67 



fler. Their tips extend nearly to the termination of 

 the first dorsal. 



The caudal is concave, its height externally being 

 about equal to that of the pectorals. 



D. 11; A. 15; P. 15; V. 9; C. 9. 1. 8. 7. 1. 8. 



Color apparently a light greenish o'ive above and 

 on the sides, with the borders of the scales darker ; 

 lighter beneath ; fins unicolor; branchial membrane 

 greenish yellow. As the specimen, however, had 

 been some time dried the colors may vary somewhat 

 from these. 



»S'. lucioceps must bo rare on this coast. Only a 

 single specimen, six inches in length, has yet been 

 observed. It was brought to the market in company 

 with the Tomcod (Gadus proximus, G ) and other 

 small fishes, not having been distinguished from them 

 by the fishermen. It was therefore probably taken 

 in the Bay of San Francisco. 



The objectionable character of Cuvier's name, 

 Saurus, as applied to a genus of fishes, is apparent, 

 and the name Laurida, suggested by Swainson, 

 would have much the preference, were it not exclu- 

 ded by the rules of priority; according to his system 

 our species would be Laurida lucioceps. The specif- 

 ic name is given to indicate the very close resem- 

 ce which the head bears in form to that of a 

 small Pike. S. lucioceps is more closely allied to Le 

 Sueurs Sa/mo minutus than to any other known 

 type. 



It may be here rem irked, that a species of Saurus 

 exists on our Atlantic coast, which is yet unde- 

 scribed. A specimen which I obtained about ten 

 years since in the Hudson River, near the residence 

 of Mr. Audubon, was mislaid before a description 

 could lie prepared, and since that time no observer 

 seems to have met with the species. It is closely al- 

 lied to lucioceps. 



August 13, 1S55. 



Col. L. Ransom in the Chair. 



Donations to the Cabinet. 



From Mr. T.J. Nevins, specimens of the following 

 reptiles, from Alameda, Pituophis catcnifer, B. & 

 G ; Ophibolus Boylii B. &G.: Wenona Isabella, B. & 

 G. ; and Sceloporus graciosus, B. & G. 



From Dr. Lanszweert, the skull and feet of a Gi- 

 ant Fulmar (Proce/laria gigantea, L.); a specimen 

 -ingular variety of Eutainia ordinoidts, B. & 

 G, and specimens of Gilia. 



From Col. Ransom, a very valuable series of gco- 

 al specimens from the Upper Mariposa and Bear 

 Creek Valleys. 



Mr. Geo. Thurber presented for the Library a copy 

 of Plan Uc Thurburiame. 



The thanks of the Academy were voted for the do- 

 nation. 



Dr. Kellogg presented the mature fruit of the Bi- 

 tes subvestiliun, (( ny). Thus COmple 

 tin; former figure, and adding the following to the 

 received description : 



Fruit roundish, about j of an inch in length, § in 

 breadth, light gi nisli ground, with mi orange red- 

 dish blush ; glandular, interspersed with a few slen- 

 ; fragrant and well flavored, but the skin 

 thick and tough. 



Dr.K. p imens in fruit, with a draw- 



of a Ha/, us, or Raspberry, probably new. 



OAL. ACAD. NAT. SCI. SKIT. I i 



R. GLAUCIFOIJLS.— Kellogg. 



Stem perennial, procumbent? armed, as well as pe- 

 duncles, petioles and mid-ribs with a .few short, 

 straight oi rarely recurved prickles, softly pubes- 

 cent. 



Leaves piunately 3-foliolate, lateral leaflets rhom- 

 bic-ovate acute, entire towards the base ; on the up- 

 per stem narrower sub-acuminate, and somewhat 

 cuneate; seldom lobed, coarsely, incisely and doubly 

 serrate, teeth mucronate, sub-sessile ; the terminal 

 one distant, ovate or obovate sub-cordate at base, 

 glaucous beneath, pubescent on both surfaces, sti- 

 pules setaceous, persistent. Peduncles, one to many 

 flowered, commonly in axillary and terminal dense 

 leafy racemes, somewhat corymbose at the summit. 

 Calyx unarmed, glandularly pubescent without, short 

 villous within, sepales 5 or 0, ovate, acute, mucro- 

 n.ite. petals small, nearly the same length as the ca- 

 lyx, oblong acute, claw .\ the length, white. Fruit 

 smnll, round, red, ripens in Aug., composed of few 

 grains, acime canescently villous, receptacle protu- 

 berant, clavate, pleasant acid flavor. 



The Pacific Express Co. generously forwarded the 

 above specimen from Placerville, from our corres- 

 pondent, Mr. E, W. Garvitt. By sending as above, 

 our friends will oblige us. 



Dr. K. also presented a drawing of a species of oak 

 brought by Col. L. Ransom, of U. S. Survey, from 

 Mariposa. 



QUERCUS FUI.VESCEXS. — Kellogg. 



Leaves evergreen, coriaceous, oblong-ovate, acute 

 and sab-acuminate mucronate, entire, (or very rare- 

 ly acute mucronate dentate) margin sub-revolute, 

 obtuse at the base (seldom sub-cordate) fulvous be- 

 neath. 



Fruit sessile, clustered ; cup flat, saucer form, tur- 

 binate, in general outline wheel-shaped, nearly over- 

 cupping the broad wheel-shaped gland, very densely 

 and thickly fulvous without, and silky villous within. 



Branchlets fuscous, the foliage dense ; a medium 

 sized tree of symmetrical form; quality of timber not 

 kuown. 



San Fraxcisco, Aug. 20 1855. 



Col. Ransom in the Chair. 



Donatio?is to the Cabinet. 



From Dr. Lanszweert, a species of Scolopendra, 

 from the vicinity of the Presidio ; and a singular 

 tubcrculated mass of recent sand conglomerate from 

 the southwestern part of the city. 



From Dr. Henry Pates, a valuable series of geolo- 

 gical specimens, mostly Ammonites, from the vicin- 

 ity of Shasta City. 



From Col. Ransom, an interesting suite of speci- 

 mens of fossils, &c., including sum" tine examples of 

 the teeth and vertebrae of the Squalidse, from the 

 Colorado Desert, and from the vicinity of tho Kern 



\ , i.e. 



From Dr. Trask, specimens of Arbor Vit», from 

 Scott Mountains, Siskiyou county, accompanying 

 which were drawings of the same by Dr. Kellogg. 



Dr. Behr exhibited species of ChryBomela, brought 

 from the vicinity of New Umaden, by Mr. Froebel. 

 i ■ , ery i motive to Indian corn and many gar- 

 den \ egotables. 



From Dr. EL Sartwell was roeelved b series of me- 



