari, crenulato ; columella rectiuscula. Long, f ; lat. /jj
poll. Dredged at Orange Harbor.

This species, from its variciform plaits might be regarded as a
Miirex^ were it not for its rostrum, and its animal. The form
varies greatly, as well as the degree of angularity of the whorls;
but the peculiar lax arrangement of the stages of growth, espe-
cially where they form the varices, allows of no mistake.

Fusus iNCisus. Testa elongato-ovata, livido-cinerea, striis
profundis volventibus saturatioribus incisa : spira conica, anfr. 7
convexis, apicalibus undulatis, ultimo % long, testae ; rostro brevi,
vix recurvo ; apertura ^ long, testae, angusta, subovalis ; labro
arcuato, acuto, crenulato ; columella rectiuscula, Itevi, subcon-
torta, purpurascente ; faux livido-fusca, sulcata. Long. If;
lat. I poll. Hob. .

This buccinoid species should perhaps be grouped with the
genus Pollia of Gray. It has no remarkable characters except
its dingy livid brown color, and the deep cut revolving lines.

Fusus FiDicuLA. Testa parva, tenuis, albida, longitudinaliter
'amelloso-costata, coslis 24, striis volventibus ad 8 decussatis :

142

spira conica, turrita; anfr. 7 labulalis, ultimo in rostro brevi
subito atlenuato : aperiura angusia diniidiam long, lestse baud
sequans, postice angulata ; labroacuto, crenulato ; columella
postice arcuata, alba, polita. Long, ^^^j ; lat. ^(j poll. Hah.
Puget Sound.

Tbe counterpart of F. turricula^ from some varieties of which
it would not at first be distinguished ; but it is smaller, more
solid, the longitudinal ribs more lamellar and more decidedly cut
by the revolving lines, which are also less numerous.

Fusus ORPHEUS. Testa parva, elongata, cinerea : spira tur-
rita, anfr. 6 superne angulatis, lameilis acutis longitudinalibus
muricatis, et fills transversis cinctis ; anfr. ultimo postice ventri-
coso, anlrorsum in rostrum vix reflexum attenuato: apertura
elliptica, J- long, testae, postice angulata ; labro acuto ; columella
antice intrudente ; fauce carnicolori. Long. ^ ; lat. -^ poll.
Hob. Puget Sound.

More slender, the beak longer, the longitudinal bars less
numerous and more lamellar than in F. jidicula ; in form it is
more like F. hamffius.

Fusus suBLUTUs. Tcsta parva, tenuis, elongata, pallida vel
ad basim et ad suturam livida, longitudinaliter costata, costis ad
12 erectis, obtusis, ad suturam baud attigentibus, sed secundum
rostrum productis : spira acuto-conica, anfr. 7-8 convexis, api-
calibus levibus, alteris minutissime decussatis, ultimo sub-globoso
^ testae long, adequante : apertura angusta, postice angulata ;
labro postice arcuato ; fauce castaneo, albo fasciato. Long. | ;
lat. y3_. poll. Hal. .

The last whorl and beak are unusually short, with much the
aspect of a Mangelia. The coloring of the aperture is very
decided, while the surface looks dead and chalky.

Triton brasilianum. Testa rhomboidea, elongata, rufescens,
epidermide tenui longitudinaliter hie illic fimbriate induta : spira
conico-turrita, anfr. 6, tabulatis, supernis costis quadratis duabus
ad apicem granulatis cinctis ; anfr. ultimo triangulari costis 6
undato-nodosis antrorsum diminuentibus cincto, in rostrum vix
recurvum producto : apertura ^ long, testae ovato-lunata ; labro
valde varicoso, costis supereunlibus, interspatiis fuscis, plicis
geminatis albis munitis ; columella castanea rugis albis obliquis
ornata. Long. 2, lat. 1^ poll. Hah. Rio Janeiro.

143

This appears to be one of several species confounded under
the Linnean T. doliarium. Deshayes has indicated it as a dis-
tinct species, but has not described it. The coloring is like T.
doliarium, but the form and cincture is more like T. ciUaceiim.
The aperture and lip is like T. pileare^ and it may be regarded
as intermediate between the two latter species.

Triton mdndum. Testa parva, solida, oblongo-rhomhoidea,
straminea, epidermide tenui, sparsim hirsute induta: spira conica,
anfr. 4, convexiusculis, ultimo gibboso, tri-nodoso, in rostrum
rectiusculurn attenuate, costulis tribuset liris intermedianis cincto
et filis continuis longitudinalibus decussato : apertura angusta,
ovalis, ^ testse adequans ; labro crasso, tuberculis geminatis 7
crenato ; columella arcuata, postice dentifera ; fauce albo.
Long. -^-; lat, f poll. Hah. Tutuilla, Samoa Islands.

This might be regarded as the young of T. nodosum ; but
besides bearing all the marks of maturity, it is more slender, the
longitudinal lines are stronger, and the lip is white.

Phos varicosus. Testa elongata, lanceolata, fulvida, rubi-
ginoso-cinctaj costis lamellosis ad 16 clathrata, quorum circiter 3
in singulis anfractibus, variciformibus, pallidioribus, interspatiis
duplo latioribus, concavis et lineis increment! striatis, omnibus
filis volventibus retrorsum acclinatis decussatis : spira turrita,
anfr. 9-10 superne turgidis: apertura angusta, lunata, postice
rotundata ^ long, testa3 adequans; labro simplici, intus sulcato,
rosaceo ; columella 4 plicata ; canali siphonali brevi. Long. 1^,
lat. ^^ poll. Hah. Philippine Islands.

This curious shell is somewhat anomalous, having the varicose
spire of a Triton, but the unequivocal aperture of Phos. It
may be compared with P. retecosus, Hinds, having the more
slender form and finer reticulation, but with the peculiar varicose
lip, and nearly the same size and color. It is perhaps still more
like P. senticosus., but it is much less asperous, and peculiarly
inflated near the suture.

MuREX (Trophon) fruticosus. Testa parva, tenuis, subrhom-
boidea, straminea : spira anfr. 5-6 angulatis, superne concavo-
declivibus, serie mediani spinarum armatis, spinis ad 6 tubulosis,
subramosis, recurvo-adscendentibus ; anfr. ultimo series tres
spinarum lamellis longitudinalibus conjunctarum gerente : apcr-

144

tura ovato-trigona, ^ testse long, adequans ; rostro brevi, dextror-
sum deflecto. Long, f ; lat. J- poll. Hob. New Holland.

It has the form, size, and armature of M. noduliferus^ Sowb.,
which is described as being transversely striated, and with a very
short canal.

The President presented in the name of Dr. R. W.
Gibbes, of Columbia, S. C, several fossil teeth, viz. : three
of the teeth of the Zeiiglodon, three shark's teeth, and two
casts of teeth of Megatherium.

Mr. Ayres presented to the Society a young Cetacean,
probably Phoccena communis, which had been taken from
the stomach of a Cod on the Grand bank. The specimen
was in a perfect condition, and measured eighteen inches
in length. It had probably never breathed, as the lungs
jfcvere found uninflated.

Mr. Burnett presented in the name of Miss Dix, speci-
mens of the Larvse of Prionus unicolor, from the white pine
trees of North Carolina, with pieces of the bark of these
trees exhibiting their cocoons ; also some Pupse of Bupres-
tis fulvo- guttata, an insect living in the same trees. He
likewise presented on his own behalf a specimen of Scolo-
pendra m^orsitans from Asia, and young and adult speci-
mens of Scorpio occitanus, from South America.

The thanks of the Society were voted to Miss Dix for
her donation.

M. Vattemare, present by invitation, presented in the
name of the Minister from Chili, one hundred and six
Chilian Birds. He also gave some account of his labors to
bring about an international exchange of objects of Natural
History, books, &c., and expressed a wish that as many
copies of the Journal of the Society as could be supplied,
might be placed in his hands for purposes of exchange.

On motion of Dr. Cabot, it was voted, that the Librarian
be authorized to supply M. Vattemare with as many copies

145

of the Journal and Proceedings of the Society in further-
ance of his plans as he might see fit. Also, that the thanks
of the Society be presented to the Chilian Minister, for his
valuable donation through M. Vattemare.

The Committee appointed to confer with the Committee of
the Trustees of the Massachusetts Agricultural Society, in ref-
erence to the disposal of the Library of that Society, reported
that they had performed the duty assigned to them, and
submitted a proposition from that Society, to deposit their
books in the building of the Boston Society of Natural His-
tory, under certain conditions ; and recommended that the
proposition be accepted.

Voted, That the report of the Committee be accepted.
Voted, That the proposition contained in said report be accep-
ted. The report is on file.

The Committee appointed to request of the Association
entitled "a Republican Institution," the application of a
part of their fund to the purposes of the Library of the
Boston Society of Natural History, reported that they had
attended to the duty assigned to them, and submitted a
proposition from said Association granting the request of the
Boston Society of Natural History under certain specified
conditions ; and the Committee recommended the accept-
ance of the proposition.

Voted, That the report of the Committee be accepted.

Voted, That the proposition of the Association, entided " a
Republican Institution," with regard to the ap^ication of their
fund and books for the mutual benefit of said Association and the
Boston Society of Natural History, under certain conditions, be,
and it is hereby accepted by this Society.

Mr. John A. Loring and Mr. John Stearns, were elected
members of the Society.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 10 JAN. 1850.

146
May 2, 1849.

ANNUAL IMEETING.

Mr. T. T. Bouve in the Chair.

Present, seventeen members.

The usual reports of the Curators, Treasurer, and Libra-
rian were read, of which the following is an abstract : —

The department of Geology has received donations during the
past year from Mrs. Amos Binney, Mr. D. P. Curtis, Prof. Jef-
fries Wyman, Dr. E,. W. Gibbes, and the Curator. The whole
number of specimens now belonging to the Cabinet, including
duplicates, is about fifteen hundred, of which about one thousand
are arranged in the cases.

The department of Mineralogy has been increased during the
past year by the addition of five hundred and forty-two speci-
mens, making the whole number now belonging to the Society
about one thousand four hundred and fifty. Among those re-
ceived within the year are many rare species and varieties new
to the Cabinet, and nearly all are choice specimens. All the
minerals recently received have had labels attached to them of
uniform size and color, on which are written the name and local-
ity when known, and if the specimen is valuable, the name of
the donor. More than half of the old collection has been tick-
eted in the same manner, and considerable progress made in
arranging the whole on the shelves in accordance with Beu-
dant's system. Donations have been received during the year
from Messrs. J. Eliot Cabot, Edward C. Cabot, T. T. Bouve,
T. G. Cary, Jr., William Stimpson, Dr. W. E. Coale, Prof. J.
W. Webster, and the Curator; and specimens have been received
in exchange from Lieut. J. McNab, U. S. A.

The department of Comparative Anatomy is in a good condi-
tion, and several valuable specimens have been added to its col-
lections within the past year.

\n the department of Entomology^ the whole number of speci-

147

mens belonging to the Society is about fourteen thousand, com-
prising about four thousand species. During the past year the
following'' valuable donations have been received, namely, five
hundred and forty species collected in the vicinity of Boston, pre-
sented by John M. Bethune, Esq.; one hundred and sixty speci-
mens of British Moths, from a lady in England ; from Dr. T. W.
Harris, six hundred and seventy species, from the interior of Eu-
rope, especially valuable as having come from the hands of the
distinguished entomologists C. J. Schonherr and C. J. Fahraeus ;
and about three hundred species from various sources. Great
pains have been taken to exclude Dermestes and Anthreni, and
to repair the ravages already committed by them. The collec-
tion has been arranged and classified principally in accordance
with the system of Latreille.

The department of Ornithology has been increased by nume-
rous additions during the past year, and now numbers somewhat
over a thousand specimens, which are effectually secured against
the ravages of insects. The classification and labelling of the
collection are nearly complete, the habitat of each specimen in
this department, as well as that of Comparative Anatomy, being
indicated by the color of the label. Donations have been receiv-
ed, from Messrs. Russell Sturgis, Francis Gassett, J. M. Bethune,
and the Curator.

In the department of Conchology the Cabinet of the Society
has received many valuable specimens, chiefly from Dr. A. A.
Gould, the Corresponding Secretary. The process of rearrange-
ment, rendered necessary by the recent transfer of the collection
from the old to the new building, has been nearly completed,
and many of the specimens have been labelled.

The department of Ichthyology has received by donation
during the year, from Mrs. Binney, sixteen Massachusetts fishes ;
from Dr. D. H. Storer, twenty-two species collected at Porto
Cabello, and three belonging to our own waters ; from Mr. H. B.
Storer, ten species obtained by him in Northern Europe ; from
Dr. Forsyth, a rare fish from California ; from the Curator, three
species ; and by purchase twenty-five species from Surinam.
The collection contains three hundred and sixty species, com-
prised in one hundred and sixty-two genera. They are all in

148 I

good condition and are arranged according to the system of ;

Cuvier.

The Library has been increased during the past year by the
addition of 54 volumes and 93 pamphlets. Whole number of j

volumes now belonging to the Library, 1320 ; pamphlets, 213. I

The Committee appointed to nominate officers for the ■

ensuing year reported the following list : —

President, .

John C. Warren. \

Vice-Presidents,
D. Humphreys Storer. Charles T. Jackson.

Corresponding Secretary,
Augustus A. Gould.

Treasurer, i

Patrick T. Jackson. i

Librarian,
Charles K. Dillaway.

Cabinet Keeper,
Charles C. Sheafe.

Recording Secretary,
Samuel L. Abbot.

* Curators,

J. E. Teschemacher, Of Botany.

Jeffries Wyman, Herpetology.

Samuel Cabot, Jr. Ornithology.

T. T. Bouve, Geology.

Francis Alger, Mineralogy,

William O. Ayres, Ichthyology.

Waldo I. Burnett, Entomology.

William Reed, Conchology.

Samuel Kneeland, Jr. Comparative Anatomy.

The Treasurer presented a transcript of his account for
the year,

149

Showing a balance due from him to the

Courtis Fund of $890 53

Due to him from General Fund . $297 13

" " " " building " . 468 42

765 55
Leaving a balance due from him . 124 98 890 53

The Treasurer recommended that immediate measures be
taken to free the Society from debt, or else that the debt be
put on a permanent footing by a mortgage on the Society's
building.

A letter was read from Dr. John Bacon, Jr. the Curator
of Mineralogy, declining a reelection. It was also understood
that Dr. N. B. ShurtlefF declined a reappointment as Curator
of Comparative Anatomy.

The candidates offered by the nominating Committee
were next balloted for and elected to the respective offices for
which they were nominated.

On motion of Dr. Storer, it was unanimously voted that
the thanks of the Society be presented to Drs. ShurtlefFand
Bacon for their faithful and efficient services as Curators.

Mr. Desor exhibited a colored drawing, on a large scale,
of a Medusa budding from a Polyp.

Mr. Bouve read a report on the specimen of flexible Sand-
stone, recently presented to the Society by W. S. Bullard,
Esq.

It was brought from the neighborhood of Agra and came from the
formation known as the Itacolumite formation. It presented the
characteristic elasticity of this substance in a remarkable degree.
Mr. Bouve doubted if this could be ascribed, in the present speci-
men, to the presence and interlacement of scales of mica, accord-
ing to Prof. Shepard's hypothesis, as a careful examination with
a powerful lens failed to detect this mineral.

A donation was announced of three bird skins from Dr.
T. M. Brewer, and a specimen of fossil coral from
Livingston County, N. Y. in the name of L. M. Ritchie.

150

May 16, 1849.
The President in the Chair.

Present, twenty-one members.

Dr. Bacon read a paper by Mr. T. S. Hunt, of tho
Geological Commission of Canada, on a new mineral, foi
which he proposed the name of Algerite.

This mineral occurs in Franklin, N. J., imbedded in a white
crystalline limestone. The crystals are sometimes three inches
in length, and rarely more than one eighth of an inch in thickness.
They are frequently curved, like Sillimanite and Scapolite.
Color brownish, yellowish white, or straw yellow, sometimes with
a greenish shade. They are translucent, with a vitreous lustre.
Some specimens bear a striking resemblance to Chondrodite,
with which the mineral was at first supposed to be identical,
when found in a few fragments. It has also been referred to
Scapolite and Spodumene. Prof. Nuttall was the first mineral-
ogist who expressed the opinion that it might be new, but he did
not enter into any investigation of its characters ; and for the
last ten years it has been overlooked, until recently brought to
light and examined in better specimens by Mr. F. Alger, whose
description of its physical characters is copied by Mr. Hunt. The
form of the crystals is an oblique rhombic prism, the angle of M
on M^ being about 94°, as determined by the common goniome-
ter. The terminal and basal planes, although plainly indicated,
are not sufficiently distinct for measurement. The only modifi-
cations observed are replacements of the oblique and lateral edges
of the prism by single planes. The specific gravity is 2.785
(Hunt,) and the hardness 3 — 3.5 (Alger,) or less than that of
fresh crystals of Laumonite.

Its analysis afforded Mr. Hunt the following results: —
Silica 49.82, alumina 24.91, peroxyd of Iron 1.S5, magnesia
1.15, potash 10.21, soda-traces, water 7.57, carbonate of lime
3 94, The composition of the mineral, deducting the carbonate
of lime, which appears to be derived from the matrix, is a
hydrafed silicate of alumina and potash, in which small quantities

151

of magnesia and iron replace in part the alumina and water.
[These results Mr. Hunt reduces into one of the typical forms
which Mr. Laurent has deduced from his researches on the na-
tural silicates. This requires a ratio between the oxygen of the
silica and that of the other oxyds of 5 : 4, and that of the silica
being 26.60, theory demands for the bases 21.28, while ex-
perience gives 21.11.] Deducting the carbonate of lime, the
composition for 100 parts is given below, the first column of figures
representing the proportions actually obtained, and the other
those required by theory based on the formula.

Found.

Calculated

Silica

52.28

52.08

Alumina

26.03

26.11

Potash

10.69

10.88

Peroxyd of Iron

1.93)

2.45 i

Magnesia

1.20

11.05

Water

7.92 j

8.33 j

10.78

100.10 99.85

As the entire paper will appear in the Journal of the Society,
it is not necessary to give here the details of the analysis and the
formula deduced, which it is difficult to print. From its hardness
and specific gravity, the mineral is evidently to be referred to the
order Zeolite; from its density it is comparable with Datholite,
Prehnite, and Lazulite, to which it is much inferior in hardness;
while from the rare species, Edingtonite, to which in hardness
and density it is closely allied, it is distinguished by its crystalliza-
tion. Mr. Hunt ofiers it as a new mineral species, which will
take a place by the side of Edingtonite ; and to connect the name
of one who has been one of the most successful cultivators of
mineralogy with his favorite science, proposes for it the designa-
tion of Algerite.

Two specimens of this mineral were presented by Mr.
Alger.

Dr. Gould continued his descriptions of the Shells brought
home by the U. S. Exploring Expedition.

BucciNUM (Bullia.?) velatum. Testa solida, ovato-lanceo-
lata, levis, polita, livido-violacea, albido-reticulata, versus labrum
pallescens, et lineolis rubiginosis cincta : spira acuto-conica, anfr.

152

7-8 convexiusculisjserie suturali gemmularum coronalis, ultimo
f long, testae adequante et ad basim spiraliter striate : apertura
ovalis, postice canaliculata ; labro acuto, extrorsum incrassato,
intus 10-sulcato ; sinu siphonali obliquo, profundo, castaneo-
tincto. Long. 1 ; lat. f poll. Hah. Mindanao.

This may be compared with Buccinum iJii^a^wm, but is smaller,
and proportionally shorter. Its aperture has the posterior callus,
and small, closed siphonal notch of Nassa. The sutural vitta is
very delicate ; and its peculiar coloration, especially its pale lace-
like reticulation, is quite distinctive.

Buccinum funereum. Testa elongata, ovato-conica, lurido-
cinerea, striis tenuibus cincta : spira turrita, anfr. 6-7 superne
excavatis, inferne plicis longitudinalibus undatis : apertura angusta,
ovalis, dimidiam long, testee ; labro simplici, postice emarginato ;
columella rectiuscula ; fauce hepatica. Long. 1; lat. ^ poll.
Hob. New Zealand.

Another of the peculiar group of liver-colored Buccina from
Australia, which seem to have a loose, porous, ash-colored super-
ficial layer, with a posterior notch to the aperture, {Tritonium 7)
It is well marked by the excavated constriction near the suture,
and the coronated appearance produced by the termination of the
folds at the middle of the whorls.

Buccinum fossatum. ■ Testa tenuis, ovata, ventricosa, rufo-
cinerea, annulis et sulcis subequalibus cincta: spira conica, anfr.
7 convexis, supernis clathratis, ultimo ventricoso, postice declivi
et oblique fluctuate : antice brevissime rostrato ; rostro canali
valde eff'osso cincto : apertura lata, ovato-quadrata ; labro valde
arcuato; columella oblique lirata et callo tenui induta. Long.
1^; lat. 1 poll.

Hob, Puget Sound and Mouth of Columbia River.

Its thin structure, ventricose form, the very oblique folds on the
upper part of the large whorl, and the remarkable channel around
the base of the siphonal notch, are its chief characters. It be-
longs to the same group as N. trivittata, Say. On some speci-
mens a fine thread intervenes between the broader rings.

Buccinum (Pollia) farinosum. Testa parva, solida, ovato-
rhomboidea, lutescens rufo cincta, spiraliter granulato-filosa,
longitudinaliter undato-plicata, plicis ad Sacutis demumnumerosis
et prope labrum acutum in varicem terminantibus : spira brevis.

153

conica, anfr. 6 convexis, ultimo antrorsum acuminato,sub-reflexo :
apertura angusta, lunata, labro intus 6 plicate ; columella rugoso-
granulosa, cajlosa ; fauce albo. Long, f ; lat. -^^ poll.

Hab. Sandwich Islands, Kauai.

This little muriciform species is quite pretty ; and appears to
belong to the group of which B. undosum is the type.

Nassa musiva. Testa solida, ovato-conica, polita, albido et
olivaceo marmorata, coloribus in maculis quadratis tessellatim
dispositis: spira conica, anfr. 6-7 convexis, bene discretis, ul-
timo f long, testae, prope labrum pallidiori, longitudinaliter plicato
et lineolis olivaceis cincto: apertura ^ long, testse, ovalis, postice
canaliculata ; columella valde arcuata, oblique sulcata; labro
intus sulcato, sulcis fuscatis. Long. ^; lat. -^^ poll. Hab. Cape
de Verds.

This is one of the most beautiful species of the genus, and is
well characterized by its polished surface, and its clouding of
white and olive, made up of little quadrate spots, arranged in
encircling series resembling mosaic. It may be B. pictum,
Dunker.

Nassa lurida. Testa solida, conico-ovata, laevis, livido-
cinerea albido- variegata : spira conica, acuta, turrita, anfr. 7-8
convexiusculis, superne tabulatis et ad angulum crenato-nodosis,
apicalibus plicalis, ultimo antice sulcis 3-4 cincto et pone labrum
plicato ; sutura canaliculata : apertura 4- long, testes, ovalis, pos-
tice emarginata; columella postice lamellifera, antice dentifera ;
labro acuto, albo, extus incrassato, intus sulcato; canali siphonali
profundo. Long. -^^ ; lat. f poll. Hab. Samoa Islands, Tu-
tuilla.

Resembles N. musiva in surface and color, but the spire is
more elevated, and there is merely a mottling of colors without
any definite arrangement.

Nassa curta. T. abbreviata, ovato-conica, lutescens inter-
dum rufo subfasciata, subspinosa, longitudinaliter plicata ; plicis
ad 13 tenuibus, acutis, liris conspicuis decussatis : spira conica,
anfr. 6 convexiusculis ; ultimo globoso f long, testae adequante :
apertura rotundato-ovalis ; labro crenulato, intus sulcato, extror-
sum incrassato ; columella callo copioso granuloso induta ; sinu
siphonali angusto, profundo. Long. 2^0 5 ^^^- 'i^ V^^^' Hab.
Samoa Islands.

154

Remarkable for its broad, abbreviated form. In some of its
characters it is allied to N, muricaia, but its surface has much
more numerous and more delicate asperities. Some specimens
are distorted and still more finely sculptured, losing in a great
degree the longitudinal folds. Bucc. scabrum, Dunker, must be
like it, but is described as larger, more solid, and slender.

Nassa cinctella. T. solida, ovato-conica, nitida, albida
linea unica rufa cincta, plicis longitudinalibus acutis ad 10 et
striis volventibus ad 8 decussata : spira conica, anfr. 7 planius-
culis anguste tabulatis, ultimo subgloboso § long, testae ade-
quante : apertura angusta, ovalis, ^ long, testse baud equans ;
labro crenulato, extus incrassato, intus 7-sulcato ; columellse callo
baud appresso,concinne rugoso; incisura siphonali angusta, pro-
funda. Long. ^0 ; lat. I poll. Hah. Pacific Ocean.

This very pretty shell is well marked by its short conical
form, its few prominent ribs, shouldered whorls, and thread-like
vitta. It accords well with Bucc. Jonasii, Dunker, except that
one of the principal characters of that shell is to have the interior
of the lip smooth.

Nassa casta. Testa tenuis, lanceolata, vitrea, alba fasciis
rubiginosis binis cincta, longitud. costato-plicata ; plicis ad 14,
striis remotis volventibus decussantibus : spira acuto-conica, anfr.
8 convexiusculis, apicalibus politis, ultimo f long, testae ade-
quante : apertura elliptica ; labro acuto, intus 11-striato ; colu-
mella callosa, concinne corrugata ; sinu siphonali ample. Long.
f ; lat. -i poll. Hah. Pacific Ocean.

This elongated, glistening shell has no one with which it may
be well compared. It is a little like Bucc. macula in size and
form, but in other respects it is more like B. Cuvieri.

Nassa acinosa. T. solida, ventricosa, ovata, lutescens cine-
reo obscure fasciata, papillis e sulcis volventibus et longitudinali-
bus seque remotis ubique obsita, serie suturali majori : spira
conica, anfr. ad 8 planis, declivibus, superne tabulatis, ultimo
magno, ventricoso : apertura parva, angusta ; labro acuto pos-
tice sinuate, intus 5-6 sulcato ; columella valde concava, pos-
tice lamelligera, callo tenui induta ; regione siphonali piano, albo,
sinu amplo, profundo; fauce fusco-fasciata. Long, -^-q'^ lat. ^^
poll. Hah,—}

155

Differs from the shell given by Kiener as young B. marginula-
turn by its more ventricose form, much coarser sculpture, less
elongated spire, and the presence of the posterior lamina on the
pillar. It may be compared with Bucc. Gruneri^ Dunker.

Nassa paupera. T. parva, solida, ovato-lanceolata, albida
linea rufa unica cincta, longitrorsum 18-costulata, et liris con-
tinuis cincta : spira acuto-conica, anfr. 6-7 ventricosis, ultimo
brevi, subgloboso ; sutura profunda : apertura parva, subcircu-
laris, ^ long, testte adequans ; labro arcuato, intus 30-striato;
columella antice producta, callo granuloso baud appresso parce
induta. Long. | ; lat. ^ poll. Hah. Pacific Ocean.

Much resembling Bucc. coccinella, but smaller, less ponderous,
more slender, the last whorl proportionally larger, the ribs less
numerous, but the revolving lines more so.

Nassa mendica. Testa parva, rudis, solidula, elongata, rufo-
cinerea, longitrorsum undalo-plicata, spiraliter crebre lirata, epi-
dermide tenui lutoso induta: spira elongata, anfr. 6-7 ventrico-
sis, ultimo ellipsoideo, dimidiam long, testae superante : apertura
parva, alba, ovata ; labro simplici, vix crenulato, intus 10-lam-
inato ; columella producta, arcuata, vix callosa ; sinu siphonali
amplo. Long, f ; lat. f poll. Hah. Puget Sound, Nisqually, &c.

A somewhat rude shell, very variable in its surface, being the
Pacific analogue of JV. trivittata, Say. It is more solid, more
undulated, less shouldered, its pillar lip more protracted, and its
aperture smaller. It is also closely allied to N. perpinguis,
Hinds, from the California coast, though differing essentially from
his description and figure.

Nassa rubricata. Testa parva, elongata, ovata, granulata,
epidermide fulvo lineis interruptis rufis cincto induta, longitror-
sum 15-costato plicata, plicis ad anfr. ultimum obliquis, versus
labrum evanescentibus, et striis impressis decussatis ; stria sutu-
rali majori, seriem gemniularum efformante : spira acuto-conica,
anfr. 6 convexiusculis : apertura ^ long, testse baud equans,
rotundato-ovata, lactea ; labro intus crenulato ; sinu siphonali
mediocri. Long, f; lat. ^ poll. Hab. Pacific shore.

I know not any species with which to compare this, except
perhaps, Bucc. corrugatum, from which it differs in its aperture.
Its elongated form, oblique folds on the outer whorl, and its white

156

aperture, are its most conspicuous characters. The revolving
fawn-colored lines only appear when its deep brown epidermis is
removed.

The President presented five teeth and a tynnpanic bone
of the Zeuglodon, and gave an account of the observations
upon this animal by Dr. Harlan, Prof. Owen, and Dr.
Gibbes. He likewise presented three Peruvian skulls from
the vicinity of Lake Titicaca.

The President pointed out the remarkable resemblance ex-
isting between these skulls and those found in the mounds of the
western part of the United States, specimens of which he exhibit-
ed to the Society. He compared them also with an Indian
skull dug up in Quincy, Mass., showing a very great difference of
shape, the general contour of the head being much more round
in the former, with a remarkable flatness cf the posterior region
and vertex, and greater breadth of forehead. The skull from
Quincy was oval, and presented the great depth of the palatine
fossa, so characteristic of the North American races generally.

On motion of Mr. Bulfinch, Dr. John Bacon, Jr. was elect-
ed on behalf of the Society, a delegate to the next meeting
of the British Association for the Promotion of Science.

Mr. Burnett presented in the name of Mr. Joseph Bur-
nett, a specimen of Sponge attached to the rock on which
it grew. The thanks of the Society were voted for the
donation.

Dr. Gould presented, in the name of Gould, Kendall &
J-iincoln, three books, namely, The Pre-Adamite Earth,
and Man Primaeval, by John Harris, and Earth and Man,
by Professor Guyot. The thanks of the Society were voted
for the donation.

Mr. Ayres presented a young salmon Si inches long,
showing the transverse bands which do not exist in the
adult fish.

Dr. Kneeland presented the following specimens, namely,
Physalia or Portuguese Man of War ; several species of
fish and crabs from the reef at Pernambuco, Brazil ; crabs
and other crustaceans from the Gulf weed of the Atlantic ;

157

two specimens of Exocetus or Flying fish of the Northern
Atlantic ; one Cuttle fish, and the head of a Coryphaena,
from the North Atlantic.

Dr. Cabot announced that fourteen birds had been
added to the collection since the last meeting, received in
exchange.

Mr. Charles Siedhof, of Newton Centre, was elected a
member of the Society.

June 6, 1849.
The President in the Chair.

Present, seventeen members.

Mr. Ayres presented two specimens of a new species of
Leuciscus, from Fairfield County, Connecticut, much resem-
bling L. pulchellus, with which it has been hitherto con-
founded, for which he proposed the name L, pulchelloidcs,

Leuciscus pulchelloidcs differs from L. pulche.Uus in the
smaller size of its scales, which are sixty in number on the lat-
eral line, instead of forty-seven or forty-eight ; in the height of
the anal fin, which is twice its length instead of a little less than
equal ; in the more pointed form of the pectorals and their length,
which is one fifth of their height instead of two fifths ; in the
position of the ventrals, which are a little more in advance ; and
their length, which is one fourth of their height instead of two
fifths. The right lobe of the liver is higher, and the gall-bladder
more globular. P. 19 instead of 17. V. 10 instead of 8.

The President, in allusion to the skulls presented by him
at the last meeting, repeated a tradition of the Delaware
Indians : that their ancestors came from the north-west,
and after crossing the Mississippi, became engaged in wars
with the Ohio, or Mound Indians, which ended in the
expulsion of the latter from their homes, and their disap-

158

pearance towards the south. It is not impossible, that in
their migration they crossed the Isthmus to the continent of
South America and founded the race to which the South
American skulls belong, which resemble so closely those
found in the Ohio mounds. At an intervening point, the
Natchez Indians present the same characteristic structure,
and were possibly derived from the same stock.

Mr. Desor gave an account, illustrated with drawings on
the blackboard, of the embryonic development of Campa-
nularia.

He stated that he had recently had an opportunity of observ-
ing Meduisa3, derived from the Campanularia. This mode of re-
production seems to take place earlier than the propagation by ova.
The young Medusae were found this year, about the wharves
of Boston, as early as the month of March. 1 have ascertained,
says M. Desor, that the cross-bands, which are to be seen on the
middle of the disc, and which Van Beneden considers as muscles,
are four accessory gastric channels, answering to the four similar
channels which are so distinctly seen in the Oceania. Those
swellings, likevvise, which are to be seen at the origin of the said
channels, and which Van Beneden thinks are probably nervous
ganglia, are nothing but expansions of the membrane surround-
ing the central cavity ; so that all inferences which have been
drawn from these statements of M. Van Beneden, as to the
presence of nerves in the embryonic state of Polyps, must be
abandoned as unfounded.

M. Desor did not succeed in keeping these young Medusae,
the offspring of Campanularia, for more than two or three days
alive, and could not therefore study their further growth and
development. It has Leen supposed that they might be the
young state of Stomobrachium, (the little bell-shaped Medusa,
so common at this season about the wharves of Boston) ; but
this view, although probable in some respects, is not yet sub-
stantiated by any direct observation.

The observations of M. Desor, whilst confirming in the main
the results of his friend M. Loven, have led him to elucidate
some points which had remained doubtful. The eggs in their
early state are collected in bags attached to the gastric channe

159

within the so-called ovarian-cell. As long as the bags remain
within the cell, the germinative vesicle and germinative dot are
distinctly seen in each egg. But by and by the bags are
pushed out of the cell, and as each bag is surmounted by a tuft
of from four to six tentacles surrounding a small opening, they
were mistaken by M. Loven for real Polyps, and called by him
female Polyps. But it is evident from the size, shape, and
structure of these tentacles of the so-called female Polyps, that
they serve a different purpose from those of the terminal Polyps,
which are organs of prehension. They seem to be generally
immovable, although they may be seen occasionally unfolding or
contracting themselves. No satisfactory explanation had yet
been given of the use of these tentacles, when it was suggested
by Dr. Cabot, that they might be connected with the process of
fecundation, in giving passage through the opening which they
surround, to the Spermatozoids or animal pollen; thus we might
explain in a satisfactory way, why it is that the disappearance
of the germinative vesicle and the furrowing of the yolk, which
are the surest indications of a beginning development, take place
only when the bags have been pushed out of the cell and have
thus come within the reach of the Spermatozoids.

This suggestion induced M. Desor to look more closely at the for-
mation of these tentacles ; since viewed in that light, they involved
the very important question of a determined sexuality in these
lower animals. Spermatozoids were said to have been seen by
M. Krohn in the Campanularia. But this observation was
doubted and contradicted by M. Van Beneden. M. Desor had
never seen any true Spermatozoids, but he now remembered having
noticed the last year similar tentacles on the top of cluster-like
sacs, where no ova could be discovered. The same was found
again this year. He noticed further in the interior of these bags a
fine granular structure. On compressing them slightly, he saw
these fine granules escaping from the cavity between the tenta-
cles, and recognized them distinctly as Spermatozoids. But at
an earlier period, before the Spermatozoids are ripe, the bags
that contain them are hardly to be distinguished from the female
bags containing eggs. An opening surrounded by tentacles,
similar to that by which the Spermatozoids escape in the male
cells or seminal sacs, serves for their reception in the female
ovarian sac, and there is therefore some reason to suppose that

160

the tentacles are intended to act as a means of diffusion and
intromission of the sperma.

In their shape and structure the Spermatozoa of Campanularia
do not differ much from those of Eudendrium, as figured by M.
Kolliker. It ought further to be noticed, that, as in other Polyps,
the Spermatozoa do not originate within peculiar cells, but fill
the whole space of the seminal bag.

The sexes seem to be entirely distinct. Not only did M. Desor
never see but one kind of cells on a branch, either males or
females, but whole bunches were either exclusively female or
exclusively male, so that a stem which divides by branching
is able to produce only branches of its own sex ; thus showing
that simple budding does not constitute a true generation.

The process of furrowing was observed by M. Desor in all
its stages, (as was shown by drawings laid before the Society.)
The separation of the yolk spheres from each other is com-
plete, so that they became easily distinguished. As a peculi-
arity of the spheres, it is, however, to be mentioned, that no
clear spot could be detected in any of them, either in their
early stage, (the division is 4 or 8,) or at a later epoch, when
the yolk assumes the mulberry form. As the development
goes on, there is seen a transparent zone forming around the
yolk ; this is the first indication of the germ, which elongates, and
subsequently assumes the form of a little worm hardly per-
ceptible to the naked eye, and covered all over with vibratile
cilise. It is in this form that the embryo leaves the bag in which
it has been developed. It is seen creeping slowly along the
bottom of the vase, being in every respect very similar to the
PlanulcB, or embryos of Medusa and also of Nemertes. It was
noticed that when moving, it advances always with the wider
part of its body. This is the so-called infusoria state of the Cam-
panularia, and in order to get at the perfect polyp state, the em-
bryo has to undergo very remarkable metamorphoses, which
have been fully and most satisfactorily investigated by M. Loven.*

* On page 140 will be found a note containing a list of the various Treatises on
this subject, which was added for purposes of reference. It was printed on
the responsibility of the Publishing Committee, as M. Desor's absence from the
city prevented his being consulted with regard to it while the sheets were passing
through the press. To the list there given should be added, —

Alternations of Generations. By J. J. Sm. Steenstrup. Translated from the
German by George Busk. 8vo. London, 1848. — Ftiblishiiig Committee.

161

Dr. Cabot exhibited to the Society fifty mounted birds,
most of them from the donation of the Chihan Minister.
Among them were the following species, identical with
species found in North America, and interesting as exhibiting
the extent of their distribution ; namely, Sterna Trudeauii,
found in New Jersey ; Ardea candidissima, found in the
southern parts of the United States ; Elanus dispar or leu-
curus, found in Mississippi ; Cathartes joia, found as far
north as Pennsylvania ; Tinnunculus sparverius, found in
the northern parts of the United States ; Calidris ar^cnaria,
found all along the coast of the United States ; and Totanus
vociferus, also found along the seaboard. Among the birds
exhibited was a species of Fulica, a female, much resem-
bling the North American species, but having a larger bill.

Dr. Silas Durkee, Mr. J. D. Nourse, and Rev. Joshua
Young, of Boston, and Dr. Hiram Hosmer, of Watertown,
were elected members of the Society.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30.

Monograph of the Fossil Squalidse of the United States. By
R. W. Gibbes. 4to. Pam. 1848. Philadelphia. From the
Author.

Observations on the genus Unio. By Isaac Lea. 4to. 1841-5.
Philadelphia. From the Author.

Gray's Genera of Birds. Part 47, for March, 1849. Long
4to. London. Audiibon Fund.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. III. 2nd
Series. No. 15, for March, 1849. 8vo. London. Courtis
Fund.

Observations at the Magnetic and Meteorological Observatory
at the Girard College. 1840-45. 3 vols. 8vo. and one of
plates. Washington, 1847. From R. C. Winthrop.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel-
phia, pp. 1 15 - 167 of Vol. IV. From the Academy of Natural
Sciences.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 11 JAN. 1850,

162

A. Vesalii, Opera omnia Anatomica et Chirurgica. fol. 2 vols.
Lugduni Batavorum, 1725. From F. W. Cragin.

American Journal of Science and Arts. 2nd Series. No. 21.
May, 1849. New Haven. Exchange.

Correspondence of John Ray. 8vo. London, 1848. Courtis
Fund.

Reports and Papers on Botany. 8vo. London, 1846. Courtis
Fund.

Bibliographia Zoologise et Geologiae. A General Catalogue of
Books, &c. on Zoology and Geology. By Prof, L. Agassiz.
8vo. London, 1848. Courtis Fund.

M. Tuomey. Report on the Geology of South Carolina. 8vo.
Charleston, 1849. From the Author.

John Harris. The Pre-Adamite Earth. 12mo. Boston, 1849.

John Harris, Man Primseval. 12mo. Boston, 1849.

Arnold Guyot. The Earth and Man. Lectures on Compara-
tive Physical Geography. From the Freiich, by C. C. Felton.
12mo. Boston, 1849. From Gould., Kendall Sf Lincoln.

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. V.
No. 42. 8vo. Pamph. 1849. Philadelphia. From the Ameri-
can Philosophical Society.

J. C. Loudon's Encyclopaedia of Plants. 8vo. London, 1846.
From John Bacon., Jr.

Partington, C. F. Manual of Natural and Experimental Phi-
losophy. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1849. From John Bacon., Jr.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. III. No. 17,
for May, 1849. Courtis Fund.

Gray, G. R,, Genera of Birds. Part 48, including Appendix.
Auduhon Fund.

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York.
Vol. V. No. 1. 1849. From the Lyceum of Natural History.

Surgical Observations on Tumors, with Cases and Operations.
By John C. Warren, M. D. 8vo. London, 1839. From the
Author.

Letter on the Dislocation of the Hip-joint. By John C. War-
ren, M. D. 8vo. Cambridge, 1826. From the Author.

Comparative View of the Sensorial and Nervous Systems in
Men and Animals. By John C. Warren, M. D. 8vo. Boston,
1822. From the Author.

163

Description of an Egyptian Mummy. By John C. Warren,
M. D. 8vo. Boston. From the Autlior.

V^iew of the Mercurial Practice in Febrile Diseases. By John
Warren, M. D. 8vo. Boston, 1813. From John C. Warren.

Physiological Effects of Alcoholic Drinks. 12mo. Boston,
1848. From John C. Warren.

Etherization; with Surgical Remarks. By John C. Warren,
M. D. 12mo. Boston, 1848. From the Author.

Additional Observations on new living Species of Hippopota-
mus of Western Africa. By S. G. Morton, M. D. 4to. Pamph.
Philadelphia, 1849. From the Author.

Ray Society. Monograph of the British naked-eyed Medusee,
with Figures of all the Species. By Edward Forbes. 4to. Lon-
don, 1848. Courtis Fund.

Synopsis of the Coleopterous Insects of the group Cleridse,
which inhabit the United States. 8vo. Pamph. New York.
By John L. Le Conte, M. D. 1848. From the Author.

Nouveaux Elemens de Botanique et Physiologic Vegetale.
gifeme ed. Par Achille Richard. 8vo. Paris. 1838. Exchange.

Gray's Genera of Birds. Part 49. Courtis Fund.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. 18. 2nd
series. Vol. III. for June, 1849. Courtis Fund.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. 2^^"^^ serie.
Tome V. Feuilles 29-32. (19 Juin, 1848.) Tome VI.
Feuilles 5- 10. (4-18 Decembre, 1848.) From the Societe
Geologique.

July 18, 1849.

C. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Six members present.

Dr. Storer presented, in the name of Rev. Zadock
Thompson, of Burlington, Vt., descriptions and drawings of
a new species of Esox, to which he gives the name E,
nohilior, and a fish for which he proposes to establish a new
genus under the name of Salmoperca, unless it should be

164

found to come under Prof. Agassiz's genus Percopsis.
Esox nobilior has been described by Richardson, and sup-
posed by him to be identical with E. lucius, of Europe.
It is in reahty a distinct species.

Mr. Ayres said, on examination of the drawing of the
fish called Salmoperca, that it evidently belonged to the
genus Percopsis.

PERCOPSIS PELLUCIDA.

Description. General color, light brownish yellow, with lon-
gitudinal rows of brown spots, about 0.1 in. in diameter, usually
one along the dorsal line, and two rows on each side between
the dorsal and lateral line. A broad satin stripe embracing the
lateral line. Belly, white. Fins and flesh, translucent, the ver-
tebral column, the abdomen, and portions of the head only ap-
pearing opaque when held to the light.

Fins all large in proportion to the size of the fish. The rays
of the pectoral reach half their length beyond the base of the
ventrals. Attachment of the ventrals beneath and a little ante-
rior to the beginning of the first dorsal, their points reaching
the anus. The anal fin has its first ray short and spinous. Cau-
dal fin, forked.

Nostrils and eyes large ; irides yellow. Depression between
the eyes divided longitudinally by a bony ridge. Seven small
sinuses along the under jaw on each side. Edge of the pre-
operculum finely serrated. Scales rough nn account of their
serrated margins. Length, from 3 to 5 inches. The following
are measurements from one of three nearly equal recent speci-
mens, which were before me when the above description was
made. Total length, 3.9 in. ; to the centre of the eye, .5 ;
posterior edge of the operculum, .9 ; pectoral fin, 1 ; ventral,
1.45; first dorsal, 1.5; and 2.1; adipose, 2.6; centre of
the base of caudal, 3.2 ; longest caudal rays, .7; central, half
as long.

Rays B. 6, D. - 11 —0, P. 13, V. 8, A. |, C. Hf.

This fish was first described by me in 1841, from a single spe-
cimen found dead on the shore of Lake Champlain, and received
the name here given to it in my manuscript notes. In 1847,
two other specimens were found dead on the shore. The

165

present Spring (1849), I have obtained three or four specimens,
caught in Winooski river, in Burlington, and brought to me alive.
The fishes, which I have examined, vary from 3^ to 5 inches in
length.

Dr. Storer presented, in the name of Capt. Atwood, of
Province town, a specimen of Hippocampus hudsonius, and
in the name of Dr. Dowse, of Clintonville, Mass., a speci-
men of the fish, considered by Mr. Ayres as Coitus gobio.

Mr. Ayres mentioned that a specimen of Coitus variahi-
lis had been recently caught near Craigie's Bridge, in this
city ; it being the first specimen which has been taken north
of Cape Cod.

Dr. Burnett presented two specimens of malformed But-
terflies, of the species Arctia virgimca and Clisiocampa
Americana.

He stated that having frequently before noticed similar
malformations, he had, during the last season, tried some
experiments to ascertain whether they might not be due to
imperfect nutrition. Having placed in confinement some
of the larvae of the Cerura borealis, which feeds upon the
willow, he kept them on a scanty supply of food. They
went through their various transformations in due time and
came out many of them malformed butterflies, exhibiting
various modes of imperfect development.

Mr. F. J. Bumstead deposited in the Society's Collection
the following mounted birds, namely : Fringilla spinus,
European Siskin ; F. montifringilla, Brambling Finch ;
Alauda arvensis, Skylark ; Tardus musicus, European Song
Thrush ; Lanius excubitor, European Butcher Bird ; L. col-
lurio, Red-backed Shrike, Sturnus vulgaris, European Stare,
male and female ; Otis tarda, Great Bustard, female ; Ar-
chibutco Sancii-Johannis, Rough-legged Falcon, adult;
Sterna nigra, European Black Tern, male and female;
Tringoides hypoleucus, Green Tatler, male and female.

Mr. T. S. Hunt, of Montreal, was elected a Corresponds
ing member.

166

August 1, 1849.

C. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Present, twelve members.

Dr. W. I. Burnett read a paper on the Epithehal Tissues.

He had recently made these tissues the subject of special
study, having had an unusually favorable opportunity of prose-
cuting his researches upon numerous specimens of Epithelium,
obtained from the ^^ rice ivater'''' discharges of cholera patients.
He had been enabled to trace the development, by means of the
microscope, of the three forms of this tis.-^^ue, the cylinder, tes-
selated, and ciliated.

Dr. Burnett entered quite at length upon the subject of the
cause of the motion of cilia in mucous membranes, giving an
account of various experiments of his own, by which he had
been led to the following conclusions, differing somewhat from
those of former observers.

1st. If the movements of the cilia of epithelial cells are due
to a contractile tissue at their lower portion, this tissue is unlike
any other contractile tissue of the animal economy with which
we are acquainted.

2d. We have no reason to suppose this tissue to be muscular,
because of the relative size of the cilia to the muscular fibrillae,
and the absence of nerves, and because electrical agencies do
not affect it.

3d. We cannot consider the contractile tissue of the nature
of that of the Dartos, because the movements of the cilia are of
a uniform and rythmical character.

4th. That, as these movements continue up to the time of the
death of the cell, they are intimately connected with the life of
the cell, considered as an individual organism.

5th. That these ciliary motions of epithelial cells are in
many respects analogous to those of separate individual animals,
as the Infusoria, and also to those of the ova of Polyps.

6th. That after a full consideration it is apparent that ciliated
epithelial cells, (spermatic particles included), although they

167

scarcely have the character of Individual Animal cells, differ
vi^idely from cells in general, particularly in exhibiting a higher
form of vitality and function.

Dr. Burnett also gave an account of the reproduction of epi-
thelial cells, and traced their affinities to organisms of individual
animal life. The paper was illustrated very fully by diagrams
on the blackboard.

Mr. Alger read the following statement vi^ith reference to
the mineral, Hydrate of Magnesia from Hoboken, Nevir
Jersey, recently analyzed by Mr. J. D. Whitney.

Mr. Whitney's recent analysis of the Nemalite of Hoboken,
New Jersey, by which he shows, contrary to the results of previous
analysts, that the mineral is a pure Hydrate of Magnesia, estab-
lishes two varieties of hydrate of magnesia (otherwise called
Brucite by some mineralogists,) and I would suggest the name of
Lamellar and Fibrous Brucite, the last referring to Nemalite.
There can be no doubt that Dr. Thompson's and Mr. Cornell's
specimens were both impure. It was the foliated variety which
Dr. Bruce discovered, analyzed, and named, " Native Hydrate
of Magnesia." Since Dr. Bruce's time it has been found in
other parts of the world.

Mr. Alger presented specimens of Tourmaline in Quartz,
from Fitchburg, Massachusetts ; Micaceous specular iron ;
and Carbonate of lime in hexahedral tables from Peekskill,
New York.

Mr. Sheafe presented in the name of Mr. Elliot Torrey
the skull and horns of an Asiatic Buffalo ; also four cases
of Asiatic insects. The thanks of the Society were voted
for the donation.

A Tarantula, Phrynus reniformis, from Honduras was pre-
sented in the name of Mr. Robert B. Storer ; and a large
grasshopper from Caraccas, in the name of Mr. J. P. Bige-
low ; also an Agama, A. Douglasii, from Texas, by Mr.
Alger. The foetus of a seal was presented in the name of
Dr. John Flint.

Mr. William Stimpson of Cambridge was elected a
member.

168

August 15, 1849.
C. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Present, eleven members.

Dr. W. I. Burnett gave an account, with illustrations on
the blackboard, of certain animals vi^hich he had recently
observed by the microscope in the blood of a person who
had died with a chronic enlargement of the spleen. Dr.
Burnett's account was as follows.

While recently examining with the microscope some blood
taken from a human female who had died with an enlarged
spleen, I was surprised to perceive in the field of observation,
beside the usual corpuscles, very numerous naviculoid bodies.
They were rather more than twice the size of blood corpuscles,
swollen in the middle and pointed at both ends, and of a dark
gray color. In many respects these bodies resembled the loricce
of some of the naviculoid Infusoria ; but they were not loricas,
since by the addition of water they became swollen, and were
therefore saccular. No motion could be perceived ; but that
they were animals can justly, I think, be inferred, from the fact
that their external envelope presented some traces of organization.

I feel the more confirmed in this view as Glijge (MiJller's
Archives, 1842, p. 148) mentions a haematozoon, which, if I
draw a correct picture in my mind from his verbal description,
this one would closely resemble. GliJge found it in the blood of
a frog. Valentin also mentions (Miiller's Archives, 1841, p.
435) having found hsematozoa in some of the lower Vertebrata.

Dr. C. T. Jackson read a letter from Increase A. Latham
of Milwaukie on the subject of " Medical Geology." The
tendency of the letter was to confirm the opinion heretofore
expressed by Dr. Jackson, that cholera is not likely to
occur on the primary formations.

Some conversation ensued on the subject, various mem-
bers quoting authorities and mentioning facts at variance

169

with this opinion. Dr. Jackson said he did not ascribe a\iy
mysterious power to the primary formations in banishing
cholera, but he thought this disease more likely to prevail
over the more recent and tertiary rocks, from the character
of the water drank by the inhabitants in such localities.

Dr. C. T. Jackson read a paper on the Mirage of Lake
Superior of the months of July and August, 1847.

During these two seasons this phenomenon was often witnessed
by Dr. Jackson. His theory of the mirage was as follows : The
water of Lake Superior is very cold, the temperature seldom
rising above 50° Fahrenheit, even in the hottest weather. In the
summer season the temperature of the air in the forests near the
shore is frequently as high as 90°, or even higher. Dr. Jackson
supposes that a current of warm air loaded with moisture is
blown from the shore, and coming in contact with a stratum of
cooler air, in contact with the Lake surface, a fih-n of moisture
is condensed above it, which acts as a mirror to reflect the
objects beneath.

Dr. J. B. S. Jackson gave an account of a recent visit he
had made to Mr. Marsh's collection of Ornithichnites.

In connection with this subject Dr. C. T. Jackson said, that on
the shores of Lake Superior he had seen some remarkable bird-
tracks made under his observation by the American Raven.
The peculiarity of these tracks consisted in the elongation for a
number of inches of the impression of the middle toe. This was
produced by the bird's trailing this toe on the sand as it slowly
walked over the surface. Some of the Ornithichnites present this
singular disproportion in the length of the track of the middle
toe, which can hardly be accounted for in any other way. This
mark of the toe is curved inwards also, as it is in the Ornith-
ichnites, a natural result of the gait of the bird.

Dr. Gould gave descriptions with drawings of several
new species of shells brought home from the United States
Exploring Expedition, as follows: —

CoLUMBELLA VALGA. T. ovato-lanccolata, sub-distorta, fulvo-
marmorata et lineolis crebris rufis cincta, ad apicem rosacea;

170

splra acuminata, anfr. 9-10 convexiusculis, supernis longitror-
sum tenuiter plicatis, ultimo leevi, contracto, cseteris nonconformi,
•| long, testse adequante ; sutura profunda ; apertura angusta,
lunata; labro arcuate acuto, intus sulcato ; columella transversim
plicata, callosa ; sinu siphonali angusto, producto. Long. ^ ;
lat. i poll. Hah. Pacific ?

Closely allied to C. avara, Say, in form, size, and ground
color, but readily distinguished by its distorted form, the encir-
cling chestnut lines, and the want of revolving strise between the
folds.

CoLUMBELLA CASTANEA. T. parva, sollda, elongata, ovata,
Isevis, castanea vel fascia angusta albida cincta : spira ovato-
conica, anfr. 7 convexis, ultimo ovali f long, testse superante, ad
basim spiraliter striate : apertura ampla, alba ; labro recto, pes-
tice emarginate, rufe-tincte, intus sub-plicato; columella antice
plicata; sinu siphonali ample. Long. ^; lat. f poll. Hab.
Rio Janeiro.

Compared with C. unicolor it is smaller, the aperture is less
rotund, and it has a pale cincture.

CoLUMBELLA GAUSAPATA. T. parva, solidula, elongata, ovato-
conica, ad basim spiraliter striata, sub epidermide rudi subrufo
concinne rufe-reticulata vel variemede maculata aut fasciata :
spira cenico-turrita, anfr. 6-7 convexiusculis, ultimo § long,
testee, antice subito in rostrum brevem angustate ; sutura valde
impressa : apertura angusta lunata ; labro simplici, rufo, intus
sparse denticulate. Long. ^ ; lat. | poll. Hob. Puget Sound.

An inelegant, very simple species allied to the preceding ; but
it is less ventricose, the aperture paler and narrower, which with
its tough, wooly epidermis sufficiently characterize it. Beneath
the epidermis it is polished and finely reticulated, blotched or
banded.

MiTRA viTELLiNA. T. lauceolata, selida, dilute aurantia ma-
culis albis fasciata, sulcls linearibus ad 15 lyrata et striis tenuibus
crebris cincta ; intersectionibus punctatis : spira elevata, anfr.
8-9 planis, ultimo f long, testae, cylindracee, antice angustate:
apertura angusta ; labro recto, simplici ; columella 4-plicata, sinu
siphonali brevi, vix recurve. Long. 1 J ; lat. ^V po^^- -HaZ>. — ?

MiTRA FiDicuLA. T. lanceolato-fusiformis, livido-crocea, fas«

171

cia albida unica cincta, plicis acutis albidis ad 12 lyrata ; spira
anfr. 9 planulatis postice tabulatis, apicalibus (ultimo etiam ad
basim) spiraliter striatis : apertura angusta, intus tenui-striala ;
columella 4-plicata ; fauce rufo ; canali siphonali curto, fere
recto. Long, f ; lat. f^ poll. Hah. — ?

MiTRA coPHiNA. T. fusiformis, albida, liris volventibus et
liris longitudinalibus altioribus ubique reticulata ; areolis intercep-
tis profundis : spira turrita, anfr. 9-10 planiusculis subtabulatis,
ultimo antrorsum in rostrum contortum subito desinente : aper-
tura angusta, flexuosa, postice obtusa ; columella 4 plicata,
plicis antrorsum minoribus. Long, -^jj ; lat. -^jj poll. Hah.
Singapore.

The form, size, and color is like M. siiUirata, Reeve, but the
sculpture is quite different, that species having no longitudinal
ridges, and the transverse grooves are described as deep and
punctured, and the intermediate ridges slightly granose.

MiTRA RORATA. T. modlca, solida, lanceolata, cinerea rubi-
ginoso-marmorata, clathris longitudinalibus quadratis ad 30 et
striis tenuibus volventibus decussata : spira elevata, anfr. 9-10
planis postice angulatis ; ultimo cylindraceo antice sensim atten-
uate, dimidiam long, testae superante : apertura angusta, labro
acuto, roseo, 13-sulculato ; columella 4 plicata ; rostro lato oblique
reflexiusculo ; fauce incarnate. Long. |; lat. y^o poll. Hah. — ?

The form and sculpture is much like that of M. hehes. Reeve,
but the coloring is more like M. crenifera. It is more cylindri-
cal and the bars are less prominent than M. cophina^ besides the
difference in coloration.

MiTRA CAPiLLATA. T. parvula, elongata, ovato-fusiformis,
polita, rufo-castanea lineolis longitudinalibus flexuosis croceis
ornata : spira acuto-conica, anfr. 7 convexiusculis, ultimo bifariam
attenuate, antice striis prominulis cincto ; sutura impressa : aper-
tura ^ long, testes, angusta, elliptica ; columella 3-plicata, postice
callosa ; fauce lurido. Long. -^-^ ; lat. ^ poll. Hab. Madeira-

This beautiful little shell is easily identified by its dark ma-
hogany color and its delicate yellow lineations, like those on some
species of Neritina. M. semen^ Reeve, which is not so slender,
and has fewer and broader lines, is the only species approach"
ing it.

172

MiTRA ENCAUSTA. T. parvula, solida, curta, ovato-rhomboidea,
cinerea, longitrorsum 8-9 plicata et sulcis fuscentibus cincta :
spiraconica, anfr. 8 ventricosis, supernis granulosis, ultimo | long.
testae adequante ; sutura canaliculata : apertura parva, linearis ;
labro acuto, vix sulcato ; columella plicata, postice callo copioso
induta. Long. -^-^ ; lat. \ poll. Hah. Feejee Islands.

A small, very decidedly marked species, most remarkable for
the deeply incised, somewhat punctate, dark revolving lines on
an ash-colored ground, its wave-like folds and its short rhom-
boidal form.

CoNUS DiLECTUs. T. parva, gracilis, conica, albida ferrugi-
neo concinne reticulata et seriebus binis macularum candidarum
et rufarum alternantium cincta : spira elevata, concavo-conica,
anfr. 8-9, angulatis, coronatis, postice striatis, ultimo inermi,
antice 6-8 sulcato : apertura linearis ; columella recta ; fauce
incarnate. Long. 4 ; lat. \ poll. Hah. Fejee Islands.

Dr. Gould presented, in the name of Dr. George A. Per-
kins of Cape Palmas, Africa, a cranium of an adult specimen
of Troglodytes gorilla, the new species described by Prof.
Jeffries Wyman. Also two monkeys' skins, a number of
jars of Echinoderms, Fishes, &c. Among them was an
Achatina, which proves to be viviparous, its oviduct being
filled with young.

Dr. Shurtleff presented, in the name of Mr. Theodore
Simmons, of Boston, a white deer skin from Maine.

Mr. T. G. Gary, Jr., was elected a member of the So-
ciety.

September 5, 1849.
Dr. D. H. Storer, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Present, fifteen members.

In the absence of the Recording Secretary, James W.
Stone was appointed Secretary 'pro tera.

Dr. Storer presented a monograph sent for publication in
the Journal of the Society, by Dr. John Le Conte, on the

173

Pselaphidae of the United States. The introduction was
read, containing tables exhibiting the analogies between the
American and European species of Coleoptera, and show-
ing the importance of a careful examination of the structure
of the antennae in forming the different subdivisions.

Mr. Ayres made some remarks upon a species of Pike,
described by Dr. Richardson in his Fauna Boreali Ameri-
cana as the Esox lucius.

This fish has been also described by Rev. Zadock Thompson,
under the name of Esox nohilior. In a pond near Bellows Falls
the Pike, having been artificially introduced, has passed from
thence into the still water at the foot of the Fall, where it is said
to grow to the size of twenty or thirty pounds.

Mr. Ayres noticed this difference in the two species. In the
Esox lucius the side of the head is smooth, but in the Esox estor^
there is a mark of scales on the anterior edge of the operculum.

Mr. Ayres observed that the rivers of New England are this
year very low, and that there is a remarkable disease in the
fishes, which consists in the appearance of black spots scattered
over the entire surface of the fish. On the removal of the scale
the spot remains. It appears to be an ecchymosis in the fold of
skin which encloses the base of the scale. It sometimes covers
all the gill membranes.

Dr. Storer inquired whether it was not a parasite.

