120 " [December, 



muscular action would be lost in the mere extension of an elastic sibstance, we 

 find the filaments arrange themselves so as to become part of the inextensible 

 tendon. 



December 12t/i, 18 IS. 

 Dr. Bridges in the Chair. 



A letter was read from the Secretary of the American Academy of 

 Arts and Sciences, dated Cambrido;e, Mass., December 7, 1S48, trans- 

 mitting Vol. 3, New Series, of its Memoirs. 



Also a letter from Major Proby T. Cautley, dated Roorkhi, India, 

 June 23, ISiS, in relation to two boxes of fossils shipped by him in 

 1844 for the Academy. 



Mr. Conrad presented a paper entitled, " Descriptions of two new 

 genera and three new species of recent Shells," &c., which was re- 

 ferred to Drs. Griffith, Wilson, and Leidy. 



December 19///, 1848. 

 Mr. Phillips in the Chair. 



A letter was read from Lieut. J. M. Gilliss, U. S. N., dated Washing- 

 ton, December 11, 1848, acknowledging the receipt of his notice of 

 election as a Correspondent. 



Mr. Conrad read the descriptions of four new species of recent 

 Shells, as an addition to his paper presented at last meeting. Referred 

 to the same Committee. 



Dr. Gambel presented a Catalogue of the family Columbidre con- 

 tained in the collection of the Academy, with remarks on the same ; 

 which was referred to a Committee, consisting of Mr. Cassin, Dr. 

 Wilson, and Dr. Townsend. 



Mr. Cassin read a paper entitled " Descriptions of new species of 

 Owl," in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel- 

 phia. Referred to Drs. Wilson, Gambel, and Townsend. 



Dr. Gambel read a paper entitled " Contributions to American 

 Ornithology,'' which was referred to Mr. Cassin, Dr. Townsend, and 

 Dr. Heerman. 



Dr. Hallowell read the description of a new Salamander, from Cali- 

 fornia. Referred to Dr. Leidy, Dr. Gambel, and Dr. Bridges. 



On motion it was unanimously J?eso/i?eJ, That the Publication Com- 

 mittee be authorized to present to Dr. William Blanding, a copy of 

 Parts 1 and 2, New Series, of the Journal of the Academy. 



December 26t/i, 1848. 



Dr. Bridges in the Chair. 



The Committee to whom was referred Mr. Conrad's descriptions of 

 new Shells, read 12th and 19th insts,, reported in favour of publication 

 entire in Part 3, New Series of the Journal, and the following abstract 

 in the Proceedings. 



