The direction of the sierra is nearly that of a line connecting

some of the best mining districts in Mexico, which are situated

on or very near the summit of the mountains. These districts

are the following, enumerating them in their geographical order

from the south towards the north: In Durango, San Antonio de

las Ventanas, Guarisamey, and San Dimas, remarkable for their

auriferous silver ores, and sixty-two Mexican leagues northeast

of Mazatlan; in Chihuahua, Guadalupe y Calvo, and San Pedro

de Batopilas, yielding fine specimens of native silver; also,

Jesus Maria, in the same State, and the Real del la Cieneguita,

Sonora, with silver and gold mines.

2. GENERAL GEOLOGY.

The geological structure of the occidental slope of the Sierra

Madre, as well as that of the other parts of this great chain,

is exceedingly interesting, and, as yet but very little known,

notwithstanding the valuable investigations of Humboldt and

other eminent men; for, up to the present time, the age

of the different formations has never been fixed with any

degree of accuracy, from want of materials and of sufficient

observations. In 1863, 1864, and 1865, however, I explored

quite a number of localities in northwestern Mexico, and was

thus enabled to obtain a pretty good general idea of the

geology of that region; and, in Sonora, to which my attention

was especially devoted, I succeeded in finding fossils in

sufficient quantity to allow of the determination of the age

of the principal formations of the northern Sierra Madre. By

tracing the connection of these rocks with those of Central

Mexico, additional light will be thrown on those districts of

which, at present, but little is definitely known.

The igneous rocks, which occur more abundantly on the Pacific

slope, are granites, either fine or very coarse-grained;

porphyries, more or less feldspathic; and greenstones, all of

which are cut by numerous dykes of extremely varied character.

The granites, however, are very poor in veins of the precious

metals, while the porphyries are highly metalliferous. In

Sinaloa (Candelero) and Durango (San Dimas) we see that the

granites underlie the metalliferous porphyries, and that the

greenstones, in Sonora, (near Hermosillo and in the vicinity of

La Haciendita) penetrate through them.

The oldest sedimentary rocks, which I have observed, belong to

the Carboniferous series; this is represented in the eastern

part of Sonora, by heavy masses of limestone, forming very

high and rugged ridges, running a little west of north. The

upturned strata are seen, in many places, to rest on granite.

Argentiferous veins occur throughout this formation.

The next group of sedimentary rocks, in order, is the Triassic;

this forms isolated mountain groups in Sonora, and offers an

interesting field for investigation. Instead of limestones,

it is made up of heavy beds of quartzites and conglomerates,

with coal-bearing clay shales; all of these are disturbed and

elevated, and rest on greenstones, feldspathic porphyries,

or granite. Wherever metamorphosed, the Triassic rocks are

auriferous and contain veins of silver ores. The metamorphic

slates and limestones of the Altar and Magdalena districts,

which include the richest gold placers of Sonora, may possibly

be of Triassic age; but the fossils collected are too imperfect

to admit of this being determined. There are some reasons for

believing those rocks to be rather of Jurassic than of Triassic

age, as they differ in lithological characters from both the

Triassic and Carboniferous of Northern Mexico, resembling,

rather, the Jurassic gold-bearing slates of the Sierra Nevada,

in California; besides, they lie outside and to the west of

the Sierra Madre. It may also be noticed that the gold which

they furnish does not resemble that obtained from the Triassic

strata.

The Cretaceous period is also represented at the foot of the

Sierra Madre, at Arivechi, in Sonora. The strata belonging to

this series are chiefly argillaceous shales, and they rest

upon porphyries and Carboniferous limestone. They have been

disturbed and elevated since their deposition. The fossils,

which they contain in great number and in a fine state of

preservation, will be noticed farther on.

All the above mentioned formations were already in existence

before the first eruption of the volcanic rocks took place.

These latter are found scattered along the whole Pacific coast,

and extend from the Gulf of California up to the very summit

of the sierra. It is very interesting to see the volcanic

formations spread over so extensive a region, especially as

there are no active volcanoes known in Northern Mexico, and not

even any indications of ancient craters or vents.

The lithological character of the eruptive materials is

extremely varied, and there seem to have been several periods

of igneous action preceded by as many disturbances of the

strata, all of which took place after the close of the

Cretaceous epoch. Three different series of volcanic rocks may

be observed in Sinaloa and Sonora, unconformable with each

other; and these may again be subdivided into groups, after

a thorough examination has been made of the extensive suite

of specimens which has been collected. The lower, or oldest

series, affords several hundred varieties of porphyries,

characterized by crystals of feldspar or augite. There are

also very peculiar trachytic rocks, resembling granite in

appearance. These volcanic materials occur in beds or in

masses, and are frequently cut by dykes; but they are quite

destitute of veins containing gold or silver, the only

metalliferous ores they contain being those of copper (?) and

iron, and these in small quantity. Various volcanic ridges in

Sonora belong to this class. The second series consists of

extensive beds of micaceous, trachytic tufas, and breccias,

all more or less uplifted since their deposition, and covering

the different igneous and sedimentary formations as well as

the older volcanic porphyries. These attain a great thickness,

between San Dimas and San Ignacio, in Durango and Sinaloa.

Above these formations occur ancient alluvial deposits, with

bones of extinct animals (elephants) at two localities; near La

Noria, northeast of Mazatlan, and in the Arroya de la Palma,

two leagues east of La Casita, in Sonora.

Sheets of basaltic lavas, somewhat similar to those of

California, and probably of the same age, forming with tufas

the upper volcanic series, overlie the other formations,

occupying a nearly horizontal position.

The most recent formation is that of the terrace deposits of

sand and gravel, which occur in Sonora.

Having thus given a general sketch of the principal groups of

rocks developed in the region in question, I pass to a more

detailed description of the different formations.

GRANITES.

Underlying all the rocks in Durango and Sinaloa, and probably

posterior to the Carboniferous limestones, which they have

in places extensively metamorphosed, are masses of granite.

These may be seen in many places between the coast and San

Dimas, either occupying the bottoms of the valleys, or forming

independent hills. There are two well-marked varieties: Of

these the first are syenites, more or less fine-grained,

and consisting of a mixture of feldspar, variously colored,

quartz, black or green hornblende, and black or brown mica,

the latter usually in hexagonal plates. Localities of this

variety are: Haval, Las Higueras, San Ignacio, Santa Apolonia,

Candelero, La Noria, Zaragoza, etc., in Sinaloa; San Marcial

and Tecoripa valleys, Hermosillo, in Sonora. The other variety

is either very coarse-grained, consisting of white feldspar,

gray quartz, and plates of silvery mica, or else finer

grained, and chiefly made up of feldspar; these occur, forming

mountains and ridges in Sonora, in the Sierra del Amolé, near

La Magdalena, Sierra del Espinaso Prieto, near Hermosillo,

and the Sierra de Mazatan, south of Ures. The fine-grained

granites contain argentiferous veins at Zaragoza, in Sinaloa,

and east of Topisco, in Sonora. These are traversed by numerous

intersecting dykes of diorite, feldspar, and quartziferous and

feldspathic porphyries, especially well seen near Hermosillo,

and the Cajon de los Carrisos, east of San Antonio de la

Huerta. There are no metalliferous veins where the granite is

thus intersected by dykes.

METALLIFEROUS PORPHYRIES.

These may be divided into two groups. The first consists of a

rock occurring in large irregular masses or beds, and having a

dark colored argillaceous base, through which are disseminated

small crystals of whitish feldspar. This variety, which is

probably older than the granites, includes some of the richest

mines of the Sierra Madre; as those of Candelaria, Bolaños,

Cinco Señores, etc., near San Dimas, in Durango; and which

have yielded over $20,000,000. There are also rich veins in

this kind of rock at Candelero, fifty-two leagues northeast

of Mazatlan, in Sinaloa. All these veins run northeast and

southwest, and are cut at right angles by dykes. The second

variety of porphyry is a gray feldspathic rock, apparently made

up of labradorite and magnetic iron ore; this overlies the

greenstones, and is covered by the Triassic beds at Los Bronces

and San Javier, where there are three systems of argentiferous

veins. The Nahuila mine, one of the best in Sonora, is in this

rock.

METAMORPHIC ROCKS.

Heavy masses of metamorphic rocks may be seen at various

localities in Sinaloa and Durango (Tecomate, Tenchoquelite,

Arroyo del Ciruelo, Arroyo de San Vincente) resting either

on the granites or the metalliferous porphyries. These rocks

occur in masses or beds, sometimes distinctly stratified, and

sometimes without any traces of the original bedding. They

are always much altered and broken up. Their lithological

characters are not well marked, although the series is easily

recognized. The rocks referred to in this division, are usually

fine-grained, of a greenish or bluish color, when not too much

decomposed, and somewhat argillaceous in composition. At the

base they pass into porphyries. The argentiferous veins cut

both the metamorphic and the porphyritic rocks at Tecomate,

on the Rio de San Ignacio, where the dip of the formation is

to the northeast, at an angle of 70°. Between La Puerta and

El Pilar, Arroyo de San Dimas, they occur in jaspery layers,

ribboned with green and brown hues, and resemble some of the

metamorphic Triassic rocks of Sonora. Near Candelero, the

metamorphic rocks are associated with whitish, semi-crystalline

limestone. The formation in question may be observed in many

other localities in Sinaloa, always resting on granite and

passing into porphyry; it is also sometimes associated with

metamorphic slates.

GREENSTONES.

These rocks occur in heavy masses or in beds, and are made

up of a fine-grained, compact mixture of hornblende and

feldspar, often containing mica, and having a greenish color.

The greenstone underlies the Triassic rocks, and in many

places it protrudes through the granite. This rock is highly

metalliferous at Copála, Sinaloa, and also at Los Bronces and

San Javier, in Sonora. The greenstones or diorites which occur

in the granite, appear to be anterior to the metalliferous

greenstones, and the latter are posterior to the Triassic.

CARBONIFEROUS LIMESTONES.

The Carboniferous limestones form high ridges parallel with the

general course of the Sierra Madre, from Hermosillo, north of

Guaymas, east of Sahuaripa. These ridges become more elevated

as we approach the crest of the Sierra. The rocks of this

formation are fine-grained and bluish in color, and form heavy

beds with intercalated schistose layers; they contain nodules

and beds of flint. There are some clay slates at the base of

the formation. The thickness of the whole series is probably

over five thousand feet. The principal localities where these

Carboniferous rocks may be observed are as follows, naming them

in order from west to east:

1st. Hermosillo, where they rest on syenitic granite and are

highly metamorphosed, the limestones being converted into

white saccharoidal marble, and the slates into garnet and

epidote rock. Dykes of green porphyry cut through the beds of

sedimentary rock, which beds have a strike of about N. 65° W.,

and stand nearly vertical.

2d. Five leagues from Hermosillo, at La Cruz; in the Cerro de

Santa Teresa on the south, and the Sierra de Las Animas on the

north. Here the limestones contain crinoids.

3d. Four leagues farther on, between La Noria and El Aguajito;

here are high granite ridges with a granite axis.

4th. Twenty leagues from Hermosillo, south of Ures;

Carboniferous rocks upheaved on the southwest side of the

granitic Sierra de Mazatan. The direction of this range is from

northwest to southeast, and its height sixteen hundred varas,

according to M. De Fleury; here are a few silver mines.

5th. Haciendita, nine leagues farther northeast. The beds here

are metamorphosed and much disturbed, dipping northeast; these

outcrops form low hills.

6th. Between Mátape and Batuco; a very high ridge of granite,

running in a northerly direction, with limestone resting upon

it. To the north and east of Topisco the limestones attain a

great thickness and afford fine fossils. At the Cerro de la

Bonacina, one of the highest points of the range, a variety of

corals, crinoids, and brachiopods may be seen weathered out

from the surface of several beds of hard, compact limestone,

of various colors; these beds are near the summit of the

mountain. This locality was first discovered by Don Antonio

Moreno, Engineer of the Bronces mine. The strata here are much

disturbed, and appear to have been folded into a mass with a

synclinal structure.[23]

TRIASSIC ROCKS.

This formation is usually highly metamorphosed, and passes

into porphyries at its base. The strata are more or less

inclined, and the lower beds are very much contorted and

disturbed. The rocks referred to the Trias extend from Soyopa

to San Javier; but they are developed on a more extensive scale

between San Antonio de la Huerta and Los Bronces, forty-two

leagues northeast of Guaymas. The Triassic rocks form a chain

of high and rugged mountains extending from south-southeast to

north-northwest. The isolated mining districts of Tecoripa and

San Marcial (between Los Bronces and Guaymas) are in the same

formation; it also crops out from under the stratified volcanic

rocks at the Punta de Agua, between San Marcial and Guaymas.

The metalliferous greenstones and porphyries, previously

noticed, form the nucleus around which the Triassic beds have

been upheaved. These beds are seen near San Javier and Los

Bronces, two mining towns which are situated on greenstone, but

which skirt the foot of a small ridge of feldspathic porphyry,

much less elevated than the metamorphic rocks themselves. They

are also seen overlying granite, near the Cerro Colorado,

between Soyopa and Los Bronces, and south of Tecoripa.

The Cerro de la Nahuila, the highest point but one in the

district, lies southeast of the Sierra de Mazatan. There are

three principal divisions of the Triassic, which occur in the

following order, the first mentioned being the lowest:

{ { Quartzites and clay slates;

{ { Black, jaspery schistose layers;

{

1.{ or, where the rocks are less altered:

{

{ { Black clay shales with beds of coal;

{ { Argillaceous sandstones.

2. Quartzites, in great thickness.

3. Heavy beds of conglomerate.

The interstratified clay shales and grits of the lower member,

crop out in several places along the Cañada de Santa Maria, at

the bottom of the ravines below Los Bronces. Here, there are

three or four beds of good anthracite coal, with a considerable

number of well-preserved plants occurring in the associated

clay shales, both above and below the coal.

[A portion of these plants were referred by me to Dr. Newberry

for examination, and he has given the following list of them.

