IGiSl Return to LIBRARY OF MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY WOODS HOLE, MASS. Loaned by American Museum of Natural History PROCEEDINGS nv th;i ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES or PHILADELPHIA 1864. PHILADELPHIA: P R IN T K I) FOR THE ACAD K M T 1864. A 5 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS, With reference to the several Articles contributed by each. Canby, W. M. Notes of Botanical Visits to the lower part of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland 16 Cassin, J. Notes of an examination of the Birds of the Group Coerebinae, 265 Fasti Ornithologiae. Part 1 234 Notes on some species of Birds from South America 286 Cooper, J. G. On a new Cormorant from the Farralone Islands, Cal 258 Conrad, T. A. Notes on Shells, with Descriptions of new fossil Genera and Species 211 Cope, E. D. Contributions to the Herpetology of Tropical America 166 On the Limits and Relations of the Raniformes 181 On a Blind Silurid from Pennsylvania 231 On the Characters of the higher groups of Reptilia Squamata, and es- pecially of the Diploglossa 224 Partial Catalogue of the Cold-blooded Vertebrata of Michigan 276 Coues, E. The Crania of Colymbus torquatus and C. Adamsii compared, 21 A Critical Review of the Family Procellaridae. Part 1 72 Part II 116 Elliot, D. G. Remarks upon a Proposed Arrangement of the Family of Grouse, and New Genera added 23 Ennis, J. Additions to the Catalogue of Stars which have changed their Colors 51 On the Influence of the Earth's Atmosphere on the Color of Stars 161 Grill, Theo. Notes on the Nomenclature of Genera and Species of Eche- neidoidse 59 Description of a new Labroid Genus allied to Trochocopus 57 Critical remarks on the Genera Sebastes and Sebastodes 145 IV. LIST OP CONTRIBUTORS. Second Contribution to the Selachology of California ,... 147 Synopsis of the Pleuronectoids of the eastern coast of North America... 214 Synopsis of the Cyclopteroids of eastern North America 189 Notes on the Paralepidoids and Microstomatoids, and on some peculiari- ties of Arctic Ichthyology 187 Synopsis of the Pleuronectoids of California and North-western America, 194 Descriptions of new generic types of Pleuronectoids 198 On the affinities of several doubtful British Fishes 199 Notes on the Family of Stichseoids 208 De?criptions of new genera and species of Eastern American Pleuro- nectoids 220 Helmuth, C. A., M.D. New species of Mordellestina collected in Illinois, 105 Lawrence, G. N. Descriptions of New Species of Birds of the Families Coerebidse, Tanagridse, Icteridse and Scolopacidae 106 Lea, I. Description of a new Genus of the Family Melanidse 2 Description of eleven new species of Indigenous Melanidse 3 Description of Planorbis Newberryi 5 Descriptions of six new species of Unionidse from Lake Nyassa, Central Africa 108 Descriptions of six new species of Succinea 109 Descriptions of thirteen new species of Melanidse Ill Description of a new species of Pbnorbis Ill Descriptions of five new species of Lymnsea 113 Descriptions of two new species of Unionidse from South Africa 113 Descriptions of twenty-four new species of Physa of the United State's and Canada 114 New Unionidse, Melanidse, &c, chiefly from the United States 145 Descriptions of six new Western Asiatic Unionidse 285 March, W. T. Notes on the Birds of Jamaica. Part III 62 Stiinpson, Dr. Win. Descriptions of new marine Invertebrata from Pu- get's Sound 153 Tryon, Geo. W., Jr. Synonymy of the species of Strepomatidae. Part 2, 24 Part 3 92 Wincbell, Alex. Description of a Gar-Pike, supposed to be new 183 Wood, Dr. H. C. Descriptions of new species of North American Poly- desinidse 6 Descriptions of new species of North American Iulidae 10 Description of new Genera and Species of North American Mvriapoda.. 186 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 1864. January 5th. Vice-President Vaux in the Chair. Twenty members present. A letter was read from Thomas B. Wilson, M. D., Newark, Del., January 1, 1864, acknowledging his election as President of the Academy. The following was presented for publication : " The Crania of Colym- bus torquatus and C. Adamsii compared." By Elliott Coues, M. D, January 12th. Vice-President Vaux in the Chair. Thirty members present. The following were presented for publication : " Description of a New Genus of the Family Melanidse." " Descrip- tion of Eleven New Species of Melanidae," and " Description of Plan- orbis Newberryi." By Isaac Lea. " Thoughts on the Influence of Ether in the Solar System/' etc. By Alexander Wilcocks, M. D. " Descriptions of New Polydesmidae," and " Descriptions of New Iulidffi." By Dr. H. C. Wood, Jr. On leave granted, Mr. Cassin presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : Whereas, our eminent and highly-esteemed associate and President, Isaac Lea, LL. D., having declined being a candidate for re-election to the position of chief officer of this Academy, has retired there- from : Resolved, That the Academy does hereby express its most grateful 1864.] 1 5 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP sense of the entire faithfulness, impartiality, and eminent ability with which Dr. Lea performed the duties of President during the length- ened term of his incumbency. Resolved, That the thanks of this Academy be hereby tendered to Dr. Lea for his most valuable and important services in the capacity of President, and for his many other judicious and liberal favors and continued and successful exertions for the benefit of this Academy and for the advancement of the interests of Science in the United States. January \%th. Vice-President Vaux in the Chair. Eighteen members present. The following was presented for publication : " Notes of Botanical Visits to the lower part of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Mary- land." By Win. M. Canby. January 2Qth. A r ice-President Bridges in the Chair. Twenty-one members present. On report of the respective committees, the following were ordered to be published : Description of a new Genus of the Family MELANIDiE. BY ISAAC LEA. Genus MESESCHIZA.* Testa fusiformis, imperforata. Apertura rhomboidea, inferne canaliculata. Labrum expansum, in medio excisum. Columella laevis, incurvata. Oper- culum corneum ad spiram pertinens. When I described the genus Trypanostoma,f I mentioned the importance of eliminating as many species as possible from the enormously-extended genus Melanin. The little shell which I now propose as a new genus has so distinct a character in the incision of the middle of the outer lip, as to mark perfectly its place in the Melanidse of the United States. It differs entirely in the cha- racter of the cut from that in Sckizostorua, which has, in all the many species I have seen, a more or less deep incision immediately under the suture. The living soft parts have not yet been observed. They may, when examined, prove to have some characteristics quite different from Schizostoma. Meseschiza Grosvenorii. Testa laevi, fusiformi, tenui, obtuse conica, vel ipurpureA vel vittata ; spira obtuse conica ; suturis leviter impressis ; anfracti- bus instar septenis, vix convixis ; apertura, magna, rhomboidea, intus plerum- que vittatd ; labro acuto, in medio leviter exciso ; columella parum iucrassata et contortft. * Mw, cx'&i central fissure. f Journal ot the Academy of Natural Sciences, vol. v. p. 268, and " Obser- vations," vol. ix. p. 90. [Jan. ! NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 3 Operculum ovate, light-brown, rather thin, having several volutions, and with the polar point well removed from the left margin. II ib. Wabash River, Indiana, H. C. Grosvenor. Remarks. I have thirte j n specimens of this remarkable shell. Eight of them have a well-defined though delicate notch on the edge at or near to the peri- phery of the last whorl. Five of the specimens hava no notch, which pro- bably arises in four of them from not being full grown, and in one from having the thin, delicate edge broken off. In all the specimens there is a light line under the sutures, and some have six or seven brown bands, which are dis- tinctly seen on the inside. The channel at the base is small but well defined. In outline, this species reminds oae of GoniobasU Vauxiana (nobis) and Mela- nin (Goniobasis) germana, Anth. It is a thinner shell than either, and the notch in the lip removes it from that genus. The aperture is about one-half the length of the shell. I have great pleasure in uaming this species after Mr. Grosvenor, to whom I am greatly indebted for miny of our Western Mollusca. Descriptions of eleven new Species of Indigenous MELANIDJE. BY ISAAC LEA. Goniobasis Emeryhnsis.* Testa, plicata, subfusiformi, subtenui, tenebroso- oliva,. evittatj, ; spira, obtuse conoidea ; suturis irregulariter impresses; an- fraciibus instar senis, planula-tis, superne plicatis ; apertura. grandiuscuhi, subovata, intus cseruleo-alba; labro acuto, leviter sinuoso ; columella inferne parum incrassn.ta, et contorta. Operculum ovate, dark- brown, with polar point near to the base. Hab. Rocky Creek, head branch of Emery Run, E. Tennessee, Major S. S. Lyon, U. S. E. Goniobasis umbonata. Testa nodulata, subfusiformi, subcrassa, obsolete vittata, tenebroso-oliva ; spira valde obtu=>a ; suturis valde impressis ; an- fractibus irregulariter umbonatis, subsuturis tumidis, ultimo pergrandi ; aper- tura pergrandi, subelliptica ; labro acuto, leviter sinuoso ; columella superne iucrassata, inferne subsinuosa. Hab. Smith's Shoals, Cumberland River, E. Tennessee, Major S. S. Lyon U. S. E. Remarks. This is the fourth species of a natural group which I have de- scribed, and which have a large ear-shaped aperture, viz.: Melania [Gonio- basis) basalis, Midas, gibberosa and now umbonata. If they be not entitled to a generic place, they may at least be considered a subgenus, for which I propose the name of Eurycxlon, from Kugoc, amplus, and Kctxcv, cavilas, the aperture being larger than in the Melanidse generally. All the species of Eurycie- lon have a callus on the columella above, but not below, as in Lithasia, and the base is more or less angular, which is not the case with Anculosa. Those which we have considered as varieties of Anculosa preerosa, Say, which have an angular base, properly belong, I think, to Eurycxlon as well also Anthonyi, Redfield, turbinata, and tintinnabulum (nobis), and some others. When the * In my paper on New Melanidse. of the United States, published in the Proceedings of the Academy, in 1S61, and more at large in the Journal, vol. v. and in my Observations, vol. ix. I used the names of blanda and Vanuxe.mii for two new Goniobasi. Haviug used both names before as Metanise, which now come under the genus Goniobasis, I propose to change blanda into versa and Vanuxemii into Presloniana, the former, Vanuxemii, having been found at Col. Pres- ton's salt works in Western Virginia. Mr. Raeve having published in his "Conchologia Iconica" Melania (Goniobasis) Canbyi (nobis) under the name of ' Etowaliensis, Lea." prior to my publication of it. the name of Etowahensit must be retained for that species. I therefore transfer the name of Canbyi to the speeits which i subsequently published as Etowahensis in the Jour. Acad. Nat. Sfci., vol. v. and" Observations " vol. ix. pi. 37, fig. 133. 1834.] 4 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP soft parts of the four species mentioned first shall be examined, they will, I think, be found to differ from Goniobasis, Trypanosoma and Lithasia, to which genera they seem nearest allied. The operculum of the only one I have seen, ffibberosa, is the same as Goniobasis and the Melanidse generally. Goniobasis Albanyensis. Testa granulata, conicS,, subtenui, luteo-olivacea ; epira subelevata ; suturis irregulariter impressis ; anfractibus instar senis, planulatis, superne iuterdum plicatis, inferne striatis ; apertura, grandiuscula, ovata, intus albida ; labro acuto, vix siuuoso ; columella aliquantd inflecta et contorta,. Operculum subrotund, light-brown, very thin, polar point on the left, near the middle. Hab. Near Albany and Blue Springs, Baker County, Georgia, Rev. G. White. Goniobasis yiiudostriatis. Testa virido-striata, fusiformi, subtenui, luteo- olivacea, ; spira, obtuso-conica, ; suturis irregulariter impressis ; anfractibus instar quinis, convexiusculis, superne granulatis, inferne striatis ; apertura parviuscula, ovata, intus vittata ; labro acuto, vix sinuoso; columella aliquantd inflecta et contortd. Operculum subrotund, very small, very thin, light-brown, with the polar point on the left near the middle. Hab. Flint River, Georgia, Bishop Elliott and Mr. Gesner. Trypanostoma subrobpstum. Testa laevi, pyramidata,, tenebroso-cornea, crassa ; spirit pyramidata, elevata ; suturis impressis ; anfractibus instar no- venis, planulatis; apertura, parva, rhomboidea; labro acuto, valde sinuoso; columella incrassata et valde contorta. Operculum ovate, dark-brown, with polar point near the base of the left side. Hab. Holston River at Knoxville, E. Tennessee, Major S. S. Lyon, U. S. E. Trypanostoma Roanense. Testa, laevi, obtuso-conica, crassa, vittata vel evittata ; spira obtusa ; suturis impressis ; anfractibus planulatis, subsuturis tumidis ; apertura parviuscula, rhomboidea ; labro acuto, sinuoso ; columella albida, incrassata et valde contorta. Hab. Roane County, E. Tennessee, Major S. S. Lyon, U. S. E. Trypanostoma Lesleyi. Testa tuberculata, pyramidata, tenebroso-corne& ; spira, elevata ; suturis irregulariter impressis ; anfractibus instar octonis, sub- impressis ; apertura parviuscula, rhomboidea, intus albida, interdum vittata; labro acuto, valde sinuoso ; columella incrassata. Operculum ovate, dark-brown, rather thin, with the polar point near the base. Hab. East Tennessee, Prof. Troost. Smith's Shoals, Cumberland River, E. Tennessee, Major S. S. Lyon, U. S. E. ; and Pulaski Co., Kentucky, Joseph Lesley, C. E. Trypanostoma affine. Testa, canaliculate, pyramidata, cornea; epira valde elevata ; suturis irregulariter impressis ; anfractibus instar novenis, canaliculars, supra, planulatis ; apertura rhomboidea, intus albida vel vit- tata, ; labro acuto, sigmoideo ; columella incrassata et valde contorta. Hab. Smith's Shoals, Cumberland River, E. Tennessee, Major S. S. Lyon, U. S. E. Trypanostoma cylixdraceom. Testa, laevi, cylindracea, subcrassa, vittata vel evittata ; spira subelevata ; suturis irregulariter impressis ; anfractibus planulatis, leviter impressis, subsuturis tumidis ; apertura, parviuscula, rhom- boidea ; labro acuto, aliquantd sinuoso; columella incrassata, incurvata, et contorta. Hab. Roane County, E. Tennessee, Major S. S. Lyon, U. S. E. Trypanostoma carinatom. Testa carinata,, acuto-conica, rufo corned, tenui [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 5 diapbana ; spira acuto-conica, mucronata. ; suturis valde impressis ; anfracti- bus instar novenis, carinatis, superne striatis; apertura. parviuscula, rhoni- boidea, ; labro acuto, sinuoso ; columella aliquanto incrassata et contorta. Hub. Bull Run, tributary to Clinch River, E. Tennessee, Major S. S. Lyon, U. S. E. Strephobasis Lyonii. Testa l& 3 vi, subcylindracea,, crassa, tenebroso-cornea vel oliva, raro vittata; spira obtuso-couica; suturis impressis; anf'ractibus octonis, convexiusculis ; apertura subconstricta, rhomboidea, intus albida, raro vittata j labro acuto, aliquanto sinuoso; columella interne incrassata, ad basim canaliculata, et retrorsa. Hab. Holston River at Knoxville, E. Tennessee, Major S. S. Lyon, U. S. E. Description of and Bemarks on PLANORBIS NEWBERRYI. BY ISAAC LEA. Planorbis Newberryi. Testa pallido-cornea; depresso-turrita, minutissime striata, superne et inferne acuto-carinatu,, late et profundite umbilicata, ; an- fractibus quiuis, superne planulatis ; apertura magna, pallido-cornea, sub- triangulari. Shell pale horn-color, slightly turrited, very finely striate, sharply carinate above and below, widely and deeply umbilicate, whorls five, flattened above ; aperture large, pale horn-color and subtriangular. Planorbis Newberryi, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., 1858, p. 41. Hab. Klamath Lake and Canoe Creek, California, J. S. Newberry, M. D. My cabinet and cabinets of Smithsonian Institution and Dr. Newberry. Diam. *55, Length -42 of an inch. Remarks. This is a very remarkable shell, and I have placed it among the Planorbes until the soft parts may be observed in a living state ; they may be found to differ from the true Planorbes* Some specimens preserved in alco- hol have been carefully examined, but the parts are so rigid that it could not be satisfactorily done. The tentacula do not, however, seem to be so long as is usual in the Planorbes. The epidermis is very thin on the upper part of the whorls, and the striae there are backwards in curves, and on the lower part slightly forwards. The upper carina forms an acute angle, the edge being cord like ; the lower one is still more acute. In most of the specimens there are two obscure carinations on the whorls between the acute ones. The um- bilical region is very remarkable, the perforation extending to the apex of the slightly elevated spire, the apex itself being frequently wanting, owing to corrosion occasioned by the attacks of some small enemy eating into the sub- stance of the hard part. The upper angle of the whorls is elevated slightly above the plane of the whorls, thus forming a Babylonic appearance. This gives the shell the appearance of some forms of the Trochi. This very curious and interesting species is among the MoHusca brought by J. S. Newberry, M. D., attached to the Pacific Railroad Survey under the com- mand of Lieut. R. S.Williamson, U. S. A., and I have great pleasure in dedicat- ing it to Dr. Newberry, who has done so much to elucidate the Natural History of California and Oregon, when on these expeditions so creditable to the Government. * Provisionally it may be called Megasystropha, from Mtya, magnus, and i, vortex, the umbilicus being large and vortex like. 1864.] 6 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Descriptions of New Species of NORTH AMERICAN POLYDESMID.E. BY DR. H. C. WOOD, JR. Genus POLYDESMUS. Subgenus FONTARIA. P. TRIMACULATDS. P. saturate rubro-brnnneus ; scutis postice fulvo trimaculatis, corrugatis ; antennis ultirais pilosis; pedibus dilute fulvis ; appendicibus genitalibus mas- culis niaximis, crassibus, ultimis obtuse rotuudatis, spina terruinali gracilliraa, enormiter convoluta. The color of tbis species is a dark reddish brown. Each scutum has on the posterior portion of its lateral lamina a bright yellow or orange spot, and a blotch of the same tint on the median portion of its posterior border. Occa- sionally this is so prolonged as almost to give the idea of a continuous trans- verse band. The first scutum has two central markings, situated the one on its anterior, and the other on its posterior border. These are so shaped and joined together as to suggest the idea of an hour-glass. The anal scutum is triangular and somewhat elongate. It is yellow, but has a dark spot on each side, and its truncate apex is tipped with brown. The head is chestnut brown. Its vertex is deeply canaliculate, and its inferior lip distinctly emarginate, and fringed with hairs. The antennae are light brown, slender, and not at all cla- vate. The feet are light yellow, with their distal portion somewhat pilose and occasionally tipped with brown. The male genital appendages are very large and robust. Their terminal spine is simple, long, slender, and irregularly bent upon itself. They are also furnished with a small nearly straight spinule, placed proximally as to the terminal. The female genitals are very short, thick and bulbous. On one side of each there is an opening, with two pro- jecting plates separated from one another by a linear orifice. I have seen a male and female, which were collected by Mr. E. D. Cope in Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. They are about two inches long. P. CORRUGATUS. P. atro-castaneus, scutis fulvo postice marginatis ; laminis lateralibus fulvis, latissimis, angulis anticis rotundatis, posticis modice acutis : scuto anale tri- angulare, elongato, postico fulvo, apice truncato; appendicibus genitalibus masculis maxirnis, spinulo laterale robusto subbreve vix curvato armatis ; spina terminale maxima, robusta, compressa, tortuosa, spinulo basale armata. The color of the perfect animal is a chestnut black, rarely reddish chestnut, with a moderately broad margin of fulvous [in alcoholic specimens] on each scutum. This band may be red during life. The scuta; beautifully po- lished to the naked eye, the microscope shows to be obsoletely wrinkled. Very many of these wrinkles are longitudinal. The head is of the same color as the body ; medianly it is distinctly sulcate ; inferiorly it is broadly and rather deeply emarginate. The scutal side plates are fulvous above and be- low. Their anterior angles are rounded, their posterior more or less acute, and in the hinder ones prolonged. The under surface of the body is of a light yellow. The male genital appendages are very large and robust. They have a short, slightly crooked spinule attached and lying close to their side. The terminal spine is irregularly spiral, and has near its base a curved spinule. At the point of its origin is a tuft of bristly hairs. Each female genital appen- dage is chiefly composed of a short, almost globular, process, in one side of which there exists a large opening. This process is scarcely at all pilose. Through the side opening projects a pair of large, thick plates, fitting together somewhat in the manner of bivalve shells. These nearly equal in height the main process. The spine on the second joint of the feet is robust, but acute. The whole animal is about one and a half inches in length. [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 7 Hab. Michigan ; Prof. Miles. Trenton Falls, New York ; Mu3. Comp. Zoology, D. Mack. P. BIPIDDS. P. rubro castaneus, segmentis et antice et postice late fulvo-marginatis, la- minis lateralibus dilute fulvis ; scuto anale triangulare, apice truncato et de- curvato ; appendicibus genitalibus masculis elongatis, pilosis ; spina terminale gracillima, proxima cylindracea, ultima bifida et noanihil abrupte curvata, spinulo basale gracillimo parvo armata. All of my specimens have been preserved for a length of time in alcohol, so that the description of color is not as accurate as it should be. The anterior aspect of the head is much lighter than the vertex, which is mediauly strongly canaliculate. The antennae are dilute fulvous, are rather longer than in P. virginiemis, and are distally, sparsely and shortly pilose. The spicules on the distal ends of the first and second joints of the long and slender feet are robust, but are often obsolete anteriorly. The terminal scutum has several punctae closely resembling pores. The preanal scale is triangular; it has two little elevations surmounted by a punctum. The male genital appendages are elongate. Their terminal spine is very slender and cylindrical in its prox- imal portion ; distally it is bifid and strongly curved. It is ornated with a very slender curved basal spinule. Hab. Georgia; Museum of Comp. Zoology, Dr. LeConte. Texas; Collection of Smithsonian, G. Wurdeman. P. CRASSICUTIS. P. maximus, robustus; scutis enormiter subrude punctatis; appendicibus genitalibus masculis, singula spinis quatuor armata ; duobus magnis, parvis duobus. The color of all the specimens is light testaceous ; with, in many, a dark dor- sal line. It is very possible that the alcohol, in which they have been long preserved, may have destroyed the original color. The animal is very large and robust, and has its outer armor and side plates very heavy. The head on its upper surface has a distinct median furrow, and on its lower a broadly lineal, oblique depression on each side. The inferior margin is rather broadly and deeply emarginate. The lateral lamina are rather short. The female genital appendages are a pair of small, pyramidal, pilose bodies, whose apices are split into three or four very minute mameloid processes. The male organs are large, and distally very hairy. They are each armed with two large and two small spines. The longer and' more slender of the former at its proximal portion is bent rather abruptly at right angles to itself, but i3 nearly straight afterwards. The more robust is pretty straight, save at its dis- tal extremity, where it is abruptly bent at right angles to itself. It is armed with several very slender spinules, and has one edge distantly and obsoletely denticulate. Of the smaller spines, one is short and blunt ; the other much longer, sharp, slender and falciform. The last scutum is triangular, and has its apex truncate and very slightly decurvate. The preanal scale is semi- orbicular. Length, 2 to 3 inches. Hab. Mississippi. Museum of Smithsonian. Subgenus POLYDESMUS. P. HISPIDIPES. P. saturate olivaceo-brunneus, immaculatus; dorso nonnihil convexo ; scuto anale triangulare longe pilose, apice truncato et decurvato ; pedibus hispidis ; appendicibus masculis genitalibus brevibus, robustis, spina terminale modica, ultima abrupte curvata, dense pilosa. The color is darker than in P. erythropygus. The side plates are rather 1864.] 8 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF short, with their edges ranch thickened. The head has its vertex strongly canaliculate. Its anterior face is marked with two small punctiform impres- sions. The lower border is not very strongly emarginate, and is set with a fringe of short thick hairs. The antennae are mostly dark colored, scarcely at all clavate and coarsely pubescent. The feet are rough, with closely set, stiff hairs. The anal scutum is prolonged posteriorly, so as to come almost to a blunt point. The genital appendages in the male are short and thick. Their terminal spine is slightly curved at its base, thence is nearly straight, save at its distal extremity, where it is abruptly curved, becoming nearly horizontal. It is beset with very numerous long hairs. We have examined them in eighteen spe- cimens, and found them to agree perfectly. The female genital appendages consist of a pair of short, conoidal, very pilose processes, which have an opening along their inner edge. Length one inch and an eighth. JIab. Illinois. Smithsonian Coll. R. Kennicott. Var. ? P. laete castaneus, fulvo vel rubro macnlatus, linea nigra dorsali or- natus; lamiuis lateralibus marginibus rubris vel fulvis. _ _ _ This is possibly a distinct species, but as I have seen but a very few indivi- duals, and the male genital appendages do not differ from those of P. hispidipes, I prefer not risking a synonym. Whether the spots are yellowish or red in the living animal, the length of time our individuals have been preserved in alcohol precludes me from deciding. The spots are sometimes arranged regularly two large ones on each side ot the mesial line, and a row of small ones on the posterior border. JIab. Illinois. Smithsonian Coll. R. Kennicott. Subgenus STENONIA. P. CERASINUS. P. dilute cerasinus ; dorso complanato ; antennis modicis pubescentibus, nonnihil clavatis, nonnihil brevibus; scutis squamis obsoletis ornatis, margin- ibus lateralibus serratis ; appendici genitali masculas spina terminale lata, oblique truncata, utrinque processu longo setaceo curvato instructa. The head has the median furrow on its vertex illy pronounced. The ante- rior face is sparsely pilose, and has its lower margin broadly but shallowly emarginate. The scuta have a double row of scales, obsolete but otherwise similar to those of the following species. Sometimes these are entirely lost. The lateral margins of the side plates are rounded slightly and minutely serru- late. They seldom have more than three serratures on each side. The ter- minal scutum is triangular, with its obtuse apex bent downwards. It is sparsely pilose. The legs are quite hairy, and light colored. Their second joint is tumid. The genital appendages in the male are peculiar. The termi- nal spines are broad and short, and superiorly very obliquely truncated, with two small hamular processes. On each side a long, seta-like process springs from the base. The outer, much the longer of the two, throws an arch entire- ly over the short spines. The inner is straighter. They both have one or two thorn-like excrescences. // a 6. Oregon. Museum of Smithsonian Institution. Subgenus STRONGYLOSOMA. P. ERUCA. P. brunneus ? robustus ; antennis brevibus, pilosis, baud clavatis ; scutis subrude punctatis ; pedibus parvis, gracillibus, modice hirsutis. Judging from our badly preserved alcoholic specimens, the color of this spe- cies is reddish brown, with the side plates a lighter color. The body is very robust The head has a median furrow on its vertex, and its lower border emarginate. The side plates have but the posterior angles, which are acute. [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 9 The scuta appear to have a narrow edging of black posteriorly. The terminal scutum is subtriangular, very prolonged and very thick posteriorly. We have never had an opportunity of examining the male genital organs. Ihose of the female are very pilose, and are formed of two portions. They are contracted at their bases, and expanded above, somewhat as a reversed flattened cone. The basal piece is thicker, and less hairy than the other. The distal piece is set into it, and has along the free extremity an opeuing. Hab. Oregon. Museum of the Smithsonian. Subgenus LEPTODESMUS. P. PLACIDUS. P. olivaceo-brunneus, scutis plerumque nigro vittatis ; laminis lateralibus parvis, dilute brunneis ; pedibus saturate olivaceis ; sternis dilute brunneis ; appendicibus genitalibus masculis, valde elongatis ; spiua terminale magna, in spiram ducta et spinulo basali longissimo falciforme et altero laterale breve robusto instructa, margine partim acute serrato, partim integro. The head is dark colored. Besides its median furrow, it is also ornamented with a pair of sometimes illy pronounced punctae on each side of the ver- tex. Its inferior border is rather broadly emarginate. The antennae are elongate, dark brown, and tipped with black. The anal scutum agrees with the others in color. It is triangular, with its apex truncate, obscurely emar- ginate and decurvate. The male genital appendages are strikingly elongate. The terminal spine is nearly black. It is bent spirafly on itself, but after per- forming a little more than an entire turn is nearly horizontal for some length. It is flattened, with its superior surface somewhat umbonate. It ends in a thick, blunt, spine-like process. The proximal portion of the anterior margin is acutely serrate. From the edge projects a short thorn-like spinule, and from the base a long, slender falciform spine. Length, one and a quarter inches. Hab. Michigan. Prof. Miles. P. floridus, var. ? P. atro-castaneus ; scutisj>ostice rubro-aurantiaco marginatis ; laminis later- alibus parvis, laete rubro-aurantiacis ; appendicibus genitalibus, masculis P. placidi illis similibus. The head is lighter colored than the body. It is medianly canaliculate, with a pair of punctations on each side of its vertex. Its inferior border is broadly emarginate. The antennae are rather long and slender, very slightly clavate, light brown, and distally tipped with black. The scuta are smooth, beautifully polished, and not corrugate. The side plates are distant, quite small, and nearly horizontal. Their anterior angles are rounded. The anal scutum is prolonged, and is sometimes wholly, sometimes partially orange. It is triangular, with its apex truncate and slightly emarginate, and its sides curved. It projects posteriorly, and is bent downwards. The feet are cylin- drical, yellow, and somewhat pilose. The male genital appendages resemble those of P. placidus, except in color. They are yellowish. Those of the female consist of a pair of short, blunt processes. Each of these has a basal portion into which is set a short somewhat flattened body, with an obscure linear opening traversing its distai surface. From the junction of these two parts springs a heavy fringe of long, coarse hair. P. floridus is very possibly a distinct spe- cies from F. placidus. I have seen but a single individual of the latter. The general appearance of the two is so dissimilar, as to incline me to the be- lief of their distinctness. But they agree well as to their genitalia, and a suite of specimens might show their identity. Length one and a quarter inches. Hab. Michigan. Prof. Miles. 1864.] 10 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF P. HAYDENIANUS. P. olivaceo-castaneus ; antennis modicis, sparse pilosis, ultimis nigris ; lami- nis lateralibus luteis ; appendicibus genitalibus masculis hirsutis et processu lato breve et spinis duobus armatis ; spina terminale modice robusta, valde curvata. Judging from an alcholic specimen, the color of this animal is an olive chest- nut, with the fide plates yellowish, and the posterior portions of the scuta much lighter than the anterior. The head is bright chestnut, and is orna- mented with a median furrow on its vertex, and a pair of impressed dots on each side of its face. Its inferior border is medianly moderately emarginate. The margins of the side plates are somewhat thickened. The anal scutum is yel- lowish, small, subtriangular, and distinctly emarginate posteriorly. The feet are very slender, and are shortly pilose. The femora of the hinder ones are armed with a small spine on their distal extremity. The male genital append- ages are small, and are hairy at the base. They are armed with a broad, ob- tuse, spinous process, and a slender curved spine besides the terminal. The latter is robust, and is bent with a double curve, that is anteriorly and lateral- ly. I have dedicated this species to my friend, Dr. Hayden, whose name is inseparably connected with the far West. Hub. Oregon. Museum of the Smithsonian. Descriptions of New Species of North American ITJLID2E. BY DR. H. C. WOOD, JR. Genus IULUS. I. VENUSTUS. I. rubro-castaneus, linea dorsale nigra et maculae nigra? seriebus lateralibus (interdum obsoletis) ornatus ; antennis longis, filiformibus, pilosis, baud cla- vatis ; scutorum lateribus canalicnlatis ; segmentis 52 ; mucrone parvo. The general color of this species is reddish chestnut ; frequently the red predominates so much that the individual is rea^y flesh-colored, but occa- sionally the chestnut overcomes the other tint. The dorsal stripe is generally very distinct, especially on the posterior portion of the scuta. The eyes are triangular, and are connected by a dark band, which is often rather obscure. The anterior cephalic aspect is long and narrow, with its sides converging in- feriorly. Its inferior border is fringed with a double row of short, distant hairs, and is medianly deeply emarginate and 2 4 dentate. The scuta are ornamented, rarely with a white blotch on each side of the mesial line, but generally with two lateral black dots. The first scutum in the female has the anterior margin oblique as to the main axis of the body, and is prolonged laterally so as to form processes, mostly canaliculate, with a rounded border. In the male the anterior margin is at right angles to the axis of the body, and the lateral parallel to it, so that there are no processes. The male genital appendages consist of two main portions on each side. The outer and more conspicuous of these is formed of a thin, very irregular plate, from whose base springs a short, clavate, cylindrical, distally pilose process. The inner portion is composed of a long, very slender, almost setiform process, and a shorter straighter one. The former at its base is bent at right angles to itself ; and distally it is somewhat spirally arched over the other. The female genital appendages consist of two broad, robust, pilose processes, with a pair of very slender, almost filiform, feet like bodies, springing from their conjunction and equalling them in length. The major portion of each appendage is composed of a single plate. This is folded on itself, so as to constitute an irregular, flattened cylinder, which is open at its end, and along [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 11 the outer edge. It presents on one aspect an unbroken, tolerably regular surface, but on the other is proximally abbreviated. Through the opening thus afforded projects a pair of subcircular, somewhat globose plates, fitting together much as the shells of a bivalve. Length, 2 inches. Hab. Illinois. Smithsonian Institution. R. Kennicott. In the same collection we have seen a male lulus very closely resembling the former, but differing so much in its genital appendages, that it probably represents a distinct species. The outer of the two parts, forming each geni- tal appendages, consists of a thin, flat, crooked, very irregular process, and a shorter, robust, pilose and strongly clavate one. The former, proximally, is quite broad, and narrows from the base, but distally is but at a right angle to itself, and is rapidly contracted, so as to terminate in a nearly cylin- drical crooked point. The main process of the inner portion is somewhat cylindrical proximally, but is distally expanded. At first bent at a right angle to itself, it next has the swan-neck curve, and is then bent at an acute angle to itself to be straight the remainder of its length. At this augle there is a minute sharp spine. Shielded, as it were, by this process, there is another, very slender and acute. I. PILOSISCDTA. T. castaneo-brunneus maculae nigrae (interdum obsoletae) seriebus laterali- bus ornatus ; antennis longe pubescentibus ; capitis margine antico modice emarginato, denticulato ; segmentis 58; mucrone parvissimo ; scutis pilosis singulo punctae sejuncta? serie impresso. The color of this species is a chestnut brown, sometimes mottled with light brown. The anterior aspect is beautifully but irregularly areolated with the latter color. The antennae are moderately long, and have their dark joints tipped with white. Their is a pair of coarse punctations on the vertex. Each scutum has a series of distinct punctations extending entirely around it ; from these dots proceed little channels, obsolete on the fore-part of the body, but gradually becoming strongly pronounced. The anterior portion of the body is sparsely, but tli^ posterior densely, pilose. The anal scales are very rough. We have never seen a male. Neither can we give a detailed account of the female genital appendages, but one portion of them consists of a pair of short, subcylindrical, rather robust and distally clavate processes. Hub. Susquehanna Co., .Pennsylvania. E. D. Cope, Esq. I. OREGON ENSIS. I. laete castaneus, albido-brunneo annulatus, etlinea dorsale nigra et maculae nigrae seriebus lateralibus ornatus ; antennis filiformibus, longis, pilosis, sub- clavatis ; capitis margine antico valde emarginato, denticulato ; segmentis 44 45 : scutorum lateribus canaliculars ; mucrone parvo, robusto ; squama preanali triangulare. The color of this elegant species is a bright chestnut, ornamented with. rings of a very light brown and a dorsal black line, as well as a black spot on the side of each scutum. In some individuals there is on the anterior por- tion of the first scutum, a black crescentic blotch, and on the posterior a border of the same tint. The anterior aspect of the vertex is long and nar- row and deeply emarginate interiorly, where it is denticulate and fringed with two rows of distant hairs. The eyes are somewhat elliptical, and are connected by an illy defined black band. The posterior portion of the body is not pubescent. The outer piece of the male genital appendages is rather long, straight and somewhat clavate, and distally pilose. The inner process is large, and is formed of a plate so folded longitudinally as to form a groove on the inner edge. From the base of the genital appendage springs [Jan. 12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF a slender process, which soon bifurcates ; the more slender of the division is the longer. They both soon enter the groove, before spoken of, the shorter and more robust being distal as to the other, and emerging from the groove on the other side of the main process, whilst the longer comes out on the side it enters. The female genital appendages are composed of a broad, thin piece, from which arises a pair of filiform, feet-like processes, besides two other very robust ones. These last are sparsely pilose, and about as long as broad. They reach about to the base of the filiform bodies, and have a slit- like orifice in their summit. Length of body, two and a half inches. Hab. Oregon. Smithsonian Museum. I. IMMACULATUS. I. saturate rubido-brunneus, baud maculatus ; antennis modice longis, fili- formibus, vix subclavtis, pilosis ; capitis margine antico modice emarginato ; segmentis 48 51 : scutis infra canaliculars ; mucrone modico, uucinato, ro- busto, acuto. The color of all our specimens is a very dark reddish brown, unrelieved by any other tint. On the vertex is a pair of coarse punctations, as in /. Cana- densis. The lateral processes of the first scutum in the female, although small, are somewhat canaliculate. The mucro is certainly smaller than that oil. Canadensis. The male genital appendages are composed of two part?. The outer of these consists of a somewhat clavate and pilose process, with a curiously folded and contorted plate on its inner side. The other portion is formed of a straight process, which has several minute, spine-like bodies on its free extremity, and is proximally suddenly contracted, and then expand somewhat, so as to give an appearance of emargination. From the base of this springs another, almost filamentous process. The female genital appendages consist of two bodies conjoined at their bases, and blunt at their free extremity. When viewed from one aspect, they appear cylindrical, but from the other, flattened or even concave ; oppo- site to the latter face there is a broad, irregular piece, which has its free extre- mity scolloped. Hab. Catskill Mountains, N. Y. Dr. H. C. Wood, Jr. I. CANALICULARS. I. brunneus, interdum creruleo tinctus ; antennis filiform ibus, pilosis, non- nihil clavatis ; segmentis 51 ; scutis supra et infra arete canaliculatis, singulo pilorum longorum distantium serie unica instructo ; mucrone longo, recto ; squamis analibus longe pilosis ; squama preanali triangula, acuminata. The color of this species is a dark brown, with sometimes a bluish tint, and very gradually mottled with light brown. The triangular eyes are connected by an obscure black band. The labial margin is broadly emargiuate, and is furnished with two or three denticules, as well as a double row of distant rigid hairs. The joints of the antennae are tipped with white. The first scu- tum is, in the female, slightly prolonged laterally, where it is rounded off; on its anterior surface there is a dark somewhat crescentic blotch. The anterior of the two subscuta, forming each scutum, is closely and deeply canaliculate through its whole circumference ; it is broader than the posterior, and very slightly elevated, so as to give the body somewhat of a moniliform appear- ance. The ring of hairs surrounding each scutum is frequently imperfect ; it may be from the handling of the specimen. The posterior subscutum is smooth above, and distantly and shallowly canaliculate below. The posteri- or portion of the body is very pilose. I have never seen a male. Length, one and a half inches. Hab. Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Dr. H. C. Wood, Jr. [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 13 I. LAQUEAT0S. I. brunneus, interdum caeruleo tinctus ; antennis filiformibus, pilosis, nonnihil clavatis ; segmentis 49 ; scutis et supra et infra valde aroteque cana- liculatis ; mucrone loiigo et recto ; squama preanali triangula, vix acuminata. The color of this species is brown, sometimes bluish, mottled, almost areo- lated, with light brown. The eyes are triangular, and are united by a dark band. The head has its anterior margin broadly emarginate, denticulate and furnished with two rows of distant rigid hairs. The antennae have their prox- imal joints nearly cylindrical, and are light colored, with their articles indis- tinctly tipped with white. The first scutum has rather small lateral processes, and is ornamented on its anterior border with a dark band. The anterior subscutum is deeply and closely canaliculate over the whole of its surface. The anal scales are furnished with a series of long hairs along their valvular margin. The posterior portion is generally adorned with a very few scattered hairs, hut I have never seen it pilose. Length, three-quarters of an inch. This species differs from /. canaliculatus in its smaller size the absence of hairs on the anterior, and their paucity on the posterior portion of the body, and in the mucro being larger in proportion to the rest of the animal. Yet they may possibly prove to be the young of that species. Hab Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Dr. H. C. Wood, Jr. I. Milesii. I. saturate brunneus ; antennis filiformibus, longis, pilosis, clavatis ; scutis infra arete et valde, supra interdum obsolete, canaliculatis ; segmentis 33 ; mucrone nullo. The color of this species is a very dark, almost black brown ; but the ante- rior portion of the body, and especially the head, is lighter. The antennae are very pilose, and quite strongly clavate. The eyes are connected together by a black band. The anterior scuta have their lateral surfaces closely and deeply canaliculate, but are almost smooth on their ucper surface. The pos- terior are everywhere deeply channeled, although more so below than above. There are a few hairs on the anal scales. The anal scutum is not mucro- nate. It affords me pleasure to dedicate this species to Prof. Miles, who is laboring so assiduously and successfully to develop the zoology of Michigan. Hab. Michigan. Col. State Agricultural College. Prof. Miles. I. CINEREFROXS. I. brunneus, cinereo annulatus ; capitis snperficia antica cinerea ; mucrone nullo, squama preanali triangula, haud acuminata. The color of this species is dark brown. The anterior surface of the head is an obscure gray color, with a dark band inferiorly. There is between the upper and anterior surface of the head a well marked angle, almost an ele- vated ridge. The lower margin is fringed with a few hairs, and is emarginate and armed with a few denticules. The triangular eyes are connected by a distinct, impressed line. On the upper portion of the anterior surface of the head are two round, light dots surrounded by a darker tint. The antennae are wanting in the only specimen, a female, that I have seen, which is so mutilated that I cannot say certainly of how many segments it was composed ; the number, however, was probably either 34 or 45. The first scutum has very small, lateral processes. It is light brown, bordered with a dark band, edged with a grayish tint. The anterior portion of the body is of a lighter shade than the posterior, and has the grayish annuli more distinctly pro- nounced. The anal scutum is not raucronate. The anal 9cales are not pilose Hab. -Oregon. Smithsonian Institution. 1864.] 