396 Miscellanies. 



disseminating new tastes and new sources of pleasure and usefulness 

 in the community. Taking into view their public character, they are 

 the best proofs of the success of our eiforts, and should incite us to 

 new endeavors in the same cause. 



Dr. D. H. Storer exhibited the tails of two species of Ray, prob- 

 ably of the genus Ceplialoptera, both of which were provided with 

 two strong serrated spines near their anal extremities. One of the 

 specimens was smooth and the other covered with short and conical 

 spines. He also stated that a species of Solea, had been found in the 

 waters of Massachusetts during the last six months. 



Dec. 4, 1839, — George B. Emerson, Esq., President, in the chair. 



Prof. C B. Adams read descriptions of two new species of shells, 

 obtained by dredging, from the bottom of the harbor at New Bedford, 

 viz. Pleurotoma plicata and Tornatella 'puncto-striata. He also sta- 

 ted that the Pholas costatus hitherto unknown in our waters, had also 

 been found in the same locality. 



Prof. A. also read additional descriptions to the following species 

 of Say, viz. Natica heros ; Turbo aculevs ; Solicurtvs costatus, and 

 Solen costatus. 



Dr. A. A. Gould made a report on the shells from California com- 

 mitted to him at a previous meeting. He found them to consist of 

 Murex tricolor and hicolor ; Cardivm Calif ornianum, Trochus vit' 

 tatus, Bulimus undatus, and several species of Purpura. 



Dec. 18, 1839. — Amos Binney, Esq., Vice President, in the chair. 



Prof. C. B. Adams read descriptions of two new species of shells, 

 viz. Jaminia producta and Ancylus fuscus, from Andover Mass. 

 He also exhibited specimens of Valvata tricarinata, in which the 

 carinas were very indistinct. 



Dr. D. H. Storer made a communication to the Society, stating 

 that all the specimens in the ichthyological cabinet had been arranged 

 in their appropriate genera, and, as far as practicable, in their geo- 

 graphical localities. The whole number of genera now in the cabi- 

 net is one hundred and fifty eight, containing three hundred and forty 

 four species ; of which one hundred and eighteen genera, and one 

 hundred and ninety four species have been added during the last two 

 years. 



18. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Philadel- 

 phia. September 20, 1839.— Professor Bache, on behalf of the Com- 

 mittee appointed on the paper of Professor Elias Loomis, of West- 

 ern Reserve College, Ohio, entitled " Observations to determine the 



