I AMERICAN JOURNAL 



Referring to the statement of the disappearance of Aurora 

 Island (one of the New Hebrides Group), recently printed in the 

 newspapers, Mr. Tryon exhibited two species from the Academy's 

 collection supposed to be peculiar to this island ; remarking, that 

 in the event of its reported submergence being confirmed, these 

 must be regarded as lost species. In his report on the mollusca 

 collected by Wilkes' II. S. Exploring Expedition, Dr. Gould 

 gives the following account of Aurora Island : " The little island 

 of Metia or Aurora Island, to the northeastward of Tahiti, is 

 one of peculiar interest. It is a coral island, which has been 

 elevated 250 feet or more, and has no other high island near it. 

 On it were found four small land shells, belonging to three 

 genera, viz. : Helix pertenuis, H. dcedalea, Partida pusilla and 

 Helicina trochlea. None of these were found upon any other 

 island. They seem to have originated there, after the elevation 

 of the island, and have a significant bearing upon the question 

 of local and periodical creations in comparatively modern times." 



Meeting February 2d, 1871. 



Six members present. 



Mr. Tryon, Vice-Director, in the chair. 



Several donations to the Library and Museum were reported. 



The following papers, offered for publication in the Journal, 

 were referred to committees: 



" On the Lingual Dentition of Clausilia tridens, Chemn." By 

 Thomas Bland and Wm. G. Binney. 



" Notes on the Synonymy and Distribution of Marine Gas- 

 teropoda." By Wm. Harper Pease. 



Dr. F. A. Hassler reported that the specimens of Littorina 

 murieata presented at the last meeting were still living. 



Messrs. H. E. van Rijgersma, of St. Martins, W. I., and G. 

 Nevill, of Calcutta, were elected Corresponding Members of the 

 Section. 



Meeting March 2d, 1871. 



Six members present. 



Dr. Ruschenberger, Director, in the chair. 



The Conservator read the record of additions to the Museum 

 and Library. 



The following papers were presented for publication : 



