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JOURNAL
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
rhe
Or
PHILADELPHIA.
\
*
VOL. IV. [PART I.)
PHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY,
BY J, HARDING.
oo
1824
¥
CONTENTS
OF
VOLUME IV....PART §
List of Officers,
Observations upon some of the minerals discovered at
Franklin, Sussex county, N. J. By Lardner Van-
uxem and W. H. Keating,
_ Noya generis Capromys, Desm. species. Auctore Ed-
wardo Poeppig, M. D. Lips. Sax.
On an extinct species of Crocodile not before described ;
and some observations on the Geology of West
Jersey. By R. Harlan, M. D.
Observations on the Nomenclature of Wilson’s Ornitholo-
gy. By Charles Bonaparte, (continued.)
_ Description of the Os Hyoides of the Mastodon. By John
D. Godman, M. D.
_ Description of a testaceous formation at Anastasia Island,
extracted from notes made on a journey to the
southern parts of the United States, during the
winter of 1822 and 1823. By R. Dietz.
Description of a new species of Fish of the Linnean ge-
nus Perca. By J. Gilliams,
Descriptions of Coleopterous Insects, collected in the
late expedition to the Rocky Mountains. By Tho-
mas Say,
PAGE
11
15
25
67
73
80
83
iv CONTENTS.
Description of several species of the Linnzan Genus
Raia, of North America. By C. A. Lesueur,
Description of a new crystalline form of the Andalusite.
By G. Troost, M. D.
An account of some of the Fossil Shells of Maryland. By
Thomas Say,
Description of several new Species of Holothuria. By C.
A. Lesueur.
Observations on the Nomenclature of Wilson’s Ornitholo-
gy. By Charles Bonaparte, (continued.)
100
122
124
155
163
JOURNAL
OF TBP
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
OF
PHILADELPHIA.
LIST OF OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1824.
President.
William Maclure.
Vice-Presidents.
Zaccheus Collins, George Ord.
Corresponding Secretary.
Reuben Haines.
Recording Secretary.
William H. Keating.
Curators.
Thomas Say, C. A. Lesueur, J. P. Wetherill,
Isaac Hays, M. D.
Treasurer.
Jacob Gilliams.
Labrarian.
Jacob Peirce.
Auditors.
W. S. Warder, J. M. Brewer, R. E. Griffith, M. D.
VOL. 1V.—-JULY, 1824. 1
Observations upon some of the minerals discovered
at Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey. By
Larpyer Vanuxem and W. H. Keatinc. Read
June 1, 1824.
In vol. 2, p. 277, of the Journal of the Academy,
we published a geological account of the vicinity
of Franklin, Sussex county, New Jersey, together
with a list of the minerals found at that interest-
ing locality. We proposed furnishing the Acad-
emy with a description of some of these minerals;
but, from a multiplicity of other engagements, we
have been prevented from completing our exami-
nation of a substance which we believed new, and
to which we gave the name of Dysluite. We hope
soon to be able to present it to the Academy, and
in the meanwhile offer the following note on some
of the accompanying minerals.
1. serrersonite. As this mineral has been de-
scribed in vol. 2, p. 194, of the Journal, no further
notice of it, at this time, would be necessary, ex-
cept to describe some of its crystals, which has
been accomplished by Dr. Troost, who, moreover,
has shown at the same time, and by these crystals,
that the jeffersonite, which we believed to be a
new species, appears in reality to be nothing more
than a variety of the proteus of mineralogy, py-
roxene. :
At the period at which our account of the jef-
4 ; MINERALS DISCOVERED
fersonite was written, we had no crystals of it; our
specimens consisting merely of the lamellar va-
riety. It was from the solid given by the lamellar
fracture of the mineral, and from the absence of
magnesia, which earth was regarded in some mea-
sure as an essential component of pyroxene, that
we were induced to consider it as new.
In justice to ourselves, it may be necessary to
mention that, in mineralogy, the solid given by
cleavage has, since the period of the publication
of the Traité de Mineralogie, been considered
next to composition, and faces deduced from the
secondary forms, of paramount importance, and
sufficient of itself, in the absence of the above
named characters, to constitute or determine the
' formation of a species, of which we have several
instances. The value attached to this character,
by the late Abbé Haiiy, is too well known to need
any reference to his works; nor should it excite
surprise that so much importance has been given
to this remarkable property in minerals, when we
consider that this is the first anomaly which has
come under our notice; for heretofore the cleay-
ages, parallel to the faces of the primitive form,
have invariably been the smoothest and easiest to
be obtained.
Whence. the cause of this deviation from so
general a law, we know not; future oben
must determine it.
Mr. Seybert has analyzed a variety of the same
AT FRANKLIN. 5
mineral, which has yielded him 4 per cent. of
magnesia. Whether this be accidental or not, we
are not prepared to say. All the analyses of py-
roxene, noticed by the Abbé Haiiy in the last
edition of his Treatise of Mineralogy, state the
quantity of that earth to be from 10 to 19 per
cent., which far exceeds Mr. Seybert’s results.
Mr. Rose’s analyses of pyroxenes are, it is true,
of a much later date; but when we recollect the
great confusion which exists in this species, we
may be permitted to question whether the sub-
stances, which he examined, were really pyro-
xenes. Of those analyzed by Vauquelin and Lau-
gier, no doubt can exist, since the analyses were
made at the Garden of Plants in Paris, and, as it
were, under Haiiy’s eye. But the examination of
the crystalline forms certainly puts the question
of the identity of the jeffersonite and pyroxene
at rest. ir
2. rranxunite. The franklinite forms a mass
whose immense extent has been made known in
the geological part of our communication. Appa-
rently, it is not perfectly homogeneous in compo-
sition throughout; the proportion of manganese
which it contains seems to vary, and produces a
corresponding variation in the colour of its pow-
der, and in the different effects which result from
weathering; nor is it less variable in its external
appearance, being in masses, grains of different
size, and crystals. The large masses present
6 MINERALS DISCOVERED
numberless druses, in which the ore has either
assumed a regular form, or endeavoured so to do,
but has been disturbed while in the act of crys-
tallizing. Its form is the regular octohedron, with
deeply emarginated edges, presenting a passage
into the rhomboidal-dodecahedron. The crystals
vary in dimension from the microscopic size to
two or more inches in length. The smallest and
most numerous are found at Franklin, and the
largest at Stirling. The crystals have a fine me-
tallic lustre, of a black colour, opaque, without any
indication of cleavage. Specific gravity 4.98 to
5.08.
3. RED zinc oRE (improperly called red oxide of
zine.) "This mineral occurs in several places in
the mass of franklinite; but it is at Sterling that
it is found not only in the greatest quantity, but
in the purest state; the abundance of this mimeral
is such at this locality, that it will at no distant
period be worked for zinc; this ore has not yet
been found in crystals, or unmixed with frank-
linite. According to Mr. Mohs’ observations, it
presents an imperfect cleavage which connects it
with a prismatic system. On breaking the red
zinc ore of Sterling, we find two kinds of particles
as to size and colour; the largest ones are of an
almost ruby red, with considerable lustre, resem-
bling in some measure that of the diamond, and so
transparent as to admit of a ready passage to light.
The colour of the smaller ones, which are fine gra-
AT FRANKLIN. vi
nular, is of a beautiful dark orange, and of so little
lustre as at first sight to induce a belief of their
being in an earthy state; but if examined with at-
tention, the effect is observed to arise from inter-
posed light, for no difference can be perceived
between them and the larger particles, when ex-
amined individually. If both be pulverized, their
powder is the same, and is of a bright orange co-
lour.
When the red zinc ore has been a long time
exposed to the atmosphere, the smaller particles
are washed away, and the larger ones assume a
deeper red. It likewise becomes coated with car-
bonate of zinc, and sometimes with an impure
oxide of manganese; the former of these efflo-
rescences may be discovered by its colour, its
effervescing with nitric acid, and its producing a
styptic salt. ;
From the circumstance of the transparency of
the red zinc ore, no doubt can exist with respect
to its being a chemical combination of the oxides
of zinc and manganese, such being the result of
the analysis of Mr, Berthier, of the School of
Mines. The iron, found in it by Dr. Bruce, was
owing to an admixture of franklinite.
At all the different localities of the red zinc ore,
in Sussex county, it invariably accompanies the
franklinite, they mutually envelop each other;
when the red zinc ore imbeds the franklinite, the
& MINERALS DISCOVERED
latter mineral is usually in the form of grains,
which is particularly the case at Stirling.
4, canBoNnATE oF zinc. (Calamine.) Besides coat-
ing the red zinc ore, this mineral is likewise found
in very small veins or fissures, appearing to be of
subsequent formation to the mass which encloses
them. ‘These veins are in the franklinite, north
‘east of Franklin furnace. The colour of the car-
bonate is white, without lustre, and with little co-
hesion, owing to its particles being in an earthy
state.
5. SILICEOUS OXIDE OR SILICATE oF zinc. (Calamine.)
This mineral is found both at Stirling and Frank-
lin, but it is only at the former locality that it oc-
curs in sufficient quantity to merit attention as an
object of importance to manufactures. It presents
itself in the form of concretions or grains, also in
amorphous masses, and likewise in crystals. The
concretions (which are the most common manner
in which it exists) are evidently nothing more than
the product of a disturbed crystallization; for every
grade between them and the perfect crystals are
observable. The form of the crystals is an hex-
agonal prism with dihedral terminations, the faces
of which repose upon the lateral edges of the
prism; the angles of the faces of the prism are
120°, and of the faces of the pyramid, with one
another, about 118°(?) being the regular hexago-
nal prism with a rhomboidal summit, of course
leading to a rhombohedron for the primitive
AT FRANKLIN. y
form; many of the crystals are an inch in diame-
ter, and two inches long; some are even much
larger. The faces and angles of the prism are
generally well defined, but it is extremely rare
to find the pyramids well determined, owing, in
some cases, to the convexity of their angles; in
others, of the faces themselves, and also to various
depressions and protuberances arising from dif-
ferent causes. From these circumstances, we
cannot positively affirm that the terminal faces
are those of a rhombohedron; particularly as we
have not been able to observe in the crystals any
evident marks of cleavages parallel to these faces,
nor, in fact, in any other direction. The specific
gravity of this mineral is 3.89 to 4.; it forms a
jelly with strong acids, and is infusible by the
blowpipe.
The colour of the siliceous oxide of zinc varies
from a light greenish yellow (which is the purest)
to a deep flesh red; it also occurs inclining to a
green, brown, gray, and even to a black colour,
all of which are owing to variable admixtures of
franklinite, garnet, pyroxene, &c. The colours
are dull and dirty ; most of the crystals are cover-
ed with a brown ochrey coating. In transparency
it exhibits every degree, from the highly translu-
cent to the opaque; the most translucent is the
light greenish-yellow variety, which is the kind
that exists in grains, and is most abundant.
The associates of the siliceous oxide of zinc are,
VOL. IV.—JULY, 1824. 2
10 MINERALS DISCOVERED AT FRANKLIN.
at Stirling, the franklinite, the red zinc ore, the
dysluite, carbonate of lime, and mica; at Frank-
lin, the garnet, pyroxene, &c.
Chemical part. No loss, or any change what-
ever by calcination, consequently anhydrous ; de-
composable by all the strong acids; forming a jelly,
owing to liberated silex. It was found to consist
of silex and of the oxides of zinc, iron and manga-
nese, the analysis having been made upon the
flesh coloured variety.
The modus operandi was to heat with nitro-
muriatic acid, until a decomposition was effected,
to evaporate to dryness in order to set the silex
free, then add acidulated water; the liquor was,
again, gently heated and filtered, which gave the
silex, leaving the metallic oxides in solution, from
which the oxides of iron and manganese were pre-
cipitated by ammonia in excess. The zinc was
then obtained from the solution. The result of
the analysis was
Silex, - - » - - 25.44
Deutoxides of iron and manganese, - = © "650
Oxide of zinc, by difference, - - 68.06
100.00
Another analysis, made by Mr. Vanuxem, upon
a purer variety, being crystals of a light flesh
colour, yielded
Silex, - - - - 25.00 .-
Oxide of zinc, - - ary f P
Oxide of manganese, ~ . 2.66
Oxide of iron, ~ - - 67
Loss, - - > - 34
NOVA GENERIS CAPROMYS SPECIES. il
Note. It is not improbable, from the different analyses and
erystals which we have of the combination of oxide of zinc and
silex, that there are two species, one hydrous, the other anhy-
drous.
Nova generis Capromys, Desm. species. Auctoke
Epwarvo Poerpric, M. D. Lips. Sac.
[Reap June 15, 1824.]
Perpauce solum nobis ad manus sunt pagine,
diarii zoologici, in itinere per insulam Cubam ab
annis 1822—24 instituti, quam ob rem nimia se-
quentis descriptionis brevitas, ut excusetur roga-
mus. Ampliorem descriptionem anatomicam, et
omnium partium delineationem alio tempore ex-
hibere promittimus.
Character generis adeo notus, ut persuasum
nobis habeamus eum jure meritoque hic ommitti
posse. Sequens species a nobis inventa primis
anni 1824 mensibus.
Carromys prehensilis, Porrric. Animady. in
Faunam Cubens. Insul.
C. cauda elongata, tereti, totius corporis longi-
tudini, capite, plantis, palmis, unguibusque albis.
Corpus fere cylindricum, versus pelvim, (pre-
_¢ipue in foem.) parum amplius. Color dorsi ex
griseo et ferrugineo mixtus. Pili ad basin mollis-
12 NOVA GENERIS CAPROMYS SPECIES.
simi, nigri, medio grisei, apice ferruginei, ibique
rigidi. Vellus densum, presertim in dorso. Collum
breve, pilis brevibus, flavescentibus, adpressis dense
tectum. Fons, gena, jugulumque ex albo flavyes-
cunt, pectus et abdomen alba, stria utrinque una
lateralis, obscurior. Regio pubis nuda, Caude
basis ferruginea, cute grisea, cauda cxterum teres,
versus apicem superne nuda. Digiti pedum ma-
nuumque tecti pilis rigidis, incanis, nitidis. Caput
unicum, fronte planiuscula, awriculis ovatis, ciliatis,
extus nudis, intus hirtis, nigris, oculis oblique po-
sitis, hiatu inter palpebras ovato, angulis exteriori-
bus deorsum ad nares vergentibus, palpebris mar-
gine nigris, ciliis brevibus, nigris. Vasus aeutus,
truncatus, nudus, valde mobilis, ater. Wares in
angulo obliquo cum maxilla superiore, lineares, in
animale vivo ovati. Labia crassa pinguia, albida;
superius hilo profundo, alte inter nares oriente,
exaratum, fere divisum, inferius integrum. per-
tura oris transversalis, maxillis distensis, ovata,
tamen dentibus molaribus ; hoc modo non in con-
spectum venientibus. Mystax, longus, patens,
mobilis, albus, nitens. Collum breve musculosum, -
forte ; capitis circumferentia, inter humeres retrac-
tile.
Jam ad finem descriptionis pervenimus, cum
relique incepti pagine antea Lipsiam transmissae
fuerint. Vix nobis aliquid addendum superest,
quam dimensiones, pollicibus anglicis expresse.
NOVA GENERIS CAPROMYS SPECIES. 13
Pollices, Linex.
Longitudo totius animalis ab extremitate caude
ad darés §. . . 2% 2
$9 3 ” ad scapulas. . . 20 2
ee PR. id aris ye 3
oy capitis cum collo “ scapula Peta ge 8
9 >» abatlante ... 3 0
° brachiorum ab scapula ad tangle tare
tiiapicem . . . 7 5
“9y manuum abasicarporum ... 1 7
ss Fi ais RO Pe ie ae ia q
2 unguium .. . 0 4
” femorem a pelvi ad wages quatsi
apicem . . 7 3
99 pedum a calcaneo ad unguis outs
apicem . Cee 8
9 unguium pedum . .....- 9 4
% auricularum . a MR ia es | 7
» rictus inter pelpedinns ; Sie a MC ps 5
ry » oris eee cae) ia 1 T
49 narium : 2 pares 0 2
“4 pilor. mystac. ewan | i 3 o
Circumferentia capitis in fronte parte maxime pv
WRG eee Ve 5 8
im gy verticalisadoculos . . 4 5
° MOURN Les 4 &
” corporis regione eplgadtrick See.
; chondriaco. . . 11 G
> 55 ad humeros verticalis . 10 0
“m caude in puncto insertionis 3 5
» ad apicem : 0 6
Latitude ab angulo oculi exter. ad ongedk . 1 0
ae a Posterions yy ues ek $
me eee » exterioriad nares. . 1 0
sy aure ad oppos. 1 5
sss pectoris 3 0
14 NOVA GENERIS CAPROMYS SPECIES.
Latitudo region. pub. inter peiles
3 Manus in carpis .
» inmetacarpis .,. -
» pedis in tarsis
> in metatarsis .
Squamule caude late .
Annuli squam. caude inter se distant °
Elevatio verticalis animalisinsedentis 4 O——4
Ab Hispanis vocatur Agutia Carayalli, in imita-
tionem tribus servorum cujusdam, Guineensis, fre-
quentissimi in Cuba. Pigritia, tristitia, motu
corporis. lento, fame insatiabili, nationi Africans
Caravalli similis dicitur.
C. Furniert. Desm. Hispanis Agutia Congo, ob
mobilitatem, vultus semper nitidum, &c. quas res
obvias quoque esse in natione Africana Congo di-
cunt. Hance speciem ita definiendam censio.
C. Furnieri. Desm.* C. cauda abbreviata, longi-
tudine tertiz partis, totius corporis, capite conco-
lore palmis, plantis, unguibusque nigris.
Utraque species habitat in Cube interioris syl-
vis. Desmarestii descriptio bona quamvis, uti
videtur secundum exemplar nimis incompletum,
nimisque juvenile facto. Szpe enim nobis conti-
git videre specimina C. Furnieri ponderis librarum
12—16. Hee species insuper vulgaris; animal
ceterum stupidum, nocturnum, tempore diurno
nunquam ex arboribus descendens.
eocorooow
OM he OOO
* Isqpon pilorides, Say. Vol. ii. p. 330. Mr. Say’s generic
name being pre-occupied, cannot be adopted; but his specific
name, having the priority, must be retained —Pub. Com. .
EXTINCT SPECIES OF CROCODILE. 15
C. prehensilis multo rarior, solumque in sylvis
versus oram Cube australem obvia, regione vix
culta, densis et obscuris sylvis obtecta; v. e. in Par-
tido de las Piedras, ad Macuriges, ad Masmariges,
&c. nunquam nobis visa in parte Cube boreali.
Cauda utitur magna dexteritate. Sape venatorem —
eludit; cauda enimramum amplectens,inter plantas
innumeras parasiticas, sepe pendulas, quibus alti-
ores obteguntur, arboris regionum tropicarum sese
condit, ita ut nunquam suspicio oriatur, inter vi-
mina fragilia et tenerrima Orchidearum folia abdi-
tum esse animal sepe ponderis 7—9 librarum.
Modus edendi et vivendi idem ac in specie nota
Desmarestii.
On an extinct species of Crocodile not before de-
scribed ; and some observations on the Geology
of West Jersey. By R. Hartan, M.D. Read
May 4, 1824.
At various times there have been presented to
the Academy specimens of fossil bones, principally
from the state of New Jersey; which have not been
hitherto described or noticed. The Society is thus
possessed of treasures, of whose yalue they are
not exactly aware: to obviate this, I have under-
taken to describe such as are most rare and inte-
resting, and whose characters remain, in some de-
gree, undefaced.
16 EXTINCT SPECIES OF CROCODILE.
It will be necessary, in the first place, to offer
a few remarks concerning the formation in which
these fossils occur ; in doing which, I shall content
myself with the bare mention of the fossil testa-
ce@, some of which occur in immense numbers.
For a knowledge of these, I am indebted to a
gentleman eminently qualified to do the subject
entire justice, and from whom we may anticipate,
I hope very shortly, a full and accurate description
of these very interesting remains; it is almost un-
necessary to state, the naturalist alluded to is Mr.
T. Say, who, together with Mr. T. Peale and my-
self, have lately returned from a short excursion
to the “ Marl-pits” of New Jersey. We were
much assisted in our investigations by Dr. Samuel
L. Howell, who politely offered to accompany us,
and whose knowledge of the country was pecu-
liarly serviceable.
All that part of the state, denominated West
Jersey, and which is included between Trenton
and the Delaware Bay, on the North and South,
and between the Atlantic ocean and Delaware
river, on the East and West, is entirely of oceanic
or tertiary formation. The surface is composed
chiefly of sand, occasionally of gravel, and very
seldom of clay; not unfrequently of all three mixed.
This circumstance, in connexion with a know-
ledge of the nature of the substance improperly
termed Marl, will explain the vague and contra-
dictory opinions of the farmers, respecting the
EXTINCT SPECIES OF CROCODILE. 17
manuring qualities of this earth; some of whom
informed me, they considered a load of this Marl
equal to a load of dung. Others thought, that al-
though the Marl enriched the land, and made it
more productive the first year, it subsequently
produced an impoverishing effect on the soil.
Others again declared, that though they had fre-
quently made the experiment, they always found
the Marl absolutely injurious.
The fact is, that this earth, which was formerly
very extensively used as manure, possesses no
more claim to the title of Marl, than any other
earth in which fossil testacie abound; generally
speaking, it is little more than a ferruginous clay.
Quantities of pyrites are also found to exist, al-
most universally ; sometimes constituting the casts
of shells, at others filling the cavities of bones ;
and to the prevalence of which may be attributed
the imperfect state in which the organic remains
are generally discovered, and the very great ra-
pidity with which they decay on exposure to the
atmosphere, unless they are varnished, or other
means are used to prevent the access of the air.
- It is, further, to the prevalence of pyrites we
must refer the injurious effects of the “ Marl,?
when spread too thick upon the soil; when, on
the other hand, if mixed sparingly with new soil,
it destroys or reduces to earth the fibrous matter,
and thus proves highly beneficial as a manure.
- Should the soil be composed almost entirely of
VOL. IV.—JULY, 1824. 3
18 EXTINCT SPECIES OF CROCODILE.
loose sand, (as it frequently is) the clay, which is
a principal constituent of some of the “ Marl-
pits,” will give consistency to the soil, and enable
the vegetables to take root; in which sense it may
be said to act as a manure; but even in this case
it is probably not so beneficial as would be an
equal quantity of Pennsylvania clay, without the
iron earth, which always occurs with the Jersey
clay. But should there happen more pyrites than
usual, or should the soil be naturally argillaceous,
then must the “Marl” prove destructive to vege-
tation, and disappoint the agriculturist.
Not unfrequently whole strata or beds of this
Marl will occur without a single fossil, of a loose
friable structure and moist nature, more or less
granulated, and of various colours, but most com-
monly of a dark slate-black or greenish colour;
this is the most fertilizing, and has been by some
supposed to consist chiefly of decomposed organic
remains—but how erroneous is this opinion, wil}
be clearly comprehended by the very accurate
analysis of this earth, furnished some years ago
by Mr. Henry Seybert of this city. (Vid. Cleave-
land’s Min. and Geol. 2d ed.)
Silex, 2 2 - - ‘49.83
Alumine, ” - - - 6.00.
Magnesia, - - + 1.83
Potash, = : - - "40.18" "
Water, - - : 9.80
Protoxide of Iron, - - - 21.53.
Loss, 69
EXTINCT SPECIES OF CROCODILE. 19
This specimen of “green earth” or the supposed
Marl, was from Rancocus creek; the quantities
of its constituent parts no doubt vary with the lo-
cality. It constitutes, in almost every instance,
the matrix of the fossil reliquie, of which the
Terebratula and Ostrea occur in the greatest pro-
fusion, sometimes commingled, at others in nearly
distinct beds, as at Mullica hills and Blackwood
- town mills. At the county poor house we exa-
mined a creek, at the bottom of which were beds
of fossil ostree, and a few rolled specimens of
Favosite and Fistularia, together with broken
Belemnites ; occasionally we observed some of
the beds composed of Ostrex, Belemnites, 'Tere-
bratula, &c. heaped together in every direction
and position, conglomerated together by the green
earth above-mentioned, and quartz pebbles, scarce-
ly any of the remains preserved entire.
Besides the fossil reliquiz above named, we may
further add Ammonites, Rostellaria, Turbinolia,
Area, Pyrula, Pecten, Donax, together with the
- bones or teeth of sharks, crocodiles, turtles, and a
very remarkable tooth belonging to some unknown
‘Iehthyosaurian reptile: lignite, amber, &c.—also,
the vertebre of two or more species of the genus
Cetacea—also, Phytolithites, roots of trees, en-
crusted with pyrites, &c.
This very extensive formation, of which we are
now treating, lines the coast for several hundreds
ef miles, commencing at the northern extremity
20 EXTINCT SPECIES OF CROCODILE.
of Long Island, and extending as far as the Gulf
of Mexico; and borders immediately the primi-
tive rocks. Having, as yet, been examined but
at a few points, this oceanic deposition is imper-
fectly known; we shall have occasion shortly to
treat further of some of the fossils discovered im
the same depositions from Maryland, concerning
which, some very interesting geological obserya-
tions have been published in the 3d vol. of Silli-
man’s Journal, by Dr. G. Troost. (Vide art. 3d,
description of a variety of amber, &.)
I shall now treat more particularly of the fossil
bones brought from Jersey; and first, of a new
extinct species of Crocodile, the dental bone of
which was, some time past, found three miles from
“White Hill,’ and presented to the Academy by
Mr. Samuel Wetherill of Burlington, tle J..a cor-
responding member.
The fossil, under canaidunedions is the dental
bone of the right side, in a tolerable state of pre-
servation, perfectly fossilized or impregnated with
iron, containing the sockets for eleven teeth, in a
space of twelve inches; three of the teeth only
remain perfect, a portion of the bone is lost pos-
teriorly and interiorly ; consequently, the total
number of teeth cannot be ascertained with per-
fect accuracy ; though, from the great size of the
inferior maxillary foramen immediately behind
the last remaining tooth, there could not have
existed more than one or two more at most. A
EXTINCT SPECIES OF CROCODILE. 2t
portion of the angular bone was fortunately pre-
served, which will enable us to determine the form
of the angle, and thus to reconstruct, with sufficient
accuracy, the whole of the lower jaw.
The most striking peculiarity of this remnant
is its great thickness in proportion to its length,
compared with the same part in other crocodiles ;
with which circumstance the structure and ap-
pearance of the teeth perfectly correspond ; being
exceedingly short, thick and blunt, except the very
young tooth, which is sharper and more conical.
In the Crocoptiws aeutus, a portion of the dental
bone, eight inches in length, contains ten teeth ;
the same measurement taken from the Crocopitus
lucius, thirteen and a half feet long, affords space
for thirteen teeth. In our fossil, on the contrary,
there is only space allowed for seven teeth; in
every instance commencing from the fourth tooth,
and enumerating backwards.
In the C. acutus, the dental bone, immediately
behind the fourth tooth, is one inch, four-tenths,
in breadth. In the C. lucius, one inch, seven-
tenths. In the fossil, two inches, feur-tenths.
Depth of the same portion of bone, in the C. aeu-
tus, is one inch, two-tenths; in the C. lucius, two
inches; in the fossil, two inches, five-tenths. By
this measurement, the fossil bone is shown to be
nearly cylindrical.
The teeth of the fossil, though very short and
thick, are not much worn—the largest tooth of the
22 EXTINCT SPECIES OF CROCODILE:
lower jaw, in the C. lucius, thirteen feet long, is
twenty-four tenths in circumference; the largest
of the fossil teeth is thirty-three tenths. Of one
of the loose fossil teeth, the length is two inches;
diameter one inch; whilst the portion which pro-
jected above the bone, is only half an inch long.
The caliber of the tooth at its base is half an inch
in diameter. The bodies of the teeth are separa-
ted by a plate of bone only four or five-tenths in
thickness.
‘The anterior or alveolar portion of the lower
jaw, in all the Crocodiles excepting Cuvier’s sub-
genus C. gangeticus, presents a series of vertical
curvatures; there are three in number in the fos-
sil, in which respect it resembles the recent Cro-
codiles and Alligators ; but which will alone sepa-
rate it from the Gavials as well as all the fossil
specimens hitherto discovered, which most nearly
resemble the Gavials; in all of which this portion
of the jaw is straight; but the present species is
still further separated from all the sub-genera of
Cuvier, by the greater relative thickness and less
length of the dental bone, as well as in the pecu-
liarities of the teeth above-mentioned. The space
between the fourth tooth and greatest elevation
of the dental bone, in the fossil (a. b.) contains five
teeth; in the C. lucius, nine; in the C. acutus, six.
The distance from the fourth tooth, (which is
very large proportionably) to the anterior margin
of the symphysis in the fossil, is four inches, two-
EXTINCT SPECIES OF CROCODILE. 238
tenths; in the ©. lucius, two inches, seven-tenths ;
in the acutus, two inches, six-tenths. ‘The sym-
physis of the lower jaw extends posteriorly to the
fourth tooth in the C. acutus ; it terminates two
inches anteriorly in the fossil; its termination is
nearly opposite the fourth tooth in the C. luezus.
Directly posterior to the fourth tooth, there exists
a considerable curvature inwards, in the fossil ;
directly the reverse is the case in the C. lueius ;
but a similar curvature exists in a very slight de-
gree in the C. acutus.
The foramina for the transmission of nerves
and blood-vessels are unusually large and nume-
rous in the fossil. By referring to the figures,
other differences will be noticed equally remark-
able, though not so readily expressed; all of which,
taken collectively, constitute, in my opinion, cha-
racters sufficient to require for this animal the
establishment of a new subgenus.
I am not, as yet, prepared to answer positively
to the question, did this animal exist in salt or
fresh water? As far as my information extends,
no fossil Crocodile has hitherto been discovered
in salt water formation. The pretended Croco-
diles, said to have been found with fish in the pyri-
tose schistus of Thuringia, are evidently Monitors,
as has been demonstrated by Cuvier. However,
the form of the teeth, great thickness, and strength
of the jaws, in the present instance, would qualify
24 EXTINCT SPECIES OF CROCODILE.
this species to crush shell-fish, &c. and defend it-
self against powerful enemies.
Numerous vertebre of Crocodiles have been
found in the same locality, none of which, how-
ever, are large enough to have belonged to this
individual, but very different from any I have been
able to compare them with; though very much
broken, yet this difference is readily recognized
by a very peculiar compression of the lateral and
inferior portion of the bodies; as might be antici-
pated, the vertebra, already discovered, denote a
variety of species.
PLATE I.
’ Fig. 1. Lateral view of the fossil bone.
2. Anterior view of the same.
3, 4, 5. Different views of a fossil vertebra.
6, 7. Two views of a vertebra from another part
of the column.
8. Fossil tooth of natural size.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE, &c. 25
Observations on the Nomenclature of Wausoy’s
Ornirnotocy. By Cuartes Bonaparte. Read
March 23, 1824.
[conTINVED FROM VoL. 11. P. 371,]
SITTA.
Of this very natural genus Wilson describes
thiee species, all peculiar to America.
59. S. carolinensis. Vol. i. p. 40. Wilson was
- correct in considering this bird distinct from the
European species, as Brisson and Latham had al-
ready done, although many authors believed it to
be a mere variety.
SYNONYMES,
~ S, europea, 6 carolinensis, Linn. GmEt,
S. carolinensis, Briss. Lata.
S. jaimaicensis? Linn. Gut. Lata.
Vieillot has called it Srrra melanocephala, but
this name, though very appropriate, must be re-
jected, as he had no right to change that of Latham.
60. S. varia. Vol.i.p.43. I think Wilson did
well to adopt the name given by Bartram, as it is
doubtful to what species or variety of any other
author this bird can be referred. The species is
now well fixed by our author, and his name will,
no doubt, be exclusively adopted.
SYNONYME-
S. jaimaicensis, var. minor? Guet. Lata.
VOL. Iv.—JuLy, 1824. 4
26 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
Wilson is probably right in considering, as a
young bird of this species, the Srrra canadensis
of Linn. Gmel. Lath. (Le Torchepot du Canada,
Buff. pl. enl. 622, f. 2.)
I should have restored the name of canadensis,
if the correctness of the synonyme was not doubt-
ful.
Although Vieillot quotes. Wilson’s work, yet
he has taken the liberty of appropriating the spe-
cies to himself, calling it S. stulta, a name which
seems to be founded upon a ridiculous assertion,
which Wilson rejected with contempt, from the
character of the following species, that the bird is
so stupid as to be “easily knocked down from the
sides of the tree with one’s cane.”
61. S. pusilla. Vol, ii. p. 105. Gmelin was in
error in considering this bird a variety of the Srr-
ta europea. Wilson very properly adopted La-
tham’s name, who placed it as a distinct species.
SYNONYMES.
S. pusilla, Lats.
S. europea, # carolinensis minor, GMEL,
ALCEDO.
Of their numerous and well characterized genus,
only one species has been found in the United
States.
62. A. aleyon. Vol. iii. p.59. One of the largest
of the genus, and peculiar to America.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 27
SYNONYMES.
A. alcyon, Linn. Guev. Lara.
Martin-pécheur hupé de la Louisiane, Burr. pl. enl. 715,
(female.)
Martin-pécheur hupé de St. Domingue, Burr. pl. enl. 593.
CERTHIA.
Though ‘four species are described by our au-
thor, only one of them properly belongs to this
‘genus, which has been, with great propriety, very
much restricted by modern authors. The three
objectionable species, however, were never pre-
‘viously referred to Cerra; Linne placed them
under Morac, and Latham under Sytvia.
63. C. familiaris. Vol. i. p. 122. As our au-
thor supposed, this little bird is the same in both
continents, but is much less frequent on this side
of the Atlantic. It is the only true Cerruia hither-
to known to inhabit the United States.
SYNONYMES.
C. familiaris, Livy. Guev. Lara. Tem. Vier. (refer-
ring to Le Grimpereau, Ois. dorés, vol. ii. p. 107, pl. 72.)
Le Grimpereau, Burr. pl. enl. 681, f. 1.
' 64. C. maculata. Vol. iii. p. 23. Certainly not
-a Cerrnia asthe genus is now defined. But al-
though Linne arranged it with his Moracixa, and
Latham with his Syivia, I am not surprised that
Wilson placed it in Cerrmia, as it approximates
closely to that genus as formerly characterized :
28 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
one of Wilson’s reasons for this arrangement was
drawn from the habit of creeping, for which this
bird is remarkable ; but the same character might
have led him to arrange the Pine Creeper here
also, which he places with the Syrvia according
to Latham, although Linne considered it a Cer-
ras. Vieillot, in his Ois. de ’Amer. Sept. calls
our bird Crrrnia varia, but he has subsequently
made for it alone, his new genus Myiormra. In
my opinion, however, this genus cannot be adopt-
ed, but the species must be called Sytvia varia,
agreeably to Latham. I do not know why our
author chose Bartram’s specific name in prefer-
ence to that of Linne.
SYNONYMES.
Moractira varia, Linn. Gut.
Syzvia varia, Lara.
Certara varia, Viriit. (quoting Le Grimpereau varié Oi.
dorés, vol. iis ps 111, pl. 74.)
Vieillot subsequently called it Murormra varia.
65. C. caroliniana. V4). ii. p. 61. Wilson was
very wrong, in my opinion, in arranging this and
the following species with the Cerrma: They
are certainly true wrens, and, on this occasion, his
vulgar is more correet than his scientific appella-
tion. Bartram was correct in placing them with
the wrens. Without hesitation, I take this oppor-
tunity of expressing my opinion on the adoption
of a separate genus for the true wrens, under the
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY: 29
name of Troctopytes, as I think these birds have
sufficient character, in form and habits, to entitle
them to that distinction. The genus, as I adopt
it, corresponds to the sixth section of Temminck’s
Syzvia, and to the genus Trocxopyres of Vieillot,
as he formerly established it, including his two
more recent genera Trociopyres and ‘TuryotHo-
rus, and may be divided into two subgenera, cor-
responding with those genera. This bird, which
was incorrectly indicated by Gmelin, as a variety
of the European wren, together with the following
species, and a few others, will form the second
subgenus, which is peculiar to America. Reeur-
ring to the bird under consideration, I propose it
should be called Trociopyres ludovicianus, which
is the original specific name; Bartram’s name of
caroliniana being not in any respect preferable.
SYNONYMES.~
Moracttta troglodytes, var. y GMEL.
Syxvia ludoviciana, sp. 150, Larus
Roitelet de la Louisiane, Burr. pl. enl. 730, f. 1.
Trociopytes arundinaceus, Vinitt. pl. 108.
The historic description, which this latter au-
thor has given, evidently belongs to the follow-
ing species ; he subsequently perceived his error,
and transferred the specific name to that species,
placing them both in his new genus Tuyrornorvs,
and distinguished the present bird by the specific
30 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
name of littoralis, which, of course, must not be
adopted.
66. C. palustris. Vol. ii. p. 58. Agreeably to
the preceding observations, I propose for this spe-
cies the name of Troctopyres palustris, Wilson’s
specific name having the priority over that of
Vieillot, and being also more appropriate. Wil-
‘son’s quotation of Latham, under this species,
must be transferred to the’ preceding.
Vieillot, in his American Ornithology, inadver-
tently described the manners and habits of this
bird, when speaking of his figure of the preceding
‘species ; but subsequently, informed probably by
Wilson’s work, he discovered his error, and named
this bird Turyornorus arundineus. But he had
no right to change Bartram and Wilson’s name,
which is certainly preferable.
TROCHILUS.
Although this numerous genus is peculiar to
America, yet only two species are known to visit
the United States, and that in summer alone. It
is very naturally divided into two subgenera, viz.
-Trochilus and Polytmus, considered as genera by
some authors. ‘
The only species, described by Wilson, belongs
to the first subgenus. ‘
67. 'T. colubris. Vol. ii. p. 26. Remarkably
well described by our author, and is the only spe-
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 31
cies that visits the eastern region of the United
States.
SYNONYMES,
T. colubris, Linn. Gut. Lara. Viet.
T. colubris, 8 tomineo, Linn. Guet. (young female.)
T. amethystinus ? Linn. Guev. Lata.
L’Oiseau mouche rubis, View. referring to Qis. dorés,
20l. i. p. 66, pl. 31, (male) pl. 32, (female) pl. 33, (young.)
STURNUS.
The only bird described under this genus by
our author, never belonged to it; it was a Linnean
Ontoxvs, and is now an Icrerus.
SYNONYMES.
Emperiza americana, Guew. Lata.
Frieza flavicollis, Guzen. Lau.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 47
Bartram called it Cavanpra pratensis.
Vieillot, Passerina nigricollis.
86. E. erythrophthalma. Vol. ii. p. 35. This
species is also peculiar to America, and is certain-
ly not an Emseriza. Perhaps no bird has been
more variously arranged than the present. Linne
and Brisson placed it in Frivexa. Gmelin, La-
tham, and after them, Wilson, incorrectly referred
it to Emseriza, and Vieillot, who in his large work
figures the bill of this bird as that of a Horruta-
nus, (which appellation he afterwards changed to
that of Passerina) finally formed for this species
alone his new genus Pirro. In my opinion this
latter genus must be rejected, and the species,
which seems to me to have some analogy with F.
eardinalis, must be referred to the subgenus Coc-
cothraustes, under the name of Frineitta ery-
throphthalma, agreeably to Linne.
SYNONYMES.
Frineiiza erythrophthalma, Linn.
Emperiza erythrophthalma, Get. Latu.
Brisson called it Frineiiia carolinensis, and Vieillot, pro-
bably for the sake of changing, Pirito ater.
87. E. oryzivora. Vol. ii. p. 48. This bird,
which replaces here the E. hortulanus of Europe,
is peculiar to America, but is certainly not an Em-
seriza. Wilson, on this occasion, has followed
Linne, Gmelin, and Latham without examination.
Vieillot refers this bird to Pacsertwa, and Cuvier
48 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
and Temminck to Frinciza. By examining the
form of the bill, nares, feet, respective length of
the remiges, and some of the habits, I am con-
vinced that this bird is so closely allied to the fol-
lowing, that we cannot separate them generically;
and since the following species has been so hap-
pily arranged under Icrerus by Temminck, this
species must also be placed under the same genus,
in which, its specific name being pre-occupied, I
propose for it the name of I. agripennis, thus
translating one of its vulgar names, in order to
add as little as possible to the confusion of sy-
nonymy. The same specific name must also, be.
adopted by those who prefer retaining it in the
genus Frincitxa, the name F, oryxivora being al-
ready adopted for the Loxia oryzivora of aia
Wilson’s account of this bird is admirable, _
SYNONYMES.
Emseriza oryzivora, Linn. Guew. Latu.
Ortolan de la Caroline, Burr. pl. enl. 388, fig. 1, (adutt
male in spring.)
Ortolan de la Louisiane, Burr. pl. enl. 388, fiz. 2, (dat
male, moulting ; a bad figure.)
Brisson cables it Hortuanus carolinensis, and Viflos
PassERINA oryzivora.
”,
89. E. pecoris. Vol. ii. p. 145. This also Hy not
an Emeeriza, and is peculiar to this continent.
Gmelin and Latham considered it a Fruvema, and
Wilson placed it in the present genus, probably
only from its resemblance to some of the other
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 49
species improperly placed here. ‘The two former
authors made also several nominal species of it,
and placed them in Ortotus and Srurnus. Daudin
called it Icrerus emberizoides, and was followed
by Vieillot, who represents the bill in the first vo-
lume of his large work; but this writer subsequent-
ly referred it to his genus Passeriva. 'Temminck
considers it an Icrerus of the subgenus Emberizoi-
des. This bird is certainly congeneric with the
preceding; its bill, feet, nares and wings not differ-
ing at all in form: some of the habits, however,
are very dissimilar; but if these ought to be our
guide in classification, a distinct genus would be
assigned to this singular parasitic bird. In my
opinion this species is very well placed in Icrerus;
and must be called Icrerus pecoris; and, by those
who will not follow this course, Frineiia pecoris,
agreeably to Gmelin and Latham. Nothing of the
interesting history of this bird was known anterior
to the appearance of Wilson’s work.
SYNONYMES.
Friveitxa pecoris, Gurr. Laru. (female and young.)
Orrowus fuscus, Get. (adult male.)
Ortonus minor, Gmet. (species No, 46,) Laru. (adult male.)
Srurnus obscurus, Gaet. (adult male.)
Srurnus junceti, Laru. (adult male.)
Troupiale de la Caroline, Burr. pl. enl. 606, fig. 1, (adult
male. This figure is, no doubt, intended for this bird, al-
though the bill is incorrect.)
- Brisson calls it Friveitxa virginiana. Vieillot, Passerina
pecoris.
VOL. Iv.—aucusT, 1824, 7
50 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
89. * E. nivalis. Vol. iii. p. 36. Common to
the northern parts of both continents. As this
bird is subject to great changes in the colour of
its plumage, it has given rise toa multiplication
of nominal species.
SYNONYMES,
Emerriza nivalis, Livy. Guen. Lara. Teun.
E. montana, Gut. Larn. (young.)
E. mustelina, Get (young.)
E. glacialis, Lats. (young.)
Ortolan de neige, Burr. pl. enl. 497, f. 1, (adult male.) __
Ortolan de passage, Burr. pl. enl. 511, f. 2, (young female.)
Brisson called this bird Horrunanus nivalis:
Vieillot called it Passerina nivalis ; but I cannot
judge of his correctness, as I have not had an op-
portunity of ascertaining whether it has the knob;
the external form of the bill, however, is so much
that of a true Emseriza, that it cannot well be sepa-
rated. Meyer made of this and another species
his genus Piecrroruanes, which I think ni) to
adopt as a subgenus under Emperiza.
90. E. ciris. Vol. iii p- 68. This beautiful
species, peculiar to America, is an inhabitant of
the southern states. It is evidently a Frivema,
and must, therefore, be called F. ciris, agreeably |
to Cuvier and Temminck. I am at a loss to know
why authors have arranged it under Emperiza.
This bird and the one that Wilson so accurately
called F’. cyanea, belong not only to the same ge-
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 9
nus, but are very closely allied, and may be placed
under the subgenus Spiza, if they will not consti-
tute a small one of themselves.
SYNONYMES.
Emeeriza ciris, Linn. Gamer. Lata.
Tangaras de Cayenne, 1. la femelle, 2. le mile appelé le
Pape, Burr. pl. enl. 159, (male and female, the latter bad.)
Brisson calls it Canoris ludoviciana, (vulgo Papa dicta)
and correctly placed it in his genus Passer, (corresponding
to Frineri1a.)
Vieillot calls it Passeria ciris. Bartram, that
good observer of nature, was correct in consider-
ing it a Finch; and it is very extraordinary that
Wilson, who adopted his name for the E. cyanea,
did not do it also for the present species, as they
are so similar in form and habits.
91. E. leucophrys. Vol. iv. p. 49. This bird is
peculiar to the northern parts of this continent,
and is rare in the United States. I do not know
why Wilson in his catalogue changed the name to
that of leucocephala. - It must now be called Friy-
citta leucophrys, agreeably to Temminck. It be-
longs to the subgenus Spiza.
SYNONYMESe
_ Empeniza leucophrys, Guex. Latu.
Vieillot calls it Passerina leucophrys.
92. E. graminea. Vol. iv. p. 51. This bird is
also peculiar to this country. Wilson supposed
it to be new, and Vieillot adopts the same name
52. OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
without acknowledging his author. Both of these
authors express a doubt whether it is not the
Frineuza graminea of Gmelin and Latham. I
have no doubt of the identity of these two species.
Vieillot says it may be the same bird; but in that
case authors were wrong in placing it with the
Frivcuxez. In this remark he was himself in error,
since the bird is a true Frincixa, without a single
character of Emsrriza; and must be called Friv-
GILLA graminea, as formerly named by Gmelin and
Latham.
SYNONYMEs
Frineiiia graminea, Gauci. Lata.
I do not know how Vieillot could arrange this
bird in his restricted genus Emperiza, as he was,
on other occasions, very particular in his reference
of species to that genus, he ought, at least, on his
own principles, to have placed it with his Passr-
RINA. :
TANAGRA.
‘This genus, which is peculiar to America, has
been very much restricted by some ornithologists.
Vieillot divided it into seven or eight genera, but
with Temminck I consider it as a whole, consist-
ing of six subgenera, corresponding to his sections,
The three species described by Wilson belong to
the genus Pyranea of Vieillot, which I shall adopt
as a subgenus of Tanacra.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 53
93. T. rubra. Vol. ii. p. 42. This handsome
bird, so remarkable for its different states of plu-
mage according to age and sex, has been de-
scribed by European writers under at least two
different names.
SYNONYMES,
T. rubra, Linn. Guet. Lara. (adult male in full plumage.)
Loxia mewicana, sp. 7, Linn. Gaz. sp. 18, Lar. (adult
male in full plumage.)
Tanaera olivacea ? Gut. Lara. (female in all states, and
male young or in winter dress.)
Tangara du Canada, Burr. pl. enl. 156, f. 1, (male in per-
fect plumage.)
Vicillot calls it Pynanea erythromelas, Brisson, Carpinaxis
Canadensis (Tanagra.)
94. 'T. estiva. Vol.i.p.95. At least four nomi-
nal species, as our author correctly observes, have
been made of this migratory bird, owing to its re-
markable changes of plumage.
SYNONYMES.
Muscicapa rubra, Linn.
Tanacra estiva, Guex. Lats.
Tanacra mississippensis, Gurr. Laru. (adult male in sum-
mer dress.)
Tanaona variegata, Latu. (male changing.)
Loxia virginica, Guex. (male changing.)
Tangara du Mississippi, Burr. pl. enl. 741, (adult male in
summer dress.)
Vieillot calls it Pyranea estiva. Brisson, Musctcara
enrolinensis rubra, and his Carpinanis mezicanus (Tanagra)
54 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
is probably no other. Klein calls this bird Fainemta
rubra.
95. 'T. ludoviciana. Vol. iii. p. 27. Of this new
bird, found by Lewis and Clarke in the western
region, hardly any thing is known. Vieillot calls
it Pyranca erythropis, thus attempting to appro-
priate to himself Wilson’s species, whose name
must, however, be retained.
FRINGILLA.
Instead. of having been restricted like other
genera, this genus has been enlarged by the best
modern writers, who have placed in it all the Lin-
nean Loxix, excepting only the cross-bills, together
with the greater part of the Emperiza, and also a
few species of supposed Tanacra.
In this arrangement, Illiger, Meyer, Cuvier, and
others have agreed; the latter author, however,
has made a distinct genus under the name of Co-
rytuus fora bird which he ought to have included
in his subgenus Pyrrhula. 'Temminck separates,
from the genus thus constituted, the subgenera
Ploceus and Pyrrhula of Cuvier, the latter of
which subgenera had previously been considered
as a genus by Brisson; and on this occasion, as
well as in many other instances, we are proud to
agree with the ornithological oracle of our age. _
Vieillot, besides the Pyrrnuxa, separated also
from Frincua, Ist, the Coccoruraustes of Brisson,
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 55
(Loxia of Linne) which, by his own confession,
however, would be better arranged with Frivem-
ua; 2d, Linarta, formed for F. linaria, Linn. alone,
but without sufficient characters even for a subge-
nus; 3d, Passrrmva, more natural than the others,
and with the exception of some of the species,
ought, in my opinion, to be adopted as a subgenus,
under a different name ; it will principally include
those species placed by Linne, Latham, and Wil-
son, under Emperiza, which being destitute of the
hard knob, but principally having the upper man-
dible wider than the lower, cannot be permitted
to remain in it; 4th, Premo, of which he ought, in
my opinion, to have placed the only species, at
least, in his genus Passerina.
In forming subdivisions of this very numerous
genus, I shall not follow Cuvier, who makes eight
subgenera, two of which, viz. Ploceus and Pyrrhu-
la, with Temminck I consider as genera. Nor
shall I adopt for these subdivisions the genera of
Vieillot ; but, taking the three subdivisions’ of
Temminck, I shall consider his Laticones as a sub-
genus, under the name of Coccothraustes, agree-
ably to Cuvier; his Brevicones as a subgenus also,
under the name of Fringilla, corresponding to
Cuvier’s three subgenera Fringilla, Pyrgita, and
Vidua, the two latter having no stable characters ;
and his Longicones as a third subgenus, under the
name of Carduelis, corresponding to Brisson’s
genus, and Cuvier’s subgenus of that name. To:
56 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
these subgenera I will add a fourth, under the
name of Spiza, corresponding, with some excep-
tions, to Vieillot’s genus Passrriva, including such
species as have the edges of the lower mandible
inflected. The species, however, of the latter
subgenus, may be dispersed, by those who think
proper, in the other subgenera, according to the
thickness of their bills. ‘
96. F. tristis. . Vol. i. p. 20. This pretty bird
belongs to the subgenus Carduelis, and has the
same song and habits as the F. carduelis of Eu-
rope, which species it replaces here. It has been
considered a distinct bird when in its winter dress,
and improperly quoted as a variety of the F. spi-
nus of Europe.
SYNONYMES.
F. iristis, Linn. Guew. Lara.
F. spinus, var. y Get. (male in winter plumage.)
Le Chardonneret du Canada, Burr. pl. enl. 202, fig. 2,
(adult male in full plumage.)
Tarin de la Nouvelle Yorck, Burr. pl. enl. 292, fig. 1,
(male changing) jig. 2, (male in winter dress, erroneously
given as a female.)
Vieillot calls it F. tristis, and Brisson, Canpugnis ameri-
cand.
97. F. purpurea. Vol. i. p. 119, (the figure is
that of an adult male in full plumage.) Vol. v. p.
87, (the figure is that ofa male in winter plumage.)
Wilson described this bird with his usual aceura-
cy, and under its proper name, but was incorrect
—V Se ee
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 57
in asserting that the F. rosea of Pallas, and the
Loxta erythrina of Gmelin (crimson-headed Finch
of Latham) were one and the same with his bird.
They are, in fact, two very distinct species, be-
longing to the genus Pyrrnuta. The former is
peculiar to Siberia, from which country it some-
times strays into the eastern parts of Europe, as
far as Hungary, and the latter is common to the
north of both continents, and will be represented
in the first volume of my continuation of Wilson’s
Ornithology; while the present bird is a true Friv-
eta, forming one of the links between the sub-
genera Coccothraustes and Fringilla, and is pecu-
liar to this continent.
SYNONYMES.
F. purpurea, Guet. Lata.
Brisson called it Pyrruvuta carolinensis violacea. Vieillot
probably confounded this species with the P. erythrina,
otherwise he would not have arranged it with the Pyranu-
LA; since, in his Oiseaux chanteurs, he gave the same bird as
a new species from India, under the name of Loxia rosea,
which he afterwards changed to that of Coccoruraustes
rosea.
98. F. pusilla. Vol. ii. p. 121. This is the spe-
cies, peculiar to America, which comes nearest to
Emeeriza; so much so that I at first thought to
range it under that genus. The specific name
pusilla being pre-occupied in the latter genus, I
was disposed to call it E. locustella, a name taken
from its voice, which is similar to _ chirpings of
VOL. Iv.—aveusT, 1824.
58 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
acricket. But its great resemblance to the other
sparrows of Wilson led me to leave it in the genus
Frinema, forming the link between Emszriza and
my subgenus of Frincitia, Spiza.
SYNONYMES.
Bartram called it Passer agrestis. Vieillot, Passenmva
pusilla, but he certainly did not examine the bird closely,
otherwise, agreeably to his principles of classification, he
would have placed it in Empeniza, as it has the hard knob
of the upper mandible. It is possible that Gmelin and La-
tham had this bird in view (confounding it with another)
when describing their E. cinerea. As to the E. pratensis of
Vieillot, 1 am at a loss to say what it is.
99. F. arborea. Vol. ii. p. 123. The name of
Canadensis, adopted by Latham, must be restored
to this species, as originally given by Brisson. It
is peculiar to America, and belongs to the subge-
nus Spiza, or, perhaps, to that of Fringilla.
SYNONYMES.
Frineitia monticola, Gui.
Frainerixa canadensis, Latu.
Frineitxia hyemalis ? Guev. Lata.
Moineau du Canada, Burr. pl. enl. 223, f 2, (a very bad
representation.)
Brisson called it Passrr canadensis. Vieillot, Passzrina
monticola. Wilson has thus given a new name to a bird that
was already superabundantly provided.
100. F. melodia. Vol. ii. p. 125. This bird is
peculiar to this continent, and belongs to the sub-
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 59
genus Spiza; it has the rudiment of the knob,
which character would make it approximate to
Empeniza, were it not for the width of the upper
mandible. Although Wilson’s specific name is
grammatically incorrect, yet it must be retained,
as we have no right, in my opinion, to change any
specific name whatever. Vieillot ranged this bird
under Passrrina, and changed Wilson’s name to
that of musica, which, in good Latin, signifies what
Wilson intended; but, notwithstanding this, as I
have before observed, Wilson’s name must be re-
tained.
SYNONYME.
Frineitxa fasciata? Guev. Lata.
If this synonyme was not doubtful, and if it
would not be necessary to change the specific ap-
pellation of a pretty African species, the Loxia
fasciata of Gmelin and Latham, I should have re-
stored to this species that name, in order to elimi-
nate Wilson’s ungrammatical one.
101. F. socialis, Vol. ii. p. 127. This pretty
and familiar little species is also peculiar to Ame-
rica, and was first made known by Bartram, who
called it Passer domesticus, a name which is pre-
occupied in this genus. Vieillot calls it Passerina
socialis, retaining Wilson’s very appropriate spe-
cific name. This species belongs to the subgenus
Passerina, and has a slight rudiment of the knob.
102. * F. nivalis. Vol. ii. p. 129. This name
60. OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
is correct; the species is common to both conti-
nents, but is as rare and limited in its range in
Europe, as it is common and widely extended in
North America. The name of hudsonia, which
Wilson substitutes in his catalogue, and which has
consequently been adopted in the reprint of 1824,
is only an additional name for the same species.
SYNONYMES.
Frinertxa nivalis, Linn. Guest. Laru. Temm.
Emperiza hyemalis, Linn. Guev. Lata.
Frineriia hyemalis, Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, (N. B.not of
Gmel. and Lath. which is an incomplete state of the F. ar-
borea of Wilson.)
Frineitia hudsonia, GMEL.
FRinii1a nortoniensis ? Gut. Lata. (young.)
This bird belongs to the subgenus Frinema,
though Vieillot calls'it Passerina hyemalis. Bar-
tram gave it the name of Passer nivalis. Brisson,
who was so correct in considering as varieties of
E. nivalis those in different states of plumage, that
other authors regarded as species, erred in the
opposite extreme in making of this bird also a va-
riety of the Emseniza nivalis, calling it Horruxanus.
nivalis niger.
103. F. pinus. Vol. ii. p. 133. This species,
which Wilson first described, named, and. figured,
is peculiar to this continent. Our author’s name.
must, therefore, be retained. The species belongs
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 6h
to the subgenus Carduelis, and is allied to the F.
spinus of Europe.
104. F. albicollis. Vol. iii. p. 51. This hand-
some species is peculiar to America; it belongs to
the subgenus Fringilla, and has been considered
as such by Vieillot himself. It has been described
by European authors under different names, of
which that of albicollis, though more appropriate,
must be rejected, and that of pensylvanica of
Brisson, having the priority, must be adopted,
agreeably to Latham.
SYNONYMES.
Frinerita pensylvanica, Lata.
Frinettta albicollis, Gur.
Frinaitza striata, Guex. Lara. (young.)
Brisson first named it Passer pensylvanicus. Bartram
called it F. fusca.
105. F. palustris. Vol. iii. p. 49. Peculiar to
North America, and first noticed by Bartram, who
called it Passer palustris. It belongs to the sub-
genus Spiza, approaching by the slender form of.
the bill to the subgenus Carduelis. Vieillot calls
it Passprina palustris.
WV. B. The bill, in Wilson’s figure is very incor-
rect, being much more robust than in nature.
106. F. maritima. Vol. iv. p. 68. Anew spe-
cies.of Wilson peculiar to America, where it is
confined to the seashores. Vieillot calls it Passr-
Rina maritima, but I cannot say with what reason.
62 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
107. F. caudacuta. Vol. iv. p.'70. Wilson be-
lieved this bird to be new; but it is no other than
the Ortotus caudacutus of Gmelin and Latham.
This fortunate coincidence in the name is owing
to a suspicion our author entertained of the iden-
tity of his bird and the F. caudacuta of Latham.
But. as they are, in reality, two different species,
our author’s specific name ought to be changed,
were it not for another fortunate circumstance,
which is, that Latham’s F. caudacuta is probably
a nominal species. It is, therefore, to be hoped,
that Wilson’s name can be permitted to remain.
This bird is very closely allied to the preceding,
with which it may constitute a small distinct sub-
genus.
SYNONYME.
Ortotus caudacutus, Gue., Lata.
For this synonyme I am indebted to Mr. Ord,
who has recently inserted it (sharp tailed Oriole)
in the reprint of 1824. Vieillot gives it the name
of Passeriva caudacuta.
108. F. savanna. Vol. iv. p. 72, (male.) Vol.
iii. p. 55, (female.) This new species of Wilson —
is peculiar to this continent, and belongs to the
subgenus Spiza. Vieillot calls it Passeriva savan-
na. It is to be regretted that our author gave to
this bird a name so similar to that of another spe-
cies, the F’. savannarum, Guet., more especially as
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 63
in the English language the two names are iden-
tical.
109. F. rufa. Vol. iii. p. 53. Wilson adopted
Bartram’s name, but he afterwards corrected him-
self, by calling it F. ferruginea in his catalogue.