Mr. Ayres said that he had been told that it was, but he had
been unable to discover any parasite. He had often seen para-
sites in fresh-water fishes, and once in a salt-water fish. But the
spots referred to have a totally different appearance.

Mr. Ayres added, that this disease in the fishes finally destroys
the rays of the fins by cutting them off at the joints, so that the
tail-fins are reduced to little stumps. This .effect is also some-
times produced by parasites.

Dr. Burnett had examined some larvcE, received from Dr.
George Bartlett of Boston, which had been vomited by a gen-
tleman affected for several years with dyspepsia. Dr. Burnett
had compared the insects and found them nearly identical with
the Calliphora vomitoria, which lays large quantities of eggs in
putrid meat, the eggs being about a line in length and shaped
like a kernel of rye.

174

Dr. Burnett presented male and female specimens of the BaU
aninus nasicus, the latter of which he had caught in the act of
perforating the hazel-nut. It had been conjectured that this was
the insect which bored the hazel-nut and chestnut, but it had never
been previously seen in the act. Dr. B. also presented a speci-
men of the Balaninus rectirostris, found upon an oak tree.
Habits unknown.

Dr. Burnett stated that a spring containing fifty-one per cent,
of Free Sulphuric Acid had been discovered in Genesee County,
New York. A specimen of the water was presented.

Dr. Gould presented a specimen of the Scincus quinquilinea-
tus, from Frederick D. Allen, from Oberlin, Ohio. Also large
specimens of the Kentucky shag-bark, Carya squamosa 7 from
President Malcom ; and a large moth.

Dr. Storer presented, in the name of Dr. Morland, a collection
of Barnacles from Saco. Dr. S. read a letter from Dr. John T.
Plummer of Richmond, Indiana, accompanying the pelvic bones
of a Giraffe, presented to the Society. The thanks of the Soci-
ety were voted to the donor.

Dr. S. Cabot announced the addition of nine birds to the Soci-
ety's Collection, as follows : —

Xanthojmus varius, Orchard Oriole ; donor F. Gassett, by ex-
change.
Heteropoda semipahnata, semi-palmated Sandpiper, female ;

donor Dr. Samuel Cabot, Jr.
Sterna hirundo, Arctic Tern ; donor Dr. S. Cabot, Jr.
Lanius excuhitor. Great European Shrike ; Garden of Plants,

by exchange.
Ortygometra crex. Corn Crake ; Garden of Plants, by exchange.
Bucco tectus, Lesser pied Barbet ; Garden of Plants, by exchange.
Tiaris jacarina, male; Garden of Plants, by exchange.
Ardea 7ninuta, Lesser European Heron ; Garden of Plants, by
exchange.
A coral upon a pearl oyster was received from Mrs. Steele of
Roxbury through Mr. Dillaway, and the thanks of the Society
were voted for the donation.

Two specimens of black Tourmaline and a crystal of Quartz
were presented by Mr. Alger.

175

September 19, 1849.

Dr. A. A. Gould in the Chair.
Present, sixteen members.

Mr. Stimpson presented a description of a new species of
Helix, as follows : —

H. EXiGUA. H. t. minuta, discoidea, pellucida, corneo-viri-
descente, supra convexiuscula, infra concava ; anfr. 3^ convexis,
spiraliter striatis, ef [apice excluso] costis longitudinalibus, dis-
tantibus, strias incrementales oblique decussantibus instructis ;
anfr. ultimo rotundato ; sutura impressa ; umbilico lato ; aper-
tura rotundata ; labro simplici. Diam. .078 poll. Hah. Mas-
sachusetts, vicinity of Boston.

Young specimens of H. striatella, which it much resembles,
have nearly one whorl less, want the revolving lines, and have
the whorls somewhat angular, instead of rounded. I have found
it in various localities in the vicinity of Boston, usually under
dead leaves, in low, moist places. It has also been found in
Salem by Mr. Joseph True.

Dr. Gould gave an account of some tame fishes and
turtles at Hingham, Massachusetts. They have been tamed
by a little girl seven years of age, who is in the habit of
feeding them. They come at her call to the shoal margin
of the water in which they live. It is a question whether
the fish are not guided by the sense of sight. The turtles
undoubtedly are led by the sound of her voice. The fish
are mostly of the species Pimelodus nebulosus, Horn-pout ;
and the turtles are Emys guttata and picta.

Dr. J. M. Warren exhibited, preserved in alcohol, the
glands which secrete the acrid fluid which furnishes a
means of defence to the American Skunk, Mephitis Ameri-
cana. These glands are situated on either side of the intes-
tine, at the root of the tail, just within the anus, and are
about an inch in diameter. When the animal is pursued,

176

the lower part of the intestine is prolapsed through the
anus, the tail is elevated over the back, and by the contrac-
tion of the muscles of the anus the acrid fluid is ejected in
two streams to the distance of six or eight feet.

Dr. Warren also exhibited to the Society a living speci-
men of Mephitis Americana, which had been deprived of
its power of annoyance by a surgical operation. The
animal was first made partially insensible by enclosing him
in a barrel in which was placed some chloric ether. As he
became stupefied, a sponge containing the anaesthetic agent
was placed over the nostrils and kept there until entire in-
sensibility was produced. Dr. Warren then cut down, on
the outside of the intestine, upon the ducts of the glands and
divided them, suffering the glands to remain in situ. The
animal recovered, being entirely deprived of his means, of
annoyance by the adhesive inflammation following the
operation.

Four Hindoo skulls with a mounted Jackal's skin and
the skeleton of a Jackal, were presented to the Society in
the name of Mr. W. S. Bullard, to whom they were sent
at his request by a Hindoo gentleman, by name Rajinder
Datt.

Dr. Kneeland presented, in the name of Dr. Shurtleff*,
five skulls of Monkeys, a skull of a Snapping Turtle, Emy-
saurus serpentina, of a Spaniel, Sloth, Rabbit, Adjutant
Crane, and Eagle.

Mr. Charles Girard of Cambridge was elected a member
of the Society.

177

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30.

American Journal of Science and Arts. By B. Silliman and
B. Silliman. Jr., and James D. Dana. 2d Series, No. 22, for
July, 1849. From the Editors.

New Mexico and California. By Emory Abert. Cook &
Johnston. 8vo. Washington, 1848. From R. C. Winthrop.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. 19, Vol. IV.
for July, 1849. 8vo. London. Courtis Fund.

Reports, &c. of the Smithsonian Institute. 8vo. Pamph.
Washington, 1849. From the Smithsonian Institute.

Flora3 Calendarium. 12mo. Boston. (In MSS. by F. A.
Eddy.) From S. Kneeland, Jr.

Organographie Vegetale. Par M. Aug. Pyr. de Candolle.
2 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1846. Exchange,

Catalogue of Plants of Cincinnati. Collected by T. G. Lea.
8vo. Pamph. Philadelphia, 1849. From J. M. Lea.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. 20. Vol. IV.
2d Series. For August, 1849. Courtis Fund.

Synopsis of the genera of Gammaracea. By James D. Dana.
8vo. Pamph. From the Author.

Conspectus Crustaceorum, quse in orbis Terrarum Circumnavi-
gatione, Carolo Wilkes e Classi Reipublicse Federatae Duce,
lexil et descripsit, J. D. Dana. 8vo. Pamph. Cantabrigise,
1847-50. From the Author.

Gibbsite and Naophsene, from Richmond, Mass. By Prof. B.
Silliman, Jr. 8vo. Pamph. New Haven, 1849. From the
Author.

Zoology of the Voyage of H. M. S. Samarang. Nos. 1, 2, 4,
5. 4to. London. 1848. Courtis Fund.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, with Illus-
trations. Parts 2, 3. 8vo. Pamph. 1848. London.
0 Parnell, A. P. Applied Chemistry in Manufactures, Arts, and
Domestic Economy. 8vo. New York, 1844. Exchange.

Carver, J. Travels in N. America. 12mo. Boston, 1797.
Exchange.

Fisher, William. Voyages and Travels of Capts. Lewis and
Clarke. 12mo. Baltimore. 1812. Exchange.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H 12 MARCH, 1850.

178

Morfit, Campbell. Perfumery ; its Manufacture and Use.
12mo. Philadelphia, 1847. From S. Kneeland^ Jr.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. 2'®"^® serie.
Tome IV. Feuilles 79-86. (5^Juillet, 1847.) Also Tome VI.
Feuillesll-18. 18 Deer. 1848. — 5Fevrier, 1849. 8vo. Pamph.
Paris.

System of Geography, by M. Malte-Brun. 48 Nos. 4to. Bos-
ton, 1847. Exchange.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. No. 23.
Vol. VIII. 2d Series. 8vo. New Haven. Exchange.

Gelehrte Anzeiger. Vols. 26 and 27. 4to. MiJnchen, 1848
-49. From the Munich Academy.

D. Max Petterkofer. Die Chemie in ihrem Verhaltnisse zum
Physiologic und Pathologic. 4to. Pamph. Miinchen. 1848.
From the Munich Academy.

Denkrede auf Joseph Gerhard Zuccanini. Von Carl Friedr.
Phil. V. Martins. 4to. Pamph. Munchen. 1848. From the
Munich Academy.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. 2^'"® serie.
Tom. IV. Feuilles 87-92 (10-23 Sept. 1847) 8vo. Pamph.
Paris, 1847. From the Societe Geologique.

October 3, 1849.
Dr. A. A. Gould in the Chair.
Present, fifteen members.

Dr. Jeffries Wyman exhibited to the Society two mal-
formed Cod's skulls, brought by him from Labrador.

The variety of Cod, from which the specimens were taken, isi^v
known to the fishermen of those regions by the name of the
" Bulldog Cod fish." In the specimens exhibited, the upper
part of the frontal bones was rounded, making a sort of fore-
head. In one of them the maxillary bones were short, and the
vomer and frontal bones bent up. In the other the vomer was bent
to one side. Among the many thousands of cod annually caught

179

in the vicinity of Labrador, not more than three or four, or six,
are taken of this variety.

Mr. Ayres said that lie had observed similar malformations in
fish, as in the case of the Bass exhibited at the meeting of Feb-
ruary 21st, 1849. He had also been informed by Prof. Agassiz
that such deformities are occasionally found in the European
Trout. Mr. Ayres remarked, that the specimens before the So-
ciety, with those he had before seen, made up the number of
five, that had come under his observation with this malformation,
in three genera.

Dr. Wyman made a report on the cranium of the
Engeena (Troglodytes gorilla) recently presented to the
Society by Dr. George A. Perkins of Salem ; also on that
belonging to the Essex County Natural History Society.

The first skull was that of an adult male, as was indicated by
the fact, that the teeth were all protruded, though they were not
worn. As in the crania formerly described, the sutures were
for the most part obliterated. He thought there were indications
that the portion of bone, which was found between the inner orbi-
tar angles of the frontals, and which was described as the ascend-
ing portion of the nasals by Mr. Owen, was an independent piece,
and had a centre of ossification of its own.

He had measured the capacity of this cranium, and of three
other crania of the Engeena and found it as follows : —

I. Male, 34.5

II. Male, 28.3

III. Male, 28.0

IV. Female, 25.0

Dr. Wyman was disposed, after an attentive examination of the
anatomical evidence, to regard the Engeena as occuping a lower
position in the Zoological series than the Chimpanzee ( T. niger.)
Its brain was proportionally smaller, the molar teeth were more
pointed, the canines larger, the wisdom tooth was of the same
dimensions as the other molars. Several other characters ex-
isted which indicate its lower position.

Specimens of minerals and a cranium of a Manatee^ from

180

Cape Palmas, Western Africa, were presented in the name
of Dr. George A. Perkins.

A note was read from Mr. Darius Forbes, of Chester,
New Hampshire, presenting twenty-one specimens of vari-
ous minerals from that vicinity. The thanks of the Society
were voted for the donation.

Mr. Alger presented to the Society a specimen of Ti-
taniated Quartz, or Quartz containing Rutile in long crys-
tals, known by the name of Venus Hair Stone, from Water-
terbury, Vermont. Also in the name of Dr. Fuller, one
specimen of Prismatic Quartz from Greenwood, Maine.

A specimen of Falco halmtm was presented in the
name of Mr. George Fowle. The thanks of the Society
were voted for the donation.

Mr. Stimson presented several specimens of the teeth of
Carcharias ohscurus, and a number of Algae.

Mr. Joseph W. Patterson was elected a member of the
Society.

' October 17, 1849.
The President in the Chair.

Present, thirty-one members.

M. Bureau Riofrey, M. D. from Paris, and Sir John
Richardson, present by invitation, were introduced to the
Society by the President. Sir John P^ichardson briefly
stated the course he had pursued in his recent northern
tour in search of Sir John Franklin. He had traversed the
regions visited by him with Sir John Franklin twenty-five
years ago for 3,500 miles, and had then followed the shores
of the Arctic Ocean for 800 miles. He stated, that the
territory north of the St. Lawrence and the great Lakes is
equal in extent to the whole United States including the
recent additions.

181

Dr. Gould exhibited several specimens of Lymnsea from
Lake Superior.

The distinctions of species in this genus, he said, are very
slio-ht and difficult to make out. He, however, was satisfied
from a careful examination of the specimens before the Society,
that the three species of Say, L. catascopiiim, L. eniarginata, and
L. pinguis, are in reality but one.

Dr. Gould, also, exhibited specimens of Helix liortensis from
a small island near Cape Ann. This species, he remarked, is
one of the few land shells which have been introduced into
America from Europe. Like the same and other species in
Europe, it is extremely prolific, and the island from which the
specimens were obtained is covered with them. The true Amer-
ican species of this genus, on the other hand, produce very few
ofispring, and are comparatively very rare. Helix hortensis,
as is well known, exhibits very great varieties of marking. The
specimens found on one of the islands near Cape Ann are all of
the plain variety. On another island, about a mile from this,
the banded variety exists in great numbers, the banding in all
being precisely the same. It would thus appear that varieties
perpetuate themselves.

Prof. Agassiz remarked, that in Europe very different varie-
ties are found in close proximity to each other, as for instance in
two adjoining gardens.

Mr. Ayres exhibited to the Society a new species of fish
of the genus Polypierus, from West Africa, recently pre-
sented by Dr. Perkins.

This fish belongs to one of the fossil types, of which several
instances exist in America, and of which two have been before
described as coming from Africa. It is characterized by the
number of finlets on the back, of which in the specimen exhib-
ited there are six, commencing very nearly at half the distance
from the head and extending to the tail. The throat is covered
with hard, bony plates like the scales on the body, which are
nearly immovable. This would greatly embarrass the respira-
tion of the fish, were it not for two openings on the top of the
head, which act as safety-valves, allowing the water to flow
through them. The specimen exhibited resembles the fossil
types also in the unequal size of the lobes of the tail ; an unu-

182

sua! form in living species. The abdominal anatomy is very-
peculiar. On first opening the abdominal cavity there seem to
be no organs in it. They are found closely attached to the back
bone, and occupy a very small space. Mr. Ayres proposed to
call the Dew species, P. Pahnas.

Mr. Ayres also stated, that he had found Cotlus variabilis to be
a very common species along the shores of Massachusetts Bay.
It had hitherto been considered a rare species and had not been
found north of Cape Cod.

With reference to the number of species conforming to
the fossil types found in North America, Prof. Agassiz said
that he had made out ten distinct species belonging to the
genus Lepisosteus ; five being of the pointed-nosed, and
five of the short-nosed variety. These specimens had been
brought from various localities, and the distinctions of some
of the species, although constant and sufficiently well
marked, are so slight that they would probably have escaped
detection, had not specimens been carefully compared with
each other side by side. An examination of the young of
the various species at different stages of growth shows an
interesting conformity with the fossil gradations.

Dr. Wyman exhibited a canine tooth of the Engeena,
Troglodytes gorilla Savage, which had been presented to
him by Dr. Savage, but which he had not been able in the
absence of perfect specimens to identify till recently.

The whole length of the tooth was 2.8 inches, the crown
measuring 1.3 ; its breadth was 1.0, and its thickness 0.7^. It is
slightly recurved, its posterior edge trenchant, and its inner face
impressed with two deep grooves, leaving a prominent rounded
ridge between them.

Dr. Wyman also gave some account of certain geological
appearances which he had recently noticed on the coast of
Labrador.

Along the whole shore from the S. E. corner at Wapitiguan
to Green Bay, in lat. 52° N., boulders exist in great numbers,

183

both at the water's edge and on the summits of the most elevated
hills. Those in the bays, as at Green Bay, were nearly all situ-
ated near the low water mark, and may doubtless have been
drifted in by the floating ice which makes its appearance on the
coast every spring ; but a different explanation must be given to
account for those on the elevated rocks and hills. Nearly all the
protruding rocks are rounded and the marks known as " Drift
marks," "Diluvial scratches," and " Glacier marks," existed in
great abundance. The smooth and rounded rocks are especially
observable at Bras d'Or. They are all rounded on the northern
side.

Prof. Agassiz remarked that in Cambridge, on the road
to Mount Auburn, there may be seen at the present time,
in a recently opened gravel-pit, an instance of the two
kinds of drift, one above the other. The upper one is of
marine and the lower of glacial origin. The former is
made up of diflferent materials, distinctly stratified, and
exhibits marks of tidal action, but contains no boulders.
The lower one consists of small and large pebbles, more or
less scratched, irregularly scattered through a bed of mud.

Dr. Cabot stated, that at Deer Island, in Boston Harbor,
a similar drift deposit may be seen.

Mr. Girard read a paper on the genus Cottus.

ON THE GENUS COTTUS Auct.

There are in the genus Cottus^ as it has hitherto been admit-
ted, two groups of species always very easily distinguished from
each other at first sight ; the head of the one is smooth or nearly
so ; that of the other is tuberculous, or armed with spines ; the
former inhabits fresh water, the latter salt or brackish water at
the mouths of rivers.

These two groups are generically distinct both by external
characters and anatomical structure. It remains only to decide
which should retain the name of Cottus, and to which it will be
necessary to give a new name.

The most simple way to settle this question, will be to go back
to the origin of the genus Cottus and follow its history.

184

Artedi established it in 1738 with the following characters : —
Gill-membrane containing six distinct bony rays ; head larger
than the body, depressed and acute. Two dorsal fins ; the an-
terior one composed of flexible spines. Ventral fins small, hav-
ing only four soft rays. Skin scaleless.*

He places in the first rank the fresh water species having two
spines on the head, of which C. gohio is the type, being the
only one known at that time. Next the species with more spines
on the head, including not only the salt water species having a
smooth skin instead of scales, but two others which have since
become, one the type of the genus Aspidophoriis^ the other, the
type of the genus Callionymus. Artedi himself went thus
beyond the limits of his genus by placing in it the two last
species, as their body is covered with scales.

Linnaeus t alters Artedi's genus by giving as the only charac-
ter for it, " a spiny head broader than the body." Linnaeus
went further ; he transposes the species and places at the head
C. cataphractus, the type of the genus Aspidophoriis, of later
date, and which Artedi placed at the end of the genus Cottus.
His third species belongs now to the genus Batrachus, and the
fourth to the genus Platycephalus. The C. gohio is the last.

Fabricius| followed the example of Linnaeus. Cuvier§
calls the primitive type of the genus Cottus, C. gohio, from
the fresh waters of Europe, in which have been since dis-
tinguished several species which were formerly confounded.
Cuvier, following Artedi, describes first the fresh water, and
next the salt water species. But when the celebrated ichthy-
ologist wrote the history of this genus, he did not find it
necessary to separate generically these two groups, although he
had already pointed out their principal differences. There were
only two fresh water species known, and that imperfectly.

Now that their number is considerably increased, and the study
of them has become somewhat more difficult, it- seems proper to
subdivide the genus Cottus of the difl^erent authors in the follow-
ing manner : —

* Genera Piscium.

t Systema Naturte, ed. xii.

t Fauna Grcenlandica, 1780, 8.

§ Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, vol. iv. 1829, pp. 142, 150,

185

I propose the name of Acanthocottus, for the marine
species, which are generally of a larger size than those
found in fresh water.* They are characterized by having
spines upon each of the opercular bones. The preoperculum
itself has several always strongly developed. The surface of
the head, and also often the circumference of the orbits, are
either armed with spines, or else they are serrated or notched in
different ways. The nasal bones are also in most of the species
surmounted by a spine or ridge. The head itself is rather higher
than broad ; sometimes much deformed, with proportionally very
large eyes, and a deep occipital depression. The mouth is always
more deeply cleft than in the fresh water species, but the denti-
tion, as a whole, is nearly the same. Nostrils double, distant
from each other, tubular, the anterior being much larger, the
posterior close to the orbit. The body is scaleless ; the back
is often arched, and the first dorsal fin almost as high as the
second. Some species have three, others four, soft rays to the
ventral fins. The lateral line runs uninterrupted from the head
to the base of the caudal fin.

The American species of this genus are the following : —

Acanthocottus Grcenlandtcus Grd. — Cottus Grcenlandicus
Cuv. & Val. Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. 1829, p. 185. — Rich.
Faun. Bor. Amer. iii. 1836, p. 46, and Add. p. 297,
PL 95, fig. 2. — Storer Rep. 1839, p. 16. — DeKay,
New York Fauna, 1842, p. 54, fig. 10. — Storer, Synops.
1846, p. 53. Cottus quadricornis Sabine, App. to Parry's
First Voy. 1821. Cottus scorpius Fabr. Faun. Groenl. 1780,
p. 456. Cottus variahilis Ayres, Proc. Best. Soc. Nat.
Hist. I. 1842, p. 68, and Bost. Journ. of Nat. Hist. iv.
1843, p. 259. (Young) — Greenland; Cuvier and Valen-
ciennes. — Davis Strait ; Richardson. — Maine and Massa-
chusetts ; Storer. — Connecticut ; Ayres. — Hellgate (N.
Y.) ; DeKay.

Acanthocottus scorpioides Grd. — Cottus scorpioides Fabr.
Faun. Groenl. 1780, p. 157. — Cuv. & Val. Hist. Nat.
Poiss. IV. 1829, p. 187. — Richards. Faun. Bor. Amer.

* "With the exception of C. polaris ; but the specimens which have been ob-
served may not have been full-grown.

186

in. 1836, p. 47. — Storer, Synops. 1846, p. 54. Green-
land ; O. Fabricius.
AcANTHOcoTTUS POLARIS Grd. — Cottus poIaHs Sabine, App.
to Parry's First Voy. 1821, p. ccxiii. & J. C. Ross, App.
to Parry's Third Voy. 1826, liii. — Rich. Faun. Bor.
Amer. in. 1836. p. 43. — Storer, Synops. 1846, p. 55. —
Peninsula of Boothia (Ross) ; Sabine. — Lat. 75°, Shores
of North Georgia ; Richardson.

AcANTHOCOTTUS POLYACANTHOCEPHALUS Grd. CottUS polytt-

canthocephalus Pall. Zoogr. Ross. Asiat. 1811, p. 133, PI.
23. — Cuv. & Val. Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. 1829, p. 176. —
Richards. Faun. Bor. Amer. iii. 1836, p. 48. — Storer,
Synops. 1846, p. 55. — Off Cape St. Elias (Billings) 60°
lat. N. ; Richardson, Valenciennes.

AcANTHocoTTUs psiTTiLiGER Grd. — Cuttus psittUiger Pall.
Zoogr. Ross. Asiat. iii. 1811, p. 143, PI. 20, fig. 3 and 4.—
CUV.-&; Val. Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. 1829, p. 193. — Rich.
Faun. Bor. Amer. iii. 1836, p. 48. — Storer, Synops.
1846, p. 54. — Unalaska and Harbor of Avatcha ; Cu-
vier and Valenciennes. — Coast of Kamtschatka ; Rich-
ardson.

AcANTHOCOTTUS HEXACORNis Grd. — Cottus kexacomis Richards.
Frank. Journ. 1823, p. 726, & Faun. Bor. Amer. in. 1836,
p. 44. — Storer, Synops. 1846, p. 55. — Mouth of Tree
River, lat. 67° 12'/ N. ; Richardson.

AcANTHOCOTTUS PORosus Grd. — Cottus porosus Cuv. & Val.
Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. 1829, p. 498. — Rich. Faun. Bor.
Amer. in. 1836, p. 47. — Storer, Synops. 1846, p. 56.
Baffin's Bay ; Richardson.

AcANTHOCOTTUS ^NEUS Grd. CottUS (2716118 MiTCH. Tr. Lit.

& Philos. Soc. New York, i. 1815, p. 380. — Cuv. & Val.
Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. 1829, p. 189. — Storer, Rep. 1839,
p. 20. — DeKay, New-York Fauna, 1842, p. 52, fig. 19.
— Storer, Synops. 1846, p. 54. — New York ; Mitchill,
DeKay. — Massachusetts ; Storer.
AcANTHOCOTTUS MiTCHiLLi Grd. — Cottus MitcMlli Cuv. &
Val. Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. 1829, p. 188. — DeKay, New
York Faun. 1842, p. 53, fig. 46. — Storer, Synops. 1846,
p. 56. Cottus Scorpio Mitch. Tr. Lit. & Philos. Soc. New
York, I. 1815, p. 381. — New York ; Mitchill, DeKay.

187

AcANTHOcoTTUS ViRGiNiANus Grd. — Scorpius Virginianus
WiLLUGB. Hist. pise. App. 1685, p. 25, PL 10, fig. 15.
Coitus scorpius Schcepff, Beobach. &c. viii. 1788, p. 145.
Coitus octodecemspinosus Mitch. Tr. Lit. & Philos.Soc. New
York, I. 1815, p. 380. — Cuv. & Val. Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv.
1829, p. 181. Griff. Cuv. x. 1834, PI. 43, fig. 4 .— Rich.
Faun. Bor. Amer. iii. 1836, p. 46. — Coitus Virginia-
nus Storer, Rep. 1839, p. 18. — DeKay, New York
Faun. 1842, p. 51, fig. 13. — Storer, Synops. 1846, p. 54.
Coast of Virginia; Willugby. — New-York; Mitchill,
DeKay. — Newfoundland ; Richardson.

I have not been able to make the comparative study of the
species of this genus as complete as I could desire, not having
had sufficient materials at my disposal. I have nevertheless
ascertained one fact which I think will not be without interest in
the history of the species — namely, that the C. variabilis Ayres,
is the young of the A. Groenlandicus. This fact shows the im-
portance of studying these fishes throughout their different
stages of growth if we wish to arrive at a complete knowledge
of the species.

The C. variahilis, which was at first believed to be restricted
to the shores of Connecticut, has been since found at Chelsea,
Massachusetts, by Mr. W. O. Ayres himself; and Mr. Horatio
R. Storer brought it the last summer from the shores of Labra-
dor, together with young A. Virginianus. The geographical
distribution of this species follows therefore that of A. Groenland-
icus with which I have identified it by the study of its Zoologi-
cal characters.

The examination of the young Acanthocotti has also apprised
me of the fact that the spines of the preoperculum vary within
certain limits. Thus I have noticed some individuals which had
three spines on one side and two only on the other. It is
already known that one of the spines may be occasionally
bifurcated, but in the instance above mentioned the third spine
was not the result of a division ; their respective position left
no doubt with regard to this point.

It would be very interesting to compare authentic specimens
of the C. scorpius^ Fabr. {A. Groenlandicus) with the species of
the same name of the coast of New England, Newfoundland,

188

and Labrador. I cannot help thinking that there are two species
confounded under the name of grcRiilandicus, the comparative
study of which will alone enable us to determine. Should they
prove to be distinct, the name of variabilis could be restored for
the species of the western coast of the Atlantic.

Next to the Acanthocottus must be placed the genus Tra-
CHiDERMis Heckel. characterized by a rough skin, and teeth on
the palatine bones ; as for the rest, similar to the foregoing in
its general appearance. The body is perhaps more fusiform and
the armature of the head and of the opercular apparatus less
developed. The head is very depressed, and the mouth deeply
cleft. But one species of this genus is known, the T. fasciatus
Heck.* from the Philippine Islands. It is a fish of a small size.

I shall preserve the name of Cottus Artedi, for the fresh water
species, having but one small spine at the angle of the preo-
perculum, and sometimes another still smaller, always hidden
under the skin and perceptible to the touch only, at the lower
margin of the suboperculum. The head itself is very depressed,
more or less truncated in front, generally broader than high,
but always very uniform, being scarcely detached from the
body unless by its more considerable breadth. The mouth is
less deeply cleft than in the Acanthocotti. Like the latter they
have teeth on the intermaxillaries, on the lower maxillaries
and on the front of the vomer. Sometimes at a younger age,
the palatine bones are rough, indicating rudimentary teeth ;
these bones become smooth in the adult. Nostrils double, as in
the Acanthocotti. The body is also smooth, scaleless, and taper-
ing to the tail. The first dorsal is always less high than the sec-
ond ; the back is but little arched and projects little or not at all
above the nape. The ventral fins have three soft rays in some
species and four in some others. The lateral line is sometimes
interrupted, as in the greater number of American species,t
sometimes continuous throughout the total length of the body, as
is the case with all the species of the old world.

The generic name of Uranidea has been given to a species of
the genus Cottus by a mistake of its author. Nevertheless, if the

* Annalen des Wiener Museum, Vol. ii. 1837, p. 159, PL 9, figs. 1 and 2.
t Mr. Heckel has made of it one of the characters of his C. gracilis^ the single
American species which he saw.

189

principles of nomenclature had transferred the name of Cottus to
the marine species, I should not have created a new one for the
fresh water species. I should have adopted the genus Uranidea
although unfortunately chosen, knowing how small a number of
names have a true etymological signification, and how many are
arbitrarily applied. There are in North America : —

CoTTUs coGNATUs Richards. Faun. Bor. Amer. in. 1836, p. 40.

Great Bear Lake ; Sir John Richardson.
CoTTUS RicHARDSoiMii Agass. Lake Superior, 1850, p. 300.

Northern shores of Lake Superior ; Prof. Agassiz.
CoTTUs Bairdii Grd. — Coitus gohio Kirtl. Bost. Journ. Nat.

Hist. V. 1847, p. 342. — Body subcylindrical, short, mouth

comparatively large. — Pennsylvania, tributaries of the

Ohio ; Prof. Baird. — Mahoning River ; J. P. Kiriland.
Cottus meridionalis Grd. Resembles the former, but the tail

tapers away more suddenly. The mouth is also a little

larger. — James River ; Prof. Baird.
Cottus gracilis Heck. Ann. des Wien. Mus. ii. 1837, p. 148.

— Uranidea quiescens DeKay, New York Fauna, 1842,

p. 61, PL V. fig. 14. — Cottus gohio Ayres, Bost. Journ.

Nat. Hist. V. 1845, p. 121, PI. xi.— New York; Heckel,

DeKay. — Manchester, Connecticut, W. O. Ayres.
Cottus viscosus Hald. Suppl to a Monogr. of Limn. &c. 1840,

p. 3.

Eastern Pennsylvania ; Professors Haldeman and Baird.
Cottus boleoides Grd. Remarkable for its slender body and

its largely developed fins.

Windsor, Vt. ; Ed. C. Cabot, Dr. Storer.
Cottus Franklinii Agass. Lake Superior, 1850, p. 303.

Eastern and Southern shores of Lake Superior; Prof.

Agassiz.
Cottus gobioides Grd. Body thick and short ; mouth very

large. — Burlington, Vt. ; Rev. Z. Thompson, Dr. D. H.
Storer.
Cottus Fabricii Grd. — Cottus gohio Fabr. Faun. Grosnl. 1780,
p. 159. — Greenland ; O. Fabricius.

There remains one species which cannot be placed in any of
the preceding genera, it is the C. asper Rich, from Columbia

190

River.* Mr. Heckelt had placed it in his genus Trachidermis,
where I do not believe that it can remain, notwithstanding its
rough skin and its teeth on the palatine bones. Dr. Richardson
has felt the necessity of withdrawing it from the genus Cottus.
In the " Fauna Boreali Americana," he thought the genus
Hemilepidotus might perhaps receive it, but he himself has
acknowledged since, that its place was not there, and when
establishing the genus Centrodermichthys, j: for some species of
the China seas, he proposed to associate with them the C. asper.
Not having at my disposal sufficient materials to satisfy myself
upon this subject I shall reconsider it in a monograph of the
species of Cottus of North America, which I am now engaged
in preparing.

Dr. Gould presented, in the name of Capt. Joseph P.
Couthouy, a specimen of Volcanic Ammonia, brought
home from the United States Exploring Expedition.

Rajinder Datt of Calcutta was chosen a Corresponding
member of the Society.

November 7, 1849.
The President in the Chair.

Present, twenty-nine members.

Present, by invitation, M. H. Perley, Esq. of New
Brunswick.

Prof. Agassiz said that he had been for some time en-
gaged in the study of the Worms of the coast of Massachu-
setts, and he had obtained some very interesting results.

He had found that in many of the Annelids which, at an early
stage of their development are furnished with a pair of eyes to
each ring, these organs gradually disappear, so that at maturity

* Faun. Bor. Amer. in. 1836, p. 295, PL 95, fig. 1.
t Ann. d. Wien. Mus. ii. 1837, p. 162.
t Ichthyology of the " Sulphur."

191

they are either eyeless or there remain but one pair in some
species, in others a few, on some of the joints.

Terebella fulgida,of which Prof. Agassiz exhibited a drawing,
had been supposed heretofore to be eyeless. He had recently
obtained specimens at various stages of growth with eyes, the
number diminishing as the animal approached maturity. Cirra-
tulus, of which he exhibited a figure, he had found to be an
immature Terebella. The branchial appendages characterizing
it disappear with its development. He had thus been led to the
conclusion, at variance with the commonly received opinion,
that the abranchiate Annelids are the highest type of that class.
Hsematorhosa, of which Prof. Agassiz exhibited a drawing, has
very long tentacles, and is filled with blood free in the cavity of
the body. It has no blood vessels. The blood is made to accu-
mulate at different points, sometimes bulging out the body at one
place, sometimes at another, or distending the tentacles ; thus
giving a variety of shapes to the animal. This species, which is
quite abundant under the stones on the Beach at East Boston, is
highly phosphorescent, emitting brilliant sparks when irritated.
Its power becomes exhausted, but is renewed when the animal
" has remained quiet a sufficient length of time.

Prof. Agassiz also exhibited drawings of four new species
of Doris, to which he had given the names diademata,
coronata, teneJla, and pallida ; also of Placobranchus, and a
new species of Canthopsis, for which he proposes the name
C. Harvardiensis ; also of Actseon, a genus never before
obtained in America, and which he had found in great
numbers in Charles River and the creeks about Cambridge.
This animal is of a bright green color, owing to the presence
of Chlorophyl, which is soluble in Ether like the Chloro-
phyl in plants. Prof. Agassiz^ stated that he had, during
the past summer, obtained by dredging off Gay Head, Me-
lihcea arbuscula ; a new species to naturalists on this side
of the Atlantic, characterized by tentacles like those of Do-
ris, and gills like those of Annelids.

In reply to a question, Prof. Agassiz said that the perma-
nent eyes of the Annelids were furnished with transparent
media ; those that disappear are merely pigment spots.

192

Prof. Wyman said, he questioned whether these latter
could be properly denominated eyes.

Mr. Ayres exhibited to the Society drawings of the heads
of two male Eels that he had received from Bellows Falls.

The proportions of the specimens differed so much that at first
sight they might seem to be of different species, but Mr. Ayres
said that he was satisfied they were both the Common American
Eel, Murcena Bostoniensis. He further stated that all the Amer-
ican eels from localities on the coast of the Atlantic and streams
flowing into it, so far as he had examined them, belong to this
species. His remarks were corroborated by Dr. Storer, who said
that he did not consider the great varieties of color and marking
seen in different eels as indicating difference of species.

Dr. Wyman made a report on the cranium of a Manatee,
presented to the Society by Dr. George A. Perkins, by
whom it was obtained in W. Africa.

This was a cranium of a Manatee of the same species as that
referred to in a communication from Dr. Perkins published in the
Proceedings of the Society, Vol. II. p. 198. In a note to that
communication, the provisional name of Manatus nasutus had
been given. The cranium in question, though much mutilated,
gave positive evidence that the species, as there suggested, wasti
new one. It is characterized by a narrow forehead like that of
M. latirostris, but is depressed instead of being elevated as in
the last named species. The teeth are molars -}§ -i^, of which
five on each side are in use ; the enamel is smooth and the
inner root is grooved on its internal face. The malar tones are
broader in their zygomatic portions than in either of the other
species. The occipital for amen is triangular, with rounded angles
as in the other members of the genus, but in this species the
apex is turned upwards, whereas in all the others it is directed
downwards.

Prof. Wyman also gave a description of the arrangement
of the cancelli of the bones in various parts of the human
skeleton, and explained his view of their adaptation to sus-
tain the weight resting upon them, illustrating it by draw-
ings on the blackboard.

\A

193

He showed that the cancelli in all those bones that assist in
sustaining the weight of the body, or in locomotion, are arranged
in definite directions, the directions being those of the reception
and transmission of force. The neck of the thigh bone was par-
ticularly described, and shown to consist within of cancelli so
arranged as to form a framed arch or truss. This structure of the
neck of the thigh bone he had not detected in any other animal,
except a very slight manifestation of it in the Chimpanzee (Trog-
lodytes niger) and the Engeena, (T. gorilla) which are the most
anthropoid species of the brute creation.

Dr. Gould exhibited to the Society a number of new
species of shells from Africa, recently presented by Dr.
Perkins.

Vaginulxjs Liberianus. v. corpore ovali, elongate, postice
ampliato, fuscato infra pallidiori, maculis inequalibus laceratis
nigris utroque asperso et linea dorsali mediano pallido notato ;
solea trientem latitudinis adequante, transverse rugosa ; tentacu-
lis parvis oculiferis bulbosis. Long. 2. lat. ^ poll. Hob. Li-
beria.

A smaller and more slender animal than V. Floridanus. Its
blotches are also larger and less numerous, and occur underneath
as well as on the back. In form it compares somewhat with V.
Langsdorfiii from Brazil, but not in coloring.

SucciNEA SPURCA. T. parva, fragili, virescente, striis laxis,
scabris, lutum cumulantibus ; spirse anfr. 3 ventricosis ; sutura
profunda; apertura rotundato-ovata, trientes duos longitud. testae
adequante ; columella acuta, valde arcuata, absque plica.
Long, y^^, lat. y% poll. Hah. Liberia, on the moist sides of
water-pits, and in crevices of trees.

Similar to »S. avara in form and in the peculiarity of becoming
invested with an earthy coating. It differs in its paler color, and
its more arched columella.

SucciNEA HELicoiDEA. T. parva, late umbilicata, tenui, stra-
minea, supra oblique lirata, infra laevigata ; spira depressa, anfr.
3J rotundatis, ultimo subangulato ; apertura lunata, alia. Diam.
I ; alt. i poll.

A singular shell, whose form and texture would lead us to

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 13 APRIL ^1850.

194

pronounce it a Helix. But its small number of whorls, and the
statement of Dr. Perkins that the animal is very large and slug-
gish, so that it cannot retract within the shell, would bring it
more properly within this genus. The sculpture of its upper
and lower faces distinguishes it.

Helix indecorata. T. parva, tenui,orbiculato-depressa, arete
umbilicata, nitida, glabra, virescente ; spira depresso-convexa,
anfr. 5^ convexiusculis, ad suturam bene impressam marginatis ;
subtus convexa ; apertura lunata, labro acuto. Diam. f , alt. :|-
poll. Hob. Liberia.

A very plain species, resembling in form small specimens of
H. ligera ; but in the characters of surface and umbilication it is
more like a diminutive H. inornata. The whorls revolve more
closely in the same space, and form a more dome-shaped spire
than the incipient whorls of H, pellucida.

Helix cerea. T. parvula, vix perforata, fragili, depresso-
orbiculari, lucida, nitida, albido-straminea ; spira depresso-conica,
anfr. 5 convexiusculis ad suturam marginatis ; apertura lunata ;
labro acuto. DIam. ^ ; alt. ^ poll. Hab. Cape Palmas.

Very similar in its characters to the preceding, but is less than
half its size, of a very different color, and the umbilical region
differs considerably, especially the reflection of the lip at that
part, which does not cover the portion of the umbilicus next the
aperture, but turns round at right angles to it. It may be
compared to H. alliaria, but the umbilic is not half as large.
The animal is glossy black and extremely active.

Helix talcosa. T. parva, tenui, vix perforata, pyramidali,
talcosa, spiraliter acutissime lirata, basi glabra ; spira conica,
anfr. 7 planis, ultimo acutissime carinato ; apertura rhomboideo-
lunata. Diam. f ; axis f . Hab. Cape Palmas, on bark of trees
in forests.

Remarkable for its trochoid form and silvery lustre, on ac-
count of which it would most likely be pronounced a marine
species. H. Ibuensis accords well with this, excepting that the
sharp revolving lines, about three or four on each whorl, are not
mentioned.

BuLiMUs MuciDUS. T. solidula, ovata, mamillata, indentata,
granuloso-striata, flavida, longitrorsum strigis interruptis nigris

195

ornata ; spira ovali, anfr. 6, supernis ventricosis, ultimo abnov-
mali, contracto ; sutura marginata et crenulata; apertura parva,
rotundato-lunata ; labro acuto, pallido ; columella subtruncata;
fauce nigro et luteo variegato. Axis If ; lat. j poll. Hah.
Interior of Liberia.

Allied to B. inter stinctua, from the same region, but much
smaller, shorter in proportion, and rather remarkable for the
mottling of colors, which causes it to look as if mouldy.

BuLiMus iNFRAciNCTUS. T. elongata, ovato-conica, vix per-
forata, tenui, straminea, fasciis duabus badiis basalibus cincta ;
spira acuta, anfr. 6 convexiusculis, ultimo subangulato f long,
testae adequante ; apertura ampla, obovata ; labro acuto ; colu-
mella reflexiuscula, baud appressa. Long, f ; lat. f poll. Hah.
Taboo and Fishtown, Liberia.

From several similar African shells, this differs in having but
two bands, the posterior one fairly entering the aperture so as
not to appear at the suture on the other whorls as in B. neuricus,
meridionalis, and Bengalensis, from the latter of which it can
scarcely be distinguished, except by this peculiarity. Both bands
are often wanting.

AcHATiNA vENTRicosA. T. magna, solida, conico-ovata, ex
corneo virescente, longitrorsum obscure flammulata, granoso-
reticulata ; spira conica, anfr. 6^ convexis, ultimo ventricoso,
obtuse carinato ; sutura subcrenulata; apertura rotundato-ovata
-| long, testae adequante ; labro everso intus incrassato, submar-
gine et columella nitide purpureis ; columella valde arcuata.
Long. 5 ; lat. 3J- poll. ; aperturae long. 3 ; lat. If poll. Hah.
Liberia.

Closely allied to A. purpurea^ but the form is constantly more
ventricose, and by comparing an extensive series, including the
young, the difference is plainly not accidental. The color is
more mixed with green and less conspicuously flammulated, and
often flecked with triangular pale spots, and the aperture more
of a blood red. Dr. Perkins says it is only found in the interior,
while A. purpurea is found near the sea.

AcHATiNA BALTEATA. T. tonui, Isevi, ovato-couica, tenuissime
striata, vinosa argenteo-lineolata et fascia sub-basali argentea
semper cincta ; spira conica, apice mammillata, anf. 7 convexis

196

supernis subgranulosis, ultimo angulato ; apertura | long, testse,
lunata ; columella subrecta, tenui, modice truncata, alba rufo
marginata. Long. If ; lat. |- poll. Hah. Liberia.

A very peculiar shell, both in its conical form and in its mark-
ing. The broad silvery band, which is in itself enough to dis-
tinguish it, as well as the delicate revolving threads, resemble the
hydrophanous bands, on the Bulimi from the Philippine Islands,
but they do not disappear on being wet.

AcHATiNA PARiTURA. Tcsta elougata, tenui, nitida, dilute
cornea, longitrorsum concinne lirata ; spira turrita, ad apicem
obtusa, anfr. 7 convexis, ultimo dimidiam long, testae adequante ;
sutura profunda ; apertura angusta, subauriculata ; columella
valde arcuata, involuta, canalem basalem efformante. Incola
vivipara. Long. 1 ; lat. /g- poll. Hob. Buried under leaves or
in earth, during the dry season, near the sea, Fishtown, Liberia.

Closely approaches A. Hugeli, Pfeif. but is more slender,
more obtuse at apex, more coarsely and regularly striate, and
with fewer whorls. In numerous specimens of the animal pre-
served in spirits, the young are plainly seen in the oviduct,
already escaped from the egg.

Mr. Sowerby has also described a viviparous Bulimus (Malac.
Mag.) which Dr. Perkins also collected at Cape Palmas.

Amnicola ciliata. T. parva, elongata, imperforata, fusco-
viridi ; spira acuto-conica, anfr. 6 subangulatis ad angulum serie
aculearum recurvarum armatis, ultimo ad peripheriam acute
carinato ; apertura circulari, labro nigro. Long. ^ ; lat. ^ poll.
Hah. Deea River, Liberia, on the muddy margins.

A beautiful little species, grouping with a somewhat larger
one from New Zealand, described by me as Melania corolla^
and a smaller one from Jamaica, found by Prof Adams, and
named by him M. spinifera. A further examination of the
aperture and operculum, and also the animal of the New Zealand
species, satisfies me that they ought all to come under the genus
Amnicola.

Ampullaria balanoidea. T. solida, imperforata, globosa,
decollata, fusco-olivacea, fasciis numerosis saturatioribus cincta,
lineolis undulatis granulosis confertis insculpta ; spira elevata,
anfr. superstitibus duobus ventricosis, ad suturam appressis ;
apertura rotundato-ovata, labro acuto ; columella arcuata, plan-

197

ulata, croceo tincta, fauce castaneo et albido fasciato ; operculo
tenui. Diam. f poll. Hob. Grand Cape Mount, Liberia, on
rocks in rapid streams.

A small, very solid species, somewhat similar to A. Storeria,
Jay, from the river Amazon.

Trichotropis pusillus. T. minuta, rhomboidea, umbilico
semicirculari perforata, albida, striis minutis volventibus cincta ;
spira conica, anfr. 4-5 convexis, ultimo ventricoso et costis ele-
vatis tribus cincto ; apertura semicirculari ; columella recta, ad
planitiem labri acuti trilobati baud assurgente ; umbilico semicir-
culari. Axis ^ poll. Hab. Crevices of rocks beaten by surf, at
Fishtown, Liberia.

This curious little shell was also collected by the Exploring
Expedition, probably at the Cape de Verds. No hairy epidermal
processes appear on any of the specimens ; yet I cannot doubt
that it belongs to the genus where I have placed it.

Aplysia fimbriata. a species somewhat resembling A.
dactylomela from South America was collected and figured by
Dr. Perkins, without, however, giving the colors. It is about 5
inches long when fully extended, and about 3^ inches across the
lobes when quite expanded. The margin of the foot is some-
what corrugated, and the margin of the lobes sinuate. There
are 8 or 10 large, black annuli on each side of the exterior of
the mantle. The margin of the interior, which is dark, is digi-
tate with white, the digitations being more or less rectangular.
The cervical tentacles are small and slender ; the cephalic ten-
tacles have a coarsely fringed margin. The calcareous shield is
thin and delicate, with a strong epidermis extending beyond its
edge ; it is obliquely ovate triangular, quite acute at apex.

BtJLiMUs iNTERSTiNCTUs, Nob. (Procecd. I. 158.) proves to be
very variable in form, and especially in color, being green, brown,
ochreous, sometimes spotted, &c. Bulimus ruhicundulus, Nob.
(ibid.) is one of these varieties.

The collection contained several interesting bivalve shells,
which may be described on some future occasion.

A fine specimen of quartz crystals was presented in the

198

name of Mr. Thomas A. Dexter. The thanks of the
Society were voted for the donation.

Specimens of Ranus Virginianus, young, and Mniotilta
discolor, with the nest and eggs, were presented in the
name of Mr. Jillson of Lynn. The thanks of the Society
were voted for the donation.

A volume, Description de I'Egypte. Etat Moderne et
Histoire Naturelle. Planches 2d Livraison. Folio. Paris.
1812 ; was presented in the name of Mr. Edward R. Mayo.
The thanks of the Society were voted for the donation.

Messrs. M. Wolsey Borland, J. Nelson Borland, and
John P. Reynolds were elected members of the Society.

November 21, 1849.

The President in the Chair.

Present, thirty-eight members.

Dr. Pickering exhibited to the Society some specimens
of Indian corn, taken from a field in which it had been very
thickly sown, as an experiment to ascertain its value as an
article of fodder.

The specimens exhibited were in the form of a grass about
two feet high, and of about the thickness of a quill, and were
interesting as showing what was probably its natural state.
Some of the larger specimens would probably have produced
seed had they been allowed to grow. The experiment answered
fully the purpose for which it was made. Dr. Pickering
stated that, in the Fejee Islands he had seen the Sugar cane in a
similar condition. So unlike was it to the cultivated cane in
appearance, that his companion, an experienced botanist, was
not easily persuaded of its identity. Dr. C. T. Jackson said that
he had seen Indian corn grown in pure granular quartz, present-
ing the same appearances.

199

The President called the attention of the Society to a
stuffed skinof an American Manati, and the mounted skele-
ton of the same animal, which were before them. He
stated that there had been long established two species of
this animal, one dwelling in the waters of tropical Africa,
and the other of America, — Manaius Senegalensis and
Americanus. They belong to the class of herbivorous Ce-
tacea. He proceeded to point out the details of the skele-
ton, and of its external configuration. The skeleton was
nearly complete, lacking only some of the bones of the
anterior extremity. He concluded his remarks by present-
ing the specimens to the Society.

Prof. Agassiz said he could not let the occasion pass
without calling the attention of the Society to the great
value of the specimens just presented by the President.
He stated that the skin was the only one of this animal in
any scientific collection. Of the bones, there is one per-
fect skull, and part of another in the Collection of the
Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia ; a broken
cranium and a few vertebrae and ribs in the Collection of
the Medical College in Charleston, S. C. The skeleton
was therefore of extreme value.

Prof. Agassiz said that he had, during the past season,
been studying the metamorphoses of the Lepidoptera, and
had particularly noticed a stage in the transformation of
these insects not usually described. Burmeister, however
had observed it, but had not made use of the hint which it
gave for a natural classification of insects.

The Lepidoptera are known in three conditions, that of the
worm, jointed, and furnished with jaws, the chrysalis, and the
perfect insect with four wings. The condition which was first
noticed by Burmeister is concealed somewhat under the skin
of the caterpillar. At a certain period it swells in the tho-
racic region, becoming extremely sensitive to the touch from
an inflammation of the skin in this part. On making an inci-
sion at this place, the rudiments of four wings appear before

200

it passes into the chrysalis state. The wings are long enough to
extend half the length of the perfect insect. The posterior pair
are membranous bags, somewhat flattened like the respiratory
vesicles of marine worms, with distinct ribs, which are blood
vessels. The anterior pair are also bags with their upper half
stiff and inflexible like the elytra of Coleoptera. The legs are
tubular, but not jointed as in the perfect insect, and are bent
backwards. The jaws are changed into two long tubes, which
are bent backwards, as are also the antennae. In the chrysalis
the wings are flattened and soldered together, as are the legs and
sucking tubes. The order of development of the different parts,
and the coleopterous condition at an incomplete stage, show that
naturalists have been in error in placing chewing insects, as
the Coleoptera, above the sucking insects. The order should be
reversed. These observations may be confirmed by examining
specimens just at the moment when the skin begins to split on
the back. Prof. Agassiz exhibited drawings illustrating all the
conditions described.

Dr. Gould presented descriptions, and exhibited drawings
of several new species of the naked niollusks of the vicinity
of Boston.

Mr. Desor communicated some observations made by Mr.
Whitney and himself in reference to the probable origin of
the so-called fossil rain drops, which, in this country, are
found on slabs of New Red Sandstone, as well as Potsdam
Sandstone.

He said it had already been noticed by Mr. Teschemacher that
these so-called rain drops, when closely examined, are found to
differ in several respects from the impressions made by the rain
on a beach, where each drop produces an impression surrounded
by a rough crest, more or less elevated according to the force of
the rain. The fossil impressions on Sandstone, on the contrary,
are generally flat and smooth. Besides, there is hardly a shower
in which the rain drops are not numerous enough to cover the
whole or nearly the whole ground, whereas the fossil impres-
sions are generally scattered and so few in number that it seems
almost impossible to ascribe them to rain.

Mr. Desor said, that whilst encamped on the border of Lake

201

Superior, they had several opportunities of studying the action of
the waves on the beach during a heavy surf, when they are
driven beyond their usual range. It was noticed that when the
waves retired from the higher part of the beach, where the slope
was less steep, there could be seen several kinds of impressions
in the act of forming, some large and flat, others small and deep,
(like those which on the sea-shore are generally ascribed to
worms or shrimps,) and others likewise deep, but surrounded by
a sort of annular, smooth rim. These different kinds of impres-
sions are all produced by the same cause, operating in the same
way, namely, air bubbles, which are formed in the waves of the
surf, when rolling over the beach. If an air bubble becomes
buried in the sand, so that in order to escape it has to make its
way through the new-formed stratum of sand, it forms a deep
and narrow hole. If the air, instead of escaping at once, bubbles
up several times, then it raises around the hole a small and
smooth rim, which may be compared to a miniature crater of a
volcano. If, on the contrary, the air bubble remains at the sur-
face and bursts, then it causes a flat and rather large impression.
According to Messrs. Whitney and Desor, these different forms of
impression arising from air bubbles, are sufficient to account for
most impressions which have hitherto been considered as the
effect of rain. Such impressions of air bubbles are most perfect
where the slope of the beach is very gentle. Where the slope is
more or less steep, the sand becomes too much hardened under
the pressure of the waves to allow these delicate impressions to
be produced,

A sketch was exhibited, showing these different forms of im-
pressions, and their striking contrast with impressions of rain
drops from the same beach, mouth of Carp River, Lake Su-
perior.

Mr. Teschemacher said, that he had seen fossil rain
drops, so called, with an elevated ridge crossing them ; an
appearance easily explained by Mr. Desor's hypothesis, but
incompatible with the supposition that they were caused
by rain.

Prof. Agassiz said, that on the mud flats at Cambridge,
he had noticed impressions made in the way described by
Mr. Desor at Lake Superior.

202

Prof. Rogers thought that in the bursting of a rain drop
a similar process to that described by Mr. Desor might take
place. The drop might enclose a bubble of air beneath it,
which bursting would give rise to the appearances in ques-
tion. He thought the explanation of Mr. Desor very im-
portant, as indicating that the surface covered with these
impressions was subaqueous and not subaerial.

Mr. Desor showed also sketches of foot-marks from the
same beach.

The impressions bear a striking resemblance to certain foot-
marks in the new Red Sandstone of the Connecticut Valley,
where there is seen, besides the mark of the hind toe, an impres-
sion like that of the tarsal bone. But as there are no birds
(with the exception of some web-footed birds) that walk in this
way, those strange foot-marks have been ascribed to some kind
of reptiles. M. Desor said, that similar impressions are made
by the ravens when walking slowly and carelessly, as they do
over a beach. They then generally touch the soil with the nail of
their hind toe before they rest their foot, and thus produce an
impression which looks exactly as if it had been produced by the
tarsal bone. Sometimes, also, the raven, in raising the foot,
drags along the middle toe, and thus causes a very peculiar
track.

M. Desor made, also, some remarks upon a layer of
Potsdam Sandstone from the falls of the river Saint Croix.

It is filled with fossils, being for the most part Lingula and
Orbicula, together with some Trilobites. This stratum lies eight
hundred feet lower than that in which the species described by
Mr. Hall occur, and is therefore the oldest fossiliferous rock
known in the country. A specimen of it was presented to the
Society by Mr. Desor, on which there are seen a few specimens
of a species of Lingula described recently by Dr. Owen.

Dr. Burnett read an essay on " Cell Types, as forming
the Bases of all the higher organic Types."

The purport of the paper was to show the probability

203

that the characteristic type of every animal organism exists
in the primitive cell ; and that future improvements in the
microscope would enable naturalists to make out at once
the distinguishing features of each in the simple elementary
cell. The conclusion of the essay was as follows : —

It is, therefore, very desirable that embryologists, instead of
devoting all their time to Embryonic Developments from cells,
should pay especial attention to the origin and development of
these embryonic cells in the different classes of animals ; for it is
by this means only that their peculiarities can become known.
And when Embryology shall have become as rich in details of
this kind as it now is in those relating to structural formation,
the advantage thereby gained not only to Comparative Physi-
ology but to Comparative Anatomy, will not at all be exagger-
ated, when it is affirmed that then we shall have arrived not only
at the foundation of all classification of animal structures, but
shall have become more intimately acquainted with the ideas on
which the Deity built up these ever-varied forms.

Dr. Wyman exhibited preparations of the foot of a species
of Musk, (Moschus ).

It presented an intermediate condition between the feet of
typical Ruminants and the even-toed Pachyderms. The meta-
carpal bone of the two principal toes was deeply grooved before
and behind, indicating its former subdivision — a subdivision
which exists in all Ruminants, during the embryonic period.
The two lateral metacarpal bones, though quite slender, extend
from the carpus to the level of the central ones. This conform-
ation assists in supporting the view first announced, but never
adopted, by Cuvier, and quite recently made a basis of classifica-
tion by Prof. Owen ; the Ruminants falling into the same
group with the even-toed (Artio-dactyl) Ungulates.

Prof. Agassiz expressed great interest in the remarks of Dr.
Wyman, and said that he should venture to predict that the feet
of embryo ruminants would be found to present a similar struc-
ture to that described by him. He had taken steps preparatory
to investigating the subject.

The Treasurer announced to the Society that within the

204

past month the munificent donation of $2,000 had been
received from Jonathan PhilHps, Esq. of Boston. By this
timely Hberahty the debts of the Society had been paid,
and he had now the satisfaction of stating that it was free
from all encumbrances.

The following additions to the Cabinet were announced.
Mounted skeleton of an Ant Eater, purchased ; skeleton of
a Greyhound, presented by Dr. Shurtleff; skeleton of a
Jackall, from W. S. Bullard ; skeleton of a South American
Squirrel, from Col. Jaques of Charlestown ; a Dolphin,
Coryphcena glohiceps was presented in the name of Mr.
Benjamin Abrahams of Boston. A specimen of Arbores-
cent oxyde of Manganese from a quarry in Newton, Mass.,
presented by Mr. E. C. Dyer. Thirty-eight bird skins,
presented by Dr. F. W. Cragin of Surinam ; a number of
mounted birds received from Europe in exchange for speci-
mens formerly presented by Mr. Gassett ; one mounted
bird presented, and two deposited, by Mr. F. J. Bumstead ;
a specimen of Plectrophanes laponicus, Lapland Longspur,
obtained at Gloucester, the first of this species ever ob-
tained in Massachusetts, presented by .

The thanks of the Society were voted to those donors of
the above specimens who were not members.

Messrs. J. M. Barnard, James Lawrence, and Edmund
Dwight of Boston, were elected members of the Society.
Dr. Henry G. Dalton of Demerara, was elected a Corres-
ponding member.

December 5, 1849.
The President in the Chair.

Thirty members present, and several gentlemen by invi-
tation.

The Secretary being absent, Dr. Kneeland was appointed
Secretary, pro iem.

205

The President exhibited and explained a cast of the
Plesiosaurus doUchodeirus, seven feet in length ; he thought
it would be more interesting and useful to the Society than
to himself, and accordingly presented it to the Society.

He remarked that the fossil Saurians were comparatively
unknown till about the year 1770, at which time the attention
of naturalists was arrested by the discovery, near Maestricht, of a
supposed new fossil animal ; this specimen established the genus
Mososaurus, of which he exhibited plates ; the specimen is still
at Paris. Next, Everard Home described another fossil genus
of Saurians, to which Charles Koenig, of the British Museum,
gave the name of Ichthyosaurus. Then the Plesiosaurus, Proto-
saurus, Megahsaurus, &c. were discovered. Of the several
genera there are already many species, and these are still in-
creasing; there are alread)'- sixteen or seventeen species of Ple-
siosaurus. This cast shows the assemblage of parts seemingly
of a variety of animals, as the lizard's head, crocodile's teeth,
bird's neck, chameleon's ribs, whale's paddles, &;c. He exhib-
ited the head of the Icthyosaicrus, showing the arrangement of
bones, which gives the spring-like action to the lower jaw. The
dorsal vertebrae of the Plesiosaurus resemble those of a fish, but
their concavity is less than those of the Icthyosaurus ; the ster-
num, shoulder, humerus, and forearm are quite perfect ; the
head is imperfect ; unlike the Cetacea, they have a well-formed
pelvis ; the lower extremities are well preserved.

Rev. Zadock Thompson, of Burlington, Vt., exhibited
some of the bones of a Cetacean, recently found near Rut-
land, on the line of the railroad from Burlington to Bellows
Falls.

The discovery of the remains of Cetacea and Elephants
among the Green Mountains is an instance of the great benefit
railroads have been to the lovers of science, in bringing to view
the earth's strata, and their fossil remains. In 1848, in a deep
muck bed on Mount Holly, were found a large tooth, two tusks,
and other bones, which have proved to be bones of a fossil ele-
phant ; one tusk was seven feet long, so that the animal must
have been a large one. In August, 1849, in Charlotte, (a few

206

miles from Burlington, Vt.) some bones were found in a fine
adhesive blue clay : an anterior extremity, portions of a head,
some vertebrae and ribs, of an animal which Mr. Thompson
thought must be either cetacean or saurian. A careful examina-
tion satisfied him that from the convex surfaces of the vertebrse,
and the impossibility of any but a vertical motion, the animal
must have had a horizontal tail ; he afterwards found the blow
holes, and was sure that it belonged to the whale family : one
bone, which was very hard to place, was found by Prof. Agassiz
to be the vomer. Mr. Thompson thinks it is not an extinct
species ; it resembles very much Cuvier's Arctic Whale (Ba-
luga ?) if it is not this very species. It was found one mile east
of Lake Champlain, sixty feet above the level of the Lake, and
one hundred and fifty above the level of the sea ; the soil here is
of stratified clay and sand, containing many marine shells ; some
of which were exhibited, though broken ; Sanguinolaria, &c. The
clay was not here stratified, however, and was so soft that if it had
been so deposited the stratification would have disappeared ; the
bones were found in a kind of quagmire, eight feet below the'sur-
face ; below the clay were rounded pebbles ; whether they were
imbedded in it or not he was unable to say ; in the clay were also
found vegetable remains, reeds, &;c. near the animal, as if it had
been buried in a reedy swamp. The greater part of the cra-
nium was found, one half of the lower jaw, most of the vertebrse,
(forty-three,) both scapulse, a humerus and forearms, one long
rib, anterior rib, ribs in pieces, hyoid bone, sternum (very large,)
some of the teeth, and bones of the ear.

