THE WEST AMEEICAN SCIENTIST. 25 



nately it was eaten into and destroyed by a burrowing rodent. Hope that in time 

 you will be able to clear up tlie uncertainty that exists in our knowledge of the 

 Calif ornian palms. Yours truly, E. H. H. 



Federal Point, Fla., Feb. 25th, 1886. 



[vVe take the liberty of publishing the above extracts from a very in^^eresting 

 private letter. The reference to several Californiau palms that are very imperfectly 

 known is suggestive of the work that sliou d be done. Brahea g auca is generally 

 known as a seedsmen's name for Erythea annata. — Ed.] 



* Hag-Fish' Wanted — I am very anxious to obtain some specimens of Myxine, 

 commonly known as the ' Hag-fish,' which I understand is quite common on the 

 California coast. I wish them preserved in a special manner according to the ac- 

 companying directions. 



Hoping that you will be successful in obtaining the animals, I remain most 

 truly yours, Benj. Sharp. 



Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., Feb. 7. 



[Anv one who can obtain specimens of the hag-fish, which has never been re- 

 ported from San Diego, but is common further north, would confer a double favor 

 by addressing the editor for directions, or by writing directly to Prof. Sharp. — Ed.] 



S4N DIEGO SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY 



Mauch 5, 1886.— Present, 7 members and 5 visitors. Reports of Commitees:— 

 Rosa Smith, oi seal, reporting that a seal had been ordered for the society. D na- 

 tions :— W. W. Stewart, skull nnd vertebise of Dolphinus bairdii— Bairds' dolphin; 

 John D. HofF, photograph of ancient pottery of Arizona and New Mexico. Publica- 

 tions received :— Journal of thi Trenton natural history socio :y ; Random notes on 

 natural history ; Tenth census of the U. S,, vol. xiii, 1883 ; On the fauna of the 

 lower devonian of the Ural mountains Communications:— Rosa Smith, on a new 

 species of sting ray, from Todo^ Santos bay, Lower California ; also on phosphores- 

 cense observed on damp earth, the origin of which was unknown. Elections :— 

 Frank E. Blaisdell, and A. Barnett, as active members. 



EDITOR'S NOTES. 



On time agiin ! This number issued by the 15th. 



The San Diego society of natural history is planning a course of lectures in be- 

 half of its building fund. 



San Diego was favored with a hail-storm on the morning of the 3d. 



The rate for advertisements in this journal will hereafter be $10.00 per page for 

 single insertion. T«^enty per cent, discount will be allowed on continued advertise- 

 ment < and twenty per cent, additional for any fixed position. No objec.ionable 

 advertisem n-: will be inserted. Tenths of a pag e in proportion. 



SAN DIEGO ' climate, productions, resources, topography, etc. 8vo. 40 pp. 

 with map Fourth edition-reiised. Price 25 cents. C. R. Orcutt, Nan Diego. Calit. 



