72 



gated the subject. Now, not having been able to find a descrip- 

 tion which answers to it, I feel compelled to consider it as a new 

 species, and would offer the following characters. 



Carcharias atwoodi. Above, of a leaden gray color, white 

 beneath. Body very short anterior to the ventral fins. Pec- 

 torals large. Anal back of second dorsal. Teeth in both jaws, 

 large, triangular, serrated ; those of the lower jaw, the smaller. 

 About twenty-four teeth in each row. 



I know of no species which can be thought of, while exam- 

 ining this species, unless it be the C. vulgaris, the great White 

 Shark. In that species however, the aiial Jin is opposite the 

 second dorsal, and the upper lobe of the caudal Jin has no trian- 

 gular termination. 



The absurd notion of indiscriminately annexing the names of 

 individuals to objects of Natural History has been almost discarded, 

 unless in cases where the persons so specified have in some way 

 advanced the boundaries of science. In the instance before us, 

 I feel you will all agree with me in acknowledging that the com- 

 pliment here offered, is deserved ; when I remind you that the 

 hardy fisherman referred to, while constantly engaged in the 

 fatigues of his exceedingly laborious profession, has transmitted 

 me within the last two seasons, besides the species here described, 

 a species of Blennius, and Motella, both of which genera were 

 new to our waters ; besides a specimen of the Somniosus Irevi- 

 pinna, previously only known by a description of a stuffed spe- 

 cimen met with by Lesueur, at Marblehead, thirty years ago; and 

 a specimen of Aspidophorus monopterygius, never but once pre- 

 viously met with south of Greenland ; without referring to 

 numerous specimens of our most common species. I would at the 

 same time reiterate, what you have repeatedly heard me state, 

 that he is more conversant with the history and habits of the 

 Fishes north of Cape Cod, than any individual with whom I am 

 acquainted ; or in other words, that he is our best practical Icthy- 

 ologist." 



Dr. Gould presented, in behalf of Mr. B. S. Porter, the 

 skin of an African bird which is frequently transported to 

 South America, where it is kept for a cage bird. In South 

 America it is called La Viuda or Widow Bird. The dona- 



