1853.] 299 



hours' standing. From the weight of gold the quantity of oxide of iron was 

 found by calculation. 



III. and IV. For the determination of water, the mineral was exposed to a 

 bright red heat in a well covered platinum crucible. The loss in weight gave 

 the quantity of water ; but this was always a little too low, because a small 

 quantity of oxide of iron was found to have higher oxydized; 



V. In analysis V the silica was separated as above, then the filtrate oxydized 

 by nitric acid and alumina, with, sesquioxide of iron precipitated by ammonia. 

 The precipitate was boiled with caustic potash in a silver vessel, and thus ses- 

 quioxide of iron was separated from alumina. The precipitate of sesquioxide of 

 iron was dissolved in hydrochloric acid and precipitated by ammonia. The 

 filtrate of it containing still a small quantity of magnesia was added to the 

 liquid containing lime and magnesia. The lime was precipitated by oxalate of 

 ammonia, and from the filtrate of oxalate of lime, the magnesia by phosphate of 

 soda. 



The Committee on Mr. Cassin's description of a new Scalops, reported 

 in favor of publication in the Proceedings. 



Description of a new Mole of the genus Scalops, fron Oregon ; a specimen of 

 which is in the collection of the Exploring Expedition made by the TJ. S. Ships 

 Vificemies and Peacock, under the command of Captain Charles Wilkes, of the 

 United States JSfavy. 



By John Cassix. 



SCALOPS JENETJS, noMs. 



Dentition. Upper jaw, after the two incisors, having on each side seven 

 false molars, which are pointed and nearly equal, except the last, which is 

 double the size of either of the others, and has a small exterior basal lobe. 

 Molars three, the first with four external lobes, the anterior being very small, 

 the second large and pointed, the third short, blunt and deeply emarginate, the 

 fourth lobe also blunt and short ; besides these the first molar has one interior 

 and one posterior lobe, second molar with three short external lobes, the in- 

 termediate one emarginate; also two interior large and pointed, and one posterior 

 similar to the interior lobe; third molar with two short external lobes, the pos- 

 terior one emarginate, and two interior lobes and one posterior lobe. 



Lower jaw with two incisors on each side, the anterior of which is the 

 shorter ; these are followed by six false molars, which are pointed and nearly 

 equal in size, except the last, which is much larger and furnished with a minute 

 posterior lobe at the base. Molars three, each deeply sulcate on the external 

 surface and composed of two large external lobes and three smaller and shorter 

 internal lobes. 



Dimensions. Total length (of specimen in spirits) about 5 inches ; head 2, 

 fore feet 1.15, hind feet 1.40, tail 1.25 inches ; first and fifth toes of fore feet 

 equal, second shorter, first and fifth toes of the hind feet equal, other three 

 nearly so. 



Colors. Entirely shining, brassy brown, very glossy, and in some lights ap- 

 pearing to be almost metallic ; darker on the top of the head, and lighter and 

 more obscure on the chin and throat ; nose dusky ; feet brownish ; nails and first 

 joint of the toes black ; palms dusky ; soles of the hind feet dark brown ; tail 

 light brown, thinly furnished with scattering bristles. 



Obs. This is the most beautiful species of mole yet discovered in America, 

 and exhibits almost the brilliancy of color which distinguishes the remarkable 

 South African animals which form the genus Chrysochloris, of this family. 



A single specimen, apparently fully adult, is in the collection of the Exploring 

 Expedition, labelled as having been obtained in Oregon. In its dentition and 

 otherwise it is a strict congener of Scalops Toiansendii, but is much smaller and 

 of a different color. Its black claws are especially remarkable, and distinguish 

 it from all other species of the genus. 



