Return to
LIBRARY OF MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY

WOODS HOLE, MASS.

Loaned by American Museum of Natural History

PROCEEDINGS

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

OF PHILADELPHIA.

VOL, II. 1844 & 1845.

PHILADELPHIA:

PRINTED FOR THE ACADEMT

Bj Merrihew & Thompson, 7 Carter's Alley,

1846.

Asn±

INDEX TO VOLUME II

Abert, Col. J, J., donations to library,

66.
Academy of Sciences of Munich, don.

to lib., 57, 289.
American Philosophical Society, don.

of Proceedings of. 25, 57, 192, 295;

of Transactions of, 68 ; don. to lib.,

64, 162.
Annates des Mines, 2, 23, 227, 273.
Anthony, J. G., don. to mus., 6, 161.
Ashuiead, Samuel, don. to mus., 88,223.
Asiatic Society of Bengal, don. to lib.,

228.

Baker, Capt. H. F., don. to mus., 24, 67.

Bispham, Win. L., don. to mus., 75.

Branding, Dr. Wm., don. to mus., 71,
91, 191, 231,277,278.

Blanding, Mrs. Rachel, don. to mus.,
208.

Bonaparte, Charles L., don. to lib., 71.

Boston Society of Natural History, don.
of Journal of, 89, 231, 294; of Pro-
ceedings of, 273.

Breck, Samuel, don. to lib., 199.

Brown, Dr. Benj. B., don. to mus., 287 ;
to lib., 291.

Browne Peter A., don. to lib., 25; to
mus., 93, 257; remarks relative to
the establishment of a zoological gar-
den in the vicinity of Philadelphia, 67.

Bureau of Topographical Engineers,
don. to lib., 162.

By-Laws, amendment to art. 8, chap. 7
of, -223.

Calcutta Journal of Natural History,

don. of to lib. by editors, 129.
Campbell, Mrs. Sarah, don. to mus. 161.
Cassin, John, don. to mus., 66, 91, 94,

161, 208, 227, 287; on the great
abundance of the Snow Owl in the
vicinity of Philadelphia, &c, in the
winter of 1843 and 1844, 19; de-
scription of a new vulture, 212.

Cautley, Capt. P. T., don. to mus., 259.

Clark, J., don. to mus., 87, 199.

Collins, Isaac, don. to mus., 95.

Committees, Scientific, for 1844-5; for
1845, 196.

Committee to consider the rules of the
British Association regarding Zoolo-
gical and Botanical nomenclature,
234.

Committee on Mr. E. Harris' paper on
the geology of the Upper Missouri,
remarks by, 239.

Committee on a paper, by Dr. Morton,
describing a new species of Hippo-
potamus from Africa, 11; by Rev.
Daniel Ziegler, describing new N. A.
Coleoptera, 23, 226; by Mr. Halde-
man, describing new insects, 23 ; by
Col. Abort, on a species of Paludina,
supposed by him to be new, 25 ; on a
paper, by Dr. Ravenel, describing
some fossils from the cretaceous
strata of S. Carolina, 57 ; on some
manuscript descriptions of insects, by
the late. Mr. Say„68; on a paper by
Dr. Melsheimer, describing new N. A.
Coleoptera, 77; by Dr. Morton, de-
scribing the bead of a fossil crocodile
from New Jersey, 82 ; on an analysis,
by Prof. Reid, of Sulphur Springs in
New York State, 91 ; on observations
on a second series of ancient Egyptian
crania, by Dr. Morton, 94 ; on papers
by Dr. Hallowell, describing new Afri-
can reptiles, 22, 82, 130 ; by Mr. Con-
rad, describing eight new fossil shells

IV.

INDEX.

of the United States, 165'; by Dr. Al-
fred T. King, describing fossil foot
marks in Westmoreland Co., Penn-
sylvania, 168,295 ; by Prof. Johnson,
on the calorific powers of combustible
bodies, 200 ; by Mr. Cassin, describ-
ing two raptorial birds, supposed to
be new, 201; on Prof. Rogers' geo-
logical collection, 201 ; on a paper by
Dr. Hallowell, describing new South
American reptiles, 209 ; by Mr. Ed-
ward Harris, on the geology of the
Upper Missouri, 224; by Mr. J.
Tremper, on the geology of Seneca
Lake, N. Y., 230; by Dr. R. W.
Gibbes, describing the teeth of a new
fossil animal from' the green sand of
South Carolina, 252; by Dr. E.
Ravenel, describing a new scutella
from the coast of S. Carolina, 253 ;
by Mr. Wm. Gambel, describing new
birds from Upper California. 262 ; by
Mr. James D. Dana, describing a new
genus of cyclopidae, 284 ; by Mr. Ed-
ward Harris, describing a new species
of Parus from the Upper Missouri,
298.
Conrad, T. A., don. to lib., 2; descrip-
tion of new fossil shells of the United
States, 173.
Correspondents elected:

Audubon, Victor, of New York, 256.
Avogardo, Chev. Amedeo, of Turin,

17.
Boudin, J. CM., M.D., of Versailles,

325.
Bourne, Wm. Oland, of Long Island,

22.
Chevreul, M. E., of Paris. 256.
Clot Bey M., of Egypt, 206.
Gibbes, Lewis R., M. D., of Charles-
ton, S. C, 90.
Gibbes, R. W., M. D , of Columbia,

S. C, 256.
Haight, R. K., of New York, 85.
Hayes, John Lord, of Portsmouth,

N. H., 69.
King, Alfred T., M. D., of Greens-
burg, Pa., 188.
Lc Cunt.', John L., M. D., of New

York, 206.
Morris, Rev. John G., of Baltimore, 6.
Morphett, John, of Adelaide, S. Aus-
tralia, 278.
Muller, Prof. John, of Berlin, 258.

Nott, Josiah C, M. D., of Mobile,

Alabama, 272.
Reinhardt, J. C, M.D., of Columbia,

Pa., 230.
Rich, William, of Boston, 250.
Sullivant, Wm. S., of Ohio, 65.
Taylor, Julius S., M.D.. of Ohio, 272.
Tremper, Jacob C, of Dresden, New

York, 286.
Tuomey, Wm., of Virginia, 258
Wyman, Jeffries, M.D., of Boston, 133.
Zeigler, Rev. Daniel, of York, Pa., 55.
Couper, J. Hamilton, don. to mus., 23.

Dana, James D., don. to lib., 7, 57 ;
general views on the classification of
animals, 281 ; description of a new
genus of cyclopida3, 285.

Day, Dr., don. to mus., 21.

De France, H. A., don. to mus., 293.

Dekay, Dr. James E., don. to lib., 289.

Delaware County Institute, don. to lib.,
20.

Dix, Miss D. L., don. to lib., 73.

Donations to museum announced by-
curators, 127, 130, 166.

Drake, Dr. Daniel, don. to lib., 198.

Drinker, Capt. S., don. to mus., 165.

Dundas, James, don. to mus., S7, 127.

Durbin, Prof. J. P., don. to mus., 88.

Editors of Calcutta Journal of Natural

History, don. to lib, 129.
Elwyn, Dr. A. L., don. to lib., 93.
Emmons, Dr. Ebenezer, don. to lib.,

198.
Engclmann, Dr. Geo., don. to lib., 4 to

mus., 19.
Espy, Prof., letter from to Prof. Johnson,

communicating some facts intended to

prove the possibility of producing rain

by artificial means in time of drought,

91.
Evans, Owen, don. to mus., 73.

Klug.l, F. G„ don. to lib.. 68.
Fory, John C, don. to mus., 2S5.

Gambel, Wm., don. to mus., 276, 27S,
279 ; to lib., 293 ; description of new
bird-; from Upper California, 26:3.

Gibbes, Dr. R. W., don. to mus., 251,
257; don. to lib., 251; description
of the teeth of a new fossil animal

INDEX.

from the green sand of S. Carolina, J
254.

Gibbons, Dr., on a diagram exhibiting
the period of succession of fluctua-
tions of the thermometer upon those
of the barometer, 164.

Gilliss, Lieut, don. to lib., 294.

Gilpin, Mr., remarks on a rib bone of a
cetaceous animal found in the State
of Delaware, 166.

Giraud, Jacob P., don. to lib., 25.

Gliddon, George R., communicating
portions of a letter received by him
from a friend in Egypt, determining
certain points in the ancient chrono-
logy of that country, 76 ; don. to bus.,
225 ; to lib., 77, 295.

Goddard, Dr. Paul B., don. to mus.,
277, 285.

Gould, Dr. A., don. to mus., 167; to
lib., 88.

Graeff, Frederick, Jr., don. to mus., 91.

Graham, Major J. D., don. to lib., 76,
285.

Grant, Samuel, don. to mus., 64.

Gray, Dr. Asa, don. to lib., 278 .

Haight, Richard K., don. to lib., 181.

Haldeman, S. S., don. to mus., 1 ; don.
to lib., 2, 3, 87, 88 ; descriptions of
insects, supposed to be new, 53 ;
remarks on Corydalus cornutus, 192.

Hall, James, don. to lib., 87.

Hallowell, Dr. Edward, descriptions of
new African reptiles, 58, 118, 169,
247 ; descriptions of new S. American
reptiles, 241.

Hamilton, Mrs. Mary, don. to mus., 224.

Harris, Edward, don. to mus., 223, 278 ;
don. to lib., 68; communication re-
specting Cymindis hamatus, Illig., 65;
on the geology of the Upper Mis-
souri, 235; description of a new Parus
from Missouri, 300.

Hayes,? John L., don. to lib., 77.

Hazard, Erskine, don to mus., 197.

Hazard, Samuel, don. to lib., 231.

Heermann, A. L., don. to mus., 260,
275, 276, 290.

Hembel, William, don. to lib., 24, 207,
277.

Hill, Henry C, don to mus., 289.

Histoire Nat de Tile de Cuba, don. of
by a club of members, 197.

Hodgson, Wm. 3.. don. to lib., 93.

Howard, J. G., don. to mus., 130.

Ingcrsoll, Joseph R., don. to lib., 21.

and bird skins from Brazil, don.
of by members, 66.
Irick, General, don. to mus., 71, 167.

Jack, William, don. to lib., 129.

..>, Dr. Chas. T., don. to lib., 225.

Jackson, Dr. J. B. S., don. to lib., 291.

Johns, Dr. Wm., don. to mus., 199.

Johnson, Prof. Walter R., don. to mus.,
• 71, 88 ; to lib. , 74, 88, 192, 225, 294 ;
on the properties and habitudes of
certain coals, 8 ; on different varieties
of plumbago, 74 ; on some specimens
of rocks from the White mountains,
89 ; on the spontaneous combustion
of bituminous coal, 163 ; on the ca-
lorific powers of combustible bodies,
202 ; on the tendency to cohesion of
metallic surfaces when under magnetic
influences, 209 ; on the relative evapo-
ration from land and water surfaces,
295 ; examination and analysis of
alluvium of the Nile, 318.

Johnston, Dr. Westley, don. to mus., 131.

Journal of Agriculture and Science,
don. of to lib. by editors, 198.

Kane, Dr. E. K., don. to mus., 165.

Kendall, James W., don. to mus., 73.

Kilvington, Robert, don. to mus., 71,
93, 260.

King, Dr. Alfred T., don. to mus., 131,
161 ; description of fossil foot marks
in the carboniferous series of West-
moreland County, Pa., 175; descrip-
tion of fossil foot marks, 299.

Lahey, Dennis, don. to mus., 130.

Le Conte, J. L., description of new

N. A, coleoptera, 48.
Leeds Philosoph. Soc. don. to lib., 198.
Leidy, Dr. Joseph, don. to mus., 277,

279; to lib., 277, 289; notes on

White Pond, N. .1., 279.
Lepsius, Prof., don. to mus., 197.
Le Seur, C. A., don. tomus., 224; to

lib., 228.
Letters .

Abert, Col. J. J., 25.

Adams, C. B.. -99.

Audubon, J. J., 256.

Audubon, Victor, 260.

VI.

INDEX.

Bailey, Prof., 284.

Benton, N. S., 295.

Bronn, H. G., 3.

Cautk-y, Capt. P. T., 25.

Cook, G. H., 65, 72.

Couper, J. Hamilton, 24.

Dana, James D., 234.

Directors of Museum d'Histoire Nat.

a Paris, 232.
Dunglison, Dr. R., 253.
Gibbes, Dr. Lewis R., 93.
Gibbes, Dr. R. W., 257.
Gliddon, George R., 252.
Haight, Richard K., 193.
Hall, James, 88.
Haldeman, 8. S., 89, 162.
Hayes, John L., 77. '
Herbert, Rev. W m., 57.
Hodgson, Wm. B., 5.
Humboldt, Baron Alexander, 22.
Johnston, Prof. John, 3.
Kinberg, J. G. H., 3, 167.
King, Dr. Alfred T., 162, 198.
Kippist, Richard, 76.
Le Conte, John L., 133, 226.
Lepsius, Dr. Richard, 126, 193.
Le Seuer, Chas. A., 224.
Librarian of Congress, 191.
Longchamps, M. de, 4, 198.
Maclure, Alexander, 7, 69.
Markoe, Francis, 72.
Maximilian, Prince de Wied, 72.
McCall, Dr. A., 2*89.
Melsheimcr, Dr. F. E., 7.
Mighels, Dr. J. W., 3.
Morris, Rev. Dr., 10, 22.

Ombrosi, James, 63.

Pickering, Dr. Charles, 20, 23 .

President of Harvard University, 2.

Ravenel, Dr. Edmund, 57, 232.

Redfleld, J. H., 94.

Rich, William, 258.

Scheepmaker, M., 23.

Silliman, Benj., Jr., 2 >4.

Strain, Isaac G., 11, 63.

Sullivant, Wm. S., 8S.

Tamnau, Dr. Fred., Jr., 2.

Tappan, Benjamin, 72.

Taylor, Dr. Julius ! ■. .2 ! !, 258 276.

Tremper. Jacob. 165, 2J8, 294, 298.

Tschudi, Dr., 132.

Von Martins, Dr. C, 66.

Zeigler, Rev. Daniel, 211.
Letters from Societii s :

American Philosophical S

10, 25, 82, 162, 192, 208, 260,

Asiatic Society of Bengal, 129, 226.

Boston Society of Natural History,
252.

Georgia Historical Society, 191.

Linnean Society of London, 8.

London Botanical Society, 68, 77.

Royal Academy of Sciences and
Belles Lettres, Brussels, 4.

Royal Scottish Society of Arts, Edin-
burgh, 257.

Zoological Society of London, 162.
Library Com] any of Philadelphia, don.

to lib., 21.
Linnean Association of Pennsylvania

College, don. of journal of, 225, 232,

262, ^78, 291.
Linnean Society of London, don. of

Transactions of, 198; of Proceei

of, 198.
Longchamps, M. de, don. to lib., 4, 197.

Maclure, Alexander, don. to lib., 162.

Mease, Dr J , don. to nius., 8.

Melsheimcr, Dr. F. E., descriptions of
ii' w N. A. coleoptera, 26, 98, 134,
213,392.

Members elected:
Blake, CM., 77.
Cuesta, Fernando de. 133.
Darrach, W in., M. D., 65.
Dundas, James, 85.
Frdst, John, 90.
Herrmann, A. Ij., 230.
Keim, George M., 133.
Learning, J. Fisher, 55.
Leidy Joseph, M. D., 258.
Moss, Theodore F., 256.
Percival, Thos. C, 196.
Woodhouse, Samuel W., 293.

Mighles, Dr. J. \V., don. to mus.,3,21.

Moricand, M., don. to lib , 129.

Morphett, John, don. to mus., 251.

Morton, Dr., S. (J., don. to mus., 1,
277 ; don. to lib., 4. 21, 72, 75 ; on a
new speci potamus, 14; on

the skull of a Hottentot, 64 ; descrip-
tion of the head of a fossil crocodile
from New Jersey, 82 ; announcement
of decease of Miss Anna Maclure, 9\) ;
on a second series of ancient I'.
ian crania. 122; announcement of
decease of Nathan Dunn. 130: re-
marks on some fossil hoi.es of Mosa-
saurus from New Jersej . 132 ; on the

INDEX.

Vll.

internal capacity. &c. of some African
crania, 168; on the crania of an an-
cient .Mexican, a Lenape, and a Con-
go negro, 231 ; on the crania of two
ancient Peruvians, two Indian mound
skulls, a Hottentot, a Mozambique
negro, and four mummied Egyptian
heads, 274 ; on the crania of two
New Hollanders, 292.

Moss, Theodore F., don. to mus., 260.

Murphy, Dr., F. G., don. to lib., 199.

Natural "History Society of Geneva,

don. of memoirs of, 129.
National Institute at Washington, don.

of bulletin of, 231.
Nicholson, Dr. Charles, don. to mus.,

290.

Oakford, S. J., don. to lib., 24.
Officers for 1845, 187; for 1846, 235.
Owen, Dr. D. D., don. to lib., 7, 162,
293.

Pagani, M., don. to lib., 225.
Pauthier, G., don. to lib., 192.
Peale, T. R., don. to mus., 19.
Pennock, Dr. C. W., don. to mus., 131.
Percival Miss, don. to mus., 75.
Percival, Thos. C, don. to lib., 252 ; to

mus., 259, 273.
Peterson, Mr., don. to mus., 64.
Phillips, Prof. John, don. to lib., 20.
Piddington, Henry, don. to lib., 72.
Pitcher, Dr., don to mus., 284.
Prince de Wied, don. to lib., 72.
Providence Franklin Society, don. to

lib., 231.

Ravenel, Dr. Edmund, description of
new fossil organic remains from the
Eocene of S. Carolina, 96 ; descrip-
tion of a new recent scutella from
the coast of S. Carolina, 253 ; don.
to mus. 260.

Recording Secretary, report of, for 1844,
180.

Reid, Prof., analysis of sulphur springs
in State of New York, 120.

Regents of University of New York,
don. to lib., 57, 232.

Resolutions: to present to Sir George
Von Jaeger, of Germany, a copy of
the Journal of the Academy, 8 ; on

the occasion of the decease of Dr. M.
Burrough, 10 ; to present to Mrs.
Lucy W. Say, and to Mr. Isaac G.
Strain, bound copies of vol. 1 of pro-
ceedings, 65; to present to Troy
Lyceum of Natural History, certain
portions of the Journal, 65 ; to pre-
sent to Mrs. Say, a copy of Maclure's
Opinions, 65; to present to Royal
Academy of Munich, the publications
of the Academy, 66; of thanks to
Alexander Marline, 69; of thanks to
the Prince de Wied, 73; of thanks to
General Irick, 73 ; to present to the
Georgia Historical Society a copy of
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Researches,
95; of thanks to Dr. thos. B. Wil-
son, 130 ; to present to Dr. Tschudi,
of Hamburg, a complete copy of the
Proceedings, 133; authorising the
Librarian and Library Committee to
be furnished with stamps for the
books, 199 ; to appoint a committee
to confer with Prof. Rogers, respect-
ing the deposit in the museum of his
State Geological collection, 201 ; of
thanks to Win. Hembel, for a don.
to lib., 208 ; to transmit to the Swiss
General Association of Naturalists,
copies of the Journal and Proceed-
ings, 211 ; to present to the Historical
Society of Pennsylvania a copy of
the Proceedings, 211 ; to present to
the Museum d'histoire Nat. a Paris a
copy of the Journal and Proceedings,
333 ; of thanks to Dr. Julius S. Tay-
lor, 258 ; of thanks to Richard C.
Taylor, Esq., 261 ; of thanks to John
C. Fory, 285; authorising the pub-
lication of a new list of members and
correspondents of the Academy, 324;
to furnish to correspondents copies of
the catalogue of library, 324.
Rice, Wm. M., don. to mus., 8.
Richard, J. H., don. to mus., 262.
Riggs, Samuel W., don. to mus., 251.
Rogers, Henry D., don. to mus., 209 ;
to lib., 88 ; on a specimen of Oolite
rock from Florida, 210.
Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences,

don. to lib., 93.
Ruffin, Edmund, don. to lib., 251.

Savage, Rev. Thomas S., don. to mus., 1.

Vlll.

INDEX.

Say, Mrs. L. W., don. to mus., 4 ; don.

to lib., 68 ; of manuscript descriptions

of insects, by late Mr. Say, 68.
Schembri, Antonio, don. to lib., 3.
Short, C.W., don. to lib., 211 262.
Silliman's Journal, don. of by editors,

4, 22, 77, 129, 197, 228, 259, 285.
Snider, Jacob, Jr., don. to mus., 160.
Stephens, Horatio S., don. to mus., 94,

259.

Tappan, Hon. Benj., don. to mus., 71.
Taylor, Dr. Julius S., don. to mus., 224

257.
Taylor, Richard C, don. to mus., 279 ;

don. to lib., 225, 298 ; cabinet of

European fossils, deposited by, 261 ;

remarks thereon, by Dr. Morton, 261.
Titus, Theodore, don. to mus., 293.
Townsend, J.K., don. to mus., 278.
Treasnry department, U. S., don. to

lib., 132, 259.
Tremper, Jacob, don. to mus., 227 ; to

lib., 294.
Tschudi, Dr. J. J., don. to lib., 132.
Tyson, Job R., don. to lib., 211.

Vale, Mr. G., of New York, on an im-
proved globe and celestial sphere of
his invention, 131.

Van Cleve, J. W., doii. to lib., 225.

Watson, Dr. Gavin, don. to mus., 4, 7,

71, 91, 93, 95, 197, 273 ; to lib, 7.
Wetherill, J. Price, don. to lib,, 197.
Wilson, Dr. Thos. B., don. to mus., 19,

127 ; to lib., 232.
Wood, Prof. George B., don. to mus.,

160.
Wood, Wm. S., don. to mus., 191.
Woodhouse, Samuel W., don. to mus.,

21, 166, 288, 291.

Zantzinger, Dr. Wm. S., don. to mus.,
95, 277 ; communication from, rela-
tive to the cow tree of S. America,
78.

Zeigler, Rev. Daniel, descriptions of
new N. A. Coleoptera, 43, 266.

Zoological Society of [London, don.
of Transactions of, 161 ; of Proceed-
ings of, 161.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

OF PHILADELPHIA.

Vol. II. JAN. AND FEB., 1844. No. 1.

Stated Meeting, January 2, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Two specimens of Unio pilaris, Lea, from French Broad
river, Tennessee. From Mr. Haldeman.

Two specimens of fossil teeth of a species of Sqnalus, from
the marl region of New Jersey. From Mr. Kilvington.

Five species of Hemiptera, and thirty species of Coleoptera,
(principally Lamellicornia,) including the genera Goliathus,
(male and female,) Cetonia, Passalus, Scarabceus, Cicindela,
&c.,from Africa. From the Rev. Thomas S. Savage, M.D.,
of Cape Palmas, Africa.

Also the following shells from West Africa, from the same
donor: Area senilis, Galatea radiata, Cerithium muricatum,
Donax denticulata, Sanguinolaria rosea, Lucina spheroides,
Terebra caerulescens, Monodonta guinensis, Columbella
mercatoria, Nerita atrata, Purpura meritoida, Helix Bland-
ingiana, and others.

Two remarkably large and perfect skulls of Hippopotamus
amphibius, Linn, (H. capensis, Desmoulin,) from Africa.
Deposited by Dr. Morton.

[January, 1844.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Zoological contributions, No. 2. By S. S. Haldeman. Dec,
1843. From the Author.

A series of printed labels for Egyptian and Austrian plants.
From Mr. Haldeman.

Annales des Mines. 4 me - Serie. Tome 3. Li v. 1. In ex-
change.

Monography of the Unionidae. No. 13. By T. A. Conrad.

From the Author.
Boston Journal of Natural History. Vol. IV. No. 3. 1843.

From the Boston Soc. of Natural History.

A letter was read from the President of Harvard Univer-
sity, Cambridge, Mass., dated November 11th, 1843, acknow-
ledging the reception, by the Corporation, of a donation from
the Academy of several volumes of its Journal, and an
entire copy of the Proceedings.

A letter was read from Dr. Frederick Tamnau, of Berlin,
soliciting an exchange of minerals of this country for a large
number of those of Germany, &c, sent by him to the Aca-
demy. Referred to the Geological and Mineralogical Com-
mittee.

Dr. Morton (Prof. Johnson in the Chair,) exhibited the
cranium of a species of Hippopotamus, supposed by him to
be new, found on the banks of St. Paul's river, West Africa,
and brought to this country by Dr. S. M. E. Goheen. Dr.
Morton made some brief general remarks in relation to this
specimen, and pointed out some of the prominent characters
by which it was distinguished from other well known and
described species, and promised a fuller and more accurate
description to the Academy, in a written form, at a future
meeting.

January, 1844.] 3

Stated Meeting, January 16, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Catalogue of the marine and terrestrial shells of the State of

Maine and adjacent ocean. By J. W. Mighels, M. D.

From the Author.
The Encyclopaedia of Plants, &c. Edited by J. C. Loudon,

F. L. S., &c. 8vo. pp. 1159. London, 1836. From Mr.

Haldeman, in exchange.
Catologo Ornitologico del gruppo di Malta; da Antonio

Schembri. Malta, 1S43. From the Author.
Zoological contributions. By S. S. Haldeman. No. 3. Jan.,

1844. From the Author.

A letter was read from Dr. J. W. Mighels, dated Portland,
Maine, January 6, 1844, returning acknowledgments for
his election as a Correspondent, and in reference to his dona-
tion of this evening.

A communication from the American Philosophical So-
ciety, acknowledging the receipt of Nos. 30, 31, of the Pro-
ceedings.

A letter from Mr. J. G. H. Kinberg, addressed to the
Curators, dated Lund, Sweden, 20th October, 1843, stating
that a large consignment of objects of Natural History was
shortly to be sent by him to this country, and requesting
exchanges with the Academy.

Also a letter from H. G. Bronn, addressed to the Curators
dated Heidelberg, December 1, 1843, proposing exchanges
of birds and shells.

A letter from Prof. John Johnston, of Middletown, Conn.,
dated January, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of his notice
of election as a Correspondent.

4 [January, 1844.

Stated Meeting, January 23, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Calcareous Touffa, with impressions of leaves, from Ger-
many. Presented by Mr. Kilvington.

A mounted specimen of Fiber zibethicus, from the vicinity
of Philadelphia. From the same.

A collection, in spirits, of native insects. From Dr. Watson.

A collection of about 60 species of American shells, labelled
and arranged, with references, by Mr. Phillips ; being the
specimens from which the late Mr. Say drew up his ori-
ginal descriptions. Presented by Mrs. Say through Mr.
Phillips.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

American Journal of Science and Arts: conducted by the
Messrs. Silliman. Vol. 46. No. 1. January, 1S44. From
the Editors.

A monography of the North American species of the genus
Equisetum. By Prof. Alexander Braun, of Carlshue,
Germany. Translated from the author's manuscript, and
with some additions, by George Engelmann, M. D., of St.
Louis. From Dr. Engelmann.

Six No's, of the "Annates des Sciences Naturelles," with
the plates, &c. From Dr. Morton, in exchange.

Faune Beige: l e - partie, &c. Par Edmund de Selys Long-
champs. Leige, 1842. From the Author.

Letters were read from the Secretary of the Royal Aca
demy of Sciences and Belles lettres of Brussels, announcing
the reception of several publications of this Institution from
the Corresponding Secretary.

From M. de Longchamps, dated Leige, 14th April, 1843,
acknowledging the receipt of a number of the Academy's
publications from the Corresponding Secretary : and in refer-

January, 1844.] 5

ence to the donation of his Fauna, received this evening.
A list was also added of European Mammiferae, which he
was desirous of exchanging for similar objects of this country.

From Mr. Wm. B. Hodgson, dated Savannah, January
16th, 1S44, returning acknowledgments for his election as a
Correspondent.

Mr. Haldeman presented a corrected copy of his paper on
Daphnia and Limnadia, (published in a former No. of the
Proceedings,) with the addition of a new species of the former
genus. Referred to the Publication Committee.

On motion of Mr. Haldeman, Resolved, That the authors
of written communications, which are published in the Pro-
ceedings, be allowed six extra copies of the number in which
their communications appear.

Meeting for Business, January 30, 1 844.

Vice President Morton in the Chair.

The Report of the Corresponding Secretary, and the annual
Reports of the Treasurer of the Publication Committee, and
of the Librarian, having been severally read and adopted, the
Society proceeded to an election for Standing Committees for
the year 1844. The Tellers reported the following result:

COMMITTEES FOR 1844.

Geology and Mineralogy.
J. Price Wetherill, William S. Vaux,

Henry D. Rogers, T. A. Conrad,

Joseph A, Clay, Walter R. Johnson,

Willard M. Rice.

Zoology.
S. G. Morton, M. D., Wm. S. Zantzinger, M. D. ?

Henry McMurtrie, M.D., S. S. Haldeman,
John S. Phillips, Edward Harris,

John Cassin.

[February, 1844.

Botany.
Peter A. Browne, Wm. S. Zantzinger, M. D.,

Robert Bridges, M. D., Gavin Watson, M. D.,
Robert Kilvington.

Physics.
Isaiah Lukens, Paul B. Goddard, M. D.,

Walter R. Johnson, John S. Phillips,

Edmund Draper.

Library.
A. L. Elwyn, M. D., A. D. Chaloner, M. D.,

Robert Bridges, M. D., Wra. S. Zantzinger, M. D.,
Joseph Carson, M. D.

Committee on Proceedings.

S. G. Morton, M. D., C Corresponding and
John S. Phillips, < Recording Secretaries,

A. L. Elwyn, M. D., £ ex-officio.

The Rev. John G. Morris, D.D., of Baltimore, was then
elected a Correspondent of the Academy.

Stated Meeting, February 6, 1S44.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

The following collection of Terrestrial and Fluviatile Shells
of Ohio. From Mr. John G. Anthony, of Cincinnati.

Unio alatus, Say, 3 specimens, (1 fern.) — U. bullatus, Raf.,
9 sp. (U. prasinus, Conrad, U. Schoolcraftensis, Lea, 1 sp.) — •
U. fasciolaris, Raf., 1 sp. (U. phaseolus, Hildreth, 2 sp.) — U.
striatus, Raf. (U. Cooperianus, Lea,) 1 sp. — U. rectus, Lam.

3 sp. — U. ruber, Raf. (red var.) 3 sp. (U. coccineus, Hildreth,
(white var.) 2 sp.) — U. crassus, Say, 5 sp. — U. ovatus, Say,

4 sp. (1 fern.) — U. cylindricus, Say, 3 sp. — U. gibbosus, Raf.

February, 1844.] 7

5 sp. (U. perplexus, Lea, (fern.) 1 sp.) — U. truncatus, Raf. (U.
elegans, Lea,) 1 sp. — U. triqueter, Raf. 5 sp. (U. triangularis,
Barnes, (fern.) 1 sp. — U. Sayi,Ward, 3 sp.— U. teres, Raf. 1 sp.
(U. anodontoides, Lea, (male) 1 sp.) — U. verrucosus, Raf. 3 sp.
(U. tuberculatus, Barnes, (fern.) 1 sp.) — U. subrostratus, Say,
1 sp. (U. Iris, Lea, 1 sp.) — U. reflexus, Raf. 5 sp. — Anadonta
grandis, Say, 1 sp. (A. plana, Lea, 1 sp.) — A. imbecillis, Say,
(A. incerta, Lea,) 1 sp. — A. cataracta, Say, (var. salmonea, Lea,)
4 sp. — A. ferrussaciana, Lea, i sp. — Alasmodonta truncata, Say,
3 sp. — Melania varicosa, Ward, 3 sp. — M. depygis, Say, 12 sp. —
Anculosa praerorsa, Say, (Melania Cincinnatiensis,Lea,) 16 sp. —
A. costata, Anthony, (Melania occidentalis, Lea,) 16 sp. — Helix
alternata, Say, 12 sp. — H. solitaria, Say, 3 sp. — H. hirsuta, Say,
3 sp. — H. labyrinthica, Say, 7 sp. — H. interna, Say, 10 sp. —
H. minuscula, Binney, 20 sp. — Planorbis concavus, Anthony,
8 sp. — Amnicola Cincinnatiensis, Anthony, 12 sp. — A. lapidaria,
Say, 12 sp. — Pupa armifera, Say, 20 sp. — P. contracta, Say,
25 sp.

Cranium of Delphinus delphis. From Dr. Watson.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Catalogue of the Terrestrial and Fluviatile Shells of Ohio.

By J. G. Anthony. From the Author.
Reply to Mr. Couthouy's vindication against the charge of

plagiarism. By James D. Dana, geologist of the U. S.

exploring expedition. From the Author.
Review of the New York Geological Reports. By David

Dale Owen, M. D. From the Author.

A letter was read from Dr. F. E. Melsheimer, dated Dover,
Pennsylvania, January 15, 1844, acknowledging the receipt
of his diploma, and notice of election as a Correspondent.

Also a letter from Mr. Alexander Maclure. addressed to
Dr. Morton, dated New Harmony, Indiana, 25th January,
1844, in reference to the recent destruction by fire of his
dwelling house ; but also containing the gratifying informa-

8 [February, 1844.

tion that the valuable library had been rescued from the
flames.

The Corresponding Secretary read a letter from the Secre-
tary of the Linnean Society of London, dated November 23,
1S43, acknowledging the reception of Nos. 26 to 29 of the
Proceedings of the Academy.

On motion of Professor Johnson, Resolved, That the Pub-
lication Committee be authorised to present to Sir George
Von Jaeger, of Wnrtemberg, in Germany, the 2d Part of
Vol. S of the Journal of the Academy .

Stated Meeting, February 13, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Fine specimen of Fluate of Lime, from Lowville, New-
York. Presented by Mr. W. M. Rice:

Specimen, of large size, of Sulphuret of Copper, from Penn-
sylvania. From Dr. James Mease.

Fossil fucoid impressions, from Mifflin county, Pennsylvania.
Deposited by Dr. Mease.

Professor Johnson communicated some observations in
relation to the properties and habitudes of different varieties
of coal.

1. He gave the results of some recent analyses of coal, which strongly
confirm the position which he had previously advanced, viz.: that in coals from
the same coal district, and where that part of the mineral substance which is
combustible may be considered as similarly constituted, the density of different
specimens may be considered as the index to their relative impurity.

February, 1S44.] 9

From seven samples of coal from different mining districts wero taken, at
random, specimens for analysis.

per ct.

From the lirst sample, specimen i a had a sp.gr. 1.438, and gave of ashes, 18.99

specimen { b « 1.424 « » 18.318

» second do. " ia « 1.322 » « 5.653

\b « 1.305 « « 5.239

third do. « la » 1.304 « » 4.081

£ o « 1.309 « «« 6.519

« fourth do. « U « 1.339 « •« 9.109

« |i « 1.325 " " 7.398

fifth do. « la » 1.315 « « 10-090

£6 « 1.335 « « 11.071

« sixth do. « U « 1.347 « « 13.768

^b " 1-329 « « 11.071

« seventh do » Co, " 1.511 « » 21.250

lb « 1.289 " » 6.080

2. He also called attention to the fact that, from the same hand specimen,
may often be obtained widely different results by analysis. A small specimen
was shown, in which were displayed most decided differences of structure, lustre,
colour, character of powder, amount of volatile matter, amount and character of
impurities. This was a specimen of coal from the Cumberland coal field of Mary-
land — in which a portion was columnar and crystalline in form — of a deep jet
black colour, shining and friable, giving abrown powder, and when coked, yielding
a highly intumescent porous mass, and leaving, when completely incinerated, only
1.754 per cent, of reddish yellow or fawn coloured ashes, exceedingly light, and
liable to be carried away by the slightest motion of air. The same part yielded
18.28 per cent, of volatile matter, and consequently left 79.966 per cent, of
fixed carbon. The other part of the specimen was amorphous in structure,
tough in consistence, dull, and almost destitute of lustre, yielding, when com-
pletely pulverized, an almost black powder. It gives, when incinerated, 14.736
per cent, of ashes, of a greenish white colour, very dense, and cohering slightly
when strongly heated. Its volatile matter is 15.976 per cent., and consequently
the fixed carbon 69.288. The coke produced swells more or less, according to
the rapidity of the application of heat.

3. He adverted to the designations red and white ash coals, and exhibited
proofs that mere analysis, on a minute scale, is liable to mislead us in regard
to the true character of the earthy residua of the coals in question. He exhibited
a sample of ashes and of clinker, from Lackawanna anthracite, obtained from
the combustion of two tons of that coal ; and also a specimen of ashes from the
analysis of a hand specimen, — the former being dark brownish red, and the latter
almost perfectly white.

4. He presented evidences of the effect of the rate of heating on the amount
and character of the coke produced from a given weight of coal of the same
kind, showing that when a brisk and intense action of heat is made the means

2

10 [February, 1S44.

of coking the coal, a considerably greater amount of volatile matter is expelled
than when a slow application of heat gradually drives off the matter volatilizable
by that principle alone.

The Chairman announced to the meeting the recent de-
cease (on the 10th inst.) of Dr. M. Burrough, late a member
of this Institution, and one of its most zealous and active
friends, and a large contributor to its collections in all the de-
partments of Natural Science.

Whereupon the following Resol utions, presented by Pro-
fessor Johnson, were unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the members of this Academy have heard
with unfeigned regret of the decease^of our late valued and
highly respected member, Dr. Marmaduke Burrough, whose
zeal in the cause of JNatural Science, persevering industry in
the prosecution of its various departments, and deep interest
in the welfare of this Institution, have laid it under numerous
and lasting obligations to our deceased associate.

Resolved, That the members of this Academy deplore the
loss of Dr. Burrough, not only as the ardent prosecutor of
scientific researches, but as the undeviating man of honor,
and highly accomplished gentleman.

Resolved, That the Vice President of this Society, Dr.
S. G. Morton, be requested to communicate to the family of
the deceased a copy of the foregoing Resolutions.

Stated Meeting, February 20, 1S44.
Mr. Ltjkens in the Chair.
A communication was read from the American Philosoph.
Society, acknowledging the receipt of Nos. 32, 33 of the Pro-
ceedings.

A letter was read from the Rev. John G. Morris, D. D., of
Baltimore, dated February 19, 1844, acknowledging the re-
ception of his notice of election as a Correspondent.

February, 1S44.] 11

A paper, by Dr. Morton, describing a supposed new spe-
cies of Hippopotamus from the River St. Paul's, W. Africa,
was read, and referred to the following committee : Mr.
Conrad, Dr. Goddard, and Prof. Johnson.

A letter was read from Mr. Isaac G. Strain, of the U. S.
Navy,* Corresponding Member of the Academy, addressed
to Dr. Morton as Vice President, giving the synopsis of the
translation, by himself, of a letter from Dr. Lund, of the
Royal Society of Antiquarians at Copenhagen, to the Histori-
cal and Geographical Society of Brazil, on the subject of
some organic remains recently discovered in the calca-
reous rocks in the Province of Minas Geraes, Brazil.

[The interesting and novel information contained in Dr.
Lund's letter has induced the Committee on Proceedings to
submit for publication the entire translation of Mr. Strain.]

Rio de Janeiro, 7th December, 1843.

My Dear Sir, — Knowing the interest you, as well as the other members of
the Academy, take in any subject tending to throw light upon the history of
the human race, I take the liberty of giving you the synopsis of a translation I
have made of a letter addressed by Dr. Lund, of the Royal Society of Anti-
quarians at Copenhagen, to the Historical and Geographical Society of Brazil,
of which he is an honorary member.

Dr. Lund has for some time been pursuing his investigations in the Province
of Minas Geraes; and has devoted his attention particularly to the fossil
remains found in the calcareous rocks of that region. At present he is engaged
in the publication of a work entitled, Blik pact Braziliens Dyreverden, or a
View of the animal creation which inhabited Brazil immediately preceding the
present state of things. The Doctor states it to have been his wish to have

* Mr. Strain left the United States in the summer of last year in a Govern-
ment vessel for South America, as the head of a scientific exploring party into
a portion of the interior of that country, and which promises important and
interesting results. Mr. S. goes out under the auspices of the U. S. Government,
aided also by members of this Institution and other individuals, and is amply fur-
nished with every requisite for the successful prosecution of his hazardous and
arduous undertaking. Since his arrival at Rio, he has also been fortunate
enough to obtain every facility and encouragement from the Imperial Govern-
ment. The letter above referred to was written on the eve of his departure on
his journey.

12 [February, 1844.

published in French; but not being ready, he immediately communicated with
the Geographical Institute, with the remark, however, that being written in a
language little known, he expects to ensure but few readers. He commences
by referring to the question of the coexistence of man with the extinct Terres-
trial mammiferous animals, as a point which the JNaturalists of the old world
have not been able to resolve decisively : that some few facts appear favourable
to an affirmative, but more to a negative solution ; that, though he has had an
opportunity to submit the question to a new examination in this part of the
world, he has not had proofs to arrive at a definite result, although his labors in
Zoology have terminated most happily. The geological archives of the history of
our planet are found (says the learned Doctor) in the caverns of the calcareous
rocks, which enter, as a constituent part, into the most extensive formations in the
interior of Brazil. The animals whose remains he has met, are for the most part
different from those which actually exist on the surface, showing that they be-
longed to a distinct creation.

He has already examined nearly two hundred caverns. The species of
animals he has examined, of the mammiferous class alone, number one hundred
and fifteen, which much exceeds the number now existing of this class, which
he has reduced to eighty-eight.

From the mutilated state in which they were generally found, it appears pro-
bable they owe their introduction to the beasts of prey of those times — the
denizens of those caverns — who carried them there to devour them. In the
midst of these testimonials of an order of things differing from the actual, he
had not the slightest vestige of the existence of man ; and if man had existed,
how could he have escaped the fate of animals stronger than he, who were vic-
tims of these ferocious and gigantic beasts of prey. This evidence he thought
sufficient to decide the question negatively, when he unexpectedly met the first
remains of the human species under circumstances- which, at least, admit of a
contrary solution. He found these remains in a cavern which contained mixed
with them bones of animals decidedly extinct ; (Platyonix Bucklandii, Chlamy-
dotherium Humboltii, C. majus, Dasypus sulcatus, Hydrochaerus sulcidens,
&c.) a circumstance which ought to call attention to these interesting relics.
Besides, they present all the characters of really fossil bones. They were in
part petrified, and in part penetrated with iron particles, which gave to them a
metallic lustre, resembling bronze, and at the same time an extraordinary
weight. Of the immense age of these remains there can be no doubt ; but, upon
the question of the coexistence with animals whose remains were found with
them, we cannot, unfortunately, arrive at a definite conclusion, as the cave is
situated on the margin of a lake whose waters rise annually, and in the rainy
season enter it ; so it is possible the remains of animals, now existing, might
have been more recently introduced, and mixed with those already deposited.
These bones are in different states of preservation ; some differing little from
new bones, while others approximate to the sub-metallic state already referred
to ; but the greater number occupy a grade of decomposition intermediate be-
tween the two extremes.

A similar difference, but less conceivable, he noted among the human bones,

February, 1S44.] 13

proving a diversity of ages, while all showed an antiquity ; making them most
interesting, even if they do not solve the question of coexistence. In Europe,
(says the Doctor,) the remains of the gi of terrestrial mammiferous

animals are the only proof of their existence; as no mention is made of them in
history, consequently their extinction dates back more than three thousand years.
Applying the same result to the extinct species of Brazil, with which they agree
in their state, and atttibuting to the human bones found in a state perfectly
analogous to those which characterise these fossils, we take for them an age of
thirty centuries and upward. Admitting, then, the proofs of these documents,
the population of Brazil is derived from very remote times, and undoubtedly
anterior to the time of history.

The question then arises, who were these people? what their mode of life?
of what race 1 and what their intellectual perfection] The answers to these
questions are, happily, less difficult and doubtful. He examined various crania,
more or less perfect, in order to determine the place they ought to occupy in the
system of Anthropology. The narrowness of the forehead, the prominence of
the zygomatic bones, the facial angle, the maxillary and orbital conformation, all
assign to these crania a place among the characteristics of the American race.
And it is known, says the Doctor, in continuation, that the race which approxi-
mates nearest to this is the Mongolian ; and the most distinctive and salient
character by which we distinguish between them, is by the greater depression
of the forehead of the former. In this point of organization, these ancient crania
show not only the peculiarity of the American race, but this peculiarity, in many
instances, in an excessive degree; even to the entire disappearance of the fore-
head. We must allow, then, that the people who occupied this country in those
remote times, were of the same race as those who inhabited it at the time of the
conquest. We know that the human figures found sculptured in the ancient
monuments of Mexico represent, for the greater part, a singular conformation
of head, — being entirely without forehead, — the cranium retreating backward im-
mediately above the superciliary arch. This anomaly, which is generally attri-
buted to an artificial disfiguration of the head, or the taste of the artist, now
admits a more natural explanation; it being now proved, by these authentic
documents, that there really existed on this continent a race exhibiting this ano-
malous conformation. The skeletons, which were of both sexes, were of the
ordinary height, although two of the men were above the common stature.
These heads, according to the received opinions in Craniology, could not have
occupied a high position in intellectual standing. This opinion is corroborated
by finding an instrument of imperfect construction joined with the skeletons.
This instrument is simply a smooth stone, of about ten inches in circumference,
evidently intended to bruise seeds or hard substances.

In other caverns he has found other human bones, which show equally the
characteristics of fossils, being deprived of all the gelatinous parts, and conse-
quently very brittle and porous in the fracture. They were, unfortunately, un-
accompanied by the bones of any other animals, so that the principal point of
the question remains undecided ; although they go to prove the antiquity and
prolonged existence of the human race on this continent.

14 [February, 1S44.

The above then, my clear Sir, is a brief synopsis of Dr. Lund's letter, which
may, perhaps, have already reached you by way of Europe; but of this I am
not assured, and have determined to send it.

Having given you the general features of this letter, it would be presumptuous
in me to hazard any remarks to one so skilled in Anthropology; and I would
only suggest, that fossil remains are not confined to Minas Geraes, but are also
found in the western part of this Province, and in Bahia.

Near the city of Rio de Janiero of course nothing of the kind has been dis-
covered, as the formation is entirely Granitic ; but from the point where the
calcareous rocks commence, (about ninety miles inland, near Canto Gallo,) I
am informed that fossils are abundant.

I take this opportunity to express my thanks to you, personally, and the
members of the Academy generally, for the honor conferred by my election as a
corresponding member, and for the kind interest they have taken in my enter-
prise, and

Remain, dear Sir,

Your most obd't servt.

I. G. Sthaiw.
Corresponding Member A. N. S.

To Samuel George Morton, M. D., Vice President of the Academy of Natural
Sciences, Philadelphia.

Meeting for Business, February 27, 1S44.

Mr. Pears all in the Chair.

The Monthly Report of the Corresponding Secretary was
read and adopted.

The Committee to whom was referred the following paper,
read at the last meeting, reported in favor of publication.

On a supposed New Species of Hippopotamus.

By S. G. Morton, M. D.

It is about six months since I received from my friend Dr.
Goheen an extensive series of skulls, of mammiferous and other
animals, from Western Africa. They had been obtained by him
during a residence of several years at Monrovia, where he had

February, 1844.] 15

officiated as Colonial Physician; a situation which gave him
great advantages for procuring the natural productions of that
region. Among these crania were two of a Hippopotamus, of
small size, from the river St. Paul's. Although nothing could
be more manifest than the difference between the head of this
animal and that of the common species, I have hesitated to pub-
lish it, from a fear that some one else may already have done so;
for I could hardly convince myself that so remarkable a species
was wholly unnoticed in the systems. Having, however, searched
the latest European works on Zoology without finding any
account of this interesting animal, I venture to submit the follow-
ing facts in relation to it.

Hippopotamus minor.

4 2 2 • 1 1

Incisors, — or ; Canines, .

Dental Formula:

False Molars, ' Molars, '_Z!L_

4—4 3—3

Inches.

Length of the skull, measured from the anterior ex-
tremity to the notch between the condyles of the

occipital bone, --■---.-..- 12.3

Zygomatic diameter, ------ 8.

Parietal diameter, - - . - - - 3.5

Distance between the orbits over the surface of the

skull, 3.9

Vertical diameter of orbit, 2.

Horizontal diameter of orbit, - 1.8

These measurements have been taken from a very old indi-
vidual, in which the sutures are entirely obsolete, and the teeth
worn almost to the level of the jaw; and the contrast in size, be-
tween this and the large or common species, (familiar to every
one as the H. amphibius, but recently divided into two species,
the H. capensis and H. Senegalensis,) will be manifest to every
one. The difference, however, is not only in size, but in

16

[February, 1844.

all the proportions of the head, as the subjoined drawings will
show.

In the H. minor there is a uniform convexity of the upper sur-
face of the cranium, from orbit to orbit, and between the occiput
and ossa nasi ; while in the common species the orbits are re-
markably elevated, and the intermediate surface is concave. The
orbit is placed about midway between the occiput and snout, and
the latter is consequently short ; while in the large species the orbits
are placed about one-third the distance between the occiput and
snout. The H. minor has only two canines in the lower jaw ;
the false molars are proximate to the canines ; and the base of
the zygoma? is in the same plane with the upper maxilla.

The second skull of this species (which is of the same length
as the other) is that of a younger animal ; for the sutures are
open, and the teeth in the process of changing from the deciduous
to the permanent set. The posterior molars are only partially

February, 1844.] 17

protruded, and rise obliquely from the jaws, like those of the
Elephant and Mastodon.

Dr. Goheen, who assured me from the first that he could find
no notice of this animal in the systematic works, has obligingly
favoured me with the following memorandum in relation to it.
" This animal abounds in the river St. Paul's, and varies in
weight from four hundred to seven hundred pounds. They are
slow and heavy in their motions, yet will sometimes stray two or
three miles from the river, in which situation they are killed by
the natives. They are extremely tenacious of life, and almost
invulnerable, excepting when shot or otherwise wounded in the
heart. When injured they become irritable and dangerous, but
are said by the natives never to attack them when in their canoes.
The negroes are very fond of the flesh, which seems to be inter-
mediate in flavor between beef and veal."

My comparisons with the common Hippopotamus have been
made on four specimens, (three of which are fully grown,) two
from the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope, and two from the
Senegal river.

The Chevalier Amedeo Avogardo, of Turin, was then
elected a Correspondent of the Academy.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

OF PHILADELPHIA.
Vol. II. MARCH AND APRIL, 1S44. No. 2.

Stated Meeting, March 5, 1S44.
Dr. Bridges in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Forty-seven species of Plants of Missouri, including several
species of Cuscuta recently described by Dr. Engelmann,
of St. Louis ; and also several of Torrey & Gray's new
species of Desmodium, Hedyotis, Ambrosia, &c. From Dr.
Engelmann.

One hundred and ninety specimens of Coleopterous, Hemip-
terous, Lepidopterous, and other insects, from the vicinity
of Newark, Delaware. Collected and presented by Dr.
Thomas B. Wilson, of Newark.

Mr. T. R. Peale presented a travelling case from the Sand-
wich Islands, formed of sections of a gourd of large size.

Mr. Cassin stated a fact, which he considered as worthy
of record: that, during the past winter, the Snow Owl (Strix
nyctea, L., Nyctea Candida, Sw.) had been observed in the
vicinity of Philadelphia, and in the adjoining states of New
Jersey and Delaware, in numbers unusually great for this
latitude. At a moderate calculation, he supposed that not less
than one hundred specimens had been shot and exposed for
sale in the markets, and at a very trifling price. Several of
them had been seen for many days successively upon the

3

20 [March, 1S44.

roofs of houses, chimney tops, and other elevated places, in
the city itself, during the very severe weather of January.

As this is a bird almost exclusively confined to extreme
northern latitudes, its appearance here, in such large num-
bers, is to be solely attributed to the great severity of the
season to the North,

Stated Meeting, March 12, 1S44.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Report of a Committee of the Delaware County Institute of
Science, on the great rain storm and flood which occurred
in that County on the 5th of August, 1S43 ; with a Map
of the County. Chester: 1843. From the Institute.

Memoirs of William Smith, L. L. D. &c; by his nephew and
pupil, John Phillips, F. R. S. &c. London: 1S44. From
the Author.
The Committee on Proceedings announced that the First

No. of Vol. 2d of the Proceedings, with the title page and

index of the first volume, (which latter is now complete,) had

been published, and was now on the table.

The Chairman read a letter from Dr. Charles Pickering,
dated Alexandria, Egypt, December 17, 1S43, announcing
his safe arrival, and communicating some information on the
subject of ethnography, which, after a further examination
of facts in confirmation of his present impressions, he will
submit to the Academy in a more enlarged form at a future
period.

On motion of the Recording Secretary, the Committee on
Proceedings were authorized to have reprinted No. 2 of Vol.
I., and also to have bound in boards a number of copies of
said volume.

March, 1S44.] 21

Stated Meeting, March 19, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSKUM.

Specimen of Terebratula caput serpentis, with the animal ;
taken 60 miles at sea, in 75 fathoms water, off the coast
of Maine; also specimens of Anatifa striata and A.
vitrea: and a specimen of Holothuria squamata, Mull.,
from Casco Bay. From Dr. J. W. Mighels, of Portland,
Maine.

Sulphuret, Carbonate, and hydrated Carbonate of Copper,
Kyanite, micaceous oxide of iron, and other minerals, from
the Warrick Mine, Berks County, Pennsylvania. From
Mr. Samuel Woodhouse.

A collection, in spirits, of reptilia, fishes, coast shells, &c:

also, a specimen of Alcedo , and one of Vesper-

tilio ; all from Africa. Presented by Dr. Day, of

Liberia, through Dr. Reynell Coates.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Crania JEgyptiaca ; or, Observations on Egyptian Ethno-
graphy, derived from anatomy, history, and the monu-
ments. By Samuel George Morton, M. D. (From the
Transactions of the Amer. Phil. Soc, Vol. ix.) 4to. Phi-
ladelphia: 1S44. From the Author.

Catalogue of Books added to the Library of the Library Co.
of Philadelphia, from 1S35 to Jan., 1S44. From the Di-
rectors of Library Company.

Catalogue of Skulls of Man and the inferior animals, in the
collection of Samuel^ George Morton, M. D. Second edi-
tion. Philadelphia: 1S44. From the Author.

A number of the Army and Navy Chronicle, containing cer-
tain recent proceedings of the National Institute ; accom-
panied by a third circular from the latter Society, in relation
to the intended scientific meeting to be held in Washington
in April next. From Mr. Joseph R. Ingersoll.

22 » [April, 1844.

The Chairman read a portion of a letter from Baron Hum-
boldt, dated Berlin, Jan. 17, 1844, returning his acknow-
ledgements for his election as a Correspondent.

Also, a paper by Dr. E. Hallo well, entitled " Descriptions of
new species of African Reptiles," viz.: Eupressis Blandingii;
Iscalus concolor; and Leptophis Curtlandii; which was re-
ferred to a Committee, consisting of Dr. Holbrook of South
Carolina, Mr. Cassin, and Dr. Bridges.

Meeting for Business, March 26, 1S44.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

The Monthly Report of the Corresponding Secretary was
read and adopted, as were also the reports of several com-
mittees.

Prof. Johnson, by permission of the Society, then read a
letter from the Rev. Dr. Morris, of Baltimore, accompanying
several papers intended for publication, one of which entitled
as follows, "Descriptions of new species of Coleoptera of the
United States, by F. E. Melsheimer, of Dover, York county,
Pennsylvania," was, on motion, read and referred to the fol-
lowing Committee: Mr. Haldeman, Dr. McMurtrie, and Mr.
Markland.

The remaining papers were ordered to be laid on the table
until next meeting.

William Oland Bourne, Esq., of Brooklyn, Long Island,
was then elected a Correspondent of the Academy.

Stated Meeting, Jipril 9, 1844.

Vice President Morton in the Chair.

donations to library.

American Journal of Science and Arts: Vol. 46, No. 2.
April, 1S44. From the Editors.

April, 1844.] 23

Letter from the Secretary of State, transmitting to the Com-
mittee of Ways and Means the letter of Albert Smith,
Esq., relative to the N. E. Boundary. March 9, 1S44.

Annales des Mines. Quatrieme Serie. Tome 3. Liv. 2 and
3: and Tome 4. Liv. 1. In exchange.

A paper by the Rev. D. Zeigler, of York county, Pennsylva-
nia, and a paper by Mr. John L. Le Conte, of New York, both
describing new species of North American Coleoptera, (com-
municated by the Entomological Society of Pennsylvania,
through the Rev. Dr. Morris, of Baltimore,) were read and
referred to the following Committee : Mr. Haldeman, Dr.
McMurtrie, and Mr. Markland.

A paper by Mr. Haldeman, containing descriptions of some
new insects, was also read, and referred to a Committee con-
sisting of Dr. McMurtrie, Mr. Markland, and Dr. Goddard.

The Chairman read a letter from Dr. Charles Pickering,
dated Cairo, Egypt, January 9, 1S44, giving some further
views on certain ethnographic subjects, founded on observa-
tions made since his arrival in Egypt.

Mr. Ashmead presented a letter from M. Scheepmaker, of
Amsterdam, dated October, 1S43, addressed to Professor
J. P. Durbin,a Correspondent of the Academy, soliciting cor-
respondence with scientific individuals, especially concholo-
gists, in the United States, and exchanges of North American
for European shells.

Stated Meeting, Jijjril 16, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEU3I.

Specimen (in skin) of Grus Canadensis? from Georgia. From

J. Hamilton Couper, Esq.
The fruit, seed vessels, or capsules, of the following plants,

from Cienfuegos, Cuba, were presented by Captain H. F.

24 [April, 1S44.

Baker, through Dr. Blanding : Anona muricata, Anona

, Hsematoxylon campechiannm, Bixa orelana, Gua-

zuma ulmifolia, Cassia bicupularis, Lauras , Ana-

cardium occidentale.

Also, from the same donor, a collection, in spirits, of reptilia,
fishes, and Crustacea, and the following species of shells:
Buccinum leutcostoma, Perna isognomon, Pecten zigzag,
Tellina lacunosa, Phasianella angulata, Cerithium nigres-
cens, Helix auricoma, Cyclostoma ; from Cuba.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Historian Naturalis de Quadrupedibus libri cum aeneis figuris.
Johannes Johnston, M. D. concinnavit. Folio, 1657.
From Mr. William Hembel.

Leonardi Plukenetii Opera ; in 4 Vols. 4to. 2d edition. Lon-
don : 1699. From the same.

Reports on the coal and mineral resources of India. By-
John McClelland. Calcutta; 1S41. From Mr. S. J. Oak-
ford, through Dr. Morton.

Mr. Phillips read a portion of a letter from Mr. Couper, of
Georgia, expressing some doubt respecting the specific cha-
racter of the bird presented by him this evening, and request-
ing the attention of the Academy to it.

The subject was referred to Messrs. Phillips, Cassin, and
Draper.

Prof. Locke exhibited specimens of the plates of the pro-
jected work of Mr. Van Cleve, of Dayton, Ohio ; being a
translation of that portion of the writings of Dr. Goldfuss,
which relates to American organic remains.

April, 1844.] 25

Stated Meeting, rfpril 23, 1S44.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

An Essay on solid Meteors and Aerolites, or meteoric stones.

By Peter A. Browne, L. L. D. Philadelphia: 1844. From

the Author.
The Birds of Long Island. By J. P. Giraud, Jr. Svo. New

York: 1S44. From the Author.
Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. 4.

