235 



The interior of the oviduct presented a peculiarity which 

 is interesting in connection with the mode of development 

 of the genus. The mucous membrane is thrown into longi- 

 tudinal folds, and each fold provided with numerous vascu- 

 lar loops, which lying in contact with the vessels on the 

 surface of the vitelline sac, would assist in revivifying the 

 blood of the foetus, and thus forming an imperfect placenta. 

 Muller has demonstrated the union of the vitellus and the 

 vascular surface in the Emissole, and thus forming a much 

 nearer approach anatomically and physiologically to a true 

 placenta. This peculiarity is in accordance with the view 

 taken by Agassiz and Owen, that the Plagiostome fishes are 

 more nearly alUed to the higher vertebrata than they were 

 supposed to be by Cuvier. 



The President read a letter from M. Alcide d'Orbigny, 

 acknowledging the receipt of the Society's Proceedings, and 

 announcing the donation of a work of his, now in progress, 

 on French Paleontology, and sohciting contributions of 

 American specimens. 



Dr. Storer read a letter from Mr. N. M. Hentz. He an- 

 nounces that he has made several additional discoveries, 

 and has many new descriptions and designs, which will form 

 an Appendix to his paper on Araneides, now publishing in 

 the Journal. 



Dr. Storer read an extract of a letter from Dr. F. B. E. 

 Brown, of A.palachicola, Fa., as follows : 



" I have the pleasure of forwarding a specimen of the Opliio- 

 saurus str^iatulus, Jointed or Glass Snake, of this country. It is 

 the first one I have ever seen unbroken. In catching them they 

 will often strike with the tail, which will fly off like a pipe-stem. 

 They are quite innocent. Found near low grounds, subsisting 

 chiefly on bugs and worms ; are fond of being near rice fields. 

 This was caught and presented to me by my friend, Dr. Chap- 

 man." 



