NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 12t 



list, with a few exceptions, rest upon his identifications of the 

 specimens. His critical observations are introduced between quo- 

 tation marks. My own notes, though mei'ely those of a collector, 

 may prove of some use to future observers in this localit}'; their 

 general accuracy is believed to be unquestionable. 



In May, 18t0, Dr. Packard and Prof. Moi'se visited Fort Macon, 

 bringing a dredge ; and all the species exclusively obtained with 

 its use are among the results of our joint collecting. 



The list is restricted to the species actually collected, and con- 

 tains a few not previously recorded from this locality. 



I cannot do better than to reproduce in this connection a part 

 of the prefatory remarks in Dr. Stimpson's article.^ 



" The vicinity of Cape Hatteras, the most projecting point of 

 our coast south of New York, has peculiar interest to the student 

 of zoolog}'. This Cape, which divides the Areniferous region 

 into two nearly equal parts, the Virginian and Carolinian pro- 

 vinces, is remarkable for the exhibition of a fauna more tropical 

 in character than that of either of these provinces. * * This is an 

 evident result of its proximity to the gulf stream, the warm waters 

 of which are even said to be deflected directly upon the cape after 

 violent southeast gales. 



" * * The harbor of Beaufort is situated at one of the southern 

 outlets of Pamlico Sound, where it joins Bogue Sound. It is 

 shallow, and much obstructed by extensive shoals. * * The bot- 

 tom is generally sand3% but that of the deeper channels is shelly, 

 and that of the shallower channels often muddy. Outside the 

 harbor, and off the coast, the depth never exceeds eight fathoms 

 within a few miles of the laud, with a variable bottom, sometimes 

 'sticky' or clayey. * * In following the beaches, we observed a 

 decided increase of the tropical character as we proceeded east- 

 ward toward the Cape. 



" Geologists will be interested to notice the occurrence of several 

 species hitherto only known as Tertiary fossils, such as species of 

 Axineea, Lucina, Astarte, Amphidesma, Tellidora, Myalina, Pano- 

 paea, Entails, and Colurnbella. These were found either alive or 

 in such condition as showed them to be recent shells, which would 

 doubtless have been found alive upon further search. The occur- 

 rence of Myalina subovata is interesting, although our specimens 



' American Journal of Science, May, 1860. 

 1871.] 



