4-7 1 3

PROCEEDINGS c

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or scuati^

i3o6tau 0ocictu of Natural l)uitorn.

VOL. VI.

1856 TO 1359.

BOS T O N :
PRINT EI) FOR THE SOCIETY.

1859.

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PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY.

TAKEN FROM THE SOCIETY'S RECORDS.

My 2, 1856.

Prof. Jeffries Wyman in the Chair.

Dr. Wyman, on taking the chair, announced to the
Society his acceptance of the office of President, to
which he had been elected at the last meeting, and
entered upon his duties as presiding officer.

The Committee appointed to take into consideration
the expediency of making summer excursions, asked for
further time to report ; which was granted.

A ninth letter was read from Mr. E. Samuels, giving
a list of specimens collected in California for the Society.

Two letters were read from Dr. James Lewis, of
Mohawk, N. Y., dated June 18th and June 21st, pre-
senting eighty-seven species of shells from his own
neighborhood and twenty-five species from Georgia,
Alabama, and Ohio, with the following list of

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. VOL. VI. 1 OCTOBER, 1856-

'1

SHELLBEARING SPECIES OP MOLLUSCA OBSERVED IN POR-
TIONS OF HERKIMER AND OTSEGO COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
BY JAMES LEWIS, MOHAWK, N. Y.

]. Unio complanatus. Lea; rivers and canals. 2. U. cari-
osus, Say ; Mohawk River ; very rare. 3. U. luteolus, Lam. ;
Mohawk River ; very rare. 4. U. ochraceus, Say ; Mohawk
River ; very rare. 5. U. radiahis, Lam. ; lakes ; abundant.

6. Alasmodon rugosa, Barnes ; canal and river, Mohawk.
7. A. marginata, Say ; canal and river ; rare. 8, A. undulata,
Say ; lakes ; not abundant.

9. Anodon Jliwiatilis, J^ea. ; canal; very rarely seen. 10. A.

; new species ; lakes ; abundant. IL A. Lewisii, Lea;

canal. 12. A. edentula, Say ; canal and mill-ponds ; rare. 13. A.
Ferussaciana, Lea ; canal ; rare. 14. A. imhecilis, Say ; canal ;
rare. 15. A. subcylindracea, Lea ; mill races ; rare.

16. Cyclas similis, Say ; lakes. 17. (7. modesta. Prime ;
canals and streams. 18. C. transversa, Sa,y ; canals and river;
Mohawk. 19. C. partumeia, Say ; ditches. 20. C. occidentalis,
Prime, (pvalis, Pr., formerly.) 21. C. ovata, Lewis ; undescribed .
very rare. 22. C. crocea, Lewis; very rare; outlets of lakes.

23. Pisidium dubium, Gould ; river. 24. P. ahditum, Hald.
(Prime), P. zonatum, Pr. ; ditches. 25. P. vai'iahile, Pr., ditches.
26. P. compressum, Pr. ; canal, river, lakes, &;c. 27. P. altile?
Nutt. ; still waters. 28. P. ventricosum, Pr. ; stagnant waters ;
rare.

29. Palndiria integra, Say ; canal and river ; 30. P. decisa,
Say; canal, river, and lakes. 31. P. ritfa, Haldeman ; canal
and river ; rare.

32. Melania acuta, Lea ; canal and river. 33. M.

(2 species ?) ; canal.

34. Amnicola lustrica ? Hald. ; canal, river, and lakes. 35.
A. pallida? Hald.; lakes; rare. 36. A. limosa? Hald.; canal
and river.

37. Valvata tricarinaia, Say ; canal, river, and lakes. 38. V.
hicarinata, Lea ; lakes ; rare. 39. V. sincera, Say ; lakes.

40. Lymncpa elodes, Say ; stagnant water. 41. X. desidiosa,
Say ; stagnant water. 42. X. humilis, Say ; stagnant water.
43. L. umhilicata, Adams ; stagnant water ; (with 48.) 44. L.
gracilis, Jay ; lakes ; rare. 45. L. columella, Say ; lakes.

46. Physa heterostropha, Say ; ditches, &c., &c. 47. P. In-
tegra ? Hald. ; rare ; river. 48. P. elongata, Say ; stagnant cold
water.

49. Planorhis trivolvis, Say ; stagnant water. 50. P. hicari-
natvs, Say; river. 51. P. armigerus, Say; stagnant water;
rare. 52. P. dejlectus. Say ; lakes. 53. P. hirsutus, Say ;
lakes. 54, P. parims, Say ; lakes and stagnant pools. 55. P.
campaniilatus, Say ; lakes.

56. Ancylus rivularis'? lakes, on water plants. 57. A. ?

Mohawk River ; very rare.

58. Helix alholabris, Say ; wooded sections generally. 59.
H. alternata, Say ; wooded sections generally. 60. H. arborea^
Say ; old fallen timber, &c., &c. ; 61. ^ chersina, Say ; swampy
grounds, under foliage. 62. H. concava, Say; swampy grounds,
under leaves, &c. ()3. H. elecfriua, Gould ; moist places. Q4:. JI.
fallax, Say (small var.) ; under rubbish in wooded sections.
65. ff.fuliginosa, Say; very rare ; habits little known. 66. If.
hydrophila, Ingalls ; moist banks of rivers, in shade. 67. H. in-
dentata, Say (with 63) ; quite rarely found. 68. H. intertexta,
Binney ; woods. 69. H. lineata, Say ; under logs ; very rare.
70. H. lucuhrata, Say ; very rare. 71. H. minuta. Say ; damp
places. 72. H. monodon^ Rackett ; under stones and sticks.
73. H.palliata, Say; woods. 74. H. Sayii, Binney; very rare.
75. H. striatella, Anthony; dry and moist localities. 76. If.
thyroidus, Say ; shaded flats.

77. Succinea ohliqua, Say ; swampy flats, shaded. 78. S.

? {campestris of DeKay) ; hills. 79. S. vermetus, Say;

shady banks of river. 80. *S'. avara, Say ; shores of lakes.

81. S. ovalis, Say; margins of ditches, &c., &c. 82. S. ,

similar to ovalis ; animal entirely black ; shores of lakes.

83. Bulimus luhricus, Brug. ; moist, shady places.

84. Pupa modesta. Say ; very rare. 85. P. exigua, Say ;
damp places. 86. P. contracta, Say ; damp places. 87. P.
milium, Gould ; rare.

NOTES.

No. 17, Cyclas modesta, Prime, may be the same as O. eden-
iula. Say. Mr. Prime is of a different opinion, however.

No. 30 probably embraces two species, one of which is decisa.

No. 33 probably embraces two species, one of which is M.
exih's, Hald.

Nos. 34, 35, 36 are given on the authority of Prof. Haldeman,
through Dr. ShurtlefF, of Westfield, Mass.

No. 38 seems to be only a variety of 37. No living specimens
of 38 have yet been detected. No. 39 has a more elevated spire
than either 37 or 38, and was found associated with dead shells
of 38 in the sediment of a small lake in the south part of Her-
kimer County.

No. 47 needs confirmation. I may yet secure specimens this
season, so as to be able to send them.

No. 64 occasionally presents a perfectly white shell; I have
found only one, however, in which the animal was alive. I have
also found an occasional specimen of 48 and 79 with a white shell.

No. 48 appears to be the shell DeKay calls P. glabra.

No. 58, H. albolahris, Say. DeKay appears to have named
the young of this H. rufa.

No. 70. I have some doubts if this be not H. inornata, Say.

No. 75 presents two varieties. Those growing on dry localities
are of a rufous brown, and have a very clean shell. Those grow-
ing on flat lands, near the river, ai'e coated with mud, which
seems to have the effect to bleach the shell somewhat.

No. 82 may be only a variety of oralis. I observe the animals
are exposed fully to the direct rays of the sun, which may have
an influence in modifying the color, so as to cause the animals to
become wholly black, — No. 81 being usually mottled with irregu-
lar light and dark bands.

Dr. Brewer called the Society's attention to the interesting
fact, that a nest of the Nashville Warbler ( Verinivora ruhri-
capilla) had been found in Lynn, in this State, by Mr. George
Wells, an observing and enthusiastic naturalist of that town.
This is a rare bird in this State, and, so far as is now known, its
nest and eggs have never been met with by any ornithologist.
It was included in Mr. Peabody's catalogue of the Birds of
Massachusetts on the strength of a single specimen obtained by
Dr. Samuel Cabot, .Jr. A year or two since, Mr. Charles S.
Paine, of East Randolph, Vermont, observed a pair of these
birds who evidently had their nest within a certain locality.

He had no doubt that it was placed on the ground, but though
carefully sought for, it was not discovered.

Though not an uncommon bird in certain sections of the
country, the Nashville Warbler has escaped the observation of
most of our naturalists. Mr, Audubon never obtained but three
or four specimens.

Richardson and Swainson obtained only a single specimen,
Wilson only three, and Mr. Nuttall mentions only one, seen near
Salem. It is a rather common bird in Wisconsin, and by no
means an uncommon bird in Vermont. It is quite possible that
more attention to its localities may show it to be not so rare in
this State as has been supposed.

The nest found by Mr. Wells contained young birds, and a
single egg. The nest was placed on the ground, in a dry place,
among fallen leaves, and in the shelter of a thicket of young oak
trees. The egg is ^f in length by ^ an inch in breadth, and in
its shape is very nearly spherical, with one end more pointed
than the other. The ground color is white, delicately tinged
with pink, and spotted over the entire surface with dark purple
and purplish-brown spots ; these are larger around one end, and
are there gathered into a beautiful ring or wreath of confluent
markings of various shades of purplish-brown. The nest was
not taken, but left for the benefit of its occupants.

Dr. Brewer also stated that he was indebted to the same gen-
tleman for the nest and eggs of the Sylvicola pardalina, or Canada
Flycatcher. This is by no means a common bird, nor are its
nest and eggs known to have been obtained before with any
certainty. Mr. Audubon speaks of having seen its nest in the
great pine forest of Pennsylvania ; but he described it as found in
a location quite different from the present instance. Mr. Wilson
never met with its nest, or even with a female bird. Mr. Nuttall
knew nothing of its breeding habits, and Richardson and Swain-
son met with no specimens of it in the fur region. Several
years since, Dr. Brewer received an egg from northern Vermont,
the parents of which were so well described that he had no difficulty
in recognizing them as this bird, and the eggs from Lynn con-
firm the correctness of his supposition. The nest was found in
low swampy ground, and was built at the foot of a tussock of
thick grass, on the ground. It was constructed almost entirely

6

of leaves of the white pine, so loosely arranged that it was
found necessary to sew them together in order to preserve it.
The eggs, five in number, in shape are an oblong ovoid, ^ of an
inch in length by y^g in breadth ; their ground color is a bluish
white, irregularly marked with dots and small blotches of reddish
brown.

In the same locality, the present summer, there have been
found, by Mr. Wells, the nest and eggs of the Prairie Warbler,
Sylvicola discolor; the Chestnut-sided Warbler, S. icterocephala ;
the Black-throated Green Warbler, S. viretis ; and the Black
and White Creeper, Mniotilta varia.

Mr. Wells has also observed a pair of the Solitary Vireo, V.
soUtarius, which were evidently breeding in the vicinity. This
is a rare bird, and is not given in Peabody's Birds of Massa-
chusetts.

Prof. Agassiz stated that, for several months past, he had
been engaged in an investigation into the Geographical Distribu-
tion of the Turtles in this country. For a correct determination
of specific differences, it became necessary to collect specimens
from all parts of the country as extensively as possible, and he
had succeeded in obtaining specimens of nearly all the species
existing in North America, and had been able to trace their
geographical distribution very completely. Ample materials for
a thorough survey had been placed in his hands through the
ready assistance of his friends and correspondents, and by the
officers of the Smithsonian Institution, who have put at his dis-
posal their valuable collection. He had examined the specimens
obtained by the government surveying expeditions of the several
Rocky Mountain I'outes, and had received numerous specimens
from the States in general, including Texas and California. He
believed he had, at the present time, all but three species to be
found in the United States proper, alive in his yard.

The results to which he had arrived establish the fact, that
several species, which have been supposed identical throughout
their whole geographical range, are really distinct ; whilst others
which have been described as different species, the young alone
in some instances having served for description, have been found
to be one and the same. He particularly called attention to the

danger of describing species solely on theoretical grounds as dif-
ferent, because they inhabit different parts of tlie world, or as
identical from general resemblances. Dumeril and Bibron, in
their work on Herpetology, and others, have attempted to identify
marine turtles of different waters without sufficient authority.
He had himself taken particular pains to inquire about the
Sphargis or Leather-backed Turtle, which is found from the
West Indies, northward, and which has been taken at Cape Cod.
This animal has been said to inhabit the Mediterranean ; but
the most thorough investigation shows only seven or eight in-
stances on record of its having been found there. The museum
at Salem furnishes an opportunity for distinguishing between the
imbricata of the West Indies and that of the Indian Ocean, which
have been considered the same. Holbrook describes the Trionyx
of Georgia as existing in the Northern Lakes, and he traces the
exact course by which it could ascend along the coast and up the
Mississippi River to the lakes. Prof. Agassiz was satisfied that
there are four different species of Trionyx in the United States,
three of which are included in the one species of Holbrook ; and
that each species has its own limited locality.

The Chelidra or Snapping Turtles have the most extensive
geographical range of any of the Chelonians. The Snapping
Turtle of Massachusetts is found in South Carolina, Alabama,
Louisiana, Missouri, and even at the head waters of the Osage.

Of the family of Emydie, E. Blandingii is the true type.
The swimming Emyda3 are either Southern or Western species ;
there are none in New England except those which have but a
limited power of swimming.

Emys Oregonensis was described by Nuttall as existing west
of the Rocky Mountains. Prof. Agassiz doubts its existence
west of the Rocky Mountains, because no turtles have been found
in those high regions lying between that range and the Sieri'a
Nevada. Upon the Alleghanies, turtles have been found at a
height of eleven hundred feet only, and there are no indications
of their existence above this height. He had received two
specimens from localities east of the Rocky Mountains, one of
which was brought him by Mr. James M. Barnard, from Min-
nesota. Mr. Nuttall's specimen, he thought, must have come
from this side of the mountains.

8

Prof. Agassiz concluded that there is no general law regulat-
ing the distribution of the Chelonians of North America. They
are distributed through four grand divisions of the country, a
northeastern, a southern, a western, and a Pacific range. The
facts of their geographical distribution are now well established,
but the reasons are by no means evident at present. The proba-
bility is, that different individuals of the same species of animals
are adapted, by peculiar organizations, to different climacteric
influences, and that there is no general law of distribution for
which physical agents can account.

Dr. Storer asked what was the northern geographical limit of
Cistudo Blandingii. In 1842, he presented to the Society a
specimen from Bradford, Mass., until which time it had not
been observed by naturalists north of South Carolina.

Prof. Agassiz replied that he had found the eggs in Massachu-
setts, and raised the animal from them. There is no evidence of
its existence between Massachusetts and Illinois, where it is
again found. It has a circle of distribution in the Northwestern
States, and another disconnected range in Massachusetts. He
thinks the animal may have originated in the two different
localities.

The President exhibited some Fossil Bones and Teeth,
discovered by Mr. J. W. Foster, in Iowa. They consisted
of remains of an animal belonging to the natural family
of SuidaB, and appeared closely allied to, if not identical
with the Euchserus of Dr. Leidy. A complete series of
teeth was exhibited, in which the milk and permanent
molars were all represented. A large portion of the
skeleton, as well as the germs of the teeth of a very
young animal, belonging to the same species, were ex-
hibited, indicating that they were derived from an indi-
vidual which had been born but a short time, or even
from a foetus.

Dr. Durkee exhibited a potato infested with a parasitic
insect, a species of Acarus. A new generation is pro-
duced every few weeks. The gentleman who gave him

9

the specimen informed him that the stem of the plant
was likewise covered, and that he was disposed to think
this might be the cause of the " potato disease." The
late Dr. T. W. Harris believed the malady to be caused
by parasitic fungi. Dr. C. T. Jackson was of the same
opinion as Dr. Harris, and he supposed the presence of
the insect in this case to be purely accidental.

Messrs. F. W. Putnam, J. L. Hun ne well, and J. M.
Hayward were elected Resident Members.

July 16, 1856.
The President in the Chair.

Prof. Agassiz stated that, a few years since he had described
a new family of fishes, Emhiotocoidce, in which the mode of re-
production is viviparous. He had now to announce the fact,
that, in another family, and one well known, there is likewise
viviparous reproduction. He had recently been examining the
ovary of the common haddock, and had found the ova already
passed the stages of segmentation. He had not yet been able to
examine them during the latest periods of development, but he
had no doubt that the embryos were developed within the ovary.
He thought, however, that the young might be brought forth in
some kind of an envelop, and thus escape observation. In the
Cod, Whiting, and American Hake, the ova likewise undergo
development in the ovary. Prof. Agassiz was informed by the
fisherman who had supplied him with the specimens in which
this discovery was made, that he had for a long time supposed
that the young were formed in the parent.

Prof. Agassiz had been endeavoring to find homologies of
development in all animals of the vertebrated type, and had

10

succeeded in tracing them so far as to be able to distinguish
between vertebrata and invertebrata in the earliest stages of
development of the egg.

The President remarked that every new instance of ovarian
impregnation was of great importance. The most recent re-
searches go to prove that the seminal fluid comes in direct con-
tact with the ovum, and perhaps enters into its substance ; but
in Anableps, the ovum is surrounded by a membrane which would
tend to prevent any such entrance.

Prof. Agassiz observed that he considered fecundation as a
series of acts rather than a single act. In Chelonians, the cir-
cumstances under which the eggs are developed, would lead to
the inference that an impulse is first received from the male, and
then that four successive copulations in four successive years,
twice a year, are necessary before segmentation takes place in
the egg. In the Haddock, ovarian gestation has this physiologi-
cal import, that it shows that what is a normal condition in one
animal of a certain type, may be abnormal, and occur only ex-
ceptionally in another animal of the same type, as in man and
other of the higher forms of vertebrata.

Dr. Gould inquired how ovarian impregnation took place in
fishes.

Prof. Agassiz replied that he had seen certain fishes place
themselves in such a position that there was close approxima-
tion of the abdomens of each, whilst in the female the entrance
to the ovary was open to a very considerable extent.

Mr. Bouv^, in behalf of the Committee appointed to
consider the subject of summer excursions, reported in
favor of the project, and proposed that the first excur-
sion should be made to Hingham and the neighboring
country. It was voted to assemble on board the Hing-
ham steamboat at 9 o'clock, A. M., on Wednesday, July
23, and it was understood that the Committee would
make arrangements for proper conveyances at Hingham
when the company should arrive.

Dr. C. T. Jackson read an extract from a letter of Mr.
Roswell Field, of Greenfield, Mass., in which he says

11

he thinks he has discovered an entirely new footprint of
a biped web-footed animal, two and a half inches long,
with a stride of about ten inches, and with an impression
of a tail. He regards it as much more perfect than the
one described by Prof. Hitchcock, and thinks it may even
prove that the latter was not made by a web-footed
animal.

This letter was referred to the President.

Dr. A. A. Gould presented the following descriptions
of shells : —

Helix repercussa. T. sinistrorsa, discoidea, supra plan-
ulata, infra concava, plicato-striata et lineis volventibus superne
insculpta, castanea ; anfract. utroque 6-|-, ultimo vix angulato,
prope aperturam deflecto : apertura despiciens, oblique lunata,
peritremate reflexo, postice callo angulato juncto ; lamellis pala-
tinis diiabus Intro volventibus, quarum una ad angulum incon-
spicuu.

Diam. 1 ; alt. j^j poll. From Tavoy and Mergui. Rev. J.
Benjamin.

Compared with //. anguina, it is less distorted, more elevated,
concave beneath only, whorls more numerous and moi'e closely
coiled, obtuse at periphery, not marbled in coloring.

Helix ramentosa. T. suborbicularis, depressa, tenuis, per-
forata, fulva fascia fusca albo marginata ad peripheriam cincta,
lineis incrementalibus et sulcis decussantibus pariter obliquis
granulata ; anfr. 5^ convexiusculis, ultimo obtuse angulato ; su-
tura valdc impressa : apertura oblique oblongo-ovata ; peritre-
mate postice acuto, sensim versus umbilicum reflexo, albo; fauce
rufescente.

Axis half an inch ; diameter f inch. California ; from the
cabinet of Dr. W. Newcomb.

Agrees well with H. zonata, Pfr., in which the umbilicus is
larger, and no allusion is made to the rasp-like surface.

Helix damascenus. T. conico-globosa, imperforata, solidula,
dilute prunina ad apicem violacea subtus cinerascens, rudis et

12

lineis tenuibus interruptis numerosis cincta ; anfr. 5 rotundatis ;
sutura irapressa : apertura subcircularis ; peristomate anguste
reflexo, pallido, extremitatibus approximatis ; fauce livida ; col-
umella incrassata, rotundatu.

Axis Yi5- ; diam. -^^ poll. Desert region east of California.
From the collection of Dr. W. Newcomb.

The texture and coloring is much like that of H. alauda, Fer.,
but the shell is smaller and more elevated.

BuLiMUS LEPiDUS. T. parva, plerumque sinistrorsa, vix per-
forata, ovato-conica, elevata, polita, citrina ; anfr. 6 convexis,
ultimo ventricoso ; sutura bene impressa : apertura subcircularis;
peristomate albo, reflexo, ad columellam dilatato, extremitatibus
approximatis.

Axis 1^ ; diam. ^ poll. Mergui Islands. Rev. J. Benjamin.

A pretty shell, grouping with Iceinis, Adamsii, and moniliferiis,
but smaller, proportionally shorter and more ventricose, and dif-
fering entirely in coloring, texture, and the broadly rounded form
of the aperture.

BuLiMUS LAUTUS. T. subperforata, oblique ovato-triangu-
laris, tenuis, eburnea longitudinaliter rufo-lineata ; suturis palli-
dis ; anfr. 6, ultimo ad peripheriam in carinam compresso, subtus
versus umbilicum declivi et plicato : apertura oblique triangularis,
ad angulura latero-basalem canaliculata ; peritremate expanso,
intus incrassato, albo, rosaceo vivide submarginata.

Length, one inch ; breadth, half an inch. From the mountains
of Equador, near Quito ; by Joseph P. Couthouy, Esq.

A most remarkable and beautiful shell, belonging to the
peculiar group of Bulimi, with angulated apertures, found on
the Andes, near Chimborazo. The basal angle stands off further
from the axis in this than in any other species yet figured.
B. semiclausus is banded, the basal angle rounded, the spire less
acute. B. Knorri is more elongated, and the basal angle nearly
axial. B. murrinus and B. fabref actus are also allied.

Streptaxis prostrata. T. pupoidea, valde distorta, tenuis,
dilute cornea ; anfr. 6, posticis lateraliter appositis, ad periphe-
riam acute angulatis, antico subtus glabrato : apertura longior

13

quarn lata, lamina palatali instructa ; peristomate reflexo ; um-
bilico crescentico, satis magno-

Long. ^ poll. ; lat. I poll.

Found by Dr. G. A. Perkins, at Cape Palmas, and at Rock-
bookay, twenty miles in the interior, under dead leaves. He says
" the animal is beautiful red, yellow, and orange." It is of" the
size of *S'. aberrans, but is more eccentric and more compressed.

Streptaxis elisa. Testa modica, valde secunda et compressa,
supra tenuiter striata, infra glabrata et late perforata ; spira dis-
coidea ; anfi*. 7 -|- juxta suturam profundam angulatis, ultimo
lateraliter valde protenso : apertura transversa, subquadrata,
peritremate everso, intus denticulis quatuor cruciatim dispositis
armato, quinto minimo interdum posticc addito.

Length, half an inch ; height, \ inch. From an island in the
Mergui Archipelago ; Rev. J. Benjamin.

In size and form most like aS*. Soideyetana, but is even larger
and more depressed ; aperture much as in S. pyriformis, but
more elongated, and the posterior denticle is very small and
marginal ; the shell is double in size.

Streptaxis exacutus. T. grandis, omnino dislocata, late
umbilicata, pallide cornea, supra acute lirata, infra polita : spira
discoidea, lateralis ; anfr. G -j- penultimo postice valde protruso,
exacuto, apicalibus convexiusculis, bene discretis : apertura sub-
quadrata ; peristomate albo, reflexo, postice angustato et sinuato ;
palato lamina subcentrali et altera inconspicua ad angulum
munito.

Length, ^ ; breadth, -^^^ poll. Found by Rev. F. Mason, in
Burraah.

More solid and compressed than S. elisa, with no denticles on
the peritreme, and with the edge of the penult whorl forming the
posterior end of the shell very sharp.

Clausilia vespa. T. solida, sinistrorsa, vespaeformis, de-
flecta, la3vis, intense rufa ; anfr. 6, anteriori raptim attenuate,
proximo corpulento, apicalibus cito decrescentibus ; sutura im-
pressa, vix marginata : apertura ovata ; columella biplicata ;
peritremate late reflexo, rufo.

14

Long. 1 ; lat. -^^ poll. Inhabits Tavoy. Eev. Francis Mason.

This very singular, wasp-like shell is allied to C. insignis,
Philippii, Cochinchinensis^ &;c., but distinguished from all by its
peculiar form.

I Cyclostoma pollex. T. polliciformis, distorta, suburabili-
cata, rufescens ; anfr. 6, ultimo ventraliter planulato, dorsaliter
gibboso ; anfract. posticis nonconformibus, rotundatis, dexti'orsum
nutantibus ; sutura profunda, marginata : apertura circularis,
postice truncata ; peritremate duplici, modice reflexo.

Long li ; lat. f poll. Tavoy, British Burmah. Rev. Francis
Mason.

This singular shell may possibly be Cyclostoma chrysalis, Pfr.,
but is larger, destitute of lines and indentations. That shell is
said to come from Arva, (probably Ava.) Megalomastoma My-
ersii, Haines, is another species of the same type, but less
distorted and more cylindrical.

These shells, coming from the same region, to which many
others will doubtless hereafter be added, I regard as constituting
a natural group, probably generic, for which I would propose the
name Pollicaria. Shell subperforate, chrysalidiform, ven-
trally flattened, spire secund ; apertui'e subcircular, truncate
posterioi'ly within the periti'eme.

Cyclostoma cucullata. T. umbilicata, depresso-conica,
soliduhv, lineis incrementi et lineis volventibus tenuibus superne
insculpta, straminea ferrugineo tessellatim marmorata, et infra
lineata, apice nigro ; anfr. 5 rotundatis ; sutura profunda": aper-
tura (genuina) elliptica ; peritremate reflexo, et cucullo lato
unicolori oblique truncato vakle protracto ; fauce flava.

Diameter, exclusive of false lip, y^g- inch ; projection of hood-
lip ;|^ inch ; axis ^ inch. From an island in the Mergui Archi-
pelago ; Rev. Judson Benjamin.

With the exception of the aperture, the shell is much like
small specimens of C. linguiferum^ov still more like C. irroratum,
Sowb. Its remarkable hood is sufficiently characteristic.

MiTRA FLORIDA. T. ovato-fusiformis, solidula, albida ferru-
gineo nubeculata et lineis numerosis fuscis interruptis interdum
albo articulatis cincta, quoad rostrum plicata et oblique lirata ;
anfractibus 7-|- ultimo spiram ter excedente, antice angustato:

15

apertura angusta, postice acuta ; labro acuto : columella sexpli-
cata, plica postrema proximam bis superante ; intus alba.

Axis If ; greatest diam. f ; length of aperture, 1-^ inch. Re-
ceived from Dr. Edmund Ravenel, of Charleston, as from
Florida. Another specimen, in the possession of Dr. Jay, was
supposed to have come from the Philippine Islands.

Its characters are intermediate between Mitra and Voluta. It
most resembles in form and coloring a small Vol. antiqiiata, but
the markings are much more crowded and delicate.

Unio lepidus. T. transversa, elongato-ovata, tenuis, ventri-
cosa, valde inequilateralis ; umbonibus tumidis, leviter undulatis,
dilute viridibus ; disco olivaceo, vix radiato ; latere antico rotun-
dato, superne angulato; latere postico ovato, marginibus arcuatis ;
dentibus cardinalibus erectis, lamellatis, fimbriatis ; dentibus
lateraHbus, rectis, acutis ; margarita argentata, postice iridescente ;
cicatricibus anticis sejunctis.

Long. 2f ; lat. 1; alt. 1^ poll. From a creek near Lake
Monroe, P'lorida ; Dr. Henry Bryant.

Very closely allied to U. trossulus, Lea, but is larger, more
fragile, and the cardinal teeth are more compressed.

Unio coruscus. T. parva, solida, transverse ovata, ad dor-
sum lata, deorsum cuneata; umbonibus anticis valde erosis ; latere
antico rotundato ; latere postico acuminato ; margine dorsali valde
declivi ; margine ventrali lente arcuato ; epidermide piceo, nitente ;
dentibus cardinalibus obliquis, validis ; dentibus lateralibus curtis,
rectis; cicatricibus anticis sejunctis; margarita vivide cupreo-
purpurea.

Long. If; alt. |; lat. f poll. River St. John's, near Lake
Beresford, Florida ; Dr. Henry Bryant.

Of the same type as U. Buckleyi, and might be thought the
young ; but it is more solid, less angular, is much darker colored,
has a much more brilliant nacre and a stronger hinge ; trossnlus
is less cuneate and has a white nacre, as has also U. Brumbyanus.

Teredo thoracites. T. magna, solida, subequilateralis
alba ; valvis trilobatis ; area anteriori maxima, antice truncata,
obtuse lanceolata, concentrice insculpta ; area intermedia uncinata,
ad apicem obtusa, apophysi valido intus sufFulta ; area posteriori

16

minima, lunata, superne emarginata, incrassata ; tuberculis car-
dinalibus magnis, uncinatis ; apophysi subumbonali compresso,
geniculate ; ossicula siphonalia pulpito mediano instructa, altero
latere subulate, altero ligulato.

Length and height, ^ inch ; breadth f inch. Tavoy, British
Burmah ; Rev. F. Mason and Rev. J. Benjamin.

In size and solidity this exceeds any species yet described. It
is chiefly characterized by the great size of the anterior area
when compared with the posterior ; the stilt-like form and great
length of the pallets is also quite peculiar.

Dr. C. T. Jackson gave a brief description of the bituminous
coal formation of Elk County, Pennsylvania, which he had been
engaged in exploring during the month of June last. He ob-
served that the great bituminous coal basin or trough extends
from the Northwestern border of Pennsylvania to Tuscaloosa,
Alabama, as indicated on Mr. Jules Marcou's Geological Map of
the United States.

The northern portion of this basin is of great economical value,
on account of its being the nearest to Lake Erie, one of the
greatest markets for coals, which are required for steam navi-
gation on all the great lakes, and for the furnaces and gas works,
as well as for domestic use for fuel, on both the United States
and Canada sides of these lakes. He remarked that statistics
showed a larger amount of tonnage on the lakes than exists on
the Atlantic coast of this country, and that steam rw^^ation
would certainly greatly increase upon the lakes when coals coth^
be obtained at a reasonable cost, as will soon be the case, when
the western portion of the Sunbury and Erie Railroad, now
under contract, is completed, which would be done in the course
of two years.

Since the recent explorations were made into the extensive
coal formation of Elk County, Pa., the Directors of this im-
portant railroad have ordered the road to be laid amid those coal
fields, and the consequences of this movement will soon be felt
in the augmented value of the coal lands.

The particular region explored by Dr. Jackson, is known as
the Ridgeway Land and Coal Company's property, some 27,000
acres of land, all situated in the coal region. Five or six beds of

17

coal underlie this soil, and they generally dip only from two to
five degrees from the horizon, and are from two to six feet in
thickness. Most of the large beds are undisturbed, and only the
small upper ones are here and there denuded by valleys of
excavation. The deep ravines, or runs, expose some of the
outcrops of the larger beds on the southeast sides of the hills ;
on the northwest they are still deeply covered with rocks, the
sandstones, and bituminous sliales.

Each of these coal beds is overlaid with a stratum of eight or
ten inches of slaty cannel coal, and they all rest on fire-clays.
Iron ores, namely, carbonate of iron and brown hjematite, abound ;
the former in the fire-clays, and tlie latter in the superincumbent
shales. But few fossil plants are found in these shales, and only
the scales, fins, and tails of fishes in the slaty cannel coal, which
appears to have been a fine aqueous sediment of water-logged
vegetable matter.

A bed of buff-colored limestone occurs beneath the principal
bed of coal, and is nine or ten feet thick. This limestone con-
tains small fossil bivalve shells not yet named.

The Ridgeway lands, then, contain coal, iron ores, limestone, and
sandstone, with an abundance of clay suitable for fire-proof bricks.
All the facilities for the reduction of iron exist on the spot, and
soon the means of transportation of the coals and metal to mar-
ket will be supplied. The county is elevated about 1,600 feet
above the sea, and is in Lat. 41 '^ 25' N. and Lon. 1" 40' W. of
Washington, and is remarkably healthful.

The following analyses of the coals, iron ore, and limestone
have been made by Dr. Jackson since his return to Boston.
Specimen from the six feet bed : —

Fixed carbon ...... 52.38

Gas expelled by heat . ... . . 40.00

Ashes of coke ...... 7.62

The ashes analyzed yielded —

Silica . ......

Alumina and oxide of iron .

Lime .......

7.52

PROCEEDINGS B. S.N. II. — VOL, VI, 2 OCTOBER, 1S66.

100.00

6.20

1.10

0.22

18

The slaty cannel gives —

Fixed carbon ...... 32

Gas 24

Earthy matter ...... 44

100

The limestone yielded —

Carbonate of lime 95.75

Insoluble silica ...... 3.00

Peroxide of iron ...... 1.25

100.00
Analysis of the balls of carbonate of iron : 100 grains of this
ore yielded —

Peroxide of iron .... G1.50 = iron 43.

Carbonic acid .... 31.50
Silex 7.00

100.00
In smelting iron ores with these coals, it will be necessary to
convert the coal into coke, and the small coals may thus be dis-
posed of on the spot.

No better gas-making coals are found in the United States,
and but one better variety in the British Pi'ovince of New
Brunswick — namely, that of Albert County.

Dr. Jackson spoke in high terms of admiration of a series of
fossil fishes now at the Smithsonian Institution undergoing de-
scription by Dr. Newberry. He stated that these fossils appear
like fishes cast in brass, the scales of the ganoids being covered
with a film of iron pyrites ; and expressed the hope that Dr.
Newberry might soon exhibit some of them to the Society.
They were found in the Diamond County coal mine in Ohio.

Dr. A. A. Gould exhibited a specimen of the common Lumhricus
ascaris, an intestinal worm, which was vomited alive by a person,
by whom, and by whose friends, the worm was called a snahe.
Dr. Gould referred to two or three other and similar cases, and
observed that science could do much to disabuse the public of
the incorrect idea that animals could live for any considerable

19

length of time in the human body, unless they belonged to some
of the parasitic forms.

Some discussion ensued as to the possibiUty, under any circum-
stances, of a foreign animal living in the human stomach. The
President narrated a case of a living toad, which was swallowed
by an insane man, having been vomited, soon after, dead ; and
the results of some experiments, in which worms were taken
into the stomach in perforated tubes, where the worms lived but
a short time.

Dr. C. T. Jackson presented, in the name of Mr. Addi-
son Gott, of Rock port, some Parasitic Crustaceans, com-
monly known as Salve Bugs.

Prof. Agassiz remarked that these animals contain an
apparently oily matter, which, after immersion in alcohol,
is changed into a substance resembling wax, and which
is so hard as not readily to be cut with a knife.

The specimens were referred to Dr. Jackson for chemi-
cal examination.

Mr. Robert Kennicott, of West Northfield, Cook Co.,
111., was elected a Corresponding Member, and the fol-
lowing named gentlemen Resident Members, viz : James
E. Mills, Thomas W. Clarke, John Green, Edwin A.
Gibbens, J. Henry Safford, Joseph Worcester, John Dean,
David F. Weinland, Augustus J. Perkins, Samuel Ham-
mond.

July 23, 1856.

EXCURSION MEETING.

In pursuance of a plan adopted at the last meeting, the Natu-
ral History Society met on board the steamer Mayflower, for an
excursion to Hindiam and the neighborhood. There were

20

present about tliirty of its active members, several of (hem being
among its founders or the earliest enrolled upon its list. After
a beautiful sail down the harbor and among the islands, the com-
pany found ample arrangements made for them at Ilinghara by
the committee, and were conveyed in carriages along tlie new
road in the direction of Nantasket Beach. This road, opened
two years since, presents a number of interesting features to the
student of nature.

Mr. Thomas T. Bouve, the Chairman of the Committee of
Arrangements, and to whom the Society were indebted for the
complete success of the occasion, was most earnest in his en-
deavors to call attention to every object of interest and instruction
upon the route. Upon passing through the woods, not far from
the Old Colony House, he pointed out several nests of the Night
Heron, (^Ardea nycticorax,) built of sticks, high up in the trees.
He remarked that these were the only Night Herons to be found
anywhere in the vicinity of Boston, with the exception of those
at Fresh Pond, and that tl)ere was danger of their complete
extermination, if the young were taken and destroyed by people
in the neighborhood, as has been done lately. Some distance
further on, were seen the remains of submerged trees, supposed
to be cedars, which had been imbedded in the peat, and which
were exposed in the construction of the road.

The President gave' some account of these remains, consisting
of large stumps and roots, buried in salt-water peat. The swamp
in which the trees grew, was somewhat below tide water, and in
consequence of the breaking down of the barriers, the communi-
cation with tlie ocean had been made ; and the whole tract,
consisting of many acres, formerly covered with trees, is now
regularly flowed by the high tides. This is one of several in-
stances in which the ocean has made its inroads upon the shore
in this neighborhood. The most recent breach occurred a few
years since, near Pleasant Beach, during the great storm which
carried away the Minot Lighthouse ; the sea barrier was broken
through, and every tract of fresh water was invaded, and, unless
soon reclaimed, will become permanently a part of the domain
of the sea.

He also called attention to an Indian cemetery, on the south-
eastern slope of Atlantic Hill, near Nantasket Beach.

21

An examination of severul of the graves had been made by
Mr. Francis Boyd, by whom attention was first called to them
by Mr. F. Burr, one of the proprietors of the land, and Drs. M.
and J. Wynian. Portions of the remains of four adults and orie
child had been found. The cranium of one of the adults was
sufficiently well preserved to exhibit the unequivocal anatomical
characters of the North American Indians. Generally, the bones
were too much decomposed to be removed, except in fragments.
The original position of the bodies, as shown by that of the bones,
was on one side, with the knees drawn up, and not in a sitting
attitude. The articles buried with them consisted of fragments
of pottery, composed of clay and pounded clam shells, of stone
pestles, and a clay pipe, all of Indian manufacture ; also of an
iron hatchet, a brass kettle, some beads of brass, and others of
glass, which must have been obtained from the white settlers.
These latter articles, of course, bring down the date of the ceme-
tery to a period subsequent to the settlement of the country.

Mr. Boyd invited the members of the Society to his house,
where they had an opportunity of examining such of the remains
and relics as were in his j^ossession, and at the same time were
provided with a most generous and hospitable entertainment.

After a ride a short distance upon the beach, the carriages
were left, and the party wandered along the rocks and sea-shore
towards Cohasset, where those interested in shells, fish, marine
plants, minerals, &c., had opportunities of collecting specimens.
Here remarks were made by those particularly versed in special
subjects, amongst others, by Dr. David F. Weinland, who called
attention to the ovaries of the Whiting, in which were eggs in
process of embryonic development ; a fact which Prof. Agassiz
has recently noticed in this fish, the cod, the haddock, and the
American hake, our most common fishes, and which have hitherto
been supposed to be oviparous and not viviparous.

Meeting at a certain rendezvous, and resuming seats in the
carriages, a pleasant drive was taken along the ridge road ; stop-
ping to view the famous trap dyke upon the sea-shore, and its
striated markings, indicative of glazier action according to some,
or of drift action accoi'ding to others ; the prominent features of
the dyke and surrounding rocks being pointed out by Dr. C. T.
Jackson, Mr. Francis Al";er, and Mr. Bouve.

22

At about three o'clock, the company arrived, by special invita-
tion, at the beautiful mansion of Mr. Bouvc, where, after exam-
ining his magnificent mineralogical and geological cabinet, the
Society sat down to a handsome banquet provided by him.
After dinner, and a song from the accomplished Curator of
Botany, a portion of the party scattered themselves for the col-
lection of specimens, whilst the remainder assembled under the
trees to listen to some remarks upon what had been seen during
the morning.

Some observations were made by the President, upon the man-
ner in which the Limidus (the Horseshoe Crab) casts its shell.
Unlike that of the crabs and lobsters, this is cast entire. The
first step towards the formation of a new shell, is the separation
of the soft parts from the old integument ; the new covering, at
first quite soft, is everywhere minutely convoluted, in order to
accommodate its increased surface. The old shell splits around
the convex border of the head and thorax, and the Limidus
escapes, withdrawing its legs, gills, and tail. The animal imme-
diately expands, the convolutions of the new shell are drawn out,
it hardens, and the growth is finished until the period of the next
moulting. Dr. Wyman had found the horseshoe in the stage
preliminary to shedding the skin, and in the act of leaving it ; in
the latter case, the animal was not yet freed from the old shell,
but its growth was already complete. From observations made
on many shells, he had ascertained that at each moulting the
increment was by one third to one half of the dimensions of the
animal. Growth takes place at no other time than during the
moulting period. The cuticle which lines the oesophagus and
stomach is withdrawn at the time the external shell is cast, and
comes away in connection with it.

Mr. Francis Alger spoke of the great Beryl formation in the
town of Grafton, New Hampshire, describing its crystals of
gigantic dimensions which had been discovered there. One of
these crystals, which he had caused to be removed and conveyed
to Boston, weighed nearly 2^ tons, and was five feet in length.
Another, the largest single crystal in the world, as far as is
known, is nine feet in length, being a six-sided prism, the
several faces of which measure respectively in width through
the greatest diameter of the crystal, 2 feet 8 inches, 2 feet, 1

23

foot 11 inches, 1 foot 10 inches, 1 foot 6 inches, and 1 foot 9
inches — thus giving it a circumference of 12 feet. This crystal
yet remains at the locality, but the quartz and feldspar sur-
rounding it have been carefully removed by chisels, so that its
position in its native bed can be readily observed. Three weeks
labor of two men was expended in this process, as ordinary blast-
ing by gunpowder would have destroyed the crystal. Its weight
is probably not less than five tons.

Dr. C. T. Jackson, at tlie request of Mr. Alger, gave a descrip-
tion of the Geology of Alger s Bertjl Hill, in Grafton, N. H.,
where the above-mentioned crystals are found. They occur in
a very largely crystallized vein of Granite, which traverses the
hill of mica slate. In extracting the crystals of beryl, large
quantities of orthose or potash feldspar, suitable for making the
finest porcelain ware, were obtained, and this is now exported to
England for that purpose. Plates of mica, a foot or more square,
are also obtained, and are useful for making windows to stove
doors, &;c.

Dr. Jackson next proceeded to give an account of the Trap
Dykes., and of the rocks altered by fire which were observed by
the Society upon the coast of Cohasset, stating that the rocks
were originally stratified, and were of aqueous deposition, and
have since their deposit become metamorphosed by the agency
of trap rocks which underlie them and have burst through them,
in dykes running generally nearly east and west, with occasional
crossing dykes having a north and south course. The minerals
produced in the metamorphosed rocks, by the influence of the
trap, are amygdules of feldspar, invested with a thin layer of
Epidote, and of nodules of Epidote, like those of the Nahant
rocks. Boulders of quartz occur in an unaltered state, in the
metamorphic rocks, in considerable abundance.

Dr. Jackson then extended his remarks to the trap rocks of
different ages, and explained the remarkable influence they have
exerted on limestones, slate-rocks, and sandstones, showing their
agency in producing crystallized minerals and metalliferous ores
of various kinds. In Nova Scotia and on Lake Superior, the
trappean rocks, passing through the new red sandstone strata,
combine with the ingredients of that rock, and also form an
abundance of most beautiful minerals of the Zeolite family.

24

Native copper is also produced, in masses and in veins, both in
Nova Scotia and on Lake Superior; this metal being found in
large and regular veins in very great abundance in the Amygda-
loidal trap of Keweenaw Point, Ontanagon, and Isle Royale
districts, on Lake Superior.

When trap rocks act upon slate rocks, they produce iron pyrites,
and occasionally silver ores, and with silurian limestones they
form lead and silver ores almost exclusively ; while, as before
stated, native copper generally results from their influence upon
the new red sandstone strata. Hence, the miner and the min-
eralogist are guided in their researches by a knowledge of these
geological laws, which seem to be universal in their application.

Dr. D. F. Weinland gave an account of the Reproduction of
Parasitic Animals, and explained the phenomena of Alterna-
tion of Generation in the parasitic Trematoda of the Freshwater
Snails. The first generation of this animal exists, in the form of
" Distoma," in the intestines or lungs of Vertebrata, as a perfect
animal with genital organs producing eggs ; the next generation
exists as a yellow worm in the liver of the snails mentioned
above, with or without an intestine, their bodies being filled with
the third generation of the animal, viz : little worms with long
tails — the so-called Cercarians — which originate in the body of
the yellow worm by a kind of budding. In the third generation,
these Cercarians are brought forth by the mother, swim for a
while free in the water, and then become a kind of pupa ; form-
ing a cyst around themselves, and in this state seeming to wait
till, by chance, they are swallowed by a vertebrated animal in
which they become, in a few days, as is shown by experiment, a
perfect Distoma.

Dr. Weinland had found a new species of Cercaria, the first
known in this country, in the liver of the Physa heterostropha,
and he concludes, from further investigations, that this Cercaria
belongs as a larva to a blackish-spotted Distoma, which he has
found frequently in the lungs of frogs and toads, and once in the
intestine of a turtle, and which he proposes to describe under the
name of Distoma atrlventre.

He added that a similar alternation of generation takes place
in another order of Helminthes or Parasitic worms, viz : the
order of Cestoda. The investigations of Kuchenmeister and

25

SieboW have shown that the cysts in the flesh of the hog, causing
the condition known under the name of " measly pork," are pupa?
of the human tapeworm, and that they develop themselves into
the latter when taken into the human intestine ; and that the
human tapeworm, when eaten by a hog, produces in this animal
these cysts. In three instances, in which he had seen tapeworms
in Americans, these worms were identical with the Tcenia solium,
the tapeworm of the English and Germans, the same species
upon which the experiments of Kuchenmeister were made, — not
the Botriocephalus latus, the tapeworm of the French and Swiss,
which seems to have a different kind of development. He had
found a larva of a tapeworm, a so-called Scolen, with two large
red spots behind the head, in the intestine of the common
Alewife, (^Alosa Americana,) provided with four large suckers,
(acetabula,) but not having an articulated body, nor genital
organs. This larva was destined, as he supposed, to become a
perfect tapeworm only in the body of another vertebrated
animal by which the alewife might be swallowed, — perhaps in
a shark. He had found another larva of a tapeworm, the Tetra-
rliynchus 3Iorrhiice, Rud., {T. corollatus, Siebold,) in a cyst near
the heart of the common codfish. He had found the larva of
tapeworms, known under the name of Cysticercus, in the pelvic
region of the American hare, (Lepus Americanus,) and in the
liver of the rat, {Mus decumanus.) After a careful comparison,
he found them identical, one with the Cysticercus of the European
hare, and the other with that of the European rat; which be-
come, according to the experiments of the same Helminthologist,
Kuchenmeister, the first, the tapeworm of the dog, and the second
that of the cat; a fact likewise noticed by the American hunters.

Dr. Weinland supposed that this Cysticercus of the American
hare came from the European dog ; the eggs of the tapeworm
having been swallowed by the hare, perhaps with vegetable
food. In another and new species of tapeworm, the Tcenia
punctata. Weinl., found in the gold-winged woodpecker, he had
observed the embryo just hatching. The shell of the egg of this
worm has two processes, each terminating in a large ball ; tlie
embryo is provided with six spines. Some years ago. Dr. Hein
and Dr. Meissner found pupa; of tapeworms in cysts in a land-

26

snail, {Helix pomatia,') and in a beetle, {Tenebrio molitor,) and
in the cyst were found six little spines thrown off by the embryo.
Thus, we have reason to believe that that hatching embryo,
with its six spines, penetrates into an insect or a mollusk, forms
there a pupa, loses its spines, and waits in this state till the snail
or the insect is swallowed by a vertebrate ; for in vertebrata only
we find pei'fect tapeworms. In the case of Taenia punctata., we
may suppose that the embryo enters an insect, forms there a
pupa, which afterwards is eaten with the insect by the wood-
pecker, and then is developed into a tapeworm. Thus, the
intimate I'elations existing between the woodpecker, its tape-
worm, and the insects in which the latter lives as a pupa, and
upon which the woodpecker feeds, must be intimately concerned
in the preservation of the species of this worm ; and if we con-
sider how infinitely small is the chance of a single egg's per-
fecting its development in that bird, we see why one tapeworm
should furnish millions of eggs in a year.

The Psorosperraia, discovered first by Johannes Miiller, which
may be another larval state of a worm, Dr. Weinland had found
by thousands attached to the hind part of the eye bulb of the
American Haddock, {Gadus aeglefinus.)

To a question proposed by Dr. Gould, " Whence come the
parasitic worms of the Foetus in Utero ? " Dr. Weinland an-
swered, that only two or three such instances are known ; and
from the f;ict that he once witnessed an Ascaris penetrating a
membrane in such a manner, that, after it had traversed it, there
was not to be seen any perforation in the membrane, (the worm
having separated the fibres of the tissue without tearing it,) he
thought that he could explain the presence of the worms, found
in the embryo, by a passage from tlie abdomen of the mother and
through the walls of the womb, and thence into the body of the
embryo ; a movement which, according to this observation in
Ascaris, could be effected without wounding the tissues.

Mi\ Charles J. Sprague exhibited a beautiful specimen of a
parasitic fungus growing upon the body of a beetle, a species of
Sphoeria.. He said he supposed that the insect more or less com-
pletely buries itself in the eartli, and then the plant attaches
itself to its surface, and sooner or later destroys it. Mr. Sprague

27

had been making a special study of these peculiai' and little
known growths the past year.

Mr. Bouve made a few remarks upon the origin of Tgneous
Rods, comparing specimens of the igneous rocks of New Hamp-
shire and lava from Vesuvius, to illustrate the resemblances and
differences between quick and slow crystallization.

After these interesting and instructive observations, followed
by the interchange of much general information in a more private
manner, and after passing votes of thanks to Mr. Bouve for his
untiring exertions throughout the day, and to Col. Boyd for his
most welcome hospitality, the Society took the cars for Boston,
and returned Avell satisfied that a day could not have been more
agreeably and more instructively passed ; and the hope was uni-
versally expressed that this excursion might be the first of a
series, which would inevitably tend to augment the usefulness and
prosperity of the Society.

Avgust 6, 1856.

The President in the Chair.

Prof, William B. Rogers exhibited to the Society
several specimens of rock, containing casts of portions
of a large Trilobite lately obtained by him from a
locality on the north edge of Braintree, about ten miles
south of Boston.

Prof. Rogers adverted to the great interest of this discovery as
furnishing the first clear evidence yet obtained as to the geologi-
cal age of any of the extensive series of altered rocks which
occupy a large part of eastern Massachusetts and the neigliboring
States.

Hitherto, geologists have not been aware of the existence of
any fossil forms in these strata, as none are referred to in the
Geological Report of Prof. Hitchcock, or in any of the subse-

28

quent publications relating to the rocks of tliis region. The
present discovery, therefore, will be a matter of surprise as well
as gratification to those who have given attention to this obscure,
and hitherto unproductive, portion of our geology.

It is true, that in view of the lithological characters of these
altered roclis, and their relation in strike and position to tlie car-
boniferous strata adjoining them towards the southwest, in the
contiguous parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, they have
of late been considered as probably belonging to parts of the
Paleozoic series, inferior to the coal measures, and including por-
tions of the Devonian and Silurian systems. But the want of
any positive evidence derived from fossils has, until now, left us
without a clue to the actual Paleozoic age of any part of the
group, and has indeed given a character almost purely conjectural
to speculations in regard to the epoch of the group at large.

In respect to the zoological relations of the Braintree Trilobite,
Prof. Rogers remarked, that from the imperfect examination he
bad as yet given these fragmentary specimens, lie was dis[)Osed
to consider it as closely allied to the forms of Paradoxides, de-
scribed by Green, in his monograpli of North American Trilo-
bites. Of the two species described by Green, viz: P. Harlanl
and P. Boltoni, only the latter has been recognized by Prof.
Hall among our Appalachian fossils. This, under the generic
head of Platynotus, and more recently of Lichas, he describes as
a characteristic form of the Niagara group. Leaving the pre-
cise affinities of our fossil for future examination, there can be
no hesitation, from its general facies, in referring it and the in-
cluding strata to a date among the more ancient of the Paleozoic
formations.

The rock in which these fossils occur is a ratlier fine-grained?
bluish-gray, siliceous slate or slaty sandstone, forming part of a
narrow belt of siliceous and argillaceous slates and grits ranging
along the northern edge of Braintree. The fossiliferous layers
are exposed in a quarry, vvhicli has been wrought for several
years past to obtain ballasting material for some of the wharves
in Boston, within which no doubt many of these fossils might be
found among the piles of stone. The fossil casts occur not only
on the parting surfaces of the strata, which are covered by a
somewhat argillaceous and ochreous coating, but also in the

29

interior of the mass, whence, however, they are less readily
spparated for examination.

It appears that the proprietor of the quarry, Mr. E. Ilayward,
and his family, have for some time been familiar with the occur-
rence of these so-called images in the rock, without a suspicion
of their having any scientific value. But it is to the kindness of
Peter Wainwright, Esq., a member of this Society, who resides
in the neighborhood, that Prof. Rogers has been indebted for the
first suggestion which led to tlie investigation of this unique and
most interesting locality.

Tlie range or strike of the fossiliferous belt is about N. 70 E.,
and the dip in the quarry N. 20 W., at an angle of about 45
degrees. Adjoining it on the northwest side, are exposures of a
more argillaceous and indurated slate, greatly broken up by joints
and irregular cleavage planes, and at a short distance further on
in the same direction, these altered sediments give place to tiie
granitoid and sienitic masses so extensively quarried in the
town of Quincy. In crossing the strata towards the south, we
meet with slaty and gritty rocks, becoming more and more indu-
rated as we proceed, which, passing into beds of a semi-crystalline
character, are quickly followed by another range of Sienite.
Thus the fossiliferous belt is actually included, in this part of its
range at least, between large masses of igneous rock ; and it is
not a little surprising that, under conditions so favorable to meta-
morphic action, the fossil impressions should have been so well
preserved.

This discovery of well-marked fossils among the rocks of
eastern Massachusetts, where hitherto their existence could
scarcely have been suspected, may well lead us to hope that
careful research in other parts of this region of altered sedi-
ments will bring to light fossil organisms not less interesting in
their scientific bearings than the Braintree Trilobite.

Dr. C. T. Jackson observed that Mr. Fi-ancis Alger had a fossil,
apparently identical with these and imbedded in a similar rock,
which was obtained at the sale of the old Columbian Museum, in
this city. Its origin was unknown.

Dr. Hayes remai-ked, that it was with the deepest interest that
he had listened to the announcement of the discovery made by

30

Prof. Rogers. The new and important facts, now made known
by that gentleman, throw a clear light on what was obscure, and
enable us to generalize many isolated observations made in this
vicinity, which without them had no scientific basis ; and it must
be the wish of all, that Prof. Rogers would give his attention
further to this subject.

Incidentally connected with the discovery of Prof. Rogers, are
some observations he had himself made, while pursuing a research
on the origin of the saline matter found in the waters which tra-
verse the rocks and drift of this part of the State. These rocks,
in the simplest form of expression, are broken down granite, the
resultina: sand being recemented to form aoforregates, to which we
mineralogically apply different names. It is to the material of
this cement that he would call attention, as numerous experi-
ments have shown that it is the source fiom which the waters
take their saline matters, when percolating these rocks.

Not only are the chlorides of the metals forming alkalies when
oxidized present often, but we find salts of lime, which did not
probably preexist in the sand or original rock.

The sulphate, phosphate, carbonate, and crenate of lime are
thus found, and when the aggregate reposes on other rocks, these
salts are imparted to them in considerable amount.

Thus, the Argillite of Charlestown is an example of quite a
collection of lime salts, associated with the proto-persilicate of
iron. In other parts of New England, when the argillite passes
into roofing slate, and again where the metamorphic changes have
occurred, we find either these salts, or the minerals into which
they have passed. Now these lime salts are foreign matters of
interest, for they most commonly claim an organic origin, and
associated as they generally are with iron salts, which have
retained some portion of protoxide, in consequence of the pres-
ence of organic matter or carbon itself, they afford indicative
evidence of the presence of organic matter, earlier in geological
age than the organized forms which abound in other rocks.

Dr. Charles T. Jackson read the following paper on
the coal formation of Deep River, North Carolina : —

During the month of May last, I had an opportunity of re-
examining the coal fields on Deep River, North Carolina, and of

31

tracing llie out crop of the coal bed some miles further to the
southwestvvard and across Deep River from Murchinson's to
Forsliee and Street's Plantations.

I had also the satisfaction of descending into the shaft sunk in
the plain of Egypt, wliere two years since I directed borings to
be made, by which the occurrence of coal beneath that plantation
was discovered, and its extent under the table lands demon-
strated.

This shaft, sunk under the immediate direction of Mr. Wm.
McLean, is admirably constructed, is 8 feet by 15 square, and
penetrates to the depth of 4G2 feet, where it traverses the coals.
At the bottom of this shaft I measured the following section :

Coal ....

Black band iron ore

Coal ....

Fire clay

Coal ....

Fire clay and shale at bottom.
The strata and coal beds dip from 16 to 20° S. 10'' W. The
aggregate thickness of the coal that can be taken out together in
the ciiambers, is 5 feet 11 inches in thickness. These coals are
quite free from sulphur, and are highly esteemed by the superin-
tendent of the Brooklyn, N. Y., Gas Works, as good gas-making
coals.

They are also particularly valuable in the forges, since they
make a perfectly hollow fire by coking readily. They also will
serve for steam-engine and other fuel.

On chemical examination, this coal was found to yield per
cent —

Fixed carbon . . . . . .63.6

Illuminating gas ..... 34.8

Red-brown ashes . . . . .1.6

16

inches

22

u

6

a

7

u

100.0
When converted into coke, it was found to produce 65^^^ per

cent, of good solid coke.

The black band iron ore is too sulphurous to admit of its being

converted into good iron, it retaining 0.89 per cent, of sulphur

even after thorough roasting.

. 31.30

. 47.50

. 8.81

. 3.39

. 9.00

32

It yielded on analysis, per cent. —

Coal

Peroxide of iron ....

Carbonic acid and moisture
Sulphur ......

Siliceous .matter ....

The oxide of iron was originally a protoxide iron ore, but was
separated as a peroxide.

At one time, the geological age of the Deep River coal for-
mation was a subject of dispute among geologists; some main-
taining that it belonged to the New Red, and others to the OoUiic
or Lias group.

Through the researches of Prof. Emmons, State Geologist to
North Carolina, this question is likely to be finally settled ; and it
appears from his geological map, a copy of which he kindly
gave me, and from his fossils which I have inspected, that the
lower portion of this formation is Triassic or of the New Red
Sandstone group, and the Upper Liassic.

Among the fossils discovered in the Deep River coal-bearing
rocks, are numerous teeth and bones of saurian reptiles, coprolites
of saurians and of fishes, and an abundance of scales of ganoid
fishes resembling Catopterus of Redfield. Several species of
Zamias, both the trunks and leaves, are also found. These will
all be described in Prof. Emmons's Report, and will be repre-
sented by wood-cuts. I understand that this Annual Report is
now in press at Raleigh, N. C.

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF A VARIETY OF AGALMATOLITE.
BY C. T. JACKSON.

A remarkable rock, supposed until now to be soapstone or
talcose rock, was discovered a few years since on the borders of
the Deep River coal-field, and was quarried as soapstone, but
found unsuitable for lining stoves and furnaces, on account of its
ready exfoliation when heated.

Lately, other uses have been found for this beautiful material,
for when ground it is a delicate white satin-like substance, and is
similar to China clay. It is ground and bolted, and sold in New
York at $40 per ton. I suppose it is employed to mix with

33

white lead, and it is said to be used also for the adulteration of
fancy soaps, and also for glazing or satining wall-papei*.

By chemical analysis, I find this rock is composed of, in 100
grains —

Silica

.

. 75.00

Alumina

.

. 18.75

Potash .

, . , ,

. 2.00

Water .

. 3.50

Traces only

of oxide of iron .

99.25
It is therefore Agalraatolite.

Remarks upon the Deep River Coal Formation were also
made by Prof W. B. Rogers.

Dr. Hayes asked what chemical evidence Dr. Jackson had
that the North Carolina or Deep River coal is a gas coal.

Dr. Jackson replied, that his experiments were made in the
usual manner, in covered platinum crucibles, (which represent
very perfectly the gas retorts,) and that he found the North
Carolina coal to produce Si-^^ per cent, of coal gas, which
burned with a brilliant yellow and highly illuminating flame,
without smoke, and did not give any sulphurous acid, or other
disagreeable products, while the coke resulting from torrefaction
of the coal was found to be of superior quality, giving less than
two per cent, of ashes when burned. Practical trials, made with
this coal at the Brooklyn, N. Y., Gas Works, had fully proved
its excellence as a gas coal.

To this Dr. Hayes added, that an experiment thus made hardly
demonstrated, in his opinion, that the coal was a gas coal. The
amount of volatile matter given off from any coal, varies with
the rapidity or slowness of heating it, and may be made up of
vapor of water formed from the constituents of the coal, and
heavy vapors producing coal tar, together burning with a bright
flame, from a coal wholly unfit for making gas. The coals of
our Western States, and those of Scotland, offer fine illustrations
of the error which might be committed in an experiment of this
kind ; some affording a large volume of rich gas under a small

PROCEEDINGS B. S, N. H. VOL. VI. 3 DECEMBER, 1856.

34

percentage of volatile matter, and others with a large amount of
volatile matter burning brilliantly, but producing very little gas.
The distinction between gas coal and bituminous coal, can be
learned by more complete processes only, and his own experience
on this coal, soon after it attracted public notice, and with strong
hopes that it would prove a gas coal, did not lead to such a con-
clusion.

Dr. D. F. Weinland called the attention of the Society
to a question now discussed in the European journals of
Ornithology, viz : The cause of the change of color in
the feathers of birds, and in the hairs of Mammalia, and
the manner in which this change is effected.

It is a well known fact that many birds, particularly the
males, have a very differently colored plumage in ditferent sea-
sons ; for instance, that the male of many singing birds has a far
more beautiful plumage in the reproductive season than during
the rest of the year ; furthermoi'e, that many northern birds and
mammalia become pure white in winter, while they are yellow,
red, brown, gray, or of a still darker color in summer.

Till within the last few years, this change of color was sup-
posed to be effected simply by the production of a new feather
or hair ; but there are on record several instances which are
entirely at variance with this supposition ; and Dr. Weinland was
of the opinion, that, although this change is generally produced
by molting, many instances are proved, by past and recent obser-
vations, in which it has taken place without loss of the feather.

Human Pathology has shown many cases, in which the hair
of men, from sudden terror or from grief, has turned gray or white
in so short a time (sometimes in one night) that there was no
possibility of a change of the hair itself. A case is known in
Ornithology, in which a starling in one day became white all
over, after being rescued from the claws of a cat.

These facts, however, seemed to be exceptions only, till quite
recently some distinguished Ornithologists — Schlegel in Leyden,
and Martin in Berlin — at the same time affirmed that many birds
get their wedding plumage without molting.

Experiments were made by many Ornithologists; some affirmed

35

the new statement, others denied it. But the most striking ob-
servation which had come to the knowledge of Di-. Weinland,
was made by a friend of his, Mr. Junghaus, of Berlin, on a Blue-
throated Warbler, (Sylvia suecica,) which he had in a cage.
From June, 1854, till the middle of February, 1855, the throat
of this bird, from the bill down to the breast, was pure white ;
over the breast ran three bands, blue, black, and yellow, the
black one being the narrowest. In the middle of February, the
blue band became darker, and spots of the same color appeared
all over the white throat, with the exception of a small spot in
the centre. On the 21st of February, all the throat was blue
except that spot, which remained pure white till the 23d, when
it became reddish. On and after the 24th, this reddish color also
changed to blue ; but on the 1st of March there appeared again, in
the midst of this blue, a lighter spot of beautiful silvery appear-
ance ; and it is worth remarking, that this new color began at
the basis of the feather, and proceeded outwards. Meanwhile,
the black band on the breast had become larger, and shaded
insensibly into the blue, while the yellow band remained un-
changed through all these mutations. Thus the bird had got its
wedding-plumage, without losing one feather, and this it kept
through all the reproductive season. At the same time, Dr.
Gloger, of Berlin, showed that a very similar observation had
been previously made in this country by Audubon, on a male
gull, which changed the color of its head, in a fortnight, from
gray to the purest black, and, as he supposed, without changing
a feather.

There can be no longer any doubt about the fact ; but the
question is, how can a feather change its color, when its blood-
vessels and nerves are dried and dead, as is the case with every
feather soon after it has reached its full growth. Dr. Weinland
had only heard of one explanation, viz : that the wearing away
of the fine laminae of the veins of the feather, the so-cqlled
pinnul^e, might produce the change of color. This seemed to him
not only an unphysiological view of the subject, that a bird
should get its wedding-plumage by such a kind of decay of the
feather, but, in the cases which he had observed, the changed
feathers showed no traces of such a wearing process. The fol-
lowing explanation of the fact seemed to him the most natural :

36

Conservators of museums very frequently notice that certain
birds in the collections bleach, particularly Avhen exposed to
light. A red-breasted Merganser {Mergus merganser) which
Dr. Weinland saw, when just shot, with a red breast, and which,
after having been deposited in the museum for some time, pre-
sented a pale whitish breast, showed this very remarkably. He
afterward obtained a bird of the same kind, and, when fresh,
examined its breast-feathers with a high power of the micro-
scope, and found all the pinnulte filled in spots with lacunes of a
reddish fluid, which, from the dark appearance of their margins,
seemed to be of an oily character. Some weeks afterwards the
same feathers, having been exposed to the light, had become
nearly white, and he found in the pinnulje, instead of the reddish
lacimes, only air-bubbles, which it is known produce a white color,
as in the case of the lily, which is rendered white by the air in
its cells. This observation led him to the conclusion, that in this
case the evaporation of the reddish fluid, and the filling of the
spaces with air, produce the change of color. If this fluid is an
oily matter, as there is reason to suppose, it will be readily
admitted, physiologically, that it may be furnished by the organ-
ism, by imbibition through the tissues, in consequence of a certain
disposition of the nerves leading to the skin and to the sac of
the feather in the skin, (even if the vessels and the nerve in the
feather itself should be dried,) for fat goes through all tissues
without resistance, and also through horn. Thus the fat coloring
matter may flow out into the feathers during the time of reproduc-
tion, which is the richest season in every living organism ; and
then again, from want of food, cold temperature, weakness,
decrepitude, or from strong emotions of the central nervous
system, from sudden terror or grief, — the same coloring fat may
be called back to furnish the suffering organism.

This process, effected by different physiological conditions of
the organism, seems to be a reasonable explanation of the fact,
that many northern mammalia and birds become white in winter,
while they ai'e dark-colored in summer ; that the hair of men
or mamraaha, or the feathers of birds, may become suddenly
gray or white from sudden terror, hard labor, or debility, while
they are dark colored in mature life or in the more vigorous sea-
sons of the organism. And if we add the hypothesis, that in the

37

oily fluid there may take place still other chemical processes,
efl^ected by difFerent conditions of the nervous system, such as
oxidation or deoxidation, we may explain in this way still other
changes^of color; for instance, from yellow, through red, to black ;
which, from observations made during the last winter, seems to
be really the case in certain turtles (^Emys picta and marginata).

Mr. Charles J. Sprague exhibited specimens of the
Phallus duplicatus, Lin., in its immature as well as
mature condition, and read an account of its structure
and mode of growth. In conclusion, he remarked that
this fungus is not common, though it is found from time
to time after rains in shady places. Its odor is intolera-
bly strong and disagreeable ; but the strangeness as well
as beauty of its structure will repay an examination,
which may particularly offend the sense of smell. It is
common in Europe, and has been described and figured
by most of the writers upon Mycology.

Prof. Agassiz remarked that he was not aware that this
fungus is rare in this country. He had observed it in
his garden at Cambridge. He thought the American
had a different shade of green from the European, though
this had not been noticed by Mr. Sprague. He had a
large specimen preserved in alcohol, which he should like
to compare with the European plant.

Prof. Agassiz stated that Dr. Augustus Miiller had recently
pubHshed a paper on the Embryology of Petromyzon, (the
Lamprey,) presenting facts hardly to be credited if they had not
emanated from such authority. In the family of Cyclostome
Fishes, thei^e have been placed two characteristic genera, viz :
Petromyzon and Ammocetes. From the egg of Petromyzon,
Miiller says he has raised Ammocetes, and he has likewise seen
the latter become a Petromyzon. It is now well established, that
fishes undergo a form of metamorphosis as well as insects. Prof.
Agassiz had himself, within a few weeks, had an opportunity of
studying the embryology of a species of shark {Acantheus Ameri-

38

canus). He had found the yolk, not surrounded by an amnios,
but resting in the centre of an area vasculosa, and presenting, in
its early development, other peculiarities only known to exist in
the egg-laying vertebrata. He considered Plagiostomes a dis-
tinct class of animals from fishes, and he thought it probable that
Cyclostomes should also be separated as a class. He could not
refer to one class animals developed in such different modes.
The number of classes into which the animal kingdom is divided
— into six by Linnteus, into sixteen by Cuvier, and into twenty-
nine by Ehrenberg — shows that anatomical differences are in-
sufficient for a proper determination of classes. He proposed
that the general plan of structure be a test for types, and the
manner in which this plan is developed the test for classes.

Prof. Agassiz, in alluding to the probability of a fecundation
of the egg whilst in the ovary, a question discussed at the last
meeting, stated that Dr. Weinland had found, in the viviparous
Zoarces anguillaris, that the ovarian bag (Graafian Vesicle) of
the mature eggs was not a simple sac, but a double one ; and
further, that this double sac was not continuous over the com-
plete circumference of the egg, but that a disc of considerable
size remained uncovered at the upper part, where the spermatozoa
might come in contact with the yolk membrane. Dr. Weinland
had also found the same condition in the skates and turtles.
Pi'of. Agassiz thought that the same organization would be found
in all Vertebrata.

Mr. Charles Stodder informed the Society that Mr.
Samuels, the Society's Collector, had returned from
California.

Mr. Samuels reports that he arrived at Petaluma,
California, December 1, 1855, and left, in consequence of
ill health, on the 4th of July, 1856. He explored the
country, and collected specimens, in the distance of
twenty miles east, north, and west of Petaluma, being
portions of the two counties of Sonoma and Marine.

He has sent to the Smithsonian Institution eleven
large boxes, containing between 900 and 1000 species,
and many thousand specimens.

39

He has received important and valuable assistance
from his brother, Mr. Uriah Samuels, who collected while
he was sick or engaged in putting up and preparing the
specimens, besides giving him a home for the whole
time, without which it would have been impossible to
have accomplished so much, with the small funds pro-
vided.

It was voted that the thanks of the Society be pre-
sented to Mr. Uriah Samuels for his kindness, and for
the valuable assistance rendered the Society.

Mr. Whittemore read a letter from Mr. J. A. Conrad,
of Philadelphia. Mr. C. desires to collect specimens of
shells and fossils in the Western States for the Society
or for individuals.

It was voted that a report of the late excursion of the
Society to Hingham be entered upon the records of the
Society.

The Corresponding Secretary acknowledged the re-
ception of the following letters, viz : From Robert Ken-
nicott and James C. Parkinson, returning thanks for
election as Corresponding Members, and offering to
transmit communications ; from the Madison, Wiscon-
sin, Historical Society, requesting an interchange of pub-
lications ; from Edward Charles worth, requesting an
exchange of the Journal for the publications of the York-
shire Philosophical Society ; two communications from
the Royal Academy of Sciences at Madrid.

40

September 3, 1856.
The President in the Chair.

A letter was read from M. Alexis Perry, of Dijon,
France.

A letter was read from Dr. Samuel Kneeland, Jr.,
notifying the Society of his resignation of the office of
Curator of Ichthyology, and presenting a catalogue of
the Comparative Anatomy Cabinet, a portion of the
catalogue of the vertebrata which he had undertaken to
complete.

A communication was read from the city authorities,
inviting the Society to unite in the ceremonies of the
inauguration of the statue of Franklin.

It was voted to accept the invitation, and a com-
mittee, consisting of Messrs. Stodder, Jackson, and Whit-
temore, was appointed to make the proper arrangements.

Dr. Durkee, in behalf of the committee appointed to
consider the question of purchase of the Entomological
Cabinet of the late Dr. Harris, reported, that the com-
mittee had examined the collection and found it in
perfect preservation ; containing between four and five
thousand species of American, besides a collection of
foreign insects. The committee proposed that a sum of
money should be raised, by subscription, for the purchase
of the cabinet. Messrs. Amos Binney and James M.
Barnard were added to the committee.

The Secretary read the following communication from
Prof. William B. Rogers : —

So far as I have yet explored the quarry in the Quincy and
Braintree belt, containing the remarhahle fossil Trilobites to

41

which I referred at the preceding meeting of the Society, I find
that they belong chiefly, if not altogether, to one species, which,
on the authority of Agassiz, as well as my own comparison with
Barrande's descriptions and figures, is undoubtedly a Paradoxides.
Of its specific affinities I will not now speak, further than to
remark that the specimens agree more closely with Barrande's
P. sphiostcs than with any other form.

As the genus Paradoxides is peculiar to the lowest of the
paleozoic I'ocks in Bohemia, Sweden, and Great Britain, marking
the Primordial division of Barrande, and the lingidar flags of
the British survey, we shall probably be called upon to place the
fossiliferous belt of Quincy and Braintree on or near the horizon
of our lowest paleozoic group, that is to say, somewhere about the
level of the Primal rocks, the Potsdam Sandstone and the Pro-
tozoic Sandstone of Owen, containing Dikelocephalus in Wis-
consin and Minnesota.

Tims for the flrst time we are furnished with data for fixing
conclusively the paleozoic age of any portion of this tract of
ancient and highly altered sediments, and what is more, for defining
in regard to this region the very base of the paleozoic column,
and that too hy the same fossil inscriptions which mark it in
various parts of the old world.

One of the most curious facts relating to the Trilobite of the
Quincy and Braintree belt, is its seeming identity with the Para-
doxides ffarlani, described by Green, in his monograph of North
American Trilobites. This description, which is quite imperfect,
was made out from a specimen of unknown locality procured some
twenty-five years ago, thi'ough Dr. Harlan, from the collection of
our well-known mineralogist, Mr. Francis Alger. The identity
is, I think, established by the comparison of a nearly complete
specimen of the Braintree fossil with the cast of P. Harlani
taken from Mr. Alger's specimen, the original never having been
returned. Considering the perfect agreement in lithological
character of the matrix as described by Green with that of the
Quincy fossils, and the immediate recognition of this agreement
in mineral features by Mr. Alger on seeing my Quincy speci-
mens, we can hardly doubt that the original specimen of P.
Harlani come either directly, or through the drift scattered in
the vicinity, from the same fossiliferous belt.

42

Dr. C. T. Jackson presented to the Society a cast of a
very perfect specimen of the Trilobite (Paradoxides
Tessini, or Harlani.) mentioned in Prof. Rogers's paper,
which was obtained by him from the slate quarry at
Braintree, on the 9th of August last. He also exhibited
a cast of the specimen referred to by Prof. Rogers, which,
from the character of the rock, he thought was undoubt-
edly obtained from the same ledge, and which was pur-
chased by Mr. Francis Alger, at the breaking up of the
old Columbian Museum of Boston, some twenty-five
years ago, and was originally presented to that museum
by some one residing in this vicinity.

Mr. Alger's specimen is in a sharj), angulai", prismatic mass of
rock, having all the appearances of having been broken from the
rocks in place, and certainly was not a boulder.

From the existence of this specimen, and also from the frequent
discovery of fragments of Trilobites in the erratic rocks on
George's Island, geologists were prepared for the discovery of
them in some of the ledges of this neighborhood, but no one
ever thought of looking among the pinched up and metamorphic
slates between the Quincy and Braintree Sienito hills for any
fossils, until they were actually disclosed by the quarrying opera-
tions of the Messrs. Haywood at Braintree ; and one of our
members, Peter Wainwright, Esq., recognized them as trilobites,
and as subjects of great scientific interest, and called the atten-
tion of professed geologists to the locality.

About five years ago, Mr. Eliphas Haywood first observed
these fossils on opening his stone quarry for the purpose of
obtaining underpinning and ballast stones. Without knowing
their nature, he still looked upon them as interesting curiosities,
and laid aside the specimens which have lately been brought
before this Society.

He showed them to Mr. Wainwright, who at once recognized
them as trilobites, and brought them to Boston for the inspection
of geologists, and presented two specimens to our associate. Prof.
Wm. B. Rogers, to whom the Society is indebted for the first
notice of these remarkable fossils, so important in the determina-

43

tion of our geognostic horizon. A few days after Prof. Rogers's
visit to the quarry, Dr. Jackson, by invitation of Mr. Wainwright,
visited it, and made a minute examination of all the geological
phenomena which it presents, and obtained specimens of the
trilobites through the kindness of Mr. Haywood, and by search
at the quarry in company with Mr. Wainwright. Two speci-
mens were obtained, one entire, which is 8^ inches long and 4
inches wide.

The other, of which only the head and half the body was
obtained is 6 inches wide, and its hood is 7-^ inches across by
the base of the head ; hence the length of this specimen must
have been 12^ inches at least, which is about the size of the
largest specimens of the Paradoxides Tessini discovered in
Sweden. The smaller individual has twenty-one articulations,
but none in the tail beyond the lateral appendages, and in this
respect differs from the P. Tessini, its nearest analogue, which
has, according to Brongniart, four faintly marked depressions or
folds crossing the tail transversely. They may have been oblit-
erated in our specimen by the changes the rock has undergone.

These Trilobites of Braintree occur in a blue gray argillaceous
slate, containing silicate of lime, but no carbonate, and some
disseminated iron pyrites. The stratification of the rock, as
indicated by its grain and cleavages, dips to the north 50'', and
runs east and west. It is but slightly altei'ed by heat in those
portions where the trilobites are found, but near the Sienite rocks
it is filled with nodules of Epidote, and closely resembles the
altered slates of Nahant. There is a small vein of quartz, bear-
ing iron pyrites in it, which cuts through the slate strata at right
angles. There are also slickensides surfaces on some of the
cleavages or joints in the quarry, indicating, as is supposed, the
polishing effects of rapid earthquake movements at the period of
disturbance of the strata at the time of their disruption by in-
truded Sienite. These are all the marks discoverable of meta-
morphic action of igneous rocks on their sedimentary strata,
though the slate rocks are hemmed in by the Sienite rocks on
both sides, and the belt of slate is quite narrow.

On a hill near the quarry. Dr. Jackson could see the tall
steeple of the Baptist Church in Somerset Street, Boston, and
on taking its bearings with the compass, it was found to be

44

N. 10° W. ; and Nahant would be a little to the east of north.
The Braintree rocks would then dip under those of Nahant,
unless the same formation extends across the bay ; in which
case, the Nahant series would form its upper strata.

The existence of these Paradoxides in the argillaceous slates
of Braintree, proves them to belong to the lowest of the fossil-
iferous Silurian rocks, and that they are the geological equivalents
of the argillaceous slates of Sweden, which are in a similar
manner disrupted by the intrusion of Sienite. It is certainly
interesting to find the base of the silurian system resting within
the limits of old Massachusetts.

The President stated that he had recently examined
the electric apparatus in the tail of one of our common
skates {Raia Icevis).

The electric organs have been noticed by several anatomists,
but have been fully described in Raia hatis and other species by
Robin. . In the species dissected by Dr. Wyraan, the organs
were more largely developed, extended further up into the base
of the tail, and were more uncovered by the muscles, posteriorly,
than in the ones examined by Robin. Thus far, no positive proof
has been adduced to show that the organs in question really
constitute an electric apparatus. Structurally they resemble
those of the Torpedo and Gymnotus, but have not been observed
to evolve electricity, though it has been stated that if a living
skate is held by the tail, an electric shock is felt.

The President also stated that he had seen the horny shell of the
egg of the skate in the process of formation. He had found one
in each oviduct, surrounded by the glandular enlargement which
is visible near its middle. That portion of the duct was very
much thickened, and mainly consisted of long tubular follicles,
opening into its cavity. Although the shells were partially
formed, the yolks had not yet descended into the duct; many of
them were nearly mature. If this be a normal state of things,
then we have, thus far, an unobserved example of the shell
being formed previous to the descent of the ovum. The shell
forms a pocket, open at the upper extremity, and through this
opening, which is never wholly closed, the egg probably descends
into its cavity.

45

Dr. Durkee exhibited specimens of Goliathus giganteus^
from the interior of Africa; a male and female Katy-did,
{Platyphyllum concavum,) from Milton, Mass. ; and two
male specimens of Spectrum femoratum, Say, commonly
known as Walking Sticks, from Brookline.

Dr. Keep presented a cast of a fourth molar tooth,
occurring in the left side of the upper jaw of a human
subject. The tooth was not of full size.

The President observed that there was a fourth molar
in the skeleton of the Chimpanzee in the Society's
Cabinet.

The following gentlemen were elected Corresponding
Members, viz : Winthrop Sargent, of Natchez, Miss. ;
Dr. John S. Newberry, of Cleveland, Ohio; William F.
Robinson, of Ceres, McKean Co., Penn. ; and John R.
Blake, of Greensboro', Ga.

The following gentlemen were elected Resident Mem-
bers, viz : Albert Fearing, S. H. Pearce, Augustine Shurt-
leff, John S. Foster, and Frank D. Cobb.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

July 2d. A collection of Shells, including eighty-seven species from Herkimer
Co., N. Y., and twenty species from Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio; presented by
Dr. James Lewis, of Mohawk, N. Y. ( Virle catalogue on p. 1, Vol. VI.)

July 16th. Parasitic Crustaceans known as Salve Bugs ; by Mr. Addison Gott,
of Rockport, Mass. A Serpent and Salamander, from St. Mary's, Elk Co., Penn. ;
by Dr. C. T. Jackson. A Bat, from Cuba; by Dr. A. A. Gould. A Rattlesnake,
Croialus dur'issits, killed in Milton, Mass.; by Dr. C. C. Holmes. Two specimens
of Argus Pheasant, Argus giganteus, male and female, from Malacca; by Oscar
Gassett, Esq. Salmo erylhrogaster, from Moosehead Lake ; two specimens of
Salmo fonlinalis ; a specimen of a probably undescribed species from the Great
Schoodic Lakes ; two Smelts ; and three specimens of different species of Alosa,
from the Penobscot River and the sea near its mouth ; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr.

August 6tb. A bottle of Fishes from the western coast of Africa; by Mrs.
George S. Hillard.

Sept. 3d. A collection of specimens from California, consisting of Birds, Mam-
mals, Corals, and Molluscs; by James Tallant, Esq., of Concord, N. H. Two
young Sea-Turtles, from Penang, E. Indies; by Capt. George E. Tyler, of Dor-

46

Chester. Three specimens of Prairie Massasanga, Crotahphorus tergeminus ;
three Spotted Water-Adders, Nevodia sipedon ; Prairie Water- Adder, Rer/ina Gra-
hamii; Eutamia proxima, E. radix, E. sirtalis ; Green Snake, Coluber vernalis ;
received in exchange from Robert Kennicott, Esq., of Illinois. Two specimens
of Hyla triseriata ; one of Hemidactylum scutatum ; one of Ameira sexlineata ;
two of Salamandra symmetrica ; two of Salamandra of unknown species ; one of
Amhystoma punctata ; two of Amhystoma lurida ; two of Cestudo Blandingii ; ten
of Emys picta ; two of Heterodon 2)latyrrhinos ; by Dr. J. N. Borland.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING SEPT. 30, 1856.

Gliederung der Bevolkerung des Bayern. Von Hei-mann. 4to. Pamph.
Miinchen, 1855. From the Author.

The Red Sandstone Formation of Pennsylvania, and Genera and Species of
Shells. Isaac Lea. 8vo. Pamph. Philadelphia, 1856. From the Author.

American Geology. Bj^ Eben Emmons. Vol. I. 8vo. Albany, 1855. From
the Author.

Annual Report of the Trustees of the New York State Library. 8vo. Pamph.
Albany, 1856. From the Trustees.

Memoires de la Soci^t^ Royale des Sciences de Liege. Tome X. 8vo. Li^ge,
1855. From the Societe Royale.

Plantse Kaneanse Grajnlandicce. By E. Dnrand. 4to. Pamph. 1856. -From
the Author.

Rede in der offentlichen Sitsung der Konigl. Akademie der Wissenschaften.
Von Thiersch. 4to- Pamph. Miinchen, 1855. From the Author.

History and description of the Skeleton of a New Sperm Whale in the Aus-
tralian Museum. By Wm. S. Wall. 8vo. Sydney, 1851. From the Aulhoi:

Thii'd supplement to Dana's Mineralogy. 8vo. Pamph. 1856. From the
Author.

Synopsis of Entozoa and some of their Ecto-congeners. By Joseph Leidy,
M. D. 8vo. Pamph. Philadelphia, 1856.

Descriptions of some Remains of Fishes from the Carboniferous and Devonian
Formations of the United States. Also, Descriptions of some Remains of Ex-
tinct Mammalia. By Joseph Leidy. 4to. Pamph. Philadelphia, 1856. From
the Author.

Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Vol. V. New
Series. 4to. Cambridge and Boston, 1855.

Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Vol. III.
pp. 185-248. 8vo. 1855-6. From the Academy.

Description of a New Genus of Crinoidea. By L. P. Yandell, M. D. 8vo.
Pamph. 1856.

Notice of a Fossil Genus, Blastoidea, from the Devonian Strata. Kentucky.
8vo. Pamph. By B. F. Shumard, M. D., and L. P. Yandell, M. D. 1856. From
the Authors.

Statistical Information relating to certain Branches of Industry of Massachu-
setts. By Francis DeWitt. 8vo. Boston, 1856.

Third Annual Report of the Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Agricul-
ture. 8vo. Boston, 1856. From C. L. Flint.

47

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. VI. No. 55. Phil-
adelphia, 1856.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. No. 64, for July, 1856.
8vo. New Haven.

Gelehrte Antzeigen herausgegeben von Mitgliedern der K. Bayer. Akademie
der Wissenschaften. Band 40, 41.

Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London, Nos. 1, 2. 8vo.
Pamph. London, 1856.

New York Medical Times. Nos. 10, 11, 12.

New York Journal of Medicine. Vol. I. Nos. 1, 2.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia. Vol. VIIL
No. 3, pp. 101-138. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1856.

Proceedings of the Essex Institute. Vol. I. 8vo. 1848-56. Salem, Mass.
Received in Exchange.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Nos. 102-105. London, 1856.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Nos. 45, 46. London, 1856.

Genera of Recent Mollusca. By H. and A. Adams. Part 26. London, 1856.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Part 22, for 1854. Illus-
trated.

Monographia Auriculaceorum Viventium. Auct. L. Pfeiffer, Dr. 8vo. Pamph.
CasseUis, 1856.

Cj'clostomaceen. Zweite Abtheilung. Bearbeitet von Dr. L. Pfeiffer. 4to.
Niirnberg, 1853. From the Courtis Fund.

Life of George Washington. By Washington Irving. Vol. HI. 8vo. New
York, 1856.

History of Massachusetts — The Provincial Period. By J. S. Barry. 8vo.
Boston, 1856.

Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and
Japan in 1852-4, under the command of Commodore M. C. Perry, U. S. Navy.
By F. L. Hawks, D.D., LL.D. 8vo. New York, 1856.

History and Antiquities of Boston, from 1630 to 1770. By S. G. Drake. 8vo.
Boston, 1856.

Works of John Adams. With a life of the Author. By C. F. Adams. Vol.
I. and X. 8vo. Boston, 1856. Deposited by the Rejmblican Institution.

October 1, 1856.
The President in the Chair.

Dr. S. L. Abbot was chosen Secretary, pro tern.

Prof. Agassiz called the attention of the Society to
several living specimens of young Gar-pikes, from Lake
Ontario.

48

They were remarkable, he said, as still preserving certain em-
bryological characters. The most conspicuous of these vvas the
prolongation of the vertebral column in the form of a fleshy
filament, distinct from the caudal fin, which had at times a vibrat-
ing motion, involuntary, and quite distinct from the motions of
the tail itself, as is seen in some embryos. This singular formation
shows that the caudal fin is properly an appendage to the lower
surface of the dorsal column, a true second anal, and not the
proper termination of the column. The specimens exhibited
showed their affinity to reptiles, by their motions and attitudes ;
the spine being more flexible than in ordinary fishes, and their
position, when at rest, being frequently more or less bent, par-
ticularly towards the tail ; peculiarities arising from the ball and
socket joints of the vertebrae, — a proper reptilian arrangement.
The manner of feeding also is unlike that of fishes, and resem-
bles that of reptiles. Other fishes take their food with open
mouth, and swallow it at once ; but this one approaches its prey
slyly, sidewise, and suddenly seizing it holds it in its jaws, until,
by a series of movements, it succeeds in getting it into a proper
position for swallowing, as is the habit with alligators and lizards.
The ball of food in the body of this fish is seen to move gradu-
ally, as it distends the body in its progress, from one end to the
other, as is seen in snakes. This fish is also remarkable for the
large quantity of air which escapes from its mouth. The source
of this Prof. Agassiz had not been able satisfactorily to determine.
At certain times it approaches the surface of the water, and
seems to take in air, but he could not think that so large a
quantity as is seen adhering in the form of bubbles to the sides
of the gills could have been swallowed, nor could he suppose
that it could be secreted from the gills themselves. These differ-
ent interesting facts were noticeable in the specimens exhibited,
which were fed for the occasion on live minnows, the only food
they could be persuaded to take.

Dr. A. A. Hayes read by its title the following paper —

ON THE STATE IN WHICH PHOSPHATE OF LIME EXISTS IN
SEA-WATER.

In a description given to the Society of a consolidated phos-
phate of lime, arising from the action of atmospheric agents on

49

the arenaceous remains of the fish food of fowls of the Atlantic
islands, I alluded to the chemical process by which this solid
was formed. The solubility of the altered material, in water,
was also pointed out, the experiments on which these statements
were founded having been made two years earlier. At the time
of exhibiting some remarkably pure depositions from sea-water,
containing phosphate of lime, at a later meeting, want of time
prevented me from showing how phosphate of lime exists in sea-
water.

When bones of fish and of quadrupeds are moistened with sea-
water, or pure water, fermentation commences in the gelatinous
parts of tissues present, and, under a disengagement of several of
the volatile oily acids and ethers, a considerable mechanical
change takes place in the bones.

Similar etfects attend the changes when the bones are wholly
immersed in water; and if the temperature of the sun^ounding
air is 85*^ F., after the lapse of six or eight days, the turbid fluid,
containing fatty and crenic acids, holds in solution a portion of
phosphate of lime. A late chemical journal informs me that M.
Wohler, has since made the same observations on ordinary water
and water freed from carbonic acid, with the same results ; and
he deems them important to agriculturists, who can dissolve their
bones in water and apply the solution as a fluid fertilizer.

Interesting as this fact of the solution of bones in sea and
common water is, the explanation of how it takes place has
called for numerous experiments, and the truths arrived at apply
to the explanation of other phenomena of interest.

Bones immersed in sea-water, ordinary water, or boiled water,
dissolve to a very slight extent; rarely more phosphate of lime is
present than is due to the simple solution of bone-phosphate of
lime in gelatinous fluids. It is to a subsequent action that the
increased quantity of bone-phosphate is owing, and this action
arises from fermentation. The bones containing gelatine quickly
enter into fermentation or putrefy, and the bone-phosphate of lime,
consisting of three proportions of lime to one proportion of phos-
phoric acid, is presented to the fluid containing carbonic and
crenic acids. These acids unite to the lime of the bone-phosphate,
and separate, forming carbonate and crenate of lime. By losing
in this way one proportion of lime, the phosphate with two pro-

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI. 4 JANUARY, 1857.

50

portions of lime is left, and this, much more soluble than bone-
phosphate, remains in solution. As the fermentation proceeds,
more lime is removed from the phosphate dissolved, until two
proportions of the three usually found in bone-phosphate are
actually combined with the other acids. In this fluid, bone-
phosphate of lime dissolves to a greater extent than in water,
and in the experiments we find it present, so long as excess of
bone-phosphate remains. Some experiments have shown that
the carbonic and crenic acids have the power of removing still
more lime from the mono-phos2")hate remaining, so that the solu-
tions approach the state of phosphoric acid dissolved and car-
bonate and crenate of lime deposited. This complex action has
heretofore escaped attention, probably from the fact that on add-
ing solution of ammonia, bone-phosphate of lime falls, and this
quantity of bone-phosphate was assumed to be the whole phos-
phate dissolved. If, however, the liquor from which the bone-
phosphate has been removed, be treated with solution of double
chloride of calcium and ammonium, a much more voluminous
pi'ecipitate is obtained, arising from the combination of free phos-
phoric acid with the new proportion of lime added. There are
other chemical relations of interest, but I advert to one only, —
the solution containing the mono-phosphate, and even phosphoric
acid, from the fermenting mass, is slightly alkaline, and it does not
lose this character when heated to the boiling point ; — long boiling,
■with evaporation, gives rise to acidity, which manifests itself
slowly but decidedly. We can now explain the solution of the
phosphate of lime in the neutral fluids of the tissues in health,
and in the secretions and excretions where its presence is indi-
cated generally.

In sea-water, and in bittern even, bones decompose and dis-
solve, but the act is never one of simple solution after the
organic changes commence. An elimination of lime by acids
momentarily present, converts the bone-phosphate into mono-
phosphate, which is a soluble salt, and can exist under the con-
ditions in presence of carbonate of lime and magnesian salts.
No difficulty attends the experiment of thus separating from
sea-water a phosphate containing at least three proportions of
phosphoric acid to one of lime, there being present at the same
moment in solution, the ordinary tris-phosphate, and in this

51

mixed state the salt uniformly exists. In pi-ecipitates produced
in boiling sea-water, and in our analyses, we estimate the phos-
phoric acid as a bone-phosphate salt, which is not sti'ictly a
coi-rect statement. The results here given allow us to readily
explain by simple solution and evaporation the conversion of the
granular and finely divided fish bones into a solid, compact rock,
Avhere all traces of its granular form are lost.

The President gave an account of some fossil bones collected
in Texas. For these the Society is indebted to the liberality of
Dr. Charles Martin, Surgeon U. S. Navy. They were pur-
chased by him while attached to the Coast Survey dui-ing the
winter of 1 855-5 G, at the mouth of the Brazos River. They
were discovered in the bed of the river, during its low stage,
about fifty miles from the coast. The collection is very valuable
and interesting, not only as representing three distinct races of
gigantic quadrupeds, but as indicating a new locality in the
geographical distribution of the animals to which they belonged.
It is not a little remarkable that three such genera as Mastodon,
Elephant, and Megatherium, should be represented in a collection
of no more than eight specimens taken at random. Six of the
eight appear to have undergone similar changes of density and
mineralization ; these are the Symphysis of the lower jaw, an
ultimate Molar, and the Femur of an Elephant, the Tibia of
Megatherium, and the two Molars of a Mastodon. The others
are lighter colored, and much less dense. Coming as they do
from the bed of a river, it is impossible to determine how far
they were originally associated in the same geological formation.
It is not impossible that those first mentioned were from the
same locality.

1. Symphysis of the lower jaxo of cm Elephant. — The branches
of the jaw were broken ofi" on both sides ; that of the right a
little in advance of the alveolus, and that of the left just at the
alveolus. The fragments of the branches now remaining form
an open angle of about 112'^ to 115'^. The depth of the sym-
physis on its inner face is about five inches. The channel or
groove which is continued over the upper border of the jaw on
the median line, and descends towards the chin in front, is quite
short and reaches but little below the upper edge of the jaw.

52

The point of the symphysis is broken off at its base, but the
fractured surface indicates that it was only very imperfectly
developed. When compared with that of Elephas primigenius,
the chin is less prominent and the point not so much depressed.

2. Upper Molar of Elephant. — This has been much injured
by having been exposed in the bed of the river ; the fangs are all
broken oif, and a portion of its anterior extremity has been
destroyed, so that its original size cannot now be ascertained.
What the entire number of plates was on this tooth previous to
its coming into use it is also impossible to say. The fact, how-
ever, that all but four have become abraded, indicates that it had
been a long time in action. Its shape and proportions indicate
that it was an ultimate molar from the upper jaw.

The following table gives the dimensions and weight of the
tooth as compared with those of a right and left corresponding
molar discovered at Zanesville, Ohio, and now in the collection of
the late Dr. J. C. Warren.

Greatest length .....

Height when resting on the grinding surface

Length of grinding surface

Breadth of grinding surface

Whole number of laminae

Laminfe of grinding surface

Weight in pounds and ounces .

Zancsville

right

upper molar.

13i

13^1

lOJ.

11

8f

9

H

H

29

30

18

18

15

17

14

8J

lo'

19
15
19 J

From the above comparisons, it will be seen that while the
dimensions of the three molars vary but little, the number of
plates is quite different in the specimen from the Brazos from
what it is in those from Zanesville; there being from 10 to 11
more in the latter than the former. Is this a mere variation, or
is it an indication of a specific ditFerence ? This question cannot
be answered until we know more accurately than is now known,
the normal range of variation in these animals. So great a
variation as this in one and the same species has not as yet been
noticed.

53

3. Femur of Elephant. — This comprises only the lower half.
It is that of an animal fully adult, and belonged to an individual
of small size ; the shaft of the bone is more round than that of
Mastodon. Compared with that of the Cambridge skeleton, at
corresponding parts, the transverse diameter of the latter is 5^
inches, and the antero-posterior 3 inches ; of the fossil, the first
diameter is 4 and the second 2 J inches. The condyles examined
from behind are longer in a vertical direction and of a more
uniform width in the Mastodon than in the fossil elephant. This
animal must have been of very small size — probably not ex-
ceeding eight feet in height — and, as it is fully adult, must have
been very much smaller than the individual from which the molar
was derived.

4. Lower extremity of a Right Humerus of Mastodon 1 — This
belonged to an animal of large size. The outer condyle is par-
tially broken off; breadth across condyles 10 inches.

5. Ulna of the same.

6. An ultimate or sixth upper molar of Mastodon giganteus,
as shown by its gradual contraction from before backwards. It
is incomplete ; there are four ridges remaining, but the anterior
extremity is fractured. It is thickly invested with crusta
petrosa between the bases of the ridges. Its greatest breadth is
4^ inches. It diminishes in size from before backwards.

7. An idtimate loiver molar. — It is longer and naiTower than
the preceding, as is usually the case with lower molars compared
with upper.

Length ....... 7f inches.

Breadth 3f "

These two teeth have a similar aspect, and may have both
been derived from the same individual.

8. Tibia of Megatherium. — This was from the left side, and
consists of the lower half. The inferior extremity is well pre-
sei'ved. The inner tuberosity, which is thick, rounded, and in-
dented for the attachment of ligaments, exhibits on its posterior
face two grooves for the passage of the tendons of the flexor
muscles of the foot. These are both much less deep than the
groove seen on the corresponding portion of the tibia of the
Mylodon. The outer border of the bone is thinner, and presents
a rough, fractured surface, caused by the breaking off of the fibula,
which, in Megatherium, is anchylosed with the tibial,.

54

The articulating surface corresponds with that of the same part
in the Megatherium. It consists of two deep depressions, sep-
arated by a sharp ridge ; the inner depression is a segment of a
nearly spherical surface, and the outer forms a broad groove of
considerable length, and traverses the end of the bone obliquely
from before backwards and inwards. These surfaces correspond
Avith the peculiar configuration of the astragalus, which in Mega-
theroid animals is quite characteristic.

The dimensions of the fragment are as follows: —

Inches.
Breadth at the lower extremity . . . .13

Thickness of do .... 8

Breadth of upper extremity, fractured ... 8
Thickness of do .... 4.5

Transverse diameter of spherical concavity . . 4
Antero-posterior diameter of do ... 4.7

Transverse diameter of elongated articular surface . 4.7
Antero-posterior (oblique) do . 9.5

The circumference of the bone around the lower extremity,
without the fibula, is two feet seven inches ; that of the Madrid
specimen with the fibula is 2 feet 6^ inches.

The breadth of the Madrid specimen with the fibula is 12J-
inches, and that of the specimen from the Brazos River, without
the fibula, is 13 inches. The latter, therefore, must have belonged
to a much longer animal than the former.

In North America, the Megatherium has hitherto been found
only in two localities, viz : Skiddaway Island, on the coast of
Georgia, and on the banks of the Ashley River, in South Caro-
lina. Dr. Leidy, in his Memoir on the Extinct Sloth Tribe of
North America, gives a list of all the remains of the Megatherium
which have been discovered in the United States ; the upper half
of a tibia is described, but in no instance is the lower portion
mentioned. Since the animals, whose structure is known, from
North and South America, are of different species, he thinks the
North American Megatherium forms a distinct species, which he
calls M' mirabile. I have had no means of making a direct com-
parison of the bone from the Brazos River with the correspond-
ing part of the skeleton from South America ; and as the same
portion of bone from the M. mirabile has not yet been discovered,

55 ,

I am unable to say whether the species is identical with either of
the others or not.

Mr. John Green read a paper entitled —

SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE STRUCTURK OF BONE IN
FYTIION.

The ribs of Python are hollow, without cancelli, except at the
vertebral extrenaity, and in thickness they are about one fifth or
one sixth of the diameter of the bone. In the macerated and
dried bone, the cavity contains only adipocire and some remains
of a lining membrane. The nutritious artery enters near the
vertebral end of the rib, and passes directly through into the
medullary cavity.

The vertebra; are made up of a very dense osseous tissue,
with' cancelli in the upper and posterior parts of the bodies, and
in the interior of the spinous processes, and to a small extent in
the arches on each side of the great foramen.

The microscopic structure of the ribs is remarkable in the
total absence of Haversian canals. The lacuna; and canaliculi
are distinct, and the lamellar structure well marked. The
laraellffi are arranged in two series, the first (fundamental lamellae
of Kolliker) parallel to the external surface of the rib, and the
second series concentric with the medullary cavity and cutting
off many of the first series at an acute angle. This internal
series of lamella; appears to be a secondary deposit, taking place
after the formation (by absorption) of the central cavity, and is
homologous with the lamella; of the Haversian canals in human
bones, the medullary cavity itself corresponding to the Haversian
canal.

Under the microscope, the vertebra; present lamellie for the
most part parallel with the exterior of the bone, with lacunae
and canaliculi well marked, but with a few canals which in the
bodies have an antero-posterior direction, and pass directly
through the thickness of the bone. These canals vary consid-
erably in size, do not branch or anastomose, and are generally
not surrounded by lamellae, although, in a few canals, one or two
lamellae have been observed. The lacunjE correspond in arrange-
ment with the lamellar structure of the bone, and are entirely
independent of the canals.

56

Dr. Weinland read a paper on the motions of animals
as regarded from a psychological point of view.

The President stated that, within a few days, he had
made an experiment, upon a mouse, of the poisoning
powers of one of the living Rattlesnakes belonging to
the Society,

The mouse when put in the case with the snakes showed no
particular signs of fear, but occupied itself apparently in search-
ing for the readiest way of escaping, in the course of which it
repeatedly approached the reptiles, and sometimes crossed over
them. After being repeatedly struck at, it was wounded by one
of them, and died tetanic in the course of two minutes. It was
then taken from the case for the purpose of making an examina-
tion of the state of the blood. On being opened, the animal
proved to be a female far advanced in pregnancy, and the inter-
esting fact was noticed that the foetuses were alive for fourteen
minutes after the mouse was wounded ; the poison acting much
more promptly on the latter than the former, —a circumstance
not easy to be accounted for; — ^in reality the arrest of the cir-
culation was as likely to have been the cause of death in them as
the poison.

The Secretary inquired whether the arrest of the respiratory
function by the tetanus might not have been the cause of death
in the parent ; a cause which would not directly act upon the
young ?

Dr. "Wyman replied that he could not answer positively upon
this point, — the tetanus was universal.

After the body had been examined, it was returned to the case
with the snakes, and was swallowed in due time by the one which
had bitten it. The process of deglutition seemed to be per-
formed entirely by means of the upper jaws. On the fourth day
after being swallowed, the animal was voided entire, without
having been digested.

Prof. Agassiz spoke of a new work on Fishes by Duraeril,
which was in process of publication in a costly and elegant man-
ner. As to its scientific value it was entirely behind the present

57

day, and might as well have been written thirty years ago as
now. Prof. Agassiz proceeded to notice in detail many defects
in the system of classitication, pronouncing it a woi'k entirely
unworthy of confidence as scientific authority, and quite incon-
sistent with the reputation of its author.

Dr. Henry W. Williams was elected a Resident Mem-
ber.

October 15, 1856.

The President in the Chair.

Dr. C. T. Jackson stated that at the meeting of April
2d, a communication was received from Mr. Edward
Daniels of Illinois, upon a supposed conversion of human
bones into phosphorus. Since that time the supposed
bones had been shown to be the phosphorus of com-
merce ; but they resembled the long bones of a child,
having an enlarged extremity not unlike a condyle, and a
central canal, which is not uncommon in stick phospho-
rus, resembling the medullary canal.

Dr. Weinland made the following remarks upon the
Corrosion of the Shells of Freshwater Clams :

It is generally believed and stated in the books, that the coi*-
rosion of the shells of freshwater clams, which is observed upon
the beak, and which frequently extends over the whole surface
of the shell, as in Unio complanatus, Anodonta implicata, and
Lampsilis radiata, for instance, is effected by the dissolving prop-
erties of fresh water when irapi-egnated with carbonic acid. It
is supposed that the carbonate of lime is converted into the
bicarbonate, and in this state dissolved by the water. This pro-
cess may sometimes take place, but it does not seem to be the
commencement of the corrosion. In all the specimens of Ano-
donta implicata which he had recently collected at Fresh Pond,

58

(about sixty) lie found little holes, or channels, from one to three
lines in length, piercing the epidermis, and presenting sharp
edges, such as would not have been likely to result from a chemi-
cal process. Moreover, he found in many of these holes small
worms, and therefore he was inclined to suppose that they com-
mence the process of corrosion in the shell ; that they perforate
the epidermis, and after the removal of this, the chemical process
above alluded to may take place. How far the same supposition
may prove true with regard to sea-shells he was not prepared to
say.

The President offered some remarks on the morphol-
ogy of the urinary bladder of Batrachians.

Fi'om observations which he had recently made, he thought it
questionable whether they belonged to the group of Anallantoi-
dians, with which they had been generally classed. He com-
pared the urinary bladder of Frogs with that of Fishes and Scaly
Reptiles, and showed that structurally it resembled that of the
latter group. He was inclined to regard it as a rudimentary
allantois, inasmuch as it had the same anatomical relations to the
intestine and vascular system that the allantois has.

Mr, C. J. Sprague exhibited specimens of Cyclomyces,
recently collected by Mr. Denis Murray in the vicinity of
Boston, and made some remarks upon the peculiarities
of this genus of Fungi.

There are three principal arrangements of the spore-bearing
apparatus in the common table-formed fungi, which are so dis-
tinct as to be generally known to unscientific observers ; viz : in
radiating, thin plates, as in Agaricus ; in vertical pores, as in
Pohjporits ; and in vertical spines, as in Hi/dnum. The genus
Cyclomyces exhibits a series of narrow concentric plates from
the stipe to the margin, like seats in an amphitheatre. The
genus comprises but very few species, only one of which has
been detected in America, the Cyclomyces Greeneii found by Mr.
B. D. Greene in Tewksbury. A concentric arrangement of
spines is sometimes observed in some Hydnums.

Dr. Darkee exhibited a specimen of Goliathus gigan-

59

teus, from Africa. The wings, drawn out from beneath
the elytrae, measured four and one half inches from tip
to tip.

The following named gentlemen were elected Resident
Members, viz: Alfred E. Giles, 1. T. Talbot, of Boston ;
Ambrose Wellington of Cambridge, A. T. Cummings of
Roxbury, and Edwin Harrison of the Lawrence Scien-
tific School.

November 5, 1856.

The President in the Chair.

Dr. David F. Weinland read the following paper,
entitled -

OBSERVATIONS ON A NEW GENUS OF T^NIOIDS.

In the middle of April, 1856, I found a single living sjiecimen
of a new kind of tapeworm in the small intestine of our gold-
winged woodpecker (Picus auratus). This Taenia is remarkable
for the structure of its organs of reproduction.

As in the human tapeworm {Tcenia solhini), so also in this, the
genital openings alternate from one articulation to the next ; but
in the former, and as seems generally to be the case in T^enioids,
the testicles lie in the middle of each articulation. (See Von
Siebold, Vergleichende Anatomic der wirbellosen Thiere, pri47 ;
and the figure in Blanchard, Recherches sur Forganization des
Vers, pi. 15; f. 4, 7.) They were placed, on the contrary, in
the tapeworm of the woodpecker, in the anterior part of the
articulation, just in front of the genital opening, fiUing up by a
large mass of convolute spermatic canals all that part of the
articulation, and thus excluding from it the uterus. Further-
more, the uterus did not consist of branched, treelike canals,
(see Blanchard, 1. c.) but on the contrary of a large number of
balls, perhaps connected with each other by slender ducts. Von
Siebold, 1. c. p. 146, and note 23, seems to speak of a similar

60

structure observed by liim or Delia Cliiaje in Taenia ocellaia,
and Dujardin (Histoire naturelle des Helminthes, Paris, 1845)
has observed exactly the same structure of the uterus in a tape-
worm of the European Picas major.

As in other tapeworms, the spermatozoa were very fine, fili-
form, of one diameter throughout, without the so-called head or
body of other spermatozoa. But what was very strange, these
spermatozoa were of very different lengths; some twice, thrice,
or even four times as long as others. Moreover, they would
readily break into pieces, and were not so soft and pliable as
they generally are. I saw several break into two pieces, (par-
ticularly when coming out from the cirrus-bag,) and both pieces
moved on. Whether this phenomenon occurred accidentally, or
whether it was a natural characteristic of these spermatozoa, I
am at a loss to say. No water was used in the examination, of the
bad effects of which upon spermatozoa I am fully aware. In either
case this is a subject worthy the investigation of physiologists ;
for such a power of division would imply a nature in these sper-
matozoa entirely different from what we have hitherto observed.
Other spermatozoa present individual elements ; on the contrary,
those of this tapeworm would be really dividual, at least virtually,
as they have the faculty of dividing and thus multiplying them-
selves. Not the slightest difference could be observed, in activ-
ity, movement, or form, between the divided portions and the
whole animals ; so that we may suppose, that each of the divided
pieces had the fructifying power, as well as the others. Further-
more, the motion of these spei-raatozoa was extraordinary.
Whilst others move in a peculiar, quick, vibratory manner, these
progi-Css much more slowly, in a succession of long curves,
reminding one of the motion of an eel at the bottom of a
river.

