clxxxii 



Wilson, which gave data of facts to prove that the American 

 Indians, whenever located on their reserves in proximity to the 

 white people, very soon became a race of half-breeds. The pure 

 Indian blood disappeared, and in time no individual of the pure 

 race remained. The race became extinct in one sense, but con- 

 tinued in another. 



Mr. Riley presented, on behalf of Capt. Eads, a curious spi- 

 nous fish from the Gulf of Mexico, and popularly known as the 

 Toad Fish. He remarked that it was evidently a species of Dio- 

 don, a genus of Branchiostegous fishes, belonging to the family 

 Gymnodontes. These fishes have the peculiar power of puffing 

 themselves up like balls ; when the spines, directed on all sides 

 and kept in constant agitation, render them quite formidable. 

 The puffing power no doubt protects the animal from enemies, 

 though it is said that the boys around New Orleans make foot- 

 balls of it. The species presented resembles figures of D. orbicu- 

 laris^ which, however, inhabits the seas of Jamaica and the Cape 

 of Good Hope ; and it diffeis from D. Plumieri, which is a 

 native of American seas, in being covered dorsally with bluish, 

 anastomosing lines, instead of elongated bluish and white spots. 

 Not only the wound made by the spines is said to be dangerous, 

 but the flesh is poisonous. 



Mr. Riley read a paper entitled "Remarks on Canker-worms, 

 and Description of a new Genus of Phalaenidae" ; also one enti- 

 tled "Notes on the Natural History of the Grape Phylloxera 

 {Phylloxera vastatrix Planchon). He illustrated both papers 

 with figures and specimens, and they were referred to the Com- 

 mittee on Publication. 



Prof. Nipher, of Washington University, read a paper " On a 

 new form of Lecture Galvanometer," which was referred to the 

 Committee on Publication. 



Hon. Samuel M. Breckenridge, of St. Louis, was elected an 

 Associate Member. 



November i, 1875. 

 W. T. Harris, President, in the chair. 



Twelve members present. 



Dr. Briggs, from the Committee on Library, made a further 

 brief report, recommending the proper labelling of our books. 



