ZOOLOGY. i 437 
from all those related to it in the possession of five osseous spines 
of the ventral fins, and two closely united osseous spines in the 
front of the dorsal. In some of the species the remaining dorsal 
and some pectoral rays are simple and osseous for a large part of 
their length. In the osseous ventral rays this group resembles the 
extinct Saurodontidæ of the cretaceous period. Three genera 
were described, viz : Plagopterus Cope, with beards and no scales : 
Meda Girard, without either beards or scales; and Lepidomeda 
Cope, with scales and no beards. There are four species, three of 
which had been brought to light by the naturalists of Lieut. 
Wheeler’s U. S. Survey, west of the 100th meridian. 
A Hornep ELOTHERIUM.—At a recent meeting of the American 
Philosophical Society I exhibited the greater part of the mandible 
of a large extinct hog of the genus Elotherium which had been 
described in the “ Bulletin of Hayden’s Geological Survey of the 
Territories” as E. ramosum Cope. The animal was as large as 
the Indian rhinoceros, and is peculiar in the possession of two 
Osseous tuberosities on each side, the front pair standing on the 
chin and projecting into horns of much strength.—E. D 
Tur Sxunx.—In the “ American Journal of Science,” for May, 
the Rey. H. C. Hovey has a very important and interesting article 
under the title of Rabies Mephitica, in which it is shown that the 
skunk can no longer be regarded as simply a very disagreeable 
animal, but on the contrary a most dangerous one, and is to 
be classed with the rattlesnake as an enemy to mankind. As 
strange as it may appear, Mr. Hovey has brought forward an array 
of facts. to prove that the skunk is very often affected with a 
disease or perhaps with a natural salivary secretion, that causes 
its bite to be far more dreaded than that of the rattlesnake or of 
a mad dog. As the skunk is a nocturnal animal that steals upon 
his victim without war ning and gives the bite which almost inva- 
riably proves fatal, it is truly to be dreaded ; especially is this the 
case in the western states where the animal is abundant and many 
persons are nightly exposed to its attacks. We advise all to read 
the article and take warning. 
Tue Repueapep WooprecKker IN Marne (Melanerpes erythro- 
cephalus Sw.).—This bird was shot in Orono last summer by a 
Student of the Agricultural College. I have never before seen it in 
