BY PHILIP P. CARPENTER, B.A., PH.D.
_Corresponding Member of the Académies of Philadelphia and California,
etc._
WARRINGTON, ENGLAND, May 4th, 1864.
The shells to be described in these papers were collected
by Dr. J. G. Cooper, for the State Geological Survey of
California. Being aware that I was engaged in preparing
descriptions of the shells of the Smithsonian collections, to
serve as a handbook on the Mollusca of the western coast, and
also (at the present time), a “Supplementary Report on the
present state of our knowledge of the Mollusca of the west
coast of North America,” for the British Association; he has
very obligingly transmitted to me such duplicates as could be
spared from the State collection for identification.
CALLIOSTOMA SWAINSON, 1840.
_Calliostoma formosum_ Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species
615 a.
C. t. subelevatá, brunnescens, fusco-purpureo nebulosa, anfr.
vii. valde tumentibus, suturis impressis; carinis majoribus
in spirâ duabus, gemmatis, interdum brunneo huc et illuc
tinctis; serie granulorum minorum prope suturam; serie quartá
minimorum inter duas carinas; lirulis basalibus circ. ix.,
fusco maculatis; interstitiis à lineis incrementi corrugatis;
aperturá subquadratá. Long. 0.47, long. spir. 0.34, lat. 0.43,
div. 68°.
_Hab._ San Pedro five; San Diego four dead on beach at low
water—very rare. It is well distinguished by the two principal
necklaces, with smaller rows intercalating. In coloring it
resembles C. eximium Reeve, (versicolor Menke, Mazatlan
Catal.), from the Gulf of California.
_Calliostoma splendens_ Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species
530 a.
C. t. parvâ, latiore, tenuiore; exquisité rufo-castaneo et
purpureo, interdum intensioribus, et livido, varie nebulosâ
et punctatâ; anfractu primo nucleoso diaphano, granuloso,
apice mamillato; dein iv. normalibus, subtabulatis; primo
costibus spiralibus ii. acutis, valde expressis, alterâ parvâ
suturali; anfr. penult. costis iii. quarum media extantior,
superior subgranulosa; anfr. ult. aliis intercalantibus,
supra peripheriam v. quarum tertia magis extans; interstitiis
à lineis incrementi vix decussatis; costâ circa peripheriam
angulatam conspicuâ; basi costulis rotundatis, haud
extantibus, peripheriam et axim versus conspicuis, medio sæpe
obsoletis; basi nitidâ, subplanatâ; aperturâ subquadratâ,
intus carneo-nacreâ, valde splendente: operculo tenuissimo,
levissimo, pallido, diaphano, concavo; anfr. circ. x. crebris,
parum definitis.
Long. 0.23, long. spir. 0.15, lat. 0.24, div. 87°.
_Hab._ Monterey, 20 fms. dredged 2, dead; Santa Barbara, in
roots of kelp growing in about 10 fms. 13, dredged in 16 fms.
2, dead; S. B. Island, 2, dead, on beach; Catalina Island,
30-40 fms. 2, alive; San Diego, 1, dead.
The specimens here described are probably mature, and are well
marked in character. The painting is richly lustrous, of a
fleshy nacre inside; outside, of a rich orange-chestnut or red,
variously laid on a light ground, sometimes with streaks of
nacreous purple, often with dots on the ribs. The operculum is
extremely thin and transparent.
SOLARIELLA Searles Wood, 1843.
_Solariella peramabilis_ Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species
1025.
S. t. tenuissimâ, elegantissime sculptâ, lividâ, rufo-fusco
pallide maculatâ; anfr. nucl. ii. valde tumidis, lævibus,
apice mamillato; dein anfr. norm. iv. tabulatis, suturis fere
rectangulatis, supra spiram bi-seu tri-carinatis, carinulis
aliis postea intercalantibus; totâ superficie elegantissime et
creberrime radiatim lirulatâ, lirulis acutissimis, extantibus,
supra carinas subgranulosis, interstitia anfr. primis
fenestrantibus, postea decussantibus; basi valde rotundatâ;
carinulis circ. v., anticâ granulosâ, sculptâ; umbilico maximo,
anfractus intus monstrante, lineis spiralibus circ. iii.
distantibus, et lirulis radiantibus à basi continuis, concinne
ornato; aperturâ rotundatâ, à carinulis indentatâ, vix parieti
attingente, intus iridescente, nacreâ: operculo tenuissimo,
multispirali, anfr. circ. x., radiatim eleganter rugulosis.
Long. 0.38, long. spir. 0.19, lat. 0.42, div. 85°.
_Hab._ Catalina Island, 30-120 fms. 20, both alive and dead.
The name _Solariella_, given to a crag fossil (tertiary)
species by Searles Wood, which he afterwards reunited to
_Margarita_, is here used as a subgenus, in the author’s sense,
for _Margaritæ_ with large crenated umbilicus. This is one of
the many instances in which the North Pacific fauna carries out
the ideas of the English crag. Unfortunately, the name appears
in Add. Gen. I, 431, for a subgenus of _Monilea_, with which
these shells have only a limited affinity; and, accordingly,
the true _Solariellæ_ have been reconstituted as part of
_Minolia_, A. Ad. That gentleman, however, fully accords with
the present arrangement. The _Solariellæ_ are known from
_Trochiscus_, and from all forms of _Solariadæ_, by the normal
(not inverted) nuclear whirls; and from the Solarids, by the
nacreous texture.
Dr. Cooper’s very lovely species of a very lovely group may
possibly prove to be a variety of the Japanese “_Minolia
aspecta_ A. Ad.” ms. in Mus. Cuming; but, until more specimens
from each district have been compared, it is more prudent to
keep them separate. It seems to have exhausted the powers of
sculpture on its graceful habitation. Under the microscope,
the sharp transverse lirulæ, mounting over the keels, dividing
the interspaces, and even ascending the wide umbilicus, are
eminently beautiful. Even the operculum is sculptured with
delicate waved radiating lines. It has the aspect of an
extremely thin _Torinia_, with a funnel-shaped umbilicus.
This is not only bounded by a granular keel, but has three
other distant spiral lines crossing the lirulæ. The radiating
sculpture is more distant on the upper whirls, where first
two, then three keels appear, fenestrated by the lirulæ, which
afterwards become much closer, and are sometimes worn away
behind the labrum.
MARGARITA Leach, 1819.
_Margarita acuticostata_ Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species
354.
M. t. _M. lirulatæ_ simili; parvâ, tenui, albido-cinereâ,
olivaceo-fusco varie maculatâ, seu punctulatâ; anfr. nucleosis
ii. lævibus, tumidis, fuscis, apice mamillato; anfr. norm.
iii. tumidis, tabulatis, suturis rectangulatis; carinis
acutis in spirâ iii., quartâ peripheriali, æquidistantibus;
interstitiis spiraliter striatis; in spirâ et circâ basim
radiatim creberrime striulatis; basi subrotundatà, lirulis
distantibus circ. ix. ornatâ; umbilico magno, infundibuliformi,
vix angulato, intus interdum striis spiralibus paucis sculpto;
aperturâ subrotundatâ, pariete parum attingente: operculo anfr.
paucioribus, circ. vi. suturis subelevatis.
Long. 0.18, long. spir. 0.12, lat. 0.19, div. 87°.
_Hab._ Santa Barbara, in kelp-root, 2, dead; Catalina Island,
8-10 fms. 20, some alive; Monterey, 20 fms. 4, dead.
This shell might be taken for a delicate form of _Gibbula
parcipicta_, which in painting it exactly resembles. It is
known from the Vancouver _M. lirulata_ by the three sharp keels
on the spire, between which there are no others intercalating,
and by the details of sculpture. The patches of color are very
variable, sometimes scarcely appearing; and are generally
deeper tinted on the keels, giving a false appearance of
granulation.
_Margarita salmonea_ Carp. (? var.) State Collection, Species
352.