It is probably owing to a typographical error that
the species is there marked as new. I agree with
Wilson that the species is both the F. ferruginea
and Emseriza ferruginea of authors; but as other
writers are of the contrary opinion, we must se-
lect, amongst the numerous synonymes of this
species, one the least doubtful, and we shall
find that the name of F’. iliaca, having been given
by Merrem in 1786, must be adopted. It is not
surprising, however, that Wilson should not have
discovered this synonyme, as authors have erro-
neously stated the length to be seven and nine
inches. It has the appearance of being a large
bird, and is, in fact, the largest of the American
species that have been considered as sparrows.
Its size has been stated to be equal to that of the
Starling, and haying only the dried skin, authors
may perhaps have resorted to the measure of that
bird for this. It belongs to the subgenus Fruv-
GILLA.
SYNONYMES.
Faineitta iliaca, Guew. Lara.
Frinatiua ferruginea, Guet. Lata.
Emperiza ferruginea ? Gust. Latu.
64 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
Empeniza cinerea? Guex. Lata. (This is, in my opinion,
a confused description and history of the present species,
and the Frinerta pusilla of Wilson.)
Vieillot, in the Nouveau Dictionnaire d’ Histoire
Naturelle, calls this bird F. iliaca, and gives a very
good description of it, correcting also the error of
its length, which is in reality but six inches. The
Emeeniza pratensis of the same author, in respect
to which he corrects so many errors of other writ-
ers, seems to me to be also no other than the F.
tliaca, and I am led to think that Vieillot did not
speak of it autoptically. Edwards’ figure of the
“little Sparrow” may be intended for this bird,
but, if so, the figure is too small. It is remarkable
that Vieillot has not mentioned the length of his
E. pratensis. But be these conjectures as they
may, the species is well fixed by Wilson’s excel-
lent figure, and the E. pratensis does not, to my
knowledge, exist in nature.
110. * F. linaria. Vol. iv. p. 42, and Vol. ix. p.
126. This pretty bird is common to the north of
both continents, and belongs to the subgenus Car-
duelis. Vieillot makes a genus for it alone, as his
second species is merely a variety of size.
SYNONYMES.
F. linaria, Linn. Guet. Lara. Temm.
F. flavirostris, Linn. Guet. Lara.
Le Cabaret, Burr. pl. enl. 485, fig. 2, (male.)
Wilsen errs in quoting,.as a synonyme, the Planch. enl.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 65
i51, f. 2, which is a fine adult male of the European F.
cannabina.
111. F. passerina. Vol. iii. p. 76. ‘This species,
which Wilson regarded as new, belongs to the
subgenus Spiza, and is one of those which have
the knob strongly marked. A better classifica-
tion of the great genus Frivet.ra is certainly want-
ing, but, in my opinion, the following species of
Wilson, Emseriwza americana, E. leucophrys, Frw-
ata socialis, passerina, melodia, savanna, &c. can
never be separated in any natural arrangement.
SYNONYMES.
Frineiita caudacuta? Laru. (young.)
Frinei.ia savannarum? Gme.. Lara. (very old male.)
If this latter synonyme were not doubtful, the
species ought to be exclusively known by that
name which has the priority, or by that of Brisson,
who calls it Passer jamaicensis. The Passerina
pratensis of Vieillot, though given as a new spe-
cies, is evidently this bird. He is, therefore, cen-
surable for not quoting Wilson, whose work he |
had, doubtless, constantly before him. If the
statement of Vieillot were correct, that the only
difference between Frineitia and Emperiza was in
the hard knob, this species he ought to have ar-
ranged in Emperiza; but the principal difference
is, as I stated above, in the external form of the
bill.
VoL. Iv.—avausT, 1824. 9
66 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE, &Kc.
112. F. cyanea. Vol. i. p. 100. Wilson exhibit-
ed his usual accuracy, by placing this bird in the
genus Frineia, although it had previously been
arranged in Tanacra and Emperiza. It is peculiar
to this continent. Its various changes of plumage
have given rise to the introduction of several no-
minal species,
- SYNONYMES,
Tanacra cyanea, Linn.
Emseriza cyanea, Guex. Lara.
Emperiza cyanella, Guew.
Emperiza cerulea, Gmev. Lara. (male moulting.)
Tanacra cerulea, Gun. Lara.
Moineau bleu de Cayenne, Burr. pl. enl. 203, f. 2, (adult
male in full plumage.)
Vieillot calls it Passeriva cyanea. Brisson, Tancara ca-
rolinensis cerulea, and (in its imperfect state) Emperiza
canadensis cerulea. Bartram, Linania cyanea, having dis-
covered its alliance with Friveia, which probably led
Wilson to call it F. cyanea.
The species is so closely allied to the Emperiza
ciris, that it is impossible to think by what reason
our author, who followed nature in the present
case, followed writers in the other. They are not
only of the same genus, but evidently of the same
subgenus, (Spiza,) and might, perhaps, together,
form a small distinct one. ©
[To BE CONTINUED. |
.
OS HYOIDES OF THE MASTODON. 67
Description of the Os Hyoides of the Mastodon.
By Joun D. Govan, M. D. Lecturer on Anatomy
and Physiology. \
[Reap sone 8, 1824.]
The Os Hyoides is one of the few parts of the
bony system, belonging to this interesting genus,
which has not yet been described.
The specimen, from which this description is
made, consists of the whole of the basis, with the
appendix and cornu of the left side. The appen-
dix and cornu of the right side were either not
found originally, or have been lost since the erec-
tion of the fine skeleton in the Philadelphia Mu-
seum, to which this os hyoides belonged. But as
we have the left side nearly entire, with the whole
of the basis or central anterior portion, there is no
difficulty in forming a sufficiently accurate idea of
the character of this bone.
The figure of the basis bears a considerable re-
semblance to the ordinary shape of the os hyoi-
des in man and other animals at the anterior part,
being curved at the extremities, so that both the
outside and inside of the bone have a semicircular
outline.
The basis or anterior portion is thick, strong,
and convex externally; the whole surface, espe-
cially in the centre, being rough and irregular, as
if for the attachment of muscles. At the upper
68 OS HYOIDES
and anterior part, the rough bone rises in the cen-
tre about the eighth of an inch above the convexity
of the inside of the bone, having, at both extremi-
ties, a groove which is perceptible nearly all round
at the base of this projection.
On the inside of the basis, and immediately be-
low the projection at the upper edge, the surface
is rounded and smooth, having no other markings
than slight furrows for nutritious vessels; the
thickness increases until within half an inch of
the lower edge, where there is a projecting line
which forms an irregular semicircular sweep to-
wards both the articulating surfaces. A little to
the right of the centre of this lme, a depression
commences, which is about an inch in length, and
gives the greatest degree of depth to the inside
of the basis, as will be seen in the subsequent
measurements.
The articulating surfaces both descend below
the level of the body of the basis, so that if the
bone be placed on a plane, and inclined backwards,
it is supported on these extremities, forming an
arch, whose centre is that of the depression before
noted. When the basis is.placed fairly ona plane,
it rests on one obliquely flattened inferior surface,
and we may form some idea of the obliquity of
the direction of the whole os hyoides, supposing
the appendix and cornu to be properly attached.
The articulating surfaces are rough, that of the
right side most so; both are obliquely curved in-
OF THE MASTODON. 69
wards toward the upper edge of the bone; the
right side presenting most of this obliquity. The
upper edge of the right articulating surface pro-
jects more than the left, forming at its anterior
part an evident tuberosity.
The appendix of the os hyoides has, at its ante-
rior extremity, a deep and rough surface, the cavity
appearing as if an epiphysis had been broken off-*
This extremity is placed obliquely on the extremi-
ty of the bone, the outer part of which, in approach-
ing the basis, forms an inclined plane of an inch
and a half in breadth on its upper surface, gradu-
ally blending with the middle line of the bone on
the outside. Below this, the bone is flattened to-
ward the perpendicular, being continuous with
the lower edge of the whole shaft. The upper
edge of the appendix, at a short distance from the
anterior articulation, becomes gradually sharp, and
this sharpness increases till it ends at the posterior
articulation. The outside of the appendix is regu-
larly convex, until within three inches of the pos-
terior extremity, where it expands to more than
twice the breadth of the shaft. The inside of the
appendix is compressed at the centre of the shaft,
entirely flattened, and slightly concave from within
* The appearance of the extremities of the basis and appen-
dix is such as to induce the belief that an epiphysis has been
removed from each. There is ne data on which we can found
an opinion of the exact amount of substance lost, although it is
probable that from one to three inches have thus been removed
from the total extent of the os hyoides.
70 OS HYOIDES
three inches of the posterior, and also flattened at
the anterior extremity, except where the articulat-
ing surface is strengthened by the bone being con-
tinued for the distance of two inches, projecting
at first about the fourth of an inch, and terminat-
ing imperceptibly in the sharp inferior edge of
this bone.
The figure of the posterior extremity of the
appendix is that of about one-third of an irregular
segment of a circle, two inches in diameter; the
inferior part being the most regular; the superior
being broader and rougher, and terminating above
in a round and smooth tuberosity. Immediately
below this, there is on the outer surface a curved
indentation, apparently forming a part of a small
articulating surface at the upper and outer portion
of the posterior extremity of the appendix.
The cornu differs from the base and appendix
by having but one articulating surface on its ante-
rior extremity, which is irregularly triangular,
deep, and unequal. Immediately behind the ar-
ticulation it is almost cylindrical, but gradually
grows flatter towards the inferior edge, terminat-
ing at length by a broad and flattened surface, two
inches and a half from the articulation, curving
inwards slightly at the inner edge. The rest of
the cornu forms a considerable angle with this
part of the bone, rising upwards, gradually becom-
ing smaller, continuing to the posterior extremity
thinner on its lower, and rounded on its upper sur-
face. On the inside, and near the posterior part.
OF THE MASTODON. 71
the inner surface rises so as to form a prominent
line. The whole of the basis, appendix, and cor-
nu, have not been fossilized, but still retain the
characters of bone.
I am indebted to Mr. Rembrandt Peale, who
was particularly engaged in the exhumation of the
two most perfect skeletons of the Mastodon that
have yet been obtained, for the following interest-
ing particulars. The morass, which contained the
Mammoth bones, was sounded by means of long
pointed rods, shod with iron. On the removal of
the mud, after finding some resistance made to
the rod, an entire under jaw bone was discover-
ed, over the top of which the scapula of the ani-
mal was so placed as to form a covering to the
space between the rami of the jaw. When the
scapula was raised, the bones of the os hyoides
were found lying within the jaw, thus being pro-
tected from the effect of the fluctuations which
had scattered the other small bones to various dis-
tances, previous to the hardening and fixing of the
mud.
Measurements of the basis—From the commencement
of one articulating surface to the other, over the middle of
the bone, on the outside, four inches and three-eighths.
In like manner. on. the inside, three inches and five-six-
teenths,
Depth of the bone measured in the centre on the inside,
one inch and a half.
on the outside, one inch and one-eighth.
Height of right articulating surface, one inch and three-
eighths.
72 OS HYOIDES.
Breadth of the same, seven-eighths of an inch.
Perpendicular height of left articulating surface, one inch
and one-eighth.
Diagonally, from the upper and inner to the lower and
anterior edge, one inch and three-eighths.
Length of the appendix, seven inches and re
on the outside.
on the inside, six inches and a half.
Height of anterior articulating surface, one inch and five-
eighths.
Breadth, one inch and one-eighth.
Posterior articulating surface, measuring the whole semi-
circle, two inches and seven-eighths,
Breadth of the same, seven-sixteenths of an inch.
Circumference of the appendix in the centre, two inches
and one-eighth.
Breadth of the appendix (externally) behind the anterior
articulating surface, one inch and eleven-sixteenths,
Breadth, (externally) just before the posterior articulating
surface, one inch and thirteen-sixteenths.
Length of the cornu, eight inches and one-sixteenth on
both sides.
Breadth through the angle, one inch.
Circumference midway between the angle and articula-
tion, one inch and a half.
midway between the angle and extremity,
one inch and one-sixteenth.
At the posterior extremity, five-eighths of an inch.
Prats I].—OS HYOIDES OF THE MASTODON.
Fig. 1. Basis, front view, 2-3 nat, size.
2. Appendix, 9 is
3. Cornu, er
4. Sketch of bones in irae position.
TESTACEOUS FORMATION, &c. 73
Description of a testaceous formation at Anastasia
Island, extracted from notes made on a journey
to the southern part of the United States, during
the winter of 1822 and 1823. By R. Dietz.
[Reap sung 8, 1824.]
Anastasia Island, opposite St. Augustine, along
the coast of East Florida, is about 10 or 12 miles
from north to south, and about 13 miles from east
to west, and has, perhaps, not more than 10 or 12
feet elevation above the level of the ocean, and is
from 2 to 3 miles distance from-the shore.
A considerable portion of the northern, and,
perhaps, the substratum of the remaining part of
the island, is composed of an aggregate of frag-
ments of various shells. This occurs in horizontal
stratified layers, which easily separate into slabs
at certain horizontal divisions, owing to some fo-
reign matter very thinly interposed between the
layers, which prevented their conglutination.
These layers are from an inch to a foot and a half
in thickness. The fragments of shells, composing
them, are of various sizes, some larger, and some
smaller: sometimes even fragments of various
sizes, together with some entire shells, occur in
one and the same layer.
Previously to being exposed to the air, any cut-
ting tool will easily penetrate, and in that state the
slabs are at once cut to the size required. When
VOL. Iv.—avuGusT, 1824. 10
74 TESTACEOUS FORMATION
exposed to the air, they gradually become indu-
rated, and this appears also to happen when they
are exposed to the action of sea water.
This rock, if so it may be called, has been made
use of in the neighbourhood of St. Augustine since
about the year 1565. The Fort St. Mark, at St.
Augustine, is built of this material, cut in square
blocks of about two feet and a half long, two wide,
and one thick. The church, the government-house,
and the Keys along the sea shore, are constructed
of it.
It is considered well calculated for the use of
fortification; as, by its spongy nature, it will re-
ceive the balls, without permitting them to pass
through or glance off, and without being shattered
to pieces.
When we consider the particles of thins aggre-
gated mass, and compare the smaller with the
larger grained varieties, we find the smaller grain-
ed more homogeneous: the larger grained contain
often some foreign matter, perhaps the gelatinous
remains of the fossil shells? in its cavities. There
is a more distinct sparry arrangement, eharacter-
istic of fossil, in the smaller than in the larger
grained variety. On the surface of the particles
of the small grained variety, not unfrequently a
kind of confused crystallization is apparent. There
are even some of the small grained layers, where,
by the intermixture of such crystallization, the
particles are in so close contact, that the appear-
ance of shell is, if not quite oblitexated, at least.
AT ANASTASIA ISLAND. 75
but very obscure. The larger grained varieties
are composed of some particles evidently fossil,
of others, where the fossil character is doubtful,
and of some that have even not yet lost their
colouring matter.
The accumulation, the piney increase, and the
stratigraphical arrangement of this shell mass, on
a more minute examination, appear to have been
the result of the agitation of the tides and winds.
A quantity of shells, continually carried by the
regular tides towards the shore, and carried off
again by the constant repulsion of the waves, and
the retiring tides, have been deposited at no great
distance from the shore. Indeed, every reef and
sand-bank along the sea shore appears to be of the
same origin. At times, such shells must have been
considerably fractured, if, before being deposited
there, they were subject to the more violent action
of both the winds and tides, combined towards the
same quarter, by which they were thrown up and
superadded to the accumulated mass. Finally,
the smallest triturated shells must be the product
of the two agitating powers, counteracting one
another.
Thus every change in these perpetually agi-
tating agents, created and deposited such. frag-
ments as resulted from the efficacy of their re-
spective powers, either larger, smaller, or mixed
particles. Yet it may naturally be supposed, that
such fragments as were carried up by the counter-
acting violence of winds and tides, and thus de-
76 TESTACEOUS FORMATION
posited as the uppermost layers, must have been
triturated into very small particles: as also, that
the lowermost depositions, not having been so
much subject to the violent agitation of winds
and tides, must mostly consist of the largest frag-
ments and entire shells. Between these lower-
most and uppermost layers, a gradual transition
from the coarse to the fine grain must necessarily
exist : for the particles nearer to the lower deposi-
tion, having suffered less agitation, must be larger;
whilst those deposited above, having required a
more violent action of the winds and tides to raise
them to the place where they are deposited, must
have been more fractured. By occasional hurri-
canes, however, even large entire shells were
thrown up, and thus deposited amongst the up-
permost smaller triturated particles.
Those minute quantities of foreign matter, pro-
bably vegetable substance, may have been depo-
sited between every two layers, without interrup-
tion of time, by an incidental high tide, which now
and then overflowed the adjacent lands, and which,
on retiring, carried that matter with it.
In that manner, this mass of various shell frag-
ments was heaped up, strata after strata, as high
as the highest spring tide could ever attain.
This theory, not requiring any far-fetched ex-
traordinary phenomena, founded only upon the
daily occurrences in that region, appears further
confirmed, if we may judge, Ist, by the materials
AT ANASTASIA ISLAND. 77
that have been used to build the fort and other
ancient buildings of St. Augustine, all probably
taken from the very surface, as but very slight
excavations are found on the island; the upper-
most layers must have been the smallest grained,
and certainly smaller than those below them. 2d,
In the more recent excavations, the lower strata
are generally larger grained, and those above them
smaller grained. As to the lowermost depositions,
not yet laid open to our view, the state of that
island does not admit of a closer examination, and
of course this must remain a problem, subject to
future researches.
On viewing these specimens out of place, it
might appear as if they owe their various degrees
of consistency, and their more or less advanced
fossil state, to their different ages; yet, on exa-
mining the local arrangement in which this con-
glomerate is deposited, as before stated, it will be
found, that the more compact degree of its con-
sistency, and its more advanced fossil state, does
not depend on the greater length of time of its
having been deposited: for those layers, composed
of the smaller triturated fragments, which are of
amore solid consistency, and in an entire fossil
state, generally accompanied by an apparent con-
fused crystallization, are the uppermost, and of
course the last and most recent of the series of
depositions. We may thus fairly conclude, that
the crystallizing and petrifactive causes, both,
78 TESTACEOUS FORMATION
perhaps, influenced by electricity, are more ac-
‘tive above than beneath the level of the sea.
We can hardly doubt but that this mass is an
embryo of a future shell-marble. And why may
not we infer that those beautiful secondary shell-
marbles, the Lumachella from Bleyberg, Carin-
thia; the Irish Kilkenny ; the French Griotte ; the
variegated limestone in the neighbourhood of
Hudson, N. Y. and so many others, the origin of
which has given rise to so numerous hypotheses,
have really no other origin than that which we
have just described.
By permission of my very esteemed and learn-
ed friend Mr. Thomas Say, I add, as a valuable
addition to the above paper, his notes of various
shells composing that aggregated mass, viz.
Fossil shells found in a shell mass from Anastasia Island.
1. Arca pexata, nobis. It is nota little singular that this
shell, and the six next following, so common on our coast at
the present day, should be found here in a fossil state.
2. Arca ponderosa, nobis. ‘This shell also, which is very
common in the fossil state, is found recent on the southern
coast. But I have not found any fossil specimens so ~—
as a recent one in my cabinet.
3. Arca incongrua, nobis. Several small ivagialaite of a
shell, which I believe to have been identical with the recent
species of this name, occurred in the mass.
4. Arca transversa, nobis. A tolerably perfect young shell,
and many fragments of full sized individuals; but this spe-
cies is not so abundant as either of the preceding.
5. Lurraraa canaliculata, nobis. Three small portions of
AT ANASTASIA ISLAND. 79
the hinge margin of a species, which I believe to be the
canaliculata. The greatest part of this shell is so thin, that
we are not surprised that it should have been comminuted ;
we should, however, expect to find part of the umbo and
the entire hinge fosset, but no trace of either has as yet
been discovered.
6. Mactra. Numerous fragments of a small species which
is probably M. lateralis, nobis. All the specimens, however,
when perfect, must have been smaller than the average size
ofthose now existing on our shores.
7. Donax. Fragments of a species of this genus seem to-
be next, in point of frequency, to those of the Arca, and
few were obtained nearly entire; as far as I could
judge, by comparison, the species is the same with the D.
variabilis, nobis. Some of the fragments have not yet alto-
gether lost the fine purplish colour of the inner side of the
shell. : a
8. Crepiputa. A single specimen, too imperfect to ad-
mit of a specific decision.
9. Luciwa. A single, young, and imperfect specimen.
10. Arca. Besides the species of Arca above enume-
rated, there are some fragments of another species, proba-
bly now extinct upon our coast, or, if still existing, extremely
rare. It is possible this may prove to be the A. candida,
Gm. as it has intermediate smaller strie towards the an-
terior end.
Fragments of several other shells were obtained from
the mass, but they were too imperfect to justify even the
hazard of a conjecture respecting their affinity. It will be
observed that all the species here mentioned are bivalves,
not the smailest determinable portion of a univalve was
observed: from which circumstance we may conclude that
the island is almost exclusively formed of bivalve shells,
and chiefly of the genus Area.
80 NEW SPECIES OF FISH.
In a smal) mass in the possession of Dr. Hays, I observed
a young indeterminable species of the genus Navica, and
two specimens of a small Oxiva, also too imperfect to be
determined. A mass in the Philadelphia Museum contains
a fragment of Nassa ¢trivittata, nobis. )
Description of a new species of Fish of the Lin-
nean genus Perca. By J. Giuxiams.
[Reap avueusr 3, 1824.]
Angling some weeks ago in one of the fish ponds
at Harrowgate, I had the good fortune to take three
individuals of a species of Linnean Perca that was
altogether new to me, and on reference to the
works of the principal authors who have written
on the science of Ichthyology, I have not been
able to find any notice whatever of this species.
I may further state the somewhat remarkable fact,
that although many persons have angled frequent-
ly in the same pond, yet this fish was not known
to have been previously caught there, and being
desirous of securing more specimens, I have fre-
quently since endeavoured to obtain ge? but
without success.
The following is a description « of this new spe-
cies.
NEW SPECIES OF FISH. 31
SCOLOPSIS, Cuvier.
S. Sayanus, pl. iii. Body oblong, thick : head
above, destitute of scales, and much grooved : the
mouth of moderate size, scarcely reaching to the
line of the anterior canthus of the eye : jaws near-
ly equal ; the inferior a little longer; both of them,
together with the palate, furnished with very nu-
merous, conic, somewhat incurved teeth: eyes of
moderate size; the suborbitals spinous on both
edges: preoperculum serrated in its posterior
angle; the posterior segment serrated with nu-
merous spines, excepting at its superior and ante-
rior terminations: operculum rather large: back
gradually a little elevated from the upper jaw to
the commencement of the dorsal fin, from which
point it declines to the termination of this fin:
tail deep, and not suddenly contracted beyond
the body : lateral line very slightly arquated from
its origin to its termination : pectoral fins obovate,
and not extending quite as far as opposite to the
tip of the ventrals: ventrals rounded at the tip,
reaching hardly half the distance to the origin of
the anal fin: anal fin prominent and rounded;
the first spinous ray very short; second, half the
length of the soft rays: dorsal fin very short, being
not longer than the interval between its termina-
tion and the origin of the caudal fin; the first spi-
nous ray very small, scarcely half the length of
VOL. Iv.—avausT, 1824. “a
$2 * NEW SPECIES OF FISH.
the second, which is half as long as the third, and
the latter is about half the length of the fourth ;
the soft rays are about one-third longer than the
fourth spinous ray: caudal fin rounded: scales
rounded, ciliated: colour, above blackish-brown,
becoming paler towards the inferior surface,
which is light yellowish; fins, excepting the ven-
trals, dusky.
B. 6. P..10. V.7. into
three spots.
Var. b. Central spot of each elytron extended
backward, and confluent with the tip of the margin.
COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 93
2. C. mali. Elytra brownish red; each with
seven black spots, and a common one on the scu-
tel.
Inhabits North America.
C. mali. Melsh. Catal.
Head black ; two white spots between the eyes:
thorax black; two small white spots at the base,
and a white lateral margin including a black spot;
anterior edge yellow; spots on the elytra placed
1, 3, 3, and a common one at the base: beneath
black; margin of the abdomen fulvous: feet tes-
taceous : thighs black.
Length seven-twentieths of an inch.
Var. a. Spots of the elytra surrounded with a
whitish areola.
Varietas ocellata. Melsh. Catal.
Var. b. Ground colour of the elytra whitish.
C. ocellata. Melsh. Catal.
3. C. parenthesis. Elytra pale yellowish, each
with a spot; posterior lunule and common spot at
base.
Coccinella parenthesis. Melsh. Catal.
3 5-notata. Knoch in Melsh. Catal.
Inhabits the United States.
Head black ; labrum testaceous; a white, abbre-
viated, frontal line, and a spot near each eye: tho-
rax black; a square spot at base; anterior and
lateral margin, and abbreviated, acute line before,
white: elytra with a humeral, black spot; a com-
mon one near the base connected with the scutel;
94 COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS.
a large lunule, occupying the posterior half of the
elytron, sometimes interrupted into two distinct
spots: beneath black.
Length one-fifth of an inch.
4. C. tibialis. Elytra pale yellowish-red, with
a common spot near the base, and six black spots
on each.
Inhabits Missouri.
Head black; frontal spot, ‘ad all before the
eyes, white: thorax black; anterior and_ lateral
margins white, so branched as almost to inclose a
black spot on each side: elytra pale orange; spots
placed 1, 2, 2, 1: beneath black: venter margined
with pale orange : tibia and tarsi testaceous.
Length more than one fifth of an inch. |»
5. C. bioculata. Elytra red; each with a black
spot on the middle.
Inhabits the United States.
Head black; orbits white : thorax black; a large
‘marginal spot; anterior margin, and two spots at
the base, white : elytra reddish; a transverse, oval,
black spot on the middle of each, sometimes in-
cluded in an obsolete, white areola: beneath black:
venter margined with rufous.
Length one-fifth of an inch.
The anterior margin of the thorax is sometimes
black like the disk, and the basal spots are wanting,
6. C. albifrons. Elytra yellow; suture and two
spots on each, black; head and anterior part of
the thorax whitish.
COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 95
Inhabits Missouri.
Head yellowish : thorax black ; anterior and la-
teral margins, and abbreviated line before, white :
elytra, with the suture, tip, outer edge, and two
spots, black; spots placed one near the humerus,
and the other behind the middle.
Length less than one-fifth of an inch.
Taken on the Missouri by Mr. T. Nuttall.
7. C. abdominalis. White; thorax with seven,
elytra each with eight black spots.
Inhabits Arkansa.
Yellowish-white: head immaculate : thorax with
seven black spots placed 2, 5; the anterior ones,
placed on the middle, oblong, oblique, slightly
undulated, and nearly confluent at tip with the
posterior intermediate one: elytra 8-spotted ;
spots small, placed 4 near the base, 3 on the mid-
dle, and 1 near the tip: postpectus dusky: venter
testaceous : feet pale.
Length one-fifth of an inch.
8. C. humeralis. Black; elytra with a humeral
spot, and one behind the middle, red.
Inhabits Arkansa.
Body deep black: head, a white spot each side
between the eyes: antenne and palpi pale: thorax,
an obsolete, whitish, lateral margin and anterior
angle: elytra, a large, oval, yellowish-red, hume-
ral spot, and an orbicular, red, subsutural one on
each, rather behind the middle.
Length more than three-twentieths of an inch.
96 COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS.
Two specimens were obtained near the Rocky
Mountains.
9. C. 20-maculata. Whitish; thorax with five,
elytra each with nine black spots.
Inhabits Missouri.
Coccinella 20-maculata. Knoch in Melsh. Cat.
Yellowish-white: thorax with four rather large,
equal, black dots placed in a semicircular series,
and enclosing near the base a smaller, obsolete
dot: elytra, each with nine spots placed 2, 3, 3, 1,
the two central. ones confluent: postpectus and
venter, excepting the terminal segment, black.
Length one-tenth of an inch.
ENDOMYCHUS, Fabr. Latr.
E. biguttatus. Black; elytra sanguineous, with
two black spots.
Inhabits the United States.
Head, thorax, and scutel black, impunctured ;
two impressed, longitudinal, abbreviated lines, one
on each side at the base of the thorax : elytra san-
guineous, with numerous small, irregular punc-
tures, and two orbicular, black spots, the smaller
one placed behind the humerus, and the other,
large, placed behind the middle, a the
margin. ;
Length near one-fifth of an inch.
COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 97
PSELAPHUS, Herbst. Latr.
1. P. carinatus. Reddish-brown; elytra recti-
linearly truncated; tergum tricarinate, and with
an elevated edge ; anterior tibia arcuated.
Inhabits the United States.
Body with short hairs: head deeply indented
on the front; vertex with two small indentations :
maxillary palpi with the three last joints dilated ;
the ultimate one triangular or cordate, being wide-
ly emarginate at tip; the inner lobe somewhat
mucronate ; penultimate joint also large and tri-
angular, with a slender spine or seta as long as
the joint placed on the exterior angle ; antepenul-
timate joint rounded, with a spine on the exterior
side, similar and equal to that of the other joint:
thorax rounded, somewhat angulated on the mid-
dle of the side, punctured: elytra not quite half
the length of the abdomen; minutely punctured,
with two obtuse, elevated lines on each, obsolete
before the tip, and with an impressed groove be-
tween them: tergum rather Yarker than the ely-
tra, carinated along the middle, and with an ab-
breviated, carimate line each side at base; edge
elevated : anterior tibia somewhat arcuated, gib-
bous before in the middle.
Length less than one-tenth of an inch.
This species is not uncommon, and is often
found under the loose bark of the yellow pine; it
VOL. IV.—NOVEMBER, 1824. 13
98 COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS.
is referrible to the genus Crenistes, Reich. The
elytra are terminated by a straight line like those
of the dresdensis. It seems probable that the
cordate, terminal joint of the maxillary palpi, and
the two elongated spines of the preceding joints,
may be peculiar to one sex, as a specimen in my
collection has but a single spine, and the terminal
joint is acute and not dilated.
2. P. riparius. Reddish-brown ; elytra recti-
linearly truncated, half the length of the tergum ;
tergum simple ; anterior tibia rectilinear.
Inhabits Missouri.
Vertex convex, with an impressed line each
side: antenna, joints from the third to the eighth,
inclusive, subequal ; ninth a little larger, but hard-
ly longer ; tenth transversely oval, double the size
of the preceding one; eleventh still wider, and
nearly double the length of the two preceding
ones conjunctly; maxillary palpi unarmed; ter-
minal joint conic-securiform : thorax narrowed be-
hind, not closely applied to the elytra; with a
longitudinal, impressed line; sides not angulated
in the middle, but indented on the margin: elytra
half the length of the abdomen; humeral tubercle
oblong : anterior tibia rectilinear : tergum convex,
simple.
Length more than one-twentieth of an inch.
A little smaller than the preceding. It proba-
bly belongs to the genus Bryaxis of Leach.
COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 99
3. P. dentatus. Elytra nearly rectilinearly trun-
cated, half the length of the tergum; tergum sim-
ple; anterior tibia arcuated.
Inhabits the United States.
Head blackish ; a small indentation above each
antenna: antenne rufous; joints, from the third
to the eighth, inclusive, subequal; ninth a little
larger, but hardly longer; tenth transverse, double
the size of the preceding one; eleventh oval, wider
than the tenth, and as long as the 8th, 9th and
10th conjunctly : thorax nearly orbicular, slightly
prominent on the sides, blackish; an oval indenta-
tion at base, and an orbicular one each side: elytra
reddish-brown, nearly half the length of the ab-
domen; humeral tubercle oblong; an impressed
line on each elytron obsolete behind : tergum con-
vex, simple, blackish: anterior tibia a little ar-
euated.
_ Length one-twentieth of an inch.
Var. a. Reddish-brown.
Smaller than either of the preceding species.
100 RAIA
Description of several Species of the Linnean
Genus Rata, of North America. By C. A. Le-
SUEUR.
(Reap avaust 17, 1824.)
CHONDROPTERIGIOUS.
Orpver I.
With fixed Branchia. Cuvier.
RAIA, Linn. Cuv.
The rays properly so called, have the disk of a
rhomboidal form; tail slender, furnished above
towards the tip with two, and sometimes three
dorsal fins ; teeth slender, and placed in quincunx
on the jaws. (Cuvier.)
t Dorsal fins two.
1. R. Desmarestia, male and female.
2. R. eglantiera, do. do.
tt Dorsal fins three.
3. R. Chantenay, male and female.
1. R. Desmarestia, Pl. TV. Many ranges of
long curved points exterior to the eyes, and upon
the pectoral fins; a range of spines upon the dorsal
line ; three ranges on the tail, and a spine at each
extremity of the dorsal disk; two approximate
RAIA. 101
fins on the superior extremity of the tail; snout
elongated and obtuse; teeth discoidal, surmounted
by a point.
The body of the specimen, which is a male, is
compressed ; subrhomboidal: snout prominent,
rounded at tip, slightly emarginated each side ;
the cartilage which sustains it is narrow, with
small points: head narrow, covered with spines
between the eyes, which are prominent, and of
moderate size: spiracle small, placed but a short
distance behind the eyes; three spines in an
oblique line behind the spiracles: back with a
range of very strong spines, terminating at the
emargination which separates the pectorals from
the ventrals, leaving a large space before the
three spinous series of the tail, in which are small
cicatrices which denote the situation of spines that
had probably fallen off, or been accidentally ex-
tracted; besides the three ranges of strong spines
with which the tail is armed, there is one on each
side, another above; there are also small asperities
between the ranges, as well as between the spines
of the ranges; other spines are irregularly placed
before the eyes, on the sides, and near the spira-
cles; those of the back, tail, and spiracles, are
discoidal at base, with the point curved towards |
the tail; there are also large spaces armed with
long spines, particularly on the pectoral fin, and
exterior to the eyes, where they are more dis-
tinctly placed in quincunx; those of the fins are
102 RAIA.
®
longer, and bent so that the greater portion seems
to rest upon the skin, with the point directed
towards the middle of the back; they are strongest
opposite to the angle of the fin, and diminish sen-
sibly towards the superior margin, so as to be ob-
vious only to the touch; those exterior to the eyes, .
and those remote from the margin, are somewhat
compressed and shorter than the preceding, con-
sisting of four or five distinct and separate ranges,
separated from those of the fin; they are also
bent, with a long point directed towards the tail ;
the remainder of the body is glabrous.
The specimen is dried, and although well pre-
served, cannot be expected to exhibit the just
proportions of nature. Breadth twelve and a half
inches; from the tip of the rostrum to the origin
of the tail nine inches nine lines; length of the
tail nine inches five lines; appendice eight inches
three lines.
Colour brownish above and whitish beneath.
It inhabits the sandy coasts of Florida, from
whence it was brought by Messrs. Maclure, Ord,
Say, and T. Peale.
The remate differs from the male in being des-
titute of spines on the lateral fins, and near the
eyes; the body, instead of being glabrous as in
the male, is armed with numerous small spinous
asperities, scattered over almost all the surface,
not excepting the cartilage of the nose; the sides,
however, to the edge, are glabrous and transpa-
RAIA. 103
rent; the tail, like that of the male, is armed with
three spinous ranges, with intervening smaller
ones; two small low fins, elongated like those of
the male, are placed near the extremity of the
tail, and distant from each other in order to give
place to the insertion of two spines; the tail
extends a little beyond the second fin in both
sexes.
Pl. 1V. fig. 1. Dorsal view. 2. Ventral do. imperfect.
a. Spines exterior to the eyes. b. spines of the pectoral
fins.
2. R. eglantiera, Bosc. A longitudinal series
of from nine to twelve simple spines on each side
upon the lateral fin; tail longer than the body, with
two fins at its tip.
Descrietion. Body flat, semiorbicular behind,
with a wide, rounded emargination each side be-
fore near the spiracles, anterior to which the edge
is dilated opposite to the eyes, and then is con-
tracted so as to form a short rounded rostrum;
on the margin each side beneath from the ros-
trum to near the eyes, are very small points ar-
ranged like the teeth of a card; the remainder of
the inferior surface is glabrous; above, on the
rostrum, and on the margins opposite to the eyes,
are strong, compressed, recurved spines; before
and behind the eyes and orbits, spinous: back,
with a transverse spinous disk; the line of the
middle of the back unarmed, but on each side of
this line are-very obvious spines which extend te
104 RAIA.
the end of the tail, and commence at the middle
of the transverse dorsal disk; they at first form a
single series, but as they proceed backwards they
increase to three series, and towards the part of
the tail comprised between the two long lateral
appendices, they are more prominent and consist
of three or four irregular series, with intervening
smaller spines; beyond the appendices they again
form a single series: tail strong, broad, longer
than the body, with two equal, similar fins near
the extremity, each sustained by a broad falciform
ray, which has numerous ramifications ; these fins
are each united to the tail at their inferior surface
by a membrane, they are narrow and elongated,
the extremity of the first nearly attaining the base
of the second, which does not quite reach the tip
of the tail: eye somewhat prominent: cheeks a
little dilated before the eye, yellow and transpa-
rent between the cartilage of the rostrum and the
margin: spiracles large behind and very near the
eyes: mouth small, transverse: inferior jaw pro-
jecting a little in the middle, and received into an
emargination of the superior jaw: teeth inclining
upon each other, at base a little depressed, dilated,
towards the tip rounded and prolonged forward
in a small point which is also depressed: nostrils
with two enlarged, rounded appendices at the ex-
tremity : lateral fins thin, rounded : ventrals long,
narrow, with a round anterior lobe, elongated be-
hind and attached to the appendice, which is much
RAIA. 105
elongated, equalling half the length of the tail :
zail with a small membrane each side of its whole
length. :
Width ten inches. Length from the tip of the
rostrum to the origin of the tail nine inches, Tail
ten inches.
Colour, above reddish, sprinkled with. small
spots; beneath, whitish, with reddish tints.
. [have met with this species in the Philadelphia
market, where, however, it is very rare. The
specimen isa male. It is common in the bay of
Charleston, where Mr. Bosc observed it; his de-
scription is inserted in Lacepede’s Histoire des
Poissons, vol. 2. p. 105. pl. 4. f. 1.
The specimen which Mr. Bosc described was a
female; and as he says nothing of the male, it is
probable that he had not seen that sex.
The form of the male that I observed, was alto-
gether the same as that of the female which Mr.
Bose described, although it was from a different
locality; and I have no doubt of its being the same
species; but at the same time I may observe, that
Mr. Bose’s drawing is ambiguous as respects the
position and form of the fins placed near the ex-
tremity of the tail; and as this author draws a
part of his description from these fins, it is to be
wished that he had been more exact with respect
to these important appendages. If his descrip-
tion is perfectly accurate, the individual that came
VOL, 1V..—-NoveMBER, 1824. 14
106 RAIA.
under my observation is a new species; but before
this can be determined, more detailed descriptions
must be drawn out from recent specimens, a
task which it is desirable that some naturalist at
Charleston would perform.
3. R. Chantenay. Femate. Pl. V. fig. 3 & 4.
Three fins at the extremity of the tail ; body be-
neath with small irregular spots.
Description. Body flat, subrhomboidal, stout
one-fifth broader than long: head but little eleva-
ted: rostrum projecting, acute, of a moderate size,
rough at tip and furnished with very small points:
mouth transverse, rectilinear, armed with small,
flat, pentagonal teeth, a little separated in each
jaw : nostrils small, and the canal, which commu-
nicates with the mouth, is covered by a large,
rounded appendice, fringed om the margin : bran-
chial apertures five on each side, subequal, sub-
equidistant, and placed upon an oblique line: eyes
small, not prominent; ais yellow: spiracles large,
very near to and behind the eyes: pectoral fins
large, triangular, terminating obtusely on the. sides,
narrow and rounded behind; ventrals emarginate,
wide before, narrow behind: anus posterior to the
origin of the ventrals: tail very robust, margined
with a slight membrane each side, subdepressed,
destitute of a serrated spine, armed laterally with
points, and terminated by three rounded fins, of
which the third is very small and near the tip of
the tail, the others are subequal and larger: body
RATA. 107
above glabrous, excepting on the anterior margin
of the pectoral fins, between the eyes, and on the
extremity of the rostrum, which are rough to the
touch ; scattered reddish-brown spots of various
sizes and forms, and a transversely-oblong sub-
ocellated spot each side of the middle: beneath
whitish, lightly tinted with rosaceous; surface
smooth and soft to the touch; towards the ante-
rior part of each side of the anus are six small
black lines or spots; rays of the ventral fins very
distinct beneath.
Length from the end of the rostrum to the base
of the tail two feet, breadth two and a half feet;
tail as long as the space intervening between the
eyes and its base.
Mate, Pl. V. fig. 1& 2. Four series of points
near the angle of each pectoral fin, and smaller
ones on each side opposite to the eyes.
Body subrhomboidal like that of the female :
rostrum acute, furnished above with points which
extend nearly to the extremity of the fin; they
are long, strong, inflected towards the middle of
the back, placed in quincunx, and consisting of
four approximate ranges : orbits with small points
before and behind, rendering these parts rough
to the touch, but not so distinct as those opposite
to the eyes: tail depressed, wide at base, termi-
nating in a point, and armed on each side with a
range of spines and with a membrane beneath the
spines; towards the tip are three semioval fins, of
~
108 RAIA.
which the third is smallest, and the first and se-
cond subequal : mouth and eyes nearly like those
_of the female : teeth discoidal at base, surmounted
with a short point directed towards the throat, less
abraded than those of the female, in which they
are more flattened and pentagonal : ventral fins
widely emarginated, narrow, and each terminated
by an appendice, which characterizes the sex :
colour reddish above: skin smooth, excepting on,
the parts above indicated as armed with asperities:
beneath whitish, sprinkled as above with small,
blackish spots.
The dimensions agree with those of the Sema.
In the months of July and August the pectoral,
fins only are sometimes brought to market. __
The above description is made from a dried
specimen preserved in the Philadelphia Museum,.
and I am indebted to Mr. Titian Peale for the op-
portunity of examining it.
This species seems to me to have some afinity
to that described by Dr. S. L. Mitchill of New
York, under the name of R. ocellata; but the lat-
ter is said to have only two fins on the tail, a cha-
racter that sufficiently distinguishes it from the
present species, which has three, as in the R..cla-
vata, R.rubus, and R. batis, (Lacep. vol. y. p. ft
pl. 20. fig. 1.)
I dedicate this species to the amiable nthe of
the “ Calandrier de Flore,” and of the “Genies des
Peuples.”
RAIA, 109
Pl. V. fig. 1, male ventral view. Fig. 2, male, dorsal
view. Fig. 3, female, dorsal view. Fig. 4, female, ventral
view. Fig. 5, fringed appendice of the nostrils. Fig. 6,
spine of the pectoral fins. Fig.7,mouth. Fig. 8, teeth.
TRYGON, dans.
Tail armed with a dentated spine; teeth slen-
der, dense, placed in quincunx ; head enveloped
by the pectorals as in the common Rays, so as to
form in general a very obtuse disk.
_ Tail slender, destitute of fins.
T. sabina. Tail more than twice as long as the
body ; ventral fins long, pointed; appendice in the
male slender, distinct, as long as the ventrals; a
range of spines upon the back and the origin of
the tail; on each side of the back are two spines ;
upper part of the head rough.
_ Descrierion. Body orbicular, a little longer than
wide, terminated before by a short rostrum, form-
ing nearly a right angle; nasal cartilage narrow,
without a groove or spines; upper part of the
head furnished with small spines, which render
‘this part rough to the touch; the remainder of the
upper surface of the body glabrous : pectoral fins
subrectilinear before, rounded behind and at their
lateral angles; the rays of these fins are obvious
even on the sides of the nasal cartilage: eyes
small, not very distinct : spiracles placed behind
the opening of the mouth, small, but slightly ar-
110 RAIA.
euated, armed with small, obtuse, rhomboidal
teeth : colour of the dried! preparation, above red-
dish.
The specimen is a male; the inferior surface of
the body, the branchial openings and nostrils, are
destroyed. It was communicated to me by Mr.
T. Peale, who accompanied Messrs. Maclure, Ord,
and Say; on their expedition to Florida. ©
By the form of its body and tail, this species is
very closely allied to that of the coast of France
and of the Mediterranean; but by a comparison
with a drawing of the latter, that I made at Nice
and at Havre, I have found it to be different,
and have been enabled to assign to it the distinc-
tive characters above mentioned, which when
they shall have been confirmed by new observa-
tions, will enable us to fix the species with more
precision than I have been able to do from a dried
specimen. It is much to be desired that those
who have an opportunity of examining a recent
specimen, will avail themselves of it. The follow-
ing comparative characters of the known species;
may be useful to this inquiry. ;
R. pastinaca, Bloch. pt. 3, pl. 82. female, anit
Encycl. Meth. pl. IIL. fig. 8, male, from the coast of
France. Tail less than twice the length of the
body: ventrals of moderate size; appendice of
the male very short, and far from attaining the
extremity of the ventrals; no spines on the back
or tail. Of that of Nice the ventral fins are more
RAIA. poe J
truncated, straighter, and the appendices of the
male are longer by one half than the ventral fins,
a character which distinguishes it from the two
first...
All the species described and figured by au-
thors that I can refer to, are females. In the
Nouveau Dictionaire d’Histoire Naturelle, where
I expected to find a good figure, I was surprised
to see the large spine of the tail represented as
taking its rise from the under surface of this
part.
MYLIOBATIS, Dumeril.
Head prominent beyond the pectoral fins, which
' are wider transversely than in the other Rays, giv-
ing to the whole animal the appearance of a bird
of prey with its wings extended, and hence it has
been compared to an eagle; jaws armed with
wide, flat teeth, connected together like stones in
a pavement, and of different proportions according
to the species; tail very slender and elongated,
terminating in a point, and like that of the Try-
gon, armed above with a strong spine, which is
serrated on each side, and with a small dorsal fin
towards the base. (Cuvier, Regne Animal.) |
M. freminvillii. Orbit salient, surmounted by
an eminence; ventrals rounded; appendices longer
than the fins.
112 RAIA.
» Body wider than long, rhomboidal: pectorals
pointed at tip: back a little arcuated : head eleya-
ted: eyes large, vertical, orbits long, subangular
at their summit: spiracles large, situated behind
the eyes: rostrum salient, rounded, broad, flat,
distinct from the body by a rounded emargination
behind the eyes on each side: mouth beneath the
eyes small, but little arcuated, with the jaws pav-
ed with very broad teeth, in the middle of many
ranges of narrow ones, on each side; all these
teeth are flat on the surface: nostrils small, and
with a small appendice; they are situated between
the end of the rostrum and the angles of the
mouth : pectoral fins formed like an isoceles tri-
angle, its base being the line which passes before
the eyes and terminates at the posterior angles of
the fins; the three sides are rectilinear: ventrals
small, rounded, each furnished with a short, dac-
tiliform, distinct appendice, which is longer than
the fin: anus small, placed in a line with the ori-
gin of the ventrals: tail very long, filiform, trian-
gular, with a small rounded fin, followed by two
flattened, denticulated points on each side, which;
as well as the fin, are placed a little beyond the
extremity of the ventrals: branchial openings
male, approximated, five on each side, so situated
as to form together a half oval : colour, above oli-
vaceous, more or less deep in different specimens,
paler on the margins, and sprinkled with distinct
rounded spots; beneath white: skin glabrous; I
RAIA. 113
did not observe any spine on the tail, or points on
the pectorals.
Length two feet, breadth from two to three feet.
This species is very common in small inlets in
Howland’s Bay, Rhode Island, where I had an
opportunity of examining many fresh specimens
recently rejected by the fishermen, and cast upon
the shore in the midst of others, in various states
of decomposition.
The freminvillii may be compared with the
aquila of Bloch, part 3, tab. 81, of which the form
of the body is orbicular. Risso and Cuvier very
properly cite this figure with doubt; the latter
author refers it to Trycoy, considering it as a
species of that genus, to which, says he, a dor-
sal fin has been added. Our species is allied to
that of the Mediterranean, described by Risso in
his Ichthyology of Nice, p. 9, but the description
he has given is not sufficiently detailed; he says
nothing of the form of the body or of the fins, but
refers to the figure of Rondelet, p. 268, lib. 12,
cap. 2. Rondelet’s figure was, to all appearance,
made from the dried subject, yet I have no difficulty
in recognising the truncated form of the ventral
fins; the body appears to me much larger, and the
fins more angulated. The same characters are
equally observable in Salviani’s figure, which is
repeated by Willughby, T. c. 2, and again copied
in the Encyclopedie Methodique, pl. 4, fig. 10;
but they are still more obvious in a drawing which
VOL, IV.—NOVEMBER, 1824. 15
114 RAIA.
I myself made in the year 1809, during our so-
journ at Nice, where my friend Risso assured us
that it was the same species described in his Ich-
thyology. In my drawing, the appendice of the
male is not extended beyond the ventrals; while
in the American species, it extends beyond it al-
most its whole length. This character, together
with that of the rounded ventrals, appears to me
sufficient to justify us in separating the present
species from that of the Mediterranean.
Another species, also closely allied to the pre-
sent, is the Raie aigle of Commerson, discovered
near the Isles of France and Madagascar, and
figured by Lacepede, vol. 1, p. 6, fig. 2. The
form of the body, its colour, and the spots of the
back, would lead me to believe it to be absolutely
of the same species, but that the spine and fin
are placed between the extremities of the ven-
trals, whilst in our species they are situated be-
yond the extremities. The Rata narinari of
Willughby, which inhabits the coast of Brazil,
seems to me to be the same as that of Lacepede,
figured from a drawing by Commerson, who pro-
bably found his specimen in the Brazilian sea.
After an examination of the figures and deserip-
tions given by various authors, with a view to
ascertain the affinity of the freminvillii, I have
been led to the same conclusion that Cuvier
adopted after a similar investigation, that all
those cited as the same species, are in‘ reality
RAIA. 115
specifically distinct. Cuvier enumerates the fol-
lowing: aes
La Raie aigle, Dumer. ) Duham. p. II, sec. 9.
Rata aquila, Linn. : pl. 10.
R. narinari. Linn. Margrave, 75.
R. flagellum, Schn. 73.
R. nieuhowii, Will. App. tab. 10, fig. 3.
To these I add the following :
R. quadriloba, nob. Journal Acad. Nat. Se.
R. hein nob.“ 4 ¥
CEPHALOPTERA, Dumer.
These have the slender tail, the serrated spine,
the small dorsal, and the very wide pectorals of the
Myliobatis; but their teeth are still more slender
than those of Trygon, and finely denticulated;
their head is truncated before, and the pectorals,
instead of embracing it, have each of their anterior
extremities prolonged in a salient point, which
gives the fish the appearance of having two horns.
(Cuvier Regne Animal.)
C. giorna. Jaws terminal, the inferior one a
little more advanced ; two large, flabelliform,
moveable appendices, one on each side of the
mouth ; eyes prominent, lateral; tail longer than
the body, armed with one or two spines, very dis-
tinct from the dorsal fin, which is situated between
the ventrals.
Body fifteen or sixteen feet wide between the
116 RAIA.
extremities of the pectoral fins, by seven feet
nine or ten inches long: tail four or five inches
longer than the body: mouth very large, horizon-
tal and terminal, two feet six inches wide; jaws
unequal, the inferior a little more prominent, with
very small asperities, which supply the place of
teeth, they are distant and consist of many ranges;
on the superior jaw the asperities are hardly per-
ceptible: nostrils small, situated beneath the an-
terior angle of the appendices and near to the
angles of the mouth, each covered by a small
rounded lobe; no apparent tongue: eyes semi-
globular, prominent, situated on a conical base at
the origin of the appendices, so as to be lateral,
and at the same time nearly on the anterior part
of the head; they are two inches in diameter, and
the pupil nine lines: the appendices are one foot
wide by two feet two and a half inches long from
the eye to the extremity, they are thick before
and thinner and more flexible on the inner side;
these organs appear to serve as large palpi; the
radiated appearance of their surface, indicates that
they are sustained by numerous, interior, cartila-
ginous rays, similar to those of the pectoral fins;
ears, behind the eyes, near to the widest superior
margin: branchial openings five on each side,
large, linear, and sustained by a cartilage through
more than half their length; they are placed very
near each other, the interval between the right
and left series is eighteen inches, the fifth open-
RAIA. 117
ing is the smallest: pectoral fins equal in length
and width, arcuated before, lunate behind, a little
dilated and rounded at the extremity near the ven-
trals : ventrals small, narrow, rounded, not longer
than the pectorals and united with them: dorsal
small, triangular, and placed on the base of the
tail between the ventrals, than which they are
shorter: anus small, longitudinal, between the
origin of the ventrals: fai] subcompressed, feeble
and soft, without asperities, or spinous tubercles;
armed above beyond the dorsal fin with a short
serrated spine, near which is an indentation, pro-
bably the seat of a former spine which has disap-
peared : skin destitute of tubercles or spines, but
rude to the touch, and rough like that of some
species of Squatus: colour, above blackish a lit-
tle tinged with reddish, somewhat clouded; the
branchial rays were marked and distinct by a
darker tint which followed the direction of the in-
terior cartilages in arcuated lines: beneath white,
dusky on the posterior margin with many darker
spots, irregular in form and disposition, the largest
of which are on the abdomen, and the smaller on
the margin and middle of the fins.
_A female fetus of the preceding has the same
form, the same appendices to the head; the lan-
ceolate spine of the tail, preceded by a slight de-
pression for the replacing spine; the dorsal fin
likewise triangular and similarly situated; the ap-
pendices are horizontally before the opening of
118 RATA.
the mouth, and cover this part by their extremities
and interior margin, which being flexible had the
power of raising itself; the body is one foot eleven
inches wide by ten and a half inches long; the
opening of the mouth four inches; inferior a little
more prominent than the superior jaw, and fur-
nished with very small teeth in seven or eight
ranges, they are placed somewhat distant from
each other and in quincunx; those of the superior
jaw are so minute as to be only distinguished by
the aid of the lens; head truncated, and termi-
nated by the jaw in a straight line; eyes placed
on the anterior sides, and giving an angulated ap-
pearance to the part; the tail, which is very soft,
seems to be furnished beneath with a small longi-
tudinal fin opposite to the spine; but this may,
perhaps, be only loose skin, as I did not observe —
it on the adult; colour reddish above; skin smooth;
tail four or five inches longer than ie belly: ‘ele
the Philadelphia Museum.)
Towards the end of August 1822, et above de-
scribed specimen was brought to the Philadelphia
Museum. This gigantic Ray was taken near the
entrance of the Delaware by some fishermen who
were armed with harpoons and other instruments
necessary for the purpose. They were directed
to the presence of several of these animals by the
agitation of the waters about them, and the ‘noise
they made by striking the waves with their i
fins. aly
RATA. 119
_ This large species is known by the name of
Devil-fish; a name applied by Catesby to a nearly
similar animal, which, becoming entangled in the
cable of a small vessel lying in the bay of Charles-
ton, drew it a distance of several miles.
The imagination, always struck peculiarly by
extraordinary objects, is ever ready to transform
them to monsters; hence the names Devil-fish,
Wonderful Sea-Serpent, &c. and another large
specimen of Ray which was captured at the same
time and place, was transported to New York,
where it was exhibited under the name of the
Vampire of the Ocean! An account of this speci-
men was read to the Lyceum of that city by their
late president, and published in the Annals of that
institution, with a figure.
Recently, while about to publish a figure of the
specimen belonging to the Philadelphia Museum,
[ observed a very exact description of an indivi-
dual, taken at Wilmington Island, near Savannah,
published in the Philadelphia Gazette of the 6th
of August last. It was evidently of the same spe-
cies with the present.
I have no doubt that the Ray mentioned by
Catesby, (vol. i. p. 32,) under the name of Devil-
fish, was of the same species with all those large
ones more recently seen on our coast; and I am
moreover inclined to think that they are no other
than the Rata giorna, Lacep. v. 20. 3, to which
Cuvier refers the R. fabroniana, Lacep. vii. pl. 5,
120 RAIA;
£3; the R. manatia, Will. App.ix. 3. &c. the figures
of which are very imperfect, and the sentighinns
not precise.
_ If we take into consideration the position of the
Azore Islands, which are situated between the
Strait of Gibraltar and the North American coast,
it will be obvious that this large species, known
by the name of R. cornuta, has an easy means of
communication between the two continents, by
these islands, when they pass out of the straits
into the ocean. If their place of residence is the
vicinity of those islands, we can the more readily
believe that they would be occasional visitants at
this coast.
It is worthy of remark, that they have wig ahs
served to approach our sandy coasts between the
months of July and September, when the time has
arrived for bringing forth their young; and it is
probably for this purpose that they made their
appearance here.
I have adopted for this species the name of the
celebrated Giorna, well known in science, and re-
ject such names as Devil, Vampire, &c. which
may well be associated together, as names calcu-
lated to repel those who are disposed to admire
the beauties of nature, and who have an inclina-
tion to cultivate scientific natural history. How
far preferable is the custom of applying the
names of those naturalists, who have enriched
science with new discoveries, or new and valuable
RAIA. 121
observations, to that which introduces into our
pages those chimeras that do not elsewhere exist,
than in a morbid or timorous imagination.
The descriptions and notes which have been
given of the large species of Ray, are so imper-
fect, and the figures so incomplete, that before we
can be justified in deciding upon any as new, we
must haye more detailed descriptions and exact
figures, made, if possible, from the living or recent
specimens. ‘The annexed figure and these ac-
companying observations are, I am fully aware,
far from being complete; but they may be a use-
ful addition to those already published, and serve
to make known and to fix the species seen on the
coast of North America.
Pl. VI. fig. 1. Ventral view, with the appendages reflect-
ed. Fig. 2. Foetus ventral view, the appendages in the
natural position. Fig. 3. Foetus dorsal view, the appen-
dages partly extended. Fig. 4. Foetus, lower part of the
back, and tail. ; ;
YOL, IV.—-NOVEMBER, 1824, 16
122 ANDALUSITE.
Description of a new crystalline form of the Axpa-
wusite. By G. Troost, M.D. Read June 29, 1824.
Through the politeness of my friend Major
Delafield, of New York, I have an opportunity of
describing a new variety of the crystalline form of
Andalusite, the character of which does not appear
to be sufficiently understood.
It appears from a letter of Major Delafield to
Professor Silliman, published in the American
Journal of Science and Arts, that the Major dis-
covered this mineral in Litchfield, Connecticut,
associated with quartz; it seems, however, that
the specimen was not found in situ, as the disco-
verer could not decide whether it came from gra-
nite or not.
The crystal alluded to, is apparently a right
angled four sided prism, two of the angles of the
base being truncated and bevelled. But as in this
case we fake two of the faces that belong to the
sides for those of the summits, and two of the
summits to form the sides, it is evident that an
erroneous idea of the form is conveyed.
When the crystal is placed in the proper posi-
tion, so that the perpendicular line drawn through
the upper and lower extremities is vertical, we then
see that it is a six sided prism, having four emar-
ginated edges terminated by a dihedral summit.
To reider this more intelligible, I add a diagram
of the crystal in its true position, Pl. ii fig. 6.
ANDALUSITE. 123
There is an apparent deviation in the symmetry
of the specimen under examination from the form
here represented. The face P, one of the penta-
gons of which the upper summit is composed,
touches the pentagon which runs parallel to y,
by which accident the faces y y, are very much
enlarged. ‘These faces form a right angle with
two of the faces M of the prism, and are generally
mistaken for faces of the prism, and of course the
whole is considered a four sided prism; at the
same time the face P of the pyramids forms with
the remaining face of the prism / and z on one
side, and T and z on the other; what is mistaken ~
for a summit, making a plane, two of the angles
of which are truncated and bevelled, the supposed
truncation being the face /, and the bevelment z
on one, and the face T, the truncation, and z the
bevelment on the other side.
This form of the Andalusite coincides with a
form of the Feldspar progressive, and is the fourth
form by which this mineral is approximated to the
Feldspar, Haiiy having described three.
Pl. IT. Figs. 5 & 6.
