+ i baie 
388 Proceedings of Scientific Societies. 
ner. The body or central portion of the hyoid bone is transformed into a 
bony box of an ovoidal shape, the, parietes being very thin and elastic. 
Posteriorly this box is provided with a large opening of a quadrangular 
shape ; on each side of this orifice are two articulating surfaces for the 
cornua of the hyoid bone. The following are the dimensions of the box, 
antero-posterior diameter, 2? inches; vertical, 2} inches; transverse, 2}. 
According to the dissections of Cuvier, the right ventricle of the larynx 
communicates freely with the cavity of the bone; the left ventricle ter- 
minating at the bone without entering it, so that the vocal organs were not 
symmetrical, presenting a remarkable exception to the characters of the 
organs of animal life. It is to this remarkable modification of the organs 
of voice, that the howlers are indebted for the power which they possess of 
making those loud, hoarse and disagreeable sounds which are capable of 
being heard at the distance of half a league. They are in the habit of 
congregating in trees at sunrise and sunset or at the approach of a storm, 
and of uttering prolonged and frightful howls. : 
July 15th, 1840.—C. K. Dittaway, Esq., in the chair. 
_ Dr. D. H. Srorer read descriptions of eleven species of fishes from the 
western rivers, by Dr. J. P. Kirtland, of Ohio, each description being ac- 
companied by an-accurate drawing. The names of the species were as 
follows; Ammocetes concolor, Raf.; Coregonus albus, Les.; Esor reticu- 
latus, Les.; Esox estor, Les.; Rostra edentata, Raf.; Notuus flavus, 
Raf. ; Rutilus Storeri, Kirt.; Pimelodus nebulosus, Les.; Salmo namy- 
cush, Pen.; Pimephalis promelas, Raf.; Labrax ez 
An elaborate review of Richard’s work on the Conifere, was read by 
Geo. B. Emerson, Esq., president of the society. 
Dr. J. Wyman, exhibited specimens of wood, pine cones, and acorns, 
taken from an excavation in Lowell, near the junction of the Concord and 
Merrimack rivers. They were found buried in sand at the depth of about 
25 feet, several feet below. the level of the surface of these rivers. Large 
trunks of pine trees were found in the same locality, also large quantities 
of leaves arranged in layers or strata. One of the most interesting objects 
_ met with in this locality, was the epidermis from the shell of a Unio, this 
preserving its shape entire, although the shells had disappeared. T hese 
cuticular coverings were found in great numbers; but in no instance was 
the shell found in connection with the epidermis, this portion having prob- 
ably been decomposed. 
J. E. Tescuzmacner, Esq., made a report on some seeds and plants 
from New Zealand, which had been forwarded to Thos. A. Greene, Esq, 
of New Bedford; these plants and seeds were referrible to the following 
genera, Ipogon, Mongleria, Petrophila, Leptospermum, Melaleuca, Ver- 
ticordia, Acacia and Trichinium. The flora of New Zealand is not yet 
generally known in Europe by botanical description. Dr. Endlicher has 
s 