M. t. inter _M. undulatæ_ et _M. pupillæ_ intermediâ; minore,
spirâ satis elevatâ; anfr. nucl. iii. purpureis; dein iv.
normalibus, colore salmoneo; liris spiralibus in spirâ
viii., quarum ii. suturales, minimæ; suturis haud undulatis;
interstitiis à lineis incrementi creberrimis, haud elevatis,
sculptis; basi lirulis creberrimis, æqualibus, circ. xviii.
ornatâ; aperturâ subquadratâ; umbilico minore, angulato:
operculo tenuissimo, diaphano, anfr. circ. x. vix definitis.
Long. 0.22, long. spir. 0.14, lat. 0.22, div. 80°.
_Hab._ Monterey, 6-20 fms. 5, alive; Catalina Island, 30-40
fms. 2, alive.
This shell differs from the common _Margarita_ of the Vancouver
district (_M. pupilla_ Gld. = _calliostoma_ A. Ad.), in its
much deeper and salmon-tinted hue; its finer sculpture, absence
of decussation, and want of distant liræ round the umbilicus.
From the Norwegian specimens of _M. undulata_ it is known by
the absence of sutural waves, and by the finer basal riblets,
of which the interstices are minutely sculptured across.
The operculum differs from both, in its great thinness and
smoothness. Additional specimens may better display its true
relations.[10]
LIOTIA GRAY, 1842.
_Liotia fenestrata_ Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species 1006.
L. t. parvâ, primum subdiscoideâ, postea variante,
albido-cinereâ; anfr. nucl. lævibus, planatis, apice depresso;
anfr. norm. ii. et dimidio, convexis; clathris validis
distantibus circ. xv. radiantibus, et vii. spiralibus,
subæquantibus, conspicue fenestratâ; aperturâ circulari, sæpius
plus minusve declivi, parieti vix attingente; umbilico maximo,
anfractus monstrante; labio, regione umbilicari, sinuato.
Long. 0.09, long. spir. 0.04, lat. 0.12, div. 170°.
_Hab._ Catalina Island; beach to 40 fms. 20, dead.
This strongly sculptured species varies greatly (in the
two specimens sent to the Smithsonian Institution), in the
declivity of the mouth and consequent size of the umbilicus,
where the labium is, as it were, scooped out.
_Liotia acuticostata_ Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species
519 a.
L. t. parvâ, subglobosâ, albâ; anfr. nucl. ii. lævibus, apice
satis extante; anfr. normalibus iii., carinis in spirâ maxime
extantibus ii., anfr. ult. vi.; suturis subrectangulatis;
aperturâ circulari; labro extus parum contracto; labio
conspicuo; umbilico haud magno.
Long. 0.12, long. spir. 0.06, lat. 0.10, div. 95°.
_Hab._ Catalina Island, 10-20 fms. 4, alive; Monterey, 4, dead,
dredged?
This pretty little Cyclostomoid species is easily recognized by
the sharp revolving keels, and absence of radiating sculpture.
AMYCLA H. & A. Adams, 1858.
_Amycla undata_ Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species 1067.
A. t. parvâ rufo-fuscâ, turritâ, epidermide tenui indutâ;
marginibus spiræ subrectis; anfr. nucleosis iv. lævibus,
tumidis, apice mamillato; anfr. normalibus v. valde tumidis,
suturis impressis; costis radiantibus ix. valde tumidis, latis,
antice et postice obsoletis; interstitiis undatis; liris
spiralibus acutioribus, distantibus, costas superantibus,
secundum interstitia eleganter undulatis, quarum vi.—viii. in
spirâ monstrantur; aperturâ ovali, in canalem brevem rectam
productâ, intus haud liratâ; labro acuto, labio acuto extanti
ad suturam juncto; columellâ planatâ: operculo nassoideo. ?
Long. 0.44, long. spir. 0.20, lat. 0.20, div. 45°.
_Hab._ Catalina Island, not rare, 30-40 fm. 10, some alive.
The nuclear whirls in this shell resemble a minute _Paludina_.
The only operculum in the specimens sent was broken in
extraction, but appeared to be Nassoid. The sculpture consists
of elongate knobs swelling in the middle; with spiral lines
hanging as it were from pier to pier, as in a suspension
bridge. The aperture is somewhat Columbelloid, the inner and
outer lips joining at the suture; but neither are lirate
within, although they have that appearance from the outside
sculpture showing through.
[10] Specimens from Monterey, and one from the beach of the
Farallone Islands, are intermediate between that described
by Mr. Carpenter (Catalina Island specimen) and the northern
_M. pupilla_. J. G. COOPER.
REGULAR MEETING, JULY 18TH, 1864.
President in the Chair.
Nine members present.
Donation to the Cabinet: Specimens of native Sulphur from San
Buenaventura, by Mr. Spence.
Donations to the Library: Annual Report of Harvard College, Mass. Report
of the Insane Asylum of California. Prospectus of the Santa Clara
College. Proceedings of the Essex Institute, Vol. 4, No. 1. American
Journal of Science and Arts, May, 1864. Public Documents from Senator
Conness. Géographie Botanique Raisonée, by Alph. DeCandolle, from the
author.
Dr. Cooper stated that he had lately learned from Mr. Gill, of the
Smithsonian Museum, that the genus AYRESIA, lately described in these
Proceedings, is identical with CHROMIS, of Cuvier, though not _Chromis_
of Richardson, with which Dr. C. had compared it. The name of the fish
must therefore be changed to CHROMIS PUNCTIPINNIS, Cooper.
Col. Ransom presented, on behalf of Mr. John Wilson of this city, some
Indian relics, from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, accompanied by a
letter of which the following is an abstract:
The relics consist of part of a foot and hair from different
mummies, a string of beads made of bone, with a few of blue
stone, also part of a belt and tassel, and a piece of very
strong cloth of vegetable material. These were found by Mr.
Wilson in a cave situated on the western slope of a very high
mountain of the Sierra Madre, which seems almost to hang over
the ancient Pueblo of Chiricahui—a name signifying the Mountain
of Bones. This Pueblo was occupied by the Spaniards soon after
the conquest by Cortez; and from previous traditions it is
supposed by the inhabitants that this cave, and another on the
opposite side of the valley, had been used as a place of burial
by the natives for several hundred years. It is supposed that
no bodies have been deposited there for the past hundred and
fifty years, and perhaps longer.
On visiting the cave, Mr. Wilson found an excavation in the
floor made three or four years since by some persons digging
for saltpetre-earth, partly filled in, but still several
feet deep; and exposed at the sides of this pit were several
rows of bodies placed in regular order one above another, in
a remarkable state of preservation. They were in a compact
position, the knees bent up to the chin, and the face drawn
back close to the buttocks, then securely sewed up in the
remarkably strong and well-woven cloth here presented, which,
on all of the four or five bodies examined, showed the same
degree of strength and perfection. Over this was another
covering of palm-leaves also sewn closely together. The
bodies were dried and shrunken, but retained their form and
integuments. Under each body were two small sticks, on which
the body was laid on its back, the feet towards the mouth of
the cave.
The circumference of the cave was about a hundred feet, and the
height above the floor, thirty or forty feet.
Mr. Wilson and his companions “came to the very decided
conclusion,” that the floor of the cave, for a depth of twenty
feet or more, was formed of bodies similarly arranged in
layers which had been placed there from time to time, as they
died, and covered with earth and pebbles from the sides of the
mountains. There can be no doubt that a thorough exploration
of these relics would reveal very much of the lost history
of the Indian tribes of Mexico, and richly reward the labors
of the antiquarian. The excellent material of the cloth in
which the bodies were sewn up, surpassing in texture and
strength anything now manufactured in Mexico, is worthy of
investigation, as it may still be found valuable for making
bags, sails, etc. There was no sign of any embalming substance
by which the bodies and cloth could have been preserved, and
the only explanation suggested by Mr. Wilson is that it is due
to the dryness of the atmosphere, and the saltpetre contained
in the earth. He also suggested that the fibres of the cloth
may have been derived from the “Maguey,” (Agave Americana) or
some allied plant.