Prof. Agassiz read a paper on the circulation and diges-
tion in the lovi^er animals, showing that the circulation in
the Invertebrata cannot be compared to that of the Ver-
tebrata.

Instead of the three conditions of chyme, chyle, and blood,
which the circulating fluid of the Vertebrata undergoes, the blood
of that class of the Invertebrata, which he had particularly
studied, the Annelida, is, according to Wagner, simple chyle,
colored chyle ; the receptacles of chyle in different parts of the
body are true lymphatic hearts like those found in the Verte-
brata : this kind of circulation is found in the Articulata and

207

Mollusks with few exceptions, some Echinoderms, &c. In the
Med 1 see and Polyps, instead of chyle, chyme mixed with water
is circulated ; this circulation is found in some Mollusks and
intestinal worms; it may be seen plainly in Beroe. Prof.
Agassiz thinks that the embryological development of the higher
animals shows a similar succession in the circulating function.
He also examined the connection of respiration with the circula-
tion ; in Vertebrata, the gills are found between branches of the
blood system ; in Invertebrata, the chyliferous system is acted
on by the respiration ; the gills of fishes, then, cannot be com-
pared to the gills of Crustacea, Articulata, and Mollusks. No
gills are connected with the chymiferous circulation ; animals
having this circulation have no true respiration ; they have only
tubes to distribute freshly aerated water to the different parts of
the body.

Mr. Desor alluded to a fine skeleton of a Mastodon,
which he had lately seen at Galena, Mo., taken from the
depth of seventy feet.

It has been thought that this specimen is from the true drift ;
but it was found in a deposit mixed with drift materials, which he
considered subsequent to the true drift. This is not, therefore,
a clear instance of the Mastodon in the drift. In reply to a
question from the President as to the size of the skeleton, he
remarked that one of the tusks was three inches in diameter, and
must have belonged to a large animal ; the teeth were fine.

Mr. Desor also made some remarks on the sand dunes of
Lake Superior, which were first brought into notice by Mr.
Schoolcraft.

According to him, some of these dunes are three hundred and
fifty feet high. They are not formed like those at Province-
town, but belong to the true drift ; there is a clear line of
demarcation between the drift sand and the red clay. The
whole ground was once covered with trees, which, having been
removed probably either by wind or water, the sand has been
blown to the eastward by the prevailing northwest wind, forming
dunes about four miles below the present limit of the wooded
clay. The Grand Sable is three hundred and fifty feet high.

208

Mr. Edward Cabot presented a rock, found in Brookline,
consisting of pudding stone under sandstone.

It presented on its surface several parallel ripple marks of
great regularity. He did not think them artificial, as it was a
stone little used in the arts. Some gentlemen supposed them arti-
ficial, from the curve being the same in each groove, and from
the worn appearance of the pebbles. Mr. Bouve thought they
were true ripple marks from the appearance of the curves, being
more depressed on one side than the other, from the substance
being fine at the surface and coarse at the bottom. Mr. Whitney
and Mr. Desor remarked that such ripple marks are very com-
mon, and may be seen forming under our very eyes on the shores
of Lake Superior.

Dr. Cabot announced the addition to the Cabinet of
sixty-four mounted birds. Among them were two speci-
mens of Buteo Pennsylv aniens, old and young, the first pro-
cured in this State, except one by Dr. Shurtleff at West-
field ; Sirix pratincola, the common barn-owl, from Sur-
inam, presented by Dr. Cragin ; it resembles the aS. Javanica
more than jiammea ; the tarsi are larger, and the spots on
the breast more distinct. He also alluded to the resemblance
of Picus tridactylus to P. hirsutus and F. arcticus, as shown
by specimens of the three birds. Mr. Gray has made the
Parus Hudsonicus only a stage of plumage of P. atricapil-
lus ; Dr. Cabot could see no good reason for this opinion ;
we have the latter here in every stage of plumage, and it
never resembles the former. Mr. Eliot Cabot remarked
that the habits and note of these two birds are entirely dif-
ferent, and that he should think it hardly possible to con-
found them.

Dr. Storer presented, on behalf of Capt. Atwood, a speci-
men of Seriola zonata, which is exceedingly rare north of
Cape Cod. Dr. Kneeland announced the addition to the
Cabinet of mounted skeletons of Rhea Americana, Peleca-
nus Amei'icanus, a species of Stercorarius, Musiela lutre-
ola, Bradypus tridactylus^ and Boa.

209

December 19, 1849.
The President in the Chair.
Present, forty members and gentlemen by invitation.

The President presented to the Society a cast of a cranium
of a young Mastodon. He pointed out the distinguishing
features indicating its age. The principal of these was the
number of tubercles belonging to the teeth. The animal
had passed its earliest period, as was shown by the absence
of the first and second teeth, which had been shed. The
original cranium was obtained in New Jersey.

Prof. Agassiz said he would avail himself of the juxtapo-
sition of the Mastodon cranium and the skeleton of the
Manatee recently presented, to point out some points of
resemblance between them.

The Manatee, he said, has been improperly considered a Cet-
acean. It differs from these in the form of the skull, which
is elongated, and in the position of the nostrils, which are in
front. On the other hand the skull resembles that of the ele-
phant in form, particularly when seen from above, in some of
the details of the facial bones, as in the zygomatic arches, which
are unlike those of Cetacea, in the palatine bones and the
arrangement of the teeth, and in the curve of the lower jaw.
Blainville has hinted that Cuvier's order Cetacea includes two
distinct types of animals. Prof. Agassiz said he would add that
he believed the Manatee to be the true embryonic type of the
Pachyderms.

Prof. Agassiz said, that having pointed out to the Society,
at a previous meeting, the difference of type in the circu-
lating system of different classes of animals, he now pro-
posed to demonstrate a similar difference in the respiratory
system.

It was unphilosophical, he said, to speak of the organs of res-
piration as only of two kinds, lungs and gills. Among the

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 14 MAY, 1850.

210

Invertebrata there are none with nnore highly developed gills, as
they are called, than Crustacea. They are generally regarded as
appendages to the legs, but in reality they form an essential part
of them. In the lower orders of Crustacea the respiratory
fringes are attached to the last joint of the legs ; but higher up
in the series they approach nearer the body, and in the highest
of the class they are found on the hip joints. In fishes the gills
are placed on branchial arches, the inner surface being a por-
tion of the alimentary canal. In the higher Crustacea the
breathing apparatus consists of hollow cones, with numerous
little sacs branching from them in many rows, over the inner
surface of which the venous blood is distributed by a capillary
network of vessels. This venous blood is not sent/rom the heart
as in fishes but from a sac at the base of each gill, into which it
returns from the body. Having become arterialized it flows
into the heart from the gills. Thus in anatomical structure
and in function these organs are essentially different from those
known by the same name in fishes.

Mr. Whitney gave an account of his labors during the
past summer as United States Geologist in the survey of
the Government lands on Lake Superior.

The surveying party, he said, had confined their labors the
present year to the exploration of the mineral lands of that
region. He exhibited his maps, so far as they were completed,
of that country, showing the geography of the copper district,
and gave a brief outline of the geological formation of the
country between Lakes Superior and Michigan. The copper
district extends from Kewenaw Point to Montreal River. Nume-
rous old workings are found, usually in the richest veins, above
which trees are growing several hundred years old. Tradition
gives no account of the race which has left these traces of their
labors. At Minesota location, at the depth of fifteen feet from
the surface, a mass of copper has been found weighing seven
and a half tons, which had been raised from its position to the
height of two feet, by means of wedges, portions of which still
remain. The copper showed marks of the stone hammers used
by the miners, of which a large number were found in the
hole above the mass, more or less broken. These hammers

211

resemble those of the Indians in other parts of the country, con-
sisting of oval pieces of stone flattened on the sides, with a
transverse groove for the attachment of a handle ; some of them
weighed forty pounds. From the quantity of charcoal found in
these old workings, it is probable that the mining process em-
ployed was that used by nations of antiquity, namely, that of heat-
ing the rock enclosing the metal, by building fires about it, and
dashing on water when heated, causing it to split by the sudden
contraction. Near the Minesota location is a mound, probably
artificial, fifteen feet square, similar in appearance to the Ohio
mounds. It is a reasonable supposition, that^ it was built by the
same race, and that they were also the workers in the neigh-
boring copper mines.

Mr. Foster stated, that in the Ohio mounds mica is found six
hundred miles from the source from which it must have come,
and rings of copper which must have been brought from Lake
Superior ; also stone hammers similar to those found at the
workings. Mr. Whitney remarked that analysis of the copper
would show at once whether it came from this locality, but he
had not yet been able to procure a specimen for this purpose.

Mr. Whitney also gave an account of the immense deposits
of iron ore near Lake Superior. It exists in the form mostly of
fine-grained, almost chemically pure peroxyd. It occupies
about eighty quarter sections of the mineral country, and at the
nearest point is about twelve miles from the Lake. The quan-
tity of the ore is beyond calculation, and the iron made from it
is equal to the best Swedish. It appears in the form of solid
ridges and knobs, evidently of igneous origin, the highest being
about eleven hundred feet above the level of the Lake, and some
of them being half a mile long. The cost of the iron when
manufactured is from twenty-four to thirty dollars ; the price of
Swedish is about ninety dollars. The forest in the vicinity of
the ore aflfords abundant materials for charcoal for smelting
purposes.

Mr. Whitney exhibited to the Society a specimen of banded
jasper and peroxyd of iron from a knob eleven hundred feet
above Lake Superior, presenting a beautifully contrasted appear-
ance. The whole mass was similarly constituted. It has been
suggested that it might be useful for ornamental purposes. He

212

concluded his remarks with a graphic account of the Pictured
Rocks of Lake Superior, which he thought would in time
become objects of general interest and resort from their pic-
turesque forms. The name is derived from the brilliant colors
in stripes upon their surface, caused by the washing over it of
various mineral oxides imbedded in them. Mr. Whitney exhibited
several drawings of these rocks.

In reply to questions from Messrs. Teschemacher and Bouve,
Mr. Whitney said, that there is no new red Sandstone in the
region he had surveyed, nor any deposit so recent, or near it
in geological age. The age of the Sandstone at St. Croix River
was inferred from its dipping under the lower magnesian lime-
stone as it does in several other places.

Mr. Desor slated that the Sandstone which is considered the
Potsdam Sandstone begins south of the Montreal River. The
deposit containing Lingula is far to the southwest at a point
near the Upper Mississippi.

Dr. Kneeland read a report on the skulls of the four
Hindoo castes, recently presented to the Society. After giving
a sketch of the general characteristics of the Hindoo race,
with the views of authors as to their probable origin, he
proceeded to give a carefully prepared and detailed account
of each of the skulls.

The specimens were, crania of a Bramin, Rajah, Boydey, and
Kayastha. In addition. Dr. Kneeland exhibited five Hindoo
crania, of the lowest caste, belonging to Dr. Minot and one
belongmg to the Society. He gave a table in which the facial
angle and numerous other measurements of the crania were laid
down. The average facial angle of thirteen skulls is 76J-°. Dr.
Morton, in his recently published catalogue of skulls gives as the
average internal capacity of thirty-one adult skulls 79.7. The
addition of thirteen more here gives an average of 79.5 for forty-
four skulls.

From his examination of these skulls and such slight informa-
tion as can be found in books. Dr. Kneeland said that the Hin-
doo skull may be distinguished by the following signs, no one
being peculiar to this type, but the combination of them not
being found in any other race.

213

Skull very small; bones light, thin, and translucent ; shape,
oval ; forehead narrow, low, and retreating ; remarkable depres-
sion at anterior inferior angles of parietal bones, and flatness of
posterior inferior angles of the same bones. Coronal region
well developed ; prominence at anterior portion of sagittal
suture, flatness at posterior portion. Superior portion of occip-
ital bone prominent, inferior, flat ; want of symmetry between
two sides of hind-head, foramen magnum rather long than
wide, temporal fossa moderate ; very distinct and open su-
tures. Considerable development of the face, nose prominent,
with small aperture, orbits large and deep, less than an inch
apart ; malar bones not projecting by the norma verticalis,
though lines drawn from the zygomatic arches touching the
temporal bones are not parallel as in the typical Caucasian ; inci
sive portion of superior maxillary bone quite prominent, with slant-
ing direction of incisors, which diminishes the facial angle to
less than 80° ; downward elongation and eversion of alveolar
portion of same bone, giving a deep but wide form to the hard
palate. Teeth much worn, generally sound ; lower incisors
frequently filed, chin prominent, considerable expansion and
outward eversion of angles of lower jaw ; and upper jaw more
prominent than the lower.

Measurements of the ten Hindoo Skulls,

F. A.

I c.

L. D.

P. D.

F.D.

V. D.

I. M.

Arch.

I. M

Line.

Oc.F.

A.

H. P.

Bramin,

71°

cub. in.
78.

6,7

5.0

4.2

5.0

13.8

3.8

13.7

18.6

Rajah,

79°

92.

7.1

5.6

4.6

5.6

15.0

4.5

15.0

20.5

Boydey,

74°

70.

6.8

4.9

4.3

5.0

13.7

3.9

14.1

18.8

Kayastha ,

74°

6S.

6.8

4.6

4.3

4.7

13.2

3.7

13.9

18.7

4th Caste,

74°

82.

6.8

5.4

4.6

5.1

15.0

4.2

1'4.4

19.8

(C

74°

72.

6.5

5.3

4.4

4.7

15.0

4.0

13.6

18.6

u

70°

66.5

6.6

5.1

4.2

4.4

14.0

3.6

13 .5

18.7

"

75°

86.

7.3

5.1

4.3

5.0

15.1

4.1

15.1

20.0

((

80°

67.5

6.8

4.7

4.1

4.8

13.7

3.8

14.0

18.5

"

—

66.5

6.5

5.

3.8

4.8

3 8

4.

13.5

18.2

Average,

74.5°

74.8

6.8

5.1

4.3

4.9

14.2

4.

14.1

19.

214

The following shells from the Exploring Expedition were
described by Dr. Gould.

Pholas pattjla. T. oblonga, papyracea, alba, inequilateralis,
concentrice undato-striata, constrictione mediano partita ; latere
antico trlangulari, radiatim costato, costis ad undas tuberculiferis ;
latere postico subquadrato, inermi : margine cardinali revoluto,
umbonem tegente sed non adnato, callum dentiformem gerente :
cochlea subulata, arcuata : cavitate ad undas, costas et tubercu-
los indentato. Long. 3; lat. 1|; alt. If poll. Hab. Philippine
Islands.

The shell most nearly approaching to this is P. latissima,
Sowb., and possibly may be the same species. It also resembles
P. truncata. It is remarkable for the breadth of the valves.

SoLEN scALPRUDi. Tcsta transversa, oblonga, retrorsum dila-
tata, valde inequilateralis, tenuis, lucida, epidermide flavo-viridi,
nitido, iridescente induta ; latere antico sub-acuto, oblique rotun-
dato ; latere postico semicirculari : cardo dentibus duobus con-
tiguis, divergentibus in v. dextra ; dente subulate, arcuato in v.
sinistra ; margine cardinali costa alba submarginali suffulto :
interior albida. Long. 1 J ; lat. |- ; alt. y% poll. Hah. Singa-
pore.

Allied to Solecurtus costatus and radiatus. The hinge margin
is fortified by a thickening, and indeed there is the vestige of a
rib passing from the beak to the ventral margin.

SoLEN sicARius. T. transversa, oblonga, retrorsum angustata,
sub-falcata, epidermide crasso, nitido, corneo induta, antice ob-
lique truncata, postice rotundata : valvis valde excavatis, undu-
latis, areis triangularibus indistincte partitis ; margine dorsali
recto; m. ventrali arcuato ; natibus terminalibus : cardo dente
triangulari, erecto, recurve in utraque valva instructa. Long. 3^ ;
lat. /^ ; alt. y^^ poll. Hah. Straits of De Fuca, Oregon.

The only species to which this bears any resemblance is S.
viridis, which has nearly the same hinge and general form, but
which is a more delicate and more slender shell.

Panop-EA ANTARCTICA. T. subquadrata crassa, alba, rudis,
concentrice undata, postice truncata, antice angustata et rotun-
data ; margine cardinali erecto, margine ventrali arcuato ; um-

215

bonibus latis, elevatis, fere medianis : cardo dente parvo, conico
instructa : sinu palleali lato, arcuato, minime impresso; cicatrice
musculari postica discreta, crescentiformi. Long. 2J ; alt. 2 ;
lat. 1^. Hah. Rio Negro, Patagonia.

Besides being destitute of ribs, it is more nearly equilateral
than P. arctica, and has the beaks more posterior. It is less
gaping, and the posterior truncation is scarcely oblique.

PANOPiEA GENEROSA. Tcsta magna, ponderosa, calcarea,
sub-quadrilateralis, concentrice unduloso-plicosa, epidermide fla-
vido, rugoso induta, anlice rotundata, postice truncata et valde
hians ; umbonibus submedianis, aculis, elevatis, undulatis : cardo
gracilis, dente elevato oblique triangular! instructus : cavitas ad
apicem profunda ; cicatrice musculari lato, bene impresso ; sinu
siphonali minime profundo. Long. 6 ; alt. 4 ; lat. 3 poll. Hab.
Puget Sound, Oregon.

This large species stands by the side of P. Aldrovandi, but is
distinguished by the form of the anterior extremity.

Mya pr^cisa. T. M. truncatm similis, calcarea, epider-
mide corneo induta, ovata, antice rotundata et ventrlcosa, postice
angustata, compressa et truncata ; cardo dente trapezoideo,
latiore quam elevato, postice declivo instructa; linea palleali
angusta, crenata ; sinu siphonali profundo, arcuato; cicatrice
anteriori elongato, falciformi. Long. 2^ ; lat. 1 ; alt. 1 J poll.
Hah. Puget Sound.

Differs from M. truncata in being more narrowed posteriorly,
more rounded anteriorly, more inflated at the umbonal slope, in
its narrow palleal impression and deeper siphonal sinus, and
more particularly in having the tooth slope backwards.

Mactra deluta. T. tumida, ovato-rotundata, hiantissima
sordida, epidermide tenui deluto, oblique corrugato induta, con
centrice undulata ; umbonibus submedianis, tumidis, incumben
tibus, contiguis; margine dorsali utroque declivi ; margine ven
trali rotundato; lateribus obtusis : cardinis fovea ligamentali
profunda; dente V-formi gracili, ramis inequalibus ; dentibus
lateralibus brevibus, trigonis, compressis ; sinu siphonali prope
centrum valvse obducto. Long. If; alt. If; lat. ly^ poU* Hah.
New Zealand.

The external appearance is rather that of a rude Venus, and

216

has fewer angularities than any other Mactra. It is also peculiar
for its very wide gape.

Mactra cuneola. T. parva, crassiuscula, rudis, ovato-cune-
ata, albida, epidermide stramineo induta, concentrice striata ;
umbonibus submedianis, tumidis, acutis, anteversis ; latere
antico angustato, subacuto ; latere siphonali breviori, tumidiori,
sublruncato : area cardinalis minima ; fovea ligamentali indis-
tincta ; dente V-formi conspicuo ; dentibus lateralibus curtis,
elevatis ; sinu siphonali minimo, quadrantem testse solum tran-
seunte. Long, f ; alt. ^ ; lat. -^^ poll. Hab. Callao.

In most of its characters it corresponds with our M. lateralis ;
but in this shell it is the posterior end which is shortest and
broadest, while the reverse is the case in that species.

Mactra marcida. T. ventricosa, ovato-triangularis, cretacea,
epidermide tenui stramineo induta ; umbonibus medianis, tumi-
dis, remotis, vix anteversis ; latere antico breviori, rotundato ;
latere siphonali subtriangulato, acuto ; margine ventrali arcuato :
fovea ligamentalis ampla, dente V-formi parvo, prominente ;
dentibus lateralibus crassis, parum elevatis : interior cretacea ;
sinu siphonali parvo, trientem testes attingente. Long. 2f ;
alt. 2|-; lat. 1|- poll. Hah. Orange Harbor.

This species has pi'ecisely the form of M. lactea, but is a
much more solid and rude shell, wanting also the decided dorsal
angularities of the umbones.

Mactra falcata. Testa magna, transversa, ovato-trigona,
inequilateralis, convexiuscula, modice hians, albida, epidermide
fulvo, nitido, concentrice rugoso induta ; umbonibus acutis,
approximatis ; latere antico acuminate ; latere siphonali late
rotundato, sub-truncato ; margine dorsali recto; area dorsali
planulata, lanceolata ; margine ventrali leniter arcuato : area
cardinalis ampla ; fossa ligamentali magna, dente V-formi parvo,
crasso ; dentibus lateralibus compressis, quorum antico valvse
dextrse bilobato : interior lactea ; sinu siphonali angusto, elon-
gate, spatulato. Long. 3J; alt. 2|- ; lat. 1^ poll. Hah. Puget
Sound, Oregon.

This fine species compares best with M. Brasiliana and M.
ovalis. Its external form corresponds closely with the former,
while the narrow siphonal sinus and the hinge closely resemble
the latter. The bilobed lateral tooth is quite peculiar.

217

LuTRARiA CAPAX. Testa magnifica, ventricosa, ovato-rotun-
data, antice rotundata, postice sub-triangularis, truncata, valde
hians, concentrice undulato-striata, epidermide luteo-viridi (post
costam medianum radiatim corrugate) induta ; umbonibus tumi-
dis, incumbentibus, attigentibus : cardo validus ; fovea lata, ob-
lique triangular!; dente cardinal! crasso, erecto, plicate, basi
appendiculato ; dentibus lateralibus compressis, conspicuis. In-
terior calcarea ; sinu siphonali linguiformi, dimidiam longitudinis
testae attigente. Long. 5J ; alt. 4 ; lat. 3 poll. Hah. Puget
Sound.

No other species approaches this in size and capacity.

Mesodesma munda. T. parva, solidula, convexiuscula,
ovato-triangularis, Isevis, epidermide stramineo induta ; natibus
post-medianis, acutis ; margine dorsali vix arcuato, postice subito
declivi ; latere antico angustato, acuto ; latere postico rotundato ;
margine ventrali valde arcuato. Interior flavescens, cicatricibus
impressis: cardo dentibus validis instructus. Long. | ; alt. f ;
lat. Y^o poll. Hah. Mangsi.

Distinguished from M. striata by its more compressed, less
angular form, its short, broad, rounded anterior end, there being
no angle except at the beaks, and by its smooth surface.

Pandora cistula. Testa solida, alba, valde inequilateralis,
falciformis, antice rotundata, postice anguslata, truncata : valva
plana tenuis, submargaritacea, concentrice undulata; margine dor-
sali subrecto, late inflecto, unidentato, dente brevi, elevato, trian-
gular! munito : valva concava solidior, ossea, tumida, postice
costato-angulata, edentula, fossa ligamentali et costa anticali
instructa ; margine dorsali concavo ; margine ventrali valde
arcuato. Long, l^ ; lat. ^ ; alt. lj\ poll. Hah. East Pata-
gonia.

More solid, more concave, and more elongated than any
species I am acquainted with. The upper valve of a small speci-
men from the same locality is semicircular, but more acute
anteriorly than posteriorly.

OsTEODESMA BRACTEATA. Tcsta parva, tenuis, transversa,
inequilateralis, ovato-falcata, ventricosa, margaritacea, epider-
mide fusco radiatim creberrime rugoso induta; latere antico

218

rotundato ; latere siphonali duplo longiore, triangular!, subad-
scendente, truncate ; margine dorsali recto ; margine ventrali
arcuato, sub-pendulo : interior deaurata. Long, f ; alt. I poll.
Hah. Puget Sound.

It is with some doubt that I separate this from 0. hyalina ;
but if its gilded nacre, its dusky colored, very numerously
folded epidermis, and the ventricose, pouched form of the pos-
terior basal portion prove constant, there can be no room for
doubt.

OsTEODESMA Brasiliensis (Couthouy, MS.) Testa fragilis,
elongato-ovata, antice ventricosa et truncata, postice compressa,
concentrice undulata, epidermide flavicante induta ; umbonibus
ante-medianis, tumidis, approximatis ; margine dorsali fere rec-
tilineari ; margine ventrali arcuato: interior margaritacea : ossi-
culum parvum, oblongum. Long. 1^; alt. f poll. Hah. Rio
Janeiro.

Its elongated, leguminous form, and its large size, plainly
characterize it.

Amphidesma croceum. Testa maxima, crassa, calcarea, ine-
quivalvis, subcircularis, postice hiantula et sub-truncata, liris
concentricis reflexis interdum divarlcatis arata, radiatim stri-
ata ; umbonibus sub-medianis, eminentibus, acutis, contiguis :
intus crocea ; cardo validus, fovea ligamentali ampla, profunda ;
dentibus rosaceis. Long. 3^ ; alt. 3^ ; lat. 1^ poll. Hah.
Callao ?

Very distinct from all other described species, unless it may
be A. solidum, Gray ; from comparison with his description
alone, this must be different.

Erycina (Poronia) ovata. T. parva, alba, nitida, concen-
trice striata, ovato-ventricosa, inequilateralis; margine cardinal!
arcuata, umbonibus parvis, antemedianis; margine ventrali parum
arcuata; latere antico truncate ; latere postico rotundato ; valvss
dextrse dente cardinal! erecto, bifido, fovea ligamentali parva ;
V. s. dente integro ; intus alba. Long, /g- ; alt. ^ ; lat. } poll.
Hah. Sandwich Islands.

Differs from the succeeding species in its smaller size, more
inequilateral, ovate-ventricose form, shining surface, and delicate
fringe.

219

A specimen of Rallus VirginianuSf and Rallus Caroli-
nensis were presented by Mr. C. J. Sprague.

Mr. David A. Welles, of the Scientific School, Cam-
bridge, and Dr. William M. Cornell of Boston, were elected
members of the Society.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31.

Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia. Vol.
III. Nos. 3, 4, for March and April, 1849. 8vo. Pamph. Singa-
pore. From the Editors.

Reports from the Secretary of the Treasury, of Scientific In-
vestigations in relation to Sugar and Hydrometers. By Prof.
A. D. Bache and R. S. McCulloch. 8vo. Pamph. Washington.

1848. From R. C. Winthrop.

Report of the Committee of the Library in relation to Dona-
tions received from the City of Paris, &c. 8vo. Pamph. Boston.

1849. From the Committee.

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
New Series. Vol. I. Part 3. 4to. Philadelphia, 1849. From
the Philadelphia Academy.

List of Members and Correspondents of the Academy of Nat-
ural Sciences of Philadelphia. 4to. Pamph. Philadelphia. 1848.
Act of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Academy of Natural
Sciences. 12mo. Pamph. Philadelphia. 1849. From the Phil-
adelphia Academy.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History for September,
1849. Vol. IV. No. 21. 2nd Series. London. Courtis Fund.

Zoology of the Voyage of H. M. S. Erebus and Terror. 6
Nos. 4to. London. Fishes. By Sir John Richardson. 1844-8.
From Sir John Richardson.

Catalogue of the Salem Athenseum. 8vo. Pamph. Salem.
1842. Supplement to the same. 1849. From H. Wheatland.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. 22. 2nd
Series. Vol. IV. For October, 1849. Courtis Fund.

Gray's Genera of Birds. Part 50, completing the work,
London, 1849. Courtis Fund. ,

220

Revision of the North American Tailed Batrachia, with De-
scriptions of new Genera and Species. By S. F. Baird. 4to.
Pamph. Philadelphia, 1849. From the Author.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. VIII.
No. 24. New Series. November, 1849. From the Editors.

Description de PEgypte. Etat moderne et Histoire Naturelle.
Planches, 2" Livraison. Folio. Paris, 1812. From E. R. Mayo.

Plants of Wisconsin. 8vo. Pamph. By I. A. Lapham.
From the Author.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. Tome VI.
Feuilles 19-26 (19 Feb'. -2d April, 1849) 8vo. 2eme serie.
Pamph. Paris. Societe Geologique.

Catalogue of Skulls of Men and the inferior Animals in the
Collection of Samuel G. Morton. 3d Edition. 8vo. Pamph.
Philadelphia, 1849. From S. G. Morton.

Biographical Notice of George McClellan, M. D. By S. G.
Morton, M. D. 8vo. Pamph. Philadelphia, 1849. From the
Author.

Observations on a new living species of Hippopotamus of
Western Africa. By Samuel G. Morton, M. D. 4to. Pamph.
Philadelphia, 1849. From the Author.

Icones Plantarum. By Sir William Jackson Hooker. 4 Vols.
8vo. London, 1837. Deposited hy Republican Institution.

British Phanerogamous Botany. By W. Baxter. 2nd Edition.
6 vols. 8vo. Oxford, 1834. Deposited hy Republican Insti-
tution.

De Candolle, Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegeta-
bilis. Pars duodecima. 8vo. Parisiis. 1848. Deposited by
Republican Institution.

Natural History of the Mammalia. By G. B. Waterhouse.
8vo. 2 vols. London, 1846. Deposited by Republican Insti-
tution.

Traite Elementaire d' Anatomic Comparee. Par C. J.
Carus. 2 vols. 8vo. Bruxelles, 1838. Deposited by Repub-
lican Institution.

Natural History of Man. By J. C. Prichard. 3d Edition.
8vo. London, 1848. Also, 6 Ethnographical Maps, folio.
Deposited by Republican Institution.

The Races of Man and their Geographical Distribution. By

221

Charles Pickering. Being vol. 9 of United States Exploring
Expedition. 4to. Boston, 1848. Deposited by Repuhlican
Institution.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 2d series. No. 23,
for November, 1849. Courtis Fund.

Rees's Cyclopaedia. 87 vols. 4to. Philadelphia. Deposited
by Republican Institution.

State Papers of 17th and 18th Congress. 65 vols. 8vo.
Washington. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Bancroft, George. History of the United States. 8vo. 3 vols.
Boston, 1842. Deposited by Repuhlican Institution.

Eulogies on Adams and Jefferson. 8vo. Hartford, 1826.
Deposited by Republican Institution.

Bradford, A. History of the Federal Government. 8vo. Bos-
ton, 1840. Deposited by Republican Institution.

History of the War of Independence of the United Stales of
America. By C. Botta. Translated by G. A. Otis. 2 vols.
8vo. New Haven, 1838. Deposited by Republican Institution.

History of the Navy of the United States of America. By J.
F. Cooper. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1839. Deposited by Re-
publican Institution.

Proceedings of Court Martial in Case of A. S. Mackenzie.
With Review, by J. F. Cooper. 8vo. New York, 1844. De-
posited by Republican Institution.

Mallory's Life and Speeches of Henry Clay. 2 vols. 8vo.
New York, 1843. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Prescott's History of Conquest of Mexico. 3 vols. 8vo.
New York, 1843. Deposited by Republican Institution.

O'Kelly's History of Ireland. 8vo. New York, 1845. De-
posited by Republican Institution.

Prescott's History of Ferdinand and Isabella. 3 vols. 8vo.
Boston, 1839. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Jefferson's Works. 4 vols. 8vo. Boston, 1830. Deposited
by Republican Institution.

Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1836.
Deposited by Republican Institution.

Nicholas Nickleby. By C. Dickens. 8vo. Philadelphia,
1839. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Life of Arthur Lee, LL.D. By R. H. Lee. 2 vols. 8vo.
Boston, 1829. Deposited by Republican Institution.

222

Phil

12mo

Life of Gouverneur Morris. By Jared Sparks. 3 vols. 8vo
Boston, 1832. Deposited hy Republican Institution.

Stephens, J. L. Incidents of Travel in Yucatan. 2 vols. 8vo
New York, 1843. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Stephens, J. L. Incidents of Travel in Egypt, Arabia Petrea
and the Holy Land. 2 vols. 12mo. New York, 1843. De
posited by Republican Institution,

Stephens, J. L. Incidents of Travel in Greece, Turkey
Russia, and Poland. 2 vols. 12mo. New York, 1842. De
posited by Republican Institution.

Marshall's Life of Washington. 12mo. 9th Edition,
adelphia, 1839. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Letters on Palestine. By Thomas Wells. Boston.
1846. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Lyell, Charles. Principles of Geology. 3 vols. 12mo
Boston, 1842. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition. By
Charles Wilkes. 6 vols. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1845. Deposited
by Republican Institution.

Riley, James. Narrative of loss of Brig Commerce. 12mo.
Hartford, 1844. Deposited by Republican Institution,

Mcintosh, J. Origin of the North American Indians. 12mo.
New York, 1844. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Vinton, A. H. Election Sermon. 8vo. Pamph. Boston,
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Life of Lafayette. 8vo. Hartford, 1848. Deposited by
Republican Institution.

Handbuch der Mineralogie von J. F. L. Hausman. 12mo.
Gottingen, 1828. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Handbuch der Mineralogie von J. F. L. Hausman. 2 vols.
8vo. Gottingen, 1847. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Handbuch der Mineralogie von Hartmann. 2 vols. 12mo.
Weimar, 1843. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Handbuch der Mineralogie von W. Haidinger. 8vo. Wien,
1845. Deposited by ftepublican Institution.

Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Geognosie, Geologic. Von
Leonhard and Bronn. 3 vols. 12mo. Stuttgard, 1845-8.
Deposited by Republican Institution.

Annalen der Physik und Chemie. Von J. C. Poggendorff.
10 vols. 8vo. Leipzig. Deposited by Republican Institution.

223

Haijy, Traite de Crista] lographie. 3 vols. 8vo. Paris. 1822.
Deposited ly Repuhlican^nstitution.

Haijy, Traite de Mineralogie. 5 vols. Paris, 1822. Depos-
ited hy Republican Institution.

Haidinger, Uebersicht der Resultate Mineralogischer For-
schungen im Jahre, 1843. 8vo. Erlangen, 1845. Deposited hy
Republican Institution.

Zippe, F. X. W. Mineralogie und Geognosie. 8vo. Prag.
1846. Deposited by Republican Institution.

January 2, 1850.
Dr. Storer, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Present, thirty-nine members.

Dr. C. T. Jackson exhibited a fossil Calamite from Bridge-
water, Mass., one foot in length, and nine inches in circum-
ference at the base. It was fluted, with joints from one
inch to one and a half long. He also exhibited specimens
of salt from the Great Salt Lake in California, and Carbonate
of Soda from the Salaeratus Lake of the same region.

Both of these substances are used for culinary purposes by
the settlers of that country. The Salt Lake is situated in Lat.
42° 45' 44" north, Long. IIP 26' 34" west of Greenwich, and
is 4,300 feet above the level of the Pacific Ocean. The Salae-
ratus Lake is near Independence Rock, in Lat. 42° 30' 16"
north. The soda appears like ice, filling a depression in the
plain, of two acres in extent, and about two feet thick, with
no water beneath it. On exposure to dry air the Sal soda loses
part of its water and acquires more carbonic acid so as to be
converted into the sesqui-carbonate, as seen in the samples
exhibited. It is observed that cows and oxen grazing near these
Lakes sicken and die, but horses do not suffer. The soil around
them is poor and sandy. The principal plants are Artemisia and

224

" grease bushes." Dr. Jackson also gave an analysis of a bottle
of water from a Hot Spring which issues from a Sandstone hill
two or three thousand feet high in the same region, with a tem-
perature 108° F. One pint contained 44 grains of solid matter,
as follows : —

Peroxide of Iron and a trace of Ox

ide of Mang

anese

, 0.208

Lime, .

.

2.907

Chlorine,

18.421

Soda, .

15.344

Magnesia, .

2.073

Sulphuric Acid,

3.748

43.981

Loss, .

•

•

•

.019

44.000

This water is a very agreeable saline spring, containing, when
fresh, a little sulphuric and carbonic acid gas. The above
specimens and statements concerning them were sent to Dr.
Jackson by Dr. Bernhisel of the Mormon settlements.

Dr. Jackson likewise communicated the fact that the plumba-
ginous mica slates of Vermont contain a considerable portion of tin
diffused through their mass in a state of combination not yet de-
termined. The specimens received were from two localities, and
yielded a considerable quantity of an alloy of tin and iron when
fused in a crucible lined with lampblack. Specimens of the rock
were exhibited, with globules of the metal extracted from it. This
discovery is an important one, as it points to the probable occur-
rence of tin ores in districts where they were never suspected to
exist. For if an extensive rock formation is filled with tin in
some state of combination, veins of the oxide or sulphuret can-
not fail to exist somewhere in its mass. Pieces of plumbaginous
slate so full of graphite as to prove valuable as plumbago have
been recently assayed by Mr. Richard Crossley in Dr. Jack-
son's laboratory, and malleable grains of an alloy of tin and iron
have been obtained.

225

Prof. Agassiz said that he had recently received from
Capt. Atwood of Provincetown, a specimen of the common
Porpoise of our waters.

It had hitherto been considered as identical with the PhoccBna
communis of Europe, but his examination had led him to regard
it as a distinct and hitherto undescribed species. In P. com-
munis the temporal groove of the skull is narrow and oblong ; in
the American species it is as wide as long. The general form
of the skull is also diiferent. In the European species the pos-
terior surface is nearly vertical, in the American it is much
curved. The teeth of the American species, although agreeing
in general with those of the European in form, are grooved on
the broad faces near the summit so as nearly to divide them into
three lobes ; in the European they are smooth. The dorsal fin
is serrated and furnished with very characteristic tubercles in
the American species, which are not mentioned in the descrip-
tions of P. communis. Prof. Agassiz exhibited drawings of
the external appearance and of the muscular structure employed
in the movements of the tail. He proposed for the new species
the name P. Americana.

Prof. Agassiz said, that at a former meeting he had
spoken of the connection of the gills of Crustacea with the
legs, and he now proposed to give the result of his examin-
ation of the solid framework of those animals with refer-
ence to these organs.

Milne Edwards, he remarked, only notices those parts which
are external to the shield, thus omitting structures of great im-
portance. On cutting across the shell of a Lobster, it is found
that the membrane lining it is reflected at the lower margin, and
forms a sac containing the gills, not communicating with the
proper cavity of the shell, but opening outwards for the admission
of water. Prof. Agassiz was at once struck with the analogy which
this fact presented, and for which he had long been seeking,
between the gills of Crustacea and the tracheae of insects. Sup-
pose the sac of Crustacea to be divided transversely, making a
separate cavity for each gill, and the arrangement would be similar
to that in insects, in which each trachea is situated in a fold of

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 15 MAY, 1850.

226

membrane between the rings. The respiratory system is con-
structed after the same type in both. Prof. Agassiz next pro-
ceeded to give a detailed description of the solid framework of the
Lobster. He showed that the terminal plate of the tail, which
is furnished with broad flat fins, is not a locomotive appendage
merely, but properly a ring of the body. The anterior pair of
these caudal locomotive organs, speaking morphologically, is the
penis, which shows some indications of divisions, like the joints of
the legs. In most Crustacea the second pair of claws is enlarged
so as to furnish instruments of defence. In the Lobsters, the claws
thus enlarged have been hitherto considered the first pair of
thoracic limbs; but on careful examination, Prof. Agassiz found
in advance of the second a very small pair, which had hitherto
been overlooked ; he therefore considers the last pair of jaw-legs,
as thoracic limbs properly belonging to the organs of locomotion.
In conclusion. Prof. Agassiz remarked that his analysis of the
component parts of each division of the Lobster showed that
the number three with its multiples is the fundamental number
upon which it is made up, and that this obtains for the chest as
well as the other regions of the body. The name of Deca-
jpods is therefore inappropriate for any group of Crustacea.

Mr. Whitney said that in the Bruce Slate Quarry at Guilford,
Vt., the vertical strata are at one point broken abruptly, over
an area of only one hundred square feet. Prof. Hitchcock
had suggested that the fracture might have been caused by the
sudden impulse of a large mass of floating ice. During the past
summer he had seen a similar fracture at Lake Superior, at the
Jackson Forge. Here the slate strata are nearly vertical, bear-
ing nearly north and south. Over a small portion of the top of
the hill there is a fracture precisely like that at Guilford. The
strata have been carried forward as well as bent and crushed, as
if they had been swept along by the crushing force. The dis-
placed portion is imbedded in stratified drift, which is lodged in
the depression beyond the ledge. These appearances are
strongly corroborative of Prof Hitchcock's theory, that such
fractures are caused by the crushing action of icebergs.

Prof. Hitchcock remarked that the suggestion was not original
with him, but he had borrowed it from Darwin, who attributed
similar fractures in the slate rocks of Great Britain to the action
of enormous icebergs floated up and down by the movements of
the ocean, and thus lodged on these rocks.

227

Prof. Hitchcock exhibited to the Society a tarso-meta-
tarsal bone and some of the phalanges of Palapteryx ingens.
The specimen had been brought from New Zealand by a
sailor, from whom he had obtained it. He had replaced
the missing bones by artificial ones. The lower extremity
of the tarso-metatarsal bone showed four articulating surfaces
for the toes, all directed forwards. The length of this bone
was fifteen inches, and the probable height of the species,
according to Owen, was nine feet.

Dr. A. A. Hayes mentioned some experiments he had
tried on a small scale to arrest the progress of decay in
potatoes after they had been taken from the earth. He
had found that the gas of sulphurous acid passed over
them checked the process of decomposition immediately.

Mr. Teschemacher said that he believed the rot in
potatoes to be caused by the development of an organic
substance similar to that generated in the process of fer-
mentation, and it was well known that this process was
immediately arrested by sulphurous acid gas.

Mr. J. L. Hayes stated that Dr. Webster of Nova Scotia,
had lately procured some specimens of recent bird-tracks
in the sand of the Bay of Fundy, which were precisely like
the fossil bird-tracks of the Sandstone of the Connecticut
valley.

The enormous tides of this Bay wear away the Sandstone and
deposit it on the neighboring beaches to the depth of from half an
inch to an inch, at each tide. Dr. Webster carefully removed
some of this sand bearing the foot prints of marsh birds, and baked
it so as to preserve the impressions perfectly. It was even found
that in splitting these slabs into layers the impression of the track
could be traced through three or four of them, as in the fossil
specimens. The same success attended his experiments on the
impressions of recent rain drops. The experiments were made
during the past year.

Dr. Gould mentioned, that four years since, similar specimens
were sent him by Rev. Mr. Prior of Horton, baked by the heat

228

of the summer sun, during the recess of the tide ; and Mr. Lyell
also obtained specimens, which were so satisfactory as to con-
vince English geologists that the fossil bird tracks were what they
had been considered to be by American geologists.

Dr. C. T. Jackson said that he wished to correct the record
of November 1, 1848. The statement there attributed to
him as to the age of the Lake Superior Sandstone should be
accredited to his assistants, Messrs. Foster and Hill, as he
stated at the time.

Prof. Wyman made some remarks on the probable cause
of the jet from the blow-holes of whales.

During the past summer he had had an opportunity of observ-
ing this phenomenon while on a visit to Labrador. Three causes
for this jet had been assigned, namely, the water taken into the
mouth with the food of the animal, the water in the nasal cavi-
ties, and the secretions of the bronchial tubes. As it appears in
the form of a sudden discharge of vapor, he thought a fourth
explanation might be added, the sudden rarefaction of the air
when inhaled, followed by its sudden condensation when emitted.
He thought it was partly due also to the small quantity of water
which entered the outer extremity of the nasal passages. He had
succeeded in imitating the appearance in question, by introducing
a small quantity of water into the end of a syringe and suddenly
expelling it with the body of air behind it, with considerable
force.

Dr. Pickering said that he could not think the condensation of
the air when expelled from the lungs of the whale was a circum-
stance of much importance in forming the jet, as in tropical
climates, where this could hardly occur, the jet was as complete
as in colder latitudes.

Prof. Wyman said, that at Bras d'Or he had heard the inspira-
tion as well as the expiration of Cetaceans. It follows the expi-
ration instantaneously but is much shorter and less audible.

Mr. Ayres, from his own observations, confirmed Prof.
Wyman's views. He said he had noticed in a young porpoise
that the act of breathing is much more slowly performed than in
the adult.

229

Mr. J. L. Hayes made some interesting statements rela-
tive to the smelting of iron. He said, that in Corsica an
American gentleman had made eighteen tons of iron daily
for a week, using cold blast ; a quantity very much greater
than that usually obtained in the same time by hot blast,
which had heretofore been considered the best. Even
larger quantities had been made in New Jersey by the same
process in furnaces with very wide mouths.

Mr. Teschemacher referred to a statement of his at a
former meeting, that he had detected Vanadium in speci-
mens of minerals from Isle Royale.

At a subsequent meeting he had retracted this statement on
the authority of Mr. Schleeper, who had failed to discover it in
the specimens submitted to him for examination. It now ap-
peared that his first statement was correct. It is found in large
quantities at Isle Royale, Lake Superior, in cavities of the
vein-stone. Mr. Schleeper's failure to detect it arose from the
very small quantity Mr. Teschemacher was able to submit to him
for examination.

Mr. Teschemacher's statement was corroborated by Dr. A. A.
Hayes.

Mr. Alger stated that an extensive deposit of Barytes had
been recently found in Nova Scotia. It was distinctly
foliated, and the discovery was an important one, from the
great use made of this substance in the arts. He presented
to the Society specimens of it, together with Sulphate
and Silicate of Copper from South America, and micaceous
Specular Iron ore from Nova Scotia.

The Curator of Ornithology announced the addition to
the Collection of a specimen of Somaieria spectahilis, King
Duck, female, purchased ; and Pij^ra manachus, presented
by Dr. F. W. Cragin.

Dr. Brewer presented the head of an Egyptian Ibis
mummy, and a Crocodile's Egg.

Dr. G. H. Lodge and Mr. G. F. Williams were elected
members of the Society.

230

January 16, 1850.
Dr. D. H. Storer, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Present, forty-two members.

Dr. Storer said that it was his melancholy duty, as pre-
siding officer of the meeting, to announce to the Society
the recent decease of Dr. Martin Gay, one of its oldest and
most valued members. He hoped that some gentleman
present would take it upon himself to express those senti-
ments of esteem for our late associate, and regret for his
loss, which must be in the hearts of all.

Mr. Bouve responded to this call, as follows : —

Mr. President : — I cannot, nor would I, refrain from giving
utterance to the feelings that move me upon the sad event which
has just been announced from the chair. I might well hesitate
to rise, in view of the many present, older and wiser than
myself, who would doubtless be glad to show their apprecia-
tion of the worth of the departed, by their well merited praises
of him ; but, sir, feeling that I knew him better than most who
shared his friendship, I am led to think I owe it to his memory
to say at least a few words concerning him. With Dr. Gay I
was indeed most intimate, and I express, therefore, what I know,
when I claim for him a degree of virtue, a nobleness of purpose,
an exaltation of character, far beyond what is generally found in
man. Conscientious to a great degree, every deed performed
by him, every judgment given, first received the sanction of the
highest sentiments of his soul ; and, long as I have known him,
1 never heard him even express an impure thought. Loving
God, and loving man, his desire was, to enlarge his own being
that he might the better serve both. Too great by nature and
culture to confine his regard to those of a class, or a sect, all
who sought his friendship, and were worthy, found in him ready
sympathy. The bickerings and the jealousies that trouble smaller
men never reached him ; but yet he was ever ready to advocate
manfully the cause that appeared to him just. Without guile,
transparent to all whose motives were kindred to his own, he

231

inspired and enjoyed the confidence of the coninaunity. His
attainments were of a high order. Love of the beautiful in nature
and art, and in spirit, was a ruling trait in his character. A fine
scene, a good painting, or a noble action, would alike kindle his
enthusiastic admiration. In truth, we have lost from amongst us
a presence which sanctified communion by its purity; a wisdom
which was more than that of this world ; and a loving soul which
we trust has found acceptance in the land of the pure and the
holy. God help us, that we may be as ready as was our brother
to bid adieu to present scenes of action, when we are summoned
hence to be here no more forever.

In conclusion, I offer the following resolution: —

Resolved, That we recognize in the sudden death of Dr. Martin
Gay, the loss to the Society of a member of high scientific
attainments ; to the profession, of which he was an ornament, a
devoted and faithful laborer; to the community, an upright, con-
scientious, pure-minded, and noble -hearted man ; and to his near
friends and kindred, a gentle, and loving spirit, that was ever
ready to sympathize with them in joy or in sorrow, and that
blessed all who came within the sphere of its influence.

Before any action was taken on the resolution, Dr.
C. T. Jackson entered the meeting. He stated that it had
been his intention to announce to the Society the decease
of Dr. Gay, but he had been prevented from being present
in time. He proceeded to read an obituary notice, giving
a sketch of his life, and bestowing a high eulogium upon
his moral and intellectual character.

At the conclusion of the above notice Mr. Teschemacher
seconded Mr. Bouve's Resolution, which was adopted
unanimously.

On motion of Mr. Teschemacher, it w^as

Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the widow
and surviving relatives of our late associate, Dr. Gay, in
their present great affliction ; and that the Secretary be
directed to communicate to them an attested copy of this
Resolution.

232

On motion of Dr. Durkee, seconded by Mr. J. H. Abbot,
it was

Voted, That a copy of the remarks of Mr. Bouve and
Dr. Jackson be communicated with the resolution of con-
dolence to the widow of Dr. Gay.

Prof. Agassiz stated, that in his recent study of the Me-
dusae he had been able to make out a distinct muscular
structure.

It consists of three systems of fibres, one superficial, which
had been never before observed, just under the epidermis, the
others more deeply seated. The external layer is made up of
circular and vertical bands of fibres, surrounding the whole mass
like the net of a balloon, and capable by their contraction of
changing its shape and reducing its size. The vertical bundles
alternating with the radiating tubes are by far the strongest.
The fibres upon the inner surface of the disk are disposed in
two layers, one of circular, and the other of vertical fibres.
The former lines the cavity, and the latter is situated between
the circulating tubes. By the contraction of these last, the
eye-specks can be moved. In the transverse partition of the
animal a circular and radiating set of muscular fibres can be
made out, the latter assisting in moving the eye-specks. Prof.
Agassiz mentioned, that he had also completed the study of
the nervous system in Medusce. He had found a continuous
nervous thread extending from one eye-speck to another.
These organs present a closer analogy to the organs of vision
in the higher animals than had been generally supposed. In
their structure some of them united in clusters closely resemble
a vertical section of the compound eyes of insects, and probably
are capable of receiving an impression of light and darkness if
not of distinct images. Prof. Agassiz stated that his observa-
tions of the muscular system of Medusae were made on them
when in the state of contraction immediately after death.
During life the movements are too active to permit close ex-
amination. He exhibited part of a series of engravings illus-
trating their structure.

Dr. C. T. Jackson read analyses of three samples of
White Cast Iron, containing manganese.

233

The Iron was remarkably crystalline and brittle, and resem-
bled in color, pure antimony. Specimen No. 1. was crystal-
lized in broad lamellae, and cleaved readily into crystalline
forms when broken.

Sp. Gr. was 7.684. This specimen was from Cooper's fur-
nace, in Eastern Pennsylvania.

On analysis of 0.5 gramme of the metal the following results
were obtained, per cent.

Iron, 91.10

Manganese, ..... 5.76

Carbon, 1.74

Silica, 1.40

100.00

Specimen No. 2. was obtained from the furnace in Plymouth,
Vt., and was reduced from a brown Hsematite mixed wdth black
oxide of Manganese. The metal is highly crystalline, with broad
plates of crystals intersecting each other, giving the broken sur-
face of the pig the appearance of Meteoric Iron that had been
acted upon by acids.

The specific gravity of this iron is 7.488.

Selected crystals were analyzed, and the following results
were obtained.

Iron, 83.2

Manganese, ..... 9.6

Carbon and Silica, .... 10.0

102.8

The following results were obtained by Mr. Richard Crossley,
on analysis of the one from which this iron is made.

Insoluble silica and silicate of Alumina, 9.58

Peroxide of Iron, .... 53.66

Oxide of Manganese, . . . 31.17

Alumina with traces of Cobalt and water, 5.59

100.00

53.66 of Peroxide of Iron contain 37.2 of Metallic Iron. The
ore does not contain any sulphur, phosphorus, or arsenic.

234

Specimen No. 3. was obtained from the furnace in Wood-
stock, N. B., and was reduced from a Manganesian red Hsema-
tite. The metal is hard, white, and granular-crystalline, with a
few intersecting plates of crystals.

Its specific gravity is 7.330.

On analysis the following results were obtained.

Iron,

Manganese,
Carbon,
Silica,

82.22

16.26

0.36

1.40

101.24

Analysis of the ore from which this iron was reduced.
The following results were obtained by Mr. Richard Crossley,
who analyzed the Haematite from Woodstock last year.

Silica, ....

17.80

Carb. Lime,

4.00

Alumina, ....

2.10

Perox. Iron,

52.50

Oxide of Manganese, .

18.90

Water, . ^ .

5.70

101.00

52.50 of per Oxide of Iron contains 36.39 of metallic Iron.
18.90 Manganeso-manganic oxide contains 13.62 of Manganese.
Hence, 36^39+ 13.62 = 50.01, and

50.01 : 13.62 : : 100 : 27.23 Manganese.

It appears, therefore, from my analysis, that more than half
the oxide of Manganese in the ore was reduced and entered
into an alloy with the Iron.

These alloys are not generally understood by Iron masters,
founders, and refiners, and are frequently mistaken for iron con-
taining sulphur or phosphorus.

Manganesian Iron is unfit for foundery purposes, but makes
the best kinds of malleable or wrought iron when refined in the
forge or puddling furnace. It " comes to nature " slowly, and
hence makes a good mixture with iron* rich in carbon, which

235

" comes to nature too quickly," and is liable, therefore, to be
badly refined, breaking while hot under the tilt hammer, or
" brooming up " in the process of hammering.

It is obvious that there is a loss in weight of iron in purchasing
the highly manganesian irons, but in those containing but little
manganese it is of no account, since it merely displaces a certain
proportion of carbon. It appears from the relative specific grav-
ities of the samples which I have analyzed, that a highly man-
ganesian iron may be readily known, its specific gravity being
less than that of ordinary white carboniferous iron. By a more
extensive series of researches much may be learned in relation
to the alloys of iron, and the importance of the business in a
practical view requires that such examinations should be made.

Mr. Desor gave an account of the clay and drift deposits
in the vicinity of Lake Superior, and explained their con-
nection with similar deposits farther west.

Along the rivers running into the Lake is a layer of«red clay
from forty to sixty feet thick, considered by some geologists as
tertiary, covered by a wide-spread drift deposit, which he consid-
ders as corresponding to the blue clay of Michigan. The blue color
being due to the decomposition of shells found in that locality.
On Mackinaw Island, at the height of two hundred feet, is a
deposit of red loam one hundred feet thick, also evidently cor-
responding to the red clay at the east end of Lake Superior.
The " yellow, hard pan," of the western geologists, Mr. Desor
considers a local form of the blue clay.

The wide spread drift deposit of the West is particularly con-
spicuous in the rolling prairies. Boulders are sometimes found
on its surface, generally from ledges far to the north, some of
them having been brought six hundred miles. As they are as
large at their southernmost limit as at the north, the transporting
power can have lost none of its intensity. The drift is the
thickest near the Pictured Rocks, where it is three hundred and
forty-five feet thick. At Cape Girardeau, above the junction of
the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, it is the thinnest. It extends
with scarcely an interruption from the Mississippi and the Lakes
to the Atlantic. From Zanesville, Ohio, to the Alleghanies, it is
wanting. On the eastern slope of the first branch of these

236

mountains it reappears, and as far as their eastern border is
made up of materials from this source.

Mr. Desor spoke of a deposit considered by geologists as a
Lake drift, particularly noticeable at Lake Erie. He had con-
sidered it important if possible to establish its lacustrine origin
from fossils contained in it. On Lake Michigan it appears as a
bluff twelve feet thick, made up of nine feet of sand over blue
clay. He succeeded in finding in this deposit eight species of
fossil shells, several of them identical with those now living in
the adjoining Lake, such as Cyclas, Paludina, Melajiia, and
Unio. In the underlying stratum were reeds, one of which was
from an inch to an inch and a half in diameter, extending up into
the sand, equiseta, and a piece of cedar, the locality having
probably been occupied by a cedar swamp. There are no
trees of this species at the present time within many miles of
the spot. The nature of this deposit leads to the supposition of
a depression and subsequent elevation of the country. To the
south and east of Lake Michigan is a belt of this flat prairie of
fresh water origin. The rolling prairies of the West on the con-
trary are of marine origin and probably antedate the flat. A
few boulders are found on the surface of the flat prairie, the
presence of which might seem to be incompatible with this
theory ; but they may have been deposited by ice, either in the
form of bergs or ground ice. The main drift deposit over the
northern parts of the United States, Mr. Desor attributed to
the ocean.

Mr. Edward Cabot mentioned, in connection with Mr. Desor's
observations, having found on the bank of the Illinois River a
red cedar trunk rounded and worn, twenty-five feet long ; there
being no living specimens of this tree in that part of the country.

Prof. Agassiz said that he had shown, at a former meet-
ing, that in studying the relations of different stages in the
embryonic development to permanent forms of insects, a
better idea of their natural classification could be obtained
than in any other way, and he now proposed to continue
his observations, and to show that this view might be still
further carried out, even to the fixing of the relative posi-
tions of the different families.

237

It had been a question whether the Diurnal or the Nocturnal
Butterflies should stand firet in the scale. He proceeded to
show that the different positions and relations of the wing in the
progress of development of Papilio correspond to the permanent
conditions of these appendages in the various families of Lepi-
doptera, and thence deduced their true position; placing, 1st,
Papilionidse ; 2d, Hesperidae ; 3d, Sphingidoe ; 4th, Bombycidse ;
5th, NoctuidfE ; 6th, Pyralidse ; 7th, Tineidee. In a similar
way Prof. Agassiz indicated the true position of the different
types of Articulata, showing a close analogy between their per-
manent forms and the transient conditions of an insect, begin-
ning with the caterpillar, which corresponds in type with the
Annelida. By the same test he showed the true position of
]\Iillipedes and Spiders; the former being insects with a worm-
like form, the latter with the anterior parts united into a cephalo-
thorax like the Crustacea, corresponding to the pupa condition
in type.

Dr. Kneeland read a paper entitled, ^' The Manatus not
a Cetacean but a Pachyderm." It contained an elaborate
and careful analysis and comparison of the skeleton of the
Manatus recently presented to the Society with the skele-
tons of Cetacea and Pachyderms, showing a much closer
analogy with the latter than the former.

Prof. Agassiz referred to the breathing organs of Mollusks,
and remarked that they do not properly correspond to the gills
in Crustacea. Thus in the Mollusk they are folds of the body on
the inner surface of the mantle, while in the Articulata they are
appendages to the legs; so that the plan on which the pulmo-
nary apparatus of mollusks is constructed is quite different from
that exhibited in other animals. He illustrated his views by
descriptions of the various families of this class, showing that
the so-called lungs of pulmonated mollusks are in their charac-
ter analogous to the respiratory organs of other mollusks, the
difference being merely morphological.

The skeleton of a Javan Squirrel, Sciurus bicolor, was
presented in the name of R. B. Forbes, Jr. The thanks of
the Society were voted for the donation.

238

Skeletons of a Horse, Woodpecker, and Grey Squirrel
were likewise presented.

Mr. George W. Collamore, of Boston, was elected a
member of the Society.

February 6, 1S50.

The President in the Chair.

Present, twenty-eight members.

Dr. Kneeland read a paper on the skeleton and stufled
skin of a weasel, recently presented to the Society by Dr.
Cabot.

The specimen is from South America, and belongs to the
species named by Linnaeus Mustcla harhata. Dr. Kneeland was
of opinion that it should be transferred from the genus Mustela,
with which it ag^rees in many respects, to the allied genus Puto-
rius with which it coincides in the dental formula ; the cheek
teeth being 1^, and the whole number of teeth being 34. The
skeleton can hardly be distinguished from that of the Common
Mink, P. vison, except that it is twice as large. It seems to
occupy an intermediate position between the Plantigrades and
Digitigrades, having the motion of the one and the teeth of the
other. It should be named Putorius harhatus.

The color^ from the base of neck backwards, above and
below, with the tail, was Hack ; the head and neck light gray-
ish hroion^ or hoary white ; under the throat a narrow yeUoioish
white spot, about two inches long ; end of nose black ; around
eyes, jaws, and top of nose reddish brown.

les i Total 3
( feet. 2 in.

Length of head and body.

. 23

" '' tail to end of fur.

. 15

" " head,

. 4

'' " neck.

. 5

'' " body,

. 14

239

Height at shoulders,

" " posterior extremity, .
Length of skull,
Height of skull at meatus,
Greatest diameter behind meatus.
Diameter at zygomatic arches,
Diameter of skull at middle of do.

7^ inches.

8

4

It
1|
2i
1

The canine teeth project | of an inch beyond alveolus ; the
lower incisors are arranged, 4 in front, and 2 others behind the
middle front ones.

Mr. Girard read a note upon some researches of his own
with reference to the so called " biogen liquid " recently
described by Mr. Desor as existing in the ovum of Ascidia,
as follows : —

When not long since the notion of the existence of a Biogen
liquid presiding over the formation of the eggs in the animal
kingdom was first introduced in the science of Embryology, I
availed myself of every opportunity offered to me to repeat Mr.
Desor's observations. I thought that if this liquid was a phe-
nomenon as general as the author seemed to believe, the eggs of
any given animal would be fit for these researches. I spent
much time without arriving at any satisfactory result. I became
convinced of this first fact, namely, that the Biogen liquid, should
it prove to be something, must be peculiar to some particular
animal and not referable to the whole animal kingdom.