No. 28. June to December, 1S43. From the Society.

A letter was read from Capt. P. T. Cautley, Correspondent
of the Academy, dated Serampore, October 30, 1S43, an-
nouncing that he had forwarded for the Museum a donation
of fossils obtained from the Siwalih Hills, lying at the south-
ern foot of the Himalayas.

The Chairman read a letter from Colonel Abert, dated
April 18, 1S44, transmitting drawings of a species of Palu-
dina, which he regards as new, and requesting the attention
of the members to it.

Referred to a Committee, consisting of Mr. Phillips, Dr.
Morton, and Mr. Conrad.

A communication was read from the Secretary of the
American Philosophical Society, dated April 15, 1S44, ac-
knowledging the receipt of No. 1, Vol. 2, of the Proceedings
of the Academy.

The Committee, to whom were referred, on the 26th of
March and 2d of April last, papers by Dr. F. E. Mel-
sheimer, the Rev. Mr. Zeigler, and Mr. J. L. Le Conte, de-
scribing new species of North American Coleoptera, reported
in favour of publication.

26 [April, 1844.

Descriptions of New Species of Coleoptera of the United States.

By F. E. Melsueimeu, of Dover, York County, Pennsylvania.*

HYDRADEPHAGA.

Leionotus, Kirby.

L. compar. Olive-black ; lateral margins of the thorax and elytra, testaceous;
beneath glossy black. — 12 lines long, 6 lines wide. Pennsylvania and Massa-
chusetts.

Leioxotus compar, Harris MS.

Body oblong-oval, olive-black, very minutely and sparsely punctuied: head,
■vertex wi'h a faint rufous spot: clypeus testaceous, with the anterior margin
dusky, or black : palpi and labrum testaceous, the latter sometimes black :
antennas piccous: thorax, lateral margins broadly testaceous; anterior and pos-
terior margins most frequently piceous, or testaceous; dorsal line obscure, ab-
breviated before and behind, bounded at each end by an impressed puncture :
elytra with three fine stria of punctures ; lateral margins testaceous, dusky from
the middle to the apex : posterior feet and body beneath glossy black, or dark
reddish-brown : pleurae and epipleurx, coxae, and femora of the intermediate
and anterior feet, testaceous.

Thehmojtectus, Eschscholtz.

1. T. irroratus. Testaceous ; elytra irrorated with testaceous ; clypeus, lateral
margins of the thorax and a transverse band on the middle and sides of the
elytra, testaceous; beneath dusky rufous, 6 1. long, 3| wide. Pennsylvania.

Dytiscus irroratus, Melsh. Catal. fOpo

Acilius ornaticoHis, Aube Spec. p. 140?

Body oblong-oval, flat, testaceous: head, with the base and a transverse
band black, sometimes confluent: eyes black: thorax with two transverse
black bands, neither of which attains the lateral margin, anterior band linear
and almost united with the posterior one by an abrupt flexure of its ends, pos-
terior band broad and emarginate in the middle, and narrow and acute at the
ends; dorsal line faintly impressed: scutel black, glabrous: elytra blackish at
the basal and sutural edges ; densely irrorate with dark brown, clear at the late-
ral margins; a black, undulated and somewhat indistinct fascia behind the mid-
dle; a subsutural series of remote impressed punctures: beneath and feet dusky
rufous: £ ^^ith an aciculated patch behind the base of each elytrum.

Though this species does not altogether correspond with Aube's description
of ornaticoHis, it may nevertheless prove to be the same species.

2« T. nimbatus. Black; clypeus, lateral margins and fascia of the thorax,
sides and a fascia of the elytra, testaceous; beneath pitchy dusky reddish-
brown. — 4-jf 1. long, 2A 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Dytiscus nimbatus, Melsh. Catal.

Body ovate, flattish, black, glossy : head testaceous, base, eyes, and an an-
gulated line between the eyes, black : palpi testaceous : antenna: pitchy-rufous :

* Communicated by the Entomological Society of Pennsylvania.

April, 1S4 1.] 27

thorax black, with the lateral margins and a transverse middle line, testaceous-
yellow, middle line confluent with the lateral margins: elytra black, lateral
margins and a common narrow fascia immediately behind the base, testaceous,
fascia not confluent with lateral margins : three rows of remote impressed punc-
tures : posterior fed. and body beneath dull reddish-brown; intermediate and
anterior feet, testaceous : pleurx and epipleurx similarly colored.

Hydaticus, Leach.

H. meridionalis. Black; clypeus, lateral margins of the thorax, sides of the
elytra and a fascia behind the base, rufo-testaceous ; beneath black. — 6 1. long,
3.j 1. wide. Georgia.

Body oblong-oval, flat, black, glossy : head black, with the elypeus and an
obsolete spot on the vertex, rufo-testaceous: palpi and antennae, similarly co-
lored: thorax, lateral margins, rufo-testaceous; anterior margin faintly dusky
reddish-brown : elytra irrovated with testaceous towards the lateral margins,
which are testaceous-yellow, and with a similarly colored fascia near the base,
curving a little at the suture and attaining the lateral margin ; three series of
remote impressed punctures, placed on narrow, somewhat faintly defined, ru-
fous lines : beneath black : posterior feet obscure reddish-brown ; intermediate
and anterior feet, rufo-testaceous: pleura; and epipleurx testaceous.

Agabus, Leach.

1. A. terminalis. Black, opake, densely and very finely striate; labrum, palpi
and antennas testaceous. — Nearly 5 1. long, 2^ 1. wide, Inhabits Pennsylvania.

Colymbetes picipes, Kirby in Richards' Faun. Bor. Amer. IV. 71. 6 ]
Body convex, deep black, opake, densely and very finely striate : head with
two faint rufous spots on the vertex : antenna?, labrum and palpi testaceous or
rufo-testaceous: thorax with the basal impressed line distinct in the entire
width; apical impressed line finely punctured ; dorsal line indistinct: elytra
with three series of small, remote, impressed punctures, subsutural series most
distinct; tip acutely rounded: beneath and posterior feet black; anterior feet
reddish-brown, with the tibi and tarsi lighter.

2. A. arctus. Black, glossy ; labrum, palpi, antennae and feet, pitchy-rufous. —
4} 1. long, 2j 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Body oblong-oval, convex, with the sides subparallel ; deep black, tinged
with bluish, shining ; head each side, between and near the eyes, with three
small indentations; epicranial spots obscure: antennae, labrum and palpi
pitchy-rufous: thorax, sides subrectilinear ; posterior edge obsoletely piceous :
elytra with the sides almost parallel to near the apex, which is acutely rounded ;
three series of faintly impressed punctures : slightly brassy : venter with the
lateral margins piceous : feet dusky rufous.

3. A. punctatus. Dull testaceous, glossy; elytra with three double irregu-
lar series of punctures; pectus black. — 4 1. long, 2 1. wide. Virginia.

Body oblong-oval, convex, dusky rufous, or dull testaceous, glossy: head
antenna; and palpi, rufous: eyes glaucous, with a black central dot: thorax
dusky on the middle; the ordinary series of punctures on the anterior and pos-
terior margins distinct ; arese of the posterior angles, and posterior moiety of
the lateral margins, with scattered punctures: elytra dusky on the disk ; very

4

28 [April, 1S44.

finely punctured ; a sutural and three double irregular series of somewhat large
punctures, the sutural series and the outer lateral one, confluent at tip: venter
and feet dull reddish-brown : pectus black : pleurae and epipleurae testaceous.

Laccophilus, Leach.

L. rufus. Rufo-testaceous, or testaceous-yellow; elytra dusky with spots. —
2 1. long, 1 wide. Pennsylvania.

Dytiscus rufus, M. Catal.

Body oblong-ovate, indistinctly punctured, rufo-testaceous: eyes black: an.
tennae, palpi, feet and epipleurse, testaceous : elytra clouded with brownish,
excepting the lateral margins, where the general color appears in a few patches;
apex acutely rounded : beneath rufo-testaceous.

Hydropokus, Clairville.

1. H. dichrous. Dusky, finely punctured, slightly pubescent; head and
thorax rufous; body beneath black. — Hardly 2 1. long, 1 1. wide, Pennsyl-
vania.

Body ovate, finely and densely punctured, and slightly pubescent: head dull
rufous, with an oblique shallow indentation each side between the eyes, which
are black: thorax color of the head, with the middle of the anterior margin
dusky ; much and finely punctured, particularly the posterior margin and sides;
the latter slightly rounded: elytra dark reddish-brown, paler towards the sides;
finely and densely punctured, and slightly pubescent; apex acutely rounded:
antennae, palpi, feet, pleurae and epilpleurae, rufous : venter and pectus black,
distinctly punctured, the former with three or four lateral rufous spots.

Var. — Larger ; head tinged with black ; thorax nearly the color of the elytra.

2. H.striato-punclatus. Elytra black, with the tip and two undulated facia yel-
lowish-red, and with three triple series of large punctures, HI. long, \ 1. wide.
Pennsylvania.

Oblong-ovate, glossy, punctured : head fulvous, finely and densely punc-
tured : antennae and palpi color of the head: thorax similarly colored, broad-
ly black in the middle; strongly punctured ; a round indentation on the mid-
dle of the base : elytra black, with the sides, apex and two undulated facias,
yellowish red ; three triple series of somewhat large punctures, obsolete before
the tip ; interstices almost as wide as the punctured spaces ; apex acutely
rounded : beneath and feet dull reddish : postpeclus with large and sparse
punctures, and profoundly grooved in the middle.

3. H. luridipennis. Black; elytra dusky testaceous, if 1. long, § 1. wide.
Pennsylvania.

Body subelliptic, finely punctured, black: head finely punctured, deep
black : thorax with the anterior and posterior margins much punctured, the
latter strongly depressed in its entire breadth ; glossy ; sides rounded, with the
edges rufous: elytra sparsely and finely punctured; sides parallel from the
base to near the tip, which is acutely rounded ; dull testaceous : beneath black:
palpi and feet dull red : pleurae and epiplcurne, testaceous.

4. H. limbalis. Fuscous, with the thoracic and elytral margins testaceous,
or rufous. — 1^ 1. long, -J 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Ovate, finely punctured, glossy : head dull rufous: antenna: and palpi ru-

April, 1844.] 29

fous, the former with the terminal joints slightly dusky : thorax dusky reddish-
brown, with the margins dull rufous: elytra distinctly punctured, confcrtly at
the apex; fuscous, with the sides dark rufous, or testaceous; a slight longitu-
dinal impression on the exterior basal angle ; apex acutely rounded : beneath
black, glossy : feet, pleurae and epipleurx, dull rufous.

5. H. dubiu's. Fuscous, minutely reticulate; head, lateral thoracic mar-
gins, two spots at the sides of the elytra, and feet, dull red. — 2| 1. long, l£ 1.
wide. Pennsylvania.

Body oblong-ovate: head dull rufous, minutely and densely punctured, lon-
gitudinally and deeply indented each side between the eyes: antennx and
palpi color of the head ; thorax dark rufous, with the middle of the anterior
and posterior margins deeper colored ; strongly punctured, and broadly depress-
ed at the posterior and anterior margins : sides widest in the middle, and as
much narrowed behind as before: elytra somewhat convex, finely and densely
punctured and reticulate, pubescent; four longitudinal elevated obtuse lines,
obsolete in some specimens ; fuscous, with the lateral margins rufous from the
humerous to near the middle; sometimes a similarly coloured arcuated narrow
fascia behind the base ; one or two small obsolete rufous spots before the apex,
which is acutely rounded : body beneath very convex, blackish or dark chestnut
brown: feet, epijileura and antepectus, dull red.

Hygrotus, Stephens.

H. pustulatus. Rufo-lestaceous, with the base and two broad fasciee of the
elytra black. — 1£ 1. long, 1 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Dytiscus pustulatus, Melsh. MS.

Head, antennx and palpi rufo-testaceous ; thorax similarly colored, with the
middle of anterior margin dusky ; very finely punctate : elytra distinctly and
profoundly punctured, glossy ; rufo-testaceous, with the basal edge, and two
common broad transverse bands, black, of which the first is near the middle,
and the second a little before the apex ; sutural locality between the two bands
broadly black: beneath and feet rufo-testaceous.

Cxclotjs, Eschscholtz — Gyrinus, Linn.

1. C. opacus. Black, opake ; beneath dark reddish-brown. — 7 1. long, 4^ 1.
* wide. Georgia.

Head at the posterior angles greenish brassy : antennx black-piceous :
thorax and elytra almost destitute of gloss, the latter faintly striate towards the
lateral margins, strioe obtuse, obsoletely and remotely punctured, with the inter-
stices finely and sparsely punctate ; apex ( 5 ) vei T slightly sinuate : beneath
and feet dark reddish-brown-piceous.

Differs from C. vittatus, Germar, in being more broadly oval, in being deeply
black, without any brassy tinge, and in the absence of the submarginal cupreous
vitta.

2. C. labratus. Black, glossy ; labrum prominent; beneath rufous or pale
testaceous. — 5f 1. long, 3i 1. greatest width. Pennsylvania. — Numerous.

Gyrinus longimanus, Melsh. Cat. 1086.
" dispar, Helwigl
" labratus, Harris Cat. ?

30 [April, 1844

Ovate, black, glossy ; head and lubrum obscure cupreous or brassy, the latter
long and fringed with white hairs, and indistinctly punctured : elytra obtusely
rounded at apex, with a minute tooth at the inner angle; striae and elevated
lines almost obsolete ; slightly dark brassy : beneath and feet rufous, or pale
testaceous.

Resembles Americanus, Linn, with which it might be at first view con-
founded, but it may be distinguished from it by its more elongated labrum, and
by its less oval and more ovate form.

BRACHELFTRA, Latreille.

Aleocharid^:, Erichson.*

Falagria, Leach.

1. F '. erythroptera. Black; elytra testaceous; thorax subcordate, profound-
ly grooved in the middle ; feet rufo-testaceous. — -f of a 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Body black, very minutely punctured : head sparsely and minutely punctur-
ed, blackish, with a dull rufous tinge : antennas nearly as long as the thorax,
fuscous, with the three basal joints dull testaceous: thorax subcordate, deeply
channeled in the middle, very minutely punctured -• elytra testaceous, with the
base shadowy ; very minutely punctured : tergum deep black, minutely punc-
tured : feet dull testaceous.

2. F. globosa. Black ; thorax subglobose ; elytra, mouth, base of the anten-
nae and feet dull testaceous. — If 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Body blackish with sparse minute piligerous punctures: head suboibicular,
somewhat longer than the thorax, sparsely and minutely punctured, dark rufo-
piceous : antennae fuscous, basal joint testacous: thorax subglobose, narrower
than the elytra, with an obsolete dorsal groove ; sparsely and minutely punc-
tured, color of the head : elytra short, transverse, minutely punctured, rufo-
testaceous : abdomen widest towards the apex, glossy, minutely punctured :
mouth an&feet testaceous. It is the Aleochara globosa, Melsh. Catal,

Of the above two species, my collection contains of each only a single spe-
cimen.

Homalota, Mannerheim.

1. H.Jlaveola. Rufo-testaceous; head and fifth abdominal segment black ;
basal joint of the antennae and feet pale testaceous. — 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Pubescent: head narrower than the thorax, sparsely and distinctly punctured,
black, with a dull rufous tinge, glossy : antennae, basal joint only remaining,
which is testaceous: thorax at its greatest width as broad as the base of the
elytra, transverse; base with the posterior angle strongly rounded, anterior
angles obtusely rounded, slightly dellexcd ; much punctured, dark testaceous
with the disk darkest : elytra sparsely and minutely punctured, minutely trans-
verse-rugose, dark testaceous, region of the scutel and sides darkest : abdomen
sparsely and somewhat coarsely punctured, rufo-testaceous, with the fifth seg-
ment and posterior margin of the fourth, black : feet and mouth testaceous.

April, 1844.] 31

2. H.polita. Black, slightly pubescent : tergum polished ; elytra and feet pale
fuscous, the former with the suture dusky. — 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Head narrower than the thorax, black, slightly punctured : antennae as long
as the thorax, dark brown, basal joints piceous: palpi and thorax not as wide
as the elytra, minutely and not very closely punctured, black, glossy : elytra
longer than the thorax, indistinctly punctured, pale brown, with the suture
dusky : tergum deep black, polished, particularly the fifth and sixth segments :
feet pale, somewhat piceous: body beneath black.

3. H. modesta. Black, pubescent; basal joints of the antenna), elytra and
feet testaceous. — 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Body fusiform, black, pubescent: head narrower than the thorax, suborbicu-
lar, minutely punctured, black, glossy: antennae, larger than the thorax, some-
what slender, brown, three basal joints and tip of terminal one testaceous :
thorax narrower than the elytra, transverse, glossy, confertly and minutely
punctured, obsoletely indented on the middle of the base : elytra longer than
the thorax, slightly indented at the scutel ; minutely punctured, rufo-testaceous,
with the suture dusky : tergum somewhat rugulose and punctured, with the
fifth and sixth segments polished and coarsely punctured ; anal segment and
posterior margin of the sixth segment, obsoletely rufous or piceous : body
beneath distinctly punctured, black, with the anterior abdominal segments
piceous.

Oligota, Mannerheim.

0. pedicularis. Linear, piceous ; feet, palpi and base of the antennae testa-
ceous. — 3-5 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Aleochara pedicularis, Melsh. Catal.

Head narrower than the thorax, slightly indented on the front, subpubescent,
minutely and not densely punctured, blackish with a rufous tinge : antennae
longer than the thorax, incrassated towards the tip, brownish, with the basal
joint testaceous : thorax transverse, narrower than the elytro, angles rounded ;
minutely punctured, reddish-brown-piceous : elytra somewhat longer than the
thorax, indented about the scutel, minutely punctured, dark-reddish-brown,
with the apical margins piceous; like the thorax, slightly pubescent: abdomen
black, pubescent, punctured ; anal segment obsoletely rufous : feet testaceous.

GYnonijENA, Mannerheim.

1. G. rufa. Testaceous; eyes, exterior angles of the elytra, and a spot on
the dorsum black. — ^ 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Aleochara rufa, Melsh. Catal.

Testaceous, glossy, minutely and obsoletely punctate : head nearly as long
and wide as the thorax : antennae ? eyes black : thorax not much more than half
the breadth of the elytra, transverse, slightly marginate, apex and base truncate,
angles obtusely rounded : elytra longer than the thorax, and paler than the
same, with the apex and exterior angles dusky or blackish: abdomen more ob-
viously punctured than the head and thorax ; a dusky transverse spot on the
fifth segment, terminal segment rounded : feet colour of the body.

2. G.flavicornis. Oval, depressed ; antennas, palpi elytra, feet and tergum,
testaceous ; head, thorax, exterior posterior angles of the elytra and a fascia on
the tergum, black. — 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.

32 [Apkil, 1S44.

Head slightly narrower than the thorax, faintly longitudinally indented each
side between the antenna:, minutely and sparsely punctured, blackish-piceous :
antenna; somewhat shorter than the thorax; 4-10 joints of equal thickness;
testaceous: thorax narrower than the elytra, subtransverse-oval, distinctly mar-
ginate, minutely, though more densely punctured than the head, colour of the
head, with the margins narrowly but distinctly testaceous: elytra nearly
double as wide as long, very minutely and sparsely punctured, testaceous or
rufo-testaceous, with the outer posterior angles, black, sometimes obsoletely :
tergum flat, pubescent, very minutely, almost invisibly punctured, testaceous,
with the fifth and part of the sixth segment transversly black : feet testaceous :
postpectus brown,

Var. Tergurn black.

Resembles much G. fasciata, Say, but that species is more distinctly punc-
tured, and has its thorax always testaceous.

3. G. lateralis. Piceous ; head, sides of the elytra, tergum and antennae,
hlack; feet testaceous. Nearly 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Head narrower than the thorax, minutely and somewhat densely punctured,
deep black, glossy, with the mouth piceous: antennas hardly surpassing the
base of the thorax ; joints from the fourth to the tenth subequal, apical joint
somewhat thicker than the preceding ; blackish or dark brown, with the three
basal joints testaceous : thorax narrower than the elytra, transverse, base and
sides rounded ; apex truncate ; angles rounded, anterior ones slightly deflexed ;
minutely and densely punctured, reddish-brown, or brown, with the margins
piceous : elytra nearly twice as wide as long, punctured as the thorax, pale
brown-piceous, with the sides and region of the scutel dusky, darkest near the
outer posterior angles : tergum pitchy-brown, or reddish-brown, transversely
black before the apex : feet testaceous.

Tachypohidje, MacLeay.
Tachtpohus, Gravenhorst.

T. punctulatus. Piceous, punctured; mouth and antennae testaceous;
thorax, elytra and feet, rufo-testaceous. — 1 I. long. Pennsylvania.

Head black, glossy : mouth testaceous : antennae, longer than the thorax,
with the last joint largest; testaceous: thorax in the middle slightly wider
than the base of the elytra ; minutely and confertly punctured, reddish brown,
shining : elytra almost double as wide as long, minutely and densely punc-
tured, pitchy-reddish-brown, shining : abdomen pitchy-brown, much and finely
punctured, with the apex testaceous : feet similarly colored : antepectus color
of the thorax.

Tachintjs, Gravenhorst.

1. T. discoideus. Rufo-testaceous, impunctured ; anterior middle of the
thorax, and region of the scutel dusky ; head black. — 2 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Form offumipennis, Say, but a little smaller. Head narrower than the apex
of the thorax, impunctured, deep black, shining : mouth and palpi testaceous:
antennae longer than the thorax, filiform ; third joint nearly twice as long as
the second, 4-10 joints subequal, terminal joint ovate; fuscous, with the two
basal joints testaceous : thorax slightly wider than the base of the elytra, trans-

April, 1S44.] 33

verse, base truncate, sides rounded and slightly marginatc, angles obtusely
rounded, anterior ones but slightly deflexed ; impunctured, rufo-testaceous,
dusky before the middle; shining: elytra longer than wide, impunctured, rufo-
testaceous, with the disk and region of the scutel dusky ; outer posterior angles
rounded, with the lateral edges slightly marginate : abdomen brown, with the
posterior margins of the segments rufo-testaceous, piceous ; very minutely
punctured on the anterior margins; sides of each segment with one or two
long black hairs : feet and postpectus rufo-testaceous ; antepectus testaceous.

2. T. Umbatus. Pitchy-brown, impunctured ; thorax, lateral and apical
margins of the elytra, and feet testaceous ; head black. — 3 1. long. Pennsyl-
vania.

About the size of memnonius, Grav. Head small, black, highly polished'
mouth piceous : palpi pitchy-rufo-testaceous : antennas, subfiliform, joints
subcylindric, third joint much longer than the second, second and fourth equal,
terminal ovate; brown in the middle, four basal joints and two terminal ones,
testaceous : thorax a little wider than the base of the elytra, transverse, sides
rounded, base rectilinear, angles obtusely rounded ; testaceous, tinged with
rufous on the disk; highly polished : elytra quadrate, longer than the post-
pectus, minutely and irregularly rugose, brownish, with the lateral and apical
margins testaceous; glossy: tergum punctured, punctures not crowded, dark
reddish-brown, with the posterior margins of the segments somewhat piceous:
antepectus and throat testaceous : venter and postpectus reddish-brown, the
former lighter colored at apex.

Boletobius, Leach.

1. B. dimidiatus. Black, shining; base of the elytra and feet rufous.
Erichson. Er. St. 1. 276. 13.

Var. — Feet and only the exterior basal angles rufous. Taehyporus humera-
lis, Melsh. Catal. 1325.

2. B. venustus. Testaceous; head, three angular spots on the elytra and
postpectus black; tergum rufous. — 1J 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Tachinus trimaculatus, Say, Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. iv. p. 464. 3.

Head short, black, polished ; mouth testaceous : antennae hardly longer than
the thorax, brown, with four basal joints testaceous: thorax slightly narrower
than the base of the lytra, testaceous, glossy : elytra pale testaceous; region of
the scutel with a long acute triangular black spot ; exterior posterior angles,
each with a similarly colored spot ; dorsal series of punctures slightly impressed :
abdomen sparsely punctured, rufous, with the posterior margins of the segments
lighter colored ; apex testaceous : epipleura and postpectus black: antepectus
and feet testaceous.

I have changed the name trimaculatus, as it had been previously applied
to a European species.

3. B. binotalus. Rufo-testaceous; head, a round spot at the exterior
posterior angle of each elytrum, suture and epipleura black. — 1§ — 1| 1. long.
Pennsylvania.

Taehyporus binotafus, Melsh. MS.
Doubtless only a variety of the preceding.

34 [April, 1S44.

Staphtliniu.e, Leach.
Xantholinus, Dahlman.

1. X. palliatus, Black-piceous ; elytra and feet pale testaceous. — 2i 1. long.
Pennsylvania.

Staphylinus palliatus, Melsh. Catal. 1305.

Black, shining: head oblong, as long as the thorax, and a little wider; base
rounded, with the sides rectilinear; impressed lines between the eyes profound ;
sparsely and profoundly punctured, with the medial space impunctured ; black,
glossy : palpi rufous : antennae, second joint somewhat longer than the third ;
joints 4-10 subequal, transverse; brown, with the two basal joints rufo-testa-
ceous : thorax not as wide as the elytra, attenuated towards the base, where it
is regularly rounded ; apex obtusely rounded ; black, highly polished ; dorsal
punctures seven or eight, lateral series about six or seven puncture ; punctures
very minute: scutel dark, sparsely punctured: elytra about the length of the
thorax, pale testaceous, sparsely punctured, punctures placed in irregular series :
abdomen sparsely punctured, black, with the segments posteriorly obsoletely
piceous : parapleural anil feet pale testaceous : pectus black.

2. X. obsidianus. Black, glossy ; dorsal series of punctures five ; feet dark
reddish-brown. — 3£ 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Antenna? a little longer than the head, second and third joints almost of
equal length, joints 5-10 subequal, transverse ; fuscous, with three basal joints
black-piceous : head oblong, slightly attenuated anteriorly ; sides subrectilinear ;
posterior angles rounded; black, shining, with numerous well impressed punc-
tures ; middle space impunctured ; impressed lines between the eyes profound ;
mouth and palpi dark rufo-piceous : thorax not as wide as the head, or elytra,
slightly contracted behind; angles rounded; dorsal punctures five, lateral series
five-punctured ; an irregular large puncture on each of the anterior angles ;
black, very shining: scutel black, with about four profound punctures: elytra
longer than the thorax, sparsely and irregularly punctured ; black, with a red-
dish-brown tinge, glossy : abdomen minutely punctured, black, glossy, with the
posterior margins of the three terminal segments distinctly rufo-testaceous :
femora and tibiae dark reddish-brown : tarsi paler : pectus black : coxai black-
piceous.

3. X. sanguinolentus. Black ; thorax, elytra and feet rufo-testaceous. —
3-j 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Staphylinus sanguinolentus, Melsh. Catal. 1310.

Elongate slender, subcylindric. Antennae not much longer than the head,
second joint hardly longer than the third; joints 5 — 10 subequal, transverse;
fuscous, with two basal joints rufous, and tip of apical joint testaceous: head
oblong, a little wider than the thorax ; sides rectilinear, scarcely narrowed at
apex ; black, glossy, sparsely punctured, with a medial space impunctured ; lines
between the eyes deeply impressed; posterior angles obtusely rounded: thorax
narrower at base than at apex ; rufous glossy, with about four or five very
slightly impressed, almost invisible, dorsal punctures; lateral series with about
three or four very obsolete punctures; angles rounded, anterior ones, obtusely :
elytra scarcely longer than the thorax, obsoletely punctured, rufous, paler than
the thorax : abdomen elongated, very minutely punctured, black, with the mar-

April, 1844.] 35

gins of the segments posteriorly testaceous, two last segments entirely testa-
ceous : feet rufo-testace'ous.

Staphtlims, Linn., Erich.

S.violaceus. Black, somewhat glossy ; head and thorax subcyaneous ; ely-
tra violaceous ; abdomen above anteriorly griseous pubescent. Gravcnhorst. Grav.
CoL.Micropt. p. 162. Erichs. Gen. et Spec. St. p. 392. 83.

Var. b. Head and thorax brassy; elytra cupreous; abdomen steel-blue.
Staphylinus cuprepennis, Melsh. MS.

Beionuchus, Nordman.

B. pallipes. Black; elytra and live anterior abdominal segments rufo-testa-
ceous. — 3£ I. long. Pennsylvania.

Staphylinus pallipes, Melsh. Catal. 1301.

Antennae reach to the middle of the thorax, joints 5 — 10 equal, terminal
joint obliquely truncate at tip; fuscous, with three basal joints dark piceous,
and terminal joint ferruginous: head subquadrate, posteriorly a little con-
tracted, broader than the thorax, black, polished ; a broad longitudinal impres-
sion between the eyes, and each side between it and the eyes two deeply im-
pressed punctures, placed transversely; four or five other punctures above and
behind the eyes: labrum rufo-piceous : palpi rufous; mandibles prominent,
dark piceous at base, and rufous and slightly piceous at apex : thorax black
and highly polished, narrower than the elytra; sides rectilinear, rounded at
base, and truncate at apex, with the anterior angles almost square; dorsal
punctures five, lateral punctures about six all deeply impressed : scutel piceous,
punctured: elytra hardly longer than the thorax, rufo-testaceous, with minute
prostrate hair; minutely and rugosely punctured: wings dusky : abdomen ru-
fous, two terminal segments black ; punctured, pubescent : feet and posfpectus
color of the elytra : femora beneath ciliate : tibiae and tarsi spinous : anlepec-
tus black.

This species, if not the same, must be closely allied to B. formosus of Gra-
venhorst and Erichson.

Pihlonthus, Leach.

1. P. harrisii. Black, polished : elytra fuscous-brassy; thorax, sides sub-
sinuate; four dorsal punctures — 5 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Staphylinus picipes, Harris MS.

Size and form of St. splendens, Fab. Antennve, three basal joints only re-
maining which are piceous; second and third joints subequal : head ( $ ) sub-
orbicular, wider than the thorax, black, polished; four slightly impressed, and
transversely placed punctures between the eyes, and a few disper.-ed ones be-
hind these organs: thorax slightly narrower than the elytra, and hardly con-
tracted behind ; base together with the posterior angles rounded ; sides subsi-
nuate; apex truncate ; anteiior angles deflexed ; black, very shining ; four dor-
sal punctures, the fourth is minute and placed on the anterior edge; lateral
punctures about three or four: scutel, large, black, minutely and confertly
punctured: elytra transverse, obscure brassy, pubescent, confertly punctured:
abdomen black, with a steel-blue reflection, confertly punctured, pubescent :
pectus and feet black.

5

36 [April, 1S44.

This species is perhaps the P. ssneus of some authors, which is stated to oc-
cur frequently in North America. I have seen only one specimen of the above
species. The name picipes is pre-occupied in this genus.

2. P. lactulus. Black, polished ; thorax, four anterior abdominal segments,
and femora rufous. — 4 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Staphylinus Ixtulus, Say, Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. IV. 449-4.

Antennae shorter than the thorax, slightly incrassated towards the tip ; third
joint one fourth longer than the second ; brown with three basal joints pitchy
black : head wider than the thorax, suborbiculate, widest across the eyes ; black,
glossy, with four transveisely placed punctures between the eyes, two on each
side and deeply impressed, behind these and near to each eye, four or five
smaller ones: thorax not as wide as the elytra, slightly contracted behind,
strongly rounded at base, and truncate at apex, sides subrectilinear, with the
anterior angles slightly deflexed ; dorsal punctures, with a displaced apical one,
four ; lateral punctures two or three ; rufo-sanguineous, highly polished : scutel
minutely and rugosely punctured, dark rufous: elytra longer than the thorax,
black, with a tinge of blue, punctured, and clothed with minute hairs: abdo-
men rufous, three terminal segments black, with a steel-blue reflection; punc-
tured: femora and antepectus rufo-testaceous ; knees, tibiae and tarsi black or
piceous.

Staphylinus blundus, Grav., which Dr. Say conjectured to be identical with
Isetulus, though closely allied to it, is certainly distinct from the same. The
name which Dr. Say proposes for the above species is adopted.

3. P. pulchellus. Rufo-testaceous ; head, elytra and three terminal seg-
ments of the abdomen, black ; thorax with four dorsal punctures in each series.
2| 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Staphylinus pulchellus, Melsh. Catal. 1314.

Head suboval, not much narrower than the thorax, with the sides almost
parallel; deep black and highly polished ; four transversely posted punctures
between the eyes, of which the two intermediate ones are almost obsolete;
punctures above and behind the eyes, sparse and well impressed : antennas not
as long as the thorax, with the second and third joints subequal; joints 5 — 10,
equal ; reddish-brown, apical joint pale ferruginous, two basal joints testaceous :
thorax somewhat narrower than the elytra ; base, including the posterior an-
gles, obtusely rounded; sides almost straight; apex truncate, with the anterior
angles obtusely rounded and deflexed ; dorsal punctures eight, four in each se-
ries; lateral punctures four or five; reddish testaceous: scutel dark-rufous,
punctured : elytra brownish-black, longer than the thorax, rugosely punctured,
pubescent : abdomen rufous, with the three terminal segments black, and with
a steel-blue reflection ; minutely and densely punctured, pubescent: postpectus
black : feet pale testaceous ; tibiae and tarsi spinose.

Var. b. Anterior third of the thorax black or brownish. — Staphilinus tho-
racicus, Melsh. Catal. 1300.

4. P. nanus. Black; basal joints of the antenna, palpi and feet, dusky
testaceous; elytra fuscous ; dorsal punctures three — 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Antennae almost or quite as long as the thorax ; second and third joints sub-
equal ; joints 4 — 10 equal, apical joints obliquely emarginate at tip; fuscous,

April, 1844.] 37

two basal joints testaceous : head suborbiculate, narrower than the thorax, deep
black and very shining; four transversely placed punctures between the eyes,
the other ordinary punctures almost obsolete : palpi dusky testaceous: thorax
some narrower than the elytra, slightly contracted before, base with the poste-
rior angles rounded, sides subparallel, apex truncate, with the anterior angles
rounded and deflexed ; deep black and highly polished and somewhat piceous ;
six dorsal punctures, or three in each row ; lateral punctures few : scutel pi-
ceous, minutely punctured : elytra longer than the thorax, brown, paler towards
the apex; densely and transversely rugosely punctured; pubescent: wings
hyaline: abdomen black, minutely punctured; pubescent: feet testaceous.

Var. b. Head deep black; thorax pale reddish-blown-pireous ; elytra pale
brown ; abdomen similarly colored, with the posterior margins of the ventral
segments rufous. — Staphylinus palleolus, Melsh. MS.

5, P. brevis. Short, black; feet testaceous; five dorsal punctures. — 2£ 1.
long. Pennsylvania.

Staphylinus dimidiatus, Say, Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. IV. p. 450. 6.

brevis, Melsh. MS.

Wide for its length. Antennae scarcely longer than the thorax; third joint
very slightly longer than the second ; joints 4 — 10 equal in thickness, terminal
obliquely emarginate at tip; fuscous, two basal joints rufo-testaceous, terminal
joint slightly ferruginous: head orbiculate, slightly narrower than the thorax,
black, glossy; a few punctures above and behind, and the ordinary ones between
the eyes : mouth dusky testaceous : thorax somewhat narrower than the elytra:
base with the posterior angles obtusely rounded; sides parallel; apex truncate,
with anterior angles rounded and hardly deflexed; dark reddish-brown-piceous,
glossy; ten dorsal punctures or five in each series ; lateral punctures about four
or five: scutel pitchy-black, punctured: elytra slightly longer than the thorax,
fuscous, finely and densely punctured, and almost imperceptibly pubescent;
wings dusky white: abdomen minutely and confertly punctured, and densely
pubescent ; posterior margins of ventral segments broadly rufous : feet rufo-
testaceous: postpectus color of the elytra.

If Gravenhorst did not state that the elytra of his anthrax were destitute of
pile I should not hesitate to consider the above species to be the same. The
name dimidiatus is preoccupied in this genus.

6. P. cinctutus. Elytra, basal joint of the antennae and feet, pale testa-
ceous ; thorax and abdomen reddish-brown, the former with five dorsal punc-
tures. — 2 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Staphylinus cinctutus, Melsh. Catal. 1306.

Head orbiculate, slightly narrower than the thorax, black, glossy, with the
ordinary punctures between and behind the eyes: antennse fuscous, two basal
joints testaceous: palpi and mouth dusky testaceous: thorax almost as wide
as the base of the elytra, slightly narrowed and truncated before ; sides subrec-
tilinear; base with the posterior angles obtusely rounded; anterior angles
slightly deflexed ; dark reddish-brown, glossy; dorsal punctures, in the present
specimen, five punctures in the right series, and four in the left: lateral punc-
tures about five: scutel color of the thorax, punctured : elytra pale testaceous,
hardly longer than the thorax, very minutely and not densely punctured ; pu-

38 [April, 1844.

bescent: abdomen with the sides nearly parallel; brown, with the posterior
m trgins of the segments dull rufous; minutely punctured, pubescent: feet tes-
taceous : pectus reddish-brown : coxae testaceous.

7. P. rufieornis. Reddish-brown; antenna;, palpi and feet rufo-testaceous;
thorax with five dorsal punctures. — 2^ 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Antennae half as long again as the head; second joint a little longer than
the third ; joints 4 — 10 equal ; rufous, two basal joints, mouth and palpi, paler :
head subquadrate, posteriorly rounded; sides subrectilinear ; very slightly nar-
rower than the thorax, black, shining, with the ordinary punctures small, but
well impressed, the two intermediate ones of the four, between the eyes, very
remote from each other: thorax dark rufo-piceous, slightly narrower than the
elytra, almost as wide as long, not contracted anteriorly; base with the posterior
angles rounded; sides rectilinear; apex truncate, with the anterior angles
rounded, and slightly deflexed ; ten dorsal punctures, five in each row, the first
and second remote from each other: scutel coarsely punctured : elytra nearly
as long as the thorax, brown, with the margins obsoletely rufous or testaceous;
punctured and rugulose, slightly pubescent: abdomen obscure fuscous, mi-
nutely and densely punctured, pubescent; posterior margins of the ventral seg-
ments dull rufous: feet rufo-testaceous: postpectus black: tibiae spinulose.

8. P. niger. Deep black ; head suborbiculate ; thorax with five dorsal
punctures. — 3 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Black, somewhat piceous: antenna; hardly as long as the thorax ; second and
third joints subequal; joints 4 — 10 equal in thickness; black, with two basal
joints piceous: head suborbiculate, slightly contracted behind, almost as wide as
the thorax, polished ; the ordinary punctures between, above and behind the eyes
distinct : palpi piceous : thorax some narrower than the elytra ; base, including
the posterior angles, rounded ; sides parallel; ape-x truncate, anterior angles
rounded ; shining, with ten dorsal punctures, five in each series, the apical one
remote from the others and somewhat out of range; lateral punctures about
four or five ; punctures not deeply impressed : elytra wider than long, and
hardly longer than the thorax, aomewhat coarsely and rugosely punctured,
slightly pubescent: abdomen minutely and densely punctured, slightly pubes-
cent; posterior margin of the penultimate ventral segment obscure rufous:
feet black or dark brown, with the tarsi paler ; tibiae spinose : tarsi simple,
slender.

9. P. fusiformis. Fusiform, black; two basal joints of the antennae, ely-
tra, and feet rufous; thorax with six dorsal punctures. — 3 1. Jong. Pennsyl-
vania. — Very abundant.

Head narrower than the thorax, suborbicular, black, shining, with the ordi-
nary punctures small: antennae fuscous, third joint slightly longer than the
second, first and second joints rufous, third obsoletely rufo-piceous: palpi rufo-
testaceous: thorax a little narrower than the elytra, subquadrate; base with
the posterior angles obtusely rounded; sides parallel; apex truncated, with the
anterior angels rounded, and scarcely deflexed ; black, shining, with twelve
dorsal punctures, six in each series ; lateral punctures five, or six ; punctures
small: elytra quadrate, longer than the thorax, rufous, finely rugulose and
punctured, slightly pubescent : abdomen elongated, gradually narrowed to the

April, 1844.] 39

tip : black or very dark brown, with the posterior edges of the segments obso-
letely rufous ; densely and finely punctured; pubescent : feet rufo-testaceous.

OXYPOR1D-E, Erichson.
Qdedius, Leach.

l.Q. bardus. Black ; thorax pitchy dark reddish-brown ; base of the an-
tenna;, palpi and feet, dull rufous. — 2^ 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Antennas almost half as long again as the head, dark ferruginous; third
one-fourth longer than the second ; two basal joints rufous : head suborbicu-
rate, narrower than the thorax, black and highly polished ; two impressed
punctures behind, and one at the inner margin of each eye; palpi dull ru-
fous : thorax as wide as the base of the elytra, slightly contracted before ;
convex, with the base and sides rounded ; apex truncate, with the anterior
angles square and deflexed ; dark reddish-brown piceous, shining; six small
dorsal punctures, three in each row, the third of which is placed on the ante-
rior margin, and is somewhat remote from the others, and also a little aside
of the row; lateral punctures about four, the nearest one to the dorsal punc-
tures is placed triangularly with the two hindermost ones : scutel piceous,
impunctured ; elytra black-piceous, with sparse irregular punctures ; a dis-
tinct sutural stria; ; glabrous : abdomen brownish-black, finely punctured ;
pubescent : feet dark rufous; anterior tarsi moderately dilated.

2. Q. terminatus. Black; terminal abdominal segments rufous; feet
piceous. — 3^ 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Staphylinus hmmorrhotdalis, Melsh. Catal. 1302.

Head subovate, not as wide as the thorax, black and very shining ; four large
punctures, one on the inner margin and another behind each eye: thorax
wider than long, and wider than the elytra, slightly contracted before : base with
the posterior angles and sides regularly rounded ; apex truncate, with the ante-
rior angles almost square, deflexed ; black, very shining; three small equidis-
tant dorsal punctures in each series, posted before the middle; lateral punctures
two or three ; scutel black, opake, impunctured : elytra distinctly and sparsely
punctured, and transversely rugose; black, very finely pubescent: abdomen
black, with a steel-blue reflection, two terminal segments rufous, punctured
and finely pubescent: feet piceous, with a rufous tinge; tarsi almost rufous
anterior pair strongly dilated : postpectus sparsely and profoundly punctured.

Oxyporus, Fabricius.

1. O. dimidiatus. Testaceous, head, thorax, exterior angles of the elytra,
and pectus, black. — 3| 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Antennae short, and as in vittatus .- head and thorax as in vittatus : elytra
testaceous, with only the posterior outer angles black: abdomen rufous, with a
blackish or brown spot on each side of the fifth and sixth segments beneath :
feet testaceous ; pectus black.

Resembles very much one of the varieties of vittatus, but it is destitute of the
black suture of the elytra, which is a constant character in all the varieties of
that species.

2. Q.brevis. Testaceous; eyes and exterior posterior angles of the elytra,
black.— 3^ 1. long. New York.

40 [April, 1844.

Wide for its length, and its abdomen comparatively shorter than in any of
the known native species. Antennae not attaining the apex of the thorax, pale
brownish, with three basal joints, and palpi testaceous : head testaceous, with a
rufous tinge, and with its sides obsoletely brownish ; front immaculate ; glossy :
mandibles rufo-testaceous, blackish towards the tips : thorax color of the head
with the sides, and basal edge obsoletely brown, and obsoletely dusky on the
middle of the anterior margin : elytra paler than the thorax, with the apical
exterior angles blackish ; sculpture as in lateralis : abdomen rufo-testaceous,
faintly maculate with brownish, three spots on each segment: glossy : venter,
feet and postpectus, pale testaceous.

This species bears some resemblance to lateralis, Grav., and did not the out-
lines of its body differ much from that species, it might be conjectured to be a
variety of it. The present specimen is a 9 anu " tne on 'y one ln our collec-
tion.

O.fasciatus, Melsh. Catal. 1320. Testaceous; sides and front of the head,
anterior and posterior margins of the thorax, suture and exterior apical angles
of the elytra, parapleural, antepectus, and fifth and sixth abdominal segments,
black. — Variety of O. vittatus, Grav.

P^EDERID^E, Erichson.
Lathrobium, Gravenhorst.

l>. longiusculum, Grav. This species varies in its size, but we have never
met with a specimen of 6 lines long, as some entomologists state it to be. The
usual length is a little less or more than three lines.

Stilicus, Latr. — Kugilus, Leach.

S. angularis, Erichson, differs from dentatus, Say, chiefly in the thorax,
which is almost glabrous, whilst that of dentatus is distinctly longitudinally
rugulose.

S. tristis. Black; thorax finely carinated ; antennae and feet rugous;
posterior margin of the elytra testaceous 2-g I. long. — Pennsylvania.

Form of dentatus, Say, but considerably larger. Antennas rufous or rufo-
testaceous: head much wider than the thorax, orbiculate, densely and minutely
longitudinally rugose, black, opake : mouth and its organs piceous: labrum
wide, dilated at the sides : thorax much narrower than the elytra, contracted
before and behind; convex, finely and confertly rugose; raised dorsal line fine,
glabrous ; brownish-black, opake : elytra scarcely longer than the thorax, pitchy-
brown, with the apical margin dull testaceous; punctured and somewhat
inequal : abdomen black, with the posterior margin of the sixth segment beneath,
and very obsoletely above, rufous, and like the head and trunk, minutely
pubescent : feet rufous: pectus, and head beneath, black, minutely and some-
what closely punctured.

STENIDiE, Erich.
Stenus, Latreille.
S. erythropus. Black; palpi whitish; feet rufous; abdomen marginate, 2 1.
long. Pennsylvania.

Lsestris fuscipes, Melsh. Catal. 1345.

April, 1344.] 41

Head wider than the thorax ; a wide and shallow excavation hetween the
eyes, with an obsolete longitudinal carina in the middle; black, coarsely
punctured : antennae ? palpi whitish : thorax much narrower than the elytra,
more contracted behind than before, with the sides rounded; more strongly
punctured than the head ; an obsolete, impressed dorsal line, black : elytra black,
punctured as the thorax: abdomen deep black, punctured, and narrowly rnar-
ginated : feet rufous, with the tip of the femora and base of the tibite brownish.

Differs from geniculatus, Say, in being smaller and less robust ; in being less
profoundly and coarsely punctured, in having the thorax channelled in the
middle, and chiefly in having the sides of the abdomen marginated. From fe-
moral us, Say, which it somewhat resembles, it differs, aside of other characters,
in being much larger.

OXYTELID.fi, Leach. Er.
Oxytelus, Grav.

1 0. basalts. Black; base of the antenna? and feet rufo-testaceous ; margin
of the thorax crenulate. — 2A I. long. Pennsylvania.

Size, form and sculpture of rugosus, Fab. Antennas much longer than the
head ; third joint a little longer than the second ; fuscous, four first joints dark
rufo-testaceous: head as wide as the thorax: widest at base; black, slightly
piceous, profoundly but not densly punctured, and with numerous longitudinal
fine wrinkles, more numerous at the sides than on the middle: palpi dark rufo-
piceous ; mandibles pitchy-black: thorax almost orbicular, as wide as the elytra,
somewhat densely and profoundly punctured, and finely wrinkled ; dorsum tri-
sulcate, nearly in the form like the letter M ; lateral margins depressed, with the
edges obsoletely and finely crenate; black, somewhat piceous: elytra a little
longer than the thorax, black with a rufo-piceous tinge, particularly towards
the base; profoundly punctured, and longitudinally finely wrinkled: abdomen
black, faintly rufous at apex; indistinctly punctured: feet rufo-testaceous.

The European analogue of this species is the 0. rugosus, Fab., from which it
does not essentially differ.

2. 0. pygmasus. Black; elytra dark ferruginous; feet pale testaceous. — § b
long. Pennsylvania.

Antennae a little longer than the head, incrassated towards the tip, brown,
with the base piceous: head ( 9 ) shghtly narrower than the thorax, minutely
longitudinally wrinkled each side: palpi dull testaceous: thorax slightly
narrower than the elytra, with the base and sides rounded, and apex truncate;
faintly tri-sulcate, and minutely longitudinally wrinkled; black, opake : elytra
dull ferruginous, almost black, indistinctly longitudinally wrinkled : abdomen,
black, shining : feet pale testaceous.

3.0.parvulus. Black; elytra dark fuscous; base of the antennas piceous. — £ 1.
long. Pennsylvania.

Antennae a little longer than the head, incrassated towards the tip, fuscous,
with the base piceous : head a little narrower than the thorax, longitudinally
impressed each side, and longitudinally, and almost invisibly wrinkled; vertex,
as is usual, grooved : thorax a little narrower than the elytra, slightly con-
tracted behind; base obtusely rounded ; sides slightly rounded, with the apex

42 [Apkil, 1S44.

truncate; almost invisibly longitudinally wrinkled; dorsum tri-sulcate, inter-
mediate groove entire, with the lateral ones curved, and abbreviated before the
middle; like the head black, opake: scutel piceous: elytra dark fuscous or
blackish, minutely longitudinally wrinkled : abdomen deep black, glossy : feet
testaceous.

This species, or the preceding one, may prove to be the 0. exiguus
Erichson.

4. 0. mcerens. Black ; base of the antenna;, palpi and feet, testaceous; elytra
dark reddish-brown-piceous. — 1| — 2 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Elongate. Antennae longish ; second and third joints subequal in length,
joints t — 10 equal in thickness; fuscous, with three basal joints, dull testaceous :
head smaller than the thorax, pitchy-black, minutely and longitudinally rugose,
and as is usual, profoundly impressed between the eyes and grooved on the
vertex; mouth and palpi dull testaceous: thorax contracted behind, with the
base and posterior angles obtusely rounded ; sides subrectilinear from before the
middle, anteriorly strongly arcuated ; apex truncate, with the anterior angles
slightly rounded; dorsum tri-sulcate, intermediate groove entire, well impressed,
with the lateral grooves very slightly arcuated, well impressed; pitchy-black,
and minutely and longitudinally wrinkled; elytra longer than the thorax, and
wider than long, finely and longitudinally wrinkled ; dusky reddish-brown,
with the sides and apical edge blackish : abdomen deep black, glossy : feet
testaceous.

This species presents many traits of resemblance with O. Pennsylvanicus,
Erichson, but in that species the dorsal grooves are almost obsolete or effaced,
whereas in mcerens they are very profound and obvious.

PIE ST ID. E, Erich..

Progxatha, Latr. — Slagonum, Kirby.

P. americana. Rufo-testaceous; thorax with four faintly impressed punctures,
two on each side of the middle. — 2A 1. long. Inhabits Pennsylvania.

Depressed, rufo-testaceous. Antennae more than half the length of the body,
rufo-testaceous; first joint longer and thicker than any of the other joints, sub-
cylindric, and truncate at tip; second and third joints obconic, the former one-
third shorter than the latter; remaining joints cylindric; two first joints glab-
rous: head larger than the thorax, with numerous and very minute punctures;
front excaved; vertex depressed; each side between the antennce with a short
incurved, acute horn, which converge at their tips; glossy : mandibles exserted,
falcate, mutic, acute, and black at tip : thorax at apex wider than the elytra,
contracted posteriorly, with the sides slightly rounded, and finely marginated ;
base truncate, with the posterior angles almost square; apex truncate, with the
anterior angles rounded; punctured as the head ; four small, faintly impressed
puntcures, two on each side of the middle, placed quadrangularly ; a fine im-
pressed dorsal line, not extending beyond the middle : elytra longer than the
thorax, quadrate, with numerous fine longitudinal wrinkles; wings white: ab-
domen somewhat darker colored than the elytra, sparsely and coarsely punctured ;
penultimate segment as the two preceding ones together; pubescent : feet color
of the body.

I
April, 1S4 4.] 43

This species is confessedly an important addition to the Insect Fauna of the
United States, particularly as but another species is known or described, viz.,
Quadricornis, Kirby. The species is very rare.

M A L 1 1 D M, Leach, Er.

Olopiium, Erichson.

O. emarginatum, Er. — rotundicolle, Say, In our presumed specimens of
this species, the thorax at base is almost truncate, the apex but slightly emar-
ginate, the lateral margins but slightly piceous, the apex of the elytra, and the
posterior margins of the abdominal segments not piceous ; apex of abdomen
testaceous, and feet rufous, corresponding in every other respect with Say's
description of 0. rotundicolle. Not rare, occurs every spring on the blossoms
of Red Maple.

Anthobium, Leach.

A. dimidiatum. Testaceous; abdomen black. — 1| I. long. *Pennsylvania.

Silpha testacea, Melsh, Catal. 344.

Head each side between the eyes, with a short, obsolete, longitudinal im-
pressed line; minutely and faintly punctured, testaceous with the base dusky :
antennae incrassated towards the tip, a little longer than the thorax, testaceous,
slightly pubescent; palpi testaceous: thorax some narrower than the elytra,
transverse; sides rounded, with the base and apex truncate; anterior angles
rounded, posterior ones almost square ; an obsolete, impressed dorsal line, rather
most distinct before the posterior margin ; minutely and sparsely punctured, and
finely wrinkled, testaceous, longitudinally dusky in the middle : scutel testaceous :
elytra twice as long as the thorax, densely and strongly punctured, testaceous :
abdomen black, or black brown, slightly piceous, glabrous, acuminate at apex :
pectus and feet testaceous ; tarsi dilated.

Descriptions of New North American Coleopiera,
By Rev. D. Ziegler, of York, Pa.*
Oxyprus, Fabr.

O. pulcher. Reddish-brown ; elytra, each with a broad oblique whitish
band, commencing at the humeral angle and terminating on the posterior
margin near the suture. Length nearly 4 lines.

Body reddish-brown, polished. Head large, with numerous dilated punc-
tures on the occiput, punctures sometimes confluent; three slight indentations
nearly on a line between the eyes-; a somewhat prominent, polished, suborbi-
cular elevation on the exterior region above the eyes, which is included by a
distinct semicircular impression proceeding from the inferior portion of the
neck and running nearly parallel with the posterior margin towards the vertex,
then curving regularly downward and outward till it reaches the eye, where it
becomes obsolete. Mouth pale honey-yellow. Mandibles very robust, as long
or longer than the head ; rather much arcuated ; dark reddish-brown, their

* Communicated by the Entomological Society of Pennsylvania.

6

44 [Apiul, 1844.

bases on the inner side yellowish. Antennae and palpi, dark reddish-brown.
Thorax with an abbreviated impressed dorsal line, and a double punctiform im-
pression each side behind the middle ; a regular series of distant punctures near
the anterior margin. Elytra, each with a broad oblique whitish band pro-
ceeding from the humerus and terminating on the posterior margin near the
suture ; region of the scutel, suture, and lateral margins from near the humerus
to the tip, dark reddish-brown, the brown colour extending inwards on the pos-
terior angle half way to the suture ; an indented subsutural line, obsoletely
punctured ; two abbreviated deeply punctured strife on the middle, of which
the anterior one is obsolete. Tergum dark-brown, with a piceous tinge
towards the tip. Feet and beneath dull yellowish. — Western Pennsylvania.

Diacanthus, Latr., Germ.

D. splendens. Brownish-cupreous, polished ; epipleura and feet rufous.
Length 5^ lines.

Body dark-brownish, with a cupreous tinge, highly polished. Head coarsely
and confluently punctured, with a frontal impression. Antennse hairy, slightly
serrated, not attaining the base of the thorax ; second joint very short, little
more than one-third the length of the third which is a little longer than the
fourth joint. Thorax subquadrate, hardly longer than broad; dorsal line ob-
vious ; obsoletely indented each side behind the middle ; posterior angles rather
prominent, tinged with rufous, a little excurved; punctures large, profound,
smaller on the disk. Scutel suborbicular. Elytra broadest behind the middle,
abruptly narrowed towards the tip ; interstitial spaces slightly convex, numerously
and minutely punctured. Epipleura rufous. Feet rufous. Western Penn-
sylvania.

Sctrtes, Latr.

S. suturalis. Black; suture of the elytra in the middle fulvous; lateral
thoracic margins white; 1§ lines long: -| line wide.

Black, slightly and finely downy. Thorax with the lateral margins and
area of posterior angles whitish. Elytra finely and densely wrinkled, with a
short, common, linear fulvous spot on the middle. Beneath black. Labrum
piceous. Antennae, knees, tibia and tarsi, testaceous. Femurs blackish. Penn-
sylvania.

Htdnoceea, Newm.

H. 1 ? longicollis. Black ; thorax elongated ; elytra with a yellowish subsutural
vitta on the basal half. Length 2£ lines : breadth about ^ line.

Body deep black, shining, elongated-linear, with numerous erect, cinerous
hairs. Head not indented between the eyes. Mouth beneath, palpi, antennae,
and labrum yellow. Thorax narrow, elongated, and but slightly dilated a
little beyond the middle. Elytra abbreviated, covering about two-thirds the
length of the abdomen; densely and confluently punctured; a pale yellowish
subsutural vitta, commencing at the base and terminating a little before the
middle. Feet yellow. Beneath black. Pennsylvania.

Sfercheus, Fabr.

S. lessellatus. Reddish-brown ; head and thorax deeply punctured, the

April, 1S44.J 45

latter slightly indented each side near the base ; elytra with punctured strioe,
sprinkled with black. Length 3^ lines : breadth 2 ; > lines.

Body reddish-brown. Head obscurely brown, flat, deeply punctured. La-
brum short, obtusely emarginate. Thorax piceous, the sides pale ; punctured ;
an indentation each side, near the basal margin, and a slight impression on the
middle, near the base. Scutel black, forming an oblong triangle, with a few
scattered profound punctures. Elytra reddish-brown, sprinkled with irregular
black spots; region of the scutel immaculate; punctate-striate ; alternate in-
terstitial lines slightly elevated behind. Antennas, palpi, and feet, dark-brown.
Pennsylvania.

Hydrophilus, Fabr.

H. ovalis. Black, oblong-oval; antennae and palpi piceous. Length 15
lines.

Body black, with a greenish tinge, oblong-oval. Head with irregular im-
pressed punctures each side, on the front and before the eyes; orbits punctured.
Clypeus deeply emarginate. Antennae, and palpi piceous. Thorax with im-
pressed punctures near the anterior angles; a series of punctures each side,
and a few each side before the middle, near the anterior margin. Elytra with
four series of punctures, of which the third is abbreviated anteriorly, and the
fourth double; lateral margins finely and closely punctured. Pectus bifid.
Postpectus with minute yellowish hairs. Sternum canaliculate before;
posterior half with a slightly impressed line. Beneath black; venter with an
obsolete rufous spot on each segment. Pennsylvania.

This species somewhat resembles the H. triangularis of Say, but may be
readily distinguished from that insect by the more oval form of its body.

Coprobics, Latr.

C. obtusidens. Black ; clypeus not profoundly emarginate at tip ; teeth of
the tibias short, obtusely rounded. Length 9 lines : breadth 6 lines.

Body deep black. Clypeus not profoundly emarginate at tip, tip but slightly
reflected ; lateral edge, from the tip to beyond the middle, subrectilinear.
Antennae and palpi reddish-piceous, club of the former dull rufous. Elytra
striated; strice impunctured ; interstitial spaces with numerous small, elevated
points. Teeth of the anterior tibias proportionally short, obtusely rounded ;
the posterior tooth rather small, and widely separated from the others. Penn-
sylvania.

