Dall.] 54 [October 19, 



****** 



Soft parts? 



1 Metoptoma Phillips, 1836. Shell ovate, triangular, apex sub- 

 central; posterior end truncated, or deeply, broadly emar- 

 ginated. Type Metoptoma pileus Phil. Geol. Yorkshire, 

 ii, p. 223, 1836. Fossil in the carboniferous formation of 

 Great Britain. Many of the species referred to this genus 

 by Billings and other palaeontologists, clearly do not belong 

 to it. 



The above sections, with the exception of Helcion, are well defined 

 and will probably include the greater portion of the known species, . 

 though some may prove distinct from any yet examined. Extensive 

 study of the soft parts has shown, beyond dispute, that generic dis- 

 tinctions founded on the shells alone, are wholly valueless, as the lat- 

 ter cannot be depended upon for diagnostic characters, and many 

 so-called genera and subgenera founded upon the shells, will fall as 

 synonyms, or retain their places solely as the result of accident. 

 Scutellina, as far as known, is equivalent to Acmcea. Olana, Scutel- 

 lastra, Cellana, etc., are founded upon characters of hardly specific 

 value. The results of extended researches on this order are now in 

 press, which will include a thorough revision of the synonymy in full, 

 with a definite reference of many species to their proper position, as 

 determined by the sum of all their characters. 



Voted: To amend Article VI. of the Constitution as proposed at 

 the meeting of May 18th. 



Section of Entomology. October 26, 1870. 



Mr. Edward Burgess in the chair. Ten members present. 



Mr. Philip S. Sprague exhibited specimens of an Aleochara 

 which he had discovered to be parasitic on Anthomyia cepa- 

 rum, or an allied species, attacking the cabbage ; and of sweet 

 corn attacked by Sitophilus or y zee. He also read a letter 

 from Mr. E. C. Rye, of London, giving the information that 



