154 



supply of the water for the copper stumps ; they are never thus 

 caught in the summer or autumn. They change their skin at 

 this season ; I have had several with the old skin hanging to the 

 new in shreds and patches, which are washed off by the water in 

 two or three days, leaving the colors of the new skin very bright ; 

 the edges of the tail are then so thin and transparent that the 

 network of bloodvessels can be seen with the naked eye. The 

 reason why they approach the shore at this season may be on 

 account of this change in the skin, and possibly for breeding pur- 

 poses. About once a week they pass from the anus a gelatinous 

 mass, about the size of a pea, of a whitish color. I thought this 

 might be possibly an egg, but the envelop soon becomes soft in 

 the water, and its contents are lengthened out into a somewhat 

 convoluted form. If this should not have been described, I would 

 propose for it the name of Siredon hyemalis. 



The Secretary read a communication from Mr. Robert 

 Kennicott, of Chicago, informing the society that he had 

 several living specimens of the Great-tailed Fox-Squirrel, 

 [Scivrus magnicavdatus, Harlan,) which he held at the 

 disposal of the Society or its members. 



Mr. Kennicott also announced the organization of the 

 Chicago Academy of Natural Sciences. President, Prof. 

 J. V. Z. Blaney. 



Dr. T. M. Brewer announced the organization of the 

 California Society of Natural History, at Stockton. 

 President, R. K. Reid ; and presented its circular, which 

 w^as referred to the Council. 



Messrs. James R. GatlifF, of Buenos Ayres, and Rus- 

 sell Loring, of Valparaiso, were elected Corresponding 

 members. 



Messrs. Edward S. Rand, Jr., and John P. Robinson, 

 were elected Resident members. 