This same tapeworm is also remarkable for the strange shape
of its eggs. While the eggs of tapeworms generally are globular
or oval, the shape of these was that of a large ball running out
on both sides into tubes which terminated in balls, of about half
the diameter of the central one. I found these eggs in all stages
of development, some containing nothing but a clear yolk, while
others presented embryos with six little spines. The yolk as
well as the embryo was found only in the central ball, and there

61

also the yolk membrane terminated. Thus the lateral tubes of
the egg, as well as the balls in which they terminated, are to be
considered merely as excrescences and appendages of the outer
(the third) coating of the egg. Similar appendages to the eggs of
tapeworms have been met with previously by other observers ;
namely, threads running out on two sides in Tcenia wfandibuli-
formis and plaiiiceps by Von Siebold, (1. c. p. 148,) and Tcenia
cyathiformis by Dujardin, (1. c. p. 568, and figured PI. 9, Fig.
R. 2,) while Von Siebold (1. c.) describes the eggs of the same
worm as provided at the pointed ends of their outer pear-shaped
coatings, with two bladder-like appendages, which remind one
more of the new form just described. Two delicate tufts, one on
each side, have been observed by Meissner in Mermis nigres-
cens (Beitraegc zur Anatomie und Physiologie der Gordiaceen,
in Von Siebold and Kolliker's Geitschrift fur Wiss. Zool. VII.
Taf. II., Fig. II.) and by Siebold, 1. c. in Tcenia variabilis. All
these appendages belong to the third coating of the egg, adjoining
the so-called chorion. Analogous appendages are found in the eggs
of sharks and skates. Some of the embryos were hatched under
my eyes, and, in spite of the greatly different organization of the
adult worms, their organization was seen to be throughout identical
with that of the embryos of the genuine Ta^nias, (those of man, dog,
cat, etc.) namely, a roundish disk, containing smaller and larger
granules, and provided with six little spines, disposed in three
pairs, two lateral and one in front. We might ask here, is it
only the simplicity of organization which causes this similarity of
such incipient organisms, which are so distant from each other
when adults ? or is it perhaps rather the real and material ex-
pression of the ideal unity of such a type (that of Ttenioids, for
instance) ? The embryos of all Dicotyledonous plants start with
a little root and two leaflets, whatever difference they may ex-
hibit, when full grown, in relation to the organs of nutrition,
respiration, or reproduction ; they may have the complicated
flowering of a rose, or the simple perigon of an oak. Thus every
Dicotyledonous embryo exhibits materially the unity of that great
diversified type. Again the simple cell, from which both ani-
mals and plants originate, represents materially that j^deal unity
which embraces all living beings. If this be so, the question
arises, can we extend this principle, which has already laid open

62

or strengthened such natural divisions as Dicotyledonous and
Monocotyledonous plants, over all natural groups ? Is it the stand-
ard of every type or group ? Is it the proof of its foundation in
nature, that its members exhibit materially their unity by iden-
tity of organization at any time of their embryonic development?
"We think that it is impossible to answer this question for want
of embryological data, but in relation to the Tajnioids, which we
will call a family, its truth is remarkably evident. We form
a natural group of all those Tcenias, the embryos of which show
that disk-like body with six spines. We might call them Hexe-
chinidaj. Many genera with very different structure in relation
to the reproductive organs, the number and disposition of the
hooks, the form of the proboscis, &c. &c., are included in it.
Even their forms when adult are not the same, but we have a
doubt whether we ought not, in basing, as Agassiz has taught us,
families upon foi'ms, to make, at least in the lower animals, this
allowance, that the guiding form is often not exhibited in the
adult animal, but only in a much earlier, perhaps in its embryonic
state. We allude here particularly to all those animals in which
an alternation of generation is observed, such as Cirripeds, etc.

The neiv genus, which we found upon the structural peculiari-
ties mentioned above, we will call Liga, and the species, from its
many yellowish-brown dots, punctata.

A full description of both genus and species, with drawings,
will be given on some future occasion.

Dr. Gould asked if there is around the mouth of the common
tapeworm {^T<snia soliuin) a row of hooks, as is commonly fig-
ured in descriptions of the head of this animal.

Dr. Weinland replied that there is a row of hooks at the base
of the proboscis, which move with the invagination of this organ,
and which consequently may appear in different jDositions.

Dr. Gould asked where the embryos of the tapeworm were
obtained.

Dr. Weinland replied that they exist in the articulations of the
old worm, in all stages of development, and may be removed by
incision and pressure upon the joint.

Prof. Agassiz observed that the ova of Botriocephalus latus,
which is common in Switzerland, may possibly be introduced into
the human body by the vegetables used for salad, which are ma-

63

nured with liquid taken directly from the vaults. Pie was not
aware, however, of the ova liaviug been found upon the plants.

Dr. Weinland, in reply to a question as to the manner in
which these animals reach the brain and other organs, answered
that he had seen, in one instance, a passage through a membrane
without any trace being left in it ; and that it was not impossible
that penetration could be elFected thi'ough many tissues and to a
considerable distance.

Prof. Agassiz remarked that, at a previous meeting, he
had stated that it would probably be found necessary to
divide what is now called the Class of Fishes into sev-
eral distinct classes.

He could not yet say what position the Ganoids would take, —
whether that of a sepai'ate class or of an order ; — but it is certain
that they form a natural group. Stui-geons and gar-pikes belong
together, though they differ so much in external appearance ; and
Prof. Agassiz gave, as one of the points of resemblance serving
to unite the two, the manner of development of the scales. The
small gar-pikes, (^Lepidosteus,) recently exhibited by him, pre-
sented scales just beginning to form. In the youngest speci-
men thei'e was a row along the middle line of the body ; in
another, more advanced in age, there was a row of scales above
and below the median line also, where the scales first appear.
Towards the tail the scales were crowded together, and were of a
rhomboidal form, covering the posterior lobe of the body, and
extending to the fin rays. The same method of development
Prof. Agassiz had noticed in the sturgeon, and the same rhom-
boidal scales upon the tail. He expects to find the mouth be-
neath the snout in the embryo Lepidosteus, as it is in the stur-
geon, and still other coincidences in the embryonic form.

The President inquired in what order the scales appear in
osseous fishes.

Prof. Agassiz replied that he could not answer. He had seen
the scales in Salmonida3 extremely small, but never at a suffi-
ciently early period to determine the order of development.

Mr. James E. Mills gave the results of an investigation
made under the direction of Prof. Agassiz, to determine

64

more accurately the proper characters of family groups,
especially as illustrated in the order of Turtles.

It was readily seen on examination that there were several
groups of genera in that order. Whenever the general form
was considered to be the peculiar character of a group, the whole
order became readily divisible into well-distinguished families,
and their value as natural groups was easily recognized. By
general form, he did not mean vague form, with its particulars
so eliminated as to apply to a wider group than a genus from
its very indefiniteness ; but a form with fixed and definite ele-
ments, having their origin in the disposition of the whole
structure, a disposition arising from the habits, manner of loco-
motion, &c. of the animal.

The families thus demonstrated to exist amongst North Amer-
ican turtles are seven, constituting two natural groups, which are
distinguished by different modes of locomotion, and the resul-
tant general symmetry, or simplicity, or complication of structure.
They are therefore designated as sub-orders, those of Sea-Turtles
and of Emyda3. The Sea-Turtles live free in the water, and
move principally by means of the front limbs, after a manner
very much like the flying of birds ; the anterior extremity is
reduced to a kind of wing, and the posterior to a kind of paddle.
The EmydiB move principally upon the solid surface, either on
land or upon the bottom of the sea, and always with both pairs
of limbs acting in concert, as in mammals.

Prof. Agassiz observed, that for years he had been endeavor-
ing to remove all the elements of arbitrary classification in the
study of natural history, and that he had been aiming at the dis-
covery of complete standards for classes, orders, families, &c.
Different naturalists divide the animal kingdom each into a dif-
ferent number of classes, and there is a great discrepancy of
opinion as to what the terms order, family, &c., should be
applied. His object was to show that the only true and proper
classification is that of nature, not of man.

Dr. A. A. Gould read a letter from Mrs. M. A. Binney
tendering a certain portion of the library of the late Dr
Amos Binney, one of its former Presidents, as a deposit
in the library of the Society, upon the conditions given

65

below. The number of works is 353, and the number of
volumes, including pamphlets and numbers, 1145.
The conditions are as follows, viz :

1. The volumes to be for the use of Members of the Society
and others who may resort to its Library for scientific investiga-
tions, and to be subject to the same regulations as are the books
of the Society.

2. The volumes shall be designated by a suitable label.

3. Proper care shall be taken to secure them from loss or
damage ; and reparation shall be made, if required, for losses or
injuries not attributable to casualties or ordinary usage.

4. The immediate branches of the fjxmily of Mrs. Binney, and
such others as they may from time to time designate, shall have
the unrestricted use of the books, further than to give the ordinary
receipt for such books as they may take from the Library.

5. The deposit to continue in the Libi'ary until the books are
otherwise disposed of by Mrs. Binney, or those claiming after
her.

Dr. John Bacon oflTered the following Resolutions,
which were unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That the deposit of the volumes tendered by Mrs.
Binney, be accepted for the purposes and on the conditions
designated ; and that the Librarian give her a receipt for the
same.

Resolved, That this transaction gives peculiar pleasure, on
account of the very great aid which will be afforded to the student
of Natural History, more especially, as it shows a continuation
of the interest which all the members of the family have so long
and so generally manifested in the Society ; still more, as it recalls
the zeal and devotion of our former President, who collected the
books, and of the many acts we know he designed and executed
for the advance of Natural History.

The Librarian stated that it would be necessary to
remove the large slabs of fossil impressions from the
library in order to accommodate these works, and the

PROCEEDINGS B. S.N. H. — VOL. VI. 5 JANUARY, 1857.

66

library committee, together with the curator of geology,
were instructed to prepare for their reception.

November 19, 1856.

The President in the Chair.

Mr. Whittemore read a letter from Mr. E. S. Morse,
of Portland, Maine, giving a description of the smallest
Helix ever found. Specimens and magnified drawings
of the shell were exhibited. The specimens were referred
to Dr. Gould.

Dr. Brewer reported upon the collection of Birds' Eggs
made by Mr. E. Samuels in California.

Mr. Sprague reported upon a plant presented to the
Society by Dr. Pickering at the previous meeting.

It is the Amarantlms pumilus, Raf., which is now placed in a
new genus of Rafinesque and called Enxolus pnmilns. It is
poorly figured in Dr. Torrey's Flora of New York, under the
old name. The figure represents a young plant with sessile
leaves ; but the lower leaves are in reality on petioles as long as,
or longer than, the blades. They are also retuse and even eraar-
ginate and obovate, instead of being, as in the figure, obtusely
pointed. Elliott's description is excellent, except that he does
not refer to the length of the petioles. Dr. Gray described it
under its present name in his recent edition of the Manual of
Botany ; but, having only a small, imperfect specimen, he says
" slightly petioled," and makes no mention of the emarginate
blade. The plant is found on sandy shores along the coast from
Rhode Island southward.

The genus Euxolus is separated from Amaranthus on account
of the indehiscent or irregularly bursting utricle ; that of the
latter senus having a circumscissile dehiscence.

67

Mr. John Green exhibited under the microscope a por-
tion of epidermis from the border of the mouth of Pristis
sag-ittata, containing teeth in immediate juxtaposition
with the placoid scales which cover the body of the fish.
He called attention to the perfect identity of structure in
the two cases, viz : a cavity or depression in the under
surface of the tooth or scale, and tubes ramifying in its
substance. The only difference is in size and form, the
teeth being two or three times the size of the scales, and
triangular in outline, while the scales are nearly circular.

The President announced the presence of Dr. Brown-
Sequard, and invited him to address the Society.

Dr. Brown-Sequard expressed his thanks for the cour-
tesy extended to him, and proceeded as follows : —

Experiments have lately been made to determine if the intro-
duction of air into the chest, through the respiratory passages,
with great force, does not have some inttuence upon the action of
the heart ; and it has been found that there is a diminution in the
frequency of the heart's action, sometimes to such an extent, that
the pulsations amount to only two thirds the normal number.

The exi^lanation which has been given to tliis phenomenon is
based upon mechanical grounds, but M. Sequard thinks if this
explanation be correct, it is so only to a certain extent. One
other cause at least, that of a nervous influence, he has demon-
strated to exist.

It is well known that some mammals resist asphyxia for a long
time, making efforts to breathe, often for several hours, when the
entrance to the lungs is closed. Now it is found that when the
chest of an animal in this condition is opened and retained in
such a position that there can be no motion and no mechanical
action, the diminution of the pulsations persists. The phenome-
non is then due to the action of the par vagum nerve. It is
found that when this nerve is irritated at its root or galvanized,
the action of the heart is arrested ; in this respect differing from
the other muscular organs, which are excited to action by irrita-
tion or galvanization of their nerves. When the chest is opened.

68

without injury to the par vagum, there is seen to be a control
over the action of the heart during insj)iration. But if the par
vagum of both sides of tlie chest be cut across, this control is
lost. There is good ground for belief, therefore, that at every
effort of inspiration, there is a transmission of nervous influence
along the par vagum to the heart, acting as a check upon it and
regulating its action, and thus preventing the increase of pulsa-
tion, which might otherwise go on, in increased ratio to infinity,
under the excitement of forced respiration.

It has been said that people liave killed themselves by stopping
the heart's action. One of the brothers Webber, of Leipsic,
found that when an effort was made to contract the chest during
a full inspiration, that there was great suffering, fainting, and
almost death. Webber himself nearly lost his life trying the
experiment. By irritating the various organs which receive
branches from the par vagum, as the stomacii, spleen, &c., by
galvanizing them or crushing them at once by a blow of a ham-
mer upon an iron surface, it is found that the heart's action is
diminished in frequency, and in some instances entirely sus-
pended. Cases of sudden death from a blow upon the stomach
externally are to be attributed to the same cause. The action
upon the heart from overloading the stomach, either with too
much solid or liquid matter, is to be explained also by the influ-
ence of the par vagum upon the heart.

Dr. Sequard also referred briefly to his researches upon the
Supra-renal Capsules. These two small organs, lying in imme-
diate connection with the kidneys, have been considered very
unimportant until within a few years. Now it is found that,
when they are removed from the body of a living animal, there
occurs a very great change in the blood, and the animal dies in a
short time,— sooner even than after the removal of the kidneys.
There is found also to be an accumulation of pigment and a
peculiar form of crystals, (not having the chemical reactions of
htematoidine.) in the blood.

Dr. Gould called attention to the remarks of M. Sequard as
interesting in a pathological point of view. He had recently
attended a case of what he regarded as " bronzing of the skin," a
disease lately recognized and described by Dr. Addison, of Lon-
don, who has found in cases of '■'■bronzed skin" an alteration of

69

the supra-renal capsules. In Dr. Gould's case, however, there
was no alteration of the capsules, but there was granular deg(!n-
eration of the kidneys.

Dr. Gould inquired if tlie real use of these organs had been
discovered. The effects of their absence are well known.

Dr. Sequard replied that his hypothesis was that the function
of the supra-renal capsules was to prevent the formation of pig-
ment in the blood, and he thought he had isolated a substance from
the blood which would be changed into pigment were it not for the
action of these organs. This substance, perhaps, may be pro-
duced in such a quantity that the capsules cannot destroy it, even
when they are in a healthy state. In the cases of" bronzed skin"
the coloring matter of the skin, as examined under the microscope
by himself in Paris, and by Dr. Dalton in New York, proved to
be the same as in the skin of the negro ; and, as in the blood in
the same disease, pigment-cells, pigment-granules contained in a
transparent substance different from fibrine, and peculiar crystals
of an unknown substance, just referred to, are found, he thought
there was some ground for the hypothesis that these organs are
pigment-destroying agents. He had seen the crystalline plates
sufficiently large to become impacted in the capillaries and pre-
vent circulation of the blood, and consequently he believed if
they were not the prime cause of many disturbances of tlie
nervous influence, they should at least be considered a partial
cause. He had likewise observed an absence of blood-discs in
the vena cava, which would imply a great alteration of the
blood.

The President inquired if there were any bronzing of the skin
in anencephalous foetuses, where there is a relatively small de-
velopment of the supra-renal capsules.

M. Sequard replied that the absence of bronzed skin in such
cases might be explained by the capsules of the mother supply-
ing the place of those of the foetus in utero in purifying the
blood from pigment. He had experimented upon guinea-pigs,
and had found that life was sustained for a longer period, viz :
fifteen and a half hours, on an average, in the pregnant animal,
than in the non-pregnant condition, viz : thirteen hours.

Dr. Abbot asked if the capsules had been examined in the
negro.

70

Dr. Welnland suggested that the capsules should be examined
in those animals which change color in the spring and fall.

The Corresponding Secretary read the following letters
recently received : —

From the Royal Society, London, March 8th, Royal
Geographical Society of London, Nov. 17th, 1855, and
the Regents of the University of the State of New York,
acknowledging the receipt of the Society's publications;
Die K. Bayerische Akadetnie der Wissenschaften, June
20th, 1856, presenting certain books; Reale Accademia
delle Scienze di Napoli, April 10th, 1854, presenting its
publications, and acknowledging the receipt of those
of the Society ; Royal Geographical Society, London,
June 12th, 1856, presenting its Journal, Vol. 25th ; So-
cidte de Geographic, Dec. 31st, 1856, acknowledging
receipt of the Proceedings of the Society ; and from the
Secretary of State, Oct. 2d, 1856, forwarding a box of
books, in compliance with the request of Dr. John Mc-
Clelland, Calcutta.

M. Auguste de Jolis, President of the Society of
Natural History, at Cherbourg, France, was elected a
Corresponding Member.

December' 3, 1856.

The President in the Chair.

Mr. Sprague read a letter from Prof. Baird, and made
a final communication upon the expedition of Mr.
Samuels to California. The subject of a publication of
the results of the expedition was referred to the publish-
ing committee.

71

The President introduced to the Society, Capt. W.
M. Gibson, who, daring a recent visit to the East Indies,
especially Sumatra and Borneo, and the neighboring
islands, had an opportunity of observing the races of
men and of anthropoid animals.

Capt. Gibson gave an account of the Orangs, and
a description of one which he saw, which had been
captured in a trap, and which he said was employed in
labor by its owner. The animal was six feet in height
and covered with hair, which was very short upon the
head. These orangs live in the trees, upon platforms of
bamboo sticks, and have for weapons rudely pointed
poles, with which they spear fish.

According to Capt. Gibson, the term orang signifies
the same as the Latin homo, and is applied by the natives
to the human race as well as to monkeys; a specific
name being appended to the word orang to signify man,
a second for woman, and a third for each species of
monkey.

Capt. Gibson also adverted to the possessions of the
Dutch in Java, Sumatra, and Celebes, and called atten-
tion to Gililo, Mindanao, and other islands east of Java.
In reply to the questions of several gentlemen, he indi-
cated the very limited range of the commerce of the
United States in this region, and represented that it
could be vastly and advantageously increased.

Capt. N. E. Atwood, of Provincetown, presented a
fish, taken off the eastern coast of Newfoundland, in
from forty to fifty fathoms of water. He supposed it to
be an undescribed species, possibly belonging to the
family with Scopelus, which fish it resembles in the
silvery spots upon the abdomeh. It was abundant in
the fishing-grounds, as the codfish were filled with them.

The President exhibited a foetal porpoise presented by
Capt. Atwood, and called attention to the embryonic

condition of the jaw, which was at right angles with the
vertebral column, and to the peculiar form of the tail.

The President made some observations upon certain
points in the anatomy of the Blind Fish of the Mammoth
Cave.

In examining the structure of the ridges upon the head, he
had found each ridge to consist of a series of papilte, lying close
together, and beneath them a branch of the fifth pair of nerves,
sending off smaller branches, and forming a very sensitive plexus
for each papilla. The larger fish also present the same ridges
and minute structure along the body between the head and tail.

He had also found in the same specimens rudimentary eyes, as
formerly described by him ; and he had dissected out also several
muscles, or bundles of muscular fibres, on each side of the eye.
The stomach of each of the specimens contained a fish with large
eyes in a partially digested condition. As far as he knows, this
is the first instance of a fish with eyes being found in the Cave.

Capt. Atwood observed that it was very common for
many fish to eat their own species. Small mackerel are
always found in the stomachs of large mackerel when
they are abundant.

Dr. Gould reported upon the communication read at
the last meeting from Mr. E. S. Morse, of Portland, Me.,
on a species of Helix.

This species, the most minute of any yet observed, was found
by Mr. Morse in the vicinity of Portland, and has been collected
also at several localities in Massachusetts. Dr. Gould considered
it to be the species described by Mr. Lea, under the name of
Helix minutissima. It was regarded by Dr. Binney as the
young of II. minusciila, but Dr. Gould believed it to be a distinct
species.

George N. Lawrence, Esq., of New York, was elected
a Corresponding Member.

73

December 17, 1856.

The President in the Chair.

The President, in accordance with a vote passed at
the Annual Meeting, read a Memoir of the late Presi-
dent, Dr. John C, Warren.

NOTICE OF DR. JOHN C. WARREN, READ BEFORE THE BOSTON
SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY, DEC. 17, 1856.

The resolutions which were passed in this and other Societies,
on the occasion of the death of our late President, his public
funeral, the expressions of the press, and, above all, the impres-
sion which the announcement of his decease made upon the
community, are sure indications that a man of no ordinary claim
upon public attention had passed away. The explanation of
this feeling, and of these honors, is to be found in a life of entire
devotion to the duties of his profession, and to the various rela-
tions in which he was publicly or privately placed. What these
relationships were, and how he sustained them, can receive here
but an inadequate notice ; yet the duty devolves upon us of
placing upon the records of our Society some account of his
history, some acknowledgment of his services to us, and some
notice of his scientific labors.

John Collins Warren was born in Boston, August 1, 1778,
and was graduated at Cambridge in the class of 1797. He was
distinguished as a general and classical scholar, was of a genial
disposition, active, influential, and highly esteemed by his fellow-
students, who conferred upon him nearly every office of honor
in their gift. He was elected class orator, and, according to the
custom of the times, pronounced his oration in Latin.

He studied medicine under the direction of his father. Dr. John
Warren, who had attained great eminence as a skilful surgeon,
and is still remembered by those who listened to his instructions
as an admirable teacher and an eloquent lecturer. Having
finished his labors as a pupil at home, the son visited the great

74

medical schools of France and England. In London, he fol-
lowed the instructions of the elder Cline and of Sir Astley
Cooper, with the last of whom there grew up a friendly acquaint-
ance, which continued until the death of the great English sur-
geon. In Paris, he became a pupil and an inmate in the family
of the celebrated Dubois, and attended to the instructions of
Dupuytren, Avho was then just commencing his distinguished
career, and to the teachings of Chaussier, who as an anatomist
had acquired a world-wide reputation. On returning to his native
country, he entered at once ardently into the pursuits of his pro-
fession, and it is in the professional career that we should follow
him if we would form the more complete estimate of his life and
character. It was this that called forth his greatest devotion, and
brought him most in contact with his medical brethren and the
world ; but I must be brief.

By incessant labor, by the exercise of a strong will, which
few could resist, by unwearied attention to all the minuter details
of his calling, he became the most distinguished of New England
surgeons, and attained to a high reputation both at home and
abroad. He was bold but cautious, and never allowed himself
to meet his case unprepared. Those who have seen him in the
theatre, going through the task of a serious operation so steadily
and so easily, have probably thought but little of the hours of
preparation that preceded it. He handled the knife gracefully
and skilfully, especially in operations connected with deep-seated
parts, which require a good knowledge of surgical anatomy and
accurate dissection. These, more than all others, try the firm-
ness and self-reliance of the surgeon, and in these he excelled.
One of the originators, and for many years a surgeon of the
Massachusetts General Hospital, its wards and theatre have
witnessed the rigid performance of every duty, and have become
the surgical centre of attraction for a large portion of New
England. Many societies, domestic and foreign, enrolled his
name in their lists. As President of the Massachusetts Medical
Society, he received the highest honor in the gift of the profession
of his native State, and a few years before his death he received
the high distinction of foreign membership of the Imperial Acad-
emy of Medicine in Paris.

In 1806, he was appointed adjunct Hersey Professor of Anat-

75

omy and Surgei'y, the office of professor being held by his father
to whom he succeeded in 1818, and continued to perform the
duties of the office till 1847, when, at the age of 70, after a
service of forty years, he resigned.

He was not the slave of habit ; no new opei'ation was an-
nounced, nor any new instrument invented that did not at once
arrest his attention. He was always ready to give novelties and
innovations a fair trial. His readiness to embark in the introduc-
tion of etherization was characteristic. As soon as the subject
was brought faii'ly to his notice, he improved the first opportunity
to make a practical use of it, and performed the first opei-ation,
beyond the extraction of a tooth, which it had fallen to the lot of
any surgeon to do, upon a patient in the condition of induced
ana3sthesia. He was immediately followed by others, and with a
rapidity previously unknown ui the history of innovations, etheri-
zation was adopted all over the world. To take the step which
he and others took, required no ordinary firmness. Now, that all
are familiar with it, it is not easy to go back to the position in
which they then stood. In weighing the probabilities, until the
experiment was fairly tried, it could not but have occurred to
those by whom this boon was conferred on mankind and to him,
that the lost consciousness might never return, that the deep
sleep which they had induced might be the sleep of death.

As a human anatomist, a pupil of Chaussier, he had taken for
his model the French standard of descriptive anatomy. His
lectures, whether on Anatomy or Surgery, were always conducted
with great method, and were strictly demonstrative. He appre-
ciated the value of comparative anatomy, and introduced it as far
as practicable into his lectures.

While Professor of Anatomy, he devoted much time, labor,
and money to the formation of a museum, which, on his resigna-
tion, was presented to the Massachusetts Medical College, and
with it a handsome endowment for its care and increase. Under
the scientific direction of its present faithful and indefatigable
Curator, it has become one of the most useful anatomical mu-
seums in the country, and is the best visible monument to the
memory of its founder.

An important service rendered by Dr. Warren to science, and
which should not be overlooked, was the effort he made in behalf

76

of the Anatomy Act. Until the year 1829, no provision had
been made for legalizing the study of human anatomy. Then,
except in rare instances, to have a dead body in one's possession
was, in the eye of the law, an offence against society. Physicians
and students were dependent for anatomical instruction upon
post-mortem examinations, on criminals who had suffered the
extreme penalty of the law, but mostly upon bodies furtively
obtained. This state of things gave rise to the practice of body-
snatching, the history of which in this community, could it be
fully and faithfully written, would bring to light the story of
many a high-handed adventure. In connection with a movement
made under the auspices of the Massachusetts Medical Society,
Dr. Warren labored to procure the enactment of a suitable
law. To this end he gave a public lecture before the legislature,
and attempted to demonstrate the absolute necessity of some
provision for legalizing the study of anatomy. We are now
enjoying the benefit of the services rendered at that time by
himself and others.

In accordance with the views which he had advocated many
years before his death, he made especial provision for the dissec-
tion of his own body, and gave specific directions as to the mor-
bid appearances to be sought after, the preparation of his skeleton,
and its final resting-place in the museum which his industry had
accumulated and his munificence had endowed. At the time he
formed this resolution, such an act would have had a vast and
favorable influence in satisfying the popular mind with regard to
human dissections. In the latter part of his life, the necessity
for such an example had passed away, but ^' virum tenacem pro-
positi" he never receded from his determination. He has fol-
lowed the example of Scarpa, Jeremy Bentham, of the Meckels,
and of the seven professoi's of Padua.

In 1847, the same year in which he retired from his profes-
sional duties, he was elected President of this Society. lie came
amongst us at our earnest solicitation, at a time when he had
finished the life-long labor of a profession which had engrossed all
the energies of his manhood, and at a time, too, when most men,
from impaired strength and energy of purpose, seek for complete
repose. But he preferred to be active. He was not one of the
restless spirits who continue to act because they cannot help it ;

V7

both mind and body were systematically regulated and made
subservient to his indomitable will; he continued to work because
he had determined that he would.

He entered at once actively into the interests of our Society.
"VVe all know how punctually and faithfully he performed the duties
of his office. Soon after his election, and in a measure through
his instrumentality, a movement which had been commenced
by his predecessor was completed, and the building now occupied
by the Society was secured and purchased, and in recognition of
his important services on that occasion a vote of thanks stands
recorded in our Proceedings. On all occasions he exhibited a
strong desire to promote our interests. Unless absent from town,
or sick, we rarely missed him from his place. He attended our
meetings with pleasure, and enjoyed the association with its
members ; and we may gratefully recall to mind the fact, that one
of the last acts of his life was to invite us in a body to partake
of the hospitality of his house.

We are indebted to him for many valuable donations, scientific
and pecuniary ; among the former, numerous fossils, casts, and
skeletons of zoological or paleontological interest ; the rare and
instructive specimens of the skin and skeleton of the Manatee
from Florida, deserve especial mention. One of the most valu-
able additions ever made to our cabinet was effected mainly
through his instrumentality and that of the late Hon. Abbott Law-
rence, then Minister to the court of St. James, viz : the series of
casts of the Sivalik fossils, prepared for distribution among scien-
tific bodies by the Honorable East India Company. The originals
of this series were obtained from one of the most remarkable
geological regions known to naturalists, where a whole fauna of
extinct Pachyderms, Ruminants, Carnivora. with a vast variety
of other animals, have been brought to light ; and what is still
more remarkable, there has been demonstrated the coexistence,
in former geological times, of numerous species of Mastodons
and Elephants in one and the same limited geographical area.

In becoming the active head of this Society, his attention and
interest were at once zealously directed to the study of natural his-
tory. His mind, which had been before almost wholly engrossed
by his profession, was now directed to other and more allur-
ing paths, and his numerous communications on fossil bones, foot-

prints, and on rare and remarkable animals, show how completely
his thoughts were occupied by them. Although it was during
his presidency that his principal labors in natural history were
accomplished, nevertheless, he had from time to time published
articles on various scientific subjects, which indicated the interest
he took in matters akin to natural history and comparative anat-
omy. Among these may be especially mentioned the annual
address pronounced before the Massachusetts Medical Society,
entitled a Comparative View of the Sensorial and Nervous Sys-
tems of Man and Animals.

In this discourse, after having given an exposition of the philo-
sophical views of Cuvier in relation to the structure of animals,
he passes in review the various modifications which the nervous
system undergoes in the zoological series, and concludes with
certain physiological inferences, and among them the following: —

"That the brain is not the source of muscular power; this
conclusion is founded on the consideration of the disproportion
of the size of this organ, and the muscular strength of various
animals. In the horse, the brain is small, and the muscular
vigor great ; in the great sea shark, [Sqitalus tnaxinws,) the
brain, compared with the body, is near the smallest among verte-
bi'ated animals."

" Muscular power does not take its source in the nerves, as is
shown by the non-existence of nerves in animals capable of
moving. In the gelatinous polypi, and some of the zoophytes,
no nerves have been discovered, and we are, from their texture,
led to believe it impossible that they should have any such nerves
as other animals, yet they move, some of them, with considerable
rapidity."

" The brain is the common centre for receiving the impressions
of the senses transmitted by the nerves, and is therefore called
the sensorium commune, and where there is not a proper brain,
the ganglion which supplies the place performs the same office."

" The comparative view of the sensorial and nervous system
does not seem to support the opinion that the difference in the
intellectual faculties of men and animals is to be explained by
difference in organs alone."

A part of the discourse is devoted to a subject then quite new
in American science, viz : to the anatomical characteristics of

79

the crania of the North American Indians, and to a comparison
of the skulls found in the mounds of the West with those of the
other aboriginal races. I believe some credit belongs to him as
being among the first, if not the first, to point out, on anatomical
grounds, the probability of another and more advanced race
having existed in the western country previous to those who
were found there at the time it was discovered and explored by
the Europeans.

Leaving out of view the less important articles on scientific
subjects which were presented here and elsewhere, I will only
call attention to his most considerable scientific labor, viz : the
investigation of the remains of the Mastodon giganteus of North
America. This gives us the best evidence we could wish of his
characteristic enterprise, and of the persistency with which he
pursued his object.

In the summer of 1845, there was exhumed in Newburgh, in
the State of New York, the most perfect fossil skeleton of the
Mastodon, which has yet been discovered ; in fact, none of the
skeletons of the gigantic extinct races surpass or even equal it in
completeness ; that of the Siberian Mammoth, which was taken
from the ice and is now preserved at St. Petersburg, that of the
Mylodon from South America, now contained in the Hunterian
Museum, and that of the Megatherium, a part of which is pre-
served at Madrid and a part in London, are all less complete ;
and of the Mastodon skeletons now known to exist, all have more
important deficiencies. The Newburgh skeleton was mounted,
and publicly exhibited, for a few months, ill New York and Bos-
ton, and elsewhere, after which it was purchased by Dr. Warren.
When it came into his possession, the first duty which seemed to
be required, was that of remounting the skeleton in a more cor-
rect attitude, and the bones in more natural relations. This task
was accomplished in a most admirable manner by our associate.
Dr. ShurtlefF, and the skeleton now stands a monument to his
mechanical ingenuity, and to his skill as an osteologist. In addi-
tion to its completeness, this skeleton has the merit of certainty
that the bones all belonged to one and the same individual, and
is believed to be the largest known representative of this gigantic
species.* Its height is eleven feet, and the length of the head

* That is, the largest skeleton. A larger cranium than that belonging to his
specimen, as will be seen, belonged to his colleetion.

80

and trunk seventeen feet. In length and massiveness it surpasses
all other proboscidian pachyderms, though some of the elephants
in Asia attain to a greater elevation.

The task which he imposed upon himself after he passed his
seventieth year, was the description of this invaluable skeleton.
"We cannot but admire the decision which he manifested in enter-
ing upon such a labor, as well as the zeal and perseverance
with which he executed it. In order to make his description as
complete as possible, he collected together a vast amount of illus-
trative material in the form of crania, teeth, bones, &c., and inci-
dentally the remains of many other species of animals, forming one
of the most valuable private collections ever brought together in
this country. The remains of these gigantic representatives of
a former geological age literally filled his house from basement to
attic. The bones of Dinotheriums, Zeuglodons, Elephants, and
Mastodons, the eggs of extinct gigantic birds, covered every avail-
able spot on his tables, and huge slabs impressed with the feet
of colossal birds and reptiles from the Connecticut Sandstones
rested aslant against the walls. These remains were the first
objects on which his eyes rested as he awoke in the morning, and
we can easily conceive that they were among the last to flit
across his imagination as he retired to rest. At home or abroad,
they were uppermost in his thoughts. To procure additional
knowledge for their elucidation, he visited personally the more
important collections in this country, and even made a voyage
across the ocean. He might truly say of his investigations,
" Hebc studia senectutem delectant, secundas res ornant, ac sola-
tium prfebent ; delectant domi, perigrinantur, rusticantur, pernoc-
tant nobiscum."

In 1852, the work on which he had labored so assiduously,
forming a large quarto volume, was completed and published.
Dr. Warren was a descriptive anatomist ; the constitution of his
mind made him such, and the constant training in the lecture-
room, through a long series of years, confirmed him in these
tendencies. We can therefore readily perceive that his primary
object would be to make a descriptive anatomy of the skeleton of
the Mastodon. Without going into any thing like an analysis of
this volume, the general subjects treated of are as follows: —

The first part is devoted to a description of each of the indi-
vidual bones in succession, giving for the first time the entire

^t?n;

81

osteology of this animal, for it will be remembered that all the
descriptions previously written were based upon a few individual
parts, or very incomplete skeletons.

The second part treats of the subject of Odontography ; for
this he had better materials by far than any of his predecessors.
Cuvier, Dr. Hayes, and Prof. Owen had done much to clear up
the description of the teeth, and Dr. J. B. S. Jackson had made
very important additions to the knowledge of the dentition of
these animals, and had demonstrated for the first time that in the
lower jaw the whole number of teeth on each side was six, and
that there was no vertical successor to the third premolar, as
Prof. Owen had shown to be the case in the 3L angustidens of
Europe. With the most ample means at his disposal, he has
been able to confirm or confute the views of those who preceded
him, and has given the most complete description of the whole
series of teeth, above and below, and of their succession, which
has yet appeared.

The third part contains a description of the Cambridge Mas-
todon, and comparative measurements and descriptions of that and
the skeleton of the Asiatic elephant ; from which it appears that
all the bones of the latter are less massive, the thorax more
flattened, the lower jaw shorter and difi'ering remarkably in its
anterior termination, the radius and ulna more crossed, and the
hand narrower and more vertical ; and that the same holds with
regard to the foot. " The skeleton is decidedly lighter, and better
calculated for motion than that of the Mastodon, while the latter,
especially in its anterior parts, presents an arrangement adapted
to sustain a veiy great weight and move a very heavy mass."

The fourth part contains a description of the cranium found in
Orange County, New York, under the name of " Shawangunk
head," and is the largest Mastodon cranium as yet described.

Fifth. On the vei'tical section of the cranium.

Sixth. On the distinction into species.

Seventh. Coincident existence of the Mastodon and Elephas
primigenius, with an examination of the teeth of the latter.

Eighth. On the food and hair.

Ninth. On the condition of the bones.

Tenth. On the geological situation, and the causes of preser-
vation.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. VOL. VI. 6 FEBRUARY, 1857.

82

The first edition of this work, prepared for distribution at his
own expense, was liberally distributed among public scientific
institutions, as well as private individuals, to whom he thought it
might be usefuh It was soon exhausted, and such was the de-
mand made upon him for other copies, that he prepared a second,
with corrections and additions, which was brought to its comple-
tion a few months before he died.

A short time before his death. Dr. Warren obtained the animal
of the Argonaut in the shell, within which last were also con-
tained the eggs. This interested him very much. Assisted by
Dr. Kneeland, a paper had been prepared, comprising nearly all
that was known on the subject, including the discussions in regard
to the question of parasitism or non-parasitism, and the history of
the still more curious and interesting subject of the Hectocotyle, or
male arm of the Argonaut. This paper it was his intention to
have read at the meeting which was held on the night previous
to his decease, and this meeting, as will be remembered, he had
hoped might be held at his own house, where he had so often offered
us its hospitality. He had given the invitation into the hands of
the Secretary, when the slight illness, from which he had been for
some days suffering, became suddenly more alarming, and ter-
minated his life on May 4, 1856.

Such is an imperfect sketch of the life of our late President, —
a life characterized through a long series of years by entire
devotion to its duties. Among the prominent traits of his char-
acter we find that important element, decision, which may give
prominence to a man of even moderate powers, and without
which wise men are weak ; and nowhere is its importance more
conspicuous than in the practice of medicine and surgery. How
often does it happen, that when those to whom the question of
life and death is intrusted are wavering, that one decided act
encourages every heart and steadies every hand. Naturally of a
highly sociable disposition, he entered with vivacity, but tem-
perately, into the pleasures and enjoyments of youth; in maturer
years, when his profession absorbed all his time and energy, he
was a man of few words, often stern, requiring strict compliance
of those who were subordinate to him, ever intent upon the duty
of the day. He influenced most men by the force of his will, but
he excited the animosity of others who could not brook control.

83

In old age, he was aiFable and courteous, enjoying the pleasures
of his family, seeking the society of the young, mingling in the
reunions of the old, and laboring with all his remaining strength
to promote the cause of science. He always took an active in-
terest in the affairs of the church of which he was a member,
and since his death its officers have testified to their gratitude for
his many services, and to their respect for his religious character.
His name will have a place in the history of American science,
and, with the names of Mott and Physic, will stand foremost in
the annals of American surgery, during the first half of the nine-
teenth century.

A LIST OF DR. WAEREN'S SCIENTIFIC WRITINGS.

On the Influence of the Climate of St. Augustine, Florida, in Pulmonary
Aflections. Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. III. p. 713.

On American Crania. Ibid., Vol. XVII. p. 249.

An Account of the Siamese Twin Brothers, united together from their burth ;
■with a plate. American Journal of Medical Science, Vol. V. p. 253.

Visit to the Epplesheim Fossils, and the Dinotherium giganteum. Proc. Am.
Acad. Arts and Sciences, Vol. II. p. 305.

Description of an Egyptian Mummy; 2 plates. 1S21.

A Comparative View of the Sensorial and Nervous Systems in Men and
Animals; 8 plates. 1822.

The Mastodon giganteus of North America. Quarto. 27 plates. 1852.

The Mastodon giganteus of North America. 4to. 2d edition. 30 plates. 1856.

Address to the Boston Society of Natural History. 1853.

Eemarks on the Fossil Impressions in the Sandstone Rocks of the Connecticut
River. 3 plates. 1854.

In Volumes II. III. IV. of the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural
History, are reports of numerous communications, some verbal, and others writ-
ten. The following are the more important subjects treated of: —

On the Mastodon giganteus, its Teeth, Geological Position, and the number of
Species.

On the Dinornis, Zeuglodou, the American JIanatee, the Plesiosaurus dolicho-
deirus; on the Introduction of Foreign Fishes i;ito our waters ; on Footprints;
on the Felis smilodon, on Peruvian Skulls, on the Sivalik Fossils, (a donation
from the Hon. East India Company.)

Besides the above, which relate more especially to subjects connected with
natural history. Dr. Warren was the author of a series of much more numerous
communications on medical subjects, published in the New England Medical
Journal, The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, The American Journal of
Medical Sciences, The Medical Communications of the Massachusetts Medical
Society, and The Medico-Chirurgical Transactions of the Royal Medico-Chirur-
gical Society of London.*

* The above list is taken from a complete catalogue of Dr. Warren's writings,
prepared with great care by Dr. J. F. W. Lane, of Boston, who was kind enough
to place it at my disposal, and to whom I am very much indebted for the assist-
ance it afforded me in the preparation of this notice.

84

NOTICES OF NEW SPECIES OF CRUSTACEA OF WESTERN NORTH
AMERICA ; BEING AN ABSTRACT FROM A PAPER TO BE PUB-
LISHED IN THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY. BY WILLIAM
STIMPSON.

Chioncecetes Behringianus. Carapax rugose, with the
prominences blunt and wart-hke about the middle, but becoming
shai'per anteriorly and at the sides ; the surface somewhat scab-
rous and pubescent. Channels above the postero-lateral margins
broad and nearly smooth. Feet everywhere slightly pubescent ;
the third articles scabrous above. Those of the first pair muri-
cate along the angles. Abdomen in the male 7-articulate, one
third the width of the sternal plastron ; basal articles strongly
granulated ; infero-lateral angles of the penultimate article some-
what produced and tumid. It differs from C. opilio, Kr., in the
proportionally shorter feet of the male. Dredged off Cape
Romanzoff by the North Pacific Expedition.

Loxorynchus, (nov. gen.) Carapax pyriform, pubescent,
spinous ; stomachal region very full ; hepatic regions small but
prominent, with a principal spine at the middle. Rostrum bifid,
more or less deflexed. Pr^eorbital tooth sufficiently prominent.
Orbits interrupted by a deep longitudinal sinus above and below,
exposing the eyes ; post-orbital spine between these fissures acute ;
a suborbital spine always present beneath the post-orbital. Basal
article of external antennae almost as broad as long, with a sharp
spine at its external apex ; — this spine, as well as the movable
part of the antenna, is not quite concealed beneath the rostrum,
but may be seen from above. Pincers in both male and female
with their inner denticulated edges touching each other through-
out their length. Feet of the second pair slightly longer than
the others. Abdomen of the female seven-articulate.

It differs from Pisa in its incomplete orbits, and broader basal
article of the external antennae ; from Ghorinus in the non-
concealment of these antenna; ; from Pericera in its movable
eye-peduncles; — and though resembling these genera in general
form, it differs from all in the deflection of the rostrum. The
greater size of the rostrum, and less exposure of the antennaj,
distinguish it from Perinea, Dana.

85

LoxoRYNCHUs GRANDis. Carapax warty, the warts being
small and very numerous, blunt on the central portions and spine-
like on the sides. Surface between the warts minutely granulated ;
depressions between the regions tilled with short hairs. Feet
mostly covered with short pubescence ; those of the first pair with
the fingers denticulated along the whole extent of their inner sur-
faces ; carpus tuberculous above ; third joint with four small spines
along the upper margin, the largest at the articulation with the
carpus. A single spine near the extremity on the third joint of
the second and third pairs of feet, and a tubercle on the fourth joint.
Feet of the fourth and fifth pairs smooth. Length of carapax
5.55 inch. The animal appears to have been of a rose-color
when alive. Taken on the coast near San Francisco, by Lieut.
Trowbridge.

Randallia, (nov. gen. Leucosiadce.) Carapax oval, subglo-
bose, nearly smooth, glabrous, armed with two teeth posteriorly ;
pterygostomian regions angular. Front narrow, but higher or
thicker than in Persephona, concave at the middle. Orbits three-
notched. Antennary fossas small, oblique, and very deep. Basal
article of internal antenme somewhat expanded, operculiform,
completely closing the aperture of the fossa when the antenna is
retracted. Fossa; not immediately bordering on the buccal margin
as in Persephona, but sepai-ated by a considerable space, so that
the epistoma presents much greater surface than is usual in the
family. External maxillipeds and feet as in Persephona.

R. oRNATA. Ilia ornata, Randall, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., VIII.
129. Guaia ornata, Gibbes, Proc. Am. Assoc. 1850, p. 186.

HiPPA ANALOGA. H. emerita, De Saussure, Rev. et Mag.
Zool., V. 367. H. talpoides, Dana, Proc. Phil. Acad., VIL 175.
(non Say.) Taken in considerable numbers on the coast of
California, by Mr. Samuels. A careful comparison shows con-
stant differences between this species and that of the Eastern
coast, which will be fully enumerated in my forthcoming paper
in the Journal.

PoRCELLANA RUPICOLA. Moderately depressed, without
spines ; front triangular, considerably defiected, with a blunt ex-
tremity, and a notch or groove at the base separating it from

86

the orbit. Ocular peduncles broad, eyes small. Superior margin
of orbit concave. External antennae one and a half times as
Ion"' as the carapax, flagella with few seta3, some of which are
twice as long as the width of the flagellum. Anterior feet large,
broad ; margins smooth ; carpus conspicuously granulated above,
and scabrous on its infero-exterior surface ; pincers smooth, with
uncinate extremities. Second, third, and fourth pairs of feet with
tufts of hairs on the fifth joints and tarsi. Color dark purplish-
red. Length of carapax, 0.8 inch. Its affinities are with P.
valida, violacea, and granulosa. It is very common among the
rocks of the Californian coast.

EuPAGURUs Samuelis. Front acute at the middle. Outer
antennfe articulated at the extreme antero-exterior corners of the
carapax ; extremity of terminal article of peduncle reaching
much beyond the eyes. Anterior feet differing much in size, the
right being much the longer and stouter; carpus and hand gi'an-
ulated ; larger hand nearly twice as long as broad ; finger less
than half as long as the hand, with a slight crest not conspic-
uously denticulated. Feet of the second and third pairs very
slender, somewhat hairy ; the right foot of the second pair longer
than that of the first. Length, 0.75 inch. Taken at Tomales
Bay, by Mr. Samuels.

EuPAGURUS TURGIDUS. Carapax rough, somewhat hairy ;
front broad, acute at the middle and on each side between the
bases of the eye-peduncles and the outer antennae. AntennaB
very hairy, inner ones three fourths as long as the outer ones,
which are shorter than the carapax ; eyes reaching the extremity
of the peduncle of the outer antennae. Anterior feet equal, much
shorter than those of the second pair ; covered above with short
spines and tufts of long hair; hands short and very thick, strongly
tumid below ; finger about half as long as the hand. Feet of
second and third pairs nearly equal, spinulose and very hairy
throughout their length. Tarsi with corneous tips. Length,
three inches. Differs from the other Oregon species by the
hairiness of its tarsi. Taken in Puget Sound, by Dr. Suckley.

Callianassa longimana. This species is closely allied to
C Calif orniensis, Dana, but is larger, more slender, the outer

87

maxillipeds less broad, and the greater foot of the anterior pair
proportionably much longer, narrower, and less hairy. The car-
pus is shorter than the body of the hand, while in G. Cah'forni-
ensis it is longer. In the smaller hand the finger and thumb
are equal in length. In C. gigas, the hand is much shorter and
stouter than in either of the other species. C. longimana is
found abundantly in Puget Sound, whence specimens were sent
by Dr. Suckley.

AsTACus NiGRESCENS. Margins of the rostrum nearly par-
allel, denticulated with five or six small sharp spines on either
side ; the two anterior thoracic spines rather long. Dorsal area
between the branchial regions as wide as in A. GamhelUi, from
which this species differs in its smaller and more slender hands,
which are also without pubescence. The lateral angles of the
abdominal segments are sharp, and the caudal segment has two
slender spines on each side. Color, blackish. Length, three
inches. It is common in the vicinity of San Francisco.

AsTACUs Trowbridgii. a large species having a general
resemblance to A. lemusculus, Dana, from which it diflfers in its
much less prominent thoracic spines, the posterior pair of which
are here scarce perceptible. Rostrum broad, with smooth, nearly
parallel sides ; terminal spine rather short. Hands large and
broad, of a reddish olive color, darker than that of the body.
Length, five inches. Found in the Columbia River, above As-
toria, by Lieut. Trowbridge.

AsTACUs Klamathensis. Thorax smooth above, rather con-
tracted in front. Rostrum subtriangular, but with the lateral teeth
sufficiently distinct, sides smooth, converging. Posterior pair of
thoracic spines obsolete. Hands small ; dentation of inferior
edge of arm slight. Lateral margins of abdominal segments
broadly rounded, scarcely at all angular. Color, bright yellowish
white ; hands tinted with bluish. Length, three inches. Found
in Klamath Lake, by Dr. Newberry.

Pandalus Dan^. Thorax glabi'ous. Twelve spines on the
dorsal crest and rostrum, the posterior one being at about the
middle of the carapax. Rostrum smooth above toward the trifid

88

apex, and six-toothed below, the basal tooth large and much
curved. Feet spinulose ; the spinules on the third joint few and
distant. Length, 2.5 inches. Dredged in Puget Sound, by Capt.
Murden.

Idot^a resecata. Slender, convex above, thorax concave
below. Greatest breadth at the sixth thoracic segment. Outer
antenna? reaching the fourth thoracic segment ; peduncle rather
stout; flagellum 17-articulate. Basal article of inner antennas
suborbicular, much expanded. Abdomen subrectangular, nearly
twice as long as broad ; posterior extremity with a deep con-
cavity, terminating on either side in a sharp angular projection
or spine. The first and second segments of abdomen sufficiently
well marked, the third also distinct on the sides ; — the three occu-
pying the anterior third of the length of the abdomen. Color
greenish yellow, with a median line of dark red. Length, 1.7
in. ; breadth, 0.33 in. It resembles I. hectica in general appear-
ance. Dredged in Puget Sound, by Capt. Murden.

Ltgia dilatata. Body variable in its proportions, but
usually very broad; the breadth to length being often as 1 :1.5.
Surface granulated. Margins smooth, raised or thickened. Head
with a transverse ridge between the eyes, interrupted at the
middle. External antenna} reaching the sixth segment ; flagel-
lum with 14 oblong articles. Caudal appendages very short,
about one fifth the length of the body ; basal article as broad as
long. Color, blackish. Length, 1 J- inch. Found at Fort Steila-
coom, Puget Sound, by Dr. Suckley.

LivONECA VULGARIS. Variable in shape, often distorted ;
frequently abruptly widened at the fifth thoracic segment. Head
small, wider than long; inner antenna; somewhat shorter and
stouter than the outer or posterior ones. Epimeral pieces nar-
row, separated from the tergal piece anteriorly by a distinct
suture, posteriorly by a deep incision ; the point reaching the
margin of the tergum in the anterior four segments, and not
extending much beyond it in the posterior three. Posterior
thoracic segment deeply sinuated for the reception of the middle
portion of the anterior abdominal segments. Lamelliform caudal

89

segment always transverse in the adult. Color, yellowish-gray ;
posterior pair of false feet always black. Length, 1.5 ; breadth,
0.9 inch. Very common on fish in the San Francisco market.

Sphceroma amplicauda. Caudal segment and posterior
pair of false feet greatly expanded. Thorax with three longitu-
dinal rows of small tubercles, those of the middle row becoming
gradually larger posteriorly, the terminal one subspiniform, point-
ing backward. Abdominal plate large, forming two fifths the
length of the body, triangular, terminating in an acute point.
Outer lamellae of posterior false feet very large, dilated, but not
extending posteriorly beyond the extremity of the abdomen.
Length, 0.25 ; breadth, posteriorly, 0.17 inch. Found at To-
males Bay, by Mr. Samuels.

The President called the attention of the Society to
the very valuable collection of books on Natural History,
from the library of the late Dr. Amos Binney, deposited
with the Society for their use by Mrs. Binney, and now
for the first time placed upon the shelves in the Society's
rooms, as follows : —

Since the first organization of our Society, a quarter of a
century, with all its varied changes, has been completed ; and it
is a melancholy thought, which forces itself upon me, that of
those assembled here to-night, or of those who now usually meet
with us, there are found so few who aided and supported it in its
infancy. Some, yielding to the exacting duties of life, have with-
drawn from us wholly, or in part, their active cooperation, though
we trust, not their sympathy or good wishes. Others have passed
away, to be with us here no more forever ; among these were
some of our most active associates, some of our most disinterested
friends. We hold in grateful remembrance the names of Green-
wood, Gay, Greene, Teschemacher, Harris, Burnet, Warren.
Each in his own way contributed to our progress, and is asso-
ciated with our history.

But there was one to whose thoughts our Society and its con-
cerns were always a welcome subject, — one who laboriously
cooperated with others in its organization, who, more than any

90

other, modelled its plan of action, and whose wisdom and fore-
thought still guides us. Around the collection made and pre-
sented by him has grown up our whole cabinet. The first paper
printed in the pages of our Journal was contributed by him, and
for the period of seventeen years, from the first organization of
the Society till his death, he was one of its most efficient officers.
He was called to preside over its councils, and in every way in
his power contributed to its growth and progress. Some of us
remember with gratitude, how unselfishly, and with how much
pleasure he encoui*aged the student of nature, and how generously
he opened his resources for study to all. He loved and studied
nature himself, and rejoiced in every well-meant endeavor to
advance, and in every step made in the progress of natural
science. His name I need not mention, it is already in your
thoughts, and has been suggested to you by the treasures of
knowledge now opened out before us, the treasures which his
bounty enabled him to accumulate, and which he desired might
be useful to others as well as himself. These he had profoundly
studied, and in accordance with his munificent wish, they are now
committed to our keeping as a living fountain from which the
student of nature is invited to draw.

It has been truthfully said of him, by one of our number, and
no one could better appreciate his motives of action, " that he
loved the works of nature, not as objects of scientific interest
only, but as beautiful manifestations of divine wisdom, adapted at
the same time to affiard the well-disposed mind, gratification of
the purest and deepest kind. As a lover of nature, he viewed
with delight the whole landscape ; as a naturalist, he loved to
study the relations of individual parts." " And when with his
generation, his memory as a man, an enterprising citizen, a father,
and a friend shall have passed away, his name must ever appear
among the pioneers of science in America as one of its most
substantial supporters, and as having contributed materially to
the enlargement of its boundaries." *

On motion of Mr. James M. Barnard, it was

* Dr. A. A. Gould ; from the memoir prefixed to the work on the Terrestrial
and Air-Breathing Mollusks of the United States, by Amos Binney, M. D. 2 vols.
8vo.

91

Voted, That Dr. Wyman be requested to furnish a
copy of his noble tribute to the memory of the late Dr.
Warren, for publication and general distribution, in such
manner as the Council should decide.

Dr. J. B. S. Jackson exhibited a remarkably tattooed
skin, taken from the body of a man supposed to be a
South Sea Islander. The coloring matter had been
examined by Dr. Bacon, and found to be carbon. The
same substance was seen in the inguinal glands.

Dr. Pickering remarked that the natives of the Navi-
gator and Tonga Islands tattoo themselves in the same
manner; and possibly the man from whom the specimen
was taken may have belonged to one of those islands.

Dr. C. T. Jackson presented a collection of mineral
concretions, composed of hydrated black -oxide of man-
ganese imbedding sand, in the form of globular or nearly
globular balls. The specimens were sent by William
Haley, Esq., of Tuftonboro, N. H.

Dr. Jackson made some observations upon the forma-
tion of such concretions, as illustrating the manner in
which many of the ancient and fossil concretions may
have been produced.

The remarks of Dr. Jackson elicited a discussion upon
the geology of the locality at Scarboro, Maine, and upon
the explanation of the formation of the concretions found
at that place, which was participated in by Dr. Gould
and Messrs. Bouve and Sprague.

A letter was read from Mr. William Stimpson, sug-
gesting to the Society the propriety of memorializing
Congress upon the publication of a report, upon those
results of the recent North Pacific Expedition, which ap-
pertain to Natural History. A committee was appointed
for this purpose, consisting of the President, and Messrs.
Abbot, Gould, and Whittemore.

92

The Corresponding Secretary announced the reception
of the following letters, viz : —

From Die K. Preussische Akademie der Wissen.schaf-
ten, March 20th ; Zodlogisch-Botanischer Verein, Vienna,
May 10th ; Kaiserliche Akademie der Wissenschaften,
Vienna, May 25th ; the same, July 16th; Dublin Uni-
versity Zoological and Botanical Association, November
28th, presenting their various publications; Societe de
Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle de Geneve, March 11th,
acknowledging the receipt of the Journal and Proceed-
ings of the Society, and presenting its own publications;
Kaiserliche Akademie der Wissenschaften, April 15th,
and the Trustees of the New York State Library, Nov.
21st, acknowledging the receipt of the publications of
the Society; Dr. Charles Martin, U. S. N., Nov. 22d, in
acknowledgment of a letter from the Secretary ; Win-
throp Sargent, Philadelphia, Nov. 18th, in acknowledg-
ment of his election as Corresponding Member ; Dr.
Lewis R. Gibbes, Charleston, Nov. 15th5 asking for miss-
ing numbers of Proceedings, &c. ; Stephen Calonby, New
York, Nov. 25th, the same ; George N. Lawrence, New
York, Dec. 10th, in acknowledgment of his election as
Corresponding Member; William Stimpson, Washing-
ton, Dec. 11th, concerning the publication of the results
of his labors on the Behring's Straits Expedition ; Robert
Clarke, Cincinnati, Oct. 29th, asking for missing numbers
of the Proceedings.

Captain N. E. Atwood was elected Curator of Ichthy-
ology.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

Oct. 1st. A very valuable collection of Fossil Bones from the Brazos Eiver,
Texas, belonging to Mastodon, Elephant, and Megatherium; by Dr. Charles
Martin, Surgeon, U. S. Navy. Specimens of Tubipora, and Coral, and the
Cranium of an Albatross; by Capt. George E. Tyler, of Dorchester. Two eggs

93

of the Pileated Woodpecker, Dryompus pileatus (rare specimens); by Dr. Cor-
nelius Kollock, of Clier.iw, S. C. A Fish and the Saws of two species of Pristis;
by Dr. S. Durkee.

Oct. 15th. A collection of Insects from Chili; by C. W. Blake, Esq. A speci-
men of Salamandra salmonea; by Dr. J. N. Borland. Copper and Silver Ores,
from Lake Superior; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr.

Nov. 5th. A specimen of Amaranthus pumilus, from Sachuest Beach, New-
port, R. I.; by Dr. Charles Pickering. European Nightingale, Philomela luscinia ;
by Dr. J. N. Borland. A piece of live oak, taken in the year 1844 from the
wreck of the British Frigate Slerlin, which was sunk in the River Delaware in
1777; by R. G. Parker, Esq.

Nov. 19th. Nest and eggs of Anna Humming-bird; five eggs of California
Quail ; two of Chordestes grammaca ; four of Quiscalus IJexicanus ; two of
IRrundo bicolor ; one of Ilirundo lunijrons ; one of Garrulus Calif crrnianus ; three
of Sturnella neglecta ; one of Muscicapa verticalis ; five of Agelaius gubernatar ; one
of Melanerpes formicivorus ; two oi Ectopistes marginellus ; one o{ Buieo calurus ;
one of Buteo montanus ; one of Buteo insignaius ; collected in California, by Mr.
E. Samuels.

Dec. 3d. A Fish, probably an undescribed species, belonging to the family with
Scopelus, taken oft' the eastern coast of Newfoundland, and a foetal Porpoise;
by Capt. N. E. Atwood. Specimens of Helix minutissima, Lea, from Portland,
Me.; by E. S. Morse, Esq., of Portland. A Fossil Shell, Spirifer Niagarensis'i
from Delaware, Canada West; by Capt. N. E. Atwood. Mineral concretions,
from Tuftonboro', N. H., said by Dr. C. T. Jackson to be composed of black
oxide of manganese imbedding sand, in the form of globular, or nearly globular
balls; by Wm. Haley, Esq., of Tuftonboro, N. H. Prairie Dog, Arctomys Ludo-
vicia7ms, Ord., from Nebraska; by Dr. F. V. Hayden. Mus Michiganiensis, old
and young, and Sciurus morgnicaudatus or rubricaudatus, (Fox Squirrel,) from
Illinois ; by Robert Kennicott, Esq.

Dec. I7th. A Fossil Tooth of a Moose, from Gratiot Lake, near Lake Superior;
by 0. A. Farwell, Esq. Skull of Musquash, Fiber Zibetliicus, Cuv., with one of
the upper incisor teeth elongated and coiled in a spiral form ; by Mr. Fletcher.
A globular concretion of grass, said to have been formed by the action of waves
upon the sea-shore ; by Dr. H. R. Storer.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING DEC. 31, 1856.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. Vol. VIII. 4to. Washington, 1856.
From the Smithsonian Institution.

American Geological History. James D. Dana. 8vo. Pamph. Nev/ Haven,
1856, Froin the Author.

Ecole Polytechnique. Cours de Gt^ologie Paleontologique. Jules Slarcou.
8vo. Pamph. Zurich, 1856. From the Author.

Inauguration of the Dudley Observatory at Albany, Aug. 28, 1856, 8vo.
Pamph. From J. II. Ilickcux.

Denkrede auf Johann Nepomuk von Fuchs. F. von Robell. 4to. Pamph.
Miinchen, 1856. From the Author.

94

Beitrag ziir Kenntniss der Ostnicoden. Dr. S. Fischer. 4to. Pamph. Miin-
chen, 1855. From the Author.

Ueber die niiehste Ursache der Spontancn Bliiuung einiger Pilze. C. F.
Schoenbein. 4to. Pamph. Milnchen, 1856. From the Author.

Thirty-sixth Report of the Leeds Literary and Philosophical Society. 8vo.
Pamph. Leeds, 1855-6. From the Society.

Pieport of the Proceedings of the Geological and Polytechnic Society of West
Riding, Yorkshire. 8vo. Pamph. 1855. Leeds. From H. Denny, A. L. S.

Report on the Minerals and Mineral Waters of Chili. J. L. Smith. 4to.
Pamph. Louisville. Frorn the Author.

Revision of the Synonymy of the Testaceous Mollusks of New England.
Wm. Stimpson. 8vo. Pamph. Boston, 1851.

Description of New Marine Invertebrata. By the same. 8vo. Pamph. Phila-
delphia, 1855. Fro7n the Authm:

Affinities of the large Extinct Bird, Gastornis Pariensis, Hebert. Prof. Richard
Owen. 8vo. Pamph. London, 1856.

Description of some Mammalian Fossils from the Red Crag of Suffolk. By
the same. 8vo. Pamph. London, 1856. From the Author.

Ninth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of New York, 8vo.
Pamph, Albany, 1856.

Catalogue of the New York State Library. 8vo. Albany, 1856. From the
Regents of the University.

Beitrag zur Kenntniss der Oxalsauren Salze. A. Vogel, Jr. 4to. Pamph.
Miinchen, 1855,

Ueber die Zersetzunger Saltpeter-saurer Salze durch Kohle. By the same. 4to.
Pamph. Miinchen, 1855. From the Author.

Memoire sur raEgilops Triticoides. Alexis Jordan. 8vo. Pamph. Paris,
1856.

De rOrigine des diverges vari^t^s ou espfeces d'Arbres Fruitiers. By the
same. 8vo. Pamph. Paris, 1853. From the Author.

Recherches Experimentales sur la Physiologic et la Pathologic des Capsules
Surrif-nales. E, Brown-Sequard. 4to. Pamph. Paris, 1856.

Notice sur les Travaux de M. Brown-S(5quard. 4to. Pamph. Paris, 1855.
From M. Brown-Sequard.

Preliminary Report on the Natural History of Vermont. A. Young, State
Naturalist. 8vo. Pamph. Burlington, 1856.

Annual Reports to the General Assembly in relation to International Ex-
changes and the Vermont State Library. 8vo. Pamph. Montpelier, Vt., 1850.

Address before the Vermont Historical and Antiquarian Society. J. D. Butler.
8vo. Pamph. Montpelier, 1846. From G. F. Houghton.

Posthumous Papers bequeathed to the East India Company, containing Wm.
Griffith's Icones Plantarura Asiaticarum, airangcd by John McClelland. 4 vols.
Long 4to.

Notulffi ad Plantas Asiaticas. 3 vols. 8vo.

95

Itiiieriuy Notes of Plants collected in Afl'ghanistan and neigliboring countries.
2 vols. 8vo.

Palms of British East India. 1 vol. Folio.

Journals of Travels in Assam, Burmah, etc. 8vo.

All the above by Wni. Griffith, F. L. S., arranged by John McClelland, F. L. S.
Calcutta , 1847-50. From John McClelland, M. £>., F. L. S.

Description of Eight New Species of Birds from South America. P. L. Sclater.
8vo. Pamph. London, 1856.

S3'nopsis of the Galbnlidaj. By the same. 8vo. Pamph. London, 1853.

Draft Arrangement of the Genus Thamnophilus ( Vieillot). By the same. 8vo.
Pamph. London, 1855.

List of Specimens of Birds in the British Museum. Part IIL Section 1.
Eamphastidoe. 12mo. Pamph. London, 1855.

Birds received in collections from Santa F6 di Bogota. P. L. Sclater. 8vo.
Pamph. London, 1855.

Synopsis of the Fissirostral Family Bucconidas. By the same. 8vo. Pamph.
London, 1854. Fro7n P. L. Sclater.

Silliman's Amei-ican Journal of Science and Art. Nos. 65, 66.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol. XXV.

Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Nos. 3, 4, 5. 8vo.
Pamph. 1856.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Nos. 292-304. 8vo.
Paraph. 1856.

Wiirttembergische Naturwissenschaftliche Jahreshefte, Zwolfter Jahrgang.
Zweiter Heft. 8vo. Stuttgart, 1856.

Receuil des Actes de I'Academie Imperiale des Sciences, Belles Lettres, et
Arts de Bordeaux. 17ieme ann^e. 1855. Trimestres 3, 4. Pamph. 8vo.
Bordeaux.

Delia Regione Vulcanica del Monte Vulture e del Tremuoto ivi avvenuto nel
di 14 Agosto, 1851. Da L. Palmieri ed A. Scacchi. 4to. Napoli, 1852.

New York Journal of Medicine. Vol. L No. 3. 8vo, New York, 1856.

Bulletin de la Societe de Geographic. 4rieme serie. Tome X. 8vo. Paris,
1855.

Rendiconto della Reale Accademia delle Scienze. Tome IL pp. 181-200.
4to. 1853.

Proceedings of the Elliott Society of Natural History, pp. 25-46. 8vo. Pamph.

Almanach der Kaiserlichen Akad. der Wissenschaften. Sechster Jahi-gang.
12mo. Wien, 1856.

Bericht iiber die Oesterreichische Literatur der Zoologie, Botanik, und Paleon-
tologie, aus den Jahren, 1850-3. 8vo. Wien, 1855.

Verhandlungen des Zoologisch-botanischen Yereins in Wien. Band V. Oct.
Dec. 1856. Wien.

Memoires de la Socit5te de Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle de Geneve. Tome
XIV. l^re partie. 4to. Geneve, 1855.

Annales de la Socidte Linneenne de Lyon. 8vo. Tome IL Lyon, 1855.

Annales des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles, d' Agriculture et d'Industrie,
publi(5es par une Socictc; Imperiale d' Agriculture de Lyon. 2ieme. Serie VII.
lere partie. 4to. Lyon, 1851.

96

Jahrbiicher der K. K. Central- Anstatt fiir Meteorologie und Erdmagnetismus.
Von Karl Kroil. IV Band. Jahrgang, 1852. 4to. Wien, 1856.

Abhandlinigen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin.
Aus deui Jalire, 1854. Erstes Supplement Band. Fol. 1856.

Monatsbericht der Kcinig. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin
8vo. July to Dec, 1855.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Vol. III.
Nos. 4, 5. 8vo. 1856.

Atti della Reale Accademia delle Scienze, Sezione della Societa Eeale Bor-
bonica. Vol. VI. 4to. Napoli, 1851.

Rendiconto de la Societa Reale Borbonica. 10 Nos. 1852-4. 4to. Napoli.

Relazione sulla malattia della vite apparsa nei contorni di Napoli ed altri
luoghi della Provincia, fatta da una commissione e presentada all Reale Accad-
emia delle Scienze. 4to. Napoli, 1852.

Zeitschrift fiir die Gesammten Naturwissenschaften. 17 Nos. July to Dec,
1850, and Jan. to Dec. 1855. 8vo. Berlin, 1854-5.

Verhandlungen des Naturhistorischen Vereins der Preussischen Rheinlande
und Westphalens. Heft 1, 2, 3. Svo. Bonn. 1855-56.

Bulletin de la Societ(^ de Geographic. 4vieme serie. XI. Paris. 8vo. 1856.

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. III. Part 3.
4to. 1856.

Annales des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles d' Agriculture et d'Industrie.
Svo. Lyon, 1855.

Memoires del' Academic Imperiale des Sciences, &c., de Lyon. Tomes IV. V.
Svo. 1854-5.

Denkschriften der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Band X. XL
4to. Wien, 1855-6.

Sitzungsberichte der K. Akademie der Wissenschaften. Band XVIII. XIX.
XX. Heft Band I. 9vo. Wien, 1856.

Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte, Wiegman, Erichson. No. 6, 1852; 5, 1854; and

1, 3, 5, 1855. Svo. Berlin, 1854-5. Received in Exchange.

Recherches sur les Vers a Soie. Guerin-Meneville. Svo. Pamph. Paris, 1854.

Recherches sur les Maladies des Vegetaux et particulier^ment sur la Maladie
de la Vigne. Guerin-Meneville. Svo. Pamph.

Note sur un Precede cultural et efficace pour fiiire perir TEumolpe de la Vigne
ou Ecrivain. Guerin-Meneville. 8vo. Pamph.

Note sur une Larve d'Insecte observ^e dans les Tiges de Seigle provenant de
la Champagne. Guerin-Meneville. Svo. Pamph.

Memoire sur la necessit(5 d'etudier un moyen simple et applicable en grand
de preserver les Bl(5s des attaques de I'alucite. Guerin-Meneville. Svo. Pamph.

Observations sur I'lndustrie de la Soie. G. Meneville et E. Robert. Svo.
Pamph. 1853.

Archives du Museum d' Histoire Naturelle. Tome V^II. Liv. 3, 4; et VIII. 1,

2. 4to. Paris, 1855-6.

Catalogue des Genres et Sous-Genres d'Oiseaux contenus dans le jMus^um
Britannique. George R. Gray. 4to. Pamph. Paris, 1855.
Conspectus Volucrum Anisodactylorum. Svo. Pamph.
Conspectus Volucrum Zygodactylorum. Svo. Pamph. 1854.
Tableau des Oiseaux de Proie. Svo. Pamph. 1854.
Extrait de la Revue et Magasin de Zoologi.e. No. 2. 1855. Svo. Pamph.

97

Tableaux Synoptique de I'Ordre des Herons. 4to. Pampli. 1855.

Excursions dans les divers mus($es d'AUemagne, d'HolIande et do Belgique;
Paralleliques de I'Ordre des Echassiers. 4to. Pamph. 1856.

Notes sur les Oiseaux des Isles Marquises. 4to. Pampli.

The above list of pamphlets by C. L. Bonaparte. International Exchange by
A. Vattemare.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Nos. 106, 107. From the Courtis
Fund.

Encyclopaedia Britannica. Vol. XI. 4to. Boston, 1856.

Arctic Explorations in 1853, 4, 5. E. K. Kane. 2 vols. 8vo. New York, 1856.

Cyclopajdia of Anatomy and Phj'siology.

Manual of United States History. Samuel Eliot. 8vo. Boston, 1856.

Memoirs of Celebrated Characters. 12mo. Vol. III. New York, 1856.

History of the Reign of Charles V. Wm. Robertson. Edited by W. H. Pres-
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Private Con-espondence of Daniel Webster. Edited by Fletcher Webster.
2 vols. Svo. Boston, 1856. Deposited by the Republican Institution.

BINNEY LIBRARY.

Albin's Birds. 3 vols. 4to. Full calf. London, 1738-40.

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Aldrovandi Opera Omnia. 13 vols. Folio. Old calf. Bonnvias, 1599-1668.

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Anatomic des Systemes Nerveuses, Atlas. 4to. Pamph. Paris, 1825.

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PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI. 7 MARCH, 1857.

98

Bell's British Quadrupeds. 8vo. Half calf. London, 1839.

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Bewick's British Birds. 2 vols. 8vo. Plalfcalf. New Castle, 1832.

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Barbut, Genera Vermium. 4to. Sheep. London, 1783.

Beche's Theoretical Geolog}'. ]2mo. Boards. London, 1834.

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Bingley's Animal Biography. 3 vols. 8vo. Half calf. London, 1805.

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Bonnet's Contemplations of Nature. 2 vols. 12mo. Sheep. London, 1766.

Bloch, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. 10 vols, in 5. 24mo. Half calf.
Paris, 1830.

Bohadsch, De Quibusdam Animalibus Marinis. 4to. Half calf. Dresds,
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Boitard, Manuel d'Histoire Naturelle. 2 vols. 24mo. Paris, 1827.

Book of Butterflies, Sphinxes, and Moths. 2 vols. 24mo. Boards. Edin-
burgh, 1832.

Boreau et Lartique, Histoire Naturelle. 12mo. Paper. Paris, 1839.

Bosc, Histoire Naturelle des Crustac^s. 2 vols. 24mo. Half calf. Paris, 1830.

Bremser, Les Vers Intestinaux de I'homme. 8vo. Half sheep. Paris, 1824.

Brisson's Ornithologia. 6 vols. 4to. Old calf. 260 plates. Paris, 1760.

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British Naturalist. 2 vols. 12mo. Boards.' London, 1833.

Brown's Natural History of Jamaica. Folio. Full calf. London, 1789.

Brown's Zoologist's Text Book. 2 vols, 12mo. Boards. Glasgow, 1833.

Brown's Zoology. 4to. Half mor. ; gilt edges. London, 1776.

Bruguifere et Lamarck, Histoire Naturelle des Vers. 3 vols. 4to. Paris, 1792-
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Buffon's Natural History of Birds, Beasts, &c. 4 vols. 12mo. Boards. Lon-
don, 1831.

Buffon's Natural History, by Barr. 15 vols. 12mo. Sheep. London, 1792-8.

Babbage on the Decline of Science in England. 8vo. Boards. London, 1830.

Barton's Medical and Physical Journal. 3 vols. 8vo. Half calf. Philadel-
phia, 1805-8.

Blackwell's Researches in Zoology. 8vo. Boards. London, 1834.

Bloch, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. 3 vols. Royal folio. Full red mor. ;
gilt edges. Berlin, 1785-87.

Blumenbach, Manuel d'Histoire Natui-elle. 2 vols. 8vo. Sheep. Metz, 1803.

Bomare's Dictionnaire d'Histoire Natm'elle. 8 vols. 4to. Sheep. Lyons,
1791.

Bonaparte's Amei'ican Ornithology. 4 vols. Roj'al 4to. Half mor. Phila-
delphia, 1825-33.

Bonaparte's Birds of Europe and North America. 8vo. Cloth. Loudon,
1838.

Bonaparte, Memoria sulla distribuzione degli Animali Vertebrati. 8vo. Half
calf. Bologna, 1830.

Boston Journal of Philosophy and the Arts, from May, 1823, to Dec, 1826.
3 vols. 8vo. Half Russia. Boston.

Buffon's Histoire Naturelle. 17 vols. Supplement 7 vols. ; (1st and 2d A'ols.
wanting) in all 24 vols. 4to. Old calf. Paris, 1749-89.

99

Bulletin d'Histoire Naturelle et Actes dc la Soci(5t($ Linn^enne de Bordeaux.
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Burmeister's Manuel of Entomology. 8vo. Boards. London, 1836.

Bartram's Travels through Carolina, &c. 8vo. Sheep. Philadelphia, 1791.

Bichat, Recherches Physiologiques. 8vo. Sheep. Paris, 1822.

Bonnet, (Envres d'Histoire Naturelle ct dc Philosophic. 8 vols, in 10. Half
calf. Neuchatel, 1799-1803.

Bradford's History of Massachusetts. 8vo. Boards. Boston, 1825.

Brard, Mineralogie Appliqut^ aux Arts. 3 vols. Svo. Boards. Paris, 1821.

Bibliotheca Banksiana. 5 vols. 12mo. Calf. London, 1798.

Bigelow, Jacob. Plants of Boston and Environs. 8vo. Boards. Boston, 1814.

Bakewell's Introduction to Geology. Svo. Half Russia. New Haven, 1827.

British Museum, Report on. 2 vols. Folio. Paper. London, 1836.

Buffon, Nouvelles Suites a. 8vo. Paper. 9 odd vols. Paris.

Cuvier, Anatomic Compar^e. 8vo. Paris, 1836-46.

Cuvier, Elogcs Historiques. 3 vols. Svo. Half calf. Strasbourg et Paris,
1819-27.

Cuvier's Memoires pour I'Histoire de Mollusques. 4to. Half calf. 35 plates.
Paris, 1817.

Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, by Latreille. 4 vols. 8vo. Half calf. Loudon,
1834-36.

Cuvier, Dents des Mammiferes. Svo. Calf; gilt edges. Strasbourg, 1825.

Cuvier, Histoire Naturelle des Cetacc's. Svo. Half calf. Paris, 1836.

Cuvier, Ossemens Fossiles. 10 vols. Svo. Half calf. Paris, 1834-36.

Cuvier, et Valenciennes, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. 15 vols. 8vo.
Half calf. 5 in paper (in all 20.) Paris, 1828-46.

Cuvier's Theory of the Earth. Svo. Half Russia. New York, 1818.

Cuvier's Anatomic Comparc^e. Svo. Half boards. Paris, 1805.

Cuvier, Histoire de ses Travaux, par Flourens. 12mo, Half calf. Paris, 1S45.

Cabinet of Natural History. 2 vols. 4to. Half calf. Philadelphia, 1830-32.

Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands. 2
vols. Royal folio. Half calf. London, 1731-43.

Catalogue of Fossil Remains, &c., in the Museum of the Royal College of
Sm-geons of England. 4to. Cloth. London, 1845.

Charleton, De Diflferentiis et Nominibus Animalium. Small folio. Half calf.
Oxford, 1677.

Chevalier, Melanges Photographiques. Svo. Paper. 127 pp. Paris, 1844,

Cabanis, Du Physique et du Moral de I'Homme. 2 vols. Svo. Boards. Paris,
1824.

Camerarii Symbolse ex Quadrupedibus. Small 4to. Half calf. Nuremburg.

Cicero's Orations translated into English, by Rutherford. 4to. Full calf.
London, 1797.

Cleaveland's Mineralogy. 2 vols . Svo. Half sheep. Boston, 1822.

Combe's Phrenology. Svo. Boards. Philadelphia, 1822.

Conversations on Mineralogy. 2 vols. 12mo. Boards. London, 1822.

Carey on Political Economy. Svo. Sheep. Philadelphia, 1822.

Dana's Notice of Dr. Blum's Treatise on Pseudomorphous Minerals. Svo.
pp. 22. New Haven. 1845.

100

Dana on the Structure and Classification of Zoophytes. 4to. Boards. Phil-
adelphia, 1846.

Darwin's Researches in Geology and Natural History. 8vo. Cloth. London,
1839.

Darwin's Zoology of the Beagle. 5 vols. Royal 4to. London, 1840-43.

Davy's Consolations of Travel. 12mo. Boards. London, 1831.

Description of the Island of St. Michael, by J. W. Webster. 8vo. Boards.
Boston, 1821.

Dictionnaire de I'Histoire Naturelle, par Herbigny. 3 vols. Calf. 18mo.
Paris, 1755.

Drury's Exotic Insects, French and EngHsh. 4to, Full calf. Plates. Lon-
don, 1770.

Drury's Exotic Entomology, enlarged by Westwood. 3 vols. 4to. Half mor.
London, 1837.

Dutrochet Memoires des Vegetaux et des Animaux. 2 vols. 8vo. Half calf.
Paris, 1837.

Deleuze, Histoire et Description du Museum Royale d'Histoire Naturelle. 2
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Desmarest, Considerations sur la classe des Cn;stac^s. 8vo. Half calf. Paris,
1825.

Dumeril et Bibron, Ei-petologie Generale. 8 vols. (6th and 7th vols, wanting.)
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Dumeril's Sciences Naturelles. 2 vols. Svo. Boards. Paris, 1825.

Darwin's Zoonomia. 4to. Half sheep. Loudon, 1794.

Ellis's Zoophytes. 4to. Full Russia. London, 1786.

Enchiridion Historicte Natm-alis. 12mo. Sheep. London, 1797.

Evelyn's Sylva. 2 vols. 4to. Half mor. York, 1812.

Eyton's Rarer British Birds and Catalogue of British Birds. Svo. Half calf.
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Edwards's Essay upon Natiiral History, &c. Svo. Sheep. London, 1770.

Edwards's Agens Physiques sur la vie. Svo. Boards. Paris, 1824.

Ellis on Corralines. 4to. Calf. London, 1755.

Edwards's (Milne) Histoire NatureUe des Crustac^s. 4 vols. (1 of plates.) Svo.
Half calf. Paris, 1834-40.

Fauna Japonica, Temminck and Schlegel. Folio; Half calf. London, 1833.

Fishes of New York. By S. G. Mitchell. 4to. Without covers.

Fisher's Description of the Small Pox, Varioloid, Cow Pox, and Chicken Pox.
4to. Boards. 13 plates. Boston, 1829.

Fleming's British Animals. Svo. Half calf. Edinburgh, 1828.

Forbes's British Star Fishes. Svo. Cloth. London, 1841.

Forry's Climate of United States. 8vo. Cloth. New York, 1842.

Fleming's Philosophy of Zoology. 2 vols. Svo. Boards. Edinburgh, 1822.

Forskal, Descriptiones Animalium Itinere Orientale. 4to. Full calf. Hanniaj,
1775.

Forster's Catalogue of British Birds. Svo. Boards. London, 1817.

Forster's Natural History of Swallows. Svo. Paper. London, 1817.

Fourcroy, Entomologica Parisiensis. 2 vols. 18mo. Paper. Paris, 1785.

Fabricii Fauna Groenlandica. Svo. Half calf. Hafnite et Lipsise, 1780.

101

Good's Physiological Nosology. 8vo. Boards. Boston, 1823.

Giraud's Birds of Long Island. 8vo. Cloth. New York, 1844.

Gould's Invertebrata of Massachusetts. 8vo, Half calf. Cambridge, 1841.

Grave's Ovarium Brittanicura. 8vo. Boards. London, 1816.

Geoffrey, Histoire des Insectes. 2 vols. 4to. Old calf. Paris.

Gesneri Historia Animalium. 5 vols, in 3. Folio. Old calf. Tiguri, 1551-58.

Gesneri Historia Naturalis. 4 vols. Folio. Parchment. Tiguri, 1551-58.

Goldsmith's Animated Nature. 8 vols. Post 8vo. Full calf. London, 1774.

Gory and Percheron. Monographic des Cetoines. 8vo. Half calf. Paris,
1833.

Geradin, Tableau Elementaire D'Ornithologie, with Atlas, 2 vols. 8vo. Half
calf. Paris, 1806.

Gouan, Histoire des Poissons. 4to. Old calf. Strasbourg,' 1770.

Gray's Synopsis Reptilium. 8vo. Boards. London, 1831.

Guerin, Bulletin Zoologique. 8vo. Half calf. Paris, 1835.

Guerin, Magasin de Zoologie. 13 vols. 8ro. Half calf. And 3 nos. Paris,
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Guiana, Natural History of. 12mo. Half boards. London, 1769.

Guide pour les Kechi^rches et Observations Microscopiques. 12mo. Pamph.
Paris, 1836.

Guide des Voyageurs en Em-ope, par Reichard. 3 vols. Half boards. Paris,
1824.

Harlan's Fauna Americana. 8vo. Half Russia. Philadelphia, 1825.

Harris's Insects injurious to Vegetation. 8vo. Half calf. Cambridge,
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Herbst, Versuch einer Naturgeschiclite der Krabben und ICi'ebse. 4 vols. 4to.
(3 in paper, 1 full calf.) 1793-1804. Berlin und Stralsund.

Hitchcock's Geology, Mineralogy, Botany, and Zoology of Massachusetts, with
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Hayden, Horace H., Geological Essays. Baltimore, 1820.

Harlan's Medical and Physical Researches. Thick 8vo. Half mor. Philadel-
phia, 1835.

Hewitson's British Oology. 2 vols. 8vo. Cloth. Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Hill's History of Animals. Folio. Half calf. London, 1752.

Hill's Natural History of Fossils. Folio. Half calf. London, 1748.

Harris's Aurelian. By Westwood. Folio. Half red mor., gilt and gilt edges.
London, 1840.

History of Quadrupeds. 8vo. Sheep. New Castle, 1790.

Hayes's Natm-al History of Birds. Royal folio. Old half calf. London, 1755.

Historia Naturalis Brasilianse. Folio. Full green mor. Amsterdam, 1648.

Histoire Naturelle, Generale et Particulaire. (Buffon.) 126 vols. 8vo. Paper
covers. Paris. Au. IX.

Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. (Buflfon.) 9 vols. 4to. Boards. Paris, 1790.

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Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes. 4to. Half calf. Paris.

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102

Holandre's Abr^ge d'Histoire Naturelle. 6 vols. Post. 8vo. (2 of plates.)
Half calf. 1790.

Howard's (Philip) History of the Earth and Mankind. 4to. Boards. Lon-
don, 1797.

Hughes's Natural History of Barbadoes. Folio. Old calf. London, 1750.

Button's Book of Nature. 12mo. Half calf. London, 1821.

Hammatt's Book on the Ashby Coal-Field. 4to. Ashby, 1836.

Icthyologia Petri Artedi. 8vo. Half bound. Leyden, 1738.
niustrations of Zoology of South Africa. By A. Smith. 28 nos. 4to. Lon-
don, 1849.

Johnston's British Zoilphytes. 8vo. Cloth. Edinburgh, 1838.

Jardine and Selby's Hlustrations of Ornithology. 2 vols. 4to. Half mor.
Edinburgh.

Jesse. An Angler's Eamble. 8vo. Cloth. London, 1836.

Jesse. Gleanings in Natural History. 2 vols. (1st wanting.) 12mo. Cloth.
London, 1838.

Jonstonus, Historia Naturalis. Folio. Parchment. Amsterdam, 1647.
" Historia Naturalis, Quadrupetibus. Folio. Old calf.

" Historia Natui-alis, Piscibus et Cetis. Folio. Old calf.

Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia. Svo. Sheep. Boston, 1801.

Jenyn's British Vertebrate Animals. 8vo. Half calf. Cambridge, Eng., 1835.

Karnes's Elements of Criticism. 2 vols. 8vo. Sheep. New York, 1819.
Kirwan's (Richard) Geological Essays. 12mo. Sheep. London, 1799.
Klein, Dispositio Echinodermatum. 4to. Half calf. Gedani, 1734.
Knorr, Deliciaj Naturas Selecta;. 2 vols. Imperial folio. Full sheep. Nu-
remberg, 1754-67.

Kalm's Travels in North America. 3 vols. Svo. Calf. Warrington, 1770-71.

Le9ons d' Anatomic Comparee. Par Cuvier et Duvernoy. 8vo. Paper. 8 vols.
in 9. Paris, 1846.

Leuwenhoeck's Works. 2 vols. 4to. Half sheep. London, 1792.

Linnffius, Animal Kingdom. 4to. Half calf. London, 1792.
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" on Insects. 8vo. Old calf. London, 1773.

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Linnaeus, Systema Natura. 8 vols. Svo. Calf. VindobonsB, 1767-70.

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Lamarck, Systeme des Animaux sans Vertebras. Svo. Sheep. Paris, 1801.

Lamarck's Philosophie Zoologique. 2 vols. Svo. Half blue calf. Paris, 1830.

Latham's General Synopsis of Birds. 10 vols. 4to. Full Russia, gilt edges.
London, 1781-1801.

Latreille's Histoire Naturelle des Reptiles. 4 vols, in 2. 24mo. Half sheep.
Paris, 1830.

Leach's Crustacea. 4to. Half calf. London, 1817.

Lessor's Insecto-Theology. Svo. Sheep. Edinburgh, 1799.

Lesson, Manuel d' Ornithologie. 2 vols. 24mo. Paris, 1828.

103

Lewin's Birds of Great Britain. 8 vols, in 4. Koyal 4to. Full gi-een mor.
London, 1795-1800.

Lewin's Lepidopterous Insects of New South Wales. 4to. Half mor. Lon-
don, 1822.

Lister's Exercitatio Anatomica. 8vo. Old calf. London, 1694.

Low's Funda Oreadensis. 4to. Half calf. Edinburgh, 1813.

Lyonnet, Recherches sur les Insectes. 4to. Half calf. Paris, 1832.

Lacepede, Histoire Naturelle. 5 vols. 8vo. Half calf. Paris, 1819.

Latreille, Cours d'Entoniologie. 8vo. Half calf. Paris, 1831 .

" Families Naturelles du Regno Animal. 8vo. Half calf. Paris,

1825.

Leach and Nodder's Zoological Miscellany. 3 vols. Roj-al 8vo. Half calf.
London, 1814-17.

Lempriere's Lectures on Natural History. 8vo. Boards. London, 1830.

Lesson, Manuel de Mammalogie. 24mo. Half calf. Paris, 1827.

Le Vaillant, Voyage dans I'Afrique. 2 vols. Sheep. Paris, 1790.

Le Vaillant, Deuxieme Voyage dans I'lnterieur de I'Afrique. 3 vols. 8vo.
Sheep. Paris.

Lewin's Birds of New Holland. Royal 4to. Half mor. London, 1838.

Lewis and Clarke's Expedition. 2 vols. Svo. Sheep. Philadelphia, 1814.

Lubbock's Fauna of Norfolk. 8vo. Cloth. Norwich, 1845.

Loudon's Magazine of Natural History. 1st and 2d series. 13 vols. Svo.
Half Russia. London, 1829-40.

Marsham's Entomologia Bntannica. Svo. Half calf. London, 1802.

Martyn's Dictionary of Natural History. 2vols.ini. P'olio. London, 1785.

Memoires de la Soci^t^ d' Histoire Naturelle de Paris. 5 vols. 4to. Half calf.
Paris, 1823-24.

Memoires de la Socii?t(i d'Histoire Naturelle de Strasbourg. 2 vols, (and Vol.
m. in paper, and 3 nos. 4to. Half calf. Paris, 1830-35.

Memoires de la Societe de Physique et d'Histoii-e Naturelle de Geneve et
Paris, 1821-42.

Memoires de la Socit^t^ de Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle de Geneve et
Paris. Vols. X. and XL Paper.

Memoir of Lewis David von Schweinitz, P. D. 12mo. Pamph. Philadelphia,
1835.

Michaux, Histoire des Arbres Forestiers de 1' Amerique Septentrionale. ; 3 vols.
Royal Svo. Full Russia. Paris, 1800-13.

Montagu's Ornithological Dictionary. By Rennie. Svo. Half calf. London,
1831.

Mudie's British Birds. 2 vols. 8vo. Cloth. London, 1834.

Miscellany of Natural History. Parrots. 12mo. Cloth. Edinburgh, 1833.

Molina, Histoire Naturelle du ChiH. 12mo. Sheep. Paris, 1789.

Museum Wormianum. Folio. Full calf. Amsterdam, 1655.

Magazine of Zoology and Botany. Conducted by Jardine, Selby, and Dr.
Johnston. 2 vols. Svo. Cloth. Edinburgh, 1837-38.

Magendie, Anatomic des Systcmes Nerveuses. 2 vols. Half bound. Paris,
1825.

Magendie, Precis de Physiologic. 2 vols. Svo. Boards. Paris, 1825.

Mantell's Medals of Creation. 2 vols. Post Svo. Cloth. London, 1844.
" Wonders of Geology. 2 vols. Post Svo. London, 1838.

104

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January 7, 1857.
The President in the Chair. '

Mr. James E. Mills exhibited specimens of slate from
Somerville, Massachusetts, and read the accompanying
account of an analysis made by Mr. L. M. Dornbach, of
the Lawrence Scientific School.

108

The following analysis of a variety of Slate, found in the
town of Somerville, Mass., near Boston, was commenced upon the
supposition that it was a Dolomite ; as the cleavage resembled, in
many respects, that of rhombohedral carbonates.

The angle which the plane in the direction of the dip makes
with the plane of stratification is 102.*^ The angle which the
other plane of cleavage makes with that of stratification is 112'*.

The angle which the two planes inclined to the plane of strati-
fication make with each other is llC, though this varies some-
what in different specimens. The specific gravity is the same as
that of Dolomite, being 2.8192.

Analysis shows it to be a silicate of iron, alumina, lime, and
magnesia, in which the lime forms less than one per cent, of
the whole, as is shown by the following table : —

Water 3.439

Sesquioxide of Iron 8.324

Sesquioxide of Alumina ,...*, 19.353
Lime ........ .625

Magnesia 4.944

Silica 63.238

99.923

The President exhibited the dilated vena cava of an
Otter, {Lutra Canadensis,) recently taken in Massachu-
setts, and explained the peculiar physiological condition
of this animal in connection with its diving habits. He
also pointed out some other interesting points in its
anatomy.

Prof. H. D. Rogers made some remarks upon Ameri-
can and European Geology, in anticipation of a paper
which he said he intended to bring before the Society.

Dr. T. M. Brewer read the following paper on Vireo-

sylvia : —

In the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of
Philadelphia, (Vol. V. p. 153,) a description of a new species of

109

Vireosylvia is given by Mr. John Cassin of Philadelphia, from a
single specimen obtained by him in Brigham's Woods, near that
city. Its close resemblance to V. gilva, and the fact of its
having been for some time an unique specimen, has led to the
doubt whether it was a good species. Mr. Cassin described it
as differing from the gilva, which it most resembled, in being
smaller, in having a shorter and weaker bill, and a form gen-
erally shorter and stouter, with colors more vivid, and the super-
ciliary line more distinct. He named it Vireosylvia Philadel-
phica.

Two yeai's since, my attention was called by Thure Kumlien,
Esq., a very accurate and careful ornithologist of Wisconsin, to
a specimen of Vireosylvia obtained by him near Lake Kos-
kouong, in the southwestern part of that State. He thought it
a distinct species from any he had seen any description of, and
quite distinct from the F. gilva. I gave the specimen to a friend,
upon whose judgment I relied more than I could upon my own,
who pronounced it a V. gilva. Mr. Kumlien was not satisfied
with this decision, and still insisted that its habits, even more
than its plumage and size, showed it to be a distinct species.
The following year he sent me several specimens which I gave
to Mr. Cassin, who had no doubt that they were of the species
he had described as F. Philadelphica, though others to whom I
showed them were still unconvinced. In answer to a letter in
which I informed Mr. Kumlien that his birds were supposed to
be the V. gilva in an unusually fresh plumage, he wrote me the
answer which I give below. It proves, to my mind, conclu-
sively his correctness, establishing the species to be a good one,
distinct from V. gilva and identical with that described by Mr.
Cassin as F. Philadelphica. I take the greatest pleasure in thus
giving Mr. Kumlien the credit of having worked it out, unaided by
any suggestion or help from any one, in view of the disadvantages
under which he labors in the want of access to any text-books.
His letter is interesting, as throwing the first light that has yet
been given to the public upon the habits and distribution of
this new and little known species. The following is the extract
referred to : —

" In regard to the Vireo which I sent you last being the Vireo
gilvus ' in an unusually fresh plumage,' I beg your perusal of

110

the following remarks. You may think it bold in me, but so far
as I read Wilson I am not satislied in regard to this vireo matter.
" Vireo ffilvus, Wilson — in every respect agreeing with Wil-
son's description — is common here from the 8th or 10th of May
till September. It consequently breeds here. It is an excellent
singer. I have a number of skins, and all agree in their mark-
ings. There is very little difference between its spring and
autumnal dress. It is found in openings more than in thick timber,
and frequently near farm-houses. Its length varies from 5J- to

6 inches; I have one that measures full six. Vireo ? —

that which I sent you, and which cannot be V. ffilvus if the pre-
ceding is — is by no means so common as the other, and I have
never observed it before May 15th, and only from the loth to the
25th of May and in September. I never heard this bird sing a
note. It keeps in the most secluded thickets ; I never found it
anywhere else. It is a smaller bird than the other. Its length
is from 5 to H^ inches, which is the longest I have ever found.
I admit that in general markings both birds are very much alike,
but the ffilvus is a more slender bird than the other, which appears
stouter. Between the spring and autumnal dress of the ffilvus,
as I have said, there is but little difference in the markings, but
the other, in autumn, is considerably tinged with yellow. Another
point is the difference in the relative length of the primaries,
which is as follows : —

V. ffilvus. * Vireo ?

First primary very short. First primary longer than Sth.

Second do. longer than 6th. Second do. "> longest and of

Third do. ~> longest and of Third do. ) the same length.

Fourth do. j the same length. Fourth do. longer than the 1st.

Fifth do. longer than 2d. Fifth do. shortest.

Wing 3 inches. Wing 2^ inches.

" This will, I think, separate them. This measurement was
taken from several specimens.

" But the question may arise, is not my F. ffilvus perhaps the
V. Novehoracensis ? It is not ; the iris is hazel and not white, and
moreover, on my ffilvus there are no yellow markings, except a
very faint greenish-yellow on the breast. V. Novehoracensis is

Ill

5-^ inches in length, and I never had a specimen of V. gilvus so
small as that."

I have given Mr. Kumlien's letter in nearly his own language,
and in no instance have I varied from his meaning. I think it
establishes his vireo to be a good species, and if so, it is the
Vireosylvia Philadelphica of Mr. Cassin.

President Hitchcock exhibited specimens of impres-
sions, which he supposed to be those of a Myriapod,
found at Turner's Falls on Connecticut River.

President Hitchcock also presented specimens of de-
pressions found in the Sandstone of the Connecticut
Valley. They were of regular polygonal forms, gen-
erally from five to eight sided, shallow, and about an
inch in diameter. Similar depressions have been found
in the Niagara Limestone of New York, of two or three
feet in diameter.

Mr. Hitchcock suggested that they might have been made by
tadpoles. He had observed these animals in the water contained
in the excavations, and had been informed by boys that they had
seen tadpoles in the act of excavating them. In 1850, Prof. B.
Silliman, .Jr., exhibited similar specimens to the American Asso-
ciation for the Advancement of Science, and read a letter from
a gentleman suggesting the same explanation of their forma-
tion. This explanation Prof. H. had not heard of, until he had
conceived the idea himself.

Mr. Hitchcock further stated that he was now doubtful, if the
tracks which he had supposed to have been made by birds, in the
Connecticut Valley Sandstone, were really jjroduced by birds,
since one great argument, viz : that of the number of phalanges
in the toe, is lost. Tracks of an animal, which was certainly a
quadruped, are now found, presenting the same number of pha-
langes and toes as the dinornis.

Specimens of Clay Stones were exhibited by Mr.
Charles Stodder and Mr. Ambrose Wellington.

The Committee appointed to memorialize Congress,

112

reported that they had prepared a memorial and for-
warded it to Washington.

Dr. Weinland read a paper on series in the animal
kingdom, as follows: —

ON SERIES IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. BY DAVID F. WEIN-
LAND.

The existence of certain Zoological Groups, namely, those of
Classes, Orders, Families, and Genera, was first noticed by the
father of Zoology, Aristotle. Two thousand years afterwards,
these groups were again brought to light and named by Linnaeus.
They have since been improved by Cuvier and Baer, and the
idea of type has been added. But it was not till lately that the
signification, at least of three of them, viz : of CLasses, Orders,
and Families, was recognized and circumscribed by Agassiz.
These ideas will henceforth stand and be acknowledged as
founded in nature.

But the question arises, whetlier there do not exist still other
relations and I'eal afiinities of animals to each other, which are
not included in these groupings, which have an equal right to be
introduced into our zoological system.

We think that this is in foct tlie case, and we shall endeavor to
show in the following sketch, that there exist throughout the whole
animal kingdom afiinities of the animals to each other, which we
can comprehend under the name of " Series." About twenty
years since, a German Naturalist, Kaup, spoke of series in the
animal kingdom, but his ideas proving somewhat arbitrary, the
subject received less attention than it deserved. Nevertheless,
its truth, if rightly understood, has been since recognized by
some distinguished naturalists. Oken, for instance, spoke of a
scale among Articulata, in which he placed the worms lowest,
next the Crustacea, and last the insects ; and Agassiz has
illustrated this gradation fully in the development of the butter-
fly, and has added still another amongst insects proper ; starting
from the principle that chewing rank below the sucking insects.

Another order of position has been recognized by Milne Ed-
wards and by Dana among Polypi ; another by Leopold von
Buch among Cephalopods ; another by Dana for Crustacea. We

113

have tried to trace out these gradations also, among the higher
animals, and the success which we have met with, wherever we
have had accurate information, has convinced us that such grada-
tions, which might very properly be termed series, really exist
throughout the animal kingdom.

Thus, among Mammalia, Ave have recognized until now two
natural series running parallel to each other, a carnivorous and
a herbivorous series. The carnivorous begins with the whales,
runs through the dolphin, seal, and Intra, to the marten, whence
it divides into two branches, one Plantigradous, the other Digiti-
gradous. The latter of these branches runs through the cat,
leopard, and dog, where it ends ; the other, that of the planti-
gradous, runs through Nasua, Procyon, (raccoon,) bear, to the
cynocephalous monkey, and through the liigher monkeys to man.
In this latter series, we would call the attention of naturalists
particularly to the bear, as the intermediate link between carniv-
orous animals and monkeys. When we consider the mixed
animal and vegetable food of the bear, its manner of life, and
general habits, its climbing and embracing propensities — for in
the bear we find an atm capable of embracing as in the monkey
— and when we ob^rve its manner of standing upright on its
plantigradous feet, wtliich is evidently connected with the use of
the fore legs as arms, there can be no doubt that the bear fills out
that gap which seems to exist between carnivorous animals and
monkeys. Such is the carnivorous series.

Parallel to this, and analogous to it, runs a herbivorous series ;
beginning with the Zeuglodons, and running through Sirenoids,
Morse, Dinotherium to Anoplotherium. Here it divides into two,
the Pachyderms and the Ruminants, and thus Owen was right
when he said that the Anoplotherium includes the characters of
Ruminants and Pachyderms. From Anoplotherium starts on
one side the Ruminant series, running through camel, cow, ante-
lope, deer, — and on the other side, the Pachyderm series,
running from Anoplotherium to Palajotherium and Tapir. At
this point we have another division into the series of horses,
which culminates in our domesticated horse, — and the series of
hogs, which embraces rhinoceros, elephants, and hogs.

Among Birds, there are at least four series : one starting from
the ostriches, and ending with the Gallinaceie ; — (I would re-

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. VOL. VI. 8 MARCH, 1857.

\(ir

114

mark, in passing, upon the striking similarity which exists be-
tween the ostrich and the young of the domestic fowl) — a second
beginning with the pelican, and ending with the Gallinula, a
wader; a third beginning with the hawks, and ending with the
singing-birds ; a fourth beginning with Rhamphastos, and ending
with the parrot ; another beginning with the Buceros, and ending
with the swallow and humming-bird.

In Reptiles, there seems to be but one series, — snakeS, lizards,
and turtles ; the snakes moving by the dorsal column, and having
head, neck, trunk, and tail united ui one 'continuous body, are
analogous to the whales, and the Sirenoids. The lizards, pro-
vided with a distinct neck, trunk, and tail, and with legs, are
analogous, the lower ones, the Anguiformes, to the seals, the
higher, to Lutra and Marten. In the turtles, the distinction of
parts is carried still farther ; the head and neck are very free,
the trunk which, in lizards, assists in locomotion, is scarcely used
for this purpose, and the four legs are the locomotory organs. In
the class of Batrachia we have again the same series. Cascilia
is snake-like, and wholly analogous to the snakes and to whales.
Icthyoids and Salamanders, provided with small or well-developed
legs, are wholly analogous to lizards, and the frogs and toads to
turtles.' In frogs and toads also, the four legs are the only
organs of locomotion, but the neck and head are not as free as
in turtles. This goes far to prove that the class of Batrachians
ranks lower than that of Reptiles,

January 21, 185T.
The President in the Chair.
Dr. Henry Bryant read the following paper, entitled —

A LIST OF BIRI>S OBSERVED AT GRAND MANAN AND AT YAR-
MOUTH, N. S., FROM JUNE 16 TO JULY 8, 1856.

In the early part of last summer I made an excursion, in
company with J. E. Cabot, Esq., to the island of Grand Manan

115

and to Yai'mouth, N. S. ; principally with the view of observing
the habits of the birds breeding in those localities. The follow-
ing species were seen by us ; those marked with an * only at
Manan, and those marked with a f only at Yarmouth : —

* Halicetus leucocephalus. A pair of full-plumaged birds were
seen every day at low tide, apparently watching for an oppor-
tunity of robbing the gulls of any thing worth the trouble.

* Hypotriorchis columharms ? A bird which appeared to be
of this species was seen at Duck Island.

* OtMS Cassinn. A nest of this bird was found by Mr. Cabot
in the midst of a dry, peaty bog. It was built on the ground, in
a very slovenly manner, of small sticks and a few feathers, and
presented hardly any excavation. It contained four eggs on the
point of being hatched. A young bird, the size of a robin, was
also found lying dead on a tussock of grass in another similar
locality.

Chordeiles Virginianns. Only a few individuals seen.

Chcetura jyelasgica. Quite common. A number of these birds
•were seen flying round the northeastern head of Green Island at
Yarmouth, and were, without doubt, nesting there, as they were
seen to fly in and out of the crevices of the rocks — the impos-
sibility of ascending the face of the cliffs prevented an actual
verification of the fact.

Hirundo Americana. Not so common as either of the other
two species of the genus.

Hirundo bicolor. Very common ; breeding in hollow stumps.
Incubation had generally commenced by the 2d of June.

Hirundo rufa. By far the most common swallow, particularly
at Manan. The nests were almost universally built without the
projecting neck. Of late years, these birds, as they become more
habituated to building in sheltered situations, have nearly discon-
tinued their former habit of building their nests in a retort shape.

Tyranmda Jlaviventris. This pretty little Flycatcher was more
numerous at Manan than at Yarmouth. Though apparently
unsuspicious, it was difficult to procure, in consequence of its
restlessness and its frequenting almost exclusively the thickest
clumps of alders and small firs. In its habits it approximates
more nearly to the warblers, than does any other species of the
genus that I am acquainted with. During our walks in the roads

IIG

and paths tlirougli the woods, it was never seen perched on a
dry twig or overhanging branch, waiting for passing insects, as is
the favorite habit of most of the genus; it procured its food
ahnost entirely by diligently hunting in the thickest foliage,
rarely venturing a short distance in pursuit of its prey. The
note of this bird is also much softer than that of the other
Tyrannulie.

Setophaga rnticella. More numerous than I have ever before
seen them. The young were hatched at Yarmouth before the
1st of July.

Myiodioctes Canadensis. Particularly numerous at Yarraoutli
among the small ferns and bushes on the edges of swamps.

* Sylvicola icterocephala. Only one pair seen.

Sylvicola cestiva. Common at Yarmouth, though not so much
so as at Eastport. None were seen on any of the small islands.

Sylvicola striata. Abundant in the alders.

Sylvicola virens. This species was the most common warbler
observed. The males could be seen and beard in every direc-
tion ; the females were not so numerous, being probably engaged
in incubation or feeding their young brood.

Trichas Marilandica. Common everywhere in suitable local-
ities.

Mniotilta varia. Quite abundant.

Pants atricapillits. Not so numerous as Avith us at the same
season.

t Parus Hu.dsonicus. Quite a number of these little titmice
were seen on the Big Mud Island. A pair of old birds with
their young brood were seen near Yarmouth on the 3d of July.
Their habits seemed identical with those of the common species.
Though the young were fully fledged and could fly with ease, the
old ones were so solicitous for tlieir safety that I could almost
catch them in my hands. A nest was found near by that proba-
bly belonged to this family; it was built in a dead white-birch, in
the same warm manner that the common Chickadee builds with
us. The note resembles that of the common species, but is
shai'per and more filing, and can readily be imitated by the syl-
lables Tzee-dee -dee-dee uttered with the front teeth in juxtapo-
sition.

Tiirdus migratorius. This bird, so preeminently domestic with

117

us, confining itself almost entirely during the breeding season to
the garden or orchard, was extremely numerous, but had appar-
ently lost its desire for human society. We found it nesting
everywhere, in the thickest woods and most secluded pastures,
much oftener than in the neighborhood of houses. The eggs of
the second brood were already laid, and incubation commenced
by the 25ih of June.

Tur^dus olivaceus. One specimen was seen at Long Island,
Manan, and another at the Big Mud, Yarmouth. Its note differs
entirely from that of the T. soUtarius ; it also differs very much
in its habits, the latter species being generally seen on the
ground, while the olivaceous Thrush prefers to procure its food
among the branches. The one seen at Big Mud was perched on
the top of a small dwarf-fir, and was hunting the passing insects,
with all the dexterity of a typical ilycatcher.

Tardus soUtarius. Very numerous. The plumage of the old
birds was much worn by rubbing against the thick bushes that
they principally inhabit; there was also much less of the yellow-
ish tint on the breast than oil specimens procured at other locali-
ties. The first brood had already left the parent birds. One
procured on the 27th of June, was fully fledged, but so unlike
the adult that I append a description of it : Wings, tail, and
greater wing-coverts as in adult. Rump reddish-brown, with light
yellowish-brown spots, most distinct towards the back. All the
rest of the upper parts olive-brown, with a long lanceolate whitish
spot in the centre of each feather, and the tip blackish-brown.
Smaller wing-coverts ferruginous-brown, with spots of light yel-
lowish-white, in the centre of each feather, occupying the greater
part of the tip, and running to a point towards the base. Throat
whitish in the centre, a black line on each side from the base of
lower mandible to below the eye. All the under parts more
yellowish than in the adult, with the sides of the neck, breast,
and flanks spotted with blackish-brown — the spots being rounded
on the centre of the breast, transvei'se on the upper part of the
abdomen, and V-shaped on the side of neck and breast, most
distinctly so on the latter. The general effect of the plumage is
precisely the same as that of the DendrocolaptincE.

Zonotrichia savanna. Particularly numerous on all the grassy
islands ; incubation nearly completed by the 2oth of June.

118

Zonotrichia Pennsylvanica. On arriving at Manan, we were
at first much puzzled by a note that we had never heard before ;
the bird that made it was always perched on the top of some
small tree or bush, and before being approached sufficiently near
to identify it, would drop into the bushes beneath. On watch-
ing the spot and shooting the bird, that we supposed had made
the note, it proved to be a White-throated Sparrow ; but the
note was so different from the soft warble made by that bird
with us in spring, that for some time we supposed that we had
shot the wrong bird. This note can readily be imitated by pro-
nouncing the syllables Pee-pee-pee-peehody-peebody, rather slowly
and in the same key. Few were seen in the neighborhood of
houses, but wherever the woods were thin, with an undergrowth
of bushes, or in bushy pastures, they were quite numerous.

StrutMo nivalis. This common and neat-looking sparrow, as
Dr. Brewer observes, takes the place occupied by the Emberizella
socialis with us, and is, if any thing, more confiding and domestic
in its habits. The young were universally hatched by the 25th
of June. The note is almost exactly similar to that of the Chip-
ping Sparrow.

Oarduelis tristis. Not common.

Erythrospiza purpurea. Not more numerous than in Massa-
chusetts during the breeding season.

Quiscalus versicolor. A few seen.

