379 



builds up a vertical, thorn-like perithecium, producing either 

 naked spores or true asci. The asci he had not found, but the 

 perithecia were abundant on the specimen exhibited. This is the 

 fourth matrix on which he had found this fungus : — on pear 

 spurs, fallen leaves, pine trees, and oranges. Its growth is en- 

 tirely external, as it falls away from the matrix in flakes, when 

 dry. 



Dr. J. C. White exhibited under the microscope speci- 

 mens of the plant Trichophyton tonsurans, which grows 

 parasitically upon the human body, on the hair and nails. 

 These specimens were taken from the finger nails. 



Mr. Edwin Wright, of East Boston, was elected a 

 Resident Member. 



June 2, 1858. 

 The President in the Chair. 



Dr. Shaw announced to the Society his resignation of 

 the office of Recording Secretary, for the reason that he 

 had recently assumed new duties requiring his whole 

 attention. 



Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr., was chosen Secretary pro tern. 



The thanks of the Society were unanimously voted to 

 Dr. Shaw for his efficient and valuable services as Sec- 

 retary of the Society for the last five years. 



Dr. Abbot read a description of a new sparrow col- 

 lected by Mr. Samuels in California, and described by 

 S. F. Baird, Esq., of the Smithsonian Institute, as fol- 

 lows : — 



Ammodromus Samuelis, Baird. 



Specific Characters. Somewhat like to Zonotrichia melodia, 

 but considerably smaller and darker. Bill slender, attenuated, and 



