1897.] natueal sciences of philadelphia. 329 



July 6. 

 Professor Henry A. Pilsbry in the Chair. 

 Twelve persons present. 



July 20. 

 Mr. Charles Morris in the Chair. 



Nine persons present. 



A paper entitled "New Australian Mollusks," by Henry A. 

 Pilsbry was presented for publication. 



August 3. 

 Mr. Benjamin Smith Lyman in the Chair. 

 Seven persons present. 



Patagonian Tertiary fossils. — Prof. H. A. Pilsbry spoke of a 

 small collection of fossils from near Cape Fairweather, Patagonia, 

 collected by the Princeton University Expedition to that region in 

 charge of Mr. Hatcher. 



The general aspect of the fauna as represented by these fosjsils is 

 decidedly Magellanic ; but the presence of large oysters, Cardium 

 and Turritella, differentiate it from the recent fauna of Cape Horn. 

 Negative characteristics are also significant, dominant Magellanic 

 genera as Nacella, Photinula, etc. being absent. 



The forms common to the Cape Fairweather deposit and the recent 

 fauna are Trophon laciniatus, Calyptrcea (probably), and Magellania 

 venosa. The extinct forms are Trophon inornatus, Turritella inno- 

 tabilis, Pecten actinodes, Ostnea, two species. The other forms 

 enumerated below are not sufficiently well preserved to base con- 

 clusions upon. Of the species supposed to be extinct, the Trophon 

 and Turritella are nearer to recent forms than to anything yet 

 known from the Patagonian Tertiary. 



The evidence of so limited a number of species is not absolutely 

 conclusive as to the age of the deposit, but so far as it goes indicates 

 that it is Pliocene. Certainly no argument for greater antiquity 

 could be based upon the data now available, whatever a more com- 

 plete knowledge of the fauna of the beds in question may reveal. 



Trophon laciniatus Martyu. Specimens 6 to 6'5 cm. in length. 