Dr. Cooper remarked that the condition of the foot was very similar to
those of the Indian Mummy presented to the Academy by Dr. J. B. Stout,
January 21st, 1856, and which had been dried by the action of the air,
while protected from the weather by a cedar canoe inverted over another
containing the body. That was in the moist climate of Shoalwater Bay,
north of the Columbia river, and Dr. Cooper who was present at the time
the body was removed by Capt. Russell in 1854, was a witness of the fact
that no preservatives had been found with it. He also stated that the
Indians of the vicinity could not tell how long it had been there, though
certainly not a hundred years.
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 1ST, 1864.
President in the Chair.
Eleven members present.
Donations to the Cabinet: A box of fossils from Eureka, Humboldt Bay, by
Dr. Chamberlin. Fossils from Catalina Island, by Mr. J. E. Clayton.
Donations to the Library: Silliman’s Journal for July, 1864, by the
Editors. A Description of Adiantum Jordani, C. Muell of Halle, by R.
Jordan, of Halle, Prussia.
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 15TH, 1864.
President in the Chair.
Three members present. Mr. Miller as a visitor.
Donations to the Cabinet: California Mosses, lichens and liver-mosses, by
Mr. H. N. Bolander.
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 5TH, 1864.
Vice-President, Dr. Eckel in the Chair.
Nine members present. Prof. B. Silliman, Jr., Dr. Eichler, and Mr.
Ehrenberg as visitors.
Donations to the Cabinet: A specimen of a wild cherry from Catalina
Island, by Mr. J. E. Clayton. A collection of plants from Washoe, by Mr.
Bloomer.
Prof. B. Silliman remarked that in his recent visit to Arizona, east
of the Mohave, he had seen what he presumed were the morains of former
glaciers on the eastern flanks of some of the mountain ranges. They
consist of rudely stratified materials both angular and round, mingled
confusedly together and forming terrace-like spurs or embankments
radiating outwards from the curved range and appearing to have been
left there by glaciers, though no glacial polishing and scratching of
the rocks could be seen as in the Sierra Nevada opposite Mono Lake and
elsewhere. These evidences of glaciers in Arizona were nearly under the
35th parallel of latitude, and he believed that no evidence of glacial
action had before been observed on the Pacific slope at a point so far
south.
Prof. W. P. Blake observed that this was certainly the first observation
upon glacial phenomena in Arizona, and that he had noted evidences of
former glaciers in the Sierra Nevada, as far south as the Tejon Pass,
lat. 35°, where there were large blocks of granite deposited for miles
beyond the opening of the valley.
Prof. Silliman described the peculiar character of the outcrops of the
veins in the regions of the El Dorado Cañon. He found that nearly all
vestiges of the sulphurets were removed from the outcrops, while they
abounded below. The outcrops gave little indication of the metal-bearing
character of the veins. He had observed as he believed, at least three
distinct periods of volcanic activity in that region of the Colorado and
Mohave, two of which periods were sub-aqueous, and the last sub-aerial.
The lava-streams generally appeared to have been poured out after the
face of the country had already assumed its present form. The volcanic
outflows though extensive had not materially modified the topography of
the country.
Mr. Ehrenberg stated that the copper ores in the vicinity of La Paz, and
Mineral City, Arizona, were generally argentiferous, sometimes giving
results by assay as high as $200 per ton. The ores beyond that district
did not appear to contain much. The quicksilver ore at the Eugenie vein
contained both silver and copper.
Doctor Behr presented the following paper:
Notes on Californian Satyrides.
BY HERMAN BEHR, M. D.
CHIONOBAS NEVADENSIS. Boisduval, _in litteris_.
A few specimens of this new and as yet undescribed _Chionobas_,
were caught by Mr. Lorquin, the discoverer of the species,
and named by Dr. Boisduval. Not possessing a single specimen
of this rare species, I am not able to give a diagnosis,
and have only an indistinct recollection, that the species
bore most resemblance to the _Gerontogeic_, Ch. Tarpeja, a
Siberian species that has also been found on the summit of the
Appenines, in Italy, but that in size it is superior to any
_Chionobas_ known to me.
SATYRUS STHENELE Boisd.
Is rather common near San Francisco, where it is found in June.
Only one generation annually.
SATYRUS SYLVESTRIS Edwards.
Edwards’ description shows very clearly the marks by which _S.
Sylvestris_ can be recognized from _S. Sthenele_. This species
is found on grassy hills thinly covered with live-oak, where
its habits show a very marked difference from those of its
relations, by preferring the underside of oak branches to any
other seat, while _Sthenele_ and _Boopis_ almost exclusively
settle on the ground.
SATYRUS BOOPIS Behr.
Sthenele similis at limbus non tesselatus, sed linea transversa
distincte partitus et fœminæ ocelli alarum superiorum in fascia
dilutiori positi. Alae subtusdimidiatæ pars radicalis brunnea,
marginalis grisea, marginem versus brunnescens. Utraque
marmorata, halone ocellorum in alis anticis solo excepto
dilutiori et concolori.
This _Satyrus_ is the biggest of our Californian species,
the male being nearly double the size of the female of _S.
Sylvestris_. I find this _Satyrus_ in July in Contra Costa, on
the hills as well as on the plains. In regard to the diagnosis
of these three closely allied species, I would mention, that
the presence or absence of one or two more or less distinct
eye-marks, on the upper or under side near the anal angle of
the hind wings, is of no diagnostic importance.
S. ARIANE Boisd.
I confess I can not find any constant mark of difference
between this species and _S. Alope_, _Nephele_, and _Pegala_,
however different at first glance their forms may appear. I
am very much inclined to consider them local aberrations of
one far spread species, that gradually slopes from _S. Pegala_
Fabr., through _S. Ariane_ Boisd. to _S. Nephele_ and _S.
Alope_ Fabr., in a similar way as the Gerontogeic _P. Egeria_
L. looks very different from its African form _P. Xiphia_
Fabr., with which, nevertheless, it is insensibly united by its
intermediate form _P. Meone_.
All my Californian specimens agree perfectly with Dr.
Boisduval’s diagnosis of _S. Ariane_; with the exception of one
that approaches to _S. Pegala_, by its having only one eye-mark
on the upper side of the anterior wings, but differs by the
entire absence of the wide rusty band on the same. The specimen
was among several undoubted _S. Ariane_, caught near Mono Lake,
by Prof. Brewer, of the State Geological Survey. Besides the
above mentioned locality, I received specimens from San Diego
and Santa Cruz. Near San Francisco the species is wanting.
As to _S. Sthenele_ and _S. Sylvestris_, I entertain no doubts
regarding their rights as distinct species, but _S. Boopis_
being only distinguished by the absence of the series of eyes
on the under side of the hind wings from _S. Nephele_, may,
perhaps, prove a local variety or aberration of that most
polymorphous and far spread species _S. Alope_. In the mean
time, until the connecting forms are found, I consider it to be
specifically distinct.
COENONYMPHA Hubner.
_C. Galactina_. Boisd.
I consider this species as identical with _C. Californica_
Dbld. At least I find in a long series of specimens, no
point where _Californica_ ends and _Galactina_ begins. _C.
Galactina_, according to Boisduval, exists also in Kamtschatka.
In California it is one of the commonest species of Diurnals,
and is found in the most different localities, in several
generations throughout the year. There exists a second
_Cœnonympha_ in some sequestered valleys of the Northern
Sierra, that approaches in its coloration, the European _C.
Pamphilas_. I have only seen one pair of this species, and not
possessing it, I can not give a diagnosis. It may be that it is
identical with _C. Inornata_, Edw., or _C. Ochracea_, Edw., or
some other Northern species.
Extratropical America is not rich in _Satyrides_, if compared
to the same latitudes in Europe or Asia, and California is
especially poor.
EUROPE. CALIFORNIA.
_Arge_, ——
_Erebia_, ——
_Chionobas_, _Chionabas_,
_Satyrus_, _Satyrus_,
_Pararga_, ——
_Epinephele_, ——
_Cœnonympha_, _Cœnonympha_.
There are seven European genera, each of them represented
by a whole series of species connecting different types. In
California there are only three of which none is known to
contain more than four species.
