proceedings: biological society 213 



virgin field for deep-sea work, and time after time as the kam-trawl 

 was hauled in depths of 100 fathoms and over, there were obtained 

 species of fishe ! on which the human eye had never before gazed. Speci- 

 mens and illustrations of a few of the more remarkable deep-water forms 

 were shown, including a new family and several new genera of sharks, 

 a new family and two new genera of pediculates, a new macruriod 

 family, etc. Among the most noteworthy of the fishes referred to is 

 a new noridanoid shark from the Sea of Mindanao which is intermediate 

 between the two known families of the order, and is characterized by 

 only five gill openings. 



A few of the rarer deep-sea fishes were exhibited and commented upon 

 by Mr. Radcliffe. Among these were specimens of Ipnops murrayi and 

 Halimochirurgus centriscoides (the deep-sea snipe fish) . Some compara- 

 tive figures were presented showing the extent to which the collection 

 will add to the known fish fauna of the region. One of the illustrations 

 used was that of the family Macronsilse, of which there are in the col- 

 lection 1300 specimens referable to about forty species; only two species 

 had previously been recorded from the Philippine Islands. 



The two talks were illustrated by numerous drawings and specimens 

 in alcohol. 



The second communication was by A. S. Hitchcock: Botanizing in 

 Panama. 



As members of the Smithsonian Biological Survey, Mr. Hitchcock 

 and his son visited Panama during the fall of 1912, remaining from Au- 

 gust 24 to October 19, and, after a side trip to Central America, from 

 December 14 to December 2D. 1 From Culebra as headquarters, explor- 

 ations were made, in the Canal Zone, the entire length of the Panama 

 Railroad, and also at Toro Point, in the Savannas between Panama City 

 and Old Panama, and at Taboga Island. Outside of the Canal Zone 

 collections were made at Point Chame and in the vicinity of Chorrera, 

 and in western Panama on a trip to the Volcano Chiriqui. 



There are extensive grassy savannas along the Pacific coast. The grasses 

 are mainly species of Andropogon, Axonopus, and Paspalum. Andropogon 

 fastigiatus and Paspalum notatum are typical of this region. Along the 

 line of the Panama Railroad an abundant and aggressive introduced 

 grass* Panicum barbinode (Para grass) lines reservoirs and ditches and is 

 found everywhere in moist soil where the native vegetation has been dis- 

 turbed. It was found growing in Gatun Lake in 7 feet of water. Upon 

 recently formed embankments it spreads rapidly by long strong stolons as 

 much as 20 feet in length. Panicum maximum (Guinea grass), culti- 

 vated for forage, has abundantly escaped and is now common upon drier 

 soil than that upon which Para grass flourishes. A conspicuous native 

 species is Paspalum fasciculatum common along water courses and often 

 abundant upon new ground. Another large species of Paspalum, rather 

 rare in collections but common on banks in the Canal Zone is P. sac- 

 charoides, conspicuous because of its feathery inflorescence. Both these 

 species produce stout stolons similar to those of Para grass. Herbarium 



1 See this Journal, 2: 142. 1912. 