14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP I. CSRUIiEO-CINCTUS. I. brunneus, saturate caeruleo annul atus ; segmentis 42 ; antennis parvis ; scutis infra et supra modice canaliculatis ; mucrone nullo. The color of this species is brown, with a dark, sometimes obsolete ring of blue to each segment, except the most anterior. The lower portion of the anterior surface of the head is light brown. The labial margin is scarcely eniargmate, but is rounded and fringed with rigid hairs. The eyes are ar- ranged in subtriangular patches, with their transverse diameter much the greater. They are connected by a black band, which is much broader in the middle than at the ends. The first scutum is large, with very small lateral processes even iu the female. There is on its anterior edge a very obscure light border, and a little posterior to this a black, more or less obsolete, band. The scuta are regularly, although rather lightly and distantly canaliculate over their whole surface. The last scutum is distinctly but minutely punc- tate, has its edge whitish, and is not at all mucronate. The anal scales are not at all pilose. The specimens from which this description are taken are in so bad a condition that I have hesitated to notice them. But probably the description will be found to be sufficiently accurate for the identification of the species. Length of body, about one and a half inches. I. HOETENSIS. I. brunneus, lateribus maculis nigris ornatis ; antennis modice brevibus, pilosis, filiformibus, clavatis ; segmentis 42; scutis arete canaliculatis et infra et supra ; mucrone nullo ; squama preanali triangula, apice rotundato. The general color of this species is rather dark brown in the adult. But when an individual is examined with a magnifier, it is seen to be beautifully areolated with light brown. In young specimens and adults, which have re- cently shed their exuviae, the color often verges on white, whilst the side spots are black, contrasting strongly with the general tint. The head is rather broad inferiorly, and has its lower margin shallowly emarginate, and distinctly though minutely denticulate. The triangular eyes are connected by a broad, dark band. The first scutum is ornamented on its anterior por- tion by a dark, transverse band. The lateral processes are almost wanting, even in the female. There is on each side a series of large, black dots, one to a scutum, commencing rather abruptly at about the 5th or 6th segment, and ending in the same way at about the 39th. The subscutum on which they are situated are scarcely canaliculate. The anal scutum is about equal in length to the two preceding it. Lengih half to 1 inch. Philadelphia. Dr. H. C. Wood, Jr. I. VIRGATUS. I. saturate brunneus, dorso luteolo, medio linea nigra instructo, antennis modice longis, pilosis, clavatis ; segmentis 35 ; scutis copiose distincte canali- culatis ; mucrone subnullo ; squamis analibus sparse pilosis ; squama prea- nali lata, subtriangula, apice rotundato. The sides of the body are deep brown, almost black, whilst the dorsum ap- proaches a yellowish fawn color, and has a strongly pronounced, black, me- dian line. The lower margin of the head is broadly emarginate, denticulate, and fringed with a series of hairs. The anterior surface is mottled with light brown, and has a dark median band, terminating in a transverse one low down. The under surface of the body is light-colored, and is often somewhat areolated. There are some specimens whose pattern of coloration is light brown or fawn colored, with two lateral and one median dark stripe. Are these, individuals which have recently cast off their exuviae ? The eye-patches are somewhat parabolic. The joints of the antennae are obconical, dark co- [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 15 lored, and tipped with white. The lateral processes are small. The grooving of the scuta is in some specimens somewhat obsolete on the dorsum. The posterior scutum is light colored. I have never identified a male. Length, h to \ of an inch. Hub. Philadelphia. Dr. Joseph Leidy, Dr. H. C. Wood, Jr. Washington, D. C. F. W. Putnam, Coll. Museum Comp. Zoology. Genus SPIROBOLUS. S. SPINIGERUS. S. fulvus, maculis saturate viridis maximis ornatus ; capite minute punc- tato, infra punctorum magnorum serie instructo ; oculis suborbiculatis ; anten- nis longis ; segmentis 48 ; scutis leviter sparse punctatis ; squama preanali triangula. The color of this species is fulvous, often varying towards orange. On each scutum there is a large dark-green transverse crescentic blotch. This is often so wide superiorly as to involve the whole of the dorsum. In some individuals there are lateral series of white blotches, and occasionally a black line on each side. These are, however, not common. The head has a strongly pronounced median furrow, and is greenish superiorly. The eye spots are somewhat orbicular, with occasionally a tendency to become tetra- or polygonal. The antennae are longer than in S. marginatus. The scuta are not rough, and are very lightly or even obsoletely furrowed be- neath. The spines on the inferior surface of legs are very numerous and acute. The male genital appendages are formed of two main portions joined together, as in 5. marginatus. The large plate of the main process is broad. The upper border of its face has a wavy outline. Externally it is produeed into an alar portion, which ends in a blunt process at right angles to it. The inner piece is composed of a basilar and superior joint. The basilar is very long. The other is curved, and presents on one aspect a strongly convex, on the other a strongly concave surface. It ends in a blunt point, and is armed with a large blunt process and an acute spine. The female genital append- ages appear to consist on each side of a process deeply placed within the body this is thin on its free margin, which is rounded, though some- what acuminate below it is contracted and thickened. The three pairs of feet immediately in front of the genital aperture in the male have their coxae produced into long processes. These are often of a curious form, but do not seem constant in this. The fourth and even fifth coxae have small processes. Ilab. Florida. South Carolina. Smithsonian Institution. S. UNCIGERUS. S. laete brunneus, saturate-rubido-brunneo annulatus ; capite sparse mi- nute punctato et corrugato, antico punctorum maximorum serie instructo ; segmentis 50 53 ; scutis supra et copiose punctatis et corrugatis ; squama anale triangu'a. The color of this species is a bright brown, with an annulus of dark red- dish brown on the posterior border of each segment. The head is distinctly medianly caualiculate, except in the centre, and has the row of dots on its anterior face as in S. marginutus, but is not as decidedly punctate elsewhere as in that species. The eyes are triangular. The antenna? closely resemble those of S. marginatus, but are, perhaps, rather shorter and more compressed. The first scutum is banded, both anteriorly and posteriorly. The lateral pro- cesses, even the female, are almost wanting. The second scutum is produced forwards as in S. marginatus. The male genital appendages are composed of a yoke-like piece and two outer parts, which it connects. The central piece may be described as formed by two plates (although but really one) meeting at 1864] 16 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF an angle in the centre and attached to the outer parts at their other extremi- ties. These outer articles are formed each as follows : First, There is a large plate which is bent around an inner basal piece, and is deeply notched laterally, but is produced anteriorly into a broad almost rudely punctate plate, and posteriorly into a short, slender process, terminating in an imperfect hook. This last process is sometimes obsolete. Second, Articulating with the inner basal piece, alluded to, there exists a large, strongly-curved, acute hook or claw, whose distal extremity is subcylindrical. The female genital appendages are small, and are composed on each side of a very thin plate and a process about a line in length, irregularly prismatic in shape proximally ; but distally excavated suddenly, so as to be flattened for the remainder of its course. Hah. California. Smithsonian Institution. S. ANGDSTICEPS. S. niger, lateribus brunneo maculatis ; capitis superficie antica angusta, longa, supra nigra, infra albido-brunnea ; antennis ? ; segmentis 75 ; scutis et infra et supra distincte canaliculars ; squama anali triangula. The color of this species is black, with a brown band on the sides, in which is a black dot marking the position of the lateral pores. The lower portion of the head is very light-brown, and has its margin rather deeply emarginate. Along the posterior cephalic border is a somewhat crescentic area, which is nearly smooth and is medianly canaliculate, adjoining this the surface suddenly is rudely punctate, but gradually becomes smoother. The eyes are arranged in three transverse rows, the posterior being much the longer. The first scutum is copiously coarsely punctate, and is posteriorly slightly cana- liculate on the dorsum, but distinctly so on the sides. The lateral processes, even in the female, are very small, the second scutum being produced for- wards so as to abut on the head. The posterior subscuta are on the dorsum closely, rather deeply, and more or less obliquely canaliculate, but on the sides less distinctly and more distantly so. The anterior subscuta are very distantly and much more lightly and obliquely canaliculate, and are also more closely channeled below than above. The surface of the anal scutum is irregularly and minutely corrugate. We have seen but one specimen, a female. The female genital appendages appear to consist of two conoidal bodies coalescing at their bases and united together towards their apices by a broad plate, so placed as to present towards them an inclined surface. Into the base of these pyramidal processes fit other somewhat prismatic bodies, with their thin edge formed of several pieces. Length A\ inches. Hab. San Francisco. Smithsonian Institution. R. D. Cutts. Notes of Botanical Visits to the Lower Fart of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. BY WM. M. CANBY. The peninsula lying between Delaware and Chesapeake Bays has been al- most a terra incognita to botanists ; although, from its geographical position, and from the varied character of the country, embracing great variety of soil, salt and fresh water marshes and rivers, large swamps, and a considerable extent of coast, it might well be supposed to be a fine botanical district. In this expectation, the writer, (sometimes accompanied by botanical friends,) made.short visits to a few places in the counties of Sussex, in Delaware, and Worcester and Somerset, in Maryland, during the months of September and October last. Taking into account the lateness of the season and the limited [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 17 extent of country looked over, the result, as shown in the list below, is en- couraging, and leads to the belief that a more extensive exploration would yield further additions to the Northern Flora. When our knowledge of the botany of this peninsula becomes more perfect, an interesting comparison might be made of its Flora with that of the lower part of Illinois ; the plants of the Southern Mississippi Valley would probably be found creeping up into the latter, as those of the Southern coast, and Pine Barren region, do into the former. Of a considerable number of rare and interesting plants collected, only those not described in the " Manual " of Prof. Gray are given in the list below, with some observations on rare allied species. One or two, detected in locali- ties not in the district under consideration, are also given. Desmodium ochkoleucum, M. A. Curtis, in Herb. Gray. {Hedysarum humi- fusum, Ell. in Herb. Muhl. ): caule procumbente tereti hirsuto elongato ; foliolis ovatis aliquanto rhomboidiis reticulatis ; stipulis et bractiis ovatis acuminatis striatis ; tloribus ochroleucis ; lomentorum articulis, (| pollicaribus, ) reticulatis ssepius contortis. In an open woodland, one mile south of "Public Landing," (on Chingo- teague Bay,) Worcester county, Maryland. Fl. Sept, 4. Fruit. Oct. 2. Stems many (6 to 10), 18 inches to 3 ft. long, spreading in every direction from the root, and, with the petioles and pedicels, quite hirsute with spread- ing hairs, as well as pubescent with shorter hooked ones. Flowers ochro- leucus ! Legume (always ?) much contorted. There is a specimen of this plant without flowers in Muhlenberg's herba- rium, sent by Elliott from South Carolina under the name of Hedysarum humifusum. The fruit on this presents the same twisted appearance as in all the Maryland specimens. This specimen is not in the general collection, but is contained in a special collection of the genus Hedysarum, which is accom- panied by a numbered list. In this, Elliott's plant is placed in a distinct paper, and far separated from Muhlenberg's humifusum ; the former being No. 19, the latter (in full), "No. 43 humifusum, Aug. 25, 27, 12" (the latter number probably intended for the year 1812). Thus it would appear, that Muhlenberg, at the time of making up this monographic collection, con- sidered them distinct, as they certainly are. But afterwards, in his descrip- tion in the MSS., Plant. Amer. Sept., and in the printed work, he con- founds them, and in the latter the locality of Hedysarum humifusum is given, "Mass. to Penna. and Carolina." The last is to be excluded, as the species has been found only near* Waltham, Mass. (Bigelow) and Lancaster, Penna. Hydrocotyle vulgaris, L. ? In a swamp one mile east of Snow Hill, Mary- land. Umbels, or rather verticils, two to five. Sept. to Oct. Hydrocotyle repanda, Pers. A glabrate form, found in meadows border- ing Chingoteague Bay, Worcester county, Maryland. Oct. * The Mass. locality is now supposed to be destroyed. In Muhlenberg's MSS. in the library of the Academy, he gives the date of collection and locality of his plant, viz., " Aug. 28, 12, (1812), upon Montgomery Island." This may be in the River Susquehanna. The attention of botanists in the neighborhood is requested to this point. The plant may yet be identified and specimens furnished from the original locality. The descriptions in Torrey and Gray, Gray's Manual, Ac, appear to be sufficient, except that the character, stem angled or striated, should be added to distinguish it from the round stem of D. ochroleucum. The three allied species may be thus compared: D. rotumdifolicm. Stem hirsute and augled ; leaflets orbicular; bracts and stipules broadly ovate ; flowers purple ; joints of the legume large. D. humifusum. Stem angled, nearly smooth ; loaflets ovate ; stipules and braots lanceolate ; flowers purple ; joints of the legume small. D. ocnioLEUouM Stani terete, hirsute; leaflets ovate reticulated ; stipules aud bracts ovate acu minate; flowers ochroleucus ; joints of the twisted pod large. 1864.] 18 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP Elbphantopps tomentosus, L. Common in open woodlands from Milford, Delaware, southward. Sept., Oct. Pluchea bifrons, D.C. Borders of a mill-pond near Salisbury, Somerset county, Md. Sept. Mentha aquatica, L. Shores of Nanticoke River near Seaford, Delaware. Sept. Stems 3 to 4 feet long, decumbent, sending up erect flowering branches. Probably naturalized. Myosotis versicolor, Pers. Naturalized near Wilmington, Delaware. June. Heliotrophjm Curassavicpm, L. Shores of Chingoteague Bay. Doubtless indigenous. Alnus maritima, Muhl. ! in Herb, et Plant. Amer. Sept., MSS., vol. i. p. 193 ; Nutt., Sylva, vol. i. p. 34. Frequent in Sussex county, Delaware, and southward in Maryland. Flowering in September ! Specimens of this plant, consisting of small branches with leaves only, exist in the herbarium of Muhlenberg. In the Academy's herbarium there are specimens, collected by Dr. Pickering, with leaves and fruit. By last season's collections, the anomaly of a fall-flowering alder is brought to light. So singular a departure from the habit of the genus may well excite a doubt as to whether it is not a mere sport, or the precocious blooming of an ordinarily spring-flowering plant. Yet the observations made seem to preclude this idea. The plant was noticed at several stations over a range of fifty miles, and in the begin- ning of September was every where found in blossom. In going over much the same ground about the middle of the month, the sterile catkins had all fallen or withered ; and when again observed in the beginning of October, no preparation for spring flowering could be seen, although on A. serrulata the young catkins were already an inch long. Next season's observations will probably decide the question. This shrub, or small tree, attains the height of 16 to 18 feet, growing much like A. serrulata, but with a moie open habit, and with the bark lighter colored. The leaves are smooth and glossy, on longish petioles, not furrowed above, thick, and strongly veined beneath. Sterile catkins resembling those of A. incana, but the scales more glutinous. The glossy foliage and handsome sterile catkins (should they prove to be regularly produced in the fall), would make this a desirable shrub in lawns, &c Cephaloxys flabellata, Desv., (Juncus repens, Michx.) Low grounds near Salisbury and Snow Hill, Md. Sept. Eleocharis simplex, Torr. Common in low grounds in Sussex county, Dela- ware and in Maryland. Scirpus Canbyi, Gray, n. sp.* In a small stream and mill-pond east of Salis- * Dr. Gray has kindly furnished the following: "Scirpcs Canbyi, sp. nov. Culmo elato (3 5-pedali) folio praclongo eannliculato-triquetro Btipato interne obtuse trigono superne triquetro apiee ininvolucrum monophyllum pseudo-umbel- Um plurifloram longe superans desinente; umbella sossili dichotonio-composita; umbeUulis saepis- sime biradiatis involueellatis, radiis omnibus elongatis plerisque monostachyis ; spicis oblongis ; *quamis laxeimbricatis oblongo-ovatis acutiusculis dorso viridulis nervosis margiuibua late scari- osis pallidis ; setis perigynii 6 patnntim barbellatis achenium obovato-triquetrum subito rostella- tum paullo superantibus. " So distinct is this species that there is no other known to me with which it may be (.particularly compared, liy its mode of growth, triangular stem and erect one-leaved invo- lucre, appearing like a continuation of the naked stem, it would have to be referred to the section which contains S'. pungens. But the radical leaf is remarkably developed; the greenish spikes (half an inch long) of a very different aspect, all on long and slender rays. which come off in pairs (the first pair closely sessile at the base of the involucre) from the nodes of a zigzag rhachis, in the axil of a bract or involucel (the lowest of which resembles the .nvblucraa leaf only on a smaller scale, the others more reduced and scarious), and mostly accoiu- [J an. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 19 bury, Md., growing in water from six inches to two and a half feet deep. Stems throwing out scaly -jointed runners from the base, which take root at the joints, and sometimes produce a few delicate immersed leaves. Upper part of stem and leaves sharply triangular, the involucre channelled or bayonet-shaped, six to nine inches long. The credit of detecting this species belongs to my friend, Albert Commons, of Delaware, who accompanied me in one of my visits. Rhynchospora pallida, M. A. Curtis, Chapman's Flora, p. 527. Not un- common in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, especially near Quaker Bridge and Atsion. June and July. This has probably been overlooked, from its close external resemblance to R. alba, Vahl., but it is very distinct. Akistida lanata, Poir. Sandy soil near Salisbury, Md. October. The Librarian read his annual report for 1863, as follows : REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR 1863. The Librarian begs leave to report that, during the year just past, the follow- ing additions have been made to the Library, vfz : Folio 15; Quarto 282; Octavo 638; Duodecimo 16; Maps, &c, 15; Total 966. Of which there were Volumes 101; Tracts 850 ; Maps 15; Total 966. These have been received from the following sources : Editors 157 ; Authors 82 ; Societies 449 ; Maclure Fund 43 ; Library Fund 81 ; Dr. Wilson 124; Smithsonian Institution 4; J. P. Hall, 1 ; J. W. Dawson 1 ; A. D. Bache 1 ; Secretary of the Treasury 1 ; Asa Gray 1 ; R. L. Barnes 1 ; S. S. Garrigues 1 ; Dr. Hammond, U. S. A., 1 ; Geol. Survey of India 1 ; J. L. Darlington 1 ; New York State Library 10 ; New York State University 3 ; W. I. Kintsing 1 ; Isaac Lea 1 ; P. A. Dare 1 ; Total 966. These belong to the following departments, viz.: Journals 694 ; Bibliography 24 ; Agriculture 1 ; Languages 2 ; Geology 56 ; Ornithology 28 ; Botany 20 ; Physical Sciencel3 ; Conchology 19 ; Mammalogy 3; Biography 3; Gen. Nat. History 36 ; Mineralogy 2 ; Anatomy and Physi- ology 19 ; Entomology 29 ; Voyages and Travels 2 ; Herpetology 2 ; Medicine 3 ; Religion 1 ; Antiquities 2 ; Ichthyology 1 ; Helminthology 1 ; Chemistry 5 ; Total 966. All of which is respectfully submitted. J. D. Sergeant, Librarian, Pursuant to the By-Laws, an election of members of the Standing Committees for 1864 was held, as follows : ETHNOLOGY. BOTANY. J. A. Meigs, E. Durand, S. S. Haldeman, Joseph Carson, I. I. Hayes, Aubrey H. Smith. panied by an internal scarious bract ; and the scales of the spike are thin-membranaceous and greenish. Stamens 3. Bristles of the perigynium stout, beset with widely spreading or somewhat retrorse, weak, short hairs rather than barbs. Style 3-cleft. Achenium smooth, a line and a half long, triangular, with the inner face broadest; the broad and even retuse summit tipped with a ronspicuous, very abrupt and narrow beak At my especial request, I am permitted to charac- terize this species and to name it in honor of the collector, my valued correspondent, Mr. Canhy. I leave it to him to give an account of its mode of growth and general character/' A. Grav. 1864.] 20 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP CO MP. AN AT. AND GEN. ZOOLOGY. JosEpn Leidy, J. M. Corse, J. H. Slack. MAMMALOGY. J. H. Slack, John Cassin, J. L. LeConte. ORNITHOLOGY. John Cassin, S. W. Woodhouse, J. H. Slack. HERPETOLOGY $ ICHTHYOLOGY. E. D. Cope, R. Bridges, J. C. Morris. % CONCHOLOGY. T. A. Conrad, W. G. Binney, G. W. Tryon, Jr. ENTOMOLOGY AND CRUSTACEA. R. Bridges, E. T. Cresson, J. F. Knight. GEOLOGY. Isaac Lea, Charles E. Smith, J. P. Lesley. MINERALOGY. Wm. S. Vaux, J. C. Trautwine, T. D. Rand. PALAEONTOLOGY. Joseph Leidy, T, A. Conrad, J. L. Le Conte. PHYSICS. B. Howard Rand, Wm. M. Uhler, R. E. Rogers. LIBRARY. Wm. S. Vaux, Joseph Leidy, Joseph Jeanes. PROCEEDINGS. Joseph Leidy, Wm. S. Vaux, John Cassin, Thomas Stewardson, Robert Bridges. February 2d. Vice-President Vaux in the Chair. Twenty-one members present. The following were presented for publication : " Synoptical List of the Grouse," &c. By D. G. Elliott. "Synonymy of the Species of Strepomatidae, No. 2." By Geo. W. Tryon, Jr. February 9th. Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. Seventeen members present. February lQth. Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. Twenty-two members present. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 21 The Committee on Proceedings announced the publication of the Proceedings for December, 1863. Dr. Wilcox presented for publication a continuation of his paper for January 12th. February 23(Z. Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. Twenty-two members present. The following was presented and unanimously adopted : Resolved, That the specimens of antique art belonging to the Aca- demy be deposited in the Museum of the American Philosophical Society, provided that they shall be returned oh demand, and that the Curators of the Society shall give a receipt for the same to the Curators of the Academy. On report of the respective committees, the following were ordered to be published : The Crania of COLYMBUS TOBQUATTJS and C. ADAMSII compared. BY ELLIOTT COUES, M. D. I have already, in a previous paper,* presented the external characters of size, form, and color by which the C. Adamsii may be distinguished from the common C. torquatus. To more completely substantiate the claims of the former to specific distinction, which I understand is denied it by some orni- thologists, I have taken advantage of an opportunity of comparing the crania of the two species, to present the marked points of difference, as regards size and shape, which an examination of the skulls shows to exist. It is per- fectly easy to diagnose either species from the characters of their crania alone. As might be expected from the relative dimensions of the two birds, the cranium of C. Adamsii is considerably larger than that of C. torquatus. The difference is particularly striking in the length of the skull, taken as a whole, as well as in the longitudinal dimensions of its individual elements. The total length exceeds that of C. torquatus by fully an inch ; and the dif- ference in the length of particular bones, as the intermaxillary, palatals, malars, vomer, etc., is proportionately as much. In connection with this increase in the length of skull, there is to be taken into consideration another point, which confers upon the cranium of C. Adamsii a marked difference in general contour, viz., its remarkable narroioness. In width at the several points, the cranium by no means preponderates over that of C. torquatus in propor- tion to its marked difference in length. Thus, is diameter across the fronto- maxillary suture, or across the anterior or posterior orbital process, is, both absolutely and relatively, but little greater than that of C. torquatus, while across the mastoid processes the width is absolutely the same, and therefore relatively less in C. Adamsii. The external character, which is perhaps the most distinctive feature of C. Adamsii viz., the size and shape of the bill, corresponds, of course, to a like modification of the proportions of the intermaxillary and inferior maxillary bones. In fact, the difference in the relative proportions of the crania of the * Vide Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philada.. April, 1S62. p. 227. 1864.] 22 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP two birds is produced, in great measure, by the greater developement and somewbat different shape of these two bones. The discrepancies in length Lave already been adverted to. Those of sbape consist chiefly in the greater elevation of the apices of the inter- and infero-maxillary bones. The line formed by the mandibular ramus of the intermaxillary and the malar bone, is in torquatus a gentle curve, the concavity of which looks downwards ; in Adamsii it is a straight, line. The commissural edge of the inferior maxillary of torquatus is about straight as far as the angle of the jaw ; in Adamsii it is a gentle curve, whose concavity looks upwards. The greater production of the inter- and infero-maxillary bones makes their apices much more acute in Adamsii than in torquatus, while, at the same time, in consequence of the comparative narrowness of the skull of the former, the angle of divergence of the rami of these two bones is not greater, and the bill on this account no wider. The symphysis of the mandibular rami is longer in Adamsii than in torquatus, and the prominence at the angle of the jaw is more marked. In addition to the above, it may be said, in general terms, that the various ridges and depressions of the skull of Adamsii are more strongly marked than those of torquatus, corresponding to the superior size and muscularity of the former. The occipital protuberance and crest, the interparietal and the median frontal ridge are exceedingly prominent, while at the same time, the crotaphyte depression, the temporal and digastric fossae and the supra orbital fossae for the lodgement of the nasal glands are deep and well defined. The frontal bone of Adamsii rises more rapidly than that of torquatus, leaving a deeper fossa at the fronto-maxillary suture, and also producing chiefly the difference which exists in the absolute height of the two crania. I append the detailed comparative measurements of the most important di- mensions of the skulls of the two birds, which will show at a coup d'aiil the absolute and relative difference in size and shape. Notice particularly the great discrepancies in the longitudinal dimensions as compared with the slight difference in the several transverse measurements. Comparative Measurements. Length from apex of intermaxillary to occipital protuberance " " " fronto-maxillary suture- " " " anterior orbital process " " " posterior do. do. " " " apex of 08 lachrym " '< " nasal foramen " " " maxillo-malar suture " " " tympano-malar artie " " " apex of yomer " " " posterior end of palatals- " of inferior maxillary " of symphysis of inferior maxillary " from apex of inferior maxillary to angle of jaw " of nasal foramen Width of skull across fronto maxillary suture " " " anterior orbital processes " " " posterior do. do. - " " " mastoid processes Greatest height of skull (without lower jaw) ' depth of inferior maxillary * English inches and hundredths. C. torquatus. C. Adamsii. 5-80* 6-80 3-25 415 3-65 440 4-S5 5-75 3-65 4-40 165 205 2-90 3-55 5-30 6-20 2-60 320 4-50 5- 10 6-60 660 M0 1-40 4 20 5-00 1-20 1-40 80 90 1-08 1-20 1-95 200 1-35 1-35 1-50 1-70 70 80 [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 23 Bemarks upon a Proposed Arrangement of the Family of GROUSE, and New Genera added. BY D. G. ELLIOT. It has seemed to me advisable to give in a condensed form, before treating the subject in a more elaborate manner in my forthcoming Monograph, the results of my investigations, and the arrangement I would propose for the Grouse Family. Tetrao, than which no generic term has been more abused in its %pplica- tion, for it appears to have been indiscriminately given to any gallinaceous bird, strictly belongs only to Urog alius and Urogalloides. The former is the typical Tetrao, as instituted by Linnaeus, and possesses the beard-like append- age observed, save in its near ally, in no other bird of this family. America has no representative of this genus, the nearest approach to it perhaps, in the form of the tail and general appearance, being the bird com- monly known as Tetrao obscurus; but it would seem that, excepting the single species of Bonasa sylvestris, no European grouse can be considered as included even in the same genus with those inhabiting the New World. I would state here, that I am not now speaking of the Lagopidae, for I do not consider them as strictly grouse. The synoptical list that I would, there- fore, propose for this portion of the Tetronidae, is as follows : 1st. The Genus Tetrao confined to Europe and Asia ; comprising T. uro- gallus and T urogalloides. 2d. Centrocercus confined to America ; comprising C. urophasianus. 3d. Lgrurus confined to Europe ; comprising L. tetrix. For the next group, as its members appear to possess sufficient characters to distinguish the species from the commonly known T. Canadensis, in hav- ing gular sacks, the extraordinary number of twenty feathers in the tail, instead of sixteen, I would propose the term th. Dendragapus confined to America ; comprising D. obscurus and Rich- ardscnii. 5th. Canace confined to America ; comprising C. Canadensis and C. Frank- linii. 6th. I would propose, as a generic term, founded upon the peculiar forma- tion of its primary feathers, the specific appellation Falcipennis confined to Asia, and in compliment to its discoverer Hartlaubii. 1th. Cupidonia confined to America ; comprising C. cupido. 8th. Fedisecseles confined to America ; comprising P. columbianus and P. phasianellus. 9th. Bonasa Europe and America ; comprising B. umbellus, B. umbelloides, B. sylvestris, and B. sabini. Tetrao derbianus (Gould), appears to be identical with the common tetrix. This opinion is formed upon a specimen, kindly sent to me by Mr. Gould, which he thinks is the same as the type. The latter is now in the Liverpool Museum. I can discover no difference between this example and the usual style of T. tetrix, except that the tail is a trifle longer ; but as this varies considerably among the Black Grouse, I have deemed it advisable to consider the genus Lyrurus as possessed of but one species. 1864.] 24 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP Synonymy of the Species of STREPOMATIDJE, a Family of Fluviatile Kollnsca inhabiting North America. Part 2. BY GEORGE W. TRYON, JR. Goniobasic Section. Genus GONIOBASIS, Lea. GoniobaSis, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 262, May, 1862. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 217, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 39. Ceriphasia, Swainson, (sp.) H. and A. Adams, Genera i. p. 298, Feb. 1854. Chenu, Man. de Conchyl. i. p. 290, 1859. Pachycheilus, Lea, (sp.) H. and A. Adams, Genera i. p. 298, Feb. 1854. Potaduma, Swainson, (sp.) II. and A. Adams, Genera i. p. 299, Feb. 1854. Chenu, Man. de Conchyl. i. p. 290, 1859. Elimia, (sp.) H. and A. Adams, Genera i. p. 300, Feb. 1854. Chenu, Man. de Conchyl. i. p. 290, 1859. Melasma, (sp.) H. and A. Adams, Genera i. p. 300, Feb. 1854. Chenu, Man. de Conchyl. i. p. 292, 1859. Hemisinus, Swainson, (sp.) H. and A. Adams, Genera i. p. 302, Feb. 1854. Juga, (sp.) H. and A. Adams, Genera i. p. 304, Feb. 1854. Chenu, Man. de Conchyl. i. p. 293, 1859. Megara, (sp.) H. and A. Adams, Genera i. p. 306, Feb. 1854. Chenu, Man. de Conchyl. i. p. 293, 1859. Pleurocera, Rafinesque, Haldeman, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 274, 1863. Mclania, (sp.) Auct.* Species. A. Shell spirally ridged. 1. G. procissa, Anthony. f Melania procissa, Anthony, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y. vi. p. 109, t. 3, f. 9, March, 1854. Binney, Check List, No. 218. Brot, List, p. 59. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 342. B. Shell tuberculate or nodulous. 2. G. g r a t i o s a, Lea. Melania gratiosa, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p, 122, May, 1861. Goniobasis gratiosa, Lea, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 241, t. 35, f. 43, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 63. 2a. G. la chry m a, Anthony. J Melania lachryma, Anthony, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 473, May, 1S61. Brot, List, p. 32. 3. G. g i b b e r o s a, Lea. Goniobasis gibberosa, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 266, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 312, t. 37, f. 155, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 134, t. 37, f. 155. * Mr. Lea is the first naturalist who has properly defined this genus, and his name Goniobasis must therefore stand, in preference to any of the prior names given to artificial sections by the Messrs. Adams. Of course these gentlemen are wrong in including species of this genus in the genera Pachy- chet'ius, Ceriphasia, Potadoma and Hemisinus, which are all intended to embrace very different groups of species. Prof. Haldeman is also mistaken in placing here the Pleurocera of Rafinesque, a genus which undoubtedly = Trypanosoma, Lea. f This may be only an elevated form of Anculosa canalifera, Anthony. % This species and the preceding {gratiosa) are identical. Both descriptions bear the same date of publication, and I am therefore unable to decide which has priority. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 25 4. G. n u b i 1 a, Lea.* Melania nubila, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 118, 1861. Goniobasis nubila, Lea, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 235, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 57. 5. G. v a r i an s, Lea.f Melania various, Lea, Proc, Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 120, 1861. Goniobasis varians, Lea, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 219, t. 34, f. 2, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 41. 6. G. H y d e i i, Conrad. Mdania Hydeii, Conrad, New Fresh- Water Shells, p. 50, t. 8, f. 1, 1834. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 248. DeKay, Moll. N. York, p. 93. Wheat- ley, Cat. Shells U. S. p. 25. Binney, Check List, No. 141. Melania Hydei, Conrad, Jay, Cat. Shells, 4th edit. p. 273. Brot, List, p. 32. Hanley, Conch. Misc. t. 1, f. 3. Melania Hydii, Conrad, Catlow, Conch. Nomene. p. 187. 7. G. decorata, Anthony. Melania decorata, Anthony, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 55, Feb. 1860. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 251. Binney, Check List, No. 86. Brot, List, p. 32. Goniobasis Trijoniana,% Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 272, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 342, t. 38, f. 207, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 164, t. 38, f. 207. Goniobasis granata, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 272, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 343, t. 38, f. 209, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 165. 8. G. caelatura, Conrad. Melania ccelatura, Conrad, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. iv. p. 154, Feb. 1849. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. i. pt. 4, p. 278, t. 38, f. 3, Jan. 1850. Binney, Check List, No. 58. Brot, List, p. 32. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 245. Goniobasis Steivardsoniana, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 272, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 344, t. 38, f. 210, March, 1S63. Obs. ix. p. 166. Goniobasis Tryoniana, Lea, Description in part. 9. G. o c c a t a, Hinds. Melania occata, Hinds, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xiv. p. 9. Zool. Voy. Sulphur. Mollusca, ii. p. 56, t. 15, f. 5. Catlow, Conch. Nomene. p. 188. Brot, List, p. 34. Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 81, April, 1856. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 267. Juga occata, Hinds, Chenu, Man. de Cohchyl. i. f. 2016. Melania Shastaensis,\\ Lea, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 318. 10. G. c a t e n a r i a, Say. Melania catenaria, Say, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. ii. p. 379, Dec. 1822. Binney, Reprint, p. 111. Binney, Check List, No. 52. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 336. DeKay, Moll. N. York, p. 93. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S. p. 24. Gibbes, Rep't. S. Carolina, p. 19. Jay, Cat. 4th edit. p. 273. Catlow, Conch. Nomene. p. 185. Brot, List, p. 34. * Closely allied to G. oliva, Lea, but is larger, longer and tuberculate. t Nearly always tuberculate, and shouldered below the sutures. % G. decorata is a young shell, and, as is usual in this group, is sharply angulated at the peri- phery. G. granata represents a half grown shell, and here the angle is almost obsolete, while G . Tryoniana is the mature form. The entire identity of these several descriptions is proved by a series of over two hundred specimens before me, Mr. lasts figure of Tryoniana belongs here, but his description of that species is made to include the uext species, caelatura, Cunr. The green variety of granata is a shell of much heavier texture, and may prove distinct. Half grown shell of caelatura. || The Shastaensis of Mr. Lea is a very different shell, and certainly ought never to have been confounded with this species, which it does not resemble in any particular. 1864.] 2S PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP Melanin suLUrata* Conrad, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. 2d ser. i. pt. 4, p. 277, t. 38, f. 1, Jan. 1850. Brot, List, p. 37. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 339. Melania Floridensis,\ Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 334. Brot, List, p. 34. 11. G. catenoides,t Lea. Melania cateuaria, Lea, Proc. Philos. Soc. i. p. 289. Oct. 1840, (preoc.) Melania catenoides, Lea, Philos. Trans, viii. p. 228, t. 6, f. 60. Obs. iii. p. 66. DeKay, Moll. N. Y. p. 101. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S. p. 24. Jay, Cat., 4th edit., p. 273. Binney, Check List, No. 53. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc. p. 185. Brot, List, p. 34. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 298. Elimia catenoides, Lea, Chenu, Man. de Conchyl. i. f. 1982. 12. G. Etowahensis, Lea. Melania Etowahensis, Lea, Reeve, Monog. Mel. sp. 426, May, 1861. Brot, List, p. Goniobasis Canbyi, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 271, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 340, t. 38, f. 204, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 162. 13. Gr. H al 1 enbe ck i i, Lea.|| Goniobasis Hallenbeckii, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 271, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 339, t. 38, f. 203, March, 1863. Obs., ix. p. 161. Melania Hallenbeckii, Lea, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 332. 14. Gk Boykiniana, Lea. Melania Boykiniana, Lea, Proc. Philos. Soc. i. p. 289, Oct. 1840. Philos. Trans, viii. p. 228, t. 6, f. 59. Obs. iii. p. 66. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 100. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S. p. 24. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 77. Jay, Cat. Shells, 4th edit. p. 273. Binney, Check List, No. 37. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 185. Brot, List, p. 34. Elimia Boykiniana, Lea, Chenu, Man. de Conchyl. i. f. 1978. 15. G. Bentoniensis, Lea.^ Goniobasis Bentoniensis, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 271, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 336, t. 38, f. 198, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 158. 16. G. papillosa, Anthony. Melania papillosa, Anthony, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 467, May, 1861. Brot, List, p. 34. Goniobasis Downieana, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 272, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 341, t. 38, f. 206, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 163. 17. G. Couperii, Lea. Goniobasis Couperii, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 271, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 341, t. 38, f. 205, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 163. 18. G. inclinans, Lea. Goniobasis inclinans, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 267, 1S62. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 318, t. 37, f. 166, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 140. * 1 1 have seen several author's examples of catenaria, and they uniformly represent shells not adult. As 1 have not seen specimens of suhlirata an I Floridensis, I rely on the figures and des- criptions only, in considering them to be the adults of the same species. J G. catenoides may prove to be a variety only of catenaria and I at first un'ted them,but I have recently come to the conclusion that they are distinct species, though nearly allied. f) I presume it was Mr. Lea*s first intention to describe this species under the name of Etowah- ensis, as a specimen is before me which that gentlemen sent to Mr. Anthony under that name. This verj specimen was sent to Mr. Ueeve and published by him, prior to the publication of Can- byi by Mr. Lea. It is extremely difficult to distinguish this species from varieties of papillosa, Anth. || Dr. Brot considers this a synonym of Boykiniana, but it is Very different. ^[ Doubtfully distinct from papillosa, Anth. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 27 19. G. Postellii, Lea. Melania Postellii, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. p. 166, July, 1858. Binney, Check List, No. 214. Brot, List, p. 34. Melania Portellii, Lea, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 427. Goniobasis Postellii, Lea, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 343, t. 38, f. 208, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 165. 20. G. a r a c h n o i d e a, Anthony. Melania arachnoidea, Anthony, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., vi. p. 95, t. 2, f. 14, March, 1854. Binney, Check List, No. 19. Brot, List, p. 34. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 83. Melania intertexta, Anthony,* Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 62, February, 1860. Binney, Check List, No. 151. Brot, List, p. 34. Reeve, Monog. Me- lani, sp. 296. 21. G. Conradi, Brot.f Melania Conradi, Brot, List, p. 36. Melania symmetrica, Conrad, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., iv. p. 155, Feb., 1849. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci., i. pt. 4, p. 278, t. 38, f. 5, Jan., 1850. Binney, Check List, No. 260. 22. G. c a r ini f era, Lam. Melania carinifera, Lamarck, Anim. sans Vert. Deshayes, Anim. sans Vert., 2d edit., viii. p. 433. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 24. Bin- ney, Check List, No. 48. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 185. Brot, List, p. 36. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 273. Melania bella,% Conrad, New Fresh-Water Shells, Appendix, p. 6, t. 9, f. 4, 1834. Binney, Check List, No. 29. Brot, List, p. 36. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 269. Melania perangulata, Conrad, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., iv. p. 154, Feb., 1849. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., i. pt. 4, p. 278, t. 38, f. 6. Binney, Check List, No. 199. Brot, List, p. 36. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 285. Melania percarinata, Conrad. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., iv. p. 155, Feb., 1849. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., 2d ser., i. pt. 4, p. 278, t. 38, f. 10. Binney, Check List, No. 200. Brot, List, p. 36. Melania nebidosa, Conrad, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., iv. p. 155, Feb., 1849. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., i. pt. 4, p. 278, t. 38, f. 9. Binney, Check List, No. 172. Brot, List, p. 36. Melania bella-crenata, Haldeman, Monog. Limniades, No. 4, p. 3 of cover, Oct. 5, 1841. Jay, Cat., 4th ed., p. 273. Binney, Check List, No. 30. Brot, List, p. 36. Melania monilijera, Anthony, Jay, Cat., 4th ed., p. 474. C. Shell plicate. 23. G. obesa, Anthony. Melania obesa, Anthony, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 469, May, 1861. Brot, List, p. 33. 24. G. bland a, Lea. Melania blanda, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 122, 1861. Goniobasis blanda, Lea, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 242, t. 35, f. 44, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 64, t. 35, f. 44. * Half-grown shell. t Dr. Brot proposed the name Conradi for this species, as symmetrica is preoccupied by Prof. Haldeman. I doubt whether it is distinct from G. carinifera, Lam. 1 That all the species here quoted are synonyms of carinifera does not admit of doubt. The species is rather a variable one in respect of proportions and ornamentation. "2 The name of this species must be changed because preoccupied by Mr. Lea himself. 1864.] 28 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP 25. G. substricta, Haldeman.* Melania substricta, Haldeman, Monog. Limniades, vii. p. 4 of cover, Jany., 1844. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 27. Binney, Check List, No. 256. Brot, List, p. 36. 26. G. aequali s, Haldeman. f Melania (tgnalis, Haldeman, Monog. Limniades, No. 4, p. 3 of cover, Oct. 5, 1841. Jay, Cat , 4th ed., p. 272. Binney, Check List, No. 7. 27. G. semigradata, Reeve. Malania semigradata, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 472, May, 1861. Brot, List, p. 33. 28. G. carino c ost at a, J Lea. Melania earinocostata, Lea, Philos. Proc, iv. p. 165, 1845. Philos. Trans., x. p. 62, t. 9, f. 40. Obs. iv. p. 62. Binney, Check List, No. 49. Brot, List, p. 35, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 333. Goniobasis slrenua, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 267, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 316, t. 37, f. 161, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 138. Goniobasis Leidyana, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 268, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 322, t. 38, f. 173, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 144. Melania scabrella, Anthony, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 388. Melania scabriuscula, Brot, List, p. 36. 29. G. Lecontiana, Lea. Melania Lecontiana, Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 13, Feb. 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p. 177, t. 5, f. 29. Dekay, Moll. N. York, p. 96. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 26. Brot, List, p. 35. Jay, Cat., 4th edit., p. 274. Binney, Check List, No. 160. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 187. Melasma Lecontiana, Lea, Chenu, Man. Conchy 1., i. f. 2002. 30. G. cadu s, Lea. || Goniobasis cadus, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 272, 1S62. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 345, t. 38, f. 211, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 167. 31. G. o b t u s a, Lea.ir Melania obtusa, Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 13, Feb., 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p. 176, t. 5, f. 28. Obs. iii. p. 14. Dekay, Moll. New York, p. 96. Binney, Check List, No. 183. Troost, Cat. Shells Tennessee. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 26. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 188. Brot, List, p. 59. 32. G. amoena, Lea. Goniobasis amazna, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 268, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 323, t. 38, f. 175, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 145, t. 38, f. 175. 33. G. Tuomeyi, Lea. Goniobasis Tuomeyi, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 266, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 311, t. 37, f. 153, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 133. * Somewhat like gracilis, Lea, but is a stouter, more ponderous species. f Allied to earinocostata. Lea, but in that species the plicae are terminated by an acute angle or rib on the body whorl and the spire is angled or carinate. % A very variable species. The M. scabrella of Anthony is a half-grown shell ; in which state the plicae and carinas are more dibtinct than in the adult form. Scabrella being preoccupied by an European author, M. Brot changed the name to scabriuscula. \ Mr. Reeve's fissure 404 does not represent this species ; it is nearer to decorata, Anthony. TLis shell is closely allied to earinocostata and squalis. || Allied to G. obtusa, but appears to differ in not being so closely plicate as that species. It may possibly = Lecontiana. 1 Is this the young shell of cadus or earinocostata t [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 29 34. G. Christy i, Lea. Goniobasis Christyi, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Soi., p. 269, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 328, t. 38, f. 185, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 150. Goniobasis instabilis, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 269, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 329, t. 38, f. 186, March, 1863. Obs. ix, p. 151. 35. G. int erven iens, Lea.* Goniobasis interveniens, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 268, 1862. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 320, t. 38, f. 169, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 142. 