* Gorvus corax. One pair seen.

Gorvus Americanus. Very common ; more so at Manan than
at Yarmouth.

Garridus cristatus. Common.

t Garridus Ganadensis. At Yarmouth, we saw more of this
species than of the common Blue-jay. The name generally given
it by the inhabitants is Cat-bird. The bird called Cat-bird with
us, Mimus felivox, we did not see either at Manan or at Yarmouth.
Some others of our common birds that were not seen by us were
Mimus rufus, Tardus Wilsonii, Sialia Wilsonii, Dolychonyx ory-
zivora, Fringilla graminea, Pipillo erythrophthalmus, Sturnella
ludoviciana, Molothrus pecoris, Sterna argentea.

Bomhycilla GaroUnensis, Not common.

Picus puhescens. Several seen.

* Picus arcticus. One pair seen at Manan.

119

Colaptes auratus. Not nearly as common as in Massachusetts.

'\ Ectojristes migratorius. A dead female was found on Green
Island, twelve miles from Yarmouth. It presented no appear-
ance of having met a violent death.

Totanus macularms. Very abundant on all the grassy islands.
Incubation generally terminated by the 1st of July.

t Totcmus semipahnatus. One pair seen. A nest was found
by the boatman, containing, as usual, four eggs. This bird I do
not think has been observed breeding on the New England coast
north of Cape Cod.

Charadnus melodus. Abundant ; breeding on all the sandy
or gravelly beaches. The young were observed running about
by the 25th of June.

Charadrius semipahnatus. Only a few seen.

t Anas obscura. One pair seen at the Big Mud Island.

Somateria mollissima. During our stay at Manan we saw a
dozen or two of these birds, and obtained two eggs at the inner
Green Island. At the Mud Islands they were much more numer-
ous. A number of females with their young broods were seen.
The largest of the young were about a quarter grown. On ap-
proaching them, they dived with as much apparent facility as
the old ones, and did not rise till they were at a safe distance.

t Sula hassana. On arriving at Yarmouth, we were informed
that we should find plenty of Gannets on Gannet Rock. But it
was with a feeling of surprise almost as much as satisfaction, that
on approaching the rock sufficiently near, we first saw the birds.
The rock itself is a miniature of the Gannet Rock of the Gulf
of St. Lawrence, as described by Audubon, and is as difficult,
probably more difficult, of access. On approaching it, the Gan-
nets were seen to the number of some hundreds, covering the
northern end of the summit ; they were quite shy, and had all
left the rock before we had arrived within a hundred rods of it ;
they flew round our heads a few times, and then gradually dis-
appeared. The number of full-plumaged birds was greater than
I expected, as, from this being probably their most southern breed-
ing place, I had presumed, in accoi'dance with the common laws
governing the migration of birds to the colder regions, that the
majority would be in immature plumage. The number of brown
birds was about one to three of the white, or adult birds. On

120

scrambling to the summit of the rock, we found the nests ranged
all round its borders, most numerous on the northern aspect,
where they formed a continuous row; they were very bulky,
composed entirely of eel-grass, and were apparently used for
more than one season, as several of thera had been recently
repaired. The whole surface of the rock, as well as the outside
of the nests, was white from the droppings of the birds, and the
nests themselves, viewed from a short distance, looked more like
petrifactions than any thing else, encrusted as they were with
urea. The number of the nests, by count, was one hundred and
fifty. Not a single egg was found in any of them, as they had
been recently robbed. The same day we saw a fisherman at
Green Island, who said that the Monday previous he had taken
sixty eggs from the rock.

Sterna hirundo. A dozen pairs were breeding on the inner
Green Island at Manan, and many hundreds on Green Island at
Yarmouth. In consequence of the facility of access to Green
Island from Yarmouth, the birds are much disturbed. During the
short time that we passed on the Island, two other parties landed
for the purpose of egging.

t Sterna arctica. We found several hundred pairs of these
birds breeding on one of the Mud Islands. It was the first time
that I had ever found them breeding apart from other species of
the genus, and was therefore much pleased at being able to
examine a large number of their eggs, the authenticity of which
was positive. On comparing them with a number of the eggs of
the common tern procured at Green Island, no specific difference
could be discerned. Some of the nests were made in the short
grass at the edge of the beach, others on the masses of sea-weed
that had been driven up by storm above the ordinary reach of
the w;ives, and others were mere excavations in the sand and
gravel of the beach. On examining specimens the moment they
are shot, the pearl-gray tint of the lower parts is frequently not
readily perceived, except in certain lights, and if this color were
the only specific character, it would frequently be impossible to
distinguish them from the common tern. This color grows grad-
ually deeper after death, and finally becomes nearly as dark as
that of the upper parts. The length of the bill varies consider-
ably in this as well as in some other species of tern, the difference

121

being more than a quarter part of the length of the shorter speci-
mens. The long external tail-feathers are also very variable in
length, being an inch and a half shorter in some specimens, with-
out any appearance of having been broken or worn. The only
diagnostic character that can be depended on in specimens of all
ages is the comparative length of the tarsi which are always
longer than the middle toe in the common species and never
longer in the arctic. The following table gives the comparative
length of the tarsus and middle toes of three specimens of each
species taken at random : —

S. Arctica.

S. hirundo.

9

9

$

s

c?

9

1

2

3

1

2

3

*15

15

14|

18^

201

19

154

m

16

17

18

16

Tarsus
IMiddle toe .

Lams argentatus. The favorite breeding-places of this bird, at
Manan and the neighboring islands, were the heaths, as they are
called by the inhabitants — dry, peaty bogs, covered with coarse
grass, scattered bushes, and dwarf firs. The nests were generally
placed so as to be sheltered by the firs or bushes, seldom in the
open heath. I should imagine, from Audubon's desci'iption, that
the number of nests on trees was greater at the time of his visit
than at present. This may be accounted for by the fact that the
breeding-places having been protected for some time by the
owners of the islands, the birds have not been so much disturbed
as formerly. On the Big Mud Island, near Yarmouth, they were
also found nesting on trees. More or less were found breeding
on all the islands we visited ; but everywhere with the exception
of the places mentioned, the nests were placed in the grass
among the rocks, or on the rocks themselves. The eggs found in
I)laces where the birds had probably not been disturbed were
about half hatched by the sixth of July. Dr. T. M. Brewer
states, in the 6th Vol. of the Journal, page 304, that the Larus
leucopterus is occasionally found breeding on the island near
Manan. As this bird is quite rare with us, and has always been
supposed to breed only on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, it was
an object of special search both to Mr. Cabot and myself ; but with

* Millimetres.

122

the exception of a single pair of Saddle-backs, Larus marinus, no
large gulls, other than the herring-gulls, were seen by either of
us. All the inhabitants at Manan, with whom we conversed on
this subject, stated that there was a bird, called by them Farmer
Gull, larger than the herring-gull, with a dark head and shoul-
ders, which was occasionally found breeding in solitary pairs on
the rocky islands. This description of the farmer gull is proba-
bly correct as far as it goes, more particularly as their attention
had been called to a specimen, unfortunately destroyed before
our arrival, which had been procured for Dr. Brewer. When at
Manan, we were told that we should find this bird much more
numerous at the Seal Islands, near Yarmouth. On ai'riving at
Yarmouth, we still heard of the Farmer Gull, and the same
description was given of it as at Manan, but we were told that it
was seldom seen there, though quite abundant at the Bay Cha-
leur. What species this bird may prove to be I do not know,
but am inclined to think, if a described species, it is a black-
backed gull in immature plumage, though the inhabitants who
had been in the habit of seeing this gull, did not consider it the
same as their so-called Farmer Gull.

t Larus marinus. One pair seen at Big Mud Island.

t Larus atricilla. Two pair seen at Green Island near Yar-
mouth. Their nests were not discovered, but the birds were shot,
and evidently, from the enlarged state of the oviducts of the
females, had recently finished laying. This is another of the
birds which are common on the shore south of Cape Cod, and
mentioned by Richardson as inhabitants of the fur countries ; they
are not known to breed between Cape Cod and the Bay of Fundy.

* Lestris Richardsonii. One pair seen near Green Island.

TItalassidroma Leachii. This bird was found breeding in
the manner described by Dr. T. M. Brewer, on some of the small
islands near Manan ; and also on the islands near Yarmouth,
including the Mud Islands, mentioned by Audubon as the breed-
ing places of the Wilson Petrel.

Mormon Arcticus. Only one specimen of this singular bird
was seen near Manan, but at the islands in the neighborhood of
Yarmouth they are still quite abundant. The only place where
we found them breeding was at Gi-een Island. One egg was
found here laid in a crevice in the rocks. Several burrows were

123

seen, much too large for the Petrels, and were probably made by
the PulRn, but neither eggs nor birds were found in them.

TJria grylle. This bird was found breeding wherever the
locality was suitable. On one of the islands near Manan, called
the Inner Green Island, we purchased twenty from a man who
had collected them there. From the number of inaccessible
rocks in this vicinity, (the breeding-places by choice of this bird,)
its number will not probably be much diminished for years. It
breeds as far south as Mt. Desert on the coast of Maine.

t Uria troille. Gannet Rock is nearly divided, by a deep
chasm, into two portions. On scrambling up its sides, we saw a
number of guillemots standing on the rocky shelves of the most
precipitous part ; seven eggs could be seen within the space of
three or four feet square ; these were procured with great difficulty
and some danger, by the boatman. They were all light blue,
with fewer marks than is generally the case. Incubation had
commenced in five of them. The birds were quite tame, and
would occasionally alight on the rocky shelves within thirty yards
of where we were standing watching them. Most of the time
they were flying through the fissure in the rock, always coming
from the same side, and passing sometimes within a few feet of
our heads. On Green Island, a single young one was procured,
apparently a few days old.

fAlca torda. A number of auks were seen at Gannet Rock
and also at Green Island. Two eggs were found at the latter
place, and an old female was caught alive by Mr. Cabot. A
much greater number of the four last-mentioned birds was seen,
than were apparently breeding in the neighborhood ; this might
very probably be caused by the larger proportion of them being
barren birds. This fact was not ascertained, as it might have
been, by dissecting a number of the birds, as we did not feel
inclined to aid in their fast approaching extirpation from this
their most southern stronghold.

Dr. Gould inquired how these birds compai-ed with those of
Northern Europe, and the Northwest Coast of North America.
The Arctic circle has been considered one uniform Zoological
Region ; he had recently examined shells collected by Mr. Stinip-
son in Behring's Straits and upon the northwest coast of North

124

America, and had found many of them to be identical with those
found between us and Labrador. One shell in particular, iV^wci/Za
thraciceformis, he alluded to ; one valve of this shell brought
from Japan, exactly mated an opposite valve taken at Prov-
incetown, Mass. At Hakodadi, Japan, the Arctic fauna exists,
and some shells of our coast are found ; whilst at Simoda the
shells are those of the China seas. Birds can traverse the ocean
in the northern regions where the continents approach each other,
but it is a question if mollusca can travel such distances.

Dr. Bryant stated that the majority of our Arctic birds are
identical with those of Europe ; and that the Arctic Ornithology
of the Western Coast of North America differs more from that
of the Eastern Coast than the latter does from that of Europe.
He also stated that the migration of birds is an interesting
subject bearing upon this question, the causes of migration being
by no means fully understood. This present winter, one of our
most common migratory birds, the Song Sparrow, (^Zonotrichia
meloda,) is quite abundant in the vicinity of Boston, and two,
which Dr. Bryant' killed for the purpose of examining them,
were fat and in good condition, showing that they had not suf-
fered from the severity of the weather, or the want of food,
causes generally assigned for the autumnal emigration of birds
from this region.

Dr. T. M. Brewer stated that it had been ascertained that
there is a greater diversity of species among the birds of the
Eastern and "Western North Atlantic coasts than was formerly
supposed. Several species, bearing close resemblance upon the
two continents, have been established to be different — for ex-
ample, the Velvet Duck, the Peregrine Falcon, and the Fish
Hawk. It was interesting to observe that, for no apparent cause
in their organization different from that common to both shores,
many birds are found only on one or the other shore ; for in-
stance, the INIanx Shearwater, the lesser Saddleback Gull, the
European Scoter, (differing only in size from the American,) are
found only in Europe. Between the birds of the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts there is more diversity, and also there are observ-
able differences of distribution. Thus, Brunnich's Guillemot,
found by Dr. Kane in latitude 70° North, and rarely found so far
south as Massachusetts Bay, in midwinter breeds in the harbor

125

of San Francisco, in latitude nearly corresponding with that of
Ilichmond, Virginia. The Uri'a gryUe, whose extreme southern
breeding-point on tiie Atlantic is the Bay of Fundy, breeds also
near San Francisco. It may be, however, that the Eastern and
the Western birds will yet be found to be of different species.
Dr. Brewer believed that they would be.

Dr. Pickering observed that the Song Sparrow lives all the
year at Philadelphia. As to the passage of birds across the
ocean, he could say that a flock of gulls kept company with the
ship, in which he crossed the Atlantic some time since, the whole
distance.

Capt. Atwood remarked that, as to fishes, it is often the most
delicate, and those having the thiiniest skins, which are the last
to migrate.

The President stated that he had recently an opportu-
nity, through the kindness of Dr. Bartlett, of New Bed-
ford, of dissecting the eye of a Sperm Whale, and the
parts surrounding it.

On examining the region of the eye, an enormous development
of the muscles was inmiediately observed. The sclerotic coat
of the eye was very thick, and likewise formed a very thick
sheath around the optic nerve, imbedding the bloodvessels,
and almost as hard as bone. It was found, however, to contain
no ossific matter, and to be simply very dense fibrous tissue.
Behind the globe of the eye, and occupying a large space, was a
large venous plexus. The eyelids were thick, and the conjunctiva
folded back in such a manner as to permit the eye to recede in
the socket. The globe of the eye, together with the optic nerve,
w^eighed three and a lialf ounces. The powerful retractor muscle,
analogous to that of ruminants, weighed five and a half ounces.
The other muscles seemed only indirectly connected with the
globe, and their use seemed rather to be to open the lid than to
move the globe. The muscles which were attached to the lids
were of great size, and together weighed one and a half pounds.
The object of such muscular power he could not divine. The
vascular plexus distended would tend somewhat to force forward
the eye, and a sphincter muscle behind the eye would have a

126

similar effect ; but these do not seem to demand such extensive
muscular power.

Mr. N. H. Bishop gave an account of the Zonda Wind
of South America.

The " Viente de Zonda" may be called a local wind, as it only
blows, in the vicinity of San Juan, of the Argentine Republic,
S. A. The town lies at the eastern base of the Andes, three or
four leagues from the outer Sierra, South lat. 31° 4', (Molina,)
long. 68° 57' West, (Arrowsmith.) Behind the first sierra, in the
valley of the Andes, are four or iive farms which constitute the
hanllet of Zonda, from which the wind is named. To all appear-
ance, the wind is formed outside the range, and blows west upon
the town ; but some old guides pretend that it comes from off the
snowy caps of the main Cordillera. It blows at all seasons,
though in the month of August (midwinter) it is most frequent.
This wind is hot and parching to the skin, and brings with it
clouds of dust and dirt, that fill the houses of the people with fine
sand. All persons leave their work and seek refuge in their
houses, while many of the huts of the gauchos are blown away
'by the force of the wind. Most persons are troubled with severe
headaches ; those who have been suffering from diseases of the
heart, find their complaints greatly aggravated, and frequently
there are cases of sudden death. Three or four years since, five
persons fell dead during Zondas in the month of August. The
Zonda lasts sometimes but two or three hours, at other times
more than forty-eight hours.

While the Zonda is at its height, a few puffs of cold air from
the south announce a change, and immediately the weathercock
veers from east and west to north and south, and a cold wind,
equally as strong as the hot Zonda, now prevails from the south;
all nature is refreshed, and men return to their labors.

Mr. Bishop stated that he had opened a communica-
tion with a North American residing at the base of the
Andes, in South America, and that, through him, he
hoped to be enabled to obtain specimens of natural his-
tory from that region.

127

The President exhibited the skeleton of a young South
American Ostrich belonging to the Society, and pointed
out some interesting anatomical features in the bones of
the neck and leg.

The President also exhibited the Cranium of a Digger
Indian, brought by Mr. Samuels from California. Its
internal capacity was about seventy-six cubic inches,
nearly the same as that of the Australian and Hottentot.
The forehead was very narrow, and the posterior part of
the head very broad.

The President likewise exhibited and pointed out the
homologies of the cranial bones of a Python, the entire
skeleton of which serpent belongs to the Society.

Dr. J. P. Reynolds presented, in the name of Rev. Louis
B. Schwarz, a Bulbous Root, from Africa (15° or 18°
S. L.) together with a gum found in the sandy soil. In
the rainy season these roots throw out a leaf a foot in
length, and produce a most beautiful flower. A resinous
substance exudes from the bulbs when cut, and probably
this resin, found in the soil, comes from the plant.

The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Schwarz
for the donation. The plant was referred to Mr. Sprague,
and the resin to Dr. Hayes, for examination.

Messrs. L. M. Dornbach, B. C. Ward, Charles Kess-
rnann, and Edward Habicht, were elected Resident Mem-
bers.

February 4, 1857.

The President in the Chair.

The Corresponding Secretary presented a communica-
tion from Mr. Charles Whittlesey, of Cleveland, Ohio,

128

entitled " Remarks explanatory of a Section of the Drift
or superficial Materials of the Northwest, from Lake Erie
to the Lake of the Woods." Referred to the publishing
committee.

A communication was read from Mr. E. S. Morse, of
Portland, Me., on Helix asteriscus, and specimens of
the shell were presented.

Helix asteriscus, Morse. Animal, short, bluish.

Shell, small, orbicular, very much depressed ; whorls four,
rounded above and below ; banded by twenty-five to thirty very
thin, transparent, and prominent ribs, very oblique, inclined back-
ward ; spire not rising above the last whorl ; suture deeply im-
pressed ; umbilicus moderately large, showing all the volutions ;
finely striated between the ribs ; in some specimens parallel lines
may be observed. Color, light brown.

Dimensions : breadth, J^^ in. ; height, ^^ in.

Found at Bethel, Me., in company with Pupa pentodon and
Pupa exigua, Sept. 28, 1856.

Observations. This shell differs from N. annulata, Case, in
being smaller, the umbilicus not so large, spire not elevated,
intercostal space not marked with parallel lines, but finely stri-
ated ; the color is also different.

Its peculiar thin, transparent ribs, depressed spire, and deep
umbilicus, are prominent features that can never confound it with
other species.

Mr. Amos Binney read the following communication
from his brother, Mr. W. G. Binney, and presented the
specimens referred to : —

Philadelphia, December 27, 1856.

Enclosed you will find a suite of the common American Snail,
Helix thyroidiis, Say, for the Museum of the Society.

Being engaged in a careful study of the land shells of the
United States, I am paying particular attention to ihaiv geographi-
cal distribution. In forming suites of all the species from every
part of the Union, some interesting results have been reached.
The snail in question has been found in nearly every section of

129

the country, and probably exists in all the States east of the
Rocky Mountains, with the exception, perhaps, of the peninsula
of Florida. In New England it is comparatively rare. In the
Middle States it is much more abundant, and reaches its max-
imum size. In the Southwestern States it is represented by the
form which Dr. Gould considers as specifically distinct, and has
described as Helix hucculenta. It is distinguished by its smaller
size, the umbilicus being generally closed, and in many individ-
uals it has a strong resemblance to H. clausa, Say. The speci-
mens from Alabama are at once recognized by the greater quan-
tity of calcareous matter in their shells, their larger size and
peculiar yellowish tinge. Georgia specimens received from the
lit. Rev. Bishop Elliott of Savannah, are furnished Avith a strong
denticle on the inner portion of the peristome, near the umbilicus.
St. Simon's Isle, on the coast of Georgia, has a very peculiar
variety, which has been furnished by Mr. Postell. It is at once
distinguished from those of the main land, by a smaller and more
triangular aperture, and elevated, pyramidal spire. Another
curious form is found only near Philadelphia. It is only one
half and often not more than one third the size of the Ohio shell
— has a very orbicular aperture, generally not furnished with the
parietal denticle. It seems restricted to the immediate vicinity
of the city, those from New Jersey, only ten miles distant, being
of the common form. Its resemblance to If. bucculenta will at
once be noticed — a curious fact, when we consider that one is
found on the primary formations, while the other is peculiar to
the limestone countries of the Southwest. When fresh, the Phil-
adelphia variety is of a pretty pink color.

Dr. A. A. Hayes read the following report: —

ANALYSIS OF A SPECIMEN OP GUM PROM AFRICA, PRESENTED
BY REV. MR. SCHWARZ.

The specimen was transparent, of a fine red-brown color,
externally hard and bx-ittle ; within, it was tough and slightly
elastic. It dissolved in the mouth, becoming tough, like jujube
paste, and gave the impression of agreeable sweetness ; after a

PROCEEDINGS B. S.N. H. VOL. VI. 9 APRIL, 1857.

130

few minutes, a slightly acrid sensation followed, like that produced
by unripe guavas. Its Spec. Grav. is 1.406.

In cold water it dissolves wholly, and the solution bears the
addition of its bulk of pure alcohol. More alcohol renders it
turbid, and as an emulsion it long retains its opacity and uni-
formity of diffusion. Alcohol does not dissolve it.

100 parts consist of —

Moisture dissipated at 212'' F. . . . 3.46

Pure colorless Arabine ..... 83.42

Glucose 10.80

Salts and Earths 1.28

Coloring and acrid matter, and loss . . . 1.04

100.00

The coloring matter resembles a humate, having an alkaline
base, and the salts obtained were carbonates of lime and potash,
with silicate and phosphate of lime, and a trace of manganese
oxide. All attempts to isolate the body giving the slightly acrid
impression, failed, from its easy decomposition.

It will be seen, that, as a natural mixture of arabine and glu-
cose, this specimen differs from the known gums. Excepting the
coloring matter, it is also remarkably pure, and the glucose does
not crystallize.

An examination of the bulb, which accompanied the specimen
of gum, was made, so far as to prove that the bulb furnished a
like body, apparently as an excretion. In the bulb, the gum is
associated with a bitter principle, which seems to be lost as the
gum matures.

Economically considered, this gum has some importance. As
presented, it has all the valuable qualities desired for uniting
surfaces by gumming. Its color can be removed, to adapt it to
cases where color would be objectionable.

As a mixture of gum and glucose, having the peculiar elas-
ticity found in jujube paste, it might be used with advantage in
the manufacture of lozenges, and all preparations of a similar
kind, into which gum and sugar enter in mixture, as well as in
inks and water-colors. Being destitute of Bassorine, it cannot
be substituted for other bodies for thickening mordant mixtures.

131

Mr. Sprague staled that he had been unable as yet to
determine the species, or even genus of this bulb. In en-
deavoring to obtain further information relative to this plant,
Dr. Reynolds had ascertained that the missionary station, where
it was obtained, was called Otymbingo amongst the Ovambo
tribe, about three weeks' journey from Walfisch Bay, the nearest
seaport. The bulbs are found in very great abundance around
the mission, in a poor soil of reddish-looking clay. During the
dry season they give no evidence of activity ; but when the
average amount of water falls during the rainy season, they
shoot out their leaves to the height of three or four feet. There
is a kind of spiral turning of each leaf, and it is curved outward
at the tip. The stem, which is four or five feet in height, bears
several flowers. Mr. Schvvarz considers the plant allied to the
Amaryllis tribe, and is inclined to place it amongst the Bruns-
wigia.

Dr. C. T.Jackson exhibited a very handsome specimen
of Hematite Iron Ore, belonging to the Brandon Iron
and Car Wheel Company. This iron is remarkable for
its stalactitic character, and is probably of hydrous
origin. It is composed of hydrated peroxide of iron,
85g per cent., water, 141 per cent., with a minute quantity
of manganese and silica. This ore produces the very
best kind of iron, and is easily smelted. It yields about
fifty per cent.

Dr. Hayes stated that he had proved, from careful analysis
and examinations of pseudomorphs, as well as the more ordinaiy
foi'ms of hematite, that the infiltration of an aqueous solution of
silicates of proto-peroxides of iron and manganese, caused the
production of hematite. The beautiful black, glossy coveriu"-,
which confers so much beauty on the ores of iron not truly hem-
atites, as well as the ore of manganese, is always composed of
silicate of proto-peroxide of iron, with silicate of one or both
oxides of manganese ; and the compact peroxides of manganese,
often owe their density and hardness to this compound.

Mr. T. T. Bouve, referring to a discussion on a previous even-

132

ing, upon the slide or fall of land upon the Presumpscot River,
near Portland, Maine, some years since, in which discussion
he had i)articipated, read documents from parties who visited the
locality immediately after the event occurred, in order to show
that the views maintained by him were correct, viz : that the
phenomenon was due primarily to a partial washing out of the
substrata by the action of the river ; — that it might be more
truly described as a fall or sinking of the surface, attended with
some sliding towards the river, which it croAvded from its course,
rather than to a sliding action alone of the surface, occasioning
a denudation of the substratum of dny. The presence of this
clay to such an extent on the surface, he described as resulting
from its being forced up by the crushing weight of the soil over
it, through the fissures and divisions that occurred above when
the fall took place. This spread over the disturbed area to a
considerable extent, and formed numerous hillocks, Mr. Bouve
then exhibited a fine series of conci'etions from the clay, most of
which had a nucleus of some organic body. Among these nuclei
were coprolites of fishes, fish-bones, joints of crabs, Balani, shells
of the genera Mya, Bulla, Nucula, and Saxicava. These con-
cretions, and those from other deposits of clay, are not, as has
been supposed by some, mere balls or masses of clay which have
become indurated by carbonate of lime imparted from the nucleus,
but true segregations of carbonate of lime from the solution of
this substance disseminated in the plastic clay. These bodies
ordinarily contain about 50 per cent, of carbonate of lime. They
do not always have a nucleus ; on the contrary, those from many
localities very seldom have any. These seem by no means neces-
sary for their production. Undoubtedly the carbonate of lime in
the plastic clay, acted upon by elective affinity, was led to draw
itself towards certain points, and to arrange itself more or less
concentrically about a centre where might be or not a nucleus of
some foreign body. Why the carbonate of lime did not in such
cases crystallize, is more than is clearly understood. Probably,
it might have something to do with the mechanical action of the
clay as a disturbing element.

In cases where the forms are flattened disks, or lenticular, as
in some deposits, it may be supposed that the strata of clay were
of diffex'ent density. This would account for the flattening, inas-

133

much as the force, acting in a radius from a centre, would be
more free to exert itself horizontally than otherwise.

Dr. Charles T. Jackson stated that he had several times, dur-
ing his geological survey of the State of Maine, examined the
slide on the Presumpscot River, in Westbrook, and had published
a short description of it in his annual reports on that survey.

He agreed with Mr. Bouve in opinion that an undermining of
the strata of clay, by the action of the river, probably induced the
slide, but he was satisfied that the strata of clay marl had slid
forward toward the river as well as fallen from the original level
of the remaining bank. Whether the frosts of winter cracked
the clay at its junction with the bank now standing, and thus let
in the water to the soft, plastic clay below, rendering it very
slippery, or the desiccation of it had caused such a fissure, was
unknown, but there cannot be a doubt that it was owing to the
extreme plasticity of the under blue clay that the strata were
enabled to slide toward the river, as they have done.

The positions of the fir-trees upon the clay bed prove a sliding
motion of the mass toward the river.

With regard to the concretions found at the slide. Dr. Jack-
son stated that the clay marl in which they are found contains
about ten per cent, of carbonate of lime, while the concretions
generally contain as much as 50 per cent. He considered the
crystallizing force of the cai'bonate of lime to be the cause of the
concretionary structure and form of these bodies, the foreign
bodies occasionally found Avithin them serving as nuclei around
which this semi-crystallization took place, the carbonate of lime
segregating and carrying with it the inert particles of clay, the
spheroidal form being that which would result from this action
when the force was not adequate to the production of crystals.
He illustrated this view by reference to the spheroidal struc-
ture of hyalite and of various hydrous silicates which form from a
gelatinous paste in which there is not sufficient freedom of motion
to allow of the formation of perfect crystals. In case there were
a larger proportion of carbonate of lime in solution as a bicar-
bonate, the crystalline foi'ms would become more perfect, as in
the well-known crystallized sandstone of Fontainbleau, in which
grains of silicious sand are forced into the form of calcareous

134

spar by the energetic segregation of the crystalhzing carbonate of
lime; the sand being inert matter which was forced by the calca-
reous salt to enter into the crystalline form of the spar.

Simihxr illustrations were adduced from chemical experiments
and observations in which spheroidal forms result, and also in
which foreign bodies are forced to enter into the structure of
crystals. He quoted the experiments of Beudant, which he had
repeated, in which Prussian blue was included in crystals of
nitre and alum. He also alluded to the effects of different men-
strua, in modifying the forms of crystals or totally changing their
forms, instancing the crystallization of sea salt in the foi'ms of the
regular octahedron in a solution of urea, whereas the cube is its
usual form.

Dr. A. A. Hayes followed Dr. Jackson, in remarking on the
concretions called claystones. Having incpiired of Dr. J. how
large was the proportion of sand in the Fontainbleau crystallized
sandstone, and received for answer about fifty per cent., he said
that he had often examined the spots where they were forming,
and had noticed a growth equal to the size of a garden bean, to
take place in the course of two or three weeks of wet, spring-
time weather. To form a just conception of the conditions, the
fact must be kept in view, that the beds containing them are
composed of fine silts, and in the case immediately under view,
these were arranged in planes of deposition of alternate courses,
covered by much finer material, in layers of different thickness ;
so that the mass was stratified ; the coarser layers being very
permeable to water. The rounded forms, often strongly resem-
bling organic remains, are found resting between these layers, and
a condition necessary to their formation is, the presence in the
layer or rock above them of abundance of carbonate of lime.

The force exerted by some salts in their tendency to crystallize
is brought into view only when we study their formation, and
carbonate of lime is one of the constantly occurring salts which
well illustrates, in a remarkable manner, this power of assuming
regular forms. As has been stated, with fifty per cent, of its weight
of sand, it forms regular rhomboids, but the more recent obser-
vations of some African travellers, who found their progress im-
peded by " stone plants," six or eight inches high, formed of

135

aggregates of spear-shaped crystals of sand, cemented by carbo-
nate of lime, show, that this large proportion may be exceeded,
while the foreign material is in a somewhat coarse state.

In the formation of claystones, however, we are to consider
the presence of finely-divided matter suspended in, or so mixed
with water of infiltration in spring-time, or general saturation
from position, that it has nearly a semi-fluid state. A saturated
solution of bicarbonate, or more commonly crenate of lime, finds
its way into the soft mass, by frost crevices, or channels left by
roots, or even air bubbles, and at these points the concretions
commence, when no nuclei of similar chemical composition exist.
The finely-divided matter interposes an obstacle to the formation
of crystals of carbonate of lime, far greater than an equal amount
of coarser foreign matter would do ; and we observe, then, the
influence of that beautiful law in accordance Avith which rounded
forms are produced. In the laboratory similar forms daily
occur, where the presence of finely-divided and diffused bodies,
arrests the formation of crystals, and globular, or curved-surfaced
solids are produced ; as in the animal frame, the cell structure
causes the dissolved phosphate of lime to take the curvilinear
form pertainnig to organization. The claystones which are pro-
duced under the simple conditions here described, have no con-
centric structure ; a slight conformity to this structure being
observed, when a bubble of air, or a vacant space, marks the
point of commencing deposition. In other cases, a shell in its
calcareous composition offers a preferred nucleus, and as it con-
tributes its lime salt, a concentric arrangement may be noticed in
the forms resulting, especially after exposing them to heat.
Rounded masses once formed become centres, or nuclei of second-
ary occurring aggregates, one central mass being surrounded by
spheres attached ; but in all it is easy to read the influence of the
tendency of carbonate of lime to crystallize, and the opposition of
the finely-divided silt, causing the particles of both to assume
forms without straight bounding lines, as the polarizing force of
crystallization is ai'rested in all directions.

It may be added that a great number of bodies present rounded
forms de[)endent on a modification of this law of restrained crys-
tallization, such as numerous iron ores, bog manganese, and even

136

the more compact forms, where infiltrated solution?, forming part
of the material, existed at the moment of aggregation.

Dj". Hayes made some remarks on the formation of macle
crystals, the true theory of which he stated that he had many
vears since illustrated by numerous specimens and examples.
Starting from the point where Beudant left the subject resting
on a supposition, it occurred to him that the law was quite within
the scope of a chemical demonstration, which would place this
and similar instances of crystallization among known scientific
facts. Without entering minutely into the matter, we may take
as an example a salt exerting a strong tendency to crystallize
from a hot solution on cooling, — ordinary saltpetre. A solution
of this salt, in a pure state, slowly cooled, affords solid, six-sided
prisms, or the crystals become solid if allowed to rest in the
fluid, and we observe nothing but the result of ordinary crystal-
lization. If the process has been carefully watched, — and it is a
most interesting and instructive exhibition, — it will be observed
that the particles of solid, so soon as tliey become visible, are
rectangular, and that they are polarized. Motion may cause
similar poles to approach within the limits of repulsion, when the
particle turns and brings its opposite pole in contact, the union
taking place at a certain angle, and the frame-work thus laid
out becomes closed in by successive layers of polarized particles,
forming a regular, solid crystal of a hexagonal form.

The same operation going on in a solution of the same salt,
mixed with a solution of common salt, exhibits for some time
the same pi'ocess of construction ; but it soon becomes apparent
that a solid prismatic crystal will not form, and time does not
change the condition of the solution. A frame-work, or skeleton
crystal is built up as before, and possibly the interstices may be
solidly filled, but there will appear a hexagonal cavity in the
centre, representing a considerable part of the volume of the crystal.
If we carefully seal this cavity and remove the crystal, we find the
fluid contents to be a strong solution of common salt, and the inte-
rior of the crystal has quite finished surfaces. The suggestion
at once arises that the crystal, having used in its structure all the
saltpetre within reach, has completed its form with a strong
solution of common salt. To test the correctness of this supposi-

137

tion, we may substitute a solid body, choosing one wliicli from its
fineness can be diffused uniformly, ami we shall find that a pure
salt will, by its polarizing action on this suspended matter, fill its
cai-ity quite closely, and make u[) its true solid crystal in part of
clay, Prussian blue, or other bodies. Ranging through the
ordinary salts, cooling from solutions, or the melted state, made
crystals will be obtained almost constantly, while in all cases of
slow evaporation and avoidance of those conditions favoring the
production of macles, solid transparent crystals only foi-m. Em-
ploying thus many thousands of pounds, or only a few grains of
salt, the operation of this law o^ polarization extended to contigu-
ous matter is seen, and in the experiments alluded to, it was shown
that its modified and more complex action gave beautiful results.
Skeleton crystals, such as sublimates, and snow-flakes, and frost-
work may be assumed to be solid crystals, at the instant of their
formation : the vapor, or air, being polarized to fill the vacancies,
which afterwards appear, gives the beauty and variety so strik-
ingly presented by them.

Mr. Charles Stodder stated that Professor Hitchcock, in his
" Final Report on the Geology of Massachusetts," 1841, devotes
several pages to the subject of claystones. He says : " They are
undoubtedly concretions, formed by laws somewhat analogous to
those of crystallization. I freely confess, however, that so far as
my means of information extend, the subject of concretions is
involved in great obscurity." — Report, p. 40G. " When broken, the
concretion appears compact and perfectly homogeneous through-
out, hi no case have I discovered a concentric or oolitic struc-
ture ; nor did the application of strong heat develop it." p. 409.
" In a very few cases I have met with a pebble, or a congeries
of coarse sand, near the centre of the claystone, which appeared
to have been the nucleus around which the particles collected ;
but in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, no such nucleus can
be discovered ; although it is undoubtedly true, that there must
have been something to determine the particles to a particular
centre." p. 410.

Since Professor Hitchcock's Report, Mr. Stodder was not aware
that any observations had been made throwing any light on the
origin or structure of these concretions. He exhibited two speci-
mens, cut open, — one. No. 1014 of the State collection from Am-

138

herst, was, as Prof. H. found tliem, compact atul perfectly homo-
geneous, and no nucleus was visible. The other, a very fine
example of these claystones, from an unknown locality, was a de-
pressed spheroid, almost a perfect circle in outline, presenting the
markings which gave it the appearance of having been turned in a
lathe, with an appendage on one side, apparently another spheroid
attached to the principal one.

On cutting this open and polishing the cut surface, it displayed
a concentric structure with slight variations in color. There was
no lamination ; the whole mass being perfectly compact, and the
lines of colors not sharply defined, but fading almost impercepti-
bly one into the other ; but the contrast of colors was sufficient,
in a favorable light, to exhibit unmistakably the concentric ar-
rano-ement of the material and the origin of ihe lines on the
surface which give these concretions so much the appearance of
works of art. There is a minute nucleus less than -J^ of an inch
in diameter. The first concentric layer exhibits its arrangement
about the nucleus in the form of an ellipse, assuming the spheroi-
dal form at the outset ; the succeeding layers extend the long
diameter more than they do the short one ; then a layer extends
over the long diameter and one side only of the short ; on the
other side of the now lenticular body, the layer terminates before
reaching the centre, and its edge makes one of the lines, that so
much resemble the marks of the turner's tool. Other layers are
added to the long diameter, only increasing the compression of
the spheroid, their edges making each a line on both sides. The
lines of color in the appendage before referred to are concentric
with the centre of the concretion, showing that that was not
formed around an independent nucleus as might be supposed by
the external appearance.

The minute size of the nucleus, and its position outside of the
centre, render it very difficult to be found without great care,
and very liable to be destroyed by cutting or breaking the stone.
No failure to find a nucleus is sufficient evidence that the concre-
tion was formed without it.

Mr. Stodder also called attention to another form of
clay concretion or segregation, which he saw some years
since in Windsor, Ct.

139

On the bank of the Farmhigton Tlivcr, was a bold, nearly per-
pendicular bluft'of the Connecticut valley clay, stratified in hori-
zontal layers of from half an inch to an inch, and perhaps two
inches in thickness. The divisional planes between the strata
were indurated, perhaps ^\ of an inch thick, and somewhat
harder than the mass of the clay. Exposed to the elements the
softer clay had been washed out between the hardened divisional
planes, to the depth of one or two inches. Extending from one
hardened plane to another, were cylindrical concretions of from
^ to f of an inch in diameter, at various distances apart. Tlie
bluff, seen in front, presented the appearance of small shelves sup-
ported by innumerable small columns, many of which had a small
hole through the centre. They looked as if they might have
collected about the rootlets of plants, but it is questionable whether
roots would penetrate clay to the depth of ten or fifteen feet, or
tlieir direction would always be vertical.

The columns undoubtedly were not lime and clay like the clay-
stones, but merely indurated clay, as none of them could be found
at the base of the bluff, the follen ones having decomposed.

Dr. Jackson referred to the Fossil from Lake Superior,
which accompanied the collection of minerals presented
by Dr. Kneeland at the last meeting, and which it was
suggested by Mr. Stodder, might assist in determining
the age of the copper-bearing rocks of that region. Dr.
Jackson stated that the fossil was a Cyathophyllum, and
undoubtedly came in the drift from the upper Silurian
Rocks of the northern shore of the lake.

Dr. Jackson exhibited specimens of Aluminium, consist-
ing of a table-fork made of the metal, some wire, foil, and
an ingot. Aluminium is now obtained in France at the
cost of nine dollars a pound, and Dr. J. has been informed
by a manufacturing chemist that it will soon .be pro-
duced at the cost of only four dollars a pound in this
country.

The Corresponding Secretary read the following let-
ters, viz : from the Regents of the University of New

140

York, January 15, 1857; the Royal Institution, Novem-
ber 26, 1856, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceed-
ings of the Society; from the Societe Imperiale d' Agri-
culture, &c., de Lyon, July 9, 1856, the Societe Lin-
n^ene de Lyon, July 9, 1856, the Academic Imperiale
&c., de Lyon, July 14, 1856, the Acadejnie Royale des
Sciences de Stockholm, August 1, 1856, presenting
their various publications ; from Dr. John S. Newberry,
Washington, Dec. 22, 1856, acknowledging -the receipt
of his diploma as Corresponding Member; from Robert
Kennicott, Esq., West Northfield, Illinois, January 15,
1857, acknowledging the donation of the Journal ; from
Isaac Lea, Philadelphia, January 2, 1857, and M. L. A-
Huguet Latour, Montreal, Jan. 3, 1857, requesting that
missing numbers of the Proceedings may be sent to them ;
from William Stimpson, Washington, Jan. 2d, 26th, and
29th, concerning his papers on the Crustacea of Califor-
nia ; froni Charles Girard, New York, Jan. 19, con-
cerning his descriptions of new California fishes : from
Charles Whittlesey, Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 25, accom-
panying a geological paper,

Mr. Leander Wetherell was elected a Resident Mem-
ber.

February 18, 1857.
Dr. C. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Prof..H. D. Rogers read the following paper entitled, —

CLASSIFICATION OF THE METAMORPHIC STRATA OF THE AT-
LANTIC SLOPE OF THE MIDDLE AND SOUTHERN STATES.

The following is a concise sketch of the Geological composi-
tion of the Atlantic Slope of the Middle and Southern States,

141

derived chiefly from a study of the formations of this portion of
Pennsylvania.

Discarding from our present survey tlie newer deposits of the
region, or those long, narrow, superficial troughs of unconform-
ably overlying red and gray shales and sandstones of mesozoic,
or middle secondary age, which partially cover the older or
crystalline, and semi-crystalline strata, and restricting our atten-
tion to these, we shall find, — that when carefully studied, they
rank themselves, so far as they admit of subdivision at all, into
three natural physical groups. All the sedimentary mineral
masses, without exception, are in a condition, more or less, of
metaraorphism or transformation from the earthy to the crystal-
line state by heat, and therefore using the term in a critical sense,
all of them are Metamorphic Rocks. In the more current con-
ventional application of this word, only some of them, however,
pertain to the usually recognized Metamorphic or Gneissic series ;
others belong unequivocally to the Paleozoic, or ancient life-rep-
resenting system, while others again constitute an extensive,
intermediate group, not typically gneissic or granitoid in their
degree of crystalline structure or metamorphism on the one
hand, nor yet fossiliferous on the other, at least so far as the
closest scrutiny can discover. For a long while, indeed, from the
commencement of geological researches in this district of the
Atlantic slope, until the geological surveys of Pennsylvania and
Virginia had unravelled the composition and structure of the
region, all of these ancient, and more or less altered strata of the
Atlantic slope, from its summit in the Blue Ridge and South
Mountain, to its base at the margin of tide water, were regarded
and designated alike as primary rocks, and were supposed to
constitute but one group, and that the oldest known to geologists.
Early, however, in the course of those surveys, it came to light
that by tar the larger portion of the rocky masses of at least the
middle and northwestern tracts of the Atlantic slope, including
much of the Blue Ridge and of the Green Mountains, was of a
different type and age from the oldest metamorphic, or true
gneissic system. The evidence in support of this conclusion was,
first, an obvious and verj^ general difference in the composition
of llie two sets of strata; secondly, a marked difference in their
conditions of metamorphism, and thirdly and more especially, a

142

striking contrast in their directions and manner of uplift, the pli-
cations and undulations of the less metamorphic series, dipping
almost invariably southeastward, while the gneiss presents in
many localities, no symmetrical foldings, but only a broad out-
crop, dipping to a different quarter. These structural dissimili-
tudes imply essential differences in the direction and date of the
crust movements, lifting and transforming the respective groups,
and led the geologists of Pennsylvania and Virginia to a convic-
tion, that over at. least many tracts, a physical unconformity, both
in strike and dip, would be yet discovered. It was not, however,
till a relatively late date in the prosecution of the geological sur-
vey of Pennsylvania, that the geologists of that State detected
there positive evidences of this physical break, and interval in
time between the two groups of strata, and established by ocular
proof the correctness of the previous induction. This unconform-
ity, reflecting so much light on the whole geology of the Atlantic
slope, was first clearly discerned in tracing the common boundary
of the two formations from the Schuylkill to the Brandy wine,
and the Susquehanna, but it was quickly afterwards recognized on
the borders of the gneissic district, north of the Chester County
limestone valley, and again, soon after, in the Lehigh Hills at
their intersection with the Delaware.

Prior to the suspension of the geological survey from 1843 to
1851, the true Paleozoic Age of the non-fossiliferous crystaUine
marbles, and semi-crystalline talcoid slates, and vitreous sand-
stones of the Chester and Montgomery Valley, had been clearly
demonstrated by the State geologist, through a comparison of the
strata with their corresponding formations in a less altered con-
dition further north ; but it was not until the resumption of field
research, upon the revival of the survey in 1851, that any dis-
tinctive fossils were detected in these greatly changed rocks,
■which even in their original state seem to have been almost des-
titute of their usual organic remains.

Assembling all the evidence which we now possess, we have
in the Atlantic slope by actual demonstration but one physical
break or horizon of unconfoi'mity throughout the whole immense
succession of altered crystalline, sedimentary strata, and within
this region but one paleontological horizon, that, namely, of the
already-discovered dawn of life among the American strata.

143

This latter plane or limit, marking the transition from the non-
fossiliferous or azoic deposits to those containing organic remains,
lies within the middle of the primal series or group, of the Penn-
sylvania Survey, that is to say, in the Primal White Sandstone,
Avhich even where very vitreous, and abounding in crystalline
mineral segregations, contains its distinctive fossiL the ScolitJais
linearis. The primal slates beneath the sandstone, and in im-
mediate alternation with it, possess not a vestige of organic life,
nor has any such been yet discovered anywhere within the limits
of the Atlantic slope, or on the northern or western borders of
the great Appalachian basin of North America, either in this
lower primal slate, or in the other semi-metamorphic grits and
schists physically conformable with it, and into which the true
Paleozoic sequence of our formations physically extends down-
ward. We have thus, then, two main horizons, subdividing the
more or less metaraorphic strata of the Atlantic slope into three
systems or groups ; the one, a physical break or interruption in
the original deposition of the masses; the other, a life-limit or
plane, denoting the first advent, so far as is yet discovered, of
organic beings. As these two planes are not coincident, but
include between them a thick group of sedimentary rocks, sepa-
rated from the lower physically, from the upper ontologically,
w^e are fully authorized, in the existing state of research, to
employ a classification, which recognizes a threefold division of
all these lower rocks. To the most ancient or lowest group, it is
proposed to continue the name of gneiss, preferring, however, to
call this division generically the Gneissic Series, em[)loyinr>-
sometimes the technical synonyme Hypozoic, proposed by Profes-
sor John Phillips, for these lowest of the metainorphic strata. To
the great middle group, less crystalline than the gneissic, and yet
destitute of fossils, the descriptive terms semi-metamorphic or
Azoic are applicable. And to the third uppermost system, or
entire succession of the American Appalachian strata from the
primal, containing the earliest traces of life, to the latest true
coal rocks, or last deposits of the Appalachian sea, it is here pro-
posed to affix^ as for many years past, the well-chosen title, con-
ferred on corresponding formations in Europe, of the Paleozoic,
or ancient life-entombing system or series. Thus we have the
Hypozoic rocks, or those underneath any life-bearing strata ;

144

Jzoic, or those destitute of any discovered relics of life ; and
Paleozoic, or those entombing the remains of the earth's most
ancient extinct forms of once living beings.

The Atlantic slope of Pennsylvania includes all these three
systems of strata. Where the azoic strata display their maxi-
mum amount of crystalline structure or metamorphism, they often
simulate the true ancient hypozoic or gneissic rocks so closely,
and they are indeed so identical with them in mineral aspect and
structure, that the observer is baffled in his attempts to distin-
guish the two groups lithologically ; nevertheless, it clearly ap-
pears, as the sections illustrating this country prove, that they are
distinct systems, occupying separate zones, susceptible of inde-
pendent definition on the geological map.

At the time of the first construction of the general geological
map of the State, the true limits separating the hypozoic or
gneissic from the azoic or semi-metamorphic rocks were but
vaguely understood, and the State geologist did not venture to
define them on the map, but shaded the one system into the
other, indicating, however, what he has since proved, that the
true gneissic rocks, in their southwestward course, pass out of
the State at the Susquehanna, only a short distance north of its
southern boundary, while the azoic, or talco-micaceous group, as
a genuine, downward extension of the primal, paleozoic series,
widens progressively going westward, until, from a very narrow
outcrop at the River Schuylkill, it occupies at the Susquehanna the
whole broad zone south of the limestone valleys of the Conestoga
and Codorus streams in Lancaster and York counties. Since the
revival of the field work of the survey, the dividing limit of these
two sets of metaraorphic strata has been traced and mapped with
precision. To the southwest of the Susquehanna it has never,
it is believed, been pursued through Maryland and the other
southern States, though one may readily discern it in going north-
Avard or westward from Baltimore, or ascending the Atlantic
slope in Virginia. In Maryland it crosses the Baltimore and
Susquehanna Railroad about twelve miles north of Baltimore, and
it is intersected by the Baltimore and Ohio raih-oad a little east of
Sykesville ; it crosses the Potomac above Georgetown, and the
James River in Virginia, west of Richmond. The line of bound-
ary is, however, not a simple one, but is intricately looped, in

145

consequence of numerous nearly parallel anticlinal foldings of
the strata, sending promontories or fingers of the older rocks,
within the area of the newer or semi-metamorphic, to the west of
their average boundary, and causing, of course, corresponding
troughs, or synclinal folds of the newer, to enter eastward of the
average boundary, the general area of the older. The Atlantic
slope has received hitherto so little exact geological study, that
we are, as yet, without the data for determining with any
precision, either the succession of its much broken and closely-
plicated strata, or the geographical limits which separate even
the larger sub-groups. It is sufficient, however, for our present
purpose, to show the existence and the approximate range of two
great metamorphic systems, separated by a physical break ; and
the conformable relations of the later or upper of these to well
known lower paleozoic formations of the Appalachian chain.

Mr. T. T. Bouve said he was incredulous as to the
matter of slates being so altered as to be mistaken for
gneiss or altered into true gneiss ; he questioned whether
gneiss ever were a deposited rock.

Dr. C. T. Jackson made some remarks dissenting from
Prof. Rogers upon certain points in the metamorphic
theory, and adduced some observations upon the slates
of Pequauket Mountain, in New Hampshire, in support
of his views.

Prof. Wm. B. Rogers supported the theory of Prof. H.
D. Rogers.

Dr. T. M. Brewer read the following

LIST AND DESCRIPTIONS OF EGGS OBTAINED IN CALIFORNIA
BY E. SAMUELS.

Buteo montanus, Nuttall. The Western Red-tailed Hawk or
White-throated Buzzard. This bird was first recognized as a
distinct species by Mr. Nuttall, (Manual, 1840.) Its claims to
this distinction have remained unrecognized until very recently.
In the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy, Feb. 1856,

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI. 10 APRIL, 1857.

146

Mr. Cassin, for the first time, refers to this hawk as a distinct
species from the variety found in the eastern States. ( B. bcrealis.)

Two eggs belonging to a bird of this species were obtained by
Mr. Samuels near Petahnna, California, in 1856, one of which
measures 2j^^ inches in length, by \\^ inches in its greatest
breadth. The shape of the egg is an almost exact ovoid, slightly
tending to a spheroid, one end being hardly perceptibly larger
than the other. Its grovind color is a very light buff, the spottings
and markings giving to it the effect of a yellowish-white. The
egg is marked over the entire surface with blotches, dashes, and
lines of a light tint of a brown tending to Vandyke. These are
mixed with markings of a lighter purplish-brown. The mark-
ings, of both shades, are chiefly oblong in shape, and run with the
length of the egg. They bear no i-esemblance to any eggs of the
B. horealis that I have ever seen, and are also quite unlike those
of any other hawk, so far as I am aware.

The nest was discovered by Mr. Samuels, not far from Peta-
luraa, California, close to the Mission House, near Petaluma Flat.
It was built on the top of a large evergreen oak, at least seventy
feet from the ground, and was constructed entirely of large,
coarse sticks, lined with a iew stray feathers. The eggs were
two in number, and had been set upon a short time. The male
bird was shot as it flew from the nest, which was so hidden by
the thick branches that it would have escaped detection.

Buteo calurus, Cassin. Black Red-tail Hawk. This hawk is
comparatively a new species, having been met with for the first
time by T. Charlton Henry, M. D., U. S. Army, in the vicinity
of Fort Webster, New Mexico, and described by Mr. Cassin in
the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadel-
phia, February, 1855, p. 277. The specimen obtained by Mr.
Samuels, with the egg, is the second that has been discovered at
the j)resent time, so far as I am aware. In regard to its habits
and specific peculiarities but little is known, and its geographical
distribution can only be conjectured from the two points, about a
thousand miles apart, where the two representatives of this spe-
cies were obtained, — Fort Webster and Petaluma.

The nest was found by Mr. Samuels on a hill north of Peta-
luma, California. It was built near the top of an evergreen oak,

147

at the height of about sixty feet from the ground. The nest con-
tained two eggs at the time it was discovered, which were just on
the point of hatching. It was constructed of sticks, and was
lined with moss. Both birds were about the spot. The male
bird manifesting much more courage than his mate in resistance
to the intruders, was shot. The female was wounded, but escaped.
The egg of the B. calurus measures 2^-^ inches in length by
ly\- in breadth. Its capacity is considerably less than that of
the B. montanus ; its shape is a much more oblong oval ; one
end is evidently more pointed than the other. Its ground color
is a dirty cream-white. It is covered, chietly at the larger end,
with blotches and smaller markings of a dark shade of a brown
almost exactly corresponding with that known as Vandyke-
brown, with smaller markings and spottings of a lighter shade
of the same. The latter are distributed at intervals over its
entire surface.

Buteo insignatiis ? The Canada Buzzard or Brown Buzzard.
In the collection of eggs obtained in California by Mr. Samuels,
were two eggs of a hawk which he had no doubt belonged to a bird
of this species. The parent was shot on the nest, but escaped into
a deep ravine below, and was not obtained. The egg is different
from that of any other hawk that I am acquainted with, and it
has been assigned to this bird, on the strength of Mr. Samuels's
impressions. It should be added, however, that his view of the
bird was necessarily incomplete, and he may have been mistaken
in regard to it. It is possibly the egg of Buteo Bah-dii, (a variety
of -B. Sivainsoni,) or it may belong to the B.elegans, all of which
bear sufficient resemblance to the B. insignatus to be confounded
with it, without an opportunity of closer inspection than he pos-
sessed. The nest was on a large white-oak, over a deep ravine,
on San Antonio Creek, near Petaluma. It was very large, was
constructed of coarse sticks, and was at least sixty feet from the
ground.

In regard to the habits and the geographical distribution of
this hawk, but little is known to naturalists. It was first de-
scribed from a specimen belonging to the Natural History Society
of Montreal, and obtained in that vicinity. Specimens have since
been met with in California ; but to what extent it is distributed

148

through the intervening country remains to be ascertained. It is
not improbable that it is a more common species on the Pacific
coast, and that it is of rare and accidental occurrence in the east-
ern part of the continent. Dr. lieermann has ascertained that
this hawk rears its young in California, where he met with both
adult and young specimens.

The egg supposed to be that of this hawk, measures 2y*^ inches
in length by ly*^ in breadth. Its shape is an oblong oval, and
neither end is perceptibly larger than the other. The ground
color of the egg is a cream- white, but little obscured by markings
or secondary colors. The egg is marked, chiefly at one end, with
lines, dottings, and small blotches of a light reddish-brown. The
lines with which one end of the egg is sparingly marbled are
much darker, and are more nearly of a Vandyke-brown. The
greater portion of the egg, especially that which corresponds with
the smaller end, is free from any markings. This has no close
resemblance to the egg of any other American hawk that I have
ever met with, but most nearly approaches that of the Rough-
legged Falcon from Labrador.

Hirundo bicolor. White-bellied Swallow.
Hirundo lunifrons. Republican or Cliff-Swallow.

Mellisuga anna. Anna Humming-Bird. Two nests with the
eggs of this bird were obtained by Mr. Samuels. They are not
new, bat are probably to be found in few collections. The nest
and eggs procured by Mr. S. correspond substantially with the
descriptions and measurements given by Mr. Nuttall and quoted
by Mr. Audubon. (Birds of America, Vol. X. p. 188.)

Tyrannus verticalis. Arkansas Flycatcher.

Scolecophacfus Mexicanus. Brewer's Blackbird, Audubon.
This bird was first met with in the territory of the United
States by Mr. Audubon, who found it in the country about Fort
Union, near the confluence of the Yellow Stone and the Missouri.
He called it, supposing it to be undescribed, Quiscalus Brewerii.
It had, however, been previously given by Mr. Swainson as
Mexicanus. Mr. Samuels was so fortunate as to meet with seve-
ral of the nests, with the eggs of this bird. The egg measures

149

lj\ inches in length by J-| of an inch in breadth. It is an oblong
oval, but pliglitly pointed at the smaller end, and, except in size,
bears some resemblance to the egg of the common Song Spar-
row, ( Zonoti'ichia melodia.) Its ground color is a greenish-white,
over which are diffused, in most of the specimens, numerous
blotches and markings of a ferruginous brown. The nests were
in low bushes in wet places, and did not essentially vary from
those constructed by the Red-winged Blackbird.

Agelaius (juhernator. Crimson-winged Blackbird. The nests
and eggs obtained by Mr. Samuels correspond with the descrip-
tion given by Dr. A. L. Heermann in the Journal of the Phila-
delpliia Academy.

Cyanocorax Cah'fornicus. California Jay. This is probably
the same bird given by Mr. Audubon as the Ultramarine Jay,
Garrulus sordidus, of Swainson, and G. idtramarinus, of Bona-
parte. Its eggs have been described by Dr. Ileerman

StunieUa neglecta. Missouri Meadow Lark.

Zonotrichia grammaca. Lark Bunting.

Carpodaciis familiaris. California Purple Finch.

Melanevpes formicivorus. California Woodpecker.

Ectopistes GaroUneiisis. Carolina Turtle-Dove.

Gallipepla Califormca. California Quail.

The Secretary read the following communication from
Dr. James Lewis, of Mohawk, N. Y., addressed to the
Corresponding Secretary :

I received yesterday the fourth sheet of Vol. VI. of the Pro-
ceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, in which I
find some remarks by Dr. Weinland relative to the causes of
erosions on fresh-water shells. This subject has atti'acted my
attention to a considerable extent, and I am glad there are others
who are similarly interested.

150

Although T assent to the propositions of Dr. Weinland as being
sufficient to explain the subject in some instances, I have not
regarded the presence of small worms on shells, nor the presence
of carbonic acid in water, as sufficient to account for the great
diversity of appearances presented by the same species in diffi^r-
ent localities.

From what information I have been able to obtain in relation
to the geological characters of various regions in which shells are
found, it appears that those bodies of Avater having large quan-
tities of calcareous salts in solution produce shells very little liable
to erosion ; while on the contrary, where there is very little lime,
and the water holds in solution considerable quantities of saline
alkalis and ferruginous salts, the shells are very liable to be
eroded. Among the numerous specimens that I have, illustrating
the above, are large numbers of shells from streams in Georgia,
where the waters abound in saline alkalis. The shells are very
generally eroded. I have also shells from other regions where
the saliue alkalis are more abundant than lime, and they present
the same character.

I have also shells from Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, &c., which
are from streams abounding in lime, and an eroded specimen is
seldom to be seen among them, except, perhaps, a few aged shells
that are evidently worn by long contact with abrading surfaces of
other bodies,

I have also shells from a lake in Herkimer county, N. Y.,
nearly all of which have perfect beaks, and the few that are eroded
are by no means as chalky in their texture as some specimens I
have seen from localities deficient in lime. The bottom of the
lake, in the instance specified, is a bed of marl.

But a more satisfactory proof that the freedom of shells from
erosion depends on the relative proportions of various salts or
alkalis in solution in the water, is presented in a limited body of
water under my own immediate inspection.

Near the village of Mohawk, is a slowly-moving body of water,
in which considerable numbers of shells are found. In those por-
tions of this body of water where the various salts bear their
natural and proper relation to each other, the shells are very
perfect, and generally very free from erosions. But at and be-
low, where the refuse ashes from an ashery are drained or leached

151

into this body of water after every shower, a considei-able quan-
tity of saline alkalis finds its way into the water, where, in con-
sequence of its specific gravity, it falls to the bottom, and every
shell within reach of the influence of this alkaline matter, is more
or less eroded, and most of them very much so. But further
down, the shells grow more perfect, probably in consequence of
the dilution of the alkalis, and their more general diffusion in the
whole body of the water, by the influence of the slight current
in it.

It may be thought strange that the presence of saline alkalis
in water is urged as a cause of the erosion of shells, but it may
be explained in this way. Wliere two or more alkalis are present
in the food of an animal, and only one of them is necessary and
proper to enable it to perform its healthy functions, the others
may, in part, take the place of the proper substance, and if so,
the shell formed under such circumstances w-ould be more or less
liable to erosion, in proportion to the solubility of the substituted
materials.

We have now only to inquire respecting a locality producing
eroded shells, — Is the water so highly charged with lime, that the
presence of a more soluble alkali in small quantity can have no
material influence in the formation of the shells ? If the answer
be yes, then we may reasonably ascribe the eroded character of
the shells of such a locality entirely to minute parasites ; but if
there be a preponderance of saline alkalis in the water, they may
be reasonably expected to enter into the organization of the shells,
and a very slight abrasion of the epidermis of the shell from any
cause, would expose the soluble alkalis to the solvent action ot
water alone, and the remaining portion of the shell becoming less
dense (and '"chalky") by a removal.pf a portion of its substance,
would, of course, wear away very rapidly. It is easy to understand
why the beaks of bivalves, and the apices of univalves are first
attacked by the erosive process. Firstly, the epidermis is thin-
ner at those points : secondly, those portions of the shell formed in
early life may be presumed to contain more gelatinous, and less
calcareous matter, than the parts formed at or near maturity. I
do not know demonstratively that this is the case, but analogy
teaches it.

152

Dr. Gould observed, that shells in limestone waters
are less liable to erosion, not from any difference in their
composition, but simply because there is less tendency
in such waters to abstract lime from the shell.

Prof. William B. Rogers suggested, that an analysis
of shells from various waters should be made, to deter-
mine any difference in their chemical composition.

The Secretary read a letter from Dr. Samuel Kneeland
on a supposed new species of Siredon from Lake Supe-
rior. The following account was subsequently received :

Siredon hyemalis, Kneeland. From 9 to 10 inches long ;
color on back olive-green, with a few small blackish spots, arranged
for the most part in longitudinal rows, and with a few smaller spots
varying in color from bright to rufous-yellow. A line, more dis-
tinct towards the tail, separating the olive-color of the back from
the sides, which are of a purplish-brown, with more numerous yel-
lowish spots sometimes coalescing into patches half an inch long and
two lines broad; brightest on sides of head and tail. Under sur-
face of body of an asby-brow^n color, with a more or less distinct
median white line, or linea alba ; the yellow spots occur on the
under surface of the jaw. From the nostrils, Avhich are situated
at the extreme corner of the truncated muzzle, about half an
inch wide, there I'uns a dark line through the centre of the eye
back to near the external gills; upper and lower segment of the
iris of a yellowish silvery color. Tail flattened laterally, ter-
minating in a rounded thin edge, more mottled than any other
part of the body. Gills, three in number on each side, exter-
nal, provided with an immense number of exceedingly delicate
fringes, of a deep red color when the animal is breathing ac-
tively ; these gills are kept waving to and fro in a most grace-
ful manner during active respiration ; when at rest they are
shrunken, still, and colorless. Just behind these gills are the
anterior extremities, about an inch in length, provided with four
fingers, mottled like the sides of the body; under suifnce of the
wrist and hand whitish, almost translucent, with the finger-tips
black. About five inches further back are the posterior extrera-

153

ities, in size, color, and number of toes, like the anterior limbs.
About three fourths of an inch behind the posterior limbs, is the
vent, of a bright orange-red color, in some specimens surrounded
with fringe-like projections. General shape and aspect of the
head, snaky ; some specimens, between the eyes and gills are
much broader than others ; average greatest width, just anterior
the gills, 1^ inch, — slight constriction in region of gills, — behind
the last the body is cylindrical and eel-like, about an inch in
diameter, gradually tapering towards the tail. The mouth is
provided with sharp conical teeth, and the palatine roof is studded
with them. Besides the motions of the gills, the animals suck in
water which passes out by the narrow openings at the base of
the gills. I liave kept several of the animals for months, giving
them nothing whatever to eat except what they got from the lake
water, which I changed every day or two. The water of Por-
tage Lake is very full of vegetable, and, probably, animalcular
impurities, on which, doubtless, the creatures fed ; but their
teeth indicate more substantial food than this. They have been
kept for months in clear spring water, so that the preservation of
life is probably due rather to the tenacity of the vital principle
in reptiles, than to any thing they find to eat in the water. The
animals in my possession, have been frozen under ice half an
inch thick, every night for three months, without any apparent
diminution of their activity; though the water around them was
not entirely frozen. 1 kept one an hour out of the water, during
which time it became quite sluggish, occasionally opening its
mouth spasmodically, as if to swallow water or air ; at the end of
the hour, on replacing it in the water, it soon regained its activ-
ity. Removing one entirely from the water, all motions of life
had ceased at the end of four hours. Their motions in the water
are very lively, and performed by the motions of the body and
tail ; they now and then come to the surface to take in or force
out a globule of air ; the last they often do under water. Their
feet serve them for a slow and difficult locomotion on the bottom ;
when they move quickly in a jar their limbs are stretched at
right angles, as if to steady the body ; perhaps in a larger space
they would be applied close to the body.

These animals are rarely if ever seen, except during the win-
ter; those I obtained were sucked up through the pumps for the

154

supply of the water for the copper stumps ; they are never thus
caught in the summer or autumn. They change their skin at
this season ; I have had several with the old skin hanging to the
new in shreds and patches, which are washed off by the water in
two or three days, leaving the colors of the new skin very bright ;
the edges of the tail are then so thin and transparent that the
network of bloodvessels can be seen with the naked eye. The
reason why they approach the shore at this season may be on
account of this change in the skin, and possibly for breeding pur-
poses. About once a week they pass from the anus a gelatinous
mass, about the size of a pea, of a whitish color. I thought this
might be possibly an egg, but the envelop soon becomes soft in
the water, and its contents are lengthened out into a somewhat
convoluted form. If this should not have been described, I would
propose for it the name of Siredon hyemalis.

The Secretary read a communication from Mr. Robert
Kennicott, of Chicago, informing the society that he had
several living specimens of the Great-tailed Fox-Squirrel,
[Scivrus magnicavdatus, Harlan,) which he held at the
disposal of the Society or its members.

Mr. Kennicott also announced the organization of the
Chicago Academy of Natural Sciences. President, Prof.
J. V. Z. Blaney.

Dr. T. M. Brewer announced the organization of the
California Society of Natural History, at Stockton.
President, R. K. Reid ; and presented its circular, which
w^as referred to the Council.

Messrs. James R. GatlifF, of Buenos Ayres, and Rus-
sell Loring, of Valparaiso, were elected Corresponding
members.

Messrs. Edward S. Rand, Jr., and John P. Robinson,
were elected Resident members.

155

March 4, 1857.

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

Mr. Amos Binney presented, in the name of his brother,
a Monograph on the group of American Helices repre-
sented by H. fuliginosa. Referred to the Publishing
Committee.

Mr. Amos Binney also presented, in the name of his
brother, the following paper :

DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO SUPPOSED NEW SPECIES OF AMERICAN
LAND SHELLS, BY WM. G. BINNEY.

1. SUCCINEA LINEATA.

Testa oblongo-ovata, solidior, albida aut cinerea; spira elevata,
acuta ; anfractus 3 convex!, lineis parallelis inter rugas incre-
mentales volventibus ornati ; sutura impressa ; apertura orbiculata-
ovata, oviformis, partem testae dimidiam tequans ; columella pli-
cata, callo albo induta.

DESCRIPTION.

Animal not observed.

Shell oblong-ovate, with three very convex whorls ; spire ele-
vated, acute ; surface marked with irregular wrinkles of growth,
between which are coarse parallel revolving lines, somewhat
removed from each other. Aperture large, about as long as one
half of the whole length of the shell, egg-shaped ; columella
folded; a deposition of callus on the parietal wall of the aperture.

Greatest diameter, 6 ; alt. 12 millimetres.

Geographical Distribution. Collected in considerable quantity
by Dr. F. V. Hayden,on high hills near Fort Union.

Jiemarks. The specimens collected being dead and eroded, it
is impossible to say what is the color of the shell when fresh. It
is probably ashy white, I'esembhng the true S. campestris of the
Southern States. The revolving lines which distinguish it at

156

once from every other described American species, are more
apparent on the middle of the body whorL These are quite
coarse, and placed at irregular intervals; — on some specimens
scarcely discernible. The aperture is unlike that of any other
of our species ; being correctly egg-shaped, — it is nearest in form
to that of S. campestris, but is less expanded. The parietal wall
of the aperture is unusually horizontal.

In general aspect it resembles somewhat S. vermeta, but is
distinguished from that shell by its more oval shape, and the
greater convexity of the whorls. It is the heaviest American
species.

HELIX INTERCISA.

Testa solidissiraa, luteo-cinerea, apice rufa, globoso-eonica ;
spira brevis ; sutura impressa ; anfractus quinque, convexiusculi,
lineis parallelis volvenlibus, valde demissis, strias incrementales
distinctas intercidentibus notati ; anfr. ultimus globosus, supra
peripheriam fascia union, rufa obscurissima ornatus ; apertura
maxime obliqua, forma equi calcei, rotundata; labrum albo-cine-
reum, incrassatum, subtus reflexiusculum, subunidentatum, umbil-
icum totum tegens ; marginibus approximati:^', callo interjunctis.

SYNOXYMS AND IlEFEREXCES.

Helix Nlckliniana. Lea. var. Binney Terrestrial Molhisks, II. p. 120,
III. pi. VI. f. 1. Ico7i in medio posita.

DESCRIPTIOX.

Animal wot observed.

Sliell globose-conic, with five slightly-rounded whorls ; spire
little elevated ; suture distinct ; upon the body whorl a dark
revolving band, hardly discernible ; aperture very oblique, shape
of a horseshoe ; peristome thickened, heavy, dirty white, slightly
reflected at the umbilicus, which it entirely conceals near its
junction with the columella, furnished with a tooth-like process,
the extremities connected by a heavy ash-colored callus, which is
spread more lightly over the whole parietal wall ; epidermis
grayish yellow, apex rufous. The striae of growth are very
numerous and distinct, crossed by numerous, regular, revolving
lines, so deeply impressed as to entirely separate them into small
sections ; thus the whole surface of the shell is divided into minute,

157

raised parallelograms, separated by the deep longitudinal and
horizontal furrows.

Greatest diameter, 22; less, 19 ; alt. 15 millimetres.

Geographical Distribution. Found in Oregon Territory.

Remarks. This shell I found in the collection of my father,
Dr. Amos Binney. It was labelled H. Nickliniana, Lea. var.,
and as such is figured in the terrestrial moUusks. I cannot believe,
however, that any species can admit of varieties differing so much
as this does from NicMiniana. To Mr. Lea's figure and descrip-
tion it bears no resemblance whatever, either in shape or sculp-
turing.

It may readily be distinguished among the Helices of the Pa-
cific coast, by its grayish, heavy shell, its thickened lip, and above
all, by the peculiar markings of the surface.

Dr. A. A. Hayes exhibited a specimen of rock guano,
from a lately-discovered deposit on an island not far dis-
tant from the main land in the Atlantic Ocean.

Dr. Hayes called attention to this substance chiefly, as an illus-
tration offered of the solution and subsequent deposition of phos-
phate of lime from decomposing bones. Eeferring to a paper which
he lately read here, in explanation of the chemical action, he showed
that the solution of bibasic phosphate, eliminated from tribasic
phosphate of lime, had penetrated into and cemented not only
the phosphate of comminuted bones, but had united a mass of
bivalve shells ; in some cases actually i*emoving the excess of
carbonate of lime, leaving a partly bibasic phosphate behind.

He had examined a number of cases of this transference, and
found sand and gravel aggregated by the phosphate which had
been removed from bone-phosphate, through the agency of cai'-
bonic and crcnic acids, formed in the humid decomposition of the
animal matter present in the bird droppings, — so as to form a
compound rock.

The facts already observed prove that mineral masses contain-
ing phosphate of lime, may be thus formed from animal phosphate
of lime, and present all the characters which we recognize in the
phosphate of lime engaged in the oldest slates. Additional inter-
est has been given to this subject, by communications from Prof.

158

Booth of Philadelphia, and Dr. S. L. Snowden Piggott of Balti-
more, who have analyzed specimens, in which the phosphoric acid
had combined with both oxide of iron and alumina.

Dr. Hayes stated that the economical value of this substance
is great, as a mineral fertilizer, it dilFering in this respect from
the common guano which derives its importance in agriculture
from its organic elements.

Dr. Hayes also gave an account of the formation of
Monk's Island, with the probable changes that its surface
had undergone.

Dr. Bryant read the following communication on a
supposed new species of Turkey recently described by
Mr. Gould.

In the January number of the Annals of Natural History, Mr.
Gould describes a new species of turkey, from the mountains of
Mexico. In the same article, he states that the domestic turkey
did not originate from the common wild turkey, Meleagris gcdlo-
pavo ; grounding this assertion principally on two facts, namely,
the difference in the structure of the two birds, and their not
readily breeding together. How far climate and other influences
may have affected the domestic variety in England, I do not
know, but with us neither of these statements is correct. If it
were not for the difference of plumage it would be impossible in
many cases to distinguish the two birds ; and even with this aid
it is sometimes very difficult to decide with certainty when the
specimen is a female. I can give no reason why the wild turkey
should be unwilling to breed with the domestic variety in Eng-
land, except that they are probably kept in confinement, to which
even the domestic bird with us unwillingly submits. At any rate,
this is not the case in the United States. The wild turkey
breeds here with the tame variety quite as readily as could be
expected ; whenever wild turkeys are numerous, it is an ordinary
occurrence for the tame hen to prefer the wild gobbler to the
domestic ones. I have had in my own possession wild hens that
bred with a tame gobbler, a fact much stranger than that of the
wild gobbler breeding with the tame hen. But the most satis-

159

factory proof of their specific identity is that the offspring of
mixed blood is known to be both hardier and more prolific than
the more domestic variety, — a fact which cannot be reconciled with
the theory of specific difference.

Dr. C. T. Jackson exhibited specimens of Aluminium
and several of its most important alloys with other
metals, and read a condensed resume of the various com-
munications on the subject contained in the Comptcs
Rendas of the French Academy of Sciences.

The three most interesting alloys of aluminium are those with
silver, copper, and zinc.

"When five per cent, of aluminium is added to pure silver it
increases the hardness of the metal and improves its quality for
plate, since this alloy is capable of receiving a high polish, and is
less liable to corrosion than the usual alloy of silver with copper.

When ten per cent, of aluminium is fused with pure silver, a
much harder alloy results, which is still quite malleable and takes
a resplendent polish. This alloy also resists the action of sul-
phide of hydrogen which at once blackens pure silver and its
usual copper alloy. It is also well adapted, from its superior
hardness and stiffness, for the manufacture of forks and knives,
and plate made of it is less liable to be scratched and defaced by
use.

The effects of aluminium on copper are quite remarkable, and
a very small proportion of aluminium is found to change the
color of copper to that of gold, while the alloy is much softer
and more ductile than pure copper. The whitening power of
aluminium when alloyed with copper, is much greater than thaT
possessed by zinc, and the alloys with aluminium are all malle-
able both when hot and cold.

A specimen of an alloy of one hundred parts by weight of cop-
per and five parts by weight of aluminium was of the color of
British gold coin, and was readily rolled out into sheets thin as
letter paper, it working as easily as fine silver.

It is stated in a communication published in the Gomptes Ren-
das, that this alloy is not affected by sulphide of ammonium ; but
tliis Dr. Jackson finds to be an error; for the moment a drop of

160

the sulphide is let fall on this alloy a deep red spot is produced,
and this quickly changes to a perfect black stain.

When larger proportions than 10 per cent, of aluminium are
melted with copper, the alloys become hard, and ultimately, by
increasing the proportion of aluminium, the alloy is made brittle.

The alloy of 10 per cent, of aluminium and 90 of copper is
malleable, ductile, and has a golden color, but it is not capable of
withstanding the action of acids or of sulphide of ammonium.

An alloy of 10 parts of aluminium and 90 of zinc is malleable,
and takes a very brilliant polish with the lustre and color of
highly-polished steel.

Dr. Jackson remarked that we know, as yet, but little of the
uses of aluminium and of its alloys, and that the introduction of
the new metal, at moderate cost, into the workshops of our me-
chanics and artisans, is likely to open a new field for enterprise in
metallurgy.

Numerous experiments are required, and larger quantities of
the alloys should be made, so as to test their properties and value
in a practical way, and the sacrifice of some hundreds of pounds
of aluminium could well be afforded in view of the useful results
that would be obtained by experiments with its numerous alloys.

Were aluminium works erected in this country, it is prob-
able that the first few years' production from them would be
consumed in experiments by our practical artisans, or be sold for
specimens to schools and colleges, or to private gentlemen. By
manufacturing this metal on a large scale, the cost of its production
can undoubtedly be made quite moderate. It is stated that it can
now be made in Paris at a cost of nine dollars a pound. This
is a considerable reduction from the former prices, for the speci-
mens now before the Society cost one hundred and sixty doUai's
per pound.

The following paper was read at the meeting of Octo-
ber 1st, 1856, by Dr. David Weinland.

A PSYCHOLOGICAL VIEW OF THE MOTIONS OF ANIMALS, BY
DR. DAVID "WEINLAND.

There is hardly any part of the science of natural history
which has been so little studied as the psychology of animals.

161

The ability to descend to the level of the mental constitution
(ipvxv) of animals, to understand their feelings, thoughts, and
desires, seems to have diminished in proportion to the progress
of civilization ; or, at least, in proportion as cultivated minds of
civilized nations have secluded themselves from free nature in
cities and students' closets. Still, we think the psychology of
animals is by no means the least interesting subject of human
thought. It is acknowledged that man is the crowning work of
creation, and this has been proved and illustrated often enough
by comparison of the structure of his body with that of other ver-
tebrates ; by showing that there exists an ideal series of develop-
ment from the horizontally moving fish to the erect man. Now,
may not this truth be as clearly, or more clearly traced, in fol-
lowing out the degrees of development of the psychical element,
from the low, feeding, and propagating fish, to man as made
in the image of God — that is, thinking in the same categories
with him. Undoubtedly such a series of psychical development
exists, but its steps have never been marked out, though many
materials have been collected in regard to the subject. In the
effort to attain a method of studying this part of the science of
nature, the following considerations have occurred to me.

We know the condition of a man's soul, or of its representative
in an animal, only by external manifestations. Thus, in order to
have a standard of comparison for the difl^erent degrees of psy-
chical development of animals, we may start from an analysis of
what is called the characteristic of animals, in opposition to plants,
namely, voluntary motion.

In considering closely the motions of a dog, we recognize in
them two entirely different kinds. One, and that by far the
most common, serves only and immediately the animal itself as
the means by which to obtain whatever it desires and enjoys,
(food, for instance,) and to shun whatever it dislikes. This kind
of motions we may call subjective ; that is, selfish motions ; be-
cause they serve only the subject itself. But again, we see an-
other kind of motions. Thus, the dog plays with other dogs, with
other animals, and with man. It makes many movements with
the head, eyes, ears, and tail, which serve no other purpose than
to show to other animals, or to man, the present condition of its
inner nature ; to show them what it feels, what it thinks, and what it

PROCEEDINGS B. S.N. H. VOL. VI. 11 MAY, 1857.

162

seeks. These motions are not subjective ; they are made in re-
lation to the inner natures of others, and therefore may be prop-
erly called sympathetic motions. Which of these two kinds of
motions is the higher? Undoubtedly the latter. All animals
have the first ; the second are not common to all. Does an her-
maphrodite worm, for instance, know that another being lives and
feels ? If not, it has no sympathetic motions.

Having considered how to view the motions of an animal, let
us return to our problem, namely, to find a standard for the com-
parison of the different degrees in which, in the series of animals,
the mental constitution is developed ; and to show that the greater
or less degree of development of the sympathetic motions in an
animal, and of its organs to perform them, exhibits at the same
time, the degree of its psychical development. That such is the
case is because no degree of this development, beyond eating
and drinking, can possibly exist, except in society with, and in
regard to, fellow-beings. All those animals of higher mental
organization, are social animals, or, at least, are connected by
certain psychical relations, with other animals. Thus, among
insects, the hymenoptera rank psychically very high. The
greater part of them live in communities ; that is to say, each
individual lives and cares not only for itself, but also for its
fellow-citizens. It knows that it belongs to a certain community,
has certain duties there, &c. ; and whenever we admire the
sagacity of a bee or an ant, it is its working and thinking in
relation to other beings that we admire. Moreover, only ani-
mals which are social by their nature, can be domesticated ; that
is, made friendly to man. Man himself becomes human only
when in society with fellow-men. Children lost in forests when
young, growing up there, resemble beasts. The higher the civil-
ization of men, the closer and more complicated are the relations
between them. Now if this be so ; if the social life is the only
field where, in men or in animals, a higher growth of the spirit is
possible ; and if with man the social life is far more developed
than with any other member of the animal kingdom, we may
draw our final conclusion, namely, that we can determine the
psychical rank of any animal, from a knowledge of the degree
of its ability to manifest itself to its fellow-beings, or, what
is the same thing, of its organs for sympathetic motions.

163

An example may illustrate the truth more fully. Let us look
at these organs in a fish, a lizard, and in man. The fish rests
horizontally in the water ; the head, neck, and trunk form one
bulky mass ; the dorsal column itself is the locomotatory oi-gan ;
the four limbs, fins, are used for balancing the body ; the ears
are rudimentary ; the eyes stiff, cold, without eyelids, and thus
without expression, and from their position and slight mobility, of
a very narrow horizon ; there is no voice with which to call a
companion. What means has this animal, by which to show to
another being what it feels ? Now as we see in fishes hardly
any organs for sympathetic motions, or senses for sympathetic
perceptions, we think we are justified in saying, that there must
be also in them very little sympathetic feehng or thinking. Let
us rise some steps further in the series of vertebrates, to the
lizard, — that quick, lively, sagacious animal. While in fishes,
the greater part of the body, and all four limbs, are used in loco-
motion, we find here four developed legs, the body nearly exempt
from the function of locomotion, and thus capable of further
differentiation ; and the head, neck, trunk, and tail are distinct.
With the distinct neck, and consequent ability to turn the head,
are immediately connected, not only a larger horizon, but also
many motions which manifest whatever moves or excites the
animal. Together with the larger horizon, the eyes are very
well developed, and the play of the eyelids (which are wanting in
fishes and even in snakes) gives expression ; so much, indeed, that
I have been able to tell from a glance at the eyes alone of some
lizards which I once kept alive for a long time, and which were
tame, whether they felt well or not. The ears, also, the organs
of the real social sense, are well developed in lizards ; and though
the animals themselves have no voice, still they seem to like
music. The tongue, which rarely exists in fishes, and when
present, is a mere organ for swallowing food, has here not only
become an organ of touch, but a means of expressing sympathy,
for I have seen them licking each other in play. In turtles,
which are higlier than lizards, we find already a voice ; and
even the fore feet are used as organs for sympathetic motions.
Prof. J. Wyman, in observing two of our common pond turtles
at the breeding season, saw the male gently stroke the head of
the female for some minutes.

164

Rising a step higher, we find in birds the voice developed to a
high degree, but yet confined to a narrow range of modulated
sounds. In mammalia, the organs for sympathetic motions are
more developed than in birds, except, perhaps, those connected
with the voice, although even this point remains to be settled.
In mammalia, we find the first hints of what shall come in man.
The first idea of an arm, we find in the bear, — it embraces ; and
this idea of an arm is connected with the ability to stand erect
upon the flat of the foot. In mammalia, too, we first find the idea
of a hand, hinted at already in the bear, but carried out more
fully in the monkey. The features of the face we find remark-
able in tlie dog, and still more so in the monkey. We could find
a like series in the organs of reproduction, which from this
merely natural view, must be considered organs of sympathy.
It is interesting to consider hermaphroditism from this stand-
point : it will be evident that it cannot occur in any animal
of high psychical endowments. We will in addition, merely
call attention to the fact that fishes have no organs of copu-
lation, or very rudimentary ones, that in many species the
male does not know the mother of the eggs which it fecun-
dates, while on the other hand, some reptiles, many birds,
and most mammalia live in pairs, or, at least, their males and
females go together throughout life, helping and taking care of
each other. All the family life, the only fountain of moral and
intellectual beauty, rests in the distinction and voluntary union
of the sexes, and this distinction and union only make possible
the highest unity of two beings which exists.

We will dwell no longer on these steps, but consider man him-
self. If our principle of coincidence of the degree of psychical
development, with the degree of the development of the organs
of sympathetic motions, be true, we must find these latter in their
highest condition in man. And so it is. Man, standing upright
on his feet, has all his body free for sympathetic motions ; and
the organs by which they are performed are here in perfection.
What we saw in the fish as a balancing instrument, in the lizard
as a mere locomotatory organ, is in man an arm which embraces
the child, the friend. With the hand, of which we saw no sign
in the fish, which is a foot and a locomotatory oi'gan in the lizard,
and the same in all mammalia, even monkeys, man grasps the

165

hand of his fellow-man, and shows him what he feels, and with
it, he emphasizes his language. Here are the features of the
face, expressing by the most diversified play of motions, the
varying conditions of the spirit, telling love and hate, joy and pain.
Here are the eyes, the mirror of the soul. All these organs we
find in a lower condition, in the higher mammalia, especially in
monkeys. But there is one kind of sympathetic motions, which
man alone enjoys, — those employed in language, — the power to
express fully his4deas, his emotions to other men, by modulated
sounds, produced by the complicated motion of the larynx, the
tongue, the lips, &c. Many animals, it is true, have a voice, but
none of them can express a series of thoughts or feelings. The
cry of an animal is always the last concluding word of a sentence.
It may be the result of a series of thoughts, but this series itself
is never expressed. Men have also this kind of sounds — the
sounds of laughing, crying, and many others : thus the war-cry
of the Indian is no language ; it is an animal sound, like the cry
of a wolf, when it calls others to help. But all men have, beyond
these animal sounds, the free, flexible language. They not only
show to each other, some of the points of their thinking, and feel-
ing, and willing ; they show, or can show, all the process which
goes on within ; that is, their inner natures can, by means of
language, communicate with each other freely. We I'ecognize in
language the highest kind of sympatlietic motions.

Conclusions. Firstly, when trying to study the psychical en-
dowments of animals, we have to start from the study of their mo-
tions, as the only manifestation of their mental constitutions (fvxf/)
which we can perceive. Secondly, There are to be distinguished
in animals two kinds of voluntary motion, — the subjective and
the sympathetic. The latter furnish the principal data for the
study of the psychical rank ; for every higher endowment flows
fi'om the sympathy of one feeling and thinking being with
another. Sympathy is only a flowing forth of love, and love is
the fountain of all moral and intellectual beauty in man.

Mr. C. J. Sprague stated that he had been informed
by a friend, who had recently visited Singapore, of a
curious fact, viz : that many of the bodies of the natives

166

who are killed by the tigers, are left unconsumed, and
that, upon an average, one body daily is found with the
neck dislocated.

Dr. Charles Pickering observed that undoubtedly many
bodies are found, but probably a much larger number
are carried off by the tigers into the thick jungles, and
consumed at their leisure.

Dr. A. A. Gould presented, in the name of J. P. Cou-
thoy, Esq., specimens of corals taken in seventy feet of
water from the well-known wreck near the Island of
Magdalena. The vessel has been under water about
forty years, and consequently these corals are not above
that age. He supposed them to be the largest speci-
mens found upon the wreck, and suggested that they
might aid in determining the rate of coral growths.

Capt. Atwood exhibited a bottle of oil, a specimen of a
substance which is occasionally thrown up on the shore
of Provincetown, and which is supposed to come from
the remains of the brig Hollander, which was lost some
twenty years since in that neighborhood, and which was
probably laden with linseed oil.

The specimen was referred to Dr. Hayes for exami-
nation.

Dr. Bryant exhibited several of the birds presented last
year by the Victoria Society, at Melbourne, and a por-
tion of Mr. Samuels's birds from California.

Dr. Gould presented, according to the directions of
the late Dr. Binney, the third volume of the Terrestrial
Mollusks and Shells of the United States, described and
illustrated by Dr. Binney, and edited by Dr. Gould.

167

March 18, 1857.

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

Dr. A. A. Hayes reported that the specimen of linseed oil
which was referred to him at the last meeting, had been tested.
It was found to be slightly acid, in consequence of well-known
reactions taking place between a minute quantity of fermentable
matter expressed from the seed and the oil, resulting in the pro-
duction of an oily acid. Tlie oil is not, however, in the state
which it assumes on exposure to air, but closely resembles fresh-
drawn oil, in all respects but odor and slight acidity. When
boiled as usual, it becomes capable of forming the elastic film
after exposure to air, and its useful properties have not been lost
or impaired after its long submersion in sea water.

In answer to a question from Mr. Mills, as to the composition
of pudding-stone, Dr. Hayes replied that he had made a some-
what extended examination of the cementing material of the
Roxbury conglomerate, and found that it is silicate of lime gen-
erally. There are cases where finely-divided slaty argillite
forms, with silicate of lime, quite large quantities of cement,
uniting pebbles of considerable size ; but these exhibitions are
only another feature, referable to the action of the same silicious
compound. The rock contains chlorine, and as chloride of
calcium is readily decomposed by hydrous silica, it might be
assumed that the silicate of lime was thus formed. But the con-
glomerate is very frequently traversed by bold dykes of trap,
which contain a large amount of sulphuret of iron, and the fissures
in the conglomerate, being often filled with sublimed quartz, the
more probable supposition is, that the silicate of lime was formed
by the transportation of silica in the heated vapor of water.
Such silica would combine with the lime and alumina of the
comminuted slates, and form the cement at the points where we
now find it.

In reply to a question, Dr. Hayes expressed as his conclusions,

168

respecting the silicification and consequent preservation of organ-
isms,— that the process proceeded, step by step, with the change
of the organism into gaseous or aqueous matter. The mollusca
may be considered as simply organized water, for one hundred
parts by weight, often contain ninety-seven parts of water, vola-
tile at 150° F. The cell walls of albumino-gelatinous matter are
permeable, and the infiltration of aqueous solutions of silicate
of lime, would displace the water, gradually depositing silica in
a hydrous state, while the lime passed out with the water. As
consolidation is hastened by the decomposition of the animal
matter, the cell walls become changed, and the carbon or humus,
in excess over that which can become gaseous or aqueous,
remains ; retaining as a mere skeleton the forms of the walls.
These silicified forms are always porous, and the flints contain
the carbon of the organic matter, unevenly distributed. As a
beautiful illustration of silicification, he referred to the specimens
of trees from California, frequently found in the explorations
for gold ; many of the specimens presenting the sap vessels
entire in all their delicate organization and nearly natural color,
while near by, on the same piece, may be seen black portions,
in which the organized forms are lost, and the color is deep black.
This striking diversity is due to the fact that the wood at some
points had passed into the last stage of humus, — carbon and
water, — before silicification took place, and hence the specimens
present us with both silicified wood and silicified charcoal. He
observed the same changes, though less obvious, while examining
the highly interesting locality on the Island of Antigua, and at a '
future meeting will exhibit illustrative specimens.

Dr. C. T. Jackson remarked that he had examined the mate-
rials which enter into the composition and cementation of sand-
stones and conglomerates, and had found the cements to be differ-
ent in different cases. In some, carbonate of lime forms the
principal cement, in others, oxide of iron composed a large propor-
tion of the cementing matters, and in others, finer particles of
the same I'ocks that composed the conglomerate had formed a
paste, which had been hardened by the agency of heat and by
the production of silicate of lime derived, undoubtedly, from the
decomposition of chloride of calcium. He stated that when peb-

169

bles are moistened with a solution of chloride of calcium, and
then placed in contact and heated, the chlorine of the chloride of
calcium escapes, and the oxide of calcium or lime unites with
the silex and forms silicate of lime. There could be no doubt
that the chloride of calcium was derived from sea-water. Some-
times in the vicinity of trap dykes, as at Purgatory, near New-
port, Rhode Island, specular iron ore, evidently derived from sub-
limation of oxide of iron from the chloride of iron, had invested
the pebbles with a thin crystalline film, which served as a cement.
He stated some experimental results of M. Gay Lussac, on subli-
mation of specular iron ore, from chloride of iron, and his obser-
vations on the production of this ore in the crater of Mt. Vesu-
vius ; experiments and observations which Dr. Jackson had
repeated and verified.

The cementing materials of some sandstones are so largely
calcareous, that on removal of the carbonate of lime by the
action of acids, the stone crumbles into sand. In such sandstones
the carbonate of lime was probably infiltrated as a bi-carbonate,
and on losing one equivalent of carbonic acid, the carbonate of
lime would solidify in crystalline form and firmly unite the sand,
making it into a solid rock.

If a sandstone, cemented by carbonate of lime, is exposed to a
high temperature, silicate of lime would be produced by combi-
nation of silex with the lime, and carbonic acid gas would be
disengaged.

Dr. Henry Bryant called the attention of the Society
to some of the birds presented by the Royal Victoria
Society of Melbourne, Australia.

Among them was a pigeon resembling more nearly the Phaps
elegans of Gould than any other species he had found described ;
but differing sufficiently from Gould's description to lead him
to believe that it might prove to be a new species. The dif-
ference consists in the present specimen having a whitish line
beneath the eye, not found in the P. elegans, and in the back
being a greenish brown, with slight metallic reflections, instead
of " deep, rich, lustrous chestnut," as described by Gould.

One of the birds on the table did not belong to the Society, but

170

was placed there merely for exliibition. It was one of three
belonging to a gentleman of this city, which had been mounted
by the taxidermist. It was the Magnificent Trogon, ( Oalurus
resplendens, Gould,) one of the most brilliant birds known, and
though it would not, perhaps, bear a minute comparison with some
of the humming-birds, yet, from its size and graceful plumage, it
must be unsurpassed as seen in its native wood.

Dr. Bryant also remarked, that, in consequence of the
unusual mildness of the weather in February, the blue-
birds and other of the earlier migratory birds, made their
appearance this year by the 15th, nearly a month earlier
than they ordinarily arrive from the South ; and that,
although the weather had subsequently been quite
severe, (the thermometer falling to near zero,) the blue-
birds had remained with us, and were singing and ap-
parently enjoying themselves at this low temperature.

In reply to a question from Mr, Wetherell, as to the
production of sugar from the Chinese Sugar-cane raised
in this neighborhood, Dr. Jackson stated that crystallized
sugar could not be profitably made, but that a syrup
suitable for food or distillation could be obtained. The
amount of crystallizable sugar in the plant increases the
farther south the plant is raised. Dr. Jackson has ob-
tained a certain quantity of crystallized sugar in the cane
grown at Watertown, Mass.

Dr. Durkee exhibited the Algse brought from Califor-
nia, by Mr. Samuels, and Dr. Bryant exhibited some of
the birds which had been recently mounted.

The Corresponding Secretary announced the receipt
of the following letters, viz : —

From the Linnsean Society, London, Nov. 25, 1856, Entomo-
logical Society, London, Dec. 3, 1856, Geological Society, London,
Dec. 4, 1856, American Philosophical Society, March 13, 1857,
and the Societe de Geographic, Paris, Feb. 7, 1857, acknowl-

in

edging the receipt of the publications of the Society ; Naturfor-
schende Gesellschaft, in Eraden, Oct. 2, 1856, and the Acade-
mic des Sciences, Paris, Feb. 14, 1857, presenting their pub-
lications.

Mr. A. M. Gay was elected a Resident Member.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

January 7, 1857. Specimens of impressions in the Connecticut Valley Sand-
stone, possibly made by tadpoles, by Prof. Edw. Hitchcock. (See printed Pro-
ceedings, Vol. VI. p. Ill, for an account of these impressions.) Eviys marrnorata,
Crotalus lucifer, and Rana longipes, from California, by E. Samuels. Begina
Kirtlandii, from Illinois, by Robert Kennicott.

January 21. Cranium of a Digger Indian, from California, by E. Samuels. A
Bulbous Root, and a specimen of Gum from Africa, by Rev. Louis B. Schwarz,
(For an analysis of this gum and an account of the plant, see printed Proceed-
ings, Vol. VI. p. 129.) A white-throated Sparrow, {Fringilla Pennsylimnica, Aud.)
a Rusty Blackbird, {Icterus pecoris, Aud.) and a Yellow-rumped Warbler, (Sylvia
coronata, Aud.) together with a Black Squirrel, (Sciurus niger, Linn.) all from
Lake Superior; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr.

February 4. Specimens of a new minute species of Snail, Helix asteriscus,
Morse, from Bethel, Maine; by E. S. Morse. A suite of Helix thyroidns, Say,
from various localities; by W. G. Binney. Specimens of Red Gum Wood aud
the Common Building-Stone of Australia, by 0. H. Holden.

February 18. Four crania of birds ; a fragment of the jaw-bone of an alliga-
tor, illustrating the development of the teeth; an egg-shell with a peculiar pro-
tuberance; and some fossil shells from Georgia; by Dr. H. Bryant. A specimen
of Silicified Wood from the Colorado Desert, California; by W. P. Blake.

March 4. Corals, taken in seventj' feet of water from the Spanish wrecked
vessel off the Island of Magdalena; by J. P. Couthoy. Two specimens of
Downy Woodpecker, {Pints pubescens, Linn,) from Milton; by E. Sanmels. Min-
erals from California and a neuropterous insect, CuirydaUs ccn-nuius, from Boston ;
by S. Adams.

March 18. The Saw of a Sawfish taken in the Persian Gulf and a Fossil, My-
craster cor-anguinum, Agass. ; by Rev. J. P. Robinson. A Glossy Finch, {Ama-
dina nitens); Beautiful Weaver-Bird, [Hyphantornis per-sonata ;) and an undeter-
mined species of Hyphantornis ; by Dr. F. J. Bumstead.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 1857.

Terrestrial Air-Breathing MoUusks of the United States and adjacent Territo-
ries of North America, described and illustrated by Amos Binney. Edited by
Augustus A. Gould, M. D. 4to. Vol. III. Plates. Boston, 1857. From the
Heirs of Amos Binney,

172

Descriptions of Terrestrial Shells of North America. 12mo. Pamph. By
Thomas Say. Philadelphia. 1856. From W. G. Blnney.

Animal Report of the Geological Survey of the State of Wisconsin. By J. A.
Percival. 8vo. Pamph. Madison, 1856. Fi-om J. A. Lapham.

On the Avoidance of Cyclones, with Notices of a Typhoon at the Bonin Is-
lands. By J. Rodgers, U. S. N., and A. Schouborn. 8vo. Pamph. New Haven,
1857. Fmn W. C. Redfidd.

First and Second Reports on the Noxious, Beneficial, and other Insects of the
State of New York. By Asa Fitch, M. D. 8vo. Albany, 1856. From the
Author.

Notes on American Species of Cyclas. By Temple Prime, L. L. B. Part I.
8vo. Pamph. The Hague, 1857. From the. Author.

Prodromus animalium evertebratorum quae in Expeditione ad Oceanum Pa-
cificum Septentrionalem observavit et descripsit W. Stimpson. 8vo. Part I.
pp. 1-13. Philadelphia, 1857. From the Author.

Report of the Commissioner of Patents for 1835. Agriculture. 8vo. Wash-
ington, 1856. From the Hon. Henry Wilson.

Memoir of James Brown. By G. S. Hillard. 8vo. Boston, 1856. From,
Messrs. Little, Brown if Co.

Nachrichten von der Georg-Augusts-Universitat und der Konigl. Gesellschaft
der Wissenschaften zu Gottingen, 1855. 12mo. Pamph. From the Society.

United States Astronomical Expedition in 1849-52. Vol. VI. Under direc-
tion of Lieut. J. M. Gilliss. 4to. Washington, 1856. From Lieut. J. M. Gilliss.

Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the Chinese Sea and
Japan, in 1852-4, under Commander M. C. Perry, U. S. N. 4to. Washington,

1856. Vols. I. III.

Report of Commissioner of Patents for 1855. Arts & Manufactures. Vols I. II.
8vo. Washington, 1856. From the Hon. Chas. Sumner.

Magnetical and Meteorological Observations at Lake Athabasca and Fort Simp-
son. By Capt. J, H. Lefroy, and at Fort Confidence in Great Bear Lake, by
Sir John Richardson. 8vo. London, 1855.

Ichthyology. Article in Encycloptedia Britannica. 4to. Pamph. London,

1857. From Sir John Richardson.

Quadrature of the Circle, &c. By A. Young. 8vo. Pamph. Burlington,
Vt., 1853.

Theory and Laws of Solar Attraction. By A. Young. 8vo. Pamph. St.
Albans, Vt., 1856. Fro7n G. F. Houghton.

Rendiconto della Societa Reale Borbonica. Anno, 1855. 2 Nos. Naples.

Memoria suUo Incendio Vesuviano del Mese di Maggio, 1855,fatta per incarico
della R. Accad. delle Scienze dai Socii, G. Guarini, L. Palmieri ed A. Scacchi.
4to. Pamph. Naples, 1855. From the Accademia delle Scienze.

Canada at the Universal Exhibition. 8vo. Toronto, 1856.

Tables of the Trade and Navigation of the Province of Canada, for 1855. 8vo.
Toronto.

Annual Reports for 1854 and 1855 of the Normal, Model, Grammar, and Com-
mon Schools in Upper Canada. 8vo. Pamph. Toronto.

Reports of the Superintendent of Education for Lower Canada. 8vo. Pamph.
Toronto, 1850, 1851, 1865.

173

An Act to regulate the Militia of the Province. 8vo. Pamph. Quebec, 1855.

Acte des Municipalit^s et des Chemins de 1856. 8vo. Quebec.

Annual Reports (1830-1836) of the Natural History Society of Montreal. 18mo.
Pamph. Montre.al.

Catalogue de la Collection Envoy^e du Canada a I'Exposition TJniverselle de
Paris, 1855. 12mo. Pamph. Paris, 1855. From L. A. Huguet-Latour.

New York Journal of Medicine. Vol. II. Nos. 1, 2. 8vo. New York.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts, Nos. 67, 68.

Schriften der in St. Petersburg Gestifteten Russisch Kaiserlichen Gesellschaft
fiir die Gesammte Mineralogie, I. &vo. St. Petersburg, 1842.

Notices of the Meetings of Members of the Royal Institution of Great Britain.
Part VI. 8vo. July, 1855-6. London, 1856.

Also, List of Members, &c. Pamph. London.

Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingen, fur 1853, 54, 55. 8vo. Stockholm.

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. VI. No. 56. July-
December, 1856. 8vo. Pamph. Philadelphia.

Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. New Series. Vol. VI.
Part. L 40. Cambridge, 1857.

Proceedino;s of the Academy of Natural Sciences, pp. 1-16, and 87-94. 8vo.
Pamph. Philadelphia, 1857.

Bulletin de la Socit^te de Geographic. Tome XII. 8vo. Paris, 1857.

Canada Naturalist and Geologist. Vol. II. No. 1. Montreal, 1857.

Transactions of the Linnajan ' Society of London. Vol. XXII. Part. I. 4to,
London, 1856.

Journalof the Proceedings of the Limiffian Society. Botany. Vol.1. Nos.
1-3. Zoology. Vol. I. Parts 1-3. 8vo. London, 1856.

List of the Members of the Linuasan Society of Loudon. 8vo. Pamph. 1856.
Received in Exchange.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Nos. 108, 109, 110, for Dec. 1856,
and January and February, 1857. 8vo. London. From the Courtis Fund.

Encyclopasdia Metropolitan a. Vol. XII. 4to. London, 1856. Also. Vol. I.
Part 4, containing Dissertation 6th, Mathematical and Physical Science. 4to.
Pamph. London, 1856. Deposited by the Rejmhlican Institution.

April 1, 1857.

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

Dr. A. A. Gould offered the following preamble and
resolutions relative to the decease of Prof. J. W. Bailey,
and they were unanimously adopted : —

In addition to those immediate and corresponding members

174

who have been recently removed by death, — men of original
research and large contributors to tlie extension of the bound-
aries of science, — men equally notable for their blameless lives
and scientific attainments, — Forbes, Johnston, Redfield, Thomp-
son, Harris, Warren, — we have now to associate the name
of Bailey, for a long time one of the professors at West Point.
None who have had the good fortune to know him can fail to
appreciate his truly philosophical spirit, his zeal, his accuracy,
and his extreme modesty.

With his early life I am unacquainted, and so far as I know, the
first paper of any extent which he communicated, was one which
he read to the Association of Geologists and Naturalists at their
meeting in Boston in 1843, entitled " Sketch of the Infusoria of
the family Bacillaria, with some account of the most interesting
species which have been found in a recent or fossil condition in the
United States." It extended to upwards of fifty pages, was illus-
trated by six plates and gave him at once a high place among
scientific men. Since then he has published numerous papers,
mostly in Silliman's Joui'nal, on the microscopic forms of animal
and vegetable life, to which, and to the perfection of the micro-
scope as an optical instrument, he chiefly limited his investiga-
tions. Prof. Harvey, in the introduction to his work on the
Algae of North America, thus writes : " Well known in his
own peculiar branch of science, he has found a relaxation from
more wearing thought in exploring the microscopic world, and
his various papers on what may be called ' vegetable atoms,'
(Diatomacea^) are widely known and highly appreciated. From
him I received the first specimens of United States Alg^e which
I possessed ; and, though residing at a distance from the coast,
he has been of essential service in diffusing a taste for this
department of botany." I think none will gainsay me when I
characterize him as the Ehrenberg of America, — and that in
having been selected to preside at the next meeting of the
American Association for Science, he had received but a merited
honor.

Resolved, That in the death of Prof. Jacob W. Bailey, we, in
common with the numerous scientific associations with which he
was connected, deplore the loss of a true philosopher, a laborious
coadjutor, and a most amiable man.

175

Resolved, That we tender our sympathies to the deeply-afflicted
survivors of his family left orphans by the sudden and heart-
rending removal of a mother, and by the premature death of
an endeared father.

Captain N. E. Atvvood, of Provincetown, having been
requested to favor the Society with some remarks upon
fishes and their habits, related many interesting facts
which had come to his knowledge during a life spent
as a New England Fisherman.

He first remarked upon the senses of taste, smell, sight, and
touch. It has been said by eminent ichthyologists that taste and
smell are very imperfectly developed in fishes; but this is not
the fact. Many fish are very particular in the choice of food ;
others, such, as the mackerel and blue-fish, and mid-water and
top-water fish generally, seem to be governed by sight in their
selection of food. He had often seen mackerel, when they were
abundant around a vessel, take all the bait that was thrown over-
board, but at the same time carefully avoid the baited hook.
He had also noticed that tobacco thrown overboard was seized by
mackerel but immediately rejected, showing as he thought a
sense of taste. It is to be presumed, however, that taste must be
imperfectly developed in animals which have a tongue more or
less cartilaginous, and covered with recurved teeth ; being obliged
unceasingly to open and close the jaws for the purpose of respira-
tion, they cannot long retain food in the mouth, but are obliged
to swallow it without mastication.

The sense of smell seems to be well-developed in some fishes.
For instance, the ground swimmers generally have a choice as to
their food. Halibut and cod are attracted a great distance with
certain kinds of bait. Herring, when fresh and in good condi-
tion, will be very readily taken by cod, but when it has become
stale from long keeping, it will be rejected. Crustaceans, also,
as lobsters and crabs, are attracted by certain bait, which leaves
no doubt that they likewise possess some sense of smell. Al-
though the cod seems to swallow almost any thing that comes in
his way, even stones, wood, and fragments of nearly every thing
thrown overboard, Mr. Atwood had never seen an univalve mol-

176

lusk in its stomach. The bivalve shell is found, and the bank
clam is very common in the stomach, the shells being placed
within each other in the most compact manner, when there are
several of them in that organ.

In some other ground swimmers, both bivalve and univalve
mollusks are found. The haddock, ling, catfish, and one species
of flounder are great shell-eaters, and very frequently undescribed
species of moUusca are taken in their stomachs.

The cod lives mostly upon live fish. It is very greedy, and
even when distended with food, it will bite briskly at the hook.
It is frequently taken with a full-grown mackerel partly in its
stomach and partly in its mouth, with the tail still projecting. At
other times, when the alimentary sack is empty, it appears to
have no desire to partake of food. When kept alive in the holds
of vessels, no other nourishment is given the cod than the minute
animalcules contained in the water. A very curious fact Mr.
Atwood stated that he had observed, — the cod often swallows
alive the tant or sand-eel and the pipe-fish, both having heads
very much elongated anteriorly and pointed. These fish some-
times pierce the stomach of the cod and escape into the abdomi-
nal cavity, and there they are found in a perfect state of preser-
vation, adherent to its walls, but changed in color to a dark red,
and in substance so hard that they are not readily divided with
a knife. They have to be cut away before the cod can be split
open. The fish is always in good health apparently, and there
are no marks of inflammation about the stomach or abdominal
cavity, unless the material of attachment be considered as such.

Fish migrate considerable distances in quest of prey, sometimes
totally deserting localities where they have been very abundant.
There is a species of crustacean called commonly by fishermen
the sea-flea, which infests spots upon the Grand Banks, hun-
dreds of square miles in extent, and which drives before it the
cod and other fish. During his last voyage to the Banks, Capt.
Atwood tried to fish with clam bait, which, however, came up
untouched ; he then put on menhaden for bait and lowered to
the bottom, but upon raising the hook nothing was found but
the skeleton of the fish, the soft parts having been consumed
by the sea-flea.

177

Dr. Chas. Pickering observed, witli reference to the
sense of smell in fishes, that he had examined the brain
of the shark, and that in this, as well as in cartilaginous
fishes generally, the development of the olfactory nerve
and the olfactory lobe of the brain was very considerable.

The chairman, Dr. D. H. Storer, called attention to
the last volume of the work on the Terrestrial Mollusca
of the United States, by the late Dr. Binney, edited by
Dr. A. A. Gould, a copy of which had been recently pre-
sented to the Society. He stated that Dr. Binney was
desirous, and left directions for the completion of the
work, the charge of which was committed to Dr. Gould.
It had taken ten years to complete it; but the duty had
been nobly and admirably performed, and it was exceed-
ingly gratifying to him to say that it would prove most
creditable to the Society and to the country.

Mr. Amos Binney said that ten years might seem a
long period for the completion of the work, but any
apparent delay was more than sufficiently accounted
for by the time occupied in collecting the materials,
which, at the decease of his father, were very widely
scattered.

Dr. A. A. Hayes exhibited some fragments of iron and
bronze vessels from the volcanic ashes of Pompeii, which
had repassed from the state of a wrought metal to that
of the original ore.

Dr. J. B. S. Jackson exhibited an Intestinal Worm,
(Ascaris lumbrico'ides,) which was passed from the rectum
of a child, with about an inch of its body inserted through
the eye of a common dress-hook. He observed that this
example illustrated the singular tendency of this worm
to crawl through perforations in the intestine, into the
duct of the gall-bladder, or into the appendix coeci.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. VOL. VI. 12 JUNE, 1857.

