a1 incepta pcnmeninen ae 
Transactions of the New-York Lycewn. 363 
Dr. Van isle ie — a collection of dried plants 
from the Alps of Sav 
r. Anderson pee anit specimens of graphite from Pen- 
sylvania and some pencils manufactured from the same, on 
which a committee reported favourab 
President Mitchi]l communicated a description of an ani- 
mal brought by Mr. Schoolcraft from the regions situated 
around the sources of the Mississippi. It is a beautiful ani- 
mal, and resembles the Sciurus Striatus, or ground squirrel, 
Dr. "Mitchill terms it S. iridecem lineatus, or Federation squir- 
rel, in allusion to its thirteen stripes and numerous a 
A detailed account has been published in the New-York 
Repos. new series, Jan. 1821. The President at the ane 
time exhibited a dried specimen of the mus bursarius, seer 
or pouched, rat, (brought by Capt. Douglass,) from Lake 
Superior, with some observations upon its Pub, No. IX, 
this. a 
communication was received from Dr. Dekay, with a 
collection of minerals made by himself in France and Great 
ritain 
A letter was laid on the table from Mr. J. Blunt, accom- 
panied by a bone of a Mastodon from Catskill Moun- 
tains. 
Dr. Dekay Saar or a deseription of a species of 
Ophisaurus, from the borders of Lake Michigan, brought 
thence by Capt. Douglas. It was conceived to be a new 
species and was named O. Douglasii. 
Some remarks were read from. President Mitehill on ne 
Proteus Anguinas of Carniola and on the Siren Lacertina 
Carolina, and a letter from Judge Woodward on the tides of 
ake Erie, 
paper was read by President Mitchill on the Coca of 
Pom: pattonylan Coca, much used by the natives for food 
and medicine 
r. Schooleraft presented some minerals and fresh water 
shells collected during the Exploring Expeditions to the N, 
West, under Gov. Cass. Mr. Barnes, from the committee 
on these shells, reported several new species and varieties, 
particularly of the genus Unio, and announced his determin- 
ation of a more detailed report. 
Collections of minerals from New South Shetland, and 
one of pumices from the same place was presented by Capt. 
Mackay and Capt. Johnson. 
