124 



of the dark pigment usually found on them, beina; of a light yel- 

 lowish horn color, not remarkably translucent, except in the 

 less ponderous shells; while those found in the creek are of a 

 darker color, the surface somewhat modified by longitudinal 

 bands, of a light brown color, inclining to purple ; the shells be- 

 come also more translucent. 



The inference from these observations is, that those shells 

 known by the names of L. catascopium^ L. emarginata, and 

 L. elodes, are modifications of one type or species, in which we 

 discover the influence of locality, temperature, &c., in varying 

 the method of develcpment. 



Dr. Shaw exhibited a specimen of Bituminous Coal, 

 from the Straitsville mines, Perry Co. Ohio. These mines 

 have been recently opened, and it is proposed id introduce 

 the coal to the Eastern market. It is estimated that it can be 

 delivered in New York at seven dollars per ton. It con- 

 tains only about two per cent, of inorganic matter. About 

 forty per cent, of gas can be obtained from it, of good 

 illuminating power, the residuary coke being also of good 

 quality, and the process, at least when tried on a small scale, 

 free from caking. A horizontal shaft, twelve feet square, 

 has already been opened two hundred feet in one vein, and 

 without reaching either the top or the bottom of the vein. 

 Cannel coal, and several ores of iron, are found in the same 

 neighborhood. 



The Corresponding Secretary read letters from the Verein 

 zu Beforderung des Gartenbaueszu Berlin, dated Sept. 25th, 

 1854, proposing an exchange of publications ; Societe Roy- 

 ale des Sciences de Liege, dated July 8th, 1854, presenting 

 a volume of its Memoirs, &c. ; from the Same, — from the 

 American Philosophical Society, dated Oct. 20th, 1854, — 

 and the Royal Society of Sciences at Gottingen, dated July 

 2d, 1854, acknowledging the reception of publications of this 

 Society ; K. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Wien, dated 



