Return to LIBRARY OF MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY WOODS HOLE, MASS. Loaned by American Museum of Natural History , i \V ' 4* w-" ** , v . . OP THS ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OS" M PHILADELPHIA. 1862. PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED IOR THE ACADEMY. 1863. /f LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS, With references to the several Articles contributed by each. Allen, Harrison, M. D. Descriptions of two new Species of Vespertilionid?e. and some remarks on the genus Antrozous 246 Buckley, S. B. Notes on some American Ash Trees, (Fraxinus,) with de- scriptions of new Species 2 Descriptions of new Plants from Texas, No. 2 5 Descriptions of Plants, No. 3 88 Note No. 2. On Quercus heterophylla 100 Cassin, John. Catalogue of Birds collected by the United States North Pa- cific Surveying and Exploring Expedition, in command of Gapt, Rodgers, U. S. N., with notes and descriptions of new species 312 Conrad, T. A. Descriptions of New Genera, Subgenera and Species of Tertiary and Recent Shells 284 Catalogue of the Miocene Shells of the Atlantic Slope 559 Cope, E. D. Synopsis of the species of Holcosus and Ameiva, with diag- noses of new W. Indian and S. American Colubridae 60 On some new and little known American Anura , 151 Contributions to Neotropical Saurology 176 On Neosorex Albibarbis 188 On Lacerta echinata and Tiliqua dura 189 Notes upon some Reptiles of the Old World , .337 Catalogues of the Reptiles obtained during the Explorations of the Parana, Paraguay, Vermejo and Uraguay Rivers, by Capt. Thos. J. Page, U. S. N. ; and of those procured by Lieut. N. Michler, U. S. Top. Eng 346 Coues, Elliott. Revision of the Gulls of North America ; based upon speci- mens in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution 291 Supplementary note to a Synopsis of the North American forms of the Colymbidae and Podicepidae 404 A Review of the Terns of N. America 535 Edwards, Wm. H. Description of certain species of Diurnal Lepidoptera found within the limits of the United States and British America, No. 2 54 The same, No. 3 221 Elliott, D. G. Remarks on the species composing the genus Pediocaetes, Baird 402 11. LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS, Gabb, W M. Description of a new species of Cephalopod from the Coast of California 483 Gill, Theo. Notice of New Species of Hemilepidotus and Remarks on the Group (Temnistiae) of which it is a member 13 Or. the Subfamily of Argentinian 14 Appendix to the Synopsis of the Subfamily Percins 15 Notes on the Scisenoids of California 16 Synopsis of the Family of Cirrhitoids 102 Description of new species of Cirrhitus 122 . Oe the limits and arrangemement of the Family of Scombroids 124 Description of new species of Alepidosauroidae 127 On anew species of Priacanthus discovered in Narragansett Bay, R. I.... 132 Oi the West African genus Hemichromis and descriptions of new species 134 Catalogue of the Fishes of Lower California in the Smithsonian Institu- tion, collected by Mr. J. Xanthus I* 1 Same, Part II 242 Same, Part III 249 On a new genus of Fishes allied to Aulorhynchus and on the affinities of the Family Aulorhynchoidae 233 Remarks on the relations of Genera and other groups Cuban Fishes 235 Notice of a collection of the Fishes of California, presented to the Smith- sonian Institution, by S. Hubbard 274 Synopsis of the species of Lophobranchiate Fishes of Western North America 282 Note, on the Family of Scombroids 328 Note on some Genera of Fishes of Western N. America 329 Synopsis of the Carangoids of the Eastern Coast of North America 430 Description of a new generic type of Mormyroids, and note on the arrange- ment of the genus l On the Synonymy and Systematic Position of the genus Etelis of Cuvier and Yalenciennes 445 On. the Classification of the Families and Genera of the Squali of Cali- fornia ; 4 ^3 On the limits and affinity of the Family of Leptogcopoids 501 Gray, Asa. Notes upon the " Description of New Plants from Texas. By S. B. Buckley," published in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, December 1861, and January 1862 1G1 A Report upon Mr. S. B. Buckley's " Description of Plants, No. 3, Gra- mina; " 33-i Grote, Aug. R. Additions to the Nomenclature of North American Lepi- doptera 59 Same, No. 2 359 Harden, F. V., M. D. Descriptions of new Cretaceous Fossils from Nebraska Territory. By F. B. Meek and F. V.Hayden 21 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. Ul Hora, Geo. H., M. D. Monograph of the species of Trogosita, inhabiting the United States 32 Lea, Isaac. Description of ten new species of Unionida? of the United States 168 Description of anew Genus (Trypanostoma) of the Family Melanida?, and of forty-five new species 169 Description of two new species of Exotic Uniones and one Monocondylcea 176 Description of a new Genus (Gouiobasis) of the Family Melanidae and eighty-two new species 262 Description of eleven new species of Melanidae of the United States 272 Le Conte, John L., M. D. Note on the Classification of Cerambycidse, with descriptions of new species 38 Synopsis of the Mordellidae of the United States 43 Notes on the species of Calosoma inhabiting America, north of Mexico... 521 Synopsis of the species of Colymbetes, inhabiting America north of Mexico 521 Note on the species of Brachinus inhabiting the United States 523 Lewis, James, M. D. Remarks on some species of Paludina. Amnicola. Valvata and Melania 587 Meehan, Thos. On the Uniformity of Relative Characters between Allied Species of European and American Trees 10 Meek, F. B. Descriptions of new Cretaceous Fossils from Nebraska Terri- tory. ByF. B. MeekandF. V. Hayden 21 Prime, Temple. Monograph of the Species of Sphasrium of North and South America 28 Slack, J. H. ? M. D. Monograph of the Prehensile-tailed Quadrumana 507 Stimpson, Wm. Description of a new Cardium from the Pleistocene of Hudson's Bay 58 Oa an oceanic Isopod, found near the south-eastern shores of Massachu- setts 133 Tryoc, Geo. W., Jr. On the Classification and Synonymy of the recent spe- cies of Pholadidaj 191 Description of a new Genus and Species of Pholadid* 449 Notes on American Ffesh Water Shells, with descriptions of two new species - 451 Monograph of the Family Teredidae 453 Walsh, Benj. D., M. A. List of the Pseudoneuroptera of Illinois, contained in the Cabinet of the writer, with descriptions of over forty new species - 361 Warner, John, A. M. Contributions to Organic Morphology : Containing the mathematical imitation of the egg of Planorbis Corneus and of Epiornis, &c 525 Winchell. Alex. Description of Fossils from the Marshall and Huron Groups of Michigan 405 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 18 G 3. January 1th. Dr. Leidy in the Chair. Fourteen members present. A paper was presented for publication entitled Description of new Cretaceous Fossils from Nebraska Territory, etc., by F. B. Meek and F. V. Hayden, M. D. Mr. Cope stated that he had examined the dentition of the Siamese river snake, Herpeton tentaculatum, respecting which some difference of opinion existed among European herpetologists. He had found the posterior maxillary teeth to be grooved, in accordance with the statement of M. Dumeril. Regarding another point of difference between naturalists the native coun- try of the Gerarda prevostiana ( Campylodon Dum.) Mr. Cope adhered to the statement in the Erpetologie Generale, that it inhabited the Philippine Islands. Others had stated that the form was West Indian. Dr. Giinther had corrected the above-mentioned work in its statement that the Rhabdosoma (Catostoma) 1 i n e a t u m was West African. Mr. Cope was able to confirm the Doctor's opinion through specimens obtained in Trinidad, and lent him by Prof. Gill. January \kth. Vice President Vaux in the Chair. Twenty members present. The following papers were presented for publication : Notes on some American Ash Trees, (Fraxinus), with descriptions of new species, by S. B. Buckley. On the Leucosomi inhabiting the basin of the Delaware, by C. C. Abbott. 1862.] 1 2 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF January 21 si. Vice President Bridges in the Chair. Twenty-nine members present. The following papers were presented for publication : Descriptions of new Plants from Texas, by S. B. Buckley. On the uniformity of relative characters between allied species of European and American Trees, by Thomas Meehan. Notice of a new species of Hemilepidotus, by Theo. Gill. On the subfamily of Argentininae, by Theo. Gill. Notes on the Sciaenoids of California, by Theo. Gill. Appendix to the Synopsis of the subfamily of Percinae, by Theo. Gill. Mr. Cassin gave an account of a flock of crows, lost in a fog whilst passing over the city early on Sunday morning, the 12th inst. Mr. Haldeman stated that he had frequently noticed the bald eagle dive for fish in the Susquehanna, when it could not procure its food by robbing the fish hawk. Dr. Rogers made some remarks on the influence upon the health of communities from the thawing of snow in the streets by means of salt, exposing what he considered to be the fallacies of the common preju- dices on the subject. January 2S(h. Vice President Bridges in the Chair. Twenty- four members present. On report of the respective Committees, the following papers were ordered to be published in the Proceedings : Notes on some of the American Ash Trees, (Fraxinus,) with descriptions of new Species. BY S. B. BUCKLEY. The great accuracy of the plates in Michaux's Sylva is admitted by all who have seen both them and the trees whose portions are there represented. That the text contains a few errors is well known, but the figures are true to nature and correctly represent the object described. The wonder is that a work published at that early day, in the infancy of botany, should so well and truthfully describe our forest trees. It is supposed by some botanists that the fruit in the plate of Fraxinus americanais that of the green ash, (F. vi r i d i s ,) or that the fruit of these two species of ash has been substituted the one for the other by mistake. The original proof-plates of the Sylva are in the Library of the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philadelphia, in which the figure of the white ash differs little from the one in the last edition. Had there been an error, it would have probably been corrected, as several editions of the Sylva passed under the eye of Michaux ; nor does the fruit of the white ash differ from his description of that species. In his account of the green ash, he states that " its seeds are only half as large as those of the white ash, but similar inform ; and also, in describing F. pubescens, he remarks that " its seeds are shorter than those of. am e- r ic an a, but similar inform and arrangement." These statements in the text agree perfectly with his pictures of these species. [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. d The true Fraxinus americana (Linn.) is common in the public grounds and on the sidewalks of some of the streets of Philadelphia. It also grows along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers in the vicinity of the city. Speci- mens of it are in the herbarium of the Academy of Natural Sciences which were collected in the vicinity of Boston, Mass., by Mr. Pickering, from whence it extends as far south as Louisiana, the author having gathered specimens of it in the woods two or three miles west of the Mississippi River, opposite New Orleans. In the year 1790, William Bartram assisted in making out a list of trees to be planted in Independence Square, Philadelphia. (See Penn- sylvania Archives, vol. ii. p. 674.) Bartram's fondness for American trees led him to select for that purpose a great variety of indigenous species, so that the native trees of Pennsylvania are now well represented in this cele- brated Square, among which the Fraxinus americana is conspicuous. Cotemporaries of Bartram, and at that time residing in the city of Phila- delphia, were Zaccheus Collins and Dr. Kuhn, botanists, both pupils of Lin- naeus, to whom they sent specimens, from which he described many American plants, including probably the F. americana. Fraxinus pubescens (Walt.) also grows in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and, as Michaux observes, there is little difference in external appearance between it and the white ash. Any one who will compare the plates of these two species in the Sylva will see the striking resemblance in the fruit of each, but that of the red ash is shorter and more pointed. Its petioles are also more or less grooved, and the under side of its leaves and the petioles and young branches are much more pubescent than those of F. americana. Still the two are often considered as the same species by casual observers. It grows in most of the Southern States, and extends as far west as Minnesota. Fraxinus epiptera (Mich.) was regarded by the younger Michaux and Nuttall the same as F. americana. It has been thus considered by the best American botanists. Had it been different, it would have been included in the Sylva by the younger Michaux. Specimens labelled by some of the old botanists F. epiptera (Mich.) are now in the herbarium of the Academy, and they differ not in the least from the F. americana. De Candolle makes F. v i r i d i s (Mich. ) a synonym ofF. juglandifolia. Specimens of the latter in the herbarium of the Academy agree well with those of the green ash, to which they have been referred by Nuttall and other botanists. It is nearly certain that De Candolle is right, because he has been able to see both Lamarck's and Michaux's specimens. The green ash grows occasionally along streams from Pennsylvania to Texas. I have frequently seen it on the Alabama River ; also on the Red River in Louisiana, below Alexandria. It is quite common in Southern Texas, where a form of it col- lected by Berlandier has been described by De Candolle as F. B e r 1 a n d i e r i i, according to Torrey and Gray. Personal observation in Texas with one of Berlandier's specimens, kindly sent to me by Dr. Gray, convince me of the truth of their opinion. Muhlenberg's herbarium, at the rooms of the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, contains a specimen of the green ash which has the serrated leaves and both sides of the same shade of green, which led Dr. Muhlenberg to call it Fraxinus concolor, as related by Michaux, who also states that it grows abundantly along the Susquehanna, near where Dr. Muh- lenberg resided. Hence there is no difficulty in determining the true F. v i r i d i s , Mich., specimens of which in the herbarium of the Academy differ little from his figure of it in the Sylva. Therefore the reader may rest assured that the plates and descriptions in Michaux's Sylva of Fraxinus americana, F. pubescens and F. viridis are correct. Since the time of Michaux, the American forest trees have rarely been care- fully studied by botanists, because they are apt to look on the ground for new plants and flowers, and not up at the trees. Even Nuttall, in his travels, gave 1862.] 4 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY 0? them little attention ; nor did he when journeying contemplate a Supplemen to Michaux's Sylva, which was done at the request of Philadelphia publishers after he had ceased his American wanderings. Hence the volumes of Nuttall have neither the freshness and life of description, nor that fidelity to nature in the plates, which are so remarkable in those of Michaux, who travelled for the especial purpose of publishing a work on the trees of America. The closet botanist cannot master the botany of trees as well as that of herbaceous plants, because of the latter he often has the whole, but of the tree he can at most possess in his herbarium but a mere fragment, which is far from showing all its important characteristics. He who has made trees his especial study can distinguish the different species even in midwinter, when many of them are destitute of leaves. I make these remarks to show why the two next described species of Fraxinus, which are prevalent both at the North and at the South, have been generally referred to one or the other of the three species before mentioned. Fraxinus albicans, S. nov. Foliolis 2 4-jugis sessilibus, ant breviter petiolatis, ovatis, aut ovato-lanceolatis, integris vel serratis, subtus glaucis, tarde utrinque glabris, paniculis laxe terminalibus seu axillaribus ; samaris linearibns 12 18 lin. Ion. emarginatis, basi subteretibus. It is found from New England to Texas, being the largest of the American ash trees, sometimes attaining a diameter of between four and five feet. Its bark is furrowed and of a light grey ; hence it is called the white ash in many places. Its petioles are grooved, and its buds are destitute of the red velvety pubescence peculiar toF. americana. I have not seen it in the vicinity of Philadelphia, nor is there any specimen of it collected in this neighborhood in the herbarium of the Academy. In the herbarium of Darlington, at West Chester, I saw specimens of it labelled F. americana, and it is probably thus called by other American botanists. The West Chester collection had no specimens ofF. americana or F, pubescens. Both F. americana and F. albicans being called white ash throughout the country have caused them to be confounded, especially where, as is often the case, they do not both grow in the same locality ; but the fruit of the latter is only about half the size of the former, which, with the other distinc- tions enumerated, show that they are very different species. Fraxinus oblongocarpa, s. nov. Foliolis 2 4-jugis lanceolatis, vel ovato-lanceolatis, acuminatis, basi cuneatis, integerimis, vel parce serratis, utrinque viridis, junioribus subtus parum pubescentibus, breve petiolatis ; samaris lineari-oblongis, obtusis vel emarginatis, basi subteretibus, et anguste alatis. A small tree, thirty or forty feet high, growing along water courses from Pennsylvania to Texas. Its young branches and the footstalks of the leaves covered with a velvety pubescence. Fruit 18 lines to 2 inches in length and 2 3 lines wide, the terete part short in proportion and somewhat winged, leaflets 34 inches long. This is the Fraxinus pubescens described in Darlington's Flora Cestrica, but not of Michaux. It differs from F. pu b e s- c e n s in its terete petioles ; its leaves are of a deeper green beneath, and both its leaves and branches are less pubescent when mature. Its samara are longer and nearly one-third less in width, nor are they mucronate, or as sharp pointed as in F. pubescens. For those who have not Michaux's Sylva, the following brief descriptions of the white and red ash are given. Fraxinus americanus (Linn.) Foliolis 3 4-jugis, breviter petiolatis, ovato-lanceolatis, integerrimis, acutis, subtus glaucis, petiolis teretibus ; gem- mis rnfo-velutinis ; samaris lineari oblongis obtusis vel acutis, basi teretibus, subacutis. Fruit 23 inches long, but generally about 2J inches in length and 4 5 lines broad in the widest part ; common petiole terete. [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. Fraxinus pubescens (Walt.) Foliolis lanceolato-ovatis, subserratis seu integerimis, acuminatis, subtus pubescentibus, petiolis junioribus ramisque tomentosis ; samaris anguste lanceolatis, obtusis, inucronatis vel acutis, basi teretibus. Fruit 1 2 inches