2 [January; 



but advanced directly from the form of the Anodonta to that of the Ostrea, 

 leaving the young beaks directly on the edjje of the valves. Mr. Lea thought 

 that the difference of length of the stem, or the absence of it in various specimens 

 arose from the fact of the young individual finding sooner or later something 

 solid to commence the soldering of the under valve to, and then to spread out 

 the area of the valve. 



On motion, so much of the communication of the Baron Von Milller' 

 as relates to the establishment of a Zoological Garden in this city was 

 referred to the following Committee : Mr. Ord, Mr. Vaux and Dr. 

 Bridges. 



January 17 th. 

 Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. 



A letter was read from Capt. John H. Ritchie, U. S. N., dated Phila- 

 delphia, Jan. 10th, 1854, accompanying the donations to the Museum 

 acknowledged at last meeting. 



Also a letter from J. Pemberton Hutchinson, Esq., dated Philadel- 

 phia, Jan. 16th, 1854, acknowledging the receipt of his notice of elec- 

 tion as a Member. 



Mr. Conrad presented for publication in the Journal, a Synopsis of 

 the Genera Parapholas and Penicilla ; which was referred to Dr. Ruschen- 

 berger, Dr. Le Conte and Dr. J. A. Meigs. 



Mr. Lea exhibited a large and beautiful crystal of limpid quartz, cut 

 into facets, which he had obtained in Italy. 



On leave granted, the Committee, to which was referred Baron 

 Miiller's communication relative to the establishment of a Zoological Gar- 

 den in this city, presented a report adverse to the same, the Committee 

 being firmly impressed with the opinion that the project would not succeed, 

 from " the difficulty of procuring a suitable locality, of convenient access, 

 within the city or its precincts ; the great amount of capital required in 

 the outset of the undertaking, and the precarious nature of the tenure, 

 in this country, of all that depends upon popular favor." 



The Report was adopted, and a copy directed to be transmitted to 

 Baron Miiller. 



January %4:ih. 

 Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. 



Major Le Conte presented a paper, for publication in the Proceedings, 

 entitled " Notice of American Animals formerly known, but now for- 

 gotten or lost." Referred to Mr. Cassin, Dr. Ruschenberger and Dr. 

 Henderson. 



On leave granted, Mr. Foulke, after stating that it was probable the 

 U. S. Government would fit out shortly an Expedition for the explora- 

 tion of Africa, suggested the appointment of a Committee to urge 

 upon the Government the propriety of having Naturalists attached to 

 the Expedition. Whereupon on motion the following was adopted : 



Resolved j That a Committee of five members be appointed, whose duty 



