1890.] XEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIE}<rCES. 131 



surements, lists of localities, map, etc., may be found in the 

 Auk, Vol. VII., 1890, pp. 138-158 ; so that attention is merely 

 called to them here. 



The immense number of specimens gathered together repre- 

 sents nearly all the material extant on this side of the Atlantic, 

 and more than half of them were sent to the last meeting of the 

 American Ornithologists' Union by request of the Committee of 

 Arrangements. 



The races now recognized are as follows: — 



1. Otocoris alpestris {Linn.). 



2. Otocoris alpestris leucolaema {Cones). 



3. Otocoris alpestris praticoia Hensh. 



4. Otocoris alpestris giraudi Hensh. 



5. Otocoris alpestris arenicola Hensh. 



6. Otocoris alpestris adusta Divight. 



7. Otocoris alpestris chrysolsema ( Wagl). 



8. Otocoris alpestris rubea Hensh. 



9. Otocoris alpestris strigata Hensh. 



10. Otocoris alpestris merrilli Dioight. 



11. Otocoris alpestris pallida Toivnsend. 



It is hoped tiiat this contribution to the knowledge of this 

 species only outlines what may be better done in the future with 

 many other widely distributed birds which are equally sub- 

 jected to the influences of geographical environment. 



ox THE GENUS ORACANTHUS AGASSIZ. 

 BY J. S. NEWBERRY. 



(Abstract. ) 



Among the great number of defensive fin-spines of sharks 

 which have been found fossil, the largest and most remarkable 

 are those that are included in the genus Oracanthus. Some of 

 these are of enormous size; the largest known, Oracanthus 

 grandis Davis, being more than two and a half feet long by six 

 inches in diameter at base. Oracanthns Milleri Agassiz is but 

 little smaller. 



The generic name given these spines was suggested by the 

 transverse rows of coalesced tubercles with which the exposed 

 portion is ornamented, and which are like miniature mountain 

 chains. Usually the specimens of Oracanthus found in this 

 country and Europe show a compressed, cornucopia-like cone, 

 of which the base always, and the summit generally, is imper- 

 fect. The base, judging from these specimens, has been sup- 

 posed to be the open mouth of a conical tube of which the large 

 cavity was filled with cartilage; the edge of the opening being 



