280 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



There is no doinarcation between small and large intestines, but 

 they nre of great length. This is as might be expected when one 

 considers the vast amount of nutriment required by a lung- 

 breathing animal living under such conditions of existence. 



The circulation of the blood offers us interesting peculiarities 

 in the existence of vast plexuses, the breaking up of the brachial 

 and other arteries into rete mirabile. Of the distribution of the 

 arteries, the intercostals are the most remarkable. They are 

 developed, twisted, interlaced to such an extent, as to give the 

 appearance of a large thoracic gland, Ibrmerly in fact described as 

 such. By this arrangement of the intercostal and other arteries 

 there are formed large reservoirs of arterialized blood, enabling 

 the animal no doubt to remain submerged for long periods of time. 



The dividing of the brachial artery into numerous branches has 

 been explained by reference to the shortness of the pectoral fin or 

 upper extremity, but this distribution has been observed in certain 

 Lemurs and other animals, in which the upper extremity is well 

 developed. 



The lungs were large in the specimen before us, and the trachea 

 gave off a third bronchus. 



The kidney was divided into many distinct lobes, each of which 

 was supplied by a branch of the renal arter}-. 



In conclusion, we take the opportunity of impressing the 

 members with the importance of obtaining as man}- specimens of 

 the Cetacea as possible. Naturalists have experienced much 

 difficulty in identif\'ing the different members of this order, due 

 no doubt to their want of material. 



May 27. 

 The President, Dr. Ruschenberger, in the chair. 

 Twent3'-nine members present. 

 The following gentlemen were elected members : 



Dr. Thos. N. Penrose, U. S. N., C. Tower, Edw. Wright, Wm. 

 Massey, and Chas. E. Betticher. 



Dr. Thos. K. Frazer, of Edinburgh, and Dr. Wm. H. Jones, U. 

 S. N., -were elected Correspondents. 



The following paper was ordered to be published : 