ANDALUSITE progressive G2 G4 M2 H T P i
02 Mer Erg:
From / upon P 60°
y P 99° 41’ 8”
M 208
M P 90°
z-and 2 land T 150°
124 FOSSIL SHELLS.
An account of some of the Foss Suetis of Mary-
mene By Tuomas Say. Read July we 12h
The following descriptions mention conta
specimens in a very large and fine collection of
fossil shells which Mr. John Finch obtained with
much labour and some expeiise in Maryland, and
which that gentleman with great liberality sub-
mitted to my examination. Many of these shells
appear to the eye nearly as perfect, in every re-
spect, with the exception of colour, as the recent
ones of the coast, and not afew of the bivalves
have both valves attached together by the teeth
of the hinge; circumstances which indicate an
undisturbed deposition from the waters in which
they had lived. Respecting the limits which cir-
cumscribe this body of shells, the relative situation
in which the species are found, &c. we may ex-
pect much interesting information from Mr. Finch.
I may, however, observe at present, that it seems
probable that the formation extends much farther
south than might at first be supposed, or that
nearly a contemporary one exists in South Caro-
lina. Fora knowledge of this fact, I am indebted
to Mr. Stephen Elliott, who sent me several shells
from near the Santee river, one of which corre-
sponds perfectly with a species in the collection
of Mr. Finch,
¥
FOSSIL SHELLS. 125
TURRITELLA.
T. plebeia. Pi. vii. fig. 1.. Whorls convex,
hardly flattened in the middle, with about twelve
revolving elevated striw, the middle ones alter-
nately somewhat smaller; transverse wrinkles’ dis-
tinct. *
This shell seems to attain to the length of rather
more than one inch. Several specimens are im-
bedded in a small mass of light lead coloured clay.
It somewhat resembles T. brevis of Sowerby, but
the striz are not crenulated. A species of Turri-
retta was found by Mr. A. Jessup in New Jersey,
quite different from the present species, and resem-
bling the T. conoida, Sowerby, but much smaller.
NATICA.
N. interna. PI. vii. fig. 2. Subglobose, de-
pressed, subglabrous ; umbilicus open, with a re-
volving rib.
Description. Shell destitute of revolving stri«,
and the wrinkles are not prominent, except near
the suture, towards the labrum, and on the verge
cf the umbilicus: spire but little prominent, acute:
aperture subovate: umbilicus open, permitting a
view nearly to the inner tip of the spire; a revolv-
ing rib above the middle of each volution, termi-
nating at the labrum in a hardly prominent callus.
126 FOSSIL SHELLS.
Length seventeen-twentieths, breadth nine-
tenths of an inch.
Several specimens are in Mr. Finch’s collection
in tolerable preservation, but very fragile, though
not thin. I obtained a species of Natica at Mul-
lica Hill, New Jersey, a few years since ; but it is
so changed by casualties, and by the infiltration
of ferruginous matter, that its specific: alliance
with the present species cannot be appreciated.
OLIVA.
Several specimens occur about the length of one
inch and two-fifths, but too imperfect to admit of
= decision as to the species. wit
BUCCINUM.
1. B. porcinum. PI. vii. fig. 3. Subovate, acute,
slightly undulated, and spirally striated; labrum ,
toothed.
Descrierion. Shell with numerous, subequal,
slight undulations, disappearing on the body whoa,
and about seventeen transverse, little elevated
strie: whorls nearly six, but little convex: suture
very narrow, consisting of a mere indented line :
apex acute: aperture moderate, rather more than
half the length of the shell: dabéwm covering the
columella, concave : labrum not thickened; on the
inner submargin with strizeform. teeth.
FOSSIL SHELLS. 127
Length one inch and a quarter, breadth rather
more than three-fourths of an inch.
This is shorter than the reticosum of Sowerby,
the suture is not so deeply impressed, the undu-
lations are not so obvious, and the concavity of
the labium is much more profound.
2. B. aratum. PA. vii. fig. 4. Oblong subovate,
spirally striated ; labrum thickened and toothed
within.
Description. Shell with more than twenty re-
volving, slightly elevated lines: whorls but little
convex: suture very narrow, consisting of a mere
indented line: aperture moderate : labium cover-
ing the columella, which is concave : labrum thick-
ened on the exterior, and with strieform teeth on
the interior submargin.
Breadth half an inch, length of the aperture
rather less.
Smaller and of a much more slender form than
the preceding, and altogether destitute of undula-
tions. The summit of the spire being deficient in
the specimen, its length cannot be ascertained.
FUSUS.
F. 4-costatus. PI. vii. fig. 5. Ovate-ventricose;
with a dilated umbilicus, and four much elevated
belts, which are more dilated at their tops.
Descrirtion. Spire short, the volutions with but
two belts, the others being concealed by the suc-
128 FOSSIL SHELLS.
ceeding whorls: body whorl with four belts, which
are equidistant, much elevated, wider at top than
at the junction with the whorl, and with one or
two deeply impressed lines; intervening spaces
wrinkled, the wrinkles extending over the belts:
aperture suboval: canal short and contracted : la-
brum with a groove corresponding with each of
the exterior ribs: umbilicus dilated, large, not visi-
bly penetrating to the inner summit; the exterior
margin prominent and deeply dentated.
Varies much in size; the smallest in Mr. Finch’s
collection is about three-fifths of an inch wide,
another is rather more than one inch in width,
and the largest is nearly three inches and three-
fourths; but a fragment of a still larger one leads
me to believe that the species attained to a width
of more than four inches. I am unable to state
the proportional length, all the specimens haying
truncated spires. The belts of some young spe-
cimens are altogether destitute of the impressed
lines.
It seems hardly possible that Lister’s figure 2.
of plate 1059, was intended for this shell, although
it has certainly a general similarity in the ribbed
appearance of the figure, and notwithstanding the
locality “a Marylandia,” which is engraved with
it, inasmuch as there is not any appearance what-
ever of an umbilicus, which is so much dilated and
so remarkable in the species under consideration.
Lister’s figure is quoted- by several authors
FUSSIL SHELLS. 129
amongst the synonymes of Buccinum scala, and con-
sidered as a variety of that shell, which may per-
haps be correct ; but in that case the fact of such
a shell having been found in Maryland, is at least
doubtful. Our shell may be the same with the
species which Dillwyn informs us is mentioned in
the Portland Catalogue, lot 3516.
A fine specimen of this shell was sent me some
time since by Mr. Stephen Elliott of Charleston,
who informed me that it was found with other
interesting and perfect shells which accompanied
it, on the Santee river, a little below the junction
of the Congaree and Wateree rivers.
Fusus cinereus nobis. A variety of this shell is
in Mr. Finch’s collection; it differs but little from
the recent shells, the spire and beak are slightly
longer.
FULGUR.
1. F. canaliculatus, Linn.
Lister Conch. pl. 878, f. 2.
Ellis’ Coral. pl. 33, fb. As this latter figure
has the channel of the spire, and is accompanied
by the ovaries of the canaliculatus, it is, no doubt,
the young of this shell, reversed by an error of
the engraver as Dillwyn has already supposed.
Variety. Sutural channel dilated, columella
much arcuated.
With the exception of the variation above men-
VOL. IV.-—NOVEMBER, 1824. 17
130 FOSSIL SHELLS.
tioned, the specimen agrees very well with the
species to which I have referred it. The granu-
lations which crown the spire of the young shell
are very evident in this specimen. ‘These eleva-
tions characterize the Murex granum, Schreter,
which Linné considered to be the young of this
species.
2. F. carica, Gmel.
Lister, Conch. pl. 880.
_. F. eliceans, Montf. p. 152. Knorr delic. pl. 30. f. 1.
There can be no doubt of the identity of a spe-
cimen collected by Mr. Finch, with this species. |
The carica varies considerably in the magni-
tude and number of the elevations which consti-
tute the armature of the shoulder. In the young
shell they are more numerous than in the adult,
and the beak is proportionally longer and more
slender. A variety in this fossil collection has the
elevations of the shoulder hardly prominent.
CALYPTRA&A.
1. C. grandis. PI. vii. fig. 6. a. Internal view.
b. Lateral view. Ovate; internal appendage di-
lated, and attached to the side of the shell.-
Descriprion. Shell large, ovate at base, inequi-
lateral, concentrically wrinkled, destitute of spines
or processes: apex behind the middle nearly erect:
internal appendage transverse, patulous, oceupy-
ing a considerable portion of the cavity of the shell,
FOSSIL SHELLS, i31l
and attached by one side, from its summit to its
edge, to the shorter side of the shell; its summit
corresponding to the inner apex of the shell.
_ This very remarkable shell is perfectly distinct
as a species from any other yet known. That it
does not, in rigid accuracy, belong to the genus
Catyprrza, must be evident to every conchologist
who considers the characters laid down in the
above description, and who is, at the same time,
aware, that the internal appendage of the type of
the genus, is open on one side throughout the
whole of itslength. If it be not properly a Ca-
LypTR#A, it cannot be referred to the closely re-
lated genera Inrunpisutum, Montf. and Mrrrura of
Gray, much less to any other genus with which
we are acquainted. I therefore propose that it be
placed in a new genus under the following name
and characters.
DISPOTAA.
Shell univalve, conoidal, patelliform, with an
internal entire cup-shaped appendage, adhering
by its side and apex to the side of the shell.
To this genus will also be referred a recent spe-
cies brought by Lieut. Gantt, U.S. N. from South
America, and presented by him to the Academy.
Of this shell I cannot find any description, and will
therefore characterize it as follows:
D. tubifera. Shell oval, inequilateral, with all
132 FOSSIL SHELLS.
radiating strie, and numerous tubular processes :
apex inclined towards the shorter side; within livid-
brown, polished: cup-shaped appendage brown near
the apex, margin pure white, and distinct from the
side as faras the submargin.
Caryptrza costata, nobis, Silliman’s Journal,
vol. 2, p. 40, belongs to this genus. In Mr. Finch’s
collection are fine specimens of this species.
FISSURELLA.
F. redimicula. PA. viii. fig. 1. Ovate-oval a lit-
tle oblong, conic-convex, with approximate longi-
tudinal strie; foramen ovate-oval, inclined.
Description. Longitudinal striz slender, nume-
rous, granulated, approximate; the granulations of
the strie give the appearance of concentric obso-
lete lines: aperture, inner margin crenate; thick-
ened inner margin of the foramen truncate at one
end.
Longest diameter one inch and a half.
T am not acquainted with the F. peruviana, Lam.
and the description of that shell will not enable
me to judge satisfactorily of its degree of affinity
with the present species. %
OSTREA.
1. O. compressirostra. PI. viii. fig. 2. a In-
ternal view. b. External view. Shell sinistral,
FOSSIL SHELLS, 135
subovate: inferior valve conyex, with numerous
convex ribs interrupted by fornicated scales at
the lines of increment: hinge curving a little up-
ward, very much contracted and short: superior
valve flat, wrinkled concentrically, without any
appearance of longitudinal lines: hinge more di-
lated than that of the superior valve, and oblique
with respect to the thickness of the shell.
Length of the specimen four inches and four-
fifths ; breadth four inches and a quarter. A large
superior valve is five inches and three quarters
long, and five inches and a quarter broad..
Like many species of this genus, it varies much
in form, and in the prominence of the ribs on its
convex valve ; but these ribs are very obvious on
the nine specimens under examination. Exter-
nally some varieties have a striking resemblance
to O. bellovacina, Lam. but the hinge is much
more contracted.
Besides those obtained ee Mr. Finch, Mr. Z.
Collins presented a fine specimen to the Acade-
my, found on the west branch of the Potomac,
about fifteen miles below Alexandria.
PECTEN.
1. P. Jeffersonius. Pl. ix. fig. 1. Subequivalyve,
with from nine to eleven striated ribs.
Description. Shell rounded, convex, not quite
equivalved, one of the valves being a little more
134 FOSSIL SHELLS.
convex than the other; the whole surface covered
with approximate, scaly strie : ribs elevated, round-
ed, with six or seven strie on the back of each;
intervening grooves profound: ears equal; sinus
of the ear of the superior valve, not profound,
being barely one eighth part of the length of the
ear: within with broad rounded flattened ribs.
Length five inches and arsegp cca breadth
five inches and seven-tenths.
Specimens of this truly fine shell are not un-
common. The Academy has been long in pos-
session of several single valves, in an excellent
state of preservation, obtained by my friend Mr.
J. Gilliams, and others which were presented by
Mr. Watson, who purchased them at the sale of
the collection of the late Professor Barton. Mr.
Finch has succeeded in obtaining entire specimens
of the two valves of the same individual. I am
of the opinion that Lister’s plate 167, is intended
to represent this shell, and that the singular ap-
pearance of the marginal strie in that figure is a
deviation from the ordinary formation of the spe-
cies, and is owing to the dislocation of the lines
of increment, and obliteration of the longitudinal
strie. Lister describes his specimens to be of a
“blue-clay colour,” in this respect perfectly cor-
responding with two specimens before me.
On one of the specimens is an imperfect Asrrea.
2.P. Madisonius. Much compressed, witts —
sixteen striated ribs.
FOSSIL SHELLS, 135
Description. Shell rounded, much compressed;
the whole surface covered with scaly striae: ribs
elevated, rounded, with about three strie on the
back of each; intervening grooves rather profound:
ears equal, sinus of the ear of the superior valve
profound, extending at least one third of the length
of the ear.
Length rather more than four inches and a half;
breadth four inches and four-fifths.
In magnitude this shell is justly entitled to com-
pare with the preceding; but it differs in being
much less convex, and in having a much more
profound sinus in the ear of the superior valve.
Three specimens, from which the above descrip-
tion was taken, belong to the Academy, and were
presented by Mr. Watson.
3. P. Clintonius.* PI. ix. fig. 2. Auricles yal
surface with from one hundred and forty to one
hundred and eighty elevated longitudinal lines.
Descrietion. Shell suborbicular, compressed,
with very numerous, regular, elevated strize, which
are muricated with minute scales formed by trans-
verse wrinkles, that are sparse in the middle of
the length, and crowded each side of the shell; the |
intervening spaces are regularly concave, and in
parts very distinctly wrinkled: auricles equal,
* Mr. Finch requested that three species of his collection
that might prove to be new, should be dedicated to the dis-
tinguished men whose names these shells bear.
136 FOSSIL SHELLS.
striated like the general surface : zwithin ‘simple,
margin striated.
Length four inches ; breadth rather more.
This is a very fine shell, comparable with the
magellanica ; but the sides below the auricles
decline much more rapidly towards the base, and
the strie, judging from Bruguiere’s figure, are
much more prominent and distinct.
4. P. septenarius. PI. ix. fig. 3. Shell convex,
suborbicular : auricles subequal : surface with nu-
merous slightly scaly striae, and about seven re-
mote ribs, of which the three intermediate ones
are much elevated, rounded, or slightly flattened
on the top.
Length nearly two inches and sovesieeitil
But a single imperfect, inferior valve, occurs in
Mr. Finch’s collection ; but this is so perfectly
distinct from any other that I have seen described,
that I have no hesitation to describe it as new.
The stria are equally distinct on the ribs, and in
the intermediate spaces. The scales are rather
thick, very small, and not confined to the striz,
but are also observable in the spaces hetweett the
strie.
PLICATULA.
P. marginata. PI. ix. fig. 4. a. External view.
b. Internal view. Shell ovate-cuneiform, some-
what arcuated at base; with about three much
FOSSIL SHELLS. 137
élevated folds, producing very profound undula-
tions on the edge of the shell; the intermediate
fold is bifid; the whole surface is marked by rather
gross concentric wrinkles ; inner margin dusky or
blackish, with a series of granules on one valve,
received into corresponding cavities in the oppo-
site valve.
Length one inch and a fifth, breadth one inch.
This species is very distinct from the P. plicata,
Linn. of the West Indies, and from that of the
East Indies, hitherto confounded with the plicata,
but to which Lamark’s name of gibbosa may be
transferred.
Of the known fossil species, it seems to approach
nearest to the angulata, Lam. but the folds are
neither squamous nor angulated.
ARCA.
1. A. arata. Pl. x. fig. 1. Shell transversely
oblong, subrhomboidal, with about twenty-six lon-
gitudinal ribs; basal edge nearly parallel to the
hinge margin, which latter terminates anteriorly
in an angle. o
Descrivtion. Ribs somewhat flattened, as wide
or rather wider than the intervening spaces ;
the whole surface concentrically wrinkled: um-
bones not remarkably prominent: apices remote,
the intervening space rhomboidal, with continued
indented lines, arcuated under the apices: hinge
YOL. 1V.——-DECEMBER, 1824. 18
138 FOSSIL SHELLS.
margin perfectly rectilinear, angulated at the ex-
tremities, the anterior one a little projecting: teeth
in a continued, uninterrupted line, parallel, except-
ing at the two extremities of the line, which de-
cline a little, and the teeth are there decidedly
longer and oblique with respect to the others of
the range : posterior end obliquely rounded to the
base: base nearly rectilinear and parallel to the
hinge margin, and deeply crenated on the inner
margin: anterior end produced below the middle,
and rounded, and a little contracted near the supe-
rior angle.
Length from the hinge margin to the base one
inch and three-tenths, breadth two inches and a
half.
This resembles a species found recent and very
common in the West Indies, and which I have not
ascertained to be distinctly described. That shell,
however, is proportionally longer, the anterior ex-
tremity only of the line of teeth declines a little,
and the series is slightly dislocated a little before
the apices of the shell.
2. A. centenaria. Pl. x. fig. 2. Shell transversely-
oval, subrhomboidal, obtusely contracted at base,
with numerous alternate longitudinal striz.
Descrierion. Strie from one hundred to one
hundred and eighty and more in number; disap-
pearing on the hinge margin; with hardly obvious
transverse minute wrinkles, and larger, remote,
irregular ones of increment: beaks but little pro-
FOSSIL SHELLS. : 139
minent, not remote: base widely but not deeply
contracted, nearly parallel with the hinge margin:
anterior and posterior margins obtusely rounded :
series of teeth rectilinear, uninterrupted, decurved
at the tips; space between the beaks with nume-
rous grooves proceeding from the teeth: inner
margin not very distinctly crenated: muscular im-
pressions elevated, and forming a broad line each
side, from the cavity of the beak to the margin.
Length nine-tenths of an inch, breadth nearly
one inch and a half.
3. A. incile. Pl. x. fig. 3. Shell transversely
rhomboidal, with about twenty-seven ribs; ante-
rior hinge margin compressed and angulated.
Description. Disk prominent from the beaks
to the anterior part of the base: -ribs with trans-
verse granules; those anterior to the middle alter-
nating with very slender and but little prominent
lines, and with a groove on each: anterior margin
longer to the base than the posterior end, and con-
tracted in the middle: series of teeth nearly rec-
tilinear, entire ; interval between the teeth and
the apices with a few transverse lines or wrinkles;
a single oblique groove from the apex to a little be-
fore the middle, and six or seven narrow ones from
the teeth outwards behind the apices: beaks placed
very far backward: inner margin crenated : mus-
cular impressions a little elevated, posterior one
short: basal margin not parallel with the hinge
margin.
140 FOSSIL SHELLS.
- Length nearly seven-tenths of an inch, breadth
less than one inch and a fifth.
PECTUNCULUS.
P. subovatus. P\. x. fig. 4. Longitudinally short
ovate, with about thirty longitudinal impressed
acute lines, the intervals a little convex.
Description. Shell increasing in width by a
slightly curved line from the apex to beyond the
middle : lateral curvatures equal : apices separate,
small, central; intervening space with but little
obliquity to the plane of the shell, with obsolete
angulated lines: teeth forming a regularly and much
arcuated series, which is rectilinearly truncated
above so as to leave in that part a mere edentu-
lous elevated line : within destitute of striz : mar-
gin with elevated angular lines: exterior surface
with about thirty longitudinal, impressed, acute
lines, the intervals a little convex.
Length from the apex to the base one inch and
thirteen-twentieths, breadth one inch and a half
nearly.
The character of the interval between the beaks
is not unlike that of a Cucutima, but the arrange-
ment of the teeth does not correspond with the
definition of that genus.
This shell varies a little in form, being some-
times nearly orbicular.
FOSSIL SHELLS. 141
NUCULA.
1. N. levis. Pl. x. fig. 5. Transversely elon-
gate-subovate, rostrated, nearly smooth.
Description. Shell compressed, thin, fragile,
polished, smooth, slightly wrinkled towards the
base : beaks nearly central, hardly prominent be-
yond the hinge margin, rounded, approximate :
series of teeth subrectilinear, a little arcuated be-
hind; teeth prominent: hinge margin exteriorly
both before and behind the beaks rather abruptly
compressed: posterior margin rounded : anterior
margin somewhat rostrated, the anterior hinge
margin rectilinear, very little reflected at tip: in-
ner margin simple.
Length nearly half an inch, breadth nearly one
inch.
This shell may be compared with the N. pellu-
cida, Gmel. but it is shorter, in proportion to its
width, and the beaks are nearer the centre.. It
is still more closely allied to a recent species of
our coast, that has probably been hitherto consi-
dered as the rostrata.
2. N. concentrica. PI. x. fig. 6. Transyersely
elongate-subovate, rostrated, concentrically stri-
ated.
Descrietion. Shell convex: rostrum consider-
ably narrowed towards the tip: surface concentri-
cally striated with numerous, regular, equidistant,
>
142 FOSSIL SHELLS.
rounded lines: beaks rather behind the middle :
ligament margin a little concave : series of teeth
angulated at the beaks.
Length over one-fifth, breadth two-fifths of an
inch.
The regularly striated surface gives this shell a
very pretty appearance. In outline it has some
resemblance to the rostrata.
VENERICARDIA.
V. granulata. Pl. xii. fig. 1. Suborbicular, with
about twenty-five convex ribs, and wrinkled across;
inner margin crenate.
Description. Beaks nearly central, a little pro-
minent, curved backward: ribs granulated on the
umbones, and transversely wrinkled near the base,
convex : apices somewhat prominent beyond the
general curve of the shell: inner margin and edge
crenate: cardinal teeth two.
Length from the apex to the base four-fifths of
an inch, breadth nearly the same.
Rather proportionally longer than the ets:
and more oblique.
CRASSATELLA.
C. undulata. PI. xi. fig. 2. a. External view.
b. Internal view. Much compressed, transversely
oblong-subovate, slightly angulated before; surface
FOSSIL SHELLS. 143
rather coarsely wrinkled, and on the umbo with
small, regular undulations ; umbo flattened : apex
subacute, not prominent, placed a little behind the
middle of the shell: hinge teeth distinct, promi-
nent: fosset much dilated ; a profound groove on
the anterior inner margin: edge not crenated ; on
the exterior anterior margin and submargin are
two undulations, of which the former is less dis-
tinct and more acute.
Width rather less than one inch and nine-tenths
to four inches and three-fifths, length less than one
inch and three-tenths to about three inches.
The species to which this is most closely allied,
is the compressa, Lam. Its compressed form, and
the somewhat elevated lines on the anterior part
of the shell, seem to be very similar; but that
species is proportionally much broader behind, the
beaks are much nearer the posterior extremity,
and the inner edge is crenated. A perfect valve
was purchased at the sale of the late Professor
Barton’s collection by Mr. Watson, and by him pre-
sented to the Academy. Its locality was not known,
but a fragment which I dissected out of a mass con-
taining fragments of Perna, belonging to the col-
lection of Mr. Finch, has decided this question.
ISOCARDIA.
{. fraterna. Pl. xi. fig. 1. a. Hinge 2. b. Back
view. Cordate-globose, slightly oblique, with ra-
144 FOSSIL SHELLS.
ther large concentric wrinkles, and lines of growth;
an elevated undulation on the anterior submargin,
marking the greatest length of the shell : wmbones
not very prominent, apex rather suddenly incurv-
ed, acute; impressed space behind the beaks, di-
lated and rather profound; anterior tooth striated
externally, and placed on the middle of the ante-
rior margin.
Large specimen, greatest length taken oblique-
ly, three inches and a half, breadth rather less.
Small specimen, greatest length rather over one
inch and a half, breadth nearly one inch and four-
fifths. .
This shell is so much like the Venus rustica,
Sowerby, that I hesitated to give it a distinct
name. Besides being somewhat less transverse,
it may be remarked that the hinge groove, behind
the primary tooth, is much more elongated ; but
notwithstanding these differences, such is the ge-
neral correspondence of the two shells, that I
should not be surprised if this should prove to be
only a variety of the rustica.
A large specimen which formerly belonged to
the collection of the late Professor B. S. Barton,
was presented to the Academy by Mr. Watson.
A smaller one was obtained by carefully dissect-
ing one of the friable masses containing fragments
of the Perna, in Mr. Finch’s collection.
FOSSIL SHELLS. 145
TELLINA.
“LT. equistriata. Pl. x. fig. 7. Shell transversely
ovate-orbicular, with an elevated line or fold on
the anterior margin: surface with fine, somewhat
elevated, concentric, nearly equal, numerous striz,
forming grooves between them : apex nearly cen-
tral, acute : cardinal teeth deeply grooved: lateral
teeth two; edge within, simple.
Length seven-tenths, breadth nineteen-twenti-
eths of an inch.
{n general outline, this species has a resem-
blance to 'T. ostracea, Lam. In one specimen the
apex is central, and in another it is placed before
the middle.
~ LUCINA.
1. L. contracta. Pl. x. fig. 8 Shell convex,
suborbicular, with numerous concentric, regular,
equidistant, elevated, membranaceous strie, and
intermediate smaller transverse lines: umbones not
very prominent: apices proximate, nearly central :
anterior hinge margin rectilinear, to an obtuse an-
gle near the middle of the anterior margin: ante-
rior submargin with a very slightly impressed
line : posterior margin rounded : cardinal teeth
one in the left valve, and two in the right, the
posterior one of which is subbifid at tip : lateral
VOL. IV.—NOVEMBER, 1824, 19
146 FOSSIL SHELLS.
teeth none : within obsoletely striated towards the
margin: posterior muscular impression perfectly
rectilinear, elongated, and oblique.
Length one inch and nine-tenths, breadth two
inches and one-tenth.
The posterior muscular impression is even more
elongated and slender than that of L. jamaicensis,
Chemn. In outline it is like L. scabra, Lam. The
impressions both before and behind the beaks are
very slender and contracted. A young specimen
belonging to the Academy, was brought from
Maryland by Mr. Jacob Gilliams.
2. L. anodonta. Pl. x. fig. 9. Orbicular, slightly
transverse, compressed ; teeth obsolete.
Descrirtion. Shell with elevated wrinkles; or-
bicular, a little transverse, with a very slight im-
pressed longitudinal line on the anterior margin:
anterior and posterior ends equally curved: apices
not prominent beyond the general curve of the
shell, with a very short deep emargination behind
them: teeth obsolete; both the cardinal and lateral
ones are generally altogether wanting: Junule
short, cordate, profound.
Length from the apices to the base one inch
and one-tenth, breadth one inch and one-fifth. _
The impressed line on the anterior part of the
shell is hardly visible in many specimens, and is
sometimes only a very slight undulation, not ob-
servable but on close inspection. In the speci-
mens, the ligament of the hinge still remains, ap-
FOSSIL SHELLS. 147
parently but little changed; by pressure of the
nail it is readily separated into flaxy filaments.
3. L. subobliqua. Orbicular, slightly oblique, a
little compressed; teeth prominent ; lunule not
distinct. :
Description. Shell concentrically wrinkled; a
little oblique forwards, the most prominent part
of the basal curvature being anterior to the mid-
dle; no appearance of an impressed line on the
margins, which are rounded, the hinge margin
being rectilinear for a short distance : lunule none,
or consisting only of a slightly impressed line:
beaks slightly prominent: muscular impressions
dilated, submarginal: cardinal teeth prominent, the
larger one with a groove : lateral teeth none.
Length four-fifths of an inch, breadth nearly the
same. .
4. L.cribraria. PI. xiii. fig. 1. Orbicular, con-
vex, with numerous longitudinal costz, and distinct
elevated concentric lines.
Description. Shell with close set, longitudinal,
equal, granulated ribs, and more or less elevated,
distinct, concentric lamellz: hinge margin obtusely
and not prominently angulated at its anterior and
posterior terminations : anterior margin with a di-
lated slightly impressed, and not very obvious
groove: lunule oblong-oval, very distinct, the
edge near the beaks extending inwards beside the
primary teeth : lateral teeth very distinct, the pos-
terior one placed nearly under the middle of the
148 FOSSIL SHELLS.
lunule : within crenate on the edge : posterior mus-
cular impression rectilinear.
Length half an inch, breadth eleven-twentieths
of an inch.
Two or three smaller specimens are twoefifths
of an inch long. In the outline of the edge, and
number of the cost, this species approaches the
L. scabra of authors ; but it is more convex, and
in other respects sufficiently distinct. In the larger
specimens, the transverse lamellz are almost ob-
solete at base, and the ribs prevail in that part.
L. diwaricata. Var. The fossil specimens of
Maryland are altogether similar to those found at
present in a recent state on our southern coast.
This variety is smaller than those of South Ame-
rica and the West Indies, and the lateral teeth are
more obvious. In the collection of the Academy
is a large specimen of the divaricata from the
West Indies, that agrees with the description of
the dentata of Wood. I should therefore be in-
clined to suppose, that the dentata is no other than
a variety of the former, owing to age.
VENUS.
1. V. deformis. PI. xii. fig. 2. a. View of the
hinge. Shell remarkably thick and ponderous,
longitudinally undulated; basal margin undulated.
Descrietion. Shell subcordate, with transyerse
wrinkles, which are distant and regular on the
FOSSIL SHELLS. 149
umbones, and much crowded on the basal half;
several very obtuse longitudinal undulations, of
which that on the middle is more profound: basal
margin deeply undulated in compliance with the
undulations of the disk: within crenate on the
edge: anterior margin flattened, and simply wrin-
kled.
Length nearly five, breadth six inches.
Smallest specimen, three inches and seven-
tenths long, and four inches and a half wide.
This extraordinary shell has so unusual an ap-
pearance, that I should almost have been disposed
to regard a single specimen as a monstrosity. The
examination of several individuals proves that the
species varies somewhat in form, and in the locality
of the undulations.
2. V. paphia? Lam.
CYTHEREA.
C. convexa. PI. xii. fig. 3. Shell subcordate ;
elevated convex, concentrically wrinkled, inequi-
lateral; posterior tooth and fosset not striated ;
edge not crenated; umbo rather prominent; lunule
dilated, cordate, marked by a simple line.
Length one inch and a tenth, breadth more than
one inch and three-tenths.
On the inner surface of the shell is a prominent
line in one valve, proceeding from the extremity
of the impression of the retractor muscle, and
150 FOSSIL SHELLS.
becoming obsolete behind the cavity of the umbo;
on the opposite valve is an impressed line, occu-
pying a similar position. Whether or not this line
is characteristic, I am unable to determine, having
seen but two valves.
C. concentrica. Born. Mr. Finch’s differ from
those now existing on our southern coast, in being
larger.
Length three inches and three-tenths, breadth
three inches and two-fifths.
ASTARTE, Sowerby.
1. A. undulata. P\. ix. fig. 5. Shell trigonate,
umbones flattened, and with profound undulations;
apices very acute.
Descrirrion. Basal half of the shell coarsely
wrinkled, the remaining half deeply, regularly and
widely undulated on the flattened umbo: lunule
large oblong subovate, concave, separated from
the disk, particularly near the beaks, by an acute
angle : beaks prominent, approximate, acute, turn-
ed a little backward at tip : ligament margin con-
cave nearly to the basal angle, and separated from
the disk, near the beaks, by an acute angle : liga-
ment very short: teeth regularly crenated each
side: basal angles rounded: basal edge nearly
rectilinear, or very obtusely arcuated; within finely
crenated ; smaller muscular impression very dis-
tinct.
FOSSIL SHELLS. 1 51
Length four-fifths, breadth rather less than nine-
tenths of an inch.
Var. a. Length one inch and a tenth, breadth
one inch.
A very distinct species, uals any other yet
described. It varies in proportional length, some
being longer than broad, and others broader than
long. I adopt Sowerby’s generic name, in pre-
ference to that of Crassiva of Lamark, for the all-
sufficient reason, that it has the priority. The
recent shell which I described under the name of
Venus castanea, Journ. Acad. Nat.Se. vol. 2. p- 273,
belongs in strictness to this genus.
2. A. vicina. PI. ix. fig. 6. Trigonal with a
distant, somewhat regular, impressed line; lunule
much excavated; apices acute.
Description. pices prominent : lunule dilated,
deeply excavated, subcordate, separated from the
disk, particularly near the beaks, by a subacute
angle : beaks prominent, approximate, acute, curv-
ed backwards : ligament margin concave : umbones
convex.
Length nine-tenths of an inch, breadth one inch.
Closely allied to the preceding, but numerous
specimens correspond in the much more_pro-
foundly concave lunule, and in the convexity of
the umbones.
152 FOSSIL SHELLS.
MACTRA.
Two or three mutilated specimens of a species
closely allied to M. lateralis, nobis, but too imper-
fect to determine the degree of proximity.
AMPHIDESMA.
A. subovata. Pl. x. fig. 10. Shell transversely
ovate-oval, with somewhat prominent and regular
concentric striz.
Descrirtion. Shell compressed: beaks rather
before the middle, but little prominent: anterior
submargin with an obsolete, obtuse undulation :
lunule lanceolate : eardinal and lateral teeth pro-
minent.
Length seven-tenths of an inch, breadth less
than one inch. aaa
CORBULA.
1. C. cuneata. PI. xiii. fig. 3. Shell transversely
oyate-trigonal, acutely angulated or somewhat ros-
trated before, and depressed on the anterior slope,
which is separated from the disk by a subacute
line : surface of both valves similarly striate with
equal, elevated, equidistant lines, forming grooves
between them; the striz on the smaller valve are
rather more distant : wmbones not prominent,
FOSSIL SHELLS. 153
Length of the larger valve hardly more than
the fourth of an inch, breadth more than two-fifths
of an inch.
A very pretty epecion: It was imbedded in 2
mass which contained fragments of the large Perna.
2. C. inequale. PI. xiii. fig. 3. Shell convex,
transversely ovate-trigonal, rough, with unequal
coarse wrinkles: anterior margin with a very acute
but short rostrum at its inferior termination, sepa-
rated from the disk by an acute line: base rounded
and a little contracted near the anterior angle :
umbones not prominent.
Length niccomrcenant breadth rather more than half
an inch.
This species has a different aspect from the
preceding ; it is longer in proportion to its width,
more convex, and the wrinkles, though prominent,
are altogether destitute of that equality which dis-
tinguishes those of the other shell.
PANOPZZA, Menard.
P.reflexa. PI. xiii. fig. 4. Exterior and interior
views. Shell transversely oblong-subovate : ante-
rior margin somewhat narrower and longer than
the posterior margin, the edge reflected: surface
wrinkled, and profoundly so towards the base.
Length three inches and two-fifths, breadth five
inches and seven-tenths.
This fine shell approaches closely to the P. fav-
VOL. IV.——-NOVEMBER, 1824, 20
154 FOSSIL SHELLS.
jas of Menard, which Lamarck seems inclined to
consider as but a variety of the P. glycimeris,
Gmel. Our shell is comparatively somewhat short-
er than the latter, and its reflected anterior margin
distinguishes it from the faujas.
eee
8S. granifera. PI. viii. fig. 4. Covered with lon-
gitudinal, contiguous, slightly rg ey bape
strie.
Descrirtion. Shell subcylindric, contorted, in-
ferior side flat; the whole surface is composed of
very numerous, small, contiguous strize, each con-
sisting of a single row of granules; these series are
alternately smaller.
Diameter of the larger end thitedtent of the
largest specimen two-fifths of an inch.
The continuity of the tube within, is interrupted.
by oblique diaphragms. It sometimes approaches
the spiral form, and one specimen has three com-
plete volutions of much regularity.
DENTALIUM.
D. attenuatum. PI. viii. fig. 3. Arcuated; sur-
face marked with from twelve to sixteen rounded
ribs, intervening grooves simple ; lines of growth
numerous, distinct; aperture orbicular. -
Length nearly one inch and seven-tenths. —
HOLOTHURIA. 155
The species of this genus are very closely allied
to each other, and at the same time they exhibit
so few characters, that it is with difficulty that
some of them are determined. The present seems
to differ from either of those already described.
In the collection of the Academy are two frag-
ments of Denvatia, very closely allied to this spe-
cies, which were obtained by Mr. A. Jessup in
New Jersey; but their imperfect state do not
_justify me in deciding upon a fact so important to
geology as their specific identity.
ees cme
Description of several new Species of Horotuvria.
By C, A. Lesuzur. Read April 6, 1824.
Much difficulty has always attended any attempt
to arrange the Hotornuriz in a natural order, owing
to the contraction of the body when placed in a
preservative liquid, and the consequent oblitera-
tion of many characters which distinguish the liy-
ing animals.
This difficulty was sensibly experienced, and
distinctly expressed, by Blainville, in the Diction-
aire Sciences Naturelles, vol. xxi. p. 315, who,
nevertheless, endeayoured to group the species by
correspondencies of form, and disposition of feet.
These two characters I believe to be uncertain,
156 HOLOTHURIA.
inasmuch as they are variable, and often differ ex-
ceedingly after death from their appearance in the
living specimen. ‘The tentacule are less liable to
this objection, and Lamarck has availed himself of
the modifications in the form and structure of these
organs, to separate the genus into two divisions.
{n the following essay I have resorted to the
same basis of classification, with the addition of a
third division for the reception of those that have
pinnated tentacula, only one species of which was.
known to Lamarck.
Cuvier, in his classification of the Horornuri,
draws his characters from the arrangement of the
feet; but, as we have already remarked, these or- -
gans are too various in their disposition, and are
often too indistinct from contraction in alcohol, to.
furnish an obvious or certain guide. Some spe-
cies, like the H. briareus, nobis, are covered with
feet in every part; others have but one, two, three
to five distinct ranges of feet; others again have
the feet placed behind, as in the agathophytos, of
which Peron has formed his genus Cuviera, not
yet published, and which Mr. Cuvier has figured
in his Regne Animal, vol. iv. p. 15, and sneer
p. 22, under the name. of H. Cuviera.
t With cylindrical tentacule ; summit, -rmi-
nated by a branched, flat, spherical or infundibu-
liform umbel.
1. Horornuris obscura. Tentacule twenty, cy-
HOLOTHURIA. 157
lindrical, umbel indefinite, subspheric ; body tubu-
lar, with conic tubercles ; a single foot furnished
with numerous, red, small, approximated suckers.
Inhabits St. Bartholomews.
Body tubular, slightly inflated in the middle,
and more slender at the extremities: back covered
with conic tubercles, which are surmounted by
small whitish tubes, as contractile as the small
sheathing tubercles which support them: anterior
opening annular, small, placed in the middle of the
disk, of which the exterior margin is furnished
with twenty equal tentacule, which are tubercu-
lous at base, and their summits are divided into
small, very short, approximated branches, resem-
bling so many little balls, which are contiguous
when all the tentacule are developed: anus ter-
minal, furnished with slender papille, longer than
the tubercles of the body: foot, or the side upon
which the animal moves, with numerous, small,
very short suckers: colour fuliginous brown; ex-
tremity of the tentacule blackish.
Length, when developed, six inches, transverse
diameter nine lines.
H. aglutinata. Tentacule eighteen, equal, um-
bel infundibuliform, small; body tubular, covered
with contractile tubercles : foot none.
Inhabits St. Bartholomews.
Body soft, tubular, covered with distant tuber-
cles: colour, above very deep bistre-brown, paler
beneath ; the tubercles, which are irregularly dis-
158 HOLOTHURIA.
posed, do not appear to be all used in locomotion;
but those of the paler side of the body seem to be
more particularly employed for this purpose, and
are elongated when the animal is in motion, whilst
the others remain contracted, though there is not
a distinct foot, as in the preceding. These inac-
tive tubercles appear like black points, or as round-
ed or conic tubercles on the surface of the body :
mouth small, placed in the centre of a disk which
is surrounded by eighteen slender, cylindric, very
delicate tentacule, of a clear yellow-bistre colour,
each surrounded by a small infundibuliform um-
bel, which is composed of small ramifications di+
chotomously divided, and not contiguous with
the surrounding ones when these organs are de-
veloped: anus small, placed in the centre of a yel-
lowish coloured disk, which, in the state of con-
traction, is covered by five triangular divisions,
furnished with small papilla.
Length from three to four inches.
This. species is very numerous in a small eg
opposite to the port of St. Bartholomews.
They conceal themselves in rolled madrepores,
which are there very abundant. A whitish viscous
fluid transudes from the body, forming threads of
great tenacity, which envelop the substance on.
which the animal rests, and attach it so female as
to be removed with difficulty.
3. H. maculata. 'Tentacule twenty, ol
equal; umbel small, flat, with laciniated branches ;
HOLOTHURIA. 159
body fusiform, tuberculous, pale cinereous, with
bluish-black oval spots.
Inhabits St. Bartholomews.
Body soft, contractile, narrow and pointed be-
fore, inflated behind, covered with tubercles on
the back and sides : locomotive tubes long, distant
beneath : mouth very small, without any disk, and
surrounded by twelve tentaculz, which are slen-
der, flaccid, transparent, very long, and surmounted
by a very small umbel, the ramifications of which
are also very small, and laciniated : anus terminal,
round.
Length about four or five inches.
The form of this species is very beautiful; the
body is sprinkled with oblong spots of the length
of five or six lines by four or five wide, which are
relieved by the pale colour of the body.
Like the preceding, it is found in Madrepores
and in the same bay.
4. H. fasciata. Tentacule twenty, short, trans-
parent, spotted; umbel plane, composed of six:
very short, bifurcated divisions ; body soft, orna-
mented with five bluish-cinereous bands, and five
bands covered with small inequal tubercles.
Inhabits St. Bartholomews..
Body subfistulous, soft, a little narrower at the
extremities : skin smooth, coriaceous, thick, white
interiorly, divided into ten longitudinal bands, of
which five are covered with small tubercles, pro-
bably used in locomotion ; but not having seen the
160 HOLOTHURIA.
animal in its state of development, I cannot speak
confidently of their office : mouth small, placed in
the centre of a small disk, surrounded by twenty
tubular, transparent, short tentacule, which are
larger at base, and surmounted by a small stelli-
form umbel of five or six bifurcated, whitish divi-
sions : anus terminal, margined with red, and hay-
ing small papillary tubes, placed in the centre of
a small disk, concealed in the contracted state by
five small valyes or triangular divisions ; the skin
is of a deeper blue and smoother in the sae
between the five divisions.
Length of the largest specimens from eight to
ten inches.
This animal, like the other species, has the fa-
culty of admitting and rejecting the water by the
mouth and anus. It decomposed very rapidly, and
almost entirely disappeared when exposed to the
air. The intestinal canal is filled with sand. It
conceals itself beneath rolled Madrepores, and in
their cavities, with the preceding species.
+t Tentacula arborescent.
5. H. lapidifera. 'Tentacule sixteen, branched
and united at base, surrounding the mouth ; body
with scattered, small, poriform tubercles.
Inhabits St. Bartholomews. ite :
Body cylindric, firm, contractile : skin smooth,
ornamented with small longitudinal lines, and co-
vered with small circles placed irregularly, from
HOLOTHURIA. 161
which are protruded fistulous organs, which serve
for locomotion, and to attach the body in the cavi-
ties of madrepores ; they are also used to hold
small scales with which the body is in part cover-
ed, when the animal removes from its habitation :
the mouth is capable of being dilated and elon-
gated : the tentacula are united at base, and sur-
round the mouth; the small branches of the ten-
tacula are dilated in small membranes, twisted in
a semispiral line and of a reddish colour; the inte-
rior base of the tentacula is distinguished by a
very black line, and the exterior base by tubercles:
anus terminal: colour pale violaceous blue, the
tentacula and their base very pale hyaline blue.
Length when developed three to four inches.
In the cavities of old madrepores, and other
concealed situations.
6. H. briareus. Tentacula eight, branches very
much divided; body fistulous, entirely covered
with small approximated tubes.
Tnhabits the coast of the United States.
Body fistulous: skin smooth, soft, covered in
every part with small locomotive, concealed tubes:
tentacula very much branched, the branches some-
what foliaceous, divided, and like so many trees
arranged around a disk, in the centre of which is
the mouth: anus simple, terminal, surrounded with
papille, which are longer and placed more closely
together than those of the body : colour reddish
or blackish, papilla and tentacula paler.
VOL. IV.——-DECEMBER, 1824. 21
162 HOLOTHURIA.
Length from three to six inches.
Brought from the coast of Florida by Messrs.
Maclure, Ord, Say, and Peale. In the contracted
state, the body seems covered with numerous
small, transverse incisions. Mr. Say informs me
that this species occurs very frequently on the
coast of New Jersey.
ttt. Tentacula pinnated; body vermiform.
7. H. hydriformis. Tentacula twelve, flaccid,
consisting of six or seven pairs of opposite pro-
cesses ; body red, spotted with white.
Inhabits Guadaloupe.
Body elevated, terminated behind in a point,
gelatinous: mouth large, surrounded by twelve
equal tentacula, united at base by a diaphanous
membrane; each tentaculum is furnished with six
or seven pairs of processes, which are tuberculated
on each side ; these small tubercles, or suckers, ap-
pear to me analogous to those of the tentacula
of the Actiniz; at the base of each tentaculum are
two black points: anus terminal, small, without
appendices ; the body is furnished with very small,
distant tubercles, which perform the office of suck-
ers to fix the body to fucus, and in locomotion the
tentacula are used as feet: colour of the tentacula
red, varied with slight white and bluish spots ;
about eight longitudinal lines, of which four are
more distant, and small transverse lines: intestinal
canal obvious, folded three times upon itself, and
at each fold much undulated.
NOMENCLATURE OF WILSON’s ORNITHOLOGY. 168
Length about two inches.
The tentacula are inclined alternately, by two
or three pairs together, towards the mouth.
8. H. viridis. Tentacula eight, entire, long, with
six or seven pairs of pennatule, and four small ones
destitute of pennatule ; body cylindric, green.
Inhabits St. Thomas.
Body cylindric, covered with small prehensile
tubercles, used in adhering to submarine objects.
It is usually upon coralines and plants, growing at
the depth of three or four feet, that this species is
found, secure from the effects of the agitation of
the waves; the tentacula are in continual motion,
alternately approaching the mouth: anus terminal:
colour entirely green.
Length about two inches.
Observations on the Nomenclature of Wiuson’s
Ornitnotocy. By Cuartes Bonaparte. Read
November 9, 1824. (Continued.)
MUSCICAPA.
There is, perhaps, no genus more difficult to
elucidate than the present; for no two authors
agree respecting its divisions. Brisson, who es-
tablished it, seems to have been more accurate
in assigning its limits, than any of the ancient
164 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
authors. Linné had arranged the species under
Moracitxa, but in his twelfth edition he adopted
this genus, with the exclusion of some of the
larger species, known by the name of Tyrants,
which he improperly placed in his genus Lanwws.
In this he was followed by Gmelin 22d Latham,
who augmented the genus Muscicapa by adding
many species, some of which do not belong to it.
Lacepede divided the species into three genera,
corresponding with Buffon’s sections, according
to the size of the birds; thus the largest species
were called T'yranni, the middling size Muscivore,
and the smallest Muscicape. Cuvier very properly
contented himself with forming three subgenera,.
Tyrannus, Muscipeta, and Muscicapa; and to the
latter, judiciously added the greater part of the
species that he had excluded from the genus Topus.
Illiger considered Muscicapa as a whole, and as-
signed to it pretty natural limits. . Vieillot also
restricted the genus Topus; but in my opinion he
was wrong in arranging many of the Topr of Gmelin
and Latham, Muscicape of Cuvier, in the genus
Pratyruyncos of Desmarest. He adopted the ge-
nus ‘Tyrannus of Lacepede, and formed two new
genera, Conopornaca, which includes some of the
-Muscipete of Cuvier, and Avecrurus, for two un-
certain South American birds, which Temminck
thinks are true Muscicaps. Vieillot’s genus Mus-
cicapa is therefore very extensive; and he con-
fesses, moreover, that all the preceding genera
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 165
would be more properly disposed as sections of
this genus. Temminck distributes the great genus
Muscicara of Cuvier, into two genera, viz. Muscr-
pera, (nearly corresponding with Cuvier’s sub-
genus of that name,) and Muscrcara; the latter
being much more numerous in species, including
the greater part of Cuvier’s Muscicapa, together
with the principal portion of the Tyranni, which
differ only by being larger and more powerful.
Temminck having also restricted the genus Topus
to a single species, has distributed the other spe-
cies in his two genera Muscicapa and Muscirera.
None of the sixteen species described by Wilson,
or of the few since discovered within the bound-
aries of the United States, have sufficient charac-
ters to be entitled to rank as a distinct genus from
Muscicara, excepting some that are Syivix, and
those which apparently belong to Temminck’s
third section of Muscicara; for the latter, together
with some other birds, I shall adopt Vieillot’s genus
Virco. Thus composed, the latter genus differs so
much from its original acceptation, that it is only
with a view to avoid multiplying synonymes that I
retain that designation.
The sixteen species of our author, all peculiar
to America, will, therefore, be distributed into the
genera Muscicara, Vireo, and Sytyv1a; the former in-
cluding the largest species as a subgenus, under the
name of T'yrannus, for which the only good differ-
ential character I can discover, is their superior size.
166 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
113, M. tyrannus. Vol. ii. p. 66. This bird is
not the Muscicara tyrannus of Linné, but of Bris-
son; yet this name has been promulgated by
Wilson, it is now familiar to every naturalist as ap-
plied to the Kingbird, and must be retained for
this species.
At first sight this procedure may seem at vari-
ance with the principle of retaining all the Lin-
nan specific names, which I consider a just tribute
to the founder of the present system of nomencla-
ture, to which we are indebted for the existing state
of the science. But tyrannus was also applied by
Linné to this bird; it is his Lays tyrannus, and if
he had transferred the bird to Muscicapa, [have no
doubt that he would have preserved its name, and
changed that of the other. In thus pursuing a
course which has the additional advantage of co-
inciding with the generally received impression,
{ think myself not liable to the reproach of devi-
ating from the principles I have adopted.
SYNONYMES.
Muscicapa tyrannus, Briss.
Lantus tyrannus, Linn.
Lantus tyrannus y carolinensis, and @ ludovicianus, Gmet.
Lara. (these varieties only.)
Gobe-mouche de la Caroline, Burr. Pl. Enl. 676.
Tyrannus pipiri, Vir. Pl. 44.
The latter author has since changed the bar-
barous name of pipiri to that of intrepidus, thus
exercising on his own works his habit of changing.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 167
114. M. crinita. Vol. ii. p.'75. Although the
name of this species originated from the exagge-
rated appearance of the crest in a bad figure of
Catesby, copied by subsequent authors, yet it
must remain unchanged. The bird is noticed in
the systems under two different names.
This and the preceding are the only species in
Wilson, referred by authors to Tyrannus.
SYNONYMES.
Muscicapa crinita, Linn. Guev. Lata.
Muscicara ludoviciana, Guex. Lara.
Muscicapa virginiana cristata, Briss.
Gobe-mouche hupé de Virginie, Burr. Pl. Enl. 569, f. 1.
(a bad representation, principally as regards the crest,
which is quite unnatural.)
Tyrannus ludovicianus, View. Pl. 45,
This latter author was incorrect in considering
the Muscicara feroz, as the same with this bird.
It is a distinct species, as he perceived in his sub-
sequent writings; but he then added to the confu-
sion, by changing the name of our bird to that of
Tyrannus irritabilis, and stating that the female
differs in colour from the male, even after Wilson
had truly observed, that the sexes are hardly dis-
tinguishable from each other. If, therefore, there
be any difference between the M. crinita and lu-
doviciana of authors, it must be owing to age, and
not to sex.
With respect to the origin of the latter nominal
species, Vieillot’s conjecture is probably correct.
168 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
that Buffon copied the figure of the crinita from
Catesby, and afterwards, having received a speci-
men, he described it as new, not recognizing it in
that figure. He was the first to describe the ludovi-
ciana, and was followed by all subsequent writers.
115. M. nunciola. Vol. ii. p. 78. Wilson was
wrong in adopting Bartram’s name for this familiar
bird, in preference to that consecrated by the fa-
thers of the science. His reason was, perhaps,
that he doubted the identity of the Muscicapa
JSusca with the nunciola of Bartram ; but be it as
it may, the former name must be restored, not-
withstanding that Bartram’s name is more elegant,
expressive, and appropriate. If authors are to be
permitted to change specific names under the ex-
cuse of improving them, there will be no end to
their alterations, and our systems will be involved
in utter chaos.
SYNONYMES.
Muscrcapa fusca, Guet. Latu. ViE1Lt. pl. 40.
Muscicapa aira, GMEL.
Muscricara phebe, Larn.
Muscicara Carolinensis fusca, Briss.
116. M. rapax. Vol. ii. p. 81.. We have here
a new name applied to a species, which had been
previously known, described, and named. This
designation must therefore be rejected, and the
bird will then be known as the Muscicara virens.
As this species may readily be mistaken for the
preceding or the following, it may be acceptable
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 169
to naturalists to have additional discriminating
characters, taken from the comparative dimensions
of the primaries. In this species, the exterior pri-
mary is nearly as long as the fourth, and much
longer than the fifth ; but the second is the longest.
Of the preceding species, the first is hardly as long
as the sixth, the second is equal to the fourth, and
the third is longest.
Of the following species, the first is of the same
length as the fifth, and the second and fourth are
nearly equal to the third, which is longest.
SYNONYMES,
Muscrcara virens, Linn. Guet. Lara
Topus obscurus, Gurx. Lara. (Vieillot thinks it syno-
nymous with the following.) .
Muscicapa carolinensis cinerea, Briss.
Moscicapa querula, Vien, pl. 39.
Wilson’s quotation of the M. acadica, as syno-
nymous with this bird, is inaccurate: it is the
same as M. querula of Wilson. This qifotation is
the more remarkable, as our author introduces, in
its proper place, Pennant’s synonyme of the acadi-_
cea, from which authors derive their'M. acadica. It
is not a little singular, that Vieillot appropriated
to his species the name that Wilson gave to the
following.
117. M. querula. Vol. ii. p. 77. This is the M.
acadica of authors, and therefore that name must
be restored. The name querula must be rejected,
VOL. 1V.——DECEMBER, 1824. 22
179 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
for the additional reason, that Vieillot had already
applied it to the preceding species. Thus two
authors have made use of the same name for two
birds that, from their close affinity, did not require
this circumstance to endanger their being mis-
taken.. The M. guerula of Wilson is, therefore,
the acadica, and that of Vieillot is the virens; and
as both these closely allied species may be mis-
taken for the M. fusca, a new specific phrase for
each may be acceptable. ae
M. fusca, Ginel. (nunciola, Wilson.) = *
Fusco-cinerea, capite nigricante ; subtus ochro-
leuca ; rostro toto pedibusque nigris ; cauda subfor-
ficata; rectrice extima latere exteriore albida. —
M. virens, L. (rapax, Wils. querula, Vieill.)
E virescenti fusco-cinerea, subtus sordide ochro-
leuca; rostro supra nigro, subtus pallide lutes-
eente; cauda subforficata; ret ar Beoyuiee omnium
longissima. #
M. acadica, Gmel. (querula, Wils. not of Vieill. )
Virescens, subtus ochroleuca; alarum fascia ge-
mina albida; xostro nigro subtus carneo; cauda
subrotundata ; remige tertia omnium longissima. _
S¥NONYMES.
IAL YD
Aaa os
Musercara acadica, Guev. Latu. Vier.
- Museicapa canadensis olioacea. Briss. "(considered by
Linn. and Lath. as a variety of the Muscicapa pipe
Muscicara nes Bartram, ; ered
.* OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. , 174
Vieillot has not given a figure of the acadica,
and copies the little he says of it from other wri-
ters. In the Nouy. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. he gives it
the name of Pratyruyncos virescens, and adds a
correct account of it taken from Wilson. He thinks
the Topus obscurus of Latham is no other than
this species ; but we are of the opinion that it is
the preceding, and we have quoted it accordingly.
Vieillot’s arrangement of this species shows
evidently that the genus Pratyruyncos, in his ac-
ceptation of it, is unnatural, since he generically
separates these species from each other, which
are so closely allied as to be proximate species in
the same section. The only difference is, that the
bill of the acadica is but a very little wider and
flatter.
» 118. M. ruticilla. Vol. i. p. 103, and yol. v. p.
119. (Young.) The very great difference exhi-
bited by the perfect plumage of the male of this
pretty little bird, from the dress of the female,
young and autumnal male, has led authors into the
error of describing it under two different names. —
And it is worthy of remark, that in its humble
dress it has been referred to the genus Sytyia.
Cuvier arranges it under his subgenus Muscipeta;
but other writers, who admit that group as a genus,
consider it a Muscicapa. We are ignorant of the
opinion of Temminck, but we find no character
that justifies its separation from Muscicapa, of
which we consider it a genuine species. A re-
172 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
markable character of this bird, common, however,
to several others of the genus, is that it has the
four outer primaries nearly equal in length.
SYNONYMES.
Muscicapa ruticilla, Linn. Guet. Lara. Viztt. Pl. 35,
(male) Pl. 36, (female.)
Moracitta flavicauda, Gurt. (female, young and autum-
nal male.)
Muscicapa americana, Briss.
Gobe-mouche @Amerique, Burr, Pl. Enl. 566, fig. 1, Lisa
in full plumage.) Jig. 2, (female.)
119. M. cwrulea, Vol. ii. p. 164. Wilson trans-
ferred this very small bird from Sytvia, in which it
always was, and has since been placed by authors,
to Muscicara, probably from the circumstance of
its bill being a little depressed and flattened at
base. This character certainly proves an alliance
with that genus; but the slenderness and elonga-
tion of the bill, induces us to comply with the de-
cision of all other authors, and replace it in Syt-
via. Wilson was probably not aware that the
name of cerulea is pre-occupied in Muscicapa;
and as this is the case, the name would be changed
in that genus; but as we refer it to Syxyia, the
first name must be retained. It may be considered
a connecting link between Syzvia and Muscioapa. »
A small intermediate subgenus may be formed. wid
it, and for a few others jalenad to it. ate
ate
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 173
SYNONYMES.
Moracitta cerulea, Linn. Gmet.
Syzvia cerulea, Lata. View. Pl. 88.
Moracitia cana, Gaex. (young.)
Sytvia cana, Latu. (young.)
Ficeputa pensylvanica cinerea, Briss.
This bird is not represented in Buffon’s Planches Enlu-
minées, though two of his figures are very like it: of these,
one is the Figuier de Madagascar, pl. 705, fig. 3, (Syuvta
livida, Lata.) which, but for the locality, we should believe
to be the same; and the other is the Figuier @ téte noire de
Cayenne, (pl. 704, fig. 1,) which we cannot agree with au-
thors in considering as a variety of it.
» 120. M. sylvicola. Vol. i. p.117. This bird is
one of three, of which Vieillot originally formed
his genus Vireo, which we adopt, as very natural
and intermediate between Muscicara and Tanacra;
to these species he judiciously added, in the Nou-
veau Dict. d’Hist. Nat. the Muscicapa solitaria of
Wilson, as a fourth species. We think proper to
enrich this small genus with two other species,
as will be seen hereafter. All the known Vineonzs
are inhabitants of North America. The genus is
thus characterized :
Bill rather short, a little robust, and compressed;
upper mandible incurved at tip, and emarginat-
ed; inferior mandible shorter, recurved at. tip,
with the sides narrowed in and rounded beneath ;
nares at the base of the bill rounded ; tongue car-
174 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
tilaginous and bifid at tip; mouth ciliated at the
corners ; wings with the second or third prima-
ry longest; toes four, three before and one be-
hind; the exterior ones united at base.
All the species live in the woods, feeding on
insects and berries, but principally on the former,
and are therefore migratory and Ba summer
visitants.