long and 45 lines in width at the widest part ; common petiole channelled above near the base. Fraxinus nigrescens, s. nov. Foliolis 2 4-jugis, lanceolatis vel ovato- lanceolatis, sessilibus, aut breve petiolatis, utrinque acutis vel abrupte acutis basi longe teretibus, acutis. This is a common tree in the vicinity of Austin and in Middle Texas along water courses. It is generally small, but is sometimes 2 3 feet in diameter and 4060 feet high The bark of the stem and limbs is dark grey and furrowed ; hence in many parts of the State it is called the " black ash." Its leaves are of a deep glossy green above and a paler green beneath, and in young leaves the midrib and veins are sparingly pubescent. The terminal leaflet is often much the largest, being sometimes 45 inches in diameter. Such specimens I obtained in Navarro County, and also on Caney River in Matagorda County. Its leaves are rarely if ever serrated. The samara are 12 15 lines long and 4 5 lines broad in the widest part ; about one-half of the entire length is broadly winged, from whence the wings are gradually nar- rowed to the terete part. In midsummer the top of the fruit, extending nearly down half of the wings, is often curved. The common petiole is channelled above near its junction with the stem. Fraxinus tri-alata, s. nov. Foliolis 2 3-jugis, lanceolatis, vel obovatis, supra glabris, subtus parum pubescentibus, ad venas et parce glaucescen- tibus ; samaris 2 3 alatis, obovatis, 68 lin. Ion. obtusis, emarginatis, vel subacutis, basi anguste alatis, acutis. A shrub or small tree, 15 20 feet high, growing on the banks of the Ata- cosa River in Western Texas. Samara in loose axillary or terminal panicles, about one-half of them 3-winged, and 23 lines broad in the widest portion ; not terete below ; the wings being attenuated as far as the pedicels ; leaflets 12 18 lines long and 612 broad, branches smooth, and of a light grey color. Fraxinus pauciflora Nutt. has been referred by Dr. Chapman, in bis Flora of the Southern States, to F. p 1 a t y c a r p a. Specimens of the former, collected by Dr. Baldwin, are in the herbarium of the Academy, and they differ from F. platycarpa in having the petioles grooved, leaves scarce half as large and of one-third less width, and much more acutely serrated, and the fruit of the two is widely different. I have not seen a tree of the F. pauciflora, but I well know F. platycarpa, which extends as far southwest as the Sabine River in Eastern Texas ; and it certainly is very dis- tinct from the Florida ash described by Nuttall, nor have I ever seen it assume any such form. Descriptions of NEW PLANTS from Texas. No. 2. BY S. B. BUCKLEY. POLEMONIACEJE. Phlox macrantha, s. n. Pubescens, humilis 3 6 policaris, ramosa, foliis lanceolatis, utrinque subacutis,* alternis vel oppositis, calycibus parce canescenti pilosis, segmentis lineari-elongatis, acuminatis, corollas tubo gla- bra, laciniis lato-obovatis, apice subacutis, capsula elipsoidea glabra, semina alata. Prairies north of Austin. March. Stems diffusely branching from the root ; leaves numerous, lanceolate and 1862.] 6 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF attenuate at each end, sparingly pubescent ; flowers large, purple, disk of the corolla f to 1 inches in diameter. CONVOLVULACEiE. Convolvulus (Ipomea) cad do en sis, s. n. Suffruticosus glaber, caule tereti, ramosissimo erecto, foliis lineari-lanceolatis breve petiolatis apice acu- minatis sen mucronatis basi attenuatis, pedunculis axillaribus unifloris, vel multifloris folio brevioribus, sepalis ovatis, obtusis, corolla rosea infundibuli- formis 2 3-policaris, stylus elongatus inclusis filamentis duplo longiore, stigma bilobatum, capsula ovato-ellipsoidea, 2 4-sperma, semina ovoidea testa conica pubescente. Northwestern Texas, near Caddo Peak. June. A stout plant, 2 3 feet high, apparently an annual ; leaves 2 3 inches long and 2 4 lines wide, tipped with a setaceous or mucronate point ; peti- oles 3 4 lines long ; peduncles 4 lines to 2 inches in length. Solanace^. Solanum (Cryptocarpum) Sabeanum, s. n. Herbaceum, raniis teretibus, aculeatis, fuscis, glanduloso-pilosis, foliis profunde pinnato-lobatis, segmenti3 ovatis, repando dentatis, dentibus mucronatis, petiolis et venis aculeatis, aculeis stramineis, glabris, rectis insequalibus, racemis subterminalibus, 5 9- floris, corolla alba calyce fere duplo longiore, filamenta lin. longa, anthers lineari-oblongse 6 lin. longse, calycibus aculeatis baccam includentibus. San Saba County. Stem 1 2 feet high, with few branches ; spines 2 8 lines long and irregu- larly placed; leaves, including the petioles, 49 inches in length, lower seg- ments divided to the midrib and lobed, or with large teeth ; sinuses of the upper lobes extend about midway to the midrib, aculea of the leaves few ; petioles and veins glandular pubescent ; calyx inclosing the fruit increases after the fall of the petals, and is about J covered with aculea. Solanum (Lasiocarpa) Linsecumii, s. n. Annuum, caule erecto, tereti, 4 6 policari ramoso, pubescente, foliis oblongo-ovatis, vel lanceolatis, basi attenuatis, breviter petiolatis, apice acutis, integris, utrinque puberulis stipulis linearibus vel lanceolatis, floribus axillaribus, pedunculis solitariis seu geminis, hirsutis, tarde refractis, calycibus campanulatis, hirsutissimis, 5-fidis, laciniis acutis, floribus campanulatis, corollse 5-fidse segmentis acutis, pubescentibus, antheris inclusis cordato-oblongis filamentis brevissimis stylo brevioribus, bacca 4 lin. diam. hirsuta. Llano County, June. Leaves 1 2 inches long ; peduncles 4 12 lines in length ; flowers 3 4 lines in diameter. Physalis Sabeana, s. n. Annua, prostrata, ramosissima, glabra, foliis petiolatis, lanceolato-ovatis, basi attenuatis apice subacutis, margine subre- pando dentatis, dentibus lato-obtusis, corolla rotato-infundibuliforme ccerulea calyce longiore, pedunculis axillaribus, filiformibus geminis, calycibus bac- ciferis, inflatis, ovatis, subangulatis, acutis. San Saba County. June. Branches very numerous, trailing 6 12 inches ; leaves about an inch long and 4 8 lines wide, margins entire, or with 1 2 obtuse teeth on each side ; petioles 6 12 lines long; peduncles in pairs, 4 S lines in length; fruit glo- bose, smooth, 3 4 lines in diameter. Nicotiana glandulosa, s. n. Pubescente-glandulosa, caule herbaceo, simplici vel parum ramoso 6 10-policari, foliis caulinis lato-spathulatis vel oblongis, obtusis, sessilibus vel subamplexicaulibus, radicalibus oblongo- obovatis breviter petiolatis ; floribus terminalibus, breve pedicellatis, corollse [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. / tubo subcylindrico apiee parce inflato calyce fere duplo longiore, calyce pro- funde 5-fido, laciniis linearibus, subacutis. Burnet County. April. Flowers yellowish white, 68 lines long. Gentianace.. Erythraea calycosa, s. n. Annua, caule erecto tetragono ramoso 6 10- policari, foliis acutis, inferioribus lanceolato-ovatis, calycibus 5-partitis, seg- mentis linearisubulatis, margine membranaceis, corolla? tubo longioribus, corolla? rosea? segmentis oblongo-ovatis obtusis. North of Fort Mason. June. Leaves 8 12 lines long ; segments of the calyx 6 8 lines in length ; corolla subcampanulate, the top of the tube dilated and ribbed, filaments exserted, but not exceeding the segments of the corolla, which are 6 8 lines long. Sabbatia formosa, s. n. Caule tetragono erecto 8 12-policari, dicho- tomo-ramoso, ramulis unifloris, foliis lanceolatis vel ovatis, inferioribus obtusis aut submucronatis, calycis tubo breve obovato et carinato, laciniis linearibus, corolla fere duplo brevioribus, corollse 5-partita? rosea?, segmentis obtusis vel subacutis lato-obovatis, semina minutissima, testa verrucosa. Llano County. June. Stems leafy to the summit, the pairs of leaves being about an inch distant from each other ; leaves 6 10 lines long. Oleace^. Forestiera autumnalis, s. n. Foliis minute serratis, ovatis subacutis breviter petiolatis supra glabriusculis, subtus pubescentibus ramulis glabris, junioribus pubescentibus, floret a?state, fructibus globosis caeruleis, matures - centibus tarde in autumno. Eastern Texas and Western Louisiana. Flowers in August. Its fruit is very abundant, glomerated in the axiles of the leaves and ripen- ing in October. Shrub 610 feet high ; petioles 3 4 lines long ; leaves about 1 inches in length, somewhat cuneate at the base. All the other known species of the genus flower before the expansion of the leaves. Nyctaginace^e. Abronia speciosa, s. nov. Caule erecto, vel subdecumbente, tereti, foliis cordatis, obtusis basi insequalibus, petiolatis, pedunculis axillaribus, vel terminalibus, longissimis, involucribus viridis 5 6-phyllis, segmentis pubescentibus lanceolatis acutissimis. Near Fort Belknap. May. Plant 1 2 feet high, branching from the root ; stems bent at base, then erect, with few divaricate branches ; peduncles 4 8 inches long ; heads of flowers large and red ; petioles of the lower leaves 1 2 inches in length, and of the upper leaves 46 lines long ; leaves 1 3 inches long, and 6 lines to 2 inches in width ; whole plant glandular puberulant, not viscid. Oxybaphus pauciflorus, s. n. Glabriusculus ; caule erecto, simplici, foliis oppositis, petiolatis, oblongo-ovatis acutis, vel subobtusis, floribus axil- laribus breve pedunculatis involucri segmentis obovatis, abrupte acutis, pubescentibus, semina oblonga quadrangulata, rugosa. On the San Saba River, north of Fort Mason. Stem 1 2 feet high, rarely if ever branched, and leafy to the summit ; leaves 2 3 inches long and 1 2 inches broad ; petioles 4 8 lines in length ; peduncles 3 6 lines long and 1 2 flowered. EUPHORBIACEJE. Phyllanthus (Lepidanthus) ellipticu s, s. n. Annuusglaber erecto divari- 1862.] 8 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP cato-ramosus, ramis gracilibus, foliis eliptico-oblongis, apice subacutis, breve petiolatis, supra viridibus, subtus glancis, floribus axillaribus solitariis nume- rosis, dioicis, 5-sepalis, longe pedicellatis, fructus ? Western Texas. June. 1^2 feet bigh ; leaves 69 lines in lengtb and 45 lines broad ; petioles 1 2 lines long ; pedicles 4 5 lines in length ; sepals oblong ovate. UrTICACEjE. Morus microphylla, s. n. Arbuscula 1520 pedalis, foliis petiolatis ; cordato-ovatis vel trilobatis, serratis, dentibus mucronatis, utrinque glabri- usculis, venis et marginibus parce et minute ciliatis, stipulis parvis linearibus membranaceis, caducis. Western Texas ; growing in clumps. Stems and branches smooth, with a light grey bark ; fruit ripe last of May; black and sour, with little juice and deep sinuses between the achenia, which are little compressed ; styles divaricate and obtuse ; leaves generally entire, and 1 1^ inches in length and 1 1^ inches wide ; the lobed leaves are aboxit 2i inches long, the middle lobe prolonged and acuminate. The preceding characteristics are constant, and no person seeing this mulberry in its native situations would call it a form of Morus rubra. LlLIACEJE. Yucca longifolia, s. nov. Caule erecto 6 8 pedali, foliis ensiformi- lanceolatis, confertis, rigidis integris acuminatis pungentibus, inferioribus re- fiexis, paniculis magnis terminalibus ; floribus campanulatis, sepalis ovatis acutis, bracteis ovato-lanceolatis acutis margine membranaceis, capsula ob- longo-cylindracea utrinque obtusa. Western Texas. Flowers in March. Stems crowded with leaves to the summit, lower leaves reflexed, often, when dead, with their points in the ground. Leaves 2| 3 feet in length, with curved, margins ; fruit 4 5 inches long, cylindrical and obtuse at each end. Yucca constrict a, s. n. Foliis lineari-lanceolatis margine filamentosis acuminatis in apice caudicis confertissimis, caudex 12 18-policaris, scapus 4 6 pedalis, paniculis magnis, floribus numerosis longe pedunculatis, bracteis ovatis acutis margine membranaceis, sepalis ovato-oblongis, subobtusis, cap- sula subcylindracea in medio constricta. Western Texas. June. Leaves crowded at the top of the caudex, which is from a foot to eighteen inches in height ; leaves 12 15 inches long and 4 6 lines broad. It differs from the Y. angustifolia of Pursh in its constricted capsule, shorter leaves and longer caudex. Yucca angustifolia is common in Northern Texas ; its caudex scarcely rises above the surface of the ground, and its leaves are more than one-third longer than our species. The fruit of Yucca rupicola of Scheele, is conical, tapering to a sharp point, near which there is sometimes a slight constriction. The fruit of Y. constricta is nearly obtuse at both ends, 1^ 2 inches long and constricted in the middle. Jpncace^e. Juncus filipendulus, s. nov. Culmo erecto, gracili, 6 12-policari et 1 2-foliato, foliis planis numerosis ad radicem, rhizomate muto-fibrosa, an- thela terminali, fasciculis 6 12-floris, bracteis ovatis, lato-membranaceis, acuminatis vel longe subulatis, perigonii phyllis 6, jequalibus lanceolatisve ovatis, lato-membranaceis, subulatis, trigona obtusaque capsula longioribus, stylo brevissimo, stigmatis 3, fuscis tortis pubescentibus. In the western part of Llano County, along streams in dense tufts, with weak, single stems, terminated by 14 subhemispherical heads of flowers, [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 9 which, when later with mature fruit, are of a light straw color ; seeds ovate, with reddish brown points ; heads of flowers about 5 lines in diameter ; radi- cal leaves 3 5 inches long. Juncus d iffusis simus, s. n. Culmo erecto 2 3 pedali, foliato, foliis oblongo linearibus acutis, septis transversis inconspicuis, vaginis compressis acutis 1 3-policaribus, anthela terminali decomposita et lato filamento-ramo- sissima, fasciculis 5 7-floris, foliis floralibus ovatis membranaceis acutis, se- palis sequalibus lineari-lanceolatis, acutis, margine membranaceis, capsula oblonga trigona subacuta, perigonio fere duplo longiore, semina ovoidea utrinque subobtusa. Northwestern Texas. Panicle widely diffused, some of its filiform brandies being more than a foot in length ; heads subhemispherical, yellowish brown and 1 2 inches apart from each other. Whole plant weak and not rigid ; capsules 4 lines long, gradually attenuated to a blunt or subacute point, and nearly double the length of the si-pals ; seeds ovoid, tailless, subobtuse, yellowish brown, with the ends dark brown. COMMELYNACEJE. Tradescautia speciosa, s. nov. Caule erecto simplici vel subramoso, glabro, foliis ovatis vel ovato-lanceolatis, acutis margine ciliatis, subamplexi- caulibus, radicalibus petiolatis, umbellis terminalibus, ad basin pilosis sessili- bus, pauciHoribus breve pedicellatis, sepalis lanceolatis subacutis margine membranaceis, petalis lato-ovatis roseis. Corpus Cbristi. May. Plant 4 6 inches high, smooth, excepting the margins of the leaves, the pedicels and the base of the calyx. Radical leaves, including the petioles, 3 4 inches long and 1 inch wide ; petioles 6 12 lines in length ; stem leaves 1 2 inches long and 1 inch broad ; the upper pair of leaves inclosing the umbel about an inch long and nearly an inch in width, acute ; flowers ex- panded 4 6 lines in diameter, rose colored ; pedicels 1 3 lines in length. CYPERACE.E. Cyperus retroflexus, n. s. Rhizomate bulboso ; culmis erectis triquetis 1J 2^-pedalibus basi foliatis ; foliis 12 15-policaribus margine et carina gla- briusculis ; involucre 5 7-phyllo ; foliis 2 inferioribus umbella longioribus ; umbella5 7-radiata ; radiis insequalibus, exterioribus 2 3-policaribus; spicu- lis congestis tarde reflexis teretibus acuminatis 2 3-floris basi bracteatis ; brac- teis ovatis albo-hyalinis obtusis ; squamis oblongo-obovatis vel lanceolatis acutis lateralibus membranaceis ; carinis viridiscentibus ; caryopsi elongata trigona 3 lin. longa, breve apiculata glabra ; stylo 3-fido. Northern Texas. June. Spikes green ; scales 3 4, the lower pair unequal, one being about one- third longer than the other, and clasping the middle of the spikelet, which is commonly 2-seeded ; spikelets 34 lines long ; terminal scale long, acu- minate. Cyperus ruficomus, n. s. Culmis erectis triquetis 2 3-pedalibus basi foliatis ; foliis culmo brevioribus ; umbella 5 9-radiata ; radiis insequalibus 1 5-policaribus involucro 5 7-phyllo ; phyllis linearibus planis insequalibus, longioribus 7 9-policaribus ; spiculis 7 9 lin. longis, remotiusculis 20 30 ; inferioribus 2 3-congestis et pedicellatis circum 20-squamatis ; squamis ovatis acutis marginibus albo-rufescentibus carinis viridiscentibus ; caryopsi lineari trigona apice acuta. San Saba County. June. Spikelet subterete and little more than a line in diameter. The long leaves of the involucre 34 lines wide. A linear setaceous leaf 5 6 lines long at the base of three or four of the lower spikelets. Interior bracts none. 1862.] 10 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF Cyperus Heermannii, n. s. Culmis erectis 2 3-pedalibus, trigonis ; umbella 11 13 radiata ; radiis insequalibus 2-interioribus sessilibus ; longi- oribus subsequalibus 7 8-policaribus ; involucro 9 13 phyllo ; phyllis in- sequalibus, longioribus 9 12-policaribus ; radiis 15 17-stachyis, basi confertis apice divergentibus 15 25-floris ; squamis ovatis acutis lateralibus rufescen- tibas margine albescentibus ; carinis viridiscentibus ; involucelli phyllis numerosis linearibus, vel setaceis ; longioribus 1 2-policaribus ; achenio ob- tuso ellipsoideo et obtuso trigono stylo profunde trifido. California. Dr. Heermann. Spikelets densely aggregated in nearly tbe same plane, with numerous linear or setaceous leaves interspersed. Often tbe beads of spikes are proli- ferous, with a ray about an inch in length, crowned with spikelets. Chsetocyperus (Elseocharis) membranaceus, n. s. Culmis filiformibus erectis, crespitosis, 2 3-policaribus planis ; spica oblongo-ovata 4 12-squa- mata, acuta imbricata ; squamis ovatis, acutis vel subobtusi lateralibus dense albo-hyalinis dorsis stramineis ; achenio lato-ovoideo nigro, subacute triangu- lari et abrupte in tuberculum angustum erosum rostrato ; setis nullis. Llano County. Grows in small tufts. Spikes greyish white 3 4 lines long, achenia quite as broad as long, dull black, not shining. A few of the scales are tinged on the back with brownish red, but most of the backs are straw colored and not keeled ; the back of the lower scale is green. Eleocharis cylindrica, n. s. Culmis planiusculis filiformibus 9 12-poli- caribus ; spica cylindrica subacuta 4 7 lin. longa ; squamis ovatis vel ovato- lanceolatis acutis inferioribus obtusis rufescentibus ; margine albo-hyalinis carinis stramineis ; achenio parvo ovoideo obtuse triangulari glabro tuberculo magno subconico apiculato ; setis 3 6 caducis nucula brevioribus. Northern Texas. June. Spikes 1 2 lines in diameter. Stems below immersed in water. Nuts pale yellow, small ; tubercle large in proportion, contracted at the base and shortly apiculated. Eleocharis microformis, n. s. Culmis setaceis csespitosis erectis 1 2- policaribus, planiusculis ; spicis ovatis obtusis vel subacutis 10 12-squa- matis ; squamis ovatis acutis vel subobtusis, rufescentibus ; carinis virides- centibus ; achenio glabro nitido lato obovato pyriformi ; setis (i nuculam sequantibus ; tuberculo lato applanato breve apiculato. Northern Texas. June. Mature achenia black and shining, crowned with a broad white tubercle, with a short point in the centre. Scales reddish brown, with green keels. Eleocharis acutisquamata, n. s. Culmis striato-sulcatis erectis filifor- mibus 10 15-policaribus ; spica oblongo-ovata acuta 15 40-squamata ; squa- mis ovato-lanceolatis, acutis rufescentibus apice membranaceis ; achenio obo- vato pyriformi et minute reticulato ; tuberculo breve conico apiculato ; setis nullis ; spica 4 lin. longa. San Saba County. May and June. Rhizoma large and creeping ; achenia pale yellow, biconvex tubercles brown. On the Uniformity of Relative Characters between Allied Species of European and American Trees. BY THOMAS MEEHAN. To whatever principles the origin of species may be owing, the following observations tend to show that their respective differences are the result of one unvarying law. Noticing that European willows, oaks and other trees retained their green [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 11 leaves in the autumn much longer than closely allied American species grow- ing near them, and that this could not be owing to immediate climatic influ- ences, as Gleditschia triacanthos, Robinia pseudacacia, and other American trees, with no European representatives, possessed the same characters, I was led to believe it was rather the result of inherent specific peculiarities, which further investigation tended to confirm. It will be seen from the subjoined table that on any positive difference being ascertained to exist between an American and a closely allied European species, the relative differences between all other closely allied species of the same differing geographical distribution are of the same character and nature. For instance, the European Plane (Platanus orientalis) maybe distinguished by a compactness of growth when compared with the diffuse habit of the American species, and the same compactness and diffuseness will be found to prevail in all the respective European and American species of other genera. The nut of the European chestnut {Castanea vesca) is characterized by large size ; the American ( C. Americana) is much smaller, and the seeds of all allied European and American species bear the same relative proportions ; and so of other characters that I have compared, and which I may enumerate as follows : 1st. Color and persistency of the leaves. In which the American species change to some brilliant hue, and fall comparatively early, while the European co-species fade black, and are retained to a later period of the season. 