1. _Strangerites magnifolia_, Rogers; Trans. Assoc. Am.

Geologists, p. 306, Pl. xiv. A species occurring in the Trias

(?) of Virginia and North Carolina. 2. _Pecopteris falcatus_,

Emmons; Geol. of N. Car., Pl. iv, fig. 9. The specimens are

too imperfect to decide on the identity of this plant with

_Saccopteris germinans_. ?3. _Pecopteris bullatus_, Bunbury;

only in fruit; nervation obscure; identity not certain, but

very probable. 4. _Otozamites Macombii_, Newb. At top of “red

beds” or “gypsum formation,” at the base of the Cretaceous

rocks, copper mines near Abiquiu, New Mexico. There is no

doubt about this species, and it forms an important connecting

link. ?5. _Pterozamites decussatus_, Emmons; specimens very

imperfect. 6. _Pecopteris_, n. sp.; a very neat and peculiar

species as yet undescribed. It may be the same as one badly

figured by Emmons (Pl. II, fig. 1.) 7. _Alethopteris_, n.

sp.; small fragments of the frond of a splendid new species.

From this enumeration it will be seen that there can be but

little doubt of the Triassic age of the formation in which

these plants occur. A large lot of these plants, collected

by M. Rémond, has been recently received, and among them are

much better specimens of some of the species noticed by Dr.

Newberry, and several quite new ones. These will also be

examined, described, and figured within a short time. J. D. W.]

The strike and dip of the clay shales in the different ravines

vary considerably, but the dip is usually to the southeast.

The superincumbent quartzites are more regular in their

inclination. There are dykes of feldspathic rock cutting

through both the coal and the shales.

The following section represents, in an ascending order, the

position of the coal-bearing strata in the Cañon del Retiro,

near Los Bronces.

1. Coarse quartzites with conglomerates.

2. Conglomerate, 8 feet.

3. Argillaceous and schistose grits, 3 feet.

4. Clay shales, with impressions of plants, 8 feet.

5. Gray grits, 4 feet.

6. Bluish clay shales with ferns, 12 feet.

7. Coal, 2 feet.

8. Compact black clay shales, 5 inches.

9. Coal, 2 feet 6 inches.

10. Clay shales with leaves, several feet.

11. Coarse grits.

Another section, measured at the foot of the Cerro de la Aguja,

was as follows.

1. Compact gray grits.

2. Gray clay shales with seams of coal and plants, 4 feet 6

inches.

3. Bluish argillaceous grits, 2 feet 6 inches.

4. Contorted black clay shales, with seams of coal, 5 feet

6 inches.

5. Coal, 2 feet 6 inches.

6. Black, compact clay shales, 3 feet.

7. Coal, 7 inches.

8. Carbonaceous clay shales, 8 inches.

9. Coal, 3 inches.

10. Clay shales and argillaceous grits.

[Specimens of the coal brought to San Francisco by M. Rémond,

are anthracite, evidently of superior quality. J. D. W.]

The middle member of the Triassic series consists of

quartzites, or metamorphic sandstones; these are both coarse

and fine grained, and sometimes brecciated. They vary in color,

from white to red, and are often much altered in the vicinity

of the metalliferous veins. The upper member of the series,

as seen in the Cañada de la Tinta, is made up of rounded

pebbles of black jasper and gray quartzite; in the Cañada

de los Mimbres, below Los Bronces pebbles of specular iron

are included in the mass. The dip of the formation is very

irregular, both in direction and amount.

At San Antonio de la Huerta, Tecoripa, and San Marcial,

argentiferous veins of various ages occur in the lower and

middle members of the Trias. At San Marcial, marine (?)

shells are found in the clay slates, near the silver mines;

[but those which have been obtained, are too imperfect for

recognition; they were referred to Mr. Meek for examination. J.

D. W.]

At San Marcos, between San Antonio de la Huerta and the Real

Viejo, metamorphic jaspery slates occur in connection with the

carboniferous limestones; they are probably of Triassic age.

Gold is found in the gulches between the quartzite ridges, as

in the Cañada de la Higuera, near Los Bronces in the Cañada

de la Iglesia, between the latter place and San Antonio de la

Huerta, and generally where the quartzites occur.

JURASSIC (?) ROCKS.

In the eastern part of the Magdalena and Altar districts, are

valleys with low hills and ridges of auriferous clay slates,

with interstratified beds of porphyry and diorite. Localities

of these rocks are Cerros de la Barajita, between Querobabi and

Santa Ana; Cerritos de la Tierra Colorada, where the formation

contains beds of variously colored limestones, entirely made

up of fossils, South of La Magdalena this formation rests on

metamorphic sandstones and shales. [The reasons for referring

these rocks, with doubt, to the Jurassic formation, have been

already given; see page 246.]

CRETACEOUS ROCKS.

In the Sahuaripa Valley, four miles east of Arivechi, and

seventy-two leagues northeast of Guaymas, is a locality of

Cretaceous Fossils of great interest. The hill in which they

occur is called “Cerro de las Conchas,” or “Shell Mountain.”

The rocks exposed are unfossiliferous strata of coarse-grained

sandstone at the base, overlain by clay shales and argillaceous

limestone filled with fossils. The exposure is very limited in

extent: the shales are a few hundred feet thick, and they dip

to the east, as do also the beds of carboniferous limestone on

which the Cretaceous deposits rest. Masses of porphyry crop

out from under the shales, without there being any peculiar

indication of metamorphism or disturbance in their vicinity.

Other patches of shelly rock are said to occur in the valley

on the eastern side, at the foot of the sierra. [A small

lot of fossils collected here by M. Rémond were referred to

Mr. Gabb for examination; and since that, a considerable

number of additional specimens have been received, but have

not yet been investigated. Several species were identified

as already described from Texas, and figured by Roemer in

“Die Kreidebildungen von Texas;” these are, _Ammonites

pedernalis_, von Buch; _Natica pedernalis_, Roem.; _Turritella

seriatim-granulata_, Roem.; _Gryphæa navis_, Hall; _Cyphosoma

Texanum_, Roem.; _Eulima Texana_, Roem. Besides these, two

other species are identified, namely; _Cardium multistriatum_,

Shum., and _Turbinolia Texana_, Con.

There is a considerable number of new species among the

specimens from this locality, among which the following genera

are represented: _Turritella_, _Chemnitzia_, _Avellana_,

_Cardium_, _Trigonia_, _Panopæa_, _Pinna_, _Cucullæa_, etc.

These will be described and figured by Mr. Gabb, who also

remarks that the character of the fossils indicates a closer

relationship of the formation to the eastern Cretaceous than to

that of California.—J. D. W.]

VOLCANIC ROCKS.

Stratified volcanic deposits cover a broad area of the surface

between San Ignacio and San Dimas (Sinaloa and Durango); they

dip to the west. On the other side of Durango they dip in the

opposite direction. The serrated edges of the strata may be

seen from a great distance, and are extremely picturesque,

towering up like old ruins, their peculiar forms being due to

erosion. They are well seen in the Cerro de los Frayles, near

Guarisamey, in Durango; visible from Mazatlan. These belong to

the second series of volcanic rocks. In Sonora there are three

different series of volcanic deposits which form serrated,

picturesque, parallel ridges, running north from Guaymas as far

as La Magdalena, or over eighty leagues in a straight line.

The three main ridges, enumerated from west to east, are, 1,

Las Tetas de Cabra; 2, Guaymas de Zaragosa; 3, Range north of

the mouth of the Yaqui River. The description of the various

volcanic deposits of Northern Mexico may be reserved for a

separate memoir, as the number of them is very great.

MINES.

The richest and widest veins are those northeast of Mazatlan,

near San Dimas, Guarisamey, etc., in Durango. These veins cut

all the rocks older than the Cretaceous, whether igneous or

sedimentary. The mines of Sinaloa are richer than those of

Sonora. In the former State the ore-bearing portion of the

veins is from a few feet to several yards in width: in the

latter, generally from one to two feet. In Durango and Sinaloa

gold, native silver, and sulphuret of silver occur associated

with galena, yellow blende, and iron pyrites. In Sonora the

principal ores are argentiferous gray copper, with galena,

black blende, copper pyrites, arsenical pyrites, carbonate of

lead, ruby silver, arsenical silver, and gold. Each mining

district is characterized by a peculiar system of veins; in

all as many as twenty different systems have been observed.

The most abundant vein stones are quartz, either chalcedonic,

crystalline, or massive; brown spar; heavy spar; oxide of

iron. The veins occurring in the metamorphic Triassic rocks,

are usually parallel with the stratification, so that they

lie nearly horizontal where the formation has been but little

disturbed. As to the yield of the silver ores, it varies

extremely, and it would be necessary to enter into a full

description of all the different districts to give an idea of

it. It may be noticed, however, that the arsenical pyrites,

which is auriferous in the Sierra Nevada, becomes argentiferous

in the Sierra Madre. The veins vary in their direction from

a little east to a little west of north; the richest ores

near San Dimas run northeast and southwest. There are but few

rich mines in Sonora, a state of which the mineral wealth has

been much exaggerated. There are, however, some deposits of

variegated copper, and veins of magnetic and specular iron.

The annexed tabular statement will give the principal facts

obtained with regard to the mines examined in Northern Mexico.

TABULAR STATEMENT, SHOWING THE POSITION AND CHARACTER OF THE

PRINCIPAL MINES OF NORTHERN MEXICO.

BY A. RÉMOND.—1863-1865.