A very rare insect. It is larger than the C. volvens, F., and differs from it
in colour, being of a deeper black, and in the denticulation of the anterior tibia?,
the terminal tooth being more remote from the two anterior ones, leaving a
wider space which is occupied by four small roundish tubercles instead of two,
as is the case in that species. It is also distinguished from the volvens in
having the clypeus less rounded, less deeply emarginated, and much less acutely
angulated at each end of the emargination.

Pandarus, Meg.
P.? brunneus. Reddish-brown, hairy ; eyes black ; antennas and feet dull
rufous. Length rather more than 2 lines.

Body oval, a little oblong, somewhat depressed ; dark reddish-brown ; covered

46 [April, 1844.

with erect, rather long, yellowish hairs. Head irregularly punctured, transversely
indeated on the front; a somewhat rounded, rufous elevation each side before
the eyes and over the insertion of the antennas. Antennse rufous ; second and
third joints very short. Clypeus rufous. Labrum and palpi rufous, the former
transversal. Eyes black, prominent, rather large. Thorax transverse, abruptly
narrowed each side near the posterior angles ; lateral margins arcuated, a little
reflected ; posterior angles terminating in a short acute tooth ; numerously and
coarsely punctured. Scutel triangular, rather large, impunctured. Elytra,
punctures rather large, irregular, and sometimes confluent. Feet dull rufous.
Pennsylvania.

Cistela, Fabr.

1. C. marginata. Blackish-brown; thorax pale-sanguineous, with a black-
ish spot on the disk ; lateral margin and suture of the elytra yellowish-red.
Length 6 lines.

Body blackish-brown. Head blackish, densely and minutely punctured ; a
transverse indentation between the antennae. Maxillary palpi piceous. An~
tennse dark-brown, tip of the terminal joint yellowish-red. Thorax pale-san-
guineous, with a blackish spot on the disk; yellowish-sericeous; posterior
angles nearly rectangular; an obsolete longitudinal dorsal impression, which is
more apparent on the middle. Scutel dusky at base, tip paler. Elytra with
minute yellowish hairs ; striated ; striae finely punctured ; interstitial lines
rather fiat; lateral margins and suture, yellowish-red. Feet and beneath dark-
brown. Pennsylvania.

2. C. erythroplera. Black ; antennae, palpi, feet and elytra, testaceous.
Length 4 lines.

Cistela erythroplera, Melsh. Catal.

Head blackish, with a dilated transverse impression between the antennas.
Labrum piceous. Thorax black, with an obsolete impressed dorsal line ; a
transverse dilated impression on the middle near the basal margin, and an in-
dentation each side near the lateral margin ; posterior angles subacute. Elytra
pale-testaceous, somewhat sericeous ; striated ; strias finely punctured ; inter-
stitial lines convex. Beneath shining black. Pennsylvania.

Pedilus, Fisher.

1. P. nigricans. Bluish-black; two first joints of the antennae, labrum, and
base of the palpi, pale-yellowish. Length 3 lines.

Body bluish-black, polished, with yellowish-cinereous hairs. Head black,
shining; front with an oblique, dilated impression each side between the eyes.
Antennse, two first or basal joints, pale-yellowish. Palpi, at base, pale-yellow-
ish, terminal joint fuscous. Labrum and mouth beneath, dull yellowish.
Thorax blue-black, polished ; an abbreviated, impressed dorsal line; a dilated
impression near the basal margin before the scutel ; basal margin pale piceous.
Elytra bluish-black ; rugosely punctured ; punctures transversely confluent on
the middle. Feet and beneath bluish-black ; tarsi paler. Pennsylvania.

2. P. hscmorrhoidaUs. Elytra blue, with yellow tips ; thorax, tip of the
abdomen, and feet, yellow.

Pedilus hasmorrhoidalis? Dejean's Catal. Length 3 lines.
Head black, polished. Antennse reddish-brown, two basal joints yellowish.
Labrum, palpi, and mouth beneath, yellow. Thorax yellow, with a few

April, 1844.] 47

scattered yellowish-cinereous hairs. Elytra blue, somewhat rugose, with ob-
vious dilated punctures furnishing minute hairs; each with a polished, yellow-
ish, slightly elevated spot at tip. Beneath blue. Tip of the abdomen and feet
yellow. Pennsylvania.

3. P. ruficoliis. Blackish-blue; thorax, antenna; and feet, rufous. Length
rather more than 3 lines.

Body blackish-blue, with short, yellowish-cinereous hairs. Head deep black,
polished. Thorax pale rufous, polished. Elytra blackish-blue; rugosely
punctured, punctures transversely confluent on the middle. Feet pale rufous.
Beneath blackish-blue. Pennsylvania.

4. P. marginicollis. Blackish ; thorax yellow, with a black spot on the
middle.

Pedilus marginicollis. Dr. Melsheimer in lit. Length nearly 3 lines.

Body blackish, with pale yellowish hairs. Head deep black, shining, with a
transverse indentation between the eyes. Antennae, two first or basal joints,
yellow. Palpi dull yellowish, terminal joint fuscous. Mouth beneath yellowish.
Clypeus at tip, and labrum, pale piceous. Thorax honey-yellow, polished,
with a blackish spot on the disk. Elytra bluish-black; rugose; densely punc-
tured, punctures transversely confluent. Feet fuscous; tip of the tibiae, and
tarsi, pale yellowish. Beneath deep black.

Var. a. Thorax entirely destitute of the thoracic spot. Pennsylvania.
Monohammus, Meg.

M. tomentosus. Brown ; the entire surface of the body, antenna?, feet, and
greater part of the elytra, whitish tomentose, the latter spotted or interrupted
with brown. Length 9 14 lines.

Body brown, densely covered with fine whitish prostrate hairs. Head with a
longitudinal impressed line between the antennas ; edge around the antenna?,
much elevated, somewhat spinose on the inner side. Month beneath, and cly-
peus, honey-yellow, the latter brownish at tip. Mandibles black. Thorax with
a rather long, obtuse, somewhat elevated spine each side behind the middle.
Scutel yellow. Elytra whitish tomentose, spotted or interrupted with brown ;
behind the middle, a large, irregular, transverse, brown spot nearly reaching the
suture. Pennsylvania.

CEdionychis, Latr.

(E. 1 hispida. Blackish, hairy ; antennae, basal portion pale rufous, tip
dark brown or blackish; feet yellowish, vaiied with piceous. Length 2
lines.

Body blackish, invested with numerous, rather long, erect, blackish and yel-
lowish-cinerous hairs. Head obviously punctured, with an abbreviated longi-
tudinal impression on the front. Antennae, six first or basal joints pale rufous,
tip dark-brown or blackish. Thorax oblong, narrow, rather broadest behind,
somewhat rounded ; lateral margins decurved, rectilinear ; anterior portion not
wider than the head ; inequal; coarsely and confluently punctured, punctures
larger and more obvious near the basal margin. Scutel forming an oblong tri-
angle, yellowish-sericeous. Elytra with regular series of large, rather distant,
profound punctures. Femora, posterior pair, above blackish-piceous, below ru-
fous ; anterior and intermediate pairs piceous, the base and apex paler ; tibiae
and tarsi reddish-yellow, varied with piceous. Pennsylvania.

48 [April, 1844,

Descriptions of New Species of North American Coleoptera.
By John L. Le Conte.*

1. Galeiiita dubia. Nob. Length 9 lines, breadth 3y lines.

Head black, frontal impressions oblong, shallow ; palpi and first joint of the
antenna; ferruginous ; remainder of the latter brown.

Thorax ferruginous; posterior transverse impression tolerably marked, straight;
longitudinal line very slight : basal impressions shallow. Elytra black, striae
impunctate, beneath dark brown ; legs and under part of the thorax ferruginous.
Inhabits Georgia.

Differs from G. Le Contei, Dej., in not having a red spot on the head, and in
the basal impressions of the thorax, which are shallower ; from G. bicolor, Drury,
(G. Americana, Dej.,) in having the longitudinal line of the thorax less im-
pressed, and the posterior transverse impression more distinct. The thorax is
also less retracted posteriorly : it differs from all the other species in having the
stria? of the elytra impunctate.

2. Plochionus vittatus. Nob. Length 4 lines, breadth If lines. Ferrugi-
nous ; tips of mandibles and eyes black ; frontal impressions oval, very deep :
thorax covered with transverse wrinkles ; transverse impressions scarcely visible;
longitudinal line entire, deeply marked ; basilar impressions deep, oblong, and
transverse : a wide and deep fovea impressed on each side near the middle of the
thorax ; lateral margin widely depressed towards the posterior angles.

Elytra, with a broad black sutural vitta, and a lateral spot of the same colour
behind the middle : stria? deep, impunctured. Body and legs dark ferruginous.
Inhabits Florida.

3. Aptinus americanus. Dej. Cat. Length 5f lines ; breadth 2^ lines.
Head, thorax, and legs ferruginous. Antenna; ferruginous, growing dusky

towards the extremity. Head smooth, with a deep and long longitudinal impres-
sion between the eyes ; eyes black. Thorax sparsely punctured ; transverse im-
pressions none : longitudinal line well marked ; with a few transverse wrinkles
on each side.

Elytra bluish-black, costse smooth ; intervals deep, wide, and punctured.
Sternum ferruginous ; abdomen very dark brown, almost black. Inhabits"
Georgia.

Resembles much in form and size Brachijtus quadripennis, but it is narrower,
and the elytra are less parallel.

4. Biiachinus strenuus. Nob. Length 7$ lines ; breadth 3| lines.
Head, antenna;, palpi, thorax, sternum, and legs ferruginous; abdomen dark

brown, with a reddish spot in the middle of the upper part : head sparsely punctate,
particularly at the posterior part. Thorax scarcely wider than the head, thickly
punctured.

* Communicated by the Entomological Society of Pennsylvania.

April, 1844.] 49

Elytra bluish-black, punctured ; interstices of the costs narrow at the bottom.
Inhabits Georgia. (Common.)

Resembles both the fumans, Fabr., and Vibrator, He].; but the thorax is nar-
rower and more rounded anteriorly than the former, and less so than the latter.
The head is larger and the frontal impressions broader than in either ; the anten-
na? are thicker and darker than in the fumans, but want the dark spots observable
on those of the librator. The elytra are wider, the interstices are deeper than
in either, and wider than in the fumans.

5. Brachinus Le Contei. Dej. Cat. Length 6 lines ; breadth 2|- lines.
Inhabits Georgia.

Resembles the viridlpennis, Dej., and perplexus, Dej.; the former in size and
form, the latter in form, but is easily distinguished by the frontal impressions,
which are shallow and punctate ; in the viridipennis they are still shallower and
more punctate : in the perplexus they are rugous ; the first two joints of the
antennas and base of third and fourth, are ferruginous ; tips of these last are
brown ; in both the remainder is brown, but in the perplexus the third only is
brown at the tip. The thorax is wider before ; the anterior angles are sharper
and more projecting. Elytra deep blue to blackish blue. Abdomen deep reddish
brown.

6. Brachinus cyanopterus. Dej. MS. Length 5§ lines ; breadth 2f
lines. Inhabits New York.

Resembles the cordicollis, but is larger, and easily distinguished by the deeper
and brighter blue of the elytra: the antenna? are likewise ferruginous, without
spots, growing darker towards the extremity. The thorax is rather narrower
anteriorly, and the costse of the elytra are more apparent. Abdomen red, sides
brownish.

7. Brachinus viridis. Nob. Length 6 lines ; breadth 2J lines. Inhabits
Georgia.

Resembles the viridipennis, but is narrower ; the thorax is not so much
rounded on the sides, the basal impressions are more distinct. The elytra are
of a paler and brighter green, more thickly and coarsely punctured ; the costa?
are more strongly marked. The first two joints of the antenna? and a spot on
the third are ferruginous; in the viridipennis the first three and sometimes
the four are ferruginous, with a small brown spot on the third and fourth.

8. Brachinus neglectus. Nob. Length 5J lines ; breadth 2£ lines.
Inhabits Georgia.

Somewhat resembles the quadripennis, but is larger and proportionably
broader ; the elytra are of the same bluish-black colour, but less rounded at the
anterior angles, they are more distinctly costate, and the intervals are nar-
rower. The first two joints of the antenna? are ferruginous, and the rest brown,
whilst in the quadripennis the base of the third is also ferruginous. The thorax
is also more retracted posteriorly, and the anterior angles more acute ; the basal
impressions are prolonged and extend almost to the middle of the thorax.

9. Brachinus tenuicollis. Nob. Length 6 lines ; breadth 2| lines.

50 [April, 1S44.

Also resembles ihe quadripennis, but the elytra are more blue, and the first
five costs of the elytra are more apparent than the rest, and are impunctured on
the top. The first two joints of the antennae and base of the third are ferru-
ginous, the rest brown. Sides of the head coarsely punctured, frontal impres-
sions longer, more rugous and more punctured. The thorax is more retracted
posteriorly, wider and more rounded anteriorly.

10. Brachinus patruelis. Dej. Cat. Length 4£ lines ; breadth ljj. In-
habits New York.

Resembles somewhat B. cordicollis, but the frontal impressions are longer ;
first three joints of antennae and base of fourth ferruginous ; the third has a
small brown spot at the extremity, and the remaining joints are also brown. In
the cordicollis the two first and base of the third only are ferruginous: thorax
much wider and more rounded anteriorly. Elytra bright blue, costae slight, and
much less elevated than in the cordicollis.

11. Scarites otus. Nob. 12. S. ephialtes. Nob. 13. S. intermedins.
Nob. 14. S.affmis. Nob. 15. S. subterraneous. Fabr. 16. S.affinis. Nob.
(As we intend publishing a monograph of these species in a few weeks, it will
be useless to add descriptions here.)

17. Clivina impressifrons. Nob. Length 3; lines ; breadth § line.
Dark rufous : front with three wide and deep longitudinal impressions, the

middle one abbreviated at the ends, so as to form an oblong fovea. Thorax ob-
long, rounded behind ; but little convex ; longitudinal line deeply impressed.
Elytra narrower than the thorax, parallel : striate, striae punctate : third interval
with three impressed points. Inhabits New York.

Resembles C. rufescens: but differs from it in being larger, in having the
front deeply impressed, and the elytra narrower than the thorax.

18. Clivista convexus. Nob. Length 2\ lines ; Breadth § line.

Head and thorax black; the latter convex and round : anterior transverse im-
pression scarcely visible : median line distinct.

Elytra piceous, with a large transverse rufous sutural spot near the extremity :
deeply striate ; striae strongly punctate, with but one impressed point on the
third interval, near the extremity. Inhabits Georgia.

Resembles the C. bipustulatus ,- but is readily distinguished by its rounded
thorax and the very slight anterior transverse impression.

19. Rembus striatopunctatus. Nob. Length 6j} lines; breadth 3|.
Black, shining : palpi black, with the extremity of each articulation rufous ;

antennse blackish-brown : frontal impressions deep, incurved at the middle, as in
the impresskollis. Medial line of the thorax deeply impressed, and abbreviated
at both ends : transverse impressions indistinct, basal ones deep, with an inwardly
deep cut furrow beyond the middle.

Elytra striate ; strim punctate : the second one incurved at the tip : the third
and fourth and fifth and sixth united at the tip ; interstices convex, with an
impressed point on the middle of the third rudimental striae, a mere point between
first and second stria. Inhabits Pennsylvania. Found at Carlisle by S. F.
Baird.

April, 1844.] 51

Differs from R. impressicollis in the transverse impressions of the thorax
which in that species are very distinct, also in ihe basal impressions and in the
striae of the elytra being very distinctly punctured : in the impressicollis they
are quite smooth. It is a much larger insect.

20. Rembcs assimilis. Nob. Length 5| lines; breadth 2 J lines.
Black, shining; palpi and antennae dark ferruginous brown: head as in the

preceding: medial line of the thorax deep: anteriorly abbreviated; posteriorly
reaching to the base; posterior transverse impression deeply marked in the middle:
striae of the elytra punctate: the second not incurved ; third interval with an
impressed point in the middle : an indistinct rudiment of a strife at the base
between the first and second. Inhabits Georgia.

At first sight this insect strongly resembles an anisodaetylus, but it possesses
all the characters of the genus to which I have referred it.

21. Chijenius congener. Nob. Length 7 3 lines; breadth 3 lines.

Head and thorax coppery, with a greenish tint, the punctures on the latter
large and confluent. The thorax obcordate, slightly narrowed behind ; medial
line deeply impressed, abbreviated anteriorly, and not reaching posteriorly farther
than the posterior transverse impression, which is very deep and strongly mark-
ed : basal impressions very deep, oblong, rather inclining inwards : elytra black,
with a tinge of blue, striae scarcely punctate ; body beneath black, palpi, first
three joints of antennas and legs ferruginous. In other respects same as C.
cobaltinus. Inhabits Georgia.

Closely resembles C. cobaltinus,- but is easily distinguished by the transverse
posterior impression of the thorax, which is much deeper. The medial line
does not extend so far backwards, and the elytral strise are scarcely punctate.

22. Ch-ljetsivs patruelis. Dej. Cat. Length 6} — 7 lines; breadth 2| —
3 lines.

Above green, beneath black; antenna; and legs ferruginous. Head coarsely
punctured, particularly at the posterior part ; frontal impressions distinct. Tho-
rax very coarsely punctate, much longer than wide, narrowed before and behind,
subcordate, much curved on the sides : medial line on account of the close and
deep punctures not very apparent : basal impressions deep and triangular.
Elytra much wider than the thorax, covered with a short reddish pubescence;
strise punctured ; intervals plane, covered with fine and close punctures. Inhabits
Georgia.

Resembles slightly the sericeus, but is distinguished at first sight by its narrow
thorax.

23. Badister. terminate. Nob. Length 2£ lines ; breadth £ lines.

Head, thorax, and body beneath black : palpi, antennas, coxas and legs ferrugin-
ous, frontal impressions of the head, very large and shallow. Thorax smooth,
obcordate, the angles rounded, the posterior less than the anterior: transverse im-
pressions well and deeply marked the anterior incurved : longitudinal line entire
and deep : rounded posterior margin a little elevated and reddish. Elytra smooth,
piceous, with the margin suture, and large spot at the base ferruginous, gradu-

52 [April, 1S44.

ally changing into the piceous colour of the remainder. Stria? very indistinctly
punctured. Third interval with three impressed points rather indistinct. In-
habits New York.

24. Badisteii testaceus. Nob. Length 2 lines ; breadth | lines.
Smooth, shining, testaceous, inclining to piceous o n head and elytra : joints of

the antennae gradually increasing in thickness to the extremity: frontal impres-
sions deep and rounded. Thorax obcordate, lengthened, scarcely wider than
the head ; anterior angles rounded, posterior acute, anterior transverse impression
tolerably marked, posterior one obsolete : longitudinal line well marked and en-
tire: basal impressions deep, oblong. Elytra wider than the thorax, parallel,
almost plane, deeply striate, stria? impunctured, sides of the strife covered with
small transverse wrinkles a little oblique, which cutting the stria?, give them an
almost reticulated appearance. Inhabits Pennsylvania.

25. Badisteii micans. Nob. Length 4 J- lines ; breadth 1| lines.

Black: head, rhinariurn, and upper lip testaceous, palpi ferruginous, with a
black spot on the last joint : antenna? brown, the first two joints rufous : frontal
impressions rather larger, distinct : an impressed point near each eye. Thorax
plane black, margined with rrddish brown :"the margin sinuate near the posterior
angles : base rugous : transverse impressions tolerably distinct. Longitudinal
lirje deeply marked. Basal impressions large and deep. Elytra piceous, irri-
descent, not sinuate at the extremity ; stria? tolerably deep, impunctured : inter-
vals broad and plane. Third interval with two impressed points. Body beneath
piceous, legs testaceous. Inhabits Georgia.

This insect differs very much in its general appearance from all the species of
this genus, and it may perhaps be necessary hereafter to separate it from the
genus in which I have placed it.

26. Ootjes picipes. Nob. Length 5h lines ; breadth 2\ lines.
Resembles the americanus, but is smaller ; the palpi and antenna? are entirely

piceous ; the thorax is more convex ; the posterior transverse impression is scarcely
visible ; the longitudinal line almost obsolete : basal impressions very shallow and
indistinct : the elytra are more deeply striate ; and the stria? are impunctate; the
third interval with two impressed points : underside of the body black ; legs
piceous. Inhabits Georgia.

27. PniSTONYcnus americanus. Nob. Length 5 1-6 lines ; breadth 1£ lines.
Apterous; black, shining; beneath smooth; palpi, antenna?, and legs dark

ferruginous ; frontal impressions tolerably deep and slightly rugous ; thorax, ob-
long, almost square, wider than the head, narrowed behind, the anterior angles
projecting, posterior ones rounded ; covered with very slight transverse undulating
wrinkles: lateral margin elevated posteriorly ; the base cut almost square: ante,
rior transverse impression small, incurved ; posterior deeply marked ; mesian line
deep, abbreviated at each end by the transverse impressions, the anterior of which
cuts it at right angles : basal impressions oblong, deep, slightly rugous.

Elytra wider than the thorax, lightly convex ; not sinuated at the extremity '■>
deeply striate; stria? impunctured, with two impressed points on the third inter-

April, 1844.] 53

val, near tho second strife: rudimental strife at the base, short and straight;
epiplcurrr, with a longitudinal elevation near the base. Inhabits Georgia.

28. Calathfs dislingucnidus. Nob. Length 5\ lines ; breadth 2 lines.
Piceous black, shining, smooth ; palpi, antennre and legs ferruginous ; front

with a small impression at the base of the antennre, and a linear one near the
eyes: thorax smooth, with some indistinct transverse undulating wrinkles,
quadrangular, narrowed before, the anterior angles projecting and a little
rounded, base cut square, so as to make the posterior angles almost right,
lateral margin rufo-piceous, a little curved, dilated, and depressed posteriorly ;
anteriorly ; anterior transverse impression tolerably distinct : posterior well
marked ; medial line slight, abbreviated by the transverse impressions ; with the
anterior of which it forms an angle, so as to leave a well denned triangular de-
pression in front; basal impressions slight, scarcely distinct from the depressed
base of the thorax.

Elytra striate, strife impunctured, with three impressed points on the third
interval, the two upper ones near the third, the lower one close to the extremity
of the second strife. Inhabits Georgia.

Larger than C. gregarius, which it very much resembles ; the thorax, and its
margins are proportionally much wider, more curved, and more reflexed; and it
wants the impressed point on each side of the thorax near the margin, which
is very apparent in the gregarius : the anterior transverse impression is strongly
marked, whereas in C. gregarius, it is much less apparent. It is also much
darkened beneath.

29. Anchomenus he Contei. Dej. Cat. Length 9 J lines; breadth 2 lines.
Very much resembles the A. exlensicollis ; but differs in the thorax being

wider, and more rounded : the basal impressions are longer, perpendicular to the
base, and curving upwardly and outwardly ; whilst in the extenskollls they are
oblique, so as to make them wider at the base ; from this last circumstance the
middle of the base between the impressions is much wider in A. he Contei than
in A. extensicollis.

It may, however, prove to be nothing' more than a variety.

The Committee, to whom was referred the following paper,
by Mr. Haldeman, reported in favour of publication :

Descriptions of Insects, presumed to be undescribed.
Br S. S. Haldeman.

Leucospis integra. Black, covered with pale yellowish pile ; tegulre and
legs yellow. $ 5 millim.long.

£ Antennto yellowish beneath : thorax scabrous, with a spot of yellow pile
posteriorly, wings translucent: legs yellow, except the basal half of the first
and second pairs of femora, posterior femora black tipt with yellow.

Hedycurum janus. Brilliant, above violet, beneath uniform green ; wings
tipt with fuliginous. 5 mill. long.

54 [April, 1S44.

Head coarsely punctured, green margined with violet behind, antennae black :
anterior margin of the thorax green, punctured ; metanotum coarsely punctured,
violet : abdomen polished, violet purple, having a green reflexion, changing its
position with the light : legs bright green, changing to violet above, tarsi fus-
cous.

Ttphlopose pallipes. Minutely punctured, dull reddish brown, terminal
segments of the abdomen, antennae and mandibles, paler ; legs testaceous. 6
mill. long.

Head subquadrate, narrowing posteriorly ; mandibles widest in the middle,
direct, with the tip incurved, inner margin coarsely serrate-dentate : pronotum
inflated, with an impressed mesial line: abdomen divided into three principal
segments, of which the first is subglobular, the second considerably larger, co-
nical, largest posteriorly, terminal segment of equal diameter with the preceding,
but twice as long, with a dark indistinct transverse band about the middle: pro-
vided with a sting. Found in old stumps in June.

Eumexes substricta. Black, minutely punctured, abdominal stricture very
deep, with a narrow ring of yellow at the extremity of the basal segment above.
8 lines long.

Head large, wings steel blue, with a small yellow spot below the base of the
anterior pair ; thorax lightly margined with yellow anteriorly ; tarsi fuscous.
Somewhat larger than E. verticalis, Say, and distinguished by the almost uni-
form black colour, and the base of the abdomen being fusiform, on account of
the depth of the incisure.

Scaphinotus Jlammeus. Reddish brown, head slightly transversely rugose
between the antennas ; pronotum proportionally wider, and the profile flatter
above when viewed laterally than in S. elevatus : elytra coarsely punctate striate,
sinuate at tip, pale brilliant violet, with the margin, and several tarnished spots
of green. 10 lines long.

An imperfect specimen in the cabinet of the Academy, from Marietta, Ohio.
Distinguished from S. elevatus by the wider prothorax and elytra, and lighter
colour. Not having seen a female of the latter, I am unable to point out its dis-
tinction from the proposed species.

Scaritf.s substriatus. Black, shining ; antennas, palpi, and tarsi dark tes-
taceous : head large, nearly as wide as the thorax ; mandibles wide at the base,
inner superior ridge curved with two flexures, intermediate groove very wide at
the base : elytra wide, subparallel, convex, with 6 wide distant inconspicuous
strice, and a 7th submarginal one obsolete. 13 lines long.

Scarites dlstinctus. Shining black, palpi, antenna?, and tarsi obscure tes-
taceous, frontal impressions profound, groove of the mandibles narrowing gra-
dually : elytra wider than the prothorax, slightly narrowed towards the base,
flattened, with 6 slightly crenate stria 3 , and a 7th obsolete, 3d with a puncture
near the base, another towards the extremity, and a 3d puncture at the extremi-
ty of the 3d interstice. 10$ lines long. II ab. Georgia 7 Prof. Hentz.

Scauites subterraneus, Fabr. General character of the preceding, man-
dibular groove narrow and deep, left one continued nearly to the extremity of

April, 1844.] 55

the mandible : elytra narrower than the prothorax, striate and slightly crenate,
especially towards the base, and in a good light. 85 lines long.

Var. a. Finely and regularly punctate-striate throughout.

Var. b. Stria? filled with numerous fine punctures.

Agkiox venerinoiata. $ Yellow, eyes reddish brown, connected by a
broad black band, a transverse black spot upon the clypeus: thorax black
above, with a narrow dorsal line of yellow : abdomen marked above with 3
black 9 -shaped crosses, basal segment dark polished green above, continuing
to the middle of the 2d segment, where it ends in a point; wings sbort. 10
lines long.

Termes frontalis. Soldier. Amber color, front deeply notched, a small
eye-like tubercle at the inner base of the tentacles : mandibles suddenly incurv-
ed, rufo-testaceous at base, changing into black towards the tip; antennae 15-
jointed : legs pale, with the ungues darker. 3 lines long. Male? Black, re-
gion of the mouth, and legs (except the femora) pale yellowish. 4^ lines long
to the extremity of the wings, which are longer than the body, and extend be-
yond it more than half their length. Found in or beneath logs, the winged
individuals appearing in May in Pennsylvania.

Correction. — Hoplia modesta, Proceedings, Vol. I., p. 304, is apparently
identical with Germar's Melolontha mucorea.

Meeting for Business, April 30, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.
The Committee, to whom was referred a paper by Dr.
Hallowell, describing new species of African reptiles, report-
ed in favour of publication.*

The Committee on Colonel Abert's communication on a
fresh-water univalve, found in the vicinity of Washington,
D. C, reported it to be the Paludina vivipara of authors.

The Academy then proceeded to ballot for Members and
Correspondents, with the following result:

member.
J. Fisher Learning, of Philadelphia.

correspondent.
Rev. D. Ziegler, of York, Pennsylvania.

* The publication of this paper is necessarily deferred until the next
number.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

OF PHILADELPHIA.

Vol. II. MAY AND JUNE, 1S44. No. 3.

Stated Meeting, May 7, 1S44.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Fifty-seventh Annual Report of the Regents of the University

of the State of New York. Albany: 1844. From the

Regents.
A System of Mineralogy. By James D. Dana, A. M. Second

Edition, pp. 633. Svo. New York and London : 1S44.

From the Author.

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. IV.,
No. 29. January to April, 1S44. From the Society.

Almanach der Kuniglichen bayerischen, Akademie der Wis-
senschaften du Munchen. Munich, 1S43. From the
Academy.

A letter was read from the Rev. William Herbert, dated
SpofTorth, April 2d, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of his
notice of election as a Correspondent.

The Chairman read a letter from Dr. Edmund Ravenel,
dated Charleston, 26th of March, 1S44, in reference to some
specimens of fossils from the Cretaceous strata of South Caro-
lina, sent by him with descriptions for publication.

The specimens were exhibited, and the descriptions read ;

58 [Mat, 1844.

and on motion referred to the following Committee : Mr.
Phillips, Dr. Morton, and Mr. Conrad.

Descriptions of new species of African Reptiles.

By Edward Hallowell, M. D.*

Genus Euprepis, Dum. and Bibron.

E. Blandingii. The head is of moderate size, triangular, narrow,
flattened above ; the snout is somewhat prolonged and rounded in
front ; the plates upon the upper surface of the head, as well as
those upon the sides are perfectly smooth ; the rostral plate is
large, pentagonal, presenting an obtuse angle at its summit ; the
nasal plates are of moderate size, triangular, rounded posteriorly ;
the supero-nasal are narrow, oblong, in contact with each other;
the. inter-nasal plate is larger, presenting the form of a lozenge
with its lateral angles truncated, the posterior angle is acute, the
anterior obtuse ; it is in contact in front with the two supero-nasal
plates, its anterior angle not reaching quite so far as the rostral ;
the fronto-nasal are of moderate size, sub-pentagonal, their lateral
and inferior margins are in contact with the superior margin of
the two frenal plates ; the freno-nasal plate is small, triangular ;
the first of the frenal plates is oblong-quadrilateral; the second,
which is much the larger of the two, is pentagonal ; the frontal
plate is pentagonal, much broader in front, rounded posteriorly;
the fronto-parietal are oblong pentagonal, their anterior margins,
or those which embrace the posterior margins of the frontal, are the
smallest; they are in contact laterally with the two supra-orbitar,
and posteriorly with the parietal and inter-parietal plates ; the
parietals are large, pentagonal ; the inter-parietal is larger than
either of the fronto-parietals, and terminates posteriorly in an ob-
tuse point; there are four supra-orbitar and two freno-orbitar
plates ; the supra-orbitar are four in number, their exterior mar-
gin is bordered by a row of seven small oblong quadrangular
plates; immediately behind them is a small rhomboidal plate, the
upper half of which is received between the posterior supra-or-

* This paper was reported for publication in the last number, but was neces-
sarily deferred.

May, 1844.] 59

bitar and the parietal plate ; there is no occipital, but immediately
behind the parietal are two oblong scales, much larger than the
rest, presenting numerous striae, or elevated lines upon their pos-
terior margin ; the labial plates are seven in number, of these the
fifth is most remarkable, it is regularly quadrilateral, oblong, and
much larger than either of the others, forming of itself one-half
of the inferior margin of the orbit; the second, third and fourth,
are rhomboidal ; the first is irregularly quadrilateral ; the sixth
and seventh are pentagonal ; the ear is of moderate size ; its in-
ferior margin is bordered with numerous small granules, and
there are two or three small scales in front ; the scales upon the
body are hexagonal, more or less rounded posteriorly ; those upon
the back, sides, and tail, present fine carina? upon their surface,
all of which are very distinct ; here and there a smaller one may
be observed at each extremity of a scale; there are eight scales
immediately in front of the anus of nearly equal size.

Colour. The head, back, and upper part of the tail is of a bronze
colour, with numerous spots of black ; these spots are more abun-
dant, and somewhat larger upon the upper part of the tail ; there
is a row of white spots extending along the side of the neck and
body as far as the extremity of the tail ; a broad black band
passes along the side of the body, and one immediately behind
the orbit as far as the posterior extremities, becoming indistinct
upon the tail ; immediately below this is a white narrow vitta,
commencing near the anterior extremity of the orbit and termina-
ting in a line with the inferior extremity of the forearm when
placed in contact with the side of the body ; under surface of chin,
throat, abdomen and extremities of a light silvery gray colour,
slightly tinged with green ; a number of small conglomerated
spots of a black colour are observed upon the chin.

Dimensions.

Length of head, -

Greatest breadth posteriorly,

Length of body, -----

Length of tail, -----

" anterior extremities,

" posterior, "

Habitat. — Liberia, W. Africa. This species was presented to

r aches.

Lines,

7

3d

1

9

3

4

9

1

60 [May, 1844.

me by my friend Dr. W. Blanding. It resembles, if my memory
be correct, (not having the work now by me,) a South African
species described by Dumeril and Bibron, but I believe it to be
distinct. The description is taken from a specimen preserved in
spirits.

Genus Ixalus, Dum. and Bibron.

I, concolor. Head large, triangular, flattened above, snout
slightly rounded, nostrils small, situated very near the mouth;
eyes large, rather prominent ; tympanum small but distinct, open-
ing of the mouth of moderate size, tongue oblong-ovate, notched
posteriorly, teeth in the upper jaw very numerous, small, of equal
size ; palatine teeth wanting ; posterior nares rather large, rounded ;
eustacbian foramina of nearly equal size as the nares, but less
distinctly circular; extremities slender; fingers depressed, of mo-
derate size, slightly palmated; terminal pellets circular, tubercles
distinct, but not remarkably prominent, toes slender, palmated,
terminal phalanges not included within the membrane; disks
small; tubercles but slightly developed; skin smooth, except
upon the abdomen, where it is granulated.

Colovr. Body, head, and extremities of a uniform light choco-
late colour ; jaws and throat of a dirty white ; abdomen and under
surface of extremities dark chocolate.

Dimensions.

Length of head, ......

Greatest breadth,

Length of head and body, ...

" posterior extremities to extremity of
fourth toe, - - - -

" anterior to extremity of longest finger,
Habitat. — Liberia, W. Africa. Specimen in Mus. Acad.

Genus Leptophis, Bell.

L. gracilis. Head large, rather broad, flattened, slightly de-
pressed in front, covered with nine plates exclusive of the rostral

Inches.

Lines,

4

31

10

1

31

, o

5.i

May, 1844.] 61

and the two anterior orbitar, which extend upon the top of the
head; rostral plate large, triangular, rounded in front, its apex
projecting backwards a short distance toward the two anterior
frontal plates; anterior frontal rather large, quadrangular; pos-
terior irregularly quadrilateral, extending upon the side of the
head, where they are in contact with the anterior orbital, the loral
and the nasal plates ; vertical plate pentagonal, much broader in
front, pointed behind ; supra-orbital irregularly quadrilateral,
smooth, convex above, projecting very slightly over the eye ; oc-
cipital large, pentagonal ; nasal plates ten in number with the
nostril placed between them; but one anterior orbitar plate, ir-
regular in shape, much broader above ; posterior frontal two in
number, small, the upper the larger of the two; frenal region very
slightly grooved ; there are nine plates upon the upper jaw, the
seventh the largest, the fifth and sixth going to form the inferior
margin of the orbit; tongue long, bifid, enclosed in a sheath at its
base, two rows of teeth in the upper jaw, nostrils large, placed near
the snout, immediately behind the canthus rostralis, which is well
marked, but much less distinct than in the preceding species ; body
long, slender, covered with quadrangular scales, strongly carinated
both upon the back and sides; the inferior row is the largest; ab-
domen flattened, tail long and slender, tapering to a point, flattened
inferiorly. Abdom. scuta 159, subcaud. 153.

Colour. Head, body, and tail grass-green above ; abdomen and
under part of tail of a lighter colour, approaching to milky white
upon the neck ; a dark coloured vitta extends on each side of the
flattened surface of the abdomen, from near the neck to the anus.

Dimensions.

Length ofhead, -
Greatest breadth,
Breadth between the orbits posteriorly,

" " " anteriorly,

Length of body, ....

" tail,

Greatest circumference,

Habitat. Liberia, W. Africa.

Inches.

Lines,
9

5

4

3

19|

14 (Fr.)

13

62 • [May, 18 44

L. Kirtlandii. Head long, narrow, covered above with ten plates ;
rostral plate heptagonal, flattened above where it joins the two an-
terior frontal and the nasal plates ; anterior frontal of moderate
size, pentagonal ; posterior frontal large, irregularly quadrilateral;
vertical plate long, pentagonal, much broader in front than behind ;
supra-orbital plates large, irregularly quadrilateral, smooth convex,
above, projecting over the eye so as to give it a threatening appear-
ance ; occipital plates pentagonal, broader in front; nasal plates
two in number, with the nostril placed between them ; two small
plates between the nasal and the anterior orbital plate ; anterior or-
bital plate large, a portion of it appearing upon the top of the head,
between the supra-orbital and the posterior parietal plates; canthus
rostralis very distinct ; frenal region on that portion of the side of
the head between the eye and the nostril deeply grooved ; posterior
orbital plates three in number; there are ten superior labial plates?
the fourth and fifth going to form the inferior margin of the orbit ;
eye very large ; tongue long, bifid at the extremity, enclosed in a
sheath at its base ; two rows of teeth in the upper jaw ; body very
long, slender, covered with oblong, narrow scales, which are
smooth ; tail long and tapering to a point.

Colour. Head of a bronze colour above and upon the sides ; a
band of white extends from the snout as far as the posterior angle
of the upper jaw ; body of an obscure brownish colour above,
clouded with black ; the abdomen presents very much the same
dusky colour as the body, except at its anterior part where it ap-
proaches to a dirty white. Abdom. scuta — , subcaud. 154.

Dimensions.

Inches. Lines'
Length of head, ----- 9

Greatest breadth 3|

Length of body, 15j (Fr.)

" " tail, 9 10

Habitat. Liberia, W. Africa. I have named this species in
honour of Dr. Kirtland, of Cincinnati, a distinguished naturalist,
who has devoted much attention to the natural history of this
country.

May, 1844.] 63

Slated Meeting, May 14, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

Two letters were read from Mr. I. G. Strain, U. S. Navy,
Correspondent of the Academy, (now on an exploring tour
through the interior of South America,) addressed to Mr.
Phillips and Dr. Morton, dated City of St. Paul's, Brazil,
February 2Glh, 1S44 ; of which the following is ah abstract:

The party had been reduced to three, Mr. Strain, Dr. Rein-
hart, and Mr. Christie, the others having left them from sick-
ness and other causes. After having reached the head of
navigation on the river Tiete, it was ascertained that the un-
healthiness of the country through which they would pass in
descending that river, was such as to threaten the lives of the.
party ; the natives positively refusing to accompany them in
the descent, and, without some assistance, the canoes could
not be dragged over the portages. In consequence of this,
the route was changed, and preparations made to descend the
Parana-Panema, which has remained unexplored. A covered
boat, twenty-two feet long and four feet beam, was built by
the party, and every preparation made to commence the de-
scent of the river in a few days. Dr. Reinhart had made
numerous collections in various departments of natural science,
although he was principal constructor of their little boat,
which was so constructed as to be taken to pieces should it be
required. Mr. Strain had made two journeys to distant cities,
to complete arrangements for his expedition with the officers-
of the government, and had at length returned, found all
ready, and the little party was on the eve of starting, in ex-
cellent health and spirits, and full of hope and confidence.

A letter was read from Mr. James Ombrosi, U. S. Consul
at Florence, Italy, dated February, 1S44, acknowledging the
reception of his diploma, and announcing his intention of pro-
curing for the Academy, and forwarding by the earliest op-
portunity, certain publications of learned Italian Societies.

64 [May, 1844.

Stated Meeting, May 21, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Skin of Diomedea exulans, and the head and beak of a Pro-
cellaria. From Mr. Samuel Grant, Jr., through Dr.
Carson.
The following shells were presented by Mr. Peterson:

Helix Barbadensis, Lam., from Barbadoes; Donax meroe,
Lam., and Murexcervicornis, from the Indian Ocean; and
Cyprcea aperta, Sw., from Cape of Good Hope.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

/

Memoire sur le Lac Mceris, presente et lu a la Societe Egyp-
tienne le 5 Juillet, 1S42. Par Linant de Bellefonds, Pre-
sident de la Societe Egyptienne, &c. Alexandria: 1843.
From the Author.

Catalogue of the Library of the American Philosophical
Society. From the Society.

Dr. Morton exhibited the skull of a Hottentot, sent him by
Mr. T. Watson, (now resident near the Cape of Good Hope,)
through Dr. Gavin Watson, of this city. This is a female
head, remarkable for having the Negro characteristics very
strongly expressed. The face is prominent, the nose perfectly
flat, the head narrow and elongated, but the whole structure
rather thin and delicate. This cranium pertained to a woman
of about twenty years of age ; the facial angle gives 75 de-
grees ; but the internal capacity, or size of the brain, mea-
sures but sixty-eight cubic inches, which, Dr. Morton re-
marked, was as small an adult brain (with a single exception,
and this, also, a native African) as he had ever met with.
Dr. M. has shown the mean internal capacity of the Negro
cranium to be 85 cubic inches ;"* so that this Hottentot skull
presents a measurement of no less than 17 cubic inches below
the average.

* See Proceedings, Vol. I., page 135.

Mat, 1844] 65

On motion of Mr. Phillips, Resolved, That the Committee
on Proceedings be authorised to present a bound copy of
Vol. I. of the Proceedings, to Mrs. L. W. Say, and another to
Mr. I. G. Strain.

Meeting for Business, May 2S, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

Dr. Bridges read a letter from Mr. G. H. Cook, Corres-
ponding Secretary of the Troy (N. Y.) Lyceum of Natural
History, dated May 25th, 1844, transmitting the thanks of
that Institution for certain duplicate copies of works from th^
Library of the Academy, presented to it through Dr. Bridges ;
and expressing a desire to obtain, also, a copy of Harlan's
Medical and Physical Researches, and several numbers of
the Journal of the Academy.

Whereupon, on motion of Dr. Elvvyn, Resolved, That the
2d Part of Vol. VII. and Vol. VIII. of the Journal, and a
duplicate copy of Dr. Harlan's work, be presented to the Troy
Lyceum of Natural History.

On motion of Mr. Phillips, Resolved, That a copy of "Ma-
clure's Opinions" be presented to Mrs. L. W. Say, on behalf
of the late Mr. Maclure.

Mr. Edward Harris exhibited a specimen (a young male)
of Cymindis hamatus, Illig., (Rostrhamus hamatus, Mus. A.
N. S.) This bird was shot by himself on the 29th of April
last, on the Miami river, Cape Florida.

William Darrach, M. D., of Philadelphia, was elected a
Member ; and

William S. Sullivant, Esq., of Ohio, a Correspondent of the
Academy.

9

66 [June, 1844.

Stated Meeting, June 4, 1844.

Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

A fine collection of Insects from Brazil, comprising 228 Cole-
optera, 60 Lepidoptera, and 19 Hemiptera, &c: also, the
following Bird skins from Brazil:

Thamnophilusbadius, Swainson ; Pachyrhynchus Cuvierii, Spix.
S & $ ; Pipra erythrocephala, Linn.; P. strigilata, De "Wied.;
Calyptura cristata, Viellot; Pitylus atro-chalybeus, Jard. & Selby ;
Tanagra ornata, Spix.; T. magna, Gm.; Tachyphonus cristatus,
Linn.; T. Vigorsii, Svv.; Aglaia gyrola, Linn.; A. Barbadensis,
Briss. Shaw ; Nemosia flavicollis, Viel.; Arremon torquatus, Viel.;
A. semi-torquatus, Sw.; Ramphastos ariel, Vigors ; Monassa per-
sonata, Viel.; Trochilus moschitus, Linn.; Cynanthus saphurinus,
Linn.

Presented by the following named members: William Hem-
bel, J. Price Wetherill, S. G. Morton, Geo. W. Carpenter,
W. S. Vaux, R. Bridges, and W. S, Zantzinger.

Mr. Cassin presented a fine specimem of Murex saxatilis, from
Monrovia.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Histoire Naturelle des Animaux sans vertebres. Par T. B.
P. A. Lamarck. Second Edition. Vol. i. and ii., and 1st
Part of Vol. hi. In exchange.

Report of Captain George W. Hughes, of U. S. Topographi-
cal Engineers, relative to working Copper Ore. April, 1S44.
From Col. Abert.

A letter was read from Dr. Von Martius, in reference to
certain publications of the Academy, desired for the Royal
Academy of Munich.

Whereupon, on motion Resolved, That such copies of the
publications of the Academy, as may be necessary to com-

Jcne, 1S44."] 6 7

plete the series of the same in the Library of the Royal
Academy of Munich, be forwarded to that Institution.

Mr. Phillips exhibited a number of specimens of Echini,
Spantangus, and Galeolites ? obtained from Cuba, 30 miles
inland, and made some remarks thereon.

Mr. Peter A. Browne announced, that exertions were
making by himself, and some of his scientific friends in this
city, to establish a Zoological Garden in this vicinity ; that it
had been thought advisable to conduct the same upon the
most liberal and popular plan ; and that it had been found
that it was likely to receive a large share of public patronage.
Mr. Browne remarked that, while such places of scientific
and moral instruction and amusement were quite common in
Europe, there was not, so far as his knowledge extended,
any thing of the kind in the United States; and that he
would feel gratified that so laudable an example should be
set in this city.

Mr. Browne also remarked, that in furtherance of the plan
of a Zoological Garden, and in aid of its fund, there were
grounds to believe that several patriotic naturalists would
consent to deliver, at the ensuing season, lectures upon sub-
jects connected with Zoology, the proceeds to be appropriated
entirely to the above object.

St died Meeting, June 11, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

The following collection from Cienfuegos, Cuba, presented by
Captain H. F. Baker, through Dr. William Blanding, viz.:

Helix auricoma ; Amphidesma ; Sansiuinolaria ru-

gosa ; Mactra bilineata ; Lucina Jamacensis ; Cardium

bullatum: Avicula ; Terebra pica; Bulla striata ;

Littorina muricata, and other shells; a specimen of Lepto-

68 [June, 1844.

podia sagit'aria ; of Scorpio ; specimens of Grap-

sus longimanus ? and other Crustacea ; fruit of Swietenia
Mahogani ; of an Anona; Guilandina echinata; and nu-
merous specimens of Reptilia in spirits.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. IX.,
New Series, Part I. Philadelphia: 1844. From the So-
ciety.

Literarische Sympathien, oder indnstrielle Buchmacherei ;
ein beitrag zur geschichte der neuren Englischen Lexico-
graphic ByF. G. Fliigel, U.S. Consul at Leipsic. Leipsic:
1S43. From the Author.

Mr. Edward Harris deposited in the Library the following
valuable work: "Nouveau Recueil de Planches Colorees
d'Oiseaux." Par C. J. Temminck. 6 vols. 4to.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, from Janu-
ary Sth to December 10th, 1S33, inclusive. The series of
this work is now complete in the Library. Presented by
Mrs. Lucy VV. Say, through Mr. Phillips.

A communication was read from the Botanical Society of
London, dated 12th of April, 1S44, acknowledging the recep-
tion of certain numbers of the Society's Proceedings.

Mr. Phillips laid before the Society a number of manuscript
descriptions of Insects by the late Mr. Say, transmitted by
Mrs. Say, and which are supposed to be unpublished.

On motion of Professor Johnson, the papers were referred
to the following gentlemen for examination, with a view to
their publication, if considered desirable by them: Mr. Halde-
rnan, Dr. Melsheimer, of Dover, Pennsylvania, and the Rev.
Dr. Morris, of Baltimore.

June, 1844.] 69

Meeting for Business, June 25, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

The Monthly Report of the Corresponding Secretary was
read and adopted.

After the transaction of other business, the Chairman laid
before the meeting an extract of a letter from Mr. Alexander
Maclure, dated New Harmony, June 13th, 1844, tendering
to the Academy the sum of $450, being the difference be-
tween $5000, the original amount of a claim on an unsettled
estate presented to the Academy by his late brother, William
Maclure, and the amount accepted by the Institution from the
heirs of the estate in payment of the same.

Whereupon, the following resolution, offered by Professor
Johnson, was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be tendered to
Alexander Maclure, Esq., for the prompt and liberal manner
in which he has fulfilled the intentions of his late brother in
relation to the Hamilton mortgage, and especially for his
very opportune settlement of the balance of said account, as
announced by his letter read this evening.

John Lord Hayes, Esq., of Portsmouth, New Hampshire,
was elected a Correspondent of the Academy.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

OF PHILADELPHIA.

Vol. II. JULY AND AUGUST, 1844. No. 4,

Stated Meeting, July 2, 1S44.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Head of a fossil Crocodile found in the cretaceous limestone
overlying the green sand on the farm of General Irick, near
Vincentown, New Jersey. From General Irick, through
Wm. E. Whitman, Esq., of Philadelphia.

A model, in clay, of a head taken from the mountains of
Huana Capac, Peru, said to be the only one as yet found
in the tombs of the Peruvian Kings. Presented by the
Hon. Benjamin Tappan of Ohio.

Specimen of fibrous Plumbago, from India. Presented by
Professor Johnson.

Skin of Plotus melanogaster, from Africa. From Dr. Wil-
liam Blanding.

A collection, in spirits, of Reptilia, Insects, &c, from the
Island of Trinidad. From Dr. Watson.

Dr. Morton deposited in the Hall of the Society an additional
series of his collection of Crania.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Catologo Metodico degli Ucelli Europei, di Carlo L. Bona-
parte, Principe di Canino. Bologna, 1842. From the

Author,

10

72 • [July, 1844.

Ninth memoir with reference to the Laws of Storms in India,
inc. By H. Piddington. Calcutta, 1S43. From the Author.

An Inquiry into the distinctive characteristics of the Aborigi-
nal Race of America. By S. G. Morton, M. D., 2d. Ed.,
Philadelphia, 1841. From the Author.

Travels in the Interior of North America. By Maximilian,
Prince of Wied. Translated from the German, by H.
Evans Lloyd. Folio, pp. 520, London, 1S43. From
Prince de Wied.

Also, from the same, an Atlas, imperial folio size, containing
forty-eight splendid engravings, intended as an accompa-
niment and illustrations of the above work.

Letters were read,

From Mr. F. Markoe, Corresponding Secretary of the
National Institute, acknowledging the receipt of No. 2, Vol.
2d of Proceedings of the Academy.

From Mr. G. H. Cook, Corresponding Secretary of the
Troy Lyceum of Natural History, dated June 18, 1844, re-
turning the thanks of that Institution for a recent donation of
Books from the Academy, and offering in exchange dupli-
cates of specimens of Natural History from its Cabinet, espe-
cially Shells and Reptilia.

From Maximilian, Prince de Wied, dated Neiu-Wied on
the Rhine, Jan. 20, 1844, accompanying the donation of his
splendid work, announced above.

From Mr. Frederick Schuchardt, dated New York, June
19, 1844, also in reference to the same work, it having been
consigned to his care by the Author.

From the Hon. Benj. Tappan, dated Washington, June 17,
1844, in reference to his donation of this evening.

Dr. Morton (Mr. Pearsall in the chair,) then proceeded to
make some remarks on the head of the fossil Crocodile pre-
sented this evening, and stated that he believed it to be the
largest and most perfect head of the kind yet found in this

July, 1844.] 73

country, and that, from the length of the snout, it belonged to
the Gavials of Cuvier. The head, when found, was enve-
loped in solid limestone, which had been completely removed
by a sculptor. Dr. Morton also pointed out the distinction be-
tween this fossil and the Gavials from the Ganges and Ori-
noco. The dimensions of this head, and other particulars
relating to it, will be fully given at a subsequent meeting.

Prof. Johnson called the attention of the Society to the
high conducting power for heat possessed by the fibrous
plumbago, presented this evening, transmitting caloric quite
as rapidly as a slip of metal.

Prof. Johnson offered the following Resolutions which
were unanimously agreed to.

Resolved, That the thanks of this Academy be presented
to Maximilian, Prince de Wied, for the donation of a copy of
his splendid work, entitled, < Travels in North America,' this
evening received.

Resolved, That the thanks of the Academy be presented
to General Irick, for the valuable donation of the head of a
fossil crocodile from New Jersey, which has this evening been
presented.

Stated Meeting, July 16, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Skin of Felis concolor, of very large size, from the upper
Missouri. Presented by Owen Evans, Esq. of Philadel-
phia.

Specimen of Plumbago mica from Saybrook, Connecticut.
From Mr. James W. Kendall.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Memorial to the Legislature of Massachusetts on the subject
of the Insane. By Miss D. L. Dix, Boston, 1S43. From
the Author.

74 [July, 1844.

Memoir on the scientific character and researches of the late
James Smithson, Esq. By Walter R. Johnson. Philadel-
phia, 1844. From the Author.

Prof. Johnson made some remarks on the specimen of Plum-
bago mica presented this evening, and on the comparative
characteristics of other varieties of Plumbago from various
localities, and as an artificial product, all of which were ex-
hibited.

The specimens of plumbago from Saybrook occur in felspar, as-
sociated with, and passing directly into dark brown mica. Indeed
so intimate is the union of these two minerals, that in several in-
stances the folia are mica on one edge, and plumbago on the other.
It is in some cases difficult to determine where the micaceous cha-
racter begins and where the plumbaginous ends. The mass has,
with the exception of possessing a crystalline form, much the aspect
of some samples of furnace cinder from anthracite iron works which
have fallen under Prof. J.'s notice, and which exhibited large folia-
ted portions of keesh or artificial plumbago, passing into a greyish
shining, silicious mass of nearly the same colour as the brown mica
which accompanies the plumbago of Saybrook.

The only mineral with which plumbago is liable to be confounded
by the casual observer, is sulphuret of Molybdenum — this mineral
is likewise represented by authors to occur in or near Saybrook.
A specimen of the sulphuret of Molybdenum which Prof. Johnson
had tried, possessed a specific gravity of 4.6676. A specimen of
fibrous plumbago presented at the last meeting, (probably from Cey-
lon,) had a specific gravity of 2.200; a fragment of the plumbago
from Saybrook 2.353 ; a specimen of plumbago from Russia 2.227;
and a mass of plumbaginous deposite from the interior of a gas re-
tort, derived probably from the decomposition of bicarburetted hy-
drogen, had a specific gravity of 1.957. The relation between the
several specimens of plumbago and their contrast with the sulphuret
of molybdenum, are sufficiently indicative of the true nature of the
specimen this evening presented. The peculiar silvery colour, and
the greenish streak of the sulphuret were also referred to and ex-
hibited in contrast with the darker grey colour, and the similarly

Jult, 1844] 75

tinted streak of plumbago as conclusively fixing the character of
the specimens under consideration.

The occurrence of plumbago in numerous localities associated
with coal, was alluded to, and the fact was noticed, that in these
cases the beds of altered or graphitized coal, are generally in close
proximity with igneous rocks.

This natural conversion of coal into plumbago, with the artificial
production of it in the iron furnace, the gas retort and other similar
situations, together with its existence in primary rocks, or in the
fissures of adjacent sedimentary rocks, appear to point to a common
origin of the material in all these cases.

Prof. J. proposed to give at a future meeting some further illus-
trations of the subject.

Resolutions were adopted, accepting a proposal from Dr.
Morton to purchase from the Academy for a proper con-
sideration, the remaining half of the range of cases in the
South flying-gallery, for the purpose of accommodating an ad-
ditional portion of his collection of Crania — and also authori-
sing the Curators to have erected forthwith, a similar range
of cases for books in the North flying-gallery.

Stated Meeting, July 23, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Two finely prepared specimens of Rana ,from the Island

of Dominica. Presented by Mr. Wm. L. Bispham, of
Philadelphia.

Leaves and seed-vessels of Alpinia nutans, and a portion of
the milky juice of the Galactodendron utile, or Cow-tree
of South America. Presented by Miss Percival, of Phila-
delphia.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

A Geological Map of the Western States; and a concise
description of the Geological formations, &c, of the Western
States, designed as a Key to the Map. By Byrem Law-
rence. From Dr. Morton.

76 [July, 1S44.

Map (No. 3,) of the boundary lines between the United
States and the adjacent British provinces, &c. Compiled
by Lieut. T. I. Lee & W. M. C. Fairfax, under the direc-
tion of Major J. D. Graham, U. S. Topog. Eng. From
Major Graham.

The Chairman read a portion of a letter from Richard Kip-
pist, Esq., Librarian of the Linnean Society of London, dated
May 29, 1S44, requesting specimens of seeds and seed-vessels
of this country. Referred to the Botanical Committee.

Mr. Geo. R. Gliddon read some extracts from a letter dated
Khartoon, (1600 miles up the Nile, at the junction of the
White and Blue Rivers,) 22d and 26th March, 1S44, address-
ed by Mr. Abeken (the friend and * compagnon de voyage '
of Dr. Lepsius,) to Joseph Bonomi, Esq., at Cairo, and by this
last gentleman communicated to Mr: Gliddon at Philadel-
phia.

After describing the Journey and proceedings of the Prussian
Scientific Mission, from their departure from Korosko (Lower Nu-
bia) on the 8th January, to the return to Khartoon of Dr. Lepsius
and himself, from their excursion into the province of Sennaar along
the Blue Nile, as far as the 13th degree of North Latitude, Mr.
Abeken says, in regard to the Monuments and Pyramids on the
Island of Meroe :

" Thus the fabulous antiquity of Meroe has dwindled away ! I
dare affirm, that, on the whole Island or Peninsula of Meroe, there
is not one vestige of remote antiquity ; and, for my own part, I have
no doubt, that ./Ethiopia received its religion, literature and civiliza-
tion entirely from Egypt ; and that even at a comparatively late
time. We are anxious to see the works of Tirkaka (3d King of
the Ethiopian, or Cush-ite Dynasty — the XXV. Dynasty of Mane-
tho — B. C. 695 — see RosellinVs chronology in Gliddon , s Ancient
Egypt,) at Gebel Barkal ; and to try whether, perhaps, we can
make out a connecting link between him and the later ./Ethiopians
of Meroe.''

August, 1844.] 77

Meet big fur Business, July 30, 1S44.

Vice President Morton in the Chair.

The Report of the Corresponding Secretary having been
read and adopted, and some other business transacted, the
Society proceeded to ballot for members — when
Mr. C. M. Blake, of Philadelphia,
was announced duly elected.

Stated Meeting, August 6,1S44.

Vice President Morton in the Chair.

donations to library.

The probable influence of Icebergs upon Drift. By John L.
Hayes. Read before the Association of American Geolo-
gists and Naturalists, May 4, 1S43. From the Author.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. No. 1. Vol. 47.
July, 1844. From the Editors.

Seventh Annual Report of the Egyptian Society, read 31st
March, 1S43. From Geo. R. Gliddon, Esq.

A letter was read from Mr. John L. Hayes, dated Ports-
mouth, N. H., July 26, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of
his notice of election as a correspondent.