2d. Outline of the leaves. In which the American species have the leaves less lobed, less deeply toothed or serrated, less in width in proportion to their length, and less petiolate than the European species. 3d. Size of the seeds. In which the American are smaller than the European. 4th. Habit of growth. In which the American is more diffuse, has much fewer branchlets, and more and more vigorous main branches, and the outline more irregular and informal than European trees. 5th. Size of the buds. In which the American have smaller ones than the European, and usually set at wider spaces between the nodes. The observations finally made were taken at Germantown, Pa., during the first week in November, 1861. European Species. Laiix Europaea. Quereus robur. " cerris. Betula alba. Populus tremula. " dilatata. Morus alba. Euonymus Europaeus. Spiraea salicifolia. Berberis vulgaris. Carpinus betulus. Cornus sanguinea. Ulmus campestris. Corylus avellana. Alnus glutinosa. Castanea vesca. Pyrus malus. Tilia Europaea. Ulmus montana. Fraxinus excelsior. Cerasus padus. " mahaleb. Fagus sylvatica. 1862.] American species. Larix Americana. Quereus alba. " macrocarpa. Betula populifolia. Populus grandidentata. " Caroliniana. Morus rubra. Euonymus atropurpureus. Spiraea carpinifolia. Berberis Canadensis. Carpinus Americanus. Cornus sericea. Ulmus Americana. Corylus Americana. Alnus serrulata. Castanea Americana. Pyrus coronaria. Tilia Americana. Ulmus fulva. Fraxinus acuminata. Cerasus Virginiana. " serotina. Fagus ferruginea. 12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF European species. American species. Cercis siliquastriuni. Cercis Canadensis. Celtis australis. Celtis occidentalis. Platanus orientalis. Platanus occidentalis. Acer platanoides. Acer saccharinum. Juglans regia. Juglans nigra. Crataegus oxyacantha. Crataegus cordata. In the Jirst of the points to which attention has been directed, the only ex- ception appears to be in Larix Europwa, which drops its leaves at near the same time as the American, and, unlike all the other species named, exhibits in fading the same tinted leaves. In point 2. Fagus ferruginea has a more strongly toothed margin than the European F. sylvatica ; but it is also worthy of note that the leaves of the English species are more coriacious than the American, which may have checked the prolongation of the nerves forming the teeth in the latter species. If there is any difference in the consistency of the leaves, it is usually in favor of the American species. In 3. Quercus cerris has smaller acorns than C. macrocarpa, but it is the most distantly allied species brought into comparison. In 4. I know of no exceptions. In 5. In some few instances the buds of European species appear to be no larger than the American, and in still fewer instances seem smaller ; but the rule holds good so generally as to form a striking and prevailing character. It is proper to remark that the observations were taken from allied species that I have been able to find growing in proximity to each other, and in as similar circumstances as possible. This is very important, as, to a limited extent, circumstances have an influence in the variation of characters. For instance, Quercus alba, when growing in the full light and unsurrounded by other trees, has its leaves much more deeply sinuated than when growing in a mass with others. Lack of attention to this fact would make standard botanical works in some instances seem to oppose the conclusions I have arrived at. As an example of this, Michaux figures Fagus ferruginea with larger fruit than F. sylvatica, and the leaves of Juglans regia as less serrulate than those of J. nigra, neither of which agrees with my experience of plants grown near each other in this climate, and is probably, if not altogether, an error in drawing, to be accounted for by the supposition that the sketches were made from specimens growing under widely diverging circumstances. The species employed in the comparisons are not in all cases the nearest that might be had. Pyrus baccata, for instance, would be a better match for P. coronaria than P. malus, but they were the best my facilities afforded me. Some allied trees could not be compared in all points, and were therefore left from the list. sEsculus, for instance, had shed its leaves at the date given, too early for comparison in persistency of foliage ; but in points 2, 3, 4 and 5 the differences between JE. hippocastanum, on the European, and JE. ftava, on the American side, agree with other species of the other genera named. The observations are perhaps too limited, in the absence of more extensive examinations of other characters and other plants, to establish the fact that, whatever may be the principle governing the origin of species, whether it be by "progressive development," "natural selection of physiological advan- tages," or by "special and continuous acts of creation," it is in conformity with one regular and uniform law ; but their tendency is so evidently in that direction, that I submit the facts for more general investigation, in the belief that it will prove a novel and interesting branch of study in Botanical Science. [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 13 Notice of a New Species of HEMILEPIDOTUS, and Remarks on the Group (TEM- NISTIiE) of which it is a member. BY THEODORE GILL. In the family of Cottoids there exist three genera which quite closely re- semble each and have a rather peculiar physiognomy, but at the same time differ so decidedly from each other, and are distinguished by characters of such previously acknowledged importance, that their close mutual affinity has been overlooked ; and the respective genera have been referred to the neigh- borhood of quite dissimilar groups.* The best and largest known of these genera is Hemilepidotus of Cuvier ; the other two are Temnistia of Richardson and Scorpcenichthys of Girard. For the group thus composed, the name of Temnistice is preferable, as it describes the most peculiar character of the group. Although Hemilepidotus is the chief genus, its name is too restrictive to be modified for the appellation of the group. The Temnistice are distinguished by the development of the first dorsal fin, which is more than half as long as the second, composed of about eleven spines, and with the anterior spines rather shorter and more or less separated by a notch or incision from the following. The supramaxillary bones, snout, supra- orbital region and the forehead and preorbital bones are furnished with cuta- neous tags or barbels. The three genera are chiefly distinguished by the following differential cha- racters. Temnistia Richardson. Abdomen nearly hemispherical and naked. Pectinated scales cover the rest of the trunk. Second dorsal and anal Jins with undivided rays. Hemilepidotus Cuvier. Scales in two longitudinal bands on each side, one dorsal and one lateral. Scorpcenichthys Girard. Body naked and smooth. V. I. 5. Five species, inclusive of that here described, are now known to belong to the group. All of them are peculiar to the western coast of North America or the Arctic Seas ; the typical species of Hemilepidotus, as well as the single known Temnistia, are both found in the Northern waters. The existence of Temnistia has been quite forgotten by the recent systematic writers, although its rank as a valid genus cannot be challenged. Hemilepidotus Gibbsii Gill. The form and proportions are nearly identical with those of H. spinosus (Girard.) The crown, the region above the preoperculum and operculum, and the interocular space, are granulated, but without spines. There are four equidistant short flaps in a transverse row behind the interorbital area, four papillose barbels on the margin of each preorbital bone, and another on the suborbital above the end of the supramaxillary ; from the centre of the latter a larger compressed flap springs. On the chin are four small flaps. A flap also exists near the anterior angle of the upper cleft of the branchial aperture. * I embrace this opportunity to state that the genus Triglopsis of Girard is most closely allied to my Oncocotlus, of which the Cottus quadricornis of Europe is the type, and differs chiefly in the absence of the " horns " or claviform tubercles and in its fresh water habitat, &c. The entire family of Cottoids indeed requires a careful revision. Dr. Giinther has been quite unsuccessful in his distribution of the species, and has regarded as doubtful, species which belong to peculiar genera that have been clearly and distinctly characterized, while genera and species whose claims to that rank are much more ques- tionable have been admitted. 1862.] 14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 1 D. fcl. 2, 16, 2. A. 14 -. C. 4, 5, 4, 3. P. 16. V. I. 4. 1 The ahdomen is spotted. The preopercular, interopercular and suborbital regions, the membrane connecting the maxillary bones and the lower surface of the head, are covered with large dark brown dots. The fins are more or less distinctly banded or spotted; the ventrals whitish. Specimens of this species were obtained by Dr. Kennerly, the naturalist of the North-Western Boundary Survey, and are also found at San Francisco, a large specimen being in the same lot containing the true Hemilepidotus spinosus, and confounded with it by Dr. Girard. From that species it differs in the number and arrangement of the cutaneous tags as well as by color. I have dedicated the species to my friend, Mr. George Gibbs, who rendered much valuable assistance to the naturalist of the Survey. A detailed descrip- tion will be given in the Report on the Ichthyology of the Western Coast. On the Subfamily of ARGENTININJE. BY THEODORE GILL. In the " Catalogue of the Fishes of the Eastern Coast of North America," the family of Salmoaoids is divided, with Prince Bonaparte, into two sub- families, the Salmoninae and Argentininae, but with the very important modification of the exclusion from the latter, as well as from the family itself, of the genus Microstoma. With Bonaparte also Osmerus is retained among the Salmonina?, while Mallotus is placed in the subfamily of Argentininas. The great error involved in this arrangement was subsequently discovered, but I unfortunately forgot to correct it in the Catalogue. The only character which thus separates the two subfamilies is the development of the teeth, a charac- ter of secondary value. The two subfamilies are very distinct from each other, but distinguished chiefly by the modifications of the intestinal canal. The Salmonince have the stomach nearly or quite siphonal, and the pyloric caeca are numerous. The Argentininae have the stomach decidedly caecal, and the caeca are gene- rally five in number, and surround the pyloric extremity of the stomach. Dr. Kner, in his excellent contribution on the form of the stomach and the development of the pyloric caeca, has even suggested that Osmerus and its allies may belong to a different family ; and it certainly appears quite pro- bable that such is the case. The position of the Argentininae, as a subfamily of the Salmonoids, is therefore provisional. The Argentininae, as now characterized, are divisible among two distinct groups ; one has the normal salmonoid position of the dorsal fin, or, in other words, it is subcentral, and above or nearly above the ventrals. This group embraces all the common northern or European and American species. Another group, represented by a single species, is distinguished by the pos- terior insertion of the dorsal and its position above the anus; the species is an inhabitant of Australasian seas, and has been described under the name of Argentina retropinna, by Sir John Richardson. The specific name may be ac- cepted as a generic appellation, while the species can be called in honor of its learned describer, Retropinna Richardsonii. A species of the true Argentine group also is the type of a distinct genus nearly allied to Argentina;, with which it agrees in the number of brancbios- tegal rays, but the mouth is larger, the dentition different and the ventral fins more advanced. Its type is the Argentina pretiosa of Girard, or Osmerus elonga- tus of Ayres. It may be named Mesopus, in allusion to the position of the ventral fins. The following synopsis exhibits the relations and differential characters of the several genera : Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 15 L Dorsal subcentral, above or nearly above the ventrals Argentina. A. Branchiostegal rays 8. Mouth rather large. Ventrals under the front or in advance of dorsal. Scales of the male villose or pointed, in a lateral band. Pectoral and ventrals much developed Mallotus. Scales alike and simple in both sexes. Pectorals and ventrals moderate Osmerus. A A. Branchiostegal rajs 6. Mouth small; maxillar ceas- ing under front of eyes. Ventrals nearly under middle of dorsal Hypomesus. AAA. Branchiostegal rays 6. Mouth very small ; maxillars not extending to eyes. Ventrals inserted under rear of or behind the dorsal. Scales cycloid Argentina. Scales with exposed surface spinigerous Silus. II. Dorsal far behind, above anus Retropinn.e. Branchiostegal rays 6. Scales cycloid Retropinna. The genus Thaleichthys, of Girard, has not been adopted, it appearing to be, as Dr. Ayres has already shown, identical with Osmerus. The latter gentleman has remarked, <; that the very species which the describer takes as the type of Thahichthys, has occasionally teeth on the palatines well developed ; and one specimen in my possession shows even denticulations on the maxillaries." There is a very considerable analogical resemblance between the group of Argentinae and the Salmonine genus Argyrosomus of Agassiz, a resemblance more especially manifested between the genus Hypomesus and the American Argyrosomus albus {Coregonus albus, Les.) and the A. albula (Coregonus albulus, Val.) of Northern Europe. The likeness, however, appears simply to be one of analogy, and not indicative of close affinity. Appendix to the Synopsis of the Subfamily of PERCIN2E BY THEODORE GILL. Since the publication of the " Synopsis of the Subfamily of Percinae," we have become acquainted with two quite distinct generic types which are now referred to their places in the system. This appendix will consequently perfect to date the synopsis, and exhibits the condition of our present knowledge of the Percinas, with the exception, perhaps, of the relations of the Labrax lyiuy of Basilewski. That species does not appear to belong to Labrax, but rather to an unnamed genus, but the description is too defective to admit of its pro- per classification. Genus Chorististum Gill. Liopropoma? sp. Poey, Memorias sobra la Historia Natural de la Isla de Cuba vol. ii. Body fusiform, with the caudal peduncle high and compressed. Head rather elongated, conic in profile and acute in front, but with the outline slightly curved. Lower jaw protuberant. Teeth villiform on the jaws, vomer and pala- tine bones. Preoperculum entire. Operculum armed with two spines. Scales on the whole body, except the muzzle. Dorsal fins entirely separated; the first with five spines diminishing from the second; the second dorsal with a single spine. Anal armed with three graduated spines, and with the soft portion elevated backwards. Caudal subtruncated. Lateral line anteriorly arched. Type. Cborististium rubrum, Gill. Syn. Liopropoma? rubre, Poey. Memorias sobra la Historia Natural de la Isla de Cuba. Tomo ii., p. 1862.] 16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP This genus is represented by a single species, and is distinguished from i? opropoma chiefly by the modification of the dorsal fin, but differs also by other less important peculiarities. The name of Chorististium has been bestowed on it in allusion to the separation of the second dorsal from the first,* on account of the atrophy of the antecedent spines of the former which occur in Liopropoma. Genus Siniperca Gill. Perca Basileivski, Noveaux Memoires de la Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou. Tome x., p. 217. 