33 



striatd, albidd, marginėm versus subluted ; labro denticulato į 

 epidermiclejuscd, graiiosči : long. 4i, lat. 1-|- poli. 

 II ab. ad Panamam. 



The shell at first sight resembles Pyrula Vespertilio, but differs 

 from it in many other points (such as the mamillary termination of 

 the spire) besides the generic character of plaits on the pillar. 

 It was found on mud banks. — W. J .B. 



Genus Volu ta. 



VoLUTA CuMiNGii. Vol. testd ovato-pyramidali, albidd, cceruleo- 

 spadiceo nebulosa, suturas versus nigro-spadiceo vittatd ; spird 

 elongatd, apice acuto ; anfractibus nodosis, ultimo subcostato, 

 costis tumidis ,Jascid subcentrali pallidd latd cincto ; labro tumido 

 subcontracto subreJlexo, acuto, varice interno obliąuo, submedio ; 

 columelld obscure multiplicatd, plicis tribus ultimis viaximis : 

 long. lį-, lat. ^ poli. 

 Hab. in America Centrah'. (Gulf of Fonseca, province of San 



Saivador. ) 

 This pretty species is one of the group which approaches so 

 closely to the Mitrės. In some, as in Vol. lyrįformis, we have a 

 general likeness ; in others similitude of particular parts of the 

 shell ; and in Vol. Cttmingii vve have general similarity combined 

 with the strictly acuminated spire of a Mitra joined to the arrange- 

 ment of plaits on the pillar by which Voluta is distinguished from 

 that genus. 



A single specimen was dredged in nine fathoms water. — W.J.B. 



A papervvas read by Mr. Cox, in which he entered at some length 

 into the consideration of atmospheric causes as influencing the health 

 of esotic animals kept in confinement in this climate. 



He commenced by reminding the Commiltee of the povver pos- 

 sessed by man of supporting extreme vicissitudes of temperature even 

 to the extent of from —40° to 2/0° or 280° Fahr., and by observing 

 that no other animal can bear such a range with impunity. Thus a 

 Leopard has been killed by exposure to a degree of cold but little 

 belovv 32° J while on the other hand the Esquimaux Dog is incapable 

 of bearing, vvithout great inconvenience, the heat of our climate in 

 summer. 



The cause of the generation of heat in animals remains still to be 

 ascertained. The chemical theory ingeniously propounded by Craw- 

 ford is novv perhaps generally regarded as unsatisfactory ; and indeed 

 the later experiments of Dulong seem almost conclusive of its inade- 

 ąuacy to explain the phaenomena. The experiments of Mr. Brodie 

 have fully proved that the nervous influence is necessary for the pre- 

 servation of the animal temperature : and Dr. Wilson Philip, regard- 

 ing the nervous influence as identical with galvanism, has shovvn that 

 galvanism and electricity are both capableof sustaining for some time 

 the temperature of a cup of blood. This, hovvever, as Mr. Cox remarks, 

 only proves that the stimulus employed by Dr. Philip vpill for a short 

 tirae produce phsenomena similar to vital action^ but by no means 



