33 



striata, albidd, marginem versus subluted ; labro denticulato / 

 epidermidejuscd, granosa : long. 4^, lat. 1^ poll. 

 Uab. ad Panamam. 



The shell at first sight resembles Pyrula Vespertilio, but differs 

 from it in many other points (such as the mamillary termination of 

 the spire) besides the generic character of plaits on the pillar. 

 It was found on mud banks. — W. J .B. 



Genus Voluta. 



VoLUTA CuMiNGii, Vol. testd ovato-pyramidali, albidd, cceruleo- 

 spadiceo nebulosa, suturas versus nigro-spadiceo vittatd ; spird 

 elongatd, apice acuta ; anfractibus nodosis, ultimo sicbcostato, 

 costis tumidis ,J(iscid subcentrali pallida latd cincto ; labro tiimido 

 subcoiitracto sid)reJlexo, acuta, varice interna obliqua, submedio ; 

 columella obscure multiplicatd, plicis tribus ultimis maximis : 

 long, li, lat. ^ poll. 

 Hab. in America Centrali. (Gulf of Fonseca, province of San 



Salvador.) 

 This pretty species is one of the group which approaches so 

 closely to the Mitres. In some, as in Vol. lyriformis, we have a 

 general likeness; in others similitude of particular parts of the 

 shell ; and in Vol. Cumingii we have general similarity combined 

 with the strictly acuminated spire of a Mitra joined to the arrange- 

 ment of plaits on the pillar by which f'oluta is distinguished from 

 that genus. 



A single specimen vvas dredged in nine fathoms water. — W.J. B. 



A paper was read by Mr. Cox, in which he entered at some length 

 into the consideration of atmospheric causes as influencing the health 

 of exotic animals kept in confinement in this climate. 



He commenced by reminding the Committee of the power pos- 

 sessed by man of supporting extreme vicissitudes of temperature even 

 to the extent of from —40° to 270° or 280° Fahr., and by observing 

 that no other animal can bear such a range with impunity. Thus a 

 Leopard has been killed by exposure to a degree of cold but little 

 below 32° J while on the other hand the Esquimaux Dog is incapable 

 of bearing, without great inconvenience, the heat of our climate in 

 summer. 



The cause of the generation of heat in animals remains still to be 

 ascertained. The chemical theory ingeniously propounded by Craw- 

 ford is now perhaps generally regarded as unsatisfactory ; and indeed 

 the later experiments of Dulong seem almost conclusive of its inade- 

 quacy to explain the phsenomena. The experiments of Mr. Brodie 

 have fully proved that the nervous influence is necessary for the pre- 

 servation of the animal temperature : and Dr. Wilson Philip, regard- 

 ing the nervous influence as identical with galvanism, has shown that 

 galvanism and electricity are both capable of sustaining for some time 

 the temperature of a cup of blood. This, however, as Mr. Cox remarks, 

 only proves that the stimulus employed by Dr. Philip will for a short 

 time produce phsenomena similar to vital action, but by no means 