1855. Non Perca, Linn. Body oblong and compressed, covered with small scales. Lateral line little arched in front. Head mostly scaleless, oblong, with the profile slightly in- curved to the eyes, and with the snout conic and slightly convex before eyes. Eyes small, entirely in the anterior half of the head. Mouth rather large, the supramaxillary bones continued under or behind the eyes. Lower jaw promi- nent. Teeth villiform on the jaws, vomer and palatine bones. Preoperculum serrated behind, beneath with three or four spines or lobes. Operculum termi- nating in a spine. Branchiostegal rays seven. .Dorsal fins connected at base; the first arched, with twelve spines ; the second short and quadrate. Anal with three spines, the second of which is short or moderate; the soft part corre- sponding to the second dorsal. Caudal entire. Pectoral fins rounded behind. Type. Siniperca chua-tsi, Gill. Syn. Perca chua-tsi, Basilewski, op, cit., tome x., p. 218, tab. 1, fig. 1. This is a very distinct and peculiar genus, its physiognomy recalling to mind the Lates calcarifer more than any other fish, but it widely differs from Lates in the development of the first dorsal fin, the almost or quite naked head, the small size of the scales on the trunk and the slight armature of the opercular bones. It is composed of only two known species, the Perca chua-tsi and P. chuan-tsi of Basilewski, both of which are inhabitants of the Chinese rivers. In allusion to this restriction of habitat to the Chinese Empire, the name of Siniperca may be given. Dr. Basilewski has very well formulated the charac- ters of the genus, but he has unfortuuately employed for it the name of Perca ; the latter must of course be retained for that to which it was originally given, and it then becomes necessary to rename the Chinese fishes. Note on the SCIJENOIDS of California. BY THEODORE GILL. Dr. Ayres has recently described, in the "Proceedings of the California Academy of Natural Sciences," two new species of Sciaenoids, for one of which he has framed a new genus, (Seriphus,) and the other has been referred to Johnius. Dr. Ayres has also expressed his belief in the close affinity of Se- riphus and Johnius. On perusing his description, and after an examination of his outline figures, I am convinced that Seriphus is most closely allied to that as yet unnamed genus of which the Ancylodon parvipinnis of Cuvier and Va- lenciennes is the type, while the Johnius nobilis belongs to one nearly allied to the weak fishes ( Cynoscion) of the Eastern American coast, and is congeneric with Cuvier 's Otolithus cequidens of the Cape of Good Hope. The two species of California are consequently not only generically distinct, but they appear to me to represent two subfamilies, equally distinct from each other and from the Scireninfe.f * X&>p/trToc, separate and 'Is-tiov, sail. *It may be here remarked that the genus Camarina of Ayres is not at all related to the Pomacentroids, but is synonymous with the genus Girella of Gray and Gu'nther. Dr. Ayres has stated that the " genus,-though resembling in general features some species of Pomacentrus, presents a new grouping of generic characters." [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 17 Five species of Scisenoids are now known as inhabitants of the western coast of the United States ; they represent apparently three groups or subfamilies. The Sci^ninje or Corvininje are restricted to those species of the family having the normal or nearly the normal number (j^) of vertebrae, that of the caudal being sometimes increased. The snout is more or less protuberant' and the lower jaws generally received within the upper. The lower pha- ryngeal bones are separated ; the upper triple on each side. Three of the Californian species belong to this group. 1. Rhinoscion saturnus Gill. Amblodon saturnas Girard. 2. Umbrina undulatds Girard. Menticirrhus undulatus Gill. 3. Genyonemus lineatts Gill. Leiostomus lineatus Ayres. The second species was formerly referred to Menticirrhus, but as I am now acquainted with a true Umbrina from Lower California, I prefer to retain Girard's species in the latter genus. The description of Girard, although very unsatisfactory, rather tends to confirm the propriety of such restoration. The following synopsis of the Umbrina: of Cuvier shoics the principal distinc- tions of the several genera. I. Dorsal spines ten. Head oblong and declivous above ; caudal equal Umbrina. Head rather elongated ; caudal unequally lobed ; the upper pointed, the lower convex Menticirrhus. II. Dorsal spines thirteen. Head rather short and blunt Cirrimens.* The second subfamily or group is that of the Otolithinje, which, I have discovered since the publication of the notice of the North American Sciseuoids, is distinguished by the reversed proportions of the numbers of the vertebra?.} The body is fusiform, and the lower jaw is prominent or at least even with the upper. To this belongs the following species : 4. Atractoscion nobilis Gill. Johnius nobilis Ayres. The following synopsis exhibits the characters of Atractoscion compared with the other genera of Otolithina?. A. Height less than one-fourth of length. (Vertebra? 14 about j^.) OtolituinjE. B. Teeth regularly attenuated and pointed. Eyes very large, the diameter longer than the snout. *The type of this genus is the Umbrina ophiocephalus of Jenyns. tBy this character the Otolithina; are distinguished from ihe Larimin^e, which has nearly the normal number and proportion of the vertebra? ( ). Possibly Odonto- scion, as Gunther supposes, may be most nearly allied to this group, but it appears more nearly connected to the Otolithina?. The Larimina? have, then, two genera very distinct from each other, and recognizable by the following characters: Second dorsal much longer than the first. ( I. 2430.) L. brevicepsCuv. Larimus. Second dorsal as short or shorter than first. (= I. 13.) L. auritus Cuv. Brachydeuterus. 1862.] 2 18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP Teeth in external row large Odontoscion.* Eyes moderate, the diameter less than the snout. Teeth in 1 3 rows. Anal fin I. II. 713. Canine teeth of lower jaw large Otolithus.f Canine teeth in lower jaw obsolete. Psendobranchise developed Cynoscion. t Pseudobranchise obsolete Apseudobranchus. Anal fin I. 15 16 Archoscion.|| Teeth cardiform or pluriserial Atractoscion.^ BB. Teeth above in front (2) and beneath on sides large and arrow-shaped Ancylodon.** The third group is composed of two genera, and may be called Isopisthin^. The only species of the Californian is that named by Ayres. 5. SfiRipnus politcs Ayres. The following are the characters of the group and genera: A. Dorsal fins quite remote ; second dorsal and anal subequal, oblong IsOPISTHIN/. Scales small and cycloid. Canine teeth above in front and below on sides very large and lanceolate Isopisthus. Scales large, strongly ciliated. Teeth distinct, in one or two rows Seriphus. The discovery of representatives of such rare types on that coast which has already furnished so remarkable a number of peculiar forms, is a discovery of much interest. I have, in my treatise on the North American Scisenoid genera, alluded to the external differences between the Corvininse and Otolithina?, but, unable to find other satisfactory characters, declined at that time to consider them as distinct subfamilies. It was after an examination of Dr. Ciinther's work that my attention was arrested by the coincidence between the proportions of the abdominal and caudal vertebra? and the external form, and I cannot but believe that the value that has been now given to the groups is merited by their im- portance. To Dr. Griinther we are indebted for having first assigned to the family of Sciamoids its true limits. He appears to have retained such, and such only, as are genuine members of the family. Some, as Isojnsthus and Seriphus, seem indeed to have some relation to the carangoid Scombroids, such as Lactarius, but the affinity is probably remote. The wide separation above proposed between Isopisthus and Ancylodon does not appear to be unnatural. The resignation of R. E. Griffith as Librarian was read and accepted. The following was read and adopted : Resolved, That the Committee on the Library, in conjunction with the Librarian, be authorized to employ an assistant for one year, at a salary not to exceed twenty-five dollars per month. The Auditors reported that they had examined the Treasurer's an- nual report and had found it correct. *Type. Corvina dentex Cuv. et Val. \Type. Otolithus ruber Cuv. et Veil. JOtolithus regalis Cuv. Otolithus toe-roe Cuv. et Val. || Otolithus analis Jertyns. ^Otolithus aequidens Cuv. et Val. **Ancylodon jaculidens Cuv. etVal. [Jan. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 19 Pursuant to the By-Laws, an election of members of the Standing Committees for 1862 was held; and a Librarian was also elected, as follows : [ETHNOLOGY. J. A. Meigs, S. S. Haldeman, g I. I. Hayes. COMP. ANAT. $ GEN. ZOOLOGY. J. Leidy, J. M. Corse, J. H. Slack. MAMMALOGY. J. H. Slack, John Cassin, J. L. Le Conte. ORNITHOLOGY. John Cassin, S. W. WoODHOUSE, J. H. Slack. HERPETOL OGY$ ICHTHYOLOG Y. E. D. Cope, R. Bridges, J. C. Morris. CONCHOLOGY. T. A. Conrad, W. G. Binney, G. W. Tryon, jr. ENTOMOL OGYAND CR USTA CEA . R. Bridges, Samuel Lewis, E. T. Cresson, BOTANY. E. DURAND, Joseph Carson, Aubrey H. Smith. GEOLOGY. Isaac Lea, Charles E. Smith, J. P. Lesley. MINERALOGY. Wm. S. Vaux, J. C. Trautwine, T. D. Rand. PALEONTOLOGY. Joseph Leidy, T. A. Conrad, J. L. Le Conte. PHYSICS. B. Howard Rand, Wm. M. Uhler, R. E. Rogers. LIBRARY, Wm. S. Vaux, Joseph Leidy, Joseph Jeanes. PROCEEDINGS. Robert Bridges, Joseph Leidy, Wm. S. Vaux, John Cassin, Thomas Stewardson. LIBRARIAN. J. Dickinson Sergeant. 1862.] 20 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY Off February geris; elytris apice oblique truncatis, basi, fascia angusta saepe iuteirupta vel obsoleta ante medium, altera angulata mox pone medium, tertiaque obliqua ad dodran- tem albo-pubescentibus, femoribus posticis maris abdomine longioribus, fe- minas brevioribus. Long. -30 40. Middle States. The middle band makes an acute angle on each elytron, the apex being directed towards the base. The suture is more or less clothed with white pubescence; beneath a white spot is seen each side of the metasternum. This species belongs near C. leucozonus. 22. Pteroplatus ? floridanus, niger opacus, supra rude punctatus, thorace fulvo, vittis 3 nigris, doisali latiore, latitudine breviore, rotundato, parum con- vexo ; elytris thorace paulo latioribus, sutura margine costisque utiinque 3 elevatis, his postice obsoletis ; basi margineque externo laste fulvo ; antennis corpore duplo brevioribus, haud cristatis, articulo 5to 4to longiore, llnio sim- plici, apice subacuto. Long. -37. Florida; Mr. Kdward Norton. The anterior coxae are not transverse, and their cavities are very slightly angulated externally, about as much so as in Atimia. 23. Asemum a s p e r u m Lee. has the eyes prominent, and coarsely granulated [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 43 as in Criocephalas, but much more emarginate than in the other species of that genus. In the latter respect, however, C. australis (Asemum australe Lee.) is an intermediate form. 24. Prionus i n n o c u u s, rufo-piceus, nitidus, thorace modice punctato, lati- tudine triplo breviore, angulis omnibus valde rotundatis, lateribus rotundatis. paulo undulatis, elytris thorace fere sesqui brevioribus, latitudine vix se*qui longioiibus, sat fortiter punctatis, apice singulatim rotundatis; antennis(9) 13-articulatis. Long. '90. New Mexico ; Mr. Ulke. More robust in form than any other species known to me ; the eyes are of the same size as in P. integer Lee. Synopsis of the MORDELLIDJE of the United States. BY JOHN L. LE CONTE, M. D. In investigating the numerous species of this family contained in our fauna, I have recognized other genera, in addition to those noted by me in the Smith- sonian Contributions, in my paper on the Coleoptera of Kansas and New Mexico. I have also become convinced that the genus Sphalera established upon Mor- della m e 1 a e n a Germ., is not tenable, the relative proportion of the outer joints of the antennae being a specific rather than a generic character. With these changes, our genera may be arranged in two tribes, as follows : A. Abdomen without anal prolongation ; claws not cleft ; hind coxae moderate ANASPINI. Anterior and middle tarsi with 4th joint equal to 3d ; Antenna? long, scarcely thickened externally Diclidia. Antennae shorter, last five joints broader Pentaria. Anterior and middle tarsi with 4th joint very small Anaspis. B. Abdomen, with the last dorsal segment prolonged, conical ; claws cleft and pectinate ; hind coxae very large MORDELLINI. a. Hind tibiae with a small subapical ridge ; eyes finely granulated ; Scutellum emarginate behind, eyes not reaching the occiput Tomoxia. Scutellum triangular, eyes reaching the occiput ; Anal style emarginate, last joint of maxillary palpi very transverse, securiform Glipa. Anal style entire, last joint of maxillary palpi tri- angular or slightly securiform Mordella. b. Hind tibiae and tarsi with oblique ridges on the outer face ; eyes coarsely granulated ; Hind tibiae without subapical ridge Glipodes. Hind tibiae with the subapical ridge distinct Mordellistena. Tribe 1. ANASPINI. The hind coxae are somewhat larger in Anaspis than in the other two genera, and are shaped as in Mordella, though by no means as largely developed as in that genus. The characters of the tribe are : Hind coxae not or but slightly dilated ; tibiae slender, claws not cleft nor serrate ; last dorsal segment not prolonged ; 6th ventral segment not visible in Anaspis, visible in Pentaria and Diclidia ; eyes oval, narrowly emarginate ; antenna? inserted very near the eyes, not serrate. Body transversely strigate, pubescent. The species are found on plants. Diclidia. The only species known to me is Anaspis laetula Lee, which differs 1862.] 44 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF from Pentariaby the antenna, which are long and slender, very slightly thick- ened externally, by the form of the mesosternum, as well as by the sexual characters. Scutellum rounded triangular, last dorsal segment not prolonged, sixth ventral visible ; hind tibiae slender, without ridges ; fourth joint of anterior and middle tarsi emarginate, not smaller than the third ; claws dilated at base. Hind coxae small. Mesosternum compressed, much elevated. Eyes coarsely granulated, with a small emargination ; antennae long and slender, slightly thickened externally, not serrate ; third and fourth joints each equal to the first and second together, fifth and sixth a little shorter. Palpi ? In the male the fifth ventral segment is broadly emarginate, and from the tip of the abdomen proceed two long triangular appendages, truncate at the apex. The sculpture is of fine transverse lines. Yellow ; scutellar cloud and two posterior bands of elytra black, venter fuscous, -12. Texas. 1. lae tula Lee. Pentakia Muls. Scutellum rounded triangular ; last dorsal segment of abdomen not pro- longed ; sixth ventral segment visible ; hind tibiae without ridges, more slen- der than in Anaspis ; third joint of anterior and middle tarsi not lobed, fourth equal to the third, and emarginate ; claws dilated at base. Hind coxae smaller than in Anaspis. Eyes coarsely granulated with a small emargination ; an- tennae with the joints 4 6 short, 7 11 thickened, not serrate ; last joint of maxillary palpi triangular, acute at tip. Notwithstanding the visible sixth ventral segment, the present genus is so closely allied to Anaspis that it would be unnatural to place it anywhere but in this family. The reduction in size of the hind coxae and the slender hind tibiae indicate a relationship with Scraptia,. The species are small, narrow, finely pubescent insects, living upon flowers ; the sculpture consists of very fine, transverse lines as in Anaspis. I have not discovered any external sexual characters. Body fuscous ; head, thorax, feet and base of antennae testaceous ; elytra black, with a large spot before the middle, extending nearly to the suture, and a broad band near the tip, yellow, *14. Middle States. Anaspis trifas- ciata Mels. 1. t r if as c iat a Lee. Body entirely fuscous or piceous, legs and base of antennae paler, # 11 *13. Texas and New Mexico. 2. f u s c u 1 a. Body very narrow, yellow, with a broad fuscous band on the elytra at the middle, -09. Tejon, California. 3. nubilaXec. Anaspis Latr. Scutellum rounded triangular, last dorsal segment not prolonged ; sixth ventral not visible ; hind tibiae slightly thickened, without ridges ; fourth joint of anterior and middle tarsi very small, received upon the third joint, which is slightly lobed ; claws dilated at base. Hind coxae flat, moderate in size. Mesosternum not compressed, finely carinate. Eyes coarsely granulated, with a miall emargination ; antennae slightly thickened externally, not ser- rate ; last joint of maxillary palpi rounded internally, pointed at tip. In the male two long, slender appendages are seen proceeding from between the fourth and fifth ventral segments ; the fourth and fifth, and sometimes the others, are longitudinally excavated. The genus Anthobates Lee. (Agassiz's Lake Superior, 231) was established on false observations ; the type of it, Anaspis trifasciata Mels. cannot be placed in the present genus, but must be referred to Pentaria Muls.. the generic name under which the characters were first properly exposed. Body entirely black ; transverse striae exceedingly fine : Thorax twice as wide as long ; base of antennae, palpi and front legs tes- [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 45 taceous, "13 -15. L. Superior and Hudson's Bay Terr, tf with the ventral segments broadly channeled. Hallomenus niger Hald. . 1. nigra Lee. Thorax one-half wider than long, mouth and base of antennae very dark testaceous, -11 -15. California. 2. at ra Lee. Head, thorax and body black ; elytra brownish yellow : Thorax scarcely wider than long, '15. Cala. and Sitka. A. luteipennis Lee. .......... 3. s e rice a Mann. Thorax one-half wider than long, *12 -14. Georgia and Minnesota. 4. flavipennis Hal. Thorax and elytra brownish yellow : Thorax one-half wider than long; head yellow; antennae and abdomen usually fuscous, sometimes yellow, *12 -15. Southern, Middle and Western States, Canada, Sitka. A. pallescens Mann. ; ventralis Mels. ; jiliformis Lee. 5. rufa Say. Thorax one-half wider than long, head black, antennae and body fuscous, the former pale at the base, *10 *13. Washington Territory. 6. nigriceps Lee. Thorax nearly twice as wide as long ; entirely uniform yellowish brown, more robust than the preceding, *05. Colorado Desert. . 7. pus io Lee. Thorax yellow, elytra and body black : Thorax a little wider than long, anterior and middle thighs partly testa- ceous ; transverse lines of elytra more distinct than usual, *12. San Diego, Cala. . . . . . . . . . . 8. collaris Lee. Tribe II. MORDELLINI. Hind coxae very large and fiat, metasternum short ; hind tibiae dilated ; claws cleft to the base, with the upper portion strongly pectinate ; last dor- sal segment conical, prolonged, sixth ventral not visible. Eyes oval, emargi- nate, antennae more or less serrate, inserted in front of the eyes under a frontal margin. Body pubescent, very finely punctulate. Tomoxia Costa. The species of this genus are cuneiform, of a blackish color, varied with irregularly diffused gray pubescence ; the scutellum is emarginate behind, the anal style is short and obtuse ; the hind tibiae and tarsi without ridges, except the short subapical one of the former ; the eyes are finely granulated, the antennae tolerably strongly serrate, and the last joint of the palpi is more or less elongate, triangular and moderately thick, with the extremity hollowed out. The species are found running on the bark of trees which are partly dead ; three are known to me, A. Last joint of maxillary palpi long triangular ; base of thorax rounded at the middle. Elytra with broad lines not extending behind the middle ; a posterior fascia composed of spots and the apical margin cinereous ; of the dark markings a rhomboidal spot each side near the base is most characteristic, *3S - 5. Mid- dle and Western States. ..... 