12 



his description was from a stuffed specimen, it was difficult 

 to decide whether it related to the same fish as the present 

 one, or not. If it did, it was far from a correct description 

 of the fisli in its natural state. The name of Dr. Woods's 

 species is Lyodon echinata. 



The donation of a copy of the Map of the State from the 

 State government, was announced. The thanks of the 

 Society were voted for the same. 



Messrs. Theodore Simmons, B. H. Dixon, and John H. 

 Stevenson, were elected members of the Society. 



February 15, 1848. 

 The President in the Chair. 



Twenty members present. 



In reference to the remarks, at the last meeting, on the 

 connection between the luminous power in animals and nerv- 

 ous action, the President reminded the Society of the exist- 

 ence of phosphorus in the substance of the brain and nerves. 



Dr. Kneeland read a paper on the anatomy of the inter- 

 nal organs of the Shark, lately received from Capt. Atwood. 



Mr. J. D. Whitney exhibited a beautiful specimen of a 

 new mineral, Chlorastrolite, from Isle Royale, Lake Supe- 

 rior. The analysis showed it to belong to the Zeohte 

 family. 



Dr. C. T. Jackson read a paper from Dr. H. C. Perkins, 

 of Newburyport, describing some experiments with Chloro- 

 form upon the lower animals, the result of which was to 

 show that Chloroform had the effect to retard the circulation. 



Dr. Gould expressed surprise at this result, inasmuch as it 

 seemed different from the effect recorded by other observers ; 



