54 



The chalky matter found in the vestibule of the ear he 

 proved by the microscope to be composed of crystals sim- 

 ilar in size and appearance to those found attached to the 

 Spinal Nerves. He had sought for them in great numbers 

 of Frogs of different species, and in no instance had he 

 failed to detect them. He had not found them in Meno- 

 branchus or in Tortoises, except in the vestibules of the latter. 

 From their constant presence in frogs he was disposed to 

 regard them as essential parts of their Nervous system. 



The vesicles have been noticed by Swan in his " Illustra- 

 tions of the Comparative Anatomy of the Nervous system," 

 but have not been described. Prof. Wyman had been in- 

 formed by Prof. Owen that he had called attention to them 

 in his lectures at the Royal College of Surgeons, but no 

 detailed description had been given of them. 



Mr. Ayres presented specimens of the young of Lends- 

 cus pulchellus, exhibiting a characteristic black, lateral 

 stripe. As the fish grows older this mark becomes nearly 

 obliterated. It remains distinct, however, until the end of 

 the first year. It is found in L. pulchellus, L. cornutus, 

 and L. atririasus, in which last it is permanent. 



Mr. A. also presented a specimen of Pytuophis melano- 

 leucus, Hoop Snake or Bull Snake, six feet in length, which 

 had been captured on Long Island. This is a very common 

 species in the southern parts of the United States, but has 

 not hitherto been noticed so far north by naturalists. There 

 is a popular notion that this snake takes its tail in its mouth 

 and thus, in the form of a hoop, rolls itself over the surface 

 of the ground. Hence its common name. Mr. A. also 

 presented to the Society a specimen of Hydrargira multi- 

 fasciata. 



Dr. Storer presented from Mr. J. T. Plummer, of Rich- 

 mond, Indiana, the following list of Fishes found in his 

 vicinity, viz., Ammocetes bicolor, Fetromyzon argenteus, 

 Bodianus flavescens, Cichla cenea, Gasterosteus inconstans, 



