Return to LIBRARY OF MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY WOODS HOLE, MASS. Loaned by American Museum of Natural History PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. VOL. III. 1846 & 1817. PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED FOR THE ACADEMY, By Merrihew & Thompson, 7 Carter's Alley. 1848. 1/ A 5 7 '/ INDEX TO VOLUME III. Abadie, Dr., don. to mus., 10. Abert, Col., don. to lib., 141. Abert, Lieut., don. to mus., 210. Academy of Sciences of Munich, don. to lib. of memoirs of, 78, 2(30. Adams, C. B., don. to lib., 9, 117, 196; don. to mus., 213. Agassiz, M., don. to lib., 117. Alger, Francis, don. to lib., 38. American Philosophical Society, don. of proceedings of, 89, 119, 218 American Acad, of Arts and Sciences of Boston, don. of memoirs of, 98, 142, 190, 196, 270. American Journal of Agriculture and Science, don. of by editors, 38, 50, 184, 220, 240, 256, 309, 329. Annales des Mines, 68, 141. Ashmead, Samuel, don. to lib., 316; don. to mus., 329. Bachman, Rev. Dr., communication from, 184. Baker, Capt. H. F.,don. to mus., 303. Balfour, Dr. E., don. to lib., 269. Barratt, Dr. Joseph, don. to lib., 98. Beasley, Thomas, don. to mus., 193. Bell, John, don. to mus., 193. Blanding, Dr. Wm., don. to lib., 37, 70, 208. Bonaparte, Chas. L., don. to lib., 232. Bossange, Edward, don. to lib., 261. Boston Society of Natural History, don. of proceedings of, 50, 68, 89, 187, 237; of journal, 194. Boudin, Dr., of Paris, don. to lib., 14. Bridges, Dr. R., don. to lib., 275. British Association, don. to lib., 98. Bronn, Prof., don. to mus., 271. Browne, Peter A., don. to lib., 218, 304; don. to mus., 303. Burmeister, Heermann, don. to lib., 327. By-laws, amendments to, 128, 252. Calcutta Journal of Natural History, don. of by editors, 231. Cassin, John, don. to mus., 12, 239 ; on an instinct probably possessed by the Herons, (Ardea, L.,) 137, description of a new rapacious bird in the Museum of Acad, of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 199 ; de- scription of a new Buceros, and a notice of the Buceros elatus,Temm., 330 ; descriptions of three new spe- cies of the genus Icterus, Briss., 332. Churchman, John, don. to mus., 30. Cincinnati Horticultural Society, don. to lib., 89. Cincinnati Society of Pennsylvania, don. to lib., 237. Committees, Scientific, for 1846, 13; for 1847, 1 14. Committee to inquire into the con- dition of the bequest of the late Wm. Warder, Esq., to the Acad., 195. Committee to examine into the expe- diency of converting the lecture room into a portion of the museum, 252. Committee to confer with M. Vatte- mare on the subject of exchanges, 274. Committee on Mr. Conrad's descrip- tions of new fossil and recent shells of the United States, 10 ; on a paper by Mr. Phillips, describing new fresh water shells, 12; on Dr. R. W. Gibbes' paper on the fossil Squalida; of the EocenĀ« of the U. S., 29; on Mr. E. Harris' paper on the difference of level between the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and those of the Atlantic Ocean, 30 ; on Prof. Locke's notice of a new As- terias from the blue limestone of Cincinnati, 30; on Mr. Gambol's IV. INDEX. " Remarks on the Birds of Upper California," 40; on Dr. Morton's description of two new species of Echinodermata, from the Eocene of the U. S., 41 ; on Dr. E. Hallow- ell's paper on the anatomy of the Harpyia destructor, 4'J ; on Dr. Hallowell's description of a new bat from Western Africa, 50; on Dr. Leidy's " Remarks on the ana- tomy of the abdominal viscera of the Sloth," 50 ; on Dr. Leidy's paper on the anatomy of Spectrum femo- ratum,68; on Prof. Haldeman's de- scription of Unio abacoides, 71; on Dr. Leidy's description of a new genus and species of Entozoa, 91 ; on Prof. Owen's "Observations on fossils from the Brunswick Canal, Geo., in the cabinet of the Acad. of Nat. Sciences of Philadelphia," 92; on Dr. Morton's description of two living hybrid birds, between Gallus and Numida, 97 ; on Dr. Leidy's paper on the mechanism which closes the membranous wings of the genus Locusta, 98; on Prof. Haldeman's paper on several new genera and species of insects, 115; on Mr. Cassin's "Note on an in- stinct supposed to be possessed by the Herons, especially the genus Ardea L.." 123; on a paper by Mr. Grant, of Philadelphia, on hybrid ity in animals, 130; on Dr. Leidy's paper on the situation of the ol- factory sense in the terrestrial tribe of thegasteropodous mollusca, 132 ; on a paper by Prof. Haldeman. describing one new genus, and several new species of insects, 147 ; on Mr. Germain's paper on some effects of Electricity and Galvanism, having seemins analogy to the puri- fication and circulation of the blood, 1 17 , on Mr. Tuomey's notice of the cranium of Z^uododon cetoides found near Charleston, S. C, 14 9: on P. A. Browne's paper proposing a new nomenclature for the class mammalia, 192 ; on Mr. Cassin's description of a new rapacious bird in the collection ot the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 198; on Dr. Gibbes' description o<" fossil remains from the Eocene green sand of South Carolina, 19S; on Lieut, Abert's description of a new Quail, from New Mexico, 209 ; on Dr. Le Conte's paper, " Frag- menta Entomologica, 212; on Dr. Hare's paper, " Objections to the electrical theories of Franklin, Du- fay and Ampere," 219; on Dr. Leidy's paper "on the natural his- tory of Belostoma," 231 ; on Major McCall's description of a new Pigeon from Mexico, 231; on Prof. Haldeman's "descriptions of Cole- optera, chiefly in the cabinet of Dr. J. L. Le Conte," 239; on Dr. Mor- ton's memoir on the position of the ear in ancient statuary and paint- ings, 243 ; on Prof. Haldeman's de- scriptions of new Coleopterous in- sects of the United States, 244 ; on Dr. Leidy's description and anatomy of a new subgenus of Planaria, 216; on Dr. Leidy's paper on two new species of Planaria, 247 ; on Dr. Gibbes' description of new Squa- lidae from the Tertiary of South Carolina, 250 ; on Dr. Hallowell's description of a new Coluber, 261 ; on Dr. Leidy's paper on the Fossil horse of America, 201 ; on Mr. Conrad's " Observations on the Eo- cene formation and descriptions of 105 new fossils from the vicinity of Vicksburg, Miss.," 276; on Prof. Haldeman's description of a new Unio, 312 ; on Dr. Leidy's paper on a new genus and species of fossil Ruminant*. Poebrotherium Wilsoni, 318; on Dr. Hallowell's paper on the horned viper of Western Africa, 318; on Mr. Cassin's paper on two species of Buceros, probably new, &c, 328; on Mr. Cassin's descrip- tions of three species of the genus Icterus, presumed to be new, Sec'., 329. Conrad, T. A., don. to mus..236, 239, 255, 269; don. to lib., 256, 261 ; descriptions of new species of fos- sil and recent shells and corals, 19; observations on the Eocene forma- tion, and description of 105 new fossils of that period, from the vi- cinity of Vickrburg, Miss., 280. Correspondents elected : Aall Nicolai, Christiana, Sweden, 48. Adams, Prof. C. B., Vermont, 115. INDEX. V. Baird, Wm. M., Reading, Pennsyl- vania, 48. Barratt, Dr. J. H., South Carolina, 145. Brevoort, J. Carson, New York, 222. Bromfield, Dr. Wm. A., Isle of Wight, 193. Brown, Richard, Cape Breton, N. S., 129. Chipman, Prof. Isaac L., Nova Scotia, 213. Davis, Dr. Edwin H., Chilicothe, Ohio, 222. Dawson, J. W., Pictou, N. S., 129. Delafield, Major Joseph, New York, 96. Eyton, Thomas C, London, 139. Farraday, Michael, London, 349. Gourlie, Wm., Jr., Glasgow, 48. Gray, Geo. Robert, London, 139. Hammond, Ogden, Charleston, S. C, 193. Harden, Dr. John M. B., Liberty Co., Georgia, 96. Herschell, Sir J. F. W., London, 349. Jackson, Dr. J. B. S., Boston, 115. Kippist, Richard, London, 139. Korthals, Dr. P. W., Leyden, 299. Lawrence, Dr. George N., New York, 213. Logan, Wm. E., Canada, 129. Lonsdale. Wm., London, 349. McCall. Major Geo. A., 222. Nicholson, Dr. Charles, Sydney, New South Wales, 14. NilNon, Prof., Lund. Sweden, 319. Reizius, Dr. Andreas, Stockholm, 129. Redtield, J. II., New York, 90. Robb. James, Frederickton, N. B., 129. Savage, Rev. Thomas S., Cape Palmas, Africa, 35. Selby, Prideaux John, Northum- berland, England, 340. Smith, Dr. J. Lawrence, Charleston, S. C, 9G. Smith, Charles Hamilton, London, 139. Squier. E. George, Chilicothe, O., 2'22. Sturm, Jacob, Nuremburs, 209. Verneuil, M. de, Paris, 88. Yon Gerolt, Baron. Prussia, 14. Wilson, Edward, Wales, Eng., 88. Zuccarini, Prof. Joseph, Munich, Bavaria, 105. Culbertson Joseph, dep. iji mus., 316. Curators, announcement by, of the arrival of the " Rivoli collection" of birds, and their deposit by Dr. T. B. Wilson in the Academy, 97 ; com- munication from, in reference to a mass of small black insects received from the Rev. Mr. McFarland, and collected by him from the surface of the snow on the 28th Dec, 1846, on the Broad Mountain, Schuylkill Co., Pa., 186; report for 1S47, 339. Da Costa, John C, don. to mus., 196. Dana, J. D., don. to mus., 31; don. to lib., 119, 146, 147, 187. Darlir.srton, Dr. Win., don. to lib., 214, 210, 276. Dawson, J. W"., of Pictou, N. S., don. to lib., 220, 271 ; on the gypsum of Nova Scotia, 272. Dawson. Dr., of Philadelphia, don. to lib., 276; don. to mus., 276. | Davis, Alex. C, don. to mus., 129. ! De Candolle, portrait of, received for lib., 217. De Harden, L., don. to lib., 106. D'Orbiirny, M. Alcide, don. to lib., 90, 309. Dickeson, M. W., don to mus., 99, 1 19, 326; deposit in mus., 109 ; re- marks on his collection of fossil bones from the vicinity of Natchez, 106: on alligator tracks. &c. 100; on the mode o!" compression off e cranium by the Choctaw Indiam, 308. Dillingham, Wm. IT., don. to lib., 277. Donations to museum by a club of members, 17, 329. Donnelly, Edward, don. to mus., 35. Duke of Northumberland, don. to lib.. 304. Edwaids. Wrn. IT., don. to mus., 210, 214. Edwards, Amery, don. to mus., 2 14. Elwyn, Dr. A. L., don. to mus., 69 ; don. to lib., 08,69, 122. Eschricht, Dr., don. to lib., 117,118. Eustis, Capt., U. S. A., don. to mus., 232. Everest, Col., don. to lib., 256. Figeac, Champollion, don. to lib., 270. VI. INDEX Fisher, Redwood, don. to lib., 315. French, Benj. F., don. to lib., 1U5. Gambel, Wm., don. to mus., 31, 97, 289; don. to lib., 11, 275; remarks on the birds observed in Upper Ca- lifornia, 44, 110, 154, 200; ob- servations on a species of Picus from Georgia, 278. Geneva Natural History Society, don. of memoirs of, 217. Gesner, Abraham, don. to lib., 106. Germain, Lewis J., don. to mus., 17, 31, 38, 97, 118, 1-18, 274, 303; don. to lib., 256. Gibbis, Dr. R. W., don. to mus., 122 ; don. to lib., 29, 187, 218, 270 ; on the fossil Squalidae of the United States, 41 ; descriptions of new species of Squalidae from the Terti- ary beds of South Carolina, 266. Gibbes, Dr. Lewis R., don. to lib., 247. Gillis, Lieut., don. to lib., 119. Gliddon, George R.,don. to lib., 122 ; remarks on some casts of Egyptian tablets, 216. Goddard, Dr. Paul B., don. to lib., 135, 148. Goodall, Dr., don to mus., 122. Gould, Dr. A. Aā€ž don. to lib., 119, 148. Graham Major J. D.,don. to lib., 142. Gray, Dr. Asa, don. to lib., 10, 135, 146, 261. Griffith, Dr. R. E., don. to mus., 148, 211, 214, 223, 230, 232, 236, 316; don. to lib., 211, 237, 2 10, 2 14, 260. 275; deposit in lib., 226, 227, 228, 304, 305, 306, 307, 317, 327, 328. Griffith, Miss, don. to mus., 210. Haight, Richard K., don. to lib., 37. Hall, Prof., don. to lib., 189. Haldeman, Prof. S. S., don. to mus., 14, 70, 119, 210 ; don. to lib., 236 ; remarks on Unio crassus, 15; de- scription of Unio abacoides, 75; on several new genera and species of insects, 121; descriptions of several new species and one new genus of insects, 149; correction of his published papers, 318; re- marks on Salamandra erytbronota, Green, and S. cinerea, Green, 315. Hfllowell, l)r Edward, don. to mus., 31, 50, 122, 192, 211 ; don. to lib., 119, 232; description of a new species of bat from Western Africa, 52 ; on the anatomy of Harpyia de- structor, 84; description of the lo- cality whence a collection of fossil bones presented to the Academy by Mr. Wm. Pancoast, had been ob- tained, and an enumeration of the same, 130; description of a new species of Coluber inhabiting the United States, 278 ; on the horned viper of Western Africa, 319. Hare, Prof. Robert, observations on the combustion of gum in oxygen gas, 210 ; on the weather of the spring of 1847, 216. Harris, Edward, don. to mus., 36, 129; on the difference of level be- tween the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and those of the Atlantic Ocean, 34. Heerrnan, Dr. A. L., don. to mus., 119, 232. Hembel, Wm., don. to lib., 90. Herbert, Rev. Wm.,don. to lib., 211. Hildreth, Dr. S. P., don. to mua., 269. Histoire nat. de Pile de Cuba, don. of by members, 148. Historical Society of Pennsylvania, don. to lib., 49, 68, 89. Hodge, John L., deposit of an Egyp- tian mummy and sarcophagus, 69. Hodgson, Wm. B., don. to lib., 122. Huffnagle, Dr. Charles, deposit in museum, 146. Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, don. to lib., 29. Imperial Mineralogical Society of St. Petersburg, don. to lib., 29. Ingersoll, Joseph R., don. to lib., 36, 37, 38. Jackson, Dr. J. B. S.. don. to lib., 225. Jaeger, Dr. G., don. to lib., 90, 91. Jenkins, Dr. J. C, don. to mus., 97. Johnson, Prof. Walter R., don. to mus.. 36, 108, 122, 129, 187, 1S9, 192,210,212,230, 2 10, 269; don. to lib.. 36, 194; remarks on Mr. Piddington's 11th memoir on th? law of storms in India, 17; inform- ing the society of his having pre- I sented to the Library Committee of Congress a series of resolutions INDEX. \ 11. passf d by it, asking for an increased edition of the scientific reports of the exploring expedition, 37 ; re- marks in relation to a bill before Congress on that subject, 79; ob- servations on floating docks, 50 ; remarks on drift, 109 ; on the cellu- lose of the Borneo palm, 186 ; on the dust of anthracite furnace flues, 191 ; on a new plan for representing geological strata on paper, 218; announcement of the deposit in the Institution of Mr. H. Seybert's che- mical apparatus and library of chemical works, 224; on a peculiar sediment from a steam boiler, 318; on some fossil bones from Berks Co., Pennsylvania, 318. Kenworthy, Dr., don. to mus., 31. Kern, Benjamin H.,don. to mus., 255. Kilvington, Robert, don. to mus., 230, 246. Kinberg, J. G. H., additions to mus. from, in exchange, 12. Korthals, Dr. P. W., don. to lib., 236. Lambert, John, don. to lib., 304, 316 ; election as Recording Secretary, 299. Le Conte, Dr. J. L., don. to mus., 269. Leeds Philosophical Society, don. to lib., 49, 191. Leidy, Dr. Joseph, don. to mus., 148, 244 ; don. to lib., 225 ; on the anatomy of Spectrum femoratum, 80 ; description of a new genus and species of Entozoa, 100 ; on the mechanism which closes the mem- branous wings of the genus Lo- custa, 104; on an Entozoon from the thigh of a hog, 108; on the situation of the olfactory sense in the terres- trial tribe of the gasteropodous mollusca, 136 ; instance of the great fecundity of the Cryptogamia men- tioned by, 195; discovery of crys- tals in the cellular structure of species of Parmelia, 210; on the cranium of a New Hollander, 217 ; on an Entozoon from the pericardium of Helix alternata, 220 ; request to change the name of an Entozoon de- scribed by him, from Cryptobia to Cryptoicus, 239 ; remarks on Squa- tina Dumerili, 247 ; description and anatomy of a subgenus of Planaria, 248 ; description of two new species of Planaria, 251, on the fossil horse of America, 262; on the slow de- structibility of animal tissues in cer- tain states, 313; on a new genus and species of fossil ruminants, Poe'bro- f therium Wilsoni, 322; additional observations on the fossil horse of America, 328. Letters from : Abert, Col. J. J., 228. Adams, Prof. C. B., 12, 49, 189, 217. Agassiz, M., 37. Bache, Prof. A. D.t 10, 91. Bailey, Prof., 39. Baird, Prof. S. F., 209. Baird, William M., 68. Barratt, Dr. J. P., 194. Breckenridge, Wm. D., 144. Bromfield, Dr. Wm. A., 228. Brown, Richard, 143, 229, 317. Clot Bey, M. D., 32. Cramer, Charles, 189. Dawson, J. W., 220. De Hauer, the Chevalier, 312. De Jonnes, M., 71. Delafield, Major, 98. Everest, Col., 259. Eyton, Thomas C, 192. Falconer, Dr., (E. India. Co.,) 308. Fehlands, John, 312. Gourlie, Wm., Jr., 78. Graf, Mr., 149. Gray, Dr. Asa, 92. Haldeman, Prof., S. S., 278. Harden, Dr. J. M. B., 106. Hammond, Ogden, 197. Hering, Dr. E., 242. Hildreth, Dr. S. P., 274. Huffnagle, Dr. Charles, 98. Kinberg, J. G., 12. Kippist, Richard, 211. Lamarepicquot, M., 68. Land, Capt. John, 212. Locke, Prof., 30. Logan, Wm. E., 231. Lyell, Charles, 12, 92. Maclure, Alexander, 79. Meigs, H., 71. Mitchell, Dr. J. K., 191. Morris, Rev. J. G., 209. Morris, Miss M., 238. Norwood, Dr. J. G., 30. Owen, Prof. Richard, 15. Piddington, Henry, Jr., 16. V 1 1 1 - INDEX. Pitcher, Dr. Zina, 98, 132. Redfield, J. H., 98, 100. Redfield, ffm. C, 299. Retzius, Prof. Andreas, 210. Robb, James, 147. Rowe, M. W., 27G. Savage, Rev. Dr., 195, 240. Silliman, Benj., Jr., 15, 10. Seybert, Henry, 229. Tainnau, Dr. Frederick, 217. Taylor, Richard C, 78. Thompson, Wm., 318. Tremper, Judge, 12, IS, 79, 91, 109, 191. VonTschudi, Dr., 91. Von Gerolt, Baron, 18. Von Jaeger, Dr. George, 231. Wickersham, C. P., 99, 108, 119. Wilson, Edward, 118. Wyman, Dr. J., 243. Letters from societies, &c. : American Philosophical Society, 12, 91, 192, 219, 233. American Academy of Arts and Sciences of Boston. 18, 98. Boston Society of Natural History, 238. British Association, 30. Essex Co. (Mass.) Natural History Society, 91. Imperial Mineralogical Society of St. Petersburg, 30. Linnean Society of London, 15, 237. Lyceum of Natural History of New- York, 91. Royal Academy of Sciences of Mu- nich, 201. Royal Bavarian Academy, 219. Royal Society of Agriculture and Science of Lyons, 99. Trustees of Western University of Pennsylvania, 144. Lewis, Dr. E. J., don. to lib., 184. Librarian, report of, for 1847, 237. Life membership conferred on R. C. Taylor, Esq., 75. Lindsley, J. B., don. to mus., 10. Linnean Association of Pennsylvania College, don. of journal of, 11, 68, 78, 105, 129, 142, 147, 184, I'M, 209, 218, 225, 231, 2:17, 250,277, 310, 319. Linnean Society of London, don. ot transactions of, 15; proceedings of, 15, 129. Locke, Prof., description of an Asterias from the blue limestone of Cincin- nati, 32. Logan, Wm. E.. don. to lib., 231. Longchamps, Ed.de Selys, don.to lib., 147. Lyceum of Natural History of New "York, don. to lib., 38, 105, 194, 250. Mactier, Wm. L., don. to mus., 270. Mantell, Gideon A., don. to lib., 245. Martins, Charles, don. to lib., 261. McCall, Major George A., don. to mus., 22 1 ; description of a supposed new species of Columba inhabiting Mexico, with sonif1 account of the habits of the Geococcyx viaticus, Wagler, 233. McEuen, Dr. Thomas, don. to mus., 210, 217. McMurtrie, Dr. H., don. to lib., 275. Meigs, Dr. Charles D., don. to mus., 219, 255, 315. Melsheimer, Dr. F. E., descriptions of new species of Coleoptera of the United States, 53, 158. Members elected : ā€” Allinson, George Boyd, 205. Dallas, George M., 320. Dickeson, Dr. M. W., 115. Emery, Moses H., 269. Fisher, Coleman, Jr., 145. Germain, Lewis J., 48. Hartshorne, Dr. Edward, 213. Kern, Richard. 213. Kern, Dr. Benjamin J., 209. Kern, Edward M., 299. Lambert, John, 129. Lea, M. Carey, 209. Lennig, Charles, 299. Lewis, Dr. Elisha J., 8S. Ludlow, Dr. John L., 320. McClellan, Dr. John H. B., 326. Neill, Dr. John, 213. Pancoast, Dr. Joseph, 349. Powel, Samuel, 235. Rogers, Prof. James B., 299. Sargent, Dr. F. W., 269. Sergeant, J. Dickinson, 299. Skerrett, Dr. David C, 205. Thomson, Ambrose W., 115. Mohr, Paul, don. to lib., 270. Moricand, D. J., don. to lib., 217. Morris, Rev. Dr., don. to lib., 10. Morris, Miss M., don. to mus., 131, 189, 236; remarks on the larva of Cicada septendecim, 132, 190. Morrison. John, don. to lib., 210. Morton, Dr. S. G., don. to mus., 38, INDEX. IX. 183, 215 ; deposit of crania in mus., 38, 69, 109, 135, 194, 196, 220, 276, 303, 309, 316; don. to lib., 9, 31, 37, 78, 184, 276, 277, 327; re- marks on some cretaceous fossils from the green sand near Burling- ton, N. J., 32, 39 ; on some Peruvian remains from the vicinity of Arica, 39; description of two new species of fossil Echinodermata from the Eocene of the TJ. S., 51 ; on the position of the ear in the ancient Egyptians, 70; on the occasional union of the spheno-temporal and coronal sutures in the human sub- ject, 71; on two hybrids between Gallus and Numida, 101 ; paper on hybridity of animals, considered in reference to the question of the unity of the human species, 1 18, 121 ; address at the first meeting of the society in the new library and meeting room, 207 ; on an aboriginal cranium obtained by Dr. Davis and Mr. Squier from a mound near Chilicothe, Ohio, 212 ; remarks on an Indian cranium found near Rich- mond, on the Delaware, and on a Chenook mummy, 330. Moss, Theodore F., don. to mus, 148, 183, 187, 246 ; resignation of office of Recording Secretary, 2G8. Murchison, Roderick Impey, don. to lib., 49. National Institute, don. to lib., 131. Nott, Dr. J. C, don. to lib., 31. Oakford, Richard, don. to mus., 244. Officers for 1847, 138; for 1848, 348. Owen, Prof. Richard, observations on certain fossils from the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 93. Pancoast, Wm., don. to mus., 118. Passerini, Carlo, don. to lib., 108. Pease, Wm., don. to mus., 236, 240. Peirce, Prof., don. to lib., 214. Pennock, Dr. C. W., don. to mus., 50, 217, 219, 316. Percival, Thomas C, don. to mus., 224,255. Peterson, T. B., don. to lib., 256. Phillips, John S., don. to mus., 10, 316; description of a new fresh water shell, and observations on Glandina obtusa, PfeifT, 66. Piddington, Henry, Jr., don. to lib., 16, 247. Pisani, Dr. Ascagne, don. to lib., 105. Pollock, J. R., don. to mus., 303, 309. Porcher, P. Peyre, don. to lib., 316. Providence Franklin Society, don. to lib., 49, 209. Publication Committee of Academy of Natural Sciences, don. to lib., 327 ; announcement by, of the pub- lication of the 1st No. of the new series of the Journal of the Acad., 328. Ravenel, Dr. E., don. to mus., 326. Raymond & Waring, don. to mus., 314: Read, James, don. to lib., 226. Recording Scretary, report of, for 1844 and 1847, 334. Redfield, John H., don. to lib., 38. Redfield, Wm. C, don. to lib., 147. Regents of University of State of New York, don. to lib., 68, 327. Report of committee appointed to de- vise additions to the hall for ac- commodating Dr. Wilson's col- lection of birds, 79, 92 ; on Dr. R. W. Gibbes' paper on fossils from the green sand of South Carolina, 198, 221; on Prof. Hare's paper entitled, " Objections to the elec- trical theories of Franklin, Dufay and Ampere," 221; on papers by Dr. Gibbes, Dr. Le Conte and Dr. Leidy, 239; on the propriety of al- tering the lecture room, and adapt- ing it to the purposes of a museum, 259: on the subject of exchanges with M. Vattemare, 314. Report of the library committee, sub- mitting a plan for book cases in the new library, 189. Report of publication committee on Prof. Adams' proposal to publish his paper on the Natural History of Jamaica in the Journal of the Academy, 222. Report on the ornithological depart- ment by Mr. Cassin, 343. Resolutions: authorizing the geologi- cal committee to put up a collection of duplicate fossils for M. D'Or- bigny, 17 ; desiring the publication PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA.. Vol. III. JAN. AND FEB., 1846. No. 1: Stated Meeting, January 6, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Report on the chemical examination of Mineral Waters for the city of Boston. By Benjamin Silliman, Jr. Boston, 1845. From the Author. First Annual Report on the Geology of Vermont. By C. B. Adams. Burlington, Vermont 1845. From the Author. Synopsis Conchyliorum Jamaiciensium, &c. By C. B. Adams. From the same. Fresh-water and land Shells of Vermont. By C. B. Adams. From the same. The Culture of Silk, or an essay on its rational practice and improvement ; in 4 parts. By the Rev. Samuel Pullein.. 8vo. London, 1758. From Dr. Morton. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, for 1844 and 1845. From the Society. Two additional sheets, completing the map of the U. S. coast 2 10 [Jan., 1846. survey of New York Harbor and Bay. From the Trea- sury Department, through A. D. Bache, Esq. A communication was read from A. D. Bache, Esq., dated Washington, Dec. 9, 1845, presenting the above. Mr. Conrad read a paper, intended for publication, entitled "Descriptions of nineteen new species of fossil and recent Shells and Corals of the United States ;" which was referred to a committee consisting of Mr. Phillips, Dr. Pickering, and Mr. Harris. ā€¢ Stated Meeting, January 13, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Mr. Phillips presented specimens of the following Shells : Paludina apicina, Phillips, from Uraguay ; Physa princeps. Phillips, and Glandina obtusa, Pfeiffer, from Yucatan. Specimen of Unio Sowerbianus, Lea, from Nashville, Tenn. From Mr. J. B. Lindsley. Fossil bone of a Whale's ear, from the Desert of Atacama. Peru. From Mr. J. F. Watson. Recent shell limestone, from Anastasia Island, Coast of Flo- rida. From Dr. Abadie. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. American Journal of Arts and Sciences. No. 1. Vol. I. 2d Series, January, 1846. From the Editors. Musci Alleghaniensis, sive Spicilegia Muscorum atque He- paticarum quas in itmere a Marylandia usque ad Geor- giam per tractus montium, A. D. 1843, decerpserunt Asa Gray et W. S. Sullivant, &c, Columbus, Ohio, 1845. From the Authors. Contributions towards a history of Entomology in the United Jan., 1846.] 11 States. By John G. Morris, D. D., Baltimore, 1845. From the Author. Literary Record and Journal of the Linnean Association of Pennsylvania College. No. 1. Vol. 2. From the Asso- ciation. A history of British fossil Mammalia and Birds. By Richard Owen, F. R. S., &c. Parts 9 and 10. From Dr. T. B. Wilson. The following works in the Hawaiian language, published in the Sandwich Islands, were presented by Mr. William Gambel : Ka Palapala Hemolele, 2 vols., (The Holy Bible) ; Ke Kanoha Hou, (The New Testament) ; Ke Kumu Hawai, (The Hawaiian Teacher) ; Ka Hele Malihini ana, (The Pilgrim's Progress) ; Hoike Akua, (A Theology) ; Ka Hope no ka Helunaau, (An Arithmetic) ; Ke Kumu Kana- wai, (The Laws of the Sandwich Islands) ; He Hoike- houna, (A Geography) ; He Piliolelo, &c, (A Grammar of the English Language ) ; 0 Ke Kokua no ka Hawaii, &c, (A Primer of the English Language); Ka Mooolelo, &c, (A History of the Christian Church.) Also, from the same donor, the following in the English lan- guage : History of the Sandwich Islands. By Sheldon Dibble. La- hainaluna, 1843. Sandwich Island Gazette. Vols. 1, 2 and 3ā€”1836 to 183H. The Polynesian. Vols. 1 and 2ā€”1840 to 1841. A Vocabulary of the Hawaiian Language. Lahainaluna. 1836. Documents relating to the restoration of the Sandwich Islands' Flag, 1843. Statistics relating to the Sandwich Islands. Letters were read : From M. C. B. Adams, dated Middlebury, Vermont, Dec. 31, 1845, returning acknowledgements for a copy of the Pro- 12 [Jan., 1846. ceedings of the Academy, from January, 1844, to October, 1845. From Jacob Tremper, Esq., dated Dresden, N. Y., Jan. 8, 1846, replying to a request from the Corresponding Secretary to endeavor to procure for the Society a copy of the Natural History of the State of New York, and stating the terms upon which it could be obtained. Mr. Phillips read a paper, intended for publication, describ- ing new fresh-water shells, with observations on Glandina obtusa, Pfeif. ā€” specimens of all of which have been presented by him this evening. Referred to the following Committee : Mr. Conrad, Dr. Leidy, and Dr. Morton. Slated Meeting, January 20, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. % DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. The Curators exhibited a large collection of Quadrupeds and Birds in skin ; fishes and reptiles in spirits ; insects, plants, fossils and minerals, received in exchange from Mr. J. G. H. Kinberg, of Lund, Sweden. Mr. Cassin presented two reptiles from Western Africa, presumed to be new. Specimens of Indusial limestone, or Travertine of Auvergne, with numerous small Paludinae attached to tubes of Phry- geenea : from Valliere, near Moulins, France. Presented by Richard C. Taylor, Esq. A communication was read from the Secretary of the American Philosophical Society, dated Dec. 5, 1845, return- ing acknowledgments for Nos. 10 and 11 of the Proceedings. Mr. Cassin read a translation of a letter from Mr. Kinberg, dated Lund, Sweden, November, 1845, in relation to the collection received from him and exhibited this evening. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Charles Lyell, dated Darien, Georgia, January 8, 1846, requesting permission from Jan., 1846.] 13 the Academy to take to London for a short period, for further investigation and comparison by Professor Owen, the fol- lowing fossil specimens from the Brunswick canal, Georgia, presented to the Institution by Mr. J. Hamilton Cooper, of Georgia, viz : Lower incisor tooth of Hippopotamus ; fragment of same ; fragment, supposed to be that of a Hippopotamus ; tooth ef a horse ; Sus Americanus, Harlan ; supposed tibia of a Bos ; humerus of do. Meeting for Business, January 27, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. The Society having received several reports, and authorized the Geological Committee to loan Mr. Lyell the fossil speci- mens referred to in his letter, read at last meeting, proceeded to an election for Standing Committees for the present year, with the following result : COMMITTEES FOR 1846. Geological and Mineralogical. J. Price Wetherill, Wm. S. Vaux, S. G. Morton, Walter R. Johnson, T. A. Conrad, Samuel Ashmead, Theodore F. Moss. Zoological. John S. Phillips, John Cassin, Edward Harris, John K. Townsend, Wm. S. Zantzinger, Joseph Leidy, William Gambel. Botanical. Robert Bridges, Gavin Watson, Wm. S. Zantzinger. Robert Kilvington, William Gambel. 14 [Feb., 1846. Physics. Isaiah Lukens, Paul B. Goddard, Walter R. Johnson, J. S. Phillips, Theodore F. Moss. Library. Robert Bridges, Robert Pearsall, W. S. Zantzinger, Geo. W. Carpenter, Samuel B. Ashmead. Committee on Proceedings. S. G. Morton. ( Corresponding and John S. Phillips, *{ Recording Secretaries, Joseph Leidy, ^ ex-qfficio. ELECTION OF CORRESPONDENTS. Charles Nicholson, M. D., of Sydney, New South Wales, and the Baron Von Gerolt, Prussian Minister at Washington, were elected Correspondents of the Academy. Stated Meeting, February 3, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Specimen of Unio crassus, Say, var. fasciatus, Raf., from the Susquehanna river. From Mr. Haldeman. A small collection, in skin, of European Birds. From R. C. Taylor, Esq. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Eighteen publications, in pamphlet form, on Medicine, Sur- gery, Pathology and Physiology, in the French, Italian and Latin languages, by the following named authors : MM. Huot, Bernard, Lefevre, Laveran et Millon, Pidoux, Rognetta, Chevalier, Parise, Mojou, Boudet, Rolando, Francisco Paolo de Chiara, Garbiglietti, Paolo Fabrizj, and Feb., 1846.] 15 C. A. Roesch. From Dr. J. C. M. Boudin, of Versailles, through Richard K. Haight, Esq., of New York. Bulletin semestrial de la Societe Royale de Medecine de Marseille. lme- Annee. No. 1. 2me- An. No. 1. and 2. 4me- An. No. 1 and 2. From the same. A dissertation upon the origin of Mineral Coal. By Charles Whittlesey, (late of the Geological Corps of Ohio,) Cleve- land, 1845. From the Author. The American Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. 46. No. 1. January, 1844. From the Editors, (in compliance with a request from the Academy, for completing the series in the Library.) Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. Vol. XIX. Part 4. 4to. London, 1845. Proceedings of the same, from November, 1844, to June, 1845 ; and List of the Linnean Society for 1845. From the Society. Letters were read : From Benjamin Silliman, Jr., dated New Haven, January 25, 1846, accompany the donation of the No. of Silliman's Journal received this evening. From the Linnean Society of London, dated November 7, 1845, returning acknowledgements for certain Nos. of the Proceeding of the Academy, and for Vol. 8, Part 1, of the Journal, transmitted at the request of the Society. From Professor Owen, of London, dated Nov. 11, 1845, in reference to the fossil genus Dorudon, of Dr. R. W. Gibbes, published in the Academy's Proceedings. He considers this genus to be the same as the Zeuglodon, (Basilosaurus of Harlan,) to which genus also belongs the very extensive series of bones recently brought from Alabama by Dr. Koch, and now exhibiting in this city. Mr. Haldeman offered some remarks on the specimen of 16 [Ffb., 1846. Unio crassus presented by him this evening, and stated that it is one of those which he placed in the river Susquehanna? in a living state, in the year 1841, a record of which fact will be found at page 104, Vol. 1, of the Proceedings of the Aca- demy. As no western species of Unio, except U. viridis, Raf,, had hitherto been found in that river, Mr. Haldeman had no doubt that the present specimen was in reality one of those referred to. The growth had been inconsiderable, and the genera] appearance very little changed. The other indi- viduals of this and other species seem not to have survived. Stated Meeting, February 10, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Eleventh and Twelfth Memoirs with reference to the law of Storms in India, &c. By Henry Piddington. Calcutta, 1845. From the Author. A letter was read from Mr. Piddington, dated Calcutta, September 8, 1845, accompanying the donation of his Me- moirs above announced, and calling the attention of the So- ciety to the Postscript to the 11th Memoir, page 64, " where a curious experiment will be found detailed, which sets the whole question of circular or converging winds (winds blow- ing towards a centre) completely at rest, for these seas at least." A letter was read from Benjamin Silliman, Jr., dated New Haven, February 6, 1846, requesting on behalf of M. Alcide D'Orbigny, of Paris, exchanges between him and the Aca- demy, both of books and specimens of Natural History, and suggesting especially the transmission of the publications of this Society for such of M. D'Orbigny 's works as may be de- sirable for its Library. Feb., 1846.] 17 Professor Johnson then read to the Society the portion of Mr. Piddington's Memoir referred to in his letter, and added some remarks in confirmation of the correctness of the views of the author on the subject. Dr. Morton announced that he had recently received letters from Mr. I. G. Strain, U. S. N., a Correspondent of this Institution, dated from the China seas, detailing the causes of failure of his late expedition into the interior of Brazil. Mr. S. was on his return home, and expressed an ardent hope of being enabled to make a renewed effort to accomplish the objects of his undertaking. On motion of Mr. Phillips, Resolved, That the Geological Committee be authorised to put up a collection of the dupli- cate fossils, to be forwarded to M. D'Orbigny. Stated Meeting, February 17, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Prepared specimen of Orthogariscus mola, from the Capes of Delaware. Presented by Messrs. Phillips, Cassin, and Hazard. The following specimens, prepared and mounted, were pre- sented by Messrs. Haldeman, Cassin,Bridges and Morton, viz : Cebus apellus ? South America, C. hypoleucus, and two other species ; and Jacchus vulgaris, Geoff. Rib bone of a cetaceous animal found in the green sand near Burlington, New Jersey ; also fragments of fossil bone ; Baculites ovatus, and Scaphites Cuvieri, from the vicinity of Morristown, New Jersey. Presented by Mr. Germain, of Burlington, through Dr. Hallowell. 18 [Feb., 1846. Letters were read : From the Baron Von Gerolt, Prussian Minister at Wash- ington, dated February 9, 1846, returning acknowledgments for his election as a Correspondent. From Jacob Tremper, Esq., dated Dresden, New York, February 9, 1846, calling the attention of the Society to the advantages and importance of the adoption by scientifiic bodies throughout the Uuited States, of some general rules for keep- ing meteorological registers for comparison, &c. From the American Academy of Arts and Sciences of Boston, dated February 8, 1846, communicating a copy of a letter addressed by a committee of that Society to the Joint Library Committee of Congress, desiring the publication of a larger edition of the Scientific Reports of the late U. S. Ex- ploring Expedition, and soliciting the co-operation of this Institution in the matter. The copy of the letter referred to was read also by the Corresponding Secretary. Professor Johnson offered the following Resolutions, which where adopted, and copies ordered to be transmitted to the American Academy at Boston, and to the Library Committee of Congress. Resolved, That the memorial of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences of Boston, to the Joint Library Committee of Congress, asking for the publication of a larger number of copies of the scientific volumes containing the results of the late South Sea Exploring Expedition, meets the cordial approval and con- currence of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Resolved, That in the view of this Academy, the present num- ber of 100 copies only, printed on public account, is utterly in- adequate to supply the demand for this work, especially as about one-half of that number is understood to be distributed in dona- tions to Foreign Governments, while none are allowed to Scien- tific Societies at home. Resolved, That while the results of other American Exploring Feb., 1846.] 19 Expeditions, and of other scientific labors, performed in obedience to the requirements of Government, have, by a just and liberal policy, been made widely known to the public, the present course of printing 100 copies only of the labors of the South Sea Expe- dition, and which, therefore, scarcely deserves the name of a publication, does equal injustice to the nation which has borne the expense, and to the meritorious individuals who have per- formed the scientific duties Resolved, That this Academy having, by special request of the Navy Department, afforded its aid and counsel in the preparation of the Expedition, deems itself justified in complaining of the treatment which, in common with all the other scientific bodies then consulted, it receives by the existing arrangement, ā€” that of being compelled either to forego the possession of the works in question, or to pay such a price as private speculation may affix to public documents prepared by public officers, and the entire expense of which (with an exception too insignificant to mention) has been defrayed out of the public treasury. Meeting for Business, February 24, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. The Committee on Mr. Conrad's paper, read 6th January last, reported in favor of publication. Descriptions of New Species of Fossil and Recent Shells and Corals. By T. A. Conrad. TERTIARY FOSSIL SHELLS. Cerithium ? Cerithium? ccelata. Plate 1, fig. 19. Turrited, whorls with four revolv- ing ribs on each, the superior pair large, elevated, and obliquely crenate ; the lower pair small, approximate, inferior one very near the suture; lines of growth profoundly undulated. Locality. Island of Huaffo, near Cape Horn. In Tertiary clay. Dr. James Eight?. This remarkable shell is imperfect in the last volution, and it is uncertain whether it should be referred to Turritella or Cerithium. The rib in the 20 [Feb., 1846. middle of the whorls is largest, and the crente have a different direction from those in the superior rib. A variety occurs with only three ribs, one of the inferior pair being wanting Tellina. Tellina JTuaffoensis. Plate 1, fig. 20. Subtriangular ; right valve ventri- cose ; anterior side subcuneiform ; margin obliquely truncated, extremity rounded ; beaks medial ; posterior margin regularly rounded ; basal margin nearly straight in the middle ; surface without other lines than those of growth. Locality. Occurs with the preceding. These two fossils are imbedded in drab colored clay, the geological age of which is uncertain. I have no doubt, however, that it is posterior to the Eocene period. MIOCENE SPECIES. EtJLIMA. Eulima eborea. Plate 1, fig. 21. Subulate, whorls 9 ; suture slightly de- fined ; aperture somewhat oblique, ovate-acute. Locality. Suffolk, Virginia. E. migrans. Plate 1, fig. 22. Subulate, very narrow or slender ; suture indistinct ; aperture direct, oblong-ovate, acute. Locality. Occurs with the preceding. Odostomia. Odostomia limnia. Plate 1, fig. 4. Subfusiform, polished, whorls 4; con- vex ; suture impressed; aperture oblong-ovate, half the length of the shell ; columella slightly folded. Locality. Yorktown, Virginia. 0. protexta. Plate 1, fig. 5. Subulate, minutely cancellated, with five volutions, those of the spire being subangulated near the base; labrum sub- angulated above the middle ; columella with a prominent fold in the middle. Locality. Yorktown, Virginia. Delphinula. Delphinula arenosa. Discoidal, whorls 3, slightly convex ; minutely striated longitudinally ; base regularly convex : umbilicus profound. Dia- meter Ā£ of an inch. Locality. Yorktown, Virginia. D. lyra. Plate 2, fig. 27. Vide Journ. A. N. S. vol. vii, p. 141. Locality. Suffolk, Virginia. Bulla. Bulla subspissa. Plate 1, fig. 29. Oblong-oval, thick, ventricose in the middle ; labium rounded or ventricose ; margin of labrum straight above : base minutely umbilicated. Locality. Calvert Cliffs, Maryland. Feb., 1846.] 21 Bonellia. Bonellia lineata. Plate 1, fig. 23. Vide Proceed. A. N. S., vol. i. p. 32. CALYPTILEA. Subgenus Dispotcea, Say. All the species of this genus found in the United States belongs to Say's genus Dispotcea, which forms a very natural and distinct group, if the cha- racters of the shells are any criterion of generic distinction. The following list of species occur in the Miocene strata of the Union : C. (Dispotcea) corrugata, Brod. \ Recent on the coast of Central Ame- D. ramosa, Con. J rica, and fossil in Virginia. C. (Dispotcea) costata, Say, \ Recent ; coast of Central Hmerica. C. rugosa, Brod. ) Fossil in Maryland. C. (Dispotcea) multilineata, Con. Fossil. Wilmington, North Carolina. C. (Dispotcea) dumosa, Con. " 'ā€¢ " Trochus. Trochus peralveatus, Plate 1, fig. 25. Vide Proceed. A. N. S., vol. i. p. 30. Myodora. Myodora arenosa, Con. (Pandora arenoso, Con.) Foss. Shells of Tert. Form., p. 4, pi. 1, fig. 3. Eocene species. Ampullaria ? Ampullaria ? perovata. Plate 1, fig. 16. Ovate, body whorl ventricose ; spire conoidal? aperture subovate, half the length of the shell. Locality. Claiborne. I possess but one imperfect specimen of this shell. It is rather elevated for an Ampullaria ; but to this genus or to Paludina, the form of the aper- ture more nearly allies it, than to any marine genus which is known to me. Caricella. Shell pyriform, with ribs or spines : spire short, apex thickened or papil- lated ; beak somewhat produced and slightly curved, pointed, not emarginate at base ; columella with four or five oblique, prominent, compressed plaits, decreasing in size towards the base, as in Milra. In my publication entitled " Fossil Shells of the Tertiary Formations,' I propose the above name for a group of Claiborne shells, and re- ferred it as a subgenus Turbinella, but the characters are sufficiently dis- tinctive to constitute a genus. The want of an emarginate base widely separates it from Mitra or Voluta. The labrum is always simple, without teeth, and thin. The following species may be designated: C. bolaris, 22 [Feb., 1846. (Mitra,) Con. C. pyruloides, (Turbhiella,) Con. C. prozten uis, Con. _ . ,, f Voluta prisca, Con. (7. doliata, Ā«{ V. Cooperii, Lea. This genus, so far as I know, occurs only in the Eocene strata. Cardium. Cardium Nicolleti. Plate I, fig. 14. Vide Proceed. Acad. N. S. vol. 1 p. 33. Anomia. Anomia jugosa. Plate 1, fig. 14. Vide Proceed. A. N. S. vol. 1, p. 310. POLYPARIA (SILURIAN.) Cyathophyllum, Lam. C calophyllum? pustulalum. Plate 1, fig. 24. Turbinate, somewhat curved towards the base, and with numerous elevated pustules, most of which have a central perforation: Locality. State of Ohio, in Silurian limestone, Dr. Riley. The rays are visible on only a small portion of the specimen, the rest being imbedded in compact gray limestone. EOCENE SPECIES. TtlRBINOLIA. Turbinolia elaborate,. Plate 1, fig. 30. Subcuneiform ; base acute, in- curved, lamellae thin, numerous, branched, smooth becoming very irregular or sinuous where they approach the centre; sides profoundly sulcated or ribbed, the ribs densely and distinctly porous, many of them divaricated, the intervals with remote transverse lamella. Locality. Near City Point, Virginia. T. pileolus. Plate 1, fig. 26. Vide Proceed. A. N. S., vol. 1, p. 327. Madrepora. Madrepora vermiculosa. Ramose, branches cylindrical ; cells remote, un- equal, a little prominent, interstices with thick, equal, vermicular striae, minutely granulated. Locality. Occurs with the preceding. This is a rare species ; the undating striae are large and ornamental. DEVONIAN SHELLS. Monotis, Bronn. This genus occurs in the Devonian shales. I have not observed a species in any other formation. Monotis radians. Syn. Plerninca radians. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. vol. viii. p. 252, pi. 15 fig. 1. Feb., 1846.] 23 Monotis Poulsoni. Plate 1, fig. 32. Suborbicular, ventricose, not oblique, ribs about 44 in number, obtusely rounded, interstices nearly flat, about as wide as the ribs, with minute transverse wrinkles ; umbo broad and the summit prominent; anterior and posterior margins rounded. Locality. Jersey shore, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. (Devonian shale.) This beautiful species occurs in a dark shale of the same geological age and appearance as the shale of the Chemung Narrows in New York, which i3 a part of the Devonian System. It is dedicated to my friend Charles A. Poulson, Esq , to whose splendid collection it belongs. M. elevata. Plate 1, fig. 31. Obliquely oval, somewhat ventricose, ribs about 42 in number, prominent, acutely rounded, interstices very narrow, except towards the anterior hinge margin, where the ribs are larger ; an- terior and posterior margins nearly straight ; anterior side very short. Locality. Occurs with the preceding species in the same rock. Cabinet of Mr. Poulson. SILURIAN SPECIES. AVICULA. Avicula ferruginea. Plate 1, fig. 28. Subrhomboidal ; left valve pro- foundly ventricose ; anterior side profoundly contracted ; umbo very promi- nent; extremity of anterior wing angulated ; the margin beneath slightly emarginate ; margin of posterior wing straight and direct. Locality. Jersey shore, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. Cabinet of Mr. Poulson. This speeies abounds in the Fossiliferous iron ore of the Middle Silurian series. CARBONIFEROUS SPECIES. Strophomena. Strophomena nassula. Hinge area wide ; valve3 with approximate acute radiatiDg strise, and finer concentric lines ; one valve flat, with three or four large concentric undulations. Locality. Jersey shore, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Poulson. RECENT SHELLS. Cyrena. Cyrena Floridana. Plate 1, fig. 1. Triangular, subequilateral, ventricose : summits prominent, concentrically striated ; posterior side with an obtust fold near the margin ; color whitish, varied with violaceous, both externally and internally. Locality. Tampa Bay, Florida. 24 [Feb., 1846. Venus. Venus cuneimeris. Plate 1, fig. 13. Inequilateral, triangular ; ventricose anteriorly ; flexuous and compressed posteriorly ; posterior side cuneiform ; surface with obtuse concentric ribs, profound on the umbo, and with minute radiating raised lines ; color yellowish, varied with fulvous or brown, some- times in spots, in other specimens with rays ; within purple and white, with a whitish margin. Locality. Tampa Bay. Nucula. Nucula eborea. Plate 1, fig. 4. Ovate-acute, ventricose, with minute, concentric, very regular lines ; surface highly polished, ivory white ; ante- rior side rostrated, pointed, rather longer than the posterior side. Locality. Keys of Tampa Bay : rare. Modiola. Modiolapapyria. Plate 1, fig. 8. Ovate-oblong, extremely thin, pellucid ; ligament margin long, rectilinear ; posterior margin obliquely truncated ; basal margin slightly contracted ; color greenish with browu angular spots. Locality. Tampa Bay. ASTARTE. Astarle flabella. Plate 1, fig. 3. Ovate-triangular, profoundly compressed, and having ten flattened radiating ribs ; posterior basal margin obliquely truncated ; color white, with fulvous spots. Locality. Bgmont Key, Tampa Bay. This species approaches A. radians, Con., a Miocene fossil, but it is not so fiat, and has fewer, wider, less prominent ribs. A. triquclra. Plate 1, fig, 6. Very small, triangular, elevated, equilateral and symmetrical, ventricose, polished, white, sometimes brown or purple on the disk in form of a broad ray. Locality. Tampa Bay. Osteodesma, Desk. (Ltonsia, Turton.) Osteodosma hyalina ? Plate 1, fig. 1. A variety of the northern species, more elongated than those of the eastern coast. I have some doubts of the specific identity. Solecurtus. Solecurtus fragilis, var. Plate 1, fig. 10. Oblong, straight, color viola- ceous, rayed with bluish white ; epidermis olive, the rays visible upon it ; interior rib oblique; teeth two in each valve, very unequal in size. Locality. Egmont Key, Tampa Bay. LUCINA. Lucina nassula. Lentiform, equilateral, with concentric lamelliform striae, distant above, approximate towards the base: and with approximate radiating prominent lines ; posterior side compressed towards the margin, and with Feb. 1846.] 