246 [Nov. 



abdomen. The white spots upon the occiput are very distinct. In four of the 

 specimens there are three spots ; in the others tlicy coalesce more or less, in one 

 of them forming a narrow irregular white band, the animal resembling very mach 

 the adult Coluber punctatus. There is also a white spot. upon the upper jaw. 



The Chairman made some remarks upon a specimen of " bloody 

 bread," the result of the Monas prodigiosa, given him by Prof. Eailey, 

 of West Point, and obtained by the latter from Pruf. Ehrenberg, of 

 Berlin, 



The Chairman also remarked, that the Charib Skull, deposited by 

 him this evening, had been ohtaini'd in the island of Nassau, by the 

 late Rev. Thomas Leaver, from whom it was diM'ived by Dr. T. C. 

 Deans, of Newport, R. I., who presented it to Dr. Morton. 



On leave granted, the Committee appointed at last meeting, to en- 

 quire into the expediency of altering the room adjoining the Library, 

 so as to adapt it to the purposes of the same, made a report, embracing 

 the details of a plan for the object proposed, and recommending that 

 authority be given for an immediate commencement of the work. 



The report was adopted, and the Committee instructed to carry out 

 the plan as described. 



JVovember 10th. 



Vice President Morton in the Chair. 



The Corresponding Secretary read a letter from Mr. J. M. McMinn, 

 dated Milesburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania, addressed to Dr. Zant- 

 zinger, containing the following : — 



" I send you some specimens of our ' Snow bug.' This insect occurs in great 

 numbers on the mountains of Pennsylvania. I have frequently noticed them in 

 mid-winter on the snow, but I never saw such a multitude of them together, as I 

 witnessed on the 17th of February, 18-19, near the " Rattle Snake," on the Alle- 

 ghany Ridge. The snow was entirely covered for the fourth of a mile along the 

 road, and several rods on either side. The mercury in F. was standing at about 

 15 degrees ; the atmosphere was dry and clear. 



These little animals were quite stupid, and to all appearance had been but a 

 short time there, and as it was about 9 o'clock in the morning, I judged that they 

 arrived in the night. 



Their motion was slow, and those on the top were quietly endeavoring to get 

 under. They did not appear to be eating any thing. The weather was too cold 

 to remain and watch their movements, and the next day, when I again passed the 

 ■pot, I could not detect a vestige of them. 



The wind had been strong from the north for several days, and I have noticed 

 that we had strong north winds whenever I had seen them." 



A letter was read from the Librarian of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 dated Washington, November 1, 1S49, acknowledging the receipt of 

 Part 3, Vol. 1, of the Journal, and other publications of the Academy ; 

 and also desiring that some deficiencies in the same be supplied. 