A communication from the London Botanical Society,
dated 7th June, 1844, transmitting the thanks of the Society
for No. 1, Vol. 2d, of the Proceedings.

A paper by Dr. Melsheimer, of Dover, Pa., intended for
publication, being a continuation of his descriptions of North
American Coleoptera, was read and referred to the following
committee :

Dr. B. H. Coates, Dr. M'Murtrie,and Mr. Markland.

78 [August, 1844.

Dr. Zantzinger called the attention of the Society to the specimen
of milky fluid or juice derived from the Cow tree of S. America,
which had been presented at the last stated meeting by a lady of this
city. As this was a substance of peculiar interest, and the opportunity
of obtaining or of seeing it here very rarely occurred, he stated that he
had, on these accounts, been induced to collect from various sources
some information relating to it, which he would now present to the
Society. Most of the facts had been obtained from Curtis' Botanical
Magazine, Vol. 13, new series.

The tree affording this milk is a native of Venezuela, and was
first discovered by Humboldt in the year 1802, and was believed
by him to be peculiar to the Corderilla of the shore, between a plan-
tation called Barbula and the Lake of Maracay bo, a district of country
extending from the 65th to the 71st degree W. Longitude, and from
the 9th to the 11th degree N. Latitude. It grows in situations elevated
probably from 3000 to 4000 feet above the level of the sea, and in
a temperature of which the annual mean is from 65° to 70°. It is
called by the natives Palo de Vaca, and is highly prized by them.

The true botanical character of this plant is not yet accurately
determined. Its flowers having never been seen by botanists,
the class and order to which it belongs cannot therefore be ascer-
tained. The fruit is known, and has been figured and described.
By some it has been considered as a species of Brosimum, by others
as belonging to the natural family Sapotese ; but it is now generally
regarded as a new genus, to which the name Galactodendron, ori-
ginally suggested by Humboldt, has been applied. Its generic cha-
racters are given by Kunth, in his ' Synopsis Plant: iEquinoc:'
He places it among the Urticece, and has called it Galactodendron
utile. The fruit is a monosperm, contained in a green covering or
rind, and as represented in Curtis' Botanical Magazine, is not unlike
in size and shape the fruit of the Hickory or Walnut.

Humboldt's description of this tree is to be found in his c Relation
Historique,' Vol. 2. He states that, while on his route, for some
weeks he had heard much of a tree called the Cow tree, whose
juice is a nourishing milk, and that the natives regarding it as such,
consumed large quantities of it. This was to him an extraordinary
fact, as almost all lactescent vegetable fluids are unpalatable, and
more or less poisonous.

He found, however, that the statements he had received were not

August, 1S44.] 79

exaggerated, as he had subsequently ample opportunities of judging
from trials made of it himself. He says: "It was a gluey and
thickish milk, destitute of acridity and exhaling a very agreeable
balsamic odour. It was offered to us in calabashes, and though
we drank large quantities of it, both at night before going to bed,
and again early in the morning, we experienced no uncomfortable
effects." The viscidity of this milk was the chie'f objection to it. The
natives and slaves used it freely, and became visibly fatter during
the season when the Palo de Vaca yields most milk.

Other naturalists and travellers have since confirmed these state-
ments of Humboldt. He also says : " none of the wonders of these tro-
pical regions so rivetted my gaze as did this tree, growing on the sides
of rocks, its thick roots scarcely penetrating the stony soil, and un-
moistened for many months in the year by a drop of dew' or rain.
But dry and dead as the branches appear, if you pierce the trunk, a
sweet and nutritive milk flows forth, which is in greatest profusion at
day-break. At this time the blacks and other natives of the vicinity
hasten from all quarters, furnished with large vessels to catch the
milk, winch thickens and turns yellow on the surface. Some drink
it on the spot, others carry it home to their children, and you might
fancy you saw the family of a cow-herd gathering around him and
receiving from him the produce of his kine."*

Sir Robert Ker Porter, British consul at Laguayra, at the request

Sir Wm. Hooker, visited in the month of May, 1837, the region
where the Palo de Vaca is found. Accompanied by some of th© na-
tives, with great difficulty and fatigue, and through a dense and un-
travelled forest, and at an elevation which he supposed to be 4000
feet above the level of the sea, he reached a group of these trees,
and at once made an incision into one of them, ' from which flowed
the milk, white and limpid as that of the cow, sweet to the palate
and accompanied by an aromatic smell, but leaving a clamminess
upon the lips, and upon the tongue a slight bitter.' He was enabled
in a short time to obtain a considerable quantity, although less than
was usual, as his visit was made during the decrease of the moon,
when this fluid is said not to be so abundant as during its increase.

The trunks of the trees seen by him measured in some instances
20 feet in circumference, and had attained an altitude of at least aft

* Curtis' Botan. Mag. Vol. 13, new series.
10

80 [August, 1844.

hundred feet. The trunk frequently rose sixty feet before it
branched ; the branches spread on each side 25 or 30 feet, and from
30 to 40 feet higher. They were densely clothed with foliage of a
rich and velvety green colour. The leaves measured from 10 to
16 inches in length, and 2 to 4 inches in breadth. The wood was
white, hard and very close grained, and the bark of the larger
branches was of a yellowish colour.*

An analysis of the milk of the Palo de Vaca, was made in the
year 1823 by MM. Rivero and Boussingault, and published in the
23d vol. of the Annales de Chimie, of which the following is a sum-
mary :

This vegetable milk possesses the same physical properties as
that of the cow, except in being rather viscid ; but in chemical pro-
perties it materially differs.

It mixes readily with water in all proportions, is not curdled by
acids, and is rendered more liquid by ammonia, which latter cha-
racter shows the absence of caoutchouc — alcohol slightly coagulates
it. When fresh it slightly reddens turnsol. At the temperature of
100° Cent, it boils. When slightly coagulated by the alcohol, the
more liquid portion may be passed through a filter. This when
evaporated to the consistence of a syrup and treated with rectified
alcohol, developes a little sugar, but the greater part is insoluble.
The insoluble portion has a bitter taste, and by chemical manipu-
lation may be made to yield a salt of a magnesian character.

Under the action of heat, the milk of the Palo de Vaca presents
at first the same phenomena as that of the cow. A pellicle is quick-
ly formed on the surface, which prevents the disengagement of
aqueous vapour. Upon the pellicle being raised as fast as formed,
and the evaporation continued carefully at a moderate heat, oily
drops begin to form ; these increase in proportion as the water is
driven off, and at length unite into an oily liquid, in which floats a
fibrous substance which shrivels up according as the temperature of
the oil increases. By proper measures the oily matter may be con-
verted into a substance of a yellowish white colour, solid, translucent,
resisting pressure, insoluble in water, soluble in hot alcohol and in
the essential oils, &c, and in fact resembling refined bees-wax, and
applicable to the same purposes.

* Curtis' Botan. Mag., Vol. 13, new series.

August, 1844.] SI

The fibrous substance is of a brown colour, and without taste;
upon a hot iron it swells, then becomes shrivelled and carbonised,
giving out an odour like that of broiled meat. Other experiments
with this fibrous matter showed its close similarity to animal fibre.

The constituents of the milk of the Cow tree, as ascertained by
MM. Rivero and Boussingault are therefore, 1st. wax: 2d. fibrine :
3d. a little sugar: 4th. a magnesian salt: and 5th. water.

Another analysis has been made by the celebrated Mr. Thomson,
and published in his Vegetable Chemistry. He regards the substance
called fibrous by Rivero and Boussingault as having many cha-
racters similar to those of cork. He also discovered in it a new
substance which he called Galacline, obtained by evaporating the
milk to dryness by a gentle heat, and digesting the residue in hot
alcohol. Upon the solution cooling, an abundance of snow white
flakes are deposited, which constitutes the Galactine, of which he
gives the ultimate analysis.

The specimen on the table is a portion of some brought by the
Brig Caraccas, Capt. Dill, which sailed from Porto Cabello on the
2d July last. It was furnished at the request of a gentleman of
this city, by a resident of Porto Cabello. The bottle in which it
was sent, contained about a pint, and was labelled ' Leche Palo de
Vaca ;' and the letter accompanying it, gave some particulars re-
specting the mode in which it was obtained.

The long period which has elapsed since it was taken from the
tree, has necessarily occasioned an a4teration in some of its sen-
sible properties.

In colour and consistence it can scarcely be distinguished from
ordinary milk ; but the smell resembles that of sour or stale cheese,
and the taste is of course not agreeable. If allowed to remain un-
disturbed for some time, it separates spontaneously into two portions ;
an upper and by far the largest portion, which is thick and viscid,
and a thinner one below which is transparent, of a greenish yellow
colour, and very like the whey of ordinary milk. When exposed
to the air, it quickly thickens and becomes of a dark colour.

Dr. Z. stated that he hoped to have an opportunity to exhibit at
a future period, specimens of the fruit, leaves, and probably the
flowers of this interesting plant ; as he had been kindly promised
by the gentleman alluded to above, that every effort should be made
to obtain them for the Academy.

82 [August, 1S44.

Stated Meeting, August 20, 1S44.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

A paper by Dr. Hallowell, intended for publication, entitled
"Descriptions of new species of African Reptiles," was read
and referred to the following committee : Dr. Holbrook, Dr.
William Blanding, and Rev. J. H. McFarland.

Dr. Morton read a "Description of the head of a Fossil Cro-
codile from the cretaceous strata of New Jersey,'-* which be-
ing intended for publication, was referred to a committee as
follows: Mr. Conrad, Mr. R. C. Taylor, and Dr. Holbrook.

Two communications from the American Philosophical So-
ciety, dated 21st June and 19th of July, 1844, returning the
thanks of the Society for recent numbers of the Academy's
Proceedings.

Meeting for 'Business, August 27, 1844.

Vice President Mokton in the Chair.

The Committee, to whom was referred the following paper
read at last meeting, reported in favour of publication.

Description of the Head of a Fossil Crocodile from the Cretaceous
strata of New Jersey.

By Samuel George Morton, M. D.

Read Aug. 20, 1844.

Crocodilus (Gavialis?) clavirostris.

Skull very broad posteriorly, whence it tapers in a gradual and
triangular manner to a narrow, elongated snout. Orbits very large,
oblique, and with but slight marginal elevation. Temporal fossa? of
great size, and the spiracles? placed immediately below and before
the inner margin of the orbit. Length of the head from the su-
perior margin of the occiput to the broken end of the snout 23
inches : width of the occiput behind, 12| inches ; lateral diameter of
orbit 3£ inches ; lateral diameter of temporal fossa) 4g inches. Re-
maining teeth 13 on each side. Lateral diameter of terminal end of
the snout 3) inches.

August, 1844.]

S3

This species is wholly unlike any other, fossil or recent, with
which I have been able to compare it. It seems to form an inter-
mediate link between the Gavials and true Crocodiles, for the snout,
though long and narrow, is gradually and not abruptly produced
from the head, and has probably been from eight to twelve inches
longer than it now is.

This remarkably large and admirably preserved relic, was found
in the cretaceous limestone which overlies the ferruginous marl near
Vincentown, in New Jersey, and has been obligingly presented to
our Institution by General William Irick (on whose farm it was
discovered,) and William Whitman, Esq. of this city. These strata
of cretaceous limestone were first discovered and announced by me
in 1829; in which year I published an account of them, with a list
of their organic remains, as observed at Timber creek, in Gloucester
county.* Since that period I have continued my researches into
this interesting section of our geology, which I have subsequently
identified in two other localities in New Jersey, viz. Vincentown and
the vicinity of Salem, and also in South Carolina west of Charleston ;
at which latter place the fossils have been chiefly collected by Dr.
Ravenel, who is preparing for publication a description of several
species hitherto unknown.

I obtained from Timber creek at my first visit, a fragment of the
jaw of a Crocodile with three teeth ; but the parts were not suf-
ficiently perfect to enable me to decide to which division of this class
of animals it pertained. Upon comparing it, however, with the spe-

*Vide Journal of the Acad. N. S., vol. VI.

S4 [August, 1844.

cimen now under consideration, it appears to belong to a Gavial,
and in all probability to the G. clavirostris.

Dr. Harlan, many years ago, described the remains of a fossil
crocodile from the lower or ferruginous beds of this series.* These
fragments enabled Dr. Harlan to reconstruct the head so far as to
identify it as a true crocodile, to which he gave the name of C.
macrorhyncus.\ This species is figured in the fourth volume of the
Journal of the Academy, and the fossil itself is preserved in the So-
ciety's collections.

During Mr. Lyell's recent visit to this country, he also obtained
some fragments of a fossil crocodile which appear to belong to the
Procajlian division of this family.:]:

Prof. Buckland remarks that " as there were scarcely any mam-
malia during the secondary periods, whilst the waters were abun-
dantly stored with fishes, we might, a priori, expect that if any
crocodilean forms had then existed, they would most nearly have
resembled the modern Gavial. And we have hitherto found only
those genera which have elongated beaks in formations anterior to,
and including the chalk; whilst true crocodiles, with a short and
broad snout, like that of the cayman and alligator, appear for the
first time in strata of the tertiary periods, in which the remains of
mammalia abound. §"

This remark would seem to conflict, in a geological sense, with
the observations of Dr. Harlan, as jnst quoted, because his descrip-
tion and figure correspond to those of a true crocodile; while the
C. clavirostris seems, as we have remarked, to possess an interme-
diate organic structure.

M. Geoffrey St. Hiliare has divided the fossil Gavials into two
genera, viz : Teleosaurus and Steneosaurns, which chiefly differ from
each other in the position and form of the anterior termination of
the nasal canal. As the terminal portion of the snout of the present
specimen has not been discovered, we cannot avail ourselves of this
generic distinction ; and this uncertainty must continue until the re-
covery of the deficient portion may enable us to decide the question.

* Journal of the Acad. N. S. Vol. IV.

-j Medical and Physical Researches, p. 309.

\ Amcr. Journal of Science. Vol. XLVII., p. 214.

?■ Bridge water Treatise, Vol. I. p. 251.

August, 1844.] 85

The following list embraces all the organic remains hitherto dis-
covered in New Jersey, in the same strata with the Crocodiluscla-
virostris : they are described^ in the sixth and eighth volumes of
the Society's Journal.

Squalus, several species; Belemnites? ambiguus, (M.);
Planularia cuneat a, (M.) ; Nautilus Dekayi ? (M.); Scalaria an-
nulata, (M.) ; Cirrus crotaloides, (M.) ; Vermetus rotula, (M.) ;
Gryphrea vomer, (M.) ; Grypha3a convexa, (Say.) ; Pinna rostri-
formis, (M.) ; Teredo tibialis, (M.); Cidarites diatretura, (M.) ; Ci-
daretes armiger, (M.) ; Nucleolites crucifer, (M.) ; Ananchytes
cinctus, (M.); A.nanchytes fimbriatus, (M.); Flustra sagena, (M.);

Eschara digitata, (M.) ; Retepora , fragments; Anthophyllum

atlanticum, (M.) ; Alveolites cepularis, (M.) ; Alcyonium .

election.

Richard K. Haight, Esq., of New York, was elected a
Correspondent, and

James Dundas, Esq., of Philadelphia, a member of the
Academy.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

OF PHILADELPHIA.
Vol. II. SEPT. AND OCT., 1844. No. 5.

Stated Meeting, September 3, 1S44. «
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Specimen, in spirits, of Echeneis , from Long Branch,

New Jersey. Presented by Mr. James Dundas.

Ninety-two specimens of N. American Lepidopterous insects.
In exchange.

A small collection of minerals. From Mr. J. Clark, of St.

Louis, Missouri.
Three Crania, supposed to be of the Yemassee tribe of Indians:

obtained from a mound near Tampa, Florida, by Dr.

Holmes, U. S. A., and deposited by Dr. Morton.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Geology of New York. Part IV: containing the survey of

the 4th Geological district. By James Hail. Albany,

1844. 4to. pp. 525. From the Author.
Zoologie anaiytique, ou Methode Naturelle de Classification

des Animaux : par M. Dumeril. Paris, 1806. From Mr.

Haldeman, in exchange.

11

88 [September, 1844.

The American Monthly Magazine and Critical Review.
Vol. 1, for 1817 ; containing several original papers by the
late Prof. Rafinesque. From the same, in exchange.

Description of Shells from the Province of Tavoy in British
Burmah: and Descriptions and Notices of some of the
Land Shells of Cuba. By Aug. A. Gould, M. D. From
the Author.

Letters were read from Prof. James Hall, dated Albany,
N. Y., August 29, 1844, and from Mr. Wm. S. Sullivant, of
Columbus, Ohio, severally acknowledging the reception of
their notices of election as Correspondents of the Academy.

Stated Meeting, September 17, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Fine specimens of Fibrous Sulphate of Lime, from the Mam-
moth Cave, Kentucky, and native Sulphate of Magnesia,
from the same. Also, Quartz Crystals of large size, from
Little Falls. Presented by Mr. Samuel Ashmead.

Selenite, from the interior of the Pyramid of Cheops; and a
portion of effloresced salt from the surface of the Desert of
Mount Sinai. Presented by Professor Durbin, of Carlisle,
Pennsylvania.

Specimens of the Rocks from the summit, and of those from
the notch of the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and
from the summit of North Mountain, in Camptown, New
Hampshire. From Professor Johnson.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

An Address on the recent progress of Geological research in
the United States ; delivered at the 5th Annual meeting
of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists,
held at Washington City, May, 1844. By Henry D.
Rogers. Philadelphia, 1844. From the Author.

Report of the Commissioners appointed by the Secretary of

September, 1S44.] S9

the Navy to examine the several plans of floating docks
submitted to the Department. From Prof. Johnson.
Boston Journal of Natural History. Vol. 4. No. 4. From
the Boston .Society of Natural History.

A letter was read from Mr. Haldeman, dated August 19,
1844, accompanying a series of letters addressed by the late
Mr. Say to the late Rev. J. F. Melsheimer, and presented to
the Academy by his brother, Dr. F. E. Melsheimer. Also a
paper by the latter, containing additional descriptions of N.
American Coleoptera; which, on motion, was referred to the
committee appointed on his former paper, read August 6th
last.

Professor Johnson then offered some remarks on the speci-
mens of rocks presented by him this evening.

Those from the summit of Mount Washington are quartz, coarse
granite, and tourmaline, with quartz filling its fissures, and plates
of mica adhering to its crystals. Those from the northwestern
slope of the same mountain are hornblende, and tabular masses of a
micaceous rock, in which the folia are laid in narrow bands ob-
liquely inclined to each other. All these materials are very durable
in their nature, and suffer little from mere atmospheric influence.
In strong contrast with these are many of the rocks found at the
White mountain notch. The latter are generally more or less
friable in their nature, and liable to pretty rapid detrition. They
consist of beds of gneis, intermixed with others of a granitoid cha-
racter, having the aspect and constituents of granite, but the loose-
ness and friability of gneis which has been long exposed to the
weather. The hardest specimens obtained from thst part of the
notch which contains the celebrated Willey house, are mixtures of
quartz and serpentine.

A portion of the masses having a granitic aspect has since the
catastrophe which happened to the Willey family about 18 years
ago, become completely disintegrated, and fallen into small gra-
nules.

The event just alluded to seems to furnish, to a considerable ex-

90 [September, 1S44.

tent at least, a solution of the present aspect, if not of the very
existence of this notch. The numerous and extensive scars which
the mountain still bears, derived from that occurrence, with others
obviously produced by similar means, but of a more ancient date,
and not in the notch only, but also in the numerous recesses all
along this mountain chain, point significantly to the causes which,
through innumerable ages, have been operating upon the gradual
degradation of the softer portions of these elevated regions. The
notch is stated to be, at its highest part, about 2000 feet above the
level of tide water. For the first few miles the descent is very
rapid, and the head of the Saco is truly a mountain torrent. This
steep acclivity favors the rapid action of water in washing down
the looser portions of the rock formation — aided as it is by the al-
ternate wetting and drying of the rocks.

The Chairman announced to the Society the decease, on
the 5th September last, of Miss Anna Maclure, at the resi-
dence of her brother Alexander Maclure, Esq., at New Har-
mony, Indiana. The zeal with which this lady, in common
with her brother, has ever promoted the objects and interests
of this Institution, will indissolubly connect her name with
its past and future history, as one of its earnest friends and
liberal benefactors.

On motion of Professor Johnson, the letters of the late
Rev. Mr. Melsheimer, presented to the Academy this even-
ing, were referred to the Library Committee, with directions to
have them bound and placed in the Library.

Meeting for Business, September 24, 1S44.

Vice President Morton in the Chair.

After some preparatory business, the Society went into an

election for members and correspondents, with the following

result :

member.

John Frost, L. L. D., of Philadelphia.

correspondent.

Lewis R. Gibbes, M. D., of Charleston, South Carolina.

October, 1S44.] 91

Stated Meeting, October 1, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Mounted specimens of Scotophilia perlatus, Sw., Falco

, and Buteo , from South Africa. Presented

by Dr. Watson.
Skin of an Ichneumon, from Liberia. From Dr. William

Blanding.
Tantalus melanops, Trochilus vesper, Agelaius , Eu-

phonia musica, and Tyrannuscinereus, L. Presented by Mr.

Cassin.
Large specimen of Coral, from the Indian Ocean. Presented

by Mr. Frederick Graefl", of Philadelphia, through Mr. W.

S. Vaux.

An analysis, by Prof. Reid, of three Sulphur Springs at
Sharon, Scoharie county, N. Y., was referred to a committee,
consisting of Professor Johnson, Dr. Bridges, and Dr. B. H.
Coates.

Prof. Johnson read the following communication from
Prof. Espy.

Philadelphia, Sept. 22d, 1S44.
Dear Sir, — I send you an extract of a letter which I have
lately received, which is only one of many in my possession,
going to prove that rain may be produced by man in time of
drought.

"Dear Sir, — The undersigned citizens of Coudersport, Pa.,
and vicinity, desirous of rendering you what little aid they possi-
bly can, beg leave to present to you their testimonial of the fol-
lowing facts.

On Saturday the 13th of July, about one o'clock, the fallow of
D. F. Ellsworth, Esq., containing about six acres was fired. At
the time the fire was set, the day was calm and warm, and would
be considered clear ; there were some flying clouds, with slight
appearance of rain to the North, but none in our neigborhood.
The fire spread rapidly and burned with great violence.

92 [October, 1844.

In a short time, a white cloud was seen to form over the black
smoke, which rose over the fire with great rapidity, nearly per-
pendicular. The white cloud rolled outwards above, especially
towards the North and South, and probably towards the East as
the wind was gentle in that direction, and as the rain which fell
from it increased as it proceeded East, as far as heard from. It
did not swell out far towards the West. In less than an hour
from the commencement of the burning, very large drops of rain
were seen descending by many inhabitants of Coudersport from
the cloud, glittering in the rays of the sun like diamonds.

It rained but little in Coudersport, which is about one hundred
rods west of the fire, and none at all one half mile west of the
village.

This latter fact was remarked particularly by Charles Lyman,
who was ten miles west of Coudersport, at the time of the burn-
ing, and who found the road very dusty until he came within a
few rods of the village, when the first edge of the shower made
its appearance. Mr. Lyman lives two miles east of Coudersport,
and he found the quantity of rain which had fallen constantly in-
creased as he advanced. When he got home he found the ground
quite wet; previous to the rain it was quite dry and parched,
suffering much for want of rain.

Samuel Taggart lives six miles east of the fire, and at his
place the shower was very violent, and lasted about thirty minu-
tes. Some of our citizens watched the whole formation of the
cloud and its gradual recession towards the East after the rain,
and we have understood from credible authority that it rained
hard and much longer many miles to the East the same after-
noon.

We are unanimously of the opinion that the rain was produced
by the burning of the fallow, and we think it due to your zeal in
the cause of science to make this communication to you.
Yours,

John S. Mann, Att. at Law.

Charles Lyman,

W. C. Butterworth, Att. at Law.

Samuel Taggart,

John B. Pradt, Epis. Clergyman.

David T. Hall.
To Prof. Espy. Coudersport, Pa., July 27, 1844."

October, 1844.] 93

I take an early opportunity of making the above commu-
nication to you, knowing that you take an interest in the sub-
ject.

Yours truly,

James P. Epsy.
Professor W. R. Johnson.

A letter was read from Dr. Lewis R. Gibbes, acknow-
ledging the reception of his notice of election as a Corres-
pondent.

Stated Meeting, October 8, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Specimen of the Sugar Cane in flower, from St. Croix. From

Peter A. Browne, Esq.
Mr. Kilvington presented a specimen of (a spike in fruit)

Ricinus armatus, from the West Indies.
Specimen of Scops Senegalensis, Sw. From Dr. Watson.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Almanac for 1844, of the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sci-
ences. From the Academy.

Catalogue of the Library of West Point Academy. New
York, 1830. From Dr. Elwyn.

Notes on Northern Africa, the Sahara and Soudan. By Wm.
B. Hodgson. New York, 1844. From the Author.

Dr. Morton made a communication to the Society on a
second series of ancient Egyptian Crania obtained from
tombs around the Pyramids of Ghezeh. He proposed to
continue his remarks, and to present the whole in a written
form at a future meeting.

94 [October, 1S44.

Stated Meeting, October 15, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

The following minerals were presented by Mr. H. S.
Stephens.

Aventurine Felspar, "]

White and green do. From Delaware Count

Bronze Sapphire, )> Pennsylvania.

Andalusite, and J

Tourmaline. . J

Green Malachite and Fibrous do., from Berks County.

Dodecahedral Iron, do.

Moss Agate, from Lancaster County.

Red Oxide of Titanium, from Chester County.

Picrolite, from Cecil County, Maryland.

Mr. Cassin presented the following Bird skins, from West-
ern Africa :

Prionops plumatus, Shaw. Euplectes ignicolor, Viel.

Pogonias sulcirostris, Leach. Spermestes culcullata, Sw.

Lamprotornis ptilorhynchus, Sw. Vidua chrysonota, Sw.

Also, Merula rubripes, Vigors, from Cuba;,

Dr. Morton deposited seventeen ancient Egyptian Crania,
being the series referred to in his communication made to
the Society at the last meeting: also a skull of Crocodilus
vulgaris, from the Nile.

A communication was read from Mr. J. H. Redfield, Corres-
ponding Secretary of the New York Lyceum of Natural His-
tory, dated October, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of the
last number of the Proceedings.

Dr. Morton submitted in writing, his " Observations on a
second series of ancient Egyptian Crania," which were, on
motion, refered to the following committee: Prof. Johnson,
Dr. Elwyn and Mr. Hodgson.

October, 1844.] 95

Stated Meeting, October 22, 1844.

Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Skins of Buteo Jackal Le Vail, and Falco peregrinoides Temm.
from South Africa. Presented by Dr. Watson.

Mounted specimen of Rallus noveboracensis, from the vici-
nity of Philadelphia. Presented by Dr. Zantzinger.

Water obtained in 1S41, from the Artesian Well near Paris,
1750 feet in depth. From Mr. Isaac Collins.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Annales des Mines, Quatrieme Serie, Tome IV. Liv. 5 et 6
de 1843 ; and Tome V. Liv. I. de 1844. In exchange.

Two Lectures on the Natural History of the Caucasian and
Negro races. By Josiah C. Nott, M. D. Mobile, 1844.
From Dr. Morton.

Prof. Johnson read a portion of a paper entitled, " On the
methods of determining the calorific powers of combustible
bodies ;" the remainder of which he proposes to give to the
Society at a future meeting.

An invitation was read from the American Philosophical
Society to the Academy, to be present on the 25th inst., at
the Musical Fund Hall, at the delivery of a discourse com-
memorative of the late President of that Society, P. S. Du-
ponceau, Esq., L. L. D., which was on motion accepted.

Dr. Bridges offered the following resolution, which was, on
motion, adopted.

Resolved, That a copy of Dr. Harlan's Medical and Phy-
sical Researches, be presented in the name of the late Wm.
Maclure, Esq., to the Georgia Historical Society, at Savannah.

12

96 [October, 1844.

Meeting for Business, October 29, 1844.

Vice President Morton in the Chair.

The Committee to whom was referred a paper by Dr. Ra-
venel, read May 7th, 1S44, reported in favor of publica-
tion.

Description of some new species of Fossil Organic Remains, from
the Eocene of South Carolina. By Edmund Ravenel, M. D.,
of Charleston, S. C.*

Genus PECTEN.

1. Pecten Mortoni. Specific character — Orbicular, thin, both
valves moderately convex, one more so than the other — outside,
with numerous concentric obsolete strice; inside, — with from eighteen
to twenty four radiating double ribs, slightly elevated ; ears large,
sub-equal, striated externally.

This species is nearly allied to the P. pleuronectus and P. japo-
nicus. It is found in the limestone on my plantation, The Grove,
in St. Thomas's Parish, about 17 miles from Charleston, and also on
Goose creek, at Mr. Henry Smith's, about 7 miles South West from
the Grove deposit, and 1 1 miles from Charleston; Cooper River being
between these localities.

This shell is abundant at the Grove, but being large and thin, it
is generally broken in getting out the marl, and with the exception
of a few small specimens, I have not been able to procure a perfect
valve.

The largest specimen in my possession although not perfect, is
sufficiently so to determine its size; it is 8| inches in diameter.

I take much pleasure in designating this shell by the name of our
distinguished Geologist, Dr. Samuel George Morton, of Philadelphia.

2. Pecten Holbrookii. Specific character — Orbicular, convex
with twenty-three large, prominent, somewhat flattened ribs, smooth,
margin strongly dentate ; ears large, nearly equal, obscurely rib-
bed, within deeply channeled on the hinge margin ; cavity of the
ligament triangular, deep. Transveise diameter 5s inches, longi-
tudinal diameter 4f inches.

Detached valves only have fallen into my hands. It occurs in my

* It is designed to give wood-cuts of these interesting species in a fu-
ture number.

October, 1S44.] 97

own marl pits, at the Grove, with the P. Mortoni, but more rarely.
I have fragments of larger specimens than the one described ; from
these fragments it is probable that both valves are convex, one a
little more so than the other.

I have dedicated this species to our learned herpetologist, Profes-
sor Holbrook, of Charleston, S. C.

Genus TEREBRATULA.

Terebratula canipes. Specific character. Larger valve, pear-
shaped, convex ; beak rather large and prominent ; seven plaits ex-
tending from the anterior, and part of the lateral margin to about
two-thirds of the shell towards the beak, three of these occupying
the middle, and two others, less prominent, each of the sides: mar-
gin deeply toothed by the plaits. Length 1| inches, width 1 3-8
inches.

I found a single valve in the limestone thrown out for agricul-
tural purposes at the Plantation of Dr. J. G. Prioleau, in St. John's
Parish, S. C, about five miles south of Black Oak, on the Santee
Canal. It was associated with fragments and casts of various
species which could not be determined with certainty, with the ex-
ception of "Pecten calvatus," (Morton,) "Ostrea panda," (Morton,)
and " Scutella Lyelli," Pileus sinensis, (nobis.)

The marl on this property is conveniently obtained from the
bottom of a small creek, which is often nearly dry, and as it varies
in hardness, the deposit has been examined at different spots within
a half mile. At one of these places, about 200 yards from that at
which I found this Terebratula, the Scutella pileus-sinensis is cu-
riously abundant and perfect, and is almost the only fossil which
can be determined. In a few cart loads thrown out, and not used
from being too hard, thousands of this fossil are visible.

Unfortunately, the rock is generally too hard to permit their re-
moval ; occasionally a good specimen may be procured, but gene-
rally they are broken in the effort to separate them.

Genus SCUTELLA.
Scutella pileus-sinensis. — (Mandarin's hat.) Specific character:
Orbicular; posterior margin slightly truncated, with two slight in-
dentations opposite the posterior ambulacra; margin thin, least so
anteriorly.

98 [October, 1844.

Apex a little anterior to the centre and very much elevated and
rounded ; ambulacra rather short.

Beneath slightly concave, with five compressed lines correspond-
ing with the ambulacra, dividing at about half their length into two,
and then running on, becoming less distinct, to the margin. Dia-
meter three inches.

This fossil is found abundantly in a mass of limestone on the
estate of Dr. Philip G. Prioleau, in St. John's Parish, S. Carolina,
about six miles south of Black Oak Lock of Santee Canal.

The limestone is excavated for agricultural purposes, and in
spreading it upon the fields, numerous very perfect specimens are
thrown out.

The elevation of the apex is very remarkable, and at once dis-
tinguishes this species from any other with which' I am ac-
quainted.

( To be continued.)

The Committee on Dr. Melsheimer's papers, read August
6th, and September 26th, 1841, describing new species of N.
American Coleoptera, reported in favor of publication.

Descriptions of New Species of Coleoptera of the United States.
• By F. E. Melsheimer, M. D.*

Heteroceridse, MacLeay.
Heterocerus, Bosc, Fabr.

1. H. ventralis. Fuscous ; elytra with two common angulated fulvous fascia. —
2£ 1. long, 1 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Oblong-ovate, brown, yellowish pubescent, densely and finely punctured ;
head densely clothed with an ochraceous pubescence ; the clypeus prominent,
rounded and testaceous at tip ; eyes black ; antennae testaceous ; mandibles
slightly arcuated, fringed with hairs at base ; thorax moderately convex, immar-
ginate, narrowed anteriorly, subrectilinear at base, with the sides slightly
rounded ; posterior angles abruptly rounded ; surface invested with a dense
ochraceous pubescence ; elytra obtusely striate, with two common zigzag fulvous
fasciae, and a third, similarly colored interrupted one at apex ; beneath fuscous,
with the feet, ventral margins and tip, testaceous ; anterior tibiae dusky, with
nine prominent spines at the exterior edge.

2. H. undatus. Fuscous ; margins of thorax testaceous ; elytra with obso-
lete undulated fascise. — If 1. long, £ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

* Communicated by the Entomological Society of Pennsylvania.

October, 1S44.] 99

Brown, ochraceous pubescent, densely and minutely punctured; clypeus pro-
minent, rounded at apex ; antennas dull rufous; eyes black; thorax formed as
in the preceding, with the lateral margins testaceous ; posterior angles and sides
finely marginate ; scutel elongate, triangular ; elytra intensely finely punctured,
obsoletely striate, and with obsolete undulated rufous fascia?; beneath blackish,
with the ventral apex testaceous; feet brownish, with the tarsi and knees testa-
ceous. In size, form, color and disposition of the elytral spots, this species
resembles much H. marginatum, Fabr., and may be a local variety of that
species.

3. H. brunneus. Fuscous ; thorax with the sides and posterior angles mar-
ginate ; elytra obsoletely maculate with cinereous. — 2 1. long, ^ 1. wide. Penn-
sylvania.

Form of the preceding. Fuscous, yellowish pubescent, finely shagreened ;
antenna? dusky, with the basal joint dull testaceous ; clypeus transverse-quad-
rate, the apex truncate and obsoletely testaceous ; thorax like in marginatus,
Fabr., with the sides and posterior angles marginate ; elytra indistinctly macu-
late with cinereous ; beneath and feet blackish or dark brown ; tarsi and tip of
▼enter dull testaceous.

Parnidas, MacL. )
Elmis, Latr. — Limnius, Illig.
E. vittatus. Testaceous; elytra with the lateral margins and suture brown.-
1 I. long. Pennsylvania.

Elmis bivittatus ? Dej. Catal.

Testaceous; head blackish above ; palpi piceous ; antenna? testaceous; tho-
rax subquadrate, convex, very minutely punctured, narrowed anteriorly, with
the middle of the anterior margin dusky ; glossy ; elytra striate-punctate, the
punctures large and profound ; lateral margins from behind the humerus to the
apex, and sutural margin, fuscous ; beneath and feet testaceous, occasionally
with a rufous tinge.

Macrontchus, Miiller.

M. lateralis. Black, with the thorax and elytra at sides white. — 1£ 1. long.
Pennsylvania.

Black: head black, with two longitudinal impressed lines between and near
the eyes : palpi piceous : clypeus and labrurn glabrous, shining : antennas ?
thorax convex, widest in the middle, the sides rounded ; an obsolete impressed
line each side from the apex to the middle, a faint longitudinal raised line each
side near the posterior angles ; lateral edges white : elytra punctate-striate, cata-
phracted or invested with a hard crust ; lateral edges white : feet black, with the
tarsi piceous.

Helophoridae, MacL.
HiDROcaus, Germar.
1. H. gibbosus. Brassy ; thorax with a broad dorsal groove ; elytra tritu-
berculate. — 2^1. long; 1^ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Elophorus tuberculatus, M. C.
. gibbosus, "

100 [October, 1844-

Brassy: head brassy-greenish, obsoletely trituberculate between the eyes,
punctured, punctures profound and distant on the cranium, confluent and
rugose on the clypeus : thorax subcordate, greenish-brassy, strongly and rugosely
punctured, slightly convex on the middle of the anterior margin ; a broad,
shallow indentation on the disk: scutel minute, orbiculate : elytra subovate,
widest behind the middle; brassy-brown, strongly striate-punctate; each elytrum
with three elevations, of which the two first are short, and linear, the third or
posterior one is located before the declivity of the elytrum, and is oblique, linear,
and studded with four or five small tubercles : beneath brown : feet dusky
green-brassy ; tarsi dull testaceous. This species is strictly no Hi/drochus,
neither can it with propriety be referred to any other of the present constructed
genera of Helophoridas.

2. H. rufipes. B rassy -brown ; feet rufo-testaceous. — l^ 1. long. Pennsyl-
vania.

Elophorus rufipes, Melsh. Catal.

Body elongate, brassy-pale brown above: head dark, roughly punctured;
the clypeus at tip truncate : thorax quadrate, slightly widest at apex, with the
middle of the anterior margin feebly prolonged ; surface somewhat inequal,
roughly punctured : elytra strongly crenate-striate, the interstices fine, elevated,
second, third and fourth lines with interruptions in the middle ; suture dull ru-
fous : beneath reddish-brown : feet rufo-testaceous ; knees dusky. The elytra
in some specimens are reddish-brown.

Hydrophilidae, MacL.

Berosus, Leach.

B. auritus. Lurid-testaceous ; head biimpressed, brilliant cupreous. — Is I.
long. Pennsylvania.

Hydrophilus auritus, Melsh. Catal.

peregrinus, Hbst. Col. VII. p. 314. 27 7

Size and form of H. luridus, Linn. Body lurid-testaceous : head brilliant
cupreous, densely and deeply punctured, each side between the eyes, with a
longitudinal impression which is bounded before by a transverse impressed line ;
lateral and anterior edges of the clypeus black : antenna?, labrum and palpi,
testaceous : thorax less densely and obviously punctured than the head, with a
somewhat obsolete green-brassy spot behind the middle of the anterior margin :
elytra crenate-striate, sparsely maculate with dusky : beneath and feet testa-
ceous. Though Herbst's character, " between the eyes are two large flat tuber-
cles, which have a bluish reflection," is absent in the present species, it may
nevertheless be peregrinus.

Laccobius, Erichson.

L. pundatus. Lurid ; head and thorax black, with the lateral margins of
the latter testaceous. — 1^ 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Head minutely and densely punctured, black, shining; each side before the
eyes, antenna and palpi testaceous : thorax blackish, glossy, with the lateral
margins and posterior angles broadly pale testaceous ; punctured like the head :
scutel black, with sparse punctures : elytra lurid, finely and obtusely punctate-

October, 1844.] 101

striate, the striae dusky or black ; lateral margins obsolctely testaceous : beneath
black : feet yellowish.

Puiluydrus, Solier.

1. P. Umbalis. Blackish ; lateral margins of the head, thorax and elytra,
pale testaceous.— 3£ 1. long, 2 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Black, sometimes dull reddish-brown, very minutely and densely punctured,
and finely wrinkled, glossy : head, each side before the eyes, with a large pale
testaceous spot : antennas and palpi rufo-piceous : thorax with the lateral mar-
gins and exterior half of anterior and posterior edges, pale testaceous : scutel
punctured like the elytra, the latter with the lateral margins broadly pale testa-
ceous ; obsolete distant rows of remote punctures : beneath and feet blackish or
dark reddish-brown. Differs from H. ductus, Say, to which it is closely
allied.

2. V.fimbriatus. Blackish ; lateral margins of the thorax and elytra piceous. —
2 — 2$ 1. long, 1£ — If 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Hydrophilus fimbriafus, Melsh. Catal.

. lateralis, " "

Short, ovate, convex, blackish, shining, densely and very finely and regularly
punctured : head deep black : antenna and palpi rufo-piceous : thorax piceous
or dull testaceous on the lateral margins and anterior edge : elytra with obsolete
rows of distant punctures ; lateral margins piceous or testaceous; sutural stria
distinct from the middle to the apex: beneath blackish: feet blackish-piceous,
with the tibioe and tarsi lighter. A very abundant species.

3. P. ochraceus. Ochraceous; thorax at margins paler; head piceous. —
1£ 1. long, £ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Oval, moderately convex, ochraceous, glossy, minutely and densely punc-
tured : head dull rufo-piceous, with a testaceous spot before each eye, which
last are black: labrum, palpi, feet and body beneath, pale testaceous: throat
blackish-piceous : thorax with all the margins paler than the disk: scutel com-
paratively large, acute-triangular : elytra with the lateral margins confusedly
paler than the disk; sutural stria distinct; posterior tarsi hardly ciliate.

Sphseridiidse, MacL.
Cercton, Leach.

1. Cmaculatum. Blackish, with the lateral margins of the thorax, apical
third of the elytra rufo-testaceous ; elytra punctate-striate. — li 1. long, J 1. wide.
Pennsylvania.

Oblong-ovate, shining : head pitchy-black, densely and very minutely punc-
tured ; labrum finely and shortly fringed : antennas and palpi piceous : thorax
densely and finely punctured, blackish, somewhat piceous, the lateral margins
rufo-piceous: scutel minute, blackish : elytra black, with the apical third con-
fusedly testaceous ; an obsolete roundish spot on the middle of the lateral mar-
gin, and a short linear one at the middle of the base, dull rufo-testaceous ; late-
ral edges similarly colored ; distinctly punctate-striate, the interstices distinctly
punctured on the disk : body beneath blackish : feet chestnut.

Allied to occalatum, Say, but it is more strongly punctured and differently

102 [October, 1844.

colored than that species. It also resembles apicale, Say, but aside of the dif-
ferent disposition of the colors, it has the exterior elytral striae entire.

2. C. nanum. Deep glossy black ; thorax piceous at the anterior margin;
elytra punctate-striate. — 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Ovate, convex, deep black : head and thorax highly polished, densely and
very finely punctured, the latter with the anterior and lateral margins slightly
piceous : palpi testaceous : antennas and feet piceous : scutel small, elongate,
triangular : elytra distinctly striate, with the interstices very minutely wrinkled :
beneath piceous.

3. C. mundum. Black; elytra, feet, palpi and antennae testaceous; each
elytrum with a black spot in the middle. — ^ 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Ovate, moderately convex : head and thorax black, highly polished, hardly
punctured, the latter with a rufous tinge, particularly on the lateral margins :
scutel colored like the elytra, the latter distinctly punctate-striate, rufo-testa-
ceous, each with a large, somewhat obsolete, blackish spot towards the tip ; an-
tennae, palpi, and feet testaceous : beneath blackish.

4. C. minusculum. Blackish; elytra punctate-striate. — g 1. long. Penn
sylvania.

Ovate, very convex, blackish, glossy : head shining, densely and finely punc-
tured : thorax shining, less strongly and densely punctured than the head ;
lateral and anterior margins piceous: scutel minute : elytra distinctly punctate-
striate, the interstices very obsoletely rugose ; black, with a rufous tinge, parti-
cularly the sutural region : feet testaceous? Resembles nanum, but is much
smaller.

Agathidiidse, Westw.

Phalvcrus, Payk. "

1. P.politus. Deep black, shining, impunctured. — 1 I. long, £ 1. wide.
Pennsylvania.

Hydrophilus politus, Melsh. Catal.

Short, oval, deep black, slightly piceous, shining, impunctured : clypeus ob-
tusely rounded at tip : mandibles slender, with the apex acute and black : an-
tennae piceous, with the clava fuscous, compact, fusiform : palpi piceous : thorax
convex : scutel large, obtuse-triangular : elytra convex, short, obtusely rounded
at apex ; highly polished, the sutural stria distinct from behind the middle to
the apex : beneath blackish : feet piceous, short, the femora robust, somewhat
compressed ; tibice compressed, finely spinose at the edges; tarsi short, slender,
the articulations obsolete.

2. P. apicialis. Castaneous, shining ; apex of the elytra, feet and beneath,
testaceous. — 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Oblong-oval, impunctured, reddish-brown, very shining : eyes black : antenna;
and palpi testaceous : thorax with the sides paler than the disk : elytra with
the apical third testaceous ; sutural stria abbreviated a little behind the base :
feet and beneath testaceous.

3. P. nitidus. Castaneous, nitid, impunctured. — ^ 1. long. Pennsylvania.
Short, ovate, greatly convex, light chestnut, highly polished, impunctured:

October, 1844.] 103

head with distant very minute punctures 5 eyes black: sutural stria of the elytra
faintly impressed.

Lei odes, Latf.

1. L. alternate!. Ochraceous above, beneath paler. — 2^ 1. long. Pennsyl-
vania.

Anisotoma amerlcana, Melsh. Catal.

Convex, ochraceous : head and thorax glossy, very minutely or hardly punc-
tured : scutel colored like the thorax, very minutely punctured; elytra darker
than the thorax, distinctly punctate-striate, the second, fourth, sixth and eighth
interstices, each with a series of distant large punctures : antennas palpi, feet
and venter testaceous : posterior tibiae ( $ ) greatly bowed.

2. L. discolor. Piceous above, rufo-testaceous" beneath. — I J 1. long. Penn-
sylvania.

Convex, pitchy-brown above: antenna?, palp?, and head in the middle longi-
tudinally, rufo-piceous ;' eyes and inner margins of the eyes, blackish : thorax
very shining, hardly punctured, with the lateral margins rufo-piceous: scutel
piceous, minutely punctured : elytra distinctly striate-punctate, the interstices
polished and punctured as in the preceding species : epipleurae, feet and pectus,
rufo-testaceous, the two latter distinctly punctured ; lateral margins of the ven-
ter pale testaceous. It is the Anisotoma piceum of Melsheimer's Catalogue,
but the name picea is preoccupied in this genus.

Agathidium, Ilfig.

1. A. piceum* Black, shining; antennre testaceous;- palpi and feet rufo-
piceous. — 2 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Agathidium piceum t Melsh. Catal.

Pitchy-black, very glossy : head very minutely punctured ; labrum rufo-
piceous: antennae testaceous, pilose: palpi testaceous: thoTax strongly convex,
highly polished, impunctured, with the lateral margins decidedly piceous ; an
obvious small indentation on the middle: elytra glossy, impunctured, very finely
and densely wrinkled, with the lateral margins obscurely piceous; sutural stria
obsolete: feet rufo or castaneo-piceous : beneath blackish or dark reddish-
brown.

2. A. exiguum. Black ; apex of the elytra obsoletely piceous ; feet casta-
neous. — I 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Agathidium minutum, Melsh. M. S.

Black, glossy : head apparently impunctured : antennae and palpi rufo-pi-
ceous : thorax impunctured, the lateral margins obsoletely piceous : elytra im-
punctured, with the apex rufo-piceous; sutural stria abbreviated before the
middle : feet chestnut-brown. Resembles the preceding, but is greatly inferior
in size.

Scaphidiidse, MacL.

Scaphidicm, Oliv.

S. piceum. Black, immaculate. — 2j 1. long, I3 1. wide. Pennsylvania.
Scaphidium piceum, Melsh. Catal. ,

13

104 [October, 1844.

Black, immaculate, very shining : head sparsely and very finely punctured;
eyes approximate : antennae, palpi and mouth piceous, the first with the clava
fuscous : thorax very finely punctured, with the ordinary basal punctures well
defined : elytra with distant shallow punctures ; besides the ordinary basal and
subsutural series of punctures, there are about three much abbreviated discoidal
ones, each consisting of two, three, or four punctures : feet and tip of abdomen,
black-piceous ; tarsi paler.

Scaphisoma, Leach.

S. terminatum. Black; posterior edge of the elytra, tip of abdomen, feet
and mouth, rufo-piceous. — | 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Scapkidium terminatum, Melsh. Catal.

Black, shining, glabrous, very minutely rugose : elytra with the apical mar-
gin rufo-piceous; sutural stria distinct; terminal segments of abdomen, feet and
mouth, rufo-piceous. Differs from convexum, Say, in being much smaller, and
apparently impunctured. It is more closely allied to agaricinum, Linn., than
to the former species.

SUphidx, Leach.

Pettis, Kugellan, Fabr.

1. P. quadrilineata. Black; each elytrum with four longitudinal raised
lines. — 4f 1. long, 2 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Opatrum striatum, Melsh. Catal.

Body oblong, black-piceous : head weakly and obtusely indented on the front,
slightly transversely convex between the eyes; punctured, punctures numerous
and profound : antenntE, palpi and mouth, piceous : thorax short, transverse,
a little wider behind than before; basal edge almost rectilinear; anterior margin
sinuate; sides- obtusely rounded ; surface punctured like the head, with a trans-
verse impression before the middle of the base, and another obsolete one on the
middle of the disk; dorsal line fine, distinct on the middle : scutel transverse-
oval, sparsely punctured : elytra more than three times the length of the thorax,
with the sides slightly rounded ; four entire longitudinal raised lines, sutural
and lateral edges also elevated, the spaces each with four series of deep punc-
tures.

2. P. marginata. Black ; margins of the thorax and elytra piceous, the last
with four raised lines. — 3 1. long, 1§ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Oblong, black-piceous : head as in the preceding : antennce, mouth and palpi
piceous : thorax altogether as in the preceding, only the dorsal line is distinct
and entire, and the lateral margins dull rufo-piceous : scutel as in the preced-
ing : elytra comparatively shorter than those of the preceding, and sculptured
like them, only the spaces contain but two or three series of punctures; lateral
margins dull rufo-piceous : beneath and feet reddish-brown, the latter slightly
piceous. The tibiae in this and the preceding species, are furnished with two
spurs at tip, and the anterior pair is very finely denticulated.

Nitidulidx, MacL.
Cercus, Latr.
1. C. punctulaius. Piceous; head and terminal segment of the abdomen,
rufo-piceous ; feet testaceous. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.

October, 1844.] 105

Blackish-piceous : head dull rufo-piceous, much and finely punctured : an-
tennae colored as the head, clava fuscous : thorax as wide as the elytra, trans-
verse, sides rounded, slightly narrowed before, densely and deeply punctured ;
angles obtuse : scutel obtuse-triangular, piceous, impunctured : elytra twice
as long as the thorax, much and distinctly punctured, obliquely truncate at
apex : pygidiumdull rufo-piceous, very minutely punctured : feet and beneath
reddish-brown-piceous.

2. C. pusillus. Black ; thorax strongly rounded at sides ; feet piceous.
Pennsylvania.

Nitidula pusilla, Melsh. Catal.

Smaller than the preceding. Black : head confertly punctured : labrum and
palpi piceous : antennas ? two basal joints piceous : thorax somewhat narrower
than the elytra, transverse, strongly rounded at sides, with the angles ob-
tuse ; finely and densely punctured : scutel obtuse-triangular, punctured :
elytra twice as long as the thorax, obliquely truncate at apex ; minutely and
densely punctured, and wrinkled : pygidium very minutely punctured : be-
neath blackish : feet dull reddish-brown-piceous.

Carpophilus, Leach.

1. C. antiquus. Dull reddish-brown; elytra with the apex black; feet
rufous. 1£ 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Nitidula antiqua, Melsh. Catal.

Oblong, flattish, dull reddish-brown above, minutely and much punctured ;
head less distinctly punctured, and lighter colored than the thorax and elytra;
antennae color of the feet, clava fuscous : eyes black : thorax as wide as the
elytra, transverse-subquadrate, with the sides slightly rounded ; disk some-
what flattened and deeper tinted ; hind angles small, acute : scutel piceous,
apparently impunctured : elytra covering two-thirds of the abdomen, ob-
liquely truncate and broadly black at apex : beneath rather piceous : feet
rufous.

2. C. minutus. Pale ochraceous. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.
Nitidula minuta, Melsh. Catal.

Depressed, pale ochraceous, minutely, densely and rugosely punctured :
antennae color of the body, clava fuscous : eyes black : thorax as wide as the
elytra, transverse-quadrate, with the sides slightly rounded ; angles acute ;
color tinged with reddish-brown ; disk depressed : scutel very finely punc-
tured : elytra not twice as long as the thorax, covering about two-thirds of
the abdomen, truncate at apex; wings ample: feet yellowish-rufous.

3. C. bimaculatus. Blackish ; elytra rufous, with an angulated fuscous
fascia. 1| 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Nitidula bimaculata, Melsh. Catal.

Oblong, slightly convex, densely, minutely and rugosely punctured, black-
ish or dark fuscous, finely pubescent : mouth piceous : antennas? thorax mo-
derately convex, as wide as the elytra, transverse, narrowed in front, the
sides slightly rounded ; posterior angles subobtuse ; basal margin with a
shallow indentation each side, towards the angles ; scutellum black, punc-
tured in the middle : elytra slightly convex, covering not much more than

106 [October, 1S44.

half of the abdomen, and at suture not much longer than the thorax ; dull
rufous, with a common angulated brown fascia, formed like the letter av;
tip obliquely truncate : abdomen attenuated posteriorly : feet dull rufous.

Nitidula, Fabr., Erich.

1. N. uniguttata. Light brown ; lateral thoracic margins and a spot on
each elytrum, cinereous. 1^-1. long. Pennsylvania

Nitidula biguttata, Melsh. Catal.

Oblong, light brown, finely and densely cinereous pubescent, minutely
and closely punctured : head colored as the disk of the thorax, slightly im-
pressed each side near the antennae, which are dull testaceous, with the clava
fuscous : thorax transverse, narrowed anteriorly, the sides rounded and
slightly dilated behind the middle ; angles subobtuse ; lateral margins yel-
lowish-cinereous : elytra not covering the tip of the pygidium, obtusely
rounded at apex; each with a small yellowish-cinereous spot in the middle :
beneath and feet rufo-testaceous.

2. N. rufida. Ochraceous ; eyes black. 2 1. long. Pennsylvania.
Nitidula rufida, Melsh. Catal.

Oblong, slightly convex, pubescent, very minutely and confertly punc-
tured or shagreened, ochraceous: antennae rufous, with the clava dusky : eyes
black : thorax transverse, narrowed in front, the sides slightly rounded ; a
transverse impressed line behind the middle of the anterior margin ; anterior
angles obtuse, posterior ones acute : elytra more than twice the length of the
thorax, not covering the tip of the podex, rounded at apex : feet and beneath
yellowish-rufous. Resembles much Epurcea corticina, Erichson, but is always
deeper colored, and comparatively narrower than that species.

Osmosita, Erich.

1. 0. badia. Pale ochraceous- feet testaceous ; eyes black. 1£ 1. long:
1 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Subquadrate, subdepressed, very slightly pubescent, densely and minutely
punctured, pale ochraceous : head faintly impressed each side between the
antennae, which are colored like the body, with the clava broad, fuscous, ex-
cepting the first joint, which is dusky rufous : eyes black : thorax transverse,
narrowed anteriorly, the sides slightly rounded ; anterior margin strongly
notched, posterior one slightly retuse; anterior angles obtuse, posterior ones
acute, prominent : scutel densely punctured : elytra more than twice the
length of the thorax, obtusely rounded, and almost covering the pygidium ;
humeral tubercles prominent : beneath and feet testaceous.

2. 0. casfanea. Light, or dark ferruginous; pectus fuscous ; eyes black.
1^1. long. Pennsylvania.

Nitidula castaneu, Melsh. Catal.

Broad-oval, subdepressed, finely and densely pubescent, dark, or light fer-
ruginous, with the lateral margins paler ; very finely and confertly punc-
tured ; antennas rufous, the two first joints of the club fuscous : mandibles
testaceous, tip, and eyes, black : thorax transverse, narrowed anteriorly,
slightly so at base, where it is somewhat narrower than the base of the elytra,

October, 1S44.] 107

with sides rounded ; anterior margin deeply notched, posterior one slightly
retuse; anterior angles subacute, posterior ones acute ; lateral margins widely
depressed and paler than the disk, which is obsoletely transversely indented
in front of the scutel : scutellum wide, triangular, densely punctulate : elytra
twice as long as the thorax, almost covering the pygidium, each obtusely
rounded at apex ; lateral margins moderately depressed : abdomen and pectus
fuscous or blackish : feet, terminal ventral segment, and sides of the thorax
and elytra beneath, rufous.

Pallodes, Erich.

P. obsoletus. Rufo-testaceous : elytra entire, punctate-striate. 1 1. long.
Pennsylvania.

Short, strongly convex, rufo-testaceous, shining : head densely and im-
perceptibly punctured ; eyes and tips of mandibles, black: the color of the
antennae is that of the head, the clava is dusky, oblong, four jointed, two in-
termediate joints thickest and equal : thorax somewhat paler than the head,
impunctured, very shining ; each side towards the posterior angles with a
small shallow indentation : scutel moderate, triangular, apparently impunc-
tured : elytra entire, rounded at apex; finely striate-punctate, the interstices
impunctured; beneath colored as above: feet testaceous, with the tibia
strongly ciliate or denticulate on the outer edge, and at the tip armed with
two prominent spines ; nails small. This species does not satisfactorily cor-
respond in ell its characters with the present subgenus, but as it approaches
nearer to it than to any other subgenus of Strongylinx I thought proper to
place it here. It is rare, and found in company with P. silaceus. Erich., and
Cychramus adustus, Erich.

Engidac, Mac L.
Cryptarcha, Shuck.

C. pida. Fuscous ; thorax and elytra with the lateral margins pallid, the
latter with an angulated cinereous fascia on the middle. — 1 1. long. Pennsyl-
vania.

Nitidula undata, Melsh. Catal.

Elliptic, moderately convex, glossy, finely ashy pubescent, very minutely
and densely punctured, dark fuscous : head somewhat large, plane, with an
obsolete transverse impressed line between the eyes ; mouth obsoletely
piceous : antennse piceous, with the club oblong : thorax transverse, narrow-
er before, with the sides slightly rounded ; lateral margins somewhat de-
pressed ; anterior angles obtuse, posterior ones acute, prominent : scutellum
small, triangular, piceous : elytra entire, about twice as long as the thorax,
rounded at the apex ; ordinarily depressed behind the middle with a common
zigzag cinereous fascia, and sometimes with a similar one behind the base :
beneath and feet rufo-piceous.

IPS, Fabr., Erichson.

Nitidula (Ips.) fasciala, Oliv. — Var. 0. Elytra black, with a large irre-
gular spot at base, and smaller transverse one towards the apex, fulvous. —
Ips 4-maculosa, Melsh. Catal.

10S [October, 1844.

I. 4-signatus, Say. — Var. p. Humeral spot double, small ; sometimes the
humeral and apical spots are obsolete or wanting. — Ips similis, M. MS.

1. I. bipudulatus.— Black ; elytra with four small fulvous spots. — 2 1.
long, 1 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Ips bipunctalus, Melsh. Catal.

