58 THE NAUTILUS. 



differs from the foregoing in the conspicuous development of a con- 

 tinuous peristome and the strong spiral striation of the earlier 

 whorls. The species are few 0. odontostomus Sowb., grayanm 

 Pfr.Jasciatus Dohrn (Novit. Conch. Ill, p. 473, pi. 102, f. 16, 17), 

 degeneratus v. Iher. & Pils., aud finally 0. cordovanus Pfr., for 

 which the suhgeneric names Scalarinella and Clessinia have been 

 proposed, is probably a slender member of the subgenus Macrodontes. 



POSTAGE ON NATUKAL HISTORY SPECIMENS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



No doubt many of our readers wish to renew or open ex- 

 changes with foreign Conchologists, at present impracticable, owing 

 to the fact that letter rates have to be paid on natural history 

 specimens. Reference to this matter was made in THE NAUTILUS, 

 Vol. VII, p. 58 and Vol. X, p. 127. The Academy of Natural 

 Sciences of Philadelphia took the initiative in securing the ad- 

 mission of specimens of natural history to the mails of the Universal 

 Postal Union as "samples of merchandise" and appointed a 

 Committee, which reported as follows: 



Your Committee have now but to make its official report of the generally 

 well-known fact that the proposed modification as regards Natural History 

 specimens was adopted at the Washington Congress of the Universal 

 Postal Union in May last. The adoption of this modification is referred to 

 by the Superintendent of Foreign Mails of the U. S. Post Office, Mr. N. M. 

 Brooks, in his Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1897, and dated 

 Washington, Oct. 13, 1897. The reference is as follows: Alluding to the 

 work of the Universal Postal Congress, Mr. Brooks says (p. 7), "The 

 following are, however, matters of general interest or importance which it 

 may be well to mention, viz.: .... (4) Natural History specimens 

 are admitted at the rate and under the conditions applicable to samples of 

 merchandise." The same Report contains the full text of the convention 

 concluded by the congress, and on page 42 contains the paragraph in 

 question (chap, iii, art. xvii, parag. 5) as follows: "There are likewise 

 admitted at the rate applicable to samples, articles of natural history, dried 

 or preserved animals and plants, geological specimens etc., which are not 

 transmitted for a commercial purpose, and which are wrapped in con- 

 formity with the general stipulations concerning samples of merchandise." 

 The rate for samples is fixed at 5 centimes for every fifty grams, that is 1 

 cent for every two ounces. According to art. 28 of chapter i. this Conven- 

 tion is not to be put into execution until January 1, 1899. 



Your Committee has, therefore, fulfilled its labors and congratulates the 

 Academy that the end aimed at in the first circular [see the NAUTILUS for 