36. G. olive 11a, Lea. Goniobasis olivella, Lea, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 269, 1862. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 327, t. 38, f. 182, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 149. 37. G. interrupt a, Haldeman. Melania interrupta, Haldeman, Supplement to No. 1, Monog. Limniades, Oct. 1840. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 25. Jay, Cat., 4t edit., p. 274. Brot, List, p. 34. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 398. Goniobasis ornatella, Lea, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 269, 1862. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 326, t. 38, f. 181, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 148. 38. G. cr is pa, Lea.j Goniobasis crispa, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 269, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 326, t. 38, f. 180, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 148. 39. G. f orm osa, Conrad. $ Melania formosa, Conrad, New Fresh- Water Shells, Appendix, p. 5, t. 9, f. 3, 1834. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 25. Binney, Check List. No. 112. Melania formosa, Anthony, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 387. Brot, List, p. 35. 40. G. mediocris, Lea. Goniobasis mediocris, Lea, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 269, 1862. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 326, t. 3S, f. 179, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 148. 41. G vesicula, Lea. Melania vesicula, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 118, 1861. Goniobasis vesicula, Lea, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 242, t. 35, f. 45, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 64. 42. G. Duttonii, Lea. Goniobasis Duttonii, Lea, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 266, 18$2. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 314, t. 37, f. 158, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 136. 43. G. laqueata, Say. Melania laqueata, Say, New Harmony Disseminator, p. 275, September, 1829. Say's Reprint, p. 17. American Conchology, No. 5, t. 47, f. 1. Binney's edition, pp. 143 and 200. Binney, Check List, No. 158. De- Kay, Moll. New York, p. 97. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 25. Jay, Cat., 4th ed., p. 274. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 2S1, 288? Brot, List, p. 35. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 187. * Very like Currcyana, Lea, in the plicae, but differs in form, f More convex and with more regular striae than G. nassulu, Conrad. t Close to 6. nassula, Conrad, but is striate, and the aperture is more rounded. | Differs from G. Tiwmeyi, Lea, in the form ot' the aperture. The specimens before me are not all two-bande I, some of them being without bands, and of a light yellowish color, 1864.] 30 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP Melania monozonalis, * Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 13, February, 1841. Philos , Trans., viii. p. 178, t. 6, f. 31. Obs. iii. p. 16. DeKay, Moll. New York, p. 96. Binney, Check List, No. 168. Troost, Cat. Shells Ten- nessee. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 26. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 187. Brot, List, p. 40. 44. G. P y b a s i i, Lea. Goniobasis Pi/basii, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 266, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci.,' v. pt. 3, p. 313, t. 37, f. 157, March, 1863. Obs., ix. p. 135, t. 37, f. 157. 45. G. indu t a, Lea. Goniobasis induta, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 267, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 319, t. 37, f. 166, March, 1863. Obs., ix. p. 141. 46. G. vers i pell i s,f Anthony. Melania versipdlis, Anthony, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 60, February, 1860, Binney, Check List, No. 286. Brot, List, p. 59. Keeve, Monog. Me- lania, sp. 436. 47. G. g r a c i 1 i s, % Lea. Melania gracilis, Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 12, Feb. 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p. 168, t. 5, f. 11. Obs. iii. p. 6. DeKay, Moll. N. York, p. 94. Troost, Cat. Shells Tenn. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 25. Bin- ney, Check List, No. 128. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 187. Brot, List, p. 38. Potadoma gracilis, Lea, Chenu, Manuel de Conchyl., i. f. 1968. 48. G. paucicosta, Anthony. Melania paucicosta, Anthony, Proc Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 57, February, 1860. Binney, Check List, No. 198. Brot, List, p. 36. Reeve, Monog. Me- lania, sp. 255. 49. G. tenebrosa, Lea. Melania tenebrosa, Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 13, February, 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p. 176, t. 5, f. 26. Obs. iii. p. 14. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 95. Troost, Cat. Shells Tenn. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 27. Binney, Check List, No. 267. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 189. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 443. Brot, List, p. 39. 50. G. coracina, Anthony. Melania coracina, Anthony, Bost. Proc, iii. p. 361, Dec, 1850. Binney, Check List, No. 67. Brot, List, p. 58. Melania Sellersiana, Lea, Philos. Trans-, x. p. 299, t. 30, f. 8. Obs., v. p. 55. Binney, Check List, No. 239. 51. G. i nt er s i ta, Haldeman. Melania intersita, Haldeman, Monog. Limniades, No. 4, p. 4 of cover, Dec 28, 1841. Binney, Check List, No. 150. Brot, List, p. 35. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 376. 52. G. colnmell a, Lea. Melania columella, Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 13, Feb., 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p. 179, t. 6, f. 33. Obs. iii. p. 17. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 96. Binney, Check List, No. 60. Troost, Cat. Shells Tenn. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 24. Catlow, Conuh. Nomenc, p. 186. Brot, List, p. 35. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 441. This is ouly a rather wide, young specimen of laqueata, as I have ascertained by the inspection of some hundreds of specimens of that species. t Versipdlis resembles a young laqueata, but its texture is rruite heavy although small. j Described by Mr. Lea as a smooth species, but among a hundred perfect specimens before me, oyer eighty are more or less plicate on the spire. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 31 53. G. bland a, Lea. Melania blanda, Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 13, Feb. 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p. 79, t. 6, f. 34. Obs. iii. p. 17. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 97. Binney, Check List, No. 36. Troost, Cat. Shells Tennessee. Wheat- ley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 24. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 185. Brot, List, p. 35. 54. G. nit e n s, Lea. Melania nitida* Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 14, February, 1841. Melania nitens, Lea, Philos. Trans., viii. p. 182, t. 6, f. 40. Obs. iii. p. 20. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 98. Binney, Check List, No. 178. Troost, Cat. Shells Tennessee. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 26. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 187. Brot, List, p. 36. 55. G. mutata, Brot. Melania Deshayesiana,] Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 27^ September, 1860. Melania mutata, Brot, List, p. 37. 56. Gr. suturalis, Haldeman. Melania suturalis, Haldeman, Suplement to Monog. Limniades, No. 1, Oct., 1840. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 27. Jay, Cat., 4th ed., p. 275. 57. G-. m u t a b i 1 i s,t Lea. Goniobasis mutabilis, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 270, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 331, t. 38, f. 189, March, 1863. Obs., ix. p. 153. 58. G. V i e n n a e n s i s, Lea. Goniobasis Viennaensis, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 267, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 315, t. 37, f. 160, March, 1863. Obs., ix. p. 137. 59. Q. Curreyana, Lea. Goniobasis Curreyana, Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 13, Feb. 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p. ISO, t. 6, f. 36. Obs., iii. p 18. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 25. Binney, Check List, No. 7f. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 97. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 286. Troost, Cat. Shells, Tennessee. Cat- low, Conch. Nomenc, p. 186. Brot. List, p. 35. Melasma Curreyana, Lea, Chenu, Man. de Conchyl. i. f. 2003. 60. G. c os t if era, Haldeman. Melania costifera, Haldeman, Monog. Melania., No. 2, p. 3 of Cover, Jan. 1841. Binney, Check List, No. 72. Brot, List, p. 34. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 440. 61. G. Deshayesiana, Lea. Melania plic. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 43 167. G. c i n er e a, Lea. Uoniobasis cinerea, Lea, Proc. Aad. Nat. Sci., p. 265, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 306, t. 37, f. 145. Obs. ix. p. 128. 168. G. gracilior, Anthony. Melania gracilis,* Anthony, Cover of No. 4. Haldeman's Monog. Limniades, Dec. 28, 1841. Shells of Cincinnati, 1st Edit. Newberry, Proc. Amer- ican Association for Adv. of Science, v. p. 105. Jay, Cat. 4th Edit., p. 273. Melania gracilior, Anthony, Ann. N. Y, Lye. Nat. Hist. vi. p. 129, t. 1, f. 5, 1854. Higgins, Cat. p. 7. Binney, Check List, No, 127. Reeve, Mo- nog. Melania, sp. 244. Melania gracilis, Lea, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 369. 169. G. Etowahensis,f Lea. Goniobasis Elowahensis, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 264, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 299, t. 37, f. 133, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 170. G. translucens, Anthony, (MSS.) 171. G. ovoidea,J Lea. Melania ovoidea, Lea, Philos. Proc. iv. p. 167, Aug. 1845. Philos. Trans., x. p. 61, t. 9, f, 38. Obs. iv. p. 61. Binney, Check List, No. 193. Brot, List, p. 38. 172. G. grata, Anthony. Melania grata, Anthony, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 61, Feb. 1860. Binney, Check List, No. 131. Brot, List, p. 34. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp 433. Goniobasis Prairiensis,$ Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat, Sci., p. 264, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sc, v. pt. 3, p, 299, t. 37, f. 132., Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 121. 173. G. quadricincta, Lea, (MSS). 174. G. f 1 a v a , Lea. Goniobasis fiava, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 264, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 303, t. 37, f. 139, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 125. 175. G. tenebrovittata, Lea. Goniobasis tenebrovittata, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 264, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 301, t. 37, f. 136, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 123. 176. G. ten era, Anthony. Melania tcnera,\\ Anthony, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 407, Apr. 1861. Brot, List, p. 39. Goniobasis Brumbyi, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 263, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 296, t. 37, f. 127, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 118. G. spnrca,| Lea. Melania spurca, Lea, Philos, Proc. iv. p. 166, Aug. 1845. Philos. Trans., x. p. 59, t. 9, f. 31. Obs. iv. p. 59. Binney, Check List, No. 248. Brot, List, p. 31. 178. G. Elliottii, Lea. Goniobasis Elliottii, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 27l, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p 338, t. 38, f. 201, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 160. * Preoccupied by Mr. Lea. t Preoccupied for a nodose species, also from Georgia. IMr. Reeve's figure 405, intended for this species, represents a species of I/ith a. ii'a. \ Mr. Lea described this species under the misapprehension that the wider shell, which he now proposes to call quadricincta, was the species described as grata by Mr. Anthony, whereas, Mr. Anthony's types are of the narrow form. || G. tenera is the young shell. If Mr. Reeve's figure 340 does not represent this species. 1864.] 44 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 179. G. pallescens, Lea. Melania pallesccns, Lea, Philos. Proc. iv. p. 166, Aug. 1845. Philos. Trans., x. p. 63, t. 9, f. 43. Obs. iv. p. 63. Binney, Check List, No. 196. Brot, List, p. 31. Goniobasis inosculata* Lea, Proc. Acad, Nat. Sci., p. 270, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 334, t. 38, f. 195, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 156. 180. G. parva, Lea. Goniobasis parva, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 264, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 297, t. 37, f. 129, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 119. 181. G. Ocoeensis,f Lea. Melania Ocoeensis, Lea, Philos. Proc. ii. p. 12, Feb. 1841. Philos. Trans., viii., p. 169, t. 5, f. 13. Obs. Hi. p. 7. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 94. Troost, Cat. Shells Tennessee. Brot, List, p. 38. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 26. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc. p. 188. Melania Ocoensis, Lea, Binney, Check List, No. 186. Fotadoma Ocoensis, Lea, Chenu. Man. de Conch, i. f. 1969. 182. G. Anthonyi, Lea. Goniobasis Anthonyi, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.,p 264, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 303, t. 37, f. 140, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 125. 183. G. Cahawbensis, Lea. Melania Cahawbensis, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 121, 1861. Goniobasis Cahawbensis, Lea, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 223, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 45. 184. G. E sta broo ki i, Lea. Goniobasis Estabrookii, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 264, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 298, t. 37, f. 131, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 120. 185. G. Gabbiana, Lea. Goniobasis Gabbiana, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 265, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 304, t. 37, f. 141, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 126. 186. G. sub sol id a, J Lea. Melania subsolida, Philos. Proc. ii. p. 12, Feb. 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p. 168, t. 5, f. 12. Obs. iii. p. 6. Troost, Cat. Shells Tenn. Binney, Check List, No. 255. "Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 27. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 94. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc. p. 188. Brot, List, p. 39. Melania sordida, Lea, Philos. Proc. ii. p. 12, Feb. 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p. 170 t. 5. f. 15. Obs., iii. p. 8. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 94. Reeve, Mo- nog. Melania, sp. 449. Jay, Cat. 4th Edit., p. 275. Troost, Cat. Shells Tennessee. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc. p. 188. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 27. Binney, Check List, No. 246. Brot, List, p. 33. Fotadoma sordida, Lea, Chenu, Manuel de Conchyl. i. f. 1971. Melania perfusca, Lea, Philos. Proc. ii. p. 82, Oct. 1841. Philos. Trans., ix. p. 18. Obs. iv. p. 18. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 26. Jay, Cat. 4th Edit., p. 274. Binney, Check List, No. 201. Brot, List, p. 31. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 354. Melania incurta, Anthony, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 300. Brot, List, p. 38. 187. G. cl a v ae f o r m i s , Lea. Melania clavieformis , Lea, Philos. Proc. ii. p. 12, Feb. 1841. Philos. Trans, viii. p. 168, t. 5, f. 10. Obs., iii. p. 6. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 93. Jay, Cat. 4th Edit., p. 273. Troost, Cat. Shells Tennessee. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 25. Reeve, Monog. Melaina, sp. 396. Binney, Check List, No. 57. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 186. Brot, List, p. 37. *I regard this as the half grown shell of pallescens, f Mr. Reeve's figure 335 does not represent this species. j An extensive suite of specimens before me, furnished through the kindness of Messrs. Gould and Haldeman, convinces me that the above descriptions all apply to one variable species. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 45 188. G. castanea, Lea. Melania castanea, Lea, Philos. Proc ii. p. 11. Pbilos. Trans., viii., p. 164, t. 5. f. 2. Obs, iii. p. 2. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 92. Troost, Cat. Shells Tennessee. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 24. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 337. 189. G. Cumberlandiensis, Lea. Goniobasis Cumberlandiensis, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 155, May, 1863. 190. G. funebralis,* Anthony. Melania funebralis, Anthony, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 56, Feb. 1860. Binney, Check List, No. 114. Brot, List, p. 38. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 372. 191. G. adusta, Anthony. Melania adnata, Anthony, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 55, Feb. 1860. Binney, Check List, No. 2. Brot, List, p. 37. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 338. 192. G. furva, Lea. Melania furva, Lea, Philos. Trans., x. p. 299, t. 30, f. 7. Obs., v. p. 55. Bin- ney, Check List. No. 115. Brot, List, p. 38. 193. G. dubiosa,Lea. Melania dubia,f Lea, Philos. Proc. ii. p. 11, Feb. 1841. Melania dub iosa, Lea, Philos. Trans., viii. p. 166, t. 5, f. 6. Obs. iii. p. 4. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 93. Binney, Check List, No. 91. Troost Cat. Shells Tennessee. "Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 25. Jay, Cat. 4th Edit., p. 273. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc. p. 186. Brot, List, p. 37. 194. G. laevigata, J Lea. Melania lavis, Lea, Philo9. Proc. ii. p. 237, Dec. 1842. Philos. Trans., viii. p. 248. Obs. ii. p. 86. Melania laevigata, Lea, Proc. Philos. Soc. ii. p. 237. Philos. Trans., vii. p. 165, t. 5, f. 3. Obs. iii. p. 3. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 26. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc. p. 187. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 459. Melania Leaii, Brot, List, p. 34. 195. G. i n t e r 1 i n e at a , Anthony, (MSS.) 196. G. h i o e n s i s , Lea. Goniobasis Ohioensis, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 265, 1852. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 306, t. 37, f. 144. Obs. ix. p. 128. 197. G. brevispira, Anthony. Melania brevispira, Anthony, Bost. Proc. iii. p. 361, Dec. 1850. Binney, Check List, No. 39. Jay, Cat. 4th Edit., p. 474. Brot, List, p. 37. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 263. 198. S. s e ra ic a r in ata ,|| Say. Melania semicarinata, Say, New Harmony Disseminator, p. 261. Reprint, p. 16. American Conchology, Part 5, t. 47, f. 4. Binney 's Reprint, p. 142,200. Binney, Check List, No. 240. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 100. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 368. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S. p. 27. Jay, Cat. Shells 4th Edit., p. 275. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 188. Brot, List, p. 38. Kennicott, Trans. Ills. State Agricul. Soc. p. 595. * Narrower and more lengthened than the nearly allied G. adusta. It has not the pale yellow- ish Butural band of that species. f Preoccupied. 1 1 doubt whether this is niore than an immature stage of dubiosa. | Proposed by Mr. Brot, because beeigata is preoccupied in Melania; but that name must stand, as it is not preoccupied in Goniobasis. j| The shells included in the above extensive synonymy present some variation in form and co- loration, but in an examination of several thousand specimens I was unable to separate the so- called species satisfactorily. G. semicarinata. Say, is the young shell, which, when old, varies in form, being narrow in angustispira and exilis, and broader in the other synonyms. The species inhabits an extensive range of country. 1864.] 46 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP Melania anaustispira, Anthony, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 55, Feb. I860. Bin- ney, Check List, No. 16. Brot, List, p. 37. Melania angusta, Anthony, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 359. * Melania exilic, Haldeman, suppl. to No. 1 Monog, Limniades, Oct. 1840. Melania rufula, Haldeman, Monog. Limniades, No. 2, p. 3 of Cover, January, 1841. Binney, Check List, No. 234. Brot, List, p. 39. Melania Kirtlandiana, Lea, Philos. Proc. ii. p. 11, Feb. 1841. Philos. Trans., viii., p. 165, t. 5, f. 4. Obs. iii. p. 3. Anthony, Caf. 1st Edit. Higgins, Cat. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 92. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 25. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 361. Binney, Check List, No. 155. Brot, List, p. 36. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 187. Melania Kirtlandia, Lea, Philippi, Beschreib, Neuer Conchyl. Melania, t. 3. f. 8. Melania elata, Authony, Bost. Proc. iii. p. 362, Dec. 1850. Binney, Check List, No. 95. Brot, List, p. 37. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sn. 331. Melania bico/orata, Anthony, Bost. Proc. iii. p. 361, Dec. 1850. Binney, Check List, No. 32. Brot, List, p. 58. Melania bicolor, Anthony, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 265 Melania inornata, Anthony, Bost. Proc. iii. p. 360. Dec. 1850. Melania succinulata, Anthony, Bost. Proc. iii. p. 363, Dec. 1850. Binney, Check List, No. 258. Brot, List, p. 59. Melania varicosa, Ward, Haldeman, Monog. Limniades, Part iii. p. 3 of Cover, Mar. 13, 1854. Anthony, List, 1st and 2d Editions. Jay, Cat. 4th Edit., p. 275. Binney, Check List, No. 284. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc. p. 189. Melania livida, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 434. Brot, List, p. 30. Goniobasis Grosvenorii, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 263, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 297, t. 37, f. 128, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 119. Melania babylonica* Lea, Philos. Proc. ii. p. 14, Feb. 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p.' 183, t. 6, f. 43. Obs. iii. p. 21. DeKay, Moll, N. Y., p. 98. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S. p. 24. Binney, Check List, No. 26. Cat- low, Conch. Nomenc. p. 185. Brot, List, p. 36. 199. G. Haldemani, Tryon, (MSS.) Melania acuta, Lea, Bell, Canadian Nat. iv. pt. 3, p. 213. Lewis, Bost. Proc. vi. p 2. Melania exilis, Haldeman, Adams, Moll. Vermont. 200. G. curvilabris, Anthony. Melania curvilabris, Anthony, Ann. N. Y. Lye. Nat. Hist. vi. p. 102, t. 3, f. 1, Mar. 1854. Binney, Check List, No. 82. Brot, List, p. 31. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 378. 201. G. i n f o r m i s , Lea. Goniobasis informis, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 154, May, 1863. 202. G. vi 1 1 a tell a, Lea. Goniobasis vittatella, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 155, May, 1863. 203. G. Alexandrensis, Lea. Melania Alexandrensis, Lea, Philos. Proc. iv. p. 167. Philos. Trans., x. p. 61, t. 9, f. 37. Obs. iv. p. 61. Binney, Check List, No. 8. Brot, List, p. 37. 204. G. Haleiana, Lea. Melania Haleiana, Lea, Philos. Proc. iv. p. 167, Aug. 1845. Philos. Trans., x. p. 60. t. 9, f. 35. Obs. iv. p. 60. Binney, Check List, No. 134. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 406. 205. G. rubella, Lea. Goniobasis rubella, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 270, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 332, t. 38, f. 191, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 154. * A ecalariform monstrosity. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 47 206. G. spinel la, Lea. Goniobasis spinella, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 264, 18C2. Jour. Acad. Na,t. Sc, v. pt. 3, p. 298, t. 37, f. 130, Mar. 1863. Obs. ix. p. 120. 207. G. Draytonii, Lea. Goniobasis Draytonii, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 264, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 300, t. 37, f. 134, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. 122. Goniobasis nigrina,. Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc, p. 263, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 299, t. 37, f. 133. Obs. ix. p. 121. 208. G. p r o x i m a , Say. Melania proxima, Say, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 126, Sept. 1825. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 275. Binney'a Edit, of Say, p. 115. Binney, Check List, No. 220. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 99. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 26. Gibbes' Report, p. 19. Jay, Cat. 4th Edit., p. 274. Brot, List, p. 38. Melania carinata* Ravenel, Cat. p. 11, 1834. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 24. Binney, Check List, No. 47. Melania Taitiana, Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 11, Feb., 1841. Philos. Trans, viii. p. 165, t. 5, f. 5. Obs. iii. p. 3. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 92. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 27. Jay, Cat., 4th edit., p. 275. Binney, Check List, No. 264. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 189. Reeve, Monog. Mela- nia, sp. 444. Brot, List, p. 37. Melania rufa, Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 12, Feb., 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p. 167, t. 5, f. 8. Obs. iii. p. 5. Troost, Cat. Shells Tennessee. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 26. Catlow, Conch. Ncmenc, p. 188. Melania rufescens, Lea, DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 93. Jay, Cat., 4th edit., p. 274. Binney, Check List, No. 233. Brot, List, p. 37. Melania approximata, Haldeman, Monog. Lirnnindes, No. 4, p. 4 of Cover, Dec. 28, 1841. Jay, Cat., 4th edit., p. 272. Binney, Check List, No. 18. Brot, List, p. 36. Melania abjecta,f Haldeman, Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 341. Brot, List, p. 34. Goniobasis rubricata, Lea, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 271, 1862. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. v. pt. 3, p. 335, t. 38, f. 197. Obs. ix. p. 157, t. 38, f. 197. I. Striate species, spire elevated. 209. G. V ir gini c a, Gmelin. Buccinum Virginica, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. . Green, Trans., Alb. Inst., i. p. 135. Wood, Index Test., t. 24, f. 154. Paludina Virginica, Say, Nicholson's Encyc, iii. t. 2, f. 4. Melania Virginica, Say, Am. Conch., pt. 5, t. 47, f. 2. App. to Long's Exped., ii. p. 265. Binney's Edit., p. 131 and 199. Binney, Check List, No. 291. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 189. Philippi, Netier Conchylien Melania, t. 2, f. 12. Hildreth, Am. Jour. Science, xxxi. p. 53. Sager, Rept. Zool. Mich., p. 15. Conrad, Am. Jour. Science, N. S., i. p. 407. Haldeman, Rupps Hist. Lancaster County, Pa., p. 479. Haldeman, Am. Jour. Sci., xli. p. 22. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 90, t. 7, f. 141. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 27. Hartman, Catalogue Shells Chester Co., Pa. Brot, List, p, 35. Girard, Proc. National Inst., i. No. 2, p. 82. Jay, Cat,, 4th edit., p. 275. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 321. Limnxa Virginica, Say, Short and Eaton, Notices, p. 82. Juga Virginica, Say, Chenu, Man. de Couchyl. i. f. 2019. Melania mullilmeata, Say, Jour. Acad. Nat Sci., ii. p. 380, Dec 1822. Am. *I make this a synonym on the authority of Dr. Jay. 1 1 doubt whether this shell really came from Arkansas, although the established geographical distribution of proxima is very great. 1864.] 48 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP Conchology, pt. 5, t. 47, f. 2. Binney's Edit., p. Ill and 199. Binney, Check List, No. 169. DeKay, Moll. Rept. to Regents, p. 32. Moll. N. York, p. 97. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 26. Hartman, Cat. Shells Chester Co., Penna. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 187. Girard, Proc. Nat. Inst., i. No. 2, p. 82, March, 1856. Philippi, Neiier Con- chyl. Melania, t. 2, f. 13. Melania ateriscalpium* Menke. Melania curta, Menke, Syn. Meth., p. 135, 1830. Melania fasciata, Menke, Syn. Meth., p. 136, 1830. Melania bizonalis, DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 91, t. 7, f. 140, a. b. 1843. Binney, Check List, No. 35. Melania Buddii, DeKay, Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 24. Melania gemma,-f DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 91, t. 7, f. 142, 1843. Binney, Check List, No. 119. Brot, List, p. 38. Melania striggilata, Muhlfeldt,f in Litt. Melania inem/a, Anthony, Bost. Proc, iii., p. 362, Dec, 1850. Binney, Check List, No. 145. Brot, List, p. 58. 210. G. s ul cos a, Lea.g Melania sulcosa, Lea, Philos. Proc. ii. p. 14, Feb., 1841. Philos. Trans., viii. p. 185. t. 6, f. 48. DeKay, Moll. N. Y., p. 99. Troost, Cat. Shells Tenn. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 189. Binney, Check List, No. 259. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 27. Brot, List, p. 35. Ceriphasia sulcosa, Lea, Chenu, Man. de Conchyl. i. f. 1957. 211. G. Buddii, Lea. Melania Buddii, Lea, Philos. Proc. iv. p. 165. Philos. Trans, x. p. 64, t. 9, f. 44. Obs. iv. p. 64. Binney, Check List, No. 42. Jay, Cat., 4th Edit., p. 273. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 324. 212. G. Tr oos tiana, Lea. Melania Troostiana, Lea, Philos. Proc, ii. p. 34, April, 1841. Philos. Trans., p. 92, t. 23, f. 86. Obs. ii. p. 92. DeKay, Moll. N. York, p. 100. Wheatley, Cat. Shells U. S., p. 27. Binney, Check List, No. 276. Troost, Cat. Shells Tenn. Jay, Cat., 4th Edit., p. 275. Catlow, Conch. Nomenc, p. 189. Brot, List, p. 35. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 339. 213. G. 1 at i t an s, Anthony. Melania latitar.s, Anthony, Ann. Lye Nat. Hist. New York, vi. p. 88, t. 2, f. 6, March, 1854. Binney, Check List, No. 159. Brot, List, p. 34. 214. G. p or r e eta, Lea. Goniobasis porrecta, Lea, Proc Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 155, May, 1863. 215. G. sculp til is, Lea. Melania sculp tilts, Lea, Philos. Trans., x. p. 297, t. 30, f. 3. Obs. v. p. 53, t. 30, f. 3. Binney, Check List, No. 238. Brot, List, p. 38. 216. G. c r e n at ella, Lea. Melania crenatella, Lea, Proc Acad. Nat. Sci., v. pt. 3, p. 268, t. 35, f. 79, March, 1863. Obs. ix. p. . Binney, Check List, No. 76. Brot, List, p. 34. Reeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 457. * Prof. Haldeman was the first naturalist who identified the various descriptions of Jleuke with firginica. Philippi has since figured some of these as varieties of that species. f This shell has been refened both to Virginica and to depygis by American Authors. I do not give a confident opinion as to its proper place. About bizonalis of DeKay there can be no doubt. J Teste Philippi, Neuer Conchyl. \ When perfect specimens of this shell are obtained, it may prove to be a Pleurocera instead of a iloniobasis. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 49 March 1st. Vice-President Vaux in the Chair. Eleven members present. The following were presented for publication : " Synonymy of the Strepomatidae of North America." By Geo. W. Try on, Jr. " Thoughts on the Influence of Ether upon the Solar System." By A. Wilcocks, M. D. Part III. March Sth. Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. Thirty members present. The following was presented for publication : " Additions to the Catalogue of Stars which have changed their colors." By Jacob Ennis. March Ibth. Vice-President Vaux in the Chair. Twenty members present. The following were presented for publication : " Note on the Nomenclature of Genera and Species of Echenei- doidse," and " Description of a new labroid Genus allied to Trochoco- pus." By Theo. Gill. " New Species of Mordellestina collected in Illinois." By C A. Helmuth, M. D. Notes on the Birds of Jamaica." By "W. T. March, with remarks by S. P. Baird. Part III. Dr. Leconte remarked, that his attention had been called to the following passage in the Report on the progress of Entomology, by Dr. Gerstaecker, in the last number of Truschel's Archiv fur Naturgeschichte, in which he refers to the Classification of the Coleoptera of North America, Part 1, by Dr. Leconte. " Die Stylopiden setzt der Verf. unter die Heteromeren,, beirerkt aber das die Tarsen nicht heteromer seieu, was richtig ist. Friiher habe man sie als eigne Ordnung betrachtet, aber die Kenntniss ihrer Verwandlungen, und eine gen- auere, [more rigid !] Interpretation ihrer auseren Baues habe fast alle [nearly all!] Systematiker dazu bestimmt, sie unter die Kiifer zu bringen. (Welche Charactere hat ein Strepsipteron mit einem Kiifer gemein ? Keinen ! Wo sind die Ubereinstimmungen der Larven und ihrer Lebensweise ? Die Strepsipte- ren Larven leben parasitiseh in Hinterleibe von Hymenopteren, die Meloi'den Larven nahren sich von Honig ; beide haben also in der Lebensweise nichts untereinander gemein.'') "In Elementarbuchern solite man Absurditaten am Wenigsten fur baare Miinze ausgeben !" I do not propose here to enter into a discussion of the views which have in- duced Lacordaire, Burmeister, Newman and Schaum to consider Stylopidse as a family of Coleoptera, an opinion which many others have silently acquiesced in. The subject was considered nearly exhausted, until reopened by Duval, in 1864.] 4 50 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP his note on the order Rhipiptera, (Gen. Col. Europe, 3,419), published subse- quently to my work on Classification. I will, however, answer briefly the questions asked by Dr. Gerstaecker in the passage above cited. The characters common to a Strepsipteron and various Coleoptera are these : 1. Hypermetamorphosis of the larva, (Sfeloidse) ; 2. Parasitism, (Rhipidias) ; 3. Retention of the Pupa within the skin of the larva, (Lampyridae, tribe Lycini, genus Calopteron) ; 4. Unfitness of anterior wings for flight, (a character also found in Orthoptera and Hemiptera, which, however, have no metamorphosis) ; 5. Large development of metathoracic segment. Even if the Stylopida? are considered as a distinct order Strepsiptera it will be necessary to place them immediately after the Coleoptera. In view of the great variation of characters found in Coleoptera, it would seem rational to consider Stylopidse as an extreme and degraded form of that order, rather than to regard such a small number of objects, closely related in form, structure and habits, as an equivalent to the great orders Coleoptera, Orthop- tera and Hemiptera, with which alone they can be morphologically compared, (characters 4 and 5). The information given by Dr. Gerstaecker regarding the difference in food and manner of life between the larva? of Meloidce and Stylopidae, though not original, is doubtless quite interesting, but seems to imply that I had compared them together, which is not correct. Mr. Cassin called the attention of the Academy to the collection of birds presented this evening by the Smithsonian Institution, and particularly referred to several species of great rarity and scientific value. The Didunculus strigiros- Iris is one of two species of birds now known to be approaching extinction, the other species being Alca impennis. which is also in the Academy Museum. Thi3 bird is the most nearly allied to the extinct Dodo, formerly of the Isle of France, and inhabits the Samoan or Navigator Islands. Its extinction or approach to it is said to be owing to the introduction into those islands of the domestic cat. Not more than four or five specimens are known to be extant. Other little known types were pointed out and exhibited to the Academy, 9uch as Carpophaga Aurorse, Carpophaga latrans, Artamus meiilalis and others. Thi3 interesting series is from the collection of the Uniied States Exploring Expedition of the Vincennes and Peacock, and is presented to the Academy by the Smithsonian Institution. March 22d. Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. Seventeen members present. The following were presented for publication : " Critical llemarks on the Genera Sebastes and Sebastodes," and " Second Contribution to the SeJacology of California." By Theo. Gill. " A Critical review of the Family Procellaridse ; Part I." By E. Coues, M. D. "Thoughts on the Influence of Ether ou the Solar System; Part IV." By Alex. VVilcocks, M. D. March 29th. Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. Seventeen members present. [March NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 51 On report of the respective committees, the following were ordered to be published : Additions to the Catalogue of STARS which have Changed their Colors ; or which have appeared with different Colors at different times.* BY JACOB ENNIS. Sirius. On the re-appearance of this star during the months of November and December, 1863, I very carefully watched its color, Its decided change of appearance since the early part of the year greatly interested me. Instead of a full bright green, it was of a pale yellowish green. During those two months the atmosphere passed through the extremes of variability, but the pale yellow- ish green of Sirius remained constant. On the 29th of December I asked Dr. Wilcocks, the discoverer of its being purple three years ago, how Sirius ap- peared to him now? Without knowing my opinion, and without any hesita- tion, he answered, " It is not as green as it was when visible last winter." This coincidence of his views with my own confirms the idea that he was not mistaken three years ago, as he since supposed, when he regarded the color of Sirius to be violet. According to these evidences this great star has had five distinct colors : red during the ancient times ; white in 1850, and subsequently ; violet in 1861 ; full green in the autum and winter of 1862 3 ; pale yellowish green in November and December of 1863. Note of April 19th, 1864. The above observations were written early in January. For the last three or four weeks the green color of Sirius has again been tinged with blue; but this evening no blue is visible, and the yellow mingled with the green is conspicuous. In this I am confirmed by a member of the Academy whose powers of observation are remarkably good. The clear- ness of the atmosphere is perfect, but the moon is large and bright, and 1 have a suspicion that the yellow of Sirius, though in a different quarter of the heavens, may be due to the moon's reflected rays. The following portions of this paper, except that on No. 21, were written previous to the 10th of Novem- ber, 1863, at which date they were presented. Altair and Deneb, or Alpha Cygni. The former of these 6tars was de- scribed by Humboldt in 1850 as yellow and the latter as white. They were numbered 18 and 19 in this Catalogue, and announced to be blue in June, 1863. I had watched them for several months nearly every clear night, and, on the 20th of August, I first noticed that they were green. On all good nights since then they have appeared to myself and to others, whose opinions 1 have solicited, to be conspicuously green ; but on damp, slightly hay nights, from the effects of the atmosphere, they appear blue. It is rather oppressive for me to make this announcement, for I have been obliged already, in a former communication, to say that two other large stars, Sirius and Vega, had changed from blue to green. Certainly this change does not arise from any peculiari- ties of vision, for I have in all cases carefully consulted the views of others and found them to accord with my own. I know not how to attribute the change to atmospheric causes, for I had observed them all, except Sirius, to be blue several months before, in all weathers. Vega. For the last four or five weeks, thi3 star has not appeared to me as green as during last summer. Its rather bluish appearance may, perhaps, be attributed to greater haziness of the atmosphere. Castor. See No. 10 of this Catalogue. In addition to the colors already given, the two companions of this double star have been described as follows . Yellow and yellowish by Sestini ; greenish yellow and green by Dembowski ; * See these Proceedings for 1S63, pp. 26.96, 159. 1864.] 52 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OJ? bright and pale white by Webb ; yellow and warm yellow by Mis? Maria Mitchell. 20. Arcturus. This is one of the stars denominated red by the ancients' In modern times, according to reliable observations, it has changed its color J. F. Julius Schmidt, formerly of Ulmutz, recently made Director of the AstFO- nornioal Observatory at Athens, and distinguished for his observations on variable stars, which he communicated to the Ast. Nach., says, that for eleven years he had considered Arcturus to be one of the reddest of the stars, and, especially in 1841, he had ranked it in color with Mars. To his surprise in 1852 he saw it to be yellow, and entirely destitute of any reddish hue. It then appeared to him by the naked eye lighter than Capella. Capella two years before had been described by Humboldt as yellow, with scarcely a tinge of red ; since then Capella has become blue. During the present year, 1863, I have dozens of times and in all weathers observed Arcturus to be decidedly orange, and of a clear, beautiful color. In this I have been confirmed by other observers. The colors of Arcturus may therefore be stated as having been red, yellow and orange. References have already been made in this Catalogue to the changes of color in double and multiple stars. The numbers, such as 3 : 7J, immediately after the names of the fallowing double stars, indicate the magnitudes of the com- panions. The authorities are given after the colors. Some of these I have taken from the original papers, and some I have not so verified, but presume them all to be correct. 21. 95 Herculis, 5 : 5. Hitherto catalogued as a diversely colored pair of stars to an extreme degree: one being described as apple green and the other as cherry red, and also as an astonishing yellow green and an egregious red. In 1856 58 they were nearly colorless and without any diversity of tint, and in this latter manner they were described by Struve in 1832 3, and by Sestini in 1844 5. Hence a probability of their being colorless once in about twelve years." C. Piazzi Smyth.* In the November number, 1863, of the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astro- nomical Society, a suggestion is made, from very high authority, that because the changes in the two companions have in all these cases been simultaneous, they are liable to the suspicion of having been produced by instrumental causes. But this apparent simultaneousness of change may have been pro- duced by a real change in only one of them. If the two stars were white and one of them were to change to an " egregious red," then by contrast in close proximity, from the well known principle of complementary colors, the other would necessarily appear green. The operation of this principle has been very conspicuous in this city during political demonstrations and celebrations, when bright red lights have been kept burning in the streets. The ordinary gas- lights all around them have appeared strongly green. It is submitted that this cause for the simultaneous change in both stars is more probable by far than that three different instruments, in the hands of three different men, in three different countries and at as many different periods, should all, from some un- known cause, fall into the same error ; and this not when directed at the stars generally, but only when pointed to a particular one. 22. Mizar, Zeta Ursa? Majoris, 3 : 4. Both greenish white. Struve. White and pale green. Webb. Both yellow, the 4 has the deeper hue. Mitchell, 1860, April 30. f 23. Xi Bootis, 3\ : 6J. Orange and purple. Webb. J Pale yellow and Orange. Mitchell, 1862, July 6. * See the Proceedings of the British Scientific Association fur 1863. t See American Journal of Scienco and Art. July, 1863, for Miss Mitchell's observations. J For several valuable popular papers ou the double sturs, by the Kev. Mr. Webb, see the first f'xjr volumes of the JnteHectua.1 Observer, London. [March NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 53 24. 32 Eridani, 5 : 7. Bright yellow and flushed blue. Webb. Orange yellow and pale blue. Mitchell, 18G1, Jan. 31. Yellow and pale green, very decided. Mitchell, 1862, Dec. 28. Yellow and green. Mitchell, 1863, Jan. 1. 25. Gamma Virginis, 4 : 4. Silvery white and pale yellow. Webb. Both yellow. Mitchell, 1860, Feb. 20. 26. 35 Piscium, 6 : 8. White and purplish. Webb. The 6 is light yellow. The 8 is peculiar ; there is a brown mingling with its reddish light. Mitchell, 1860, Jan. 2. 27. 23 Orionis, 5 : 7. Greenish white and white. Struve. Creamy white and blue. Webb. The 7 is of a darkish color. Mitchell, 1860, Mar. 6. 28. 39 Ophiuchi, 53- : 73. Pale orange and blue. 1838. The 73- yellow!" Sestini, 1846. " bluish. Smyth, 1851. " clear blue. Webb, 1854. 29. Polaris, Alpha Ursas Minoris, 2| : 93- Yellow and dull white. .Struve. Yellow and blue. Sestini, Dawes, Webb. 30. Iota Cancri, 5} : 8. The 8 deep garnet, Feb. 8, 1782; bluish Dec. 28, 1782 ; and blue, Mar. 12, 1785. Herschel, Sr. Pale orange and clear blue. Webb. 31. Sigma Scorpii, 4 : 93. The 9} white. St6tini. Dusky and plum color. Webb. 32. Delta Corvi, 3 : 8J. The 8 white. Sestini. Pale yellow and purple. Webb. 33. Pi Bootis, 33 : 6. Both white; a ruddy tinge sometimes in 6. Webb. 34. Alpha Herculis, 3j : 5J: "Intense csernlea." Struve. Orange and emerald. Webb. 35. Delta Serpentis, 3 : 5. Yellow tints. Dembowski. Bright white and bluish white. Webb. Both Bluish. Webb. 36. Eta Cassiopeae, 4 : 7|. " Flava et purpurea." Struve, Fletcher. Red and green. Herschel, Jr., South. Yellow and orange. Sestini. Dull white and lilac. Webb. 37. Iota Bootis, 4 : 8. The 8 azure. Sestini. The 8 lilac. Webb, 1850. Light yellow and dusky white. Webb, 1850. 38. 39 Bootis, 5J : 6j. White and lilac. Some writers ascribe a bluish and some a ruddy tint to 6. Webb. 39. Epsilon Lyre. The two companions of this double star are designated. Epsilon 1 and Epsilon 2. Each of these again are double. Epsilon 1, 5 : 6$. Yellow and ruddy. Webb. During five years the 5 was bluish. Struve, Dembowski, 40. Gamma Cygni, 4 : 7. Both white. Herschel, Sr. Viridi-cserulea. Struve. The 7 light emerald. Smyth, 1839. Golden yellow and flushed grey. Webb, 1850. 41. Beta Lyrae. A quadruple star; 3 : 8 : 83 : 9. 1864.] 54 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP 42. Gamrna Lyra?, of 3d magnitude. Both these stars, Beta Lyra? and Gam- Lyra;, seem to be changing their colors. Herschel, Sr., and South gave Beta as white. Next, Smyth, in 1834, gave the general im- pression as whi:e, the four companions being in the following order: very while and splendid, pale grey, faint yellow, light blue. He gave Gamma Lyra? then as being bright yellow. Schmidt re- garded the colors of both Beta and Gamma the same yellowish white from 1844 to 1855. Webb, in 1849 50, regarded Gamma as much less yellow than Beta, if not white. In 1862, the latter observer found Gamma the paler in tint, though the difference was not considerable. According to these statements Beta changed from white to yellow and Gamma from yellow to white. Both were of the same color, yellowish white, according to Schmidt, about 1844. The only discrepancy is Schmidt, for the latter portion of his time, the former portion being remarkably confirmative. 43. Eta Lyrae, 5 : 9. Caerulea. Struve, during five years, about 1830. Sky blue and violet. Webb, 1834. The 5, yellow. " 184950. " pale yellow. " 18G2. 44. Gamma Aodrornedse, 3k : 5. Deep yellow and sea green. Webb, 1862. The 5 is double, and the colors of the two latter have been given as follows : Subviridis et violacea. Secchi, 1856. Yellow and blue. Sir W. K. Murray, 1857. " " Dawe3, Jacob. 45. Gamma Arietis, 4J : 5. Both " egregie alba?." Struve, 1830. White. Dembowski, 1852, 1854, 1856. The same, either white or light yellow. Piazzi Smyth, 1856. Full white and faint blue. Webb, 1862. 46. Iota Trianguli, 5J : T. White or yellow and blue. Secchi. Topaz yellow and green. Webb, 1862. 47. Gamma Ceti, 3 : 7. The 7 tawny. Webb, 1850. Pale yellow and lucid blue. Webb, 1863. 48. Gamma Leonis, 2 : 4. White and reddish white. Herschel, Sr. Bright orange and greenish yellow. Webb. I . 72 P. II. Cassiopea?, 4J : 7 : 9. White, blue, ruddy violet. Dembow- ski. 18546. Pale yellow, lilac, blue. Webb, 1863. 50. Kappa Cepbei, 4] : 8^. The 4 J greenish. Struve. Pale yellow and blue. Webb, 1863. 51. Zeta Cephei, 5 : 7. Yellowish and blue. Struve, 1831. Both bluish. Smyth, 1839. White and tawny or ruddy. Webb, 1850. Flushed white and pale lilac. " 1851. . 40 Draconis, 5$ : 6. Both white. Struve, 1832. Both white. Webb, 1839. Both white or yellowish. Webb, 1850. Both yellow, the 5J deeper. " 1856 and 1863. 53. 