Subquadrate, deep black, glossy : antennae piceous, clava dusky : head
much, finely and deeply punctured : thorax transverse-subquadrate, with the
sides slightly rounded and obsoletely piceous, punctured as the head ; a small
obsolete basal indentation towards the posterior angles : scutel sparsely and
minutely punctured on the base : elytra short, finely and deeply punctured,
obtusely rounded at apex ; each elytrum with a small roundish yellowish or
fulvous spot on the middle of the basal margin, and another similarly color-
ed larger one between the middle and tip : feet castaneous or piceous : be-
neath pitchy-black. — Resembles somewhat A-signatus, Say, but aside of its
inferior size and other differences, it may be distinguished from that species
by its more quadrate contour.

2. I. geminatus. Castaneous; elytra each with two whitish spots, the
posterior one double. 2^ 1. long — 1 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Oblong, dull reddish-brown, glossy, much, finely and deeply punctured :
head blackish, without any nasal impressions : thorax less distinctly punc-
tulate on the disk than towards the sides, where it has the two ordinary in-
dentations ; lateral edges almost rectilinear : scutel sparsely and finely punc-
tured : elytra each with two whitish or pale yellowish spots ; the anterior or
subhumeral spot is composed of three roundish, closely connected ones, the
posterior spot is located behind the middle, is transverse and composed of
two oval or roundish ones, of which the sub-sutural one is the larger ; apex
obtusely rounded : feet and beneath castaneous or piceous. — Differs from
fasciatus, Oliv. A-signatus, Say, sanguinolentus, Oliv., and bipustulatu ,
by the oblong form of the body. Specimens of this species may occur in
which the prevailing color is black. '

Rhyzophagus, Herbst.

1. R.? parallelus. Dark castaneous ; elytra paler ; feet and palpi rufo-piceous.
2 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Parallel, subdepressed ; head as wide as the apex of the thorax, above flat-
tened, much and distinctly punctulate, reddish-brown: antennae? palpi and
mandibles rufo-piceous, the latter exposed, with the tips acute and black :
thorax longer than wide, scarcely narrowed behind ; apex truncate, with the
anterior angles obtuse ; base, together with the hind angles obtusely round-
ed ; sides rectilinear ; basal edge finely margined ; much deeply and regularly
punctulate. Scutellum minute, triangular, black : elytra paler than the
thorax, with the lateral margins towards the apex obsoletely and broadly
testaceous, punctate-striate, the interstices distinctly punctulate : beneath
colored like the thorax : pectus strongly punctured : feet rufo-piceous. — The
present specimen and the only one of this species in my collection, is de-
prived of the antennae and all the tarsi. It has somewhat the form of a Tro-
gosita.

October, 1844.] 109

2. R. erythropterus. Black ; antennae, elytra and feet rufous. — \ 1. long.
Pennsylvania. Bank of the Susquehanna.

Elongate : head dull rufo-piceous, somewhat depressed above, much punc-
tulate, with short obsolete longitudinal striae on the vertex ; clypeus slightly
longitudinally convex : antennae rufous, the clava short, ovate, with the
joints compact : thorax as wide as the elytra, subquadrate, truncate at apex
and base, the sides and posterior angles obtusely rounded ; disk somewhat
depressed, with deep and distant punctures ; lateral margins more numerously
punctulate ; each side of the middle with an impressed longitudinal line,
bounded at base by an obsolete transverse one : scutel triangular, rounded at
tip: elytra rufous, dusky, truncate and slightly narrowed at apex ; obsoletely
punctate-striate, the striae fine, distinct : epipleuras and feet rufous : pygidium
exposed, strongly punctulate : beneath black.

Trogosita, Fabr.

1. T. castanea. Black above, beneath and feet reddish-brown; head an-
teriorly obsoletely rufous. 5^ 1. long, 2\ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Trogosita castanea, Melsh Catal.

Closely allied if not the same, to cinnamonea, Say, but it differs from that
species in being differently colored, in having the head and thorax more dis-
tinctly punctured, in^the elytra being always comparatively wider and deci-
dedly differently engraved ; in the present species the striae and punctures
are obsolete and the surface much wrinkled. Say, in a letter, considers cas-
tanea identical with his cinnamonea.

2. T. corticalis. Black; antennae and feet piceous ; elytra profoundly
punctate striate. 4J 1. long, 1^1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Trogosita corticalis, Melsh. Catal.

subnigra, Beauv. Ins. p. 127, pi. 32, f. 9.?

Body subelliptic, black : head with large, deep and vicinal punctures ; a
punctiform impression between the eyes : mandibles black : antennae piceous :
thorax subquadrate, obviously widest at base, with the sides feebly arcuated ;
surface punctured like the head, with a narrow impunctured dorsal space ;
posterior angles minute, acute, excurved : elytra with the sides almost paral-
lel from the humeral angle to near the tip ; deeply punctate-striate, the in-
terstices each form two series of minute oblong distant punctures: beneath
and feet piceous. This species can hardly be either T. depressior or subni-
gra of Pal. de Beauv., if his figures and descriptions of these two species be
correct.

3. T. limbalis. Dull rufo-piceous, with the disk of the thorax and elytra
blackish. 4 1. long, 1| wide. Pennsylvania.

Form entirely that of the preceding ; head black, tinged with dull rufous
at the sides ; sculptured as in the preceding : antenna rufo-piceous : thorax
black, with the lateral margins broadly dull rufo-piceous ; contour and en-
graving as in the preceding, with the impunctured dorsal space more feebly
defined : elytra dull rufous, with the sutural region dusky or blackisk ; sides
somewhat less parallel than in the preceding species ; finely punctate-striate,
the interstices flat and transversely finely wrinkled : venter and postpectus

110 [October, 1S44.

dark reddish-brown-piceous : antepectus, feet, epipleurae and ventral margins
rufo-piceous. This species is closely allied to the preceding, from which
it differs, apart from the color, in no essential character, except in the fine
somewhat obsoletely punctured striae of the elytra, and the perfectly flat, and
wrinkled interstices of the same. It must be also closely allied to marginata,
Beauv., and may probably prove to be that species.

4. T. dubia. Blackish, with the sides of the elytra piceous, or testaceous ;
feet rufo-piceous. 2£ 1. long, 1 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Body subelliptic : head black, with large, deep and vicinal punctures;
mandibles piceous : antennae testaceous, piceous : thorax black, obviously
widest at apex, with the sides very faintly rounded ; posterior angles minute,
excurved ; surface punctured as the head, with the mesial impunctured space
very narrow, obscure ; a small indentation on the anterior angles : scutel im-
punctured, pitchy-black : elytra blackish, tinged with reddish-piceous,
slightly widest behind the middle, with the lateral margin obsoletely dull
reddish-brown or piceous ; punctate-striate, the interstices with minute,
distinct oblong punctures ; beneath piceous : feet rufo-piceous.

5. T. nana. Reddish-brown, with the sides of the thorax rounded. 2 1.
long, f 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Oblong-subovate : head blackish, finely and somewhat densely punctured :
antennas testaceous : thorax strongly transverse, narrowed at base with the
sides rounded and faintly excurved at the posterior angles ; angles acute, the
hinder ones not prominent ; punctured as the head ; dull reddish-brown ;
dorsal impunctured line narrow and obscure : elytra paler than the thorax,
about as wide as the thorax, punctate-striate, with the striae very slightly
impressed : beneath and feet colored as the elytra.

Only a single specimen of this species has yet occurred to us, which was
perhaps in an immature state when captured.

6. T. bimaculata. Black; each elytrum with a large fulvous spot near
the middle. 2§ 1. long, If 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Rare.

Trogosita bimaculata, Melsh. Catal.

fasclata, << «

Black, oblong-ovate : head finely and deeply punctured, with a small
shallow frontal indentation : antennae piceous, with the clava testaceous :
thorax blackish, with lateral margins piceous and rounded ; surface as much
punctured as the head, but less distinctly; each side of the middle with a
small orbiculate indentation; posterior angles minute, acute, feebly excur-
ved : elytra comparatively wide and short, distinctly wider than the thorax,
punctate-striate, striae shallow and with the punctures obsolete before the
apex; each elytrum with a large fulvous spot a little before the middle and
nearer the suture than the lateral margin, the latter obsoletely piceous : be-
neath obscure reddish-brown : feet piceous, with the tarsi paler.
Bitoma, Herbst.
B. undutata. Fuscous above, beneath and feet dull rufous; elytra maculate
with cinereous before the middle, and a similarly colored fascia before the tip. —
2| 1. long. Pennsylvania.

October, 1844.] m

Colydium undulatum, Melsh. Catal.

Body elongate : head finely and densely granulated, above blackish, with the
apex dull rufous; finely cinereous pubescent: antenna; rufous, with the clava
distinctly 2-jointed : thorax brown, tinged with rufous, pubescent like the head ;
front margin elevated and somewhat advanced in the middle ; anterior angles
very prominent ; lateral edges rectilinear, denticulated, abruptly contracted near
the posterior angles ; disk longitudinally and widely impressed : elytra blackish,
broadly dull rufous at base, varied with small ashy spots; a dull rufous fascia,
maculate with ashy, before the apex ; four longitudinal raised, finely granulated
lines, the interstices each with a double series of punctures : feet and beneath
dull rufous, sprinkled with numerous punctiform ashy scales. This species, in
the form of the body, bears a stronger resemblance to a Colydium than to B.
crenata, Hbst., the type of the genus Bitoma.

BoTiimDERES, Dejean's Catalogue.

B. exaratus. Dark ferruginous ; thorax and elytra longitudinally ribbed. —
2 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Ferruginous: head very minutely granulated : antenna?: thorax norrowed
posteriorly ; lateral edges elevated, faintly rounded ; angles acute, posterior ones
deflexed ; an entire, fine, submargina) costa, similar, but shorter, or dislocated
ones on the disk : scutel minute, orbiculate : elytra lighter tinted than the tho-
rax, each with four longitudinal narrow acute lines ; suture and lateral edges
raised : feet and beneath rust-red. My collection contains only a single speci-
men of this species, which is closely allied to B.geminatus, Haldeman, Ditoma
paradoxa, of some, but is smaller and comparatively much narrower than that
species.

Mohotoma, Herbst.

M. fulvipes. Blackish ; feet and antenna? fulvous. — | 1. long. Pennsyl-
vania.

Latridius rujipes, Melsh. Catal.

7iiger, "

Black, opaque : head sparsely hispid, finely shagreened, with two longitudinal
impressions between and near the eyes : labrum in front piceous : palpi and
antenna? dull fulvous : thorax finely shagreened, hispid, oblong-quadrate,
slightly narrowed at apex, with the posterior angles rounded, the anterior o«es
small, acute ; two somewhat obsolete longitudinal impressions on the middle
near the base : elytra dull reddish-brown, slightly hirsute, finely striate-punctate,
the interstices fine, convex : beneath black, with the tip of the venter obsoletely
testaceous : feet dull fulvous.

Stnchita, Hellwig.

S.fuligi?iosa. Ferruginous above, dull rufous beneath. — 1£ 1. long. Penn-
sylvania.

Lyctus fuliginosus, Melsh. Catal.

Ferruginous, much finely and yellowish granulated: eyes black: antennae
and palpi rufo-testaceous, the former with the capitulum somewhat depressed :
thorax with the lateral margins narrowly depressed, and finely ciliate at the

13

112 [October, 1S44

edges ; a very obsolete mesial line : elytra crenate-striate, the interstices trans-
versely wrinkled : beneath dark rufous : feet lighter.
Cigones, Curtis.

C. rnarginalis. Brunneous above ; lateral thoracic margins and body beneath
dull rufous.— Ih I. long. Pennsylvania.

Lyctus rnarginalis, Melsh. Catal.

Dark brown above, densely hispid : head small, tinged with rufous, finely
granulated, plunged to the eyes into the emargination of the thorax : antenna?
piceous, the capitulum rufous and pubescent at tip: thorax widely and profoundly
emarginate at apex, with the lateral margins dull rufous, widely depressed and
slightly rounded ; anterior angles prominent, acute ; posterior ones faintly round-
ed ; surface finely granulated ; lateral edges ciliated : scutellum punctiform : ely-
tra obsoletely maculate with dull rufous; lateral edges similarly colored ; finely
crenate-striate, the interstices somewhat obsolete, with ranges of short, robust
sets : feet and beneath dull rufous.

Xylotrogus, Stephens.

1. X. brevicornis. Badious : antenna short, robust. — 1^ 1. long. Pennsyl-
vania.

Lyctus americanus, Melsh. Catal.

Head blackish, inequal, deeply and widely impressed each side between the
antennae; strongly punctured : antennae piceous, robust, short, 11-jointed, joints
2 — 9 transverse, equal, compact ; two last joints slightly thicker than the pre-
ceding ones, separate ; terminal joint obtuse : thorax blackish, glabrous, subquad-
rate, scarcely narrowed at base ; angles acute ; transversely impressed behind the
middle ; surface with large and profound punctures, with a narrow, impressed
mesial line : scutel minute, blackish : elytra chestnut, deeply striate, stria; with
transverse punctures, the interstices very fine, with the sutural one remotely and
minutely punctured ; apical edge slightly reflexed: beneath strongly punctured,
dark chestnut: feet similarly colored. Closely allied to Lyctus reJlexus,Say,
but the outlines of the thorax are different.

2. X. parallelipipedus. Fuscous ; feet rufo-testaceous. Less than 1$ 1. long.
Pennsylvania.

Lyctus parallelipipedus 1 Melsh. Catal.

Elongate, subparallel, dull reddish-brown, densely and very minutely punc-
tured, finely golden pubescent : head in front and mandibles rufous : antennae?:
eyes black : thorax subquadrate, convex, somewhat longer than wide, slightly
narrowed at apex, which is slightly advanced, and obtusely rounded in the middle;
anterior angles subacute ; basal edge slightly bisinuate ; sides almost rectilinear :
scutel minute, transverse : elytra convex, nearly three times longer than the tho-
rax, with the sides subparallel; apex obtusely rounded: beneath chestnut, glab-
rous; feet paler.

Lyctus, Fabr.

L. striatum Reddish-brown, pubescent ; elytra feebly punctate-striate.— 2-2f
1. long. Pcnnsylvauia.

October, 1844.] 113

Lyclus slrialus, Melsh: Catal. 178.

canaliculatus, " "

Dull reddish-brown : head roughly punctured, yellowish pubescent : eyes black:
thorax subquadrate, slightly narrowed behind, with the sides rectilinear to near
the apex ; punctured like the bead, golden pubescent, with a wide glabrous in-
dentation on the disk : elytra cylindric, frequently paler than the thorax, and
sometimes with the disk darker ; obsoletely punctate striate, the interstices yel-
lowish pubescent : antennae and feet colored as the elytra: postpectus brown,
shining : antepectus and venter reddish-brown.

2.' ;L. axillaris. Fuscous, or reddish-brown, pubescent ; elytra with a testa-
ceous humeral spot. — H 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Lyctus axillarus, Melsh. Catal. 179.

fuscus, " " "

Reddish-brown, or fuscous : head and thorax as in the preceding, the latter,
however, is almost quadrate or hardly narrowed behind : elytra sculptured and
clothed as in the preceding; humeral tubercle obsoletely testaceoas: antennse,
feet and beneath, as in the preceding. This species may probably prove to be
tho male of the preceding one.

L/EMOPHLOErs. Dejean.

L. fasciatus. Testaceous, glabrous: elytra fuscous, each with a testaceous
spot and four strise. — 1 J — 2£ 1. long, £ — 1 1. wide. Pennsylvania. Not rare.

Cucujus fasciatus, Melsh. Catal.

Flat, testaceous, glabrous : head as large as the thorax, densely punctulate,
with longitudinal and transverse epicranial lines distinct : mandibles blackish at
tip : palpi and antennas testaceous, the latter long, sparsely pubescent : thorax
very short, much narrower at base than at apex ; base and apex truncate ; hinder
angles minute, acute, excurved ; sides slightly rounded, more or less crenate ;
minutely and densely punctured, with the disk often dusky ; lateral submarginal
line distinct, with a small impression on its inner side towards the base : scutel
testaceous, short, wide, obtusely rounded at tip : elytra short, brownish, very finely
punctured ; each elytrum with a large testaceous spot near the middle, and four
longitudinal impressed lines: feet and beneath yellowish-testaceous. Though this
is an abundant species, yet I have not seen it described. It is, perhaps, the Jlde-
Una complanata of Dej. Catal.

Cucujus oblongus, Fabr., varies much in size — from 2| to 6 lines in length.

Cucujus biguttatus, Say, varies much in size, color and form of the antennal
joints.

Tetratoma, Herbst.

1. T. obsolela. Blaek, beneath piceous ; elytra obsoletely maculate with ru-
fous. — 2^ I. long. Pennsylvania.

Mycetophagus 10-guttatus, Melsh. Catal.

Black above : head coarsely punctured, pubescent : antennre, mouth, palpi and
feet, dull rufo-piceous, the first with the clava fuscous : thorax punctured and

114 [October, 1844.

pubescent like the head : scutel strongly punctured : elytra pubescent, punctate-
striate, the interstices transversely wrinkled ; a humeral spot, a small one behind
the scute], one on the lateral margio near the middle, a narrow undulated fascia
behind the middle, and a small spot before the apex, obsoletely rufous : beneath
piceous ; tip of the venter paler. This species has the form of a Mycetophagus,
and resembles somewhat M. punclatus, Say.

2. T. tessellata. Black ; elytra maculate with fulvous. — If 1. long. Penn-
sylvania.

Mycetophagus tessellatus, Melsh. Caial.

Black above, strongly punctured, finely pubescent: mouth and antennae dull
testaceous, the latter with the clava fuscous : thorax with a basal indentation
each side of the middle : scutel strongly punctured : elytra transversely wrinkled,
each elytrum with about ten fulvous spots, which are frequently confluent : be-
neath piceous or dull testaceous.

Mycetophagidee, Westw.

Mycetophagus, Fabr.

1. M. bimaculatus. Testaceous; head, thorax and two spots on each elytrum
black. — 2 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Head blackish, strongly punctured, pubescent: labrum and antennas dull testa-
ceous, the latter with the clava fuscous : thorax blackish, punctured and pubescent
like the head, with a profound basal impression each side of the middle: elytra
rufo-testaceous, pubescent, punctate-striate, the interstices transversely wrinkled;
each elytrum with two large irregular black spots, the anterior spot attains the
lateral margin, but not the suture ; the posterior one is contiguous to the suture,
but scarcely attains the lateral edge : feet and beneath dull testaceous, finely pu-
bescent.

2. M. bipustulatus. Black; each elytrum with two fulvous spots. Hardly
2 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Black, strongly and much punctured, yellowish pubescent: antennae, palpi and
labrum dull testaceous : thorax and elytra sculptured as in the preceding, the
latter with a roundish subhumeral spot, and a transverse one behind the middle,
fulvous : beneath piceous : feet dull testaceous.

Atomaria, Kirby.

1. A. pubescens. Dull ochraceous, pubescent. — 1J 1. long. Pennsylvania.
Cryptophagus pubescens, Melsh. Uatal.

Body dull ochraceous, yellowish pubescent : head finely and confertly punc-
tured : eyes black: antennae and* feet paler man the body: thorax transverse,
punctured like the head, with the lateral edges entire, and feebly rounded ; scutel
transverse : elytra very minutely punctured and wrinkled, and densely pubes-
cent.

2. A. crenata. Ochraceous, pubescent; elytra striate-punctate. — 1$ I. long.
Pennsylvania.

October, 1844.] 115

Ochracoous, yellowish pilose : head still more finely punctured than in the
preceding: antenna and feet testaceous : eyes black : thorax as in the preceding ?
with two small tufts of hair on the middle of the posterior edge: scutel trans-
verse: elytra finely striate-punctate, punctures placed in very shallow striae, the
interstices convex, each with two rows of very minute, distant punctures : beneath
pale rufous.

Antherophagus, Knoch, Latr.

A. ochraceus. Ochraceous, pubescent; base of the tibia; blackish. — 2| 1. long.
Pennsylvania.

Oblong-oval, pale ochraceous, densely clothed with a yellowish prostrate pu-
bescence : head large, above flatfish, very minutely punctured, posteriorly glab-
rous, at tip profoundly emarginate : mandibles at tip black, acute: antenna
robust, with the basal joint stout; joints 2 — 8 equal, moniliform ; fuscous, with
the basal joint, and frequently the clava, ochraceous : eyes black: thorax trans-
verse-quadrate, with the sides slightly rounded; surface very minutely and densely
punctured : scutel transverse, very narrow, and often of a deeper tint than the
body : elytra very minutely and densely wrinkled, obsoletely striate : venter and
postpectus rufous : feet colored like the elytra, with the base of the tibiae
blackish.

Cryptophagus, Herbst.

C. maculalus. Rufous ; elytra testaceous, punctate-striate, maculate with fus-
cous; thorax at sides dentate. — lj 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Latridius maculatus, Melsh. Catal.

Dull rufous: head inequal, with the front somewhat impressed and wrinkled:
antennas 1 1-jointed, first joint clavate, second robust, about the length of the third,
which is longer than the fourth ; clava 3-jointed, two first joints subglobular,
third or terminal joint ovate : palpi small, filiform : eyes black: thorax subtrans-
verse, with the base truncate, finely margined ; apex obtusely rounded ; sides
rounded, with four prominent teeth at each; lateral margins depressed; disk
convex, rough with rugose punctures, deeply grooved in the middle : elytra wider
at base than the thorax, widest behind the middle, moderately convex, testaceous,
obsoletely maculate with fuscous, profoundly punctate-striate, with the striae much
wider than the interstices, sutural stria very short, the interstices subacute, lateral
one extending from the base to the suture ; lateral edge finely marginate : feet
testaceous ; tarsi simple, heteromerous.

Corticaria, Marsh.

1. C. pulicarius. Blackish; elytracrenate-striate. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Latridius pulicarius, Melsh. Catal.

Head and thorax blackish, with a rufous tinge, densely and finely granulated,
the former with an obsolete longitudinal impressed line in the middle : antennae
colored like the feet : eyes deep black : thorax truncatc-subcordate, transversely
indented before the base ; mesial groove distinct : elytra dark chestnut, without
gloss, deeply crenate-striate : feet dull red-testaceous.

116 [October, 1844.

2. C. pusillus. Pale rufous ; antenme and feet testaceous, x 1. long.
Pennsylvania.

Latridlus pusillus, Melsh. Catal.

Form and size of the preceding. Head and thorax punctulated, finely pubes-
cent, pale rufous, the first somewhat convex between the eyes, which are black :
antennce and feet testaceous : thorax convex, narrowed and rounded anteriorly,
transversely and widely indented before the basal margin : elytra deeper colored
than the thorax, clothed with an ashy pubescence, punctate-striate : beneath
dark rufous.

Bermestidse, Leach.

Teogoderma, Latr.

T ] tarsale. Black ; antennae and tarsi testaceous ; elytra maculate with ru-
fous. If 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Body subovate, black, with minute short hairs : head finely punctulate : an-
tennre testaceous, thickened towards the apex, with all the joints, excepting the
three first, in $ , shortly pectinate, and the terminal joint long, lanceolate ;
antennas ( 9 ) very short, with the clava compactly four-jointed : thorax very
minutely punctured, sparsely covered with ashy and rufous pilose spots : elytra
finely and densely punctured, and minutely longitudinally wrinkled, maculate
with dull rufous, and with sparse ashy pilose irregular transverse lines : beneath
black ; femora piceous ; tibiae and tarsi pale testaceous. This is parhaps Der-
mophagus pectinatus, Dej. Catal. The larvae of this species infest entomolo-
gical collections.

Anthrenus, Geoff. Fabr.

1. A. destructor. Dark fuscous, densely clothed with minute ochraceous
scales; posterior thoracic angles and spots on the elytra, white. 1 — 1| 1.
long. Pennsylvania. Frequent in neglected insect collections.

Anthrenus tricolor, Hbst. Col. VII- 333 1
» " museorum, Melsh. Catal.

Brown, densely clothed above with ochraceous scales, particularly trie disk of
the thorax : antennae deep black : thorax with the sides of the basal margin,
hinder angles, and sometimes the middle lobe, white squamulose : elytra with
two or three irregular, undulated fasciae of minute white scales, sometimes dis-
posed only in spots : body beneath densely covered with minute ashy or white
scales, sometimes with the ventral segments laterally each with a dusky or black
spot : feet blackish, sparsely covered with ashy scales. Altogether different from
musseorum, Fabr., and does not satisfactorily agree with the description of tri-
color by Herbst.

2. A. castaneae. Black; elytra dull red-brown, with scattered yellowish
scales. 1 1. long.

Anthrenus castanese pumila, Melsh. Catal.
« « adspersus, Hbst. Col. VII. 332. 8 1

Head black: antennse and feet dull rufous: thorax black, sometimes nearly
colored as the elytra, with the posterior margins and hinder angles sparsely
clothed with whitish or yellowish scales, and with a few scattered similarly co-
lored onos on the disk : elytra reddish-brown, with scattered yellowish scales,

October, 1844.] 117

often disposed in small spots, and most numerous behind the base : beneath
blackish, or dull reddish-brown, partially clothed with ashy scales. Occurs in
profusion on tho blossoms of Castanea pumila.

3. A. thoracicus. Black ; thorax each side broadly white squamulose ; elytra
with a largo lateral white spot. 1 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Anthrenus thoracicus, Melsh. Catal.

Black ; head with a few scattered white scales : antennae and feet dull rufous,
or dark reddish brown : thorax densely and broadly covered at the sides with mi-
nute whitish scales : elytra with the lateral margins each with a large white
squamulose spot, occupying one-third of the side, and extending almost to the
suture, on which is a common, short linear spot behind the middle, and a simi-
lar but shorter one before the apex, ochraceous : pectus partially, and venter en-
tirely covered with small, white scales ; lateral margins of the venter with small
blackish spots.

Byrrhidse, Leach.

Stncalypta, Dillwyn.

S. hispidus. Castaneous, hispid ; antennae and feet red-brown. 1| 1. long.
Pennsylvania.

Chestnut-brown, fuscous hispid : head blackish, somewhat wrinkled, very
finely and distantly punctured : thorax punctured like the head : elytra darker
than the thorax, glossy, with very fine vicinal punctures : beneath glabrous.

Birrhus, Fabr.

1. B. trivittatus. Blackish-brassy ; elytra with three broad green vittae. 3 1.
long, 2 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Byrrhus varius, Steff. Germ. Zeitsch. IV. 28. 23 ?

Body short-ovate : head cupreous, confertly and profoundly punctated and some-
what wrinkled, with a transverse angulatcd line between the antennas, being
more or less obtuse and obsolete : antennae blackish : thorax cupreous as the
head, densely, minutely and profoundly punctured, and with numerous trans-
verse wrinkles towards the base and posterior angles : scutel obtuse-triangular :
elytra brown-brassy, very minutely shagreened, finely punctate-striate, with the
spaces broad, slightly elevated, flat, the three inner ones green, the sutural
one abbreviated towards the middle ; apex obtusely rounded : beneath black :
feet dark fuscous. Does not satisfactorily agree with any specimen of varius:
Fabr. in my collection.

2. B. undatus. Dark fuscous : elytra with two common transverse, undu-
lated white lines on the middle. 2 l-5th, 1. long, 1§ 1. wide Pennsylvania.

Byrrhus murinus, Melsh. Catal. — Steffany. Germar Zeitschrift Vol. IV. p.
24, No. 19 1

Short-oval, very dark fuscous, tomentose and short, black hirsute : head mi-
nutely wrinkled : palpi piceous : thorax very short, greatly attenuated anteriorly,
with the base and apex bisinuate ; surface strongly shagreened ; two short linear
impressions in front of the scutel ; an obsolete medial groove : scutel deep black
tomentose : elytra closely and faintly striate, the interstices narrower than the
striate spaces, black tomentose, particularly the three inner ones ; two common
transverse white lines on the middle, not attaining the lateral margins and con-

118 [October, 1844.

fluent at their ends; apex subacutely rounded : beneath black-fuscous : feet dark
rufo-piceous. Differs in many respects from murinus, F.

3. B. glabellus. Black, glabrous; elytra finely striate. 2 2-5ths 1. lonjr,
li 1. wide.

Short-oval, black, glabrous glossy : head densely and rugosely punctured,
punctures large, profound and distant on the clypeus: thorax short, much con-
tracted anteriorly, with the sides emarginate ; anterior and posterior margins
bisinuate; anterior angles strongly deflexed, acute, hinder ones acute; surface
densely and deeply punctulate : elytra with ten fine, somewhat deeply impres-
sed sirioe, the second strias is abbreviated near the middle and united at the
origin with the third, the fourth stria is united in a similar manner w ; th the
fifth, spaces between the striae irregular in breadth, finely transversely wrinkled ;
apex acutely rounded : beneath black, strongly punctured : feet dark rufo-pic-
eous.

Simplocaria, Marsh.

S.strigosa. Deep black-brown, subglabrous ; elytra punctate-striatc. lj 1.
long, \ 1. wide. Georgia.

Byrrhus strigosus, J. Melsh, M. S.

Short-ovate, black or dark brown, subglabrous glossy : head and thorax opake,
intensely finely shagreened, the former with the anterior edge margined : scutel
minute triangular : elytra convex, acuminate at apex ; distinctly punctate-striate,
almost glabrous, and like the head and thorax, with scattered short capitate setas :
beneath blackish : feet dark reddish-brown.

( To be continued in next number.)

The Committee to whom was referred the following paper
read August 20, 1844, reported in favor of publication.

Description of new species of Reptiles from Africa.

By Edward Hallowell, M. D.

Coluber Icevis.

Description. — Head of moderate size, broad posteriorly, nar-
rowed in front, covered above with nine plates ; the occipital are
large, pentagonal, the broadest part presenting anteriorly; the verti-
cal plate is hexagonal, broadest anteriorly ; the supra-orbital are of
moderate size, hexagonal, the inferior margin being curved for the
reception of the upper margin of the orbit ; there are two anterior
and two posterior orbitar plates; the posterior are quadrangular, the
anterior are pentagonal ; there are two nasal plates with the nostril
placed between them; there are two posterior and two anterior or-
bitar plates ; the vertical plate is large, its upper margin rounded
where it is joined to the anterior frontal and nasal plates ; there are
seven superior labialplates ; the eyes are large, the irides ; there

October, 1S44.] 119

are five temporal plates •, one on each side, and four on the other
side of the head ; the body is of moderate size, thicker in the middle,
covered ahove and on the sides with smooth quadrangular scales ;
the tail is long and tapering; abdominal scuta 150 : subcaudal 100.
Color. — Body bronze above, with eight or ten yellowish bands upon
the neck and upper part of the body ; four or five others are also
observed upon the middle of the body, but they are here indistinct;
these bands or stria? are formed by the separation of an equal number
of broad bands of a dark purple color, which coalesce upon the
posterior party of the body ; these bands extend upon the sides of the
body, where they assume a triangular form, the apices presenting
downwards ; the under surface of the abdomen is yellow, clouded
with bronze ; the sides of the body in the spaces intervening
between the bronze colored bands above described are also yellow.

Dimensions.

Feet.

Inches.

Length of the head,

.

1

Breadth posteriorly,

.

a

3
4

Length of body,

„

i

6

Length of tail,

.

9

Dipsas carinatus.

Description. — Head small, rounded in front, covered above with
nine plates ; the occipital are large, pentagonal, broadest anteriorly;
the vertical plate is nexagonal, the supraorbital are quadrangular, the
inferior margins being curved to receive the nostril; there are two
anterior and two posterior frontal plates ; the posterior are quad-
rangular, larger than the anterior ; there are two nasal plates, the
posterior is much the larger, with the nostril placed between them :
the vertical plate is quadrilateral, rounded superiorly ; there are

seven superior labial plates; the eyes are large, irides ; body

slender, triangular, compressed upon the sides, covered with oblong
narrow and carinated scales ; tail of moderate length, slender and
tapering — abdominal scuta 247 : subcaudal 273.

Color. — Body brownish above with numerous yellow terminal nar-
row bands ; under surface of chin and throat light yellow ; abdomen
and under surface of tail greenish yellow. ,

14

120

[October, 1844.

Feet.

Inches,

1

i

a

2

H

U

Dimensions.

Length of head, ■

Breadth posteriorly,

Length of body, -

Length of tail,

Trionyx Mortoni, (young.)

Description. — Head of moderate size, conoidal, flattened supe-
riorly, triangular in front ; snout somewhat prolonged ; eyes of mo-
derate size ; jaws horny, and of a light yellow color ; carapace oval,
depressed, presenting numerous lines or striae near the upper ex-
tremity ; sternum cruciform, rounded anteriorly; posterior ex-
tremely triangular ; limbs short, webbed at their extremity, each
having three toes.

Color. — Carapace and surface of the body generally of an ash
color, the carapace presenting numerous rounded spots of a white
color with black borders, having fourteen or fifteen black blotches in
its centre ; similar spots are observed upon the neck, extremities
and under surface of the body at its margin ; upon the sternum are
observed numerous striae or undulating lines of a dark color ; the
posterior part of the sternum is white.
Dimensions .

Feet.

Length of body, ....

Breadth, .....

Length of head,

Breadth posteriorly, ...

Inches.
3

1\ at its middle.
1

5

5

The Committee to whom was referred a letter from Prof.
Reid, of New York, containing analyses of three Sulphur
springs at Sharon, Scoharie county, N. Y., reported for pub-
lication the following portion.

i

To Messrs. Rushton & Co.

In compliance with your request I proceeded to Sharon Springs,
and there analysed three Springs, named " White Sulphur," " Blue
Sulphur," and " Magnesia." The temperature taken at various
times, during a four day's residence at the Springs, was invariably

24.

grains.

34.

ti

85.4

II

3.

it

2.7

it

149.1

it

20.5

cubic inch

October, 1844.] 121

48^ of Fahr. in each Spring, not being influenced by changes of
temperature in the atmosphere.

Sharon, Scoharie county, N. Y.

The contents of one gallon of the White Sulphur were,

Water copious.
Bicarbonate of magnesia,
Sulphate of magnesia,
Sulphate of lime,

Hydrosulphate of magnesia and lime,
Chlorides of sodium and magnesium,

Hydrosulphuric acid gas or sulphuretted hy-
drogen,

The contents of one gallon of the Blue Sulphur were,

Bicarbonate of magnesia, 32. grains.

Sulphate of magnesia, 7.5 "

Sulphate of lime, 77.5 "

Chlorides of sodium and magnesium, 2.5 "

Solid contents, 119.5 "

The contents of one gallon of the Magnesia Spring were,
Bicarbonate of magnesia, 30.5 grains.

Sulphate of magnesia, 22.7 "

Sulphate of lime, 76. "

Hydrosulphates of magnesia and lime, .5 "

Chlorides of sodium and magnesium, 3. "

Solid contents, 132.7 "

Hydrosulphuric acid gas or sulphuretted hy-
drogen, 3.3 cubic inch.

122 [October, 1844.

Bichland Springs, Otsego county, N. ¥.
Analysis of Two Springs, No. 1, A., No. 3, C. Water slug-
gish.
No. 1, A. No 3, C. Bicarbonate of magnesia.
20. grains. 20. grains. Bicarbonate of lime.
10, " 10. " Sulphate of magnesia.

30. " 27. " Hydrosulphates of magnesia and lime.

2. " 2.5 " Chlorides of magnesium and sodium.

90. " 93. " Sulphate of lime.

153. 154. Solid contents.

20.6 19.8 cubic inches sulphuretted hydrogen or hydro-

sulphuric acid gas.
Contents one gallon.

Signed, Your ob't. ser't.

Lawrence Reid,
Prof. Chymistry to the N. Y. College of Pharmacy.

The Committee to whom was referred a communication
from Dr Morton, containing observations on Ancient Egyp-
tian Crania, reported in favor of publication.

Observations on a second series of Ancient Egyptian Crania.
Towards the close of the year 1842, Dr. Lepsius, the distin-
guished head of the Prussian Scientific Commission in Egypt, re-
opened several very ancient tombs in the vicinity of the Pyramids
of Ghezeh. These tombs date with the third and fourth dynasties
of Egyptian chronology, as is proved by their inscriptions ; but
having been the receptacles of wealthy individuals, they were no
,doubt plundered in very remote times; and whenever succeeding
generations have again devoted them to sepulchral purposes, avarice
has renewed its desecrations in the search for treasure. Thus, the
Hykshos, Persians, Greeks, Romans and Saracens, have probably
each in turn violated these tombs; leaving it a question of entire
uncertainty, whether the embalmed bodies'now found in them belong
to the earlier or later epochs of Egyptian history. I make these
remarks to show that I do not infer the age of these mummies from
the date of the tombs ; but at the same time it may be observed,

October, 1844.] 123

that in the mere search for plunder there was no occasion to de-
stroy or eject the bodies of the dead ; and mutilated as they are, it
is possible that some of them may have pertained to a very remote
age.

My friend Dr. Pickering, writing to me from Cairo about the
time of these explorations, observes that Dr. Lepsius expected to
find " the veritable remains of the primeval Egyptians ; but it was
discovered that they had been displaced by Greeks, &c, and that
there was nothing of this sort older than Psammeticus." (B.C. 550.)
The bodies that retained their legends may have been of Greek
and other comparatively modern inhabitants of Egypt; but with re-
spect to the seventeen skulls before us, I have no hesitation in declar-
ing, that but two of them could have belonged to persons of Greek
or any other Indo-European lineage. The others may have borne
Greek inscriptions, but that would not make them Greeks ; for the
language of the latter people was the compulsory vernacular tongue
during most of the Ptolemaic epoch. Moreover, the skulls in
question are entirely denuded of bandages and even of integuments ;
whence it seems evident that no inferences drawn from Greek or
other inscriptions could have applied to them.

The following is an Ethnographic analysis of this series of
crania :

Egyptian form, - - - - - 11

Egyptian form, with traces of Negro lineage, 2

Negroid form, - 1

Pelasgic form, - - - - - - 2

Semitic form, 1

17

Remarks.

1. The Egyptian form is admirably characterized in eleven of
these heads, and corresponds in every particular with the Nilotic
physiognomy, as indicated by monumental and sepulchral evidences
in my Crania iEgy ptiaca, viz. — the small, long and narrow head, with
a somewhat receding forehead, narrow and rather projecting face,
and delicacy of the whole osteological structure. No hair remains,

124 [October,, 1S44.

and the bony meatus of the ear corresponds with that of all other
Caucasian nations.

Two other heads present some mixture of Negro lineage with the
Egyptian, which is expressed in the conformation and expression
of the facial bones, more particularly as seen in the greater breadth
and flatness of the face, and a stronger development of the upper
maxilla.

Of these thirteen crania, eleven are adult, of which the largest
has an internal capacity of 93 cubic inches, and the smallest 76,
giving a mean of 86 cubic inches for the size of the brain. This
measurement exceeds, by only three cubic inches, the average de-
rived from the entire series of Egyptian heads in my Crania
iEgyptiaca.

The facial angle of the adult heads gives a mean of 82°, the
largest rising as high as 86°, and the smallest being 78°. Two
other heads are those of children, in whom the Egyptian conforma-
tion is perfect, and these give, respectively, the remarkably large
facial angle of 89° and 91°. The mean adult angle is greater than
that given by the large series measured in the Crania iEgyptiaca.
Is this owing to the fact, that the heads now under consideration
belonged to persons of distinction, and probably, therefore, of edu-
cation and refinement ?

These crania, as already observed, are long and narrow, and
receding in front ; but posteriorly, in the parietal regions they be-
come much broader ; the whole occiput is very full, and remarkably
projecting ; the sides of the cranium are rather flat, and the coronal
region long and depressed.

2. The Negroid head, as I have elsewhere explained, is a mix-
ture of the Caucasian and Negro form in which the latter predomi-
nates. Such is the case in the present instance, as even a partially
practised eye can readily discover. This head strongly resem-
bles those of two modern Copts in my possession. It gives 81 cubic
inches for the size of the brain, and a facial angle of 80. It is re-
markable for deep depressions on the lateral surfaces of the parietal
bones, apparently caused by the action of the posterior portions of
a powerful occipito-frontalis muscle. Among six hundred skulls in
my collection, but two present this development in an equal degree ;
one of these is an Egyptian, the other a Hindoo head.

October, 1S44.]

125

3. Of the two Pelasgic heads, one is perfect, and well character-
ised in most of its proportions. It has an internal capacity of 93
cubic inches, and a facial angle of 80°. The other head has lost
the bones of the face, whence its ethnographic relations are not so
obvious; and I have ventured to judge it by its cranial developments.
It is internally but two cubic inches smaller than the other.

4. The solitary Semitic head, has rather the common Arab, than
the Hebrew cast of features. It measures internally 87 cubic
inches, and has a facial angle of 79°.

The ages of the individuals 'to whom these seventeen skulls
pertained, may be proximately stated as follows: 5, 7,* 18, 20, 20,
25, 30, 40, 40, 40, 50, 50, 50, 50, 50, 50, 55.

The resuhs derived from this series of crania, sustain in a most
gratifying manner, those obtained from the greater collection of
one hundred skulls sent me from Egypt, by my friend, George R.
Gliddon, Esq., and which have afforded the materials of my Crania
Egyptiaca ; and without making further comparisons on the present
occasion, (for I design from time to time to resume the subject, as
facts and materials may come to my hands,)! shall merely subjoin
my Ethnographic table from the Crania ./Egyptiaca, so extended as
to embrace all the ancient Egyptian skulls now in my possession.
■Ethnographic Table of one hundred and seventeen ancient Egyptian Crania.

Sepulchral Localities.

No.

Egyptian.

Felasgic.

Semitic.

Mixed.

Negroid.

N egro.

Idiot

Memphis,

26

7

16

1

1

1

Ghizeh,

17

11

2

1

2

1

Maabdeh,

4

1

1

2

Abydos,

4

2

1

1

Thebes,

55

30

10

4

4

5

2

Ombos,

3

3

Philae,

4

2

1

1

Debod,

4

4

117

60

31

7

7

9

1

2

It remains for me to add, which I do with great pleasure, that I
am indebted for this second series of Egyptian Crania, to Mr. Wm.
A. Gliddon, of Cairo, who, prompted by that extraordinary interest
in Egyptian questions which seems inherent in his family, has
availed himself of every opportunity for extending our knowledge
of the people and the monuments of ancient Egypt.

* The two juvenile heads are of course not used in calculating the mean
either of the size of the brain or the facial angle.

126 [October, 1844.

A letter from Dr. Richard Lepsius, head of the Prussian
Scientific Commission in Egypt, was read at the meeting of
the 23d of July last, but accidentally omitted in the last number
of the Proceedings. It is addressed to Mr. Gliddon,and dated at
Khartoon, (junction of the White and Blue Nile,) March 29,
1844. After returning thanks for his election as a Corres-
ponding member of this Society, he concludes his letter with
the following highly interesting announcement :

" The most important result of my visit to the Pyramids
of Begerawe, and the temples at Ben Naga, Naga and the
Wadee e'-Sofra, is, that all these monuments ascend, as an
extreme, as far as the times of the Ptolemies ; and date, for
the most part, about the first centuries of our era. I hasten
to examine the Ethiopian monuments of Mount. Berkal,
which date at least as far back as the seventh century before
Christ.' ,

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

ACADEMY OP NATURAL SCIENCES

OF PHILADELPHIA.

Vol. II. NOV. AND DEC, 1844. No. 6.

Stated Meeting, November 5, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Specimen of common Salt from Arkansas. Presented by Mr.
James Dundas.

The Curators deposited on the table a specimen of the White
Ape of Siam, (Hylobatus leuciscus ?) the skin of which
had been presented to the Academy several years since
by Dr. Ruschenberger, but only recently prepared and
mounted.

Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, of Newark, Delaware, presented a
very fine collection of minerals from the counties of Cum-
berland, Durham, Northumberland, &c, England, con-
sisting of 130 selected specimens, as follows:

Carbonate of lime, Cumberland, (8 var.;) carbonate of lime and
pearl spar on gray drusy quartz, do.; carbonate of lime and blende,
do.; carbonate of lime on quartz, do., (6 var.;) carbonate of lime,
iron pyrites and pearl spar, do.; arragonite, do.; yellow do. do.;
rhomboid carbonate of lime, do.; prismatic carbonate of lime, do.,
(2 var.;) striated yellow carbonate of lime, do.; carbonate of lime,
carbonate of iron, quartz and fluor spar, Northumberland ; carbo-

15

128 [November, 1844*

nate of lime, Durham, (2 var.;) carbonate of lime, quartz, spathose
iron and fluor spar, do., (3 var.;) carbonate of lime and silver quartz
on fluor spar, do.; lenticular carbonate of lime and quartz on fluor,
do.; nail headed carbonate of lime and fluor on spathose iron, do.;
nail headed carbonate of lime and pearl spar on drusy quartz, do.;
tungstate of lime on quartz, Cumberland ; acicular sulphate of lime,
Northumberland; prismatic sulphate of lime, do.; selenite, Cum-
berland ; columnar quartz, do.; drusy quartz on flos ferri and py-
ramidal quartz, do.; cap quartz, do.; brown quartz on specular
iron, do.; radiated quartz, do.; shilving quartz, do.; shilving quartz,
galena, and blende on gray quartz, do.; cellular quartz, Durham;
bitter spar and pearl spar, do.; pearl spar, Cumberland ; pearl spar
and blende, do.; pearl spar, blende, and gray quartz, do.; lenticular
bitter spar, do.; lilac fluor spar, do.; lilac fluor spar and spathose
iron, do.; amber fluor, do.; common fluor, do.; common spar on
fluor, Durham ; quartz and fluor spar, do.; air bubble on green
fluor, do.; emerald fluor, do.; purple fluor, Northumberland ; ruby
blende, Cumberland ; siliceous oxide of zinc, do.; compact calamine,
do., (2 var.;) blende on quartz, do., (2 var.;) pseudomorphous blende,
do.; cadmiferous blende, Northumberland ; sulphate of barytes,
Westmoreland, (2 var.;) carbonate of barytes on carbonate of lime,
• Northumberland ; sulphato-carbonate of barytes and becalcareo, do..
Cumberland ; becalcareo carbonate of barytes, do.; sulphate of ba-
rytes on brown spar, do.; baryto-calcite, do., (2 var.;) transparent
prismatic baryto-calcite, do.; stalactite, Westmoreland ; nacrite,
Cumberland ; nacrite and apatite, do.; nacrite and molybdena on
^quartz, do.; iron pyrites and blende on quartz, do.; iron pyrites and
carbonate of lime, Durham ; iron pyrites and cubic galena on car-
bonate of iron, do.; iron pyrites and shilving quartz, Northumber-
land ; carbonate of iron, fluor spar and galena, Durham ; carbo-
nate of iron, fluor spar, galena, and silver quartz, do.; carbonate of
iron and blende on pseudomorphous quartz, Cumberland ; spathose
iron and fluor spar, Durham ; flos ferri, Cumberland ; carbonate of
lead, do.; carbonate of lead, Durham ; sulphuret of lead, Cumber-
land ; arscnio-phosphate of lead, do.; arseniophosphate of lead on
blue cupreous carbonate of zinc and quartz, do.; galena and fluor
on drusy quartz, Durham ; iridescent galena, Cumberland ; argen-
tiferous galena on fluor spar, do.; granular galena on fluor spar, do.;
dodecahedral galena on quartz, do.; pseudomorphous galena,

November, 1844.] 129

Northumberland ; murio-arseniate of lead on manganese and quartz,
Cumberland; blue cupreous sulphate of lead, do.; diarseniate of
lead on quartz, do.; copper pyrites and quartz on sulphate of ba-
rytes, do.; copper pyrites, sulphuret of lead and quartz, do.; cop-
per pyrites and pearl spar on galena, do.; emerald copper, do.;
green carbonate of copper and calamine, do.; green carbonate of
copper on quartz and fluor spar, do.; green carbonate of copper and
copper pyrites on quartz, do.; green and blue carbonate of copper
on quartz and fluor, do.; green carbonate of copper and carbonate
of lime on fluor, Durham ; carbonate of copper and quartz, do.;
carbonate of copper and phosphate of lead on quartz, Cumberland ;
fibrous malachite, do.; peacock copper and galena, do.; cobalt,
bloom, do.; carbonate of manganese, do.; sulphuret of bismuth,
do.; phrenite, do.; slickenside, do.; wolfram, do.; mountain wood,
do.; fibrous witherite, do.; fibrous epidote and quartz, do.; cron-
stadite, do.; red haematite, Lancashire ; witherite, Northumberland ;
dolomite, Durham.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

American Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. 48. No. 2.

October, 1S41. From the Editors.
Calcutta Journal of Natural History. Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16;

from April, 1843, to January, 1S44. From the Editors.
Memoires de la Societe de Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle

de Geneve. Vols. 1 to 9 complete, and Vol. 10. Part 1.

4to., with a folio atlas. In exchange.
Plantes nouvelles ou rares d'Amerique. Par M. Moricand.

8 me. Li v> Geneva, 1844. From the Author.
On some Plants, mostly undescribed, in the H. C. Botanic

garden of Calcutta. By Wm. Griffith, Esq., F. L. S. &c.

(From the Calcutta Journal of Natural History.) From

the Editors of the Calcutta Journal.

Descriptions of Malayan Plants. By William Jack. From
the Author.

A letter was read from the Asiatic Society of Bengal, dated
Calcutta, 9th June, 1S44, acknowledging the reception of
some Nos. of the Proceedings of the Academy.

130 [November, 1S44

A paper by Dr. Hallowell, describing seven new species
of African Reptiles, was read and referred to the following
committee: Dr. Wra, Blanding, Rev. J. H. McFarland, and
Mr. Haldeman.

Professor Johnson read a continuation of his paper on the
methods of determining the calorific powers of combustible
bodies.

On motion of Mr. Clay it was unanimously Resolved,
That the thanks of the Society be tendered to Dr. Wilson
for the splendid collection of minerals presented by him this
evening.

Stated Meeting, November 12, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Specimen of Asterias caput-medusa3, L., from Cuba. Pre-
sented by Mr. J. G. Howard.

Mounted specimen of Dicotyle torquatus, (Peccary,) from
South America. Presented by Mr. Dennis Lahey, of
Philadelphia.
The following donations were announced by the Curators,

in exchange.

Cervus nemorivagus, male and female, Cavia aperia,
Echimys Cayanensis, Sciurus sestuans,

Mus Brasiliensis, Vespertilio alecto,

" ;Tvicoloides, Dasypus tricinctus,

" angouya.

The Chairman announced to the Society the recent de-
cease, in Switzerland, of our late fellow member Nathan
Dunn, Esq., and stated, that in his will, a copy of which was
on the table, it would be found that a bequest of $ 10,000
had been made to this Institution. The Chairman, however,

November, 1S44.] 131

remarked, that in consequence of a great depreciation in the
value of the testator's property having taken place since this
will was made, the Academy could scarcely entertain a hope
that this munificent legacy would come into its possession.

Mr. G. Vale, of New York, exhibited a model of an im-
proved globe and celestial sphere of his invention, and entered
into a detailed explanation of its construction and mode of
using it.

The instrument was admirably calculated to show the
manner in which all the problems on both Terrestrial and
Celestial Globes may be performed in a simple manner con-
formable to the real motions of the earth and heavenly
bodies.

Stated Meeting, November 19, 1844.
Vice President Morton in tke Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Eighty species of African Plants of the natural orders Gra-
mineae, Cyperaceas, Marantaceas, Solaneacese, Lileacea?,
Melastomacese, Combretacese, CinchoneaceEe, Labiata3,
Scrophulariaceas, Leguminosas and Compositae.

Also skins of the following African Birds:

Buceros buccinator, Temm., Centropus Senegalensis, L.
Pirenestes ostrinus, Viel., Turtur erythrophrys, Sw.

Trichophorus , (young,) " chalcospilus, Sw.

Picus -, (young.)

From the late Dr. Westley Johnson, of Liberia.
Mounted albino specimen of Sciurus striatus, from Chester
county, Pennsylvania, and a mounted specimen of Cassicus

-, from South America. Presented by Dr. C. W.

Pennock.

A collection of fossils from the carboniferous limestone of
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Presented by Dr.
Alfred T. King, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

132 [November, 1844.

donations to library.

Four sheets of the Map of New York Bay and Harbour.

From the U. S. Treasury Department, through A. D.

Bache, Esq., Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Survey.
Fauna Peruana, containing " Avium et Mammalium con-
spectus, quse in Republica Peruana reperiuntur, et ple-

raque observata vel collecta sunt in itinere a Dr. J. J. de

Tschudi." From the Author.

Also the following works from the same Author:
Ueber die Urienwohner von Peru. Von Dr. J. J. von

Tschudi.
Diagnosen einiger neuer Peruanischer Vogel. Von Dr. von

Tschudi.
Classification der Batrachier mit berucksichtegung der fos-

silien thiere dieser abtheilung der Reptilien. Von J. J.

Tschudi. 4to. Neuchatel, 1838.

A letter was read from Dr. Tschudi, dated Hamburg, Sep-
tember 18, 1844, accompanying the above donation of his
works.

Professor Johnson read a continuation of his paper on the
methods of determining the calorific powers of combustible
bodies.

Dr. Morton exhibited an interesting and numerous collec-
tion of fossil bones of the Mosasaurus, from New Jersey, con-
sisting of 38 nearly perfect vertebrae, a perfect tooth, several
fragments of other bones, and perhaps the most remarkable
of all, a perfect coprolite, or portion of fossil excrement of
this animal.

These had all been recently obtained from the ferruginous
sand near Mount Holly, New Jersey, and were presented to
Dr. Morton by Mr. Wm. L. Bispham of this city.

Dr. Morton then proceeded to make some brief observa-
tions on the general characters of the European Mosasaurus,

November, 1814.] 133

and pointed out some differences which a comparison of the
specimens on the table with the descriptions of that species
would seem to indicate.

These differences he believed to be sufficient to authorise
a new specific name, and he therefore proposed that of
M. occidentalis.

In the absence, however, of more positive information on
this subject than he at present possessed, lie stated that he
preferred that this specific designation should be considered
as merely provisional.

Meeting for Business, November 26, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

The Corresponding Secretary read his Report for the last
month.

A note was read from Mr. J. Le Conte, of New York, de-
siring certain numbers of the Proceedings of the Academy,
which had been lost or mislaid by him.

On motion, the desired numbers were ordered to be trans-
mitted to him.

On motion of Mr. Phillips, it was Resolved, That a com-
plete copy of the Proceedings be transmitted to Dr. J. J. von
Tschudi, of Hamburg.

The following gentlemen were elected members:

George M. Keim, Esq., of Philadelphia.

Fernando de Cuesta, Esq. do.
And

Jeffries Wyman, M. D., of Boston, wa& elected a Corres-
pondent of the Academy.

134 [November, 1844.

Descriptions of New Species of Coleoptera of the United Slates.

> By F. E. Melsheimeb, M. D.

(Continued from page 118.)

Lamellicornia, Latr.

Ojjthophagus, Latr,

1. O. castaneus. Testaceous ; head armed with two long erect horns. — 3| 1.
long. Pennsylvania.

Light chestnut, clothed with very short ochraceous hairs : head with the front
profoundly and distantly punctured, with two long erect horns between the
eyes, and with the clypeus almost impunctured, reflexed and slightly repand at
tip; glossy : antennas pale, ochraceous : thorax densely and profoundly punc-
tured, moderately excavated each side before, and lobate in the middle; obtusely
grooved behind the middle : elytra each with six fine striae, interstices finely
punctured : pygidium with large, profound and vicinal punctures: beneath and
feet rufo-piceous, with the anterior pair of tibia dusky. The $ differs from
the $ in having the thorax dark green, the head, as in common, with two
transverse ridges in place of the horns, and the clypeus densely transversely
wrinkled-

2. 0. niger. Black ; thorax with a greenish reflection. — 2| 1. long. Penn-
sylvania.

Black : head profoundly and distantly punctured, with two small tubercles
between the eyes ; clypeus piceous, entire, rounded and reflexed at tip, and with
a short, transverse, elevated line each side at base : thorax numerously and pro-
foundly punctured, slightly excavated each side before, and slightly lobate in the
middle, with the lobe feebly concave in the middle 4 dorsal groove obsolete be-
hind the middle ; black, with a greenish reflection : elytra finely striate, with the
interstices finely punctured : pygidium punctured as in the preceding species:
venter black, opake : pectus pitchy-black: feet pitchy chestnut.

3. O. rhinoceros. Black; elytra maculate with fulvous ; head with an erect
horn. — 4| 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Scarabceus nuchicornis, Melsh. Catal.

Black : head with a long erect horn on the vertex, being cylindric towards
the tip and flattened and dilated at base ; profoundly and distantly punctured,
each puncture furnishing one or two rufous hairs; clypeus with the margin re-
flexed, and faintly emarginate at apex : thorax much punctured, and clothed
with short rufous hairs ; a fine glabrous dorsa! line ; anterior edge slightly re-
tuso : elytra fulvous, confluently maculate with black, finely striate, interstices
with irregular series of minute and distant punctures ; hirsute like the thorax :
pygidium punctured as in castaneus : beneath and feet black, glossy': pectus and
under part of the head with long rufous hairs. The 9 differs from the $ in
bein^ destitute of the occipital horn, instead of which the head is armed with
two prominent transverse ridges, of which the anterior one is arcuated : the cly-
peus is also very rough with punctures. Distinct from the 0. nuchicornis,
Fabr.

4. O. protensus. Green ; thorax anteriorly produced in a flat biped projec-
tion ; elytra at base and apex testaceous. — 4 1. long. Pennsylvania. Rare.^

November, IS44.] 135

Form, size and sculpture as in O. latebrosus, Fabr. Clypeus green, sparsely
and profoundly punctured, with a prominent acute tubercle each side before,
margin 1 (destroyed) thorax retuse each side in front, with a broad bind central
lobe, projecting over the head ; dorsum obsoletely channelled behind ; punctured,
and clothed with short rufous hairs; green : elytra faintly striate, the interstices
minutely punctured; green, with the base and apex irregularly testaceous: py-
gidium punctured, superior half rufo-testaceous : beneath and feet green. Of
this species there is only a single specimen in our collection.

0. latebrosus, Fabr.— hecate, Panz. The % of this species varies much in
the length of the thoracic central lobe, being in some specimens only half the
common length, and in others it is still less, being represented only by two small
tubercles. Fabricius described a $ , and Panzer figured and described a $ ;
the name of the latter having the priority ought to be adopted.

Aphodius, Illig.

1. A. badipes. Black; feet chestnut-brown; clypeus emarginate. — 3| I. long.
Pennsylvania.

Aphodius oblongus, Say, Journ. Acad. N. S., III. p. 215.

Scaraboeus , Melsh. Catal.

Oblong, black, glossy : clypeus emarginate at apex, tuberculate each side of
the emargination ; finely and closely punctured, particularly on the margin,
which is often piceous ; a transverse arcuated impressed line between the eyes :
thorax irregularly and profoundly punctured: elytra with profound punctured
strife, «the interstices convex, minutely and remotely punctured ; lateral margins
often obsoletely reddish-brown : venter and feet pitchy-castaneous. Distinct from
the A. oblongus, Illig.

A. lutulentus. " Black, somewhat glossy, minutely punctate, elytra obscure-
ly striate, tarsi testaceous." Hald. Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. I. 304.

Var. Elytra and feet dull rufous, with the striae of the former almost obso-
lete ; edge of the clypeus piceous. Scarabozus opacipennis, Melsh. MS.