26 one or two of the radiating striae larger than the rest; lunule large, ovate- acute, prominently striated ; inner margin deeply crenulated. Locality. Tampa Bay, Florida. Corbcla-. Corbula limatula. Plate 1, fig. 2. Subtriangular, inequilateral, polished, concentrically striated, the striae of the lesser valve finer and less distinct than those of the opposite valve ; posterior extremity truncated ; summits prominent ; color whitish, tinged with pale brown on the umbo. Locality. Gulf of Mexico. Dredged up on the sounding lead in deep water off the coast of Florida. Pollia. Pollia tincta. Plate 1, fig. 9. Short, subfusiform ; whorls 7, somewhat channelled or contracted above ; longitudinal ribs large, remote ; revolving lines robust, alternated with fine lines ; lines of growth well defined, be- coming prominent wrinkled lines on the spire ; color greenish-white, varied with large irregular brown or ferruginous spots j aperture half the length of the shell; labrum striated within, margin plicated; labium with a prom- inent fold near the summit, and somewhat corrugated towards the base. Locality. Mouth of Manatu river, of Tampa Bay, Florida, inhabiting sand bars. P. cancellaria. Plate 1, fig. 12. Fusiform, with longitudinal plicae, and more elevated, distant, undulated, revolving costse, and intermediate fine lines ; whorls longitudinally rugose ; aperture half as long as the shell ; la- brum with distant, acute, prominent lines within : columella distinctly plaited at base : beak recurved ; color cinereous. Locality. Ship Island, Gulf of Mexico. Murex cellulosa. Short-fusiform, with large, prominent revolving lines or costas, the interstices with transverse wrinkled lines, largest on the varices, and giving the shell a cellular aspect; beak much curved ; color cinereous ; aperture small, obovate, purplish within. Locality. Tampa Bay. Inhabits oyster beds. M. Tampaensis. Fusiform, with acute varices, and distant revolving cas- tas, about eight in number, from angle of body whorl to base ; spire scalar - iform ; whorls with two revolving ribs on each ; labium with obtuse teeth : color cinereous, with purplish brown. Locality. Occurs with the preceding species. M. ostrearum. Fusiform, with revolving ribs alternated in size, and with longitudinal wrinkles ; spire elevated, scalariform : base umbilicated : within livid. Locality. Occurs with the preceding. 3 26 [Feb., 1846. MaEGINELLA. Marginella succmea. Plate 1, fig. 17. Elevated; labrum sinuous, aperture contracted above, comparatively wide at base ; columella 4-plaited ; color amber; margin of labrum entire. Locality. Tampa Bay. Very rare. M. albilabris. Short-subovate, of an olive color, with a white, much thickened margin, extending over the base ; labrum straight, denticulate within: columella with one obscure plait at base. Locality. Tampa Bay. Oliva. Oliva mulica. Plate 2, fig. 34. Common in St. Joseph's Bay, Florida, liv- ing in the tand in shoal water, leaving a trail by which its habitat can readily be discovered. Trochus. Trochus 2'ampaensis. Plate 2, fig. 35. Conical ; whorls 61, concave ; with revolving, approximate, densely beaded lines, alternated in size ; base flat, striated, lines crenulated by transverse wrinkles ; umbilicus moderate, forming a rather deep canal behind the labium ; color whitish-brown and dark purple, variegated. Locality. Tampa Bay. Triton lineolatum. Plate 1, fig. 18. Elevated, with brown revolving lines ; spire scalariform, with numerous varices or costaj on the body whorl ; they are generally smaller, and crenulate the revolving lines; labrum with four teeth within. Length | of an luch- LocaWy. Tampa Bay. Cerithium protextum. Subulate, elongated, with longitudinal curved acute costae, and fine revolving lines; whorls 15, slightly convex; ribs di- vided and somewhat dislocated by an impressed line below the suture ; color purplish-black ; within the same. Locality. Tampa Bay ? The specimen described is more than three-fourths of an inch long, but the usual size is less than half an inch. Bulla. Bulla succinea. Plate 1, fig. 5. Cylindrical, very thin, diaphanous, of an auiber color, and marked with crowded, minute, revolving, wrinkled lines ; columella copcave or channelled towards the base ; labrum straight ; sum- mit above the line of the apex. Locality. Tampa Bay. Crepiddla. Grepidula maculosa. Subovate ; anterior side flattened ; back acutely Fmk. 1846.] 2T rounded ; umbo compressed ; color white, with irregular brovrn opots aonis- what iu ray-like series. Length 1Ā£ inch. Breadth | inch. LncaXUy Mullet Key, Tampa Bay. Dkntauum. Dentalium cboreum. Curved above, inclining to be straight interiorly, thin, translucent, very slender, very gradually tapering to a very acute apex ; white, without lines, highly polished. Length | inch. Locality. Southern coast of Florida. Dr. Morton offered the following, which was adopted : Hemlved, That the 8th Vol. of the Journal of the Aeadeoi y be presented to M. D'Orbigny, of Paris, PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA.. Vol. III. MARCH AND APRIL, 1846. No. 2. Stated Meeting, March 3, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Bulletin de la Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou, Nos. 2 and 3, for 1843. From the Society. Verhandlingen der Kaiserlich-Russischen Mineralogischen Gesellschaft zu St. Petersburg. 2 vols. 1843 and 1844. From the Society. A Memoir of James De Veaux, of Charleston, S. C. By Robert W. Gibbes, M. D., of Columbia, S. C. 8vo. From the Author. Dr. Morton presented a paper by Dr. Robert W. Gibbes, of Columbia, S. C, " On the fossil Squalidae of the Eocene of the Southern States," which was read and referred to a committee consisting of Mr. Phillips, Dr. Morton and Dr. Hallowell. A paper by Mr. Edward Harris, " On the difference of level between the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and those of 5 30 [March, 1846. the Atlantic Ocean," was referred to the following committee : Dr. Elwyn, Dr. Pickering and Mr. Phillips. Letters were read : From the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, ac- companying the Nos. of the Bulletin of that Society presented this evening. From the British Association for the advancement of Science, announcing that a copy of Herschel's Catalogue of Stars had been adjudged to the Academy by the Association and stating the mode in which it could be obtained. Stated Meeting, March 10, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. The Chairman read a letter from Prof. Locke, dated Medi- cal College of Ohio, Feb. 2, 1846, containing a notice of a fossil Asterias from the blue limestone of Cincinnati, with a drawing of the same. Referred to the following committee : Dr. Leidy, Dr. Morton and Dr. Pickering. The Chairman also read a portion of a letter from J. G. Norwood, M. D., of Madison, Indiana, dated Feb. 25, 1846, desiring the communication to the Academy of an accompany- ing printed description and figures of a new fossil fish from the Palsezoic rocks of Indiana, by Drs. Norwood and D. D. Owen, for which they propose the name Macropetalichthys rapheidolabis. " This is (as far as is known to the describers) not only the first instance of finding scutcheoned fishes in this country, but also the lowest position in which remains of vertebratae have been found, if we except defensive fin bones, which occur in New York, nearly in the same geological position, ā€” ā–  viz : in the corniferous group ā€” and the scales of fishes, which the Professors Rogers traced throughout the Clinton group of Pennsylvania and Virginia." March, 1846.] 31 Stated Meeting, March 24, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Specimen, in spirits, of Loligo Bartramii, Lesueur, from Caraccas. Presented by Dr. H. McMurtrie. Sterna of fourteen species of N. American birds. Presented by Mr. William Gambel, Specimen of Septaria, from the vicinity of Fort Barber, Bar- ber Co., Alabama. From Dr. Charles Kenworthy, through Dr. Watson. A fine collection of fossils, from the green sand near Burling- ton, N. J., consisting of Baculities ovatus, Ammonites pla- centa, A. Delawarensis, Scaphites Cuvieri, Nautilus De- kayi, with undertermined casts of Strombus, Cardium, Pina, Inoceramus, Cuculloea, Turritella, Panopcea, &c. From Mr. Germain, of Burlington, through Dr. Hallowell. A collection of marine and fresh water shells. From Dr. Hallowell. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Structure and classification of Zoophytes. By James D. Dana, A. M., Geologist of the U. S. Exploring Expedition, during the years 1838, '39, '40, '41 and '42. 4to : Philadelphia. From the Author. Memoir on the probable constitution of matter and laws of motion, &c. &c. By J. L. Riddell, M. D. From the Au. thor. On the Nile alluvium of Nubia, (extracted from the Proceed- ings of A. N. S.,) being a letter from Prof. Lepsius of Ber- lin, and an analysis by Prof. W. R. Johnson. From Dr. Morton. On the Unity of the Human Race, (from the Southern Quar- terly Review, No. 17, Jan., 1846.) From Dr. J. C. Nott. 32 [March, 1846. A letter was read from Clot Bey, M. D., dated Cairo, Egypt, Jan 21, 1846, acknowledging the reception of his diploma as a correspondent, and expressing his desire and intention to further the objects of the Academy. Dr. Morton offered some observations (intended for publi- cation in the American Journal of Science) on the Ethno- graphy and Archaeology of the Aboriginal race of America. Dr. Morton called attention to the cretaceous fossils pre- sented this evening by Mr. Lewis Germain, and especially to the numerous fine fragments of Ammonites Delawarensis, of which only a single specimen had hitherto been discovered in the cretaceous beds of New Jersey or Delaware. Even that specimen had been lost or mislaid, and there remained no voucher for the species, excepting an uncertain fragment from Alabama, which is now identified with the A. Delawarensis, by means of Mr. Germain's collection. The SeapJtites Cuvieri is more perfect than any other hitherto found, excepting only the specimen in Mr. Conrad's cabinet, and which is figured in Dr. Morton's synopsis of organic re- mains. The Bacuiitcs ovatus of Say, heretofore a very rare species, is here represented by nearly twenty finely characterised specimens. The Nautilus Dekayi is also almost perfect ; and the Ammonites placenta, Pholadomya occidentalis, Pecten quinquecostatus, a Strombus, Turritella, and various other genera, are found in this remarkable series, which was obtained from a single marl excavation, about five miles east of Burlington, in New Jersey. Meeting for Business, March 31, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. The Committee to whom was referred the following notice by Prof. Locke, (contained in a letter addressed to Dr. Mor- ton, and read at the meeting of March 10th,) of an Asterias from the blue limestone of Cincinnati, reported in favor of publication. "I herewith send you a drawing of an Asterias from the blue limestone of Cincinnati. It seems to be five-rayed and free, thu? March, 1846.] 3o differing essentially from the " Agelacrinites" (Asteriacrinites) of the New York reports, which is also found here, attached, almost always, to a Strophomena or some other large shell, but rather rare. This last it will be recollected, has five rays ex- tended on an acicular disk, reaching even beyond the rays. The specimen from which this drawing has been made, i3 so far as I know, the only one which has been found here ; it is therefore rare. Whether it be identical with an Asterias described by Dr- Troost as occurring in the rocks of Tennessee, I cannot say, as I have never seen his account. Asterias antiquata. ā€” Blue limestone, Cincinnati. a, An entiochite. b, Atrypa minnta? c, Ceriopora milliporacea. Locke. 34 [March, 1846. " I saw in the proceedings of your Society a notice of Dr. Tay- lor's specimens, describing them as from the carboniferous lime- done. Mr. Featherstonhaugh and Dr. Troost have given authori- ty, I believe, for calling this limestone the carboniferous, and in a paper read before our geological Association, I maintained the same views chiefly from Lithological characters. The more ac- curate test by the fossil remains, I am convinced determines our limestone to be the equivalent of the Lower Silurian. With this view it is interesting to find the Asterias at so low a point in the geological column ; as it was formerly supposed not to extend below even the secondary rocks." The Committee on Mr. Edward Harris's paper on the dif- ference of level between the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and those of the Atlantic Ocean, reported in favor of pub- lication. On the Difference of Level between the Waters of the Gulf of Mexico and those of the Atlantic Ocean. By Edward Harris. While on a passage along the coast of Florida in the spring of 1844, in the U. S. Revenue Cutter Nautilus, Capt. Waldron, having on board Mr. Stacy, U. States Commissioner for the in- spection of the Lighthouses, we stopped on the 28th of April to examine at Key Biscayne, the ruins of the lighthouse burnt by the Indians in 1836. The next day we took the boats with kegs to procure water for the vessel ; passed inside of Cape Florida, and ascended the Miami River about five miles to where it issues from the Everglades. I was surprised to find that the water from the everglades falls into the river over an exceedingly porous limestone rock resembling Travertine, so open, that in nu- merous places at the foot of the rapids, which are about two hundred yards in length, the water spouts up from the small round holes in the rock, in little natural fountains of from one foot to eighteen inches in height. I estimated the fall at from seven to eight feet, which cannot be far from the truth, as there is a mill at their foot for grinding the Coontic root, {Zamia integrifolia , April, 1846.] 35 from which the Florida arrow root is made,) having a dam six feet high, with a fall in the tail-race to high water in the river, of not less than 18 inches. There had been a severe drought of five months, and the bed of the everglades was quite dry, with the exception of the brook running over the rapids, which, as far up as I explored it, lay upon the travertine rock, at about eighteen inches below the level bed of the everglades of hard sand, and covered with a strong wiry grass from two to three feet high. This fact of the fall of the waters of the everglades into the Atlantic, has, so far as I can as- certain, hitherto remained unpublished ; nor have I been able to learn that it was known to our officers during the war. Their op- erations were principally on the Gulf side of the Peninsula, where they entered and passed long distances into the everglades without meeting with obstruction to the boat navigation. It appears to me that, considered in connection with the great rapidity of the Grulf 6tream in passing through the Straits of Florida, indicating a flow from a higher level, this fall is a very strong link in the chain of evidence which goes to prove that the sea is at a higher level on the Western than on the Eastern coast of the peninsula of Florida. ELECTION. The Rev. Thomas S. Savage, M. D., of Cape Palmas, Africa, was elected a Correspondent. Slated Meeting, April 7, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. A large collection of Reptilia, in spirits, from Brazil. Pre- sented by Mr. Edward Donnelly, through Mr. Cassin. A very fine collection of African shells, presented by the Rev. Dr. Savage, of Monrovia, through Mr. Phillips, con- sisting of the following : 36 Solen Guineensia Thracia : ā–  Mactra Saulii M. exoleta ? Lucina [April, 1846. Cerithiuni granulatum Melania aurita Melanipus Pleurotoma L. columbella Psammobia galathea ? Tellina strigosa Cancellaria cancellata Triton : Fusus nifat Buccinum ā€¢ Oyrena Venus plicata Venus V. rotundata Oytherea floridella C prostrata Cardium ringens C. costatum Cardita ajar Area senilis Pecten Helix Blandingiana Achatina involuta Pupa capitata Cerithiuni muricatum. Purpura coronata P. neritoidea Terebra senegalensis Cassis fasciata Murex cornutus Strombus bubonius Turritella Marginella cornea M. Adansonii M. persicula Oliva acuminata 0. hiatula Voluta Neptuni Conus papilionaceus Mounted specimen of Strix nyctea, from the vicinity of Phila- delphia. From Mr. John Churchman, through Mr. Cassin. Two specimens of fossiliferous iron ore, from the vicinity of Cumberland, Md. From Prof. Johnson. Albino specimen of Scalops Canadensis, from Moorestown, N. J. From Mr. Edward Harris. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in 1842, and to Oregon and California in 1843 and 1844. By Brevet Capt. J. C. Fremont. Washington : 1845. From Jos. R. Ingersoll, Esq. Another copy of the same. From Prof. Johnson. April, 1846.] 37 Report on Atlantic Mail Steamers, by the Committee of Con- gress on Post Offices and Post Roads. Read March 27th, 1846. From Jos. R. Ingersoll, Esq. Seventeenth Annual Report of the Inspectors of the Eastern State Penitentiary of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, 1846. From Dr. Morton. The London Athenaeum for Aug. and Sept., 1843, containing several papers of interest in Natural Science. From Dr. Wm. Blanding. The following pamphlets were received from Richard K. Haight, Esq., of New York. Memoire sur le traitement de l'alienation mentale, par M. le Dr. A. Petit. Paris, 1843. De la meningite cerebro- rachidienne, et de l'encephalo-meningite epidemiques : par J. F. Rollet. Paris, 1844. Nouvelle methode de traite- ment de l'empoisonnement par l'arsenic, &c. : par M. Rog- netta, D. M. P. Paris, 1840. The Chairman read an extract of a letter from M. Agassiz, dated from Neufchatel, Switzerland, acknowledging the re- ceipt of his notice of election as a Correspondent, and an- nouncing his intention of visiting this country for scientific purposes during the present year. Prof. Johnson informed the Society that he had presented in. person to the Chairman of the Joint Library Committee of Congress, a copy of the resolutions passed at a recent meeting of the Society,* asking for an increased edition of the scien- tific reports of the late South Sea Exploring Expedition, and stated that the committee were favorably disposed towards the measure. *See page 18 of last number. 38 [April, 1846. Stated Meeting, April 14, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Fine specimen of Pecten Mortoni, Ravenel ; from the Miocene of Soutb Carolina. From Dr. Morton. An additional series of fossils from the green sand near Bur- lington, N. J., including also fine specimens of Clypeaster florealis, and Trochus leprosus ; also a large and a small tooth and two vertebrae of Mosasaurus occidentalis. From Mr. Lewis Germain, of Burlington. Dr. Morton deposited ten mummied Peruvian crania, and two entire mummied bodies in their wrappings ; collected by Mr. William A. Foster, of this city, at the cemetery of Arica. Specimen of Pholadomya occidentalis, from the cretaceous deposits of New Jersey. From Dr. Morton. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. American Quarterly Journal of Science and Agriculture ; by Drs. E. Emmons and A. J. Prince. Vol. 2, No. 2. Albany, 1845. From the Editors. American Journal of Science and Arts. 2d Series, No. 2. March, 1846. From the Editors. Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. 4, No. 5. New York : 1846. From the Lyceum. Notices of new localities of rare minerals and reasons for uniting several supposed distinct species. By Francis Alger. (From the Boston Journal of Natural History.) From the Author. Descriptions of some new species of shells. By John H. Red- field. (From the 4th vol. of Annals of Lyceum of Natural History of New York.) From the Author. Mineral lands of the United States. A message from the President of the United States in reply to a resolution of April, 1846.] 39 the House of Representatives of 6th of January last, con- cerning the mineral lands of the United States. From J. R. Ingersoll, Esq. Dr. Morton read the following extract of a letter addressed to him by Prof. Bailey, of West Point. " I have lately hit upon some processes for revealing vege- table structure in anthracite coal, which have yielded results of unhoped for interest and beauty. I get, not mere traces of parenchymatous tissue, as by Schultz's process, described in Silliman's Journal, No. 1, new series, but I readily obtain surfaces of several square inches, entirely covered over with dotted or scalariform vessels, (bothrenchyma) in so perfect a state, that their minute markings may be seen as easily as upon the vessels of a recent plant. "I can prepare these, either as opake or transparent objects, and all to whom I have shown them, including Tor- rey, Gray, Prof. Henry and others, think them very beautiful. " A brief notice of these will appear in the forthcoming number of Silliman's Journal." Dr. Morton offered some remarks upon the additional fossils from Burlington Co., N. J., presented this evening by Mr. Lewis Germain. Among the most remarkable are three specimens of Olypeaster florealis, of which only a single im- perfect specimen had hitherto been found, and which had served the purpose of specific description. The series also contains a fine specimen of the Trochus leprosus, not before found, north of the cretaceous beds of Alabama. The cha- racteristic species, Pecten quinquecostatus, and Baculites ovatus, are also among Mr. Germain's collections, together with a very large and a small tooth, and two vertebrae of the Mosasaurus occidentalis, in admirable preservation. Dr. Morton also made the following observations on the Peruvian remains deposited by him this evening. These ten crania and two mummied bodies, were exhumed from the Indian cemetery at Arica, under the direction of our 40 [April, 1846. member, Mr. Wm. A. Foster, now resident in Lima. " This cemetery/' observes Mr. Foster, "lies on the face of a sand-hill, sloping towards the sea. The extent of surface occupied by these tombs, as far as we explored, I should say was five or six acres. In many of the tombs three or four bodies were found clustered together, always in the sitting posture, and wrapped in three or four thicknesses of cloth, with a mat thrown over all." The most interesting circumstance connected with these heads is the fact that with two exceptions they present the artificial form of horizontal elongation, though in very variable degrees. The most casual notice will convince any one, that this conforma- tion has been in part produced by compresses on the forehead, and partly, as Dr. Goddard has suggested, by the use of simple rotary bandages. Thus a double compress has been applied to the forehead, one bearing on each side of the frontal suture of in- fancy ; these have been kept in their places by a bandage brought from the base of the occiput obliquely over the forehead ; while the parietal bones have been depressed by carrying the same band- age alternately over the top of the head, immediately behind the coronal suture. Any person who is acquainted with the form and pliableness of the infant head at or soon after birth, will readily conceive how effectually the above plan would operate in moulding the cranium into the elongated or cylindrical form ; for while it prevents the anterior portion from rising, and the sides from expanding, it al- lows the occipital region an entire freedom of growth ; and thus without diminishing the volume of the brain, merely forces it into a different, though unnatural direction, and preserves, at the same time, the symmetry of the whole structure. The series of skulls presents, in a most satisfactory manner, all the grades of this process ; leaving no longer a doubt as to the . precise means by which it has been accomplished. Stated Meeting, April 21, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. Mr. Gambel read a paper containing remarks on the birds of Upper California, which was referred to a com- April, 1846.] 41 mittee consisting of Messrs. Cassin, Townsend and Wood- house. Dr. Morton read a description of two new species of fossil Echinodermata from the Eocene of the United States. Re- ferred to Prof. Johnson, Mr. R. C. Taylor and Dr. Zantzinger. Meeting for Business, April 28, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. The Committee to whom was referred the following paper, read 3d of March last, reported in favor of publication. On the Fossil Squalidce of the United States. By Robert W. Gibbes, M. D., of Columbia, South Carolina. Upon a careful comparison of the descriptions and plates of the admirable work of Agassiz, uSur les Poissons Fossiles," belonging to the Library of the South Carolina College, I have identified in my collection a large num- ber of the teeth of Squalides. I have three which I cannot refer to any of his species, and therefore consider them probably new. 1. Charcharodon megalodon, Agassiz. Eocene, S. C. Agassiz refers this to the Miocene, as Lord Enniskillen has a specimen from the "molasse" of Switzerland, and Mr. Charlesworth notices it from " the crag " of England. My finest specimen measures six inches in length, and five across (he root. 2. Charcharodon rectideus, Agassiz. Post Pliocene, S. C, from Eocene. This measures five inches in length, and four and a quarter inches across the base of the root. It was sent to me as found in an excavation on the suburbs of Charleston, for the foundation of a building at the rail road depot. Beds of Post Pliocene underlie that city, and among the shells of that forma- tion these teeth (two) were found. If no mistake occurred, (as my friend had them twelve years,) and they were actually found here, they were pro- bably washed down from the Eocene marl, which is only a few miles off. A. fine C. megalodon was found in the harbor of Charleston, and occasionally other Eocene and Miocene remains are found on the beaches close by. I have classed it with my Eocene specimens, as Agassiz, from a specimen in the " Museum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris," has referred it to this period. He says : " La nature des fragmens attaches a 1' os basilaire d' unĀ« 42 [April, 1846. de ces dents me fait presumer que c'est du calcaire grossiere." Note, p. 250, torn. iii. 3. Charcharodon leptodon, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Locality unknown. Ag. 4. Charcharodon megalotis, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Tertiary. Ag. 5. Charcharodon productns, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Swiss molasse. Eocene Ag. 6. Charcharodon sidcidens, Ag- Eocene, S. C. Tertiary. Ag. 7. Chorcharodon angusiidens, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Tertiary of Kressen- burg. Ag. 8. Charcharodon heterodon, Ag. Eocence, S. C. Tertiary of Normandy. Ag. 9. Charcharodon semis err atus, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Isle of Malta. Ag. 10. Charcharodon turgidus, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Sands of Flonheim. Mio- cene. Ag. 11. Charcharodon lanceolalus, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Ferruginous sand, Kres- senburg. Ag. 12. Charcharodon poli/gurus, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Swiss molasse. Eocene. Ag- 13. Charcharodon auriculatus, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Dax. Miocene. Ag. 14. Charchorodo?i Mortoni, Gibbes. Eocene, S. C. New. This tooth is four inches long, three inches across the root, an inch and a half thick from the most prominent part of its anterior surface ; it is inequi- lateral, with fine uniform dentelures ; both the anterior and posterior sur- faces are convex, though the former trebly so ; the enamel is thin and cracked in striae, similar to the Lamna elegans ; the root or basilar bone i3 very thick and concave ; the right extremity slightly exceeding the left. I propose to name this fine species after Dr. S. G. Morton, who was the first to illustrate our Tertiary Geology. 15. Corax (galeus) pristodontus, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Chalk of Maestricht. Ag- 16. Corax ("galeus) (new?) Eocene, S. C. IT. Oaleocerdo minor, Ag. Eocene, S. C. SwiBS molasse. Ag. 18. Galeocerdo latidens, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Unknown. Ag. 19. Hemipristis serra, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Swiss molasse. Ag. 20. Hemipristis paucidens, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Unknown. Ag. 21. Lamna elegans, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Crag and London clay. Ag. 22. Lamna crassidens, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Inferior oolite, &c. Ag. 23. Lamna Hopei, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Isle of Sbeppy. Eocene. Ag. 24. Lamna cuspidala, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Swiss molasse. Ag. 25. Otodus macroius, Ag. Cretaceous, N. J. London clay. Ag. 26. Otodus appendicular, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Chalk. Ag. 27. Otodus apiculatus, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Calcaire de Veteuil. Eocene ? Ag. ' 28. Otodus obliquus, Ag. Eocene, S. C Characteristic of London clay. Ag. April, 1846.] 43 29. Oxyrrhina ziphodon, Ag. Eocene and Miocene, S. C. Gypsum of Montmartre. Ag. 30. Oxyrrhina hastalis, Ag. N. Jersey, and Eocene, S. C. Swiss molasse Eocene, Ag. 31. Oxyrrhina mantelli, Ag. Eocene, S. C. Chalk of England. Ag. 32. Oxyrrhina, (new ?) Eocene, S. C. 33. Oxyrrhina, (new ?) Eocene, S. C. 34. Oxyrrhina retrofiexa, Ag. Miocene, S. C. Locality unknown. Ag. 35. Pristis acutidens, Ag. Eocene, S. 0. Bagshot, England. Eocene. Ag. Rays. 36. 1. Myliobates micropleurus, Ag. Eocene, S. C. London clay. Ag. 2. Myliobates Owenii, Ag. Eocene, S. C. London clay. Ag. Palatum Piscium. I have several specimens of what is figured by W. Smith among the spe- cimens from the crag of England (in his prints on colored paper of " Strata Identified by Organized Fossils," 1816,) as palates of fishes. I suppose these are what Mr. I. Lea speaks of (in Contributions to Geology, p. 203,) as found in the sand of Claiborne, and as figured by Brander. Some of them are mineralized by iron, and others calcareous ; all which I hare are from the Eocene. Among my collection from the Eocene of South Carolina, I have several fragments of claws and casts of varieties of Cancer. Two specimens are well marked, and resemble closely Cancer punctulatus, Desmarest, and Cancer Leachii, Desm. I have lately procured a tolerably good specimen of the remarkable fossil sent to the Academy by Dr. E. Ravenel, of S. Carolina, resembling somewhat a Belemnite. I would respectfully suggest the probability of its being the spine of Myriacanthus paradoxus, (Agassiz,) deprived, by attrition, of its tubercles. Agassiz, pi. 6, vol. iii, and p. 38, vol. iii. 44 [April, 1846. The Committee on Mr. Wm. Gambel's paper, read at last m eeting, reported in favour of publication. Remarks on the Birds observed in Upper California. By William Gambel. ACCIPITRES. Cathartes Californianus, Shaw. Californian Vulture. This immense and interesting bird, rivalling the condor in size, and con- fined exclusively to the Pacific coast, is particularly abundant in California during winter ; when they probably come from Oregon, as they are said to disappear from the region of the Columbia at that time. It is not always so shy and difficult of approach, as has been reported, and like the Turkey buzzard, it is most so when solitary, but often ventures to the neighbourhood of the towns without much fear of man.* It is very voracious, and nothing less than the carcase of a horse or cow can make a meal for many of them ; but such food is abundant, at least in the fall of the year, where the dry pasturage has been destroyed by fire, accidentally or intentionally, by the Indians. These fires extend over large tracts of coun- try, and in consequence many cattle perish, as well as from the summer drought. It is not uncommon to see them assemble with the gulls, and greedily devour the carcase of a whale which had been cast ashore ; they will also frequently pursue wounded game. The male in perfect plumage has the skin of the head and neck orange- yellow, and the irides carmine. Cathartes aura, Linn. Turkey Vulture. The Turkey buzzard is quite as abundant and familiar in California as it is in the southern parts of the United States. It is seldom molested, on ac- count of its usefulness in ridding the neighbourhood of the towns and farm houses of the refuse of the cattle, which are slaughtered in great numbers. *I may mention here an instance of the great disposition in the Vultures to become domesticated, and to show how much they differ in character from the other Accipitres with which they are classified. A Condor, which I saw in Valparaiso, Chili, during the early part of last year, was allowed to roam the city at large, and from its remarkable docility received kind treatment from every one. It would follow and walk alongside of a person like a dog, for a considerable distance, and offer no resistance to being handled or have its feathers or wings smoothed down. It would ascend a long hill leading to a part of the city where the foreigners resided, and when tired of the place, or after having obtained all it could procure to eat, it would spread its large wings and soar down to the city, alighting perhaps on a steeple or other lofty point. It would receive the caresses of children, and permit them to beat it with switches, or even to attempt to get upon its back. It was fond of thrusting its bill into my pocket, and under the straps of my pantaloonB, at the same time shutting its eyes and allowing me to rub and scratch its head. In fact, I think that I have never met with any bird which exhibited more tameness or greater confidence in man than this large and remarkable Condor. I was informed that several other similar instances had been known there. April, 1846.] 4.r> The Carrion Crow (C. atratus, Wils.) is very common about the Gulf o! California, and at Mazatlan, particularly, may be seen around the town in large gangs. In company with them I think I have also seen that new and perfectly distinct species detected in the collection of the Academy, and described by my friend Mr. Cassin.* Probably both may be found in Upper California. Haliatus leucocephalus, Linn. Bald Eagle. Abundant ; in winter feeding on the ducks and geese which cover the plains in immense flocks. I have found the nest on high isolated rocks along the coast, containing eggs as early as the middle of February. An interesting circumstance connected with this noble eagle, as the em- blem of our country, is, that it was held sacred by the native tribes of Indian? of the coast and interior of California, as I have frequently been informed. Another large brown Eagle, the Aguila rial, (probably the bird of Wash- ington,) is said by the Indians and others to be occasionally observed here. Pandion Carolinensis, Gmel. Fish Hawk. Common along the coast, particularly the rocky islands, where they breed. At Santa Catalina I found them nesting on the precipitous cliffs, in February, along with the bald eagles. Butaetes Sancti Johannis, Gmel. Rough-legged Buzzard. Common in the prairie-valleys during winter, keeping much on the ground. The adult in his dark livery, although frequently seen, is much less common than the young. Buteo borcalis, Gmel. Red-tailed Buzzard. Very abundant; as also in the interior in the ranges of the Rocky mountains. Buteo lineatus, Gmel. Red-shouldered Buzzard. The shrill kee ou of this handsome species may be heard at all timet around the vineyards and farms of the lower portions of Upper California, where it is more abundant than about Monterey. Bnteo Swainsoni, Bonap. Rocky Mountain Buzzard. Buteo viontana, Nutt. Man., p. 112, 2d ed. B. vulgaris, Aud., pi. 372, et auc. This species was first brought from the far countries by Richardson, who considered it identical with the European Buteo vulgaris. Bonaparte in his comparative list of the birds of Europe and America, dis- tinguishes it by the specific name of Swainsoni, quoting Audubon's descrip- tion and plate of the specimen brought from Oregon by Townsend. My friend Nuttall retains the common buzzard as an inhabitant of the fur countries, on the authority of Richardson, and refers Bonaparte's synonym to that species, describing this, which he considers sufficiently distinct, un- der the name of White-throated Buzzard, Buteo montanus. Richardson describes the nest as containing-from three to five eggs, equal *Cathartes Burrovianus, Cassin, Proc. Acad, Nat. Sciences, vol. 2, p. 212. 6 46 [April, 1846. in size to those of the common fowl, and of a greenish white colour, with n few dark brown blotches at the thick end. Townsend, who brought it from the Rocky mountains, found it breeding there in July, the nest con- Mining two white eggs. A. L. Heermann, M.D., during a recent trip to the prairies, found this species breeding near the Platte River, and also procured the eggs, of which he kindly furnished me with a drawing and description. It is considerably smaller than that of the European buzzard, and differs from it in being pure white, with a few dark brown blotches on the smaller end, while the latter is of a bluish or greenish tinge, with faded marks of a neutral tint, apparently sunk into the shell, and scattering blotches of dark brown. The account given me of its nest by Dr. Heermann agrees so exactly with that of Rich- ardson, that I have no doubt of its being the same bird. Elanusleucurus, Bonap. White-tailed Elanus. This active, beautiful hawk, is not unfrequent in California. At the mission of St. John, between Monterey and St. Francisco, I procured three specimens in one day. It flies low and circling over the plains in the manner of a marsh hawk, feeding on the small birds which are so abundant on the ground. It is easy of approach when perched on trees, and utters a very loud shrill cry, particularly when wounded and caught, fighting viciously. Falco anatum, Bonap. Peregrine Falcon. Occasionally seen along the coast, nesting on cliffs near the sea. Falco Columbarius, Linn. Pidgeon Falcon. Common throughout the Western coast. Cercneis Sparverius, Linn. Sparrow Hawk. This familiar little species is abundant throughout the country. Astur Fuscus, Gmel. Sharp-shinned hawk. Our pugnacious and daring little marauder appears to be distributed over the whole of N. America. Astur Cooperii, Bonap. Cooper's Hawk. The most remarkable similarity exists between the plumage of this spe- cies and the former in every age ; and although the great difference in size renders it impossible to mistake them, I think that if we depended upon the plumage alone, no sufficiently distinguishing marks could be given. We find, in fact, in every department of natural science, that those cha- racters, which in one genus or family can be relied upon as showing specific differences, are, in others, almost useless, or at best perplexing. This bird is common throughout the Pacific coast. ^trigiceps uliyinosus, Gmel. Marsh Hawk. In low valleys or marshes throughout California, the Rocky mountains, and New Mexico, we are sure to find this widely disseminated species. Bubo Vii-ginianus, Grmel. Great Horned, or Cat Owl. Common in the wooded regions of Upper California, April, 184b\] 47 Athene aocialis, Nobis. Burrowing Owh Sfrix cunicidaria, Bonap., Aud., Nutt. This bird, which hitherto has been considered the same throughout the wide range of North and South America,may,I think, be separated on as good grounds as many of the owls which are generally admitted to be distinct. It is unnecessary to repeat here the excellent descriptions which have been given by Bonaparte and Audubon of N. American specimens of the burrowing owl I shall merely state wherein I think ours differs from the S. American species 1 conceive it to differ in the general colour, being lighter in our species, with the markings and quills usually of a pale yellowish or cinnamon hue while in the other the colour is always much deeper and approaching dusky. The most marked difference exists in the feet and legs, which are in ours slender and delicate, while in the other they are longer and much stouter. The wing3 are shorter, and have the first and fifth quills equal, if any- thing, the first longest: in the S. American the fifth quill is considerably ionger than the first. The bill in ours is smaller in every way, and of a dusky horn colour, ex- cept at the ridge and edges ; in the other it appears to be dusky only at the base. But how can either of these agree with the description given of the Co- 'juimbo owl, by Brisson, as being so much larger, with the tail of a dirty- white colour and immaculate ? I have seen this bird in New and Old Mexico, on the Rocky mountains, and in California ; in each place presenting little difference in its habits. It always lives in burrows in the ground, either solitary, as I have frequently seen it, or in small companies. If it can avail itself of the labours of othe? animals, it will always do so, so that it is a constant interloper in the habi- tations of the prairie dogs, and in California in those of the large ground squirrel, which is there so very common. It however often digs for itself, and lives in scattered companies of four or five. Xuttall is, I think, mistaken with regard to its migrating from California in August. I have seen it there at all periods of the year. On the prairies its note is said to resemble that of Marmots, with which it is associated. The account which Yieillot gives of its nocturnal habits and note, has been doubted by Bonaparte and my friend Nuttall. During the breeding season, while sleeping near their burrows, I have been awakened by its low, measured and solemn cry, uttered much in the manner of its ^on^eners, but peculiarly solemn. Nyctale Acadica, Gmel. Little Night Owl. I procured but one specimen of this species at Monterey in October. Strix pratnicola, Bonap. Barn Owl. This delicate feathered and familiar fowl, which, hitherto, I believe has not been known to exist west of the Atlantic coast, I found very abundantly in California, and presenting all the habits ascribed to its European relative. Its favorite resort is in the neighborhood of the towns and ruined Missions, al- though it may he found also about farm houses, and occasionallyin the prairie valleys, which furnish it with abundance of mice and other small animals for 48 [April, 1846. subsistence. It makes its nest under the tiled roofs of the houses of the towns, numbers under one roof, and shows but little fear when approached. I have scarcely ever visited a mission without disturbing some of these birds, which were roosting about the altar, chandelier, &c, of the chapel, and hearing the bendition of the Padre for drinking all the oil out of the lamps. Every where in California, when speaking of it, we are sure to be told of its pro- pensity for drinking the sacred oil ; with what truth I cannot say. The specimens which I have examined agree in every respect with those from this side of the continent, and present the constant characters given by Audubon to distinguish it from the European species. (To be continued.) The following gentlemen were elected Correspondents of the Academy. William M. Baird, of Reading, Pa. William Gourlie, Jr., Esq., of Glasgow, Scotland. Nicolai Aall, of Christiana, Sweden, And Mr. Lewis Germain, of Burlington, N. J., was elected a Member of the same. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. Vol. III. MAY AND JUNE, 1846. No. 3. Stated Meeting, May 12, 1846. Mr. Phillips in the Chair. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. A History of British fossil mammalia and birds. By Richard Owen, F. R. S. Part xi. London : Dec., 1845. From Dr. Thomas B. Wilson. Bulletin of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. 1, No. 5. From the Society. Proceedings of the Providence Franklin Society. Vol. 1, No. 1. From the Society. A Geological map of England and Wales. From Roderick Impey Murchison, Esq., of London, through Professor Silliman. Annual Report of the Leeds Philosophical Society for 1844 and '45. From the Society. Dr. Hallowell read a paper, entitled ' Some account of the Anatomy of the Harpyia destructor, or Harpy Eagle of S. America.' Referred to a committee consisting of Drs. Morton, Bridges and Leidy. 8 50 [May, 1846. Dr. Hallowell also read a description of a new species of bat from Western Africa, which was referred to Mr. Cassin, Drs. Leidy and Zantzinger. Dr. Leidy read a paper entitled " Remarks on the Anatomy of the abdominal viscera of the Sloth, Bradypus tridactylus, L.," accompanied with two drawings representing the uterus containing an embryo, and the embryo with its membranes. Referred to Drs. Morton, Hallowell and Goddard. Stated Meeting, May 19, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Specimen, in spirits, of Pteropus Haldemani, Hallowell, a new species of bat from Western Africa, described by Dr. Hallowell in a paper read at last meeting. Presented by Dr. Hallowell. Jaw of a Shark, taken off Cape Island, N. J. ; also the beak or muzzle of Squalus pristis, Linn., (common Saw-fish,) from the same locality. Presented by Dr. C. W. Pennock. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, Jan., 1846. From the Society. A Synopsis of the Fishes of North America. By David Humphreys Storer, M. D. 4to. Cambridge: 1846. From the Author. American Journal of Arts and Sciences. Vol. 1, No. 3. New series. From the Editors. American Quarterly Journal of Agriculture and Science, con- ducted Drs. Emmons and Prime. Vol. 3, No. 2. From the Editors. Prof. Johnson offered some observations on the subject of floating docks, illustrating, by means of models and drawings, the principles of construction, and their application to prac- tical purposes. May, 1846.] 51 Meeting for Business, May 26, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. The Monthly Report of the Corresponding Secretary was read and adopted. The Committee to whom was referred the following, re- ported in favor of publication. C5> Descriptions of Two New Species of Fossil Uchinodermata, from the Eocene of the United States. By Samuel George Morton, M. D. Genus Cidaris. C. Alahamensis. Compressed, pentagonal, the angles rounded so as to form a ten-sided figure. Ten rows of tubercles, with nine or ten in each row. Ambulacra arranged in five pairs, with delicate, slightly oblique fissures separated by a double ele- vated line. Surface between the tubercles and ambulacra finely granulated. Genus Galerites. G. ? Agassii. Elevated, hemispherical, with four pairs of am. bulacra which diverge from the apex and meet at the margin, having each two rows of pores connected by transverse fissures. Surface marked by numerous, distinct granulations, which are continued over the whole base of the fossil. I have much pleasure in dedicating this remarkable species to M. Louis Agassiz, whose profound researches into this class of organized beings have thrown much new light on their structure, affinities and geological relations. Both these fossils were found by Dr. Albert Koch, in the Eocene strata of "Washington Co., Alabama, and by him politely submit- ted to me for description. 52 [May, 1846. The Committee to whom was referred a description of a new bat from Western Africa, by Dr. Hallowell, reported in favor of publication. Description of a New Species of Bat from Western Africa. By Edward Halo well, M. D. PTEROPUS Haldemani. Description. ā€” General expression ferocious; head resembling that of a dog ; ears of moderate size, smooth for the most part, obtuse at the tip, hairy at base externally ; there is no tragus ; body dark brown above; neck, occiput and vertex same color, but lighter than upon the back ; wings and interfemoral membrane of a sienna brown color above and below; thorax and upper part of abdomen and sides brown ; the rest of the abdomen is white; there are two long and thin hairs upon the muzzle; lips full, nostrils prominent, their margins being surrounded by a fold of the skin ; eyes rather large, irides ; wings long ; that portion of the membrane included between the phalanges naked, the re- mainder more or less hairy above and below ; upper surface of the interfemoral membrane hairy, with the exception of a small part at its posterior extremity which is naked ; under surface also hairy, but much less so than upper ; no tail ; tibia and fibula in- cluded within the membranes; four slender toes, compressed, of nearly equal length, the outer one being a little shorter than the others; they are sparsely furnished with thin hairs, varying in length ; the terminal phalanx of each is provided with a robust, sharp and ineurvated nail. The index finger like the thumb is also furnished with a short and ineurvated nail. Measurements. Inches. Total length, 3Ā£ Length of head, ..... If Distance between anterior margin of nostril and ante- rior canthus of eve, - - - - - I J_ 10 Distance between angle of mouth and anterior can- thus of eye, - f Length of neck, body and tail, ... 3 Length of forearm, ..... 3 Length of tibia, - ... . . - lj Spread, 14} Length of thumb. | May, 1846.] 53 Dental Formula. Incisors. Canines. False Molars. Molars 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 -1 This species I have named after my esteemed friend, S. S. Haldeman, Esq., author of the N. American Liinniades, who obtained it with other African animals from Dr. Groheen, Physician to the American Colonization Society. Descriptions of New Species of Coleoptera of the United States. By F. E. Melsheimer, M. D. (Continued from Vol. 2. page 318. ) Cantharida, Leach. Cantharis, Geoffr. Lytta atrata. Body black, immaculate, Fabr. Syst. El. ii. 70. Var. ? a. Black, with the head obscurely rufous. 3ā€”1 1. long. Lytta convolvuli, Melsh. MS. It is much smaller than the atrata, and differs from that species, aside of other characters, in being more obviously ashy-pubescent on the lateral margins of the elytra. Both occur on the flowers of bind weed, {Convolvulus sepium, L.) C. nigricornis. Blackish, clothed with a dense yellowish-ashy pubescence. 3 1. long. Alabama. Blackish or dark brownish, densely yellowish pubescent ; head with the medial impressed line distinct ; antennae longer than the thorax, slightly thickened in the middle, with the second joint a little smaller than the fifth; black, glabrous ; eyes blackish ; labrum and palpi black; thorax with the sides almost parallel, with the dorsal line distinct; beneath and feet as above. Zonitis, Fabr, Z. lineata. Testaceous-yellow ; elytra pale testaceous, with a broad vitta and tibiae dusky. 