43 



ing closely allied to that shell, judging from the 

 figure as given by Dr. (iould of his species. 



It is distinct from F. robustus, by the more 

 acute form of the spire, the thickness of the shell, 

 the greater number and angular character of the 

 elevated transverse threads and bv the size of the 

 shell. 



Dr. Kellogg exhibited a drawing of the fruit 

 and foliage of the gigantic tree of California, 

 with analytical and microscopical figures of the 

 male flowers, &c. 



Also a drawing and specimens of a new Cucur- 

 bit, probably a Marah or Echinocystis, from Pla- 

 cerville. As soon as the mature fruit can be ob- 

 tained, a full description will be published. The 

 vine is commonly known as Giant Root, &c. 

 Other specimens, similar to those here, were re- 

 ceived. Dr. K. exhibited blooming specimens,and 

 a drawing of a beautiful bulbous plant— a species 

 of Cyclobothra, or Golden Star Tulip. 



The Academy are indebted to Mr. Garvitt for 

 the two last named, together with flowering 

 specimens of Dendromicon rigidum, Cerasus 

 mollis, a species of cherry. These were received 

 by Express, in wide-mouthed glass jars — a novel 

 unci successful mode of transportation. 



Dr. K. exhibited specimens and a drawing of 

 a new and singular personate leafless plant, for 

 which further time is required for investigation. 



Also, a drawing and specimen of a new and 

 beautiful Calochortus or Butterfly Tulip, from 

 the vicinity of Canada de Las Uvas, furnished 

 by Wm. A. Wallace, of Los Angeles ; color 

 bright vermilion, stem leafless, two inches high 

 the flowers as large as usual, pistil capitate, <fec. 



Dr. K. also exhibited a drawing and specimens 

 of Wyethia angustifolid {Alerconia, of De Can- 

 dolle,) from the hills of Mission Dolores, known 

 as the creeping sunflower — a name probably 

 suggested by the habit of the stem. Rising and 

 bowing archwise, it hugs the soil, creeping be- 

 neath the grass about a foot from the radiated 

 cluster of root leaves, then ascending in a curve 

 a few inches from the earth, crowned with a 

 single flower ; or perhaps also from the creeping 

 character of the root. 



It is worthy of remark, that the achcnia is 

 sometimes entirely destitute of pappus, but 

 more commonly one long awn from the inner 

 angle, and often a smaller or tooth-like one op- 



posite ; leaves long, narrow, strongly waved ; 

 and black, with lighter radiating lines within. 



April 16, 1855. 



Col. L. Ransom in the chair. 



Mr. Heffiy, Chairman of the Committee on 

 Rooms and shelves, reported that Messrs. Palmer, 

 Cook & Co., had donated to the Academy, for 

 one year from April 1st 1855, the use of Room 

 No. 4, Phoenix Block. On motion it was 



Resolved, That the thanks of the Academy be 

 presented to Messrs. Palmer, Cook & Co. for 

 their liberal gift. 



Mr. Joshua Child ' of Encinal was elected 

 a Corresponding Member. 



Donations to the Cabinet — 



Dr. W. P. Gibbons ; Magnesian Conglomerate 

 from the Serpentine Rocks near Mountain Lake. 



Dr. H. Gibbons ; a worn mass of Serpentine, 

 containing fossorial shells, from near Fort Point. 

 Also a specimen of the Common Gopher, from 

 Alameda. 



Dr. Trask ; Cytherea crassatelloides, Lam. from 

 Santa Barbara. 



Dr. Ayres presented the following description* 

 of fishes, with the specimens. 



Salmo rivularis,— Ayres. 



Form elongated, compressed; dorsal and ab- 

 dominal outlines very evenly arched; greatest 

 depth, anterior to the dorsal fin. not quite equal- 

 ling one fourth of the total length ; thickness at 

 the same point, half as great as the depth. 



Head of medium size, its length being a trifle 

 less than the depth of the body; dorsal outline 

 continuing the curve of the back; muzzle some- 

 what blunt and rounded. Mouth free, a vertical 

 line from the end of the superior maxillary just 

 touching the posterior border of the orbit. 



Teeth on the tongue in two rows, each row 

 containing five or six teeth ; those in the lower 

 jaw, in a single row, of about twelve on each 

 side; those in the upper jaw, in a double row on 

 both maxillaries and intermaxillaries, (the outer 

 row alone being conspicuous) of which the outer 

 row on each maxillary coutains about twenty, 

 and on each intermaxillary about five ; those on 

 each palatine bone, in a somewhat irregular row, 

 fourteen to sixteen in number ; those on the vo- 

 mer, in two rows (of five or six each) placed so 

 close together as to seem like a double row. All 

 the teeth are small, conical, acute, curved. The 

 largest, are those on the tongue and lower jaw.— 

 A few minute, very sharp teeth are crowded on 

 the pharyngeals. 



