IG PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



cies known to inhabit these coasts, while the only fossil one, A. subcostata 

 Conrad, a species from the Colorado Desert, appears to be different, as 

 the name would imply. For this reason, I have attached a name to the 

 rather imperfect material received from Mr. Hemphill. 



Scalaria Hemphillii, n. s. (7991). 



Shell in general resembling a robust specimen of *S'. indianorum^ 

 having from nine to twelve varices on the last whorl, coronated behind 

 near the suture, wholly pure white; surface of the whorls beneath the 

 varices longitudinally delicately sculptured, with alternate riblets and 

 grooves. Length about an inch; apical angle about 30°. 



This species has the sculpture of 8. bellastriata, but the shape of S. 

 indianorum, and is the only grooved species, except the former, which 

 has yet been reported from this region. All the specimens are decol- 

 late. The specimens were sent by Mr. Hemphill with the suggestion 

 that they might prove to be new, and an examination has confirmed the 

 suggestion. I take much pleasure in dedicating it to its discoverer. 



The two species of Cancellaria mentioned were obtained from the San 

 Diego well some years since, but having been mislaid cannot at this 

 moment be identified. Mamma nana Moller is now found living in 

 Arctic seas and fossil in the Tertiary of Japan. 

 Washington, February 3, 1878. 



TH£ ITIANIJFACTURE OF PORPOI^iE-OIL.. 



By Capt. CALEB COOK, of Proviucetown, :nass. 



About the year 1816, sailors and fishermen having caught a porpoise 

 on their voyage, would sometimes extract the oil from the jaw-bone and 

 give it to carpenters and those who used oil-stones for sharpening their 

 tools. Finding in this way that it did not gum nor glue, suggested the 

 idea that it was just what was wanted for a nice lubricator. It was 

 noticed that the weather at zero would not congeal it, neither would it 

 corrode on brass. 



Watchmakers were then using olive-oil as the only fitting oil for 

 watches; but by experimenring with the porpoise-jaw oil they found it 

 superior to the olive or any other oil, consequently the sailors and fish- 

 ermen found a ready market for all they were able to obtain. 



This state of things continued until the year 1829, when a shoal of 

 blackfish, about forty in number, was taken at Proviucetown, Mass., 

 being the first for many years. Solomon Cook, of that town, took from 

 the jaws of those blackfish a few gallons of oil, and sent it to Ezra Kel- 

 ley, of New Bedford, Mass., a skillful watchmaker, to be tested for 

 watch-oil. Mr. Kelley soon found that this oil was superior to the 

 porpoise-oil, as it had more substance and less chill. He contracted 

 with Solomon Cook to supply him from year to year until 1840, when 

 Solomon Cook died, and his oldest son sui)plied Mr. Kelley until the 