12 Canon) Venaticorum, 2 : 6J. White and red. Herschel, Sr. " With all attention I could perceive no contrast of colors in the two stars." Herschel, Jr., 1830. [March NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 55 Both wbite. Struve, 1830. Yellow and blue. Sestini, 1844. Full white and very pale wbite. Smylh, 1850. White or ft little yellowish, and tawny or lilac. Webb, 1850. Pale reddish white and lilac. Smyth, 1855. White and pale olive blue. Dembowski, 1356. Same as in 1850, but with very little contrast. Webb, 1862. Flushed white and pale lilac. Webb, 1862. 54. Sigma Corona?, 6 : 6. Creamy wbite and smalt blue. Webb, 1862. The 6.} has had many changes, as follows ; certainly not blue and differing very little from the other. South, 1825. While. Struve, 1S36. A yellow ashy and doubtful blue. Dembowski, 1854 57. Sometimes blue, sometimes yellow. Secchi, 1855 57. " At one time ruddy, at another time bluish, apparently changing white being looked at ; a versatility of hue which I have re- marked in other stars similarly circumstanced." Webb, 1850 5. 55. Mu Cygni, 5 : 6. White and pale blue. Struve, 1831. Yellow and more yellow. Sestini, 1844. Reddish yellow and olive. Dembowski, 1853 4. Clear light yellow and ashy yellow. Dembowski, 1S55. " The 5 yellow, while the 6 showed the curious effect of an unde- cided and changeable hue blue and tawny." Webb, 1850 1. The 5 yellow. Webb, 1862. "Secchi's colors are here uncertain and variable." 56. Alpha Piscium, 5 : 6. Greenish and pale blue. " There seems to be something peculiar in the color of the smaller star, as to which observers are strongly at variance with each other, and even with themselves. Some see no contrast, some agree with Smyth, some find it tawny and ruddy. The details are curious but too long for insertion here. Other small stars show a similar uncer- tainty-" Webb. The frequent changes in some of these stars, the last three or four of this Catalogue especially, are remarkable, and seem inexplicable to astronomers. I presume the difficulty arises, not as is supposed from the atmosphere, or from the instruments, or from personal peculiarities, but chiefly from the frequency of the real changes in the stars. If, for instance, it be complained that " Secchi's colors are uncertain and variable," it is because in such instances the colors of the stars are uncertain aud variable. An addition has been made to the title of this Catalogue to obviate the ob- jection that possibly some of the apparent changes of color of the stars may be merely the errors of observation, or the effects of the atmosphere, and not real changes in the celestial bodies. Nevertheless, an apparent change is a- fact in the constitution of the world, and deserves a notice and an explana- tion. From whatever causes these changes may arise, there is needed a faithful collection of all the facts in this department of astronomy. They are scattered about in many volumes and many various scientific depositories, and no one, as far as I am aware, has brought them together or made them a special study. But in making such a collection, or catalogue, no changes should be omitted. Whether we regard them as apparent or real, whether they be small or great, whether they may have been slow or sudden, none should be suppressed by the compiler in his catalogue. To admit some and reject others because in his opinion some are right and others are wrong, would be making his work a confused medley of facts and opinions unworthy of reliance. If, as appears undeniable, there be changes in the colors of the stars, then, from the nature of things, there may be small changes as well as great ones. To reject a re- 1864.] 56 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF corded change simply because it is small, would therefore be a real misrepre- sentation of the case, and a virtual falsification of the records. Moreover, the colors as they stand recorded are from experienced observers, men whose lives have been devoted to an accurate representation of facts, who do nothing without care and deliberation, and whose common and avowed practice is not to record any color when the atmosphere is not favorable for such obser- vations. As already stated, there are difficulties in deciding on colors by the naked eye when the star is not large, and when the departure from white is small. But this difficulty is not in the way of large stars, as Arcturus and Sirius ; nor does it apply to the telescope, except in the very smallest magnitudes. To decide between two different colors, such as red and blue, is never difficult ; and when two colors are blended, it is the custom to name them both, a3 bluish green, reddish yellow, and the like. The disturbing effects of the atmosphere, or of the instrument, may be detected either immediately or after several nights of observation. The atmosphere cannot color one star and leave all the other stars in the same neighborhood uncolored. The telescope cannot act pecu- liarly on any one star ; it must treat all alike, especially of the same magni- tude and color. Simple comparison is therefore an admirable test ; and another important test is time watchfulness every night through different changes of weather. If hereafter even this shall not beVound satisfactory in any one locality, then simultaneous observations at widely distant places will most certainly eliminate all suspicion of mistake. For instance, observations may be made at Australia, the Cape of Good Hope, and Chili in the southern hemisphere; and in the northern hemisphere both on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of America, on the Atlantic coast of Europe, in Russia, and in Hindoostan. If the star shall prove of the same color at all these different regions at the same time in favorable weather, then that color may be regarded as unquestionable. Even by using one locality alone absolute certainty may be acquired, as the red colors of Aldebaran, Betelgueze, and Antares. The same certainty may be looked for hi this as in other departments of astronomy, and even greater certainty than in many. There is an uncertainty, in opinions of wise men, of three millions of miles in the distance of the earth from the sun ; and yet this uncertain distance is used as a measuring line to fathom other and far greater distances. But this uncertainty to so large a degree does not take away from the supreme value of the determinations nevertheless. These determinations, with all their known reservations, are held as of the highest importance. So in the colors of the stars ; mistakes may be made, the intermixtures of error may certainly exist, though we cannot tell exactly where they are, and yet the present recorded observations are precious beyond estimation. And a time is coming when simultaneous observations from various positions in both hemispheres will render them beyond suspicion. To hasten on this time we have only to make good use of the materials already on hand. Why the changes in the colors of the stars are not more frequently observed, was pointed out in a former communication. Why the belief in their real oc- currence is hard to be admitted, and why their observed changes are ascribed to supposable errors from the instruments, from the atmosphere, and from per- sonal deficiencies, seems to arise from the opinion that such vast bodies cannot possibly undergo great changes in a shoit time. But this opinion rests on do known scientific grounds. When fairly viewed, the fixedness of the colors of the stars should not seem more likely than the fixedness of their positions. Indeed the two ideas are very much alike. In ancient phrase, the stars were said to be " rivetted " to the vault of heaven. Now we know from observations more refined that many of them move, and we have a conviction, from the na- ture of attraction, that they must all move. In like manner, in a universe where every known object is subject to change in various ways, our first ideas should be that the colors of all the stars must change. Hence we should ap- proach the recorded changes with favorable judgments. If we are to have any [March NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 57 prepossessions in the case, they should be that the changes are real in the stars themselves. And when we reflect on the habitual caution of long experienced observers, men whose very existence is devoted to the accurate delineation of fact, we should place a high reliance on their recorded observations, and not think that they have lightly allowed themselves to be imposed upon by optical illusions. I cannot hope to be able to add anything to the knowledge of practised ob- servers respecting the sources of error and the rules to be observed in making observations ; but as these have never, that I am aware, been embodied in print, I offer the following, chiefly for the assistance of the many who may be disposed so observe the larger stars with the naked eyes. Such stars are indeed very few, but the observations may be the more useful from being made frequently and by many persons. 1. Damp and slightly hazy atmospheres make a green star appear blue. This may be from the same principle that the deep ocean, the clear sky, and the distant mountains appear blue. Damp nights that are perfectly clear do not have this effect. 2. Moonlight greatly obscures the colors of the stars, giving them a yellowish hue. 3. Before the daybreak makes its appearance in the east, the rays of the sun refracted through the higher regions of the atmosphere, may cause a general whiteness of the stars. 4. Artificial lights reaching the eye obscure the colors of the stars. 5. On account of the faintness of the light of the stars, the eye of.en requires to be fixed upon them for a considerable time before their impressions take full effect. 6. Comparisons between neighboring stars, and some practice in star ob- servations, are often necessary to decide on the real colors of the stars. 7. The atmosphere must have like effects upon similar stars in the same neighborhood. Hence a peculiarity observed in any star may be brought to a determination. 8. Observations on the same star during a considerable interval of time and through different changes of weather, may aid in giving confidence to a deter- mination. 9. Perfect independence and candor are necessary. Our previous judgments are apt to warp these dalioate impressions on the retina, and whether we have derived these judgments from ourselves or others, we must be careful to lay them completely aside. For want of doing this we may not notice a change of color, although such a change may have been before our vision. 10. Personal peculiarities of vision may be ascertained by consultation with others. 11. Discrepancies between the accounts of two observers may arise from differences of dates ; hence, in apprehension of sudden and frequent changes in the stars, the dates of observations should be carefully given. m Description of a new Labroid Genus allied to TROCHOCOPUS Gthr. BY THEODORE GILL. Dr. Ayres bas indicated, under the name Labrus pulcher, a Californian representative of the family of Labroids. That species was subsequently referred by Dr. Glinther to his genus Stinicossyphus, in which it was retained by myself with the proviso that " its generic position remains to be con- firmed, although there is little doubt that it really is a Semicossyphus." Hav- ing since received, through the kindness of Dr. Cooper, a specimen of the species, I find that it has not the "lateral teeth distinct," as in Semicossyphus, but an " obtuse osseous ridge round the edge of the jaws, without distinct lateral teeth," as in Trochocopus Gthr., to which Gunther should have referred it. I am not acquainted with his reasons for considering the species closely 1864.] 58 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF related to the type of Semicossyphus, but previously followed him, as he was acquainted with Semicossyphus and Trochocopus through autopsy, while I was not. Genus PIMELOMETOPON Gill. Synonymy . Labrus sp. Ayres. Semicossyphus sp. Gilnlher, Gill. Body oblong, moderately compressed, with the caudal peduncle little oblong and not constricted: anus subcentral. Scales generally rather small, in about fifty-five to sixty-five transverse rows; on the breast smallest: each scale is oblong, subangulated behind, little convex or truncated at base, corrugated at the centre, with numerous lines radiating backwards towards the base and sides ; and in front with generally undulated lines parallel with the sides ; exposed surface vertically rhomboid. Lateral Hue continuous, simply tubular, parallel with the dorsal outline, little decurved backwards, and not at all deflected. Head nearly equally long and high, with the snout elongated and decurved. Eyes submedian between the snout and opercular margin or little anterior, rather small. Cheeks covered with small scales ; larger ones on all the opercular bones, except the preoperculum, whose limbs are naked. Oper- cular bones unarmed ; suboperculum with no membranaceous extension. Nostrils minute, simple, in front of the upper portion of the eye. Mouth little protractile, with the cleft oblique. Lips thick and plicated. Intermaxillary and supramaxillary bones connected by arthrodial articula- tion ; intermaxillaries with the ascending processes about as long as the horizontal and extending nearly to the eyes, little curved and oblong cunei- form in profile for two-thirds of their length, oblong subtrihedral behind; the horizontal limbs uniformly wide, thick but compressed, and with a pro- minent articulation behind. Supramaxillars divided into two parts ; an anterior laminar behind and within the posterior part, widening towards the front into a somewhat concave or channeled process arthrodially articulated with the outer surface of the intermaxillars, and thence recurrent in a nearly parabolic curve backwards and thence downwards to the front to articulate with the inner surface of the intermaxillars ; the posterior portion of the supramaxillars is flat and expanded backwards towards its iuferior angle, and ceases nearly under the front of the eye. Dentary rapidly increasing in height towards the angle. Teeth on the crest of the jaws cylindro-conic and obtuse, completely iso- lated ; four in front of the jaws developed as large curved blunt canines; the hindermost one in jaw above sometimes little larger than the preceding ; in others a true canine :* on the inner surface of the jaws, granular and pluriserial. Branchiostegal rays seven (in Pimelomelopon Darivinii fide Val. Dorsal fin wih no scales, entire, commencing rather behind the bases of the pectoral fins; typically with twelve spines and ten rays; the spinous portion nearly uniform, rather low, and with each spine enveloped in a mem- branaceous produced sheath ; the soft portion falciform, produced at its anterior portion. Anal fin with three graduated spines, and with its soft portion opposite and similar to, that of the dorsal. Caudal fin typically lunate and with prolonged pointed lobes. Pectoral fins rather narrow, obliquely truncated behind. Ventral fins inserted beneath or scarcely behind the pectoral and angulated. D. XII. 10. A. III. 12. Scales 5862. The lower pharyngeal bone is T-shaped, divided into two parts ; the body *Is the development of a posterior canine tooth a sexual distinction in this genus? [March NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 59 transversely triangular, scarcely sinuous behind and uniformly high, with its ends scarcely curved backwards to its posterior facettes, which are narrow, little prominent above and separated from the dentigerous area by a con- traction ; the shaft is laminar, expanded obliquely downwards and forwards. The teeth on the body are nearly uniform, moderate, and paved, and on the crest of the shaft obtusely cylindro-conic. The upper pharyngeal bones are high, curved in front, on which is a tessellated pavement and which is nearly rectangular to the inferior surface, which is paved towards the inner side with moderate and towards the outer with minute teeth. The gill rakers on the outer surface of the first branchial arch are short compressed, parallel with the arch, bi- or multidentate ; the others are oblique and more or less compressed at right angle to the arches. Type Pimelometopon pulcher Gill. This genus is very closely related to Trochocopus (Giinther), but differs in the possession of a greater number of scales and the form of the head. It is also solely represented by species found along the western coasts of America and the appertaining islands, while Trochocopus is a peculiar African type, so far as yet known. Of the two known species of this genus, one the type was originally described as a Labrus by Ayres in San Francisco ; the other was first made known by Jenyns under the generic name Cossyphus and was afterwards, by Valenciennes, described as a new species of Labrus. Dr. Giinther subse- quently referred the Californian species to his genus Semicossyphus and the species of Jenyns and Valenciennes to Trochocopus; he was acquainted with neither through autopsy. Finally, the writer, following Giinther and unacquainted with either Semicossyphus or Trochocopus, retained the Cali- fornian species in the former genus. Pimclomotopon belongs to the subfamily of Chccropinse as understood by me. It is proper to here remark that, by an evident inadvertence, the sub- family Pseudolabriformes of Bleeker was formerly* enumerated among those considered valid by myself, instead of among those requiring revision. There are two known species of the genus Pimelometopon: Pimelometopon pulcher Gill = Labrus pulcher Ayres Semicossyphus pulcher Giinther, Gill. California. Pimelometopon Darwinii Gill = Cossyphus Darwinii Jenyns = Labrus aper Val. Gallopagos Islands. N. B. In anticipation of a special paper, I may here state that the Sebastes! helvomaculatus of Ayres is the true Sebastes rosaceus of Girard, (Sebastomusf ro- saceus Gill,) widely different from the Sebastodes ! rosaceus of Ayres. The latter may be named Sebaslosomus pinniger. Note on the Nomenclature of Genera and Species of the Family ECHENEIDOIDJE. BY THEODORE GILL. In order to correct the nomenclature of two of the genera of the family Echeneidoidse, the following paper is submitted. I also embrace the oppor- tunity of restoring to proper rank, as the true names of peculiar species, two which have been connected with forms to which they do not truly belong. M. Auguste Dumeril, in a "Prodrome" of a projected Monograph of the family, (Comptes Rendus, tome 47, 1858, pp. 374 378,) has proposed to distribute the species among two groups, one typified by Echeneis nnicrates, and named Nancrates, and the other, represented by E. remora and called Remores. Elevating these types with others to independent generic rank, I * Proc. A. N. S. 1833, p. 221. f Sebastosomus, n. g. Type Sebastosomus melanops = Sebastes melanops Girard. 1861.] 60 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 1. 2. 3. 4. have restricted Echeneis to the genus typified by E. naucrates and called that one typified by E. remora, Remora, which name Dr. Bleeker has since ac- cepted. On examining the works of Linnaeus and Artedi, I find, however, that E. rnnora was the only species referred to that genus by Linnaeus in the earlier editions of the Systema Naturae, and by Artedi ; and that in the later editions, Linnaeus placed that species at the head of the genus. The E. re- mora must consequently be regarded as the type of the genus, and a new name (Leptecheneis) conferred on E. naucrates. The genera of Echeneidoidae will then be known by the following names : REMORSE. Echeneis Remora L. Echeneis L., Art. Type, Echeneis remora L. Remoropsis Gill. Type, Echeneis brachyptera Lowe. Rhombochiius Gill. Type, Echeneis osteochir Cuv. Remilegia Gill. Type, Echeneis australis Bznnet = Echeneis scutata Giinther. LEPTECHENEIDES. 5. Leptecheneis Gill. Type, Echeneis neucrates L. 6. Phtheirichthys Gill. Type Echeneis lineatus Menzies. In a Synopsis given in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sci- ences of Philada., for April, 1862, (p. 239,) an analytical table is given, in which the genera are distributed as follows : Echeneides (Echeneis = Leptecheneis, Phtheirichthys.) Remorae (Remora = Echeneis, Remilegia.) Subsequently, (op. cit., 1863, p. 8S,) the genera Remoropsis and Rhombo- chirus weie added. The genus Remilegia is known to me chiefly through the excellent figure accompanying Giinther's valuable account of the family in the " Annals and Magazine of Natural History," (vol. v. 1860, pp. 386402.) On the other hand, I have enjoyed the opportunity of examining two types, Rhombo- chirus and Phtheirichthys, not seen by that gentleman. While fully appreciating the great service rendered to science by Dr. Giin- ther in reducing the synonymy of the present family, and in many respects agreeing with him in his views regarding the limits of the species and their synonymy, I am compelled to differ from him, especially regarding the nomenclature of the species called by him Echeneis Holbrookii Gthr., and E. scutata Gthr., believing that both had long previously received names known, indeed, to him, but referred to species which they did not really represent. Echeneis Holbroohi of Giinther, Cat., should have been called Echeneis albi- cauda, as it is the Echeneis albicauda of Mitohill. Mitchill's name is, indeed, in- cluded, with special emphasis, in the synonymy of Giinther's Echeneis nau- crates (Leptecheneis neucrates), but the following juxtaposition of all essential characters given by both authors will show the incorrectness of this view : " E. naucrates." " E. Holbrookii." u E. albicauda." Disk "(21) 22-25 (26)" " The length of the disk 4A 4 4 in the to- tal or twice the width of the body between the pectorals." Gthr., ii. p. 384. Width to length (= 1: 4 4 | X 2) = 1 : 9 -Si ' Disk "21." "The length of the disk is 3 4 iu the to- tal, or twice the width of the body between the pectorals." Gthr., ii. 383. Length to width = 1 : (3 | X 2) 7 |. Disk "21." " Length twenty inches and a half; breadth al- most three." Mitohill. Length to width (20i -r 3 :)6|. [March NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 61 As Mitchill's notice of Echeneis albicauda gives a relative width, to the body even greater than that attributed by Giinther to his E. Holhrookii, and far greater than that assigned by him to E. naucrat.es, and as Echeneis albi- cauda has "twenty-one bars across the shield," also in E. Holhrookii "the number of laminas has been constantly found to be twenty-one a number of very rare occurrence in E. naucrates," the reasons for Giinther's insistence on the reference of Mitchill's name to E. naucrates and bestowal of a new one on his species are not evident. I cannot appreciate the force of his remark that Mitchill's " is an imaginary species," and that the name, " as is qui'e clear, was originally not intended for the fish afterwards de- scribed by Holbrook as E. lineata, but merely for specimens of E. naucrates with a white margin to the fins." Long before the communications of Mitchill, and as early as the year 1788, a species of the genus Leptechcneis was made known by Zuiew in a special article (Eche?ieidis nova species) in the Nova Acta Academise Scientiarum Im- perialis Petropolitanae (iv. 279 283, tab. VI.) The species was well and elaborately described and illustrated, and was especially distinguished from E. naucrates by the much longer lower jaw and the longer disk, which nevertheless had a smaller number of lamina? (20.) The species thus intro- duced was named Echeneis neucratoides ; its habitat was unknown. While it is thus seen that two forms with a comparatively small number of lamina? had been early made known, and that the proportions assigned to one agreed nearly with those attributed to E. Holhrookii by Giinther, it is necessary to add that none of the specimens examined by myself had so long a disk or so wide a body as the individuals noticed by Giinther, although I have had tbe opportunity of examining specimens of the genus exhibiting every gradation between eighteen and twenty-five lamina?. I shall not, how- ever, offer any decided opinion at present, but close with the assertion that DeKay's and Holbrook's specimens had not the proportions of the E. Hol- hrookii of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, but agreed with those seen by my- self. As GQnther's E. Holhrookii was entirely founded on the E. lineata of Holbrook in the first instance, that name must of course be considered as a synonym. The Echeneis scutata of Giinther had first received a name from F. D. Ben- nett in his ' ' Narrative of a Whaling Voyage round the Globe, from the year 1833 to 1836."* In that work, Bennett gave a very recognizable description of it under the name Echeneis austrahs.\ Bennett's name has been referred by Giinther to the synonymy of Lrptecheneis neucrates, like E. albicauda, but, as will be shown, erroneously. Bennett has stated that the E. australis exceeds the E. remora especially recognized by Giinther as that species in size. "One individual captured, and which was by no means the largest one observed, measured one foot five inches in length, and was proportionally broad." This statement at once would render the identity of the species with E. nait'crates extremely improbable, as the latter species has an incom- parably more slender body. The further statement that the dorsal has " 21" rays, and the anal "24," completes the evidence of its difference from L. neucrates, that species having the formula D. "(21) 22 25 (2(3) 3341. A 3238," (Giinther). As Bennett's formula (" D. 21. A. 24") specially agrees with Giinther's formula of E. scutata (" D. 27 | 22. A. 2123"), and, as of three examples of Bennett's species, "one only had 24 stride on the buckler, the other two had 26," thus also specifically agreeing with E. scu- tata (" D. 27 | "), the identity of the two nominal species is almost certain, and Bennett's name (Remilegia australis,) as the prior one, must be accepted. * Op.cit., vol. ii. 1840, p. 273. t The name of Echeneis australis was first introduced into Science by Bennett, as that of anew ppecies. A Lepteclieneis probably L. neucrates had beca previously figured in Griffith's Cuvier under the English name ot " Australian remora," but no attempt at identification of the two was made by Bennett, and the species belong to widely distinct genera. 1864.] 62 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF (Communicated by the Smithsonian Institution.) Notes on the BIRDS of Jamaica. BY W. T. MARCH. With remarks by S F. Brd. III. ARDEIDJZ. All the North American Ardeidae are to be obtained in the Island of Jamaica. The Ganlins and Bitterns are of more frequent occurrence than the larger He- rons, and are found at all seasons and in every part of the island where there is water, at the cattle ponds, along the river courses, in the mangrove swamps, lagoons, and marshes, and in considerable numbers on tbe neighbor- ing islets and kays during the breeding season. The Ardeidae all build on trees ; the nests are platforms, constructed of sticks filled in with leaves, trash, twigs and bark, forming a shallow bedding, on which the eggs are de- posited. In the mangroves the nest is composed principally of the decaying pods of the black mangrove. The eggs of all are emerald green, or rather, of the tint called aqua- marine, varying in shade, and in dimensions according to the size of the bird ; those of the Gaulins are four or five in number, measuring about 1 , (j by 1 jg of an inch; the typical eggs rounded at both ends, though some are pointed at one end ; a small kay off Old Harbor, known as Barebush Kay, is a favorite resort of all the Gaulins, Bitterns and Night Herons during the breeding season. The larger Herons are not of so frequent occurrence as the Gaulins and other Ardeidae during the late spring and summer months ; but Ardea hero- dias and Herodias egretta are not uncommon during the autumn and winter ; they are, however, more difficult of approach than the smaller species, being very wary and vigilant ; their resort during the breeding season is usually to the deep recesses of the mangrove swamps and morasses. Their eggs are of similar form and color, but larger than those of the Night Heron. I have not often met with the nest of the larger Herons ; but have notes of two, one from Salt Island Creek, Herodias egretta, containing three eggs, and the other, Ardea herodias with four eggs from the Ferry Lagoon. On both occasions the nests were taken from the topmost branches of a Corkwood (Anona palusiris). The Herons are generally in good condition from the fall of the year until the following spring, but, as with most of the fish-feeding birds, must be divested of the skin, which otherwise imparts a rank and unpleasant flavor to the flesh. There are periods, but not of long continuance, in which the Egrets, par- ticularly the White, are seen several together, iu our marshes. The numbar may be twelve or twenty. They seem attracted by some prevalent living food on these occasions ; ordinarily they feed singly, or at most in couples, in the shaded spots of our rivers above the water shoal. There are collected at the present time (January, 1864) at a sedgy pond near Spanish Town up- wards of twenty, principally Garzetta candidissima, with a few of Herodias &gretta, Florida cccrulea and Demiegretta ludoviciana and nivea. 110. Florida csrulea. The length of the Blue Gaulin or Florida Heron is about 22 inches, expanse 36^, flexure 11, leg 4, bill 3 ; occipital feathers lengthened, without a crest; prevailing color dark indigo blue, head and neck with a purplish tinge ; dorsal plumes lengthened ; wing feathers grey- ish beneath ; iris yellow, orbits light blue, bill leaden blue ; legs and feet black. The young are white with spots of blue about the wings and body ; [Mar. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHrA. 63 iris whitish, orbits and base of the bill yellowish, bill light blue, legs drill yellowish, bill light blue, legs dull greeu. 109. Garzetta candidissima. I find the Suowy Heron of as frequent oc- currence as the Red-Necked and Blue Gaulin. Color snowy white, with occipital and dorsal plumes loosely fibred and much lengthened. Iris yellow- ish, bill black, with the base and lower portion of the lower mandible and space round the eye yellow; legs black, feet yellow; length 26 inches, ex- panse 371, flexure 10^, leg 4, bill 3, middle toe 3. 10S. Garzetta nivea. Mr. Gosse's Common Gaulin has been supposed to be the immature " Florida coerulea," but I think, on careful examination and comparison, it is quite distinct, the color is always pure white, without any blue feathers about the body or wings, or any distinct crest. The tips of the first six wing quills only are edged on both webs with greyish black. Iris pale yellow ; orbits, cheeks and legs bluish green ; bill bluish black, with the base and larger portion of the lower mandible yellow. Length 24 inches, expanse 39, flexure 10|, leg 4, bill 3, tail 4. 111. Demiegretta ludoviciana. The Red-necked Egret, or Gaulin, is one of the most common. The general color of the adult above is slatey blue, the feathers tipped with reddish ; chin and a stripe down the throat and other under parts tawney white ; breast and neck red, shaded into purplish. Iris yellowish white; space round the eye fulvous; bill brownish black, lower mandible clayish yellow beneath; legs yellowish green. Length 25 \ inches, expanse 37, flexure 10}, bill and leg 4 each. The white occipital and colored dorsal plumes straight, fastigiate, the latter generally longer than the tail. The immature bird has the upper plumage reddish, mixed with blue. Demiegretta rufa. The Reddish Egret or Gaulin is scarce, as I have only seen two specimens ; it appears to be only an occasional visitor. Adult. General color greyish blue, paler beneath; head, neck and throat reddish chestnut. Dorsal plumes with yellowish tips, straight, fastigiate, and longer than the tail. Iris greyish white, space round the eye and bill dull flesh-color; the terminal half of the bill black, legs and feet blue, with blackish scales ; claws blackish. Length 30 inches, expanse 43, flexure 12f , leg 5^, bill 3}. 116. Herodias egretta. The White Egret or Heron is the most common of the larger species. The dimensions are, length 38 inches, expanse 55, or more, flexure 16, tail 5, bill more than 5, and leg nearly 6 inches. Color pure white ; no occipital crest. Dorsal plumes with stiffened shafts, longer than the tail and pendant. Iris yellow ; bill yellowish to the point, dusky above, legs and feet black. 163. Ardea occidentalis. The Great White Heron is rare in the island ; it is readily distinguished from ^he preceding by the larger size, the length- ened occipital feathers, and an absence of the dorsal plumes and some other peculiarities. The color is also pure white. Iris yellow, orbits yellowish green, bill yellow, greenish at the base ; legs yellow, with olive tinge in front, claws light brownish. Length 45 inches, expanse 68, or more, flexure nearly 20, leg nearly 9 inches, bill 5. 115. Ardea herodias. The Great Blue Heron is more abundant in some years than in others. The prevailing color is ashy blue, some feathers tinged reddish ; crown feathers and scapulars elongated ; chin and under tail coverts white ; edge of wing and a patch on shoulder rufous and white ; neck ashy cinnamon brown ; color of throat white, streaked with black and reddish brown ; plumes of the breast ashy and white ; bally streaked black and 1864.] 64 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP white ; sides black. Wing quills blackish. ; thigh rufous ; tail bluish. Iris yellowish, with hazel pupil ; bill with lower mandible yellow, dark flesh- colored at the base ; upper mandible reddish horn, lighter on the edges ; tongue whitish, mouth deep rosy flesh-colored ; leg, feet and claws black, scales with whitish edges ; thighs, a short space from the knee, and a stripe back and front black, the rest tawny ; palms dull clayish. The dimensions of the adult male are, length 46 inches, expanse 74, flex- ure 19, bill 6|, leg 7, thigh 9, middle toe 4|. This species is very variable, rarely agreeing exactly in the dimensions and m the coloring of the head and belly. The female and young male generally have the head black without the white center, and the breast and under tail coverts greyish, streaked with white and blackish. The sack or stomach of one shot at the river side near Spanish Town was filled with small river shrimps and water snails, intermixed with small pieces of river grass (Cera- lophyllum demersum) evidently pulled up in taking the food ; and in the gullet of another shot at Great Salt Pond was a mullet nearly eight inches in length. 275. Ardea Wurdemannii ? The White-crowned Heron is in the upper plumage very like the preceding, but has the crown and occipital elongated fea- thers white ; the under parts white, streaked with black ; the breast bluish black, with bluish grey or ashy on the sides. Length nearly 50 inches, ex- panse 75 or more, flexure 21, leg 8, middle toe about 13, thigh 9, bill 6-. Greenish brown, yellowish beneath. The fishermen and gunners on the coast say this is the male of the preced- ing species in summer plumage, but, from two specimens I have collected, I think they are quite distinct. 113. Ardetta exilis. The Tortoise-shell Bittern is not uncommon among the mangroves and along the banks of streams. It is generally found soli- tary. Length 13^ inches, expanse 17 to 18, flexure 4} to 5, bill and leg each nearly 2. The prevailing colors of this Bittern are dark glossy green and purplish cinnamon mixed with tawny. Iris and bill yellow, the latter darker at the tips, legs tawny. The head and back of the female are chestnut in- stead of green and cinnamon. The eggs are small. 112. Butorides virescens. The Crab Catcher is found as a solitary bird in almost every locality in which there is water. The dimensions are, length 17 to 20 inches, expanse 25 to 28, flexure 7 to 8, leg and bill 2 to 2^. Head with crest glossy green, upper parts of body green, wing coverts edged with tawny brown ; neck and sides of throat chestnut : chin white ; line down the centre of throat white, intermixed with greenish and chestnut ; under parts and sides leaden ash. Iris yellow ; upper mandible black, lower man- dible yellow, with black edge ; legs and feets dusky greenish yellow. The mature male has two stripes on the side of the head towards the ear, with a white stripe streaked with black between them. This species also builds on trees in the morasses and swamps, and on river banks overhanging the streams. The eggs are nearly as large as those of the Gaulins. Butorides beunnescexs. A Cuban species is supposed to be found here, but I have not recognized it in any of my collections. From Gundlach's de- scription this differs from the preceding in having the tip of the lower mandi- ble greenish white ; skin of face olive black ; round the eye yellowish green ; legs olive brown ; lesser wing coverts and small quills dark metallic green, with rusty edges ; large quills without white ; lesser under coverts grey ; Throat yellowish brown, dark grey at base ; foreneck blackish, with metallic green lustre, rusty tips and pale yellowish lateral edges. It also wants the white and black streaked line from the angle of the mouth towards the ear [March. NATURAL, SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 65 and the white on the thi'oat and forepart of the neck, which are uniform with the rest of the neck. 117. Botaurus lbxtiginosus. This Bittern is occasionally met with about the river banks, lagoons and swamps. Iris yellow ; feet grayish yellow; bill yellowish green, blackish at the points. Length 26 inches, expanse 40, flex- ure 12. Prevailing color brownish yellow, mottled and shaded darker with reddish and brown and cinnamon brown ; a black stripe on each side of the neck; chin and upper throat white, streaked with brown. I have not met with the nest. 114. Nyctiakdea gahjdkni. The Night Heron or Quok is often met with about the lagoons and swamps. Length 25 to 30 inches, expanse 40 to 45, flexure 12 to 13, bill and leg a little more than 3 inches. Iris red, orbits green ; bill black ; legs and feet yellow, claws brown ; head, crest, scapulars and back glossy metallic green ; long feathers of occipital crest forehead and under parts white, passiug into pale slaty blue ; the wings and tail ashy blue. The young differ in having the green of the upper parts replaced by dull chocolate ; the coverts spotted white ; the neck and under parts streaked with dusky: the quills tinged with reddish chocolate, and tipped whitish, 120. Nyctherodius v-olaceus. The yellow-crowned Night Heron or Guinea- hen Quok, is also of frequent occurrence. Dimensions rather less than the preceding; the bill thicker and shorter. Iris reddish ; bill dark or blackish green ; legs greenish yellow above, greenish black below ; the prevailing color greyish leaden blue, lighter below ; top of the head and occipital feathers yellowish white, surrounded with bluish black ; quills and tail dull lead co- lor ; the young has the upper parts greenish olive, with central streaks and terminal spots of brownish yellow; the under par's whitish, with yellowish brown streaks. The night Herons build lower than the other species of Arde- idce. The eggs of the two species are alike, rounded at both ends. TANTALlDsE. 121. Ibis alba, the White Curlew. Ibis , the Black Curlew. The haunts of these two ( ? ) species of Ibis appear to be almost confined to the morass borders of the. islets off Salt Island and Busiiy Park Lands, formed by the growth of mangroves, and intersected by natural channels flowing between ; the Curlews breed, and are so be found there at all seasons, only visiting the mainland in August and sometimes in September. The first species is pure white, with the first live wing quills tipped with greenish black. The other is also white, with the head, neck, wings, and tail of a glossy greenish black. The Hesh is equal to tha r . of the wild goose :; ' 119. Ibis rubra. The red Curlew is a rare visitor on the south midland coast ; but has been more frequently seen at the western end of the island. I have never met with it. 118. Platalea a.iaja. The roseate Spoonbill is of very rare occurrence. I have only seen portions of oae, shot by Mr. M ixwell in Saint Elizabeth, many years ago. f 143. PHJENicoPTEEira ruber. The red Flamingo was formerly a frequent visitor at the west end of the island, but rarely seen on the south midland or eastern coast, t *(Notf. by Mr. Richard Hill.) It lias not beoii mentioned by naturalists that the Curlew has the power or" indexing the iippir bill, so as lo ru:i it along the groove ot the lower mandible, and clean out whatever may be adhering there. t (Note by Mr. lliil.) Occasionally specimens have been procured from the sulinas of Old Har- bour. Twice, specimens have b^en brought mo, but s > bidly skinned as to be worthless for tha cabinet. The color was nf a delicate equally tinted rosy red. + (Note by Mr. Hilt.) In 18il a fine rose-tinted bird was Bhot at Passsgo Fort. The bird wag. forwarded by Mr. Kirk p ttrick, but never eaTM to hind. Some of the feathers were separately, sent and received 1864.] 5 66 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY O 1 / Many species of Plovers and Snipes are regular annual visitors , they come in considerable numbers with the autumnal rains, in the early part of Octo- ber, (some are rather earlier in their advent.) and depart, many, before the end of '.he year ; whilst others remain until February, or later in the succeed- ing year. On the arrival of the migratory flocks in autumn, they ra-nge all over the island where water is to be found. Some species are found during the entire year, the number depending apparently on the signs of the coming seasons ; during the dry summer of 1863 they were more abundant than in 18G1 or 1862 ; some of the summer residents breed in the high lands, but the greater number of them are found on the plains and near the coast. CHARADRIIDsE. .ZEgialites melodus. The Piping Plover is, according to Gosse, an annual visitor, but I have not met it in any of my collections. Mr. Gos.se m^y pos- sibly have mistaken the following species for it. 103, 260 yEftiALiTEs Waso?, T res. The Thick-billed Plover is easily recog- nised by the bill ; it is one of tl.e permanent residents, and, I think, is more- numerous during the summer than any of the other species of Aegialites ; the migrants generally arrive in September, and depart in the early prat of the following year, leaving, however, numbers widely distributed inland, as well as on the coast. It lays on the bare sand like the Chordeil ', sometimes, but not often, near the cover of some low shrub. J have not met with more than three eggs in a nest; they are in form like the Quails, stone < oior, splashed all over with small spots of bistre and vandyhe brown, and measuring 1.] by 1$. SeVeral species of Ac< aiitcs are said to breed in Saint Elizabeth and West- moreland. A. rod/ems and tcvuirostris may be among them. 102, 256. iEdALiTES semipalmatus. The. Ring PI vr." <> a summer resident, but is not so numerous as the last species. 1 have collected speci- mens through thi:: spring and summer months, but I have never met with the eggs, though they must certainly breed here, as one of my sons took from one spot in July last, at Gieat Salt Pond, a broken egg perfectly shelled ; it was dark grey apparently without, or with only minute dots. The other Plovers, visiting the island in autumn and winter, are 105, 20-1. Charaduius virginicus. The Golden Plover. , 99. iEGiALiiKS vocifekus. The Kildeer Plover. 103, 203. Squatarola helvetica. The Squatting Plover. 182. LrsiosA? The Horse-eyed Plover. I have not met with any of these during the. summer in the south midland district ; the three first are constant annual visitors ; the last is only obtained occasionally. IIAlMA TOPODIDJE. 107, 257. STRErsiLAs isterpkes. The Turnstone is the most abundant of the Orallae found here Ht all season-', and I have met with their eggs more frequently than these of am oilier species -at the seaside on the plains in the mountains. 1 have iound eggs at Healthsliire Great Salt Pond, Passage Fort, and in Sr. John, St. Thomas in the Vale, and on the bank of the Bio Grande, near Mlllbank in Portland. The eggs are deposited on a few dried leaves under low growing shrubs, (on the coast generally under the Surianvx .Maritima ; > they are yellowish, or olive green, coarsely marked and streaked with dark and light brown, and slat^y grey spots intermixed. [Mareh NATURAL SOIK ICSS OF Pair.ABELPHTA. Si RECUR VIROSTRIDsE. 141. Himantopus NiQRicoiiLis -I have found the Stilt Plover about the Salinas along the coast from Port Royal to Old Harbour, during; the entire year; they are often seen about the Hashes made by the inroad of the Rio Cobre at Passage Fort and the Salt Pans, and Salina at Hanson's or Great Salt Pond, (and I make no doubt they breed throughout the- island.) The eggs are generally found in a tussock of prass; from recollection they are stone color, splashed all over with vandyke brown and pale bistre spots. Recurvirostka Americana. The American Avoset has been identified by Mr. Hill ; it must be a rare visitor, as I have never met with it. SCOLOPACIDJS. 242, 255. Actodromas mixutilla. The little Sand-pipers are found at all seasons, though tuost abundant in the late autumn and early winter months ; they are not, however, uncommon during the spring and summer. They breed on the Salinas and sandy beach, laying three or four eggs on the bare sand ; these are yellowish, splashed with reddish brown and greyish spots principally about the large end. I have had eggs from Great Salt Pond and Passage Fort. 129, 131. Calidris arenaria. The Sanderling is a regular annual visitor I have a pair shot at Great Salt Pond on the 20th August, 1883. 205, 254. Micropalama himantopus. The Stilt Sandpiper is not uncommon during the spring and summer. I have not met with the egg, though I am sure it must breed here, as 1 have specimens of birds collected in April, Jane and August of 1S63. 130. Symphemia semipalmata. The Willet, known here as the Spanish Plover, is not uncommon in some years during and after the autumnal rains. 1 have never seen it in summer, though it is said to breed in Saint Elizabeth. 124. RaYACopuiLDS soutartus. The Solitary or Pond Snipe is never seen in company a single bird or pair only is found usually about the cattle ponds. The e.gs are laid on the bare ground. I have taken several nests, but have no certain recollection of the eggs. 128. Tringa canutus. The Knit or White-bellied Snipe is also found So solitary loneliness on river banks, or marshy borders of ponds or fresh watiy streams, at all seasons of the year, but I have not yet met with the eggs. 127. Gallinago wilsoni. The Jack Snipe is common from the end of Sep tember till December, and thence till April becomes almost solitary ; in the la'ter months at early dawn, after a moonlight night, a single specimen is sometimes found, on the dry pastures of salt ponds, mistaking, no doubt, for water the glittering appearance caused by the moonlight on patches oi parched, low grass. En some years they are abundant, in others scarce ; for the last two or three years, 1861, 1862, 1863, they have been the latter in the south midland plains, but have been abundant in the highlands. When they first arrive they lie in considerable numbers along the borders of poradu, or margins of marshy lands, in every part of the island. Many years ago. early in October, in company with the late Captain St. John, then Island En- gineer, we shot more than seventy brace in three days over a small Guinea cornfield of about six acres; the land had been previously burnt off, and the corn was then only a few inches high ; the water from the then recent heavy rains lying in the intervals and in pud lies about the fidld, which adjoiaatj woodlaud on two sides. Aot;turit.3 BAurs\Mius? The Short billed Scupe is an occasional visitor. I 1864.] 68 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF have a specimen shot in October, 18G3, from the ridge of a house top at Heed's Pen ; the dimensions are, length 12 inches, expanse nearly 24, flex- ure GJ ; tail, graduated, 3.j ; bill 1 ; thigh 2\ ; leg not quite 2; middle toe with claws \ of an inch, hind toe small. Bill dark brown, lower mandible yelow, except at the point ; legs greenish yellow ; upper plumage dark brown, feathers edged with tawny, lower part of the back and rump without the edging ; central tail feathers same as the upper plumage ; side feathers tawny, with blackish transverse bars, and irregular subterininal blotches ; ohin and stripe over the eye white ; throat with blackish marblings, under parts yellowish white, clearer on the belly ; breast and sides with transverse bars of brownish black ; wing quills blackish brown, banded on the inner webs with dull white ; shaft of the first quill white, under wing coverts white, with narrow bands of brownish black. Mr. Go3se gives Tringoides macularius as found on the island. 12G. Gambetta melanoleoca. The Tell-tale. 125. " flavipes. The Yellow-shanks. 122, 123. Ereunetes petrificatus. (E. pusillus.) The Sandpiper. These three Snipes are also annual visitors, arriving in considerable numbers in the autumn, but I have not met with any during the summer. 