NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 335 



The presence of fifteen dorsal rays or eight anal rays is an exceptional 

 character. 



As the Sebastes norvegicus of Storer thus agrees in all respects with the de- 

 scription by Kroyer of his S. viviparus, there can be little doubt that it really 

 belongs to that species. At the same time, it must be remembered that the 

 latter has not been recorded as an inhabitant of Greenland ; and as the 

 Ichthyology of that country is even better known than that of the United 

 States, it will be at least desirable to confirm the identification of our species 

 with S. viviparus through the comparison of typical specimens. 



Although it has been demonstrated that the species referred by the Ameri- 

 can zoologists to S. norvegicus does not belong to that species, it is nevertheless 

 probable that the latter really does inhabit our coasts. I have been informed 

 by Dr. Stimpson that the common species is found in comparatively shallow 

 water, while another larger species of a fine red color, called Rose-fish, is found 

 in deep water; but among the very numerous specimens of Sebastes seen by 

 me, no example of such a form has been detected. 



Finally, Dr. Storer* has briefly noticed a fish under the name of Sebastes 

 fascialus, in the following terms : 



"Body elongated, not convex in front of dorsal fin, as in the Sebastes norvegi- 

 cus. Four distinct dark, brown, transverse bands upon the sides, the broadest 

 at the posterior portion of the body. Length 3| inches. 



"Fin rays as follows : D. 1314. P. 20. V. I. 5. A. III. 37. C. 19." 

 The species was discovered by " Captain N. E. Atwood, of Provincetown, and 

 found in the harbor of that place." 



This is the only information we have regarding that species. It, has been 

 stated to me by an able ichthyologist that it was only the young of S. norvegi- 

 cus (i. e. S. viviparus), but on applying to Dr. Storer, he has written that the 

 number of rays given in his description is correct. Such being the case, it 

 is scarcely possible that the preceding statement can be correct; and it would 

 rather indicate that the "new species " belonged to the genus Sebastichthys , 

 but too little is known of it to admit it in the system as a valid species. 

 It has thus been established: 



1st. That the Sebastes norvegicus Cuv. et Val. has not yet been confirmed &8 

 an inhabitant of the New England coast. 



2d. That the species referred to under that name by American ichthyolo- 

 gists, is the S. viviparus of Kroyer or an extremely closely related species. 



It may be hoped that some one of the numerous ichthyologists of Massachu- 

 setts will confirm the right of S- norvegicus to be considered as an American 

 fish, and at the same time settle the relations of the S. fascialus. 



Dec. 1st. 

 Mr. Vatjx, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Nineteen members present. 



A letter was read from Mr. William Short, Louisville, Ky., Nov. 20th, 

 placing at the disposal of the Academy the herbarium of the late dis- 

 tinguished botanist, Professor Charles W. Short, of that city. 



The following resolutions were offered and unanimously adopted : 



Resolved, That the thanks of the Academy be tendered to the family of 

 the late Dr. Charles W. Short, of Louisville, Ky., for the exceedingly 

 valuable donation of his herbarium, announced this evening. 



Resolved, that the thanks of the Academy be tendered to Trof. Asa 



* Storer, Proe. Boston Soc. Nat. Hiet., toI. v. p. 31, 1854. 



1863.] 