I determined to seek for it in the very species where it was
said to be found. I sought it there in vain during several weeks,
and was at a loss to know whence the Biogen could have been
derived, when I happened to make an observation which fully
explains the matter. Having out a fragment of an ovary, I
placed it between two glasses, which I pressed strongly together,
and when I thought the eggs sufficiently crushed I examined
this preparation under the microscope. To my greatest aston-
ishment (I cannot say satisfaction), I had before my eyes the
phenomena of the condensation of the yolk as they are illus-
trated in Silliman's Journal.*

My conclusion is, that the theory of Biogen is without founda-

* No. 21, May, 1S49, p. 396.

240

tion, the fundamental fact upon which it was built up being an
accidental one.

Besides this, another circumstance had struck me, namely, that
the ovarian eggs of an Annelid were illustrated by Mr. Desor,
almost side by side with those of Ascidia, without any reference
being made to Biogen. This is explained by the fact, that the
eggs of Annelids can be observed easily without any compression
to isolate them.

As for the comparison the author has established between the
formation of the eggs in general and that of heavenly bodies,
according to the nebula hypothesis, it is easy to see that it no
longer requires controverting.

Thus, the great law of universal attraction is by no means at
the bottom of organized bodies ; and with regard to the move-
ments of the larva of some few invertebrated animals, there
is nothing in them which resembles the phenomenon of the
motion of the celestial bodies. (See p. 85.)

Dr. Burnett read a paper upon the external parasites of
warm-blooded animals. From his study of these insects,
he said he had established to his satisfaction the following
facts :

1st. That although there are single species peculiar to par-
ticular animals, there are others which are found in different
species of the same genus, as is the case in the parasites living
on birds of the genus Larus (Gulls) and the diurnal birds of
prey.

2nd. The parasites of the human body confine themselves
strictly to particular regions ; when they are found elsewhere it
is the result of accident. Thus, the Pediculus capitis lives on
the head ; the P. vestimenti upon the surface of the body ; the
P. tdbescentium on the bodies of those dying with marasmus ;
and the Phthirius inguinalis about the groins, armpits, mouth,
and eyes, or the homologous parts of the bady.

From an examination of the structure of these animals. Dr.
Burnett was of opinion that they should be placed in an order by
themselves, closely allied to the Insecta ; they number about 250
species, the Mandibulate parasites occupying the highest, and
the Haustellate the lowest position in the order.

241

Mr. Alger read a paper on the comparative value of
various kinds of American Sandstone as building material.
He exhibited specimens of the New Brunswick, New
Jersey, and Connecticut Sandstones, and gave a detailed
chemical and mineralogical description of each. From a
comparison of their various qualities he concluded that the
first two are of about equal value for building purposes,
and both of them superior to the third. He spoke of Dr.
Ure's test of the durability of Sandstone by immersing it
in a saturated solution of sulphate of soda, the crystalliza-
tion of which it was thought would imitate the action of
the freezing of water in its pores. He had understood
that in Great Britain it was much relied on in selecting
building stone, but he thought it doubtful whether it would
be of much value in this country, from the greater severity
of the climate.

Prof. Rogers said he distrusted the value of the test, as
the process of crystallization was not strictly analogous to
freezing. In the formation of ice there is no loss of water,
like that which occurs in the process of crystallization. A
specimen of Sandstone, which had stood Dr. Ure's test,
having been used for the construction of a public building
in Philadelphia, was found to exfoliate after two years'
exposure to the action of the elements.

Dr. C. T. Jackson confirmed Mr. Alger's and Prof.
Rogers's statements as to the value of Dr. Ure's test. He
thought the surest way of ascertaining the power of a Sand-
stone to resist the action of water and temperature, was to
examine the rock in the quarry, where it was always easy
to obtain, on the exposed surfaces, the most satisfactory
evidence.

Prof. Wyman exhibited some fossil bones of Seals found in
the Miocene deposit beneath the city of Richmond, Va., where
they occur in company with the teeth of Sharks and Zeuglodonts.
The only other locality in the United States where similar
remains have been found is at South Berwick, Me., as men-

FROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 16 JUNE, 1850.

242

lioned by Dr. C. T. Jackson ; they were found in digging a well,
and were recognized by Prof. W. as parts of a radius and ulna.

Prof. Wyman said that he had come to the conclusion some
time since, that the Walrus should not be classified with the
Seals. Their dentition is quite different. That of the Seals
is the dentition of Carnivora, while the Walrus, besides its
tusks, is furnished with grinders having simple, blunt crowns.
Its stomach is elongated, and its food, so far as it is known, is
vegetable, consisting of the fuci of the shores on which it lives.
These facts, together with the thickness of the skin and the
form of the head, bring it much nearer to the Pacyhderms
than any other animals. It seems to hold the position with ref-
erence to the Pachyderms that Seals do with relation to the
the true Carnivora.

Mr. Desor asked if Prof. Rogers had any theory to explain
the interruption of the drift mentioned by him at the pre-
ceding meeting as occurring w^est of the Alleghanies.

Prof. Rogers replied, that he supposed the drift in coming
from the north had been turned aside by opposing obstacles, as
is indicated by a change in the direction of the drift scratches,
and by the greater thickness of the deposit where natural chan-
nels had been offered for it. In this way openings would be
left between diverging currents.

Mr. Desor mentioned that on Lakes Superior and Michigan
the strise run from N. E. to S. W. One set runs due N. and
S. and is perhaps of more recent origin.

Mr. Desor made some remarks on the relation of the
alluvium to the drift of the Mississippi.

Mr. Lyell, he said, after a careful examination of the banks of
the Mississippi and Ohio, queried whether the bluffs were of the
same formation from Natchez to the Falls of St. Anthony. Mr.
Desor was of opinion that the Natchez bluff was analogous to,
and the continuation of, the low terraces or flat prairies at Cairo,
and on the eastern side of the Mississippi above St. Louis. His
opinion was based upon the fossil bones discovered in both local-
ities. The Natchez bluff he thought had been correctly ex-
plained by Mr. Lyell, who supposed that at the time of its

243

deposition the whole basin was low, subsided gradually and
was afterwards raised. If this had not been the case, marine
fossils would probably have been found, from its proximity to
the sea. This bluff is two hundred feet high and contains land
and fresh water shells and mastodon bones.

Mr. Desor remarked, that it was interesting to observe the
influence which geological causes had had in fixing the localities
of cities on the Mississippi and Ohio. The terraces of the
upper Mississippi are very low and exposed to inundations, so
that towns can only be built on the bluff beyond. This limits
the location of towns to those bluffs near the river. On the
Ohio, on the other hand, the terraces have been elevated to the
height of fifty, eighty, or one hundred feet, and the cities are
built upon this alluvial foundation, having the drift behind them ;
in the Mississippi they are built on the drift itself, so that the
banks of the Ohio offer the more eligible situations for settle-
ment.

Dr. Storer addressed the Society on behalf of the Journal.
He urged upon the members its value and importance as a
means of extending the influence of the Society and pro-
moting the interests of Science. He hoped that members
would give evidence of their continued interest in the So-
ciety by making an effort to increase the subscription list,
novv^ that the sixth volume v^as just commencing.

Robert Briggs, Jr. was elected a member of the Society.

February 20, 1850.

The President in the Chair.

Present, twenty-nine members.

Dr. C. T. Jackson read an analysis and description, and
exhibited a specimen of Vermiculite from Millbury, Mass.
The analysis was made by Mr. Richard Crossley. Dr.
Jackson exhibited to the Society the singular property
which this mineral has when heated, of swelUng to many

244

times its original size, and shooting out long cylinders or
prisms of a worm-like appearance.

The following is a description of the mineral operated upon.
This mineral occurs in small thin scales, having an olive green
color when seen by reflected light and an apple green color by
transmitted light. These scales are imbedded in a soft magne-
sian rock resembling decomposed talcose rock, but which prob-
ably consists of the decomposed particles of Vermiculite mixed
with various earthy and ferruginous matters.

The scales of Vermiculite are rarely more than a sixth of an
inch in diameter, and although they are apparently irregular
prisms, are not well defined on the lateral planes. They split
easily into very thin laminae like talc, and are flexible and not
elastic. They have an unctuous feel when rubbed between the
fingers, but this character is not so marked as in talc.

Their lustre is pearly and somewhat greasy. Color, as before
stated, olive green by reflected light, and apple green by trans-
mitted light. Thin scales are tianslucent and sub-transparent.
Hardness a little above 1. of the scale of Mohs. Specific gravity
of the dried mineral, according to Crossley, 2.756.

A scale of the mineral, heated before the blowpipe, instantly
swells and shoots out into a long cylinder or prism curling like
a worm. The sides of this vermiform mass are marked by
transverse divisions from separation of the laminae of the mineral,
and the scale is found to have increased to from fifty to nearly
one hundred times its original thickness. On raising ihe tem-
perature to redness the mineral glows strongly and is found, after
cooling, to have changed its aspect, having now a perfectly silver
white color with a strong pearly lustre. A scale held in the forceps
is readily melted before the blowpipe into a bottle green glass.
With Carbonate of Soda it melts into an opaque brownish green
bead.

With Borax it dissolves into a clear yellow glass which be-
comes colorless on cooling. In the reducing flame the color
assumes a greenish tint. With salt of Phosphorus it dissolves
readily, imparting a yellow color to the bead while hot, and
becomes colorless on cooling. The bead becomes white and
slightly opaque from separation of the silica. Heated in a glass tube
the mineral quickly exfoliates into long prisms, giving out water,

245

which condenses in the upper part of the tube. A higher tem-
perature causes the mineral to give out more water, and this water
was observed to restore the blue color to reddened litmus paper,
showing that it was slightly alkaline, probably from absorbed
carbonate of ammonia. By heating the mineral on paper cards
and on plates of lead the temperature at which exfoliation takes
place was ascertained to be between 500° and 600° F. By
the researches of Mr. Crossley it was ascertained that this min-
eral could be entirely decomposed by the action of a mixture of
sulphuric and chlorohydric acids; hence it was unnecessary to
attack it by fusion with fixed alkalies. The results of his
analysis are as follows : —

Oxygen. Ratio.

Silica

85.74

18.56 6

Alumina

16.42

7.66 2

Protoxide of Iron

10.02

.I'lt \ 12.90 4
10.62 }

Magnesia

27.44

Water

10.30

9.15 3

99.92
Hence the approximative formula will be

2 Al Si + 4 Mg Si + 3 Aq,

which is the formula of Pyrosklerite, according to Kobell. Du-
frenoy, Traite de Mineralogie, T. iii. p. 503. While writing this
I have received a letter from Mr. J. D. Dana, who suggests that
the formula

2Mg3 (Si Al)2 + 9H

will answer to Mr. Crossley's analysis.

The name Vermiculite having been given to this mineral in
1824 will take precedence over that of Pyrosklerite if the two
minerals should be regarded as identical.

Mr. Teschemacher read a paper on the mineral which
had just been exhibited by Dr. Jackson. He referred to an
opinion expressed to the Society some years since, that
Vermiculite and Pyrophyllite of Hermann are identical.
He proceeded to compare Mr. Crossley's analysis of Ver-
miculite with Chonikrite, Pyrosklerite, Kammererite, Rho-

246

docrome, and Pyrophyllite of Hermann, Rammelsberg, and
Thompson, coming to the conclusion that the last most
closely resembles the mineral in question ; it being the
only one of them, which, besides other similar characters,
as hardness, color, &c. possesses the singular property ex-
hibited by Dr. Jackson, under the influence of heat. Ram-
melsberg considers the mineral from Beresof and that from
Spa the same, from their ingredients being the same although
differing in quantity, and from their pyrognostic character.
In accordance with Dr. Jackson's remark, that the water
from Vermiculite restores the blue color of litmus paper,
Mr. Teschemacher suggested that the appearances pro-
duced by heat must be due to the escape of Ammonia.
Hence, Mr. Dana's opinion seems probably correct, that
these minerals are in a state of decomposition, and in this
condition have absorbed this alkali, so that any name
given to it should properly have reference to this char-
acter.

Dr. C. T. Jackson said he was willing to admit the fact
of the close resemblance of the two minerals to each other,
but he must still regard them as distinct from the differ-
ences of their chemical formulae.

Mr. Teschemacher alluded to a specimen of bark from
a South American tree recently exhibited by Dr. Hayes
before another Society, which is used for purposes of wash-
ing. It is from the Chelaia Saponaria. He gave an account
of the various plants possessing this property as a substitute
for soap. He mentioned among others the Californian
bulb, Phalangium pomaridianum, which has this peculiarity ;
and expressed the hope that any individual who might have
a specimen of it would place it in the hands of Dr. Hayes,
who was engaged at the present time in a chemical exam-
ination of Chelaia.

Prof. Wyman exhibited specimens of fossil teeth of fishes from
the Tertiary deposit of Richmond. They belonged to the genus

247

Phyllodus and exhibited an unusual form. The palatine teeth
are composed of three or four central plates, surrounded by
others, as is represented in Agassiz's plates of the fossil fishes.
A perpendicular section shows them to be made up of several
layers, one above the other, sometimes five or six in number,
each layer being composed of dentine with a more compact
substance above it.

Prof. Rogers said, that he considered the specimens exhibited
particularly interesting, as illustrating the relation of the Ameri-
can Tertiary to the deposits of the old world. The genus Phyl-
lodus occurs in the London clay. The eocene and miocene of
Europe are more closely related to each other than the layers of
Tertiary in America. The Richmond deposit is considered as
miocene.

]\ir. Desor remarked that the London clay had been regarded
of late by some geologists as allied to the miocene. He agreed
with Prof. Rogers as to the want of a complete correspondence
between the American and European Tertiary, and also with
regard to the absence of a close connection between the Ameri-
can Tertiary of different epochs.

Prof. Wyman exhibited a specimen of lignite from the Rich-
mon Tertiary. He stated that at the time it was dug up it was
quite moist and so soft that the fingers could be easily thrust
through it. After a few weeks exposure to the air it had dried
into a hard substance with a fracture like Cannel coal.

Prof. Rogers said, that he had seen a similar hardening of
lignite after being taken from the earth. It often contains a
resinous matter which hardens in a short time.

Dr. C. T. Jackson read a paper on a mineral named Jack-
sonile by Mr. J. D. Whitney.

The purport of the paper was to show, that Jacksonite is not
a new mineral. This result was based upon examinations made
by himself and Mr. Crossley in his laboratory on pieces from the
specimen on which Mr. Whitney's examinations were made.
Mr. Whhney regarded it as an anhydrous mineral. Mr.
Crossley's examination detected 4.84 per cent, of water, — Dr.
Jackson's, 4.8 per cent. Adding this amount of water to Mr.
Whitney's formula, the result coincides with Walmsteadt's form-
ula for Prehnite, which mineral Dr. Jackson considered it to be.

248

Mr. Whitney being present, stated that he had full confidence
in the results of his own examination of the mineral in question,
and he must still consider it a new mineral.

The President exhibited to the Society specimens of dif-
ferent American Sandstones and spoke of their various
adaptation to building purposes. The specimens were the
Potomac, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Nova Scotia Sand-
stones. In his opinion of their comparative value, he coin-
cided in general with the views expressed at the last meet-
ing. On that occasion he had spoken more in favor of the
Potomac Sandstone, he said, than the nature of the stone
would warrant. He was now satisfied that it was inferior
to the others. A letter was read by the Secretary, addressed
to the President by his request, from Mr. T. J. Bayley, a
stone-cutter, on the comparative value of the American
Sandstones, giving that from New Jersey the first place,
and the Connecticut the next, but hesitating in ex})ressing
an opinion as to the Nova Scotia stone for want of sufficient
practical acquaintance with it. The President said, he did
not think Mr. Alger's suggestion of the substitution of
granite for sandstone would be extensively adopted in the
construction of public buildings, on account of the superi-
ority of the latter in color and its greater softness.

Prof. Rogers said, he was unwilling to allow the Nova Scotia
stone to be passed over as inferior to the others. He had seen it as
it came from the quarry, showing no marks of atmospheric action,
and of a compact, homogeneous structure. It has the peculiar
advantage of occurring in very large beds without any percepti-
ble grain, splitting easily in any direction, and is well adapted to
the purposes of coarse statuary.

Prof. Rogers laid before the Society a theory to account
for the origin of the green sand of New Jersey.

This sand is found under the microscope to be sharp on its
edges, not rounded, or showing any signs of attrition. It is in
the form of small granules, like grains of gunpowder, of a dark
olive, sometimes greenish color, from the presence of protoxide

249

of Iron. It contains Silica, about fifty per cent. ; Protoxide of
Iron, twenty ; Alumina, seven ; Potash, ten ; Lime and wa-
ter. From its physical characters, Prof. Rogers was inclined
to regard it as an original deposit. Had it been of mechanical
origin it would have contained conglomerates and been mixed
with other minerals, which is not the case. Neither is there any
green rock known from which it could have been derived. His
theory was, that at the time when the southern part of the
United States was submerged, the green sand was deposited from
the Gulf Stream. The water he supposed to have been charged
with soluble silicates of volcanic origin somewhere at the south,
perhaps in the region of the West Indies, which were precipi-
tated as the current reached the cooler latitudes of the north.

Dr. C. T. Jackson said, he agreed with Prof. Rogers in his expla-
nation of the green sand deposit. The process would be similar
to that of the drying of French green. He suggested thermal
springs as another source from which such a deposit might be
derived.

Dr. Burnett announced, that he had recently found parasites in
the human ovum. They belonged to a species of Conferva sim-
ilar to the yeast plant. They appeared in triplets, or by twos,
and were about ^^Vo- of an inch in diameter. It was difficult to
account for the presence of these parasites in such a situation, as
their spores would be too large to be deposited from the circula-
tion by passing through the v^^alls of the blood vessels.

Mr. Desor described the origin of the Madreporic body in
Starfishes. It had recently been explained by John Muller, of
Berlin, as the scar of the attachment of the Starfish to a Medusa-
like body by which it is surrounded, and to which it is attached
in the embryonic state. Mr. Desor explained this condition by
diagrams on the blackboard. He stated the curious fact that he
had noticed in the Syncoryne, a similar scar. It was due, he
said, to the same cause, the attachment of the embryonic jelly-
fish to the parent polyp.

Mr. Alger exhibited some magnified drawings of vermiform
mica, from Waterbury, Vt. The mica was found on the surface
and in the substance of quartz crystals, and when examined
under the microscope was found to present very singular and

250

novel forms, some of them resembling leeches, spiders, &c.
It consisted of elongated, hexahedral crystals, twisted and dis-
torted into a variety of shapes.

Mr. Bouve presented fifty species of fossil shells from
the post-pleiocene deposit of Nantucket, from Point Shir-
ley and Augusta, Me., and some from Martha's Vineyard.

Mr. Bouve exhibited a specimen of Lazulite from North
Carohna. The mineral had been analyzed by Mr. Whit-
ney. It is a new mineral in America.

A male Eider Duck, Somateria moUissima, and a female
Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus, v^^ere presented in the
name of Mr. Theodore Lyman. Male and female Purple
Sandpiper, Tringa mariiima were added to the Collection
by purchase. The thanks of the Society were voted for
Mr. Lyman's donation.

Specimens of Muscle Shells, from Mt. Joy, Me., were
presented in the name of Mr. Horatio R. Storer, with the
following statement.

The width of the vein was from one to two feet; the shells,
when found, were closely packed together and mostly entire ;
they were at least fifty feet above the level of the sea, and about
forty below the top of the hill. The strata above them were of
coarse gravel, in which the dip appeared to vary greatly, — the
whole surmounted by a layer of large rounded stones, some of
which might weigh from 100 to 300 pounds.

The thanks of the Society were voted for the donation.

Adult and young skulls of Troglodytes niger were pre-
sented in the name of Dr. Savage ; Skull of a species of
Felis from South America, of a Bat of the genus Pteropus,
from the East Indies, Skull and pelvis of American Opos-
sum, Didelphis Virginianus, were presented by Dr. Lewis.

Dr. Durkee presented a specimen of Grass, species
unknown, from Alabama. It is one of the earliest grasses
of the spring in that State, and is, when young, much used
as fodder for cattle. It grows to tlie height of five feet.

251

March 6, 1850.

The President in the Chair.

Thirty-three members present.

Mr. Girard exhibited drawings and read descriptions of
several new species of Marine Planariae of the coast of
Massachusetts.

PoLYSCELis VARIABILIS Glravd. This species is oblong
shaped, somewhat lanceolated, of a color varying from a light
greenish yellow to an orange red, with a minute punctulation of
a deeper red. The relative position of the eye specks is sub-
ject to some variation. I have found it in Boston and Beverly
harbors, always in deep water. It spawns in January and Feb-
ruary. Entire length, half an inch.

Prosthiostomum gracile Girard. It differs from other species
of the same genus by its very slender body and the arrangement
of the eye specks, which are disposed in four groups ; of which
the first and second are in a single pair, the third triple, and the
fourth double. From Boston Harbor.

Procerodes Girard (nov. gen.). Body regular, sides nearly
parallel. Anterior region, (head,) separated from the body by a
kind of a neck. There are two tentacles in front, as in Proceros,
from which it differs, however, by the number and position of
the eye specks, of which it has but two. The general form is
very different from that of Proceros.

P. Wheatlandii Girard. The only species of the genus yet
known. It does not exceed two lines in length, is of a brownish
color, and very lively in its habits. I found it last August at
Manchester, on the Beach at low tide, in company with Dr.
Wheatland of Salem, to whom I dedicate this species in recog-
nition of his zeal as a naturalist.

Planocera elliptica Girard. This species I have mentioned
before the American Association for the Advancement of Sci-
ence when describing its embryology. It is quite common on
the sea-coast of Massachusetts. Its greatest size is about three

252

quarters of an inch, its form elliptical, its margin entire, its color
grayish yellow. The genus Planocera of Blainville is taken
here as including Styloclius of Ehrenberg.

The following shells from the Exploring Expedition were
described by Dr. Gould.

Erycina (Kell^a) quadrata. Testa parva, tenuis, ventri-
cosa, ad angulos rotundata, concentrice et concinne striata, epi-
dermide straminea induta ; umbonibus fere medianis, tumidis,
anteversis : area cardinalis ampliata, in valva sinistra tridentata
(dente mediano subulato, sub umbone sito ; alteris elongatis, com-
pressis) in valva dextra bidentata ; fossa ligamentali triangular!,
declivi. Long. ^ ; alt. f ; lat. ^ poll. Hah. Feejee Islands }

This is a very large species of its type, and closely resembles,
in size and shape, Cyclas similis.

Tellina tithonia. Testa transversa, oblonga, subequilat-
eralis, zonis et radiis diversis albis et roseis picta, concentrice
lirata, liris postice lamellosis ; latere antico semiovali ; latere
postico breviori, triangulari, ad apicem truncato ; plica profunda ;
margine dorsali recto, declivi ; interior incarnata, ad marginem
roseo-maculata, versus apicem lutea ; dentibus lateralibus satis
conspicuis. Long. If ; alt. | poll. Hob. Sooloo Sea.

Intermediate between T. rastellum and T. pulchella, being
smaller and of the same shape as the former, but without its
peculiar squamous sculpture of the right valve ; and being larger
and more roseate than the latter, and from a very different local-
ity. It is colored like T. virgata, externally, but is more slender,
and deeply colored within also.

Tellina lauta. T. parva, solidiuscula, oblonga, inequivalvis,
umbonibus ad trientem posticalem longitudinis sitis ; latere
antico semiovali, margine dorsali recto, latere postico triangulari
ad apicem truncato ; valvis concentrice liratis (liris striis
obliquis antice decussatis) albis, roseo quadri-radiatis et antice
lineis araneosis rosaceis ornatis ; plica inconspicua : cardo den-
tibus lateralibus carens. Long, y^ ; alt. -/^ poll. Hab. ?

About the size, form, and coloring of T. Valtonis, Hanley,
which appears to be a polished, pellucid shell, with no peculiarity
of sculpture. It is very near to T. rhoinboides^ Quoy, which is

263

said to have fine concentric striae anteriorly, that become obsolete
at the middle.

Tellina compta. T. parva, transversa, inequilateralis, alba
vel rubescens, quater roseo-radiata ; umbonibus ad trientem pos-
ticum sitis ; latere antico semi-elliptico ; latere siphonali trian-
gulari apice truncato, vix insculpto, plicate ; marginibus (scilicet
dorsali et ventrali,) fere parallelis ; disco striis concentricis et
striis obliquis arato ; dentibus lateralibus nullis ; intus ex albo fla-
vescens, radiatim striata. Long, f ; alt. ^ ; lat. ^ poll. Hah.

Almost precisely like T. decora, which has a well marked
lateral tooth, and comes from the West Indies. T. rhomhoides,
Quoy, varies chiefly in the more partial development of oblique
stricc. The coloring is less brilliant, and the striae more delicate,
more oblique, and cover a greater proportion of the valve than
T. lauta.

Tellina exculta. T. transversa, solida, trigono-elliptica,
tumida, nitida, albida, rosaceo vix radiata, concentrice liris tenu-
ibus et radiatim striis tenuissimis insculpta ; liris in valva dextra
postice lamellosis et interruptis, squamas simulantibus ; in valvse
sinistrae disco valde obliquis ; umbonibus postmedianis ; latere
anticali semi-elliptica ; latere posticali subtriangulari, ad apicem
valde truncato; flexura insigni, baud lamellosa : cavositas flava ;
dentibus valvse dextra3 conspicuis. Long. 2 ; alt. 1 ; lat. J-^ poll.
Hab. Feejee Islands.

Looks like a variety of T. rastellum, Hanley, (T. Philippii,
Anton,) but is proportionally shorter, the beaks are farther back,
and the disc is more tumid anteriorly. The laminae of the right
valve are everywhere more delicate, and nearly absent on the
anterior half; the scales are confined to the valley in front of the
fold. The oblique grooving on the left valve is very decided.

Tellina concentrica. T. transversa, ovato-trigona, tenuis,
convexiuscula, albida, baud nitida, ubique concentrice lamellosa,
et radiatim inter lamellas subtilissime striata ; lamellis aequalibus,
acutis, confertis, reflexis; umbonibus vix post-medianis : pars
antica semi-elliptica ; margine dorsali vix declivi : pars postica
sub-triangularis ; margine dorsali valde declivi, sub-arcuato,
valde excavate, ad apicem truncato ; flexura conspicua, baud

254

lamelloso : intus alba. Long. If ; alt. 1^ ; lat. ^ poll. Hob.
Feejee Islands.

Like T. capsoides, Lam., but less triangular, the anterior por-
tion more tumid, and its dorsal slope arcuate ; the flexure is
more decided ; the concentric laminse decided and uniform
throughout ; the radiating strise are very delicate, and found
equally before and behind, not crossing the concentric laminae.
It is much like T pristis, Lam., except in form, and its anterior
margin, which is represented as serrated.

Tellina perula. T. parvula, solidiuscula, ventricosa, rotun-
dato-triangularis, eburnea, concentrice et remote striatula ; um-
bonibus t mi iis,submedianis, radiis binis lacteis ornatis ; margin-
ibus dorsalibus valde declivibus ; latere antico rotundato, tumido ;
latere siphonali brevi, valde flexuoso, infra angulato ; margine
ventrali pendulo ; cavositatis limbo albo, disco sulphureo ; denti-
bus lateralibus conspicuis. Long. ^ ; alt. f ; lat. -2% poll. Hab.
Feejee Islands.

Very much like T. casta, Hanley, which is described as pel-
lucid, and no mention is made of the yellow color of the interior,
or of the two white umbonal radiations. One specimen is tinted
and zoned with rose red, and the interior is wholly red, preserv-
ing however, the umbonal white rays.

PsAMMOBiA FLORIDA. Tcsta transversa, oblonga, tenera,
polita, purpurascens, pos'ice albo-radiata ; limbo epidermide
flavo-virescente induto ; natibus postmedianis, inconspicuis ; latere
antico semi-elliptico, apice supra-mediano ; latere siphonali
angustato, acute rotundato, apice infra mediano ; margine ven-
trali rectiusculo : interior incarnata ; sinu siphonali angusto,
prselongo ; cardine dentibus duobus minutis divaricantibus
in utraque valva instructo. Long. 1^ ; alt. -^^ poll. Hah. lUa-
warra, N. S. Wales.

A shell closely resembling in structure and exterior coloring
Machcera costata. It has the form of P. vespertina, except that
the beaks are removed much further backwards.

DoNAx PALLiDUS. Testa transversa, ovato-triangularis, solidula,
convexa, exalbida, postice concentrice sulculata, antice polita ;
umbonibus postmedianis ; margine dorsali utrinque declivi (prse-
cipue retro) convexiusculo ; latere antico semi-ovali, sensim

255

angustalo, ad apicem rotundato ; latere postico sub-triangulari,
rotundato ; margine ventrali valde arcuato, postice sinuato :
interior eburnea, incrassata ; dentibus modicis. Long. J ; alt. ^ ;
lat. ^ poll. Hob. Singapore.

The outlines are all gently rounded, and the shell is other-
wise characterized by its dead, sallow-white color, and its sculp-
ture.

DoNAX TiNCTUS. Tcsta crassa, ovato-trigona, cuneata, ver-
sicolor,scilicet incarnata, straminea vel violacea, striis lamellosis
concentricis postice flexuosis insculpta ; umbonibus fere medi-
anis ; margine interiori integro; dente laterali valido ; dente
antico obsoleto. Long. ^^ ; alt. -^-^ ; lat. | poll. Hob.

It comes near to D. cuneata^ but is still more like Mesodesma
striata in general aspect. The specimens I have examined
vary greatly in color, but correspond in form, sculpture, and
other characters.

DoNAX CEOCATUS. Tcsta parva, tenuis, transversa, ovato-tri-
angularis, inequilateralis, dilute crocea, concentrice lamelloso-
sulcata ; latere antico semi-ovato; latere postico breviori, rotun-
dato-truncato ; margine ventrali lente arcuato : intus flavida,
nitida ; cardine valido. Long, f ; alt. ^ ; lat. -^^ poll. Hah.
Mangsi.

This small species is sufficiently well characterized, somewhat
like D. scalpellum.

LuciNA RAMULOSA. Tcsta crassa, scabra, lenticularis, vix
obliqua, albida, costulis radiantibus crebre divaricantibus et fills
continuis concentricis crebris insculpta ; umbonibus elevatis
acutis antrorsum versis ; lunula excavata, baud insculpta : ca-
vositas albida vel citrina, incrassata ; cicatricibus profundis ;
limbo concinne radiato-striato ; cardinis dentibus lateralibus vali-
dis. Diam. 1 ; lat. ^ poll. Hah. Paumotu Islands.

As much allied to L, tigerina or L. interrupta as to any
described species, but is more circular, more solid, and the
peculiar divergence of the radiating ridges, somewhat like
Cytherea divaricata, are sufficiently characteristic.

LuciNA iNciJLTA. Tcsta tcnuis, lenticularis, retrorsum nonnihil
obliqua, stramineo-albida, concentrice striolata ; natibus medianis,

256

elevalis, acutis, contiguis, antrorsum versis ; latere antico
superne subangulato, excavate ; latere postico rotundato, infra
paululum producto : cavositas albida ; cicatricibus perspicuis :
cardo invalidus ; dentibus apicalibus duobus divaricatis, laterali-
bus nullis. Diam. f ; lat. f poll. Hah. New Zealand.

Very much like L. Jilan, but much smaller, more solid, and
less glossy. The anterior end is less developed, and the bulk
of the shell, as well as its most depending portion, is behind,
instead of before, the beak.

LuciNA VESicuLA. Tcsta tenuis, sub-globosa, vix obliqua, pal-
lide flavescens, concentrice tenui-striata, radiatim obsolete stri-
ata : natibus submedianis, elevatis, anteversis ; margine dorsali
antice excavato, demum subalato, postice rectiusculo ; peripheria
reliqua circulari ; cardine edentulo ; ligamento in fossam obli-
quam internam posito : concavitas flavescens, punctis nitidis
notata. Long. 1^ ; alt. 1^ ; lat. |- poll. Hah. Tongataboo.

Its surface is like L.jilan^ but its form is more ventricose, and
its dorsal margin is much less sloping, somewhat alate ; and this
is one of its most striking peculiarities. In form it is more like
L. undata, except that the reverse extremities correspond.

LuciNA LENTicuLA. Testa parva, solidula, lenticularis, rotun-
data, convexiuscula, concentrice imbricato-striata, etiam striis
radiantibus decussata, alba, epidermide fuliginoso hicillic induta ;
umbonibus fere medianis, prominulis : cardo dentibus apicalibus
et lateralibus tenuibus instructus : intus incrassata, alba ; mar-
gine crenulato ; impressionibus profundis. Diam. | ; lat. -^^
poll. .Hah. Coast of Patagonia ?

This little shell has rather the aspect of an Astarte orCyprina,
and would be considered as such but for its lateral hinge teeth.

Prof. Johnston, present by invitation, gave at the request
of the President, an account of the Green Sand deposits
of England.

The green sand deposit in the southeast part of England had
long been known for its fertilizing properties, and it is exten-
sively used for manuring the hop lands in that quarter. He
attributed its fertilizing power to the presence of phosphate of
lime, of which it contains fifteen or twenty per cent. He men-

257

tioned the existence, in the eastern coast of England, of exten-
sive beds of nodules of phosphate of lime, which are used as a
manure with a similar good effect. Some of these nodules are
casts of Ammonites and other fossils. Similar fossils he thought
would be found in all the green sand deposits of the Continent.
They had been found in Hanover and in France. During his
stay in Boston his assistant had analyzed, at his suggestion, two
specimens of the New Jersey green sand, and found in one IJ
per cent, and in the other 1 per cent, of phosphate of lime, a
smaller quantity than had been looked for, but constituting, he
thought, the fertilizing element in this deposit.

Dr. Jackson asked if Prof Johnston had noticed any fertilizing
property in phosphate of iron, as this mineral occurs in the green
sand of New Jersey in considerable quantities, sometimes filling
fossil shells with its crystals. Prof. Johnston replied, that he
had never seen it in such quantities, but if it were mixed with
marl it would make phosphate of lime.

Dr. Pickering confirmed Dr. Jackson's statement as to the
presence of phosphate of iron in the New Jersey green sand,
and mentioned another ingredient of fertilizing power, namely,
potash.

Mr. Desor inquired if Prof. Johnston's statements had refer-
ence to the upper or lower layer of green sand ; he replied, that
he spoke of both.

Dr. Jackson said he thought if phosphate of iron could be
made useful for agricultural purposes, that bog iron ore combined
with lime would be of similar use.

Prof. Rogers said, that he had long held the opinion that the
alkali is the fertilizing ingredient in the green sand of New Jer-
sey, although he had been aware of the presence of phosphates,
which he had considered as belonging to the clay included in
the sand. In preparing the sand for chemical analysis the clay
was washed out, removing with it the phosphate of lime. This
would account for his failure to detect this element in the pure
green sand. He was still of opinion that the potash was a fertil-
izing ingredient, as he had seen from 100 to 200 bushels of
Indian corn to the acre, raised upon loose sand which had been
manured with it.

Mr. Desor exhibited to the Society a shark's tooth from the

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 17 MAY, 1650

258

iime stone deposit at Keokuck, Iowa, on the right bank of the
Mississippi. It resembled the teeth of the genus Psammodeus.
The specimen was worn on the posterior surface from the juxta-
position of another tooth. It was composed of very loose den-
tine, but at the base was a layer of more compact substance,
making it the type of a new genus. From its general resem-
blance to the teeth of the Port Jackson Shark, which, however,
are much smaller, an inference might be drawn as to the size of
the species. The Port Jackson Shark being three or four feet
in length, the size of this species must have been very great.

There was a doubt, Mr. Desor remarked, as to the true geo-
logical position of the limestone from which the specimen was
procured. The Western strata cannot be so readily referred to
those of Europe as those of the eastern parts of the United
States. The distinctive traits of the strata of the East diminish
on going West. These strata mark the existence of a vast
ocean, the shore of which was along the Atlantic coast. He
saw, however, no reason to infer that the Western deposits were
deep sea deposits, the existence of fossil corals and Echinoderms
which live in water of moderate depth would indicate the con-
trary. He thought that many of the eastern deposits would be
reduced to one epoch. If at the present time we suppose an
elevation of the sea shore for a few feet, there would be a succes-
sion of strata of various composition similar to those referred to.

Prof. Rogers said, that he had sometime since announced the
view that the New York and Pennsylvania beds of limestone
were of littoral origin, their outlines becoming confused and
blended on going west, until in the district of Cincinnati they
come in contact with the overlying clay, which in the east is
separated from it, making one common mid sea deposit of lime-
stone. This is shown by the diminishing size of the pebbles
and the thinning of the layers as they recede from the east. In
a similar way the palaeozoic horizons became confused towards
the west. The deposits which overwhelmed the animals of the
east did not reach the west, and they continued to live, so that
the inhabitants of different strata in the east occur together in
the west. Thus, where there was a layer of thick mud in the
east there is found in the west a deposit of thin clay, forming
shales interposed in the limestone. Prof. Rogers said, in con-

259

elusion, that he thought the attempt to identify the palseontologi-
cal character of the deposits of different seas unphilosophical.

Dr. Kneeland stated that he had found the internal capacity
of the crania of Troglodytes niger, presented at the last meeting,
to be, that of the young specimen (which was a male) 26.5 cubic
inches, that of the adult female, 25 cubic inches. There was a
want of symmetry between the superior maxillary bones in the
latter, and the nasals were pushed to the right.

Prof. Wyman said that Dr. Kneeland's statements confirmed
a statement of his own, that the capacity of the cranium of the
male T. niger is greater than that of the female. The capacity
of the cranium of T. gorilla is not in proportion to the external
size, or size of the animal, that of the female being 25, of the
male 28 cubic inches. This is an important fact as bearing
upon its proper position with reference to the other ourangs.
Prof. Owen had placed T. gorilla first, a position not sustained
by this fact. Prof. Wyman remarked that the form of the cra-
nium in the young Ourang approaches more nearly to that of
man than does that of the adult, a fact seemingly at variance
with the general law.

Prof. Wyman remarked, in allusion to Dr. Burnett's observa-
tions on parasites in the human ovum made at the last meeting,
that such parasites occur normally in many animals. In man
they are generally found in diseased parts. He had found them
in the mucus of the posterior nares of a bear, in the form of
cells with nuclei, grouped together in an elongated series, which
was sometimes branched.

Prof. Rogers laid before the Society a theory to account
for the origin of salt lakes.

He thought that the existence of these inland seas was con-
nected with the laws of climatology. In all instances they were
without outlet. On regarding their position it would be found
that they only exist in those regions where there is an excess of
evaporation over the amount of rain. This was true of the Cas-
pian, Sea of Aral, the Dead sea, and the seas of Central Asia.
He believed that the salt was brought down by the rivers flow-
ing into these lakes, they having derived it from the disintegra-
tion of volcanic rocks. As it accumulated, the water became

260

strongly impregnated with it. It had been thought that the
Great Salt Lake of Western America derived its supply from
deposits of rock salt in the neighborhood, but he thought it
would be found that these deposits indicated the former borders
of the Lake, when it was higher than now. The ocean itself
might be regarded as a great lake without an outlet. It proba-
bly derived its saline materials from the rivers flowing into it, or
from volcanic eruptions, principally, however, from the former
source.

In confirmation of Prof. Rogers's views, Dr. Jackson stated,
that the water of the river Jordan was found on evaporation
to contain the same ingredients as the Dead Sea, into which it
flows.

Dr. Jackson presented, in the name of General Caleb
Gushing, a skull from Mexico, which, from the character
of the objects found with it, he believed to be an undoubted
Aztec skull. The thanks of the Society were voted for the
donation.

A specimen of Alca torda, Razor-billed Auk, young,
was presented in the name of Mr. Theodore Lyman. The
thanks of the Society v»^ere voted for the donation.

Mr. Desor presented a specimen of Ground Squirrel,
Tamias quadrivittatus, from the shores of Lake Superior.

A specimen of Tetraodon was presented in the name of
Dr. Storer.

March 20, 1850.

Dr. C. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Present, twenty-four members.

Mr. Teschemacher exhibited to the Society several specimens
of Palms from the country back of Singapore. They were all
of the creeping or climbing order of Lepidocaryinse, namely

261

two species of Zalacca, one of Dcemonorops, one of Metroxylon.
He also exhibited what he supposed a new vegetable acid from
the fruit of Metroxylon by boiling in water, saturating with lime,
and precipitating by sulphuric acid, — repeated washing and crys-
tallization ; — it was pure white, and had characters differing from
any he knew of. He had the alkaline salts in process of crystal-
lization. The chief object of his exhibition of these Palms was
to show several agreements between them and the vegetation of
the coal period, of which he exhibited specimens in the anthracite
coal itself. He observed, that in the most recent work on this
subject, Unger's Synopsis, published in 1845, the only species of
Palms noted as occurring in the coal, are Flabellaria lorassi'
folia, Zeugophyllites calamoides, and Paleospathe Sternbergii ;
others have been found in bituminous shales, but the largest part
of the fossils, considered as Palms, have been found in much
later formations. Noeggerathia of Sternberg is considered by
Unger as a Neuropteris, or one of the Neuropterides, while
Brongniart's latest opinion, 1846, places it amongst the Pinus
tribe ; to this latter, there is in his opinion, much objection. He
thought he could show that the Palms formed a more consider-
able portion of the coal vegetation than had been supposed.

On six or eight specimens of the coal the vegetable fossils
were interspersed with round concavities, from a very small size
to a quarter of an inch diameter, some of them surrounded by
stellate fissures and filled with a black powder ; he had long
considered these as a fungus growth ; on the recent specimens
he exhibited precisely the same appearances, so that no doubt
could exist of the correctness of this opinion.

He observed, that although the existence of this fungus on the
recent palm is no distinct proof of the fossil plant being a palm,
as the same fungus may also vegetate on GraminecB, CalamitecB,
or Filices, yet as the fossil stem and its structure resembles that
of the palm, this evidence is of some weight. He then exhib-
ited other much larger and more extensive stellate appearances
on the fossils, each with its nucleus, which he thought also be-
longed to the fungus tribe, particularly as in one specimen they
were connected together.

He then exhibited many specimens of fossil vegetables in coal,
containing horizontal fissures across the vegetable structure,

262

these being curved and irregular in various ways, he compared
with the veins in the various recent pahia leaves, which are also
horizontal, and explained that these veins being composed of
annular vessels, under vertical pressure would form exactly such
fissures as are observed in the fossil. The only difficulty attend-
ing this explanation was, that some fossil specimens contained
these horizontal fissures of such large dimensions that some of
these foliar appendages must have been of much larger size than
any now existing ; still he thought he could produce other fossil
proof of the existence of this enormous foliage.

He also pointed out on some specimens what he thought must
be large vertical sections of vegetable stems.

In reply to a question from Prof. Rogers, Mr. Teschemacher
said, that under the microscope the coal strise lose their definite
outline, and no organic texture is made out.

Prof. Rogers said, that in many specimens he could see no
trace of vegetable substance, and he thought the fissures might
have been caused by fracture. He thought that vegetable struc-
ture would manifest itself, if it existed, under the microscope.
He was inclined to question the accuracy of Mr. Teschemacher's
hypothesis as to the origin of the silicic acid in the fissures. He
thought that that, as well as the scales of silica found in anthra-
cite, might have been deposited by sublimation. He must, there-
fore, he said, renew his demurrer, formerly expressed, as to the
soundness of Mr. Teschemacher's theory.

Mr. Teschemacher said in reply, that he had specimens which
had been ground and polished, which, under the microscope,
showed a structure precisely like that of palms.

Dr. Burnett read a paper on the Embryology of Articu-
lata, as illustrating some obscure phenomena in the physi-
ology of generation.

He explained in detail the successive development from the
ovum of the different parts in the animals of this order. In the
formation of the extremities of insects, a process takes place
similar to that of the first stages of development of the whole
body. As the whole body was at first a cylindrical blastemal
mass, subsequently marked by transverse grooves indicating its

263

articulated character, so the limbs are primarily cylindrical tubes,
afterwards divided transversely into different joints.

Dr. Burnett expressed the opinion, that the true typical char-
acteristics of species belong to the primitive ovum ; and conse-
quently little weight should be given to the theory of the change
of such characters, or the introduction of new ones by external
influences. Thus, as the wings of insects are only expanded
tracheae, and consequently belong to their primitive character-
istics, their actual existence might have been predicated at an
earlier period than they had been supposed to exist before the
recent investigations of Burmeister and Agassiz.

Dr. Burnett spoke of the singular facts observed in the gener-
ation of the Humble Bee and Aphides. In the former, three
successive broods of offspring are produced from one act of
impregnation ; the first brood, he believed, being alone produced
from eggs directly impregnated. In the Aphides, a succession
of broods is produced, sometimes to the number of ten or
eleven, each being the offspring of the preceding, and all the
result of the impregnation of the parent of the first.

Dr. Burnett proceeded to examine Owen's and Steenstrup's
views as to the nature of the process by which this succession of
generation was effected, stating that they did not accord with his
own. He thought the phenomena were not anomalous, but con-
sistent with the highest and most philosophical views of the
essential nature of generation. He explained the process, which
he had observed, of the division of the sperm cell by which the
spermatozoon is produced, describing it as similar to the division
of the ovum in the female. The function of the spermatozoon
was to awaken, by contact, the slumbering force which led to the
formation of the embryo in the ovum, — a process similar, he
thought, to that in the inorganic world known as the process of
catalysis, as in the instances of the immediate magnetizing of
iron by contact with a magnet, and the production of water from
a union of hydrogen and oxygen by the contact of spongy pla-
tinum. As the particles of magnetized iron have the power of
transmitting to others by mere contact, the property communi-
cated to them, so the cells of the ovum, being, so far as is known,
in their nature precisely similar to each other, may in certain
instances be supposed to be able to communicate to another
ovum the force which has spread to them all, from the contact of

264

a spermatozoon. In the case of the Aphides, the females which
are produced directly from the act of impregnation, retain in
themselves the property of awakening the power of development
in the ova produced in their ovaries, and this power is trans-
mitted from one brood to another until it finally dies out, — a
process which seems to have its analogue in the disposition to
the production of adventitious growths in the ovary, which is
sometimes seen to be hereditary in the human female. In the
Humble Bee it would seem that the ova from which the first
brood are produced, are fertilized directly by spermatozoa;
that ova transmit the awakened force to those which produce the
second, and these in their turn to those which produce the third.

Mr. Girard read descriptions of two marine species of
Planariae, in addition to those given at the last meeting, as
follows : —

VoKTEX Warrenii Girard. General form elongated, sides
nearly parallel ; anterior and posterior extremities rounded.
Small species, reddish brown, found on the shores of Boston Har-
bor. Not common.

Vortex Candida Girard. Body elongated, tapering away
towards the posterior extremity ; head rounded ; sides entire ;
almost transparent, of a pale rose color. From Chelsea beach,
found attached to the Horse-shoe Crab. Length, a quarter of an
inch.

The generic position of these two species is still a matter of
doubt ; the genus Vortex not being as yet well circumscribed.

He then gave a brief account of the fresh water species
of this family, known to him as the inhabitants of this
country, as follows : —

Planaria gracilis Haldem. Suppl. to a Monogr. of Limn. &c.
1840, p. 3. Common about Cambridge in pools and rivulets.

Planaria tigrina Girard. Of this species I have seen but
one individual in a damaged state, but showing itself distinct
from all those I have known, being of a dark brownish color,
dotted with large white spots, and smaller and more numerous
black ones. Found in the State of New Jersey.

265

Obs. Planaria gracilis^ and very likely Planaria tigrina
will not remain in the genus Planaria as soon as we shall know
their internal structure.

Dendroccelum pulcherrimum Girard. The largest species
of that family hitherto known in the fresh waters of this country.
It resembles D. lacteum, of northern Europe, from which it dif-
fers by having three pairs of eyes instead of one. From New
Jersey.

Dendroccelum superbum Girard. Of this species I know two
varieties : the one is red, or rather delicate rose, the other milky
white. They are of a much smaller size than the preceding,
and are very common in rivulets, ponds, and pools of our vicin-
ity. It reminds us of PI. vitta, Duges, which must be placed
in the same genus.

Thus, the genus Dendroccelum, of (Ersted, created by that
naturalist for the Planaria lactea, of MiJller, would embrace
three species more, the PI. vitia, of Duges, and the two above
mentioned.

1 would propose a new genus for one species of this country,
which bears some striking resemblances to the Planaria gono-
cephala^ of Duges, which I would take for the type, and call
the genus.

DuGEsiA Girard. The anatomical character I am not yet
prepared to give. As for the external appearance, the body is
slender, elongated, tapering away posteriorly. The head, some-
what detached from it, is triangular, the summit of the triangle
in front.

DuGEsiA GONOCEPHALOiDES Girard. Has been found in Mas-
sachusetts and New Jersey, and will probably be found over a
greater extent. It is quite common in ponds and rivulets, and
differs from Duges's PI. gonocephala by the oblong shape of the
transparent space which surrounds the eyes, whilst in PI. gono-
cephala that space is circular. There are also two pairs of eyes
in the American species.

He concluded with a general description of the organiza-
tion of these animals as illustrated by M. de Quatrefages.

266

Prof. Rogers exhibited a large diagram showing the principal
features of Johnston's Physical Atlas. On it were displayed the
principal deposits of salt in the desert and semi-desert regions
of Northern Africa and Central Asia. He stated, that since the
last meeting he had discovered that Darwin, in his account of his
exploration of California and South America, had attributed the
occurrence of salt Lakes without outlet to the same cause that he
had suggested, the washings of rivers flowing into them. An-
gelot had proposed a similar hypothesis. Da Jean thought that
such Lakes, with a level below that of the sea, were more salt
than those above it, for the reason that they had probably been
cut off from it and had lost a part of their water by evaporation.
That this was not a true generalization was shown by the fact,
that the Great Salt Lake of California is almost a saturated solu-
tion of salt. The only point, therefore, in the hypothesis for
the origin of these Lakes, which Prof. Rogers said he could claim
as new, was the generalization that these salt Lakes only occur
where the evaporation exceeds the amount of rain ; and he con-
sidered this observation a contribution to geological science, as
aiding in illustrating the climate at different geological epochs.

The saline deposits in the earth, even the rock salt, he believed
to have been formed by washings like the salt lakes of the pre-
sent time, and that they indicated the existence of dry climates
analogous to the present.

Mr. Alger exhibited specin^ens of crystallized gold from
California.

^

One of them was an octohedron of the dimensions of the
figure annexed, being ■f'-^ of an inch in diameter at the base of
the pyramid, and having four pretty regular faces, with three of
the solid angles perfectly formed to a point — two of the faces
were depressed, one of them into a very deep cavity surrounded
by a pretty uniform border parallel with the edges which unite
with the adjoining planes of the crystal. It appears as if the
crystal had been in a liquid state, and that soon after the outer
portion, or the surface of the planes, had congealed, the interior

267

yet fluid parts had run out, thus leaving the consolidated edges
around the cavity. Mr. Alger had seen something similar to
this formed in the same way among artificially produced crystals,
as for example, pure lead and lead ore partially desulphuretted,
where the metal flowed out after an outer crust had formed over
some of the faces of the crystals. The great size of this crystal,
and the fact that the large cavity contained oxide of iron possibly
derived from pyrites, had led some to regard it as a pseudo-
morph of sulphuret of iron. He was not disposed to ascribe any
such unnatural and forced origin to this beautiful production.
He believed it to have been formed under the ordinary circum-
stances of crystallization, and in a matrix so soft as to give it full
freedom to take its proper form. In Haiiy's time, crystals of
gold in the form of the cube were very rare, so much so that he
speaks of them with some degree of doubt, and gives no such
figure. Mohs says, tlierj are often hollow, while the octahedrons
are smooth. Beudant says the crystals are usually very small ;
Cleaveland says, that they are small and imperfect. Nicol, in
his late work on Mineralogy, says of gold crystals in general,
" they are small and very small."

Mr. Alger also exhibited Cinnabar, from California.
He presented, in the name of Mr. George E. Tyler, three
bulbs of the Soap Plant, Phalangium pomeridianum, from
California, with the following letter, giving an account of
its mode of growth, &c. The thanks of the Society were
voted for the donation.

The Soap Plant grows all over California on high hills as well
as in low vales. The leaves make their appearance about the
middle of November, or about six weeks after the rainy season
has fairly set in ; they never grow more than one foot high, and
the leaves and stalk drop entirely off* in May, though the bulbs
remain in the ground all summer without decaying. It is used
to wash with, in all parts of California, and, by those who know
its virtues, it is preferred to the best of soap.

The method of using it is merely to strip off" the husk, dip the
clothes in water, and rub the bulb on them ; it makes a thick
lather, and smells not unlike new brown soap.

268

The specimens I send I procured at San Francisco on a hill,
the soil of which was fine gravel. I procured it January 10,
1850.

A donation of ^20 was announced, from Mr. G. How-
land Shaw, for the department of Comparative Anatomy.
The thanks of the Society were voted for the donation.

A large mass of conglomerated fossil shells from the
Richmond tertiary was presented by the President, in the
name of Dr. J. V. C. Smith.

Mr. Charles F. Hovey was elected a member of the
Society.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31.

Traite de Mineralogie, par Haijy. 5 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1801.
From Dr. C. T. Jackson.

Natural History of New York. 15 vols. 4to. New York,
1843. Deposited hy Republican Institution.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. 24, for De-
cember, 1849. 8vo. London. Courtis Fund.

United States Exploring Expedition. Atlas. Zoophytes, by
James D. Dana, A. M. Folio. Philadelphia, 1849. From
Francis Alger.

A Description of two additional Crania of the Enge-ena. By
Jeffries Wyman, M. D. 8vo. Pamph. Boston, 1849. From
the Author.

The Western Journal. Edited by M. Tarver and T. F. Fisk.
8vo. Pamph. Vol. III. Nos. 1, 2. St. Louis. From the
Editors.

The Family Visitor. Edited by J. P. Kirtland, S. St. John,
and C. H. Knapp. 4to. (Newspaper). Cleaveland, Ohio. Vol. I.
N. 1. F7^om the Editors.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. 2'^™^ serie.
Tome 6'^'"^ Feuilles 27 - 34. 2 Avril — 18 Juin, 1849. From
the Societe Geologique.

Bibliotheque Conchyliologique, Chenu. Premiere serie.
Vol. L 2^^""^ serie. Vols. L - IV. 8vo. Paris, 1845. Depos-
ited hy Mr. Desor.

269

New Species of Myliobates from the Eocene of South Caro-
lina. By R. W. Gibbs. 4to. Pamph. Philadelphia, 1849,
From the Author.

Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
New Series. Vol. IV. Part 1. 4to. Cambridge, 1849. From
the American Academy.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. For January, 1850.
8vo. Pamph. No. 25. Vol. V. London. Courtis Fund.

Icones Plantarum. By Sir William J. Hooker. Vols. I. -III.
New Series. 8vo. London. 1842-4. Deposited hy Repub-
lican Institution.

Monographia Apum Anglise. By William Kirby. 2 vols.
8vo. Ipswich (England.) 1842. Deposited by Republican In-
stitution.

Lectures on Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of the
Vertebrate Animals. By Richard Owen. Vol. 2nd, Part I.
Fishes. London, 1846. Deposited by Republican Institu-
tion.

Outlines of Comparative Anatomy. By R. E. Grant. 8vo.
London, 1849. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Elements of the General and Minute Anatomy of Man and
Mammalia. By Fr. Gerber. With Notes, &c. by George Gul-
liver. 8vo. London. 1 vol. and 1 vol. 8vo. of Atlas. De-
posited by Republican Institution.

Cyclopsedia of Anatomy and Physiology. By R. B. Todd.
8vo. Nos. 1-37. London. Deposited by Republican Insti-
tution.

Monograph of the Anatidae or Duck Tribe. By T. C. Eyton.
4to. London, 1838. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Icones Avium. By John Gould. Parts 1, 2. Folio. Lon-
don, 1837. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Descriptions of Two Species of Distoma. By J. Leidy, M. D.
4to. Pamph. Philadelphia. 1850. From the Author.

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
New Series. Vol. I. Part. IV. 4to. Philadelphia, 1850.
From the Academy of Natural Sciences.

Plates to Magnetic and Meteorological Observations at Girard
College. 8vo. Washington, 1849. From R. C. Winthrop.

Illustrations of British Entomology. By J. F. Stephens.

270

12 vols. 8vo. London, 1846. Deposited by Republican In.
stitution.

G. Cuvier. Regno Animal, Crustaces. 2 vols. 8vo. Paris.
Deposited by Republican Institution.

Encyclopsedia Americana. 14 vols. 8vo. Philadelphia,
1849. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. No. 26,
for March, 1850. From the Editors.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. 26, for Feb-
ruary, 1850. London. From the Courtis Fund.

De Candolle. Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vege-
talis. Vols. 5-7 to 4, and 13. 8vo. Paris, 1843. Deposited
by Republican Institution.

Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of the Erebus and Terror.
By J. D. Hooker. 17 Nos. 4to. London, 1845-6. Depos-
ited by Republican Institution,

Cuvier, Regne Animal, Atlas. Vol. 2nd. Texte. Vol. 2nd.
8vo. Paris. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Annales de la Societe Entomologique de France. Nos. 1, 2.
Vol. VII. Paris, 1849. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Traite Generale d'Anatomie Comparee. Par J. F. Meckel.
10 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1836. Deposited by Republican Institu-
tion.

Cuvier et Duvernoy. Lemons d'Anatomie Comparee. Tome
gieme^ 8vo. Paris, 1846. Deposited by Republican Institution.

Isomorphism and Atomic Volume of some Minerals. By J.
D. Dana. 8vo. Pamph. 1850. From the Author.

Synopsis of the Genera of Gammaracea. By J. D. Dana.
8vo. Pamph. 1849. From the Author.

United States Exploring Expedition. Vol. VIII. Zoophytes.
By J. D. Dana. 4to. Philadelphia, 1848. From Francis
Alger.

G. Cuvier, Regno Animal. Poissons. Texte, 1 vol. Atlas,
1 vol. 8vo. Paris. Deposited by Republican Institution.

G. B. Sowerby, Thesaurus Conchyliorum, Part X. 8vo.
Pamph. London, 1840. Exchange.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Parts L
and II. January, — July, 1849. 16 Plates. From the Zoologi-
cal Society.

271

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. 27, for March,
1850. Courtis Fund.

Zoology of the Voyage of H. M. S. Sulphur. 2 vols. 4to.
London, 1844. Deposited hy Republican Institution.

L'Histoire de la Nature des Oyseaux, &c. Par Pierre Belon
du Mans. Long 4to. Paris, 1555. From J. W. Thornton.

April 3, 1850.
The President in the Chair.
Present, thirty-four members.

Dr. Durkee presented a number of dried specimens of
American Marine Algae. He read a paper, giving an ac-
count of their structure, chemical constituents, habits, and
distribution, concluding with some statistics of the manu-
facture and commercial value of Kelp. His observations
were illustrated by the specimens presented, and others
which he exhibited, as well as by drawings on the black-
board.

He was followed by the Rev. John L. Russell, who
touched upon certain points not fully treated by Dr. Durkee,
giving an account of the recent opinions of botanists as to
the nature of the process of reproduction in these plants.
In reply to a question from Mr. Desor, he said, that Con-
ferv8e do not grow in fresh water of any considerable depth.
Having alluded to the opinion that the Edible Swallow's
nest is composed principally of a substance derived from
Algae, Dr. Cabot stated, that recent observations have
shown that these nests are principally composed of the
secretion of the salivary glands of the Swallow. A sub-
stance similar in character is a component part of all Swal-

272

Dr. Gould mentioned, that recently Prof. Harvey had
stated, that he had found the coast of the United States to
be divided into three distinct regions, as exhibited by the
character of the Algge. Dr. Gould considered this a very
interesting fact, as it coincided with Lieut. Maury's views
in connection with the currents on the coast, and his own
observations of similar divisions in the Fauna.

Dr. Kneeland read a paper on the Aztec skull recently
presented by Col. Gushing.

His description of the specimen was prefaced by a synopsis of
the opinions of Ethnologists and the traditions as to the origin
of the race to which it belonged. From a careful comparison
with published descriptions he was satisfied that it belonged to
the Toltecan family.

It very nearly resembled No. 18 of the Plates of Dr. Morton's
Crania Americana. The diameters which it was possible to take
with any accuracy are : —

L.D.

P. D.

F. D.

I. M.

Oc.F.

H. P.

Inches.

Arch.

Arch.

6.6

5.7

4.4

15.

14.5 .?

20.

In connection with this subject Mr. Desor said that Mr. Foster
had recently ascertained that the copper tools found in the Ohio
mounds are made of the Lake Superior copper, an indication of
the degree of civilization of the builders.

Dr. Jackson said that Dr. Locke, of Cincinnati, had made the
same observation. He did not himself regard the facts men-
tioned as indicating of necessity any higher degree of civilization
than exists among the Indians of the present day. It was well
known that particular articles were extensively circulated by
exchange among the old Indian tribes, and are found at great
distances from their primitive origin ; such, for instance, as the
arrow-heads of Maine, which are found in great numbers in
Massachusetts and New York.

Dr. Cabot mentioned, as another illustration, that the obsidian
of the Mexican volcanoes is found in Yucatan, and also far to
the north, even in the Ohio mounds.

Dr. Burnett exhibited specimens, and gave an account of a

273

disease extensively prevalent in sweet potatoes. It was very-
destructive in its character, rapidly extending throughout a large
quantity of them where one had become affected with it, redu-
cing the potato to a soft-solid pulp. On examining it with the
microscope he had found two species of fungus similar to the
fungus in the common potato affected with the rot. Large num-
bers of flies of the species Antliomyia radicum 1 issued from
the barrels containing the diseased potatoes, but he thought they
had no connection with the origin of the disease, but were propa*
gated on their surface.

