1855.] 289 



was in reality, a literal translation of the account printed by him in the 

 work on Like Superior by Professor Agassiz, with the single exception, 

 that in every place where Dr. Le C<>ntu had taken occasion to mention 

 and criticise the erroneous views of Dr. De Kay regarding this curious 

 larva, the Belgian naturalists had substituted the name of Dr. Harris 

 for that of Dr. De Kay. This error was the more unaccountable, since in 

 Dr. Le Conte's original description, he had mentioned the name of Dr. 

 Harris but once, and then for the purpose of publicly expressing his ac- 

 knowledgements for some hints kindly given towards the true nature of 

 the larva in question, as well as for other valuable information, which 

 the well known accuracy of observation of Dr. Harris had enabled him 

 to give on various occasions, and which his liberal disposition prompts 

 him ahvays to offer for the use of his scientific colleagues. Dr. 

 LeConte concluded by expressing ardent wishes that foreign natu- 

 ralists, who seem but lately to have become familiar with works of science 

 published in America, would do our authors the justice, when they 

 quote, to quote correctly. 



Mr. Cassin called attention to the specimens of Cards Antarcticus, 

 and of the several species of Geese and other Birds, from the Falkland 

 Islands, alluded to in the letter of Capt. Bernsee, read this evening. 



On leave granted, Dr. Wistar offered a Resolution, which was unani- 

 mously adopted, inviting the members of the American Medical Asso- 

 ciation to visit the Museum of the Academy, during the session of that 

 body in this city, in May next. 



April 17 ih. 

 Yice President Bridges in the Chair. 



A letter was read from the American Philosophical Society, dated 

 Apiil loth, 1855, acknowledging the receipt of the last No. of the Pro- 

 ceedings. 



A paper was presented from Mr. Charles Girard, for publication in 

 the Proceedings, entitled, " Observations on the Viviparous Fishes inhabi- 

 ting the Pacific Coast of North America, with an enumeration of the 

 species observed." .Referred to Mr. Cassin, Dr. Drysdale, and Dr. J. 

 A. Meigs. 



Mr. Cassin presented a paper for publication in the Proceedings, en- 

 titled, " Descriptions of new species of Birds from Western Africa, in 

 the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, with 

 a description of one new species from Zanzibar." Referred to Col. Mc- 

 Call, Dr. "Wilson, and Dr. Woodhouse. 



