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PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



[June, 1854. 



"I have in my possession, apart from the specimens belonging to the gov- 

 ernment, a pair of " heads" obtained from the Mundrucus Indians of the 

 River Tapajos. These are the heads of their enemies, the Mahuc's, of the 

 same district, which the Mundrucus preserve and keep in their houses as a 

 sort of "Fetish" or charm. Whenever a Mundrucus goes out to work his 

 little plantation of tobacco, plantains, maize, ete., he puts one of these heads 

 on a pole, and sticks the pole in the earth near where he is at work, as a pro- 

 tection against his enemies and evil spirits. 



" I tell the tale as t'was told to me." From my knowledge of most of the 

 Indians of the Amazon, I doubt if they have any idea of other spirits than 

 ardent spirits. 



These heads I have requested Lieut, Maury to forward to you; they may 

 be interesting to you, as showing that these ignorant savages have the art of 

 preserving animal substances. The heads look as if they were merely dessi- 

 cated, but I know that the climate of the country, in which these people live, 

 is very unfavorable to such a process; the atmosphere being almost always 

 heavily laden with moisture. They may, however, have been dried by fire. 

 I leave that point for your investigation." 



Professor L. R. Gibbes submitted a paper for publication 

 in tlie Proceedings, entitled Monograph of the Genus Cryp- 

 topodia. Referred to Curators. 



The Secretary read letters from the following gentlemen, 

 severally acknowledging the notice of their election as Cor- 

 respondents of the Society. Dr. A. A. Gould, Boston ; Prof. 

 Baird, Smithsonian Institute ; Rev. M. A. Curtis, Society 

 Hill, S. C; Dr. R. W. Gibbes, Columbia, S. C. 



Contributions to Museum. 



Dr. S. W. Barker presented a living specimen of Siren 

 lacertina, and the nest of the Chimney Swallow, Chmtura 

 pelasgica, Linn. 



Henry "W. Ravenel, Esq., a collection of dried plants from 

 Europe. 



Plowden C. J. Weston, Esq., Seincusfasciatus and Plestio- 

 do/i erythrocephalus. 



Dr. J. P. Chazal, Libinia canaliculata, and intestinal 

 worms. 



Dr. Eli as Horlbeck, Tropidonotus fasciatus. 



AV. Wragg Smith, Esq. — Eggs and nest of Wood-Pewee, 



Muscicapa rapax. 