2. A. pensvalknsis. Black; elytra truncate at apex, dusky testaceous; pos-
terior feet rufous. — 4 1. long. Pennsylvania. Rare.

Scarabozus pensvallensis. Melsh. Catal.

This is certainly only a mere local variety of A. erraticus, Linn., and may be
referred to Mulsant's subgenus Colobopterus, Var. nebulosus. The present na-
tive specimen of the species, and the only one ever in our collection, is stated to
have been found in Penn's Valley]

3. A. truncatus. Black; thorax deeply and coarsely punctured; clypeus
mutic, emarginate. — 3 I. long. Pennsylvania.

Scaraboeus caenosus, Melsh. Catal.

truncatus, « «

Black, convex : clypeus much and deeply punctured, with the edge piceous,
angulated and somewhat strongly emarginate in the middle: thorax profoundly
and much punctured on the middle and confluently each side : scutel small, with
sparse punctures : elytra crenate-striate, the interstices, flattishand impunctured:
venter dark reddish-brown : pectus black : feet pitchy-chestnut-reddish. Readily
distinguished from other native species by its strongly punctured thorax.

16

136 [November, 1844.

4. A. copronymus. Yellowish-rufous, minutely punctured , clypeus mutic,
emarginate at tip. — 2 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Scaraboeus copronymus, Melsh. Catal.

Oblong, convex, yellowish-red, shining: clypeus very minutely punctured,
with the apex widely emarginate, behind the emargination with a small obsolete
tubercle ; frontal suture distinct : thorax very minutely and sparingly punctured,
with the disk and margins almost impunctured ; base obtusely rounded : scutel
small, dusky, impunctured : elytra minutely punctate-striate, the interstices flat-
tish, impunctured ; suture somewhat dusky : feet and beneath paler than above.

5. A. stercorosus. Head and thorax dark reddish-brown ; elytra pale rufous,
clouded with dusky, clypeus slightly emarginate. — 2 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Scarabceus stercorosus, Melsh. Catal.

Form and size of copronymus. Clypeus large, almost semi-circular, finely
and somewhat densely and equally punctured, dark reddish-brown, with the
margin rufo-piceous and slightly emarginate at tip ; mutic: palpi and antenna?
rufo-piceous : thorax minutely and not crowdedly punctured, with the middle
almost impunctured ; dark reddish-brown, with clearer places on the lateral mar-
gins: scutel moderate, piceous, impunctured : elytra pale rufous, clouded with
dusky, striate, with the striae obsoletely crenale or punctured, the interstices flat-
tish and impunctured : beneath and feet rufo-piceous.

6. A. rusicola. Dark reddish-brown, punctuate ; clypeus tri-tuberculate,
slightly emarginate at apex. — 2\ 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Scarabceus rusicola, Melsh. Catal.

Short, wide, robust, convex, dark reddish-brown, shining : head very finely
punctured, with the clypeus confertly wrinkled and punctulate, tri-tuberculate
the margin rufous or piceous, with the edge angulate and widely and faintly
emarginate at apex : antennce and palpi rufous : thorax much and distinctly
punctulate : scutel black, sparsely punctured : elytra crenate-striate, the inter-
stices somewhat flattish, with few very minute scattered punctures : abdomen
yellowish : pectus dark, and feet light castaneous.

7. A. aterrimus. — deep black ; thorax sparsely punctured ; clypeus tri-tuber-
culate, emarginate at apex. — 2| 1. long. Maryland.

Deep black, shining : clypeus black-piceous, sparsely punctulate, rather
augulose at the margin ; disk with a fine transverse line or ridge, studded with
three obsolete tubercles ; margin depressed, with the edge slightly emarginate at
tip: thorax ample, with the angles obtuse; punctured, somewhat grossly and
deeply, sparsely at the sides, and still more distantly on the disk: scutel black,
sparsely punctured : elytra profoundly crenate-striate, interstices rather convex:
beneath black : feet pitchy-brown, with the tarsi rufous. Remarkable for the
few punctures on the thorax.

8. A. imbricatus. Black, ferruginous granulate. — 2 1. long. Pennsylvania.
Oblong : clypeus mutic, emarginate at tip, somewhat convex in the middle,

minutely and confertly punctured, black, with the margin rufous, or piceous:
thorax short, widely and somewhat profoundly emarginate before, with the
anterior angles broad and obtuse ; base obtusely rounded ; sides feebly rounded ;
posterior angles subrectilinear ; black, densely covered with ferruginous or
dirty sqamulse or rather granules : scutel small : elytra crenate-striate, the in-
terstices narrow and not convex ; less densely squamulose than the thorax, with

November, 1844.] 137

numerous short hairs ; black: beneath black : feet dark reddish-brown. It is
the Scarabaeus imbricatus of Melsh. Catal.

9. A. maculipennis. Black; elytra testaceous, maculate with black; cly-
peus emarginate. — 2§ 1. long. Maryland.

Oblong, black, shining: clypeus obsoletely trituberculate, pitchy-black,
strongly rugulose, with the edge angulate and strongly retuse at apex : thorax
punctured, punctures on the disk obsolete, towards the lateral margins, fine,
dense and distinct; base obtusely rounded, with the sides slightly rounded ;
posterior angles subrectilinear : scutel moderate, piceous, impunctured ; elytra
testaceous, with a large lateral spot, two or three small ones behind the base
and before the apex, black; suture piceous ; obviously crenate-striate : beneath
black : feet chestnut-piceous. Referable to Mulsant's subgenus, Melinopterus.

Oxyomus, Eschsch.

I. 0. gracilis. Cylindric, black ; clypeus slightly emarginate; elytra sul-
cate ; feet testaceous. 1^ 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Slender, cylindric, black: clypeus emarginate at apex, minutely and densely
punctured, black, with the edge obsoletely rufous or piceous : elytra sulcate,
sulci feebly crenate, the interstices narrow; somewhat opake : feet castaneous,
with the tarsi lighter. Belongs to the subgenus Pleurophorus, Mulsant.

2. O. alter nat us. Fuscous or blackish ; four first interstices of the elytra
alternating in elevation. — 2\ I. long. Pennsylvania.

Size and form of Aphodius imbicatus, Melsh. Catal. Clypeus emarginate at
apex, finely and confertly punctured, ashy-brown : antennje testaceous : thorax
altogether formed as imbricatus, finely and confertly punctured, obliquely and
very faintly indented each side of the middle, at base with an obsolete com-
mencement of dorsal furrow ; ashy-brown, with the anterior edge dull rufous:
scutel small : elytra feebly striate, with the four first interstices alternating in
elevation, four lateral ones equal; blackish-brown, opake : beneath and feet black,
with the tarsi lighter.

Tnox, Fabr

1. T. striatus. Black, glossy ; elytra punctate-striate, with the interstices
glabrous; thorax sub-equal, with the sides entire. — 3^ 1. long; If 1- wide.
Pennsylvania.

Trox striatus, Melsh. Catal.

Above glossy black or piceous : head densely punctured and transverse-rugu-
lose, not tuberculate, with the clypeus obtusely rounded and slightly reflexed
at apex : thorax numerously and profoundly punctured, with the lateral mar-
gins entire, slightly rounded, not broadly depressed; angles acute, with the
posterior feebly excurved; dorsal groove terminating in an orbicular indentation
behind the anterior margin ; a small and very obtuse indentation each side
of the middle ; anterior margin depressed from the angles to near the middle ;
elytra profoundly punctate-striate, the interstices not tuberculate, nor tufted
with hairs, but simply finely and distantly punctured and somewhat trans-
verse-rugulose : feet blackish-piceous.

2. T. variolatus. Black-fuscous, granulated ; elytra faintly striate, alter-

138 [November, 1844.

nate interstices with tufts of hairs ; thorax inequal, entire. — 3^ — 3| 1. long,
2 — 2^ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Trox variolatus, Melsh. Catal.

Black-brown, densely covered with minute granules : head with two ob-
tuse tubercles, tufted with ferruginous scaly hairs; clypeus acutely rounded
at apex and not reflexed : thorax inequal ; lateral margins broadly depressed,
with the edge entire, and fringed with scaly, ferruginous hairs ; medial
groove wide, shallow, hardly interrupted in the middle, contracted before
and fringed each side as the lateral edges, an obsolete narrow groove each
side of the dorsal one, having on the middle near its outer side a small conic
tubercle ; anterior edge fringed, except in the middle, as the lateral edges ;
posterior angles subacute, anterior ones acute : elytra with alternate rows
of oblong tufts of short, scaly, ferruginous or black hairs, spaces each with
two faint striaa, and sparse minute granules : beneath and feet colored as
above. — Allied to T. arenarius, Fabr., and has been considered by some as a
variety of that species, but it differs from it, apart of other characters, in
having the elytral striae impunctured. It may perhaps be the serrulatus of
Pal. de Beauv.

Bolbocerus, Kirby.

B. cornigerus. Red-brown ; head armed with a long filiform horn ; thorax
greatly unequal; elytra crenate-striate. — 5 1. long, 3 1. wide. Pennsyl-
vania ?

Scaraboeus cornigerus, Melsh. MS.

Reddish-brown : head blackish, scabrous ; clypeus rounded, marginate,
with a short longitudinal raised line at tip, base armed with a long filiform
smooth recurved horn : thorax very unequal, strongly carinate in the middle,
the carina grooved towards the base for the occasional reception of the apical
portion of the horn ; each side of the carina with a wide and profound con-
cavity, having its outer elevated narrow edge abbreviate a little behind the
anterior margin ; lateral edges reflexed ; posterior angles obtusely rounded,
anterior ones subacute ; lateral margins and concavities sparsely and pro-
foundly punctured : scutel subcordate, concave at base ; obsoletely punc-
tured : elytra crenate-striate, interstices convex : anterior tibiae quadri-den-
tate, with the apical tooth widely crenate. — Only one specimen of this spe-
cies in our collection.

Bothynus, Hope.

B. castaneus. Castaneous; clypeus truncate and faintly bidentate at apex. —
5 1. long, 3| 1. wide. Maryland.

Short-ovate, convex, light chestnut, glossy : head darker than the thorax,
roughly punctured, posteriorly impunctured; clypeus truncate at apex, with
the edge slightly elevated, more distinctly at the posterior angles, anterior
lateral angles with a small, reflexed, obtuse tooth : palpi and antenna? rufo-
piceous : thorax glossy, sparsely and profoundly punctured, punctures most
numerous before the middle ; a small indentation behind the anterior angles,

November, 1844.] 139

which are acute, posterior angles rounded ; a very faint, almost invisible
medial line : scutel almost triangular, rounded at tip, impunctured, glossy,
and somewhat concave in the middle : elytra obtuse punctate-striate, punc-
tures large ; lateral margins, behind the middle, slightly dilated : pygidium
minutely and densely punctured and wrinkled : beneath and feet lighter
colored than above, the latter formed altogether as in cuniculus: pectus
sparsely and profoundly punctured. Resembles much in its form Geotrupes
cuniculus, Fabr., but it differs from that species in being destitute of the
small indentation and mucro on the middle of the anterior margin of the
thorax, in having the thorax less punctured, in the scutellum being longer,
narrower and impunctured, and in being considerably less pilose beneath.

Scaraboeus splendidus. " Mutic, green, shining, elytra striate." Fabr.
Syst. Eleuth i. p. 26. No. 15.

Var. Cyaneous ; feet dark violaceous.

Geotrupes miarophagus, Say. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. iii. 211. Melsh.
Catal. No. 16. This species is more robust than either splendidus, Fabr.,
or excrement/', Say. It is generally deep black, with but a very slight tinge
of blue ; the medial thoracic groove is wider and more strongly defined than
in splendidus and excrementi, in the latter it is sometimes wanting. In
blackburnii the elytral striae are almost impunctured, but in miarophagus
they are profound and crenate, more strongly and entirely than in splendidus
or excrementi.

Melolontha punctata. Testaceous, elytra with three distant fuscous punctures.
Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. ii. 166, No. 28.

Var. Immaculate. — Rare.

Anctlontcha, Dejean.

A. pruinosa. Fuscous; head and thorax strongly punctured, glabrous; elytra
pruinose. — 8 1. long, 5 1. wide. Alabama.

Short, wide; head blackish, glabrous, confluently rugosely punctured, with
the biarcuated transverse line distinct ; clypeus transverse, punctured as the head,
with the edge reflexed and emarginate at apex : antenna; ten-jointed, rufo-piceous,
clava ochraceous : palpi color of the antennas, with the last joint of the maxillary
sublanceolate: thorax short, transverse, glabrous, color of the head, confluently
punctured, punctures large, interspersed with shining rugs; anterior edge slightly
emarginate ; base feebly bisinuate ; sides dilated in the middle, the edges dis-
tinctly denticulate and fringed with very few hairs; angles subacute: scutellum
obtuse-triangular, glabrous, piceous, coarsely and profoundly punctured : elytra
more than three times longer than the thorax, conjointly regularly rounded at
apex ; densely and very finely transversely wrinkled, dull chestnut, whitish-blue
sericeous when viewed from before ; sutural and marginal lines perceptible, the
two intermediate ones obsolete : pygidium chestnut-red, rugosely punctured,
glabrous : feet and venter similarly colored, the latter subglabrous, the former
with the tibia? and tarsi piceous : pectus clothed with short, ochraceous, prostrate
hairs.

140 [November, 1S44.

2. A. rugosa. Castaneous, glabrous above; head and thorax strongly and
confidently punctured; elytra confluenlly rugose.— 9 1. long, 5^ 1. wide. Vir-
ginia.

Form and size of ^l.hirticula, Knoch. Head and thorax dark chestnut-brown,
glabrous, the latter with the front feebly convex, asperous with confluent punc-
tures, biarcuated transverse line distinct; clypeus with the punctures rather
larger than those of the other parts of the head, edge slightly reflexed and mode-
rately emarginate at tip: antennae and palpi yellowish-rufous, with the clava of
the first paler : thorax transverse; short, the sides dilated in the middle, the edges
denticulate, with a single hair in each incisure; base almost rectilinear, apex
slightly emarginate; angles subacute; surface covered with large, crowded punc-
tures, with their edges generally narrow, polished : scutel glabrous, with large
punctures on the sides: elytra dull chestnut-red, basal region darker; almost
truncate at apex, with the sutural angles feebly toothed ; surface confidently
wrinkled, with sparse obsolete punctures on the scutelar region, humeral tubercles
and apical callorities: pygidium sparsely punctulate, glabrous: venter lighter
colored than the elytra, with sparse piligerous punctures : postpectus dark-brown,
densely punctured, and clothed with yellowish prostrate hairs : feet pitchy-chest-
nut ; nails equal, each with a stout tooth in the middle.

Anomala, Meg.

1. A. dichroa. Dull castaneous; elytra testaceous. — 5£ 1. long, 3 1. wide.
Virginia.

Head and thorax dull chestnut, the former finely wrinkled and densely punc-
tulate, with the transverse line fine; clypeus strongly reflexed and obtusely
rounded at apex : antennae rufous, clava and palpi testaceous; eyes large, black,
very glossy : thorax finely and not densely punctured; base bisinuaie, with the
posterior angles obtuse, anterior ones subobtuse; sides moderately rounded ; a
small dusky indentation each side near the middle of the submargin : scutel color
of the thorax, much and profoundly punctured: elytra testaceous, obtusely cre-
nate-striate, the interstices impunctured : pygidium color of the thorax, rugosely
punctured : beneath and feet similarly colored ; tarsi darker, piceous : pectus
clothed with long rufous pile : claws subequal, the outer ones of the two anterior
pairs slightly bifid.

2. A.undulata. Testaceous; two common, undulated fasciae on the elytra,
fuscous.— 4£ 1. long, 2£ I. wide. Virginia.

Head rufous, densely rugose-punctured ; transverse line fine ; clypeus with the
edge reflexed, and almost truncate at apex : thorax less densely punctured than
the head, with the posterior angles obtuse, anterior ones acute ; a very faint dor-
sal groove ; brown, strongly tinged with greenish ; lateral margins broadly tes-
taceous : scutel testaceous, sides p'ceous ; profoundly and distantly punctured :
elytra testaceous, punctate-striate, the interstices convex, with very minute scat-
tered punctures; locality of the two first stria?, which are effaced, densely punc-
tured ; two common, undulated, fuscous or blackish fasciae, confluent on the

November, 1844.] 141

suture, the anterior one is placed a little before the middle, and is not interrupted
at the lateral margins, the posterior band is located before the apex and does not
attain the lateral edges: beneath and feet testaceous ; tarsi reddish-brown-piceous,
with the anterior tibiae bi-dentate.

3. A.pinicola. Greenish-black; elytra dark reddish-brown- — 3| — 4-f l.long,
2£ — 2| 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Melolontha pinicola, Melsh. MS.

strigata, " Oatal. 86.

Var. Testaceous; disk of the thorax greenish-brown. M. lateralis, Melsh.
Catal. 85.

Head greenish-black, sometimes with a purple reflection ; transverse line fine;
profoundly punctured, with the front and clypeus densely wrinkled, the latter
often testaceous, truncate at tip, the edge reflexed : antennae and palpi testaceous,
the former with the club black or dark brown: thorax color of the head, con-
fluently and profoundly punctured, and with numerous irregular, polished
wrinkles ; posterior angles subrectilinear, anterior ones acute : scutel color of the
thorax, profoundly and coarsely punctured : elytra dusky reddish-brown-piceous,
crenate-striate, interstices convex, of which four or five are more elevated than the
others, minutely and distantly punctured : pygidium color of the abdomen, trans-
verse-rugulose, and with sparse cinereous hairs : beneath and feet color of the
thorax, strongly punctured ; feet mostly piceous, with the anterior tibiae bidentate.
9 . Generally testaceous, the interstices of the elytra less raised than in o,
and more numerously punctured. Very abundant in Pennsylvania ; occurs in
July, on the Red or Pitch Pine.

Hoplia, Illig.

1. H. monticola. Head, thorax and scutel blackish or dark brown ; elytra
dull red-testaceous. — 3£ 1 long, It I. wide. Pennsylvania.

Melolontha monticola, Melsh. Catal.

Elongate: head ccarsely punctured, clothed with short ochraceous hairs; cly-
peus dull rufous, somewhat elongate, with the margin reflexed, and truncate at
tip, an obsolete transverse line at base: antennae rufous: palpi yellowish : thorax
dusky reddish-brown, verg'ng to blackish, finely and transversely wrinkled,
clothed with short rufous hairs, and sprinkled at sides and base with small whitish
scaly ones: scutel black, densely punctulate : elytra more than twice as long as
the thorax, dull castaneous, densely and finely grained, clothed with short rufous
hairs; two obsolete longitudinal raised lines near the middle: pygidium and
venter castaneous, the former clothed like the elytra, the latter covered with
small whitish scaly hairs : pectus brown : feet chestnut-red, sprinkled with whit-
ish scales.

2. H. trislis. Blackish, pilose ; beneath densely covered with white scales —
4$ I. long, 2£ I. wide. Virginia.

Head rugose-punctate, villose, with the edge of the clypeus slightly reflexed,
and almost truncate at apex : thorax with the sides dilated in the middle and

142 [November. 1844.

slightly excurved near the posterior angles; finely and confertlv, dirty villose :
scutel densely punctured: elytra minutely and densely punctured, and densely
clothed with ashy-brown prostrate hairs; three or four irregular stria?, abbre-
viated before the apex: pygidium, beneath and feet densely covered with white
scales.

3. H. helvola. Head and thorax dusky ; elytra yellowish-red; densely covered
with yellowish scales. — of 1. long, 2 1. wide. Virginia.

Head pilose, with the margin of the clypeus reflexed : antenna? rufous, with
the clava dusky: thorax slightly dilated in the middle of the sides; densely
clothed with small yellowish scales : scutel color of the thorax: elytra yellowish-
red, covered with numerous linear yellowish scales: pygidium and venter reddish-
brown, clothed with greenish silvery scales: pectus dark brown densely decked
with green silvery scales: feet dusky reddish-brown.

Buprestidx.

Dicehca, Eschsch.*

1. D. dubia. Brassy-brown above; elytra with many small, quadrate, ele-
vated black spots ; beneath dull cupreous. — 9 1. long, 3£ I. wide. Pennsyl-
vania.

Brassy-brown above : head coarsely shagreened ; mouth green ; eyes pale
brown : thorax somewhat dilated at the sides, with a punctiform impression be-
fore the scutel ; roughly shagreened and profoundly punctured ; medial space
polished and punctured: scutel small: elytra punctate-stiiate, with numerous
irregular, elevated, polished, black spots, of which some are quadrate, interstices
punctured, shagreened or transversely wrinkled; tips much narrowed, elongated,
truncate, with a minute tooth at the inner angle : beneath roughly punctured :
pectus canaliculate: abdomen ( $) emarginate at tip: feet roughly punctured,
cupreous, with a green reflection. Differs from divaricata, Say, which it much
resembles, in being longer, in being differently formed at the sides of the thorax,
and in the lips of the elytra never or but slightly divaricating. Perhaps B. acu-
minata, Pallas.

2. D. aurichalcea. Brassy-yellow, punctate; pectus villose. — 9 1. long, 3$ I.
wide. Virginia.

Form and size of dubia. ^ Above brassy-yellow, tinted with greenish-cupreous'
shining : head rough with confl uent, irregular, longitudinal polished rugae ; labrum
broad, transverse, greenish-golden, emarginate at apex, roughly punctured ; eyes
remote, brown ; antenna? golden, shining: thorax short, transverse, slightly emar-
ginate at apex, feebly bisinuate at base, with the sides slightly rounded in the
middle; posterior angles faintly excurved, acute; surface coarsely and rugosely
punctured each side of the middle, with the disk polished and less densely punc-

* For want of access to Laporte & Gory's work on the Bcprestid^, I have
doubtless introduced species in the following descriptions, already described and
figured in that work.

November, 1S44.] 14 3

tured than the sides ; medial space slightly impressed before and behind ; an
obsolete fossula each side of the middle: scutel orbiculate : elytra subequal, sha-
greened and punctured, punctures placed in series from the suture to near the
middle, with two or three entire subsutural strias ; sparse, small, polished, blackish
elevations; tips short, truncate, rich cupreous, slightly divaricating; epipleune
green ; beneath and feet golden cupreous, tinged with greenish : pectos grooved,
white villose anteriorly : intermediate tibiae with the tubercle on the inner side
prominent: venter ( <j> ) emarginate at tip.

3. D. parumpunr.tata. Brassy-brown above, shagreened and punctured,
beneath dull cupreous; apex of elytra truncate. — 8 I. long, 3 1. wide. Pennsyl-
vania.

Dicerca parumpunctata, Harris. MS.

Body above somewhat arched, brassy-brown, shagreened, slightly glossy : head
shagreened, sparsely punctured, covered with prostrate hairs, slightly impressed
on the vertex ; labrum golden ; eyes glaucous : thorax slightly inequal ; sides
obtusely rounded, with the lateral margins to near the disk roughly shagreened
and punctured ; dorsal space polished and irregularly punctured ; a small round
indentation before the scutel: elytra punctate-striate, with the striae obsolete at
the sides and from the middle to the apex ; interstices punctured, most distinctly
towards the base and suture ; irregular, elevated black spots and short lines, more
numerous at the sides and apex than on the scutellar region ; tips abruptly nar-
rowed, not much elongated, truncate, with a minute tooth at the inner angle:
beneath pubescent, very roughly shagreened : feet cupreous glossy, roughly sha-
greened : pectus grooved: abdomen ( % ) emarginate at apex.

4. D. chrysea. Dark golden above; beneath cupreous, glossy, roughly sha-
greened. — 7 — 8 1. long, 2-f — 3 i 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Buprestis chrysea, Melsh. Catal.

Dark golden above : head rough with elevated black spots and irregular golden
rugae : labrum green : thorax somewhat roughly shagreened, each side of the
middle broadly and strongly indented, and with two or three large, elevated,
glossy black spots ; medial space indented before and behind, with the margins
and division of the indentations glossy, black and distantly punctured ; sides ab-
ruptly dilated in the middle ; posterior angles acute : scutel transverse, black :
elytra greenish cupreous, granulate or shagreened, with several series of large
punctures, and with sparse, elevated, glossy black spots; tips narrowed, short,
almost truncate : beneath bright cupreous, roughly punctured and rugose : pectus
grooved, but not deeply : epipleurae tinged with greenish: abdomen emarginate
in the one sex, tridentate in the other : feet bright cupreous, roughly punc-
tured.

5. D. indistinda. Brassy-brown, varied with dark golden ; elytra with rows
of elevated black spots.— 7| 1. long, 2£ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.
Buprestis maculata, Melsh. Catal. 999.

cuprea, « » 1004.

Brassy-brown, finely shagreened and punctured : head punctured, rough with

17

144 [November, 1844.

wrinkles and sparse polished elevations ; sparsely clothed with fine short, cine-
reous hairs ; eyes blackish, varied with pale brown : thorax almost equal, with
the sides subrectilinear, slightly rounded before the middle; posterior edge sub-
bisinuate ; surface, punctured and polished in the middle, punctured and sha-
greened towards the sides : a punctiform impression in front of the scutel, an-
obsolete oblong one behind the middle of the anterior margin : elytra finely sha-
greened, with three or four widely interrupted, elevated, polished black lines,
interruptions dull golden and roughly punctured ; tips narrowed, short, bidentate:
beneath shining, cupreous, roughly punctured : pectus grooved and ashy pilose
in the middle : abdomen emarginate at tip in the one sex and tridentate in the
other: feet dull cupreous, punctured.

6. D. moliior. Dull brassy, bright cupreous beneath ; elytra with numerous,
irregular, polished elevations; a transverse glabrous line between the eyes. — 7^
1. long, 3 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Dull brassy above, frequently farinaceous : head uneven, with glabrous eleva-
tions ; a somewhat angular transverse elevated glabrous line between the eyes ;
cranium rugosely punctured : thorax finely shagreened, with a slight dorsal
groove, the margins of which are glabrous, black and remotely punctured ; an
elevated longitudinal glabrous line each side of the dorsal groove, and many irre-
gular elevations towards the lateral margins and posterior angles ; sides, a little
before the middle, strongly dilated and deflexed: elytra finely shagreened, with
numerous irregular, elevated black lines and spots ; tips narrowed, strongly bi-
dentate : feet and beneath bright cupreous, roughly punctured : pectus grooved,
but not deeply.

7. D. impressifrons. Brassy-brown ; front concave ; elytra punctate-striate,
with the tips bidentate. — 8 1. long, 4 I. wide. Pennsylvania.

Buprestis amea, Melsh. Catal.

Head shagreened, concave, with a transverse, raised, glabrous cranial line ; dull
cupreous or brassy : thorax inequal, shagreened or rugosely punctured ; polished
and punctured in the middle, with a row of three or four elevated, polished, black
spots each side between the middle and submargin ; a profound triangular im-
pression in front of the scutel, and a very shallow oblong one behind the middle
of the anterior margin ; color of the head : scutellum small, linear, transverse :
elytra punctate-striate, punctures large, deeply impressed, the interstices finely
shagreened ; color of the thorax, with small, sparse, elevated, sublinear, polished
black spots ; tips short, bidentate : beneath and feet dull cupreous, rugosely
punctured: abdomen at apex emarginate ( $ ), tridentato (9): pectus
grooved.

8. D.ferrea. Brassy-brown above, profoundly rugose-punctured ; thorax with
a glossy dorsal line. — 7 1. long, 2| 1. wide. Virginia.

Brassy-brown above : head slightly impressed, rugosely punctured ; eyes yel-
lowish-brown : thorax equal, confertly rugose-punctured ; medial space glossy,
black, each side of which, at the anterior margin, with a small black, polished
spot, and a similar one each side, at the posterior margin ; posterior angles recti-

November, 1S44.] 145

linear : scutellum transverse, concave : elytra punctate-striate, with the four first
strise entire, the interstices rugosely punctured, and with rows of glossy oblong-
quadrate spots ; lateral submargins transversely rugulose and with irregular, ele-
vated glossy spots and short lines ; tips narrowed, short, bidcntate ; feet and
beneath dull cupreous, rugosely punctured : pectus slightly canaliculate. — Re-
ceived a female specimen, and the only one in my collection, from Professor
Haldeman.

Buprestis pundulata, Swartz, Shoenh.

B. transversa, Say. Specimens of this species occur which have scattered
elevated lines on the elytra. Say's character of this species : " a somewhat ele-
vated oblique line at the posterior angles," — of the thorax — is frequently want-
ing.

9. D. consobrina. Brassy-brown above ; elytra striate-punctate. — 7 1. long,
3 1. wide. Virginia.

Form and size of transversa, Say. Head dull cupreous, densely rugulose,
slightly indented on the front, with a transverse interrupted polished line between
the eyes; antenna; obtusely serrate, rich cupreous; thorax transverse, slightly
emarginate at apex, feebly bisinuate at base, where it is narrower than the base
of the elytra ; posterior angles acute ; sides rectilinear near the base, strongly di-
lated beyond the middle; dull cupreous, densely granulate; four longitudinal
black, polished lines, the intermediate two are entire, the outer ones interrupted
before the middle, or before an oblique fossula, and appearing slightly again at
base ; a narrow polished marginal line, originating at the tip of the posterior angle
and terminating in the middle of the lateral dilatation : sculel transverse, black :
elytra brassy-brown or black, densely granulated, with series of large, remote
punctures, and many irregular linear black polished elevations ; tips short, entire :
feet and beneath cupreous, shining, rugosely punctured ; postpectus canaliculate.
Resembles somewhat transversa, Say, but can be distinguished from that species
by its more inequal surface of the thorax and elytra, and by the stronger dilatation
of the sides of the thorax.

10. D. gracilipes. Dark brassy-brown; thorax transverse-quadrate; feet
slender. — 5 1. long, 1^ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Slender, subcylindric, dark brassy-brown above : head bright cupreous, roughly
shagreened ; a transverse arcuated glossy line between the eyes, which are black-
brown ; thorax transverse, with the sides rectilinear, the apex truncate, and the
base slightly bisinuate; an obvious entire dorsal furrow; rugosely punctured :
scutel obtuse triangular : elytra faintly striate, with about four or five longi-
tudinal, raised lines, the interstices rugose-punctulate ; a distinct cupreous im-
pressed spot a little before the middle, and an obsolete double one behind the
middle; sides parallel from the base to the apical curve; tips much narrowed,
feebly bidentate : feet and beneath bright cupreous, rugosely punctured ; tibiae
long, slender: venter almost rounded at tip: pectus feebly canaliculate. This
species is distinguished from all the preceding by its slender and somewhat
cylindrical form. The sculpture of the elytra resemble those of a Chrysobothris,
but they are entire at the lateral edges, and not serrated.

146 [November, 1S44

Bupuestis, Linn.

B. inconalans. Black, punctured : elytra striate, maculate with fulvous. — 8
I. long, 3^ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Blaek above: head confertly and profoundly punctured, slightly longitudinally
indented on the cranium; a fulvous spot on the inner margin of the eyes; la-
brum and mouth yellow-testaceous: thorax punctured, punctures numerous and
profound, towards the lateral margins confluent; dorsal space narrow, im-
punctured ; base sinuous ; posterior angles slightly fulvous : scutellum subcordate :
elytra striate, strife finely punctured, the interstices with series of profound punc-
tures ; five or six irregular, fulvous spots on each elytrum ; tips obtusely rounded,
almost truncate, with a minute spine at the inner angle: beneath dark greenish-
brassy, rugosely punctured : abdomen, terminal segment with a fulvous spot
each side at base, two similar ones on the middle of the tip of the postpectus,
and a paler one each side on the anterior margin of the antepectus. Varies
much in the number, shape and disposition of the spots. It is closely allied to
B. lincata, Fabr,, and may perhaps be a variety of that species,

Melanofhila, Eschsch.

1. M. xneola. Blackish-brassy, finely and densely shagreened. — 3 1. long,
1| 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Dark-brassy above, confertly shagreened or wrinkled : head cupreous, brilliant,
finely punctured and wrinkled : thorax finely and densely shagreened, with the
base bisinuous: elytra slightly widest behind the middle, finely and densely
shagreened, and indented on the basal margin, indentation profound near the
the humerus, and crossing the base of the thorax near the posterior angle; apex
rounded : beneath and feet dark greenish brassy, shining, finely and confertly
punctured.

2. M. metallica. Brassy-brown, finely shagreened ; thorax with two trans-
verse impressions each side of the middle. — 2^ 1 long, 1£ 1. wide. Pennsyl-
vania.

Brassy-brown, finely shagreened ; head feebly indented before the front ; eyes
brown; thorax transverse ; subquadrate; a double transverse impression each
side of the middle; posterior angles depressed; sometimes blackish-brassy ; apex
rounded ; beneath and feet dark brassy, with a dark green reflection, finely and
confertly punctured.

Chrysojjothius, Eschsch.

1. C. calcarata. Dusky cupreous; elytra with a longitudinal elevated su-
tural line ; thorax with an entire dorsal groove. — 5 1. long, 2 1. wide. Pennsyl-
vania.

Chrysobothris calcarata, Harris MS.

Dull cupreous and densely punctured above; head rough, brassy ; antennas
blackish ; thorax inequal, rugosely punctured, grooved in the middle ; sides
slightly contracted behind, almost rectilinear; basal edge strongly bisinuate:
elytra finely and densely punctured ; each elytrum with a profound double basal

November, 1844.] 147

indentation, and two or three other faint ones before and behind the middle; a
distinct, longitudinal, arcuated, raised sutural line, and two or three others on
the disk and near the lateral edge, the marginal and sutural lines confluent at
apex : beneath and feet rugoscly punctured, cupreous, slightly shining ; tarsi
blue ; anterior femora strongly toothed in the males.

2. C. punctata. Dark green, cupreous and rugosely punctured above ; an-
tenna: and tarsi blue. — h\ I. long, 2f 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Buprestis punctata, Melsh. Catal.

Above coarsely punctured and wrinkled, dusky green-brassy, with a rich
purple reflection : head rough, two or three small, polished, frontal elevations ;
antennce bluish-brassy, the three basal joints rich cupreous ; eyes ochraceous,
closely approximated behind : thorax with the basal margin transversely and
strongly indented ; medial groove faint and partial ; sides almost straight, slightly-
rounded before ; basal edge profoundly bisinuate : elytra with three abbreviated
longitudinal, raised lines, of which the middle one is distinct, the two others
obscurely defined : benea'th and feet punctured as above, brilliant cupreous, with
a green reflection ; tarsi lustrous steel-blue.

3. C. strangulata, Brassy-black, rugosely punctured ; thorax narrowed be-
hind. — 2$ 1. long, 1 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Buprestis strangulata, Harris Catal.

Black-brassy, transversely rugose-punctured, slightly shining : head roughly
punctured, with several small glabrous or polished elevations ; clypeus green-
brassy : antenna; blackish : thorax confertly punctured and distinctly trans-
versely wrinkled; a faint impressed dorsal line; sides rounded, distinctly con-
tracted behind; basal edge bisinuate: elytra densely punctured and transversely
wrinkled ; about four longitudinal raised lines, of which the two intermediate
ones are abbreviated, the marginal and sutural ones confluent at tip : beneath
and feet black-brassy, punctured. This is the smallest known native species
belonging to this subgenus. Specimens occur which are distinctly marked with
two or three impressed cupreous spots on each elytrum.

4. C. viridiceps. Dull cupreous; head, sides of tibia?, and tarsi, green ; thorax
slightly sinuate at sides; elytra with two cupreous impressions. — 5^ 1. long, 2|
1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Dull cupreous above ; head equal, finely and densely grained, green ; antennae
green, terminal joints cupreous ; mandibles and palpi green ; labrum pale tes-
taceous : thorax almost equal, rugosely punctured, with the medial groove shal-
low ; sides feebly sinuate in the middle, abruptly contracted at the posterior
angles, and obtusely rounded at the anterior ones; basal edge bisinuate; green
towards the lateral margins : elytra much punctured, towards the lateral and
basal margins rugosely ; four longitudinal raised lines, of which the two middle
ones are interrupted by two cupreous impressed spots, placed, one a little before,
and the other a little behind the middle ; basal margin profoundly indented to-
wards the scutellum ; tips red-cupreous : abdomen brilliant cupreous, rugosely
punctured : pectus brassy-green, slightly canaliculate : feet punctured ; femora
anteriorly, tibiae laterally and tarsi entirely green.

5. C. rugosiceps. Dull cupreous ; head longitudinally rugulose, silvery ( £ )

14S [November. 1844-

or brassy ( 9 ) ! thorax narrowed behind ; elytra three or four-ribbed ; tarsi green..
4| 1. long, 2 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Blackish-cupreous, roughly punctured : head longitudinally wrinkled, silvery
(% ); brassy, granulated and with two polished frontal elevations ( <j? ); an-
tennae silvery ( % ) or cupreous ( 9 ) : thorax short, widest before the middle,,
gradually narrowed towards the base, and abruptly narrowed at apex ; punctured-
and transeversely wrinkled; medial groove obtuse; basal edge bisinuate : elytra*
transversely rugose-punctured, with three or four obsolete, raised lines; disk,
with two cupreous impressions ; apex bright cupreous : beneath and feet brassy
or cupreous, much punctured, slightly ashy-pubescent: venter emarginate ( % ),
rounded ( $ ) ; tarsi green.

Anthaxia, Eschsch.

1. A. gracilis. Slender, black; face, thorax beneath and lateral margins,
pectus and feet bluish-green; elytra three-ribbed. — 2§ 1- long, | 1. wide. Penn-
sylvania.

Form of an Agrilus. Black, minutely granulated : head with the face bluish-
green, brilliant; antennae black, tinged with green : thorax almost equal, with a
slight indentation each side of the middle, and a profound triangular one in
front of the scutel ; much contracted behind, with the sides very feebly rounded ;
posterior angles small, acute; lateral margins broadly bluish-green : elytra con-
tracted in the middle, rugulose, opake, with three longitudinal, raised lines, of
which the middle one is only distinct : pectus and feet rugulose, bluish-green :
abdomen bluish-brassy, minutely punctured : tarsi ochraceous.

2. A. scoriacea. Cyaneous ; thorax each side of the middle with a double
impression. — 2| 1. long, ^ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Buprestis caerulea, Melsh. Catal.

Cyaneous, very finely wrinkled : head finely reticulate, with a shallow oblong
frontal indentation, each side of the same with a small, round, shallow impres-
sion ; antennae brassy-black; eyes black ; thorax with the sides rounded ; a trans-
verse impression each side of the middle, with the area of hind angles deeply
indented; a punctiform impression in front of the scutel ; elytra somewhat in-
equal : feet and beneath black, glossy ; tibias and tarsi tinted with greenish.

Trachys tessellata. Black, elytra tesselated with white. Fabr. Syst. Eleuth.
ii. 218, 1. The 9 is smaller than the % with the elytra dusky-purple, tinged
with steel-blue, apex cupreous, varied with pale ferruginous ; beneath glossy
black, with the apex of the abdomen rounded. It is the Buprestis serosa, Melsh.
Catal.

Eucnemidsee.
Melasis, Fabr.

M. pedinicornis. Blackish, or dark reddish-brown, opake ; thorax scabrous-
3 — 4 1. long, 1 — 1| 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Melasis pedinicornis, Norwich, Dej. Cat.

Blackish, or dark reddish-brown, punctured, pubescent : head densely punc-
tured, with a distinct but obtuse frontal groove ; antennae and palpi, color of the

November, 1844. J 149

feet : thorax narrowed before, witii the sides finely margined ; scabrous, with the
dorsal line faintly impressed, most distinct and dilated in front of the scutel ;
color darker than the elytra, sometimes with the margins darkest: scutellum
punctured, with a longitudinal, indented medial line: elytra punctate-stnate,
with the striae fine anu profound, the interstices narrow, convex, punctured, and
somewhat rough with transverse ruim: 1 : beneath finely and densely rugosely punc-
tured : feet strongly compressed dull rutous, sometimes the femora blackish-
brown. I have met with a description of this species.

Lissomus, Dalman.

L. nitidus. Black, glossy, immaculate; base of the antenna?, and tarsi,
dusky rufous.

Elater nitidus, Melsh. Catal.

Size and form entirely of Elater geminahis, Say.

Black, shining, spotless : head sparsely and minutely punctured; antennas
black, with the basal joint rufo-piceous : thorax wider at base than at apex, with
the sides almost rectilinear; minutely punctured, punctures almost confluent
on the posterior margin: scutel triangular, black, impunctured, an impressed
longitudinal line in the middle : elytra with sparse, very minute but deeply im-
pressed punctures: beneath black, minutely punctured; tibiae dark rufous. Al-
though this species is destitute of the elytral spots, and less and differently punc-
tured than E. geminatus, Say, it may nevertheless be only a variety of that
species.

Htlochahus, Latr.

H ? bicolor. Dull rufous ; antennae, feet and beneath, rufo-testaceous. — 4 1,
long, 1 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Dark rufous, yellow pubescent, finely shagreened : head and thorax darker
than the elytra; antenna? nearly half the length of the body, subfiliform, with
the basal joint as long as the head, and not much thicker than the other joints,,
arcuated, obliquely truncate at tip, second joint very small, third longer than
the fourth, which is equal in length to the fifth, terminal joint cy lindric, longest :
thorax with the medial line indistinct; two obsolete obtuse impressions in front
of the scutel; lateral margins densely yellow pubescent: scutellum truncate at
base, rounded at tip, where it is indented; elytra punctate-striate, the interstices
transversely rugose: beneath rufo-testaceous, glossy and densely punctulate :
feet testaceous ; tibia? 1 I have seen but one specimen of this insect.

Dikhagus, Eschsch.

1. D. badius. Reddish-brown, yellow-pubescent, finely shagreened. — 3 1.
long, 1 I. wide. Pennsylvania.

Light chesnut-red or reddish-brown, densely yellow-pubescent, particalarly
the elytra ; very finely shagreened : front convex; antennae filiform, basal joint
nearly as long as the head, somewhat arcuated, robust, second joint a little more
than half the length of the third, somewhat pyriform, third as long as the sixth
or seventh, terminal joint as long as the two penultimate ones united : thorax

150 [November, 1S44-

very slightly contracted at hind angles, which are acute and not excurved ; me-
dial line very faintly indicated only at base: elytra very slightly striate, with the
interstices transversely and finely wrinkled : beneath and feet color as above. —
Must be closely allied to E. calceutus of Say, which is unknown to me.

2. D. rujipes. Deep fuscous; feet testaceous; front longitudinally impressed.
2^ I. long, | 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Dark fuscous: head very minutely punctured, pubescent, with the front lon-
gitudinally impressed at tip; antennas fuscous, about half as long as the body,
with the basal joint as long as the head, not much more robust than the follow-
ing ones, second joint very small, subglobate, third longer than the fourth, ter-
minal longest, cylindric : thorax finely and densely punctured, densely pubescent,
slightly contracted at posterior angles, which are straight; medial line only very
faintly impressed at base :' elytra finely punctate, the striae obsolete behind the
middle, the interstices minutely punctured, and transversely rugulose ; sparsely
pubescent: feet rufous, or rufo-testaceous, with the fourth tarsal joint slightly
Cordate : beneath very finely pubescent.

Elateridx.
Ctenonychts, Steph. — Cratonychus, Dej.

1. C. spkenoidalis. Fuscous, pubescent ; antenna? and feet dull reddish-
brown. — 7 1. long, 2 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Gradually attenuated from the widest part of the thorax to apex of the
elytra, dark brown, pubescent ; front flat, coarsely and confertly punctured,
with the anterior edge elevated, acute and rounded : eyes ochraceous : an-
tennae longer than the thorax, dull reddish-brown, somewhat serrate, pubes-
cent : thorax a little wider towards the middle than the base of the elytra,
profoundly punctured, punctures numerous, crowded on the lateral margins;
sides slightly rounded before the middle ; hind angles not excurved, distinctly
and acutely carinated : scutel minutely punctured : elytra distinctly crenate-
striate, the interstices fiat, distantly and minutely punctured, and rough with
transverse rugae : beneath much punctured, black : feet dull reddish-brown.
The description of Cr. semulus by Prof. Erichson corresponds accurately
with the present species.

2. C. ockraceipennis. Thorax and beneath rufous ; elytra testaceous or
ochreous. — 7 1. long, 2 1. wide. Pennsylvania. — Rare.

Elater bicolor, Melsh. Catal.

Head coarsely punctured, rufous pilose, with the front flat ; clypeus with
the anterior margin slightly elevated, obtusely rounded ; eyes black ; an-
tennae rufous, lanate : thorax some wider than long, wider behind than at
apex, with the sides rounded ; punctured, punctures large, profound, vicinal
on the disk, and dense and rugose on the lateral margins ; posterior angles
acute, hardly excurved, distinctly and obliquely carinated ; rufous, with the
lateral edges blackish ; ochreous hirsute ; medial line faint at base : elytra
yellowish testaceous, tinged with rufous, hirsute like the thorax ; gradually
narrowed from the base to the apex, puuctate-striate, interstices more flat

November, 1844.] 151

than convex, distantly and finely punctured : beneath and feet color of the
head or thorax.

3. C. tesfaceus. Testaceous ; posterior angles of the thorax strongly cari-
nate. — 4^ 1. long, 1$ 1. wide.

Testaceous, clothed with fine, short, yellowish hairs ; glossy : head with
large approximate punctures, with the front very slightly convex; clypeus
marginate &nd obtusely rounded at tip; eyes black; antennae as long as tho-
rax, slightly serrate, color of the thorax : thorax wider than long, much
wider at base than at apex, finely, deeply and distantly punctured, rufo-tes-
taceous, with the sides rectilinear from the hind angles to beyond the middle,
thence to the apex somewhat suddenly rounded; hind angles straight, slightly
incurved and deflexed at tip. prominently carinated, with the carinas acute,
subparallel to the lateral edges, and extending nearly to the middle of the
sides : scutellum finely and sparsely punctured : elytra progressively nar-
rowed from the base to the apex ; finely punctate-striate, with the punctures
longer than wide, profound, interstices flat, distantly and very finely punc-
tured : beneath rufo-testaceous, densely and rugosely punctured : feet testa-
ceous ; claws unusually finely pectinated. Fouud in Pennsylvania. — Very
rare.

4. C. depressus. Dark fuscous, pubescent ; beneath densely and rugosely
punctured; feet rufous. — 5 1. long, 1| 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Elater depressus, Melsh. MS.

Deep brown, pubescent : head with large vicinal punctures ; front slightly
convex; clypeus marginate at tip and each side slightly depressed, and with
sparse longitudinal wrinkles, the edge obtusely rounded, and but slightly
elevated ; antennas simple, slender, rufous, with the second joint short,
obconic, third and following joints subclavate ; glossy : thorax shorter than
wide, with sides gradually and rectilinearly attenuated from the tip of the
hind angles to beyond the middle, thence to the apex more suddenly nar-
rowed ; finely and distantly punctured, on the disk, more closely on the
lateral margins ; medial line obvious from the base to the middle ; posterior
angles subacute, slightly piceous, acutely carinate, carinas parallel with the
lateral edges : scutellum sparsely punctured : elytra punctate-striate, the
interstices subconvex, distantly and very finely punctured, and transversely
rugulose ; sides strongly narrowed from the base to the apex, which is
acutely rounded : feet rufous.

5. C. parumpnnclatus. Castaneous ; thorax subquadrate, distantly punc-
tured ; feet dull rufous — 5| 1. long, 1| 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Chestnut-brown, sparsely pubescent : head feebly convex, with large,
dilated punctures ; clypeus at tip margined, obtusely rounded and slightly
elevated : antennae filiform, longer than the thorax, yellowish-testaceous :
thorax subquadrate, with the sides rectilinear from the tip of the hind angles
to the middle, thence to the apex gradually arcuated; moderately convex ;
finely, distantly and subregularly punctured, glossy ; posterior angles short,
subacute and prominently carinate, with the carinae long, subparallel with
the exterior edge ; dorsal line only obvious behind the middle : scutel sparsely

18

152 % [November, 1844

punctured : elytra with the sides gradually tapering from the base to the
apex, which is acutely rounded ; punctate-striate, the interstices flattish,
with minute distant impressed points : beneath dark reddish-brown, densely
punctured, finely pubescent: feet dull chestnut-red.

Melanotus, Meg. Esch. Latr. — Crutonychus, Dej.

1. M. ignobilis. Dark fuscous, pubescent, punctured; antennae and feet
chestnut-red. — 5 1. long, If 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Head strongly and confidently punctured, with the anterior edge promi-
nent, elevated and rounded : antenna? robust, serrated, longer than the tho-
rax, pale brown, with the second and third joints equal, conjointly hardly as
long as the fourth, or following ones : thorax very slightly narrowed before,
much and subequally punctured, finely and densely ashy pubescent, with
the sides almost rectilinear ; posterior angles very slightly excurved, acutely
carinate, with the carinas near the outer edges, and with them subparallel to
near their middle : scutel with sparse and strong punctures : elytra punctate-
striate, with the punctures large and profound behind the base, and small
and somewhat obsolete behind the middle, the interstices flattish, with mi-
nute and remote punctures ; finely and densely ashy pubescent ; sides
attenuated from the base to the apex, which is acutely rounded : beneath
finely pubescent, with the feet and lateral margins and tip of the anal seg-
ment, dull chestnut-red.

2. M. glandicolor. Castaneous, rectilinear from near the anterior thoracic
angles to beyond the middle of the elytra ; antennae and feet rufous. — 8 1.
long, 2^ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Head sparsely yellowish-pilose, with the front rather inequal, with coarse
and dilated punctures ; clypeus with the anterior edge projecting, rounded
and slightly elevated ; color of the thorax : antennae serrate, longer than the
thorax, with the second and third joints equal, unitedly hardly longer than
any of the following ones ; dusky rufous : thorax subquadrate, very slightly
narrowed in front, much and profoundly punctured, with the punctures
crowded on the lateral margins ; dorsal line obsolete before the middle and
but faintly indicated behind it; sides almost rectilinear from the hind angles
to near the apex, where they are abruptly rounded ; hind angles strongly and
acutely carinate ; dull rufous or red-brown, glossy : elytra chestnut-brown,
finely pubescent, crenate-striate, the interstices flat, finely and distantly
punctured; sides rectilinear from the base to beyond the middle thence to
the apex gradually narrowed : beneath densely ashy-pubescent : feet, ante-
pectus and epipleurae dull rufous.

3. M. paradoxus. Elack, elongate ; inner elytral striae effaced ; antennae
and feet rufous. — 7^ 1. long, 2 1. wide.

Body elongate, with the sides parallel; sparsely pubescent, black or deep
brown : front rugose-punctured, with the anterior edge somewhat projecting,
elevated and rounded : palpi and antenna? rufous, the latter some longer than
the thorax, serrated, with the second and third joints equal, unitedly about
as long as any of the following ones : thorax short, deeply and somewhat

November, 1844.] 153

closely punctured; medial impressed line only apparent in the middle and at
base ; sides rectilinear from the tip of the hind angles to a little before the
middle, where they are angularly narrowed to the apex ; posterior angles
acute, prominently earinated, with the carinas near the outer edges and
slightly oblique : elytra elongated, with the sides rectilinear from the base
to near the apex ; inner stria; of punctures obsolete or effaced, four outer
ones distinct and placed in rather obtuse or faintly impressed striae, parti-
cularly towards the apex ; suture slightly rufous : tip of abdomen reddish-
brown : feet and anterior coxa?, rufous.

Chalcolepidius prasinus. Two specimens, $ and 9 i of an Elater were
captured near Baltimore by the Rev. Dr. Morris, the $ is now in my col-
lection, and is no other than a specimen of a species, inhabiting South Ame-
rica, described by Prof. Erichson in Germar's << Zeitschriftfiir Entomologie,"
Vol. iii., p. 85, under the above name. This species may probably prove
to be Elater riridipilis, Say. Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. New York, Vol. i. No. ix.
p. 257. and also noticed in the Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. Philad., Vol. vi. p.
166, No. 5.

Athous, Eschsch.

1. A. vagrajit. Fuscous; beneath and feet castaneous ; thorax oblong-
quadrate, with four obsolete impressions. — 9 1. long, 3 1. wide. Pennsyl-
vania.

Elongate, dark chestnut-brown above : head clothed with yellowish pile,
rugosely and profoundly punctured, with the clypeus anteriorly deflexed and
the edge only elevated in front of the eyes, which are black and glossy ;
antenna?, some longer than the thorax, slender, second joint not half as long
as the third, which is equal in length to the fourth, terminal distinctly subu-
late or furnished with an accessorial point : yellowish, pubescent : thorax
oblong-quadrate, somewhat convex, with the sides rectilinear, or somewhat
undulated, very slightly rounded in the middle and faintly contracted before
the posterior angles ; yellowish pubescent, densely and profoundly punc-
tured; each side of the middle with two obsolete indentations, the two an-
terior ones are placed behind the anterior margin, the two posterior ones a
little before the basal margin ; medial channel somewhat apparent in the
middle ; posterior angles robust, slightly excurved, subacute, carinate, ca-
rina? fine, long, almost parallel to the lateral edge : scutellum densely yel-
lowish pilose, with the disk longitudinally convex, punctured and glabrous :
elytra somewhat widest behind the middle, obtusely transversely indented
behind the basal region ; finely punctate-striate, the interstices broad, flat,
minutely and indefinitely punctured, and transverse-rugulose towards the
base, clothed with very short and fine yellowish pile; apex acutely rounded
beneath and feet some lighter colored than above, densely minutely yellowish
pubescent. Resembles somewhat A. memnonius, Hbst., but is narrower
and otherwise distinct from that common species.

2. A. sequalis. Fusco-testaceous ; thorax oblong-subquadrate — 9 1. long.
3 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

154 [November, 1844.

Elongate, light chestnut, with the thorax darker: head as in the preced-
ing : antennae as in the preceding: thorax differs from that of the preceding
in being almost glabrous, in the sides being more distinctly undulated, more
contracted before the hind angles, and in having these more strongly ex-
curved : scutel as in the preceding : elytra as in the preceding, but almost
glabrous: beneath and feet somewhat lighter tinted than above. This may,
perhaps, be only a variety of the preceding.

3. A. melarwphthalmus. Fusco-testaceous ; thorax widest before the mid-
dle ; eyes black. — %\ I. long, 3 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Elater melanophthalmus, Melsh. Catal.

Brownish-red, very finely yellowish pubescent, almost glabrous : head
coarsely and rugosely punctured, with the front impressed : clypeus at tip
obtusely rounded, with the edge slightly raised, black, and deflexed in the
middle ; antennae not much longer than the thorax, rufous, pubescent, with
the second joint almost half the length of the third ; fourth and following
joints compressed, and broader than the third ; eyes black : thorax rather
longer than wide, decidedly widest before the middle, contracted at the
posterior angles, moderately convex, much and profoundly punctured ; a
faint entire dorsal line ; an obtuse indentation each side near the middle of
the lateral margins; sides rounded, slightly excurved at the hind angles,
which are shortish and feebly carinate, carinas near and parallel to the outer
edge : scutel densely and very finely punctured, with the disk somewhat
convex : elytra widest behind the middle, thence to the apex gradually
arcuated ; punntate-striate, the interstices flat, finely and indefinitely punc-
tured and rugulose : beneath and feet lighter tinted than above. Bears a
strong resemblance to the preceding, but differs essentially from it in the
outlines and punctuation of the thorax, and in the form and indentation of
the front and clypeus.

4. A. strigatus. Fusco-testaceous ; front triangularly impressed. — 7 1. long,
2* 1, wide. Pennsylvania.

Elata- strigatus, Melsh. Catal.

Brownish-red or castaneous : head confidently rugose-punctured, with the
face triangularly impressed ; clypeus porrect, with the apex almost truncate ;
antennae slender, as long, or longer than the thorax, hardly serrate or only
very feebly so, second joint half the length of the third : eyes black: thorax
longer than wide, wider at base than at apex, convex, finely, confertly and
somewhat rugosely punctured ; medial impressed line only visible behind
the middle; sides feebly rounded ; sparsely pubescent ; hind angles short,
obtuse, straight, and finely and obliquely carinate : scutel somewhat im-
pressed, coarsely punctured : elytra obviously punctate-striate, with the
interstices finely and distantly punctured, and transverse-rugulose, flat ;
sides rectilinear from the base to behind the middle, from where to the apex
they are gradually arcuated : beneath rufo-testaceous : feet yellowish.

5. A. cavifrons. Rufous ; front widely impressed ; thorax subquadrate.—
6 1. long, 2 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

November, 1S44.J 155

Subparallel, yellowish-rufous, minutely yellowish-pubescent: bead strongly
punctured, with the front widely triangularly impressed, impression occupy-
ing nearly the entire lace; clypeus obtusely rounded at apex; antennae color
of the body : eyes large, prominent, black, glossy : mandibles with the tip
black : thorax longer than wide, slightly contracted at the hind angles, where
it is wider than at apex ; sides almost rectilinear from the apex to the con-
traction ; finely and densely punctured, subglabrous ; medial line indistinct,
only apparent at base ; posterior angles feebly excurved, and obsoletely and
shortly carinate : scutellum rather large, pubescent, minutely and closely
punctured : elytra distinctly punctate-striate, interstices flat, finely and dis-
tantly punctured and transversely wrinkled, subglabrous and like the thorax
glossy; sides parallel from the base to behind the middle : beneath yellow
testaceous : feet testaceous.

6. A. oblongicollis. Fuscous; thorax oblong-quadrate; face triangularly
impressed ; antennae and feet testaceous. — 7 1. long', 2 1. wide. Pennsyl-
vania.

Elongate, brown, yellowish-pubescent ; head finely and rugosely punc
tured, densely pubescent ; face triangularly impressed, with the anterior edge
of the clypeus prominent, truncate, slightly deflexed, rufo-piceous ; antennae
slender, longer than the thorax, feebly serrate, testaceous, second joint half
the length of third nearly ; eyes large, prominent, black ; palpi testaceous :
thorax oblong-quadrate, strongly convex, narrower than the elytra, deeply,
densely and rather finely punctured ; medial impressed line distinct behind
the middle ; sides slightly widest and rounded in the middle, and feebly con-
tracted before the posterior angles, which are short, robust, obtuse and
somewhat excurved and piceous ; scutellum finely punctured : elytra with
the sides parallel from the base to the middle, thence to the apex gradually
narrowed ; crenate-striate, the interstices slightly convex, densely trans-
verse. rugulose ; exterior edge and suture dull rufous : epipleuras and abdo-
minal margins dark rufous : feet nearly the color of the antennae.

7. A. hypoleucus. Fuscous, beneath testaceous ; face triangularly iropres
sed ; posterior thoracic margin and angles piceous. — 5| 1. long; \\ 1. wide.
Pennsylvania.

Brown: head confluently rugose-punctured, pubescent, triangularly impressed
on the face, with the clypeus porrcct, truncate at apex ; dull rufous ; antennas
slender, somewhat longer than the thorax, rufous ; second joint half as long as
the third, which is slightly longer than the fourth ; terminal joint distinctly subu-
late ; eyes prominent, large, black ; thorax oblong-quadrate, convex, densely and
finely punctured, clothed with fine, anteriorly inclined, pile ; darker than the
elytra; dorsal line narrow, faintly impressed; sides almost rectilinear; hind
angles short, subacute, finely carinate ; base and posterior angles testaceous or
piceous, sometimes obsoletely so = elytra gradually narrowed from behind the
middle to the apex, with punctured striae, interstices slightly convex, transverse-
ly wrinkled ; clothed with short yellowish pile; sides obsoletely dull rufous:
beneath rufo-testaceous : feet testaceous-

156 [November, 1S44.

