1853.] 438 
November 1, 1858. 
Vice-President Bripges in the Chair. 
Communications were read 
From the American Philosophical Society, dated Oct. 7th, 1853 ; from 
the Institute of France, dated Paris 22d Sept., 1803 ; from the Royal 
Academy of Sciences of Amsterdam, dated 4th Oct., 1853, severally ac- 
knowledging the receipt of the Proceedings of the Academy. 
From the Royal Bavarian Academy, dated Munich, 4th June, 1853 ; 
from the Wurtemburg Society of Natural History ; from the Imperial 
Academy of Sciences of Vienna, dated 14th Heb. 1858 ; from the Acad- 
C. L. C. Nat. Curiosorum, dated Breslau, 20th April, 1853; from 
Prof. EH. Grube, of Dorpat, through Prof. Fligel, of Leipsic, dated July 
Sth, 1853, severally transmitting donations to the Library announced 
this evening. 
From Commander Marston, U. S. Navy, dated Philadelphia, Oct. 19, 
1853, accompanying specimens of colored clay dredged from the bottom 
of the Delaware River near the Navy Yard. 
From Dr. Samuel Webber, of Charlestown, New Hampshire, dated 
Oct. 12th, 1853, addressed to Dr. Elwyn, transmitting specimens of 
fishes infested with a species of Distoma. 
From the Rev. Charles Fox, dated Detroit, Michigan, Oct. 14, 1853, 
acknowledging the receipt of his notice of election as a Correspondent. 
From Mr. Wm. EH. Moore, dated Fort des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 15th, 
18538, desiring exchanges. WNReferred to the Curators. 
Dr. Leidy stated that the nodular bodiesimbedded in the tails and fins 
of the fishes presented by Dr. Webber of Charlestown, N. H., were most 
probably indurated entozoon sacs. Many ponds and lakes contain a mi- 
nute worm, resembling in general form a tadpole, belonging to the*genus 
Cercaria. The species, after living for some time in the water, attach 
themselves to fishes and other living animals, and after losing the tail, 
form for themselves cysts in the integuments, and subsequently become 
transformed into a parasitic worm of the genus Distoma. 
November 8th. 
Vice-President BripGzs in the Chair. 
A letter was read from the Rev. A. Constantine Barry, dated Racine, 
Wisconsin, Oct. 28th, 1853, acknowledging the receipt of his notice of 
election as a Correspondent. 
Also a letter from Dr. Wagner, dated Munich, October 18, 1853, ac- 
knowledging the receipt of his notice of election as a Correspondent. 
Dr. Leidy read the following letter from Dr. Robt. W. Gibbes, of 
Columbia, S. C.— 
<¢ For many years I endeavored to procure for my friend Dr. Morton, skulls 
from the ancient mounds of South Carolina, but the bones were always found 
decayed. I have opened many of them in different parts of the state, and found 
stone relics in good preservation, but the bones usually in fragments. The long 
bones are sometimes perfect, but the crania are generally in a crumbling state. 
. PROCEED. ACADe NATe SCI- OF PHILADELPHIA, VOL. Viley NO» XII- 68 