178

Dr. A. A. Gould presented, in the name of Lieut.
Preble, U. S. Navy, a specimen of Dlpsas plicata, upon
the inner surface of which were a number of beautiful
elevated pearly figures, representing the god Boodh, pro-
duced during the lifetime of the animal, upon nuclei
placed within the shell. The following account of the
process, by Dr. Magowan of Ningpo, accompanied it: —

The introduction of the pearl nuclei is an operation of consid-
erable delicacy. The shell is gently opened with a spatula of
mother of pearl, and the free portion of the mollusc is carefully
separated from one surface of the shell with an iron probe ; the
foreign bodies are then introduced between the points of a bifur-
cated bamboo stick, and placed in two parallel rows upon the
mantle or fleshy surface of the animal. A sufficient number
having been placed on one side, the operation is repeated on the
other. Stimulated by the irritating bodies, the suffering animal
spasmodically presses against both sides of its testaceous skele-
ton, keeping the matrices in place. This being done, the animals
are deposited one by one in canals, streams, or pools connected
therewith, five or six inches apart, at depths of from two to five
feet, in lots of from five to fifty thousand. If taken up a few
days after the introduction of the moulds, they will be found
attached to the shell by a membranous secretion, which at a later
period becomes impregnated with calcareous matter ; and finally
layers of nacre are found deposited around each nucleus, the
process being analogous to the formation of calculous concretions
in animals of a higher development. A ridge of nacre generally
extends from one pearly tumor to another, connecting them all
together.

About six times in the coui'se of the season several tubs of
night soil are thrown into the reservoir for the noui'ishment of
the animals. Great care is taken to prevent goat manure falling
in, as it is highly detrimental to the mollusc, preventing the
seci'etion of good nacre, or killing them, according as the quantity
is great or small.

In November the shells are carefully collected by hand.

Dr. Storer presented a specimen of the Trumpet Fish,
{Centriseus scolopax.,) caught at Provincetovvn, the first

179'

known to him to have been taken upon this eoast. It is
common upon the European coast and in the Mediter-
ranean.

Messrs. James G. Shute, of Woburn, and Henry J.
Clarke of Cambridge, were elected Resident Members.

April 15, 1857.

Dr. Chas. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Dr. A. A. Gould announced a bequest to the Society,
by the late Professor Jacob W. Bailey, of West Point,
N. Y., a Corresponding Member, dated February 11,
1857, communicated in a letter from his brother William
M. Bailey, Esq., of Providence, as follows : —

BEQUEST OF PROF. J. W. BAILEY.

" First. A microscopic collection, contained in cases resembling
books, together with said cases, and the index volumes thereunto
belonging ; the whole bearing for titles, ' Microscopic Collec-
tions.'

" Second. The whole of my collection of Algce, or Sea-weeds,
as contained in a set of portfolios, together with said portfolios.

" Third. All my rough material for microscopic research, as
contained in small boxes, paper, vials, and larger boxes, con-
taining large masses marked with chalk, Richmond, Petersburg,
Georgia, Florida, «fcc.

" Fourth. I request said Society to retain the first and second
of the foregoing bequests as a part of their collections, as long
as said Society shall exist, making such uses as they please of
the rough material in the third bequest."

Also, in a codicil, dated February 24, 1857 : " A volume con-
taining rough sketches, &c., of microscopic forms, and marked
with title, 'Microscopic Memoranda.'"

180

Also, " All my other microscopic drawings, sketches, or micro-
scopic memoranda, to be kept or destroyed, in any part, at the
option of the Society."

Also, " Such of the following books as are not possessed by
the Society, viz : Ehrenberg's Microgeologie, and all my other
German Scientific Books ; also, all my books, pamphlets, &c.,
relating to Algse, Diatomacese, Microscopic Botany, and His-
tology ; also, Lindley and Hutton's Fossil Flora, and all my
other Botanical Books."

Also, " My ' Scientific Letters,' in packages so marked, with
the privilege of destroying such as are of no value to the Society,
as autographs, &c."

" I desire that my Executor shall stipulate with the Boston
Society of Natural History, to which I have made valuable be-
quests, that such bequests shall be placed in a case or cases by
themselves, and that my sons, who may be at college at Cam-
bridge, may have such access to such case or cases, for the pur-
pose of study or examination, as may be consistent with the rules
of said Society."

Dr. Gould, after remarking upon the great value of
this bequest to the Society, upon its importance to
science in the study of microscopic recent and fossil
forms, offered the following resolutions, which were unani-
mously adopted : —

Resolced, That while acknowledging the receipt of the bequest
of the late Prof Bailey, the Society would express its gratifica-
tion at having been made the depository of collections containing
original and authentic specimens of microscopic forms and Algje,
which must ever remain the ultimate and standard objects of
reference, in this country, in the study of those subjects ; i^ledg-
ing itself to secure, as far as practicable, their preservation, and
to make them as extensively useful as possible.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to receive and report
upon the bequest, and also to execute the expressed wish of
Prof. Bailey, that his "bequests shall be placed in a case or
eases by themselves."

Resolved, That the request of W. P. Blake, Esq., be granted.

181

desiring that such papers as may be found rehiting to a Report
on the Infusoria of California, may be given up to him for publi-
cation, as originally intended.

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to W.
M. Bailey, Esq., for the prompt and complete manner in which
he has executed the will of his brother, so far as concerns this
Society.

Dr. A. A. Gould, Prof. John Bacon, and Dr. Silas
Durkee were appointed the committee referred to in the
second resolution.

The following communication was read from Mr.
Charles J. Sprague, on the Botanical Position of the
Chinese Sugar Cane: —

The plant was called Holcus saccharatus by Linnaeus ; but
when this genus underwent a subdivision by subsequent botanists,
this species was placed by some in that of Andropogon, by others
in that of Sorghum. These two genera are closely allied. Some
of the best authorities consider the diflferences so slight as to
warrant their union into one. Steudel arranges Andropogon,
Sorghum, and Trachypogon all under one head — Andropogon.
Lindley italicises Sorghum in the last edition of his " Vegetable
Kingdom," and places it beneath Trachypogon, evidently consid-
ering them equivalent. Dr. Gray retains Sorghum for our only
native species (aS*. nutans) in his last edition of the Manual, con-
sidering the genus a good one.

It is between Andropogon and Sorghum, therefore, that we
must choose in reference to this particular species.

The differences between them are these —

Andropogon. Sorghum.

Inflorescence spicate. Inflorescence paniculate.

Spikelets in pairs, only one Spikelets in twos or threes, cen-

being fertile. tral one only being fertile.

Glumes herbaceous or mem- Glumes hard, coriaceous or in-

branaceous. durated.

Eachis hairy. Rachis smooth.

182

If these differences shall eventually render the genera suffi-
ciently distinct to establish a universally recognized separation,
then this jilant must be placed under that of Sorghum.

The specific name is a matter of some doubt. Both >S'. vulgare
and S. saccharatiim are recorded as distinct species ; but there is
frequently a query appended to the latter. Some of our best
authorities incline to the opinion that these two are identical, the
differences between them being due to the long cultivation which
the plant has undergone. We know tliat some of the grasses
have sported into numerous varieties ; and it is very probable
that the Broom Corn, Doura or Guinea Corn, and the Chinese
Sugar Cane are all descended from one and the same stock.

If we accept this as a fact, then the plant should be called,
Sorghum vulgare, Pers., var. saccharatum, L. ; but as the
latter name is so extensively known, and as there is still some
doubt as to the identity, it may be as well to continue the name
Sorgli um saccharatum.

The true Sugar Cane, Saccharum ojfficinarum, belongs to the
same tribe of grasses, differing in the ample inflorescence, which
is paniculate, and drooping with downy pedicels and florets.

A letter was read from Robert Kennicott, Esq., of
Illinois, accompanying a donation of Mammalia, Birds,
and Shells. With reference to the Mammalia, Mr. Ken-
nicott says : —

" The Arvicola austerus is a prairie animal, and will interest
any one studying mammals ; the A. riparius is pronounced a
true species by Prof. Baird. The Hespei'omys Bairdii is a new
species, which will be described by Dr. Hoy and myself soon.
It comes near Audubon's and Bachman's Mas Michiganiensis,
but it is readily distinguished upon comparing the two. I have
sent your Society specimens of this species (^Bairdii) already,
under the name of 3Ius Michiganiensis ; it is strictly a prairie
animal. Dr. Hoy has found M. Michiganiensis near Racine,
Wisconsin."

Mr. N. H. Bishop presented the following list of Plants,
most commonly met with daring a pedestrian tour across

183

the continent of South America, from Rosario, on the
Parana, to Valparait^o, Chili: —

Bolax, an umbelliferous plant, above the snow on mountains,
collected 10,000 feet above level of sea. Capsicum, Red Pep-
per (aji,) very common in the northern parts of the Republic.
Prosopis Algaroba, White Algaroba, order Leguminosa3 ; also
Black Algaroba is very common. Portulaca ; Verbena, several
varieties ; Loasa, Tropceolum, Alstrcemeria, Chenopodium, ScM-
zanthus pimiatus, Geranium, Lathyrus puhescens, Argemone Mex-
icana, CEnothera, Liqypia, Acicarpha, QninchamaUum, Salpiglossis ;
valleys and base of the Andes. Maloastrum, Supinus ; deserts
at the eastern foot of the Andes. Medicago sativa, Alfafa, culti-
vated for cattle ; M. maculata, weed refused by cattle, the common
Aveed of clover fields. Scirpus, Solanum ; Lagoon near San Juan,
on the desert. Tessaria ahsinthoides ; border of lagoon, San
Juan, Argentine. Republic, October. Stromhocarpa strombulifera,
Screw plant ; Traversia, San Luis to the Andes. Larrea divari-
cata ; common; Traversia between Mendoza, and San Juan.

Dr. C. T.Jackson gave an account of the Copper Mine,
so called, at Elk Run, Fauquier County, Virginia.

The copper is found in strata of the Triassic Age, in trap-
dykes coming through Sandstone, containing a little of the yellow
and gray sulphuret, and the carbonate of copper, azurite, chryso-
colla, and malachite in thin films. Had quartz or cai'bonate of lime
been the gangue-stone, he should have supjjosed the locality to
have been of some economic value. He advised the company not
to work it, and afterwards learned that an old mine, in which a
shaft had been sunk 150 feet, situated near that place, had been
abandoned many years before as unprofitable.

Dr. Jackson made some further remarks in illustration of the
view that the rock, through which the trap-dyke comes, exerts an
influence upon its metallic contents, and refei-red to a previous
communication to the Society upon this subject. (vSee report of
the Excursion Meeting, printed Proceedings, Vol. VI. p. 24.)

Prof. H. D. Rogers said that Geology was in a state of

184

great confusion as to the nomenclature of the superpo-
sition of strata. He had felt the necessity of introducing
some new terms, and he proposed the following, viz : —

1. Conformable Continuous.

2. Conformable Intei'rupted.

3. Unconformable Continuous.

4. Unconformable Interrupted.

He illustrated the application of the terms by the aid of a dia-
gram, representing three strata — Limestone below, Shale interme-
diate, and Sandstone the uppermost, designating them by A, B, and
C respectively. If we find a partial blending of organic remains,
and partial intermingling of materials, with evidence of continuity
in time of deposition, this condition may be expressed by the
first term. If the strata A and C are together in superposition,
without physical sign of bi'eak, and yet with abrupt omission in
types of life, it should be designated in the second category. If
the sequence of the strata is uninterrupted, and yet a displace-
ment exists from some physical disturbance, the third term is
applicable. The fourth term would designate C, unconformably
upon A, and at the same time an exclusion of B.

The recognition of such distinctive terms would much tend to
promote the science of Geology.

Dr. Jackson observed, that amongst other examples of
the interrupted series, there is a fine illustration in the
superposition of the Sandstones of the Connecticut
River, upon the Gneiss, Granites, and Mica-Slate of
New Hampshire, at Northfield, Mass.; where the whole
PalsEOzoic Series is wanting.

Dr. Jackson expressed himself in favor of the nomen-
clature of Prof. Rogers, because it was both explicit and
succinct.

The Chairman announced the death of Prof. Michael
Tuomey, of Alabama, one of the Corresponding Mem-
bers of the Society, and requested Prof. W. B. Rogers
to propose a resolution suitable to the occasion.

185

Prof. Rogers, in doing so, said that he had listened with pain-
ful surprise to the announcement just made of the death of our
associate, Prof. Tuomey. Last summer, when attending the
Scientific Association in Albany, his apparently vigorous frame
and look of quiet enthusiasm, gave promise of many more seasons
of productive geological toil. Of the early life of Michael
Tuomey, Prof. Rogers said he knew nothing, farther than that
he was, he believed, a native of Ireland, and coming to this
country quite young, became first a resident of the State of
New York. As a cultivator of science, he early attracted notice
by his study of the Tertiary deposits of the neighborhood of
Petersburg, in Virginia, where for some years he resided in the
capacity of a teacher. After this he was appointed to conduct
the Geological Survey of South Carolina, and having completed
the work as far as practicable with the means at his command,
published, in 1848, a Report on the Geology of the State, which
proved highly acceptable to geologists as well as useful to the
community for whose practical benefit it was designed.

Soon after this. Prof. Tuomey was elected to the Chair of
Geology and Natural History in the University of Alabama, and
placed at the head of the State Geological Survey then organ-
izing ; in which truly interesting field he has ever since been
steadily and actively employed. His paleontological studies in
the Tertiary and Cretaceous deposits of the Southern Atlantic
States proved a valuable introduction to the examination of those
groups of formations as they are developed in middle and southern
Alabama ; and we cannot doubt that had he lived to complete the
survey, his additions to this branch of our geology, as well as his
investigation of the structure and paleontology of the older rocks
overspreading the northern part of the State, would have formed
an important contribution to our knowledge of that rich and
varied portion of our great geological field. His partial Reports
of the Survey, of which two or three have been published,
although intended mainly to indicate the progress of the v ork,
contain many valuable details ; but of the nearness of the si/ vey
to its completion, and of the extent and character of the raa/elials
in reserve for a final Report, Prof. Rogers was without the
means of judging. He could only say, that from the great rich-
ness of this part of the geological field, and the known industry

186

and ability of Prof. Tuomey, we bad reason to anticipate from it
much interesting matter, especially in the department of Paleon-
tology.

Besides his occasional descriptions of fossils from the Tertiary
deposits, Prof. Tuomey had of late, in conjunction with Prof.
Holmes of South Carolina, been engaged in publishing in quarto
numbers a work on the " Fossils of South Carolina," which for
the excellence of its material, and the faithfulness and beauty of
its illustrations, may very favorably compare with any similar
work published in this country.

Prof. Rogers then offered the following resolutions, which were
unanimously adopted : —

Resolved, That we have heard with unfeigned regret of the
death of Prof. Tuomey, of Alabama, an event which deprives
the geologists and naturalists of our country of a zealous and
active associate, whose labors had already won for him an hon-
orable place among our scientific explorers, and whose knowledge
and experience, in connection with the important survey in
which he was engaged, gave earnest of still more extensive and
valuable contributions.

Resolved, further, that we offer to the family and friends of
the deceased an expression of our sincere regret and sympathy.

Prof. William B. Rogers having asked permission to make a
few remarks in relation to the scientific services- of the late
William C. Redfield, proceeded as follows : —

Since the opening of the present year, the cultivators of sci-
ence have been called on to lament the loss of two of their
distinguished co-laborers, on this side the Atlantic, William C.
Redfield, of New York, and Prof. Bailey, of West Point, the
former eminent for his researches on the subject of storms, the
latter for his microscopical discoveries. Our Society, claiming
Prof. Bailey as one of its most valued members, has already
accorded an appropriate memorial to his genius, labors, and
virtues. We have also had the satisfaction of numbering Mr.
Redfield among our associates, and we are all familiar with his
reputation as a man of science, and some of us have known him
as a friend. Feeling, therefore, the loss which the community of
science, especially in this country, have sustained in his death,

187

we may not inappropriately claim a share in the general and
deeply felt regret occasioned by this event, by placing on our
records a brief tribute to the scientific- worth and manly excel-
lences which marked his career.

Mr. Redfield, it is stated, was but little favored in early life
by opportunities of education. Even after his removal from his
native State, Connecticut, to tlie city of New York, while yet a
young man, he became immersed in business occupations such as
are commonly thought incompatible with purely intellectual pur-
suits, and which in most cases leave but little leisure and still
less disposition for the studies and investigations of science. But
his strong inclination for scientific inquiries was not to be re-
pressed by these discouragements, and he early enrolled himself
among the active students of Meteorology, Physical Geography,
and Geology.

In the first of these departments, which it is well known was
the principal field of his investigations, his patience and sagacity
in observing facts, and in collating and compai'ing the observa-
tions made by others, bore their rich fruit in that remarkable
generalization which, under the title of the Rotary Theory of
Storms, is so commonly associated with his name. His earliest
recognition of this law appears to have been suggested by the
phenomena of the violent storm which, in the year 1821, swept
over New England ; and it is not a little remarkable that it was
a storm occurring the same year in Central Europe which led
the German Meteorologists into a similar train of inquiry, and
conducted Prof. Dove, of Berlin, to a theory founded like that of
Mr. Redfield on the union of a progressive with a rotary move-
ment of the disturbed column of air.

It must not, however, be supposed that the fact of a revolving
motion in some of the more violent storms had hitherto entirely
escaped observation. Long before these systematic inquiries
were thought of, navigators had recognized such a movement in
some of the storms within the Tropics. As far back as 1G80,
Capt. Langford, in a paper on West Indian hurricanes, printed in
the Philosophical Transactions, described them as progressive
whirlwinds ; and at the beginning of the present century. Col.
Capper, Mr. Horsburg, and a French writer, Romme, speak of the
hurricanes or typhoons of the India and China seas as revolving

188

storms. But these early observations and suggestions, pointing
chiefly to local phenomena, and involving no clear conception of
a general law, attracted little notice at the time of their publica-
tion, and were almost, if not entirely forgotten when Redfield
and Dove, without a knowledge of each other's labors, framed
the great generalization of the progressive-rotary character of
these atmospheric movements. Without detracting from Prof.
Dove's share in the investigation, it must, I think, be admitted,
that to Mr. Redfield is preeminently due the credit of having
first given to this law a truly inductive character ; and I need
hardly add that his analysis, year after year, of the data dili-
gently collected by him, was a work involving no small amount
of detailed labor, as well as of sagacity and skill.

Although his investigations were directed pi-incipally to the
storms of the Atlantic north of the Equator, he w^as early led
on theoretical grounds to announce the proposition that in the
southern hemisphere the motion of storms is the reverse of that
presented by them in the northern one, both as regards progres-
sion and rotation. This statement was soon after confirmed by
Col. Reid, the author of the well-known work on the Law of
Storms, in an elaborate investigation of those of the Southern
Indian Ocean.

These important generalizations in the discovery and develop-
ment of which Mr, Redfield so largely shai'ed, although not
universally accepted either at home or abroad, have been adopted
by most of those who have devoted themselves to the practical
study of the subject, and in particular have been advocated with
much ability by Col. Reid, already named, and by Mr. Pidding-
ton, author of the " Sailor's Horn-book for Storms," to both of
whom we are indebted for extensive researches in this branch of
Meteorology. Through the treatises of these gentlemen, and the
numerous memoirs of Mr. Redfield, this theory is rapidly becom-
ing familiar to the minds of navigators, many of whom have not
only accepted but practically applied it. Even the general public
have learned its language and its leading features, from the
accounts of cyclones or revolving storms, so often repeated in
the current news. It is but proper to add that the evidence in
favor of this law has lately received an important accession from
the publication by Mr. Poey of Havana, of a tabular description

189

of the gales of the West Indies and Atlantic, in which their pro-
gressive rotary character, and the opposite directions of the
movement on different sides of the equator is shown by an inves-
tigation of between three and four hundred distinct storms, ex-
tending over a period of about the same number of years.

How far these laws are applicable to other than ocean storms,
and what new laws or modifications of the rotary principle may
obtain in the interior of continents, are questions which do not
seem at present capable of a satisfactory answer. But however
they may be decided by future investigations, we cannot, I think,
fail to recognize in the generalizations of Redfield and his co-
workers a valuable contribution to positive knowledge, and an
induction which, even should it be found strictly applicable only
to the oceans and their coasts, is fraught with great practical
good as well as scientific interest.

In saying thus much, I would not be considered as accepting
the theoretical views which Mr. Redfield from time to time
suggested in explanation of the origin of the revolving and pro-
gressive motion which he labored to demonstrate. These specu-
lations rarely put forth, and never very strenuously urged, appear
to have had but little interest for him in comparison with the
establishment of the Icnv of the plienomena. Indeed, they were
so briefly, and I must in candor add, so indistinctly presented, as
to attract but little attention from the scientific world. At the
same time it should be considered that even had Mr. Redfield
possessed a philosophical inventiveness and a command of the
exact sciences beyond what we would claim, or his own modest
self-appreciation would admit as his, we could hardly have hoped
that, in the present stage of investigation, he could have furnished
a really satisfactory solution of the complex problem of the
dynamics of storms. His labors, together with the concurring
or the conflicting views of other Meteorologists at home and
abroad, mark a great and beneficent progress in this difficult
inquiry, and encourage the hope that, along with a knowledge of
the laws of the winds, we shall hereafter be able to grasp in our
thoughts the mode of their origin and the physical forces by
which they are produced.

While giving his chief attention to the development of the
Law of Storms, Mr. Redfield found time for many useful obser-

190

vations in geology, especially in relation to the fossil fishes of
the so-called New Red Sandstone belt of New Jersey and Con-
necticut, as well as those of the coal rocks of Eastern Virginia.
In this inquiry, he had the valuable assistance of his son, Mr.
John H. Redfield, to whom we ai'e indebted for descriptions and
figures of several of these interesting fossils, as well as for im-
portant suggestions, founded on zoological affinities, as to the age
of the belt of rocks in which they are entombed.

The continuation of this work had long, I believe, been a
favorite plan with Mr. Redfield, and seems to have been one of
the last subjects connected with scientific pursuits which engaged
his attention ; for on his visit to Boston in the autumn, he spoke
with much interest of having resumed the task of preparing,
with the help, I think, of Prof. Agassiz, a comprehensive mono-
graph of the fossil fishes of this group of strata. But alas, on
the 12th of February, he was called on to relinquish this and all
other labors. He died at the ripe age of 68 years, but with
faculties unimpaired, leaving us to regret that he could not have
lived to continue his useful career, and yet giving us, in what he
had done, cause to rejoice that he was permitted to work so long
and so successfully in extending science and promoting the in-
terests of mankind.

Such is a slight notice of the scientific labors of Mr. Redfield.
The esteem in which they are held is best proved by the honoi*-
able rank to which they raised him among the cultivators of
positive science. Of his character as a gentleman, whether in
society, or presiding at a meeting of the American Association
of Science, I would gladly speak were it in my power to depict
the gentleness and modesty of his discourse, and that union of
amiable and manly qualities which won the affection and respect
of so many of his associates in scientific pursuits. But I must
leave such a tribute to other and more competent hands, and will
now bring my remarks to a close by asking the Society to adopt
the following resolutions : —

Resolved, That the late William C. Redfield, by his sagacity
and patience in philosophical researches, and by the importance
of the conclusions which he assisted in demonstrating, has re-
flected honor upon the progressive science of our country, and
earned a title to the lasting recollection of his scientific brethren,
and,

191

Resolved, further, that, in recording this mark of our regard
for his memory, we wouUl tender to his family and friends an
expression of our deeply felt regret and sympathy.

The resolutions were unanimously adopted.

The Chairman announced that the next meeting would
oe the regular Annual Meeting for the election of OtH-
cers, and Reports of Curators, and other business.

Dr. A. A. Gould, Mr. James M. Barnard, and Dr. J. B.
S. Jackson were appointed a committee to nominate
officers for the ensuing year.

ANNUAL MEETING.

May 6, 1857.
Dr. C. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

The records of the last meeting and of the last annual
meeting were read and approved.

The Treasurer, Librarian, and the several Curators
presented their Annual Reports, which were read and
accepted.

Messrs. James M. Barnard and Charles J. Sprague
were appointed to audit the accounts of the Treasurer.

The Committee appointed to nominate officers for
the ensuing year, reported a list of candidates, and the
report was accepted. The following gentlemen were
duly elected officers, viz : —

192

President,
Jeffries Wyman, M. D.

Vice-Presidents,
Chas. T. Jackson, M. D. D. H. Storer, M. D.

Corresponding Secretary,
Samuel L. Abbot, M. D.

Recording Secretary,
Benj. Shurtleff Shaw, M. D.

Treasurer,
Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M. D.

Librarian,
Cliarles K. Dillaway.

Curators,

Thomas T. Bouve, Of Geology.

John Bacon, M. D. Mineralogy.

Charles J. Sprague, Botany.

Tliomas M. Brewer, M. D. Oology.

Henry Bryant, M. D. Ornithology.

Thomas J. Whittemore, ConcJiology.

J. Nelson Borland, M. D, Herpetology.

Silas Durkee, M. D. Entomology.

Nathaniel E. Atwood, Ichthyology.

Theodore Lyman, Crustacea and Radiala.

John Green, Comparative Anatomy.

Cabinet Keeper,
Charles Stodder.

Dr. J. N. Borland presented the following list of Rep-
tiles collected in California, by Mr. E. Samuels, viz: —

193

CHELONIANS. Family— Elodites.

Ernys marmorata. Baird and Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci.
Philad. Oct. 1852, vol. 6, p. 177.

OPHIDIANS. Family— Crotalid^.

Grotalus lucifer. Baird and Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci.
Philad. Oct. 1852, vol. 6, p. 177.

Family — Colubrid^.

Eutainia ordinoides, B. & S. Cat, N. Am, Rep. Pt. 1. p. 33, 1853

Bascanion vetustus, do. do. do. do. 97, do.

Gontia mitis, do. do. do. do. 110, do.

Ophibolus Boylii, do. do, do. do. 82, do.

IXadopMs amahilis, do. do. do. do. 113, do.

Pituophis Wilkesii, do. do, do, do, 71, do.

SAURIANS. Sub-family — Chalcidien.

Gerrhonotus multicarinaius, Blainville, Nouv. Ann. du musee
d'histoire naturelle, tome 4, 1835, PI. 25, fig. 2.

Sub-family— Lepidosaurien.

Plestiodon Skiltonianum, B. & G., Stansbury's Report to Con-
gress of Exploring Expedition to Utah, p. 349, PI. 4, fig. 4-6.

Sub-family — Eunotes.

Sceloporus occidentalis, B. & G. Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phil,
vol. 6, p. 175, 1852.

. BATRACHIANS. Sub-order— Anoures.

Rana longipes described as nigricans, Hallowell, Proc. Ac,
Nat. Sci. Phil. vol. 8, p. 96, 1854.

Byla regilla, B. & G. Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. P}iil. vol. 6, p. 174,
1852.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI- 13 jpLT, 1867.

194

Sub-order — Urodela.

Taricha torosa, Gray, Cat. llept. in British Museum.

Taricha larvis, H. & G. Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phil. vol. 6,
p. 302, 1853.

Aneides liiguhris, B. & G. Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phil. vol. 4,
p. 126.

Heredia Oregonensis, Ch. Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil,
vol. 8, p. 235, 1856.

Batrachoseps attenuata, S. F. Baird, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Phil. vol. 1, p. 288, 1849.

Amhystonia Calif ornica, Gray, Cat. Rept. in Brit, Mus.

Dr. A. A. Gould, in behalf of the committee appointed
to receive and report upon the Bequest of Professor Bai-
ley, submitted the following report, which was accepted.

»

The Committee appointed to receive and report upon the
Bequest of the late Prof. Bailey, have attended to their duty,
and state the following results :—

The examination of the Books, Drawings, and Correspondence
was submitted to the Chairman — the Microscopical Collection to
Dr. Bacon — the Algce and preparations of organic tissues to
Dr. Durkee.

In presenting the Report, the order in which the several be-
quests are specified will be followed.

I. The Microscopical Collectiox. Dr. Bacon's Re-
port, (A.)

The Microscopic Collection, which comprises the most valu-
able portion of the specimens mounted for the microscope, is
contained in twenty-four boxes in the shape of octavo volumes.

Five of the boxes contain specimens of Diatoms, &c. from the
Atlantic Soundings, including two boxes from Lieut. Berry-
man's Soundings between America and Ireland in 1856.

Three boxes contain specimens from Soundings in the Arctic
pnd Pacific oceans. Gulf of Mexico, and Para River, &c. in S.
America.

In four boxes are American and Foreign Diatoms ; Diatoms
in Guano ; and Fossil Polycistlns and Diatoms from Barbadoes.

195

In three boxes are Fossil Diatoms from Virginia and Mary-
land ; Bermuda ; Monterey, California ; Suisun Bay, &c.

Nearly all the specimens in the above boxes were mounted by
Prof. Bailey ; and they are accompanied by manuscript cata-
logues, or by memoranda on slips of paper, in which the posi-
tions of more than three thousand individual objects on the slides
are noted with reference to Bailey's Universal Indicator for
Microscopes ; thus enabling the actual specimens described by
him to be readily found and identified at any future time. A
part of the Collection is also accompanied by an alphabetic cata-
logue of species, with references to the slides on which speci-
mens may be found.

Two boxes contain recent and fossil Vegetable Tissues ; and
two others Test Objects and miscellaneous Organic Bodies, and
a micrometer scale on a glass slide.

The number of glass slides in these twenty-one boxes is five
hundred and fifty.

In addition to the selected specimens in the Microscopic Col-
lection, there are more than eight hundred specimens mounted
on glass slides, comprising many duplicates of those in the Col'
lection, and a variety of miscellaneous microscopic objects.

There are also two hundred specimens of Polythalamia
mounted as opake objects and labelled. These are not dupli^
cates of the Polythalamia in the Microscopic Collection, which are
in Canada balsam.

A very valuable portion of the bequest consists of the original
specimens of microscopic material, collected by various scientific
and exploring expeditions, and an extensive series of specimens
received from European correspondents, including Ehrenberg
and other distinguished microscopists.

Among the miscellaneous objects are three microscopic daguer^
reotypes, seven photographs on paper, nineteen drawings of
microscopic objects, and two micrometer scales on small slips
of glass.

II. The Alg^, &c. Dr. Durkee's Report, (B.)
These are contained in thirty-two portfolios. They are from
almost every part of the globe, They are arranged and named
in a manner to afford great ^.ssistance to the student, \yho m^y

196

be interested in the study of Marine Botany. In most instances,
specimens of the same kind, but collected at different seasons of
the year, or brought from different localities, and presenting dif-
ferent appearances to the naked eye, are phiced side by side,
upon the same sheet or within the same envelope, so that the
work of comparing one specimen with another, and of ascertain-
ing the names of doubtful ones, which the student may possess,
is rendered easy. And the fact, that very niany of the speci-
mens are those originally described, and that nearly every plant
in the collection has attached to it the name of some distinguished
algologist, as Bailey, Harvey, Binder, or Jolit, stamps upon it an
important value. It makes it a type specimen.

Upon the cover of each volume is an index of what is con-
tained within ; that is, a synopsis of the series, sub-series, order
or family, to which the enclosed specimens belong ; and even the
individual names of the plants are written on the outside.

The family of Florideae are the most numerous, and embrace
nearly one half of the whole collection. They are contained in
fifteen portfolios.

The Diatomaceae are in one volume, and amount to four hun-
dred and twenty-five.

The whole number in the collection is about four thousand
five hundred. Of this number about two hundred varieties
belong to the FloridetB,

The Committee have not had time to enter into further par-
ticulars respecting this magnificent collection of Algae. Its value
is beyond all price. It raises the department of Marine Botany
to a preeminent position in our Cabinet. We hazard nothing
in saying that no collection of the kind in the country is equal to
it, and but few in Europe superior to it.

The animal tissues are contained in the boxes or Nos. marked
4, 5, 6.

No. 4, contains the tissues of some of the Vertebrata.
J^o. 5, the tissues of some of the Articulata.
J^^o. 6, the tissues of some of the Mollusca and Radiata.
The whole number in the three boxes is sixty-nine ; all in
good order excepting one. The slide containing this specimen
is broken.

197

III. The Books. The whole number of bound volumes is
eight)'-four, besides one hundred and fifty unbound volumes and
pamphlets, and these latter are not the least valuable portion of
the Library, consisting as they do of important monographs, a
form in which much that has been done in Algology and Mi-
croscopy is as yet only to be found. Among the works are the
splendid Microgeologie of Ehrenberg, the works of Kiitzing,
Queckett, Ralfs, Hassall, Smith, Agardh, Harvey, Lindley, and
Hutton. Indeed, nearly every thing of importance relating to
his favorite studies is here ; and they are rendered additionally
valuable by important notes of his own.

IV. The volume containing rough sketches of microscopic
forms and marked " Microscopic Memoranda," is a most interest-
ing volume. It consists of letter-sheets of sketches made by
means of the camera lucida, under the microscope, or of more
finished drawings on glazed cards and arranged on sheets. At
the end is an alphabetical catalogue of the several objects deline-
ated. There are four hundred and fifty sheets, and seven hun-
dred different objects named in the catalogue. Of most of these,
numerous attitudes are given, so that the whole number of
sketches is probably not less than three thousand, and they are high-
ly valuable as an illustrative accompaniment to the microscopical
collection. They are all characteristic and instructive, and many
of them exquisitely done. They date as far back as 1838 — twenty
years ago — and being chronologically arranged, afford a graphic
diary of the train of Prof. Bailey's investigations, as well as
of his own wanderings ; for wherever he went his micro-
scope or his collecting boxes and bottles went with him. From
Quebec to Florida we trace out all his abiding-places during his
vacations.

This collection is curious as it shows how he was gradually led
into the study of microscopic organic forms. His first observa-
tions were of vegetable structure — then we have an Echinorhyn-
chus — the ovipositor of an ephemera, &c. In January, 1839, in
examining some aquatic plants he perceived a curious body, the
nature of which he could not make out ; it afterwards proved to
be a Gomphonema. This excited his curiosity in that direction,
and his sketches of common Diatomaceae soon became frequent.
March 11, 1839, he sketched an organism which Ehrenberg sub-

198

sequently named Stauronema Bayleyi. In 1843, his observa-
tions had become so numerous that, at the meeting of the Asso-
ciation of Geologists and Naturalists in Boston, he communicated
his paper entitled, " Sketch of the Infusoria of the family Bacil-
larige, found recent or fossil in the United States," extending to
fifty pages and illustrated by figures ; a paper which attracted
much attention everywhere, and placed him at once in the high-
est rank as an investigator of microscopic forms.

The volume is also instructive in showing how much industry
and enthusiasm — what a patient and gradual accumulation of
numberless facts — how many trials, and doubts, and difficulties a
man must always surmount in arriving at solid fame and true
eminence.

V. The Scientific Letters, which he submitted to the
Society to retain such as might be deemed desirable for auto-
graphs or otherwise, and destroy the remainder at discretion,
your Committee have found very interesting, and consider that,
with very few exceptions, they ought to be preserved. In addi-
tion to every man of scientific note in this country, he numbered
among his correspondents all the most noted Microscopists and
Algologists in Europe, such as Ehrenberg, Kiitzing, Queckett,
Harvey, Greville, Smith, Williamson, Ralfs, Agardh, De Bre-
bisson, Montague, Le Normand, and very many others. Their
letters contain many interesting facts and discussions, and even
now many of them contain drawings and specimens as they were
sent, and which the Committee think should be transferred to
their appropriate places. The history of Microscopy and Micro-
scopists in this country, can never be so well learned elsewhere
as from these letters. Indeed, time always renders the corre-
spondence of original investigators of curious interest and of
real value. As an index of the varied acquirements and world-
wide reputation of our departed benefactor, Ave think they should
be preserved. The thousand and one inquiries which were made
of him respecting Microscopes — the little packages sent him by
hundreds from beginners that they might be named, " if it would
not be taxing him too much," show how much of his time he must
have sacrificed, as every man of mark in science is called upon
to do, to good nature, and to tasks that were profitless and vexa-
tious so far as his own advancement is concerned.

100

The Committee would recommend that a selection should be
made of such as contain valuable scientific facts, and that these
be arranged alphabetically and bound ; the remainder to be kept
in bundles, as they now are.

In conclusion, the Committee would congratulate the Society
in having been made the recipients of scientific treasures so rich
and so rare. It becomes us to insure their preservation, and to
make them profitable. In bestowing them here, he no doubt
expected a better use would be made of them here than else-
where. He was of too practical a turn to be satisfied with mere
storage. He anticipated that some one would take up the sub-
ject where he left it, make himself familiar with the collection, be
able to refer to the individual objects of it, and to answer such
inquiries as other investigators might seek to have settled from
it. What a glorious opportunity for one or more young men of
leisure and scientific tastes. Every thing which has been collected
in this country relating to the Algae and to Microscopic forms is
here embodied, together with all the books necessary for the
study and further pursuit of those branches. Whoever shall
make himself master of them must be the ultimate authority for
America, Such an opportunity for distinction even Ehrenberg
never had. Who shall be the man ?

We would not close without one word of tribute to the memory
of our benefactor. We knew him to be a man of conscience,
amiable in his whole character, and of the highest order among
men of science. But the revision of his labors has tended to
raise him still higher in our admiration. He is an eminent
example of what may be accomplished by constant application,
and of the confidence which one may inspire in his fellowr-men
by unwavering truthfulness. In the very prime of life, with all
the necessary outlays and appliances for extensive and rapid
strides in knowledge, it seems too great a loss to be submissively
acquiesced in. We cannot refrain from quoting, as expressive
of our own estimate of his worth and position, from the letter of
one who could appreciate him justly.

" I had seen that you are President of the Montreal meeting
(Association for Science) next year. I am sure every one acquaint-
ed with what you have done for the advancement of science,
American science and American scientific character, will say, that

200

no appointment at the present time could be more appropriate or
just. My dear sir, I hope the great Disposer of events, whose
minute works you have done so much to place before our eyes
in all their exquisite beauty of form, of workmanship, and of
adaptation, will give you yet many years to enjoy the honors you
have so honestly acquired, and to add many more discoveries to
those you have already secured."

At the last meeting, no distinct Resolution having
been passed touching one of the stipulations accompa-
nying the bequest of Prof. Bailey, the following was
offered and unanimously adopted.

Resolved, That the sons of Prof. Bailey have access to the
books and specimens bequeathed by him, and be allowed to use
them at their own pleasure ; that they also have the same use of
the library and cabinet of the Society as members ; and, that in
consideration of his priceless contributions, their names be placed
on the list of Patrons.

Dr. A. A. Hayes read a paper upon the kind of sugar
developed in the Sorghum saccharatum, or Chinese
Sugar-Cane, as follows : —

The introduction of this interesting plant has led to many
somewhat extravagant suggestions, in relation to its future bear-
ing on the agriculture and commerce of our country, particularly
in relation to its produce of sugar. I have therefore deemed
it a subject worthy of chemical observation and experiments,
to determine its claims as a sugar producer ; and have also
chosen it to illustrate a uniformity of vegetable secretion,
according with well-known natural laws. In order to give
scientific precision to the remarks which follow, it is neces-
sary that a brief definition of the terra sugar, should be
given. So rapidly has chemical science progressed of late, that
this well-known terra has now become a generic name for a class
of bodies, individually presenting us with the most marked diver-
sities of sensible characters and composition. We have sugars
which are sweet, others which are slightly sweet, and some desti-
tute of sweetness : some are fermentable, others do not undergo
this change : some are fluid, more are solid.

201

In connoctlon with the present subject, adopting cane sugar as
the most important kind commercially, and as an article of food
from certain inherent qualities, if we examine into its sources, we
find them abundant, but not numerous. So far as observation
has extended, its production by a plant is definite ; a change of
locality, even when accompanied by a marked change in the habit
of the plant, does not alter essentially the nature of the sugar it
produces. Thus the cane of Louisiana rarely matures and is an
annual, while in the soil and climate of Cuba, it enjoys a life of
thirty, or even sixty years. The juice of our southern plant
always contains more soluble alkaline and earthy salts than is
found in the cane of Cuba, but its sugar is secreted as cane sugar.
The juice of the sugar beet, of watermelons, and a large number
of tropical fruits, the sap of the maple and date palm, afford cane
sugar. In these juices and saps, when concentrated by desicca-
tion in the cells of the plants, it always appeai-s in regular, bril-
liant crystals, of a prismatic form, clear and colorless ; distinctly
indicating a vital force in the plant, separating it from other
proximate principles and leaving it in its assigned place pure.

The class of sugars next in importance, includes under the gen-
eral term Glucose, a number of sugars having varied characters,
which should be separately grouped. Among them are the
sugars of fruits, seeds, and grasses : those produced in the ani-
mal system, and the artificial sugars made from starch, grains,
and sawdust. The varieties of glucose are both solid and semi-
fluid. When solid they present aggregates of sub-crystalline
form, in which the organic tendency to rounded surfaces, is gen-
erally seen. The semifluid forms often manifest a disposition to
become solid on exposure to air, and they then experience a
molecular change, which produces crystals having new relations
to polarized light and different physical and chemical characters.

It is unnecessary to enter more minutely at this time, into a
description of each variety of glucose, for the individuals of the
class are easily distinguished from each other, and most clearly
and remarkably from cane sugar. The plants producing the
natural glucose sugars, mature their cells as perfectly as those
producing cane sugar, and the secretion can be found as distinctly
isolated from other principles as cane sugar is ; even when the
glucose is semifluid. Hence we are able to determine by micro-

202

scopical observations, fiidetl by chemical tests, the presence and
kind of sugar in the tissues, or sap of a plant, often without in-
curring the risk of change of properties through the chemical
means adopted for withdrawing the sugar.

AVe have the authority of our associate, Mr. Sprague, for the
conclusion, that the Sorghum vulgare, or saccharatum, belongs to
the tribe including grasses, and we should therefore expect to
find its saccharine matter the variety of glucose called sugar of
grasses or fruit sugar. The unsuccessful attempts made to crys-
tallize sugar from the juice of the Sorghum, produced in different
cHmates of our country last year, indicated that it contained no
cane sugar, or that the presence of some detrimental matter in
the expressed juice, destroyed the crystallizable character of
cane sugar, as can be artificially done. My observations com-
menced after I had obtained several specimens of the Sorghum,
and have been continued on the semifluid sugar, likewise from
different parts of the United States, with uniform results.

When a recent shaving of the partially dried pith of the
matured stalks of the Sorghum, is examined by the microscope,
we observe the sugar cells filled with semifluid sugar. After
exposure to air it is often possible to distinguish some crystalline
forms in the fluid sugar. These grains, after being washed,
cease to present a clear crystalline character, and have the hard-
ness and general appearance, of dry fruit sugar. By withdraw-
ing the sugar without the aid of water, it is possible to obtain it
colorless and neutral, as a semifluid glucose or fruit sugar, and
no traces of crystals or crystalline forms can be seen. The glu-
cose thus obtained, freely exposed to air, soon undergoes the
molecular change which is exhibited by sugar of grapes, and we
thus observe another character associating the whole product,
with the sugar of grasses and fruits. Leaving the physical
observations, and substituting the more exact processes of the
laboratory, I found that the semifluid sugar of the Sorghum did
not blacken in sulphuric acid, but was sensitive to the action of
alkalies, and reduced the alkaline solution of tartrate of copper,
thus conforming to the well-known characters of glucose. The
most careful trials I could make, failed in detecting cane sugar in
any samples of the Sorghum stalks, or in the samples of sugar,
including one made by Col. Peters in Georgia, prepared under

203

the most careful management. I must therefore conclude, that
the Sorghum cultivated in this country does not secrete cane sugar
or true sugar ; its saccharine matter being purely glucose in a
semifluid form.

As a matter of science this result is interesting, in showing the
integrity of character pertaining to the genus in which this plant
is botanically placed ; the sweet grasses yielding fruit sugar,
while the maize produces cane sugar only.

In its economical bearings we might wish that the sorghum
secreted cane sugar, for the values of cane sugar and glucose are
very different. From the best authorities we learn that the
power of imparting sweetness in cane sugar, is between two and
one half and three times as great as that of dry glucose, and the
semifluid sugar of the Sorghum containing water, nearly four
pounds of this will be required, to equal one pound of sugar in
ordinary use. As a raw material for the production of spirit, for
which it seems well adapted, the glucose of the Sorghum may
prove valuable, and as an addition to a forage crop, the plant
may be found to possess a high agricultural importance.

Dr. John Bacon made a statement confirmatory of the
results arrived at by Dr. Hayes. He was unable to
obtain any crystals of cane sugar.

The Chairman, Dr. Jackson, said he had obtained
crystals by evaporation of the syrup over sulphuric acid :
"whether they were of cane or grape sugar he could not
say. Cane sugar had been found in the plant by Euro-
pean chemists. He had made extensive investigations
into its chemical properties and economic value, for the
United States Government, which would be published in
the Patent-Office Report.

Mr. N. H. Bishop exhibited some of the seed of the
Chinese Sugar-cane, and remarked that it was imported
from France and not China, as might be supposed. It
was estimated by seedsmen that ten tons would be sold
in Boston this season for planting, and that one pound
would plant an acre.

204

Mr. N. H. Bishop presented a male and a female Bur-
rowing Owl, [Athene cunicularia,) from South America,
and read the following paper upon this bird : —

THE BURROWING OWL OF SOUTH AMERICA. (Athene

cunicularia. Molina.)

I first met with this bird on the banks of the River San Juan, in
the Banda Oriental, one hundred and twenty miles west of Monte-
video, where a few pairs were observed devouring mice and insects
during the daytime. From the river, travelling westward thirty
miles, I did not meet a single individual, but after crossing the
Las Vacas, and coming upon a sandy waste covered with scattered
trees and low bushes, I again met with several.

Upon the pampas of the Argentine Republic they are found in
great numbers, from a fevv miles west of Rosario, on the Parana,
Lit. 32 deg. 56 min. south, to the vicinity of San Luis, where the
pampas end and a travesia or saline desert commences.

On these immense plains of grass it lives in company with
the bizcacha, (Lagostomics trichodactylus, Brookes,) an animal
that bears resemblance to the rabbit and agouti, and undermines a
great extent of country with its burrows. The habits of this owl
are said to be the same as those of the species that inhabits the
holes of the marmots upon the prairies of western North America,
and one writer speaking of the latter bird remarks, " We have
no evidence that the owl and marmot habitually resort to one
burrow ; " and Say adds, " that they were either common though
unfriendly residents of the same habitation, or that our owl was
the sole occupant of a burrow acquired by the right of con-
quest." Li this respect they differ from their South American
relatives, who live in perfect harmony with the bizcacha, and
during the day while the latter is sleeping, a pair of these birds
stand a fevv inches within the main entrance of the burrow,
and at the first sound, be it near or distant, they leave their station
and remain outside of the hole, or upon the mound that forms the
roof of the domicile. When man approaches, both birds mount
above him in the air and keep up the alarm note, with irides
dilated, until he passes, when they quietly settle down in the
grass, or return to their former place.

205

While on the pampas I did not observe these birds taking prey
during the daytime, but at sunset the bizcachas and owls leave
their holes and search for food, the young of the former playing
about the birds, as they alighted near them. They do not asso-
ciate in companies, there being but one pair to each hole, and
at night do not stray far from their homes.

In speaking of the North American burrowing owl, a writer
says that the species suddenly disappears in the early part of
August, and also that it is strictly diurnal. The Athene cunicn-
laria has not these habits ; it does not disappear during any part
of the year, and it is both diurnal and nocturnal, for though I
did not observe it preying by day on the pampas, I noticed that
it fed at all hours of the day and night on the north shore of the
Plata, in the Banda Oriental.

At long. 66 degs. west, our caravan struck the great saline
desert that stretches to the Andes, and during fourteen days'
travel on foot, I did not see a dozen of these birds. While resid-
inff outside the town of San Juan, at the eastern base of the
Andes, I had an opportunity to watch their habits in a locality
differing materially from the pampas.

The months of September and October are the conjugal ones,
and during the middle of the former month I obtained a male
bird with a broken wing. It lived in confinement two days,
refusing to eat, and died from the effects of the wound. A few
days later a boy brought me a female owl, with five eggs, that had
been taken from her nest, five feet from the mouth of a burrow
that wound among the roots of a tree. The female bird was
fierce in her cage, and fought with her wings and beak, uttering
all the while a shrill prolonged note, resembling the sound pro-
duced by drawing a file across the teeth of a saw. I supplied
her with eleven full-grown mice, which were devoured during
the first thirty-six hours of confinement.

My object was to discover if this bird burrowed its own habita-
tion, and my observations of eight months failed to imj^ress me
with that belief. I have conversed with intelligent persons who
have been famihar with their habits, and never did I meet one that
beheved this bird to be its own workman. It places a small nest
of feathers at the end of some deserted or inhabited burrow, as
necessity demands, in which are deposited from two to five white

206

eggs, little larger than the domestic pigeon's. In the Banda
Oriental, where the country is as fine, and the favorite food of
the owl more plentifully distributed than upon the pampas, this
bird is not common compared with the latter locality. The
reason is obvious. The bizcacha does not exist in the Banda
Oriental, and consequently these birds have a poor chance for
finding habitations.

On the pampas, where thousands upon thousands of bizcachas
undermine the soil, there, in their true locality, the traveller finds
thousands of owls. Again, along the bases of the Andes, w^here
the bizcacha is rarely met with, we find only a few pairs. Does
the hole from which this specimen w^as obtained, dug among the
roots of a tree, appear to be the w^ork of a bird or quadruped ?
The several works that I have consulted do not in one instance
give personal observations relative to the burrowing propensities
of this owl, from which fact it will be inferred that it never has
been caught in the act of burrowing.

Dr. Hayes presented, in the name of R. H. Eddy, Esq.,
some specimens of Native Borate of Lime from South
America. They varied in size, were of a dirty appear-
ance externally, but internally beautifully white and
silky, and exhibited a tendency to crystallization. The
thanks of the Society were voted for the gift.

It was voted that during the summer months the
meetings should commence at 8 o'clock P. M.

May 20, 1857.

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

In the absence of the Secretary, Mr. C. C. Sheafe was
chosen Secretary pro. tem.

Dr. Silas Durkee read a paper on the method by which the

207

common Earth Worm (Lumhricus terrestris) finds its way into
vessels, such as tubs, barrels, pails, &c., and about the eaves and
gutters of houses and sheds, which subject has occasionally been
a topic of discussion at the meetings of this Society.

It is well known that after a shower of rain, upon a warm
summer's day, the lumbricus is frequently found in the places
above named ; but by what means they arrive there is the ques-
tion. Dr. Durkee had recently had an opportunity of watching
some earth worms which were placed in glass jars standing in
his office. At first there was a small quantity of water in the
bottom of the jar, which seemed to prevent them from ascending
any great distance ; but upon removing this they were repeatedly
seen mounting along the sides of the vessel. The progression
was at a more moderate rate, and by shorter strides or stages,
when they attempted to climb in a vertical direction, than when
their course was more inclined. In some instances they reached
the top of the vessel, a distance of eighteen inches in eight min-
utes. Generally their wanderings were quite irregular and cii'-
cuitous, and they continued on the sides of the glass sometimes
for the space of two hours, a part of the time in motion and a part
of the time at rest. The worms drag themselves along by a few
of their segments at a time, and the number of segments in motion
at any one moment is less in their ascending course than when a
horizontal or downward direction is taken. The abundant glu-
tinous secretion with which they are' covered, together with their
numerous seta? and segments, seems well adapted to aid them in
their various motions.

The following paper on the Zonda Wind, was read by
Mr. N. H. Bishop :—

At a former meeting of the Society, I offered some remarks
relative to this peculiar wind. (See Proceedings, vol. vi. p. 126.)
I now request the favor of ofi^ering some additional observa-
tions upon this peculiar wind. In searching through the works of
the very few authors who have visited the interior of the Argen-
tine States, (all but one or two of whom are Europeans,) I find
that one only mentions the existence of the above phenomenon,

208

and he did not probably visit the town where my observations
were made, which locahty is considered by the natives the north-
ern limit of the zondas.

John Mier.s, author of an interesting work on the provinces o^
La Plata and Chili, remained a short time in Mendoza, a town
nearly one hundred and fifty miles south of San Juan, and capi-
tal of the province of Mendoza. He states that this southern
locality is annoyed by winds that blow during the summer months
from the valley of Zonda, and notes the fact that two dark clouds
came from the northwest and hovered over the town during the
greater part of the night, and in the morning everything exposed
to the air was covered with fine sand, which was of a light-gray
color, and slightly magnetic. It was Miers's opinion that " a
souffriere, or active volcano," existed to the northward of San
Juan, from which the hurricanes and showers of sand originated.
Had Mr. Miers visited San Juan, his view of the position of the
souffriere, or volcano, would undoubtedly have been changed ;
for though the zondas sometimes reach Mendoza to the south,
the direction of the wind when it strikes that place, differs from
the line it follows when it rushes with violence upon the northern
town. At San Juan, it comes due west from the Andes ; hence
the starling-point of the zonda cannot be to the north of the
town, as Miers conjectured. According to the account of the
natives, the zonda of San Juan does not cover a broader space
than ten or fifteen miles after it leaves the Sierra of Zonda.
Taking this into consideration, in connection with Miers's state-
ment that the Mendoza zonda comes from the northwest, differ-
ing as it will be seen four points from the northern town, we may
infer that the Mendoza and San Juan zondas do not blow at the
same time. If this be true, it is an interesting fact, showing that
this peculiar wind does not always follow the same track.

I remained but a short time in Mendoza, and not being conver-
sant with the language of the inhabitants at that time, could not
have collected information relative to the zonda, as it affects that
locality, even had I then been aware of its existence.

Miers states that these are summer winds in Mendoza. From
personal observation and reliable accounts of educated San Juan-
inos, I found that they are more particularly the winter winds
— at least they are more frequent during that season. Invalids

209

suffering from pulmonary diseases, and complaints aflf'eeting the
heart and liver, anticii):ite the month of August (midwinter) with
consternation; and their anxiety is not quieted until they have
passed through the dreaded ordeal.

While passing the winter in San Juan, I noted the courses of
upwards of twenty zondas. Some were of short duration ;
others lasted eighteen or twenty hours.

During the latter part of August, 1855, while standing upon
the saline desert, a few miles east of San Juan, my attention was
attracted to a cloud of dust that appeared to roll through the air
as it appi'oached me. I started for a sheltez", and had hardly
reached it, when the zonda swept past, filling the air with fine
yellow sand. The temperature of the previously sultry atmos-
phere suddenly rose many degrees, and the occupants of the
neighboring huts were affected with severe headaches. 1 noted
with a compass the course of the wind, and found it to be
west. All night, and through the following day and night, it
continued blowing with undiminished force. Each hour the
vane beside the hut was consulted, and the same course as at
first was always observed. A few hours before the wind
ceased the sand showers were exhausted. The greatest heat
was during the first few hours : and this is always the case,
whether the zonda commences during the daytime or night.
After continuing for thirty-six hours, the change came. It was
instantaneous. The hot wind seemed cut off at right angles by
a cold wind from the south. The change could not have occu-
pied more than forty seconds. The south wind lasted twenty
hours, and was as violent as the hot zonda. In speaking of the
Mendoza zondas, Miers does not mention the succession of the
south wind. It is easy to comprehend that after so large a
space has become filled with heated air, the effect will be felt
in the cooler regions of the south, and a strong current from
that direction will rush in to restore the atmospheric equilibrium.
Hence the cause of the south wind succeeding the zonda.

Miers believed that the origin of the zondas was volcanic,
and for a precedent, I will state, upon the authority of Sir
Woodbine Parish, that the volcano Penquenes, which is situated
about one hundred miles southwest from Mendoza, and reaches
an altitude of nearly fifteen thousand feet above the level of the

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI. 14 AUGUST, 1857.

210

sea, emits clouds of ashes and pumice-dust. This dust is carried
by the winds as far as Mendoza, but these clouds do not strike
the town with the force of a San Juan zonda. The pumice-
dust is borne along by variable winds. From this fact we may
infer that the fine sand of the zondas comes from a similar source.
The most important question is, " Where originates the hot and
parching wind that always accompanies, and is peculiar to the
zondas ? " The old guides, who are familiar with the valleys of
the Andes, inform me that these winds blow from off the main
snow-clad ridge of that great chain of mountains, and express
their surprise at the fact, " that from a cold region comes a burn-
ing wind."

Strong and steady winds generally follow a direct line. This
fact is peculiar to the zondas. If Miers's conjecture be true re-
garding the origin of these winds, the position of the volcano or
souffriere might be found by obsei'ving the following suggestion,
bearing in mind that the Mendoza wind comes from the north-
west, and the San Juan zonda from the west. That point where
two lines — one running west from the northern town, the other
northwest from the southern town — will intersect, is the starting-
point of the sand clouds, if not of the accompanying hot wind.

Looking upon the map of South America, we find in the Cor-
dillera of the Andes, between the latitudes of San Juan and Men-
doza, four peaks marked as doubtful volcanoes, — Limari, directly
west of San Juan ; Chuapu, thirty miles further south ; and near
the half-way point of the two towns, Ligua. To the north of
west of Mendoza, stands prominent the lofty Aconcagua, that has
been estimated by two English captains to have an elevation of
23,900 feet. The point of intersection of the west and north-
west zonda lines is in the vicinity of Limari and Chuapu, and if
not either of these, the zonda volcano is a near neighbor to them.

Mr. Sprague exhibited specimens of a fungus which
he had found upon young pear-trees, (Capnodium elong-a-
tum,) and which had been recently found in great quan-
tities on the stenns and leaves of young white pines grow-
ing in Hingham, by Mr. T. T. Bouve. He also exhibited
a drawing of the plant, showing the different forms of
the peridia, some being merely rounded half-spheres,

211

while others had extended themselves into elongated
and forked points. This fungus does not form in the
tissues of the plants upon which it is parasitic, but is
merely an incrusting growth, spreading over and entirely
covering the surface of the stem and leaf. This compact
envelope is highly injurious to the infested plant, as it
prevents the access of air and light to its tissues. On
removing a portion from the pine leaves, the normal
green was found to have changed to a dull yellow,
similar to that of the decaying leaves.

Dr. A. A. Hayes exhibited some specimens, resembling
Trachyte rock so closely, that most observers would
have mistaken them for Trachyte.

The specimens consisted of hand specimens, having the uneven
fracture of trachyte, full of capillary passages, with some cavities ;
there were fractured planes of brown and flesh-colored minerals,
resembling feldspar, and some small red, brown-colored and black
granules ; but the most characteristic mark was the occurrence
of angular fragments and grains of yellowish green color, hardly
distinguishable from epidote by the eye. The external surface
was brown and uneven, like that of a weathered basalt, or trap.
The island from which these specimens came has been examined
by a geologist, and from the prevalence of this rock, it is said
that he pronounced the island to be of volcanic origin. A mass
was sent to Dr. Hayes, and he found it had structural planes,
the divisions producing trapezoidal masses, their surfaces and the
lines marked by darker colors, and, so far as could be determined,
there was evidence of the mass being part of a rock formation of
some extent.

The chemical composition discloses the remarkable fact that
this rock is composed essentially of fish bones and altered shells,
which have passed through the alimentary canals of sea fowls.
Referring to communications before made, Dr. Hayes stated that
the organic matter of fish bones in the droppings of fowl, reacts
on the bone phosphate of lime, to eliminate acid salts of phos-
phoric acid, and these cement other portions, or decompose shells,
which are cornposed of carbonate of lime and animal tissues.

212

The feldspar-like granules are generally compact, colored por-
tions of converted shells, having a crystalline form, and there are
aggregates of ferruginous and aluminous phosphates, arising from
the same kind of action on ferruginous matter, which, in the form
of a tine clay, or volcanic ash, has been brought within the
sphere of the action of the acid phosphates. The cavities some-
times present minute crystalline facets of phosphate of lime
crystals, while the capillary channels and pores, which give the
trachyte-like character, are really the passages through which the
carbonic acid and other gases escaped, during the transformation
of the organic matter, precisely as they occur in basalt and trap,
where igneous action has been supposed to have been influential.

This rock is covered more or less by Atlantic guano rock,
presenting the variety which consists of compact, light-colored
phosphate of lime, containing about twenty parts in one hundred
of carbonate of lime, and in some parts is a consolidated shell-
bank ; the recent shells and coral fragments being visible.
Where, through time and favorable exposure, the bone remains
have thoroughly decomposed the shells, hand specimens would
be mistaken for the flesh-colored, massive phosphate of lime of
New Jersey. These more or less well-cemented and altered
rocks are also connected with still more recent deposits, retaining
even the odorous animal remains of oily acids ; and the whole
formation, above that of the trachytic form of rock, contains the
remains of infusoria.

Thus a small island of the Atlantic, lying about eighteen
degrees north of the equator, presents us with an epitomized
succession of rock strata, formed from materials which, once
endowed with life, have served to nourish other living systems,
and then given rise to chemical changes, resulting in the produc-
tion of various mineral solids which remain.

The trachyte-like rock forming the basis rock of this island,
theoretically, may have received its geological and chemical
characters in ocean water. A subsidence of the land, after its
surface had been deeply covered with organic remains, would
allow of that aqueous action of decomposition and cementation
which we notice, and the subsequent desiccation would explain
the natural divisions by rents. The formation of silicates of iron,
manganese, and alumina from phosphates of lime, is a mineral-

213

izing process which can take phice in ocean water by infiltration,
volcanic ashes, or divided materials of plastic rocks being present,
as analysis shows them to be. The rock is hydrous, losing nearly
ten per cent, of its weight by ignition, or

Water with a little organic matter - - - - 10.00

Bone Phosphate of Lime, - 85.20

Carbonate of Lime, 3.00

Oxides L'on, Manganese and Alumina, - - - 5.22

Silicic Acid and Sand, 1.78

105.20

The excess of weight being due to the estimation of the phos-
phoric acid united to lime as bone phosphate of lime, while truly
part of it, with a portion of silica, is united to the oxides present.

Dr. John Bacon exhibited some Calculi, six or seven
hundred in number, taken from the bladder of an ox.
They were amorphous, presenting no crystalline forma-
tion, and containing only a small quantity of organic
matter. This is one of the rarest forms of urinary
stones.

On motion of Mr. Charles Stodder, it was voted to
appoint a Committee to take into consideration and
report upon the subject of establishing a Microscopic
Department of the Society.

Messrs. Durkee, Jackson, Bacon, Shaw, Sprague, An-
drews, and Barnard, were appointed this Committee.

George Duncan Gibb, M. D., of London, was elected
a Corresponding Member.

214

June 3, 1857,
Prof. Wm. B. Rogers, in the Chair.

DEPARTMENT OF MICROSCOPY.

The following report was read and adopted : —

The Committee to whom was referred the subject of establish-
ing a new department for the investigation of microscopic nature,
beg leave to oifer as a report the following Preamble and Reso-
lutions.

Whereas, The recent acquisition of the invaluable cabinet and
library of the late Professor Bailey has awakened the Society to
the necessity of giving a new impetus to the progress of micro-
scopic science ; to the great usefulness which a special depart-
ment for the development, record, and publication of observations
on the minute structure of organic and inorganic bodies, would
possess :

Resolved, That this Society do hereby establish a department
for microscopic investigation to be known as the

DEPARTMENT OF MICROSCOPY ;

to consist of members of the Society, specially interested in micro-
scopic studies, who may desire to join it. No individuals, who
are not members of this Society, shall be members of this depart-
ment.

Resolved, That a Curator of this department shall be chosen
yearly at the Annual Meeting, whose duty shall be to take
charge of all specimens and preparations belonging to the depax't-
ment, and to preside at its meetings. The department may
appoint sub-committees upon the different branches of the sci-
ence, to whom shall be referred specimens for examination and
report. The Recording Secretary of the Society shall be, ex
officio, Secretary of this department.

Resolved, That at the first regular meeting of the Society in
each month, at the hour of nine o'clock, the presiding officer shall

215

call for microscopic reports, papers, remarks, or exhibitions, in
the order here named ; and such reports, papers, remarks, or exhi-
bitions shall be in order during the continuance of the meeting,
provided that no business matter properly belonging to the Annual
Meeting of the Society shall be thus superseded at the regular
or adjourned Annual Meetings.

Resolved, That this department shall have the use of the
Library Room of the Society for its meetings when desired.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this department shall be
published in the Journal and Proceedings of this Society, subject
to the decision of the Publishing Committee of the Society.

A Committee, appointed to nominate a candidate for
the office of Curator of the Department of Microscopy,
reported the name of Dr. Silas Durkee, and he was
accordingly chosen Curator of the Department.

Prof. John Bacon exhibited a package of Bailey's
Universal Indicators, received from Mr. Gavitt, of Al-
bany, and intended for the use of the Society. Observers,
making use of Prof. Bailey's mounted specimens, and
being in possession of one of these indicators, may easily
find any special object upon the slide which had been
referred to or described by Prof. B.

Mr. C. J. Sprague announced the Donation by Benja-
min D. Greene, Esq., the first President of the Society,
of his very extensive and valuable Herbarium. A Com-
mittee, consisting of Messrs. Sprague and Durkee, was
appointed to draw up a series of resolutions, expressive
of the gratitude of the Society for the donation, and of
its proper estimation of its value.

The Curator of Crustacea and Radiata, Mr. Theodore
Lyman, was empowered to loan Mr. Bowerbank of
London, certain specimens of sponges, to aid him in
the publication of a work upon this subject.

216

The Corresponding Secretary read the following list
of letters recently received : —

Elliott Society of Natural History, Charleston, S. C. ; Ethno-
logical Society, London, January 31, 1857 ; K. Bayerische
Akademie der Wissenschaften, February 4, 1857 ; Imperial
Mineralogical Society of St. Petersbui-g, November 30, 1856;
Verein fur Vaterlandische Naturkunde in Wurtemberg, January
20, 1857 ; Accademia, &c., di Bologna, May 29, 1856 ; Royal
Geographical Society, London, November 29, 1856, acknowledg-
ing the receipt of the Society's publications ; also from the last
five above-named institutions, presenting various publications, as
well as from the Naturforschende Gesellschaft zu Elmden, October
2, 1856.

Messrs. Archelaus Wilson of Boston, and R. H. Barn-
well of the Scientific School, were elected Resident
Members.

June 17, 1857.

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

The Committee appointed to prepare Resolutions,
expressive of the sentiments of the Society in recognition
of the donation by Benjamin D.^ Greene, Esq., of his
Botanical Collection, submitted the following, which
were unanimously adopted : —

Resolved, That this Society is deeply sensible of the active
sympathy which has ever been exhibited in its welfare by its
first President, Benjamin D. Greene, Esq., — -a sympathy which
has led him to bestow upon the Society his extensive and valu-
able Herbarium, the fruit of a long lifetime devoted to the culti-
vation of botanical science, to a diligent accumulation of the

217

world's vegetable productions, and a critical study of our native
flora, which his own frequent discoveries have enriched.

Resolved, That the proffer of this rare collection of plants is
gratefully and cordially accepted ; and the Corresponding Secre-
tary is instructed to inform Mr. Greene of this acceptance, trans-
mitting a copy of these resolutions.

Mr. Sprague stated that the Herbarium is particu-
larly rich in specimens collected by various Exploring
Expeditions, both of this country and of Europe ; reports
of some of which have not as yet been published. Very
many of the plants are new to the Society's cabinet, and
the collection altogether is very extensive and exceed-
ingly valuable.

Prof. Wm. B. Rogers made some remarks upon a
peculiar geological condition which he had noticed in
the Slate Rocks of Governor's Island, in Boston Harbor,
and of which he had never seen any notice.

At the landing near the fort, where the slate is exposed, he
had observed a series of ledges of dark grayish-blue slate, in
which is exposed a species o? fault known as horizontal heave.
There are two lines of direction in the beds, and these are at
right angles with each other. This phenomenon of horizontal
heave, combined with the system of cross cleavage which is at
right angles with the planes of bedding, creates some obscurity
in some spots as to which are the original planes of bedding. In
other localities, and especially in the Quincy and Braintree
siliceous slate in which trilobites have been recently found, the
same difficulty exists ; rendering it impracticable to obtain perfect
specimens of that fossil in any amount, since the rock splits off
in an opposite direction to that in which the animal was de-
posited.

This system of horizontal heave has been extensively studied
in Europe, and has elicited much discussion from geologists and
physicists upon the theory of the phenomena engaged in its pro-
duction. It is supposed that a great pressure has been applied
to the rocky mass, either before or after it had reached a com-

218

plete state of solidity, and that this pressure has produced such
a structural arrangement as to develop particular planes of cleav-
age where the adhesion was the slightest. This supposition has
been sustained by experiment, recently instituted in England, in
which it has been demonstrated that scales of mica and other
material of flattened form, intermingled with plastic clay and sub-
mitted to continuous and energetic pressure, assume approximate
parallelism, and impart to the mass a laminar structure. Where
cleavage shows itself in limestone containing mica scales and
flattened particles of silica, the microscope has detected an ap-
proximate degree of parallelism between these substances and
the cleavage planes.

Dr. S. Ivneeland, Jr., exhibited two specimens of Siredon,
taken in Portage Lake, Michigan, which were described by him
in the Proceedings of February, 1857, and which he had suc-
ceeded in keeping alive. These animals are very hardy, the
water in which they were contained having been frozen and
thawed many times in succession during the last winter, when
their only food was such minute matter as they might have found
in the lake water. They have maxillary and palatal teetli, and
though they are very much feared by the Indians, on account of
the supposed poisonous nature of their bite, yet Dr. Kneeland
has not known them to attack each other ; and he himself handles
them very freely, without any attempt of the animal to bite.
The heads of the two specimens are of different shape, and
possibly they are of different sexes. Since they have been in
Boston, they have been fed upon live worms by Dr. Durkee, of
which they will consume several every day. Near the gills
upon the surface of the body are a number of parasitic worms,
rough dx'awings of which were exhibited by Dr. Durkee.

Dr. H. R. Storer said he had been informed that an
Albino of the Common Striped Squirrel of Massachu-
setts {Sciurus striatus) had been taken at South Fram-
ingham. It was perfectly white, with pink eyes, and a
note like that of the common striped squirrel.

The Secretary, at the request of Dr. T. M. Brewer,

219

exhibited specimens of a Gum from California, which was
said to resemble in its properties Gum Arabic, and of a
bark which was stated to have the mucilaginous charac-
ter of Slippery Elm Bark. The specimens were samples
of some presented to the California Society of Natural
History by Dr. Thomas Payne, of Mariposa, Cal., and
forwarded to Dr. Brewer by Dr. Holden ; they were re-
ferred to Dr. Hayes for analysis.

Mr. Thomas Hollis (after a moment's examination of
it) stated that the bark bore considerable resemblance to
the Wild Cherry Bark. It had a similar odor, but it was
not so astringent. The mucilage from this is not imme-
diately extracted in the mouth, but, as is the case with
the Wild Cherry Bark, it may be developed after some
hours maceration in cold water. The wild cherry like-
wise exudes a gum similar to this.

Dr. A. A. Gould presented, in the name of William
M. Bailey, Esq., of Providence, a Photograph of his
brother, the late Prof. Bailey of West Point. The thanks
of the Society were voted for the gift.

Messrs. Theodore Metcalf, George N. Davis, and
Thomas D. Morris were elected Resident Members.

ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

April 15, 1857. Bequest of the late Prof. Jacob W. Bailey, consisting of his
complete Microscopical Collection, Algse, &c., an inventory of which will be
found in the Report of the Committee on page 194. A collection of Shells,
Crustacea, and Corals ; presented by N. E. Atwood. A Trumpet Fish ( Centriscus
scolopax) ; by Dr. D. H. Storer, the first known to have been taken on this coast.
A collection of Algse; by J. C. Parkinson. A Double-collared Arracari {Ptero-
gbssusbitm^quatus); a Field Yaxe.(Turdtis jiilaris); &.y^ oodiXaxk (Anthus arboreus);
by Dr. F. J. Bumstead. AHobm (Turdus migratorius)-^ by E. Samuels. A speci
men of Dipsas plicata, from the East Indies, with images encrusted by the nacre
upon its internal surface; by Lieut. G. H. Preble, U. S. Navy; a Female Snow-
Goose and a Shoveller Duck from Virginia; by Wm. Sohier. A Song Sparrow
and a Robin; by E. Samuels.

220

May 20. Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) male and female, from South
America; by N. H. Bishop. Native Borate of Lime from South America; by R-
H, Eddy. Fossils and Acorns; by Theodore Parker. Vitreous Copper Ore from
South Carolina; by Di-. C. T. Jackson. Saw of a Saw Fish; by Geo. S. Wheel-
wright.

June 3. The extensive and valuable Herbarium of Benjamin D. Greene,
Esq., the first President of the Society. Shells and Crustacea .from Hiltonhead,
S. C. ; by J. S. P'ay, Esq. Sponges from Singapore, and Corals; by S. Durkee.
Cast of the Brain of Spurzheim ; by Theodore Pax'ker.

June 17. A Photograph of the late Prof. J. W. Bailey, presented by his
brother W. M. Bailey, Esq., of Providence; Arvicola misterus, two specimens,^,
riparius, Eesperomys Bairdii, Vireo soUtarius, Trichas PhiladeljMca, Vermivora
chryso2}iera, V. peregrina, Rallus elegans, and a collection of Shells, all from
lUinois ; by Thomas Kennicott.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 1857.

Description of New Fossil Crinoidea from the Palaeozoic Rocks of Western
and Southern Portions of the United States. By B. F. Shumard, M. D. 8vo.
Pamph. Philadelphia, 1857. Fi-om the Author.

Synopsis Avium Tanagrinarum. By P. L. Sclater. 8vo. Pamph. Loudon.
From the Author.

Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte, gegiiindet von A. F. A. Wiegmann. Fortgesetzt
von W. F. Erichson. Sechstes Heft pp. 1-486. 8vo. 3 nos. Berlin, 1855. From
Br. F. H. Froschel.

Annual Report of tbe Trustees of the New York State Library. 8vo. Pamph.
Albany, 1457. Fi-om the Trustees.

Seventeenth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of New York.
8vo. Pamph. Albany, 1857. From the Regents.

Fourth Annual Report of the Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Agri-
culture. 8vo. Boston, 1857. From J. L. Flinty Esq., Secretary.

Report of the Commissioners on tbe Artificial Propagation of Fish. Massa-
chusetts Legislative Document. 8vo. Pamph. Boston, 1857. From N. E. At-
wood, Esq.

Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Tenth Meeting, Albany, N. Y., 1856. 8vo. Pamph. Cambridge. From the
Association.

Laws of Structure of the more disturbed Zones of the Earth's Crust. By
Prof. H. D. Rogers. 4to. Pampb. Edinburgh, 1856.

Geology and Physical Geography of North America. By the same. 8vo.
Pamph. London, 1856.

Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. New Series. Nos. 6, 8, 9. 8vo. 1856-7.
From Prof. H. D. Rogers.

Rapport special sur les mesures qui ont (ii& adopts pour I'Etablissement d' une
Ecole Nonnale. 12mo. Pamph. Montreal, 1847.

221

Regies et Reglements de I'Asseinbl^e Legislative. 18rao. Pampli. Toronto,
1856.

Listes des Rapports ou Etats de la Legislature du Canada. Long 4to. Pamph.
Toronto, 1856.

Assemblde Legislative, 1856, Liste des Lois Expirantes. 4to. Pamph.
Toronto.

Sommaires des Deliberations de I'Assembl^e Legislative du Canada. Long
4to. Pamph. Toronto, 1856.

Journal du Cultivateur et Proced^s du Bureau d' Agriculture du Bas-Canada.
Vol. in. Nos. 1-12, and Vol. IV. Nos. 1-8. 4to. Pamph. Montreal, 1856.

Journal de ITnstruction Publique. Vol. I. No. 3. 4to. Pamph. Montreal,
1857.

Farmers Journal. 4to. Pamph. Vol. IV. No. 12. Montreal, 1857.

Second Rapport sur I'Exploration des Lacs Sup(5rieur et Huron. Par le
Compte de Rottermund. 8vo. Pamph. Toronto, 1857.

Tables of Trade and Navigation of Canada for 1856. 8vo. Pamph. Toronto,
1857.

Reports of Commissioners of Crown Lands of Canada for 1856. 8vo. Pamph.
Toronto, 1857. From L. A. Huguet Latour.

Transactions of the Academy of Science at St. Louis. No. 1. Vol. I. 8vo.
Pamph. St. Louis, 1857.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. No. 69, for May, 1857.
8vo. New Haven.

Verhandlungen des Naturhistorischen Vereines der Pi-eussischen Rheinlande
und Westphalens. DreizehnterJJahrgang. Drittes heft. 8vo. 2 nos. Bonn, 1856.

Natural History Review. Nos. 9, 10, 11. 8vo. London, 1856.

Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Nos. 6, 7. 8vo.
Pamph. 1857.

Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. XI. Part 1. 4to.
Philadelphia, 1857.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society. Vol, XXVI. 8vo. London, 1856.

Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. Vol. IX. Part 4.
Cambridge, (England,) 1856.

Natural History Review. No. 1. January, 1857. 8vo. London.

Canadian Naturalist. Vol. II. No. 2. May, 1857. 8vo. Pamph. Montreal.

Conchological Miscellany. By S. Hanley. Nos. 2, 3. 4to. Pamph. London.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, pp. 17-100.
8vo. 1857.

Catalogue of Human Crania in the Collection of the Academy of Natural
Sciences at Philadelphia. By J. A. Meigs, M. D. 8vo. Pamph. 1857.

Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Landplanarien nach Mittheilungen des Dr. Fritz
Miiller in Brasilien und nach eigenen Untersuchungen von Dr. Max Schultze.
4to. Pamph. Halle, 1857.

Jahrbucher des Vereins fiir Naturkunde im Herzogthum Nassau. Heft XI
8vo. Pamph. Wiesbaden, 1856.

Wui'ttembergische Naturwissenschaftliche Jahreshefte- Zehnter Jahrgang
Drittes Heft. Zwolfter .Jahrgang; Drittes Heft. Dreizehnter Jahrgang; Erstes
Heft. Stuttgart. 8vo. 1856-7.

Die Gewitten des Jahres 1855. Ein Beitrag zur Physiologic der Atmosphare
von Dr. M. A. F. Prestel. 8vo. Pamph. Eraden.

222

Verhandlungen devEussisch-Kaiserlichen Mineralogischen Gesellschaft zu St.
Petersburg. Jahrgang, 1855-6. 8vo. Pamph. 1856.

Gelehrte Anzeigen der K. Bayer. Akad. der Wissenschaften. Band 42, 43.
4to. Miinchen, 1856.

Theorie und Anweudung des Seitendruck-spirometers, von Dr. E. Harless. 4to.
Pamph. Miinchen, 1856.

Bemerkungen iiber den Zusammenhang zwischen demBildungs gesetze eines
Jfettenbruches. Von L. Seidel. 4to. Pamph. Miinchen, 1855.

Beitrage zu Einens Wissenschaftlichen Begriindung der Lehre von Mienenspiel.
Von Prof. Dr. E. Harless. 4to. Pamph. Miinchen, 1855.

Preussischen Staaten. Neuve Reihe. Dritte Jahrgang. 2 nos. .Juli, 1855,
Juni, 1856. 8vo. Berlin.

Memorie della Accademia delle Scienze dell' Istituto di Bologna. Tome VI.
4to. 1855.

Rendiconto delle Session! dell' Accademia delle Scienze dell' Istituto di Bo-
logna. 8vo. Pamph. 1850-55.

New York Journal of Medicine. Vol. II. No. 3. 8vo. New York, 1857. Re-
ceived in Exchange.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. XIX. Nos. 111-114. London,
1857. From the Courtis Fund.

History of Massachusetts. The Commonwealth Period. By J. S. Barry. 8vo.
Boston, 1857.

Burke's Works. Vols. IV. V. VI. Also, his Speeches. Vols. I. II. 12mo.
London, 1855-7.

Arctic Adventures by Land and Sea. Edited by Epes Sargent. 12rao. Bos-
ton, 1857.

Biographical and Historical Sketches. By T. B. Macaulay. 8vo. New Yoi-k
1857.

Testimony of the Rocks. By Hugh Miller. 8vo. Boston, 1857.

My Last Cruise. By A. W. Habersham. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1857.

Essays Biogi-aphical and Critical. By H. T. Tuckerman. 8vo. Boston, 1857.

New Biographies of Illustrious Men. By T. B. Macaulay and others. 8vo.
Boston, 1857.

Life of George Washington. By Washington Irving. Vol. IV. 8vo. New
York, 1857. Depositedhy the Republican Association.

BEQUEST OF PROF. J. W. BAILEY.

Agardh, C. A. Systema Algarum. 16mo. Lund. 1824.

Agardh, Jacobus G. Algse Maris Mediterranei et Adriatici. Observationes
in diagnosin Specierum et dispositionem Generum. 8vo. Paris, 1842.

Agardh, Jacobus G. Species, Genera, et Ordines Algarum. 8vo. 2. Lund.
1848-51.

Areschoug, J. E. Phycea Scandinavias Marinse. 4to. Upsal, 1850.

Braun, Alexander. Algarum Unicellularium Genera nova et minus cognita,
prcemissis Observationibus de Algis Unicellularibus in Genere. 4to. Lipsise,
1855.

Postel, Alexander et Ruprecht, Franciscus. Illustrationes Algarum in Itinere
circa Orbem. Atlantic fol. Petropoli, 1840.

223

De Buch, Leopold. Petrifactions receuilHes en Aniei'ique par A. de Humboldt,
et par M. C. Degenhart. Imp. fol. Berlin, 1839. {Presentation Copy.)

Busch, Wilhelm. Beobachtungen ueber Anatomie und Entwickelung einigcr
Wirbellosen Seethiere. 4to. Berlin, 1851.

Dana, J. D. Structure and Classification of Zoophytes. 4to. Philadelphia,
1846.

Dujardin. Nouveau Manuel complet de P Observateur au Microscope. 18mo.
Paris. Accompagn^ d' un Atlas renfermant trente planches gravet5s sur acier.
Koyal 8vo. Paris, 1842.

Ehrenberg, C. G. Verbreitung und Einfluss des Mikroscopischen Lebens in
Sud und Nord Amerika. Fol. Berlin, 1843.

Passat-Staub und Blut-Regen, ein grosses organischer unsicht-

bares Wirken und Leben in der Atmosphiire. Fol. Berlin, 1849.

■ Microgeologie. Das Erden und Felsen schaffende wirken

des unsichtbar kleinen selbstandigen Lebens auf der Erde. Imp. fol. Leipzig,
1854-6.

Elliott, Stephen. Sketch of the Botany of South Carolina and Georgia. 8vo.
2 vols. Charleston, 1821-24.

Endlicher, S. L. Mantissa Botanica altera. Sistens Generum Plantanim
tertium. Roy. 8vo. Vindob. 1843.

Harvey, W. H. Manual of the British AlgiB. With plates. 8vo. London,
1849. {Presentation Copy.)

Nereis Australis; or Algffi of the Southern Ocean. 4to. Lon-
don, 1847. {Presentation Copy.)

Phycologia Britannica, or History of British Seaweeds. Col-
ored Figures. 8vo. 4 London. 1846-51.

Nereis Boreali- Americana, or Contributions towards a History

of the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts of North America. Part I. Melanospemiese.
Part II. Rhodospermese. 4to. Washington, 1851.

Hassall, A. H. History of the British Fresh Water Alg£e. 8vo. London,
1845.

Microscopic Anatomy of the Human Body in Health and

Disease. 8vo. 2. New York, 1851. {Presentation Copy.)

Hooker, W. J. English Flora of Sir James E. Smith. Class XXIV. Crypto-
gamia, Vol. V. (or Vol. II. of Dr Hooker's British Flora, Part I.) containing the
Mosses, Lichens, Hepatic^, Characese, and Algse. 8vo. London, 1838.

Kittlitz, F. H. von. Vierundzwanzig Vegetations-Ansichten von Kiirtentan-
dem und Inseln des Stillen Oceans. 4to. Siegen. Text.

Krohn, August. Beitrag zur Entwickelungsgeschichte der Seeigellarven. 4to.
Heidelberg, 1849.

Kiitzing, F. T. Die Kieselschaligen Bacillarien oder Diatomeen. 4to. Nord-

hausen, 1844.

Species Algarum. 8vo. Lipsise, 1849.

Leidy, Joseph. Ancient Fauna of Nebraska. 4to. Philadelphia, 1852, {Pre-
sentation Copy.)

Lindley, John. Introduction to Botany. 8vo. London, 1832.

andHutton, W. Fossil Flora of Great Britain. 8vo. 3. Lon-
don, 1831-7.

The Vegetable Kingdom. 8vo. London, 1856.

Mandl, L. Traits Pratique du Microscope et de son Emploi dans I'Etude des
Corps Organises. 8vo. Paris, 1839.

224

Mohl, Hugo von. Principles of the Anatomy and Pliysiology of the Vege-
table Cell. 8vo. London, 1852.

Montagne, Camille. Cryptogamia Guganensis. Svo. Paris, 1855.

Muhlenberg, D. H. Descriptio Uberior Graminum et Plantarum Calamari-
narum Americi3e Septeutrionalis indigenarum et Cicurura. 8vo.. Philadelphia,
1817.

Miiller, Johann. Ueber die Larven und die Metamorphose der Holothurien
undAsterien. 4to. Berlini, 1850.

Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, England. Descriptive and Illus-
trated Catalogue of the Histological Series. Vol. I. Elementary Tissues of
Vegetables and Animals. (By Mr. Quekett.) 4to. London, 1850.

Payer, J. Botanique Cryptogamique, ou Histoire des Families Naturelles des
Plantes Inferieures. Roy. Svo. Paris, 1850.

Peck, W. G. Botany of the Northern and Middle States. 12mp. Albany,
1833.

Perty, Maximilian. Zur Kenntniss Kleinster Lebensformen nach Bau, Funk-
tionem Systematik, rait Specialverzeichniss der in der Schweiz beobachten.
Roy. 4to. Bern. 1852.

Pritchard, Andrew. History of Infusoria, living and fossil. Svo. London,
1841.

History of Infusiorial Animalculse, living and fossil. Svo.

London, 1852.

Quekett, John. Lectures on Histology. Illustrated by 159 woodcuts. 8vo.
London, 1852.

Rabenhorst, L. Die Siisswasser Diatomaceen (Bacilarien) fiir Freunde der
Mikroskopie. 4to. Leipzig, 1853.

Riess, P. T. Die Lehre von der Reibungselekluoitat. Svo. 2. Berlin, 1853.

Roemer, F. Kriedebildungeu von Texas und ihre organischen Einschliisse.
Roy. 4to. Bonn, 1852.

Schacht, H. Das Mikroscop und seine Anwendung, insbesondere fiir Pflanzen-
Anatomie und Pliysiologie. Svo. Berlin, 1851.

Schultze, M. S. Ueber den Organismus der Polythalamien (Foraminiferen)
nebst ueber die Rhizopoden im allgemeinen. Imp. Fol. Leipzig, 1854.

Smith, Rev. W. Synopsis of the British Diatomaceje. Svo. 2. London,
1853-6.

Stein, Dr. F. Die Infusiousthiere auf ihre Entwickelungsgeschichte. 4to.
Leipzig, 1854.

Sullivant, W. S. Musci and Hepaticis of the United States. Svo. New York.
1856.

ToiTcy, John. Compendium of the Flora of the Northern and Middle States.
12mo. New York, 1856.

Monograph of North American Cyperacece. Svo. New York,

1836.

Van Beneden, P. J. R^cherches sur les Bryozoaires fluviatiles de Belgique.
4to. Bruxelles, 1847.

Williamson, W. C. On some of the Microscopical Objects found in the Mud
of the Levant and other Deposits. Svo. Manchester, 1847.

PAMPHLETS.

Gray, Asa. Notice of Dr. Hooker's Flora Antarctica. Svo. Pamph. New
Haven, 1849.

225

Harvey, W. H. Botany consiilered in reference to the Art of Design. An
Address. 8vo. Pamph. Dublin, 1849.

Dickeson, M. W., and Brown, A. Report on tlie Cypress Timber of Jlississippi
and Louisiana. 8vo. Pamph. Philadelphia, 1848.

Br^bisson, A. de. Description de deux Nouveaux Genres d'Algues Fluviatiles.
8vo. Paraph.

Montagne, C. Essai d'Organographie de la Famille des Hepatiques. 8vo.
Pamph. Paris, 1845.

Thwaites, G. H. K. On the Gonidia of Lichens. 8vo. Pamph.

Ralfs, J. On the Genera Spirulina and Coleochcete. 8vo. Pamph.

Dickie, G. Notes of Algte observed at various Altitudes in Aberdeenshire.
8vo. Pamph.

Thwaites, G. H. K. On an apparently undescribed state of the Palmeteaj.
8vo. Pamph.

Agardh, J. G. In systeraate Algarum hodierna Adversaria. 8vo. Lund. 1844.

Louder, 0. G. Algse. (Title-page wanting.) 8vo. Pamph.

Leidy, Joseph. Researches into the Compai-ative Structure of the Liver. 8vo.
Pamph. Philadelphia, 1848.

Morton, S. G. Catalogue of Skulls of Man and the inferior Animals in his
Collection. 8vo. Pamph. 3d ed. Philadelphia, 1849.

Bischofl", T. L. G. On the Periodic Maturation and Discharge of Ova. (Trans-
lated by Gilman and Tellkampf) 8vo. Pamph. New York, 1847.

Adams, C. B. Contributions to Conchologj'. Nos. 1, 2, 3. 8vo. Pamph.
1849.

Morton, S. G. Letter to the Rev. A. Bachman, D D., on the Question of Hy-
bridity in Animals, considered in reference to the Unity of the Human Species.
8vo. Pamph. Charleston, 1850.

'- Hybridity in Animals considered in reference to the Question

of Unity of the Human Species. 8vo. Pamph. New Haven, 1847.

Observations on the Ethnography and Archeology of the

American Aborigines. 8vo. Pamph. New Haven, 1846.

Adams, C. B. Synopsis Conchyliorum Jamaicensium, &c. 8vo. Pamph.
Boston, 1845.

Haldeman, S. S. Account of some hitherto unnoticed Species of the Genus
Hydrachna. Miiller. 8vo. Pamph.

Report upon an Individual of the Bushman Tribe. 8vo. Pamph. New York,
1848.

Gibbes, L. R. Description of a New Species of Salamander. 8vo. Pamph.
Boston.

Williamson, W. C. On the Structure of the Shell and Soft Animal of Poly-
stomella crispa, &c. Pamph. Manchester, 1848.

The Ocean, and its Meaning in Nature. 8vo. Pamph.

Montagne, C. Prodromus Generum Specierumque Phycearum Novarum.
8vo. Pamph. Paris, 1842.

Troost, Gerard. Description d'un Nouveau Genre de Fossiles. Pamph. 4to.

Valentine, W. On the Existence of Stomata in Mosses. 4to. Pamph. 1838.

Bowerbank, J. S. On the Organic Tissues in the Bony Structure of the
Corallidse. 4to. London, 1842.

■ On the London and Plastic Clay Formations of the Isle of

Wight. 4to. London, 1839.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI. 15 AUGUST, 1857.

226

Bowerbank, J. S. On the Siliceous BoJies of the Clialk, Greensamls, and
OoMtes. 4to. Pamph. 1840.

Quekett, E. T. Observations on the Ergot of Rye and some other Grasses.
4to. London, 1838.

Mantel], G. A. Memoir of a Portion of the Lower Jaw of the Iguanodoh, &c.
4to. Pamph. London, 1841.

On the Fossil Remains of Turtles discovered in the Chalk

Formation of the Southeast of England. 4to. Pamph. London, 1841.

Deane, James. Illustrations of Fossil Footprints of the Valley of the Con-
necticut. 4to. Pamph. 1849.

Le Conte, J. L. On Platygonus compressus, a new fossil Pachyderm. 4to.
Pamph. 1848.

Baird, S. F. Revision of the North American Tailed-Batrachia, with Descrip-
tions of New Genera and Species. 4to. Pamph. 1849.

Williamson, VV. C. On the Distribution of Fossil Remains on the Yorkshire
Coast. 4to. Pamph. 1836.

■ On the Microscopic Structure of the Scales and Dermal

Teeth of some Ganoid and Placoid Fish. 4to. Pamph. London, 1849.

Lehmann, J. G. C. Novarum et minus cognitarum stirpium, pugillus Septi-
mus. 4to. Pamph. Hamburgi, 1838.

Mirbel et Spach. Notes pour servir a I'Histoire de I'Embryogenie V^g^tale.
4to. Pamph. 1839.

Agardh, J. G. Ofrer de Capska Arterna af sKiglet Tridtea. 8vo. Pamph.
1847.

Montague. Memoire conoernant les Organes Males du Genre Targionia. 4to.
Pamph. 1838.

Areschoug, J. E. Phycologia. Decas Tabularum prima. 4to. Gothoburgi,
1847.

Translation of " Beitrage zur Lehre von der Befruchtung der Pflanzen." By
A. J. C. Corda. 8vo. Pamph. New York, 1836.

Gray, Asa. Remarks on Structure and Affinities of the Order CeratophylliB.
8vo. Pamph. New York, 1837.

Bailey, J. W. Account of an Excursion to ]\It. Katahdin, in Maine. 8vo.
Pamph.

Croom, H. B. Catalogue of Plants, Native and Naturalized, in the Vicinity of
Newborn, N. C. 8vo. Pamph. 1837.

Decaisne, M. J. Plantes de I'Arabie Heureuse recueillies par M. P. E. Botta.
4to. Pamph.

Agardh, C. A. Icones Algarum ineditse : fasciculi qui extant duo. 4to. Pamph.
Lund. 1846.

Chauvin, J. F. Recherches sur 1' Organisation, &c., de plusieurs Genres
d'AIgues.

Agardh, C. A. Essai d'une repartition des Polypiers Calcif^res de Lamouroux.
4to. Pamph. Ccen, 1842.

Melanthacearum Americce Septentrionalis Revisio. 8vo. Pamph. New York,
1837.

Torrey, J, Account of several new Genera and Species of North American
Plants, 8vo. Pamph.

Montague, C, Recherches sur la Structure du Nucleus des Genres SphcEro-
phoron, &c. 8vo, Pamph. 1842. (With an autograph letter.)

Arnott, G. A. W. On the Genus Torreya. 8vo. Pamph.

22

Bowerbank, J. S. On a New Variety of Vascular Tissue. 8vo. Pampli.
London, 1840.

Queliett, E. T. On the Development of the Vascular Tissue of Plants. 8vo.
Pamph. London, 1840.

On the Structure of some Tissues possessing Hygrometric

Properties. 8vo. Pamph. London, 1840.

Emerson, G. B. Notice of Prof. A. P. de Candolle. 8vo. Pamph. Boston,
1841.

Gray, Asa. Notice of the Botanical Writings of the late C. S. Rafinesque.
8vo. Pamph.

Southwick, E. W. Notes of a Tour to the White Hills. 8vo. Pamph. 1841.

July 1, 1857.

Dr. Chas. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

The Report of the Committee appointed to audit the
Treasurer's Annual Account was read and accepted.

Dr. A. A. Hayes reported that a specimen of Gum from Cali-
fornia, referred to him at the last meeting, had been examined
chemically. It proved to be pure Arabine, or the colorless con-
stituent of gums, which is soluble in cold water and forms a clear
gum solution, without the character of emulsion. This gum is
commercially valuable, the quality being fully equal to any im-
ported.

A specimen of Bark from California, also referred to him, was
found to contain mucilage, analogous to that of the bark of the
Ulmus fidva, (Slippery Elm.) It was not, however, so abundant,
and it was less soluble in water. Besides mucilage, a small por-
tion of one of the varieties of tannin gives astringency when the
bark is chewed. These are not substances of value, and there is
no reason for supposing that this bark will prove specially im-
portant.

Dr. A. A. Hayes exhibited a specimen of Octohedral Tin Ore
rom the gold washings of Owen's River, on the way from Mel-

228

bourne to Sydney, Ani^tralia. The ore is accompanied by titan-
iferous and chromiferous iron ores, garnets, and yellow quartz.
In this connection, he stated that he had examined the black
sands of many of tlie gold washings of California, in which, be-
sides garnets and topazes, cinnabar is generally found, without
detecting tin ore. Some of the titaniferous iron crystals yield
the slight traces of oxide of tin, often found in the ore, but no
crystals of pure oxide of tin have been found. Although, in
general, a resemblance exists between the sands of Australia and
those of California, the heavy ores found are not the same in
both.

Mr. F. H. Storer exhibited specimens of Lithium, Strontium,
and Calcium, and described the process of their preparation.

Dr. Jackson presented a specimen of Sugar obtained by Mr.
Wray from the Sorghum saccharatum, or Ciiinese Sugar Cane,
which was raised in Algeria. He likewise presented some of the
dried juice of the Sorghum, which he had prepared from samples
of the plant raised in Massachusetts.

Dr. Hayes stated that the plant, when raised in Algeria, con-
tained Cane Sugar, but that, when raised in this climate, it had
been satisfactorily determined, by both microscopical and chemical
examinations of the juice in the cells, that only Grape Sugar is
produced. The specimens were referred to the Microscopical
Department.

MICROSCOPICAL DEPARTMENT.

The Curator of the department announced the dona-
tion, by Dr. John Bacon, of a handsome portable double
Argand Gas Burner, together with the accompanying
apparatus for connection with the gas pipes of the build-
ing. These burners were used for the microscopical
demonstrations of the evening, and found very convenient
and effective.

Dr. Durkee exhibited some living specimens of Vorticella cra^
teriformis, Ehrenberg. He stated that this infusorial animalcule
first made its appearance upon a Gordim aqriaticiis, one of the
so-called horse-hair worms, so commonly found in pools of water,

229

which he had alive at his office, and that the Vorticolla after-
wards was propagated upon the skin of a Salamander, and upon
a piece of cork, kept in the same glass vessel with the worm.
The animalcule surmounts a flexible stem or pedicle, it is trans-
parent, and its mouth is surrounded by numerous cilia, which are
constantly in motion, and serve to keep the water in circulation
and to bring food near it. The Vorticellte, assuming a great
variety of elegant forms, with their pedicles at times partially
coiled in a spiral form, and at other times elongated, and with
the cilia in motion, producing a current carrying with it small
particles of water into the alimentary sack, were beautifully seen
upon the stand of the microscope.

Dr. Bacon exhibited some very large and fine specimens of
Cystine, from the spontaneous deposit of the urinary excretion of
a person who has passed several Cystine Calculi within a few
months. This substance is of extremely rare occurrence here.

Dr. Bacon also exhibited some Crystals of the Sulphate of
lodo-Quinine, a substance remarkable for its polarizing action,
and some Zeolitic Crystals of Carbonate of Lime, from the urine
of the horse.

Dr. Durkee exhibited specimens of ValUsneria spiralis^ an
aquatic plant, growing in great abundance in Fresh Pond and
other waters. The circulatory fluid of the plant, running in
channels around the cells of which it is composed, was plainly
demonstrated by the microscope.

Mr. Sprague exhibited specimens of an Alga which he found
in a sulphur spring near Portland, Me. It grew in abundance,
investing the neighboring grass, sticks, leaves, &c., with a soft
flaccid, snow-white fringe. It was found to consist, under the
microscope, of excessively slender, pellucid filaments, about a
line or more long, filled with minute granules, arranged in no
particular order. The filaments were simple, and attached firmly
to the object on which they grew. Mr. Sprague supposed that
it might be the Calothrix nwea, Ag.

He also exhibited some of the minute fungi of the order Goni-
omycetes — Sporlde^miiim concinmtm and Sporidesmivm epiphyl-
lum.

230

Messrs. John S. Martin and Edwin Manley were
elected Resident Members.

July 8, 1857.

MICROSCOPICAL DEPARTMENT.

Dr. Silas Durkee, Curator, in the Chair.

It was voted to appoint sub-committees, to whom
should be referred specimens for microscopic examina-
tion ; and the following were appointed, viz : —

Anatomy. — Jeffries Wyman, Silas Durkee, A. A. Gould, O.
W. Holmes, H. I. Bowditch, J. N. Borland, D. F. Weinland.

Geology and Mineralogy. — A. A. Hayes, C. T. Jackson, W.
B. Rogers, H. D. Rogers, Louis Agassiz, T. T. Bouve.

Botany. — C. J. Sprague, S. Durkee, C. L.' Andrews.

Pathology.— T>. S. Shaw, Calvin Ellis, H. J. Bigelow, C. D.
Homans.

Chemistry. — John Bacon, C. T. Jackson, A. A. Hayes, J. P.
Cooke, F. H. Storer.

Messrs. Bacon, Cooke, and Shaw were appointed a committee
to examine the specimens of Sorghum saccharatum referred to
the department at the previous meeting of the Society.

July 15, 1857.

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

The Committee of the Council to whom was referred
the consideration o' the expediency of raising the Annual

231

Assessment from three to five dollars, presented a report,
which was read and accepted. The Committee con-
cluded their report with the recommendation that the
Annual Assessment be five instead of three dollars. The
consideration of this recommendation was postponed to
the next meeting.

The Chairman read a letter from Townend Glover, of
Washington, returning thanks to the Society for his elec-
tion as Corresponding Member, and accepting the same.
Mr. Glover likewise wrote that he intended soon to send
to the Society a number of plates of Insects Injurious to
Vegetation, which he was preparing for publication.

Mr. T. J. Whittemore read a letter from a gentleman
in Germany, proposing to exchange a collection of Fossil
Shells of Austria for those of North America, or a rare
and costly work on fossils for the same. The letter was
referred to the Curator of Geology.

Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr., read the following paper : —

ON THE BIRDS OF KEWEENAW POINT, LAKE SUPERIOR.
BY S. KNEELAND, JR., M. D., BOSTON.

Most of the birds mentioned in the following list were seen by
me during a residence of nearly a year at Portage Lake, from
August, 1856, to June, 1857. A few have been introduced on tlie
authority of competent eye-witnesses. When there is any doubt
concerning the occurrence of a bird, it is so indicated. In Ke-
weenaw Point, I include that portion of the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan which extends up into Lake Superior, embracing not
only the Point proper, but the western portion as far as Ontona-
gon, the region of Portage Lake and Entry, and the Anse of Ke-
weenaw Bay — all of which localities I have visited.

This region lies between 47° and 48° north latitude, and be-
tween 88° and 90° longitude west from Greenwich, being the
so-called " Copper Region " of Lake Superior.

It is probable that many birds, especially among the warblers

232

and migratory species, will be added to this list hereafter ; and it
is almost certain that many others inhabit the adjacent country,
which has been very little explored. This, therefore, is only an
approximation to a complete list of the birds of Upper Michigan.

This district is, for the most part, heavily wooded with pines,
spruces, firs, balsams, cedars, maples, and birches, and would be
naturally supposed to be the favorite retreats of many more birds
than are found in it. The stillness of the dark and virgin forests
is most remarkable ; and it is only during the few warmer months
that the woods lose this dismal character. Snow begins to fall
about the middle of November, from which date to the middle of
March, scarcely a day passes without a fall of snow some time
during the twenty-four hours — hence only the hardier birds re-
main during the winter. The numerous small lakes and water-
courses are the favorite resorts of many water-birds, some of
whom breed here.

Of mammals, the small fur-bearing animals alone are common ;
such as the fox, beaver, otter, fisher, marten, mink, and musk-rat
— wolves are quite unknown ; deer scarce, and bears few. Por-
cupines and squirrels are numerous.

FALCONID^.

1. Golden Eagle. Aquila fulvus, Linn. This bird I have not
seen, neither have I met with any one who has seen it beyond a
doubt ; though, from the reports of hunters and Indians, I am
inclined to think it is found here.

2. Bald Eagle. Halicetus leucocephalus. Linn. Breeds on the
Point and near Portage Lake.

3. Fish Hawk. Pandion halieetus, Linn.

4. Gyr-Falcon. Falco Islandiciis, Brliim. I have heard of a
white falcon, of large size, (measuring about five feet in the
spread of his wings,) which was shot on the Point ; this, I think,
must have been the gyr-falcon.

5. Great-footed Hawk. Falco peregrinus, Linn.

6. Pigeon Hawk. Hypotriorchis columharius, Linn.

7. Sparrow Hawk. Tinnunculus sparverius, Linn.

8. Common Buzzard. Buteo vulgaris, Bechst.

9. Red-shouldered Hawk. Buteo lineatus, Gmel.

10. Red-tailed Buzzard. Buteo borealis, Gmel.

233

11. Rough-legged Buzzard. ArcMbtiieo lagopifs, Bnm.

12. Goshawk, (doubtful ) Astur palumbarius, Linn.

13. Cooper's Hawk, (doubtful.) Accifiter Cooperi, Pr. Bonap.

14. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipiter fuscus, Gmel.

15. Common Harrier. Circus cyaneiis, Linn.

STRIGID^.

1 6. Hawk Owl. Surnia funerea, Gmel. This owl is com-
mon in the neighborhood of Eagle River and Harbor ; it is not
found at Portage Lake.

17. Snowy Owl. Nyctea nivea, Thunb.

18. Acadian Owl. Athene Acadica, Temm.

19. Cinereous Owl. Syrnium cinereum, Gmel.

20. Barred Owl. Symium nehulosum, Gmel.

21. Great Horned Owl. Bubo Virginianus, Gmel.

22. Mottled Owl. Ephialtes asio, Linn.

CAPRIMULGID^.

23. Whip-poor-will. Gaprimulgus vociferus, Wils.

24. Night-Hawk. Ghordeiles Virginianus, Briss.

HIRUNDINID^.

25. Barn Swallow. Hirundo rufa, Vieill.

26. White-bellied Swallow. Hirundo bicolor, Vieill.

ALCEDINID^.

27. Belted Kingfisher. Geryle alcyon, Linn.

CEKTHID^.

28. Red-bellied Nuthatch. Sitta Canadensis, Lath.

29. Winter Wren. Troglodytes hyemalis, Vieill.

LUSCINID^.

30. Blue Bird. Sialia Wilsoni, Swains.

31. Arctic Blue Bird. Sialia arctica, Swains.

32. Water Thrush. Enicocichla Noveboracensis, Gmel.

33. Black-capped Tit. Parus atricapillus, Wils.

34. Hudson's Bay Tit. Parus Hudsonicus, Mill.

234

35. Yellow-poll Warbler. Mniotilta (Estiva, Gmel.

36. Canada Warbler. Mniotilta Canadensis, Linn.

37. Yellow-rumped Warbler. Mniotilta coronata, Linn.

38. Black-poll Warbler. Mniotilta striata, Gmel.

39. Black and Yellow Warbler. Mniotilta maculosa, Gmel.

40. Black-throated Green Warbler. Mniotilta virens, Gmel.
(Doubtful.) It is probable that many other warblers are found
here ; and it is said that some are, on more or less good authority ;
but where there is so little certainty, I prefer to leave the list of
warblers to be filled up hereafter.

41. Wagtail. Anthus Ludovieianus, Gmel.

TURDIDiE.

42. American Robin. Turdus migratorius, Linn. This bird
appears in the latter part of April, a month before the snow
leaves the ground.

43. Wood Thrush. Turdus mustelinus, Gmel.

44. Rufous-backed Thrush. Turdus fuscescens '? Shaw.

45. Olive-backed Thrush. Turdus solitarius ? Wils.

46. Cat-Bird. Mimus Caroline?isis, Linn. This bird is not
found at Portage Lake, though it is said to occur in the more
settled parts of the country. As this is one of the species which
follow the course of agriculture, it is quite likely that it will soon
become a general summer resident.

MUSCICAPID^.

47. King Bird. Tyrannus intrepidus, Vieill.

48. Pewit Flycatcher. Myiohius nunciola, Wils.

49. Wood Pewee. Myiohius virens, Linn.

50. Redstart. Setophaga ruticilla, Gmel.

51. Red-eyed Vireo. Vireo olivaceus, Linn.

52. White-eyed Vireo. Vireo Noveboracensis, Gmel.

AMPELID^.

53. Bohemian Wax-wing. Ampelis garridus, Linn.

54. Cedar Bird. Ampelis cedrorum, Vieill.

LANIIDJE.

55. Great American Shrike. Lanius septentrionalis , Gmel.

235

CORVIDyE.

56. Canada Jay. Perisoreus Canadensis, Jj'inn. This bird is
common in the winter, and a great pest to the trappers, from its
propensity to steal their poisoned baits. Like the raven, it often
falls a victim to its greediness, by devouring meat containing
strychnine set for foxes and the fur-bearing animals.

57. Blue Jay. Cyanocorax cristatus, Linn. Not common on
Portage Lake.

58. American Magpie. Pica Hudsonica, Sabine. I have seen
a few specimens obtained near Eagle River.

59. American Raven. Corvus cacalotl,Wix^\. Very common
at Portage Lake ; in the winter almost, if not entirely, to the
exclusion of the crow.

60. American Crow. Corvus Americanus, Aud. Rare at
Portage Lake, but common on the Point and in the Ontonagon
district.

STURNID^.

• 6L Rusty Grrakle. Scokcophagus ferrugineus, Wils. Early
in the spring these birds arrive in immense flocks, and exceed-
ingly fat ; they remain till about the last of September.

62. Cow Blackbird. Molothrus pecoris, Gmel.

63. Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus, Linn.

64. Bob-o'-link, (doubtful.) Dolichonyx oryzivorus, Linn.

FRINGILLID^.

65. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Guiraca ludoviciana, Linn.

66. American Goldfinch. Fringilla tristis, Linn.

67. Lesser Red-poll. Fringilla linaria, Linn. These birds
are seen in flocks of twenty or thirty all through the winter, in
the woods near the lake and in the beaten roads, in company
frequently with the snow-birds. They show a singular propen-
sity to pick in snow stained by human urine ; though the roads
be full of the dung of cattle containing oats and pieces of corn,
the linnets I have always seen in crowds about the spots in the
snow discolored from the above cause ; whether this habit was
from a desire to obtain fluid at a season when the snow does not
melt even at mid-day, or some of the elements of this secretion,

236

I cannot say. Similar congregations of bees and wasps are
often noticed about public urinals in the country.

68. Snow Bird. Fringilla hyemalis, Linn.

69. Pine Finch. Fringilla pinus, Wils.

70. Fox-colored Sparrow. Zonotrichia iliaca, Merr.

71. Sonf Sparrow. Zonotrichia melodia, Wils.

72. White-throated Sparrow. Zonotrichia albicoUis, Gmel.
This bird is very abundant. Its beautiful and plaintive notes
may be musically represented as follows : —

as to interval and time in a flat key ; this should be written two
octaves above, and the fourth interval (E flat) should be what is
called a " flat fourth ; " sometimes the first two notes only are
heai'd, at others, from one to the four triplets in addition ; instead
of the triplets, an equivalent single note is often given for one or
more of thera. I have heard its sweet song at all hours of the
day and night in the spring and summer.

73. White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys, F'orst.

74. Bay-winged Sparrow. Zonotrichia graminea, Gmel.

75. Chipping Sparrow. Zonotrichia socialis, Wils.

76. Tree Sparrow. Zonotrichia monticola, Gmel.

77. Snow Bunting. Plectrophanes nivalis, Linn.

78. Lapland Lark Bunting. Plectrophanes lapponicus, Linn.

79. Shore Lark, (doubtful.) Otocoris alpestris, Linn.

80. Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpureus, Gmel.

81. Pine Grosbeak. Slrobilophaga enucleator, Linn.

82. Common Crossbill. Loxia Americana, Wils.

83. White-winged Crossbill. Loxia leucoptera, Gmel. The
former of these crossbills occurs in large flocks during most of the
winter, hopping about the houses with the familiarity of chipping
sparrows. The white-winged species I have not seen ; but I am
confident it is found here.

PICID^.

84. Arctic Woodpecker. Picoides arcticrts, Rich, and Sw.

237

85. Three-toed Woodpecker. Picoides hirsutus, Vieill. The
first of these species is common during the whole of the severe
winters of Lake Superior.

86.. Hairy Woodpecker. Picus viUosus, Linn.

87. Downy Woodpecker. Picus pubescens, Linn.

88. Canada Woodpecker. Picus leucomelas, Bodd.

89. Pileated Woodpecker. Dryocopus pileatus, Linn.

90. Red-headed Woodpecker. Melanerpes- erythrocephalus,
Linn.

9L Golden-winged Woodpecker. Colaptes auratus, Linn.

COLUMBID^.

92. Passenger Pigeon. Ectopistes migratorius, Linn. I have
seen them at Portage Lake as early as May 4.

TETRAONIDiE.

93. Common Quail. Ortyx Virgimanus, Linn. This is an-
other of the birds that follow man in his agricultural movements.
A few years since quails were unknown in the Upper Peninsula ;
now they are not uncommon on the Point ; as yet they have not
been seen on Portage Lake. As more attention is paid to agri-
culture for the support of the mining population, the quail will
doubtless be common in the fields.