The Atlantic States add some tropical genera to the three
genera already obtained in California, viz.: _Neonympha_
Hubner, _Hyphthima_ Hubner, _Debis_ Dbld., and _Calisto_
Hubner. The genus _Calisto_ seems to be confined to subtropical
North America; the genus _Neonympha_ spreads in numerous
species through the tropics of America, and trespasses only
in a few species the _Cancer_; _Hyphthima_ is found in many
species in the tropics of the Old World, and it is a very
curious circumstance, that one species of this essentially
Gerontogeic genus should be found in the Southern States. But
the two American species of the genus _Debis_, are even more
interesting, for all other species of this genus, are confined
to the Indian Archipelago.
The metamorphoses of the _Satyrides_, are only with difficulty
to be investigated.
They feed as far as they are known, on Monocotyledoneous
plants, the extra-tropical ones, with one exception perhaps,
exclusively on Graminaceous plants. The Caterpillars shun the
sunlight and hide themselves in the grass. Some of them bury
themselves in the daytime in the ground and feed only at night.
The tropical species feeding on Scitaminaceous, Aroideous
plants, palms, and arborescent grasses, sport the shady
thickets of tropical forests, in whose twilight depths, most
of the species are also found in their imago state. Other ones
like some of the _Morphonides_, and even some _Nymphalides_
of the tropics, spend their days hidden under the luxuriant
foliage of primeval forests and begin their flight only after
sunset.
In a most interesting treatise on the characteristics of
the insect fauna of the “White Mountains,” by Samuel H.
Scudder, (Boston Journal, Vol. VII, Part IV), I find the
description of the Caterpillar of _Chionobas Semidea_, Edw.,
with a notice that it was found on Lichen. This would prove
a most remarkable exception, as all the other _Satyrides_
feed on Monocotyledoneous plants. Nevertheless, larvæ of
Artic types are generally polyphagous, and adapted to some
degree, to accommodate themselves to circumstances, and so
I would not entertain any doubts about the feeding plant of
the _Chionobas_, if it were not for the circumstance that
Mr. Scudder confesses that he did not succeed in bringing
the Caterpillar, with Lichen, to perfection. Perhaps the
Caterpillar fed on grass, or perhaps some _Carex_, and
was only, by some accident, compelled to crawl to the
lichen-covered stone, where that gentleman found it. I hope
to hear very soon about this most interesting object, for I
consider the discovery of the metamorphoses of one insect, a
more valuable fact than the diagnoses of ten new species, of
which we do not know more than the external appearance.
Prof. Wm. P. Blake presented the following papers:
Note on a large lump of Gold found on the Middle fork of the American
River.
BY PROF. WM. P. BLAKE.
In July last, a mass of gold nearly free from quartz, was taken
out of a placer on the Middle Fork of the American River, about
two miles above Michegan Bluffs. It weighed, as taken out, 187
ounces troy, and sold for $17.50 per ounce, netting the finder
$3,272.50. In melting, a loss of six ounces was experienced.
There was a further loss to the purchaser, from the poor
quality of the gold, the assay return of which I have not yet
been able to obtain. The ordinary gold of the claim is worth
$17.50. It is a singular fact, often remarked by dealers, that
the large lumps of gold are almost always poorer in quality
than the smaller ordinary grains from the same placers.
Note on the Fossil remains of the Horse and Elephant, mingled, at Mare
Island, San Francisco Bay.
BY PROF. WM. P. BLAKE.
The entire lower jaw and teeth of a horse, the fragments of
which I exhibit to the Academy, were taken by me from the face
of the shore cliff of Mare Island, together with broken pieces
of bones of other large quadrupeds. The teeth of an _Elephas_
had been found in the same place, a few weeks before, by Mr.
Brown, the Naval Engineer, by whom my attention was directed
to the place. The fossils occur in a stiff sandy loam, which
rests on the eroded surface of the Tertiary or Cretaceous beds
below. Near the surface is a layer of oyster shells, apparently
an upraised bed, most of the shells being entire. The fact
that the Horse and Elephant roamed together over our hills
and plains, at the dawn of, or before the human period, is
certainly not without interest.
Ammonites or Ceratites from Oregon Bar, Middle Fork of the American River.
BY PROF. WM. P. BLAKE.
The specimen which I exhibit to the Society this evening, is
from the collection of J. J. Spear, of this city. It was kindly
loaned to me by that gentleman for examination. Not wishing to
risk the specimen, by sending it to a paleontologist at the
East, I had it photographed, and sent a copy to F. B. Meek,
Esq., of Washington. It is not possible to determine from
the specimen, whether these fossils are new or not, or even,
whether they are _Ammonites_ or _Ceratites_. They appear to be
not unlike the fossils described by Dr. Trask, under the name
of _A. Chiceonsis_, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Cal.; but it is not
safe to identify them, without the septæ can be clearly made
out.
There are several casts in an argillaceous, somewhat micaceous
slate. This locality is about 15 miles from Coloma. It is not
certain, whether the specimen was taken from the slates in
place, or broken from a loose mass.
Mr. Moore presented the following paper:
On Brushite, a new mineral occurring in Phosphatic Guano.
BY GIDEON E. MOORE, PH. B.
In the spring of the present year, I received through the
kindness of Wm. E. Brown, Esq., of Mare Island, in this
State, a specimen of a mineral discovered by him in a cargo
of phosphatic guano, at Camden, N. J. The locality from which
it was derived, is not known, and though letters of enquiry
have been sent to the parties to whom the cargo was originally
consigned, no reply has been received up to this date. The
texture and appearance of the guano would, however, point to
some one of the Caribbean Islands, and more particularly,
to the Island of Sombrero, as its probable source. It is
very probable that the mineral may be recognized among the
crystallized products occurring in other guano deposits.
In the specimen in my possession, the mineral occurs filling
seams in the guano, varying from ⅛ to ¼ of an inch in width.
The matrix itself is of the variety known as rock guano. It
possesses an oolitic structure and a brownish white color,
interspersed with small spots of pure white.
The mineral is in the form of small but very perfect and
brilliant crystals with a cleavage in the direction of their
greatest length, nearly equal to that of selenite; the laminæ,
being also slightly flexible, as in the case of the latter
species. Hardness, 2.25 (Moh’s scale). Specific gravity,
2.208, (mean of two determinations). Color, yellowish white.
Transparent. Lustre, vitreous splendent, inclining to pearly on
the cleavage faces.
When heated in a closed tube before the blowpipe, it whitens
and gives off water, at an incipient red heat. In the platina
forceps, it fuses with intumescence, at about 2. of Von
Kobbell’s scale, tinging the flame with the peculiar green
characteristic of phosphoric acid. The button formed by fusion,
crystallizes on cooling, showing numerous brilliant facets.
Readily soluble, even in coarse crystals, in dilute nitric and
hydrochloric acids.
A qualitative analysis, revealed the presence of Lime,
Phosphoric acid, and water, with barely discernable traces of
Magnesia and Alumina.
The quantity of mineral at my disposal was very small, scarcely
exceeding one gramme in weight. In each of the following
analyses, the water was determined in 0.2 grammes, the
remaining 0.3 grammes being employed in the determination of
the Lime and Phosphoric acid. The results were as follows:
1. 2.
Lime 32.65 32.73
Phosphoric acid 41.50 41.32
Water 26.33 26.40
------ ------
100.48 100.45
These figures agree exactly with the composition of the neutral
tri-basic phosphate of lime (2 CaO., H O, P O₅), with the
addition of four equivalents of water of crystallization, (2
CaO, H O, P O₅ + 4 aq.) viz.:
2 CaO 56.26 = 32.59
P O₅ 71.36 = 41.34
H O 9.00 } = 26.07
4 Aq 36.00 }
------ ------
172.62 100.00
In the polarizing microscope, the mineral shows a vivid
succession of colors. A sample has been sent to Prof.
J. D. Dana, who has kindly undertaken the study of its
crystallographic characters, and I hope, in a short time, to be
able to communicate the results of his investigations to the
Academy.
It is with very great pleasure, that I dedicate this species
to Prof. Geo. J. Brush, of Yale College, to whose unwearied
zeal and efficient labors, American Mineralogy stands so deeply
indebted.