120. Numewius longikostris. The brown Curlew is often found in paire among the mangrove swamps on the coast during the entire year, but more frequently on the small sandy kays to the west of Healthshire and near Old Harbour, where is also the common haunts of the two species of the Ibis. They breed in the reeds, rushes and tall marsh grass on the borders of the creeks and swamps; the eggs are four, larger at one end and obtusely pointed at the other, measuring 2 yg by l}g ; they are greenish or olive green, with blotches and splashes of dark umber and greenish brown.* There is another bird found in the mountain^, which I take to be a Curlew ; it is much smaller than the preceding, and has a short bill ; the upper plu- mage is also darker, and the under parts rusty white. It is prevalent in the north eastern parishes, about the mountain streams. (Perhaps N. borc- alis.) Iu November, 1826, I had a specimen of a Woodcock, shot on the race- course near Spanish Town, but I have not since met with it. It was supposed to be Philokela minor. I have only a slight recollection, and the following note of it : Length not quite 12 inches ; wing rounded ; bill straight, enlarged at the end; general color pale rufous, shaded ashy and darker rufous. RALLWsE. The Coot, in common with the two Gallinules, is found abundant in the lagoons, marshes and ponds in all parts of the island, highlands as well a3 lowlands ; particularly where there is a thick growth of reeds, rushes and water plants to afford them cover. The nidification of the three is very simi- lar ; a platform of sticks, filled in and lined with decaying leaves, rushes, water grass (ceratophyllum) and other water weeds, constructed in the tall reeds and vegetable growth on the margin of the water. In the lagoons the platform is often built on the interwoven roots of the black mangrove, and composed principally of the decaying pods of the same tree ; they breed twice and probably oftener in the year, commencing in March ; the eggs of all vary considerably in size, but are pretty regular in form and measure, from 2 to *?.\, by If to 1$ of an inch. (The flesh of all makes excellent game soup, if di- vested of the skin, which, when left on, gives the dish a rank or fishy flavor). # (By Mr. Hill ) J am not surf- wbetber the brown Curlew is not the bird that influxes the upper Nil, Numenius, and uot Ibis. [March NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA 69 140. Fitlica Americana. The Ivory-billed Coot lays from six to ei^li t or more eggs, oval, pointed at one end, greyish stone color, splashed all over with small bistre brown spits and dots ; the ground color, when first laid, is very pale, but becomes darker by contact with the damp nest. 139. GrALLiirr/LA g-aleata. The Scarlet-fronted or Florida Gallinule lays five to eight eggs, at first clayish white, splashed sparsely with small spots of sepia brown. By contact with the damp nest, the ground color of these eggs often changes to different shades of drab. I have now, February, 18(54, un- fledged young of this species in a pond near Spanish Town. 210. Gallinula martinica. The Purple Gallinule, Sultana or Plantain Coot, lays six to eight eggs, which are of a pale burnt sienna or yellowish drab, splashed all over with small spots and dots of burnt umbre. * 138. The Carpenter Coot is supposed to be the immature Plantain Coot; but I am inclined to think that, on a more careful observation, it will be found distinct ; the nestlings, so far as I have been able to examine them, are quite different. 133. Rallus elegans. The Mangrove, or Marsh Hen, is very common in its usual haunt in the mangrove swamps. It is considered the highest game- flavored bird in the island, and makes excellent game soup ; it builds a plat- form of sticks, lined with softer mateiials, on low mangrove trees, sometimes just on the surface of the water. I have never found more than two eggs in any nest, but they are said to lay seven or eight ; the eggs are clear white, measuring 1^ by 13-16ths. f Rallus ? violaceus. I have often seen this species in the ferry lagoon, but never succeeded in procuring a specimen. The habits apprar to be very ?imi- lar to those of the preceding. In February, 1863, Mr. Colchester obtained one, a female, from the same locality. The dimensions and description given by the collector are, length 11| inches, expanse 15f ; bill If: middle t^e 1 -}- The general plumage olive black, with olive brown wing coverts and spotted all over with white ; iris red; bill pea green, orange at the b^ise ; legs rosy pink ; gizzard muscular, and contained water snails with their shel's. 134. Rallus concolor, I have never found the Red Rail or Water Part- ridge in the salt swamps, but always near fresh water at the foot of the hills, or more commonly at the sedgy mountain ponds and streams. The eggs are white, and rather smaller than those of the Mangrove Hen. 135. Torzaxa Carolina. The common Rail is very variable in jdumngf) ; it is found at all seasons and in all waters, fresh or salt. I have never met with the eggs of this or either of the two next species. 137. Porzana Jamaicensis. The Jamaica, or Little Black Rail, is also of fre- quent occurrence about marshy lands, and on the savannahs and open pas- tures in the vicinity of water. The cry of this species is chi chi-cro-croo-croo several times repeated in sharp, high-toned notes, and heard at a considerable distance. 136. Torzana minuta. This little Rail is not uncommon in the savannahs and open pastures, and it has the same habits as the P. Jamaicensis ; but 1 have never heard it cry. The two last build in savannahs and open pasturee, forming a chamber in a tussock of grass, with galleries on opposite sides. *(ByMr. Hill.) The brilliancy of the plumage varies with the year, (ho more or less preva- lence ( f the iridescent bronze, with the cerulean and purple, heirg the variation. + This can hardly be the Rallus elegans of American authors, the egg^ be.iug entirely different. - S. i'. Baird. 1861.] 73 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP COL YMBIDM. 184. PoDiiYMBOS podiceps. The Black Gorget Grebe is often met with on Rio Cobre in its entire course, and is sometimes, though rarely, seen on the Cattle Ponds in the lowlands ; it, however, abounds in the highland lakes, ponds and sedgy portions of mountain streams. 1 have not had the same opportunities of observing the habits of this sppoies aa I have had with the common Diver ; but their general habits and nidifica- tion appear to be much alike. The nest of both species is a floating platform or mass of sticks, leaves and water weeds 15 to 20 inches wide, and the same m height, flattened at the top, with a slight depression in the middle, on which three or four oval eggs are deposited. These are chalky white, with a glaucous tinge beneath, though usually discolored by the damp materials of the nest. The dimensions are \\ by ]. 185. Podiceps dominictjs. The Diver frequents the ponds on the Cattle Pens, in all parts of the island. The nest is similar in construction and ma- terials, but rather smaller than that of the Grebe. The eggs are usually four, oval, or oval-elongated, and measure \\ to If by rather less than an inch. This species breeds from April to December, rearing several broods. Soon after they are hatched, the young leave the nest and are carried about the pond under the wings of the parent birds, where they are securely held in swimming and diving. I once shot an old bird passing on the wing from one pond to another, and found a young bird with it, which must have been carried on its back. The same nest is used during the season, with slight ad- ditions after each brood ; and is always pulled to pieces by the old birds when they have done with it. AN AT I DAI. Ansee hyperboeeus and Beknicla canadensis are occasional visitors in con- nection with a severe winter on the continent. 144. Dekpeccygna abboeea. The Whistling Duck is a permanent resi- dent, breeding in the lagoons and morasses on mangrove stools and in clumps of reeds and rushes, laying ten or twelve eggs. It is easily domesticated, but it is necessary to take off the first pinion of one wing to prevent it join- ing the passing wild flocks. They breed more than once during the year, as numbers of them are taken before they become fully fledged, and brought into the towns for sale from May to December. In lb?4 and 1835, at a pen on the St. John's Road, where there is a large pond, some Whistling Ducks were kept among the domestic poultry ; they frequently brought into the poultry yard, in the early dawn, small parties of the Wild Duck, which ac- companied the tame ones without any shyness or alarm into the poultry house, and were thus secured. They feed by night as well as by day. Their whistling cry is often heard passing over head at night. I have frequently, on moonlight, nights in January and Febiuary, shot them in numbers, whilst feeding in the guinea cornfields. ] have had the eggs from Passage Fort, but I find no note of them, and my recollection of them is too uncertain to venture upon their description. 145. Dekdeocygna ad'tumnalis. I have been told that the Red-legged "Whistling Duck is sometimes met with in some of the eastern parishes, but I have never met with any others than those imported into Kingston from the Spanish Main ; and I have not seen any of these for several years. 146. Anas maxima. The Green-back Mallard, whether a hybrid or a va- riety of A. boschas, is apparently apeimanent resident in the island, almost restricted to the deep recesses of the morasses and lagoons at the west end of the island. 1 have never seen a specimtu of this duck, hut '.here have been [March NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 71 several well authenticated specimens of it, besides Grosse's and those referred to by Robinson, obtained, however, from the same vicinage.* In the summer of 1863, a nest of eleven eggs taken from a platform of rushes floating in the large lake at Rio llio near Walton, in the Moneague District of St. Ann's, were brought to the Rev. Mr. Mais, master of Walton School. These eggs are supposed to belong to the Millard ; th'y are oily white, and measure 2| by ]| of an inch. Many years ago I saw some eggs supposed to be one of the large migratory lucks ; they were taken from the lake near Dry Harbor ; they were yellowish oily green, very like some eggs of the English Duck, but I could not obtain any information respecting them ; they may have belonged to the Shoveller,! which I was toll had been found in those waters during the same summer ; or, possibly, an English Duck from Dry Harbor, or one of the neighboring pens. 148. QgERQUEDULA inqrnata. The plain Blue-winged Teal is also a per- manent inhabitant of Jamaica, breeding in the interior lagoons and morasses. It is, I think, unite distinct from Q. dixcors. During the months of May and June individuals are sometimes shot at the Cattle Ponds in the lowlands, but they come down in September in flocks of considerable numbers, and are common a month or more before the arrival of the Lunate Teal ; and in no instance have I ever seen or heard of a specimen with the white crescent having been found here in the summer, or previous to the month of Novem- ber. The eggs are bluish chalky white. 147. CJuerquedula DisfcORS. I have never seen the Lunate Blue-wing earlier than the month of November; the usual period of their arrival is towards the end of the month, and they again appear in March and April on their return to the continent, when they are usually in full summer livery. The other species of Anatidje which are constant in their annual visits to the island are 159, IDS. Spatula CLYPEATi. The Shoveller always in considerable num- bers. 155. Mareca Americana. The American Widgeon in all its forms and variety of plumage. 164, 165. Fdlix affinis. The little Black-head also comes in considerable numbers and varied forms. 153. Dafila acuta. The Pintail, in numbers and in varied plumage. The occasional vistors are Pjeciloxetta Bahamensis. Ilathera Duck (rare.) "(N'ote by Mr. Richard Hill.) In the October season of 18i>5 there hail been wild, stormy rains. The win. Is had bl >wo from tlu west wish that broad, steady force which renders our tempests in tlio latter season as fierce as hurricanes, th >ugh not rotatory storms ; prodigious numbers of ducks were blown before the winds from the c intiuent to tin: islands, that is. from the Mexican Uulf to- t.ne Carribean Sea. The birds arrived at the west end of Jamaica so exhausted and beaten by the rain that iu attempting to alight they fell, and many were picked up in the streets of Montego Hay. Among several ducks that reached our garden just out of the town, was what seemed a. Mallard of extraordinary size. In bulk of b.idy it appeared as large as a Muscovy Duck, {Giirina moschala.) but its shape wot essentially a Mallard, (Greets bosdias.) It was taken up helpless from fatigue, Teal hid been taken up at the saiua time in the same state of exhaustion. My sister, Mrs. Clemetson, caged tlie extraordinary duck, and had it for two seasons. It was a female. J saw it in the spring of 1817, and diiectei that it should be shipped to London for the Zoological Society. Before it c >uld be di,-patched, it died in full plumare, and lull flesh. It had laid infertile egs^s in the previous spring, an I was again laying infertile eggs, the sexual instinct beinc intensely strong; and something like uterine inflammation, if we may so speak, had super- v ened, and the bird perished iu the at of egg-laying. The duck exactly resembled in plumage Mr.Oosse's Anas maxima. X Scarcely the Shoveller eggs of which are crea-ny white. S, F. B. 1SG4.J 72 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Aix sponsa. The Summer Duck (very rare.) 157. Nettion Carolinensis. The Green Wing Teal ; sometimes in autumn, but generally iu the spring. 156. Chaulelasmits stbefebus. The Gadwall; sometimes abundant, but not annual. Anas obscura. The Dusky Duck (rare.) 263. Anas eo.-ciias. The Mallard (rare.) GSdemia perspicillata. Surf Duck (very rare.; 161. Aythya Americana. The Pochard (not uncommon.) Folix collaeis. The Tufted Duck (rare.) Nyroca leucopthalma. White-eyed Duck (very rare.) 160. Aytuya valisneria. The Canvass Back is sometimes found in com- pany with the Pintail. The Muscovy is the species commonly kept in poultry yard?, and in some localities the English Duck is also kept. The two are often crossed. The mongrels are held in higher estimation, as the young have the advantage of arriving at maturity much earlier than those of either parent, and are con- sidered of superior flavor to either, particularly when raised on the duck ant and guinea corn. Note by Mr. Hill. The habitat of the Muscovy Duck is the Lake of Nica- ragua. There all travellers see them at all times, either in small breeding coteries or large flocks. In the wild state their plumage is dark without any admixture of white. They were originally procured from the Mosquito shore. the country of the Muysca Indians, (see Humboldt's researches,) and hence is derived the name of Musco Duck, corrupted into Muscovy Duck. The West Indian Islanders had early naturalized them, for, on the discovery of Columbus, they speak of " ducks as large as geese," that they found among the Indians. A critical Review of the Family PROd-LLARIBiE : Part I., embracing the PRUCELLARIES, or Stormy Petrels. (Based principally on specimens in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution.) BY ELLIOTT COUE3, M. D. Having occasion to publish descriptions of several new species of Pro- cellaridae. which I find in the museum of the Smithsonian Institution, the present seems a fitting opportunity to embody in a review of the family the results arrived at in an investigation in which I have been for some time engaged. The present paper is the first of a series in which will be con- sidered the entire family. It embraces the section Procellarieae, an interest- ing and somewhat extensive group of which the common " Mother Carey's Chicken" Prooellaria pelagiea may be considered as typical. I have at- tempted to elucidate the specific characters of the components of the group, as well as their most natural generic disposition ; and to discuss fairly such questions of synonymy as may arise. It will be perceived that in my generic arrangement, I have closely followed Prince C. L. Bonaparte, whose ideas of a genus, as set forth in his later writings, agree most nearly with my own. I have derived most assistance, as regards specific characters, from tin very valuable monograph recently published by Dr. II. Schlegel, though of course it is quite impossible for me to agree with him on any points of systematic [March NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. <3 arrangement and nomenclature. A comparison of the respective mono- graphs on this subject, by the two distinguished authors just mentioned, affords a striking illustration of the widely diverse results which may be arrived at on any investigation, when two co-workers entertain radically opposite views concerning generic or specific relations. The endeavor to harmonize such conflicting opinions is a matter of no little difficulty ; but as the truth probably lies somewhere between the two, it is perhaps worth while to make the attempt. With every facility in the way of books and specimens which the Philadelphia Academy and the Smithsonian Institution afford, I may perhaps have been so fortunate as to have fixed the quite numerous species with some degree of precision, and to have settled some points of synonymy. Concerning the genera adopted, each one must judge of their agreement with nature, or the reverse, according to his own opinion upon the question of what constitutes a generic group. The family Procellaridse is naturally divisible into three subfamilies : the Diomedeinse, the Procellarina^, and the Halodrominse. These are readily eharacterizable, aside from any consideration of other features, by the posi- tion and shape of the nasal tubes. In the Diornedeina? these tubes are entirely disconnected, and placed one on each side of the bill. In the Pro- cellarinse they are united, situated at the base of the culmen, and open more or less horizontally forwards. In the Halodrominas their position is as in the Procellarina?, but their apertures are directed vertically upwards. The subfamily Procellarinae is composed of several grpups, or assemblages of genera and species, which constitute the "sections" of Prince Bonaparte's arrangements. These divisions are the Fulmarese, the Daptionea?, the Prio- neae, the Puffinea?, and the Procellarieae. The genera composing each of these are more intimately allied to each other than they are to the genera of any other section : and we have consequently an exceedingly convenient and perhaps not unnatural means of dividing the very- extensive subfamily into readily characterizable lesser groups. That section which forms the subject of the present article the Procellariea; is the largest and at the same time the most marked of these groups. It may readily be distinguished from the other groups by the following peculiarities : Section PHOCELLAR1EJE. The species are all uniformly of small size, there being found in this section the very smallest of natatores, and none of the species exceeding eight or nine inches in total length. In form, most of the genera are delicate and graceful, none being as robust as is usual in most of the genera of other sections. The colors of the group vary exceedingly. A large proportion of the species are fuliginous black, varied more or less with white; but in some genera there is seen some variety in the pattern of coloration. Bright colors, however, are never found. The bill is of moderate or very small size, always shorter than the head or tarsus, rather wide at the base, its sides rapidly converging towards an attenuated compressed decurved tip. The nafal tubes are long, elevated, and conspicuous ; subcylindrical in shape, inclined forwards and somewhat obliquely upwards ; the septum between the narcs thin, delicate, and quite perpendicular; the nasal aperture circular; the tubes in length always at least nearly half as long as the culmen. The wings are long; the first primary, contrary to the general rule in this family, always shorter than the second, sometimes only as long as the fourth. The second primary is always longest, the third intermediate between the fourth aud second. The primaries are acutely pointed, a little falcate, and strong, though very flexible and elastic. The tail is very long, but is exceedingly variable in shape, being even, forked, emarginate, rounded, or cuneate. The legs are ; !y slender, delicate, compressed usually, much elongated. 1864.] 74 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF The tibiae are denuded for some portion of their length. The tarsal scutel- Ise are usually distinct, though fused in one genus. The toes are very long and slender, the outer nearly or quite as long as the middle, the inner con- siderably shorter. The hallux is exceedingly minute, almost rudimental in character, having a short, straight, acute claw. The interdigital membranes are rather narrow, but extend-quite to the claws. In examining collectively the species of the section thus characterized, we find that they arrange themselves very naturally into two very trenchantly defined groups. In the first of these, the legs are short ; the tibiae almost wholly feathered; the tarsus scarcely longer than the middle toe; the claws small, compressed and acute ; the colors uniformly dark, or only relieved by white on the rump and crissum. In the second of these groups, the species all stand high, the legs being unusually elongated ; the tibiae are naked for an inch or more ; the tarsi are very much longer than the middle toe and claw; the claws are all broad, depressed, obtuse, rounded. The tail is rounded or forked : never cuieate. i. The first of these groups is composed of four genera :Occanodroma (type Proc. furcala, Gm ), comprehending two species; Cy ><(. Mini, equal to Thalassidroma of authors, containing some four or five species : Ualo- cyplena, Mini, a hitherto unknown genus, with a single species ; and Procel- laria of Linnreus (as restricted by Bonaparte), whose type is the P. pelagica, and which comprised several species closely allied to the last named. . The second grpup is represented by three genera: Oceanites of Keyser- ling and Blasius, with Thai. Wilsoni of Bonaparte as type, and comprising besides its type three other species; Fregetta, Bonaparte, comprising some four species congeneric with tropica of Gould, and Pelagodroma, whose type aud single species is the Procellaria fregata of Linnasus. I shall review these genera and their respective species in the order in which they are mentioned above, discussing the various questions concerning which there exists doubt or confusion, and then present a synopsis of the whole subject, in accordance with the results which may be by this means arrived at. ?i I. OCEANODROMA, Reichenbach. This genus was founded by Prof. Reichenbach upon the old Procellaria furcala of Gmclin. Its distinctive characters lie in its small, much com- pressed, rather weak bill; in its comparatively very short wings, of which the first primary is unusually abbreTiated, (being intermediate between the fourth aud fifth), while the third is fully as long as the second : in its very long, deeply-forked tail, with its broad central aud attenuated exterior rectrices. In the proportions of the naked space of the tibia?, and of the tarsus and toes it does not differ from several other genera of the section. The middle toe with the claw is about as long as the tarsus. The colors are peculiar, and only found in this ger.us. Two species of the genus are knowm to exist; both inhabiting the North Pacific Ocean. 1. OCEANODROMA FURCATA, Bp. CX (line!. This long and well known species has quite a profusion of a . generic as well as specific. First indicated by Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 561, in H&'S, the name of Procellaria furcata, it was renamed Procellaria orientalis by Pallas, Zoog. R isso As. ii. p. 315 (1S11), and afterwards called Thalassi- droma cinerea by Gould. It is the < oma orientalis of Gray. Genera of Birds, iii. 1849, pi. 17*; the Ocmmdroma oriental-is of Reichenbach, Syst. Ar. xviii. fig. 24 1.".; and the 0. tndr furcata of Bonaparte, Conspectus Avium, ii., 1S56", p. 194; which latter i . ! believe, its proper ation. The characters of the species are t<", r> i\\ known to require notice in this connection. [March NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 75 2. OCEANODftOMA HoRNBYI, Bp. ex Gray. This, the second species of the genus, was first introduced by Gr. 11. Gray, in the proceedings of the Z tological Society for 1853, p. 62, under the name of Thalassidroma Hornby:. Judging from Mr. Gray's descriptions -for I am autoptically unacquainted with the species it is entirely congeneric with the 0. furcata, though differing greatly from it in colors. This generic dis- position has been made by Bonaparte, on page 195 of the second volume of his Conspectus. It appears as yet to be an exceedingly rare bird in col- lections : none are contained in the Philadelphia Academy or Smithsonian Institution, or, in fact, so far as I am aware, in any American collection. It uas the front, cheeks, throat, collar round the neck, breast, and abdomen pure white; crown, hind head, a broad band in front of neck, bend of wing- and lesser wing coverts sooty gray : upper part of back gray ; lower part of back and tail ashy gray; greater wing- coverts brownish gray; tertiaries and quills deep black. 11 Length 8.25 inches, tail 3.75, tarsus 1.00, middle toe about the same. Bill a[ong culmen 8.1 line?, along rectus 10J lines." I II. CYMOCHUREA, Coues. This, the second genus: of the short-legged acute-clawed group of Procellariea; is most nearly allied to Oceanodroma, having like it a loug deeply-forked tail. It is the genus of which the well known Leach's Petrel is typical; and one to which Melania, Bonaparte, and a new species, about to be described, also belong. With the forked tail and short legs of Oceanodroma, it is distinguished from that genus by its comparatively very much longer wings ; by its larger, longer, much more robust bill, with shorter and straighter nasal tubules : by its radically different pattern of coloration, &c. The name ' Thalassidroma" is the one under which this genus is generally presented. Founded by Vigors in 1825, upon the Procellaria pelagica, Lin- nasus, the name has been employed by ornithologists, in a most unaccount- ably loose and vague way, to designate any and all the species of Procellariea;, without the slightest regard to their natural generic affinities. In 1856, Bonaparte first restricted Thalassidroma to a single genus, that one of which Leachii, Temminck, is the type. But if used at all, it must be, of course, for that genus of birds upon which it was founded, viz., the one of which pelagica is the type; for it is contrary to all rule to use a synonym of one genus as the tenable name of another. As will be demonstrated further on, u _ Thalassidroma., Vigors, ' : is a complete synonym of Procellaria proper of Lin- !ia3us, as is also //./.. of Boie, both being based upon the P. pelagica, Linnaeus. This being the case, it is evident that the present well known genus has yet to receive a tenable distinctive appellation. In supplying a name, I take Leachii, Temm., or rather leucorrhoa, Vieill., as my type; and in the following diagnosis so define the genus as to exclude all forms not entirely congeneric with it. Cgmochorea,* Coues. {=Thalassidroma, Bp. nee Vigor.,. Type Procellaria leu- corrhoa, Vieill.) Bill much shorter than^he head, about two-thirds the tarsus, or middle toe with the claw, rather stout, as high or higher than broad at the base, the unguis strong, much decurved; the nasal tubes less than half as long as the culmen. Wings moderately long, not much surpassing the tail when folded; first primary longer than the fourth, second longest. Tail exceed- ingly long, deeply forked, the feathers all broad, their tips obtusely rounded. Legs short; bare space of tibias brief. Tarsus equal to middle toe and claw. of rather large size, and stout form. Colors unicolor, or nearly so. Three species are at present known to constitute this genus. These are the following : * Etym. from Gr. Ktquox, "way?," and %oos, "a dance". 1864.] 76 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY CF 1. Cymochorea leucorrhoa, Coues ex Viciliot. The specific characters of this, the common and abundant " Leach's Petrel," being so well known, need not detain us. Its synonymy, however, is suffi- ciently extensive and complicated to require attention. There can be no doubt, I think, that the Procellaria leucorrhoa, Vieillot, Nouveau Dictionaire d'lfistoire Naturelle, tome xxv. 1817, page 422, was based upon this species. Vieillot's description is : " Sept pouces et rtemi de longueur totale ; la queue fourchue ; le bee, les pieds, les pennes alavies et caudales, noires ; la reste du plumage couleur de suie, a l'exception des cou- vertures superieures de la queue qui sont blanches, et d'un lisere gris-blanc qui est a Pextremite' des pennes secondares de l'aile." Our author further remarks that this Petrel " se tient sur 1'ocean" Atlantic "jusqu'au Brazil, et peutetre encore au dela." In every respect the description so clearly and completely applies to the present species, that no argument is needed to prove the propriety of the reference. The next notice of the species that I have met with is by Temminck, Man- uel d'ornithologie, 1820, ii. page 812, under the name of Procellaria Leachii. The description is pertinent and complete, and the indication of the species so unmistakeable, that the name Leachii has always remained the one in common employ among ornithologists. In 1828, Dr. Fleming, in his '-History of British Animals," page 136, de- scribes this species under the name of Procellaria Bulk kh. The citation " Procellaria pelayica, Pallas nee Linnams," is given by Bona- parte as refering to this species. From what is now known of the range of habitat of the latter, it would seem at best but a doubtful citation. In addition to the above, the species has been placed in numerous genera. It is the Thalassidroma Leachii of Bonaparte. Consp. av. ii. 195; the Thalassi- droma BullocMi of Selby, Ornith. ii. page 537: and the llydrobales Leachii ol Boie. Isis von Okeii, 1822, p. 562. 2. Cymochorea. melania, Coues ex Bonap. This, the second species of the genus, was first introduced by Bonn parte in fa is Not. Orn. Delattr. in the Compt. Rend. 1 854, xxviii. p. 602. under the name of Procellaria melania. The following is his diagnosis. " Nigro-coracina, vel in uro- pygio ; subtus fuliginosa ; alis longissimis ; cauda brevi, sed profundi furcata ; tectricibus omnibus omnino nigris." Unfortunately, however, as it afterwards proved, he neglected to give any measurements; as a consequence, the suc- ceeding species, homochroa. about to be described, has appeared in the ix. vol. of thePacine Railroad Reports as the true melania, when it is in reality a very different bird, though, like melania, it wants a white rump. Prof. Baird has been enabled to obtain fromM. Pucheran the measurements of the true melania, and these agree perfectly with a skin in the Smithsonian from Cape St. Lucas, Lower California. As the species is yet rare in collections, and one with which comparatively few ornithologists are autoptically ac- quainted, a full description, taken from a typical example now before me, niav not be out of place here. Form. The bill is large and robust, the mandibular rami of the intermaxil- lary especially strong and prominent. The nasal tubes, as in T. Leachii, measure a little less than half the length of bill. The bill is about two-thirds the length of the skull ; about half that of the tarsus. The wings are mod- erately long for this group, reaching only a little beyond the tail. The point of the wing' is formed by the second primary alone; the third being interme- diate between the second and the first; and the first intermediate between the third and fourth. The tail seems rather long for this group and is deeply forked, all the rcctrices being quite broad to their obtusely rounded tips. The tibia is bare for a longer space than is that of T. Leachii. The legs are short The tarsi are slightly longer than the middle toe and claw. The outer [Mar. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 77 toe alone is absolutely longer than the middle one, but its claw is much smaller. The apex of the inner claw reaches to the base of the middle one. Colors. The entire plumage is of a deep sooty brownish black, deepest on the sides of the head about the eyes and on the upper parts generally, in- cluding the rump, changing gradually to a lighter, more fuliginous and more brownish black on the belly, under tail coverts and crissum. The major alar tectrices are lighter than the rest of the plumage, though not very con- spicuously so. The remiges and rectrices are wholly pure black, as are the bill, feet, claws and interdigital membranes. Iris light brown. Dimensions. Length 1) 00 inches, extent of wings 18-50 (on authority of collector's label). Bill along culmen -GO, along rictus -95 ; height at base -25. width -25 ; length of nasal tubes -30. Wing from the carpal joint G-70. Tail external feather 3 90, internal 2-70, depth of fork 1-20. Tibiie bare -50 ; tarsus 1 20, the middle toe and claw 1-10, (inches and hundredths.) (Description from No. 13,025, Smithsonian Register tf ; Cape St. Lucas, Lower California. J. Xantus.) It is somewhat a question whether this species be not the Procellaria fuliffi- nosa of Latham, lad. Orn. ii. 1790, p. 825. The following is his diagnosis : " Pr. fuliginoso-fusca, capite, collo, remigibus rectricibusque nigris cauda emarginata. * * * Habitat in insula Otaheitc ; prsecedentis* magnitudine." This description applies pretty well, but the dimensions are far too large, the preceding species desolata being described as eleven inches in length. This same " Procellaria fuliginosa, Lath.,"' is more fully described by Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. xxv. p. 418, (1817,) under the name of " Petrel fuligi- neux d'Otaiti." Vieillot's description, however, only applies approximately. The species is there said to be " dix pouces" long ; to have the tail only "un pen fourchue ;" and it is stated that the interdigital membrane "a des taches jaunes ga et la." In view of the uncertainty, I do not see any cause to super- sede Bonaparte's name. I am unable to discuss the relationships of a certain " Procellaria scapulata^ Brandt," referred with a query to this species by Bonaparte. The third species of the genus is the one already adverted to, as that one figured and described in the Birds of North America, under the name and with the synonymy of the melania, Bp. 3. Cymochorea homochiioa, Coues. Diag. C. Cymochorex melnmise nee perdissimilis ; sed multo minor, rostro laevi, brevi, compresso, tarso nee longiore digito medio cum ungue ; plumbeo-vel schistaceo-nigra vel in uropygio crissoque; subtus sensim fuliginoso-nigra; alis caudaque fusco-nigris, tectricibus alarum majoribus dilutioribus. Long, rostri -50 ; tarsi -90; poll. aug. alaj 5-10. Petrel not very unlike T. melania, but much smaller, with a short, light, much compressed bill, and the tarsus equal to the middle toe and claw. General color a dull plumbeous or slat}- black, growing more or less fuliginous on the abdomen; the crissum and rump concolor with the rest of the plumage; the wings and tail dull black, the greater wing coverts light greyish brown. Habitat. Farallone Islands, Pacific coast of North America. Form The bill of this species is not quite half as long as the skull, rather more than half the length of the quite short tarsus, is much compressed and not very robust. The folded wings reach a little beyond the tail. The second primary is a little the longest, the third is nearly equal, the first considerably longer than the fourth. The tail is of about the same comparative length as in Leachii or melania ; the depth of the fork being as great as in the latter species. *i c. desolata. j Etym. Gr. opens, " like, some ;" yjot, " color ;" in reference to the uniformity of its plumage. 1SG4] 78 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF The tarsi are comparatively a little shorter than in this species, bcin j., nc longer than the toe and claw. Color. The plumage, although agreeing with that of melania in its gem characters, < f its uniformity and the want of a white ramp < r erissum, etc , is yet quite different in tint, being of a deci mbeous or dull de< p blue- ish black, rather than the smoky brownish black oi m . Indeed the tint calls faintly to mind the plumage of Jurcata. This plumbeous tint is most palpable on the head and upper part of the back ; it deepens about the eye so as to almost form an anteocular spot ; and on the breast gradually change? to more of a fuliginous hue, which prevails over the whole abdomen and under tail coverts. The color of the wings and tail is not different from that which obtains with nearly all the species of the section, and there is also the same dull greyish brown band along the greater coverts, and invading the outer edges of most of the tertials, as well as their apices. A further character of the species, wherein its coloration differs from that of melania, is found in the inferior alar tectrices, and axillary feathers, many of which are wholly or in part dull whitish. The feet are wholly black. Independently of any differences in plumage the following measurements, compared with those already given of the melania, serve at once to separate the two species : Dimensions. Length (approximately correct only) V-25 inches. Wing, from the carpal joint, 5-00 or a little more. Bill, along culmen, -50 ; along rictus '75 ; height at base -21 ; width -20; length of nasal tubes -24. Tarsus 90; middle toe and claw about the same. Tail outer feather 3-25; inner 2-G0. Three fine specimens of this interesting species are in the Smithsonian Museum, all procured at the Farallone Islands, Pacific, coast of North America, i have taken No. 21,444 as the type of 7iiy species. No. 13,725, received from Mr. F. Gruber, is the original of the figure of " Melania, Bp.," given in the atlas of the general report. All three are quite identical in every respect. III. HALOCYPTENA * Coues, nov. gen. The third genus of the group is one as yet undescribed, and which I have now the pleasure of introducing to the notice of ornithologists. It differs most remarkably from all other genera of the Procellariae in the possession of a enneate tail. In most other respects it comes nearest to Procellaria proper, with pelagiea as type; but it nevertheless differs from that genus ic addition to the peculiar shape of its tail, in its exceedingly long and acute wings. The fqllowing are its diagnostic characters. Char. Gen. Bill much shorter than the head, about half the tarsus, weak, slender, compressed, the convexity of the culmen beyond the nostrils very great. Nasal tubes as in other Procellariese. Wings very long, reaching much beyond the tail, acutely pointed ; second primary longest, third nearly equal, first about as long as the fourth. Tibice naked for a very short space. Tarsus a little longer than the middle toe or claw. Outer toe without claw, absolutely as long as the middle ; but its claw very short and weak. Tip of inner claw reaching to the base of the middle one. Hallux exceedingly minute. Webs moderately full ; their margins incised. Claws compressed, curved, acute. Tail rather long, wedge-shaped ; the central rectrices pro- jecting somewhat beyond the rest; the lateral all regularly graduated ; the tips of all narrow, acutely rounded. Unicolor; of very small size, and ex- ceedingly deli, ate form. The only known species of the genus is the following : *Ety:n. of name from Gr. a\t "ocean," Uv, "swift," Wotos ' winged;" "having the power of flight." Ifalocyptena, " the swift ocean-flyer." [March NATURAL SCIENCKS OF PHILADELPHIA. > ': 1. HaLOOYPTBNA. MICROSOMA, COUPS, NOV. sp. Diag. : Halocyptcna rostro, pedibus, alis caudaque nigris; corpore tot< intense fusco-atro, abdomine sensim fuliginoso, tectricibus alarum majoribue dilutioribus; Long. tot. 5.75; alas 4. 75 poll. Ang. et cent. Description. Form typical of the genus, as above characterized. Entire plumage deep lustrous brownish black, darkest on the head, neck, back, and upper parts generally ; changing gradually on the abdomen to a fuliginous brown, which is the prevailing tint of the under parts, from the breast back- wards including the under tail coverts. The lesser and medium wing coverts are as dark as the back; as are also the inferior alar tectrices. The greater coverts are considerably lighter ; being with the external borders of some of the tertials dull brownish, with a cast of gray. The remiges and rectrices are pure black. There is no indication of white on the rump or crissum. The bill, feet, and claws are black, as are also the interdigital membranes. Dimensions. Total length from tip of bill to end of tail 5. 75 inches and hundredths. Wing from the carpal joint 4.75. Bill from front along culmen .48 hundredths; along rictus .62; height at base .19; width .21; length of nasal tubes .22. Bare portion of tibia; .30; tarsus .90; middle toe and claw .82 ; inner do. .08 ; outer do. .80. Tail to end of central rectrices 2.50 ; to end of outer do. 2.15. ' Difference between central and next pair .15 hundredths-. Habitat. South Pacific coast of North America. Typical and unique specimen No. 11,420 of Smithsonian Museum Register. Adult female, taken in May, 1861, by John Xantus, at San Jose del Cal Lower California. This diminutive species hardly exceeds in size the little G. pelagiea, and is at the same time much slenderer and more delicate in form than that species. The combination of the small size; peculiar form and unifi rm < dors widely separate it from any ether known Petri 1. I IV. PROCELLARIA, Linn, emend. The genus of which the little pelagiea L. is the type constitutes the fifth and the last one of this short-legged group of Procellariese. It is readily recognizable among all its allies by the combination of its short legs, acui" claws, and square or slightly rounded tail. As to size, it comprehends the very smallest of known natatores ; with hardly the exception of my diminu- tive little Halocyptcna mkrosoma. The bill is small, short compressed, th< sides rapidly converging to the narrow tip ; less than half as long as tb.v skull, a little more than half the tarsus. The wings in length an typical of the section ; reaching beyond the tail. The second primary is longest ; the third a little shorter; the first less than the fourth. The bare proportion of the tibia? is short ; the tarsus is just equal to the middl i toe and claw. The proportions of the toes to each other are as in other genera, already described. The tail is moderately long, full, the feathers broad; > little rounded in shape. In color this genus is usually dark with a white rump and crissum ; though this color does not obtain throughout the genus, if such species as nereis, Gould, and fasciolat a, Tschudi, really belong here. The genus I'rocellarid first appears in 1746, in the sixth edition of the Sys- temne Naturae, having as its type the P . pelagiea, Linnaius. Throughout suc- cessive editi -. the same species is invariably made tj ' \ \ : as it also is in the Edition of Gmelin (1788), and in Latham's Index Ornithologicus (1790). I am, therefore, quite at a loss to discover the grounds upon which modern ornithologists have been justifiable in assigning the name Procellaria to such a genus e. g. as that of which glacialis, or antarcticus, or ( oki, are respectively typical. If with Dr. Schlegel we admit but a single genus of Procellarinse, that' will of course be Procellaria; and we shall employ it in its original Lin- nean acceptation. If, however, with almost all ornithologists, we make . 1884.] 80 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF family Pro cell aridce of Linnaeus' genus Procellaria, and proceed to separate the component genera according to the now generally received definition of a "genus ;" then Procellaria must be restricted to pelagica and its congeners, and other names be found for the remaining generic groups ; there are few points of synonymy, involving a Linnean name, more clearly demonstrated than this. The first synonym of Procellaria that I have met with is Hydrobales, Boie, Isis Von Oken, 1822, p. 5G2. This has pelagica as its type. This is not, however, to be confounded with Hydrobata, Vieillot, 1816, wilich is a genus of Turdida;, with Slurnus cinclus, L. as type. The second synonym of the genus is Thallassidroma, Vigors, Zoological Journal, Vol. ii. for October. 1825, page 405. Although based upon pelagica, and therefore an entire synonym of Procellaria, Linn., this name has become most firmly established, not only as an appellation for this genus, but also for all the Stormy Petrels indiscriminate^'. It will be evident, I hope, from what has just been said, that not only is the name quite untenable for the present genus, but that it cannot be used with propriety in any connection. The number of species composing this genus is a little uncertain ; partly in consequence of unusual variations to which pelagic i seems subject; and partly because the indications of many comparatively recently described species are not explicit enough as regards proportions, etc., to admit of a definite reference to their proper genus. I will first notice pelagica and its kindred species, and then consider those species which seem to fall most laturally in this genus. 1. Procellaria pelagica, Linnaeus. Syst. Nat. ed. vi., 1746 ; nee. Wils. Amer. Ornith. vii. p. 90. Hgdrobatet pelagica, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 562. Thallassidroma pelagica, Vigors, Zool. Journ. ii., 1825, p. 405, et auctoruru fere omnium post. A. D. MDCCCXXV. Above glossy brownish black, below more fuliginous the under tail coverts, however, of the former color, and very long, reaching sometimes to bej'ond the tips of the rectrices themselves. The superior caudal tectrices are pure white, ter- minated, however, with equally well defined black tip3. The white of the crissum is less pure and well defined; and that of the under tail coverts is much interrupted with blackish. The inferior alar tectrices and the axillary feathers are variegated with light touches of dull white. This species apparently varies to an unusual extent in size, especially ae regards length of wing. Specimens before me measure about 4.} inches from the carpal joint. Dr. Schlegel says, " aile 4 pouces a 4 pouces 6 lignes." Mr. Lawrence says " wing five inches." These variations, and doubtless cor- responding discrepancies in other dimensions, have been the cause of the founding of several species ; either entirely nominal, or at most constituting races of the same parent stock. Omitting entirely to notice Brehm's multi- farious "species" [sic!] those most entitled to consideration are the fol- lowing : ? 2. Procellaria tethys, Bonaparte. Comptes Rendus, 1S54, xxxviii. p. 662; et 1856, xlii. f. 769, et Consp. Av. ii., 1856, p. 197. From the Gallapagos Islands. This typical Procellaria is exceedingly closely allied to pelagica ; but differs from it in wanting the black tips of the superior caudal tectrices, which are always found in the latter. It is also said to be somewhat smaller, and to have less markedly the transalar fascia. ? 3. Procellaria luodbris, Natterer. Acta Ital. Medio!., 1844. "Ex oceano Mcred." This species (if it be really one), differs from the typical pelagica in being somewhat larger, and in having a more robust bill. It would appear also that there is less of whitish upon either surface of the wing, and upon the under tail coverts. The upper tail [Murch NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 81 coverts have the same black tips. Without a typical example professing to be this species, I am unable to decide definitely concerning it, but I am much inclined to doubt its validity. ?4. Procellaria melitensis, Schembri. " Thalassidroma melitensis, Schembri, Catal. Ornith. del. Grupp. di Malta, p. 118." This is a species placed by Bonaparte as a synonym of a pelagica, but by Gray considered as distinct. I have no means of judging of its validity. The name is employed by Reichenbach to designate the true pelagica. 