88 



which was enclosed in a single envelope, by his own hand, purport- 

 ing to have come from the Rocky Mountains. When its seed had 

 arrived at maturity, it was naked, as maize usually is. The same 

 result has been witnessed by others ; if so, it cannot claim to be a 

 distinct species, or at least, no specific characters can be founded 

 on these envelopes. 



He also reported upon some soil from Huron Prairie. 

 Ohio. 



It is clayey and adhesive, and, therefore, likely to retain moist- 

 ure, and would probably prove, in a high degree, rich and fertile. 

 The power of soils for retaining moisture, results from the salts 

 and other substances contained in them, and is considered one of 

 the most important properties for productiveness. He objected to 

 the usual method of ascertaining the capacity of a soil for moist- 

 ure, by subjecting it to intense heat, and then weighing the resi- 

 duum ; for the loss of weight which is thus produced, may result 

 from the disengagement of nitrogen, and other gaseous constituents. 



Dr. Storer reported on the specimens of fishes from the 

 Ganges, fifteen in number, presented by Mr. Reynolds at 

 the last meeting. 



They belong to six different species, viz. : hates nobilis, Cuvier, 

 described by Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. iv. p. 563, under the name of 

 Holocentrus calcarifer, from the spines on the operculum. Corius 

 polota, Hamilton, " Fishes of the Ganges," plate 38, fig. 31. La- 

 brus jaculator, Shaw's Zool. vol. xiv. p. 485, — derives its name 

 from the instinct which it possesses, of projecting drops of water on 

 insects, and thus securing them for its prey. Ophicephalus manu- 

 brius, Hamilton, pi. xxii. fig. 19. This species is said to be very 

 tenacious of life ; in China, it is carried about in water, and pieces cut 

 off for sale as they are wanted ; it brings a high price as long as 

 life lasts ; but is not valued when dead. Tetraodon jluviatilis, 

 Hamilton, pi. xxx. fig. 1. Cyprinus rohita, Hamilton, frequently 

 acquires the length of three feet, and is considered most excellent 

 food. 



Dr. Storer also presented for the Cabinet a specimen of 

 Squalus mustclus. Lin. M. laevis, Cuvier. or " .Smooth 

 Shark'" of Pennant. 