Vieillot places this genus in the same family
with the Tanacra, (his. Pertcaties,) but we ar-
range the Tawacre in the family of the Passerin,
and the present genus with Syivia and Muscicapa
in that of the Cayor. » ia
Vieillot’s specific name for the present species
has the priority, and must therefore be adopted in
preference to that of Wilson; the bird will then
be known by the name of Vireo flavifrons.
SYNONYME.
Vinzo flavifrons, Vien pl. 54, 00 ae :
He thinks the Tanacra olivacea of Gmel. and
Lath. is the female of this species ; but our im-
pression is that this bird is the female, young or
autumnal male of Tayacra rubra, and we ——
therefore quoted it as such. ”
121. M. solitaria. © Vol. ii. p. 143. “This rare,
new species of Wilson, was never observed by
Vieillot, who, however, probably from Wilson’s
statements and accurate figure, very properly ar-
ranged it in his genus Virgo, in the Nouveau Dict.
°° @F WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 175
dHist. Nat. as above mentioned, retaining the
specific name given by its discoverer. This is
the course that a naturalist ought always to follow,
in transferring a badly classified species to its pro-
per genus, unless the specific name be pre-oecu-
yn in that group.
_ Our bird is therefore the Vireo solitarius. We
have much pleasure in pointing out to the reader
the remarkable acuteness of Wilson with regard
to this species. “It appears,” says he, “to belong.
to a particular family or subdivision of the Musci-
capa genus, among which are the white-eyed, the
yellow-throated, and several others already de-
scribed in the present work.” These are pre-
cisely the species forming the genus Vireo, which
therefore our author evidently detected; and mo-
desty alone, probably, prevented him from ven-
turing to make the division.
- 422. M. cantatriz. Vol. ii. p. 166.' This is also
a Vireo, and it offers an evidence of the impro-
priety of changing specific names in order to im-
prove them. Wilson, after Bartram, called it can-
tatrix, (it is probably by a typographical error
that it is marked as new in the catalogue, since
the synonymes are given in the text,) and Vieillot
named it Vireo musicus, both wishing to give a
better name than that of noveboracencis of Gmelin.
Their names, and especially that of Vieillot, are
certainly preferable, as being more elegant and
appropriate ; but we have thus three names for
176 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
the same bird; and this principle once admitted,
every naturalist might give a name of his own,
and universal confusion would be the inevitable
result. For instance, if those naturalists are right
thus to commemorate the vocal powers of the bird,
I must have the privilege to consider the white
eye a better discriminating mark, and to name it
accordingly. We must therefore be content with
the prior name, bad as it is, and call the bird: Vitex
noveboracensis.
SYNONYMES.
Muscicapa noveboracensis, Guru. Lara.
Vireo musicus, Vrer.t. pl. 52.
123. M. melodia. Vol. y. p. 85. In his large
work, Vieillot has placed this bird in his genus
Muscicara, but he has since transferred it to Syr-
via. In my opinion its true place is in Vireo, of
which genus it has all the characteristic marks.
Vieillot’s specific name having the priority, must
be retained, and the species will then be known
as the Virzo gilvus. It is with much pleasure that
we are able to reject the bad name of melodia.
Fi
SYNONYMES.
Musicapa gilva, Viet pl. 34. (Figure badly coloured.)
Sytvia gilva, Vieitt, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. ‘
124. M. olivacea. Vol. ii. p. 55. Vieillot p vie
sued the same course, with respect to this bird, as
for the preceding. He placed it with the Muse:
OF WILSON’s ORNITHOLOGY. 177
cara in his Ois. de [’ Amer. Sept. and afterwards
with Sytvia. We consider it a Vinzo, although
it differs somewhat from the other species, in hay-
ing a more elongated bill; a character by which
it certainly approaches Syxyia, with which, in fact,
Vireo is allied as well as with Taxacra and Mu:
CICAPA. ,
The present bird may readily be mistaken for
the preceding, with which it corresponds in colour,
but it is larger, the colours are much more yiyid
and striking, and the longer and more robust bill
and red eyes, will distinguish it on comparison.
This resemblance has, however, been productive
of great confusion in the history and habits of the
species, from which Wilson only is free. i
SYNONYMESe
Muscicara olivacea. Linn. Guet. Lara. (not the variety as
above stated.) Visit. (from these authors.) :
Muscicapa jamaicensis. Briss.
Muscicara (since Sytvia) gltiloqua. Vien. pi. $8. (It
_is because he did not examine the recent eyes, that Vieillot
states this species to differ from olivacea, in not having them
red. His altiloqua is evidently the olivacea ; and it is worthy
of remark, that he has not mentioned the colour of the eyes ;
he has therefore introduced confusion, instead of elucidating
the subject.
Bartram called this bird Muscicara sylvicola, a name
which Wilson transferred to the Vireo flavifrons
125. M. cucullata. Vol. iii. p. 101. 2 RB DORI
VOL. IV.—DECEMBER, 1824.
178 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
has been arranged by different authors under Mv-
scicapa, Parus, and Syzvia. And although Wilson
considers it as well characterized a Muscicara as
any other, yet, by the form of its bill, it is evidently
a Syzvia, in which latter, we agree with Gmelin,
Latham, Pennant and Vieillot, in placing it. We
cannot conceive Wilson’s reason for choosing
a doubtful synonyme, in preference to the well-es-
tablished prior name which we shall, of course,
re-establish, by calling the species Sytvia mitrata.
SYNONYMES.
Moracitia mitrata. GMeEL. :
Sytvia mitrata. Lata. Viet. pl. 77.
Syivia cucullata. Lata.
Parus carolinensis torquatus. Briss. (Catesby also con-
sidered it a Titmouse.)
Gobe-mouche citrin de la Louisiane. Burr. Pl. Enl. 666. f. 2.
The latter author in his Hist. Nat. des. Oiseaua, also con-
siders it as a Titmouse, making two species of it. ’
126. M. canadensis. Vol. iii. p. 100. - This rare
species escaped the researches of Vieillot, who
erroneously in his great work suspected it to
be an imperfect state of Syivia blackburnia ;
The bird cannot be permitted to remain in the
same genus with the Pewit and other flat-billed
species, but it is a decided Syzvia, having only
the habits, and the bristles at the base of the bill
of the Flycatchers ; characters which induced Wil-
son, under the authority of former writers, to place
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 179
it in Muscicapa, but the same characters exist in
several other Sytviz. The name being pre-occu-
pied in that genus, we are under the necessity of
giving ita newone. We call it Sytvia pardalina.
SYNONYMES.
Muscrcara canadensis. Linn. Guet. Lata.
Muscicapa canadensis cinerea. Briss.
127. § M. pusilla. Vol. iii. p. 103. As I have
never seen this new species, I am not competent
to say any thing with certainty of it. My impres-
sion, however, is, that it is not a genuine Musci-
capa, but that it will prove to be a Sytvia; in which
genus its specific name must be changed, being
pre-occupied by three others. I propose for it
the name of S. Wilsonii.
128. § M. minuta. Vol. vi. p. 62. Anew species
of Wilson omitted in the index. We have never
seen it, but judging from the too much reduced
figure we rather think it a Sytvia. The specific
name is pre-occupied in Muscicapa, and also in
Sytvia, Wilson having applied it to one of his new
Warblers; but as I have discovered that his S.
minuta is the S. discolor of Vieillot, his specific
name for this species, if it be a Syzvia, may be
retained.
ALAUDA.
Three species are referred to this genus by our
author, only one of them, however, belongs to it,
as it is now limited.
186 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
129. A. magna. Vol. iii. p. 20. This bird, which
i$ peculiar to this country, is not a Lark, but a
Statling (Sturnus.) Wilson was misled by some
European author; but Latham had already ob-
served that the Atauvpa magna is the Srurvus
ludovicianus, which name must be exclusively
adopted.
SYNONYMES.
Sroaxvs Iudovicianis. Lins. Gaew. Lath. Bais. (Winter
Plamage.)
Atavupa magna. Lins. Giret. (Summer dress.)
Menuta americana torquata. Briss. (Summer dress.)
Etourneau de la Louisiane, Burr. Pl. Enl. 256. (Winter
dress.)
Wilson endeavoured to prove this bird a Lark,
and it is a remarkable circumstance that he only
quotes the synonymes of ALavpa magna, without
mentioning that of Srurnus ludovicianus, nor any
other of the synonymes referred to that by former
writers; thus conveying the idea that they are
two different birds, which is certainly not the fact,
and which probably induced Stephens to —_
a nominal species.
Vieillot has lately formed for this bird the genus
Srurvetza, which, with his Srurnus and Bupnaea,
form his family Lemonrres.. That genus may be
adopted as a subgenus. This author also changed
the specific name to that of collaris. Daudin
makes a Cassicus (Icrervs) of it.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 18
130. * Avavpa alpestris. Vol. i. p. 85. After
discussing a long series of species peculiar to
North America, we again arrive at one to which
we can prefix the sign which indicates a common
habitation to both continents. It will be observed,
that only such birds as winter here are common
to the two continents, the reason for which is very
obvious since the European and American birds
of that description meet at the pole, and can from
thence visit either hemisphere. This is the only
true Lark hitherto found in the United States,
where it extends its migrations much further south
than in Europe.
SYNONYMES.
Auaupa alpestris. Livy. Guen. Laru. Tem.
Ataupa fiava. Gmex. (adult male in breeding dress.)
Ataupa virginiana. Briss.
Alouette de Siberie. Burr. Pl. Enl. 650. fig. 2.
Bartram called it ALaupa campestris gutture flavo.
131. * A. rufa. Vol.v. p. 89. The genus Avav-
pa has been, very properly, deprived of those
species whose slender and emarginated bill prove
amore intimate connexion with Moracixa than
with Ataupa. Bechstein made this separation,
and placed the discarded species in a separate
genus, which he ‘called Anrnus. This genus is
now adopted by Temminck, Vieillot, and all the
best modern Ornithologists. Cuvier places it as a
subgenus under his extensive group of Moracuxa,
182 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
which is rather a family than a genus. The pre-
sent species is the only Ayrnus yet known to in-
habit North America, and is also found in Europe.
It is probably by mistake that Wilson calls this
bird Al. rufa, since that name had been already
given by Gmelin to two different species, both
distinct from our bird, which is the Al. rubra of
Gmelin and Latham. Finding the name rubra
improper, our author changed it to that of rufa,
not thinking that the latter name was doubly pre-
occupied. But this is of little importance since it
is now proved that the Al. rubra (pensylvanica of
Brisson) is the same with the European Anruus
aquaticus of Bechstein, and this changeable bird,
about which there has been so much confusion,
being finally settled under the latter name I think
it proper to adopt it here.
But we do not understand how Vieillot can avail
himself of the testimony of Wilson in favour of the
union of the two species, since this author seems
not to have even thought of it.
The synonymes being in a state of utter confu-
sion, we shall be excused for attempting to give
them more fully than our general plan admits of.
SYNONYMES OF THE AMERICAN SPECIMENS.
Axaupa rubra. Guew. Latu.
Avaupa ludoviciana. Guet. Lata.
Axaupa pensylvanica. Briss. —
Farlouzanne, Burr. Ois. >
Alouette aux joues brunes de Pensylvanie, Burr. Ois.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 183
Lark from Pennsylvania, Eow. Glean. pl. 297.
Red Lark, Penn. Brit. and Arct. Zool. Laru. Syn.
Louisiana Lark, Lara. Syn.
SYNONYMES OF THE EUROPEAN SPECIMENS.
Annus aquaticus. Becust. Meyer. Viritt. nou. dict.
Tew. taak
Axavpa spinoletta. Linn. (ought not this specific name to
be restored ?)
ALauDA campestris 4 spinoletta. Guev. Lata.
Ataupa obscura. Guet. Latu. (young.)
Avaupa petrosa Monracu Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. (young.)
Antuus rupestris. Nitsson Orn. Succ.
Alouette pipi. (by error) Burr. Pl. Enl. 661. f. 2.
Meadow Lark var. A. Lara. Syn.
Dusky Lark, Lata. Syn. (young.)
Anrtuus montanus. Kocu Bayerische Zool.
The latter nominal species, as Temminck observes, was
formed of an adult male, as it appears during the few days
of breeding, when they have a roseate tint on the neck,
breast, upper part of the belly and flanks. ?
SYLVIA.
This genus was formerly a part of the extensive
genus Moraciia. Scopoli was the first to sepa-
rateit. Gmelin rejected it. Cuvier considered it
as forming different subgenera under Motacilla;
but Latham having previously, very properly,
adopted it, our author assigned to it, as usual, the
same limits. Vieillot divided the genus, but Tem-
minck preserved it nearly entire. I shall only
‘mention the genera which I shall adopt, contain-
184 OBSERVATIONS ON. THE NOMENCLATURE
ing American species. These are Saxicora of
Bechstein and Temminck, (ivanrue of Vieillot,)
Recutus of Vieillot, (formerly established by Ray,)
Troctopyres, Vieillot, (established as a subgenus
by Cuvier.) Thus reduced, Syxvia is still extreme-
ly numerous in species, of which many inhabit the
United States, and are peculiar to this continent.
As the divisions that have been made of the
genus Syty1a, seem to me unsatisfactory, I shall
endeavour, on another occasion, to introduce a
- more natural classification ; in the meantime I shall
note the subgenus to which the species belongs,
when this is obvious, but many necessary obser-
vations are wanting to enable me to refer some of
the species with accuracy. No less than thirty-
six species are described by our author.
132. S. sialis. Vol. i. p. 56. I agree with Vieil-
lot in the propriety of removing this bird from
Syrvia, and placing it with S. @nanthe, stapa-
zina, rubetra, rubicola, and others, in that genus
which he calls GEnanrue, but which with Bechstein
and 'Temminck, we shall call Saxicona, since it has
all the characters and some of the habits of the
first section of that genus: the American fauna is
thus enriched with the genus Saxicota. That ge-
nus was first established by Bechstein, and is
now generally adopted; it is intermediate be-
tween Syxvia, Muscicapa, and one of the sections
of Turpus, not found in the United States, but
mcluding the T. eyanus and sawatilis of Europe:
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 185
Vieillot changed the name to that of CEvanrne on
account of priority! as having been given by Gess-
ner, Willughby and Ray. But that name is inadmis-
sible, being pre-occupied in Botany.
The name Saxicora, though objectionable ac-
cording to Illiger and other purists, as being de-
rived from a habit, must, in my opinion, be retained,
rather than that another name should be intro-
duced, as Stephens has done by calling the genus
Virirtora. The present bird, the only North
American species, belongs to the first section, with
the S. enanthe, stapazina, aurita, &c. of Europe.
Although Temminck adopts the genus Saxicoa,
he still considers this bird a Sytyia.
SYNONYMES.
Moracita sialis. Linn. Get.
Syxvia sialis. Lar. Vier. pl. 101, (male.) 102, (female.)
103, (young.) —
Recently the latter author has called it Cinanrne sialis..
Ficeputa rubecula carolinensis cerulea. Briss.
La Gorge rouge de la Caroline. Burr. Pl. Enl. 396. fig. 1,
(male.) 2, (female.)
133. S. ealendula. Vol. i. p. 83. This pretty
species belongs to the genus Reevtus of Vieillot,
or rather of Ray, considered by Cuvier as a sub-
genus, (but in which the latter author includes
some species that we consider as true Sytviz,) and
regarded by Temminck and other modern authors
as a section only of Sytvra.-
VOL. IV.-DECEMBER, 1824, 24
186 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
Vieillot has taken the liberty of changing the
specific name to that of rubineus, a usurpation that
cannot be permitted. It must therefore be called
Recutus calendulus, agreeably to Stephens,
SYNONYMES.
Moracitxa calendula. Linn. Guets
Syivia calendula. Laru.
Parus griseus. Guet. Larue
Parus calendula pensyloanica. Briss.
Reguwus rubineus. View. pl. 104, (male with an exag-
gerated crest.) 105, (young, given as the female.)
134. S. marylandica. Vol. i. p. 88, Vol. ii p. 163.
(female.) Wilson chose Brisson’s specific name
in preference to that of Linné, who, for what rea-
son I know not, considered this bird a Turpus.
Linné’s specific name must be restored, and the
species will then be known as the Syxvia trichas,
agreeably to Latham.
SYNONYMES.
Turous trichas. Linn. Gue..
Sxxvia trichas. Lary. Vizit. pl. 85. (male.) pl. 86. (fe-
male.)
Ficrputa marylandica. Briss.
Fauvette @ poitrine jaune de le Louisiane, Burr. Pl. Bnle
709. fig. 2. (male.)
135. * S. regulus. Vol. i. p. 126. This bird
and the calendula, are the only species of the ge-
nus Reeuivus known to inhabit North America.
According to some authors a third species is found
here, but this we believe to be a mistake. This
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 187
species is an inhabitant of both continents: its
specific name being now transferred to the genus,
-we think proper to adopt in its stead that given
by Ray and Vieillot, of Recutus eristatus, though
some recent authors have called it R.oulgaris. For
further remarks and a complete synonymy, see my
continuation of Wilson’s Ornithology.
SYNONYMES,
Moracrixa regulus. Linn. Guet.
Sytvia regulus. Larn. Tema.
Paxus calendula, Regulus cristatus oulgo dicta, Brasé.
Recutus cristatus. Viet. Nour. dict.
The figure in Buffon’s Pl. Enl. does not represent this
bird, neither does that of Vieillot, Ois de PAmer. Sept.
136. S. domestica. Vol. i. p. 129. Agreeably to
the principle we adopted in a former part of these
observations, when speaking of.some of Wilson’s
Cerruiz, this bird must be placed in the genus
Troctopyres and subgenus of the same name.
Vieillot’s excellent specific name, having the pri-
ority, must be adopted, and the bird be called
T. adon.
SYNONYMES.
Troctopyres edon. Viritt. pl. 107.
Moraciura domestica (Regulus rufus.) Bartram.
Moracitra furva ? Guet.
Syivia furva? Laru.
137.* S. troglodytes. Vol. i. p. 39. With Wil-
son we have little or no doubt of the identity of
this species with that of Europe, with which: it
188 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
corresponds exactly in appearance. It differs how-
ever, in its migratory habits, which are probably
attributable tothe temperature of this climate.
_ Vieillot has not mentioned it in his large work,
but in the Nouv. dict. @hist. nat. he gives it a dis-
tinct place, though not without much hesitation,
under the name of 'Trociopytes hyemalis. It be-
longs to the genus and subgenus Troctopytes,
and as the specific name is now generic, we must
call it T. Europeaus, agreeably to Leach, Vieillot,
and Stephens, as that name, although not at all ap-
propriate, has the priority.
SYNONYMES.
Moracitta troglodytes. Linn. GuEt.
Sytvia troglodytes. Latu. Tema.
Ficeputa regulus. Briss.
Le Roitelet, Burr. Pl. Enl. 651. f. 2.
138. S. flavicollis. Vol. ii. p. 64. Vieillot adopted
for this species the name of S. pensilis, which
must be retained ; this name is not quoted by our
author in his synonymes, and that of Aavicollis is
not mentioned by Vieillot, yet they are both in-
tended to designate one species. ,
SYNONYMES,
Moraciixa pensilis. GuEt.
Moracitta flavicollis. Ger.
Sytvia pensilis. Lata. Visit. pl. 72. (male.)
Svyivia flavicollis. Lata. View. (from that author.)
Parus carolinensis griseus, Briss. ai
4 La gorge jaune de St. Domingue, Burr. Pl. Enl. 686. figs 1,
(male.)
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 189
139. S. castanea. Vol. ii. p. 97. A new species
of Wilson, whose name must be adopted; it ap-
proaches the S. ruficapilla, Latham, and may
possibly prove to be the same in a different state
of plumage.
140. 8S. pennsylvanica. Vol. ii. p. 99. This hand-
some warbler has been described by authors, in-
cluding Linné, under two different names; those
of pensylvanica and icterocephala. 'The latter
name has not been quoted by our author, but
must be exclusively adopted, having been pre-
viously chosen by Vieillot in his large work.
SYNONYMES.
- Moracitta icterocephala. Linn. Gmet.
Moracitta pensyloanica. Linn. GMeEL.
Sytvia icterocephala. Laru. Viei.. pl. 90.
Syzvia pensyloanica. Laru.
Ficeputa canadensis icterocephalos. Briss.
‘Ficeputa pensylvanica icterocephalos. Briss.
It is not figured in Buff. Pl. Enl.; the plate quoted by
Gmelin and Latham, is, as Vieillot observes, the young of
S. coronata.
141. § S. philadelphia. Vol. ii. p. 101. A new
species of Wilson, the excessive rarity of which
might lead us to suppose it an accidental variety
of some other, perhaps the S. irichas. This name
must of course be retained for this bird, which he
met with but once, and which has not been seen
since.
142. S. solitaria. Vol. ii. p. 109. According to
190 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
Wilson, who gave the present name, this is the
Pine-creeper of Edwards, pl. 277, upper figure, but
it is not that of Catesby, which is certainly S. pi-
nus; Linné, Gmelin and Latham confounded them
together, and our author first distinguished them.
The S. solitaria will be properly placed in Cu-
vier’s subgenus Daenis, which we adopt, not how-
ever as a subgenus of Cassicus,in which he places
it, but as one of Sytyia.
SYNONYME.
Parus aureus alis ceruleis. Bartram.
143. S. chrysoptera. Vol. ii. p. 113. This species,
as Wilson observes, has been described under two
different names. It belongs to the subgenus Dac-
nis above mentioned. ‘The female is unknown to
authors; it differs very much from the male, and
will be represented in the first volume of my con-
tinuation of Wilson’s Ornithology.
' SYNONYMES.
Moracitia chrysoptera, Linn. Get.
Moracitxa flavifrons. Guew.
Sytvia chrysoptera. Lata. Vinttt. pl. 97.
Syuvia flavifrons. Larne
Ficeputa pensylvanica cinerea gutture nigro. Briss.
Parus alis ceruleis. Bartram.
144. S. citrinella. Vol. ii. p. 111. Wilson’s name,
though much handsomer and more appropriate,
cannot be admitted in preference to the generally
received designation, that of S. estiva.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 191
SYNONYMES.
Moracitia estiva. Guet.
Syivia estiva. Laru. Vier. pl. 95.
Moracira albicollis. Guex. (young.)
Syrvra albicollis. Lata. (young.)
Ficepua canadensis. Briss. (male adult.)
Ficepua dominicensis. Briss. (young.)
Figuier de Canada, Burr. Pl. Ent. 58. fig. 2. (adult male,)
not the figure 1, which that author gives as the female, in
which he was followed by others; but Latham, Wilson and
Vieillot very correctly separated it from this species; the
latter author believed it to be intended for his S. flava, but in
that case he ought to have retained Latham’s name of S.
carolinensis for that bird.
We think Vieillot was right in considering Cates-
by’s Yellow Titmouse, Vol. i. £ 63, as the S. estiva:
Gmelin and Latham erroneously quoted that figure
for a variety of S. trochilus, a European bird giver
by them as also American, probably from the re-
semblance it bears to some Areprigen females of
other species.
145. S. canadensis. Vol. ii. p. 115. Linné in-
advertently gave the specific name of canadensis
to two Warblers. Gmelin and Latham preserved
the name to this species, and called the other,
which, however, is but a nominal species, S. cincta.
Vieillot having discovered that it is the same as
the S. e@rulescens of St. Domingo, preferred that
name to that of canadensis, which, however, be-
ing prior, must be retained.
192 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
‘ SYNONYMES. —
Moracitia canadensis. sp. 42, Linn. Guev.
Moracitxa cerulescens. Guew. (autumnal.)
Syzvia canadensis. Latu.
Syztvia c@rulescens. Lata. (autumnal.) Vieixt. pl. 80.
Ficeputa canadensis cinerea minor. Briss.
Figuier cendré du Canada, Burr. Pl. Enl. 685, f. 2.
146. S. virens. Vol. ii. p. 137. This species is
correctly named, and authors agree respecting it.
SYNONYMES.
Moracitta virens. GMEL.
Sytvia virens. Larn. Viet.t. pl. 92.
Ficeputa pensylvanica guiture nigro. Briss.
Parus viridis gulture nigroe Bartram.
147. S. coronata. Vol. ii. p. 138, and Vol. vy. p.
121, (in winter dress.) Wilson’s account of this
bird is correct and complete; but although he gives '
a number of synonymes, yet he is far from indi-
cating the whole number of nominal species that
have been formed of its different states. He is
incorrect in giving the Moracixa maculosa of
Gmelin and its corresponding synonyma, as the
same with this bird; it is very distinct, being the
supposed new species, the S. magnolia of Wilson.
_ syNONYMES.
Moracitxa coronata. Linn. Gut. (adult in summer dress.)
Moraciita canadensis. sp. 27. Linn. (adult in summer
dress, unnatural by a band on the breast.) °
Moraciua umbria. Guew, (autumnal.) i
Moracitta cincta. Guet. (adult in summer dress, with
the above mentioned band.)
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 193
Moracitta pinguis, Gm. (autumnal.)
Syxvia coronata, Laru. (adult in summer dress.) Viettt.
pl. 78. (adult male in summer plumage.) pl. 79, (young.)
Sytvia umbria, Lata. (autumnal.)
Synvia cincta, Laru. (adult in summer dress, deviating
from nature by having the band on the breast; an error
which probably originated in Brisson’s figure.)
Syivia pinguis, Lara. (autumnal.)
Ficepua pensylvanica cinerea nevia, Briss. (adult in sum-
mer plumage.)
Ficepura canadensis cinerea, Briss. (with the false band.)
Fauvette tachetée de la Louisiane, Burr. Pl. Enl. 709, fig. 1.
(autumnal.)
Figuier du Mississippi, Burr. Pl. Enl. 731, f. 2, (young
autumnal; erroneously quoted by Gmelin and Latham un-
der S. icterocephala.)
Parus cedrus uropygio flaco, Banrnam. (autumnal.)
Parvus aureo vertice, Bartram. (summer dress.)
Parus virginianus, Linn. Gut. Lata. Briss. (autumnal.)
Syivia flavopygia, Vieity. (autumnal.)
Sytvia wanthoroa, ViEit1. nouv. dict. (autumnal.)
148. S. cwerulea. Vol. ii. p. 141. This very beau-
tiful little species was first described and figured
by our author, who having placed the S. ewrulea
of Latham with the Muscicars, thought proper to
apply that specific name to his new species, for
which it is much more appropriate. But as we
agree with all modern writers in regarding that
species as a Syxyia, we are unable to retain the
name of cerulea for the present bird. With this
consideration Stephens gave it the name of S.
VOL. IV.——DECEMBER, 1824. 25
194 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
azurea. My friend, Mr. Say, in his excellent
‘zoological notes, to the account of Major Long’s
expedition to the Rocky Mountains, calls it S.
bifasciata.
149. S..pinus. Vol. iii. p. 25. We have already
had occasion to speak of this bird when treating
of S. varia (Cerrnia maculata of Wilson.) It is
a ‘true ‘Syrvia, although ‘Linné mane Gmelin ar-
ranged it in Cerruta.
Wilson i is very accurate in noticing he's numer-
ous’ errors of his predecessors relative to this
species, and.judicious in correcting them.
SYNONYMES. |
Cerrnia pinus, Linn. Guew.
Syivia-pinus, Larn. Visit. (from that author, having
‘never seen the bird.)
Misled by Edwards, these ‘authors have at least con-
founded iit with the S. solitaria of Wilson, from which their
description seems to be taken.
Parus americanus. Briss.
It is not surprising that authors are’ obscure
with respect to this bird, since they quote in
their synonymy, two different’ species and plates,
viz. that ‘of Catesby, pl. 61, which, though very
bad, is intended for our bird, and that of Edwards’
Gleanings, pl. 277, upper figure ; ‘whichis the S.
solitaria of Wilson, as before stated.
(150. S. magnolia. Vol. iii. p. 63. We séiibe
conceive how Wilson could give this species’as
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 195.
new, and state that no European naturalist had
noticed it, since it is the S. maculosa mentioned
by them all, and erroneously considered by our
author as the S. coronata. On this account we
shall give a more complete synonymy than usual.
The bill in Wilson’s figure is inaccurate, being
much too long and too thick.
SYNONYMES.
Moracirta maculosa, Guex.
Sytvia maculosa, Lata. Vier. pl. 93. (male.)
Ficeputa pensylvanica nevia, Briss.
Figuier 4 téte cendrée, Burr. hist. nat. des Ois.
Yellow rumped Fly-catcher, Epw. Glean. pl. 255, (male.)
Yellow rumped Warbler, Penn. Arct. Zool. Lara. Syn.
151. S. blackburnia. Vol. iii. p. 64. ' Wilson is
correct in respect to this fine species.
SYNONYMES.
Moraciixa blackburnie, GME.
Sytvia blackburnie, Lata. Vieitt. pl. 96.
152. S. autumnalis, Vol. iii. p. 65, has been given
by Wilson as a new species. It seems not to have
been noticed before or since. His name must be
adopted.
153. 8. protonotarius. Vol. iii. p. 72. This bird
belongs tothe subgenus Dacnis. Wilson expresses
a decisive opinion favourable to the propriety of
forming a subgenus or separate family for this
bird, and a few other Warblers, distinguished alike
196 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
for the form and acuteness of their bills, which
are longer, thicker at base, and more rounded than
those of the genus Sytvia generally are. Here
again he had the subgenus Dacnis in view; the
name only was wanting.
SYNONYMES.
Moracitxa protonotarius, GMEL.
Syxvia protonotarius, Laru. Viriwi. pl. 83. (a very bad
figure.)
Figuier @ ventre et téte jaunes de la Louisiane, Bure. Pl.
Enl. 704, f. 2.
154. S. vermivora. Vol. iii. p. 74. This also
belongs to the subgenus Dacnis, of which, or of
a corresponding division, it is generally given as
the type, though the bill is a little more bent than
in the other species. ‘This bird escaped Vieillot’s
researches.
SYNONYMES.
Moracinua vermivora, GMEL.
Syzvia vermivora, Lara. Vieit.. (from authors.)
Ficeputa pensyloanica, Briss.
Edwards first figured this bird, in his Gleanings, pl. 305.
155. § 8. peregrina. Vol. iii. p. 83. A new species
found in the western country by Wilson. I have
never seen it, but, judging by its figure, it must
be placed in the subgenus Daenis. 'The species
has a strong analogy with the S. bicolor of Vieil-
lot, pl. 90, bis. the only difference being that the
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 197
latter is blue on the upper parts, where the former
is green. .
156. § S. formosa. Vol. iii. p. 84. Another new
species found also by Wilson in the western coun-
try. It isnot noticed by any author, and Wilson’s
name must be adopted. If the figure be correct,
the bill is remarkably large for a Sytvia.
157. S. minuta. Vol. iii. p. 89. This new species
of Wilson, seems to me to be the same as Vieillot’s
S. discolor; this name having the priority must
supplant Wilson’s.
SYNONYMEs
Syzvia discolor, Viritt. pl. 98.
158. § S. rara. Vol. iii. p.119. A rare and new
species, met with but once by 0 our author and not
observed since.
159. S. ruficapilla. Vol. iii. p. 120. The name
of this new species being pre-occupied, Wilson
changed it in his index to that of rubricapilla. A
subsequent writer had, therefore, no right to give _
it the name of S. leucogastra.
160. S. pusilla. Vol. iv. p. 17. Wilson was
wrong in changing the name of this bird, and that
which he has chosen is pre-occupied in Latham’s ~~
work by a New Holland Warbler; he has, besides,
given the same name to two species; though he
has changed one of them in his index. Vieillot
also gave a new name which is more elegant and
appropriate; but nevertheless, that of Syzvia
198 “OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
americana of Latham, (Parus americanus Linné,)
“must be exclusively adopted. It is remarkable
that Gmelin, Pennant and Latham have followed
Linné in placing this species in Parus, particu-
larly as Brisson and Buffon had porseines its true
affinity.
SYNONYMES.
Parvus americanus, Linn. Guex. Lata. The latter author
expresses a doubt of its being a Parus, and says it resem-
bles Sytvra americana, to which he refers Buffon’s syno-
nyme quoted below.
~ Moraciixa americana, Gm.
Syxvia americana, Lata.
Moracixta ludoviciana, Gur.
Sytvia ludoviciana, sp. 105. Latu.
Ficeputa carolinensis cinerea, Briss.
Ficeputa ludoviciana, Briss.
Figuier cendré de la Caroline, Burr. Pl. Enl. 731, f- 1.
Sytvia torquata, Vinit1. pl. 99.
Thus has four names been given to this one
species. This confusion will always arise whilst
writers consider themselves authorized to change
specific names under any pretence whatever, ex-
cepting that of pre-occupancy. We again repeat
that in our own defence we must adhere to the
name first given. :
161. S. petechia. Vol. iv. p. 19. In consequence
of its remarkable traits this species has never
been mistaken for another. Vieillot, however, in
the Nouv. dict. (hist. nat. expresses an opinion in
La ed res
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 199
consequence of its excessive rarity, that it is a
variety of S. @stiva.
SYNONYMES.
Moractiua petechia, Linn. Gen.
Svxvia petechia, Lara. Viettx. pl. 91, (male.)
Ficeputa pensyloanica erythrocephalos, Briss.
Figuier @ téte rouge de Pensyloanie, Burr. Ois.
Yellow red-pole, Epw. pl. 256, lower figure. (male.)
Red-headed Warbler, Penn. Arct, Zool. Laru. Syn.
162. S. striata. Vol. iv. p. 40. and Vol. vi. p.
101, (female) a well known species. “i
SYNONYMES.
Moracitta striata, Gut.
Syivia striata, Lara. Virst. pl. 75, CaN 76 (female.)
Black-pole Warbler, Penn. Arct. Zool. Latu. Syn.
163. S. agilis. Vol. v. p. 64. A new species of
‘Wilson, whose name must be adopted.
164. S. pusilla. Vol. y. p. 100. A new species,”
called by a pre-occupied name, but altered in the
index to that of leucoptera, which is pre-occupied
by one of Vieillot’s species, and was, therefore,
changed to that of palustris, by Stephens; but as
this also is pre-occupied, I propose for it the name
of S. sphagnosa.
165. § S. montana. Vol. y. p. 113. A species
discovered by Wilson near the Blue Mountains.
We have not seen it, but judging by the descrip-
tion, and Vieillot’s figure, there is a great analogy
%
200 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
between it and the S. tigrina of Latham; the
spots on the under parts are less dense in. mon-
tana. Believing that the tigrina could hardly have
escaped Wilson’s observation, we are inclined to
consider it as the same bird.
SYNONYMES.
Moracitta tigrina, Gur.
Syzvia figrina, Latu. Vier. pl. 94.
Ficeputa canadensis fusca, Briss.
Le Figuier tacheté de jaune, Burr. Ois.
Spotted yellow Fly-catcher, Penn. Arct. Zool.
Epw. pl. 257, lower figure. Lara. Syn.
166. S. parus. Vol. vy. p. 114. A new species
closely allied to several, but apparently distinct
from all. .
167. S. maritima. Vol. vi. p. 99. This elegant
new species must retain the name which Wilson,
its discoverer, gave toit. He obtained the male
only, and that but once. I have lately shot a fe-
male bird, which I have some reasons for beliey-
ing to be the mate of that species. It will appear
in my continuation of Wilson’s Ornithology.
(To be continued.)
END OF VOLUME IY.....PART I.
JOURNAL
OF THE
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
or
PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. IV.,..PART I.
PHILADELPHIA :
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY,
BY J. HARDING.
1825
CONTENTS OF VOL. IV. PART II.
Officers of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel-
' phia, for the year 1825. -
On the fresh water and land Tortoises of tie United
States. By Thomas Say. - - -
Observations on the Zinc Ores of Franklin and Sterling,
Sussex county, New Jersey. By G. Troost, M. D.
Notice of the Plesiosaurus, and other Fossil Reliquiz,
from the State of New Jersey. By Richard Har-:
lan, M. D. . - - = "
Description of three new species of Coluber, inhabiting
the United States. By Thomas Say. - -
Description of two species of Linnzan Lacerta, not be-
fore described, and construction of the new genus
Cyclura. By Richard Harlan, M.D. - -
Observations on the Nomenclature of Wilson’s Ornitho-
logy. By Charles Bonaparte. (Continued.) -
Descriptions of four new species of the Linnzan genus
Blennius, and a new Exocetus. By William W,
Wood. - - - -
Description of a new Species of Biped Seps fee
Richard Harlan, M. D. -
Description of a new species of Scincus. By Richard
Harlan, M. D. : - -
On two genera and several species of Crinoidea. By
Thomas Say. - - - ~
Description of two new species of Agama. by R. Har-
lan, M. D. - - -
An account of a new species of the genus jorviai By
George Ord, - - , - -
201
iv CONTENTS.
Description of a new species of Salamander. By Wil-
liam W. Wood. - + - -
Descriptions of new Hemipterous Insects, collected in
the expedition to the Rocky Mountains, perform-
ed by order of Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of War,
under command of Major Long. By Thomas
Say. : “ 4 ait im
A new genus of Mammalia proposed, and a description
of the species upon which it is founded. By T.
Say and G. Ord. - - - -
Description of a new species of South Amerionn Frin-
gilla. By Charles Bonaparte. - - -
Description of a new species of Mammalia, whereon a
genus is proposed to he founded. By T. Say and
G. Ord. - - - - -
Remarks on the floating apparatus, and other peculiari-
ties, of the genus Janthina. di Reynell Coates,
M. D. - - - - -
Description. of two new species of the Linnean genus
Blennius. By C. A. Lesueur. .
Description of a new species of Trilobite. By J. J.
Bigsby, M. D. - - - - ‘
On a new species of Modiola. By Thomas Say. -
Description of ten species of South American Birds, By
Charles Bonaparte. —- - - -
Description of two new species of Mexican Birds. By
Charles Bonaparte. —- wy Nie
Catalogue of the Library. (Continued.) - -
List of donors to the Library. . - sp
List of donations to the Museum, with Gaus names.
Alphabetical Index. - - - - -
Plates of Volume IV. - - * a
Addenda et Corrigenda. - * * “Hie
345
JOURNAL
OF THE
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
oF
PHILADELPHIA.
LIST OF OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1825.
President.
William Maclure.
Vice-Presidents.
Zaccheus Collins, George Ord.
Corresponding Secretary. .
Reuben Haines.
Recording Secretary.
William H. Keating.
Curators.
Thomas Say, C. A. Lesueur, J. P. Wetherill,
Isaac Hays, M. D.
Treasurer.
Jacob Gilliams.
Librarian.
Jacob Peirce.
Auditors.
J. M. Brewer, S. G. Morton, M. D., J. .Dobson.
VOL. IV—JANUARY, 1825. 26
FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES. 203
On the fresh water and land Torvorses of the
United States. By Tuomas Say. Read Octo-
ber 12th, 1824.
Of the fresh water and land tortoises inhabiting
this country, the Cuetonura serpentina, Emys con-
centrica, punctata, and picta, the Cisrupa pensyl-
vanica, odorata, and clausa, as well as the Trionyx
ferox are well known, and are even familiar to
every naturalist who has devoted any attention
to the Reptilia. They are all strongly character-
ized by nature and cannot be readily misunder-
stood or confounded with each other. But there
are several of our species, which, either from their
rarity in this region, from the obscurity of their
characters, or from the want of differential de-
scriptions, may readily be mistaken by the student.
Such are the Emys scabra, reticulata, serrata,
geographica, glutinata, and I may add the Trsrupo
polyphemus.
In order that these species may be better un-
derstood, I shall proceed to give specific defi-
nitions of all those above mentioned, which, in-
clusive of a new species of Emys, described in
this paper under the name of diguttata, present
a list of all the species yet fully ascertained to in-
habit this country.
204 FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES.’
‘Testrupo.
1. T. polyphemus, Daudin. Above depressed;
anterior plates of the sternum elongated into a
dilated projection, which surpasses the front of the
superior shell; tail obsolete; nails depressed,
quadrate ; jaws denticulated.
Emys.
2. E. serrata, Daudin. Shell oval, longitudi-
nally wrinkled; first vertebral plate urceolate ;
anterior marginal scutum slender, its length equal
to three times its breadth; posterior marginal scuta
serrated; a blackish spot on the marginal scuta
beneath: jaws remarkably denticulated.
3. E. reticularia, Latreille. Shell ovate; Gust
vertebral plate quadrate, a little wider before ; pos-
terior marginal scuta entire, lateral ones beneath
with three black spots over the suture of the
sternum ; sternum very narrow, elongate-oval: : jaws
unarmed.
4. E. geographica, Lesueur. A vertebral carina
which is prominent and acute at the posterior tips
of the plates ; first plate suburceolate, angulated
before ; anterior marginal scutum slender, anterior
plates of the sternum and posterior marginal scuta
of the superior shell very concave : jaws unarmed.
5. E. scabra, Linn. Plates sculptured with very
numerous, concentric and radiating, impressed
lines, giving a granulated appearance to the whole
FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES. 205
surface ; a large black spot on each plate of the
sternum : jaws not denticulated ; superior mandible
emarginate at tip; inferior one acute.
6. E. centrata, Latr. Shell somewhat ovate, ca-
rinate excepting on the last plate; plates with con-
centric circles, either simply coloured or deeply
impressed ; posterior marginal scuta crenate ; an-
terior one quadrate : skin whitish, with very nu-
merous blackish spots : jaws simple.
7. E. picta, Lim. Dark brownish, plates of the
shell margined with yellow : head, and particularly
the throat, lineated with yellow; jaws denticulated.
8. E. punctata, Schoepff. Shell dark brown or
blackish, with remote bright yellow, round spots;
anterior costal scuta very narrow, linear : superior
jaw emarginated ; inferior jaw acute.
9. E. * biguttata, Nobis. Shell oblong-oval,
slightly contracted in the middle, each side ; an-
terior marginal scuta very narrow, linear : occiput
with two very large fulvous spots: superior jaw
emarginate; inferior jaw acute: tail rather long,
simple.
10. E. glutinata, Daud. Shell similar to that of
the Cisrupa. odorata, excepting that the sternum
is immoveable, Daudin.
Cistupa.
11. C. clausa, Linn. Shell elevated, convex, oval ;
anterior vertebral plate somewhat urceolate; ante-
206 FRESH WATER AND LAND ‘TORTOISES.
rior marginal scuta very small ; sternum bivalvular,
completely closing the shell; suture before the
middle : superior mandible hooked, inferior one
elevated at tip and acute : ¢ail short. ;
12. C. pensylvanica, Linn. Shell oval, convex;
anterior vertebral plate very narrow behind, and
gradually dilated before ; marginal scuta remark-
ably narrowed, anterior one extremely small, quad-
rate ; sternum with but eleven plates; bivalvular,
intermediate portion immoveable ; behind deeply
emarginate, the posterior angles rounded: supe-
rior mandible hooked at tip; inferior one at tip
elevated and acute : tail unguiculated. ,
13. C. odorata, Latr. Shell oval, convex ; ante-
rior vertebral plate very narrow behind, and gra-
dually dilated before ; marginal scuta remarkably
narrowed, anterior one extremely small, quadrate;
sternum with but eleven plates, anterior portion
moveable, valvular; behind emarginate, the pos-
terior angles acute : mandibles simple, rounded at
tip. oe
Cuevonura. ;
14. C. serpentina, Linn. Shell subovate, depress-
ed; plates with small elevated points and lines;
posterior plates, each with a somewhat acute pro-
minence; vertebral plates six, lateral ones five; pos-
terior marginal scuta deeply serrated; anterior
scutum elongated, transverse : superior mandible
hooked, acute: tail elongated, compressed, ser-
rated.
FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES. 207
Trionyx.
15. 'T. ferox, Linn. Sternum with two callosi-
ties; small smooth tubercles on the anterior and
posterior part of the cartilaginous covering of the
body : ¢ai/ hardly longer than the extremity of the
cartilaginous covering.
Observations on the species.
1. Tesruvo polyphemus. This is a true land tor-
toise, both as respects its generic characters and
its habits, and is well known in the region which
it inhabits, by the name of Gopher. It is altogether
limited to the southern states, and more particu-
larly Georgia, and the Floridas, where it prefers
arid situations, and burrows deeply in the sand.
On the bank of the river St. John, Mr. T. Peale
and myself dug about ten feet, guided by one of
their burrows, before we arrived at its termina-
tion and secured the inhabitant. The species is
readily distinguished from any other, by its de-
pressed form and the remarkable projection of
the anterior plates of the sternum; and although
these plates vary in their proportional degree of
prominence and width in different individuals, yet
they always surpass the anterior line of the supe-
rior shell; in some instances, however, they may
not exceed in proportional magnitude those of
the T. coui, Daud. The tail also offers a very re-
markable character. It is so extremely short,
208 FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES.
thick, and obtusely convex, that at first view the
animal appears to be altogether destitute of a tail .
properly so called. As th ;member does not ex-
tend to the termination of the superior shell, we
may consider the polyphemus as the beginning of
a series in which the length of the tail is estimat-
ed; the Cuetonura serpentina occupying the op-
posite extreme in this family, Referring only to
the posterior member of the polyphemus, we might
readily conclude that Linné had this species in
view when he described the Cistupo carolina, but
the remainder of his description and more espe-
cially his reference to a figure of a monstrous or
mutilated individual of the C. clausa, in Edwards’
Natural History, page 205, is conclusive on this
point. Good specimens are in the ee
or one of which is living:
SYNONYMES«
Gopher, .Bantram’s Travels.
Testupo polyphemus, Daun. in Sony. Burr. Nat. Hitt,
Rept. vol. 2, p. 256.
The Tesruno denticulata, Linn. is said by a
authors to be a native of Virginia, but I have not
met with it, neither is it known to the inhabitants
of that state; its native country must aaiiar be
considered as doubtful.
2. Emys serrata. The largest of the North
American species of this genus, and closely allied
to the reticulata and geographica... On the superior
FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES. 209
shell are generally numerous longitudinal wrinkles
or elevated lines, which give it a remarkable ap-
pearance; but as these do n
cimens, we must have re
to distinguish this species. On comparing the
serrata with the reticulata, we observe, that the
posterior part of the shell is more or less serrated,
whilst that of the other is simple; that the jaws
are denticulated, whilst those of the reticulata are
unarmed; that many, and sometimes nearly all of
the marginal scuta have a blackish subocellate
spot on their inferior surface, whereas in the re-
ticulata these spots are but three in number, and
are confined to those scuta which are immediately
above the connecting suture of the sternum. The
serrata is frequently brought to the Philadelphia
market as an article of food.
The largest specimen I have seen we obtained
in East Florida; it measures about 17 inches.
SYNONYMES.
Tesrupo serrata, Davpin in Sonnini’s Burr. 2. p. 148,
pl. 21, fig. 1, 2, (the description indicates the reticulata.)
Tesrupo rugosa, Suaw, Zool. v. 3, pt. 1. p. 28, pl. 4. (the
serrata of this author p. 51, pl. 9, is a different species.)
3. E. reticularia. This species is far less fre-
quent than the preceding, and the only specimen
I have seen belongs to the Philadelphia Museum.
This specimencor responds very well with Dau-
din’s figure.
VOL, IV.——JANUARY, 1825. 27
210 FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES.
SYNONYMES.
ist. nat. des Rept.
Sonnini’s Burr. 2, p. 144,
icates the E, serrata.)
Trstoupo reticularia, La
Testuno reticulata, Dat
pl. 21, f. 3, (his description i
4. E. geographica. An inhabitant of the North
Western lakes and their tributaries, as well as of
the waters of the Mississippi; but it is probably
not found in the more northern waters which flow
into the Atlantic.
SYNONYME.
Testupo geographica, Lesurur Journ. 4cad. Nat. Sc. vol.
1, p. 86, pl. 5.
5. E. scabra. Authors seem to have seen only
the shell of this species as they have not noticed
the colour of the skin of the animal; this colour
is uniform, dark greenish-brown above, and ful-
vous beneath.
The scabra is found as far north as Maine, it is
not common in Pennsylvania, but in some parts
of the country it is rather abundant; and my friend
Prince Charles Bonaparte informs me that in the
vicinity of Bordentown, New Jersey, it occurs
frequently, and is known by the name of fresh
water terrapin. The shell of a specimen which
he sent me, measures nine inches in length. This
is certainly the largest I have seen; and the fact
is the more particularly worthy of note, as the
species has hitherto been stated to be only about
three inches long.
FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES. 211
SYNONYME.
“— (not of some other au-
6. E. centrata, is the animal so well known here
by the name of “ Terrapin.” It is held in high
estimation as a delicate food, and is generally
served up on the tables of our public eating houses,
boiled in the shell.
The centrata prefers the vicinity of the sea,
and is never found far in the interior of the coun-
try, or remote from brackish water.
Like the clausa it varies in a remarkable degree.
‘The concentric lines of the plates of the shell are
sometimes simply of a darker colour than the gen-
eral surface, whilst in other specimens they re-
semble deep grooves sculptured into the shell.
Testupo scabra, Linn.
thors.)
SYNONYMES.
Testupo centrata, Larn. hist. nat. des Rept. Daun. in Son-
nini’s Burr. 2, p. 153.
Testupo concentrica, Saaw, Zool. 3, pt. 1. p. 43, pl. 9.
7. E. picta. One of the handsomest of all the
known species of Emys, and at the same time the
most abundant of any other in the United States.
They lay for hours on logs or other objects that
float on, or project into the water, from whence
they dive into the water on the approach of any
thing that alarms them. In old specimens a su-
ture is very visible on the anterior part of the
242 FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES.
sternum, concentric to the junction of the three
anterior sutures as depicted on Pl. 4 of Schoepff’s
work. ‘This suture is en in young specimens.
:
SYNONYMES. a"
Testupo picta, Linn. Gut. Syst. Nat. Scuorrr. hist. test.
p- 23, pl. 4. Daun. in Sonnnw’s Burr. 2, Be 164, Se
3, pt. 2, p. 24, pl. 10. » Sige 1.
8. E. punetata. As well as the preceding speuies,
this is inno danger of being mistaken for any
other; its markings are perfectly distinct and strik-
ing. It is also a common species, and seems ‘to
prefer clear flowing streams.
SYNONYMES. ‘ :
Txstupo punctata, Scnorrrr, hist. test. p. 28, pl. 5. Davpin
in Sonnini’s Burron, 2, p. 159, pl. 22. )
_ Trsruvo guttata, Scunemer. Suaw, Zool. 3, pt. 1, p. 47.
pl. 10, fr 2.
9. E. * biguttata. Shell convex, linear-oval,
slightly wider behind, a little contracted each side
at the middle, and with a hardly elevated dorsal
carina; plates concentrically wrinkled, and with
obsolete radiating lines; dark brown or blackish,
obsoletely varied with yellow; vertebral plates
‘subequal, wider than long ; costal plates, excepting
the fourth, which is small, subequal, the anterior
one somewhat largest; marginal scuta twenty-five,
anterior one linear, its length equal to double its
breadth : sternum blackish, varied with yellow and
FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES. 213
with twelve plates, of which the two anterior ones
are smallest, triangular, with rectilinear sutures ;
lateral angles a little nent, and at their an-
terior junction somewhat emarginate ; second and
third pairs of plates subequal; fourth and fifth
larger, subequal ; sixth much smaller, broader than
long, widely emarginate behind: head blackish,
varied with yellow in short undulated lines, par-
ticularly on the inferior jaw, which is much curved
upward at tip and acute: superior jaw deeply
emarginate at tip, each side of which is a slight
obtuse dentiform prominence: occiput with two
very large, bright, fulvous spots: tail as long as
the hind feet, thick at base, and gradually taper-
ing to the tip, which is unarmed.
Length of the shell, three inches and four-fifths;
greatest breadth nearly two inches and four-fifths ;
breadth in the middle, two inches and two-fifths.
This new species is by no means common; 1
have as yet seen but few individuals, one of which
is in the collection of the Academy.
10. E. glutinata. This species has not yet fallen
under my observation, and we have no other in-
formation respecting it than what is recorded by
Daudin. He informs us that it is so closely allied
to the odorata as to be with difficulty distinguished
from that species, by any other character than
that of the immoveable condition of the extremi-
ties of the sternum, which, in the odorata, are val-
vular. Whether or not immobility of the sternum
214 FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES.
may be the consequence of advanced age, or a
permanent specific trait, must be left for future
determination. ‘ions
SYNONYMES.
Trstuvo glutinata, Davpin in Sonnint’s Burron, 2 p, 194,
pl. 24, f. 4, (the sternum.)
Testupo pensyloanica, sterno immobili. Scnozrrr, pl. 24,
jig. B, pe 110.
11. Cistuvo clausa. Familiarly known to almost
every one by the name of land tortoise; it is that
species on the inferior shell of which many per-
sons are in the habit of cutting the initials of their
names together with the date of the year.
It exhibits so great a variety in the form, num-
ber, and distinctness of the yellow spots in differ-
ent individuals, that it is not common to find
two in which these markings are nearly similar.
Amongst the varieties, there appears to be every
degree of gradation from large spots occupying a
greater portion of the whole surface of the supe-
rior shell, to obsolete spots, or to small ones coy-
ering but a very small portion of the surface; some
specimens have been found altogether immaculate.
Moreover, as in the E. concentrica, the plates are
sometimes sculptured with impressed concentric
lines ; in other specimens they are perfectly gla-
brous, and between these two extremes a com-
plete connexion may be traced. So great is the
variation in these respects, that it appears to me
FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES. 215
necessary to have some other character than co-
lour, pointed out on the E. virgulata of Daudin,
in order to prove it a species and not a mere va-
riety of the clausa, as I believe it to be, as well
as the E. carolina of Linné.
This species certainly belongs to the genus
Emys, as formerly characterized, although it does
not, at least as far as I have observed, ever enter
the water voluntarily, and is therefore as exclu-
sively a land tortoise as the Testupo polyphemus
itself. ‘The clausa does, however, exhibit a pre-
dilection for moisture, as Mr. Titian Peale has ob-
served, by exposing itself to every fall of rain,
whilst its companion in the same enclosure, the
polyphemus, invariably seeks shelter under the
same circumstances.
A very beautiful variety occurs on the arid
prairies of the Arkansa. A specimen brought
by Major Long’s exploring party is in the collec-
tion of the Philadelphia Museum; the yellow lines
and spots on its shell are unusually vivid and well
defined, contrasting strongly with the general
black colour: the sternum is also black brown,
with numerous bright yellow lines. If the virgu-
lata be justly entitled to specific distinction, this
variety, and in fact several others, must also be
separated.
SYNONYMES.
Testupo clausa, Linn. Guex. Scuorrrr. Hist. test. p. 32,
pl,.%. Davpin in Sonnint’s Busron, Reptiles, vol. 2, p. 207,
216 FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES.
pl. 23, fig. 1, 2. Suaw, Gen. Zool. vol. 3, pts 1, ps si pi. 7.
(the figure taken from Edwards’.)
Tesrupo carolina, Linn. Gmet.
Txsrupo caroliniana, Scanetp. Scuiup. p. 334,
Testuvo tessellata, minor caroliniana, - nat. hist p-
205.
La courte queue, Lacer. hist. nat. Quad. ovip. vol. 1, p. 169.
Tesrupo virgulata, Daupin in Sonmim’s Burr. Reptiles,
vol, 2, p. 201, pl. 23, fi 3, 4
12. C. pensylvanica. Inhabits ditches and other
turbid waters. It is sometimes taken by the hook
and line. A variety was found by a detachment
of major Long’s exploring party on Bowyer creek,
a tributary of the Missouri. The upper shell is
altogether similar to that of specimens found in
the vicinity of this city, but the sternum is pro-
portionally much wider; the femoral plates are
much more elongated backward, and the junction
of the caudal plates is but very li icine
nated at tip.
SYNONYMES.
Testupo pensyloanica, Linn. Get. Scuorrrr, p. 107. é,
24. Saw, Zool. vol. 3. pt. 1, p. 60, pt. 14, f. 2. (the shell
he figures as a variety on pl. 15, is a distinct species, and
probably not of this country.) Enc. Meth. pl. 5, fig. 1. Dau-
din in Sonnini’s Buffon, 2, p. 182, pl. 24, fig. 1, 2.
13. C. odorata. With the general appearance
and form of the pensylvanica, this is certainly a
perfectly distinct species. Daudin, who separated
_ FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES. 217
it, has given a very good figure in Sonnini’s Ed.
of Buffon. Waving other equal or more important
differences, the form of the apex of the upper mat-
dible, is alone sufficient to show that the odorata is
entitled to rank asa species. Inthe pensylvanica
this part is rather abruptly prolonged vertically,
so as to conceal much of the tip of the inferior
mandible, as in the clausa, Curroxura serpentina,
&c. whereas in the present species the upper man-
dible is not at-all prolonged, but the tip is perfect-
ly simple and rounded.
The odorata is generally known by the name
of “ stink-pot,” from its musky odor; it is a very
common inhabitant of ditches and other turbid
waters, and is very troublesome to those who angle
in such situations. Some persons are so well ac-
quainted with its nibble, as to be able to distin-
guish it from that of the various kinds of fishes.
It affects the hook in a sluggish manner, and
sometimes remains firmly attached for a consider-
able interval, without giving any motion to the
cork which floats on the surface.
SYNONYMESe
‘ dealicriiadis: Hicnit in Sonn. Burr. 2, p. 189; pl. 94, f.
3, (sternum.) he quotes Larr. hist. nat. des Rept.1, p, 122.
14. Cuevonura serpentina. A common species,
inhabiting large muddy ponds, ditches, and other
waters of slow current. In winter it approaches
holes in the ice, and is then taken by the harpoon,
for culinary purposes. It is exposed for sale in
28
VOL. IV.—JANUARY, 1825.
‘218 FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES.
our markets under the name of “ snapping tortle.”
It is prevented from biting by a piece of twine
which is passed between the jaws and drawn tight
around the sides of the body. It constitutes the
chief ingredient of the more common kind of “ tur-
tle soup” of our taverns and oyster cellars. i
Mr. J. E. Calhoun informs me that it is distin-
guished by the negroes of South Carolina, by the
name of Coutia, probably from its similarity to an
unknown species of Africa.
In some situations where this species abounds,
it is very destructive to young ducks, seizing
them by the feet and dragging them under water,
for the purpose of devouring them.
SYNONYMES- .
Testuno serpentina, Linn, Gur. Syst. nat. Scuorrer, hist,
test. p. 32, pl. 6, Davoin in Sonnini’s Burron, 2, p. 98, fr
Testupo serrata, Penn. Arct. Zool. suppl. p. 97.
15. Trionyx ferox. An inhabitant not only of the
rivers of Carolina and Georgia, as stated by au-
thors, but it is found in nearly all the tributaries
of the Mississippi, abundant in the Ohio, and of
frequent occurrence in the smaller streams that
discharge into the Missouri. It is also found in
the streams that flow into the Lakes, and Dr. De-
kay informs me, that it is found in the state of
New-York, inhabiting some of the tributaries of
Hudson’s river. Its flesh is esteemed a nutricious
and very delicate food; it is brought to the mar-
ket of Pittsburg from June to December. Mr.
FRESH WATER AND LAND TORTOISES. 219
Speakman informs me that he has kept individuals
upwards of a year, and that although they were
very active, yet, with the exception of young
ones, he never knew them to attempt to bite.
They are chiefly taken with the hook and line,
and are known by the name of “soft shelled turtle.”
Although this species has been called by the
several names of ferox, La molle, and Tortue de
Pennant, yet Mr. Geoffroy has thought proper to
apply another name, (v. Ann. du Mus. vol. 14, p.
17.) In a note on page 12, of the same volume,
that distinguished naturalist observes, that as he
has not seen the shells of the T. ferox and euphra-
ticus, his figure 2, pl. 5, may represent that of
one of those species, but he is of the opinion that
it does not, because the shells of those two species
are described to be more convex. In this opinion
Mr. Geoffroy appears to me to be perfectly cor-
rect; the shell of the ferox, belonging to the col-
lection of the Philadelphia Museum, though pro-
bably not more convex than that of the subplanus,
is yet of a different form, from that of his figure,
being longer in proportion to its width, and the
ends of the ribs project further beyond the cir-
cumference of the shell.