Mr. Russell said, he felt confident after numerous investiga-
tions, that the fungi were not the cause of the rot in potatoes,
they were only a consequence. He thought the rot to be either
analogous to dry gangrene or else quite inexplicable.

Mr. Russell presented a package of specimens of Lichens
and Musci, collected at Lake Superior by Mr. Desor. He
said, that he had examined under the microscope sections
of the wood from the terraces of Lake Superior, thought
by Mr. Desor to be cedar, and had ascertained that they
were not cedar, but some hard wood.

Mr. Alger offered some remarks on a singular cavity
presented by one of the quartz crystals from Waterbury,
Vermont.

He said that he had, on a former occasion, called the attention
of the Society to the beautiful crystals from Waterbury, which
were permeated in every part by acicular prisms of rutile. He
wished now to exhibit a specimen which had recently come into
his possession, and which was marked by a peculiarity hitherto
unobserved. It presented on one of its transparent faces a
rhomboidal cavity, one inch in width, and about half an inch in
depth. It might at first sight be mistaken for the impression left
by some substance which had become surrounded by the quartz,
and had since disappeared by decomposition. But no substance
having such form had been found attached to any of the crystals
from this place, nor did it seem probable that any crystallized
mineral could assume the exact conformation required to fill up
the cavity. The angles at which the sides meet each other are

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 18 JULY, 1850.

274

about 74° and 106°, or nearly those of calc-spar or carbonate of
iron. Could either of these have formed the cavity ? It is evi-
dent from the internal form of it that they could not ; and if any
substance ever occupied the space, it got there by infiltration, and
took its form from the cavity, without communicating any to it —
thus producing a kind of pseudo-morphous crystal. The cavity
enlarges, towards the surface of the crystal, by successive step-
like ridges parallel and continuous nearly all around it. These
ridges are also parallel with the face of the crystal, and ihey
indicate an interruption in the process of crystallization by some
cause not easily explained. The sides of the cavity do not con-
form to any of the striae of the crystal, but they are nearly par-
allel with the small rhombic replacements resting on the adja-
cent lateral angles of the prism which are occasionally seen on
quartz crystals from other localities, rhombifere of Haiiy. The
annexed cut represents the appearance of the cavity, drawn in
full size from a cast of it. The position is reversed, the face
lettered F being the bottom of the cavity in the crystal, and cor-
responding with face F of the crystal. Mr. Alger wished to call
the attention of other mineralogists to the subject, and desired
them to search for other specimens that might throw more light
upon it.*

Dr. Cabot announced the donation from Mr. Theodore
Lyman of %20 for the department of Ornithology. The
thanks of the Society were voted for the donation.

A Geological Map of England was presented by Mr. Bul-
finch.

Dr. Burnett presented a specimen of Prairie Grass of
unknown species, seven and a half feet high.

* A cellular quartz has been found in the vicinity of Lancaster, Penn. and de-
scribed by Dr. Atlee in the American Journal of Science, Vol. XXXV. p. 139.
But here the cavities presented no anomalous character, but were obviously pro-
duced by calcareous spar, precisely like those from Herkimer County, New York.

276

Mr. Alger presented a specimen of Iridescent Anthracite
Coal from the Lehigh mines, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Lemuel Shaw, Jr. was elected a member of the So-
ciety.

April 17, 1850.

The President in the Chair.

Present, twenty-eight members.

The President exhibited a number of American Crania,
and pointed out resemblances between those of races quite
distinct from each other in geographical position.

He compared a Mexican head of the primitive race with one
of a North American Indian, showing as great a similarity
between them as is usually seen between the crania of Indians of
the same tribe. A cranium of one of the second of the Mexican
races, the Toltec, was shown, in comparison with the crania of
three Mound Indians and an Inca Peruvian, to resemble them
all very closely, giving probability to the opinion that they were
all originally of the same stock; the Mound Indians by migration
having founded the Toltec race, and they in their turn the Incas.
He also exhibited one of the elongated crania of the Peruvian
race which preceded the Incas ; also an Aztec cranium belong-
ing to the race which followed the Toltecan in Mexico, remark-
able for its antero-posterior compression, and a deep perpendicu-
lar depression behind, extending up over the vertex, dividing the
head into two lateral lobes. A cranium of a Natchez Indian was
shown to resemble this last very closely, particularly in the flat-
tening from before backwards.

Dr. Gould presented descriptions of the following shells
from the United States Exploring Expedition.

276

Cardita ventricosa. Testa solida, ventricosa, ovato-trigona
vix obliqua, radiatim 18-20 costata, costis concentrice subno-
dosis, interstitiis angustis, epidermide fuliginoso, villoso induta ;
umbonibus submedianis, obtusis ; intus alba ; margine profunde
crenulato ; dente cardinal! valvae dextrse, elevato, crasso, trian-
gulari. Lat. f ; alt. f ; lat. ^ poll. Hah. Puget Sound.

Compared with C. borealis, Conr., it is thicker, less transverse,
more tumid at the beaks, which are less recurved ; the ribs are
barred ; the cardinal tooth is short, triangular (not long falcate)
and detached from the margin ; the crenulations of the margin
deeper.

Cardita procera. Testa elevata, ovato-triangularis, radiatim
ad 15-sulcata, (interstitiis convexiusculis) concentrice striata,
epidermide fulvo induta ; apice mediano, acuto, obliquo ; cardo
dente unico triangulari obliquo, instructus ; margine interne sul-
cato. Long, f; alt. f; lat. -i poll. Hah. Rio Negro, Pata-
gonia.

It has a more compressed and less oblique form than C. ho-
realis, and fewer ribs. The right valve only was obtained.

CardiujM blandum. Testa parva, tenuis, subcircularis, vix
transversa, ventricosa, postice subtruncata, cinereo-rufescens,
costis planulatis radiantibus ad 40 insculpta, sulco angusto
sejunctis, et liris concentricis tenuissimis, arcuatis, reflexis,
decussatis : umbonibus medianis, tumidis, denudatis, eburneis :
cavositas albida ; margine interne crenulato ; cardine debili.
Long. 1 ; alt. | ; lat. f poll. Hab. Puget Sound.

I at first supposed this to be the young of C. Californianum,
Conr., but find that there are about ten more ribs, and the sculp-
ture is quite different. It seems to be the analogue of C. Ice-
landicum, which has acute ribs and a peculiar fringed epidermis.
Its form varies from circular to transversely oval.

Cypricardia rosea. Testa transversa, oblonga, tenuis, antice
radiatim tenui-striata, postice concentrice squamoso-striata : um-
bonibus valde anticalibus, acutis ; latere antico brevi, rapide
angustato, ad apicem truncato, albido ; latere postico oblongo, ad
apicem truncato, rosaceo; margine dorsali vix arcuato ; margine
ventrali recto : intus rosacea ; cardo debilis, dentibus fere longitu-
dinalibus. Long. If ; alt. f ; lat. f poll. Hab. Feejee Islands.

277

Allied to C. solenoides, Reeve, which is much more elongated,
has purplish rays, and is only tinted purple posteriorly, within.
C. coralliophaga, Reeve, is somewhat more elongated, more
laminated posteriorly, and radiate striate, and the edge only,
tinted rose-red within.

Arthemis labibata. Testa tenuis, cordato-orbicularis, lenti-
cularis, sordide alba, radiatim tenuissime striata et liris concin-
nis concentricis, postice laminosis insculpta ; natibus sub-media-
nis elevatis, acutis, anteversis ; margine dorsali postico declivi,
vix arcuato : lunula profunda, lanceolato-cordata : interior albida ;
sinu siphonali obliqua, acuta ; cardine dentibus tribus divergen-
tibus in utraque valva. Long. 1; alt. y^^; lat. ^ poll. Hab.
Bay of Islands.

A. lincta is more elevated, has the ridges about twice as large,
is destitute of radiating striae, is more solid, and has the ligament
margin excavated, and the siphonal sinus is narrower and more
acute.

Venus toreuma. Testa ventricosa, subglobosa, vix obliqua,
straminea lituris angulatis rufis picta, concentrice porcata ; liris
numerosis ad lateros granulosis, acutis, crenulatis ; interstitiis
minutissime striatis, et lineolis angulatis pallidis quasi indentatis ;
natibus sub-medianis, tumidis, obliquis ; lunula profunda, late
cordata : intus pallida ; margine crenulato : cardo validus; dente
postico valvse sinistrse longitudinali ; dente antico biramoso.
Long. 1| ; alt. 1^ ; lat. y^ poll. Hah. Mangsi.

In general characters it is allied to V. verrucosa.^ but is more
orbicular, more tumid, and its sculpture far more delicate and
elaborate, besides being beautifully ornamented with tent-like
markings in the intercostal spaces.

Venus calcarea. Testa ovato-rotundata, alba, crassa, inequi-
lateralis, postice subtruncata, striis concentricis, irregularibus,
remotis, lamellosis signata ; natibus acutis, attigentibus ; lunula
duplici, ovato-lanceolata ; intus candidissima ; margine crenu-
lato. Long. 2J- ; alt. 2 ; lat. If poll. Hah. New Zealand.

Venus rigida. Testa solida, transversa, ovato-ventricosa,
inequilateralis, desuper visa acute ovalis, sordide alba, striis con-

278

centricis reflexis, utroque laminosis, et striis crassis radiantibus
decussata ; decussationibus anterioribus punctatis ; umbonibus
elevatis, anteversis, contiguis : lunula lata, vix circumscripta :
latere anlico angustato, rotundato ; latere postico late et oblique
truncate; margine dorsali rectiusculo; cardine dentibus in dex-
tra valva duobus fissis, in valva sinistra dente unico fisso : intus
porcellana ; margine crenulato. Long. 2 ; alt. If; lat. 1^. Hob.
Puget Sound ; Straits of De Fuca.

Has the form and general aspect of Saxidomus NuttaUi, Con-
rad, in which the hinge teeth are quite different, and there are
no traces of diverging lines. The sculpture is much finer than
in V. Domheyana^ and more like that of V. decussata. It varies
considerably in its size and proportions, being often much more
expanded. One specimen measured in length 3f ; height 2f ;
breadth 1^.

Arca sobria. Testa transversa, inequilateralis, rhomboidea,
alba, costulis numerosis radiantibus, posticis majoribus, rugosis,
instructa, et undulis remotis concentricis subreticulata ; latere
antico angusto, rectangulari, in marginem ventralem postice
desinente ; latere postico oblique truncato, ad apicem acuto ;
umbonibus elevatis, angulatis ; area cardinali angusta lanceolata ;
cardo dentibus ad octo utrinque instructus. Long. | ; alt. ^^^y ;
lat. tV poll Hab. ?

It has the outline of A. Deshaysii, but is much smaller, more
slender, more numerously ribbed, less acute posteriorly.

Dr. C. T. Jackson read an analysis of the nevir mineral
Algerite, by Mr. Richard Crossley. It had been analyzed
before by Mr. T, S. Hunt, and described by Mr. Francis
Alger. For the analysis and description, see Boston Journal
of Natural History, Vol. VI. p. 118.

The result of Mr. Crossley

's examination was as

follows : —

Oxvgen.

Ratio.

Silica,

52.00 27.01

7

Alumina,

25.42 11.88

3

Peroxide of Iron,

1.54 .47

Magnesia,

5.39 2.08 )
10.38 1.75 /

1

Potash,

X

Water,

5,27 4.68

1

279

This agrees very well with the following formula: —

3 Al Si2 -f (Mg k)3 Si + 3 H.)

Dr. C. T. Jackson read a description, with an analysis, of
Asphaltum recently discovered in New Brunswick, as
follows : —

On the 16th of last March, Henry W. Fuller, Esq. of Boston,
sent me a box of specimens of a new kind of fuel recently dis-
covered in New Brunswick. It was regarded as Cannel Coal of
a peculiar kind.

This substance proved to be a very beautiful variety of As-
phaltum. It is jet black, glossy, and free from smut. It breaks
with a broad conchoidal fracture like obsidian, and presents a
brilliant surface.

It is a little softer than rock salt, which scratches its surface.
Its specific gravity is 1.107.

It softens and melts when exposed to heat in close vessels.
When inflamed it does not run, but burns freely with a bright
yellow flame and a little smoke. Heated in a glass flask, it gives
off an abundance of bituminous liquid analogous to Petroleum,
and leaves a very light and bulky coke of a brilliant black color
and very porous. When exposed to heat in a covered platinum
crucible, an abundance of carburetted hydrogen gas is given ofl^,
which burns with a large and brilliant yellow flame, having a
high illuminating power.

The Asphaltum is but slightly acted upon by alcohol or by
ether, yielding a little yellowish matter, which is obtained by
evaporation of the solution. Oil of Turpentine dissolves a con-
siderable quantity of the Asphaltum, forming a varnish such as is
used by engravers.

Weighed portions of the Asphaltum were taken for analysis,
and on being heated in a covered crucible so as to expel all the
volatile matter, the coke remained and was weighed. The
results of two trials gave, —

1st. 2nd.

58.5 of volatile matter 58.8 of volatile matter

41.5 of coke 41.2 of coke

loO.O 100.0

280

The coke obtained was burnt on a platinum tray, placed in a
red hot muffle, and left 0.47 per cent, of ashes, of a deep red
brown color, consisting of peroxide of iron with a little oxide of
manganese, and silica, and alumina.

The discovery of this valuable fuel so near to our borders is a
matter of congratulation. The bed is stated to be four to six
feet in thickness, and, if it holds out for any considerable extent,
it must supply an enormous amount of fuel. This substance is
particularly valuable for the production of gas for illumination.
It is also the best fuel for steam engines, and is particularly well
adapted for the use of locomotive steam engines on railroads.

I have not visited the spot where this Asphaltum is found, but,
having seen it associated with gypsum from Dorchester, N. B.,
am led to believe that it occurs above the coal formation of New
Brunswick.

Mr. Teschemacher exhibited some grains of platina from the
washings on the Feather River, California, with the gold from
which he had picked them out, several grains still rem.aining
mixed therewith. He compared them with specimens, which
he likewise exhibited from South America, and from Nischne
Tagilsk, on the Ural Mountains ; the grains from California ap-
peared more to resemble those from South America — the Rus-
sian platina being less rounded and flattened by attrition. He
thought the discovery was of some importance to the chemist
and the manufacturer of acids, as it would afford another source
of supply of this, to them, indispensable metal.

He also exhibited specimens of gold from various localities in
California, from the finest grain to the large lumps. He observed
that the large octohedrons of gold exhibited by Mr. Alger
measured five sixteenths of an inch at the base of the pyramid.
He had never seen crystals from other localities exceeding one
sixteenth of an inch, and thought that this circumstance was an
indication that the gold deposits in California were far larger
than any hitherto explored.

Mr. T. also exhibited the Osmium iridium from the Ural
Mountains.

Prof. Wyman exhibited sonae interesting fossils from the
Mississippi Alluvium at Memphis, namely, a tooth of Mega-

281

lonyx ; a terminal phalanx of a young animal of the same
species ; the right half of the lower jaw of a Beaver ; a por-
tion of the lower jaw of Castoroides Ohioensis, and a young
Mastodon tooth.

He pointed out the peculiarities of the claw and tooth of the
Megalonyx. The claw much resembles that of the feline Car-
nivora, but is distinguished from it by the position of the tubercle
at its base. In the Megalonyx, which is one of the Edentata,
the tubercle is placed at the upper side of the base, operating to
give a lever power to the muscles of extension ; in the Carniv-
ora the tubercle is at the lower side, giving a similar power to
the muscles of flexion.

The tooth of the Megalonyx is not encrusted with enamel,
has an elliptical crown, and a projecting ridge on the side which
distinguishes it from all the other Edentata of this continent.

The fragment of the jaw of the Beaver did not materially dif-
fer from that of the existing species.

The fragment of the jaw of the Castoroides was interesting as
belonging to the largest rodent known. A notice of the geolog-
ical position of this species by James Hall, and a description of
the cranium by Prof. Jeffries Wyman, were published in the
Journal of this Society, Vol. V. p. 385. The fragment now
exhibited belonged to a larger specimen than that from which
the description was taken.

Dr. Durkee exhibited under the microscope specimens
of Polysiphonia formosa and Rhodomenia, from New Bruns-
wick ; also a solution of gelatin derived from Chondrus
crispus.

The President presented a number of the bones which
had been missing from the anterior extremities of the Ma-
natus presented by him to the Society some time since.

Mr. Belknap presented in behalf of Mr. George E. Tyler
a specimen of Agama from the plains of Sacramento, Cali-
fornia ; an unknown animal from the Bay of San Fran-
cisco ; and a Crawfish from the Isthmus of Panama. The
thanks of the Society were voted for the donation.

282

Mr. Alger presented specimens of Sulphate of Strontium
from Lockport ; Dogtooth spar on Sulphate of Barytes ; and
Pyrites on Anthracite coal, from Little Lehigh River.

Dr. C. T. Jackson exhibited to the Society a number of
curious artificial minerals, which were found crystallized in
the slags of an iron furnace in Pennsylvania, by Charles
Jackson, Jr., Esq. of Boston.

The forms of the crystals were rhombohedrons, hexahedral
prisms, and right rhombic prisms. Some of them were trans-
parent and colorless, resembling in appearance Chabasie, others
resembled phosphate of lime, and sulphate of Baryta. These
minerals will be analyzed by Dr. Jackson, who promised to
make a future communication on the subject.

Dr. Moses W. Weld, and Messrs. Theodore Lyman, G.
Rowland Shaw, and Thomas Hollis were elected members
of the Society.

Rev. Peter Lesly, of Milton, was elected a Correspond-
ing member.

May 1, 1850.

ANNUAL MEETING.

C. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Present, twenty-four members.

The several Curators, on being called upon, read their
annual reports as follows.

The Ornithological department of this Society is in a good
condition, free from insects, and improved since the last year by
the substitution of many good in the place of bad specimens, by
the addition of 179 specimens, and by the almost complete label-
ling of the Collection.

Donations have been received from Mr. Francis Gas3ett, Dr.

283

F. W. Cragin, Mr. F. J. Bumstead, Mr. Russell Sturgis, Mr.
Theodore Lyman, Mr. Jellison, Mr. N. Robbins, and Mr. H. D.
Morse ; and specimens have been received from the Garden of
Plants in exchange, and others have been purchased by the
Courtis Fund.

The whole number of specimens in the Cabinet is 1,207.

The Curator of Geology reported, that there has been but
little change in his department since the last annual meeting,
when the whole number of specimens was stated to be about
fifteen hundred.

Nevertheless, although the additions have been but few, they
have been valuable. From the President several fine casts have
been received as donations ; one of the Plesiosaurus dolichodei-
rus, one of the cranium of a Mastodon, and some of the teeth
and tympanic bone of the Zeuglodon.

From Mr. Desor, a fine series of fossil shells from the pleis-
tocene deposits of Maine, Nantucket, and other localities. Also
a specimen of a fossil Lingula from fossiliferous strata below
the Potsdam Sandstone.

From Dr. J. V. C. Smith, some aggregated fossil shells from

the Richmond tertiary.

•

The Curator of Ichthyology respectfully reported, that dona-
tions have been received within the year from Dr. Perkins at
Cape Palmas; from Dr. S. Kneeland, of specimens collected at
Pernambuco, and a specimen of Salmo fontinalis, from our
waters ; from Rev. Z. Thompson, of Burlington, Vt., a large
specimen of his Esox nohilior ; and from Benjamin Abrahams,
Esq. a CoryphcBna gJohiceps.

One specimen, among those sent by Dr. Perkins, represents a
new form of the genus Polypterus ; a description of it will ap-
pear in the next number of the Society's Journal. The Collec-
tion is in good condition.

The Curator of Entomology reported, that during the past
year the Entomological cabinet has not been materially increased,
Indeed, this was not an object as desirable at the present time as
many others, and especially that of systematically arranging
what is already in our possession, — towards the completion of
which considerable labor has been bestowed.

284

The Curator of Comparative Anatomy reported, that during
the past year his department had been carefully arranged, and
most of the specimens legibly marked. Many valuable speci-
mens have been added both by donation and purchase. The
following have been added since the last report.

The nearly entire skeleton of the Manatus, from the President,
one of the most valuable and interesting in the Society's collec-
tion (the only one in the country) ; the stuffed skin, also pre-
sented by the President; with numerous skeletons and crania, the
addition of which to the collection has been announced from
time to time.

A splendid skeleton of a male Moose, presented by Dr. War-
ren, has been beautifully mounted by Dr. Shurtleff in his best
manner, and when finished will be the finest in the Cabinet,
which owes so much to his skill and perseverance.

The principal donors to this department have been, the Presi-
dent, Drs. Perkins, Shurtleff, Plummer, Jackson, and Cabot:
and Messrs. W. S. Bullard, Elliot Torrey, G. Howland Shaw
(f 20), R. B. Forbes, Jr., and Cols. Cushing and Jacques. Sev-
eral skeletons are in active preparation.

The Curator of Mineralogy reported, that about one hundred
specimens had been added to the collection during the year.

The Curator of Herpetology reported, that the department
under his charge remained as last year.

The Librarian reported, that during the past year there have
been added to the Library about five hundred volumes and sixty
pamphlets.

Of these about three hundred volumes are the property of the
Republican Institute, having been deposited with us by an agree-
ment mutually beneficial to the two Associations.

The whole number of books in the Library, including those
deposited, is about 3,500.

We have also one hundred volumes of Reports on the Natural
History of Massachusetts, published by order of the Legislature,
and left at our disposal.

The additions to the Library the past year have not been
numerous, but we have the satisfaction of knowing, that in value
they exceed probably those of any preceding year.

285

The Treasurer reported, that since closing his accounts, on the
1st of May, 1849, he had transferred the balance of " Building
Fund " to " General Expense," and had carried to this latter
account all the receipts and expenditures for building, making
it stand thus : —

.May 1st, 1849, balance of " General Expense," $297 13

« " " "Building Fund," 368 42

April 30, 1850, paid General Expenses to date, 498 88

" " Building Expenses do. 4,161 76

$5,326 19

I have received from Entrance Fees and

Assessments, 620 00

" Donations to " Building Fund," 2,000 00
" Stock in Atlas Bank sold 1,960 00 84,580 00

Leaving a balance due him, April 30, 1850, of $746 19

The income applicable to general expenses for the year that
has just ended exceeds the current expenses chargeable to it by
about $121 12.

The large balance now due to the Treasurer from this account
has arisen from the cost of moving, putting on iron shutters,
interest on a debt that is now paid in full, and other expenses
which, from their nature, will not occur again. He would there-
fore recommend that this balance should be charged to the
Courtis Fund, and be paid out of the balance to the credit of
that account, namely, $983 38.

Messrs. Bulfinch and Sheafe were chosen a Committee to
audit the Treasurer's accounts.

The report of the Treasurer and the suggestions therein con-
tained, it was voted should be referred to the Finance Committee
of the ensuing year.

The Committee appointed to nominate officers for the
ensuing year reported the names of the gentlemen who
held offices last year with tl^ exception of those of Dr. A.
A. Gould and Mr. P. T. Jackson, who declined a reelection.

286

The candidates nominated were then voted for and elected,
as follows : —

President,
John C. Warren.

Vice-Presidents,
Charles T. Jackson, D. Humphreys Storer.

Corresponding Secretary,
J. Elliot Cabot.

Treasurer,
Nathaniel B. Shurtleff-

Librarian,
Charles K. Dillaway.

Cabinet Keeper,
Charles C. Sheafe.

Curators,

J. E. Teschemacher, Of Botany.

Jeffries Wyman, Herpetology.

Samuel Cabot, Jr. Ornithology.

Thomas T. Bouve, Geology.

Francis Alger, Mineralogy,

William O. Ayres, Ichthyology.

Waldo I. Burnett, Entomology.

William Reed, Conchology.

Samuel Kneeland, Jr. Comparative Anatomy.

Recording Secretary,
Samuel L. Abbot.

Mr. Bouve addressed the Society in some appropriate remarks
expressive of the universal sense of the obligation under which
it had been placed by the valuable services of the two gentle-
men, Dr. Gould and Mr. Jackson, the late Corresponding Secre-
tary and Treasurer, who had declined a reelection, Concluding
with the following resolution, which was passed unanimously : —

Votedy That the warm thanks of the Society be presented to
Dr. Augustus A. Gould, our lat^Corresponding Secretary, and
to Patrick T. Jackson, Esq. our late Treasurer, for the very able

287

and satisfactory manner in which they have discharged their
respective offices.

Mr. Bouve introduced to the Society M. Vattemare, who made
some statements with regard to the proposed interchange of
specimens of Natural History, Books, &c. between the various
Municipal Corporations, Scientific Societies, &c. of France and
the Boston Society of Natural History. On behalf of the Museum
of Natural History of Paris, he acknowledged the receipt of the
Journal of the Society, and made liberal offers of donations in
return. He proposed a similar reciprocity of gifts in behalf of
the cities of Nantes and Bordeaux. He presented to the Society
the printed Report of the New Hampshire Legislature on the
subject of his visit to that State, containing directions for the
preparation and preservation of objects of Natural History. He
suggested that similar directions be prepared by the members of
this Society, in the various departments, to be appended to a sim-
ilar Report, which he thought would be published by the Legis-
lature of Massachusetts at the next session, for general distribu-
tion. In this way very important knowledge would be dissem-
inated, and very extensive collections of objects might be made.
The thanks of the Society were voted to M. Vattemare for his
donation.

Mr. Teschemacher said that it had been a question, how long
the existence of gold in California had been known. It had
been said that it had been known to the Spanish priests for a
long time. He held in his hand a book, Phillips's Lectures on
Mineralogy, printed in London in 1818, in which it was stated,
that gold was found in large lumps deposited in the soil, a few
inches from the surface, throughout an extensive district in
California bordering on the sea. Thirty years ago, Mr. Ellis
obtained from this region a mass of native gold mixed with
quartz. In 1839, Mr. Alfred Robinson had sent to Boston from
California, 810,000 worth of gold in large lumps.

Mr. Desor said that he had recently seen the vibrations of the
water falling over the dam at Hadley, which had been of late
the subject of discussion in another Society. The falling sheet
was three or four feet thick, and the vibrations, to the number
of one hundred and forty in a minute, were strongest in the

288

middle and hardly perceptible at the sides of the dam, — a cir-
cumstance hardly to be looked for, if, as had been supposed, the
vibrations were caused by the action of air confined beneath the
sheet.

Mr. Briggs said he had observed similar vibrations at Lewis-
ton, confined wholly to the middle of the sheet, where the water
passed down an inclined plane with a sloping surface of thirty
feet, the air having no opportunity to get beneath it.

Dr. Burnett described the appearance of Vermiculite under the
microscope, after it has been exposed to the action of fire. He
showed that the protruded portion was made up of transverse
layers, consisting of three series of planes, one above the other,
the lowest being based on a granular matter, and the upper two
turning upon the joint at their base. The length of these plates
diminished from the lowest to the highest, and their direction was
towards the convex side of the curve formed by the Vermiculite.

Dr. Burnett also exhibited an Entozoon five and a half inches
long, from a Cricket. It was one of the Gordiacea.

Mr. Desor spoke of an appearance which he had noticed
on the surface of fresh water, for which as yet no very satis-
factory reason had been given. The appearances in question
are known in Switzerland by the name of ^^fontaines,^'' springs,
because they are supposed to indicate the presence of springs at
those places. They consist of long bands of smooth water upon
a surface otherwise rufiled. They have been thought to indicate
a change of wind ; but they are often oblique to it, even when it
blows with violence. In Scandinavia, the fishermen attribute the
phenomenon to a fatty substance on the surface, which they
regard as the eggs of fishes. Mr. Desor had been informed by
Admiral Duperrey, that he had observed the same phenomenon
at sea among the Coral Islands of the Pacific. During the sum-
mer of 1849, he had himself seen it on Lake Superior. The
smooth bands of water were observed running in many directions
at the same time, when the surface was not much disturbed-
There appeared to be more Infusoria in these places than else-
where. There would seem to be good reason for supposing the
cause to be the presence of an oily matter, perhaps from the
decomposition of substances below. As a proof that they are

289

not owing to the action of the wind, Mr. Desor mentioned that he
saw them persisting during a strong surf; the large waves in
those parts were smooth, whilst the general surface was wrinkled
at large.

Prof. Wyman referred to a story, current in the newspapers,
that there had recently been a shower of flesh and blood in
Virginia. The substances in question fell in a field, and were
distributed over a surface of twenty-five feet in extent. It was
noticed by the observers that a cloud was passing over head at
the time, and it was thought that a whirlwind might explain the
occurrence. Dr. Johnson, of Richmond, in examining with the
microscope the substances dropped, pronounced them fragments
of fish. Specimens in Prof. Wyman's possession were in the
form of shreds, the largest being about one ounce in weight.
They resembled, he said, very much the contents of the
stomachs of Turkey Buzzards, as he had examined them at
Richmond, and he had no doubt this was the source from which
they were derived. These birds are in the habit of gorging to
excess, and frequently are so embarrassed in their movements
by the quantity they have eaten as to be compelled to throw up
from their crops a portion of food to lighten themselves. No
mention, however, had been made of any of these birds having
been flying over at the time the flesh fell ; it was a circumstance
that would hardly have attracted notice.

Dr. Gould said he had no doubt that Prof. Wyman's solu-
tion was correct. But he thought there was no question that
solid substances, even living animals, were sometimes raised and
transported to a considerable distance by whirlwinds. He men-
tioned that four years since a squid of a rare species was seen
to fall on the Tremont road, near Boston, during a heavy thun-
der shower, and was brought to him, still living, by the gentleman
who saw it fall. The specimen is in the cabinet of the Society.

Other similar instances were quoted by various gentlemen,
such as the fall of small fishes, toads, &;c.

Prof. Wyman remarked that there was nothing in the cloud
passing during the " shower of flesh and blood " to make a
whirlwind the probable source of it.

Mr. Abbot said that he thought bodies raised by whirlwinds
might be carried to a considerable distance by clouds through the

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 19 NOVEMBER, 1S50.

290

agency of electricity. Cumulus clouds were always highly charged
with electricity. The particles of air in them would be mutually
repulsive, and produce an expansion and consequent rarefaction
to an indefinite extent, which enable the cloud to bear along the
bodies taken up by whirlwinds.

Dr. Gould presented, in the name of Capt. Stribling of
the United States Ship Ohio, a donation of gold sand from
the Mormon diggings. The thanks of the Society were
voted for the donation.

Dr. Kneeland presented, in the name of Mr. George
Ditson, two Hindoo skulls. The thanks of the Society
were voted for the donation.

Mr. Henry D. Morse was elected a member of the
Society.

May 15, 1850.

C. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Thirteen members present.

Dr. Burnett exhibited a living specimen of the Fire-fly,
from Cuba, Pyrophorus phosphorus, and gave an acccount
of its light-producing structure.

The luminous spots in this species are situated at the posterior
angle of the thorax. By Spyx and Matteucci they have been
described as made up of of a globular, phosphorescent matter.
Dr. Burnett had dissected these spots immediately after the
death of the animal, and had examined them under the micro-
scope and by means of chemical reagents. The phosphorescent
spot was found to be made up of fat globules permeated by
tracheee, and showing no trace of nerves or bloodvessels. It is
difhcult to say in what precise portion of this structure the phos-
phorescence is situated, as reagents which destroy one or the
other extinguish the light. It is probable that the phenomenon

291

is caused by the action of the air introduced through the trachegs
upon the fat, a slow combustion, as suggested by Matteucci.
The light was found to continue two or three minutes after the
death of the animal. Dr. Burnett said that his observations on
this insect corresponded with his observations made several
years since on the common Lampyris or Fire-fly.

Mr. Desor alluded to the fact that certain species of crabs are
luminous. In these this property is probably due to the nervous
system.

Mr. Desor called the attention of the Society to the subject of
the Terraces of Lake Erie. He said that Mr. Lyell had de-
clared that he could not determine whether these terraces were
of fresh or salt water origin. With reference to this point, Mr.
Desor read a letter from Mr. Charles Whittlesey of Cleaveland,
Ohio, and another from Mr. J. A. Lapham of Milwaukie.
Mr. Whittlesey writes, — '-The blue marly clay of Lake Erie,
is, I think, of the age of the Loess of the Rhine ; for I have ten
shells from it at this place, about fifteen feet above the Lake
and a Planorbis and a Helicina, the same which I saw in the
Loess of St. Louis, and of New Harmony, Indiana, in great
abundance, the characteristic shells of the Loess of the Rhine."

Mr. Lapham also writes to Mr. Desor, that during an expe-
rience of twenty years as an engineer in Ohio and Wisconsin,
he had never found true drift fossils in the drift deposits of the
Western country. " Milwaukie is surrounded by hills composed
entirely of drift from fifty to one hundred feet high, bordering a
comparatively level plain, on which much of the city is built.
The several streets cutting these hills have to be graded down,
sometimes to the depth of thirty or forty feet, and 1 have exam-
ined all these deep cuts anxiously for fossils or other facts bear-
ing on the subject, but no fossils were found. Once it was
reported that, in grading Vliet Street, trunks of trees, horns of
deer, &c. were found twelve feet below the surface ; but this
proved, on examination, to be the site of an ancient pond or
marsh, now almost entirely filled. The materials in which
the timber and horns were found were peat and marl, but not
drift, although surrounded by true drift. Upon excavating a
bluff near the Menomonee for the Milwaukie and Mississippi
railroad, a bank of sand and gravel in quite regular layers was
found resting against the bluff and filled with shells of species

292

now living in our waters. This bank has evidently been formed
by the gradual wearing down of the bluff where it formed the
shore of the Lake, the material being spread out under water
like the delta formed off the mouth of a large river in the ocean.
The direction of the layers, parallel to the surface, is a signifi-
cant fact. This delta rises gradually from the marsh to the foot
of the bluff, where it attains an elevation of twenty-four feet
above the present water level. It may then be considered as an
established fact, that Lake Michigan, at no very remote period,
(certainly far subsequent to the drift period,) stood at an eleva-
tion of at least twenty-four feet above its present surface. The
difference in character of the light-colored materials of the delta
and the very hard blue and red clay is quite obvious, and could
not be confounded. There are other places where similar deltas
are formed, but they have not been opened so as to show their
geological character. I have no doubt the locality examined by
you at Chicago belongs to the same era ; for the banks there,
being only from six to ten feet high, must have been entirely
submerged."

Dr. C. T. Jackson remarked, that he had pointed out, in
1844-5, that Lake Superior was formerly at least twenty feet
higher than the present level.

The following shells from the United States Exploring
Expedition were described by Dr. Gould : —

Cyclas egregia. T. ventricosa, transversa, oblonga, sub-
equilateralis, concentrice tenui-lirata ; umbonibus parum elevatis,
tumidis ; epidermide viridi-corneo, fusco-zonato ; plerumque C.
cornem similis. Long. |-; all. |- ; lat. ^ poll. Hob. New South
Wales ?

It is larger, more rounded in outline, and more globose in
form than C. cornea. The epidermis is less glistening, of a
deeper green, and exhibits no traces of radiations. The liga-
ment is shorter and more prominent. The beaks, hinge, and
furrowing are nearly the same in both.

Cyclas patella. T. parva, tenuis, rotundato-ovalis, lenticu-
laris, modice cavata, concentrice exiliter sulcata, epidermide
luteo-viridi induta ; umbonibus medianis, rotundatis, baud eleva-
tis : intus lactea : cardo dentibus duobus minutis cardinalibus

293

instructus ; dentibus lateralibus remotis, validis. Long. ^ ; alt. f ;
lat. I poll. Hah. Oregon.

This is to be compared with C. cornea on account of the
peculiar rounded form of the dorsal region, the umbones not
rising so as to interfere with the general outline. The cavity of
the beaks is still more shallow, the sulcation coarser, and the
color yellowish rather than green, and on the whole the shell is
more dense and larger.

Cyrena debilis. T. parva, tenuis, transverse ovata, postice
ampliata et subtruncata, sub-equilateralis, concentrice liris con-
fertis, sub-reflexis arata, epidermide nitido, superne olivaceo
induta ; umbonibus parum elevatis, erosis, absque lunula : intus
violaceo-albida ; dentibus cardinalibus inconspicuis, dentibus
lateralibus elongatis, striatis. Long, j^q ; alt. j^; lat. ^ poll.
Hah. New Holland ?

Most like C. pusilla, but has no areola in front of the beaks, is
less orbicular, and somewhat larger. In general it resembles a
Cyclas.

Anodon glauca. T. transversa, elongato-ovata, ventricosa,
antice rotundata, postice oblique rotundato et costa obliqua sub-
marginali munita ; margine dorsali arcuato; margine ventrali
concave ; umbonibus antemedianis, acutis, parum elevatis ; epi-
dermide olivaceo-glaucescente fluctuatim corrugato induta : ca-
vositas argentea ; disco salmonaceo : cardo edentulus vel potius
papilla cardinal! in valva dextra instructus. Long. If ; alt. |- ;
lat. ^ poll. Hah. Peru.

The peculiar dead rusty-green color of the epidermis, with its
loop-like corrugations may serve as distinctive marks. It would
come under the genus Monocondylea of D'Orbigny.

Anodon feminalis. T. solidula, transversa, ovato-triangu-
laris, antice acuminata, margine postico in margine dorsali con-
tinue, arcuato ; margine ventrali recto ; apice rectangulari ;
umbonibus inconspicuis, erosis, anticis, declivitate posticali
obtuse angulato ; epidermide lamelloso, piceo : margarita pur-
purascens ; limbo argenteo ; dente cardinali obsolete. Long.
2J-; alt. L] ; lat. J poll. Hah. Oregon.

At first this was supposed to be the young of A. angulaia^
Lea ; but it proves different in several constant characters, be-

294

sides its widely remote habitat. It is much smaller and thinner,
its surface rude and dusky, instead of smooth and green ; its
outlines are all curves instead of right lines ; the dorsal and ter-
minal outlines form a continuous curve instead of a distinct
angle ; the beaks are more anterior and the cardinal apophysis
is never found in A. angidata, while it is constant in this.

Anodon cognata. T. fragilis, transversa, oblongo-ovata ;
margine dorsali brevi, recto ; margine ventrali arcuato ; latere
antico rotundato ; latere postico oblique truncato, ad apicem rotun-
dato ; disco turgido ; epidermide virescente, nitido ; umbonibus
antemedianis inconspicuis, undulatis : margarita llvido-albida.
Long. 3 ; alt. i^ ; lat. 1 poll. Hah. Nisqually and near Fort
Vancouver.

Resembles small specimens of A. cygnea ; but the dorsal
margin is shorter, not continuously straight, and forming an
abrupt angle above, anteriorly ; the posterior extremity is less
acute and more nasute ; the cavity of the beaks is also somewhat
over-arched. Excepting the beaks, it is like A. jiuviatilis.

Alasmodon falcata. T. transversa, valde inequilateralis, fal-
cata, antice rotundata, postice deflecta, acuta marginibus subpa-
rallelis ; disco sub-excavato ; umbonibus obtusis, erosis ; epider-
mide subfusco ; dente cardinali in valva dextra elevate, trigono,
in v. sinistra longitudinali, compresso-triangulari ; margarita
purpurascente ; limbo argenteo. Long. 4 ; alt. 1 j- ; lat. 1 poll.
Hah. Wallawalla, Oregon ; Sacramento River, California.

Mr. Lea and others have regarded this as a variety of A. mar-
garitifera; but besides the uniformly peach-blossom nacre, the
form is generally more arcuate, the exterior more waved, the
color darker, the anterior tooth in the right valve is comparatively
obsolete, longitudinally oblique and lamellar in the young.

Unio famelicus. T. parva, tenuis, transversa, oblongo-
ovata, convexiuscula, epidermide fusco-castaneo induta ; mar-
gine dorsali arcuato ; margine ventrali rectiusculo ; latere antico
angusto ; latere postico oblique rotundato ; umbonibus baud ele-
vatis ad quadrantem anteriorem sitis ; dente cardinali obliquo, com-
presso, valido; dente laterali brevi, recto : margarita subpurpurea.
Long. 1^: alt. f ; lat. | poll. Hah. Wallawalla, Oregon.

A small and rather remarkable species, like a miniature U.

295

complanatus. It is more equilateral, has no dorsal angles, the
dorsal and ventral margins diverge more, and the cardinal teeth
are more oblique.

Unio lutulentus. T. transversa, compressa, sub-falcata,
valde inequilateralis, concentrice undulato-striata interdum no-
dosa vel sursum rugosa, fusco-virescens ; lateribus rotundatis ;
marginibus sub-parallelis; umbonibus prominulis, erosis ; denti-
bus cardinalibus obliquis, compressis, in valva dextra bifidis ;
dentibus lateralibus elongatis, compressis, rectis : margarita
argentata ; limbo antice rncrassato. Long. 2 ; alt. 1 ; lat. f poll.
Hah. New Zealand.

Kesembles U. monodon, and slender specimens of U. compla-
natus. It is not a fragile shell, and the peculiar tubercular waves
along its slope, the scattered corrugations on its disc, and its
peculiar color, are its best diagnostic marks. These are usually
concealed by a thick coat of black earth. It is said to come
from streams in the vicinity of chalybeate springs.

Unio profugus. T. transversa, elongato-ovalis, ventricosa,
epidermide fusco-castaneo, concentrice undato-striato, radiatim
obsolete plicate induta; margine ventrali vix arcuato ; margine
dorsali sub-recto ; latere antico rotundato ; latere postico oblique
truncate, ad apicem obtuse ; umbonibus ante-medianis, elevatis,
erosis ; dentibus cardinalibus obliquis, elongatis, compressis ;
dentibus lateralibus remotis, sub-arcuatis : margarita livido-albida.
Long. 2f ; lat. ^ ; alt. U poll. Hab. Hunter's River, N. S.
Wales.

Slender varieties have much the appearance of the more
expanded forms of U. lutulentus. It is more tumid, the beaks
more elevated and more central, the hinge more curved, the
cardinal tooth of the right valve more oblique and distinctly
bifid, the lateral tooth of the left valve less extensively cleft, and
I cannot find that it is ever nodular along the posterior slope.

Unio verecundus. T. tenuis, inequilateralis, transversa, ova-
to-oblonga, convexiuscula, luteo-olivacea ; margine dorsali recto ;
margine ventrali arcuato ; latere antico rotundato ; latere pos-
tico oblique rotundato; natibus prominulis, acutis, undulatis,
erosis : cardo exilis ; dentibus tenuibus longitudinalibus : marga-

296

rita salmonaceo-purpurea. Long. If; alt. 1|-; lat. | poll. Hah.
Manila.

Much like U. Bengalensis and XJ.foliaceus. In the former,
both ends of the ventral margin are angular, the posterior side is
dilated and angular at tip, and the interior is less bright red.
The form of this is rather elliptical than ovate. U. foliaceus is
smaller, thinner, compressed, and has a plumbaginous nacre.

Unio dorsuosus. T. transversa, retrorsum ampliata, inequi-
lateralis, compressa, castanea ; latere antico circulari ; latere
postico oblique rotundato ; margine dorsali recto ; umbonibus
pro-eminentibus, antrorsum concentrice costato-undulatis, retror-
sum nodoso-fluctuatis : dente cardinali perobliquo, elongate,
compresso ; dente laterali recto : margarita ex albo-ccsrulescens,
livido ad umbones tincta. Long. H; alt. |-; lat. ^ poll. Hob.
Eastern Asia ?

Allied to TJ. Murchisonianus, Lea ; it is more widened poste-
teriorly, more compressed, not sinuate beneath, thinner.

Dr. Burnett read a paper on Vibrios, the purport of
which was to show that these organisms are plants and
not animals, as they have been heretofore considered.

Dr. Burnett's observations were made with a powerful micro-
scope, manufactured by Spencer, of Canastota, New York, which
has never as yet been surpassed in power. With the aid of this
instrument he had been able to watch the development of Vibrios,
of the genus Spirillum. Hitherto, from their motion and the
linear direction of the articulations of which they are made up,
they have been regarded as animals. Dr. Burnett, however,
had been able to detect branching forms, like those of Algse,
indicating their compound cell-plant structure. Ehrenberg sup-
posed that the Vibrios multiply by fissuration of previously exist-
ing forms ; but with his more powerfuj means of observation,
Dr. Burnett had seen the pushing out of one cell from another
with their gradual increase in size, and he was led to infer that
their growth was like that of Torula, by putting forth buds. The
ditFerent species of Vibrios seem to be only different stages of
development of these Algse.

297

As to the cause of motion in these organisms, which has been
considered voluntary, Dr. Burnett had no new hypothesis to
offer. Subjected to electricity and chemical reagents they were
found to be affected precisely as the Spermatozoa, which were
formerly considered as animals from possessing this power, an
opinion not now entertained by the best observers. Electrical
shocks, sufficiently strong to kill small animals, had no effect on
their movements, whereas chemical reagents on coming in con-
tact with their cell-structure soon caused them to cease. Re-
garded as plants, their occurrence is more readily explained in
the situations in which they are usually found, namely, in liquids
and infusions containing other Algse, especially the Torula;
upon the tartar of the teeth in company with various Algse, and
in the dejections from the alimentary canal. Finally, their
revival, after many years of apparent death, is more in accord-
ance with the view which regards them as plants rather than
animals.

Prof. Wyman asked, if any member could give him any
information as to the alleged poisoning power of toads. It is a
common popular notion that they possess this power. He had
himself noticed that when, in an excursion in search of objects
of natural history, he had put frogs and toads together in his
box, on reaching home he had found the former dead and the
latter living. Could it be that the toads were the cause of their
death .^ He had also observed that during the breeding season,
in the spring, frogs and toads do not assemble in the same pond.
On the other hand, toads have been swallowed with impunity by
the insane. An instance had come under Prof. Wyman's notice
of a crazy man's swallowing a toad, which was ejected from the
stomach in half an hour without injury to the man or the reptile.
It is often noticed that dogs, after biting a toad, foam profusely
at the mouth, possibly from some irritating secretion being' poured
out on the surface of the skin.

Dr. C. T. Jackson read an account, with a chemical
analysis of Tellurium ore, from the gold mine of White-
hall, Va. as follows :

Early in May, 1848, I discovered an ore of Tellurium among
some specimens of native gold, given me by Mr. Knowles Tay-

298

lor, of New York, the specimens having been brought by him
from the Whitehall gold mines in Spoltsylvania county, Vir-
ginia. I made an examination of the ore and proved the exis-
tence of Tellurium by means of blowpipe experiments, but I
overlooked the existence of Bismuth, and supposed that the oxide
absorbed by the cupel was oxide of lead. I announced the fact
of the discovery of Tellurium in the Sixth Volume of the Ameri-
can Journal of Science, published in September, 1848. Since I
had not a sufficiency of the ore for a regular analysis, I was
obliged to wait until I could visit the mine, which I was enabled
to do last spring. In the meanwhile Mr. Coleman Fisher, of
Philadelphia, received a sample of the ore from the Assayer of
the Mint, and discovered the presence of Bismuth in combination
with the Tellurium, and we are indebted to him for a chemical
analysis of a specimen of this ore, an account of which is pub-
lished in the Seventh Volume of the American Journal of Sci-
ence for March, 1849.

By my own researches I am able to confirm the fact of the
existence of Bismuth in this ore as stated by Mr. Fisher, but I do
not find so large a proportion of Selenium as is given in his
analysis, and do find a considerable proportion of Sulphur, which
is not given in his analysis. It is possible that there are mixtures
of distinct minerals in the specimens from the mine, and if care
was not used in selecting the specimen for analysis, variable
results might be obtained by the same chemist. My specimen
was all taken from a single nodule of the ore, so that we cannot
suppose it to have been mixed with other ores of similar appear-
ance.

Description of the ore. It occurs in foliated masses in nodules
invested with yellow oxide of Bismuth in mica slate rocks of the
gold mines. Also in the quartz beds and veins which contain gold,
and associated with masses of native gold which are impressed by
the edges of the laminae of the Tellurium ore. It is readily split
into thin lamince like sulphuret of Molybdenum. It is flexible and
not elastic ; sectile and not brittle. Color, between tin white and
steel gray, resembling very much flexible foliated Graphite of
Orange county, New York. Hardness, 1. Sp. gr. not deter-
mined. Lustre, brilliant metallic. Before the blowpipe, melts
readily, giving off* fumes of sulphurous acid gas and a slight
odor of Selenium. In the glass tube, gives Sulphur and Telluric

299

acid. The residue, after the sublimation of the Tellurium, melts,
and is reduced upon charcoal to metallic globules. Cupelled, a
minute globule of gold remains. By qualitative analysis on
1.5 grammes I obtained Sulphur, Bismuth, Tellurium, and traces
of Selenium. I also found metallic gold mechanically mixed
%vith the folia of Tellurium ore, and in very fine scales. Oxide
of Iron and Silica were also obtained, which were mechanical
mixtures. By a carefully conducted analysis of one gramme
of the picked scales of Tellurium ore, I obtained the following
results : —

'Bismuth, 0.5880

or per cent.
56.56

Tellurium, 0.3505

35.05

Sulphur, 0.0365

3.65

Gold, per Ox. Iron and ^

Siliceous matter, ) ^'^^^^

2.70

1.0020

Which will give approximately the formula Bi Te^-j-Bi S.

The mineral, therefore, agrees closely with the Tetradymite
of Schemnitz, Hungary, analyzed by Berzelius. It is a very
rare mineral, never before discovered in the United States.

Dr. C. T. Jackson stated, that he had observed that Cochituate
water dissolves lead and tin. In numerous specimens drawn
from pipes in the city, he had always detected these minerals,
the tin being supplied from the solder at the joints. He said he
knew no way by which the community could be protected from
the lead in the mains, large quantities of it sometimes getting
into them at the joints, where it is used as packing.

Dr. Burnett presented an Actinoid Polyp attached to a
bivalve shell, which had been drawn up from deep water in
Boston harbor. Between the valves of the shell was found
a Butter-fish, which was also presented to the Society.

The Curator of Ornithology announced the donation of
a specimen of Colymhus glacialis, Great Northern Diver,
from Mr. G. Rowland Shaw ; Podiceps auriius, Eared
Grebe, female, from Mr. J. L. Tucker; Ibis guarana^
Glossy Ibis, from the Harvard Natural History Society. A

300

specimen of Thalassidroma Leachii, Leach's Petrel, shot on
Chelsea Beach, had been purchased. The thanks of the
Society were voted for the above donations.

The Curator of Herpetology announced the donation of
a live Tortoise from Cape Haytien, in the name of J. P.
Couthouy.

A mole was presented in the name of Mr. S. R. M. Hol-
brook, of Milton, Mass. The thanks of the Society were
voted for the donation. -

A bottle containing Insects, Spiders, &c. was presented
in the name of Dr. F. W. Cragin, of Surinam, a corres-
ponding member.

Mr. Stodder exhibited to the Society water pipes of vari-
ous sizes, made of Gutta percha.

Drs. W. W. Codman, Buckminster Brown, and Mr.
Thomas Ross were elected members of the Society.

June 5, 1850.

The President in the Chair.

The President introduced to the Society Rev. Zadock
Thompson, of Burlington, Vt., who had been invited to
deliver the annual Address.

Mr. Thompson proceeded to address the Society upon a subject
for which he was peculiarly fitted, namely, the Natural History
of Vermont. He gave a sketch of the most prominent physical
features and the geological characteristics of the State, showing
how they influenced the distribution of plants and animals. He
stated numerous interesting facts in relation to the fishes and
mammalia of Vermont. He gave an account of what had been
done by the State government for the encouragement of science,
by authorizing State reports on the various departments of Nat-
ural History. He spoke of the many difficulties by which the

301

study of Natural History in country places is attended, and made
some suggestions by wliich he thought they might be obviated.
In conclusion, he set forth the attractiveness of the study, strongly
advocating it as a means of refining and improving man's moral
sensibilities, and sharpening and invigorating his intellectual
povi^ers.

At the close of the Address, on motion of Dr. Storer, it
was unanimously voted, that the thanks of the Society be
presented to Rev. Zadock Thompson for his interesting and
instructive Address.

Prof. Agassiz next addressed the Society on the subject of the
classification of some of the Mollusca, particularly those of the
order Acephala. He showed that the genera Cyclas, Unio, and
Anodon agree in the arrangement of the tentacles above and
below the mouth, in the form of the foot, and the nature of the
epidermis ; whereas other characters, which had been regarded
as distinctive, such as the length of the syphon tubes, are falla-
cious. In the Unio a syphon tube exists, bringing it in close
alliance with Cyclas, although it is so short as not to protrude
beyond the shell. In Cyclas the young are developed one at a
time, between the gills, and at the time of birth are one half the
length of the parent. The first young are produced at the third
year of the parent. The place in which the young are developed
affords another point of analogy between Cyclas and Unio.
Prof Agassiz stated that he had found that the foot in Cyclas is
extended by the introduction of a quantity of water into its
interior.

Three living specimens of Menohranchus maculatiis,
brought from Lake Champlain by Rev. Zadock Thompson,
were placed upon the table for the examination of the
Society.

302

June 19, 1850.

Dr. Samuel Cabot, Jr. in the Chair.

Present, sixteen members.

Mr. Girard read some additional observations on the
nomenclature and classification of the fishes of the genus
Cottus.

Having had an opportunity of examining the Ichthyology of
the Voyage of the Sulphur, lately added to the library of the
Society, I have been able to satisfy myself of the perfect identity
of the genus Centridermiclithys of Sir John Richardson, and
Trachidermis of Mr. Heckel, Cottus asper excluded, and to settle
the doubts I had entertained respecting the difference of these
two genera and the impropriety of placing C. asper in either
one of them.

The genus Centridermichthys, therefore, must be given up,
and its species included among Trachidermis, in which I also
place Cottus intermedius of the Fauna of Japan.

The synonymy of the genus Traclddermis will stand, at the
present time, as follows :

Trachidermis fasciatus Heck. Ann. Wien. Mus. ii. 18.37,
p. 159, pi. 9, figs. 1 & 2. — Philippine Island ; — Heckel.

Trachidermis uncinatus Grd. — Cottus uncinatus Temm. &
ScHL. in Sieh. Faun. Japon. 1843, p. 38. — Centrider-
raichthys uncinatus Rich. Rep. Ichth. of the China Seas
and Japan, 1846. p. 216. — Cejitridermichthys ansatus
Rich. Ichth. of the Voy. of the Sulphur, 1844, p. 74, PL
54, fig. 6- 10. — China Seas; — Richardson.

Trachiderbiis imterbiedius Grd. — Cottus intermedius, Tetsim.
& Schl. in Sieh. Faun. Japon. 1843, p. 38. — Rich. Rep.
Ichth. of the China Seas and Japan, 1846, p. 218. — Jesse
Island ; — Siebold.

303

In order to avoid all possible misunderstanding with regard to
C. asper, I cannot but make a new generic name. It has a
closer affinity to Cottus proper than to any genera of the marine
tribe [Acantlio cottus^ Trachidermis^ Podahrus.) In retaining for
it the name of Centridermichthi/s, its relationship would be
mistaken, as we now have that name as a synonym among Tra-
chidermis. Moreover, C. asper was never intended to be its
true type.

For a long time I used in my notes the name of Cottopsis as
most appropriate for that species, and I now introduce it in the
nomenclature, and recommend it to the attention of Ichthyolo-
gists. The characters of this genus will be better understood if
we bear in mind that the fresh water Cotti, as a tribe, differ from
the marine species, as I have shown on a former occasion.*
Now, it differs from Cottus proper by its teeth on the palatine
bones, and the roughness of its skin ; also by its larger size ; —
from Trachidermis by its smooth head, its first dorsal fin, and
the shape of its mouth, which resemble the head, first dorsal fin,
and mouth, of Cottus proper ; — from Acantho cottus also by its
smooth head, its first dorsal fin, and its mouth, and especially by
the presence of teeth on the palatine bones, and a rough skin.

There is among these genera a strange combination of a few
characters, which are found scattered here and there, and com-
bined in such a manner that two out of three will be present in
one place, and two others in another.

Cottopsis asper Grd. — Cottus asper Rich. Faun. Eor. Amer.
III. 1836, add. pp. 295, 313, PI. 95, fig. \.— Trachidermis
RicJiardsoui Heck. Ann. Wien. Mus. ii. 1837, p. 162.
Centridermiclithys asper Rich. Ichth. of the Voy. of the
Sulphur, 1844, p. 76. River Oregon ; — Lewis & Clarke.
(Richardson.)

The voyage of the Samarang has made us acquainted with
another genus of this family, which shows still more how eco-
nomical nature has been in the distribution of the generic char-
acters.

* See Proceedings, Vol. III. p. 183.

304

PODABRUS Richardson.

Contains but two species, as distinct from each other as Cot-
topsis is distinct from Cottus. Yet they have this common char-
acter of a smooth skin, as Acanthocottus and Cottus have, and
teeth on the palatine bones, as is the case with Trachidermis and
Cottopsis. On the other hand, Podabrus has slender ventral
fins, being composed of two soft rays only, and a small spine,
differing in this respect from all other Cottoids. Another pecu-
liarity is the crescent-shaped caudal. The two species differ
from each other widely by the shape of the head and mouth ;
and I should not be at all surprised if more species were found,
which would induce their separation into two distinct genera,
resting on a combination of characters at present unknown.

Podabrus comes nearest to the marine tribe ; and this fact
gives me much confidence in the track I have followed in the
study of the fishes, as it takes into consideration the element in
which they live, and their geographical distribution. This shows,
moreover, that each family has to be divided into genera accord-
ing to characters of a very different value in each. The same
may be said of the species ; we cannot start from a uniform
principle to ascribe to each their limits.

Podabrus cottoides Rich. Ichth. of the Voy. Samarang, 1848,
p. 13, Tab. I. fig. 1-6. — China Seas ; — Richardson.

Podabrus centropomus Rich. Ichth. of the Voy. of the Sama-
rang, 1848, p. 11, Tab. i. fig. Island of Quelpert ; —
Richardson.

If we now take a general view of the family of true Cottoids,
we shall have on one side Acanthocottus, Trachidermis, and
Podabrus, that is to say, all which are marine, and on the other,
Cottus and Cottopsis, all inhabitants of the fresh waters.

The genus Acanthocottus, numerous in species, is found in
the arctic and temperate zones of both hemispheres, the Pacific
excepted.

The genera Trachidermis and Podabrus, smaller in size, are
confined to the Pacific, in the temperate and warm zones.

305

The genus Cottus belongs to the temperate zone, some species
extending as far north as the arctic circle, and as far south as
the torrid zone.

Finally, the genus Cottopsis is limited to the River Oregon.

A note was read from Rev. Zadock Thonfipson, correct-
ing a misstatement in reference to several species of Pike
from Vermont, in the Proceedings of the Society, Vol. III.
p. 164 and 173, as follows : —

From statements, which I have observed in the published
Proceedings of this Society, I am disposed to think there may-
be some misapprehension with regard to two or three species of
fishes of the Pike family. On page 164, Vol. III. of the Pro-
ceedings, it is stated that my Esox nohilior was supposed, by Dr.
Richardson, to be identical with E, lucius ; and the same state-
ment is repeated on page 173. This, I think, is a mistake ; and
that it is Le Sueur's E. estor, and not nohilior, which is identical
with Dr. Richardson's E. lucius ; for the Doctor says expressly,
that Le Sueur's original description of his E. estor applies exactly
to his own E. lucius and not at all to his own E. estor. Now it
appears plain to my mind that the fish, which Dr. Richardson
supposed to be identical with the European species, E. lucius,
was the same which Le Sueur originally described and named
estor, and that it was, therefore, the true E. estor. The fish
which Richardson described as the estor is, certainly, not the
estor of Le Sueur, and if Le Sueur's estor is not identical with
the lucius of Europe, which is, I believe, the general opinion of
naturalists at present, then the name estor was preoccupied
when applied by Richardson to another species, which Le Sueur
had probably never seen. Richardson's estor may possibly be
identical with my nohilior, although his description is not fully
verified by the specimens have I examined.

It is, I think, very certain that the common pickerel of Lake
Ontario and Lake Champlain and their tributaries, is the true
E. estor of Le Sueur, and that the name estor is correctly applied
to this fish by Dr. De Kay, Dr. Storer, and other American writ-
ers ; but the vulgar names, Maskallonge, Maskinonge, &:c. which
scientific writers have applied to the estor, belong to the entirely

PROCEEDINGS E, S. N. H. 20 NOVEMBER, 1850.

306

distinct species, which I have called E. nohilior ; and the expe-
rienced fishermen of Lake Champlain never apply the name of
Maskallonge to any other fish, unless for the purpose of imposi-
tion. The Maskallonge is comparatively much rarer, grows to
a much larger size, is a much better fish for the table, and is,
therefore, more eagerly sought after than the estor, or common
lake pickerel. The fishermen, well knowing all this, sometimes
seek to procure a more ready sale and a higher price for their
large pickerel, {E. estor,) by crying them in the market as
Maskallonge, (jB. nohilior.)

It is stated on page 173 of the Proceedings of the Boston
Society of Natural History, that, " in the E. estor, there is a
mark of scales on the anterior edge of the operculum." In the
specimens of this species which I have examined, no such mark
of scales exists. Such a mark of scales is usually found on the
operculum of the E. nohilior^ but is not constant in that species.
Independent of colors, perhaps the most obvious mark by which
the two species may be readily distinguished is this, — in the E.
eslor the whole cheek in front of the preoperculum is covered
with scales, while in the E. nohilior the lower half of the cheek
is entirely naked, or scaleless.