5. Procellaria nereis, Bp. ex Gould. Thalassidroma nereis, Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc, Lond., 1840, viii. p. 178. Procellaria nereis, Bp. Consp. Avium, 1856, ii. p. 196. I have had the pleasure of examining Mr. Gould's types of this species from Bass' Straits, Australia, now in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy. It is a beautiful little species, quite unlike any other known Stormy Petrel. In form it comes nearer to Procellaria pelagica than to any other species, and it is probably congeneric with it, though it differs somewhat in the propor- tions of the tarsus and toes, and very widely in its pattern of coloration. The bill is very small, short, and compressed. The wings reach just beyond the tail ; the second primary is the longest; the third and first nearly equal ; the fourth much shorter. The tail is long, slightly rounded ; the rec- trices broad to their very tips. The tibias are denuded for from half to two- thirds of an inch. The proportions of the tarsus and toes differ from those of pelagica, in the greater comparative length of the former. The bill, legs, and feet are black. The head all round, the upper part of the neck and the nape are fuliginous brown with a cinereous hue. This bluish ashen tint becomes the prevailing color on the lower part of the back, the wing and tail coverts, and the tertials ; these feathers being edged more or less conspicuously with grayish white. The primaries are brownish black, lighter on their inner webs, the more inner ones with an ashen tinge. The caudal rectrices are light ashen blue, gradually deepening towards their tips into pure black. The entire under parts from the breast backwards, and the under surfaces of the wings, except just along their edges, are pure white. There are a few longitudinal shaft lines of bluish gray on the sides and crissum, which became still more obvious on the under tail coverts. This species inhabits the Australian seas. 7. Procellaria fasciolata, Coues ex Tsch. Thalassidroma fasciolata, Tschudi, Beitrage zur Geographischen Verbreitung der Meeresvogel in Cabanis' Journ. f. Ornith. iv., May, 1856, p. 180. From the Aurora Islands. " Sein Kopf ist schwarz, der Mantel rost braun, die untere Seite der Flugel mattschwarz, die obere wie der Mantel. Vom Rucken aber bis zur Wurzel der ersten Schwungfedern verlauft ein Zoll breiter weisslich-brauner Streif. Der Bauch ist tiefschwarz, der Steiss schneweiss. Der Schwanz ist schwarz, fiicherformig, schwach halbmondformig ausges- chweift. Schnabel und Fiisse sind schwarz, die schwimmhaut sehr weit, die Iris tief schwarzbraun. An Grosse ubertrifft er die Th. pelagica um ein. Bedeutendes." The above is the reference to and a copy of the description of a species recently introduced by Dr. Tschudi, and by him supposed to be new. If all the characters mentioned in the description really obtain, the species is cer- tainly a valid one, for it is not at all like any known species of Stormy Petrel. My reference of it to the genus Procellaria is upon supposition ; for the description affords not the slightest clue to its proper position. I would have preferred to have allowed it to remain under Dr. Tschudi's designation, but as Thalassidroma is an untenable name, I have seen fit to substitute the proper appellation of the genus. It is to be hoped that we may before long know 1864.] 6 82 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP more concerning the validity, and in that event, regarding the generic rela- tions, of this supposed specie3. ?? 8. On the same page where fasciolata is described, Dr. Tschudi goes on to speak of a Petrel of which he saw several examples some degrees further south, but of which he was unable to procure specimens. The mantle was dark gray, the head blackish, the neck somewhat darker ; the feet and bill black, the wing feathers blackish, the abdomen grayish white. In size it hardly equalled pelagica. " Ich wage daher nicht mit Bestimmtheit zu ent- echeiden, ob diese Vogel zu einer Species gehoren, noch dem von mir beobachteten einen Namen zu gaben." A few pages further on (p. 190), the supposed species is named Thai, dubia. As from the circumstances of obser- vation there is extreme liability to error, and, at all events, great uncer- tainty, Thai, dubia had better quietly await more reliable data before claim- ing recognition. The remaining species constitute the second group of Procellariea;, separ- able from the preceding group by exceedingly trenchant characters. In the first place, the species all stand, high : the lengthened tarsi much exceed in dimensions the long toes, while at the same time the tibiae are greatly elongated, and bare of feathers for the greater part of their extent. The claws are very different from those of the first section, being broader than high, depressed, not compressed, and always more or less rounded and obtuse. The tail varies, being either rounded, square or forked ; but when the latter, it is never so deeply forked as in oceanodroma, etc., of the first group. The wings are very long, much surpassing the tail. Three distinct genera constitute this section. g VI. OCEANITES, Keys, et Bias. This is the genus of which our common " Wilson's Petrel" is the type, first named Oceanites by Keyserling and Blasius Wirlbelth. Europ. ii., 1364, p. 238. It is in many respects the most distinct and remarkable genus of the Procellariea;, being widely diverse in all its characters from all others. It may be well here to define its limits with precision. Oceanites, Keys, et Bl. (Type Proc pelagica, Wils. nee Linn.) The bill is short, weak, compressed, its sides a little concave, its tip attenuated, the convexity of the culmen along the unguis comparatively little ; it is less than half as long as the head, about half as long as the middle toe without the claw, about two-fifths the tarsus. The nasal tubes, instead of rising obliquely upwards and forwards, as in the genera of the first section, have their dorsal outline perfectly straight and horizontal. The wings are exceedingly long and acute, and the proportions of the primaries different from that which obtains in any genus hitherto considered ; the second primary very much the longest; the first fully equal to the third ; the fourth very greatly shorter than the first. The tail is of moderate length and nearly square, being neither much forked nor much rounded, large and full, the feathers broad to their very tips. The legs are the most peculiar. The elongated tibiae are bare for an inch or more. The very long tarsi present the remarkable feature of having their anterior and lateral aspects covered with one smooth unbroken podotheca or " boot," resulting from the fusion together of the ordinary plates and scutellae. Posteriorly the plates remain pretty distinct. The toes, though very long, are, without the claws, only two-thirds the tarsus. The hallux is so extremely minute as to be discernible only on close inspection, when it is apparent as an exceedingly short, acute claw. The anterior claws are flattened and broad, and scarcely at all curved. The species of the genus are among the larger in size, with much the colors of Procellaria proper. Of the genus as thus constituted, the following species are known to me: 1. Oceanites oceanica, (Kuhl). Procellaria pelagica, Wils. Am. Orn., 1808, vi. p. 90, pi. Ix. Procellaria [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 83 oceanica, Kuhl, Beit. Zool., 1820, Monog. Proc. p. 136, pi. x. fig. i. Thalassi- droma oceanica, Gray. Gen. Birds iii., 1849. Thalassidroma Wilsoni, Bonap., J. A. N. S., Philada. iii. 1823, p. 231, pi. ix. et auct,. Oceanites Wilsoni, Keys et Bias. Wirbelth. Europ. ii., 1840, p. 238. Oceanites oceanica, ? This is one of the best known and most widely distributed of the Procellarieae. Its characters need not detain us. Some points of synonymy seem, however, to require investigation. The first notice of the species is in 1808, when it was accurately described and figured by Wilson, as above, under the erroneous name of Procellaria pdagica, Linn. This error was first noticed and corrected by Bonaparte in the Journal of the Philadelphia Academy for 1823, and the species named Thalassidroma Wilsoni. This is the appellation by which it has been most usually known to, ornithologists. In the year 1820 there appeared in Kuhl's Beitrage Zur Zoologie, in the article entitled " Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Procellarien," a description accompanied with a figure of the head, of the present species, under the name of " Procellaria oceanica Banks." The figure is poor, and difficult to recognize, but the full description is pertinent in every respect, and un- equivocally refers to the present species. This name should consequently receive that precedence over Wilsoni to which its priority clearly entitles. Indeed, Bonaparte himself, in his Conspectus Generum Avium, p. 199, and also in his Conspectus Gavia;rum in the Comptes Rendus for April 28, 1856. admits that the two names refer to the same species. The only question appears to be this : Banks had, before the appearance of Kuhl's Monograph, applied the name oceanica to specimens of this species from the Southern Oceans. This Australian form Bonaparte considers as a variety of the Atlantic bird, in the fasciculus of his Conspectus bearing date of Jan. 1st, 1856; and shortly afterwards, in the Comptes Rendus for April 28, 1856, he accords to it full specific rank. If the Australian form be really a distinct species, then, of course, it would bear Bank's and Kuhl's name of oceanica, and Wilsoni could be retained for the Atlantic species. Such, how- ever, I am confident, is not the case. I have carefully examined specimens of the species from Australia (among them the types of Mr. Gould's work, "The Bird's of Australia"), and I have failed to detect the slightest differ- ences which could even mark the southern bird as a distinct variety. They appear to me absolutely identical, as indeed they are considered by the majority of writers. Such being the case, then, " Wilsoni, Bp.," must become a synonym of oceanica, Kuhl, and the species be known as Oceanites oceanica. 2. Oceanites mneata, Bonap. ex Peale. Thalassidroma lineata, Peale, Ornith. U. S. Expl. Exped. Oceanites Hneata, Bonaparte, Consp. av. ii. 1856, p. 200. Several good examples of this well marked species are in the Smithsonian Museum, being those collected by Mr. Peale himself. It is very different in most of its characters from the preced- ing species. It is a much larger bird. The wing measures 6} inches from the flexure, the tail a little more than 3 inches. The tarsus is If inches long; the middle toe and claw 1^. The bill is larger and stouter, though of the same relative proportions. The tarsi, however, absolutely but little if any longer, and are, therefore, relatively shorter, as lineata is a larger bird. The general pattern of coloration is the same as in oceanica ; but lineata may be readily distinguished by the white streaks which variegate the under sur- face of the body and wings. On the anterior portions of the belly, the black and white are in about equal amount, but more posteriorly and on the crissum, under wing and tail coverts, the white is by far the predominating color. The black appears only along the centre of each feather as a shaft line, producing an appearance which renders the name " lineata" exceedingly pertinent. This species wants the yellow spaces on the interdigital mera- 1864.] Si PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF branes, so conspicuous in oceanica. The most important difference in form between the two species lies in the much greater flatness and obtuseness of the claws of lineata. With the following two species I am autoptically unacquainted, and can only judge of their specific validity, and of their generic relations, from the descriptions of their authors. They evidently, however, belong to the long- legged, depressed-clawed group of Stormy Petrel, and I think there can be little or no doubt that they both are species of Oceanites. Such indeed is certainly the case with the Thai, segethi of Phillippi and Landbeck,* the de- scription of which is so complete and perfect in every respect, that I have no difficulty in assigning it to its proper genus. Would that all birds could be as thoroughly described on their first introduction to ornithologists! The Thai, gracilis, Elliot, seems so closely allied to both lineata and segethi, that it can hardly but be an Oceanites] though I cannot speak concerning it with the same degree of certainty as I do regarding the former species. 3. Oceanites segethi, Coues. ex Ph. et Ldbk. Thalassidroma segethi, Phillippi and Landbeck, Wiegmann's Archiv, 1860, p. 282. The following description of this species is condensed from the one originally given by its discoverers : The bill and feet are glossy black. The head, neck, back, throat and breast, as well as the upper wing coverts, dark blackish gray, the latter, however, tending somewhat towards brownish. Wing and tail feathers deep black. The feathers of the upper parts have white borders, which, however, are worn away in the course of the summer. The inner web of the four outer tail feathers is white at the base. The upper tail coverts, the abdomen, the flanks, and the circumanal region are white. Under tail coverts are black, with white bases and tips. The lesser inferior wing coverts, and the whole border of the wings are black, the rest of the inferior coverts white. Length 1\ inches (French). Bill 6 lines ; tail 2 inches 11 lines ; wing 5 inches. Tarsus 1 inch 5 lines ; middle toe 10 lines. Naked portion of the tibiae 7 lines: Wings when folded reaching an inch beyond the tail. Habitat. The coast of Chili. This species is compared by its describers with the lineata as follows : " It comes nearest to the species described by Titian Peale, in the United States Exploring Expedition, which was found breeding on the Island of Upolu. This species agrees with ours in size, in the form of the feet, and in the colors generally, but differ from it in this respect, that, while in lineata the feathers of the neck are white with black tips, and those of the breast, belly and flanks are white in the middle and black at the tips, in segethi the feathers of the neck and breast are uniformly slatey black, and those of the abdomen and flanks are entirely white ; moreover, in segethi the outermost of the supe- rior tail coverts are wholly white, while in lineata they have black shaft lines." This species, however, requires very careful comparison with the succeed- ing, before its claims to specific distinction can be fully substantiated. I do not hesitate to express my decided opinion, that they will be found to be identical; for, so far as I can judge of the colors from the descriptions, they are quite similar, and certain descrepancies in the measurements of the two may result from the difference between the French and English inch. The habitat of the two birds is precisely the same ; still, in view of some points, in the descriptions which do not entirely accord, and especially because it * These authors themselves remark (p. 284) " on account of the long legs, and the much abbre- viated hallux, our bird should be referred to Bonaparte's new genus Oceanites; but ; t appears that a generic separation can hardly be mad with propriety upon such inconsiderable differences." May 1 be allowed to ask, with propriety, if Fhnpe of bill, peculiar proportions o' tarsus and toes, length of wings and tail, and above all, the fusion of the tarsal plates can be accounted as "in- coneidejrahle differences 1" [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 85 seems useless to exchange one doubtful opinion for another, I have preferred to consider both species as valid, until an opportunity be afforded of deter- mining the question with certainty. 4. Oceanites gracilis, Coues ex Elliot. Tkalassidroma gracilis, D. G. Elliot, Sclater's Ibis, 1859, p. 391. "Plumage sooty black. Quill feathers brown. Secondary coverts margined with light brown. Ramp, upper tail coverts and middle of abdomen, white. Tail black, the two outer feathers with a white mark on the lower half of the inner web, growing narrower as it descends ; lower half of the shafts white, the rest black. Under tail coverts white margined with black. Breast sooty. Bill black. Tarsi and feet very long and slender, black. Length 5-90 inches ; wing 5-22 ; tail 2-40 ; bill -40 ; tarsus 1-20." Habitat. Coast of Chili. In general characters this species seems closely allied to Oceanites lineata, and the pattern of coloration is, in many respects, very similar. The dimensions of the bird, however, will at once separate it from that species ; for the wing is more than half an inch shorter, the tail fully as much less, and the bill, tarsus and toes are proportionally as much smaller in dimensions. As already remarked, it comes much nearer to the 0. segethi, and is very possibly the same bird. In the event of this proving to be the case, gracilis, Elliot, has priority over segcthi, Ph. et L., and must be retained as the name of the species. VII. FREGETTA, Bp. This well marked genus, as limited by its author, Bonaparte, contains sev- eral species, all more or less closely allied to each other, and agreeing in the possession of the following generic characters : The bill is small and short,. measuriag in length hardly half that of the skull ; about as high as broad at the base, the sides converging rapidly toward a somewhat compressed, at- tenuated and decurved tip. The nasal tubes are stout, short and elevated towards their extremities. The culmen and commissure are both much de- curved. The wings are rather elongated, reaching a little beyond the tail ; the second primary is longest, the third nearly equal ; the first generally between the third and fourth. The tail is long, nearly square, but sometimes more or less emarginate ; the rectrices all exceedingly broad to their very tips, which are subtruncated. The legs are long and stout; the tibiae naked for a considerable space ; the tarsi much exceed in length the toes, which latter are very short, unusually stout, and connected by rather narrow webs. The species are all of rather large size, and stout form, and are bicolor, the dark and light colors occupying distinct areas. The type of the genus is the Thalasxidroma tropica, Gould, which, with the other species, chiefly inhabit the intertropical and southern seas. The genus is so well marked as to require special comparison with no other. The following are the species composing it with which I am ac- quainted : 1. Fregetta tropica, Bp. ex Gould. First described by Gould, Ann. et Magaz. Nat. Hist. vol. xiii. p 366, under the name of Thalassidroma tropica, this species is referred to its proper genus by Bonaparte, in his Conspectus Generum Avium, p. 197, and also in his Conspectus Gaviarium, p. 797 of the Comptes Rendus for 1856. If there be other synonyms of the species, I have not met with them. It is the largest species of the genus, measuring 8'75 to 9-00 inches in length. The tail is more forked than in the other representatives of the genus, the depth of the emargination being f of an inch. The bill measures a little more than ^ the length of the tarsus and it is rather stout, especially at the base, where it is broader than high. The tarsus varies from If to If of an inch in length ; the middle toe with its claw \\ inches, or a little more, 1864.] 86 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF The plumage is fuliginous black ; the lower part of the breast, the belly, the sides under the wings, both tail coverts, the throat, and a nuchal collar, white. The species inhabits the intertropical portions of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In the shape of the bill, emargination of the tail, length of wing, and pe- culiar proportions of the tarsus and toes, this species differs somewhat from the other representatives of the genus Fregetta, as here adopted, so much so, that ornithologists may perhaps hereafter find it expedient to restrict the genus to this single type, and present the remaining species under a different ge- neric appellation. 2. Fregetta grallaria, Bp. ex Vieillot. This long known species has, in spite of its well marked characters, been presented under so numerous and diverse designations, that its synonymy re- quires careful consideration. The first unequivocal indication of this species that I have met with is that given by Vieillot, on page 418 of vol. xxvi of the Nouveau Dictionnaire, (1817,) under the name of '' Le petrel exhasse, Procellaria grallaria." The accompa- nying description, though brief, is entirely pertinent to the present species ; and Vieillot's name is, therefore, entitled to priority over subsequent desig- nations. Prof. Lichtenstein has, in the Catalogue of the Duplicates of the Berlin Museum, page 83, (1823), conferred the name grallaria upon a different species, Yiz : the melanogastra of Gould. In 1820 ihe species was presented by Kuhl, Monogr. Proc, p. 138. pi. x. fig. 3, under the name of" Procellaria /regatta, Banks." This author's description is very full and quite accurate, but he erroneously adduces the name " P. xquorea" as a synonym, whereas the latter really is a synonym of quite another species, viz : the Procellaria marina of Latham. Bonaparte acknowledges, in his Conspectus, p. 198, the error he committed in 1828, of referring to this species under the name of Thalassidroma oceanica, he having in his synopsis of the Birds of North America confounded Vieillot's grallaria with the Oceanites oceanica of this paper. Finally, in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Mr. Gould describes this species as new under the name of Thalassidroma leucogastra. A tine suite of specimens are before me, among which are some of Mr. Gould's typical examples, received by the Philadelphia Academy from him. They vary more than is usual among the Procellaria, in the color of the upper parts, which ranges from a deep fuliginous brownish black to a much lighter plum- beous or ashen hue. Some the lightest colored ones have all the dorsal feathers edged with greyish white. The circumocular region is usually the darkest colored. The white of the under parts varies exceedingly in extent; it sometimes reaches far up on the throat, including nearly all the under sur- face of the bird ; while in other examples it is nearly as much restricted, that is to say, descends as low on the breast as is usual in examples of melanogastra. The lightest colored birds are apparently the most immature. The bill is stout, nearly as high as broad at the base, measuring from the front to apex, about half the length of the skull. The nasal tubes are long and elevated. The wings are moderately long, reaching just beyond the very slightly emarginate tail. The second primary is longest ; the third nearly equal ; the first iutermediate between the third and fourth. The rectrices are exceedingly broad to their very tips, which are subtruncated. The tibiaj are denuded fur the space of one inch. The tarsus measures 1-50 to 1-60 inches, the middle toe and claw 1-05 to 1-10. The wing from the flexure measures 6 inches. The species inhabits the tropical portions of both oceans. [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 87 3. Fregetta melanogastra, Bp. ex Gould. Thalassidroma melanogastra, Gould, Ann. et Mag. Nat. Hist., xiii. p. 36V. I have had an opportunity of examining Mr. Gould's typical specimens of this species, now in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy. Although it is very closely allied to the preceding, both in form and colors, yet it con- stantly differs as follows : While a somewhat smaller bird, it has yet consid- erably longer tarsi and toes ; the bill is longer, slenderer, with a more atten- uated and gradually decurved unguis. The wing is nearly an inch shorter ; the proportions of the primaries about the same as in grallaria. The tail is about a third of an inch less. With the same general distribution of colors as in ffrallaria, this species differs in the presence of a central longitudinal brown- ish black streak, which divides the white of the abdomen into two symmetrical lateral halves. This ray is not always perfect, being sometimes only indicated by a few disconnected, black feathers. I have never, however, in a large num- ber of specimens seen it entirely wanting, but even if this be ever the case, the species may be readily diagnosed by its peculiarities of size and form above detailed. The species inhabits the tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean. This is, in all probability, the species indicated by Forster, Descriptiones Animalium, Edit. Lichten^tein, 1844, p. 180, under the name of " Procellaria fregata, Linn. ;" at least, I judge this to be the case (although no mention is made of the ventral ray) from the annexed foot-note, by Prof. Lichtenstein, in which the latter says that it is upon this species (fregata, Forst.) he has based his Procellaria grallaria, (Cat. Dupl. Berl. Mus. p. 83) which is " ob longitudi- nem pedum segreganda." This length of the feet is exactly the most patent point of difference in form of this species from the preceding. 4. Fregetta Lawrencii, Bp. ex Lawr. Thallassidroma fregetta, Lawrence, Annals of the New York Lyceum of Natu- ral History, 1851, p. 117. Fregetta Lawrencii, Bonaparte, Conspectus Avium. ii. p. 198. It is exceedingly to be regretted that the typical and only known specimen of this species has been lost, so that there is no opportunity of comparing it with leucogastra, to which it is so very closely allied. I can, therefore, do no more than simply present Mr. Lawrence's description, from which ornithologists must judge for themselves regarding its specific validity. " Head and wings black ; neck, breast and back dark plumbeous, or dull bluish ash ; wing coverts brown; the tail white at the base, with the terminal half and the two central feathers black; abdomen, inside of wings and rump, white ; bill and legs black. Tail even ; claws flattened and of an ovate form. Length about 8 inches ; wing 6 ; tail 3 ; tarsus If. (Gen. Rep. Birds N. A., p. 832). I VII. PELAGODROMA, Reichenbach. A very peculiar genus of Procellarieae, readily recognizable by the following characters : Bill very long, but little less than the head, exceedingly slender, much com- pressed, higher than broad at the base, the nasal tubes very short, less than half the culmen, the unguis attenuated only slightly and very gradually de- curved. Wings of moderate length, reaching just beyond the tail; second primary longest, third nearly equal, first about equal to the fourth. Tail very long, nearly square or but slightly emarginated, the feathers all exceedingly broad to their truncated apices. Legs very long, somewhat stout, only mod- erately compressed. Tibiae denuded for an inch or more. Tarsus of ordinary length for this group ; toes all unusually long, the middle with its claw being but little less than the tarsus. Iuterdigital membranes all very full and broad. Of large size, rather stout form, and variegated colors. This genus agrees with Fregetta in many respects, but differs markedly from 1864.] 88 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP it in the length, straightness and attenuation of the bill ; and in the very unusu- ally long toes, with their broad, full, interdigital membranes. The pattern of coloration is very dissimilar from that of most of the species of Fregetta or indeed of any other genus of Procellarieae. The long and well known Procellaria fregetta of Linnaeus is its typical and only species. I. Pel^godroma fregata, Bp. ex Linn.* The history of the synonymy of this species is somewhat involved, since, as demonstrated in the annexed foot-note, the Procellaria fregata of Linnteus has been very variously interpreted by different writers. Some authors have con- sidered it as referring to the tropica of Gould, others to the grallaria of Yieillot, others again to the melanogastra of Gould ; while one author has applied the name to a new species, afterwards dedicated to him by Bonaparte. (Fregetta Lawrencii.) But I entirely agree with Prof. Lichenstein," (foot-note on page 180 of Forster's " Descriptions Animalium") and with Bonaparte (Conspectus, p. 198) that the Froc. fregata, Linn., was based upon the bird first described by Barrere, and which Latham subsequently more definitely characterized as Procellaria marina. With this view of the case, the following is an exposition of the synonymy of the species in question : Proc. fregata Linnasus, S. N. i. 1766, (nee Forster, nee Kuhl., nee Lawrence.) Procellaria marina, Latham, Ind. Ornith. ii. 1790, et Kuhl, Monog. Proc. 1823, p. 138, pi. x, fig. 2. Thalassidroma marina, Gray, Genera Birds, iii. 1849. Pe- lagodroma marina, Reichenbach, Syst. Av. Pelagodroma fregata, Bp.,Consp. Av. n. 1856, p. 198. Procellaria sequorea, Solander. Procellaria hypoleuca, Webb et Berth., Av. Canar. This large and beautiful species, so peculiar both in form and colors, is too well known to require any description in this connection. There is in the Philadelphia Academy a very young individual of this species which has not yet wholly emerged from the downy state of plumage. Yet, although so very immature, the peculiar color and markings of the adults are already entirely apparent. This is ample evidence that the birds of this group are subject to no changes of plumage of any consequence in their progress towards maturity. I have fortunately been able to extend the same observa- tion to other species. A fledgling of Cgmochorea leucorrhoa, now before me, has exactly the pattern of coloration of the adults, and the uropygial white is already discernable, the only difference being that the black is rather of a slaty than of a fuliginous tint. The chief variations of plumage to which, at least, the fuliginous species are subject, will all be found, I think, to depend upon season. After the moults, when the feathers are fresh and new, they are much darker, and more uniformly so, than after they have become old and worn. Their tips then assume a somewhat lighter brown color, and the dull brown alar fascia, common to so many of the species, becomes much more con- spicuous. This is readily demonstrable by examining any of the fuliginous species during the moult, when the old and new feathers will be found to be quite different in the precise shade of the fuliginous brown. The preceding pages contain notices of all the known species of Procellarieae * Among the Procellarieae no name has been so indiscriminately used by authors for so many different species as "fregata, Linn.," variously spelled fregata, f regatta, fregetta, etc. That this may occur less frequently in future, and for convenience of reference, the following synoptical view of the various applications of the word is given: Proc. fregata, Linn.=P. sequorea, Soland.=P. hypoleuca, Webb, et Berth.=P. marina, Lath.=> Thai, marina, Uray. =l\lagodroma marina, Reich.=Pelagdroma fregata, Bp. ex L., of this paper. Proc. fregata, Forster.=P. grallaria Licht. nee Vieill.=(probably) Thai, melanogastra, Gold,= Fregetta melanogastra, Bp. ex Gould, of this paper. Proc. feegatta, KwM.=P. gratta rin, \ici\\.=Thal. oceanica, Bon. (li2S).= Thal.lcucogastra, Qoul&.=Fregetta gralb ria, Bp. ex Vieill., of this paper. Thai, fregetta, Lawr. Fregetta Lawrencii, Bp. ex Lawr., of this paper. [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 89 with which I am acquainted, as well as references to and criticisms upon the more or less doubtfully valid ones. I have purposely, however, omitted all consideration of the Procellaria Bulweri of Jardine and Selby in this connec- tion, because I cannot regard it as belonging to this group at all. This spe- cies the Thalassidroma Bulweri of some authors the Puffinus columbinus, Webb et Berth the Procellaria anjinko, Heine is by Bonaparte made the type of a genus Bulweria, which its author places among the Procellarieae. But I assert most confidently that the bird in question is not a " Stormy Petrel" at all, but a species of the section Fulmareee, closely allied to, and entirely congeneric with, the P. allantica, Gould, and the P. alerrima, Verreaux, which compose Bonaparte's genus Pterodroma. The mo^t constant and uni- formly diagnostic character of the Stormy Petrels proper is found in the short- ness of the first primary, compared with the second and third, and in a cer- tain peculiar flexibility and elasticity of all the remiges. The P. Bulweri has none of these characteristics. The general contour of the bill, and especially the size and shape of the nasal tubes are very difierent from what obtains throughout the Procellarieae; while the feet and tail disagree to a scarcely less marked extent. The fact of its small size seems to me no argument for its introduction into this section, for it is scarcely smaller than several species of Puffineae, e. g., nugax, Solander, or yelknan, Acerbi. In my mind there is no doubt that Dr. Schlegel has correctly indicated its affinities in placing it in intimate connection with the Pterodroma aterrima, Verreaux, and atlanlica, Gould. The following is a brief synopsis of the genera and species of the section, prepared according to the views expressed in the preceding pages. It is made as brief as is consistent with perspicuity, only the more important features being presented. Synopsis of the genera and species of the Procellarieae. Family PROCELLAR1DJE :T\i ' !, impressa et contorta. Hub. Ottowa River, Canada West, E. Billings, Esq. A Critical Review of the Family PROCELLARIDiE : Part II. ; Embracing the PUFFINEJE. BY ELLIOTT COUES, M. D. ) U. 8. A. Tbe present paper is the second of a series in which it is proposed to con- sider the entire family of Petrels. The first fasciculus in which the Procel- larieae or " Stormy Petrels" are reviewed, has already appeared in these Pro- ceedings ; in the present continuation of the subject are embraced the Puf- finese, or "Shearwaters." In writing upon the Procellariese I had regard more particularly to the generic disposition of the species ; for most of them were so well known as to require comparatively little comment upon their specific distinctions. With tthe Puffiuere, however, the case is exactly the reverse. While the generic groups are very plainly indicated, the species compri ed in each are for the most part quite numerous, and their relations to each other, gene- rally so very intimate, as regards size, form, and color, that it requires care- ful and discriminating comparison to separate them. I have, therefore, given this part of tbe subject in hand special attention ; and have gone consider- ably into details in my examination of the specific characters and relation- ships of the numerous components of the group, believing that in no other way can the desirable degree of information on the subject be attained. At TApril, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA.. 117 the same time the many intricate questions of synonymy involved have necessitated somewhat lengthy discussions. In my arrangement of the genera and species I have closely followed that given by Bonaparte in his Conspectus ; except that I place among the Puf- finefe the genus Adamastor, which Bonaparte considers as belonging to the Ful- marea?. The position of this genus is, indeed, a little uncertain, the char- acters of the bill approximating to those of the Fulniarea?. Its bill, how- ever, is almost identical with that of Majaqueus ; and it agrees so closely in other respects that the two genera cannot be placed in different groups ; while the possession by each of twelve, instead of fourteen or sixteen rectrices, plainly indicates that they belong to the Puffinese rather than to the Fulmarea?. The Puffinese, as I regard them, are composed of five genera, viz : Maja- queus, Adamastor, Thiellus, Nectris and Puffinus. The two first of these are very different from the three last in many respects ; and warrant a sub- division of the section into two groups. The first, or the " Fulmar-Puffins,^ ' have the bill stouter than ordinary ; the nasal tubes longer, more elevated, more decidedly tubular, vertically truncated at their apices, and the nasal septum thinner ; the wings and tail shorter. The three latter of the above- named genera constitute the "Puffins proper." The bill is very long and slender ; the nasal tubes short, broad, depressed, obliquely truncated ; the nasal septum thick ; the wings and tail very long, the latter much rounded ; and the feet very large. As for the genera themselves, they are hardly worth retaining, except it be for convenience' sake. Thiellus is mere- ly Nectris with a longer and more decidedly cuneiform tail ; while Nectris hardly differs from Puffinus, except in its rather slenderer bill, and entirely fuliginous color. The subdivision of Puffinus into " Ardenna," " Priofhius," and " Puffinus" seems quite unwarrantable. I shall consider the species of the five genera in the order in which they are named above, and conclude with a brief synopsis of the section in accord- ance with the results arrived at in the investigation. MAJAQUEUS, Reich. Gen. char. Bill a little shorter than the head, about equal to the tarsus, stout, compressed, higher than broad at the base, the culmen rising imme- diately from the nostrils, the unguis largl, very convex, much hooked. Com- missure unusually curved from feathers to unguis, the concavity looking up wards ; outline of inferior mandibular rami quite straight to the unguis. Nasal tubes long, (nearly a third the length of the culmen), elevated, laterally obliquely flattened, carinated along the median line, apically vertically trun- cated, with a considerable emarginatiou ; nostrils quite circular ; the septum narrow for this section. Wings very short for this family. Tail also exceed- ingly short, and subtruncated, the graduation of the lateral feathers being slight. Feet stout, the tarsus greatly abbreviated, being much shorter than the middle toe without its claw. Outer toe without claw longer than the middle. Tip of the inner claw reaching the base of the middle one. Of large size, dark color, and exceeding robust form. The preceding paragraph characterizes a marked and very peculiar genus of Procellaridse. It is at once distinguished from all its allies by the com- bination of the large size, extreme robustness of bill and feet, as well of the whole body, the unusually short wings and tail, the dark colors, etc' It is most nearly allied to Adamastor, the bills of the types of the two genera being almost identical ; but other characters readily distinguish the two. Two species of this genus are recognized by ornithologists. Dr. Schlegel has well shown that it is rather by peculiarities of form and size that conspicil- latus is to be distinguished, if at all, from aequinoctialis. 1864.] 118 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Majaqdeps aequinoctialis, Reich ex Linn. Procellaria aequinoctialis, Linn., S.N., ed. vi. (175S), Id. ed. xii., i., 1766, p. 213. Gmel. S. N. i., p. 564. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii., 1790, p. S21, et anctorum. P. aequinoxialis, Vieillot, Nouv. Diet, d' H. N., 1817, xxv., p. 422. Priqfinus aequinoctialis, Hoinbr., et Jacquin. Majaqueus aequinoctialis, Reich, Syst. Av., pi. 20, fig. 340, 341. Bonaparte, Consp. Avium, ii. 1856, p. 200. Puffinus capitis Bonce-spei, Brisson, Ornith. vi. 1760, p. 137. Procellaria nigra, Forster, Descr. Anim, ed. Licht. 1844, p. 26. "Procellaria fu- liginosa, Solander." Habitat. "In oceano Australi extra tropicurn, (nunquam visa ad lineam aequinoctialem. unde patet, in ipsurn noinen ' aequinoctialis ' non quadrare." (Fokstek). It is unnecessary to give any description of this long and well known species. The white spots on the throat and cheeks appear to vary much with age. In the perfectly adult bird the triangular gular spot is alone left ; that on the cheeks, which is connected with it in immature birds, having disappeared. Very young birds have the under parts almost wholly whitish, which afterwards deepens into fuliginous. The present is one of the three species of Procellaridas, (pelagica, aequinoc- tialis, capensis), known to Linnaeus in 1758, and given in the sixth edition of his Systema Natura?. The name aequinoctialis appears, according to the obser- vations of most naturalists, to be geographically erroneous ; and probably on this account it was changed to niijra by Forster in 1772. But as it is impos- sible to say exactly what are the limits of a Procellaridian's wanderings, it- would be hardly warrantable, I think, to change Linnaeus' appellation. There are no points of synonymy which require discussion here. MAJAQrEus coxspicillatus, Bp. ex Gould. Procellaria conspicillata, Gould, Ann. et Mag. N. H., 1844, lma. series xiii., p. 362. Id. Birds Austr. vii. pi. 46. Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 20. Majaqueus conspicillatus, Bonap. Consp. Av. ii., 1856, p. 200. Procellaria larvuta, Lesson. > Habitat. Australian Seas. This species, despite the peculiar markings of the head, which usually characterize it, is, nevertheless, exceedingly closely allied to the preceding. Examination of the large series in the Philadelphia Academy collection shows the markings to be very variable as to their extent, and that they are some- times hardly traceable at all. (Consult on this point Dr. SchlegeFs mono- graph, where the point is fully elucidated.) In the majority of specimens the submental white patch is more or less perfectly connected with a broad white stripe, which, passing from the feathers on the side of the lower man- dible, runs backwards on the side of the head, below the eye, curving up- wards on the occiput, so as nearly to meet its fellow of the opposite side. In addition to this, a broad somewhat crescentic patch occupies the anterior por- tion of the vertex, and descends on the cheeks in front of the eyes nearly or quite to the commissure of the bill, leaving the features' of the extreme front black. The colors in every other respect are those of aequinoctialis. More constant and reliable, though not so conspicuous, diagnostic features are to be found in other characters. The b rd is larger than aequinoctialis; its bill is a little longer and considerably more robust, and has the unguis of both mandibles bluish black instead of bright yellow. The sides of the man- dibles are also usually much darker in color. The wings and tail, on an aver- age, exceed those of aequinoctialis by an inch or so, but the variation with individuals of both species amounts to more than this. A corresponding relative difference exists in the average length of the tarsus and toes. [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 119 There are no points of synonymy connected with this species which require notice. ADAMASTOR, Bon. Char. Gen. Of large size and robust form. Bill a little shorter than the head, about three-fourths the tarsus, broad and stout at the base, narrowing regularly to the strong, very convex compressed unguis. Nasal tubes longer than ordinary (for the Puffinea?) very broad, depressed, but vertically trun- cated at their extremity, and with an unusually thin septum, somewhat as in the Fulmarese, to which the genus bears considerable analogy. Wings rather short for this section ; the primaries broad and stout, the second quite as long as the first. Tail rather short, of twelve feathers ; the central rectrices projecting and a little acuminate ; the lateral more rounded, and rapidly graduated. Feet of the usual size, moderately compressed and stout. Tar- sus shorter than the middle toe without its claw. Outer toe longer than the middle. Tip of outer claw about reaching base of middle. The genus Adamastor was founded in 1856 by Bonaparte to accommodate certain Procellaridians, which seem to combine in a remarkable manner the characteristics of both the Fulmarese and the Puffineas. The species resem- ble mo;t the Fulmareae in the length, vertical truncation and thin septum of the nasal tubes ; and also less markedly in the shape of the wings and tail. In all other respects they are, however, true Puffinea?. The bill, in shape and comparative size, can hardly be distinguished from that of Maja- ,,, reus, in tin' Birds of North America, was taken; i-< nil incompatible in any feature with 1'. cinereus, Gm., Lath.. Vieill.; agrees entirely with Forstar'a /. A > with Bonaparte's Adamastor typus and Schlegel's Proc. adamastor, [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 121 The following resume of the points under discussion is given for conve- nience of reference : Proc. cinerea, Gm., Lath., Vie-ill. (1817) ; (nee auct. Europ. quae P. Kuhlii, Boie ; nee auct. Anier. quae P. major, Faber) = Puffinus cinereus, Lawrence, 1S5S = Adamastor typus, Bp., 1856 = Proc. adamastor, Schlegel, 1803 = Adamastoi cinereus, Coues, 1864. Proc. fkesitata, Forst., 1774 = Puff, hcesitata, Lawrence, 1853 = P. hoesitata, Gould (sed non P. hcesitata, Kuhl, 1823, nee Temni. PL Color, quae species Astrelata ) = P. cinereus, Gm. Dr. Lichtenstein, in his edition (1844) of Forster's Descriptiones Anima- lium, says that the leucocephala of Forster (which is also the alba of Linn., Gm., Lath.) " vix nisi Estate videtur differre a hcesitata Forster." It is well known that the present species when young has the cinereous of the head much lighter than that of the adults ; and Prof. Lichtenstein's surmise may therefore be correct. As, however, there are several points of form, etc., in which it seems to differ from hcesitata, and especially as Bonaparte has con- sidered it a valid species of Astrelata, I shall follow the latter authority until more definite data may be found upon the subject. Adamastor gelidus Coues ex Gmel. Procellaria gelida, Gmelin, Syst. Nat., i. pars 2, 1788, p. 564. Latham, Index Ornith., ii. 1790, p. 822. Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat., xxv. 1817, p. 419. (Haud dubie, opinor.) Procellaria jlavirostris, Gould, Ann. et Mag. N. H, 1844, lma ser. xiii. p. 365. Adamastor Jlavirostris, Bp. Consp. Av., 1856, ii. p. 188. Habitat. Antarctic Ocean. Cape of Good Hope. Sj). char. " Feathers of the head and all the upper surface brown, with paler edges, fading into white on the tips of the upper tail coverts ; wings and tail deep blackish brown ; all the under surface pure white ; the feathers of the under surfaces of the shoulders with a streak of brown down the centre ; bill yellow, passing into dark horn color at the tip ; tarsi and feet fleshy white. "Length 19 inches ; bill 2| ; wing 15 ; tail 6^ ; tarsi 2| ; middle toe and claw 3^.'' [Gould.] This is an exceedingly well marked species, liable to be confounded with no other with which I am acquainted. That it is a species of Adamastor, and entirely congeneric with A. cinereus, there can be, I think, no doubt. The general coloration and the proportions as indicated by the measurements, plainly evince this to be the case. Moreover, Mr. Gould himself remarks that " this bird so nearly approaches in form the members of the genus Puf- finus, that it is almost a question whether it should not be included in that genus." A bird which could be placed by so accurate an ornithologist as Mr. Gould in the genus Procellaria (/. e. among the Fulmareae), and which yet exhibits such an affinity with the Puffineas, cannot but belong to the genus Adamastor. Discussion of synonymy. I think there can be no reasonable doubt that the old P. gelida of Gmelin, Latham and Vieillot is really the present species. The habitat and the dimensions given by these authors is the same as that assigned to Jlavirostris by Mr. Gould ; and their diagnoses are pertinent in almost every particular. The expression " pedibus caeruleis" is indeed quite inadmissible ; but a misinterpretation of the color of the feet of birds of this family is extremely likely to occur when only dried skins are exa- mined. Still I would hardly venture to supersede Gould's Jlavirostris by Guielin'-- or Latham's gelida, were it not for the fuller and more perfect de- scription of the species given by Vieillot in the work above quoted. An examination of his description will show that it differs in no single conse- 1864.] 122 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF quential point.