SYNONYMES.
Testupo feror, Linn. Gauev. Syst. nat. Pennant Philos.
Trans. Lond. vol. 61, p. 266, pl. 10. Davoiwi in Sonnini’s
Burron, 2 p. 69.
La Molle Lacep. hist. nat. des Quadr. ovip. vol. - p. 137,
pl. 7. Ency. Meth. pl. 5, f. 3.
220° ZINC ORES.
Observations on the Zane Ons of Franklin, ond.
Sterling, Sussex County, New Jersey. By G.
. Troost, M. vet Read pe etn 3; 1824. wit
The facts collected in this memoir’ lhnioe atin
observed nearly two years past. I made these
researches merely for my own use, being in some.
measure, prevented from publishing them by
Messrs. Vanuxem and Keating announcing their
intention of publishing a description of the min-—
erals,of Franklin, of which they gave a list. As’
this promise is at last partly fulfilled in a memoir’
read June Ist, and published in Part I, of this
volume, I feel ny tall at liberty to present my
observations.
The mineral which I first subjected tiscedlonel
nation was the siliceous oxide of zinc. This sub-
stance particularly fixed my attention on account
of its singular appearance, deviating much from
the varieties of that ore with which I was acquaint-
ed, having apparently undergone a partial fusion
by which the surface of the crystals have become
rough, offering waving or undulating faces and
rounded edges, which renders it difficult to de-
termine the inclination of the different angles;
while crystals of other minerals in the same situa.
tion, and as easily decomposable as the zine ore,
present sharp edges and level polished surfaces ;
ZINC ORES. 221
from which it appears probable that the roughness
and bluntness of these angles is not owing to a
partial dissolution, but to some other causes that
We are unacquainted with.
I succeeded with some difficulty in extracting
by mechanical division, the primitive form, and
found that its cleavage was three-fold, forming a
straight four-sided prism, with a square base or
cube. This was an unexpected discovery, differ-
ing also in this respect from the European mineral,
as the primitive form, as stated by Haiiy, is a rec-
tangular octaedron, while De Bournon gives a
rectangular tetraedral prism. I am not acquaint-
ed with the observations of De Bournon on those
minerals which are published in his catalogue,
where he describes twenty-two varieties of forms.
{ do not know if that philosopher has actually
succeeded in extracting by mechanical division,
the tetraedral prism, or if it was the result of cal-
culation, but as to Haiiy, it appears from his writ-
ings, that he obtained a very small solid, the faces
of which did not exceed one millimetre. The ac-
curacy, nevertheless, of this distinguished philoso-
pher is such, that even with his insignificant
means we may rely on his assertions, and might
therefore be induced to believe that our mineral
was not the same as that described by Hatiy—
this appears the more surprising as its chemical
composition coincides pretty well with the Eu-
ropean. Could a small proportion of manganese,
222 ZINC ORES.
which the mineral in question contains, possess
so much influence as to change entirely the ar-
rangement and form of the integral parts?
As to the discovery and determination of the
primitive form above mentioned, I believe it to be
beyond the reach of doubt. I have several times
succeeded in extracting this solid, and have in
my collection a fragment of a large crystal, offer-
ing a surface of upwards of three inches, which
presents on one side the perfect cleavage. Whence
it follows that the primitive form of our mineral
is a straight rectangular four-sided prism, with a
square base, or a cube.
The secondary forms are not numerous, the
dodecaedron, the most common form in which it
occurs, is generally lengthened in such direction
as to forma six-sided prism, surmounted by a py-
ramid with three faces, the faces of the prism being
six oblique-angled parallelograms, while those of
the summit are rhomboidal ; these faces are joined
together under angles of 120°, and if true over
the whole crystal, they would be the result of the
most simple law of decrement, that is, by one
row of molecules parallel to the edges of the cube;
but the edges and faces of the pyramids are often
imperfect, and it is rare that more than one face
has preserved its shape and offers a good edge
where it is joined with the prism: the other faces
present only the shape of rhomboidal planes,
ZINC ORES. 223
which do not admit of measurement; the angles
of the perfect faces have constantly given me 120°.
If these angles were not of that value the pri-
mitive form would not be a cube, but a parallelopi-
pedon, whose sides would stand in a different ratio
to each other than those of the cube, which does
not. appear to be the case. This is farther cor-
roborated by the following form.
It crystallizes also in a flat six-sided prism, sur-
mounted by a diedral summit, with pentagonal faces
resting on the lateral edges of the prism, the edge
of which forms an angle with the pentagonal face
of the summit of 135°, and must also be the result
of a decrement of one single row of molecules, as
in the dodecaedron, but it does not exist on all
the sides of the cube, being only at the bases and
two of the sides; the crystal being at the same
time elongated, its form must be as I have stated,
a hexaedral prism, four of the faces being oblique-
angled parallelograms and two hexagons ; the two
terminal faces pentagons resting on the lateral
edges of the prism, with which they form an angle
of 135°. This circumstance is also in favour of
the primitive form being a cube; the angles of
the prism are two of 120°, and four of 135°. The
value of these angles nevertheless are not abso-
lutely determined, the crystals being much bent
and the edges of the sides very convex. I found
amongst my crystals some indications of more
» complicated forms, but from the before mentioned
224 . ZINC ORES.
roughness of faces and convexity of edges, I was
not able to determine their true form.
We see therefore that the secondary as well as
the primitive forms differ from those given by
Haity, of the zinc oxide silicifere, and that it ought
to be considered as a different substance; but
chemical composition does not permit this sepa-
ration, as its constituents coincide with those of
Klaproth, Pelletier, Smithson, Bertier, John, and
Berzelius, except that our ore contains upwards
of 5 per Ct. of oxide of manganese, which ingre-
dient influences its colour but cannot be supposed
to influence its crystalline form, and renders it
therefore probable that the nature of the siliceous
oxide of zinc is not perfectly understood. 7
Its specific gravity is 3.98 to 4.15; the latter
was the result of Mr. W. Hembel, jr. the first. by
myself, which coincides nearly with those given
by Messrs. Vanuxem and Keating. In this re-
spect it differs from the European varieties, high
are quoted from 3.30 to 3.52.
The colour of the mineral is from gray passing
through every shade to black, also pale greenish-
yellow, and the different shades of rose and peach
blossom-red, which colours are probably owing to
the different degrees of oxidation and quantities
of the manganese, the exterior of the masses or
crystals being generally black while the interior
part is red. weer
It occurs also in amorphous masses, nail that
ZINC ORES. 225
case it contains the red oxide of zinc in the form
of small nests, and then generally presents a more
foliated structure than when it is associated with
the granular franklinite. The crystals are gene-
rally irregularly clustered together, intermixed
with garnet, franklinite, sometimes crystallized in
emarginated octaedrons and ferruginous carbonate
of lime, and frequently forms the support of the
octaedral crystals, called by Messrs. Keating and
Vanuxem, dysluite.
Rep oxiwe or zinc. While engaged i in the inves-
tigation of the siliceous oxide of zinc, I also ex-
amined the red oxide of zinc, (which is so much
blended with the previously described mineral,)
and succeeded in extracting from the same, the
primitive form, which is a straight rhomboidal
prism whose angles are 100° and 80°. I did not
find any cleavage in the direction of the diagonals.
The solid which I obtained was upwards of three
eighths of an inch, the, sides smooth and well cal-
culated to be measured. This form does not agree
with that mentioned by Mohs, who states that it
is divisible parallel to a rhomboidal prism, the an-
gles of which are upwards of 120°... We rarely
meet specimens which are distinetly foliated and
fit for mechanical division; it is probable that
Mohs operated on specimens which were not well
calculated for cleavage. We thus see that the
primitive form and chemical composition separate
this mineral from the siliceous oxide of zinc, with
VOL. 1V.—-JaNUARY, 1825. 29
226 ZINC ORES.
which it is ranked by Haiiy, and deseribed in an
appendix under the name of zine oxide ferrifere
lamellaire brun rougeatre. Haiiy Traité de Min-
eralogie tom. 4, p. 179, 2d ed.
Comparing what I have stated in regard to the
siliceous oxide of zinc, with that published in the
memoir on the minerals of Franklin, by Messrs.
Vanuxem and Keating, (page 3 of this vol.)
the Academy will perceive that our researches
have produced different results ; I therefore sub-
mit this memoir to our mineralogists, and wish
some other would undertake the examination of
these minerals with the view of establishing the
correctness or fallacy of my investigations.
The following are the particulars in which my
observations differ from those of the gentlemen
before mentioned.
Messrs. Vanuxem and Keating say, page 8,
“'The form of the crystals is an hexagonal prism
with triedral terminations, the faces of which re-
pose upon the lateral edges of the prism are 120°,
and of the faces of the pyramid with one another
about 118° (?) being the regular hexagonal prism
with a rhomboidal summit, of course leading to a
rhombohedron for the primitive form.” A few lines
further it is said “ that from circumstances of the
edges and faces being convex they cannot posi-
tively affirm that the terminal faces are those of
a rhombohedron. ‘The gentlemen do not state
how they deduce from the above described form
ZINC ORES. 227
a rhombohedron for the primitive form which de-
viates so much from the one I obtained by me-
chanical division, nor are the relative dimensions
of this rhombohedron given by them.
The authors mentioned commence their memoir
with “Jerrersonire,” and admit its identity with
pyroxene; therefore the name given by them to
this substance is inadmissible, and must henceforth
be relinquished. But they wish to make it appear
that the cleavage is an anomaly, and that hereto-
fore the cleavage parallel to the faces of the pri- —
mitive form have invariably been the smoothest,
&c. I doubt very much this being the case.
Most of the varieties of pyroxene we have in our
country are more easily divisible parallel to the
bases forming smooth faces than in any other di-
rection, and this division is generally indicated by
the transverse rents forming with one of the sides
an angle of 106°; this circumstance offers a strik-
ing character to distinguish this mineral from
others with which it has some analogy. I believe
it is the pyroxene augite alone which appears to
make an exception to the general rule. In the
diopside or mussite, we perceive the transversal
rents indicating a cleavage; it is the same with
the varieties malacolite, or sahlite, pyrgom, fas-
saite, and baikalite ; in these, the cleavage, easiest
to obtain, is parallel to the base, and the foliated
structure is in the same direction. ‘To this va-
riety belongs the Pyroxene of Franklin, the sub-
Say ae
228 ZINC ORES.
stance under consideration, it being foliated, par-
ticularly in the direction of the base, which cir-
cumstance is a distinctive character of this variety,
having also, when not acted upon by the atmogs
phere, a dark green colour.
When we find a lamellar structure in the py-
roxene coccolite, it is in the direction of the base.
This is the case with nearly all the varieties of
pyroxene in Europe, (handbuch der oryktog-
none von Karl Caesar von Leonnard, page 523) as
well as the pyroxene of our country, as those of
Easton, Penn. Orange county, New York, Rod-
ger’s Rock, &c. which belong to the variety ma-
lacolite or sahlite, the surface of the lammina
forming an angle of 106° with one of the sides is
smooth : it is also the case with the white pyrox-
ene and coccolite of King’s Bridge, New-York,
the pyroxene of Compton Hill, New Jersey; in
fact with all the pyroxene of our country which I
have had an opportunity of examining. ‘The re-
splendent pyroxene of the Brandywine Creek,
Delaware, seems to be an exception, which, ac-
cording to Mr. Vanuxem, is more easily divisible
parallel to one of the diagonals, and the pyroxene
augite, of which the transverse fracture is rough;
and I believe that Haiiy alluded to this variety
when he says “ cassure; transversale, raboteuse.”
Having admitted the identity with pyroxene
from its crystalline form, they nevertheless create
doubts concerning the composition of this min-
ZINC ORES. 229
eral as given by Mr. Henry Seybert. From the
analysis of this substance by that gentleman, it is
evident that its components are bisilicates, and
not trisilicates, as is stated by Mr. Keating.
(Vol. ii. page 200 of this Journal.) Mr. Keating
still lays much stress on its containing more or
less of magnesia, and implies that it is doubtful
whether the minerals analyzed by Rose were
really pyroxenes ; and he farther implies, that we
ean put more confidence in the analysis made in
the garden of plants at Paris, as it were under the
eye of Haiiy. 1 would not doubt that the sub- —
stances analyzed by Vanquelin and Laugier, were
true pyroxenes, though they had not been exam-
ined under the eye of Haiiy; but why should we.
question the accuracy of the analysis of Rose ? is
it because they did not yield much magnesia?
We know that Klaproth reports an analysis of a
variety of pyroxene from Sicily, in which he found
only 1.75 of magnesia, and that Roux’s analysis
of a variety from Arendal, afforded none whatever;
nor does it appear from the memoir published by —
Mr. Seybert, (American Journal of Science and
the Arts, vol. vii. p. 145,) that he considered
the magnesia which he found in the pyroxene
from Franklin, an essential constituent, though he
obtained 4.00 of it, but that the important differ-
ence in Mr. Keating’s analysis and his, had refer-
ence to the proportion of silica, by which the true
character of this mineral was determined. Mr.
230 ZINC ORES.
Keating may also be sure that the mineral exam-
ined by Mr. Seybert, was precisely the same sub-
stance as that described by him under the name
of Jeffersonite. We may add further that the
analyses of Rose are cited by the most distinguish-
ed mineralogists and chemists in Europe ; and we
cannot doubt that he was well acquainted with
all the distinctive characters of pyroxene, since
the results of his analysis (at least those with
which I am acquainted) show that he did operate
on the true pyroxenes; and if an eye-witness is
required, we have one in the celebrated Berzelius,
in whose laboratory Rose made his experiments.
« M. Rose, en comparant ensemble plusieurs sor-
tes de pyroxenes a fait voir que tous sont des
bisilicates de quelques unes des quatre bases
isomorphes conformement au systeme de Mits-
cherlich savoir, la chaux, la magnesie, le fer oxi-
dule, le manganese oxidule, ici c’est un bisilicate
de manganese oxidule, et de chaux la un bisilicate
de chaux et de fer oxidule. Ansi disparaissent,
graces aux decouvertes de M. Mitscherlich les con-
tradictions qui existerent entre les resultats des
analyses chimiques et la caractere fonde sur la
forme des crystaux.” (Berzelius. Reports annueles
de Vacademie royale des Sciences de Stockhatay
1822.)
Rep oxipe or zine. Messrs. Tsaeatuest and Keatinty
say, that the name of red oxide of zinc, given to it
by its discoverer, the late Professor Bruce of New
ZINC ORES. 931
York, is improper, and they call it red zine ore.
This name may be applied with as much propriety
to the siliceous oxide of zinc, as to the mineral
under examination, both are zinc ores and have a
redcolour. ‘The mineral discovered by Professor
Bruce, contains, according to his analysis, 9.20 of
oxide of zinc, and 8.00 of oxide of manganese and
iron; according to Bertier, it is composed of 98.0
of oxide of zinc, and 12. of manganese; these be-
ing its constituents, I see no reason why the name
of red oxide of zine proposed by the discoverer,
is improper; the small quantity of oxide of man-
ganese which is chemically combined with it, does
not authorize the alteration of a name, besides,
the most distinguished mineralogists have adopted
Bruce’s name of red oxide; and Haiiy, well aware
of its combination with a quantity of oxide of man-
ganese, says, (Traite de Mineralogie Tom. 4, page
177, 2d ed.) “La variete, des etats unis formera
un espece apart, et devrait etre consideree comme
la veritable oxide de zinc.”
I suppose Messrs. Vanuxem and Keating did
not examine the cleavage of the red oxide of zinc,
or they would have discovered that Mohs is in
error in regard to its cleavage, and Laney not
have copied him.
Carponate or zinc. This mineral in addition to
the forms mentioned by Messrs. Vanuxem and
Keating, occurs also in mammillary concretions.
232 PLESIOSAURUS.
Notice of the Ptestosaurus, and other Fossil
Reliquia, from the State of New Jersey. By
Ricnarp Hartan, M. D. Read September 7,
1824.
I have lately received from Mr. I. Lukens, a
collection of fossil teeth and bones, which were
discovered at Mullica Hills, New Jersey ; among
which are three vertebre belonging to some sau-
rien reptile, unlike any hitherto described, and
the type of which isnot known to have existed in
North America.
One only of these vertebre retains sufficient
characters to enable me to determine the extinct
genus to which it belongs. This specimen, Pl. xiv.
fig. 1. is a dorsal vertebra completely petrified, or
rather impregnated with iron; it is perfect with
the exception of the greater portion of the spinous
process, which has been broken off since the pe-
trifaction of the bone.
The following are its dimensions; transverse
diameter of the body, 1 inch seven-tenths ; verti-
eal diameter of the same, 1. 4; length of the side,
2. 2; length of the transverse process, 1.4.
This vertebra is similar to those of the genus
Prestosaurvs, in being slightly concave at both ex-
tremities, and again, slightly swelled in a contrast-
ed curve near the middle of the circular area. All
PLESIOSAURUS. 233
the fossil crocodiles have this in shapennrier part
of the column. -
It further corresponds with the Prxstosaurien
vertebra in having the ribs articulated by a single
tubercle, to the end of the transverse process, the
articulating face of which is oblong horizontally ;
this structure is observed in the crocodiles in the
three last vertebra only. The specimen under
examination, however, differs from any species of
the Prestosaurus hitherto described, both m mag-
nitude and proportion, as is demonstrated in the
following measurements of the vertebra: of that
animal, described by Messrs. Conybeare and De
la Beche.
“ The proportion of the diameter to the length
of the side, is nearly as 5 to 4, in the cervicals;
in the middle dorsal, a little greater, and in the
caudal, nearly double.
In the crocodile the diameter is always less
than the side. A middle dorsal vertebra from
Col. Bird’s specimen of Presiosaurus, measured
one inch and a half through the articulating sur-
face; length of the side, one inch and one-eighth ;
though one specimen has been latterly discovered,
measuring three inches in diameter.”*
The form of the occipital and caudal aurtnoes
of the body of the vertebra, which is the subject
of the present essay, distinguish it from the fol-
* Vide Geological transactions, vol. vy. Part HI.
VOL, IV.—FEBRUARY, 1825. 30
234 PLESLOSAURUS.
lowing animals, viz. The Maestricht animal, Cro-
codiles, Monitors, Iguanos, and in general the most
part of the Sauriens and Ophidiens, in which the
bodies are concave before, and convex behind.
In the Cetacea the bodies are nearly plain, and in
fishes they are concave conically on both surfaces.
Cuvier remarks,* “the dorsal vertebra of the
Maestricht animal have their transverse apophyses
short, and terminated by an articulating surface
enlarged vertically, which carries the rib, which
is consequently attached by a single head: this
characterizes the Monitors and most of the Sau-
riens, excepting only the crocodiles, in which par-
ticularly, this structure is absent, with the excep-
tion of the three last ribs.”
To the crocodiles, as an exception, Cuvier
should have added the Icthyosaurus, Iguana, and
Camelion, among the Sauriens, together with the
Crotalus and Coluber, among the Ophidia ; in all
of which, the ribs are articulated with the bodies
of the vertebre by two tubercles, but do not unite
with the transverse process as in the crocodile.
Conceiving it highly important to the science
of Oryctology to ascertain correctly the manner
in which the ribs of the different genera of the
Saurien family are articulated, I solicited and ob-
tained permission from the Academy of Natural —
Sciences, to, examine the very valuable collection
* Anim. fossil, vol. iv.
PLESIOSAURUS. 235
of this branch of Zoology contained in their cabi-
net. As far as my examination extended, (with
the exception of those genera above noticed, in
which the ribs are articulated to the bodies,) the
transverse processes (or a tubercle which supplies
their places,) receive the head of the ribs, as in
the following genera; viz. the Presiosaurus, Ma-
EsTRicHT ANIMAL, Catores, Monrror, Ameiva, Scincus,
Gecko, Acama, Anouis; also the Sirena, the Triron,
and the Satamanpra, among the Barracuia.
Figures 2, 3, and 4, represent different views of
a fossil mineralized tooth, from the New Jersey
“ Marle Pits,” three miles from Woodbury, be-
longing to the Cabinet of the Academy. This
tooth, from the mode of dentition, evidently be-
longed to a Saurien reptile; it is figured of its
natural size, two inches and four-tenths in length,
though about one-fourth of an inch has been bro-
ken off the point. It is considerably curved in-
ward, and slightly curved backward at its point;
the dermal aspect is doubly convex, the mesial
aspect presents a surface slightly concave, verti-
tically ; terminated by a sharp finely serrated edge
anteriorly and posteriorly; the diameter of the
base is one inch and four-tenths. ‘This tooth re-
sembles in every respect those teeth of the Ma-
estricht Monitor, which lie buried in the maxilla, .
and which are to take the place of the first series,
when the latter are broken off or destroyed.
The Cabinet of the Academy and Philadelphia
Museum contain numerous specimens of Shark’s
236 PLESIOSAURUS.
teeth from New Jersey, most of which are im-
pregnated with iron, and are in a perfect state of
preservation. From the present imperfect state
of our knowledge of this department of Zoology, —
and from the proteiform variety presented by the
teeth of the same individual, it is almost impos-
sible to refer them with certainty to the present
existing genera; by referring to figures 5th, 6th,
and 7th, the truth of this observation will be suffi-
ciently obvious; they represent teeth taken from
the. upper and lower j jaw of three existing species,
the jaws of which are in the possession of Mr. C:
A. Lesueur: however, specimens from New Jer-
sey have been discovered, which resemble closely
the following sharks, viz. Squalus zygena, mus-
telus, cinereus, squatina, and the carcharias, two
specimens of which measure five inches long, and
four broad at base. If the same proportions ex-
isted between the body and the teeth of the recent
and fossil-carcharias, the latter must have been
more than forty feet inlength. In vol. iii. of Par-
kinson’s Organic Remains, are good figures of
the teeth of most of the above named genera.
There is also deposited in the Cabinet of the
Academy, from the western shore of Maryland, a
cervical and a caudal vertebra of a gigantic spe-
cies of fossil Manatus; the vertical diameter of
the former is nine inches and a half; the trans-
verse diameter eleven inches. A fossil rib of the
Manatus, was also discovered sid Mr. Finch, at
the same locality.
COLUBER. 237
Descriptions of three new species of Corvner, in-
habiting the United States. By ‘Tomas Say.
Read, January 25, 1825.
Cotuser.
1. C. amanus. Above brown or blackish; be-
neath, bright red; tail short,,with an abrupt solid
conic tip.
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Body above reddish brown, beneath vivid red:
head not larger than the neck, obtusely rounded
before; terminal plate curving a little on the top
of the head, so as to. be nearly horizontal above ;
first pair of plates rather short, breadth decidedly
more than double the length; second pair rather
large, oblique, posterior outer angle reaching the
eyes ; central plate convex, rounded-subtriangular,
wide before and angulated on the anterior middle,
posterior angle acute ; posterior plates a little con-
vex, with a single scale between their tips; eyes
with one scale behind, one before twice as long
as the posterior one, small plate above the eye
less than half the length of the central plate, and
not twice as large as the posterior eye plate: teeth
minute: scales smooth, polished, somewhat opa-
lescent, slightly convex, rounded at tip: tail less
‘ 238° COLUBER.
than one-seventh the whole length; tip rather ab-
rupt, conic, solid, acute.
Plates 124. sc. 25. Total length, 10 inches and three-
tenths; tail 1 inch and two-fifths.
Var. a. dark slate colour above.
A very pretty and perfectly harmless serpent.
The contrast of colour between the lively red,
sometimes rosaceous, of the inferior surface of the
body, and the brown, more or less deep, of the
superior surface, is very striking ; the abrupt ter-
mination of the tail and the narrow head, are also
distinguishing traits. It is found beneath stones
and prostrate logs, but not very frequently. —
The following are the respective dimensions
and number of double scales and plates of four
specimens belonging to the Philadelphia Museum.
Pl. 125, sc. 38. ‘Total length, 8 inches and a half; tail
more than 1 inch and five-eighths.
Pl. 134, sc. 28. Total length, 10 inches and three-eighths;
tail nearly 1 inch and a half,
Pl. 126, sc. 24. Total length, 10 inches and seven-
eighths ; tail 1 inch and three-eighths.
P]. 134,sc. 32. Total length, 4 inches and five-eighths;
tail five-eighths of an inch.
A specimen in Mr. W. L. Stewart’s collection has
Plates 118, sc. 35, it is nine inches and three-fifths
long, with the tail of more than one inch and four-
fifths. But in all these variations the small size
of the head, the form of its plates, and their num-
ber about the eye, remain the same.
COLUBER. 239
2. C. rigidus. Dark fuscous or blackish ; be-
neath yellow, with two black lines.
Inhabits the southern states.
Body very dark greenish-brown above: head
very little wider than the neck; second pair of
plates transverse, posterior lateral angle not ex-
tended to the eye; central plate with the length
nearly twice its breadth; super-ocular plate, length
more than twice its greatest breadth, and more
than two-thirds the length of the central plate;
posterior plates without any scale between their
tips, but each terminating in a scale; lip-plates
and chin reddish-brown: eyes in contact with two
transversely-oblong small plates behind, and two
before, of which the inferior one is smaller: scales
oblong, emarginated at tip, and with an elevated
line, obsolete on the lateral scales and rant
the three inferior series; scales of the two inferior
series entire at tip, pale, castaneous at base; stria
of the tail more distinct and the scales somewhat
elevated at their tips: beneath yellow, with two
perfectly regular black lines, confluent on the
neck, situated near the middle, nearer to each
other than to the first series of scales, formed of
slender, elongate-triangular spots, and terminating
at the vent: fail attenuated, double scales beneath
margined with blackish.
Plates 133, sc. 51. Total length, 20 inches and three
fifths, of the tail, 4 inches.
240 COLUBER.
This species frequents the water, and has con-
siderable resemblance to the porcatus, Daudin,
(aquaticus, Shaw,) who seems to have confounded
two species together under that name as varieties.
But his true species differs from the present, by
many well marked characters. All the scales
have elevated lines, not excepting even the infe-
rior series; the labial plates are margined with
brown; the eyes have three small plates behind,
and but one before; the inferior part of the body
is variegated, and the proportion of the plates and
double scales is different. It is also allied to the
erythrogaster. 'The specimen is in the cabinet of
the Academy.
’ 3. C. septemvitiatus. Brownish, with dace
blackish lines; beneath yellow, with four blackish
8. .
Inhabits Pennsylvania.
Body cinereous-brown above: head alittle wider
than the neck; second pair of plates transverse, ©
posterior lateral angle not extended to the eye;
central plate with the length nearly twice its
breadth ; superocular plate in length twice its
greatest breadth, and nearly as long as the central
plate: eyes in contact with two subquadrate, small
plates behind, and two before, of which the infe-
rior one is smaller; posterior plates somewhat
truncate, or rounded at tip; lip plates yellow:
scales oblong emarginated at tip, and with an ¢le-
vated line on all; a blackish line occupies the
COLUBER. 241
vertebral series and a portion of the contiguous
series, and a similar equal line occupies the fifth
and a part of the fourth series on each side; a
blackish somewhat broader line occupies one half
of the breadth of the ninth series of scales, and
the ends of the scute, extending to the tip of the
tail; a yellow line is on the remaining half of the
ninth series, and includes nearly all of the eighth
series, extending also to the tip of the tail: be-
neath yellow, with two perfectly regular blackish
lines, confluent on the neck, situated each side of
the middle, formed of quadrate spots, and termi-
nating at the vent.
Plates 143, sc. 70, of another specimen, Plates 149, sc.
73. Total length, 9 inches and nine-tenths, of the tail 2
inches and a half. 3]
An individual of this species was found by Mr.
Reuben Haines, on the second floor of his resi-
dence at Germantown, and another was caught
near Philadelphia, by Thomas M‘Euen, M. D.
They are perfectly alike in their markings, and
belong to the collection of the Academy. A spe-
eimen belonging to the cabinet of Mr. William
Hyde, is much larger than those above mentioned,
and may probably have reached the maximum
size; it measures twenty-two inches and nine-
tenths in total length, and the tail is six inches
and three-tenths long; the plates are a hundred
and forty-four, and scales eighty.
VOL. IV.—-FEBRUARY, 1825. 3l
242 LACERTA.
Description of two Species of Linnean Lacerta,
not before described, and construction of the new
genus Cycwura. By Ricnarv Harzay, M. D.
Read November 30, 1824. .
Species 1st. This animal was brought from
‘Turk’s Island, and presented to the Museum im-
mediately after its death. The colour of the skin
is of a dirty deep brown; in general, the form of
the head resembles that of the Iguana, but the
scales on the top of the head and end of the snout
are of much smaller size; their form being penta-
gonal, a series of corneous scales line the infra-
orbitar ridge. Neck, breast, and body, clothed
with uniform fine smooth scales, of a square form,
and slightly imbricate.
Skin of the inferior portion of the neck, loose,
and folded transversely: scales upon the top of
the back elevated and compressed into long, slight-
ly recurved, flexible spines, forming a crest, or
fringe, extending from the occiput to the base of
. the tail; this frmge is wanting where the neck
moves on the body, leaving a smooth space half
an inch in length, between the scapule; the same
is to be observed. at the setting on of the tail:
scales on the thigh, smooth; those on the leg and
front of the foot, bristled over with minute sharp
spines pointing downwards. A series of pores,
LACERTA. 243
twenty in number, line the inner part of each
thigh : tail verticillate, circular at its base, slightly
compressed at its upper part in the middle; be-
coming again cylindrical at the extremity, where
it ceases to be verticillate; carinated above, by
thick and sharp spines, pointing backwards, and
terminating four inches from the end of the tail ;
the remaining portion being clothed only with
equal elongated carinate scales ; the spinous bands
are twenty in number, extending rather more
than two thirds around the tail, leaving a smooth
surface beneath. They consist of thick oblong
scales, with an elevated carina or an obtusely an-
gular spine projecting backwards from their cen-
tre; these bands are separated from each other
by a circular series of smaller scales depressed
and imbricate, becoming carinate towards the ex-
tremity, generally three rows in number, becom-
ing more numerous beneath : claws resemble those
of the Iguana.
Anatomy. Tongue fleshy, extensible, and par-
tially slit, or rather indented at its apex: teeth re-
sembling the Iguana’s in form and mode of ar-
ticulation ; twenty-five in number on each side of
both jaws: palate destitute of teeth; trachea lies
exposed on the floor of the esophagus, which is
enormously large; the opening into the trachea
is furnished with a complete epiglottis, in which
respect it is more perfect than the Iguana, in
which this organ is incomplete; os hyoides has
244 LACERTA.
two cornua on each side, and a bifid one in the
middle, reaching downwards to the loose skin of
the throat; the intestine, a few inches above the
cloaca, is dilated into a sack or pouch, with thick
parietes: urinary bladder \arge, and opens with
_. the fallopian tubes into the cloaca: anus, a trans-
verse slit. : :
Cincuvatory system. I was desirous of compar-
ing the structure of the heart with that organ in
the crocodile, which is very unlike the heart of
the Turtles to which Cuvier has compared ‘it,
(Lec. d’ Anat. Comp.) As no correct description
of the anatomical structure of the heart in the —
Saurien reptiles has ever been given to the pub-
lic, I shall offer a brief outline of the organs of
circulation in the “ Crocopitus lucius,” which will
oi: as a type for all the Lacerra. To Mr. N.
M. Hentz, the credit is due of having first detect-
ed this peculiarity of structure in the heart of the
crocodile. His essay on this subject will shortly
appear in the Trans. of the Am. Phil. Soe.
I abstract the following observations from my
notes of a dissection of an alligator, which I per-
formed for the fourth time in January, 1824. _
Ist, | forced air into the vena cava ascendens,
which injected the right auricle and ventricle, and
passed into the lungs through the pulmonary ar-
tery; into the splanchnic aorta; also into the
systemic aorta through the valvular opening at —
LACERTA. 245
its base; the blood in both superior cave regur-
gitated. z
2d, I forced air into one of the pulmonary veins,
which inflated the left auricle and ventricle, passed
into the systemic aorta, and the subclavian trunks
which leave the super-cordal sacks, (each of the
large arteries are dilated immediately on leaving
the heart, and are so united as to appear exter-
nally as a single sac.)
The circulation in these animals is briefly as
follows:—1st, the blood passes from the right au-
ricle into the ventricle of the same side; in this
cavity there are four openings, Ist, one leading
from the auricle; 2d, one into the pulmonary ar-
tery; 3d, one into the splanchnic aorta, carrying
black blood to the viscera; and 4th, one into the
systemic aorta, by the valvular communication at
its base, which allows the continuation of the cir-
culation, when that through the lungs is impeded
by expiration. During expiration there is still
some pulmonic circulation, a small quantity of
blood passing from the lungs, through the left
auricle to the ventricle of the same side, from
whence it has a direct passage into the systemic
aorta, the valve at its base will not even permit
air to pass into the right side of the heart, nor
will the semilimar valves of the aorta permit re-
gurgitation, so that the only mixture of black and
red blood takes place in the systemic aorta dur-
ing expiration, or collapse of the lungs. ‘The sys-
246 LACERTA.
temic and splanchnic aorta do not unite until after
the viscera have — Wane with blood we the
latter.
After this Aightcnetde it will be very easy te
comprehend the structure of the heart in the ani-
mal immediately under consideration. The heart,
in fact, is similarly constructed externally : but, as
this animal is terrestrial, there is no necessity for
that complicated structure which exists in the
crocodiles, and the ventricles communicate freely
with each other. The three arteries which dilate
immediately above this organ, uniting to form a
complete sac, in the alligator, are indistinctly ob-
servable, or partially divided, in this animal; and
in which also the splanchnic and systemic aorta
unite, previous to giving off the mesenteric branches.
‘Diwensions.—Total length of the animal, 2 feet 4 inches;
length of the head, 3 inches ; breadth of the head, 2 inches ;
length of the wade, 10 inches ; length of the tail, 1 foot 3
inches.
Species 2d. Another species of the same genus
brought from ‘Tampico, and presented by Captain
Dallas, has been living in the Philadelphia Mu-
seum for several months, and latterly in my pos-
session. During the present month, (November)
this animal has eaten nothing of its own accord,
but when raw meat or fruit is placed in the mouth,
he swallows it leisurely without chewing, show-
ing most preference for the former, but always
LACERTA. 247
rejecting cooked meat. During the summer he |
subsisted chiefly on fruit, and was never observed
to drink; of late he has become considerably tor-
pid, remaining in one position for hours, without
any disposition to move unless roused, when he
displays considerable activity. He is exceeding-
ly tame, and fond of being washed with a wet
sponge; has shown not the least disposition to
bite, but when teased or tickled on the leg, will
defend himself with his prickly tail, with which
he is able to strike in every direction.
Descrirtion.—Colour of this species, dark green,
on some parts of his back, brilliant or glistening:
head nearly quadrangular, occipital portion swol-
len by the large muscles of the jaws : scales pen-
tagonal, largest about the snout: skin beneath the
throat loose, and folded transversely. I never
have observed this inflated, even when the animal
laboured under the greatest degree of irritation:
scales on the body, square, small and imbricate,
(as in the Iguana) those of the sides, arms, and
thighs, as well as the legs and forearms, bristled
over with minute prickly spines: the dorsal crest
or fringe composed of an uninterrupted series of
corneous scales, extending from the occiput to the
sacral region, where the back is without spines
for the space of one inch, when the prickly tail
commences : tail beautifully verticillate, perfectly
cylindrical, tapering gradually towards the ex-
tremity, about two inches of which is lost; the
248 LACERTAY
spiniferous rings are about twenty-four in number,
and appear to have extended the whole length of
_ the tail; the scales which constitute the rings, are
oblong, thick, and remarkably imbricate, so that
_ a transverse section of the tail, including a spiny
ring, with the two circular rows of depressed
scales, would appear to be set into the ring which
precedes it. The spines are longer, sharper, and
more slender, than in the preceding species, and
being all nearly of an equal size on the upper sur-
face of the tail, there is no distinct carina, only
there exists always one more spine than ring, in-
tervening between the rings immediately upon
the top of the tail; these spiny rings extend com-
pletely around the tail, becoming smaller, shorter,
and less vertical on the lower surface: the rings
are separated by two rows of smaller, depressed,
and spineless scales, with the exception of those
beneath, where all are furnished with spines; in
the first four verticillations at the base of the tail
the spines exist only on the upper surface: the
claws are similar to those of the Iguana; there
exists a row of glandular orifices, seven in num-
ber, on the inside of each thigh: teeth are ‘small,
conical and pointed, a single sharp, conical tooth
occupying the usual situation of the middle inci-
sor of the upper jaw is received into a hole of the
inferior maxilla: tongue fleshy and extensible,
merely notched at the tip; palate destitute of
teeth : trachea as in species Ist, furnished with an
LACERTA, 249
epiglottis. Anatomy, nearly similar to species
ist, the three arteries which form the supercordal
sac are merely united above the heart: omentum
loaded with fat.
Dimensions. Total length of the animal, 1 foot 8 inches
and a half, (allowing two inches for the lost portion of tail ;)
length of the head, 2 inches and a half; breadth of the
head, 1 inch and a half; length of the body, 7 inches; ac-
tual length of the tail, 9 inches ; (supposed length of the ‘ail,
11 inches.) ;
Osservations. On the most accurate compari-
son of the above described animals, with those
subgenera to which they are most nearly allied, it
appears to me, that they cannot be appropriately
united with either, agreeably to the present state
of the systems; for although both the individuals
of which we are now treating, are unquestionably
related in some traits of their organization, to the
Iguana, the Stellio, and the Agama, yet they will
be found to differ as much from either of these,
as they respectively differ from each other.
The first described individual approaches the
fguana most nearly; the second, to the Stellio;
they would therefore naturally occupy a station
as a subgenus between the two. It is not impro-
bable that other species may yet be discovered,
and thus furnish another example of that arrange-
ment which causes the productions of nature to
succeedeach other by almost penning shades.
VOL. IV.— FEBRUARY, 1825.
250 LACERTA.
The most remarkable peculiarities common to
both these individuals, being the form and struc-
ture of the tail, we propose to designate them by
a term significative of this circumstance.
Subgenus Cycxura.
Generic characters. Palate deprived of teeth;
tongue fleshy and extensible, cleft at the tip; skin
of the throat folded transversely ; back furnished
with a flexible crest or fringe : tai/, about half the
total length: seales which form the elevated rings,
separated by two or more rows of depressed pie
less scales above.
Species 1st, C. carinata. Pl. xv. Crowns of the
teeth dentated; a row of corneous scales lines the
infraorbiter ridge; dorsal crest wanting between
the scapula, and also over the sacrum; scales of
the body uniform, square, small, slightly imbricate
and spineless : leg and foot furnished with scales,
having minute spines pointing downwards: tail
carinated above and slightly compressed in the
middle; spiny bands terminating four inches from
the extremity, and separated from each other hy
three rows of depressed scales.
Species 2d, C. teres, Pl. xvi. Teeth small, snaihann
and pointed; dorsal crest wanting only over the sa-
crum ; scales on the sides, thighs and legs, bristled
over with minute spines : tai/ cylindrical, tapering.
gradually towards the point; spiny rings encircle
OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE, &c. 251
the tail, separated by two rows of depressed scales
without spines above ; spines on the rings nearly
equal, extending to the end of the tail.
y
Observations on the Nomenclature of Wiison’s
OrnitHoLocy. By Cuartes Bonaparte. Read
November 23, 1824.
(conTinvep FRoM PacE 200.)
Pipra.
It is not a little remarkable that Wilson should
have introduced this genus in his Ornithology.
The bird he placed in it has certainly no relation
to the Mannakins, nor has any one of that genus
been found within the United States.
168. P. Polyglotia. Vol. i. p. 90. This bird has
been placed by authors in half a dozen different
genera. It was arranged in Muscicara by Gmelin,
Latham, and Pennant; in ‘Turpus, by Brisson and
Buffon ; in Ampetis, by Sparrman, and in Tanacra,
by Desmarest. I was at first inclined to consider
it a Vireo, and to adopt the genus Icreria of Vieil-
lot, as a subgenus of Vireo, but after having dwelt
more upon the charaeters and habits of this re-
markable species, I have concluded to adopt
252 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
Icreria as an independent genus agreeably to Vieil-
lot. Vieillot’s and Wilson’s specific names must
both be rejected, and the — will then stand
as Icreria viridis.
SYNONYMES.
Muscicapa viridis, Guev. Latu.
Tanagra olivacea, Dusmarest, Tangaras, (his plate of ‘the
male.) His female and young belong to a different species.
Turpvs viridis carolinensis, Briss.
Icrerta dumicola, Vieit. pl. 55. 2
Bartram called it Garrunus australis ; Sparrman, AMPELIS
lutea, and Catesby, who first made it known, Yellow breasted
Chat. ;
Although we adopt Vieillot’s genus for this
bird, we do not agree with that author as respects
the collocation of the genus. We cannot conceive
how Vieillot could place it so unnaturally as in
his family of the Textores, with Orionus and Ic-
TERUS, inasmuch as he was generally very happy
in his classifications. We place the genus with
Turpvus, Vireo, Muscicara, Moracma, &c. in the
family of the Canori. Some authors will be dis-
posed to change the name of Icreria, from the cir-
cumstance of its great similarity to Icrerus, but
we think such a change would be minenthee es un-
necessary.
©F WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 253
Parwvs.
Of this very natural genus, admitted by all na-
turalists from the time of Aristotle, Wilson de-
scribes but two species, and these seem indeed to
be the only ones known to inhabit this continent.
Many others are, however, noticed by former wri-
ters, and the above assertion may therefore appear
hazardous, until the species they have mentioned
are considered. Thus, Ist, the Parus americanus, °
Linn. is the Sytvia americana (Sytvia pusilla, Wils.)
2d, the Parus virginianus, Linn. of which Vieillot
without having seen it, made his Sytvia flavopygia,
and afterwards xanthoroa, we have no hesitation
in declaring to be the Sytvia coronata, in winter
dress; 3d,the Parus ater is an European bird, stated
by Latham to inhabit this country, doubtless by
mistake, in consequence of its similarity to the
P. atricapillus described by Wilson; 4th, the
variety of P. palustris of Latham, from Louisiana,
is the atricapillus, as will be seen hereafter; 5th,
the Parus hudsonius of Gmelin and Latham, is also
the P. atricapillus in imperfect dress. I am also
convinced that P. griseus of Gmelin and Latham,
from Greenland, is no other than Recutus calendu-
lus, under which I have quoted it.
169. P. atricapillus, Vol. i. p. 134. Whether or
not this be the P. palustris of Europe, is a ques-
tion which we find to be somewhat difficult to
254 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
decide, although we have specimens of both be-
fore us. All the more ancient writers, as well as
Vieillot, thought it distinct ; but Temminck, after
much consideration, refers them to one species.
Our opinion, however, is, that though very closely
allied, they are yet distinct, for the following rea-
sons, in which we agree with Vieillot.
Ist, It is somewhat larger, and the tail is pro-
portionally longer.
2d, The black on the throat descends lower
down, and the colours generally are obviously
more pure and decided.
3d, The voice is different and the habits are
more like those of the P. major and ceruleus vd
Europe, than those of the palustris.
4th, The young of the atricapillus differ conside-
rably from the adults, in consequence of which
a nominal species has been made of them; whilst
the young of P. palustris are similar to the parents.
We therefore retain its characteristic name for
this species.
SYNONYMES.
P. atricapillus, Linn. Guew. Lata. Vint. Nouv. dict.
not of Brisson.)
P. hudsonius, Get. Lata. Vieiti. Nou. dict. (young,)
P. palustris, var. 8 (from Louisiana.) Game. Laru.
P. canadensis atricapillus, Briss.
Mésange @ gorge noire, Burr. Pl. Enl. 502, f. 1, (bad
figure.)
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 255
170. P. bicolor, Vol.i. p. 137. Although Latham
states this bird to inhabit the north of Europe,
yet from our own experience, and after consulting
different authors, we have no hesitation in declar-
ing it peculiar to this continent, on which it is
found as far north as Greenland.
SYNONYMES,
Parvs bicolor, Linn. Guet. Lara. Vieit. Nouv. dict.
Parus carolinensis cristatus, Briss.
We owe its first introduction to Catesby.
Hirvunpo.
This genus, as admitted by Wilson, is now di-
vided into two, viz. Hirunpo, containing four of
the five species of Wilson, and Cypsewus, to which
the remaining species belongs. As Linné origi-
nally formed it, it was more extensive, embracing
the present genus Caprimuteus, and having the
same boundaries that now circumscribe the family
Cnetiones. In this, as in almost every other part
of natural history, Linné exhibited his transcend-
ent genius; new discoveries have required many
divisions, but his genera have always remained
as great genera, or families.
171. H. purpurea, Vol. vy. p. 58. The largest of
its genus in North America, and peculiar to this
continent, visiting every part of it from north to
south.
256 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
- It is very remarkable in this genus for exhibit-
ing a wide difference between the sexes; hence.
in part, the great multiplication of nominal spe-
cies to which it has given rise. Latham was the
first to perceive these errors; and Vieillot, not
satisfied: with five different names, added a sixth,
which afterwards he changed for a seventh.
SYNONYMES.
H. purpurea, Linn. Guten. (male) Lats. i
H. subis, Livy. Guex. (female and young:) ep
H. violacea, Gur. (adult male.) %s
H. apos carolinensis, Briss. (male.)
Hi. freti hudsonis, Briss. (female and young.)
Hirondelles de la Louisiane, Burr. Pl. Enl. 722, (adult
male.)
Hinwnvo cerulea, View. pl. 26, (male.) pl. 27, (female.j
Since Hirunpo versicolor.
Although Brisson and others have considered
this species as closely allied to the apus, thetype
of the genus Cyesetus, yet it has no point of re-
semblance, if we except its large size ; it is panied
Hirunvo as the genus now stands.
172. H. americana, Vol. v. p. 34. Wilson des
serves commendation for having proved this bird
to be distinct from the H. rustica of the old con-
tinent, with which, as he informs us, it was then
generally believed to be identical. But he was
not aware that Gmelin and Latham had already
distinguished it, (though not very positively) by
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 257
the name of H. rufa, Under this name, which
must be exclusively adopted, Vieillot figured it
in his large work, and also placed its difference
beyond a doubt. Wilson’s name was pre-occupied.
SYNONYMES.
Hono rufa, Guet. Lara. Viet. pl. 30. :
Hirondelle @ ventre roux de Cayenne, Burr. Pl. Enl. 724,
Ff: 1, (female.)
All authors who state the H. rustica to be a
cosmopolite, have, with respect to America, mis-
taken this species for it. It is more remarkable
that Vieillot and other modern writers, who knew
this bird perfectly well, should, notwithstanding,
declare the H. rustica to inhabit North America.
But we believe it does not visit this continent, and
that the deception has arisen from the white ap-
pearance of the belly in young specimens of rufa.
173. H. viridis, Vol. v..p. 44. As the preceding
had been mistaken for H. rustica, so the present bird
had been confounded with the H. urbica, of the
old continent, which does not inhabit America.
Wilson was therefore right to consider it as new,
and to giveitaname. But,as on many other occa-
sions, he has been anticipated by Vieillot, whose
name of bicolor must consequently be adopted.
SYNONYMES. —
Hinvnpo bicolor, Vieit. pl. 31.
Hirvnvo urbica var. 4, Guex. Laru. (young as it has the
tip of the wing and tail feathers whitish.)
VOL. 1V.~-FEBRUARY, 1825, 33
258 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
Stephens, by a strange and unaccountable mis-
’ take, calls Wilson’s bird, (which he quotes as bi-
color) H. leucogaster, thinking it distinct from that
of Vieillot.
174. * H. riparia, Vol. v. p. 46. This is the
only Swallow common to Europe and North
America. Of this identity doubts have been ex-
pressed by some authors, but after a careful com-
parison of the two birds we have no hesitation in
declaring them one species. Vieillot’s obserya-
tion relative to the greater length of the tarsus,
and its nudity of feathers in the American speci-
mens, is not correct. The feet are perfectly alike,
and with the tarsus naked in both birds, if we ex-
cept four or five small feathers situated at the in-
sertion of the hind toe, and these exactly corre-
spond in the European and American specimens.
SYNONYMES~+
Hirvnpo riparia, Linn. Briss. Guet. Lata. Tem.
Hirondelle de rivage, Burr. Pl. nl. 543, f. 2, (young:)
Boie has lately made a genus of this bird, with
the name of Corie, but I do not know what cha-
racters he may be able to assign to it.
175. H. pelasgia, Vol. v. p. 48. Finding in this
singular bird the characters which distinguish the
genus Cypsetus, I have no hesitation in placing it
in that genus, agreeably to Temminck, calling it
Cypsewus pelasgius. It is peculiar to North Ameri-
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 259
ca, and the only one of its genus found here. Al-
though Vieillot and some others of the best recent
Ornithologists, admit the genus Cyrsexus, yet they
consider the present bird as a Hiruypo of a pecu-
liar subdivision.
SYNONYMES.
Hirunno pelasgia, Linn. Guet. Latn. Vien. pl. 33.
Hirvnpvo carolinensis, Briss.
Hirondelle d queue pointue de la Louisiane, Burr. Pl. Enl.
726, f. 2. (This is not a variety as authors state, but a
different state owing to age. Naturalists have usually de-
signated every trifling difference as a variety; but when
these supposed varieties are closely studied, they are found
to be either entirely distinct species, or only differences of
age or sex, if we except some albinos and other accidental
aberrations from the standard of the species.
Hirondelle & queue pointue de Cayenne? Burr. Pl. Enl.
726, f. 1.
The genus Cypsetus, to which we assign this
bird, under the limits prescribed by Temminck,
was first established by Scopoli, who called'it Apus.
It was rejected by Gmelin, Latham, Lacépéde
and others, and considered as a subgenus by
Oken and Cuvier. Duméril adopted it under
the first name: Illiger, Vieillot, Temminck, and
others admitted it ; some retaining Scopoli’s name,
and some, as Wolf and Meyer, changing it to that
of Micropus, and afterwards to that of Bracrirus
But the name of Cypserus was given by Illiger,
from Aristotle, after he had condemned the others
260 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
as being irregular in their formation ; and as this
designation has now been generally adopted, we
have thought proper to. preserve it. This may,
perhaps, be considered by some naturalists, an act
of injustice to Scopoli, but we cannot successfully
oppose the determination of naturalists in this
respect, and we do not conceive that we are re-
quired to be as scrupulous with regard to generic
names as we ought to be of specific ones, which
must always be retained, however bad they may
be, whilst not one awkward or incorrect generic
name should be permitted to remain.
Caprimuceus.
This genus, which differs from Hirunvo as Srrix
does from Fatco, has been adopted by all natural-
ists from the time of Linné, (who in his first edi-
tion placed it in Hiruypo) and Brisson, It is a
very natural group, and we think that Vieillot
would have done better to have considered his
genus Nycriniws as a subgenus. The three spe-
cies so well described, figured and elucidated by
Wilson, are all peculiar to America.
176. C. carolinensis, Vol. vi. p. 95. Though it
is almost impossible to decide which of the closely
allied species of this genus authors had in view,
by their short descriptions,. particularly as the
species are evidently confounded with one another
in their respective articles, yet we believe Wilson
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 261
had good reason to refer the Chuck-will’s widow
to the C. carolinensis. But he shows his uncer-
tainty with respect to it by omitting all synonymes.
This was also the case with Vieillot, who calls
this bird C. rufus, having without any apparent
good reason, considered the carolinensis as the
same species’as his C. popetue, to which, in that
case, he would have done well to have left the
name: but he proves himself in error by stating
that authors are incorrect in attributing to the bird
a different size, colour, and form of tail.
We shall adopt Wilson’s opinion, which, after
much examination, we think the most probable.
SYNONYMES,
Caprimuteus carolinensis, Guet. Laru. Briss.
Caprimuteus rufus, Viettt. pl. 25, (female.) In the nour.
dict. he unites three species under this name.
Wilson corrected the errors that had been committed
with respect to this and the two following species, the habits
of all which had previously been confusedly intermixed.
Stephens has increased the confusion by calling it C. bra-
chyplerus.
177. C. americanus, Vol. v. p. 65. Although
this is the most common of the three species, yet
it is remarkable that it was not correctly noticed
by any writer before Wilson and Vieillot. It is
however evident that part of the description of C.
virginianus, is taken from it, as is proved, if by
no other character, certainly by the white wing
spot which is there mentioned. So that the name
262 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
of virginianus which has been applied by Vieillot
to the following, might with equal propriety have
been given to this species, from the circumstance
of the description, history, and habits partaking
of both. Our author, who is so admirably correct
as regards the history, description, &c. has inad-
_vertently given a name already employed in this
genus. Vieillot’s name of C. popetue, awkward as
it is, must be adopted, having the priority.
SYNONYME,
Caprimutcus popetue, Viriiu. pl. 24, (female-)
Caprimuteus virginianus, Guet. Lata. Briss. (a monstrous
combination of this and the following species,) Visit.
pl. 23.
CarrimuLeus europaeus, 2 minor americanus, Lann. (the same
monstrous combination.)
The error seems to have originated from Cates-
by’s bad figure, which is a compound of the two
species, or rather which represents the C. popetue,
(Night Hawk) with bristles which are proper to
the vociferus (Whip-poor-will.)
178. C. vociferus, Vol. v. p. 71. Vieillot applied
to this bird the name of C. virginianus, which is
evidently proper to the preceding as well as to
this bird, the description and history being as be-
fore stated, a compound of the characters of both;
this fact, however, he does not mention; but being
probably afterwards aware of it, he changed the
name to clamator, a name corresponding in mean-
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 263
ing to that of Wilson, which he ought to have
adopted, rather than to introduce a new one.
Wilson deserves the highest commendation for
having so elegantly and perspicuously elucidated
the history of the species, and for having extricat-
ed the North American Carrimute: from the con-
fusion that involved them. Had he performed no
other service for the benefit of science, this alone
would have been a monument of his accuracy.
From aconsideration of the above circumstances,
I think Wilson’s name must be exclusively adopt-
ed, as the only means of avoiding future confusion.
SYNONYMES-
Caprimuteus virginianus, Vier. pl. 23.
CotumBa.
This genus is so well characterized that it has
constituted a distinct family in the estimation of
all ornithologists, and even in that of several, a
distinct order. Some of the former have arranged
it with the Passeres, and others with the Galline ;
it is in fact intermediate to both, and by some
species approaches closely to Galline. But I
cannot hesitate to place it with the Passeres,
from some traits in the conformation of the spe-
cies, as well as from their habits, and principally
from the circumstance of the hind toe being arti-
culated on the same plane with the others, and
bearing equally on the ground its whole length.
a
Ney
264. OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
Though forming a distinct family, and very nu-
merous in species, yet this genus, as is the case
with many other well characterized genera, also
abundant in species, as Fatco, Srarx, Psrrracus,
Frivertta, Anas, Picus, &c. cannot well beseparat-
ed, excepting into sections or subgenera. Attempts
have, however, been made to separate the species
generically, by Vieillot, Stephens, and others: we
divide the genus into three subgenera, adopting
the names of Columba, Vinago, and Goiira. The
three species of Wilson are all peculiar to America,
two of them belong to the first subgenus, and the
other to the latter.
179. C. migratoria, Vol. v. p. 102. A well known
species described twice in the systems. Our au-
thor’s history of it is perfect.
SYNONYMES.
Cotumpa migratoria, Linn. Get. Lara. (adult male.)
Viet. Nouv. dict. @hist. Nat. Tem. Les Pigeons, falio,
Paris, 1811, pl. 48 of the second section, (male,) pl. 49, (fe-
male, resembling a young male taking the adult dress.)
Coxumsa canadensis, Linn. Guev. Lara. (female and young,
the latter considered as the female of the nominal species.)
CouumsBa enas americana, Briss. (adult, male.)
Cotumpa canadensis, Briss. (female and young as above.)
Tourterelle de Canada, Burr. Pl. Enl. 176, (female, a bad
figure.)
180. C. carolinensis, Vol. v.p.91. This familiar
species has also been described twice in the same
books.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY.
_SYNONYMES.
Cotumsa carolinensis, Linn. Gunt. Lata. Viritt. Nouv.
dict. Tenm. Pigeons, pl. 80, of the second section.
CotumBa marginata, Linn. Guet. Lara.
Coxumpa turtur carolinensis, Briss.
Coxumpa turtur americanus, Briss.
. Tourterelle de la Caroline, Burr. Pl. Enl. 175, (female, a
very bad figure, in which, amongst other errors, the bill is
red instead of black.)
181. C. passerina, Vol. vi. p. 15. This very
small species belongs to that peculiar subdivision
which approaches more to the order Galline, and
which, for that reason, has been called Columbi-
galline, forming the genus Goura of Stephens. It
inhabits only the southern states.
SYNONYMES.
Cotumpa passerina, Linn. Guew. Lara. Vieitt. Temu.
Pigeons, pl. 13 of the third section, (male,) pl. 14, (fe-
male.)
Co.umBa turtur parous americanus, Briss.
Pétite Tourterelle de la Martinique, Burr. Pl. Enl. 243, f.
2, (bad figure,) (fig. 1, Petite Tourterelle de St. Domingue, is
generally quoted here also, but we believe, with Vieillot,
that it belongs to another species.) :
Wilson erroneously quotes Cotumsa minuta, Linn, as a
synonyme. ,
Terrao.
As first formed by Linné, this genus was very
extensive, embracing besides all the Grouse, Par-
VOL. Iv.——MARCH, 1825. 34
266 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
tridges, Quails, &c. also the Psastanus colchicus,
which however, that author afterwards removed
from it. Brisson, Latham, Temminck, Vieillot,
and other recent Ornithologists, have agreed in
restricting the genus Trrrao, but they have dif-
fered in the manner of doing it. We perfectly
agree with Temminck as respects the limits he
assigns to it, so as toinclude Tetrao and Lagopus,
of Vieillot, adopted by us as subgenera. We also
agree with him as to the genera separated from
it. The two species described by Wilson, belong
to the former subgenus’? They are both peculiar
to America, and have been most unaccountably
mistaken for one species.
182. T. umbellus, Vol. vi. p. 45. The local ap-
pellation (Pheasant) of this bird is erroneous, as
it is a true Grouse. The history and figure are
perfect in Wilson ; the bird has been twice noticed
in the systems.
SYNONYMES.
Terrao wmbellus, Linn. Guev. Lara. Vii. Noun. dict.
Tetrao togatus, Linn. Guet. (young, rather than female
as Latham states.) :
Lacorus atiagen Pensylvanie, Brisson.
Lacorus bonasa major canadensis, Briss. (young.)
Grosse Gélinotte du Canada, Burr. Pl. Enl. 104, (bad fig.
* of the young.)
Stephens calls it Bovasa wmbellus, having made
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 267
a genus which we do not think proper to adopt,
even as a subgenus.
The nominal species, as Sabine observes, origi-
nated, as is often the case, from a bad figure ; the
T. umbellus being described from nature, and the
T. togatus from Edwards’ wretched figure.
183. 'T. cupido, Vol. iii. p. 104. We cannot con-
ceive how Buffon, and more recently Cuvier, could
quote this remarkable species as a synonyme of
the preceding. No American would mistake this
delicious Grouse for the trivial “ Pheasant.”
We should think this error hardly worthy of
notice, did not some recent compilers, even with
Wilson’s work before them, still persist in express-
ing a doubt of the specific difference of T. umbel-
lus and 'T. cupido! #
SYNONYMES.
Tetrao cupido, Linn. Guz. Lara. Vieitt, Nouv. dict.
Lacopus atiagen americana, Briss.
_Bowasa cupido, STEPHENS.
Perpix.