1. b id e n t a t a (Say.) B. Last joint of maxillary palpi securiform ; base of thorax subemarginate at the middle. Elytra with narrow lines and subapical fascia cinereous, dark markings all narrow, '21 '32. Middle States. . . . . 2. lineella. Elytra with a broad basal fascia including each side a round dark spot, transverse spot behind the middle, apex, suture and margin cinereous, -19. Western States 3. i n c 1 u s a. 1862.] 46 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Glipa Lee. The only species known to me is narrow and cuneiform ; the scutellum is rounded triangular, the anal style is short and subemarginate ; the hind tibiae and tarsi are without ridges, except the short, subapical one of the former ; the eyes are very finely granulated, the antennae tolerably strongly serrate, and the last joint of the maxillary palpi very broadly securiform and mode- rately thick, with the extremity hollowed out. Black, varied with cinereous hair, elytra with a narrow subbasal band ob- lique inwards, and a broad one oblique outwards, brown pubescent, con- nected along the suture and margined with cinereous pubescence, '35 '48. Middle and Western States. Mordella hilaris Lay. . 1. hilaris Lee. Mordella Linn. The species of this genus are cuneiform ; the scutellum is triangular ; the anal style generally long and slender ; the hind tibiae and tarsi are without ridges, except the short, subapical one of the former ; the eyes are finely granulated, the antennae are more or less serrate ; the last joint of the max- illary palpi long triangular, very obliquely truncate, except in the male of M. oculata, where it is broad and securiform, with the under surface clothed with erect hairs, moderately thick and hollowed out at the extremity ; Spha- lera Lee. founded upon M. melaena Germ, is not sufficiently distinct. The species are found on flowers. A. Anal style short truncate, antennae broadly serrate. Piceous, covered with sericeous brown hair, elytra with a double cinereous spot each side, behind the middle, "25 *30. Kansas. 1. 4-pu n c t at a Zee* Dull black ; thorax, pygidium and elytra sprinkled with small rounded spots of a silvery pubesceuce, elytra with a narrow, interrupted band behind the middle, composed of confluent spots, -13. Northern States. 2. borealis. B. Anal style long slender. A. Last joint of maxillary palpi scalene triangular. a. Pubescence above dark, without conspicuous markings : Deep black, finely pubescent, base of thorax broadly rounded at the mid- dle, *2 *33. Middle, Southern and Western States. 3. melaena Germr. Above dull black, scutellum cinereous, beneath with fine grayish pubes- cence, sides of breast and anterior margin of ventral segments clothed with nearly white pubescence, -16 '23. N. Y., Canada, G-a., Oregon, California. M. atrata Mels 4. scutellaris Fabr. Black, pubescence above brownish black, with single cinereous hairs inter- mixed, beneath dull black, -12 '17. Southern and Western States. 5. irrorata. b. Pubescence above black, with orange-colored spots : Occipital margin, base of thorax, with two short projections each side, ir- regular spot surrounding the humerus, and a lunate spot near the tip of the elytra clothed with bright orange-colored pubescence, '30. Florida. 6. inflammata. Head grayish pubescent, thorax with reticulated lines of grayish yellow hair, elytra with a curved basal spot, a narrow oblique one behind the humerus, a rounded subsutural one at the middle, and a reniform spot one-fourth from the tip, more or less fulvous pubescent, beneath spotted with cinereous pubes- cence, "24 '28. Middle and Southern States. . 7. octopunctata Fabr. * Anaspis 4-punctala Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci., 3, 276. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 47 c. Pubescence above black, varied with cinereous pubescent markings : a. Antennae and front legs black ; markings small, irregular. Thorax cinereous pubescent, with large black spots ; elytra with small cinereous markings, more or less confluent ; beneath varied with cinereous and black, -12 '17. Atlantic to Kansas ; La. to Winnipeg. 8. marginata Mels. Thorax cinereous pubescent, with large black spots ; elytra with small cinereous markings, confluent into narrow lines ; beneath varied with cine- reous and black, 14 '17. Middle and Western States, Canada. 9. lineata Mels. b. Antennae and front legs testaceous ; markings irregular : Thorax and elytra speckled with small, rounded, unequal, cinereous spots, interrupted band behind, the middle of the elytra and tip cinereous ; beneath varied with cinereous and black, -15 10. serval Say. B. Last joint of maxillary palpi broad, securiform. (Antennae and front legs testaceous, markings large.) Elytra with a large basal band including each side a round black spot, and an interrupted band behind the middle cinereous ; beneath varied with cine- reous ; (maxillary palpi of male larger than in the female, with the under surface of the joints clothed with erect hairs,) -23 '26. Middle, Southern and Western States 11. oc ulata Say. Elytra with an oblique band running from the humerus almost to the su- ture, a transverse spot behind the middle, and the entire suture cinereous ; beneath varied with cinereous, (^ unknown,) 20. Kansas. 12. insulata Lee. C. Last joint of maxillary palpi almost an isoceles triangle. a. Body entirely black, robust, elytra with broad cinereous pubescent bands, thorax cinereous pubescent with large black spots. Elytra with a broad basal band including on each side two spots, and two oblique undulated bands of cinereous hair, '12 -14. Middle and Western States. . 13. triloba Lee* Elytra with a broad basal band including each side a very large black spot, band just behind the middle and tip cinereous, "11. Middle and Western States 14. undulata Mels. b. Head, thorax and elytra partly yellow, the latter with transverse bands. Black, antenna?, feet, middle of pectus and occiput yellow, thorax yellow with a very large triangular black spot occupying the whole of the apex, and extending nearly to the base, elytra with an oblique humeral vitta connected with a band before the middle, another band behind the middle, the apex and margin and suture behind the secondhand yellow, -09 *12. Middle, Southern and Western States. Varies with the elytra marked with only two transverse yellow bands. 15. disco idea Mels. Glipodes Lee. The species of this genus are cuneiform, narrow, fuscous and covered with a dense sericeous brown pubescence. The scutellum is rounded triangular, the anal style is moderately long ; the hind tibiae have no subapical ridge, (which exists in all the other genera,) but are carinate along the dorsal line, and furnished with a long oblique ridge on the outer surface, which is con- nected with the dorsal ridge near the tip ; the first joint of the hind tarsi has two oblique ridges. The eyes are coarsely granulated ; the antennae are feebly * Anaspis triloba Say, Journ. Acad., 3, 276. 1862.] 48 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP serrate. The last joint of the maxillary palpi is scalene triangular in form, and in the male of G. sericans is covered on the under surface with a dense brush of fine short hair ; in the same sex there is at the base of the last joint an external articulated bifurcated appendage, the branches of which are as long as the joint ; no vestige of this is seen in the female ; the last joint of the labial palpi of both sexes of G. sericans is triangular and broadly emarginate at tip , in G. helva the same joint is bell-shaped and truncate at tip. A. Labial palpi with the last joint emarginate. Cuneiform elongate, fuscous, densely clothed with sericeous brown pubes- cence, -30. Middle, Southern and Western States. (^ as above described.) Mordella sericans Mels. ...... 1. s er ic an s (Lee.) B. Labial palpi with the last joint truncate. Almost linear, fuscous, densely clothed with sericeous brown pubescence, 18. Georgia. 2. helva. MOKDELLISTENA Costa. Scutellum rounded triangular ; anal style long and slender ; hind tibia? with a subapical, short, transverse ridge, and from one to five oblique ridges on the outer face ; hind tarsi with several oblique ridges. Eyes coarsely granulated ; antennae feebly serrate ; last joint of maxillary palpi triangular. The numerous species of this genus are small, frequently elegantly colored insects living upon flowers ; they are either linear or slightly cuneiform. Divisions are easily formed by regarding the ridges of the hind tibiae and tarsi, which scarcely vary in the same species. Species of similar color, e. g. M. lute a, vapid a, tost a, ustulata, nubila and ambusta, which are all of a yellowish brown color, are easily distinguished by reference to the hind tibiae and tarsi. When the previously described species have been referred to Mordella, I have placed the authority in parenthesis, to save the space of a double reference. A. Hind tibiae and first joint of hind tarsi each with a single short oblique ridge near the tip : Body narrow, parallel ; black, elytra with two orange bands, the first near the base and interrupted by the suture, the second one- fourth from the tip ; head antenna?, feet (except the hind femora) and anus reddish testaceous, *09. Southern States ; thorax sometimes black, sometimes rufous. 1. bicinctella. B. Hind tibiae with two oblique ridges on the outer face. a. Ridges converging above ; first joint of tarsi with two, second with one oblique ridge ; body slender, slightly cuneiform, uniform brownish yellow : Ridges of hind tibiae long, very strongly marked, -13. Pennsylvania. 2. a r i d a. << " shorter, less strongly marked, 'II -13. Pa., Ga. 3. lutea (Mels.) b. Ridges parallel, equal : a. First joint of hind tarsi with two, second with one oblique ridge : Elytra black, with two transverse yellow bands, the anterior one interrupted at the suture and thus composed of two triangular spots, the apices being towards the base ; body narrow, nearly parallel ; body black, head rufous, thorax black, basal margin and sides dark yellow, feet and abdomen tinged with testaceous, '09 *11. Middle, Western and Southern States 4. t r i f as c i a t a (Say.) body yellow, thorax yellow, abdomen and hind tibiae and tarsi varied with black "11. Middle and Southern States. . . . 5. lepidula. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 49 Above pale, large frontal spot, discoidal spot and anterior angles of thorax, suture and sides of elytra blackish ; feet and hind coxa? pale, metasternum and abdomen blackish, *12. Middle States. . . 6. 1 i m b a li s (Mels. ) Entirely luteous, *09. Pennsylvania. . . . . 7. v a p i d a. Entirely black, pubescence grayish sericeous, -09 -11. California. 8. vilis (Zee.) b. First and second joints of hind tarsi each with two oblique ridges : Narrow, parallel ; body yellow ; head behind the antenna? blackish ; thorax with the front half yellow, with a medial cloud ; hind half black ; elytra black, with a large, elongate basal spot ; margin and suture, behind the mid- dle, yellow, - 12. Western States. . . . . 9. decorella. c. First joint of hind tarsi with three, second with two oblique ridges ; body narrow, slightly cuneate : Reddish yellow, base of thorax and elytra black, the latter with a large tri- angular basal spot on each, yellow suture and margin behind the middle nar- rowly yellow, -14. Middle and Southern States. . 10. oniata(JA/s.J Black, head and humeral spot of elytra reddish yellow ; anterior feet yel- low, hind feet black, varied with testaceous, - 09. Middle and Northern States. 11. militaris. Black, elytra "with an orange yellow oblong humeral spot, -16. Middle and Western States. ..... 12. s ca p u 1 a ri s {Say.) Blackish, densely clothed with grayish sericeous hair; head and thorax red- dish yellow, the latter black at the base ; feet testaceous, *12 - 17. Colorado Desert, California. ....... 13. co mat a {Lee.) Pale yellowish brown, slightly cuneate, hind tibia? with a very faint trace of a 3d ridge, *12. Georgia. ....... 14. t o s t a. Black, linear, pubescence fine and dark ; head before the eyes, anterior part of thorax, front and middle thighs ferruginous; antennae piceous, - 11 *13. Middle States. ......... 15. picicornis. Black, linear, pubescence brown sericeous ; head before the eyes and thorax ferruginous, the latter with a linear dorsal cloud, "11. New York. 16. cervicalis. Black, linear, pubescence brownish gray, hind tibia? with a very faint trace of a 3d ridge, -09 -11 17. as p e rs a (Mels.)* d. First joint of hind tarsi with three, second with one oblique ridge ; body narrow, almost parallel : Head, thorax and feet reddish yellow ; elytra fuscous, with the humeri and apical margin reddish yellow ; abdomen, sternum and hind coxa? and femora blackish ; incisures of hind feet blackish, *09. Illinois. 18. fulvicollis (Mels.) c. Ridges parallel, the anterior one extending almost across the outer face of the tibia?. a. First joint of hind tarsi with two, second with one oblique ridge; elytra black, with two yellow bands precisely as in species 4 and 5. Head, thorax and feet yellow, thorax with a nanow dorsal cloud ; elytra black, with two yellow bands, the anterior one interrupted by the suture; trunk black- ish, -10 Georgia 19. arnica. b. First joint of hind tarsi with three, second with two oblique ridges. Black covered with cinereous pubescence ; elytra with two broad bands, and the apex black pubescent, -08. S.Carolina 20. in fi ma. * The pubescence of this species is described by Dr. Melsheimer (Pr. Ac, 2, 314) as being mottled, but the type furnished by him, on being carefully cleaned and remounted, shows a uniformly diffused covering of brownish gray hair. 1862.] 4 50 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP Elytra yellow, with the base, tip, sutura and large oblong marginal spot black ; head, thorax and body black ; antennae and legs yellow, '09. Middle States. 21. a n d re a e. head, thorax and body yellow : abdomen blackisb, -10. Georgia. 22. g r a m m i c a. Elytra ferruginous, with the suture and margin blackish ; black, mouth and anterior feet testaceous ; hind tibiae and tarsi testaceous, with incisures black ; anus piceous, '09. Georgia. . . 23. a n c i 1 1 a. black, head and part of thorax reddish yellow, anterior feet yellow, hind tibia? and tarsi testaceous, with incisures black, -10 "12. Middle and Southern States. . . . . . . . . . . 24. varians. ferruginous, black limb of elytra very narrow; abdomen, and sometimes hind coxa? and pectus blackish, -9 -11. Middle and Southern States. 25. u s t u 1 a t a. Elytra without distinct markings ; pubescence brownish gray ; Piceous, bead, thorax and anterior legs ferruginous ; humeri with an indefi- nite ferruginous spot; anus rufo-piceous, -09 -11. Middle and Southern States . . . 26. s e m i u s t a. Piceous, head, apical margin of thorax and anterior legs ferruginous; anus rufo-piceous, 09. S.Carolina. ..... 27. impatiens. Entirely blackish piceous, -09. Middle and Southern States. 28. n ig r ic ans (Mels.) Blackish piceous ; head ferruginous; antenna?, anterior feet, middle tibiae and tarsi, base of hind tibiae and tarsi, and margin of abdomen testaceous ; first joint of hind tarsi with a rudiment of 4th ridge, -12. Middle and Southern States. 29. ruficeps. Ferruginous ; sides of pectus and elytra darker ; hind tibiae with a rudiment of a 3d, first juint of tarsi with a rudiment of a 4th ridge, -13. San Diego, California 30. nubila(Zec) C. Hind tibiae with three short, oblique, parallel ridges. a. First joint of hind tarsi with three, second with two oblique ridges; elytra not bauded. Black, linear, elytra with numerous rounded spots of ashy sericeous pubes- cence, -09 "11. Middle, South, and West. States. 31. p u 8 t u la t a (Mels.)* Black, linear, elytra with lines of brownish gray pubescence, confluent be- hind, -12. Kentucky 32. convict a. Nearly linear, ferruginous ; elytra black, with the suture and margin nar- rowly ferruginous ; base ferruginous, broader at the humeri, -19. Pa., Ky. 33. f u 3 c i p e n n i s (Mels.) Slightly cuneate ; beneath ferruginous ; abdomen and sides of breast dusky, above black ; mouth, anterior Darrow inteirupted band of thorax, large tri- angular basal spot of each elytra, and suture and margin behind the middle yellow, -15. Lake Superior. ..... 34. p ec t or al i s (Lee. ) Nearly linear, entirely black, pubescence brownish gray, - 11 15. Lake Superior and Minnesota. . ....... 35. morula. Nearly linear, fusco-ferruginous, pubescence brown sericeous, ridges of hind tibiae longer and more oblique than usual, -12 -15. Southern States. 36. a m b u s t a. b. First joint of hind tarsi with four, second with two oblique ridges ; elytra not banded. Slightly cuneate, piceous, covered with brown sericeous pubescence, # 12 *15. Middle, Southern and Western States 37. u n i c o 1 o r. Slightly cuneate, very black, pubescence fine and dark, mouth and anterior half of thorax ferruginous, -13. Middle States. . 38. marginal is (Say.) * In one specimen I observed a rudiment of a fourth tibial ridge. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 51 Slightly cuneate, black, covered with dense brown pubescence ; head, front legs and anterior half of thorax reddish yellow, -11 -12. Kansas. 39. di visa Lee* c. Elytra with bands of sericeous pubescence; hind tibiae with a rudiment of a 4th ridge ; first joint of tarsi with three, second with two ridges. Black, more robust than usual, pubescence brownish, thorax with three large black spots, elytra gray sericeous, with a subbasal spot each side, and two transverse bands black, -09. Middle and Southern States. 40. pubescens {Fair.) Fusco-luteous, slender, thorax with three badly defined basal clouds, elytra with narrow limb and two very oblique bands yellowish sericeous, -12. Middle and Southern States 41. 1 i t u r a t a {Mels.) Black, slender, sides of thorax and legs piceo-testaceous ; elytra with very narrow limb, and two oblique bands prolonged backwards near the suture, connected by a line near the margin, and apex paler sericeous, "14. Pa. 42. bihamata( Mels.) Black, mouth, antennae, front and middle legs and thorax ferruginous, the lat- ter with a large dorsal, less pubescent black spot, elytra with a very narrow limb, apex and two nearly transverse bands connected by a submarginal line pale sericeous, -11 -14. Middle and Southern States. Varies with head and thorax black, anterior thighs piceous 43. hebraica. Reddish dark testaceous, elytra dark fuscous, with a very narrow sutural line, an oblique band from the humerus nearly to the suture, a transverse band behind the middle reaching neither suture nor margin, and an entire transverse band near the tip pale sericeous; (first joint of hind tarsi with a narrow rudi- ment of a fourth ridge,) -12. Middle and Western States. 44. 1 e p o r i n a. | D. Hind tibiae with four oblique ridges besides the subapical one. a. First joint of hind tarsi with three, second with two oblique ridges. Fusco-testaceous, subcuneate, pubescence fulvous, sericeous, -18. Pa. 45. f us ca ta (Mels.) b. First joint of hind tarsi with three, second with two, third with two, all the ridges very strongly marked. Ferruginous, elytra black, with the humeri indistinctly ferruginous, and the suture and lateral margin narrowly pale sericeous, -23. Pa. 46. pityptera. c. First joint of hind tarsi with five, second with four, third with three small oblique ridges. Very slender, entirely black, pubescence fine and dark, -23. Ga. 47. an gu s t a. E. Hind tibiae with five or six very small, oblique ridges. a. Head ferruginous ; elytra with a ferruginous stripe from the humerus to within one-fifth of the apex ; body black; anterior legs ferruginous. Thorax ferruginous, with the anterior part black, -17. Pa. 48. attenuata(%.) Thorax entirely black, -20. Pa. . . . . . 