94. Canada Gi'ouse. Tetrao Canaderisis, Linn.

95. Ruffed Grouse. Bonasa umbelliis, Linn. The first species
is comparatively rare ; I have never heai'd of one being seen on
Portage Lake. The latter species is very common in the woods
at all seasons of the year.

96. White Ptarmigan. Lagopus mutus ? Leach. There is a
white grouse in this region, but whether it is the L. mutus, albus,
or leucurus, I cannot positively say.

CHARADRIAD^.

97. Black-bellied Plover. Squatarola Helvetica, Linn.

98. Golden Plover. Charadrius pluvialis, Linn.

99. American Ring Plover. Charadrius semipalmatus, Kaup.

ARDEID^.

100. Sandhill Crane. Grus Americana, Linn.

238

101. Green Heron. Ardea virescens, Jjinn.

102. American Bittern. Botauriia lentiginosus, Mont.

SCOLOPACID^.

103. Yellow-shanks Tatler. Totanus Jlavipes, Gmel.

104. Tell-tale Tatler. Totanus melanoleuc us, Grmel.

105. Solitary Tatler. Totanus chloropygius, Vieill.

106. Semipalmated Tatler, (doubtful.) Totanus semipalmatus,
Gmel.

107. Spotted Tatler. Tringoides macularia, Linn.

108. Long-legged Sandpiper, Hemipalmamultistriata, Liclit.

109. Schinz's Sandpiper. Tringa Schinzn, Brehm.

110. Peep. Tringa pusilla, Wih.

111. Red-breasted Snipe. Macroramphus griseus, Gmel. ,

112. Common Snipe. GaUinago Wilsonii, Temm.

113. Woodcock. Philohela minor, Gmel.

114. Wilson's Phalarope. Phalaropus Wilsonii, Sab.

RALLIDiE.

115. Sora Rail. Ortygometra Carolina, Linn. This is not
uncommon at Portage Lake in September and October.

116. American Coot. Fidica Americana, Gmel. The tatlers,
sandpipers, snipes, coots, geese, ducks, and loons, begin to arrive
at Portage Lake about the last of April, when only the small
streams opening into the lake are free from ice ; from this time
till the last of May, when the ice disappears, they are very
numerous, and are shot in great numbers.

ANATID^.

117. White-fronted Goose. Anser ergthropus, L'mn.

118. Snow Goose. Anser hgperboreus,Fa\\. These are rare,
compared with the Canada Goose.

119. Canada Goose. Bernicla Canadensis, Linn. Quite com-
mon at Portage Lake in the spi'ing.

120. Swan. Cygnus Americanus, Sharpless. These birds
have been seen flying over, but I have never known of one alight-
ing or being shot in this region.

121. Summer or Wood Duck. Aix sponsa, Linn.

239

122. American Widgeon. 3fareca Americana, Gmel.

123. Pintail Duck. Dajila acuta, Linn.

124. Mallard. Anas hoschas, Linn.

125. Dusky Duck. Anas ohscura, Gmel.

126. Green-winged Teal. Querquedula Carolmensis, Gmel.

127. Blue-winged Teal. Pterocyanea discors, Linn.

128. Gadwall Duck. Ohaulelasmus strepera, Linn.

129. Shoveller Duck. Spatula clypeata, Iawo..

130. Ring-necked Duck. Fuligula collaris, Don.

131. Scaup Duck. Fidigida marila, Linn.

132. Canvas-back Duck. Nyroca valisneria, Wils. This
duck is occasionally seen here during its migrations, but I could
not ascertain that any had ever been shot.

133. Red-headed Duck. Nyroca Americana, Pr. Bonap.
This species I have often seen and eaten at Portage Lake.

134. Golden-eye Duck. Glangula Americana, Pr. Bonap.

135. Buffel-headed Duck. Glangula albeola, Linn.

136. Goosander. Mergus castor, Linn.

137. Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus serralor, Linn.

138. Hooded Merganser. Mergus cucullatus, Linn. I have
been, told by hunters here that there is at some seasons of the
year, a nearly white merganser, or " saw-bill," as they call it, in
the lakes of this vicinity. From the alleged improbability of. the
occurrence of the smeiv {Mergellus albellus, Linn.) except as a
very rare visitor from Arctic Europe, I have not included this
bird in my list, though its occurrence is firmly maintained. by the
Indians and hunters, who ought to know. The bird seen by
them may be some white-plumaged duck ; though I must say I
am inclined to believe that Audubon is wrong in excluding the
smew from the. American continent, and that Wilson is right in
making it not an uncommon bird here.

COLYMBID^.

139. Common Loon. Colymhus glacialis, Linn. This is a
very common species at Portage Lake, in the spring and summer,
and is here possessed of all the shyness peculiar to it in more
populous localities. The only way the gunner can approach it
in the open lake, where it delights to sport and feed, is to conceal
the bow of his boat or canoe with branches of evergreen, and

240

surmount the leafy covering with a bright flag; behind this
screen he can paddle easily towards the bird, whose natural curi-
osity prompts him to swim towards it to see what the strange
object is. By keeping up a shrill whistle at the same time, it is
not difficult to get within gun-shot. They are hunted considera-
bly for their skins, of which the natives make bags, pouches, and
knife-sheaths.

140. Red-throated Diver. Oolymhus septentrionalis, Linn.

141. Black-throated Diver. Colymhus arcticus, Linn.

142. Crested Grebe. Podiceps cristatus, Linn.

143. Horned Grebe. Podiceps cornutus, Gmel.

144. Pied-bill Dobchick. Podilymhus Carolinensis, Lath.

LARID^.

145. Herring Gull. Larus argentatus, Briin. This bird is
very common on the Great Lakes, following in the wake of
steamers and vessels, and is not uncommon on Portage Lake.
There is said to be a smaller black-headed gull there, but I have
never seen it above the Saut St. Marie. This is undoubtedly the
Larus Bonapartei, Rich. & Sw.

146. Common Tern. Sterna Wilsoni, Pr. Bonap. There are
doubtless other species of terns here.

PELECANID^.

147. White Pelican. Pelecanus trachyrhynchus, Lath. One
of these bii'ds was seen and shot at on the Point a few years
since.

Synopsis of number of Species in the several Families. —
FalconidaB, 15 ; Strigida?, 7 ; Caprimulgidaj, 2 ; Hirundinidaj, 2 ;
Alcedinidfe, 1 ; Certhida^, 2 ; Luscinidse, 12 ; Turdidse, 5 ; Mus-
cicapidaj, 6 ; Ampelida^, 2 ; Laniidas, 1 ; Corvida^, 5 ; Sturnidse,
4; Fringillida?, 19; Picida}, 8; Columbidas, 1; Tetraonidae, 4;
Charadriadffi, 3 ; Ardeida^, 3 ; Scolopacidae, 12 ; Rallidse, 2 ; Ana-
tidie, 22 ; Colymbida?, 6 ; Laridre, 2 ; Pelecanidte, 1.

In all, 147 species ; of which 96 are land birds, and 51 are
water birds. The birds of prey are numerous, and consequently
the warblers, flycatchers, and finches are in the proportion neces-
sary to supply them with food. The crow and woodpecker fara-

241

ilies preserve the usual ratio of cold climates ; while the ducks,
divers, and beach birds are what we should naturally expect to
find in the neighborhood of the largest and finest sheet of fresh
water in the world.

Dr. Silas Durkee exhibited two specimens of the Com-
mon Glowworm, {Lampyris noctiluca,) which were found
in Dedham, Mass. He remarked that the Glowworm is
not the larva of an insect, but the perfect female of a
winged beetle, from which it is so different that nothing
but actual observation would lead one to infer that they
are different sexes of the same insect.

The specimens exhibited have a small flat head, furnished with
antennae about half a line in length, and when examined with a
common pocket magnifier, are seen to consist of two colors, white
and chestnut, alternating. They do not appear to have the power
of producing or extinguishing the light at will. Their brilliancy
is less than that of the Elater noctilucus, two specimens of which
Dr. D. exhibited several months since. Dr. Durkee said that he
had watched these glowworms during an interval of about nine
hours, commencing at eight o'clock in the evening. The pe-
culiar faculty of producing light began to show itself between
the segments of the body and at the large spiracles or stigmata,
which may be seen in connection with the rings ; there being two
of these spiracula to each segment, and twenty -four in all. From
about eight o'clock to midnight, the light along the rings and at
the spiracles was much more brilliant than it was through the
segments themselves. But during the latter part of the nio-ht,
the light was equally diffused throughout the entire length of the
worm. This was the case in both specimens. And during this
distribution of the luminous power, or property, nothing could
be seen of the spiracula, or of the segments or joints. The
worms appeax'ed as if they were two fused masses of beautiful
phosphorescent light ; sometimes at rest, sometimes assuming a
variety of shapes, according to their slow and graceful move-
ments. The luminous properties were displayed at first through
a few of the spiracula and a few of the joints, while all the
rest were in a condition like that which is maintained during

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI. 16 OCTOBER, 1857.

242

the day ; that is, they yielded no light. This partial illumina-
tion, however, soon gave place to the most charming diffusion of
light along the whole length of the body, and the latter condition
was preserved unbroken until the light of day broke the charm,
and these fairy little creatures were transformed into mere worms.
It is said that the light in the female is most brilliant in the
season when the sexes are destined to meet. In some species
the light is emitted only during the period for propagation. •

The Curator of Crustacea and Radiata asked to be
excused from the care of the Crustacea, or to have the
department divided. He thought there was sufficient
labor for two curators, and he could properly take charge
of the Radiata only. The subject was referred to a com-
mittee, consisting of Messrs. Abbot, Gould, and Whit-
temore.

James H. Slawson, of Houghton, Michigan, was elected
a Corresponding Member.

Messrs. Chas. V. Bemis, M. D., of Medford, and Oliver
W. Peabody, of Boston, were elected Resident Members.

August 5, 1857.
Dr. Chas. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

A communication was read from the Georgic Associa-
tion of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., requesting dona-
tions of Publications, Specimens, &c. Referred to the
Publishing Committee.

Mr. W. G. Dix, by invitation, read a paper upon Ecua-
dor and its natural productions.

Dr. Head, of the U. S. Army, exhibited a large Hair-
ball, so called, six inches in diameter, taken from the

243

stomach of a healthy ox, on the banks of the Nueces, in
Texas. Its surface was smooth, hard, and apparently
calcareous.

Dr. D. H. Storer remarked that balls of this character
were occasionally found here ; not, however, so large as
this. Quite a large one from the stomach of a hog, com-
posed of bristles, was sent recently to the Society for
Medical Improvement. The hairs are introduced into
the stomach in the process of licking the skin.

Dr. H. R. Storer presented specimens of a Smelt from
Squam Lake, N. H., remarking on its peculiar interest,
as affording an instance of a species originally migrating
to fresh water from salt water, and now permanently
resident in the former.

Dr. Storer said that he had learned of its existence several
years since, but had, until now, been unable to obtain it. When
full groAvn the lake smelt seldom exceeds six inches in length and
is extremely attenuated, but a careful examination leaves little
doubt of its identity with our marine Osmerus viridescens. It is
found throughout the year, in both Squam Lake and Winnipi-
seogee, though more rarely in the latter. The modifications in
shape referred to, would probably be found to exist also in the
smelt of Jamaica Pond, near Boston, specimens of which had
already been presented to the Society ; the conditions of life
being much the same in both, the latter having been imprisoned
artificially, while the former had become a permanent resident in
fresh water from natural causes alone.

It was once supposed that the salt water Cusk was found in
the New Hampshire lakes, but Dr. D. H. Storer had proved, in
the Journal of this Society, that the fishes in question were not
only specifically but generically distinct.

Dr. Storer also presented two species of Leuciscus, one of
them probably undescribed, from the same locality.

MARYLAND MARBLES AND IRON ORES.

Dr. C. T. Jackson stated that he had recently examined the
marble and limestone quarries of Texas, Maryland, for Mr. Wil-

244

liara Robinson, of Baltimore, and at the same time had visited
the quarries in the same town where the marbles now employed
in the extension of the General Post-Office and Patent-Office at
Washington, wei'e obtained. The marbles at Mr. Robinson's
quarries are identical in character with those from the United
States quarries above mentioned.

The Dolomite, which is the finer-grained marble, similar to
that used in the Post-Office extension, has a density of 2.851,
hence a cubic foot of it will weigh 178.187 pounds avoirdupois.

On chemical analysis this stone is found to consist of

Carbonate of lime -------- 59.4

Carbonate of Magnesia ------ 38.5

Carbonate of Manganese and Iron - - - 1.4

Insoluble siliceous matter ------ 0.7

100.0

The strength of a stone of the neighboring quarry, tested at
Washington, was found to be equal to a resistance of 18,061
pounds per square inch. This marble is suitable both for monu-
mental purposes and for architecture. The broken fragments of
it make, when burned, a hot magnesian lime, which, when mixed
with sand, forms a mortar with some hydraulic properties, so that
it is very permanent, and resists the action of water after it is
once hardened or set.

The other marble is a coarse-grained white limestone, called
by the quarrymen Alum Stone, on account of the large size of its
crystals, and their great purity. A stone identical with this is
employed in the extension of the Patent-Office buildings. This
marble has a density of 2.697, and a cubic foot of it weighs
168.562 pounds. Its strength is equal to a resistance of 8.057
pounds per square inch, according to the experiments made at
Washington on a stone identical with this which was taken from
a neighboring quarry.

This stone is largely burned for making lime, and furnishes the
best quality of pure white lime for mortar and for plastering ceil-
ings. The marble is also employed in building, though it is far
inferior in strength to the dolomitic variety before described.
On chemical analysis this limestone was found to consist of

245

Carbonate of lime, 97.9

Carbonate of Manganese and Iron, - - - 1,8

Insoluble Silica, 0.3

100.0

It does not contain any majjnesia, a remarkable fact, consider-
ing its close contiguity to the Dolomite.

Dr. Jackson stated he had on this same excursion
examined a remarkable locality of Iron Ore, near
Whitehall station on the Northern Central Railroad,
about 20 miles north of Baltimore.

This locality presented some interesting geological and miner-
alogical phenomena. The rocks were Talcose rock or soapstone,
chlorite slate, and masses of crystallized garnets so closely packed
together in chlorite as to resemble a pudding stone in general ap-
pearance. The garnets are regular rhombic dodecahedrons, and
are generally of the size of grape shot, tliough some of them are
as large as a turkey's egg. The chlorite slate is filled with an
impurity of crystals of octahedral magnetic iron ore, and with
veins of the granular ore of the same kind. The soapstone gen-
erally underlies the iron ore, though it alternates with the chlorite
slate in one instance at this mine. The iron ore with the chlorite
slate and garnet rock are mined together, and the ore sells at a
neighboring anthracite furnace at $3 per ton. Dr. Jackson said
that no one would, on looking at the heaps of this ore, conceive it
worth any thing for furnace purposes, but on analysis he found
that an average sample of the ore yielded 41 per cent, of the per
oxide of iron, which is equal to 28jo per cent of metallic iron.

A certain proportion of garnets aids the smelting of the iron
ore by their ready fusion and by preventing the absorption of any
oxide of iron by the slag even if the garnet itself does not yield,
as it probably does, a certain proportion of iron in the smelting
furnace.

Dr. C. T. Jackson presented, in the name of W. E. S.
Whitman, Esq., of Gardiner, Me., specimens of the
shells, [Alasmodonta arcuata) which are opened for pearls
in that State.

246

Dr. J. A. Lamson was elected a Resident Member.

The names of Professors W. B. and H. D. Rogers
were added to the list of Resident Members.

DEPARTMENT OF MICROSCOPY.

An extract from a letter of C. A. Spencer, of Canas-
tota, N. Y., to Dr. Dm-kee, was read to the Society.

Mr. Spencer says that he is " manufacturing a new lens, which
he calls the ' Orthoscopic Eyepiece.' It is more perfectly achro-
matized than the old negative form, has a perfectly flat field,
and is more luminous. Its cost, he says, is high, (fifteen dollars ;)
still, he is satisfied it will meet a want long felt by microscopists."

Alluding to some recent examinations of animal tissues with
his lenses, in connection with Mr. Clark, Prof. Agassiz's assistant,
Mr. Spencer says, ".one result of large angles of aperture in
such investigations was a gratifying and complete answer to the
objections made by some to such lenses. In studying tissues made
up of several laminae or layers, varying, perhaps, inter se, in their
textures, small angles of aperture give a confused mixture of all
the layei's at once, and the specific characters of none. We found
the large angles of aperture to insulate these beautifully and per-
fectly,— an effect of course valuable in the highest degree."

Dr. John Bacon exhibited specimens of Foraminifera,
from South Carolina, and Polycistina from Barbadoes,
belonging to the Bailey collection.

These fossils belong to the same group, and agree in some of
their essential characters. Tire calcareous carapaces of the for-
mer are perforated with numerous openings through which the
animal protrudes thread-like processes of its body for nourish-
ment. In the latter, the carapaces are siliceous, and, with the
exception of these, there are no organisms having siliceous
coverings, which have been positively determined to be animal.
They have been placed in the animal kingdom from their struc-
ture and the albuminous character of their substance, (sarcode,)
from their motion, and from the manner of obtaining nutriment,
distinct from that of vegetables.

247

Dr. Bacon also exhibited specimens of Foraminifera
and Polycistina found in deep soundings of the Atlantic
Ocean.

Mr. C. L. Andrews exhibited specimens of Algae.

Mr. Chas. K. Stevens, of Lawrence, exhibited one of
Spencer's microscopes, to which were adapted a second
set of lenses made by Nachet of Paris, and embodying
some recent improvements.

A description of a new stand for the compound micro-
scope was given, and the instrument exhibited by Dr.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, as follows : —

The more especial object of this mechanical arrangement is to
facilitate the use of the direct light of a lamp placed close to the
object. Many of our microscopists must have seen Mr. Spencer
use a lamp in this way, holding it in his hand and varying the
distance and obliquity so as to produce the particular effect de-
sired. The advantages of direct light are its easy management,
its brilliant eflPects, and the more perfect definition it gives of deli-
cate objects. But, inasmuch as the heat and smoke of the lamp
ascend, this method of illumination can only be used with the
microscope-tube (or compound body) in the horizontal or moder-
ately inclined position, unless the lamp be so far removed as to
lose its peculiar advantages. It is evident that the lamp cannot
be used at all with the tube vertical and directly over it.

If an instrument is to be employed in the horizontal or slightly
inclined position, it will require a stage movement ; otherwise both
hands will be needed to move the object, and will even then find
it awkward to do so, as the object must be secured to prevent its
sliding. Again, if the stage is inclined, and the lamp close to it,
it is evident that the broader the stage the more it overhangs the
lamp, and the more it is exposed to its smoke and heat. By
making the stage open at top, like a horseshoe, we get rid of this
difficuhy entirely.

An instrument that answers this special object alone, namely,
the use of direct light, can Ijc made, on the general plan of the
one I show the Society, with great ease, and at small expense.

248

But as it is sometimes necessary or convenient that the object
should be placed horizontally and the microscope-tube vertically, —
as in examining fluids with low powers, or opaque bodies, — certain
additions have been made to this model to render it capable of
being so used ; reflected light, or the use of the condensing lens
being substituted for the mode of illumination for which it is
specially adapted. This, of course, involves the expense of a
mirror and lens with their adjustments, which is, however, tri-
fling, if the plan here shown is followed.

The instrument is represented in working order in figure 1.

The base of the whole is a box made of black walnut, three
quarters of an inch thick, having two uprights, of the same mate-
rial and thickness, firmly screwed to the inner edges of the strips

249

which partly cover it. On each side of the uprights, over these
partial covers, are screwed two thick pieces of black walnut, with
holes for the eye-glasses on one side and the objectives on the
other.

This box is open at one end to receive a flat-iron or other
weight, if required, and to admit the other parts when the in-
strument is packed.

Between the uprights is received the bearing semicircle, made
of three pieces of black walnut glued together, the inner one hav-
ing the grain directed lengthwise, the two outer ones vertically.
This is provided with a " slot " partly vertical, partly horizontal,
and several notches. A binding screw holds it at any angle and
at various heights between the uprights.

The microscope-tube, made heavy by a leaden tube inside, is
laid upon two V-shaped supports cut out of the wood, being held
solely by its weight when used in the horizontal or inclined posi-
tion.

The microscope-tube has a ring an inch wide, fitting tight, but
becoming loose on pressing its handles, and having a little projec-
tion, or spur on the side opposite its handles, as shown in fig-
ure 2.

The anterior V-shaped support is also shown in this figure. It
has a piece of brass let into the wood for the s'pur on the ring to
play against. As the posterior surface of this support is slanted
about one sixteenth of an inch, it is evident that in turning the
tube through a semicircle it will advance or recede that distance.
This turning of the tube is performed by means of the black
pasteboard disk clasped to the tube near the eye-piece, which
makes a sufficiently delicate fine adjustment.

The horseshoe stage consists of two pieces of brass, cast and
planed, 4 inches across at the widest part, and 3 inches in height.
The first, nearest the observer, turns on a screw at the centre of
its semi-circumference against a brass plate screwed to the bear-
ing semicircle. The second turns on a screw which unites one of
its arms — the right — to the corresponding arm of the first horse-
shoe. The first horseshoe therefore carries the other with it ;
the second turning very easily, is moved independently of the first-
The handles are flat, the one with the cross next the observer,
the other projecting three quarters of an inch beyond it, so that a

250

slight change of the thumb determines whether one alone shall
move, and the object be carried up and down, or both, and the
object move from side to side. Figure 3 shows the principle of
arrangement, and figure 4 the object-holder with its springs, which
is held against the horseshoe by a piece of brass plate screwed
upon the latter, as shown in figure 1 — the object-holder sliding
between the two. The tray that holds the lamp is of sheet-iron,
5 inches by 3, with a ledge of half an inch in width at its remote
edge. On this tray rests a thin piece of wood of the same size,
covered with velvet. The lamp having its base covered with
velvet also, cannot slide ofi', even when the microscope is much
inclined, — but the lamp, with the piece of wood on which it rests,
is easily slid from side to side.

Fig. 5 represents the diaphragm with the achromatic condenser.
This is arranged in place by sliding its foot under a spring upon
the same piece of wood to which the tray for the lamp is fas-
tened.

The dimensions of various parts not yet given are as follows :
Inside dimensions of the box, length 8 inches ; width 5 ; height
2 ; from bottom of inside of box to binding screw, 1 1 inches. Dis-
tance between uprights 1|^ inch. Bearing semicircle same thick-
ness. Radius of this semicircle Z^ inches. Object-holder 7 -[-2.
Diaphragm 3 inches in diameter.

If desired to use the microscope in the vertical position, the
tube must be held firmly against the supports, the tray removed,
and the mirror represented in figure 1 brought into its place. A
loose ring of plate brass capable of being made fast to the bear-
ing semicircle serves to fix the tube. The mirror is a plane one,
set in an open frame. If a plano-convex lens is placed over it,
it acts like a. concave mirror ; if the mirror is removed the same
lens may be used as a condenser.

In packing this instrument, the tray and diaphragm go at the
bottom of the box, the bearing semicircle is held by the binding-
screw between the uprights, and the pasteboard disk is held at
the side of one of the uprights. The lamp and other accessions
go into the box.

The leading peculiarities and novelties of the instrument will
now be indicated.

1. Union of stability and portability. The base gives a suflS.-

251

cient degree of steadiness for common purposes. But by sliding
a couxmon Jlat-iron into its interior it becomes as firm as the most
ponderous instruments of Ross, which are too heavy to be carried
about with comfort.

2. The facility with which the heujht of the compound body,
as w-ell as its inclination, may be varied by means of the " slots "
and notches in the bearing semicircle.

3. The mode of focal adjustment by rotation of the tube, or
compound body. This has a movable ring upon it with a pro-
jecting spur, which bears against the slightly inclined posterior
surface of the anterior V-shaped support of the tube. The disk
which protects the eyes is used as a levei", and thus a very smooth
and uniform motion without the smallest amount of " lost time " or
" back lash " is obtained without rack and pinion, spring or screw.

4. The open horseshoe stage, with the movable object-holder
received upon its remote (anterior or inferior) surface, the glass
object-slide being itself pressed by springs against the remote
surface of the object-holder. It follows from this arrangement,
1st. That if one object is in focus, all others mounted in a similar
manner are in focus, or very nearly so ; 2d. That the thickness
of the stage becomes practically reduced to nothing, as the glass
slide is next the lamp, and behind, or below, every thing except
the springs that press it forward against the remote face of the
object-holdei".

5. The double radial stage-movement. The horseshoe piece
next the observer turns from side to side on a screw passing
through the lower or middle portion of its arc. The other horse-
shoe piece turns on a screw fixing it to one arm of the first, so
that it moves up and down. The arcs they follow form so small
a part of a circle that the eye cannot distinguish their movement
from a rectilinear one. The holt and crossbow flat handles,
working singly or together, make the management of the stage
movement very convenient.

6. The flat-wicked lamp, so mounted as to move freely without
the possibility of slipping, at whatever angle the apparatus may
be inclined.

7. The combination of mirror and lens in an open frame, so
as, by slight alterations, to serve a triple purpose ; that of plane
mirror, of a condenser, and of a substitute for the concave mirror.

252

8. The simple and elFective mounting of the achromatic con-
denser and the diaphragm attached to it.

It remains for others to determine if any or all of these inno-
vations are improvements.

August 19, 1857.

Dr. Chas. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Dr. D. F. Weinland read a paper entitled — Some Points
in the Zoology of Hayti, — as follows : —

A few weeks since I returned from nearly half a year's so-
journ on the southwestern neck of that beautiful mountain-island,
(this is the meaning of the Indian name Hayti,) and I wish to
communicate to my scientific friends some of my impressions and
observations,-"^ whilst they are fresh in my mind, even if they
should yet lack the stamp of elaboration.

I shall speak first of the organic life of the sea-shore, and since
this depends upon the geological formation of the coast, and upon
the nature of the sea, these subjects will first be introduced.

I. THE SEA-SHORE.

The noiihern shore of the southwestern neck of Hayti is
mostly cote de fer, that is, an iron-bound coast. There ai-e but
few small sandy bays, which serve as landing-places for the fish-
ing boats, and near them are generally found huts of fishermen,
or a small village.

The rock which bounds all the rest of the coast is a hard brit-
tle limestone, formed very generally of a conglomeration of mad-
repores and other corals, as AstrEcae, Mgeandrinas, Milleporse, etc.
and of various kinds of shells, cemented with a mass of smaller
and formless lime-particles, the powdered particles of the same
corals and shells. This rock is full of pores and roundish cavi-

1 Most of these observations -were made in company with my friend Mr. Ed-
ward Habich of Boston, a member of our Society, on our daily walks along the
sea-shore, or during our excursions up the rivers or back in the forests of the
interior.

253

ties with sharp edges, perhaps the places where softer shells or
fragments of corals have been washed out by the erosion or
attrition of the water, or knocked out by corals, thrown up in the
stormy winter season of the furious north wind. The species of
corals and shells which enter into the composition of this rock, I
found nearly all alive in the adjoining sea. Some of them, how-
ever, have disappeared from among the living ; others are dying
out, and are now very rarely found, though common in the earlier
portions of the present period ; for they exist in great quantities
in the rock at the depth of a few feet. Such animal remains
enclosed in rock, yet belonging to species now living, or to species
now extinct, but which lived in the earlier ages of this period,
together with species now living, we are accustomed to call
modern fossils. They are the more interesting because they
show how, without any remarkable revolution of our globe, cer-
tain species of animals gradually die out.

The same rock, composed of modern fossils and their detritus,
I found in the interior mountain regions of the island, about thirty
miles from the sea-shore, and at a height, as I should judge, of at
le^st one thousand feet above the present level of the sea. In-
deed, the whole first, that is, northernmost, ridge of mountains
which runs along that northern sea-shore of Hayti, from east to
west, is crowned with large layers or broken masses of this same
kind of rock, which being, as stated above, a formation of the
present geological period, goes far to show that this whole ridge
has been raised in this present period. Thus the existence of the
greater part, and the configuration of the whole of the southwest-
ern neck of the island of Hayti is of a comparatively recent
origin.

Two questions at once suggest themselves here, whether the for-
mation of the same roch, and whether the elevation of the land, are
going on at the present time. That the former, the formation of the
same limestone rock, is really in progress at the present day, seems
to be evident in some places, where the whole bottom of the sea
near the shore, at a depth of from one to five and six feet below
low-water mark, is, as it were, a flat pavement of the same kind
of rock. Crust-building corals, as Porites, Ma^andrinas, Sideras-
trseas, etc. live upon it, and in the interstices of these are thrown
up from below dead shells, broken Millepores, Madrepores, and

254

Astrseans. By the powerful action of the waves on the shallow
bottom, these remains are broken and ground upon each other,
and their form is lost.

The lime powder which results from this pulverizing action
furnishes the cement which fills the shells and unites the pieces
into one solid mass, Magonnerie hon Dieu (God's Masonry) as the
negroes of the French colonies call it. In consideration of these
facts the first part of our question may be answered in the affii'm-
ative.

But whether the whole coast is constantly and gradually rising,
(as we know is the case with the coast of Sweden,^) or whether
those different layers of that submarine pavement have been
thrown up at various periods, by sudden volcanic agencies, I am
at a loss to decide from my own observations. I will only state
that the layers which lie now just above low-water mark, are (for
instance, in some places in the neighborhood of Jeremie) quite
undisturbed banks, running in a plain parallel to the level of the
sea. This seems rather to favor the idea of a gradual rising
than of a sudden upheaving, and the latter would be more likely
to fracture the layers and to change their original horizontal
position into an angle towards the horizon.

I conclude, from the information afforded me, that this lime-
stone formation must extend over the whole northern part of
Hayti, from its western cape (Tibouron) to the neighborhood of
Port-au-Prince. Further, the rocky part of the sea-shore of Bar-
badoes, Maria Galante, of Grand-terre in Guadaloupe, of An-
tigua, St. Bartholome, St. Martin, Arguilla, and Santa Cruz, seems
to be of the same composition and age. I should judge so, also,
from an account of William Maclure, published just forty years
ago in the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Pliila-
delphia, vol. i. p. 134, et seq. Further also, the honeycomb
limestone of Jamaica is the same rock, according to a communi-
cation of my friend Dr. Hyde,^ who lived in that island for many
years.

1 According to the observations of Leopold von Buch, Hallstroem, and Lyell, the
whole northern coast of Sweden and that of Finland is continually rising at the
rate of four feet in a century. See also Humboldt's Kosmos, I. p. 315 and p. 472,
et seq.

2 Dr. J. S. Hyde, of New England, a zealous and experienced conchologist, by
whom were collected many of the Jamaica land-shells, which were described by

255

1 have not yet had an opportunity to look for other geological
reports of the Antilles. I suppose, however, that this is the same
limestone formation, which the negroes in Guadaloupe very ap-
propriately call " God's masonry," and which is so evidently a
formation of modern time, since it encloses instruments made by
man, and even those once celebrated, supposed fossil human skel-
etons.

If we want a name for the Haytian limestone described above,
we might call it the modern " Coral-rag," for if it had not been for
the difference in the fossil remains, I should have recognized it as
exactly the same limestone, which forms those steep, porous rocks
of the so-called rough Alps of Southern Germany, between the
Danube and Rhine. Indeed, it was not a slight pleasure for me to
see here clearly, how those old rocks of my home must have been
formed in their time, millions of years. ago, when Southern Ger-
many was yet an island not much larger than Hayti, having a
wax-m climate, and surrounded by a warm ocean ; and presenting,
all along the coast, the same banks of corals ; and in the cavities
of these rocks the cidarites, which abounded then, and of which I
found one species alive in Hayti. But this also is so scarce as
to show that its days have passed.

II. THE SEA OF NORTHERN HAYTI.

Beyond the formation of the coast there are some features con-
nected with the sea, which borders upon the northern side of that
island, which are of the greatest importance to its animal and
vegetable life.

1. The great respiration of the ocean, the ebbing and flowing of
the tide, hardly touches that coast. Neither the native fishermen
along the coast, nor the American captains in the harbor speak
of high and low water there. The great tide wave is not only
broken by the wall of islands in front of the Mexican Gulf, but,
perhaps, is even neutralized by a continual current, which runs
from east to west all along the northern shore of Hayti.

the late Prof. Adams, tells me that he found this limestone, particulai-ly in the
northern part of that island. He noticed it for its peculiar richness in Cyclos-
tomas, which live in the cavities.

2 See Humboldt's Kosmos, I. p. 260.

256

2. All the motion of the sea on that shore depends upon the
wind. Its agencies are twofold ; first, the daily change of sea and
land wind, the former beginning to blow in the morning about
eight o'clock, the latter in the evening between six and nine.
The latter is much more constant, and being also more powerful,
it depresses, every evening, the level of the sea all along the coast
from one to two feet. But there is, secondly, another, a yearly
change of the winds, viz : a prevailing northerly wind in winter,
particularly in December, January, and February, and a prevail-
ing southerly wind in summer. This great change produces
this eiFect, that in the season of the North, as they call it there,
the level of the sea is constantly, on the average, eight feet higher
than in summer.

How much this change bears, also, upon the organic life of the
sea-coast, is evident. I will only state that during the last week
of May and the first of June, in one place not larger than an
acre, more than a hundred Actineaj and Holothurias died, because
left upon dry land ; not to speak of the thousands of other ani-
mals, fishes, echini, etc., and of sea-plants which died in those
natural basins near the sea, where the water, cut off" from the
refreshing ocean, was overheated by the nearly perpendicular
rays of the tropical sun. The rising of the land from the waves,
the same that we know took place repeatedly in the great epochs of
the history of our globe, and which, as Dr. J. D. Dana once said,
brought death among the sea tribes in one universal desolation, —
the same we see now on the northern shore of this island, i-e-
peated annually with the change of the winds ; and though on a
smaller scale, yet destroying hosts of living organisms. More-
over, in that stormy season of the North, the whole bottom of
the ocean, all along the shore, at more than five fathoms depth, is
swept, and not only all the dead remains but many living shell-
fishes, and large blocks of corals, are dashed against the iron-
bound coast and thrown up on dry land. This is the season
dreaded equally by the Haytian coasters and tiie merchant vessel
in the harbor. The former, when overcome by a dark, stormy
night, without a compass, an instrument unknown to them, are
driven helpless along the shore, and their small boats frequently
thrown against the rocks. The latter, the merchant vessel, drags

257

its anchors on the moving bottom of the sea (called rade marec)
and runs ashore.^

Besides the motion of the sea, there is one circumstance more
worthy of notice, as bearing upon the organic life of this sea-
shore. It is the chemical composition of the sea-water. The sea-
water contains, at this distance (about eighteen degrees) from the
equator, the greatest amount of salt in solution ; more than the
water near New England, and a good deal more than the sea
immediately under the equator. This remarkable fact has been
shown by Linz, a German scientific traveller, on his voyage
round the world.^ The rivers of the northern shore of Hayti
are not large enough to exert an extensive influence upon the
composition of the sea-water, even in the immediate neighborhood
of their mouths, and, moreover, they are generally barred up by
sand-banks during a great part of the dry season. These sand-
bars prevent again a large pouring in of sea-water into the
river, and thus the river water is quite fresh and sweet in the
immediate neighborhood of the sea, so much so that vessels take
in their drinking water there. But notwithstanding this, (and
it is an interesting physiological fact,) I found relatively more
sea-fishes going up annually from the sea into these rivers, than
ascend the German rivers ; showing how flexible their nature
must be to bear the sudden change in the saltness and density
of the water, when passing from that deeply saline ocean into
fresh water. The case is different with those sea-fishes of New
England and Germany which enter rivers ; they have always to
pass through brackish water, and thus the change is effected

gradually.

(To be continued.)

Dr. C. T. Jackson said that he had found in analyses
of sea-water from coral regions a greater amount of car-
bonate of lime than is found in water from other parts of
the ocean. He supposed it to be derived from the decom-

1 In the harbor of Jeremie, which is uot protected against this north wind, two
vessels ran ashore at one time during one of the last winters. This occurs nearly
every year.

2 See Humboldt's Kosmos, I. p. 320, where we find also the reason for this re-
markable phenomenon.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI. 17 NOVEMBER, 1857.

258

posed corals, rather than a natural ingredient of the
water and the source of coralline growth.

Dr. Jackson exhibited the shells (Alasmodonta arcuata)
which were presented at the last meeting by W. E. S.
Whitman, Esq., of Gardiner, Me. This species is found
in the rivers of Kennebec county, and being lined with
a pearly secretion, the shells have been sought for in
that neighborhood for pearls. The thanks of the So-
ciety were voted for the gift.

Dr. Weinland called attention to the fact that the outer surface
of the shells, near the hinge, was considerably eroded, and he
referred to a communication of Dr. James Lewis, of Mohawk,
N.' Y., read to the Society February 18, 1857, in which the pres-
ence of saline alkalis is assigned as the cause of erosion by that
gentleman, contrary to an opinion expressed by himself in a paper
read to the Society October 15, 1856. He disagreed with Dr.
Lewis upon this point, for he believed that the animal absorbs
from the water only such substances as ai'e suited to its nature.

Dr. A. A. Hayes stated that where the composition of the
water is changed at different seasons of the year, there is great
liability to erosion. He attributed the effect to the presence of
organic acids, as humic and ulmic acids or mixtures of the two,
which he said were at certain times sufficiently strong to attack
the epidermis of the shell. He referred to changes in the Con-
necticut, Concord, and Schuylkill rivers, the last two of which
have been so much altered in their composition by impurities
introduced in mining operations or otherwise, as to render them
more or less destructive to animal life.

Dr. Weinland remarked that he could not believe any waters
to be so strongly acid as to be capable of destroying the epider-
mis. In his paper referred to above, which he had read to the
Society, he had maintained that the first step of the erosive
process vpas the destruction of the epidermis by a worm.

Dr. Jackson thought from the appearance of the smallest per-
forations that the destruction of the shell originally commenced
with a worm.

Mr. T. J. Whittemore observed that the shells in Fresh Pond

259

Cambi'idge, are ei-oded, whilst those in a stream near the pond
are unaffected except in certain portions of it where there is
a clay bottom. In the Middlesex Canal they are free from ero-
sions, but in Concord River the opposite is the case.

Dr. Weinland said that the observation ©f Mr. Whittemore
sustained his view of the question. The worms which infest the
shells do not live in sandy bottoms, and he had generally noticed
the erosion of the shells to extend just so far only as they are im-
bedded in the clay.

Mr. C. J. Sprague called attention to the fact that the corroded
surfaces are in some instances covered with epidermis, which
may have been a new growth from the neighborhood of the
hinge.

Dr. Jackson said that he had frequently seen the animal taken
out of the shell by the mink or musk-rat, the sun having previously
killed the animal and expanded the shell.

Mr. Whittemore said that the common belief, that the musk-rat
brings out the mollusk from the water, and leaves it upon the
shore in the heat of the sun for this object, is probably true.

Mr. F. H. Storer exhibited crystals of Sulphide of
Lead obtained by sublimation; one of the accidental pro-
ducts of a smelting furnace in Germany.

He remarked upon the exceedingly great volatility of this
compound of lead, and upon the influence which its presence in
the atmosphere, even at a great distance from the furnace, exerts
upon the vegetation of the region. It has been shown by analysis
that large spruce trees, six or eight inches in diameter, contain
lead, even in their innermost parts, which had evidently been
taken up by the roots.

Dr. C. T. Jackson gave an account of the Sand-Sharks
which are caught near Nantucket. While upon the
island recently, he had seen some brought to the shore
eight or nine feet in length. From the liver is extracted
on an average a gallon of oil, which is used by curriers,
and worth seventy-five cents a gallon. The body is used
for manure.

260

Dr. Jackson presented, in the name of Amos Otis, Esq.,
a brick of peculiar shape, and apparently imperfectly-
made, which was found at Monamet, near Sandwich.
It came from a locality, interesting in a historical point
of view, as having been the spot where the Pilgrims
built a trading-house in the year 1627. The thanks of
the Society were voted for the gift.

Mr. C. K. Dillaway exhibited the tooth of a Narwhal,
[Monodon monoceros, Lin.) It was about seven feet in
length, and a very beautiful and perfect specimen.

Messrs. Thomas R. Sullivan and Joseph Willard, Jr.,
were elected Resident Members.

September 2, 1857.

The President in the Chair.

Mr. Theodore Lyman read the following paper on a
new species of Coral : —

In October, 1848, and April, 1849, Milne Edwards and Jules
Haime published two monographs on the Astreida;, (Annales des
Sciences Nat. S^""*^ Serie, torn. 10 et 11.) Under this name they
included only a part of the Astra3ans of previous authors, namely,
such only as had platforms or dissepiments between the lamellie,
and these they call traverses. They further divided the family
into two sub-families, Eusmilinos and AstreinjB ; the former com-
prising those with smooth-edged lamellje ; the latter, those whose
lamella3 bore teeth. Descending to genera, they subdivided
these to a very great extent. Dana's Genus Euphyllia is sepa-
rated into nine groups ; Lamarck's Genus Astrosa, as understood
by Dana, is multiplied to nearly twenty ; and, in addition, there
are added to the family some forty or fifty quite new genera,
many of them comprising only fossils. To sum up ; the family

261

to which Dana, in 1847, apportioned thirteen genera, appeared,
the year after, under tlie auspices of Edwards and Ilairae, with
about eighty. Tlie comparison, philosophically conducted, of
these two classifications, would be of the highest interest, but I
speak of them now only in connection with a new species of
Astrajan, recently fallen upon, in arranging the cabinet of this
Society. Its discovery furnishes one more proof of the absolute
necessity of some laws, plain and sure, by which classification
may be determined. A description of the coral will show the
difficulties under which a natui'alist must, in such a case, labor.

AsTR^A DECACTis, Lymau.

Polyps short and budding from the upper edge ; consequently
the corallum takes the form of a thin plate, which, in this case,
is somewhat wavy, and has a few swelhngs on its surface. A
ground surface shows the corallum, between the calicles, to be
solid, with a few very small pits, or vesicles ; this is generally
the case, but, where the calicles are a good deal crowded, the
intervening corallum is made up of a double row of vesicles.
The calicles, when not crowded, are nearly round, but each is
surrounded by a fence of grains, which takes the form of a more
or less regular hexagon. These grains cannot be seen without a
lens ; there are generally about five on a side, (in all about
thirty,) and the fence, which they form, is situated midway be-
tween each calicle and its neighbors. The calicles are from one
half to three quarters of a line in diameter, and are remarkable,
not only for their small size, but also from the fact of their hav-
ing only te7i stout lamellfe. These laraelh^ are sensibly smooth
on their sides and edges, (and the species would thus come under
the Sub-Family Eusmilinai of Edwards,) they are considerably
exsert, and extend outward a little beyond the edge of the cali-
cle ; inwards, they run to a point nearly half-way to the centre,
when they pitch suddenly downwards and become thinner ; at
the centre they all join a solid columella, which has an oval form,
and projects above the level of the lamellae, at their point of
juncture with it. On examining a calicle with a strong lens,
there may sometimes be seen, on the edge of the calicle and mid-
way between the lamellfe, fine points, or grains, whose size does

262

not exceed that of the grains of the fence. Although these bear
no sort of proportion, compared with the ten strong lamellfe, still,
for reasons that it would take some time to tell, I am inclined to
look on them as true lamella, in a rudimentary stage. In some
calicles they cannot be discovered at all ; in others there are two,
and, in rare instances, there are as many as ten, or one between
each pair of large lamellae. A vertical section of a calicle shows
the characteristic dissepiments {traverses, Edw.) of a true As-
trsean, and a styliform columella, which continues nearly, or
quite, to the bottom, though with a diminished size towards its
lower extremity. In this species the columella gives the same
indication of a bilateral symmetry that is shown in the elongated
mouth of Actinia, and, among the Halcyonoids, in that of Renilla,
&c. In a line with the longest diameter of the columella there
are, almost always, two lamellie, and, on each side of the axis
thus formed, four lamella? symmetrically arranged ; and it is to
be further observed, that the calicle itself has a tendency to elon-
gate itself in the direction of this axis. The corallum is covered
underneath with a thin, slightly folded epitheca ; and above it
has a rough look, under a lens, by reason of its crowded calicles,
and stout, exsert lamella?.

Now, as regards the place this species should occupy among
Astreidffi, if we go by the system of Dana, it would come under
the Genus Astrjea, and would be among the species of the Sub-
Genus Orbicella, from which it differs only in the less numerous
rays. If, on the other hand, we refer to Edwards and Haime,
we find that it agrees with no living genus, but is \qyj near to,
if not identical with, the Genus Astroccenia, which is entirely
fossil, and, with the exception of one species, does not rise higher
than the chalk. With this genus it agrees in growing in a plate;
in having an epitheca a little folded ; in marginal budding ; in
polyps soldered by their walls ; in a solid, styliform columella ;
in having thick lamella*, and in having small calicles. If the
genera of Edwards are really to be admitted, it would be curious
to see this old habitue of the chalk once more among the living.
A description of the genus will be found in the Annales des Scien.
Nat. S*^™*^ Serie, tome x. page 296, and figures in the Paleonto-
graphical Society Monograph on British Fossil Corals, 1850,
Part I. Plate 5 ; and in Denkschriften der Akademie zu Wien,

263

vol.7. Reuss liber Kreideschichten, Plates 8 and 14. Of these,
the A. magnijica, figured by Reuss, resembles most the present
species. Considering, however, that the genera of Edwards have
been looked on with some misgiving, by more than one good
authority, and particularly in respect to the characters taken
from the teeth of lamellte, and the so-called columella, I deemed
it safer to leave this species, for the present, among the members
of the Genus Astrasa, as received by Dana ; though, at the same
time, I feel pretty sure it will have to be removed therefrom, as
soon as the classification of polyps is better understood.

The specimen from which this description was taken was
growing on a sponge. The plate was about 2^ inches long,
1^ inches broad, and 3 lines thick, at the thickest part. The
edges of the plate were in some places very thin. Dr. A. A.
Gould thinks the sponge a West Indian species, and this, com-
bined with the fact that it was in the same case with Mr. Bart-
lett's Florida collection, makes it very probable that this species
inhabits Florida.

The President gave a brief account of some facts
noticed during a recent visit to Surinam.

The committee appointed to consider the expediency
of dividing the Department of Crustacea and Radiata,
reported in favor of the project, and the report was
adopted.

H. R. Storer, M. D., was elected Curator of Crustacea.

Messrs. James H. Weeks and George N. Faxon were
elected Resident Members.

DEPAETMENT OP MICROSCOPY.

Dr. John Bacon exhibited three different forms of oxalate of
lime, occurring as a deposit in the urinary secretion, remarking
that they were interesting in a pathological point of view, as well
as from their chemical relations. They were, first, the ordinary,
apparently octohoedral form ; secondly, the rare dumb-bell form ;

264

and, thirdly, crystals which he had now seen for the first time,
six-sided tables, often very thin and transparent, and resembling
cystine in appearance. They were accompanied in the speci-
men by thicker rhombic tables, more or less modified, and he
considered them all modifications of rhombohoedrons.

He also exhibited crystals of oxalate of lime from the vege-
table kingdom. Prof. Bailey called attention some time since to
the large amount of oxalate of lime existing in the bark of certain
trees, the {)rincipal ingredient of the ashes of which was carbon-
ate of lime, a salt arising from the decomposition of the oxalate
and other organic salts of lime. This excretion from the human
body Dr. Bacon has noticed to be quite common in Boston, but
it cannot be due to the use of water containing lime salts, for the
Cochituate water is now almost universally used, and this, it is
well known, is one of the purest of pond waters. He would
not even consider a small amount of oxalate of lime deposited
from the urine as a morbid indication, for this salt is so insoluble
that a precipitation of it in a certain quantity may be regarded
as not inconsistent with health.

An ingenious instrument, in brass and steel, for mak-
ing fine sections of "wood and other articles for micros-
copic examination, was presented by Edward C. Cabot,
Esq., and the thanks of the Society voted for the dona-
tion.

September 16, 1857.

The President in the Chair.

Mr. Charles Stodder read a paper on the vibrations
caused by the falling of the water over the dam at Had-
ley Falls, as follows : —

A paper was read at the Montreal Meeting of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science, on the vibration
caused by the falling of the water over the dam at Hadley Falls,
The same matter has been the subject of discussion in this

265

Society, by Messrs. Briggs and Desor in 1850, (Proc. vol. 3,
p. 287,) and by Mr. Briggs in 1852, (vol. 4, p. 185.)

The only cause for the phenomenon that I have seen assigned
is the agitation of the air, behind tlie falling sheet of water. Tliis
theory is effectually disproved — if there were no other reasons
against it — by the fact cited by Mr. Briggs, of the dam at Lewis-
ton, where the water falls over an inclined plane, leaving no
space for air under it ; yet the vibrations are very decided.

The case of Hadley Falls seems to have attracted more atten-
tion than elsewhere, as probably the vibrations are moi-e power-
ful, and have been noticed at greater distances than in other
places. I expect to show that the causes of the vibrations are
there found nearer a maximum, and the intensity and force of
the vibrations, as well as the distance at which they are felt,
ought to be greater there than at any of the other places which
have been referred to.

The dam at Hadley is 1,000 feet long, at nearly right angles to
the current of the river, and causes a vertical fall of thirty or
thirty two feet. The water does not fall in an even stream from the
summit of the dam to the surface of the water below, but the upper
surface in section presents to the eye a waved or curved outline.
This appearance I have noticed at Hadley, Nashua, Lawrence,
and at every other vertical fall which I have ever seen, when
under the proper conditions to exhibit it. If we could see the
under side of the sheet, we should find, undoubtedly, correspond-
ing appearances on that side. This phenomenon is caused by the
property of falling fluids, by which they assume the globular
form, which may be seen in the Kauterskill Falls, on the Cats-
kill Mountains, where the whole body of falling water is broken
into spray and drops — in the fall of water from the jet of a foun-
tain, and in water flowing from a vessel. In all cases, if the
water falls a certain distance, proportioned to its mass, the whole
will assume the globular form, and become drops. Applying
this principle to the fall over an artificial dam, the water at the
very commencement of its descent begins to assume that form,
and the further it descends, the nearer it approaches it. In pass-
ing over an artificial dam, like that at Hadley, the water presents
a uniform depth throughout the whole length of the dam ; and if
we imagine the current of water to be an infinitude of small

266

streams, of uniform depth, in contact with each other, each hav-
ing the same tendency, the result must be to produce swelHngs
and contractions throughout the whole extent of the dam. Now,
when each of these waves strikes the bottom, it gives a blow pro-
portioned in force to the body of water falling from the height of
the dam. A certain depth of water running over the top of the
dam must fall a certain distance before it would be entirely sepa-
rated into globules. The smaller the quantity of water, the less
distance is required ; consequently every variation in the depth
of the water causes a variation in the size and distance of the
waves, or tumors ; each of these causes a concussion propor-
tionate in intensity to the weight of water in it, and proportionate
in rapidity to their distance apart.

These effects of falling water should be expected, in general,
only in artificial falls, such as mill-dams. In natural falls, it is
rare that a vertical face is presented for the water to fall over ;
and even if such a fall is presented, it is usually formed of angu-
lar rocks, causing various depths of water ; and as every varia-
tion of depth alters the conditions, the space required to form the
tumors in, there would be no coincidence among the tumors
formed in different parts of the falling stream ; so that tlie waves
of one part would strike the bottom, in the intervals of those of
another part, and tlius the concussion of one neutralize the other.
Ao-ain, to produce the vibrations, the stream should fall from an
equal height throughout its width. If one part falls thirty feet, and
another twenty-five feet, the same result is produced as by differ-
ent depths of water. For this reason I conclude that vibrations
are not conspicuous at Lawrence. There the dam is diagonal to
the stream, and there is considerable difference in the height of
the fall, at the two ends of the dam. At Hadley the conditions
for causing vibrations are, if we cannot say at the maximum, at
least the most favorable of any we know. The height of the
fall is considerable — great for an artificial work — and so is the
width of the stream. The height is uniform from side to side.
The dam is one right line from bank to bank, the bed of the
river is solid rock, an almost level floor, free from loose or piled
up masses. The top of the dam is perfectly level. Conse-
quently there is an uniform depth of water passing over the
whole length, falling an uniform distance. The waves or tumors

267

of the falling water are uniform, and strike the bottom with syn-
chronous concussion from one end of the dam to the other. It is
not surprising that the earth should be felt to vibrate in Spring-
field, seven miles in one direction, and in Amherst, fourteen
miles in another.

Another interesting line of inquiry arises here. Hadley Falls,
Springfield, and Amherst, are all situated on the red sandstone
of the Connecticut valley, I will venture to say that the vibra-
tions have not been felt beyond the boundaries of that rock on
either side of the valley. Further between Amherst and Hadley
we have the intruded trap, forming Mount Holyoke. This trap
is said by Prof. Hitchcock not to be a dyke, crossing the strata
of sandstone, but to be interposed between the beds of sandstone.
This of course is the interjiretation of such parts of the trap as
can be examined, but the trap might have cut through the strata
of sandstone at some great depth, and only be interposed between
the strata near the surface. I believe the fact that these vibra-
tions have been felt beyond the trap rock, indicates that it does
not cut off" the strata of sandstone at any great depth — that, if it did
so, it would cut off the vibrations. Now if the trap lies entirely be-
tween strata of sandstone, it may not have been injected, but it
may have been poured over the surface of the underlying stratum
when that was the uppermost.

Dr. C. T. Jackson, instancing the vibrations noticed at
the Dam at Nashua, stated, that, in that place, the vibra-
tions only take place when the wind is in such a direc-
tion as to break the fall, and permit of the escape of air,
which is evidently confined behind the sheet of water.

Mr. Theodore Lyman read an extract from a letter of
Mr. Bowerbank of London, acknowledging the reception
of some sponges sent him by the Society, and promising
to send a collection of sponges in return. Mr. B. is de-
sirous of obtaining specimens of a spongilla which he
says he learns is common in the Cochituate water-pipes
of Boston.

268

Dr. Gould said that he had frequently seen a species
of spongilla in these pipes.

Dr. C. T. Jackson said that specimens could be ob-
tained at the Brookline reservoir gates. They are of a
yellowish green color.

Dr. J. B. S. Jackson said that he had met with small
specimens in the pipes of his house, perhaps two or three
lines in diameter, and seven or eight in length.

Dr. A. A. Gould said he had received a letter from
Prof. Dawson of Montreal, stating that there had recently
been a slide in the neighborhood of that city, by which
many new species of tertiary fossils were exposed, and
amongst them some spiculae of sponges.

Dr. J, B. S. Jackson exhibited specimens of Dermestes
and a block of wood, forming the support for an anatom-
ical preparation, into which wood the insect had eaten.
He was not aware before that this animal attacked
wood.

Dr. C. T. Jackson presented, in the name of Samuel
Swan, Esq., some specimens of the common Water Lily,
[Nymphcea odorata.) They were procured from a pond
in Yarmouth, Mass., and were peculiar in this respect,
that the flowers were of a delicate pink color, instead of
being, as ordinarily, white. Dr. J. had noticed, several
years since, in Mossy Pond, in Lancaster, this same lily
with flowers of a deep red color. He suggested that they
were probably only varieties of the same species pro-
duced by ferruginous or other modifications of the soil
in which they grew.

The President exhibited some species of fishes from
the Surinam River, and mentioned some conditions, here-
tofore unnoticed, under which the eggs are developed.

In a species of Bagrt^ called by the negroes " Ningi-ningi,"

269

tlie eggs are carried during the whole period of development in
the month. Dui'ing the month of June, the females have their
mouths filled with eggs, and tiie young may he seen in all stages
of formation, if a large number of individuals is examined.
There are at least four species of Siluroids which have this
liuhit.

The Aspredos, or " trompettis," likewise have a peculiar mode
of gestation, analogous to that found in Syngnathus. In Aspredo
the eggs are attached, by means of pedicles surmounted by
cups, to the under side of the abdomen, as far forwards some-
times as the mouth, on the sides to the pectoral and ventral
fins which they sometimes cover, and as far back as the mid-
dle of the tail. Valenciennes describes the appendages which
support the eggs of Trompetti, but nowhere expresses the opinion
that they were destined to carry eggs. After the eggs are
hatched the pedicles are absorbed.

A specimen of Hylodes lineatus w^as also exhibited, showing
the manner in which the young are carried upon the back of the
parent. In Hylodes, we have one extreme of a series which
commences with Pipa, where each egg is carried in a separate
pouch in the back of the fiemale ; in Notodelphis, as shown by
Dr. Weinland, all the eggs are carried in one dorsal pouch ; in
Alytes, the eggs in strings are wound round the legs, and finally^
in Hylodes, the tadpoles adhere to the back of the parent without
any protection. Though having all the organization of a tadpole,
viz : gills and a tail adapted to swimming, they are found in the
woods on the back of the parent at a distance from water. The
early stages of development are unknown.

The habits of Hylodes, as well as those of the fishes above
referred to, are well known to the negroes of Guiana.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

July 1, 1857. Nest and Eggs of Baltimore Oriole, Yphantes Baltimore; Bobo-
link, Dolkhmiyx m-izivorus : Maryland Yellow-throat, Trichas Marilmidicus ; Bam
Swallow, Hirundo rustica; Cedar Bird, Amjielis c/arrulus; Lesser Pewit Fly-
catcher, Muscicapa fusca ; Wilson's Thrush, Twdus fuscescens ; Blue Jay, Cy-

270

anocorax cristatus ; Eggs of Spotted Tsitler, Totanus macularius ; Passenger
'P\ge.on, Ectopistes migratorius ; Nest of Chimney Swallow, Cypsebis pelasgius ;
by Francis S. Williams, Esq. Scarlet Ibis, Ibis rubra ; by Mrs. Curtis B. Ray-
mond. Petrified Wood and Bone; by S. A. Green, M. D. Geological Map of
the United States ; by Jules Marcou. Shells from the Cape de Verde Islands,
Cuba, and the Western Coast of Africa, and Volcanic Matter from the Cape de
Verdes ; by Mr. N. H. Bishop. A Crawfish from North Carolina, Vitreous Cop-
per Ore, and Argentiferous and Auriferous Galena from the same State ; by Dr.
C. T. Jackson.

July 15. Ripple Marks in Sandstone, Algee, and Parasitic Shells ; by Dr. S.
Kneeland, Jr. A Horned Toad from Texas ; by Mr. Ainsworth.

August 5. Specimens of the shell, Alasmodonta arcuata, which is opened for
pearls in Maine ; by W. E. S. Whitman, Esq. Specimens of a Smelt, Osmerus
viridescens, taken in Squam Lake, New Hampshire, and of two species of Leu-
ciscus, one probably undescribed, from the same locality; by Dr. H. R. Storer.

August 19. A Brick, interesting in a historical point of view, having been
taken from the ruins of a trading house, built by the Pilgrims near Sandwich,
in the year 1627; by Amos Otis, Esq. Samples of the Soils of Michigan, Mis-
souri, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Ji-.

September 2. A brass instrument for making fine sections of wood and other
articles; by Edward C. Cabot, Esq. A collection of one hundred and forty
Bird Skins forwarded by the Government National Museum of Melbourne, to
the Boston Society of Natural History, viz : — Menura superba, Lj-re Bird ; Podiceps
AustraUs, Australian Grebe ; Cacatua Leadbeaterii, Leadbeater's Cockatoo ;
Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus, Bower Bird; Platycercus Barnars, Barnars Par-
rakeet; (rj-zts ^MsiraZasiajiMs, Australian Crane; Cereopsis Noiub Hollandioe., Cere-
opsis Goose ; Pedronomus iorquaius, Plain Wanderer ; Heinipodms pyrrhothorax,
Chestnut-breasted Hemipode, three specimens; Liniosa melanui-oides, God wit;
£nlomo2jhila jncta, Painted Honey-Eater; Recurvirostris rvbricollis, Red-necked
Avocet ; Psophodes crepitans, Coach-whip Bird ; Platycercus Pennaniii, Pen-
nant's Parrakeet; Fidica AustraUs, Australian Coot ; Plialacrocorax carboides,
Australian Cormorant ; Athene strenua, Powerful Owl ; Casarca tadornoides,
Mountain Duck; Porphyria melanosiis, Black-backed Porphyrio; Artamus super -
ciliosus, White eyebrowed Wood-Swallow, two specimens; Gymnorhina organ-
icum, Tasmanian Crow-Shrike; Anas punctata, Chestnut-breasted Duck; Nycti-
corax Caledonicus, Nankeen Night-Heron ; Podiceps popicephalus. Grey-hooded
Grebe, two specimens; Spheniscus minor, lAttie Penguin; Lobevanellus lobatus,
Spur-winged Plover; Sterna melanauchen, Black-naped Tern ; Cacatua Eos,
Rose-breasted Cockatoo; Biziura lobata, Musk Duck; Cinclosoma punctatum,
Spotted Ground-Thrush ; Campephaga Jardinii, Jardines Campephaga, two spe-
cimens; Artamus personatus, Masked Wood-Swallow; Petroica Goodenovii, Red-
capped Robin ; Melithreptus melanocephahis, Black-headed Honey Eater, two
specimens; Rhipidura j-jy^/rons, Rufous-fronted Fantail, two specimens; Hemi-
podius velox. Swift-flying Hemipode, two specimens: Himantojnts leucocephalus,
White-headed Stilt; Estrelda temporalis, Red-eyebrowed Finch, two specimens ;
Amadina Lathamii, Spotted-sided Finch, two specimens; Eiaticula bicincta, Dou-
ble-banded Dottrel; Anthochxra mellivm-a, Brush Wattle-Bird, two specimens;
Climacteris picumnus, Vfhite-throated Tree-Creeper, two specimens; Acrocepha-
lus AustraUs, Reed Warbler; Cysticola Uneocapilla, Black-striated Warbler, two
specimens; Pardalotus striatus, Striated Pardalote, two specimens; Zosterops
dorsalis, Grey-backed Zosterops, two specimens ; Dicceum hirundinaceum, Swal-

271

low Dicseum, four specimens; Glotiis glotloides, Green-Shank; Sericornis humilis,
Sombre-colored Sericornis, two specimens; Malurus cyaneus, Blue Wren, two
specimens; MeUphaga Australaskina, Tasmaniaii Honey-Eater; Ueliphriffa mys-
tacalts, Moustached Honey-Eater, three specimens ; Collocalia arborea, Tree Mar-
tin, two specimens; Clirysoccrys luckhis, Bronze-wing Cuckoo, two specimens;
Trichofflossus rubriiorques, Stringy-bark Parrakeet, two specimens; Lathamus
discolor, Swift Parrakeet, three specimens ; AcanOiiza chrysorrhma, Yellow-
rumped Acanthiza; Erythrodryas rlwdinogaster, Flame-breasted Robin, two speci-
mens; Acanthiza uropygialis, Chestnut-rumped Acanthiza, two specimens; Cln-
cloramphus rvfescens, Rufous-tinted Cincloramphus, two specimens; Acanthiza
lineata, Striated Acanthiza, four specimens; EjAhianura albifrons, White-fronted
Epthianura, two specimens ; Calamanthus fuliffinosus. Reed Lark, two speci-
mens; Fakunctdus frontatus, Tit Shrike; Eopsallria Australis, Yellow-breasted
Robin, two specimens ; Acanthorhynchus tenui7'ost7'is, Slender-billed Spine-Bill,
two specimens; Pachycephala pectoralis. Banded Thick-Head, two specimens;
Petroica ?)ji<to'cofo';", Scarlet-breasted Robin, two specimens; Sericornis oscuktns,
Allied Sericornis, two specimens ; Hnkyon sanctus, Sacred Kingfisher, two speci-
mens ; Akyone azurea, Azure Kingfisher ; Rhipidura motacilhides, Black Fan-
tailed Flycatcher, two specimens; Strepera anaphonensis, Grey Crow-Shrike ;
Corccn-ax leucoptei'us, White-winged Chough, two specimens ; CamjKphaga
Jardinii, Jardine's Campephaga ; Schceniclus magnus, Great Sandpiper, two
specimens ; Philotis Jlava, Yellow Honey-Eater, two specimens ; Myingra 2>lum-
bea, Plumbeous Flycatcher, two specimens; Anthus Australis, Australian Pipit;

Silteta chrysoptera, Orange-winged Sittela, two specimens; Pachycejyiuda, ;

Four Specimens of Acanthiza, of two different species; Smicornis brevirostris,
Short-billed Smicornis; Two Species of Honey Eater; Cisticola magna, Great
Warbler; Hiaticula ruficapilla. Red-capped Dottrel; Schaniclus albescens. Little
Sandpiper; Schaniclus suburquatus, Curlew Sandpiper.

The following birds, etc., obtained at Lake Superior in 1857, prepared and pre-
sented by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr.; Male and female Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ac-
cipiter J'uscus, Gmel. ; Male Sparrow-Hawk, Tinnuncxdus spiarve.rius, Liim. ;
Hawk Owl, Sicrnia Junerea, Gmel. ; Acadian Owl, male, Athene Acadica,
Temm.; Male and female Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon, Linn. ; Plicated Wood-
pecker (young), Dryocopus pileatus, Linn.; Three-toed Woodpecker, male, Pi-
coides fwc^icMs, Rich & Sw. ; Hairy Woodpecker, female, Picus villosus, Linn.;
Male and female Downy Woodpecker, Picus pubescens, Linn. ; Golden-winged
Woodpecker, male, Culaptes auratus, Linn.; American Raven, Corvus cacalotl,
Wagl. ; Blue Jay, Cyanocorax cristatus, Linn. ; Canada Jay, two females, Peri-
soreus Canadensis, Linn.; Rusty Grakle, male and female, Scolecophagus feri-u-
gineus, Wils. ; Pine Grosbeak, female, Sirobilophaga enucleator, Linn. ; Snow Bird,
two specimens, Plectrophanes nivalis, Linn.; Snow Finch, Fringilla hyemcdis,
Linn.; Red-poll Linnet, two specimens, Fringilla linaria, Linn.; Cross-bill, Loxia
Americana, Wils. ; Purple Finch, Carpodacus jmrpureus, Gmel. ; White-throated
Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis, Gmel. ; Fox-colored Sparrow, two females, Zono-
trichia iliaca, Merr. ; Olive Hermit Thrush, male and female, Tardus solitarius '?
Wils.; Brown Hermit Thrush, male and female, TurdusJ'uscescensf Shaw; Sum-
mer Duck, male, Aix sjjonsa, Linn. ; Dusky Duck, female. Anas obscura, Gmel. ;
Common Snipe, female, Gallinago Wilsonii, Temm.; Red-breasted Snipe, female,
Macroramphus griseus, Gmel. ; Tell-tale Tatler, Totanus melanoleucus, Gmel.;
Wilson's Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus, Kaup.; Solitary Tatler, Tutanus chlo-
ropygius, YieWX; Sora Rail, Ortygometra Carolina, Linn.; Red Squirrel, Sciurus

272

Httdsonius, Gmel.; Striped Squirrel, Tamias Lysteri, Rich. — American Magpie,
Pica Hudsonica, Sabine; Cednr Bird, Ampelis cedvorum, Vieill; prepared aiTd pre-
sented by J. H. Slawson, of Houghton, Michigan.

September 16. Specimens of the common Water Lily, (Nymphcea odorata) of
a pink color, from Yarmouth, Mass. ; by Samuel Swan, Esq. Two Crania of
Albatross; by Di-. S. Durkee.

•

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING SEPT. 30, 1857.

Slemoirs of the Geological Society of India. Vol. 1. Tart I. 8vo. Calcutta,
1856. From die Governor-General oj' India.

Prodromus descriptionis Aniraalium Evertebratorum quffi observavit et de-
scripsit W. Stimpson. Pai't 2d. 8vo. Paraph. Philadelphia, 1857. Froiii the
Author.

Notice siir une nouvelle Esp^ce de Davidsonia. Par L. De Koniuck. From
Prof. H. D. Rogers.

Tableaux of New Orleans. By B. Dowler, M. D. 8vo. Pamph. From the
Authm\

Lettres sin- les Eoches du Jura. Par Jules Marcou. 8vo. Premiere Livrai-
son. 8vo. Paris, 1857. From the Author.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. Vol. IX. 4to. Washington, D. C.
1857.

Annual Reports of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 8vo.
2 vols. 1855-6. Washington, D. C. From the Smithsonian Institution.

Journal de Tlnstruction Publique. Vol. I. Nos. 5-8. 8vo. Pamph. Mon-
treal, 1857.

Journal of Education. Vol. I. No. 4. 4to. Montreal, 1857.

Farmer's Journal. Vol. V. No. 1. 8vo. Pamph. Montreal, 1857. From
L. A. H. Latour.

First Annual Report of the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture of Massa-
chusetts. 2d Series. 8vo. Boston, 1853.

Transactions of the Michigan State Agricultural Society. Vol. VII. 8vo.
Lansing, 1856.

Tenth and Eleventh Annual Reports of the Board of Agriculture of Ohio, for
1855-6. 2 vols. 8vo. Chillicothe, 1856-7.

Twentieth Annual Report of the Board of Education. PamiDh. 8vo. Boston.
1857.

Abstract of the Census of Massachusetts for 1857.

Annual Reports relating to Births, Blamages, Deaths, &c., in Massachusetts,
for 1855. 8vo. Pamph. Boston.

Transactions of the Massachusetts Society for the Promotion of Agriculture
for 1856. 8vo. Pamph. Boston, 1857.

Synopsis of Communications on the Cause and Cure of the Potato Rot. 8vo.
Pamph. Boston, 1852. From C. L. Flint, Secretary of the Board of Agri.
culture.

273

History of Wisconsin. Vols. I. and III. By Wm. R. Smith. 8vo. Madison,
1854.

Address .before tlie Regents of the TJniversity. Bj- D. Read, L.L. D. 8vo.
Pamph. Madison, 1856.

Charter of the City of Wisconsin. 8vo. Pamph. Madison, 1856.

First Annual Report of the Executive Committee of the State Historical So-
ciety of Wisconsin. 8vo. Pamph. Madison, 1855.

Report of the Iron of Dodge and Washington Counties, Wisconsin. By J. G.
Percival. 8vo. Pamph. Milwaukee, 1855.

Annual Report of the Geological Sm-vey of Wisconsin. By J. G. Pei'cival-
8vo. Pamph. Madison, 1856.

State Annual Report and Collections of the State Historical Society of Wis-
consin for 1855. 8vo. Vol. H. Madison, 1856. Fro7n the Historical Society of
Wisconsin.

Bulletin de la Societe de Geographic. 4ieme Serie. Tome XHI. 8vo. Paris.
1857.

Canadian Naturalist and Geologist. Vol. H. No. 3, July. No. 4, September,
1857. Montreal.

Second Meteorological Report presented to Parliament. Long 4to. Pamph.
Melbourne, 1856-7.

Account of the Smithsonian Institution. By W. J. Rhees. 8vo. Pamph.
Washington, 1857.

Monatsbericht der Kciniglichen Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu
Berlin. January to December, 1856. 11 Nos. 8vo.

Mathematische Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaf-
ten zu Berlin. 4to. 1855. Aus dem Jahre Physikalische Abhandlungen der
K. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. 4to.

Bivalve Shells of the British Islands. By Wm. Turton. 4to. London.
1848.

Index Testaceologicus. 8vo. London, 1818. By W. Wood.

Genera of Recent Mollusca. Parts 27-30. 8vo. London. By H. and A.
Adams.

Catalogue of North American Mammals, chiefly in the Museum of the Smith-
sonian Institution. By S. F. Baird. 4to. Pamph. 1857.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Art. July, September, 1857.

New York Journal of Medicine. July, 1857.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Part 23. 8vo. 1855.

Proceedings of the Elliott Society, pp. 49-100. 8vo. 1857. Received in
Exchange.

Quarterly Journal of the Zoological Society. Vol. XIII. Part 3. 8vo. Lon-
don, 1857.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. July, August, September, 1857.
Svo. London. From the Courtis Fund.

Historical Sketches of Eminent Statesmen. Brougham, Henry, Lord. 2 vols.
8vo. Philadelphia, 1854.

Encyclopaedia Britannica. Vol. XIII. 4to. Boston, 1857. Deposited by the
Republican Institution.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI. 18 DECEMBER 1857.

274

October 7, 1857.

The President in the Chair.

Mr. Theodore Lyman read a paper upon a new genus
and species of Coral, Syndepas GouJdii.

GENUS SYNDEPAS, (Lyiliail.)
Derivation, avv, deTrac, (goblet.)

Growing in tufts (or single ?) ; calicles cylindrical or turbi-
nate ; striated on the outside with granulated ridges ; within
deep ; walls solid ; larger lamelliB exsert, finely toothed on their
edges ; budding from the side, low down, or from the coenen-
chyma between tlie calicles.

This genus is distinguished from Desmophyllura of Ehrenberg
by the fact that the lamellae are toothed and not arranged in
bundles ; from Culicia of Dana, by depth of calicle, external
stria} and exsert lamelli^ ; from Cladocera of Ehrenberg by dif-
ferent mode of growth and by internal dissepiments ; and from
Dendrophyllia of Blainville, by different mode of growth and the
solidity of the walls. The Garyophyllia solitaria (Lesueur) and
the Caryophyllicp dUatata and j^ocillum of Dana will probably
come under the genus.

SYNDEPAS GOULDii, (Lyman.)

The general appearance is that of a cluster of little goblets
connected by a lime cement, which is often the resting-place of
Serpulfe, Bryozoa, and boring shells. The zoophyte buds, either
from the side, low down, or from the open space between the
calicles, {ccenenchyma, Edwards.) The group begins with three
or four cups, low, standing well apart, and connected at their
bases by a thin sheet of ccenenchyma. New buds appear, and
the whole growing upwards and outwards gradually makes a
tuft of crowded though independent individuals. The calicles,
though sometimes cylindrical, are normally turbinate ; within,

275

thej have a depth often as great as 3^ lines. Their height
varies from 3^ to 9^ lines. The tallest are the oldest, and have
continued growing with their younger neiglibors. The greater
diameter is from 4 to 6 lines, and the difference between the
longitudinal and transverse diameters is occasionally as great as
6 to 3^ ; at other times the calicles are nearly round. In the
longitudinal axis there usually lie two lamella? of the first cycle,
which shows a tendency to a bilateral symmetry. The larger
calicles have from 48 to 74 lamella% so that there are four cycles,
and sometimes part of a fifth. Those of the last cycle, however,
are very small and thin, and can scarcely be seen without a lens.
The six that make the first cycle are conspicuous for their size ;
they are rounded at their upper ends, exsert, often as much as a
line, and are thicker than the wall of the calicle. Their sides
are covered with grains, arranged more or less regularly in
curved lines, running from the wall to the edge of the lamella.
Wherever one of these lines ends on the margin, it projects a
little, and thus the edge of tlie lamella is toothed. The lamellae
of the second and third cycles do not materially differ, except in
size, from those of the first. The lamella? are not confined within
the limits of the wall of the calicle, but appear on its outside, as
vertical ridges or striaa, extending often from top to bottom ; in
some instances, however, they are nearly covei-ed by marine in-
crustation to within a line of the top ; and, again, they may be
obliterated by the growth outwards of the wall. These ridges,
which may properly be called the outer edges of the lamellae, are
thicker than the inner edges, but present, to a greater or less
degree, the same granular teeth. The smallest lamella? occa-
sionally bend sidewise and join their neighbors, a feature observed
in its perfection among the Eupsammidte, and, to some extent, in
other families. The columella is frequently wanting, or repre-
sented only by one or two lamellar teeth ; but, on the other hand,
it may form, at the bottom of the calicle, a spongy mass, two or
three lines in diameter. The wall, at its upper margin, is very
thin and diaphanous ; outside, in the spaces between the lamellfe,
it is slightly granulated. It is highly probable that the polyp,
like the Garyophyllia solitaria, has the protruded, Caryophyllian
mouth, and about twenty-two short tentacles, in two rows ; and
farther, that it has the power of raising itself above the edge

276

of the calicle. It is evidently as successful a collector of Crus-
tacea as its numerous kindred ; for, still wedged in the visceral
cavity of one individual, was found part of a small crab.

The specimens were got by Mr. J. P. Couthouy, from the
wreck of the San Pedro, sunk, in 1814, in the bay of Cumana, on
the northeast coast of South America, and were presented by him
to Dr. A. A. Gould. Dr. Gould, after whom I have named the
species, kindly put them all at my disposal to be described.

Prof. Dana briefly notices three species of Caryophyllia, of
which he says : " The following species have been observed only
in the simple state, and may or may not be budding species."
Dana, Zooph. p. 383. The first of these, C. solitaria, has been
described by Lesueur, (Journal Acad. Nat. Scien. Philad. vol. 1,
p. 179,) and is also spoken of by Lamarck. It comes very near
to the present species, but differs as follows : it has fifteen to
sixteen larger lamella?, alternating with smaller, while this species
has, at the most, ten or twelve that can in any way be called
larger. G. solitaria has the margin of the calicle nearly entire,
while S. Gouldii has it rough with heads of lamella. Lesueur's
figure represents the coi-allum partially buried in, or surrounded
by, the substance to which it is attached, a mode of life quite
different from the encrusting habit of the present coral. The
second species, G. pocillum (Dana), is much broader than high,
a proportion not met with in over 150 calicles, young and old,
of aS'. Gouldii which I have examined ; and in which it is rare to
find the breadth as great as the height. The species now under
consideration has only six lamellas decidedly prominent ; while
the other has " twelve larger, very broad and exsert," and " three
intermediate, smaller and one half narrower ; an arrangement
not found at all in the subject of this paper. The third, G. dila-
tata (Dana), differs so strongly that no comparison is required.
All three of these have the outward sti'iae stretching only part
way down the wall, while, in almost all the specimens of S.
Gouldii the striae reach quite to the bottom of the calicle. The
most important distinction of all, however, is, that G. solitaria,
pocillum, and dilatata, have only been seen solitary, while this
species has invariably a grouping habit ; nor do I think a calicle
could be broken off in such a way as to give the idea that it had
grown single. Prof. Dana has been at the trouble of examining

277

a specimen I sent him, and lias written me, that in his opinion
the polyp is new.

This species would come under the family of Caryophyllida^ of
Dana, though his description certainly seems inexact, or at least
ambiguous, when he says ; " coralla within not transversely septate,
surface not lamello-striate ;" for some of the genus Caryophyllia
(e. g. Caryophyllia arhuscula) have dissepiments, and the exterior
of some species is striate, (e. g. O. pocillum, &c.) This family is
represented in the classification of Edwards and Haime by parts
of the families, Eupsammidaj, Turbinolida?, Astreida', Oculinidte,
and Cyathophyllida?. The jiresent genus has all the characters
of the Turbinolida3, but cannot be put with them, on account of
the toothed lamellae ; whereas Edwards expressly says : " The
lamellar lines never separate at their exti'emities, either singly
or in bundles, to form crenellations, teeth, spines, or lobes, and
the free edge of the lamella remains always entire." This only
shows how unphilosophical are the family characters given by
some of the most eminent authorities. It must be pretty plain
that this genus should make one of the natural group that in-
cludes Turbinolia, Desmophyllum, Flabellum, Cyathina, &c.. yet
it cannot be admitted there, according to Edwards, because the
grains on the sides of the lamella3 are continued so as to project
a little beyond the edge.

This genus would fall under Dana's tribe of Caryophyllacea,
which is characterized by " numerous tentacles in two or more
series," inferior gemmation, when any, and many-rayed cells, and
corresponds to parts of Edwards's Sections, Zoantliaria aporosa,
perforata, rugosa, malacodermata, and tabulata. This Tribe and
these Sections would be called, by some systematic writers. Sub-
orders. These great discrepances between distinguished authors,
and that, too, on the threshold of classification, may perhaps be
accounted for by the fact that the classification of Dana is
founded on the polyps themselves and their skeleton, while that
of Edwards and Haime rests principally on the ultimate struc-
ture of the skeleton or polypier. A single instance will put this
difference in a clear light. Edwards puts Madrepores, Porites,
and Dendrophyllige in the same Sub-order, (^Zoantliaria perfo-
rata^ because they all have holes through their walls ; but then
the Dendrophylliifi have numerous tentacles, in two rows, and a

278

protrutling mouth, while Porites and Madrepores have a mouth
on a level with the edge of the calicle, a;nd only twelve tentacles.
Dana therefore puts under Cavyophyllacea the Uendrophyllia;,
and under Madreporacea the Madrepores and Porites.

Dr. A. A. Hayes read a letter from Dr. C. F. Wins-
low, of Troy, N. Y., and presented, in his name, a sup-
posed fragment of a human cranium, found in California,
180 feet below the surface of Table Mountain. The
thanks of the Society were voted for the gift.

Dr. Winslow writes : " I sent by a friend, who was going to
Boston this morning, a precious relic of the human race of earlier
times, found recently in California, 180 feet below the surface of
Table Mountain. As it is the first organic sign of human exist-
ence preceding or coeval with a drift age, or a general or minor
' deluge,' that has been found in the earth, I have thought it
would be interesting for the scientific gentlemen of Boston to
discuss the subject, and for a portion of the fragment sent to me to
be preserved in the cabinet of your Society of Natural History.
My friend Col. Hubbs, whose gold-claims in the mountains seem to
have given him much knowledge of this singular locality, writes
that the fragment was brought up in ' pay dirt ' (the miners' name
for the placer gold drift) of the Columbia claim, and that the
various strata passed through in sinking the shaft consist of vol-
canic formations entirely. Whether his knowledge is accurate
touching the volcanic formations I have some doubt, and have
written foi" more certain information.

" The mastodon's bones being found in the same deposits,
points very clearly to the probability of the appearance of the
human race, on the western portions of North America at least,
before the extinction of those huge creatures. As I have frag-
ments of Mastodon and Eleplias primigenius, or a kindred spe-
cies, taken between ten and twenty feet below the surface, among
the upper placer gold deposits of the same vicinity, it would seem
that man was probably contemporary, for a certain period, with
the closing dynasties of these two formidable races of quadrupeds.
This discovery of human and mastodon remains in the same
locality gives also great strength to the possible truth of the old

279

Tndian tradition of tlie contemporary existence of the mammoth
and aboriginals of this region of tlie globe."

Dr. A. A. Hayes also read a letter from Mr. A. P.
Davis, of Buchanan, Liberia, giving some farther par-
ticulars in relation to the discovery of Native Iron in
Africa.

Mr. Davis, from whom the specimen analyzed by Dr. Hayes
Avas received, in the present letter describes the mass found as
" being as large as the crown of a man's hat, and like a rock, of
a yellow color taken from the earth. From its appearance I
supposed it would break into pieces ; but it resisted the repeated
blows of a sledge-hammer of fifteen pounds weight ; and I could
not separate it by breaking, as the hardest blows only flattened
it. It was by these means we found out it was malleable. The
huge bulk was put in the fire and blown to, until it became suffi-
ciently hot to be cut. It was divided into many parts, and some
of the same bulk was actually ore, not malleable at all. It had
a very craggy appearance, with many cells in it. Where the
ore is to be had, or the distance that the ore in question came
from, is about four to six days' travel. I have none now, but
will, with Div^ine help, get some as soon as possible."

Dr. Hayes added that he was indebted to the efforts and kind-
ness of Rev. Joseph Tracy, of the Colonization Society, for the
letter from Mr. Davis, and other intei'esting facts in relation to
the natural productions of the country bordering on the lands of
the colony of Liberia.

The President exhibited specimens of curiously inter-
twining and intergrowing woods from Surinam ; they
were referred to the Curator of Botany.

The Curator of Crustacea exhibited the Crustacea
collected in California by Mr. E. Samuels, together with
other specimens presented by the Smithsonian Insti-
tution. Among them are several new species described
by Mr. Stimpson in the forthcoming number of the So-
ciety's Journal.

280

The Curator of Ichthyology presented a Fish from the
North Atlantic, a new species, and probably belonging
to a genus new to North America.

Dr. S. Kneeland presented about fifty specimens of
Mammalia, Birds, and Reptiles from Lake Superior.

Dr Kneeland remarked that, as yet, there wei'e no rats and
common mice at Portage Lake, the place of these animals being
filled by the Flying Sqnirrels which breed in the walls of the
houses, and by the Field Mice.

The reptile, described by him at a former meeting (Proceed-
ings, Vol. VI. p. 152) as a Siredon, is a Menobranchus, but prob-
ably a new species, as it does not answer to the descriptions of
either M. maculatus or M. lateralis. If it is new, the specific
name of M. hyemalis would hold good. The salamanders, trout,
and tortoises vary somewhat from described species.

Mr. F. H. Storer exhibited some proof-sheets of a work
upon the Plants of Austria, by Ettingshausen and Pokor-
ny, recently published at the Imperial Printing- Office in
Vienna. The impressions, from which these prints were
struck off, are obtained by the process known as " Na-
ture's own Engraving," in which the dried plant to be
copied is placed between a sheet of steel and another of
very pure soft lead, and all together subjected to great
pressure by passage between rollers. An impression of
the plant, even in microscopic details of the most delicate
Algae, is thus transferred to the soft lead — the plant
being forced into it, — from which any number of copies
may be taken by electrotyping.

Examples of the application of this process in the
delineation of other objects, such as small animals,
agates, fossil impressions, sections of wood, lace, &c.,
were also exhibited.

Dr. D. H. Storer stated that he had lately received a
fine specimen of the Sting Ray from Dr. E. W. Carpen-
ter, of Chatham. It proves to be the Paslinaca hastata

281

of Dekay. It measured nine feet from the snout to the
extremity of the tail. It is described by Dekay as hav-
ing three caudal spines ; this specimen, however, pre-
sented but one, and the stump of a second, anterior to it.

DEPARTMENT OP MICROSCOPY.

The Secretary, Dr. B. S. Shaw, exhibited specimens of
the larva of some species of Fly {Musca or (Estrus),
which were found in the skin of the scalp, face, neck,
and back of a child seven days old.

The specimens were imbedded in pustules of about one eighth
of an inch in diameter, resting upon an inflamed base half an inch
or more in width. The only specimen preserved for examination
was placed in alcohol. After it had been immersed in this fluid
for sevei'al days, it was found to measure a quarter of an inch in
length by a sixteenth in breadth. Color white. Body composed
of eleven segments, exclusive of head ; anterior portion of each
segment surrounded by a band of bristles or spines. Head
armed with two black booklets ; no visible mouth.

Cuvier speaks of the mouth of the cutaneous larvas as " being
composed of fleshy lobes only, whilst that of the internal larvae
is armed with two strong bent hooks." If this is true, the natu-
ral nidus of these larvae would seem to be the internal organs
rather than the skin. Humboldt, Rudolphi, Linnaeus, Gmelin,
and others, speak of a species of Qilstrus as (Estrus hominis.
This species, however, so far as is known, has only been met
with in South America, and when thoroughly studied may prove
to be identical with one of those better known. In endeavoring
to ascertain what is known concerning the presence of maggots in
the human body, the Secretary had met with a large number of
cases where the mucous membranes had been infested with them,
and with several cases where the skin had been chosen as the
nidus for the larva or agg. Of the Coleopterous insects, such as
beetles, mealworms, &c., he had collected between thirty and
forty cases, where their larvai had been found in the stomach,
intestines, urinary organs, nostrils, and inner canthus of eye.
The larvai of Neuroptera and Lepidoptera have been found in

282

similar situations. Of the larvfe of Diptera, those of Musca and
CEstrus seem to be most common ; those of Musca forming by
far the largest number of any one genus, thirty-seven cases hav-
ing been tabulated and reported by Mr. F. W. Hope, in the
Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, Vol. II.
The species of these maggots was generally unknown ; but many
were recognized as belonging to M. vomitoria., M. carnaria, and
M. domestica.

The genus Oestrus seems to be that which most frequendy
deposits upon the extei'nal surfjice of the human body. Of these
cases he had met with Ivvo upon the scrotum, two in the skin of
the abdomen, two in the scalp, and one in each of the following
named situations, — leg, arm, scapula, ear, jaws, antrum, and
stomach. These larvae were either called Oestrus hominis, or
they were described without a specific name, with the exception
of one, which was CEstrus bovis.

A full account of this case was read before the Boston
Society for Medical Improvement, and published in the
Boston Medical and Surgical Journal of October 8, 1857.

Mr. C. J. Sprague exhibited specimens of a new fun-
gus, Glcsosporium crocosporum, Berk, and Curt, named
from specimens collected by himself.

This fungus is found very commonly in autumn upon various
kinds of melon. It appears in orange spots upon the outer sur-
face, and is generally found in places which seem to have re-
ceived a blow. Sometimes, however, the fungus covers the
whole fruit in a yellow and orange incrustation. It belongs to
that numerous family of fungi which infest the leaves and bark
of all plants, and the epidermis of fruits. There is no true peri-
thecium, but the spores spring in myriads from a nucleus just
beneath the epidermis, and then ooze forth through an aperture
in irregular granular masses drying on the surface. They are
elongated oval in shape, and of a clear yellow-orange color in
mass.

Mr. Sprague also exhibited the spores under a microscope.

283

October 21, 1857.

The President in the Chair.

In the absence of the Recording Secretary, Mr. C. J.
Sprague was chosen Secretary 7?ro tern. I ^\

Dr. A. A. Gould read a letter from Prof. Hubbard of
Dartmouth College, giving an account of a fish which was
seen to fall to the earth, during a sudden squall of wind
and rain, in a town in Vermont. Dr. Gould thought the
fact interesting, as corroborating several instances of the
same kind which had previously been recorded, some of
which had come to his own knowledge.

Dr. Gould also stated that a letter had been sent to him
through Prof. Lovering by Mr. George S. Blackie, written
by Prof. Gregory of Edinburgh to the late Prof. Bailey.
Dr. Gould read several passages of general interest
regarding certain observations made by Prof. Gregory
on the Diatomaceous Exuviae of the Post-Tertiary sand
at Glenshira, near Inverary, the greater part of the letter
being devoted to a close criticism on certain new forms.
Several prepared specimens, and a number of pamphlets
on the subject, were laid on the table, to be added to the
collection of Prof. Bailey.

On motion of Dr. Gould, it was voted that the receipt
of the letter and specimens be acknowledged with thanks
to Prof. Gregory.

Dr. Kneeland presented a large number of specimens,
collected by himself, illustrating the different forms in
which the copper occurs, and the various rocks with
which it is associated, in the Lake Superior district of
Keweenaw Point.

All the copper, with the exception of a small amount of car-
bonate near the surface, which he liad seen over this extensive

284

district, was the pure metal ; — he showed its different forms of
mass, leaf, and botrjoidal copper ; of rounded pieces, varying
from a rifle ball to a small shot in size, scattered through the
rock, called shot copjyer ; and also the metal in a crystalline form,
in curiously contorted spiculae, and in the thinnest laminae.
Associated with the metal were the various forms of granular
and aniygdaloidal trap, tabular spar, quartz, epidote, prehnite,
calc-spar, &c. ; crystals of dog-tooth spar, of calc-spar containing
copi)er, of quartz, &c. Some of the specimens were blackened
by the kiln-tires employed to facilitate the separation of the
matrix. The specimens were from the Minntsota, Cliff, and
Portage Lake districts. He also presented several specimens of
native silver associated with copper ; of agates from the lake
shore ; of chlorastrolites, found only on Isle Royale island ; of
sulphuret of copper and rose quartz from the noi'th shore of the
lake ; and of fossil corals from the drift. He thought the speci-
mens of value, not only mineralogically, but especially as illus-
trating this particular and almost unique copper deposit ; for
such a series he had looked in vain Avhen wishing to study this
subject, and he thought the present collection, with others he
made last winter from the same localities, would be of great
value to any one pursuing this study at so great a distance from
the copper region.

Dr. Bacon exhibited a calculus taken from the urethra
of an ox. It consisted essentially of silica, with a little
carbonate and phosphate of lime. It measured about
four lines in diameter, and presented a rough or tubercu-
lated surface.

Dr. Wyman asked how common calculi of this chemi-
cal composition are.

Dr. Bacon said that very few cases are on record, but
that probably many passed unnoticed.

Dr. Gould asked whether the lime-salts were diffused
throughout the mass or not.

Dr. Bacon said that in this case they are uniformly
diffused. The silica was amorphous, not crystalline.

Dr. Kneeland, who brought the specimen from the

285

neighborhood of Lake Superior, said that the animal
died from this obstruction. The calculus was perfectly
impacted in the urethra, so as to prevent the egress of
the bloody urine which distended the bladder.*

Mr. John Green made some remarks upon the micro-
scopic structure of certain fish scales he had recently
been examining; he showed them to be of bony struc-
ture, which he considered to have an important bearing
on classification.

Dr. Gould alluded to some recent observations in
France in relation to the reproduction of Arachnides, or
rather their power of producing fertile eggs, though com-
pletely isolated from the male. Blanchard found that
the genital apparatus of the female was composed of two
ample tubes to which the ovarian crypts were attached.
These serve as reservoirs in which the seminal fluid accu-
mulates, through which the eggs pass and are impreg-
nated ; but which is not exhausted by one ovulation,
serving for many subsequent occasions. Blanchard
therefore concludes that one coupling is necessary, and
serves for several years. M. Delfraysse had in like man-
ner invoked anatomy to settle the question. He like-
wise finds the two tubes and the fecundating liquid ; but
states that he has found two little glandular bodies be-
tween the ovaries and tubes, which secrete the fertilizing
fluid. He therefore concludes that the animals are her-
maphrodite ; — that the seminal fluid is furnished at the
time of laying eggs, and not kept in store ; and that no
copulation is absolutely necessary. Dr. G. remarked
that there was evidently room for further anatomical
research, and did not see how the latter conclusion com-
ported with the well-known organization of the Arach-
nides as males and females.

* In the account of Calculi from the bladder of an ox, upon page 213 of this
volume, it should have been stated that their composition was nearly pure silica.
Secretary.

286

Mr. Sprague laid on the table a package of AlgaB, pre-
sented to the Society by Mr. B. D. Greene. They
formed part of Prof. Harvey's collections, and came
from Australia, Ceylon, and the Friendly Islands. They
were beautifully prepared with printed labels, and fur-
nished another instance of Mr. Greene's liberality to the
Society.

The Corresponding Secretary was instructed to make
a fitting acknowledgment to Mr. Greene for the donation.

The President made some remarks on the mode of
reproduction of certain fishes in Surinam, and detailed
some interesting points of structure in their eyes.

Mr. Joseph Tillinghast and Mr. George H. Rogers, of
Gloucester, were elected Resident Members.

November 4, 1857.

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

Dr. Jackson exhibited crystals of sugar produced by
the Sorghum saccharatum, or Chinese Sugar Cane. They
were six-sided prisms, and rhombic prisms with angles
of 103° and 77° — crystallographic proof, as he consid-
ered, of their being cane sugar.

Dr. Jackson stated that the young plant contains gum or dex-
trine, and glucose. As the period of inflorescence is approached,
large quantities of starch globules may be seen in the cells of the
plant. If, at this period, the stalk is pressed, the fluid which
exudes is found slightly milky, owing to the presence of starch
globules, which subside after some time. When the seed ripens,
the starch diminishes in quantity in the cane, and the expressed
juice gives, upon evaporation, almost wholly cane sugai-. This
is a point of interest in the manufacture of sugar. The presence
of starch in the syrup prevents the ready formation of crystals of

287

cane sugar, and it should therefore be removed by decantation
or filtration. Fermentation of the syrup and the conversion of
the sugar into lactic acid and raannite takes place in warm
weather. It should therefore be boiled before viscous fermen-
tation takes place. Dr. Jackson expressed the opinion that the
Sorghum would ripen in the Northern States in warm seasons, if
planted early.

Mr. Theodore Lyman read a paper upon a new spe-
cies of Coral, as follows : —

The genus Oculina, established in 1816 by Lamarck, includes
the polyps distinguished by the solidity of their corallum through-
out ; to this feature may be added, that they have generally a
tendency to branching, and an abundance of solid tissue between
the calicles. The animals themselves, so far as observed, have a
well-marked central disk, and about twenty-four slender, tapering
tentacles, alternating longer and shorter. Prof. Dana (1848)
describes nine species under the genus Oculina, and six species
under the genus Allopora, which was included by Lamarck's
genus Oculina, and which includes Allopora (Ehrenberg, 1834)
and Stylaster (Gray, 1831). Milne Edwards and Haime (Mon-
ographie des Oculinides, Annales des Scien. Nat. 3^™<^ Serie,
tome xiii. 1850,) have established a family of Oculinida;, which
includes, besides new species, all species under the above-named
genera. This family has twenty genera, principally character-
ized by the modes of budding, the variations of the columella and
paluli, the smoothness or roughness of the surface, and the shapes
of the lamellae. Of these genei"a, several are fossil, and others
have only new species. The species, according to Dana, are
changed as follows, by Edwards, 0. diff'usa, varicosa, and pallens
appear under the name diffusa ; 0. ocidata and virginea become
oculata. 0. horrescens is transferred to the genus Acrhelia ;
0. prolifera to Lophelia ; 0. axillaris to Cyathelia ; and 0. hir-
tella to Schlerhelia. And, finally, the Caryophyllia anilwphyllum
of Dana is brought into this family and put in the genus Lophe-
lia. It should be observed that these genera of Edwards and
Haime are, as usual in their classification, founded entirely on
the structure of the polyp frame, without reference to the soft
parts.

288

OCULINA GLOMERATA, Lyman.

Mass, encrusting a piece of sheet lead. In two or three places
there are signs of" the beginnings of branchlets. Corallum solid,
granulated slightly in the spaces between the calicles. Calicles
in some places crowded, and with numerous buds among them ;
generally 1^^ lines broad, and often f line high ; round, upright,
striated and granulated outside ; a few much larger than the rest.
LamelltB, in the full-grown calicles, 26, rarely less, and in a few
instances as many as 38 ; a little exsert, rather delicate, every
other one reaching the centre ; all toothed for their whole length,
and the larger ones with two or three little lobes, the lower of
which might be considered as paluli ; sides finely toothed. Colu-
mella small generally, and inclined to be spongy.

The specimen is a couple of inches long and an inch high. It
was broughr by Mr. Couthouy from the wreck of the San Pedro,
sunk in 1814 in the bay of Cumana ; and is now in the collec-
tion of Dr. A. A. Gould. This species would come under the
genus Oculina as defined by Edwards. The other species differ
from it as follows : 0. virginea, Indian Ocean ; calicles far apart ;
rarely more than 24 lamellas — calicles a little swelled at the
base. 0. speciosa differs like the preceding, and has moreover
two circles of distinct paluli. 0. Petiveri, calicles distant, strongly
swelled at the base, and with furrows between. 0. Banhsii, cal-
icles distant, liardly raised above the surface, surrounded by a
depression. 0. Valenciennesi, calicles little prominent, sometimes
even depressed. 0. Jissipara, fissiparous ; • lamellae irregular.
O. varicosa, calicles farther apart ; lamella? stouter, less toothed ;
cavity deeper ; only 24 lamella?. 0. diffusa, calicles farther
apart ; lamellae stouter, little, or not at all, exsert, 24 in number.
0. pallens, calicles larger, deeper ; lamella? much stouter, and
less toothed. There is but one Oculina known which is encrust-
ing in its growth. This is the 0. conferta, (British Fossil
Corals, p. 27, tab. 11, fig. 2, 1850,) which is an eocene fossil, and
may, perhaps, with the present species, be only the young state
of an arborescent form.

Dr. Jackson read a communication from John Bachel-
der, Esq., dated Monument, October 27, 1857, upon the

289

Ruins of a Trading House erected by the Pilgrims at
that place. The communication was presented, upon
motion of Dr. Jackson, to the Massachusetts Historical
Society.

Prof. Theophilus Parsons presented a section of an
Elm, which exhibited a singular involuted growth ap-
pearing after the falling of a large limb.

The growth occurred at the edge of a hollow in the trunk, and
presented the appearance of a curling inward of the edge of the
cavity, — by which it was several times rolled upon itself, the
bark following the curl to its termination. Prof. Parsons, in
reply to a question from the Corresponding Secretary, stated that
this curl, if unrolled, would more than span the gap on the edge
of which it was found.

Mr. Sprague thought that the curvature of the tree admitted
of simple explanation. The falling of the large bough had car-
ried with it a considerable portion of the heart wood of the tree,
leaving the centre exposed to decay. As, year after year, this
central portion disappeared, the outer, living shell became thin-
ner and thinner, and began to assume a convolute form, from the
growth being always on one surface only. The shrinking and
drying of the internal part, joined to the swelling and increasing
of the external part, had gradually curved the rim of wood, like
the convolute estivation of some corollas. As the tree grew in
height, the aperture left by the fallen bough, and increased by
the subsequent decay, gradually became narrower by the shrink-
age and inward growth of the margins.

Prof. Parsons concurred with Mr. Sprague in this expla-
nation.

The Corresponding Secretary read the following letters, viz :
From the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, April 7 ;
the Academy of Science of St. Louis, June 6, and September 11 ;
the American Philosophical Society, Sept. 10 ; the Academic
Royale, &c. de Belgique, Bruxelles, January 15, 1856, and Feb-
ruary 6, 1857 ; K. Akademie der Wissensehaften, Wien, April
10, 1857; Royal Society of Sciences at Gottingen, April 18,

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. VOL. VI. 19 .TANITARY, 1858.

290

1857 ; Smithsonian Institution, June, 1857, acknowledging the
receipt of the Proceedings of the Society ; Verein fiir Natur-
kunde in Nassau, March 1, 1857 ; Cambridge Philosophical
Society, February 26, 1857 ; K. Akademie der Wissenschaften,
Wien, November 24, 1856, presenting their various publications.
From Prof Joseph Lovering, July 20, presenting, in behalf of
the American Association for the Advancement of Science, its
Proceedings ; Academy of Natural Sciences, June 19, asking for a
missing number of the Journal ; the Georgic Association, Ran-
dolph, N. Y., July 21, asking for the publications of the Society ;
Geological Museum, Calcutta, January, 1857, making the same
request, and sending its own Memoirs ; and from James H.
Slawson, Houghton, Michigan, acknowledging his election as
Corresponding Member.

DEPARTMENT OF MICROSCOPY.

Mr. John Green exhibited a large number of thin sec-
tions of the Bush Ropes, so called, — peculiar woods ob-
tained by him in Surinam, and made some extended
remarks upon their method of growth. He said he was
preparing a paper upon the subject, which he should read
when his examinations are completed.

Dr. James C. White exhibited the Eggs of the Itch
Insect, Sarcoptes ho7}iinis.

He remarked that, as is now well known, it is the female only
which burrows. She bores transversely downwards through the
skin, but never to a great depth beneath the surface. Each day
as she moves onward she leaves an egg behind her. After she
has deposited fourteen, the larva of the first matures and creeps
out upon the surface, there to ramble with the other young and
males till maturity, when if a female, and after copulation with a
male, also an outsider, it repeats the process above mentioned.
Each day a young one emerges from the burrow, leaving behind
the membranous walls of its cell. The acarus may thus extend
its hole indefinitely, even to the extent of four inches, and its
course may be traced by a white elevated line on the skin. It

291

never leaves its burrow ; but if a pustule should be formed above
it, by the scratching of the patient, the larvse are destroyed ; but
the mother cunningly emerges to the surface at the edge of the
pustule, and commences a downward descent anew. The male is
much smaller than the female, and has ten extremities. The
female wants one of these posteriorly, and the young three. She
is also armed with two saw-like claws, which cut a way through
the tissues by a transverse motion over each other as the blades
of scissors do. Hebra thinks the opening for the exit of the
eggs is a fold or valve on the belly, which may be easily seen,
though it has never been figured.

The present specimen was snipped from the glans penis, a
favorite and undisturbed lurking-place. It consists of a canal
bored obliquely through the tissues, containing a series of twelve
eggs, together with fcecal matter, strewn along the passage.
When first cut out, the animal herself was seen at the lower ex-
tremity with one egg in her body. The first two or three
eggs were quite mature, so that the extremities of the young
could be distinctly made out. She generates but one egg a day,
though Bourgignon says he has seen four at once in her body.
Hebra thinks this impossible, and he is probably correct, as he
has made them an especial study, cultivating a colony on himself
for two or three months. He once saw the two sexes in act of
coition, belly to belly. The same species occurs on the lion,
camel, and other animals.

Dr. White showed also the spores of the parasitic
plant of Pityriasis versicolor.

The specimen was taken two or three days since from the
back of a gentleman who was not aware of any cutaneous dis-
ease. There were some dozen patches, the largest the size of a
pea. They present a yellow appearance, are elevated, and con-
sist of epidermal cells, between the layers of which the parasite
is found. Some alkaline carbonate is added to make the epi-
thelium transparent. It is still a mooted point whether the para-
site is the cause of the disease, or merely a growth in an exuda-
tive process. The fact that we sometimes fail to find the parasite
tends to the latter conclusion. Microscopically, it consists of

292

spores, containing a fat-like nucleus, grouped together between
the layers of the epithelial cells. Sometimes the cells, by union,
form long branching tubes, with here and there a nucleus scattered
along their course. The cells sometimes subdivide also. It does
not appear to be very rare here, as Dr. White had seen three
cases in as many weeks.

Mr. C. J. Sprague exhibited five specimens of Artotro-
g-us Asterophora, Fr., parasitic upon Nyctalis, and showed
the copious echinulate spores under the microscope. He
also exhibited specimens of a nearly allied fungus, Sepe-
donium cei'vimmi, Fr., which is rare, and which in this
case grew upon a matrix where it had not before been
detected.

This fungus has generally been associated with Peziza macro-
pus^ and was imperfectly figured by Ditmar upon this plant in
Sturm's Fl. Deutsch, where the species was first described under
the name of 31ycogone cervimim. The specimens exhibited were
found by Mr. Denis Murray upon Helvella ephippium Lev. The
lower portion of the hymenial surface was clothed with a white,
felty envelope, while the upper portion was brown with the copi-
ous spores of the ripened parasite. The spoi'es were exhibited
under the microscope in dilFerent stages of growth and maturity.
Mingled with them were many spores of an entirely different
character. They were linear, narrowed at each end, uniseptate,
pellucid, nearly colorless, with a yellowish tinge. Mr. Sprague
had detected their growth from the ends of long, slender fila-
ments, much smaller than those of the Sepidonium. Bonorden
mentions that other parasites are frequently found in company
with the Sepedonium, such as Monosphorium and Sporotrichum ;
but neither of these genera bear spores like those in question.

Prof. Parsons, of Cambridge, exhibited and presented
a specimen of Infusorial Earth, from the neighborhood
of Bangor, Maine. Copper was said to have been de-
tected in the silica of which the specimen was composed.

Dr. J. C. White was appointed one of the Committee
on Chemistry of the Department of Microscopy.

293

November 18, 1857.

The President in the Chair.

Dr. Hayes remarked that a specimen of Infusorial Earth,
(which was afterwards identified as part of the specimen referred
to in the proceedings of the last meeting,) given to him by Dr.
A. A. Gould, had been submitted to chemical examination, with-
out the detection of any compound of copper, either mixed or
combined with it. The existence of copper, as part of the ma-
terial of the Navicula, would be an interesting fact ; but in the
present state of our knowledge, there is no evidence afforded by
chemical analysis in support of such an opinion.

Dr. Hayes stated, in connection with the reported presence of
cane sugar in the expressed juice of the variety of sorghum cul-
tivated somewhat extensively the last two years, that he had
grave doubts of its production anywhere, as an immediate prin-
ciple. One or two varieties of sorghum, which really pro-
duce cane sugar, had doubtless been cultivated, and had afforded
sugar directly. Without having had an opportunity offered for
an analysis of the secretion in the stalk, as cultivated so far south
as where the ordinary cane can be reared, his most careful in-
quiries had resulted in the conclusion that there, as well as here,
glucose alone is contained in the cells of the plant. In Georgia
and South Carolina the utmost efforts to obtain sugar from the
juice, both on the large scale of manufacture and Ik more refined
and varied operations, have failed, and the most recent informa-
tion includes the fact that the product, obtained in Louisiana, side
by side with that of the ordinary cane, sent to St. Louis for refin-
ing, did not prove to be sugar. Masses of crystaUine matter
have been obtained by evaporating the syrup ; but when it is
remembered that a gallon of the expressed juice of the fully
ripened plant contains more than an ounce of salts of potash,
lime, &c., the production of a compound of glucose and salts is
not surprising.

If the plant secreted cane sugar, we should not from analogy
expect that a change of habitat, allowing the plant to perfect its

294

cells, would lead to the formation of glucose only. Nor should
we, in view of the experience, especially in our Southern States,
meet with the two or three doubtful cases recorded of sugar pro-
duct ; but as in the beet, the maple, and the cane, sugar, as a
constant jjroximate constituent, would be found in the sorghum
juice.

The President gave an account of some observations
on the development of Anableps Gronovii, as compared
with that of the Embiotocas of California.

Prof. Agassiz has described these last as having a " true ova-
rian gestation." This statement is true, but in a somewhat dif-.
ferent sense from that in which the development of Anableps
may be considered ovarian. In Embiotocas the ovary is divided
internally into numerous compartments by folds of lining mem-
brane which project into its cavity ; these folds are germ pro-
ducing, as the young ova may be seen between their layers, even
when the foetuses are being developed in the cavity of the
ovary. Nothing has been determined as yet as to the period
when the ovum of Embiotocas leaves the ovisac, whether before
or after impregnation. Wherever it has been observed, the foetus
has been found in the cavity of the ovary, enveloped in the long-
itudinal folds of its lining membrane. In Anableps, the gesta-
tion is carried on to its completion, or nearly so, in the ovisac ;
this last grows as the foetus is developed, becomes quite vascular,
and by its apposition with the vascular papillte of the yelk sac,
carries on those interchanges between the parent and the foetus
which are necessary for respiration and nutrition.

Dr. C. T. Jackson exhibited to the Society a portion
of the supposed meteoric stone from Marblehead, which
was brought to him for analysis on the 14th November.

He remarked that it bore so close a resemblance to the slag of
a copper smelting furnace, that he at first hardly thought it
worth the trouble of analyzing, but since it might become im-
portant to record the real composition of this alleged meteoric
matter,.he had made the analysis, with the following results per
cent. : —

295

Per oxide of iron - =58.72=metallic iron, 41,12

Silica - - - 34.48

Alumina - - - 2.40

Magnesia - - 0.39

Sulphur (bj difference) 4.01

100.00

Search was made for nickel, copper, and chrome, but no trace
of those metals was discovered. The proportions of iron and of
silica were not different from those of meteoric stones, but per-
haps the perfect oxidation and combination of the iron with the
nitric acid was the strongest evidence of its terrestrial origin that
the specimen presents ; for even had nickel been discovered in
it, this would not alone prove its celestial origin, since the copper
ores worked at Point Shirley often contain nickel, which would
be likely to be found in some of the slags.

Mr. Edwin Harrison, of Cambridge, reported the result
of an analysis of two specimens of Magnetite, the first
from the Iron Mountain, the second from the Pilot Knob,
Missouri.

IRON MOUNTAIN ORE.

Iron 68.95

Oxygen 27.00

Sand and Silic. of Alum. - - - - 3.07

Manganese ------ (trace)

Spec, grav., 3.997 at 13.°1 centigr.

99.02

PILOT KNOB ORE.

Iron - 54.307

Oxygen ------ 26.720

Insol. subs, in H. CI. - - - - 17.509

Spec, grav., 3.137 at ll.°5 centigr.

98.536

296

Mr. Sprague read the names of a small collection of
cryptogamous ])lants brought by Dr. Samuel Kneeland,
Jr., from the Lake Superior region, as follows, namely : —

Agaricus Orcdla, Bull. ; Lycoperdon ijyriforme, Schoeff. ;
Polyporus perennis, Fr., hirsutus, Fr., Cetulinus, Fr., igniarius,
Fr., applanatus, Pers. ; Tnbercularia pezizoidea, Scliw. ; Usnea
longissiyna, Ach. ; Sticta pulmonaria, Acli. ; Nechera pennata,
Hedw.

These species are all common over a broad area of the
United States. They are mainly interesting as defining their
range, and showing how little change is exhibited in the
growths of a region extending thousands of miles.

