326 (JUNE, 
From the Wurtemberg Society of Natural Sciences, dated March 8th, 
1853, acknowledging the receipt of late Nos. of the Proceedings. 
From the American Philosophical Svciety, dated June 21, 1853, also 
acknowledging the receipt of the last No. of the Proceedings. 
A paper was presented from Prof. Baird and Mr. Chas. Girard, 
intended for publication in the Proceedings, entitled “ Descriptions of 
some new Fishes from the River Zuni.’ Referred to Mr. Cassin, Dr. 
Henderson and Dr. Le Conte. 
Mr. Cassin presented a ‘‘ Catalogue of the Hirundinide in the Col- 
lection of the Academy of Natural Sciences,’’ intended for publication, 
which was referred to Dr. Wilson, Dr. Le Conte and Mr. Phillips. 
Mr. Cassin presented a second paper for publication in the Proceed- 
ings, describing new species of Swallows and Parrots in the Collection 
of the Academy. Referred to same Committee. 
Major Le Conte exhibited a single valve of Dipsas plicatus, in which 
the shell had been opened, and small images of lead inserted, which the 
animal had covered with nacre, forming artificial pearls. 
Dr. Le Conte made some remarks on the specimens of Scalops in the Col- 
lection of the Academy, and pointed out the want of uniformity in the generic 
characters separating that genus from Talpa. 
In many of our species the number of teeth is the same as in Talpa europea, 
the only differences being in the size of the first and fourth teeth; the latter of 
which is much elongated in the European mole, while in ours it is either of the 
same size or scarcely perceptibly larger than the adjacent teeth. 
In Scalops aquaticus alone does the dentition show any decided modification ; 
the teeth are here only 36 in number; their form and situation are already well 
known, and are described in all systematic works; the anterior upper tooth 
is enlarged, as in the other American moles, but to a still greater extent. 
The hind feet are also webbed, almost to the root of the nail, while in the others 
the toes are separated as in Talpa. 
The form of the snout is also mentioned among the generic differences. In 
Talpa the snout is broad and depressed and the nostrilsare terminal. In Scalops 
aquaticus, the snout is moderately depressed and the nostrils superior. In 5. 
Townsendii and zneus, the snout is much elongated, slender, and the nostrils are 
superior. In S. Breweri, the snout has the same slender form as in the two last 
mentioned, but the nostrils are entirely lateral. 
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of these differences, Dr. Le Conte be- 
lieves that it is better to suppress the genus Scalops, and place all the species 
under Talpa, than still farther to subdivide the group into genera. ‘Talpa may 
then be divided into three groups: 
1. Dentes 44, 4to superiore et 5toinferioribus maiore; rostrum latum depres- 
sum, naribus terminalibus; pedes postici non palmati. 
To this group belong Talpa europea and T. ceca, both European; and dif- 
fering in the size of the incisor teeth, the middle of which are larger than the 
lateral ones in T. ceca, while all are equal in T. europza. 
There is in the Academy a specimen labelled ** Scalops Breweri,’? which 
belongs to this division, and by description approaches to Talpa ceca, in the 
increased size of the middle incisors. In comparison with T. europea, besides 
the difference in the incisors, the four small teeth following the long canine-like 
teeth of the upper jaw, show great differences. In the one under consideration, 
the three anterior ones are equal and very small, and the fourth is larger and 
simply compressed, not lobed, though declivous posteriorly. In the lower jaw, 
the enlarged canine-like 5th tooth is followed by four small simple and equal 
teeth; then follow the ordinary cuspidate teeth, which present no appreciable 