In connection with the same subject, Mr. Charles Girard made
the following remarks :

After an examination of the pikes from different parts of the
country. Prof. Agassiz and myself had found the Maskallonge
differing widely from Esox esfor Les. and that fish was provi-
sionally described under the name of E. lucioides, when Rev. Z.
Thompson brought us a specimen of his E. nohilior^ which,
after a careful comparison was shown to be identical with E,
lucioides. This name of E. lucioides has been published in
Mr. Herbert's Frank Foresters Fish and Fishing of the United
States, &c. The drawings were made from the specimens of
Prof. Agassiz's Cabinet. But in both plates of E. estor and E.
lucioides, the names are misapplied ; E. estor of that book is E.
lucioides, and vice versa E. lucioides is E. estor.

Now the name of nohilior having the priority, must be
retained for the Maskallonge, and E. lucioides will be its
synonyme.

Mr. Girard further stated that the fish described, page 164,

307

under the name of Percopsis pellucida, from Lake Champlain
and Winooski River, is identical with Percopsis guttatus Agass.
from Lake Superior. The former being merely a younger speci-
men. The genus Salmoperca corresponds with Percopsis.

The Secretary read a letter, addressed to Dr. Durkee,
dated, Wentworth, N. H., May 20, 1850, from Mr. L S.
Davis, describing a phenomenon which had come under his
own observation in the winter of 1845, as follows: —

On the first Monday of December, 1845, I was passing
from Piermont to Wentworth in my wagon, there being no snow
when I left home. After proceeding about two and a half miles
towards Wentworth, I noticed that the snow in the road was
thickly scattered over with what I supposed were oats ; but
noticing that there was no track of any kind in the road before
me, I said (audibly, I think,) how could oats be scattered here ?
It cannot be, for no one has been along here since the snow fell.
So strange was the appearance that I determined to ascertain, if
I could, what it was. I sfepped down from my wagon and took
several in my hand which were lying straight on the snow ; but
in three seconds after touching my warm hand, they coiled up
into a ring, as worms do in summer when taken from the tree or
bush. I took up several at different times to ascertain if they
would all coil up, and the result was the same in each instance.

I found, on taking the worms into my hand, that they were
larger than oats. They were about one inch and a quarter
long, about one tenth of an inch in diameter in the middle, and
tapering a little each way from the centre. The color was a
brownish green. The worm was covered with an extremely
short, fine hair, and had, I think, twelve legs.

The worms lay on the snow when I first observed them, about
as thick as oats are sowed on a field, but the quantity diminished
as I passed along. The snow was falling at the time, and in
consequence covered up many of them. I observed some few
scattered along over a space of at least five miles. After riding
about one mile from where I first discovered the worms, I
called on a gentleman, in whom every one who knows him,
reposes the fullest confidence as a man of iruih, and requested

308

him to walk out and see the wonder. He took up some of the
worms and said, " they are real loorms^ and alive, for they coil
up in my hand." This gentleman's testimony you can have if
you wish.

There were no trees near where I first saw the worms. The
ground was frozen hard. The snow was about four inches deep.
And as it was snowing at the time, they must have fallen there
or got there about the time I discovered them, otherwise they
would have been covered with the falling snow, for none of them
could move until taken into my hand.

The first worms I saw were about half a mile from the moun-
tain for which Piermont was named, at least forty miles from
the White Mountains.

I have never known or heard of a similar phenomenon. We
have, however, not unfrequently, by thousands, what we call the
snoio-fiy. It is an extremely small black fly, which we never
see except when there is considerable snow, and generally in
February or March. So numerous are they that they really
make the snow look as if coal dust had been scattered upon it.

The wind was South when I saw the worms.

Yours, with respect, J. S. Davis.

Dr. Burnett stated that he had often observed the snow-fly in
great numbers during the month of February. They generally
appear in the vicinity of trees and bushes, from which they had
probably come forth. They are species of Lepisma antZ Podura.
With regard to the worms mentioned in the letter, he said he
knew of no species which hibernate. He thought from the
description of the letter, that they might be the wire worm,
which sometimes exists in immense numbers in the fields, doing
fatal injury to the grass.

Dr. Durkee spoke of the snoiv-Jleas, which he had frequently
seen on the surface of snow. As to the fact of living creatures
being dropped from the clouds, he mentioned having seen a
small lizard drop from the eaves of a house during a shower,
which he had reason to believe had fallen with the rain. He
also said that he had often known earth worms to make their
appearance in unusual places, under circumstances making it
extremely probable that they had fallen in a similar manner.

309

The following shells from the United States Exploring
Expedition were described by Dr. Gould : —

AvicuLA VIDUA. T. parva, tenuis, dolabriformis, vix obliqua,
per-inequilateralis, mutica, nitens, ex viridi purpuvascens, deinde
nigra, albo obscure rudiata : valva dextraplanulata : valva sinis-
tra convexa,ecaudata : auricula parva, triangularis ; fissura parva,
superficialis, edentata : margarita ex argenteo violacescens ;
limbo lalo, nigro. Long. 1^; alt. f ; lat. y^^ poll. Hab. Feejee
Islands.

In the early stages the color is grass green, then passing
through dark purple to coal black. It is remarkable for the per-
fect flatness of one valve. Its destitution of hinge teeth brings
it in Lamarck's genus Meleagrina.

AvicuLA NIGRA. Tcsta mutica, inequivalvis, ecaudata, eden-
tula, fusca, antrorsum lobata ; valva dextra convexiuscula, pos-
tice integer, antice profunde emarginata ; auricula triangularis
crenulata : valva sinistra convexior, postice profunde emargin-
ata : margarita ex argenteo coerulescens ; limbo lato, fusco.
Ah. 2 ; long. If ; lat. ^ poll. Dredged at Singapore.

More like A. margaritifera in form than any other, but is less
retuse, destitute of scales, and having its substance a plain pur-
plish black. It belongs to the section Meleagrina.

AvicuLA MAcuLATA. Testa solidula, ventricosa, per-inequi-
lateralis, oblique rotundata, ecaudata ; margine caudali parum
producto ; extus calcarea, nigro radiata : auricula triangularis, cre-
nulata ; fiSsura profunda : margarita pallide aurea ; limbo cal-
careo lato, vitreo, albo et nigro radiate : margo cardinalis latus,
incrassatus ; dente cardinali papilliformi ; dente laterali brevi,
postice incrassato et deflecto, in valva dextra bifurcate ; cicatrice
muscular! reniformi, profundo. Long. If ; alt. If ; lat. f poll.
Hab. Tutuilla, Samoa Islands.

The peculiar magnesian external coating, radiated with dark
purple, the golden nacre, and the porcelain-like marbled limbus,
make this a strongly marked species.

AvicuLA FucATA. T. saccata, retrorsum obliqua, per-inequi-
valvis, scabra, rosaceo et flavido radiatim picta : auricula pras-

310

grandis, elongata ; fissura byssali profunda : valva dextra con-
vexiuscula ; augulo postico acuto : valva sinistra ventricosa,
antice Integra, acutangularis, plica magna munita : cardo denti-
bus conspicuis : margarita argentea, violacescens ; limbo corti-
cal! cretaceo, croceo et rosaceo radiato. Long. 2 ; alt. 2^ ;
lat. I-. Hah. Feejee Islands. ?

A small species, colored much like A. margaritifera ; but the
wing curves in the opposite direction, and it is provided with a
well-developed auricle, characters which could not be ascribed
simply to immaturity.

AvicuLA LURiDA. T. squamosa, vix obliqua, fere ecaudata,
solidula, coloribus rosaceis, viridibus et flavidis radiatim fucata :
valva dextra postice vix sinuata, convexa ; auricula lata, triangu-
laris ; fissura byssica baud profunda : valva sinistra ventricosa,
tuberculo magno subcaudali munita, postice Integra : margarita
argentea ; limbo corticali corneo et nigro marmorato. Long. 2^ ;
alt. 2^; lat. f poll. Hah. New Zealand.

In form it resembles A. fucata ; but its smoother surface,
difference of coloration both without and within, and its much
more elongated auricle, are quite distinctive. The young stages
of this shell are exceedingly beautiful, being rose red, with a sort
of superficial radiation of cream-color.

Auricula glabra. T. tenuis, semi-elliptica, vix obliqua, late
caudata, glabra, ad peripheriam lamellata, virescens, albo-radiata :
valva dextra planiuscula ; auricula latior quam longa : valva
sinistra ventricosa, antice Integra, acutangula : cardinis dentibus
obsoletis : margarita argentea ; limbo corticali livido-corneo.
Long. 2f ; alt. 2| ; lat. ^ poll. Hah. New Zealand.

Outline much as in A. fucata, but the caudal region is much
more compressed. Its smooth surface and widely different co-
loration are easily recognized. The white radiations are opaque,
and have a superficial appearance.

Crenatula pergaminea. T. membranacea, obliquissima,
subfalcata, concentrice laminoso-fibrosa, albida, lineis lacteis
radiata ; margine dorsali recto, umbonibus tumidis, acutis, ad
trientem anleriorem sitis ; latere antico arcuato et cum margine
ventrali continue ; latere postico oblique truncato ; area cardinal!

311

angusta ad 5-crenata : intus sub-margaritacea. Long. 1^ ; alt. |- ;
lat. f poll. Hob. Feejee Islands.

None of the species already described agree with this in color,
texture, or fornn. Its structure is very delicate and unresisting,
almost fibrous at its edge.

Perna argillacea. T. solidula, mutica, compressa, elongata,
antice dilatata, postice subrecta, ex luteo alutacea, hie illic nigri-
cans ; apice adunco : fissura byssali angusta, lanceolata : intus
livescens : area cardinalis curta, obliqua, triangularis, sulcis obli-
quis ad 8 arata : fovea apicalis profunda. Long. 2^ ; alt. 3 ;
lat. t poll. Hah. ?

The resemblance to the common P. epJiippium of the West
Indies is very great. It differs chiefly in the clay-colored exte-
rior, and in having the byssal instead of the opposite side dilated ;
the muscular scar is also smaller.

Perna torva. T. rudis, crassa, inequivalvis, concentrice
lamellata, cinerea, obliqua, trapezoidea ; latere byssali dilatato,
semicircular! ; sinu byssali profundo; apice adunco ; latere pos-
tico rectilineari, obliquo, produclo ; raargine cardinali oblique :
area cardinalis triangularis, sulcis obliquis ad sex arata : marga-
rita ex argenteo-purpurascens ; limbo lato, retro dilalato. Long.
1^; alt. ]f ; lat. f poll. Hab. Sandwich Islands.

The obliquity of this species and the small number of its car-
dinal sulci are among its most prominent characters.

Perna eremita. T. fragilis, exaluminata, variabilis, dola-
brata, vulsellata, unguiformis, pectiniformis et omnimode dis-
torta, plerumque radiatim rugoso-striata et in junioribus rufo-
lineata; antrorsum plus minusve curvata : margarita argentea;
limbo corticali ampliato, foliaceo, stramineo, vitreo : margine
cardinali fere horizontali, 6-8 sulcato ; fissura byssali profunda.
Long. 2; alt. l^^^y ; lat. f poll. Inhabits Carlshoff" Island, Pau-
motu Group.

This shell, though so variable as to elude all terms of descrip-
tion, is still very distinct from all others, in all its forms. It
seems to acquire its multiform shapes from the cavities in coral
where it resides. Young or well protected specimens are sculp-
tured by delicate radiating ramose ribs bearing minute scales.

312

Perna nana. T. parva, crassa, subquadrata, adunca, lamel-
losa, extus nigra ; margine ventrali sinuato ; angulo infero-posteri-
ori rotundato ; latere postico sinuato : area cardinali lata, 6-suI-
cata ; fissura byssali ampla, trigonalis : rr.argarita plumbaginea ;
limbo corticali angusto, pallido. Long, f ; alt. | ; lat. ^ poll.
Hob. Feejee Islands ; under stones. Drayton.

The solidity and color of this little species will not admit of its
being confounded with any other species. It bears the marks of
mature age.

Pinna senticosa. T. cuneata, sub-inflata, postice oblique
rotundata, purpureo-nigricans ; margine dorsali sub-ascendente ;
margine ventrali prope apicem pendulo : area triangularis superior
costulis ad 7 radiantibus squamigeris (squamis semi-tubulosis)
instructa ; area inferior striis incrementalibus solum notata.
Long. 4J- ; alt. 2^; lat. 1 poll. Hob. New Zealand.

Its general appearance is that of P. seminuda ; but it is
smaller, much darker, the ventral margin is less arcuated, and
the scales much less numerous and regular.

Mr. Ayres made some statements tending to show that
his species Cottus variabilis is distinct from C. Grcenlandicusy
of which Mr. Girard has regarded it as the young.

C. Grcziilandicus^ he said, is a northern species ; south of
Cape Cod it is very rare, and had never been seen in Long
Island Sound, whereas C. variabilis is the only species of Cottus
found in Long Island Sound. It is seldom more than six inches
long, whereas C. Grxnhmdicus is much larger. The under
surface of C. GrcBulandicus has a number of circular, white
spots, which Mr. Ayres had never seen in variabilis. In Grmn-
landicuSy the head is one third larger in proportion to the body,
whereas, if variabilis were the young of this species the head
should be proportionally larger than in the adult. In variabilis
also the pyloric cssca are much shorter than in Grccnlandicus.

Mr. Girard replied, that he had remarked that he thought two
species had been confounded under C. Grcenlandicus, and he
should be pleased to find one of them to be that described by
Mr. Ayres as C. variabilis.

Dr. Burnett announced that he had recently discovered in a

313

human spleen a large number of crystals of the phosphate of
magnesia and ammonia. He had also noticed in the blood
corpuscles of the spleen crystals of hrematin, an interesting fact
when taken in connection with Dr. Ravenel's recent observations
upon the cartilage corpuscles. Kolliker had recently announced
the existence of such crystals in fishes and some warm blooded
animals, but not in man. Dr. Burnett had not seen his state-
ment at the time he made his observations.

Dr. Cabot read some observations upon the recent
appearance in New England of Ibis guarauna.

Ihis guarauna has been confounded with I.falcinellus by many
naturalists, among others even by Nuttall, Buonaparte, and
Audubon. Lately our newspapers have contained several
notices of some specimens of the Glossy Ibis which have been
procured in different parts of this State, with various theories
to account for their appearance in this part of the world, (such
as, that they had passed round by Bhering's Straits, &c.)
all of which are absurd for several reasons : 1st. The bird is
not the same as that found in the old world ; it is larger.
2nd. The I. falcinellas is as rare in the north of Europe as /.
guarauna is here. 3d. Since the bird feeds on living animals
and plants, it could not subsist on its voyage through the arctic
regions at the early season at which it must have passed ; it
could much more easily have come straight across the ocean.
4th. We have a much more easy way of accounting for their
appearance, namely, the /. guarauna (the bird which has been
mistaken for I. falcineJlus) is found in immense flocks in
Mexico and in considerable numbers in Texas and Florida,
where it breeds ; so that, to account for their appearance here
we have only to suppose that a ^ew wandered a couple of days'
journey farther north than usual, as we know to have been the
case occasionally with other southern birds, as the Martinico and
Florida Gallinules, White Egret, Pelican, &c. During the
present month, four specimens of the /. guarauna have been
procured in the New England States, three of them in Massachu-
setts, of which one was shot by Mr. F. Brown on the Fresh Pond
marshes, and by him presented to the Harvard Natural His-
tory Society, who with great liberality presented it to iis. The

314

other two are in the possession of Mr. Jenks, of Middleboro',
where they were shot. One was procured in Middletown, Ct.
and is in the possession of Dr. J. Barrett of that place. Nuttall
says, that they are occasionally exposed for sale in Boston
markets ; probably at the time when he made this observation
there had been a flight of them into this State, similar to what has
occurred this year; for during the past eighteen years (with the
exception of three) Dr. Cabot had kept a very close watch upon
our markets, with the express purpose of procuring birds for his
own and the Society's collection, and during that time he had
never seen a single specimen of this bird.

Mr. Briggs exhibited a specimen of pig iron crystallized
in the form of geodes in the run of the metal, taken from
an iron furnace in New Jersey. It presented an unusual
appearance, and was much larger than any similar specimen
he had seen before.

A letter was read from the President, announcing that he
had procured, through the American Minister at the Court
of Great Britain, a donation from the Royal East India
Company of a complete suite of casts of fossils from the
Himalaya mountains. Accompanying it were letters, an-
nouncing the gift, from Hon. Abbot Lawrence and the Sec-
retary of the East India Company.

On motion of Mr. Durkee, it was

Voted, That the sincere thanks of the Boston Society of
Natural History be presented to the East India Company
for their extremely interesting and valuable donation. Also

Voted, That the thanks of the Boston Society of Natural
History be presented to the Hon. Abbot Lawrence for his
good offices in aiding the President in procuring for the
Society the valuable donation from the East India Com-
pany.

And it was ordered that these votes be communicated by
the Corresponding Secretary to the parties concerned.

315

Mr. Girard presented in behalf of Rev. Zadock Thomp-
son, specimens of Liicio-j)erca Canadensis and Americana.

At the request of the Secretary, on motion of Mr. Sheafe,
it was

Voted, That the Secretary be authorized in his private
capacity to furnish reports of the Society's meetings for the
Boston Traveller, and that no other newspaper be allowed
to have a reporter at the meetings until otherwise ordered.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of PhiladeP
phia. pp. 245-270, and Index of Vol. IV. Also pp. 1-19,
Vol. V. 8vo. Pamph. Philadelphia. F}^o?n the Academy of
Natural Sciences.

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society of Phila-
delphia. No. 44. pp. 105-139. October, 1849, to March,
1850. From the American Philosophical Society.

Mennoires du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle. Tomes V. VI,
VII. VIII. XIX. XX. 4to. London, 1819-1822. Exchange
with M. Vattemare.

International Exchange. Address of M. Alexandre Vattemare.
8vo. Pamph. Concord, 1849. From the Author.

Contributions to Conchology, Nos. 1 to 6. By C. B. Adams.
8vo. Amherst, Mass. 1849-50. From the Author.

Monograph of Stoastoma. By C. B. Adams, A. M. 4to.
Pamph. Amherst, Mass. 1849. Frojn the Author.

Monograph of Vitrinella. By C. B. Adams, A. M. 4to.
Pamph. Amherst, Mass. 1850. From the Author.

Archives du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle. Vols. 1, 2, 3.
4to. Paris, 1839-43. Mustum d'Histoire Naturelle.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. No. 27.
For May, 1850. Exchange.

316

Report of Select Committee on Publications of Natural History
of New York. 8vo. Pamph. Albany, 1850.

Third Annual Report of Regents of the University of the Con-
dition of the State Cabinet of Natural History, &c. 8vo. Pamph.
Albany, 1850.

Memoires de la Societe de Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle de
Geneve. Tome XII. Premiere Partie. 4to. Geneve. 1849.
Societe Physique^ &:c.

Index MoUuscorum Littora Scandinavise occidentalia habitan-
tium. FaunsB Prodromum offert S. Loven. Holmise. 1846.
8vo. Pamph. From the AutJior.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. Deuxieme serie.
Tome VI. Feuilles 38-43 (18 June, 1849) et 1-3 (3 Novem-
bre-17 Decembre, 1849.) Societe Geologique.

Geographical Memoirs of Upper California. By J. C. Fre-
mont. 8vo. Pamph. 1849. Washington. Also Map of the
same. Fro7n Hon. R. C. Winthroj).

Memoir of a Tour to Northern Mexico. By A. Wisligenus.
8vo. Pamph. Washington. 1849. From Hon. R. C, Win-
ihrop.

Proceedings of Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. V. No. 2. pp. 21-52. 8vo. Academy of Natural Sci-
ences.

Received from the Courtis Fund.

History of British Mollusca and their Shells. By Edward
Forbes and S. Hanley. Nos. 1-28. 8vo. London. 1848-9.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. XXVIII. for
April, 1850. London.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. XXIX. for
May, 1850. London.

History of British Mollusca and their Shells. Parts 15, 16,
26,27,28. 8vo. London. 1849-50.

Reports and Papers on Botany. Edited by Arthur Henfrey.
8vo. London, 1849. (Ray Society's Publications.)

Natural History of British Entomostraca. By W. Baird,
F. L. S. 8vo. London, 1850. (Ray Society's Publications.)

317

Deposited ly the Repiihlican Institution.

Monographie des Plantes Fossiles du Gres Bigarre de laChaino
des Vosges, par W. P. Schimper. 4to. Leipzig. 1844.

Annales de la Societe Entomologique de France. Deuxieme
serie, Tome VII. Paris, 1849. 8vo. Pamph.

Voyage autour du Monde. Par L. de Freycinet. Zoologie
par M. M. Quoy et Gaimard. 2 Parts. 4to. Paris, 1824. With
folio plates.

Voyage autour du Monde par les Mers de I'Inde et de Chine,
execute sur la Corvette d'Etat, La Favorite. 1830-2. Histoire
Naturelle. 8vo.

Monographie Heliceorum viventium. Auctore L. Pfeiflfer.
Fasciculus 1-7. 8vo. Leipsiae. 1847-8.

Library of American Biography. By Jared Sparks. 15 vols.
12mo. Boston, 1844.

Cyclopsedia of English Literature. 2 vols. 8vo. Edinburgh.
Edited by Robert Chambers, 1844.

Say's Treatise on Political Economy. 2 vols. 8vo. Boston,
1821.

Carlyle's French Revolution. 2 vols. 12mo. New York,
1847.

Guizot's History of Civilization. 3 vols. 12mo. London,
1846.

Guizot's History of English Revolution of 1640. 12mo. Lon-
don. 1846.

Memoirs of Slater, and History of Cotton Manufacture. By
G. S. White. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1836.

Wayland's Elements of Political Economy. 8vo. New York,
1837.

Renwick's Elements of Mechanics. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1832.

Byron's Life and Works. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1846.

Tocqueville's Democracy in America. 2 Parts. 8vo. New
York, 1839 - 40.

Ramsay's History of American Revolution. 8vo. Dublin,
1795.

Adams's Roman Antiquities. 8vo. New York^ 1837.

Grahame's History of the United States. 2 vols. 8vo. Lon-
don, 1827.

318

Napoleon and his Marshals. 2 vols. 12mo. Philadelphia,
1848.

Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. 8vo. Lon-
don, 1840.

Robertson's History of America. 3 vols. 8vo. London, 1792.

Synopsis Plantarum Fossil ium. Auctore Fr. Unger. 12mo.
Leipsioe, 1845.

Synopsis Florre Germanicss et Helvetia), Auctore D. Guil.
Dan. Jos. Koch. Parts 1, 2, 8. Leipsire, 1843-45. 8vo.

Die Wirbelthiere Europas. Von A. Graf Keyserling und Pro-
fessor J. H. Blasius. Braunschweig, 1840. 8vo.

Naumann's Naturgeschichte der Vogel Deutschlands. 12 vols.
8vo. Leipsice. 1820.

Novorum Actorum Academise Coesariaj Leopoldino-Carolina^
Naturae curiosorum Voluminis Undevicesimi Pars Posterior. 4to.
Vratislavise et Bonnse, 1842.

Aussereuropaische Zweiflugelige Insccten ; von C. R. W.
Wiedemann. Hamm. 1830. 2 vols. 8vo.

Die Schmetterlinge von Europa ; von Ochsenheimer und
Treitschke. Leipzig. 1807-35. 10 vols. (17 parts) 8vo.

Annalen der Physik und Chemie. Von J. C. Poggendorff.
Nos. 1-12. Band. 75-6. 8vo. Leipzig, 1848-9.

Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Geognosie, Geologic, und
Petrefaktenkunde. Von Dr. K. C. Leonhard und Dr. H. G.
Bronn. Heft. 1,5,6,7. Stuttgart. 1848-9.

Martin's Introduction to History of Mammiferous Animals, &c.
8vo. London. 1841.

Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. 3 vols.
8vo. London, 1846.

July 3, 1850.
Dr. Charles T. Jackson in the Chair.
Present, fifteen members.

As the Secretary would be absent for some months, Dr.
S. Kneeland, Jr. was chosen Secretary, ^ro iem.

319

Dr. C. T. Jackson explained a specimen from a vein of
Iron Ore, on the banks of the Alleghany River, in Penn-
sylvania, presented to the Society by J. W. Hall, Esq.

It was an argillaceous carbonate of iron, which had assumed
pseudomorphous crystalline forms, which, with the cracks pro-
duced by desiccation, gave it very much the appearance of a fos-
sil jaw and teeth. It probably contained about thirty per cent,
of iron.

Dr. Burnett made some remarks on Naviculce.

About these, the opinion of naturalists has been frequently
changed ; they have sometimes been considered as plants, at
others as animals. Having recently carefully studied the Navi-
cuIcB with a powerful Spencer Microscope, he said that they were
unquestionably animals. In judging of the animal or vegetable
nature of the Infusoria, many points once supposed distinctive
are now known to be common to both animals and vegetables.
For instance, adaptive motion is not proof that the object is an
animal ; it has been recognized in plants known to be such by
chemical composition ; neither is the mode of reproduction dis-
tinctive. The point is principally to be decided by their ana-
tomical structure. The siliceous shells of Naviculce, though
having some marking of vegetable cells, yet possess certain
strise and marks which are not vegetable. His specimens were
obtained from the internal surface of intestinal worms found in
the rock cod ; they were g^^ of an inch in length, and 2^\p^ of
an inch in width. These animals have been divided into two
classes, the ribbed and the ribless ; his specimens were of the
latter class. He was able to trace an opening at the top, or a
mouth, like the sucker of a leech, by which they were found
hanging to the internal surface of the intestinal worms; he
could also trace an oesophagus, stomach, and anus. He is sus-
tained in his opinion by the structure of Planar ice. Whatever
may be said of other Naviculce, we may justly consider this
species an animal parasite.

Dr. C. T. Jackson inquired if any animals secreted siliceous
matters ; he supposed this to be characteristic of vegetables.

320

Dr. Pickering observed that he believed the Cypris, a minute
crustacean with a kind of bivalve shell, secreted siliceous mat-
ter ; at any rate they were so hard as to scratch glass, and it vi^as
difficult to examine them under the microscope without great
care.

Dr. Burnett gave an account of some observations vs^hich
he had made on the atmospheric dissemination of algous
plants.

The occurrence of minute Algse and Spores in liquids and
infusions, under circumstances rendering improbable their intro-
duction from without, is frequently noticed by the microscopical
observer.

While making experiments upon Diabetic Urine, (the abun-
dant presence in which of the common ferment Alga, Torula
cerevisicB is well known,) he was surprised to find all the com-
mon liquids in its neighborhood pervaded by this same Alga,
and particularly those exhibiting any tendency to decomposition.
This led him to think that the dissemination of this minute plant
took place by the medium of the atmosphere, which was full of
its spores.

Experiments with air tight and partially covered vessels of
liquid, placed near the original source, showed this to be true.
And even for several weeks after, the atmosphere of the room
seemed to retain many of the spores ; for liquids placed as
before soon contained many of the plants.

He stated this fact on account of the too great importance
often attached to the presence of fungi and algs in various local-
ities, and especially as being tlie cause of various coincident
phenomena; whereas, their presence may, in many cases, be
considered accidental.

Dr. C. T. Jackson alluded to experiments of passing the air
containing these fungi through concentrated sulphuric acid. No
infusoria were found in vessels to which air could only gain
admittance to a vegetable infusion through this medium, while
they were abundantly found in infusions to which air had free
access. These results confirmed the statements of Dr. Burnett.

321

M'\ Alger alluded to the sudden disappearance of young ducks
in ponds. A friend of his who had several about a week old, was
surprised to see some of them suddenly pulled under water. He
discovered that they had been seized by Snapping Turtles, {Ejny-
savrus sciyentina.) It is a common belief that Bull Frogs are
guilty of the same misdeeds.

At the request of Mr. Alger, Dr. C. T. Jackson gave a
description of the 'red oxide of Zinc and Frankliuite found
in large beds in Sussex, Sterling, and Franklin, N. J. ; to
which localities they had recently made a visit.

This mineral will be valuable for many purposes ; but princi-
pally for the manufacture of the white oxide, or zinc white,
which may be so advantageously substituted for white lead as a
paint, thus protecting workmen from the well known poisoning
of tlie system caused by the latter. This has till lately been
imported, but now an inexhaustible supply has been found at
home. This mineral consists of oxide of iron, manganese, and
oxide of zinc.

The advantages of this as a paint over vv'hite lead, in addition
to the security of the workmen from disease, are, that the action
of gases will not change it, while lead paint is turned black by
sulphuretted hydrogen ; it is perfectly white, and gives to a
surface the lustre of porcelain. The Astor Flouse in New York,
and Mr. Alger's house in this city, are painted with Zinc white.
It is ground in spirits of turpentine, and mixed with varnish to
give it consistence.

Frankliuite alone makes an excellent grayish-brown paint,
very permanent, and drying quickly. The red oxide of zinc
also makes an excellent quickly drying red paint. By adding
lamp black, prussian blue, &c. several shades of color may be
readily obtained, free from the disadvantages of lead.

Franklinite is also used to purify iron, and to render it tough
and fibrous, by freeing it from sulphur and phosphorus.

A donation of living specimens of Trionyx ferox and
Emys insculpta was received from Rev. Zadock Thompson,
of Burlington, Vt.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N, II. 21 DECEMBER, 1850.

322

The former was taken upon a fish-hook by some boys, while
fishing near the mouth of Winooski River ; this is the third indi-
vidual he had obtained in that neighborhood. The specimens
there obtained have been much larger than the measurements
given by Dr. De Kay; the shell of the smallest measured 11
inches by 9^ on the back, while the same measurements given
by Dr. De Kay are 5.3 and 5 inches. Another measured 13 by
10|- inches, which differs but little from the present specimen.
The Trionyx is very aquatic in its habits ; he had never known of
one being found on the land. The thanks of the society were
voted for this donation.

A specimen of polished Freestone, from the Acadia
quarry, at Piqtou, Nova Scotia, vi^as presented by Watson
Freeman, Esq. ; committed to Mr. Alger.

A specimen of Copper Ore from Valparaiso was pre-
sented by J. M. Rowell, of Lynn ; the thanks of the Soci-
ety were voted for these donations.

Mr. Charles Booth and Dr. J. Gundlach, of Cardenas,
Cuba, .were elected corresponding members of the Society.

August 7, 1850.
Dr. C. T. Jackson in the Chair.
Present, nineteen members.

A letter was read from the President informing the
Society that the Cambridge Mastodon was at his hall in
Chestnut Street, where he invited them to compare it with
the Mastodon owned by him.

A letter was read from M. Vattemare announcing that
the sharks offered by the Society to the Museum of Nat-
ural History of Paris would be gratefully received by the
Professors of that establishment.

In addition to the specimens of Touraine, he had recently

323

received a case of minerals sent by the Mayor of Nantes to the
Society, to be exchanged for American minerals ; he also had
a copy of Catesby's Natural History of South Carolina for the
Society. About to return to France in a few weeks, he requested
the Society to communicate to him a series of instructions
relative to its wants, which he would use all his influence to
answer.

The letter, containing suggestions of great importance, was
referred to the Curators.

Prof. Wyman, in alluding to the remarks of Mr. Alger
at the last meeting on the carnivorous propensities of bull-
frogs, said, that on dissection of a large bull-frog he had
found a mouse in its stomach.

He had seen one devour a large spider which had been for a
longtime preserved in alcohol, an Ascaris lumhricoides from the
human body, &c. showing that they are not at all particular in
their choice of food.

Prof. Wyman announced that he had received other
fossil remains of seals from the Miocene deposit of Vir-
ginia, near Richmond, with the exception of South Ber-
wick, Me. the only locality where such bones had been
found.

He had a large portion of a cranium, of a well known genus,
but of a species not yet ascertained. As these bones were found
at some distance from each other, farther discoveries would
probably be made.

He had also received from the same locality an immense
Coprolite ; according to Buckland the usual size of these bodies
is about three inches ; this specimen was nine inches long, and
three in diameter. It contained fragments of bones ; and inter-
nally was of a bilious brown color, perhaps accidental. It had
a few marks of a spiral valve such as is found in the intestines
of the cartilaginous fishes.

Dr. C. T. Jackson observed that he had received speci-
mens from Duxbury showing the extent of our tertiary
deposit.

324

They were a shark's tooth, a cetacean vertebra, Lignite, and
a cast of Tellina, which were found in Marshfield, in a clay
marl, over a green sand, thirty feet from the surface ; they were
precisely like those found at Gay Head.

Dr. Hitchcock considers the absence of pot-holes in Mas-
sachusetts, a fact ill favor of the glacial theory, by showing
the improbability of currents of water setting over the
surface.

Dr. Jackson found several of these holes in Orange, N. H.,
filled with round, polished stones, one thousand feet above the
level of the sea, in the hardest kind of granite, such as is found
at Bellows Falls. The pot-holes at Orange were in some cases
eleven feet deep, those at Bellows Falls five feet, so that their
existence at the former place indicates a current flowing twice
as long as the Connecticut River, at Bellows Falls. He also
noticed striae running in the same direction as the line of pot-
holes. In New Jersey he noticed no scratches, though there is
plenty of drift ; but on the northeast side of a mountain ridge,
eighteen hundred feet above the sea, where we can hardly im-
agine a current of water with the present conformation of the
country, was a well-marked pot-hole, three feet deep and four in
/diameter, with polished bottom and lower part of sides. This
locality is about two miles from Mt. Pleasant. This must have
been made by a current of water setting to the northeast, as no
drift scratches can be seen. At Franklin, there is another, four
feet in diameter, in white limestone, v/here no stream now could
produce it. The absence of drift scratches is interesting, as
showing that the glaciers, if they produce them, must have dis-
appeared before extending to New Jersey. Pot-holes, however,
are not inconsistent v/ith the currents of glaciers ; there are
frequently strong currents on the surface of glaciers, which,
through crevices and holes might cause similar phenomena under
the glacier.

Dr. Burnett read some observations on the relations of
an order of Parasites (Lice) to the different Fauns3j as
bearing 1st, on the distinct creation of types of animals;
and 2d, on the local creation of these types wherever they
are found.

325

In the general Fauna of the earth, the fact that totally distinct
genera and species exist, exposed to the same external influ-
ences, is a strong argument against their being the results of
modifications of a single type, and in favor of their having been
created as v/e now see them. The same is true as regards these
Parasites ; we have different species, and even different genera,
upon a single animal, all exposed to the same external changes.
If genera and species are mere modifications of a primitive
family type, we should expect to find a uniformity in the special
characters of the parasites on all the species of the genera of that
family. For instance, if the Sciurids are but modifications of a
primitive type-Squirrel, we should expect to find certain parasites
common to all, with a uniform specific character, without widely
separated genera; which, as far as his experience goes, is not
true ; for though in many cases certain species of parasites are
common to the whole family, yet there is an evident tendency
for each species of the higher animals to have its peculiar species
of parasite. Though we can easily imagine that the same
species may be found in mammals and birds of the same family,
with similar habits, and associating together, we cannot under-
stand that the same species of parasite should be found in widely
different families, of entirely dissimilar habits ; yet such is the
fact, and it is not reconcilable with the hypothesis of a successive
production of types by a series of metamorphotic changes ; on
the contrary, it would go to show that the existing specific types
were as such created.

As to the local creation of genera and species, we know that
the world's animals have not that commonness which might be
supposed ; they have relations of a local nature, connected with
a remarkable diversity of forms. At any rate, this fact is cer-
tain,* that each region shows a marked tendency to have its
peculiar Fauna. Climate has undoubtedly a great influence on
the character of a Fauna ; we see in the same zone, separated
by impassable barriers, similar animal productions, though there
is at the same time sufficient diversity to exclude the idea of a
common origin; different countries have analogous, not identical,
species. Geological data, the history of the surface of the earth,
and our fast increasing knowledge of the intimate relations of
animals to the circumstances in which they live, all lead to the

326

conclusion of their local creation in their present habitats. The
relations of Parasites afford considerable proofs against the
hypothesis that the differences of terrestrial conditions have
caused the differences in animals. We could not suppose that
the lice living on European birds would be different from those
of the analogous species of American birds, if they arose from a
common stock ; their parasites ought to agree as to species.
This is not the fact ; not only do the parasites of our animals,
compared with analogous species in Europe, present differences
greater than those of the animals on which they live, but even
our species of birds or mammals, having no representative on
the other continent, have their own parasites as distinct as them-
selves. Those animals, which by their own powers of locomo-
tion or by human means are common to both continents, have
parasites identical in character, as far as Dr. Burnett's observation
goes ; the lice of our cow, horse, or hog, do not differ from those
of the same animals in Europe ; the same is true of some birds.

Dr. Burnett thinks the legitimate inference from these facts is,
that the analogous species of animals of the different continents
were created as such, and therefore have their proper parasites,
and did not emanate from a common stock.

The lice of the Quadrumana, or Monkeys, seem to be quite
different from those of man ; in fact the species of man are not
found on the monkeys, except when their presence may be
accounted for by accident ; those of the monkeys are found only
on them.

Dr. C. T. Jackson announced, that at Franklin, N. J.
he had discovered in Labrador Felspar, small black crys-
tals of Allanite containing the protoxide of Cereum, as con-
tained in the Swedish ores. «•

A committee, consisting of Dr. C. T. Jackson, Dr. N. B.
ShurtlefF, and Dr. S. Cabot, Jr., was appointed to memori-
alize Congress on the subject of attaching a corps of Natur-
alists to the Mexican Boundary Commission.

Dr. Cabot announced the donation of Rallus crepitans
and Tringoides macularia (young) from Theodore Lyman,
Esq. ; this is the first time, to his knowledge, that the Ral-
lus crepitans has been taken in Massachusetts.

327

Dr. Kneeland announced the addition to the cabinet of
skeletons of Cervus Virginianiis, and Castor fiber.

An Agama from Texas, was presented by Frederic
Vinton of Eastport, Me. ; a large Bill-fish from Pictou,
by B. Hammatt Norton, Esq., United States Consul at
Pictou ; a specimen of Coral from Edward Wiggles-
worth, Esq. ; a St. Domingo Terrapin (a supposed new
species) by Mr. Couthouy.

The thanks of the Society were voted to J. W.
Hall, Esq. ; Rev. Z^dock Thompson, of Burhngton, Vt. ;
J. M. Rovvell, of Lynn ; B. Hammatt Norton, Esq. of Pic-
tou ; Watson Freeman, Esq. ; and Frederic Vinton, of East-
port, Me., for donations made by them, as above stated.

September 4, 1850.

Dr. C. T. Jackson in the Chair.

Present, ten members.

Prof. Wyman read, on behalf of Mr. Horatio R. Storer,
a paper on the fishes of Nova Scotia and Labrador, with
descriptions of new species.

This region has been but little explored by Naturalists. The
paper contained a description of thirty species, of which six
were new ones. He presented several specimens, for which the
thanks of the Society were voted. The paper will be published
in the Journal of the Society.

Prof. Wyman exhibited specimens illustrating the embryology
of the Murre, Uria troile, in five stages of development ; show;-
ing the great resemblance of the extremities to the same parts in
animals both higher and lower in the scale at a corresponding
higher or lower stage of development ; compared with these

328

parts in cats, squirrels, reptiles, &c. the extremities of the
embryo Murre are precisely similar at certain stages of growth.
He alluded to the great advantages for the study of embryology
enjoyed on the coast of Labrador, to which the sea birds resort
in immense numbers to breed in the months of June and July.

A letter from Mr. Francis Delessert, of Paris, was read
by the Chairman, accompanying a historical notice of his
brother Benjamin Delessert, by M. Flourens, published by
the French Academy of Sciences. Baron Delessert was a
member of this Society.

Dr. Durkee presented some fossil cetacean bones, from
Washington Co., Alabama, the locality whence the Hy-
drarchos of Dr. Koch was obtained ; this region is about
one hundred and fifty miles north of Mobile ; in it are
found in great quantities cetacean bones.

The specimens of Dr. Durkee were vertebrae of the Zeuglodon,
a cetacean. This animal was supposed by Dr. Koch to be a rep-
tile, a marine serpent, but Dr. Wyman has exposed the fallacy of
this opinion, and shown that it was a warm-blooded mammal.
One of the vertebrce was fifteen inches long and nine in diame-
ter ; it was deeply impregnated with calcareous matter, and
weighed eighty -one pounds. Its transverse processes were very
distinct ; it appeared at first sight three bones, consolidated
together, but it consisted of only one with very thick epiphyses.
He compared this with vertebra? from South America, and from
Martha's Vineyard, and pointed out a remarkable similarity ; the
one from Martha's Vineyard, from a clay soil, was very light,
and contrasted remarkably in this respect with those impregnated
with lime.

Dr. Wyman observed that the thick epiphyses noticed in this
specimen are peculiar to the Zeuglodon ; here they were five
inches in thickness, whereas in ordinary cetacea they are about
half an inch ; the cancelli, also, are of different sizes, in the epi-
physes and in the body. Koch's sea-serpent was carried to
Dresden, where it was described by Cams, who figured it and
even restored the cranium, of which then only a portion had
been found. Carus restored the cranium of a reptile, but this

329

was a mere fiction of his imagination ; for an entire cranium has
since been found, proving beyond a doubt that the Zeuglodon
was not a reptile but a cetacean ; the teeth being inserted by
double roots into double alveoli is positive evidence that it was a
warm-blooded mammal, Miiller has also carefully studied this
specimen, and pronounces it unquestionably a cetacean.

Dr. C. T. Jackson presented the specimens mentioned
by him at the last meeting as found in the tertiary deposit
of Marshfield, and identical with those found at Gay Head.

Dr. Durkee mentioned a method successfully adopted by
the farmers in Illinois and Wisconsin for curing their cattle
when bitten by the rattlesnake.

It is simply to cast them, and bury the bitten part in the mud,
when recovery rapidly takes place ; he mentioned cases where
animals had been seen to be bitten, who recovered with no other
treatment than this. He did not know if there was any thing in
the mud to account for its alleged curative powers.

Dr. Durkee mentioned a popular belief at the West, that the
*' blow snake," so called, blows out a poisonous vapor from its
mouth as a means of attack and defence.

Dr. Wyman observed that Dumeril, who has written a large
work on serpents, denies totally that they hiss, a faculty which
they have been supposed to possess from time immemorial ; they
occasionally make a slight noise by the expiration of air from the
lungs, as tortoises do ; but nothing which can be called a hissing
noise.

Mr. Stodder presented some fine specimens of wheat,
grown in Masachusetts by Henry Poor of North Andover.

There were four varieties, all very flourishing. This was the
sixth crop that he had raised, and he is convinced that farmers
will find it to their advantage to raise wheat in Massachusetts at
least for their own use. From one seed he raised the finest
specimen presented, five feet in height, containing forty straws
and two thousand two hundred and fourteen seeds. The soil is
clayey ; it had been limed ; common manure was employed.

330

Mr. Stimpsoii presented a specimen of Lucina horealis,
dredged from a sandy bottom near Point Shirley.

Fragments are often found on our beaches after storms, but
this is the first he had found entire.

He also presented a specimen of Uiiio margaritiferus^ found
in the diluvium at East Boston with Mytilus, &c. in a situation
where it could not have been placed by Indians.

Mr. S. A. Bemis presented some fine drawings of the
animalculae found in Cochituate water.

Dr. Burnett presented a drawing of Xijlodes Pickeringii.

The Secretary announced the addition to the Cabinet of
the following birds, namely : —

Ardea ccBrulea, Blue Heron.

Mniotilta superciliosa, Yellow-throated Warbler.

Mniotilta citrea, Prothonotary Warbler.

Caprimulgus Carolinensis, Chuck-wills-Widow, (female.)

Spiza ciris. Painted Finch, (male.)

Parus CaroUnensis^ Carolina Titmouse.

Troglodytes Ludovicianus, Great Carolina Wren.

Culicivora ccerulea, Blue-gray flycatcher, (male.)

Setophaga ?jiitrata^ Hooded Warbler, (male.)

Sterna frenattty Least Tern.
All procured in South Carolina.

He also announced the donation of some fine birds from
San Francisco, California, from James C. Leighton, Esq.
The thanks of the Society were voted for this donation.

Dr. C. T. Jackson announced that the Committee
appointed at the last meeting to memorialize Congress in
reference to a corps of Naturalists for the Mexican Bound-
ary Commission, had drawn up a memorial, which would
be presented by Senator Green, of Rhode Island.

Hon. George Washington Warren, and J. W. Bemis,
M. D., of Charlestown, Mass. were elected members of the
Society.

331

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30.

California Message and Correspondence, (Congressional Docu-
ment.) 8vo. Washington, 1849-50. Fi^orn R. C. Winthrop.

Report of Smithsonian Institute on the History of the Discov-
ery of Neptune. By B. A. Gould, Jr. 8vo. Pamph. Wash-
ington, 1850. From J. Rockwell.

G. Tilesius. Statuten des MiJnchener Vereins fiir Natur-
kunde. 12mo. Pamph. MiJnchen, 1849. From the Author.

Report on the Sea and River Fisheries of New Brunswick.
8vo. Pamph. Frederickton. By M. H. Perley. From the
Author.

Sixty-third Annual Report of the Regents of the University of
New York. Svo. Pamph. Albany, 1850. Fro7n the Regents
of the University of New York.

American Journal of Science 'and Arts. No. 28. 2nd Series,
for July, 1850. From the Editors.

Thesaurus Literaturaj Botanicte. Curavit G. A. Pritzel. Fas-
ciculus I. Plag. 1 - 10 continens. 4to. Pamph. Lipsios, 1847.
From Little ^ Brown.

Die operative Chirurgie von J. F. Dieffenbach. Erstes Heft.
Bogenl-8. Leipsig, 1844. 8vo. Pamph. From Little 8f Brown.

System der Physiologie. Von C. G. Carus. Erstes Heft.
Bogen 1 - 12. 8vo. Pamph. Leipsig, 1847. From Little Sf
Brown.

Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France. 2ieme Serie.
Tome VII. Feuilles 4-8, 9-13, 14-22. From Dec. 17, 1849,
to April 1, 1850. VI. Feuilles 44-47. Paris. 8vo. Pamph.
1849 - 50. From the Societe Geologique.

Liste des Membres de la Societe Geologique. 12mo. Pamph.
Paris, 1850. From the Societe Geologique.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. With Illus-
trations. Part III. July to December, pp. 99 - 172. Title-page
and Index. 8vo. London. From the Zoological Society.

Eloge Historique de Benj. Delessert. Par M. Flourens. 8vo.
Pamph. Paris, 1850. From Francis Delessert.

Structure and History of the Articular Cartilages. By Joseph
Leidy. 8vo. Pamph. 1849. From the Author.

332

American Journal of Science and Arts. No 29. 2nd Series
for September, 1850. Fi^om the Editors.

Received from tlie Courtis Fund.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Nos. 30 and 31.
Vol. VI. 2nd Series: for June and July, 1850.

History of British Mollusca and their Shells. By Prof. Ed.
Forbes and S. Hanley. Nos. 27-31. 8vo. London. 1850.

Thesaurus Conchylioruni. By G. B. Sowerby. Part XL
8vo. London. 1850.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. 32, for August,
1850. Vol. VI. 2nd Series.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No 33, for Sep-
tember, 1850. Vol. VI. 2nd Series.

Deposited hy the Reipublican Institution.

Reports of the British Association for the Advancement of
Science. Vols, for 1836, 1840, 1843-49. 8vo. London.

Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia. 133 vols. 12mo. London.
1835-45.

Cyclopaedia of Anatomy and Physiology. Edited by R. B.
Todd. Nos. 39 and 40. 8vo. London, 1850.

London Encyclopcedia. 22 vols. 8vo. London, 1844-5.

Writings of George Washington. With a Life of the Author.
By Jared Sparks. 12 vols. 8vo. New York, 1847-8.

Octoler 2, 1850.

Dr. C. T. Jackson in the Chair.

Present, twelve members.

Dr. Cabot made some remarks on the glossy Ibis, which
had been observed in many instances this season in New
England.

333

The North American bird was first described by Bonaparte,
who thought it the same as the Ibis falcinellus of the Old World ;
but Naturalists denied this, from the different size of the bird,
and its inhabiting a different climate. One shot at Fresh Pond
was presented to the Society, which Dr. Cabot thought the same
as the Ibis guarauna of South America ; but on comparing the
first with a fine specimen of the last, from Chili, presented by
M. Vattemare, he is satisfied that they are not the same bird,
and that the specimens obtained in Massachusetts belong to an
undescribed species. He will give a detailed account of the
specific characters at a future meeting.

He announced the addition to the Cabinet of the Euro-
pean common Heron and a Turkey Buzzard in exchange
with Mr. Kimball ; also a female Peacock from Dr. W. T.
G. Morton, for which donation the thanks of the Society
were voted. He also exhibited mounted specimens of
the California birds, presented by Mr. Leighton, namely, —
Colaptes rubricatus, female, Red shafted Woodpecker ;
3 elanerpes fonnicivorus, male. Black-bearded Wood-
pecker ; Agelaius gubernator, Gubernator oriole ; Dicccum
; Pyranga cBstiva, from Mr. Theodore Lyman.

Mr. Stimpson presented two new species of Philine,
obtained in Boston Harbor, with descriptions as follows : —

Philine sinuata. P. testa minuta, ovata, alba, pellucida,
longitudinaliter striata; spira conspicua ; apertura antice dila-
taia. Long. .07 ; lat. .05 poll. Hab. Massachusetts Bay.

The animal is two tenths of an inch in length, oblong, elon-
gated, convex posteriorly, of a yellowish color, darkest behind,
with dots and patches of white. The reflected pedal lobes are
rather narrow, and terminate near the middle of the part occu-
pied by the shell. At the posterior extremity a cavity is formed
by the mantle, which is digitated and arched ; within this cavity
the anus is situated, and its lower margin has a notch at the
centre.

The ova are deposited during the latter part of August. They
are minute, white, and enveloped in a gelatinous mass, which is

334

globular, hyaline, slightly tinged with yellowish, and somewhat
larger than the animal itself.

Several specimens of this species were obtained by dredging
in Broad Sound, Boston Bay, at the depth of from four to seven
fathoms on a sandy bottom.

Philine FORMOSA. P. tcsta minuta, quadrato-globosa, antice
subtruncata, alba, nitida, subopaca, postice incrassata, striis
volventibus, inaequidistantibus, excavato-punctatis, vel interdum
undulatis, sculpta ; apice arete et profunde perforate ; columella
sinuata, late et tenuiter callo induta ; labro postice crenulato ;
apertura patentissima. Long. 18; lat. 14 poll. Hah. Coast of
New England, north of Cape Cod.

This species is nearly allied to P. scufulum^ Loven, but differs
from it in its form, and its umbilicus ; and it has no inflection
of the outer lip. The figure of P. scutulum^ given by Sowerby,
will not apply to the species here described.

Several specimens were taken from fishes caught on the
" middle bank," in seventeen fathoms ; in thirty fathoms off Cape
Ann, and in deep water off the coast of Maine.

Dr. Gould presented the first number of the ''Journal
de Conchyliologie," published in Paris, and devoted to
descriptions of new Shells by M. Petit de la Saussaye. The
Editor desired to exchange it for the Society's " Proceed-
ings." Referred to the Library Committee.

He announced the donation from Mr. Lesquereux of
specimens of Algse, collected mostly in the neighborhood of
Boston ; a collection of American mosses was also promised
by the same gentleman.

Dr. Gould read extracts from a letter from Mr. Charles Lyell,
in which he alluded to the great advantages the hippopotamus,
recently arrived in England, had conferred on the Zoological
Society of London, by freeing it from all pecuniary embarrass-
ments.

Dr. Gould also brought a fine specimen of Pterogorgia
setacea, from the West Indies, presented by Mr. C. O.
Boutelle, for which the thanks of the Society were voted.

335

Dr. J. Mason Warren related the following case which
recently came under his care : —

A man from the country came to him, having, as he said, a
cancerous tumor of a peculiar appearance in his arm-pit ; on
examination was seen a round, white tumor, hanging from a very
inflamed and swelled base. On turning it up, he noticed on each
side a regular series of hairs, too regular for any morbid growth;
on moving these hairs to one side, they were quickly brought
back to their original position ; the tumor was very tender to the
touch. He seized the tumor and gently pulled it away ; on
placing it on the table, it ran quickly across it. The man was
working in a field, when he felt a sudden pain and itching in his
axilla; a swelling quickly arose, very tender and inflamed,
which was supposed a cancer ; he came to Boston to be operated
on, with the above result. This animal was the common wood-
tick (Ixodes) ; it was as large as a bean, very round and plump ;
in its dried state it was one half an inch long.

Dr. Gould mentioned a similar case, where a man, who was
about to have a tumor on the shoulder removed by ligature, was
freed from an Ixodes, three times as large as the one exhibited
by Dr. Warren. They are very common in the woods at the
South.

Dr. Kneeland announced the addition to the Cabinet, by
purchase, of a very fine and uncommonly large skeleton of
the American Black Bear, Ursus Americanus.

Dr. C. T. Jackson made some observations on the age of
the Sandstones of the United States.

Elie de Beaumont is of the opinion that the Lake Superior
Sandstone belongs to the Silurian system, and is not so high in
the geological series as the new Red Sandstone. Dr. Jack-
son thinks that the age of all our red Sandstones is question-
able. Dr. Hitchcock has supposed the Connecticut River Sand-
stone to be the new red Sandstone, from comparison of it with
specimens from Nova Scotia ; Dr. Jackson thinks both of them
to be lower down than the new red Sandstone ; he has found
this rock in Maine lying immediately over the Silurian limestone.
Dr. Jackson believes that, whatever be the age of this formation.

336

it is identical in Nova Scotia, Maine, Massachusetts, and New
Jersey. He agrees with Elie de Beaumont, that what is here
called the new red Sandstone is not the same as the new red
Sandstone (properly so called) of Europe ; that it belongs to the
Silurian system. Confirmed >by a recent examination of the
fossils by Mr. Wells, of Cambridge, Mass. Wherever it occurs,
from Nova Scotia to New Jersey, there are the same masses of
trap found running through it ; but the trap never comes up as
dykes, but always as heds ; always between the strata of Sand-
stone, never through them. The under surface, on the leaning
side, is converted into amygdaloid ; at this point, where the trap
and sandstones come into contact, native copper occurs ; the
accompanying minerals are nearly the same from Lake Superior
to Nova Scotia. The direction of the strata, in nearly all cases,
is E. N. E. and W. S. W. The masses of trap, in both
countries, curve to the N. W., showing that the direction of
upheaval was the same over the whole extent from Lake Supe-
rior to Nova Scotia.

If the Connecticut River Sandstone belongs to the Silurian
system, it will show that birds made their appearance on the
earth some time before Geologists have generally supposed.

There are many difficult problems in connection with the Sand-
stones, which geology as yet has not materials enough to solve.

October 16, 1850.
Dr. A. A. Gould in the Chair.
Present, thirty members.

Prof. Agassiz expressed his dissent from the opinions of
Dr. C. T. Jackson on the age of the Connecticut Sand-
stones, as given at the last meeting.

He believed, with Dr. Hitchcock, that they were of more
recent formation. Their fossil fishes were in exact relation with

337

the alleged age of the strata ; and he cannot think this formation
an exception to the general law of deposit. Mere mineralogical
qualities should not outweigh the geological evidence in favor of
a more recent formation ; he cannot admit here so remarkable
an exception as is implied in the hypothesis that the age of these
sandstones may indicate the existence of birds at an earlier period
than geology has fixed by the regular succession of fossil
remains.

Dr. Jackson replied, that his remarks were thrown out rather
as hints to excite inquiry than as assertions upon which he was
very positive ; amid the discrepancy of authors, he merely men-
tioned certain facts in his possession which he thought might
throw some light on this obscure subject.

He said he was happy to hear Prof. Agassiz's opinions upon
this subject, but he regretted that he had not heard his full
statement at the last meeting. Prof. Agassiz misapprehended
some points which were not given by Dr. Jackson as results
but were proposed as questions for consideration. He does not
wish to be understood as affirming that bird tracks are found as
low as the Silurian system, but asked if the strata in which
they are found may not be older than the new red Sandstone of
Europe. As to the beds containing fossil fishes, he understood
Mr. Wells to say, that they occupied upper and unconformable
strata of fine-grained shales or slates resting upon the more
highly inclined red Sandstones of the Connecticut River. This
fact he had also learned from others who had examined the fish
deposits lower down the river, and he had no doubt of the cor-
rectness of Mr. Wells's opinion, that the fossil fishes belong to
more recent and upper beds. He understood from Mr. Redfield
that he did not regard the fishes of the New Jersey Sandstone as
identical with those of the new Red of Europe, and such was
the general opinion of those familiar with the deposits.

In his communication at the last meeting. Dr. Jackson stated
the facts that he positively knew, distinct from matters of
opinion, and explained the true position of the red Sandstone
rocks from Lake Superior to Nova Scotia. He then repeated
his demonstrations, showing that the red Sandstone of the Con-
necticut River rests directly upon the granitic rocks of North-

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 22 DECEMBER, 1850.

338

field, on the borders of New Hampshire, as explained in his
Final Report on the Geology of New Hampshire.

He also showed that the red Sandstone of Trescot, Maine,
rests directly upon the Silurian limestone, equivalent to the
Niagara group and contains an abundance of Silurian fossils.
The Sandstone at that locality is conformable with the strata of
the Silurian limestone upon which it rests and therefore is an
upper member of that group. Mr. Dawson had also satisfied
himself that the red Sandstone of Nova Scotia passes beneath
the Coal formation and is therefore not of the new red Sand-
stone formation. President Hitchcock, who formerly regarded
the Connecticut River Sandstone as the old Red, altered his
opinion upon comparing the lithological characters of that rock
with the supposed new Red of Nova Scotia, furnished him by
Mr. Alger and himself in 1827. Dr. Jackson is now convinced
that the red Sandstone of Nova Scotia is not equivalent to the
new Red of Europe. He doubts, therefore, the age of the lower
strata of Connecticut River and is convinced that they are older
than those of the fish deposits of the upper slates.

He alluded to the delusions that have arisen in searching for
coal in the Sandstone of Connecticut River, under the idea that
it is the new Red, and consequently over the carboniferous
deposits. The error is therefore one of practical importance and
should be corrected. It is certain that the carboniferous rocks
do not exist below the red Sandstone of Connecticut River, and
that the Sandstone in question is deposited in a trough of the
older rocks commonly called primary. This may be seen at
Northfield and along the edge of the Sandstone basin lower down
the river.

Dr. Jackson drew upon the black board a series of diagrams
demonstrating the true position of the Sandstones of the Con-
necticut River, of Maine, Nova Scotia, and Lake Superior. He
said, that so far as his own observations go they would tend to
support the views which Elie de Beaumont had conceived from the
facts which he had learned from him in 1844 and '45, and from
Mr. Logan quite recently. All the facts that had come to his
knowledge indicated that the Sandstone of Kewenaw Point and
Isle Royale was an upper and not a lower member of the Silu-

339

rian group, in accordance with the inferences drawn by De
Beaumont from its orographic positions.

Dr. Jackson then explained how he and other Geologists had
been in the habit of explaining the anomalous facts' concerning
the position of these rocks, under the idea that they might be the
new red Sandstone deposited on any rock that happened to be
uppermost at the epoch of that formation. It is certainly a very
curious fact, that the coal measures of Mansfield, Mass., and of
Rhode Island are also deposited in a so called primary trough,
or in a trough of Granite gneiss and mica slate rocks without
any carboniferous limestones and without any cappings of new
red Sandstone strata. While on the Connecticut River the
Sandstones which have been supposed to be equivalent to the
new Red are also deposited in a similar trough and contain no
coal rocks beneath them. These facts need much and prolonged
research for their full explanation, and we have not yet obtained
all the data that are needed for a full and rational discussion of
the subject.

Mr. Wells read a paper, in connection with this subject,
in which his object was to show that the reference of all
the stratified and fossiliferous rocks of the Connecticut
Valley to one formation has been made upon insufficient
data, and that it is doubtful whether the upper members of
these Sandstones belong to the new red Sandstone or to
the Oolitic period.

It is difficult to determine the age of these rocks, since, owing
to the absence of all underlying carboniferous or older sediment-
ary rocks on the one hand, or of any superimposed fossiliferous
formations on the other, Geologists have been compelled to rest
entirely upon their lithological characters and the doubtful
evidence of fossils contained in them. He thinks that they con-
sist of two distinct formations, differing widely from each other.
In the lower beds we find rocks only which exhibit the charac-
teristics generally attributed to the new red Sandstone ; of a
color ranging from a light to a brownish red, and differing
greatly as regards fineness. The rocks lying above these,
which he would refer to a different formation, consist of red.

340

blue, and black shales and slates, with a few beds of limestones
and conglomerates ; they exhibit none of the massive compact
character of the lower rocks, and are generally unfit for building
purposes. It is to these various colored shales that the fossils of
the Connecticut Valley are wholly confined ; so far as he knows,
not a single well characterized organic remain has ever been
discovered in the lower beds.

The fossils peculiar to these upper beds are the well known
impressions of the feet of birds; several varieties of fish in con-
siderable abundance ; impressions of stems, leaves, and grasses;
coprolites, and numerous organic remains of a doubtful charac-
ter ; and, in at least two instances, bones of large vertebrata, (at
East Windsor, Ct. and South Hadley, Mass.) He thinks that
this limitation of the fossils to the upper beds, and the different
lithological characters, warrant the conclusion that the upper
members of the Connecticut River Sandstones are of an entirely
different age from the lower. Throwing aside the general
lithological resemblances existing between these rocks and the
European new Red, and the Sandstones of the South Eastern
States, there is no more reason for referring them to the new
red Sandstone than to the Sandstones of the Silurian period.

At a point six or eight miles west of Springfield, he discovered
the shales and slates of the upper beds resting unconformably
upon the lower* Sandstones. The lower rocks, so far as
observed, stood at an angle of 70° to 80°, and even 90°, while
the upper beds had only an inclination of about 10° east. The
upper rocks in this vicinity appear to be made up entirely of
tidal deposits, or of the sediment left by the successive risings of
a river overflowing a low, flat country ; since they are composed
of innumerable parallel layers, readily splitting by the pressure
of the hand, and rarely exceeding the tenth of an inch in thick-
ness. Each of these strata also exhibits upon its surface irreg-
ular markings, which generally extend through the plate ; it is
very evident that these marks are merely mud cracks, filled up
by a subsequent deposition ; in fact, more conclusive evidence of
repeated submergence and exposure could not be produced.

