396 Miscellanies. 
disseminating new tastes and new sources of pleasure and usefulness 
in the community. Taking into view their public character, they are 
the best proofs of the success of our efforts, and should incite us to 
new endeavors in the same cause. 
Dr. D. H. Storer exhibited the tails of two species of Ray, prob- 
ably of the genus Cephaloptera, both of which were provided with 
two strong serrated spines near their anal extremities. One of the 
specimens was smooth and the other covered with short and conical 
spines. He also stated that a species of Solea, had been found in the 
waters of Massachusetts during the last six months. | 
Dec. 4, 1839.—Grorce B. Emerson, Esq., President, in the chair. 
Prof. C. B. Apams read descriptions of two new species of shells, 
obtained by dredging, from the bottom of the harbor at New Bedford, 
viz. Pleurotoma plicata and Tornatella puncto-striata. He also sta- 
ted that the Pholas costatus hitherto unknown in our waters, had also 
been found in the same locality. 
Prof. A. also read additional descriptions to the following species 
of Say, viz. Natica heros ; Turbo aculeus ; Solicurtus costatus, and 
Solen costatus. 
Dr. A. A. Goutp made a report on the shells from California com- 
mitted to him at a previous meeting. He found them to consist of 
Murez tricolor and bicolor ; Cardium Californianum, Trochus vit- 
tatus, Bulimus undatus, and several species of Purpura. 
Dec. 18, 1839.—Amos Binney, Esq., Vice President, in the chair. 
_ Prof. C. B. Apams read descriptions of two new species of shells, 
viz. Jaminia producta and Ancylus fuscus, from Andover Mass. 
He also exhibited specimens of Valvata tricarinata, in which the 
carine were very indistinct. 
Dr. D. H. Storer made a communication to the Society, stating 
that all the specimens in the ichthyological cabinet had been arranged 
in their appropriate genera, and, as far as practicable, in their geo- 
graphical localities. The whole number of genera now in the cabi- 
net is one hundred and fifty eight, containing three hundred and forty 
four species; of which one hundred and eighteen genera, and one 
hundred and ninety four species have been added during the last two 
years. 
18. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Philadel- 
phia. September 20, 1839.—Professor Bache, on behalf of the Com- 
mittee appointed on the paper of Professor Elias Loomis, of West- 
ern Reserve College, Ohio, entitled « Observations to determine the 