* In view of these facts, and deeming it of the utmost im- portance to identify as many of the names of the older authors as possible, I have thought it best to restore Gmelin's appellation. Adamastor sericeus Bp. ex Less. Pvffinus sericeus, Lesson, Man. Ornith., ii. 1828, p. 402. Adamastor seri- ceus, Bp., Consp. Av., 1836, ii. p. 18S. Habitat. Southern Pacific Ocean. Sp. char. Bill black; feet flesh-colored, the margins of the webs blackish. Upper parts deep greyish ashy, passing into blackish grey on the upper wing coverts. Head, neck and under parts white ; the former variegated with some touches of clear greyish ash. Circumocular region blackish. Inferior surfaces of the wings of a lighter color than the superior. Tail rounded, its upper surface lightly washed with ashy. Length 15 inches ; extent of wings 36 ; wing from the carpus 11'50 ; tail 5 ; bill along gape 2-00 ; nasal tubes - 40 ; tarsus 1*75 ; middle toe 1*33. The preceding description is compiled from Lesson's original notice. The indications are not as explicit as might be desired ; but I think that there can be no doubt of the propriety of Bonaparte's referring the species to his genus Adamastor. The pattern of coloration is rather that of most of the species of Astrelata ; but the proportions as indicated by Lesson's measurements in- dicate a bird congeneric with Adamastor cinereus. I have met with no synonyms of this species requiring notice. THIELLUS Gloger. f Char. Bill long and slender, about three-fourths the tarsus, compressed, the unguis much decurved, but at base broader than high. Nasal tubes very short, only a fifth of the culmen. Wings of moderate length, and ordinary shape. Tail unusually lengthened, being nearly or quite half as long as the wing from the carpus, very much graduated. Tarsus a fourth longer than the bill, moderately stout, compressed. Middle toe without a claw, a little longer than the tarsus. Of moderate size, rather slender form and uniformly fuliginous colors. The most essential character of the genus is found in its unusually elon- gated and much graduated tail. In all other respects it hardly diners at all from Nectris ; and its species have all the same fuliginous hue that charac- terises the latter genus. Two species are recognized by ornithologists as belonging to this genus. Though exceedingly closely allied to each other, j-et they seem to constantly differ in some applicable points. Thiellus sphenurcs Bp. ex Gould. Puffinus sphenurus, Gould, Ann. et Mag. N. H., 1844, lma series, xiii. p. 365. Id. Birds Austral., vii. pi. 58. Thiellus sphenurus, Bonap., C. A., 1856, ii. p. 201. Procellaria sphcuura, Suhlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays- Bas, 1863, p. 25. Habitat. Australian seas. A fine series of these species is in the collection of the Philadelphia Acade- my. The general color of the plumage is a deep chocolate brown, or dark reddish black, most of the feathers of the upper parts with paler margins. The color of the back deepens into pure black on the wings and tail. Below, the general plumage is of a deep brown, with a wash of grey, the brown tinge most palpable on the abdomen, the grey predominating on the throat. * I may remark, en passant, that the expression " pres de huit ponces de longueur totale" is most probably a typographical error, or a lapsus calami. It was etideutly iuteuded to be " dix huit." [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 12S The bill is flesh color, tinged with brown ; much darker along the culmen and on the unguis ; the legs and feet are flesh eolored, with a tinge of yellow. This species measures from 15 to 16 inches in total length ; the wing from the carpus 10-f)0 to 11*25. The tail varies somewhat in length, from nearly five to quite six inches ; the graduation of the lateral feathers usually being about 2 inches. Bill about 1-60; height at base 35, width *50 ; length of nasal tubes -25. Tarsus 1*90 middle toe and c'aw 2*35. This species can be confounded with no other, (except, perhaps, T. chloro- rhynchus, which see ;) and there are no involved points of synonymy. Thielltjs chlokorhynchus Bp. ex Less. Puffinus chlororhynchus, Lesson, Tr. Ornith., p. 613. Pucheran, Rev. Zoologique, 1850. p. 633. Thiellus chlororhynchus, Bp., Consp. Av., ii. 1866, p. 201. Procellaria chlororhynchus, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 25. Habitat. '' Western Australia," Bp. Dr. Schlegel has specimens from the Bourbon Islands and the Cape of Good Hope. Almost identical with T. sphenurus in the color of the plumage ; and with much the same dimensions. The main diagnostic points seem to be the fol- lowing : The bill is of a greenish orange color, except along the culmen and at the tip, where it is black. The bill is longer than that of sphenurus by about a fourth of an inch on the average, and appears a little larger at the base, though quite slender in its continuity, "While chlororhynchus is, upon the whole, a larger bird than sphenurus, nevertheless the wings are abso- lutely s barter (h an inch or more) on an average. The feet are slightly longer and stouter. In color the present species differs slightly in being rather more cinereous below ; but the difference is not well marked. The species not as yet a well known one, nor contained in many mussea. NECTRIS Bp. (emend, ex Forst.) Char. Generally similar to Puffinus ; colors uniformly fuliginous ; bill and feet wholly or partially light colored. Bill long and slender, much hooked at the tip ; nasal tubes short, broad, depressed, very obliquely truncated, the septum broad, the nostrils narrowly oval. Wings reaching a little beyond the tail, which varies in length, but is always more or less rounded. Feet moderate ; tarsus about equal to middle toe without claw ; outer toe without claw equal to middle ; tip of inner claw not reaching base of middle one. This genus comprises five, perhaps six, species, all agreeing in the uniform fuliginous of their plumage, and in the partial or entire paleness of the bill and feet. In form it hardly differs from Puffinus, and its retention as a valid genus is perhaps questionable, except as a matter of convenience in a group where it is of importance to distribute the numerous closely-allied species in as many groups as may be at all characterizable. Necteis fuligunostjs, Keys, et Bias, ex Strickl. Puffinus fuliginosus, Strickland, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1832, p. 129. Lawrence, Birds N. A., 1858, p. 803, et auct. recent. Sed nou Proc. fuliginosa, Gm., Lath., quae probabiliter species Thalassidromce (cauda furcata ex " Otaheite ") ; nee Banks, tab. 19, Kuhl, sp. 12, pi. x. fig. 6 ; quse certe Pterodroma atlantica, Gould. Quid sit Proc. fuliginosa, Kuhl, p. 148, sp. 27 (ex Banks,) nescio. Nectris fuliginosa, Keys, et Bias. Wirbelt. Europ., 1840, p. Puffinus major foemina!) Temminck, Man. Orn., iv. 1840, p. 506. Puffi- nus cinereus (foemina!), Gould, Birds Europ., pi. 445, fig. 2. Habitat. More northern portions of the Atlantic Oceau ; especially numer- ous off the coast of Newfoundland ; more rarely on the European coast. Sp. ch. Upper parts a uniform fuliginous brownish black, the primaries and tail feathers of a deeper color ; under parts a much lighter fuliginous 1864.] 124 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP brown, passing into greyish on the throat. Bill entirely brownish black. Feet brownish black, the internal face of the tarsnsand the interdigital membranes dusky yellowish. Length, 18 inches ; wing, from the carpus, about 12. Bill along culmen, 172 to 2-00; along commissure, 2-50; tarsus 2-20 to 2-30; middle toe about 2*50. This species is too well known to require farther characterization. Discussion of synonymy. The name li fuliginosus^ has unfortunately been almost as badly bandied about as has cinereus, Gm. Thus the full ginosus, Sin., Lath., apparently (and it is so looked upon by most ornithologists,) be- longs to a species of the genus Thalassidroma, Vig., from Otaheite, probably not very widely differing from the Cymochorea melanin, mihi, ex Bp. Fuligi- nosa, Banks, (tab. 19.) kuhl, (sp. 12, pi, x. fig. 6,) is a species subsequently called atlantica by Gould, now the Pterodroma atlantica, Bp. Exactly what is the fuliginosa, Forster, (Descr. p. 23, sp. IS), is a little doubtful. His editor, Lichtenstein, says that it is the same asfiliginosa, Kuhl, sp. 12; and this opinion is also maintained by Bonaparte, which would make it the Pterodroma atlantica. But then, on the contrary, Dr Kuhl asserts positively that his species 12 is " omnino diversa a Nectri fuliginosa, Forst." For my own part, after carefully studying Forster's description, I am inclined to coincide with Dr. Kuhl, and to hold that Forster's fuliginosa is not the Pterodroma atlantica, but rather a pacific species of the genus Nectris. Species 27 of Kuhl's monograph, also called fuliginosa (after Banks, tab. 23) , is too indefinite for me to make anything of it. No other synonyms of this species seem to require notice. The confounding of this species with carneipes, Gould, by Dr. Schlegel, will be noticed uuder the head of the latter. HiECTEis amaurosoma, Coues, noy. sp. iJiagnosls.Nrctris media quoad staturam interfuliginosam vel carmepedem et tenuirostrem vel brevicaudam; corpore bmnneo-fuliginoso, subtus valde di- lutiore, in guhx fusco-cinerascente ; tectricibus alarum inferioribus albiuis fere meris ; rostro ex toto fusco ; pedibus interne palamisque carneis, externe brunneo-albis. Long, alse 11-00 poll. Ang. Rostri a fronte ad apicem l-<0. Tarsi 2-00. Digiti medii cum ungue 2-40. Caudae, 4-25. Habitat Mare Pacif., circum capit. Sanct. Lucas, Calif. Description. Form. Bill about as long as the head, a little shorter than the tarsus, about two-thirds the middle toe and claw ; rather slender, attenu- ated, compressed, except at base', where it is as wide as high ; the unguis large, and much hooked; commissure much curved from base to unguis; outline of rami of inferior mandible quite straight. Nasal tubes rather more than a fourth the length of the culmen, broad, but much depressed, with an indistinct median longitudinal groove ; terminally exceedingly obliquely trun- cated ; the nostrils oval. The feathers of the front form a very obtuse angle on the culmen, but instead of immediately retreating on either side, they ex- tend forwards again on the sides of the upper mandible, nearly as far as on the culmen. Wings of ordinary length and shape. Tail rather long, contained only 2i times in the wing from the carpus ; much rounded, as usual in the genus." Feet moderately stout ; tarsus just equal to the middle toe without its claw; outer toe without its claw longer than the middle; inner toe un- usually abbreviated, the tip of its claw falling J of an inch short of the base of the middle claw. Co/or. The bill is wholly deep brownish black ; somewhat lighter on the sides of the lower mandible ; the extremity of both ungues horn colored. The inner aspect of the tarsus, the middle and inner toes, the whole of the webs, and the bases of the claws, clear light yellowish flesh color ; the outer aspect of the tarsus, the outer toe, and tips of the claws, the same color, but much tinged with brown. The shade of the upper parts is a pure deep chocolate [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA, 125 brown , without the slightest tinge of ashy; a little darker on the rump, so dark as to be brownish black on the wing coverts and tertials ; the extreme tips of which latter are somewhat paler. The primaries are lustrous brownish black on their outer webs and at their tips ; and their inner webs are but little paler ; their shafts are on their superior aspect black, becoming brownish ba- sally ; their inferior aspects also black, but with a delicate white line running medianly two-thirds their whole length. The rectrices are colored like the primaries ; their shafts are brownish black. The entire under wing coverts are white ; the purity and continuity of which is, however, interrupted by some grayish brown marbling. The under parts generally are much lighter thau the upper, and of a grayish rather than brownish fuliginous, this color passing on the throat and chin gradually into a somewhat grayish cinereous hue. The short anterior under tail coverts are light grayish brown ; the loug posterior ones are more of a brownish fuliginous. There is a delicate touch of white on the under eyelid. Dimensions. Length of bill along culmen 1-70; from feathers on side of lower mandible to its top, 1'60 ; length of nasal tubes, -45 ; height of bill at base, -45 ; width about the same. Wing, from the carpus, 11-00 ; tail, 4-25 ; graduation of lateral rectrices, *90 ; tarsus, 2-00 ; middle toe and claw, 2-40 ; outer do., 2 30 ; inner do., 1"90. It may seem somewhat improbable that a species of Nectris has remained to this late day undescribed ; but the subject of the present article differs in so many particulars from any known bird of the genus, that I have not the slightest hesitation in presenting it as new. It is most closely allied to fuli- ginosa, Strickl., but differs from it, as well as from carneipes and tenuirostris, in many very tangible points. The combination of the wholly dark bill, with the coloration of the feet, as above described, the white on the under surfaces of the wings, together with its own particular dimensions, readily character- ize it among its congeners. The following detailed comparison of it with each may serve to define its relationships more explicitly. With the general colors of fuliginosus, especially as regards the wholly dark bill, it differs in the conspicuous white under wing coverts, only a little obscured by grayish brown, and in the different tints and pattern of the feet. (Compare original descriptions of each species.) It is much smaller than that species, to wit: the length about fifteen inches, (as near as I can judge from the skin,) instead of eighteen ; the tarsus barely two inches, instead of two and a quarter ; the toes less in proportion ; and the wing eleven, instead of twelve inches. It is more nearly of the same size as carneipes, but in that species the "whole of the plumage is chocolate black;" the bill is flesh colored, except on the culmen and at the tip, whereas in my bird it is wholly dark. The feet of car in ipes are wholly " yellowish flesh color," while in amaurosoma the ex- ternal aspect of the tarsus and the outer toe are brownish white. The species hardly requires any comparison with tenuirostris or brevicauda, the notable differences of color alone, or of dimensions alone, at once separa- ting them. The bill of amaurosoma measures about 1'70 inches; that of tenuiros ris 1*20 ; the wing 11, instead of 10 inches ; the tail 4*75 to 5 "00, in- stead of 350, etc. The general color of tenuirostris is a deep smoky black, with a tinge of ashy ; that of amaurosoma brownish fuliginous. Compare also the descriptions given in this paper of the colors of the bill and feet. There is just about the same amount of whitish on the under surfaces of the wings of the two species. The type of this species, now in the Smithsonian collection, was procured by Mr. John Xantus at Cape St. Lucas, Lower California, August 18th, 1^60. It is there apparently the representative of fuliginosus, as my opisthomelas is of obscurus. 1864.] 126 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP Nectris carxeipes, Bp. ex Gould. Puffinus carneipes, Gould, P. Z. S. xii. March 26, 1844, p. 57. Id. Ann. et Mag. N. H., 1844, xiii. lma., series, p. 365. Majaqueas carneipes, Reichenbach, Syst. Av., pi. xxiv. fig. 2601. Nectris carneipes, Bona- parte, Consp. Av. ii. 1856, p. 201. Procellaria carneipes, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1862, p. 26, (sine bona ratione Nect. fuligi- nos. Strickl. conjuncta.) "Puffinus cinereus, Smith, III. S. Afric, Bds., pi. 56." "Nectris gama, Bp. Consp. Av. ii. p. 202;" de utroque teste Schlegelo. Habitat." Numerous in all the seas bounding the western coast of Aus- tralia; and breeding on the small islands off Cape Leeuwin." [Gould.] This species is quite closely allied to fuliginosus, but differs from it by ex- ceedingly well marked characters. The plumage is much the some in both species, 'but the bill of carneipes is " fleshy white, the culmen and tips of the mandibles brown ; the legs, feet, and membranes, yellowish flesh-color." Be- sides these differences in color, there appear to be equally marked discre- pancies in proportions ; thus, vihi\e fuliginosus is eighteen inches long, and carneipes only fifteen, the absolute lengths of the bill, feet, and wings is very nearly the same. (Compare original descriptions by Strickland and Gould.) I have never seen any example so small as the one whose measurements are given by Dr. Schlegel, p. 26 of his monograph, but the limits within which any species of this family may vary are very great. But even granting for a moment the identity of the two species, I do not see upon what authority Dr. Schlegel has given the name carneipes of 1844 priority over fuliginosus of 1832. Bonaparte, in his Conspectus, has a species N. gama, from South Africa, with which he considers Puff, cinereus, juv., Smith, as synonymous. I have never had an opportunity of examining a specimen professing to be of this species ; but as the diagnosis scarcely shows tangible points of difference, and as Dr. Schlegel is convinced of its identity with carneipes, I shall, for the present at least, follow his authority in assigning it as a synonym of that species. An excellent suite of specimens of carneipes is in the collection of the Phila- delphia Academy. Nectris tenuirostris Bp. ex Temm. Procellaria tenuirostris, Temminck, PI. Col., No. 587. Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 26. Puffinus tenuirostris, Temm. et Schl., Faun. Japon. Aves., p. 131, pi. 86. Nectris tenuirostris, Bona- parte, Consp. Av. ii. 1S56, p. 202. "Proc. curilicus, Musseorurn Berol. et St. Petersburg." "Puff, tristis, Mus. Parisiensis." Habit at. Japan, and neighboring seas. I have before me a typical example of this marked species, from Niphon, agreeing in every respect with the types of the species as described by Schle- gel- The most peculiar character of form of this species is found in the shape ol the bill. It is stout at the base, where it is a little broader than high, but rapidly becomes both compressed and depressed, tapering to a small, weak, only moderately hooked unguis. This unusually weak bill is also short, be- ing much less than the head, and only about two-thirds the tarsus. The nostrils measure about a third the length of the culmen. The commissure and out- line of the inferior mandibular rami are both nearly perfectly straight. The wings are very long, reaching much beyond the rest ; the primaries are all tapering and acute. The tail is exceedingly short, its length being contained nearly three times in the wing from the carpus, the central retrices projecting a little, the lateral rapidly graduated. The feet are moderately laaye and [April, I NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 127 Stout ; the tarsus is about equal to the middle toe without its claw ; the outer toe and claw are equal in length to the middle toe and claw ; the tip of the inner claw falls short of the base of the middle. Bill mostly dusky greenish yellow, brighter along the commissure and at tip. Feet yellowish on the anterior, exterior and internal aspect of the tarsus and toes, and the superior surfaces of the webs, the posterior edge of the tar- sus, and the under "surface of the webs blackish. Above very deep sooty black, becoming pure black on the rectrices and outer webs of the primaries, with a just appreciable ashy nuance on the wing coverts. Inner webs of nimaries (except at their tips) and the under surfaces of the wings generally ight dull grayish brown. Shaft of primaries black, except along a groove on their under surfaces, which is yellowish. Beneath, the whole body is of _ a rather light fuliginous or brownish grey, fading, on the throat, (especially in more immature birds) almost into greyish white. The under tail coverts, however, are nearly as dark as the upper parts, only rather more fuliginous. Dimensions. Wing from the carpus 10-00 inches : central tail feathers 3*50 ; lateral 2-7- r > : bill along culmen 1-20 ; depth at base -30 ; widih at base -40 ; tarsus 1*90 ; middle toe and claw 2-25 ; outer toe and claw the same ; inner toe and claw just equal to the tarsus. This strongly marked species is distinguished from all its congeners by its small size, weak, peculiarly shaped bill, very short tail, and peculiarly colored feet, The difference in intensity between the colors of upper and under parts are quite appreciable. Synonymy. The proper name of this species is a matter of no uncertainty, but what designations are to be referred to it as synonyms is more doubtful. Both Bonaparte and Schlegel place " curilicus, Pennant," of the museums of Europe, as a synonym, which is merely, however, saying that certain muse- ums have called tenuirostris, " curilicus, '' and does not in the least affect the question as to whether curilicus be properly a synonym. I am inclined to think that it is not, but that it is rather to be referred to another and larger species of this fuliginous genus. Bonaparte and Schlegel both consider " tristis, Forster, Descr. p. 205," as synonymous with this species. It is difficult to sav whether such is oris not the case ; but my own impression, derived from a careful study of the charac- ters laid down by Forster, is that his tristis refers to a species much larger, and with a stouter bill than the present ; possibly the true curilicus, Penn. Nectkis brevicapda Bp. ex Brandt. Paffinus brevicaudus, Brandt, " Ic. Rossic, A v. pi. vi. fig. 17." Gould, Ann. et Mag. N. H., xiii. lma series, 1844, p. 365. Gould, Birds Austr. viii. pi. 56. Majaqueus (!) brevicaudatus, Reichenbach, " Syst. Av. pi. xxxvii. fig. 2271 2." Nectris brevicaudus, Bonap., Consp., Av. ii. 1656, p. 201. HabHat. ' ' Found in all the Australia seas, and breeds in the greatest abund- ance on several of the islands in Bass's straits." [Gould.] "Blackish fuliginous, lighter beneath; bill black, yellowish at the base ; feet cinereous, their webs yellow." [Bonaparte.] This is a species with which I am autoptically unacquainted, nor have I ac- cess to the original description and figure of Brandt, and I am therefore un- able to discuss its characters and relationships. By Dr. Schlegel it is placed as a synonym, with a query of N. tenuirostris, but other authors all agree in considering it as a valid species. PUFFINTJS Brisson. Hill about as long as the head, or a little less, about three-fourths the tar- sus, ra,ther stout, a little higher than broad at the base, compressed for the 1864.] 128 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP rest of its length ; the unguis strong, much hooked ; nasal tubes about a fourth the length of the culmen, broad, depressed, obliquely truncated, the septum thick, the nostrils oval ; wings long, pointed, first primary longest, surpassing the tail, which is lengthened and more or less rounded, of twelve rectrices. Feet very large and stout ; tarsus compressed, as long as the mid- dle toe and claw ; outer toe about as long as the middle, but its claw much shorter and weaker ; tip of inner claw not reaching the base of the middle one ; claws strong, little curved, moderately acute, somewhat depressed, the middle one with its inner edge dilated ; hallux extremely abbreviated, only apparent as a short, stout, conical, rather obtuse claw. Of moderate and small size. Bicolor : hill and a portion of the feet usually dark colored. The genus Puffinus, as characterized in the above paragraph, comprises nu- merous bicolor species, spread all over the world. They form two groups. Those of the first group are large, with robust bills, and have the upper plum- age brown or cinereous. They are major, leucomelas, Kuhlii and creatopus, which compose the " genus" Ardenna, Reich. The species of the second group are all much smaller, with very slender, weak bills, and the upper parts blackish or greyish black. They are anglorum, yelcuanus, obscurus, opisthomelas and nvtgax, forming the restricted " subgenus " Puffinus. Puffinus Kuhlii, (Boie.) Procellaria puffinus, " Linn.," Temminck, Manuel d'Ornith., ii. 1820, p. 805. Vieillot, Fauna Franc, 1828, p. 404, et auct. al. aliq. sed non Linnsei, quae certe P. anglorum, Ray. Procellaria cinerea, Kuhl, Mon. Proc. Beit. Zool. p. 148, pi. ix. fig. 12; ex oc. Atlautico Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 24 ; ex ocean. Atlant. Sed non Gmelini, vel Lathami quae certe Adamastor typus, Bp. est, ut bene et srepe vindicata est a Bonaparteo ; ex maribus an- tarcticis prsecip, Pacif. Puffinus cinereus, Cuvier, Temminck, Man. Orn., vol. iv., 1840, p. 506. Degland, Ornith. Europ. ii. 1849, p. 362, et al. script. Europ. recent. fere cmnium. Sed non Auduboni, et auct Amer. qui P. major, Faber : non Lawrencii, qui Adamastor cinereus hujus opusculi. Nectris cinereus, Keys, et Bias. Wirb. Europ. 1840, p. xciv. Procellaria Kuhlii, Boie, Isis von Oken, 1835, p. 257, sp. 25. Puffinus Kuhlii, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. ii. 1856, p. 202. (Sed non Cassin, Pr. A. N. S. Phila la., 1862, p. 327, quae Adamastor cinereus, mihi, testibus speciminibus ipsis.) Discussion of Synonymy. There is in the Atlantic Ocean a very common and well known Procellaridian, to wit, the " cinereous Shearwater, " a bird about the size of Puffinus major, Faber, but otherwise quite distinct from it in form, color, etc. This bird was named Procellaria Kuhlii by Prof. Boie, in 183">. (Isis von Oken, p. 257, sp. 25, which consult.) From Boie's excellent characterization, and from the very marked distinctive features of the bird itself, there need have been no confusion or uncertainty regarding it. But before 1835, so common and well known was the bird, that it had been noticed by numerous other writers, and unfortunately most of them had erroneously applied to it Gmelin's name cinerea ; while others had with equal inaccuracy called it P. puffinus, Linupens. When more recently C. L. Bonaparte at- tempted to show that " cinereus, Gm., Lath.," was not the common Atlantic bird at all, but a Pacific species, (described as P. hacsitata by F. ster) and properly the type of a genus (viz., Adamastor, Bp.) distinct from Puffinus ; the assertion was illy received by ornithologists, and the general confusion rather augmented than diminished. To the following attempt to unravel the knotty points of synonymy involved, I would invite the particular attention of ornithologists, as I hope to be able to sustain the position assumed by Bonaparte. [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 12l> The following is Gmelin's diagnosis, in copying which the italics are my own : S. N. i. pars ii. p. 563, sp. 17. "Pr. cinerea, suhtus alba, cauda nigra, rostro flavicante, pedibus ccerulescentibus. " Cinereous Fulmar," Latham, Syn. iii. p 405, No. 10. Habitat intra circulum antarcticum ; glacialis magni- tudine : 20i pollices longa." It will be noticed that Gmelin's bird is one from the Antarctic seas, as large as the common Fulmar, and with exactly the characters of the bird afterwards designated as Adaviastor typus by Bonaparte. Gmelin's further description will be found to confirm this opinion by each of its sentences. I do not see, therefore, how it is possible to consider it as re- ferring to a North Atlantic species, with characters so very different as are those presented by P. Kuhlii, Boie. The Proc. cinerea, Lath., Ind. Ornith., ii. 1790, p. 824, and the Proc. cine- rea, Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. D'H. N. 1817, xxv, p. 418, are both exactly the same as Gmelin's cinerea, and so is the Puffinus cinereus of Lawrence, Bds. N. A., 1858, p. 835, from the Pacific Ocean, under which head the synonyms of Adamastor typus are accurately enumerated. The above is all that is necessary to be said, I think, to substantiate Bona- parte's position, that P. cinereus, dm., is not the Atlantic bird afterwards named Kuhlii by Boie. The subject will be resumed and the generic and specific characters of Adamastor typus, as distinguished from those of Puffinus Kuhlii, will be enlarged upori in another place. It now only remains to dis- cuss the various synonyms of Kuhlii. The first instance of the misapplication of Gmelin's name, cinereus, which I have been able to find, is that by Cuvier, when he calls P. Kuhlii "P. cine- reus." This same malidentification has also been committed by Bonaparte, (Comp. List, Bds. N. A. and Eur., 1838, p. (14.) Degland, (Ornith. Europ., 1849, ii. p. 362;) Temminck, (Man. Orn., iv. 1840, p. 506; Schinz,) (Europ. Faun., 1840. i. p. 393;) Schlegel, (Rev. Crit. Ois. Eur., 1844, p. 132;) Key- serling and Blasius, (Wirb. Europ., 1840, p. 94.) The Puffinus cinereus of Bonaparte (Synop. Bds. N. A., 1S28 : p. 370,) of Nuttall, (Man. Ornith., ii. p. 334,) and of Audubon's works, (Orn. Biogr. vol. iii. p. 555 ; Bds. N. Amer., vii. 1844, p. 212, pi. 456,) is, however, not the/'. Kuhlii but the P. major, Faber. "The Procellaria puffinus, L.," of Temminck, (Man. Orn. 1820, ii. p, 805;) and of Vieillot, (Fauna Frant;, 1828, p. 404) are synonyms of P. Kuhlii. Yet another improper reference of Gmelin's cin. n us is found in Degland's Or- nithologie Europeene, where it is placed as a synonym (with a query, how- ever,) of P. major, Faber. This is just the mistake which has been generally committed by American Authors. I am enabled to state positively, from autoptical examination of the speci- mens themselves, that the bird referred to by Cassin, in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy for Jane, 1862, page 327, as Puffinus Kuhlii, is really the Adamastor cinereus, Mihi. The specimens, three in number, col- lected by the North Pacific Exploring Expedition, are lying before me, and agree in the minutest particulars with the type specimen of Lawrence's P. hassitata, (Ann. N. Y., Lye. N. II., 1853) which is also Lawrence's P. cinereus (Birds Amer., 1858, p. 835,) which is Adamas ; or typus, Bp. Description. In general form not unlike P. major, but rather more grace- ful, with slightly slenderer and weaker bill, comparatively longer wings and tail, etc. Bill scarcely if at all shorter than the head, just equal to the tar- sus, moderately stout, compressed, higher than broad at the base ; unguis only moderately strong and hooked ; commissure and outline of inferior man- dibular rami a little curved, the former most so ; nasal tubes unusually ab- breviated, measuring not over a fifth of the culmen, but elevated, inflated, medianly suboarinate, apically obliquely truncated, the nostrils subcircular in outline ; wings moderately long, a little exceeding the tail ; tail quite long, so much rounded as to be almost cuneiform, the central rectrices mucheloug- 1864.] 9 130 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP ated ; feet rather weak and slender, moderately compressed ; tarsus shorter than the middle toe without the claw ; outer toe and claw longer than the middle with its claw, tip of inner claw about reaching base of middle one ; claws obtuse, little arched, more or less dilated on their inner edge. Colors. The upper parts are of a light smoky gray, or very light brownish ash color, this color uniform ou the crown and nape, interrupted on the back by the pare or grayish white margins of all the feathers, which margins are broadest on the scapulars, deepening on the wing coverts and tertials into deep grayish brown, and also losing the white margins. The rump is concolor with the rest of the back, but the upper tail coverts have successively more and more white until the longest and most posterior ones are almost wholly of this color, with only some central touches of grayish brown. The primaries are deep grayish or brownish black, with, however, large white spaces which, occupy the basal half or two-thirds of their inner webs. The outer webs, and apices of the secondaries are deep grayish plumbeous ; the greater part of their inner webs white. The entire parts of the bird, from the chin to the extreme tips of the under tail coverts are pure white, except some slight soupgons of grayish on the flanks. The under surfaces of the wings, except just along the edges, and the axillary feathers are pure white. The connec- tion of the color of the upper parts with the white of the under, on the sides of the head and neck, is peculiar ; there is no line of demarcation whatever, but as the color of the upper parts becomes lighter in tint, so it becomes gradually more and more nebulated and undulated with white, the admixture of the two having a marked and beautiful effect. The under eyelid is wholly white, the upper less completely so. The bill is yellowish, darker along the culmen, the unguis light horn color. The legs and feet are yellowish, the webs still clearer yellow ; the claws flesh colored. Dimensions. Length of bill along culmen 1*90, along gape 2-60, from feath- ers on side of lower mandible to its apex 1*75 ; height at base "70 ; width -60 ; tarsus 1 90 ; middle toe and claw 2-50, outer do. 2-55, inner do. 2-50 ; wing from the carpus 12-75 ; central rectrices 5-50, exterior do 4-75. The variations in size to which this species is subject, are entirely parallel with those of P major, detailed further on. The color of adult birds does not vary much, and that chiefly in the slightly different degree of clearness or obscurity of the upper parts. Younger birds, however, have the bill rather dusky than yellowish, and somewhat of a greenish or bluish tinge in the color of the feet. The upper parts are considerably darker than those of the adults, being rather more of a brownish plumbeous than of an ashy gray- ish tint. Puffinus leucomelas Bp. ex Temm. Procellaria leucomelas, Temminck, Planches colorees, No. 587. Temm. et Sohlegel, Fauna Japon. p, 131, fig. 85. Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 24. Thiellus sive Nectris leucomelas, Auct. aliq. Puffinus leucomelas, Bonap., Consp. Av. ii. 1856, p. 203. With this species I am autoptically unacquainted, and therefore compile the following brief account from Dr. Schlegel's excellent Monograph, above quoted. It is in general similar to P. Kuhlii^ which it appears to replace in the Pacific Ocean. It is smaller, however, than that species, slenderer in general prorortions, and with a weaker bill. In color it is principally distin- guished by having the feathers of the upper parts generally, and of the sides of the head and neck white, each with a brown longitudinal shaft line. Length of wing from the carpus from 11| to 12 inches. Middle tail feath- ers 4^ to 4i| inches, external 3 to 3.}. Bill 22 to 23 Hues ; height at base 5 to 6 fines ; width about the same. Nasal tubes 3} lines. Tarsus 21 lines ; .middle toe 23 to 25 lines. Habitat. Pacific ocean, particularly in vicinity of Japan. [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 131 Puffinus creatopus Cooper (MSS.) Nov. Sp. Diagnosis. P. Puffini majoris statura, nee ei coloribus perdissimilis ; sed rostro multo breviore, crassiore, tubulis nasalibus inflatis ; fere om- nino nisi ungue flavescente-carneo ; pedibus brevioribus, graciliori- bus, carneis ; tectricibus caudaa superioribus et inferioribus ex toto bi uuneo-nigris ; remigibus primariis spatio albo basin versus interni pogonii carentibus. Habitat. South Pacific Coast of North America. Specimen typicum et uuicuin in mu-aeo Smithsoniano, (Catal. No. 31964,) ex insula "San Nicholas " prope California, a Chirurgio J. Gr. Cuopero col- lectum. (Calend Julii A. D. mdccclxiii.) Description. Form: Bill a little shorter than the head or tarsus, abont two-thirds the middle toe and claw ; the most robust of the Puffinf-ae, being especially large and swollen at the base, where it is as wide as high. The culmen rises rapidly from the end of the nasal tubes to the strong, very con- vex and much curved unguis ; the sides of the bill are considerably com- pressed beyond the nostrils. Co - iimissure curved from the feathers to the un- guis, the convexity looking downwards ; outline of the inferior mandibular rami about straight. The basal tubes are very short, being hardly a fourth of the length of culmen; they are unusua'ly elevated, turgid, and with a slight median furrow ; very obliquely terminated ; the nares are elliptical in outline. The feathers of the forhead run forward to form an acute angle on the me- dian line. The tarsi are unusually weak and slender, though not very much com- pressed, and are shorter than the middle toe without the claw. The outer toe just barely exceeds the middle, but its claw is much shorter and weaker. The tip of the inner claw falls short of the base of the middle one. The wings are of the ordinary shape and dimensions, and have the usual proportionate length of the primaries. The tail is of nrich the same length and has the same amount of graduation of its lateral rectrices as in P. major. Color. The upper parts are of about the same shade of brown as in P. major, and the feathers have similar lighter margins, the head, however, having more decidedly a plumbeous cast. The upper tail coverts are entirely deep broWnish-black, darker even than the rest of the upper parts, with no vestige of white. The inner webs of the primaries are entirely brownish- black to their very bases, with no indication of the white spaces which exist in P. major. On the sides of the head and neck, the color of the upper parts extends entirely round on to the chin and throat, having no distinct line of demarcation, but very gradually and insensibly becoming more and more mottled with white, until the latter becomes the predominating color ; on the chin the plumbeous-black and the white are about equal in amouut. The dark color does not extend further nor indeed so far on the sides of the breast as on the sides of the neck. The lower eyelid is pure white. The sides under the wings and the inferior surfaces of the wings are mottled with grayish-black and white in about equal amount. The long axillary feathers are entirely gray- ish-black, except just at their bases. The middle of the abdomen and the circumanal region are variegated with grayish-black and white. The under tail coverts are entirely fuliginous black, with somewhat of a grayish cast. The nasal tubes, the culmen and unguis of the bill are brownish-black ; the rest of the bill light-yellowish flesh color. The legs and feet are entirely light flesh color. The claws are whitish with brown tips. Dimensions. "Length 19-OJ; extent of wings 45 - 00" (collector's label.) Bill along culmen 1-60; along gape 2*30; from feathers on side of lower mandible 1-50 ; height at base, -60; width about the same; length of nasal tubes -40. Wing from the flexure 12-50. Tail : exterior feathers 4-00, me- dian 5-00; tarsus 2-10; middle toe and claw 2-65; outer do 250, inner do 2-10. Comparison icith allied species. The present species is so very peculiar in 1864.] 132 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP most of its features, that it intimately resembles no other with which I am acquainted. It may he well, however, to notice the points of difference be- tween it and P. major which is the most_ nearly allied species. There is but little difference in size between the two birds, creatopus being only slightly smaller, and the color of the upper parts is about the same in each. Creatopus may be at once recognized as follows : by its much shorter, stouter bill, usu- ally turgid and thick at the base, with its very short swollen nasal tubes, and light flesh-color, except along the culmen and unguis; by its shorter, slen- derer flesh-colored feet ; by its entirely brownish-black upper tail coverts ; by the extension of the dark color of the sides of the head and neck, far round on the chin and throat without any distinct line of demarcation ; by the absence of any white at the bases of the primaries, and by the unusual amount of gray- ish-black mottling on the sides, the under surfaces of the wings, the axillary feathers, and circumanal region. The shape of the bill is more like that of.the common Atlantic Kuhlii ; and the nasal tubes are quite as short. But the bill of creatopus is much stouter, wider and more turgid at the base, and the unguis is much more rapidly de- curved. The color is quite different, (compare descriptions.) The legs of cinereus are yellow ; of creatopus light flesh-color. The differences in plum- age are too obvious to require comparison ; e. g. cinereus has pure white under tail coverts ; creatopus brownish-black, etc. I have been unable to find any description which can be considered as in- dicative of this species, which I believe to be hitherto quite unknown. It is exceedingly interesting, from its many peculiarities of form and color. It is particularly to be noted, that it is the only "bicolor " species, that is, dark colored above and mostly white beneath, which has flesh-colored legs ; this coloration of the legs being hitherto only known to its extent among the fuligi- nous species composing the subgenus Nectris. The type and only known specimen of the species was taken by Dr. J. G. Cooper, at San Nicholas Island, off the coast of California. Its precise range of habitat is as yet unknown. Accompanying the specimen was a note from Dr. Cooper, stating that it was a species unknown to him and probably new, and suggesting, in the latter event, the exceedingly appropriate name by which I have designated it. Puffinus major Faber. Procellaria puffinus, Kuhl, Monog. Proc. Beit. Zool, 1823, p. 146, pi. xi, fig. 10; et auct. al. aliq.; sed non Linn., Gmel., Lath., qua? Ptffi. anglorum Ray; nee Temm. quae Proc. cinerea Cuv. {Kuhlii Boie.) Puffinus major, Faber, Prod. Isl. Orn. 1822, p. 56. Bp. Consp. Av. 1856, ii. p. 203. Lawrence, Birds N. A. 1858, p. 833. Procellaria major, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1862, p. 27. Ardenna major, Reichenbach, Syst. av. t. xiv, fig. 770. Puffinus cinereus, Bonap. Syn. Bds. N. A. 1828, p. 370, No. 311. Audub. Birds Amer. 1844, vii. p. 212, pi. 456 ; et al. script. Americ ; sed non Gmel. Habitat. Atlantic Ocean, especially its northern and temperate portion. Mediterranean Sea. Atlantic coast of Africa. Cape of Good Hope. Terra del Fuego. Not the Pacific Ocean ? Synonymy. This species has been presented under a variety of designa- tions. Some authors have thought with Kuhl, that it is the one referred to by Linnaeus, Gmelin and Latham, under the name of Procellaria puffinus. Else- where, however, I have proven, I think, that such is not the case, but that P. puffinus, Linn., is a synonym of P. anglorum Ray. The Procellaria puffinus of Temminck (loc. cit.) is not this species, nor yet the anglorum (although he presents it as the real L'nnsean P. puffinus ;) but on the contrary, it, is the P. Kuhlii, Boie, as is evident from the description and the synonyms quoted. I am quite at a loss however, to discover upon what [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 133 grounds Tcmminck asserts that the P. puffinus, Kuhl., and the P. cinerea Kuhl, are " le vieux et le jeune de la mime espC-ce." Kuhl's descriptions certainly indicate the two different species ; and his passable figures of their heads are distinct enough from each other. But if Temminck could stoutly maintain to the last that P. fuliginosus. Strickl., was the female oiP. major, Fab. (!), it is the less to be wondered at that he should commit the error we are now discussing. It is a little doubtful what species is referred to by Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. d'H. N. xxv, 1817, p. 421, under the name of " Le Petrel-puffin, Procellaria puffinus, Lath." The dimensions given ("quinze pouees ") appertain best to the anglorum ; but the. description is entirely that of the P. Kuklii, which it is doubtless best to consider it. The Procellaria pyffinus of Vieillot's Fauna Frau'j. 1S2S, p. 404, is undoubtedly the true cinereits. Dr. Degland in his Ornithologie Europeene, p. 3G3, gives a good description of this species under its proper name of Puff, major, but he is in error in citing as synonyms the Puffinus cinereus, Brisson, or the Procellaria cinerea Ginelin and Latham. Description. Form: Bill but very little shorter than the head or tarsus, stout and subterete at the bas% then gradually more and more compressed to the strong, deep, much curved unguis. Nasal tubes straight, about a fourth the length of the culmen, somewhat dilated, the apertures widely separated, sub-elliptical. The culmen rises gradually with a slight but continuous concavity from the nostrils to the summit of the unguis. The commissure from the insertion of the feathers to the declination of the unguis is a long regular curve, whose convexity looks downwards. The outline of the inferior mandibular rami is nearly straight. The bill is about three times as long as it is high at the base, considerably less wide than high. The primaries are long, somewhat narrow, rather acutely pointed, the first longest, the second nearly equal, the rest rapidly graduated. The tail is long, being contained only about two and a third times in the wing from the carpus ; so much rounded as to be almost cuneiform ; the central rectrices projecting consid- erably, and the lateral being much abbreviated. The tarsus is as long as the middle toe alone, compressed as usual, but very stout and strong. The outer toe is as long or slightly longer than the middle, but the small size of its claw makes it fall short of the tip of the middle claw. The inner toe is unnsually abbreviated, the tip of its claw falling far short of the base of the middle one. Color. Upper parts dark bistre brown ; on the head inclining a little to plumbeous or grayish brown ; on the tertials and rump the deepest ; each feather of the back, rump, and wing coverts with a margin of lighter brown, which in freshly plumaged birds is so light as to be almost ashy white ; on the head the color is uniform without any lighter margins, and it extends considerably below the eyes, just to the level of the gape, having a clear and distinct line of demarcation with the white of the throat. Posteriorly on the side of the neck the white reaches further round on the nape, and has a more indefinite outline. Backwards still on the sides of the breast, the dark color reaches farther down, encroaching on the white of that region. The upper tail coverts, especially the longest and most posterior ones, are mostly white, but with transverse rays or central spaces of brown. The primaries are brownish black, deepest on their outer webs ; on their inner webs, towards their bases, gradually lightening till they become brownish white, or even nearly pure white, in freshly plumaged birds, especially on the innermost pri- maries. The under parts from chin to anus are white ; this color interrupted on flanks by the more or less numerous, large, isolated, dark brown patches, which coalesce just over the flanks. The under surfaces of the wings are white, except just along their edges where they are mottled with brown ; and the apices of the long axillary feathers are brownish. The under tail coverts are deep grayish 1864.] 134 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF brown, more or less conspicuously tipped with whitish. The tail feathers are like the outer primaries. The bill is deep blackish horn. The outside of the tibia? and the exterior toe are brownish ; the rest of the feet including the webs yellowish flesh color. Dimensions. Total length 18.00 to 20.00 inches and hundredths; expanse of wings 43.00 to 45.00. Bill along culmen 2.00 ; from feathers on side of lower mandible to tip 1.75; depth at base .65, width . GO ; wing from the carpus 13. U0; tail : central feathers 5.75; exterior do. 4.75 ; difference 1.00 ; tarsus 2.40 ; middle toe and claw 2.90 ; outer do. 2.75 ; inner do. 2.30. Variations. The differences in dimensions which this large species presents are so great that the above measurements can only be considered as an aver- age ; and individuals will be found considerably above and below the standard. The bills of various specimens, as well as the tarsus and toes, differ to the amount of two or even three tenths of an inch ; the wings from the carpus three-fourths of an inch, or more, and the tail proportionally. The relative pro- portions, however, and the shape of these several parts appear to be pretty constant. There also exist greater variations in color than are found in most of the species. The difference appears to depend chiefly upon age, or rather upon the age of the feathers themselves. Just after the moult, when the feathers are fresh and new, they are of a clear deep brown with a considerable of a plum- beous tinge, and their margins are exceedingly light colored, in fact almost white on the tertiaries, etc. With advancing age the feathers become more and more of a duller brown, much like that given by Audubon in his plate ; the margins are broader, less deeply defined, and simply of a dull grayish brown. Constant characters, however, seem to be the uniformity in color of the feathers of the head, there being no light margins to them ; the peculiar line of demarcation on the sides of the head and neck, and the partially white upper, and almost wholly dark under tail coverts. Audubon's plate of this species, otherwise excellent, is very wrongly colored as regards the bill and feet. The bright tints he gives them rather appertain to another species. Notwithstanding these variations, the present species is so marked a one that it is not readily to be confounded with any other. Some small and light colored specimens look something like examples of P. Kuhlii ; the exact dif- ferences between the two will be given under the head of the latter. From P. angiorum, its size and the color of the upper parts at once distinguish it. P. obscurus and its allies are too different to require comparison. P. major may always be recognized by the peculiar size and shape of the bill (care- fully examine preceding description) ; by the lighter margins of the feathers of the upper parts ; by the line of demarcation of the white and brown on the sides of the head, as above given ; and by the colors of the under tail coverts and flanks, which are the reverse of those of Kuhlii, its nearest ally. However light the color of the upper parts may be, they never acquire the real ashy tint which is a distinguishing characteristic of the latter species ; and the colors of the bill and feet are always conspicuously different. This species has an exceedingly extensive range. It apparently inhabits the entire Atlantic Ocean, up to exceedingly high latitudes. Dr. Schlegel has specimens from points on the west coast of Africa and from the Cape of of Good Hope. A specimen before me from Terra del Fuego, collected by Mr. T. R. Peale, Naturalist of the U. S. Exploring Expedition, is identical with the common north Atlantic biid. Puffin us angloeum, Temm. ex Ray. Procellaria angiorum, Raii Syn. 1713, p. 134, sp. 4. Temminck, Man. Urn. ii. 1820, p. 805. Schlegel, ftlus. Fays-Bas, 1863, p. 28. Paf- Jinus angiorum, Brisson, Oinith., 1760, vi. p. 131. Temminck, Man. Ornith. iv. 1840, p. 509. Bp. Gmsp. av . 