408 Miscellanies. 



plored the northeastern boundary of the United States during the last 

 autumn. Sustained by a temper remarkably cheerful and resolute, he 

 was able to fulfil the duties of his appointment ; but on his return, the 

 latter part of October, it was manifest that his disease had made regular 

 progress and was carrying him to the grave. 



" Young Mason was truly a man of genius : and short as was his ca- 

 reer as an astronomer, he accomplished enough to inspire in his scientific 

 friends the highest expectations of his future eminence in the exalted 

 study to which he had devoted liimself The peculiar assemblage of fac- 

 ulties requisite to form the great astronomer, is seldom found united in 

 the same individual, comprising as it does so many of the higher attributes 

 of genius, — a hand of exquisite delicacy to construct and adjust, — an ei/e 

 endued with extraordinary powers of vision to observe, — an intellect the 

 most profound to follow out all the consequences of astronomical discov- 

 ery ; and that unconquerable enthusiasm which is regardless of loss of 

 rest, of exposure by night, and even of life itself These qualities were 

 severally possessed by Mr. Mason in an unusual degree ; but it was their 

 striking and harmonious union, which, from the time I first discovered it, 

 led me to recognize in him the promise of one probably destined to en- 

 large the boundaries of astronomical science." * * * 



" This work will, I think be found, on trial, more peculiarly adapted to 

 the exigencies of young students of practical astronomy, than any similar 

 treatise hitherto published ; and I cannot but believe that all viho peruse 

 it, will unite with me in deploring the untimely fate of a youth, who has 

 given such signal proofs of his capacity to attain to the highest walks of 

 astronomy." 



12. Supplementary Note to Prof. Adamses Catalogue of the Mollusca 

 of Middkhury, Addison Co., Vt. (See pp. 271, 273.) 



Note to Pupa milium. — "By the kindness of Prof Bronn, of Heidel- 

 berg, Germany, I have just received specimens of Pupa mimitissima, 

 Hartm., Rossm., &c. (v. Desh. in Lam. An. sans Vert., Pupa, No. 46,) 

 which are very similar in size and form to P. milium, but in other res- 

 pects widely distinct. Ten specimens weigh .06 gr., or .006 gr. each. 

 The remark of Deshayes is ' cette espece est certainement I'une des plus 

 petites du genre.' " 



Note to Helix striaiella, Anth. — " Prof Bronn has sent me from Sliria, 

 Austria, specimens of this species labelled ' //. ruderata, Studer.' They 

 do not differ in any respect from American specimens, except that one of 

 them has a tinge of green. Anthony's description was published Jan- 

 uary, 1840. The description of the European author I have not seen; 

 but as the shells were packed by Prof Bronn only three months later, 

 there is scarcely a doubt that the name H. ruderata has the priority." 



Middlebury, February 10, 1841. C. B. A 