4 1. long; 1^1. wide. Pennsylvania. Crioceris lineata, Melsh. Catal. Testaceous-yellow; head deeply and densely punctured, with the vertex im- punctured, shining; mandibles with the apical half piceous-black; palpi dull testaceous ; antenna? : two basal joints brownish ; thorax transverse, round- ed, glossy, with a few scattered punctures ; medial line feebly impressed : scu- tellum color of the thorax, densely punctulate, with the tip impunctured ; elytra testaceous, rugulose, somewhat distantly punctulate ; each with a broad, lon- gitudinal reddish-brown band in the middle, which attains neither the base nor the apex ; two or three narrow, obsolete, raised lines : beneath, femora, and tarsi color of the thorax and head ; tibiae and knees dusky ; tarsi simple ; claws, besides being cleft, are distinctly pectinate, and each claw furnished with along hair from near the base. 2. Z. mandibular is. Crioceris mandibular is, Melsh. MS, Form and size of the preceding. 54 [May, 1846. Color of the head, palpi, mandibles, body beneath, femora and tarsi, as in the preceding ; eyes as in the preceding, black ; head and thorax punctured as in the preceding; the latter each side of the middle with a short, longitudinal profound impression; scutel as in the preceding; elytra uniform, very pale testaceous, lessrugulose, and more closely and distinctly punctured than in the preceding, otherwise as in the preceding; tibiae darker than the femora, and each, as in the preceding, with two spines at tip ; claws as in the preceding. Nemognatha, Illig. N. bimaculata. Black ; thorax yellow, with two blackish spots. 3 1. long. Pennsylvania. Black, densely black hirsute : head profoundly and densely punctured ; an- tennae black, filiform, with the second joint smallest, the following subequal, first and second joint rather hirsute ; eyes black ; a triangular dull rufous spot between the antennae ; mandibles testaceous, with the tips and labrum piceous : thorax yellowish, much and finely punctured, narrower than the head, narrower at base than before the middle ; angles rounded ; basal edge straight ; sides straight from the base to the anterior curve ; each side of the middle before the base, with a roundish oval brownish spot: elytra finely shagreened, with two longitudinal, oblique, raised lines before the middle, very obscurely defined ; wings fuliginous : beneath as above ^posterior and intermediate feet blackish : anterior ones brownish. CEdemeridce, Leach. ISCHNOMBKA, Steph. I. unicolor. Black ; elytra with three faint longitudinal raised lines. 3 1- long. Pennsylvania. Necydalis unicolor, Melsh. MS. Black, opake : head very minutely punctured and wrinkled, with the front dull cyaneous ; tip of the clypeus testaceous ; labrum black ; antennae fuscous> with two basal joints and palpi dull testaceous : thorax punctured like the head, each side before the middle somewhat depressed ; sides behind the anterior mar- gin abruptly deflexed, and there on the lateral margins a fine, short, transverse raised line ; medial space somewhat flattened, with an obsolete raised dorsal line: elytra finely shagreened, with three fine, rather obsolete lines, beneath black- cyaneous : feet blackish-brown, tibiae and tarsi paler, all with a bluish reflexion. Nacerda, Stev. 1. N. lateralis. Rufo-testaceous, eyes, lateral margins of the thorax and elytra, and abdomen, blackish. 4 1. long ; 1 1. wide, Pennsylvania. Rufo-testaceous, finely ashy-pubescent, finely shagreened : antennae ; la- brum long, indented at tip; palpi testaceous ; eyes large, round, deep black : thorax rather oblong, narrowed posteriorly ; faintly impressed in front of the scutel, and even less so each side of the middle behind the anterior margin ; sides each with a black spot, much dilated at the anterior margin, and acute towards the hind angles, which it does not attain : elytra paler than the thorax and head, with the sides parallel ; a broad blackish vitta, which does not cover the lateral edge and tip ; general color of the entire sutural space not as broad as one of the vittae : abdomen brownish : pectus and feet testaceous- yellow. May, 1846.] 55 2. N. dorsalis. Pale testaceous, with a spot on the vertex, a dorsal band, and two elytral vittse, fuscous. 4| ā€” 5Ā§ 1. long ;ā€” 1^ 1. wide. Carolina? Pale testaceous, clothed with a very fine ashy down, very minutely sha- greened : head with a brownish band in the face ( $ ), or only obvious on the vertex (<^) ; antennae and palpi testaceous, the former with the two terminal joints equal, both together about as long as the tenth (J^); eyes large, deep black , emarginate at the base of the antenna? ; thorax, as is common, widest before, with the sides slightly sinuate or retuse in the middle ; each side of the middle with two roundish impressions, placed quadrangularly, obvious in the <^, less so in the $ ; a brownish entire dorsal band ; sides in the middle obsoletely brown : elytra slightly narrowed behind, each with two longitudinal brownish bands, confluent before the apex : beneath and feet color of above, or in a $ specimen with the three terminal segments brownish. Xylophilus, Latr. X.fasciatus. Black ; antenna?, palpi, feet, and base and apex of the elytra, testaceous. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania. Black, ashy-pubescent : head minutely punctured, with the mouth dull tes- taceous ; antennae and palpi testaceous ; the former as long as the thorax, slightly thickened towards the apex, with the second and third joints subequal in length, the second rather more robust than the third ; maxillary palpi with the terminal joint large, securiform: thorax not wider than the head, suborbiculate, with the sides parallel ; more coarsely punctured than the head ; medial line obsolete : scutellum black, coarsely punctured : elytra wider than the thorax, punctured, punctures large, profound, vicinal, testaceous-yellow, with a common, broad, blue-black fascia in the middle ; scutellar region dusky ; feet testaceous : abdo- men piceous : pectus black, rough with large punctures : posterior femora rather clavate. Melandryidce, Leach. Mklandrya, Fabr. "Black ; thorax with grooves ; front with an impressed dot ; elytra striate and punctured." Melandrya striata, Say, Narrative of an Expert. App. p. 286. Var. a. Sculptured as in the preceding, dull rufous, with the eyes and elytra black ; palpi and tarsi testaceous ; tibise testaceous-yellow ; body beneath and femora, like the thorax, dark dull rufous. Serropa/pus thoracicus. Melsh. Catal. Var. b. Sculptured as in the type, with the frontal impression slight, almost obsolete ; black above, beneath and femora chestnut-brown ; tibia?, tarsi and palpi testaceous, the two former tinged with rufous. 4^ 1. long ; 1^ 1. wide or only about half as large as the type, or preceding variety. It is Serropalpus bicolor, Melsh. Catal. 1. M. ? umbrina. Fuscous, ashy-pubescent ; antenna? and feet rufous. 5 1. long ; 1^ 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Serropalpus umbrinus, Melsh. Catal. Elliptic, brown, densely ashy-pubescent, finely and densely punctured : head with the clypeus broad, obtusely rounded and glabrous at tip ; labrum trans- verse, almost covered by the clypeus ; each side between the antenna? with an 56 [May, 1846. obtuse impression ; antennae longer than the thorax, filiform, rufous ; first joint clavate, second one-third smaller than the third, which is slightly longer than the fourth ; joints 5 ā€” 10, subequal, terminal joint longest, rather fusiform; palpi brown, pilose, with the terminal joint robust, obliquely truncate at tip or slightly securiform ; eyes black, transverse, slightly emarginate ; thorax sub- trapezoidal, as wide at base as the elytra, with the anterior edge truncate, and the posterior one slightly bisinuate ; sides very feebly rounded ; hind angles rather acute ; each side of the middle at base with a small and profound impres- sion ; scutellum small, transverse-oval : elytra more than four times longer than the thorax ; an obtuse sutural groove behind the middle ; beneath darker ; feet dull rufous ; tibia? armed with two moderate spurs at tip ; tarsi long, very slender, simple, with the posterior pair 4-jointed, first joint longer than the following ones taken together. Var. a. As the preceding, but much lighter tinted. Serropalpus fuscus, Melsh. Catal. This species, in consequence of having the palpi not serrated, cannot be placed in the genus Serropalpus, nor in that of Melandrya ; perhaps it ought to be referred to the genus Scotodes, Esch., of which I have as yet seen no definition. Hypulus, Payk. H. trifasciatus. Rufous ; head and three elytral bands black. 2J 1. long. Pennsylvania. Pubescent, densely and finely shagreened : head black, densely granulate, sometimes with the cranial and frontal sutures very distinct; apex of the clypeus, and mouth rufous ; antenna? rufous, robust, very slightly longer than the thorax ; palpi prominent, rufous, with the terminal joint compressed: thorax rather quad- rate, slightly widest before the middle, with the anterior edge truncate, and bisinuate at the posterior one ; a profound fovea each side of the middle at base ; rufous, sometimes with the middle of the anterior margin dusky ; elytra rufous, with three common, black fascia? ; the first is on the base, broadest on the scu- tellar region, where it sends off a branch towards the middle fascia, which it nearly reaches ; middle or second fascia, is placed beyond the middle, the third or posterior one is immediately before the apex which it almost covers : feet and beneath more decidedly rufous than the elytra. Scraptia, Latr. S. palUpes. Dark fuscous, feet testaceous : 1 1. long. Pennsylvania. Dark brown above, minutely punctured, and shagreened : head black, mi- nutely and deeply punctured, with two longitudinal impressions ; mouth dusky ; palpi testaceous ; antenna? long, filiform, fuscous; thorax short, transverse, trun- cate in front and behind, with the sides rounded ; a large and obtuse impres- sion eaoli side at base ; medial line obsolete : elytra widest behind the middle ; beneath pale brown : feet pale testaceous. Var. a. Chestnut brown ; head and thorax darker ; frontal impressions ob- solete ; lateral thoracic impressions small, an obvious one in front of the scutel- lum. Hallomenus minutus, Melsh. Catal. Var. b. Size and form of the type ; head black, with the frontal impressions as in Var. a : antenna? as in the type ; thorax impressed as in Var. a, dull tes- May, 1846.] 57 taceous; elytra dull testaceous, indeterminately black at apex and lateral margins; beneath dusky ; feet as in the type, Sallomenus plagiatus, Melsh. MS. Kallomencs, Payk. 1. H. scapularis. Fuscous; antenna?, feet and humeri testaceous. 1^ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Hallomenus humeralis, Melsh. Catal, Oblong-ovate, dark dull reddish-brown, pubescent, finely and densely wrinkled; bead finely and con fertly punctured, with the eyes deep black, lunate; antenna?, palpi and feet testaceous ; mouth piceons : thorax each side of the middle at base with a small fovea: elytra with the anterior exterior angles rufo-testaceous : pectus as above: abdomen palish brown. 2. H. ? quadripustulata. Blackish; elytra with four testaceous spots, lj 1. long. Pennsylvania. Elliptic, blackish, pubescent, densely and obviously shagreened or wrinkled, somewhat glossy: head punctulate ; eyes transverse, black; antennae short; testaceous, with the apical half black and arcuated; second and third joints subequal, palpi testaceous, terminal joint of maxillary large; thorax tranverse, widest in the middle, rounded at the sides, with the edges margined ; basal edge subtruncate, with the hind angles acute; anterior edge truncate, with the anterior angles deflexed ; an obsolete impression each side towards the hind angles ; scutel, small, black : elytra with a large testaceous spot at base, and a rather transverse-oval similarly colored one midway the apex and middle: feet pale brown, or testaceous, the femora sometimes piceous. The antennae, which are somewhat thickened towards the apex, and the thorax in its outlines, differ greatly from those of the preceding species, which is a true llallomenus. It might perhaps be placed more correctly in the genus Xilita. Orchesia, Latr. 1. 0. sericea. Testaceous; eyes black. 2 1. long. Pennsylvania. Rufo-testaceous, yellowish sericeo-pubescent, densely and finely rugose - punctured : beneath rather glabrous, and deeper colored. Perhaps identical with micans, Illig., or only a local variety of that species. 2. 0. castanea. Fuscous; antennae, palpi and feet rufous. 1\ 1. long; | 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Hallomenus castaneus, Melsh. Catal. Slender, brown, yellowish-sericeous, densely shagreened : head, dull, dark rufous, with the labrum, palpi, feet and antennae, rufous; eyes black: thorax with the two basal foveas distinct: abdomen color of the feet: pectus darker, in a certain light blackish. 3. 0. gracilis. Fuscous; eyes plumbeous. 2 1. long; Ā£ 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Hallomenus gracilis, Melsh. Catal. .Slender, brown, pubescent, densely and finely shagreened : head as in the preceding; eyes lead color; antennas, palpi, feet and beneath, as in the preceding species : thorax, with the basal foveas somewhat obsolete. Closely allied to the preceding species, but it is always smaller, comparatively more slender, and with a coarser vesture. 9 58 [May, 1846 EUSTROPHUS, IlHg. 1. E. 4-maculatus. Dull rufous ; elytra black, with four fulvous spots. 2J 1. long ; lj 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Dull rufous or chestnut red, finely pubescent, finely rugose-punctured : head color of the thorax ; antennas and palpi rufous, the former with the last joint of the clava paler ; eyes black : thorax each side of the middle at base with a short, acutely impressed line; scutellum transverse, rounded at tip, punctulate: elytra black, with very faint traces of longitudinal obtuse, raised lines ; each with two large fulvous spots, of which the first is posted on the humeral angle, and extends obliquely to the subsutural margin, where it is narrower than at its origin ; second or posterior spot is a little before the apex, and is transverse, and reaches nearly to the suture : abdomen paler than the thorax ; feet and pectus, densely sericeous. 2. E. niger. Black above ; beneath reddish brown ; elytra punctate-striate. 2\ 1. long ; 1 \ 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Mycetophagiis niger, Melsh. Catal. Black, very minutely and densely punctured, ashy-pubescent ; mouth piceous ; antennae, palpi and feet rufous ; thorax each side of the middle at base with an obsolete obtuse impression: scutellum as in the preceding: elytra punctate- striate, striae very fine, punctures approximate: beneath' dusky reddish-brown. This species differs from bicolor, Fabr., which it resembles by its striate elytra, in the outline of the body ; that of bicolor is like quadrimaculatus, nob., obovate, and that of niger is rather elliptic. Cistelidce, Leach. Eryx, Steph. "Sanguineous; head, elytra and feet black." Cistela amcena. Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. iii. 268. Var. a. As the preceding, with the suture and lateral edges of the elytra rufous. Allkcula, Fabr. A. pilosa. Fuscous; antennae, palpi and tarsi testaceous. 4 1. long; 1^1. wide. Pennsylvania. Cistela pilosa, Melsh. Catal. Oblong elliptic, dark brown above, ashy-pubescent ; head stronglj' and densely punctured, with the frontal suture distinct; clypeus obtusely rounded, and piceous at tip ; labrum, antennae and palpi testaceous ; the former rather piceous ; the latter with the last joint of the maxillary distinctly securiform ; thorax transverse, as wide at base as the elytra, where it is wider than at apex, with the sides rounded ; basal edge rather straight ; anterior edge together with the anterior angles obtusely rounded ; regularly and deeply punctuate ; each side of the middle towards the hind angles with an obsolete shallow transverse impression ; medial line fine, impunctured ; a small obtuse triangular impression in front of the scutel, which is transverse, with a few transverse series of May, 1846.] 59 punctures: elytra elongate, with sides almost parallel; punctate-striate, the striae and punctures very fine; interstices convex, punctulate and rugulose : beneath and feet dark chestnut-red, glossy; tarsi testaceous. May be placed in the new genus Cteniopus, Solier. Mycetocharus, Latr. 1. M. niger. Black above ; feet rufous. 2} 1. long. Pennsylvania. Cistela nigra, Melsh. Catal. Black above, slightly pubescent, rather glossy: head densely punctulate; palpi : antennae reddish brown, with two basal joints paler: thorax punctured, punctures not dense, rather shallow : elytra punctate-striate, with the striae obtuse and the punctures minute, the interstices transversely rugose : beneath chestnut-red ; feet rufous. 2. M. ruficornis. Fuscous; antenna, palpi, feet and base of the elytra testaceous. 2 1. long. Pennsylvania. Cistela axillaris, Melsh. Catal. Brown, pubescent, densely punctulate; antennas, labrum, palpi and feet testaceous ; thorax at base each side of middle with a small and profound impression; dorsal impression obsolete: scutel brown: elytra densely rugulose; towards the suture with faint traces of the interstices ; base broadly and indeterminately testaceous : beneath pale brown: femorarather pale testaceous. This species is distinct from the fraterna, Say, which is not. as Say states, the axillaris of M. Catal. i Cistela, Fabr. 1. C.fuliginosa. Dark fuscous ; antennas and tarsi dull rufous. 5-6 1. long ; 1^-2| 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Cistela fuliginosa, Melsh. Catal. Dark brown or blackish, finely ashy-pubescent ; head densely punctulate, with the frontal suture distinct; clypeus and labrum dull rufo-piceous ; palpi dark piceous ; antennae dull dark rufous, long, slender in the J very slightly serrate: thorax with the outlines as is common ; very finely rugose-punctured punctures confluent; basal margin each side of the middle with a slide impression; transversely and obsoletely indented in front of the scutellum- sides befpre the hind angles slightly indented ; 9 with numerous small, obsolete impressions on the disk, and a large one each side behind the anterior angles : scutellum finely and densely punctured ; elytra punctate-striate, striae profound with the punctures minute, the insterstices convex, wrinkled, and numerously and minutely punctured : beneath somewhat piceous ; tarsi color of the antennas. C. punctulata. Black, strongly punctured ; palpi and tarsi rufous. 4J 1. long ; 2 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Cistela picipes, Melsh. Catal. Black, clothed with a fine but not dense ashy-pubescence ; head with large, profound and rather distant punctures ; frontal suture very distinct and profound ; clypeus at tip, and labrum dull rufo-piceous ; palpi yellowish- rufous ; antennae long, slender, dull reddish-brown: thorax punctured as the head, with the punctures rather larger, deeper, and less vicinal ; the ordinary 60 [May, 184(1 basal impressions obsolete ; scutellum with a longitudinal impunctured space in the middle : elytra strongly punctate-striate, the interstices rugose, and with distant punctures : pectus punctured and colored as the thorax ; abdomen : femora dull chest nut -red ; tarsi color of the palpi ; tibia? darker. Distinct from the picipes, Fabr. 3. C. fuscipes. Fuscous; three basal joints of the antennae and feet testaceous, 4Ā£ 1. long ; U 1. wide; J*; 5} 1. long; 1| 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Cistela fuscipes, Melsh. Catal. Brown, clothed with a fine, dense, ashy-pubescence : head very minutely and confluently punctured, with the front somewhat indented ; a longitudinal impressed line, extending from the vertex to the apex of the clypeus, very distinct in the Ā£ ; frontal suture obsolete ; clypeus at tip, labruni and palpi, dull testaceous : thorax punctured, punctures intensely minute and crowded ; basal impressions obscure ; anterior edge dull rufous ; posterior angles promi- nent and acute, particularly in the V : scutel punctured as the thorax : elytra punctate-striate, with the stria? profound and the punctures transverse and close set, the interstices punctured as the thorax, and in the Ā£ rather alternately wide : beneath as above ; feet pale yellowish-testaceous, the tibia? and tarsi rather deeper. The specific name is somewhat inappropriate. C. brevis. Black ; antenna?, palpi and feet rufous. Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. hi. 269. It may be added to the above character that the antenna? are serrate, mostly fuscous, with three basal joints testaceous. C. sericea. Pale testaceous, immaculate ; elytra absolutely striated near the suture. Length about one-fifth of an inch. Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. iii. 270. Long's Expedit. App. p. 285. Var. ? a. Fuscous, antennae, palpi, tibia?, tarsi and suture of the elytra, rufous ; the stria? of the latter almost entirely effaced. Length somewhat less than the preceding. Cistella pulla, Melsh. MS. Var. ? b. Dull rufous, with the head and throat above blackish ; stria? of the elytra feebly defined. Length of var. a. Smaller, but altogether like thoracica, Fabr., variety of murina, Fabr. 4. C. nigrans. Black-brown ; elytra punctate striate. 33 1. long ; 1 L wide. Pennsylvania. Cistela atra, Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. v. 242. Black-brown, ashy-pubescent ; head deeply and not closely punctured ; frontal suture distinct ; eyes closely approximating above ; antenna? fuscous ; palpi piceous ; thorax subquadrate, slightly widest in the middle, with the sides obtusely rounded ; truncate in front, slightly waved behind ; punctured, punctures profound, numerous, but not crowded ; an obtuse impression in front of the scutellum : elytra deeply punctate-striate, the interstices convex, rugose ; beneath and feet piceous. The specific name atra has been applied by Fabricius to a different species. Var. a. As in the preceding, with the antenna?, palpi and feet testaceous ; sometimes the antenna?, tibia? and tarsi, dull rufous. 4 1. long. Alabama. May, 1846.] 01 Helopidcej Steph. IlELors, Fabr. H. tumidus. Black-brassy; elytra gibbose. 65 1. long; 3\ 1. wide. Penn- sylvania. Helops ovatus, Melsh. Catal. Ovate, convex, brassy-black, glossy : head densely rugose-punctured, trans- versely obtusely indented between the antennae, with theclypeus honey-yellow and impunctured at tip ; labruui piceous at tip ; antenna half the length of the body, filiform, dull reddish-brown, with the basal joints piceous ; first joint cla- vate, second short, obconic, third joint as long as the two following ones united, cylindric, fourth joint shorter than the fifth, the three penultimate joints obconic, slightly thicker than the preceding ones ; palpi piceous : thorax subquadrate, somewhat wider than long, slightly wider behind than before, where it is not strongly emarginate ; posterior edge truncate ; angles subrectilinear, edges finely margined, convex, punctured as the head ; scutellum obtuse-triangular, polished with sparse punctures : elytra at base not wider than the thorax, in the middle nearly twice as wide as at base, with the sides rounded ; apex acuminate ; above strongly convex, punctate-striate, with the strke fine and slightly im- pressed, and the punctures small, oblong, and deeply impressed ; interstices flat, distantly punctulate : beneath and feet pitchy-black ; tarsi mostly, tibiae sometimes, ferruginous ; anterior femora clavate, with a small tooth towards the tip. This insect, on account of its very frequent occurrence, has been doubtless already described. I should not hesitate to consider the H. cisteloides of Germar identical with the present species, if that accurate entomologist had not stated that the thorax of cisteloides was " postice paullo angustior, " which is not the case in our species, but in numerous specimens before me the thorax is in every instance postice paullo latior. Diaperidce, Westeo. Tkachyscelis, Latr. T.Jlavipes. Black; feet testaceous. 1Ā§ 1. long. Virginia. Ovate, black, glossy : head impunctured, transversely sulcate between the antennae ; labrum, mouth, palpi and antennas, rufo-testaceous, the clava of the last pale testaceous ; a small, round indentation on the vertex ; thorax short, transverse, moderately convex, impunctured, shining, slightly emarginate in front, behind obtusely rounded, with the sides strongly rounded ; angles round- ed ; scutellum obtuse-triangular, piceous : elytra as wide at base as the base of the thorax, widest in the middle, with the sides rounded ; above moderately convex, punctate striate, with the two or three sutural striae wider and deeper impressed than the lateral ones ; interstices fiat, impunctured ; beneath and feet clothed with a long ashy pile, latter rufo-testaceous. Neojiida, Ziegl. 1. N. sanguinicollis. Dull sanguineous ; elytra black, punctate-striate ; head mutic. 1| 1. long. Pennsylvania. Diaperis bicolor, Melsh. Catal. 62 [May, 1846. Ovate, dull sanguineous : head minutely punctured, margined and obtusely rounded at apex ; eyes black ; antennae color of the head, thickened towards the tip, with the fourth joint longer than the third, the second joint shorter than any of the other joints ; terminal joint thickest, subglobose : thorax glossy, mo- derately convex, short, transverse, feebly notched in front, slightly bisinuate behind, where it is wider than at apex, and as wide as the base of the elytra ; sides feebly rounded ; above very minutely and distantly punctured ; each side of the middle at base with an obsolete impression ; hind angles subrectilinear : scutellum- triangular, color of the thorax : elytra black, tinged with rufous, par- ticularly at the sides, base and tip; punctate-striate, with the striae fine and slightly impressed ; interstices flat, polished, impunctured : beneath deeper colored than the thorax, coarsely punctured ; feet rufo-testaceous. Sometime? the thorax is dusky sanguineous, and the elytra entirely black. 2. N. rafa. Dull rufous, shining ; beneath and feet rufo-testaceous. 2J 1. long ; 1 J 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Short, ovate, dull rufous ; glossy : head very minutely punctured, rounded at apex, an arcuated impressed line between the antennae, and a small obtuse indentation on the vertex; antennae rufo-piceous, slightly thickened towards the tip, with the third joint longest, and second shortest ; terminal joint ovate ; eyes black ; terminal joint of the palpi triangular ; thorax formed like in the preced- ing, shining, punctured as the head ; each side of the middle at base with an obtuse impression : scutel triangular : elytra punctate-striate, striae fine, punc- tures small, close set ; interstices flat, almost impunctulate : feet and epipleiiifie testaceous-yellow. Resembles much in the outlines of the body Diaperis rufi- conris, but that species is black and opake, and is also somewhat differently sculptured. Platydema, Laporte. P. picilabrum. Black ; antennas, labrum, palpi and feet rufo-piceous. If ā€” 2\\. long ; f ā€” 1 1 -5th 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Numerous. Oblong, deep black, sometimes with a greenish reflection, shining ; head con- fertly punctulate ; mouth, palpi and basal joints of the antennas rufo-piceous, the latter with the clava frequently testaceous yellow ; transversely indented between the antenna' : thorax transverse, notched in front, bisinuate behind, where it is wider than before, with the sides feebly rounded ; angles subob- tuse ; above deusely punctulate ; a profound impression each side of the middle at base : scutellum subtriangular, impunctured : elytra punctate-striate, the interstices flat, very minutely and obsoletely punctured : beneath black, some- what piceous ; two terminal abdominal segments impunctured : feet dark rufo- piceous. Tenebrionidee, Steph. Hypophlceus, Fabr. 1. H. nilidus. Castaneous ; feet rufous. 3 1. long ; Ā§ 1. wide. Pennsyl- vania. Hypophlcem nilidus, Melsh. Catal. Cylindric, dark chestnut-red, shining ; head deeply punctulate, bitransversely impressed : antennae color of the thorax, with the tip and mouth rufous : thorax May, 1846.] 63 convex, oblong-quadrate, slightly narrowed posteriorly, with the sides almost rectilinear and finely margined ; truncate before and behind ; surface numerously yet not densely punctulate ; posterior edge depressed ; scutellum transverse, coarsely punctured : elytra cylindric, with the sides parallel ; somewhat obso- letely punctulate, punctures placed in series : feet lighter than the body beneath. 2. H. parallelus. Ferruginous-red, shining ; feet paler. II 1. long. Penn- sylvania. Parallel moderately convex, rusty-red, shining, very minutely punctured and wrinkled ; head bi-transversely impressed, the anterior impression is profound, and between the antennae and the eyes, the posterior one is slight and betweeu the eyes, which are black ; antenna? color of the head or slightly paler ; thorax quadrate, truncate behind, slightly bisinuate in front, with the sides rectilinear and almost parallel ; hind angles rounded, anterior ones promi- nent, acute ; margined : scutellum transverse, elyti-a obscurelypunctulate with the punctures ranged in regular and approximate series : feet rufo-testaceous. 3. H. thoracicus. Rufous ; elytra black. 1Ā£ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Hypophlaus thoracicus, Melsh. Catal. Rufous, shining : head obscurely rugose-punctulate, with a transverse impressed line between the antennse ; an obsolete impression between the eyes ; mouth and antennae, testaceous-yellow : thorax subquadrate, posteriorly slightly narrowed, with the sides almost rectilinear ; anterior and posterior edges truncate, with the angles subobtuse ; surface finely, profoundly and distantly punctured ; a small shallow longitudinal impression on the middle of each of the lateral margins : scutellum, black, transverse : elytra hardly more than twice as long as the thorax, black, with the suture narrowly and obsoletely rufous ; cylindric ; very minutely and distantly punctured, punctures scarcely ranged in series, and at apex obsolete ; abdomen dusky, tinged with rufous : feet and pectus rufous. 4. H. 1 niger. Black ; feet castaneous ; elytra punctate-striate. 4.1-5 1. long ; 1-1 \ 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Ilypophloeus castaneus, Melsh. Catal. Elongate, cylindric, rather deep black, glossy : head subtriangular, flattened and impressed in the middle, distinctly, deeply and distantly punctured ; mandibles robust, prominent, and with a strong tooth at tip; eyes orbiculate, plane, antenna? piceous, hardly longer than the head, with the clava three jointed, compressed, serrate on one side, basal joint and palpi dark rufo-piceous, the latter filiform ; thorax longer than wide, wider at apex than at base, with sides almost straight and finely margined ; basal middle almost truncate, with the basal lateral third slightly obliquely truncate ; apex slightly tri-emarginate ; angles subacute ; surface punctured as the head ; scutellum large, sparsely punctured and rounded at apex : elytra remote from the thorax, as wide as the base of thorax, with the sides parallel to near the apex ; deeply striate, with edges of the stria? crenate, the interstics rather convex, eacli with a row of minute, oblong, distant punctures : beneath blackish, or dark-chestnut ; the femora chestnut-red ; the tibia? and tarsi blackish ; the latter pentamerous ; the former compressed, and dilated towards the tip, and spinous on the outer edge. 5. H. ? nigellus. Dark reddish-brown ; femora chestnut-red. 31. long; \ 1. wide. Pennsylvania. 64 [May, 1846. Hypophlaus nigellus, Welsh. MS. Form entirely of the preceding, blackish, strongly tinged with reddish-brown : head not longitudinally indented in the middle, formed and punctured as in the preceding : eyes, palpi and antenna? as in the preceding : outlines of the thorax as in the preceding, with the punctures much more dense : scutellum and elytra formed and sculptured as in the preceding ; beneath and feet entirely as in the preceding. 6. H. ? teres. Castaneous. 2 1. long ; J 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Hypophlaus teres, Melsh. MS. Form of the two preceding species, chestnut-red : head formed as in the preceding, and similarly punctured, with an obsolete impi-essed line between the eyes, which are as in the preceding ; mandibles formed as in the preceding, piceous ; antennae and palpi rufous ; outlines of the thorax as in the preceding, the punctuation as in that of niger : elytra cylindric, slightly narrowed from the base towards the apex, not as wide at base as the apex of the thorax ; sculptured as in the two preceding : beneath and feet dark rufo-piceous ; form of the tibia? and tarsi as in the preceding species. The three last described species cannot with any propriety remain in this genus ; they are more fitly placed in the genus Trogosita. Ulojia, Megerle. 1. U. impressa. Castaneous ; head and thorax profoundly impressed. 5 1. long ; 2 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Tenebrio impressus, Melsh. Catal. Subparallel, chestnut-brown, glossy: head much and strongly punctured, flattened, with a profound lunate impression before, behind which is a narrow transverse indented line, joined to the former by a short medial indentation ; antenna? dark rufo-piceous, clothed with yellowish pile; palpi testaceous: thorax transverse, plano-convex, widest in the middle, where it is wid<>r than the base of the elytra, strongly emarginate in front, slightly waved behind, with the sides obtusely rounded, and finely margined ; angles subobtuse ; surface minutely and densely punctured, strongly and irregularly impressed on the middle of the anterior margin ; a small obtuse indentation in front of scutel, and frequently an obsolete one on each hind angle ; scutel rounded at apex ; elytra moderately convex, with sides almost parallel and straight, very slightly widest in front of the apical curve ; crenate-striate, the interstices impunctured ; feet and beneath somewhat darker than above, with the femora lighter and clearer. Distinct from the culinaris, Fabr., but resembles retusa, Fabr., in size, convexity, and impression of the middle of the anterior thoracic margin ; from which, however, it differs in other essential characters. 2. TJ. picea. Blackish-piceous above ; feet castaneous ; elytra narrowed at tip. 3\ 1. long; 1Ā§ 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Tenebrio piceus, Melsh. Catal. Ovate, blackish, tinged with reddish-brown, picous : head finely mgose- pnnctured ; slightly convex and hardly transversely indented, between the eyes and antenn:e, anteriorly obtusely rounded ; month and palpi testaceous-yellow ; antenna* rathermore slenderthanis common, pale In-own, with two nasal joints and tip of the terminal one paler: thorax transversly subquadrate, slightly May, 1846.] 65 emarginate in front, feebly bisinuate behind, with the sides slightly rounded ; very slightly widest before the middle ; above moderately convex, densely punctulate ; an obtuse impression each side of the middle towards the base, and another obsolete one on each area of the bind angles ; anterior edge rufo-pice- ous: scutellum rufo-piceous : elytra convex, widest in the middle, narrowed to the tip, which is acutely rounded; crenate-striate, the interstices flat and scarce- ly punctulate ; the fourth and fifth striae abbreviated and confluent near the apical third : beneath strongly punctured, dark reddish-brown-piceous ; feet dark rufous, glossy. The antennae sometimes testaceous. Iphthinus, Dej. I. areus. Black-brassy above ; beneath and feet simply deep black ; femora strongly clavate. 1$ 1. long ; 2f 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Tenebrio cereus, Melsh. Catal. Black, with a greenish brassy tinge, shining : head opake, hardly convex, densely and finely punctured or granulate, obtusely rounded in front ; mouth and palpi piceous ; antennae blackish-piceous ? first joint short, clavate, second shorter, obconic, third longest, subcylindric, the three following ones decreasing in length, obconic, the four penultimate joints transverse, subglobular, terminal joint short ovate, dull ferruginous : thorax transverse quadrate, moderately con- vex, truncate before and bisinuate behind, where it is narrower than before the middle ; sides slightly rounded to near the posterior contraction ; posterior angles rectilinear, anterior ones obtusely rounded ; distinctly margined ; surface irregularly and sparsely punctured, strongly indented behind towards the hind angles ; a small impression in front of the scutellum ; medial line obsolete and punctulate ; anterior edge slightly elevated iu the middle : scutellum triangular, impunctured : elytra wider than the thorax, convex, rather more strongly so behind the middle, where it is also somewhat wider than before; shining, finely crenate-striate, the interstices broad, minutely and very obscurely punctured ; the fourth, fifth and sixth spaces confluent near the apical third, leaving the two intermediate lines unconnected ; tips widely and very obtusely sinuate, conjointly acutely rounded : beneath and feet deep black, glossy, with the fe- mora strongly clavate towards their tips ; anterior tibiae simple, curved. This species may prove to be the Helops americanus of Pal. de Beauvois, Ins. p. 122, pi. 30, fig. 6. The antennae of the present specimen, and the only one in my collection, are entirely coated with a gummy substance, in consequence of which its true color cannot be determined. Blapstinus, Dej. 1. B. mcestus. Black ; feet slightly paler. 2 1. long ; 1 1. wide. Pennsyl- vania. Oblong-suboval, black : head strongly punctate, with a feeble arcuated im- pression between the antennae ; clypeus slightly emarginate at apex ; antennae blackish, with the second and fifth joints equal ; third joint longest ; joints of the clava transverse, with the apical one short-ovate ; palpi piceous-black : thorax transverse, emarginate in front, bisinuate behind, rather wider at base than at apex, with the sides slightly rounded and finely margined ; angles sub- 10 66 [May, 1846. acute ; surface profoundly and rather densely punctulate ; each side of the middle with an obsolete basal impression : scutellum small, transverse, rounded at tip: elytra punctate-striate, the interstices flat, minutely and distantly punc- tured : beneath glossy ; femora tinged with reddish-brown, piceous ; tibiae and tarsi paler, piceous. 2. B. ceneolus. Black-brassy ; feet as in the preceding. Pennsylvania. Slightly shorter and narrower than the preceding, which it much resembles, but it differs from that species, apart of being somewhat shorter and distinctly narrower, and of its brassy color, in having the thorax shorter and more pro- foundly emarginate in front, and more strongly bisinuate behind ; in the elytra being less profoundly punctate-striate, and the interstices more convex, and less, and more obscurely punctulate. To be continued. The Committee to whom was referred the following paper by Mr. Phillips, read 13th of January last, reported in favor of publication. Description of a Neiu Fresh-water Shell, and Observations on Grlandina obtusa, Ffeif. By John S. Phillips. Physa princeps. Testa elongata conica, luteo vel griseo cornea, nitida, lineis albis interrupts longitudinalibus picta ; anfractibus 5 ā€” 6-subconvexis ; suturis appressis distinctis ; apice acuto ; apertura elongata ; plica columellari obsoleta. Shell elongated, conic, yellow or grey horn color, highly polished, with white, somewhat interrupted lines of growth fol- lowing the marks of growth ; whorls 5 ā€” 6, slightly convex ; su- tures appressed distinct ; spire conic ; apex acute ; aperture elon- gated, regularly rounded below, acutely angular above, columellar fold obsolete. Length 1^-, breadth 5jL , length of aperture ^5 of an inch. See plate I, fig. 11, in No. 1. This beautiful Physa was brought from Yucatan, Central America, by my friend Mr. Norman, the enterprising traveller and author of " Rambles in Yucatan," &c. Among other species brought by Mr. Norman from Yucatan, were some specimens of a Glandina, of which I have found no description that would at all apply, except that of G. obtusa, Pfeif., from Nicaragua, (Proceedings of the Lond. Zool. Soc, 1845.) May, 1846.] 67 If this species from Yucatan be the G. obtusa, Dr. Pfeiffer has described a young shell, the dimensions of the Nicaragua shell being, length 9| lines, diameter 5 lines ; last whorl rather longer than spire of the Yucatan shell ; d. 14 lines ; diameter 5^ lines ; aperture 5J lines. The character of the surface in Gr. obtusa is not noticed. The specimens from Yucatan are minutely striated longitudinally,thestria3 the strongest near the sutures and becoming "weaker towards the aperture ; these striae are crossed by very minute revolving lines, giving the shell under a good glass a slightly granular aspect. The Gr. obtusa is described as " ovata utrinque attenuata ;" these adult shells have the two last whorls almost cylindrical. See plate 1, fig. 33, in No. 1. Should it prove to be distinct from the Nicaragua species, I would propose the name of G-landina (Achatina) cylindracea. Testa sub-cylindracea, apice obtusa, solidula, pellucida, pallidissime carnea, longitudinaliter tenue striata, striis decussatis lineis exilissimis, anfractibus 7, vix convexiusculis ; sutura crenulata, apertura mediocre, spira bre- viore ; columella basi contorta, et subito truncata ; peristomate simplici ; marginibus callo tenuissimo vix junctis ; dextro medio non dilatato. Length 1 *1 diameter i!L , length of aperture 51. Ā° 100 100 ' & r 100 Shell subcylindrical, apex obtuse, moderately thick, pellucid, very pale flesh color, finely striated longitudinally, the striae crossed by very minute lines ; whorls 7, slightly convex ; suture crenulate ; aperture moderate, shorter than the spire ; columella curved at the base, and suddenly truncated ; outer lip thin ; not dilated in the middle; inner lip scarcely covered by a slight callus. The Monthly Report of the Corresponding Secretary was read and adopted. On motion of Prof. Johnson : Resolved, That a copy of Har- lan's Med. and Phys. Researches be presented to the Essex Co. (Mass.) Nat, Hist. Society. 68 [June, 1846. Stated Meeting, June 2, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Annales des Mines. 4me- Serie, Tome 7, Livs. 1, 2 and 3 de 1845, and Tome 8, Liv. 4 de 1845. In exchange. Proceedings of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. 1, No. 4. From the Society. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. April, 1846. From the Society. The Literary Record and Journal of the Linnean Association of Pennsylvania College. Vol. 2, No. 7. From the Associa- tion. Fifty-ninth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the State of New York. Albany, 1846. From the Regents. Dr. Elwyn presented a large number of "works, chiefly on subjects of Natural Science, originally forming part of the collection of the late Dr. James Mease. A letter was read from Win. M. Baird, Esq., dated Reading, June 1st, 1846, acknowledging the receipt of his notice of elec- tion as a Correspondent. Dr. Leidy read a paper intended for publication, entitled "Anatomy of Spectrum femoratum, Say," with numerous drawings, representing the different parts and organs of the insect. Referred to Mr. Haldeman, Drs. Hallowell and God- dard. Dr. Morton presented a letter from M. Lamarepicquot, a French naturalist, who has established his residence on the Upper Mississippi, with the view of investigating the habits, &c, of the Mammiferse of that region. The letter was ad- dressed to F. Markoe, Jr., Esq., Corresponding Secretary of the National Institute, and by him referred to the Academy through Dr. Morton, with a request to examine into the state- June, 1846.] 69 merits which it contained. These were in reference to a discov- ery made by the writer and supposed by him to be new, of three distinct excretory passages, a urethral, a vaginal, and an anal, in the female Gopher, (Geomys bursarius ?) A number of speci- ments had been examined, and this peculiar conformation found to be constant. Stated Meeting, June 9, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. A large collection of minerals, chiefly from New Hampshire, Presented by Dr. Elwyn. Mr. Hodge, of Philadelphia, deposited in the Hall a perfect Egyptian mummy, enclosed in its original Sarcophagus, from Catacombs of Thebes. Dr. Morton deposited two Indian crania from mounds in the vicinity of Chilicothe, Ohio, presented to him by Dr. Davis and Mr. Squier of that city ; and two others from mounds in Bun- combe Co., N. Carolina, from Dr. Hardy, of Ashville in that State. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Notice sur l'Eurypterus de Podolie, et le Chirotherium de Livonie, par G. Fischer de Waldheim. From Mrs. L. W. Say. A portion of the Plates of Blainville's Malacology. From the same. Carte Geognostique des districts de Mines de l'Etat de Mexico : par Frederick cle Gerolt et Charles de Berghes : with a pamphlet explanatory of the same. From Baron Gerolt. Dr. Elwyn presented an additional collection of works from the Library of the late Dr. James Mease, including 31 Nos. of the Bulletin de la Societe Geographique : 7 Nos. of Til- 70 [June, 1846. loch's London Philosophical Magazine and Journal, Transac- tions of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, Vol. 3, Part 2 ; First Supplement to the Philadelphia Med. and Phys. Journal, by Benj. Smith Barton, M. D., and a num- ber of addresses, memoirs, lectures, &c, chiefly on subjects of Natural Science. Dr. Morton made some remarks on the position of the ear in the ancient Egyptians. Stated Meeting, June 23, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. A collection of organic remains, reptilia, and fresh water shells. Presented by Dr. William Blanding. A collection of Reptilia and fishes from Western Africa. Pre- sented by Dr. Blanding and S. S. Haldeman. Specimen, in skin, of Mustela , from East Tennessee. Presented by Mr. Haldeman. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Statisque de l'Espagne : par Alex. Moreau de Jonnes. Paris, 1834. Statisque de la Grand-Bretagne et de 1' Irian de : par Alex. Moreau de Jonnes. 2 vols. Paris, 1837 and 1838. Recherches statisques sur l'esclavage Colonial et sur les moyens de le supprimer : par Alex. Moreau de Jonnes. Paris, 1842. From the Author. Lexicon Physico-Medicum, or a new Medicinal Dictionary. Auctore J. Quincy. Taken from the British at the storming of Stoney Point, July 16th, 1770.) From Collinson Steven- son, M. D. Geological Survey of Canada ; Report of Progress for 1844. Montreal, 1846. From Richard C. Taylor, Esq. June, 1846.] 71 A letter was read from H. Meigs, Esq., Secretary of the local committee of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists, dated New York, June 5, 1846, transmitting a number of printed circulars of that Association for distribution among the members of the Academy. A letter from M. Alex. Moreau de Jonnes was read, accom- panying his works presented this evening. Mr. Haldeman read a description of Unio abacoides, a new species, which being intended for publication, was referred to a committee consisting of Dr. Hallowell, Mr. Phillips and Mr. Conrad. Mr. Fisher made some remarks on the comparative ra- pidity of growth of plants at different periods of their exist- ence. Dr. Leidy exhibited recent leaves of the common Elm, (Ulmus fulva,) each having on the upper surface several large pyriform excrescences, which were hollow and impervious, and contained multitudes of Aphides in different stages of development, from the larva to the perfect insect. Dr. Morton made some observations on the occasional union or continuation of the spheno-temporal and coronal sutures in the human subject. He finds it frequent in the Negro, occasional in the Hindoo, Egyptian and aboriginal American, but has found no instances of it in the European. He proposes to continue his observations, and to present the precise results at a future meeting of the Society. Dr. Morton also exhibited casts of some remarkable human effigies, and other relics taken from Indian mounds in the vicinity of Chilicothe, Ohio, by Dr. Davis and Mr. Squier, of that city. Meeting for Business, June 80, 1846. Vice President Wetherill in the Chair. The Committee on Dr. Leidy's paper on the Anatomy of Bradypus tridactylus, reported in favor of publication. 72 [June, 1846. Remarks upon the Anatomy of the Abdominal Viscera of the Sloth, Bradypus tridactylus, Linn. By Joseph Leidt, M. D. A living specimen of the three-toed sloth, which was lately brought to this city from South America, having died a short time since, I have been enabled, through the kindness of Mr. Wood, preparer of specimens in natural history, to procure the greater part of the abdominal viscera and the uterus. Descriptions of the anatomy of this animal have been given by several authors, but unfortunately not without a great deal of discrepancy in the statement of the simplest matters of fact, which I cannot account for in any other way than by suspecting several species to have been indiscriminately described as the same. Such cases of discrepancy are by no means unfrequent in Zootomy, arising, no doubt, in many cases, from the too exclusive attention in tbe preparation and preservation of the exterior, to the careless examination, or even total neglect of the interior. Regretting exceedingly that I have not been able to extend my observations to the whole anatomy of the animal, I must be content to give a few cursory remarks upon the material obtained, which I proceed to do at once. The stomach, according to Cuvier, in his Regne Animal, Tome I. p. 217, "is divided into four sacks analogous enough to the four stomachs of the ruminantia, but without folds or other salient parts in the interior/' Dr. Harlan,* in his account of the anatomy of this animal, writes, "the stomach consists of a large paunch, in no way furnished with compartments like that of the ruminantia, as is asserted by Buffon, who also errs in attributing ruminating faculties to the animal ; but this organ presents a structure differing from that of any other animal with which we are familiar, being furnished with numerous, long, conical cul-de-sacs." The specimen of the stomach which I have investigated agrees with the account, so far as it goes, of Cuvier. Taken as a whole, this organ is irregular in shape, large, capacious, and sacculated. It is evidently divided into four compartments, or distinct portions, by contractions, partitions, and difference of structure. The first compartment is the largest and corresponds to the paunch of the ruminantia ; it is separated from the second compartment by a well marked and prominent ridge, is lined by a soft mucous membrane, having in it nu- merous follicles of a large size, is, comparatively with the other portions, thin in its parietes, and has projecting upwards from it, possessing the same structure, a " long, conical cul-de-sac, " the only one found in connection with the stomach in this specimen. The second and third compartments are next in size, and are separated from each other by a partition of the same structure projecting from each side of the cavity of the organ. The oesophagus opens into the second compartment, but as it was cut off close to the stomach I am unable to say anything about it. The lining mucous membrane of these two latter com- partments presents a rigid, rough and thick epithelia, surface resembling in ā€¢Observations on the Anatomy of the Sloth, Bradypus tridactylus* Linn. Medical and Physical Researches, p. 544. Philadelphia, 1836, June, 1846.] 