================+===================+=====================+=========+

Mines. | Location. | Country. | Strike. |

----------------+-------------------+---------------------+---------+

NAGHUILA |Near San Javier |Labrador porphyry |N. 35° W.|

EUREKA |Bet. S. Miguelito |Greenstone |N. 45° W.|

| & Los Bronces | | |

PLEITEADA |Near San Javier |Labrador porphyry |N. 30° W.|

SAN JUAN |Near San Javier |Quartzite (triassic) |N. 65° E.|

CEBALLOS |Near Los Bronces |Labrador porphyry |N. 25° E.|

HIGUERA |Near Los Bronces |Greenstone |N. 5° E.|

LA BLANCA |Near San Antonio |Q’tzite and conglom’e|N. and S.|

| de la Huerta | (triassic) | |

SAN LUIS |Near San Antonio |Quartzite (triassic) |N. 40° W.|

| de la Huerta | | |

SANTA BARBARA |Near Corral Viejo |Quartzite |N.E.-S.W.|

LA SIERRA |Near San Javier |Labrador porphyry |N. 60° E.|

SAN JOSÉ |Near Los Bronces |Labrador porphyry |N. 27° E.|

EL SECORRO |Near Los Bronces |Labrador porphyry |N. 25° E.|

ZARAGOZA |Near Los Bronces |Labrador porphyry |N. 23° E.|

SAN LUIS GONZAGA|Near San Javier |Labrador porphyry |N. 30° W.|

LA COLORADA |Near Los Bronces |Altered sandst. & |N. 50° E.|

| | slate (triassic) | |

AGUAJITO |Near San Javier |Labrador porphyry |N. 24° E.|

SANTA EDUBIGEN |La Barranca |Quartzite (triassic) |N.E.-S.W.|

LA CUADRA |Near San Javier |Labrador porphyry |N. 10° W.|

EL ROSARIO |Near San Javier |Labrador porphyry |N. 10° W.|

EL ESCRITORIO |Near San Javier |Labrador porphyry |N.W.-S.E.|

SANTA ROSA |Bet. Los Bronces |Quartzite (triassic) |N. 10° E.|

| and San Javier | | |

SOLEDAD |Candelero |Porphyry (metam.) |N. 55° E.|

CARMEN |Candelero |Porphyry (metam.) |N. 85° E.|

ATOCHA |Candelero |Porphyry (metam.) |N. 45° E.|

ROSARIO |Candelero |Porphyry (metam.) |N. 50° E.|

CONTRESTACA |Near La Puerta |Metamorphic rocks |N. 63° E.|

DESCUBRIDORA |Near La Puerta |Metamorphic rocks |N. 35° E.|

SOLEDAD |Bet. La Puerta and |Metamorphic rocks |N. 65° E.|

| San Dimas | | |

CANDELARIA |Near San Dimas |Porphyry (metam.) |N. 63° E.|

BOLANOS |Near San Dimas |Porphyry (metam.) |N. 45° E.|

CINCO DE MAYO |Near Zaragoza |Syenitic granite |N. 52° E.|

CINCO SEÑORES |Near Copála |Greenstone |N. 20° W.|

NAPOLEON |Near Copála |Greenstone |N. 10° W.|

ROSARIO |Near Copála |Greenstone |N. 50° W.|

PATINO |Near Copála |Greenstone |N. 22° W.|

HAVAL |A few leagues from |Syenitic granite |N. 80° E.|

| Mazatlan | | |

MINA GRANDE |Near San Marcial |Metamorphic slates |N. and S.|

| | (triassic) | |

LAS CRUZECITAS |Near San Marcial |Metamorphic slates |N. 15° E.|

| | (triassic) | |

GUIJOSITA VIEJA |Near San Javier |Labrador porphyry | |

LA ANTIMONIA |Near San Javier |Labrador porphyry | |

DIOS PADRE |Trinidad |Labrador porphyry | |

AGUA GRANDE |9 miles from San |Porphyry (volcanic) |N. 38°- |

| Marcial | | 40° E. |

LA COLORADA |Near Copála |Greenstone |N. and S.|

ALGODONA |Near San Marcial |Metamorphic slates |N. and S.|

| | (triassic) | |

LOS BRONCES |Los Bronces |Greenstone |E. of N. |

LA PRIETA |Los Bronces |Greenstone |N. 40° E.|

ALTA GRACIA |Near San Antonio |Quartzite (triassic) |N. and S.|

| de la Huerta | | |

ROSARIO DE |San Javier |Greenstone |N. 70° E.|

GUADALUPE | | | |

AURORA |Near Los Bronces |Greenstone |N. 10° E.|

EL TASTE |Near San Javier |Greenstone |N. 15° E.|

PROVIDENCIA |Near Tecoripa |Quartzite (triassic) |N. 10° E.|

LA BOJORQUEÑA |Near Tecoripa |Quartzite (triassic) |N. 20° E.|

LA CHIPIOÑENA |Near Topisco |Granite | |

MINA PRIETA |Near San Antonio |Quartzite (triassic) | |

| de la Huerta | | |

EL TESORO |Cacachilas |Granite |N.W.-S.E.|

ROSARIO |Cañada de la |Quartzite (triassic) |N.E.-S.W.|

| Iglesia, near | | |

| San Antonio | | |

BABICANORA | |Limestone |N.E.-S.W.|

| | (carboniferous) | |

================+===================+=====================+=========+

================+============+===========+==========================+

Mines. | Dip. | Width. | Matrix. |

----------------+------------+-----------+--------------------------+

NAGHUILA |50° N.E. |1½ ft. |Crystalline quartz |

EUREKA |35°-40° N.E.| |Quartz |

PLEITEADA |45° N.E. |1½ ft. |Quartz |

SAN JUAN |50° S.S.E. |4 ft. |Quartz and iron ore |

CEBALLOS |85° S.S.E. |2 ft. |Magnetic iron |

HIGUERA |80° E. |2½ ft. |Magnetic iron |

LA BLANCA |15° E. | |Vesicular quartz |

SAN LUIS |35° N.E. |1½ ft. |Decomp. quartz and |

| | | sulfate of baryta |

SANTA BARBARA |30° S.E. |1½ ft. |Quartz |

LA SIERRA |80° N.N.W. |3 ft. |Magnetic iron |

SAN JOSÉ | |1½ ft. |Sulphate of baryta |

EL SECORRO | | | |

ZARAGOZA | | |Magnetic iron |

SAN LUIS GONZAGA|30°-40° N.E.|8 inches |White quartz |

LA COLORADA |80° S. |5 ft. |Iron ore and quartz |

AGUAJITO | | |Magnetic iron |

SANTA EDUBIGEN |30° N.W. |2½ ft. |Quartz |

LA CUADRA |20°-25° E. |1 ft. |Quartz |

EL ROSARIO |20°-25° E. | |Crystalline quartz |

EL ESCRITORIO |N.E. |1½ ft. |White quartz |

SANTA ROSA |55° S. |3 ft. |Quartz and iron ore |

SOLEDAD |85° S.E. |30 ft. |Quartz |

CARMEN |85° N. |28 ft. |Quartz |

ATOCHA |85° N. |14 ft. |Quartz |

ROSARIO |70°-80° N.W.|17 ft. | |

CONTRESTACA |76° N.W. | |White quartz |

DESCUBRIDORA |69° N.W. | |White quartz |

SOLEDAD |Perp. | |White quartz |

CANDELARIA |63° N.N.W. | |White quartz |

BOLANOS |75° S.E. |20 ft. |White quartz |

CINCO DE MAYO |75° N.W. |4 ft. |White quartz |

CINCO SEÑORES |45° E.N.E. |1 to 4 ft. |Quartz |

NAPOLEON |80° E. |2 to 8 ft. |Chalcedonic quartz |

ROSARIO |85° E. | |Chalcedonic quartz |

PATINO |Perp. |4 ft. |Chalcedonic quartz |

HAVAL |80° N. | |Quartz |

MINA GRANDE |30° W. |2 ft. |Quartz |

LAS CRUZECITAS |65° E. |4½ ft. |Heavy spar |

GUIJOSITA VIEJA | | |Quartz |

LA ANTIMONIA | | |Crystalline quartz |

DIOS PADRE | |9 to 12 ft.| |

| | of ore | |

AGUA GRANDE |80° N.W. |1½ ft. |White quartz |

LA COLORADA |20° W. |40 ft. |Chalcedonic quartz |

ALGODONA |30° W. |8 inches |Rotten quartz and iron ore|

LOS BRONCES |85° E. | |Heavy spar |

LA PRIETA |80° N.W. | |Heavy spar |

ALTA GRACIA |30° E. |4 ft. |Brown spar |

ROSARIO DE |60° S.S.E. |2 ft. |Quartz |

GUADALUPE | | | |

AURORA |45-50° E. |2 ft. |Magnetic iron |

EL TASTE |50-55° E. |5 ft. |Quartz |

PROVIDENCIA |65° E. |1 ft. 2 in.|Quartz |

LA BOJORQUEÑA |65° E. | |Quartz (ferruginous) |

LA CHIPIOÑENA | | | |

MINA PRIETA | | |Brown spar |

EL TESORO |75° S.W. |4 ft. | |

ROSARIO |85° N.W. |2 ft. | |

BABICANORA |75° N.W. |5 ft. |Quartz |

================+============+===========+==========================+

================+======================================+===============

Mines. | Ores. | Yield.

| | (Per Ton.)

----------------+--------------------------------------+---------------

NAGHUILA |Sulph’ts of zinc, lead, iron |1st class $1200

| arsenical & copper pyrites; ruby |2nd class $125

| silver & native silver |

EUREKA |Mispickel, blende, galena |

PLEITEADA | |

SAN JUAN |Galena, zinc, carbonate of lead, iron |

| pyrites |

CEBALLOS | |

HIGUERA |Copper pyrites and gray copper ore |

LA BLANCA |Gold and chloro-bromide of silver |$43

SAN LUIS |Blende, galena, mispickel, sulphuret |1st class $787

| of iron, native silver |2nd class $125

SANTA BARBARA |Galena, carbonate of lead, iron |$67.75

| pyrites, gold |

LA SIERRA |Gray copper, iron pyrites |

SAN JOSÉ |Magnetic iron & iron pyrites |

EL SECORRO | |

ZARAGOZA | |

SAN LUIS GONZAGA|Galena, blende, mispickel, iron |

| pyrites |

LA COLORADA | |

AGUAJITO | |

SANTA EDUBIGEN | |

LA CUADRA |Arsenical pyrites, blende, and galena |

EL ROSARIO | |

EL ESCRITORIO | |

SANTA ROSA |Carbonate of lead, iron ore, galena, |

| blende, iron pyrites |

SOLEDAD | |$266.65

CARMEN |Silver and gold, sulph. of silver |$186.65

ATOCHA |Silver and gold, sulph. of silver |$213.35

ROSARIO |Silver and gold, sulph. of silver |$160

CONTRESTACA |Blende, galena, sulph. of silver |

DESCUBRIDORA |Blende, galena, sulph. of silver |

SOLEDAD |Blende, galena, sulph. of silver |

CANDELARIA | |1st class $3210

| |2d class $133

BOLANOS |Galena |

CINCO DE MAYO |Galena, blende, iron pyrites, brittle |1st class $800

| silver glance, native silver |2d class $180

CINCO SEÑORES |Galena, blende, iron pyrites |

NAPOLEON |Galena, blende, copper pyrites, etc. |

ROSARIO | |

PATINO |Galena, blende, copper pyrites |

HAVAL |Oxide of lead, native silver |

MINA GRANDE |Sulphuret of antimony, mispickel, |

| copper pyrites, blende, iron pyrites|

LAS CRUZECITAS |Tepustete with copper and iron |1st cl. $90-100

| pyrites, and gray copper ore |2d cl. $35-40

GUIJOSITA VIEJA |Galena, arsenical pyrites, blende, |

| copper pyrites |

LA ANTIMONIA |Sulphuret of antimony and lead |

DIOS PADRE |Gray copper ore, galena, iron pyrites,|

| native silver |

AGUA GRANDE |Indigo copper, chrysocolla, |

| chalkosine, chalcopyrite |

LA COLORADA | |

ALGODONA |Chlorobromide of silver |

LOS BRONCES |Magnetic iron, gray copper, copper |1st class $350

| and iron pyrites |2d class $40-60

LA PRIETA |Magnetic iron, gray copper, copper |

| and iron pyrites |

ALTA GRACIA |Copper pyrites and gray copper |

ROSARIO DE |Black blende, iron pyrites and galena |

GUADALUPE | |

AURORA |Gray copper ore and copper pyrites |

EL TASTE |Galena, blende, copper and iron |$100

| pyrites (petanque) |

PROVIDENCIA | |1st class $200

| |2d cl. $35-40

LA BOJORQUEÑA |Black blende, iron pyrites, galena, |

| copper pyrites |

LA CHIPIOÑENA | |

MINA PRIETA |Copper pyrites, gray copper |

EL TESORO | |1st class $220

| |2d class $90

ROSARIO |Galena and blende |$60

BABICANORA |Galena, iron pyrites, fahlerz, ruby |$34.65

| silver ore; gold and silver |

================+======================================+===============

[21] The best map of Northern Mexico is that of M. de Fleury,

published in San Francisco, in 1864; but this makes little

pretense to a delineation of the topography; the courses of

the principal streams and the position of the larger mining

towns are often very far from being correct, as must be

expected on a map constructed without a basis of instrumental

surveys. J. D. W.

[22] See Emory, in Mexican Boundary Report, vol. 1, page 41.

[23] Only a few specimens of the Carboniferous fossils

collected by M. Rémond have ever been received, owing to

circumstances connected with the present political condition

of Mexico. It is hoped, however, that they are not lost, and

that they may yet be recovered. Among the few specimens

received is a coral, not to be distinguished from the

_Lithostrotion_ (_L. mamillare_) found near Bass’s Ranch,

in Shasta County, California. J. D. W.

REGULAR MEETING, MARCH 19TH, 1866.

President in the Chair.

Twelve members present.

Donations to the Cabinet: Sections of the _Sequoia gigantea_ and a roll

showing the annual growth of the “Old Maid,” one of the trees in the

Calaveras grove of Big Trees; from Mr. Henry Hentsch.

Mr. Dall stated that Dr. Cooper had discovered, in the vicinity of

Santa Cruz, _Helix redemita_, _H. Vancouverensis_, _H. Columbiana_, and

_H. arrosa_; also, in the small rivulets near the town, _Margaritana

falcata_, besides several univalves, and also an undetermined _Helix_,

which may prove to be new. Mr. Dall also remarked that Rev. J. Rowell had

obtained at Hayward’s, Alameda County, a number of specimens of _Helix

Cronkhitei_, which is a new locality for that species.

Mr. Dall remarked that in dissecting a specimen of _Trochiscus

Norrissii_, the position of which has for some time been doubtful,

sufficient evidence was obtained to decide that it did not belong with

the Proboscidians, to which group it had been doubtfully referred by

several naturalists.

REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 2D, 1866.

Mr. Stearns in the Chair.

Five members present.

Mr. Bloomer presented some Diatoms, from the coast of California,

supposed to belong to the genera _Melissa_ and _Meridion_; they were both

found growing upon calcareous sea weeds. The genus _Meridion_ has not

heretofore been recorded as occurring in California.

Mr. Dall presented, in the name of Dr. Cooper, the following paper:

Description of a new California Helix, with notes on others already

described.

BY J. G. COOPER, M.D.

HELIX (Arianta) SEQUOICOLA, Cooper.

Sp. ch. _H. testa_ rotundata, umbilicata, spira depressa, anfr.

ult. nonnunquam subangulata; anfr. vi ad vii et dimidium,

perist. obliqua superne parum deflecta; labio tenui, reflexo,

infra crassiore, acuta. Colore atrobrunnea, vel olivacea, zona

nigra, lata, inter duabus ochraceis sita, in spira semicelata,

labio albo; intus læte purpureo, zonis duabus albis. Epidermide

nitente, infra polita, striis incrementis læve perspicuis,

interdum tenuissime malleata, rugis spiralibus; supra punctis

piliferis creberrime induta; pilis brevissimis junioris

deciduis.

_Animal_ schisto-colore; corpore cylindraceo rugosa, tentaculis

longis, pede postice elongata, cuneata.

_Testæ_ lat., major, 0.93 ad 1.20; minor 0.76 ad 0.96; alt.

0.42 ad 0.54 poll. Angl.

_Hab._ Santa Cruz, California, in ligno carioso, locis

humidissimis.

_Specific characters._ Shell rounded, umbilicate, spire

depressed, last whorl sometimes subangulate, whorls 6 to

6½, peristome oblique, little deflected above; labium

thin, reflexed, thickest below; acute. Color dark brown or

olivaceous, with a broad black band between two yellow ones,

half hidden on the spire, lips white; within a fine purple with

two white bands. Epidermis shining, polished below, the lines

of growth faintly visible, sometimes very lightly malleated,

and with spiral ridges; above with crowded scars bearing very

short bristles in the young shell which fall off in the adult.

_Animal_ slate colored, body cylindrical, rugose, tentacles

moderate; foot elongated, behind wedge-shaped.

_Shell_—large diameter 0.96 to 1.20; smaller diameter 0.76 to

0.96; height 0.42 to 0.54 hundredths of an inch.

_Hab._ Santa Cruz, Cal., among decayed trees in the dampest

places.

This beautiful species is quite rare, only three adult and

twelve young specimens having been found after long searching.

It will probably occur more commonly in some part of the

redwood forests which I have been unable to explore. It

approaches nearest to _H. Dupetithouarsi_ and _H. fidelis_,

being between them in form and size as well as colors, but

the pilosity at once distinguishes it. Its distinct bands

and rounded whorls separate it from _H. infumata_ and

_Hillebrandii_, the latter when perfect having also much

longer hairs. The animal is lighter colored than those of _H.

arrosa_, _Nickliniana_, _redimita_, _ramentosa_, _tudiculata_,

(which are all very similar) but much darker than that

of _Dupetithouarsi_, and I believe also of _fidelis_ and

_infumata_. The form of the shell is a link connecting these

with _Mormonum_.

In the tabular arrangement adopted in my State Survey Report,

it would come in as the pilose analogue of _H. Dupetithouarsi_,

and _H. exarata_, which are also its nearest geographical

neighbors, as follows:

=====================+====================+====================

§ =A.= Shining; | § =B.= Dark; | § =C.= Brown;

band triple, | hirsute in | band single,

not rugose, | the young, | rugose, sculptured,

l. whorls 6 to 8. | l. whorls 6 to 6½. | l. whorls 6 to 7.