49. v i tti ger a. b. Head black ; elytra not vittate. Black, pubescence sericeous brown ; elytra blackish, with a long basal spot on each, an undulated band behind the middle, suture and tip paler sericeous, 14 -17. Middle and Southern States. ... 50. d i s c ol or {Mels.) Black, pubescence grayish sericeous, slightly mottled, -16. Kansas. 51. ae m ul a Lec.-f Species unknown to me. Mordella nigripennis Fabr., Ent. Syst. Suppl. 127 ; Syst. El. 2, 123. * Coleopt. of Kansas snd Eastern New Mexico, (Smiths. Contr.) 17. t Coleopt. of Kansas and New Mexico, (Smiths. Contr.) 16. 1862.] 52 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Notes on the Species of CALOSOMA inhabiting the United States. BY JOHN L. LECONTE, M. D. The difference in the anterior tarsi of the males of certain species of Calo- soma was first observed and made known by Schaum, (Ins. Deutschl. 1, 111,) and a grouping of the species was proposed according as the 4th joint was clothed beneath with a brush of hairs, like the preceding joints, or smooth and naked, as in the majority of the species. An attentive study of the sexual cha- racters of those species represented in my collection has shown me that the number of divisions must be increased, in order that the species may be natu- rally grouped. I would arrange our species as follows : Anterior tarsi of the male with the 4th joint hairy beneath : Thorax with sides broadly fattened behind, (body elongate) I. Thorax narrowed behind, sides not flattened II. Anterior tarsi of the male with the 4th joint glabrous beneath : 3d joint of anterior tarsi $ glabrous beneath ; thorax trisinuate behind... III. 3d joint of anterior tarsi $ hairy beneath : Thorax truncate behind , IV. Thorax emarginate behind : Body winged V. Body without wings VI. Group I. The species of this group are remarkable for the long narrow body; the 5th and following joints of the antenna? are cylindrical and nearly equably pubes- cent; the thorax is rounded at the sides, very slightly emarginate at the base, which is not narrowed, but broad and flattened each side; the joints 1 3 of the anterior tarsi of the male are clothed beneath with a brush of hair; the 4th joint is haiTy for a small space at the middle, and strongly spinous at the sides. Our species are : 1. C. externum Say, (longipenneTte).); 2. C. mac rum Lee, and 3. C. protractum, elongatum, nigrum, subnitidum, thorace latitudine duplo breviore, basi vix emarginato, subsinuato ; margine incrassato, basi et lateribus punctato. his postice late modice reflexis, elytris thorace paulo lati- oribus, parallelis, subtiliter seriatim punctatis. Long. -95 1-05. Arizona; Dr. Irwine, U. S. A. Group II. The species of this group have the 5th and following joints of the antennas cylindrical, nearly equably hairy ; the thorax is comparatively small, much narrowed behind, with the base slightly rounded ; the elytra are deeply striate and ovate, being gradually widened from the base ; the joints 1 4 of the anterior tarsi of the male are covered beneath with a dense brush of hair, the first, however, being glabrous at the base; the 4th is very slightly spinous at the sides. Our species are : 4. C. scrutator Fabr. The middle tibire in the male are curved and both they and the hind tibias are furnished with a dense brush of hairs on the inner face near the tip. The species is found from Newfoundland to the point of Lower California. 5. C. W i 1 1 c o x i Lee. Middle tibia; of the male straight and not hairy. 6. C. frigid um Kirby. Middle tibiae of the male slightly curved, and somewhat, though not densely, hairy on the inner face. Group III. The single species constituting this group has the outer joints of the antenna? cylindrical and equably pubescent ; the thorax is narrowed behind and mode- [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 53 rately Insinuate at base; the elytra are striate and ovate, but longer than in the preceding group; the first joint of the anterior tarsi of the male is hairy beneath only for a small portion near the anterior margin ; the 2d joint has the usual brush of hair; the 3d and 4th joints are entirely without hair. 7. C. Sayi DeJ. The middle tibiae of the male are very much curved, pro- longed at tip on the inner face, and armed along the inner margin with several small distant teeth. Group IV. In this group are several species of a black color, with feeble or obsolete elytral striae ; the outer joints of the antennae are cylindrical and equably punc- tured ; the thorax is narrowed behind, sometimes angulated at the sides, with the base not at all emarginate, but truncate or slightly rounded ; the joints 1 3 of the anterior tarsi of the male are clothed beneath with a dense brush of hair the 4th is naked; nothing peculiar is seen in the form of the middle tibiae of the male. All the species inhabit the plains of the central part of the continent 8. C. prominens Lee. (angulalum\\ Lee.) ; 9. C. 1 it g u b r e Lee. 10. C. carbonatum, nigrum, subnitidum, thorace latitudine duplo bre- viore antice posticeque angustato, lateribus medio obtuse subangulatis ; disco confertim subtiliter intricato-rugoso, lateribus parce punctatis, basi fere recte truncato, elytris subovatis, convexis, thorace latioribus, striis haud impressis subtiliter punctatis, foveisque obsoletis serie triplici impressis. Ljng. 1-00. New Mexico and Upper Texas. 11. C. t r i s t e Lee. ; 12. C. o b s o 1 e t u m Say, {luxatum\ Dej.) Group V. The species here placed have the outer joints of the antennae nearly cylin- drical but less punctured on the sides ; the thorax is more or less narrowed behind, and the base is distinctly emarginate; the joints 1 3 of the anterior tarsi of the male are clothed beneath with a dense brush of hairs, and the 4th is glabrous ; the middle tibiae of the male present no important characters. There is much difference in the sculpture of the elytra, the striae being oblite- rated in C. s e m i 1 ae v e , deep in c a 1 i d u m , confused in tepidum, badly defined in cancellatum, which has besides three rows of catenated eleva- tions. All the species are found on the Pacific coast; C. c a 1 i d u m extends entirely across the continent from ocean to ocean. 13. C. s e m i 1 ae v e Lee. ; 14. C. calidum Fair. (var. lepidum Lee.) ; 15. C. tepidum Lee. 16. C. cancellatum Esch. (var. cenescens Lee.) Group VI. In this group are placed species without wings, and generally of robust form; the outer joints of the antennae are somewhat compressed and very con- spicuouslj 7 less punctured on the flattened sides, except in C. discors, in which the antennas resemble those of the preceding group ; the thorax is nar- rowed behind, and the base is very obviously emarginate; the joints 1 3 of anterior tarsi of the male are clothed beneath with a dense brush of hairs, and the 4th is glabrous ; nothing remarkable is seen in the middle tibiae of the male. Four forms of elytral sculpture are seen. a. Elytra with rows of close set punctures, the intervals each with a row of more distant punctures. 17. C. discors Lee. b. Elytra with confused punctures and three rows of catenated elevations. 18. C. moniliatum Lee. 19. C. laqueatum Lee. c. Elytra with confused punctures and three rows of faint foveae. 20. 0. W i 1 k e s i i Lee. d. Elytra with fine striae, the intervals crossed by transverse lines producing an imbricated appearance. 21. C. luxatum Say. (C. slriatulum Lee. and C. Zimmermanni Lee. are varieties, or rather races, of this species.) 1862.] 54 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Descriptions of certain species of DIURNAL LEPIDOPTESA found within the limits of the United States and British America No. 2. BY WM. H. EDWARDS. 1. Argynnis Atlantis, no v. sp. 5. Chionobas taygete, Hubner. 2. Thecla acadica, nov. sp. 6. Pamphila vema, nov. sp. 3. " beta, nov. sp. 7. " rurea, nov. sp. 4. Lycsena neglecta, nov. sp. 8. Hesperia vialis, nov. sp. AKGYNNIS ATLANTIS, nOV. Sp. Male. Expands 2 to 2| inches. Upper side of both wings uniform fulvous, less bright than Aphrodite or Cybele, dusky near base and on costal margin of primaries ; both wings have a broad black hind margin, sometimes enclosing an interrupted fulvous line next anal angle of secondaries ; preceding this band and connected with it on primaries, a series of black crescents, the one next the inner angle geminate, enclosing round fulvous spots which are smallest next apex ; anterior to these a transverse row of round black spots, an abbreviated black band running obliquely back from the costa, and a zigzag band across the middle of the wing ; within the cell three transverse, wavy black bars, the second continued nearly to the submedian nervure, and a fourth bar on the arc, dilated at its lower extremity and there enclosing a dusky space. Secondaries have a series of black crescents, not resting on the marginal border as in primaries, the one next the anal angle geminate, a transverse row of small round black spots, and across the middle of the wing a zigzag band ending within the abdominal margin ; in the cell a black band bent like a horse-shoe ; fringe yellowish white, black, with a little fulvous at the inter- section of the nervures. Under side : hind margin of both wings dark brown ; disk and inner margin of primaries reddish tawny, costa and apex light buff ; the black markings of upper side repeated, but more delicate ; five silver triangles within the^ mar- ginal crescents next apex, and preceding these on the costa two rounded silver spots on a dark brown ground. Secondaries dark red brown, more or less mottled with drab, except the space between the two outer rows of silver spots, which is bright buff and immaculate ; upon the border of hind margin seven triangular silver spots, edged below with black, and above with red brown preceded by another series of seven rounded or oval, the middle one smallest, all edged above with black ; between these and the base are ten silver spots of various sizes and forms, the largest divided by the discal arc ; all these, except the two anterior, edged above with black ; edge of costa next base and whole abdomi- nal margin broadly silvered ; thorax and abdomen above black, covered with fulvous hairs, thorax below reddish grey, abdomen buff ; palpi grey, tipped with fulvous ; antennae black above, fulvous below ; club velvet black, tipped with fulvous. Female. Expands 2| to 2^ inches. Color above less bright than the male, inclining to tawny ; the black mar- gin very heavy, and the marginal spots next apex of primaries buff, nearly white ; usually a black spot next base of secondaries ; under side of prima- ries bright fulvous ; in other respects as in the male. This species seems to be limited to the mountainous districts of the North- ern States and to parts of British America. In the Catskill Mountains, near the Mountain House, I found it abundant the past season, (1861.) I have received it from the White Mountains, from Williamstown, Mass., and from Lake Winnipeg, by Mr. S. H. Scudder, and by Mr. Drexler from near Hudson's Bay. The specimens from the White Mountains and Hudson's Bay a [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 55 are diminutive in size. There is also a specimen in the cabinet of the late Dr. Harris, at Cambridge, Mass., taken by Prof. Agassiz on the north side of Lake Superior. In the markings of its surface Atlantis bears a close resemblance to Cybele and Aphrodite, to Adippe and Aglaia of Europe, and to Zerene and Astarte of California. It especially resembles the three last-named species iu the zigzag band which crosses the disk of secondaries, but which in Aphrodite takes the form of a belt of small crescents, separated by wide spaces. It is, moreover, readily distinguished from Aphrodite by its duller color, broad black margin to both wings and color of secondaries below. It also differs sensibly in the shape of the primaries, the margins meeting at the inner angle more obtusely, the outer angle being more acute and the breadth of the wing from the inner angle to middle of costa much less. The antenna? are shorter by one eighth of an inch. Of the three species, Cybele is Southern, and in the vicinity of Newburgh, N. Y., is found but little more abundantly than Aphrodite. In the Catskills the latter abounds and Cybele is rare, much less common than Atlantis. From Connecticut, Massachusetts and Canada, I have seen no Cybele, though doubtless it is occasionally found in those districts. The prevailing Northern species is Aphrodite. Thecla acadica, nov. sp. Male. Expands 1*2 inch. Size and form of Falacer. Color above dark brown, costal edge of prima- ries rufous ; in the disk a smooth oval spot ; secondaries have a single tail, from the base of which a bluish white line extends along the margin to the anal angle ; the space next above this line is sprinkled slightly with fulvous scales making an indistinct broad band, which ends beyond the tail in a clear fulvous spot ; fringe of both wings brown, next before the tail white, beyond it black, through which runs a white line, and at the angle black. Under side dark grey, with a pearly lustre ; on primaries a short discal bar, edged with white ; beyond this, a bent transverse row of black spots, each edged with white, the one next the costa minute, the next three round, fourth and fifth oval, and sixth double ; within and along the margin a row of elon- gated, pale fulvous spots obsolete towards the apex, narrowly bordered within by black, on which rests a line of bluish white. Secondaries have a long discal streak, a transverse row of black spots and streaks, each edged with white, the six from the costa nearly round, the next long and bent toward the anal angle, the last a streak running up the abdomi- nal margin and bent upward at right angles near its inner extremity ; hind margin edged with white and bordered by a bright red band, divided by the nervures into spots, arched above and edged with black, on which is a line of bluish white ; this band extends some distance up the abdominal margin, and encloses on the hind margin, near anal angle, a large rounded space sprinkled with blue atoms ; the three red spots next outer angle partly obsolete. Taken near London, C. W., by Mr. W. Saunders. Thecla IuEta, nov. sp. Expands 9-10 inch. Upper side of primaries black, of secondaries blackish brown ; near base of primaries a few scales of metallic blue ; costal edge red ; next the anal angle of secondaries a broad band of metallic blue scales, many of which are re- placed by black, extends half way along the hind margin ; beyond the band a fine line of these scales follows the margin to the outer angle ; anal angle edged with red ; fringe grey. Under side of secondaries and apex and costal margin of primaries slate blue, with a green tinge ; costal edge of primaries red ; disk smoke color ; beyond the cell, on costal margin, a transverse, abbreviated series of fine red 186 k 2.] 5(3 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF spots, edged posteriorly with white, the last two obscured by the smoky hue of the disk. Secondaries have two series of red spots parallel to the hind margin ; those of the exterior small, and towards the outer angle minute, each more or less surrounded by a delicate white border, in which are a few black scales ; the inner series crosses the middle of the wing, is slightly irregular, the spots large, brighter red and crescent-shaped, bordered posteriorly with white, in which are a few black scales ; edge of the wing at the anal angle and at the intersection of the adjoining nervures red ; thorax and abdomen above black, beneath white. Taken near London, C. W., by Mr. W. Saunders. IiYCffiNA NEGLECTA, nOV. Sp. Expands l'l inch. Male. Upper side of primaries delicate azure blue, paler in the disk and silvery on costal margin ; secondaries greyish blue, with a broad azure mar- gin ; a black line edges the hind margin of both wings, expanding towards apex of primaries into a border, and running a little way along the costal margin ; fringe of primaries white, cut with black by the nervures ; of second- aries, sometimes barred with black, but usually wholly white. Under side pure white, or white with a bluish tinge ; primaries with a dark discal streak and a transverse series of six black streaks set obliquely ; second- aries have a discal streak, three points near base and eight points or streaks crossing the disk in a tortuous line; both wings bordered by confluent spots, forming a crenated band, each spot enclosing a darker point. Female. Upper side of both wings of a deeper and more metallic blue ; primaries have a broad fuscous hind margin ; in some cases this color extends along the costal margin to the base, where it is sprinkled with blue ; a faint discal streak ; hind margin of secondaries bordered by a row of small fuscous spots. Under side dark grey, sprinkled with blue at the base of both wings ; the fuscous spots disposed as in the male, but larger and coarser. Variety a. Upper side wholly fuscous. Massachusetts, New York, Wisconsin, Lake Winnipeg. There are three species of Lycsenae in North America that much resemble each other, viz. : Lncia of Kirby, Pseudargiolus of Boisduval, and a third hitherto confounded with the later, which I described as Neglecta. Pseudar- giolus resembles Argiolus of Europe in form, size and color above, and was considered by Abbott and Smith as identical with it. Both wings are wholly violet blue' with a pinkish tinge ; the under side is greyish white, and the hind margins are bordered by a broad, serrated band, the teeth of which are separated almost to their bases. This band appears as if stamped on the wing. The color of Neglecta is azur^ blue on primaries, of secondaries grey blue, with an azure margin ; the under side is pure white or bluish white, and the marginal band is confluent and serrated. Lucia is uniform light silvery blue above and cinereous below, with a border as in Neglecta. The number, shape and arrangement of the spots on the under side of these species are similar, mostly differing in degree of fineness ; in Pseudargiolus they are very delicate ; in Neglecta much less so ; in Lucia heavy and coarse. Pseudar- giolus varies much in size. It appears to be rather a Southern species. It is common on the mountains of Western Virginia, and is occasionally met with in New York. Neglecta is common in New York, and I have received it from Wisconsin and from Lake Winnipeg. Lucia seems to be confined to the Northern parts of the continent. I have received from Mr. Drexler a female of Chionobas Taygete (QSneis Tai/gite) of Hubner, taken at Albany River, Hud- son's Bay, which agrees with Ilubner's figure, but differs from C. Bootes, de- scribed by Boisduval and LeConte as identical, and from the figure of Bootes [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 57 in Boisduval's spec. gen. Boisduval, in his Icones, figures Taygete and calls it Bootes without any reference to Hubnei. Bootes is an European species, Taygete an American only, and the priority of name belongs to