REGULAR MEETING, SEPT. 19TH, 1864.
President in the Chair.
Seven members present.
Prof. Rudolpho H. Philippi, of Santiago, was duly elected an honorary
member, and Mr. W. B. Ewer, of this city, a resident member of the
Academy.
Donations to the Cabinet: A box of shells, containing 120
species, from Panama, by the Smithsonian Institution. Another
box, marked C. S. L., containing 86 species of shells.
Donations to the Library: Smithsonian Contribution
to Knowledge, Vol 13. Nachrichten von der
Georg-Augusts-Universität of Göttingen, Nos. 1 and 2, 1863.
Verhandlungen der R. R. Zoologisch-botanischen Gesellschaft
in Wien. Jahrgang 1863 Hefte I, II, III, IV von Bd. XIII.
Verhandlungen des Natur’h Vereins der Preuss. Rheinlande und
Westphalens 20str. Jahrgang, Bog. 1-10 und Bog. 11-43, 1863.
Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, Vol 5, 1863. Glossaria
Linguarum Brasiliensium, von Dr. C. F. Phil. von Martius,
Erlangen 1863. Monographie der Oestriden von F. Brauer, 3
vol. Ofversicht of R. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar.
Stockholm, 1860, 1861, 1862. Sitzungsberichte der K. Bavarian
Acad. der Wissenschaften zu München 1863, Hefte I, II, III,
und doppelheft IV, 1863. Rede von J. Freiherrn von Liebig
1865. Proceedings of the Royal Horticult. Society, 1863.
Hypsometrie von Mähren und östr. Schlesien, von Carl Koristka
Brün, 1863. Abhandlungen der Math-phys. classe der K. Bayer.
Acad. der Vissenschaften Abtheil. 111, Bd. 9, 1863. Von dem
Rechts Zustande unter den Ureinwohnern Brasiliens von Dr. von
Martius. Jahrbuch der Geol. Reichsanstalt, Bd. 13, Nm. 2, 3,
4, 1863. Eilfter Jahres-Bericht des Wiener Vereins, 1861.
Zwölfter Jahres-Bericht des Wiener Vereins, 1862. Kongliga
Svenska Vetenskaps Académiens Förhandlingar, Bd. 3, 1859,
Bd. 3, 1860, Bd. 4, 1861. Nederlandsch. Meteorol. Yaarboek,
1862. Annals of the Lyceum of Nat. History of New York, Vol.
7, 1862, Vol. 8, part I, 1863. Der Zoolog. Garten Frankfurt,
Jahrg. 4, Nrs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Jahrg. 5, Nr. 1. Bericht
über einige im Niederen Gesenke und im Hartzgebirge ausgeführte
Höhenmessungen, Wien, 1861. Das Geograph. System der Winde von
Dr. M. H. F. Prestel Emden, 1863. Mémoires de l’Acad. Imp. des
Sciences de St. Petersbourg, VII Série, Tome 4, No. 10 et 11,
Tome 4, feuilles 26 à 36, Tome 5, feuilles 1 à 8.
Dr. Winslow, a former member of the Academy, was introduced by Mr.
Boynton, and made some interesting remarks upon his travels in South
America.
REGULAR MEETING, OCT. 3D, 1864.
President in the Chair.
Eight members present.
Mr. Hinsmann and Baron Thurlow as visitors.
Donations to the Library: A supplement to the Terrestrial air-breathing
Mollusks of the U. S., by W. G. Binney.
Prof. Brewer gave an account of recent explorations in the Sierra Nevada,
by the party connected with the State Geological Survey. The exploration
extended from Kern River to the Yosemite Valley, and was peculiarly rich
in scientific results. The crest of the chain is very high; along the
whole of this distance, the high peaks, rising to above 13,000 feet,
the culmination being between the sources of the Kern and Kings Rivers,
where there are a number of peaks over 14,000 feet, and one about 15,000
feet in height. Along the whole of this, there are abundant traces of
glaciers, some of the morains of which are truly gigantic, far surpassing
anything else of the kind yet found in the State. The cañons of all the
principal streams are very deep and abrupt.
The Big Trees or Sequoias, were found over a large area, extending
perhaps 25 miles along the western slope, along the tributaries of the
San Joaquin, Kings, Kaweah, Tule and Kern Rivers. The amount of snow
in this part of the sierras, is apparently very much less than usually
occurs.
Prof. Wm. P. Blake, read the following:
Note on the discovery of Fossils in the Auriferous Slate formation of the
Mariposa Estate, California, and the probable geological age.
BY PROF. WM. P. BLAKE.
During a recent visit to the Mariposa Estate, Mariposa
County, my attention was called to some organic remains in
the slates, near Bear Valley, by Miss Errington, a lady who
takes an enthusiastic interest in the sciences of geology
and mineralogy, and has for some time past, been seeking for
fossils in the gold formation of that neighborhood. One of the
specimens was the cast of a bivalve shell, and appeared to
me to be a _Plagiostoma_. On further search, we found other
specimens, some of which much resemble _Inoceramus_, to which
I am inclined to refer them. Certain long tubular cavities in
the slates, marked with heavy lines, and slightly converging,
seemed to be casts of long, nearly cylindrical shells, possibly
_Nerinæa_. These forms would indicate a Jurassic or Cretaceous
age for the formation. I propose to submit these specimens to a
competent Palæontologist, at the East, for examination, and to
dedicate one of the species, if new, to Miss Errington.
REGULAR MEETING, OCT. 17TH, 1864.
President in the Chair.
Seven members present.
Donations to the Cabinet; A fossil tooth of Elephant, and several fossil
teeth of Horse, from Wellington’s Station, on the road from Carson Valley
to Aurora, by Mr. Clayton. Specimens of silver ore from the Osceola Lode,
Montgomery District, 60 miles S.E. of Aurora, and specimens of silver ore
from Bear Mountain, Calaveras County, by Mr. Clayton.
Donations to the Library: Fragmenta Phytographiæ Australis, Vols. 1,
2, 3, and part of Vol. 4. Transactions of the Philosophical Society of
Victoria, Vols 1 to 5. The plants indigenous to the Colony of Victoria,
Vol. 1. All donated by Dr. Ferdinand Mueller, Director of the Botanical
Garden at Melbourne.
Mr. Clayton made the following remarks in regard to his donations above
mentioned:
The teeth were found near Walkers River, about one mile below the
residence of Mr. G. E. Wellington, on the Carson River and Aurora Road.
This river cuts through a high range of hills immediately west of
Wellington’s, and enters a large basin or valley, which is some thirty
miles long, from north to south, by twenty miles wide, from west to east.
After passing through this valley to the eastward, the river enters
another cañon of considerable extent, and then empties into Walkers Lake,
in the southwest portion of the great basin.
The banks of the river are formed of gravel, sand, and clay cement,
containing soda and calcareous matter, which forms a white crust on the
surface of the stones and pebbles. The cement bluffs along the river, are
from 6 or 8 to 20 feet high, and are cut out by changes in the channel
during high water.
In one of these recent cuttings, the large tooth was found, with part
of the upper jaw and other portions of the skeleton. There has been no
excavation made, as yet, to uncover other portions of the skeleton, but
Mr. Wellington has promised to have it done, and to secure as much of the
skeleton as possible, for the Society’s collections.
The small teeth were found about five feet below the surface in the solid
cement, by some parties that were digging a grave. Quite a number of
teeth were found, but with the exception of the two just presented to the
Society, they were not preserved.
REGULAR MEETING, NOV. 21ST, 1864.
President in the Chair.
Seven members present.
Rev. Horatio Stebbins was duly elected a resident member, Mr.
Edward Bosqui a life member, and Mr. G. E. Wellington, of Nevada, a
corresponding member, of the Academy.
Donations to the Cabinet: Specimens of Corals from the Hiton group of
Islands, also a photograph of a Fungus [Agaricus], from the Society
Islands, by Mr. Hubbard, on behalf of Mr. Andrew Garrett. Two specimens
of Inoceramus, from Seattle, Puget Sound, by Mr. Hubbard.