73 structure the cuticular lining of the gizzard of birds. A deep fold of the lining and intermediate or muscular membrane passes from the left of the opening of the oesophagus into the second compartment, transversely along the side of the third compartment into the fourth, being somewhat analogous to the arrange- ment in the ruminantia for conducting the ruminated food into the fourth stomach. The fourth compartment is narrow and intestiniform ; the muscu- lar tunic at its inferior half obtains a sudden increase, being extremely thick and strong. The internal surface at the commencement presents a patch of soft mucous membrane extending about two-thirds round the circumference of the cavity, and about an inch in width, and is surrounded by an abrupt, thick- ened, and papillated ridge of the epithelial structure, giving it somewhat the ap- pearance of an excavated ulcer. The remaining part of the surface is formed of the same epithelial structure as in the second and third compartments, but is thicker, and is thrown into numerous transverse and longitudinal folds, and has at its commencement several large and deep follicles, with mouths from one to two lines in diameter. The pylorus is small, and presents no valvular arrange- ment, but is capable of being perfectly closed by the agency of the very thick muscular tunic and the approach of the internal longitudinal folds. The duodenum comes off from the stomach by a very abrupt thinning in structure. Its lining mucous membrane is soft and villous, but has no valvule conniventes. The openings of the hepatic and pancreatic ducts into it are about one inch apart. The other part of the small intestine is, comparatively, rather short, and appears to be pretty uniform in diameter, although it has a gradual increase downwards, being the reverse in this point in man and some other animals. The muscular coat of the small intestine is rather thin; the mucous coat pre- sents a structure like that of the duodenum. The distinction between the small intestine and colon is pretty well marked but the latter does not extend beyond the former to a sufficient degree to form a ccecum. The commencement of the colon is about ten lines in diameter, but decreases as it passes forwards or ascends, until at its anterior part, the diameter is less than that of the small intestine ; it gradually increases again as it de- scends, until it emerges in the extremely dilated rectum. It is not at all saccu- lated, which appears to have been otherwise the case in Dr. Harlan's specimen. The liver is formed of large acini, is very little lobulated, and has no gall bladder. The pancreas and spleen present nothing of interest. The kidnies are small, and present internally but a single papilla renalis pro- jecting into the pelvis of these organs. The uterus in this individual is in a pregnant condition, being probably about four or six weeks advanced. Its size in this condition is a little more than one half that of the unimpregnated adult human uterus, and is pyriform in shape. The ovaries are about the size of a coffee-grain, and at one extremi- ty are in contact with the uterus. The Fallopian tubes are correspondingly short. In structure the uterus is fibro-muscular ; the cavity of the neck is lined by a mucous membrane thrown into numerous longitudinal folds. The cavity of the body contains a single embryo. The two portions of the mem. brana decidua, the reflexa and vera, are combined, forming a thickness of five 11 74 [June, 1846. or six lines, and possesses a decided vascularity. The chorion is connected to the decidua by its shaggy surface, but an amnion is not distinguishable, being probably not yet formed. Passing from the sides of the cavity of the chorion, is a delicate cellular tissue, filled with a transparent serous fluid, the corpus reticulare, in which the embryo is suspended by the duct of the allantois and vessels to the upper part of the chorion, at the point where the future placenta is formed. The embryo, in its curved position, measures six lines in length, and exhibits the cerebrum, cere- bellum, chorda dorsalis, the rudimentary vertebne, ribs, and extremities, and the heart, the liver, the stomach and urinary bladder. Conceiving the pregnant uterus at this stage to be of more than ordinary interest, I present the following figures of the same as it appeared on dissection. Fig. 1. Fig. 1, Represents the uterus laid open, the size of nature, exhibiting : 1, The decidua; 2, The chorion; 3, The corpus reticulare; 4, The embryo. Fig. 2. Fig. 2, Represents the embryo, twice the size of nature. 1, The cerebrum; 2, The cerebullum ; 3, The chorda dorsalis; >A 4, The rudimentary vertebrae; 5, The ribs; 6, The extremi- ties; 7. The heart; 8, The liver ; 9, The stomach; 10, The va urinary bladder. June, 1846. ] 7 5 The Committee on the following description of a new species of Unio, by Mr. Haldeman, read at last meeting, reported in favor of publication. Description of Unio abacoides, a new species. By S. S. Haldeman. Shell subovate, obtusely and regularly rounded posteriorly, disks approximate, chestnut brown and pale green, with green radiating in- terrupted capillary lines, and a tendency to form a submedial nodulous ridge: primary teeth robust, their inner margin nearly at right angles with the short lamellar teeth : pallial and muscular impressions well marked : nacre white, roseate posteriorly. Length 2|, height 2, diameter 1& inches. Allied to U. dromas, Lea, and U. intermedius, Conrad, but is pro- portionally longer than either. In its outline and small transverse diameter it resembles U. abacus. I am indebted for this interesting shell to the liberality of Dr. Foreman, who received it from Eastern Tennessee. The Monthly Report of the Corresponding Secretary was read and adopted. The Society then unanimously conferred a Life-Membership on Richard C. Taylor, Esq., of this city. Dr. Morton offered the following : Whereas, Dr. Thomas B. Wilson has purchased the magni- ficent collection of Birds called the Rivoli collection, now in Paris, embracing 10,000 specimens, mounted and named, and Dr. Wilson having expressed a wish that they should be arranged in the Hall of the Academy, and his fellow members warmly and cordially seconding his proposition, it is hereby Resolved, That a committee of five members be appointed to devise such additions to the present building as may be necessary for this purpose, and to report a plan of the same to the Academy without delay. The preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted, and the Committee appointed to consist of Dr. Morton, Mr. Vaux, Dr. Bridges, Mr. Pearsall and Dr. Wilson. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. Vol. 3. JULY AND AUG., 1846. No. 4. Stateed Meeting, July 7, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. The chairman announced that the extensive and valuable collection of Fossil organic remains, deposited in the Academy by Richard C. Taylor, Esq., had been purchased by Mr. J, Price Wetherill and Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, and is now pre- sented by them to the Society. A full notice of this collection will be found at page 261, Vol. 2, of the Proceedings. Mr. J. Price Wetherill presented the entire collection of or- ganic remains, hitherto, deposited Jby him in the Academy, and embracing two distinct series, as follows : 1. The Steinhaur Collection, which was made in England nearly forty years ago by the late Rev. Henry Steinhaur. It is particularly rich in fossil plants from the coal basin of York- shire, and in Testacea and Zoophytes from the lias, oolitic, and cretaceous formations of various parts of Great Britain. 2. The Clifford Collection, which was made by the late in- defatigable Mr. Clifford of Cincinnati, and purchased from his 78 [July, 1846. heirs by Mr. Wetherill. It contains an extensive and beautiful series of fossil remains of the Carboniferous deposits of the Val- ley of the Mississippi ; together with the skeleton of the Mega- lonyx laqueatus of Dr. Harlan, and numerous bones and teeth of the Mastodon, Elephant, &c. The whole number of specimens is nearly 3000 ; which, added to those previously in the Society's possession, and the beautiful collection of Mr. Taylor, now the property of the Academy, constitute an extensive and most instructive geo- logical cabinet. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Some observations on the Ethnography and Archaeology of the American Aborigines. Ry Samuel George Morton, M. D. New Haven, 1846. From the Author. Abhandlungen der Mathem: Physikalischen classe der Koeniglich : bayerischen AkademiederWissenschaften. 4to. Munchen, 1845. Bulletin der Koenigl : Akademie der Wis- senschaften, (from September 17, 1844, to January 7, 1846.) Almanack do. do. From the Academy. Andentungen zur characteristic der organischen libens nach seinem auftreten in den verschiedenen erd periodeden. Fes- trede gelesen in der offertlichen sitzung der Kgl : bayer: Akad : der Wissensch : zu Munchen zer feier ihres sich- sund achdzigsten stiftungages au 28 Marz, 1845. Von Dr. A. Wagner. From the Anthor. American Journal of Science and Arts, second series, Vol. 1. No. 4. July, 1846. From the Editors. Literary record and Journal of the Linnean Association of Pennsylvania College, Vol. 2. No. 9. From the Associa- tion. A letter was read from William Gourlie, Jr., Esq., dated Glasgow, June 2, 1846, acknowledging the receipt of his notice of election as a correspondent. A communication from Mr. Richard C. Taylor, dated July 3d, 1846, returning thanks to the Society for the Life-mem- bership conferred on him at last meeting. July, 1846.] 79 The Committee appointed at last meeting, to devise such additions to the present building as may be necessary for accommodating the splendid collection of mounted birds, re- cently purchased in Paris by Dr. T. B. Wilson, reported a plan, which was adopted ; and on motion of Prof. Johnson it was Resolved, That the Committee be continued, and that they be aiithorised and instructed to carry into effect said plan, as submitted by them this evening. On motion of Dr. Morton, Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be presented to John Price Wetherill, Esq., for the extensive and valuable collection of British and American Fossils presented by him liiis evening ; a collection which is admirably adapted to convey instruction in the most pleasing departments of Geological Science, and which is accepted by his fellow members as one of many proofs of his regard for the interests of this Institution. Stated Meeting, July 14, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. A letter was read from Jacob Tremper, Esq., dated Dresden, N. Y. July 6, 1846, containing some general meteorological observations made by himself in his vicinity ; and requesting the transmission to him of Vols. 1 and 2 of the Proceedings. The chairman read an extract of a letter from Mr. Alexan- der Maclure, dated, New Harmony, Ind., July 6, 1846, stat- ing his intention to transfer to the Academy all his right, title, and interest in certain Virginia lands. Prof. Johnson read some extracts from a printed copy of a bill now before Congress, from -the Library Committee, pro- viding for the publication of an additional number of copies of the Scientific reports of the late South Sea Exploring Expe- dition. Prof. Johnson made some remarks in relation to the bill, 80 [July, 1846. and congratulated the Society, on the prospect of a copy being soon obtained for its Library. Meeting for Business, July 8, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. The Committee on Dr. Leidy's paper on the Anatomy of Spectrum femoratum, Say, reported in favor of publication. On the Anatomy of Spectrum femoratum, Say. By Joseph Leidy, M. D. Spectrum femoratum is one of those singular insects which from their appearance, in localities where they are found, are commonly known under the name of " Walking Sticks." This species was first described by the distinguished naturalist, formerly in connection with our Society, Thomas Say, and a description and drawing of it will be found in the third volume of his American Entomology. Indi- vidual specimens have been found in most parts of the United States, but I have not learned of any place where it i3 abundant, excepting in the State of Iowa, from whence I obtained my specimens, through Dr. B. J. Kern, who informs me they are found in considerable numbers, frequenting high bluffs or dry exposed situations, creeping on the ground or on decaying timber. It belongs to the order Orthoptera, family Mantidas. The male insect measures 2 inches 9 lines in length, and one line in breadth ; the female, 3 inches, 7 lines in length, and 2 lines in breadth at the thorax, and 3J lines at the abdomen. The head is oval; the eyes are somewhat protuberant. It has no sim- ple eyes. The antennae, in the male, are about 2 inches in length ; in the female, 1Ā£ inches ; setaceous, and numerously jointed, the joints (Fig. 1.) being long, oval and hirsute. The thorax has three segments, the two posterior of which form full one third the length of the whole body. The smallest rudiment of wings does not exist. The anterior and posterior pair of legs, in the male, are two inches in length, the intermediate pair one and one-half inches ; in the female they are all about half an inch shorter. They are narrow, and much separated in the walking position. The thighs of the central pair of legs in the male are comparatively thick and the thighs of the central and posterior pairs, have at their distal extremity an acute projecting spine, long in the male, short in the female. The tarsus (Fig. 2.) is five jointed, each joint being furnished with stiff hairs and at the under part of the distal extremity, a pair of hard, smooth, shining black tuber- July, 1846.] 81 cles. The last joint is armed with two hooked phalanges having placed be- neath them a round and thick soft pad. The abdomen has nine segments. The last abdominal segment, in both sexe3, is furnished with two short eaudal appendages. The external part of the sexual apparatus is articulated with the ventral plate of the seventh abdominal segment. Of the digestive apparatus. The oral organs are mandibulate or masticatory. The labium (Fig.3,) is in fourpieces,two of which are external and one longer than the internal. They are somewhat claviculate in shape,have each a black spot at the extremity and articulate with the mentum, properly a fifth piece to the labium. The labial palpi (Fig. 3, a,) articulate with the mentum, are hirsute, and three-jointed, two of the joints being oval and the third lanceo- late in shape. The tongue, (Fig. 4.) which is internal as regards the mouth and is generally considered to belong to the labium, is fiat from side to side, of a curved triangular form, corneous in structure, and ciliate upon its upper edge. The maxilla? (Fig. 5,) are tridentate and slightly hairy. The maxillay palpi (Fig. 5, a.) are five-jointed and hirsute ; the first two joints are subrotund, the next two conical, and the last one lanceolate in form. The niandibuke (Fig. 6,) are very hard, short, and strong, and present a triangular molar surface, with two of the sides raised into trenchant, sharp edges, resembling very much a gouge, and well adapted for cutting the harder vegetable sub- stances. The labrum (Fig. 7,) is slightly convex and emarginated. The intes- tinal canal (Fig. 8,) extends in a straight line, the length of the body, from the mouth to the anus, and is broad and capacious throughout. The pharynx is almost null. The cesophagus, at first narrow, after a few lines of its course almost abruptly dilates into a tube of large calibre, extending nearly one half the length of the whole canal, and may be considered in the light of a com- bined crop and cesophagus, as it appears to be a receptacle of the food, in which the latter undergoes some change preparatory to being received into the stomach, and I will, hence, call it the oesophageal crop. (Fig. 8, a.) Its in- ferior part (Fig. 9,) becomes contracted in shape like the neck of a Florence flask, and projects into the cavity of the stomach. The orifice'opening into the stomach is narrow, and has a valve-like appendage connected to its lip. The exterior or muscular tunic of the oesophageal crop is thick and strong i its transverse fibres are well marked. The epithelium is comparatively thick and tightly adherent to its basement membrane. Thi3 portion of the alimentary canal I found to be full of coarse particles of decaying wood, which I infer to be the food of the animal. The stomach (Fig. 8, b.) is about half an inch in length, and of very little greater breadth than the preceding receptacle. Its parietes are compara- tively thin, and present internally numerous transverse rugae which pass from a longitudinal ruga in front to a corresponding one behind. The muscular investment is very thin ; the epithelial surface is soft and readily separable from the basement membrane, which latter makes up the greater part of the thickness of the stomach. The duodenum (Fig. 8, c.) is only distinguishable from the stomach by a narrowing of its capacity and the disappearance of the ruga?. It presents the same structure as the stomach. Its length is about three times that o 82 July, 1846. the latter, and it receives near its middle, where it undergoes a narrow- contraction, the biliary vessels. The contained mass of the stomach and duodenum has a pultaceous consistence. The ilium (Fig. 8, e.) is not more than four lines in length, is exceedingly contracted, and opens directly into the rectum. The rectum (Fig. 8, f.) is about the same length as the ilium, is mode- rately capacious, and has thick musculo-epithelial parities. It presents internally several columns or longitudinal folds, which give a columnar appearance to the excrement of the animal. The anus opens at the extre- mity of the last abdominal segment between the caudal appendages. The salivary glands (Fig. 8, g.) two in number, are placed laterally upon the anterior part of the oesophageal crop. In structure they are of the highest order, being granulated or conglomerate, one of the rarest forms in the economy of insect life. Their ducts open into the mouth. The biliary vessels (Fig. 8, h. Fig. 11,) are numerous, moderately long, and form a double attachment to the duodenum. They are connected at their commencement to the external tunic of the duodenum just above the middle, in three rows, (Fig. 10,) one below the other, from whence they pass down- wards nearly to the termination of the duodenum, then doubling upon them- selves, running forwards, they finally form the connection of entry about the middle of the duodenum, at the contraction before mentioned, (Fig. 11.) When highly magnified, they present a structure of basement membrane filled interiorly with organic nuclei and cells, (Fig. 12.) The Generative apparatus. ā€” In the female: The ovaries (Fig. 8, i.) two in number, are placed within the abdomen on each side of the duodenum, and are about 18 lines in length. Each ovary consists of numerous ovigerous tubes (Fig. 13, a.) 4 or 5 lines in length, which commence very narrow, gra- dually dilate, and join a common tube, the oviduct. The ovigerous tube contain ova in various stages of development, from a mere point at their commencement to the fully formed ovum at their termination. The perfected ova measure lĀ£ lines in length, are oval and smooth. The oviducts (Fig. 8, j, Fig. 13, b.) are narrower and pass backwards and join each other be- neath the ileum to form a common canal, the vagina. The vagina (Fig. 13, c.) is 2Ā£ lines long, its external orifice is placed between an oval ventral plate (Fig. 13, d. Fig. 14, a.) articulating with the extremity of the ventral plate of the sixth abdominal segment, and an upper convex plate provided with four curved and pointed forceps, (Fig. 13, e.) articulating with the seventh abdominal segment, which probably acts the part of an ovipositor. In the male, the genitalia are very simple. The testes (Fig. 15, a.) consist of a pair of comparatively thick and short tubes, forming each a single con- volution, and joining each other beneath the ilium to form the ductus ejacu- latorious (Fig. 15, b.) which proceeds to the penis. The penis (Fig. 15, c.) is external to the body, and is placed below the eighth abdominal segment, but articulates with the seventh. It is short, semi-oval in form, with a short pointed process behind, is enveloped by chitinous membrane, and is received in a calx (Fig. 15, d.) formed of chitine, which articulates with a small con- vex segment attached to the ventral plate of the seventh abdominal segment. July, 1846. 83 The Nervous system.ā€” The cerebrum (Fig. 17, a.) placed above the oeso- phagus, in form is like two pyriform bodies placed side by side, with the apices anterior and divergent to the base of the antennae. From the most anterior part of each lateral mass passes off the antennal nerve, (Fig. 17 b.) and from the external side, just posterior to the latter, the optic nerve, (Fig. 17, c.) From the base of the optic nerve and the cerebrum immediately pos- terior proceed two small branches, which unite to form a single cord, the analogue of the sympathetic nerve (Fig. 17, d.) which passes backwards along the side of the oesophageal crop, to which, after dividing into two principal branches, it is ultimately distributed by numerous minute twigs. Antero-in- feriorly the cerebrum sends off two branches which pass forwards, unite, and form the frontal ganglion (Fig. 17, e.) from which proceeds backwards, be- neath the cerebrum, a single cord running along the upper surface of the oeso- phageal crop nearly to its termination. These two latter branches, the frontal ganglion, and the single resulting cord, constitutes the nervus recurrens, or nervus vagus, (Fig. 17, f.) The nervus vagus, after passing the cerebrum, forms a small swelling, which gives off minute ramuscles to the salivary glands and neighboring part of the oesophageal crop. It also forms a gang- lion (Fig. 17, g.) of moderate size upon the lower part of the oesophageal crop, from which proceed six principal nerves to be distributed to the oeso- phageal crop and stomach. The ventral cord consists of a chain of eleven ganglia, connected in their length by a double commissure. The first of this chain, the cerebellum, (Fig. 17, i.) is a cordiform gang- lion situated beneath the commencement of the oesophagus, and connected to the cerebrum by its appropriate commissures, gives off the mandibulary, maxillary, and labial nerves. The three following ganglia are the thoracic ganglia, (Fig. 18, a.) the first of which is simple, the two others double. These give off nerves both to the extremities and to the neighboring parts. The seven remaining ganglia are the abdominal. (Fig. 18, b.) They are all single and give off numerous minute ramuscles in their vicinity. Explanations of the figures. Fig. 1. Fart of one of the antenna* of spectrum femoratum, highly magnified. Fig. 2. Tarsus of do., magnified. Fig. 3. The labium, magnified; a, the labial palpi. Fig. 4. The tongue, magnified. Fig. 5. The right maxilla and palpus, (a,) magnified. Fig. 6. The right mandibula, magnified. Fig. 7. The labrum, magnified. Fig. 8. The intestinal canal, &c, of the female, the size of nature ; a, oeso- phageal crop; b, stomach; c, duodenum ; e, ileum , f, rectum; g, salivary glands ; h, biliary vessels ; i, ovaries ; j, oviducts ; k, an ovum in its pas- sage down the oviduct ; 1, inferior ganglion of the nervus vagus. Fig. 9. The inferior portion of the oesophageal crop and stomach laid open. Fig. 10. Shows the connection of the commencement of the biliary vessels with the duodenum. Fig. 11. Biliary vessels and place of opening into the duodenum. Fig. 12. Portion of a biliary tube, highly magnified. 84 July, 1846. Fig. 13. Lower part of the female generativevapparatus ; a, an ovigerous tube containing ova ; b, lower part of the oviducts; c, vagina; d, oval ventral plate ; e, upper plate. Fig. 14. The posterior four segments of the abdomen of the female; a, oval ventral plate ; b, upper plate. Fig. 15. Genitalia of the male, magnified; a, testus ; b, ductus ejacula- torius ; c,- penis ; d, calyx. Fig. 16. The posterior five segments of the abdomen of the male. Fig. 17. Magnified view of the cerebrum and cerebellum ; a, cerebrum ; b, antennal nerve ; c, optic nerve ; d, sympathetic nerve ; e, frontal ganglion ; f, nervus vagus; g, ganglion at the termination of the nervus vagus ; i, cere- bellum. Fig. 18. Magnified ; a, thoracic ganglia of the ventral cord ; b, abdominal ganglia. The Committee on Dr. Hallowell's paper on the Anatomy of Harpyia destructor, reported in favor of publication. On the Anatomy of Harpyia destructor, Cuv., or Harpy Eagle of South America. By Edward Hallowell, M. D. The animal from which the following description was taken, died in one of the menageries of Philadelphia of a tuberculous affection of the lungs. It is remarkable for the great development of the lower extremities, which are sufficiently powerful to enable it to carry off a goat with facility. It is even stated that it has the power to carry off the dead body of a man, but such accounts are evidently fabulous. It is said to be solitary and to feed upon sloths and other small quadrupeds. Vertelrce. There are 13 cervical vertebras. The bodies of the four first are quite short; the seventh measures six and a half lines in depth upon its ante- rior face; the transverse processes attached to the anterior extremities of these vertebrae are well characterized, the longest being 4 lines in length; a small tubercle exists at the base, at the inner margin of the process in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth. Inferior spinous processes are observed in the first, second, fourth and fifth, and from the eleventh to the last; the superior spinous processes are well marked in the second, third, fourth and fifth, and in the tenth, eleventh twelfth and thirteenth ; the superior spinous process of the thirteenth is square, and resembles that of the first dorsal, except that its breadth is not so great. There are inferior spinous processes to the five first dorsal ; and there is a rudiment of one attached to the sixth ; those attached to the third, fourth and fifth are the longest; the middle one of these three is broader at its base than either of the others ; the inferior spinous processes of the caudal vertebrae are five in number ; a complete foramen for the transmission of an artery exists in each of the four pos- terior ; in the first it is not observed ; the bony processes passing from one transverse process to another are well defined, but there is no July, 1846.] 85 anchylosis ; there are no spines or processes attached to the anterior face of the lurabo-sacral bone ; a slight ridge exists near its posterior extremity; the fourth and fifth transverse processes of the caudal vertebrae are more developed than either of the others ; transverse processes are observed in all bat the two last ; the dorsal spinous process of the penultimate vertebra is well characterized ; none of the caudal vertebr e are truly anchylosed ; there are eight caudal vertebras and nine dorsal ; the vertebrae present nu- numerous foramina for the transmission of air ; the spinous processes of the dorsal vertebne are all separated ; none of their bodies are truly anchylosed. The keel of the sternum is well developed ; there are no notches in the pos- terior border ; near its extremity are two large foramina, eleven lines in length, which extend to within two and a half lines of the posterior margin ; the coracoid bones are remarkably strong and powerful, being greatly ex- panded at their base ; the furcula is separated from the sternum a distance of nearly half an inch. The scapula and clavicles present nothing remarkable in their conformation ; there are eight ribs, two of which appear to be want- ing, the pits for their reception being alone observed ; the six which exist are attached to the sterno-costal bones ; there are caudal appendages to the second, third, fourth and fifth; that of the second meets the anterior margin of the fourth about its middle ; none of the ribs are anchylosed with the pelvis. Cranium. The foramen magnum is nearly horizontal ; two well marked de- pressions exist upon the posterior and inferior aspect of the occipital bone ; between them is a small ridge four lines in length ; it is very narrow, pre- senting a marked contrast in this respect with the ridge in the same part in the grey vulture of Africa which measures half an inch in breadth ; the supraorbitar and lachrymal bones are of nearly equal length ; the former is rounded at its posterior extremity where it presents a broad expansion, the corresponding part of this bone in the grey African vulture terminates in a point ; that part of the skull immediately above these depressions is much flattened ; the ossa communicantia are seven lines in length and of moderate thickness. The opening for the nostrils is four lines in breadth ; the posterior extremity of the lower jaw does not project beyond the up- per ; the cranium presents generally a smooth surface exteriorly. Anterior Extremities. The numerous is well developed. On its internal aspect is a well marked ridge, presenting a broad and somewhat rough surface, incliaing backwards, beneath which is the hole for the transmis- sion of air ; the humerus immediately below this is compressed laterally, having a triangular form ; it is concave near its inferior extremity pos- teriorly, and convex in front; the middle of the bone is smooth and rounded ; the inferior articulating surface presents two oblong convexities for articulation with the bones of the forearm, with a narrow fossa be- tween them ; there is but one carpal bone in the subject under examination, but there is clearly a smooth articulating surface for another ; the radius is a long and slender bone, having about one half the diameter of the ulna ; there are two small ridges upon its distal extremity; the ulna has a well marked ole- cranon process; the metacarpal bone corresponding with the radius has three 86 [[July, 1846. times the breadth of the bone opposite, at its middle ; there are two pha- langes to the radial finger ; the ulnar phalanx is a slender styhforni ap- pendage pointed inferiorly. The pelvis is narrow in front, broad posteriorly ; it presents a small pro- cess on each side three lines behind the last rib , that portion of the pelvis comprised between this process and the cotoloid cavity is much compressd; the ossa pubis look backwards as in most birds ; the cotyloid cavity is incomplete posteriorly. Posterior extremities. There is no proper neck to the femur; the large trochanter presents a well marked rough process posteriorly ; there is no small trochanter ; on the lower side of the trochanter at its inferior extremity upon the anterior face of the bone, is a foramen three lines in length and two in breadth, for the admission of air ; the outer condyle of the femur is large ; the groove upon inferior part is well marked; there is a rough eminence upon its external face, with a depression in front of it ; the upper surface of the tibia is flat for the most part ; the anterior margin projects considerably be- yond the anterior face of the bone, but there is no spine extending upwards as in some birds ; the superior extremity of the tibia is remarkable for the deep pit which it presents upon its posterior face ; it measures twelve lines in length ; there are two holes at its distal extremity situated posteriorly, with an oblique ridge between them ; it is triangular in form above, rounded in the middle, and flattened inferiorly ; a marked depression ex- ists upon the anterior face of it, at its inferior extremity. The foramen for the transmission of the interosseous artery is placed two and a quarter inches from the head of the tibia, about a line from its junction with the fi- bula ; the fibula is a slender bone anchylosed with the tibia in the greater part of its extent, as in other birds. The tarso metatarsal is the most remark- able bone in the body ; it is a large and powerful bone, concave posteriorly, presenting numerous very well marked depressions and elevated ridges upon its anterior aspect ; there is a foramen for the transmission of air near its outer margin, five lines from its proximal extremity; there is also another two lines in breadth, and two in extent, near its inner margin, within two and a half lines of the superior margin of the outer groove, at the extremity of the bone; the outer aspect of the bone is flat in nearly its whole extent, presenting a smooth surface ; it measures seven lines in an antero-posterior direction at its middle ; its inner margin forms a sharp edge extending the whole length of the bone as far as its junction with the accessory bone, for the articulation with the first phalanx of the powerful back toe ; the articular eminences at the extremity of the bone are separated from each other by intervals each about two lines in breadth ; the middle eminence is the largest ; the remain- ing two are of nearly equal size ; the articulation of the accessory bone is placed seven lines and a half above the level of the anterior toes ; the access- ory bone is large and triangular in shape, presenting a smooth surface for its articulation with the first phalanx of the hind toe ; its posterior margin mea- sures thirteen lines in length ; it presents a sharp edge continuous with that of the inner margin of the tarso metatarsal bone for seven lines July, 1846.] 87 of its extent, the remaining portion being expanded laterally, and pre- senting a somewhat oval and rough surface. The toes are strongly devel- oped ; the back toe and inner toe are the most powerful ; the first phalanx of the inner toe is remarkable for its shortness ; it is somewhat quadrangu- lar in shape, and presents a deep groove upon its posterior extremity, for articulation with the tarso -metatarsal bone. Measurements. Feet. Height, measured from extremity of beak to extremity of middle toe, ..... Bi-parietal diameter of head Vertical, do. do. Depth of upper mandible at base, " lower " ' " . Length of lower mandible, " upper following the curve Breadth of coracoid bone at base, Width of interspace between clavicles at time of junction with posterior and superior margin of coracoid bone, Length of scapula, .... Length of sternum] measured from anterior extremity of keel, ...... Breadth of sternum .... Greatest depth of keel of sternum, . Length of fourth sterno-costal bone, Breadth of pelvis anteriorly, Greatest breadth posteriorly, Distance between anterior extremity of pelvis and pos- terior margin of cotyloid cavity, . Distance between anterior margin of cotyloid cavity and posterior extremity of pelvis, Length of lumbo-sacral bone, caudal vertebrae, last bone of coccyx, humerus, .... radius, ..... ulna, , metacarpus, .... hand, ..... thumb, ..... first phalanx of radial finger, . " second " " " . " ulnar ' " ā€¢' Breadth of first " " Ā« . Length of femur, .... Ā« Inches. Lines n 0 2 5 1 8 1 3 3 2 4 1 3 2 4 4 4} 2 Hi 1 2 1 5 1 10 (I (( tibia, fibula, 2 11 2 19 2 1 5 6 9 7 7 8 2 3 4 2 1 1 2 10* 5} 5 4 8 5 4 4 7J 88 Length of tarso-metatarsal bone, " proximal phalanx of hind toe, . Breadth at proximal extremity, .... Length of distal or terminal phalanx of hind toe at base, " proximal or first phalanx of inner toe, second " " third " " first phalanx of middle toe, second " " ... third " " . . fourth at base, first phalanx of outer toe, . . . second " " . . third " "... fourth phalanx of outer toe, fifth at base, (along inferior surface,) hind claw measured along its upper curve, inner claw, .... " middle claw, .... " outer claw, .... Distance between distal extremity of hind claw and distal extremity of middle claw, .... Distance between distal extremity of hind claw and distal extremity of inner claw, . (To be continued.') it tt a (< <( Ā« a (( a u u it [July, 1846 Inches. Lines 3 9 . 1 6 1 H H . 1 4 5 14 n . 1 3 ā€¢ 6 3 ā€¢ 2i 11 . 3 3 1 . 2 H 1 8 . 1 4 The Monthly report of the Corresponding Secretary was read and adopted. ELECTIONS. Elisha J. Lewis, M. D., of Philadelphia, was elected a member : And Mr. Edward Wilson, formerly of Philadelphia, now of London, And M. de Vernueil, President of the Geological Society of France, were elected Correspondents of the Academy. August, 1846.] 89 Stated Meeting, August 4, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. One hundred species of Plants from Texas, Missouri, Illinois, &c, from the collections of F. Lindheimer, Dr. Engelmann, and C. A. Geyer. Presented by Dr. Engelmann, of St. Louis. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Report of the Commissioner of Patents for the year 1845, read 24th Feb. 1846.ā€” pp. 1184. From the Hon. J. R. Inger- soll. Charter, Constitution, and By-Laws of the Cincinnati Horti- cultural Society, with a report of its transactions for 1843 '44 '45. From the Society. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. 4. No. 34. September to December, 1845. From the Society. Proceedings of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Vol. 1. No. 6. From the Society. Proceedings of the Boston Natural History Society, pp. 121 to 136 inclusive. From the Society. Mr. Webster's vindication of the Treaty of Washington of 1842. Washington, 1846. From the Author. Charts of the Harbors of Annapolis, Maryland, and New Bedford, made under the direction of A. D. Bache, Esq. Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Survey. From the Trea- sury department, through Prof. Bache. Dr. Thomas B. Wilson presented the following valuable works, in 4 vols. 8vo., illustrated by numerous colored plates ; by R. P. Lesson : Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux-mouches. " " " Oiseaux de Paradis et des Epimaques. Ā» " " Colibris. Les Trochilidees, ou les Colibris et les Oiseaux-mouches. 90 [August, 1846. Also, from the same donor, Part xii (completing the work) of Prof. Owen's History of British fossil mammalia and Birds. Manual de Malacologie et de Conchyliologie : Par. H. M. Ducrotay de Blainville. 1 vol. 8vo. with a vol. of Plates. Paris, 1825. Presented by William Hembel, Esq. Greenough's large Geological map of England and Wales, with a 4to memoir explanatory of the same. From the same. Atlas der Cranioscopie, &c, von Dr. Carl Gustav. Cams. Heft 1. 4to. Leipzic, 1843. From Dr. Morton. Notice sur un nouveau genre de Cetace des Rivieres du centre de l'Amerique meridionale, par M. A. D'Orbigny. 4to. From the Author. Extrait des Rapports (Acad. Royale des Sciences de France,) sur les rcsultats scientifiques du voyage de M. Alcide D'Orbigny dans l'Amerique du sud, pendant les annees 1826, '27, '28, '29, '30, '31, '32 and '33. 4to. From the same. Ueber eine bisher unbekannte, krankhafte veranderung an Menschenknochen aus Peru, von Dr. Eugen Zschokke. Aarau, 1845. From Dr. J. J. Von Tschudi. Fauna Peruana. Reptilia. Von Dr. J. J. Von Tschudi. From the Author. Nachtriigliche bemerkungen zu meinem Conspectus Avium, &c. Von Dr. von Tschudi. From the Author. Orthop"disches Institut ; Von J. Heine, M. D. 4to. From Dr. G. Jaeger. Ehrenged chtniss des konigl : Wurtemburgischen Staatsraths von Kielmeyer, von Dr. G. Jaeger. From the same. Karl Franz's Bellingeri's anatomisch-plrysiologishe untersuch- ungen iiber das Ruckenmark und seine nerven ā€” Deutsch bearbeitet von Dr. Heermann Kaulla. 4to. Stuttgart, 1833. From the same. Versuche und Beojpachtungen iiber den kartoffelban und die krankheiten der kartoffeln besoinders im Jahr 1845. Mit August, 1846.] 91 cinem anhans iibcr kiintslich erzeugten Guano. Von Dr. Eb. Fr. Manz. Stuttgart 1845. From the same. Beitrage zur Petrefaktenkunde, von Heermann von Meyer. Fossil S'auo-etliiere. 4to. From the same. G. F. Jaeger Dr. A. C. N. C. S. de monstrosa folii Phoenicis dactyliferse conformatione, &c.; cum tabulis 4 lithographicis. 4to. From the same. Der Schadelban des Mosasaurus durch beschreibung einer neuen art deiser gattung erlautert : Yon Dr. August Gold- fuss. 4to. From the same. Newspaper article on the geology of Middletown, (Conn.) and vicinity. By Joseph Barratt, M. D. From the Author. Letters were read : From A. D. Bache, Esq. dated Washington, July 31, 1846, presenting the charts received this evening. From the Secretary of the American Philosophical Society, acknowledging the receipt of certain numbers of the Pro- ceedings of the Academy, furnished at the request of the Li- brarian of that Societv. From the Secretary of the New York Lyceum of Natural History, dated Aug. 5, 1846, acknowledging the receipt of the last number of the Proceedings. From Dr. J. J. Yon Tschudi, dated St. Galen, April 4, 1846 ; acknowledging the receipt of the Academy's Proceed- ings, and presenting the works received this evening. From Judge Tremper, dated Dresden, N. Y., July 1846, giving the results of observations and experiments made by himself, with the view of ascertaining the amount of evapora- tion from land and water surface in his vicinity, and also the temperature of Seneca Lake. A paper by Dr. Joseph Leidy, entitled, ' Description of a new genus and species of Entozoa,' was read and referred to Dr. Zantzinger, Mr. Phillips, and Dr. Morton. The Chairman exhibited a living specimen of a bird, which with another of the same description, had recently been ob- 92 [August, 1846. tained by Mr. Augustus E. Jessup, from a farm "in the vici- nity of Wilmington, Delaware, where they had been raised. These birds present certain characters, which justify the pre- sumption that they are hybrids between the common domes- tic fowl and the guinea fowl. They will be fully described in a subsequent number of the Proceedings. A report from the Building Committee was presented and read, stating that a contract had been entered into with a competent person, for making the proposed alterations and additions to the Hall ; the work to be commenced forthwith, and to be completed on the 1st of February next. Stated Meeting, August 11, 1846. Dr. Bridges in the Chair. Dr. Morton read a letter from Mr. Charles Lyell, dated London, July 14, 1846, enclosing a communication from Prof. Owen, entitled, ' Observations on the fossils from the geological cabinet of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, collected from the Brunswick Canal, Georgia, by J. Hamilton Couper, Esq., and presented by the latter to the Academy.' The paper was read and referred to the following commit- tee : Dr. Morton, Dr. Hallowell, and Mr. Richard C. Taylor. Mr. Lyell stated in his letter that the fossils described in the paper, and transmitted to Prof. Owen through himself for that purpose, would be shortly returned to the Academy, with a drawing of Harlanus Americanus. A letter was read from Dr. Asa Gray, Corresponding Sec- retary of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences of Boston, dated Cambridge, Mass., Aug. 4, 1846, announcing that a copy of vol. 2, new series, of the Memoirs of that So- ciety, had been forwarded for the Academy, and offering to supply any other published vols, of the Memoirs not already contained in its Library: also requesting in exchange the publications of the Academy. August, 1846.] 93 Whereupon, on motion of Dr. Morton, it was Resolved, That a copy of vols. 1 and 2 of the Proceedings, and such volumes of the Journal as were at the disposal of the Publication Committee, be presented to the . American Aca- demy, at Boston. Meeting for Business, Aug. 25, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. The Committee, to whom was referred the following com- munication, reported in favor of publication. Observations 071 certain Fossils from the Collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, By Richard Owen, Esq., F. R. S., &c. &c. [The organic remains which form the subject of the following paper by Prof. Owen, are apart of the series collected by James Hamilton Couper, Esq., during the excavation of the Brunswick Canal, near Darien, in Geor- gia. Prof. Owen, having expressed a wish to examine these fossils, they were transmitted to him through Mr. Charles Lyell, by authority of the Aca- demy, and the following highly interesting memoir was promptly returned. Besides the references by Prof. Owen to Dr. Harlan's original paper in the American Journal of Science, some valuable remarks by Mr. Couper him- self, will be found in volume I. of these Proceedings, page 216.] Genus Bos. No. 1. Distal half of right humerus: it is about one-sixth less than the same part in Bos primogenius, and more resembles that of the Aurochs : it belongs, probably, to a species of Bison. No. 2. The left tibia of the same species. Genus Equus. No. 3. Fragments of a lower molar tooth of the size of the Equus cahcllus : but the specific character not determinable. Genus Mastodon. No. 4. A portion of tusk, labelled Hippopotamus, but satisfacto- rily known to have belonged to a Proboscidian Pachyderm by the decussating curved lines, intercepting lozenged -shaped spaces, at the transverse fractures of the ivory at the two ends. (The struc- ture is shown in British Fossil Mammalia, p. 291, fig. 101, c.) 13 94 [August, 1846. Transverse fractures of the tusks of Hippopotamus, show fine con- centric lines, as figured in British Fossil Mammalia, p. 402, fig. 160. From the size, shape and slight degree of curvature of the Geor- gian fossil, it may probably have belonged to the left side, lower jaw, of the Mastodon giganteus. Genus Harlamus. No. 5. The middle part of the right ramus of the lower jaw of a large Pachyderm, with the last three (or true) molars, part of the premolar next in advance, and part of the socket of another premo- lar. The crowns of all these teeth appear to have been worn down by mastication to their base ; they present the proportions, and the last molar, in a cast transmitted to me by my lamented friend, Dr. Harlan, appears to retain the anterior of the two large transverse ridges, which characterize the teeth of the genus Lopliiodon, Cuv.: it likewise possesses the large posterior lobe or talon, which dis- tinguishes this tooth in the Lophiodon from that of the Tapir. The teeth of the fossil from Georgia a little exceed in size those of the Lophiodon Isselanus (Grand Lophiodon d'hsel, Cuvier, " Os- semens Fossiles," ed. 1822 , torn. 2. pt. 1, p. 184, pi. 3, fig. 3,) the antero-posterior diameter of the last molar in that species being one inch and eight lines, and in the present fossil one inch and ten lines. But the depth of the jaw below the middle of the last molar in the present fossil is three inches ; whilst that in the Lophiodon Isselanus in the figure cited, is scarcely two inches ; and Cuvier expressly states (p. 186,) that it surpasses in depth the correspond- ing part of the jaws of the Lophiodon medius (pi. 3, fig. 1,) which has molar teeth of the same size as in the Lophiodon Isselanus. The present fossil has been described and figured in " Silliman's American Journal of Science," vol. 43, 1842, pi. 3, fig. 1, under the name of Sus Americana ; Br. Harlan conceiving that from its general appearance and number of the teeth this fragment bore a close analogy with the same part in the Sus bahirussa, Buff, acknowledging, however, that the Babyroussa " was a much smaller animal." Besides the difference of size, the last molar in the fossil has the anteror transverse ridge proportion- ally larger, and the posterior lobe proportionally smaller than in the Babyroussa, resembling the Lophiodon in the points in which August, 1846.] 