Miscellanies. 395 



pressly, that the eastern coast of America, from the latitude of 66° 

 north, to that of 40°, is abundantly frequented by them. Le Sueur, 

 too, an excellent ichthyologist, and well acquainted with the mar- 

 kets of New York and Boston, where this fish may always be seen, 

 did not consider it a novelty, although on the look-out for new spe- 

 cies. The difference in the descriptions of the two species is not 

 greater than that between other species inhabiting the shores of both 

 continents. The number of fin-rays, particularly, seem to vary greatly 

 from English species ; the number slated by Yarrell and Dr. Storer, 

 never corresponding, except in the ventral fin, which, in the family of 

 Gadidce, the only one in which comparison has been made, corres- 

 pond in every instance. The question of identity now raised, will 

 n-o doubt soon be determined, it being very easy to procure, through 

 the fishermen, specimens of the true bank cod for examination. 



There are in the work some few errors of fact, and inaccuracies of 

 language, which, though of little importance in themselves, deserve 

 notice, that the author's attention may be called to them, in anticipa- 

 tion of a reprint of his work, which without doubt will be called for 

 before any considerable time shall elapse. 



These remarks on the report on fishes, will be concluded with the 

 expression of a sincere hope, in which I doubt not all will participate, 

 that Dr. Storer will continue to give his attention to this subject, and 

 will from time to time bring before the society such new information 

 as he may acquire. 



Having given so much time to the first report, there remains but 

 little for the reptiles. The number of species of this class described 

 is only forty. Of the order Chelonians there are eight, divided 

 among the genera Emys, Stern other us, Emysaurns, Cistuda, and 

 Sphargis. The numerous order of Saurians is represented by a sin- 

 gle lizard.' Of the Ophidians there are twelve, one of which. Colu- 

 ber occipito-maculatus, is a newly described species. The Batrachi- 

 ans number seventeeh,^ viz. of the genus Rana four, Hylodes one, 

 Hyla two, Bufo one, Salamandra nine. The descriptions are shorter 

 and less elaborate than those of the fishes, and do not seem to have 

 been produced with the same satisfaction to the author, but are en- 

 tirely creditable to him. 



The number of species belonging to the class of reptiles in this 

 state, is without doubt destined to be very much enlarged. The Emy- 

 des or fresh-water tortoises, and the Salamanders, two genera which 

 are distributed in extraordinary numbers in North America, have not 

 yet contributed their full proportion to the list. In conclusion, the 

 Society may be congratulated on the appearance of these reports. 

 They are the legitimate fruits of the exertions of this institution in 