8. A. seneolus. Dark brown-brassy, pubescent; front faintly impressed. — 5|
1. long; 1| 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Brassy-brown or black: head rugosely punctured, clothed with yellowish
hairs, with the clypeus almost flat, not prominent, the anterior edge rather obtu-
sely rounded and glossy, slightly reflexed ; antennae dull rufous, or blackish,
pubescent, longer than the thorax, with the joints almost simple ; second joint
two-thirds the length of the third, which is smaller than the fourth ; terminal
joint longest cylindiic, and very ohsoletely subulate: thorax subquadrate, con-
vex, slightly wider behind than before, slightly rounded at the sides ; densely
clothed with an ochreous pubescence, closely and minutely punctured ; medial
line faintly defined, sometimes not apparent ; hind angles short, subacute, slightly
excurved, slightly carinate : scutellum rather somewhat convex, densely ashy-
pubescent, elytra progressively arcuated from behind the middle to the apex,
which is acutely rounded; punctate-striate, the interstices somewhat convex,
finely and distantly punctured, transversely wrinkled : beneath black, thinly
pubescent, hind margins of posterior abdominal segments rufo-piceous : feet dull
rufous.

9. A. xreus. Brassy; thorax dark fuscous, finely and densely punctured,
pubescent; elytra dusky reddish-brown; antenna?, feet, epipleura? and apical
margins of posterior ventral segments, rufous. Pennsylvania.

Elater sereus, Melsh. Catal.

Size of the preceding, which it strongly resembles, but is somewhat wider, the
thorax shorter, wider and more strongly arcuated at the sides ; the antennce are
more simple, shorter and with the joints more cylindrical, even in $> s ; the
second joint is more than two-thirds the length of the third ; fourth joint a little
more robust than the fifth ; terminal joint shorter, and less distinctly subulate
than in the preceding species ; form and sculpture of the head and elytra, ves-
ture of the scutel; and color of the body beneath, as in the preceding species.

10. A. procericollls. Linear; thorax oblong-subquadrate, dusky reddish-
brown ; face triangularly impressed ; antenna and feet pale testaceous. — 5 1.
long ; 1§ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Elater longicollis, Melsh, Catal.

Linear, finely and not densely pubescent : head confidently punctulate, with
the clypeus porrect, triangularly impressed, obtusely rounded and hardly deflex-
edattip; color of the thorax; antennre and palpi testaceous, the first much
longer than the thorax, slender, subserrate, with the second joint one-third the
length of the third, which is longer than the fourth, terminal joint distinctly
subulate: thorax oblong, convex, with the sides feebly rounded; finely and
densely punctured; medial line faint, very slender, glossy ; chestnut-brown, with
the posterior angles paler, short, robust, subacute, slightly excurved, obliquely
and very feebly carinate : scutellum color of the thorax, coarsely punctured :
elytra with the sides gradually narrowed from behind the middle to near the
apex, which is acutely rounded ; punctate striate, the interstices, finely and not
densely punctured and transversely wrinkled; reddish-brown : beneath rufous:
feet testaceous.

11. A. arcticollis. Reddish-brown; thorax elongate, narrow ; face triangu-

November, 18-14.] 157

larly impressed ; antennae and feet du~ky rufous. — 5 I. long; 1| I. wide. Penn-
sylvania

Reddish-brown, rufous pubescent : head nearly as wide as the thorax, densely
punctured, with the clypeus porrect, triangularly impressed, margined and ob-
tusely rounded at apex; eyes large, prominent, black; antennae fully half the
length of the body, slender, not serrate, dull rufous, with the second joint small,
hardly half as long as the third, which is nearly as long and robust as the fourth ;
terminal joint somewhat thickened towards the tip: thorax oblong, convex, de-
ciJ.dly narrower than the elytra, with the sides straight and parallel from base
to apex ; finely and densely punctured ; hind angles short, straicht and slightly
deflexed : scutel very finely punctured : elytra crenate-striate, with the interstices
more convex than flat, finely and distantly punctured: feet dull pale rufous.

12. A. trivittatus. Fuscous; elytra reddish-brown, with the submargins
and suture dusky ; feet testaceous. — 5 1. long; 1| I. wide. Pennsylvania.

Resembles Eluter viitutus, Fabr. Elongate : head closely and profoundly
punctulate, very slightly convex, with the clypeus short, margined, obtusely
rounded or almost truncate and piceous or dull rufous at tip ; color of the thorax :
antennae color of the feet, hardly as long as the thorax, slender, simple, with the
second and third joints subequal, obconic, nearly as long as the fourth and fifth,
but less robust; basal joint robust, clavate; palpi color of the antennce: thorax
oblong, convex, as wide at base as the elytra, and slightly wider than at apex,
with the sides very feebly arcuated from the apex to the hind angles, and there
slightly contracted ; posterior angles sub-triangular, short, slightly excurved,
hardly carinate ; equally, deeply and densely punctulate, dull reddish-brown,
with the margins and hind angles paler: scutellum convex, sparse-punctulate :
elytra with the sides parallel from the base to behind the middle, thence gra-
dually arcuated to the apex ; punctate-striate, with the punctures numerous,
small and profound, and the stria3 fine, the interstices flat, with indefinite yet
distinct minute punctures; reddish-brown, with the suture and submargins
dusky ; feet, epipleurce and pleurce, testaceous ; tarsi, first joint longer than three
following ones united, which are slightly dilated and cushioned beneath; fourth
joint very minute. It is rare, and the Eluter trivittatus, of Melsh. Catal. This
species does not strictly belong to the genus to which I have referred it.

13. A. tarsalis. Black ; elytra and feet rufo-testaceous, with the tarsi black;
antennas long. — 5 1. long ; 1| 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Elongate, black : head rugosely punctured, with the clypeus short, slightly
impressed, impression extending to the middle of the vertex, with the anterior
edge slightly elevated in front of the eyes, and indented in the middle ; antennae
deep black, robust, half the length of the body, with the second joint very
small, obconic; third joint as wide as the fourth and a little longer; terminal
joint long, slender, subulate; third and following joints compressed : thorax ob-
long-subquadrate, moderately convex, black, slightly bronzed, finely and pro-
foundly punctured, punctures dense on the middle, confluent on the basal and
and lateral margins ; sides almost rectilinear, slightly rounded towards the apex,
and faintly contracted before the hind angles, which are obtuse, rather excurv-
ed, and not carinated ; medial channel faintly and partially defined : scutel black,
flat, punctured : elytra very progressively narrowed from the base to near the
apex, which is acutely rounded ; punctate-striate, the interstices somewhat con-

15S [November, 1844.

vex, minutely punctured, ami finely transversely corrugated ; dull testaceous
with thesutural and lateral edges and apical third, dusky ; beneath black, whitish,
sericeous : feet rufous or rufo- testaceous ; tarsi simple, slender, with the basal
joint of anterior pair as long as the two preceding united ; posterior femoral
plates lanceolate. This species is also very equivocal as respects its generic
characters. It is common and probably already described.

Limonius, Eschs.

1 L. posticus. Black; base of the thorax rufous; clypeus prominent.- — b\
1. long; If 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Black, finely pubescent: head finely and profoundly punctured, with the
clypeus prominent, slightly impressed, broadly elevated and obtusely rounded at
apex: antennae some longer than the thorax, serrated from the fourth joint,
second and third joints small, obconic, equal, unitedly hardly as long as the
fourth, which is slightly longer than the fifth; terminal joint subulate; black or
dark brown, with the three basal joints dusky rufous; labrum piceous ; mouth
testaceous: thorax convex, with the sides rectilinear, abruptly rounded at apex;
finely and densely punctured, ochreous pubeseent ; medial line slight, entire ;
hind angles short, straight, broad, finely and obliquely carinate, testaceous or
piceous; posterior margin similarly colored: elytra punctate-striate, with the
striae fine, the interstices broad, flat, finely punctured and corrugated ; sides rec-
tilinear from the base to beyond the middle, thence to the apex rounded : beneath
black ; ventral apex and posterior margin and suture of antepectus, rufous: feet
pale brown.

2. L. metallescens. Fuscous, bronzed; antennas and feet rufous. — 4| 1.
long; 1| 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Brassy brown, ochreous pubescent : head profoundly punctulate, flat, with
the clypeus anteriorly slightly dellexed, truncate at apex ; antenna short or not
longer than the thorax, rufous, sometimes dusky, subserrate, with the second and
third joints sub-equal, obconic ; terminal ovate, subulate ; mouth dull rufous:
thorax convex, densely punctulate ; sides feebly rounded ; medial impressed line
obsolete; margins frequently obsoletely dusky rufous ; posterior angles almost
straight, acute, finely and obliquely carinate : scutel convex, minutely punctur-
ed : elytra punctate-striate, flattish, somewhat numerously punctulate ; beneath
dull rufous, finely ashy-pubescent: feet pale rufous; tarsi simple, with the basal
joint shorter than second and third together ; posterior femoral plates lanceo-
late.

Cahdiophortjs, Eschs.

C. amictus. Dark fuscous, densely ochreous pubescent; feet rufous. — 4^ 1.
long; 1-| 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Head slightly convex, minutely punctured densely and finely ochreous pubes-
cent, the front margin of the clypeus very feebly raised, rounded : antennae
longer than the thorax, colored like the body, with the basal joints and mouth
dusky rufous ; palpi black or deep brown: thorax strongly convex, wider at base
than at apex, dark brown, minutely and densely punctured, and clothed with a
fine, dense, ochreous pubescence; sides moderately rounded ; hind angles short,
acute, almost straight : elytra gradually narrowed from the base to the apex ;
punctate-striate, the interstices rather impunctured and slightly convex ; less

November, 1S44.] 159

densely pubescent than the thorax ; blackish : beneath similarly colored : feet
dull rufous.

Ectinus, Each.

E. granulosus. Deep black; head and thorax densely granulated. — 6$ 1.
long ; 2* 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Elater sethiops, Melsh. Catal.

Deep black, densely, finely and shortly hirsute: head granulate or finely ru-
gosely punctured, with a slight impression between the eyes ; clypeus deflexed,
with the edge slightly raised and subacutely rounded at tip ; antennae short,
strongly serrated from the fourth joint, with the second and third joints small,
conjointly not as long as the fourth, which is some longer than the fifth, termi-
nal joint about as long as the fourth, subulate ; black, minutely and densely hir-
sute ; thorax rather convex, longer than wide, densely and finely granulate or
confidently punctulate, with the sides finely and acutely margined, rectilinear
from the hind angles to beyond the middle, thence to the apex, abruptly round-
ed, feebly contracted before the hind angles, which are subacute, hardly excur-
ved, acutely and obliquely carinate ; an obtuse indentation in front of the scutel
which is flat, ovate-lanceolate, punctulate : elytra deeply punctate-striate,sutural
stria; impunctured, the interstices convex, densely and minutely punctured and
transversely corrugated ; sides subparallel from the base to beyond the middle,
where they are slightly widest, thence to the apex gradually arcuated : beneath,
viewed from behind, simply blackish, viewed laterally and before, ashy sericeous :
feet chestnut-red ; tarsi dusky rufous, basal joint as long as the two following
unitedly ; posterior femoral plates lanceolate, very slightly dilated within.

Elater, Linn. Eatr.

1. E. humeralis. Black; exterior basal angles of the elytra rufous. — 4§ 1.
long, \\ 1. wide. Pennsylvania-

Elater humeralis, Melsh. Catal.
" trinotatus, Knoch. MS.

Deep black, shortly hirsute : head moderately convex, confluently punctured,
hirsute, with the clypeus margined and obtusely rounded at apex ; antennas
longer than the thorax, serrated from the fourth joint, with the second joint
smaller than third, which is much less than the fourth, the latter equal to the
fifth, terminal ovate, obsoletely subulate ; black •- thorax a little longer than wide,
one-third wider at base than at apex, where it is not wider than the head, mo-
derately convex, very finely and somewhat distantly punctured, shining ; sides
rounded ; posterior angles scarcely excurved, acute, obliquely carinate : scutellum
narrow, rounded at tip : elytra with the sides parallel from the base to behind
the middle ; finely punctate-striate, the interstices flat, transversely corrugated ;
exterior basal angles and parapleurse rufous, the former including sometimes
several black punctures : feet pitchy-black, with the tibiae brownish ; tarsi slender,
simple ; posterior femoral plates slightly dilated within and with a slight tooth
in the middle. Agrees somewhat with the description of E. armus, Say. The
present and some of the following species might perhaps be referred with more
propriety to some other subgenera of the present family.

19

160 [December, 1S44.

2. E. impolitus. Dark fuscous ; feet and three basal joints of the antenna,
rufous. — 5 1. long, 1$ 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Flattish, dark brown, pubescent : head minutely and densely punctured, with
clypeus short and rounded at apex : antennae hardly as long as the thorax, fus-
cous, three first joints dull rufous ; second and third joints shorter and more
slender than the fourth, obconic, second shorter than the third ; subserrate from
the fourth joint : thorax wider than long, much wider at base than at apex, much
and finely punctured ; dorsal line distinct behind the middle; sides rounded;
posterior angles acute, slightly and acutely carinate, straight : elytra gradually
narrowed behind the middle, with the apex acutely rounded ; punctate-striate,
with interstices convex, minutely and distantly punctured : beneath blackish :
feet dull rufous ; tarsi simple, the joints gradually decreasing in length : posterior
femoral plates dilated within and slightly toothed in the middle. This species
is altogether destitute of prominent characters. It resembles much in its form
some species of Ctenonychus.

3. E. hepaticus. Brunneous, yellowish hirsute. — 5-| 1. long, 1| 1. wide.
Pennsylvania.

Brown ; head finely and densely punctured, with the clypeus short, margined
and obtusely rounded at tip; antenme dull reddish-brown, slightly serrate, with
the second and third joints somewhat elongate, the former shorter than the latter,
which is one-third shorter than the fourth : thorax wider than long, wider in the
middle than the base of the elytra, slightly convex, minutely and densely punc-
tured ; sides slightly rounded ; posterior angles short, straight, subacute, ob-
liquely and acutely carinate : scutel sparsely and coarsely punctured : elytra
shortly hirsute like the thorax, punctate-striate, the interstices flat, distantly
punctulate, finely corrugated; sides gradually narrowed from the base to near
the apex, which is acutely rounded : beneath and feet dull reddish-brown ; tarsi
simple, with the joints gradually decreasing in length; posterior femoral plates
abruptly dilated within, and toothed in the middle.

E. rubricus. Black; lateral and posterior margins of the thorax broadly red.

Var. 9. "Thorax bright rufous with a large black spot ; elytra paler," Say
Ann. Lye. N. Y. i. 261.

Stated Meeting, December 3, 1844.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Three hundred specimens of Alpine Plants from the moun-
tains in the vicinity of the Valley of Chamouni. Presented
by Mr. Jacob Snider, Jr., of Philadelphia.

Fine specimen of the fruit of Madura aurantiaca, from Texas
Presented by Professor George B. Wood.

Deceiuber, 1S44.] 161

Fifty specimens of British Lcpidoptera and Coleoptera. Pre-
sented by Mr. Cassin.

Casts, in plaster, of the impressions of feet of a supposed
quadruped, from Greensburg, Pennsylvania. From Dr.
Alfred T. King, of Greensburg.

Numerous specimens of the following species of fresh water
univalve Shells of Ohio. Presented by Mr. J. G. Anthony,
of Cincinnati, viz.:

Amnicola Sayana, Anthony, Melania Sayii, Wood,

Limnea caperata, Say, " abjuta, Haldeman,

" chalybeus, Gould, Physa elongata, Say,

" columella, Say, " gyrina,

" desidiosa, Say, Planorbis exacutus,

" humilis, Say, " dilatatus, Gould,

" reflexa, umbrosa,.&c. Cyclas altilis, Anthony,

Melania exilis, Haldeman, Paludina subsolida, do.
" gracilis, Anthony.

The following specimens, from Venezuela, were presented
by Mrs. Sarah Campbell, of Germantown.

Copper ore from the mines of Aroa, Venezuela; iron pyrites
in grains, from los Tequis, Valley of the Fuy ; coral, from
the coast near Laguyra ; bark of the Great Saman, Valley of
Aragua ; stalactite, from a cave near Curripi ; calcareous
deposite with impressions of leaves, from Chacao, in the Valley
of Caraccas ; 50 specimens of small shells, from the coast west of
Puerto Cabello ; 'Sangre de dragon,' from Venezuela ; seeds of
different kinds from near the mines of Aroa ; coal, from the same
locality.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, Parts 2

and 3 of Vol. 3. 4to. London, 1844.
Also Proceedings of the same. Part 11, for 1843. From the

Society.
A chronological introduction to the History of the Church,

&c. By the Rev. Samuel Farmar Jarvis, D. D., L. L. D.

162 [December, 1844.

Svo. pp. 618. London, 1844. From Mr. Richard K.
Haight, of New York.
A Memoir of William Maclure, Esq., late President of the
Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. By Samuel
George Morton, M. D. 2d edition. Philadelphia, 1S44.
From Mr. Alexander Maclure.

Review of the New York Geological Reports. By David
Dale Owen, M. D. (From the American Journal of Sci-
ence and Arts. Vol. 46.) From the Author.

Report intended to illustrate a Map of the Hydrographical
Basin of the Upper Mississippi river, made by J. N. Ni-
collet, February 16, 1841. Washington, 1843. From the
Bureau of Topographical Engineers, through Col. J. J.
Abert.

A public discourse in commemoration of Peter S. Duponceau,
L. L. D., late President of the American Philosophical So-
ciety, delivered October 25, 1844. By Robley Dunglison,
M. D. Philadelphia, 1S44. From the Society.

A communication was read from the American Philosophi-
cal Society, dated November 1, 1S44, returning the acknow-
ledgements of the Society for the last No. of the Proceedings
of the Academy.

Two communications from the Zoological Society of Lon-
don, dated October 31, 1843, and June, 1S44, in acknow-
ledgment of the receipt of certain numbers of the Proceed-
ings.

A communication from Mr. Haldeman was read, stating
that some manuscript descriptions of insects by the late Mr.
Say, transmitted by Mrs. Say, which had been referred for
examination to a Committee, of which he was chairman, had
been already published in the Journal of the Academy.

A letter was read from Dr. Alfred T. King, of Greensburg,
Pennsylvania, addressed to Mr. Cassin, dated November 22,
1S44, in reference to his donation of this evening.

December, 1844.] 163

Professor Johnson exhibited specimens of coal coke, cinders, and
lumps of pyrites, from a heap of about 250 tons of bituminous coal,
from the line of tho summit portage Railroad, in Cambria county,
Pennsylvania. This coal had been lying for five or six months in
the coal yard of Mr. Nathan Middleton, south west corner of Ridge
Road and Willow street, and was yesterday morning (December 2,
1844,) found to be on fire from spontaneous combustion, burning
through a board fence between the coal yard and the adjoining pre-
mises, very near the ground. The height of the pile, above the
point where combustion commenced, was about nine or ten feet.
On applying a thermometer at three feet distance, in a horizontal
direction from the fire, the temperature was found to be only 70
degrees ; but by digging down over the same point to within four
feet of the level of the fire, the temperature was 160 degrees.

One of the specimens exhibited, on a surface of deposition, a yel-
lowish while pellicle of pyrites, which, from the minuteness of the
crystals, resembles frost-work ; another has distinct plies or scams
of the sulphuret continued through the lumps; a third is a nodular
lump of nearly pure pyrites ; and a fourth is a fragment of a reni-
form mass of the same material, weighing upwards of three pounds,
with a film of adhering coal. The interior of the mass is some-
what porous, with slight intermixture of carbonaceous matter; while
the exterior is a shell of much more compact structure. Clusters
of crystals, of considerable magnitude, are here and there seen. On
the part coated with coal are seen films or dissepiments, penetrating
the coal at right angles to the surface of the kidney-shaped mass.
On one side the coal has been polished, apparently by sliding under
immense pressure over some hard substance, giving it the appear-
ance of " slickensides." In this part, the projecting partitions of
sulphuret of iron, as well as the coal, have been broken down,
crushed and flattened, and the direction in which the folia have been
bent, marks that of the motion which had occurred in the bed.

Professor Johnson also exhibited the peroxide of iron adhering to
the coke formed in this spontaneous ignition, and referred to the de-
composition of sulphate of iron, without access of air, as capable of
producing that oxide. Also, to the simultaneous development of
anhydrous sulphuric acid and sulphurous acid as the volatile pro-
ducts. The latter acid, when generated in the combustion or dis-
tillation of bituminous coal, passes off in combination with ammonia,

164 [December, 1844.

giving rise to the sulphite of ammonia, one of the known products
of the gas making process.

Reference was made to the first volume of the Proceedings, page
140, for an account of another case, not of actual combustion, but
of the heating to 110° of a heap of coal from the same coal district;
and to an instance which had come under the observation of Prof.
Johnson, at Lowell, Massachusetts, where, having found a tem-
perature of 160° in a heap of Sidney, Nova Scotia, coal, at a dis-
tance of three feet from the surface, a period of 50 days was allowed
to elapse, in which time it actually took fire.

The importance to coal dealers of attending to the character of that
which they store and keep on hand for months, was rendered apparent
by the occurrence now alluded to. Had the combustion occurred on
another side of the heap, ii would have set fire to a coachmaker's shop
filled with combustible materials. Had it been on ship-board, the
planks and timbers might have been charred, or the vessel set on
fire, with scarcely the possibility of extinguishing the flames. The
decomposition of sulphuret of iron, found in such abundance in this
coal, aided by air and moisture, affords a ready solution of this and
similar occurrences.

Dr. Gibbons exhibited a diagram, intended to show the
path of the thermometer as compared with that of the baro-
meter, in which the great fluctuations of the former instru-
ment are observed to follow those of the latter at a distance
of about thirty-six hours.

Also a table, showing that the mean temperature of the
last six days of November, for a period of seventeen years,
ending 1843, is lower than that of the first six days of De-
cember, by 0°.S7.

Mr

December, IS44.] 1G5

Stated Meeting, December 10, 1844.
Vice President Mokton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Head of Sus babyroussa, from Manilla. Presented by Cap-
tain Sandwith Drinker.

The following bird skins, from China, were presented by Dr.
Elisha K. Kane, IT. S. N., viz.:

Centropus Phillippensis; Ocypterus fuscus ?; Columba hu-
milis; Porphyreo smaragdinus ; Eurystomus indicus ; Bu-

ceros panayensis; Falco ,(2 spec.;) Cuculus ,

(2 spec. ;) Zosterops flava ; and Merula .

A letter was read from Mr. J. Tremper, dated Dresden,
Yates county, New York, December 3, 1844, addressed to
the Corresponding Secretary, announcing that it was his in-
tention to remain during the winter in the vicinity of the
Seneca Lake, and offering to procure for the Cabinet of the
Academy geological specimens from that region.

Mr. Conrad read a paper, intended for publication, entitled
"Descriptions of eight new fossil shells of the United States ;"
which, on motion, was referred to a committee, consisting of
Mr. Phillips, Dr. Morton, and Mr. Haldeman.

Professor Johnson read a continuation of his paper on the
calorific power of coals, and particularly on the Osage coal
of Missouri, and on a specimen of pure bitumen. He then
gave a resume of the several varieties of coal which he had
assayed, and compared the practical evaporative powers, as
determined by steam generating operations, with the calcu-
lated powers of the same coals, as ascertained by determining
the proportion of its carbon constituent. The accordance is
very striking, being 10.701 for the mean of the results given
by steaming operations, and 10.691 by ultimate analysis. An
abstract of this valuable and elaborate paper will be furnished

166 [December, 1844.

by Professor Johnson for publication in a future number of
the Proceedings.

Mr. Gilpin exhibited a recent rib-bone of a cetaceous animal,
Which had been found by Dr. Morris, in the middle of a
forest in the State of Delaware, at a distance of about six
miles from the Bay shore. Instances had occurred within
the recollection of some of the members present, of small
individuals of this family having been thrown upon the
shores of the Delaware even as high up the river as Bur-
lington.

Slated Meeting, December 17, 1S44.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Two specimens of Strix nebulosa, (one mounted.) Presented

by Mr. Samuel W. Woodhouse.
The Curators announced the following additions to the

Museum, received in exchange, from Dr. Kinberg, of

Lund, in Sweden, viz:
Eighty six Bird skins, of which the following are new to the

Collection of the Academy :

Falco islandicus, Lath.; Aquila fulva, Linn.; Pandion haliajetus,
Linn.; Milvus regalis, Briss.; Circus rufus, Briss.; Asio bubo,
Linn.; Scotophilus Tengmalmii, Selby ; Surnia funerea, Linn.;
Merula viscivora, Linn.; Cinclus aquaticus, Briss.; Phoenicura
tithys, Scopoli; Salicaria phragmites, Bcchstein; Budytes flava,
Linn.; Accentor modularis, Gm.; Regulus ignicapillus, Brehrn;
Paius palustris, Linn.; Parus ater, Linn.; Muscicapa luctuosa,
Scopoli; Pastor roseus, Linn.; Emberiza miliaria, Linn.; Fringilla
montifringilla, Linn.; Linaria cannabina, Linn.; Alanda cristata,

December, 1S44.J 167

Linn.; Anthus rupestris, Nilson ; Dryotomus martius, Linn.;
Dendrocopus minor, Linn.; Dendrocopus leuconotus, Bech.; Ap-
teriius tridactylus, Linn.: Tetrao urogallus, Linn. ( 9 ) ; Tetrao
urogalloides ; Tringa Temminekii, Lcisler ; Podiceps cornutus,
Gm.: Podiceps rubricollis, Lath.; Anas histribnica, Linn.; Alca
torda, Linn.

Also between S and 900 specimens of Shells, chiefly of the
genera Helix, Unio, Bulimus, Pupa, Clausilia, Planorbis,
Paludina, Trochus, Littorina, Anodonta, Tellina, Amphi-
desma, Cyclas, Limnseus, Patella, &c.

And upwards of 300 specimens of European Coleoptera.

Dr. Morton deposited eleven crania of native Africans,
from the vicinity of Liberia, presented to him by Dr.
Goheen ; also a single cranium, from the vicinity of Wilkes-
barre, Pennsylvania, supposed to be that of a Nanticoke
Indian, and presented to Dr. M. by Mr. W. S. Vaux.

Dr. Morton also presented from General Irick, of New Jersey,
several perfect teeth of the head of the fossil Crocodihis
clavirostris, Morton,* recently found near Vincentown.

Dr. Gould, of Boston, presented in person about 60 speci-
mens of the following shells :

Siphonostoma porrecta, Gould, Cuba ; Siphonostoma lactaria,
Gould, do.; Modiola variosa, Gould, Burmah ; Caracolla anceps,
Gould, do.; Clausilia Coehin-chinensis,Pfeif, (insignis, Gould,) do.;
Cyclostoma scctilabrum, Gould, do.; Pupa capitata, Gould, Liberia ;
Fusus pygma;us, Gould, Massachusetts ; Cingula aculeus, Gould,
do.; Skenea serpuloidea, do.; Pupa servilis, Gould, Cuba; Helix
seteriga, Gould, Sandwich Isles ; Helix infrendens, Gould, Burmah ;
Amnicola gracilis, Gould, Hot Springs, Virginia.

A letter from J. G. H. Kinberg, dated Lund, Sweden, ad-
dressed to Mr. Cassin, as Curator, in reference to the speci-

* Described by Dr. Morton in the last number of the Proceedings.

20

168 [December, 1844.

mens of natural history above announced as received in
exchange.

Dr. Morton read a communication from Dr. Alfred T.
King, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and intended for publi-
cation, in relation to the fossil foot marks found in his vicinity,
casts of which were presented by him at a late meeting of
the Academy. Referred to the following committee: Dr.
Morton, Mr. Phillips, and Mr. Cassin.

Dr. Morton submitted the following observations on the
measurements of the internal capacity of the crania deposited
by him this evening.

In the Society's Proceedings for December, 1841, I com-
municated the result of the internal measurement of forty-five
skulls of native Africans, of the Bassa, Grabbo, Makoua,
Benguela, Mina, Mozambique and other but undetermined
tribes. Those measurements gave 85 cubic inches for the
internal capacity of the cranium, or size of the brain. More
recently I have received, through the kindness of Dr. Goheen,
twelve additional skulls of native Africans, of which ten are
adult, and afford the following measurements:

The largest heads in the series are those of two Kroomen,
which afford respectively a capacity of 92 and 95 cubic
inches. The smallest head, that of a female, (tribe unknown,)
measured but 65 cubic inches, which is the smallest adult
cranium I have hitherto met with; while the mean of all
gives a fraction more than S4 cubic inches. Of this series of
heads, nine are male, and one is female ; and they are de-
rived from the Kroo, Golah, Pessah, Dey, and Eboe tribes.

In addition to these, I possess a single female Hottentot
skull, which measures 68 cubic inches ; and if we take the
mean of the whole adult series of fifty-six crania, we find it
to be about 85 cubic inches, which may be assumed as the
average bulk of the brain in the Negro race ; thus confirm-
ing, in a very satisfactory manner, the results of my previous
observations.

December, 1S44.] 169

Meeting for Business, and Annual Meeting.

December 31, 1844.

Vice President Morton in the Chair.

The Committee to whom was referred the following paper

by Dr. Hallowell, read November 5, 1844, reported in favor

of publication.

Description of New Species of African Reptiles.
By Edward Hallowell, M. D.

Coluber Phillipsii.

Description.— Head elongated, flattened, covered above with nine plates; the
rostral plate is hexagonal, rounded above, incurvated beneath, there are two an-
terior and two posterior frontal plates ; the anterior are pentagonal ; their pos-
terior margin is the broadest. The posterior frontal are very large, pentagonal ;
there are two supra-orbitar, and one vertical plate ; the supra-orbitar are of
moderate size, the occipital are very large, triangular ; there are two nasal plates,
with the nostril placed between them ; there is an anterior frontal, and a loral
plate ; there are two posterior orbitar plates ; the eyes are large, the neck is
narrow, the body is long and tapering, the scales upon the body are smooth and
quadrangular; the tail is of moderate length.

Colour. — Body and tail greenish-olive above, with numerous black points ;
chin and throat light yellow; under surface of abdomen and tail tea-green.
Abdominal scuta 172: subcaudal 22.

Dimensions.

Feet. Inches.

Length of head, 1

Greatest breadth posteriorly, \

Length of body, ... 3

Length of tail, ... 3f
This species I have named after my friend John S. Phillips, Esq.

Bufo cinertus.

Description. — Head small, body of moderate size, covered with numerous
small warts ; head and body of a light ash colour, with numerous dark coloured
spots or blotches ; under surface of chin, abdomen and limbs, light yellow ;
irides

Dimensions

Inches.

Length of body,

-

2

Length of head,

.

1
2

Breadth,

.

1
2

Length of anterior extremities, -

1

Length of posterior,

-

1*

Length of tarsus to

extremity of longest toe,

1

170 [December, 1844.

Plesttodon Harlani.

Description. — Head of moderate size, covered above with plates; of these
the rostral is large, and rounded above; there are two nasal plates, with the
nostril placed between them ; the vertical is large, elongated, hexagonal, incur-
vated laterally ; there are six supra-orbitar plates: there are two anterior orbitar
with a loral placed between them and the nostril ; there is one posterior orbitar
and three inferior orbitar ; there is a posterior frontal, which is large and pen-
tagonal ; there is a small quadrangular plate intermediate between the anterior
frontal and the first supra-orbitar plate ; there are six superior labials ; the
scales upon the back and sides of the body are hexagonal, presenting three
strise upon their surface; there are eight rows of smooth, hexagonal scales upon
the abdomen, and five upon the under surface of the tail; tail cylindrical, co-
vered with numerous hexagonal scales ; extremities short and thick.

Colour. — Head, neck, and upper part of body light brown ; sides of body pre-
senting numerous dark coloured bands, extending from the back to the abdomen ;
the intermediate spaces are white ; abdomen and under surface of tail, of a light
yellow colour.

Dimensions.

Inches.
Length of head, --,•-.' *1|

Breadth of head posteriorly, - - f

Length of body, .... 4

Length of tail, - - 5 \

Length of extremity to extremity of longest finger, If

Length of posterior extremities, - - If

This species I have named after the late Dr. Harlan.
Dipsas Blandingii.

Description. — Head of moderate size, rather large, covered with nine plate?,
the central is large, pentagonal, broad in front ; the supra-orbitar are pen-
tangular; they are curved inferiorly for the reception of the superior margin
of the eye ; there are two anterior and two posterior frontal plates ; the pos-
terior are quadrangular, larger than the anterior; the anterior are quad-
rangular ; the rostral plate is large ; there are two nasal plates, the anterior the
largest, with the nostril placed between them ; there are two anterior orbitar
plates, and two posterior; the anterior are quadrangular; the eye is large and
projecting ; between the nostrils and the anterior orbitar plates is a loral
plate which is quadrangular ; there are five temporal plates, the posterior of
which is the largest ; there are nine superior orbitar, of which the eighth
is large and quadrangular; the posterior part of the head is covered with scales;
the body is long, thick in the middle : the neck is slender ; the scales of the
body arc smooth and quadrangular, with the exception of a row along the
middle of the back, which are hexagonal.

Colour. — The superior and under parts of the body are light yellow ; the
body presents upon each side a series of blotches, of a leaden colour ; the upper
part of the head is light bluish ; the throat and jaws are yellow. Abdominal
scuta 272 : subcaudal 131.

Feet.

Inches,

H

3

4

4

1

H

December, 1844.] 171

Dimensions.

Length of head,

Breadth, ....

Length of body,

Length of tail,
Habitat. — Liberia, West Africa.

The above specimen was placed in my hands by my friend Dr. Blanding, in
whose honour I have named it.

Tropidolepis Africanus.

Description. — Head of moderate size, quadrangular, depressed in front, supra-
orbitar ridges much developed ; there is a ridge extending from the eye to near
the extremity of the snout ; the nostril is small, circular, placed nearer the ex-
tremity of the snout than the anterior margin of the orbit ; between this ridge
and the superior margin of the under jaw there is a depression, which is well
marked ; the tympanum is of a moderate size, depressed, at some distance below
the level of the surrounding surface. There are twelve quadrilateral plates
extending along the margin of the upper jaw. The rostral plate is hexagonal.
There are eleven or twelve small quadrangular plates along the under margin
of the under jaw. The head is covered with imbricated, polygonal scales; those
upon the front and posterior part of it are strongly carinated ; the vertical plate
is hexagonal. The eyelids are covered with numerous small granules. There
are two folds under the neck, which are well marked. The body is covered
with quadrangular scales which are carinated. The tail is flattened beneath,
rounded above and upon the sides. It exceeds the length of the head and
body by about one inch. The abdomen, and under surface of the throat are
covered with small quadrangular scales, which are also carinated ; those upon
the chin are smooth. The submental plate is smooth, pentagonal. The an-
terior extremities, when extended along the sides of the body, meet as far as the
thighs. The posterior exceed the anterior extremities by the whole length of the
toes and tarsus. The under surface of the legs, feet and tail, are covered
with scales, which are strongly carinated. There are thirteen pra?anal pores.
There is a small crest, extending from the occiput along the neck, and between
the shoulders.

Colour. — Head browni 3 h above ; superior parts of body, tail and extremities,
of a leaden ash colour. The same colour predominates upon the under surface
of the chin and upon the abdomen. Under surface of thighs, legs and tail, light
straw colour.

Dimensions.

Inches.
Length of head, .... 1

Breadth posteriorly, f

Length of body, 2 j

Length of tail, - • - - A\

Length of anterior extremities, If

Length of posterior extremities, - 2|

7 eet.

Inches.

1

1

5
6

°J

5

172 [December, 1S44.

Leptofhis viridis.

Description. — Head of moderate size, covered above with nine plates, which
are smooth; the rostral is hexagonal; the anterior frontal are pentagonal:
the posterior frontal are larger than the anterior; they are hexagonal: there
are six circum-orbitar plates, the anterior of which aro the largest: the supra-
orbital- plates are large : the vertical plate is also large and hexagonal, the
anterior margin is the broadest: the occipital plates are large and pen-
tagonal : there are eight superior labial plates, the seventh of which is the
largest : the body is slender, covered above with quadrangular scales, which are
smooth : the tail is covered above with numerous small hexagonal scales: those
upon the under surface are bifid.

Colour. — Green upon the under surface of the body and tail ; under surface
of chin, neck and throat, of a light cream colour.

Dimensions.

Length of head, ...

Greatest breadth, ...

Length of body, ...

Length of tail, ...

Abdominal scuta, 211 : subcaudal 107.

Coluber ater.
Description. — Head of moderate size, covered above with nine plates : the
anterior frontal are triangular ; the posterior are large, and pentagonal ; the
vertical plate is also pentagonal; the supra-orbital plates are quadrangular;
the occipital plates are large ; the rostral plate is quadrangular, its superior
margin being rounded where it is joined to the anterior and the nasal plates ;
there are two nasal plates, with the nostril placed between them ; there are
eight superior labials: the eyes are of moderate size, and projecting; irides

; the neck is slender, the body rounded, covered above and upon the sides

with quadrangular carinated scales ; tail of moderato length, tapering, rather
more than one-fourth the length of the body. Abdominal scuta 144 : subcaudal
72.

Colour. — Head jet black above ; body dark brown, approaching to black,
with numerous irregular black bands, placed at unequal distances, extending as
far as the abdomen ; throat, chin, and under parts of body, light green, clouded
with numerous dark coloured spots ; under part of tail dark brown, approaching
to black.

Dimensions.

Inches.
Length of head, .... a

Breadth, ..... s

1 6

Length of body, .... 9|

Length of tail, .... 3|

The above species are all from Liberia, West coast of Africa. They were
brought to this country, with one exception, by Ur. Gohcen, and put in tho
possession of S. S. Haldeman, Esq., of Columbia, Pennsylvania, to whose kind
ncss I am indebted for the opportunity of describing them.

December, 1S44.] 173

The Committee on Mr. Conrad's paper on new fossil
shells of the United States, reported in favor of publication.

Descriptions of eight new Fossil Shells of the United States.

By T. A. Conrad.

Miocene Species.

Crefidula.

Crepidula cymbseformis. Elliptical, very profound or ventricose ; thick
about the region of the beak; apex inclined towards the left margin, acute,
separated from the margin of the aperture ; umbo compressed, prominent ;
aperture dilated above the middle and rapidly narrowed towards the end
opposite the beak ; diaphragm concave and remote from the margin. Length
1| inch.

Locality. Petersburg, Virginia.

The boat-shaped outline of this shell serves to distinguish it. from its con-
geners. It is the deepest or most ventricose of all the smooth species of the
Union.

Eocene species.
Cardita.

Cardita densata. Obliquely cordate, ventricose, thick, with about
twenty-five flattened costaj, obsolete towards the base, narrow, profound,
elevated and crenulated on the umbo ; umbo very prominent at the apex ;
anterior basal margin obliquely subtruncated ; posterior extremity truncated,
direct; cardinal area very thick and dilated, the teeth oblique. Height If
inch. Length the same.

Locality. Claiborne, Alabama.

This pretty species abounds in entire specimens in the argillaceous stratum
near low water mark in the Claiborne Bluff. I found none in the upper
beds. Compared with C. planicosta, it is much smaller, comparatively
shorter, thicker, and may always be readily distinguished by the crenulated
ribs on the umbo.

Cytherea.

Cytherea subimpressa. Ovate, slightly ventricose, smooth and polished,
with concentric slightly impressed lines on the anterior side ; anterior side
short, rather acutely rounded ; posterior side produced, acutely rounded at
the extremity ; dorsal margin long, oblique, slightly curved ; beaks promi-
nent ; lunule lanceolate, defined by a slightly impressed line. Length l£ inch.
Height JL inch.

Locality. Marlbourne, Hanover county, Virginia. Mr. Ruffin.

174 [December, 1S44.

This species may be distinguished from C. sequorea, by its greater com-
parative length, smaller size, and in wanting the strong furrows of that spe-
cies. Mr. Ruffin obtained several entire specimens.

C. liciata. Suboval, thin and fragile, convex-depressed, surface with mi-
nute, closely arranged concentric lines ; anterior margin rather acutely
rounded ; posterior margin obtusely rounded or subtruncated obliquely out-
wards, the extremity rounded ; lunule lanceolate, defined by an obscure line;
beaks prominent, and profoundly curved towards the anterior margin. Length

1 inch. Height _ 8 _ inch.

° 10

Locality. Marlbourne, Hanover county, Virginia. Mr. Ruffin.

This species is related to C. ovata, Rogers, but is more compressed, less
dilated posteriorly, the striae more numerous and distinct on the middle of
the valves, while the ovata has there only lines of growth.

C. eversa. Suborbicular or lentiform, ventricose, surface with fine, closely
arranged concentric lines ; anterior and posterior extremity rounded ; basal
margin profoundly rounded, and forming a regular curve from the extremi-
ties ; umbo broad, with a prominent apex ; lunule ovate-acute, marked by a
well defined impressed line ; cardinal teeth robust. Length If inch. Height
If inch.

Locality. Marlbourne, Hanover county, Virginia.

This shell has much the exterior aspect of an Artemis. Mr. Ruffin has
one specimen with both valves. It occurs at Marlbourne, the residence of
Edmund Ruffin, Esq., who is making important investigations in the Eocene
deposits of that locality. He has kindly sent me beautiful specimens of
C ardit a plant xosta and Cardium Nicu licit, together" with the new species of
Cytherea above described.

C. pyga. Suboval, ventricose, thick, with closely arranged robust con-
centric lines; umbo wide, prominent above; dorsal margin very oblique,
rounded ; posterior extremity obtusely and obliquely rounded inwards ; an-
terior extremity much narrower than the posterior, and more acutely
rounded ; lunule lanceolate, defined by a distinct impressed line ; cardinal
teeth robust. Length If inch. Height 1^ inch.

Locality. Potomac river, Stafford county, Virginia. Mr. BrufF.

I am indebted to Mr. BrufF, of Washington, for an opportunity to describe
this species. The specimen is a right valve, very perfect, and in outline
has some resemblance to C. liciata, but is larger, thicker, more ventricose,
with much wider umbones, &c.

Pecten.

Pecten elixatus. Suborbicular, inferior valve ventricose, with fourteen
wide, elevated, rounded ribs, and with concentric wrinkles. Height \\
inches.

Locality. Near Santee canal, South Carolina.

Occurs in friable white limestone.

December, 1S44.J 175

Carboniferous species.
Bellekophron.

Bellerophron scissile. Dilated, profoundly ventricose from the margins
of the aperture, and with coarse, transverse, irregular lines ; back subangu-
lated medially and with a medial channel, angulated and slightly carinated
on the margins, the channel profound from the margin of the aperture to the
middle of shell, and obsolete on the other portion of the back. Length 2
inches.

Locality. St. Genevieve.

The Committee on a communication from Dr. Alfred T.
King, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, describing fossil foot
marks recently discovered in his vicinity, reported in favor
of publication.

Description of Fossil Foot Maries, supposed to be referable to the
classes Birds, Reptilia and Mammalia, found in the carboni-
ferous series, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.

By Alfred T. King, M. D.

The petrifaction of tracks of animals once almost universally doubted, is
now no longer a problem to be solved, and Ichnolology or Ichnolithology is
admitted as a distinct branch of Paleontology. It is but an extension of the
principle of Cuvier, who proved experimentally, " that when we find merely
the extremity of a well preserved bone, we are able, by a careful examina-
tion, assisted by analogy and exact comparison, to determine the species to
which it once belonged, as certainly as if we had the entire animal before us."
Professor Kauss, of Germany, Rev. Dr. Duncan, of Scotland, and Professor
Hitchcock, of Amherst College, have described various and singular foot
marks in the upper new red sand stone, but so far as my information extends,
they have never found either the inhumed bones, or any other decided indica-
tions of the existence of Birds, Reptilia and Mammalia, as early as the car-
boniferous period. If I am correct in this statement, the discovery which I
am about to announce of the vivid imprint of the feet of animals referable to
these classes, and to this epoch, must be regarded with no ordinary interest
by geologists.

If the discovery of bird tracks by Professor Hitchcock, in 1836, as low as
the upper new red sand-stone, was received with scepticism by geologists,
their doubts may now be renewed with increased strength, when it is an-
nounced that birds existed analogous to our Grallatores, and left their foot
marks in arenaceous mud, ages anterior to the deposite of the sand-stone of
Connecticut river.

Professor Hitchcock originally denominated the bird tracks which he

21

176

[December, 1S44.

described Ornithichnites, or stony bird-tracks, but afterwards changed the
name to Ornithoidichnites, or tracks resembling those of birds. I am unable
to perceive the propriety of this change, inasmuch as it is universally con-
ceded that the tracks were made by birds. I trust, therefore, I shall be
pardoned for making use of the original, and, in my view, more correct and
appropriate term, Ornithichnites.

The first track which I shall describe is one evidently m^de by a bird,
referable to the order Grallae, and allied to our Gallinules. I shall therefore
call it the

No. 1.* Ornithichnites gallinuloides. — Toes
4 , three before, pointing forwards, almost entirely
separate, leptodactylous ; middle toe much the
longest ; spread of lateral toes 95°; hind toe point-
ing directly backwards (on one foot slight inclina-
tion inwards) on the same plane with the front
ones ; all the toes have long and pointed claws ;
length of the foot about nine inches ; length of
the step not easily determined, as it seemed to
vary from two to fifteen or eighteen inches.

No. 2. Ornithichnites Culbertsonii. I have named
this impression after my friend Alexander Culbertson,
Esq. , a gentleman of acute and penetrating mind, an ac-
curate and original observer of all subjects pertaining
to either morals or physics, and who had the kindness
first to direct my attention to these singular bird tracks.
The toes are 4, and much resemble the preceding, but
the hind toe is longer ; the front ones spread at an angle
of 70° ; length of the foot 4| inches ; length of the
step uniformly 11 inches. The tracks were nearly
in a straight line, and traceable over ten or twelve
feet surface, the last step leaving a vivid imprint on the perpendicular side
of the stone. This seems to indicate that the position of the rock has been
changed since these birds walked upon it, and left their foot prints upon the
then plastic mud, for the wonder and speculation of man in after ages Ordi-
nary observers have uniformly compared these tracks to those made by wild
turkevs ; but it does not require much ornithological knowledge to detect

This, and the succeeding cuts, are one-fourth of the size of the original

drawings.

December, 1S44.] 177

the incorrectness of this opinion. '?• The hind toe of all gallinaceous birds is
comparatively short, and is articulated with the tarsus higher than the rest.
When the bird is walking, this toe. therefore, scarcely touches the ground at
the tip. In one stony track, the hind toe is long, on the same level with the
front ones, and the imprint is deep and vivid.

No. 3, 1 imagine, is the track of an immense
Saurian reptile, for which I suggest the name of
Thenaeopus* leptodadylus. The toes are five,
slender, spreading, like an open fan, 160°;
they are two inches long, with distinct claws;
the extreme spread five inches, leaving an in-
terval of one inch between each toe ; the ball
of the foot is spherical, and near 2£ inches
across it.

No. 4 is the Thenaeopus pachydadylus.
Toes are five, short and thick ; the imprint is
deep ; the spread of the toes b\ inches. The
track resembles somewhat the preceding, but
the toes are shorter, thicker, the imprint is
deeper, and the foot is considerably larger.

Nos. 5, 6. I am unable to form even a probable con-
jecture in regard to the class of animals to which it
should be referred. There is certainly some resem.
blance to the order Digitigrada, but as it is extremely
improbable that these animals should be associated
with aquatic birds and saurian reptiles, or that they
should be even represented at this early period of
our planet, during its half finished condition, and
while the proportion of land to water must have
been far less than what it is at the present day, I
have almost abandoned the idea. It may have been
an animal in some respects allied to the Hippopota-
mus. At all events, I shall venture the provisional
name of Thenaeopus sphserodadylus. Toes are 5,
spherical, arranged in a circle, spreading about 240°,
or two-thirds of a circle. The ball of the foot is

* From £ mp> a palm, and rfovj, a foot— a. palm-footed animal ; which
generic name may serve, at least provisionally, for several others of this
series of foot marks.

178 [December, 1S44.

spherical, and about one and a half inches across it. The track is four
inches in its transverse and conjugate diameters. In the specimen before
us, the ball of the foot is situated in the centre, the toes spreading regu-
larly around it ; but in some it stands out behind and completes the digital
circle.

No. 7. Thenaropus ovoidactylus. Toes
5, ovoid, spreading about 240°. This is
evidently the track of a very large ani-
mal. Each toe is about an inch long,
and their spread near six inches. The
ball of the foot is about two and a half
inches across it.

The stone on which these tracks were found has an exposed surface of
fifteen by twenty feet, rising like the other rocks in the neighborhood to the
west, and dipping at a small angle to the east. It is a coarse grained sand
stone, about 150 feet beneath the largest of our coal seams, and near 800 feet
beneath the topmost stratum of our coal formation. From the fact of the
existence of numerous holes or pots, some of which will hold fifteen or
twenty gallons, excavated, as we know they are at the present day, by the
whirling of pebbles, set in motion by a running stream, I infer that the stone
must have lain in the bed of a river which was subject to partial periodical
desiccation. These pots, which bear a striking resemblance to those now
found in our neighboring rivers, particularly the, Yonghiogheny, were the
objects of curiosity to the people of the neighborhood for years; but the
tracks, though often noticed, were comparatively unimportant, as they pre-
sumed they were made by dogs, bears, wild turkeys, and other animals
belonging to the present order of animated nature.

To the geologist, however, they are of more interest. He looks through
the long vista of time which has elapsed since the stone on which these tracks
are now found was plastic sand or arenaceous mud — contemplates its con-
solidation into stone — the subsequent excavation of these pots by whirling
pebbles — the deposition of sandstone, limestone, shale, and numerous beds of
coal, amounting, in all, in this vicinity, to about 800 feet. And after all
these various changes, which required hundreds, end perhaps thousands of
years to accomplish, he views with his mind's eye the vast agency, the over-
whelming power, which doubtless convulsed the whole western continent,
contorting the crust of the earth, and upheaving our vast Apalachian
chain of mountains, extending from New York to Alabama, and at the same
time throwing the main strata into beautiful folds, or elongated anticlinal
roots. And finally, he contemplates the slow upheaval of the continent from
the bed of the primeval ocean — the subsidence of the waters — the quiescence
of the earth — and the various successive races of animals and plants, both
visible and microscopic, which preceded the present order of animated

December, 1844.] 179

existences. All this, doubtless, occurred, and probably in the order we
have mentioned ; since these animals sported in their native elements, basked
on the oozy shore of a river or an ocean, and left the vivid imprint of their
feet in its plastic mud. These are a few inferences from established data,
which give beauty to geology, interest to these foot marks, and which are
well calculated to impress the mind with sublime and stupendous concep-
tions.

In another locality, about twelve miles distant, but in the same synclinal
axis, on a slab of fine grained micaceous sandstone, which was taken from a
quarry about fifty feet beneath the rock already described, I found beautiful
imprints of hind and fore feet of an animal which I have ventured to refer to
the class Mammalia, and order Marsupialia. The hind and fore feet
are obviously different. On the hind foot the toes are five ; on the fore foot
there are but four ; the plantar surface on the hind foot is long, narrow, and
terminates in a distinct heel ; the fifth toe, whose imprint is feint, stands out
almost at a right angle with the foot, and much resembles the human thumb.
Indeed, the whole track does not look unlike the imprint of the human hand.
The length of the foot is five and a half inches ; the extreme spread of the
toes five and three-quarter inches ; the interval between the toes is from one,
to one and a half inches; length of the toes three inches. The fourth toe on
the fore foot stands out obliquely, like the fifth toe on the hind foot; length
of toes two and a-quarter inches ; length of the foot four and a half inches ;
the extreme spread of the toes four and three-quarter inches ; the interval
between the toes from one to two inches ; the nails are quite distinct, At
the external side of all the tracks there is a protuberance, which resembles
the rudiment of another toe. The plantar surface is round and full, and
seems to indicate that the greatest weight of the animal was before ; at all
events, the fore feet seem to have sunk more deeply into the plastic mud on
which these animals sported in the pristine ages of the world. The tracks
were in relief. I found but one that was in has relief. The fore and hind
foot follow each other very closely, there being an interval of only about two
inches between them. The length of the step was about twenty inches.*
I have given the average size of these truly remarkable tracks, but a few
were discovered, though not very distinct, at least two or three inches larger.
The slab was large, and contained twelve or fourteen very vivid imprints,
together with many that were not so distinct.

This discovery evidently conflicts with an hypothesis long since thrown
out, and still maintained by distinguished geologists, that the atmos-

* The apparent shortness of the animal in proportion to the size, (for it
must have been large.) the sluggishness of its movements — which may be
inferred from the fact of the feet not tracking together, and the difference in
the number of toes on fore and hind foot — seem to indicate an alliance with
the Batrachia.

180 [December, 1S44.

phere, during the carboniferous period, was essentially different from
what it is at present. It was supposed that it contained a much larger
amount of carbonic acid gas, which, by absorption, caused the rapid and
enormous growth of the coal plants. This could not have been, since we
now find that lung-breathing animals existed at the same epoch.

The Reports of the Corresponding Secretary, of the Libra-
rian, and of the Treasurer of the Publication Committee, were
severally read and adopted.

The Report of the Treasurer was read, and referred to the
Auditors.

The Recording Secretary read his Annual Report, which
was, on motion, referred to the Committee on Proceedings.

REPORT

OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY,
For 1844.

The original design in requiring from the Recording Secretary of this Society
an annual Report of its transactions, may be considered now as nearly super-
ceded by the plan adopted within the last few years of publishing its " Proceed-
ings'' at short intervals. In addition to the various written and verbal commu-
nications made to the Society, this periodical contains extracts from the minutes
of all other matter which the committee, having charge of its publication, may
deem useful or important to be made known.

Its pages may, therefore, be appealed to with confidence, for affording
abundant information to enable all who may choose_ to examine them, to form
an opinion of the character of its transactions, and of the degree of progress
which it has made in a twelve-month.

The present report will, therefore, merely contain a short summary of the
contents of the Proceedings of the present year, together with a few additional
facts, not generally familiar to the members, and which may perhaps be inter-
esting to them.

Perhaps, at no period since its organization, have the standing and prospects
of the Society afforded higher gratification to its members, than at present.
The cabinet has been enhanced in value and utility by an unusual amount of
contributions to its various departments, in some of which, in fact, should the
increase continue in the same ratio for a few years longer, there will be little or
nothing for the Institution to desire. New and neat ranges of cases have been
constructed within the last few months, for accommodating the large additions
of books and specimens. Every gallery is now occupied, and we have at
length the satisfaction of seeing the interior arrangements of this spacious and
commodious Hall completed in accordance with the design originally contem-

December, 1844.] 181

plated. For the accomplishment of these desirable objects, the Society is
indebted to the active efforts of the Curators, and other members.

In number, variety, and aggregate value, the communications to the Society
in 1844, which have been published, will more than bear comparison with
those of any previous period, and furnish additional proof of the fact stated in
former reports, that this modejof publication is annually increasing in impor-
tance and advantage to it, and is therefore eminently deserving of its continued
attention and care.

The report of the Treasurer will show that some financial arrangements
have been effected by him during the year, materially benefitting the Society ;
and that the efforts of this officer are still zealous and constant to secure to it
whatever advantages circumstances may place in his power.

It is doubtless still within the recollection of most of those present, that the
long pending claim of the Society for $5,000 upon the heirs of an estate,
(being the amount of a mortgage upon the latter, presented to the Academy by
its late President, William Maclure,) was settled in the course of la-t year by
a compromise between the parties, the Academy agreeing to accept from the
heirs, in payment of the claim, about $4,550, in Pennsylvania five per cent,
stock, at its original value. Mr. Alexander Maclure, desirous of carrying out
the wishes and intentions of his brother to the full extent, tendered to the
Academy, a few months since, the difference between the original claim and
the amount accepted from the heirs. This sum, about $450, has been received,
and is now in the Treasury. The Academy owes its sincere thanks to this
gentleman, both for his promptness and the generous motives which influenced
him in this matter. The State stock still remains in the hands of the
Treasurer, under the hope, which recent circumstances have contributed to
strengthen, that its par value will ultimately be realized by the Academy.

The donations to the Museum, in the different departments, have been
numerous and valuable, as has been already stated.

Of the Mammalia, donations of skins and mounted specimens have been
received from Dr. Wm. Blanding, Dr. Reynell Coates, Oliver Evans, Esq., Mr.
Kilvington, and also a number in exchange.

The contributions and additions to the Ornithological collection have been
remarkably numerous and valuable. They have been derived chiefly from Mr.
Cassin, Dr. Watson, Dr. Blanding, the late Dr. Westley Johnson of Liberia,
Dr. Kane, U. S. N., Mr. Woodhouse and others. A number of fine bird skins
from Brazil, were purchased by subscription ; and recently, a large addition has
been obtained from Sweden, in exchange.

The members are generally aware of the fact, that the Academy has pos-
sessed, for several years, a large and rapidly increasing collection of bird and
quadruped skins. Many of these were rare and valuable: the gifts of corres-
pondents and friends of the Institution, to some of whom it has been at all
times indebted for contributions to its collections. With all the precautions
which may be taken, these skins cannot be entirely protected from injuries from
insects, dust, and other causes, and the Curators therefore promptly embraced
an opportunity, fortunately afforded a few months since, of employing a compe-
tent taxidermist, and upon such favorable terms, as to entrust to him the prepa-

1S2 [December, 1844.

ration and mounting of specimens of all such species as were not already
displayed in the Museum. This individual has now been employed regularly
up to the present time, and has accomplished a large amount of work in a very
short period, and with much satisfaction to the Curators and the Zoological
Committee. The whole number at present mounted and nearly ready to be
deposited in the cases, is 219. Of these 172 are birds, and the remainder
quadrupeds.

So large an accession of mounted specimens to the Museum, necessarily
required additional accommodations, and accordingly a new and beautiful
range of cases is now being erected, occupying the entire length of the lower
gal ery on the north side of the Hall.

I have great pleasure in stating here, that the entire expense incurred in both
these improvements, has been defrayed by voluntary contributions from the
members alone — to some of whom the Academy is under especial obligations
on this occasion. In fact, the spirit of liberality which has always characterized
the members of this Institution, has been equally displayed in this undertaking,
as in many others, having for their object real advantage to it, and permanent
utility.

Of Reptiles, Fishes, and Crustacea, donations have been made by Dr. Wat-
son, Dr. R. Coates, Capt. H. F. Baker, Wm. L. Bispham, Esq., J. Dundas,
Esq., Mr. J. G. Howard, Dr. Day, of Liberia, &c.

The Entomological collection has received numerous additions during the
year. From the Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Savage of Africa, a number of very fine
insects of that country ; from Dr. Thos. B. Wilson of Delaware, a considerable
collection of very perfect American insects; a collection of British Lepidoptera,
from Mr. Cassin ; and smaller donations from other individuals. By purchase and
exchange, there have also been obtained a very beautiful and numerous collec-
tion of Brazilian insects, a number of fine American Lepidoptera, and within
the past two weeks, about 300 specimens of European Coleoptera.