---------------------+--------------------+--------------------

H. fidelis. | H. infumata.[24] | H. arrosa.

H. Traskii.[25] | H. sequoicola. | H. exarata.

H. Dupetithouarsi. | H. Hillebrandii. | H. Ayresiana.

---------------------+--------------------+--------------------

Judging from the form of _H. Mormonum_, it is possible that the

young will be found to be hirsute.

The table referred to includes twelve other banded species of

California, arranged under the same headings. It is interesting

to observe that the § A 1 and B 1 groups inhabit coniferous

forests, and probably feed chiefly on fungi found in decaying

wood while § C, including also H. _Nickliniana_, _Bridgesii_,

_redimita_, _ramentosa_, _tudiculata_, _Californiensis_ (and

_Carpenteri_?) are found in woods of oak, etc. Another group

which I place in § A (as not being rugose) are found in dry,

treeless localities where they seem to represent those last

mentioned, the size, form, and number of whorls furnishing

parallels, but being usually less in size, as might be expected

of species from arid regions, and often with the band single

or obscured; these are H. _Tryoni_[25], _rufocincta_,

_Kellettii_, _crebristriata_, _Gabbii_, _facta_.[25]

The bandless species, of which there are few on this coast,

present analogous sections as to surface characters, and

exhibit much greater varieties in the form of their apertures,

by which they can be arranged in groups, having a greater

development of species in the Atlantic States and more

distinguishable by form than by surface.

_H. Townsendiana_ alone approaches § C in its rugose sculpture,

but otherwise differs greatly from the usual types of

California.

From the shells alone, five subgenera may be established out of

the banded group, which I will describe in a future article.

NOTE.—There is a single specimen of Helix in the State

Collection, supposed to have been obtained in the Mount Diablo

range by Prof. Brewer, which closely resembles the small form

of _H. Sequoicola_ in shape, but being nearly bleached is

too imperfect to describe minutely, though very likely a new

species.

It is remarkable for having seven whorls, while the former

and _H. Mormonum_ of the same size have but six; it is also

less compressed than the latter, and the umbilicus is less

covered. The color where remaining is shining gamboge yellow

(faded?) with a _single_ very narrow band _above_ the middle,

not showing the pale band on each side of it that is so marked

in others of the group. The sculpture seems to have been very

_slightly_ malleated, and with the faint lines of growth

cut by smooth depressed waved grooves transversely, and thus

obliquely to the sutures (while those of _H. Traskii_ are

parallel).

Diam. maj. 0.95; alt. 0.40 inch.

A region so near San Francisco ought to furnish more and better

specimens.

There is a form referred to _H. fidelis_, from Humboldt Bay,

which may also prove a new species. It is entirely purplish

black, _without bands_, the lips white inside, and differs from

_infumata_ chiefly in great elevation and thicker lips, having

even the subcarinate body whorl of the latter, and the same

number of whorls (6½). There is, however, no trace of bristle

marks, and some specimens appear to connect it with _fidelis_,

suggesting a possibility of its being a hybrid.

The State Collection contains one specimen, obtained from the

late Dr. Frick.

Diam. maj. 1.24; min. 1.09; alt. 0.70 inch.

[24] In this the band seems obscured in the general blackness

of the shell; occasional varieties of several others are found

without the band, as if from disease, as in _H. anachoreta_.

[25] These species have parallel spiral grooves, not _rugæ_.

REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 16TH, 1866.

President in the chair.

Five members present.

Mr. Horace F. Cutter was elected a Resident Member.

The Committee on rooms reported that two rooms had been hired for the

Academy on the southeast corner of Montgomery and Sacramento streets.

REGULAR MEETING, MAY 7TH, 1866.

President in the chair.

Eight members present.

Mr. Harford presented some ivory nuts from Panama.

Dr. Gibbons made some remarks explanatory of a series of tables which

he exhibited, showing the variations of rain fall at San Francisco, and

their relation to the phases of the moon. He showed that the greatest

amount of rain fell immediately before the time of full moon, and that,

following the day of the full, the diminution in quantity was very rapid.

The series of observations from which the tables were prepared extended

over a period of fifteen years.

Dr. Gibbons remarked that he proposed continuing the investigation of the

subject of the connection of the moon’s phases with the fall of rain, and

that he would prepare a paper on the subject.

Considerable discussion followed on the subject of the weather of this

coast, in which nearly all the members present took part.

REGULAR MEETING, MAY 21ST, 1866.

Mr. Stearns in the chair.

The Academy met for the first time in its new rooms on the corner of

Montgomery and Sacramento streets; twelve members were present.

Donations to the cabinet: Two boxes of shells, from the Smithsonian

Institution.

Donations to the Library: Bulletins de l’Académie Royale des Sciences

de Belgique (2) XVIII, XIX, 1864-5. Annuaire de l’Académie Royale

de Belgique, 1865; 31me Année. Sitzungsberichte der königl. bayer.

Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München, 1864, II, 3, 4; 1865, I, 1-4;

II, 1-4. Annalen der königlichen Sternwarte bei München, Band XIV.

Entstehung und Begriff der naturhistorischen Art, von Dr. Carl Nägeli,

2te auflage; München, 1865, 8vo. pamphlet. Induction and Deduction,

von Justus von Liebig; München, 1865, 8vo. pamphlet. Vorträge über

die Florenreiche, von Dr. C. F. Ph. von Martius; München, 1865, 8vo

pamphlet. Elfter Bericht der Oberhessischen Gesellschaft für Natur-und

Heilkunde; Giessen, 1865. Verslagen en Mededeelingen der koninklijke

Akademie van Wetenschappen; Afdeeling Naturkunde, 17de Deel; Amsterdam,

1865: same; Afdeeling Letterkunde, 8ste Deel, 1865: same; Iarboek, 1863,

1864. Musee Vrolik, Catalogue de la Collection d’ Anatomie, etc. de

M. M. Ger. et W. Vrolik; 1 vol. 8vo. Amsterdam, 1865. Meteorologische

Waarnemingen, 1864; 1 vol. long 4to Utrecht, 1865. Kongliga Svenska

Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar; Ny Följd, 5te Bandet, 1sta Häftet,

1863. Ofversigt of Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar, 21sta

Argangen; 1 vol. 8vo. Stockholm, 1865. Meteorologiska Jaktagelser i

Sverige, utgifna af Kongl. Svenska Vetenskaps-Akademiens: 5te Bandet,

1863. Meteorologiske Jagttagelser paa Christiania Observatorium,

1864; Christiania, 1865. Meteorologische Beobachtungen, aufgezeichnet

auf Christiania Observatorium; 1, Band, Letzte Lieferung, 1837-63,

Christiania, 1865. Oversigt af Norges Echinodermer ved Dr. Michel Sars;

1 vol. 8vo Christiania, 1861. Zologisk-Botaniske Observationer fra

Gudbrandsdalen og Dovre, af R. Collett; 8vo. pamphlet, Christiania, 1865.

Beretning om en botanisk Reise i Valders, foretagen i Sommeren 1864, af

H. C. Printz; 8vo. pamphlet, Christiana, 1865. Oversigt af Christiania

Omegns ornithologiske Fauna, af R. Collett; 8vo. pamphlet, Christiania,

1864. Norges Ferskvandskrebsdyr: Förste afsnit, Branchiopoda, 1,

Cladocera ctenopoda, af G. O. Sars; 4to pamphlet, Christiania, 1865.

Hestiæ Planetæ Minoris XLVI, Elementa Nova, deduxit F. M. Karlinski,

Cracoviæ, 1865. Jahrbücher des Vereins für Naturkunde im Herzogthum

Nassau, 17tes and 18tes Heft, 1 vol. 8vo. Wiesbaden, 1862-3. Jahrbuch

der k. k. geologischen Gesellschaft, 1865, Band XV 1, 2, 3. Der

Zoologische Garten; VI Jahrgang, Nos. 1-12, 8vo. Frankfort a. m., 1865.

Flora, oder allgemeine botanische Zeitung; Neue Reihe, XXIII Jahrgang,

8vo. Regensburg, 1865. Sitzungs-Berichte der naturw. Gesellschaft Isis

zu Dresden; Jahrgang, 1864, 8vo. Dresden, 1865. Verhandlungen des

naturhistorischen Vereins der preuss. Rheinlande und Westphalens; 21ter

Jahrgang, 1 volume in two parts, 8vo. Bonn, 1864. Verhandlungen der k. k.

zool-bot. Gesellschaft in Wien; XIV Band, 8vo. Wien, 1864. Mémoires de

l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Petersbourg; Tome V, 1, VII 1-7

(complete), VIII, 1-16 (complete), 4to, St. Petersburg, 1864-5. Bulletin

de l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Petersbourg; Tome VII,

Feuilles 12-36, VIII 1-36. Royal Horticultural Society’s Proceedings;

vol. IV, No. 10, vol. V, Nos. 4-9, 8vo. London, 1865. Journal of the

Royal Horticultural Society; new series, vol. 1, part 1., 8vo. London,

1866. Defense des Colonies, III, par Joachim Barrande; 8vo. Prague, 1865.

Fragmenta Phytographiæ Australiæ, F. Müller; vol. IV. 8vo, Melbourne,

1863-4. Vegetation of Chatham Islands, F. Müller, 8vo. Melbourne,

1864. Analytical drawings of Australian Mosses, edited by F. Müller,

1 Fascicle, 8vo. Melbourne, 1864. Plants indigenous to the Colony of

Victoria, Lithograms, by F. Müller, 4to, 1864-5. Review of American Birds

in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, by S. F. Baird; Part 1,

Middle and North America, 8vo. Washington. Illustrated Catalogue of the

Museum of Comparative Zoology, No. II, North American Acalephæ, by A.

Agassiz; 4to, Cambridge, 1865.

All of the above publications were presented by the authors or the

Societies publishing the same; those published in Europe were forwarded

and received through the medium of the Smithsonian Institution.

Mr. Dall presented the following paper:

On a New Subfamily of Fluviatile Mollusca.

BY W. H. DALL, ACTING DIRECTOR SCI. CORPS, W. U. T. EX.

A paper was read by Dr. Isaac Lea, before the Philadelphia

Academy of Natural Sciences, April 1st, 1856, in which he

described a new genus (_Pompholyx_) and species (_P. effusa_,

Lea) of fluviatile mollusca, from California. He placed it in

the _Family_ LYMNÆANA without remark.

In the “_Genera of Recent mollusca_,” by H. & A. Adams, it

is referred to (Vol. II, p. 645, Pl. CXXXVIII, fig. 11) as

the only species of the genus and is placed in the _Family_

LIMNÆIDÆ.

It is not mentioned by Chenu, in the “_Manuel de

Conchyliologie_.”

In the “_Supplementary Report to the British Association_,” by

Dr. P. P. Carpenter (page 674), are given the views of Mr. W.

G. Binney, one of the most eminent of American conchologists

and particularly devoted to the Pulmonates. He places the

mollusk in question, between the genera _Limnæa_ and _Physa_,

in the _Subfamily_ LIMNÆINÆ, of the _Family_ LIMNÆIDÆ.

Investigations as to the animal, however, suggest the propriety

of separating it, if not (as a _Family Pompholidæ_) entirely

from the _Family_ LIMNÆIDÆ, at least in a subfamily by itself.

In the few specimens which I have been able to examine with

regard to the dentition, the dried animal has not yielded very

satisfactory results, and I do not, therefore, feel justified

in entirely separating it until more is known.

In the following table, a West Coast species is given as a type

of each genus:

CLASS PULMONATA.

_Family_ LIMNÆIDÆ, H. & A. Ads.

_Subfamily_ LIMNÆINÆ, H. & A. Ads.

West Coast Genera:

=Limnæa=, Lam.

Subgenera:

_Limnæa_, Type _L. stagnalis_, Lin.

_Limnophysa_, Fitz., Type _L. palustris_, Müll.

=Physa=, Drap.

Subgenera:

_Physa_, Type _P. heterostropha_, Say.

_Bulinus_, H. & A. Ads., Type _B. hypnorum_, Lin.

_Subfamily_ PLANORBINÆ.

W. C. Genera:

=Planorbis=, Guett.

Subgenera:

_Planorbis_, Type _P. subcrenatus_, Cpr.

_Helisoma_, Sw., Type _H. ammon_, Gld.

_Menetus_, H. & A. Ads., Type _M. opercularis_, Gld.

=Carinifex=, W. G. Binney.

Type _C. Newberryi_, Lea.

_Subfamily_ ANCYLINÆ.

W. C. Genera:

=Ancylus=, Geoffr.

Type _A. Newberryi_, Lea.

=Acroloxus=, Beck.

Type _A. Nuttallii_, Lea.

=Gundlachia=, Pfr.

Type G. _Californica_, Rowell.

_Subfamily_ POMPHOLINÆ, Dall.

_Testa depressa, paucis spiralis, anf. ult. maxima. Columella

recta, sine plica._

_Animalis tentaculis longis, oculiferis, et alius par oculorum,

in bases interiores tentaculorum._

Characters, _Shell_; depressed, few whorled, last whorl the

largest, without fold on the columella. Inoperculate.

_Soft parts_; foot rounded, tentacles long, bearing eyes;

another pair of eyes situated on the inner bases of the

tentacles. Fluviatile, phytophagous.

Genus =Pompholyx=, Lea.

Proc. Phil. Acad., Ap. 1st, 1856.

Type P. effusa Lea, sp. unica. [FIG. 28.]

[Illustration: FIG. 28.]

_Shell_; small, swollen, with three whorls, the last much

the largest. Above, rounded planulate, suture deep but not

channelled. Below, not umbilicated, rounded convex. Aperture

large, effuse, internally shining. Columella flattened, not

folded; externally, in fresh specimens, greenish horn color;

dead ones nearly white or waxy brown. Alt. 0.14 in., major

diam. 0.2, min. diam. 0.16 in.

