Feb., 1846.] 19 



Expeditions, and of other scientific labors, performed in obedience 

 to the requirements of Government, have, by a just and liberal 

 policy, been made widely known to the public, the present course 

 of printing 100 copies only of the labors of the South Sea Expe- 

 dition, and which, therefore, scarcely deserves the name of a 

 publication, does equal injustice to the nation which has borne 

 the expense, and to the meritorious individuals who have per- 

 formed the scientific duties 



Resolved, That this Academy having, by special request of the 

 Navy Department, afforded its aid and counsel in the preparation 

 of the Expedition, deems itself justified in complaining of the 

 treatment which, in common with all the other scientific bodies 

 then consulted, it receives by the existing arrangement, that of 

 being compelled either to forego the possession of the works in 

 question, or to pay such a price as private speculation may affix 

 to public documents prepared by public officers, and the entire 

 expense of which (with an exception too insignificant to mention) 

 has been defrayed out of the public treasury. 



Meeting for Business, February 24, 1846. 



Vice President Morton in the Chair. 



The Committee on Mr. Conrad's paper, read 6th January 

 last, reported in favor of publication. 



Descriptions of New Species of Fossil and Recent Shells and Corals. 



By T. A. Conrad. 



TERTIARY FOSSIL SHELLS. 



Cerithium ? 



Cerithium? ccelata. Plate 1, fig. 19. Turrited, whorls with four revolv- 

 ing ribs on each, the superior pair large, elevated, and obliquely crenate ; 

 the lower pair small, approximate, inferior one very near the suture; lines 

 of growth profoundly undulated. 



Locality. Island of Huaffo, near Cape Horn. In Tertiary clay. Dr. 

 James Eight?. 



This remarkable shell is imperfect in the last volution, and it is uncertain 

 whether it should be referred to Turritella or Cerithium. The rib in the 