In the last report, I stated that an effort was making not only to improve and
increase the Entomological collection, but also to secure it, if possible, from the
constant injuries and losses to which it had been hitherto liable. The plan
then proposed for the latter purpose has been since adopted, and there is every
reason, at present, to suppose that it will prove effectual.

The interest already taken by the members in the improvement of this de-
partment has been such, that the number of specimens has rapidly increased
within a short period, and the collection promises to equal very soon, both in
size and value, any of those in the other departments. The whole of the
Coleoptera which it contains arc now undergoing revision, and an arrangement
of the genera after the most modern system. The Academy is indebted, for
this advantage, to our fellow-member, Mr. Haldeman, who has voluntarily un-
dertaken this task, and upon whose known accuracy and intimate knowledge
of the subject, the most implicit reliance can be placed.

We would again beg leave to call the attention of the members and corres.

pondents of the Institution to this subject, and to icqucst their further aid in

the present effort to improve an interesting department of the Society's cabinet.

To the collection of Shells, the following are the principal donors during the

the year : Mr. J. G. Anthony, of Ohio ; Rev. Dr. Savage, of Africa ; Mrs.

December, 1344.] 183

Lucy W. Say, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Haldcman, and Dr. Gould, of Boston.
Others have been derived from Dr. Mighels of Maine, Mr. Cassin, Dr. R.
Coates, Capt. Baker; and recently, a very largo accession lias been made
through exchange.

Of Fossils, the donations this year have been fewer than usual. A most
interesting one, however, was that by General Irick, of Vincentown, N. J., of
the head of a fossil crocodile discovered in the vicinity of that place, and
which has formed the subject of a paper by Dr. Morton, who has regarded it
as new. Another donation of much value has recently been received from Dr.
Alfred T. King, of Westmoreland county, in this State, of fossils from the
carboniferous limestone of that region.

The collection of Crania possessed by Dr. Morton, has been increased
during the present year by many additions of great value and interest. This
collection is now of such extent as to require, for its display, the entire range
of cases on the south flying-gallery, which have been resigned to Dr. Morton
for this purpose. It numbers about 600 crania, derived from all the races of
men, ancient and modern, and 640 crania of the lower orders of animals,
forming an aggregate believed to be greater than is possessed by any other indi-
vidual living.

Additions to the Minerahgical cabinet have been made by Messrs. Ashmead,
Johnson, H. S. Stephens, Rice, Woodhouse, Kendall, Mease, Prof. Durbin, and
others. But the most important and valuable donation to this department, during
the present, or perhaps any previous year, has been that of an entire suite of
the minerals of Cumberland, Durham, Westmoreland, and other counties of
England, by our fellow-member, Dr. Thomas B. Wilson. This beautiful
collection was obtained by this gentleman during his recent visit to that
country, and was presented to the Academy immediately upon his return home.
It has greatly enriched our Cabinet, and the donor well deserves, and has re-
ceived the sincere thanks of the Society.

In Botany, some donations of value have also been received. They are
chiefly from Dr. Englemann, of native Western plants ; from the late Dr.
Westley Johnson, of African plants; and from Mr. Jacob Snyder, jr., of this
city, of Alpine plants ; besides which, are smaller donations of fruits, seed
vessels, single specimens of plants, &c, from a number of contributors.

The additions to the Library during the present year are as follows :
Folios, 4; Quartos, 26; Octavos, 16; Periodicals, (including Journals, Pro-
ceedings of Societies, &c.,) 35 ; Publications in pamphlet form, 36 ; and Maps
and Charts, 4. Of the whole number, 46 have been received from authors and
editors, 27 from members, and 50 from Correspondents, Societies, &c, and
also in exchange. The average is about equal to that of late years.

One of the new ranges of cases erected this season, to which reference has
been made at the commencement of this report, was for the use of the Library.
The rapid increase of the latter has required this addition for some time past,
a large number of volumes having been crowded out of view, for want of room
in their appropriate places, and their existence in the library scarcely known to
the members. These have now been restored to their proper situations, and a

1S4 [December, 1844.

more general distribution of the books has been made by the Library Committee.
Labels have been also placed over each case, indicating the nature of its con-
tents, and indeed the whole arrangements of the Library, as now made, add
greatly to its facilities.

In an Institution like ours, a Museum, however extensive and systematically
arranged, would obviously be of comparatively little advantage without a cor-
responding Library of well selected works on subjects of Natural Science.
To render it entirely available, as few restrictions as possible should be placed
upon it ; and this has always been the object and aim of the Society. Access
to the books is at all times freely permitted to the members, and a large propor-
tion of them are allowed to be taken from the Hall. But experience has lately
proved that these privileges are not without some disadvantages. The Library
Committee, while engaged in the duty just mentioned, (of re-arrangement of
the books,) discovered that a considerable number were missing. Some of them
are works of much value, and which cannot easily be replaced ; and although
it is highly probable that many may be recovered through proper efforts, the fact
stated would seem to render it incumbent upon the Society to inquire, whether
the present regulations, if properly complied with by the members, are suffi-
cient for the security of the Library, or whether some further restrictions are
necessary.

From a hasty examination of the Librarian's book of entries of additions to
the Library, since the publication of the catalogue in 1836, the number may be
estimated at nearly 700, including all except maps and charts. If this number
be added to those stated in a report of the Library Committee accompanying
the catalogue, to be in the possession of the Academy at the above period, the
total now in the Library, including duplicates, would be little short of 8,000.
From this estimate, the collection of maps and charts, now numbering about
500, is excluded.

Of the entire number of works in the Library, upwards of 1,500 are exclu-
sively on subjects of Natural Science, and about 1,200 others are journals and
dictionaries, a large proportion of the contents of which are on similar subjects,
and are highly important and often indispensable as works of reference.

Although, with such a collection of works at his command, the resources of
the student of natural history would seem to be ample enough, yet our Library
is greatly deficient in modern standard publications in almost every depart-
ment. Industrious and active laborers in the cause are now so numerous
throughout the world, and the field for investigation still so extensive, that
new discoveries are constantly made, new truths developed, and even ma-
terials for the formation of new systems collected. To enable our Library to
keep pace with the rapid progress of modern Science, it would be necessary for
a Library fund to be [established — a measure which the Society has always had
in view — and placed in the hands of a competent committee, willing to under-
take tho duty of impartially selecting from the numerous publications of the
day, such as would be of the greatest practical value to the Institution.

This subject is not now referred to with the object of urging it upon the
Society, or even with the expectation of any action upon it at present, as it in-
volves an expenditure which, at this time, cannot be incurred; but it deserves

December, 1844.] 1S5

to be always kept in view, and should engage the attention of the Society
whenever practicable, as the one now most important to its interests.

The "Proceedings" are now so closely identified with the character of the
Society itself, that a brief sketch of the contents of those numbers which have
appeared during the year, can scarcely be omitted in an annual report.

The support which this publication has received since it originated in 1841,
has been highly encouraging, and this has increased during the present year.
The second volume was commenced on the first of January last, since which
time five numbers have been issued, and the sixth is now in press, and nearly
ready for distribution. Together, these numbers will contain between 180 and
190 pages of matter, (much of which is in small type,) published in twelve
months. This proportion is larger than in any previous similar period since
this periodical was commenced by the Society.

The first number contains a highly interesting letter from I. G. Strain, Esq.,
U. S. N., one of the correspondents of the Institution. While at Kio Janiero,
towards the close of last year, awaiting the completion of his preparations for
making a hazardous journey of exploration into the interior of Brazil, he de-
voted a portion of his time to the translation of an important paper, which had
been communicated by Dr. Lund, of Copenhagen, to a Scientific Society
of Brazil, on the subject of some remarkable organic remains which the latter
had discovered in the calcareous rocks of that country. This translation was
obligingly furnished by Mr. Strain to the Academy, and was published in the
Proceedings soon after it was received. The information contained in Dr.
Lund's paper, of his discovery of human remains, in a state, to all appearance,
fossilized, is of great interest, and if verified by further developements of a
similar character, may tend to throw much light on a subject now attracting
great attention : the ancient history and physiology of the human race.

The next communication is by Dr. Morton, being a description of the
cranium of a supposed new species of Hippopotamus, to which he has given
the name H. minor. The skull had been sent to Dr. Morton by Dr. Goheen
of Liberia, Africa, who himself believed it to belong to a species at present
unknown to naturalists, although the animal is by no means uncommon in the
river St. Pauls, from the banks of which he had obtained the specimens which
Dr. Morton possesses.

A large portion of the succeeding number is occupied by papers describing
new species of N. American Coleoptera, from Dr. Melsheimer, and the Rev.
Mr. Zeigler, of Pennsylvania; and from Mr. John L. Le Conte, of New York.
Dr. M.'s paper, which is long, and includes a large number of species, has been
drawn up with great care, and evinces a closeness of observation, and a
minuteness of investigation, which are rarely exceeded by those devoted to the
study of Entomology. The communications of the two other gentlemen
named, are not equal in length, but they are likewise entitled 10 great credit.

In the third number will be found a paper by Dr. Hallowell, describing new
African reptiles. This paper, and another published in the fifth number, will
serve to maintain the reputation which the author enjoys, of being a cautious
and accurate describer, especially of objects in this department of Natural
History.

Dr. Morton has communicated another paper in the fourth number, describing

186 [December, 1844.

a very interesting fossil, the nearly perfect head of a Crocodile, already alluded
to, from the Cretaceous strata of New Jersey. To this relic Dr. Morton has
given the specific name of Clavirostris, and closes his paper with a list of all
the organic remains hitherto discovered in the same strata.

In the fifth number there is a letter to Professor Espy from several of his
friends in this State, in which some facts are stated tending to corroborate
his theory that rain may be artificially produced in time of drought. This
number also contains a description of some new organic remains from the
Eocene of South Carolina by Dr. Ravenel, of Charleston ; a portion of
another voluminous paper on N. A. Coleoptera, by Dr. Melsheimer ; the
paper by Dr. Hallowell already referred to ; an analysis of sulphur springs
in the State of New York by Professor Reid, of the N. Y. College of Pharma-
cy; and some interesting observations by Dr. Morton, on a new series of
Ancient Egyptian Crania which he had recently received, the characters of
which he has been gratified to find fully bear him out in his results previ-
ously obtained from the larger collection which form the materials of his
Crania Egyptiaca.

In addition to the different written communications which have been thus
hastily noticed, there are a number of others in a verbal form which have
been offered before the Society during the year : chiefly from Prof. Johnson
and Dr. Morton. The former has given some further results of his exten-
sive researches and experiments upon the habitudes and properties of coals
of this and other countries, and has greatly added to our knowledge of their
comparative value for the purposes of fuel and the arts.

Between the 1st of December, 1843, and the 1st of the present month, the
Society has elected eight new members, and eleven correspondents. Ten of
the latter are residents in the United States, and one is foreign.

And here the present Beport might be closed. But it would appear to be
doing injustice to the memory of two of our late fellow members — Dr.
Marmaduke Burrough, and Nathan Dunn — were I to omit the opportunity
here afforded me of devoting a few words to a notice of each.

The former, as is well known to all present, passed abroad the greater
part of the active period of his life, and during his extensive travels, never
failed to acquaint himself with the natural productions of the various coun-
tries which he visited. His collections were made less for himself, than for
the purpose of affording gratification to his numerous friends, and of enrich-
ing the cabinets of those Institutions with which he was connected. But
none received so abundant a share of these treasures as the Academy. There
is scarcely a department of the museum which will not amply attest this
fact. The name of Dr. Burrough is associated with many recollections
of benefits conferred on this Institution, and his loss will ever be deplored
by her as that of one of her warmest supporters, and most disinterested and
active friends.

From the executors of the late Nathan Dunn we have learned, with min-
gled feelings of pleasure and regret, that his will contains a bequest to this
Institution of $10,000, but that in consequence of circumstances which need

December, 1844] 187

not be referred to here, there is but little probability that the intentions of
the testator can be complied with.

The possession of this sum would not only render the Academy indepen-
dent, but it would be also enabled thereby to carry out several favourite
projects which have been long contemplated. Whether this bequest be
realised or not, however, the Academy is equally bound to record its gratitude
for this unexpected instance of noble liberality towards it, and also for the
unequivocal evidence which it affords of the testator's approval of the objects
for which this Institution was founded.

All which is respectfully submitted by

WM. S. ZANTZINGER.

Recording Secretary.
Hall of the Academy, Dec. 31, 1344.

The Society then proceeded to an election for Officers for
1845. The following were announced duly chosen as such:

PRESIDENT.

William Hembel.

VICE PRESIDENTS.

J. Price Wetherill,

Samuel George Morton, M. D.

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

Walter R. Johnson.

RECORDING SECRETARY.

William S. Zantzinger, M. D.

LIBRARIAN.

A. Langdon Elwyn, M. D.

TREASURER.

George W. Carpenter.

CURATORS.

Samuel Ashmead,
William S. Vaux,
John Cassin,
Gavin Watson, M. D.

188 [December, 1844.

auditors.
Robert Pearsall,
Robert Bridges, M. D.
William S. Vaux.

COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION.

A. L. Elwyn, M. D.
T. A. Conrad,
John Simmons,
Wm. S. Vaux,
A. E. Jessup.

Alfred T. King, M. D., of Greensburg, Westmoreland
county, Pennsylvania, was then elected a Correspondent of
the Academy.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

OF PHILADELPHIA.

Vol. II. JAN. AND FEB., 1845. No. 7.

Stated Meeting, January 7, 1845.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

Mr. Haldeman presented a communication from Dr. Mel-
sheimer, containing additional descriptions of N. American
Coieoptera, which was referred to the committee on his former
papers.

A communication was read from the Librarian of Congress,
returning acknowledgements for a copy of the Catalogue of
the Library of the Academy.

A communication from the Corresponding Secretary of the
Georgia Historical Society, dated Savannah, Dec. 16, 1844,
acknowledging the receipt from the Academy, of a copy
of Harlan's Medical and Physical Researches.

Stated Meeting, January 14, 1845.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Two specimens, (male and female,) with a number of the
eggs, of Coluber melanoleuca? from S. Carolina. From
Dr. William Blanding.

Mounted specimen of Mephitis Americana, Desm. From

Mr. Wm. S. Wood, of Philadelphia.

23

192 [January, 1S45.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Report of the Secretary of the Navy, communicating the re-
port of a board of examiners to make experimental trials
of plans and inventions for preventing explosions of steam
boilers. From Prof. Johnson.

A report to the Navy Department of the U. S., on American
coals applicable to steam navigation and to other purposes.
By Walter R. Johnson, pp. 607. Washington, 1844.
From the Author.

A communication from the American Philosophical So-
ciety was read, dated Dec. 6, 1844, acknowledging the receipt
of No. 5, Vol. 2, of the Proceedings.

Mr. Haldeman exhibited specimens of the male and female,
and of the larva and pupa of Corydalus cornutus, and made
some remarks upon its habits and structure. The larva is
aquatic, but leaves the water and constructs a cavity beneath
a stone, in which it changes. The prothorax is much larger
in the larva than in the pupa and imago. The mandibles
and labrum are prominent at all stages ; the antennae very
small in the larva, and situated at the external base of the
mandibles. The male of the perfect insect is known by the
large arcuate mandibles, and both sexes present the re-
markable peculiarity of a vertical perforation through the
head, at the anterior base of the antennae.

Stated Meeting, January 21, 1845.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. 4,
No. 31, July to Dec. 1S44. From the Society.

Esquisse d'une histoire de la Philosophic Chinoise : par G.
Pauthier. From the Author, through Mr. R. K. Haight.

January, 1S45.] 193

Tho Chairman read a letter from Mr. Richard K. Haight,
dated Paris, 6th November, 1844, acknowledging the receipt
of his notice of election as a Correspondent, and in reference
to M. Pauthier's work above mentioned.

Dr. Morton also read the following extracts from a letter ad-
dressed to him as Vice President of the Academy, by Dr.
Richard Lepsius, the distinguished head of the Prussian sci-
entific commission in Egypt, dated Island of Philae, 15th
Sept., 1S44.

" It will interest you, perhaps, to read the summary of the
communications made by me to Mr. John Pickering, of Boston,
President of the American Oriental Society of that city. They
give some of the results of our journey into Ethiopia, and espe-
cially in regard to the ancient population of Meroe, their lan-
guage, their descendants, and their relation to Egypt, — showing
that the Meroites were a people of a red complexion, and that
they spoke the language of the Bishariba ^Bisharrees ?] of the
present day, which is decidedly Caucasian, and very rich in gram-
matical forms, and important on account of the place it occupies
among the other Caucasian languages.

But another remarkable fact which presented itself to us in
Ethiopia, may perhaps have a more immediate bearing on the ob-
ject of your Society. In the province of Butir-el-Hagar, at a
long day's journey above Wady-Halfa, and near the cataract of
Semneh, the Nile is contracted between high rocks which ap-
proach each other within a distance of three hundred and eighty
feet; and on these yet remain the foundations of two very ancient
fortresses, erected by the conqueror of the country, Sesourtasen
III, (Osortasen,) the fifth king of the twelfth dynasty, and not of
the XVIIth dynasty, as hitherto supposed.

Upon the enormous blocks constituting these structures, as
well as upon the rocks themselves, I have found a series of
eighteen hieroglyphical inscriptions, of which thirteen belong to
the reign of the immediate successor of Osortasen, viz., Amen-
enha III, the Mosris of the Greeks, the same who built the pyra-
mids and excavated the lake of the Fayoum, as recently dis-
covered by M. Linant. The other five inscriptions belong to the
last king of the XHth Dynasty, Amenenha IV, and to the first two

194 [January, 1845.

kings of the Xlllth Dynasty. All these inscriptions, which em-
brace a period of nearly fifty years, have no other object than to
mark the height to which the the river rose in the several years
of which they bear the date. Independently of the novelty of
these inscriptions, which are very short, they possess a great value
in enabling us to compare the ancient elevations of the waters of
the Nile with those of our own time ; for the oldest of these re-
cords dates back to a period of twenty-two hundred years before
the Christian era. Thus, the measurements I have made with
the greatest care, and which at this place were taken with com-
parative facility, on account of the vertical position of the impen-
ding rocks, have given the remarkable result, that the average
rise of the Nile four thousand years ago, was seven metres, thirty
cent, (or about twenty four English feet) higher than it is at the
present day.

It will be readily conceived that this great difference in the
level of the river, must have had an important influence upon the
soil above the cataracts ; and it directly explains a fact that had
previously surprised me, viz: that in all the valley of Nubia, the
level of the soil upon both shores, although it consists entirely of
alluvium deposited by the Nile, is much more elevated than the
highest level of the river in the best year of modern inundation;
for the whole country has now to be irrigated by hydraulic ma-
chines called Sahie.

The cataract of Semneh could never have influenced the height
of the river between Wady-Halfa and Assouan; but we may sup-
pose that the cataract of Assouan was in ancient times much
more closed than at present ; because we observe the same eleva-
tion of the soil in this part of the valley ; ^between the first and
second cataracts.] The mean elevation of the soil above the mean
height of the river, is here (Philce) somewhere from three
to four metres, (from 10? to 16j feet.) But this same country
still presents the traces of a much more ancient state, beyond the
record of history, when the granite mountains which separated
Ethiopia from Egypt obstructed the passage of the river, and
formed real lakes in some localities; as for instance, in the gul-
lies or gulfs between the rocks in the Arabian chain, wherein we
observe hillocks of Nile earth which rise ordinarily even to ten
and eleven metres (thirty-four to thirty-seven feot) above the level
of the highest modern inundation.

January, 1845.] 195

In reference to the preceding facts, it may perhaps be interesting
to the members of your Society to examine some specimens of tho
different layers of the earth of the Nile, and I have accordingly
sent, in a tin case, the following examples :

1. Earth of the Nile, taken from the summit of hillocks at
thirty feet above the present level of the river, upon its eastern
bank, half an hour (about a mile) above Korosco, [nearly sixty
miles above Assouan.]

2. Some of the present soil of the valley of Korosco, taken at
a height of three feet above the Nile.

3. Specimen of the earth newly deposited at Korosco, the 18th
of August, 1844.

4. A little sand taken from the thermal spring at Okme, on
the southern frontier of the Province of Butir-el-Hagar, which is
the only spring of the kind, to my knowledge, in all the valley of
the Nile. It is on the western bank of the river, and issues
from the earth at a temperature of 44° Reaum." (130° Fahr.)

The following extract from another letter from Dr.Lepsius,
of the same date, addressed to Mr. Gliddon, was also read by
the Chairman.

" We shall leave this (the Island of Phils) in a few days, and
hope to arrive at Thebes in a month. We shall remain there
during the winter, and shall return during the spring through Syria,
Asia Minor, Constantinople and Greece, to our fatherland, where
we shall arrive in the course of the next summer."

Meeting for Business, January 28, 1845.
Vice President Wetherill in the Chair.

After the Monthly Report of the Corresponding Secretary
had been read, and some other business transacted, the So-
ciety proceeded to elect the different Standing Committees
for 1845. The Tellers reported the following result :

196 [January, 1845.

COMMITTEES FOR IS45.

Geological and Minora logical.

J. Price Wetherill, Joseph A. Clay,

T. A. Conrad, Walter R. Johnson,

William S. Vaux, Willard M. Rice,

Samuel Ashmead.

Zoological.

S. G. Morton, M. D., John S. Phillips,

S. S. Haldeman, Edward Harris,

John Cassin, Wm. S. Vaux,

Wm. S. Zantzinger, M. D.

Botanical.

Peter A. Browne, R. Bridges, M. D.,

Gavin Watson, M. D., Wm. S. Zantzinger, M. D.,

Robert Kilvington.

Physics.

Isaiah Lukens, Walter R. Johnson,

Paul B. Goddard, M. D., John S. Phillips,
A. L. Elwyn, M. D.

Library.

R. Bridges, M. D., W. S. Zantzinger, M. D.,

Joseph Carson, M. D., Robert Pearsall,

S. S. Haldeman.

Committee on Proceedings.

S. G. Morton, M. D., C Corresponding and

John S. Phillips, < Recording Secretaries,

A. L. Elwyn, M. D., ( ex-ojjicio.

Thomas C. Percival, Esq., of Philadelphia, vas elected a
Member of the Academy.

February, 1S45.] 197

Stated Meeting, February 4, 1845.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

The following specimens of Ammonites from the Oxford
clay, near Chippenham, Worcestershire, England, were
presented by Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, viz : A. Elizabeths,
(3 specimens ;) A. Comptoni ; A. Gulielmi ; A. Koenigi ; and
A. Leachii.

Specimen of Anthracite coal, containing a large seam of
mineralized charcoal, from Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania.
From Mr. Erskine Hazard.

Specimens of the alluvial sediment of the Nile, obtained from
three separate localities, as indicated in the letter from
Prof. Lepsius, read at the meeting of the 21st Jan. last,
From Prof. Ltfpsius.

Also sand from the thermal spring at Okme, on the frontier of
the province of Butir-el-Hagar. From the same.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Variarum Naturae; or, The Naturalist's Miscellany. By
George Shaw, M.D. F.R.S. ; the figures by F. P. Nodder.
18 vols. 8vo. London, 1790. From J. P. Wetherill, Esq.

Indian Antiquities, or dissertations relative to the geography,
form of government, commerce, literature, &c. of Hindostan.
By Thomas Maurice. 7 vols. 8vo. London. From the
same.

Histoire physique, politique, et naturelie de Pile de Cuba :
par M. Ramon de la Sagra. Li vs. 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,
46, 47,45, 49, 50 and 51. Presented by J. Price Wetherill,
S. G. Morton, A. L. Ehvyn, J. S. Phillips, Wm. S. Vaux
and Dr. Geo. C. Leib.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. 48, No. 1.
Jan. 1S45. From the Editors.

The following publications, in pamphlet form, from the Au-
thor, M. Edm. de Selys Longchamps, of Leige, viz :

Note sur une nouvelle Mesange d'Europe.

198 [February, 1845.

Note sur deux especes de Musaraignes observees nouvelle-
ment en Belgique :

Note sur le Mus agrestis de Linne :

Nouvelles additions aux Libellulidees de la Belgique de 1840
a 1843 :

Notices sur les Libellulidees extraites des Bulletins de
PAcademie Royale de Bruxelles :

Extrait de la Revue Zoologique par la Societe Cuvierienne,
(Aug., 1841 and Nov., 1842.)

The Taconic System, based on observations in New York,
Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont and Rhode Island. By
Ebenezer Emmons, M. D. 4to. Albany, 1844. From the
Author.

The American Quarterly Journal of Agriculture and Science,
conducted by Dr. E. Emmons and A. J. Prime. Vol. 1,
No. 1. Albany, 1845. From the Editors.

Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. Vol. 19,
part iii. London, 1S44 :

Proceedings of the same from June 20, 1843, to June 18, 1844 :
and List of Members of the Society for 1844. From the
Society.

Twenty-fourth Annual Report of the Leeds Philosophical
and Literary Society, 1843 and 1S44. From the Society.

An Introductory Lecture on the means of promoting the in-
tellectual improvement of the students and physicians of
the Valley of the Mississippi, delivered in the Medical In-
stitute of Louisville. By Daniel Drake, M. D. Louisville,
1844. From the Author.

A letter was read from M. Longchamps, dated Leige, May,
1844, accompanying the above donation of his publications, and
in reference to them ; and also requesting exchanges of species
of the insect family Libellulidae, and of Mammalia.

A letter was read from Dr. Alfred T. King, dated Greens-
burg, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Jan., 1845, acknowledging the
receipt of his notice of election as a Correspondent.

February, 1845. J 199

Dr. Morton offered the following, which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Librarian and each member of the. Li-
brary Committee be furnished with a stamp containing the
corporate title, &c, of the Society, impressions of which to
be placed on the title page of each book in the Library.

Also resolved, That the subject be referred to the Library
Committee, with power to act.

Stated Meeting, February 11th, 1845.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Seventeen specimens of Minerals, chiefly from the vicinity
of Clermont, France. Presented by Mr. Joseph Clark, of
St. Louis, Mo.

Specimens of Copper Ores, and of Native Copper, from Erie,
Erie county, Pa., and a remarkable fossil, seemingly non-
descript, from the same locality. From Dr. Wm. Johns,
late of Erie, through Dr. Geo. W. Norris.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Discourse before the Society of the Sons of New England
of the City and County of Philadelphia, on the history of
the early settlement of their country ; being their first an-
niversary. Delivered Dec. 21, 1S44, by their President,
Samuel Breck. From the author.

A complete series of Plans of the Potomac Aqueduct ; with
an 8vo. vol. explanatory of the same. From Dr. Francis
G. Murphy, of Alexandria, D. C, through Dr. Colin Arrott,
of Philadelphia.

Professor Johnson read some remarks additional to his
paper on the methods of determining the calorific powers of

24

200 [February, 1845.

combustible bodies, and submitted, in a tabular form, a synop-
sis of the results previously detailed, accompanied with such
general statements as the researches thus far prosecuted ap-
peared to warrant. He stated that he was still engaged in
pursuing these inquiries, and hoped at a future period to be
able to lay before the Academy the fruits of a more extended
investigation.

The communication was referred to the following commit-
tee: Prof. Rogers, Mr. Lukens, and Dr. Bridges.

Prof. Johnson exhibited a specimen of lamellated wrought,
iron, between two plies of which was a complete partition of
earthy matter, apparently a portion of cinder of the manu-
facture which had been expanded between the rollers. Re-
marks were made on the importance of this subject in con-
nection with the explosion of steam-boilers.

A document from the executors of the late Nathan Dunn,
containing a proposition to the Legatees to continue the ex-
hibition of the Chinese Museum in -London beyond the
period specified in the will, was presented and read ; and on
motion of Mr. Phillips, it was

Resolved, That a member of the Academy be appointed
to meet the representatives of the other Legatees, to confer
with them, with power to take order.

On motion of Prof. Johnson, the Vice President, Dr. Mor-
ton, was appointed to this duty.

Dr. Zantzinger offered the following, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the several specimens of the sediment of
the Nile, recently received from Dr. Lepsius, be referred for
analysis to Prof. Johnson.

[February, 1S45. 201

Stated Meeting, February 18th, 184.5.

Vice President Wetiierill in the Chair.

A paper by Mr. Cassin, intended for publication, entitled
" Descriptions of two Raptorial Birds, presumed to be new,
in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences," was
read and referred to the following Committee — Mr. S. F. Baird,
Mr. Phillips, and Dr. T. McEuen.

Dr. Morton offered the following resolution, which he
stated was the result of a communication with Prof. Rogers
in reference to the subject in question:

Resolved, That a Committee of three members be ap-
pointed to confer with Prof. Rogers, in relation to the Collec-
tion of Rocks, Minerals and Fossils, made by him during his
recent Geological Survey of the State of Pennsylvania, and
to report on the possibility of having said collection deposit-
ed in the Museum of the Academy.

The resolution was adopted, and the Committee appointed
to consist of Dr. Morton, Mr. Wetherill, and Mr. Ashmead.

Meeting for Business, February 25th, 1845.

Vice President Morton in the Chair.

The Librarian exhibited the several stamps, which the Li-
brary Committee had been authorised to procure by a late
resolution of the Society. The design having been approved,
the Librarian and the members of the Library Committee
were directed each to be provided with a stamp, and to place
the impressions as soon as practicable on all the books now
in the possession of the Society, or which may be hereafter
received.

202 [February, 1845.

The Committee to whom was referred a communication by
Prof. Johnson, read at the meeting of the 11th inst., reported
in favour of publication.

Prof. Johnson first states some of tho methods which have been hitherto em-
ployed by Chemists and others, to ascertain the relative heating powers of fuel.

1. The heating of water, without converting it into vapour, as practised first
by Rumford, and more recently by other experimenters, particularly by Des-
pretz and Dulong. The French chemists assume as the unit of calorific
power, 1 gram of water heated 1° centigrade, (l.°8 Fahr.) Tho number of
such units produced by burning 1 gram of combustible is termed its colorific
efficiency.

2. The melting of ice, as in the calorimeter of Lavoisier and Laplace, also em-
ployed by Hasseufratz. The heat of fluidity, (135° Fahr.) is here the mea-
sure of effect.

3. The heating of air, or maintaining a certain difference between an interior
room in which combustion is conducted, and an exterior one, kept cool by the
open air. The length of time such difference is maintained by a given weight
of each fuel, is tho measure of its efficiency. This is the method of Mr.
Marcus Bull.

4. Combustion in contact with metallic oxides, — measuring the heating
power by the weight of metal, reduced on the supposition that the latter is pro-
portionate to the weight of oxygen withdrawn. This is illustrated by M.
Berthier's process by litharge.

5. The reduction of the nitrate or chlorate of potash to the stale of a carbo-
nate, by fusing these salts, and then gradually adding tho combustible, till com-
plete saturation has taken place.

C. The practice of the Cornish engineers, of measuring the efficiency of fuel
by the weight of water, which a given bulk of it (as 1 bushel) will raise one
foot high, when burned under a boiler driving a pumping engine.

7. The distillation of the coals to ascertain the weight of fixed carbon which
they contain, suggested by the experiments of Mr. Pfyfe, of Edinburgh ; the
weight of that constituent being supposed to measure the heating power.

8. Ultimate analysis ,• which assumes that the quantity of heat developed
by an organic combustible, depends on the heating power of tho carbon which
it contains, added to that of its excess of hydrogen, above what is required to
combine with its oxygen in forming water. This method has been applied by
Messrs. Peterson and Schoedler to wood, and by Richardson, Regnault and
others, to coals.

9. The director practical trial by evaporation, as practised by Messrs. Parkes,
Wickstced, Pfyfe, Schanfhautl and Manby in Great Britain, by Messrs. S. L.
Dana, A. A. Hayes, J. A. Francis, and more recently by Prof. J. himself in
this country. (The results of tho trials last referred to are contained in the
Report to the Navy Department on American coals recently published by
Congress )

10. The melting of iron either in a revcrberatory or a cupola furnace, the
weight of metal fused by one part of combustible boing the standard of com-
parison.

February, 1845.] 203

11. The performance of smith's work of a uniform character, such as the
manufacturing of chains by means of the several varieties of fuel. The number
of links of chain formed by a given weight of each coal, is here the measure of
useful effect.

Tho object of the present communication is mainly to exhibit the relation
between the results obtained by the eighth, and thoso by the ninth method of
trial above mentioned.

The existence, in bituminous coals, of variable proportions of nearly pure
charcoal, is referred to as furnishing evidence of a want of homogeneousness in
this class of bodies. A diversity of results may consequently be expected when
ultimate analysis is resorted to for the purpose of establishing a theory of trans-
mutations, or of demonstrating what changes have occurred in bringing vegeta-
ble substances into the state of bituminous coal. Thoso who assume woody
fibre as the sole basi3 from which it has been derived, do not pretend to prove
that the other proximate constituents of vegetables, the resinous matter, for ex-
ample, and the oily component of seeds, have been wholly removed. Hence
analyses of coal applied to this purpose may not always lead to unobjectionable
inferences. But as means of determining the calorific power of combustible
bodies, they may, especially when performed on average samples, or multiple
specimens, afford information both interesting to science and valuable to the
arts.

The relation between the calorific power calculated from analysis, and the
practical heating power decided by evaporating water, is determined for 6ix
different varieties of bituminous coals, varying considerably in their composition.
Drawings of the apparatus employed for both these purposes were exhibited,
and their action explained. That used in evaporation is so constructed as to
determine the proportion of heat expended on the products of combustion, as
well as that employed to generate steam.

In applying calculations to the ultimate analyses of coals as well as to the
products of combustion, the atomic weight of carbon is assumed to be six, of
oxygen eight, and of nitrogen fourteen times that of hydrogen, in accordance
with tho recent determinations of Dumas. In calculating evaporativo powers,
the latent heat of steam is taken at 1030° Fahr., according to Prof. J.'s own
investigations of that subject.

In ascertaining the relative efficiencies and values of combustible bodies, with
a view to economical applications, it is necessary to take them either as found
in nature, or as supplied to commerce, including, of course, whatever impurities
they may chance to contain. But in order to deduce general relations between
bodies differently constituted, in regard particularly to their combustible con-
stituents, the comparison must be made after deducting the waste, or ineombus-
tible matter found in the crude state of the fuel. This principle is applied both
to the ultimate analysis and to the evaporative experiments ; and hence in the
following table both the calculated evaporative power of the carbon constituent,
(column 15,) and the total evaporative efficiency by experiment, (column 18,)
aro referred to, and calculated for, one part by weight of combustible matter.

The relation between the fixed and the volatile combustible matters of coals,
is liable to considerable variation, according to the rate of distillation to which
they arc subjected. The more slowly this process is conducted, the higher (within

204 [February, 1S45,

certain limits) will be the proportion of fixed carbon.* The estimation of heat-
ing powers, therefore, from the quantity of fixed carbon which coals contain, if
not wholly erroneous in principle, must be liable to considerable uncertainty in
practice.

Many highly bituminous coals contain more than 5 per cent, of materials
convertible into ammoniacal liquor by simple distillation without contact of air.
This is proved on the largest 6cale in the manufacture of illuminating gas.
That proportion, therefore, is not only unavailable for heating purposes, but it
also abstracts from the really combustible materials of the fuel, all the heat, sen-
sible and latent, which the vaporized ammoniacal products receive during com-
bustion.

The proper water of combustion, namely, that derived from the hydrogen in
excess, and oxygen of the atmosphere, must in every instance where heat is ap-
plied to evaporate water above the boiling point, as in all ordinary steam boilers,
be likewise incapable of giving up its latent, as well as much of its sensible
heat.

The average specific gravity of the 6ix varieties of bituminous coals assayed
is 1.31, — that of water at 60° being unity. Admitting the hydrogen in its solid
state to have a density of only 1.25, it must in passing into the state, first of
gaseous hydrogen, and then into that of watery vapour, (still having the same
bulk as the hydrogen,) undergo an enlargement to 2117 times its original bulk.
This volume is farther increased according to the usual law of gaseous expan-
sion, by whatever heat above boiling point is left in the vapour, when it passes
away from the surface to be heated. In a well constructed evaporative appa-
ratus producing steam of 6 pounds pressure, in which the circuit traversed by
the gases after passing the grate, and before reaching the chimney, was 121 feet,
the temperature was generally about 100° above the boiling point; and the
watery vapour, being of course surcharged with heat, possessed 2431 times the
bulk which it had in the solid state and at 60 degrees of temperature.

By the experiments of Dulong, (Comptes Rendus, torn. 7,-j-) one gram "of
pure carbon developes, in burning, heat enough to raise the temperature of 7170
grams of water, 1° centigrade, or 12906 grams 1° Fahrenheit. This latter
number is, therefore, used as a co-efficient, by which to multiply the numbers
in the 12th column of the following table to obtain those of the 15th. By the
same authority, 1 gram of gaseous hydrogen gives heat sufficient to raise 62,535
grams of water 1° Fah.

The average excess of hydrogen for the six varieties of coal tried by evapora-
tion, as deduced from columns 13 and 14 of the table, is 4.636 per cent, which,
calculated after the manner of the European chemists, ought to possess an eva-
porative power of 2.814. This would raise the average of the 15th column
from 10.700 to 13.514, as the calculated evaporative power of the unit of com-
bustible matter, showing the calculated to be 26.3 per cent, higher than the ex-
perimental effect.

* See Proceedings of the Acad, of Nat. Sciences, Vol. 2, pages 9 — 10.
-j- See also Poclet, Traite de la Chaleur, Tom. I, p. 50.

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[February, 1S45.

The data furnished by the preceding table afford the means of ascertaining
the proportion of its carbon volatilized in the distillation of the combustible
matter in each kind of coal.

The calculations prove that of its whole ca;bon-con6tituent, the per centage
volatilized, was as follows.

Cambria county coal 16.767

Midlothian, new shaft,
New Castle, .
Clover Hill, .
Scotch Cannel,
Caseyville, Ky., Cannel,

29.195
15.967
16.847
24.169
22.452

And that the average, was 20.883

The identity of results obtained in the averages of the 15th and 18th columns
should seem to demonstrate that the heating power of bituminous coals is pro-
portionate to the carbon which they severally contain.

The Monthly Report of the Corresponding Secretary was
read and adopted.

John L. Le Conte, M. D., of New York, and M. Clot Bey,
M. D., Surgeon in Chief to the Viceroy of Egypt, were
elected Correspondents of the Academy.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

OF PHILADELPHIA.
Vol. II. MARCH AND APRIL, 1S45. No. 8.

Stated Meeting, March 4, 1845.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

The following valuable works were presented by Mr.

William Hembel.

The Silurian system, founded on geological researches in the
counties of Salop, Hereford, Radnor, &c, with descriptions
of the coal fields and overlying formations. By Roderick
Impey Murchison, F. R. S. In two parts. 4to. pp. 768.
London, 1839.

Etudes sur les Glaciers : par L. Agassiz. 8vo. Neuchatel,
1840 : with a folio atlas of plates.

A general system of the vegetable kingdom, &c. By Sir
Charles Linne. Translated from Gmelin, Fabricius, &c,
by William Turton, M. D. 2 vols., Svo. pp. 1851. Lon-
don, 1806.

Les Commentaires de M. P. Andre Matthiole, medicin
Sienois, sur les six livres de la matiere medicinale de Pe-
dacius Dioscoride : traduits de Latin en Francois, par An-
toine du Pinet. Folio. Lyons, 1 680.

General Zoology, or systematic natural history. By George
Shaw, M.D., F. R. S. Vol. 3d, Amphibia, pp. 615. Lon-
don, 1802 : and vol. IX. Aves, pp. 547. London, 1815.

25

20S [March, 1845.

A general outline of the animal kingdom, and manual of
comparative anatomy. By Thomas Rymer Jones. Svo :
pp. 732. London, 1841.

Figures and descriptions of the Paloeozoic fossils of Corn-
wall, Devon, West Somerset, &c. By John Phillips, F.R.S.
Svo. London, 1841.

A communication from the American Philosophical So-
ciety was read, acknowledging the reception of the last No.
of the Proceedings.

A letter was read from Mr. J. Tremper, dated Dresden,
N. Y., Feb. 14, 1S45, announcing that he had made a col-
lection of fossils from the immediate vicinity of the Seneca
Lake, intended for the cabinet of the Society, and which
would be forwarded by the earliest opportunity. The letter
also contained some meteorological observations which had
been taken by the writer at the same locality during the past
winter-

Prof. Johnson offered the following resolution, which was
unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to
Mr. William Hembel, for the valuable donation of scientific
works this evening received from him.

Stated Meeting, March 11, 1845.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO MUSEUM.

Mounted specimen of Ardea purpurea, and a specimen of
Madrepora palmata, of unusual size. From Mr. Cassin.

A collection of plants made during a trip up the Mississippi
and St. Peters, and over the Lakes in 1838. From Mrs.
Rachel Blanding.

March, 1845.] 209

Specimen of a true concretionary Oolite rock ; from the south
of Florida. From Prof. H. D. Rogers.

A communication from Mr. Haldeman was read, dated
Chiquesalunga, March 3d, 1S45, suggesting to the Society an
exchange of publications with the "Swiss General Association
of Naturalists."

A paper by Dr. Hallowell, entitled "Descriptions of Rep-
tiles from South America, supposed to be new;" and a
second paper, entitled " Descriptions of new species of African
Reptiles," were read and referred to the following committee,
viz. : Dr. Blanding, Rev. Mr. McFarland, and Dr. Hol-
brook.

Professor Johnson made some remarks on a recent occurrence
of the adhesion and apparently perfect cementation of two steel
bars in the cold state, while revolving- in contact with each other.
The one, the upright shaft, bearing a heavy mill stone, and the
other a cylinder of the same diameter, also standing vertical, and
on the head of which the shaft was supported. Both bars were
of the same diameter, (rather more than an inch) and their ends
were planes running in contact. The muTbeing suddenly arrest-
ed and the two bars found strongly united, efforts to separate
them proved ineffectual, and the attempt led to a fracture out of
the original juncture.

This occurrence was stated to be in accordance with observa-
vations already familiar to those who have studied the phenome-
na of cohesion, and particularly the habitudes of steel and iron,
when subjected to mechanical motions tending to modify the con-
dition of their ultimate molecules.

The simple pressing together at ordinary temperatures of two
clean and plain surfaces of lead causes them to cohere with much
tenacity. Two or more portions of the same metal at an elevat-
ed temperature, issuing under pressure from a reservoir of semi-
fluid metal, may unite under simple pressure to form a continuous
tube, so perfect, that it will part at any other section as soon
as at the line of juncture. Two disks of glass, perfectly clean,
and placed in contact without the intervention of air or of organic

210 [March, 1845.

matter, cohere to an extent far beyond what the mere external
pressure of the air would be adequate to produce.

Besides the tendency of similar materials to cohere when
brought into close contiguity, the two bars had the farther advan-
tage of developing in each other avery highdegree of magnetism.
This, their vertical position alone, without motion, being so near
the direction of the magnetic dip, would certainly in time pro-
duce ; and with the revolving motion, which (as every machinist
knows from the operations of boring and drilling) produces a high
magnetic state, it would occur with much greater promptitude and
intensity.

It was represented that the juncture had not apparently been
heated, at least not discoloured. This latter fact is perfectly con-
sistent, however, withsuch adegree of temperature as would allow
much mobility of particles, and greatly aid the high pressure of
more than a ton weight per square inch, and a strong magnetic
attraction to bring the revolving surfaces into the sphere of actual
cohesion. The grease box with which the two bars are stated to
have been surrounded would defend the surfaces from oxidation,
the cause of discolouring, and would interpose no effectual pre-
ventive against the contact of two plain surfaces, revolving in the
circumstances now supposed.

Professor Johnson referred to his own experiments, made many
years ago, in which it was found that bars of ironbroken at atem-
perature of 5 or 600 degrees, and in the magnetic meridian, be-
came strongly and permanently magnetic. He referred to the
proceedings of the Academy (vol. 1, page 144,) for an account of
the phenomena then observed.

It is a subject of regret that the proprietors of the mill in ques-
tion, had not preserved the united bars, to be submitted to compe-
tent persons for a minute examination of their condition and pro-
perties.

Prof. Henry D. Rogers stated that the specimen of Oolite
rock presented by him this evening, had been obtained from
Dr. Binney of Boston. It had been found in Florida, in a
somewhat extensive deposit, by a correspondent of that gen-
tleman. Though identical in colour and structure with the

March, 1845.] 211

Bath Oolite of England, its organic remains would seem to
refer it to the latest tertiary period.

On motion of Dr. Bridges : Resolved, That the Committee
of publication be authorised to transmit to the " Swiss General
Association of Naturalists," an entire set of the Journal of the
Academy, and a copy of the Proceedings as far as published.

Stated Meeting, March 18th, 1845.
Vice President Morton in the Chair.

DONATIONS TO LIBRARY.

Observations on the Botany of Illinois, more especially in
reference to the autumnal flora of the Prairies. By C. W
Short. (From the Western Journal of Medicine and Sur-
gery. Vol. 3, No. 3, new series.) From the Author.

Discourse on the 200th anniversary of the birth of William
Penn. Delivered in Independence Hall, Oct. 24, 1844,
before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, by Job R.
Tyson. From the Author.

Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy. Vol. l,No. 1.
Jan., 1845. From the Philadelphia Society for alleviating
the miseries of prisons.

A letter was read from the Rev. Daniel Zeigler, dated York,
Pa., March 10, 1845, acknowledging the receipt of his notice
of election as a Correspondent.

On motion of Prof. Johnson : Resolved, That a copy of the
Proceedings of the Academy, as far as published, be pre-
sented to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

212 [March, 1845.

Meeting fur Business, March 25th, 1845.

Vice President Morton in the Chair.

The Committee to whom was referred the following paper
by Mr. Cassin, read Feb. ISth last, reported in favour of
publication.

Description of a new Vulture, in the Museum of the Academy of Natural
Sciences, of Philadelphia.

By John Cassin.

Genus Cathaktes, Illiger.

C. Burmvianus. £ C. capite nudo, laevi, naribus magnis, ovatis, cor-
pore omnino nigro, viridi-crerulescente subnitido, subtus pallidiore; plumis
extendentibus sursum super posteriore cervicis, parvospatio in pectore nudo.
Alis longis, remigibus et rectricibus nigris, scapis primarum albis et conspi-
cuis, tertia prima longissima. Haec species est minima vulturum American-
orum cognitorum.

Long. tot. (exuvii) 22 unc, rostri 2|, alae 18, caudae 8|.

Hah. — Prope Vera Cruz.

Head naked, smooth, with the nostrils large and oval; plumage of the body
entirely black, with a greenish blue gloss, paler beneath ; the feathers ex- •
tend upwards on the back of the neck, a small bare space on the breast.
Wings long, the quills and tail feathers black, with the shafts of the prima-
ries white and conspicious, third primary longest. The smallest American
Vulture known.

Total length (of skin) 22 inches, bill 2|, wing 18, tail 8-|.

Hah. — Near Vera Cruz.

This species resembles C. aura, Linn., in the shape of the bill and nostrils,
and in having the tail rounded, but differs from it not only in size, but the
feathers extend upwards on the back of the neck and lie flat instead of form-
ing a ruff ; the plumage of the specimen now described is black, none of the
feathers having pale margins, as is commonly the case in specimens of C.
aura; the shafts of the primaries are clear white, and the head is more en-
tirely destitute of downy feathers. The tarsi are longer and more slender.

The head of C. Burrovianus, is quite smooth, in which, as in other respects
it is very different from C. atratus, Wilson.

This new species was obtained in the vincity of Vera Cruz, by the late
M. Burrough, M. D., in honor of whom I have named it, as a slight acknow-
ledgement for his very valuable services to Natural History and to this Aca-
demy.

March, 1845.] 213

Descriptions of new species of Coleoptera of the United States.
By F. E. Melsheimer, M. D.

(Continued from page 160.)

4. "E.fuscalus. Fuscous; antenna? dull ochreous; feet dull castaneous. —
4| 1. long, If 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Elater badius-tristis, 985. Melsh. Catal.

Dark brown, yellowish hirsute : head altogether as in the preceding : an-
tennae hardly as long or longer than the thorax, weakly serrate, dull ochraceous,
with the second joint shorter than the third, which is more slender and shorter
than the fourth: thorax wider than long, wider in the middle than the base of
the elytra, narrower at apex than at base; deeply and densely punctulate, with
the sides rounded from base to apex ; posterior angles straight, subacute, slightly
carinate ; dorsal line indistinct before and in the middle, somewhat obvious at
base: scutel and elytra entirely as in the preceding: beneath dull dark reddish-
brown, slightly yellowish sericeous ; margin of terminal ventral segment rufous;
feet pale reddish-brown ; tarsi and posterior femoral plates as in the preceding
species.

5. E. testaceipes. Black ; feet rufous, or testaceous. — 4 1. long, 1 1. wide.
Pennsylvania.

Black, shortly hirsute: head deeply and densely punctulate, with the clypeus
as is common, short, margined and obtusely rounded at apex ; antennae not as
long as the thorax, moderately serrate, with the second and third joints smallest;
dull brownish, the three basal joints dusky rufous : thorax moderately convex,
scarcely longer than wide, widest at base, with the sides from base to apex
slightly rounded ; finely and densely punctured, somewhat intricately on the
lateral margins ; posterior angles straight, subacute, obliquely carinate : scutel
sparsely and minutely punctured : elytra punctate-striate, with the punctures
much longer than broad, the interstices flattish, transversely wrinkled : be-
neath black, finely yellowish pubescent: feet rufo-testaceous ; tarsi and posterior
femoral plates as in the preceding.

6. E. ursulus. Black, hirsute; feet dark reddish-brown. — 4f 1. long, 1£ 1.
wide. Pennsylvania.

Form of the preceding. Deep black, densely but shortly blackish hirsute :
head deeply and densely punctured, with the front moderately convex ; clypeus
as in the preceding species ; antennse as long as the thorax, decidedly serrated
from the fourth joint; black, with three basal joints dark rufo-piceous, second
and third joints small, obconic, subequal : thorax formed and sculptured as in
the preceding, with the dorsal groove apparent behind : elytra as in the preced-
ing, and also gradually narrowed at the sides from the base to the tip: feet
dull chestnut-red ; tarsi and posterior femoral plates as in the foregoing species,
and in all which the clypeus is anteriorly declined.

214 [March, IS45.

Chyptohypnus, Esch.

1. C obliquatulus. Blackish; thorax castaneous ; feet and an oblique
band on the elytra, testaceous. — 1^ 1. long, A I. wide. Pennsylvania.

Ovate, glabrous, shining, closely and very minutely punctured : head black,
with the clypeus at tip margined and obtusely rounded ; antennae slender, with
the third joint smaller than the second, which is as long as the fourth, but less
robust : thorax convex, widest in the middle, narrower at base than the base
of the elytra, with the sides obtusely rounded ; posterior angles short, acute,
carinate, slightly excurved : elytra slightly widest behind the middle; sides
arcuated from the base to the apex ; more obsoletely punctulate than the thorax ;
each elytrum with an oblique pale testaceous fascia on the middle, not reaching
the suture : feet and pectus pale testaceous: abdomen sometimes pale brown. —
Strictly not belonging to this genus.

2. C. guttatulus. Black, opake ; elytra sparsely maculate with rufous. —
If 1. long. Pennsylvania.

Oblong-ovate, deep black, opake, slightly pubescent : head minutely and
densely wrinkled, with the tip of the clypeus obtusely rounded and finely mar-
gined : antennas as in the preceding, not surpassing the base of the thorax,
slender, dusky, with the second joint rather longer than the third : thorax,
form like in the preceding, but less convex, and with the sides less dilated ;
minutely and densely longitudinally wrinkled, with a capillary smooth dorsal
line, often obsolete ; posterior angles as in the preceding, rather more excurved,
with the carinse more prominent, longer and parallel to the lateral edge : elytra
striate, striae obsoletely punctulate, the interstices convex, not wider than the
striae ; sides slightly arcuated from base to apex; each elytrum with a humeral
spot, and an orbicular one behind the middle, testaceous : feet testaceous ; pos-
terior femoral plates as in the preceding species, abruptly dilated within. The
spots on the elytra vary in size and number ; sometimes the humeral spot is
very large and connected with a smaller discoidal one ; sometimes it is single
and orbicular. Specimens occur which are also maculate at the apex of the
elytra. It is quite an abundant species.

Oophohus, Eschsch.

O. crassicullis. Dark fuscous; antennae and feet, dull rufous. — 3 1. long, 1 1.
wide. Pennsylvania.

Elater crasslcollls, M. Catal.

Dark brown or blackish : head densely punctulate, with the clypeus short,
wide, at tip immarginate, obtusely rounded, almost truncate, slightly declined ;
antennae dusky rufous, subfiliform,some longer than the thorax, with the second
joint one-third shorter than the third ; fourth and remaining joints slightly and
obtusely serrated : thorax moderately convex, hardly longer than wide, slightly
wider at base than at apex, deeply and densely punctulate, and like the head,
sparsely and finely pubescent : medial line slightly apparent only towards the
base ; sides obtusely rounded ; posterior angles straight, subacute, obsoletely
dull rulo-piceous, finely carinate, carinae parallel to the lateral edge : elytra
punctate-striate, the interstices subconvex, confluently and finely corrugated :

March, 1845.] 215

feet dull pale rufous, short, with the tarsi simple; posterior femoral plates ab-
ruptly dilated and rounded within.

CoiirwiiiTES, Latr.

1. C. atropurpurcus. Black-purple, glossy; feet, epipleurce, lateral edges
and tip of the venter, rufous. — 5 I. long, If 1. wide. Pennsylvauia.

Black-purple, shining, slightly metallic: head profoundly and not densely
punctured, with the front triangularly flattened ; clypeus at tip immarginate,
slightly declined; labrum dusky rufous: antennae not as long as the thorax,
scarcely serrate, blackish, with two basal joints rufous; second joint small, ob-
conic, third slightly shorter and less robust than the fourth, eleventh joint with
a minute accessorial one : thorax convex, not longer than wide, wider at base
than at apex, with the sides rounded from base to apex ; punctured like the
head, and like it sparsely pubescent ; medial line entire, somewhat obsolete be-
fore the middle ; posterior angles acute, feebly excurved, and like the anterior
edge, obsoletely rufous or piceous : scutel ample, clothed with ashy hairs:
elytra hardly widest in the middle, finely punctate-striate, the interstices flat,
broad, much and finely punctured ; lateral edge obsoletely rufous : beneath
black-brown : feet, epipleuras, lateral abdominal margins and tip, rufous.

2. C. hirticollis. Black-fuscous, densely pubescent ; clypeus strongly im-
pressed in the middle at tip ; feet rufous. — 6 1. long, 2 1. wide. Pennsyl-
vania.

Black-fuscous, densely clothed with an ochreous pubescence : head coarsely
punctured, with the clypeus immarginate, slightly declined before, strongly im-
pressed in the middle at apex ; eyes black, shining ; antennae not much longer
than the thorax, fuscous, serrate from the fourth joint, second joint some
shorter than the third, which is hardly as long as the fourth, and not as broad,
terminal joint subulate : thorax nearly as wide as long, convex, with the sides
feebly rounded ; closely and deeply punctured ; dorsal groove only obvious be-
hind ; pile placed in whirls ; posterior angles straight, subacute, finely carinate;
scutel punctured pilose : elytra punctate-striate, the interstices flat, minutely
punctured; densely pilose at base; sides rectilinear from base to behind the
middle, thence to the apex gradually arcuated; tip acutely rounded; lateral
edges and epipleurae, dusky rufous : feet and lateral margins of terminal ventral
segment, rufous ; tarsi simple, with the joints gradually decreasing in length ;
posterior femoral plates lanceolate.

3. C. interstitialis . Black; interstices of the elytra broad, flat, punctulate;
clypeus emarginate ; feet and antennae rufous. — 7£ 1. long, 2§ 1. wide. Penn-
sylvania.

Black, with a dark purple reflection, ochreous pubescent : head flattish,
densely ochreous pubescent, with the clypeus as in the preceding species ; an-
tennae longer than the thorax, subserrate from the fourth joint; rufous; joints
as in the preceding species : thorax not much longer than wide, slightly con-
tracted at base, with the sides almost rectilinear ; densely and deeply punc-
tured ; dorsal groove only apparent towards the base ; posterior angles not ex-
curved, acute, strongly carinate, with the carinae slightly oblique : scutel finely
26

216 [March, 1845.

and closely punctured : elytra somewhat long, finely punctate-striate, punctures
longer than wide ; interstices broad, flat, each with about three irregular rows
of minute and distant punctures : beneath black, with a dense ashy pubescence :
feet, epipleurse and lateral abdominal margins, rufous : tarsi and posterior femo-
ral plates as in the preceding species. Sometimes the lateral elytral edges, and
the posterior ventral segments and tip, are rufous or piceous.

Diacanthds, Latr.

D.l signaticollis. Black ; lateral margins of the thorax broadly rufous. — 4
1. long, 1^1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Black : head rugosely punctured, with the front and clypeus triangularly im-
pressed, the latter short, margined and obtusely rounded at tip; labrum large,
dull testaceous : antennae longer than the thorax, strongly serrate, dark fuscous,
with the second joint small, obconic, third as long as the fourth, but slightly
less wide, terminal shortly subulate : thorax a little longer than wide, not much
wider behind than before, with the sides rounded ; deeply and distantly punctu-
late, black, with lateral margins broadly rufous or piceous, with the dorsum
black, except a narrow basal space ; hind angles subacute, excurved, finely and
obliquely carinate, rufous, with the tip black ; glossy : scutel dusky, punctulate :
elytra deeply punctate-striate, with the interstices convex, distantly punctulate
and transversely corrugated : pleurae rufous : feet chestnut-brown, with the
tarsi lighter and simple, the joints gradually decreasing in length; posterior
femoral plates lanceolate.

Pristiiophus, Latr.

P.? sordidus. Blackish, densely clothed with an ashy-brown pubescence ;
elytra obscurely striate. — 15 1. long, 4 1. wide. Alabama.

Dark brown or blackish, densely ashy-brown-pubescent : head with numerous
large punctures; front and clypeus impressed, the latter short, declined, and at
apex margined and obtusely rounded ; mouth rufous; palpi piceous: antennas
hardly longer than the thorax, serrate, brown, ashy pubescent, with the second
joint half the length of the third, obconic, third joint in every respect less than
the fourth, terminal joint distinctly subulate: thorax hardly longer than wide,
wider behind than before, moderately convex, densely, deeply and equally punc-
tulate ; medial line not apparent ; sides rectilinear from the posterior angles to
beyond the middle, thence to the apex strongly rounded ; hind angles rather
acute, somewhat excurved, strongly and obliquely carinate : elytra very ob-
scurely striate, the interstices more or less confluent, finely and distantly punc-
tured, and finely and obsoletely transverse-rugose ; sides gradually tapering
from the base to the apex: beneath black; feet paler; tarsi simple, gradually
decreasing in length ; hind femoral plates lanceolate and rather somewhat sud-
denly dilated within. This species is not rare, and has perhaps been already
described. It may, perhaps, be referred to the genus Aphanobius.

2. Y.femoralis. Black, femora; discolored ; antenna? dull testaceous — 10 1.
long, 3 1. wide. Pennsylvania.

Black, shining: head deeply and rather distantly punctulate ; front and cly-

March, 1845.] 217

peus impressed, th