Do these Sandstones belong to the upper members of the
Triasic period, or to the Lias? He thinks there are objections
to referring them to the former period, which do not apply to the

341

latter. They are briefly these : 1st, from the evidence of the
existence of birds during their deposition ; in no other portions
of the new red Sandstone are there similar impressions of bird
feet, and the existence of birds on the earth during the Triasic
period is wholly unsustained by any other geological evidence ;
2nd, from the occurrence of the bones of large vertebrata ;
3d, from the occurrence of remains resembling those of the
Oolite, and from the abundance of fossils, which is not charac-
teristic of the new red Sandstones of this country. The charac-
ter of the fishes has been considered a strong argument in favor
of these Sandstones belonging to a period anterior to the Lias ; it
has been assumed that they possess all the characteristics of the
older types, that they have heterocercal tails and rhombic scales.
But this is not the case, for the fishes of the Connecticut Sand-
stones, all coming from the upper beds, hold an intermediate
position between those with heterocercal and those with homo-
cereal tails, and may be referred with equal propriety to the
Lias Sandstones and to the Triasic period. If we still conclude
to refer these upper beds to the new red Sandstone, it must be
admitted that we have for the first time a division marked out in
these rocks, which may correspond with the divisions recognized
in the same formation in Europe.

Prof. Agassiz alluded to a section at Nahant, where, under
masses of Sienite, may be seen a regular series of strata, con-
taining large quantities of fossil coraJs in an imperfect condition ;
he thinks these may prove a continuation of the Mansfield coal
formation. Perhaps the whole matter will be explained by the
strata in question proving to be metamorphic rocks.

Mr. Desor remarked, that such different inclinations in Sand-
stone strata do not prove a difference of formation. At the
" Pictured rocks," strata are found with an inclination of 36° to
40°, while the next are horizontal, in some cases for a quarter
of a mile ; it is the same as what is seen in the tertiary deposits,
and called by Mr. Lyell " cross formation."

Dr. Buckminster Brown presented, in the name of Mrs.
H. G. Otis, a specimen of the Caterpillar fungus, or vege-
table caterpillar, Spheria Robertsii. This rare insect was
brought from New Zealand.

342

The plant springs from the neck of the animal, and grows
two or more inches in length ; in this specimen it has unfortu-
nately been broken or cut off near the head. There is another
species of this fungus which has been found developed in the
bodies of full grown wasps. Rev. Mr. Berkely, in the London
Journal of Botany says, that it commences its development on
the living wasp, and, according to Dr. Maddiana, arrives at its
full growth during the life of the insect; with the caterpillar
this is impossible, for it has been ascertained that the entire body
of the animal is filled with a pith, or corky vegetable substance,
displacing the intestines. In other words, the whole insect,
according to Dr. Hooker, is metamorphosed into vegetable, with
the exception of the skin, which remains sound, and the intestines.
The transformation takes place while the animal is under ground,
where it buries itself for the purpose. The same author is of
opinion that the spores of the fungus are lodged in the first joint
of the neck, and the caterpillar settles head upwards to undergo
its change, when the vegetable develops itself

One of the species of this insect is a celebrated drug in the
Chinese Pharmacopceia ; but from its rarity is only used by the
Emperor's physician. The Chinese have a notion that it is a
plant in summer, and a worm in winter. In volume 2nd, of the
work referred to, is a plate showing the plant as it appears when
fully developed. The thanks of the Society were voted for this
donation.

Prof. Agassiz gave a description of a new naked-eyed
Medusa, belonging to a new genus, which he proposed to
call Rhacostoma Atlanticum.

Instead of the usual structure in these animals with eight or
ten tentacles, there are in this over one hundred appendages to
the mouth, and five or six hundred at the circumference. The
mouth is so wide, that it has been supposed to be wanting ; the
union of the appendages to the mouth into a firm cord forms an
alimentary cavity ; these are formed of very large polygonal
cells, which give a remarkable power of enlarging and contract-
ing this cavity. This is the largest of the family. In the cir-
cular tube of the margin is a nervous cord ; at night it emitted
light, and, when stimulated, the whole outline of the nervous

343

system was seen as an illuminated diagram of a golden yellow
color ; so that in this animal at least, the phosphorescence took
place in the substance of the nervous cord.

The characteristics of this animal are the extraordinary num-
ber of the tubes radiating from the central cavity, and its remark-
able power of enlarging and contracting.

The following shells from the United States Exploring
Expedition were described by Dr. Gould : —

Mytilus (Modiola) flabellatus. T. transversa, elongata,
trapezoidea, trifariam cuneata ; umbonibus minime terminalibus,
acutis, attigentibus ; declivitate umbonali ventricoso, angulato ;
marginibus rectilinearibus ; latere postico oblique truncate, baud
angulato ; epidermide antice nitido, exusto, postice flavo-viridi,
flosculis rigido : intus exalbida. Long. 4 ; alt. If ; lat. 1^ poll.
Hob. Puget Sound, Oregon.

A very well marked species, more than usually cuneate, and
with the beaks quite remote from the summit.

Mytilus (Modiola) areolatus. Testa transversa, ovato-elon-
gata, incurvala, tumida ; umbonibus approximatis, angulatis, fere
terminalibus; margine dorsali arcuato ; margine ventrali forni-
calo, valde hiante ; epidermide nitido, castaneo, portione antico-
ventrali sulco limitato : intus alba, limbo dorsali purpurascente.
Long. 2 ; alt. \^ ; lat. 1 poll. Hob. New Zealand.

Somewhat like M. vulgaris ; the beaks are nearly terminal,
the byssal opening broader and nearer the beaks, the ventral
margin arching inwards instead of outwards at this point ; the
epidermis is darker and more shining, and the nacre is different.

Mytilus (Modiola) hepatigus. T. parva, elongata, ovato-
triangularis, antice angustata, ventricosa ; margine dorsali angu-
lato; umbonibus acutis, angulatis ; epidermide tenui, livido-
corneo, versus fastigium umbonalem flavescente ; intus puni-
cea, luteo-marginata. Long. \^ ; alt. f ; lat. f poll. Hah. Fee-
jee Islands.

A small, elongated species, with its dorsal edge obtusely angu-
lar, but best distinguished by its peculiar lurid exterior coloring,
and its reddish molybdsena-colored interior.

344

Mytilus pykiformis. T. solida, elongata, ovato-trigona, ven-
tricosa, rosacea, epidermide piceo induta ; margine ventrali in-
flecto, radiatim sulcato ; fastigio umbonali tumido, concentrice
undulato-striato : intus livescens ; cardine edentulo. Long. 3^ ;
alt. If ; lat. 1^- poll. Hah. South Seas.

The similarity of the dorsal and ventral curves ; its inflated
ventral portion, its great lateral diameter, its peculiar coloration
and striation are well marked.

Mytilus divaricatus. T. ovato-triangularis, arcuata, prseter
regionem byssicalem undique radiatim costato-sulcata, sulcis pro-
fundis, remotis, interdum divaricantibus ; apice peracuto, angu-
lato ; margine dorsali baud angulato, portione ligamentali arcuato ;
margine ventrali recto ; epidermide luteo-corneo postice fusces-
cente ; intus albida, postice livescens. Long. Ij^ ; alt. -^-^ ; lat.
I poll. Hah. China Seas.

In general aspect it is like M. Magellanicus, but is more angu-
lar, the grooves are deeper, more numerous and more generally
distributed. The grooves are distributed as in M. hamatus, but
are much larger.

Mytilus algosus. T. transversa, subcylindrica, elliptico-
triangularis, valde erosa, epidermide tenui, intense smaragdino
induta ; margine dorsali angulato, postice ad marginem ventra-
lem rectum parallelo ; latere postico rotundato ; fastigio umbonali
tumido, obtuse ; cardine edentulo : intus punicea. Long. 1| ;
lat. f ; alt. f poll. Hah. South Seas.

The slender cylindrical form, very dark green epidermis and
interior coloration are good diagnostic characters.

Mytilus trossulus. T. parva, elongata, subarcuata, nitida,
coracina, subtus coerulea ; urnbonibus remotis excurvatis, 5-den-
ticulatis ; marginibus sub-parallelis ; margine ligamentali ad-
scendente, recto, angulato; fastigio umbonali tumido, obtuso ;
intus cretato, limbo atro ; cicatrice palleali lineari. Long. 1^ ;
alt. If ; lat. ^ poll. Hah. Killimook, Puget Sound, Oregon.

It is more slender and more cylindrical than 31. edulis ; the
dorsal wing is less elevated, the posterior slope rectilinear ; the
color is more glossy jet-black and without radiations, and there
is a difference in the form of the muscular impression.

345

Mytilus (Modiolarca) pusillus. T. parva, transversa, sub-
cylindrica, ovalis, solida, concentrice striata ; marginibus sub-
parallelis ; latere antico truncato, angulo ventrali obtuso ; latere
postico late rotundato ; umbonibus tumidis, subterminalibus, con-
tortis ; colore cinereo, vel rubro-tincto. Long. ^ ; alt. ^ poll.
Hah. Terra del Fuego. *

This curious little shell is interesting from its being a repre-
sentative from the southern seas of a form not uncommon in
northern waters.

Pecten caurinus. T. trigono-orbicularis, baud crassa, ine-
quivalvis, sub-equilateralis ; valva superior convexiuscula, rubra,
striis coneentricis tenuibus insculpta, costis humilibus rotundatis
vel interdum sub-duplicatis ad 20 ornatis : valva inferior convexa,
alba, versus marginem rubricans, radiis ad 22 elevatis, quadratis,
longitrorsum striatis ; natibus rosaceis compressis ; auribus trans-
versis, sub-equalibus, radiatim striatis : intus lactea, rosaceo fim-
briata. Long. 2f ; lat. 2} ; alt. 1 poll. Hah. Port Townsend,
Admiralty Inlet, Oregon.

Of the size and aspect of P. maximus and Magellanicus. The
lower valve has the ribs like P. Jacohmis, only they are not
furrowed.

Pecten hericius'. T. rotundato-triangularis, equilateralis,
equivalvis 4 valvis convexis, sub-tumidis : valva superior rosea,
lineis exilibus coneentricis exasperata, et costis ad 24 angulatis,
alternis majoribus et spinis erectis fornicatis insculpta : vahva
inferior pallidior colore saturatiori zonata, costis sub-equalibus
spiniferis armata ; natibus acutis, prorninentibus ; auribus obli-
quis valde inequalibus radiatim squamoso-striatis ; intus porcel-
lana; marginibus crenulatis, rosaceis. Long. 4| ; alt. 1^ ; lat. 4f
poll. Hah. Straits of De Fuca, Oregon.

A very beautiful species, much like P. pallium beneath, but
remarkable for the distant ranges of elevated spines on the
alternate ribs, the intervening ones being quite depressed, and
with merely fine squamous striae, like the rest of the surface.

Pecten LiETUs. T. ovato-triangularis, ventricosa, equivalvis,
dilute rosea albo 5 - 6-radiata : margine ligamentali oblique,
aurieulis valde itiequalibus, obliquis ; auricula byssica profunde

346

fossato-emarginata, radialim sulcato-costata, costis numerosis,
inequalibus argute muriculata ; intus albido-incarnata. Long.
1| ; alt. I ; lat. If poll. Hob. New Zealand.

Of the same type as P. Islandicus^ but is small, more convex,
and the sculpture coarser ; the groove separating the auricle
from the body of the shell is remarkably deep.

OsTREA ciRCUMSUTA. T. solida, elongata, ovata, cinerea, ine-
quivalvis, marginibus undulatis : valva superior denticulis radian-
tibus marginalibus in foveis sub-marginalibus valvse inferioris
aptantibus : area cardinal is triangularis, contorta, longitrorsum
fossata : interior alba, limbo violacescente. Long. 1^ ; lat 1 poll.
Hob. Feejee and Samoa Islands.

The distinctive characters are the denticles, about twice as
long as broad, around the entire margin, tinged with violet. In
young specimens the purple coloring is wanting.

OsTREA MORDAX. T. pctrosa, angusta, lunata : valva inferior
concava, digitis triangularibus erectis fuscescentibus marginata :
valva superior minor, planulata, margine profunde sinuato et gran-
ulato, sinibus cum digitis coaptantibus : interior albida, olivaceo-
maculata ; cicatrice elongata, valde incrassata, nigra : area cardi-
nalis planulata, lata. Long. 2 ; lat. 1 poll. Hah. Feejee Islands.

The horizontal digitations of the upper valve fitting into the
erect canine teeth of the lower valve, together with the denticles
within, and the black elevated cicatrix, may serve to identify this
species. The upper valve fits so deeply and so closely into the
lower that it is nearly impossible to separate them without
fracture.

OsTREA GLOMERATA. T. crcsccntica, lata, sinistrorsum arcu-
ata, solidiuscula, planulata, scabriuscula, laminis dentatis prope
marginem foliata, nigricans et albo-radiata ; margine undulato :
interior alba ; fovea apicali profunda ; cicatrice nigricante ; mar-
ginibus aut simplicibus aut lineolatis et prope cardinem granula-
tis ; limbo corticali purpureo et viridi variegate. Long, et lat. 2
poll. Hob. New Zealand.

This may possibly have been described, though no figure or
description answers to the specimens I have seen. 0. spathulata
and denticulata correspond most nearly. The deep umbonal pit

347

of the lower valve, its dark frilled upper margin, and the few
denticles near the hinge are among its peculiarities.

OsTREA DiscoiDEA. T. subcircularis, planulata, tenuis, pur-
purea : valva superior striis crebris albidis radiata ; valva infe-
rior major, radiatim plicoso-rugosa ; colore saturatiori : cavositas
parva, argentata, purpureo-marginata ; margine prope apicem
plicoso-crenulato. Long. 1^; lat. 2 poll. Hah. ?

The characters of the single specimen of this delicate and
well-formed oyster are so diverse from all others, that notwith-
standing the usual inconstancy of form in this genus, I think it
may be safely pronounced new. The small, purple-striped West
India Oyster (O. Brasiliana) is similar to it.

Terebratula caurina. T. parva, fusco-cinerea, transversa,
convexiuscula ; quincuncialiter punctata, costis angulatis ad 12
interdum bifurcatis radiata ; margine ventrali circulari, flexuoso ;
apice acuto, rectangular! ; lateribus rectilinearibus, incumbenti-
bus; rostro brevi, vix curvato ; foramine circulari, interrupto :
apophysis branchialis tenuissima, angustata. Long. ^ ; lat. ^^ ;
alt. \ poll. Hah. Paget Sound.

T. australis is closely allied, but is more elongated and more
convex ; the beak is also elongated and the ribs are less promi-
nent.

Terebratula Patagonica. T. parva, solidula, albida, ovato-
triangularis, sub-trilobata, quincuncialiter punctata : valva oper-
cularis plana : valva major convexa, sub-gibbosa, costis tribus
medianis et utrinque costis quinque divaricantibus ornata ; ros-
tro brevi, marginibus inflectis ; foramine magno, rotundato :
apophysis branchialis exilis. Long. 4 ; lat. |- ; alt. -|- poll. Hal.
Coast of Patagonia.

A smaller and less transverse species than the preceding, and
the disposition of the ribs is quite different. It is also closely
related to T. australis^ but differs from it in the same respects.

Terebratula pulvinata. T. tenuis, lenticularis, orbiculato-
trigona, albida, quincuncialiter punctata : valva minor convexa,
latior quam longa, marginibus lateralibus rectis : valva major
convexior, seque longa ac lata ; apice rectangulari, truncato,
lateribus incumbentibus ; foramine modico, circulari : apophysis

348

brancbialis tenuissima, reflexa, incumbens. Diatn. |; alt. ^polL
Hah. Puget Sound, Oregon.

It has the same form and color and surface as T. vitrea, but
is more rounded in front, the incurved areas of the beaks much
broader and flatter, the ligament aperture larger, &c. Like
other species of the genus, it varies much in form, some being
quite globose, while others are compressed.

Mactra debilis. T. parva, alba, tenuis, transversa, elongato-
ovata, antice ovata, postice acuta, valde hians ; valvis tumidis,
postice compressis ; umbonibus eminentibus acutis, antemedia-
nis : cardo debilis ; dente V-formi parvo ; dentibus lateralibus
Curtis, acutis. Long. If ; alt. 1 ; lat. ^ poll. Hah. Singapore.

A very delicate species, resembling in all its outlines small
specimens of Mya arenaria.

Mr. Girard read a paper on the development of Plano-
cera elliptical in which he traced the egg through a series
of successive periods.

1st. The period of evolution — from the origin of the egg to
the moment when it is laid ; it originates like organic cells,
generating its mass around a new centre of attraction till it is
capable of leading an independent life ; during this time the egg
depends upon the mother. 2nd. Period of preparation — from
the laying of the egg till the manifestation of the embryo ; the
vitelline mass divides, and prepares its substance for the future
being ; during this time the egg is immovable, but is connected
with the parent. 3d. Period of the embryo — the vitelline
sphere moves within the egg-membrane, assumes various forms,
and then escapes. 4th. Period of the larva — the young animal
moves freely about, assuming different shapes, till it is trans-
formed into a mummy-like body. 5th. Period of the chrysalis —
differing as widely from the larva as in the butterfly ; the analogy
is complete in its external features.

He places PlanaricE rather among Mollusks than among
Articulata.

Prof. Agassiz had some time since observed that the

349

water pores on the margin of the disc, in Echinoderms,
especially in Echinarachnius, were different from the ambul-
acra! tubes and pores.

In regard to the resemblances of MediiscB and Echinoderms,
he would say that SciUella, for instance, is only a jelly-fish, in
whose substance lime is deposited. Both have the water-tubes ;
only in Medusce^ there is a closed system, while in Echinoderms
the water is introduced through open pores. The shell of
Echinoderms is then a modification of the gelatinous body of
Medusce, by the deposition of lime in the jelly.

Prof. Jeffries Wyman gave an account of dissections of
some of the blind -animals from the Mammoth Cave, Ken-
tucky.

In examining the fishes, his results were nearly the same as
Muller's, who found rudiments of eyes, or black points of pig-
ment, but no cornea, no optic nerve, no ocular contents. Dr.
Wyman, however, found no eye spots. As the small filaments
of the fifth pair of nerves could be distinguished, he is confident
the optic nerve could not have escaped his careful examination,
if it had existed. The optic lobes existed ; according to the
general rules of physiology these should not exist, as they bear
a strict relation to the sense of sight, which receives its nerve
from them ; both morbid and comparative anatomy show that
disease of the eye impairing or destroying vision, or a naturally
deficient sight, are accompanied with a corresponding diminution
or atrophy of the optic lobes. Here the optic lobes were not so
large as in the allied fishes, but yet they were of good size, and
nearly as large as the cerebral lobes. This fact would lead us to
inquire if these lobes are the seat of any other function than that
of sight.

In the craw-fish, there is the eye-pedicle, but there are no
facettes ; only simple integument covered with hairs. The
crickets, with long antennae, have as well developed eyes as
crickets living in the light.

Mr. Desor made some remarks on the methods pursued
by the Indians for preserving their venison and pemmican

350

without salt ; preparing a very wholesome and nutritious
food without that salt which has been generally supposed
so necessary for perfect nutrition. Dr. Cabot alluded to
certain experiments showing that salt considerably increases
the nutritive properties of food.

Dr. Cabot announced the addition to the Cabinet of the
male and female Wood Grouse, Guinea Fowl, common
Pheasant, and two Penelopes, in exchange with Mr. Kim-
ball ; of Schinz's Sandpiper and Scarlet Tanager (changing
plumage) from Mr. Theodore Lyman ; and a donation of
$10, from Mr. G. Rowland Shaw.

Dr. Kneeland announced the addition to the Cabinet, by
exchange, of a skeleton of a young fallow deer, Cervus
dama, Lin.

Mr. Algernon Coolidge, of Boston, and Mr. James P.
Low, of Charlestown, were elected members of the Society.

November 6, 1850.

Dr. J. C. Warren, President, in the Chair.

Present, thirty-three members.

Dr. Warren announced the arrival at the Society's
Rooms, of a portion of the valuable donation of casts of
the Himalaya fossils, from the Hon. East India Company
of London ; consisting of forty-one specimens, mostly of
Mammalia. The collection is peculiarly rich in Pachyder-
mata, especially Mastodons and Elephants, and will add a
number to the species of both these genera. Among the
reptiles, were a cranium, humerus, and parts of the sternum

351

of Colossochelys atlas, which must have been of an im-
mense size. With reference to this, Prof. Agassiz observed,
that he had found at Philadelphia a femur of a gigantic
turtle, taken from the green sand of New Jersey, which he
thinks must have been larger than the Himalaya species,
judging from the size of the femur, which was larger than
that of the rhinoceros ; he had named it Ailantochelys.

Letters from Dr. Warren, Hon. Abbott Lawrence, and
Mr. Charles Konig of the British Museum, were read by
the Secretary, in reference to this donation and the
exchange of specimens.

The thanks of the Society were voted to the Hon. East
India Company for this very valuable donation, and to the
Hon. Abbott Lawrence, and to Sir John Richardson for
their kind offices and aid in securing it for the Society.

Dr. C. T. Jackson presented, in the name of Mr. Charles
HofTman, of Salem, a skull of a Hippopotamus, from the
river Nunez, West Africa. Referred to Dr. Wyman.
The thanks of the Society were voted for this valuable
donation.

A letter from M. Vattemare was read by the Secretary,
announcing the donation of '' Catesby's Natural History of
Florida," &,c. for the use of the Society, and requesting its
promised specimens.

Dr. C. T. Jackson presented to the Society a copy of his
Report on the Mineralogy and Geology of the Mineral
Lands of the United States in Michigan, printed under a
Resolve of Congress.

Dr. Gould exhibited the Ixodes mentioned by him as
having been mistaken for a tumor ; and gave a description
of its apparatus for retaining its firm hold of the skin.
From this description. Prof. Agassiz thought the species
described by Miiller, was quite different.

Mr. Desor exhibited Prof. Vogt's new classification of
the animal kingdom in his new text-booJc of Zoology, as
follows : —

352

Prof. VogVs Neio Classification, as it is to he adopted in his
Text- Book of Zoology.

DEPARTMENT.

ORDER.

1. Protozoa. -No sex. (^ ^^'^'^opod,,
No egg. I Infusoria,

2. Radiata. — Eiijbryo
growing out of the
whole egg. JNo dis- J
tinct nervous system

Polyps,

Hydromedusas,
Siphonophora,

Echinoderms,

Monosomatia,

Polythalamia,

Astoma,

Stomatoda.

Hexactinia,

Pentactinia,

Octactinia.
C Hydroids or incomplete
< Medusae,
C Medusae.

Siphonophora.
f Crinoids,

Stellerids or Star Fishes,

Echini or Sea Urchins,

"Worms. — Bilateral
Embryo growing out
of the whole egg.
No separate Blasto-
derm. Nervous sys-
tem systematic.

f Vesicularii (Rundwur-
mer)

Planularii,

Rotatoria,

Annelids,

Sub-department, f Bryozoa,
Molluscoidea. One J

4. Molluscs. —
Embryo,
growing out
of the whole <
egg. Nerv-
ous system
asymmetric.

single nervous gan-
glion.

Sub-depart-
ment, MbZ/ws-
ca. Scattered
nervous gan-
glia.

Acepha-

Cephalo-
phora.

Ctenophora,

[ Tunicala,

f Sub-class :
Brachiopoda,

Sub-class :
Lamelli bran-

chiata,

Sub-class :
Pteropoda,

Sub-class :
Heteropoda,

Sub-class :
Gasteropoda,

5. Cephalopods. -
Yolk cephahc.

6. Articulata. —
Yolk dorsal.

7. Vertebrata. —
Yolk ventral.

Cephalopoda,

[ Holothurii.
f Gregarina,
j Echinorhynchi,
j Gordiae,
[^ Nematoids.
C Cestoidea,
I Trematoda,
"] Planariae,
[^ Nemertini.
C Fixa,
I Natantia.
C Bdellina,

I Gephyrea (Echiurus, Si-

J punculus)

Lumbrici,

Tubicola,

Errantia.

( Stelmatopoda,

( Lophopoda.
Beroida.

5 Ascidiae,

( Biphora.

< Hippuridea,
I Regulares.
r Pleuroconcha,

< Orthoconcha,
Clnclusa.

I Pteropoda.

I Heteropoda.

C Branchiata,

< Pulmonata,
C. Articulata (Chiton.)

5 Tetrabranchiata,
i Dibranchiata.

353

As will be seen from this Synopsis, the new classification is
based on principles of comparative anatomy and embryology
combined. From this point of view no naturalist was better
fitted for the task than Prof. Vogt, being equally eminent in both
branches. We understand that it has received the sanction of
the leading zoologists of Germany and the continent of Europe,
and may therefore be considered as the expression of the actual
state of the zoological science in those countries.

Besides the four departments of the classification of Cuvier,
Mr. Vogt admits three additional ones, making in all seven
great divisions or departments, which he calls circles, (Kreis.)
The new departments are those of the Protozoa^ the Cepha-
lopoda^ and the Worms. The first embraces the Rhizopods^
of M. Dujardin, erroneously classed among the Cephalopods
by Lamarck, and many of the Infusoria, including thus the
lowest of all animals. The second of the new divisions in-
cludes the cuttle-fishes and kindred animals, which figure in
Cuvier's system as a mere subdivision of the Molluscs. They
are here raised to the rank of a department, on the ground of
their embryological development, which is known to differ widely
from that of the other Molluscs. The most important improve-
ment, however, concerns the Worms, which Prof. Vogt separates
entirely from the Articulates, and which he subdivides into four
classes, including, besides the Annelids and intestinal worms, a
number of other animals, which in the other systems figure
partly among the Radiata, partly among the Infusoria. The
department of Mollusks undergoes also some essential modifica-
tions in its subdivisions, inasmuch as the Brachiopoda are sep-
arated from the Acephala as a distinct sub-class. Finally, we
find the Medusse classified here for the first time, according to
their true affinities. The subdivisions of the departments of
Articulata and Vertebrata are not given, probably because they
do not differ materially from those of the other systems.

Prof Agassiz observed, that what is true in this classifica-
tion is not new, and that what appears new is not true. This
same classification of the Protozoa and Worms he showed in a
work of Siebold. As to the modifications in the classes, he
remarked " that animals to come under the same order should

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 23 DECEMBER, 1850.

354

have homological parts ; which is entirely disregarded in this
classification.

Mr. Desor replied, that this classification he presented as new
in comparison with Cuvier's arrangement, which was still the
standard of our text-hooks ; and in this respect he maintained,
that Prof. Vogt's classification, as a text-book, might be consid-
ered new.

Prof. Agassiz made some remarks on the little bodies
seen on Hydra, which have been described as parasites, by
several authors.

These parasites at times leave the Hydra, and swim free,
changing their form in a remarkable degree. In addition to the
internal ring, he was able to trace rays going from the hooks to
the margin, divided into numerous branches, and also rays pro-
ceeding towards the centre from this ring; the margin has a
fringed undulating edge, under the tentacles. By feeding them
with colors, he was able to see that the internal folds are the margin
of a mouth, as in Rhacostoma, so that these parasites on Hydra
are diminutive Medusse. In the egg of Hydra, he had been able
to trace all the forms from a segmented yolk to these parasites ;
the fresh water Hydra is the Polypoid form of Medusse, while
these parasites are the Medusoid form. In the American Hydra,
as in the European, there are two types, the Iroion and the
green. The American green Hydra, unlike the European, has
the power of extending its body in a remarkable degree ; he
would call the American Hydra, gracilis. Our broivn Hydra
has very short tentacles, while the European has long ones ;
he would call the former Hydra carnea.

Dr. Wyman remarked that he had noticed numerous parallel
canals running not only from, but between the " hooks " of these
parasites ; these had also been noticed by Prof. Agassiz. The
spots described by Prof. Agassiz as gastric cavities he had seen
rapidly change their size, even contract and disappear, as is the
case with the spots seen in Baeccilloscina.

Prof. Agassiz, in continuation of the subject of the ramifica-
tions of the water tubes in Scutella and Medusae, observed that
in the walled Echinoderms, in those with no lateral expansions.

355

there is in the simple thickness of the walls a complex system of
water tubes. In Medusae, whose digestive cavity communicates
with the main cavity, water is introduced principally through the
mouth ; in Echinoderms, the water for digestion is introduced
through the mouth, but the water for the interior of the body
enters through the water tubes.

Dr. Wyman exhibited an embryo, six inches long, of the
Greenland Whale, BalcEna mysticetus, which presented
some remarkable differences from the adult animal.

Instead of the long flukes and central depression seen in the
adult, the tail of the embryo was rounded, as in the tail of
Manatus ; there was also a vertical crest above and below the
tail. The genital organs, in external appearance male, proved
to be female on the internal examination ; in the early stages of
the fcEtus it is impossible to distinguish them externally. The
thymus body was remarkably large, extending down between the
lungs and heart, then underneath the latter, and with its fellow
of the other side almost enveloping this organ.

Dr. Wyman observed, that in a recent dissection of an Owl,
he had noticed, besides the metacarpal bone of the thumb, two
movable joints, ending with a well defined claw, forming a per-
fect thumb, illustrating the fact, that where there is a nail there
is a terminal phalanx, as in the present instance ; on the con-
trary, where the nail is wanting, there is generally no terminal
phalanx, as in the fingers of the Bat.

Dr. Cabot said, that he had remarked at a former meeting,
that Bonaparte had not described the American glossy Ibis as
a distinct species ; he had since found that in a later Synopsis he
has described it as distinct, under the name of Ibis Ordi.

Dr. W. L. Jones and Prof. John Leconte, of Athens,
Ga., were elected Corresponding Members of the Society ;
and Mr. N. D. Cotton an Immediate Member.

356

November 20, 1850.
The President in the Chair.
Present, fifty-one members.

The President exhibited to the Society a number of
specimens, in addition to those presented at the last meet-
ing, of casts of Himalaya fossils, constituting the recent
donation from the East India Company. The specimens
were Crania from the families Q^iiadrumana, Carnivora,
Pachydermata, &c. He pointed out the distinctive charac-
ters of each.

Prof. Agassiz stated that he had been of late engaged in
the study of the soft parts of American fresh water Mol-
lusks, and their relations to the shell, with the object, if
possible, of discovering some new characters on which to
base an accurate classification.

He had found that in addition to the two muscular impres-
sions in the shell usually described, there are generally two or
more produced by muscular fibres springing from the foot,
which impressions in some species are confluent, in others
more or less distinct. Other impressions exist, produced by
the gills, the palpi, and the dorsal gland. Other distinctive
characters are observed in the arrangement of the mantle. In
some of the Naiades the posterior portion of the gills only is
found to be distended with eggs, at the breeding season ; in
others the whole gill is so distended. In the former of these,
Prof. Agassiz had found the cavity containing the eggs to be
limited at each end by transverse bridges beyond which the folds
of the gills are closely adherent to each other, and that at this
season the outer gill is longer than the inner, in both sexes.
Other characters are furnished by the gills according as they are
attached to the foot or the transverse muscles. Prof. Agassiz
said, that he had been led by these observations to a division of

357

the Naiades into natural genera, from the structure of the ani-
mal as well as the shell, which had not been so well done before
from the shell alone. He proposed to include under one genus,
TJnio alatiis, TJ.fragilis^ U. gracilis^ U. Ohioensis, U. leptodon,
U. Sayii, U^ co7npressus, and U. rectus. Of Unio alatus he
remarked, that specimens from the western waters and from
Lake Champlain present differences in the teeth on the hinge
and in the general configuration of the shell, but. not in his
opinion enough to make a difference of species. U. gracilis
and TJ. fragilis, usually considered separate species, are only-
distinguished by similar differences. To another genus, Prof.
Agassiz proposed to refer U. perplexus and gihhosus, from char-
acters based on the more or less circumscribed disposition of the
essential internal organs. In conclusion. Prof. Agassiz said,
that the fact that the Unios are viviparous, though the young are
very small, and of extreme delicacy when excluded from the
mother, led to interesting speculations how it could have been
possible for so widely extended a family to have been distributed
by any influence not primitive.

Prof. Wyman referred to a statement which he had
made at the meeting of October 16th, that the size of the
optic lobes is generally in relation to the power of vision.

In the blind fish of the Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, there is an
apparent contradiction to this law, the optic lobes being quite
disproportionate to the rudimentary eye. In man, after long
bhndness, the lobe opposite the affected eye is found to be
atrophied. Prof. Wyman had recently had in his possession a
frog that had lost the sight of the right eye by the evacuation of
its humors. The eye was cicatrized, but he had no means of
knowing the age of the injury. On dissection the left optic lobe
was found one third less in size than the right.

Mr. Desor called the attention of the Society to the
deposits of Marine shells in Maine, on Lake Champlain,
and the St. Lawrence, and to the question of their probable

These deposits have been referred by geologists to the Ter-

358

tiary. Near Rouse's Point, at Moira, about fourteen miles from
Lake Champlain, Mr. Desor had not long since discovered
marine shells of the same species as those found on Lake
Champlain and at Montreal, at a height of three hundred and ten
feet above the sea and two hundred and twenty above the Lake.
They were well preserved, most of them having the valves
unseparated. It had been contended by some geologists that
the shells found at Montreal could not be in situ, from the great
elevation of the locality ; but here they were evidently in situ.
Similar deposits to those on Lake Champlain are found near the
outlet of Lake Ontario, eighty feet above the Lake. Mr. Desor
had thus been led to the opinion that the sea had once filled the
St. Lawrence, Lake Ontario, and Lake Champlain. As the
deposits in these localities do not in the opinion of the geological
party to which he was attached, belong to the true drift, they
had* proposed for them the name of the Lawrentian deposits,
and he hoped the term would be accepted by geologists gen-
erally.

Prof. Rogers remarked, that throughout New England, in the
river courses and on the St. Lawrence, there are found strata of
thin, laminated clays and sands, which had evidently been tran-
quilly deposited. During a visit to the Green and White Moun-
tains the past summer, he had seen these layers at an elevation
of one thousand feet above the sea, following the outline of
the country, and containing no marine shells. He thought it
improbable that there had been the coincidence of an elevation
of these strata with the mountains and ridges where they are
found. He thought it more philosophical not to suppose the
former existence of the sea beyond the point where marine
fossils have been found. As to the strata of the White and
Green Mountains, they were not entirely explicable, but they
may have been the result of an extensive drainage. The name
offered by Mr. Desor, he was very ready to receive as applicable
to a local deposit.

Mr. Desor spoke of the w^ell known " Ridge Road ''
from Rochester to Lewiston.

He said the Ridge Road had been usually regarded as an
ancient beach of the Lake. He considered this opinion, how-

359

ever, to be erroneous, as the soil of which it is composed, which
is a yellow sand, extends some miles inside of it. He thought it
had probably been formed under water in a similar way to the
submarine ridges found in the vicinity of Nantucket, and the
Oesars which have been described by Brongniart as occurring in
the north of Europe.

Mr. Stodder said he did not regard the existence of a sandy
soil inside of the ridges of Lake Erie sufficient evidence that
they are not old beaches, which he himself believed them to be.
Around Chelsea Beach, in Massachusetts, there is a ridge fourteen
feet high, through which pebbles seem to have worked their way,
just as they are described by Mr. Whittlesey as having done at
Lake Erie. Within the outer ridge of Chelsea Beach are two
others like terraces. From the existence of the remains of trees,
there is evidence of the subsidence of the marsh within at a
comparatively recent period.

Mr. Desor replied, that he agreed with Mr. Stodder in the
view which he had taken of Chelsea Beach. He thought, how-
ever, that the difference of level of the Ridge Road at different
places was incompatible with the supposition of its having been a
beach. The ridges near Toronto, on the contrary, had been
regarded by Mr. Whittlesey as beaches, from the fact of their
base line being level..

Mr. Stodder said, that the unequal elevation of different parts
of the Ridge Road was not incompatible with the theory of its
having been a beach, if it be supposed to have been raised to
its present position. The elevation of so extensive a tract to the
height of five or six hundred feet could hardly have occurred
without producing inequalities at different places, as great as are
found, of some thirty or forty feet. If the ridge had been left by
the subsidence of Lake Erie, it would probably have been level.

Mr. Wells alluded to the occurrence of Septaria on the
eastern bank of the Connecticut as an interesting fact in its
bearing upon the comparative age of American and Euro-
pean deposits. Li England the Septaria are characteristic
of the lower lias.

Dr. A. A. Gould presented descriptions of sixteen species
of Melania, which had been regarded as new by Mr. J. G.

360

Anthony, and which he had described at the request of that
gentleman, who was prevented from doing so by disease of
the eyes.

Melania nucleola. T. parva, solida, detruncata, subglobosa
vel sub-cylindracea, Isevi, virescente fasciis duabus saturatoribus
cincta ; anfr. 2-3 ventricosis, ultimo demum cylindraceo ; aper-
tura semilunari, labro antice dilatato, postice incrassato ; colu-
mella callo copioso induta. Long. ^ ; lat. f poll. Hab. Ten-
nessee.

Belongs to a group of solid, ellipsoidal species peculiar to the
region of Lower Tennessee and Alabama. It has a very sparing
development of the spire, and a remarkable flattening about the
middle of the last whorl.

Melania densa. T. solida, elongato-ovata, acuminata, dilute
olivacea ; spira prod ucta, anfr. 6-7 ventricosis, postice angu-
latis, supernis minusculis, ultimo sub-cylindraceo f long, testse
adequante ; apertura anguste ovata, vix effusa, antice rotundata ;
columella valde callosa ; fauce livescente. Long. |-; lat. f poll.
Hab. Maury's Creek, Tennessee.

Somewhat like M. basalis, Lea. The shelving of the whorls,
towards the suture and the acumination of the spire are among
its most striking characters.

Melania abbreviata. T. parva, ovato-conica, turrita, soli-
dula, cornea, acuminata ; anfr. 5 tabulatis, ultimo compresso ;
apertura rotundato-ovata, contorta, labro antice dilatato, postice
late sinuato. Long. ^ ; lat. ^ poll. Inhabits Maury's Creek,
Tennessee.

A peculiar shell, though not easily characterized. Its abbre-
viated form, shouldered whorls, and compression of the last
whorl are among its peculiarities.

Melania inoknata. T. modica, solidiuscula, ovato-lanceo-
lata, simplici, luteo-virescente postice saturatiori ad suturam
pallidiori ; anfr. ad 8 convexis, apicalibus carinatis, ultimo f long.
testEB adequante ; apertura trientem long, testse, anguste lunata,
antice subacuta, producta ; columella angusta, antice callosa ;
fauce albida. Long. ^ ; lat. -^^ poll. Inhabits Lorrain Co.,
Ohio.

361

A simple species like 31. simplex and M. gracilis. Its pale
sutural region is perhaps its most obvious character.

Melania pulchella. T. parvula, tenui, elongato-conica,
fusco-cornea, fusco fasciata ; spira conica, anfr. 7-8 convexius-
culis ; apertura- ampla, ^ long, testae, elongato-ovata. Long. -^^;
lat. ^ poll. Inhabits ?

A pretty species, ornamented by dark, rather broad bands,
somewhat like M. Taitana and some varieties of M. Virginica.

Melania tracta. T. ovato-lanceolata, gracili, fusco-viridi,
longitudinaliter varicoso-plicata et filis tenuibus cincta ; anfr. 7
convexiusculis ; sutura profunda ; apertura contorta, angusta,
ovali, labro antice product© ; columella alba ; fauce livida.
Long. 1|- ; lat. f poll. Inhabits Ohio.

General form like M. Virginica, but with the whorls more
rounded. The delicate raised lines which surround it are among
its more obvious characters.

Melania bicolorata. T. parva, exili, fusco-olivacea ad
suturam flavescente ; anfr. 6-7 planiusculis, supernis filis tenui-
bus cinctis, ultimo antice gibboso ; apertura ovata, labro antice
dilatato, postice sinuate; fauce livescente. Long, f; lat. ^ poll.
Inhabits Camp Creek, near Madison, Indiana.

An unadorned species, rather remarkable for its elongated,
slender form, and well-rounded whorls. It comes near 31. exilis
and 31. terehralis, having the tip threaded as in those species.

Melania brevispira. T. parva, elongata, ovata, truncata,
solidula,inornata, nitida, fusco-viridi ad suturam pallidiori ; anfr.
4-5 convexis, interdum ad suturam subito declivibus ; apertura
ovata, labro antice vix dilatato, postice sinuato. Long, f ; lat.
y^o poll. Inhabits Ohio.

-A small, plain species ; with no very obvious distinctive marks.
It is allied to 31. plehejus, but is rather more slender. It is
usually much eroded.

Melania coracina. T. parva, tenui, conico-turrita, picea,
nitida ; anf. 6-7, supernis planulatis, longitud. ordinatim costato-
plicatis, ultimo venlricoso, sub-angulato ; apertura rotundato-

362

ovata, antice rotundata ; columella angusta, nigrescente. Long, f ;
lat. ^ poll. Inhabits Cany Fork, Tennessee.

The peculiar dark, purplish-black color of this prettily sculp-
tured species is a very decisive character. It is allied to M.
decora and M. costulata.

Melania elata. T. tenui, gracili, elongata, pallide cornea
ad suturam pallidiori; anfr. 8-9 planiusculi, supernis carinatis;
apertura ovata antice effusa ; columella tenui. Long. 1 ; lat. -^^
poll. Inhabits Maumee River, Ohio.

A plain, slender species of an unusually pale color. The
whorls vary much in obliquity and convexity. It is similar in
many respects to M. bicolorata.

Melania napella. T. parva, ovata, acuminata, Isevi, dilute
cornea ; anfr. 7, supernis conicis et ad suturam carinatis, antico
immodice ventricoso ; apertura ^ long, testae, anguste lunata,
labro antice dilatato, postice baud sinuate. Long. J- ; lat. ^ poll.
Inhabits Ohio.

A pale, rather singular species, from its bulbous form. Some
immature specimens of M. simplex are often much like it.

Melania cuspidata. T, parva, curta, ovata, acuminata, laevi,
ex olivaceo purpurascente ad suturam pallida ; anfr. 6 convexis
interdum tabulatis, apicalibus carinatis, ultimo ventricoso ; aper-
tura ampla dimidiam longitud. testae adequante ; labro antice
dilatato, postice vix sinuate. Long. |- ; lat. -^^ poll. Inhabits
Maumee River, Ohio.

Allied to M. napella, having the same peculiar bulbous form
and produced tip. It is, however, much more elongated. It
resembles M. Warderiana^ Lea.

Melania inemta. T. elongata, turrita, detruncata, inornata,
fusco-viridi ; anfr. 3-4 convexiusculis, ultimo gibboso postice
constricto ; sutura impressa ; apertura late lunata, vix effusa,
labro fusco. Long, f ; lat. f poll. Inhabits Virginia.

Possibly this may be a largely truncated specimen of M. Vir-
ginica, which it resembles in its aperture. The form of the
ultimate whorl is unusual.

Melania plebejus. T. parva, solidiuscula, inornata, detrun-

363

cata, ovato-conica, rubiginosa ; anfr. 3 planiusculis, ultimo
magno, ventricoso, sub-angulato ; sutura vix impressa ; apertura
ampla, ovata ; labro antice vix dilatato, postice baud sinuato ;
columella incolorata vel rufo-tincta. Long. -|; lat. -^^ poll.
Inhabits Saline County, Arkansas.

A small, apparently variable species, without any attractive
characters. The angle around the last whorl is more or less
marked, or even wanting. Small specimens appear to be much
like M. Nickliniana.

Melania succinulata. T. elongata, acuminata, ovato-cornea,
tenui, inornata, flavo-cornea ; anfr. 7-10 convexiusculis, apica-
libus ad suturam carinatis, ultimo f long, testae, antice sub-
attenuata ; apertura angusta, ovata, contorta, antice sub-dilatata.
Long, f ; lat. ^ poll. Inhabits Ohio.

A smooth, delicate species, much thinner than usual, and
when well cleaned nearly as transparent and amber-colored as a
Succinea. It may be compared with M. clavaformis.

Melania robulina. T. solida, ovato-rhomboidea, cornea fas-
ciis fuscis cincta ; anfr. 6, series duos nodulorum gerentibus,
antica ad suturam immersa ; apertura rhomboidea antice in ros-
trum producta, postice callo munita. Long. 1 ; lat. f poll.
Inhabits Cumberland River, Tennessee.

Of the same size as M. armigera, Say, but differs in colora-
tion ; the rostrum is much longer, and the posterior series of
tubercles much more developed.

The Secretary presented, in the name of Mr. Charles
Girard, observations upon Planarian Worms, with descrip-
tions of several new species of Echinoderms.

Having had lately an opportunity of examining a large num-
ber of Vortex Warreiiii, a marine planaria, and of investigating
some points of its organization, I have observed a fact to which I
would call the attention of the Society. I found within the body
living young, larvee, the form of which very much resembled that
of the full grown animal, with the single difference that the ante-
rior extremity was less obtuse. There were as yet no traces of
eye specs. The whole body of these larvae appeared to be com-

364

posed of cellular substance, and was surrounded by vibratory-
cilia. Acentral transparent channel, probably the alimentary
tube under its most simple form, was seen extending the whole
length of the body.

This is the first example that I know of, among marine plana-
riae, of a species bringing forth living young. We have in this
vicinity, Planaria gracilis Hald. {Phagocata gracilis^ Leidy,) a
fresh water type, in which the same phenomenon of generation
is observed. The organization of Planarise in general, and of
these two types in particular, which I am now tracing, will con-
tribute to elucidate the doubtful questions of their physiology
and their embryology.

The first three species of the following EcJiinoderms, (two of
which, constituting two new genera, are described hereafter,)
belong to the group of true Echini, the fourth to EcJiinometri,
the fifth to Clypeastri, and the sixth to Spatangi.

Genus Heliechinus Girard.

This genus is characterized by having both the ambulacra!
and interambulacral spaces of the same width. The pores of the
ambulacra are disposed in pairs in three vertical series, the inner
one irregular, and interspersed with tubercles of the third magni-
tude. The tubercles themselves are neither perforated nor cre-
nated, and are a little larger on the interambulacral spaces.
The mouth is small and notched. The auricles are distant, and
the two pillars united at their summit. It difl^ers from Amhly-
pneustes by the absence of holes at the angles of the plates and
by the presence of notches at the circumference of the mouth ; —
from Holopneustes by having the ambulacral spaces equal, if
they do not surpass, in width, the interambulacral spaces, and
by narrower zones of pores. This genus represents, in our
epoch, the extinct group of Echinopsis, from which it differs
by the imperforate condition of its tubercles, and by the
arrangement of the pores in the ambulacra. There are two
types among Echinopsis^ a cretaceous and a tertiary type. The
first and oldest has a single and vertical pair of pores, whilst the
other possesses three oblique pairs. Should the arrangement of
the pores prove not to be of generic value, my genus Helie-

365

chinus, of course, must be combined with Echinopsis unless
perforate and imperforate tubercles may constitute a sufficient
character for the discrimination of the genera.

Of this living type I know but one species which belongs to
the Cabinet of the Society. It was found at Key West, (Florida.)
It is:

1. H. GouLDii Girard. General form, nearly circular; lower
surface slightly concave around the mouth ; upper surface rather
depressed than conical. The tubercles are but little prominent,
the larger ones, distant from each other, form a double row in
the ambulacral spaces. In the intermediate space between the
larger tubercles as well as between the pores, there are a few
smaller tubercles without regular arrangement. The tubercles
of the interambulacral spaces are disposed in three double rows,
of which only one reaches the summit. The outer row is rather
diffijse and composed of tubercles of a smaller size, resembling
those which are scattered between the rows. The spines are
short and slender, the longest three eighths of an inch in length.
All of them are cylindrical, varying in size according to the size
of the tubercles themselves. The plates are covered with a
minute granulation. The extremities of the teeth are very acute.

Genus Melebosis Girard.

This genus is intermediate between Salmacis and Temno-
pleurus, but differs from the first in having the ambulacral pores
disposed in three oblique pairs, and from the latter by the want
of deep impressions at the union of the plates where small holes
only are seen, as in Salmacis. The tubercles are slightly crenated
but not perforated. The auricles, or support of the masticating
apparatus, are thin, elevated, contiguous, forming a beautiful
crown.

2. M. MiRABiLis Girard. Species measuring over one inch
and a half in horizontal diameter. General form, hemispherical ;
inferior surface nearly plane. Tubercles of equal size on both
ambulacral and interambulacral spaces, but sensibly larger on
the inferior surface. The plates of the ambulacra are narrower
than those of the interambulacra, and there is a large tubercle
on each. The tubercles of the ambulacral spaces are more
numerous than the others. The mouth is slightly notched. The

366

anal and sexual plates and spines are not preserved in our
specimen.

The origin of this species is not precisely ascertained. 1
found its fragments among East Indian shells, and reconstructed
the specimen which I have placed in the cabinet of the Society.

3. PsABiMECHiNus ASTEROiDEs Girard. The external series
of tubercles of the interambulacral spaces are much larger than
others and form a prominent star-like figure which constitutes
the chief character of this species. Its general form is circular
and very depressed. From New Zealand. It belongs to the
cabinet of the Society. Another species of the same genus, but
smaller and spheroidal and not yet described, was found on the
shores of that Island by Quoy and Gaimard in 1829 ; so that
there are two species of true Echini to be added to the New
Zealand fauna. Hitherto only two species of Heliocidaris, one
of Laganum and one of Echinoneus were on record.

4. EcHiNOMETRA NiGRiNA Girard. Small species, subovate,
very much depressed, nearly flat above. The interambulacral
spaces have twice the width of the ambulacral. There are five
or six pairs of pores in the ambulacra. The tubercles in the
ambulacral spaces are smaller than those of the interambulacral,
and form only a double very close series. In the interambula-
cral spaces there is also a double series of tubercles running
from the periphery of the mouth to the apex of the disc, but
there exists in addition on each side an outer series of smaller
tubercles which does not reach the summit. Along the middle
line of the ambulacra there also exists a double but indistinct
series on account of the small space left by the principal series.
The surface of the whole body, not occupied by the tubercles in
series, is covered with still smaller tubercles, which extend even
to the sexual and eye plates. The madreporic body is large
and heart-shaped. The mouth is proportionally large and cir-
cular, slightly notched. The auricles are rather thin ; their
pillars are oblique and united at their summit, where a notch
exists at the point of union. A sharp and low ridge runs from
one auricle to the other, thus connecting these parts at their
base. The spines are long, cylindrical, slender, very acute at
their extremity and longitudinally striated or furrowed. The
longest ones measure about an inch. From Cape Palmas, West-

367

em Africa. Sent to the Cabinet of the Society by Dr. G. A.
Perkins. The color of the body and spines is uniformly bluish
black above ; a little lighter below.

Observations. Having opened one specimen preserved in
alcohol, the following peculiarities were noticed. The lantern
(of Aristotle) nearly reaches the superior roof of the disc.
The auricles form an arch over the zones of pores thus corres-
ponding to the ambulacral spaces. The pyramids of the lantern
alternate between the auricles and correspond to the interam-
bulacral spaces. Each auricle sends two powerful muscles to
the point of the pyramids but in such a manner, that one pyramid
receives its two muscles from two auricles. The other muscles,
moving the pyramids, and pieces of the lantern are attached to
the auricular and interambulacral ridge. The intestine is wound
once around the lantern, and reaches the anus at the same place
where the oesophagus passes over the lantern. Its course is
undulated, descending and ascending. From the top of the
lantern it descends between two auricles, and forms a winding
on the interambulacral space, where it ascends and passes inside
the auricle over its muscles and descends again on*the opposite
side, and so on for the five principal segments of the body. The
intestine is suspended at the inner wall by means of delicate
ligaments. The ovaries rest on the interambulacral windings of
the intestine, and are contiguous near the summit. There is
left a free and well defined space, corresponding to the ambul-
acra, for the circulation of the water which enters through the
pores. The fluid passes under the arch of the auricles, soaks
the masticating apparatus whence the current may empty through
the mouth. The water might also enter the mouth, and passing
under the auricular arch, fill up the whole cavity of the animal.

5. EcHiNOCYAMus MINIMUS Girard. The smallest species
hitherto known of this genus, the largest specimen I have seen
being only a sixth of an inch in longitudinal diameter. Its gen-
eral form is that of an ellipse posteriorly attenuated. The upper
surface is depressed, nearly plane ; the inferior surface is slightly
concave. The mouth is proportionally large ; the anus is nearer
the posterior margin than to the mouth.

Found within a Spatangus meridionalis from the Mediter-
ranean. This species is alluded to in Prof. Agassiz's " Mono-

368

graphie des Scutelles." The author had a specimen which was
lost before any description could be made.

6. ScHizASTER Lachesis Girard. — Sch. atropos Raven E. L.
Echin. recent and foss. of S. Carolina, 1848, p. 4. The most
prominent characters which distinguish this species from Sch.
airopos of Lamarck are its general form, which is elongated ovoid,
instead of being circular, elevated instead of being depressed, and
much narrower, especially on the posterior region. The ambul-
acra are longer and deeper ; the posterior ones slightly arched.
The depression under the anus is narrower and does not extend
to the inferior surface, the middle line of which is very convex.
The tubercles are a little smaller, whence the inference that the
spines must be slender. Numerous specimens of this species
were collected by Mr. J. Bartlett, who took them on the Texan
shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

The origin of Lamarck's Sch. atropos is unknown. In the
" Encyclopedic Methodique," it is said to have been found on the
French shores of the British Channel, but as it has never been
seen since in these latitudes, there is a reasonable doubt of its
occurrence there.

A note was read from Dr. William Read, resigning the
office which he had held for the past two years and a half,
of Curator of Conchology.

On motion of the Secretary it was voted that the hearty
thanks of this Society be presented to Dr. Read for his
valuable and efficient services as Curator of Conchology.

Dr. J. M. Warren presented a specimen of Brain Coral
from the North Pacific, nearly five feet in circumference.
He quoted Ehrenberg and Dana as authorities for saying that
such a specimen must have required centuries to attain to
its present size.

An ivory cane, encrusted with a calcareous deposit,
which had been drawn up from the channel near Charles-
town bridge, was presented to the Society in the name of
Mr. George Edwards. The thanks of the Society were
voted for the donation.

A specimen of Colymbus arcticusy Black-throated Diver,
was presented in the name of Mr. Theodore Lyman.

369

December 4, 1850.

The President in the Chair.

Present, thirty-six members.

The President exhibited to the Society the remaining
portion of the recent donation of casts of Himalaya fossils,
and pointed out their various interesting characters. He also
furnished a complete list of the Collection, as follows : —

Dinotberimn Indicum,

Part of lower jaw,
Vertebra,

Perim Island.

Elephas insignis,

Cranium,

Sivalik Hills.

" plam'frons,

Grinder,

"

" nomadicus,

((

Nerbudda.

(I

First vertebra,

Sivalik Hills.

^' Clifiii,

Grinder,

Ava.

Mastodon perimensis,

Cranium,

Perim Island.

(( ct

Grinder of lower jaw.

"

« Sivalensis,

Part of cranium,

Sivalik Hills.

({ ((

Grinders,

((

" iatidens,

Grinder, &c.

Cf

Hippopotamus palaeindicus,

Part of lower jaw,

Near Nerbudda.

" Sivalensis,

Cranium,

Sivalik Hills.

(( u

Lower jaw,

((

" palaeindicus,

Cranium,

(C

Rhinoceros "

((

(C

Siis giganteus,

«

l(

Equus nomadicus,

u

Nerbudda.

«' Sivalensis,

«

Sivalik Rills.

CC ((

Lower jaw,

u

Sivatherium giganteum,

Cranium,

((

(C C(

Horn,

((

« (I

Cranium,

((

Mastodon angustidens,

Grinder,

(C

" Iatidens,

((

a ■

" longirostris,

((

11

Merycopotamus dissimilis,

Cranium,
Lower jaw.

11 (C

Humerus,

(C

Chalicotherium Sivalense,

Upper jaw, (part of)

<e

(c a

Lower jaw, "

(t

Hippohyus Sivalensis,

Cranium,

((

Equus "

Part of cranium.

"

PROCEEDINGS B. S.

^f. H. 24

DECEMBER, 1850.

370

Equus,

Vertebra,

Sivalik Hills

Hippoiherium Aniilopinum

Part of lower jaw,

((

Sivatherium giganleura,

Tarsal bones.

«

Camelopardalis aflinis,

Vertebra,

((

Capra,

Cranium, (part of)

(C

Sivatherium giganteum,

Vertebra

((

C. ((

Fragment of jaw,

(C

" ((

" femur,

(C

« ««

Anterior extremities,

((

Camelus Sivalensis,

Cranium,

((

Camelopardalis,

Humerus,

((

Bos,

Cranium,

Nerbudda.

"

" and horns

((

Ursus Sivalensis,

u

Sivalik Hills.

« C(

Femur,

((

Emys Hamiltonoides,

((

Colossochelys Atlas,

Humerus,

(C

C( C(

Episternum,

(C

Leptorhynchus giganteus,

Muzzle,

((

" gangeticus,

Cranium, (part of)

((

Crooudilus biporcatus,

Part of Cranium,

(C

Capra,

(( ((

(C

Felis palaeotigris,

Cranium,

((

" cristata,

(C

((

Canis,

(C

IC

Hyaena,

cc

(C

(C

((

Ursus Sivalensis,

Lower jaw,

((

(C

Enhydriodon ferox,

Cranium,

((

Machairodus Sivalensis,

fragment.

Simia,
Aves.

family, Struthionid^

Lower jaw, (part of)

I Fragment of Tibia,

Pisces.

j Fragment,

family, Silyridae,

Lutra palEeindiea,

Cranium,

Colossochelys Atlas,

((

Crocodilus biporcatus.

" (part of)

Rhinoceros platyrhinus.

Cranmm,

Dr. Gould presented, in behalf of Professors W. H.
Harvey of Trinity College, Dublin, and J, W. Bailey of
West Point, descriptions of seventeen new species of Alg«,

371

collected by the United States Exploring Expedition, as
follows : —

NoTHEiA, Nov. Gen. Fucoidearum.

Frons (parasitica) filiformis, prolifera, solida. Scaphidia per
totam frondem sparsa, in strato corticali infra superficiem exca-
vata, sphserica, cum ostioli superficiali per canalem communi-
cantia. SporcE inter perisporium hyalinum lineari-obovatum
parietali nidulantur. Paranemaia simplicia.

Alga parasitica, pusilla, organis nuUis discretis, quasi recep-
taculis Cystoselrje vel Sargassi habitu referens.

1. Noiheia anotnala. Harv. et Bail.

Bay of Islands, New Zealand, parasitical on Hormoseira
Sieheri.

2. Dasya (Stichocarpus) plumosa H. et B., fronde inarticulata
compressa ancipite bi-tripinnata, pinnis elongatis, pinnulisque
brevibus alternis, ramellis monosiphoniis distichiis, crebris, ssepius
oppositis strictis simplicibus vel furcatis, axillis angustiformis,
ariiculis rameilorum cylindricis, diametro triple longioribus.
Hah. Puget Sound, N. W. America.

3. Rhodomenia Wilkesii H. et B., stipite brevi cartilaginea
compressa mox cuneato-plana et in laminam 1-3 pedalem lato-
lanceolatam sub-indivisam membranaceam sanguineo-albescen-
tem, explanata, coccidiis numerosissimis per frondem densissime
sparsis. Hob. Straits of St. John de Fuca, N. W. America. A
fine species having the habit of an Iridasa ; the fruit of a Kally-
menia, and the structure of Rhodomenia.

4. Hypriea CouUeri, Harv., radice fibrosa, caule erecto basi
attenuate sursum incrassato simplici ramos alternos emittente,
ramis basi alternatis incrassatis vermicularibus nunc nudis nunc
.alterne ramulosis patentibus, coccidiis conicis numerosis per
ramos sparsis. Harv. in Smith. Mem. ined. Hab. California,
Dr. Coulter ; Puget Sound, Ex. Exped.

5. Gigartina (Mastocarpus) exasperata H. et B., frondis
stipite mox in laminam coriaceo-membranaceam bi-tripedalem
late lanceolatam integram dilatata, margine incrassato eroso-

372

dentato et appendiculato, disco utrinque spinulis simplicibus
ramosisve dense consperso, coccidiis pedicellatis in spinulis mar-
ginalibus et e disco ortis immersis. Hab. Opposite Fort Nis-
qually, Puget Sound.

6. Gigartina mollis H. et B. ; fronde cartilaginea plano-cono-
pressa lineari disticha pinnatim ramosa purpurea, ramis ramulis-
que alternis vel opposilis erectis basi angulatis attenuatis integris
vel denticuiatis apice pinnatis, ramulis ultimis angustis sub-
fiiiformibus. Hab. Puget Sound.

7. Nostoc expansum H. et B., terreste (?) pbycomate expanso
irregulariter lobato, prasino-viridi ; trichomatibus externis arc-
tissime intricatis densissimis, internis laxe implicatis flexuosis
dilute serugineis ; articulis sphiericis vel ellipticis. Spermatiis
sphssricis. Hab. Puget Sound.

8. Ectocarpus hamulosus H. et B., ca3spite brevi, densissime
implicato, fills implexis curvatis vage ramosis, ramis horizontali-
bus refractisque secundis vel alternis, ramulis hamatis simplici-
bus V. furcatis patentissimis sparsis, articulis diametro duplo vel
triplo longioribus, sporis sphsericis vel ovalibus ramulos termi-
nantibus (i, e. pedicellatis.) Hab. St. Jago, Cape de Verds.

9. Chondrus uncialis H. et B., fronde unciali stipilata sursum
flabelliformi angustissima plano-compressa multoties dichotoma
fastigiata, axillis patentibus, apicibus bifidis. Hah. St. Jago,
Cape de Verds.