Mr. Gabb presented the following papers:
Notes on some Fossils from the Gold Bearing Slates of Mariposa, with
description of some new species.
BY WM. M. GABB.
Through the kindness of Miss Errington, of Bear Valley,
Mariposa County, I have had the opportunity of examining a
series of fossils, discovered by that lady on the Mariposa
Estate. The shells appear to be of Jurassic age. The genera so
far recognized, are Belemnites, Nucula or Leda, Lima, Pecten,
and Pholadomya. The following are sufficiently perfect for
description. Fuller descriptions and figures will be published
hereafter in the Geological Report of the State.
LIMA, Brug.
_L. Erringtoni_ G. Shell very oblique, sides subparallel;
beaks small; anterior end prominently rounded, sloping with a
broad curve below to the base; posterior side nearly straight,
continuing upwards in a long narrow ear; anterior ear obsolete
(?).
Surface marked by strong concentric undulations, crossed on the
upper and posterior portions by fine radiating lines.
Length, 2.25 inches; width, 1 inch.
The specimens are all very much compressed, and may be somewhat
distorted in form, though the outlines are very nearly uniform
in all of the specimens.
PHOLADOMYA, Sow.
_P. orbiculata_ G. Compressed, sub-circular; beaks rather
prominent, nearly central; anterior end and base regularly
rounded; posterior end slightly produced, more prominent below
than above. Surface ornamented by concentric ribs, irregular in
size, crossed by undulating, radiating lines on the anterior
half of the shell. These lines become gradually obsolete and
disappear on or about the middle of all of the specimens,
although more perfect examples might show them continuing
further.
Height, from a slightly distorted specimen, 1.1 inch; width,
1.3 inch.
Like the preceding species, all of the specimens have suffered
considerably by compression; and had we perfect specimens, the
shell would be found to be quite convex.
BELEMNITES.
_B. Pacificus_ G. Long, slender, tapering very gradually and
with a slight convexity to the tip. Section, sub-elliptical;
alveolus deep and narrow.
A specimen 3 inches long, measures .35 in. in diameter in the
middle. One cast has been found with a diameter of .9 inch at
the broadest part.
I first discovered this species, as imperfect casts, in the
slates near Spanish Flat, El Dorado County. Since then,
numerous fragments and casts have been found at Mariposa, by
Mr. C. R. King and Miss Errington.
Communication on the San Luis Obispo Quicksilver Fossils.
BY WM. M. GABB.
Mr. Attwood has recently presented to the collection of the
State Geological Survey, a series of Fossils collected by
himself, in the formation in which the San Luis Obispo cinnabar
deposits occur.
Through the kindness of Prof. B. Silliman, Jr. I have had the
opportunity of examining another small collection, made by
that gentleman, at the same locality. I consider the result of
sufficient interest to warrant a special communication on the
subject.
The Fossils, though few in number of species, point
unequivocally to the Miocene formation, the species being among
the most familiar forms in the middle deposit of that formation
in California.
They were: Dosinia ponderosa, Saxidomus aratus, Conus ravus
= _C. Californicus_ Reeve, Turritella Ocoyana Con., Natica,
probably N. Recluziana, Pecten Pabloensis Con., Pallium
Estrellanum Con., Carcharodon rectus Agas. a Balanus and one or
two small shells too imperfect for determination.
Mr. Moore presented on behalf of Prof. Dana, the following paper:
On the Crystallization of Brushite.
BY JAMES D. DANA, L.L.D., PROFESSOR OF MINERALOGY IN YALE COLLEGE.
The specimens of the mineral Brushite, which I have had under
crystallographic examination, were received from Mr. G. E.
Moore, the discoverer of the species.
The crystals are slender prisms, not over a third of an inch
in length. A common form (containing all the observed planes),
is shown in the annexed figure. The prisms are monoclinic, and
are often flattened, parallel to the clinodiagonal, as here
represented.
[Illustration: FIG. 26.]
Cleavage is perfect, parallel of the clinodiagonal section, or
the plane _iì_; also distinct parallel to the line _cl_, as
apparent often in the cross fractures of the crystals, and by
occasional striæ. This plane of cleavage may be taken as the
basal plane _O_.
The planes _I_ and l are brilliant, especially the former.
The oblique plane situated on the back side in the figure,
and which may be called _r_, is quite rough, owing to the
oscillatory combination between two hemi-octahedral planes. In
many of the crystals, only the right one of the two planes _I_
is present, and also only the left one of the two planes l. The
prisms frequently terminate above in an irregular edge, made by
the meeting of the one, or two, planes _I_, and the rough plane
_r_, and this edge is sometimes cut off, more or less deeply,
by a single oblique plane, which is one of the planes l.
According to measurements with the reflective goniometer;
_I_ : _I_ = 142° 26’
_I_ : _iì_ = 108° 47’
l : _iì_ = 101° 40’
I : l = 156° 20’ (approximately.)
The inclination of the I on l could not be accurately measured,
on account of the minuteness of the planes in the crystals,
in which both planes occur, and the want of perfection in the
reflection. The angle obtained for l:_iì_ would give, for l:l,
156° 40’.
By measurement with a goniometer attached to a compound
microscope, the plane angle between the lines of cross
cleavage, or _cl_, and the edge _I_:_I_ (which equals the
inclination of _O_ on the orthodiagonal section, or a plane
_ii_) was found to be 117-117½°; and that between edge _I_:_I_
and edge l:l (which equals _ii_ on l_i_, both unobserved
planes) 95°-95½°: whence _O_:l_i_ would equal approximately
147° 30’. The inclination of the rough plane _r_ on the edge
l:l is about 110°, but varies much.
The results of calculation, taking as data the above mentioned
angles _I_:_I_ and l:_ii_, along with the inclination of _O_ to
_ii_ = 117° 15’, and that of the edge l:l (or l_ì_) to _ii_ =
95° 15’ are as follows:
C (= O : _iì_) = 117° 15’ and 62° 45’
_a_ (vert. axis) : _O_ (clinodiag.) : _c_ = 0.5396 : 1 : 2.614
l : l = 156° 46’ -l : -l (unobserved planes) = 164° 22’
The species is related in form to Vivianite, in which
_a_ : _b_ : 2_c_ = 1.0792 : 1 : 2.614.
The crystals of the two species are also alike in the perfect
and pearly clinodiagonal cleavage.
On new Californian Marine Shells. No. II.
BY PHILIP P. CARPENTER, PH. D., OF WARRINGTON, ENGLAND.
Genus COLLONIA, _Gray_, 1852.
This genus was established (in English) by Dr. Gray, for
Turbinate shells having an “operculum circular, with many
gradually enlarged whirls, with a convex external rib and
central pit.” The type (still appearing as such in the B. M.
Col.) is a smooth fossil from Grignon, = Delphinula marginata,
Lam., with a keeled and crenated umbilicus, like Phillippia.
Another (African) shell is joined to the diagnosis, with the
following brief description: “C. striata, _Gray_. Shell red,
white marbled, striated.” It is quoted by Phillippi, Handb.
Conch. p. 206, who assigns as a type T. sanguineus, _Linn._
For this species and its congeners, we now propose a subgenus
LEPTONYX, as they do not agree with the type. The genus was
reconstituted by Messrs. Adams, Gen. i. 396 for shells with
“imperforate axis and contracted aperture:” the description
of the operculum being copied from Gray. The type is now “C.
marginata, _Nutt._” pl. 44, f. 2, the operculum of which is
figured as with _few_ whirls. The same description and figure
are given in Chenu, Manuel i. 348, f. 2560. The error seems
to have arisen thus. Mr. H. Adams (who acted for the ‘firm’
during his brother’s long absence in Japan,) probably took
Gray’s C. marginata to be the ‘Turbo marginatus, Nutt.’ of
Reeve, and from this species as type, described the genus to
be imperforate, etc. Unfortunately, Dr. Gray did not observe
the error, which had arisen from confounding two different
shells called marginatus; and in his guide to Mollusca (in
loco) he adopts the description of Messrs. Adams; so that
Collonia, _Gray_, (hodie) = Collonia, _Add._, but not Collonia,
_Gray_, (olim). Of the species arranged by Mr. H. Adams under
Collonia, some may belong to the original genus: some are
included under Cynisca, _A. Ad._; and one (Turbo phasianella,
_C. B. Ad._) appears to be Eucosmia. They appear in the Br.
