190 Proceedings of Societies. [ March, 
twice the bulk of the former. The discovery introduces this group of 
birds to the known faune of North America, recent and extinct, and 
demonstrates the fact that this continent has not been destitute of the 
‘gigantic forms of birds now confined to the fauna of the southern hemi- 
sphere. A description of the fragment was given, the peculiarities which 
distinguish it from the corresponding part of its nearest allies were dwelt 
upon, and the name Diatryma gigantea was proposed for the form indi- 
cated by it. 
Professor Frazer exhibited eight geological maps of Yesso, lately re- j 
ceived from Benjamin Smith Lyman, Geologist-in-Chief of Japan. : 
Mr. Henry Carvill Lewis remarked that it might be of interest to 
mention the occurrence of strontianite in Pennsylvania — a mineral 
which he believed had not been heretofore recorded as occurring in our i 
State. He had found it quite abundantly in Mifflin County, on the 
Juniata, opposite Mount Union. It exists as white tufts of rhombic l 
crystals lining pockets in limestones, or, when in shale, disseminated l 
throughout the rock-mass. 
paper entitled Description of a New Generic Type, Bassaricyon 
Gabbii, of the Procyonide, from Costa Rica, by J. A. Allen, was pre- 
sented for publication. 
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF Sciences. — At the late annual election, 
Prof. George Davidson was elected president. At the meeting of Jan- 
uary 17th, Henry Edwards read descriptions of new species of Lepi- 
doptera, and a resolution was adopted, the object of which was to section- 
ize the academy. 
ACADEMY OF Sctence, St. Louis. —January 17th. Dr. Richardson 
exhibited a skull and some specimens of pottery obtained from a mound 
“near the stock-yards” at East St. Louis. The mound was about ten 
feet high, and forty feet in diameter at its base. At a depth of six or 
seven feet, eighteen skulls were found. The bodies had been laid ina 
circle, with the heads outward. Many of the skulls were fractured on 
the temporal bone. He had also found eighteen graves in the bluffs on 
the Belleville or “rock” road. These bones were found under slabs of 
stone, with some article of pottery near the head. 
Mr. Theo. Allen exhibited some pottery and skulls found in mounds 
in Southeast Missouri. The mounds were near a swamp, and inclosed 
in an earth-work about a quarter of a mile square. Three mounds were 
opened. In only one were human remains found. Here were discovered 
the skulls, arms, and legs of many skeletons. No vertebre or ribs were 
found. The bodies had been placed in a circle, with the heads inward. 
The skulls were nearly all flattened on the left side, and pressed out oD 
the right side, but lay with the face upward. Many articles of pottery 
were found with the skulls. Mr. Allen stated that many of these adult 
skulls possess rudimentary teeth. Within the inclosure were also found 
many sink-holes, laid out in regular order, which had once served aS 