95 it thus differs from the species of Sus cited. The form, of the fossil jaw differs at the part supporting the last molar from that in the Babyroussa, where the socket of the last molar overhangs the inner surface of the ramus, whilst in the fossil the inner surface of the ramus beneath the last molar describes a gentle convexity from the tooth to the lower margin of the ramus. The outer part of the ramus of the jaw of the Babyroussa begins to expand be- low the fourth and fifth molars, counting forwards from the last, to form the socket of the large tusk; but the fossil jaw does not offer the least indication of an enlargement for that purpose ; and the fractured anterior end, as displayed in the cast, is very different in shape from the corresponding part of the jaw in the Baby- roussa, and shows merely the wide dental canal, and no socket for the tusk which would be here situated in the Babyroussa or Wild Boar. The nearest approximation which I could [make from a study of a cast of the fossil in question to any known existing or extinct animal, was to the great tapiroid Pachyderms ; but I added in my description of this cast in the Catalogue of Fossil Mamma- lia and Birds in the College of Surgeons 4to. 1845, p. 198, " that ulterior discoveries, may, indeed, show that the Lophiodont denti- tion was combined with other characters in the American fossil? necessitating a generic distinction, and it is well to remember that the dentition of the Macranchenia of South America, a three-toed Pachyderm with an astragalus almost identical with that of the Lophiodon, and of a size which agrees with the jaw of the fossil Sus Americana of Harlan, has yet to be discovered." The original of the cast shows the course of the enamel on the outer side of the penultimate molar ; it there defines an anterior lobe of the crown about one-third the antero-posterior extent of the crown, by a close, straight fold of enamel penetrating inwards about 2J lines. The anterior lobe or transverse ridge of the corresponding tooth of a Lophiodon might, perhaps, present a similar appearance, if worn down to the base of the crown. But in the present fossil, the enamel proceeds to define a mid- dle lobe on the outer side of the crown, shorter than the foregoing, beyond which the enamel and dentine are worn obliquely away to the base of the posterior fang ; the indication of the middle ex- 96 August, 1846.] ternal lobe or festoon of enamel is, however, decisive against its generic relationship with Lopliiodon. This indication of the arrangement of the enamel,* slight as it is, reminds one of that in the lower molars of the Toxodon, and another feature of resemblance is the apparent interruption of the enamel at the anterior part of the molar in the fossil. If the presence of two distinct fangs in the Georgian Fossil were adduced as distinguishing it from the Toxodon, it might be replied that perhaps the long curved rootless molars in that animal at the last period of age might, as in the Horse, acquire roots. But the trilobed character is on the outside of the molar in question, and on the inside of those of the Toxodon; in which also the middle lobe only has a coat of enamel, not the anterior or posterior of the inner lobes : there is no doubt, therefore, that the Georgian Pachyderm is generally distinct from Toxodon, as it is from Lophiodon ; and it would seem to have diminished the interval which divides the strange Gliriform Pachyderm of South America, from the more normal Tapiroid forms of Pachyderms which are found fossil in the old world. As naturalists have accepted the latinized Indian word Tapirus as the generic name of the existing American Pachyderm, which makes the nearest approach to the present remarkable fossil, they will probably sanction the application to the genus and species which it represents, of the name Harlanus Americanus ;f in honor of the indefatigable and accomplished Naturalist by whom the fossil was first made known to Science. Royal College of Surgeons, London, July 8th, 1846. The following gentlemen were elected Correspondents of the Academy : ā€” J. Lawrence Smith, M.D., of Charleston, S. C. John M. B. Harden, M.D., of Liberty Co., Georgia. John H. Redfield, Esq., of New York. Major Joseph Delafield, of New York. * Fossil Mammalia of the Beagle, pi. v., fig. 2. f A drawing of this fossil has been made in London under the supervi- sion of Professor Owen, but not yet received. It will appear in a future number of the Proceedings. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. Vol. hi. SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, 1846. No. 5. Stated Meeting, September 1, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Specimen, in skin, of Buteo unicinctus, Temm. (Falco Harrisii, Aud.) from the vicinity of Natchez. From Dr. J. C. Jenkins of Natchez. A small collection of insects, in spirits. From Mr. Gambel. Mr. Germain, of Burlington, N. J., presented an additional series of cretaceous fossils, from the marl strata west of that city, embracing the genera Ammonites, Scaphites, Baculites, Mya, Coprolites, and some others, with frag- ments of fossil wood. The Curators announced that the splendid collection of Birds purchased in Paris by Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, and known as the Rivoli collection, has arrived, and is now deposited in the Hall of the Acadamy. Dr. Morton read a paper, describing two living hybrid birds, between the genera Gall us and Numida ; which was referred to Mr. Cassin, and Dr. Leidy. 14 98 [September, 1846. Stated Meeting, September 15, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences of Boston. Vols. 1, 3, and Part 1, vol. 4, old series, and vols. 1 and 2, new series. 4to. From the Academy. The Catalogue of Stars, by the British Association for the ad- vancement of Science ; containing the mean right ascen- sions, and north polar distances, of 8377 fixed stars, re- duced to January 1, 1850 ; &c, &c. London, 1845. 4to. From the British Association. American Journal of Science and Arts. New series, vol. 2, No. 5, September, 1846. From the editors. Letters were read : From the Corresponding Secretary of the American Aca- demy of Arts and Sciences of Boston, Dated August 26, 1846, acknowledging the receipt of the volumes of the Proceedings and Journal, authorized by a late resolution of the Academy, to be presented to that Institution. From Mr. John H. Redfield, dated New York, September 11, 1846, and from Major Joseph Delafield, of same date, severally acknowledging the receipt of their notices of elec- tion as correspondents. From Dr. Z. Pitcher, of Detroit, dated September 3, 1846, addressed to Dr. Morton, proposing to exchange duplicate Bird skins, collected by the late Mr. Douglas Houghton. Referred to the Zoological Committee. Dr. Joseph Leidy read a paper ' On the mechanism which closes the membranous wings of the genus Locusta,' which was referred to Mr. Haldeman, Dr. Hallowell, and Dr. Bridges. September, 1846.] 99 Stated Meeting, September 22, 1846. Vice President Wetherill in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Specimens of Unio bullatus, U. quadrulus, U. plicatus, U. globulus, U. lugubris, Say, U. Nashvillianus, U. parvus, Anadonta subglobosa, Paludina vivipara, and P. integra; from Lake Concordia, and Ouichita river, Louisiana ; also Limonites from the Natchez Bluffs. Presented by Dr. Dickeson. Letters were read : From the Secretary of the Royal Society of Agriculture, &c, of Lyons, dated 20th June, 1846, presenting to the Academy eight volumes of its Annals, and requesting in exchange the publications of this Society. From the agent of the Lyons Society, dated New York, September, 1846, announcing that the volumes referred to had been received by him, and awaited the order of the Academy. From Dr. Charles Huffnagle, of Calcutta, addressed to Dr. Morton, announcing that he had transmitted for deposit in the Academy, a large number of specimens of Natural His- tory from India. From Mr. C. P. Wickersham, dated Kennett Square, Chester county, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1846, addressed to the Curators, offering to present to the Academy a large slab of sandstone, from the Portland quarries, near Middle- town, Connecticut, containing impressions supposed to be of the kind called Ornithoidichnites. 100 [September, 1846. Meeting for Business, Sept 29, 1846, Vice President Morton in the Chair. The committee on Dr. Leidy's paper, on a new genus and species of Entozoa, reported in favor of publication. Description of a new genus and species of Entozoa. By Joseph Leidy, M. D. In the course of an investigation of the anatomical structure of the terrestrial gasteropoda of the United States, I discovered a microscopic entozoon inhabiting the fluid contained in the vessie copulatrice or spermatheca of Helix albolabris, since which I have found it to exist in two other species, Helix tridentata, and Helix alternata, and I have no doubt of its existence in others, not yet having had an opportunity of examining further. As there ap- pears to be no known genus in which this animal can be placed, I have been necessitated to form the following : Cryptobia. Animal minute ; form exceedingly proteoid ; inter- nal organization cellular or granular. C. helicis. Colorless; form, ordinarily elongate, ellip- solid, fusiform, or ovate; caudated, caudse opposite, one longer than the other. Internal granular structure consisting of two large cells and numerous minute granules. Total length from the 126th to the 100th of a line. Habitat, the vessie copulatrice or spermatheca of Helix albolabris, Helix [tridentata and Helix alternata. The name of this genus is derived from x/wrd?, hidden and PiSat} to live. This singular entozoon in its general appearance and organization appears to be intermediate between Cercaria seminis and Filaria. Its varied form and movements are curious to observe ; at one moment globular, then oval, ovate, fusiform, sig- moid, crescentic, &c, it appears as if it would outvie the kalei- doscope in its changes. The motions are vibratile, rotary, with a lateral progression, or whirling in circles like the insect Gyrinus. Cryptobia helicis might be confounded with the spermatozoa of the animals in which they are parasitic, on account of the organ in which they are found being connected with the generative appara- tus, and its supposed use as a spermatheca, but they may be readily September, 1846.] 101 distinguished ; the spermatozoa of Helices generally having either a uniform sigmoid or a beaded body, with an enormous propor- tionate length of tail, and a slow, vibratile motion. It may be well to mention that C. helicis does not exist in the collapsed state of the generative organs. The subjoined sketch represents some of the principal forms of the animal, highly magnified. The committee on the following description, by Dr. Morton, of two living Hybrid Birds, reported in favour of publication. Description of two living Hybrid Fowls, between Gallus and Numida. By Samuel George Morton, M. D. The singular birds which form the subject of this communica- tion, were bred on a farm about seven miles from Wilmington, in the State of Delaware. The person who raised them states, that the eggs that produced them differed in no respect from those of the guinea fowl, were part of a large number that were hatched at the same time, and that the birds are known to be just four years old. My friend, Mr. Augustus E. Jessup, having accident- ally observed these birds on the above mentioned farm, pur. chased them of the proprietor, and sent them to my care> with a request that they might be eventually placed in the Collections of the Academy. Both are yet living and in good health ; and the following description, in which I have been materially assisted by my friend Mr. William Gambel, has been drawn up after many examinations, made during a month and upwards that the birds have been in the charge of Mr. Robert Kilvington, horticulturist of this city. 102 [September, 1846. The first of these birds is mottled with the colour of a reddish brown chicken and guinea fowl, (Numida meleagris.) Back and rump lineated with darkish brown and whitish, and a tinge of yellowish brown. Greater wing-coverts, and margins of secon- daries, reddish brown ; breast, belly, sides and under tail-eoverts, dirty white, with scattering feathers of the same. Quills and tail-feathers dusky brown, lineated, and finely speckled like those of the guinea fowl. Two quills in one wing and one in the tail are entirely white. Wings concave and rounded, one foot in length from flexure. First quill an inch and a half shorter than the second, which last is one inch shorter than the third ; 3 ā€” 8 quills about equal. Tail of fifteen feathers, rounded ; the two middle ones longest and pointed. Heads sparsely covered with feathers, almost bare for a consi- derable distance around the eye. Upper mandible dusky, except at tip, which, with the lower mandible, is whitish ; towards the base it is somewhat striated, and covered by a reddish, fleshy cere, elongated at the angle of the mouth into barbies, which, however, are only rudimentary in comparison with those of the guinea fowl. Beneath the skin a distinct, hard, bony ridge can be felt, extending over the top of the head. Another bony ridge extends over the eye, giving it a sunken appearance. The nos- trils are half closed by a fleshy membrane ; sides of head and front, white. Top of head and nape with linear black feathers, elongated on the nape into hackles. Neck and upper part of the breast reddish-brown. Tarsus very stout, with large, divided acutellas ; length 3| inches; middle toe and nail 2f inches. Total length about two feet. The second of these birds bears yet more resemblance to a guinea fowl, both in shape and colour, than the preceding, not being so much mottled with reddish-brown feathers, but princi- pally with white. The bill appears to be not so much arched ; the upper mandible is barbled as in the other, and the head is in general the same, Back, shoulders and upper tail-coverts dusky, lineated with whitish like the guinea fowl ; greater wing-coverts, fading into white, the tertiaries being margined with the same. One quill white. Quills like the other as to colour and markings ; 3d to 6th nearly equal. From flexure the wing measures 11 Ā£ inches. September, 1846.] 103 Back of head and neck with black linear feathers, not so much like hackles, as those of the other bird. Breast, beneath and sides, whitish. Tail nearly plucked out, as in the other; upper tail-coverts, full and pendant. The bare flesh around the eye in both birds is tinged with blue. The sounds which these birds utter are also intermediate, but partake much more of the harshness of the guinea fowl, although tbey occasionally cluck not unlike the common hen. They are shy, wild and resentful, boldly attacking any one who irritates them. They have several times escaped from custody, and flown a hundred yards or more, when they alight and run with great celerity. The sex of these birds has not been determined with certainty, but the male characters seem to predominate. During the four years they were on the farm, they were never observed to have sexual intercourse with any other fowls. It is designed on a future occasion to notice their anatomical peculiarities, when the productive organs will be carefully examined. It has been remarked by a distinguished naturalist, that "many of the birds which compose the gallinaceous order, appear to be less difficult to unite with strange species, than those of any other order. From the great majority of pheasants, mongrels may thus be produced ; all the Hoccos (Crax) will couple together in a state of domestication ; the pheasant will ally with the cock ; the last with the turkey, with which the hoccos born in the do- mestic state will also unite. It appears, in fact, very possible to produce mongrels from the major part of those gallinas which are suceptible of cultivation."* The latter remark receives strong corroboration from the facts we have adduced in this paper; and we believe that a hybrid progeny between the guinea fowl and common fowl is now for the first time made knowu to naturalists. The fact derives its peculiar interest from the remoteness of the genera which have thus produced an intermediate variety. * Griffith's Cuvier, VIII. pp. 173, 175, 176. Prichard, Researches into the Physical History of Mankind, 1, p. 140. 3d ed. 104 [September, 1846. The committee on the following paper by Dr. Joseph Leidy, reported in favor of publication. On the mechanism which closes the membranous wings of the genus Locusta. By Joseph Leidy, M. D. The membranous wings or alee of the locusts while at rest are folded up, like a closed fan, beneath the anterior pergamentaceous wings. These are opened or expanded by the contraction of appropriate muscles (extensores alse) contained within the thorax; the tendons of which are inserted into the ribs or longitudinal veins at the root of the wings. When one of the wings is sepa- rated from the body of the insect, and stretched open by the fingers, upon letting go, it will be found instantly to close or re- sume the position of rest. The mechanism which produces this closure in the separated wing, as well as when attached to the living animal, I find to be spiral ligamentous bands, wound, like the thread of a screw, around the transverse or connecting veins, which latter are also flexible. By this arrangement, upon the contraction of the alary extensors, the spring-like ligaments, or ligamenta spiralia as I will call them, are stretched in the expansion of the wings, and upon the relaxation or cessation of the action of the muscles, the physical properties alone of the ligamenta spiralia, in resuming their unstretched state, close the wings. These ligamenta spiralia are numerous, and exist in all the species of Locusta possessing perfect alas which I have examined. To this short description I append a drawing of several of these ligaments, magnified, from a preparation in Canada balsam, of one of the alse of Locusta Caro- lina. Octobek, 1846.] 105 election of correspondent. Prof. Joseph Zuccarini, of Munich, Bavaria, was elected a correspondent of the Academy. Stated Meeting, October 6, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Nos. 6 and 7, Vol. 4. From the Lyceum. Sur l'usage inopportun des medicamens. Essai du docteur Ascagne Pisani. Traduit de l'ltalien par Louise Desmon- ceaux. Naples, 1846. 12mo. 3 copies. From the Author. Annales des Sciences physiques et naturelles publiees par la Societe Royale d' Agriculture, &c, de Lyons. Tomes 8. 8vo. From the Society. Natural History of the State of New York, (published by authority of the government of the State) 11 vols. 4to., in- cluding : 1. Zoology of New York, Parts 1, 2, 3, and 5. By James E, Dekay. 2. Mineralogy of New York, By Lewis C. Beck, M. D, 3. Botany. A Flora of the State of New York. Vol. 1. By John Torrey. 4. Geology and Palaeontology ; comprising Geology of the 1st Geological district of New York, by William W. Mather : of the second Geological district, by Ebenezer Emmons, M. D. : of the 3d Geological district, by Lardner Vanuxem : of the 4th Geological district, by James Hall. Also, a Geological map of the State of New York. Purchased by order of the Academy. Literary Record and Journal of the Linnean Association of Pennsylvania College. Nos. 10 and 11, Vol. 2. From the Association. Historical collections of Louisiana, By Benjamin F. Frencfc New York, 1846. 8vo, From the Author. 106 [October, 1846. Report of the Geological Survey of the province of New Brims- wick, with a topographical account of the Public lands and the districts explored in 1842. By Abraham Gesner, F. G. S., Provincial Geologist, &c. St. Johns, 1843. From the Author. Naturgeschichte derr Infusionsthiere. Von Professor S. Kutorga. Mit einem Atlasse. St. Petersburg, 1839. Carls- ruhe, 1841. From L. de Harden, Esq., through Charles Cramer, Esq. Classification of the forest trees of New Brunswick. By M. H. Perley, Esq. (a newspaper slip.) From the Author. A letter was read from J. M. B. Harden, M. D., of Liberty county, Georgia, dated 18th September, 1846, acknowledg- ing the receipt of his notice of election as a correspondent. Also a letter from J. H. Bedfield, Esq. , Corresponding Sec- retary of the N. Y. Lyceum, dated 24th September, 1846, acknowledging the receipt of the last number of the Proceed- ings. Dr. Dickeson exhibited a large and remarkably varied series of fossil bones, obtained by him from the vicinity of Natchez, Miss. The collection embraces the entire head and half of the lower jaw of the Megalonyx Jeffersoni,* now for the first time discovered ; together with many parts of the skeleton, and indeed of several skeletons of that animal, sufficient to enable its com- plete osteological reconstruction. The stratum that contains these organic remains, is a tenacious blue clay that underlies the dilu- vial drift east of Natchez, and which diluvial deposit abounds in bones and teeth of the Mastodon giganteum. * Dr. Dickeson originally suggested, from partial comparisons, that this cranium belonged to the Megalonyx, and not to the 'Mylodon, as others had supposed ; his opinion was fully confirmed by M. Agassiz on a recent examination ; and this distinguished naturalist has proved the Megalonyx laqueatus of Harlan, to belong, not to Megalonyx, but to some other but nearly allied genus. October, 1846.] 107 The animals associated with the Megalonyx are, an Ursus, a Bos, two species of Cervus, one or two species of Equus, and several undetermined genera, all which are now in progress of delineation and description for the Academy's Journal. Dr. Dickeson presented another relic of yet greater interest; viz., the fossil os innominatum of the human subject, taken from the above mentioned stratum of blue clay, and about two feet below the skeletons of the Megalonyx and other extinct genera of quadupeds. This ancient relic of our species, is that of a young man of about sixteen years of age, as determined by its size and form, and by the fact that the epiphyses have separated from the tuberosity of the ischium, and from the crista of the ilium. Nearly all the os pubis is wanting, the upper posterior part of the ileum is broken away, and but half the acetabulum remains. That this bone is strictly in the fossil state, is manifest from its physical characters, in which it accords in every respect of color, density, &c, &c, with those of the Megalonyx and other associated bones. That it could not have drifted into the position in which it was found, is manifest from several facts : 1. That the plateau of blue clay is not appreciably acted on by those causes that produce ravines in the superincumbent diluvial ; 2. That the human bone was found at least two feet below three associated skeletons of the Megalonyx, all which, judging from the opposition or proximity of their several parts, had been quietly deposited in this locality, independently of any active current or other displacing power; and lastly, because there was no admixture of diluvial drift with the blue clay, which latter retains its homogeneous character equally in the higher part that furnished the extinct quadrupeds, and in its lower part that contained the remains of man. Dr. Dicke- son has announced his intention of returning, at an early period of the present autumn, to resume his explorations in this prolific and most interesting locality ; and it is earnestly hoped that his researches may lead to a further elucidation of this important question in science. Dr. Leidy stated that he had lately detected the existence of an Entozoon in the superficial part of the extensor mus- 108 [October, 1846. cles of the thigh of a hog. The Entozoon is a minute, coiled "worm, contained in a cyst. The cyst are numerous, white oval in shape, of a gritty nature, and between the 30th and 40th of an inch in length. The Entozoon he supposes to be the Trichina spiralis, heretofore considered as peculiar to the human species. He could perceive no distinction between it and the specimens of T. spiralis which he had met with in several human sub- jects in the dissecting rooms, where it had also been observed by others, since the attention of the scientific public had been directed to it by Mr. Hilton and Prof. Owen. Dr. Leidy also exhibited a singular knotted mass of living Gordii, or hair worms, with numerous long strings of ova at- tacked, which had been taken a few days since from one of the hydrants of this city. Stated Meeting, October 13, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Numerous specimens of minute recent and fossil Shells from the shore of Seneca- Lake, N. Y. Presented by Judge Tremper. Native Copper from the Bay of Fundy. From Professor Johnson. A large slab of Sandstone, from the Portland Quarries, near Middletown, Connecticut, containing numerous marks of Ornithoidichnites. Presented by Messrs. C. P. Wicker- sham, and L. F. Jones, of Chester County, Pennsylvania. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Continuazione delle osservzioni nell' anno 1841, sulle larve di Scolia flavifrons. Da Carlo Passerini. Firenze 1841. 4to. From the Author. October, 1846.] 109 Professor Johnson read an extract of a letter from Judge Tremper, in continuation of his observations on the tempera- ture and evaporation of Seneca Lake ; also some remarks on the increased rapidity of evaporation from the earth, when the herbage is closely cropped, as in grazing and pasture fields, and the causes thereof. Dr. Dickeson stated, that having noticed some tracks re- sembling Ornithichnites, -which were produced by the Alliga- tor, he was induced to cause some tracks to be made in clay by that animal, several of which impressions he exhibited. He also mentioned that tracks of other animals had been re- peatedly noticed by him, which he thought closely resembled the so-called bird tracks of the sandstone slab this evening presented to the Society. Dr. Dickeson also made some interesting observations in relation to the habits of the Alligator. Professor Johnson offered some remarks on Drift : ā€” He re- marked that in the vicinity of St. John's, N. B., he had met with some well marked examples of diluvial action, as evin- ced by scratches on the rocks at great depth. In some cases the grooves were to be found well marked on the side of the rock, while on the other no such action was manifest ; but boulders not in situ were deposited there, as if from the action of a current in a direction from the grooved to the unaffected side of the rock. These boulders also exhibited grooves on their surface. Stated Meeting, October 20, 1846. Vice President Wetherill in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Dr. Morton deposited six embalmed heads of ancient Egypt- ians, presented to him by A. C. Harris, Esq. Dr. Dickeson deposited a very extensive collection of speci- mens in fossil zoology, comparative anatomy, Indian relics, &c, obtained from the Natchez bluffs, the southern lakes and rivers, the aboriginal mounds, &c. 110 [October, 1846. Mr. Gambel read a continuation of his ' Remarks on the Birds of Upper California,' which was referred to Messrs. Cassin, Townsend, and Woodhouse. On motion of Dr. Morton, the Curators were authorized to receive on deposit, and to furnish accommodations in the Hall, for the large and interesting collections of Dr. M. W. Dickeson, deposited on this evening. Meeting for Business, October 27, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. The committee on Mr. Gambel's paper read at last meet- ing, reported in favor of publication. Remarks on the Birds observed in Upper California. By William Gambel. [Continued from page 48, vol. iii.J PASSERES. Hibondo thallassina, Swains. Violet-green Swallow. This beautiful species I fonnd passing to the northward through Califor- nia, in the spring. Hirundo fu'lva, Vieill. Republican Swallow. This is the most abundant swallow on our western coast, and arrives in California about the latter part of February or beginning of March. They immediately resort to the neighborhood of the towns, missions and farm- houses, and soon commence repairing their old retort-shaped nests, with which sheltered walls, the eves, and even window frames of the houses, are sometimes nearly covered. The nest is also frequently made on the trunks of large trees in the woods. They are very loath to quit their old nesting places, and will persist in building them up, however often they may be destroyed either by the rain or the inhabitants. Chelidon bicolor, Vieill. White-bellied Swallow. This is also a common species, and a few appear to remain all winter, but the greater part arrive about the latter part of February. At Santa Barbara, October, 1846.] Ill I found their nests, as usual, in the knot holes of the evergreen oaks in April. Cotyle riparia, Linn. Bank Swallow. Common ; burrowing their nests in the sandy banks of small streams and creeks, which have worn deep ravines. I also observed another swallow, not far from Monterey, in August, with a deeply forked tail, like our barn swallow, but apparently differently marked. Ceryle alcyon, Linn. Kingfisher. Common along the whole of the western coast. In California it is never observed to frequent the inland streams and creeks, being exclusively found along the rocky shores and islands. Calliphlox rufa, Gmel. Rufous Humming Bird. This beautiful little flame bearer is not unfrequent throughout California. Calliphlox anna, Less. Anna Humming Bird. Trochilus icterocephalus. Nutt. Man. Orn. vol. 1, 2d Ed. p. 712. A very abundant and interesting species, numbers passing the winter in California; at such times inhabiting sheltered hill sides and plains, where at all seasons a few bushy plants are in flower, and afford it a scanty subsist- ence. They appear, however, in greater numbers about the latter part of February and during the month of March ; the country is soon carpeted with flowers, and the Anna humming bird, revelling among their sweets, commences the duty of rearing its young. About the Pueblo, the vineyards and gardens are its favourite resort, forming its delicate downy nest in a small flowering bush, or some concealed spot about the fence. In April and May these may be found in almost every garden. In other parts it attaches its nest almost exclusively to a low, horizontal branch of the evergreen oak, (Quercus agrifolia) so common throughout the country ; the nest is small, being about an inch in depth and one and a quar- ter in diameter; it is not very thick, and is formed in the most delicate man- ner of pappus and down of various plants, held together and matted into a soft felt with spider's webs, which latter I have frequently observed them collecting for the purpose in the spring along hedges and fence rows, and at first supposed they were only searching them for gnats and small insects which might be entangled, but in a nest which I now have the base is formed of a few dried male aments of the oak, and which with the adjoining felt- like matting of pappus, is agglutinated and bound around the twig with a thick layer of spider's web. The eggs, as usual, are two, white and ellip- tical. The note resembles that of the Rufous humming bird, and is a slender chep, frequently repeated, but during the breeding season they are very pugnacious, and the little combatants dart through the trees, like meteors, uttering a loud and repeated twittering scold. It has the same habit also, 112 [Octobek, 1846. that has been remarked in the rufous humming bird, that of ascending in clear weather to a considerable height in the air, and then descending with great rapidity, uttering at the same time a peculiar note. Nuttall, who brought this species from California, did not procure the male, but saw it frequently, and supposed it to have a yellow spot on the crown. I discovered that that which deceived him in this respect was the glutinous pollen of a tubular flower upon which it feeds, adhering to the rigid feathers of the crown, and making it look as if it really had a yellow head. I have also seen the bill for half its length covered in the same manner. Sitta carolinensis, Briss. Carolina Nuthatch. This species is common in the pines of the Rocky Mountains, and also in the wooded regions of the western coast. Sitta canadensis, Linn. Canada Nuthatch. I found this little wanderer very abundant in the mountains of the inte- rior of California in October, roving in company with busy flocks of the Parus montanus nobis. Sitta pygm&a, Vigors. Pigmy Nuthatch. Extremely abundant in winter in Upper California, sometimes almost covering the trunks and branches of the pine trees, through which they ex- clusively forage. Around Monterey, particularly, the trees at times are alive with the noisy little creatures, incessantly uttering their monotonous queru- lous notes as they run around the branches. The note is generally a repeated whistling, wit, wit, which, when one commences, the rest join in ; they also utter a whistling trill, at the same time industriously searching the tree throughout, and only leaving it when every crack has been examined for the concealed insect fare. Harpes rediviva, Nobis, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sc. vol. 2, p. 264. Promerops de la Californie Septentrionale, La Perouse. Atlas to voy- ages, pi. 47. This very remarkable bird was first noticed by La Perouse, who figured it in the atlas to his voyages, and subsequently by other writers when treating of the Tenuirostres, on his authority, as a Promerops. On comparison, it will be found more properly to belong to the great family Certhidae, and is allied to the oven birds of S. America, (Furnarius) both in general appearance, and as far as I can gather, in habits also, but the bill bears a greater resemblance to some of the large wren-like birds (Thryothorus ?) of tropical America. It does not stand alone in our country; I have lately been shown by Mr Audubon a specimen received from near Galveston, Texas, which he sup- posed to be the bird I had described, but upon comparison, it proved to be a distinct species with the bill more curving at the tip, and not so much flattened, of which no doubt a description will soon be published. October, 1846.] 113 Troglodytes Bewickii, Aud. Bewick's Wren. Common, keeping in low bushes and piles of brush, as well as about old dead trees and logs, over and around which it flits with the greatest ac- tivity, uttering, when approached, the usual grating scold of the wrens. Troglodytes palustris, Wils. Marsh Wren. I found this species in small reedy marshes in the Rocky Mountains of the interior, in October. Troglodytes sylvestris, Nobis. Audubon's Wood Wren. T. Americana^ Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. 2, p. 452, pi. 179. A summer resident among the evergreen oaks of California, in which it sings and breeds. I have changed the name of this species from that given by its discoverer, because that a Troglodytes Americanus, from Cayenne, was described by Cuvier, in the Gal. du Paris. See Lesson's Traite de Ornithologie, p. 400. Sial, artica, Swains. Artie Blue bird. This beautiful azure songster is common throughout the northern pro- vinces of Mexico. In the neighborhood of Santa Fe it is abundant, keeping about the houses and gardens where they breed, sometimes forming its nest in boxes which are stuck up for the purpose by the inhabitants. In the ranges of the Rocky Mountains, as far as California, we frequently found it, and always associated with the S. Mexicana, both at this season occa- sionally uttering their cheerful song to remind us of home. Sialia Mexicana, Swains. Western Blue bird. S. occidentalis, Townsend, Aud. This species is found throughout the Rocky Mountains, in company with the former, and in California is by far the most abundant species. In April and May, I found it breeding in the knot holes of the evergreen oaks. During winter they assemble in small flocks, and frequent the weedy plains and valleys of the mountains. Turdds migratorius, Linn. American Robin. We found the Robin scatteringly throughout the Rocky Mountains, and a few are found at all seasons, in California. Tukdus nosvius, Gmel. Varied Thrush. I have only observed this beautiful species to pass through California during the spring and autumn, in silent flocks. Tordds minor Gmel. Hermit Thrush. T. nanus. Dwarf Thrush. Aud. Orn. Biog. 5, p. 204, pi. 419 ; Nutt. Man. p. 396. T. solilarius. Auc. The confusion hitherto existing in the description of the nearly allied group of Thrushes to which this belongs, has rendered the determination of the species exceedingly difficult, and at best but a matter of uncertainty, 114 [October, 1846. The Dwarf Thrush of Audubon was founded upon specimens from the Atlantic States, and no doubt upon the true Hermit Thrush. Mr. Pickering, and also Mr. Nuttall, must have had the T. olivaceus, since characterized by Drs. Brewer and Giraud before them, and mis- taking it for the Hermit Thrush, when they distinguished the T. nanus as a species. An examination of specimens of the T. minor from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America shows no difference in any way, except that perhaps the western one is somewhat smaller, yet the difference is scarcely appreciable. From the measurement of many western specimens, I found its length to be 6| inches, and the extent of wings Hkinches ; the tail, wings, and relative length of quills the same as in our eastern one, and in fact, I think it can in no possible way be distinguished as specifi- cally different. A European specimenalso of the same species, from the Ri- voli collection, now in the Academy, is the same in every_respect as our own. That which is most remarkable in the character of this delicate and gentle bird, is its solitary and retiring disposition ; avoiding the ruthless gaze of man, it glides into the deepest shade of the forest or underwood, and is but seldom seen, except unconsciously, when earnestly engaged, scratching upon the ground in search of food ; or else, it be discovered while perched upon a low leafy branch or twig, when it allows a very near approach, as if depending for concealment and security upon the thickness of the foliage and bushes around. In the wooded regions of the Rocky mountains, I found it not uncom- mon, always keeping on, or very near the ground. It is very frequent throughout California, and in the spring may be found in the retired hedges of the vineyards, where very possibly it breeds. Mimus montanus, Towns. Mountain Mocking bird. We occasionally met with individuals of this mocking bird along the bushy banks of streams in the interior, during September and October, then silent. Mimus polyglottis, Linn. Common Mocking bird. I observed a few of these in sheltered ravines during the winter, and in May, around Santa Barbara, the woods were ringing with their inimitable song, at this time, mimicking Bullock's oriole, and the western Blue bird. Cincltjs Americanus, Swains. American Dipper. A few of these are found along the solitary streams of the interior. Anthus Ltidovicianus, Licht. American Titlark. This species appears to be one of the most extensively distributed of N. American birds, beingfound throughout the length and breadth of our coun- try. In the desert regions, between Santa Fe and California, it was one of the few birds we met with ; then going in small flocks, either on the plains among arid Artemesia and sage bushes, or along the courses of rivers and small streams. In California it is abundant, particularly in winter, when October, 1846.] 115 it frequents the seashore to pick up insocts, and perhaps small shells, from the seaweed which is cast ashore. Requlus calendula. Ruby- crowned Kinglet. This species, like many of the most diminutive birds, is found dis- tributed over the whole extent of our vast continent, thereby showing its connection as a single zoological centre or province of creation. In the highest ranges of the Roeky mountains, we met with the Ruby- crowned wren in large flocks, roaming in company with the Parus minimus, Towns., also in large flocks, enlivening those dreary solitudes with their restless activity and twittering while in search of food. Throughout Cali- fornia it is equally abundant ; ever varying habits and note making it but too often the victim of llie gun in supposition of being something else. The Report of the Corresponding Secretary was read and adopted. By permission of the Society, a paper was read, entitled, ' On several new genera and species of Insects, by S. S. Haldeman,' which was referred to a committee, consisting of Messrs. Leidy, Hallowell, and Bridges. ELECTION. Ambrose W. Thomson, Esq., and Dr. M. W. Dickeson, of Philadelphia, were elected Members : And J. B. S. Johnson, M. D., of Boston, and C. B. Adams, Esp., of Vermont, were elected Correspondents. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. Vol. hi. NOV. AND DEC, 184G. No. 6. Stated Meeting, November 3, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. A large collection of fossil bones of a young Mastodon, taken from the farm of Mr. William Pancoast, near Plattsburg, New Jersey. Also a human cranium and numerous fragments of other human hones, from the site of a supposed Indian cemetery, about 10 miles east of Bur- lington in that State. Presented by Mr. Pancoast, through Dr. Hallowell. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Second Annual Report of the Geology of Vermont. By C. B. Adams. Burlington, Vt., 1846. From the Author. Address to the British Association for the advancement of Science. By Sir Roderick ImpeyMurchison. London, 1846. From M. Agassiz. Eloge de Louis Levin Jacobson. Discours prononce in Da. nois a l'Academie royale des Sciences de Copenhague ; Se- ance du V" Mars. 1844 ; par D. F. Eschricht, M. D. Co- penhague, 1844. From the Author, through Dr. Morton.. 18 118 [Nov., 1846. De organis quae respiratione et nutrione foetus manmialium inserviunt. Prolusia academica quani scripsit D. F. Esch- richt, M. D. Hafnise, 1837. From the same. Cm undersogelsen af de Nordiske Hvaler af D. F. Eschrict, M. D. Kjobenhavn. From the same. Undersogelsen over Hvaldyrene af D. F. Eshricht : Forste af handling ā€” Bernserkninger over Cetologiens tidligere og Nservserende skjebne. Anden af handling ā€” Anatomisk Beskrivelse af de ydre foster- former hos to Nordiske Fiuhval-arter, med Anvendelse paa Physiologien og Zoologien. Tredie afhandling ā€” Om fosterformene Bardihvalernes erna- rings-og Forplantelsesredskaber. Fjerde afhandling ā€” Om Naebhvalen. From the same. Anatomische unter suchungen iibcr de Clione Borealis. Ha Carl Holbbll und D. F. Eschrict, M. D. Kopenhagen, X838. From the same. The North American Sylva. By Michaux and Nuttall. Vol. I. Philadelphia, 1842. In exchange. A letter was read from Mr. Edward Wilson, dated Leyd- stip House, near Tenby, Pembrokeshire, England, 22d Sept.-. 1846, acknowledging the receipt of his notice of election as a Correspondent. Dr. Morton read a portion of a paper intended for publi- cation in the American Journal of Science, on Hybridity in animals considered in reference to the question of the Unity of the Human Species. Stated Meeting, November 10, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Mr. Lewis Germain, of Burlington, N. J., presented an ad- ditional number of fossils from the marl strata near that place. Also the tooth of a Sphyraena from Mullica Hill, New Jersey. Nov., 1846.] 119 Original specimen of Rafinesque's Mazama salinaria. Pre- sented by Mr. Haldeman. [Mr. H. stated that this was in reality merely a single prong of the horn of a Cervus, the interior being mineralized. Two fine specimens, in skin, of Falco leucocephalus. From Dr. Heermann. Dr. Dickeson presented twenty-six species of fossil Helix from the Drift west of Natchez ; and also deposited six human crania, four of which are from the mounds near that place. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Astronomical Observations made at the Naval Observatory, Washington, under orders of the Secretary of the Navy, dated Aug., 1838. By Lieutenant J. M. Gilliss, U. S. N. Washington, 1846. From Lieut. Gilliss. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. 4, No. 35. Jan. to June, 1846. From the Society. The American Journal of Science and Arts. New series. Vol. 2, No. 6. From the Editors. Expedition shells, described for the work of the U. S. Ex- ploring Expedition. By Aug. A. Gould, M. D. Boston, 1846. From the Author. On the Volcanoes of the Moon. By James D. Dana. New Haven, 1846. Erom the Author. Medical Examiner, Vol. 4, No. 6, containing an article by Dr. E. Hallowell, on the habits and post mortem appear- ances of a Chimpanzee (Simia Troglodytes) which died in Philadelphia. From Dr. Hallowell. Letters were read, From Mr. C. B. Adams, dated Middlebury, Vermont, Nov. 5, 1846, acknowledging the receipt of his notice of election as a Correspondent. And from Mr. C. P. Wickersham, dated Kennett Square, Chester Co., Pennsylvania, Oct. 26, 1846, addressed to the Corresponding Secretary, containing the following, in refer- 120 [Nov., 1846. ence to his recent donation to the Academy, of a fine speci- men of fossil tracks in the red sandstone of the Connecticut Valley. "It may not be improper for me to add, that we were shown on a large block of stone, by a gentleman connected with the quar- ries, tracks resembling those of some of our land animals, per- haps those of a mink in size. They were very distinct, though rather lightly impressed, there being, I believe, two rows across the stone. And that early last spring I found among some frag- ments, thrown out in consequence of sinking a well deeper, in Rockyhill, Ct., a specimen of fossil shell, or something having a close resemblance to one. One side of it is very perfect, the other is embedded in the stone, and is probably a small bi-valve, nearly an inch in length, and near three quarters of an inch in breadth. I sent it to Professor Silliman, with permission to deposit it in the cabinet of Yale College. If a shell, it appears to be the first we have any account of as having been found in the sandstone of the Connecticut Valley. The suggestion that the fossil tracks may probably be those of some Sauroid reptile, is doubtless worthy of attention. But from the few observations I made during my four years' residence at the University of that place, I am inclined to the opinion that they can never be attributed to any other than biped animals of some type or other. Where opportunity is afforded for the inspection of a large number of successive tracks, they are found to be at regular intervals, along a line in the direction of the motion of the centre of gravity of the animals; and the line drawn through the heel and centre toe makes but a small deflexion from the line of motion of the animal. In all the tracks which I have carfully noticed, each alternate track exactly resembles that which precedes it, and in some cases where there is a slight peculiarity in one of the feet, this fact is very apparent. The heel of the track does not exhibit any sign of the impression of a portion of the leg adjoining the foot, not even where the animal has passed up or down a small declivity, as was the case with some tracks on that portion of the specimen in your museum, destroyed by the workmen in our absence. If uric acid is found only in the excrements of birds, Nov., 1846.] 121 the analysis of some of the coprolites found iu the valley is pretty conclusive evidence that birds did exist there at the time the sand- stone was forming. Now if we take the Crocodile, Alligator, or any of the Saurian type with which we are acquainted, we should expect to see their tracks made at irregular intervals, and at some distance on either side of a plane passing perpendicularly through the centre of gravity of the animal in the direction of its motion, especially when we consider the width the feet are separated, and the clumsy manner in which these animals must move. These ani- mals would, in all probability, leave the print of a portion of the leg next the foot, and which, if I mistake not, is the case with the fossil tracks acknowledged to be of the Sauroid character, found in the same valley. " Dr. Morton concluded the reading of his memoirs on u Hybridity in animals considered in reference to the question of the Unity of the Human Species," and after some general remarks, submitted the following conclusions : 1. A latent power of hybridity exists in many animals in the wild state, in which state, also, hybrids are sometimes produced. 2. Hybridity takes place not only among different species, but also among different genera ; and the cross-breeds have been prolific in both cases. 3. Domestication does not cause this faculty, but merely evolves it. 4. The capacity for fertile hybridity, cceteris paribus, exists in animals in proportion to their aptitude for domesticity and culti- vation. 5. Since various species of animals are capable of producing a fertile hybrid offspring, hybridity ceases to be a test of specific affiliation. 6. Consequently, the mere fact that the several races of man- kind produce, with each other, a more or less fertile progeny, constitutes, in itself, no proof of the unity of the human species. 122 [Nov., 1846. Stated Meeting, Nov. 17, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Casts of Charcharodon Mortoni> Gibbes, C. rectidens, Agassiz, and C. megalodon, Ag., from the Eocene of South Caro- lina. From Dr. R. W. Gibbes, of S. Carolina. Tooth of a Mosasaurus, from New Jersey. From Dr. Hal- lowell. Specimen, in spirits, of Mantis religiosa, from Caraccas. From Dr. Goodall, through Dr. Hallowell. A series of Iron ores, from Nova Scotia. From Prof. John- son. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Memoir on the Megatherium and other extinct gigantic quad- rupeds of the coast of Georgia ; with observations on its geological features. By Win. B. Hodgson. New York, 1846. From the Author. Ancient Egypt, her Monuments, History and Archaeology, and other subjects connected with Hieroglyphical Lite- rature. By Geo. R. Gliddon. 10th edition, with an Ap- pendix. From the Author. A monograph of the fresh-water univalve Mollusca of the United States. By S. S. Haldeman. Nos. 7 and 8. From the Author. Dr. A. L. Elwyn presented the following : Some account of the Siren lacertina and other species of the same genus of amphibious animals. (In a letter from Prof. Barton, of Philadelphia, to John Gottlob Schneider, of Saxony.) Philadelphia, 1821. Ueber die Bartmiindigen enzianarten, (Gentianse fauce bar bata) Von Dr. Nees von Esenbeck. Synopsis Specierum generis Asterum per baccarum, &c. ā€” Auctore Chr. Godofred Nees ab Esenback, M. D. Er- langre, 1818. Nov., 1846.] 