Mus. Col. distributed between Gibbula and Photinula. The true
Turbo marginatus of Nutt. is the ordinary black Californian
Chlorostoma, like mœstus, and well named from its frilled
margin near the suture. But the label having become affixed to
the T. marginatus _Rve._ (which must stand as Reeve’s species
and not Nuttall’s) the Californian shell was left without
name, and was described by Mr. A. Adams as Chl. funebrale,
under which name it must stand as Nuttal’s prior name was
(unfortunately) in MS. only. The name Collonia marginata must
stand for the original fossil of Lamarck. It is probable that
Reeve’s shell belongs to another group; else it must, according
to the usual custom of honoring error, be called C. Reevei. For
the Californian species, which are imperforate and have a thin,
smooth operculum, Mr. A. Adams and I propose to form a subgenus
_Leptonyx_; a diagnosis of which will appear in the next paper,
after the foreign species have been examined. The following are
the Californian forms.
_Leptonyx sanguineus_, Linn.
H. t. parvâ, solidâ, rubrâ, anfr. V. subtumentibus, suturis
plus minusve impressis; costulis spiralibus plus minusve
rotundatis cinctâ, quarum iv.-viii. in spirâ monstrantur;
aperturâ subcirculari; columellâ t. adolescente foveâ basali et
dente ut in ‘Modulo’ munitâ; adultâ, callositate tenui labiali,
foveam tegente, obscure bidentatâ; labio tenui, continuo;
umbilico nullo.
_Hab_. Mediterranean, _Phillippi_, _Hanley_. Japan, _A. Adams_.
Monterey, _Jewett_, _Taylor_, _Cooper_. Neeah Bay, W.T., _Swan_.
= Turbo sanguineus, Ln. Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, p. 1235:—Phil. Moll.
Sic. in loco: Hanl. Ips. Lin. Conch, in loco.
= T. Belliæi, Michaud in Mus. Paris: teste Hanl.
Non “Turbo sanguineus, Linn.” Rve. Conch. Ic. sp. 55: = T.
coccineus, _Desh._ = Globulus roseus, Chem. teste Rve. Nec
(Gibbula) sanguinea, _Risso_.
Reeve says of his shell. “I am not quite sure that this is the
T. sanguineus of Linnæus, but _have every reason_ to believe
it is.” That is, every reason except the one only convincing
proof, which was so easy to a London naturalist, an inspection
of the original type in the Linnæan Collection. A mere glance
at this would have exposed his error. Reeve’s shell is whitish,
with blood-red spots, and is probably a S. African species.
Whether Linnæus described from Mediterranean or Japanese
specimens, cannot be told from his rubbed shells; nor as yet
have sufficiently perfect specimens been compared from the
two oceans; but no character has been observed by which they
can be separated. The great author obtained his Algerine and
his Philippine shells from the Swedish consuls; and Japanese
species may have been mixed with the latter. It is very rare in
the Mediterranean; common in Japan; common also at Vancouver;
but rare further south. It is, we believe, the only Californian
shell described by the father of modern Natural History. The
specimens vary very greatly in strength of sculpture. There is
also a purple variety.
_Leptonyx_ (_sanguineus_, var.) _purpureum_.
H. t. ‘H. sanguineo’ simili, sed purpureo fuscâ; lirulis
spiralibus crebioribus, interstitiis parvis, labio obsoleto.
_Hab._ Sta. Cruz, _Rowell_. Monterey, _Cooper_. Neeah Bay,
_Swan_.
_Leptonyx bacula_, Carp.
L. t. “L. sanguineo, jun.” simili; sed rufocinereâ, sculpturâ
obsoletâ; anfr. iv. planatis, suturis vix distinctis,
marginibus spiræ valde excurvatis; lirulis obsoletis
latioribus, et circa basim striis crebris, vix sculptâ;
apertura rotundatâ, declivi; columellâ vix callosâ.
Long. 0.08, long. spir. 0.06; lat. 0.14.
_Hab._ Catalina Is., dead on beach; _Cooper_, No. 1056.
This unpretending little shell resembles on the back one of
the small Helicinæ. It differs from L. sanguineus in its small
size, ashy color, flattened sutures, and nearly obsolete
sculpture. A groove in the somewhat callous columella,
continued slightly round the labrum, seems intended for the
broad-margined operculum of the genus.
ANNUAL MEETING, JAN. 9TH, 1865.
President, Col. Ransom, in the chair.
Twelve members present.
Theodore Bloomer was elected a resident member.
The Annual reports of the officers were received, as follows:
The report of the Treasurer was referred to the Finance Committee. The
reports of the Curators were received and accepted.
The Committee on nominations reported the following list of officers for
the year 1865, which was duly elected.
PRESIDENT.
COL. L. RANSOM.
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
J. N. ECKEL, M. D., J. B. TRASK, M. D.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
W. O. AYRES, M. D.
RECORDING SECRETARY.
T. H. BLOOMER.
LIBRARIAN.
PROF. J. D. WHITNEY.
TREASURER.
SAMUEL HUBBARD.
CURATORS.
_Mineralogy_ G. E. MOORE
_Palæontology_ WM. M. GABB
_Botany_ H. N. BOLANDER
_Zoology_ E. F. LORQUIN
_Conchology_ R. E. C. STEARNS
_Entomology_ DR. H. BEHR
Donations to the Cabinet were received as follows: from Dr. C. T.
Jackson, specimen of Corundum and Margarite.
Mr. Gabb presented, on behalf of the authors, the following papers:
On Californian Lepidoptera.
BY HERMAN BEHR, M. D.
ERYCINIDÆ
NEMEOBIUS Boisd.
_N. Dumeti_ Behr.
Alæ supra nigræ, fasciis duabus albis signatæ, altera medias
per alas transgrediente, altera per spatium inter fasciam
mediam et marginem, utraque hinc interrupta vel macalari. Alæ
anteriores a radice ad fasciam mediam fulvæ, maculis quatuor
quadrangularibus nigro marginatis signatæ.
Alæ subtus grisescentes, marginem versus dilutiores. Anteriores
a radice ad fasciam mediam fulvæ, ceterum ut supra signatæ,
posteriores fascias demonstrant ut supra, sed confluentes, et
hinc coufusas.
This species is found in some parts of California, and always
in localities that are covered by the peculiar vegetation
called Chaparral.
_N Virgulti_, Behr.
Alæ supra nigræ, fulvo mixtæ, fasciis duabus signatæ, altera
medias per alas transgrediente, colore fulvo fere ubique
obducta, altera per spatium inter fasciam mediam et marginem ad
punctorum alborum seriem reducta.
Alæ anteriores usque ad marginem fere fulvæ, fascia intermedia
maculisque disci albis, nigro marginatis. Margo alarum
anteriorum, alæque posteriores totæ grisescentes punctis
maculisque albis, nigro marginatis variegatæ.
This species was found near Los Angeles, by Mr. Lorquin, who
gave me several specimens. In the male the black color is more
predominating, in the female the fulvous coloration.
For the sake of completing this series of diagnoses, I give
here the description of a third species, that I received, by
the kindness of Dr. Dinklage, from the Sierra Madre, in the
neighborhood of Mazatlan. I think it indispensable to give the
marks of this closely allied Nemeobius, as I am of the opinion
that thus errors will most effectually be avoided.
_N. Mejicanus_, Behr.
Alæ supra fulvæ, marginem versus brunneæ, fasciis maculisque
ordinariis omnibus albis nigro marginatis instructæ. Subtus alæ
anteriores fulvæ, apice et margine grisescentes, fasciis et
maculis ut supra. Alæ posteriores grisescentes, macalis albis
et nigro marginatis et confluentibus cum colore universali
irregulariter variegatæ.
