198 



ing as 19 to 16 in the same space, the columella smaller and 

 with one fold less, the lip effuse and the umbilicus much smaller. 



Balea peregrixa. Testa parv^a, sinistrorsa, elongata, sub-fu- 

 siformis, solida, opaca, rufo-cinerea, vix striata, perforata : spira 

 ad apicem mamillata; anfr. 8, planulatis, sub-tabulatis ; sutura 

 lineari, profunda : apertura sub-quadrata ; peristomate continuo, 

 sequato, leviter refle^xo. Long, f , lat. y^y poll. Hab. N. Zealand. 



I have referred this shell to the genus Balea with much hesi- 

 tation, on account of its locality. It is remarkable for its fusi- 

 form, turreted shape, and for the high walls of its aperture, 

 which rise to a level with the surface of the shell. 



Dr. Storer read a letter from J. N. Bates of Barre, de- 

 scribing a variety of the Skunk, of a dark drab or cinnanfion 

 color, and destitute of black hairs ; and offering a specimen. 



Dr. C. T. Jackson exhibited specimens of the cartilage 

 remaining from Mastodon bones, after treatment by acid. 

 He also detailed some experiments on Gun cotton. 



A communication from Dr. G. A. Perkins was read, giv- 

 ing an account of an animal captured in the Caracalla river, 

 about twenty miles east of Cape Palmas, West Africa ; call- 

 ed by the natives Ne-hoo-le, and belonging to the genus 

 Manatus. 



This animal has a flattened, cylindrical form, becoming grad- 

 ually smaller at either end. The anterior extremities are situ- 

 ated at about ^th the length of the body from the nose, resem- 

 bling the " flippers" of the sea turtle, but without any appearance 

 of a nail or claw. These members are flattened at the extrem- 

 ity, but thicker and more cylindrical at their union with the body ; 

 the edge of the flattened extremity was slightly ragged and the 

 corners rounded. 



The upper lip was flaccid in its texture, studded on its under 

 surface with short and thick bristles, and projected considerably 

 over the lower ; the angles of the mouth were covered with short 

 black hairs. The lower lip extended obliquely downwards, and 

 formed a sort of chin 5^ inches in length. The lower jaw was 

 narrow and its edge covered with a thick and very firm elastic 



