December, 1844.] 1S5 



to be always kept in view, and should engage the attention of the Society 

 whenever practicable, as the one now most important to its interests. 



The "Proceedings" are now so closely identified with the character of the 

 Society itself, that a brief sketch of the contents of those numbers which have 

 appeared during the year, can scarcely be omitted in an annual report. 



The support which this publication has received since it originated in 1841, 

 has been highly encouraging, and this has increased during the present year. 

 The second volume was commenced on the first of January last, since which 

 time five numbers have been issued, and the sixth is now in press, and nearly 

 ready for distribution. Together, these numbers will contain between 180 and 

 190 pages of matter, (much of which is in small type,) published in twelve 

 months. This proportion is larger than in any previous similar period since 

 this periodical was commenced by the Society. 



The first number contains a highly interesting letter from I. G. Strain, Esq., 

 U. S. N., one of the correspondents of the Institution. While at Kio Janiero, 

 towards the close of last year, awaiting the completion of his preparations for 

 making a hazardous journey of exploration into the interior of Brazil, he de- 

 voted a portion of his time to the translation of an important paper, which had 

 been communicated by Dr. Lund, of Copenhagen, to a Scientific Society 

 of Brazil, on the subject of some remarkable organic remains which the latter 

 had discovered in the calcareous rocks of that country. This translation was 

 obligingly furnished by Mr. Strain to the Academy, and was published in the 

 Proceedings soon after it was received. The information contained in Dr. 

 Lund's paper, of his discovery of human remains, in a state, to all appearance, 

 fossilized, is of great interest, and if verified by further developements of a 

 similar character, may tend to throw much light on a subject now attracting 

 great attention : the ancient history and physiology of the human race. 



The next communication is by Dr. Morton, being a description of the 

 cranium of a supposed new species of Hippopotamus, to which he has given 

 the name H. minor. The skull had been sent to Dr. Morton by Dr. Goheen 

 of Liberia, Africa, who himself believed it to belong to a species at present 

 unknown to naturalists, although the animal is by no means uncommon in the 

 river St. Pauls, from the banks of which he had obtained the specimens which 

 Dr. Morton possesses. 



A large portion of the succeeding number is occupied by papers describing 

 new species of N. American Coleoptera, from Dr. Melsheimer, and the Rev. 

 Mr. Zeigler, of Pennsylvania; and from Mr. John L. Le Conte, of New York. 

 Dr. M.'s paper, which is long, and includes a large number of species, has been 

 drawn up with great care, and evinces a closeness of observation, and a 

 minuteness of investigation, which are rarely exceeded by those devoted to the 

 study of Entomology. The communications of the two other gentlemen 

 named, are not equal in length, but they are likewise entitled 10 great credit. 



In the third number will be found a paper by Dr. Hallowell, describing new 

 African reptiles. This paper, and another published in the fifth number, will 

 serve to maintain the reputation which the author enjoys, of being a cautious 

 and accurate describer, especially of objects in this department of Natural 

 History. 



Dr. Morton has communicated another paper in the fourth number, describing 