Hubner. The only description we have, therefore, being incorrect, I described Taygete from Mr. Drexler's specimen. Herrich-Schaeffer, Lep. Eur. f. 112, gives Taygete as same with Boisduval's C. also. But C. also is Hipparehia semidea of Say, a species as yet only known to be found in the White Mountains of New Hamp- shire. Boisduval's description was taken from a single specimen forwarded by the late Dr. Harris to Major Le Conte with Say's name, which should have been retained. C. semidea appears to have been lost sight of, and doubted as a species for many years, till, in 1857, Mr. Scudder found it abundant on the summit of Mt. Washington. Chinobas Taygete. Olneis Taygete, Hubner. C. Boo/es, Boisduval and Le Conte. C. Bootes, Boisduval in Icones. Female. Expands 2-2 inches. Upper side ochrey brown, both wings, from the base to beyond the cell, clouded with black, which makes externally an irregular outline, crenate in the median interspaces of primaries ; hind margin of both wings and apex of primaries bordered with dark brown ; between ihis and the clouded space a broad common band, in which, on the primaries, are three black pyriform spots, the first being between the discoidal nervules and the others in the two spaces between the median nervules ; a small round black spot in the anal angle of secondaries ; costal margin of primaries sprinkled with black and grey. Under side : primaries paler, the whole wing marked by fine, transverse, abbreviated streaks of dark brown, most dense in the cell; spots as above ; costa barred with grey and black ; a heavy black line corresponds nearly to the dark outline of clouded space above, but wants the crenations and pro- jects on the second discoidal nervule into an acute angle. Secondaries wholly mottled and streaked transversely with grey, light brown and black, the latter color predominating next the base, and light brown on the hind margin ; a broad band crosses the disk, black on the edges, the inner edge angular, the outer sinuous ; a minute black spot in the anal angle ; ner- vures grey and prominent. Albany River, Hudson's Bay, by Mr. Drexler. Pamphila versa, no v. sp. Expands 1*2 inch. Size and form of Otho. Male. Both wings dark glossy brown ; body covered with greenish hairs ; on costa of primaries near apex a yellowish spot, divided into three by the nervures, on the disk an oblique black bar, posterior to which, and running with it from the middle of the inner margin, are three yellowish, translucent spots, the anterior minute, the next a parallelogram, the third separated from the second by a wide space. Beneath dark brown, with a purple reflection ; same spots on primaries as above, but enlarged ; across the disk of secondaries an obsolete row of points, thorax grey ; abdomen, head and palpi whitish. Female. Same color ; the oblique band of yellowish spots varies, the second being nearly square and preceded by an additional small spot at its upper inner angle. Beneath lighter brown ; the obsolete points on second- aries of the male become distinct yellow spots, crossing the wing two-thirds the distance from the abdominal margin, when they bend at right angles, and run nearly to the costa. Illinois, from Mr. Walsh, Washington. 1862.] 58 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Pamphila iicxEA, nov. sp. Expands 1-1 inch. Male. Color above and below dark glossy brown ; on primaries an oblique black bar. Female. Same color ; on the costa of primaries, near the apex, a yellowish spot divided into three by the nervures, and two small spots near middle of the wing ; all these are repeated below, and on the disk of secondaries are four obsolete points in a transverse line. Rock Island, Illinois, from Mr. B. D. Walsh. Hesperia vialis, nov. sp. Expands 9-10 inch. Color fuscous ; the only markings are four fine, yellowish-white spots on costa of primaries near apex ; fringe long, color brown, barred with black by the intersection of the nervures. Under side darker, with a purple reflection on apex of primaries and hind margin of secondaries ; thorax grey, palpi light grey. Rock Island, Illinois ; Lake Winnipeg. Description of a New CARDITJM from the Pleistocene of Hudson's Bay BY WM. STIMPSON. Cakdium Dawsoni. Cardium islandicum Stimpson, (non Chemn.) Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1861, p. 97. Shell snbovate, oblique, very inequilateral, and somewhat angular posteri- orly ; beaks small and much elevated ; hinge thin ; teeth weak, especially the pos- terior ones ; ribs about thirty-five in num- ber, in the anterior part of the shell nar- rower than their interspaces, in the mid- dle and posterior parts broader and more flattened ; ventral margin crenated. Length 1-63 ; height 1-53; convexity, or breadth, 1 inch. Imperfect specimens indicate a larger size. This shell resembles C. islandicum, (cili- atam 0. Fabr.,) in the characters of the hinge, but is easily distinguished by its obliquity and the great elevation of its small beaks, the prominence of which gives an angularity of outline to the umbonial slope, very different from the evenly rounded and more depressed slope of the recent shell. Tha posterior ex- tremity also is much less rounded, and in some specimens the posterior and ventral margins form nearly a right angle with each other. The ribs are not acute as inC. islandicum, but more or less flattened, and generally broader than their interspaces. From C. decorticatum S. Wood, of the English crag, this species differs in its thinner hinge and weak teeth ; from C. inUrruptum of the same author, and formation, by its greater obliquity, and the prominence of the beaks. Our specimens all present a character which may perhaps be considered specific ; that of broad concentric bands of erosion, separated by correspond- ing crenulated ridges, indicating periods of arrest of growth in the shell, at which periods the margins, being slowly formed, were of stronger substance than when the deposit proceeded more rapidly. These periods were probably annual, occurring in winter. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 59 It was found by Mr. Drexler abundantly on tbe beach at Cape Hope, on the southeast side of Hudson's Bay, having in all probability been washed out of a Pleistocene deposit. The specimens are in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, under the auspices of which Mr. D. visited that country. This is doubtless the shell figured as a Mya by E. Emmons, in the fourth volume of the " Natural History of New York, pi. L, fig. 9, as occurring in the Pleistocene of Lake Champlain. I have dedicated the species to the accomplished President of McGill College, Montreal, to whom we are indebted for so much of our knowledge of the Na- tural History and Geology of Canada, particularly that of its Pleistocene de- posits. Additions to the Nomenclature of North American LEPIDOPTESA. BY AUG. R. GROTE. In offering these papers, the writer would refer to the difficulties experienced by the American student of Entomology in obtaining the knowledge of the descriptions of native species ; difficulties so well presented by Dr. T. W. Harris in his Catalogue of the Insects of Massachusetts. And it seems no more than probable that, laboring under these difficulties, the writer may redescribe already acknowledged species. Where this is brought to his notice, he will willingly and gladly acknowledge his synonyms, giving the priority to the rightful author. NOCTU^!. Gen. Platypterix, Laspeyres. Antennae doubly pectinate in the male ; pectinations turned towards each other ; simple in the female. Palpi with three articles, of which the second is longest, the third short and pointed. Body slender, shorter than the wings. Wings broad, the anterior ones with a sickle-shaped outer margin, recurving at the tips. Posterior pair rounded. P. f abula, nov. sp. Anterior wir.gs dirty white. From the curved tip a dark brown line with paler margin follows the inclination of the wing to the hind margin. Emerging from this line, and between it and the outer margin of the wing, a wavy dark brown line goes down to the hind margin, joining it close to the outer edge of the wing. Between the base of the wing and the first named and broadest line, thiee distinct, irregular, brown wavy lines cross the wing from the upper to the hind margin. The second and third from the base of the wing run close together and unite three times, forming two un- equal enclosed spaces up to about half of the wing, and then diverging, form an outline which bears a slight resemblance to the profile of a face. Two dark spots are enclosed in this, and a third and larger one is crossed by the third line near the centre of the wing. Outer margin dark brown, deepen- ing towards the tip. Posterior wings dirty white, with two dark dots near the upper edge, and crossed by several interrupted wavy lines, the one nearest the outer margin continued. Body and thorax dirty white. Exp. If inch. A male, taken on Long Island, New York. Obs. This insect bears a resemblance in its markings to the European P. falcula; it differs, however, specifically from that species in its coloring as well as that the wavy lines on the anterior wings are not confluent, thus forming no enclosed spaces. P. genicula, nov. sp. Anterior wings light ochre yellow. From the tip a curved dark brown line follows the inclination of the wings to the hind margin. Between this distinct line and the base of the wing three irregular 1862.] 60 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP wavy lines cross the wing from the anterior edge to the hind margin ; the second and third from the base and the widest apart enclosing three dark brown spots, two larger and one smaller. Outer margin of the wing brown, deepening in color and widening toward the tip, which shows a slightly bluish shade. Posterior wings light ochre yellow, with two black dots near the upper edge, and crossed by several wavy and more or less interrupted lines. Outer margin light brown. Body and thorax light ochre yellow. Under surface of the wings of a lighter shade, and showing the spots on the anterior wings and two dots on each of the posterior wings. Exp. 1[ inch. A male. Staten Island, N. Y. From the collection of Mr. E. L. Graef, Brooklyn, L. I. Closely allied to P. f abu 1 a, but well distinguished by its ground color and divergence of the wavy lines on the anterior wings. P. formula, nov. sp. Light roseate brown. Legs light orange on the inside. Anterior wings light roseate brown, with a broad light citron yellow band running from the tip to the hind margin of the wing, leaving a roseate brown space between it and the outer margin, deepening in color towards the inner angle of the curve. Two small white spots toward the anterior edge of the wing, between which and the base of the wing an irregular deeper shade-line runs down and is continued through the posterior wings to the inner margin and near the base of the wing. Posterior wings same color as anterior, with the citron yellow band enlarged to the whole outer margin of the wing, except a small space in the upper corner, two rows of minute dark spots, apparently continued from the upper wing, run through this band near the outer edge of the wing. Base of the wing roseate brown, with two small white spots outside of the continued dark shade line running through both wings. Thorax and body roseate brown. Under surface of the wings lighter shaded, showing the small dark spots more apparent and lengthened on the anterior wings. Exp. 1 inch. A female. New York. With the male of this species I am not acquainted. The peculiar curving of the anterior wings seem to warrant its disposition under the present genus. It has the general coloring of an autumn leaf. Synopsis of the Species of HOLCOSUS and AMEIVA, with Diagnoses of new West Indian and South American Colubridae. BY E. D. COPE. Holcosds Cope. Ventral shields large, in six longitudinal rows, without keels. Femoral cores present. Tail cylindrical, keels of the scales very strong. Two dermal gular folds. Frontal, fronto-parietal and parietal plates very numerous ; supra- orbitals forming an isolated disc. Tongue sheathed at the base. H. septemlineatus. Ameiva septemlineata Dumeril, Catal. Method. Collect. 1851, p. 114. Frontal plates four, occipitals five, succeeded by a transverse series of five other plates. Supraoculars two. Median gular scales a little larger than those surrounding, smaller than those of the postgular fold. Heels without spinous tubercles. Bronze green, with seven longitudinal yellowish lines, one median, three upon each side. Hab Tropical America. H. sexscutatus. Ameiva sexscatata Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc. Nov. 1859. An anterior nasal on each side; an anterior frontal ; two posterior frontals [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 61 separated by a shield : three pairs of parietals in a longitudinal series. Oc- cipital region irregularly shielded. Supraorbitals two. A median chin shield behind the srmphyseal. Greenish olive, irregularly speckled with darker. A greenish white vertebral stripe. A lateral black greenish-white bordered band from in front of the eye to the thigh. Beneath greenish white. Hab. Andes of Western Equador. Ameiva Cuvier. For convenience of analysis, this genus may be divided into the following sections, nearly as has been done by Dr. J. E. Gray. Inner aspect of heel without spinous tubercles. Abdominal shields in eight longitudinal rows A Abdominal shields in ten longitudinal rows, (supraoculars four) B Abdominal shields in twelve or more longitudinal rows C Inner aspect of heel with spinous tubercles D No species belonging to any of these groups exists in the nearctic region; there their place is supplied by an extensive development of the genus Cnemido- phorus. Section A (embracing eight species) is characteristic of northwestern South America and Mexico, though two of the species, forming a subgroup, are West Indian. The latter seems to be allied to Cnemidophorus through the West Indian and South American species of the latter, while the connection of that genus with the former subgroup is maintained by some of the Cnemido- phori of the North American deserts. Ameiva guttata approximates in size and coloration to section B. With A. undulatait marks the northern limit of the genus on the American continent, viz., about the latitude of Vera Cruz. Of sections B, C and D, eight are insular, five continental. Of the former, so far as is yet ascertained, two species appear to be peculiar to Cuba, one to New Providence, one to Sombrero, one to Jamaica, one to Santa Cruz. One species is said to be common to Hayti, Porto Rico, St. Thomas, Santa Cruz and Martinique. The continental A. surinamensis inhabits Trinidad : small specimens from Paraguay closely resemble the young of the same. The genus does not seem to occur on the Pacific slope of the Andes, unless the Cnemido- phorus undulatus, mentioned by Giinther (Proc. Zool. Soc, April, 1860) as having been brought from Guyaquil, belongs to it. In preparing the present synopsis, I have availed myself of the Erpetologie Generale and the work of Dr. Gray. In the latter, an A. murina from Surinam is mentioned, of which little can be ascertained. Prince Neuwied has described (Rept. Brazil, p. 180) an A. cyanoni elas from Southeastern Brazil, to which I can only allude, on account of imperfections in the description. It resembles A. eutropia, but belongs probably to section B. A I. Plates of the caudal whorls carinate superiorly. a. Median gular scales very large, plate-like. *Premaxillary teeth six or seven. A. quadrilineata Cope. Cnemidophorus quadrilineatus Hallow., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1860, p. 483. Three supraorbitals, sometimes a minute posterior fourth ; marginal supra- orbitals five, second very long. Occipitals three. Large gular scales nume- rous, graduating into the smaller. Plates of the fold in two rows, six or eight in the longest. Two antebrachial series, the posterior continuous with the single brachial ; postbrachials large, one principal row. Four femoral rows, two complete tibial, the second and third shields of the external very large. External digit equalling or exceeding extremity of internal. Preanal plates in a single series, the posterior largest. Above olive brown. Two narrow yellow 1862.] 62 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF lines on each side; the superior from the superciliary margin, convergent on the nuchal region; the inferior from the orbit, interrupted by the femur, con- tinued on the base of the tail, bounded above and beneath by black. Inferior lateral region black, greenish vermiculated. Back posteriorly varied with black. Beneath greenish white. Total length 3 in. 4 lin. Body 1 in. 4 lin. Hah. Nicaragua. Mus. Smithsonian. A. p u 1 c h r a Hallowell, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1860, p. 483. Three supraorbitals; six marginal supraorbitals, the second very long. Lateral occipitals one on each side, bordered with irregular scales. Shields of the mesoptychiura large. Brachial and antebrachial plates each in two rows, the posterior of the former continuous with the anterior of the latter ; post- brachials large. Twenty femoral pores. Three rows of plates on the tibia, the inner not appearing on the inferior surface ; the outer composed of eight transverse plates, the median three or four of nearly equal size. Preanal plates in two longitudinal rows. Sole of the foot externally acutely tuberculous. External digit not reaching to extremity of internal. On the rump broAvn : proceeding anteriorly the shade of color becomes lighter, until upon the muzzle it is ochraceous ; the whole is faintly tinged with olive. A deeper shade ex- tends from the superior angle of the eye to above the groin, which is marked by about twelve short, deep brown, vertical bands. These are bounded beneath by a series of light dots which extend from the tympanum posteriorly. Sides olivaceous; tail olivaceous, spotted with brown above. Total length 8 in. C lin. Jjab. Nicaragua. Mus. Smithsonian; Acad. Philadelphia. **Premaxillary teeth nine. A. eutropia Cope. Three supraorbitals ; five marginal supraorbitals, the second very long. Three occipitals, bounded posteriorly by many irregular shields. Infralabials large, five on each side ; median gulars four or six, very large : a single row of eight or ten large plates upon the mesoptychium. One series of brachial and one of antebrachial shields, continuous with each other; postbrachials large. One very large subround median anal, entirely surrounded by smaller plates. Inferior femoral plates large, in three or four rows ; two rows of inferior tibials, the external composed of six plates, of which the second is largest. Seventeen to nineteen femoral pores. Digits strongly pectinate, the external equal to the internal. Keels of the tail shields strong inferiorly as well as superiorly. Above blackish brown with an olive tint. A blue-grey median band extends from the occiput, and becomes broad and undulating in outline posteriorly because of the dark shade which bounds it laterally becoming resolved into spots. Two lateral narrow bluish gray lines, more or less interrupted, the inferior reaching the groin. The median band in its prolongation to the muzzle is light brown. Inferior surfaces light bluish green. Total length 1 1 in. 9 1. : head and body 3 in. 