_Soft parts._ Foot rounded truncate; short, bluish-ash color,

darker on the margin. Lips broad, semilunar. Tentacles long,

eyebearing; tips pale yellow, eyes black; a second pair sessile

on the inner bases of the tentacles. Body delicate brownish

olive green; a light streak just behind and outside of base of

each tentacle.

Localities: Sacramento River (Trask), Lea; Eagle Lake, Horn;

Klamath Valley and Frazer Spring, Gabb.

I am indebted to Mr. Wm. M. Gabb, of the State Geological

Survey, for notes and drawings, confirmatory of previous doubts

in regard to this rare and interesting mollusk. They were

taken from the living animal, and coming from a distinguished

Palæontologist may be relied on as correct.

[N.B.—Through inadvertence in drawing, the shell is represented

as reversed in the figure.]

Professor Whitney made some remarks on the geology of the State of

Nevada, of which the following is an abstract.

Having recently received a small but very interesting

collection of fossils, made in Nevada by Mr. J. E. Clayton, the

examination of which has added considerably to our scanty stock

of information in regard to the geology of an extensive region

comprised between the meridians of 115° and 120°, and the

parallels of 38° and 41°, I take this occasion to set forth, in

a very concise manner, the information which I have collected,

up to the present time, in regard to the age of the sedimentary

formations of the regions in question.

The State of Nevada occupies a portion of the continent which,

during the last few years, has received a large share of

attention from the public and excited the greatest interest

among scientific men; but where, up to the present time,

detailed geological work has been impossible, owing to the

absence of any geographical map of the State approaching even

to accuracy.

The U. S. Pacific Railroad Surveys furnished no geological

information whatever in regard to the territory embraced

within the present area of the State of Nevada. The route

from Salt Lake to Humboldt River, at Lassen’s Meadows, was

hastily explored by Captain Beckwith, in May, 1854, and he was

accompanied by Mr. Schiel as Geologist; but no information

of any value is given in regard to the geological structure

of the region traversed by the party, nor were any fossils

discovered, although portions of the rocks along their route

have since been proved to be prolific in organic remains.

On all the geological maps of the whole territory of the United

States which have been published up to the present time, the

region west of the Rocky Mountains has been so misrepresented

that it is quite impossible to trace any approximation,

or first hinting, at either the age or the outline of the

principal formations. On these maps the region lying between

the Salt Lake and the Sierra Nevada is usually left uncolored,

or vaguely designated as “metamorphic” with patches of

“volcanic” and “desert quaternary” scattered through it at

random.[26]

The first paper or publication issued, in which any

definite information in regard to the geology of Nevada was

given, was that of Messrs. Meek and Engelmann, published

in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural

Sciences, for April, 1860. This paper gives the results of

the examination by Mr. Meek, of the fossils obtained by

Mr. H. Engelmann, who accompanied Capt. J. H. Simpson on

his explorations of 1858-59, or what is generally known as

“Simpson’s Wagon Road Expedition.” As the full report of

this expedition has never been published, we have no other

information in regard to the geology of the region traversed

by Capt. Simpson’s party than that given in the paper above

alluded to. The route followed on this survey was one near

the present Overland Stage Road, passing through a region

then entirely uninhabited by white men, but now dotted with

mining camps and even towns of considerable size—a region which

has been proved to contain a large number of argentiferous

veins, and where mining operations have been carried on most

energetically and extensively during the last two or three

years.

The localities of fossils mentioned by Messrs. Meek and

Engelmann, and included within the limits of Nevada, are

as follows: Long. 114° 45´, Lat 39° 45´, near what is now

called Egan Cañon, fragments of Trilobites, either of Upper

Silurian or Devonian Age, and “closely resembling Hamilton

Group Forms:”—Long. 115° 58´, Lat. 39° 33´, and Long. 115°

36´, Lat. 39° 30´; at these two localities, situated in what

are now the Eureka and White Pine Mining Districts, a “group

of fossils of decided Devonian type” was found. This group

consisted of _Atrypa reticularis_, _A. aspera_, or a closely

allied species, a small _Productus_, and three new species of

_Spirifer_. This is the most westerly point, on our territory,

at which any fossils belonging to formations older than the

Carboniferous have, up to the present time, been discovered,

so far at least as any published record shows. Between Lon.

115° and 115° 30´ and Lat. 40° 10´ and 39° 20´, is a group or

series of hills, trending nearly north and south, and made

up “of light yellowish gray, more or less argillaceous and

arenaceous subcrystalline limestones and slates.” From these

hills fossils were collected which are referred by Mr. Meek

to the Upper Carboniferous series. Most of the species were

new; among them were three species of _Productus_, two new

species of _Spirifer_, and another apparently identical with

_S. cameratus_; also, _Athyris subtilita_ and a new species

of _Chonetes_ closely allied to _C. Verneuiliana_; these

localities are near what is now known as Ruby Valley and Fort

Ruby.

The above are all the localities of fossils, in Nevada, known

to have been published up to this time, excepting those

which have been described or noticed in the publications

of the Geological Survey of California. Messrs. Meek and

Engelmann state, at the end of their paper, that igneous rocks

predominate west of the 116th degree of longitude as far as

the Sierra Nevada, and that only a few traces of stratified

rock were found in that district in none of which any organic

remains were observed. The exploration of this region, supposed

to be destitute of fossiliferous rocks, has proved, however,

that it contains immense ranges of stratified beds which, in a

considerable number of localities at least, are highly prolific

in well preserved fossils.

As soon as the Humboldt mining region began to be resorted to

by miners, which was in 1861 and 1862, fossils were discovered

by several persons, who about the same time furnished us

with collections of value and interest. The most important

of these collections were those of Mr. Gorham Blake and of

Mr. R. Homfray. The specimens obtained by these gentlemen, as

well as others of the same age obtained by the Survey, near

Dayton, Nevada, and also in Genesee Valley, California, were

figured and described by Mr. Gabb in the first volume of the

Palæontology of California, forming a part of the series of

publications of the Geological Survey. The geological age

of the formation is that of the Hallstadt Limestone of the

Austrian Alps, or the Upper Trias, there being several species

at the above cited localities which are identical with European

species from this geological position, as determined by Mr.

Gabb, and confirmed by Von Hauer, the eminent palæontologist of

the Austrian Geological Survey.[27]

Since the publication of the Palæontology of California, Vol.

I, our stock of information with regard to the range and extent

of the Upper Trias, in Nevada, has been considerably increased

by the explorations of members of the Survey, and other persons

who have furnished us with specimens from their collections, or

given us information as to the character of the rocks noticed

by them on their lines of travel. We now know that the Triassic

rocks occupy a broad belt of country extending from the 117th

meridian west to the line dividing the States of Nevada and

California, and lying between the parallels of 38° and 40°.

Within the area thus designated, Triassic fossils have been

found at several localities, some of which are remarkable

for the number and good state of preservation of the various

species. Among these localities that of the Volcano District

is remarkable for the size and beauty of the Ammonites found

there. This is about thirty miles east of the south end of

Walker’s Lake. New Pass District, twenty miles west of Austin,

is also a rich locality of Triassic fossils At two or three

points within this Triassic area there are indications of the

existence of fossiliferous rocks occupying a higher position

than the Trias, and perhaps of Liassic Age; but the collections

have not yet been sufficiently studied to justify a positive

opinion on this point.

The sedimentary strata in this region are much broken up and

metamorphosed by intrusive rocks, of which there is a great

variety, granite being one of the most abundant. In the

southern portion of the area designated above as including

stratified rocks of Triassic age, a very large part of the

surface is occupied by volcanic materials, apparently a

continuation of the very recent volcanic masses near Mono Lake.

Lava is said to be the predominating rock over the region to

the southeast of Walker’s Lake, and as far in that direction

as the State line between Nevada and Arizona. The same is true

of the region to the north and northwest of Humboldt River,

where granitic and volcanic rocks are reported as occurring,

and where, so far as known, no fossils have yet been obtained.

This, however, is a region as yet but little explored, on

account of the number and warlike disposition of the Indians.

Between the 116th and 117th meridians is a region of granitic

and volcanic rocks, including two principal north and south

ranges, and many spurs and side ranges. The Toiyabe range,

in which are the mines of Austin, or the Reese River mines,

and which is a little east of the 117th meridian, is mostly

granitic. Stratified but highly metamorphosed rocks are said

by Mr. Blatchley to occur on its east flank, a few miles south

of Austin; these rocks contain fossils, which, however, are

nearly obliterated by metamorphism. A box of these, forwarded

some time since, has never been received, so that no positive

statement can be made as to the age of the formation. From Mr.

Blatchley’s description of the forms observed by him, it would

appear that we may have here rocks older than the Carboniferous.

East of the 116th meridian, our collections indicate the

existence of a broad area covered chiefly by rocks of

Carboniferous age, which seem to occupy most of the space

between the 115th and 116th meridians. The most western

locality of Carboniferous fossils known to us is that on the

west side of Diamond Valley, about 70 miles east of Austin, and

in lon. 116°. Here, in a dark, crystalline limestone, a variety

of species have been obtained by Mr. Clayton, all in a poor

state of preservation, but of which the Carboniferous age may

be without difficulty made out. Among the genera represented

at this locality are _Productus_—two species, one of which

is _P. semireticulatus_—_Spirifer_, and _Fusulina_, probably

_F. gracilis_, besides some indistinctly marked corals. The

indications are that these beds are of Lower Carboniferous age.

On the east side of Diamond Valley some imperfectly preserved

corals have been found, probably Devonian, or possibly

belonging to a still older group. The collections from the

region included between the 115th and 116th meridians indicate

the association of rocks of both Devonian and Carboniferous

age in the outcrops. Here our collections do not enable us to

do anything more than to corroborate the previously published

statements of Messrs. Meek and Engelmann in regard to the age

of the formations.

From the Silver Peak District, near lon. 117° 20´, and lat.

38°, an interesting collection of fossils has been brought

by Mr. Clayton. The specimens are unfortunately in a very

imperfect and fragmentary condition, but they contain the first

trilobites which have been brought to our office from any of

the Pacific States or Territories. The rock in which they occur

is a dark yellowish brown limestone, with intercalated layers

of light grey argillaceous shales. Some of them appear to

belong to the genus _Dalmania_, and, if so, the formation is

probably of Upper Silurian age, although possibly Devonian. The

careful examination of the corals which have been obtained in

this district by Mr. Clayton, and also by Mr. Blatchley, will

probably throw some additional light on the geological position

of these rocks.

[26] On Professor Hall’s Map “illustrating the general

geological features of the country west of the Mississippi

River,” which accompanied Emory’s Mexican Boundary Report,

and was published in 1857, all of a broad central strip

running along the parallel of 40° through the center of

Nevada, is colored as “lava and other igneous rocks,” while

the western portion of the State has several broad belts of

“Upper Carboniferous Limestone,” running north and south

across it from Walker’s Lake to Goose Lake. So far as I know,

no Carboniferous fossils have yet been found in that part of

Nevada.

[27] See Jahrbuch der K. K. Geologischen Reichsanstalt, 1865,

page 233 of the Proceedings.

REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 4TH, 1866.

President in the chair.

Eleven members were present.

The following named persons were elected Resident Members: C. R. King,

Frederick Gutzkow, Theodore Blake, W. A. Goodyear, Charles Bonner, C. W.

Lightner, Hugo Hochholzer, James T. Gardner.

Donations to the Cabinet: Copper Ore, from Yarrow mine, near Lexington,

Santa Clara county, and Molybdenite, from Coloma, El Dorado county, from

Mr. Hanks. Land, river, and marine shells collected in Central and South

America by the late Thomas Bridges; presented by Mrs. Bridges. Two birds

from Mr. Lorquin. A collection of Australian plants, from Dr. Ferdinand

Müller. Lichens from Plover Bay, collected and presented by Mr. Dall.

Donations to the Library: Verhandlungen der kaiserlich en

Leopoldino-Carolinischen deutschen Akademie der Naturforscher, Band

XXXII, 1ste Abtheilung; 4to Dresden, 1865. Amtlicher Bericht über die

39te Versammlung Deutscher Naturforscher und Aerzte in Giessen im

September, 1864; 4to, Giessen, 1865. Jahrbuch der k. k. geolgischen

Reichsanstalt; 1865, Band XV. No. 4, roy. 8vo. Wien. Nachrichten von der

k. Gesellschaft und der Georg-Augusts-Universität, aus dem Jahre 1865;

12mo. Göttingen.

The above were presented by the different Societies named, and forwarded

through the Smithsonian Institution.

Mr. Dall made some remarks on the shells which have been collected by

various naturalists at and near Monterey.

He remarked that he himself had collected in two weeks no less

than two hundred and nineteen species, which number, added to

forty-four which have been previously reported as occurring

there, but which he did not obtain, gives two hundred and

sixty-three as the whole number of species of shells now known

to have been found at Monterey.

Of these were previously obtained only to the south of

Monterey, twenty-four; previously obtained only to the north

of Monterey, forty-two; previously obtained to north and

south, but not at Monterey, twenty-nine; previously obtained

at Monterey, one hundred and one; not obtained by Mr. Dall,

forty-four; new, or not reported, twenty-three.

Collections of shells are greatly needed from points between

San Francisco and the mouth of the Columbia river, and also

from points between San Diego and Cape St. Lucas, in order to

determine questions of geographical distribution.

A curious fact was noticed in _Chiton scabra_, of Reeve, which,

although belonging to a class of strictly marine animals,

was observed clinging to the rocks beyond the reach, except

in storms, of the highest spray. That it does not migrate is

proved by the fact that, living in nooks and crevices of the

rocks, it grows into the very form of the hole in which it

lives.

Mr. Dall also mentioned that, having visited and thoroughly

searched the original locality for _Helix Californiensis_, a

small island off Point Cypress, accessible only at low tide,

this species was found to be nearly exterminated. A letter

received from Dr. Canfield of Monterey since the visit of Mr.

Dall, confirms the fact of the extinction. This has been caused

apparently by a large millipede, which exists in great numbers,

and is extremely voracious.