The President announced the resignation of Patrick
T. Jackson, Esq., as Trustee of the Courtis Fund. It
was voted to present the thanks of the Society to Mr.
Jackson for his able and efficient services, and Mr. James
M. Barnard was chosen Trustee of the Courtis Fund in
his place.

December 2, 1857.
The President in the Chair.

Dr. C. T. Jackson observed that a question having been raised
as to the variety of sorghum from which the crystallized cane
sugar exhibited at the last two meetings was obtained, he now
presented to the Society the panicle of the plant he had ope-
rated upon, with the ripe seed attached, which the members
would observe was the true Chinese variety of the sorghum, and
such as grows in this vicinity.

He also presented specimens of the fructification of that
vai'iety of the sorghum from Caffraria, called there the Im-
phee, which is suited only to warm climates, and will not
ripen in New England, but which, in warm seasons, ripens in
the Southern States.

297

He remarked that, after having both last year and this demon-
strated that the Chinese sugar cane produces, when ri[)e, true
cane sugar with its perfect crystals, having all the replacements
and secondary forms belonging to cane sugar, and wholly incom-
patible with the forms of grape sugar, or glucose, and having
publicly made this demonstration before the Society, by aid of
excellent microscopes, he could not consider the nature of the
sugar an open or undecided question, about which members had
a right to entertain different opinions. It was an absolute
demonstrated fact, beyond question. He had shown that the
unripe plant produces grape sugar, which is readily crystal-
lizable by suitable operations, and the form of those ciystals is
that of grape or fruit sugar, wholly incompatible with that of the
cane sugar so abundantly found in the ripe plant. He stated
that the ripe sorghum juice gives from 12 to 18 per cent, of
saccharine matter, and, by the usual process of sugar-making in
a practical way, nine per cent, of good crystallized cane sugar.

He had operated also on the Implice, which, when unripe,
gave also grape sugar, and, when ripe, good crystallized cane
sugar. The failui-es alluded to by Dr. Hayes, as having taken
place at the South, were from operations on the unripe Imphee in
South Carolina.

Dr. A. A. Hayes read the following paper, on a chem-
ical change which takes place in the glucose of the
sorghum : —

In a paper communicated to this Society some months since, I
alluded to the fact, that the glucose of the sorghum cultivated in
New England, like fluid fruit sugar, passes to the condition of
dry, or crystalline fruit sugar. The subsequent more careful
investigation of this change led to the observation, that the action
is continuous, proceeding indeed during many months, and
resulting finally in the production from pure glucose of sugar
having the higher grade of a variety of heet root, or cane sugar.

In the account which follows, the experiments were made on
the glucose of that variety of sorghum which has dark purple
seed coverings, the variety generally cultivated in our northern
States.

298

When we extract the saccharine matter of the stalk of the
sorghum, either by expression, or through the aid of water, and
purify the solution by means of animal charcoal, we obtain glu-
cose, holding in solution some salts of potash, lime, and soda.
This glucose does not afford crystals by evaporation in desiccated
air, nor does alcohol, saturated with cane sugar, leave undis-
solved any sugar.

The perfectly formed cells of the plant, triturated with animal
charcoal, afford to boiling alcohol the same substance. The dry
glucose is abundantly soluble in alcohol of 86 per cent., and the
dense syrup of the same dissolves without limit in it. After ex-
posure in warm air, crystalline concretions, resembling dry
grape sugar, form in isolated masses. Analysis shows a large
proportion of saline matter, composed of phosphoric acid, chlo-
rine, sulphuric acid, acetic acid and potash, soda, lime, and oxide
of iron. This saline matter forms a compound with the glucose,
and thus makes up the crystalline grains, which first appear in
the dense syrup. These are constant results, in treating the
plant which has been cultivated the two past seasons, and they
present no remarkable feature, in comparison with those obtained
on glucose from other soui'ces.

After the lapse of several weeks, however, the pure glucose
which has been withdi'awn from the foreign aggregates exhibits
the production of crystalhne points, which, becoming numerous,
soon assume the forms of regular crystals. These crystals in-
crease in volume, but while forming in the glucose they present
skeletons, rather than solid crystals, of a pure substance, and are
often grouped. Crude syrup, remaining after the concentration
of the juice by rapid boiling, undei'goes the same modification,
and crystallized sugar slowly separates from samples which
originally did not contain any.

Slips of the pith of the plant, which had been carefully exam-
ined under the microscope, without any traces of crystals being
found, after some months, show their cells filled with voluminous,
dry crystals. Repeated trials prove that the chemical change,
resulting in the production of the crystals, from glucose, is not
dependent on exposure to air and loss of water, but it takes
place when the syrup is kept in closed bottles.

As the glucose is abundantly soluble in alcohol of 90 per cent..

299

this agent enables us to learn at any moment the production of
sugar in a sample ; the sugar when formed being nearly insolu-
ble in cold alcohol. Thus, when a certain number of crystals
have formed, if we withdraw by solution in alcohol the unchanged
glucose, and after dissipating the alcohol, allow it to repose,
crystallization recommences in the portion removed, and repe-
tition^ of this experiment may be made, until after about ten
months, small portions only of unaltered glucose remain.

Although the evidence of the conversion of the glucose, step
by step, into sugar, aiForded by the action of alcohol, is impor-
tant, the observations here recorded are based upon experiments
made in a similar manner, with the alkaline solution of tartrate
of copper, and acidulated alcohol saturated with cane sugar ; they
leave no doubt that the normal saccharine juice of the plant be-
comes, per se, converted into sugar, forming regular crystals of
large size. These crystals, by solution in water, are easily puri-
fied, losing their porous structure and becoming solid, transpar-
ent, and colorless modifications of the rhombic prism from an
aqueous solution. They are always apparently more volumi-
nous than the crystals of cane sugar, formed under like circum-
stances, but they have all the brilliancy of cane sugar. In
chemical characters, the most pure crystals yet obtained show a
diversity when compared with cane or palm sugar. They are
less soluble in water ; in sulphuric acid they do not exhibit the
same depth of coloration that cane sugar does. With the copper
test, a partial I'eduction takes place, under the same conditions,
where cane sugar does not produce change on this agent.

The conclusion reached is, that this sugar, wholly unlike any
variety of glucose or fruit sugar, belongs to a higher class, and
probably will rank with beet sugar, in most of its characters.

The present is the first instance, within my knowledge, of the
conversion of any variety of glucose into a sugar of high grade,
after its extraction artificially.

Dr. Jackson remarked that the statements made by Dr. Hayes
in his paper were so extraordinary, and so opposed to the expe-
rience of both scientific and practical men, that those results
should be verified by others before they could be believed. If
Dr. Hayes had discovered that the juice of the sorghum, after it

300

was expressed, would change, per se, into cane sugar, it was a
most important discovery ; for no chemist or practical operator
had ever attained such a result. Dr. Jackson was aware that
starch changes into dextrine, then into grape sugar, and lastly
into cane sugar, in the living organism of the plant, and that
some of these changes could be effected by chemical art, but thus
far no one had ever known grape to change into cane sugar^ut of
the living organisms, though the contrary operation was not un-
common, namely, the conversion of cane sugar into glucose, or
even mannite.

Up to this time we are not aware that any authority states
that glucose can, by the action of any salts, be changed into
cane sugar.

He remarked that the term cane sugar was not restricted to a
species, but to a group or family, having a rhombic prism for
the primary form, and that there was undoubtedly some slight
difference to be found in the dimensions of their crystalline an-
gles, all of which, however, fall within the limits of the general
form known as that of cane sugar, and are incompatible with
grape sugar, which belongs to the cubic system. The sugar of
the ripe sorghum has the crystalline form, and all the physical
and chemical properties of cane sugar, and cannot be classed
with any other. It exists ready formed in the cells of the plant,
and may be seen by aid of the microscope in them when the
plant is dried rapidly. It is obtained immediately on expression
of a few drops of the juice upon a plate of glass, on which per-
fect crystals of cane sugar are seen by the microscope.

Dr. David F. Weinland made some extended remarks
upon the Parasites of man, giving an account of their
early history, from the time of Aristotle to the present
day.

After alluding to the two genera of Tapeworms described by
Bremser, and a third genus, a species of which has been described
by Kuchenmeister, Dr. Weinland announced the discovery of a
fourth genus, which he names Acanthotrias (three rows of hooks).
Thus far he had seen it only in the cysticercus stage. It has
fourteen hooks in each of the three rows, the uppermost row being

301

the shortest. The specimen came from a dissecting-room sub-
ject, in one of the Southern States, which very probably may
have been a Negro. The Tcenia solium is found in England,
Germany, and America. The Botriocephalus latus is limited to
Switzerland and Russia, or, in the exceptional cases where it
has been found in Germany, the person from whom it was taken
had been to Switzerland. It remained to be determined if the
new genus was peculiar to the negro race.

A discussion ensued as to the manner in which these
worms are introduced into the human body, the degree
of heat requisite to destroy their vitality in the j5rocess
of cooking, and the action of salt upon them.

Dr. Weinland suggested that they might be introduced into
the human body with butter and other articles, which had been
cut with the same knife as measly pork, which, it is well known,
is a mass of the cysticercus stage of the tapeworm.

Dr. J. C. White said, that, in Germany, the ova of tapeworms
were frequently found upon the green vegetables used for salad.

Mr. F. H. Storer said that raw ham and pork are frequently
eaten in Germany.

Dx'. Chas. Pickering said that it had been noticed, in the
"Western States, that the tapeworm is much more frequently
found in the immigrants from Europe than in the Americans.

Mr. John Green said that John Hunter speaks of a worm
which was found alive in a carp which had been boiled.

Dr. Weinland said that, in the instances where worms were
supposed to have been found alive in cod and other fish, their
motion was, most probably, not one of vitality, but due to the
elasticity of their tissue.

Dr. A. A. Gould stated that several hundred hogs were lost
in East Cambridge, during the last summer, from the measly
disorder.

Mr. N. H. Bishop exhibited a pair of Albino Rats,
which were caught under a barn in Medford, near the
Mystic River.

The President, in reply to a question from Dr. Gould, said he

302

believed albinos always propagated albinos. They certainly do
through several -generations.

Dr. "Weinland said he had noticed that if one of the parents
has a single dark spot, however small, the pigment shows itself
first in the eye of the offspring.

DEPARTMENT OF MICROSCOPY.

Dr. S. Durkee exhibited some of the Red Snow {Pro-
tococcus nivalis) from Greenland, belonging to the Bailey
collection.

Mr. John Green stated that he had found the same or
a similar plant near Portland, Maine, growing in the hol-
low of a rock. The plant contained in its cells nuclei of
a greenish color.

December 16, 1857.

The President in the Chair.

Mr. Charles Stodder read a report upon the substance
known as Gum Lahoe, which was referred to him at the
previous meeting for examination, as follows : —

GUM LAHOE.

The specimen is an amorphous mass, made up of foldings of
two colors, shades of brownish drab with some very dark brown
spots, which seem to be derived from bits of bark and wood.
The two shades of drab appear to be identical in every respect
except coloi'. It has a slight peculiar odor, is somewhat friable,
as it breaks before a knife, and is non-electric. It bears no
resemblance whatever to caoutchouc, or any of the varieties of
the so-called gutta percha. Its external characters mostly resem-
ble those of pitch.

303

It is insoluble in water, cold or hot, but softens with heat. In
boiling water it is almost fluid, and particles of bai'k and wood
separate, leaving the gum nearly clean. In this state it is very
adhesive, tenacious, and may be drawn into threads and sheets of
great tenuity. It may thus be rendered somewhat elastic, and
nearly transparent. When cold it hardens very slowly, and is
compact, homogeneous, and very adhesive. After exposure to
a temperature of 32°, or, during one or two days, to a tempera-
ture of from 40° to 60°, it acquires a little brittleness, but readily
softens by the warmth of the hand and becomes plastic. It be-
comes of a dark color upon working it in the hands a short time.

It is insoluble in cold or hot alcohol. In boiling alcohol it
behaves the same as in boiling water, except that, the tempera-
ture being lower, it is not so fluid ; after boiling in alcohol it is
more brittle than after boiling in water. Left in alcohol for sev-
eral days after boiling, a white flocculent matter, heavier than
alcohol, is separated ; upon boiling the alcohol with the flocculi and
the gum, the former totally disappear, leaving the solution clear.
It is soluble in cold oil of turpentine, naptha, and chloroform,
more readily and in gi'eater quantity than gutta percha. It is
also readily soluble in sulphuric ether. Solutions in oil of tur-
pentine, naptha, and ether are heavier than the solvent ; those
in chloroform are lighter.

It burns with much flame and smoke ; immediately before
burning, it melts into a transparent amber-colored fluid. Ex-
posed to a temperature above that of boiling water, it melts, boils,
and swells, with the rapid escape of gas. The amount of the resi-
due is much less than that of the original, but it seems to possess
nearly the same properties ; this point, however, was not fully
examined.

It is a vegetable product, intermediate with the resins and
gutta tuban or percha.

Dr. A. A. Gould read a communication from Dr. Skil-
ton, of Troy, N. Y., upon Equus Major, as follows : —

EQUUS MAJOR.

The last summer, 1857, Col. Leonard McChesney found, in
his ploughed field in Brunswick, one mile from the city of Troy,

304

a number of teeth of the Fossil Horse ; the spot of marshy
ground where they were found had, by trenching, been converted
into a fine soil for garden crops. Mr. McChesney has been so
fortunate as to find two incisors, slender in form ; of the lower
jaw, both the first molars, and three out of the next four molars
on each side, viz : second, third, fourth, and fifth ; of the upper
jaw, the left first molar, and three on each side of the next four
molars, — embracing of this animal's teeth seventeen. Of all the
Fossil Horse teeth we have seen, there is decayed out of them
all the fangs and bony parts, some of the dentine, and in this
instance more or less of the ends of the plates of enamel. The
length of the enamel of the first upper molar still remaining is
1.9 in., ditto the first lower molar is 2.33 in. ; length of longest
upper molar is 2.9 in., ditto longest lower molar is 3 in., ditto of
incisors, 2 in.

Dr. Dekay, at the time of the publishing of " The New York
State Natural History," had not learned of the discovery of any
fossil horse remains in this State.

Some four or five years since, a lower first molar, in a fine
state of preservation, was picked up by the writer's son, George
S. Skilton, on the margin of one of the rivers near Troy.

Dr. J. C. White read a paper on the development of
Tapeworms, as follows : —

GENERATION OF THE HELMINTHES.

I thought it might not be uninteresting, after the interest
evinced by the Society at the last meeting on the subject of the
Helminthes of the human body, to give, in a few words, the ideas
now prevalent in Germany in respect to their development.

Let us take the joint or proglottis of a Tcenia solium, and
watch it through its phases. We know that it is a perfect indi-
vidual by itself, capable of reproducing, and that when mature
and filled with eggs it becomes congested, sepai'ates itself volun-
tarily from its next younger joint above, and is discharged. We
will suppose now that by some means to be presently considered,
the eggs regain entrance within the intestinal canal after their
wanderings. Each ripe egg or embryo consists of a body armed

305

with three pairs of hooklets, by which it is able to burrow in tis-
sues, and make its way to any j)art of the human system. After
it has found its proper nidus, be it muscle, brain, eye, or other
organ, and has become encysted, its hooklets drop off, and from
its walls a protuberance grows inwards, which gradually changes
into a head, neck, and body, or, in other words, becomes the sco-
lex. This at first remains enclosed within the embryonic blad-
der as a receptacle, but later the animal pushes itself free. Its
head has now become that of the true Ttenia, and from it depends
the former receptacle as a bladder. Siebold maintains that this
cyst is only a joint of the scolex, which has become dropsical ; but
Kuchenmeister (and his views are adopted by all modern pathol-
ogists) insists that this is another stage of development, and the
normal condition of the animal. Now, unless the encysted ani-
mal is set free artificially, the genei-ation stops here ; but if, in
any way, it escape, and again find entrance within the intestinal
canal, it fastens itself by its head to the walls, its bladder drops
off, leaving behind the marks of attachment on the oldest joint,
and in its place the true joints of the Tjenia are developed, form-
ing the animal with which we started.

It is only by this method that a Taenia can be produced ; for
the eggs or embryos of the proglottis either pass into the tissues,
and become there encysted scolices or nurses, or else pass away
with the fiBces, At all events, they are never converted pri-
marily into Tainiae, else we should find tapeworms as plentiful as
ascarides. To account for the production of Tgenite, therefore, we
must admit the scolex within the intestinal canal, and this may
be done more easily than we imagine. The head of the Cysti-
cercus is but a mere mite, and it is not necessary that its bladder
should accompany it, which, as above mentioned, drops off, leav-
ing behind the mark of its former attachment. We know how
general a disease this parasite forms among swine ; but it is not
wholly confined to them ; for we find it also, though seldom,
in the bear, deer, and ox, not to mention many other animals, so
that nations who eat no pork may be infested by Ttenire. It is
probable that many scolices may pass through the intestinal canal
of man, and yet not generate the tapeworm, for it must attach
itself to its walls before the joints are produced.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI. 20 APRIL, 1868.

306

Some authorities would have it that the embryo discharged
from the proglottis is capable of an immediate conversion into
the scolex by burrowing into the soft tissues of the same indi-
vidual; but it is more probable that the eggs must first leave
the intestine, and mature outside, since scolex seldom occurs
together with Ta3nia, and then it is probably accidental. When
the mature proglottis is discharged fi"om the intestine, it deposits
its eggs in moist earth, on plants, in the water, and so on. These
eggs are covered with a very thick membrane, which withstands
much pressure between the glasses of a microscope, and they are
capable of remaining a long time quiescent, like other pai'asitic
ova, till a suitable menstruum is found for their development.
That they may pass into the stomach of man and other animals
with various articles of diet and drink is unquestioned ; for they
are found in water, and on salads and other vegetables, which
are eaten without being previously cooked, and sometimes not
even washed.

The genus Ta3nia still requires much study to remove the
doubt which rests upon several species. Five or six are known,
which find a habitation in man, ( T. solium ; nana ; mediocan-
nellata ; ecMnococciis ; T. of Good Hope ; and T. or Bothrioce-
phalus latus,) one of which wants the booklets peculiar to the
rest. They may be found wanting also in T. solium, in some
instances. Of these species the scolices are unknown, with the
exception of Cysticercus and Echinococcus. The encysted form
of Bothriocephalus may have been confounded with that of T.
solium. The joints of this worm are thrown off in chains, and
not singly, as with Taenia. Two varieties of the Cysticercus have
been observed.

Of course, after the adoption of the scolex theory, it became
interesting to inquire where the Ttenia of the common Echino-
coccus had been all this time. Siebold thought that the Ta3nia
of the dog was the animal in question ; for he gave the Echino-
coccus of animals, ^. veterinorum, to dogs, and at the end of
twenty-two days found in their intestine a Taenia with but three
joints ; the last one perfect, however, showing that the animal had
arrived at maturity. This view was generally adopted till quite
recently, when Kiichenmeister showed that the E. veterinorum
differed from E. /lominis in the form of its booklets, and he gave

307

some of the latter in soup to a criminal condemned to be exe-
cuted, and on dissection a Taenia very like T. solium was found,
with but three joints, and bearing a head of Echinococcus. This
T. ec/iinococcvs, as he calls it, had so long escaped observation
only from its diminutive size, it being only three lines in length.
The last proglottis of the three was perfect, and contained the
sexual organs. This is a late discovery, and must not be con-
founded with T. echinococcus of Siebold, who made the E. homi-
nis and E. veterinorum the same species.

In our study of these important and interesting parasites we
notice three stages of development. First we see the proglottis
leaving the intestine, and apparently seeking in the outer world
of light and pure air some element, of which we are ignorant, for
the development of the embryo. It possesses fibres capable of
conti'acting after it has left the body, and finally discharges its
eggs from the ovi-sac. These lead a nomadic life till by chance
they once more gain admittance to their old haunts, where, in-
stead of remaining contented, they burrow at once into the tis-
sues, and then, after the formation of a head, leave them again, if
possible, to resume their former quarters in the intestine, where
the last stage of development is completed.

We can but notice that the Taenia feeds upon matter which
has not been oxygenized or converted into tissue ; whereas in its
other state it exists upon the substance of animal life itself. Ivo-
kitansky noticed in the bladder of a Cysticercus, found in the
brain, shreds of nerve fibre ; and they must obtain from the hu-
man tissues they prey upon the great amount of calcareous mat-
ter found in their concentric corpuscles. What the object of
these is no man knows ; but the advancement in this branch of
observation within the last few years leads us to hope that
light may be thrown upon many points in their history, now
obscure.

Dr. Gould read a communication from Mr. William
Stimpson, upon a new form of parasitic gasteropodous
moUusca, which he calls Cochliolepis parasiticus, as fol-
lows : —

In the spring of 1852, while investigating the marine fauna of

the coast of South Carolina, in company with my friend, Lieut.
T. D. Kurtz, U. S. A., I had the fortune to meet with a new
form of parasitic gasteropodous mollusca, living under circum-
stances quite unique in this order. We had succeeded in cap-
turing some gigantic annelides of the Aphrodita family, (^Aco'etes
lupi7ia,) which lived in thick leathery tubes, extending down
two or three feet into the mud near low-water mark. Upon
drawing one of these worms from its domicil, some bright blood-
red objects were found concealed under its scales, which, upon
examination, proved to be little shells, resembling in size and
shape our common Plaiiorbis exacutus. These were placed in a
watch-glass of sea-water, and drawings made of them, which are
presented herewith.

The publication of these figures has been delayed, in the hope
that opportunity would occur for a more thorough investigation
of the structure of the animal, with the view of determining its
place in the system. It has not, however, since been met with ;
and as the subject is one of great interest, I have been led to
give at this time such information as could be collected from the
specimens first discovered.

For this curious animal, which evidently forms a new genus
and species, I would propose the name

COCHLIOLEPIS PARASITICUS.

The animal was of a blood-red color ; foot oblong, tapering
behind with a rounded extremity, slightly auricled before, ante-
riorly bimarginate. Head small, rounded and notched in front,
without veil. Tentacles slender, tapering, equalling in length
the diameter of the shell. Eyes none. (?) A small supple-
mentary plicated gill on the right side, projecting out freely be-

309

yond the aperture of the shell, and attached only at its constricted
base. Two long cirri arise fi'oni the body on the right side, near
the junction of the mantle ; these protrude like vibracula from
the superior angle of the aperture, when the animal is in motion.
Operculum thin, flexible, and pellucid.

The shell is thin, discoidal, convex above, concave and um-
bilicated below; the edge thin and sharp. Whorls three in
number, rapidly enlarging. Surface smooth and glossy, indis-
tinctly striated with lines of growth. Lip not thickened. Diam-
eter one eighth of an inch.

Hab. Harbor of Charleston, S. C. ; parasitic on Acoetes
lupina.

Dr. B. J. Jeffries exhibited the Atlas and Axis of a
man about fifty-five years of age, and very muscular.
The Odontoid Process was not united with the Axis.

Mr. Edward Daniels, State Geologist of Wisconsin,
and a corresponding member of the Society, presented a
number of geological specimens from that State, and
remarked as follows : —

Occurring throughout an extensive district of Eastern Wis-
consin and Northern Illinois, is a rock of Upper Silurian Age,
clearly corresponding to the Clinton or Niagara groups of the
New York Reports. In numerous localities, this rock contains
cavities and thin seams filled with solid bitumen, which is fre-
quently found in the digging of wells and cellars, and is commonly
called coal. Near Chicago, is an outcrop of this rock, in which
bitumen is very extensively found, in fluid form at ordinary tem-
peratures, as well as in the solid state. The cavities sometimes
contain half a pint. The rock is an Encrinal Limestone, the en-
crinal forms being quite distinct in the northernmost portions of
the district. From the walls of a church erected of this stone
the bitumen has exuded and run down in streams, giving the
building the appearance of some of the ancient ruins of Europe.
The scale of bitumen peels ofl", however, after some time. Quar-
ries have been opened in the limestone to the depth of fifteen

310

feet. A few corals are found in it, and occasionally some of tlio
larger cor^s.

Mr. Daniels also presented some minute Trilobites, and other
fossils, from the base of the Potsdam Sandstone of Wisconsin.
The localities were various : the valley of the Black River, in
the northwestern part of the State, the mouth of Black River,
and a spot sixty miles up the same river. He stated that they
were interesting, being the oldest fossil forms yet found in this
country, the sandstone resting directly upon the upturned edges
of the Azoic rocks. Upon a small island in Black River he had
found perfect impressions of Crustaceans, consisting of double
rows of parallel tracks, precisely like those in Montreal.

Mr. John Green — referring to a specimen of Silicious Infuso-
rial Earth presented to the Department of Microscopy, Novem-
ber 4, 1857, and which was at that time said to contain copper —
stated that other samples of the earth had since been analyzed
by Mr. Albert Gould, of the Lawrence Scientific School, with
the following result, viz : —

Organic Matter and Water - . - 14.48

Silicic Acid 82.03

Carbonate of Lime ----- 0.32

Oxide of Copper ----- 0.89

Sesqui-Oxide Iron and Alumina - - 1.47

Loss _-_---- 0.81

100.00

This result is the mean of two determinations.

Mr. Gould stated that the specimens came from a pond in
Beddington, Maine, between ten and fifteen feet in depth, and
about eight or ten acres in extent. When treated with boiling
chlorohydric or nitric acids concentrated, no copper was found
by the sulphuretted hydrogen test. The same was the case with
diluted aqua regia. When boiled with concentrated aqua regia
for an hour, some copper was found; but when it was fused with
carbonate of soda, which certainly was itself free from copper,
nearly one per cent, of copper was obtained. Before the blow-
pipe also, on charcoal, a spangle of metallic copper was seen.

311

From the action of alkalies it woulil a|)pear that the copper was
combined with silica, and not an accidental ingredient.

Dr. H. R. Storer exhibited a Porcupine, {Hystrix dor-
sata, Lin.,) shot in New Hampshire, and belonging to the
collection of Master Frederic Gilmore. He also exhib-
ited, in connection with it, the representation of this ani-
mal, figured by Audubon and Bachman, showing it to
be extremely inaccurate.

Messrs. John D. Philbrick and Edward P. .Jeffries were
elected Resident Members.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

October 7, 1857. A fragment of a Human Cranium, whicli was said to have
been found in deposits coeval with the Mastodon, in California; by Dr. C. F.
Winslow. Specimens of intergrowing and intertwining woods from Surinam ;
by Dr. Jeffries \V.T,nnun. A collection of Radiata from the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
and a Fish from the North Atlantic Ocean, which probably belongs to a genus
new to North America; by Capt. N. E. Atwood. A collection of Crustacea
made in California by Mr. E. Samuels, containing fifteen species, viz : Chiome-
cetes Behrinyianus, Epiallus productus, Cancer gracilis, C procluctus, C. antenna-
rius, Pachyrjrapsus crassipes, Pseudorjrapms Oregonensis, P. nmlus, Hippa analo-
gica, Porcellana rupkola, Gebia Pugettensis, Calliannssa kmgimana, Astacus Trmo-
bridgii, Crangon Franciscorum, C. nigricaud/i : by E. Samuels. Crustacea from
the Northwest Coast of the United States; by the Smithsonian Institution. A
collection of Animals in alcohol, made by Dr. S. Kneeland, .Jr., in the region of
Lake Superior; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr. The Skin of a Ray; by Dr. D. H.
Storer.

October 21. Microscopic preparations of the Diatomaceous Exuviaa of the
Post-tertiarj' Sand of Glenshira, near Inverary, Scotland ; by Prof. Gregory of
Edinburgh. A collection of Minerals made in the mining districts of Lake Su-
perior; by Dr. S. Kneeland, .Jr. A collection of Algas from Australia, Ceylon,
and the Friendly Islands, prepared by Prof. Hai-vey ; by Dr. Benjamin D.
Greene. A Red Phalarope, Phalarojms fuUcularius, Bonap. shot on Charles
River; by C. W. Lovett, Jr. A Fish from Boston Harbor; by E. Samuels.

November 4. A section of an elm exhibiting a singular curved growth ; by
Prof. Theophilus Parsons. A living specimen of young Bald Eagle, n<di(Klus
hucocephalus, Linn, taken upon the shore of Lake Superior, and specimens of
copper, veinstones, agates, and crystals from Portage Lake; by Samuel M. Xa-
son. Crustacea, Shells, Insects, &c. from Portage Lake, Agates from the Mis-
sissippi River, near Winona, Minnesota, and some very productive soil from the

312

borders of Rice Lake, Steele Co., Minnesota; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr. A Spider,
Epeira insidnris, Hentz, and some shells; unknown Donors. A Bird's Nest; by
Mrs. C. W. Dall. Infusorial Silicious Earth, containing Copper, from Bedding-
ton, Maine; by Prof. Theophilus Parsons.

November 18. A specimen of Platycarcinus Sayi from Labrador, heretofore
unnoticed north of JIassachusetts ; by Dr. H. R. Storer. Three species of Crus-
tacea from California, viz: Sphceroma Oregonensh, Motcea Wosnessenskii, and
Livoneca vulgaris ; by E. Samuels. The sternum and scapular arch of the fol-
lowing twenty-nine birds, viz: Sharp-shinned Hawk, male and female; male
Sparrow Hawk; Barred Owl, female; Acadian Owl, male; Belted Kingfisher,
male; Black-capped Titmouse; Canada Jay, female; Blue Jay; American Ra-
ven; Rusty Grakle; Lesser Red-poll Snow Finch, male; White-throated Spar-
row, male; Snow-Bunting, also the skull and foot ; Pine Grosbeak, also the
skull; Common Crossbill, also the skull; Three-toed Woodpecker, two speci-
mens; Hairy Woodpecker, female, also the skull; Pileated Woodpecker; Golden-
winged Woodpecker, male; Ring-neck Plover, male; Tell-tale Tatler, female;
Solitary Tatler, male; Common Snipe, female; Sora Rail, female; Snow Goose;
Summer Duck, male, also the trachea; Dusky Duck, female; and Green-
winged Teal. Also the stuffed skin and the skeleton of the Northern Flying
Squirrel, Pteromys sabrinus, Penn., from Lake Superior; and from the same
locality, two nests of the paper-making wasp, a fresh-water shell, and a piece of
cedar perforated by boring insects ; also, Cryptogamia, viz : Agaricus orcella.
Bull. Lycoperdon pyriforme, SchsefF. Polyporus pere7i7iis, Fr. P. hhsutus. P.
Cetulinus. P. ignarius. P. applanatus, Pers. Tubercularia pezizoidea, Schw.
Usne,a hmgissima, Ach. Sticta jmlmonarin, Ach. Nechera pennata, Hedw. All
from the Lake Superior Region ; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr. The Osseous Schle-
rotic Coats of the Eyes of the Sword Fish, JIackerel, and Coryphcena; by John
Green, Jr.

December 2. Flint, imbedding chalk, from the island of Riigan, in the Baltic
Sea; by Dr. Wm. P. Dexter. A sample of Gutta Lalioe from the East Indies;
by C. L. Andrews. Aspergillum Javanense; by Capt. Thomas Andrews. Im-
pressions in clay of Raindrops and drops of falling water; by Dr. Jeffries Wy-
man. A copy of Mrs. Redfield's Chart of the Animal Kingdom; by Messrs. E.
B. & E. C. Kellogg, of Hai-tford, Coim. Skeleton of an American Raven, Corvus
cacalotl, Wagl. from Lake Superior; by Dr. S. Kneeland. Two Fishes; by Dr.
D. H. Storer.

December 16. The Panicles of several varieties of Sorghum and Imphee;
by Dr. C. T. Jackson. A collection of Crustacea, many of them described iu
the Massachusetts Reports; by Dr. A. A. Gould.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING DEC. 31, 1857.

Transactions of the Illinois State Agricultural Society. Vol.2. 8vo. Spring-
field. 1856-7. From I. A. Lapham.

Memorial of the Inauguration of the Statue of Franklin. 8vo. Boston. 1857-
From the City of Boston.

313

Address on the Scientific Life and Labors of W. C. Rodfield. ]!y 1). Ohiistcd,
LL.D. 8vo. Pamph. New Haven, 1857. Froin the Author.

Catalogue of N. American Mammals. By S. F. Baird. 4to. Piiin|)li. Wash-
ington, 1857. From the Author.

Studies in Organic Morphology. By John Warner. 8vo. Pamph. Phila-
delphia, 1857. From the Author.

Eeport on Geological Survey of Vermont. By Ed. Hitchcock. 8vo. Pamph.
Monlpelier, 1857. From G. F. Iloughton.

Eeport of Proceedings of the Geological and Polytechnic Society of West Rid-
ing, Yorkshire, 1852 to 1855. 8vo. Pamph. Leeds.

Account of an Egyptian Mummy. By Wm. Osborn, F. R. S. 8vo. Pamph.
1828. From Henry Denny.

Description of some new Diatomaceous Forms from the West Indies. By R.
K. Greville, F. R. S., &c. 8vo. Pamph. London.

On the Post-Tertiary Diatomaceous Sand of Glenshira. Part 2. 8vo. Pamph.
London. By Wm. Gregory, F. R. S., &c.

Notice of some new species of British Fresh-water Diatomace£e. By Wm.
Gregory, F. R. S., &c. 8v©. Pamph.

On a Post-Tertiaiy Sand containing Diatomaceous Exuvise, from Glenshira.
By Wm. Gregory. 8vo. Pamph. London, 1854.

Untersuchungen zur Vergleichenden Gewebelehre, angestellt in Nizza im
Herbste 1856. Von A. Kijlliker. 8vo. Pamph. 1856. From the Heirs of Prof .
J. W. Bailey.

Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Band XX
2 und 3 Heft. XXI Band, 1, 2, Heft. XXII Band, 1, 2, 3, Heft. XXHI Band,
1 Heft. 8vo. Wien, 1856.

Register zu den zweiten X Banden der Sitzungsberichte (Band 11-20) der
Math. Natvir. Classe der Kais. Akad. der Wissenschaften. 8vo. Pamph. Wien,
1856.

Tageblatt der 32. Versammlung Deutscher Naturforscher und Arzte in
Wien. Nos. 1-8, 4to. 1856.

Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London. No. 8. March,
1857.

Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte. Von A. F. A. Wiegmann, &c. Nos. 3, 1856,
and 1, 1857. Berlin.

Verhandlungen des Naturhistorischen Vereines der Preussischen Rheinlande
und Westphalens. Viertes Heft, 1856. Erstes Heft, 1857. Bonn.

Abhandlungen aus dem Gebiete der Naturwissenschaften. Dritter Band. 4to.
Hamburg, 1856.

Nachrichten von der Georg-Augusts-Universitat und der Konigl. Gesellschaft
der Wissenschaften zu Gcittingen. 12mo. 1856.

Zur Naturgeschichte Agypteus. Von Dr. L. K. Schmarda. 4to. Pamph.
Wien, 1854.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society. Nos. 305 to 337. 8vo. Pamph. Lon-
don, 1856-7.

Natural History Review. No. 2 for April, and No. 3 for July, 1857. London.

Bulletin de la Soci^te des Sciences Naturelles de Neuchatel. Tom. IV. Pre-
mier Cahier. 8vo. Pamph. 1856.

314

Wurtembei-gischc Naturwissenschaftliche Juhreshefte. Dreizehuter Jalir-
gang. Zweites Heft. 8vo. Stuttgart, 1857.

Zweiundvierzigster Jahi-esbericht der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Em-
den fiir 1856. Svo. Pamph.

Proceedings of tlie American Philosophical Society. Vol. VI. No. 57. Jan-
uary to June, 1857.

Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society Annual Reports for 1852 to 1855.
8vo. Pamph.

New York Journal of Medicine. Vol.3. No. 3. 8vo. N. Y. 1857.

Silliman's American Joui-nal of Science and Arts for November, 1857. No.
72. Vol. XXIV. Received in Exchange.

Contributions to the Natural History of the United States of America,. By
Louis Agassiz. Vols. 1, 2. 4to. Boston, 1857.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Nos. 118, 119, for October, No-
vember, 1857. London.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Vol. XIII. No. 54. London,
1857. From the CouHis Fund.

Eoumania, or Border Land of the Christian and the Turk. By J. JI. Noyes,
M. D. 8vo. New York, 1857.

Brazil and the Brazilians. By Rev. D. P. Kiddei-, D, D. and Rev. J. C. Fletcher.
8vo. Philadelphia, 1857.

Chief of the Pilgrims; or Life and Times of William Brewster. By Rev. A.
Steele, A. M. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1857.

Biographical History of Philosophy. By G. H. Lewes. Svo. New York,
1857.

My Schools and Schoolmasters. By Hugh Miller. Svo. Boston, 1857.

Impressions of England and its People. By H. Miller. Svo. Boston, 1865.

History of Turkey. By A. De Lamartine. Vols. 3, 3. 8vo. New York,
1857.

Travels and Discoveries in North and Central Africa. By Henry Barth. Vols.
1, 2. Svo. New York, 1857.

United States Grinnell Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin. By E. K.
Kane. Svo. Boston, 1857.

Euskin, John. The Stones of Venice. Svo. New York, 1851.

Modern Painters. Svo. 4 vols. New York, 1856.

Lectures on Architecture and Painting. Svo. New York, 1856.

Prse-Raphaelism. Svo. New York, 1857.

Elements of Drawing. Svo. New York, 1857.

Seven Lamps of Architecture. Svo. New York, 1857.

History of the Republic of the LTnited States of America. By J. C. Hamilton.
Svo. Vol. 1. New York, 1857.

Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa. By D. Livingstone,
LLD., &c. Svo. New York, 1858.

Natural History of the Human Species. By Lieut. C. Hamilton Smith. ■12mo.
Boston, 1857. With Preliminary Abstract, by S. Kneeland, M. D.

Encyclopaedia Britannica. Vol. 14. 4to. Boston. Deposited by the Rejnibli-
can Institution. 1857.

315

January 6, 1858.

The President in the Chair.

Mr. Charles J. Sprague read the following paper, enti-
tled,

CONTRIBUTIONS TO NEW ENGLAND MYCOLOGT.

In the Proceedings of the Society, March 5, 1856, is a list of
Fungi collected in this vicinity by Mr. Denis Murray and my-
self. It was prepared as a commencement of an enumeration of
the Fungi of New England, of which there is no authentic list
in existence. The collections heretofore made have been chiefly
incidental, as no botanist has devoted his special study to the
Mycology of this region ; and the published accounts of such
species as have been collected are not easily obtained.

Since the publication of the list referred to, I have continued
to devote what leisure I could spare to this neglected study, and
have now some hundreds of species to add to ray former list.
Mr. Murray has contributed a large proportion of them, and de-
serves great credit for his indefatigable prosecution of this inter-
esting pursuit.

The plants have all passed thi'ough Dr. Curtis's hands, and the
new species have been named by him and the Rev. Mr. Berkeley
together. I have incorporated in the list the names of several
species, communicated to me by Dr. Curtis, which were collected
by Mr. Charles Wright in Connecticut, and by the Rev. Mr. Blake
in Maine ; and also a few received from the Rev. Mr. Russell
of Salem.

The names of 400 species are given, which swell the number
of authentic New England Fungi to 678. Of the following list,
73 are entirely new to science.

316

I have appended Mr. Murray's name to such species as have
been collected by him alone.

HYMENOMYCETES.

Agaricus virosus, Fr. Conn. Wright.
" phalloides, Fr.
" muscarius, L.
" scandicinus, Fr. Conn.

Wright.
" vaginatus, Bull.
" procerus, Scop.
" rachodes, Vitt. D. Murray.
" cristatus, Fr. Conn. Wright.

Badharai, B. & Br. " "
" granulosus, Batsch.
" melleus, Vahl.
" rutilans, Schaff.
" scalpturatus, Batsch.
" Spraguei, B. & C. i7ied.
" graveolens, Pers. D. Murray.
" tigriuus. Bull. "

" Murraii, B. & C. ined.
" quadratus, B. & C. ined.

Maine.
" prseceps, B. & C. ined. D.

Murray.
" ochro-purpureus, B.
" infuudibuliformis, Schsefl'.
" pithyophilus, Fr. Maine.
" nebularis, Batsch.
" confluens, Pers. Conn.

Wright.
" tuberosus, Bull. Maine.
" radicatus, Reth.
" hepaticus, Batsch. Conn.

Wright.
" Oniscus, Fr.
" umbelliferus, L. Conn.

Wright.
" fibula, Bull. Conn. Wright.
" ulmarius, Bull.
" mastrucatus, Fr. White

Moun. Oakes.
" perpusillus, Fr. Conn.

Wright.
" parvulus, Wein. D. Mur

ray.
" sinuatus, Fr.

Agaricus elodes, Fr. Conn. Wright.
" Batschianus, Fr. " "

" majalis, Fr. " "

" prunulus. Scop. " "

" Orcella, Bull.
'' pascuus, Pers. Conn.

Wright.
" prfficox, Pers. " "

" marginatus. Bat. " "

" mycenoides, Fr.
" dulcamarus, A. & S. Conn.

Wright.
" lacerus, Fr. Conn. Wright.
" rimosus. Bull. " "

" auricomus, Batsch. Conn.

Wright.
" trechisporus, B. Conn.

Wright.
" abortieus, B. & C. ined.
" furfuraceus, Pers. Conn.

Wright.
" malachius, B. & C. iried.
" pediades, Fr. Conn.

Wright.
" fabaceus, Berk.
" appendiculatus, Bull.
" udus, Pei-s. Conn. Wright.
" obtusatus, Fr.
" PhalEenarum, Bull. Conn.

Wright.
" semihserens, B. & C. ined.

Conn. Wright.
" retirugis, Batsch. Conn.

Wright.
" hydrophorus, Bull. Conn.

Wright.
" trepidus, Fr. Conn. Wright.
Coprinus fimetarius, L. " "

" Wrightii, B. & C. ined. Conn.

Wright.
Cortinarius collinitus, Fr. Conn.
Wright.
" elatior, Fr.

" sanguineus, Jacq.

" ileopodius, Fr. Conn.

Wright.

317

Cortinarius anomalus. Conn. Wright.
" ochroleucus, ScliEeft".

" castaneus, Bull. Conn.

Wriglit.
Paxillus panuoides, Fr. D. Murray.
" grisoo-toiuentosus, Fr,
" nigrotoracntosus, Fr.
Hygrophorus aurantio-luteus, B. & C.
ined. Conn. Wright.
" miniatus, Fr.

" ceraceus, Wulf. Conn.

Wright.
" psittaciiius, Schteff.

" coccineus, Schisflf.

" conicus, Scop.

Lactarius scrobiculatus, Fr. Conn.
Wright.
" torminosus, Schasff. Conn.

Wright.
" hygsinus, Fr.
" viridis, Fr.
" volemus, Fr.
" picinus, Fr.
" calceolus, Berk. D. Murray.
Russula emetica, Fr.

" virescens, Schffiff.
" foetens, Pers.
Cantharellus floccosus, Schw. Maine.
" umbonatus, Fr.

" Wrightii, B. & C. ined.

Conn. Wright.
Marasmius oreades, Bolt.
Lentinus Lecontei, Fr.

" tigrinus, Bull. Conn.

Wright.
" cochleatus, Fr. " "

Panus rudis, B. & C. ined. " "

" Isevis, B. & C. i7ied.
" operculatus, B. & C. ined. D.
Murray.
Lenzites Berkeleii, L^v. D. Murray.
" sepiaria, Fr. Maine. J.

Blake.
" Cratajgi, Berk. D. Murray.
Boletus flavidus, Fr.
" boviuus, L.
" piperatus, Bull.
" subtomentosus, L.
" spadiceus, Scha?ff. Conn.

Wright.
" luridus, SchiEff.

Boletus scaber, Fr.
" felleus, Bull.
" castaneus, Bull,
Polyporus poripes, Fr.

" leucomelas, Fr.

" Schweinitzii, Fr.

" Boucheanus, Klot.

" luridus, B. & C. ined.

" Spraguei, B. & C. i7ied.

" anax, B. & C. ineil. C. L.
Andrews.

" lacteus, Fr.

" epileucas, Fr.

" nidulans, Schasff.

" radiatus, Fr.

" igniarius, Fr.

" carneus, Nees.

" annosus, Fr.

"^ salicinus, Fr.

" spissus, Schw.

" hirsutulus, Schw. Conn.
Wright.

" decipiens, Schw.

" virgineus, Fr.

" medulla-panis, Fr. Conn.
Wright.

" contiguus, Fr.

" bombycinus, Fr. Conn.
Wright.

" mucidus, Fr. D. Murray.

" fusco-carneus, Pers. Conn.
Wright.

'• amorphus, Fr. D. Murray.

" lentus, Berk. Conn. Wright.
Trametes benzoina, Fr. D. Mur-
ray.

" odorata, Fr.
Daedalea cinerea, Fr.

" confragosa, Pers. Maine.
Cyclomyces Greenei, Berk.*
Merulius porinoides, Schw. D. Murray.
Hydnum suaveolens, Scop. "

" velutinum, Fr. "

" graveolens, Delast. "

* This plant was discovered some years
ago, by B. D. Greene, Esq., in Tewksbury,
Mass., and named after him by Dr. Berkeley.
It has recently been found in the neighbor-
hood of Boston, both by Mr. Murray and
myself.

318

Hydnum Erinaceus, Bull. D. Murray.
" membranaceum, Bull. "
" pitliyophilum, B. & C. ined.

Conn. Wright.
" plumosutn, Duby. D. Mur-
ray.
" Murraii, B. & C. ined. D.

Murray.
" epiphyllum, Schw. D. Mur-
ray.
Phlebia vaga, Fr. Conn. Wright.
" cinnabarina. D. Murray.
" merismoides, Fr. "
Craterellus lateritius, Berk. "
" crispus, Fr. "

" clavatus, Fr. "

Thelephora trifaria, B. & C. ined. D.
Murray.
" vialis, Schw.

" laciniata, Pers. D. Mun-ay.

Auricularia mesenterica, Bull. Maine.
Stereum ]\licheneri, B. & C. ined. D.
Murray.
" spadiceum, Fr.
" tabacinum, Fr.
" crocatura, Fi\
" imbricatulum, Schw.
" Murraii, B. & C. ined. D.
Murray.
Corticium evolvens, Fr. Conn.
Wright.
" scutellare, B. & C.
" lilacinum, B. & C. ined.

Conn. Wright.
" Auberianum, Mont. Conn.

Wright.
" pauperculum, B. & C. ined.

Conn. Wright.
" acerinum, Pers.
Cyphella capula, Fr. D. Murray.
Clavaria aurea, SchajfF.
" abietina, Schum.
" formosa, Pers.
" fragilis, Holms. D. Murray.
" pistillaris, L.
Tremella vesicaria, Bull. D. Murray.
" foliacea, Pers.
" sarcoides, With.
Exidia cinnabarina, B. & C. ined. D.
Murray.
" obliqua, B. & C. ined. D. Mur-
ray.

NfBmatelia nucleata, Fr. Conn. Wright.
Typhula muscicola, Fr.

GASTEROMYCETES.

Lycopcrdon Wrightii, B. & C. ined.
Conn. Wright.
" Curtisii, Berk. ined. Conn.

Wright.
" Bovista, L.

Phallus duplicatus, Bosc.
Coi'j'nites Curtisii, Berk. Conn.

Wright.
Scleroderma Bovista, Fr. Conn.

Wright.
Polysaccum Pisocarpium, Fr. D. Mur-
ray.
Eeticularia umbrina, Fr. "

Didymium melanopus, Fr. J. L. Rus-
sell.
" nectriasforme, B. & C. ined.

D. Jhu-ray.
" xanthopus, Fr. Conn.

Wright.
" squamulosum, Fr. Conn.
Wright.
Physarum album, Fr. Conn. Wright.

" nutans, Pers. " "

Stemonitis ovata, Pers. Maine, E. S.
Morse.
" obtusata, Fr. Conn. Wright.

Cribraria intricata, Schrad.
Arcyria nutans, Grev. Conn. Wright.
Trichia varia, Pers. " "

'' clavata, Pers. " "

" chrvsosperma, D. C. J. L. Rus-
sell.
Cyathus Lesueurii, Tul. Conn.
Wright.
" Wrightii, B. & C. ined. Conn.
Wriglit.
Spliterobolus stellatus, Tode. D. Mur-
ray.

CONIOMYCETES.

Leptostroma vulgare, Fr. D. Murray.
Phoma macropus, B. &. C. ined. "
" confluens, B. & C, ined. Conn.

Wright.
" depressum, B. & C. ined. Conn.
Wright.

319

Phoma scabriusculn, B. & C. ined.

" GIffiosporium, " "

Leptothyrium Eibis, Lib. Conn.

Wright.
Depazea Castaiin^cola, Fr.

" smilacicola, Scliw.
Spliasroneraa macrospora, B. & C. ined.
" subtile, Fr. J. L. Russell.

Diplodia vulgaris.
" Buxi, Fr.
" Corchori, Desm.
Hendersonia ces])itosa, B. & C. iiied.
Sphffii'opsis torulosa, B. & C. ined.

" collabens, B. & C. ined.

D. Murray.
" Baptisiffi, B. & C. ined.

D. Murray.
Septoria lierbarum, B. & C. ined. D.
Murray.
" Rhoidis, "b. & C. ined. D.

Murray.
" Polygonorum, Desm.
" Nabali, B. & C. i7ied.
Pestalozzia Guepini, Desm.
Melanconium varium, B. & C. ined.
StilbosjJora magna, B. Conn. Wright.
" ovata, Pers. Bratto., Vt.

J. L. Russell.
Endobotrya elegans, B. & C. ined,

Maine.
Cytispora leucosperma. Conn. Wright.
" orthosj)ora, B. & C. ined. J.
L. Russell.
Nsemaspora pruinosa, B. & C. ined,

D. Murray.
Glteosporium crocosporum, B. & C.
ined.
" cinctum, B. & C. ined.

J. L. Russell.
Discella carbonacea, Bk. & Br. Maine,

J. Blake.
Excipula strigosa, Fr. Conn. Wright.
Phragmotrichum Chailletii, Kunz. J.

L. Russell.
Septonema spilomeum, Berk. Mass.

Oakes.
Sporidesmium melanopum, B. & Br.

" coiicinnum, B.

Puccinea striola, Lk. J. L. Russell.
" Xanthii, Scliw. D.. Murray.
" Sorghi, Schw. Conu.
Wright.

Urcdo Leguminosarum, Desm. Conn.
Wright.
" Hj'perici, Schw. Conn. Wright.
" caricina, Schleich. " "

" Rosa;, DC. J. L. Russell.
" Phaseoli, Strauss. "
" Potentillarum, DC.
Cystopus candidus, Pers.
Ustilago Mayidis, Tul.
" Caricis, Schw.
.'Ecidium Violarum, DC. Maine, E.
S. Morse.
" Epilobii, DC. J. L. Russell.

IIYPHOMYCETES.

Isaria farinosa, Fr. D . Murray.
Tubercularia Pezizoidea, Schw.*
Sporocybe calicioides, Fr. J. L. Rus-
sell.
Cephalotrichum rufescens. J. L. Rus-
sell.
Pachnocybe subulata, B.
Cladosporium Fumago, Lk.
Mystrospoi-ium Spraguei, B. & C. iiied.
Dematium Muscorum, Lk. D. Mun-aj\
Polythrincium Trifolii, Kunz. Conn.

Wright.
Botrytis Viticola, B. & C. ined.

" lateritia, Bk.
Stacliylidiuni diffusum, Fr.
Aspergillus glaucus, Lk.
Pennicillium crustaceum, Fr.

" epigseum, B. & C. ined.

D. Murray.
Polyactis vulgaris, Nees. Conn.

Wright.
Verticillium nanum, B. & C. ined. D.

Murray.
Sepedonium cervinum. Fr. D. Murray.
Oidium moniloides, Lk, J. L. Russell.
Zygodesmus fuscus, Corda. D. Murray.
Llyrothecium roridum, Tode. "

* This is not a true Tubercularia, but is
an anomalous and probably immature form
of some higher order. It is found, h' wever,
all over the United States in precisely the
same condition. Specimens from Lake Su-
perior and Massachusetts do not differ at
all.

320

ASCOMYCETES.

Morchella esculenta, Fr.
Helvella crispa, Scop.

" monacliella, Fr.
Peziza vesiculosa, Bull. D. Murra}'.
" auvaiitia, Pers.
" cochleata. Bull.
" ollaris, Fr. Conn. Wright.
" melaloma, A. & S. Conn.

Wright.
" fusca, Pers. Conn. Wright.
" versiformis, " "

" albo-cincta, B. & C. iiied. D.

Murray.
" dlversicolor, Fr. J. L. Russell.
" subiculata.
" fimia, Pers.

" fractigena, Bull. Conn. Wright.
" cyathoidea, Bull.
" cupressina, Batsch. Conn.

Wright.
" carpinea, Pers. J. L. Eussell.
" herbarum, Pers. D. Murray.
" discolor, Fr.
" myceticola, B. & C. ined. Conn.

Wright.
" succosa, Fr. Conn. Wright.
" rubella, Pers.
" Exidiella, B. & C. i7ied. Conn.
Wright.
Dermatea fasciculata, Fr.
Ascobolus Trifolii, Beruh.
Stictis i-ufa, B. & C. ined. J. L. Rus-
sell.
Vibrissea truncorum, A. & S.
Patellaria stygia, B. & C. ined. D.
Murray.
" applanata, B. & C. ined.
Conn. Wright.
Tympanis rhabdospora, B. & C. iyied.
" Morsei, B. «& C.inecZ. Maine,

E. S. Morse.
" conspersa, Fr. D. Murray.
Cenangium pithyum. "

Prunastri, Pers.
triangulare, Fr.
ferruginosum, Fr.
Pinastri, Fr.
Cerasi, Pers.
Rhvtisraa Solidaginis, Schw. Conn.
Wright.

Rhytisma decolorans, Schw.
" Vaccinii, Schw.
" punctatum, Pers. J. L. Rus-
sell.
Hysterium fusiger, B. & C. ined.

" culmigenum, Fr. Maine,

E. S. Morse.
" Pinastri, Schrod.

" lineare, Fr. Conn. Wright.

Labrella Pomi, Mont. " "

Hypocrea latcritia, Fr.
" luteo-virens, Fr.
" epigffia, B. & C. ined. D.
Jlurray.
Xylaria corniformis, Fr.
Nectria aurantia, Pers. D. Murray.
" cucurbitula, Tode.
" coccinea, Pers.
Hypoxylon Clypeus, Schw.

" glomi forme, B. & C. ined.

Conn. Wright.
" rubiginosuni, Pers. J. L.

Russell.
" annulatum, Schw.

Sphteria undulata, Pers. J. L. Russell.
" asterostoma, B. & C. ined.
" stellulata, Fr.
" Duriaji, Mont. Conn.

Wright.
" stictostoma, B. & C. ined.

Conn. Wright.
'' semiimmersa, B. & C. ined.

Conn. Wright.
" fulvo-pruinata, B. Conn.

Wright.
" Murraii, B. & C. ined.
" salicina, Pers. D. Murray,
" herbarum, Fr.
" culmifraga, Fr.
" papilla, Schw. J. L. Russell.
" salicella, Fr. "

" elongata, Fr. "

" Americana, B. & C. ined.
" leucostoma, Pers.
" Berberidis, Pers.
" spina, Schw.
" spurca, B. & C. ined. D. Mur-
ray.
" Sartwellii, B. & C. ined.
" coprophila, Fr. D. Murray.
" vibriospora, B. & C. ined.
Conn. Wright.

321

Sphreria tliscreta, Schw. Conn.
Wright.
" myriociirpa, Fr.
" subiculata.

" cupularis, Pers. D. Murray.
" Demazierii, Berk. J.L.Rus-
sell.
" transversalis, Schw. D. Mur-
ray.
" Graminis, Pers. Conn.

Wright.
" Coryli, Batsch.
" fimbriata, Pers. R. I. Mr.

Metcalf.
" LespedeziE, Schw.
" intercellulai-is, B. & C. ined.

J. L. Russell.
" ulmea, Fr.

" punctifonnis, Fr. J. L. Rus-
sell.
" Trifolii, Pers. Conn. Wright.
Capnodium Pini, B. & C. inecl

" elongatum, B. & Desm.

Microthyrium paradoxum.
Dothidea Anemones, Fr.
" fiabella, B. & C.
" fructigena, Schw.
Erysiphe adiinca, .Schlech.

" guttata, Schlech. Conn.
Wright.

Erysiphe communis, Schleclit.

" SyringK, Schw.
Chsetomium elatum, Kunze. J.
Russell.

niYSOMYCETES.

Ascophora Mucedo, Tode.
Mucor Mucedo, L.

" capitato-ramosus, Schw.
jEgerita Candida, Pers.

SPURIOUS GENEKA.

Erineum fagineum, Pers.
" roseum.
" luteolum, Pers.
Sclerotium semen. Tode.

" durum.

Centridium Cydonise. J. L. Russell.

Note. From my former list the
following species should be erased : —
Cantharellus infundibuliformis.
Corticium Polygonium.
Geoglossum glabrum.
Peziza coprophila.

Mr. C. J. Sprague read the following paper, entitled,

THE BOTANY OF SORGHUM VULGARE.

Dr. Hayes has placed in my hands a suite of s^^eciniens of the
Sorgho sucre, Imphee, Dottrr/m, and Uroom Corn, for examina-
tion, at the request of Mr. H. S. Olcott, of Mount Vernon, West-
chester Co., N. Y., who presents them to the Society. The
points of interest which Mr. Olcott desires to have examined are
these : — Whether these plants are or are not of the same species ;
whether they will hybridize ; and whether they are likely to
lose their peculiarities by careless planting and management.
Some varieties possess more of the saccharine secretion than
others. Is this excess a specific peculiarity, or the result of
varied cultivation of the same species in different localities ?

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. VOL. VI. 21 APRIL, 185S.

322

Will these peculiarities continue fixed, or will the varieties lose
their distinctiveness when grown in company with one another ?

The specimens consist of portions of the panicles of 18 vari-
eties of Zulu Kaffir Imphee, grown in South Carolina, on the
plantation of Gov. Hammond, from seeds ripened in France, and
received from Mr. Leonard Wray. These sjiecimens were gath-
ered in a field, where they grew promiscuously, by Mr. Olcott
himself, in company wnth Mr. Wray, who identified the varieties,
and furnished the Kaffir names. There are four specimens of
Dourrha, the seeds of which w^ere received from France in the
same package with the Imphee, and planted in the same field.
Also, four specimens of Doiirrha, Broom Corn, and their hybrids
with Sorgho sucre, grown by Mr. Olcott in Westchester. I have
added to these four specimens of Imphee, grown in the District
of Columbia, and presented to the Society by Dr. Jackson, that
the suite of specimens may be yet more full. My remarks upon
these specimens will be confined to the fruit alone, as I have not
seen the growing plants, and cannot, therefore, speak of the diffiir-
ences which may exist in their foliage and port.

Steudel, in his synopsis of the grasses, enumerates the following
allied species of Andropogon growing in Asia and Africa : — A.
Sorghum, Auct. ; A. riibens, Willd. ; A. suhglahrescens, Steud. ;
A. saccharatus, L. (sub Holcus) ; A. verticillijiorus, Steud. ; A.
niger, Kunth ; A. cermms, Roxb. ; A. bicolor, Roxb. ; and he
implies that most of these may be varieties of the Androjwgon
Sorghum. Besides these, is A. Drummondii, Nees, from New
Orleans. These so-called species are, in all probability, founded
on permanent varieties of the grass which has been grown for its
grain and foliage for centuries in the East Indies and Africa.
It was placed first in the genus Holcus by Linnaeus, but has been
separated from it and ranked in that of Andropogon. It is still
kept there by some of the best botanists of the day ; but by oth-
ers it is placed in that of Sorghum, a genus separated from An-
dropogon mainly from its paniculate inflorescence and coriaceous
glumes. The species named for Drummond by Nees is probably
a form of the same plant which had established itself at New
Orleans. An authentic specimen in Dr. Gray's herbarium does
not appreciably differ from some of the varieties grown in South
Carolina.

323

The thirty-one specimens hiid before you are thouglit to repre-
sent four species, and many varieties. The seeds came from
France, but tlie plants furnishing them originally came from
widely separated localities. The differences which they exhibit
are in the color, shape, and hairiness of the glumes ; the color,
shape, and prominence of the corn beyond the glumes ; and the
open or compact growth of the panicle. If these differences wei'e
constantly exhibited together, — if the difference of shape were
always attended by a difference in color, and that color always
accompanied by the same hairiness and exsertion of corn, there
would be strong ground to establish specific differences. But
such is not the case. The specimens, placed side by side, ex-
hibit a complete gradation between the exti'emes of the series.
Those which vary most in shape are similar in color. Those
which differ in color are identical in shape. The hairiness and
the degree of exsertion are coexistent with the extremes of shape
and color. There are four which are especially interesting. Mr.
Olcott grew Broom Corn and Dourrha in rows on each side of
Sorgho Sucre. The result was a plant partaking equally of the
characteristics of the parents on each side. The eighteen vari-
eties of Imphee, thought to be so distinct that different native
names have been given them, exhibit every intermediate form
imaginable. Some glumes are nearly white ; some are specked
with brown and black ; some are all brown ; others all black.
Some have ovate pointed glumes of every hue ; others have
obtuse glumes with a broad, scarious point, or rounded glumes
with no point, through the same series of color. The corns ai-e
either enclosed or exserted through the whole series, irrespective
of color or form. Some of the varieties of Imphee present a
peculiar appearance, from the persistence and prominence of the
sterile spikelets ; some, differing in no other respect, have these
scai'ce visible ; and some have them not at all. Color and
hairiness are among the least reliable of botanical characters,
and should have but little weight in plarjts so closely allied ; and
the other differences are exhibited almost as prominently in dif-
ferent panicles of the same acknowledged variety.

The question of the hybridity of species of plants has lately
received close and careful attention. M. Charles Naudin has
recently made a series of interesting experiments on the culti-

324

vated pumpkins and squashes. He has arrived at the conclusion,
that nearly all those grown in our gardens may be referred to
one single species. He has particularly examined the changes
which artificial impregnations will produce. We often hear that
cucurbitaceous plants should not be grown together, or they will
injure each other. This gives rise to the question, whether the
fruit of the same season can acquire another's peculiarities without
first being grown from the seed, the result of such impregnation.
Such has proved to be the case. The influence of the pollen on
the fruit of the same year is such as to communicate to it the
characteristics of the plant furnishing the pollen. But M, Nau-
din finds that true species, undoubtedly distinct, can scarce be
made to hybridize, and that extensive and ready hybridation
takes place only among varieties of one species. Dr. Gray has
shown me recently an ear of corn exhibiting a hybridation more
or less common. It was sweet corn, in which kernels of hard,
smooth, yellow corn were irregularly distributed, contrasting with
the white, wrinkled kernels of the sweet. Here the mere im-
pregnation of the germ of white corn by the pollen of the yellow
had been sufficient to convert those grains which it touched into
perfect yellow corn.

The spoi'ts and varieties of corn have a strong bearing upon
the question of the specific identity of these varieties of Sorghum.
Though some botanists have made species out of the varieties of
Indian corn, it is generally believed that these are all the results
of cultivation on one species. One peculiarity of one form claims
attention here. The plant has been found growing, apparently
wild, with the grain entirely covered by the glumes, which pro-
ject far beyond it. But it is said, that, after a little cultivation,
these glumes disappear, or become so abbreviated as to allow the
grain to be entirely uncovered, as in our garden growths. This
same difference is to be seen in the varieties of Sorghum under
consideration. The Dourrha most exhibits this abbreviation of
glume and prominence of grain, and this variety is that which is
known to have been longest under cultivation.

The question, then, arises, whether plants would so freely hy-
bridize and exchange peculiarities, were they of different species.
Does not this hybridity point to identity ? We do not see other
grasses, which grow broadcast in our fields, hybridizing naturally,

325

and so perfectly as to become diversified in an inextricable series
of graduated forms. The Poas, Panicuras, and Festucas which
abound in our fields and meadows do not interchange their spe-
cific peculiarities, but grow side by side and maintain their iden-
tity. But the Sorgho is no sooner placed side by side with
Broom Corn and Dourrha, than the three hybridize, and produce
an offspring combining the peculiarities of all.

The Sorghum vulgare has been cultivated for untold centuries
as a forage plant and as food for animals and man. The ques-
tion of its production of syrup and sugar is by no means a recent
one. Experiments were made upon it more than half a century
ago in Europe, and one of its names arose from the saccharine
secretion of its culm. Its native country is unknown ; but it is
supposed to originate in the same places where it has been so
long cultivated. Its grains have been found in Egyptian sarco-
phagi ; and these are said to have produced plants identical with
the modern Dourrha or Juari. After this long cultivation in all
kinds of soil and climate, and under such varied treatment, it
would be strange indeed if it did not exhibit a wide departure
from its normal type If the Indian corn has become so aston-
ishly changed in a shorter period of time, we may well under-
stand that the Sorghum should wander into all the varieties upon
which botanists have sought to found distinct species.

I am induced to believe, therefore, that Broom Corn, Sorgho
Sucre, Imphee, and Dourrha, are varieties of one primitive species,
the Andropogon Sorghum of authors, or, allowing the genus Sorg-
hum to stand, Sorghum vulgare.

The establishment of this fact will answer many of the ques-
tions which have been asked regarding its economic value. If
they be one species, they will of course hybridize and exchange
whatever properties they possess. The saccharine secretions of
one variety will be diminished by hybridation with another not
possessed of an equal amount. And the saccharine qualities
peculiar to one may be lost by planting in a soil or climate dif-
fering from that which has brought them forth in unusual quan-
tity. If their cultivation as a forage plant and a syrup or suo-ar-
producing plant shall prove profitable, the use of the grain in the
form of flour, as well as food for cattle and poultry, may consid-
erably diminish the cost of cultivation. But the question is yet

326

to be decided whether other crops may iiot prove far more profit-
able upon the same soil.

Dr. Charles Pickering remarked that he did not at all
dissent from the views presented by Mr. Sprague in his
paper. He was not prepared to say that the several vari-
eties of Broom Corn, Dourrha, &c., are not one and the
same species ; he subsequently furnished the Secretary
with the following summary of his observations of these
plants : —

Sorghum Halepense. A coarse grass, with a sparse, few-
flowered panicle ; seen by Dr. Pickering only in the naturalized
state, and never under cultivation. In the East Indies, he found
it on Mindanao, seemingly wild, in] great profusion in the open-
ings of the forest. In Central Hindostan, the plant was growing
in a similar manner, but was rare ; as also, on the river flat of
Upper Egypt, where he again met with it. The S. Halepense
has been introduced into America ; he had seen it growing along
the irrigating canals at Callao, in Peru ; and specimens, in col-
lections of dried plants, from the Southwestern United States.

Sorghum saccharatum. Distinguished by its wide spread-
ing panicle, with the branchlets subverticillate. Introduced into
America, and long known to cultivators under the name of
" Broom-corn." He did not happen to meet with this abroad.

Sorghum vulgare. Panicles always more or less co-
ai'ctate. Seen by him only in the cultivated state, and never
naturalized. In Hindostan, (the most eastern country in which
he had seen it growing,) it varies in size, one kind being only
about two feet high ; while, in Egypt, he found it uniformly so
tall and stout-stemmed, as to be mistaken in the distance for In-
dian Corn. The tall, slender-stemmed variety, exhibited to the
Society as the Chinese sugar-sorglmm, is new to him, and was
not met with in any of the countries he had visited.

The sorghums are all tropical plants, introduced into Egypt
and the countries around the Mediterranean from the southward,
from some district not beyond the limits of the East Indian
Archipelago. He saw nothing of them on the islands of the
Pacific.

327

The President read a letter from Mr. William Edwards,
of South Natick, Mass., upon the Cause of the Vibra-
tions in water falling over dams.

Mr. Edwards says that his attention was called to tliis subject
by the report of the Proceedings of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science at Montreal, and by recent dis-
cussions at the Boston Society of Natural History. The dam
across Charles River in the village of South Natick is nine feet
high and two hundred feet long, and, at certain stages of the
water, the vibrations are so powerful as to agitate bodies three
quarters of a mile distant.

During the month of December, the water being at its most
favorable point for the production of vibratory movement, in con-
nection with his brother, a series of experiments upon the subject
was undertaken by him. By erecting a flashboard, three feet in
length, on the top of the dam, the water was shut oif, and a dry
entrance obtained behind the falling sheet. Ample room was
found to walk back and forth. At the place of entrance, the
flame of a lamp was unagitated, a fact unexpected by them, as
they had favored the hypothesis of Prof. Snell, and had supposed
that air sufficient to cause the vibrations would have found an
exit at this opening.

Twenty-five or thirty feet from the entrance, the flame was
slightly agitated simultaneously with the vibratory motions. A
falling feather descended as quietly as in a close room. The dis-
charge of a pistol produced no perceptible effect upon the water,
although the report nearly stunned them. It having been sug-
gested that the vibrations are produced at the bottom of the sheet
and continued upward to the top of the dam, they endeavored to
produce such an efll"ect by placing obstructions at various points,
but without success. Whilst holding the ends of the fingers in
the current, two or three inches from the corner of the timber
over which the water breaks, it was evident that the water
passed the fingers in ridges, apparently one half or three quarters
of an inch apart. By following with the eye, in their descent,
these ridges or vibrations, it was found that the interval between
them increased, with the velocity of the water, to the extent of
fourteen inches. An aperture in the water, made by the passage

328

of a stone of the size of a hen's egg, at the top of the fall, in-
creased in size just in proportion to the increasing distance of the
vibrations, retaining its circular foi'ra, and finally expanded to
fourteen inches in diameter. Upon the top of the dam they could
see distinctly through the current to the edge of the timber over
which the water breaks, and they found that the water at this
point acquires a tremulous motion, giving origin to the ridges or
vibrations alluded to above, which here follow each other at in-
tervals not exceeding one quarter of an inch. The sheet of water
at the top of the dam is six inches in thickness ; at the bottom
two and a half inches. The ridges are evident on the inside the
whole length of the fall, but upon the outside they do not make
their appearance for the space of ten or twelve inches. They in-
crease in size relatively with the distance.

Mr. John Green presented several specimens of Fishes
from Surinam. They were the female Anableps Gronovii,
with the ovary containing the young exposed to view ;
the Aspredo levis, with its eggs adherent to its abdomen ;
and a species of Bagre which carries its eggs in its
mouth, some of the young fish being seen just hatched
from the egg. The eggs in this specimen chanced to be
of two distinct species, showing that the fish may get
and carry in its mouth the eggs of another. He knew
of six species which carry the eggs in the mouth.

The President said he had examined several specimens of
Bagre before finding one with the eggs of a diiferent species in
its mouth. The young are found alive, either within the envel-
opes of the eggs or already hatched, even when the fish has
been dead some length of time. The number of eggs in the
ovaries is small, not greater than can be carried in the mouth,
and are in three different stages of development, so that they are
not all discharged at the same time.

Dr. Charles Pickering alluded to the indestructible nature of
the eggs of some fish ; they have been known to hatch after
traversing the intestinal canal of a bird.

Dr. A. A. Gould observed, that at a recent meeting of the

329

Horticultural Society, a discussion arose upon a question of pe-
titioning the Legislature to repeal the law concerning the destruc-
tion of robins and other birds, the injury to fruit being so extensive
ft-om their abundance in the neighborhood of Boston. He hoped
the present law, preventing the destruction of birds, would remain
in force, as the benefit derived from them, in the consumption of
insects injui'ious to vegetation, far surpasses the value of the fruit
lost.

Mr. T. T. Bouve remarked that, in Hingham and its neighbor-
hood, he had noticed that the robins' nests are invaded by crows
and about half of the young destroyed. The crow exhibits con-
siderable instinct in selecting a proper time for the depredation.

Rev. Theodore Parker inquired if it had been noticed that the
crow mates in families of three, generally one male and two
females, an arrangement by which the duties of obtaining food
and watching its young are better performed than by pairs. This
he had observed, but could find"" no notice of it in works on Or-
nithology.

The President stated that he had known a Hornet's Nest, built
under the portico of a house in Roxbury, to be occupied three
successive years, — a fact contrary to what is commonly sup-
posed.

The Corresponding Secretary read the following letters
recently received, viz : —

From Russell Loring, Esq., and Dr. J. B. Toldervy, in acknowl-
edgment of their election as Members ; the Elliott Society of
Natural History, Charleston, S. C. ; Royal Society of Edinburgh,
December 1, 1856 ; the Naturhistorischer Verein at Bonn, April
20, 1857 ; the Societe des Sciences Naturelles de Neuchatel, May
7, 1857 ; acknowledging the receipt of the Society's publications ;
the Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein, Hamburg, Oct. 4, 1856; the
Naturhistorischer Verein, Boim, April 20, 1857 ; Verein fiir
Naturkunde, Stuttgart, May 24, 1857, presenting their various
publications ; from D. Washburn, Esq., Corresponding Secretary
of the Pottsville Scientific Association, presenting a copy of a
work entitled " Studies in Organic Morphology."

330

Messrs. L. B. Stone and P. C. Hill were elected Resi-
dent Members.

January 20, 1858.

The President in the Chair.

Mr. John Green exhibited a number of photographs,
taken by the collodion process, of microscopic objects,
many of which had been very highly magnified. In con-
nection with Mr. Albert Gould of the Scientific School,
he had been experimenting upon the subject, and had
succeeded in obtaining very fine and accurate represen-
tations of some of the fossil diatomacese, crystals, sec-
tions of bone, and various vegetable tissues. The most
transparent objects, such as fossil Naviculae, were well
taken, even when magnified eight hundred linear diam-
eters.

Mr. C. H. Hitchcock exhibited a diagram of a geolog-
ical section from Greenfield to Charlemont, Mass., and
gave the following explanation of it : —

This section was measured in October, 1857. The design of
it is to show tlie amount of erosion since the strata were brought
into their present position.

I will enumerate the rocks in order, going from east to west,
beginning at Greenfield. At Greenfield we find the Connecticut
River Sandstone dipping 40 degrees E, Leaving the valley we
strike the Calcareomica-slate in Shelburne, having a dip of 67
degrees E. This rock consists of micaceous slates and schists
interstratified with bluish-gray silicious limestone. The dip
gradually increases to 38 degrees E. at two and a third miles
from the commencement of the rock ; when, upon East Moun-

331

tain, we find a beautiful mica-slate which cleaves into large
tables, and is generally destitute of limestone. The dip of this
is 40 degrees E., and it extends one and one third miles. Then,
just below the top of East Mountain, upon the west side, there
is about fifty feet thickness of hornblende slate, of which the dip
is 28 degrees E. Passing into the valley of the Deerfield River,
gneiss is found, becoming gradually nearly horizontal. Between
this rock and the hornblende slate above, it is hard to draw the
line. Most of the gneiss has hornblendic layers interstratified
with it sparingly ; but at the top of the gneiss the hornblende
predominates ; the rock being in some places nothing but a heavy,
unctuous, shining mass of hornblende crystals. West of Shel-
burne Falls the gneiss begins to dip to the west. The extent of
the gneiss is four and one third miles, mostly in a deep valley.

At East Charlemont the hornblende slate is found above the
gneiss, corresponding in character and thickness to the same
rock in Shelburne. Then follows the beautiful mica-slate, spar-
ingly interstratified with limestone, and lastly the calcareomica-
slate, corresponding to the rock at the east end of the section.
Here, at the end of the section in Charlemont centre, the strata
are perpendiculai-, running north and south, and stand side by
side with talcose slate.

The Deerfield River makes a bend just above Shelburne Falls,
so that the section crosses the river twice, and continues for two
or tliree miles further in the valley. Had a section been meas-
ured across the river at Shelburne Falls village at right angles
to the stream, it would have exhibited a mountain, west of the
river, possessing all the characters of East Mountain in a reverse
order. Thus we find an anticlinal axis, with the same strata upon
the opposite sides of the ridge at their proper distances. The
inference is that the strata were once continuous, and that the
material has been denuded. A measurement upon the protracted
section gives 3,350 feet, or three fifths of a mile, as the height
above the present level of the former strata. This is taken from
the lowest level upon the section. As we go east or west from
this central point, the surface rises ; consequently the thickness
of the denuded sti'ata constantly diminishes in these directions.
The denuded surface is eleven miles wide.

From the bend in Deerfield River above Shelburne Falls the

332

stream continues westward in a deep valley for twenty miles, to
Hoosac mountain, before turning northwards. This valley has
probably been excavated in like manner ; but no exact measure-
ment can be made of the amount of erosion, because the river
crosses perpendicular strata. A line drawn from the summits on
either side of tlie valley to each other would give large results ;
but they would not be equal to the truth.

Let us now look at the first described erosion in another light.
The gneiss rock at the bottom is exposed over an oval area about
three miles by two. If ten observers should start from the cen-
tre of the oval, and travel in as many different radiating direc-
tions, they would all see the same succession of rocks, and in the
same order. The dip is quaquaversal, gradually returning to an
anticlinal axis at a few miles distance north and south. Hence
there has been a cap denuded, three fifths of a mile thick. Doubt-
less, all along this anticlinal axis, wherever the upper rocks have
been removed, the gneiss beneath will be discovered. It corre-
sponds to the gneiss and hornblende slate of eastern Hampshire
and western Worcester counties, and would seem thus to lie
below the Metamorphosed Silurian rocks. If so, it should be
included among the Hypozoic rocks.

Sections similar to the foregoing have been measured and de-
scribed by English geologists. Not being aware of any similar
work in our own country, I have described this section in hope
of drawing attention to the subject, and thus insure descriptions
of sections far more grand and interesting. I can vouch, on the
part of the Vermont survey, for a careful attention to this subject.

Prof. W. B. Rogers made some remarks upon the section ex-
hibited by Mr. Hitchcock, which he characterized as a good
example, in a highly metamorphic region, of the prevailing struc-
ture of the Appalachian chain. He described the gradation from
closely folded curves to normal and flattened arches, which is so
beautifully displayed throughout this belt from Pennsylvania to
middle Alabama, and referred to the presence of like features in
the northern extension of the belt, as well as in the zone of
highly altered rocks adjoining it on the southeast.

With respect to the break in the middle of the section pi-esent-
ing the character of an anticlinal valley, he remarked that this

333

central interruption was the usual feature in the principal anti-
clinals of the Ajjpalachian chain. In numerous instances, some
of which were cited, the anticlinal wave, where it has attained its
greatest magnitude, has been carved out longitudinally along the
axis, forming a narrow valley, many miles in length. In this
are seen the lowest rocks of the range, dipping in opposite direc-
tions so as to pass beneath the hills by which the valley is walled
in. These bounding hills, formed of higher strata arranged in
corresponding order, are but lateral remnants of what was once
a broad and lofty ridge, composed of successive formations con-
tinuously arched from side to side, but from which the violent
denuding actions of a former period have removed the higher
and central parts. The proof of this is well shown at either end
of the valley, where the strata of the opposite hills are seen to
come together, layer after layer, in the ascending order, until the
valley is entirely closed up, after which the anticlinal is continued
in a single unbroken ridge of arching strata.

Prof. William B. Rogers called the attention of the Society to
the curious phenomena connected with the sonorous action of jets
of burning gas, which have lately been observed by Count
Schaffgotsch and Prof. Tyndal.

The production of a musical sound by a small flame of hydro-
gen gas, burning within a tube, has long been one of the most
familiar of lecture-room experiments. Prof. Faraday, in one of
his earliest investigations, showed that this musical effect was not
confined to hydrogen, but could be produced with flames of
carbonic oxide, common illuminating gas, and several other gases
and vapors. He was, moreover, the first to give a philosophical
theory of the sound, by showing that in the conditions of the ex-
periment, the flame resolved itself into a series of little explo-
sions, which, succeeding each other at very small and equal inter-
vals of time, gave rise to regular and therefore musical vibrations
in the tube.

In the recent experiments the further fact has been observed,
that the flame, both when singing and when silent in the tube, is
strongly acted on by external sounds, having a certain musical
relation to the tone of the pipe or flame. These effects, Prof.
Rogers illustrated by a jet of coal gas, burned in glass tubes of

334

clifFerent lengtlis, and a short organ pipe, for producing the exter-
nal sounds.

In studying experimentally the conditions under which these
sounds are produced, Prof". Rogers had lately ascertained that the
usual absence of the sonorous effect in the case of lamps or can-
dles burned under the same conditions as the gas, is not due, as
might be supposed, to a mechanical interference of the wick with
the vibrating motion. He found that wicks of cotton thread and
of asbestus, introduced into a jet pipe of gas, even so as to' pro-
ject far into the flame, did not prevent its singing, although they
impaired the purity of the musical tone. The difficulty of ob-
taining continuous musical sounds from a common flame with a
wick, must rather be ascribed to the nature of the combustible
matter, which, requiring a very large supply of air to produce
the explosions, is liable to be extinguished before the musical
sound is developed.

To obtain an Ethe7' Jlame suitable for these experiments. Prof.
Rogers uses a glass tube about eight inches long and one quarter
of an inch in diameter, open below and drawn somewhat bluntly
to a point, with a small aperture at the top ; some loose cotton
twine or thread of Asbestus being introduced so as to terminate
at or very near the pointed opening, the tube is half filled Avith
sulphuric ether ; the larger end is closed wath a tight cork, and
the little ether candle is fixed vertically in the centre of a wooden
block. On applying a light to the apex, the ethereal vapor burns
in a steady bluish jet, which with proper tubes enables us readily
to repeat all the experiments on the singing and the silent flame.
This simple apparatus acts freely at ordinary temperatures, and
may be used from time to time for several days without replen-
ishing.

In regard to the agency of the flame in giving rise to the musi-
cal tone. Prof Rogers thought it might be compared to that of
the reed of various wind instruments, the vibration of which,
"by giving motion to the column of air in the pipe, causes the
sound to begin, although the vibrating column, by its reaction on
the reed, controls more or less the rate of its oscillations, and de-
termines the pitch of the sound produced. A similar reaction
between the aerial column and the flame quickly establishes a
synchronous motion of the two, corresponding to the fundamental
note, or to one of the natural harmonics of the tube.

335

Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr., through the kindness of D. T. Curtis,
Esq., exhibited some fine specimens of the Chinese Yam, (Dio-
scorea batatos,) raised in Taunton, Mass., by A. Andros, Esq.
He remarked that they were the finest specimens ever seen here,
being from eigliteen to twenty-four inches in length, and from two
to three inches in thickness at the lower end, whence they gradually
taper upwards. They are cultivated like the sweet potato. The
tubers are cut into pieces of about one inch in length, and are
planted, about the first of June, in drills about eight inches apart.
They prefer a light, dry, warm, and sandy soil, growing well at
Nantucket. They are very hardy, and such as are not wanted
for use in the autumn, may be allowed to remain in the ground
all winter, being well preserved in that condition like a parsnip.
If not dug up, they will grow again the succeeding year. They
may be cooked in the same manner as the sweet potato.

Mr. C. K. Dillaway, in behalf of the Publishing Com-
mittee, announced the publication of the fourth and last
number of the Sixth Volume of the Journal. This num-
ber contains descriptions of New Species of Fossil Plants
from the coal-fields of Pennsylvania, of Anableps Gro-
novii, and of the Crustacea, Echinodermata, and Fishes
collected in California by Mr. E. Samuels. The Pub-
lishing Committee desire to see the subscription for the
Journal increased, and would inform those interested
that the next number will commence a new volume.
Upon motion of Mr. Sprague, it was voted to refer to the
Council the subject of enlarging the list of subscribers to
the Journal.

Rev. Joshua A. Swan, of Kennebunk, Maine, was
elected a Corresponding Member, and Messrs. Chas. T.
Carney and W. W. Baker were elected Resident Mem-
bers.

336

February 3, 1858.
The President in the Chair.

The President gave a brief account of a dissection of a
human foetus in the third week after conception, pointing
out some of the transitionary forms which are to be seen
only for a very short time, and comparing the various
parts with the corresponding parts of other animals. He
alluded to the position of the eyes, which are very far
upon the side of the head, and widely separated from
each other, corresponding to the permanent position of
those organs in cetaceans ; to the position and form of
the nostrils, which are far apart, and externally connected
with the cavity of the mouth, corresponding to the con-
dition of the nostrils in some of the American monkeys ;
to the branchial arches and fissures, opening into the
cavity of the oesophagus, and remaining a greater length
of time in some animals than in others, and persistent in
fishes, where they become the gills. He also pointed out
the position and earliest condition of the arms and legs,
remarking, that in all instances, even before any pressure
can be exerted upon them, both extremities assume the
angular form which persists in quadrupeds. The lower
extremities are not developed at the extreme termination
of the trunk; consequently the spinal canal projects and
gives the appearance of a tail, until the growth of the
legs is more advanced. The President also explained in
what manner an arrest of development would produce
some of the common malformations, such as hare-lip and
fissured palate, and instanced a case of fissure of the neck,
described by Hyrtl, where there was an opening from the
external surface into the gullet, one of the branchial fis-
sures of the embryo having remained unclosed.

337

Dr. C. T. Jackson exhibited a sample of Crystallized
Sugar, which he said was Cane Sugar, manufactured from
the Chinese Sugar Cane, by Mr. Joseph S. Lovering, of
Philadelphia, and read extracts from a pamphlet upon
the subject, giving some of the details in the processes
employed and results obtained.

Dr. A. A. Hayes said that neither the crystalline forms nor the
action of the polariscope are to be relied upon in distinguishing
the varieties of sugar. He considei*ed the crystalline forms of the
Sorghum sugars, and likewise that of honey sugar to be identical.
He was not aware that glucose crystallized in the cubic system.
The chemical properties of the sugars, he believed to be the only
distinct proof of the several varieties.

Dr. Jackson replied that it was distinctly stated, in several
chemical works of authority, that cane sugar and glucose crystal-
lize in different systems.

Dr. C. T. Jackson presented, in the name of T. Glover,
Esq., a specimen of a Parasitic Plant growing upon the
body of a common Fly found upon a pear-tree. Mr. C.
J. Sprague said that it was an immature specimen of
one of the species of Cordiceps.

Dr. Jackson presented samples of the Earth Almond of
Spain, Cyperus esculentus, which were raised in Wash-
ington. They contain a large amount of starch, and are
good food for swine, turkeys, and other domestic ani-
mals. They grow well in sandy soils.

Dr. Jackson also exhibited a Chinese Yam, Dioscorea
batatas. It contains a peculiar ropy mucilage, which is
neither arabine nor dextrine ; it dissolves in water and
starch precipitates it.. The specimen contained 80.52 per
cent, of water. The amount of ligneous fibre is quite
small, differing, in this respect, from the West Indian
Yam.

Mr. Charles Stodder read a communication from Mr.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI. 22 APRIL, 1858.

338

Wm. Edwards, of Natick, upon the Vibrations caused
by Water falling over Dams.

Mr. Edwards writes that, at the request of Mr. Stodder, he
counted, as nearly as possible, the number of vibrations, at some
distance from the dam, and the number of the waves, and, al-
though their rapidity made it very difficult to count them, ranging
as they did from 280 to 325 per minute, he found that they coin-
cided. This fact was rendered still more conclusive by assuming
a position at one end of the dam where the vibrations could be
seen, heard, and felt, all at the same time. Every portion of the
timber over which the water flows, produces vibrations of
greater or less distinctness, and, occasionally, the waves of a cer-
tain portion of the dam fall in the wave intervals of the other
end of the dam, and then the vibrations of the earth cease.
Standing in front of the dam, and placing a pole on the bed of
the river, directly under the fall, the jwle was violently agitated,
although there are two feet of back-water through which the
water must pass before it reaches the pole. In the falling sheet,
the wavelets are concavo-convex, and not double convex, that is,
the internal surface corresponding with an external convexity is
concave.

Prof. W. B. Rogers remarked, that the wave-like divisions of
the descending sheet of water were probably referable to the
same general law wliich has been shown by Savart and Plateau
to obtain in the case of a stream flowing from an aperture in the
bottom or side of a vessel. These philosophers have proved that,
at a certain distance from the point of discharge, the stream,
although seemingly continuous, is in reality divided into separate
parts ; and Plateau explains this subdivision by the prepon-
derance of transverse cohesive forces in the column, when its
length exceeds its thickness by more than a determinate amount.
In this case the sides of the stream are drawn together at inter-
vals, and the mass is thus broken up into separate sections,
which, by further cohesive action, are moulded into drops. Thus
every such stream, at some distance below the aperture, loses its
straight outline, and assumes the form of a series of enlargements
and contractions, which, at a still greater distance, become visible
as a succession of drops.

339

It is interesting to remark that a regular system of vibrations
occurs in the streams thus affected by wave-like subdivisions,
enabling them to produce strong musical tones, when suffered to
strike upon an elastic surface, and to communicate similar musi-
cal vibrations even to the reservoir itself In this action we dis-
cern somewhat analogous conditions to those of the powerful vibra-
tory movements attending the descent of large masses of water
over dams.

Prof. William B. Rogers stated the results of further
experiments on Sonorous Flames which he had made
since the last meeting of the society.

He had previously attempted, but without a satisfactory result,
to obtain the musical vibrations with flames of alcohol and other
liquids burned directly from a wick. More recently, by employ-
ing hollow circular wicks and using tubes but slightly exceeding
them in diameter, he had been able to produce these musical
effects with the flames of sulphuric ether, common alcohol, and
the mixture of the latter with spirits of turpentine, which is
known as burning fluid. By using an iron tube at a high tem-
perature he had obtained, though less perfectly, a similar result
with the flame of spermaceti oil.

As the effect in these experiments depends on the access to the
flame of a current of air of definite amount and velocity, and in a
proper direction, it is necessary to adjust the diameter of the wick
and size of the flame to the dimensions of the tube employed, and
to hold the tube with its lower edge a little below that of the
wick. The flame will then be seen to contract, to lose much of
its brilliancy, and, after more or less of a rattling sound, to give
forth a musical tone, which, with a little care, may be rendered
quite smooth and continuous.

These results are readily obtained with the flame of the small
circular wick lamp now in use for burning the mixture of alcohol
and turpentine. In this form of lamp the wick-tubes rise about
two inches above the reservoir, and an internal movable tube is
provided, which, being raised or lowered, serves to vary the depth
of the wick and to adjust the flame with great nicety. The body
of the lamp should be removed from its pedestal and placed on a

340

ring support to secure a free current of air upward through the
central wick-tube.

A simple way of making the experiment with an alcohol wick
is to inclose, between two glass tubes, a strip of cotton cloth or
thick paper, so that it may project a little beyond the upper end
of the tubes. When charged with alcohol and lighted, it will
furnish a hollow circular flame well suited for the temporary pro-
duction of the musical effect.

These results favor the conclusion that Jlames of every kind are
capable of exciting sonorous vibrations, provided the air and com-
bustible vapors are brought together in such proportions as to
Ibrm more or less of an explosive mixture, and they therefore
confirm the explanation of Faraday, which refers the musical
sounds pi'oduced in such cases to a rapid and uniform succession
of small explosions.

Dr. Henry Bryant presented a specimen of Iron Ore
from the State of New York, exhibiting throughout a
granular or oolitic structure.

This ore Prof. Rogers described as characteristic of the Clintoii
or surgent rocks, and as found in unvarying geological relations
throughout the Appalachian belt from New York to Alabama, as
well as at some points in the northwestern States where these
rocks are developed. It usually presents itself in the form of
thin beds or plates, rarely more than two in number with an in-
terval of from 10 to 30 feet of calcareous shales. The adjoining
strata are, for the most part, slates and shales, charged with sul-
phuret of iron, and bands of shaly and slaty limestone often
crowded with fossils. The ore itself is made up of small roundish
flattened granules of a bright red color and rather soft texture,
and contains, interspersed in the mass, numerous casts of shells,
encrinal stems, and other characteristic fossils.

It has been observed that these strata of iron ore, when fol-
lowed to a considerable depth below the surface, become more
and more calcareous, and at length, in many cases, pass into a
ferruginous limestone and even into a calcareous mass entirely
destitute of oxide of iron. As the continuity of the stratum of
ore with that of the limestone has been clearly proved, we are led

341

to conclude that the oxide of iron has been introduced at and near
the surface, by some chemical action, which has at the same time
removed the carbonate of lime originally forming the material of
the stratum. In looking for an agent adequate to this effect, we
naturally refer to tlie sulphate of iron and free sulphuric acid,
developed in the adjoining pjq-itous shales, which, brought by in-
filtration into contact with the calcareous rock would at the same
time dissolve the lime and deposit the oxide of iron in its place.

Dr. C. T. Jackson observed that he had found, in the oolitic
ore from "Wisconsin, that the nucleus of the egg was a grain of
sand. In chemical precipitates, a soft solid in a pasty condition
is frequently found to pass into a granular state, especially if
particles of sand are present, producing imperfect crystalline
forms around a nucleus.

Messrs. Kilby Page and Charles W. Lovett, Jr., were
elected Resident Members, and Messrs. Bernard A.
Hoopes, of Houghton, Michigan, and H. Davis, of Elgin,
Kane Co., Illinois, were elected Corresponding Members.

DEPARTMENT OF MICROSCOPY.

Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr., exhibited the spine of an Echino-
derm, prepared by Mr. Samuels.

A collection of marine animals and plants, presented
by Mr. N. E. Atwood at the first January meeting, was
referred to Dr. Bacon and the Secretary for examination.

February 17, 1858.

The President in the Chair.

Dr. C. T. Jackson stated that he had chemically tested
the sugar made from the Chinese Sugar Cane which he
exhibited at the last meeting. After boiling it, for a
great length of time, with the tartrate of copper and pot-

342

ash test, there was no reduction of the oxide of copper.
Chemical evidence, therefore, showed it to be Cane
Sugar, and not Glucose.

Br. Jackson also exhibited a Sugar which he had ob-
tained from the Spanish Earth Almond, Cyperus escu-
lent us.

Mr. John Green stated that he had detected unequiv-
ocal signs of Strychnine in the liver of a skunk which
was said to have been killed by this poison. The process
by which it was found is that proposed by Flandin,
which Mr. G. had described in the Boston Medical and
Surgical Journal, June, 1855. As is well known, there
is great difficulty in detecting minute quantities of vege-
table poisons in the animal body, and the theory has
been advanced that they are destroyed before reaching
the liver.

Dr. A. A. Hayes remarked that the communication of Mr.
Green had interested him, and he deemed it highly important, on
account of the positive fact of the detection of strychnia, after a
moderate dose had caused death. From personal experience, he
was led to add his testimony to the efficiency and simplicity of
the method of M. Ch. Flandin, for detecting the poisonous alka-
loids in the tissues of the organs ; as well as in the contents of the
stomach.

In some trials, in the way of testing this method, Dr. Hayes
stated, that using simple extract of opium, and pursuing morphia
and meconic acid, he had been led to the conclusion that the ex-
cess of lime might react on the alkaloids, at the temperature of
the water-bath, and thus reduce the amount of any alkaloid it
would be possible to detect. In some cases, too, the dry mass
containing the alkaloid with a large excess of lime, even in the
state of fine powder, was slowly acted on by alcohol : — a great
abundance of lime combinations with fatty acids being present.
He had found it advantageous, especially when opei'ating on par-
tially digested food in stomach contents, to add a small portion of
chloride of calcium solution, which has the power of dissolving

343

lime in excess, when concentrated, (Ca. CI., CaO.) and thus, with-
out diminishing its activity in breaking up protein compounds,
allows the dry matter subjected to alcohol, or other solvents of
alkaloids, to remain permeable. When baryta or lime is subse-
quently employed to develop) the alkaloid, either with or without
ammonia salts, the chloride of calcium does not interfere, and
very pure alcoholic or ethereal solutions, can at once be obtained.
He added, that he wished to express his accordance with the
opinion of JNIr. Green, that the chemical experiments should be
so conducted in the search after poison,- which had caused death,
as to eliminate from the tissues that portion which had entered
them, as being distinct in its effects, from the remainder found in
the stomach, or intestines, uncombined with protein compounds.
In cases of poisoning by corrosive poisons, the parts destroyed or
altered are easily observed, and the results of many experiments
had led him to form the opinion, that the organic poisons, in their
actions, leave traces only little less strongly marked.

Dr. Samuel Cabot, Jr., stated that a specimen of the
Ruddy Duck [Erismatura Dominica) of South America,
as is supposed, had been shot in a little bay upon the
northeast shore of Lake Champlain. It had never be-
fore been seen north of Jamaica. The specimen is in the
possession of Mr. Henry D. Morse, who intends to pre-
sent it to the Society.

Dr. David F. Weinland read the following paper enti-
tled—

THE PLAN ADOPTED BY NATURE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF

THE VARIOUS SPECIES OF HELMINTHS, (Parasitic Worms.)

It has been determined by the Helminthological investigations
of the past twenty years, that all Helminths have reproductive
organs, and produce eggs ; and that all those which have been de-
scribed as wanting these organs, and in whose cases the theory of
spontaneous generation has been applied, are the undeveloped
stages of other well known Helminths which have reproductive
organs. For instance, the whole order of Hydatids ( Cystica of
Rudolphi) are found to be larva3 of tapeworms, and the immense

344

numbex" of Helminths, which are found encysted in tissues in a
kind of chrysalis state, are all in the early stage of development
of a more perfect animal.

The eggs, therefore, are the only means which nature makes
use of in the preservation of Ilelminths. As all animals are
not the proper habitat of every species of Helminth, but, on the
contrary, as every species has provided for its nidus either one or
a few species of animals, the determination of the species adapted
for the development of each kind of worm is of great interest and
importance.

The number of eggs produced by each individual Helminth is
immense. They are to be estimated by thousands ; and, in those
species where the development is more complicated through
change of habitat, the calculation is to be made by tens of thou-
sands and millions. According to an average estimate, made
from the number of human tapeworms in a certain district, and
from the number of eggs they produce, we should judge that,
from a million of eggs, scarcely one tapeworm reaches its full de-
velopment. More than half of a million of eggs may perish
before the embryo is hatched : but, provided every individual
worm produces a million of eggs, the existence of the species is
preserved, if only one egg out of a million becomes fully developed.
The loss of this great amount of germs seems, at first sight, to be
extravagant ; yet, here as everywhere, nature studies the strictest
economy, that is, effects with the smallest possible means the great-
est possible results; and exhibits the most profound and accurate
calculation of chances, — a profundity and accuracy extremely ditii-
cult to be imagined when the innumerably vai'ying conditions are
taken into account. The number of individuals living at a given
time may vary ; but, for any considerable length of time, there is
no variance ; otherwise there would be a disturbance in the numer-
ical relation of animals, and consequently in the order, beauty, and
variety of nature. For if, instead of one, three or four out of
the million eggs were to arrive at maturity, the number of Hel-
minths would be three or four times as many as at present, and, in
succeeding generations, hundreds and thousands of times as many.
In those orders of Helminths, where the development is the most
complicated, as in Tapeworms and Suckworms, the individuals
are hermaphrodites and capable of propagation by themselves,

345

consequently rendering unriecessaiy a union of the sexes, and
thus counterbalancing any loss occasioned by the conditions of
development.

The eggs of Helminths are exceedingly minute, being scarcely
visible to the naked eye. They are so light as to readily float in
water, or to be transported by the slightest movement of the air.
They may likewise be disseminated in numerous ways, their hard
and horny shells and their minuteness serving to protect them
from injury. The eggs of tapeworms, as far as is known, and
those of most spindleworms are destined to be swallowed with the
food or drink of certain animals, in the intestine of which the
embryo hatches. The embryos of some spindleworms and prob-
ably those of all suckworras and hairworms can hatch, only in
water, where the eggs must arrive by chance, as in suckworms,
or be deposited by the mother, as in hairworms. It is unknown,
as yet, what becomes of the eggs of hookworms. But the em-
bryos of tapeworms, suckworms, and hookworms, and, as it
appears, also those of many spindleworms, reach, in the first ani-
mal into which they enter, only a limited degree of development,
and never the perfect stage ; that being achieved only in the
intestine of another entirely different carnivorous or insectivorous
animal, of which the first was the predestined food. In this,
likewise, we see the number of Helminths based upon chance,
those embryos which are necessarily lost in the first animal when
it has not been swallowed by another animal proper to per-
fect them, being taken into the calculation.

Most Helminths perfecting their development in the intestine,
their eggs reach the outer world readily ; but it is difficult to say
how the eggs of certain species, which live in organs not commu-
nicating with the external world, like blood-vessels, can make
their way out. Still more difficult of explanation is the case of
the viviparous Helminths. In many species of spindleworms, for
instance, the common Oxyuris vermicularis of the human rectum,
the young is born without any shell to protect it in its wander-
ings, and is therefore extremely exposed to the danger of being
dried up or otherwise destroyed.

Mr. Jerome G. Kidder was elected a Resident Mem-
ber.

346

March 3, 1858.
S. Durkee, M. D., in the Chair.

Mr. John Green, Jr., stated that, when he made his remarks
at the last meeting, upon the detection of strychnine and other
alkaloids in cases of poisoning, he had heen unable to find any
record of their det(;ction in the tissues of the body. lie had
subsequently, however, found, in the Journal Medicale for De-
cember, 1856, an account of toxicological experiments upon the
bodies of various animals which had been poisoned with minute
doses of strychnine, in the tissues of which that substance had
be(;n found. It was recognized after the lapse of months, and
even of years, and, in one instance, was found in the bones, and
in the inaterial of a wooden box in which an animal had been
bui-ied.

Mr. Green also referred to a process for the detection of alka-
loids, in which all organic matters are destroyed by sti'ong sul-
phuric acid, and he remarked that strychnine must be a far more
stable body than it has heretofore been considered.

Dr. David F. Wcinland made some remarks upon the
method of locomotion in Lophobranchious Fishes.

It is generally su[)posed that these fishes move with the tail,
whilst the fins of the other parts of the body merely preserve the
equilibrium. Dr. Weinland, when in liayti, noticed the Syngna-
thus advancing continuously in a curved line without any motion
of its body. Upon looking for the cause of locomotion, he found
the dor'sul lin making short and quick vibrations, resembling
those of the screw of a steam-pro|)eller, and the caudal fin like-
wise exhibiting the same movement. It is therefore shown that
the tail fin is not the sole organ of locomotion in Syngnathus.

In Syngnathus the eyes are capable of motion through the arc
of an angle of ninety degrees.

Prof. William B. Rogers gave an account of some
new experiments on sonorous flames made by him since

347

the last meeting, which, in a very simple way, illustrate

the origin t

vibrations.

the origin and some of the conditions of their musical

(1.) When a jet of buniing coal-gas is introduced into the
resonant tube in a position in which it does not sing spontane-
ously, we may cause it to commence its musical performance by
simply vibrating the jet pipe rapidly from side to side. In this
experiment the pipe should be covered with soft buckskin for two
or three inches near its upper end, to prevent the sharp jarring
sound caused by its striking the glass. This movement of the
jet is so efficient in bringing on the sonorous state, that it will
compel the flame to sing, even in a tube in which it would not do
so spontaneously in any position in which we could place it. In-
deed, it will often excite the musical vibrations in cases where,
from the unsuitable proportions between the tube and flame, the
external sounds used in SchafFgotsch's and Tyndal's expei'iment
entirely fail to bring on the sonorous state.

Although the singing is induced more promptly when we
allow the jet pipe in its vibrations to strike the sides of the tube,
this action is not at all necessary ; for we obtain the same result
when the pipe is merely shaken to and fro within such limits as
to prevent its touching the glass. The effect here described can
hardly fail, when first observed, to excite surprise, especially if
from previous trials we have found that the flame refuses either
to sing spontaneously or under the action of external sound.

So far as the impulse of the jet pipe against the sides of the
tube is influential in exciting the sound, we must ascribe its action
to the feeble musical resonance produced by it wdthin the tube,
which, although composed of several sounds, may always be ob-
served to include the fundamental note of the tube. This action
is therefore like that of a unison note sounded by the voice or an
external instrument, or that of any other mechanical agency giving
rise to a vibration of the included column of air. But the other
and far more remarkable effect, the excitement of the musical
condition in the flame by simply moving it to and fro without
striking the tube, cannot be thus explained, since the gentle im-
pulse given to the air by the vibrating pipe produces no audible
effect and would seem quite inadequate to excite in the column

348

any but the very feeblest vibration. Admitting, however, that
these extremely faint vibrations of the air may contribute some-
what to the result, it can hai'dly be doubted that the main influence
by which the movement of the jet produces the effect in question
is by causing so rapid a mixture of the adjoining air with the gas
that the latter, before being inflamed, is brought into a condition
to produce those small explosions which by their quick succession
give origin to the sound. The effect of motion in bringing about
this explosive condition of the flame is well exemplified by the
following experiment : —

(2.) Fastening a jet pipe some ten inches in length into the
end of the flexible tube through which the gas is supplied and
holding it erect by a point a little below the insertion so that we
can readily cause it to vibrate, we ignite the gas and adjust it to
form a slender flame about an inch long. If now the flame be
moved from side to side at a moderately rapid rate, it will assume
according to a well-known visual law the appearance of a con-
tinuous arch of whitish light retaining at the extremities the
whole height of the stationary flame but growing narrower from
either side towards the middle. In these conditions the flame is
entirely noiseless. As we gradually increase the speed of the
vibrations the arch, at a certain stage, suddenly breaks in the
middle w^here a faint bluish flame takes the place of the usual
whitish light and at the same instant a sharp noise is heard, due
to the inflammation of the explosive mixture at this part of the
vibration. It is hardly necessary to say that as the vibration is
quickest at the midway point, coming to a pause at each end of
the arch, the gas becomes more largely mixed with air at the
middle than towards the extremities of the motion, and is, there-
foi'e, at this point, earliest reduced to the state of an explosive
mixture.

As we increase the velocity of the vibrations, the sonorous part
of the arch extends towards the ends, until the path of the flame
presents the aspect of a narrow bluish band irregularly serrated
at top and flanked at the exti'emities by a tall flame of the usual
whitish color. As might be expected, when the jet is revolved rap-
idly in a circle, the white light entirely disappears, and the ring of
bluish flame which results gives forth a continuous but not dis-
tinctly musical sound. When made in a dark room these simple

349

experiments were found to be unexpectedly interesting and
beautiful.

(3.) As in the above cases the action is mainly traceable to
the moi'e rapid mingling of atmospheric air with the flame, it is
natural to conclude that a like effect would be produced by pass-
ing a current of air upwai'ds through the tube, and on trial this
anticipation was strikingly verified. In order that the current
may be evenly distributed, it is convenient to employ an argand
burner, having the supply pipe at the side, and the central open-
ing entirely free, so that the jet pipe may rise thi'ough the centre
and the burner be adjusted to the proper distance below the
flame and the bottom of the glass tube. The air conveyed to the
argand burner through a flexible pipe, may be supplied either
from the lungs of the operator or from an adjacent gasometer.
In most cases the action of the current is more easily managed
when the apertures from which it flows are some two or three
inches below the bottom of the resonant glass tube.

With this arrangement, and a proper graduation of the current
of air impelled into the tube, we can cause the flame to sing when
the other methods above described have failed to produce any
effect. When the flame is not far from the position in which it
would spontaneously sing, the lightest breathing through the argand
jpipe is sufficient to bring it to the sounding state, and to maintain
a clear, smooth tone. Even when the flame is large and other-
wise not readily susceptible of the sonorous action, a stronger cur-
rent of air applied nearer to the bottom of the resonant tube will
rarely fail to bring on the musical vibrations. It should be men-
tioned that these effects can be produced in a simpler but less
satisfactory manner by using, instead of the argand burner, to
conduct the current, a common glass tube, bent suitably, and held
near the jet pipe below the opening of the resonant tube.

The sound familiarly observed wlien a flame of any kind is
blown upon, and especially when the air is forced into or through
the flame, as in the case of the jet of a blow-pipe, was long ago
referred by Faraday to the combustion of an explosive mixture
formed by the air and burning matter. The sound produced by
a blazing fire of wood or bituminous coal, as contrasted with the
silence of a flameless mass of ignited anthracite, is an obvious illus-
tration of the same principle. But the experiments above de-

350

scribed show the operation of this law under conditions which
enable us more satisfactorily to mark the origin of the sound and
the gradations by which it accompanies the formation of the ex-
plosive mixture.

(4.) The intermitting character of the combustion in a singing
flame has been beautifully shown by Prof Tyndal, by causing
the light of the flame to fall upon a revolving mirror, from which
it is reflected so as to form a series of images on a distant screen.
A similar resolution of the flame into successive explosions is
more simply exhibited by moving it rapidly to and fro, or better
still, by giving it a steady revolving motion within the tube. In
using the former method, the jet pipe may be attached to the
common gas stand by a short piece of flexible hose, and passed
through a ring so placed as to restrict the vibrations to a range
less than the diameter of the tube. A sufficiently regular move-
ment may then be given by the hand. If now, we adjust the
flame in the tube, so that it will not begin to sing for some time
after the vibration has commenced, or until the tube is further
lowered, we observe at first merely the continuous band of light
due to the permanence of the visual impression, but, as soon as
the singing commences, this band becomes waved or serrated at
the top, and with a proper velocity divides into nearly separate
columns of flame, with obscure spaces between.

The effect is, however, far more striking, when the Jlame is
made to revolve at a uniform rate in the tube. In this case, so
long as it remains silent, it presents the appearance of a hollow
cylinder or short tube of whitish light ; but the moment the sing-
ing begins, the cylinder assumes a toothed form on the top
resembling a brilliant crown, and divides itself into a number of
narrow luminous columns, separated by bands nearly or quite de-
prived of light. It is hardly necessary to say that the obscure
spaces mark the moments in the rotation when the explosions
occur, and the bright ones the successive intervals between them.
With a given rate of rotation, as might be expected, the number
of these subdivisions is greater in a short tube than in a long
one, and is greater when the tube is yielding one of its hai'monic
notes than when giving its fundamental sound. In the same
tube the number of subdivisions diminishes as we increase the
velocity of rotation, a less number of vibrations or explosions in
this case corresponding to one revolution of the jet.

351

To rendei" the effect visible at a distance, it is of course neces-
sary to use a large tube and flame. It is, however, beautifully
distinct when the tube is some six feet long, by one and a half
inches in diameter, and the flame three quarters of an inch in
height. The mechanism employed to give rotation to the jet
consists of a grooved wheel connected by a band with a small
pulley. Into the latter the supply pipe enters from below by a
smooth gas-tight joint, which allows the pulley freely to revolve.
The jet pipe secured to the middle of the upper face of the pul-
ley tapers to the extremity, and rising to the height of six or
eight inches, is elbowed near the top so as to give the flame when
revolving an orbit of nearly an inch in diameter.

When the experiment is in progress, the appearance of the
horizontal portion of the jet pipe affords incidentally a very
pretty proof of the intermittence of the singing flame. As each
successive explosion makes this part strongly visible, it assumes
the aspect of a number of hrilliant spokes corresponding to the
subdivisions of the crown of flame ; and if to vary this effect we
blacken the horizontal part of the pipe, and fasten near its outer
end, or where it resumes a vertical dii'cction, a brilliant bead of
glass or metal, we are presented with a circle of starry/ points,
each of which, by a proper adjustment of the motion, appears to
be at rest.

(5.) The following proof of the intermitting nature of the
singing flame, suggested by the effects just described, is at once
so simple, and so readily seen at a distance, as perhaps to merit
a place among useful lecture-room illustrations. In this experi-
ment the jet-pipe bearing the flame is held at rest in the tube,
and the required effect is produced by receiving the light on a
circular disc of thick pasteboard or of metal, some six inches in
diameter, supported near the tube on a horizontal axis around
which it may be revolved by the impulse of the hand. The face
of the disc next the tube, colored of a dead black with paint or
a covering of cloth, should have a narrow strip of white paper
fastened upon it in a radial direction, or a small circular bit of
the same placed near the edge. If both faces are used alter-
nately, we may affix the white bar to one and the dot to the other.

