Transactions of the J^ew- York Lyceum, 363 



Dr. Van Rensselaer presented a collection of dried plants 

 iVom the Alps of Savoy. 



Mr. Anderson presented specimens of graphite from Pen- 

 sylvania and some pencils manufactured from the same, on 

 which a committee reported favourably. 



President Mitchill communicated a description of an ani- 

 mal brought l)y Mr. Schoolcraft from the regions situated 

 around the sources of the Mississippi. It is a beautiful ani- 

 mal, and resembles the Sciurus Striatus, or ground squirrel. 

 Dr. Mitchill terms it S. tridecem lineatus, or Federation squir- 

 rel, in allusion to its thirteen stripes and numerous spots. 

 A detailed account has been published in theNew-York Med. 

 Repos. new series, Jan. 1821. The President at the same 

 time exhibited a dried specimen of the mus bursarius, gopher 

 or pouched rat, (brought by Capt. Douglass,) from Lake 

 Superior, with some observations upon it. Pub. No. IX, 

 this Journal. 



A communication was received from Dr. Dekay, with a 

 collection of minerals made by himself in France and Great 

 Britain. 



A letter was laid on the table from Mr. J. Blunt, accom- 

 panied by a bone of a Mastodon from Catskill Moun- 

 tains. 



Dr. Dekay communicated a description of a species of 

 Ophisaurus, from the borders of Lake Michigan, brought 

 thence by Capt. Douglas. It was conceived to be a new 

 species and was named O. Douglasii. 



Some remarks were read from President Mitchill on the 

 Proteus Anguinas of Carniola and on the Siren Lacertina of 

 Carolina, and a letter from Judge Woodward on the tides of 

 Lake Erie. 



A paper was read by President Mitchill on the Coca of 

 Peru, Erythoxylon Coca, much used by the natives for food 

 and medicine. 



Mr. Schoolcraft presented some minerals and fresh water 

 shelts collected during the Exploring Expeditions to the N. 

 West, under Gov. Cass. Mr. Barnes, from the committee 

 on these shells, reported several new species and varieties, 

 particularly of the genus Unio, and announced his determin- 

 ation of a more detailed report. 



Collections of minerals from New South Shetland, and 

 one of pumices from the same place was presented by Capt. 

 Mackay and Capt. Johnson. 