Several of the shells found commonly at Monterey, are identical

with others collected during the past season on the coast of

Russian North America.

Professor Whitney made some remarks on the absence of the Northern Drift

formation from the western coast of North America and from the interior

of the continent, throughout the region to the southwest of the Missouri

River.

The term “Northern Drift” is understood to include the masses

of unstratified detrital materials and boulders which have been

transported and distributed by some general cause independent,

in a great degree, of the present conformation of the surface

and of the direction of the existing river courses. The

investigations of geologists have shown that the surface of

Canada, New England, and the States north of the Ohio and

north of the parallel of 39°, as far west as the Mississippi,

and even for some distance beyond it in that direction, are

covered by detrital materials which have been carried from the

North towards the South, and often for a great distance and in

immense masses.

The explorations of the Geological Survey of California have

demonstrated however, that there is no true Northern Drift

within the limits of this State. Our detrital materials,

which often form deposits of great extent and thickness, are

invariably found to have been dependent for their origin and

present position on causes similar to those now in action, and

to have been deposited on the flanks and at the bases of the

nearest mountain ranges by currents of water rushing down their

slopes. While we have abundant evidence of the former existence

of extensive glaciers in the Sierra Nevada, there is no reason

to suppose that this ice was to any extent an effective agent

in the transportation of the superficial detritus now resting

on the flanks of the mountains. The glaciers were confined

to the most elevated portions of the mountains, and although

the moraines which they have left as evidences of their

former extension are often large and conspicuous, they are

insignificant in comparison with the detrital masses formed

by aqueous erosion. There is nothing anywhere in California

which indicates a general glacial epoch during which ice

covered the whole country and moved bodies of detritus over the

surface, independently of its present configuration, as is seen

throughout the Northeastern States.

The same condition of things prevails in Nevada and through

Oregon, as far as explored by the members of the Survey. The

detritus seems always to be accumulated at the base of the

mountains—gravel, boulders, and sand lying below and not far

distant from the beds of rock of which these materials once

formed a part, and from which they appear to have been detached

by weathering and aqueous erosion.

From the observations of Messrs. Ashburner and Dall, it would

appear that no evidences of Northern Drift have yet been

detected on this Coast, even as far north as British Columbia

or Russian America. Neither of these gentlemen has observed

any indication of a transportation of drift materials from the

north towards the south, or of any condition of things similar

to that which must have existed in the Eastern States during

the diluvial epoch.

On examining the published records of explorers in the central

portion of the Continent, it will be noticed that there is

strong reason to believe that the absence of the Northern drift

formation is not peculiar to the States along the Pacific

Coast; but that the whole region west of the Rocky Mountains is

also destitute of any indications of a detrital formation moved

over the surface in one direction by any great general cause.

Judging from our present stock of evidence, I am inclined to

draw the line which limits the Northern Drift formation on the

south and west approximately from the mouth of the Ohio to the

headwaters of the Saskatchewan River.

It is evident that these facts should be taken into account

in theorizing on the origin and cause of the drift. If, as

stated above, the transporting agent has been limited in its

field of action to the eastern and northeastern portion of our

Continent, the phenomenon is seen at once to have become, in a

measure, a local one—at least much more local than has hitherto

been usually assumed by those geologists who have adopted the

glacier theory of the drift.

Professor Whitney remarked that he was particularly desirous of

introducing the subject on this occasion, in order that he might have

an opportunity of impressing on Mr. Dall, who is about to leave for the

Northern Coast, on the Telegraph Expedition, the importance of making a

thorough examination of the detrital formations and surface geology of

the country he may traverse.

REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 18TH, 1866.

Mr. Stearns in the Chair.

Thirteen members present.

The following named gentlemen were elected Resident Members: Baron F. von

Richthofen, E. B. Dorsey, W. W. Palmer, W. S. Keyes, M. L. Stangroom, J.

T. Watkins, Jr., W. G. W. Harford, Louis Falkenau.

Mr. H. G. Bloomer stated that he had identified the plant commonly known

as the Pepper Tree, as _Schinus mollis_.

Mr. W. H. Dall called attention to several errors in geography made in a

short chapter on geographical distribution of marine forms, forming the

conclusion of Agassiz’ “Sea Side Studies in Natural History,” recently

published. The errors were in regard to the Coast of California.

Mr. Stearns mentioned that in an hour and a half at Baulines Bay he had

collected about fifty species of mollusca.

Dr. Gibbons spoke of the progress of his observations on the connection

of the phases of the moon and the weather. His remarks were followed by

an animated discussion.

REGULAR MEETING, JULY 2D, 1866.

President in the Chair.

Ten members present, and Dr. Hillebrand, of Honolulu, a visitor.

The following gentlemen were elected Resident Members: Vitus

Wackenreuder, Sherman Day, Thomas Price, E. Wertheman.

Donations to the Cabinet:

Ores from the Eureka Mine, Grass Valley, and from the Othello Mine,

Pahranagat District, by Mr. Hanks; Steatite from Baulines, by Capt.

Morgan; Fungi from timber in the mines of Nevada, by Mr. Ewer.

Donations to the Library:

Congressional Documents, from Hon. John Conness. Transactions of the

Royal Society of Victoria, 1861-1864, vol. vi, 8vo., Melbourne, 1865;

Fragmenta Phytographiæ Australiæ, Nos. xxxi-xxxiv, 8vo.; Third and

Fourth Annual Reports of the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, 2 8vo.

pamphlets, Melbourne, 1864: from F. Müller, M.D.

Dr. Gibbons called attention to the experiments and deductions of Dr.

Salisbury, of Ohio, in regard to malarial diseases and their supposed

vegetable origin. A discussion followed, in which Drs. Behr and Blake

took part.

Dr. Hillebrand gave an account of the Botanical Garden of Batavia. It

contains, among other plants, two hundred and sixty-two species of Palms.

He also gave an account of the introduction of the Cinchona, of various

species, into India and Java.

REGULAR MEETING, July 16th, 1866.

Mr. Stearns in the Chair.

Twelve members present, and Mr. J. S. Hittell and Dr. Macgowan as

visitors.

Dr. P. Comrie was elected a Corresponding Member, and Dr. S. Pawlicki a

Resident Member.

Donations to the Cabinet:

Land and Marine Shells from the East Indies and the Pacific Islands, by

Dr. Eckel.

Mr. Stearns presented the following paper:

List of Shells collected at Baulines Bay, California, June, 1866.

BY ROBT. E. C. STEARNS, CURATOR OF CONCHOLOGY, CAB. ACAD. NAT. SCIENCES.

The comparative scantiness of molluscan life in the immediate

vicinity of San Francisco, and of the coast for many miles in

a southerly direction, led me to believe that an exploration

of the small bays to the north of the Golden Gate would reveal

a very considerable increase both of species and individuals;

accordingly, upon the 14th, 23d, and 24th of last June, I

visited the small inlet known as Baulines Bay, and made an

examination of the sandspit which makes out from its southerly

shore, also the beach inside of and as far north as Duxbury

reef, which latter connects with the coast at a point about a

mile above the entrance to the bay. The unfavorable condition

of the tides prevented an exploration of the reef; as most of

the specimens were obtained from the drift, without doubt the

following list can be largely increased by a more thorough

examination of the locality, especially the reef, at extreme

low water and at different seasons of the year.

All of the specimens were in a condition sufficiently perfect

to make identification easy; a few forms, of which I had some

doubt, were submitted to Dr. J. G. Cooper.

Species marked with a * one specimen; thus † two specimens; of

the remainder from three specimens upwards were collected.

1. Zirphea crispata, Linn.*

2. Pholadidea ovoidea, Gould.

3. Parapholas Californica, Conr.*

4. Saxicava pholadis, Linn.

5. Platyodon cancellatus, Conr.

6. Cryptomya Californica, Conr.

7. Schizothærus Nuttalli, Conr.

8. Clidiophora punctata, Conr.†

9. Solen sicarius, Gould.*

10. Machæra patula, Dixon.

11. Macoma secta, Conr.

12. Macoma var. edulis, Nutt.

13. Macoma nasuta, Conr.

14. Tellina Bodegensis, Hds.

15. Semele rubro-lineata, auct. non Conr.*

16. Tapes staminea, Conr.

17. Tapes var. diversa, Sby.

18. Tapes var. ruderata, Desh.

19. Saxidomus aratus, Gould.

20. Petricola carditoides, Conr.

21. Rupellaria lamellifera, Conr.*

22. Chama exogyra, Conr.*

23. Cardium corbis, Mart.

24. Lazaria sub-quadrata, Carp.

25. Mytilus Californianus, Conr.

26. Mytilus edulis, Linn.

27. Adula stylina, Carp.†

28. Pecten hastatus, Sby.*

29. Hinnites giganteus, Gray.

30. Placunanomia macroschisma,—Desh.†

31. Cryptochiton Stelleri, Midd.

32. Tonicia lineata, Wood.*

33. Mopalia muscosa, Gould.

34. Mopalia vespertina, Gould.*

35. Trachydermon Nuttallii, Carp.

36. Nacella insessa, Hds.

37. Nacella instabilis, Gould.*

38. Nacella ? var. triangularis, Carp.†

39. Acmæa persona, Esch.

40. Acmæa spectrum, Rve.

41. Acmæa pelta, Esch.

42. Acmæa var. asmi, Midd.

43. Acmæa patina, Esch.

44. Acmæa scabra, Rve. (var.)

45. Scurria mitra, Esch.

46. Clypidella (bimaculata, Dall, ms.)*

47. Glyphis aspera, Esch.

48. Glyphis densiclathrata, Rve.

49. Haliotis rufescens, Swains.*

50. Chlorostoma funebrale, A. Ad.

51. Chlorostoma brunneum, Phil.

52. Chlorostoma Pfeifferi, Phil.

53. Calliostoma costatum, Mart.†

54. Phorcus pulligo, Mart.

55. Margarita acuticostata, Carp.*

56. Crepidula adunca, Sby.

57. Hipponyx cranioides, Carp.

58. Cerithidea sacrata, Gould.

59. Bittium filosum, Gould.

60. Bittium armillatum, Carp.*

61. Littorina scutulata, Gould.

62. Lacuna unifasciata, Carp.

63. Lacuna solidula, Lov.

64. Scalaria indianorum, Carp.

65. Opalia borealis, Gould.†

66. Lunatia Lewisii, Gould.*

67. Olivella biplicata, Sby.

68. Olivella intorta, Carp.

69. Nassa fossata, Gould.

70. Nassa mendica, Gould.

71. Nassa Cooperi, Fbs.*

72. Amycla carinata, Hds.

73. Amphissa corrugata, Rve.

74. Purpura crispata, Chem, (smooth var.)

75. Purpura var. ostrina, Gould.

76. Monoceras engonatum, Conr.

77. Ocinebra lurida, Midd.

78. Ocinebra var. aspera, Baird.

79. Ocinebra var. munda, Carp.

80. Ocinebra interfossa, Carp.

81. Cerastoma foliatum, Gmel.

82. Cerastoma Nuttallii. Conr.*

83. (?) Muricidea Californica, Hinds.*

84. Chrysodomus dirus, Rve.

Of No. 8, two odd valves, and of No. 9, a single perfect

specimen on sandspit; 15, an odd valve, one perfect specimen

found by Col. Jewett, who accompanied me; 49, one specimen;

(I am informed by the residents of the town that this species

is abundant at a point about ten miles up the coast); 50 and

51, very common (young specimens frequently and mature shells

sometimes umbilicated); 68, frequent; a well-marked species;

(often confounded with the young shells of 67; the young shells

of 67 are sometimes adorned with zigzag brown markings upon a

light ground, otherwise, no resemblance between them; 68 is in

shape between 67 and O. _bœtica_, of Carpenter); 71 is but an

extreme form of 70, as I am convinced by an examination of not

less than one thousand specimens, received by me from Monterey;

72—if “_gausapata_” and “_Californiana_” belong to “_Amycla_,”

this certainly should be placed with them; 76, particularly

abundant (some 2000 living specimens collected; June 23d, this

species had just commenced depositing their pink-tinted eggs,

a few of which were obtained); 83, the immature shells of this

species closely resemble some specimens of 78.

Professor Whitney exhibited a portion of a human skull recently deposited

at the office of the State Geological Survey, by Dr. Thomas Jones, of

Murphy’s Camp, Calaveras County. He read the following:

Notice of a Human Skull, recently taken from a Shaft near Angel’s,

Calaveras County.

BY J. D. WHITNEY.

This skull was taken from a shaft sunk on a mining claim at

Altaville, near Angel’s, in Calaveras County, by Mr. James

Matson. By him it was given to Mr. Scribner, of Angel’s, and

by Mr. Scribner to Dr. Jones. Mr. Matson states that the skull

was found at a depth of about one hundred and thirty feet, in

a bed of gravel five feet in thickness, above which are four

beds of consolidated volcanic ash, locally known as “lava”;

these volcanic beds are separated from each other by layers of

gravel, and Mr. Matson gives the following as the section of

the various deposits passed through in sinking the shaft, which

is one hundred and fifty-three feet deep, to the bed rock:

1. Black lava 40 feet.

2. Gravel 3 ”

3. Light lava 30 ”

4. Gravel 5 ”

5. Light lava 15 ”

6. Gravel 25 ”

7. Dark brown lava 9 ”

8. Gravel 5 ”

9. Red lava 4 ”

10. Red Gravel 17 ”

---

153 feet.

The skull was found, according to Mr. Matson, in bed number

8, just above the lowest stratum of lava. With the skull were

found fragments of silicified wood, the whole being covered and

partly incrusted with stony matter, so that the fact of its

being a skull was not recognized until after it had passed into

Mr. Scribner’s hands, by whom it was cleaned and presented to

Dr. Jones.

The skull is said by Mr. Matson to have been taken from the

shaft February 25th, 1866, and it came into my hands in the

July following, when I immediately proceeded to the locality;

but found the shaft temporarily abandoned and partly filled

with water, so that it was impossible at that time to make any

farther search in the bed from which the skull was procured.