On bringing the six feet tube down over the flame, and giving
rapid motion to the disc, we remark that so long as the flame

352

continues silent, the bar or dot is quite invisible ; but, as soon as
the sound commences, the black disc becomes diversified by a
series of whitish images of one or other of these objects arranged
at equal intervals around the central point. It is scarcely nec-
essary to say, that the number of these images, as well as their
apparent motion or rest, will depend on the time of rotation, as
compared with the intervals of the explosions of the flame.
Should it happen that the period of one revolution of the wheel
is precisely that of a certain number of the explosions, neither
more nor less, or that of, any multiple or sub-multiple of this
numbei", the images of the bar or dot will continue in each suc-
cessive rotation to present themselves at the same points ; but,
should this relation not subsist, these images will be seen to shift
their places on the disc, sometimes appearing to advance, and at
others to retreat.

At the request of Mr. Bouv6, Dr. A. A. Hayes repeated
briefly, " An account of the present state of chemical
knowledge in relation to alcoholic beverages and their
falsifications," prepared for another Society.

He stated that the products of fermentation, whether resulting
from " worts," in which the altered starch of grains furnishes the
material, or the " must," of expressed juices of grapes, fruits,
and plants, might be for convenience classed as Wines.

Thus ale, which is the product of the first fermentation of
malted barley, may be considered the wine of malt ; the addition
of hop extract, being a matter of taste, which replaces the fruit
extract in wines. If we include also the mixtures of cane prod-
ucts, sugar and water, honey and water, and finally skimmed
milk, we have the sources of various resorts for producing exhila-
ration or intoxication, adopted by all nations.

The first chemical change in many of the mixtures used is
produced by the remarkable body called diastase, which has the
power of converting nearly two thousand times its own weight
of starch into dextrine, or about half that quantity into grape
sugar. This body is developed in the act of germination in
grains and seeds ; and probably in this principle of malted barley
we have the type of a class of these substances, which, in differ-

353

ent ways, act to i^roduce remarkable transformations in organic
bodies.

The second change, which demands attention, is that of the
conversion of dextrine and glucose, — the sugar of fruits, — into
alcohol, which remains dissolved in the Huid. This breaking up
and rearranging of the elements of sugar is effected, as is well
known, through the aid of the heer yeast plant, usually. Like dias-
tase, the beer yeast pliant is endowed with life, and has the power
of communicating motion to organic and organized matter, result-
ing in change of composition. In so simple an expression of the
phenomena of beer, or wine production, we have omitted some
most important substances, which participate in the changes.
These are the natural fixed oils and fats, and the volatile odorous
bodies, in grains ; but more especially in grapes, fruits, cane pro-
ducts, ^c. Thus the hop extract, added before fermentation, to
ale, beer, or porter, becomes altered, as do the grape oils ; and
the remark applies to all known cases of fermentation of mixed
solutions. Mature grapes contain a natural ferment, in its appro-
priate cells, requiring, to bring its affinity in view, only that the
cell walls and tissues of the fruit be broken, so as to provide fluid
sugar, on which it reacts. Fermentation, which at a temperature
of 70° F. commences immediately in grape juice, developes be-
sides alcohol a whole class of new bodies. So in the fermen-
tation of grains, the fixed bland oils of the seeds, slightly altered,
remain ; while more volatile odorous oils are directly produced
from materials present. Now, these oils deserve special atten-
tion, because on the production of these, and their subsequent
further change, the money value of the beverages depends. A
very large consumption of beverages is supplied by the first fer-
mentation of the materials named, and these alcoholic mixtures
also form the basis of the spirit manufacture.

The second fermentation of wines is perhaps more important
than the first. In this, the alcohol remaining almost unaltered,
the greatest changes take place in the fruit extracts and oils.
Fruit extracts lose their acidity and much saline matter, while
the presence of acids leads to the production of ethers, from oily
bases present, which then give their odors to the wine. It is
apparent that the proportions, and even kinds of ethers present,
may vary ; but a general predominance of one designates a wine.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. VOL. VI. 23 MAY, 1858.

354

Closely connected with the presence and kind of ether, are the
effects of wine on the human system ; those wines having much
ether and little alcohol proving exhilarating ; while the alcoholic
and oily wines may be distinguished as intoxicating beverages.

In the spirit manufacture, after the first fermentation has
ceased, distillation follows for the separation of alcohol from the
non-volatile organic matters. Here again the volatile oils are
characteristic bodies, and impart their odors to the spirits in a
strongly marked degree. Brandy, whiskey, rums, corn and
potato spirits, have their values based on the kind and quality of
oil each contains. Their other constituents, in pure samples, are
simply odorless water and odorless alcohol.

In all pure distilled spirits, with the oils, certain acids are con-
nected, and the etherification of the oils slowly proceeds, as in
the case of wines. The distinction between new, or raw spirits,
and old, or matured spirits, arises from this etherification of the
oils, commonly called fusel oils. The highly aromatic brandies
of the last century, like the " Nantes " brandy, were distilled
from partly matured wines, and contained all their ethers.

The falsifications of beers, wines, and spirits, so far as our
commerce is concerned, are extensive, and will be alluded to
briefly.

In the early manufacture of brandy, wines of low cost were
distilled, but the more general demand for wines, with occasional
short crops of grapes, have led to another mode of producing the
enormous quantity of raw spirits now consumed.

After the grapes have been pressed and fermented, the resi-
due, consisting of skins, kernels, and pulpy parts, is mixed with
solutions of glucose, obtained from starch ; odorless spirit is
added, and the artificial must thus formed is fermented cautiously.
Distillation sej^arates a spirit, loaded with the oils of grape fer-
mentation, to such an extent that an excess of grajie oil, besides
brandy, is obtained in rectification. This is the brandy of the
present day, and forms the large bulk of our importation. The
oil of grapes, under the name of " Cognac Oil" is vended for
a moderate price, and becomes a large producer of brandy, by a
very short process.

As the oils known as fusel oils are less volatile than alcohol, a
managed distillation permits us to separate the oil from alcohol,

355

which then becomes odorless or neutral ; cognac oil, mixed with
neutral spirit, instantl}' produces factitious brandy ; sugar and
coloring matter being adjuncts. Such a base mixture is largely
made in this country ; and as it has no principle capable of ma-
turing, it should take a place below the raw spirits.

Falsified wines are made here from mixtures of spirit, water,
sugar, and low-priced wines, as imitations of wines of well-known
names. Sparkling wines are made on a large scale, from fruit
wines, or sweet wines, with sugar and carbonic acid mechanically
introduced, and such wines are probably often imported. Sherry
and Madeira, as imported, have spirits mixed with the wine, and
ohen forty per cent, of proof spirit is contained in them.

Both ale and beer are sold which have been mixed with low-
priced spirits, to increase their intoxicating effects. But the
most demoralizing intoxicating beverages are the new, or raw
spirits, so common. In many of these the fusel oils exist to the
point of saturation. These oils have specific actions on the sys-
tem, and the etiiers are not present.

In reply to a question from Dr. Abbot, Dr. Hayes stated that
he considered the fusel oils as poisons, small portions of their
vapors causing irritation.

Dr. Bacon observed, that, according to Schauenstein of Vienna,
a considerable proportion of chloroform is invariably found in
Amylene, the new antEsthetic agent, when prepared (as usual)
by distilling fusel oil with a solution of chloride of zinc.

Dr. A. A. Hayes made a communication, reporting
progress in experiments, elucidating points in connection
with the composition of the various phosphates of lime,
proceeding from changes during decay.

He had stated in earlier papers that the so-called bone phos-
phate of lime, of bones forming the earthy part of the " phos-
phatic guanos," or the guanos of the rainy latitudes, in presence
of decaying organic matter, had lost one, two, or more equiva-
lents of the lime base ; leaving a monobasic or bi-basic phos-
phate. In the subsequent actions, this lime disappeared by
solution, while the apparently moi'e soluble phosphate re-
mained.

356

It was deemed importivnt, at this stage of the investigation, to
study the changes which the bone phosphate had suffered in the
midst of putrefying matter, resulting in the production of Peiai-
vian guano, where the conditions ai-e peculiar. Analyses of a
number of samples, from the different localities, have proved that
in every case the lime of the bone phosphate has in part become
engaged with other acids ; the oxalic acid being generally the
most powerful acid present ; while the phosphoric acid dis-
engaged, has united to ammonia and other bases found in the
mass. This change of composition in the bone phosphate, under
entirely different conditions of exposure, is interesting, apart
from the additional evidence it affords of a natural proximate
decomposition of the tri-hasic phosphate, without the presence of
abundance of water. In this new case, it is true, the phosphoric
acid finds other bases to combine with ; while in those before
reported it remains in larger proportion with the lime and water
only. It is generally believed that Peruvian and similar guanos
are alkaline in constitution, from the fact that carbonate of am-
monia is readily formed from them. Perfect samples are, how-
ever, always in the acid state naturally, and a large part of the
volatile matter consists of salts of the volatile, oily acids and
ammonia ; carbonic acid being rarely found, unless as part of
calcareous matter, accidentally present. This fact establishes a
resemblance which was unexpected, between the two diffei'ent
modes of decomposition of organic matter ; one in presence of
abundance of water ; the other, where mere moisture and decay-
ing organic remains are abundant.

Another course of experimenting has been pursued on this
subject of bone decomposition, which had been alluded to before,
and the results have a more general interest, as they affect physi-
ological conclusions. Chemical physiologists, with hardly an
exception, consider the earthy part of bones as composed of tri-
basic phosphate of lime, bi-basic phosphate of magnesia, carbo-
nate of lime, and fluoride of calcium ; alkaline salts being occa-
sionally present. This mixture of earthy bodies, rarely definite,
is subject to great variations of proportions in disease, and it is
so loosely connected with the cartilage, that absorption and de-
position take place, without derangement of vital functions.

On looking over the evidence supporting this important con-

357

elusion, one is surprised to find that it is all derived from two
courses of analytical inquiry.

1st. Carefully cleansed and fresh bones are treated by means
of dilute acids, for the solution of the earthy salts, leaving the
cartilage in nearly its natural form. Carbonic acid is usually
determined in this operation, and the phosphoric acid and bases
form the solution ; the acids and bases are then apportioned by
calculation.

2d. Bones which have been washed, and reduced to coarse
powder, are heated with free contact of air, until the organic part
of the cartilage is destroyed ; the remaining ash is then analyzed
for acids and bases, and the compounds calculated.

If we carefully make the analytical experiments, on exactly
the same portion of fresh bone, by both these methods, we do not
arrive at corresponding results ; and it will thus appear, that
neither of these courses will bear criticism. As this part of the
subject will be presented to the Society in connection with the
evidence, it may be remarked now, that the kind of information
such results afford, is like that we obtain respecting the salts ex-
isting in vegetable productions, when we analyze their ashes,
instead of confining our trials to the tissues and cell walls.

In the analyses of osseous tissue which have been made, since
my communication to the Society, the simple process of decom-
position in water has been continued in application. As before
observed, the bones readily impart their earthy part to this fluid,
both before and after the cartilage becomes changed, in the act of
decomposing into simpler forms of matter. Thus far, the results
have accorded with those of earlier trials, showing that in the
osseous tissue, hi-basic phosphate of lime may exist, and that the
presence of mono-basic phosphate is not inconsistent with a neu-
tral condition in the tissues. It remains to be proved ihtit pro-
tein, as well as water, may act as a constitutional element
equivalent to a base, in connection with lime, to form double
phosphates ; and we shall then have a simple and consistent
explanation of the fact of the existence of mono and bi-basic
phosphates, as now found in the secretions both healthy and
morbid. The large number of analyses required in the research
delays progress, and must be an excuse for the incompleteness of
the report at this time.

358

Dr. S. L. Abbot exhibited several figures of micros-
copic objects, done by the new process of Photo-Lith-
ography.

This process is a new invention, the result of the joint labors
of Mr. J. A. Cutting, Photographer, and Mr. S. H. Bradford,
Lithographer, both of Boston. These gentlemen have succeeded
in imparting a sensitive surface to the lithograph stone, so that
the image of the object may be thrown directly upon it, as in the
ordinary method of photography. The photograph thus pro-
duced may be printed from directly, by the common lithograph
■processes. In the case of the figures exhibited, the image mag-
nified by the microscope was thrown by means of a camera upon
the prepared stone. The discovery promises to be one of very
great value. Among the figures exhibited were photo-lithographs
of blood globules, the cornea of a fly's eye, sections of wood, &c.

The Corresponding Secretary read the following let-
ters, viz : —

From the Societe Eoyale des Sciences de Liege, April 20th,
1856 ; Zoologisch-Botanischer Verein, Vienna, June 23, 1857 ;
Royal Society of London, August 6, 1857 ; Royal Institution of
Great Britain, November 16, 1857 ; Geological Society of Lon-
don, December 3, 1857 ; Public Library of Boston, January 20,
1858 ; Corporation of Harvard College, Feb. 4, 1858 ; Essex
Institute, Feb. 11, 1858; Lyceum of Natural History, New
York, Feb. 16, 1858; New York State Library, Feb. 27, 1858,
acknowledging the receipt of the Society's publications ; Societe
Royale des Sciences de Liege, April 20, 1856 ; the same, June
5, 1856 ; Zoologisch-Botanischer Verein, Vienna, June 10, 1857 ;
Academic Royale des Sciences de Stockholm, July 10, 1857,
presenting their various publications ; H. Davis, Feb. 2, and J.
A. Swan, Feb. 13, acknowledging their election as Correspond-
ing Members ; and from H. Davis, Jan. 19, offering to send
specimens to the Society.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

January 6, 1858. Female Anableps Gronovii, with ovary, distended by tlie
embryos, exposed to view; Aspredo leris, with its ova adherent to the abdominal
surface; and a species of Bagre; all from Surinam; by John Green, Jr. Osse-
ous Schlerotic coat of the eye of a S word-Fish, and a large Hornet's Nest; by
Theodore Parker. Fossils and Reptiles; by H. Davis.

January 20. A Chinese Yam, Dioscorea batatas ; by D. T. Curtis. A large
and very valuable collection of Shells from the coast of Mazatlan; by A. A.
Gould. Lava from Mount Vesuvius; by T. J. Whittemore. Silicious Infusorial
Earth from Dedham ; by Tliomas Hollis. Shells, Mollusks, and Sponges, by N.
E. Atwood.

February 3. An immature specimen of Cordiceps growing upon a

common Fly; by Townend Glover. Specimens of the Spanish Earth Almond,
Cyperus esculentus ; by Dr. C. T. Jackson. Clinton Iron Ore; from Dr. H. Bry-
ant. Skull of a Pointer Dog; by E. Samuels. Ruddy Duck, Erismatura rubi-
ffo, from Massachusetts, and Labrador Duck, CamjMlaimus Labrador us ; by Caleb

Loring, Jr. A Parrot, Psittaculus ; by Dr. S. Cabot, Jr. Gampsonyx

Swainsoni from South America; by J. ^\. Forbes.

February 17. Larvaj of Buprestis which had eaten into wood, and a very
large crop of the Turkey; by Dr. H. Bryant. Banded Gurnard, Prionotus Unealusi
Dekay, and two specimens of American Hound-Fish, Mustelus canis, Dekay; by
Dr. J. N. Borland.

March 3. Skin of the Silky Monkey of Northern Brazil, Midas rosalia, Geof-
froy; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr. Whin-Chat Warbler, Pratincola rubetra ; Euro-
pean Tree-Sparrow, Passer montanus ; Tawny Pipit, AntJnts campestris; Reed
Wren, Cysticola arundinncea ; Great Tit, Parus major ; Java Sparrow, Amadina
oryzivora ; Crested Lark, Alauda cristnfor ; Golden-tailed Parrot, Psittacula
surda; Hooded Crow, Corvus comix; by Dr. F. J. Bumstead; Sickle-billed Tree-
Creeper, Xiphorhynclms Irochilirostris ; by J. M. Forbes.

Jlarch 17. An excrescence upon the roots of coniferous trees, known as the
White Mountain Potato; by L. M. Sargent, Jr. Tobacco-pipe Fish, Fistidaria
labaccaria, from the coast of Massachusetts; by Dr. Brown, of Holmes's Hole.
Barnacles from George's Bank; by Addison Gott. Nutmeg Pigeon, Carpophar/a
cBTiea, Lin. ; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr. Brown-headed Barbet, Megalaima caniceps,
Frank.; Red-backed Woodpecker, Bravlujplerix erythronotus, Vieil., male; ex-
change with J. W. R. Jenks. Great Tit, Partis major, Lin.; Cut-throat Finch,
Amadina fasciata, Gmel. ; Common Eui-opean Quail, Coiurnix communis, Bonn,
female; Blue I'xt, Parus caruleus, Lin., male; Grey Partridge, Perdix cinerea,
Lin., young; Double Snipe, Gallinngo major, Lin., female; Marmora's Warbler,
Sylvia sarda, Marm. ; two specimens of European House Wren, Troglodytes par-
vulus, Koch., male and female; by Dr. F. J. Bumstead. Red-headed Guinea
Parrakeet, Psittacula puUaria, Lin., female; by Dr. J. N. Borland.

360

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 1858.

Edinburgh New Philosophical Joui"nal. Nos. 11, 12. 8vo. Edinburgh, 1857.
From Prof. H. D. Rogers.

Uber den Griinsand und seine Erlauterung des Organischen Lebens. Von C.
C. Ehrenberg. 4to. Berlin, 1856. From Prof. J. W. Bailey.

Grasses and Herbage Plants. An Essay by T. Howard. 8vo. Pamph. New
York, 1857. From Dr. S. Kneeland, J):

Observations on the Genus Unio. By Isaac Lea, LL.D. Vol. 6. Part 1. 4to.
Phil. 1857. From (he Author.

Geological Facts and Observations relating to the Ashby Coal-Field. By Ed.
Hammatt, F. G. S. 4to. London, 1834. From George N. Faxon.

Exposition des Operations faites en Lapponie, pour la Determination d'un
Arc du Meridien en 1801-3. Par Jons Svanberg. 12mo. Pamph. Stockholm,
1805. From the Academie des Sciences de Stockholm.

Annual Report of Geological Survey of State of Wisconsin for 1857. 8vo.
Pamph. Madison, Wis. From E. Daniels.

Annual of Scientific Discovery for 1858. Edited by D. A. Wells, A. M.
12mo. Boston. From the Editor.

Geological Survey of Canada for 1853-6. 8vo. Also, Plans of Lakes, Rivers,
&c. accompanying the same. 4to. Toronto, 1857. From T. S. Hunt.

Description of New Organic Remains from Northeastern Kansas. By F. B.
Meek and E. V. Hayden, M. D. 8vo. Pamph. 1858. From Albany Institute.

Researches in Medical Terminology. By Benuet Dowler, M. D, 8vo. Pamph.
From the Author.

Notice of Remains of the Walrus. Also, other scientific papers. By Joseph
Leidy. 4to. Pamph. Philadelphia, 1857. From the Author.

Report of the Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Survey for 1856. 4to. Wash-
ington. From Prof. A. D. Bache.

Catalogue of New York State Library. Vol. 3. 8vo. Albany. From Re-
gents of the University.

Remains of Domestic Animals discovered among Post-Pleiocene Fossils in
South Carolina. By F. S. Holmes. 8vo. Pamph. Charleston, S. C^, 1858.
From the Author.

Notes on American Land Shells. No. 2. By W. G. Biuney. 8vo. Pamph.
1857. From tlie Author.

Transactions of the Linnajan Society. 20 Volumes. 4to. London, 1791-
1851.

Recherches sur les Ossements Fossiles. Par M. le Baron G. Cuvier. 5 vols.
4to. Paris, 1825. From Dr. B. D. Greene.

New Forms of Marine Diatomaceee found in the Frith of Clyde and in Loch
Fine. By Wm. Gregory, M. D. 4to. Pamph. Edinburgh, 1857.

Notice of new species of British Fresh-water Diatomacea;. B}' Wra. Greg-
ory, M. D. 8vo. Pamph. Edinburgh, 1857.

On Post-Tertiary Diatomaceous Sand of Gleushira. 8vo. Pamph. By Wm.
Gi-egory. Edinburgh, 1857.

361

On a Post-Tertiary Sand containing Diatomaceous Exuviae, from Glenshira.
By Wm. Gregory, M. D. 8vo. Pamph. 1857. From the Author.

Beitrage zur Naturgescliichte der Trypeten nebst Beschreibung einiger neuer
Arten. Svo. Pamph. Wien, 1857.

Beitrag zm* Fauna Dalmatien's. Svo. Pamph.

Uber Raymondia Fr. Strebla Wd. und Brachytarsina Mcq. Svo. Pamph.
Wien, 1857.

Uber die Paludinen aus der Gruppe der Paludina viridis Poir. Svo. Pamph.
Wien, 1857.

Die Linsengallen der Osterreichischen Eichen. Svo. Pamph. Moscau, 1856.
From G. Frauerifeld.

United States Japan Expedition. By Com. M. C. Perry. Vol. 2. 4to. Wash-
ington, 1856.

Explorations for a Railroad Route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific
Ocean. Vols. 2, 3, 4. 4to. Washington.

Report of Secretary of War on the Importation of Camels for Military Pur-
poses. Svo. Washington, 1857.

Fourth Meteorological Report. Bj^ Prof. J. P. Espy. 4to. Washington,
1857.

United States Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere.
Vol. VI. 4to. Washington. From Bon. Charles Sumner.

Journal of the Academy of Nat. Sciences of Philadelphia. Vol. 3, Part 4.
Phil. 1858. 4to.

Proceedings of the Academy of Nat. Sciences of Philadelphia, pp. 149 to
228. Svo. Phil. 1857-8. Also, Title-page and Index to Vol. 8.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. Nos. 73 and 74. 1858.
New Haven.

The Microscope and its Revelations. By W. B. Carpenter. With Appendix,
&c. By F. G. Smith. Svo. Philadelphia, 1856.

New York Journal of Medicine. Vol.3. Nos. 1 and 2. Svo. N. Y. 1S58.

Memoires de la Soci^te Royale des Sciences de Li^ge. Tomes X. et XII.
Svo. Lidge, 1855, 1857.

Canadian Journal of Industry, Science, and Art. Nos. 13 and 14. Toronto,
1858.

New York Journal of Medicine. Vol. IV. Nos. 1 and 2, for January and
March, 1858.

Annals of the Lyceum of Nat. History of New York. Vol. VI. Nos. 5, 6, 7.
Svo. N. Y. 1855-6.

Transactions of the Albany Institute. Vol. IV. Part 1. Svo. Albany.

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. VI. No. 58. July
to Dec, 1857. Svo. Philadelphia.

Catalogue and Alphabetical Index of the Astor Library. 2 Parts, A — L. Svo.
New York, 1857.

Natural History Review. No. 4. October, 1857. London.

Catalogue of Mazatlan Shells in British Museum. 12mo. London, 1857.
Collected by F. Reigen. Described by P. P. Carpenter.

Proceedings of American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Vol. 3. pp. 249-
416. Svo. Pamph. Boston, 1857.

362

Canadian Naturalist and Geologist. 8vo. Vol. 2. Nos. 5 and 6. Montreal,
1857.
Archiv fiir Natiirgeschichte. Gegrlindet von A. F. A. Wiegman. Nos. 4, 5,

1856. Berlin.

Recueil des Actes de I'Academie Imperiale des Sciences, &c. de Bordeaux.
18ieme ann^e. 1856. 2e Trimestre. 8vo. Pamph. Bordeaux.

Verhandlungen des Zoologisch-botanischen Vereins in Wien. Band VI.
Jahr. 1856. 8vo. Wien.

Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps-Akaderaiens Handlingar. Ny Foljd. Fiirsta
Bandet. Fcirsta Hiiftet. 4to. 1855.

Wiirttembergische Naturwissenschaftliche Jahi-eshefte. Nos. 3, 1852; 3, 3,
1856; 1, 1857. Stuttgart, 1856-7.

Konigl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar, fur ar 1854. 8vo.

Ofversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Forhandlingar Trettonde Argang-
en, 1856. 8vo. Stockholm.

Address at the Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Geographical Societj^. By
Sir E. Murchison, President, (Pi-oceedings, No 10.) 8vo. Pamph. London,

1857. Received in Exchange.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. 20. No. 121. (Supplemen-
tary.) Also Nos. 1 and 2, Vol. I. 3d Series. London, 1858.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 52 and 53. 8vo. Lou-
don, 1857.

Birds of Asia. By John Gould, F. R. S. &c. Folio. 2 Parts. London, 1850.

Monograph of the Trochilidje or Humming Birds. By John Gould, F. R. S.
&c. Folio. 3 Parts. London, 1849.

Mammals of Australia. By J. Gould, F. R. S. &c. Folio. London, 1845.
From the Courtis Fund.

Life and Times of Aaron Burr. By J. Parton. 8vo. N. Y. 1858. Deposited
by the Repid)lican Institution.

April 7, 1858.

The President in the Chair.

Mr. John Green reminded the Society that, in some
remarks made at a former meeting, he had stated that
all fish scales have the chemical constitution of bone,
and that in their structure and mode of growth also, they
present many of the characters of true bone. A section
of the scale of Labrax lineatus, (Cuvier,) shows lacunse
of an elongated form, which in figure and in arrange-

363

ment resemble those seen in the scale of Thynnus vulgaris,
(Cuvier,) which has always been known and described as
bone.

He called particular attention at this meeting to an observation
which he had made upon the scales of Megalops, a fish from the
Gulf of Mexico, and commonly classed in the order Chipea^ In
this fish the upper or ornamental layers of the scale contain lacu-
nae which correspond exactly, in form and arrangement, with
those of the ganoid scales of Lepidosteus. A further resem-
blance to ganoid scales is seen in the fact, that the concentric
ridges which mark the upper surface of the scale of Megalops,
are armed with tooth-like projections of the hardness of tooth
enamel.

Prof. Agassiz said that he attached considerable importance to
this unexpected point of resembhmce between Megalops and the
ganoid fishes. He had been inclined, upon other grounds, to con-
sider Megalops to be nearly allied to the class of ganoids, as is
generally supposed.

The President gave the result of some examinations
of a large number of fcetal pigs.

He thought that zoologists had not given sufficient importance
to the very slight connection between the foetus and the parent.
Strictly speaking there was no placenta — the vessels of the foetus
and the parent being brought in relation only by means of very
minute diffused villi and slight foldings of the chorion. These
conditions are intermediate between those of the marsupials and
the ruminants, and make the transition so gradual, that the sepa-
ration of the Mammalia into two sub-classes, viz : the Placentals
and Iraplacentals, is not well defined.

He had also found in one litter three foetuses in which the
brain protruded through the collapsed cranial walls, and was
represented by a very small and imperfectly developed mass of
cerebral matter. This would probably have resulted in what is
called the anencephalous condition. In addition to the above mal-
formations, he had met with one monstrosity, consisting of a single
head, with a small opening on the occiput, and having two sets
of upper extremities ; the lower part of the body was double
from the lumbar region. The livers of the two formed a hernia

364

through the umbilicus. There was but one amnios. This mon-
ster belonged to the class of Janiceps, with inferior duplicates, the
opening on the occiput being the result of the union of two exter-
nal ears.

Prof. Agassiz remarked, that the inferences drawn from these
anatomical relations by the President were peculiarly interesting,
having a paleontological as well as physiological bearing, the
family of pachyderms being geologically the next in age to the
marsupials. He believed we must be prepared to find every
possible grade in pachyderms, and still more loose connections,
bringing the marsupials nearer the ordinary mammalia than they
have hitherto been ranked.

Prof. Agassiz gave an account of his recent visit to the reefs
of Florida and his explorations of coralline growths. He esti-
mated the rate of coral growth to be only a few inches in a cen-
tury, a tenth or twelfth part less than was formerly supposed ;
and, supposing the reef rises from a depth of twelve fathoms, he
would calculate its age, upon arrival at the surface of the water,
to be about twenty-five thousand years, and the total age of the
four distinct concentric reefs of the southern extremity of the
peninsula, to be one hundred thousand years. Prof. Agassiz in
his remarks presented evidence that Millepora is not a Polyp but
a Hydroid.

Prof. Wm. B. Rogei's said that the physical conditions could
not have differed much in that region a hundred thousand years
ago from what they now are, and consequently that such a cal-
culation could reasonably be made upon the data accumulated by
Prof. Agassiz.

Dr. Weinland called attention to a fact recently observed by
him in Hayti, which seems to involve a more rapid growth of
some kinds of corals, than is generally assumed for this class of
animals. In a small coral basin, between the town of Corail and
the island Caymites, which is never disturbed by vessels, the
water being there much too shallow, he saw several branches of
the large Madrepora alcicornis projecting above the surface of the
water from three to five inches. These branches were dead, for
corals always die soon after exposure to the air, while the rest
of the stock, as far as it was under water, was in full life. This
observation was made in the month of June. The question uatu-

365

rally suggested itself, when did those pieces which were now
above water, grow ?

A fact, to which he alluded on another occasion, at a meeting
of the Society, viz : that during the whole Avinter season, (De-
cember, January, and February,) the level of the water all along
the northern shore of Hayti is from four to six feet higher than
during the summer season, being raised by a constant northerly
wind during those months, suggested to him the idea, that those
coral branches, as far as they were above water during summer,
might have grown during a single winter of three months only.
This would show a very rapid growth of this kind of corals. The
fact that the Madrepores, when growing so near the surface,
and, as stated above, partially uncovered during the summer, very
often, in the course of a few years, give rise to small Mangrove
islands, between the outside coral reef and the shore, was well
known to a native mulatto sailor, whom Dr. Weinland employed
there. As he had observed at a former meeting, there is hardly
any change of high and low tide along that shore of Hayti ; so
that this can have no bearing on the present question.

The Librarian announced the exceedingly valuable
donation of Dr. B. D. Greene, of the first twenty volumes
of the Transactions of the Linnaean Society and of Cu-
vier's Ossements Fossiles. This donation makes the
Society's set of the Linnean Transactions complete. It
was voted to tender the thanks of the Society to Dr.
Greene for his donation.

In announcing this valuable donation, Mr. Dillaway
remarked that the Society had, on many previous occa-
sions, been indebted to the liberality of Dr. Greene for
additions to the Cabinet and Library. Within the past
year he made a contribution of plants to the Herbarium
of the Society which has largely increased the resources
of the Botanical Department.

The President stated that a considerable sum having
been subscribed for the purchase and stocking of an
Aquarium, it would be advisable to appoint a Commit-
tee to attend to the matter. Accordingly, Dr. S. Knee-

366

land, Jr., Mr. L. B. Stone, and Mr. Theodore Lyman,
were chosen a Committee for this purpose.

The Secretary announced the resignations of the Cu-
rators of Entomology and Ichthyology, Messrs. Durkee
and Atwood.

Dr. S. A. Green was elected a Resident Member.

April 21, 1858.

The President in the Chair.

Dr. C. T. Jackson, referring to a communication made by Mr.
Green at the last meeting, upon the structure and composition of
Fish Scales, reminded the Society of the discovery of Fluorine
as a component of the scales of Ganoid Fishes, an account of
which he had some years since laid before the Society, (see Pro-
ceedings, vol. V. p. 92.) He had found a sufficient amount of
Fluorine in twenty-five grains of Gar-pike scales to etch a sen-
tence in glass. This discovery allied the scales of the Ganoids to
the enamel of teeth. Fluorine had before been found in fossil
fishes, but it was believed to be the result of infiltration from the
soil.

Dr. A. A. Hayes presented a specimen of Cannel
Coal from a locality nine miles below the Kanawha
River, Virginia ; and made some general remarks upon
the products of coal distillation, illustrating the subject
by exhibition of some of the products.

Dr. Charles Pickering read some memoranda formerly made
by him on the stinging power of the Physalia ; found to reside
in the blue bead-like knobs of the long cords which the animal
keeps continually letting down and drawing up. Under the
microscope, the surface of these knobs was observed to be occu-
pied by minute cells or vesicles, each containing an elastic hair-
like filament, " coiled up like a spiral spring." When touched
with the finger, the filament uncoils and shoots forth into the

367

flesh ; the spiral corkscrew manner of entenng accounting for the
pain, and for its short duration. Out of tlie water, the knob
adheres to the finger ; and when drawn back a little, the bundle
of fine hair-like filaments in the reflection of the light becomes
visible to the naked eye.

On the return of the U. S. Exploring Expedition, a distin-
guished anatomist examined the drawings of these thread-vesicles,
and pronounced them " spermatozoa." Dr. P. had never seen
unequivocal spermatozoa ; and could not say, whether they are
animals or organs. The above-described thread-vesicles are
unquestionably organs ; and ai'e identical with the "lasso-cells"
observed by Agassiz in other zoophytes. In the Physalia, the
thread-vesicles were observed sometimes to become detached
spontaneously, floating off" with tlie filament closely coiled in the
interior, ready to shoot forth. The analogy with pollen deserves
perhaps further inquiry ; especially as zoophytes, in their struc-
ture, station, and the surrounding external circumstances, have
many points in common with plants.

Prof. Agassiz said that he had made minute examinations of
the lasso cells upon living coral. To illustrate the difficulty
attendant upon such a study, he cited the fact that as eminent a
naturalist, even, as Rudolph Wagner, at first described them as
spermatozoa, and that they have even been considered as clusters
of parasitic Vorticellfe. Prof. Agassiz found that these bodies were
globular or ovate cells, containing a coil, and that the two forms
existed in every part of the body, although one form was gen-
erally more abundant than the other. The lasso is really a tube,
which, in its extension, is inverted, and the continuity of the cell
and tube can be readily determined. The mechanism by which
the inversion is effected is a series of stiff bristles, which are
within the tube when it is contracted, and which serve as a
spring to invert and distend the thread, the bristles then coming
upon the external surface. The tubular thread does not always
uniformly taper, but sometimes suddenly contracts in size. As
to their relations as sexual organs, they appear to be equally
numerous in males and females. Prof. A. wished to be under-
stood that what he brought forward as new was the direct evi-
dence that the thread is hollow, and that it is everted in the
process of throwing out.

368

Dr. C. T. Jackson presented a copy of William Mc-
Clure's Geological Map of the United States, which had
been reprinted by M. Jules Marcou, as the first geolog-
ical map of the United States. It presents the great
outlines of American Geology with considerable accu-
racy, although the map is necessarily incomplete, as there
had been, at the time of its publication, but cursory sur-
veys of the country.

Dr. Jackson presented, also, in behalf of M. Marcou,
a Geological Map of New Mexico, embracing his sur-
veys between 103° and 109° of longitude, and between
30° and 35° of latitude. This map presents the out-
lines of the Quaternary, Cretaceous, Jurassic, New Red
Sandstone, Carboniferous, Granite, Gneiss, Porphyrons
Trap, and Volcanic Series of Rocks.

Dr. J. remarked that few American geologists had
made such extensive explorations of North America as
M. Marcou, though, from their very extent, his researches
could not be so complete as those of local geologists.

Prof. Agassiz said that the labors of M. Marcou in
this country had been criticized and disparaged, as if he
had undertaken a general and complete treatise upon the
geology of America ; whereas his investigations were
principally directed to a comparison with the equivalent
formations of Europe.

The Curator of Radiata, Mr. Theodore Lyman, pre-
sented in the name of Prof. Agassiz, a number of Echin-
oderms collected by Prof. A. and Mr. James E. Mills
upon Grand Manan Island, N. B.

Prof. Agassiz, in reply to a question from Mr. James M. Bar-
nard, who said that he had heard of Echinoderuis burrowing into
hard rock, observed that he had no doubt that they do burrow
into limestone, as they are found in holes just the size of the
animal. Such a process might be effected by their vibratory
cilias.

369

Prof. Agassiz, in reply to a question from Dr. C. T. Jackson,
whether the fishes of the European coast could be transplanted
to the shores of America, — said that it was extremely doubtful.
From a general point of view he should not suppose that any
family of fishes, which have no representatives here, could flourish
on this coast ; but that perhaps fish belonging to the same family
with the haddock and hake might be naturalized.

Dr. Chas. Pickering alluded to the geological nature of the
European coast, as bearing on the question, that being the only
limestone coast with which he was acquainted, with the exception
of those of coral regions.

The Corresponding Secretary read the following let-
ters, viz. : —

From G. C. Swallow, accepting membership ; from the Society
E-oyale des Sciences de Liege, Api-il 20, 1856, and June 5, 1857,
presenting its Memoirs, and from the same, April 20, 1856,
acknowledging the donation of the Society's publications.

Mr. Charles Stodder presented a specimen of Trilo-
bite, {Paradoxides Harlani) from Braintree, which ex-
hibited the sculpture of the external integument of the
shell upon the under side of the head, and which from
its delicacy and extreme thinness is rarely preserved.
He remarked that whilst the ornamentation of the integ-
ument of the upper surface varies with the genera or
species, according to Burmeister, (Organization of Trilo-
bites,) that of the under side is the same in all. If this
were true, he thought it would prove without a parallel
in any other so numerous a class of animals.

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. VOL. VI. 24 AUGUST, 1858.

370

Annual Meeting, May 5, 1858.

The President in the Chair.

The Annual Reports of the Treasurer, Librarian, and
of all the Curators, excepting those of Ichthyology and
Crustacea, who were absent from the city, were read and
accepted.

Messrs. Whittemore, Sprague, and Durkee, were ap-
pointed a committee to audit the accounts of the Treas-
urer.

Messrs. Simeon Shurtleff, M. D., of Westfield, Mass.,
and C. P. Dewey, of Rochester, N. Y., were elected Cor-
responding Members, and Messrs. Wm. E. Coale, M. D.,
and Alexander E. R. Agassiz, were elected Resident
Members.

The Society then proceeded to the choice of officers
for the ensuing year. Messrs. Kneeland and Storer were
appointed scrutineers, and the following named officers
were declared elected : —

President,
Jeffries Wyman, M. D.

Vice-Presidents,
Charles T. Jackson, M. D. D. H. Storer, M. D.

Corresponding Secretary,
Samuel L. Abbot, M. D.

Recording Secretary,
Benj. Shurtleff Shaw, M. D.

371

Treasurer,
Amos Binney.

Librarian,
Charles K. Dillaway.

Curators,
Thomas T- Bouve, Of Geology.

John Bacon, M. D., Mineralogy.

Charles J. Sprague, Botany.
Thomas M. Brewer, M. D., Oology.

Henry Bryant, M. D., Ornithology.

Thomas J. Whittemore, Conchology.

J. Nelson Box-land, M. D., Herpetology.

Alex. E. R. Agassiz, Entomology.

S. Kneeland, Jr. M. D., Ichthyology.

H. R. Storer, M. D., Crustacea.

Theodore Lyman, Radiata.

John Green, Comparative Anatomy.

Silas Durkee, M. D., Department of Microscopy.

Cabinet Keeper,
Charles Stoddei*.

Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr., made a communication on the
habits of the Menobranchus, two specimens of which
had been in his possession for nearly two years, and
which are still apparently in good health.

These specimens, which he obtained in Portage Lake, which
flows into Lake Superior, have not perceptibly increased in size
during this period. During the last winter they did not change
their skin ; this was changed the year before during the month of
December, coming away in shreds. In addition to what is men-
tioned on pages 152, 218, and 280, of Vol. 6, of the Proceedings
of the Society, the following facts have been observed.

They do not like the sunlight ; however sluggish they may be,
they become agitated when placed in the sun, and at once attempt
to get out of it, retiring, if possible, to a part of the vessel in th«
shade.

372

There does not appear to be any regular association of the
movements of the anterior and posterior extremities ; they are
not moved alternately, but quite independently of each other's
motions.

They seize living worms eagerly, and suck them down, if
small, with a single sudden swallow ; if the worm be large, it is
swallowed by repeated suctions, the teeth preventing its escape ;
the act of suction may be seen by the movements of the impurities
in the water, as it is drawn in and afterward expelled. They
often miss the worm ; sometimes it may be too far off, but at
others so close to them that it seems as if their vision must be
imperfect. They will not eat a dead worm, unless J;hey have
been kept without food for a considerable time.

They are most active at night, during which they move very
rapidly, throwing themselves nearly out of water.

The branchiae shrink both in length and diameter, and assume
instead of a crimson an iron or slaty gray color ; the extreme
change from expansion to the smallest size, and vice versa, often
takes place in a minute or two.

In the water of their native lake they were infested with a
white parasitic worm, which attached itself very firmly to the
skin and to the gills ; in the Cochituate water they have been
entirely free from these.

They have a habit of passing the fore feet alternately through
the gills from above downward and forward, several times in
succession, as if to clear these organs from particles of dirt and
impurities floating in the water.

They almost always remain at the bottom of the vessel in the
daytime, though occasionally they remain for a few minutes at a
time suspended in the water with the nasal openings above the
surface.

It is frequently noticed that after uncommon activity, and
sometimes in the daytime, their excrement is seen in the water,
as if these violent contortions of the body assisted in the perform-
ance of this act.

A few weeks ago, when they had eaten nothing for five
months, four living minnows, one two inches long, were put into
the vessel with them ; of course, they . were very hungry, but
much to his surprise, three of the four fish were swallowed be-
fore the expiration of fifteen minutes, and among them the

373

largest. After they had swallowed them, they seemed very un-
easy, moving the bones of the head and jaws, and contorting
their bodies in various ways, as if they did not feel quite easy in
their stomachs ; however they at last became quiet, but at the
end of twenty hours they became uncommonly active, and the
three fish were regurgitated, with the scales off, the eyes out,
and the entrails of the smallest gone ; they were perfectly white,
and looked like ghosts of fish. It was either diet too gross for
their delicate and weakened stomachs, or else not sufficiently
comminuted for the action of their gastric juice.

Mr. H. J. Clark, referring to the opinion expressed by
Prof. Agassiz at the last meeting, that those organs in
hydra which are considered to be testes, are in reality
clusters of superficial lasso cells, stated that he had de-
tected spermatozoa in motion in these bodies. Prof. A.
said that he now remembered having been informed
by Mr. Clark of this fact, and that therefore the idea
conveyed by him at the last meeting was incorrect. In
his remarks made at that time upon the lasso cells, he
desired to be understood that all which was original
with him was the direct evidence that the lasso thread is
hollow, and that it is everted in the process of throwing
out.

Prof. Agassiz presented some observations upon Co-
rals. He had been led by his investigations to classify
corals under four different heads, belonging to four differ-
ent classes of organized beings, as follows : —

1st. Vegetable Corals. These are Algaj, or at least vegetable
productions, which in time accumulate in their cellular tissue so
much lime as to resemble coral, and which form entire islands,
as the Tortugas and Marquesas groups, the sands on the shores
of which are composed of disintegrated particles of these vege-
table growths. 2d. Corals of Bryozoa. The affinities of these
are well known. They grow in clusters, and are genuine corals
belonging to animals of the class of mollusks, and not polyps,
though once thus considered, od and 4th. The remaining corals
belong to two types, genuine corals formed hy Polyps and those

374

helonging to Hydroid Acalephs, the Tabulata. The Tabulata are
known to be Hydroids by direct observation of the animal in
Millepora recently made by Prof. A. in Florida. Of Rugosa no
living types are known, and consequently its affinities must be
determined by the structure of the solid parts. In this respect
the Tabulata present striking differences from the genuine corals
formed by the Polyps. These have vertical radiating partitions,
extending from top to bottom, with transverse partitions extend-
ing only between two adjoining vertical partitions. In Rugosa
this horizontal floor extends across the whole cavity of the animal,
as in Tabulata ; and the radiating partitions are limited in their
vertical extent to the space between two horizontal floors. So
that their affinities go with the Tabulata, in some of which there
are traces of radiating partitions. Besides, in Rugosa, the quad-
ripartite arrangement prevails as in Acalephs. The secretions
of the Tabulata are foot secretions, whilst those of other corals
are from the outer walls.

Mr. John Green gave the results of an analysis of the
Scales of the Striped Bass, {Labrax lineatus) as follows,
viz : —

In scales dried at 212° F., 45.9 per cent, of ash. 100 parts of
ash contained of Lime, 48.36 ; of Magnesia, .99 ; of Phosphoric
Acid, 50.65. This result is identical with the composition of
bone ash. The structure of bone is different in the Ganoid
fishes from that of any Cycloid or Ctenoid, and confirms the dif-
ferences already established from the appearances of the scales.
The scales of the Amia of the western waters, contain bone cor-
puscles of the same form and appearance as those of Megalops
and Lepidosteus, showing a new analogy of Amia with Ganoid
fishes.

Mr. Theodore Lyman, referring to a large fragment of
Madrepore Coral, taken from the wreck of a British man-
of-war, and which he had exhibited at a recent meeting,
said, that he had since ascertained that the vessel was
lost about the year 1806, or half a century since. The
incrustation of the coral around the iron bolt shows that
the diameter of the coral must have been about three

375

inches, and such a shaft, he supposes, would have sup-
ported a very high stem, so that the rate of growth might
have been perhaps half an inch a year.

Prof. Agassiz remarked that the observation of rapid
coralline growth alluded to by Dr. Weinland, at the last
meeting but one, was made upon a species of Madrepore
likewise. In all the branching corals examined by him,
such as Oculinas and Millepores, a wide expansion was
formed at the base before the stem was elevated. He
thought that the age of corals should not be estimated
by their height or thickness, on account of the varieties
of manner in which the stem rises from the base.

Dr. J. Mason Warren presented the brain of a Chim-
panzee, the skeleton and skin of which are already in the
Society's Museum. The animal was thirteen months
old, and twenty-six inches in height. The measurements
of its head were almost the same as those of the so-called
Aztec children exhibited in Boston several years ago.

The Cabinet Keeper called the attention of the So-
ciety to an Aquarium, which had been temporarily
deposited in the Museum by Mr. Tufts, of Swampscot,
Mass.

Dr. S. Cabot, Jr., presented in the name of Henry D.
Morse, Esq., specimens of a full-plumaged, male, Black-
masked Ruddy Duck, Erismatura Dominica^ and Euro-
pean Widgeon, Mareca Penelope, and read the following
extract from a letter of Mr. Morse : —

" The former Duck {Erismatura Dominica) I procured on the
26th of September, 1857, on my arrival at the hotel at Alberg
Springs, Missisquoi Bay, Lake Champlain. It was shot by a
boy who had just returned from a day's sport on the opposite
side of the bay." " The particular locality is an overflowed
meadow covered with wild rice, a famous resort for the Black
Duck and Teal." The boy informed Mr. Morse that the bird
was alone, and that he was flying past him when shot.

376

The European Widgeon was killed in the year 1852, by Mr.
Morse's companion at Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, opposite
Tuckerton.

Dr. Cabot, in presenting the specimens, remarked that he be-
lieved that there was no previous instance recorded of the Eris-
matura having been procured further north than the island of
Jamaica, its habitat being South America. Of the Mareca Pen-
elope, a few specimens have been procured on this side of the
Atlantic, although it is exceedingly rare. Dr. C. reminded the
Society that its Cabinet was already indebted to Mr. Morse
for one of the most remarkable specimens to be found in any col-
lection, viz : the wild hybrid of Mergus cucullatus and Glangula
Americana, upon which he had read a paper a few years since.

The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Morse
for his valuable donations.

May 19, 1858.

The President in the Chair.

The President gave an account of some observations
which he had made upon the formation of the peculiarly
shaped egg-case of Skates.

At a former meeting he had stated that in a single instance he
had found one of these cases partially formed in the oviduct, and
was struck with the fact that it contained no yolk. Through the
kindness of Mr. Green, the Curator of Comparative Anatomy,
he had had an opportunity of examining the oviduct of a skate
in which an incomplete egg-case existed in each oviduct ; two of
the horns and the bundle of threads at their base, and a portion
of the body of the case were already formed, but there were no
yolks in the oviduct, and only one corpus luteum in the ovaiy,
probably connected with the previous detachment of an ovum.
These observations would seem to show that this egg-case is more
or less completely formed first, the yolk subsequently introduced

377

and closed in, contrary to the order of things with eggs generally.
The materials of the egg-case were detected in the tubules of the
gland of this oviduct, and consisted of granules and long slender
threads. The case is formed in the central cavity of the gland,
and, as it is built up, the formed portions gradually extend into
the lower part of the oviduct. The ovulation of skates resembles
that of birds rather than of ordinary fishes. In the latter the
eggs are all formed simultaneously, and discharged at once or
neai'ly so, while in the former, as in birds, one yolk descends in
the oviduct at a time, is encased in the covering, and lost before
another can go through the same process.

Prof. Agassiz said that the communication of the President
was of importance, as it bore upon several physiological points
now under discussion. He had been shown by the President the
egg still in the ovary, (where it must have been fecundated,) and
the shell below prepared to receive it. In this connection he
was reminded of a fact noticed by himself some time since, with
reference to those organs upon the side of the skate called claspers,
and which are supposed to be used for prehensile purposes. It
occurred to him that they might be organs of copulation, and he
found that when they were rotated forwards and upwards, an
opening in them was brought opposite to the spermatic duct, and
he imagined that they could be introduced readily into the female
organs, into the oviducts, and reach the glands described, whence
the spermatic fluid would pass up. The President's observations
rendered this view of the functions of the clasper still more proba-
ble. Plagiostomes have a very different method of reproduction
from other fishes. Like birds, they produce few, but large eggs,
and these are found to be of various sizes and different degrees
of development in the ovary, indicating that several years are
required for their perfect maturity, as is the case in turtles.
These facts and others serve to confirm the affinities of the sharks
and skates, and to separate them from fishes proper. Ai'istotle
does not speak of Plagiostomes with fishes, but calls them Sela-
chians, and Prof. A. follows the ancient naturalist, giving them
the same name. If the Selachians constitute a natural class,
then some of the data of palasontology may be better understood
than they now are. Fishes are generally considered to have

378

been the earliest animals created, but in fact they were not. The
earliest were Ganoids and Selachians.

Prof. Agassiz made some remarks upon the differences
exhibited between the coral stocks of Rugosa and those
of ordinary corals.

Prof. H. D. Rogers exhibited his new Geological Map
of the State of Pennsylvania, upon which he has been
engaged for many years past.

The Pennsylvania portion of the Appalachian chain, he re-
marked, represents its characteristic structure better than it
is elsewhere to be seen in the United States. The map has
been constructed from the results of numerous surveys, — from the
maps, profiles, and other drawings of the State engineers of canals,
— reduced to a common scale, and corrected with the progress of
geological research, and, in intricate districts, by trigonometric
surveys. The Northeastern portion of the State especially, has
been subjected to rigid topographical survey. Prof. R. also ex-
plained the processes by which a number of colors are put upon
the map by a few impressions. Prof. R. also alluded to the exist-
ence of the remains of several species of the camel and horse,
which has lately been demonstrated in the wide tertiary area of
Nebraska and the neighboring regions.

Mr. C. J. Sprague exhibited an orange, partially cov-
ered with a black mould which has been very common
this season on this fruit, covering the end where the stem
was attached.

He had examined many to ascertain its character, but had not
been able to identify it. Recently, however, he had found sev-
eral of the fruit on which the mould had developed freely, and
ascertained that the black stain was the Antennaria form of a
Capnodium, probably the O. elongatum. This fungus appears
first in a series of aggregated cells, which, applied end to end,
creep over the object on which it grows, forming a thin, black
crust. This is the state in which it has aj^peared on the oranges
in abundance. But under favorable circumstances it finally

379

builds up a vertical, thorn-like perithecium, producing either
naked spores or true asci. The asci he had not found, but the
perithecia were abundant on the specimen exhibited. This is the
fourth matrix on which he had found this fungus : — on pear
spurs, fallen leaves, pine trees, and oranges. Its growth is en-
tirely external, as it falls away from the matrix in flakes, when
dry.

Dr. J. C. White exhibited under the microscope speci-
mens of the plant Trichophyton tonsurans, which grows
parasitically upon the human body, on the hair and nails.
These specimens were taken from the finger nails.

Mr. Edwin Wright, of East Boston, was elected a
Resident Member.

June 2, 1858.
The President in the Chair.

Dr. Shaw announced to the Society his resignation of
the office of Recording Secretary, for the reason that he
had recently assumed new duties requiring his whole
attention.

Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr., was chosen Secretary pro tern.

The thanks of the Society were unanimously voted to
Dr. Shaw for his efficient and valuable services as Sec-
retary of the Society for the last five years.

Dr. Abbot read a description of a new sparrow col-
lected by Mr. Samuels in California, and described by
S. F. Baird, Esq., of the Smithsonian Institute, as fol-
lows : —

Ammodromus Samuelis, Baird.

Specific Characters. Somewhat like to Zonotrichia melodia,
but considerably smaller and darker. Bill slender, attenuated, and

380

acute. Tarsus not longer than middle toe and claw. Above,
streaked on the head, back, and rump, with dark brown, the bor-
ders of the feathers paler, but without any rufous. Beneath,
bluish white, the middle of the breast, with sides of throat and
body spotted and streaked with blackish brown. Wings above
nearly uniform dark brownish rufous. Under tail coverts yellow-
ish brown, conspicuously blotched with blackish. An ashy super-
ciliary stripe, becoming nearly white at the bill, and a whitish
maxillary one ; the crown with a faint grayish median line.
Length, 5 inches ; wing, 2.20 ; tail, 2.35. Hah. Petaluma, Cal.

Prof. Jeffries Wyman gave a description of a mon-
strosity which he had recently dissected — a Cyclopean

pig-

These animals are very liable to the various forms of mon-
strosity, and especially to cyclopism. In such cases there is a
single eye in the median line of the forehead, symmetrical, with
a pupil in the centre, and a lid above it ; if there is any projec-
tion above the eye, it is a nose. He criticized the artistic repre-
sentations of Polyphemus, which have always made his eye either
a right or a left one in the median line, which of course must be
unsymmetrical ; every organ on the median line is always sym-
metrical ; hence the cyclopean eye is formed by the union of
parts corresponding to two eyes, either the outer or the inner
halves, either of which would make a symmetrical organ. In
cases of double monstrosity, two faces may unite to form an eye
with two irides, two lenses, and one globe ; in other forms the
globe may be subdivided wholly or in part, and in all degrees,
even to two slightly separated eyes. This cannot be explained
by an arrest of development, as maintained by some authors, who
state that at a certain stage of development every eye is cyclo-
pean, being developed from a central cerebral vesicle ; — for, we
find similar monstrosity in regard to the ear, and with the same
modifications ; so there may be a single symmetrical median in-
cisor tooth, as was the case in this very pig ; in like manner, the
body may terminate in a single leg, with one, or two partially
separated feet ; and a single median arm may project upwards
between the shoulders of a double foetus. These cases cannot be

381

due to arrested development. Dr. Wyman's hypothesis is that a
primary single vesicle is formed on tlie median line, instead of
one on each side, as in the normal condition — this must remain a
disputed point until some one is enabled to examine this class of
monstrosities in their earliest stages.

Dr. Bacon exhibited a series of first class microscopic
objectives, made by Mr. Grunow, of New Haven, Conn. ;
they embraced the most useful working powers, and in
them allowance was made for the thickness of the glass
covering the object. He explained the mechanism of
the adjustments, and alluded to their wide angular aper-
ture as of great importance, when not carried to excess, in
bringing out the finer details of microscopic structure.
Their power was tested on some very delicate photo-
graphs, diatoms, and other minute objects.

Dr. Durkee stated that a house at the south part of the city,
occupied for several years by the same family, had been infested
for the past year by mosquitoes ; these pests were exceedingly
numerous in the cellar, kitchen, and basement, but less so in the
upper rooms, though the house was occupied by them from attic
to cellar. He was at a loss to account for this singular visitation,
as the cellar was dry, there was no cistern nor vessel of stand-
ing water on the premises, and other houses in the neighbor-
hood were not similarly troubled. The. family have been obliged
to use mosquito bars for protection all winter, with the exception
of about fifteen days in February. They were exceedingly an-
noying, invading even the sugar-bowl ; and so numerous in a jug
of molasses that there was taken out a large teacup full of them.
He exhibited a nest of mosquito eggs preserved in fir balsam.

Mr. Stodder exhibited under the microscope a supposed
new diatom of the genus Tri/blionella, to which he gave
the specific name elliptica ; he obtained it from the Back
Bay, Boston, where it is very common ; he also showed
finely executed drawings of the same.

On motion of Mr. J. M. Barnard, it was voted that

382

Prof. Agassiz be requested to prepare a sketch of the life
and labors of the late Prof. Johannes Miiller, of Berlin.

Dr. Kneeland presented to the Society, in the name of
Wm. M. Wallace, Esq., of Winona, Minnesota, a living
specimen of a snapping turtle, weighing 22 lbs., caught
in the Mississippi River, near Winona. It was found
to be identical with the Chelydra serpentina. The thanks
of the Society were voted for this donation.

Mr. Samuel Woodward, of Boston, was elected a
Resident Member of the Society.

June 16, 1858.

The President in the Chair.

Prof. Agassiz gave a short verbal sketch of the labors
of the late Prof. Johannes Miiller, of Berlin.

He was born about the year 1801 ; the particulars of his early
life Prof. Agassiz was unable to give ; he was thoroughly and un-
ceasingly devoted to science, more so than any other man whose
life belongs entirely to the nineteenth century ; and the scientific
world has met with no greater loss since the death of Cuvier. His
w^orks cover almost the whole domain of Compai-ative Anatomy,
Physiology, and Zoology. His first researches were on the eyes
of insects and the invertebrata generally ; on the former subject he
combated successfully the views of Strauss-Durckheim ; he then
devoted his attention to the microscopic structure and develop-
ment of the glandular organs in the different animal types. He
next published his great '' Manual of Physiology," embracing a
comprehensive view of the whole animal kingdom, and especially
valuable for his observations on the senses and the cerebral func-
tions. After this he devoted himself more especially to Zoology ;
beginning with a comparison of the sharks and skates with the

383

myxinoid fishes ; his monograph on the latter class is vei'y minute
and extensive, forming a sketch of the anatomy of the whole
class of fishes. From fishes he turned his attention to echino-
derms, more particularly to pentacrmus and the asteroids, assisted
by Prof. Troschel ; at the same time giving occasional isolated
descriptions of fishes. He studied the embryonic growth of
echinoderms and of fishes, with the most astonishing results ; for
these the Academic des Sciences of Paris awarded him the Cu-
vier prize three years ago. He made extensive observations on
the vocal apparatus of birds, determining thus their affinities.
Since 1834 he edited the Archives, or Journal of Comparative
Anatomy and Physiology, himself writing an annual report on
the progress of these sciences. The Transactions of the Berlin
Academy are full of his elaborate papers. A few years since he
suffered shipwreck, attended by the death of many of his beloved
companions ; his mind never recovered from the shock of that
event, which no doubt contributed to his own early decease.

Prof. Agassiz said he hoped at some future time to
present to the Society a sketch more extensive, and more
worthy of this most eminent scientific man.

"Dr. Bodichon, a French gentleman residing in Al-
geria, present by invitation, gave an account of the
various races of men occupying Algeria, from personal
observation.

There are two white races ; one, living in the mountains, the
Mauritanians, Numidians, or Berbers ; and the Asiatics or Arabs.
1. Also called Kabyles, living in the mountains, small in stature,
warlike, democratic, dwelling in villages resembling the Swiss,
planting trees, enjoying plentiful harvests, fruits, &c. — very inde-
pendent and noble in their sentiments ; they have no judges,
often settling their disputes by an appeal to the first person who
passes by ; though polygamous, they prefer a single wife ; they
are fine soldiers, and are not afraid of European troops. He
considers these as an indigenous race, and the same as the brown
inhabitants of Southern Europe. 2. The Arabs, a tall, brown
race, excellent horsemen, nomadic, possessing no permanent vil-

384

lages ; they are very fond of figliting, and pass at least half their
time in war ; they have a strong religious sentiment, and are very
fond of poetry ; they are polygamous. 3. A mixed race of Turks
and women of the different races of the country, which has begun
to disappear since the dominion of the French. 4. In the interior
of Africa there is a race like the Germanic, with light hair and
blue eyes, which he believes to be descendants of the ancient
Gauls or Carthaginians ; they are polygamous, and present the
curious phenomenon that the women are sovereign in the family
and in the state, though the daughter of the queen cannot inherit
the throne ; they make long pilgrimages on very swift camels for
the purpose of carrying off negro slaves — they are called Tuariks.
5. A mixed white and black race, the Fellatah, embracing many
millions ; a powerful people, of very social disposition. 6. Ne-
groes, from Congo, Timbuctoo, &c. ; the best are from the neigh-
borhood of Lake Tsad ; they are idolaters, making sacrifices to
their gods of sheep, cocks, and other animals, and drawing from
them various auguries. They are subject to a kind of periodic
insanity, like some of the New Orleans negroes, in which they
call on the spirits of their ancestors, and often fall insensible.
The characters of these different races are not perfectly distinct ;
especially of some of those communities which gather about a
well or oasis in the desert, a few hundreds together, which they
often wall around, and foi'm into small villages. The Kabyles
have well shaped heads ; the Arabs have low, retreating foreheads.
In answer to the question whether there exists in Africa any race
of human beings with tails, Dr. B. replied that in the neighbor-
hood of the Mountains of the Moon, there is said to be a large
tribe of ferocious cannibals, having an elongated coccyx, project-
ing like a tail from three to ten inches ; when seen by other
tribes they are killed as if they were wild beasts — he had never
seen any specimens, though it is generally believed that such a
race exists.

Mr. J. M. Barnard exhibited a very perfect specimen of
a rare echinoderm, Acrocladia manimillata, from the Sand-
wich Islands ; the specimen had a broken spine in proc-
ess of reparation, of a form generally supposed to belong
to another genus. He remarked that he expected soon

385

to have a complete collection of the animals of these
islands.

Dr. Weinland proposed a new division of the five spe-
cies of flying fish found along the coast of North Amer-
ica, which have hitherto all been referred to the genus
Exocetus.

In the common species E. exiliens, the ventral fins are near-
est to the anus, and the longest; the same is true of E. novebora-
censis ; in E. furcatus, and E. comatiis, the ventrals are very
long ; in E. mesogaster, the ventrals are very short, about one
fourth as long as the pectorals, and placed anterior to the middle of
the body, between the anus and the pectorals ; the shape of the
lower jaw is also angular. He would arrange the species thus :
Exocetus exiliens, and E. novehoracensis ; Cypselurus furcatus,
and O. comatus ; for mesogaster, he would make a new genus
Halocijpselus. He thought that the fliglit of the exoceti was not
a mere mechanical, parachute-like suspension of the body, but
more nearly akin to the true flight of birds than has been gen-
erally supposed.

Prof. Agassiz described a new species of Skate from
the Sandwich Islands, for which he proposed to consti-
tute a new genus, under the name of Goniobatis.

He gave the distinguishing characters of Myllobatis, Rhinoptera,
Aetohatis, and Zygobatis, which he divided into two sub-families
of MyliobatincB and Aetobatince. In tlie new genus Goniobatis,
the palate is broadest behind, and the plates are obtusely angular,
with their rounded edges forward. The A. Jlagellum of the
Indian Ocean and Red Sea, with plates forming an acute angle,
he would place in his new genus Goniobatis ; and to the present
species, with rounded nasal lobes, he proposed to give the name
of G. meleagris.

Dr. Storer described and exhibited a drawing of a new
species of Zeus.

He remarked that Valenciennes, in the 20th volume of his
" Histoire Naturelle des Poissons," describes four sjiecies of this

PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. VOL. VI. 25 OCTOBER, 1858.

386

genus ; two as being found along the Mediterranean coast, and one
of these in the waters of Great Britain ; a third at the Cape of
Good Hope, and the fourth in Japan. No species has as yet been
found upon the American coast. Tlie specimen now described,
was found at Provincetown, Mass., and is very dissimilar to either
of the previously known species. Dr. Storer proposed for it the
name of

ZEUS OCELLATUS.

Description — Body oval, very much compressed ; cupreous,
marked with numerous more or less circular dark spots ; base of
second dorsal fin longer than that of the first. A series of large
bony plates, marked by well-defined elevated strife, which termi-
nate in recurved spines, standing out from the sides of the fish,
extend along the base of the dorsal and anal fins to the abdomen
and throat. Along the dorsal fin, seven of these are seen ; the
fifth and sixth of which are the largest ; along the anal fin five,
the fourth the largest ; along the abdomen eight, which overlap
each other — along the throat, four also overlapping each other.
Length, 6 inches. The fin rays are as follows : D. 9.24 ; P. 12 ;
V. 6 ; A. 3.24; C. 14. Found at Provincetown, Mass.

Dr. Abbot, chairman of the Committee appointed to
nominate a candidate for the office of Recording Secre-
tary, reported the name of Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr. The
Society proceeded to ballot for Secretary, and made a
unanimous choice of Dr. Kneeland.

Dr. Cabot presented, in the name of .Mr. Emanuel
Samuels, the following birds, all valuable, and some of
them new to the Society's Cabinet : Black and Yellow
Warbler, [Mniotilta maculosa^ Gmel.) male and female ;
the female is not described nor figured. Blue-winged
Yellow Warbler, [M. solitaria, Wils.) male ; the only
specimen known to have been procured in the State.
Golden-winged Warbler, (M. chr?/soptera, Linn.) male ;
the second specimen ever seen by Dr. Cabot from Massa-
chusetts, and said to have been obtained from a flock.
Blue Yellow-backed Warbler, (M. Americana, Linn.)

387

male and female. Hemlock Warbler, {M. parus, Wils.)
male and female ; spring plumage. Canada Flycatcher,
( Setophag-a Canadensis, Linn.) male. Yellow-bird, [Frin-
gilla tristis, Linn.) Wilson's Thrush, ( Turdus Wilsonii,
Pr. Bonap.) female. The thanks of the Society were
voted for this valuable donation.

The Corresponding Secretary read the following let-
ters, viz : —

From the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, December
8, 1857 ; Societe de Geographie, Paris, November 27, 1857 ;
Linna^an Society, London, January 8, 1858, acknowledging the
receipt of the Society's Pubhcations. Societe des Arts et des
Sciences de Batavia, February 12, 1858 ; K. Bayerische Akad-
emie, Miinchen, December 12, 1857 ; K. Preussische Akademie,
Berlin, December 24, 1857, acknowledging the same, and asking
that missing numbers may be supplied. K. Akademie der Wis-
senschaften, Wien, September 17, 1857 ; Real Academia de
Ciencias de Madrid, August 18, 1856; Societe d'Histoire Natu-
relle du Departement de la Moselle, Januaiy 4, 1858, presenting
their various publications. Verein fiir Vaterliindische Natur-
kunde, &c., Stuttgart, September 6, 1857 ; the same, December
28, 1857, presenting its publications, and acknowledging the re-
ceipt of those of this Society. Societe Royale de Zoologie, Am-
sterdam, November, 1857, proposing an exchange of publications.
From H. Davis, Whitewater, Wisconsin, June 1 and 11, concern-
ing specimens sent to the Society, &c. ; Simeon ShurtlefF, M. D.,
Westfield, Mass., June 9, accepting membership ; Robert Howell,
Nicholl, N. Y., June 4, proposing to exchange fossils for books ;
W. G. Binney, Burlington, N. J., June 11, concerning a paper on
Helices.

The President announced the death of Dr. James
Deane, of Greenfield, Mass., well known for his researches
in fossil Ichnology. He was a Corresponding Member
of the Society, and Mr. Bouve was requested to draw
up a sketch of his labors, and a series of resolutions
expressing the Society's sense of their loss by his
decease.

388

Thomas Gaffield, Esq., and Dr. J. H. Otis, of Boston,
and Dr. Ira Russell, of Natick, Mass., were elected Resi-
dent Members.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

April 21, 1858. Echinoderms, from Grand Manan; by Prof. Agassiz. A
Tribolite, Paradoxides Harlani ? from Braintree, showing the skin-markings of
the under surface of the head ; by Charles Stodder. A specimen of Coal, from
nine miles below the Kanawha River, Va. ; by Dr. A. A. Hayes. Lithia-mica, and
Tourmalines in Mica, from Paris, Me. ; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr. Dendritic Im-
pressions in Clay Slate, from Jamaica Plain; by F. Balch. Two specimens of
Ilyas coarciata, from Halifax, N. S.; 2 specimens of Jiefo, from the Isle of Wight;
3 Echinoderms; by Dr. A. A. Gould.

May 5. A male specimen of the Black-masked Ruddy Duck, £rismaiura
Dominica, shot on the borders of Lake Champlain; and an European Widgeon,
Marec.a pendope; by Henry D. Morse. The brain of a Chimpanzee; by Dr. J.
M. Warren.

May 19. Cranium of a Rhinoceros Hornbill, Buceros rhinoceros ; by Charles
B. Fessenden. Shells from Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, by Samuel Tufts, Jr.

June 2. A Snapping Turtle, Chdydra serpentina, weighing 22 lbs., from the
Mississippi River, in Minnesota; by William M. Wallace.

June 16. Larva, pupa, and perfect insect of the Apple-tree Borer, Saperda
biviiiaia ; by Theodore Lyman. 11 specimens of Massachusetts Birds; by E.
Samuels.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 1858.

Edinburgh New Philosophical Jouimal. New series. Nos. 10, 13. 8vo. Ed
inburgh, 1852-8. From Prof. H. D. Rogers.

On some Modified Results attending the Decomposition of Bituminous Coals
by Heat. 8vo. Pamph. By Dr. A. A. Hayes. From ihe Autlim:

First Supplement to Dana's Mineralogy. By the Author. 8vo. Pamph.
1858. From ihe Author.

Materia Medica, or Pharmacology and Therapeutics. By Wm. TuUy, M. D.
Vol. I. Parts 1, 2. 8vo. Springfield, 1857. Fro7n J. N. Borland, M. D.

Flora and Fauna of Williamstown, Mass. By P. A. Chadbourne. 8vo.
Pamph. pp. 15. From the AiUhor.

De Pollinis Orchidearum Genesi, &c. Auct. H. G. Reichenbaeh. 4to.
Lipsiffi, 1851.

Flora Upsaliensis. A Geor. Wahlenberg. 8vo. Upsaliaj, 1820. By.Exchancie
with C. J. Spraguefor Payer's Cryptogamic Botany.

389

Report of the California State Agricultural Society's Fourth Annual Fair.
8vo. Pamph. San Francisco, 1858.

Hutching's California Magazine. Nos. 4, 5, 6. 8vo. Pamph. 1856. From
E. S. Iloldm.

Ueber die Leuchtorgane von Lampyris. V'on A. Kolliker. Svo. Pamph.
Also Untersuchungen zur vergleichenden Gewebelelire, angestellt in Nizza im
Herbste. 1856. Svo. Pamph. Von A. Kiilliker.

Cyclostomatis Elegantis Anatomie. Auct. B. E. Claparede. 4to. Pamph.
Berolini, 1867. From Ihe Heirs of Prof . J. W. Bailey.

Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey. 4to. Washington, 1856.

Explorations and Surveys for a Railroad Route from Mississippi River to
Pacific Ocean. 4to. Vol. VII. Washington, 1854-5.

Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey. By Wm. E.
Emory. 4to. Vol. I. Washington.

Reports on Standard Weights and Measures. Cong. Doc. 8vo. Washington,
1856. From Hon. C. Sumner.

Account of an Egyptian Mummy. By J. Blayds. 8vo. Pamph. Leeds,
1828.

Transactions of the Philosophical and Literary Society of Leeds. Vol. I.
Part 1. 8vo. London, 1837.

Annual Report of the same for 1856-7. 8vo. Pamph. Leeds.

Guide to the Museum of the same. Svo. Pamph. Leeds, 1854.

Report of the Proceedings of the Geological and Polytechnic Society of the
West Riding of Yorkshire. 1856-7. Svo. Pamph. Leeds.

Notice of Meetings of the Members of the Royal Institution of Great Britain.
Part 7. Svo. Pamph. London, 1857.

Silliman's Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. XXV. No. 75, for May, 1858.

Journal of the Geological Society of Dublin. Vol. VII. Part 5. 1857.

Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte. 2d and 3d parts. Berlio, 1857.

Transactions of the Linnean Society. Vol. XXII. Part 2. 4to. Also, Pro-
ceedings of the same. Botany, No. 4, Vol. I., Nos. 5, 6, Vol. II. ; and Zoology,
No. 4, Vol. I. and Nos. 5, 6, Vol. II. Also, Address of Thomas Bell, F. R. S., be-
fore the same Society. Svo. Pamph. 1857. London.

Physikalische Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften
zu Berlin. Aus dem Jahr, 1856. Also, Mathematische Abhandlung, &c. 1856.
4to. Berlin. Also, Monatsbericht der Konig. Preuss. Akad. der Wissenschaften
zu Berlin. January to August, 1857. Svo.

Wiirtembergische Naturwissenschaftliche Jahreshefte. Part 1. 1858. Svo.
Stuttgart.

Gelehrte Anzeigen. Akademie der Wissenschaften. XLIV. 4to. Miinchen,
1857.

New York .Journal of Medicine. Vol. VI. No. 3. May, 1858.

Receuil des Actes de I'Academie Imp^riale des Sciences, Belles Lettres, et
Arts de Bordeaux. 4^ Trimestre, 1856, 1" et 2« Trimestre. Svo. Bordeaux,
1857.

Canadian Journal of Industry, Science, and Art. New series. No. 15. 8vo.
Toronto. May, 1858.

Natural History Review. Vol. V. No. 1. January, 1858. London.

390

Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London. No. 11, for June.
1857. London.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Vol. X.
Sig. 7. April, 1858.

Transactions of the Academy of Science of St. Louis. 8vo. Pamph. 1858.

Canadian Naturalist and Geologist. Vol. III. No. 3, for June, 1858. Montreal.

Die Statischen Momente der Menschlichen Gliedmassen. Von Prof. Dr. E.
Harless. 4to. Pamph. Munchen, 1857.

Mittheilungen lAber Metallische Superoxyde von C. F. Schoenbeiii. 4to.
Pamph. Munchen, 1857.

Ueberdas Verhalten des Bittermandelijles zum Sauerstoffe. Von C. F. Schoen-
bein. 4to. Pamph. Munchen, 1857.

Ueber einige neue Reihen Chemischer Beruhrungswirkungen. Von C. F.
Schoenbein. 4to. Pamph, Miinchen, 1856.

Neue Bertrfige zur Kentniss der Fossilen Saugthier-Ueberreste von I'ikeomi.
Von Dr. Andreas Wagner. 4to. Pamph. Miinchen, 1857.

Ueber Bleysesquiphosphat. Von Prof. Dr. A. Vogel, Jr., und Dr. G. C.
Reischauer. 4to. Pamph. Munchen, 1856.

De Mutationibus in Spectro Solari fixo. Elucubratio Prof. F. Zantedeschi.
4to. Pamph. Miinchen, 1857.

Resultate Meteorologischeu Untersuchungen. Von Dr. J. Lament. 4to.
Pamph. Miinchen, 1857. Received in Exchange.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Vol. XIV. No. 54. 8vo. Lon-
don, 1858.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. L No. 5, 3d series, for May;
No. 6, June, 1858. From the Courtis Fund.

Oriental and Western Siberia. By T. W. Atkinson. 8vo. New York, 1858.

Explorations and Adventures in Honduras. By Wm. V. Wells. 8vo. New
York, 1857.

History of the Constitution of the United States. By G. T. Curtis. Vol. L,
n. 8vo. New York.

New Granada. By T. F. Holton. 8vo. New York, 1857.

History of the Republic of the United States of America. By J. C. Hamilton.
Vol. H. 8vo. New York, 1858.

Mexico and its Religion. By R. A. Wilson. 12mo. New York, 1855.

Narrative of the Texan Santa Fe Expedition. By G. W. Kendall. 2 vols.
12mo. New York, 1856.

The Araucanians. By E. R. Smith. 12mo. New York, 1855.

Lake Ngami. By C. J. Anderson. 12mo. New York, 1857.

Western Africa. By Rev. J. L. Wilson. 12mo. New York, 1866.

Waikna, or Adventures on the Mosquito Shore. By S. A. Bard. 12mo. New
York.

A Lady's Second Journey Round the World. By Ida Pfeiffer. 8vo. New
York, 1856.

Life of Thomas Jefferson. By H. S. Randall. Vol. III. 8vo. New York,
1858.

Five Years' of a Hunter's Life in the Interior of South Africa. By R. G.
Gumming. 12mo. New York, 1856. 2 vols.

391

History of the United States. By Geo. Bancroft. Vol. VII. 8vo. Boston,
1858.

EncyclopfBclia Britannica. Vol. XV. 4to. Boston. Deimdtd by thv liejmb'
lican Institution.

July 7, 1858.

The President in the Chair.

Mr. Bouve read a sketch of the life and labors of the
late Dr. James Deane, of Greenfield, a Corresponding
Member, and presented a series of resolutions, which
were unanimously adopted, as follows : —

Mr. President, and Fellow Members of the Society : —

It is my painful duty to lead your minds for a few brief mo-
ments, in our contemplation together of the character and services
of our d.eceased friend and brother, Dr. James Deane. It be-
comes me' as a personal friend, — knowing his worth, knowing his
sacrifices for the good of the science he loved, knowing something
at least of his spirit, — to speak of his manly virtues ; and it be-
comes us all to ponder upon them, and to draw from them such
lessons as they are calculated to teach ; for certain it is, our
endeavors for progress in the paths of science cannot but be
strengthened, — our desires for greater usefulness enlarged, by the
contemplation of his example.

The time and the occasion, however, will not permit me to
otherwise than very briefly notice events in the life of our de-
parted associate. It gives me, however, great pleasure to know
that an abler pen than mine, that of one of our number, will soon
fittingly commemorate his gi'eat worth, in a discourse to his fellow-
citizens.

Dr. Deane, as I have been informed by a friend of his in
Greenfield, to whom I am likewise indebted for other facts of
his life, was born in Coleraine, Franklin County, in this State,
in 1801. It does not appear that he received in youth other

392

than a common-school education, and it is known that until 21
years of age he labored upon his father's farm. At this period
of his life, moved undoubtedly by a desire to advance himself in
knowledge and usefulness, he went to Greenfield, and there en-
gaged himself in copying law papers and other documents, that
he might raise means to enable him to study the science of medi-
cine, to which his tastes inchned him. Subsequently, he entered
the University of the State of New York, where he graduated as
a Doctor of Medicine in 1831, being then about thirty years of
age. He subsequently commenced the practice of his profession
in Greenfield, and in this chosen sphere of his labors, he dili-
gently and with great success served the sick and suffering of his
fellow-citizens, until he himself was prostrated by the disease
which, unfortunately for science and humanity, proved fatal.

Of his ability as a Doctor of Medicine, others present are far
more competent to speak than myself; but I quote the language
of one well acquainted with him, in the statement that " his suc-
cess and skill were acknowledged in all the various branches of
his profession, but were more especially conspicuous in operative
surgery. In critical cases, it is said that his coolness and pres-
ence of mind were unsurpassed." "No man," says the same
authority, " ever took a more genuine pleasure in the relief of
human suffering ; and being called to most of the difficult cases
within a large circuit of miles, the readiness with which he yielded
to the frequent demands upon him, was only equalled by the
diligence and professional enthusiasm with which he prepared for
his operations."

But it is in his character as a Naturalist that we members of
the Society feel the most interest. None of us, I am sure, can be
unmindful of his labors in working out and faithfully portraying
the remai'kable impressions of the rocks of the Connecticut valley,
or of his yet more valuable and instructive observations upon
these interesting mementos of past life. Whatever may be said
of others who have honorably worked in the same field, this, I
think, may be truly stated of Dr. Deane, that the first scientific
observations upon the footprints were made by him.

Years have since passed, — yes, nearly a quarter of a century
has gone by, since he first called attention to these impressions ;
but yet, though absorbed much in the duties of his profession, he

393

never lost his interest in them. To his raind, nurtured as it had
become by their study, questions of important moment depended
upon their full elucidation, and certainly he exhibited an untiring
devotion in his labors towards the accomplishment of this end.

We all know that he has for some time been engaged in the
preparation of a work on the footjjrints of the Connecticut valley,
now under publication by the Smithsonian Institution ; and all are
undoubtedly aware, that by a process of his own invention, he
was able to lithograph and photograph them, so as to produce
illustrations of singular fidelity, — the color, even, of the stone in
which they occur being exactly represented. How far he had
progressed towards the completion of the text for this work is not
yet known to us. The plates, I have the satisfaction of announc-
ing, are all finished.

Dr. Deane always felt a strong interest in our Society, and he
was anxious that our cabinet should possess a full suite of the
impressions. To him your committee were much indebted for
advice and assistance in procuring such as adorn your cabinet. It
is a satisfaction now to know, that he himself felt grateful to the
Society for the readiness with which at all times, through your
curator, it loaned him such specimens as were needed for the illus-
tration of his work. These were always unhesitatingly placed at
his disposal.

Dr. Deane was quiet and unobtrusive in his manners, and
always presented his observations with singular modesty. It is
indeed painful to reflect, that his manly form will never more
come into our presence, or his instructive speech greet our hear-
ing. He died on the night of the 8th of June, from typhoid fever,
being about 57 years of age.

It is always a pleasure to know, that those whom we have
respected for scientific attainments, wei^e loved and honored in
private life for their virtues. This pleasure we can fully enjoy in
the case of our lamented associate. I cannot, perhaps, better
close these remarks, than by quoting the language of the friend
in Greenfield who kindly furnished me with some of the facts
which I have mentioned. He says : " To the community here,
his death is a loss not easily supplied. To many families, it is
only second to that of an immediate member. We mourn not
only the loss of our physician, and of a useful fellow-citizen, but

394

of one who, by the daily beauty of his life, and by numberless
unremembered acts of kindness, made personal friends of all
those who were in the habit of associating with him."
In conclusion, I offer the following resolutions : —
Resolved, That the Boston Society of Natural History, highly
appreciating the value and importance of the labors of the late
Dr. James Deane, of Greenfield, in the investigation and elucida-
tion of the fossil footprints of the Connecticut valley, recognize
in his death a great loss, not only to themselves, with whom he
was associated, but to all who feel interested in the progress of
science.

Resolved, That this action of the Society be communicated to
the family of the deceased, with the expression of our sympathy
in their bereavement.

Mr. William W. Baker presented a fossil Starfish,
from Lewiston, Me. It was found in a hill of earth,
nearly ten feet below the sm-face, and about half a mile
from the present river bed, about one hundred feet above
its level, and two hundred feet above the sea, thirty miles
distant. The hill was composed almost entirely of clay
to the depth of eight feet ; below this were thin layers of
sand and gravel and clay alternating ; there were numer-
ous impressions of shell-fish. The specimen showed the
under surface. Mr. Bouve expressed the opinion that it
was the same as the living species, and belonged to the
post-pleiocene formation.

On motion of Mr. Bouve, it was voted that there be
a recess in the meetings of this Society until the first
Wednesday in September.

Mr. Charles P. Lewis, of Boston, was elected a Resi-
dent Member.

395

September 1, 1858.

The President in the Chair.

The President made a communication on several par-
asites which he had found in the American Deer, Cervus
Virginianus.

In the nasal passages he found an Mstrus, somewhat resembling
that of the sheep ; possibly it may be a new species, as its body is
longer and the spines are more scattered over the segments than
in specimens he had examined from other animals. In the bron-
chial tubes he found a Filaria, or thread-worm. The eggs of this
genus, as is well known, are laid in the ground, and the larvae, if
lucky enough to find a suitable animal nidus, as a grasshopper, en-
ter it and are there developed into the immature state in which they
are met with in insects ; how they get into mammals and reach
their full development is not satisfactorily ascertained. In the liver
were found Distoma and Cysticercus — some of the former were
exhibited two inches long ; they are very common in adults, less so
in yearlings, and so much so that hunters never eat the liver, tak-
ing it for granted that it contains these parasites ; their presence is
indicated by the external appearance of the liver ; if mature
they were contained, four or five in number, in a thick cyst ; the
smaller ones were not inclosed in a cyst, but in the centre of a
mass of softened and grumous blood, and seemed to be burrow-
ing in search of a resting-place ; such traces of their wanderings
were found in various parts of the organ. Gysticerci were found
in several instances, of small size, but with the head largely
developed ; it would be interesting to examine the catamount,
which preys upon deer, to ascertain if tapeworms exist in their
intestines. No Taenia was found in the deer, and a imori we
should not expect to find it. The deer did not seem to be inju-
riously affected by any of these parasites. He had found Filaria
in the heart of the porpoise and seal, always in the right cavities ;
he thought it probable that they burrow into the portal vessels,

396

and thence pass by the hepatic veins, and inferior cava to the
right side of the heart, and do not gain access to the latter from
the lungs, in which case they would be obliged to stem the tor-
rent of the pulmonary artery.

Mr. Sprague presented two specimens of the glow-worm, ob-
tained at Cohasset, Mass. ; their light, which proceeded from the
under surface of the tail, remained for fifteen minutes after death.

Dr. Kneeland presented some crustacean parasites from the
skin of a sun-fish, Orthagoriscus mola, which he had obtained at
Cohasset. A Lerncea, in large numbers, was attached around the
dorsal and anal fins, its stem being plunged from one to two
inches into the flesh ; attached to these stems were numerous
Cirripeds of the genus Cineras, and also several polyp growths.
Other crustacean parasites, of the genus Cecrops, from the same
fish were exhibited ; the gills, intestines, and muscles are also
generally infested with other species. The jaws of the fish, and
also a piece of the remarkably elastic flesh, were presented.
The specimens were referred to Dr. J. C. White to report upon,

A letter was read from Dr. Isaac I. Hayes to the
President, announcing his intention of making another
attempt to reach the North Pole of the earth ; and ask-
ing for the influence of the Society in behalf of this
object. The letter was accompanied by the report of
the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia on the
same letter. On motion of Prof. Parsons, the subject
was referred to a Committee to be nominated by the
President and reported on at the next meeting.

The President read a communication from Prof. Tread-
well, of Cambridge, giving a detailed account of the
feeding and growth of the American robin, ( Turdus
migratorius, Linn.) during a period of thirty-two days,
commencing from the 5th of June.

When caught the two birds experimented on were quite young,
their tail-feathers being less than an inch long, and the weight of
each about twenty-five pennyweights, less than half the weight

397

of the full-grown bird ; both were plump and vigorous, and had
evidently been very recently turned out of the nest. lie began
feeding them with earth-worms, giving three to each bird, that
night ; the 2d day he gave them ten worms each, which they
eat ravenously ; thinking this beyond what their parents could
naturally supply them with, he limited them to this allowance.
On the 3d day, he gave them eight worms each in the forenoon ;
but in the afternoon he found one becoming feeble, and it soon
lost its strength, refused food, and died ; on opening it, he found
the crop, gizzard, and intestines entirely empty, and concluded
therefore that it had died from want of sufficient food, the effect
of hunger being perhaps increased by cold, as the thermometer
was about 60^. The other bird, still vigorous, he put in a
warmer place, and increased its food, giving it the 3d day fifteen
worms, on the 4th day twenty-four, on the 5th twenty-five, on
the Gtli thirty, and on the 7th thirty-one worms. They seemed
insufficient, and the bird appeared to be losing plumpness and
weight ; he began then to weigh both the bird and its food, and
the results were given in a tabular form. On the 15th day he
tried a small quantity of raw meat, and, finding it readily eaten,
increased it gradually to the exclusion of worms ; with it the bird
eat a large quantity of earth and gravel, and drank freely after
eating. By the table it appears that though the food was in-
creased to forty worms, weighing twenty dwt. on the 11th day,
the weight rather fell off; and it was not until the 14th day,
when he eat sixty-eight worms, or thirty-four dwt., that he be^an
to increase — on this day the weight of the bird was twenty-four
dwt. ; he therefore eat forty-one per cent, more than his own
weight in twelve hours, weighing after it twenty-nine dwt., or
fifteen per cent, less than the food he had eaten in that time ; the
length of these worms, if laid end to end, would be about fourteen
feet, or ten times the length of the intestines. To meet the
objection that the earth-worm contains but a small amount of
solid nutritious matter, on the 27th day he was fed exclusively
on clear beef, in quantity twenty-three dwt. ; at night the bird
weighed fifty-two dwt., but little more than twice the amount of
flesh consumed during the day, not taking into account the water
and earth swallowed. This presents a wonderful contrast with
the amount of food required by the cold-blooded vertebi-ates,

398

fishes and reptiles, many of which can live for months without
food ; and also with that required by mammalia — a man, at this
rate, should eat about seventy lbs. of flesh a day, and drink five
or six gallons of water. The question immediately presents
itself, how can this immense amount of food, required by the
young birds, be supplied by the parents ? Suppose a pair of old
robins with the usual number of four young ones — these would
require, according to the consumption of this bird, two hundred
and fifty worms, or their equivalent in insects or other food daily
— suppose the pai-ents to work ten hours, or six hundred minutes,
to procui-e this supply ; this would be a worm in every two and
four-tenths minutes ; or each parent must procure a worm or its
equivalent, in less than five minutes during ten hours, in addition
to the food required for its own support. He was unable to
reconcile this calculation with actual observation of robins, which
he had never seen return to their nests oftener than once in ten
minutes. After the 3 2d day the bird had attained its full size,
and w\as entrusted to the care of another person during his own
absence of eighteen days ; at the end of that period the bird was
strong and healthy, with no increase of weight, though its featli-
ers had grown longer and smoother. Its food had been weighed
daily, and averaged fifteen dwt. of meat, two or three earth-
worms, and a small quantity of bread each day; the whole being
equal to eighteen dwt. of beef, or thirty-six dwt. of earth-worms ;
and it has continued to eat this amount to the present time. The
bird having continued, in its confinement, with certainly much
less exercise than in the wild state, to eat one-third of its weight
of clear flesh daily, he concludes that the food it consumed when
young was not much more than must always be provided by the
parents of wild birds. The food was never passed undigested ;
the excretions were made up of gravel and dirt, and a small
quantity of white semi-solid urine.

He thought that every admirer of trees may derive from these
facts a lesson, showing the immense power of birds to destroy the
insects by which our trees, esjiecially our apples, elms, and lin-
dens, are every few years stripped of their foliage, and, often
many of them killed. The food of the robin, while with us, con-
sists principally of earth-worms, various insects, their larvce and
eggs, and a few cherries ; of worms and cherries they can pro-

399

cure but few, and those during but a short period, and they are
obliged therefore to subsist principally upon the great destroyers
of leaves, canker-worms, and some other kinds of caterpillars and
bugs. If each robin, old and young, requires for its support an
amount of these equal to the weight consumed by his bird, it is
easy to see what a prodigious havoc a few hundreds of them must
make upon the insects of an orchard or a park. Is it not then to
our advantage, he asks, to purchase the service of the robins at the
price of a few cherries ? There has lately been some improve-
ment in i^reserving our birds, and with a little more protection,
he thinks that such an increase of them might be obtained as
would save us from all the labor required for the appliances of
tar, oil, zinc plates, and all other methods by which we seek, with
very imperfect success, to destroy our mischievous insects.

The thanks of the Society were voted to Prof. Tread-
well for his communication.

An animated discussion took place on the use of
birds, and especially of the robin, in destroying insects.

Prof Parsons did not believe that the robin ever devours the
canker-worm, and his observation had not convinced him that
any bird does ; he was also of opinion that man destroys few
birds in comparison with cats and their other natural enemies ;
he alluded to an opinion of the late Dr. Harris, of Cambridge,
that insects perish from the attacks of tlieir own parasites, the lat-
ter gi'owing the more numerous whenever the necessity arises.

Mr. Wetherel observed, that the robin eats caterpillars, but
whether canker-worms or not he did not know ; insects injurious
to fruit and to grasses have also been found in its crop ; he be-
lieved the squirrels, introduced on Boston Common and other
public and private enclosures, are the worst foes of the insec-
tivorous birds by destroying their eggs ; he considered also the
crow one of the farmers' best friends, though he does pull up a
few roots of the young corn, by his destruction of grubs and
insects injurious to vegetation.

Dr. White remarked, that he had seen birds of the genus Vireo
eagerly devouring canker-worms.

400

Dr. C. T. Jackson observed, that it was the opinion of Mr.
Townend Glover, now engaged by the U. 8. Patent Office in
studying the insects injurious to cotton and other American
crops, that among the most inveterate foes to noxious insects are
insectivorous insects themselves.

September 15, 1858.
The President in the Chair.

The President said it was his painful duty to an-
nounce the death of a valued Corresponding Member of
the Society, Dr. Francis W. Cragin. Dr. Cragin was
for many years a resident in Parimaribo, Surinam, where
he practised the profession of Medicine, and was highly
respected as the most accomplished physician and sur-
geon in the colony. He was also for many years the
United States consular agent in Dutch Guiana.

It was not, however, in connection with his profes-
sional reputation, or as the consular agent of our gov-
ernment that he becomes the subject of a notice before
this Society. An examination of our records shows that
for many years he was one of our most generous bene-
factors, and that from him we have received a large
number of donations of great zoological and anatomical
interest. Those who are aware of the circumstances
under which they were collected in a tropical country,
and of the expenditure of means which they involved,
will feel that the Society is under no ordinary obligations
to him for his benefactions. Though not professedly a
naturalist, he was an ardent lover and keen observer of
nature, and it was in consequence of these elements of
his character, as well as from a wholly disinterested
impulse to advance the cause of natural science, that he

401

became so liberal a contributor to our own and other
collections.

He offered the following resolutions, which were unan-
imously adopted : —

Resolved, That the members of the Boston Society of Natural
History have learned with deep regret the death of their late
associate, Dr. Francis W. Cragin.

Resolved, That in his death the Society has lost one of its
most generous friends and benefactors.

Resolved, That to the family of our late associate we offer our
sympathies in the affliction they have been called upon to meet.

A letter was read from Mr. William Sharswood, of
Philadelphia, accompanying the following descriptions
of insects by Prof. S. S. Haldeman, whicft have been
printed in certain popular journals, iJut hav^ never ap-
peared in a scientific publication.

CECIDOMYA ROBINI^. Hald.

Aurantiaca, ate pallide obscuraj ; thorax maculis 3 longitudi-
nalibus obscuris, pleura macula obscura ; abdomen segmentis
1'^ 2° obscuris. Long IJ- lin.

Pale orange ; orange black, reticulate ; antennae, fix>nt, wings, a
large macula upon the pleui-a below the wing, and another be-
tween the anterior and medial feet, dusky: antennae (9) 14-
articulate, verticillate, slender, articulations separated, scapus
rather thick, and with the pedicellum translucent ; $ about 24-
articulate, slender ; palpi slender cylindric, 3=articulate, terminal
articulation more slender and larger than the preceding ones :
thorax with three large oval conspicuous dusky vitta? : abdomen
9-articulate, two basal articulations dusky above.

This insect in the larva state feeds upon the leaves of the
Rohinia pseud'ocacia, the margin of which it forms into a roll.
Tlie larva is white, or pale orange, of 13 segments, the first of
which receives the retractile head ; nine segments, from the
fourth to the twelfth inclusive, with spiracles. The pupa does
aiot foniu a cocoon, but lie^ without a covering. It can move
itself by means of tho abdomen. The insect is not strictly a Ceci-

PEOCEEDINGS R. S- N, H. — VOL. VI. 26 JANUARY, 1859,

402

(lomya, the posterior vein of the wing being interrupted, the basal
portion sending a deflected filament (which does not seem to be
hollow) to the middle of the posterior margin. The disrupted
parts of the posterior vein pass and run parallel to each other for
a short distance, the apical portion being the more anterior.

Two species of minute parasitic Hymenoptera destroy a great
many individuals of this insect, which, in conjunction with Odonta
scutellaris, Oliv., has for several yeai's killed the foliage of
Robinia in southeastern Pennsylvania, so that the trees present
the appearance of having been destroyed by dry weather, the
brown leaves remaining upon the tree. This happens chiefly in
August.

EKIOPHILUS. Hald.

The new geijeric name (meaning wool-loving) is given in allu-
sion to Eriosoma, upon which this insect is parasitic ; and the
trivial name mali has reference to the apple-tree, upon which it
is found.

Observing the dead and black specimens of Eriosoma, with the
body plump, but hollow, and a small perforation posteriorly, we
examined other individuals without the perforation, and found
them to contain the naked pupa of a minute hymenopterous in-
sect, which, before it left the larva state, must have bored through
the belly of the Eriosoma and aflixed it to the branch.

This insect belongs to the family of Ghalcididce, and has the
following generic characters : —

Head free, transverse, eyes large, and set with short stiff hairs ;
antennae with short pile, elbowed, with six articidations, the first
long (in the male), the second subconical, the third and fourth
short and equal, the fifth subcylindrical, and the sixth fusiform ;
in the female the flagellura is fusiform, the second and fifth joints
short, and the wings ample, the anterior on'e with the subcostal
vein straight, the stigmal branch very short, and difficult to distin-
guish ; basal portion of the disk without pile, anterior and ex-
terior margin short ciliate ; posterior wing ciliate with long hairs.
Feet slender, pentamerous, adapted for leaping ; medial tibial
spine long, anterior one curved. Abdomen sessile, and rather
long, having a sharp slender exsertile sting or ovipositor in the
female. Pupa without a follicle.

403

E. malt. Length one twenty-fifth of an inch, expanse of the
wings about twice this amount. Body shining black, with a few
hairs ; front vertically impressed upon each side of the middle
for the antennte, eyes violet, scabrous, short pilose ; antenncB (ex-
cept the first and base of the second joint) lohile. Wings with
two straight lines of pile running at an acute angle from the end
of the subcostal vein across the disk, which is densely pilose ex-
terior to them. Base of the abdomen yellow, followed above by
several indistinct brownish transverse bands. Anterior feet wliite,
the femora (except the apex) black ; medial femora black, base
and apex white, tibice black, with the apex and the tarsi white.
Posterior femora and tarsi (except the base) white.

Leaps with agility. The genus seems to have some affinity
with Agonioneurus.

APHIS (pemphigus) stamineus. Hald.

This name is proposed for a large species of Aphis, which
forms follicles on the leaves of the silver-leaved maple, (Acer
eriocarpum.)

Male. — Black, feet long, slender, and rufous ; tarsi bi-articu-
late ; wings slightly deflexed, translucent, pale ferruginous at the
base, submarginal nervure conspicuous, black, and ending in a
long stigma ; disk with four simple nervures ; posterior wings
with three nervures ; mesonotum polished, with a deep Y-shaped
impression ; abdomen without tubes ; pi'omuscis obsolete, anten-
nas 6-ai"ticulate, the first two short, the third long, and the fourth,
fifth, and sixth gradually lengthening ; length of the body, 1^ line ;
or to the end of the wings, 2^.

Female and pupa. — Apterous, dark-reddish brown, feet paler ;
promuscis twice as long as the head, thickened near the apex ;
length, 1^ lines.

Dr. Gould observed, in relation to the food of the
robin, which had been spoken of at the preceding meet-
ing, that experiments, conducted since midwinter, show
that its crop is found full of insects at night ; as many
as 500 have been found in a single bird. It is difficult
to understand how they get such a full supply in cold
weather.

404

Mr. C. J. Sprague, exhibited a castor bottle contain-
ing red pepper, which was completely riddled by the
grubs and perfect insects of a little beetle, apparently the
same as he had formerly found committing its ravages
among the plants of the Society's herbarium. It was
Ptinus fur, according to Dr. Pickering.

Dr. J. C. White read a report on the parasites of the
Orthag-oriscus mola (Sun-fish), referred to him at the last
meeting. They consisted principally of female speci-
mens of Pennella filosa. Dr. White gave an account of
some interesting points in their structure. Attached to
the Pennellce were numbers of Cineras vittata. Attached
to the bodies of the Cineras and to the ovaries of the
Pennella were numerous polyp stems, the Laomedea
gelatinosa.

On the skin of the same fish were other crustacean
parasites, usually called " fish-lice," the Cecrops Latreilli.

The tissue of the sun-fish, which is so elastic as to
rebound to a considerable height when thrown upon the
ground, was found by Dr. White, on microscopic exam-
ination, to consist almost wholly of yellow elastic fibre,
interlaced in an intricate manner, and presenting no ap-
pearance of true muscle. There may be a little white
fibrous tissue intermixed, but the alcohol had so inter-
fered with the action of reagents as to render its detec-
tion uncertain.

Dr. Gould spoke of the great difficulty which he had
recently found to exist in Europe in obtaining American
works on Natural History, although they are eagerly
sought for, especially in Germany. He alluded to the
high prices charged for American books by the inter-
ference of foreign booksellers, and mentioned one, the
cost of which in America was $4, and in Europe $24.

The President nominated as a Committee on the sub-

405

ject of Dr. Hayes's proposed Arctic Expedition, Prof.
Theophilus Parsons, and Drs. A. A. Gould and S. Knee-
land, Jr., and they were chosen.

Jules Marcou, of Zurich, Switzerland, was chosen a
Corresponding Member; and Dr. Daniel V. Folts, of
East Boston, and Thomas Motley, Jr., of West Roxbury,
Resident Members.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

July 7, 1858. A fossil Asie7-ias from Lewiston, Me. ; by William W. Raker.
A Scup, PcKjrus argyrops, Lian., from Lynn, Mass.; by Zaccheus Phillips. A
young Gopher, Spermophilus tredecimUneahis, Mitch., and a specimen of Crys-
tallized Iron Ore, from Minnesota; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr.

September 1. A Trilobite, Pm-aJoxides Ilarlani, neai-ly perfect, from Brain-
tree; and a specimen of rock containing native gold, from the Steele Mine,
Montgomery Co., North Carolina; by Dr. C. T. Jackson. Two specimens of the
Glow-Worm, from Cohasset; by Charles J. Sprague. Specimens of Crustacean
Parasites from the Sun-Fish, 0 rthagoriscus mola, the jaws, and a portion of the
flesh, from Cohasset; b}' Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr. Shells from Sweden, fossils from
Maine, and alcoholic specimens of the internal organs of birds, and some Cirri-
peds; by Dr. S. Cabot, Jr.

September 15. European Shells, and a large Beetle; by Dr. D. F. Weiuland.
Internal moulds of Ai-ca, and a fragment of fossil bone, probably cetacean, from
New Jersey ; by Charles K. Landis. A portion of rock containing Encrinitss
and fossil shells from Sharon Springs, N. Y. ; by C. B. Fairbanks. Specimens
of Ophiui'a, taken from cods' stomachs, and crustacean parasites from their
gills; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Ji-. Specimens of Motella, from Nahant; by C. Cooke.
Three specimens of Ehotris (nov. sp.), one of Vomer Brownii, one of Ikemulon
fonnosum, and four of Clupea, from Hayti, and one of Pelromyzon JlmmlUis, from
Berlin; by Dr. D. F. Weinland. Specimens of Fundulus pisctdentus, Hydrargyra
Jlavula, Cyprinodon variegatus, Poecilia laiipinna, and Heterandra Ilolbrookii ; by
Prof. Holbrook, of Charleston, S. C.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING SEPT. 30, 1858.

Prodromus Descriptionis Animal iura Evertebratorum. Auct. W. Stimpson.
Parts v., VI. 8vo. Pamph. Philadelphia, 1858. From the Author.

Experiments on Sonorous Flames, with Remarks on the primary Source of
their Vibration. By Prof. W. B. Rogers. 8vo. Pampli. New Haven. From
the Author.

406

Essay on the Tapeworms of Man. By D. F. Weinland, P. D. 8vo. Pamph.
Cambridge, 1858. From the Author.

Keports on Railway and Electro-Magnetic Telegraph from Quebec to Halifax.
8vo. Pamph. Fredericton, 1847. From M. H. Perky.

Notes pour servir a une description Geologique des Montagnes Rocheuses.
Par J. Marcou. 12mo. Pamph. Geneve, 1858. From the Author.

The Dudley Observatory and Scientific Council. Statement of the Trustees.
8vo. Pamph. Albany, 1858. From the Trustees.

Notes on American Land Shells. By W. G. Binney. No. 8. 8vo. Pamph.
Philadelphia, 1858. From the Author.

London Geological Journal. Nos. 1, 2, 3. 8vo. London, 1846-7. 3 copies.
From E. Charlesivorth, F. G. S.

Natural History Review. Vol. V., No. 2. 8vo. London, 1858.

Zeitschrift fiir die Gesammten Naturwissenschaften. Jahrgang, 1857. Zehn-
ter Band. 8vo. Berlin.

Canadian Journal of Industry, Science, and Art. No. 16. July. 1858.
Toronto.

Bulletin de la Soci^te de Geographic. Tome XV. 8vo. Paris, 1868.

Jahrbuch der K. K. Geologischen Eeichsanstalt. Vols. 1-3 and 5-8. 8vo.
Wien, 1850-58.

Malakozoologische Blatter. V Band 1-2. Bog. 6 Taf.

Genera of Recent Mollusca. By H. and A. Adams. No. 34. London, 1858.

Conchological Miscellany. By S. Hanley. Parts 3-10. 4to. London.

Sowerby's Thesaurus Conchyliorum. Part 18. London.

Proceedings of Zoological Society of London. Part 25, for 1857. 8vo.
London.

New York Journal of Medicine. Vol. V., No. 2, for September, 1858.

Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte. Drei-und-Zwanzigster Jahrgang. Viertes Heft.
8vo. Pamph. Berlin, 1857.

Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of Loudon. Vol. 2. Nos. 1, 2.
8vo. London, 1858.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society. Vol. 27. 8vo. London, 1857.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. No. 77, for September,
1858.

Canadian Naturalist and Geologist. Vol. 3, No. 4. Montreal, 1858.

Proceedings of American Philosophical Society. Vol. VL, No. 59. January
to June, 1858.

New York Journal of Medicine. Vol. VL, No. 1. July, 1858.

Canadian Journal of Industry, Science, and Art. New Series. No. 17. Sept.
1858.

WiirttembergischeNaturwissenschaftliche Jahreshef te. Dreizehnter Jahrgang.
Drittes Heft. 8vo. Pamph. Stuttgart, 1857.

Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts. 2d Series. No. 76, for
July, 1858. Received in Exchange.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. No. 7, Vol. 2. July, 1858. Lon-
don.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 55. Aug. 1858. Svo. London.

Cyclopcedia of Anatomy and Physiology. By R. B. Todd, M. D., F. R. S.
Parts 49 and 50. 8vo. London.

407

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. 2, No. 8, lor August, 1858.
London. From the Courtis Fund.

Encj'clopajdia Britannica. Vol. XVI.

Memoirs of the Life of John Quincy Adams. By Josiah Quincy, LL. D.
8vo. Boston, 1S58. Deposited by the Ripiiblican Institution.

October 6, 1858.

Dr. C. T. Jackson in the Chair.

Prof. Agassiz, as an introduction to the description of
some new fishes from Lake Nicaragua, made some
remarks on classification.

He observed that as yet there is no natural ichtliyological sys-
tem. The three principal ones which have attracted the attention
of naturalists are the following, in chronological order. 1. That
of Cuvier, remarkable for its precise divisions into natural fami-
lies, founded on the consistence of the skeleton, and on the char-
acters and situations of the fins. 2. His own system, based on
the structure of the scales ; this, though placing too great stress
on external characters, led to the discovery of many interesting
affinities between the scales and the internal organs. 3. That of
Johannes Miiller, deriving the characters from purely anatomical
Structure, leading to combinations without regard to zoological
differences. The fault of all these systems is their exclusiveness,
attaching too great value to single characters. He thought a
combination of the three systems would lead to a better appre-
ciation of certain groups. The Nicaraguan fishes, collected by
Julius Fi-oebel, are representatives of four genera of a single
family, foreign to North America ; though much resembling
Pomotis, they belong to the family of Chromids.

In the family of Labroids, in which the Chromids were for-
merly included, the last pharyngeal bones are united into a single
odd bone, without trace of suture — there is no fissure between the
fourth and fifth branchial arches ; the last gill is imperfectly de-

408

veloped ; the scales are cycloid, and the tubes of the lateral line
branching. Ileckel separated the genera Cichla and Chromis,
and with the Scicenoids having less than seven branchiostegal rays,
formed a distinct family, the Chromids. Miiller found that the
first of these differed from the latter, which have no suture in the
last pharyngeal bone, and pseudobranchia on the inner surface of
the operculum ; he called the latter Pomacentrini ; for the former
he retained the name Chromids, uniting them, however, under
the name of Phcu-yngognathi, and including with them the genera
Belone, Scomheresox, and Exocetus, but which really are in no
way allied to the Labroids, Pomacentrini, and Chromids.

Eveiy Labroid is a marine fish ; all the Chromids are inhab-
itants of fresh water, and peculiar to South and Central America,
except one species in the Nile, and one in South Africa. Of
the four genera from Nicaragua, one, were it not for the inter-
rupted lateral line, would reseinble very closely Dentex ; Prof.
Agassiz proposed to call it Parachromis gidosus. A second, re-
sembling Chrysophrys, he called Hypsophrys unimacidatns. A
third resembling Bodps, he named Baiodon fasciatus. The last
he called Amphilophus Froehelii, which is peculiar in not having
the ordinary fleshy lips, but a large triangular lobe projecting
above the upper and below the lower jaw, like the nasal append-
ages of some bats.

Though the form of these Chromids varies from the elongated
shape of the Pickerel to the roundness of the Bream, there is one
character common to all — the second dorsal fin and the anal are
pointed backward, extending over the caudal. Though coming
from the same lake, and belonging to the same family, the disti'i-
bution of the colors varies considerably ; yet it is derived from
one pattern. Prof. A. showed how from the simple vertical bands
of the sides, a longitudinal line was formed by the increase and
union of the color in the centre of the bands, and its fading above
and below ; and how in the H. unimaculatus a single spot was
developed to the exclusion of the rest.

Dr. C. T. Jackson exhibited some fine samples of to-
bacco, Nicotiana tabacum, raised in the Connecticut
valley, at Hatfield, Mass., by Mr. Dickinson. On drying
it, the specimens were found to lose 88 per cent, of their

409

weight; on being bnrned, the stems decrepitate, indi-
cating the presence of nitre ; the main stalks decay
rapidly and form an excellent manure ; it is an exhausting
crop, and requires rotation with others. As much as
2500 lbs. of the dried tobacco, worth between $400 and
$500, have been raised to the acre. The leaves are thin,
smooth, and wide, and are largely exported to Havana
for the covers of cigars.

Dr. A. A. Gould gave an account of a recent visit to
some of the scientific institutions of Europe, confining
his remarks to Great Britain.

Mr. Charles T. Carney made the following commu-
nication : —

" In September, 1857, I was led to investigate the Sesquioxide
of Chromium, with a view of decomposing the same without in-
jury to any organic matter which might be pi-esent with it. The
means usually employed for effecting the decomposition, by boil-
ing sulphuric acid, &c. were of course unavailable, and I was
much interested in observing a peculiar reaction which was new
to me ; and I do not know that it has been before observed. I
found that when the ignited sesquioxide was exposed to the
action of the galvanic battery, in presence of a dilute solution of
caustic alkali, it was decomposed, and the chromate of alkali
formed in solution. Thinking it possible that a combination
might occur with the caustic alkali and some soluble portion of
the chrome oxide, I next subjected some freshly prepared and
ignited sesquioxide to the action of caustic alkali for twelve
hours ; then after being thoi'oughly washed and dried, submitted
it to the action of the battery. The result was the same, and
from the solution of chromate of alkali obtained, I formed the
chromic salts of lead and silver."

Stephen P. Leeds, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was chosen a
Corresponding Member.

Octavius Pickering, of Cambridge, and Dr. C. F. Win-
slow, of West Newton, were chosen Resident Members.

410

October 20, 1858.

Dr. Durkee in the Chair.

Dr. A. A. Gould continued his remarks on the Euro-
pean collections of Natural History, giving brief sketches
of those of Paris, Florence, Vienna, Munich, Bonn, Am-
sterdam, Leyden, and Glasgow.

Mr. Theodore Lyman read a paper on the forms of birds, the
object of which was to show how form, as depending on structure,
may be recognized in this class, and may be expressed by meas-
urements. He had compared, for this purpose, a hawk and an
owl, and a duck and an auk, showing that the form is character-
istic in each group, which may therefore be looked upon as a
natural family in the animal kingdom. There is no essential
difference between the bill and claws of the hawk and owl ; there
are, however, very striking differences in the size and position of
the eyes, the bulk of the lower body, and in the length of the
tarsus. Owls have large, prominent eyes, turned to the front, a
body bulky below, and (generally) a very short tarsus ; their
abundant plumage is so arranged as to bring out these features ;
the feathers of the head make a kind of face, in the midst of
which appear a half-buried beak and a pair of round, staring eyes ;
the body is large and heavy looking, growing larger below, and
apparently ending in a partly concealed pair of feet ; the natural
position is bolt upright, on account of the short tarsi and the
weight of the body in front. Hawks have eyes of moderate size,
rather sunken, and on the sides of the head ; the body is elegant
and compact, and the tarsus generally long ; the plumage is
commonly shorter and closer ; the ordinary position is with the
body standing well up on the legs, and inclined at a small angle
from vertical. The owl gives the idea of solemnity and gravity,
the hawk that of alertness and vigor, but both share the expres-
sion of ferocity.

