378 [August, 



3. Portions of three teeth, and fragments of two tympanic bones of a species 

 of spermaceti whale, from the sands of Ashley River. The best preserved por- 

 tion of a tooth in its perfect condition appears to have been about five inches in 

 length, and at its middle it measures four and three-quarter inches in circumfer- 

 ence. For the species the name Physeter antiquus is proposed. 



4. Quite lately I received from Prof. Holmes fragments of both sides of a lower 

 jaw, two teeth, and a portion of a rib of a cetacean, from the miocene formation 

 of Virginia. The species belonged to the family Delphinidae, and probably ap- 

 pertains to a new genus. The more perfect of the two teeth appears to have 

 been about five inches in length, and it is curved conical. The fang is quadrate 

 and hollowed, and the surface of the tooth, nearly to the end of the crown, which 

 appears not to have been covered with enamel, is annularly and longitudinally 

 corrugated. The greatest circumference of this tooth is three inches in length, 

 and nearly straight. For the animal I propose the name of Orycterocetus quadra- 

 tidens. 



August 9tli. 

 Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. 



A letter was read from Samuel Y. Merrick, Esq., acknowledging the 

 receipt of his notice of election as a Member. 



Also a letter from James M. Hamilton, Esq., dated New York, Aug. 

 6, 1853, addressed to Mr. R. E. Peterson, in relation to the Hamilton 

 Lands. Referred to the Committee on the subject. 



Mr. Charles Girard made a communication, on behalf of Prof. Baird and 

 himself, upon a species of frog, and another of toad, which they had recently de- 

 scribed from specimens in the Herpetological Collections of the U. S. Explor- 

 ing Expedition. Both of the species were obtained in Oregon, the frog on Puget 

 Sound, and the toad on Columbia River. He characterised them as follows : 



Rana pretiosa, B. and G. Ground color above reddish-brown, blotched with 

 black. A deep brown vitta extending from the eye to the shoulder in passing over 

 the tympanum, and below which is a yellowish one passing over the angle of 

 the mouth. Beneath dull greenish-yellow. Vomerine teeth disposed in two 

 roundish groups, between the inner nostrils. Tympanum very distinct, rather 

 small. Feet underneath granulated. Fingers slender and tapering. Toes webbed 

 to their tip. A small and flattened horny processus at the base of the inner toe, 

 and a minute conical metatarsal tubercle situated between the fourth and fifth 

 toes. Skin finely granular on the anterior portion of the back, more coarsely 

 posteriorly, and also on the sides of the abdomen. Two dorsal series of pores, 

 one on each side of the back, but not very conspicuous. 



Obs. Is distinguished from R. aurora in havinjj proportionally much shorter 

 leiis, especially the hind ones ; also by the palmation of the toes, the membrane 

 of which extends to their very tip, whilst mR. aurora the tip of the tees extends 

 beyond thpir membrane. The granulation of the body and inferior surface of the 

 feet is another feature by which both species differ. 



BuFo coLUMBTENSis, B. and G. Ground color light greenish, with large and 

 irregular black blotches and reddish dots : a dorsal white vitta ; an oblique black 

 patch under the eye. Beneath of a soiled yellow, maculated. First finger equal 

 to the second in length. Upper surlace of head without elevated ridges and 

 grooves; skin in this region rather thin, and firmly adhering to the skull. Pa- 

 rotids oblong, quite small. Tympanum small, very distinct. Toes webbed to 

 nearly their tip. Two large metatarsal tubercles. A membranous ridge along 

 the inn'M- edge of the tarsus. Skin glandulous. 



055. May be distinguished from B. boreas by the relative size of the first 