1856, ii. p. 203. Law- rence, Gen. Rep. Bds. N. Auier., 185;?, p. 834 ; et auct. recent, fere [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 135 omnium. Nectris anglorum, Kuhl. Monog. Proc. Beit. Zool., 1820, p. 146, sp. 23. Proc dl aria puffinus, Briinn., Orn. Bor., 1764, p. 29, sp. 119. Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 1766, p. 213 ; Gruel. S. N. i. 1788, p. 566. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, p. 824 ; sed non auct. aliorurn, quae potius ad Puff, majorem speetat.) Nectris puffinus, Keys, et Bias. Wirb. Europ. i., Ib40, p. 94. Puffinus arcticus, Faber, Prod. Isl. Orn., 1822, p. 56, sp. 1. Puffinus Baroli, Bonelli; Bp. Consp. Av., 1856, ii. p. 204; (an == P. "anglo- rum. ex Mare Medit. ;" an sub. P. yelcuano adducenda ?) P. " mank- sii, ,, aliq. Habitat. North Atlantic Ocean, at large. This species, though so long known and so common, yet requires very careful investigation ; both because its bibliography is somewhat exten- sive, and on account of its variations in size and color, which are so consider- able that there has been much confusion concerning it. I will first examine into its synonymy, and then proceed to characterize the species beyond the probability of any further difficulty with its specific characters. The Procellaria puffinus of Linnaeus, Gmelin, and Latham, has been various- ly interpreted by modern authors. Most writers, including Kuhl and others, consider it as the bird which was afterwards named P. major by Faber. Temminck makes it equal to the cinervus of Gmelin. Bonaparte and Schlegel regard it as undoubtedly referring to the present species. An examination ot the diagnoses of Linnaeus, or Gmelin, or Latham, particularly the latter, will, I think, make it quite patent that the last is the only tenable view to take of the name. Such expressions as are found in e. g. Latham's notice, as " Pr. corpore supra nigra, subtus albo" * * * "15 pollices longa," etc., can only be considered as referring to the anglorum ; for they are totally at variance with the essential characters of the P. major. Moreover, Latham " cites "P. anglorum, Raii, Syn."as a synonym of the species. Such being the case, I unhesitatingly accord with Bonaparte and Schlegel in their identifica- tion of the Linusean P. puffinus. I am quite at a loss to understand upon what grounds M. Temminck makes the remark that " ni Linne ni Latham n'out connu cet oisean." The first recognized classical notice of this species is that given in 1713 by Mr. Ray, under the name of Proc. anglorum. Brisson calls it Puffinus anglo- rum; it is indicated by Linnaeus, Gmelin, and Latham as Proc. puffinus, with "anglorum, Ray," as a synonym. Temminck was, I believe, the first binom- alist who adopted Ray's designation ; he calling it in 1820 Procellaria anglo- rum ; inlS40 Puffinus anglorum. This species is also the Proffinus arcticus, Faber (1. c), as is evident from his diagnosis. The reference of Faber's name arcticus to the P. major, as has been occasionally done, is quite erroneous. I have an indistinct recollection of having seen this species cited as Procellaria or Puffinus " manksii," but I cannot at present call to mind the reference. A certain "Puffinus Baroli, Bonelli," is admitted as distinct by Bonaparte in his Conspectus, p. 204, and also in his Tab. Longip. in the Comptes Ren- dus. It is said to be somewhat smaller, lighter colored, and with a slenderer bill. Well acquainted as I am, however, with the variations in just these features which the anglorum frequently presents, I cannot discover sufficient grounds upon which to separate P. Baroli even as a distinct variety ; but rather entirely agree with Dr. Schlegel in considering it as an undoubted synonym of anglorum, or at least of P. gelcuanus, which is the representative species in the Mediterranean Sea. Bonaparte (Consp. ii. p. 203) inquires "quid Proc. puffinus, Kuhl, Mon. Proc. p. 146, sp. 22, t. xi., f. 10, ex Mediterriineo ?" to which I would reply unhesitatingly that it is the Puffinus major, Faber. The description is entirely pertinent, and the figure much more readily recognizable as representing the head and bill of this species, than are many of the delineations of the work. 1864.] 138 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF. Description. Form: The bill, measured from the frontal feathers, is about three- fourths as long as the skull, rather more than two-thirds the tarsus. Its height at the base is just about equal to the width. Its height at the point of greatest convexity of the unguis hardly exceeds that at the middle of the culmen. The unguis is not very strong, its convexity only moderate. The commissure at first curves gently upwards, then still more gradually downwards for the whole length of the bill, and then is pretty strongly deflected along the edge of the unguis. The outline of the lower mandible is about straight to the unguis, a little concave thence to the tip. The length of the nasal tubes is a little less than a fourth that of the culmen. The outline of the feathers on the upper mandible is the segment of a perfect circle. The folded wings just about reach to the end of the tail. The second primary is nearly as long as the first, the rest successively more and more rapidly graduated. The tail is contained about two and a third times in the wing from the carpal joint. It is much rounded, the lateral rectrices all regularly graduated; the exterior just three-fourths of an inch shorter than the central pair. The tarsus is just as long as the middle toe without its claw. The external toe and claw is a little longer than the middle toe and claw. The tip of the inner claw falls short of the base of the middle one. The claws are all nearly or quite as broad as high, being much dilated on their inner edges. Color : The entire upper parts are of a deep lustrous black, with a soup- con of brownish, especially when the feathers are old and worn. On the front and sides of the head and neck the black has a grayish or plumbeous cast. This color extends on the sides of the head much below the eyes, in fact quite to the throat, but it is more or less marbled with white. The under eyelid is pure white, in marked contrast with the surrounding black. On the sides of the neck the white extends further round towards the nape ; on the sides of the breast, on the contrary, the color of the back extends a considerable distance, it being of a decided greyish plumbeous hue, and gra- dually becoming more and more marbled with white till it entirely disappears. The primary quills are black, as are their shafts, their inner webs fading into dull grayish brown. The entire under parts, from chin to under tail coverts, are pure white, with the single exception of a few feathers just on the Hanks, and of the outer webs of the exterior row of under tail coverts, which are plumbeous black. The under surfaces of the wings and the axillary feathers are pure white, with a slight marbling of blackish just along the bend of the wing. The caudal rectrices are like the primary quills ; the in- ferior surfaces of their shafts grayish white. Bill deep greenish black, some part of the lower mandible yellowish. Part of outer side of tarsus, whole of outer side of exterior toe and the claws brownish black ; rest of feet light yellowish, including the webs. Average dimensions : Bill along culmen 1.40; height at base .45 ; width about the same ; along rictus 2.10 ; from feathers on side of lower mandible to its tip 1.40 ; wing from the carpal joint 9 25 ; tail : exterior feathers 3.25, middle 4.00; amount of graduation .75; tarsus 1.80; middle toe and claw 1.90; outer do. 2.00 ; inner do. 1.55. Total length about 14.00; extent of wings about 33.00 Variations. As to dimensions, these are quite considerable. As usual among Puffini, the bill differs a good deal in absolute size, as well as in robustness, generally preserving its shape, however, quite contantly. The longest bill before me measured 1.50 ; the shortest 1.30, along culmen, with a corresponding difference in other dimensions. The wing from the carpal joint varies nearly half an inch, and the tail to a corresponding degree. The total length of tarsus and toes varies about a third of an inch. In color the species is more constant, the chief variation being in the greater intensity or more decided brownish tint of the black of the upper parts. Younger speci- mens have more marbling of the plumbeous black and white on the sides of the breast, the color sometimes reaching nearly or quite across the breast, or [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 137 even invading the throat. In immature individuals, also, the lateral inferior caudal tectrices may be more extensively hued with plumbeous black. They are never, however, so much darkened as is usual in obscurus or opisthomelas. This species may be always recognized among its congeners by the follow- ing combination of characters: its peculiar dimensions (see above), joiued to the very dark upper parts, this color descending far on the sides of the head and breast, leaving a conspicuously white under eyelid ; the almost en- tirely white under tail coverts and the comparative shortness and character- istic degree of roundness of the tail. This is so very distinct, and at the same time so well known a species, that it hardly requires comparison with any other. The features in which the P. yelcuanus differs from it will be pointed out under the head of the latter. Puffinus Yelcuaxus, Bp. ex Acerb. Procellaria yelkouan,* Acerbi, " Bibliot. Ital., 1827, cxl., Agost. p. 294;" et "Bull, des Sciences Nat., 1829, xvi. p. 463. Schlegel, Monog. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 29. Puffinus yelkouan, Bonaparte, Comptes Rend. Tab. Longip. , Id. Consp. Av. ii. 1856, p. 205. Habitat. More eastern portions of the Mediterranean Sea ; especially in the Black Sea, and in the vicinity of the Bosphorus. With this species, admitted by the majority of modern authors, I am ac- quainted only through descriptions. This is specially to be regretted, since authors are at variance regarding its characters and affinities, and are not even entirely agreed upon its specific validity. Bonaparte considers it to be the representative of obscurus in the Black Sea and vicinity, and says that it is smaller than that species (being only 10 inches in length) and has a slenderer bill. Dr. Schlegel, on the contrary, considers it as most intimately allied to anglorum, which it replaces in that locality. As far as I can jud<2e from a careful study of published descriptions, I entirely agree with Dr. Schlegel in opinion. On comparing it with anglorum, Dr. Schlegel has found it to differ as follows : In the greater elongation of the point of the wing ; in the color of the upper parts being lighter and rather tending to grey than black, as is also the color of the dark feathers of the crissum ; and in the uniform deep gray of the lateral under tail coverts, these latter being, in anglorum, blaek on their outer, and white on their inner webs. The following detailed measurements are given by the same author, taken from, individuals coming from the Bosphorus, near Constantinople. They are to be compared with those of anglorum, already given on a previous page. Wing (from the carpus), 8-33 to 8-66 inches and hundredths. Tail, 2-40 to 2-60. Bill along culmen, 1-20 to 1-50 ; height, -28 to -33 ; width, -40. Nasal tubes, 16 to -20. Tarsus, 1 66 to 1-80 ; middle toe, 1-58. Puffinus obscurus, Vieill. ex Ginel. Procellaria obscura, Ginel., Syst. Nat., i. pars ii. 1788, p. 559. Lath., Ind. Ornith., ii. 1790, p. 828, et auct. antiq. Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. H. N. 1817, xxv. p. 423. Puffinus obscurus, Bonap., Synop., 1828, p. 371. Vieillot, Gal. Ois., 1834, ii. p 230 , pi. 292. Audub., Bds. Amer., 1844, vii. p. 216, pi. 458. et al, auct. recent. Nectris obscura, Kuhl, Beitriige Zool., 1820, p. 147, pi. xi. fig. 11. Cymotomus obscurus, Mac- gillivray, Man. Orn., 1844, ii. p. 13. " Puffinus I'kerminieri, Lesson," fide Bp. Puffinus floriolanus, Musau Beroliensis," fide Bp. Habitat. The warmer portions of the Atlantic Ocean, especially the Gulf of Mexico, and the coasts of the Southern United States ; abundant in the Ba- hamas and Bermudas. Wanders as far north as New Jersey, and is accident- ally found in Europe. Apparently replaced in the corresponding latitudes of the Pacific Ocean by my Puffinus opisthomelas. For so long known a species, the present has remarkably few synonyms, * I find this barbarous name Tariously spelled yelkouan, yelkuan, yelkoan, etc. 1 li..vt seea fit to modify it insomuch that it may present somewhat of a classical aspect. 1864.] ' 138 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP and its bibliography is as explicit as that of almost any of the eighteenth cen- tury species of the family. First indicated with tolerable accuracy in Linnsean times, the species has almost invariably been presented under its original and proper specific title, though referred successively to the genera Puffin us, Nec- tris, and Ct/motomus. The names "Vherminieri" of Lesson, and "floridanus" of the Berlin Museum, which I quote upon the authority of Bonaparte, are the only specific synonyms which I have met with. There is an unusual and remarkable discrepancy in the statements of vari- ous authors concerning the length of the species, diiferent writers giving the dimension from as little as 93 inches to over 13. It is impossible that it should vary to this extent. I believe the average length is a little over eleven inches. Audubon's description of this species is sufficiently pertinent, but the plate he gives is unusually poor, and by no means true to nature. The outline of the bill is exceedingly faulty ; the line of demarcation of the dark and light colors along the side of the head and neck is by no means accurate, and the lower tail coverts are represented as entirely white. The exact insertion of the right tibia of the individual figured has always been to me, anatomically speaking, a puzzle. Dr. Kuhl informs us, in the text, that figure 11 of plate ix- of his Mono- graphie der Procellarien was intended as a representation of the bill of this species ; which is fortunate, as otherwise it would be quite impossible so to identify it. I am much surprised at the statement by Dr. Degland, (Ornitholo?ie Euro- peene, ii. page 366, published in 1849 !) that " cette espece est peu connue, et il n'est pas certain qu'elle est distincte de la prccedente " P. anglorum ! This author's indication of the habitat of this species is vague, and leaves much to be desired. M. Temmiuck (Man. Ornith., ii. p. S08"> gives, under head of P. obscurus, an excellent description of this species, except that the dimensions are inaccu- rate, being far too small.* The exact measurements of both of Temminck's typical examples are given by Dr. Schlegel in his recent monograph of the Procellaridse, (Mus. Pays-Bas, p. 30.) This author finds that one of the types is an example of anglorum, from the Mediterranean Sea, afterwards labelled by Temmiuck himself a P. Baroli, Bonelli ; and that the other is a small, weak- billed specimen of the true obscurus, from the Atlantic Ocean. These facts, supported by the authority of one so well known for diagnostic acumen as Dr. Schlegel, ara indicative of an imperfect acquaintance on the part of Tem- miuck with the species he treats of under the name obscurus. The species of Puffinus spoken of in a paper published by Dr. D. W . Pren- tiss and myself in the Annual Smithsonian Report for 1861, (p. 418), as hav- ing occurred at Washington, D. C, and doubtfully referred to as the obscurus, has since been definitely ascertained to be this species. Description. Form : The bill is rather small and weak, and considerably compressed, except just at the base. In length along the culmen it measures just about two-thirds the skull, and about three-fourths the tarsus. It is quite stout at the base, where the height very decidedly surpasses the width. The unguis rises rapidly and a little suddenly above the rest of the culmen, and is strongly convex in outline. The commissure, from the insertion of the feathers to the unguis, as well as the outline of the lower mandible as far a3 the unguis, is almost perfectly straight. The nasal tubes are short, being much less than a fourth the length of the culmen, but they are elevated and quite conspicuous, much more so than in anglorum. The wings barely reach, when folded, to the end of the long tail. The proportionate lengths of the primaries are the same as in most other species. The tarsus is just as long as the middle toe without its claw. The outer toe with its claw is just as long as the middle one with its claw. The top of the inner claw about reaches the * " Longueur, " ii peupres 10 pouces." [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 139 base of the middle. The tail is very long, exceeding that of anglorum, which is a much larger species. It is also so very much graduated as to be almost cuueate, the lateral feathers being relatively shorter than in any other spe- cies. The under tail coverts are very long, fully equalling the central rec- trices. Color. The upper parts are of a hue quite different from that of anglorum, the black having every where a quite appreciable grayish or plumbeous tinge, and the borders of the feathers being still notably lighter, especially on the scapulars and tertials. The color is deepest on the rump and upper tail cov- erts ; it is much restricted on the sides of the head and neck, not extending below the level of the eyes, and even there its borders are marbled with white. On the sides of the breast the dark color extends considerably more towards the median line, but it is of a very light plumbeous tint, and much variegated with white. Both eyelids are more or less white, and there is, moreover, an indication of a white superciliary streak. The remiges and rec- trices are colored, as in anglorum. The under parts, from the chin to the un- der tail coverts, are white, as are the axillary feathers and inferior alar tectrice.-, the white only interfered with over the flanks by leaden black. The longest posterior under tail coverts are brownish black, as are also one or two rows of the exterior ones, the rest being white, with or without a plumbeous tint. Notice that in amount of white on the under tail coverts, obscurus is just intermediate between anglorum and my new opisthomelas. The bill is deep leaden blue, darker at the apex ; the legs and feet colored, as in anglo- rum. Dimensions. Length of bill along culmen, l - 25 ; along rictus, 1-70; from end of nostrils to tip, *90 ; from feathers on side of lower mandible to its apex, 1-20; its depth at base, -40 ; width, -35 ; depth at convexity of unguis, -25. Wing, from the carpal joint, 8*00. Tarsus, 1-60 ; middle toe" and claw, 1-80 ; outer do., 1*85. Central tail feathers, 4-25 ; exterior feathers nearly an inch shorter. Total length from tip of bill to end of tail about 11*00 ; expanse of wings about 25-50. Variations. I find the differences in size to be about the same, relatively to its dimensions, as in the other smaller Paffini, while, as usual, the general form and the proportion of parts are pretty constantly preserved. The char- acteristic hue of the upper parts is always recognizable, but the precise tint varies with the age of the feathers. The margins of the dorsal tVathers are frequently very conspicuously lighter. The limit of the extent of the dark color on the sides of the head, neck, and breast, hardly differs notably, even with age, and is a strong specific character. The relative amount of the black and white on the under tail coverts is also pretty constant, being intermediate between anglorum and opisthomelas, as before stated. The unusual graduation of the tail is. I believe, always preserved in mature birds. The combination in this species of its small size, the tint of the upper parts, and its characteristic line of demarcation with the white on the sides of the head, neck, and breast, together with the color of the under tail coverts, and the length and shape of the tail, renders it readily diagnosticable. As with anglorum, I have taken it as the standard in treating of the other closely allied ; and the peculiar points wherein each differs from it will be found de- tailed under their respective headings. Pr/FFi>'us opisthomelas Cones, nov. sp., Diag. P. Puffino obscuro nee perdissimilis ; sed major, rostro longiore, robustiore, alis pedibusque longioribus, cauda, breviore, minus rotundata ; et tectricibus caudse inferioribus fere omnino fuliginoso-nigris. Habitat. South Pacific coast of North America. Description. Form: The bill is rather long, about four-fifths the tarsus, stout, moderately compressed, a wry little higher than broad at the base, the unguis large and strong, its convexity great, and rising much above the level of the rest of the culmen, the depth of the bill at the point of the greatest 1861.] 140 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF convexity of the unguis being much more than in its middle. The outline of the inferior mandibular rami is about straight as far as the unguis ; the line of the commissure is considerably curved. The nasal tubes are large and prominent, and rather long for this group, being more than a fourth of the culmen ; and the nasal apertures are much elongated, being very elliptical rather than circular. The frontal featheis extend forwards to a point on the median line instead of being the segment of a perfect circle, as in anglorum and obscurus. The folded wings reach beyond the tail. The tail is compara- tively and absolutely much shorter than in obscurus and very decidedly less rounded, the difference between the middle and exterior rectrices being only about half an inch. The feet are as much longer than those of obscurus as is proportional to the greater size of the bird ; the tarsus is as long as the middle toe and half its claw. The outer toe and claw equals the middle ; the tip of the inner claw falls short of the base of the middle one. Color. The nasal tubes and culmen are blackish, the sides of the bill yel- lowish or reddish brown, the unguis mostly light bluish white. " The iris is dark brown," (collector's label.) The internal aspect, and part of the outer side of the tarsus, the middle and inner toes and the webs are light yellowish flesh color. The rest of the tarsus, the outer toe and the very margins of the webs are brownish black. The claws are brown. The enfire upper parts, the wings and tail are of exactly the same shade of sooty black as obtains in ob- scurus, but with the following notable difference in the line of demarcation of the white on the sides of the head, neck and breast: the dark color is much more extensive, reaching as far below the eyes as it does in anglorum, and there is no definite union of the two colors ; but as the dark takes on more and more of a lighter plumbeous hue, it insensibly becomes more and more nebu- lated with white. There is no white on either eyelid, nor any indication of a white superciliary line. The under wing coverts are white, as in obscurus : the bend of the wing rather more decidedly mottled with the color of the back. The axillary feathers are more or less blackish towards their ends instead of being pure white. The flanks are more extensively and decidedly fuliginous black than in obscurus. It is in the color of the under tail c >verts, however, that the difference from obscurus is most apparent. These feathers are entirely of a deep fuliginous black, except a few of the shortest ones just posterior to the fundament, which are whitish. Dimensions. Bill along culmen 1*40, along commissure 2-00, from end of nasal tubes to tip 1 -05, from feathers on side of lower mandible to its tip 1*40 ; height at base "42, width a little less ; height at convexity of unguis 32. Wing from the carpus about 9*00. Tarsus 1*80 ; middle toe and claw 2-10. Tail 3 - 75 ; outer feathers -60 shorter ; (in obscurus tail 4*25; outer feathers nearly 1*00 shorter.) Variations. With but two specimens before me, I cannot speak so fully on this point as I could wish ; but the variations are doubtless quite parallel in all respects with those of anglorum or obscurus. The above measurements in- dicate the average of the two specimens. They are precisely similar in colors. Comparison with allied species. This new species differs from obscurus as follows, briefly: In its larger size, as will be palpable from the measurements given of the bill, wings and feet.* In its both relatively and absolutely shorter tail, which is also much less rounded. In the different outline of the frontal feathers on the bill In the different coloration, insomuch that there is no white about the eye ; that the dark color extends much further on the sides of the head and neck ; and that the under tail coverts are almost en- tirely fuliginous black, instead of being for the most part white. It is distinguishable at a glance from anglorum by its greatly inferior size, * The collector's label gives, "Total length 15 inches; expanse of wing 32;" but these cannot be implicitly relied on. [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 141 vide measurements ; by the very different color of the ripper parts ; and by the fuliginous black instead of white under tail coverts. The Puffinus yelcudnus is lighter colored above than is dnglorum, and there- fore this species approaches it in this respect. But yelcuanus is much larger than the present species, and has white under tail coverts like anglorum ; so that it is impossible to confound it with opisthomelas. Still more different is this species from the P. nugax, Solander, from the Australian seas. This latter is a very diminutive species, much smaller even than obscurus, the wing being only about 61 inches from the carpus. It also has the white of the throat extending far up on the sides of the head and neck, and white under tail coverts ; characters diametrically opposed to those which obtain in the present species. I am acquainted with no other species to which the present bears any sort of resemblance. I trust that I have so fully and correctly indicated its cha- racters and relationships, that its introduction, even into this peculiarly in- tricate .group, will be the cause of no confusion or uncertainty regarding it. Two fine examples are contained in the Smithsonian Museum, both col- lected by Mr. John Xantus at Cape St. Lucas, Lower California. (Smiths. Catalogue, Nos. 16,990, 16,991.) Puffinus nugax (Solander.) Procellaria nugax, Solander, Schlegel, Mon. Proc. Mus. Pays-Bas, 1863, p. 31. Puffinus nugax, Bonaparte, Consp. Av., ii. 1856, p. 205. Puffinus assimilis, Gould, P. Z. S., 1837, v. p. 156. Id. Ann. et Mag. N. H. xvi. Id. Birds Aust., vii. pi. 56. "Procellaria australis, Eyton," (Bp.) Habitat. Australian seas. A fine suite of this well marked species is in the collection of the Philadel- phia Academy. Its relationships are closest with P. obscurus, but the dif- ferences are sufficiently obvious on comparison. It is the very smallest known species of Puffinus, being appreciably less than the obscurus. It is hardly 10-50 inches in length ; the wings from the carpus only about 6 ; th tail averages 2-75 ; the bill about one inch ; the tarsus 1 ; the middle toe about the same. The color of the upper parts is about the same as in P. ob- scurus, or a very little lighter ; the feathers generally with appreciably darker tips. A striking diagnostic feature is found in the extent to which the white of the under parts mounts up on the sides of the head and neck, which is greater than in any other species. The inferior caudal tectrices are usually entirely pure white. The under surfaces of the wings are pure white, and the inferior aspect of the inner webs of the primaries are dull whitish, being much lighter than are these parts in obscurus. The bill is dusky horn color. The tarsi are greeenish yellow ; the webs bright chrome yellow. The preceding paragraph shows the points in which the species differs from obscurus. It is too distinct from anglorum or ijelcuanus to require com- parison. It cannot be confounded with my P. opisthomelas, since the latter is nearly as much larger than obscurus as nugax is smaller ; has the colora- tion of the sides of the head and neck very different, (compare descriptions ;) has black instead of white under tail coverts, etc. I have not an opportunity of examining the original description of nugax by Solander, but all authors agree that it is the species subsequently named assimilis by Gould. I do not know where the species is called auslralis by Eyton, but quote the name on the authority of Bonaparte. Analytical Synopsis of the Genera and Species of Puffine;e. Family PROCELLARIDJE. Subfamily PROCELLARINiE. Section Puffineje. Char. Tail of twelve much graduated feathers. Bill long, compressed, 1864.] 142 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP much hooked, the outline of the unguis of the lower mandible concave, de- curved. Nasal tubes short, broad, flattened, apically usually very obliquely truncated ; in length usually a fourth of culmen ; the internasal septum broad. In color either entirely fuliginous, or cinereous, or brown above and white beneath ; never glaucous or bluish, or with parti-colored primaries. " Shearwaters." I. MAJAQUEUS Reich. The very short tail only a fifth of the total length. Bill unusually stout for this section ; nasal tubes approaching in character those of Fulmarese. Very large ; fuliginous, with peculiar facial markings. 1. M. jequinoctialis Reich. Pr. cequin. L. Priojinus cequin. Homb. et Jacq. P r. nigra, Forst. Puff, capitis boace-spei, Briss. Tarsus 2]- inches ; ungues of bill yellow ; a submental white spot. 2. M. CONSPICILLATUS Bp. Proc. conspicillatus, Gould. Pr. larvata, Less. Larger : bill more robust ; its unguis bluish black ; tarsus 2i ; usually a white submental spot ; a lateral stripe on sides of head, and a transverse one across the vertex before the eyes. II. ADAMASTOR Bp. Bill and nasal tubes identical with those of Majaqueus. Tarsus much less than middle toe without claw. Tail very short, much graduated. Bi-color ; above cinereous, below white. 3. A. cinereus Coues. Proc. cinerea, Gm. (non Cuv., Kuhl., Temm., Schleg., Degl., Schmz., Kevs. et Bias, quse Puff. Kuhlii, Boie ; nee Aud., Mitt, quas Puff, major, Fab.) Puff, cinereus, Lawrence, 1858. Adamastor cinereus, Coues, 1864. Proc. hcesitata, Forst., Gould, Reich, (non Kuhl, Temm., New- ton, quffl Astrelata diabolica) = Puffinus hasitata, Lawr., 1853. Puff. Kuhlii, Cass. [1862] nee Boie. Proc. adamastor, Schleg. Adam, typus, Bp. Bill yellow, nasal tubes, culmen and sulcus on lower mandible black ; above with under surface of wings and tail cinereous ; below white ; 19 inches long ; bill 1-80, wing 13-00, tail 5-75, tarsus 2-40, middle toe and claw 2-90. 4. A. GELmrs Coues. Proc. gelida, Gm., Lath., Vieill. Proc. flavirostris, Gould. Adamastor flavir, Bp. . Above brown, with paler edges to the feathers ; wings and tail deep black- ish brown ; below, including the under surfaces of wing and tail, white, the feathers of the former with a brown longitudinal streak ; bill yellow, its tip dark ; 19 inches long, wing 15, tail 6-50, middle toe and claw 3-15. 5. A. sekiceus Bp. Puff, sericeus, Lesson. Bill black ; above grayish ash, deeper on the wing coverts ; below white ; 15 inches long, wing 11-50, tail 5, tarsus 1-75, middle toe 1-33. III. THIELLUS Gloger. Generally like Nectris, but tail unusually long and cuneiform, being nearly or quite half as long as the wing from the carpus. 6. T. spuekurus Bp. Bill flash color, tinged with brown, darker on culmen and unguis. Length 15 to 16 inches, wings about 11, bill 1-60. 7. T. CHL0R0RHYNCHDS Bp. Bill greenish orange, black on culmen and at tip. Bill 1-85 ; stouter than in sphemirus, a little larger than that species, but the wing usually shorter, (* inch or more.) [Ap ^ NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 143 IV. NECTRIS Bp. (emend. Forst.) Siz moderate ; nnicolor, fuliginous ; feet pale ; bill long, slender, mvicli hooked ; nasal tubes short, fl it, very obliquely truncated ; tail long, rounded ; tarsus about equal to middle toe without claw, (vix nisi colore fuliginoso genere Puffino differre videtur !) 8. N. FULioiNosr/s Keys, et Bias. Puff, fuliginosus, Strickl. et auct. (sed non Proc. fuliginosus, Gra., Lath., Vieill., quae species " Thalassio ;" nee Banks, [tab. 19;] nee Kuhl, [sp. 12] quae Pterodroma atlantica, Gould.) Puffinus major fcem ! Temm. Puff, cinereus fcem ! Gould. Bill concolor with plumage; feet brownish black, internal face of tarsus and the webs dusky yellowish. Length 18 inches, wing 12, bill 2"00. North Atlantic. 9. N. amaurosoma Coues, nov. sp. Bill concolor with plumage ; feet fleshy white, outer side of tarsus and outer toe tinged with dusky ; inferior wing coverts mostly white ; wing 11 inches, tail 4-25, bill 1*70. Pacific coast of N. Amer. 10. N. carneipes Bp. Puff- carneipes, Gould. Proc. carneipes, Schlegel. Majaqueus carneipes, Reich. "Puff, cinereus, juv. Smith." " Nectris gama, Bp." Bill fleshy white, eulmen and tips dusky ; legs, feet and membranes yel- lowish flesh color. Length 15 inches ; length of bill, feet, wings, tail, much the same as fuliginosus. Australian seas. 11. N. TENUIROSTBIS Bp. Proc. t'enuirostris, Temm. Puff- tenuirostris, Temm. et Schleg. " P. curilicus, P. Iristis, Musseorum." Very small ; bill excessively weak and slender; wing 10 inches, tail 3-50, bill 1-20, tarsus 1'90. Bill dusky greenish yellow ; feet yellowish ; posterior edge of tarsus and under surface of webs blackish. White under wings as in amaurosoma. Japan. 12. N. BREVICAUDUS Bp. Puff, brevicaudus, Brandt. Majaqueus brevicaudus, Reich. "Blackish fuliginous, lighter beneath; bill black, yellowish at base ; feet cinereous, webs yellow." (Bp.) " Australian seas." Gould, [species mihi ignota.] V. PUFFINUS Briss. Moderate and small in size, bicolor, above brown or cinereus, below white. Wings very long and pointed ; tail long, rounded. Feet very large ; tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw ; bill long, rather slender, compressed, hooked; nasal tubes short, flat, obliquely truncated; nasal septum broad, nos- trils oval. 13. P. Kuhlii Boie. Proc. puffinus, Temm., Vieill. [1828] ; et al, auct. Europ. ; sed non Linn., qua? P. anglorum, Ray. Proc. sive Puff, cinereus, Cuv., Temm., Kuhl., Schleg., Degl. et al. auct. Europ. fere omnium; sed non 6m., Lath., Vieill., Lawr. quae Adamastor cinereus, Mihi; nee Aububon et auct. Amer. qua? P. major, Fab. Bill yellow, its nasal tubes more elevated, compressed and vertically trun- cated thau usual in this genus. Above light brownish ash or cinereous, each feather with a lighter margin, nebulatedand undulate I with pure white on sides of head and neck ; posterior upper tail coverts and whole under parts, includ- ing under surfaces of wings and all the under tail coverts, pure white. Tail almost cuneiform ; feet weak and slender, yellowish ; outer toe and claw longer than middle do. North Atlantic Ocean only. 1864.] 14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 14. P. LEUCOMELAS Bp. Proc.leucomelas; Temm. Smaller than P. Kuhlii ; weaker bill. Feathers of the upper parts and sides of head and neck grayish white, each with a longitudinal shaft line of brown. 15. P. creatopus Cooper, n. sp. [in epistolis.] With the general aspect of P. major. Bill short, usually swollen and stout at the base, nasal tubes elevated, turgid, short. Bill yellowish flesh color. Nasal tubes, culmen and tip blackish. Feet light flesh color ! Upper parts generally as in P. major, but no white on upper tail coverts ; no white at bases of primaries ; the color of sides of head extending round on the throat, with no dividing line ; and the under tail coverts entirely fuliginous black. Bill along i-ulmen 1-60 ; height at base *60. 16. P. major Fab. Proc. puffinus, Kuhl, et auct. al. aliq. Europ. (sed non Linn., Gm., Lath. quce P. anglorum, Ray; nee Temm. qiue Kuhlii, Boie.) Pi'ff- s i ve Proc. major, Auct. Ardenna major, Reich. Puff, cinereus, Bp. [1828.] Audub., Kutt. non Gm. Above smokey brown, the feathers with lighter edges. Posterior upper tail coverts mostly white. A definite line of demarcation between the brown and white on the sides of the head and neck. Length 18 to 20 inches ; bill 2, wing 13, tarsus 2-40. 17. P. anglorum Temm. Proc. anglorum, Ray. Puff, anglorum, auct. Proc. puffinus, L.. Gm. Lath., Briinn. sed non al. auct. quae P. major. Nectr is puffinus, Keys. et Bias. P. arcticus, Fab. P. Baroli, Bonelli. Tarsus equal to middle toe without claw. B;ll about two-thirds the tarsus, along culmen 1*40 inches; wing 9-25. Above very deep lustrous brownish black, darker than in any other species. 18. P. YELCrjANTJS Bp. Proc. yelkuan, Acerbi. From the Mediterranean Sea. Like P. anglorum, but lighter colored above, the point of the wing more elongated, and lateral under tail coverts uniformly deep grey. 19. P. oBscuRTjs Vieill. Proc. obscurus, Gm. Proc. sive Pi'ff. obscurus, auct. Nectris obscurus, Kuhl. Cymostomus obscurus, Macgiil. Puff. Vherminieri, Less. P. Jloridanus, Mus. Berol. Bill three-fourths as long as the tarsus. Tail very long, much graduated. Above grayish, or plumbeous black, not extending on the sides of the head below the eyes. Axillary feathers white. Longest posterior under tail co- verts brownish black, rest white. Bill 1*25, wing 8, tail 4'25, exterior rec- trices an inch shorter. Tarsus 1*60 ; middle toe and claw 180 inches and hundredths. 20. P. orisTHOMELAS Coues, nov. sp. From Cape St. Lucas. Generally like P. obscurus, but larger, with a longer bill and wings, a shorter, less graduated tail ; almost all the under tail co- verts and axillary feathers fuliginous black, and a different line of demarca- tion between the color of the upper and under parts on the sides of the head and neck. Bill 1-40, wing 9, tarsus 1-80, middle toe and claw 2*10, tail 3 - 75, outer reotrices only "60 hundredths of an inch shorter. 21. P. NUGAX Bp. Proc. nuijax, Solander. Puff, assimilis, Gould. " Proc. australis, Eyton." From the Australian seas. Smallest of all ; wing only 6 inches, tail 2, bill one inch, tarsus 1^. The white of the under parts mounts high up on the sides of the head. Under tail coverts entirely white. Under surfaces of inner webs of primaries dull whitish. [April, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 145 May 3d. Vice-President Vaux in the Chair. Fourteen members present. Mr. Cassin informed the Academy that our late fellow member, Mr. Samuel Ashmead, had bequeathed to the Academy his entire collection of Algae, together with the privilege of selecting from his mineralogi- cal cabinet such specimens as may be desirable. May 1(M. Vice-President Vaux in the Chair. Thirteen members present. May 17th. Mr. Lea in the Chair. Twenty-two members present. A paper was presented for publication entitled " New Unionidae, Melanidae, &c, chiefly of the United States." By Isaac Lea. May 24th. Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. Eighteen members present. A paper was presented for publication entitled " Descriptions of new marine Invertebrata from Puget's Sound, &c." By Dr. Wm. Stimp- son. May 31st. Vice-President Vaux in the Chair. Sixteen members present. On Report of the respective Committees, the paper of Mr. Lea, read May 17th, was ordered to be published in the Journal, and the follow- ing papers in the Proceedings : Critical Remarks on the Genera SEBASTES and SEBASTODES of Ayres. BY THEODORE GILL. In the Proceedings of the California Academy of Natural Sciences, "Re- marks in relation to the Fishes of California, which are included in Cuvier's genus Sebastes," and subsequently, in the Proceedings of the Zoological So- ciety of London, "Notes on the Sebastoid Fishes occurring on the coast of California, TJ. S. A.,"* have been published by Wm. 0. Ayres, M. D., C. M. Z. S. * I have been favored by Prof. Baird with the advance sheets of these Proceedings. 1864.] 10 146 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP The object of these memoirs is to show that there are eleven species of Se- bastoid fishes in the Californian waters, distributable among two genera, dis- tinguished only by the prominence or little development of spinous ridges on " the top of the head." For those with ridges he reserves the name Sebas- tes; for those with "little developed " ones, he accepts the name Sebastodes, pro- posed for a natural genus of which S. paucispinis is the only known species. Rehearsing the history of Sebastodes, Dr. Ayres admits that the "grouping of characters" assigned to it "belongs onj^y to the single species S. paucispinis;''' and also in his final paper, that "the ' minute scales' belong only to S. pauci- spmis,"* and then proceeds to show that species of other genera have some of the characters attributed to it ! He finally dismisses Sebastodes immedi- ately after the remark that "the 'minute scales' belong only to S. paucispinis" with the conclusion that " it does not seem possible, therefore, (!!) that Sebas- todes can be retained with such limits as were assigned to it by Mr. Gill" ! The logical character of the inference is rather dubious, after the admission of the truth of a principal proposition. But for the benefit of Dr. Ayres, who may doubt the value of the character, the opinion of Dr. Giinther, whose authority he will scarcely gainsay, is adduced. That gentleman attributes to Sebastes " scales of moderate or small size," and not minute ones like those of S. paucispinis, which, although admitted in the genus by him, he had never seen. Giinther has, however, shown his appreciation of the value of the size of the scales in all his diagnoses of the Scorpaenoidae, and has sepa- rated the Triglas of Europe into two genera solely on account of the size of the scales. Therefore the single character admitted by Ayres as peculiar to Se- bastodes paucispinis would alone, in the opinion of some, entirely separate it from his other species, but when it is stated that it also differs remarkably in the form of the head, the skull, the preoperculum, the connection of the vomer and palatine bones, the direction of the anterior teeth of the jaws, the palatine rows, &c, the unnatural character of the association in one genus of it and species of the ordinary Sebastoid form will be obvious. Sebastodes paucispinis is decidedly the only known species of the genus. Dr. Ayres " refers without hesitation to the genus of which thg common species of Massachusetts Bay, S. viviparus,f is a member," the species of Sebas- toids with the frontal and coronal spines moderately or extremely devel- oped, stating that the difference in the number of dorsal spines, when " un- supported, does not appear sufficient." In this respect also he differs widely from Giinther: that author distinguishes Sebastes by the number of spines, J assigning to it twelve or thirteen, and emphatically insists upon its value in his remarks on the Centropogon australis, a species with fifteen spines, remarking, that "this species approaches in general habit the genera Sebastes and Scorpzena, from which it must be separated on account of the number of the dorsal spines, a much more certain generic character than the presence or absence of a preorbital spine, which is found in fishes that cannot be separated from Sebastes (S. nematophtkalmus.y '$ Dr. Ayres will doubt- less admit the justness of the denial of the pertinence of any Californian species to the same genus as Sebastes with fifteen dorsal spines, when ac- quainted with this emphatic endorsement of the value of the number of dorsal opines and the depreciation of the importance of the cephalic spines. It is true that Dr. Giinther admits, as the first two species of Sebastes, S. norvegicus * Dr. Ayres has in his first article insisted that " the little ' accessory scales' mentioned by Girard are not confined to the three species stated by him, hut are common to all;" but in hie final paper, he has admitted the truth of Girard's and my own descriptions f Dr. Ayres has omitted to state that I was responsible for the identification of the Massachu- setts Sebastes with & viviparity and that his knowledge of that identity was solely derived from 016. J "One dorsal, separated by a notch in a spinous and soft portion, with twelve or thirteen pines." Gthr., ii. 95. $ Gunther, ii. 129. [ May, NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 147 and S. viviparus, which have " fifteen" dorsal spines, and which are indeed the types of the genus, but that gentleman has shown his appreciation of the value of the character, and has only been unhappy in its application : he should have given a new name to the genus defined by him. Dr. Ayres has omitted to inform his readers that the difference in the number of dorsal spines is also supported by a corresponding difference in the number of vertebrae, the species of " Sebastkhthys having, as far as known, only ten abdominal and fourteen caudal vertebrae,"* while Sebastes has about twelve abdominal and nineteen caudal vertebrae.f The value of the characters used to distinguish the genera Sebastes, Sebas- tichthys and Sebastodes is now indeed so generally conceded by scientific men, that it is unnecessary to further argue in their favor. I shall only remark that the combinations and distinctions of forms by Dr. Ayres are alike un- natural and violate all natural affinities, and that the distinctions used by him to separate his genera Sebastes and Sebastodes are only of secondary value. More acquaintance with the species of the family would undoubtedly con- vince him of the justness of this assertion. Dr. Ayres has been unfortunate in at least one of his identifications, connect- ing Girard's name Sebastes rosaceus with a species of " Sebastodes," with the remark that " this is the species originally described by Girard under the name rosaceus; and again, quite correctly, in the tenth volume of the 'Pacific Railroad Reports.'" Yet S. rosaceus is said to have "the upper surface of the head with horizontal and acute ridges," and is figured with such arma- ture as well as with the second, instead of the third, anal spine longest, the pectoral and ventrals ceasing before the vent, &c. ! Girard's Sebastes rosaceus is indeed a typical Sebastes of Ayres, and entirely identical with the . helvo- maculatus of the latter, as the examination of the two specimens known to Girard has convinced me. The specimens are in poor condition, but the spots are still visible. The Sebastodes rosaceus of Ayres is therefore deprived of a name, and may receive that of Sebastosomus% pinniger. It is also proper to here remark that two species are apparently confound- ed by Girard under the name Sebastes melanops, one with, "a small spine upon the suprascapular bone, two others upon the edge of the opercle," and another from Cape Flattery with the lower opercular spine as well as the supraorbital ridges obsolete, and the forehead between the eyes perfectly arched. The latter may be named Sebastosomus simulans. In conclusion, the genus Sebastkhthys includes at least three genera. The Se- bastkhthys nigrocinctus is somewhat related to Scorpiena, and distinguished by elevated, serrated coronal crests. Other Californian species represented by the Sebastes melanops, seen by me, differ so much that they may be separated and combined for the present under a genus Sebastosomus, of which the Sebastes melanops of Girard may be taken as the type. Still others, distinguished by the texture of the bones of the skull, armed orbital ridges, prefrontals, &c, and represented by Sebastes rosaceus, Grd., may be named Sebastomus. In a contemplated Monograph of the Scorpaenoids of California, the relations of the species will be more fully discussed. Second Contribution to the SELACHOLOGT of California. BY THEODORE GILL. Since the publication of the article " On the Classification of the Families and Genera of the Squali of California, " additional information has been * Gill, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1862, p. 278. t The increase in the number of vertebrae in the species of Sebastes. a genus peculiar to the Northern Seas, affords an excellent example of the truth of the generalization claiming an increased number of vertebrae for the cold-water representatives of the families of Acanthoptery- gians. J Sebastosomus, Gill. Type Sebastes melanops, Girard. y Proc. Acad. Nat. Sciences, Phila., 1862, pp. 483501. 1864.] 148 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP given in the "Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology," hy Mr. P. W. Putnam, in a "List of Specimens sent by the Museum to different Insti- tutions," and in the Proceedings of the California Academy of Natural Sci- ences by Dr. W. 0. Ayres.* The former enumerates the Triads semifasdata, Girard, Triads Henlei, Putnam (= Rkinotriacis Henlei, Gill) and Acanthias Suckleyi, Girard (= Sgualus Suckleyi, Gill.) Dr. Ayres has in one article announced, very modestly and with scarcely a due appreciation of its bearings, a startling discovery regarding the range of variation of dentition in the Notidanoids, and in a subsequent communication, has informed us of the discovery of a r