NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 161 



size: their diameter being contained about eight times in the length of the side 

 of the head, and four times only across the interocular space. The anterior 

 margin of the dorsal ia somewhat nearer the apex of the snout than the adipose, 

 which is smaller and inserted more anteriorly than in P. puma. The caudal fin 

 enters five times and a half in the total length. The base of the anal is equal 

 to the length of the caudal. 



LXXV. A most characteristic species of cat fish has been collected in the neigh- 

 borhood of Anderson, S. C. ; specimens of which having been secured by Mrs. 

 Daniel, were sent to Prof. S. F. Baird nearly eight years ago. The head which 

 is longer than broad, is very much depressed, and contained about four time3 

 in the total length. The mouth is exceedingly broad and large ; the jaws being 

 equal. The eyes are large ; their diameter entering six times and a half in the 

 length of the side of the head, and three and a half times across the interocular 

 space. The anterior margin of the dorsal fin is nearer the apex of the snout 

 than the adipose fin. The caudal is posteriorly emarginated, and constitutes 

 the sixth of the total length. The base of the anal is somewhat longer than 

 the caudal. 



In calling this species Pimelodus platycephalus, allusion is made to its most 

 conspicuous character. 



LXXVI. Specimens of a cat fish, collected in the Black Warrior and Bigsby 

 rivers, Ala., were sent to the Smithsonian Institution by Prof. A. Winchell. The 

 head is contained five times and a half in the entire length. The caudal fin is 

 somewhat longer than the head. The eyes are very large ; their diameter being 

 contained but three times in the length of the side of the head : once in ad- 

 vance and once behind the orbit. The maxillar barbels extend beyond the 

 middle of the length of the pectorals. The base of the anal fin enters four 

 times in the total length of the fish. The rays are : Br. vm : ix ; D I, 6 ; A 28 ; 

 C 10, 1, 7, 8, 1, 10 ; V 8; P I, 9. The dorsal region is of a pale red; the sides 

 of the tail are silvery ; the abdomen is whitish. Brown small spots and dots 

 are occasionally scattered over the body. The maxillar barbels are blackish. 



The name of Pimelodus megalops, refers to the development of the eyes ; 

 although other species may possess a similar feature to a lesser degree. 



LXXVII. Finally we owe to Jas. Fairie, specimens of a cat fish collected by 

 himself at Prairie mer Rouge, La. The species beiDg new, we call it Pimelodus 

 graciosus. It has the general appearance of the preceding species, but the- eyes 

 are much smaller; their diameter entering four times in the length of the side 

 of the head. The head itself forms the fifth of the total length. The anterior 

 margin of the dorsal fin is nearer the apex of the snout than the origin oS the 

 adipose. The tip of the ventral fins extend beyond the origin of the anal. 

 The rays are : Br. vi : vi ; D I, 6 ; A 28 ; C 5, 1, 7, 8, 1, 6 ; V 8 ; P I, 9. The 

 color is reddish brown above ; the vertical fins are margined with black. The 

 abdomen is yellowish ; the horizontal fins being unicolor. The maxillar barbels 

 are greyish black; the submaxillar ones are yellow. 



The resignation of J. Aitken Meigs, M. D., as Librarian of the 

 Academy, on account of business engagements, was accepted. 



\ 



June 7th. 



Mr. Lea, President, in the Chair. 



Fifty-four members present. 



A paper was presented for publication in the Journal of the Academy, 

 entitled Synopsis of North American Sphingidje, by Brackenridge 

 Clemens, M. D. 



1859.] 13 



