NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 203 



sharp termiaal points of the tail featliers. It has also longer and more slender 

 toes. 



A number of these birds •were observed for several evenings flying near our 

 camp in company with large numbers of Cypselus Vuuxii. They kept for the 

 greater part near the edge of the forest, and generally flew so high as to be out 

 of the reach of shot of any usual size. One specimen was obtained, which is a 

 male, in apparently adult plumage, and is described above. 



December ls<, 1857. 

 Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. 



A communication was received from M. Belhomme, Chef du Javdin 

 Botanique de Metz, (Moselle,) detailing some investigations made by 

 him with reference to a carmine obtained from Monarda didijmia, 

 and a new alkaloid from Atropa beUddonna, called by him Bclla- 

 donnine ; which was referred to the Committee on Proceedings. 



A letter was received from E. B. Plympton, dated Providence, R. I., 

 Nov. 27th, 1858, announcing the decease of Dr. W. Blanding, late a 

 Correspondent of the Society. Mr. Cassin and Dr. Hays remarked on 

 Dr. Blanding's devotion to Natural History, and the interests of the 

 Academy. 



The following papers were presented : 



Description of several new North American Reptiles, by E. Hallowell, 

 M. D. 



Intended for publication in the Proceedings. 



Descriptions of Exotic Genera and Species of the Family Unionidas, 

 by Isaac Lea, LL. D. 



Intended for the Journal. 



Which were referred to the Committees, as usual. 



Dr. J. A. Meigs announced the death, at Panama, on the 16th inst., 

 of Mr. Geo. R. Gliddon, late a correspondent of the Academy. 



On leave granted, Dr. Leidy offered the following resolutions, which 

 were seconded by Mr. AV. Parker Foulke : 



Resolved, That the members of the Academy have learned with deep regret 

 Ihe death of their late Correspondent, Geo. R. Gliddon, Esq., by whom the sub- 

 ject of Egyptian antiquities was first made familiar to the public mind of the 

 United States ; through whose services mainly, our late President, Dr. Morton, 

 received those indispensable materials for his work on Egyptian Craniology, 

 which now enrich the Museum of the Academy ; and whose indefatigable efforts 

 were constantly given towards promoting a rapid interchange of information 

 l>etween the learned of both hemispheres, upon subjects of leading imj)ortance 

 iu Natural History. 



Resolved, That the members of the Academy desire to bear witness to the 

 extraordinary and disinterested zeal manifested by Jlr. Gliddon, during the 

 period of his personal connection with the labors of this Institution; and to his 

 sincere and ardent pursuit of what appeared to his own judgment as scientific 

 truth ; and they also desire to record their appreciation of the kind and friendly 

 relations which it was his constant and successful endeavor to maintain with 

 them. 



Resolved, That the members of the Academy tender to the beloved wife of 

 Mr. Gliddon, his companion and aid in much of his valuable labor, their most 

 respectful and hearty sympathy. 



Which were unanimously adopted. 

 1857.] 



