1848.] 85 



Carpenter of that city, a correspondent of this Institution, and stating 

 that at the request of the latter, he had transmitted for the cabinet of 

 the Academy, the specimens of Tapir fossils, described and figured by 

 Dr. Carpenter in SilJiman's Journal, New Series, No. 2. 



A letter vvas read from Prof. Walter R. Johnson, addressed to 

 Dr. Morton, dated Washington, October 18, 1848, recommending to 

 the Academy to memorialize Congress on the advantage and impor- 

 tance of an examination into the Natural History of the Southern 

 portion of Chili, and of adding one or more naturalists to 

 the astronomical expedition now fitting out by the U. S. Govern- 

 ment for that region, under the command of Lieut. J. M. Gillies, 

 U. S. N. Referred to a Committee consisting of Dr. Morton, Dr. 

 Bridges and Mr. Vaux. 



Mr. Cassin read a communication from Mr. Wm. S. Pease, intended 

 for publication, describing the geological features of the district of 

 country lying between Puebla and the Gulf of Mexico, with some re- 

 marks on its Natural History. Referred to Mr. Cassin, Dr. Townsend, 

 and Mr. Vaux. 



Mr. Cassin also presented a Catalogue of Birds, collected by Mr. 

 Wm. S, Pease, during the march of the Army of the United States from 

 Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico. Referred to Drs. Townsend, Gambel 

 and Woodhouse. 



October 31st, 1848. 

 Vice President Mokton in the Chair. 



The Committee on Mr. Cassin's description of a new Tanager, re- 

 ported in favour of publication. 



Description of a new Tanagra, in the Collection of the Academy of Naiural 



Sciences of Philadelphia. 



Br John Cassin. 



Tanagra nigro-aurita, nobis. 



Superior and point of the inferior manjible, black, — other portion of the infe- 

 rior mandible, yellow. 



Head above, chin and throat, ending in a point on the breast, crimson. 



A broad stripe fro.n the base of the bill, including the eye and ear, glossy 

 black. This stripe completely separates the crimson of the upper part of the 

 head from that of the throat. 



Entire upper surface of the body, except the head, black, which is also the co. 

 lour of the wings and tail. Under parts of the body from the breast, white. 



Legs, in the dried skin, nearly black. 



Total length of skin, from tip of bill to end of tail, about 65 inches ; wing 

 3 1-lOth ; tails 8-lOth inches. 



Hab. Rio Negro, South America. 



This species very much resembles both Tanagra gularis, Linn, and capitata, 