123 An account of a new method of making anatomical prepara- tions. By Joseph Swain. London, 1820. Facts and observations on liver complaints. By John Faith- born, M. D. Philadelphia, 1822. Mr. Cassin read a " Note on an instinct supposed to be possessed by the Herons, especially the genus Arclea, L.," which was referred to Messrs. Phillips, Harris and Gam- bel. Prof. Johnson announced to the Academy the decease of our late fellow member, Isaiah Lukens, Esq. After some very appropriate remarks on the character, high qualities and scientific attainments of the deceased, the following resolu- tions were submitted by him : Resolved, That this Academy has heard with deep regret the loss it has sustained in the demise of our late able and excellent associate, Isaiah Lukens, one of ths earliest members of this institution. Resolved, That through the whole period of its existence, this Academy has felt the beneficial influence of the personal worth of our late coadjutor, and of his firm, unwavering support of the interests of this institution; of his sound and discriminating judg- ment in various departments of science ; of his constant devotion to knowledge and the useful arts, and of his sincere uncompromis- ing love of truth. Resolved, That the members of this Academy deeply sympa- thize with the relatives and friends of the deceased in the bereave- ment they have sustained by the death of our lamented associate ; that they recall with a melancholy pleasure the many happy and profitable hours which they have passed in his society; that they dwell with unmixed satisfaction on the memory of his free and generous spirit, ever ready to communicate of his abundant stores of useful knowledge, ever wise and liberal in his estimate of the labors and characters of others, ever modest and reserved in what concerned his own peculiar and distinguished merits. Resolved, That we cherish a deep sense of the value of that combination of intelligence with useful labor for which our 124 [Nov., 1846. departed friend was so signally characterized, and cannot with- hold the tribute of our admiration from that devotion to duty which found him, as his lamp of life was drawing to its last faint glimmer, still at his post, iutent on the fulfilment of a professional service, while his dying breath expressed his gratitude for the privilege of having lived at a period when so much of truth and improvement had been developed in the world, and that in his day and generation he had been permitted to share in the many and varied enjoyments which science and ingenuity had dif- fused. Resolved, That a member of the Academy be appointed to pre- pare a suitable memoir of our departed fellow member. Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be communi- cated to the family of the deceased, with the heartfelt condolence of the Academy on this mournful occasion. The resolutions were unanimously adopted, and Prof. Johnson appointed to prepare the memoir. Meeting for Business, November 24, 1846. Vice President Wetherill in the Chair. The Monthly Report of the Corresponding Secretary was read and adopted. The Committee on the following paper by Mr. Haldeman, reported in favor of publication. On several Neio Genera and Species of Insects. By S. S. Haldeman. Whilst engaged in making dissections of the mouth of several species of Copris for the purpose of learning their true generic character, I was struck with the dissimilarity existing in the la- brum. I consider the European Copris lunaris as the type of the genus, because European naturalists have usually constructed the genera, and the type should be a species whose habits^are well known. To prevent confusion, the author who subdivide? Nov., 1846.] 125 an old genus, should generally be allowed to decide what portion is to retain the old generic name. The rule which adopts as the type the species which stands first in an author's work, is not applicable in all cases, because these were not always considered the type of the genus. An author might name a genus Geo- trupes from the known habits of a European species, and com- mence his list with a large exotic species having entirely different habits, and not really congeneric with it. In such a case it would be obviously improper to consider the latter as the type of the genus Geotrupes. Moreover, instead of being the type, the initial species may have been thus placed from its resemblance to the preceding genus ; and it is obvious that the animal which most nearly approaches another genus, cannot be the type of that to which it really belongs. 1. Brachycopris. The type of this new genus is the well known Copris Carolina. In Copris the labrum is subquadrate, rather widest anteriorly ; the anterior margin transverse, slightly emarginate, with a medial projecting appendicle, and the ex- terior margins rounded. In Brachico- pris the labrum is distantly triangular, widest at base, and much narrowed an- teriorly, where it is deeply emarginate, leaving a lateral aculeate process, the appendicle projecting from the base of the emargination, as represented in the figure. The basal articulation of the labial palpi is proportionally much larger than in Copris. This body is con- tracted in length ; and in the type, the elytra are sulcate and the tibiae unarmed. Copris molossus would upon first view be placed nearer to C. Carolina than to C. lunaris, or the American C. anaglypticus, Say. Its labrum, however, associates it with these. Mr. Hope has made it the type of his genus Catharsius. It has the labium more regular, more nearly quadrate, and the anterior half only of the medial solid portion is covered with hair, the posterior portion presenting a smooth furrow with a well defined margin. 2. Prionus fissicornis. General characters as in P. imbri- cornis. Blackish brown, antennre thick, imbricate, reaching the middle of the elytra, 25 articulate, canaliculate beneath by means of a deep emargination in the articulations, which are somewhat v-shaped when detached, the posterior branch the longer, with its apex incurved: prothorax with three lateral teeth. 11 lines long. For this interesting species I am indebted to my friend Dr. J. L. Le Conte, who found it near the Rocky mountains. It is re- 126 [Nov., 1846. inarkable for the emargination and number of the articulations of the antenna?, which are more numerous than in any native species hitherto described. The globular base of the second is not enu- merated; twenty-four are imbricate, and the final one has a small additional process rising out of its concavity. In P. imbricornh the antennae of the male have nineteen, and of the female, seven- teen articulations. 3. Sphenostethus. Allied to Prionus. Head small, narrower than the thorax, concave above; eyes slightly emarginate ante- riorly ; antennae less than half the entire length, slender and com- pressed, second articulation longest, subsequent, ones gradually decreasing, with a tendency to serration beneath ; mandibles ro- bust, toothed ; palpi with the terminal articulation triangular : prothorax transverse, narrower than the elytra, contracted ante- riorly, concave posteriorly, the external margins unarmed : pro and mesosternum conjointly carinate, in close contact, the latter entering an acute emargination of the former : scutel triangular : elytra separately rounded at base, moderately tapering and dehiscent; sides incurved, apex minutely serrate : feet slender. 4. S; serripermis. Shining black, punctate scabrous above; front with a wide depression having an impressed medial line; pro- notum with two approximate impressed punctures upon each side arranged diagonally, medial line visibly impressed poste- riorly; external margins convex, emarginate at the posterior angles ; posterior margin convex in the centre and concave late- rally : elytra meeting the pronotum in close contact, a shallow scabrous impression at the base ; apex finely serrate. Length 11Ā£ ; prothorax 2; elytra 8; width at base 4 lines. A single specimen taken in south-eastern Pennsylvania. An- other seen in Le Conte's cabinet, probably taken in New York. Probably allied to Prionus muticus, Fabr. ii. 265. It is remarka- ble for the close contact of the prothorax with the elytra and scutel above and the mesosternum below. 5. Molorchus tenuipes. Black, frontal line deeply impressed : prothorax cylindric : elytra dark fuscous, obsoletely fulvous at base : medial and posterior feet very slender. 3 lines long. The larva inhabits detached branches of the genus Carya, (hickory), the perfect insect appearing in May in S. E. Pennsyl- vania. 6. Enoplixjm venustum. Dark brown, with minute fulvous hairs : middle of the elytra with a broad irregular transverse silvery band. 4$ lines long. South-eastern Pennsylvania. Base and half the terminal articulation of the antennae, palpi, anterior tarsi, and base of the femora, pale yellow : pronotum tu- berculate : elytra with numerous dilated impressed punctures : apex pale yellowish brown, and with the base marked with a few small spots of yellow; the central white portion has several Nov., 1846.] 127 spots of black, and is bounded posteriorly by a black zigzag line, the black enlarging towards the suture ; medial and posterior feet pale yellow ; the femora with the middle and the tibice with the terminal half, brown. Apparently allied to E. bimacirfatum, Mels., Proceed. Acad. 2, 307. According to Dr. Le Conte this is the venustum of Dejean's Catalogue. 7. Heterodromia [Fani. Donaciadae.] Body slender, punc- tate-scabrous : head advanced ; eyes rather prominent, reticulate ; antennre 11-articulate, slender, longer than the head and pro- thorax, first articulation longer than the second and third, last fusiform : mandibles strong, short, incurved : palpi 3-articulate, final articulation subsecuriform, prothorax subelongate, narrowed behind : elytra subparallel, narrowing towards the apex, wider than the prothorax, conjointly rounded at tip : feet slender, sub- elongate, posterior femora incrassate. 8. H. velox. Thickly punctured, hirsute, pale yellow ; head, anterior margin of the prothorax, and seventh, (at the apex) eighth, ninth and tenth articulations of the antennae, black : elytra lineate punctate, with a tendency to fuscous behind the middle : abdo- men obscure fuscous, feet pale. 4} millim. long. Var. a. Having three transverse fuscous dots on the pronotum, and a large sutural fuscous spot at the base of the elytra. Found in May, upon grass and under stones and rubbish, in Pennsylvania, Carolina, Alabama and Ohio. It runs with great rapidity, and resembles some of the Carabidae. The species de- scribed might at first view be taken for the Demetrias atricapiUus, Linn. 9. Trogus nubilt'pennis. Fulvous ; antennae, eyes, vertex, and five terminal segments of the abdomen, with half the preceding one, black : wings fuliginous, mottled with a few spots of yellow in the middle and at the base : mesosternum tipped with black : abdomen shining black beneath : inside of the base of the femora and trochanters blackish : tibiae, tarsi, front and base of the an- tennas beneath, yellow. 11 lines long, expanse 19. About a year ago I sent a description and specimen abroad, which seems to differ from the present one, as the segment of the abdomen upon which the two colors meet is described with " ma- cula longitudinali nigra in medio, et nigro-marginato ;" and the wings "fuligine fiavoque nubilatis." There are a few minute white specks upon the alar nervures ; one on the medial, a little within the small intercubital cell; one exterior to the same cell ; and two on the interdiscoidal nervure running from it. 10. Ibalia macuh'pennis Ā£ . Yellow ; meso-and metathorax black, except the scutel and two longitudinal bands above, and a spot beneath the wings : eyes, apex of the antennae, base of the coxae, and middle of the femora, (the greater part of the posterior ones) 128 [Nov., 1846. black : posterior tibia) blackish towards the apex : wings yellow, apex and a central spot fuliginous. 7 lines long, 11 expanse. South eastern Pennsylvania, in May and June. The following amendments to the By-Laws were adopted: Chap. V. Art. VI., to commence thus : " The duty of the Librarian shall be to attend daily at the Hall from 11 o'clock, A. M., to 2f, P. M., &c." And to add to the same Chapter : Art. VIII. The Chairman of the Curators shall attend daily at the Hall from 2Ā§-, P. M. until sunset, to perform the duties of his office. The following preamble and resolutions, offered by Dr. Morton, were adopted : Whereas, Dr. Thomas B. Wilson has made this institution the depository of his magnificent collection of Birds, which, from the number, beauty and variety of its specimens, al- ready ranks as the fourth extant ; and Wliereas, Dr. Wilson is assiduously extending and perfect- ing this collection for the interests of science and of this in- stitution ; and Wliereas, The collection of the Academy is comparatively small and incomplete, and must continue to be so, inasmuch as the former incentive to increase it no longer exists, and also since two collections in Ornithology are unnecessary and inexpedient ; Therefore, Resolved, That the collection of birds now belonging to the Academy, be merged in the Wilson Col- lection. Resolved, That the galleries nOw occupied by the Orni- thological collection of the Academy, with such of the cases as may be required, be appropriated to the use of the joint collection. Resolved, That the Zoological Committee be authorized and instructed to carry into effect the foregoing resolutions. Dec, 1846.] 129 election. Mr. John Lambert, of Philadelphia, was elected a Member, and the following gentlemen were elected Correspondents of the Academy : J. W. Dawson, Esq., of Pictou, Nova Scotia. W. E. Logan, Esq., Geologist of Canada. Richard Brown, Esq., of Sydney, Cape Breton. James Robb, Esq., of Frederickton, New Brunswick. Andreas Retzius, M. D., of Stockholm. Stated Meeting, December 1, J.846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Remarkably large and fine specimen of Sulphuret of Lead, or Galena, (weight exceeding 100 lbs.) crystallized in cubes from the mine of Mr. Sanders, near Galena, Illinois. Pre- sented by Mr. Alex. C. Davis, of Galena, through Richard D. Wood, Esq., of Philadelphia. Mounted specimen of Tyrannus verticalis, Say, from New Jersey. Presented by Mr. Edward Harris. Sctttella quinquefaria, from the Eocene of Georgia, and a number of Silurian fossils from Nova Scotia. From Prof. Johnson. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Literary Record and Journal of the Linnean Association of Pennsylvania College. Vol. 3, No. 1. From the Asso- ciation. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. Vol. xx., Part 1. 4to. London, 1846. Proceedings of the same ; pp. 261 to 304. List of the Society for 1846. From the Society. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Part xiii. 1845. Report of the Council and Auditors of the same for 1846. From the Society. 130 [Dec, 1846. Mr. Grant, of Philadelphia, read a paper containing ob- servations on Hybridity in Animals, which was referred to a committee, consisting of Messrs. Cassin, Phillips and Mor- ton. Stated Meeting, Dec. 8, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. A communication was read from the Essex Co. (Mass.) Natural History Society, dated Dec. 1, 1846, acknowledg- ing the receipt of recent Nos. of the Society's Proceedings. Dr. Hallowell read a description of the locality, near Platts- burg, New Jersey, whence the fossil bones of a young Mas- todon, presented at a late meeting of the Society, had been obtained by himself and other members. Dr. H. gave the following enumeration of the bones, for which the Academy is indebted to the liberality of Mr. Wil- liam Pancoast, the proprietor of the farm on which they were found. Eleven ribs nearly perfect, seven of which belong to the left side ; one rib of same side much mutilated ; two scapulae imperfect ; a humerus, two feet three inches long (French measure) with the head separated from it; three cervical ver- tebrae and six dorsal well preserved ; one lumbar and four caudal vertebrae ; two vertebral spinous processes ; the ossa innominata, fractured, with the acetabula perfect, but the foramina thyroidea incomplete, and the ischia partly broken off; one patella ; the head of the os femoris and upper portion of the shaft of the bone ; a scaphoid and other small bones of the feet ; with numerous undetermined frag- ments of bone. Besides these, there are two others, sup- posed to be the zygomatic processes of the temporal bones. The epiphyses are separated from the upper extremity of the os humeri and of the femur, which, with the size of the bones, indicate that they belonged to a young animal. Dec. 1846.] 131 The following resolutions, adopted at a meeting of the Zoological Committee, were presented by the Chairman of the Commmittee : Resolved, That in incorporating the Ornithological col- lection of the Academy with that of Dr. "Wilson, the Zoolo- gical Committee will withdraw from exhibition such speci- mens, the property of the Academy, as shall be found dupli- cates in the joint collection. Resolved, That the duplicates be deposited in the north- east basement room. The resolutions were, on motion, approved. Stated Meeting, Dec. 15, 1846. Mr. Vaux in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. A number of fine fossils, from the Silurian rocks of Columbia Co., Pennsylvania. Presented by Mr. H. S. Stephens. Prof. Johnson presented from Miss Morris, of Grermantown, numerous specimens of Cicada septemdecim, some of them in the living state. They had been recently found in that vicinity, firmly attached by the proboscis to the roots of fruit trees which had been gradually decaying for several years. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Fourth Bulletin of the National Institute. Feb. 1845 to Nov. 1846. Washington, D. C, 1846. From the Insti- tute. The following very valuable works were deposited by Dr. Thomas B. Wilson : Fauna Japonica ; auctore Ph. Fr. von Siebold. 18 fasciculi. Aves, Mammalia, Pisces. Elaborantibus C. J. Temminck, et N. II. Schlegel. Folio. Verhandelingen over de Naturlijke Geschiedenis der Ne- 132 [Dec, 1846. derlandsche overzeesche Bezittengen door de leden der Natuurkundige commissie in Oost-Indie en Andere Schrij- vers. Zoologie. 12 Nos. Folio. Systeniatische Uebersicht der Vogel Nord-Ost Afrikas. Von Dr. Ed. Riippell. 1 vol. 8vo. Frankfort Am. Main. 1845. Neue Wirbelthiere zu der Fauna von Abyssinien gehbrig entdeckt und beschrieben von Dr. Ed. Rtippell. 1 vol. 4to. Frankfort Am. Main, 1835-40. The Genera of Birds. By Geo. Robert Gray, F. L. S. Il- lustrated with about 350 plates, by David Win. Mitchell, B. A. F. L . S., &c. 28 parts, 4to. Iconographie Ornithologique. Nouveau recueil general de planches peintes d'Oiseaux : par 0. des Murs. 3 Livs. 4to. The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. By John James Audubon, and the Rev. John Bachman, D. D Ninety-three plates. Elephant folio. Dr. Leidy read a paper " On the situation of the olfactory sense in the terrestrial tribe of the gasteropodous mollusca," which was referred to Mr. Phillips, Mr. Haldeman, and Dr. Morton. A letter was read from Dr. Zina Pitcher, dated Detroit, Michigan, Dec. 3, 1846, transmitting a Catalogue of Birds in the University of Michigan, and soliciting exchanges in seve- ral departments of Natural History. The following remarks by Miss Morris, communicated through Professor Johnson, fully explain the circumstances which led to, and accompanied the discovery of the larvse of Cicada septendecim preying on the roots of fruit trees : . I have, for a number of years, believed that the failure of fruit on trees over tweuty years old, was mainly owing to the ravages of the larvae of the Cicada septendecim, though Entomologists have heretofore considered them harmless, or nearly so, believing that the principal injury caused by them was received on the branches of the trees when depositing their eggs. But from the fact of their burrowing into the earth the moment of their escape Dec, 1846.] 133 from the eggs, and their living, as all acknowledge, on the sap of the roots of plants, I was led to think that the constant drain of sap required to nourish so many thousands of grubs, of from a quarter of an inch to an inch in length, must be more than a tree could live through, and yield good fruit. I was confirmed in this opinion by an experiment made by J. B. W., New York, and published in the November number of the Horticulturist, page 227. The method prescribed to renovate an outcast, is to dig a trench four feet wide and twenty inches deep, around the tree, leaving a ball of earth six feet in diameter, and then to fill the trench with rich earth and compost. The author states that the experiment succeeded, and that in three years the tree was in a flourishing condition, and yielded fine fruit. The writer attributes the change to the new and rich soil with which he supplied the tree. I argue, that on cutting off the larvae of the Cicada, which he did when he cut off so large a portion of the roots, he removed the real disease, and the tree was then in a condition to take ad- vantage of the congenial soil placed around it ; and new life was given to roots and branches. Under this impression, I superintended a similar experiment on a pear tree that had been declining for years, without any appa- rent cause, and agreeably to my expectations, I found the larvae of the Cicada in countless numbers clinging to the roots of the tree, with their suckers piercing the bark, and so deep and firmly placed, that they remained hanging for half an hour after being removed from the earth. From a root a yard long, and about an inch in diameter, I gathered twenty-three larvas ; they were of various sizes, from a quarter of an inch to an inch in length. They were on all the roots that grew deeper than six inches below the surface. The roots were unhealthy, and bore the appearance of external injury from small punctures. On removing the outer coat of bark, this appearance increased, leaving no doubt as to the cause of the disease. The larvae were enclosed in a compact cell of earth, with no outlet except that in immediate contact with the root, and as there were no galleries or holes leading from these cells, I infer that the grubs never leave the roots they first fasten on ; which may account for the great difference of size; the small ones being starved specimens of the same brood : though I am inclined to believe that there are two species, differing sufficiently in size to ac- count for the discrepancy in the size of the larvae now found. I noticed this difference in 1817, and again in 1834 : the note of the smaller variety, or species, is much shriller than that of the larger, and will never be mistaken when noticed. The Cicado is too well known to need a description here; I will therefore only notice its habits as they have fallen under my own observation, and make a few extracts from an article published in 19 134 [Dec, 1846. the National Gazette, and written by my brother, Mr. Thomas W. Morris, in 1834. The eggs require forty-two days to mature in the branches of the trees j they then burst the shell and appear, a minute but active fac simile of the parent in the larvae state, except the ab- sence of the wing cases ; they require but a few moments to stretch their limbs and prepare for labor, before they unloose their hold on the twiggs on which they had been deposited, and fall to the ground, where they immediately disappear in search of food in the roots of the tree. If the eggs that are about to hatch be placed over a glass jar filled with earth, the young grubs will in a few hours after their escape from the eggs, be seen at the bot- tom of the jar endeavoring to force their way still deeper ā€” when first hatched they are quite white, but soon change to yellowish brown. They exist in separate tribes, occupying different sec- tions of country ; making their appearance in different years, but invariably after the same interval of time. For a year or two before the arrival of the main body, a few scattered individuals are generally found. Mr. Morris thus describes them, as noticed by him at various times and places : ā€” "In November, 1812, I found a large number of locust grubs under an old apple tree, between two and three feet below the surface, having every appearance of such as now issue from the ground, and nearly of the same size. On the 27th of June, 1815, I saw a portion of one of their countless tribes west of the Alle- ghany mountains, extending from the summit of the Chestnut ridge into the State of Ohio, beyond Steubenville ; occupying every shrub and tree except the pines, and the walnut, hickory, and some of the same family. On my return in the latter end of the following month, not an individual of the myriads which had oc- cupied that space was to be seen ; the tops of the forests for up- wards of a hundred miles appeared as if scorched by fire. In 1832, just seventeen years after, I noticed a newspaper para- graph, which stated that the locust had appeared in that neigh- borhood in large numbers. The northern parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey were visited by them in 1826, when I had another opportunity of see- ing this extraordinary insect. On my way from Easton, through New Jersey to Milford in Pike county, Pennsylvania, I fell in with a very numerous body ; how far they extended, I was unable to learn, but they did not disappear from my route until after passing through a large part of Pike county, a distance by the road, of more than sixty miles from the place where I saw them on the 23d of May. Trees and shrubs are necessary as places of deposit for their eggs ; consequently, though numerous in the State House Square, none were to be found in Washington Square, which in 1817 was destitute of trees." Dec, 1846.] 135 Stated Meeting, Dec. 22, 1846. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Very fine specimen of Nail-headed Calcareous spar, from Cumberland, England. Presented by Mr. George Thom- son, of Liverpool, through Mr. Samuel Ashmead. Dr. Morton deposited the following crania: Two natives of Madagascar, presented to him by Lt. Strain, U. S. N. ; a. Negro, from Dr. Hardy, of Asheville, S. C. ; a Potawatomie, from Dr. Fussell ; a Kanaka of the Sandwich Islands, from Lt. Strain, and an Australian Negro, from Dr. J. "Wilton, of Gloucester, England. Dr. Hallowell exhibited a living Chgemeleon, from Malaga, the property of Dr. C. W. Pennock. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Prodromo della Grande Anatomia ; seconda opera postuma di Paolo Mascagni, &c. Firenze, 1819. Folio. From Dr. P. B. Goddard. Chloris Boreali- Americana. Illustrations of new, rare, or otherwise interesting North American plants, selected chiefly from those recently brought into cultivation at the Botanic garden of Harvard University. By Asa Gray, M. D. Decade 1D. 4to. Cambridge, 1846. From the Author. Contributions to the Bryology and Hepaticology of North America. By Wm. S. Sullivant. Part 1. 4to. Cam- bridge, 1846. From the Author. Report of the season of 1846, with a table showing the flower- ing of fruit trees, the first opening, full flowering and ending of each, from 1837 to 1846, inclusive, &c. By Joseph Barrat, M. D. Middleton, Ct. From the Author. 136 [Dec, 1846. Annual Meeting, Dec. 29, 1846. Vice President Wetherill in the Chair. The Committee on the following communication by Dr. Leidy, reported in favor of publication. On the situation of the Olfactory sense in the terrestrial tribe of the Gasterojoodous Mollusca. By Joseph Leidy, M. D. While no observer of the habits of the terrestrial Gasteropoda doubts the existence of the sense of smell in them, but on the con- trary, asserts positively that it does exist, the anatomist heretofore has not been able to point out its precise seat. Swatnmerdam, in his Biblia Natura, speaks decidedly of the ex- istence of this sense in the Helix pomatia, but offers no conjec- ture as to its situation. Blumenbach remarks, under the head of Vermes, " Several animals of this class appear to have the sense of smelling, as many land snails (Helix pomatia, &c.,)" and after- wards adds, " But the organ of this sense is hitherto unknown ; perhaps it may be the stigma thoracicum." Cuvier in his Memoir sur la Limace et le Colimacon, after remarking the delicacy of this sense, thinks it probable it may reside " Dans la pean toute en- tiere, qui a beaucoup texture d'une membrane pituitaire." In investigating the anatomy of this tribe of Gasteropodous Mollusca, I detected an organ which appeared to have been en- tirely neglected, or has escaped the notice of those who have dis- sected these animals. It is a depression or cul-de-sac, having its orifice beneath the mouth, between the inferior lip and the ante- rior extremity of the podal disk, and which in many species of dif- ferent genera is elongated backwards into a blind duct, more or less deep, occupying a situation just above the podal disk, within the visceral cavity. In Bulimus fasciatus it extends backwards as far as the tail, and is several times folded upon itself; in Glandina truncata it extends the length of the podal disk ; in the various species of Helix it is found from a superficial depression to a sac the length of the podal disk; in Succioea obliqua it is of considerable length; in Limax and Arion it is a superficial depression : in an undeter- mined species of Vaginula, hereafter to be described, I found it half an inch in length, &c. It is composed of two laminae ; a delicate lining mucous mem- brane and an external layer, having a whitish or reddish glan- dular appearance. A large nerve, on each side, from the suboeso- phageal ganglia, is distributed to its commencement, besides which it receives numerous smaller branches along its course from the same ganglia. Its arterial supply is derived from the cephalic branch of the aorta. Dec, 1846.] 137 This organ, from its situation, relative size to the degree of perfection of the olfactive sense, as in the carnivorous Glandina truncata, &c, its structure, and nervous supply, I think, is the ol- factory organ.* The Committee on Mr. Cassin's communication, read Nov. 17, 1846, reported in favor of publication. Note on an Instinct probably possessed by the Herons, (Ardea, Linn.) By John Cassin. Several years since, I had an opportunity of observing the Great Heron (Ardea Herodias, Linn.) engaged in capturing fishes, and was much surprised at the singular facility with which he struck his prey beneath the surface of the water. This was done almost invariably by striking laterally and obliquely, very rarely vertically or nearly so, as fishes came within reach. It appeared to me at that time, and more recent observations have tended to confirm the impression, that this bird, and others which procure food in the same manner, must possess an instinc- tive knowledge of refraction. A moment's consideration is sufficient to warrant the inference that this knowledge, if possessed at all, must be instinctive and transmitted from parent to offspring; for it is obvious that if every young bird should be obliged to acquire it, his risk of starv- ing during such apprenticeship would be imminent. My observations have not been sufficiently extended to fully justify a conclusion, but I have little doubt that the opinion here expressed is correct, ā€” my object, however, is more especially to ask attention to this remarkable and hitherto unnoticed subject. The Monthly Report of the Corresponding Secretary was read and adopted. The Annual Report of the Treasurer was read and refer- red to the Auditors. The Annual Report of the Librarian was read and adopted. * Since writing the above, I have had an opportunity, through the kindness of Mr. Cassin, of examining a specimen of Helix poma- tia, from Europe, in which I find the organ in question existing as a fun- nel-shape depression beneath the mouth, and extending backwards along the podal disk for the distance of three- fourths of an inch. This 1 con- sider particularly interesting, as thesame species has been minutely dis- sected and described by Swammerdam, Cuvier, and others, without anv reference whatever to this cul-de-sac. 138 [Dec, 1846. The Society then went into an election for Officers for the year 1847. The following result was reported by the Tellers: PRESIDENT. William Hembel. VICE PRESIDENTS. J. Price Wetherill. Samuel George Morton, M. D. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. Walter R. Johnson. RECORDING SECRETARY. Theodore F. Moss. LIBRARIAN. Wm. S. Zantzinger, M. D. TREASURER. George W. Carpenter. CURATORS. Joseph Leidy, M. D, William S. Vaux. Samuel Ashmead. John Cassin. AUDITORS. Robert Pearsall. Wm. S. Vaux. Robert Bridges, M. D. COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION. Wm. S. Vaux. Walter R. Johnson. Thomas B. Wilson, M. D. Samuel Ashmead. William Gambel. Dec, 1846.] 139 The following gentlemen were elected Correspondents of the Academy. Charles Hamilton Smith, Esq., of London. Thomas C. Eyton, Esq., do. George Robert Gray, Esq., do. Richard Kippist, Esq., do. M. E. Prisse, of Paris. The following Resolutions, offered by Dr. Bridges, were unanimously adopted. Resolved, That the thanks of the Academy be presented to the late Recording Secretary, Dr. W. S. Zantzinger, for the ability and zeal with which he has performed the duties of that office for the past five years. Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to the late Librarian, Dr. Joseph Leidy, for the able and faith- ful manner in which he has fulfilled the duties of his office for the past year. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. Vol. 3. JAN., AND FEB., 1847. No. 7. Stated Meeting, January 5, 1847. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Casts of the hand of Troglodytes niger, (Chimpanzee), and of the inferior extremity of the radius of a fossil mammal obtained near Richmond, Va. From Dr. J. Wyman. Sternum of Oidemia perspicillata. From Mr. Woodhouse. Specimens in skin, of Putorius noveboracensis, from Bucks Co., Pa. ; Sorex brevicaudatus, Say, and Vespertilio caro- linensis, Geof., from Chester Co., Pa. ; and V. novebora- censis, L., from Newark, Del. From Dr. T. B. Wilson. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Annales des Mines. 4me- Serie, Tome viii. Livs. 5 and 6 de 1845. In exchange. Twenty-sixth Report of the Council of the Leeds Philosophi- cal Society. Leeds : 1846. Fom the Society. Message of the President of the United States, communicating a Report of an Expedition by Lieut. Abert to the Upper Arkansas, and through the country of the Camanche In dians, in the autumn of 1845. From Col. Abert. 142 [Jan., 1847. Literary Record and Journal of the Linnean Association of Pennsylvania College. Vol. 3, No. 8. From the Asso- ciation. Sound and Sanctified Scholarship ; an Address delivered at the Dedication of the new edifice of the Western Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1846. By David H. Riddle, D. D. With introductory remarks by George Upfold, D. D. From the Author. Observations of the Magnetic dip at several positions, made in 1840, 1842, 1843, 1844 and 1845. By Major James D. Graham, U. S. Topographical Engineer. (From the Trans, of Amer. Phil. Soc, Vol. ix.) Philadelphia : 1846. From the Author. Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences of Boston. May 26 to Dec. 1, 1846, inclusive. From the Academy. Dr. Thomas B. Wilson deposited the following works : Tableau Encyclopedique et Methodique des trois regnes de la Nature. (Ornithologie.) Par l'Abbe Bonnaterre et L. P. Vieillot. 4 vols. 4to. A General System of Nature, &c. By Sir Charles Linne: translated by Wm. Turton, M. D. 7 vols. 8 vo. The Zoology of the Voyage of H. M. Ship Sulphur, under the command of Capt. Sir Edward Belcher, R. N., &c, during the years 1836 to 1842. Edited and superintended by Richard Brinsley Hinds, Esq., Surgeon to the Expedi- tion. Vol. 1. 4to. London : 1844. A Monograph of the Anatidse or Duck tribe. By T. C. Eyton, Esq., F. L. S., &c. 1 vol. 4to. London, 1838. Zoological Lectures delivered at the Royal Institution in 1806 and 1807. By George Shaw, M. D., F. R. S. 2 vols, large 8vo. London : 1809. Atlas de Zoologie, ou Collection de 100 planches comprenant 257 fig. d'animaux nouveaux ou peu connues, classes d'apres la methode de M. de Blainville ; avec une expli- cation par M. Paul Gervais. 1 vol. 8vo. Paris : 1844. Jan., 1847.] 143 A selection of the Birds of Brazil and Mexico. The draw- ings by William Swainson, Esq. 1 vol. 8vo. London : 1841. Beitrage zur Naturgeschichte von Brazilien. Von Maxi- milian Prinzen zu Wied. Reptilia, Aves, Mammalia, 5 vols. 8vo. Descriptiones Animalium quse in itinere ad Maris Australis terras per annos 1772, 1*773 and 1774 suscepto : collegil, observavit et deliniavit Joannes Reinoldus Forster, F.R.S. ; nunc demum edita? auctoritate et impensis Academise Lit- terarum Regise Berolinoe, curante Henrico Lichtenstein. 1 vol. 8vo. Berlin : 1844. Ornithological Dictionary of British Birds. By Col. G. Mon- tague, F. L. S. 2d edition : by James Rennie, F. L. S. 8vo. London : 1831. Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales ; with sixty-five plates of nondescript Animals, Birds, and other natural productions. By John White, Esq., Surgeon to the Settle- ment. 1 vol. 4to. London : 1790. Letters were read : From Richard Brown, Esq., addressed to the Correspond- ing Secretary, dated Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Dec. 9th, 1846, acknowledging the receipt of his notice of election as a Correspondent. The following extract from this letter is interesting: " I have visited Cranberry Head several times recently, and have made a section and drawings of the fossil trees there. The first tree near the Point is based upon a small seam of coal : lately a large piece of the cliff has fallen down, and part of the tree with some of the coal under it. Fortunately it has exposed two loDg roots ā€” one branching to the North and the other to the South ā€” about seven feet each way. They are very broad and flat, and are genuine Stigmaria. I could not trace any rootlets, but the areolae are not to be mistaken. I have preserved some large pieces, as also some of the bark, of the tree, which is appa- rently an irregularly fluted Sigillaria. In a bed of Shale, some twenty feet lower in the section, I have also found several small upright trees, about eight inches diarne- 144 [Jan. 1847- ter, filled with soft shale, but having a pith of beautiful bright coal, 1Ā£ inches in diameter, running up the middle: the bark is fluted ; the roots, long fibres, something like the leaves or rootlets of Stigmaria." From Wrn. D. Breckenridge, Esq., dated Washington, Dec. 29, 1846, returning, with acknowledgments, a collection of ferns from the Berlin gardens, which had been loaned him by permission of the Society for examination and comparison. From the Trustees of the Western University of Pennsyl- vania, dated Dec. 9, 1846, referring to the loss by fire lately sustained by that Institution of its entire Museum and Li- brary, and asking for donations towards a renewal of the same, particularly the latter. Referred to the Library Com- ā€¢ mittee. Meeting for Business, January 26, 1847. Vice President Morton in the Chair. The Report of the Corresponding Secretary was read and adopted. The following resolution was adopted : Resolved, That the proposal of Mr. Henry Seybert to de- posit his valuable chemical apparatus in the Academy, to become ultimately the property of the Institutionā€” unless withdrawn by himself during his life time ā€” and subject to its Rules and By-Laws on this head, be accepted. The Society then proceeded to elect the usual Standing Committees for the year. The following result was reported by the Tellers : Committees for 184". Geological and Mineralogical. J. Price Wetherill, W. R. Johnson, S. G. Morton, Samuel Ashmead, Win. S. Vaux, Theodore F. Moss, Lewis T. Germain. Jan., 1847.] 145 Zoological. J. S. Phillips, John Cassin, Edward Harris, J. K. Townsend, S. S. Haldeman, William Garabel, A. L. Heermann. Botanical. R. Bridges, R. E. Griffith, W. S. Zantzinger, Gavin Watson, R. Kilvington. Physics. Walter R. Johnson, John S. Phillips, Paul B. Goddard, Theodore F. Moss, Henry Seybert. Library. Robert Bridges, | Robert Pearsall, Edward Hallowell, George W. Carpenter, S. B. Ashmead. Committee on Proceedings. S. G. Morton, C Corresponding and John S. Phillips, < Recording Secretaries, Wm. S. Zantzinger, Ā£ ex-officio. Coleman Fisher, Jr., of Philadelphia, was elected a Mem- ber. And John P. Barratt, M. D., of Barrattsville, South Caro- lina, was elected a Correspondent. 146 [Feb., 1847. Stated Meeting, February 2, 1847. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. The Curators exhibited a fine articulated skelton of a Bengal Tiger of very large size, and an extensive collection of hu- man and other crania, recently received from Dr. HufTnagle of Calcutta, and placed by him on deposit in the Society's Cabinet. The collection embraces the following: Cranium of a native of South Australia : two crania of Hindoo fanatics, taken from the Temple of Juggernaut : cranium of an individual of a Brahmin caste : of an Affghan from the field of Jug- daullek : of a Chinese pirate : of a Malay pirate : of a Hin- dostanee : and several other human crania not labelled. Also, crania of the following animals : ā€” Crocodilus vul- garis, and Gavialis gangeticus, (both remarkably large and perfect specimens,) Trionyx Indicus, Sus scropha, Felis tigris (five specimens), Canis aureus (two spec), C. fami- liaris (fox-hound and blood-hound, three spec), Delphi- nus , Simia satyrus (young), Simia , Antilope (two spec) &c, &. Mr. Cassin presented from Mr. Aaron Sharpless, of Chester county, Pennsylvania, two fine living specimens of a hybrid between Numida meleagris (Guinea fowl) and Meleagris galla-pavo (turkey), which had been hatched and raised on his farm. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. The characters of some new genera and species of composite? from Texas. By Asa Gray, M. D., (from the Proceed, of Am. Acad, of Arts and Sciences, Dec 1S46.) From the Author. On the Origin of Continents. By James D. Dana, (from Feb., 1847.] 147 the Am. Journal of Sciences, vol. 3, 2d series.) From the Author. On Zoophytes. No. 3. By James D. Dana, (from the Am. Journ. of Science, vol. 3, 2d series.) From the Author. On three several Hurricanes of the Atlantic, and their rela- tions to the Northers of Mexico and Central America, with notices of other storms. By William C. Redfield. New Haven, 1846. From the Author. The Literary Record and Journal of the Linnean Associa- tion of Pennsylvania College, vol. 3, No. 4. From the Association. Recapitulation des Hybrides observes dans la famille des Anatidees. Par Edm. de Selys Longchamps. From the Author. Revue critique des Oiseaux d' Europe, par le Docteur Schlegel. Extrait de la Revue Zoologique par la Societe Cuvierienne, Jan. 1845. From M. de Longchamps. A letter was read from James Robb, Esq., dated King's College, Frederick, N. B., 9th Jan. 1847, acknowledging the receipt of his notice of election as a correspondent. A paper by Mr. Haldeman, describing one new genus and several new species of insects, was read and referred to a committee consisting of Mr. Markland, Dr. Leidy and Dr. Zantzinger. Mr. Germain, of Burlington, read a paper entitled " A col- lation and statement of some of the effects of Electricity and Galvanism, having seeming analogy to the purification and circulation of the blood," which was referred to the following committee : Dr. Bridges, Prof. Johnson and Mr. Moss. 148 [Feb., 1847. Stated Meeting, Feb. 16, 1847. Vice President Morton in the chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Sternum of Strix brachyotis, and the fangs of a molar tooth of Zeuglodon cetoides, Owen, cut transversely to exhibit its internal structure. From Dr. Joseph Leidy. Sternum of Aquila leucocephalus. From Mr. S. W. Wood- house. Two specimens of Baculites ovatus, one of them ten inches in length ; also a fine specimen of Ammonites Delawarensis with the cast of the same, and a specimen of A. placenta ; all obtained from the marl pit near Moorestown, N. J. Presented by Mr. Lewis T. Germain. Cranium of Zygsena malleus. From Dr. R. E. Griffith. Fine specimen of Apophyllite from Andreasberg, Upper Harz, Hanover. Presented by Mr. Moss. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Histoire Physique, Politique et Naturelle de 1' He de Cuba ; par M. Ramon de la Sagra. Livs. 52, 53, 54. From Messrs. Wetherill, Morton, Phillips, Clay, Yaux and Elwyn. De Candolle's Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegeta- bilis. Parts 8, 9 and 10. Purchased by Academy. Vermium terrestrium et fluviatilium seu animalium infusorio- rum, helminthicorum, et testaceorum non marinorum, suc- cincta historia. Auctore Othone Frederico Muller. Vol. 1, Part 1 ; and vol. 2, quarto. Hafnice, 1773 and 1774, From Dr. Paul B. Goddard. Eight additional pages of Dr. Gould's description of Shells of the Exploring Expedition. From the Author. Mr. Gambel read a paper in continuation of his " Remarks on the Birds of Upper California," which was referred to the committee on the former portions. Feb., 1847.] 149 Dr. Morton read a notice by Mr. M. Tuoniey, State Geolo- gist of South Carolina, of his discovery of the Cranium of Zeuglodon cetoides, Owen, in the vicinity of Charleston ; ac- companied with a drawing of the same. Referred to Dr. Morton, Mr. R. C. Taylor and Dr. Leidy. A letter was presented by Mr. Moss, addressed by Mr. Graf of St. Petersburg to Baron Wrangel, in relation to ex- changes of Birds between the latter and the Academy. Re- ferred to the Zoological committee. Mr. Gliddon presented a translation of the Hieroglyphical inscription on the Sarcophagus of the Egyptian Mummy now in the Academy. Meeting for Business, February 23, 1847. Vice President "Wetherill in the Chair. The Committee to whom was referred Mr. Haldeman's pa- per read on the 2d inst., reported in favor of publication. Descriptions of several new species and one new genus of Insects, By S. S. Haldeman, A. M. Blethisa quadricollis. Black, somewhat bronze ; head elon- gate, transversely impressed behind the eyes, which are promi- nent ; frontal impressions long and bisinuate, posteriorly connected with the transverse impression ; labrum quadrate, slightly bisinu- ate anteriorly ; antennae steel blue, as long as the head and pro- thorax, four basal articulations glabrous. Prothorax quadrate, bitruncate, wider than the head, slightly rounded on the sides an- teriorly, and very slightly sinuated behind the middle ; posterior angles rounded ; margin depressed and reflexed ; transverse im- pressions very deep, the anterior one in the arc of a circle ; dorsal line deep, transversely wrinkled, bi- abbreviated ; basal impressions deep, punctured, with an obtuse slightly elevated ridge near the margin. Elytra a little wider than the head, obtusely rounded behind; deeply punctate-striate, strise somewhot interrupted; 3d interstice with four or five large fovea? ; 5th with three foveae, the anterior one being behind the anterior one of the other range ; 6th with two fovese, one below the humerus, and one (sometimes 150 [Feb., 1841 obsolete) towards the apex ; margin subcupreous, with confused ranges of smaller punctures ; legs steel blue ; anterior femora with a very slight prominence in the female. 7 i 1. long. 3 1. wide. Found by Mr. Joshua Child upon the Southern shore of Lake Superior. The elytra agree with those in B. multipunctata, Fab. and the thorax apparently with that of B. esehscholtzii. *Chorea. Body short, robust, and of a rather solid consistency; head small, deflected ; maxillary palpi robust, prominent, last joint largest, and triangular; antennae short, serrate, not sensibly tapered, placed between the eyes and a little removed from them, which renders them approximate; they are inserted upon each side of a slight frontal elevation, and are borne parallel, arched over the thorax and extending a little beyond the scutel. Protho- rax short, transverse, inflated, anterior angles obtusely rounded, posterior ones produced in a sharp angle. Scutel rounded. Ely- tra elongate, texture solid, with wings beneath. Abdomen of five inflated segments. Feet slender, the posterior coxae very long, be- ing as long as the femur proper, which is much reduced in length, although the limb is of ordinary length. Tarsi with short hair, but scarcely pulvillate; penultinate articulation bilobed. Probably a female. A single individual taken upon the porch of my residence. It endeavored to liberate itself by a sharp click, which, with the shape of the prothorax, led me to suppose it an Elater. The click was produced by approximating the anterior femora along the breast and separating them with a sudden jerk which could be heard and felt. There is nothing apparent in the structure of the anterior feet to indicate this peculiar use of them. Chorea pulsator. Dull black, minutely punctured, slightly hairy; palpi bright testaceous : tarsi and tibiae dull rufuus ; prono- tum covered with piliferous punctures, dorsal line not apparent ; elytra with nine strise filled with large elongate punctures. 4 1. long. Pennsylvania, in April. Eburia distincta. Flavescent, covered with a short whitish pubescence; labrum fringed with fulvous hair; front imprest; medial line of the head glabrous posteriorly ; prothorax subcy- lindric, narrowed before, with an anterior and posterior transverse impression ; sides armed with a short spine ; disk on each side, a little before the middle, with a round black glabrous tubercle; elytra with a basal and medial pair of approximate stigmata, the former somewhat oblique, the latter with the interior one about half the length of the exterior. 10 ā€” 12 lines long. Georgia and Mississippi. Distinguished from the more northern species E. 4-geminata Say, distincta Dejean, by a more dense pubescence, less globular protho- rax with its deeper lines and larger tubercles ; and the shorter in- ternal posterior stigma. Feb., 1847.] 151 Enaphalodes simpiicicollis. Dark brown, elytra somewhat paler from a short pubescence; prothorax subglobular, minutely granulate ; dorsal line slightly impressed posteriorly, a lateral ob- solete impression before the middle towards the exterior margin ; elytra sparsely and deeply punctured, bi-spinose at tip. 11 Ā£ 1. long. Georgia. Distinguished from E. lecontei, Dejean, (pulverulentum, Fabr., hitherto considered an Elaphidion by me) in having a smaller prothorax, a darker color, and in being less. For the opportunity to describe this and the next species of Longicornia, I am indebted to the kindness of my friend Dr. J. L. Le Conte, in whose cabinet they are. Stentjra? cyanea. Brilliant metallic blue with greenish re- flexions : front impressed, antennas, mandibles, labrum, terminal joint of palpi, and scutel, black ; elytra scabrous with confluent punctures ; femora rufous, apex and extreme base, with the tibiae and tarsi, blackish. 