Miscellanies. 185 
been found. A delicate fern, not previously seen in this section, has 
been found in company with the Marchantia hirsuta, Schw. It is the 
Aspidium fragile, Willd.; it has been found in New York in company 
with Asp. rhizophyllum, and in both localities its habitat is about 
limestone quarries. 
Feb. 19, 1840.—Gero. B. Emerson, Esq., President, in the chair. 
Dr. J. Wyman made a report on the Nautilus umbilicatus. The 
principal interest attached to this shell in common with other ceph- 
alopodous mollusks, is the question regarding the use of the cham- 
bers well known to exist in the shells of all this class of animals. 
They are supposed by naturalists to form a part of an apparatus by 
which the animal is enabled to rise and fall in the water. It is the 
opinion of Professor Owen that there does not yet exist sufficient 
evidence for concluding that the specific gravity can be altered by the 
apparatus in question. The calcareous structure of the syphon of 
the Spirula would seem to prevent the possibility of the condensation 
of the enclosed air or fluid by any force from without. 
Dr. Storer presented the following report on “ Bell's British Rep- 
tiles.” . 
From an examination of the splendid « monograph of the Testu- 
dinata” of our author, we had a right to expect a rich treat from the 
pages before us; nor have we been disappointed. The “ history of 
the British Reptiles” is written by a true naturalist, by one whose 
every page is stamped with accuracy and truth, who never finds it 
necessary to exaggerate in order to interest, but who seems to feel his 
Tesponsibility in the statements he makes, and that his reputation is 
associated with the subjects he is endeavoring to elucidate. 
The descriptions of each of the sixteen species which constitute 
the Reptilia of Great Britain, are all clear and 
scriptions as satisfy the naturalist. = 2 barks 
_ Twill glance at some of the species. Two only of the Testudi- 
mata, have been found on the British coast, and these were evidently 
stragglers. ‘Thus, the “ Chelonia imbricata,” hawk’s-bill turtle, has 
been observed but three times, and of the * Sphargis coriacea,” leath- 
ery tortoise, but four specimens have been known to be taken. 
The Lacerta agilis, sand lizard, and Zootoca vivipera, common 
lizard, are the only Saurians noticed. The patient investigation of 
our author in comparing the former species with others supposed: to 
be different, and settling its synonymes, is well worthy the attention 
of usall. en 
The Anguis fragilis, slow worm, is the only Saurophidian spo- 
ken of. Se ak oa 
- Vol. xxxix, No. 1—April-June, 1840. 24 
