NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 9 



March 20th. 



Mr. Cassin, Vice-President in the Chair. 



Twenty-seven members present. 

 The following were offered for publication : 



" List of the Birds of Port Whipple, Arizona." By Elliot Coues, M.D. 

 " Description of twelve Unionidae from South America." By Isaac 

 Lea. 



" Fasti OrnithologijB, No. 2." By John Cassin. 



Dr. Leidy directed the attention of the members to the specimen of a large 

 phalanx of an extinct reptile, presented this evening by Dr. W. Spillman, of 

 Columbus, Mississippi. It was derived from the cretaceous formation in the 

 vicinity of the latter place, and is remarkably well preserved. It is a first 

 phalanx, and in general form resembles the corresponding phalanges of the 

 Alligator, but is proportionately more robust. The proximal articular surface 

 is moderately concave, somewhat uneven ; and in outline is transverse oval 

 with the lower side flat. The distal extremity is provided with a trochlear 

 articular surface, and deep pits laterally for ligamentous attachment. The 

 animalto which the bone belonged is unknown ; it may be conjectured to 

 have appertained to the fore foot of Hadosaurus. The measurements are as 

 follows: Length in the axis 5 inches 8 lines ; length laterally ft inches ; trans- 

 verse diameter of proximal end 2 inches 11 lines ; vertical diameter of do. 2 

 inches 5 lines; transverse diameter of distal end inferiorly 2 inches 5J lines; 

 vertical diameter at middle of trochlea 1 inch 6 lines. 



Dr. Leidy next directed the attention of the members to a specimen of the 

 liver of a turkey suspended in alcohol, containing half a dozen cream-colored 

 tumors, from the size of a pea to that of a nutmeg. The tumors examined 

 microscopically appear to have the structure of soft cancer, as usually described, 

 being composed of large nucleated cells in great variety of form. Dr. L. 

 stated that, after having dined on part of the turkey, on making inquiry for 

 the missing liver, the cook had given information, that in consequence of the 

 " white lumps in it, it had not been cooked." On procuring it from the slops, 

 it was found to be in the condition described. Dr. L. took the opportunity of 

 expressing the opinion that an unnecessary degree of alarm had been created 

 in the community in relation to what were considered to be diseased meats, 

 especially such as are infested with parasites. While he most decidedly re- 

 commended the avoidance of the flesh of diseased or unwholesome animals, 

 he thought that all parasites would be destroyed by thorough cooking. 



In answer to a question from one of the members, whether he had noticed 

 Trichina in pork, Dr. L. observed that he had been the first to discover this 

 parasite in the hog ; the discovery having been made twenty years ago, as may 

 be seen by referring to the Proceedings of this Academy for October, 1846, 

 page 107 8. This notice had attracted the attention of the German helmin- 

 thologists, as proved by reference to Diesing's Systema Helminthum, vol. ii. 

 page 114, and Leuckart, Untersucbungen ii. Trichina spiralis, pages 6, 18. 



The circumstances under which the Trichina had been first detected in pork, 

 was on an occasion when Dr. L. had dined on part of the infested meat. While 

 eating a slice of pork, he noticed some minute specks, which recalled to mind 

 the Trichina spots seen in the muscles of a human subject only a few days 

 previously. Preserving the remainder of the slice, on examination of it mi- 

 croscopically, he found it full of Trichina spiralis, but the parasites were all 

 dead from the heat of cooking. In conclusion, Dr. L. observed that all meats 

 were liable to be infested with parasites, but that there was no danger from 

 infection if the meats were thoroughly cooked, for he had satisfied himself by 

 experiment that entozoa are destroyed when submitted to the temperature of 

 boiling water. 



1866.] 