A careful inquiry into all the circumstances of the alleged

discovery, and an interview with all the persons who had been

in any way connected with it, impressed upon my mind the

conviction that the facts were as stated above, and that there

was every reason to believe that the skull really came from

the position assigned to it by Mr. Matson. Still, as it is

evidently highly desirable that as large an amount of evidence

as possible should be accumulated in regard to a discovery

of so much importance, I made arrangements that I should be

notified whenever the shaft was reopened and the water taken

out, and hope at a future meeting to be able to lay before

the Academy the results of a personal examination of this

interesting locality, and of further excavations in the bed

from which the skull was taken.

Assuming the correctness of Mr. Matson’s statements, this relic

of human antiquity is easily seen to be an object of the

greatest interest to the ethnologist as well as the geologist.

The previous investigations of the Geological Survey have

clearly demonstrated the fact that man was contemporaneous

with the mastodon and elephant, since the works of his hands

have been repeatedly found in such connection with the bones

of these animals that it would be impossible to account for

the facts observed on any other theory. (See Geology of

California, Vol. I, p. 252.) But in the case of the skull now

laid before the Academy, the geological position to which it

must be assigned is, apparently, still lower than that of the

mastodon, since the remains of this animal, as well as the

elephant, which are so abundantly scattered over this State,

are always (so far as our observations yet extend) limited in

their position to the superficial deposits, and have never been

found at any considerable depth below the surface. There is

every reason to believe that these great proboscidians lived at

a very recent date, (geologically speaking) and posterior to

the epoch of the existence of glaciers in the Sierra Nevada,

and also after the close of the period of activity of the now

extinct volcanoes of that great chain. In fact, they belong to

the present epoch. The bed, on the other hand, in which this

skull was found, must have been deposited at a time when the

volcanoes of the Sierra were still in vigorous action, and, as

seems to us highly probable from a careful consideration of the

geological structure of the region, previous to the glacial

epoch of the Sierra, and also previous to the erosion of the

cañons of the present rivers. No pains will be spared, however,

to investigate all the conditions of the occurrence of this

skull, and they will be fully reported on at a future time.

The portions of the skull which are preserved are, the frontal

bone, the nasal bone, the superior maxillary bone of the right

side, the malar bones, a part of the temporal bone of the left

side, with the mastoid process and the zygomatic process,

and the whole of the orbits of both eyes. The base of the

skull is embedded in a mass of bone breccia and small pebbles

of volcanic rock, incrusted with a thin layer of carbonate

of lime, which appears once to have extended over the whole

surface of the skull and of which a considerable portion still

remains, the rest having been removed apparently in the process

of cleaning. Under the malar bone of the left side, a snail

shell is lodged, and partly concealed by the breccia of bone

wedged in the cavity. This shell is the _Helix Mormonum_,

according to Dr. Cooper, a species now living in the region

where the skull was obtained. Although not competent to express

a decided opinion on the subject of the ethnological relations

of this skull, I should suppose that it belonged to the type

of the Indians now inhabiting the foot-hills of the Sierra. It

is certain that the facial angle is not one indicating a low

order of intellect. The skull, however, seems to have been very

thick and solid. It will be placed in the hands of competent

craniologists for examination and description, as soon as

reliable information has been obtained with regard to its

occurrence, or whenever all has been ascertained that can be.

Dr. Macgowan made some remarks on the occurrence of earthquakes on the

coast of China. He stated that, since the historic period, no great

damage has been done by them.

Dr. Kellogg stated, that on a trip from San Rafael to Baulines Bay he had

discovered a species of oak said to be equal to the live-oak for ship

building.

REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 6TH, 1866.

President in the chair.

Twenty members present.

Dr. D. J. Macgowan was elected a Corresponding Member.

Dr. Behr presented the following paper:

Enumeration of the Californian species of Lycæna.

BY H. BEHR, M.D.

The genus _Lycæna_ is much more extensively represented in

California than in the Atlantic States, where, with the

exception of a few Arctic species, only the most cosmopolitan

types are represented, such as that of _Argiolus_ and that of

_Amyntas_.

California has about the same number of species as a

corresponding area in the Mediterranean basin. The species are

never identical with gerontogeic forms; but there is scarcely

a single European type that does not find its analogue on

the Pacific coast: a circumstance of which the celebrated

lepidopterologist, Dr. Boisduval, has made good use in naming

many Californian species with reference to the best known

European species of the same type, thus:

_Europe._ _California._

Pheretes, Pheres,

Acis, Antiacis,

Aegon, Antægon,

Icarius, Icarioides.

1. _Lycæna Pardalis_, Behr.

Alæ ♂ ris superne omnes cæruleæ, marginem versus fuscescentes,

limbo albido cinctæ.

Alæ ♀ næ superne omnino fuscæ, marginem versus magis obscuræ,

anticæ linea discoidali instructae.

Alæ subtus cinereæ, linea discoidali serieque punctorum

atrorum, halone parum distincto cinctorum signatæ. Posticæ

marginem versus lunulas exhibent pallidiores quam puncta seriei

et lineæ discoidalis.

This species is the only Californian yet known that approaches

the type of the European species _L. Arion_, _L. Euphemus_, _L.

Iolas_, _L. Alcon_, _L. Erebus_. It approaches most nearly to

_L. Alcon_ of Europe, and is intermediate between that and the

European _L. Acis_.

The only habitat of this species yet known to me, is in the

Contra Costa Coast Range, in the vicinity of San Antonio, where

it frequents steep, grassy hill-sides. It is found at the end

of May and beginning of June, and is rather rare.

2. _L. Antiacis_, Boisd.

May. Different localities.

3. _L. Xerxes_, Boisd.

May. Lone Mountain, near San Francisco; rather rare.

There exists no European analogue to this very peculiar type.

4. _L. Piasus_, Boisd.

Very common throughout middle California. It replaces the

Atlantic _L. Pseudargiolus_, and _L. neglecta_, Edw., as well

as the European _L. Argiolus_; and belongs to one of the most

cosmopolitan types of the genus. The caterpillar feeds on the

flowers of the _Pavia_, unlike its European representative,

which feeds on the leaves of _Rhamnus frangula_.

5. _L. Pheres_, Boisd.

May and June. Lone Mountain, near San Francisco. I do not know

of any other locality.

6. _L. Heteronea_, Boisd.

Several localities. May and June. Likes to repose on

_Eriogonum_, and is only to be found where some species of this

genus is abundant. Probably the caterpillar feeds on the flower

of this plant. This species is a very fine analogue of the _L.

Daphnis_ of Europe.

7. _L. Lorquini_, Behr.

Alæ ♂ ris et ♀ næ superne fuscæ, a radice ultra medium pruina

cærulea obtectæ, limbo tessellato. Alæ ♀ næ vitta marginali

pallide fulvescenti instructæ.

Alæ subtus cinereæ, anticæ puncto duplici radicali, linea

discoidali serieque punctorum necnon lunulis marginalibus

instructæ; posticæ macula alba pro linea discoidali signatæ

vittaque alba quæ occupat spatium inter seriem punctorum et

lunulas marginales.

I possess a pair of this _Lycæna_, through the kindness of our

celebrated entomologist, Mr. Lorquin, who caught the species in

the higher Sierra Nevada.

8. _L. Icarioides_, Boisd.

May and June, Marin County.

9. _L. Dædalus_, Behr.

Icarioidi similis sed subtus, quæ puncta in Icarioide sunt

rotundissima, in Dædalo sunt transverse producta, lineaque

discoidalis alarum posticarum, quæ in Icarioide deest et pro

qua macula alba subtriquetra militat, hac in specie linea

transversa distinctissime nigra vindicatur.

The three specimens in my collection, I received through the

kindness of Mr. Chas. Hoffman, of the Geological Survey, who

collected them in the Alpine regions around the head waters of

the Tuolumne River.

10. _L. Sæpiolus_, Boisd.

11. _L. Aehaja_, Behr.

Alæ utriusque sexus supra fuscæ, margine lineaque discoidali

nigriscente, vittaque fulva marginali signatæ ♀ næ magis

obscuræ.

Alæ subtus cinereæ, linea discoidali serieque punctorum

nigrorum dilutius cinctorum refracta signatæ. Posticæ punctis

tribus nigris dilutius cinctis radicalibus insuper instructæ.

Lunularum series duplex, interior nigra exterior dilutior,

apicem versus analem puncta nonnulla aurantiaca amplectens.

This species I received also from Mr. Hoffmann, who found it

associated with _L. Dædalus_. It is the Californian analogue

of the European _Agestis_, and produces on one somewhat the

impression of a Polyommatus.

12. _L. Cilia_, Behr.

Alæ ♂ supra argenteo glaucæ, anticæ margine fusca lata, posticæ

angusta instructæ; anticæ linea discoidali posticæ serie

punctorum marginali, cui intus lunulæ submarginales præcedunt

signatæ. Limbus subtessellatus.

Alæ ♀ næ fuscæ æque ac ♂ ris signatæ. Limbus distincte

tessellatus.

Alæ ♂ ris anticæ subtus albidæ linea discoidali, serie

punctorum necnon puncto radicali duplici ornatæ; lunulæ

marginales duplices; posticæ a radice ad seriem punctorum

cinereæ, punctis tribus radicalibus, serieque punctorum

nigrorum lactea cinctorum, maculaque discoidali lactea ornatæ;

a serie punctorum usque ad marginem alæ posticæ lacteæ, serie

lunularum duplici versus angulum analem luteo tincta instructæ.

♀ næ alæ subtus æque signatæ ac ♂ ris sed anticæ æque ad

posticæ dimidiatæ et quæ pars est cinerea in ♂ colore fusco

obtegitur.

This species I also received from the Geological Survey. It was

found at an elevation of 11,000 feet and over, on the snowy

heights surrounding the headwaters of the Tuolumne River. It

belongs to the type of the European _Orbitulus_, which is found

in similar regions of the Alps.

13. _L. Argyrotoxus_, Behr.

Alæ ♂ cinctæ supra lilacinæ fusco marginatæ albo limbatæ, ♂ næ

supra fuscæ, in anticis fascia in posticis lunulis marginalibus

fulvis signatæ.

Alæ ♀ ris subtus albidæ, ♀ næ lacteæ. Linea discoidalis parum

distincta. Series punctorum vix halone cinctorum in anticis

stricta, in posticis refracta. Pars radicalis anticarum

concolor, posticarum nonnullis punctis minimis sed distincte

halone cinctis signata; lunularum series marginalium duplex

sed parum distincta, spatia fulva amplectens, quæ tamen non

semper distingui possunt, in posticis lunulæ exteriores seriei

splendore metallico micantes.

Alæ ♀ næ subtus magis distincte signatæ; spatia fulva

submarginalia nec non splendor metallicus lunularum distinctius

videtur.

This species is found in the Sierra Nevada. It is very similar

to _L. Scudderi_ of the Atlantic coast, and may prove to be

only a local variety of that species, from which it differs

chiefly in the shape and arrangement of the submarginal

markings, which, however, in the Atlantic coast specimens, are

much more distinct than in those from California.

14. _L. Calchas._

♂? Alæ ♀ næ supra fuscæ radicem versus pruina cærulea abductæ,

anticæ linea discoidali, posticæ punctis marginalibus

nigrescentibus, lunulisque submarginalibus fulvis signatæ.

Alæ subtus cinereæ, linea discoidali, serieque punctorum

quadrangularium albo marginatorum signatæ. Lunularum series

submarginalis duplex, lunulas fulvas includens, in posticis

intus triangulis albis suffulta. Lunulas marginales in posticis

metallice micant.

Of this species I possess only one specimen; but this differs

so much from the other California Lycænæ, that I consider

myself justified in giving a diagnosis of it, although, as a

rule, descriptions of Lepidoptera belonging to complicated and

difficult groups should not be given without ample material on

which to base them.

This specimen is from Mono Lake, and was collected by the

Geological Survey.

15. _L. Battoides._

Alæ ♂ ris supra azureæ, late nigro marginatæ tessellato

limbatæ, ♀ næ fuscæ, posticæ lunulis nonnullis fulvis

submarginalibus instructæ, omnium limbus tessellatus.

Alæ utriusque sexus subtus albidæ, punctis radicalibus duobus,

in anticis in fasciam transversam valde refractam nigram

confluentibus, linea discoidali, serie punctorum ordinariorum

quadrangularium nigrorum, duplici serie submarginali, necnon

margine nigro instructæ. Alæ posticæ tribus punctis radicalibus

nigris et ad seriem punctorum submarginalium internam fascia

fulva ornatæ, quæ nec seriem punctorum externam neque apicem

anteriorem attingit.

This species was collected at an elevation of eleven thousand

feet, on the head-waters of the San Joaquin River, by the

Geological Survey. It represents the European _L. Battus_.

16. _L. Enoptes_, Boisd.

Hills near the Mission Dolores, and in the San Bruno Hills.

This species is rather rare. It represents the European _L.

Aegon_.

17. _L. Antægon_, Boisd.

The most common species near San Francisco, and found nearly

everywhere through Central California. There are several

generations succeeding each other through the year. A specimen

I received from the head-waters of the San Joaquin River

differs somewhat from this; but as I have only one of this

variety, I will not venture to express a decided opinion

in regard to it. It is, perhaps, an Alpine variety, and

corresponding with a similar one of _L. Sæpiolus_, of which I

received several specimens forming a series of transitions from

the common type.

18.

There is a species approaching the European _L. Agestis_,

and which I received from the head-waters of the San Joaquin

River; but the specimens in my possession are too imperfect to

allow of an accurate description being given.

19. _L. Amyntula_, Boisd.

From the Contra Costa hills, where, in May and June, it

frequents the flowers of the Pavia, on which the caterpillar

probably feeds, as does that of _L. Piasus_.

20. _L. exilis_, Boisd.