This is one of the genera that have been sepa-
rated from the Linnean Terrao. It was formed
by Brisson and Latham, and adopted by Illiger,
Temminck, Vieillot and others. But authors vary
somewhat in their respective limits, some being
too extensive and others not sufficiently so. We
agree in this respect with Temminck and Vieillot,
&
268 OBSERVATIONS ON 'THE NOMENCLATURE
and distribute the species in four subgenera, cor-
responding to the sections of those authors, viz.
Francolinus, Perdix, Ortyx, and Coturniz, all of
which are considered as genera by Stephens. —
184. P. virginiana, Vol. vi. p. 21. The only
species known to inhabit this part of North Ame-
rica. Itis extended over almost every part of the
country. It belongs to the subgenus Orryx. We
find it described under three different names in
the systems, and this has induced Vieillot to give
a fourth, that of P. borealis. But in such a case
we must select one of the old names, and as Wil-
son has already chosen that of P. virginiana, Ithink
it must prevail.
» sSYNONYMEs.
Terrao virginianus, Linn. Guet. (female.)
Tetrao marilandicus, Linn. Goer. (adult male; Gmelin,
however, correctly indicates also the female.)
Terrao mexicanus, Livy. Guet. (adult male, erroneously
given with a red bill and feet.)
Perpix virginiana, Lata. (female.)
Perpix marilanda, Lara. (male.)
Perpix mexicana, Lara. (adult male given with a red
bill and feet.)
Perpix americana, Brisson, (female.)
Perpix nove anglia, Briss. (male.)
Corurmix ludoviciana, Briss. (male with red bill and feet.)
Cuille de la Louisiane, Burr. Pl. Enl. 149, (a bad figure
of the male with reddish bill and feet.)
Pervix borealis, Viert. Nouv. dict.
Ortyx borealis, SrePHENs.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 269
Having now passed in review all the land birds
described by our author, this may be the proper
place to correct a few errors, and add some obser-
vations which subsequent opportunities have en-
abled us to make.
2. Vuurur atratus. 1 called this bird Carnarres
urubu, but as Bartram has the priority, we are au-
thorized to reject Vieillot’s barbarous name for
that adopted by Wilson. The bird will then be
known as Catnarrtes atratus.
The quotation of Latham’s synonyme is incor-
rect; it ought to be
V. aura var 6? Lata.
Another synonyme is
V. aura & jota ? Guet.
If the Vutrur jota of Molina be certainly this
bird, that name ought to be adopted as having the
priority.
11, 12. Fauco borealis and F. leverianus. I ex-
pressed my belief of the identity of these two spe-
cies, which has since been corroborated by obser-
vations on the living bird. They are in reality, but
one species, differing only from age, both sexes
being found in each description of plumage, as
Wilson very correctly observed. “ My reason,”
says Wilson, “ for inclining to consider this (the
leverianus) a distinct species from the last (the
borealis) is that of having uniformly found the
270 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
present 2 or3 inches larger than the former, thougl:
this may possibly be owing to their greater age.”
_ In this, however, he is mistaken, for when birds
have attained their full size, as in both his birds,
they only change plumage, but never their stature;
he must have taken his admeasurement of the
borealis from males, (his figure is that of a male,)
and that of the leverianus from females. But be
this as it may, Lhave always found the males in
both states of plumage twenty inches, (a size
which Wilson gives to the borealis,) and the fe-
males also of both twenty-two inches, (his size for
deverianus.)
17. F. Mississippiensis.. Temminck has lately
given a figure of the F. plumbeus, (which I sup-
pose to be the same with this bird) when in the
second year of its age.
SYNONYME.
Milan Cresserelle jeune, Temm. Pl. Col. 180.
We cannot conceive why Temminck does not
quote Wilson’s figure, which is certainly by far
the best, and represents a more perfect state of
plumage than that of Vieillot. Is it because he
thinks the F. Mississippiensis of Wilson, a distinct
species? we.can hardly suppose it.
18. * F’, lagopus. An essential synonyme has
been omitted, it .is
F. sclavonicus, Larn.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 271
20, 21. F. hyemalis and F. lineatus. Ihave now
no doubt of the specific identity of these two
Hawks: lineatus is the young, and hyemalis the
adult; the very young bears a still distinct plumage,
and has luckily escaped the fabricators of nominal
species, who, had they met with it, would un-
doubtedly have augmented their chaotic ae
with it.
30. * Srrix otus. When I wrote the article on
this bird, I had not seen it, (as indicated by the
mark §) and believed Vieillot correct in noticing
the American species as distinct from the Euro-
pean. But having since procured several speci-
mens, I have ascertained that Wilson was right in
considering his species as the same with the Eu-
ropean. The name must therefore be restored,
and the mark * be prefixed to it. It is, however,
possible that two allied species may be inhabitants
of North America, one the same, and the other
different from that of Europe. This would cer-
tainly be the case, if Vieillot’s figure was a faith-
ful copy of nature; but as he states his bird to in-
habit all the continent of North America, we are
rather inclined to believe there is but one, and
that the great difference is the result of the incor-
rectness of his figure; the synonymes, besides
those already given, will then be
Srarx otus, Linn. Guet. Lara. Tem.
Moyen duc ou hibou. Burr. Pl. Eni. 29.
272 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
31, 32. S. asio, and S. neavia. I expressed my
opinion in favour of the specific identity of these
two Owls; and having since received the Pl. col.
80, of 'Temminck, (Hibow asio, male) representing
a male nearly adult, I was much pleased to find
that the opinion of that eminent Ornithologist
coincides with mine. I have now in my collec-
tion a complete series of the changes of this bird
from almost black to pale ferruginous-red ; all
doubt must therefore be dissipated in relation to
the subject. 'Temminck is, however, mistaken in
stating the asio to be the young female, and nevia
to be the old male; both sexes occur in all the
different states of plumage ; asio is the young bird,
and nevia is the adult. I cannot help expressing
my belief that the similar changes of the S. aluco
of Europe, will be found to be also owing to age
and not to sex.
33. * Lams excubitor. Having lately shot a
specimen of this species in New Jersey, I was
enabled to ascertain that though closely allied to
the excubitor, it is a distinct species, as stated by
Vieillot; his name of L. borealis must, theres,
be exclusively adopted.
34. L. carolinensis. I have stated that the name
of Vieillot, L. ardosiaceus, ought to be adopted as
having the priority over that of Wilson. This
was only because I then considered as doubtful
the synonyme of L. ludovicianus, which I there-
fore quoted with a note of interrogation. Having
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 273
since fully ascertained that this synonyme is cor-
rect, I propose to restore the Linnewan name to
that shrike. Latham led me in error by stating
that the crown (pileus) is black.
Our bird is undoubtedly the L. ludovicianus of
Brisson, and Linné, as may be ascertained by their
excellent description. It is also the L. ludovicia-
nus of Gmelin, but that author was wrong in
quoting amongst the synonymes, Buff. Pl. Enl.
397, this bird not being represented in that work.
Latham in his synopsis had indicated our bird,
under the name of Louisiana shrike, but he also
quoted the above named plate. Gmelin probably
took his authority.
_ In his index, Latham perceived that mistake,
but he fell in a greater one, which was to unite to
the L. ludovicianus, the black-crowned shrike of
Pennant, which that author erroneously supposed
to be L. ludovicianus, and of which Gmelin has
made his L. americanus. The latter has a black
crown which the ludovicianus has not. This in-
duced me to state that L. ludovicianus of Latham
was certainly not this bird.
35. Psrrracus carolinensis. Add to the syno-
nymes,
Psitracus ludovicianus, GMEL.
_ Perruche Illinoise, Burr, Pl. Enl. 528, (young.)
VOL. IV.—-MARCH, 1825. 35
274 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
Ortowus.
After having separated from this genus as adopt-
ed by Temminck, those birds of which we form the
genus Quiscatus agreeably to Vieillot, we subdi-
vide the remaining species into four subgenera: |
1. Cassicus, corresponding to Illiger’s and Vieil-
lot’s genus of that name. The species are dis-
tinguished by having the frontal angle (in the
feathers,) wide and semicircular, while the three
other subgenera have it acute and not profound.
2. Xanthornus, corresponding to Acetaws of
Vieillot, and included in the genus Ortoxus of Il-
liger. The bill is straight, thick at base, and acu-
minate. 3
3. Emberizoides, some species of which Vieillot
refers to his genus Passerina, they form the pas-
sage to Frincuza. This subgenus is so closely
allied to the preceding that it would be perhaps
better to unite them; the bill is only less acumi-
nate.
4. Icterus, which agrees with the two genera
Yrnantes and Penpuinus of Vieillot, and is includ-
ed in Illiger’s Ortotus. Some species of this sub-
genus form the link between Icrerus and the sub-
genus Dacnis of Cuvier; the bill is comparatively
slender and slightly bent towards the tip.
44. O. mutatus. In the synonymes, after Turpus
ater, Gmel. Lath. dele Lath. and put in its stead,
Turous jugularis, Lath.
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 275
46. Gracuta ferruginea. With Wilson I erred
in giving amongst the synonymes of this species,
Ontos niger, Gmel. Lath. which belongs to a
distinct species of the same genus (Quiscatus) in-
_habiting the West Indies and South America, but
which has not been found in the United States.
The individual stated by Latham to have been
found here, is the Q. ferrugineus in perfect dress.
55. Picusvarius. The following synonyme was
inadvertently omitted.
Pic varie de la Caroline, Burr. Pl. Enl. 785. (ad. male.)
Picus carolinus. For Pic rayé femelle de la
Jamaique, read Pic varié, &c.
60. Srrra varia. Being now satisfied that the
S. canadensis of Linvé is the young of this spe-
cies, I think the latter specific name must exclu-
sively be adopted.
72. 'Turnus solitarius. Add to the synonymes,
T. fuscus, Gmel. Lath.
74. 'T. aquaticus. As indicated by the mark §
prefixed to that article, I had not then seen the
bird. But haying last autumn procured specimens,
I have ascertained it to be a Warbler, and not a
Thrush, closely allied to the Sytvia aurocapilla
(Turpus aurocapillus, Wilson.) These two spe-
cies cannot be separated even subgenerically, and
they must therefore be placed either in Syxvia or
Turvvus; but I believe authors had no other reason
for referring these birds to the latter genus, than
276 OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOMENCLATURE
that they have a spotted breast. Whether or not
that bird and the Turpus motacilla, Vieill. are one
species, is doubtful, but it is certainly Syzvia nove-
boracensis Lath. as we have ascertained from the
very specimen Wilson described. If, therefore,
Turvus motacilla, Vieill. be a real species, it
must be distinct from T. aquaticus. This we do
not believe to be the case, and if we are correct
in our conjecture, Vieillot has described and
figured the same bird under two different names.
SYNONYMES.
Moraciita noveboracensis, Gauri.
Syzvia noveboracensis, Laru. Viri. pl. 82. ie)
Moracitta tigrina, var. 2, Guex. (female and young.)
Sytvia tigrina, var. 4, Latu. (female and young:)
Sytvia anthoides, Vier. Nouv. dict. @hist. nat.
Ficeputa dominicensis fusca, Briss. (female and young.)
Fauvette tachetée de la Louisiane, Burr. Pl. Enl. thee for,
(a very bad figure.)
New York warbler, Penn. Arct. Zool. Latu. fas
86. Emseriza erythrophthalma. referred this
bird to the subgenus Coccothraustes, but 1 now
think better to range it in the subgenus Fringilla,
its bill not being quite large enough to entitle it to
rank in the former station. The following syno-
nyme misquoted by Wilson and myself under F.
aliaca (rufa Wils.) must be placed under this bird,
to which it belongs beyond a doubt, as appears
to have been the ultimate opinion of Wilson. —
Emperiza ferruginea, Guev. Laru. (female.)
OF WILSON’S ORNITHOLOGY. 277
97. Frivemta purpurea. I stated the Pyrruura
erythrina to be common to the north of both
continents, and that it would be represented in
the first volume of my continuation of Wilson’s
Ornithology. But notwithstanding the statements
of authors, it appears not to exist in this continent.
Thad reference to an allied species.
102. F. nivalis. An essential error has occur-
red in relation to this bird. It was stated that
the name is correct, and that the species is com-
mon to both continents. But the fact is that the
species is widely different from that of Europe,
and must be called Frineitia hyemalis. It is evi-
dently by a typographical transposition, that ‘Tem-
minck states the F. nivalis to inhabit North Ameri-
ca, and it is for want of examining for themselves
that recent compilers have repeated this error.
The remaining part of the article is correct, ex-
cepting the synonyme of F. nivalis, which must
be rejected.
We also stated this bird to belong to the sub-
genus Fringilla, but we regard it as a Spiza,
though it has not the characters of that subgenus
strongly marked.
127. Muscicara pusilla. Having lately had an
opportunity of examining this pretty little bird, I
had the pleasure of finding my toa iy ai cor-
rect in regard to it.
278 BLENNIUS.
Descriptions of four new Species of the Linnean
genus Brennwws, and a new Exocerus. By Wi-
uiam W. Woop. Read December 14, 1824. —
Brienniws, Cuv.
1. B. geminatus. Head with a three rayed
cirrhus over each eye; body with several pairs of
brownish spots on the sides, above which are con-
fluent marks on the back, extending a little way
upon the dorsal fin. Dorsal fin with an irregular
blackish spot, anteriorly.
Head thick, large, anteriorly rounded, channel-
ed between the eyes; a cirrhus of three rays over
each eye, above a quarter of an inch in length,
slender and delicate: mouth descending very little:
upper lip large, thick : gape small: throat obscure-
ly bifasciate with brownish beneath: nostrils ap-
pendiculated : opercula fleshy : eyes moderate, ap-
proximated : body compressed: back somewhat
arched: belly a little protuberant; rib-spaces evi-
dent: sides with several pairs of spots of a reddish-
brown colour, arranged pretty regularly in a dou-
ble row, above which are confluent marks upon
the back, extending partly over the dorsal fin:
dorsal with an irregular blackish spot before the
origin of the pectoral fin; slightly joined to the
caudal fin, at the base; arched a little posterior-
ly: caudal fin rounded: anal fin nearly touching
BLENNIUS. 279
the tail, and having a longitudinal blackish band
near its exterior margin; tubercle of the anus
small: ventral fins two-rayed, pointed: pectoral
Jin rounded, base thick and fleshy, with a branched
dusky brown band.
Cabinet of the Academy.
Inhabits the harbour of Charleston, S. C. from
whence it and the two following species were sent
to the Academy, by Captain Bache, of the U. S.
Topographical Engineers.
Its colour in spirits is brownish, and the spots
of a brownish red.
D. 27. P.13. V. 2. A. 17. C. 142 imper-
fect rays.
Length, two inches and three-eighths; depth,
half an inch.
2. B. punctatus. A bifurcated cirrhus over
each eye; dorsal fin with an irregular blackish
spot between the first and third rays; body thickly
covered with small blackish spots, which are con-
fluent on the sides; caudal fin with five obscure
brownish bands.
Head thick, somewhat rounded anteriorly, in a
line from the dorsal fin to the snout: eyes oblong,
very approximate ; surrounded by a circle of raised
blackish points ; a bifurcated cirrhus or appendage
about half an inch in length, over each, the ex-
tremities of which are pointed: nostrils with a
small appendage: snout, front, top, and sides of
the head thickly covered with small, irregular
280 BLENNIUS,
blackish spots ; between the appendages over the
eyes and the commencement of the dorsal fin, are
two slight and roughish prominences : mouth small,
slightly descending: upper lip thick: body com-
pressed gradually from the pectoral fins: dorsal
jim commencing a little before the pectoral fin
and continuing to the caudal. fin, which it partly
joins at the base: caudal fin rounded, with five
obscure brownish bands: anal jin dusky, tubercle
before it small: ventral fins three-rayed, pointed,
blackish : pectoral fins large, rounded, base thick,
fleshy, dotted with blackish, the rays obscurely
fasciated with dusky : lateral line arched over the
pectoral fin.
Note-—Branchial aperture three-eighths of an inch in
length.
D.27. P. 14. V.3. A. 18. C. 11; imperfect
rays.
Inhabits Charleston harbour.
Length three inches ; depth one inch, exeleaind
of the dorsal fin. :
Puous, Artedi.
1. P. novemlineatus. Body with nine whitish
longitudinal bands; dorsal fin with an irregular
blackish spot between the first and second rays;
remainder of the fin clouded with dusky brown.
Head descending somewhat abruptly, tubereu-
BLENNIUS. 281 -
tated anteriorly : nostrils with a small appendage :
head, lips, opercula, &c. and base of the pectoral
fins, finely spotted with bluish-black, the spots
being larger on the front and opercula: branchial
opening extremely small, extending one-third of
the length of the external curve of the operculum :
mouth descending little : gape moderate : sides of
. the head fleshy : body compressed : rib-spaces evi-
dent: sides with nine longitudinal whitish lines,
some of which are interrupted; behind the eye
and under the dorsal fin are two irregular whitish
patches: dorsal fin commencing before the pec-
toral fins; between the first and second ray is an
irregular blackish spot, several of the following
rays are also spotted, the colour of the spots be-
coming lighter as they recede towards the tail,
where they mingle with the dusky colour of the fin
and are lost; fin rising posteriorly, and joining the
eaudal fin at about half the distance from its ex-
tremity: anal fin commencing under the termina-
tion of the pectoral fin, and extending nearly to
the tail: caudal fin rounded: ventral fins two-rayed:
pectoral fins rather large, the base thick and fleshy,
finely spotted with bluish-black : anus small, tuber-
cle small : colowr brownish, fins dusky.
0).:80.0: C82$0. A220. Vale Ped din 5
Inhabits Charleston harbour.
Cabinet of the Academy.
Length three inches and a quarter; depth, ex-
clusive of the dorsal fin, hardly one inch.
VOL, Iv.——mMaRcH, 1825. 36
282 BLENNIUS,
2. P. quadrifasciatus. P|. xvii. fig. 1. Dorsal fin not
joining the tail; body with four distinct brownish
bands, and an interrupted obscure broad band on
the neck; belly with four yellowish spots over the
anal fin; ventral fins fasciate with brown.
Head not descending abruptly, spotted with
blackish : branchial opening extremely small : eyes
moderate, approximate : lower jaw a little longer:
mouth descending: body elongate compressed :
back not convex: belly little protuberant: tail
narrowing somewhat abruptly : bedy very mucous :
dorsal fin pretty deep, rising slightly posteriorly,
and not joining the tail; it rises just over the
branchial aperture : caudal fin rounded : anal fin
deeper anteriorly, terminating very near the tail :
ventral fins three-rayed, fasciated with blackish :
pectoral fins placed just behind the origin of the
dorsal fin, large, rounded : belly with four spots of
a dull yellow, just over the anal fin: lateral line
nearly straight.
D..27). Cite ch ab: DP. eee
Length two inches and a half; depth, exelusive
of the dorsal fin, six-eighths of an inch.
For this last species I am indebted to Mr. Ru-
‘bens Peale, of the Baltimore Museum, who pre-
sented me with a specimen. Another in his pos-
session was somewhat larger.
Native place unknown.
All the shone species having been described
EXOCETUS. 283
from specimens preserved in spirits, the descrip-
tion of the colours cannot be relied on.
Exocerus.
E. appendiculatus. Pl. xvii. fig. 2. Lower jaw
with a long trifurcated cirrhus, the middle branch
of which is longest, extending about two-thirds of
the length of the body; the lateral branches very
short.
Head subtriangular, depressed in the middle,
declivous; sides of the head above and behind the
eyes somewhat angular : snout somewhat obtuse,
rather narrow: nostrils not very approximate :
opercula flattish, silvery : branchial aperture slight-
ly oblique: mouth small, slightly descending : body
subfusiform, covered with large scales: abdomen
angular, slightly arcuate : back somewhat convex:
tail rather narrow: pectoral fins long, extending
nearly to the termination of the dorsal fin: dorsal
jin moderate, narrow, somewhat hollowed : ventral
Jjins extending from directly under the dorsal fin,
alittle beyond the insertion of the caudal fin: anal
_ fin small, placed near the tail, narrow : anus nearer
the tail: caudal fin with the inferior lobe longer,
both lobes rounded.
P..13, 14 CAR or TV. Ge Ae,
Length five inches and a quarter.
In the Baltimore Museum.
Its native place is unknown.
284 BIPED SEPS.
This species approaches to E. comatus, describ-
ed by Dr. Mitchell in Trans. New York Lit. and
Philos. Soc. but differs in wanting the lateral
branches of the cirrhus, and in several minor cha-
racters,
Description of a new Species of Birev Servs. By
Ricnarpv Haran, M. D. Read December 7th,
1824.
Seps.
S. sexilineata. Pl. xviii. fig. 2. Body above and
beneath, whitish, clothed with equal rounded
scales, compactly imbricate ; top of the head black-
ish, furnished with twelve irregularly shaped scales
or plates, (similar to those of the Opmisaurus) of
different figures and unequal sizes ; the three larg-
est of the plates are placed one before-the other,
and the nine smaller are distributed around the
three first. Three dark punctuated lines on each
side of the body, extend from the neck to the mid-
dle of the tail, run into each other anteriorly, and
form a single black line which passes through the
eyes, extending to the nostrils: rictus of the mouth
wide: nostrils situate on a line with the eyes near
the extremity of the snout: a single row of mi-
nute teeth line each maxilla : tail rather more than
BIPED SEPS. 285
one-fourth the length of the body, cylindrical,
somewhat subulate: anus a transverse slit, one
inch from the extremity of the tail: on each side
of the vent, projects a small leg, terminating in
two corneous toes, somewhat aduncate, the exter-
nal considerably the longest: external ear, or
membrana tympani, a scarcely visible point pos-
terior to the angle of the mouth.
Total length four inches; from the tip of the
snout to the vent, two inches and eight-tenths;
from the vent to the extremity of the tail, eleven-
tenths; length of the head, three-tenths; breadth
of the head, two-tenths ; length of the legs, three-
tenths; girth, seven-tenths.
Osservations. The Birep Seps have been dis-
covered in Europe, Africa, America, and India. I
know not from what part of the globe the present
specimen was obtained, I found it among the La-
certx belonging to the Philadelphia Museum,
where it had remained for several years preserved
in spirits.
Three species only of Birep Sers have been
acknowledged by Daudin—viz. Ist, S. didactyle,
described by Schneider, (2d fascic. Hist. Nat. des
Amphib.) 2d,,8. subdidactyle or the Shettopusick
of Pallas, and 3d, S. monodactyle of Gronovius ;
to neither of which can our reptile be referred ; it
resembles still less the “ Bipede lzpidopode,” of
New Holland, described by Lacépéde (.4nnales
du Museum, Vol. iv.) It approaches nearest to
286 » _ §CINCUS.
a variety of the third species or S. Gronovii,
which was described by Gronovius (under the
name of “ Cuamasaura Birgs,” as follows, “ A Scin-
cus, having the posterior extremities very short,
subulate, single toed, destitute of anterior feet ;
the tail almost as short as one half the body, cy-
lindrical, with its extremity smooth, naked and
conical, some black lines prolonged upon the back,
and the flanks ; the abdomen whitish : total length
four inches. (Zoophil. No. 44. page 11.) On
comparing this description with that of the “ sezi-
lineata,’ as above detailed, the latter will be
found evidently a well characterized distinct spe-
cies.
Description of a new Species of Scincus. By
Ricuarp Harran, M. D. Read December 21,
1824.
Scincus.
S. bicolor. P|. xviii. fig. 1. Supra fuscus; subtus
albido-argenteus; lineis duabus longitudinalibus
albis in utroque latere ; cauda, tereti,‘corpore pau-
lolongiore ; palmis, plantisque pentadactylis.
Total length, nine inches, four-tenths ; length
of the head, neck and body, four inches ; length
of the tail five inches four-tenths; length of the
ae
SCINCUS. 287
head, nine-tenths; breadth of the head, eight-
tenths ; length of the neck, six-tenths.
Body above dusky brown, darkest on the top
of the head, which is swollen at the maxillary an-
gles: body beneath of asilvery white throughout ;
a white line commencing at the occiput; on each
side of the spine extends two or three inches on
the tail; another line commencing at the tympa-
num and passing immediately above the thigh is
lost on the tail; two faint longitudinal lines mark
the posterior part of the thighs, the lowermost
extending to the outer toe : tail tapering, cylindri-
» cal, and pointed: tympanum large, vertically oval ;
the palpebral and infraorbitar ridge, clothed with
minute quadrangular plates or scales.
The genus Scincus, originally established by
Brongniart, and adopted by Latreille, Daudin, and
others, includes about twenty species; only two
of which are said to inhabit the United States:
viz. the S. quinquelineata and the S. erythrocepha-
lus; to which must be added the species under
consideration, which differs from the erythroceph-
alus described by Mr. Gilliams (Journal of the A.
N. S. Vol. i.) in form, proportion, colour, and
markings. Of all the species of this genus hith-
erto described, the bicolor approaches most nearly
the S. quadriliniatus, (Daudin,) Lacerta lineata
(Linn.) or L. quadriliniata, (Gmelin.) This rep-
tile first described by Linné (from a specimen in
the Museum of Prince Adolph Frederic,) is fur-
288° SCINCUS.
nished with only four toes to the anterior extremi-
ties, which could not have been the result of ac-
cident, as Linné informs us he had observed several
specimens of the same species; the total length
of this species is represented as about four inches
and a half; although it is marked by four white
lines in common with the bicolor, these are differ-
ently arranged; in the “ quadriliniatus,” one line
as white as snow, is prolonged from the extremity
of the snout on each side of the back, as far as
the base of the tail ; another passes from the angle
of the mouth, through the flanks to the thighs.
After this description there can be no danger
of confounding the two. The reptile which forms
the subject of this detail, is preserved in spirits
in the Philadelphia Museum.
Scineus erythrocephalus. Gilliams. var. Body
above of a dark green, approaching to black: head
above of a reddish yellow: body beneath of a yel-
lowish white; total length, eleven inches: tazl a
little longer than the body, round, and tapering;
from the tip of the snout to the commencement
of the hind legs, four inches and a half; length of
the head, one inch and two-tenths 5 breadth of the
head, one inch.
Two specimens in the Philadelphia Museum;
being dried, their colours must have faded.
CRINOIDEA. 289
On two genera and several species of Crixowea.
By Tuomas Say. Read March 1st, 1825.
{ am indebted to the politeness and liberality
of Dr. J. Bigsby, for the opportunity of describing
the very interesting animal remains which form
the subject of the following new genus.
Family CRINOIDEA.
CaryocriniTes.
Generic character. Column cylindrical, perforat-
ed by a tubular alimentary canal : pelvis formed of
four plates; costals six, supporting the scapule,
from which the arms proceed.
In Miller’s arrangement this genus will occupy
a station in the division Jnarticulata, between the
genera Cyatuocrinires and Actinocrinites. It may
be indicated by the following formula.
A. Pelvis of four plates.
4. Costal plates six.
a. Column not dilated.
o. Alimentary canal round.
§. Articulating surface of the columnar joints, radiated.
{. Auxiliary side arms cylindrical, and placed irregular-
ly. Genus CaryocrinitEs.
1. Two of the costals hexagonal. 1s¢ Sp. ornatus.
2. One of the costals hexagonal. 2d Sp. loricatus.
VOL. 1v.——-MARCH, 1825. a
296 GRINOIDEA.
Species.
1. C. ornatus. Costals, four pentagonal and two
hexagonal. '
Column inserted into a cavity at the base of the
pelvis : pelvis rather large ; two of the plates quad-
rangular, attenuated to the base, where they are
truncated and a little recurved at the junction
with the column; disks, particularly towards the
base, granulated, with a distinct elevated inter-
rupted line ; two remaining plates pentangular, at-
tenuated to the base, where they are truncated
and a little recurved at the junction with the co- ~
lumn; disk with elevated granules, and with two
elevated interrupted lines, extending to the ter-
minal angles: costa/s, four pentagonal and two
hexagonal, all with elevated interrupted lines, ra-
diating from the centre to the angles, with a series
of truncated granules on each side, and a few gra-
nules in the intervening spaces; interscapulars,
two hexagonal, situated immediately above the
hexagonal costals: scapulars six pentagonal, the
upper sides of which are more or less irregular
by projecting alittle between the scapule, all with
prominent lines granulated, similar to those of the
preceding: arms six: capital plates with a hepta-
gonal one in the middle, surrounded by five hex-
agonal plates and two irregular ones at the mouth:
mouth not prominent, situated on one side of the
middle, a little within the line of the arms, closed
4
CRINOIDEA. 291
by small valvular pieces, its inferior side resting
on the superior angle of one of the scapulars.
Longitudinal diameter from three quarters to
one inch and a half; transverse diameter from
seven-tenths to one inch and two-fifths.
2. C. loricatus. Costals, five pentagonal, and
one hexagonal.
Resembles the preceding, but there is only one
hexagonal costal plate, and one interscapular plate.
Longitudinal diameter one inch and eleven-
twentieths; transverse diameter one inch and
three-tenths.
Dr. Bigsby obtained seven specimens of the
ornata, and one of the Joricata. He informs me
that “ they are found loose in brown clay at the
foot of the ravine at Lockport, in which the New-
York canal mounts the parallel ridge of Lake On-
tario. They are extremely numerous, but almost
always worn and crushed. They are filled with
the clay in which they are imbedded. They are
from one-tenth to one-eighth of an inch thick in
their parietes. ‘The clay rests upon horizontal,
black, conchiferous limestone, in which I found
part of an encrinital stomach, bearing a close, if
not perfect resemblance to the Caryocrinires de-
scribed by Mr. Say.”
In the second volume of Silliman’s Journal, p.
36, I instituted a new genus for the truly singular
animal religuium, which Parkinson called Ken-
292 CRLUVOIDEA.
fuchy Asterial fossil. 1 shall now proceed to correct
the characters of that genus agreeably to the dis-
coveries of the ingenious Miller, in this family,
and to identify by name the species which I then
indicated.
Pentremirte.
Column cylindrical, perforated; segments arti-
culating by radiated surfaces, with cylindrical side
arms at irregular intervals : pelvis of three unequal
pieces, two pentagonal and one quadragonal : sea-
pule large, very profoundly emarginate for the
reception of the tips of the radiating ambulacre,
obliquely truncated at the extremities, each side,
for the reception of one side of a subrhomboidal
plate or interscapular: ambulacre five, radiating
from the summit and terminating at the tips of
the emarginations of the scapule ; each with alon-
gitudinal, indented line, and numerous transverse
strie which terminate in a marginal series of pores,
for the transmission of respiratory tubes : summit
with five rounded openings (ovaries) and an an-
gulated central one (mouth and anus.)
This singular genus is so remotely allied to any
other hitherto discovered, that I do not think it
can with propriety, be referred to any Family yet
instituted. By its columnar support it is related
to the Family Crinoidea, but the total absence of
arms and hands excludes it from that very natural
€RINOIDEA. 293
group. The superior termination, in which the
ambulacre, the rounded openings, and the central
angulated one, are situated, has some affinity to
the Family Echinidea, but the columnar support
shows that it cannot be arranged there.
Having thus on its inferior portion a resem-
blance to the Crinoidea, and on its superior sur-
face a decided analogy to the Echinidea, I think
it may with propriety form an intermediate fa-
mily, under the following name and characters.
Family BLASTOIDEA.
Column composed of numerous articulating seg-
ments, supporting at its summit a number of plates,
so united as to form a calyciform body containing
the vicera; arms none ; branchie arranged in am-
bulacre.
In a natural series these bodies constitute the
link between the Crinoidea and the Echinidea, on
the one hand, whilst on the other, the former is
unquestionably, but not more obviously, connect-
ed with the Stelleridica, by the unequivocal inter-
vention of Comatula and Marsupites. Of all the
genera of Crinoidea, it is to Piatycrinires that
Penrremire seems most closely related.
Species.
1. P. globosa. Body subglobular; sutures with
parallel impressed lines. ,
294 CRINOIDBA.
Length one inch and one-fifth; greatest breadth
one inch and three-tenths.
Description. Pelvis deep saucen-shaped con-
vex ; longitudinal sutures without parallel lines of
increment, but these are very obvious at the ter-
minal margin : seapulars with the impressed lines
of increment very obvious at base, and near the
tip each side: ambulacre with impressed lines
equidistant between the central line and the late-
ral series of pores.
This large and fine species belongs to the Phi-
ladelphia Museum. It was brought from England
by Mr. Reubens Peale, who understood that. it
was found in the vicinity of Bath. None of this
species, I believe, has yet been found in America.
The parallel lines of increment margining the su-
tures, distinguish this from the following species.
2. P. pyriformis. Body oblong, pelvis sea ck
attenuated.
Length from three quarters to one inch - a
quarter.
This species is found in plenty in Rental
the same localities, and intimately intermixed with
the succeeding species; it may be readily distin-
guished by the gradual attenuation of the pelvis
and contiguous parts, from the tips of the emar-
ginations of the scapulz, to the origin of the co-
lumn. The first specimen I saw, was dug up ina
garden at Reading, and was sent to my brother,
B. Say, under the name of “ petrified althea bud.”
CRINOIDEA. 295
3. P. florealis, Schloth. ents ab-
ruptly, nearly horizontal. Nal
Length from seven-tenths to nearly fesiF en tnt.
SYNONYMES. Ay
Kentucky Asterial Fossil, Parx. Orc. Rem. v. 2, pl. 13.
Encrintres florealis, Scutora. petrif. (as nt by Mil-
ler.)
This is extremely abundant in many pate of
Kentucky, and on the margins of the Mississippi
in a few places. Near Huntsville they are very
numerous, and on the surface of a fragment of
rock, three inches long, by two and a quarter wide,
sent tothe Academy by Mr. Hazard, of that place,
[ have enumerated eighteen specimens of this
species more or less entire, and two specimens of
the preceding species. On another still smaller
piece of rock are twenty-one specimens, all in
alto-relievo, two of which are of the preceding
species. On a third fragment of rock, thirty may
be counted, and on a fourth upwards of fifty.
That these animals were pedunculated and fixed,
there cannot be any doubt. We see at the base
of the pelvis a small rounded surface, perforated
in the centre for the passage of the alimentary
canal, and on the outer margin are very short but
distinct radii of elevated lines, evidently intended
for articulation with the first joint of the column.
The column itself is always found in fragments
accompanying the body of the animal, but never
attached to it.
296 AGAMA.
I think it highly probable that the branchial ap-
paratus communicated with the surrounding fluid
through the pores of the ambulacre, by means of
filamentous processes; these may also have per-
formed the office of tentacula in conveying the
food to the mouth, which was, perhaps, provided
with an exsertile proboscis ; or may we not rather
suppose that the animal fed on the minute beings
that abounded in the sea water, and that it obtain-
ed them in the manner of the Ascipia, and by tak-
ing them in with the water. The residuum of
digestion appears to have been rejected sana
the mouth.
Description of two new Species of Acama. By R.
Harian, M.D. Read December 21, 1824.
AGAmMa.
1. A. vultuosa. Pl. xix. Corpore passim cinereo,
collo subtus longitudinaliter plicato ; cauda tereti
longa; squamis rhomboideis, carinatis ; dorso, an-
tice, capiteque postice, subcristatis.
Total length nine inches and eight-tenths ; from
the commencement of the snout to the posterior
extremities two inches and eight-tenths; length
of the tail seven inches; length of the jaws nine-
tenths. Top of the head clothed with numerous
small smooth scales reversely imbricate; tym-
panum large, elliptical ; two or three small spines
AGAMA. 297
pointing backwards, immediately above and be-
hind the ears; eyes large; palpebre circular, de-
pressed, clothed with minute granuliform scales ;
a fold of skin projecting laterally, commences at
the nostrils and extends over the superior por-
tions of the orbits, which gives the animal a su-
percilious, frowning aspect; the scales on the Jon-
gitudinal fold beneath the throat, have their inferior
borders slightly elevated; a crest formed of lan-
ceolate, thin, elevated and pointed scales, com-
mencing on the occiput, becomes gradually obso-
lete about the middle of the back, being most
prominent on the nucha, one large scale in the
centre of the occiput at the commencement of the
crest. The two middle toes of the hind feet very
long, the nails are compressed, hooked, and black
on their upper surface ; scales of the lower surface
of the body less prominently carinated ; tail more
than twice the length of the body.
The genus Acama, originally established by
Brongniart and Latreille, from the Iguana and
Stellion, is divided into five sections, to which may
be added the “ Acama collaris,” Say, described
in Major Long’s expedition to the Rocky Moun-
tains, which can be referred only to Daudin’s
fourth section, or “les Agames lézardets,” the
Agamas of this section having like the lizards,
plates on the head, and a row of porous grains
under each thigh: one species only has hitherto
been described as pertaining to this section: viz.
VOL. Iv.—MARcH, 1825. 38
298 AGAMA.
Acama marmorata, Daud. The collaris is still
more nearly allied to the lizards, being entirely
destitute of carina, even to the end of the tail.
The very beautiful little animal which forms
the subject of the present description, belongs
evidently to the second section of Daudin, or the
Agama’s, properly so called, which includes eleven
distinct species; “ they all have the skin covered
with small scales, without any appearance of warts,
with the body spare, and the tail cylindrical, elon-
gated.”
To neither of the species hitherto described,
can the present subject be referred; it approaches
in some respects the Acama calotis, Daud. or
the L. calotis, Linn. from which, nevertheless, it
is separated by several important particulars ;
among others, by the absence of lateral stripes,
by the difference in the form and size of the dor-
sal crest; by the spines behind the ears; the form
of the eye ; the presence of the superciliary ridges,
and longitudinal fold of skin beneath the throat,
&c. Our species most nearly resembles the
Acama colonorum, Daudin, or the L. agama, Linn.
which inhabits the West Indies, from which,
however, it is distinguished by the colour, which
is bluish in A. colonorum, “Colore. pallide ceru-
les sub-virescente ;” by the form of the head,
which is thick and clumsy in the last mentioned
species, and beautifully proportioned in the vul-
AGAMA. 299
tuosa; by the form of the scales on the back of
the head and neck, which are thin, elongated and
prickled over with small spines, “ Collo supra
capitique postice aculeatis;” by the absence of
spines behind the ears in the colonorum, and in
the proportional length of the tail, which is only
half the total length in the last named species,
which differs also from the present species in the
form of the dorsal crest and scales; the latter are
roughened by tubercles prickled over with very
little spines.*
For the opportunity of making the above ob-
servations, I am indebted to the politeness of Dr.
R. Coates, who lately brought the specimen from
Calcutta, in the neighbourhood of which city this
reptile abounds; it for the most part frequents
gardens. The specimen is preserved in spirits.
2. A. cornuta. Pl. xx. Corpore depresso ovato,
scabro ; supra, fusco-variegato ; subtus albido; ca-
pite supra quadrangulare ; cauda corpore sesqui-
breviore.
Total length four inches; length of the tail one
inch five-tenths; length of the head six-tenths;
breadth between the eyes five-tenths; length of
the body from the nucha to the posterior part of
* Cuvier, in his Régne animal, has constructed the genus
Catores, from the genus Acama of Daudin, among which he
would most probably include the vultuosa, but as this species,
with the exception of the dorsal crest, corresponds with the
Acama’s, I prefer classing it with the latter.
300 © AGAMA.
the thighs, two inches; greatest breadth one incl:.
The form of the body is nearly elliptical, flattened
vertically, and umbilicate at the sides, covered
over above with minute scales of various lengths
and irregular forms; their inferior borders point-
ing outwards, giving a prickly, scabrous appear-
ance, as if shagreened ; a groove commences at the
nucha and runs the whole length of the spine, be-
coming obsolete on the base of the tail; the sides
of this groove are formed by slightly elevated
scales ; the bottom of very minute scales compact-
ly imbricate; sides of the body furnished with a
whitish fringe, commencing immediately above
the axille, and extending to the flanks ; a smaller
one immediately beneath, running parallel, be-
tween the anterior and posterior extremities, se-
parating the back from the abdomen; the scales on
the abdomen, rhomboidal, small, imbricate, and
disposed in transverse rows; the breast and ex-
terior of the thighs and legs, clothed with oblong,
carinate scales, with their inferior borders elevated
and pointed; scales on the interior of the legs and
thighs minute, compactly imbricate, and for the
most part not carinate; head flattened on top be-
tween the eyes; a slightly projecting ridge over
the orbits, lined with five or six small, oblong
plates; top of the head clothed with minute ver-
rucose plates, (or scales not imbricate ;) snout ra-
pidly attenuated, forming with the top of the head
an acute angle; occiput descending backwards
AGAMA. 301
from the vertex, forms an oblique angle with the
top of the head; occiput flattened laterally and
posteriorly, forming a ridge which projects over
the neck, the posterior margin of which is furnish-
ed with from four to six spines or horns, from one
to three-tenths of an inch in length; scales on the
occiput of a pyramidal form: ear placed beneath
the occipital ridge, directly posterior to the angle
of the mouth; teeth small, pyramidal, flattened
laterally and pointed: eye large; borders of the
lower jaw serrated, with six corneous, approxi-
mate scales, projecting obliquely backwards : tail
about one half the length of the remainder of the
body, thick and depressed, or flattened at its base,
rapidly attenuating, becomes tapering and verti-
cillate at its extremity.
The very interesting little reptile which forms
the subject of this description, differs remarkably
from any hitherto described. It approaches nearest
the Acama orbicularis, Daud. or the Lacerta or-
bicularis, Linn. the Tapayaxin of Seba, who has
given three figures of this species; (Thes. vol. i.
Pl. G. ix. fig. 6. Pl. 83. fig. Ist and 2nd.) That
figured by Daudin, Hist. Nat. des Reptiles, from
a specimen in the Museum of Nat. Hist. at Paris,
appears to differ, as it wants the row of spines
on the back. He represents it as the ugliest
reptile hitherto known, on account of its squat
body, being nearly as broad as it is long, termi-
nated by a short, slender, and pointed tail. The
302 AGAMA.
animal figured by Seba, is represented as six
inches in total length, the tail being two inches
six lines.
The A. cornuta on the contrary, is doyantly
proportioned ; its beauty indeed is such as to at-
tract the attention and excite the admiration of
the most superficial observer. I consider it un-
necessary to enter into any further detail, in order
to discriminate this species from that to which it
is most nearly allied; it will be sufficient to con-
trast the above with the figures of Seba, and with
the description and figure by Daudin: the specific
characters are so striking as to be perceptible at
the first glance.*
* For the convenience of those who may not have it in
their power to refer to the authors above quoted, I shall
barely notice some of the most prominent specific peculiari-
ties of the cornuta.
According to Daudin and Brongniart, generic characters
must be drawn principally from the organs of motion, taste,
and touch; that is to say, they ought to consist in the form
and dligpeaitio’ of the extremities and their phalanges of
the scales, and of the tongue, as well as in the form of the
tail: agreeably to this definition of generic characters, it will
be observed, that it requires some constraint to class the
AGama cornuta with even the orbicular lizards.
1st, The cornuta differs entirely from all other lizards
in external form and proportion of the body in general, and
of the head and tail in particular; and this in despite of all
errors from stuffing, or from difference of age, my descrip-
tion having been drawn from three specimens, two perfectly
AGAMA, 303
The Acama cornuta inhabits the great plains
east of the Rocky Mountains; possessed in some
degree of the power of changing their colour, in-
prepared ; the third a very large one, not stuffed ; the indi-
vidual having died, and having been merely dried in the
sun. I have been informed that there are two specimens
of the same animal in the Baltimore Museum. 2d, it dif-
fers from the species most nearly allied in the proportional
length of the tail, which is nearly twice the length of the
body, in the orbicularis, and one half the length of the
body in the cornuta, gradually tapering from the root to
the point, in the first named species ; flattened and enlarged
at the base, and rapidly attenuated in the latter. 3d, in
the presence of two rows of fringes on the sides of the
body in the cornuta. 4th, in the longitudinal dorsal groove.
Sth, in the large horns with which the cornuta is furnished,
there being only small spines in the orbicularis. 6th, in
the flattened borders of the occiput which projects over
the neck of the latter. 7th, in the form of the head, position
of the nostrils, and in the angles formed by the frontal and
occipital surfaces, with the top of the head, &s well as in
other less remarkable traits. Any one of the above named
characters would be sufficient to establish a new species.
The fact is, the Acama cornuta differs as much from either
of the eight orbicular lizards described by Daudin, as any
two species of any genus differ from one another.
The reptile described under the name of “ Tepayaxin,”
by Hernandez, (Hist. of New Spain) and that figured and
described under the same name by -Clavigero, (Hist. of
Mexico, vol. i. p. 66) is, in reality, a distinct species from
the Acama orbicularis, (Daud.) or the Tapayaxin of Seba,
and yet perfectly distinct from the A. cornuta.
304 AGAMA.
dividuals of the same species will, of course, differ
in this circumstance ; of the two prepared speci-
mens of this animal deposited in the Philadelphia
Museum from the plains of Arkansas, one is ra-
ther larger than the other, and possessed of longer
horns, but no specific difference is observable. A
single specimen only, is perfectly prepared by
Mr. Griffith.
Many years ago, Mr. Thomas Jefferson pre-
sented to the Amer. Philos. Soc. a beautiful living
specimen of this animal, on comparing which to
the present species, a perfect resemblance was
observable, excepting that the former had lost
part of its tail.
Clavigero thus describes his lizard. “It is remarkable
for its shape, being perfectly round and cartilaginous; the
body is six inches in diameter; in the plate it is repre-
sented with a ridge along the spine, with six transverse
bands on the back ; eight spines on the occiput; “ the head
is hard, and spotted with various colours ;” the tail is yet
shorter in proportion than that of the cornuta.
ARVICOLA. 305
An account of a new Species of the genus Arvicoua.
By Grorce Orv. Read March 8, 1825.
ArvIcoLa.
A. riparius. Snout thick, obtuse; eyes small ;
ears of a medium size; tail less than half the
length of the body.
Head \arge: ears almost concealed by the long
hair of the cheeks, roundish: tail thinly covered
with hair, and tufted or penciled at the tip, sub-
quadrangular after death: fore legs very short;
posterior part of the body slenderer and weaker
than the anterior part: upper parts a tawny brown,
mixed with black: lower parts cinereous.
Length from the nose to the anus, five inches ;
length of the tail two inches; weight about one
ounce and one-fifth.
The tail of the male is longer than that of the
female.
The female has four pectoral, and four abdomi-
nal, teats; she brings forth eight young at a litter.
This species is fond of the seeds of the wild
oats, Zizanta aquatica; and is found in the autumn,
in those fresh water marshes which are frequent-
ed by the common rail, the Gatuinuta carolina of
Latham. When the tide is high, the animal may
be observed sitting upon the fallen reeds, patient-
ly waiting for the recession of the water. From
VOL. 1V.——MARCH, 1825, 39
306 SALAMANDER.
its position when at rest, it has much the appear-
ance of a lump of mud, and is commonly mistaken
for such by those who are unacquainted with its
habits. ‘ :
It burrows into the imbankments of the mea-
dows, for the purpose of retreat, and to bring forth
its young, It is a pretty skilful diver.
I have deposited specimens of this Arvicota
in the Philadelphia Museum.
Description of a new Species of Saramanver. By -
Wuutam W. Woop. Read February 8, 1825.
SaLAMANDRA.
S. punctatissima. Grayish, entirely covered
with numerous black dots; extremities long and
slender ; tail a little longer than the body.
Head oval, little wider than the body: snout
obtusely rounded, about twice as long as the lon-
gitudinal diameter of the eye: nostrils small, ap-
proximate : gape large : jaws nearly equal: tongue
thick, fleshy : teeth minute, close set; angle of the
mouth extending nearly to the posterior canthus
of the eye: eyes large, oval: throat with sparse
dots of black: body slender, grayish, covered with
small black dots, which increase in size and be-
come confluent upon the back, disposed irregu-
larly: back slightly carinate, the carina not acute
and scalloped; extremities slender, and coyered
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 307
with black dots similar to those on the body : toes
slender, also spotted with black: tail with the ca-
rina above, and that on its inferior edge, somewhat
scalloped, slightly dotted with black, a little longer
than the body, slender and subacuminate at the
extremity : anus large : beneath, spots rather sparse
on the throat, numerous on the venter.
Native place unknown.
IT am indebted to Mr. Rubens Peale for this
species.
Length of the body one inch and a quarter;
Jength of the tail two inches one-eighth; length
of the head three-eighths ; length of the anterior
feet three-fifths ; length of the posterior feet rather
more than three-fifths of an inch. Total length
three inches and three-fourths; width of the head
five-sixteenths of an inch.
Descriptions of new Hemrerovs Insects collected
in the Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, per-
Sormed by order of Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of
War, under command of Major Long. By
Tuomas Say. Read June 1, 1824.
Gryuiius Fabr.
1. G. equalis. Hemelytra spotted with brown ;
wings pale yellowish at base, with a black band
and dusky tip.
Inhabits the United States.
308 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
Head varied with brown and light gray : thorax
varied with brown and dull rufous, with a carinate
line: hemelytra dark cinereous, with numerous
unequal small dark brown spots: wings sulphurous
at base, then a black band arcuated behind so as
nearly to reach the inner angle ; tip dark cinereous,
darker at the angle, or with small fuscous spots
on that part: feet pale cinereous, spotted with fus-
cous: hind thighs within with four black bands:
posterior tibia sanguineous.
Length to the tip of the hemelytra, one inch
and two-fifths.
Not an uncommon species. The thorax is not
gradually raised into a carina, but the line is ab-
rupt and of little elevation.
2. G. nubilus. Black; wings glaucous. —
Inhabits Arkansa.
Head with the frontal line not grooved: thorax
with a slightly and equally elevated line: hemely-
tra rather short : feet dusky, tinged with dull ru-
fous: posterior pair black, the thighs with a whit-
ish annulation near the tip: beneath pale.
Found in abundance near the base of the Rocky
Mountains, in company with the succeeding, and
like it ascending into the atmosphere in great
numbers,
3. G. bivittatus. A yellowish line each side
above from the front to the tip of the hemelytra.
Tnhabits Arkansa.
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 309
Mouth white ; superior orbits yellowish : thorax
with an elevated capillary line, and three trans-
verse impressed ones, a yellowish marginal line
each side: hemelytra with small dusky spots each
side, above margined with greenish yellow : wings
pale green: feet pale, anterior and intermediate
thighs somewhat arcuated, with a green line ; pos-
terior thighs with a green line on the exterior
side and another above, which is faintly marked
by two pale spots near the middle, a dusky annu-
lation near the tip; posterior tibia green, pale to-
wards the tip, and on the anterior side: abdomen
pale with minute dusky spots ; segments margined
with dusky.
Length to the tip of the hemelytra one inch
and three-tenths.
This species, with several others, occurred in
great numbers near the mountains, and on one
occasion we observed this species in company
with several others, ascending to a great height
in the air as if to commence a migration to a re-
mote region.
Acueta. Fabr. Leach.
A. exigua. Head and thorax testaceous; feet
whitish ; abdomen black.
Inhabits Missouri.
Head testaceous, hairy, with obsolete dusky
lines above, contracted before the eyes into a
310 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
short, obtuse, conical process: front vertical, tri-
lineate, lines fuscous, connivant at the mouth: an-
tenne long, fuscous, pale at base: palpi white:
thorax testaceous, hairy: hemelytra yellowish-
white, right one entirely concealing the other:
nervures (male,) with but few anastomoses, at tip
enclosing a large, oval, rugose, but membraneous
space : feet whitish; posterior thighs with a brown
line on the exterior side ; posterior tibia with three
pairs of alternate spines, and larger ones at tip:
abdomen black.
Length about a quarter of an inch. A male.
Taken near the village of the Konza Indians.
When dry, the head and thorax assume a light
ferruginous colour.
Trivactytus. Oliv.
T. apicialis. Black, varied with white; wings
edged and tipped with blackish.
Inhabits southern and Western states.
Body deep black: head with a line each side,
passing over the eyes, two spots at the superior
base, and a line on the vertex furcate before, whit-
ish : thorax margin and several abbreviated lines
on the disk, white: feet banded and spotted with
white, posterior thighs trifasciate with white ; pos-
terior tibiz nearly rectilinear: elytra, exterior mar-
gin and common spot behind the middle, —:
tergum fasciate with white.
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 31t
Length more than one-fifth of an inch.
This species is numerous on St. John’s river,
in East Florida and on the Missouri, as far as
Council Bluff. It is always found on the moist
shores not far distant from the water’s edge.
Penraroma. Oliv. Latr.
1.P. arborea. Brownish-cinereous, punctured ;
clypeus emarginate and bidentate ; thorax den-
tate and with a prominent truncated spine behind
each side ; feet annulate.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body brownish-cinereous, with numerous black
punctures : head with a longitudinal obsolete ele-
vated line, and an abbreviated one each side of its
middle: clypeus emarginate at tip, lateral edge
terminating in an angle near the tip: antennae,
base of the second joint pale : thorax unequal be-
fore, dentated each side; teeth irregular, unequal,
acute ; posterior angles extended into a prominent,
dilated, slightly reflected, truncated projection,
which has two or three small teeth: hemelytra
with the central nervure conspicuous; nervures of
the membranaceous tip black, and with black ar-
borescent lines in the interstitial spaces: wings
dusky, iridescent; nervures black: feet black :
thighs pale at base and annulate with pale near
the tip: tibia annulate with pale: tarsi, second
joint pale: tergum deep purple, black, impunc-
312 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
tured ; margin brownish-cinereous, punctured, va-
ried with transverse abbreviated black lines placed
triangularly, and pale : venter pale, pruinous, with
dusky points: stigmata each composed of three
distinct black points placed obliquely : pectus and
pospectus pale, dusky each side.
Length less than three-fifths of an inch.
A common species, and seems to approach Ha-
lys annulata Fabr. but it does not, in all respects,
agree with the description of that species.
2. P. clanda. Pale yellowish; thorax with two
spots, hemelytra and scutel with a line, black. —
Inhabits Missouri.
Head densely punctured, rufous, blackish at
base : antenna rufous, blackish at tip : thorax pale
yellow, with two large transverse brown spots,
posterior margin brown; posterior angles not
prominent : scutel pale yellow, with a broad brown
line, bifid before: hemelytra pale yellow on the
basal portion with a brown line and inner edge;
tip blackish: beneath pale yellow: feet rufous:
tibia with a yellowish annulus: venter with two
series of black spots, and on each side a brown
vitta; ultimate segment with only three i
Length two-fifths of an inch.
Var. a. Spots and lines of the upper sone
black ; venter with six series of black spots.
Var. b. Sanguineous; head, two spots, and pos-
terior margin of the thorax, disk of the scutel.
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 313
hemelytra, pectus and feet, black ; venter with six
series of black spots.
Var. c. Sanguineous ; head, two spots and pos-
terior margin of the thorax, disk of the scutel,
hemelytra, pectus and feet, black; venter black
on the disk.
A handsome species, subject to srwoh variation.
3. P. exapta. Sanguineous; thorax with a black
line; scutel black with a yellow margin.
Inhabits Missouri.
Head at base and antenna, black : thorax with a
transverse black line before the middle ; posterior
angles rounded, not prominent : seutel black, with
a yellow margin, excepting at base : tergum black-
ish, with a rufous margin: hemelytra black, exte-
rior basal margin yellow: pectus more or less Va-
ried with black : tibie@ black.
Length about a quarter of an inch.
4. P. punetipes. Pale olivaceous; thorax bili-
neate transversely with white ; scutel black, with
a white margin.
Inhabits the United States.
Head black: antenne pale at base, and some-
what biannulate with whitish: proboscis white :
thorax blackish before; a slender, transverse, ab-
breviated white line on the anterior submargin ;
anterior and lateral edges white, the former ab-
breviated; posterior angles rounded, not promi-
nent: scufel, lateral and terminal narrow margins
VOL. 1V.——-MARCH, 1825. 40
¥
314 HEMIPTEROUS: INSECTS.
white : hemelytra with the exterior basal narrow
margin whitish : ¢ergum black: beneath blackish-
cupreous: feet white, with black points : venter,
margined with white.
Length from one-fifth to one-fourth of an inches
A common species, inhabiting almost all parts
of the Union, and may be frequently observed on
the mullin.
5. P. punctipes. Greenish-yellow, punctured ;
thorax with prominent angles each side, behind;
membranaceous tip of the hemelytra with brown
dots ; feet with black points.
Inhabits the United States.
Body greenish-yellow, punctured: elypeus slight-
ly biemarginate at tip, small spot above the eyes
impunctured : antennz pale, penultimate joint at
tip and ultimate one black : ros¢e/lum nearly attain-
ing the base of the posterior feet, with a longitu-
dinal black line and tip: thorax, anterior lateral
edge dentate ; teeth minute, subequal ; behind the
middle each side extending into a prominent, sub-
acute angle: scutel destitute of elevated lines, ra-
ther paler at tip: hemelytra wpon the membrana-
ceous tip punctured with brown, punctures orbi-
cular, numerous: wings whitish, iridescent; brachiak »
nervure fuscous, black towards the base , feet with
numerous black points : tergwm deep black, mar-
gin greenish-yellow, with gemminate, black, di+
lated lines, which unite with the colour of the
disk, but do not attain the edge.
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 315
Length half an inch.
Not uncommon in Missouri and in Pennsylva-
nia, and resembles P. ictericus, Fabr.-
6. P. facefa. Green, with a pale fulvous margin
and longitudinal line.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body oval, green: head entire before : antennz,
excepting the first joint, dusky : thoraz with a pale
fulvous lateral margin and fulvous edge; a longi-
tudinal pale fulvous line in the middle ; posterior
angles rounded, not prominent : scutel not abruptly
contracted in any part, with a longitudinal pale
fulvous line on the middle: hemelytra with a pale
fulvous lateral margin and deép fulvous edge :
tergum blackish, with a fulvous margin.
Length nine-twentieths of an inch.
Cypnus, Fabr.
1. C. bilineatus. Black, polished, with sparse
lateral hairs ; tarsi dull testaceous.
Inhabits the United States.
Body deep black, polished : head with two lon-
gitudinal, parallel, approximate, indented lines, ab-
breviated at the vertex, the intermediate space
somewhat resembling a carina; lateral margin
with sparse black hairs: e/ypeus subentire, or ob-
soletely emarginate at tip: antenne and rostellum
piceous: thorax a little narrowed before by a
slightly arcuated lateral edge: lateral margin
316 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
sparsely hirsute; an indented transverse line on
the middle: posterior margin somewhat convex,
edge slightly arcuated: scutel large, remotely
punctured : hemelytra densely coriaceous at base,
membranaceous tip white or pale brownish : wings
pale: feet spinous, piceous-black: anterior tibixe
compressed, ciliated with spines; posterior pairs
irregularly spinous: tarsi dark testaceous.
Length from three-tenths to two-fifths of an
inch.
Not uncommon in Pennsylvania as well as in
Missouri.
2. C. spinifrons. Dark reddish-brown; clypeus
ciliate with spines; anterior thighs with an oblique,
linear, emarginate spine.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body dark reddish-brown, punctured: elypeus
armed on the edge with erect, equidistant, promi-
nent spines: antennzx pale reddish-brown, second
joint minute : thorax with dilated punctures, obso-
lete on the anterior disk, a transverse indented
line on the middle, lateral edge with a few hairs :
scutel nearly as long as the thorax, punctures di-
lated, tip acute: hemelytra reddish-brown, punc-
tures approximate, membranaceous tip white : feet
pale reddish-brown: anterior thighs with an oblique,
robust, linear, emarginate process near the mid-
dle beneath, and a small, robust spine near the tip;
tibie with prominent rigid spines on the exterior
edge : intermediate thighs mutic, tibie armed with
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 317
moveable spines: posterior thighs with a slightly
flexuose spine near the tip beneath, and two or
three small tubercles at tip; tibia armed with a
few moveable spines : postspectus blackish.
Length three-twentieths of an inch.
Found near Engineer Cantonment, common.
Coreus, Fabr.
1. C. alternatus. Fuscous; thighs spinous be-
neath ; margin of the abdomen black, with five
white lineolar spots ; head mutic.