6 1. long. Lake Superior. Ploiaria maculata. Drown, superior wings pale grey with whitish reticulations, and maculate with brown, darkest towards the base, where there is a long conspicuous triangle with its apex ex- tending to the base ; anterior edge of the wing with a single series of spots, apex with a semicircle of large ones. 2. 1. long. Penn- sylvania, in July. The only specimen of this well marked species is imperfect, and although taken several years ago, a second individual has not been seen. The Committee on Mr. Tuomey's paper read at last meet- ing, reported in favor of publication. Notice of the discovery of a Cranium of the Zeuqlodon. By M. Tuomey, State Geologist of South Carolina. Almost every day adds something to our knowledge of those remarkable forms, which in the revolutions of time have passed out of existence. In 18 ā€” , Dr. Harlan described and figured in the Transactions of the Geological Society of Pennsylvania, some fossil bones from Alabama, consisting of portions of the upper and lower maxillae of an animal under the name of " Basilosaurus," from an impression that they belonged to a gigantic Saurian. An examination of the teeth, however, satisfied Professor Owen that these remains belonged to a Cetacean, to which he has given the name " Zeuqlodon." The first description of an entire tooth of this animal, was given by Mr. Buckley, in a concise account of the discovery of a consi- derable portion of the skeleton, published in the American Journal of Science in 1843. In 1845, Dr. K. W, Gibbes, of South Carolina, published in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences 152 [Feb., 1847. of Philadelphia, accurate figures of similar teeth with fragments of the lower maxilla. The teeth being hollow, and, in his opinion presenting other important differences, he constituted for them a new genus, "Dorudon." The " Hydrarchos," I believe, has passed away without advancing our knowledge upon this interesting subject, excepting perhaps that Prof. Wyman discovered in the extremity of the ribs some ceta- cean characters. The next important development consisted in the publication by Professor Emmons, in the American Quarterly Journal of Agricul- ture, beautiful figures of the teeth, anterior portion of lower max- illae, together with a portion of the ramus having the coronoid pro- cess and condyle almost perfect, cervical and caudal vertebras, and a rib. But up to the present time, no notice has appeared of the discovery of any considerable portion of the cranium proper ā€” for the mutilated head of the so called Hydrarchos can scarcely be con- sidered an exception. Early in January I was presented by F. S. Holmes, Esq., with a portion of the left upper maxilla, containing one tooth and the alveolse of several others, which he discovered in the Eocene beds of Ashley river, about ten miles from Charleston. Soon after, Prof. Lewis R. Gibbes, of the College of Charleston, visited the same lo- cality, and had the good fortune to find the rest of the scull, much fractured, but so carefully were the fragments collected, that with a little patience we were enabled to restore them to their proper places. It is then altogether to these gentlemen that we owe a knowledge of this valuable fossil. Description. Occipital bone somewhat semicircular, transversely flat or slightly concave, central portion thin ; a crest-like ridge sur- rounds the superior portion terminating in the suture with the tem- poral bone. Condyles two, articulating surfaces lunate, and almost enclosing the foramen magnum. Foramen magnum oval ; trans- verse diameter 1J inches, vertical diameter 1 inch; transverse pro- cesses thick, spreading, making the breadth of the base of the cra- nium equal to its diameter across the zygomatic processes ; jugular foramen Ā£ inch in diameter ; temporal bones small, mastoroid por- tion thick and strong but not prominent ; articulating cavities for condyles of lower maxillae large, forming about 30Ā° of a circle, in- clining inwards and backwards; maxillse thick and strong, vertical section triangular; a cavity for nerves and vessels runs within at the points of the roots of the teeth ; alveolar process thick ; palatal bone strong, anteriorly emarginate and horizontal, posteriorly de- scending below the alveolar process. Frontal bone and anterior portion of maxillae wanting ; walls of the nasal canal smooth ; sutures squamous ; in the left maxilla one tooth remains, which is solid, spear-shaped, edges coarsely ser- rate, exterior side flattened, interior side convex ; agreeing in this respect with the position of the teeth in the shark ; roots double, Feb., 1847.] 153 nearly parallel, and inserted obliquely backwards; in the right maxilla are the alveolre for eight teeth with double roots. In the solidity of the teeth and slight divergency of the roots, this speci- men agrees with the figures of Dr. Harlan and Prof. Emmons. This fossil is particularly interesting, as it removes every doubt, if any remain, of the true character of the animal to which it be- longed. The double occipital condyle shows it to have been a mammal, while the squamous sutures and a symmetrical form refer it to the Cetaceae. Dimensions. Length 14 Ā£ in.; greatest breadth 7Ā£ in.; height 5| in.; length of enameled portion of tooth f in.; breadth f in. It was evidently a young individual. Geological position. The teeth described by Dr. Gibbes were found in the oldest of the calcareous beds of the Eocene of South Carolina, which contain Card ita plan icosta and other well known Eocene fossils, together with Grypliea mutabilis and Terebratula harlani, which are also common to the cretaceous formation. And the fossil just described was found in upper beds of the Eocene so that the Zeuglodon must have existed through the whole of the Eocene period; a period which, in South Carolina, was at least sufficiently long for the deposition of three hundred feet of calca- reous and sedimentary matter; a fact which was ascertained by boring at Charleston. 154 [Feb., 1847. Remarks on the Birds observed in Upper California. By "William Gameel. (Continued from page, 115.) PASSERES. Genus *CHAM.Ā£A.f Bill short, tapering to the point, acute and compressed. Both mandibles entire, ridge of upper elevated, and curving nearly from the base ; the de- pression for the nostrils large, oval, and exposed ; the nostrils opening be- neath a membrane in the depression. Wings very short and much rounded. Tail very long and graduated. Tarsus long. Chamesa fasciata, Nobis. Ground Tit. Parus fasciatus, nobis, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sc., vol. 2, p. 265. This interesting bird, placed provisionally among the Titmice, I have now made the type of a new genus, not being able, as yet, to find a suitable place for it, among those already described. For several months before discovering the bird, I chased among the fields of dead mustard stalks, the weedy margins of streams, low thickets and bushy places, a continued, loud, crepitant, grating scold, which I took for that of some species of wren, but at last found to proceed from this Wren- Tit, if it might so be called. It is always difficult to be seen, and keeps in such places as I have described, close to the ground; eluding pursuit, by' diving into the thickest bunches of weeds and tall grass, or tangled bushes uttering its grating wren-like note whenever an approach is made towards it. But if quietly watched, it may be seen, when searching for insects, to mount the twigs and dried stalks of grass sideways, jerking its long tail, and keeping it erect like a wren, which, with its short wings, in such a position it so much resembles. At the same time uttering a very slow, monotonous, singing, chickadee note, like pee pee pee pee peep ; at other times its notes are varied, and a slow whistling, contmuedpwit,pwit, pwit, pwit,pwit, pwit, may be heard. Again, in pleasant weather towards spring, I have heard them answering one another, sitting upon a low twig, and singing in a less solemn strain, not unlike a sparrow, a lively pit, pit, pit, tr r r r r r r r, but if dis- turbed, at once resumining their grating scold. Pants inornatus, Nobis. Plain Titmouse. Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sc, vol. 2, p. 265. The Plain Titmouse I first discovered near Monterey on the 20th of November. It was actively flitting about among the evergreen oaks of the vicinity, in company with large flocks of the Chestnut-backed and Least Titmouse, all in restless activity, searching every branch for insects. Among the busy throng I could not well distinguish its notes, but they appeared to resemble very much those of the common Black-cap, and on my following it up, uttered a loud scold, erecting its high and pointed crest; and looking as angry as possible at the intrusion. j- From ^a^a/, on the ground. Feb., 1847.] 155 I afterwards found it common, frequenting in small flocks tall bushes and branches of small trees, uttering a weak and slender tsee day day, tsee day day dait. Parus montanus, Nobis. Rocky Mountain Titmouse. Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sc, vol. 1, p. 259. I have already stated all that I know of this new and handsome species, in the description contained in the number of the Proceedings above referred to. It was exceedingly abundant in the western ranges of the Rocky Moun- tains, particularly in the high ridges near the great salt lake, in the wooded portions of which they were roaming in large flocks, and from thence to the Californian ridge, on the other side of which I never saw them. In habits, as well as appearance, it resembles very much the P. atricapillus, but is at once distinguished by the two white lines, running over the top of the head to the occiput. Parus rufescens, Towns. Chestnut-backed Titmouse. In the latter part of summer and during the winter season, the young of this species are found around Monterey in large flocks. Parus minimus, Towns. Least Titmouse. This interesting and most diminutive bird, is exceedingly abundant in the Rocky Mountains and California. During winter, the otherwise cheer- less woods, are alive with busy, noisy troops of these industrious birds, gleaning their scanty fare in company with the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, in every possible manner and position from bush or tree. It is curious to watch them in this anxious solicitous search for food, keep- ing up a continual twittering; so intent are they in their employment, that they appear to lose sight of danger, and often have I been so surrounded by a flock, that I could have almost caught them in my hands. The above additional species, together with the P. scptcntrionalis, recently described by my friend Mr. Edward Harris, in the Proceedings of the Aca- demy, have increased the number of North American Titmice, exclusive of the Ground Tit, to nine species. Trichas Marylandica. Maryland Yellow Throat. This species, distributed throughout the whole of North America is com- mon, both in the Rocky Mountains and California. Vermivora celata, Say. Orange-crowned "Warbler. Flocks of this species are common during winter in Upper California, frequenting low bushes and margins of streams. On the Island of Santa Catalina in early spring I heard its simple though lively song, commencing in a loud sweet shrill and ending tshg up, sometimes considerably varied, but generally er r r r r r tsl\4 up. Sylvieola Auduboni, Towns. Audubon's Warbler. This handsome warbler is abundant throughout the West. I first ob- served it in New Mexico, thence through the ranges of the Rocky Mountains to California, where, particularly during winter, the young birds are found in large flocks, and generally in the tops of trees. Its habits as well as 156 [Feb., 1847. appearance {hey resemble the Yellow Rump, S. coronata, and like them also, display a great deal of familiarity, entering the towns, and resorting to gardens and fence rows, and even the corals of the houses ; frequently also, descending to the ground with the Blackbirds and Sparrows. Sylvania pusilla. Wils. (Nutt.) Green Black-capped Flycatcher. Myiodyoctes Wilsonii, Aud. This pretty little Sylvan Flycatcher is common both in the Rocky Moun- tains and California. Culicivora coerulia, Lath. Blue-grey Flycatcher. Abundant in Upper California. Tyrannula pusilla. Swains. Little Pewee Flycatcher. I observed this species to be plentiful about the Pueblo delos Angeles in Upper California, where most probably they breed. During the month of April, it frequented the hedges of vineyards and neighboring trees, uttering a sweet and considerably varied song. The following description of an adult killed there in the spring, may be useful, to show that it is the same bird as that described by Swainson in the Arctic Zoology, and that found in Labrador by Audubon. Above greenish olive; wings and tail dusky brown, the coverts tipped with dull white, forming two bands on the wing: the tertiaries also broadly edged with the same. Belowyellowish, brightest on the lower part of the throat and breast, and on tbe abdomen. Feet and legs bright lead-blue. A yellowish ring around the eye. Upper mandible black, the lower pale flesh colored ; inside of both, orange. Tail even, 2 \ inches ; wings 2| inches. Tarsus |. Bill along ridge about f , from angle of mouth f . Total length 5 inches. First quill a little shorter than the 6th ; 3rd and 4th nearly equal. The bird has a conspicuous crest. Tyrannula Saya, Bonap. Black-tailed Flycatcher. T. pallida, Swans. Syn. Bds. of Mexico. This species, common throughout the western regions of our country, is particularly so in California and the northern provinces of Mexico. Its manners much resemble those of the common Pewee, frequenting the neigh- borhood of towns, weedy hill sides and plains, darting from twig to twig after passing insects, jerking its tail, and merely uttering a single weak and singing chip, or an occasional guttural twitter, but very different from the harsh angry tship of the T. nigricans, with which it is so often associated. It breeds in California, and no doubt like its dark companion, about the houses and Missions, but I did not find its nest. Tyrannula nigricans, Swains. Black Pewee. This bird is abundant in California, and like our common Pewee is particu- larly fond of being near the habitations of man: with the utmost confidence, it is seen familiarly flying about the corals and gardens,and even the very doors; over which, on a projecting beam, about the middle of April, I found its nest. It was large for the size of the bird, and consisted of a solid round mason work Feb. 1847.] 157 of clay, intermixed with fibres of grass, &c, and lined with a thin layer of softer materials, blades of grass, fine strips of bark from the neighboring vineyard, and horsehair, and contained four eggs. This was the second nest which had been built that year; the first near the same place having been destroyed by the occupant of the house, this was commenced stilt nearer the door. I was informed that it was difficult to get them to leave the place they had once selected for their nest, and that if it were torn down they would at once commence forming another. The previous year three successive nests had been destroyed. These birds are constant residents; and, as well as near the towns, are also distributed over the whole country, either in the margins of woods, or bushy plains, and almost always in pairs. They are very pugnacious, and are often seen fighting together in the air, and darting after each other from branch to branch, at the same time ut- ring their peculiar loud and angry tship, which can always be recognized. From the arrangement of its colors, at a little distance, when sitting with their breasts towards you, they are easily mistaken for Snow birds. Tyr annus borealis, Swains. Olive-sided Flycatcher. T. Cooperii, Nutt. I found this species scatteringly in the Rocky Mountains: it is quite abundant in the Pine woods of Upper California, for which it appears to have a great partiality. In the latter part of July I killed the young, not yet fully fledged, in the pines near Monterey, where they must have bred. Tyrannus verticalis, Say. Arkansas Flycatcher. This tyrant is an abundant resident in California. Around the Pueblo de los Angeles it takes possession of the hedges of the vineyards, orchards and gardens ; noisy, pugnacious, and ever on the alert, it suffers no intru- sion upon its dominions ; Hawk, Raven, or Crow, not even its own species, are allowed to pass unmolested. For this reason it has acquired the name of Correcuerbo (Crow-chaser) by the inhabitants, who also gladly allow them full possession. Tyrannus crinitus ? A large species of Flycatcher, very much resembling the Great Crested, is not uncommon in California. My friend S. F. Baird, of Carlisle, Pa., is in possession of a specimen, and considering it distinct, it will soon be published in a paper he has prepared, upon the North American birds of this family. Near Monterey I have heard it uttering the paynp note of the Great Crested, and at Santa Barbara they were breeding in the knot holes of the evergreen oaks in May. Ptilogonys Tozvnsendii, Aud. Townsend's Ptilogonys. This rare bird I frequently found in the Rocky Mountains of the interior of California. See Proceedings of the Academy for April, 1843. Icleria viridis, Gmel. Yellow-breasted Chat. The Chat arrives in California about the middle of April, and resorts to the hedges of vineyards, gardens and bushy places, where no doubt it breeds. 22 158 [Feb. 1847. It is very extensively distributed on our continent, as I observed it also common along the coast of Peru. Vireo solitarius, Vieill. Solitary Vireo. During the latter part of summer and winter, the young birds of this species are abundant, frequenting low bushes and thickets, in small flocks. Descriptions of New Species of Coleoptera of the United States. By F. E. Melsheimer, M. D. (Continued from Vol. 3, page 66.) Crioceridce, Leach. Donacia, Fabr. 1. D. cuprea. Cupreous above; antennae and feet testaceous, the former with the third joint longer than the second; the latter with the posterior femora brown at tip. 3 ā€” 3^1. long. Pennsylvania. Cupreous, tinged with bluish above : head sparsely greenish-ashy-pubes- cent, densely and very minutely rugose, with the frontal groove most fre- quently profound, sometimes obsolete ; mouth, palpi and antennae, testa- ceous, the latter with the third joint distinctly longer than the second ; mandibles black : thorax subquadrate, hardly as long as wide, narrower behind than before ; obsoletely and very distantly punctulate on the disk ; confluently and very minutely rugose; a small oblong tubercle behind each anterior angle ; medial line indistinct, sometimes wanting ; basal margin rather transversely indented : elytra punctate-striate, the interstices densely and minutely rugose, with two obtuse and rather obsolete subsutural im- pressions ; humeral angles polished, almost impunctured ; apex obliquely truncate ; beneath and sides of the head, dull silvery sericeous : feet dull testaceous, with the posterior femora in particular, brown at the posterior half, and obtusely toothed towards the tip. Var. a. Elytra golden-yellow. 2. D. indica. Black above ; antennas, tibiae and tarsi dull rufous ; thorax quadri-tuberculate ; elytra broad, rounded at apex. 41. long; \\ 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Donacia indica, Melsh. Catal. Black, glossy above: head with a slight bluish tinge, densely rugose- punctulate ; frontal impressed line short, distinct; antennae short, dull rufous, with the basal joint entirely, and the apical half of the remaining joints, brown or black ; second joint almost as long as the third; mouth brownish-piceous : thorax distinctly longer than wide, not half as wide as the elytra, wider at apex than at base ; above finely confluently rugose ; four small, obtuse, polished tubercles before the middle, placed in a trans- verse arcuated row, the two posterior or middle ones small, only dis- tinctly seen from an above view; medial impressed line fine, and not pro- found ; anterior angles raised: scutellum ashy-brown-pubescent: elytra wide, comparatively short, transversely rugulose, punctate-striate, with the apex decurved and rounded ; an obsolete subsutural depression : Feb., 1847.] 159 beneath dusky silvery-sericeous, with the abdomen, as is common, pale or reddish brown ; femora, excepting at base, blackish ; base of femora, tibiae and tarsi dull rufous ; posterior femora hardly toothed at tip. This is a very rare species. " D. metallica. Cupreous; antennae and feet rufous; second and third joints of the former equal." Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc, v. 283, 2. Var. c. Blue ; antennae and feet as in the type. 3. D. biimpressa. Cyaneous ; thorax with an orbiculate impression each side of the middle; elytra finely striate-punctate. 8 1. long; 1 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Cyaneous, with a violaceous or greenish reflection, shining : head dull silvery-sericeous, confluently rugose-punctulate, with the frontal line pro- foundly impressed ; antennae moderately long, brown, with the base of the joints more or less dull rufous ; second joint rather shorter than the third ; mouth and palpi brownish : thorax longer than wide, wider at apex than at base ; above tinted with greenish, finely, deeply and distantly punctured ā€¢ medial line fine, more deeply impressed before the middle than towards the base ; a small, suborbiculate, profound impression each side and near the middle ; lateral tubercle moderate, oblong ; anterior angles slightly tuberculate : scutellum dull violaceous, minutely and densely punctured : elytra faintly tinted with violaceous, finely transversely wrinkled, finely striate-punctulate, sutural region obtusely indented in two or three places; an oblique, rather obsolete, indentation from the humeral angles to the suture ; apex obliquely truncate, almost rounded : beneath blackish, densely punctulate, dull silvery-sericeous ; femora blackish or dark brown, with their base, tibiae and tarsi, dull dark rufous ; hind pair of femora with an obvious tooth towards the tip. This species is also very rare. Var. a. Elytra violaceous, sculpture rather stronger than in the type ; thorax darker than the elytra, with the two dorsal impressions shallow and somewhat obscure ; bases of the antennal joints more obviously rufous than in the type. Donacea violacea. Melsh. MS. 4. D. aurichalcea. Brassy-yellow, shining ; antennae with the third joint somewhat longer than the second; thorax distantly punctulate; femora brassy-brown. 3 1. long ; 1 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Donacea aurichalcea, Melsh. MS. Brassy-yellow, shining : head, color and sculpture as in the preceding species ; antennae moderately long, dull rufous, with the tips of the joints black; two basal joints almost black-brassy; second joint one-fourth shorter than the third : thorax longer than wide, wider at apex than at base ; above distantly punctulate, with the medial line fine, rather obsolete . lateral tubercle moderate, oblong ; anterior angles slightly tuberculate ; scutellum ashy-pubescent, minutely and densely punctured : elytra, apart of the color, entirely as in the preceding species : beneath dull silvery-seri- ceous; femora brassy-brown, shining, with the hind pair obviously toothed towards the tip; base of the femora, tibiae and tarsi, dull rufous. Though the present species is destitute of the two thoracic impressions, so con- spicuous in biimpressa, it may nevertheless, perhaps, be a variety, if not the type, of that species. 6. D. rutila. Brassy yellow, shining ; antennae testaceous, with the third 160 [Feb., 1847. joint longer than the second ; thorax longer than wide, densely and very finely wrinkled. 3Ā£ 1. long ; 1| 1. wide. Brassy-yellow, tinted with golden: head brassy-brown, opake, confluently rugosely punctulate, with the frontal line long, deeply impressed ; labrum, palpi and antenna, rufo-testaceous ; the first shining, impunctured ; the last moderately long, slender, with the third joint distinctly longer than the second : thorax somewhat inequal, dull cupreous, longer than wide, wider at apex than at base, densely and finely rugose, with scattered im- pressed punctures ; medial line distinct, deeply impressed before and behind the middle; lateral tubercle moderate, oblong, obtuse; anterior angles slightly tuberculate : scutellum plumbeous-sericeous, densely and minutely punctured ; elytra strongly tinted with golden, and with a faint violaceous reflection, punctate-striate, transversely rugose; the ordinary humeral and subsutural depressions faint ; truncate at apex : beneath dull silvery-seri- ceous ; terminal abdominal segments rufous; femora brassy-brown, with their basal third, tibiae and tarsi, dull rufous ; hind femora not toothed* Inhabits Pennsylvania. 6. D. nana. Brassy-yellow, tinted with green ; antennas rufous, second and third joints subequal ; thorax longer than wide ; medial line profoundly impressed. 2 1. long ; Ā§ 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Head dull brassy-green, densely rugose-punctulate, equal, with the frontal impressed line distinct ; mouth rufo-piceous ; antenna ordinarily long, dark, dull rufous, with their tips blackish; basal joint brassy-brown, with the second joint hardly as long as the third : thorax decidedly longer than wide, obviously narrower at base than at apex ; cupreous, finely rugose, with the disk polished and shining ; medial line entire, wide and profound ; basal margin transversely impressed ; lateral tubercle obtuse, slightly ob- long ; anterior angles very feebly tuberculate ; middle of anterior margin ordinarly elevated : scutellum plumbeous-sericeous; elytra rather convex, brassy-yellow, strongly tinted with green, finely wrinkled, striate-punctate ; two slight, obtuse subsutural depressions ; apex rounded : beneath plum- beous-sericeous or brassy-brown ; feet brassy-brown, glossy, with the bases of the femora and tibiae, dull rufous ; hind pair of femora toothed. This species must be closely allied to pusilla, Say, but it differs from that species, according to Say's description, in having the thorax decidedly less punctured than the head, and its middle profoundly grooved. " D. guadricollis. Brassy-green ; thorax with the impressed line and lateral tubercle, obsolete." Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. v. 282, 1. Var. a. Dull violaceous. Orsodacna, Latr. " 0. vittata. Black, punctured; elytra pale testaceous ; suture and outer margin black; feet rufous." Say, Jour. Acad. iii. 430. Var. b. Entirely black. Donacia atra, Melsh. Catal. 0. tricolor. Head, thorax and feet rufous ; elytra testaceous, with the suture and lateral submargin black. 3 ā€” 4 1. long. Pennsylvania. Head rufous, with the vertex indeterminately black ; rugosely punctured : clypeus sparsely punctured ; labrum impunctured ; antennae blackish, with 3 basal joints obsoletely rufous; joints 2-4th subequal; palpi and mandibles rufous, the latter with the tips black; eyes black: thorax slightly longer than Feb., 1847.] 161 wide, wider before the middle than at base, with the sides rounded from the posterior contraction to the anterior angles, which are also rounded : scutel- lum dull rufous : elytra testaceous, with the suture broadly black before the middle, and gradually narrowed to the suture towards the apex ; a broad similarly colored submarginal vitta, which attains neither the lateral edge nor the apex, towards which it is narrowed to a point; deeply and densely punctured ; two very narrow, longitudinal, almost impunctured lines in the middle: postpectus dusky; abdomen, antepectus and femora, yellowish ru- fous ; apical tsvo-thirds of the tibiae, tarsi and posterior margins of abdominal segments, dusky or black. Var. a. Black, with the thorax dusky rufous. " 0. Armemaca, Knoch : punctate, black, feet fulvous, elytra with a testa- ceous vitta. Form and size of 0. Cerasi.' Germar Insect. Sp. Novas, p. 526. Var. a. Head and thorax dull rufous, the former with the vertex black- ish ; elytra testaceous, with the suture broadly reddish brown, a similarly colored submarginal vitta ; beneath reddish-brown ; feet paler. Var. b. Black, with the anterior part of the head and feet yellowish-tes- taceous ; a broad spot at base, and an abbreviated apical vitta at the suture, pale testaceous. Donacia 4-notata, Melsh. Catal. Var. c. Entirely black. Hispid Ā«, Kirby. Microrhopala, Chevr. M.porcata. Black; elytra with three raised lines, and three double and one triple series of profound punctures, lj ā€” 1_ 1. long. Hispa porcata and minuta, Melsh. Catal. Black ; head with three longitudinal impressed lines ; antennae blackish , with a tinge of reddish brown : thorax rough, with large dilated punctures, sometimes with a narrow impunctured medial line : elytra each with three longitudinal raised lines, and three double and one triple series of profound subquadrate punctures ; sometimes a more or less obsolete raised line between the second and third lines, widely interrupted in the middle ; sutu- ral edges raised ; exterior edges entire ; apex rounded : beneath black ; feet dull dark chestnut brown. Galerucidce, Steph. Galeruca, Geoffr. G. femoralis. Black ; thorax, elytra, tibre and tarsi rufous or rufo-testa- ceous. 2^ 1. long. Galeruca thoracica, Melsh. Catal. Head black, rugosely punctulate,with a polished transverse raised line be- tween the eyes, interrupted in the middle by a distinct impressed medial line ; antennas ā€” ; labrum black, entire, rounded at apex : mandibles dull testaceous , dusky at tip ; palpi blackish, dull testaceous at tip ; thorax rufo-testaceous, transverse, with the sides acutely rounded in the middle ; above with large profound, scattered punctures ; each side of the middle with a wide dusky in - dentation ; medial groove obvious behind the anterior margin and before the posterior one, dusky like the two indentations; scutellum blackish or piceous- 162 [Feb., 1847. brown ; elytra color of the thorax, widest behind the middle, rather numer- ously and deeply punctured, and like the thorax glabrous ; beneath and femora, black ; pleurae, epipleurae, tibiae and tarsi, testaceous. Very rare. " G. atripennis. Black ; thorax rufous, with two impressed spots ; venter pale yellowish rufous." Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. iii. 461. Var. a. Testaceous ; antennae and eyes black; scutellum, tibiae andtarsij dusky. Galeruca paleacea, Melsh. MS. Referable to the genus Luperus, Geoffir. Calomicrcs, Dillwyn. C. thoracicus. Black ; thorax and feet testaceous-yellow. 2 1. long. Penn- sylvania. Crioceris thoracica, Melsh. Catal. Head deep black, with the clypeus dusky-piceous ; very minutely punc- tured; a short longitudinal impressed line between the eyes, interrupted by a short transverse one; antennas black or dark brown, more than half the length of the body, with the joints elongated ; second and third joints short- est, equal ; palpi black, piceous, with the tips dusky; labium and gula, tes- taceous ; thorax transverse, testaceous-yellow, hardly punctulate, with the sides obtusely rounded ; anterior edge truncate : posterior one obtusely rounded ; an obtuse indentation each side of the middle, very faintly defined : scutel black ; elytra oblong, with the sides parallel ; deep black, shining, glabrous, obsoletely rugulose and punctured, punctures minute and distant; apex rounded : postpectus and abdomen, black ; antepectus and feet, testa- ceous-yellow. (Edionychis, Latr. 1. CE. /alias.. Black; thorax with the limb, and elytra with the lateral margins and a broad vitta, red. 2 ā€” 2| 1. long ; li ā€” 1 J 1. wide. Pennsyl- vania. Short-ovate, black, densely punctured : head very dark dull red, almost black, coarsely punctured, with a longitudinal impressed line between the antennas, which are short, black, with the fourth joint slightly longest : thorax finely wrinkled, and somemhat distantly punctulate, with the limb red ; and the disk transversely brown or dull reddish brown : scutel black, finely rugose-punctured : elytra rugulose, and with numerous small, pro- found punctures ; black, each elytrum with the lateral margin and a broad medial vitta, red, margin and vitta united at tip : beneath and feet, black- piceous ; pleurae and epipleurse, red; posterior femora much incrassated. It may be necessary to add to the foregoing description that the red color soon after death changes into a dirty testaceous, and that, most frequently, there is an indentation, more or less obvious, each side of the middle behind the anterior margin of the thorax. This species must be closely allied to mini- ata, Fabr. 2. CE. litnbalis. Brown-piceous ; basal joints of the antennas, lateral mar- gins and apex of the elytra, and the (wo anteriorpairs of feet, dull testaceous. li ā€” 2. I. long. Pennsylvania. Flat, ovate, brown-piceous : head with a few minute scattered punctures ; a profound transverse impressed line between the eyes, intersected in the middle by an obsolete longitudinal one ; eyes deep black ; antennas fuscous, with the ā€¢Lx first joints dull testaceous; palpi and two anteriorpairs of feet, dull tes- Feb., 1847.] 163 taceous : thorax impunctured, with the lateral margins clearer than the disk, and rather broadly depressed : scutellum impunctured : elytra punctured, punctures numerous, small, profound, and ralher regular and equidistant: lateral margins and apex indeterminately and broadly dull testaceous : be- neath brown or blackish-piceous ; pleurae and epipleurse, dull testaceous >' posterior femora rufo-piceous. Closely allied to quercata, Fabr., which it much resembles ; that species, however, has the thorax always testaceous, and the testaceous color of the lateral margins of the elytra is ever clearly limited, which is never the case in limbalis. 2. (E. scalar is. Testaceous; three common fasciae of the elytra black. 21. long. Pennsylvania. Attica nitidula, Melsh. Catal. " scalaris " MS. Flattish, oval, testaceous above ; head testaceous, sculptured as in the pre- ceding species; eyes deep black; antennas fuscous, with three basal joints tes- taceous ; palpi, feet and antepectus, testaceous ; thorax impunctured with the lateral margins rather broad and concavous : scutellum black-piceous: elytra punctured and rugulose, punctures minute and obsolete; three common, broad irregular, black fasciae, confluent on the suture, and of which none attains the lateral edges : the front and broadestband is located immediately behind the basal edge, the intermediate and longest one on the middle, and the posterior and rather shortest band is placed before the apex: abdomen and postpectus reddish-brown-piceous : posterior femora strongly incrassated. Closely al- lied to sexmaculata, Illig. Pachyonychus, Chevr. P. ? paradoxus. Pale rufous: lateral two-thirds of the elytra and an- tennae blackish. 1| ā€” 1| 1. long. Pennsylvania. Form altogether that of a Lema, Fabr. Head with a few minute scattered punctures : a short impressed cross between the eyes ; antennae rather robust, and somewhat more than half the length of the body, blackish or dark reddish- brown, with three basal joints rufous: second and third joints short, subequal, together not much longer than the fourth: palpi color of the head: thorax like the head, pale rufous, glossy, transverse, much narrower than the elytra, trun- cate before and behind, with the sides feebly rounded, towards the hind angles more strongly: finely margined: angles, each with a small mammiform tubercle, from each of which arises a single hair: sparsely punctured: transverse basal groove entire, punctured : scutellum color of the thorax, impunctured: elytra oblong-quadrate, with the apex rounded : punctate-striate : interstices min- utely and distantly punctured : black, or dark-reddish-brown, with the su- tural third rufous : sometimes the apex the same : beneath and feet color of the thorax : posterior femora ordinarily incrassated : penultimate tarsal Joint strongly bilobed : posterior nails inflated. Disonycha, Chevr. D. abbreviaia. Pale fulvous : eyes, antennnre, three elytral vittae, exterior edge of the tibiae and tarsi black. 3Ā£ 1. long : If 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Ovate, testaceous, tinged with fulvous : head with scattered minute punc- 164 [Feb., 1847. tures: three profound round impressions between the eyes placed triangularly: antennae robust, half the length of the body, black, with the basal joint rufous: mandibles with the tips black ; thorax impunctured, each side of the middle with a small, round indentation ; scutellum impunctured : elytra distinctly widest behind the middle : much, finely, and profoundly punctured : each ely- trum with a broad vitta, and a common sutural one, black, bands equidistantly abbreviated before the apex: feet color of the body: outer edge of the tibiae blackish: tarsi dusky: posterior femora moderately incrassated: claws simple. Graptodera, Chevr. G. kalmice. Golden-cupreous above : antennae and beneath black. 1 \ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Attica Kalmice, Melsh. MS. Oblong: head golden-green, polished, hardly punctulate: eyes palpi and an- tennae, deep black, the last with the two first joints metallic : mouth piceous: thorax color of the head, highly polished: disk impunctured: transverse basal groove profound, entire : scutellum small, black-cupreous: elytra golden cu- preous, shining, punctured, punctures placed in irregular series, and rather obsolete towards the apex ; beneath dark-cupreous : tibiae and tarsi fus- cous: femora cupreous, glossy, the anterior pair almost black. Var. a. Head and thorax color of the elytra, with the abdomen black- cupreous. Attica cuprea, Melsh. Catal. This species is found on the Laurel, (Kalmialatifolia and glauca) and other plants. Systkna, Chevr. S. blanda. Testaceous : beneath and antennas black : elytra with a sutural vitta and lateral margins, reddish-brown. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania. Elongate ; head dull rufous, glossy, a few punctures near and between the eye3 ; labrum, eyes and last joint of the palpi, deep black ; antennae slender, nearly half the length of the body, blackish or brown, with the base of the first joint testaceous ; thorax pale testaceous, with the lateral margins more or less blackish or dusky ; sides slightly rounded ; surface with a few obso- lete punctures ; scutel reddish-brown piceous : elytra minutely and rather distantly punctured ; testaceous, with a common sutural vitta and a lateral one, reddish-brown, more or less obvious ; beneath black-piceous ; pleurae, epipleurae and feet, dull testaceous. Crepidodera, Chevr. 1. C. violacea. Dark violaceous above ; antennre, palpi and feet, yellow- testaceous. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania. Altica Du Chou, Melsh. Catal. Oval, violaceous, with a green reflection, shining ; head impunctured, very glossy, with the clypeus and inner margins of the eyes green : antennae half the length of the body, yellowish ; labrum, mouth, palpi and feet, color of the antennae ; thorax transverse-quadrate, with the sides feebly rounded ; above very minutely and remotely punctured; a distinct transverse basal groove, re- fracted at each end ; scutellum dark violaceous ; elytra striate-punctate ; be- neath black; posterior femora brown-piceous. Not the Altise Du Chou. Feb., 1847.] 165 Var. a. Above purple-violaceous. Sometimes this variety has the face entirely green, the thorax rather rugulose, and the lateral margin green. Var. b. Like the type, but with large and remote punctures on the thorax. Var. c. Smaller than the type, brilliant brassy ; head brassy-green, shin- ing ; thorax with large remote punctures, edges green ; elytra indented behind the base towards the suture ; lateral edges green ; antennae, feet and beneath, as in the type ; posterior femora slightly dusky in the middle. Altica opima, Melsh. MS. This may prove to be a distinct species. C. violacea resembles H. nana, Say, but that species is more slender, and the sides of the elytra more parallel. 2. C. enjthropus. Black; head, antennae, thorax and feet, rufous. H I. long. Pennsylvania. Altica rufipes, Melsh. Catal. " erythropus " MS. Oblong- subquadrate: head rufous, glossy, impunctured; antennae and tho- rax color of the head ; eyes blackish; thorax rather convex, glossy, impunc- tured ; sides slightly rounded ; base with a transverse groove, refracted at the ends ; scutellum rufous ; elytra black, punctate-striate, the interstices slightly convex ; abdomen black : antepectus and feet rufous ; epipleurae dull rufous. 3. Cfusco-esnea. Dark brown brassy; antennae and feet rufous; thorax with an entire basal groove, lj 1. long. Pennsylvania. Oblong, brassy brown or blackish, glossy ; head impunctured ; labrum piceous; palpi dull rufous; antennae rufous, with the second and third joints subequal ; thorax narrower than the elytra, moderately convex, with sides slightly rounded ; impunctured, each side of the middle a small obsolete indentation ; transverse basal groove entire ; elytra finely and distantly punctured ; sides obtusely arcuated, with the greatest width about the middle ; beneath black, or dark brown, glossy ; feet rufous ; posterior fe- mora sometimes rufo-piceous. 4. C. hirtipennis. Black ; head and thorax rufous ; elytra testaceous, hir- sute, punctate-striate. Ā§ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Head rufous, minutely and obscurely punctured; eyes black ; antennae tes- taceous, with the second, third and fourth joints short, subequal, the second thickened ; palpi black; thorax rufous, transverse, moderately convex, with the sides feebly rounded; densely punctulate; transverse basal groove slight, entire ; elytra dull testaceous, moderately convex; sides slightly arcuated ; deeply punctate striate, punctures furnishing short, whitish setae, frequently with a common, obsolete, dusky fascia on the middle ; abdomen and post- pectus blackish ; antepe no auii feet, pale rufous; posterior femora some- times dusky. 5. C. atriventris. Dull rufous ; abdomen and postpectus blackish; elytra striate-punctate. Ā£ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Short-ovate, dull rufous, glossy ; head impunctured ; palpi with the last joint dusky; antennae slender, testaceousjeyes black; thorax short transverse, narrower than the elytra, with the sides feebly rounded; moderately convex; very minutely punctured; transverse groove profound, refracted at both ends! elytra convex, striate-punctate; punctures obsolete towards the apex ; sides arcuated ; beneath blackish, or dark reddish brown ; feet testaceous. 166 [Feb., 1847. Psvlliodes, Latr. P. punctulata. Brassy black ; thorax much and finely punctured; elytra striate-punctate ; tibiae and tarsi pale brown. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania. Form of striolata, Illig. Brassy black ; head impunetured, rather opake ; palpi dull testaceous; antennae slender, fuscous, the three basal joints tes- taceous ; 10-jointed ; thorax slightly wider at base than at apex, with the sides feebly rounded ; finely and rather densely punctured ; scutellum mi- nute ; elytra narrowed behind and before, striate-punctate, the punctures small ; beneath and femora, blackish-piceous ; tibiae and tarsi, dull pale brown, the former dusky towards their tips ; posterior femora much in- crassated ; posterior tarsi inserted before the apex of the tibiae. Aphthona, Chevr. A. rubicunda. Ferruginous ; eyes and suture of the elytra blackish. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania. Altica rubicunda, Melsh. Catal. Oblong, ferruginous ; head impunetured, glossy, darker than the thorax, labrum piceous ; palpi black ; eyes blackish ; antennae color of the thorax, four or five terminal joints dusky ; thorax narrower than the elytra, trans- verse-quadrate, with the sides feebly rounded ; minutely and distantly punctured ; each side of the middle with a small, obsolete, subbasal in- dentation : scutellum piceous ; elytra rather convex with the sides arcua- ted ; rugulose, minutely and distantly punctured, with the punctures rather equidistant ; suture indeterminately blackish ; beneath and feet, color of the elytra and thorax ; posterior tarsi . Perhaps referable to the ge- nus Thy amis, Stephens. Thyamis, Steph. 1. T. melanura. Fuscous; basal joints of the antennae and four anterior feet, dull testaceous. \\ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Altica melanura, Melsh. Catal. Oblong-subovate, dull reddish-brown, glossy ; head impunetured, pitchy- blackish, tinged with rufous ; palpi and eyes black, the first piceous ; an- tennae fuscous, with the three first joints testaceous or dull rufous ; thorax narrower than the elytra, transverse-subquadrate, the sides slightly round- ed ; minutely rugose : scutellum piceous ; elytra finely and distantly punc- tured and rugulose ; rather convex, with the sides hardly arcuated except behind the middle ; beneath blackish or dark reddish-brown ; four ante- rior feet testaceous ; posterior femora pitchy-brown, with their tarsi dull testaceous, their tibiae sometimes of the same color ; first joint of the pos- terior tarsi half the length of the tibiae. 2. T. testacea. Testaceous ; beneath dull pale reddish-brown ; antenna? long. Ā§ 1. long. Ovate, above testaceous : head impunetured, shining ; eyes and ter- minal joint of the palpi, black ; labrum piceous ; antennae long, slen- der, testaceous, with the terminal joints dusky; second and third joints, as in the preceding species, almost equal ; thorax narrower than the elytra, subquadrate, with the sides slightly, and basal edge obtusely, rounded ; very minutely punctured ; scutellum, color of the elytra, which are rather paler than the thorax; rugulose, finely and distantly punctured ; sides arcuated ; moderately convex ; beneath dull reddish- Feb., 1847.] 167 brown ; feet pale testaceous ; posterior tibiae very slender; posterior tarsi half the length of their tibiae. Found in Pennsylvania. Dibolia, Latr. D. cerea. Green above ; antennas, tibiae and tarsi, testaceous. 1:}1. long. Pennsylvania. Altica cerea, Melsh. Catal. Oblong-ovate, green and slightly brassy above, shining ; head retracted ; labrum, mouth, palpi and antennae, testaceous, or rufo-testaceous ; thorax obsoletely and distinctly punctulate ; sometimes almost blackish : elytra finely striate-punctate, with the punctures obsolete towards the apex : be- neath and posterior femora, black, shining ; abdomen sometimes reddish- brown ; four anterior feet testaceous, or rufo-testaceous, their femora some- times dusky ; posterior tibiae and tarsi color of the anterior one. CH.ETOCNEMA, Steph. 1. C. minuta. Brassy-black above; basal joints of the antennae tawny- testaceous ; elytra punctate-striate. | 1. long. Pennsylvania. Altica minuta, Melsh. MS. Ovate, brassy-black above, shining: head minutely and confertly punc- tured ; rather opake ; labrum and palpi, black, glossy ; antennae short, dark fuscous, with two or three, and sometimes four basal joints dull or tawny- testaceous ; thorax very minutely and rather distinctly punctured ; trans- verse, convex, with the sides and base obtusely rounded : elytra convex, with the sides arcuated ; strongly punctate-striate ; exterior interstices con- vex : beneath blackish, slightly brassy, distinctly and remotely punctured ; femora brassy-black ; tibiae and tarsi dull or dusky testaceous, sometimes the apical half the tibiae blackish. 2. C. semichalchea. Head and thorax brassy-black ; elytra black, punc- tate-striate ; basal joints of the antennae, tibias and tarsi, dull testaceous. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania. Ovate, glossy: head brassy-black, with a few, small, scattered punctures between and near the eyes ; labrum and palpi, dark dull reddish-brown ; antennae fuscous, with four basal joints testaceous ; chorax brassy-brown or blackish, transverse, moderately convex, with the base obtusely rounded ; the sides almost straight ; finely wrinkled, and rather densely punctulate ; elytra black, punctate-striate ; the exterior interstices convex ; sides arcu- ated ; moderately convex ; beneath black, with the apical segments of the abdomen rugose-punctured ; femora blackish or dark reddish-brown, glossy; tibiae and tarsi, dull testaceous. 3. C. pulicaria. Head and thorax brassy-black ; elytra black, with a green tinge, punctate-striate ; basal joints of the antennae, tibiae and tarsi, testaceous. Ā£ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Altica pulicaria, Melsh. Catal. Ovate ; head brassy-black, hardly punctulate, opake ; labrum and palpi, dull rufo-testaceous ; antenna? rather long, slender, fuscous, with four basal joints testaceous ; thorax color of the head, transverse, with the sides slightly rounded; moderately convex, scarcely punctulate; elytra black, 168 [Feb., 1847. tinted with green; moderately convex ; punctate-striate ; outer interstices convex; sides arcuated; beneath blackish, sparsely punctured; femora chestnut-brown ; tibiae and tarsi, dull testaceous or rufous. Sph^eroderma, Steph. S.? insolita. Rust-red, shining ; tip and basal joints of the antennas, tes- taceous ; thorax narrow : elytra broad, f 1. long. Pennsylvania. Light ferruginous shining; head impunctured; tips of the palpi black, antennae moderate, slightly thickened towards the apex, with the two apical joints testaceous, the four preceding black, and the five basal ones testaceous ; second, third and fourth joints short, subequal, the second thickened ; thorax much narrower than the elytra, transverse, convex, with the base and sides obtusely rounded ; impunctured and highly polished : elytra broad, subquadrate, convex, highly polished, with effaced series of very minute punctures; humeral angles prominent: beneath color of the elytra ; feet paler ; posterior femora moderately incrassated : posterior tibiae simple, with a small spur at tip ; penultimate tarsal joint strongly bilobed. This insect possesses entirely the form of a Eumolpus and though a true Haltica Geoffr., it cannot remain in the subgenus Sphoeroderma, Steph. Chrysomelidce, Leach. Metachroma, Chevr. 1. M. throackus. Dull rufous ; elytra black, punctate-striate. 