This species is rare, and so small that it might easily be

overlooked. It frequents low meadows and salt marshes, where it

loves to repose on the succulent stems of Salicornia, and on

the flowers of Frankenia. At present it seems to be the only

Californian representative of _L. Telicanus_ and _Boeticus_

of Europe; but I think that several species of this type will

be found in Southern California, when that part of the State

has been better examined. I have a specimen of _L. exilis_,

collected by Baron de Terloo, in the Sierra Madre, between

Mazatlan and Durango; and I received, from the same gentleman,

several species of the same type from that locality.

It is this type which is so numerously represented in the

tropical regions of the old world, and also in extra-tropical

Australia. Our depauperated species, _L. exilis_, with its two

European congeners, are, so far as I know, the only ones of

this type which are found in the northern hemisphere beyond the

tropics.

All the other Californian species belong to types of the

temperate zone, and are such as are rarely met with in tropical

countries, or in the southern hemisphere even out of the

tropics. The type of _Amyntula_ is the only one which has a

series of species in tropical Asia; but, as far as I know,

none in tropical America. The type of _Piasus_, also, has some

representatives in the tropics of both continents, one of them

being even identified with a species of Southern Europe.

As to the other types, these species are essentially endemic;

and even among the Arctic species there seems not to be any

amphigeic one. As the males vary very little, and the females

only on their upper side, there is little difficulty in

transcribing and recognizing them. If among our species there

is any one which is identical with an Atlantic one, it is

probably Argyrotoxus, which may be a local modification of _L.

Scudderi_, Edw.

Mr. Stearns read the following paper:

List of Shells collected at Santa Barbara and San Diego by Mr. J.

Hepburn, in February-March, 1866.

WITH REMARKS UPON SOME OF THE SPECIES,

BY ROBT. E. C. STEARNS, CURATOR OF CONCHOLOGY, CAL. ACAD. NAT. SCIENCES.

Through the kindness of Mr. Hepburn, well known as an

enthusiastic and intelligent collector, I have been permitted

to examine the collections made by him at the localities

referred to, from which I have compiled the following list.

The remarks in connection with a few of the species are not

wholly based upon the specimens obtained by Mr. Hepburn, but

rather upon specimens received by me from various sources, and

forming a portion of my private collection.

The figures in the left hand column refer to the numbers in Mr.

P. P. Carpenter’s Supplementary Report (1863) to the British

Association.

12. Pholadidea penita; San Diego.

13. Pholadidea ovoidea, Gld.; Santa Barbara.

17. Saxicava pholadis, Linn.; Santa Barbara.

20. Platyodon cancellatus. Conr.; Santa Barbara.

21. Cryptomya Californica, Conr.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

22. Schizothærus Nuttallii, Conr.; Santa Barbara.

35. Mytilimeria Nuttallii, Cour.; Santa Barbara.

43. Macoma secta, Conr.; San Diego.

54. Tellina Bodegensis, Hinds.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

59. Semele decisa, Conr.; San Diego.

64. Cumingia Californica, Conr.; Santa Barbara.

65. Donax Californicus, Conr.; San Diego.

74. Amiantis callosa, Conr.; San Diego.

75. Pachydesma crassatelloides, Conr.; San Diego.

77. Psephis Lordi, Baird; San Diego.

81. Chione succincta, Val.; San Diego.

82. Chione excavata, Carp.; San Diego.

84. Chione fluctifragra, Sby.; San Diego.

85. Tapes tenerrima, Carp.; Santa Barbara.

88. Saxidomus aratus, Gld.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

93. Petricola carditoides, Conr.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

97. Cardium corbis, Mart.; Santa Barbara.

103. Liocardium elatum, Sby.; San Diego.

110. Lazaria subquadrata, Carp.; Santa Barbara.

112. Lucina Californica, Conr.; Santa Barbara.

118. Diplodonta orbella, Gld.; San Diego.

119. Kellia Laperouseii, Desh.; Santa Barbara.

134. Adula falcata, Gld.; Santa Barbara.

?160. Pecten ventricosus, Sby.; San Diego.

162_b_. Pecten latiauratus, Conr.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

162. Pecten monotimeris, Conr.; Santa Barbara.

165. Hinnites giganteus, Gray; Santa Barbara.

166_c_. Ostrea var rufoides, Gld.

171. Bulla nebulosa, Gld.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

175. Haminea virescens, Sby.; San Diego.

199. Melampus olivaceus, Carp.; San Diego.

243. Acmæa patina, Esch.; Santa Barbara.

247. Acmæa spectrum, Rve.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

245. Acmæa persona, Esch.; Santa Barbara.

Nacella vernalis, (Dall Ms.); Santa Barbara.

249. Lottia gigantea, Gray; Santa Barbara.

250. Scurria mitra, Esch.; Santa Barbara.

252. Rowellia radiata, Cooper; Santa Barbara.

253. Fissurella volcano, Rve.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

261. Haliotis splendens, Rve.; San Diego.

265. Phasianella compta, Gld.; San Diego.

266. Pomaulax undosus, Wood; Santa Barbara.

269. Leptothyra sanguinea, Carp.; Santa Barbara.

275. Trochiscus Norrissii, Sby.; Santa Barbara.

277. Chlorostoma funebrale, A. Ad.; Santa Barbara.

279. Chlorostoma brunneum, Phil.; Santa Barbara.

281. Chlorostoma aureotinctum, Fbs.; Santa Barbara.

282. Omphalius fuscescens, Phil.; San Diego.

283. Calliostoma canaliculatum, Mart.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

305. Crucibulum spinosum, Sby.; San Diego.

[28]306. Crepidula aculcata, Gmel.; Santa Barbara.

[28]307. —— ?dorsata, Brod.; Santa Barbara.

[28]308. —— excavata, Brod.; Santa Barbara.

[28]311. —— navicelloides, Nutt.; Santa Barbara.

[28]311. —— var. nummaria, Gld.; Santa Barbara.

[28]311. —— var. explanata, Gld.; Santa Barbara.

[28]314. Hipponyx cranioides, Carp.; Santa Barbara.

328. Cerithidea sacrata, Gld.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

329. Bittium filosum, Gld.; Santa Barbara.

329_b_. —— var. esuriens, Carp.; Santa Barbara.

333. —— armillatum, Carp.; Santa Barbara.

337. Littorina scutulata, Gld.; Santa Barbara.

366. Trivia Californica, Gray; Santa Barbara.

367. —— Solandri, Gray; Santa Barbara.

368. Erato vitellina, Hinds; Santa Barbara.

371. Drillia inermis, Hds.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

374. Drillia torosa, Carp.; Santa Barbara.

388. Conus Californicus, Hds.; Santa Barbara.

409. Scalaria Indianorum, Carp.; San Diego.

424. Cerithiopsis assimilata, C. B. Ad.; Santa Barbara.

436. Ranella Californica, Hds.; Santa Barbara.

=A= Surcula Carpenteriana, Gabb.; Santa Barbara.

437. Mitra maura, Swains; Santa Barbara.

442. Volvarina varia, Sby.; Santa Barbara.

443. Olivella biplicata, Sby.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

444. —— bœtica, Carp.; San Diego.

445. Nassa fossata, Gld.; Santa Barbara.

446. —— perpinguis, Hds.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

448. —— mendica, Gld.; Santa Barbara.

449. —— Cooperi, Fbs.; Santa Barbara.

450. —— tegula, Rve.; San Diego.

457. Amycla carinata, Hds.; Santa Barbara.

456. Amphissa corrugata, Rve.; Santa Barbara.

460_d_. Purpura saxicola, Val., var. ostrina, Gld.; Santa Barbara.

Purpura triserialis, Blainv.; Santa Barbara.

461. Monoceras engonatum, Conr.; Santa Barbara.

466. Cerastoma foliatum, Gmel; Santa Barbara.

467. —— Nuttalli, Conr.; San Diego and Santa Barbara.

473. Muricidea Californica, Hds.; San Diego.

483. Fusus ambustus, Gld.; Santa Barbara.

REMARKS.

269. _Leptothyra sanguinea_, Carp. Common at Monterey; all

shades of color from light red to very dark purple; sometimes

broadly banded with white; another variety is marked with

irregular whitish streaks, causing a resemblance to the young

shells of 282, _Omphalius fuscescens_.

275. _Trochiscus Norrisii_, Sby. The apex whorls of the young

shells have a spiral band tesselated with white and red.

388. _Conus Californicus_, Hds. When young, the shells of this

species are ornamented with yellowish brown markings upon a

light bluish ground.

=A= _Surcula Carpenteriana_, Gabb. The most perfect recent

specimen of this rare species that I have seen (described by

Mr. Gabb in Vol. III, Cal. Acad. Pro. p. 183) was obtained by

Mr. Hepburn; when perfect, one of the finest shells of the

upper Californian province; the specimen referred to is of a

clear light salmon color, traversed spirally by narrow bands

or broad lines of reddish brown, and resembling in its general

coloring that equally fine shell _Narona Cooperi_, Gabb,

described as above, p. 186.

460_d_. _Purpura_ var. _ostrina_, Gld. Deposits its yellowish

eggs on the rocks at Black Point and the Cliff House near San

Francisco, in the latter part of June (1865) and the middle of

July (1866).

75. _Pachydesma crassatelloides_, Conr. Valves frequently

marked with broad radiating bands of light brown.

266. _Pomaulax undosus_, Wood. Young shells approach closely to

the immature form of Pachypoma gibberosum, Chemn.

281. Mr. Carpenter remarks in his supplementary Report to the

B. A., in connection with _Chlorostoma aureotinctum_, Fbs.:

“mouth orange spotted.” I should amend this so as to read

_umbilicus_ stained with orange.

456. _Amphissa corrugata_, Rve. This species assumes nearly

every shade of color and an innumerable variety of markings;

the latter being generally some shade of brown upon a lighter

colored ground.

74. _Amiantis callosa_, Conr. An aberrant form of this species

in my collection suggests, in outline, Dosinia.

88. _Saxidomus aratus_, Gld. A single specimen of a young shell

of this species (Coll. Stearns) is prettily marked with brown

upon the posterior dorsal portion of the valves.

[28] Compared and agree with Smithsonian Inst. types in Cal.

Acad. Collection.

Professor Whitney read the following:

Notice of the Occurrence of a Tungstate of Lime and Copper in Lower

California.

BY J. D. WHITNEY.

Among some specimens brought from the vicinity of La Paz,

Lower California, by Mr. Rémond, about three years since, was

one which attracted my attention, as it seemed to contain an

undescribed mineral. I therefore made an analysis of it and

found it to consist of tungstic acid, oxide of copper, and

lime, with a small quantity of water, probably not essential to

its composition. The results of the analysis were as follows:

Tungstic Acid 79.69

Oxide of Copper 6.77

Lime 10.95

Protoxide of Iron .31

Water 1.40

-----

99.12

On examining to ascertain if there was any known mineral having

a composition similar to this, I found that a tungstate of lime

containing copper had been described by Domeyko as occurring

in the copper mines of Llamuco, near Chuapa, in the province

of Coquimbo, in Chili, where it was discovered by M. Gay

(Annales des Mines (4) iii, 15). That mineral, however, only

contained 3.3 per cent. of oxide of copper, while the one of

which the analysis is given above contains 6.77 per cent. of

that substance. M. Domeyko calls the mineral analyzed by him

“Scheelin calcaire cuivreux,” but does not attempt to give a

formula for it, or to decide whether it is entitled to rank as

a distinct species.

The Lower California mineral, of which the analysis is given

above, occurs in a red metamorphic rock, associated with black

tourmaline. It is crystalline-granular in structure, with a

distinct cleavage in one direction, and seems to be homogeneous

throughout. Its hardness is about that of Scheelite; luster,

highly vitreous; streak, very light greenish-gray; color,

pistachio green, passing to olive and leek green. Before the

blowpipe in the glass tube it blackens, and gives off a little

water. On charcoal it blackens instantly, becomes rounded on

the edges, with a little intumescence, and gradually acquires

the appearance of a slag, in which numerous fine points

of metallic copper are seen. With the fluxes it gives the

reactions of tungstic acid and copper. It is easily dissolved

by chlorohydric acid, with separation of tungstic acid.

From the appearance of the mineral, I am inclined to regard it

as having a definite composition, represented by the formula

CuO WO₃+2 (CaO WO₃); this formula would require the following

composition:

Tungstic Acid 78.43

Oxide of Copper 8.95

Lime 12.62

------

100.00

This agrees pretty well with the results of the analysis,

although it is desirable that more specimens should be

examined, and if possible from other localities. I am informed

by Mr. Ashburner that he has noticed this mineral at more than

one mine in Lower California.

At all events, I would suggest for the mineral in question the

name of _Cuproscheelite_, as convenient for designating it, and

as expressing its chemical and mineralogical relations, whether

it be considered as a mineral substance having a distinct

and fixed composition, or only as a variety of Scheelite,

containing a large but uncertain amount of oxide of copper.

Dr. Ayres called attention to the fact that a carcase of a Black fish

could be procured at the Potrero, at a small expense, and a subscription

was raised for its purchase.

Professor Whitney exhibited a branch of _Sequoia sempervirens_, taken

from a small tree growing near San Rafael, of which the leaves are

entirely white. The tree presents a very singular appearance, surrounded

as it is by other redwoods of the usual color. The fact was elicited that

similar blanched redwoods exist in other localities in the Coast Ranges;

but no explanation or theory was offered to account for this curious,

abnormal blanching of the foliage of a single species—a similar condition

of things not having been noticed, so far as known, in any other species

than the redwood.

REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 20TH, 1866.

Dr. Kellogg in the chair.

Ten members present.

Messrs. W. H. Knight and A. Godefroy were elected Resident Members.

Donations to the Library: Bibliography of North American Conchology

previous to the year 1860; by W. G. Binney, Parts 1 and 2, 8vo.,

Washington, 1864. Cretaceous Reptiles of the United States, by J.

Leidy, 4to., Washington, 1866. Palæontology of the Upper Missouri;

Invertebrates, by F. B. Meek and F. V. Hayden, Part 1, 4to., Washington,

1865. List of the Coleoptera of North America, by J. L. Leconte, M.D.