3 
sd a 
ae Proceedings of Scientific Societies. 389 
given an excellent description of some of the plants, and Baron Hugel, 
Robt. Brown, Lindley, and Hooker, of others; many species however re- 
main undescribed. ; 
Aug. 19th, 1840.—Geo. B. Emerson, Esq., President, in the chair. 
Dr. D. H. Srorer reported on the reptiles presented to the cabinet by 
Dr. Savage of Western Africa. This collection consisted of thirteen spe- 
cimens, each a distinct species, and only one of which was previously in 
the cabinet ; they Were all referrible to the genera Monitor, Agama, and 
Scincus, among the Saurians; Acontias, Crotalus, Naia and Coluber, 
among the Ophidians ; there was but one Batrachian and that belonging 
to the genus Hyla. Three species of fish accompanied the collection, be- 
longing to the genera Psettus, Julis and Scarus. — 
Dr. F. A. Eppy exhibited a specimen of the plant known by the name 
of “ slink weed,” which is supposed to have the property of inducing abor- 
tion. He stated that a meadow in which this plant was common had 
gone into disuse, from the fact that the cows habitually cast their calves 
after feeding upon the herbage : this effect was attributed to the presence 
of this plant. He believed it to be identical with Lythrum verticilla- 
? 
Dec. 16th, 1840.—Tuomas Botrincn, Esq., in the chair. 
Mr. J. E. Tescuemacner made a verbal report on some botanical spe- 
cimens from Arkansas and other western states, presented to the society 
by Mr. Edward Tuckerman, Jr; He showed that the Ergrinum Arkan- 
sanum agreed in its botanical characters with E. Perofskianum from Er- 
boul, excepting that the leaves in one are more uncinate than in the other. 
Mr. T. exhibited dried specimens of the Jeaves of the Nepenthes distillato- 
ria, or pitcher plant; this is a dicecious plant, allied to the Sarracenia of 
this country.. The cups formed by the leaves are constantly filled with 
Water secreted by glands on their inner surface; also the fruit of the Cal- 
amus rudentum or rattan. This is one of the Palmacez, its fruit a cat- 
kin, spathes numerous; ovarium 3 celled; berry one seeded. 
Dr. D. Il. Srorer exhibited a specimen of the Polyodon foliaceus, 
Lacep. This is characterized by the form of the rostrum, which is long 
and flat, extending some distance beyond the head, which is commonly 
known by the rvaitie of “ fadole,” the use of which is not well ascertained. 
It is however seen thrusting it into the mud in obtaining its food. 
Dr. A. A. Goutp laid on the table the following species of shells from 
the Altamaha river, in Georgia, presented to the Society by Jas. Hamil- 
ton Couper :—Unio spinosus; U. Shepardianus ; U. obesus ; U. splen- 
didus; U. Hopetonensis; Uedolabriformis; U. lugubris ;—also the 
Anodonta gibbosa of Say. 
Vol. xz, No. 2.—Jan.—March, 1841. 50 