{nhabits Missouri Territory.
Body deep blackish-brown : eyes rufous, a moye-
able black pupil : stemmata sanguineous : antennz
blackish, robust, two terminal joints rufous, equal :
rostellum pale, tip black : thorax punctured, grad-
ually elevated behind, attenuated before, anterior
termination as wide as the base of the head, an-
terior lateral edge slightly dentate, posterior an-
gles rounded : seute/ of the male tinged with rufous:
hemelytra tinged with rufous, punctured : feet black:
tarsi rufous: thighs, a double series of hardly pro-
minent, robust spines beneath, of which the two
opposite terminal ones are much more prominent,
distinct, and acute: abdomen, margin black, alter-
nating, with five, oblique, white lines: tergum,
disk sanguineous : male, posterior thighs much di-
lated, very robust, slightly tuberculated above,
terminal spines not more prominent than the
318 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
others, a large prominent spine on the inferior
middle: posterior tibiz dentate towards the tip,
refracted in the middle, and with a robust, tensa’
nent acute spine on the angle.
Length of the male more than four-fifths of an
inch ; female nearly three quarters.
Somewhat similar to C. galeatus, Fabr. but is con-
siderably larger, the head is unarmed, and in other
respects sufficiently distinct. It belongs to the
genus Mictis of Leach.
2. C. ordinatus. Head fulvous, with two black
lines ; thorax with the lateral edges fulvous.
Inhabits the United States.
Head dull falvous, with two broad, black, longi-
tudinal lines : antennz fuscous : thorax dull fulvous,
with numerous, irregularly disposed black punc-
tures, lateral narrow margin fulvous, and with an
obsolete interrupted or abbreviated dull fulvous
line in the middle ; posterior angles rounded, not
_ prominent; posterior margin a little depressed :
scutel coloured and punctured like the thorax :
hemelytra also dull fulvous, with numerous black
punctures irregularly disposed ; membranaceous
portion black : tergum on the lateral margin black,
the segments fulvous at base : beneath pale fulyous,
with a few black punctures: feet with numerous
black points.
Length three-fifths of an inch.
This is one of the most common of our species ;
when taken it diffuses an odour which has been
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 319
compared to that of a ripe pear. 1 have found it
in Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Florida.
3. C. armigerus. Brown, feet white, spotted
with black; head spinous above the antennz ;
margin of the tergum black, with five white lineo-
lar spots.
Inhabits Missouri Territory.
Body brown above, beneath pale: eyes promi-
nent, rufous: sfemmata sanguineous ; above the
origin of each antenna, an elevated, prominent,
acute spine, half as long as the basal joint of the
antenna: antennex, first joint white, spotted with
black, second and third black, white at base and
tip, terminal joint rufous: thorax punctured, ele-
vated behind, descending almost vertically and
attenuating to the head; anterior lateral edge den-
tate, posterior angles dilated and terminated in an
angle, from whence the posterior margin descends
sinuously and obliquely, terminating in a short
acute spine each side of the base ; base transverse-
ly rectilinear : sewfe/ with three black spots at base:
hemelytra, a white oblique line in the middle on
the membranaceous portion; tip blackish: feed
white, spotted with black : thighs armed at tip be-
neath, with two short acute spines: ¢ergum san-
guineous, base, tip, and margin black, the latter
with five white oblique lines : venter pale, spotted
with black.
Length of the female eleven-twentieths of an
inch.
320 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
I have not yet seen the male of this species, it
bears a general resemblance to C. galeatus, Fabr.
and is about equal to that species in magnitude,
but it may be at once distinguished by the white
transverse line at the base of the membranaceous
portion of the hemelytra.
4. C. lateralis. Pale reddish-brown, via
hemelytra with spotted nervures ; feet pale, _
ted.
Inhabits the United States.
Body somewhat hairy, pale reddish-brown, wit
much dilated approximate punctures : head some-
what unequal, two obsolete impressed lines be-
tween the antenne, a blackish spot behind the eye :
eyes dusky, pale before: antenne brownish, with
sparse hairs; terminal joint as long as the preced-
ing one, dilated, with cinereous pubescence: thorax
with three obsolete dusky spots before, and an
impunctured whitish line abbreviated before ; seu-
tel with a longitudinal, impunctured whitish line :
hemelytra, nervures with black spots, interstitial
spaces membranaceous ; membranaceous tip im-
maculate, whitish: beneath with a distinct lateral
red line : feet hairy, pale; thighs spotted with red-
dish-brown ; pectus rufous : venter yellowish or ru-
fous.
Length more than a quarter of an inch.
Found near Engineer Cantonment, and is not
uncommon in Pennsylvania. ,
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 321
Lycexus. Fabr. Latr.
1. L. reclivatus. Black, spot on the vertex,
three on the thorax and reclivate line on the he-
melytra, red; a geminate white spot near the
hemelytra.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body black, opaque, with a somewhat cinereous
shade: head with a rufous spot on the vertex:
thorax unarmed, with an obsolete, indented, trans-
verse, punctured line before; three rufous spots
behind the middle, inner spot not attaining, the
base, outer spot marginal extending from near the
middle of the edge, to the posterior angle, and
separated from the intermediate spot by a small
velvet black one: scutel a little elevated on the
basal disk: hemelytra with a rufous, somewhat re-
clivate line from the humeral angle to the tip of
the coriaceous portion, a velvet black spot on the
middle, and a minute one at the inner basal angle;
membranaceous portion deep black, polished; a
large rounded geminate spot in the middle edge,
and two small subtriangular ones at base, white :
venter rosaceous, a double series of spots beneath,
and one series each side, black.
Length rather more than two-fifths of an inch.
Resembles L. turcicus, Fabr. but is at once dis-
tinguishable by the large white spot on the mem-
branous moiety of the hemelytra, which is pre-
VOL. IV.——MARCH, 1825. Al
323 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS,
cisely similar to that on the corresponding portion
of the hemelytra of L. punctum, Fabr.
2. L. trivittatus. Black, thorax trilineate, and
hemelytra marginate with rufous.
_ Inhabits Missouri.
Body black: eyes and stemmata sanguineous :
thorax mutic ; two indented transverse lines near
the head, of which the anterior one is curved in
the middle; three bright rufous lines, of which
two are marginal ; posterior edge obscurely ru-
fous : hemelytra, coriaceous portion with a rufous
exterior and posterior margin, membranaceous
tip immaculate : trochanters rufous: tergum ru-
fous with three lateral black punctures: venter,
margin and middle rufous.
Length nine-twentieths of an inch.
Taken at Engineer Cantonment.
3. L. bicrucis. Red; head, feet, anterior part
of the thorax and tips of the hemelytra, black ;
inner edges of the hemelytra forming a yellow
eruciate mark.
Inhabits the United States.
Body red: head black: stemmata remote, in-
serted near the eyes; projections for the recep-
tion of the haustellum, whitish : thoraz mutic, pos-
terior angles rounded, not sallient, a large trans-
versely oblong-quadrate black spot before the
middie, not attaining the anterior or lateral edges,
partially interrupted in its middle by a reddish
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 323
subcruciate line ; posterior edge yellowish : scutet
black, an indented, large, triangular, paler spot
each side on the disk : hemelytra, membranaceous
tip black with a whitish edge; coriaceous portion
red with a lineolar yellowish margin, which on
the costal edge becomes red towards the humerus,
inner submargin and edge with a black line : pec-
tus and postpectus black, segments broadly mar-
gined with pale: feet black: stigmata and anus
black.
Length about seven-twentieths of an inch.
Sometimes occurs in Missouri; I have also re-
ceived a specimen from Mr. A. G. Oemler of Sa-
vannah, Georgia.
4. L. 5-spinosus. Obscure rufous; posterior
thighs five-spined; tergum red, margin lineate
with black.
_ Inhabits the United States.
Body dull rufous, minutely and densely punc-
tured: head triangular: stemmata sanguineous :
antenne, second and third joints black at their
extreme tip, fourth jot dusky, pale at base: ros-
tellum pale, black at tip; sete black: thorax ob-
soletely indented longitudinally in the middle and
transversely before the middle ; posterior angles
sallient, acute, blackish at tip: sewtel pale at tip:
feet pale rufous, whitish at base : posterior thighs
more robust, rufous at tip, five spined beneath :
pectus, postpectus and head beneath, black in the
324 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
middle : tergum red: margin with about four pale
spots, and black lineolar edges to its segments.
Length of the body more than half an inch.
5. L. eurinus. Blackish, hairy, punctured ; ter-
gum black, disk rufous, margin with four yellowish
spots ; posterior thighs three-spined.
Inhabits Missouri and Arkansa.
Body blackish, hairy, punctured: head triangu-
lar: eyes prominent: antenna, second and third
joints dull testaceous, blackish at their tips: tho-
rax densely punctured, mutic: hemelytra black-
brown : feet black : tibie and first joint of the tarsi,
dull testaceous, with black tips: posterior thighs
three-spined beneath, and one or two smaller
spines at tip : abdomen, reflexed margin with four
yellowish spots: tergum rufous on the basal disk.
Length about half an inch.
The body of this insect as well as the preced-
ing, is long and narrow, the diameter of the head
which passes through the eyes is but little shorter
than the breadth of the thorax. .
Acantuia, Lair.
A. interstitialis. Black, hemelytra with a few
whitish spots, tip whitish with black nervures and
spots.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body leaping, black-brown, sith short sell
ish hairs: eyes large, deep castaneous, whitish at
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 325
the anterior base : stemmata reddish-yellow : cly-
peus and labrum whitish: hemelytra deep black,
with distant, very short yellowish hairs at base, four
or five hyaline whitish spots on each hemelytron ;
middle of the tip of the coriaceous portion hyaline, ,
membranaceous tip hyaline, nervures deep black,
with a blackish oblong-quadrate spot between
each pair; margin dusky, with a black spot at the
exterior tip: feet pale before and black behind:
tibia somewhat annulate : wings white.
Length more than three-twentieths of an inch.
Not uncommon on the shore of the Missouri
river, skipping nimbly about.
Tinais.
T. oblonga. Head with three elongated acute
spines; nervures brown; exterior margin of the
hemelytra white. |
Inhabits Missouri.
Body elongate, narrow, whitish: head with
three elongate, linear acute spines, of which two
are above the antennz, and one between them:
eyes black: antenne testaceous, terminal joint
blackish: thorax and scutel conjunctly, black in
the middle; three elevated white lines and reflect-
ed margin; a much elevated, acute crest at the an-
terior termination of the intermediate line: heme-
lytra, a double slightly elevated line, confluent at
tip and at base, and including a small blackish dot;
326 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
nervures of the tip and inner margin black-brown ;
exterior margin white immaculate: pectus, post-
pectus and venter black: feet pale testaceous.
_ Length nearly one-eighth of an inch.
Aranus, Fabr.
A. quadrilineatus.. Brown; antenne robust;
clypeus trifid ; thorax quadrilineate, edges irregu-
larly and minutely dentate.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body dull light brown, opaque : head with two
longitudinal indented lines, and two small indented
black spots between the eyes: clypeus trifid at
tip, intermediate division longest, obtuse at tip,
exterior divisions acute at tip, hardly attaining
the base of the second joint of the antennz : eyes
very prominent: antenne robust, two terminal
joints darker, ultimate one shorter and less dilated
than the preceding one: thorax transversely ob-
long-oval ; four elevated, parallel, equidistant, lon-
gitudinal lines, and a lateral, abbreviated one ; lat-
eral edge slightly reflexed and dentate, with nu-
merous minute, irregular teeth: scwtel large, im-
pressed each side of the middle, and near the tip :
hemelytra minutely dentate on the exterior basal
edge: feet dusky, pale near the incisures.
Tencth rather more than a quarter of an inch.
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 327
Revuvius, Fabr.
1. R. raptatorius. Obscure brownish; head,
thorax, and anterior feet, spinous, the latter rap-
tatory.
Inhabits the United States.
Body oblong, obscure brownish : head contract-
ed above the eyes, spinous; six larger spines be-
fore the contraction, placed two and two, and two
or four larger ones behind the contraction: stem-
mata sanguineous: eyes inserted in the lateral
middle of the head: antenne inserted near the
tip of the clypeus, with dilated annuli of dull ru-
fous and pale: rostellum slightly arcuated, pale:
thorax contracted in the middle, obsoletely canali-
culate, with short, numerous, obtuse spines before
the contraction, and dense granuli behind it; pos-
terior angles hardly prominent: feet somewhat
pale, subannulate, granulated ; anterior pair rapta-
tory : thighs unequal, anterior pair robust, villous,
dusky, armed with an erect, prominent, obtuse
spine near the tip above, and a double series of
ten equal, equidistant, acute spines beneath ; an-
terior tibia with a double series of six similar
spines on the inner side: tergum rufous on the
disk, margin varied with black and pale: hemelytra,
membranaceous tip with a longitudinal reddish-
brown line.
Length more than nine-twentieths of an inch.
328 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
Observed to be not uncommon in Missouri, as
well as in Pennsylvania.
2. R. spissipes. Thorax and hemelytra light
reddish-brown, edged behind with white; venter
black, incisures whitish ; feet thick.
Inhabits Arkansa.
Head black, posterior lobe with two tubercles :
thorax light reddish-brown; antérior lobe with
dilated, black, oblique, or arcuated lines, of which
some are confluent; posterior lobe hardly more
elevated than the preceding, with a black poste-
rior submargin and a white posterior margin: séu-
tel black, margined with white, and tipped by a
few hairs: hemelytra, coriaceous portion light
reddish-brown, with a narrow whitish posterior
margin, membranaceous portion black or dark
fuscous : feet thickened, black, hairy : core bright
red: abdomen black, margin and band on each
segment, white.
Length thirteen-twentieths of an inch. |
The feet resemble those of R. crassipes, wei
but it is a very distinct species. ti
Corixa, Geoff:
1. C. interrupta. With black and ellen
transverse lineations ; feet pale ; face pale graeme.
Inhabits Missouri.
Head pale green: eyes large, triangular, reddieh
brown: thoraa transversely lineated with about
twenty-two blackish and pale yellowish, equal,
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 329
alternate lines : hemelytra rounded at tip, with al-
ternate, numerous, abbreviated, transverse, black-
ish, and interrupted, pale yellowish lines; lines
near the tip much undulated and irregular ; mar-
gin with about four obsolete blackish spots, which
appear to be still more faintly prolonged into fas-
cie : epipleura pale, destitute of the transverse
lines, but the obsolete spots are visible upon it;
edge blackish: wings white: feet pale: tergum
black, margin pale : pectus and postpectus testace-
ous ; a large black spot between the anterior pairs
of feet.
Length of the body half an inch.
This species equals C. Geoffroyi, Leach, in
length, but is less robust.
2. C. alternata. With black and pale transverse
‘lineations ; face and feet pale whitish ; beneath
black.
Inhabits Missouri.
Head pale greenish-white: eyes triangular, large,
reddish-brown, dark: thorax black, with about
eight transverse, pale, equal lines: elytra with
very numerous, alternate, interrupted, black and
pale yellowish lines, which become more irregu-
lar and undulated towards the tip: wings white :
epipleura pale, immaculate, edge blackish : feet
whitish: pectus and postpectus black: tergum
black, with a white margin: venter black, with a
pale margin and terminal incisures.
Length a quarter of an inch.
VOL, IV.——-APRIL, 1825. 42
330 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS,
Very much resembles the preceding, but is
much smaller, darker, and the prevailing colour
beneath is black.
Cicapa, Oliv. Latr.
1. C. pruinosa. Body above varied with green-
ish and black, beneath pruinose: abdomen with a
white spot each side, at base, one at the middle
margin and another near the marginal i
Inhabits the United States.
Wings, nervures of the hemelytra green to the
middle, inner edge of the costal nervure brownish,
nervures beyond the middle brownish : anterior
thighs varied with dusky ; anterior pairs of legs
dusky at the exterior tip: tarsi varied with dusky :
tergum black: segments destitute of differently
coloured posterior margins, basal segment with a
white pruinose spot each side of the back, another
transversely elongated and attenuated one on the
lateral base of the third segment, and another
upon the lateral base of the caudal segment: ven-
ter dusky in the middle : caudal segments beneath
testaceous, dusky near the middle tip.
Length two inches, to the tip of the hemelytra.
Found on the Missouri ; it is also very common
in Pennsylvania, and much resembles C. tibicen,
of Fabr. but it differs in being pruinose beneath,
and in having white abdominal spots.
2. C. marginata. Body above varied with
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 331
greenish and black, beneath pruinose; tergum
black, the segments with yellowish posterior mar-
gins.
Inhabits Missouri.
Head and thorax greenish-yellow, slightly va-
ried with black : scutel black, with the W and ele-
vated x greenish-yellow : hemelytra with the ner-
vures as far as the middle, green, beyond the
middle, brown: tergum black, the segments yel-
lowish-brown on their posterior margins ; all be-
neath testaceous, covered with a mealy white.
Length more than two inches and a tuarter to
the tip of the hemelytra.
Differs from the preceding by being larger, by
having the abdominal segments margined, and by
being destitute of the white spots on the tergum.
The basal spine of the anterior thighs is much
more oblique than in the preceding species. This
cannot be the costalis, if the descriptions of that
species are correct.
3. C. dorsata. Scutel varied with blackish,
greenish-yellow and white; tergum black, a dor-
sal and lateral line of white spots.
Inhabits Missouri.
Head and thorax varied with greenish-yellow
and black: seutel blackish-chesnut, the W and x
marks greenish-yellow, lateral lines of the W white
near the thorax, a white line from the humerus is
interrupted by the anterior lines of the 2, and also
in the middle between these two lines, a white
Bs 4 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
spot between the two lateral lines of the x: ter-
gum black, a dorsal line of white spots and a mar-
ginal line of white spots which are continued over
the terminal segment, the lateral spot of the first
and second segments is very much dilated and
confluent, that of the third segment is much elon-
gated and attenuated towards the back, a white
oblique spot on the first segment each side of the
dorsal line ; all these white marks are pruinose.
Length two inches to the tip of the hemelytra.
Found in the prairie near the Konza village, in
which vicinity it is rather common. Its note is
harsher than that of our pruinosa, and is generally
uttered when the animal raises in flight, alarmed
at the approach of the traveller.
4. C. aurifera. Body covered with short golden
pubescence ; beneath hairy.
Inhabits Missouri.
The nervures of the hemelytra are yellowish
to the penultimate anastomosis, beyond which
they are brown; the two particular anastomosis
are strongly marked with blackish : head testace-
ous: thorax but little varied with black: seutel
black with the usual testaceous lines: tergum
black, densely covered with the golden hair: be-
neath pruinose.
Length one inch and a half nearly, to the tip
of the hemelytra.
This species differs from the preceding in being
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 333
smaller, and in having the golden pubescence,
which is more dense on the head and thorax.
Found near the Konza village.
5. C. parvula. Anterior thighs with three pa-
rallel, subequidistant spines.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body dull testaceous : head with a dilated dusky
line each side on the front: stemmata reddish-yel-
low: antenna rather large, longer than the head:
labrum with dusky ruge and a longitudinal im-
pressed line, abbreviated at the termination of the
ruge : thorax indistinctly varied with black, the
lateral edge not prominent: seutel quadrilineate,
lines dilated, abbreviated, intermediate ones very
short, terminal 2 hardly elevated: hemelytra with
a reddish-yellow reflection: nervures blackish be-
yond the middle; costal nervure very conspicu-
ously so; no marginated anastomosis ; segments of
the tergum dusky at base: thighs and trochanters
varied with black : anterior thighs tridentate ; teeth
prominent, subequidistant, parallel, posterior one
longest, anterior one shortest.
Length to the tip of the hemelytra seven-tenths
of an inch.
Avery small species. I have a specimen from
near the Rocky Mountains, which is entirely green,
it is a female, and probably of the same species
with the above. Its length to the tip of the he-
melytra, is four-fifths of an inch.
KS ae HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
6. C. synodica. Black, varied with pale. testa-
ceous ; tergum annulate.
Inhabits the base of the Rocky Mountains.
Body above, black, varied with pale testaceous :
head with a transverse line before the eyes, and
about three triangular spots at base, testaceous :
clypeus above destitute of grooves : thorax sinuous
behind, the posterior transverse impressed line
placed very near the posterior edge; posterior
angles prominent, rounded, lateral edge obtusely
emarginate before the posterior angles; margin,
two oblique lateral lines and a longitudinal dorsal
one testaceous: scutel with a lateral marginal line,
the elevated x and two dorsal dilated lines, testa-
ceous; the dorsal lines are merely emarginate on
the inner side, and do not form the W; at the tip
of each anterior line of the x is a conspicuous,
black, impressed puncture, and behind the z the
posterior edge of the scutel is visible and testa-
ceous: beneath, very pale testaceous; rostrum
black each side of the grooved base, in the middle
and at tip: feet lineated with black ; anterior thighs
bispinous : fergum with narrow posterior reddish-
brown margins; terminal and anal segments tes-
taceous, the latter with two black spots: nervures
of the wings testaceous, beyond the middle fuscous.
Length to the tip of the hemelytra less than
one inch.
Dr. James and Mr. Peale observed this species
in great numbers in one locality, at the base of
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 333
the Rocky Mountains: but it did not occur else-
where.
Furcora.
F. sulcipes. Thorax with a few black punctures ;
. nervures of the hemelytra margined with black;
thighs with black grooves.
Body pale : head yellowish-green : rostrum elon-
gated, as long as the head and thorax, with an
elevated line and edges, two black points between
the eyes, beneath between the eyes three lines
and edges elevated: thorax with a large black
spot behind each eye, and several distant black
points, two conspicuous black points between the
larger ones: hemelytra with pale nervures, which
are margined with black : feet with black grooves ;
anterior and intermediate tibie with an annulus
and tip and tarsi black; posterior tibie seven-
spined, besides the terminal spinous simifascia.
Length to the tip of the hemelytra more than
three-tenths of an inch.
A small species which I do not suppose to pos-
sess the power of yielding light. It inhabits the
Arkansa near the Rocky Mountains.
Frata, Fabr. — *
1. F. bivittata. Greenish-yellow ; a lateral red-
dish-brown line confluent on the hemelytra; he-
melytra vertical.
336 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
Inhabits the United States.
Body pale green: head dusky brownish before :
eyes red: antenna and stemmata yellowish-white ;
seta black: thorax and scutel glabrous; with a
broad, lateral, dark reddish-brown vitta: hemelytra
vertical, much dilated, pale greenish-yellow, paler
towards the costal margin, inner margin dark red- -
dish-brown: wings white: pectus and caudal seg-
ment whitish : feet, anterior pairs brownish : venter
pale green.
Length three-tenths of an inch.
Found near Engineer Cantonment on the Mis-
souri river; it also occurs in Pennsylvania; it is
rather smaller than F. relicta, Fabr. and the he-
melytra are more dilated.
2. F. stigmata. Black; wings white, with a
black stigma and transverse spot at base.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body black : vertex triangular, distinguished by
an elevated edge, and an abbreviated, carinate
line: thorax acutely emarginate behind, and with
an elevated edge and dorsal carina, carina abbre-
viated before, a squamula covering the origin of
the hemelytra: scutel tricarinate, intermediate ca-
rina abbreviated behind: hemelytra white, a com-
mon black band near the base, becoming brown
towards the suture, a black stigma which is mar-
gined before with white: nervures with white and
blackish alternate dots, the latter setigerous : tibia
pale brownish.
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 337
Length a quarter of an inch, nearly.
Very numerous at Engineer Cantonient on the
Missouri.
Devenax, Fabr.
_D. tricarinata. Whitish ; thorax yellowish ; he-
melytra with two oblique bands and spot; ner-
vures spotted.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body whitish: head above, pale green: eyes
deep brown, profoundly emarginate beneath : an-
tenne brown, longer than the head, second joint
rather longer than the first; seta longer than the
antemnz : front brown, deeply impressed with the
grooves of the rostrum, presenting three promi-
nent carine: rostrum with a fuscous band on the
middle, and spot near the tip: thorax yellowish :
hemelytra white, an obsolete band at base; an ob-
lique distinct one on the middle united to a curved
one beyond the middle, which attains the tip and
incloses a linear oblique spot near the tip of the
costal margin: feet spotted with fuscous : abdomen
pale yellowish : tergum blackish in the middle.
Length of the body and wings three-twentieths
of an inch.
Came on board of our boat as we ascended the
Missouri, in considerable numbers, on the third of
July. The hemelytral fascia, may, on many spe-
cimens, be traced into the form of the letter W,
VOL. IV.—aPrin, 1825. 4S
338 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
the oblique spot being included between the pos-
terior curve of the letter and the costal margin.
Cercopis, Fabr.
1. C. quadrangularis. Brownish-cinereous ;
elytra with two oblique brown bands confluent at
the outer margin; beneath black; feet annulate
with pale.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body brownish-cinereous, covered with dense
minute hairs: head obsoletely spotted: eyes fus-
cous, a pale longitudinal line on the middle, in
which is a brown central line: stemmata indistinct,
black: thorax emarginate at the anterior angles
for the reception of the eyes, and deeply emargi-
nate behind for the reception of the scutel; a dou-
ble series of obsolete, indented spots before : seu-
tel, tip and basal angles acute: hemelytra pale
brownish-cinereous ; an oblique black-brown fascia
from the imner basal angle, is confluent at the
middle of the exterior margin, with an oblique
fascia which terminates near the sutural tip; tip
with a small blackish curve ; region of the humerus
dusky : beneath black : feet black: thighs annulate
with pale ; posterior pair of tibie pale, armed with
two robust spines behind, and numerous small
ones at tip; posterior tarsi armed with spinules
at the tips of the first and second joints beneath:
abdomen black ; tail pale beneath.
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 339
Length more than three-tenths of an inch.
2. C. obtusa. Head and anterior part of the tho-
rax pale, with three transverse lines ; wings varied
with brown and pale.
Inhabits the United States.
Body short, oval: head pale yellowish, an ele-
vated, reddish-brown, transverse line between the
eyes, and before the stemmata: front with about
nine parallel, equidistant, reddish-brown lines,
which are interrupted in the middle, and abbrevi-
ated at the cavity of the antenne : antennae placed
in a deep cavity, beyond which the seta only pro-
jects; head beneath black: thorax pale yellowish
before, reddish-brown and rugose with continuous
lines behind, anterior edge elevated, reddish-brown;
a reddish-brown transverse band on the middle:
scutel pale reddish-brown : hemelytra varied with
fuscous and pale, generally forming a band on
the middle, which is more distinct on the costal
margin, spot at tip and larger one at base ; ner-
vures dark brown: feet black, joints whitish : tibia
and farsi whitish: posterior tibia bispinous be-
hind, of which one is very robust.
Length rather more than one-fifth of an inch.
Female, colours generally paler, with the pectus
and abdomen whitish.
Very common near Council Bluff, and is also
found in Pennsylvania. ‘The band of the hemelytra
is sometimes indistinct or wanting, and there are
three brown dots near the tip. 1
340 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
Terticonia, Oliv. Lam. Lair.
1. T. 8-lineata. Pale greenish-white, lineate
with rosaceous; nervures of the hemelytra rosa-
ceous.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body pale greenish-white : head quadrilineate
with rosaceous, the two intermediate lines double
before the stemmata, and with an obsolete spot
behind them: stemmata rosaceous: eyes a darker
red : thorax minutely rugulose transversely ; six or
eight rosaceous lines, the two lateral ones dilated,
submarginal: scutel transversely rugulose, four
rosaceous lines : hemelytra with the nervures and
costal margin rosaceous : wings, nervures rosace-
ous : fibi@ rosaceous, spines of the posterior pair
white.
Length rather more than seven-twentieths of
an inch. A male.
Var. a. rather larger; colour pale-greenish ; those
parts which are rosaceous in others, are yellow-
ish in this variety.
Near Engineer Cantonment on the Missouri.
2. 'T. limbata. Body deep black; side edged
with white.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body deep black, punctured; a white lateral
line from the eye to the tail: head before and be-
neath with minute white points: eyes whitish be-
neath: thorax with a transverse series of four
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 341
larger impressed punctures, the exterior ones with
a rufous spot and resembling stemmata; a white
lateral line interrupted by a yellow spot over the
interval between the two anterior pairs of feet:
scutel impunctured, two rather large impressed
dots, and a transverse impressed line on the mid-
dle ; posterior portion transversely rugulose : hem-
elytra with large distinct, impressed punctures :
wings whitish; nervures and base black: feet,
spines of the posterior tibie not very prominent
or rigid.
Length more than a quarter of an inch.
Near Engineer Cantonment on the Missouri.
3. T. mizta. Dull blackish-brown ; elytra with
obsolete minute pale punctures; tergum deep
black; feet annulate with pale spots.
Inhabits Missouri.
Head rugose, the lines somewhat longitudinal :
stemmata rufous, placed on the anterior margin ;
first joint of the antenne pale at tip : labrum irro-
rate with pale, and two larger spots at base : tho-
rax transversely rugose and with an anterior se-
ries of punctures, lateral edge behind the eye
white : hemelytra densely rugose, with a few pale,
minute spots on the nervures, and rather larger
ones on the inner and terminal margin ; two ab-
breviated whitish lines on the humeral origin of
the nervures ; (when viewed towards the light, the
whole wing is irrorate with pale hyaline points :)
wings blackish, emarginate at tip;nervures Pibou:
342 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
tergum deep black, edge of the segments piceous :
pectus deep black, segments generally edged with
whitish : feet, anterior pairs annulate near the tip
of the thighs with whitish spots; tibie with two
or three whitish spots ; posterior pair of feet paler
beneath : venter irrorate with pale points, lateral
segments with a longitudinal pale line on each,
and pale inferior edge ; caudal segment with 7
dense, pale spots.
Length less than three-tenths of an inch.
4. T. obliqua. Body yellowish-white, with two
sanguineous lines, connivent upon the head and
scutel; hemelytra white, with two sanguineous
lines.
Inhabits the United States.
Body pale yellowish-white: head with two di-
lated sanguineous lines, connivent before: antenna,
seta as long as the head and thorax, dusky : thorax
with two sanguineous lines: scutel with two lines
and tip sanguineous : hemelytra whitish, an oblique
line from the base slightly refracted on the thin-
her margin, and terminating behind the middle of
the margin; an oblique longitudinal line on the
disk, a more abbreviated, obsolete, subcostal line,
and a costal line from the base to the middle of
the edge, sanguineous: feet whitish : tail rosace-
ous.
Length rather more than oné-tenth of ‘an inch.
Found at Engineer Cantonment, and is also
common in Pennsylvania.
HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. 343
5.'T. comes. Pale yellowish, with sanguineous
spots.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body pale yellowish: head, a transverse san-
guineous line, profoundly arcuated in the middle,
and a smaller transverse spot before : eyes fuscous:
thorax with three sanguineous spots, the lateral
ones smaller, and the intermediate one arcuated:
scutel, a sanguineous spot at tip: hemelytra yellow-
ish-white, spotted with sanguineous; spots ar-
ranged two at base, of which the outer one is small,
and the inner one elongated and abruptly dilated
on the inner side at tip; two upon the middle, of
which the outer one is elongated into a very ob-
lique line ; two behind the middle, of which the
inner one is obliquely elongated, and the outer
one smaller, and interrupted ; and a transverse li-
near one near the tip, ramose upon the nervures :
feet whitish.
Length to the tip of the hemelytra, one-ninth
of an inch.
The line and spot on the head and the spots of
the thorax are sometimes obsolete, but always
visible, and the latter are sometimes connected
by curving towards the anterior edge of the tho-
rax. The spots of the hemelytra are also some-
times slightly interrupted, or connected into four
oblique bands.
6. T. trifasciata. Pale yellowish-white ; elytra
344 HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS.
irrorate with reddish and somewhat trifasciate
with dusky.
Inhabits Missouri.
Body pale yellowish-white : head with two or
three obsolete dull sanguineous spots on the ver-
tex in the form of curves or circles : eyes dusky :
thorax, a sanguineous line abbreviated before, and
an obsolete curve at the anterior angle: hemelytra
whitish, irrorate with sanguineous; a dilated,
brownish, interrupted, subbasal band ; an obsolete
interrupted band behind the middle, upon the pos-
terior costal termination of which, is an abbreviat-
ed sanguineous line, and an oblique blackish band
near the tip; a large quadrate white immaculate
spot on the middle of the costal margin; humeral
base white, immaculate: tergum dusky at base :
feet white.
Length to the tip of the hemelytra one-eighth
of an inch.
The spots of the head and thorax are some-
times hardly discernible, and the intermediate
band is often so faint and interrupted as to be
overlooked.
7. T. basilaris. Pale yellowish, varied with
sanguineous ; elytra reddish-brown at base.
Inhabits Missouri.
- Body pale yellowish: head obsoletely varied
with sanguineous: eyes dusky or black: thorax
dusky behind; anterior margin with four or five
obsolete sanguineous spots : scutel dusky reddish-
NEOTOMA. 345
brown or sanguineous at tip: hemelytra with a
broad band of reddish-brown at base; a spot on
the middle of the thinner margin, then an oblique
line, and another oblique line towards the tip, san-
guineous; at the inner extremity of the latter is a
very minute black point.
Length to the tip of the hemelytra, one-ninth
of an inch.
-1 new genus of Mammalia proposed, and a de-
scription of the species upon which it is founded.
By T. Say, and G. Orv. Read March 8, 1825.
Orver GLIRES.
Genus Neotoma.
Natural Character.
2 incisores.
6 molares.
2 incisores.
6 molares.
8 superior.
Teeth 16.
8 inferior.
Molares with profound radicles.
Superior jaw. Incisor even, and slightly round-
ed on its anterior face: first molar with five tri-
angles, one of which is anterior, two exterior, and
two interior : second molar with four triangles, one
anterior, two on the exterior side, and a very
VOL. IV.—APRIL, 1825. 44
346 NEOTOMA.
small one on the interior side: third molar with
four triangles, one anterior, two exterior, and a
very minute one interior.
Inferior jaw. Incisor even, pointed at tip: first
molar with four divisions or triangles, one ante-
rior a little irregular, then one exterior, one in-
terior opposite, and one posterior: second molar
with four triangles, anterior and posterior ones
nearly similar in form, an intermediate one oppo-
site to the interior and exterior one: third molan,
with two triangles, and an additional very small
angle on the inner side of the anterior one.
Tail hairy : fore feet four-toed, with an armed
rudiment of a fifth toe: hind feet fiye-toed. _
Oxservations. The grinding surface of the
molares differs somewhat from that of the molares
of the genus Arvicoxa, as will be. perceived by
our figures; but the large roots of the grinders
constitute a character essentially different. The
folds of enamel which mark the sides of the crown,
do not descend so low as to the edge of the alyeo-
lar processes; in consequence of this conforma-
tion, the worn down tooth of an old individual
must exhibit insulated circles of enamel on the
grinding surface.
This genus must be placed near to y ett
of which, it is probable, some naturalists may be
inclined to consider it a subgenus. _
N. floridana. Pl. xxi. Snout elongated; ues
and ears very large; tail longer than the body.
NEOTOMA. 347
Ears conspicuous, thin, subovate, clothed with
such fine hair as to appear naked : whiskers long,
anterior ones white, the rest black : tail white be-
neath, dusky above; its scales so small, and so
well concealed with hair, as to be hardly visible :
feet and claws white, the latter short: body and
upper part of the head, clothed in fine fur, of a
lead colour, intermixed with yellowish and black
hairs, the black predominating on the ridge of the
back, and the top of the head, the yellow on the
sides ; the lead-coloured fur not visible externally:
the border of the abdomen and of the throat, buff
colour: whole lower parts a delicate white, tinged
with cream colour : base of the claws covered with
white hairs.
Length from the tip of the snout to the anus,
seven inches and a half: tail six inches and a
quarter long. Male.
~The body has none of those long rigid hairs
which are so notable in the Mus decwmanus. The
whole pelage feels velvety, particularly the belly,
which is as soft as is that of our common flying
squirrel. The testes are hardly visible externally,
differing, in this respect, from those of the house
rat, which are so conspicuous an apparatus in this
unwelcome guest. —
This beautiful animal was discovered in a log
granary, situated in a ruined and deserted planta-
tion, in East Florida. When first aroused, it ran
a short distance. then returned, and stood close
348 NEOTOMA.
by us, allowing touch it with a gun before
it again retreated. Its countenance was mild, or
without that suspicious and cunning air, which is
so remarkable in the common brown rat. We
have reason to think that the species is not un-
common in Florida, as several individuals were
seen by Mr. Say, in an old mansion; but he was
unprovided with the means of capturing them.
Brought from East Florida, in the year 1818,
in the collection of Messrs. Maclure, Say, Ord
and Peale, and deposited in the Philadelphia Mu-
seum.
The individual above described was the only.
one that we were enabled to procure, during our
journey into Florida. It was a young one, and
not fully grown, as we may reasonably conjecture
from the greater size of the old individual of the
same species, which was procured by Mr. Say on
the Missouri, and described in Long’s Expedition
to the Rocky Mountains.
In the year 1818, Mr. Ord sent to the Philo-
matique Society of Paris, a short description, ac-
companied with a figure, of this animal, which
was named Mus floridanus; and the description
was published in the Bulletin of the Society for
December, of the same year. In the hurry, in-
cident to travelling, he had neglected to exam-
ine its teeth, when recently killed; and afterwards
assuming as a fact, what ought not to have been
assumed, that it was a true Mus, he did not hesi-
NEOTOMA. 349
tate to class it under that’ denomination. The
naturalists of Paris questio1 he propriety of
his nomenclature; and, with Mr. De Blainville,
who prepared the account for the Bulletin, ap-
peared to coincide in the opinion that the animal
was a Myoxus, and not a Mus.
That it is neither a Myoxus nor a Mus, will now
be evident from the figures of its teeth, in Plate
xxii. When we first commenced an examination
of its teeth, we were astonished to find in the
grinding surfaces of the molares, a close approxi-
mation to those of Arvicota; but the discovery of
radicles, precluded us from referring it to that
genus. :
Although we are aware that the multiplication
of genera has become an evil, yet we have ven-
tured to found a genus on our animal, from our
inability to class it under any of the genera of the
systems.
Pu. xx1.—Nerotoma floridana.
Pu. xx1.—Fig. 1. Profile view of the jaws, magnified.
2. Lower jaw, left side, with the alveolar
process removed, in order to exhibit
the roots of the teeth ; natural size.
3. Molares of the upper jaw, left side,
magnified.
4, Molares of the lower jaw, left side,
magnified.
350 FRINGILLA.
Description of a new Species of South American
Frincnta. By Cuarres Bonaparte. Read
March 1, 1825.
Frinciua. ®
F. xanthoroa. Dusky; rump yellow; ee
edged with greenish; tail tipped with white.
Length four inches and a half.
Bill and feet light flesh colour: upper mandible
darker, blackish at tip: irides dark brown: gene-
ral plumage above blackish, each feather margined
with dull pale rufous: head and back slightly prui-
nous; inferior portion of the rump bright lemon-
yellow, passing to white on the superior tail co-
verts; all beneath whitish, with an indication of a
blackish collar on the throat, and a few obsolete
blackish spots on the flanks, which are strongly
tinged with brownish-rufous : wing-coverts and ter-
tials blackish, broadly margined on the exterior
web and at tip with dull pale rufous : inferior wing-
coverts dull cinereous, slightly tinged with olivace-
ous: primaries and secondaries “plackiahy finely
edged with olive-yellow on their outer web, the
latter tipped with whitish : tail hardly emarginat-
ed, black, each feather edged with greenish, and
tipped with whitish.
This species belongs to the subgenus Carduelis,
the bill being, however, thicker and less acuminate
FRINGILLA. 351
than usual in this a some-
what that of F. serinus of
The specimen here described and figured is
a male, which lived for some time at the house
of Mr. Droz, of this city, who received it from Rio
Janeiro: the bird was very tame, sang sweetly,
somewhat in the manner of the Canary, of which
it had nearly the habits: its vocal season lasted for
nine months, and like other birds of the antarctic
zone, it sang with more vivacity during winter,
when our birds become mute. Its recent. death
‘was occasioned by a very remarkable cataleptic
disease, with which it had been afflicted for nearly
six months, during which time its colour became
duller, and it lost the pruinous appearance.
A living specimen still in the possession of Mr.
Droz, corresponds in marking with the preceding ;
its colours are only lighter and without any prui-
nous appearance; beneath it is very slightly
tinged with rufous. The duller plumage of this
latter might induce us to suppose that it is a fe-
male, was it not that it sings delightfully : we be-
lieve it is a male, which has lost some of the
brilliancy of its colouring, by a protracted cap-
tivity.
This species moults twice a year, and has the
pruinous appearance only caring its breeding
time.
352 SIGMODON.
Description of a new Species of Mammalia, where-
on a genus is proposed to be founded. By T.
Say and G. Orv. Read March 22, 1825.
Orver GLIRES.
Genus So
Essential Character.
Molares in each jaw six, subequal, with radicles,
and with very profound, alternate folds towards
the summit.
Natural Character.
2 incisores.
8 superior.
6 molares.
Hine wo) 8 inferior teense
: 6 molares.
Superior jaw. Incisor slightly rounded on its
anterior face, truncated at tip: first molar equal
in width to the second, composed of four very
profound, alternate folds, two on each side, ex-
tending at least to the middle of the tooth: second
molar quadrate, somewhat wider, and a little
shorter than the preceding, with three profound
folds, extending at least to the middle, two of
which are on the exterior side: posterior molar a.
little narrower, but not shorter than the preceding,
with three profound folds, two of which are on
SIGMODON. 353
the exterior side, extending at 1 ast tothe middle,
the inner fold opposite to the anterior exterior
fold, and not extending to the middle.
Inferior jaw. Incisor obliquely truncate at tip,
the acute angle being on the inner side, it origi-
nates in the ascending branch of the maxillary
bone, passing beneath the molares: molares sub-
equal in breadth, inclining slightly forwards : first
molar a little narrower than the second, with five
profound, alternate folds, three of which are on
the inner side: second molar subquadrate, with
two alternate, profound folds, the inner one ante-
rior: third molar about equal in length and breadth
to the anterior one, but rather larger, and some-
what narrower than the second, with which it
corresponds in the disposition of its folds, except-
ing that they are less compressed.
Tail hairy: feet simple: fore feet four-toed, with
the rudiment of a, fifth toe, having a nail: hind
feet five-toed.
Opservations. The enamel of the molares is
thick, but on the anterior face of each fold, ex-
cepting the first, it is obsolete. From the arrange-
ment of the folds, as above described, it is obvious
that the configuration of the triturating surface,
(occasioned by the folds of enamel dipping deeply
into the body of the tooth, in the second and third
molar of the lower jaw,) accurately represents the
letter S, which is reversed on the right side; thus
hearing considerable resemblance to the posterior
VOL. IV.—=aPRIL, 1825, 45
354 ‘SIGMODON.
tooth of the genus Spavax, to which, also, it has
a slight affinity in the truncature of the inferior
incisores.
The configuration of the intermediate molar of
the upper jaw may be compared to the form of
the Greek letter =, whence our generic name.
In respect to its generic affinities, it is very ob-
vious that its system of dentition indicates a proxi-
mity to Aryicota, but the different arrangement
of the folds, and the circumstance of the molars
being divided into radicles, certainly exclude it
from that genus. With respect to radicles, it re-
sembles the genus Fiser; but it is allied to this
genus in no other respect.
We may further remark that the teeth of our
specimen are considerably worn, a condition that
materially effects the depth of the folds.
S. hispidum. Head thick; snout elongated;
eyes pretty large; ears large, round; tail nearly
as long as the body.
Ears slightly clothed with hair : fore legs short :
hind feet large and strong, their lateral toes very
short, and their claws stout : upper parts and head
a pale dirty yellow ochre, mixed with black:
lower parts cinereous; hair of the upper parts and
sides long, plentiful and coarse.
Length from the tip of the snout to the inser-
tion of the tail, six inches; tail four inches long.
Female.
Tn immature specimens, black is the protean
nating colour; in adults yellow predominates.
SIGMODON. 355
This animal we found to be very numerous in
the deserted plantations, lying on the river St.
John, in East Florida, particularly in the gardens.
Its burrows are seen in every direction. Emi-
grants to that section of our country, will, doubt-
less, find this species to be a great pest in rural
economy. .
We brought three specimens of it from East
Florida, in the year 1818, and deposited them in
the Philadelphia Museum.
This animal appears, in classification, to occupy
a station between the genera Arvicota and Mus,
having the habits, and some of the external cha-
racters of the former, with teeth remotely allied to
the latter. After a careful perusal of those au-
thors within our reach, who have laid down the
characters of mammiferous quadrupeds, particu-
larly Mr. F. Cuvier’s recent work, entitled “ Des
Dents des Mammif res, considérées comme carac-
teres Zoologiques,” we have found ourselves un-
der the necessity of constructing a genus for it, it
being impossible to refer it to any one of the ge-
nera, the teeth of which have been figured in the
above mentioned useful work.
Pu. xxu1.—Fig. 5. Profile view of the jaws, magnified.
6. Lower jaw, natural size, left side, with
the alveolar process remeved, to ex-
hibit the roots of the teeth.
7. Molares of the upper jaw, left side,
magnified,
8. Molares of the lower jaw, left side,
magnified.
356 JANTHINA.
Remarks on the floating apparatus, and other pe-
culiarities, of the genus Janruiwa. By Reynewn
Coares, M. D. Read March 1, 1825.
The elegant apparatus of air cells attached to
the posterior part of the foot of the Janruin#, and
supporting them upon the surface of the ocean,
has given rise to some difference of opinion among
naturalists. Mr. Bose has asserted that the ani-
mal is capable of absorbing the air of the vesicles
and of refilling them at will, in order to sink or
rise in the water.
M. Cuvier considers this to have been a mis-
take, as he could not discover any connexion be-
tween the animal and the air cells of the float,
and as there was no cavity within the animal
which could contain the air when absorbed. In
fact, this author regards the float as a simple ap-
pendix of the integuments, over which the animal
has no farther control, than the ability to compress
it to a certain extent, by retracting it within the
shell, or to abandon it to its natural elasticity.
From its position on the posterior part of the foot,
near the usual situation of the operculum, he is
inclined to consider it as a vestige of that organ;
but, as specimens occurred, in which, though the
organ was totally wanting, no cicatrix could be
discerned on the foot, Cuvier concludes that it
JANTHINA. : 357
is sometimes naturally absent, or, that it is devel-
oped at a certain age or season.
During a recent voyage to the East Indies, I
had many opportunities of observing the manners
of the Janruinx, and in the Janrnia fragilis, I
have frequently seen the mode in which the or-
gan in question is constructed by the animal.
Individuals being placed in a tumbler of brine,
and a portion of the float being removed by the
scissors, the animal very soon commenced supply-
ing the deficiency in the following manner: the
foot was advanced upon the remaining vesicles,
until about two-thirds of the member rose above
the surface of the water; it was then expanded to
the uttermost, and thrown back upon the water,
like the foot of a Lymneus when commencing to
swim; in the next place it was contracted at the
edges, and formed into the shape of a hood, en-
closing a globule of air, which was slowly applied
to the extremity of the float. A vibratory move-
ment could now be perceived throughout the foot,
and when it was again thrown back to renew the
process, the globule was found enclosed in its
newly constructed envelope.
It does not appear that the Janthine ever sink
below the surface, while they remain attached to
the vesicles, but when they are entirely separated
they immediately fall to the bottom of the tumbler,
and are unable afterwards to rise from their po-
sition; and though they continue to be vigorous
358 JANTHINA.
for some time, they generally die in a few days.
As their respiratory organs are calculated for the
water, this circumstance is probably accidental.
Along the under surface of the float, passes a
little line of pearly fibres, and upon this line are
attached the eggs of the animal. In the J. fragi-
lis the float is convex, subcarinate above, and
concave beneath, straight, and composed of large
vesicles : in the globosa, it is composed of smaller
vesicles, it is flat above and beneath, and by the
re-union of one of the edges, it is formed into a
spiral and nearly cireular disk: in the exigua,* it
is straight like that of the fragilis, but the vesi-
cles are smaller, and the float is narrow and flat-
tened. ae
From what has been said, it appears that the
floating apparatus of the Janrnina is constructed
by the animal for the purpose of supporting its
shell and its young upon the surface of the water;
a
* The shell which I have here termed exigua, agrees
very well with the description given of that species in the
Diet. des Sciences Naturelles, but that which is contained
in Lamark’s Animauz sans vertebres, is much less clear.
The plate referred to in the former work, is wanting in
all the copies of the Enc. Meth. to which I have access;
and a deep revolving groove on the middle of the body
whorl, (one of the strongest characteristics of the shell in
my possession,) is unnoticed in either. Here is some want
of perspicuity, but I must leave for the present the resolu-
tion of the difficulty.
JANTHINA. 359
that the membrane which encloses the cells is se-
creted by the foot, and that it has no attachment
to the animal, other than the close cohesion re-
sulting from the nice adaptation of proximate sur-
faces; and lastly, that in all probability, the young
shells when liberated from their chambers, ascend
the float of the mother, and in this way gain ac-
cess to the surface, and construct the elements of
their future support.
The eggs of the Jayruive are, I believe, but
slightly noticed by naturalists, and the plate by
Sir Everard Home, in the Phil. Trans. 1817, ap-
pears to be founded on an error.
It is true that I have never seen the eggs of
the fragilis, but the appearance of the figure re-
ferred to, is so utterly unlike that presented by
the globosa and the exigua, that I am induced to
believe that he has mistaken the eggs of some
other marine animal for those of the Janrmina.
The eggs of the two last named species are con- |
tained in little membranous bags of some consist-
ence, which are attached in rows to the pearly
fibres beneath the float by little filamentous pe-
duncles, of an appearance similar to that of the
fibres. These bags are covered with little. ge-
latinous, conical eminences, and are partially di-
vided by incomplete septa, as may be discovered
by means of a powerful lens. In the exigua the
division is very partial, but in the globosa, it gives
the whole sack a chambered aspect. It would
360 JANTHINA,
seem that the animal occupied considerable time
in the deposition of its eggs, for the bags nearest
the extremity of the float are constantly found
empty, while central ones contain young shells |
fully formed, and those nearest the animal are
filled with the eggs.
The little appendages which Foskahl stile
to be used in swimming, I cannot discover in the
young animals, on account of the high magnifying
power required for that purpose; but I have nevy-
er observed the mature Janruina to move like the
Lymyeus, upon the surface of the water. They
appear to be passive to the action of the winds ~
and waves, their residence upon the ocean ren-
dering them little subject to accidental collision
with hard substances, and their wants being amply
supplied without an approach to land. ‘They prey
upon Crustacea and other Mollusca, and 1 have
not unfrequently found shells of their own genus
in their stomachs. The whole extent of the in-
testinal canal is capable of a vast dilatation, and J
have occasionally found shells of three times the
diameter of the esophagus, lying unaltered near
the rectum.
The young shells are of a golden colour, wad
perfectly smooth. ae
BLENNIUS. 361
Description of two new Species of the Linnean
genus Buexnws. By C. A. Lesueur. Read De-
cember 21, 1824.
Buennws.
1. B. herminier. Dorsal fin anteriorly with an
elongate black spot; filaments upon the nape,
above the eyes and nostrils; lateral line very
much curved over the pectoral fins.
Body, including the caudal fin, five inches long,
one inch seven lines deep, and about an inch in
thickness at the pectoral fins; but little elongated
in proportion to its height, slightly compressed:
abdomen ample; anus placed nearly in the middle
of the body : back more elevated towards the neck,
‘and thence descending gradually to the tail ; ante-
riorly the head, front, and snout are upon an in-
clined line, very slightly arcuated: eyes slightly
prominent, approximate: front short, depressed :
snout more projecting than obtuse, longer than
the diameter of the eye: cheeks pretty convex:
pieces of the opercula indistinct : branchial opening
large, extending from the nape to the ventral fins:
branchiostegous membranes pretty large, sustained
by five rays:and united beneath: mouth pretty
large, its opening straight, and its angle under the
anterior part of the eye: jaws covered with thick
fleshy lips, scarcely allowing the conic teeth to
be seen, of which the anterior row are strong;
VOL. IVim=MAY, 1825, 46
362 BLENNIUS.
those of the interior row smaller; there are also
teeth at the base of the tongue, and conic arcuat-
ed teeth upon the wings of the palate : tongue not
very apparent: lateral line straight on the tail,
and much arcuated over the pectorals: dorsal fin
long, extending from the nape to the base of the
caudal fin, sustained by sixteen spinous rays and
twelve flexible ones, all simple; its anterior part
is twice as long and half as high as the posterior
part, which is rounded: pectoral fins placed be-
hind the anterior termination of the dorsal, and
marked with seven or eight dark brown spots, the
rest of the fin being of a lighter reddish-brown:
ventral fins three-rayed, placed opposite to the
origin of the dorsal: anal of twenty, simple, flexi-
ble rays, almost as deep as the anterior part of
the dorsal fin, and the extremities are more sepa-
- rated; dorsal almost touching the caudal, whilst
the anal is pretty far from it: caudal as large as
the pectoral, oval, sustained by fourteen bifid
rays: scales rounded upon the body and pretty
large: opercula not scaly: colour reddish-brown,
with deeper spots; upon the rays of the dorsal is
an elongate blackish spot: cheeks and head rufous- -
brown, vermicular with little blackish lines, which
form an irregular kind of close net work : nostrils
surmounted by a little ciliated appendadil eye-
brows, each surmounted by a fascicle of cilia¥
nape with two lines of cilia.
D. 16,.12. A; 200% Re 16)! E08. Goi
BLENNIUS. 363
Taken at St. Bartholomews, in cavities of ma-—
dreporic rocks, in the month of June, 1816.
2. B. hentz. A short fleshy appendage over
each eye, and a small one over each nostril; teeth
long, fine, equal, close set in the jaws; dorsal fin
Jong, subequal, a little higher posteriorly.
Body three inches and four lines long, includ-
ing the caudal fin; one inch deep, and from six
to seven lines thick, taken near the pectoral fins.
Its form is little elongate, rather short; its thickest
' part is the nape; the front describes a curved
line descending pretty rapidly to the end of the
snout: back subrectilinear, descending gradually
towards the base of the tail: abdomen ample,
rounded: sides compressed: anus placed in the
middle of the body: snout, although very short,
not truncated vertically : eyes large, placed on the
summit of the head, projecting a little, situated
above the angle of the mouth: branchial opening
placed anterior to the base of the pectoral fins,
and extending from the base of these fins to the
height of the eye; it is somewhat oblique: mouth
small, nearly straight: lips not very thick: jaws
equal, furnished with long and fine curved teeth,
arranged like those of a comb: dorsal fin long,
extending from the nape to the base of the caudal ;
its anterior part is lower, more equal, and sustain-
ed by eleven simple spinous rays; its colour is
black, with some whitish spots; its posterior part
is more elevated, rounded at the extremity and
364 BLENNIUS.
sustained by fourteen divided rays, of a reddish
colour, with five blackish bands ; in the middle it
is slightly depressed, which admits of distinguish-
ing the two parts: pectoral fins large, placed a
little behind the origin of the dorsal fin: anal fin
low, equal, reaching the base of the caudal: ven-
tral fins of a blackish colour, with four or five
light blackish bands, middle sized, placed before
the line of the origin of the dorsal fin: caudal fin
small, round, ornamented with three or four verti-
cal bands; colour of the body light bluish-ash,
mixed with rufous, -with numerous and irregular
black and rufous spots.
D.T1ylas A, WB. 26s, Tits OTR
Oxservations. This species was sent to me
from Charleston, 8. C. by Mr. Hentz, and appear-
ed to me at first sight to be the Biennius bosqui-
anus,* described in the work of Mr. Lacépéde,
Vol. ii. page 493, Pl. 13, fig. 1. but after examin-
ing it with attention, I recognised in this indivi-
dual, appendices above the eyes, and other very
small ones upon the nose. These appendices are
not mentioned by Mr. Bosc, and could hardly
have escaped that celebrated discoverer, after
whom the species was named, and who resided
himself in Charleston. This difference, although
to appearance very slender, may nevertheless
characterize this species, and distinguish it from
that of Mr. Bose.
* Taken from the manuscript of Mr. Bose, naturalist,
and French Consul at Charleston.
r
TRILOBITE. 365
Description of a new Species of Truovire. By
J. J. Bicssy, M.D. Read March 15, 1825.
I beg to present to the Academy, a description
of a new species of Tritosrre, found at Lockport
in the state of New York, in the black, shaly, ho-
rizontal limestone forming the lower part of the
ravine by which the western Canal ascends the
« Parallel Ridge” of Lake Ontario. I am not pre-
pared to assign to this limestone its exact place
in the series of geological formations. It is above
the saliferous sandstone, and therefore more re-
cent than the rocks best known as abounding in
trilobites. :
In imitation of the only systematic writer on
this branch of the crustacea, I have named this
species after the discoverer, Lieut. Bolton, Royal
Engineers.
Paravoxus.
P. boltoni. Pl. xxiii. Oval, blind; surface with
small tubercles, and strie; clypeus rounded be-
fore; exterior angle extending in a broad spine;
abdomen fourteen jointed; segments recurved,
falcate ; tail membranaceous and serrate.
The shape of this individual is oval, approach-
ing to ovate; it is moderately flat; the whole
length is five inches and four-fifths; its breadth
366 " DRILOBITE.
across the middle is four inches and nine-tenths;
wherever the cutis is not removed, it is covered
profusely and irregularly with small tubercles.
The denuded portions in this specimen for the
space of three quarters of an inch from the exter-
nal margin, is, in a very small degree, depressed,
and displays a number of broken and continuous
strie, parallel to that margin. There are no
traces of organs of vision. The buckler is nearly
the segment of a circle; anterior edge in the pre-
sent case imperfect; it is four inches and three-
fifths broad, and one inch and one-ninth long at the
centre; it joins the abdomen by a somewhat sinu-
ous transverse line; cheeks and front of equal
breadth ; the former are flat, but rise at the sharp
ridge by which they unite with the front; they are
triangular in shape; their outer angles terminating
by an acute tip. The strie mentioned above are
here not quite parallel to the external border; the
front is a shallow depression, rounded, but taper-
ing anteriorly; it is intersected from above, on
each side obliquely towards the mesial line, by a
ridge bifurcating downwards; another smaller
ridge nearly bisects the front perpendicularly.
The abdomen and post abdomen are not dis-
tinct. The abdomen exclusive of the cauda, is
three inches and a half long; it exhibits fourteen
coste, varying indiscriminately from one-fifth to
one-fourth of an inch in breadth, except the three
inferior ones, which are rather broader; they oc-
‘TRILOBITE. 367
cupy the whole abdomen without membranous
interspaces, and are separated by a black sulcus,
not always well defined, and sometimes a line in
diameter ; each costa is canaliculated from the up-
per and inner angle to the tip. ;
_ 'The middle lobe is separated from the lateral
by a shallow rude sulcus, which, however, does not
always destroy the continuity of the coste* as they
cross it; this lobe is slightly convex, one inch
and a half broad at the top, and so continues to
the sixth costa, after which it gradually contracts
until at the bottom it is one-fifth of an inch broad,
subsiding insensibly into a flat membrane-like sur-
face; its longitudinal sulci pass one inch further
downwards, and, expanding a little, unite with the
cost on each side, the posterior edge of the
space included by them being dentated.
The lateral lobes are quite flat, one inch and a
half broad anteriorly, and by gradual prolongation
become at the fourth costa one inch and four-fifths
in breadth; this dimension is maintained to the
ninth articulation, when it slowly decreases to one
inch at the bottom; the recurvature of the cost«e
is gentle in the upper eight, but thence increases
rapidly. ‘Their extremities, advancing two-fifths
and four-fifths of an inch into the imbedding rock,
are falcate, with their raised black edges, and
clearly marked points. _
* Although incorrectly represented in the drawing as
always destroyed.