In the auks and ducks, both water-birds, the chief elements of
difference are the plane of the bill with reference to that of the

411

head, the shape of the body, and the position of the legs. The
ducks have the bill flattened in a horizontal and the head in a ver-
tical plane, and the legs placed so far forward that they can move,
though awkwardly, on land ; the neck is long and slender, and
the body short and chubby. The auks have the head com-
pressed in a horizontal and the bill in a vertical plane ; the body
is very long and flattened vertically ; the legs are entirely be-
hind, and the tibia is so bound down by the integuments, that the
animal, on land, often tumbles forward, and assumes when stand-
ing an upright position.

The paper was accompanied by drawings, and by
tables giving the proportions of the skulls and skeletons,
and showing the characters of the families.

Prof. Agassiz made some remarks on two Pomocentri-
dcB from the Florida reefs, of the genera Glyphisodon and
Pomacentrus, the latter being a new species called by
him P. meleagris.

The family of Discoboli, of which the Lump-fish is the chief
representative, is very interesting both anatomically and zoologi-
cally. Swainson arranged the lump-fish with the lamprey-eel,
which is as bad as placing the bat among the bii'ds. Cuvier
placed it with the malacopterygians, with the Gadidce and Pleura-
nectidce. J. Miiller separated the Discoboli from malacoptery-
gians, and placed them with the acanthopterygians, where they
belong ; but from the fact that the ventrals are united into a
disk, he erroneously placed them in a family Cyclopodi, with Go-
bius, separating Eleotris from the family. The genus Echeneis,
according to Prof. Agassiz, belongs among the scomberoids. He
gave some of the characters of the genera Cyclopterus, Liparis,
Gobiesox, and Lepadogaster, of the family Discoboli ; — in Lepado-
gaster there are two pairs of pectorals and two pairs of ventrals,
one pair of which consist each of folds of skin only, and are not true
fins ; the membranous fold of the second pectorals contains fibrous
rays, and is attached to the shoulder bone, the membranous ven-
tral fold is attached to the styloid bone. These structural fea-
tures render a separation of Lepadogaster and Cyclopterus as

412

distinct families necessary. He would place the Discoboli not at
all with Gobius, but in the neighborhood of the sculpins. He pre-
sented to the Society specimens of three new genera of this fam-
ily, as follows : Crossognathus, Ag., from Charleston, S. Carolina ;
Lobognathus, Ag., from Peru ; and Plychoclieilus, Ag., from
Puget Sound.

The following communication was received from Mr.
William Stimpson : —

Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C, Oct. 1, 1858.
I wish to place on record in the Proceedings of the Society the
existence of a remarkable new form of Brachyurous Crustacean
on the coral reefs at Hawaii. It cannot be properly I'eferred to
any known family, although having perhaps more resemblance to
Pinnotheres than any other known genus, as its integuments ai-e
soft, and the female abdomen of great size, — in fact larger than
the carapax. Its place in the series is pi'obably between Pin-
notheres and Hymenosoma. Four specimens only are in my
possession, which are, unfortunately, all females. They were
collected by the scientific corps of the U. S. North Pacific Sur-
veying Expedition, under the command of Capt. John Rodgers.
It may be called

HAPALOCARCINUS MARSUPIALIS.

The shell or general integument of the body is but little indu-
rated, quite soft and flexible, such as occurs after moulting in
other crabs. The feet however, particularly the chelipeds, are
sufficiently firm. The carapax is leather depressed, smooth, and
glabrous, suboval, longer than broad, narrower in front than be-
hind, somewhat truncated at either extremity, and without teeth
or spines on any part. Front horizontal, straight. Orbits small,
excavated in the anterior margin. Eyes short, oblique, inclining
to longitudinal, and scarcely retractile. Antennula3 very short
and minute, placed at the inner angle of the orbit. The epis-
tome is scarcely distinct, as the lamelliform maxiUipeds reach
nearly to the eyes and antenna?. The buccal area occupies the
whole breadth of the carapax anteriorly, the outer maxillipeds
covering the subhepatic regions. The maxillipeds are loosely
applied, as in some Anomoura, and those of the two sides are

413

separated from each other at the base by the triangular anterior
extremity of the sternum, which is greatly prolonged. In the
outer maxillipeds the ischium-joint is enlarged and dilated within,
while the meros is very small, and slender like the last three
joints or palpus ; the exognath is slender and palpigerous.

The feet are slender and weak, smooth and shaped nearly as
in Pinnotheres. The chelipeds are equal, and about as long as
the ambulatory feet, and twice as thick. Fingers of the hand
nearly straight, longitudinal, and shorter than the palm. Dactyli
of the ambulatory feet all very short, and slightly uncinate.
Sternum very broad and smooth, with the genital orifices rather
wide apart. Abdomen of great size, larger than the rest of the
animal, smooth, but with the segments distinct ; the sides much
expanded and folded inward, forming a kind of pouch for the
reception of the eggs.

Color a dark blue-gray, or "neutral tint." Length of the
carapax, 0.21 ; breadth, 0.165 inch.

Found clinging to the branches of living madrepores, at the
depth of one fathom, in the harbor of Hilo, Hawaii, March, 1856.
They probably feed upon the coral-polypes.

The Corresponding Secretary read the following let-
ters, which had been recently received, viz : —

From the Smithsonian Institution, June 23 ; the Royal So-
ciety of London, March 13 ; the Lyceum of Natural History of
New York, Februaiy 11, acknowledging the receipt of the So-
ciety's publications ; from Charles Loosey, New York, August
19 ; the Royal Geographical Society, April 20, presenting vari-
ous publications ; from William Sharswood, Philadelphia, accom-
panying descriptions of insects; the same, August 26, proposing
an exchange of publications with the Entomologischer Vei-ein zu
Stettin ; the Societe du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle de Stras-
bourg, March 1, 1857, proposing an exchange of publications.

Joseph Hyrtl, of Vienna, was elected an Honorary
Member of the Society. W. G. Binney, of Burlington,
N. J., and E. S. Morse, of Portland, Me., were elected
Corresponding Members. Dr. Richard H. Wheatland,
of Salem, was chosen a Resident Member.

414

November 3, 1858.

The President in the Chair.

Dr. C. F. Winslow read a paper on certain facts bear-
ing upon the coincident origin of the inhabitants of the
Society and Sandwich islands ; it related principally to
the custom of burying the placenta deep in the ground
as near as possible to the spot where a child is born,
with the idea of securing for the child a perpetual inheri-
tance in the earth, an indisputable right to the soil, and
an equality with other men. He had traced this custom
in both the above groups of islands, far removed from
each other, and thought it would be interesting to trace
it, if possible, among the Malays, from whom the Poly-
nesians are generally supposed to have originated.

Mr. T. T. Bouve exhibited a thin, white, paper-like
substance, found stretched over a quantity of meal con-
tained in a box, in which a large number of grubs were
concealed.

Prof. Agassiz made some remarks on a catalogue of
the fishes of Jamaica, by the Hon. Richard Hill, of
Kingston.

He regarded it as interesting for purposes of comparison with
the species of North America and Europe. It is well known
that the fishes of the two sides of the Atlantic are specifically dis-
tinct, except a few northern ones, which are identical, not from
crossing from one continent to another, but from migrating south-
ward on both shores from the same arctic centre. As maps are
usually drawn, the average temperature of the water for the year
is taken as regulating the geographical distribution of fishes ; but,
as Prof. Dana has shown in his report on the Crustacea of the
U. S. Exploring Expedition, the average of the greatest cold has
a more important influence in this distribution. From the Arctic,

415

Gulf-stream, and African currents, the modification of the zones
of temperature in the Atlantic is very striking — for instance, the
temperate zone on the American side extends only from Cape
Hatteras to Cape Cod, about ten degrees of latitude, while on tlie
Eux'opean it extends from the coast of Sweden to the Cape de Vei*d
Islands, nearly five times as many degrees — on the contrary, the
tropical zone, which extends in America from Cape Hatteras to
25° S. latitude, or sixty degrees, extends only about twenty de-
grees on the African Guinea coast. The line of temperature
established by the average of the thirty coldest days in the year,
gives the clue to the distribution of the marine fauna ; in America
this is essentially tropical, and in Europe essentially temperate.

Of the families mentioned in this list, the Cottoids are essen-
tially North American, and ther eare five in Jamaica ; the Scice-
noids are tropical, Europe having but a few ; the Sparoids are
essentially Mediterranean, where fifteen genera exist, and there
are four in Jamaica ; the Squammipennce are tropical, and numer-
ous in Jamaica ; the Scomberoids are cosmopolitan, and numerous
everywhere ; the Mullets are tropical, and there are several in
Jamaica ; the Lahroids, very rare here, are numerous in the tro-
pics ; the Gyprinoids, though quite cosmopolitan, have never been
found in South America, and there are none in Jamaica ; one
Gentropomus is found in fresh water in Jamaica, which is unusual ;
the Siluroids are few, those of America are few in comparison
with those of Asia ; while a kindred family, the Goniodonts, are
peculiar to this country ; the Pleuronectidce belong to the tem-
perate zone, yet there are few here.

J. M. Barnard, Esq., stated a fact in confirmation of the tropi-
cal character of the American marine fauna ; he had lately
received a keg of echinoderms from Zanzibar, in 5° S. latitude,
which were almost identical with those from East Florida.

Prof. Parsons stated some facts in regard to the ani-
mals of the White Mountains, which he had learned
from an experienced hunter, especially in respect to the
abundance of the sable and deer.

Prof. Agassiz remarked that the fauna of the Adiron-
dac Mountains, 1500 feet above the sea, is essentially
that of the fur countries.

416

The Treasurer announced that the entomological col-
lection of the late Dr. Harris had been delivered to the
Society, and that the money had been paid to Mrs. Har-
ris. The Society for the Promotion of Agriculture,
which had subscribed liberally, were very anxious that
Dr. Harris's Report to the Legislature, now out of print,
should be reprinted. On motion of Prof. Parsons, a
committee of five was appointed to inquire into the best
means of republishing the work, if possible with illus-
trations ; the committee consisted of Prof. Parsons, J. M.
Barnard, Dr. A. A. Gould, and Messrs. Agassiz and
Charles Hale.

Mr. Alexander Agassiz gave an account of the con-
dition of the collection, which is for the most part in
good order.

The committee to whom was referred the letter of Dr.
I. I. Hayes, announcing his intention of making another
attempt to reach the north pole of the earth, reported as
follows : —

The Committee to whom was referred the letter of Dr. I. I.
Hayes, announcing his intention of making another attempt to
reach the north pole of the earth, would report :- —

1. That we regard the proposed expedition with no ordinary
interest ; and receive assurance that it will be successfully prose-
cuted, in view of the near approaches which have already been
made in that direction ; — the reasons by wJiich it is shown that
the obstacles hitherto encountered may be in a great measure
evaded ; — the personal experiences of its conductor of the dan-
gers and rigors to be met, and his ability to forestall them ; — and
especially in his acquaintance with the residences and character
of the natives on whom he must mainly rely for extra aid — an
acquaintance probably superior to that of any other person.

2. That while the hopes of former expeditions may not liave
been fully reaHzed, yet that in view of the additions made to hu-
man knowledge as to the meteorology, geography, and other natu-
ral features of our globe, as well as the proofs they have given of

417

the physical endurance, perseverance, and moral energies of our
race ; enough has been attained to entitle tliem to be considered
as any thing but unsuccessful ; and that we anticipate similar
results from this, results in no way inferior to those attaching to
previous expeditions.

3. That whatever of encouragement and countenance can be
derived from this Society, we wish to tender to Dr. Hayes ;
assuring him that our best wishes will accompany him — and of
our confidence that his return will be fraught with fruits most
valuable to science.

All which is respectfully submitted.

Augustus A. Gould, ")

Samuel Kneeland, Jr. V- Committee.

Theophilus Parsons. )

The Report and accompanying Resolutions were
accepted and adopted as the sense of the Society, and
the Corresponding Secretary was directed to communi-
cate a copy of the same to Dr. Hayes.

Messrs. William B. Gibson, and Albert Ordway, of
Boston, were elected Resident Members.

November 17, 1858.

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

Prof. Parsons, from the committee appointed at the
last meeting to inquire into the best method of securing
the reprinting of Dr. Harris's work on insects, made a
report recommending immediate action in preparing a
memorial to the Legislature, concurrently, if necessary,
with other Societies. On his motion it was voted that
a committee be appointed with full powers to take the
steps necessary to procure a new edition. The subject
was referred to the same committee by the Chair.

PROCEEDINGS B. S, N. H. VOL. VI. 27 FEBRUARY, 1859.

418

Dr. Kneeland read a paper on the North American fur-
bearing animals of the genus Mustela, exhibiting in illus-
tration a skeleton and skins obtained by him at Lake
Superior in the winter of 1856-7, and presenting and
describing a skeleton of the fisher, Mustela Canadensis,
Schreber.

These animals, called martens, to distinguish them from the
mink and weasels (of the genus Putorius), are two, the fisher or
Pennant's marten, and the pine marten, or American sable — the
mink is often erroneously called American sable by hunters and
furriers. The length of the skeleton to end of tail was 33 inches,
tail 13 inches, skull 4 inches, lower jaw 2^ inches — the dorsals
are 14, lumbar 6, sacral 3, and caudal vertebra3 20 ; ribs 14
pairs, of which 10 appear to be true. The pine marten {Mustela
Americana, Turton) is much more rare, and more valuable for
its fur.

A specimen of the rare plant, Sullivantia Ohionis,
Torr. & Gray, was presented in the name of Mr. I. A.
Lapham, of Milwaukee, found by him on wet sandstone
cliffs at the dells of the Wisconsin river, where the La
Crosse and Milwaukee railroad crosses. As far as he
knew, this species had only been found previously on
calcareous cliffs in Ohio by its discoverer, Mr. William
S. Sullivant.

Mr. Theodore Lyman exhibited specimens and en-
larged drawings of the animal of Syndepas Gouldii,
showing that this coral is different from the Caryophijllia
solitaria, Lesueur.

Dr, Borland exhibited two specimens of aggregated
crystals of ferruginous quartz, from Valentia, Spain.

Prof. Agassiz remarked tliat of the European species of Salmo,
the S. salar, Linn., is found on both sides of the Atlantic ; while
the S. eryox, Linn., called S. hamatus by Cuvier, remarkable for
the hook in the lower jaw of the male, and differing from the

419

other in color and shape, has been hitherto considered as confined
to Europe. But on the 29th of October a fish of the latter spe-
cies was caught in the Merrimac River, and examined by him —
another example of Arctic species coming down on the American
as well as the European coast.

In the family of Salmonida^, Cuvier unites the abdominal fishes
with an adipose fin, and a peculiar structure of the upper jaw —
the maxillary and intermaxillary forming a continuous arch.
J. Mliller has more recently pointed out structural differences in
this family. In those Salmonida3 having no pseudobranchia, he
found some with complicated anterior vertebra;, and such he
called Characini — others, with the maxillary and intermaxillary
bones united side to side into an immovable arch, he called Sco-
pelini. The true salmons belong entirely to Arctic and cold
regions — the Characini are tropical and fresh-water species of
America and Africa, being absent from Asia and Australia — the
Scopelini are marine, and of the temperate and warm regions.
The dentition of Characini is peculiar, varying much in different
members of the family ; in a new genus Analcestis, Ag., from
Rio Remak, Peru, resembling Chalceus, Cuv., there are no
canines behind the multicuspidate grinders. He had ascertained
by direct compai-ison that the species of different basins are dif-
ferent, though belonging to the same genus ; many species con-
sidered identical by Valenciennes will no doubt prove to be dis-
tinct. The Chai'acini are now known to extend beyond South
America into Texas and Cuba, and they are probably numerous
in Central America.

In the course of a discussion on the so-called migrations of
fishes. Prof. Agassiz referred to the well-known return of the
salmon to the rivers where they were born — and said that what
has been called migration, as in the case of the shad, is only the
successive arrival of diffei'ent individuals, (as the whole number is
going northward to spawn,) in different latitudes and in different
months, later according to the increase of latitude. Upon this
subject very little is known ; but it is certain that fish do not
always approach the shore to get into warmer water ; they may
perhaps do so to be relieved from the pi-essure of great depths.

Dr. Brewer observed that the European Widgeon, occasionally

420

seen in this country, had been found on Long Island, apparently
breeding — also that the European Saxicola is found breeding
in Labrador ; this had been called S. cenanthoides by Mr. Cassin,
who considered it a different bird from S. cenanthe, Linn.

Two small bones exhibited to the Society were pronounced by
Prof. Agassiz to belong to the anterior portion of the anal fin of
some GhcBtodon, pi-obably of the genus Platax.

Dr. Green tendered the resignation of his office of
Curator of Comparative Anatomy, which was accepted,
and Messrs. Whittemore, Lyman, and Kneeland were
appointed a committee to nominate a candidate to suc-
ceed him.

Messrs. Francis H. Brown, and Jacob Burckhardt, of
Cambridge, were chosen Resident Members.

December 1, 1858.

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

Dr. C. F. Winslow read a paper on " Comets and the
curvature of their tails," in which he discarded the ma-
terial theories heretofore entertained respecting the con-
stitution of the tails of these bodies, and set forth a
theory of luminous waves generated by the nucleus,
which are arrested, decomposed, and swept back into
space by the rays of light projected from the sun.

Prof. Parsons read a memorial to be presented at the
next session of the Legislature by the Boston Society of
Natural History, the Massachusetts Historical Society,
the Massachusetts Society for promoting Agriculture,
and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, re-
questing the republication of Dr. T. W. Harris's work on
the " Insects injurious to Vegetation," with illustrations.

421

The memorial was adopted, and, on motion of Prof.
Parsons, committees were appointed to confer with those
Societies : Prof. Parsons and Dr. Gould to confer with
the Academy, and Messrs. Barnard and Binney with the
other Societies.

Mr. T. T. Bouve announced the donation of a valuable
collection of the bones of Zeuglodon cetoides from C. S.
Hale, Esq., of Burlington, New Jersey, and read the cor-
respondence between the donor and himself on the sub-
ject. With regard to this species he made the following
statement : —

In 1832, Dr. Harlan, of Philadelphia, first described a verte-
bra of a supposed gigantic fossil saurian, for which he established
the genus Basilosaurus. In 1835, Prof. Agassiz described a
tooth of this animal, at the University of Cambridge, England, as
belonging to a genus allied to the seal family, which he named
Phocodon. In 18-40, M. Grateloup, from the examination of a
fragment of the jaw containing teeth, at first uncertain whether
to refer it to a cetacean or a saurian, finally placed it among
amphibia, in a genus which he called Squalodon. In 1839, Prof.
Owen, satisfied that the animal was a cetacean, proposed for it
the name of Zeuglodon cetoides. In 1843, a great part of a
skeleton, found in Alabama, was described in the American Jour-
nal of Science. Soon after this the Hydrarchos Sillimani of Dr.
Koch was exhibited, in a series of bones measuring 114 feet;
this Prof. J. Wyman discovered to be made up of several indi-
viduals, and the so-called head to be composed of bones some of
which were not in their natural position. In 1845, Dr. R. W.
Gibbes described, in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural
Sciences, some teeth which he referred to a new genus Dorudon,
from the shape of the teeth ; he subsequently gave up this
genus and referred his specimen to the Zeuglodon, making, how-
ever, a new species, Z. serratus ; he also ascertained the identity
of the genus Squalodon with Zeuglodon. He thinks that the
original genus Basilosaurus should be restored, with the following
species : B. cetoides, Owen ; B. serratus, Gibbes ; B. squalodon,
Grateloup.

422

This collection consists of 36 vertebrae, and 26 fragments of
ribs and other bones. Zeuglodon remains are found in abun-
dance in the eocene deposits of Alabama ; they have also been
found in Georgia and Louisiana.

On motion of Dr. Gould, a committee was appointed
to express to Mr. Hale the feelings of the Society for this
valuable donation, which included also at some future
time his entire cabinet of Natural History — Mr. Bouv^,
Dr. Gould, and Prof. Agassiz were appointed the com-
mittee.

Dr. A. A. Gould presented the following descriptions
of Shells collected in the North Pacific Exploring Expe-
dition under Captains Ringgold and Rodgers : —

SucciNEA LAUTA. Testa magna, tenuis, plerumque S. obli-
qu£e similis, sed postice tumidior, ad apicem minus acuta. Long.
Yjj ; lat. y^g- poll. On shrubbery at Hakodadi (I si. Jesso).

A very large, thin shell, most like S. obliqua, Say.

ViTRiNA iMPERATOR. T. niagnifica, fragilis, ventricosa, epi-
dermide rigida fuscescente induta, obsolete spiraliter striata ; anfr.
3+. Apertura ampla subcircularis, ad columellam vix incras-
sata. Axis f ; diam. 1^ poll.

Inhabits Hong Kong in ravines near summits of hills.

By far the largest species yet described ; approximates closely
to H. ampulla, Bens.

Helix l.eta. Testa tenuis, lucida, subglobosa, viridi-cornea,
vitta rufa ad peripheriara et altera prope suturam ornata ; anfr. 5
ventricosis, striis volventibus tenuissimis. Apertura magna, sub-
circularis, peristomate modico, e verso, ad umbilicum magis reflexo.

Axis 1 ; diam. 1^ poll.

Inhabits Hakodadi on bushes and shrubs.

General outline not unlike If. pomatia.

Helix labilis. T. parva, tenuis, nitida, succinea, depressa,
lenticularis ; ad peripheriam acuta ; subtus convexa, polita, arete
umbilicata ; anfr. 5 convexiusculis. Apertura transversa, anguste
lunaris, columella verticalis. Axis y^j ; diam. ^ poll.

423

Inhabits HakocTadi, among dead leaves, in woods.
Very nearly allied to H. miselld.

Helix pdpula. T. minuta, ovato-conica, levis, succinea,
infra convexa, indentata ; anfr. 6-|- tabulatis, ad peripheriam ob-
tuse angulatis. Apertura transversa, lunata ; labro siraplici, colu-
mella recta, reflexa. Axis ad ^ poll.

Among dead leaves in woods, Hakodadi (Isl. Jesso).

Very much like our chersina, or the European y'HZt'a.

Helix pauper. T. parva, discoidea, rufo-cornea, striis in-
crementi costulata, subtus calyculata ; anfr. 4^ convexiusculis ;
sutura profunda. Apei'tura perobliqua, prona, rotundata ; peris-
tomate simplici. Diam. y^g- ; axis -^ poll. On dead wood in thick-
ets, Petropaulski, Kamtschatka, also Hakodadi (Isl. Jesso).

Allied to ff. rotundata and perspectiva. Probably the same
noted by Middendorff' as H. ruderata of Europe.

Helix operculina. Testa tenuis, depressissima, rufo-cornea ;
anfr. 5 concavo-convexis, ad peripheriam acutissime carinatis,
marginatis ; subtus concava deinde convexa. Apertura angustis-
sima, sigmoidea, peristomate vix reflexo. Axis -^^ ; diam. -/(j poll.

Inhabits Peel Isl. (Bonin Is.) Mr. Wright.

An exceedingly depressed species, looking much like the oper-
cle of some Trochus.

Helix squarrosa. Testa planorboidea, squarrosa, ochra-
ceo-cornea, subtus pallidior, convexa, late umbilicata; anfr. 6 con-
vexiusculis, ad peripheriam subangulatis. Apertura parva, an-
gusta, lunata ; peristomate simplici, ad columellam reflexo.

Diam. -^^ ; axis -^^ poll, (probably immature.)

Ousima (Japan), among stones on hill sides.

Well distinguished by its large deep umbilicus, ochreous color,
and rough, scaly surface. Allied to Shanghaiensis.

Nanina pisolina. Testa fragilis, vitrea, levis, raellita, orbi-
cularis, subtus convexior, imperforata ; anfr. 3^ depressis, ad
peripheriam rotundatis. Apertura lunata, labro ubique simplici.
• Diam. \ ; axis ^ poll. Cape of Good Hope (?)

424

A small globular species unlike any one I have found de-
scribed.

Sub-gen. Gorilla, H. & A. Adams (eraendatus). Testa pla-
norboidea, plerumque sinistrorsa, plus minusve distorta, arete spi-
rata, subtus concava ; fauce in fundo denticulis compressis fere
occluso, quorum uno sa^pe ad aperturam producto ; peristomate
incrassato, refiexo.

C. PULViNAUis. T. utrinque concava, cornea, striis incrementi
conspicuis insculpta ; anfr. ad 7 (subtus 5) ultimo demum deflecto.
Apertura lunata admodum campanulata, peristomate flexuoso,
satis reflexo ; denticulis in fauce ad 9, baud productis.

Diam. f ; axis ^ poll.

Hong Kong, high up in the ravines ; also near Canton.

Almost precisely of the size and shape of H. refiiga, Gould,
but that is reversed and has a lamina running to the aperture.

Stkeptaxis Sinensis. Testa obliqua, polita, virescens, spira
depressa, ovoidea, anfr. 7 acutis, sutura profunda minute crenu-
lata. Apertura obliqua, semi-ovalis, verticalis, lamella unica pala-
tal! munita ; peristomate Hexuoso, reflexo ; columella recta ; um-
bilico amplo. Axis ^-^ ; diam. ^ poll. Inhabits Hong Kong.

Differs from S. Souleyetana in its smaller size, smooth surface,
fiexuous lip, and more elongated aperture.

Clausilia pr.eclara. Testa sinistrorsa, clavato-fusiformis
ad apicem producta, dilute carnea, liris conspicuis clathrata ; anfr.
11 ultimo angustato, trientem long, testte adequante. Apertura
pyriformis, antice sub-canaliculata ; peritremate albo satis reflexo
ad anfr. ultimum baud coadnato ; lamina palatali elevata, tenui,
1. columellari conspicua, duplici, contorta, lamellis 4 tenuibus ad
interspatium, extus apparentibus. Axis 1 ; diam. max. ^ poll.

Inhabits Loochoo.

Allied to valida, insignis, &c., but most like pluviatilis on
account of its aperture.

Alyc^us pilula. Testa parva, ovato-conica, imperforata,
rufescens, striis numerosis (sub lente) cincta ; anfr. 4 rotundatis,
ultimo constricto ; sutura profunda. Apertura circularis, anfrac-

425

turn proximum vix attigens ; faure valde contracto ; peristomate
modice reflexo ; fistula suturali exili valde appressa. Operculum
corneum, arete spirals, apice centrali. Axis ^ ; diam. ^ poll.
Inhabits Ilong Kong, China.

Cyclotus illotus. T. planorboidea, rudis, rubiginosa, sub-
tus late et profunde umbilicata ; anfr. 4 rotundatis, sutura sim-
plici, impressa. Apertura circularis, anfractum proximum haud
amplectens ; labro simplici. Diam. 3 ; axis 1 poll.

Inhabits Loochoo.

In form and general aspect greatly resembling Cycl. suturalis,
Sowb., but is smaller, and has a simple suture.

Cyclostoma bakbata. T. parva, ovato-conica, rufo-cornea,
liris numerosis volventibus et striis incrementi tenuibus lamellosis
decussata, decussationibus barbara gerentibus ; anfr. 5 rotun-
datis, sutura canaliculata. Apertura postice subangulata ; peris-
tomate simplici, vix expanso ; umbilico modico, profundo.

Diameters ^ inch. Inhabits Ousima.

Two of the ridges on the outer whorl and one on the others
are more conspicuous than the rest.

Cyclostoma citharella. T. parva, subglobosa, tenuis,
rufa, laminis incrementi tenuibus ornata, ad peripheriam prope
aperturam biangulata, satis umbilicata. Apertura circularis,
peristomate simplici anfractum proximum tantum attigente.
Operculum subrotundum, paucespiratum, margine attenuate.

Diameters -^ inch. Inhabits Ousima.

Were it not for the operculum, it might be mistaken for Helix
harpa, Say.

Cyclostoma musiva. T. ovato-conica, cornea, radiatim rufo
strigata, subtus ad peripheriam rufo tessellata, modice umbilicata,
striis volventibus ad 5 arata, lineis incrementi conspicuis decus-
sata ; anfr. 5 rotundatis, sutura canaliculata. Apertura rotun-
data, peristomate simplici. Axis ^- ; diam. ^ inch.

Inhabits — ? (probably Japan).

The surface is conspicuously and beautifully relieved by the
decussating lines.

426

The preceding three species form a peculiar group near to
Cyclostoma proper, characterized by the thin paucispiral opercle
with thinned edges, the globose conic form, free umbilicus, nearly
circular peristome which barely touches the preceding Avliorl, and
the projecting lamellar striai of growth decussating with revolv-
ing ridges in some cases furnished with epidermal barbs. It
may be called Japonia.

Helicina verecunda. T. pyraraidato-lenticularis, spiraliter
minutissime striata, luteo-virens ad apicem rubescens, ad peri-
pheriam subangulata, subtus convexa, admodum callosa ; anfr.
4 planulatis. Apertura ovato-triangularis ; peristomate evaso,
albido, ad columellam rectam angulariter juncto.

Axis ^ ; diam. ^ inch. Inhabits Loo Choo.

Belongs to the group of which H. striatida is a type.

Mr. A. E. Agassiz made the following communication
on the mechanism of the flight of lepidoptera : —

The nervures of the wings of butterflies are so arranged as to
give the greatest lightness and strength ; they are hollow, with
their greatest diameter at the base of the wing, the point of great-
est strain, their diameter gradually diminishing to the edge of the
membrane. If a section be made across such a wing, parallel to
the axis of the body, we find very much the arrangement which
has been experimentally proved by Fairbairn and Stephenson as
giving the greatest strength of beams, as exemplified in the tubu-
lar bridge — in the insect nervure, as in the strongest beam, we
find the most possible material thrown into the flanges, and the
upright support as thin as practicable — in the insect wing we
have a very thin membrane connecting two flanges, whose section
is very great compai-ed to the membrane, with the additional
advantage that these flanges are hollow, increasing their strength
and diminishing their weight. In all Ave find the strongest ner-
vure placed either directly on or near the anterior edge of the
upper wing ; there is no such nervure in the lower wing, all being
of nearly the same size, as such a one would have prevented the
elasticity of the wing from assisting the flight to any considerable
extent. The lower wing is always partially covered by the
upper ; were this not the case, in the downward beat the resist-
ance of the air would cause the lower wing to become separated

427

from the upper, and a current of air would rush through between
the wings, and compel the butterfly to employ additional force to
keep them together ; as thus arranged, the resistance of the air
keeps the Avings together during the downward beat, and their
elasticity during the upward. The curve in which any point of
the wing moves during one beat is an arc of a hehx, and not an
arc of an ellipse as Strauss-Durckheim supposes.

The Corresponding Secretary read a letter from Dr. I.
I. Hayes, acknowledging the receipt of notice of the So-
ciety's action with reference to his proposed Arctic expe-
dition, and requesting permission to publish the Report
of the committee. It was voted that he be permitted to
make such use of the Report as he may think for his
advantage.

The Corresponding Secretary also read the following
letters which he had recently received, viz : —

From the Smithsonian Institution, February 20 and May 19,
1858, acknowledging the receipt of publications of this Society ;
from the Real Academia de Ciencias de Madrid, August 1, 1857,
presenting its Memoirs, 3d Series, tomo 2% parte 2^^ ; Wilham
Sharswood, Philadelphia, Nov. 11, concerning the proposed pub-
lication of the descriptions of certain insects, «&;c. ; M. Auguste
Le Jolis, Cherbourg, France, Nov. 15, 1858, in acknowledgment
of his election as Corresponding Member ; Stephen P. Leeds,
Rutherfordton, N. C, Oct. 28, and William G. Binney, Burling-
ton, N. J., Nov. 17, also acknowledging their election.

The committee to whom was referred the nomination
of a candidate for Curator of Comparative Anatomy,
reported the name of Dr. James C. White, of Boston —
and he was chosen.

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Daniel F. Hicks,
of Wabashaw, Minn., for the donation of a sharp-tailed
grouse, Tctrao ])hasianeUus, Linn.

Hon. Richard Hill, of Kingston, Jamaica, was chosen
a Corresponding Member; and Mr. Nathan Farrand, of
Boston, a Resident Member.

428

December 15, 1858.

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

Dr. James C. White exhibited specimens and figures
of Stephanurus dentatus, Diesing, Sclerostomum denta-
tum ? Rudolphi.

These worms were found in the leaf-lard of an apparently
healthy hog, in the adipose tissue near the kidney. They occu-
pied a portion of the same about the size of a man's fist, and had
burrowed through the mass in every direction, forming canals
three or four millimetres (^ to ^ of an inch) in diameter, which
terminated in cysts. On cutting open these cavities, which did
not communicate with each other, they were found filled with
pus, and in each were two worms, male and female. The female
is nearly double the male in size, and bent upon herself so that
the two extremities meet. The head and tail of both sexes are
red, and the bodies are a pale yellow, mottled with black. The
females, being filled with eggs, were darker. They are oviparous,
and the eggs were found in all stages of segmentation. They
belong undoubtedly to the nematoidea, and, so far as can be
ascertained from the scanty descriptions given, to the above-
named species. Whether the embryo inhabits another part or
not is not ascertained, for the mature worm only is known, and
mentioned as found in the liver of the hog. They were situated
along the course of a large blood-vessel, and no doubt gained
their situation by boring through the circulatory system while in
the embryonic candition.

Dr. Kneeland read the following communication on
the breathing apparatus of the Menobranchus, showing
the relative value of the branchial, pulmonary, and cuta-
neous respirations : —

In June last he put two of these reptiles into an aquarium with
half a dozen minnows, varying in size from two to three inches.
The fish were frequently seen nibbling at the expanded gills of
the reptiles, which as often suddenly started from their ordinary

420

state of repose, attempting to seize the fish, which they never
succeeded in doing. In about ten days the menobranchs had
nothing left of the gills but the almost bare cartilaginous sup-
ports, with only here and there a branchial fringe. The fish
were then taken out, and the branchial fringes began to grow
again, and in the course of six months had regained about half
their normal size. He had watched these reptiles for two sum-
mers, and no similar falling of the gills ever took place, so that it
appears in the present instance that the fish actually eat them off,
their loss being a pathological and not a natural phenomenon —
in either case this fact seems interesting in a physiological point
of view, as bearing upon the respiratory organs of these reptiles.
He had ascertained (see page 153 of this volume) experimentally
that they survive out of water about four hours, showing that
their pulmonary sacs, or lungs, are not alone sufficient for the
maintenance of respiration. In the present instance, though their
pulmonary sacs were the principal respiratory organs, the animals
did not apparently suffer. These lungs are two, one on each
side, cylindrical, with thin transpai'ent walls like the air-bladder
of fishes, with vessels ramifying through their thickness ; they
open anteriorly by a common trachea into the oesophagus, and are
about two inches long and one sixth of an inch in diameter.
According to Dr. Gibbes, the branchiae are supplied with blood
by the branchial artery coming directly from the ventricle, while
no branch of this artery runs to the lungs, which are supplied
from the aorta. These animals, even when their bi-anchia3 are in
full play, occasionally come to the surface and swallow air, which
they emit in the water with a faint squeak, by means of the vol-
untary muscles with which the lungs are supplied.

The question arises, why are these lungs apparently sufficient
for respiration in the water, and not in the air, though the respired
element be in both cases the same ? As there is no evidence of
internal gills, the reason must be, that in the air, while the
branchial tufts, from dryness are unfit for circulating the blood,
the complementary respiration of the skin, so importiint in rep-
tiles, cannot be carried on — the pulmonary sacs alone are in-
sufficient for the aeration of the blood, and the animal dies. In the
water, however, though the branchiae, as in this case, be useless,
the cutaneous respiration is unimpeded, and with the pulmonary

430

is sufficient for the purification of the blood. This fact shows the
importance of the cutaneous respiration and the insufficiency of
the puhnonary, and that these reptiles cannot be considered truly
amphibious, though probably approaching as near to this con-
dition as any animals.

Specimens of Pomotis and Esox, and of amphibians,
were presented by Mr. H. D. Thoreau, from Concord,
Mass. Mr. Putnam was of opinion that one of the Po-
motis would prove a new species. There are with us
two varieties of Esox, commonly known as the long or
shovel-nosed pickerel, and the short or trout-nosed, to the
last of which the specimens belonged. Mr. Putnam was
inclined to think these were distinct species, unless the
differences should prove to be sexual. Drs. D. H. and
H. R. Storer considered them varieties of the same spe-
cies ; Messrs. Baird and Girard think them distinct.

Dr. Bryant made some remarks on the habits of two fly-
catchers, Muscicapa acadica and M. JiaviveJitris ; the former is
represented by writers on ornithology as exceedingly wild, and as
inhabiting the most solitary places ; he had found it, on the con-
trary, generally quite familiar, breeding near his house, at Co-
hasset, Mass., and becoming so tame as to fly up to his hand to
receive a moth. He also mentioned that he had seen last June
two males of the white-crowned sparrow, a rare bird here even
in winter.

Mr. A. E. Agassiz exhibited colored drawings of the
Salmo eri/ox, Linn., recently taken in the Merrimac
River.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

October 6, 1858. Bones of the head and scapular arch of Boras, from Buenos
Ayres; and coleoptera from Lunenburg, Mass.; by T. J. Whittemore. Skull
and skin of a new species of Antelope from South Africa; by Thomas Nelson.
A piece of impure ambergris from St. Domingo; by Capt. E. H. Russell.

October 20. Several European reptiles, as follows: Laceria viridis, L. agilis,

431

Zuoloca vivipara, Vipera berus, Tropidonolus natrix (2 varieties, one young in
shell), Anguis frayilis, Bufo calnmita, B. viricHs, B. vnlf/aris, Rnna escidcnia, R.
temporaria, Bombinator igneus, Triton cristatus, T. ir/neus, Pelobates fusais, Saln-
mandra maculosa, and Hifla arborea; by Dr. D. F. Weinland. A pigeon-hawk,
n. coluinbarius, L. ; by Samuel Rodman. Three new genera of Fishes; by Pro!'.
Agassiz.

Novembers. Shells from Mohawk, N. Y.; by Mr. Lewis. A gold and a sil-
ver pheasant; by Dr. Charles G. Greene. A crawfish from the Mississippi River;
by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr. A large collection of Zeuglodon bones; by C. S. Hale.

November 17. Skeleton of the fisher marten, Mustela Canadensis, Schreb. from
Lake Superior; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr. Specimen of SuUivantia Ohionis, Torr.
& Gray, from the dells of the Wisconsin River; by L A. Lapham. Specimens of
Melania, and of calamine, from Mossy Creek, Tennessee; by Dr. C. T. Jackson.

December 1. Sharp-tailed grouse, Tetrao phasianeUus, L. from Minnesota;
by Daniel F. Hicks. A specimen of Brazilian cotton ; by W. H. Dennett.

December 15. Specimens of young Fomotis, Esox, and frogs, from Concoivl,
Mass. ; by H. D. Thoreau. Skull of young grisly bear and of a large beaver,
from California; by E. S. Holden. Skull of young black bear from Lake Supe-
rior; by Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr.

BOOKS RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER ENDING DEC. 31, 1858.

Formation of Rotating Rings by Air and Liquids. By Prof. Wm. B. Rogers.
8vo. Pamph. From the Author.

Remarks on certain Species of North American Helicidffi, with descriptions of
new species. By Thomas Bland, F. G. S. 8vo. Pamph. New York, 1858.
From the Author.

Report of Exploration of the country between Lake Superior and Red River
Settlement. 8vo. Pamph. Toronto, 1858. From Capt. Latour.

Review of Marcou's Geology of North America. By J. D. Dana. 8vo. Pamph.
From the Autlior.

Phycologia Australica, or a History of Australian Seaweeds. By W. H. Har-
vey, F. L. S. Nos. 1, 2, 3. 8vo. London. From the Author.

Hints to Craniographers. By J. A. Meigs, M. D. 8vo. Pamph. Phil. 1858.
From the Author.

Catalogue of Birds in the Museum of the East India Company. Vol. 2. 8vo.
London, 1856-58.

Catalogue of Lepidopterous Insects in the Museum of the East India Com-
pany. Vol. 1. 8vo. London, 1857. From the Birecioi-s of the East India Com-
pany.

Nereis Boreali Americana. By Wm. H. Harvey, M. D., &c. Part 3d. 4to.
Washington, 1858.

Annual Report of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 8vo. Washington,
1858. From Smithsonian Institution.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Vol. X.
Sigs. 10, 11, 12. 1858.

432

Memorias de la Real Academia de Ciencias de Madrid. Tomo 4. 5° serie —
Ciencias Naturales. Tomo 2o. Parte 2. 1vol. 8vo. Madrid, 1867.

Canadian Naturalist and Geologist. Vol. 3. No. 5. October, 1858. 8vo.
Pamph. Montreal.

New York Journal of Medicine. Vol. 5. No. 3. November, 1858.

Receueil des Actes de I'Acad^mie Imperiale des Sciences, &c., de Bordeaux,
igieme nnnde, 1857, 3e et 4<= Trimestre, et 20'«n'e ann^e, 1858, 1" Trimestre.
8vo. Bordeaux, 1858.

Jahrbucli der K. K. Geologischen Reichsanstalt. 1857. VIII Jahrgang.
N™ 4. October, November, December. 8vo. Wien, 1858.

Silliman's Journal of Science and Ai'ts. Vol. XXVI. No. 78, for Novem-
ber, 1858.

Journal of the Royal Dublin Society. Vol.1. 8vo. 1858.

Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol. II. Nos. 3,
4, 5. 8vo. London, 1858.

Berichte der Oberhessischen Gesellschaft fur Natur-und Heilkunde. 3 Nos.
May 1854, October 1855, June 1857. 8vo.

M(5moires de la Soci^t^ Royale des Sciences de Li^ge. Tomes XL and XIII.
8vo. Lic^'ge, 1858.

Annales de la Society Linn^enne de Lyon. Tomes III. IV. 8vo. La'Oii,
1856-7.

Natural History Review. Vol. V. No. 3. July, 1858. 8vo. London.

Memorie della Reale Accademia delle Scienze. Vols. I. 11. 4to. Napoli, 1857.

Continuazione del Rendiconto della Reale Accademia delle Scienze. Anno
V. et VI. Napoli.

Wiirtembergische Naturwissenschaftliche Jahreshefte. Vierzehnter Jahrgang.
Zweites und drittes Heft. 8vo. Stuttgart, 1858.

Neue Formen von Infusorien. Von L. K. Schraarda. 4to. Pamph. Wien,
1849.

Nachrichten von der Georg-Augiists-Universitat und der K. Gesellschaft der
Wissenschaften zu Gottingen. 1857. 12mo.

Annales des Sciences Physiques, &c., de Lyon. 2'fni« Serie, Tome VIII.
3ieme Serie, Tome 1. 8vo. Lyon.

Canadian Journal of Industry, Science, and Art. No. 18. November, 1858.
8vo. Toronto.

Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society. 8vo. Pamph. Boston,
1858. Received in Exchaiiffe.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. 11. No. 9, for September; No.
10, for October; No. 11, for November; No. 12, for December. 3d Series. Lon-
don, 1858.

Fossils of South Carolina. By Profs. M. Tuoraey and F. S. Holmes. 4to.
Charleston, S. C. 1856.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Vol. XIV. No. 56, part 4. No-
vember, 1858. 8vo. London.

Mammals of Australia. By J. Gould, F. R. S. Parts 3, 4. Folio. London.

Monograph of Trochilidse, or Humming Birds. By J. Gould, F. R. S. Parts
4, 5, 6. Folio. London.

Birds of Asia. By J. Gould, F. R. S. Parts 3, 4. Folio. London, 1851-3.
From the Courtis Fund.

INDEX TO VOL. VI.

N. B. New genera and species are in italics.

AcADEMYjChicago, of Natural Sciences,
154.

Acantheus Americaniis, Embrj^ology
of, 37.

Acantlwtrias, nov. gen. Weinland, 300.

Acarus of potato, 9.

Acrocladia mammillatfl, 384.

Africa, Native iron from, 279.

African bulb, 127 ; gum, Analj-sis of, 129.

Agalmatolite, Analysis of, 32.

Agassi z's. Prof, notice of Johannes Miil-
ler, 382.

Agelaius gubemator. Egg of, 149.

Alabama, Peculiarities of Helix thyroi-
dus in, 129.

Alasmodonta arcuata, cause of erosion
of, Discussion on, 258.

Albino rats from Medford, Mass., 301.

Albino Sciurus striatus, 218.

Alca torda, 123.

Alcoholic bevei-ages and their falsifica-
tions. Dr. A. A. Hayes on, 352.

Alewife, Larvce of ttenia in, 25.

Alga; from Australia, Ceylon and Friend-
ly Islands, 286; from California, 170.

Algeria, races of, M. Bodiclion on, 383.

Alternation of generation in Treraatoda
of Freshwater Snails, 24.

Alum Stone from Texas, Maryland,
Analysis of, 245.

Aluminium, 139, 159.

Alycseus 2)ilula, Gould, 425.

Amaranthus pumilus, 66.

American Fossils, Oldest, 310.

American Helices, Monograph on, 155.

American works on Natural History in
Europe, 404.

Ammodromus Samuelis, Baird, 379.

Anableps Gronovii, development of, as
compared with that of Embiotoca,
Prof. J. Wyman on, 294.

Analysis of Agalmatolite, 32 ; of Alum
Stone from Texas, Maryland, 245;
Deep River coal, 31 ; Black-band iron
ore, 32 ; Dolomite from Texas, Mary-
land, 244; Gum from Africa, 129; In-
fusorial earth, containing copper, by

Albert Gould, 310; Magnetite from
Iron Mountain and Pilot Knob, Mis-
souri, by Edwin Harrison, 295; Ridge-
way Carbonate of iron, 18; Ridge-
way Coal, 17; Ridgeway Limestone,
18 { Scales of Striped Bass, 374 ; Som-
erville Slate, 108; Supposed Meteoric
Stone from Marblehead, Mass., by C.
T. Jackson, 294.

Anas obscura, 119.

Animal Kingdom, Series in, 112.

Animals, Psychological view of their
motions, bv David Weinland, 160.

Annual Meeting, May 6, 1857, 191.

May 5, 1858, 370.

Aphis ( Pemphigus) siamineus^Hald., 403.

Aquarium, 365.

Arachnides, Reproduction of, 285.

Arctic Expedition, proposed by Dr. I. I.
Hayes, Action of Society on, 396;
Report on, 416; Vote on, 427.

Ardea nycticorax at Hingham, Mass. 20.

Artotrogus asterophora, 292.

Ascaris lumbricoides, 177.

Aspredo, Manner of gestation of, 269;
Aspredo levis, peculiar method of
hatching its eggs, 328.

Assessment, Ainuial, Report on, 230.

Astacus Klamath ensis, Stimpson, 87.

niyrescem, " 87.

Trowbi'idgii, " 87.

Astraea decactis, Lyman, 261.

Athene cunicularia, N. H. Bishop on,
204.

Atlantic slope of Middle and Southern
States, Classification of Metamorphic
Strata of, 140.

Atlantic and N. Pacific shells identical,
124.

Atlas not united to Odontoid Process,
309.

Australia and California, sands of, Re-
mark on, 228.

Australia, Pigeon from, 169.

Bagre, see Aspredo levis; Manner of
hatching its eggs, 268.

424

Bailey, Prof. J. W., Decease of, 173; Bninnioh's Guillemot, Breeding habits

Bequest of, 179; Photograph of, 219; of, 124.

Report on bequest of, 194; Resolution Bulb from Africa, 127, 131.

concerning his sons, 200; Resolutions Bulimns /a«^(/,s, Gould, 12.

concerning, 174. kjmliis, " 12.

Bailey's Universal Indicators, 215. BniT-owing of Echinoderms in Lime-

Bark from California, 219, 227. stone, 368.

Bairdii Ilesperomys, 182. Burrowing Owl, N. H. Bishop on, 204.

Bass, Striped, Analysis of scales of, Bush Ropes from Surinam, Sections of,

374. 290.

Batrachians, Morphology of bladder of, Buteo calurus, Egg of, 146 ; insignatus,

58. Egg of, 147 ; montanns, Egg of, 145.

Beetle, Parasitic fungus on, 26.
Bequest of Prof. J. W. Bailey, 179; Calculi, Urinary, of nearly pure Silica,

Resolutions on, 180. from the ox, 213, 284.

Beryl, EnoiTnous, at Grafton, N. H., 22. California and Australia, sands of, Re-
Biniiey, Dr. Amos, Deposit of Library marks on, 228.

witli the Society, 64; Notice of, 89. California Gum, 218, 227; Bark, 219,
Binney Library, Catalogue of, 97 ; Reso- 227; Society of Natural History, 154;

lutions concerning deposit of, 65. Birds" eggs, 145; New Crustacea from,

Birds, change of color in, Cause of, 34; 279.

Early appearance of, in 1857, 170; Caliianassa fow^imawn, Stimpson, 86.

Forms of, as related to structui-e, 410; Callipepla Californica, 149.

Four Series among, 113 ; Protection Calothrix nivea, 229.

of, by law, 329; Of Grand Manan and Calurus resplendcns, 170.

Yarmouth, N. S., 114; of Keweenaw Canada Flycatcher, Sylvkola pardalina.

Point, List of, by Dr. Kneeland, 231; Nest and eggs of, found in Lynn, Mass.,

of Northeast and Northwest Coast 5.

of America, Dr. Henry Bryant on. Cane Sugar in Sorghum saccharatum,

114. 286, 293, 296, 337.

Birds' eggs from California, Descriptions Capacity of Cranium of Digger Indian,

of, by Dr. T. M. Brewer, 145. 127.

Birds' "tracks iu Connecticut River Sand- Capnodium elongatmii on Oranges, 378 ;

stone. 111. on White pines, 210.

Bitumen in Encrinal Limestone in Wis- Carbonate of Iron, Ridgeway, Analysis

cousin, Edward Daniels on, 309. of, 18.

Black-masked Ruddy Duck, from Lake Carduelis tristis, 118.

Chamijlain, 375. Carpodacus familiaris, 149.

Blanding's Cistudo, in Massachusetts, 8. Catalogue of Binney Library, 97.
Blind Fish of Mammoth Cave, Anatomy Cayenne Pepper, Ptinus fur in, 404.

of, 72. Cecidomya robinim, Hald., 401.

Bombycilla Carolinensis, 118. Cecrops on Orthagoriscus mola, 396; C.

Bone, "Structure of, in Python, 55. Latreilli on the same, 404.

Bony structure of fish scales, 285. Cemetery, Indian, in Hingham, Mass.,

Borate of Lime, Native, 206. 20.

Borneo, Orangs of, 71. Centriscus scolopax, from Province-

Books bequeathed by Prof. Bailey, List town, Mass., 178.

of, 222. ' Cervus Virginianus, Parasites of, 395;

Botanical position of Chinese Sugar Filaria in,395; Distoma and Cysticer-

Cane, C. J. Sprague on, 181. cus in, 395.

Botany of Sorghum vulgare, C. J. Cercaria, new species iu liver of Phy-

Sprague on, 321. sa heterostropha, 24.

Brachyurous Crustacean, New form of, Chstura pelasgica, 115.

412." Charadrius melodus, 119; semipalma-

Braintree, Mass., Trilobite from, 27, 40; tus, 119.

Paradoxides Harlani from, 369. Chelydra serpentina from Winona, Min-

Brazos River, Texas, Fossils from, 51; nesota, 382.

Fossil Elephant from, 51 ; Mastodon Chemistry of alcoholic beverages and

from, 53; Megatherium from, 53. their falsifications. Dr. A. A. Hayes

Breeding habits of Uria Brunnichii, 124 ; on, 352.

of U. grylle, J25. Chestnut sided Warbler, Sylvkola utei-o-

Brick from a Pilgrim Trading-house, cephala, nest and eggs from Lynn,

260. ]\lass., 5,

425

Chicago Acailemv of Natural Sciences,
154.

Chimpanzee, Brain of, 375 ; Supernume-
rary mohir in, 45.

Chinese Sugar Cane, 170; botanical
position of, C. J. Spragueon, 181; its
Sugar, Dr. A. A. Hayes on, 200.

Chinese Yam, raised in Massachusetts,
335.

ChioiKBcetes Behrirujianus, Stimpsoa,
84.

Chordeiles Virginianus, 115.

Chromium, SesquioKide of, New reaction
of, under galvanic battery, 409.

Cineras on Ortliagoriscus mola, 396;
C. vittata on Pennellae, 404.

Cistudo Blandingii in Massachusetts, 8.

Claspevs of Skates, Function of, 377.

Classification of Corals, 373; of Fishes,
Prof. Agassiz on, 407; of the Meta-
morphic Strata of the Atlantic slope
of the Middle and Southern States,
H. D. Rogers on, 140.

Clausilia pratclara, Gould, 424.

vespa, " 13.

Clay concretions from Presumpscot
K"iver, Me. 132.

Clay Stones, 111; Discussion on 132,
137.

Climbing power of Earth Worms, 206.

Coal basin, Bituminous, of Pennsylvania,
16; Coal formation of Deep River, N.
Carolina, 30; Analysis of coal from,
31 ; Age of, 32 ; is it a gas coal, 33.

Coal, Ridgeway, Analysis of, 17.

Cochituate water, Spongilla in, 267.

Cochliolepis parasiticus, Stimpson, 307.

Cod, Viviparous 9; Larva of taenia in,
25; Sand-eel and Pipe-fish in abdom-
inal cavity of, 176.

Cohasset, Mass., Trap dikes of, 23.

Colaptes auratus, 119.

Color of plumage in birds, Change of,
34.

Comets, C. F. Winslow on, 420.

Committee on Dr. Hayes's proposed Arc-
tic Expedition, 405; Resolutions pro-
posed bj', and adopted, 416.

Communications, Verbal, by

Agassiz, Louis, 6, 9, 37, 47, 56, 63, 364,

376, 382, 385, 407, 411, 414, 418.
Alger, Francis, 22.
Atwood, Capt. N. E., 71, 175.
Bacon, John, 246, 263.
Bishop, N. H., 126.
Bodichon, M., 383.
Bouv^, T. T., 131.
Brewer, T. M.. 4, 419.
Brown-Sequard, 67. .

Bryant, Henry, 169, 170, 431.
Cabot, S., Jr.", 375.
Daniels, Edward, 309.

Durkee, Silas, 228, 381.

Gibson,X3apt. W. M., 71.

Gould, A. A., 72.

Green, John. 66. 342, 346, 362.

Hayes, A. A., 30, 131, 136, 167, 227,

293, 352.
Hitchcock, C. H., 330.
Hitchcock, President, 111.
Jackson, C. T., 16, 23, 42. 57, 159, 168,

170, 183, 259,286,296,341.
Kneeland, S., Jr., 335, 396.
Lvinan, Theodore, 374.
Mills, James E , 63, 107.
Parsons, Theophilus, 289, 415.
Rogers, Henrv D., 108, 378.
Rogers, William B., 27, 183, 217, 332,

333.
Sprague, C. J., 37, 58, 66, 131, 165,

210,229,282,296, 378.
Stodder, Charles, 138, 369, 381.
Storer, D. H., 243.
Storer, F. H., 259.

Weinland, David P., 24, 57, 346,"%64,
1(385.

White, .T. C, 290, 291, 428.
Wvman, Jeffries, 8, 20, 21, 22, 44, 56,

58, 71, 72, 89, 108, 125, 263, 268, 294,

328, 336, 363, 376, 380, 395.

Communications, Written, by
Agassiz, A. E., 426.
Baird, S. F., 370.
Binney, William G., 128, 155.
Bishop, N. H., 204, 207.
Bouve, T. T., 391, 421.
Brewer, T. M., 108, 145.
Brvant, Henrv, 114, 158.
Carney, Charles T., 409.
Dix, W. G., 242.
Dornbach, L. M., 107.
Durkee, Silas, 206, 241.
Edwards, William, 327, 337.
Gould, Albert, 310.
Gould, A. A., 11, 173, 422.
Green, John, 55, 374.
Haldeman, S. S., 401.
Harrison, Edwin, 295.
Haves. A. A., 48, 129, 200, 211, 297,

.355.'
Holmes, 0. W., 247.
Jackson, C. T., 17, 30, 32, 243, 294.
Kneeland, Samuel, 152, 218, 231, 371,

418, 429.
Lewis, James, 2, 149.
Lyman, I'heodore, 260, 274, 287, 410.
Magowan, Dr , 178.
Morse, E. S. , 127.
Pickering, Charles, 326, 366.
Rogers, Henry D., 140.
Rogers, William B., 40, 184, 186, 339,

346.
Shaw, B. S., 281.
Skilton, Dr., 303.

citharella, ''

425.

jinisim, '

' 425.

cuaillata, "

14.

jjolltx, '

' 14.

}tus, " 425.

426

Sprague, Charles J., 181, 282, 292, Crustacean, Brachyurous, New form of,

315, 321. 412.

Stimpson, William, 84, 307, 412. Crustacean impressions on an island in

Stodder, Charles, 264, 302. Black River, Wisconsin, 310.

Storer, 1). H., 385. Cryptogamous plants from region of

Treadwell, Daniel, 396. Lake Superior, List of, 296.

Weinland, David F., 34, 56, 59, 112. Crystals of Sulphate of lodo-Quinine,
160,252. 229; Zeolitic of Carbonate of Lime,

White, J. C, 304, 404. 229; Made, Theory of formation of,

Whittlesey, Charles, 127. 136.

Winslo\v,'^C. F., 414. Cui-ator of Comp. Anatomy, Dr. J. C.

Wyman, JeflVies, 51, 73, 400. White chosen, 427; of Crustacea, H.

R. Storer elected, 263.
Composition of Sandstones and Con- Curatorship of Crustacea and Radiata,

glomerates, C. T. Jackson on, 168. 242.

Concretions, Clay, from Presumpscot Cyanocorax Californicus, 149.
River, Me. 132; iMauner of formation Cyathophyllum, from Lake Superior,
of, 132. 139.

Conglomerates, Composition of, 168. Cyclomyces, 58.

Congress, Memorial to, 111. Cyclopean pig. Prof. J. Wyman on, 380.

Connecticut River Sandstone, Bird Cyclostoma barbata, Gould, 425.

tracks in. 111. "

Copper, from Lake Si^perior Mines, and

rocks with which it is associated,283;

Different forms in which the copper

occurs, 284; Silver with minerals and Cyclotus illoius,

fossils from the same locality, 284. Cj-perus esculentus, raised in Wash-
Copper in infusorial Earth, "292, 293, ington, D. C, 337.

310. Cysticercus in Cervus Virginianus, 395.

Copper Mine at Elk Run, Virginia, C. Cystine, 229.

T. Jackson on, 183.
Corals, Prof. Agassiz on, 373; Classifi- Dams, vibrations of water falling over,
cation of, 373 ; forty years old, from a William Edwards on, 327; W. B.
wreck, 166. Rogers on, S38.

Coral growth. Prof. Agassiz on rate of, Deane, Dr. James, Decease of, 387; No-

364. tice of, by T. T. Bouve, 391.

Coral, new species of, Theodore Lyman Deep River, N. C, coal formation, Geo-
on, 287; lasso-cells of, Prof. Agassiz logical age of, 32; Fossils of, 32.
on, 367; Madrepore, Rate of growth Dennestes in Wood, 268.
of, 374. Digger Indian, Capacity of cranium of,

Cordiceps gi-owing on a fly, 337. 127.

Corilla, Sub-genus, 424. Dioscorea batatas, see Yam, Chinese.

Corrosion of Shells of Freshwater Dipsasplicata, Process of forming pearly

Claras, Cause of, 57. figures in, 178.

Corvus corax, 118; C. Americanus, 118. Distoma in Cervus Virginianiis, 395.
Courtis Fund, J. RL Barnard chosen Dolomite from Texas, Maryland, Analy-

Trustee of, 296. sis of, 244.

Cragin, Dr. F. W., Decease of, 400; Drift, from Lake Erie to Lake of the
Notice of, by Prof. J. Wyman, 400; Woods, 128.
Resolutions concerning, 401.
Cranium, human. Supposed fragment Earlt appearance of Birds in 1857,
of from California, 180 feet below 170.

surface of Table Mountain, 278; of Earth Worm, Climbing power of, 206.
Digger Indian, Internal capacity of, Ecliinoderms, Burrowing of in Lime-
127. stone, 368.

Creeper, Black and White, Mniotilta Ectopistes Carolinensis, 149; E. migra-
varia, nest and eggs from Lynn, Mass., torius, 119.
5. Ecuador, W. G. Dix on, 242.

Crossognatbus, nov. gen. Agas. 412. Eggs of Aspredo levis carried in mouth

Crustacea, Parasitic, 19; New species of parent fish, 328; of other species
of, from Western N. America, 84 ; also, 328.

from California, 279; H. R. Storer Eggs of Bagr(5 or Ningi-ningi, Manner
chosen Curator of, 263, in which they are hatched, 268.

427

Ego;-case of Skates, Prof. J. Wyman's
observations on its formation, 376.

Egg of Slellisuga anna, 148 ; of Scoleco-
pliagus Mexicanus, 148.
• Electric apparatus of Raia batis, 44.

Elephant Fossil, from Brazos River, 51.

Elk Run, Va., Copper Mine at, 18.3.

Elm, Involuted growth of, 289.

Embryological characters of Garpikes,
48.

Embryology of Acantheus Americanus,
37.

Encrinal Limestone of Wisconsin con-
taining Bitumen, 309.

Engraving "Nature's Own," 280.

Entomological Collection of Dr. T. W.
Harris, its purchase for the Society,
416.

Epidermis, from mouth of Pristis sagit-
tata, 67.

Equus major, from Brunswick, N. Y. ,
Dr. Skilton on, 303.

Eriophilus, nov; gen. Hald., 402.

mali, " 403.

Erismatura Dominica from Lake Cham-
plain, 343, 375.

Erosion of Alasmodonta arcuata, Cause
of, 258; of Freshwater shells, 57; Dr.
James Lewis on, 149.

Erythrospiza purpurea, 118.

Esox, Varieties of, 430.

Eupagurus, Samtielis, Stimpson, 86.

turgidus, '' 86.

European Widgeon from New Jersey,
376; breeds on L. Island, 419.

Excursions, 10; to Hingham, 19.

Exocetus, Dr. Weinland on, 385.

Ej'e of Sperm Whale, 125.

Eye piece, Orthoscopic, 246.

Families of Turtles, Proper characters
of, 64.

Fecundation of Turtles, 10.

Feeding and growth of American robin,
396.

Filaria in Cervus Virginianus, 395.

Fish, tlying. New division of, 385.

Fishes, Prof. Agassiz on Classification
of, 407 ; Habits of, Capt. N. E. Atwood
on, 175; Blind, of Mammoth Cave,
Anatomy of, 72.

Fishes, European, Transplanting of,
369.

Fishes, Fossil, from Ohio, 18. "-"^^

Fishes, Jamaica, Prof. Agassiz on Hill's
Catalogue of, 414; Lophobranchious,
method of locomotion in. Dr. D. F.
Weinland on,'<346 ; Migration of, 125,
419; new species from Nicaragua,
408 ; ovarian impregnation in, 10 ;
from Surinam, 328; fish from North
Atlantic, probably a new species,
280 ; dropped on land during a show-

er, 2^3: Fish Scales, of bony struc-
ture, 285 ; Fluorine in, 366.

Flight of Lepidoptera, Mechanism of,
426.

Florida Pomocentridaj, New species of,
411.

Fluorine in fish scales, 366.

Flycatcher, Canada, Nest and eggs of,
found in Lynn, Mass., 5.

Fly, House, Parasitic plant on, 337.

Flving fish. Proposed new division of
them, by Dr. Weinland, 385.

Foetus, liuman, of third week. Dissection
of, by Prof J. Wyman, 336 ; Analogies
of its transient conditions, 336; Para-
sites in, 26.

Foetal pigs. Remarks on, by Prof. J.
Wyman, 363; foetal porpoise, 71.

Food of Robin, Discussion an, 399, 403.

Footprint, biped web footed. Fossil, 10.

Foraminifera exhibited, 246.

Forms of Birds, related to structure,
410.

Fossil, biped webbed footprint, 10.

Fossil crustacean impressions, in Wis-
consin, 310.

Fossil bones of Suidse from Iowa, 8 ; Fos-
sils, American, Oldest, 310; Fossils,
Proposed exchange of, 231 ; from
Brazos River, Texas, 51 ; of Deep
River Coal formation, 32; Fossil-Ele-
phant from Brazos River, 51 ; Fossil
fishes from Ohio, 18; ditto Starfish
from Lewiston, Me., 394.

Freshwater Shells, Cause of erosion of,
149.

Fungi, New England, List of, by C. J.
Sprague, 316.

Fungus, Parasitic, on a Beetle, 26.

Ganoids, a Natm-al group, 63.

Gar-pikes, Embryological characters of,
48; Affinities of to reptiles, 48; and
Sturgeons, Resemblances of, 63,

Garrulus cristatus, 118; Canadensis, 118.

Gas, burning jets of. Sonorous action of,
333, 339, 346.

Generation, Alternation of, in Trematoda
of Freshwater Shells, 24.

Geographical distribution of North
American Turtles, Prof. Agassiz on, 5.

Geological Section, from Greenfield to
Charlemont, Mass., Diagram of, 330;
Description of Section, by C. H. Hitch-
cock, 330; Remarks on, by Prof. W.
B. Rogers, 332; on Map of Pennsyl-
vania, 378; of New Mexico, 368.

Georgia, Peculiarities of Helix thj'roi-
dus in, 129.

Gestation of Aspredos or Trompetti,
269.

Glseosporium crocosporum, Berk, and
Curt., 282.

428

Glowworm, Dr. Dnrkee on the, 241;

from Cohasset, Mass. 396.
Glucose of Sorghum, chemical change

in, Dr. A. A. Haj-es on, 297 ; Dr. C.

T. Jackson on, 299.
Goliathus giganteus, 58.
Goniobatis, nov. gen. Agassiz, 385.

meleayris, " 385.

Gould, Dr. A. A., Account of visit to

Scientific Institutions of Europe, 409,

410.
Governor's Island, IMass., Slate rocks of,

Peculiar condition of, 217; Horizontal

heave in, 217.
Graafian vesicle of Zoarces anguillaris,

38.
Grand Manan, Birds of, 114.
Green, John, Resignation of ofliceof Cu-
rator of Cftmparative Anatomy, 420.
Greene, B. D., Donation to Herbarium,

215.
Growth prol)ably rapid of ^ladrepora

alcicornis, 364.
Guano, Rock, from an island in the At-
lantic Ocean, 157.
Guillemot, Brunnich's, Breeding habits

of, 124.
Gum, African, Analysis of, by Dr. A. A.

Hayes, 129 ; from California, 218, 227 ;

Lahoe, C. Stodder on, 302.

Habits of fishes, Capt. N. E. Atwood
on, 175.

of Muscicapa acadica and fla-

viventris, 430.

Haddock, viviparous, 9 ; Psorospermia
in, 26.

Htematite, 131 ; Manner of production
of, 131.

Hair ball, 242.

Halisetus leucocephalus, 115.

Hake, American, viviparous, 9.

Hapalocarcinus marsupialis, Stimpson,
412.

Harris, Dr. T. W., purchase of his En-
tomological Collection by the Society,
416.

Hayti, Chemical effect of Sea-water on
Organic Life of, 257 ; some points in
the Zoologv of, Dr. D. F. Weinland
on, 252 ; Elevation of, 253 ; Sea of, 255.

Heart's action, Brown-S^quardon influ-
ence of respiration on, 67.

Helices, American, Monograph on, by
W. G. Binne}', 155.

Helicina verecunda, Gould, 426.

Helix asteriscus, Morse, 128.

bucculenta, 129.

clausa, 129.

Bamascena, Gould, 11.

intercisa, Binnev, 156.

labiiis, Gould, 422.

Imta " 422.

Helix minixtissima, 72.

operculina, Gould, 423.

pauper,

jmpulus,

i^amentosn,

423.

423.

11.

repercussa,

11.

sqtiarrosa,

423.

thyroidus. Geographical distribu-
tion of, 128.

" Peculiarities of, in Ala-
bama, Georgia, St. Simon's Isle, and
near Philadelphia, 129.

Helminths, Nature's method of preserv-
ing them, Dr. D. F. Weinland on, 343.

Herbarium, Donation of, by Benjamin
D. Greene, 215, Resolutions on, 216.

Herbivora, Series among, 113.

Hesperomys Bairdii, 182.

Hingham,"Mass., Excursion to, 19; Sub-
merged trees at, 20.

Hippa analoya, Stimpson, 85.

Hirundo Americana, 115; bicolor, 115,
148; lunifrons, 148; rufa, 115.

Hog, Kidney of, Sclerostomum dentatura
found in, 428.

Hornet's nest, occupied three successive
years, 329.

Human and Mastodon remains found
together, 278.

Hylodes luieatus, 269.

Hypotriorchis columbarius, 115.

Ichthyology, Curator of, Capt. N. E.
Atwood elected, 92.

Idota;a resecata, Stimpson, 88.

Impressions, Fossil crustacean, in Wis-
consin, 310; Myriapod,in Connecticut
River Sandstone, 111.

Impressions, Polygonal, in Connecticut
River Sandstone, 111.

Indian Cemetery at Hingham, Mass. 20.

Indian, Digger,' Capacity of cranium,
127.

Infusorial Earth, Copper in, 292, 293;
Analysis of, by Albert Gould, 310.

Inhabitants of Sandwich and Society
Islands, are they of common origin ?
414.

Insects injurious to Vegetation, Report
on republishing Dr. Harris's Work
on, 417. Memorial to Legislature
on, 420; Insects, Dr. Harris's Collec-
tion of, 40.

Instrument for making sections of wood,
264.

lodo-Quinine, Sulphate of, Crystals of,
229.

Iron, Carbonate of, Ridgeway, Analysis
of, 18; Native, from Africa, 279; Iron,
black-band ore. Analysis of, 32; ore
from Maryland, 245; from New York
with oolitic structure, 340; Remarks
of W. B. Rogers on 340; Sand as

429

a nucleus of, 341; Mountain, Mo.,
Magnetite from, Analysis of, 295.

Island Monk's, 158.

Itch insect, Eggs of, 290.

Jamaica, Fishes of, Prof. Agassiz's, re-
marks on Hill's Catalogue of, 414.
Japan, Shells from, 124.
Japonia, Gould, nov. genus, 426.
Journal, Sixth Volume completed, 335.

Keweenaw Point, Birds of, List of, by

Dr. Kneeland, 231.
Kingdom, Animal, Series in, 112.
Kneeland, Dr. S., Jr., elected Secretarv,

386.

Labrador, European Saxicola breeds
in, 420.

Labrax lineatus. Analysis of scales of,
374 ; Section of scale of, 362.

Lahoe Gum, 302.

Lake Champlain, Erismatura Dominica
from. 343, 375.

Lake Superior, List of Cryptogamous
plants from vicinity of, 296; Cya-
thophyllum from, 139; Trap dikes
of, 23.

Lampyris noctiluca? 241.

Landslide near Montreal, exposing ter-
tiary fossils, 268; ditto on Presump-
scot River, Me., 132; Cause of, T. T.
Bouv«5 on, 132.

Laomedea gelatinosa on Cineras and
PennelljE, 404.

Larus argentatus, 121; marinus, 122;
atricilla, 122.

Lasso cells of Coral, 367 ; Spermatozoa
in, 873.

Lead, Sulphide of, crystals, 259.

Lepadogaster and Cyclopterus should
be placed in distinct families, Prof.
Agassiz's views, 411.

Lepidoptera, Flight of, 426; mechanism
of wing, 427.

Lernsea on Orthagoriscus mola, 396.

Lestris Richardsonii, 122.

t^etter from Dr. James Lewis, present-
ing shells, &c., 1.

Library, Binney, Catalogue of, 97.

Letters from,

Academia,Real de Madrid,39, 387,427.

Academic Imperiale, &c., de Lyon,
140.

Academic Royale de Belgique, 289.

Acad^mie Rovale des Sciences de
Stockholm, 140, 358,

Academic des Sciences, Paris, 171.

Academy of Natural Sciences, 289,
290.

Academy of Science of St. Louis, 289.

Accademia di Bologna, 216.

Akademie, K. Baverische, der Wis-
senschaften, 70, 216, 387.

Akademie, Kaiserliche, der Wissen-
schaften, Wien, 92,289,290, 387.

Akademie, K. Preussische,der Wissen-
schaften, 92, 387.

Association, American, for the Ad-
vancement of Science, 290.

Association, Dublin University Zo(5-
logical and Botanical, 92.

Association, Georgic, Randolph, N.Y.,
242, 290.

Association, Pottsville Scientific, 329.

Batchelder, John, 288.

Baird, Spencer F., 70.

Binney, Mrs. M. A., 64.

Binney, W. G., 128, 387, 428.

Bowerbank, Mr., 267.

Calonby, Stephen, 92.

Chavlesworth, Edward, 39.

Clarke, Robert, 92.

Conrad, J. A., 39.

Davis, A. P., 279.

Davis, H., 358, 387.

Dawson, Prof., 268.

De Jolis, Auguste, 427.

Georgic Association, 242, 290.

Gesellscliaft Naturforschende in Em-
den, 171.

Gibbes, Dr. Lewis R., 92.

Girard, Charles, 140.

Glover, Townend, 231.

Gregory, Prof., 283.

Harvard College, Corporation of, 358.

Hayes, Dr. L I., 396, 427.

Howell, Robert, 387.

Hubbard, Prof., 283.

Institute, Essex, 140, 358.

Institution, Roval, 358.

Kennicott, Robert, 39, 140, 154, 182.

Kneeland, Samuel, Jr., 49, 152.

Kumlien, Thure, 109.

Latour, L. A. Huguet, 140.

Lawrence, George N., 92.

Lea, Isaac, 140.

Leeds, Stephen P., 428.

Lewis, James, 1.

Library, New York State, Trustees
of, 92, 358.

Loosey, Charles, 413.

Loring, Russell, 329.

Lycseum of Natural History, New
York, 358, 413.

Madison Historical Society, 39.

Magowan, Dr., 178.

Martin, Dr. Charles, U. S. N., 92.

Morse, E. S., 66.

Museum, Geological, Calcutta, 290.

Naturforschende Gesellschaft zu Em-
den, 216.

Newberry, John S., 140.
Parkinson, James C., 39.
Perry, Alexis, 40.

430

Public Library of Boston, 358.

Reale Accademia delle Scienze di
Napoli, 70.

Regents of N. Y. University, 70, 139.

Roj'al Geographical Society, 70, 413.

Royal Institution, 140, 358.

Royal Society, 70, 358.

Samuels, E., 1.

Sargent, Winthrop, 92.

Secretary of State, 70.

Sharswobd, William, 401, 413, 428.

Shurtleff, Simeon. 387.

Slawson, James H., 290.

Smithsonian Institution, 290, 413, 428.

Society des Arts et des Sciences de
Batavia, 387.

Society de Geographie, 70, 170. 387.

Society d'Histoire Naturelle du De-
partement de la Moselle, 387.

Soci(5t^ du Museum d'Histoire Natu-
relle de Strasbourg, 413.

Society de Physique, &c., de Geneve,
92.

Socii5t6 des Sciences Naturelles de
Neuchatel, 329.

Society Imperiale, d' Agriculture, &c.,
de Lyon, 140.

Societ^ Linn^ene de Lyon, 140.

Society Royale, &c., de Li(?ge, 358, 369.

Societ(5 Royale de Zoologie, Amster-
dam, 387.

Society, American Philosophical, 170,
289.

Society, Cambridge Philosophical,
290.

Society, Elliott, of Natural History,
216,'329.

Societ}', Ethnological, 216.

Society, Geological, 170, 358.

Society, Imperial Mineralogical, of St.
Petersburg, 216.

Society, Leeds Philosophical and Lit-
erary, 387.

Society, Linnfean, 170, 387.

Societ}', Royal Geographical, 216.

Society, Royal, of Edinburg, 329.

Society, Royal, of Sciences at Gottin-
gen, 289.

Spencer, C. A., 246.

Stimpson, William, 91, 92, 140.

Swallow, G. C-,369.

Swan, A., 358.

Toldervy, J. B., 329.

Verein, Naturhistorischer, Bonn, 329.

Verein,Naturwissenschaftlicher,Ham-
burg, 329.

Verein, Zoologisch-Botanischer, 92,
358.

Verein fiir Naturkunde in Nassau,
290, 329.

Verein fiir Vaterlandische Natur-
kunde in Wurtemberg, 216, 387.

Whittlesey, Charles, 140.

Winslow, C. F., 278.

Leuciscus from Squam Lake, N. H.,
243.

Library, Donations to, by

Academia, Real, de Ciencias de Mad-
rid, 432.

Acad^mie des Sciences de Stockholm,
360.

Academie Imperiale des Sciences,
&c., de Lyon, 96.

Academie Imperiale des Sciences de
Bordeaux. 95, 362, 389, 432.

Academy, American, of Arts and Sci-
ences, 46, 173, 361, 390.

Academy of Natural Sciences of
Philadelphia, 47, 96, 173, 221, 361,
432.

Academy of Science at St. Louis, 221,
390.

Accademia delle Scienze dell' Istituto
di Bologna, 222.

Accademia Reale delle Scienze, 95,

172, 432.
Adams, H. & A., 406.

Akademie, K. Bayerische, 47, 221,

389, 390.,
Akademie, K. Preussische, 96, 273,

389, 406.
Akademie, K. S. Vetenskaps, 173,

362.
Akademie, Kaiserliche der Wissen-

schaften, Wien, 95, 96, 313.
Albany Institute, 360.
Annales des Sciences Physiques de

Lvon, 432.
Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte, Erichson,

96, 389, 406.
Association, American, for the Ad-
vancement of Science, 220.
Atwood, N. E., 220.
Bache, A. D., 360.
Bailey, J. W., 222, 223, 224, 225, 226,

227, 360.
Bailey, J. W., Heirs of, 313, 389.
Baird, S. P., 313.

Binney, Amos, Heirs of, 166, 171. »
BinneV, Mrs. A., 97.
Binney, W. G., 172, 360, 406.
Bland, Thomas, 431.
Borland, J. N., 388.
Boston, City of, 312.
Brown- S^quard, M., 94.
Canadian Naturalist and Geologist,

173, 221, 273, 362, 390, 406, 432.
Carpenter, P. P., 361.
Chadbourne, P. A., 388.
Charlesworth, E., 406.
Conchological Miscellany, 221.
Courtis Fund, 47, 173, 222, 273, 314,

362, 390, 406, 433.
Dana, James D., 46, 93, 388, 431.

431

Daniels, E., 360.

Denny, H., 94, 313.

Dowler, B., Dr., 272, 360.

Durand, E., 46.

East India Company, 431.

Emmons, Eben, 46.

Essex Institute, 47.

Faxon, G. N., 360.

Fischer, Dr. S.,94.

Fitch, Asa, 172.

Flint, C. L., 46, 220, 272.

Frauenfeld, G., 361.

Gebiete der Naturswissenchaften,

313.
Gesellschaft in St. Petersburg fiir

Mineralogie, 173, 222.
Gesellschaft, K., der Wissenschaften

zu Gottingen, 172, 313, 432.
Gesellschaft Oberhessischer, 432.
Gillis, Lieut. J. M., 172.
Governor General of India, 272.
Greene, B. D., 360.
Gregory, William, 360.
Hanley, S., 406.
Harvey, W. H., 431.
Hayes, A. A., 388.
Hermann, 46.
Hickcox, J. H., 93.
Holden, E. S., 389.
Holmes, F. S., 360.
Houghton, G. F., 84, 192, 313.
Hunt, T. S., 360.
Institute, Albany, 361.
Institution, Republican, 47, 173, 222,

273, 314, 362, 390, 391, 407.
Institution, Smithsonian, 93, 272, 273,

432.
Institution, Royal, 173, 389.
Jordan, Alexis, 94.

Journal, American, of Science and
Art, 96, 193, 221, 273, 314, 361, 389,
406, 432.
Journal, Canadian, of Industry, Sci-
ence and Art, 389, 406, 432.
Kneeland, Dr. S., Jr., 360.
Lapham, I. A., 172, 312.
Latour, L. A. Huguet, 173, 221, 272,

361, 431.
Lea, Isaac, 46, 360.
Leidv, Joseph, 46, 360.
Library, Astor, 361.
Little,"Bro\vn & Co., 172.
Lyceum of Nat. History, Ne\v York,

361.
Marcou, Jules, 93, 272, 406.
McClelland, Dr. John, 95.
Medicine, New York Journal of, 95,

173, 389, 406, 432.
Meigs, J. A., 221, 431.
Meteorologie, &c., K. K. Central An-

stalt, 96.
Natural History Review, 361,389, 406,
433.

Naturforschender Gesellschaft in Em-
den, 314.
New York Journal of Medicine, 222,

273, 314, 361.
New York Library, Trustees of, 46,

220.
Olmsted, D.,313.
Owen, Richard, 94.
Palmieri, A., ed A. Scacchi, 95.
Perley, M. H., 406.
Prime, Temple, 172.
Redfield, W. C, 172.
Reichsanstalt Geologische, Wien, 406,

432.
Review, Natural History, 221, 313.
Richardson, Sir John, 172.
Robell, F. von, 93.
Rogers, H. D., 220, 272, 360, 388.
Rogers, W. B., 405, 431.
Royal Institution, 173.
Scfimarda, L. K., 313,432.
Schonbein, C. F., 94.
Sclater, P. L., 95, 220.
Shumard, B. F., 46, 220.
Smith, F. G., 361.
Smith, J. L.,94.
Soci^t^ de Geographie, 95, 173, 273,

406.
Society de Physique, &c., de Geneve,

95.
Society des Sciences Naturelles de

Neuchatel, 313.
Soci^'t^ Imperiale d' Agriculture de

Lyon, 95.
Soci^t^ Linn^enne de Lyon, 95, 432.
Society Royale de Li^ge,'46, 361,432.
Society, American Antiquarian, 432.
Society, American Philosophical, 47,

173, 221, 314, 361, 406.
Society, Cambridge Philosophical,

221.
Society, Elliott, of Natural History,

95, 273.
Society, Geological, Dublin, 389.
Society, Geological and Polytechnic,

of Leeds, 389.
Society, Historical, of Wisconsin, 273.
Society, Leeds Literary and Philo-
sophical, 94, 314, 389.
Society, Linnsean, London, 173, 389.
Society, Royal, Dublin, 432.
Society, Royal Geographical, 47, 95

221, '313, 362, 390, 406, 432.
Society, Zoological, London, 95, 273,

406.
Society, Zoological, 313.
Sprague, C. J., 388.
Stimpson, William, 94, 172, 272, 405.
Sumner, Charles, 172, 361, 389.
Thiersch, 46.
Troschel, F. H., 220, 362.
University, New York, Regents of, 94,

220, 360.

432

Vattemare, A., Exchange with, 96, 97.
Verein der Preussischeu Rheinlande

uiul Westphalens, 313.
Verein fiir Naturkunde, Nassau, 221.
Verein Naturhistorischer, Bonn, 221.
Verein Wiirtembergischer, 95, 221,

314, 362, 389, 406, 432.
Verein Zoologisch-Botanischer, 95,

362.
Vogel, A., Jr., 94.
Wall, William S., 46.
Warner, John, 313.
Weinland, D. F., 406.
Wells, D. A., 360.
Wiegmann, A. F. A., 313.
Wilson, Henry, 172.
Yandell, L. P., 46.

Liga punctata, Weinland, 62.

Lime, Native Borate of, 206 ; Carbonate
of, Zeolitic crystals of, 229; Oxalate
of, 263 ; Phosphates of, effect of de-
caying organic matter on. Dr. A. A.
Hayes on, 355; Phospliate of. State in
which it exists in Sea-water, 48.

Limestone, Encrinal, of Wisconsin, con-
taining Bitumen, 309; of Texas, Ma-
ryland, 243 ; Ridgeway, Analysis of,18.

Limulus, manner of casting its shell, 22.

List of Mollusks of Herkimer and Ot-
sego Counties, N. Y., by James Lewis,
2.

Livoneca vulgaris, Stimpson, 88.

Lobognnthus, nov. gen. Agassiz, 412.

Locomotion of Lophobranchious fishes.
Method of, 346.

Lophobrancliious fishes, method of loco-
motion of. Dr. D. F. Weinland on, 346.

Loxorynchus, nov. gen. Stimpson, 84.

granais, " 85.

Lumb: icus ascaris, 18 ; terrestris, climb-
ing power of. Dr. Durkee on, 206.

LygiAdilatata, Stimpson, 88.

Macle Crystals, Theory of formation of,

136.
Madrepora alcicornis. Probably rapid

growth of, 364.
Madrepore Coral, Rate of growth of, 374.
Magnetite from Iron Mountain and Pi-
lot Knob, Missouri, Analysis of, by

Edwin Harrison, 295.
Maine, Fossil Starfish from, 394.
Mammalia, Series among, 113.
Mammoth Cave, blind fish of. Anatomy

of, 72.
Map, Geological, of Pennsylvania, 378.
Marble of Texas, Maryland, 243.
Mareca Penelope from New Jersey, 375.
Maryland Limestone, 243; Marble, 243.
Massachusetts, Eastern, Paleozoic rocks

of, their age, 41 ; Salmo hamatus in,

418, 431 ; tobacco, 408.

Mastodon and human remains found to-
gether, C. F. VVinslow on, 278; from
Brazos River, 53.

Megalops, Structure of Scales of, 363.

Megatherium from Brazos River, 53.

Melanerpes formicivorus, 149.

Mellisuga anna. Egg of, 148.

Members, Corresponding, elected.
Binnev, W. G., 413.
Blake" John R., 45.
Davis, H., 341.
De Jolis, M. Auguste, 70.
Dewey, C. P., 370.
Gatliff, James R., 154.
Gibb, George Duncan, 213.
Hill, Richard, 428.
Hoopes, Bernard A., 341.
Kennicott, Robert, 19.
Lawrence, George N., 72.
Leeds, Stephen P., 409.
Loring, Russell, 154.
Marcou, Jules, 405.
Morse, E. S., 413.
Newberry, John S., 45.
Robinson, William F., 45.
Sargent, Winthrop, 45.
Shurtleff, Simeon, 370.
Slawson, James H., 242.
Swan, Rev. Joshua A., 334.

Member, Honorary, elected.
Hyrtl, Joseph, 413.

AIembers, Resident, elected.
Agassiz, Alexander E. R., 370.
Baker, W. W., 335.
Barnwell, R. H., 216.
Bemis, Cliarles V., 242.
Brown, F. H., 420.
Burckhardt, Jacob, 420.
Carnev, Charles T., 335.
Clarke, Henrv J., 179.
Clarke, Thoni.as W., 19.
Coale, William E., 370.
Cobb, Frank D., 45.
Cummings, A. L, 59.
Davis, George N., 219.
Dean, John, 19.
Dornbach, L. M., 127.
Farrand, Nathan, 427.
Faxon, George N., 263.
Fearing, Albert, 45.
Folts, Dr. D. v., 405.
Foster, John S., 45.
Gaffield, Thomas, 388.
Gay, A. M., 171.
Gibbens, Edwin A., 19.
Gibson, William B.,417.
Giles, Alfred E., 59.
Green, John, 19.
Green, Dr. S. A., 266.

433

Habicht, Edward, 127.
Hammond, Samuel, 19.
Harrison, Edwin, 59.
Havward, J. M., 9.
Hill, P, C, 330.
HunnewelJ, J. L., 9.
Jeflries, Edward P., 311.
Kessmann, Charles, 127.
Kidder, Jerome G., 345.
Lamson, J. A., 246.
Lewis, Charles P., 394.
Lovett, Charles W., Jr., 341.
Manley, Edwin, 230.
Martin, John S., 230.
Metcalf, Theodore, 219.
Miles, James E., 19.
Morris, Thomas D., 219.
Motlev, Thomas, 405.
Ordway, Albert, 417.
Otis, Dr. J. H., 388.
Page, Kilby, 341.
Peabody, Oliver W., 242.
Pearce, S. H., 45.
Perkins, Augustus J., 19.
Philbrick, John D., 311.
Pickering, Octavius, 409.
Putnam, F. VV., 9.
Rand, Edward S., Jr., 154.
Robinson, John P., 154.
Rogers, George H., 286.
Rogers, Henrv D., 246.
Rogers, William B , 246.
Russell, Dr. Ira, 388.
Safibrd. J. Henr.y, 19.
Shurtleff, Augustine, 45.
Shute, James G., 179.
Stone, L. B., 330.
Sullivan, Thomas R., 200.
Talbot, I. T., 59.
Tillinghast, Joseph, 286.
Ward, B. C, 127.
Weeks, James H., 263.
Weinland, David F., 19.
Wellington, Ambrose, 59.
Wetherell, Leander, 140.
-Wheatland, Dr. R. H., 413.
Willard, Joseph, 260.
Williams, Dr. Henry W., 57.
Wilson, Archelaus, 216.
Winslow, Dr. C. F., 409.
Woodward, Samuel, 382.
Worcester, Joseph, 19.
Wright, Edwin, 379.

Memorial to Congress, 111.

Menobranchus from Portage Lake,
Michigan, 152, 218; hyemalis, Knee-
land, 280; Habits of, 371; relative
value of branchial, pulmonary and
cutaneous I'espiration in, Dr. Knee-
land on, 429.

Metamorphic Strata of the Atlantic
Slope of the Middle and Southern

States, Classification of, by H. D.
Rogers, 140.

Meteoric Stone, supposed, from Marble-
head, Mass., Analysis of, by Dr. C. T.
Jackson, 294.

Microscope, Compound, Dr. 0. W.
Holmes's new stand for, 247; Figure
of, 248.

Microscopic Stnicture of Orthagoriscus
inola, 404.

Microscopical Department, Committees
of, 230, 213; Report of, 214.

Microscopy, Curator of, 215.

Migrations of Fishes, 125, 419.

Millepora not a Polyp, 364.

Mitra florida, Gould, 14.

Mniotilta varia, 116; nest and eggs
from Lynn, Mass., 5.

Molar Supernumerary, in man and a
Chimpanzee, 45.

Mollusca, Terrestrial, Binney on, 177.

Mollusks of Herkimer and Otsego Coun-
ties, N. Y., List of, by James Lewis, 2.

Monk's Island, 158.

Mormon Arcticus, 122.

Morphology of bladder of Batrachians,
58. •

Mosquitoes infesting a limited locality,
381.

Motions of Animals, Psychological view
of, 160.

Musca, Larva of, in human skin, 281.

^luscicapa acadica and flaviventris, hab-
its of, Dr. Bryant on, 430.

Museum, Donations to, by
Adams. S"., 171.
Ainsworth, Mr., 270.
Agassiz, L., 388, 431.
Andrews, C. L., 312.
Atwood, N. E., 93, 219, 280, 311, 359.
Bailev, J. W., 219.
Bailey, W. W., 220.
Baker, William W., 405.
Balch, F., 388.
Binnev, W. G., 171.
Bishop, N. H., 219, 270.
Blake, C. W., 93.
Blake, W. P., 171.
Borland, J. N., 46, 93, 359.
Bryant, Henry, 171, 340, 359.
Bumstead, F. J., 171, 219, 359.
Cabot, Edward C, 264, 270.
Cabot, S., Jr., 359, 405.
Cooke, C, 405.
Couthouy, J. P., 171.
Curtis, D. T., 359.
Dall, Mrs. C. W.,312.
Davis, H., 359.
Dennett, W. H., 431.
Dexter, William P., 312.
Durkee, Silas, 93, 220, 272.
Eddy, R. H., 206, 220.

434

Fairbanks, C. B., 405.

Farwell, 0. A., 93.

Fay, .1. S., 220.

Fesscnden, C. B., 388.

Fletcher, Mr., 93.

Forbes, .J. M., 3-59.

Gassett, Oscar, 4.5.

Glover, Towiicnd, 337, 359.

Gott, Addison, 45, 359.

Gould, A. A., 45, 312, 359, 388.

Green, John Jr., 312, 328, 359.

Green, S. A., 270.

Greene, B. U., 220, 286, 311.

Greene, C. G., 431.

Hale, C. S., 421, 431.

Ilalev, William, 93.

Hayden, F. V., 93.

Haves, A. A., 388.

Hicks, D. F., 431.

Hi Hard, Mrs. G. S., 45.

Hitchcock, David, 111, 171.

Holbrook, J. C, 405.

Holden, E. S., 431.

Holden, O. H., 171.

Holmes, C. C, 45.

Jackson, Charles T., 45, 220, 228,

270, 312, 337, 359, 405, 431. •
.Tenks, J. W. 1'., 359.
Kelloj,% E- 15- & K. C, 312.
Keimicott, Robert, 46, 93, 171,220.
Kneeiand, S., Jr., 45, 93, 171, 270,

271, 280, 283, 296, 311, 312, 359, 388,
406.

Kollock, Cornelius, 93.

Landis, C. K., 405.

Lapham, I. A., 418,431.

Lewis, James, 45, 431.

Loring, Caleb, Jr., 359.

Lovett, C. VV., Jr., 311.

Lyman, Theodore, 388.

Marcou, Jules, 270.

Martin, Charles, 92.

Morse, Henrv I)., 375, 388.

Morse, E. S., 93, 171.

Museum, National, Melbourne, 270.

Nason, Samuel M., 311.

National Museum, Melbourne, 270.

Nelson, Thomas, 431.

Otis, Amos, 260, 270.

I'arker, U. G., 93.

Parker, Theodore, 220, 359.

Parkinson, J. C, 219.

Parsons, Theophilus, 289, 292, 311,

312.
Phillips, Zaccheus, 405.
Pickering, Charles, 93.
Preble, Lieut. G. H., 219.
Raymond, Mrs. C. B., 270.
Robinson, J. P., 171.
Rodman, Samuel, 431.
Russell, E. H., 431.
Samuels, E., 93, 171, 219, 311, 312,

359, 386, 388.

Sargent, L. M., .Ir. 359.
Schwartz, Louis 15., 171.
Slawson, J. H., 272.
Sohier, William, 219.
Sprague, Charles J., 405.
Stodder, Charles, 369, 388.
Storer, 1). H., 311, 312.
Storer, H. R., 93, 219, 270, 312.
Swan, Samuel, 268.
Tallant, .James, 45.
Thorcau, H. D., 430, 431.
Tufts, Samuel, Jr., 388.
Tyler, George E., 45, 92.
Wallace, William M., 382, 388.
Warren, J. M., 375, 388.
Weinland, D. F., 405, 431.
Wheelwright, George S., 220.
Whitman, W. E. S., 245, 270.
Whittemore, T. J., 359, 431.
Williams, Francis S., 270.
Winslow, C. F., 278, 311.
Wyman, Jeffries, 311, 312.

Miiller, Johannes, Prof. Agassiz's notice
of, 382.

Mustela, N. American species of. Dr.
Kneeiand on, 418; Mustela Canaden-
sis, 418.

Mvcology of N.England, Contributions
to, 315.

Myiodioctes Canadensis, 116.

Myriapod Impressions, in Connecticut
River Sandstone, 111.

Nanina pisolina, Gould, 423.

Nantucket, Sand Sharks from, 259.

Narwhal, Tooth of, 260.

Natural Hisiory, American works on,
rare and costly in Europe, 404.

Nature's method of preserving Hel-
minths, .343.

Nest and eggs of Mniotilta varia from
Lynn, Mass., 5; of Vermivora rubri-
capilla found in Lynn, 4; Sylvicola
discolor, ditto, 6; icterocephala and
pardalina, ditto, 6; virens, do., 5.

New England Fungi, List of, bj' C. .1.
Sprague, 316.

New England Mycology, Contributions
to, by C. J. Spnigue, 315.

New Hampshire, Porcupine from, 311.

N. Jersey, Mareca Penelope from, 375.

New Mexico, Geological Map of, by
Jules Marcou, 368.

Nicaraguan Fishes, New species of,
408.

Ningi-ningi, Manner of hatching its eggs,
268.

Nomenclature of Superposition of Stra-
ta, H. D. Rogers on, 183.

North American species of Mustela, 418.

North American Turtles, Prof. Agassiz
on the Geographical distribution of, 5.

435

North America, Western, New Crusta- Phosphate of Lime, 48, 355.

cea from, 84. Phosphorus, Supposed conversion of

North Athmtic, New fish from, 280. human bones into, 57.

North Carolina Coal, Is it apis coal? 33. Photographs of microscopic objects,
N. Pacific and Atlantic shells identical, 330.

124; Kxiiedition, Report of, 91. Photo-lithographic figures of microscop-

Note of White-throated Sjjarrow, 236. ic objects, 358; Photo-lithograph pro-

Nova Scotia, Trap dikes ot', 23. cess, 358.

Nymphcea odorata. Pink, 208. Physa heterostropha. New species of

Cercaria on liver of, 24.
Objectives, Microscope, by Grunow, Physalia, Stinging power of, Dr. Charles

381. " Pickering on, .366.

Octohedral tin ore, Australian, 227. Picus auratus. Taenia of, 59; pubescens,

OcuUuA ylome.rata, Lj'man, 288. 118; arcticus, 118.

Odontoid Process not united to Atlas, Pig, Cyclopean, Prof. J. Wyman on,

309. 380.

Officers for 1857-8, 192; 1858-9, 370. Pigeon from Australia, 169.
Ohio, Fossil fishes from, 18. Pilgrim Trading house at Monumet,

Oil from a wreck twenty years old, 166, Mass., 289.

167. ' Pilot Knob, Mo., Magnetite from, Analy-

Oldest American Fossils, 310. sis of, 295.

Oranges, Capnodiumelongatum on, 378. Pines, White, Capnodium elongatum
Orangs of Borneo, Capt. Gibson on, 71. on, 378.
Organisms, Silicification of, A. A. Pink Nymphsea odorata, 268.

Hayes on, 168. Pipe-fish in abdominal cavity of Cod,

Orthagoriscus mola, Microscopic struc- 176.

ture of its tissue, 404; Cecrops and Pityriasis versicolor. Parasitic plant

Cineras on, 396; Parasites of, 404; from, 291.

Lernaia on, 396; Pennella filosa on, Plagiostomes not fishes, 38.

404. Plants from S. America, List of, by

Orthoscopic eyepiece, 246. N. H. Bishop, 182; Cryptogamous,

Otus Cassinii, 115. from region of Lake Superior, List

Ovarian impi-egnation in fishes, 10. of, 296.

Owl, Burrowing, 204. Polycistina exhibited, 246.

Ox, Urinary calculi of nearly pure Sil- Polygonal Impressions in Connecticut

ica from an, 213, 284. River Sandstone, 111.

Oxalate of Lime, 263. Pomacentrus melear/j-is, Agassiz, 411.

PomocentridtE, new Florida species,
Paleozoic age of rocks of Eastern 411.

Massachusetts, 41. Pomotis, supposed new species of, 430.

Pandalus Dana, Stimpson, 87. Pompeii, Vessels from, 177.

Paper-like substance formed by meal- Porcupine from N. Hampshire, 311.

worms, 414. Porcellana rupicoln, Stimpson, 85.

Paradoxides Harlani, 41; from Brain- Porpoise, Fcetal, 71.

tree, Mass. , 369. Potato acarus, 9.

Parasites in the fcetus, 26; Human, 300; President, Acceptance of Election as, by

Discussion on, 301. Dr. Jeffries Wyman, 1.

I'arasitic plant on House fly, 337. Presumpscot River, Me., Clay concre-

Parasitic plant of Pityriasis versicolor, tions from, 132 ; Landslide on, 132.

291 ; Parasitic wornis,Xature's method Pristis sagittata, Epidermis from mouth

of preserving them. Dr. D. F. Wein- of, 67.

land on, 343. Protococcus nivalis, 302.

Parusatricapillus, 116j Hudsonicus,116. Provincetown, Mass., Centriscus scolo-
Pastinaca hastata, 280. pax from, 178; Trumpet Fish from.

Pearly figures in Dipsas plicata, how 178.

formed, 178. Psorospermia in the Haddock, 26.

Pennella filosa on Orthagoriscus mola, Psychological view of the motions of

404; Cineras vittata on, 404. animals, by David F. Weinland, 100.

Pennsylvania Bituminous coal basin, Ptinus fur in Cayenne pepper, 404.

16; Geological Map of, 378. Ptychocheilus, nov. gen. Agassiz, 412.

Phallus duplicatus, 37. Pudding-stone, Composition of, by A. A.

Philadelphia, Peculiarities of Helix Hayes, 167.

tliyroidus near, 129. Python, Structure of bone in, 55.

436

QuiscALUs versicolor, 118.

Raia batis, Electric apparatus of, 44.

BcmdalUa, iiov. gen., Stimpson, 85.

ornatn, " 85.

Kats, Albino, from Medford, Mass., 301.

Rattlesnake, Experiment with, 56.

Redfield, William C, Notice of, by W.
B. Rogers, 186.

Red Snow, 302.

Report on Dr. 1. I. Hayes's proposed
Arctic Expedition, 416; North Pacific
Expedition, 91.

Reproduction of Arachnides, 285.

Reptiles, Series among, 114; collected
in California, by E. Samuels, List of,
192.

Resolutions on Deposit of Bimiey Libra-
ry, 65.

Respiration, Brown-S^quard on, 67;
brancliial, pulmonary, and cutaneous,
their relative value in Menobranchus.
429.

Ridgeway Limestone, Analysis of, 18;
Carbonate of iron. Analysis of, 18;
Coal, Analysis of, 17.

Robin, American, Feeding and growth
of, 396; food of. Discussion on, 399.

Rock Guano from an island in the At-
lantic Ocean, 157.

Saint Simon's Isle, Peculiarities of

Helix thyroidus in, 129.
Saline ma"tters in waters of Eastern

Jlassaciiusetts, Origin of, 30.
Salmo hamatus, found in ISIassacliu-

setts, 418, 431.
Salmonidse, Prof. Agassiz on, 418.
Samuels, E., Collections in California,

38.
Sand-Eel in abdominal cavity of Cod,

176.
Sand-Sharks from Nantucket, 259.
Sands of California and Australia, 228.
Sandstone of Connecticut River, Bird

tracks in. 111.
Sandstones, Composition of, 168.
Sarcoptes hominis, 290.
Saxicola, Eui'opean, breeding in Labra-
dor, 420.
Scale of Striped Bass, (Labrax lineatus,)

Section of, 362.
Scales of Wegalops, Structure of, 363.
Sciurus striatus. Albino, Specimen of

218.
Sclero.stomura dentatura found near the

kidney in a hog, 428.
Scolecophagus Mexicanus, Egg of, 148.
Scopelus, New species of, 71.
Sea-water, Effect of, on organic life of

Hayti, 257.
Sepedonium cervinum, 292.
Series in the Animal Kingdom, 112;

among Herbivora, 113; JIanimalia,
113; Reptiles, 114.

Sesquioxide of Chromium, New reaction
of, under galvanism, 209.

Setophaga ruticella, 116.

Shaw, Dr. B. S., Resignation of, as Re-
cording Secretary, 379; Vote of thanks
to, 379.

Shell of Limulus, Mode of casting off;
22.

Shells, Freshwater, Erosions of, by Dr.
James Lewis, 149; Shells, new species
of, collected by N. Pacific Exploring
Expedition, 422; New species of, 11;
of freshwater Clams, Cai;se of cor-
rosion of, 57, 258; of .Japan, &c., 124;
of North Pacific and Atlantic identi-
cal, 124.

Silicification of Organisms, A. A. Haves
on, 168.

Skate, (Raia batis,) Electric apparatus
of, 44; Egg-case of, Observations on
its formation, by Prof. J. Wyman,
S376; Claspcrs of, their use, 377.

Skin, Tattooed, 91; Skin, human, Lai-va
of Musca in, 281.

Skunk, Stryclinine detected in, 342.

Slate Rocks of Governor's Island, Bos-
ton harbor, peculiar condition of,
Prof. W. B. Rogers on, 217; Horizontal
heave in, 217.

Slate from Somerville, Mass., Analysis
of, 108.

Smelt, (Osmerus viridescens) from
Squam Lake, N. H., 243 ; modified by
residence in fresh water, 243 ; in Ja-
maica Pond, Mass., 243.

Society and Sandwich Islands, facts
bearing on qui>stion of common origin
of their inhabitants, 414.

Society of Natural History, California,
154."

Somateria mollissima, 119.

Somerville, Mass., Analysis of Slate
from, 108.

Sonorous action of jets of burning gas,
Prof. W. R. Rogers on, 333, 339, 346.

Sorghum Halepense, 326 ; saccharatum,
326; vulgare, 326; saccharatum. Cane
Sugar from, 286, 293, 296, 337 ; Chem-
ical examination of, 342; Products of,
228; Sugar of. Dr. A. A. Hayes on,
200; vulgare. Botany of, C.J. Sprague
on, 321 ; Varieties of. Dr. C. Picker-
ing on, 326; Chemical change in Glu-
cose of, 297.

South America, List of plants from, by
N. H. Bishop, 182.

Sperm Whale, Structure of its eye,
125.

Sphojroma ampUcauda, Stimpson. 89.

Spongilla in Cochituate water, 267.

Squam Lake, N. H., Leuciscus from,

437

243; Osmerus viridescens, Smelt, in, Terrestrial Mollusca, Binney on, 177.

243. Texas, Fossils from Brazos River in, 51.

Starfish, Fossil, from Lewiston, Me., 394. Texas, Limestone of, 243 ; Marble, 243.

Stepliaiiurus dentatus, found near the Thalassidroma Leachii, 122.

kidney in a hog, 428. Tigers, People killed by, 16.5.

Sterna arctica, 120; hirundo, 120. Tin Ore, Octohedral, from Australia, 227.

Stinging power of Physalia, 366. Toad, Living, swallowed, 19.

Strata, Superposition of. Nomenclature Tobacco raised in Massachusetts, 408.

of, H. D. Rogers on, 184. Totanus macularius, 119; seniipalraa-
Streptaxis, e//V;, Gould, 13. tus, 119.

exacutd, '■ 13. Trachyte, Specimens resembling, from

prostrala. " 12. guano rock, A. A. Hayes on, 211;

Sinensis, " 424. Analysis of, 213.

Striped Bliss, Analysis of Scales of, 374. Transplanting of European Fishes, 369.

Struthio nivalis, lis. Trap dikes of Cohasset, 23; of Nova

Strychnine detected in a Skunk, 342; Scotia and Lake Superior, 23.

method of detecting, Dr. A. A. Hayes Trees submerged at Hingham, 20.

on, 342 ; Dr. John Green on the "de- Trematoda, Alternation of Generation

tection of, 346. in, 24.

Sturgeons and Gar-pikes, Resemblances Trichas Marilandica, 116.

of, 63. Trichophyton tonsurans, 379.

Sturnella neglecta, 149. Trilobite from Braintree, Mass., 27, 40.

Succinea lauta, Gould, 422. Trompettis, Manner of gestation of, 269.

linenta, Binney, 155. Trumpet Fish from Provincetown,

Sugar Cane, Chinese, Syrup and Sugar Mass., 178.

from, 170; Botanical position of, 181; Tryblionella eWptica, Stodder, 381.

Dr. A. A. Hayes on, 200; cane, from Tuomey, Prof Michael, Notice of, by VV^.

Sorghum Saccharatuni, 286, 293, 296, B. Rogers, 184.

337; Chemical examination of, 342. Turdus migratorius, 116; Feeding and

Suid«, Fossil bones of, from Iowa, 8. growth of, 396; olivaceus, 117; soli-

Sula bassana, 119. tarius, 117.

Sullivantia Ohionis from Wisconsin, Turkey, Gould's supposed new species

418. of, 158.

Sulphide of Lead Crystals, 259. Turtles, Fecundation of, 10; Proper

Sun-fish, See Oithagoriscus mola. characters of families in, 64; North

Superior, Lake, Mines, Copper from, and American, Prof. Agassiz on the Geo-

rocks with which it occurs, 283; Dif- graphical distribution of, 5.

ferent forms of, 284; Silver with, 284. Tyrannula fiaviventris, 115.

Supernumerary molar in Man and Tyrannus verticalis, 148.

Chimpanzee, 45.

Supra-renal Capsules, Brown-S^quard Unio comscus, Gould, 15.

on, 69. lepidus, " 15.

Surinam bush-ropes. Sections of, 290; tlria Brunnichii, Breeding habits of,

woods, 279. 124; grylle, 123, 125; troille, 123.
Surinam fishes, 328 ; Reproduction of,

286; unusual conditions of develop- Vallisneria spiralis, 229.

ment of eggs of. Prof. Wyman on, Verraivora rubricapilla, nest and eggs

268. of, 4.

Sylvicola discolor, nest and eggs found Vesicle, Graafian, Peculiarity of, in

at Lynn, Mass., 6; icterocephala, 116; Zoarces anguillaris, 38.

aestiva, 116; striata, 116; virens, 116; Vessels, Pompeian, 177.

icterocephala and pardalina, nest and Vibrations in water falling over dams,

eggs found in Lynn, Mass., 5; virens, William Edwards on, 327, 338; Prof

nest and eggs from Lynn, Mass., 5. W. H. Rogers on, 338.

Synckpas, nov. gen., Lyman, 274. Vireo Solitary, Vii-eo soliiarius, seen in

Gimldii, " 274, 418. Lynn, Mass", 5.

Vireosylvia Philadelphica, 109, Habits

TiENiA of Picu« auratus, 59. of, 110; Compared with V. gilvus,

Tcenioids, New genus of, 59. 110.

Tapeworm, New species of, 300; Devel- Yitr'mix imperntor, Gould, 422.

opment of, 304; Larvae of, in the Ale- Vorticella craterifornais, 228.

wife. Cod, hare, and rat, 25.

Teredo thoracites, Gould, 15. Warblek, Black-throated Green, Syl-

438

vicolavirens, nest and eggs from Lynn,
Mass., 5; Chestnut-sided, S. ictero-
cephala, 5; Nashville, Vennivora ru-
bricapilla, ditto, 4; Prairie, Syldcola
discolor, ditto, 6.

Warren, J. C, List of his Scientific
writings, 83 ; Notice of, by the Presi-
dent, 73.

Washington, D. C, Cyperus esculentus
raised in, 337.

Water, Vibrations of, falling over dams,
327, 338 ; at Hadley Falls, Charles
Stodder on, 264 ; at "Nashua, 267.

Water lily, Pink, 268.

White Mountains, Prof. Parsons on the
existence of the Sable on, 415.

White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia
albicollis. Note of, 236.

Whiting, Viviparous, 9.

Widgeon, European, breeding on Long
Island, 419.

Wind, Zonda, 126.

Wisconsin, Sullivantia Ohionis from,

418.
Wood, Dermestes in, 268.
Woods from Surinam, 279.
Wreck, Coral forty years old from, 166.

Yam, Chinese, raised in Massachusetts,

335; chemical constituents of, 337.
Yarmouth, N. S., Birds of, 114.

Zeuglodon cetoides, deposited by C. S.
Hale, 421; T. T. Bouv(5 on, 421.

Zeus, ocellatus, Storer, 386.

Zoarces anguillaris, peculiarity of Graaf-
ian Vesicle of, 38.

Zonda Wind, N. H. Bishop on, 126, 207.

Zonotrichia albicollis. Note of, 236 ;
grammaca, 149; savanna, 117; Pefln-
sylvanica, 118.

Zoology of Hayti, Dr. Weinland on, 252.

ERRATA

Page 11 last line but one, for Dnmascenus read Damascena.
" 25 line 12, for Scolen read Scolex,
" 152 " 14, " Sire(lo7i read menobranchm.
" 154 " 15, " " " "

" 218 " 14, " " " "

" 385 last line but one, for 20th volume read 10th volume.

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