129 



the country, and probably exists in all the States east of the 

 Rocky Mountains, with the exception, perhaps, of the peninsula 

 of Florida. In New England it is comparatively rare. In the 

 Middle States it is much more abundant, and reaches its max- 

 imum size. In the Southwestern States it is represented by the 

 form which Dr. Gould considers as specifically distinct, and has 

 described as Helix hucculenta. It is distinguished by its smaller 

 size, the umbilicus being generally closed, and in many individ- 

 uals it has a strong resemblance to H. clausa, Say. The speci- 

 mens from Alabama are at once recognized by the greater quan- 

 tity of calcareous matter in their shells, their larger size and 

 peculiar yellowish tinge. Georgia specimens received from the 

 lit. Rev. Bishop Elliott of Savannah, are furnished Avith a strong 

 denticle on the inner portion of the peristome, near the umbilicus. 

 St. Simon's Isle, on the coast of Georgia, has a very peculiar 

 variety, which has been furnished by Mr. Postell. It is at once 

 distinguished from those of the main land, by a smaller and more 

 triangular aperture, and elevated, pyramidal spire. Another 

 curious form is found only near Philadelphia. It is only one 

 half and often not more than one third the size of the Ohio shell 

 — has a very orbicular aperture, generally not furnished with the 

 parietal denticle. It seems restricted to the immediate vicinity 

 of the city, those from New Jersey, only ten miles distant, being 

 of the common form. Its resemblance to If. bucculenta will at 

 once be noticed — a curious fact, when we consider that one is 

 found on the primary formations, while the other is peculiar to 

 the limestone countries of the Southwest. When fresh, the Phil- 

 adelphia variety is of a pretty pink color. 



Dr. A. A. Hayes read the following report: — 



ANALYSIS OF A SPECIMEN OP GUM PROM AFRICA, PRESENTED 

 BY REV. MR. SCHWARZ. 



The specimen was transparent, of a fine red-brown color, 

 externally hard and bx-ittle ; within, it was tough and slightly 

 elastic. It dissolved in the mouth, becoming tough, like jujube 

 paste, and gave the impression of agreeable sweetness ; after a 



PROCEEDINGS B. S.N. H. VOL. VI. 9 APRIL, 1857. 