368 MODIOLA.
The characters which seem to place this trilo-
bite in the genus Parapoxus of Brongniart, are,
its flatness, the outline of the buckler, the want
of eyes, the prolongation of its coste beyond the
membrane they are imagined to support; a fact,
in that author’s opinion, of primary importance ;
the form and direction of their falcate extremities;
the complete investment of the abdomen by the
coste ; the relative sizes of the lobes of the abdo-
men; and finally, the serrated membranous =
surrounding its lower parts.
The specific distinctions are chiefly found in
the shape; in the tubercles and striz of the cutis;
the form of the front ;* the gentleness of the re-
curvature of the cost, and in the form of the
lower end of the middle lobe of the abdomen.
On anew Species of Moviora. By Tuomas Say.
Read April 19, 1825.
Amongst a number of marine shells from the
island of Minorca, presented to the Academy by
Dr. Alexander Montgomery of the U. S. Navy,
is a single valve of the Pecren nodosus, Linn. on
which were several elevations that on a cursory
glance presented an appearance not unlike the
* Very undefined in this individual. _
MODLOLA, 369
Baxanus.. On a more particular inspection each
elevation proved to be similar to the others in
form and consistence, and to be composed of fine
dark coloured sand, agglutinated together, attached
by a broad base to the surface of the Pecten, and
rising in the shape of a very low cone around an
included shell, the visible portion of which is ex-
actly cordate. Having carefully detached the
mass, [ found the imbedded shell to be a Mopioza,
closely allied to the discors, Gmel. with its byssus
very firmly affixed to the supporting surface.
The following is a description of this shell.
Moprotra.
M. opifex.. Oval, reddish-brown; anterior hinge-
margin flattened, cordate ; within iridescent.
Base contracted behind the middle, the con-
traction not wide nor very deep; between this
part and the beaks the surface is blackish and
transversely wrinkled ; posterior and anterior sur-
face of the valve longitudinally striated, with the
exception of the anterior cordate hinge-margin,
which is flattened and covered by a thick stra-
tum of compact sand; anterior tip equally arcu-
ated above and below; within iridescent, brilliant,
_Striated as on the exterior surface, edge crenate.
Breadth nearly half an. inch ; length more than
one-fifth of an inch.
- This species. differs from the M. discors, and
VoL. Iv.—may, 1828. AT
370 SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
M. lateralis, Nob. not only by its very singular
habit, but also by its flat and perfectly heart-
shaped anterior margin; the regular and equal
curvature of its anterior extremity; the narrower
interval between the anterior and posterior striat-
ed surfaces, and the more profound and less di-
Jated basal contraction.
PL. xix. fig. 2. M. opifex imbedded in its mound.
a. External view ofa valve.
6. Internal view of — do, (all enlarged.)
Descriptions of ten Species of South American
Birds. By Cuarces Bonavanre. Read April
19, 1825.
Having been favoured by Mr. Paul Goddard
with a collection of South American birds, lately
brought to this country, I remarked some very rare
species, on which a few observations may be eluci-
datory of some obscure points of Ornithology; I
therefore submit them to the Academy for their
Journal.
1. Monasa fusca, Nob.
Fusco-brunnea, scapis pennarum flavescenti-
bus; remigibus rectricibusque immaculatis ; juguli
macula alba; fascia pectorali nigra.
SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 37)
Length, eight inches. Bill one inch and a
quarter long, black; mandibles subequal, both
slightly curved downwards at tip: feet dusky :
bristles of the capistrum pale yellowish-rufous,
black at tip from the middle, reaching to three
quarters the length of the bill: head and neck,
above and on each side, and interscapular region,
black, each feather with a streak of yellowish-ru-
fous along the shaft: back, wing-coverts, and sca-
pulars brown, with the yellowish streak, but
paler and confined to the tips: rump and superior
tail-coverts brown, immaculate, somewhat tipped
with dull yellowish; between the bill and eye a
large yellowish-rufous spot; from the angle of the
Jower mandible each side of the throat, a whit-
ish streak: throat yellowish-rufous, intermixed
with black; feathers of the neck beneath, snowy
white from the base to the middle, then widely
black, with the shaft and the tip yellowish-
rufous, an arrangement which constitutes a pure
white concealed space, a black collar on the breast,
and then gives a yellowish-rufous tint to that part;
except the above white feathers, the whole plu-
mage of the bird is lead colour at base; it is very
soft and with disunited webs: belly and sides
dusky-yellowish : vent and inferior tail-coverts
whitish-rufous : inferior wing-coverts and inner
margins of the primaries beneath pale yellowish-
rufous ; quill feathers plain dark brown, edged with
rufous on the outer web, and broadly margined
372 SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
with the same colour on the inner at base: se-
condaries and tertials with a small heart-shaped
whitish-rufous spot in the middle at tip; the wings
when closed, do not reach the middle of the tail:
tail cuneiform, composed of rwetve wide feathers
of a pure dark brown, having but a slight indica-
tion of the heart-shaped spot at tip.
This species has, until now, been but imperfect-
ly known, none but the young having fallen under
the observations of Ornithologists, who, perceiv-
ing that their bird was not perfect, even doubted
its constituting an independent species, think-
ing it the young of another well known. Latham
first established the species from a young spe-
cimen, and le Vaillant having an opportunity of
examining six individuals, also young, gave a good
figure and an accurate description of it under the
name of Tamatia brun, in his Hist. Nat. des Bar-
bus, pl. 43." The present specimen, whose de-
scription differs but in a few points from the others,
is evidently adult, and settles the question of spe-
cifié distinction.
The genus Bucco of Linné having been justly
divided, authors have disagreed in the mode of
‘separating it, and unfortunately so great is the con-
fusion, that some of the Buccones of Vieillot, are
Carrrones, agreeably to ‘Temminck and vice versa.
The present species, though certainly a Carrro
of Temminck, Tamatia of other recent Ornitholo-
gists, is recorded by Vieillot as a Bucco; but he
SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 373 *
could not have examined it, otherwise the down-
ward curvature of both mandibles and their sub-
equal length would have induced him to arrange
itin his restricted new genus, Monasa, which I
am inclined to adopt, as constituted by him, add-
ing the present species. The tail composed of
twelve feathers, is a character worthy of notice
in this species, as Vieillot attributes to all the
above mentioned genera only ten; but we have
reason to believe all the Monasm have twelve, and
1 have found some genuine Caprrones with the
same number.
2. Picus rubricollis, Gmel. Var ?
Total length, twelve inches. Bill perfectly
straight, more than two inches long, horn colour
above, white beneath: feet lead colour: head and
neck brilliant light crimson; the feathers at base
blackish, with a narrow yellowish lunule before
the red tip, those of the upper part of the head
slender and elongated; from the side of the bill a
broad whitish stripe, margined above and beneath
by a velvet black line, proceeds backwards and
is attenuated to a point beneath the auricles;
whole superior part of the body including the tail-
coverts, yellowish-cream, some of the feathers hay-
ing concealed black bands: whole inferior surface
and thighs of the same cream colour, each feather
having four black bands: wings, including the sca-
374 SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
pulars and tail, black, slightly tinged with brown:
quill feathers widely spotted with yellowish-cream
on their inner webs; spots wider in proportion as
they are nearer to the base, and assuming at base
and on the secondaries and tertials, the appear-
ance of bands: under wing-coverts. yellowish-
cream : fifth primary slightly longest.
By comparing the above description with those
given of the rubricollis, it will be easily perceived
that the present specimen differs principally by its
smaller size; by its cream-coloured back and rump;
by the beautiful bands of the under parts; and
by the fine cream colour spots of the quill feath-
ers; this last. character, however, is indicated: by
Vieillot, Wouv. Dict. d’ Hist. Nat. thus corroborat-
ing our opinion of specific identity. The remark-
able lateral stripes of the head, are not mentioned
by authors, but are correctly represented in Buf-
fon’s coloured plate 612, (Grand Pic hupé a tete
rouge de Cayenne ;) this figure, however, differs
considerably from our specimen by not having
the head and neck half so vivid; the back and
whole wing being black, and moreover having the
under parts of the same tinge with the head and
neck: we would probably be justified ‘in consid-
ering this as belonging to a new species, but we
prefer for the present to refer it to P. rubricollis,
_ being probably a peculiar state of that bird which
we think has not been well described or figures
in any of its states.
SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 375
3. Denprocotaptes angustirostris. Vieill.
Fulvo-brunneus; subtus albus, pennis omnibus,
gule exceptis, utrinque nigro marginatis; rostro
elongato, subarcuato, valde compresso.
The genus Denprocorapres was first establish-
ed by Hermann; Vieillot has taken the liberty of
changing that name to Deyprocorus; it is destitute
of any fixed character in the form of the bill, yet, in
my opinion, it is one of the most natural existing.
The acute and rigid tail feathers, (a character
common with Cerruia, to which it is intimately
related) but above all, that remarkable character
of having the external toe as long as the middle -
one, will at once distinguish it from all other ge-
nera. From the differences in the form of the
bill, the species have been separated into a great
many sections, which, however, can be reduced
to two, from the bill being straight or curved; and
even between these, intermediate links occur.
- The present species belongs to the second sec-
tion; it is one of those birds accurately described
by d’Azara, and named by Vieillot merely from
the description of that author: Vieillot, of course,
admitted the species with doubt, and we have,
therefore, thought proper to fix it by the follow-
ing description.
Total length, seven inches and a half.
Bill one inch and a quarter long, slightly curved
from the base, slender, very much compressed,
376 SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
dusky above, beneath whitish: feet, lead colour :
plumage above, including the wings and tail,
bright reddish-brown, brighter on the rump and
tail: head feathers pale in the middle, slightly
margined with blackish; a white streak passes
over the eye to the auditory region, and returns
to the corner of the mouth, including a space of
grayish feathers, varied with blackish: throat
white; whole neck and body beneath, and under
tail-coverts white, the feathers margined each side
with blackish: wader wing-coverts light rufous-
brown: humeral margin whitish: outer superior -
wing-coverts of a somewhat darker brown : prima-
ries dark brown for an inch at tip, and with the
shafts blackish above, and rufous-white beneath :
shafts of the four middle tail feathers naked at tip.
4. Frioua flaveola, Linn.
This bird has been long known and was accu-~
rately indicated by Linné; Latham has since ob-
- served a specimen in the Leverian Museum; but
the country which it inhabits was entirely un-
known, and doubts had even been entertained of
its being a. mongrel between the Canary bird and
the Goldfinch. A beautiful specimen in my. col-
lection puts the question at rest: it is a true spe-
cies inhabiting Brazil, and probably other parts
of South America. The description in authors is
remarkably accurate.
SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 377
5. Tanacra flava, Gmel.
Sericeo-flavicans; genis, gula, pectore abdomi-
neque medio, alis, caudaque nigris; remigibus,
rectricibusque extus virescenti-ceruleis.
Length, five inches and a quarter. Bill black
above, bluish beneath: feet bluish: general plu-
mage sericeous straw yellow, lead colour at base ;
that of the head, blackish at base: capistrum,
cheeks, lora, throat and a wide patch continued
from the throat to the centre of the belly, black:
scapulars, wings, and tail blackish, each feather
margined externally with sky blue, glossed with
golden-green; greater wing-coverts especially,
with considerable golden reflections: margin of
the first and second primaries obsolete; that of the
others, narrow, but very bright, and of a purer sky
blue; secondaries bluish-green almost upon the
whole of their outer web ; inner webs at base, mar-
gined with whitish; shafts of the wings and tail
black above, and whitish beneath; under wing-
coverts and interior side of the primaries beneath,
silvery; the former intermixed with dusky.
This fine bird belongs to the genus and sub-
genus Tavacra. It is evidently the Lindo bello
of d’Azara, judging by the description of that rare
species, a single individual only of which was ob-
served by that author, who described it accurately
under the above mentioned name: of this species
VOL. tV.—emay, 1825 4k
378 ' SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
Vieillot has made his Tayacra formosa, without
having seen it; but as the indication of Tanacra
flava, that we find in authors, seems to us equally
applicable to our bird, we have preferred the prior
appellation. If we are correct in our conjectures,
the Guira perea, (Tanacra flava) a much sus-
pected species, is now fully ascertained, and
doubts of its being a real Tanager can no longer
be entertained. We should also be inclined to
suppose that the Brazilian bird in the Paris Mu-
seum of Natural History, named by Vieillot Tana-
cra chloroptera, will prove to be the same spe-
cies. pent
A figure given by Mr. Desmarest in his work
on Tanagers, as the female of Tanacra cayana,
resembles considerably our species.
6. Muscicapa violenta, Nob.
Cauda semi-pedali valde forficata; corpore ei-
nereo, subtus albo; capite nigro, verticis pennis
basi flavissimis. we
I mentioned this bird in the first volume of my
American Ornithology, when exemplifying the
Muscicara savana; but not having specimens to
compare, I only stated, that it was distinguished
by its smaller size from that fine bird: now
having the good fortune to have before me two
very perfect individuals, I shall proceed to de-
scribe the species and point out the differential
May
SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 379
characters by which it may be separated from its
close relative, the savana. This will, I hope, be
the more acceptable to naturalists, as Vieillot,
who at first confounded the two species, and af-
terwards established the present under the name
of Tyrannus violentus, never saw the bird, but
' . was in both instances guided by the statements of
d’Azara. :
Total length ten inches. Bill and feet black:
upper and lateral parts of the head with the be-
ginning of the neck, velvet-black; the feathers of
the verter golden-yellow towards the base, form-
ing a concealed spot; remaining upper parts gray,
slightly tinged with brown, darker on the rump,
and passing into blackish on the superior tail co-
verts; all the inferior surface pure white: wings
brownish; feathers, both quills and coverts, edged
exteriorly with whitish: four first primaries sub-
equal, the second slightly longest; these are quite
full and rounded without any kind of emargination
in one specimen, whilst in the other, they are ter-
minated in a slender process, as in my savana; a
circumstance which leads us to believe that this
character, as well as the remarkable tenuity of the
outer web of the exterior tail feather, is proper to
the male in both species: tail six inches long,
brownish-black : exterior tail feather white on the
outer web for half its length from the base, sur-
passing, by more than two inches, the adjoining.
380 SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
and by more than three inches and a half the
middle ones.
By comparing this description with that of Mv-
s¢IcaPA savana, it will be evident, that, besides the
dimensions, this smaller species is easily distin-
guished by having the crown-spot golden yellow,
without any intermixture of orange. The cine-
reous of the back is also less pure, but the other
colours and markings are similarly distributed.
I should now be inclined to believe Buffon’s
wretched coloured plate rather taken from this
bird than from the savana, although his descrip-
tion most certainly belongs to the latter species.
The habits of this bird, thanks to d’Azara,
are better known than those of the savana. An
account of them may be seen in the interesting
book of the Spanish author, from whom Vieillot
has given an extract.
7. Muscicara tenioptera, Nob.
Cinerea, alis caudaque nigris; gula, abdomine,
alarum fascia lata, caudeeque apice albis.
This species is not entirely new, yet it gives us
more gratification to be enabled to elucidate the
obscurity involving it, than to describe an entire-
ly unknown bird. It is the most common of
six Pepoazas, inhabiting Paraguay, described by
@Azara. Though most accurately described, these
birds have much puzzled naturalists, who were
| SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 381
uncertain to which established genus they ought
to be referred, or whether they would properly
form a distinct genus by themselves. Vieillot
has acted fairly in this case by not naming a bird
which he had not seen;* a great many errors in
science are to be attributed to the censurable
habit of following a contrary course. “I have
placed,” says he, in the Nouv. dict. d’ Hist. Nat.
“the Prepoazas of Mr. d’Azara, after the Tyrants,
because they have appeared to me more closely _
related to them than to any other genus, and un-—
til their generic characters are better known.”
The conjectures of Vieillot have proved correct,
at least in regard to this species ; which is a Mu-
scicapa Of our classification, but a Tyrannus of his:
a peculiar subgenus might be instituted for it un-
der the name of the species, which we have for
that reason compounded from the Greek. ‘This
subgenus should be characterized principally by
long and powerful wings, reaching nearly to the
tip of the tail, a somewhat more robust and elon-
gated bill, and much stouter and longer feet. It
is most probable that the five other Pepoazas of
d’Azara will also prove to belong to this subgenus.
The habits described at some length by that au-
thor are also different; we shall not transcribe
* We take no notice of a slight indication he gives of this
bird, under the name of Tyrannus cinereus, in his Analise d’un
Nouv. Syst. d’Orn. as he has since changed his mind, and his
name is pre-occupied in Muscicara.
382 SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
them here, but although his description is remark-
ably minute and accurate, as it has fallen to our
lot to establish the species, we will describe the
specimen before us.
Total length, eight inches and a half. Bill one
inch and a quarter long, and with the feet black:
general colour above dark gray, deeper along the
shafts of the feathers, principally on the head; a
white broad line extends each side from the nos-
trils over the eye; a narrow blackish line passes
“through the eye, margined beneath by a white
one dilated on the auricles, and divided under the
eye into two branches, including a blackish line;
from the inferior angle of the lower mandible pro-
ceeds a well defined deep black line neatly mar-
gining the throat, which is pure white: breast
pale cinereous, which colour slightly tinges the
flanks ; belly and inferior tail-coverts pure white:
wings broad and long, reaching within three quar-
ters of an inch of the tip of the tail; first primary
subequal to the fourth, and but little shorter than
the third, which is longest; smaller wing-coverts
dusky ; middling coveris blackish, widely pale
gray at tip; greater coverts and tertials blackish,
margined with whitish; primaries deep black,
slightly whitish at tip, and pure white at base;
this colour is much confined on the first primary, but
extends more and more on the succeeding feathers,
until the ninth and tenth are totally white; this
arrangement produces on the wing a broad white
SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 383
band, which dilates by degrees towards the body :
shafts entirely black; secondaries black, white at
tip; under wing-coverts very thick and long, and
of a glittering white: tail even, black, dull whitish
for three quarters of an inch at tip; exterior plume
also whitish on the principal part of the outer
web.
8. Muscicara pullata, Nob.
_ Cinerea ; alis caudaque forficata nigris ; rectrice!)
extima latere exteriori alba.
Total length, eight inches. Bill three quarters
of an inch long, and nearly half an inch wide at
base, black as well as the feet: general colour
slate-gray, lighter beneath than above : head with
a few obsolete dusky streaks along the shafts of —
the feathers : throat and under wing-coverts whit-
ish: whole wings, superior tail-coverts, and tail
brownish-black : wings when closed, reaching to
the middle of the tail; primaries rather slender
at tip ; first equal to the seventh, third and fourth
longest : fail four inches long, deeply forked ; outer
web of the exterior feather white, to within half
an inch of the tip.
From the great width of its bill, this new spe-
cies belongs decidedly to the genus Pratyrayncos
of Desmarest, and no doubt Vieillot and most
other Ornithologists, will consider it as such. I
would, therefore, have called it Puatyruyncos pul-
384 SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
latus, were I not fully satisfied that it is as impro-
per to separate Platyrhyncos from Muscicara, as
Coccothraustes from Frineuta. These, in my opi-
nion, are subgenera and not genera.
9. Carrimuteus semitorquatus, Gmel.
Nigricans rufo albidoque minutissime puncta-
tus ; remigibus quatuor primis immaculatis medio
fascia obliqua rufa; collo subtus lunula alba.
_ I refer to this imperfectly known species, a spe-
cimen of which I might as well constitute a new
species. If, however, Buffon’s Pl. Enl. 734, in-
tended for C. semitorquatus, be not excessively
bad, it will be impossible to believe that our bird
belongs to that species, and from the remarkable
length of the bill, I should propose for it the name
of Carrimutcus longirostris. Be this as it may, a
description will certainly prove interesting to na-
turalists, as a mere indication has been given .of
the semitorquatus which has, besides, been erro-
neously considered by some writers as a variety
of C. grandis, a bird from which it is even sub-
generically distinct.
Total length, rather more than nine inches.
Wings reaching two-thirds the length of the tail:
bill one inch and a quarter long, and with the feet
dusky: tube of the nostrils rather elevated: bristles
around the bill remarkably stiff and large, much
longer than the bill: nail of the middle toe very
———
SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 385
profoundly pectinated; the teeth somewhat carti-
laginous: head, neck and body above, scapulars,
and smaller wing-coverts black, spotted with bright
ferruginous-rufous, and sprinkled all over with
whitish ; the rufous spots brighter and thicker set
on the head, scapulars, and rump; upper portion of
the back almost destitute of them; at the junction
of the neck and body these spots are of a paler
tint, larger, and regularly disposed so as to indi-
cate a kind of collar : space between the bill and eye,
and throat, pale rufous, varied with some black: —
neck beneath with a concealed white semicollar,
the feathers of which are tipped with pale rufous:
breast and upper portion of the belly blackish,
varied with transverse, narrow, undulated bands
of whitish and pale rufous: belly, flanks, vent, and
under wing-coverts very pale rufous, somewhat
intermixed with blackish: inferior tail-coverts of
the same colour, almost immaculate: middling and
greater wing-coverts blackish, sprinkled with whit-
ish, and with a pale rufous spot at tip; quill fea-
thers blackish, four outer ones with a single yellow-
ish-rufous oblique band at the middle of their
length; remaining ones slightly sprinkled, and
with several yellowish-rufous spots or bands on
their inner web: wings reaching two-thirds the
length of the tail: tail even, deep blackish; the
feathers crossed with about nine large bands, form-
ed by whitish dots, becoming pale rufous on the
margin and at tip of the feathers : lateral feathers
VOL. Iv.—may, 1825, 49
386 SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
three or four banded, with plain pale rufous on
the inner webs; the ¢wo outer ones with a large
pure white square spot on the inner web at tip. _
We do not know the sex of this bird; and if a
male, (which seems probable) we may infer that
the female is destitute of the pure white semicol-
lar and tail spots, they being, probably, pale rufous.
10. Raxwus nigricans, Vieill.
» Fusco-ardosiaceus, dorso alisque _ brunneo-oli-
vaceis, uropygio caudaque nigris.
Total length, thirteen inches and a half. - Bill
more than two inches long, appearing to have
been of a delicate apple green ; the feet were pro-
bably red: naked space above the heel, (knee)
nearly one inch; tarsus two inches and three
quarters long; middle toe two inches and a half;
lateral ones, two inches; posterior one, one inch
long: head above, dark bluish-slate; neck above,
brownish: back, scapularies, and upper wing-
coverts bright greenish-brown; whole plumage at
base, blackish-slate: throat whitish-slate: sides of
the head and neck, and inferior part of the latter,
pale slate; breast, belly, flanks, vent, and thighs
slate-colour ; inferior tail-coverts black : rump and
tail deep black: wings reaching exactly the tip
of the tail, furnished at the base of the spurious.
wing with a strong spinous process turned back-
ward and adpressed to the wing; inferior wing-
MEXICAN BIRDS. 387
coverts of a beautiful chesnut, banded with black ;
quill feathers dusky, tinged with ferruginous ; se-
condaries edged externally with olive-brownish.
This species belongs to the genus and subge-
nus Raxrus, having the bill longer than the head,
and the winglet furnished with a spine like Rattus
aquaticus, virginianus, &c. It is the Ypacaha-
obscuro of d’Azara, of which Vieillot has constitut-
ed his Ratius nigricans; but as this latter author
has never seen the bird, and some characters are
overlooked, we have thought proper to fix the
species by the above description. Although Vieil-
lot’s name is not appropriate, we do not avail
ourselves of our right to give the bird a new one,
thinking that nothing is so detrimental to science
as a complicated synonymy.
Descriptions of two new species of Mexican Biens.
By Cuartes Bonararte. Read April 27, 1825.
Corvus, Linn.
Subgenus Garrulus, Briss.
C: ultramarinus. Ceruleus subtus cinerascenti-
albidus, cauda equali.
Length, thirteen inches. Bill one inch and a
388 MEXICAN BIRDS.
half long, strongly notched at tip, and with the
feet black: incumbent setaceous feathers of the
base of the bill, partly black and partly blue;
whole plumage above, including the wings and taily
bright azure, most vivid and somewhat sericeous
on the head and tail coverts, duller and slightly
intermixed with dusky on the back: inner webs
and tips of the quill feathers dusky : shafts of the
wings and tail feathers black: lora black; cheeks
dull blackish-blue ; chin whitish, intermixed with
black bristles; whole inferior surface dirty whit-
ish, more tinged with cinereous on the anterior
parts, and becoming purer towards the vent: in-
ferior wing and tail-coverts slightly intermixed
with blue; inferior surface of the wings and of the
tail dusky-gray, the latter darker: wings when
closed, reaching almost to the middle of the tail,
which is seven inches long, and perfectly even at
tip.
Amongst the numerous blue Jays and blue
Magpies described by different authors, and mag-
nificently figured of late, the pretensions of the
present bird to novelty, will, at first. glance, be
doubted ; yet it differs from all by some of its posi-
tive and negative characters, and from the greater
number by not having any white on the tail, nor
black on the head; the most closely allied species.
is certainly the Florida Jay, (Corvus floridanus,
Bartr.) very perfect specimens of which have just
been brought home by Mr. T. Peale, amongst
MEXICAN BIRDS. 389
other valuable objects of Natural History. Mr.
T. Peale has drawn on the spot that fine bird,
which was not noticed by Wilson; and his draw-
ing will embellish the second volume of my Ameri-
can Ornithology. The present species comes so
near to it as not to be immediately distinguished,
but its larger size and principally its even tail,
prove it a distinct species; the back, though also
somewhat intermixed with dusky, is bluer than
that of the Florida Jay, and indeed the whole
azure colour is somewhat more brilliant; the bluish
collar is wanting, and the under tail-coverts are
much less tinged with blue; the wings are more-
over proportionally longer. .
Icrerus, Briss.
Subgenus Cassicus, Lacep.
Icrerus melanicterus. Niger cristatus; uropygio,
tectricibus alarum, crisso, caudaque luteis ; rectri-
cibus, mediis totis, lateralibus exteriori margine,
nigris.
Male. Length eleven inches and a half.
Bill three quarters of an inch long, pale bluish-
white : feet blackish: general plumage glossy black:
front with a crest of slender, recurved feathers,
two inches long: greater part of the wing-coverts,
lower portion of the back, rump, superior and infe-
rior tail-coverts, bright yellow : tail rounded : mid-
dle feathers entirely black, yellow only under the
390 MEXICAN BIRDS.
coverts; remaining feathers yellow, the two or three
outer ones blackish on their exterior web.
Female one inch less than the male, and per-
fectly similar in disposition of colour; dusky-black-
ish where the male is black, and the yellow colour
less vivid: crest much shorter and less obvious ;
the small feathers behind the nostrils, in our spe-
cimen, are spotted with dull yellowish: all the
lateral tail feathers blackish on the outer web; the
Jifth on each side entirely margined with that
colour.
This species is most closely related to Ortotus
persicus, Linn. (Casstcus icteronotos, Vieill.) but the
remarkable crest and different disposition of the
yellow and black on the tail, the feathers of which
in that species are all yellow at base and black at
tip, prove it specifically distinct; the bill is be-
sides somewhat longer and more compressed at
tip.
With these birds, which were sent from Mexi-
co by Dr. Samuel M‘Clellan, was received a spe-
cimen of the interesting Frinemta grammaca, Say,
figured in the first Volume of my Am. Orn., thus
corroborating the opinion that the birds of the
Rocky Mountains are also inhabitants of Mexico:
,
aaeeaNe of the Library |
Natural Scier
CONTINUED FROM VOL. II. PART 11. PAGE 467.
601. Audouin (J. V.) Mémoire sur P’Aschlysie, nouveau genre
@’Arachnides trachéenes. Paris, 1823, 4to.
602. Aiton (Wm.) Hortus Kewensis, vols. 2 and 3. London,
1789, 2 vols. 8vo.
603. Barton (W. P. C.) A Flora of North America, illustrated
by coloured figures drawn from nature, vols. 1—3,
Philad. 1821—3, 3 vols. 4to. .
604i ge Se Vegetable NV ateria Medica of the Uni-
ted States. Philadelphia, 2 vols. 1821, 4to.
605. Bellingeri (C. F.) De Medulla spinali, nervisque ex ew
prodeuntibus, annotationes anatomico-physiologice. Au-
guste Taurinorum, 1823, 4to.
606. Benuti (S. G. M.) Essay on Light and Vision. Turin, 4to.
607. Boccone (__) Recherches et observations naturelles, &c.
Amsterdam, 1 vol. 12mo. :
608. Brewster (D.) Description of the Hopeite, a new mineral.
_ Edinburgh, 4to.
609. Bigsby (J. J.) Notes on the Geography and Geology of
Lake Huron, London, 1824. 4to.
610. Brongniart (Ad.) Observations sur les Fucoides et sur
quelques autres plantes marines fossiles. Paris, 1823, 4to.
611. Cadell (W. A.) Journey through Carniola and Italy. —
burgh, 1820, 2 vols. 8vo.
612. Drapiez (A.) Tableau analytique des Minéraux.: Lille,
4to.
613.
Coup d’ceil minéralogique et géologique
392
614. Dir¥ (si Q
delphia, 182 By
615. rum, necnon generis novi Ale-
; g. Fol. eS
616. are moire sur une éspece d’Insectes des
617. Férussac (Baron de) Notice sur le genre Etheries trouvées
dans le Nil par Mr. Cailland. Paris, 1823, 4to. _
618. Godman (J. D.) Anatomical investigations, ceo
descriptions of several dam of the human body, &¢
Philadelphia, 1824, 8v0.
619. Gmelin (J. F.) Systema late, &e. Lipsiz, 1793, 3 vols.
8yo.
620. Jussieu (A. L. de) ra plantarum secundum ordines
di curavit notisque aa. die
1791, 8yo.
on the genus Salamander, and
description of a mew genus of quadrupeds of the order
Edentata. New York, 1825, 8vo.
622. Hibbert (S.) Sketches of the Philosophy of Apipilicans;
Edinburgh, 1824, 12mo.
571. Hooker (Wm. J.) Exotic Flora, Parts Rreenbls riage
8yo.
623. Humboldt (A. de) Essai géognostique sur le sietsioat des
roches dans les deux hémispheres. Paris, 1823, &vo.
624. Humphrey (G.) Directions for collecting and preserving —
all kinds of natural curiosities. ty 1776, 12mo.
MS. ey =
625. Keating (Wm. H.) Narrative of an expedition. to the
source of the St. Peters, &c. Philadelphia, 1824. 2 vols.
8yo. ,
626. Leslie (John) Description of instruments designed for e ex-
tending and improving Meteorological Observations.
Edinburgh, 1820, 8yo. j
621, Harlan (R.) Ob
CATALOGUE OF THE LIBRARY. 393
627. Lasteyrie (Comte de) Collection de machines, instruments
et constructions usités dans économie rurale, domes-
tique et industrielle avec planches lithographiées. Paris,
1821, 2 tomes, 4to.
628. Lehmann (J. G.) Indicem scholarum publice privatimque
in Hamburgensim gymnasio academico observationes
zoologice presertim in faunam Hamburgensem. vhnyer
prim. Hamburgii, 1822, 4to.
183. Lamarck (Chev. de) Histoire naturelle des animaux sans
vertebres, vols. v. vi. and vii. Paris, 1818—19—22, 3
vols. 8vo. .
184, The same, vols. vi. and vii. Paris,
1819-—22, 2 vols. 8vo.
629. Maclean (C.) The evils of quarantine laws, and non-exist-
ence of pestilential contagions. London, 1824, 8yo.
630. Macfadigan (J.) Arrangement of quadrupeds and birds,
»according to orders and genera. Glasgow, 1824, 8vo.
631. Marrat (Wm.) A new method of working lunar observa-
tions, with a demonstration of the rules. Liverpool,
1823, 8yo.
632. Metaxa (L.) Monografia dé Serpenti di Roma e suoi con-
torni. Roma, 1823. Fol.
633. Quoy et Gaimard. Remarques sur quelques poissons de
mer et sur leur distribution géographique. Paris, 1825,
8vo.
634. Observations sur quelques Mollus-
ques et Zoophytes envisagés comme les causes de la
phosphorescence de la mer. Paris, 8vo.
635. Radio (J.) Dissertatio de Pyrola et Chimaphila, specimen
primum botanicum. Lipsie, 1821, 4to.
636. Rousseau (E.) Mémoire sur le Cresson de Para. MS. Fol.
637. — (E.) Apereusur les propriétés febrifuges du Houx.
Paris, 8vo.
638. (L. F. E.) Dissertation sur la premiere et la se-
conde dentition. Paris, 1820, 4to.
VOL. IV.—-May, 1825. AO .
394
344,
639.
© 641.
642.
643.
644.
645.
646.
647.
648.
649.
650.
CATALOGUE OF THE LIBRARY.
Roxburgh (W.) Flora Indica, edited by W. Carey, M. D.
with descriptions of plants recently discovered, by N.
Wallich, M. D. vol. ii: Serampore, 1822, 8vo.
Scopoli (J. A.) Deliciea Flore et Faune insubrice. Paris,
1786, Part I. Fol.
. St. Fargeau (A. P. de) Monographia Tenthredinetarum
synonima extricata. Parisiis, 1823, 12mo.
. Sternberg (Gaspard de) Essai d’un éxposé géognostico-—
botanique de la flore du monde primitif.. Leipsic et
Prague, 3me livr. Fol.
Van Rensselaer (J.) An essay on Salt. New York, 1823,
8vo. ‘
Vaux (R.) An oration delivered on the 18th of January,
1825, before the Philadelphia Society for promoting
Agriculture. Philadelphia, 1825, 8yo.
Valenciennes (A.) Sur le sous-genre Marteau, Zigena,
4to. . 5°
Description du Cernie, Polyprion cer-
nium, 4to.
Villefosse (A. M. H.) Rapport fait au Jury central de
Vindustrie nationale en 1823, (partie metallurgique.)
Paris, 1823.
Webster (M. H.) A Catalogue of Minerals, 1824, 12mo.
Wiedemann (C. R. G.) Manus rectoris in academia Chris-
tiana Albertina, additurus analecta entomologica, &c.
Kilie, 1824, 4to.
Wilson (A.) Outlines of lectures on the elements of ma-
thematics, delivered in the school of arts, during the
session of 1822—23. Edinburgh, 1823, 8vo.
Wilson (Alex.) ‘The natural history of the birds of the
United States, a new edition, with additions, by George
Ord. Philadelphia, 1824, vols. vii. and viii. 4to.
Woodbridge (Wm. C.) and Willard (E.) Universal Geogra-
phy, ancient and modern, on the principles of compari-
son and classification. Hartford, 1824, 12mo.
. Memorie della Reale Academia delle scienze di Torino.
tom. 27. Torino, 4to.
CATALOGUE OF THE LIBRARY. 395
599. Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York,
Nos. 5—8. New York, 1824—5, 8vo.
651. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, vol ix.
Edinburgh, 1821, 4to.
212. Annales des Mines, No. 4, vol. 8. Paris, 1823, 8yo. ;
212. bis. -_—_——— Nos. 1, 2, 3, vol. ii. No. 4, vol. iii,
Paris, Svo.
210. Transactions of the Society for the promotion of the use-
ful arts in the state of New York, vol. iv. Part Il. Al-
bany, 1819, 8vo.
652. Rapports de la Societé de Flore de Bruxelles. Juillet,
1822, Fey. et Juill. 1823, et Fev. et Juill. 1824. Bruxelles,
5 pamphlets, 8vo.
653. Rapport fait & l’Académie Royale des sciences de Paris,
par le Baron de Cuvier sur un ouvrage de Mr. Au-
douin ayant pour titre, Recherches anatomiques sur le
’ thorax des animaux articulés. Paris, 1823, 4to.
$54. Annales des Scienc aturelles. Paris, 1824. No, 1, et
Atlas. bd
523. The American Journal of Sciences and the Arts, edited
by Benjamin Silliman. New Haven, 1824, vol. viii. 8vo,
600. Builetin general et universel des annonces et des nouvelles
scientifiques, publié par le Baron de Ferussac. Paris,
1823, Nos. 11 and 12, 8yo.
655. Bulletin des Sciences naturelles et de Geologie, publié par
le Baron de Ferussac, vols. 1—3. Paris, 1824, 3 yols. 8vo,
656. Mémoires sur les questions proposées par l’academie roy-
ale des sciences et belles-lettres de Bruxelles, qui ont
remporté les prix en 1820. Bruxelles, 1822, 2 vols. 4to,
522. Revue Encyclopedique, No. 24. tom. 8. Paris, 8vo,
528. Journal de Physiologie experimentale et pathologique par
F, Magendie, No. 4, tom. 2. Paris, 1822, 8vo.
657. Boston Journal of Philosophy and the Arts, conducted by
J. W. Webster, M. D. John Ware, M. D, and Daniel
Treadwell, Nos. 1—10. Boston, 1823—5, 8vo.
658. Zoological Journal, conducted by Thomas Bell, J. G. Chil
396 CATALOGUE OF THE LIBRARY.
dren, S. de C. Sowerby, and G. B. Sowerby, Esq. Nos.
1—3. London, 1824, 8vo.
659. The Mechanic’s Chronicle, No. 1. London, 1824, 8vo.
660. Catalogue of the Library of the American Philosophical ~
Society. Philadelphia, 1824, 8vo.
661. A descriptive catalogue of the minerals in the systematic
collection of the museum of Trinity College, Dublin.
Dublin, 1818, 8vo.
662. The Westminster Review, Nos. 1—3. London, 1824, Bo.
663. The Hive, or Weekly Register of remarkable events, &c.
, vols, 1—4. London, 4 vols. 8vo.
664. The Literary Humbug, or Weekly Take In, vol. 1. Lon-
don, 1823, 8vo.
665. The Bonne Bouche, vol. i. London, 1824, 8vo.
666. The Glasgow Mechanic’s Magazine and Annals of Philo-
sophy, vol. i. Glasgow, 1824, 8vo.
667. The Mechanic’s Magazine, vols. 1 and 2. Locdies! 10294,
2 vols. 8vo.
668. The Chemist, vol. i. London, 1824, 8vo.
669. The Medical Adviser, vels. 1 and 2. London, 1824, 8yo.
670. The Artisan, or Mechanic’s Instructer. London.
671. The Economist and General Adviser. London, 8vo.
672. The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction,
vols. 1—3. London, 1823—4, 3 vols. 8vo.
*3 Maps of Jamaica, by Robertson.
List of Donors to the Library of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
With reference to the numbers affixed in the foregoing catalogue to the
books presented by them respectively.
Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin, 541.
Royal Society ,of Edinburgh, 651.
Royal Academy of Sciences and Belles Lettres, Brussels, 656.
Conseil des Mines, Paris, 212.
Society for the promotion of the useful arts in the State of New
York, Albany, 210.
Lyceum of Natural History, New York, 599.
American Philosophical Society, 660.
Philadelphia Society for promoting Agriculture, 642.
N. Wallich, M. D. Calcutta, 344.
C. F. Bellingeri, Turin, 605.
S. G. M. Benuti, Turin, 606.
A. D. Drapiez, Brussels, 613, 652.
E. Poeppig, Leipzig, 628.
J. Radio, Leipzig, 635.
C. R. G. Wiedemann, Keil, Saxony, 647.
Gaspard Comte de Sternberg, Prague, 506.
Adolph Brongniart, Paris, 610, 654.
J. V. Audouin, Paris, 601, 653.
A. G. Desmarest, Paris, 616.
Baron de Ferussac, Paris, 600, 617, 655.
A. P. de St. Fargeau, Paris, 640.
Gaimard, Paris, 633, 634,
E. Rousseau, Paris, 636, 637, 638.
A. M. H. Villefosse, Paris, 645.
398 LIST OF DONORS.
A. Valenciennes, Paris, 643, 644.
David Brewster, Edinburgh, 608.
Wm. J. Hooker, Glasgow, 571.
C. E.and J. de C. Sowerby, London, 658.
J. J. Bigsby, H. B. M. army, 609, 623.
Wm. C. Woodbridge, Hartford, Conn, 650 4 igh
J. Van Rensselaer, Albany, 641.
M. H. Webster, 646.
Benjamin Silliman, New Haven, 523.
J. W. Webster, M. D, Boston, 657.
Samuel Betton, M. D. Germantown.*
Wm. Maclure, 522, 528, 611, 622, 626, 627, 629, 630, 648, 659,
661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671,672.
George Ord, 649. .
Charles Bonaparte, Prince of Musignano, 612, 632,
J. B. Wood, M. D. 614.
James Read, 615, 639.
John D. Godman, M. D. 618.
T. F. Leaming, 624.
Richard Harlan, M. D. 221.
Wm. H. Keating, 212. bis.
Francis Nichols, 631. :
Isaac Hays, M. D. 607. m7
8. H. Long, T. Say, and W. H. Keating, 625.
List of Donations to the Museum of the Academy
of Natural Sciences.
From December, 1823, to January, 1825.
Articles presented. ~ Donors. | When presented.
Gryllus albipes from Brazil. Dr. Hays. January.
Crocodilus lucius from South Ame-
: Dr. J. K. Mitchell.
_ Tica.
Exocetus volitans from the Atlan-
tic ocean.
Shells, eleven species, from the
West Indies.
Minerals, five specimens, from beth
Connecticut. : fo. preg —
Sciurus cinereus.
Brown iron ore, from Barnhill
Church, Montgomery county, ) Z. Collins.
Penn.
Shells, fossil, twenty-eight. speci-
mens from the chalk formation$ N. Ware. March,
in England.
Cone of the Pinus Australis. R. Haines.
Shells. G. Ord. April.
Collection of East Indian spices
and Chinese squirrel. t Dr. Harlan.
Skin of the Moschus moschatus. J. Archer.
Minerals, four specimens, from
Rhode Island. , M. Brown.
Manganesian Garnet from near
Germantown. i G. Spackman.
Crystal of Epidote from Virginia. A. Dupont.
Box of Minerals from Spain. W. Maclure. May.
Rana halecina. J. Gilliams,
400 DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM,
Two bottles of marine animals
from the Gulf stream. , , A Bedweu
Coral, (large specimen.) J. Robbins,
Shells, four species, from the East Oe: Mastek
Indies.
Flower of the Chiranthodendron,
and a specimen of the Prionus ) J. Lea.
longimanus.
Silver ore from the mine of Va-
lenciana, and copper ore from > N. Biddle.
Mexico. , ;
Cast ofa tooth of the Megatherium. TT. Peale.
Diseased egg. J. Gilliams.
Three internal casts of shells. Col. Carr.
Sepiola, found in the stomach of a
Scomber thynnus, from the In- } J. Read.
dian ocean.
Shells, twenty-one species, from
the Mediterranean.
Shells, fossil, eighty-one species,
from the Paris basin.
Fossils, forty-three specimens, from ne
the Lehigh. : Dr. R. E. Griffith.
Shells, twenty-eight species, from
the West Indies, F: pn
Salamandra venenosa from Penn. Dr. Harlan.
Alasmodonta arquata. W. Stewart.
Coluber saurita from Harrowgate. J. Gilliams.
Venus mercenaria from Charles-
ton harbour, South Carolina, > Lt. Graham,
(very large specimen.)
Venus litterata, American coast. R. Haines.
Minerals, five specimens from :
Edenton, North Carolina. 1 Ra Suaith.
Insects, nine species ; Asteria, one
species ; Spongia, three species ; :
Shells, eight species; Echinus, } Lewis Vanuxem.
seven species, from Matanzas,
Cuba.
Esox. J. Gilliams.
C. A. Lesueur.
May-
June.
July.
a as %
we ATA
VaR
August.
DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM. 401
Baron Von Struve, Ham-
Minerals from Norway, Sweden,
and Germany, thirty-five speci-
mens. ia!
Skull of an Indian found in the vi-
cinity of Niagara, supposed to > T. Fisher,
have been of the Erie nation.
Coluber ordinatus and young. J. Gilliams.
Insects, two hundred species from
South America.
Chalcedony, two specimens from
Florida.
Thirty-three specimens of “i ae
eet Hays. September.
Tr. Fisher.
illustrative ot the geology of the
district adjoining the Erie canal
in the state of New York
Amphiuma means from Florida.
Box of Prehnites and Zeolites from
Scotland.
British Insects, one hundred and
twenty species.
Minerals, five specimens from
Massachusetts.
Fossil wood, two te from
Darlington court-house, Caro-
lina.
Gen. Ven Ransselaer.
N. Ware. ~
Wm. Maclure. October.
Dr. Coates.
A. E. Jessup.
Dr. Blanding.
Hirudo, three new species. Exploring perty to the tiy-
er St. Peter.
Fish, three species. J. Gilliams.
Qstrus hominis. Dr. Brick.
Margarita from the Pacific ocean. -—~— Oldmixon.
Unio, from Hudson river. J. Lea. November.
Fossil shells, seven species from Sy
Maryland. J. Gilliams.
Box of seeds, Dr. Wallich, Calcutta.
Shells, sixteen species from Alva- Pe
rado. r rf
appa of a Productus, rae a ey Teceiber.
Coluber, East Indies. Capt. Jefferson.
VOL. IV.—MAy, 1825 51
402 DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.
Specimen of ticks from the Cyclu-
ra carinata, from Turks Island. > Dr. Harlan.
Teniz, from the Cyclura teres.
Skin of a Boa constrictor from
South America, twenty-one feet } Dr. J. K. Mitchell.
long.
Box of minerals from Ireland. Wm. Maclure.
Skins of two Panthers, and horns? ; 4,-.
of the Cervus virginianus, t J Mitchell, Centre Vo.
a ‘
The Academy have great pleasure in acknowledging the
donation of Plate III, from Mr. J. Gilliams; Plate XVII, from
Mr. W. W. Wood, and Plate XXII, from Mr. Ord. _ Mr. Ord has
likewise, with great liberality, permitted the use of Plates XX,
and XXI,
ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
A.
Acanthia interstitialis,
Acheta exigua,
Agama cornuta,
vultuosa,
Agathidium pallidum,
Alauda alpestris,
magna,
rufa,
Alcedo alcyon,
Altica bimarginata,
centralis,
gibbitarsa,
nana, ,
picta,
5-vittata,
scripticollis,
senilis,
triangularis,
uniguttata,
vians,
Ampelis americana,
Amphidesma subovata,
Anastasia Island, testace-
ous formation of
Andalusite, new form of
Aradus 4-lineatus,
Arca arata,
centenaria,
incile,
Aryicola riparia,
Astarte undulata, 150
vicina, 151
B.
Blastoidea 293
Blennius geminatus, 278
hentz, 363
hermenier, 361
punctatus, 279
Buccinum aratum, 127
porcinum, 126
Cc.
Calamine, 8
Calyptrea costata, 132
grandis, 131
Caprimulgus americanus, 261
carolinensis, 260
semitorquatus,
384
vociferus, 262
Capromys furnieri, 14
prehensilis, ‘11
Caryocrinites loricatus, 291
ornatus, 290
Catalogue of the Library, 391
Cephaloptera giorna, 115
Certhia caroliniana, 28
familiaris, 27
maculata, 27
404
Certhia palustris, 30
Cercopis obtusa, 339
quadrangularis, 338
Chelonura serpentina,
206, 217
Cicada aurifera, 332
dorsata, 331
marginata, 330
parvula, 333
pruinosa, 330
synodica, 334
Cistuda clausa, 205, 214
odorata, ~ 206, 216
pensylvanica, 206, 216
Coccinella abdominalis, 95
albifrons, 94
bioculata, 94
humeralis, 95
mali, 93
parenthesis, 93
tibialis, 94
undulata, 92
20-maculata, 96
Coluber amenus, ~ 237
rigidus, 239
7-vittatus, 240
Columba carolinensis, 264
migratoria, 264
passerina, 265
Committee of Publication, 202
Corbula cuneata, 152
inequale, 153
Coreus alternatus, 317
armigerus, 319
lateralis, 320
ordinatus,, 318
Corixia alternata, 329
interrupta, 328
Corvus ultramarinus, 387
Crassatella undulata, 143
Crocodilus, fossil, 15
Curvirostra americana, 42
leucoptera,
Cyclura carinata, 25
teres, 250
INDEX.
Cydnus bilineatus,
315
spinifrons, 316
Cytherea convexa, 149
concentrica, 150
D.
Delphax tricarinata, 3317
Dendrocolaptes angustirostris,
375
Dentalium attenuatum, 154
Dispotea, 131
E.
Emberiza americana, 45
ciris, 50
pe a
47, 276
graminea, 51
leucophrys, — 51
nivalis, — 50
oryzivora, 47
pecoris, 48
Emys biguttata, 205, 212
centrata, 205, 211
geographica, 204, 210
glutinata, + 205, 213
picta, 205, 211
punctata, 205, 212
reticularia, 204, 209
scabra, 204, 210
serrata, 204, 208
Endomychus biguttatus, 96
Exocetus appendiculatus, 283
F.
Falco borealis and leveriants,
~ 269
hyemalis and lineatus,
‘271
lagopus, 270
mississippiensis, 270
Fissurella redimicula, 132
Flata bivittata,
stigmata,
Franklinite,
Fringilla albicollis,
arborea,
caudacuta,
cyanea,
flaveola,
linaria,
maritima,
melodia,
nivalis,
palustris,
passerina,
pinus,
purpurea,
pusilla,
rufa,
savanna,
socialis,
tristis,
xanthoroa,
Fulgora sulcipes,
Fulgur canaliculatus,
carica,
Fusus 4-costatus,
G.
Gracula ferruginea,
Gryllus bivittatus,
equalis,
nubilus,
H.
Hirundo americana,
pelasgia,
purpurea,
riparia,
viridis,
Holothuria aglutinata,
briareus,
fasciata,
hydriformis,
59,
56,
INDEX.
Holothuria lapidifera,
‘maculata,
obscura,
viridis,
Es r
Icterus melanicterus,
Isocardia fraterna,
tus of
Jeffersonite,
Fy
L.
Lanius carolinensis,
excubitor,
Loxia cardinalis,
coerulea,
enucleator,
ludoviciana,
Lucina anodonta,
contracta,
divaricata,
eribraria,
subobliqua,
Lygeus bicrucis,
eurinus,
reclivatus,
5-spinosus,
trivittatus,
5
M.
Mactra,
Modiola opifex,
Monasa fusca,
meres canadensis,
cantatrix,
ceerulea,
cucullata,
crinita,
melodia,
minuta,
Janthina, floating appara-
158
152
Mastodon, os hyoides of the 67
406 INDEX.
Muscicapa nunciola, 168 Restramite pyriformis, _ 294
olivacea, 176 | Perdix virginiana, » 268
pullata, 383 | Phalacrus pallipes, 90
pusilla, 179, 277 penicillatus, 91
querula, 169 | Pholis 9-lineatus, 280
rapax, 168 4-fasciatus,» 282
ruticilla, 171 | Picus carolinus, 275
solitaria, 174 rubricollis, 373
sylvicola, 173 | Pipra polyglotta, 251
tenioptera, 380 | Plesiosaurus, 232
tyrannus, 166 | Plicatula marginata, 136
Miliobatus freminvillii, | 111 | Pselaphus carinatus, 97
F dentatus, 99
N. riparius, 98
Psittacus carolinensis, 273
Natica interna, 125
Neotoma floridana, 346 R.
Nucula concentrica, 141
levis, 141 | Raia chantenay, 106
desmarestia, 100
oO. eglantiera, 103
Rallus nigricans, 386
Officers for the year 1825, 201 | Reduvius raptatorius, 327
Oriolus mutatus, = 274- spissipes, 228
Ostrea compressirostra, 132
Ss.
2, ‘
Salamandra punctatissima, 306
Panopea reflexa, 153 | Scincus bicolor, 286
Paradoxus boltoni, 365 erythrocephalus, 288
Parus atricapillus, 253 | Scolopsis sayanus 81
bicolor, 255 | Seps 6-lineata, 284
Pecten clintonius, 135 | Serpula granifera, 154
jeffersonius, 133 | Sigmodon hispidum, 354
madisonius, 134 | Sitta carolinensis, 25
septenarius, 136 pusilla, 26
Pectunculus suboyatus, 140 varia, 25, 275
Pentatoma arborea, 311 | Strix asio and nevia, 272
clanda, 312 otus, 271
exapta, 313 | Sturnus predatorius, 31
faceta, 315 | Sylvia agilis, 199
meraca, 314 blackburnie, 195
punctipes, 313 calendula, 185
Pentramite florealis, 295 canadensis, 191
globosa, 293 castanea, 189
“di 2
*
: INDEX. 407
Sylvia chrysoptera, — 190 | Tetrao umbellus, 266
citrinella, 190 Fertigants basilaris, 344
coerulea, 193 comes, — 343
coronata, 192 limbata, 340
domestica, 187 mixta, 341
flavicollis, 188 obliqua, ~~ 342
formosa, 197 8-lineata, 340
magnolia, 194 trifasciata, 343
maritima, 200 | Tingis oblonga, 325
marylandica, 186 | Tridactylus apicialis, © 310
minuta, 197 | 'Trionyx ferox, 207, 218
montana, 199 | Triplax biguttata, 89
parus, 200 sanguinipennis, 89
pennsylvanica, 189 thoracica, 89
peregrina, 196 | Trochilus colubris, 30
pusilla, 197, 199 | 'Trygon sabina, 109
petechia, 198 | Turdus aquaticus, 34,275
philadelphia, 189 aurocapillus, 35
pinus, 194 lividus, 36
5 protonotarius, | 195 migratorius, 35
BS pusilla, 199 melodus, 33
fara, « 197 mustelinus, 34
regulus, 186 ottos, | a32
ruficapilla, - 197 ‘ - 33
sialis, 184 solitarius, 33, 275
solitaria, 189 | Turritella plebeia, 125
striata, , 499 3 ‘
troglodytes, * 187 Ve
WiPehs ca _ 892 ‘
vermivora, ~ 196 | Venericardia granulata, 142
Venus deformis, 148
i. paphia, 149
Vultur atratus, , 269
Tanagra estiva, 53
flava, 377 Sy:
ludoviciana, 54 = aS
rubra, 53 | Zinc, carbonate of 8
Teillina equistriata, 145 | Zinc ores of Franklin, = 220
Testudo denticulata, 208 | Zinc ore, red 6
polyphemus, 204, 207 | Zinc, siliceous oxide of 8
Tetrao cupido, 267
ane
Prate I.
Ul.
VI.
PLATES TO VOL. IV.
Fig. 1. Portion of the lower jaw of a fossil Crocodile,
right side, lateral view.
2. Anterior view of the same. 4
3, 4, 5. Different views of a fossil vertebre.
6,7. Two views of a vertebre from another
part of the column.
8. Fossil tooth of Crocodile, natural size.
Os hyoides of the Mastodon,
Fig. 1. Basis front view, two-thirds natural size.
2. Appendix, do. do. do.
3. Cornu, do. do. do.
5. Feldspar, primitive.
6. Feldspar, progressive.
Scolopsis sayanus.
. Raia desmarestia.
Fig. 1. Dorsal view.
2. Ventral view (imperfect.)
a. Spines exterior to the eyes,
b. Spines of the pectoral fins.
. Raia chantenay.
Fig. 1. Male, ventral view.
2. Male, dorsal view.
3. Female, dorsal view.
4. Female, ventral view.
5. Fringed appendice of the nostrils.
6. Spine of the pectoral fins.
7. Mouth.
- Teeth.
Cephaloptera Bae.
Fig. 1. Ventral view with the appendages reflected.
2. Foetus, ventral view, the appendages in the
natural position. .
3. Foetus, dorsal view, the appendages partly
extended.
4. Foetus, lower part of the back and tail.
oo
YOL, Iv.—-May, 1825. 52
AO
Vil.
Vill.
1X.
XI.
XI.
XILL.
XIV.
. Fossil shells,
PLATES TO VOL. IV.
Fossil shells.
Fig. 1. Turritella plebeia.
2. Natica interna.
3. Buccinum porcinum.
4, ———— aratum.
5, Fusus 4-costatus.
6. Dispotea grandis.
7. Fusus cinereus.
Fossil shells.
Fig. 1. Fissurella redimicula.
2. Ostrea compressirostra.
3. Dentalium attenuatum.
4. Serpula granifera.
Fossil shells.
Fig. 1. Pecten jeffersonius.
Te clintonius.
septenarius.
. Plicatula marginata.
. Astarte undulata,
vicina
Dore oo
Fig. 1. Arca arata.
~ centenaria.
—— incile. :
. Pectunculus subovatus.
. Nucula levis.
concentrica.
- Tellina equistriata.
. Lucina contracta.
Fossil shells.
Fig. 1. Isocardia fraterna.
2. Crassatella undulata.
Fossil shells.
Fig. 1. Venericardia granulata.
2. Venus deformis,
3. Cytheria convexa.
Fossil shells.
Fig. 1. Lucina cribraria.
2. Corbula cuneata.
oe inequale,
4. Panopea reflexa.
Fig. 1. Dorsal vertebra of a Plesiosaurus.
2, 3, 4. Views of a tooth of a Saurien reptile.
5. Teeth of Squalus, from the coast of Africa,
a, from upper, b. from lower jaw.
OAH oH wo
XV.
XVI.
XVII.
XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
XXI.
XXiIi.
XXIII.
PLATES TO VOL. IV. 411
6. Teeth of Squalus perlon, from Adventure Bay.
a. from upper, b. from lower jaw.
7. Teeth of Squalus cuvier, from the coast of
N. Holland.
a. from upper, b. from lower jaw.
Cyclura carinata.
Cyclura teres, .
Fig. 1. Pholis quadrifasciatus.
2. Exocetus appendiculatus.
Fig. 1. Scincus bicolor. —
2. Seps sexilineata.
Fig. 1. Agama vultuosa.
2. Modiola opifex imbedded in its mound, mag-
nified.
a. external, b. internal view, magnified.
Agama cornuta.
b. c. spines, d. section of a spine.
Neotoma floridana. 0)
Fig. 1. Neotoma floridana, profile view of the jaws
magnified.
2. Lower jaw, left side, with the alveolar pro-
cess removed, in order to exhibit the
roots of the teeth, natural size.
. Molares of the upper jaw, left side, magnified.
- Molares of the lower jaw, left side, magnified.
. Sigmodon hispidum, profile view of the jaws,
magnified,
. Lower jaw, natural size, left side, with the
alveolar process removed, to exhibit the
roots of the teeth.
7. Molares of the upper jaw, left side, magnified.
8. Molares of the lower jaw, left side, magnified.
Paradoxus boltoni.
a Ob co
,
ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA.
Page 8, line 24, for dihedral read trihedral.
26, A, for 322, read 323,
24, for there, read this.
27, 14, for 16, read *16.
30, 23, for Polytmus read Orthorh 5
31, 7, dele ‘* referring to.”
34, A, add T. fuscus, Gmel. Lath.
3 from the bottom, for aquatius read aquaticus.
36, 4, for 568, read 556. ‘
47, 21, add E. ferruginea, Gmel. Lath. female.
59, 2, from ie bottom, for Passerina read Spiza.
last line, dele the *. ;
60, dele the 9th line.
63, 9, dele and Emberiza Seruginea.
11, dele numerous.
dele last line.
143, 2 from the last, dele «2.
152, 17, for 3, read 2.
169, —_ 5, from the bottom, for his, read this.
170, 14, for exteriore read exterior.
last line, for with the, read with.
182, 18, for But we, read We.
197, 3, for 84, read 85.
5 for Bask pole Black-poll
199, 15, for B read §
208, .- 11,for eb ge Cistuda.
last line, for reticulata read reticularia.
209, passim the same.
214, 9, tor Cistudo, read Cistuda.
231, 6, for 9.20, read 92.0.
8, for 98.0, read 88.0.
254, 3 from the bottom, for canadensisutric apillus, read
atricapillus canadensis.
262,+ 13 and 14, dele Vieill. pl. 28.
274,- 2, for this genus read the genus Ieterus.
275, 12, insert 56, before Picus. :
313, 19, for punctipes read meracq.
351, 3, dele and figured:
QH Academy of Natural Sciences
1 of Philadelphia
Al9 Journal
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