Miscellanies. 185 



been found. A delicate fern, not previously seen in this section, has 

 been found in company with the Marchantia hirsuta, Schw. It is the 

 Aspidium fragile, Willd. ; it has been found in New York in company 

 with Asp. rhizophyllum, and in both localities its habitat is about 

 limestone quarries. 



Feh, 19, 1840. — Geo. B. Emerson, Esq., President, in the chair. 



Dr. J. Wyman made a report on the Nautilus umbilicatus. The 

 principal interest attached to this shell in common with other ceph- 

 alopodous moUusks, is the question regarding the use of the cham- 

 bers well known to exist in the shells of all this class of animals. 

 They are supposed by naturalists to form a part of an apparatus by 

 which the animal is enabled to rise and fall in the water. It is the 

 opinion of Professor Owen that there does not yet exist sufficient 

 evidence for concluding that the specific gravity can be altered by the 

 apparatus in question. The calcareous structure of the syphon of 

 the Spirula would seem to prevent the possibility of the condensation 

 of the enclosed air or fluid by any force from without. 



Dr. Storer presented the following report on "Bell's British Rep- 

 tiles." 



From an examination of the splendid " monograph of the Testu- 

 dinata" of our author, we had a right to expect a rich treat from the 

 pages before us ; nor have we been disappointed. The " history of 

 the British Reptiles" is written by a true naturalist, by one whose 

 every page is stamped with accuracy and truth, who never finds it 

 necessary to exaggerate in order to interest, but who seems to feel his 

 responsibility in the statements he makes, and that his reputation is 

 associated with the subjects he is endeavoring to elucidate. 



The descriptions of each of the sixteen species which constitute 

 the Reptilia of Great Britain, are all clear and interesting — such de- 

 scriptions as satisfy the naturalist. 



I will glance at some of the species. Two only of the Testudi- 

 nata, have been found on the British coast, and these were evidently 

 stragglers. Thus, the " Chelonia imbricata," hawk's-bill turtle, has 

 been observed but three times, and of the " Sphargis coriacea," leath- 

 ery tortoise, hut four specimens have been known to be taken. 



The Lacerta agilis, sand lizard, and Zootoca vivipera, common 

 lizard, are the only Saurians noticed. The patient investigation of 

 our author in comparing the former species with others supposed to 

 be different, and settling its synonymes, is well worthy the attention 

 of us all. 



The Anguis fragilis, slow worm, is the only Saurophidian spo- 

 ken of. 



Vol. xxxix, No. 1.— April-June, 1840. 24 



