226 



mode of living. It is gregarious, living in companies of twenty 

 or thirty. The existence of these groups is indicated at 

 low water by spaces of about a foot in diameter covered with 

 small holes, looking very much as if a charge of shot had been 

 fired into them. If these spots are watched as the tide rises, from 

 each hole an arm of one of the star-fishes will be seen to pro- 

 trude and wave about in the water, with the red tentacular fila- 

 ments, by which the respiration is effected, clothing the sides. 

 Generally, each individual sends up one of its rays in this 

 manner. 



Adhering to the rays of this species, the 0. elongata, were 

 found several minute star-fishes, probably the young, which cor- 

 respond to OpJiionyx, M. T. 



The femur, tibia, and tarsal bone, with the bones of one 

 of the toes of a gigantic New Zealand bird, were presented 

 in the name of Mr. Henry Cross. The bones were origi- 

 nally brought from New Zealand by a sailor, who reported 

 that the natives of that Island declared that specimens of 

 the bird are still living, twelve feet in height. 



On motion of Dr. C. T. Jackson, it was 



Voted, That the thanks of the Society be presented to 

 Mr. Henry Cross for his very valuable donation. 



Mr. H. R. Storer deposited in the Society's Collection a 

 specimen of Myristica officinalis preserved in spirit. 



A cast of the fossil tracks of Sauropus primcevus was pre- 

 sented in the name of Mr. Isaac Lea, of Philadelphia. 



June 16, 1852. 



Dr. C. T. Jackson, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Dr. Burnett made a communication on some of the pecu- 

 liarities of the economy of reproduction in certain insects. 



