146 



PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF 



XX. BORRAGINACEJE. 



57. Lithospermum arvense,, 



XXI. PoLEMONIACE^. 



58. Phlox subulata. 



59. Pyxidanthera barbulata. 



XXII. Gentianace,k 



60. Obolaria Virginica. 



XXIII. Aristolochiace.*:.. 



61. Asarum Canadense. 



XXIV. Lauraceje. 



62. Sassafras officinale. 



63. Benzoin odoriferum. 



XXV. MyricacEjE. 



64. Comptonia asplenifolia. 



XXVI. ARACEiE. 



65. Arisaema triphyllum. 



66. Orontium aquaticum. 



XXVII. LlLLIACE/E. 



67. Erythroneum Americanum 



XXVIII. Melanthace-S. 



68. Hellonias bullata. 

 In all 68 species. 



In addition, 

 Viola rotundafolia. 

 Acer 9Rccharinum. 

 Diospyros Virginiana. 



May Sth. 

 Mr. Lea, President, in the Chair. 



Forty-four members present. 



The following papers were presented for publication r 



" Contributions to American Lepidopterology, No. 4," by Bracken- 

 ridge Clemens, M. D. 



u Notes on American Land Shells, No. 6," and " Descriptions of new 

 species of Pulmonata," by Win. G-. Binney; and 



"A list of the fresh-water Shells of Wisconsin," by J. A. Lapham. 



And were referred to Committees. 



Mr. Aubrey H. Smith read the following extracts from a letter from 

 Mr. Alex. H. Smith, of Solano Co., California, dated March 25th, 1860, 

 on the habits of the Beaver. 



"This winter I have had an opportunity of observing somewhat the habits of 

 the Beaver. You know that this cunning little animal is famed for bis industry 

 and bold engineering. About the middle of our land there is a large slough 

 seventy feet wide and very deep, running back into the country. In the pro- 

 gress of our work, it became necessary to stop it off and lay a large sluice to 

 drain it, which was done in a complete manner. 



At the head of the slough, two miles away, the beavers had their settlement. 

 When the water fell away from their houses and would not return, as usual, 

 they seemed to have sent a delegation down to see what was the matter. For 

 several successive mornings we found a dam built across the race leading to 

 the sluice, quite skilfully made with sticks and tuUs, and cemented with mud. 

 One of the men agreed to watch for them with the hope of securing their skins, 

 which are of some value. The night was bright moonlight. Four beaver? 

 came down examining either bank carefully. One of the party always remained 

 in the water and seemed to be the commander, and would turn from the one to 

 the other to see that each did his duty. At length they reached the dam, still 

 observing the same caution. The three examiners came out and went all over 

 it and into the sluice, chattering the while to their companion in the water. 

 Finally they seemed satisfied that it was past their skill and went off. Since 



[May, 