The most positive and striking points of difference would be
thus:
1. _N. Dumeti._ Fore wings alone show a fulvous coloration on
the upperside. Bands and spots perfectly white.
2. _N. Mejicanus._ All wings are occupied with it, till beyond
the second band, where the brownish coloration of the margin
begins. Bands and spots perfectly white.
3. _N. Virgulti._ Extension of the fulvous as in the preceding,
but all the space more or less occupied by black. Middle band
nearly altogether fulvous, other bands and spots white.
As much as we know, the type of this genus _N. Lucina_ L, was
the only species known heretofore, and it is another proof of
the various repetition of types on occidental coasts, that we
have to add three Pacific representatives of a genus first
discerned in a single European species.
The group of the _Erycinides_ belongs essentially to tropical
America. The beforementioned _Nemeobius Lucina_ is the only
European representative of this numerous and polymorphous
group. Besides this, there exist some few Asiatic members of
this family, very aberrant in their type, scarcely known and
insufficiently examined, so that possibly they may belong
somewhere else. In America the tropical genera _Nymphidia_ and
_Lemonias_, extend beyond the Cancer on the Atlantic side; but
on the Pacific side reappears the European genus _Nemeobius_,
extending into the Tropics, and seems to find here its very
centre.
Description of New Species of Land Shells.
BY W. NEWCOMB, M.D.
_Helix Blakeana_, Newc.
Hel. testa unicolor flavido-alba, rotundato, semi-globosa,
nitida, translucida; umbilico amplo, profundo et parum obtecto;
apice obtuso; anfractibus sex, convexis, tribus superioribus
sub-planis, reliquiis rapide accrescentibus, ultimo inflato;
sutura bene impressa; aperturâ rotundato-lunare; peristomate
tenue, ex panso-reflexo cum columellâ sub-late dilatatâ, non
adnatâ.
Alt. ·7 pol., Diam maj. 1·1 pol., min. 1· pol.
Hab. Insula Niphon—Japan, (teste Blake).
Shell uniformly yellowish white, rounded, half globular,
shining, translucent; umbilicus large, deep and slightly
covered; apex obtuse; whorls six, convex, the three first
nearly on the same plane, the balance rapidly increasing, the
last swollen; suture well marked; aperture roundly lunar; lip
thin, flatly reflected, at the columella broadly dilated but
not adherent.
NOTE.—In general form and color, this species makes a nearer
approach to _H. candida_, Moricand, than to any species with
which I am acquainted. It varies in the less elevation, in
the form of the spire, and in some other respects. Professor
Blake had remarkable facilities for collecting in Japan, but
unfortunately the mice proved so destructive to his terrestrial
shells, as to leave him but few specimens as the result of his
labor.
_Helix declivis_, Newc.
Hel. testa perspectivo-umbilicata, lenticulare, oblique
striata, tenue, pallide-cornea; anfr. IV, planulatis, ultimo
declivi, in medio sub-carinato; sutura sub-canuliculata; peris.
fragile, simplici: apertura obliquo-sub-rotundata.
Alt. ·1 pol., Diam. maj. ·3 pol., min. ·2 pol.
Hab. Insula Niphon, (Japan).
Shell perspectively umbilicate, lenticular, obliquely striate,
thin, pale horn color; whorls four, planulate, the last
shelving down to the centre, which is obscurely keeled; suture
channelled; lip fragile, simple; aperture oblique, almost round.
REMARKS.—Bears some resemblance to _H. ruderata_, Stud.,
a species common in Europe, from which it may readily be
distinguished by comparison.
NOTE.—The Japanese species herein described, were collected by
Professor Blake, in the interior of the Island of Niphon, out
of the range permitted to foreign travel.
The Professor, who was employed by the Japanese Government as a
special geologist, had the privilege of penetrating districts
not before visited by any scientific or mercantile foreigner.
The following species of Helices were also among those
collected:
_Helix peliomphala_, Pfr., (Mon. Hel. viv. Vol. 4, Sp. 1764).
_H. quesita_, Deshayes, (Reeve’s Mon. fig. 1355).
_H. Perryi_, Jay, (Perry’s Exped. Vol. 2, page 294, Plate 5,
fig. 7, 8, 9).
_H. Simoda_, Jay, (do. fig. 1 to 6).
Some doubt may exist as to the _H. quesita_ being identical
with _H. Perryi_. But one specimen was preserved, and this
fully agrees with the description and figure of the first
named, but the locality for the species is given as the
“_Moluccas_.”
It also agrees (except in colour) with Dr. Jay’s description,
and also in the very poor figures illustrating the species of
_H. Perryi_. The only question in my mind is one regarding
locality.
_Helix Cronkhitei_, Newc.
Hel. testa aperta umbilicata, depressa, luteo-cornea sub-lente
regulariter costulato-striata; spira depressa-convexa; sutura
excavata; anfractibus quatuor, sub-cylindraceis; umbilica
ampla, sub-perspectiva; apertura rotundata; peristomate
simplici, acuto, marginibus conniventibus.
Alt. ·15 pol., Diam. maj. ·2 pol., min. ·15 pol.
Hab. Klamath Valley, Oregon, (Gabb).
Shell openly umbilicate, depressed, yellowish horn colour,
under the glass regularly rib striated; spire depressed, a
little convex; suture wide and deep; whorls four, rather
cylindrical; umbilicus large, indistinctly perspective;
aperture rounded; lip simple, acute, margins approximating.
REMARKS.—Mr. Bland may _possibly_ refer to this species as _H.
striatella_, Anthony, which was obtained by Dr. Cooper on the
Pacific side of the Rocky Mountains. (See addenda to “Remarks
on Classification, etc.,” 1863). This species is certainly
distinct from _striatella_, by its smaller size, rib-like
costa, and almost channelled suture.
A few specimens were obtained by Mr. Gabb, of the State
Geological Survey, in Klamath Valley, which were collected
jointly by himself and Dr. Cronkhite, U. S. Army.
_Helix Rowelli_, Newc.
Hel. testa aperta-umbilicata, orbiculato depressa, alba, opaca,
polita, minutissimo-oblique striata; anfractibus quatuor
vel quinque convexis, ultimo magno antice deflexo; spira
vix elevata, apice sub-mamillato; sutura modice impressa;
apertura fere circulari; labro tenui, reflexiusculo, marginibus
continuis ad juncturam; anfr. ultimo adnato.
Alt. ·4 pol., Diam. maj. ·6 pol., min. ·5 pol.
Hab. Arizona, (dicto Frick).
Shell with open umbilicus, orbicular, depressed, opaque white,
polished, very finely obliquely striate; whorls four and a
half, convex, the last large, anteriorly descending; spire but
little elevated, at the apex projecting like a nipple; suture
moderately marked; aperture truly circular; lip thin, slightly
reflected, margins continued, adhering to the last whirl.
REMARKS.—This is another of the Cyclostomoid species of
which _H. Carpenteri_, Newc., _H. Cærulano_, Muhl., and _H.
Angasiana_, Pfr. form striking examples. Our species approaches
nearer in lightness of substance and in its depressed form to
Muhlfeldt’s shell, than to either the others.
I take pleasure in dedicating this species to the Rev. M.
Rowell, of San Francisco.
_Succinea Japonica_, Newc.
S. testa ovato-conica, flavido-cornea, lævissima, striatula,
nitida, pellucida; anfractibus III, nucleo sane mamillato,
ultimo 4·5 longitudinis fere æquante; apertura elongato-ovali;
peristomate simplici; columellâ regulariter arcuata ad
juncturam labro superiorem acuto-angulata.
Long. ·55, Diam. ·35, Apert. long. ·4, lata. ·233 pol.
Hab. Japan, (Prof. Blake).
Shell ovately-conic, yellowish horn color, very smooth, finely
striate, shining, pellucid; whirls three, nucleus truly
mamillate, the last four-fifths of the entire length; aperture
elongately ovate; lip simple; columella regularly arched; at
the juncture of the lip above, acutely angular.
_Remarks on Helix Hillebrandi_, Newc.