1 2-5ths !. long. Pennsylvania. Eumolpus thoracicus, Melsh. Catal. Dull dark rufous r head finely punctured ; a longitudinal impressed frontal line, not crossing a transverse line between the eyes, both lines sometimes obsolete ; palpi and antennae paler than the head, the last with the five ter- minal joints subequal, larger than the preceding ones ; eyes black : thorax glossy, minutely and distinctly punctured ; an obsolete indentation each side towards the posterior angles ; scutellum rufous, impunctured ; elytra black, tinted with rufous, particularly towards the apex ; punctate-striate, less deeply towards the apex; humeral tubercles impunctured: beneath dusky rufous ; feet paler. Closely allied to canellus, Fabr. Var. a. Rufous ; elytra slightly tinted with black. 2. M. melanura. Black ; head, antennas, apex of the elytra and tarsi, dull rufous. 1 3-5ths 1. long. Pennsylvania. Eumolpus melanura, Melsh. MS. Black : head dull rufous, densely punctulate ; longitudinal impressed line obsolete, transverse line between the eyes angulate, distinct ; mouth, palpi and antennas, rufous, the last formed as in the preceding species; thorax black, with the anterior edge obsoletely piceous ; glossy, very finely and distantly punctured; scutellum dull rufous, impunctured: elytra black, with the basal edge, humeral tubercles and apical third, dull pale rufous ; punctate-striate, punctures and striae obsolete or almost absent towards the apex: beneath, femora and tibiae, deep black; knees and tarsi, dull rufous. Size and form entirely of i-notata, Say, of which it may prove a variety. Feb., 1847.] 169 Eumolpus, Fabr. 1. E. longipes. Fuscous, clothed with a dense ashy-pubescence ; feet long, 2 1. long. Pennsylvania. Brown, densely ashy-pubescent: head dark brown, densely and deeply punctured, ashy-pubescent; a longitudinal impressed frontal line: labrum piceous : antenna; slender, long, rather filiform, fuscous, with three or four basal joints testaceous ; eyes deep black ; palpi dull testaceous : thoraxlonger than wide, much narrower than the elytra, slightly wider behind than before, subcylindric, with the sides obtusely rounded ; densely and profundly punc- tured : scutellum small, densely ashy-pubescent : elytra with shallow punc- tured strias, punctures close-set; interstices transversely wrinkled, minutely punctured : outer basal angles prominent; apex rounded ; beneath and feet blackish-brown, ashy-sericeous or finely ashy-pubescent ; the feet more than ordinary long; posterior and intermediate femora at base, testaceous. 2. E. villosulus. Ferruginous, pubescent ; antenna;, palpi and feet, testa- ceous-yellow. If 1. long. Pennsylvania. Eumolpus villosus, Melsh. Catal. Ferruginous : very minutely and densely rugose, clothed with minute, short hairs, with an obtuse, longitudinal frontal indentation ; antenna as in the preceding species ; yellowish ; labrum and palpi similarly colored ; eyes deep black : thorax transverse, wider at base than at apex, with the sides rounded, middle of anterior edge raised ; rugulose and clothed like the head ; obtusely indented on the middle of each lateral margin and in front of the scutel : elytra lighter and less pruinose than the bead and thorax ; pilose like the thorax, with the hairs more distinct ; with fine and somewhat obsolete punc- tured striae ; interstices fine, convex ; exterior basal angles moderately promi- nent; apex acutely rounded: feet testaceous, or testaceous-yellow. It be- longs perhaps to Chevrolat's subgenus 3Iyochrous. Var. ? a. Smaller; head, thorax and elytra light rust-red, the last with a common, indeterminate black spot on the middle. Eumolpus plagiatus, Melsh. MS. 3. E. pubescens. Cupreous, sparsely asby-pubescent ; head with a pro- found frontal indentation. 1| ā€” 2 1. long. Pennsylvania. Eumolpus pubescens, Melsh. Catal. Dull cupreous, or brassy-brown, sparsely ashy-pubescent: head densely punctured, with a large, profound indentation on the front; labrum and palpi, black-piceous; eyes and antenna; black, the latter moderately long, with five terminal joints thicker than the preceding ones, which are brassy ; second joint robust; joints third till sixth inclusive, equal ; thorax trans- verse, feebly waved behind, with the front slightly advanced in the middle ; sides rounded; rather wider behind than before: minutely punctured, densely transversely wrinkled : scutellum obtuse-triangular: elytra wider at base than the thorax, narrowed to the apex, which is rounded; with ob- scure and irregular series of small punctures ; transversely rugulose ; humeral tubercles prominent : beneath rugosely punctured : feet dull cupreous, tinted with greenish. 4. E. curtipennis. Brassy-brown ; elytra short ; head with a conspicuous frontal indentation. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania. 170 [Feb., 1847. Brown-brassy, shining : head finely punctured, with an obvious frontal in- dentation, anterior to which is a transverse arcuated impressed l>ne : an- tennae, eyes, labrum and palpi, as in the preceding species : thorax com- paratively large, as wide in the middle as the elytra, contracted and trun- cate behind, in front rounded and advanced in the middle; sides rounded ; minutely punctured and rugulose : scutellum rugulose : elytra short, with the sides feebly arcuated ; rugulose, with obsolete series of punctures, which are much effaced towards the apex, the latter rounded : beneath and feet dark-brassy, rugose-punctured. Allied to the preceding species. Cryptocephalus, Geoffr. 1. C. M. Nigrum. Black; thorax and elytra testaceous, the former with a 'black character like the letter M, the latter with an irregular vitta and several spots, black, 1Ā£ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Pachybrachis ~M. Nigrum ? Dej. Catal. StroDgly punctured : head black, with the orbits of the eyes and a spot on the clypeus, testaceons ; labrum pale, or piceous ; antennae blackish, with four basal joints testaceous : thorax less strongly punctured than the elytra, testaceous, with a black character, formed like the letter M ; edges black : scutellum testaceous, with the lateral margins black : elytra strongly and irregularly punctured, some of the punctures are arranged in irregular series ; testaceous, with an irregular, black vitta, abbreviated before the apex ; lateral submargins each with three black spots, of which the ante- rior one is placed on the humerus, the posterior one is confluent with the vitta: beneath deep black; pygidium black, each side with a pale spot : feet blackish, with the femora and tibiae varied with white. This species may prove to be a variety of the viduatus, Fabr. 2. C. atomarius. Dark fuscous, speckled with whitish ; face white ; femora varied with white. \\ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Cryptocephalus historio, Melsh. Catal. ': atomarius, Melsh. MS. Black, or dark-brown: head punctulate ; face white, with the sutures black ; antennas fuscous, with three or four basal joints lurid : thorax densely punctulate, varied with a few dull testaceous spots ; anterior edge and an apical medial line similarly colored: scutellum black, with a testaceous spot : elytra irregularly and profoundly punctured, punctures ranged in irregular series ; varied with numerous small lurid spots ; pygidium imma- culate : beneath black : feet black, varied with white. Var. a. Black ; head almost immaculate; labrum and a double spot in front of the antennae, white ; thorax almost immaculate ; elytra with only a few small lurid spots ; femora at tip whitish. Cryptocephalus conspersus, Melsh. Catal. This is probably the female of the preceding species. 3. C. trinotatus. Deep black ; thorax with the lateral and anterior margins and three spots, sanguineous ; front with two similarly colored spots. lij ā€” 2 1. long. Pennsy.runia. Cryptocephalus trinotatus, Melsh. Catal. Deep black : head densely punctulate, with two reddish-fulvous spots be- tween the eyes; antennae and labrum, black : thorax confluently punctured, with the anterior edge, lateral margins, two oblique, dilated, abbreviated lines Feb., 1847.] * 171 at base, and one at apex, reddish-fulvous: scutellum black; elytra imma- culate, densely and coarsely punctured: pygidium, beneath and feet, deep black, immaculate, ashy-sericeous. 4. 0. castus. Deep black; thorax with the lateral margins and two spots at base, fulvous ; elytra punctate-striate, each with a testaceous spot at apex. \\ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Cryptocephalus castus, Melsh. MS. Deep black : head opake, impunctured, spotless ; labrum and antenna, deep black, the latter with the first joint shining : thorax impunctured, rather opake, with the lateral margins and two oblique, dilated, abbreviated lines at base, fulvous: scutellum black: elytra deeply punctate-striate ; in- terstices impunctured, somewhat convex ; humeral tubercle small, promi- nent; suture raised immediately behind the scutel, each elytrum with a whitish spot at apex ; beneath and feet deep black, immaculate ; feet shining. Var. a. Lateral thoracic margins broadly fulvous, without the basal spots. 5. C. asculi. Black, thorax with the lateral margins and an abbreviated line at tip, dull red ; elytra varied with white. 1J 1. long. Pennsylvania. Cryptocephalus Aesculi, Melsh. Catal. Black; head confidently and obscurely punctulate ; orbits of the eyes very faintly rufous ; labrum white ; antennas dull brDwn, the basal joints lurid; thorax densely and somewhat coarsely punctured ; lateral margins dull red ; a longitudinal medial line originating at apex and abbreviated behind the middle, dull fulvous ; scutellum black; elytra ordinarily punc- tured, varied with whitish ; basal edge white ; pygidium and beneath, deep black, spotless ; feet black, with the anterior femora maculate with white. Var. a. Head, thorax and feet spotless ; elytra with the basal edge and a few small spots towards the apex, white; femora immaculate. Perhaps the female. 6. C.pectoralis. Ferruginous, maculate with black; pectus black. 1J 1. long. Pennsylvania. Light ferruginous : head punctulate ; face color of the thorax, with a longitudinal black line between the eyes, the latter black ; antennae color of the face ; labrum and feet testaceous ; thorax punctulate, with about five obsolete black spots : scutellum black : elytra ordinarily punctured, inde- terminately maculate with black ; striae black ; abdomen ferruginous ; pectus black, or dusky ; femora with a small brownish spot. 7. C. hepalicus. Ferruginous, sometimes sparsely maculate with black ; elytra simply and densely punctured. 1 ā€” 1J1. long. Pennsylvania. Cryptocephalus hepaticus, Melsh. Catal. Robust, pale ferruginous ; beneath dusky ; head densely punctulate, some- times faintly clouded with brownish ; eyes black ; antennae moderate, color of the head; thorax densely punctured, sometimes obsoletely clouded with black; scutellum piceous; elytra densely punctured, without any of the ordinary longitudinal rugae or raised lines ; sometimes with four or five spots before the tip, and one on the humerus, black; pygidium dusky in the middle ; abdomen at tip dull testaceous ; feet rufo-testaceous, or testaceous ; sometimes with a brown spot. 172 [Feb., 1847. 8. C tridens. Black; antennae and feet testaceous; head varied with whit. ; thorax with the lateral margins broadly white, each with a large subquadrangular black spot; elytra varied with white. 1J 1. long. Penn Cryptocephalus tridens, Melsh. Catal. Black : head irregularly punctured, varied with white ; antennas and feet testaceous-yellow ; labrum white ; thorax profoundly and irregularly punc- tured, with the lateral margins broadly white, each with a large subtrapezoi- dal blackish spot : scutellutn black : elytra deeply and irregularly punctured, some of the punctures, towards the middle and sides, ranged in irregular series, their interstices convex: each elytrum with a cruciform spot and apex, white ; pygidium varied with white ; epipleurae and margins of the abdomen, white. Basal edge of the elytra most frequently, and occasionally an abbreviated longitudinal line at the middle of the thoracic apex, white. 9. C.flavicornis. Black; antennae, feet, lateral margins and two basal spot3 of the thorax, yellowish ; elytra, each with two similarly colored spots lĀ£ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Black; head profoundly punctured ; eyes black, with the superior and an- terior edges, and labrum, white ; antennae and feet, testaceous-yell jw : thorax profoundly and* inequally punctured ; lateral margins, lateral third of ante- rior and posterior edges, and two dilated short basal lines, testaceous, lines, forming junctions at right angles with the inner ends of the colored basal edge; scutellutn black: elytra deeply, finely and inequally punctured, to- wards the lateral margins irregularly punctate-striate ; a lateral linear spot a little before the middle and apex, whitish ; pygidium each side with a small whitish spot. 10. C. luieipennis. Black ; elytra luteous, with the lateral and basal edges and suture, black ; thorax with the lateral margins and two basal spots whitish. If 1. long. Pennsylvania. Cryptoeephalus fasciatus and binoiatus, Melsh. Catal. Robust, black: head sparsely punctulate, with a longitudinal impressed frontal line ; clypeus white, a similarly colored transverse spot between the eyes ; antennae fuscous or blackish, with the five first joints and mouth, tes- taceous-yellow ; thorax sparsely, very minutely and obscurely punctured, glossy ; lateral maagins narrowly, and a spot each side of the middle before the base, testaceous, tinted with yellow : scutellutn black ; elytra luteous or ochreous, with the suture, lateral and basal edges and humeri, black ; be- hind the middle with a common, arcuated dusky fascia, being sometime? formed of spots, and sometimes entirely wanting; finely punctate-striate : interstices flat, impunctured ; pygidium with two small whitish spots at tip ; feet black, with the tarsi fuscous ; coxas of anterior feet each with a whit*- spot ; a similar spot each side of the anterior margin of postpectus. 11. C. mutabilis. Dull rufous ; thorax with the anterior and lateral mar- gins white ; base, lateral margins and apex, the same, the two former macu- late with blackish spots. 22 1. long. Pennsylvania. Cryptocephalus nobilis, Melsh. Catal. Dull rufous, shining ; head sparsely punctured and impressed on the front . orbits, clypeus and labrum white ; antennas pale brown, with five basal joints testaceous ; thorax very minutely aud distinctly punctured, polished, with the. Feb., 1847.] 173 front and side margins whitish, broadly at the anterior angles ; edges dusky : scutellum dusky ; elytra darker than the thorax, shining, with the basal and lateral margins broadly whitish, the latter abbreviated before the apex, and containing three blackish spots, of which one is located on the humeral tubercle ; middle of the base with a large dark reddish spot ; apex whitish ; punctate- striate ; pygidium strongly punctured, with the apex white; beneath blackish, tinted with rufous; two or three apical segments of abdomen and feet rufous. This species varies much, and it is difficult to determine which is the type. Var. a. As in the preceding; thorax with two oblique, abbreviated whitish basal lines : elytra with the lateral margins not abbreviated, ma- culate with rufous. Var. b. Smaller than the type ; head black, marked with white as in the type ; thorax black, highly polished and scarcely punctulate, with the front and side margins as in the type ; a transverse series of four impressed points each side of the middle towards the apex ; elytra black, punctate- striate ; basal edge, apex and lateral margins, white, inner side of the latter bisinuate ; humeral tubercles black ; feet as in the type ; antennae color of the feet ; beneath black ; a large quadrate white spot in the middle at base of the abdomen. Cryptocephalus charus, Melsh. MS. The white basal ab- dominal spot is present in almost every specimen. 12. C. clathratus. Black; head, femora and thorax fulvous, the latter with the lateral margins and two basal spots, yellowish ; elytra with about sixteen yellowish spots. If 1. long. Pennsylvania. Crypto cephalus clathratus, Melsh. Catal. Head pale fulvous, scarce punctulate ; a slight longitudinal impressed line between the eyes ; antennae fuscous, with the five first joints testace- ous ; eyes plumbeous ; thorax fulvous, with two oblique, dilated, abbrevi- ated yellow basal lines ; lateral margins yellcfw ; posterior and lateral edges blackish ; surface obscurely punctulate ; scutellum piceous : elytra deep black, punctate-striate, with about sixteen yellow spots, placed in four transverse series, spots in the basal series six, all linear, eight spots in the two intermediate series, and two at apex; pygidium strongly and coarse- ly punctured : beneath dusky, tinted with rufous ; a whitish spot on the middle of the abdominal base ; femora fulvous ; tibia? and tarsi color of the abdomen. Var. a. Rufous or fulvous ; thorax immaculate; elytra black, with about 10 yellow spots. Cryptocephalus puleher, Melsh. Catal. 13. C. sulphuripennis. Black ; elytra pale yellow, maculate with black ; thorax with the lateral margins and two basal spots, yellowish ; feet pale fulvous. 2 1. long. Pennsylvania. Head black, sparsely punctulate ; orbits, labrum and clypeus, whitish : antenna} yellowish, dusky at tip ; thorax black, distantly punctulate, with the lateral margins and two oblique basal spots, yellowish ; scutellum black ; elytra pale yellow, with three transverse rows of small black spots, apical row formed of four spots, and each of the two others six : punctate- striate, punctures dusky ; pygidium black, immaculate, coarsely punctured; beneath deep black : feet pale rufous. 14. G.formosus. Deep black ; thorax with the lateral margins and two 174 [Feb., 1847. basal spots, fulvous ; elytra with thirteen fulrous spots. Nearly 2 1. long. Pennsylvania. Deep black : head with a longitudinal impressed frontal line; punctulate; maculate with whitish ; antennae blackish, with three or four basal joints yellowish : thorax polished, hardly punctulate, with the anterior and poste- rior angles, and two oblique basal spots, yellowish ; anterior edge similarly colored ; elytra profoundly punctate-striate, with thirteen fulvous spots, ranged in transverse rows ; two of the spots are at apex, three at base, and in each of the two intermediate rows four; beneath, feet and pygidium, deep black, immaculate ; coxaea of the two anterior feet with a white spot; abdominal basal spot present. 15. C. hamatus. Black ; head, thorax, feet, and lateral and apical margins of the elytra, fulvous ; pygidium and tip of the abdomen, similarly colored or rufous. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania. Head pale fulvous, distantly punctulate: eyes plumbeous, variedwith gold- en; antenna? color of the thorax, dusky at tip; thorax fulvous, varying in depth of color ; sometimes with the lateral margins and two oblique basal spots, faintly yellowish; surface densely and minutely punctured; scutellumpiceons; elytra black, punctate-striate; lateral and and apical margins with a yellowish vitta, curving a little upon the first entire innerspace ; base with two short fulvous lines, the one at the suture and the other in the middle ; lateral and apical edges, black ; basal edge sometimes yellowish : beneath black; feet, tip of the abdomen and pygidium, fulvous; abdominal basal spot present. 16. C. pretiosus. Black, shining ; head and thorax maculate with white ; elytra punctate-striate, with an abbreviated fascia, linear spots at base, and apex, fulvous. If 1. long. Pennsylvania. Very rare. Deep black : head rather strongly punctured ; a longitudinal profoundly impressed line between the eyes ; orbits and clypeus white ; antennae black- ish, with five basal joints'testaceous-yellow : thorax highly polished, very minutely and distantly punctured; a spot at each of the angles, and twooblique subovate basal spots, white; elytra finely punctate-striate, with a broad fascia in the middle, somewhat widely interrupted at the suture, apex and six short lines at base, fulvous or yellowish fulvous; exterior basal line or spot confluent with the fascia: pygidium, beneath and feet, deep black; coxae of the anteri- or and middle feet each with a white spot ; abdominal basal spot present. Monachus, Chevr. M. viridis. Dark green ; antenna?, mouth, lateral margins of the thorax and feet yellowish, f 1. long. Pennsylvania. Cryptocephalus smaragdinus, Melsh. MS. Dark green, slightly brassy ; head obscurely and very minutely punc- tured ; a slight frontal impression ; clypeus, labruni and mouth, yellow- ish ; antennae similarly colored, with the tip dusky ; as long as the tho- rax, somewhat thickened towards the tip, with the joints short ; thorax transverse, wider at base than at apex, with the sides rounded ; trun- cate before and slightly waved behind ; posterior angles acute ; surface hardly punctulate, with the lateral margins dull fulvous ; elytra shin- ing, finely and obsoletely striate-punctulate ; punctures almost want- ing toward the apex ; feet yellowish-fulvous ; pygidium, abdomen, Feb., 1847.] 175 and postpectus, black, the latter tinted with reddish ; antepectus color of the feet. Var. a. Head and thorax dull rufous. Gastrophysa, Chevr. 1. G. cenea. Blue, slightly brassy ; antennae black, with five basal joints testaceous. 2 1. long. Pennsylvania. Eumolpus cenms, Melsh. Catal. Blue, tinged with greenish, slightly brassy ; head deeply and distantly punctulate, sometimes with an obsolete longitudinal frontal impression ; an- tennae black, with five or six basal joints dull testaceous ; palpi pieeous ; tho- rax deeply and densely punctulate : scutellum impunctured : elytra much punctulate, with the punctures longer than wide, and ranged in irregalar and approximate series ; beneath and femora, greenish black, slightly brassy ; ti- biae and tarsi, blackish, or dark reddish-brown; abdomen sparsely punctulate. Var. a. Elytra cupreous. 2. G. cyanea. Blue ; beneath and feet black. 2 1. long. Pennsylvania. Chrysomela Raphani, Melsh. Catal. Cyaneous, shining: head punctured; an obsolete longitudinal impressed frontal line ; labrum and palpi piceous : antennae black, or dark brown, with four basal joints glabrous, shining ; thorax strongly tinged with green J profoundly and densely punctulate : scutellum green : elytra punctured like the thorax, with a green reflection : beneath blackish ; feet similarly col- ored, with a bluish or greenish reflection. PHiEDON, Meg. P. wide. Greenish, or dark fuscous brassy ; feet piceous. \\ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Eumolpus viridis, Melsh. Catal. Ovate, greenish, or dark fuscous brassy, rarely cupreous ; shining ; head deeply punctulate, with a transverse, arcuated impressed frontal line : an- tennae blackish or dark brown ; thorax very minutely and obsoletely punc- tured ; scutellum blackish, impunctured : elytra striate-punctate, punctures small, and the series remote : beneath blackish, with the abdomen densely punctured ; feet blackish-piceous, often brassy. Erotylida. Tritoma, Fabr. T. basale. Black ; basal half of the elytra rufous. If 1. long. Penn- sylvania. Black, shining; head obscurely punctulate ; antennas black ; thorax much and rather distinctly punctulate : scutellum piceous : elytra with the basal half rufous : finely punctate striate ; beneath black, distantly and distinctly punctulate : feet black. Differs from pulchrum, Say, which it much resem- bles, in being more numerously and distinctly punctulate, and in having the basal half of the elytra transversely rufous, the rufous color extending as far down on the lateral margins as it does on the suture, whilst in pulchrum the rufous color occupies only a short space behind the humeri, and extends down the suture, sometimes to the apex. 176 [Feb., 1847. Triplax, Payk. T. fasciata. Yellowish ; head, antennae and base and apex of the elytra black. 2\ 1. long. Alabama. Head distinctly and not densely punctulate ; black, posteriorly tinted with rufous ; antenna; black ; palpi, feet and beneatb testaceous-yellow ; thorax similarly colored ; punctured like the head: scutel color of the tho- rax ; elytra broadly black at base and apex, with a broad, common, testa- ceous-yellow fascia ; finely punctate- striate. Endomychidcc, Leach. Lycoperdina, Latr. 1. L. A-gultata. Black; elytra with four rufous spots; thorax rufous, with the disk black. If 1. long. Pennsylvania. Endomychus 4-guttatus, Melsh. Catal. Head black, shining, sparsely and obscurely punctulate; labrum and mouth dull fuscous ; antennae black ; thorax minutely and obscurely punc- tured ; rufous most frequently with a broad, entire, black dorsal vitta ; glossy ; edges dusky ; scutellum black ; elytra similarly colored, each with a large subhumeral spot, and another behind the middle, rufous or fulvous ;. obscurely punctulate ; postpectus, feet and abdomen, blackish, the latter with the tip dull pale brown ; tarsi similarly colored ; antepectus rufous. 2. L. lutea. Testaceous ; eyes black. 1| 1. long. Pennsylvania. Endomychus luteus, Melsh. Catal. Testaceous, glabrous or rather thinly clothed with minute short hairs, arising from very minute punctures ; antennas darker than the head ; eyes black ; thorax with the lateral margins pale testaceous, pellucid ; femora pale testaceous ; tibiae and tarsi darker. 3.h.pilosa. Pale ferruginous, finely pubescent. If 1. long. Pennsyl- vania. Endomychus pilosus, Melsh. Catal. Palpi ferruginous, yellowish-pubescent ; head glossy, indistinctly punctu- late, hardly pubescent; eyes black: antennae color of the head, with the clava darker : thorax indistinctly punctulate, slightly pubescent, glossy, with the lateral margins lighter than the disk : elytra obscurely punctulate, yellow- ish-pubescent, with the suture sometimes dusky ; beneath and feet as above. This species and the preceding one may be referred to the subgenus Epx- pocus of Dejean's Catalogue. 4. L. crassicornis. Rufous ; disk of the thorax, a fascia and tip of the ely- tra, black ; clava of the antennae much dilated, lj 1. long. Pennsylvania. Endomychus crassicornis, Melsh. Catal. Rufous, glossy, obscurely and distantly punctulate, glabrous : head fre- quently dusky: antennas ydlowish-rufous, with the three terminal joints greatly dilated in Ā£ s, less in 2s: thorax with the disk black ; scutellum black: elytra with a broad common fascia on the middle, apex and anterior portion of the suture, sometimes its entire length, black : beneath color of the elytra ; feet color of the antennae. Var. a. Smaller ; apex of the elytra and scutellum color of the elytra. Feb., 1847.] 177 5. L. apiealis. Testaceous-yellow ; elytra black, with the apex testace- ous. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania. Endomychus fuscus ? Melsh. Catal. Testaceous-yellow, glossy : head and thorax scarcely or very indistinctly punctulate, the former tinted with rufous, the latter with longitudinal, an- teriorly abbreviated basal lines: scutellum black: elytra black, with the apex indeterminately testaceous ; obscurely punctulate : beneath and antennae color of the thorax : feet testaceous, sometimes colored like the abdomen. Var. a. Entirely pale testaceous. Endomychus pallidus, Melsh. MS. Doubtless immature specimens. Coecinellidce Leach. Coccinella, Linne. 1. C. seriata. Pale yellow above ; head, disk of the thorax, suture and three submarginal spots of the elytra, beneath and femora, black ; tibia? and tarsi testaceous. 1\ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Coccinella suluralis, Melsh. Catal. Ovate : head deep black, immaculate ; labrum, palpi and antennas, testa- ceous, the latter with the clava dusky : thorax pale yellow, tinged with rosaceous ; disk and middle of the base, black : elytra color of the thorax, each with a series of three large, irregular, submarginal black spots, the first of which is hatchet-shaped, and placed on the humerus ; the second spot, which is transverse-oval( is joined to the first by a short neck, and to the third by a short narrow line ; the third spot is longitudinal-oval ; su- ture with a bisinuate black vitta, terminating a little before the apex, where it is joined to the tip of the posterior spot : beneath and femora, black ; tibiae and tarsi testaceous, the former with the apical half dusky ; abdo- mon with the lateral margins rosaceous. Allied to tibialis and parnelkesis, Say. 2. B. concinnata. Whitish above; head and thorax maculate with black ; disk of elytra fuscous ; beneath blackish ; feet yellowish. 2\ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Coccinella concinnata, Melsh. MS. Head white, tinged with yellowish, with two longitudinal black lines, in- terrupted in the middle by the prevailing color ; eyes black; mouth and palpi yellowish, the latter with the tip dusky ; antennae testaceous : thorax color of the head, densely and indistinctly punctulate, and with about seven large spots and two geminate punctures, black ; spot on each of the lateral sub- margins suboval, one on each side of the middle at base sublunate, between which and the lateral spot is placed the double puncture or dot; two anterior dorsal spots oblique, oval : posterior dorsal spot small, oval, and posted with the anterior ones triangularly : scutellum blackish : elytra whitish, stronger tinted with yellowish than the thorax, with the disk brown, tinted with reddish, and very irregular in its outline, containing in its middle each side and near the suture a pale yellowish spot ; densely and more distinctly punctulate than the thorax : beneath blackish, with the abdomen strongly tinted with reddish ; feet yellowish-rufous. Var. a. Head black, with three longitudinal white lines ; thorax white, with an irregular black fascia: two short, longitudinal white lines in the middle at 1 78 [Feb., 1847. base ; beneath and femora black ; tibiae and tarsi pale testaceous. Coccin- ella pini, Melsh. MS. 3. C. venusta. Red above ; thorax with four, and elytra with ten spots, black ; beneath aud feet, black. 3|- 1. long. Pennsylvania. Coccinella venusta, Melsh. Catal. Hemispheric, punctulate, above dull red; head distinctly punctured, black, with the orbits and a transverse frontal line, dull red ; labrum piceous, edged with dull red ; antennae testaceous, with the tip dusky : thorax with four very oblique black spots, of which the two basal ones are large, clavate or sublanceolate, and united at their base ; dorsal spots small, ovate : scu- tellum black, triangular : elytra more obviously punctulate than the thorax each with three submarginal, and two subsutural, large black spots, one of the latter resembles an inverted comma; suture black from a little behind the middle to near the apex, where it is dilated and becomes confluent with the terminal submarginal spot ; pleurae and epipleurae, testaceous yellow ; pectus and abdomen, black ; feet similarly colored. 4. C. modesta. Black ; elytra pale fulvous, each with six black dots ; thorax with the lateral and anterior margins and two oblique, abbreviated lines, white ; head with a white frontal fascia. 2f 1. long. Pennsylvania- Oblong : head black, with a broad, anteriorly tridentate, white frontal fascia ; antennae and palpi dull testaceous, with the tips black or dusky : thorax deep black, and like the head shining, the anterior and lateral mar- gins narrowly white ; a short, oblique line each side of the middle similarly colored : scutellum black : elytra fulvous, each with six black dots, placed I, 2, 2, 1, of which the posterior two are rather larger than the others : be- neath and feet, black ; postpectus each side at tip and base with a dull white spot. Brachiacantha, Chevr. 1. B. ^-punctata. Deep black : elytra with four fulvous spots ; tibiae and tarsi dull testaceous. If 1. long. Pennsylvania. Coccinella 4-punctata, Melsh. Catal. Deep black, shining, finely and densely punctured : head immaculate; an- tennae dull testaceous : thorax immaculate; anterior angles obscurely pice- ous : scutellum triangular : elytra, each with a subrotund spot at base on the inner angle, and another similarly shaped and sized one a little before the apex, and nearer to it than to the suture, fulvous : beneath and femora, black ; knees, tibiae and tarsi, dull or dusky testaceous ; prickle of the an- terior tibiae robust, prominent. 2. B. fulvopustulata. Deep black above ; front, lateral margins of the thorax, and four spots on each elytrum, fulvous; tibiae and tarsi, testaceous. I I. long. Pennsylvania. Deep black, shining, densely and very minutely punctured : head with a jarge yellowish or fulvous frontal spot ; labrum and antennae, testaceous : thorax with a large whitish spot on each of the lateral margins, contracted on the posterior angles : elytra, each with four pale fulvous spots, placed 1, 2, 1 ; anterior spot occupies the inner basal angle; posterior one is placed a little before the apex, nearly equidistant from the suture and lateral edge : beneath and femora, dull ferruginous ; tibiae, tarsi, and Feb., 1847.] 179 apex of the femora testaceous ; tooth of the anterior tibiae small. Resem- bles somewhat ursina, Fabr., but is smaller than that species, and differs in the elytral spots. 3. B. basalts. Head, aaterior and lateral margins of the thorax, four basal and two apical spots of the elytra, pale sulphureous: two thoracic spots, elytra and beneath, black. 1Ā£ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Hemispheric, very minutely punctured, shining : head pale sulphureous ; eyes similarly colored, with a dusky pupil, antennae and feet color of the head : thorax color of the head, with two large subtriangular black basal spots, separated by a narrow dorsal line : elytra black, each with three large pale sulphureous spots, of which two are at base and one at apex 5 the inner basal spot is much larger than the humeral one ; the apical spot is suborbiculate, and is placed nearer the edge than the suture : beneath blackish. Perhaps a variety of feliiia, Fabr. Hyperasis, Chevr. 1. H. maculifera. Black; head, anterior and lateral margins, eight elytral spots and feet, yellowish. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania. Black, shining, densely punctulate : head yellowish, eyes black ; palpi and antennas color of the head : thorax with the anterior margin narrowly, and lateral margins broadly, yellowish : scutellum rather large, black, ob- scurely punctulate: elytra each with four yellowish spots, placed ], 2, 1 ; anterior spot humeral, the two intermediate ones are placed transverse- obliquely, and the posterior spot is posted near the apex : beneath blackish ; pleurae, epipleurae, parapleurae and feet, color of the head. Var. a. As in the type, but with the head and anterior margin of the thorax, black. Coccinella ^-guttata, Melsh. Catal. Var. b. As in var. a., but the humeral, intermediate and apical spots of the elytra are connected by a yellowish lateral margin. Coccinella confluent, J. Melsh. MS. 2. H. 10-pustulata. Black ; head, lateral thoracic margins and ten elytral spots, fulvous ; feet testaceous-yellow. % 1. long. Pennsylvania. Coccinella \O-pustulata, Melsh. Catal. Shining black : head indistinctly punctulate, yellowish-fulvous ; eye6 black; antennae, palpi and feet yellowish: thorax puuctured like the head, with the lateral margins fulvous : scutellum comparatively large : elytra distinctly and densely punctulate, each with five roundish fulvous spots, placed 2,2,1; the terminal spot is confluent with the apical edge : beneath black ; pleura and epipleurae testaceous-yellow. Var. a. As in the type, with the head and thorax entirely b'.ack. Cocci- nella \0-guttata, Melsh. Catal. 3. A. leucopsis. Black; head, lateral margins and anterior edge of the thorax white; elytra with two fulvous spots on the middle. $ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Black, shining, finely and densely punctured: head whitish; eyes blackish; antennae and anterior feet dull yellowish : thorax with the anterior edge and lateral margins white: scutellum moderate, acute-triangular: elytra each with an orbiculate fulvous spot on the middle; beneath blackish; hind feet fuscous 180 [Feb., 1847. The elytral spots of this species are sometimes deep scarlet, and the tip of the clypeus dusky. It is the biguttata of Melsh. MS. 4. H. fimbriolata. Punctulate, black; front, exterior margins of the thorax and elytra, fulvous: anterior feet dusky testaceous; beneath, and intermediate and posterior feet blackish or dusky piceous. 1^ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Coccinella fimbriolata, Melsh. Catal. Var. a. Thorax immaculate. Coccinella lateralis, Melsh. Catal. Exochomus, Redtenbacher. E. praitexiatus. Black ; head, lateral margins of the thorax and elytra, two basal spots and a common central one of the latter, fulvous : feet tes- taceous-yellow. 1J 1. long. Pennsylvania. Coccinella prcetextata, Melsh. Catal. Black, densely punctulate, shining : head fulvous or yellowish, with the clypeus at tip slightly emarginate and elevated : mouth sparsely whitish pilose ; antennae color of the head ; eyes blackish : thorax with the lateral margins broadly fulvous : scutellum very small, hardly apparent : elytra with the inner basal angles triangularly, and the lateral margins broadly, fulvous, the latter with the lateral margins similarly colored, and united to a large common central spot by a narrow fascia, spot and fascia color of the lateral margins : beneath blackish ; feet color of the head. The labrum is slightly produced. Var. a. Head and thorax uniform black ; femora blackish ; tibiae and tarsi dull dusky testaceous. Coccinellce fimbria, J. Melsh. MS. Chilocorus, Leach. C. verrucatus. Above and feet black; elytra with a common and two basal spots, and beneath, red. 3|- 1. long. Pennsylvania. Coccinella verrucata, Enoch MS. " trimaculata, Melsh. Catal. " tripustulata, De Geer, Ins. v, 393, 2 ? Black above, shining, impunctured : head black, immaculate ; antennae rufo-testaceous : thorax with the anterior angles and edge, obscurely rufous; elytra each with an oblong basal spot, and suture a little behind the middle with a common linear one, cinnabar-red: feet blackish; beneath light scarlet-red : wings fuliginous. This may prove to be a variety, but no1 type, of tripustulata, De Geer. Scvmnds, Kugelann. 1. S. collaris. Black ; head, anterior and lateral margins of the thorax. and feet rufous. Ā£ 1. long, Pennsylvania. Coccinella thoracica, Melsh. Catal. Subhemispheric, black, punctulate, pubescent : head and thorax, rufous, the latter with a semiorbicular black basal spot in front of the scutellum, the latter very small : elytra with the apical margin narrowly and obsoletely testaceous : beneath black, with the tip of the abdomen testaceous ; ante- pectus, antenna and feet, rufous ; hind femora at base dusky. Size, form and markings entirely of Coccinella parvula, Fabr., of which it may be a local variety. 2. S. punctatus. Black, distinctly punctured ; elytra each with a red spot. $ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Feb., 1847.] 181 Oval, deep black, shining, pubescent: head black, with an obscure, transverse, impressed line below the front labrura month and antennae, piceous : thorax finely punctured, with the anterior edge piceous : scutel- lum distinct : elytra comparatively strongly punctured, long somewhat di- lated before the middle, each with a small orbicular red sp>t near the mid- dle ; humeral tubercles small, distinct : beneath and feet blackish, the latter rather piceous. 3. S. ftavifrons. Black ; head and a large spot behind the middle of each elytrum, yellowish ; tibiae and tarsi, testaceous. Ā§ 1. long. Pennsylvania. Coceinella ftavifrons, Melsh. MS. Subhemispheric, black, shining, pubescent, punctulate : head and an- tennae, yellowish ; eyes black : thorax minutely punctured, with the ante- rior angles obsoletely testaceous : scutellum minute : elytra more distinctly punctulate than the thorax, each with a large orbicular yellowish spot be- hind the middle, and nearer to the suture than the lateral edge : beneath black : tibiae and tarsi, testaceous ; femora often dusky, sometimes testa- ceous. [Note. ā€” Dr. Melsheimer's " Descriptions of new North American Coleoptera" have heen in course of publication in these Proceedings since April, 1844. In Vol. II, No. 2, will be found the commencement of this valuable and elaborate paper. The additional portions have appeared at such inter- vals in succeeding numbers, as the limits to which the Society is in some measure obliged to restrict its publications, and the claims of other contributors to the pages of the Proceed- ings would justify. These descriptions, together numbering about six hundred, are now concluded. The great care and labour bestowed upon them by the author, afford the best evidence of their correctness, and consequently of their value to those interested in this particular order of Insects.] PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA.. Vol. III. MARCH AND APRIL, 1847. No. 8. Stated Meeting, March 2, 1847. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Mr. Richard C. Taylor presented a large and valuable col- lection of fossils and rocks, from various parts of the world, of which a list will be published in a future number. Specimen of Fluor spar with crystallized Galena, from Frei- burg, Saxony; specimens of crystallized Manganese and Manganese ore, from Ihlfeld, Harz Mountains ; Analcime from Fassathal, Tyrol, and two fossil fish from the Zech- stein formation. Presented by Mr. Theodore F. Moss. The following mounted skeletons were received from Dr. Morton in exchange, viz : ā€” Bradypus tridactylus, Podar- gus Stanleyanus, Dacelo gigantea, and Astur Novae Hol- landise. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. Iconographie Ornithologique ; par 0. des Murs. 4to. 4th and 5th Livs. Deposited by Dr. T. B. Wilson. Revue Zoologique ; par la Societe Cuvierienne. Annees 1838-1845. From the same. Magasin de Zoologie ; par F. E. Guerin, Annees 1831-1844. From the same. 26 184 [March 1847. Oken's Isis ; Encyclopsedische Zeitschrift vorzuglich fur Na- turgeschichte, vergleichencle Anatomie und Physiologic Hefts 1-8. 1846. From the same. The Dog : by William Youatt. Edited with additions by E. J. Lewis, M. D. Philadelphia, 1847. From Dr. Lewis. Hybridity in Animals and Plants, considered in reference to the question of the Unity of the Human Species. By S. G. Morton, M. D. New Haven, 1847. From the Author. Literary Record and Journal of the Linnean Association of Pennsylvania College. Vol. 3. No. 5. From the Associa- tion. American Journal of Agriculture and Science. Conducted by Dr. E. Emmons and A. Osborn, Esq. No. X. Feb. 1847. From the Editors. The folkming were received from Dr. Morton, in exchange for fourteen Human Crania now in the cabinet of the Society : Fauna Boreali-Americana. By John Richardson, Esq., F. R. S., &c. Part 1, Mammalia. Part 2, Birds. 4to. London, 1829 and 1831. A Supplement to the Appendix of Captain Parry's Voyage for the discovery of a North-west passage, in the years 1819-20. Containing an account of the subjects of Natu- ral History. 4to. London, 1824. Ornitholcgia Suecica. Auctore W. Nillson. Pars prior. 8vo Havnise, 1817. Tentamen Systematis Amphibiorum. Auctore Blasio Mer- rem. 8vo. Marburgi, 1820. Histoire Naturelle generale des Pigeons et des Galinacees ; par C. J. Temminck. 3 vols. 8vo. Amsterdam and Paris, 1813. Principles of Geology. By Charles Lyell, Esq., F. R. S. 4 vols. 8vo. 4th Edition. London, 1835. Dr. Morton read a comunication from the Rev. Dr. Bach- man, of South Carolina, on the subject of Hybridity in Birds and Quadrupeds. March, 1847.] 185 The following communication was read from Messrs. Aaron Sharpless and William Kite, of Chester country, Penn- sylvania, dated 2d mo. 18th, 1847, in reference to the living Hybrids between the Guinea fowl and the turkey, lately pre- sented by them to the Society. " The mother was a common Guinea fowl, the survivor of two or three chicks hatched under a common hen two years ago from eggs presented to us. From ^constantly associating with the poultry, and having none of her own species for companions, she was rather unusually domestic. The father was a common turkey cock, the reputed father of our flock of turkeys, having nothing very remarkable in his habits Last spring the hen having arrived at maturity, was observed to drop one or two eggs, as though preparing for incubation. Supposing them to lack vitality, we procured a cock of the same species from a neighbor, and confined them together in a coop for a few days. On releasing them, the new comer remained for some days and then disappeared. Supposing our object to have been accomplished, the hen was now suffered to form her nest in peace, which she did, laying twenty-two eggs, differing in no re- spect that we can now remember, either in size or colour from common. When within a few days of maturing these eggs, her nest was broken up by an opossum, which destroyed nearly all of them ; she however gathered the remnant together and brought off three chicks : the surviving two are those now in the possession of the Academy ; discovering the hybridity of these, we have much re- gretted the loss of the rest of the brood. As the chicks advanced toward maturity, 'they began to excite our attention by peculiarities which induced us to suspect their hybridity. The young of the guinea fowl assume the colour of the adult, but these always had the rusty brown tinge on their plumage which now marks them. They never were able to com- pass the note of their mother so familiar to our boyish reminis- cence, but always ran into a cracked or falsetto key, which seem- ed laboured. They were quiet birds, differing in this from the guinea, whose clamor is so disagreeable in the poultry 186 March, 1847.] yard as to induce many persona to discard them. In the figure of these birds, their heads, and the size and appearance of their legs and feet, there is a greater resemblance to the turkey than to the dung-hill fowl, the only other bird a cross like the present could be traced to. One habit they had peculiar to the turkey, that of erecting the feathers on the back of the neck. The plumage of these birds also partakes somewhat of the pecu- liarities of that of the turkey, though curiously blended with that of the pintado. In a poultry yard we always find the guinea fowls masters of the place, in which peculiarity our hen shared, boldly attack- ing any who offended her, and readily putting the cocks to flight. This latter circumstance seems to negative the probability of the cross we are examining being with the latter fowl. We consider ourselves further confirmed in supposing the turkey before alluded to, to be the father of these hybirds, from the face that he was the only male turkey then in the poultry yard, and very close attentions were noticed between him and the hen, which were fully reciprocated on her part, though the act of sexual intercourse escaped our observation." Professor Johnson offered some observations on the cellu- lose of the Borneo Palm, and its reaction with Nitric and Sulphuric acids, bywhich it was apparently converted into Zyloidine, and not into Pyroxiline. The Curators exhibited a mass of minute black insects, "(Acari?) which had been received from the Rev. James H. McFarland, of Reading, Pa., by whom they had been collected on the Broad mountain, ''near the Summit Coal mines, Schuyl- kill county, Pa, on the 28th of December last. The snow for a quarter of a mile along the road was covered to blackness with these insects, and heaps from which a peck could have been collected, were frequent on the road. The day was warm for the season. A few more were obtained on a sub- sequent day, during a fall of snow. March, 1847.] 187 The Curators having announced that a National Medical Convention was to assemble in this city in the early part of May next, it was on motion, Resolved, That the Curators be authorized to tender to the delegates from the city and county of Philadelphia to the National Medical Convention, the use of the Hall of the Academy during the session of the Convention. Also, on motion, Resolved, That the Library Committee, in conjunction with the Librarian, be instructed to devise plans for book cases in the new Library and Meeting room, and report the same at the next meeting of the Society. Stated Meeting, March 9th, 1847. Vice President Morton in the Chair. DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. Professor Johnson presented the following : Sigillaria pachyderma, from South Joggins, Bay of Fundy, N. S., and also from Cranberry Head, Cape Breton ; Stig- maria fucoides from the same localities. The following minerals were presented by Mr. Moss : Feather Ore, and Galena, from Freiburg, Saxony ; Carbonate of Iron, from Erzburg, Styria ; and Arragonite from Bohe- mia. DONATIONS TO LIBRARY. American Journal of Science and Arts, No. 8. Vol. 3. New series. From the Editors. Proceedings of the Boston Natural History Society ; pp. 177 to 192 inclusive. From the Society. Geological results of the Earth's contraction in consequence of cooling. By James D. Dana. New Haven. 1847- From the Author. 188 [March, 1847 Anniversary Address of the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina, delivered Nov. 26, 1847. By the Hon. Mitchel King. Columbia, S. C, 1846. From Dr. R. W. Gibbes, of S. C. Proceeedings of the Agricultural Convention, and of the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina, from ] 839 to 1845 inclusive : to which are added a memoir on the subject of slavery, by Chancellor William Harper, and a letter on Marl by Ex-Governor James H. Hammond. 8vo. Co- lumbia, S. C, 1846. From the same. The following works were deposited by J. Price Wether- rill, Esq. : Histoire des Vegetaux fossiles ou Recherches Botaniques et Geologiques sur les vegetaux renfermes dans les diverses couches du globe. Par M. Adolphe Brogniart. Livs. 1, 2, 7 to 15 inclusive. 4to. Descriptions of the inferior maxillary bones of Mastodons in the cabinet of the American Philosophical Society, with remarks on the genus Tetracaulodon, &c. By Isaac Hays, M. D. 4to, Philadelphia, 1833, Abbildungen und Beschreibungen der Petrefacten Deutsch- lands und der angrawzenden Lander, unter Mitwirkung des Herrn Grafen Georg zu Miinster, herausgegeben von August Goldfuss. Nos. 1 to 6 inclusive. Folio. Recherches sur less Ossemens fossiles, &c, par Georges Cu-