10. Gracilaria jiliformis H. et B., fronde spithamsea filiformi
gracili e basi dichotoma pluries divisa, ramis flexuosis, axillis
obtusis, apicibus acutis vel subulatis, ramulis lateralibus vix uUis.
Hab. Diamond Hill, Oahu.

11. Gymnogongrus ? dendroides, H. et B., crassus, stipitatus ;
stipite elongato apice in ramos crebre dichotomos vel irregulares
soluto, ramis nunc pluries furcatis, nunc vage ramosis flexuosis
ramulis lateralibus filiformibus onustis, axillis rotundatis, apicibus
obtusis, ramis fructiferis nodosis favellidia numerosa foventibus.
Hab. Cook's Rock and Byron's Bay, Hawaii ; also from Chili.

373

12. Gelidium unilaterale, H. et B., fronde lineari angusta com-
pressa ramosa, ramis arcuatis plerumque secundis patentibus,
ramulis secundis horizontalibus obtusis filiformibus. Hab.
Tahiti.

13. Liagora Jiirta H. et B., subcalcarea vage ramosa ; ramis
alternis v. oppositls elongatis attenuatis sirnplicibus vel furcatis
velutino-hirtis purpureis, ramulis lateralibus paucis filiformibus.
Hah. Navigators' Islands.

14. Caiilerpa falcifolia^ H. et B., caule repente glabro, ramis
erectis simplicibus v. furcatis foliosis, foliis densissimis undique
insertis imbricatis falcatis compressis mucronatis. Hah. Ton-
gataboo.

15. Caulerpa Pickeringii, H. et B., caule prostrate, spongioso
foliis densissime vestito per totam longitudinem radicante, ramis
erectis brevibus mammillse-formibus spongiosis foliosis, foliis ver-
ticillatis creberrimis horizontalibus pluries dichotomis segmentis
fastigiatis apicibusque furcatis vel bimucronulatis. Hah. Wilson's
Island, Paumotu Group.

We have great pleasure in affixing to this remarkable plant
the name of Dr. Pickering, who collected many of the Algae
here described, and . whose ethnological writings are so well
known and appreciated.

16. Dictyota hidentata^ H. et B., fronde basi vix stuposa cune-
ata pluries dichotoma, segmentis sursum latioribus, sinubus rotun-
datis, apicibus junioribus acute bidentatis,areolis rectangularibus,
soris minutissimis per totam paginam frondis sparsis. Hah.
Mindanao.

Chlokodesmis, Nov. Gen. Siphonearum Vauchericae. Gen.
Char. Stipes spongiosus, e filis tenuissimis membranaceis den-
sissime intertextis compositus, apice in fila libera penicillata
desinens. Fila penicillata membranacea continua dichotoma,
libera, ad axillas constricta, pseudo-articulata ; articulis succo
viridi repletis.

17. Chlorodesmis comosa, H, et B., Hah. Feejee Islands.

A curious plant, with the habit of a Penicillus, but not in the
least calcareous.

374

Mr. Perley, present by invitation, made some statements
in relation to the fisheries of the Bay of Fundy.

During the past three months he had been officially engaged
in examining those fisheries.

He had found that the staple fish of the Bay of Fundy is the
Hake, Gadiis carhonarius. It is a singular fact that, although so
numerous there, he had never seen one in the Gulf of St. Law-
rence, or met with a fisherman who had seen one in that locality.
The fish next in importance, in the Bay of Fundy, is the Shad,
Alosa vulgaris. These fish, after traversing the Atlantic coast,
arrive in great numbers in the Bay and proceed at once up the
rivers to spawn ; where they remain but a short time, continuing
on to the head of the Bay, to feed on a marine worm, which is
very abundant on the mud flats. A second run of fish which do
not spawn, follows the first, and arrives in a much fatter condi-
tion. The Cod fishery is only good at the mouth of the Bay,
where the depth of water is about sixty fathoms. Here the Cod
are taken of great size, averaging fourteen to the quintal.

Mr. Perley also made some statements with regard to the
existence of fossil trees, &,c. in the coal mines at the log-
gings, Cumberland Bay. They have been found in this
locality in great numbers. He presented specimens of fos-
sils from the shores of the Bay of Fundy, Specular Iron
ore from the neighborhood of the Harbor of St. Johns,
White Marble, cubes of which had been quarried six feet
in diameter, and which it was thought might answer for
statuary purposes, from the head of the Bay of Fundy ; Ala-
baster from the same vicinity ; Carbonate of Copper from
the Five Islands, and Barytes.

In reply to a question from Mr. J. E. Cabot relative to the
alleged subsidence of the shore of Newfoundland, Mr. Perley
replied, that it is a well known fact, that the harbors on the south
and east side of Newfoundland are deepening, while on the
northern shore they are growing shallow ; harbors which
twenty years ago were deep enough for large vessels now hardly
admitting shallops. On the south side of the Island of Grand

375

Menan there was formerly a marsh covered with trees, which
were cut down by persons yet living. The marsh has sunk so
much that the stumps of those trees are eight or nine feet under
water at low tide.

Mr. Desor quoted, from recollection, a statement in Poggin-
dorff's Annalen for 1849, that the shores of Newfoundland are
undergoing the process of elevation. It was interesting to learn
that a corresponding process of depression is going on, as it would
give confirmation to Darwin's and Dana's views with regard to the
changes of level in the Pacific, they having stated that a rise in
one place is always attended by a subsidence in another. Mr.
Desor also referred to a statement which had been made formerly
by Dr. C. T. Jackson, that the inhabitants on the coast of Maine
believe the rocks on the sea shore to be growing.

Mr. J. E. Cabot translated to the Society the passage from
PoggendorfT's Annalen, where it is quoted from the Newfound-
land Times, stating that the land near Conception Bay is rising.

Prof. Wyman remarked, that while on a visit, during the sum-
mer of 1849, to Labrador, he had noticed on the shores of Great
Mecatina, shingle, pebbles, and rounded stones for a long distance,
far above high water mark. He also noticed rounded " heads "
of rocks thirty or forty feet above the highest drift weed, and
which had all the appearances of having been acted upon by the
surf He had noticed the same appearances at Bras d'Or and
Red Bay. At Red Bay he saw a large accumulation of the
remains of whales in a similar position. It is not known whether
they were carried there or washed up by the tide. If by the lat-
ter cause, the shore must have been much lower than it now is.
Many of them are so bulky as to make it improbable that they
were transported by hand. They are covered with moss and
bear marks of great age. None of the inhabitants in the vicinity
are acquainted with their history. It is possible that they are
the remains of whales captured by the Royal Fishing Company
of Miscoe in the seventeenth century.

The President referred to the elevation in modern times of
large tracts of the coasts of Norway and Chili. He thought that
accurate observations should be made on our own coast by means
of fixed marks set up for the purpose.

Mr. J. H. Abbot stated, that in 1849 a memorial had been

376

addressed to the department of the Coast Survey at Washington
by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, requesting
that such marks might be set up and observations made; and
that in compliance with this request orders had been given to
this effect.

Mr. Desor made some remarks on the Swamps bordering
the western rivers.

The banks of the western rivers, particularly those emptying
into Green Bay, are bordered by a belt of trees, seldom more
than two miles in width, beyond which are generally extensive
swamps. The trees in this region are mostly White and Yellow
Pines, which are probably enabled to grow in this situation,
from the drainage of the river banks. On the Ministick, a shal-
low river flowing into Lake Michigan on the northern shore,,
above a point fifty miles from its mouth, the banks are of sand,
covered with a pine forest. This drift deposit is in one place
forty feet thick, with a bed of clay beneath, ten feet thick. The
river bank descends towards the land by a slope of 15°, to a
swamp which is within one hundred rods of the river, and at a
higher level. It is difficult to understand how the water is
retained in this position in opposition to the common law of
percolation. Mr. Whittlesey has suggested that a thick bed of
leaves in the swamp may have some effect in preventing the
drainage of its waters.

Mr. Alger called the attention of the Society to the
recent discovery in New Jersey of a valuable and extensive
deposit of massive phosphorite.

It occurs in the town of Hurdsville, Morris County, New Jer-
sey, a few miles from the Morris Canal. It is associated whb
magnetic iron pyrites, and rarely with copper pyrites, altogether
forming a vein of about eight feet in width, traversing a gneiss
or hornblendish rock. These metallic sulphurets occupy the
lowest part of the vein, but are often penetrated by the outer
crystallization of the phosphorite, which is sometimes met with
in very regular prisms of the usual hexahedral form and several
inches in length, entirely surrounded by the metallic gangue.
The superincumbent portion of the vein, of about five. feet

377

thickness, is composed entirely of the massive and semi-crys-
talline phosphate, and it follows the lower portion with a pretty
uniform dip and parallelism to the depth of about thirty feet, as
far as it has been explored. It extends to the surface of the
ground, and was opened for the purpose of obtaining pyrites for
the manufacture of copperas, or green vitriol, which it was
thought would pay the cost of mining, while the phosphate of
lime was overlooked, or supposed to be some common rock,
though the occurrence of a few crystals of the mineral imbed-
ded in the pyrites had been known for some time, and had
attracted various mineralogists to the spot. There may be seen
a single crystal at the residence of Governor Dickinson, which
must have been more than eicjhteen inches in length. The
massive phosphorite was discovered by Dr. C. T. Jackson and
Mr. Alger while on an excursion into New Jersey during the
past summer. Several tons of it have been removed, and its
value is soon to be tested as a substitute for animal phosphate
and guano, as an agricultural fertilizer, after being ground, and
undergoing other suitable preparations to render it most readily
solvent and active in the soil. So important is this substance
deemed, that a few years since the British Government sent
commissioners to Estremadura, in Spain, for the purpose of
exporting it to England, and Prof. Daubeny made a report on
the subject, the result of which was, that it did not occur in
sufficient quantity, so that the only mineral phosphate now used
by the agriculturalists in England is obtained from the crag on
the coast of Suffolk. But this is very impure, containing car-
bonate of lime and other earthy matter, which Prof. Johnstone
says are objectionable in several ways, while the massive phos-
phate of New Jersey is perfectly pure. Prepared bone dust,
however, is very largely used in England, and in this country
the demand for it is considerable. This prepared bone contains
several soluble phosphates besides lime, as magnesia and soda,
all of which are important to the growth of plants. When we
consider the bearing of phosphate of lime upon the animal and
vegetable economy, and that our own bones and teeth are so
largely composed of it and derive it, as they only can, from the
vegetable kingdom, we see how important it is that the soil
which is to afford us our food should be supplied with it as it is

378

taken up by the growing plants. Farms often become valueless
from the failing supply of phosphates, the crops fail, and the
cattle raised upon them are of a less hardy class. The ash of
wheat, rye, corn, beans, turnips, and potatoes, contains from fifty
to eighty per cent, of various phosphates.

Mr. Alger, in conclusion, presented to the Cabinet of the
Society specimens of this mineral both in crystals, and as asso-
ciated with the sulphates of iron and copper.

Mr. Alger also made some observations on the economic
value of Peat.

The following products have been recently obtained from it in
England, namely, — Carbon ; Sulphate of Ammonia, worth .£12
per ton ; Naphtha, worth five shillings per gallon ; Paraffine, a
fatly, inodorous substance, of which candles may be made, worth
one shilling per pound ; Volatile and Fixed Oil, worth one shil-
ling per gallon. It is a bicarburet of hydrogen, and has the
same composition as Olefiant gas.

The Committee appointed at the last meeting to nomi-
nate a candidate for the office of Curator of Conchology,
made vacant by the resignation of Dr. Read, reported the
name of Mr. William Stimpson, who was in accordance
with the nomination unanimously elected to the office.

Dr. Cabot announced, in behalf of Mr. Francis Brown,
the donation of a young Ger Falcon, a very rare and valu-
able specimen, procured by him in Newfoundland. The
thanks of the Society were voted for the donation.

Twenty-six bird skins were presented in the name of
Mr. Algernon Coolidge, a member of the Society.

Dr. Gould presented, in behalf of Dr. Jay of New York,
a copy of the Catalogue of the shells in his Cabinet ; also
a copy of his own memoir of Dr. Amos Binney.

The President announced the donation from Prof. Owen
of his Memoir on the Teeth of Placocheerus.

379

Becemher 18, 1850.
Dr. D. H. Storer, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Present, thirty-one members.

Dr. T. M. Brewer read a paper on the habits of some
American birds, as observed by him during a visit to New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia, in June, 1850. Referred to
the Publishing Committee.

Mr. Wells stated, that a vein of Phosphate of Lime
exists near Crown Point, New York. It was discovered
during the Geological Survey of that State, but had been
only recently worked.

The vein had been traced for thirty or forty rods, and it had
been opened continuously for thirty feet. In some places it is
six feet in width, varying from two to six feet. Thirty tons of
it have already been raised, and it is purposed to grind it for
agricultural purposes. The vein occurs in gneiss, associated
with a primary limestone and a green stone dike, which also
contains phosphoric acid. Direction of the vein nearly east and
west ; dip, north, at a high angle.

The chemical composition of the mineral is as follows : —

Phosphate of Lime, .

92.85

Oxide of Iron and AUumeria,

. 5.20

Silica,

0.50

Water,

. 1.50

Fluoric acid, a trace.

In color it is dull and opaque, of a dirty green ; hardness, 4 ;
Specific gravity, 3.06.

The discovery of this and the New Jersey deposit would seem
to controvert the notion of some geologists, that the Phosphoric
acid in the primary rocks is derived from organic remains.

Mr. Alger remarked, that the presence of 5 per cent, of oxide
of iron in the New York Phosphate makes it less valuable for
the manufacture of crockery ware.

380

Mr. Desor read a paper on the Parallelism of Mountain
Chains in America, as follows : —

It is generally admitted that the Appalachian or Alleghany
chain was raised during the deposition of the Coal formation.
It is consequently referred by Mr. Beaumont to his system of
the Balloons, the direction of which (E. 16° S.), when trans-
ferred to Washington, becomes E. 43° 18' N., a direction which
indeed answers pretty accurately to that of the main portion of
the Alleghany chain. This is also, according to Dr. C. T. Jack-
son, the main direction of the hills of New Hampshire and
Maine. But there is besides in the Alleghanies another direction
more nearly parallel to the meridian, which Professor Rogers
considers as a mere deviation from the main direction, whereas
Mr. Beaumont refers it to a previous upheaval, together with
those ranges of hills in Massachusetts which Prof. Hitchcock has
designated as the "oldest meridional system," and whose direc-
tion is a few degrees east of north. According to Mr. Beau-
mont, this latter system would not only be older than the Alle-
ghanies, but even older than the oldest Silurian strata of North
America, since it is supposed to have originated previous to the
Taconic system.

Now to this system is ascribed a most conspicuous part in the
constitution of the soil, not only of New England but of the
whole continent, so that if true it must be of paramount import-
ance. From Massachusetts, Mr. Beaumont traces it in a south,
southwest direction to the mouth of the Connecticut, and in the
opposite direction across New Hampshire and the White Moun-
tains to the sources of the Connecticut, from whence it extends
across Labrador to Cape Chisley ; nor is it supposed to stop
here, for Mr. Beaumont follows it even beyond Davis' Strait into
Greenland. The range is said to be not less extensive in the
southern direction. Representing it as a great circle, starting
from Amherst College in a direction south 15°, he supposes
it to run parallel to the general direction of the coast of the
United States from the mouth of the Hudson to Cape Hatteras.
From thence it is supposed to cross the eastern portion of Cuba,
the Isthmus of Panama, and then to touch Cape Guyaquil, pass-
ing a litle outside of the Coast of Choco, in a direction parallel
to the principal mountain chains of New Grenada.

381

This system, thus laid down, is considered by Mr. Beaumont
as one of the most remarkable mineralogical and metalliferous
zones of the globe, including all the localities whence are
derived the remarkable minerals of Greenland and Labrador,
the gold mines of Vermont, Virginia, North and South Carolina,
Georgia, the several gold mines of Cuba, the gold and platina
mines of Hayti, and the gold and platina mines of Choco and
the Eastern Cordilleras in New Grenada.

If we now ask for the reason why this immense belt should
be so much older than any other mountain chain of this Conti-
nent, we are referred to the single statement, that in New Hamp-
shire and Vermont the primary rocks following this direction are
overlaid unconformably by the strata of the Taconic system.
And since the Taconic system is supposed by Mr. Beaumont to
be older than the oldest Silurian, the inference on his part was
but natural, that the ridges of New Hampshire, Vermont, and
Massachusetts must indeed be very old. They were thus made
the point of departure of this vast system, to which most of the
above-mentioned localities were added merely on account of
their direction or of the minerals which they contain.

Now that serious doubts are entertained as to the existence of
a Taconic system in New England, especially since it has been
proved by the investigations of the geologists of Canada that the
slates of the Green Mountains, which were referred to the
Taconic, belong in reality to the Silurian formation, the theory of
Mr. Beaumont cannot longer be relied upon, being thus deprived
of its principal basis. If it is once admitted that the Green
Mountains are not Taconic but Silurian rocks, there is no reason
why we should not refer them simply to the age of the Allegha-
nies, the more so as we have direct evidence in the raised con-
glomerates of Massachusetts, that at least some of the ridges of
New England are not of an earlier age than the coal formation.

How far this reasoning might apply to the many other regions
connected by Mr. Beaumont with this supposed oldest Meridional
system, Mr. Desor was unable to say, but observed, that with all
due regard for the great abilities of his illustrious teacher, he
thought there was no sufficient reason for upholding any longer
this peculiar system, unless it be established on better proofs.

In removing thus this so called oldest Meridional system from

382

its prominent place, it is not a little interesting to notice that
those ranges of hills and mountains which are actually known to
have been raised previous to the deposition of the oldest fossili-
ferous rocks, such as the primitive mountain ranges on the north
bank of the St. Lawrence, the granite ranges of Lake Superior,
and the iron bearing old slates of that country are all more or
less parallel to the equator. It would seem as if in these early
times, there had been a prevailing disposition on the part of the
earth crust to wrinkle in that direction. (We take it for granted
that these old hills are the result of a shrinkage in consequence
of the cooling of the earth's surface rather than a positive
upheaval.) It is only at a later period that we meet with
wrinkles running in the opposite direction (north and south.)

Mr. Alger said, that the gold found in Vermont, which he
supposed was the authority for M. De Beaumont's allusion to the
gold mines of that State, had proved to be of artificial origin. It
was gold which had been thrown into a stream forty or fifty
years since by counterfeiters, who were suddenly disturbed in
their counterfeiting operations.

Dr. Cabot exhibited as part of the donation of Mr. Alger-
non Coolidge, the following birds, namely : Paradisea
regia, P. sexijpennis, P. superba, and Epimachus alba.
He also announced the donation from Mr. Theodore
Lyman, of a specimen of Red-throated Loon, Colymbus
septentrionalis, in a peculiar state of plumage. The white
on the side of the head was more extensive than usual, and
the back differed somewhat from common specimens. It
was also larger than the septentrionalis usually is. Dr.
Cabot thought it not impossible that two species had been
confounded under the same name. He likewise announced
the donation of several valuable ornithological specimens
from Florida, from Dr. Henry Bryant, a member of the
Society. He also presented in the name of Mr. Elliot
Torrey a specimen of wood perforated in every direction
by white ants. The thanks of the Society were voted for
the donation.

383

A Porcupine was presented in the name of Mr. C. W.
Bellows of Pepperell, Mass. The thanks of the Society
were voted for the donation.

On motion of M. Bouve, it was voted, that the thanks of
the Society be presented to Mr. Perley of New Brunswick,
for his recent donation of minerals and fossils.

Mr. Henry D. Thoreau of Concord, Mass. was elected a
Corresponding member.

BOOKS ADDED TO THE LIBRARY DURING THE QUARTER ENDING
DECEMBER 31.

Journal de Conchy liologie. No 1. 8vo. Pamph. Paris, 1850.
Exchange.

Annales des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles d'Agriculture
et d'Lidustrie de Lyon. Tomes X. et XI. Annees, 1847 -8.
8vo. Lyons. Exchange.

Annales de la Societe Linneene de Lyon. Annees 1847 - 9.
8vo. Lyons, 1850. Exchange,

Memoires de TAcademie des Sciences, Belles Lettres, et Arts
de Lyon. Classe des Lettres : Tomes 1, 2. Classe des Sciences :
Tomes 1,2. 8vo. Lyons, 1848-50.

Address before the American Medical Association. By John
C. Warren, M. D. 8vo. Boston, 1850. From the Author.

Annales de la Societe Entomologique de France. Tomes
1-17. 1832-48. 8vo. Paris.

Annual Message of the President of the United States, with
accompanying Documents. Vol. 3d. 8vo. Washington, 1850.
From R. C. Winthrop.

Contributions to the Natural flistory of the Acalephse of North
America. 4to. Pamph. Boston, 1850. By Prof. Louis Agassiz.
From the Author.

Classification of Insects, from Embryological data. By Prof.

384

Louis Agassiz. 4to. Pamph. Cambridge, 1850. From the
Author.

Descriptions of some American Annelida abranchia. By-
Joseph Leidy, M. D. 4to. Pamph. Philadelphia, 1850. From
the Author.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences. Vol. V.
Nos. 3, 4. pp. 53-79. Philadelphia, 1850. From the Academy
of Natural Sciences.

Bibliographia Zoologise et Geologise. By Prof. Louis Agassiz.
Vol. 2d. 8vo. London, 1850. Ray Society''s Publications.

Message of the President of the United States and accompany-
ing Documents. 8vo. Washington. Part 3d, 1849. From C. T.
Jackson.

Report of the Commissioner of Patents for 1849 - 50. Part I.
Mechanics. From R. C. Winthrop.

American Journal of Science and Arts. No. 30, for Nov. 2d
Series. New Haven. Fro77i the Editors.

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
New Series. Vol. II. Part I. 4to. 1850. Fro7n the Academy
of Natural Sciences.

Development and Homologies of the Molar Teeth of the Wart
Hogs (Phacochserus) 4to. Pamph. By Prof. Owen. London,
1850. Fro7n the Author.

Catalogue of Shells contained in the Collection of John C.
Jay, M. D. 4th Ed. 4to. New York. From J. C. Jay.

Message of the President of the United States, communicating
the Report of Lieut. Webster of the Survey of the Gulf Coast at
the mouth of the Rio Grande. 8vo. Pamph. 1850. Washing-
ton, D. C. From R. C. Winthrop.

Charter, Constitution, and By-Laws of the Troy Lycseum of
Natural History, and Catalogue of its Officers and Members.
8vo. Pamph. New York, 1850. From the Troy Lycceum.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel-
phia. Vol. V. No. 5. pp. 81-115. From the Academy of
Natural Sciences.

Report of the Exploration of the Territory of Minnesota. By
Brevet Capt. Pope. 8vo. Pamph. (Congressional Document.)
Washington, D. C, 1850. From R. C. Winthrop.

385

Deposited hy the Republican Institution.

History of the Conquest of Peru. By William H. Prescott.
2 vols. 8vo. New York, 1847.

Works of John Adams. By Charles F. Adams. Vol. 2d.
8vo. Boston, 1850.

Cyclopaedia of Anatomy and Physiology. Edited by R. B.
Todd. Part 38. 8vo. London, 1850.

Received from the Courtis Fund.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 2d Series. No. 34,
for October, 1850.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 2d Series. No. 35,
for November, 1850.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. 25

387

INDEX TO VOL. III.

N. B. New genera and species are in italics.

Acantkocottus, gen. 185.

seneus, 186.

• Groenlandicus, 185.

hexacornis, 186.

Mitchilli, 186.

polaris, 186.

polyacanthocephalus, 186.

porosus, 186.

psittiliger, 186.

• scorpioides, 185

Virginianus, 187.

Acephala, classification, of, 301.
Achalina halteata, 195.

■ paritura, 196.

ventricosa, 195.

Acteon, 191.

Addresses, annual, 36, 300.
A.\-A»mo(\on falcata^ 294.
Algae, marine, 271, 272, 371.

, new species of, 370.

Algerite, 150, 278.

Algous plants, dissemination of, 320.

Allanite,326.

American continent, age of, 88.

Amnicola badla, 74.

ciliata, 196.

egeiia, 75.

Amphidesma croceiim, 218.
AmpuUaria halanoidea., 196.

■ cohimeUaris^ 74.

Ansesthetic agents, 132.
Anas penelope, 21.
Andalusite, 29.
Annelids, 26, 190.
Anodon cognata, 294.

■ feminalis, 293.

gigantea, 85.

glauca, 293.

Anthony, J. G. New species of Melania,

359.
Anthracite, age of, 44.
Aphrododerus Sayanus, 5,
Aplysia. Jimbriata, 197.
Arachnidae, embryonic development, of,

128.
Area sobria, 278.

Arctic Expedition, 180.
Arkansite, 96, 131.
Arthemis lambat.a, 277.
Articulata, embryology of, 262,
Artificial minerals, 282.
Asphaltum, analysis of, 279.
Asteracanthion Forbesi, 67.

rjibe7is, 67.

Asterias sponsiosa, 67.
Allantochelys7351.
Aurelia aurita, 137.
Amicula glabra, 310.

• vulpina, 44.

Avicula fucata, 309.

lurida, 310.

maculata, 309.

■ nigra, 309.

vidua, 309.

Ayees, W. O. On Malacosteus niger,
69. On Polypterus Palmas, 181.

Bailey, J . W. On new species of Al-
gae, 370.

Balsena mysticetus, 355.

Balaninus nasicus, 174.

Barytes, 229.

Biogen liquid, 86, 87, 239.

Bird tracks, 169, 227.

Blennius serpentiiius, 30.

Blind animals, from Mammoth Cave,
349, 357.

Brain coral, 368.

Bryozoa, 66.

^wccinum far i7iosum, 152.

fossatum, 152.

' funereum, 152.

velaUim,, 151.

Bulimus infracinctus, 195.

~ inter st'inchis, 197.

mucidus, 194.

Bulla solitaria, 9.

Bull frogs, omnivorous, 321, 323,

Burnett, W. L On the Hibernation of
insects, 68 — On the Epithelial tissues,
166 — On Cell-types, 202 — On Para-
sites, 240, 324— On the Embryology

388

of Articulata, 262 — On Vibrios, 296
— On Naviculse, 319 — On the disse-
mination of Algous plants, 320.
Buleo vulgaris, 105.

Cabinet, donations to, by
Abraliams, Benjamin, 204.
Al-er, Frani^is, 77, 88, 96, 110, 117, 129,

151, 167, 174,180,229,275,282,378.
Allen, F. D. 174.
Appleton, T. G. 110.
At wood. N. E. 11, 136, 165, 208.
Ay res, W. O. 46, 54, 57, 89, 144, 156,

157.
Bacon, John, Jr. 77.
Batchelder, Mr. 47.
Bellows, C. W. .382.
Bethune, John M. 17, 136.
Bigelow, J. P. 167.
Binney, C. J. F 110.
Binnev, Mrs. A. 44.
Boutelle. C. O. 334.
Bouve, T. T. 129. 250.
Brewer, T. M. 57, 149, 229.
Brown, Francis, 378.
Bryant, Henr^, 3S2.
Bulfmch, Thomas, 55, 274.
Bullard, W. S. 1.36, 176, 204.
Bumstead.F. J. 165,204.
Burnett, Joseph, 156.
Burnett, W. I. 144, 165, 174, 274, 299.
Cabot, E. C. 45, 110, 208.
Cabot, J. E. 110.

Cabot, S., jr. 45, 63, 85, 89, 136, 174.
Gary, T. G., jr. 63.
Charapney, Mrs. 56.
Clark, E P. 55.
Clarke, J. L. 45.
Coale. W. E. 45.
Coolidge, Algernon, 378, 382.
Couthouv, J. P. 190,300,327.
Crasin, F. W. 47, 55, 204, 208, 229,

300.
Curtis, D. T. 63.
Gushing, Caleb, 260.
Desor, E. 68, 260.
Dexter, T. A. 198.
Ditson, Geor-e, 290.
Dix, Miss, 144.
Dixwell, J. J. 47.
Dowse, Dr. 165.
Durkee, Silas, 250, 328.
Dver, E. C. 204.
Edwards, George, 368.
Flint, John, 167.
Forbes, Darius, ISO.
Forbes, R. B. 45.
Forbes, R B. Jr. 237.
Forsyth, Dr. 77.
Fowle, George, 180.
Freeman, Watson, 322.
Fuller, Dr. ISO.
Garden of plants, 174.
Gasset, F. 58, 63, 110, 136, 174.

Gibbes, R. W. 144.

Gould. A. A. 21, 44, 64, 85.

Gould, B. A. 9.

Griggs, George, 10.

Harris, T. W. 58.

Hotiinann, Charles, 351.

Hoi brook, S. M. R. 300.

Holl, Robert, 85.

Jackson, F. H. 85.

Jackson, J. B. S. 56.

Jaqnes, Col. 136, 204.

Jillson, Mr. 198.

Kent, Benjamin, 47.

Kneeland, S. Jr. 156.

Leighton, J. C. 330.

Lesquereux, Leo, 334.

Lincoln, Theodore. 124.

Lyman, Theodorei 250, 260, 274, 326,

333, 350, 368, 3S2.
Malcom, Pres. 174.
McNab, J. 88.
Minister, Chilian, 144.
Minot, W. Jr. 63, 85.
Morland, W. W. 174.
Morton, W. T. G. 333.
Norton, B. H^nimatt, 327.
Ogden, A. H. 31.
Otis, Mrs. H. G. 341.
Perkins, G. A. 172, 179.
Perley, M. H. 374.
Perry, John, Jr. 136.
Plummer, J. T. 54, 174.
Porter, B. S. 72.
Richards, James, 6.
Ritchie, L. M. 149.
Robbins, N. 45, 85.
Rowell, J. M. 322.
Russell, J. L. 273.
Savage, Dr. 250.
Sharp, Mr. 6.
Shaw, G. H. 268, 299, 350.
ShurtlefT, N. B. 176, 204.
Simmons, Theodore, 172.
Smith, J. V. C. 268.
Society, Harvard Nat. Hist. 299,
Sprague, C. J. 219.
Steele, Mrs. 174.

Stimpson, William, 88, 180, 330, 333.
Storer, D. H. 77, 260.
Storer, H. R. 45, 250.
Storer, R. B. 167.
Stribling, Capt. 290.
Sturgisj'Russell, 47.
Thompson, Zadock, 315, 321.
Torrey, Eliot, 167, 382.
Tucker, J. L. 299.
Tyler, G. E. 267, 281.
Vattemare. Alexander, 322.
Vinton, Frederic, 327.
Warren, J. C. 156, 199, 205, 209, 281.
Warren, J. M. 47, 368.
Webster, J. W. 117. 124.
Wigglesworth, Edward, 327.
Wyman, Jeffries, 63.

389

Cabot, S. Jr. On the American and
European Oj^ster-catcher, 43 — On Ibis
guarauna, 313.

California gold, cause of its form, 95.

Calliphora vomiloria, 173.

Campanularia, development of, 158.

Caiicelli of bones in man, 192.

Carcharias Ativoodi, 72.

obscnrus, 3.

Cardka procera, 276.

■ ventricosa, 276.

Cardium bla?idum, 276.

Cataslomus, 87.

Caterpillar fungus, 341.

C-dulerpa falcifoiia, 373.

Picleringii, 373.

Cell-types, 202.

Celluiaria densa, QQ.

■ turriia, 66.

Cerithium adimcum, 119.

ccelatum, 120.

— egenum^ 121.

Jilosum, 120.

• ianthinum, 121.

inragi7iatiim^ 120.

irroratiinii 119.

pusillum, 120.

sordidulum, 119,

Cetacean bones, 205.

Chinicera Colliei, 77.

Chlorastrolite, 12.

Chlorite-spar, 100.

Cklorodesmis, gen. 373.

comosa, 373.

Chloroform, effects o(, 12, 13, 15, 133.

Chondrus iLnclalis^ 372:

Chordeiles labeculatus, 55.

Circulation, in Invertebrata, 206.

Cirratulus, 191.

Classification of Articulata, 237.

■ of Birds, 42.

in Zoology, 65, 301, 352.

Cleavage, 29.

Clep.sina, 53.

Clisiocampa Americana, 68. *

Cochituate water, solvent power of, 299.

Cold, power of resisting in the lower
animals, 136.

Colors of fishes, 62.

Colossochelys atlas, 351.

Columbella castaiica, 170.

gmisapata, 170.

valga. 169.

Conus dilediis, 172.

Copper, black oxide of, 102.

• of Lake Superior, 210.

Coracite, 78.

Cosmella hydrachnoides, 16.

Cottnpsis, gen. 303.

• asper, 303.

Coitus, gen. 183, 188. *

asper, 189.

Bairdii, 189.

. boleoides, 189,

Cottus cognatus, 189.

Fabricii, 189.

Franklinii, 189.

gobioides, 189.

gracilis, 189.

meridionalis, 189.

Richardsonii, 189.

variabilis, 77, 165, 182, 187, 312.

viscosus, 189.

Crow, American, distinct species, 104.
Crystals, in nervous system of Frogs,

53, 54.
Cucumaria fusiformis, 67.
Cyamus ceti, 89.
Cyclas egregia, 292.

patella, 292.

Cylindrella_;e/«7^a, 41.

pontifica, 40.

Cypricardia rosea, 276.
Cyrena debilis, 293.

Dasy a phi7fiosa, 371.

Dendritic forms, 99.

Dendrocoelum pulc/ierrimiim, 265.

snj)erbum, 265.

Desor, E. On Hydroidian Polyps, 65 —
On Eehinoderms, 67— On Dnlt fossils,
from Nantucket, 79 — On the parallel-
ism of American mountain chains, 380.

Dyctyota bidenlata, 373.

Dinornis ffiganteus, 4.

Dodo, 11,^15.

Donation of Jonathan Phillips, 204.

Donax crocatus, 255.

pallldus, 254.

tinctus, 255.

Doris, 191.

Drift deposits, 183, 235, 242, 291.

fossils, from Nantucket, 79.

of the Mississippi, 242.

scratches, 28.

Dugesia,ge?i. 265.

gonocephaloides, 265.

Dune sand, fresh water in, 92, 94, 103.

Echinarachnius parma, 67.
Echinaster, from Bo}«ton Harbor, 11.
Echinocyamus minimus, 367.
Eehinoderms, 67.

water tubes in, 349.

Echinometra nigrina, 366.
Echinopsis, 364.
Echinus granulatus, 67.
Ectocarpus hamulosus, 372.
Elevation of coasts, 374, 375.
Embryo Starfish, 13, 17.
Embrvolosical structure of the feet of

birds, 42.
Embryology of Uria troile, 327.
Emys^aurus serpentina, 321.
Ephyra, 138.
Epiihehal tissues, 166.
Erycina quadrat a, 252.
ovata, 218.

390

Esox estor, 305, 306.

lucioides, 306.

liicius, 173, 305.

nobilior, 305,306.

Ether, efiects of, 133.
hj'po-nitrous, 13.

Fisheries of Bay of Fundy, 374.
Fishes of Labrador, 327.

of Lake Superior, 61, 80.

from Mammoth Cave, 349. ^

disease of, 173.j»t.

Flexible Sandstone, 149.
Flustra truneata, 66.
Fogs, theory of, 127.
Fontaines, 288.
Fossil foot-marlcs, 202, 227.

rain-drops, 200,

teeth of fishes, 246. >^

vegetation of anthracite. 8, 35, 261.

Fossils from Himalaya Mountains, 314,

350, 356, 369.
Fossils from Memphis, 280.

from Richmond, 323.

Frankiinite, .321.
Fresh-w^ater Planarise, 264.
Fusus crispzis, 141.

Jidiczda, 141.

incisus, 141.

liratus, 141.

orpheus, 142.

sicblutics, 142.

Gay, Dr. Martin, death of, 230

Gelidium 2i7tilaterale, 373.

Gigartina exasperata, 371.

mollis, 372.

Gills of Crustacea, 225.

GiRARD, Charles. On the genus Cot-
tus, 183, 302. — On the Biogen liquid,
239. — On marine PlanaritE, 251, 264,
363. — On Planocera elliptica, 348.

Glaciers, structure of, 122, 125.

Glandina bullata, 64.

Gold, of California, long known, 287.

crystals, from California, 266,280.

in Vermont, 382.

Goniometer, reflecting, 78.

Gould, A. A. On shells from the South-
western States, 37. — Descriptions of
new shells, 64. — On shells of United
States Exploring Expedition, 73, 83,
89. 106, 118, 140, 151, 169,214,252,
276, 292, 309, 343. — On shells from
Africa, 193.

Gracilaria^/A/br^w, 372.

Green sand, origin of, 248.

of England, 256.

Gun-cotton, 30.

Gymnogongrus dendroides, 372.

Hsematin, crystals of, 313.
Hfematorhoea, 191.

Haematozoa, 168.
Harmotome, 105.
Harvey, W. H. New species of Algse,

.370.
Helieckimis, gen. 364.

Gouldii, 365.

Helix abjecta, 40,

buccidenta, 40.

cerea, 194.

exigua, 175.

hortensis, 181.

• indecorata, 194.

leporina, 39.

maxdlata, 38.

rotjda, 38.

sele?iina, 38.

ialcosa, 194.

vzdtziosa, 39.

Hibernation of insects, 68.
Himalaya fossils, 314, 350, 356, 369.
Humble-l)ee, generation of, 263.
Hydra, 354.
Hydroidian Polyps, 65.
Hylodes Pickeringii, 63.
Hypriea Coidteri, 371.

Ibis gnarauna, 313, 332.

Ordi, 355.

Icebergs, crushing action of, 226.
Iguanodon, 46.
Indian corn, 198.
Infusorial deposits, 16.
Iron, analyses of, 233.

of Lake Superior, 211.

smelting of, 229.

Ixodes, 335.

Jackson, C. T. On gun-cotton, 30.
Analysis of Vermiculite,243 — On As-
phallum, 279. — Analysis of Tellurium
ore, 297. — On the age of the Sand-
stones of the United States, 337.

Jacksonite, 5, 247.

Jet of water, in Cetaceans, 228.

Kneeland, S., Jr. On the Hindoo
skull, 212.— On Putorius barbatus, 238.

Labrador, geology of, 182.

Lacuna carinata, 75.

Lake Superior, survey of, 210.

Laomedea dichotoma, 66.

Laurentian deposits, 358.

Lazulite, 2-50.

Legs of Crustacea, 225.

Lepidoptera, metamorphoses of, 199.

Lepisosteus, 182.

Lepralia variolosa, 66.

Letters, from
Binney, Mrs. 44.
Davis, J. S. 301.
Delessert, Francis, 328.
East India Company, 314.
Gilman, Prof. 87.

391

Lapliam, Increase A. 168.
Lawrence, Abbot, 314.
Mantel), Dr. 46.
Perkins, Dr. 27.
Smithsonian Institute, 121.
Vattemare, Alexander, 322, 351.

Leuciscus, anatomy of, 46.

jndchelloides., 157.

Liagora hirta, 373.

Library, donations to, by-
Academy, American, of Arts and Sci-
ences, 21, 59,98,269.

Academy of Munich, 48, 130, 178.

of Natural Sciences, Phila-
delphia, 21, 49, 59, 129, 161, 219,
269, 315, 316, 383.

Academy of Sciences, Lyons, 383.

Royal, of Bavaria, 21.

Adams, C. B. 59, 315.

Agassiz, Louis, 58, 383, 3S4.

Alger, Francis, 25, 268, 2/0.

Applelon, Nathan, 98.

Association, Mercantile Library, of
New York, 23.

Audubon Fund, 22, 25, 50, 59, 161, 162.

Bacon, John, Jr. 24, 162.

Baird, Spencer F. 220.

Beaumont, Elie de, 130.

Beck, R. C.59.

Boston Atlas, 17.

Bulfinch, Thomas, 25, 26, 58.

Cabot, S. Jr. 49.

Cantor, Theodore, 51.

Channing-, W. F. 129.

Courtis Fund, 21, 22, 48, 49, 50, 58, 59,
60, 97, 98, 130, 161, 162, 163, 177, 219,
221, 268, 269, 270, 271, 316,332, 385.

Cragin, F. W. 162.

Cramer, Charles, 23, 98, 131.

Dana, J. D. 23, 59, 177, 270.

Davis, Daniel, 23.

Deiessert, Francis, 331.

Desor, Edward, 268.

D'Orbigny, Alcide, 97.

Doubleday, E. 130.

Dowler, Bennett, 131.

Drake, S. G. 24, 98.

Emerson, G. B. 60, 98.

Fiiton, W. H. 129, 130.

Gambel, W. 59.

Gibbes, R. W. 161, 269.

Gould, A. A. 50, 129, 278.

Gould, Kendall & Lincoln, 58, 156.

Gray, F. T. 50.

Gray, J. E. 59.

Haines, B. P. 22.

Harris, T. W. 49, 130.

Hayden, J. C. 50.

Hope, T. 51.

Institution, Republican, 220, 221, 222,
223, 268, 269, 270, 271, 317, 318, 332,
385

Jackson, C. T. 268, 351, 384.

Jay, J. C. 378, 384.

Journal of Agriculture, 21, 22, 59.

of Indian Archipelago, 25, 48,

97, 98, 219.
Journal of Science, American, 21, 22,

25, 49, 58, 59, 98, 129, 131, 162, 177,

178, 220, 270, 315, 331, 332, 383.
Journal, Western, 268.
Kirtland, J. P. 268.
Kneeland, S., Jr. 22, 23, 43, 49, 50, 177,

178.
Lapham, I. A. 220.
Lea, Isaac, 161.
Lea, J. M. 177.
Le Conte, J. L. 163.
Leidy, Joseph, 23, 25, 48, 49, 60, 130,

269, 331, 384.
Little & Brown, 331.
Loven, S. 316.
Lvceum of Natural History of New

'York, 98, 162.
Lyceum of Troy, 384.
Magazine of Horticulture, 21, 22.
Mantell, Dr. 105, 129.
Marcou, Jules, 49.
Mayo, Edward R. 198.
McLelland, J. 49.
Morton, S. G. 163, 220.
Museum d'histoire naturelle, 315.
Owen, Prof. 378, 384.
Parkman, Francis, 50, 58.
Perley, M. H. 331.
Read, William, 48.
Rediield, J. H. 98.
Regents of University of New York, 98,

130, 316, 331.
Richardson, Sir John, 219.
Rockwell, J. 331.
Shurtlefi; N. B. 23, 24.
Silliman, B. Jr. 177.
Smithsonian Institute, 98, 177.
Society, Agricultural,' Lyons, 97, 383.
American Philo.sophical, Phila-
delphia, 25, 49, 51, 129, 162, 315.
Society, Entomological, London, 25, 97,

130, 131.
Society for Medical Improvement, 50.
Geological, of France, 21, 60,

97, 129, 130, 131, 163, 178, 220, 268,

316, 331.
Society, Imperial, of Moscow, 23.

of St. Petersburgh, 22.

Linnaean, London, 25.

Lyons, 383.

Paris, 97.

of Natural History, Geneva, 51,

316.
Society, Zoological, London, 58, 177,

270, 331.
Sprague, C. J. 25.
State government, 12.
Subscribers to Audubon and Bachman,

24, 48. 49, 59, 97, 129.
Thornton, J. W. 271.

392

Tilesius, G. 331.

Tuckerman, Edward, 22, 25.

Tuomey, M. 162.

Tutile, H. H. 22.

Vattemare, Alexander, 315, 351.

Warren, J. C. 162, 163, 383.

Wheatland, Henry, 219.

White, Adam, 130.

Winthrop, R. C.21, 50,58,59, 130, 161,

177, 219, 269, 316, 331, 383, 384.
Wynian, Jeflries, 268.

Lice, 324.

Light in sea-water, 4.

Lignite, 247.

Limestone, geological position of, 258.

Limnea lanceata^ 64.

Liliopa decussata, 75.

Littorina acuminata, 84.

caliginosa^ S3.

lepida, S3.

patula, 83.

plena, 84.

scutulata, 83.

Localities, true, of specimens, 42.
Lucina borealis, 330.
• hictdta, 255.

lenticula, 256.

ramulosa, 255. .

vesicnla, 256.

Lutraria capax, 217.
Lymnaea, 181.
Lyodon echinata, 12.

Made, 29.

Mactra citneola^ 216.

dehilis, 348.

debita, 215.

falcata, 216.

marcida, 216.

Madreporic body, in Starfishes, 249.
Magnesia, hydrate of, 167.
Malacosteus, gen. 69.

niger, 69.

Malformation offish skull, 121, 178.

. of insects, 165.

Mallotus villosns, 42, 64.

Manatus American us, 199, 209, 237.

nasutus, 192.

Mangelia citkara, 140.
Marine Planarioe, 251, 264, 363.

shells of Maine. New York, and

the St. Lawrence, 357.

Maskallonge, 305.
Masonite, 101.
Mastodon, 207, 209.

angustidens, geological posi-
tion of, 111,116,117.
Mastodon, number of species, 104.

teeth of, 41.

Meat, preservation of, by Indians, 349.
Medical geolosv, 16S.
Meetings, annual, 31, 146, 283.
Megalonyx, 2S1.

Melania albreviata, 360.

bicolorata, 361.

brevispira, 361.

coracma, 361.

■ cuspidata, 362.

densa, 360.

elata^ 362.

inemta, 362.

inornata, 360.

napella, 362.

nudeola, 360.

pleheja, 362.

■ pidc/iella, 361.

robulina, 363.

succin7ilata, 363.

tracta. 362.

Melebosis, gen. 365.

mirahilis, 365.

Meliboea arbuscula, 191.

Members, Corresponding, elected.

Booth, Charles, 322.
Dalton, Henry G. 204.
Gundiach, F.'322.
Hunt, T. S. 165.
Jones, W. L. 355.
Le Conte, John, 355.
Lesly, Peter, 2S2.
Lesquereux, Leo, 110.
Ra]inder Datt, 190.
Siedhof, Charles, 157.
Smith, D. S. C. H. 77.
Thoreau, H. D. 3S3.
Wheatland, Henry, 97.

Members, Resident, elected.

Abbot, Henry W. 73.
Ayres, John, "129.
Balch, J. W. 117.
Barnard, J. M. 204.
Bemis, J. W. 330.
Bethune, George A. 117.
Bigelow, Horatio, 6.
Borland, J. Nelson, 198.
Borland. M. Wolsey, 198.
Briggs, Robert, Jr. 243.
Brown, Buckminster, 300.
Carv. T. G. Jr. 172.
Codman, W. W. 300.
Collamore, G. W. 238.
Coolidge, Algernon, 350.
Cornell, Wilham M. 219.
Colton, N. D. 355.
Dallon, J. C. Jr. 10.
Dana, E. W. 110.
Derby, George, 48.
Dixon, B. H. 12.
Durkee, Silas, 161.
Dwight, Edmund, 204.
Freeman, F. 110.
Girard, Charles, 176.
Hall, Junius. 6,

393

Henderson, Andrew, 129.
Henshaw, J. A. 57.
Hollit;, Thomas, 2S2.
Hosmer, Hiram, 161.
Hovey, Charles F. 268.
Keller, William, 31.
Keltelle, J. B. 10.
Lawrence, James, 204.
Lodge, G. H. 229. _
Loring, John A. 145.
Lowe, James P. 350.
Lyman, G. H. 17.
Lyman, Theodore, 282.
Manly, J. K. 110.
Minot, Francis, 55.
Morland, W. W. 48.
Morse, Henry D. 290.
Nourse, J. D. 161.
Patterson, J. W. ISO.
Read, William, 14.
Reynolds, John P. 198.
Ross, Thomas, 300.
Shaw, B. S. 105.
Shaw, G. Howland, 282.
Shaw, Lemuel, Jr. 275.
Siedhof, Charles, 157.
Simmons, Theodore, 12.
Stearns, John, 145.
Stevenson, J. H. 12.
Slimpson, William, 167.
Stone, J. W. 27.
Thompson, J. H. 57.
Thornton, J. W. 31.
Warren, George W. 330.
Weld, Moses W. 282.
Welles, David A. 219.
West, James, 97.
Whitwell, F. A. 57.
Williams, G. F. 229.
Williams, J. E. 27.
Young, Joshua, 161.

Membranipora te7mis, ^Q.
Mephitis Americana, 175, 176.
Me.sodesma viunda, 217.
Metamorphic rcclcs, 19, 20, 29, 30.
Mexican Boundary Commission, 326,

330.
Michigan, Lake, 292.
Mineralogy, importance of, to Geologists,

18.
Mirage of Lake Superiors 169.
Mitra capillata, 171.

cojjhhia, 171.

encmesta, 172.

fidlcula, 170.

rorata^ 171.

viteUina, 170.

Mollusks, American, fresh water, 356.

respiration in, 237.

Motella caiidacida, 5.
Mound Indians, 157.
Mounds of Ohio, 272.
Muraena Bostoniensis, 192.

Mnrex fr7(ticosus, 143.

Murre, embryology of, 327.

Muscle-shells, 250.

Muscular system of Medasee, 232.

Musk-deer, foot of, 203.

Mya prEecisa, 215.

Myliobatis acuta, 57.

Myristica moschata, 45.

My til us algosns. 344.

areolatiis^ 343.

divaricaUis, 344.

flabellatus, 343.

hepciticus, 343.

pusillus, 345.

Piriformis, 344.

trosszdus, 344.

Naiades, genera of, 356.

JNantucket shoals, distribution of animal

life among, 108.
Nassa acinosa, 154.

casta, 154.

cindella, 154.

curta, 153.

lurida. 153.

mendica, 155.

mnisiva^ 153.

patipera, 155.

rubricata, 155.

Natica algida, 73.

dilecta^ 73.

Naviculae, animals, 319.
Nelumbium luteum, 9.
Nemalite, 78.
Nemertes, ovum of, 51.
Nitrous oxide, eflects of, 133.
Nostoc expa7isum, 372.
Notheia, gen. 371.
anoviala, 371.

Oceania tubulo.sa, 134.
Officers chosen, 34, 148, 286.
Ophiocoma aculeata, 67.
Optic lobes, 349, 357.
Osteodesma bracteata, 217.

brazilie7isis^ 218.

Ostrea ctrcumsicta, 346.

discoidea, 347.

glomerata, 346.

mordax, 346.

Ova of fishes, 87.
Ovarian egg, 85.
Owl, dissection of, 355.
Oyster-catcher, 44.
Ozarkite, 96.

Palaptervx ingens, 227.
Palm.s, Indian, 260.
Pandora cistida, 217.
Panopaea antardica, 214.

generosa, 215.

Parallelism of American mountain

chains, 380.
Parasites, 240, 249, 324, 254 .

394

Parus'Hudsonicus, 208.
Patrons of the Society, 1.
Peat, v: lue of, 378.
Pecten'cau7i7iws, 345.

hericius, 345.

Icetus, 345.

Pectol te, 79.
Pee pi g frog, 63.
Pelaga quinquecirrha, 76.
Percopsis, gen. 80.

g-uttatus, 307.

pellucida, 164, 307.

Perna arg-illacea, 311.

eremita, 311.

nayia, 312,

torva, 311.

Phalangium pomeridianum, 267.
VhiVme Jhrmosa, 334.
' sinuata, 333.
Phocaena Americana, 225.
Pholas patula, 214.
Phos varicosus, 143.
Phosphate of lime, 257, 379.
Phosphorescence of animals, 7, 10, 12,

290.
Phosphorite, 376.
Pinna senticosa, 312.
Planaria gracihs, 264.

tigrina, 264.

Planaxis lineolatus, 118.
Planocera elliptica, 251, 348.
Piatina, from California, 280.
Plesiosaurus doliehodeirus, 205.
Pleurotoma semmifera, 140.
Plumaria arborea, 65.
Podabrus, gen. 304.

centropomns, 304.

cottoides, 304.

Polypterus Palmas, 181.
Polyscelis variabilis, 251.
Ponds on Long Island, 81.
Potato.rot,227,273.
Pot-holes, 324.
Potsdam Sandstone, 202.
Procerodes,gen. 251.

Wheatlandii, 251.

Prosthiostomuni gracile, 251.
Psammechinus asteroidcs, 366.
Psammobia^nrfa, 254.
Pudding-stone, 127.
Pupa modica, 40.

variolosa, 40.

Putorius barbatus, 238.
Pyramidella ambigua, 118.
Pyrophorus phosphorous, 290.
Pyrophyllite, 245.
Pytuophis melanoleucus, 54.

Quartz, singular cavity in, 273.

Rain drops, fossil, 200.
Rattlesnake, bite of, 329.

Reports, verbal, by
Agassiz, Louis, 26, 27, 36, 42, 61, 80;

182, 183, 190, 191, 199, 209, 225, 232,

237, 301, 336, 342, 348, 354, 356.
Alger, Francis, 249, 266, 273, 376, 378,

382
Ayre'^s, W. O. 5, 46, 87, 173, 181, 192,

312.
Bouve, T. T. 230.
Burnett, W. L 128, 168, 173, 249, 273,

2S8, 290, 308, 312, 319, 320.
Cabot, E. C. 103.
Cabot, S. Jr. 7, 55, 81, 332.
Channing, W. F. 13.
Desor, Edward, 4, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,

19, 28, 51, 65, 67, 75, 79, 85, 108, 115,

125, 127, 134, 137, 158, 200, 202, 207,

235, 242, 249, 258, 287, 288, 291, 357,

358 376.
Durlcee, Silas, 308, 328, 329.
Forbes, Mr. 56.
Foster, J. W. 111.
Girard, Charles, 306.
Gould, A. A. 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 175, 181.
Hayes, J. L. 227, 229.
Hitchcock, Prof. 227.
Jackson, C. T. 8, 19, 28, 76, 8*^, 122,

123, 127, 132, 223, 224, 321, 324, 335,

337
Jackson, J. B. S. 169,
Johnston, Prof 256.
Kneeland, S. Jr. 259.
Perley, M. H. 374,
Pickering, Charles, 114, 116, 198.
Rogers, H. D. 9, 16, 20, 30, 44, 113, 122,

125, 242, 248, 257, 258, 259, 266, 358,
Russell, J. L. 271, 273.
Stodder, Charles, 359.
Storer, D. H. 3, 5, 6, 11, 15.
Teschemacher, J. E. 8, 18, 28, 35, 99,

105, 260, 280, 287.
Vattemare, Alexander, 287.
Warren. J. C. 3, 5, 13, 41, 104, 111, 156,

157, 199, 205, 248, 350, 356.
Warren, J. M. 175, 335.
Wells, D. 359, 379.
Whitney,J.D. 78, 102, 210,226.
Wyman, Jeflries, 52, 53, 54, 178, 182,

203, 228, 241, 246, 259, 280, 289, 297,

323, 327, 328, 349, 355, 357.

Reports, written, by
Agassiz, Louis, 65, 206.
Alger, Francis, 167, 241.
Ayres, W. O. 69.
Bailev, J. W. 370.
Bouve, T. T. 149.
Brewer, T. M. 379.
Brown, Buckminster, 342.
Burnett, W. I. 62, 68, 136, 166, 202,

240, 262, 296, 324.
Cabot, E. C. 92.
Cabot, S. Jr. 15, 43, 313.
Davis, J. S. 307.
Desor, E. 380.
Durkee, Silas, 271.

395

Girard, C. 183, 239,251,264, 302, 348,

363.
Gould, A. A. 38.
Harvey, W. H. 370.
Hunt, T. S. 150.
Jackson, C. T. 30, 169,233, 243,247,

278, 279, 297.
Kneelaud, S. Jr. 7, 12, 15, 212, 237,
238, 272.

Le Coute, John, 172.
Perkins, H. C. 12.
Stimpson, William, 175, 333.
Storer, D. H. 70, 71.
Storer, H. R. 327.
Teschemacher, J. E. 131, 245.
Thompson, Zadock, 163, 205, 300, 305.
Warren, J. C. 26.
Wells, David, 339.
Whitney, J. D.5, 78, 96, 100.
Wyman, Jeffries, 179, hJ2.

Reports, of Officers, 31, 32, 33, 146, 283.
Republican Institution, 145.
Resolutions, 6, 7, 10, 145, 231, 314.
Respiration in Invertebrata, 209.
Bhacostoma Atlanticum, 342.
Rliinichthys, gen. 81.
Rhodomenia YVilkesiiy 371.
Ridge road, 358.
Ripple marks, 208.

Salaeratus Lake, 223.

Saline Water, analysis of, 224.

Salmo amethystus, 61.

Siskiwit, 61.

Salmoperca, 307.

Sal pa Caboti, 15.

Salt Lake, Great, 223. '

Salt Lakes, origin of, 259, 266.

Sand dunes of Lake Superior, 207.

Sandstones, value of in building, 241, 248.

Sandstones of the United States, 335,

336, 339.
Schizaster Lachesis, 368.
Schorlomite, 96.
Seals, fossil bones of, 241.
Septaria, 359.
Serpents, hissing of, 329.
Sertularia argeniea, 66.

Jllicula, 65.

plumea, 66.

Showers of flesh, &c. 289.
Singing mouse, 4.
Sipunculus bernhardus, 67.
Skulls, American, 275.

Aztec, 272.

Hindoo, 212.

Peruvian, 156, 157.

Snow-fly, 308.
Soap-plants, 246, 267.
Solarium egenum, 84.
Solen scalprum, 214.

sicarius, 214.

Somniosus brevipinna, 16, 97.

Sphargis coriacea, 81.
Spheria Robertsii, 341.
Spongia sulpkurea, 68.

urceolata, 67.

Stalactitic formation in Vermont, 56.
Stilifer acicula, 84.
Stomatella decolorafa, 73.

' ttcmida, 74.

Storer, D. H., On a new species of

Zygoena, 70. — On a new species of

Carcharias, 71.
Subsidence of coast of Newfoundland,

374.
Succession of generations, 263.
Succinea concordialis, 38.

helicoidea, 193.

hdeola, 37.

spurca, 193.

Swallows' nests, edible, 271.
Swamps of Western rivers, 376.
Syncoryne, 134.

Tame fishes, 175.
Tellina compta, 253.

conccntrica, 253.

exculta, 253.

lauta, 252.

• perula, 254.

tithonia, 252.

Tellurium, 122, 297.
Terebella fulgida, 191.
Terebratula caurina, 347.

Patagonica, 347.

pulvinata, 347.

Termites bellicosus, 52.
Terraces of Lake Erie, 291.
Teschemacher, J. E., On the fossil

vegetation of Anthracite, 8, 35. — On

Arkansite, 131. — On Vermiculite, 245.
Thompson Zadock, On Percopsis pellu-

cida, 164. — Annual Address, 300. —

On Esox nobilior, 305.
Tin in Vermont, 224.
Toads, poison of, 297.
Trachidermis, 188.

fasciatus, 302.

intermedins, 302.

uncinatus, 302.

Transformation of salt into fresh ponds,

81.
Trichotropis pusillus, 197.
Trionyx ferox, 322.
Triton BrasiHanum, 142.

. • mundum, 143.

Trochus acinosus, 92.

amcenus, 107.

atropurpureus, 107.

bicrenatus, 106.

-- circumsutus, 106.
■- cohibrinus, 107.

— elisus, 92.

'- gradatus^ 91.

— instridus, 107.
—jucundus, 91.

396

Trochus lig-atus, 91.

pruuimis, 90.

pupillus, 91.

rotellinus, 108.

• spurcus, 106.

. taniillus, 118.

• — texturatus, 90.

Troglodytes gorilla. 179, 182, 259.

niger, 259.

Turbo confragosxis., 89.

laciniatus, 90.

sir ills. 90.

Turd us nceviuSj 17.

Unio dorsuosus, 296.

famelicus, 294.

lululentus, 295.

profug-us, 295.

verecundus, 295.

Unios, division of, 357.
Uranidea, 188.

Vaginulus Liberianus, 193.
Vanadium, 229.
Vegetable acid, new, 261.
caterpillar, 341.

Venus calcarea, 277.

rigida, 211.

ioreuma, 277.

Vermieulite, analysis of, 243, 245, 288.

Vermiform mica, 249.

Vermin on Banks of Newfoundland, 57.

Vibrations at Hadley Falls, 287.

Vibrios, plants, 296.

VoGTjProf. Classification of animals, 352.

Vortex Candida, 264.

Warrenii, 264, 353.

"Walrus, position of, 242.
Water in minerals, 19, 20.

tubes in Echinoderms, 349.

Fishes, 27.

Wells in Boston, 95.

Whale, embryo, 355.

Wheat, in Massachusetts, 329.

Whitney, J. D. On Jacksonite, 5.

Wood-tick, 335.

Worms in snow, 307.

Zeuglodon, 328.
Zinc, red oxide of, 321.
Zygoena subarcuata, 71.

ERRATA.

On page 63,
" " 133,
« " 168,
" " ]8t,

" " 185,
" » 18G,

190,
235,
291,
330,
341,
354,
364,
365,
375,
376,
378,
379,

3 lines from bottom read Daniel T. Curtis, Esq.

3 '<

8 "

21 "
17 "
10 "
34 "
4 line
14 "

22 "
5 "
5 '

for alcohol read sulphuric ether.
" " read Increase A. Laphani.
" top, " recalled that the primitive type of the genus

Coitus, was C. gobio, iStc.
" " for 4.56, read 15().

" " " IV. 1829 p. 498, read VIII. 1831, p. 498, and

add. Griff. Cuv. Anim. Kingd. X. 1834, PI.
43, fig. 3.
" *' read Rallus Virffinianus.

" " for Centrodermichthys read Centridermichthys.
" " for shells read shales.

" <' for ten shells read two shells.

" " read Hylodes Pickeringii.

" " for cross formation read cross stratification.
1 from bottom read seen in Bacillaria.
" top for are read and.

" " /or Melebosis ?-eod Melobosis.

" " read Poggendorff's.

bottom for outer read inter.

last line,

22 lines from lop

Phacochaerus.
Alumina.

ADDENDUM.

To the List of Patrons of the Society, page 1,
Phillips and Edmund W. Dana.

should be added the names of Jonathan