9 1. jlab. Region of the Truando, New Grenada. Discovered by Arthur Schott. of Lieut. N. Michler's Expedition. Mus. Smithsonian, (Nos. 4320, 4325.) Acad. Philadelphia. A. undulata Gray, Catal. Liz. Brit. Mus. Dumeril, Catal. Method, pt. l,p. 113. Cnemidopkorun undulatus Wiegm., Herp. Mex. 27. Three supraorbitals; five marginal supraorbitals, the second very long. Oc- cipitals three, succeeded by irregular thields. Large gular plates transverse. Plates of the mesoptychium in two rows. Two rows of antebrachial, one of brachial plates; postbrachial large. Five or six series of femoral plates; three of tibial, the inner not visible from beneath. Preanals small, in two longitudinal rows. Tubercles of ihe sole acute, outer digit not reaching extremity of inner. Tail plates strongly keeled above and below. Twenty femoral pores. Olive brown above vermiculated with brown posteriorly, bounded on each side by a series of triangular light bluish spots, (their apices directed downward,) which are [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 63 surrounded by a deep brown shade. Sometimes they are confluent and form a longitudinal band ; the apices prolonged may form vertical bands. Head brownish. Beneath greenish white. Total length 11 in. ; head and body 3 in. 6 lin. Hab. Honduras. Mus. Acad. Philadelphia. Dr. John L. Le Conte donor. Var. a, Wiegm. Sides with numerous short light bluish lines, imitating broken longitudinal bands. Marginal supraoculars six, the third longest. Otherwise similar to the ordinary variety. Hab. Vera Cruz, Mexico. Mus. Smithsonian. Dr. C. Sartorius donor. aa. Median gular scales but little larger than those surrounding. b. Premaxillary teeth eight. A. guttata Cope. Cntmidophorus guttatus Wiegm., Herp. Mex. 29. Gray, Catal. Brit. Mus. 22. Supraorbitals three, the two posterior sometimes isolated by granular scales in males; marginal supraorbitals six, the third very long. Nostril in the nasal plate. Three occipitals, the median elongate. Postsymphyseal plate broader than long. Three rows of plates upon the mesoptychium. Scales a little larger than the intermandibular extend across the gular region. Three rows of brachial plates continuous with two of antebrachials. Postbrachials mode- rate, transverse. Femoral shields numerous ; pores twenty to twenty-three. Three series of tibial plates, none of the external series disproportionately large. Extremities of external and internal digits equal. Tail keels moderate. Brown- ish olive above; upon the superior lateral region a narrow brown band bor- dered above with lighter. Irregular short yellow lines or spots are distributed more or less distinctly in four longitudinal series from nape to rump. Tail unspotted. In the female the lateral brown band is scarcely margined with paler above. Total length 14 in. 6 lin.; head and body 4 in. 9 lin. Hab. Vera Cruz, Mexico. Mus. Acad. Philadelphia. A. s a c k i i Cope. Cnemidophorus sackii Wiegm , Herp. Mex. p. 28. Gray, Catal. Brit. Mus. 22. Supraorbitals four, posterior minute; marginal scales eight, the anterior three longer. Three occipitals. Three principal preanal plates. Femoral pores twenty-two. Grayish olive ; sides olive brown, margined above with a pale longitudinal band, transversely banded with blackish brown. A second narrow lateral band extending from beneath the orbit to the posterior part of the side. Total length 15 in. ; head and body 6 in. Hub. Mexico. bb. Premaxillary teeth six. A. t ffi n i u r a Cope. Supraorbitals three; the marginal five, second longest. Nostril pierced in the nasal plate. Five occipitals. Plates of the mesoptychium numerous. Oae Beries of brachial, two of antebrachial, scarcely continuous. Postbrachials small. Four series of large femoral plates, bounded by smaller anteriorly and posteriorly. Three tibial rows, two upon the inferior face of the limb ; the ex- ternal composed of seven plates, the third very large. Larger preanals are two transverse marginal, two or three longitudinal median. External digit extending beyond the internal. Lateral tail plates smooth, superior keeled. Femoral pores fifteen. Above brown. A narrow yellowish line extends from the superciliary margin to a nearer or more distant point upon the tail. This is bordered above by a black band, three times its width, which is sometimes faintly margined above with yellowish. Sides black as far as a yellowish line which extends from the superior border of the ear to the groin, and thence with increased width for some distance upon the tail : on the latter region it is bounded below 1862.] 01 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF by a black band. A third and inferior pale line is sometimes seen on the side, a space above the margins of the external abdominal plates. The latter with the femora and tibia? are sometimes spotted with whitish upon a dark ground. Beneath yellowish white. Total length 10 in. 6 lin. ; head and body 3 in. Hab. Hayti, (near Jeremie.) Mus. Compar. Zoology Cambridge, No. 1503.) Acad. Philada. This species is intimately allied to the A. 1 i n e o 1 a t a D. & B., also an inhabi- tant of Hayti. The latter is peculiar in having shields upon the superior pos- terior fore-arm, and in its keelless tail plates. In t a? n i u r a these keels are weak. The coloration of 1 i n e o 1 a t a is different from that of the present species. Our group A, of which A. p ul c hra may be regarded as type, is connected with B, A.surinamensis type, through this species in the former group, and A. polops in the latter. The five occipital plates, elongate form, and pattern of coloration, are indications of this in the taniura. II. Scales of the caudal whorls smooth superiorly. A. 1 i n e o 1 a t a Dum. et Bibr., Erpetol. Gen. v. p. 119. Nostril pierced in the nasal plate. One anterior series of seven plates upon the brachium, several posterior series, replacing the granules which exist in other species. Two anterior antebrachial series. Postbrachial or elbow plates present, rhombic. Five series of inferior femorals, two of inferior tibials. Three large preanals surrounded by smaller scales. Fifteen femoral pores. Head above brown, laterally varied with black and white. Superior regions of body black with nine longitudinal lines, the median dorsal double at the middle of its length. Of the lateral lines, one is from the occiput, one from the supercilium, one from the eye, one from beneath the tympanic orifice. Irregular white lines upon the arm and the posterior foot. A light posterior femoral band continuous with one on the tail: the latter member with other indistinct longitudinal bands. Total length (?young) 9 in. 7 lin.; body 2 in. 2 lin. Hab. Hayti. B. I. Three rows of tibial shields, two appearing on the inferior face. a. Frontal plate one : no palatine teeth. b. Three supraorbitals ; premaxillary teeth ten. A. thoracica Cope. Anterior and superior temporal and postoccipital regions irregularly squamous. Five marginal supraoculars, second longest. Nostril in the nasal plate. Median gular scales minute; those of the mesoptychium larger, in six rows. Three (two small, one large) antebrachial series, scarcely continuous with brachial row. Postbrachials small in three short rows. Femoral plates numerous ; eighteen femoral pores. External tibial plates seven, very wide, second, third and fourth largest, third broad, fourth narrow, transverse. External digit extending beyond extremity of internal. A slight tendency to acumination in the heel scales of some specimens. Preanals a series of three or four large marginal, one or two large median, longitudinally arranged. Color above brown tinged with olive. Two indistinct light bands the superior from the supercilium, the inferior from the superior margin of the auricular opening enclose a black band, which is continued some distance upon the base of the tail, with its inferior light border. Beneath greenish or yellowish white, the pectoral and gular regions more or less black. The female differs in having the brown of the back lighter and marked with a narrow median line. The black upon the throat is also sometimes wanting. The size is much less, being in total length 9 in. 2 lin. ; of head and body 3 in. The male, 15 in. ; head and body 4 in. 6 lin. Hab. New Providence Island, Bahamas. Mus. Philada. Acad. (Dr. H. C. Wood, Jr., Coll.) Salem, Mass. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 65 This species is most nearly related to anberi of Cuba and p 1 e i of Hayti. From the former it differs in the absence of spurs upon the heel, in the com- plete black pale-bordered lateral band and the black of the antero-inferior regions. The same peculiarities of coloration separate it from the p 1 e i, which has in further distinction the median gular scales a little larger, and the tail spotted. This species is very abundant in New Providence, and, like the others, is very swift. The most ready way of obtaining them is by shooting. bb. Four supraorbital plates. A. 1 a e t a Cope. ? A. guttata Gray, Catal. Liz. Brit. Mus. p. 18, not Cnemid. guttatus Wiegra. Nostril in the nasal suture; common suture of fronto- nasal plates elongate. Five marginal supraoculars, first and second longest; equal. Nine premaxillary teeth. Three gular folds; gular scales all large, the posterior largest. Plates of the posterior fold larger than those of the median. Two series of ante- brachials continuous with three of brachial plates ; postbrachials large, irregular. Scales of the dorsal region large. External and internal digits very short, the latter extending beyond the former, its claw short, curved. Posterior preanals largest, one or two large anterior. Eight series of femora] plates ; fifteen to seventeen pores. Six or seven external tibials, the second and third very large. Male, above olive, black-speckled; sides dark with cross rows of black- edged white spots. Female rather bright olivaceous, with a light brown pale-bordered band upon each side. The superior pale border very indistinct, extending from the temporal angle, the inferior a bright band bordered with black beneath, extending from the middle of the tympanic orifice some distance upon the tail. Head brown above. Under surfaces yellowish, external belly plates black spotted, external tibial plates and tail bluish varied. Total length 15 in.; excluding the tail, 5 in. Hab. Near Rio Janeiro; according to Gray, Demerara and Pernambuco. Mus. Compar. Zoology, Cambridge, No. 1483. In the above description the colors of the male are taken from Dr. Gray. I have presumed that the two female specimens described belong to the species guttata, on account of their near resemblance to the surinamensis and their difference from it in the tibial shields and anal plates. Dr. Gray's diagnosis furnishes nothing else to base an identification upon. This species further differs from the surinamensis in the larger dorsal scales and longer common fronto-nasal suture. A. p 1 e i Bum. et Bibr., Erpetol. Gen. v. Median gular scales a little larger than those surrounding; marginal supra- oculars five or six, second longest. One large, one or two small series of ante- brachials, separated by granular scales from the large brachial series ; post- brachials numerous, irregular. Two large posterior preanals, one large median, and several smaller anterior and peripheral. Exterior digit equalling or extend- ing beyond the interior. Seven exterior tibial plates, the last very minute, second and third very large. Femoral plates numerous, the pores sixteen. Premaxillary teeth six, eight or ten ; superior maxillaries twenty-one in the adult, in the oldest specimens three or four posterior only imperfectly bi- or tri- cuspid ; those anterior to the latter are cylindrical with obtusely rounded crowns ; the most anterior conic, curved. In younger individuals the number of com- pressed tricuspid teeth is greater, (though the total number of teeth is less,) until in the youngest all but the "canines" conform to this standard of the generic structure. General color above, brown olivaceous, the posterior ex- tremities, tail and posterior dorsal region more or less distinctly spotted witln yellowish. Sides vertically banded with greenish or yellowish ; superiorly there is usually a series of black spots, which are sometimes only present ante- riorly, sometimes confluent into a longitudinal band. Beneath greenish straw-- 1862.] 5 66 PKOCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP colored, the denticulations and tubercles of the palms and toes tipped with brown. Total length, 20 in. ; head and body to vent 6 in. 6 lin. Hab. St. Thomas. Santa Cruz, Porto Rico; according to the Erpetologie Generale, Martinique and Hayti. Mus. Philadelphia Academy. Smithsonian. Compar. Zoology, Cambridge. Two specimens from Porto Rico have the lateral blacks spots larger, with a trace of a superior series posteriorly. In this animal the adult presents but three obtuse-crowned median maxillary teeth. This difference between the Porto Rican form and that of St. Thomas appears of importance when we recollect the relation which exists between the genera Ameiva and Tupinambis (Teius Gr.) in this respect. Indeed, although the present species is closely allied in super- ficial characters to the A. auberi and thoracica, were it not for the re- pressed development just alluded to in its Porto Rican form, it would appear proper to regurd the significance of this dentitional peculiarity as fully generic. Should the Porto Rican form begin to develop cylindrical and obtuse-crowned teeth at an earlier age, so as finally to exelude the compressed tricuspid, this peculiarity would become the index of a definable generic group; or should the time of the appearance of these teeth be finally postponed to a period beyond the usual limit of life, the same separation would be the result, the Porto Rican form remaining as a distinct species of Ameiva. The anatomical relation be- tween these lacertian forms is certainly identical with that existing between Protonopsis and Megalobatrachus, Siredon and Amblystoma; and if a gene- ric connection between the former can be reasonably suspected, (and geo- logical as well as morphological considerations support this view), it might be as justly inferred in the case of the latter. The largest shields of the external tibial series reach a considerable development in the Porto Rican specimens; hence I have suspected the Ameiva scutata of Dr. Gray might belong here. One or two of the St. Thomas specimens exhibit a development of these plates fully equal. Whether all belong to the true A. plei Dum. & Bibr., can only be settled by those who can compare Martinique specimens with those from the localities in question. Var. e x s u 1 . This form differs in possessing a narrow bright yellow band on each side, extending from the superciliary ridge to a point on the anterior part of the tail. The anterior extremity extended backward exceeds the extremity of the ap- pressed femur. Total length 7 in. G lin. ; exclusive of tail, 2 in. 1 lin. (Pro- bably young.) Hab. Water Island. Mus. Smithsonian. A. po 1 o p s Cope. Seven or eight marginal supraorbitals. Median gular scales little larger than the lateral ; scales of the neck-fold moderate. One large and several small series of antebrachial plates not continuous with the short brachial series ; postbrachials distinct. Preanals in two parallel longitudinal series. Femoral plates numerous ; pores nineteen. Tibial series two, the internal small; the external composed of seven plates, fourth largest, third next. Ex- ternal digit extending much beyond the internal. Above olive brown; a brownish black band, anteriorly light bordered above, extends from the superior border of the auricular opening to the crural region. This is bordered beneath by a narrow light line which terminates above the femur. Below this is a brown band, whicb is separated from a brown line on the exterior belly plate by a narrow yellow line. Tibia with an anterior light line. Femora behind light banded continuously with the tail. The latter member appear? to be faintly annulated. Belly light greenish. Total length 1 in. 2 lin. ; ex- clusive of tail, 2 in. 6 lin. Hab. St. Croix, West Indies. Mus. Smithsonian. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 67 aa. Frontal plates two ; palatine teeth present. A. bifrontata Cope. Three posterior supraoculars, surrounded with granular scales in the male. Marginal supraoculars five, two anterior elongate. Frontal shield divided transversely. An indistinct longitudinal frontal carina. Posterior gular scales larger than the anterior. Two series of antebrachial scales, continuous with one brachial. Postbrachials large, transverse. Marginal preanals largest. Femorals numerous; the pores fifteen to nineteen. Plates of the median tibial series not small ; nine plates in the external, third and fourth largest. External digit not equalling the tip of the internal. Tail plates narrow, strongly keeled. Above brownish pea-green, tail paler; in young specimens traces of two lateral, and one median pale line, sometimes visible posteriorly in adults. Occasionally a few brown spots upon the rump. External belly plates varied with blue and white. Inferior surfaces yellow. In females the anterior supraocular is in contact with the second, the lateral longitudinal bands are more distinct and enclose one of a deeper shade, and there are two rows of deep brown spots on the posterior part of the dorsal region. Tail spotted with brown above. Total length 14 in. ; head and body, 4 in. 6 lin. Hab. St. Thomas, W. Indies. Mus. Philada. Acad. The specimens described as females are labelled as having come from New Grenada, probably incorrectly. II. Four rows of tibial shields, three appearing on the inferior surface. Ex- ternal posterior digit not reaching the extremity of the internal. A. praesignis Cope. Cnemidophorus prcesignis Bd. k Gd., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1852, p. 129. Five marginal supraorbitals; external occipitals small. Posterior gular scales larger than anterior. Two series of antebrachials continuous with the brachial. Postbrachials numerous, subhexagonal, anterior claws very elongate. Eight femoral series medially; pores thirteen to seventeen. Eight plates in the external tibial series, second and third largest. Two posterior, a median, and sometimes an anterior preanal. 9 Deep brownish olivaceous above ; a broad median dorsal band, bounded on each side by transverse black bars, which extend to a black border of a yellowish lateral line which extends from the temporal ridge. An inferior yellow line from the auricular border, sepa- rated from the superior by a broad black band, which is traversed by a single row of yellow spots. Sides and extremities black-green spotted. Tail green, black spotted; two lateral light lines anteriorly. In the male the median band is better defined. The light superior border of the lateral black band vanishes posteriorly; the inferior is less distinct: over all are about seven longitudinal series of yellow spots. Beneath pale greenish yellow. Length of head and body 5 in. (Tail mutilated.) Hab. Panama.* Mus. Smithsonian. Philada. Acad. The coloration is the principal means of distinguishing this species from that succeeding. A. surinamensis Gray, Catal. Liz. Brit. Mus. p. 18. Lacerta ameiva, L. lateristriga et L. tristriata Spix, Anim. Braz. tab. xxiii. et xxiv. 182. Teius ameiva Merr., Nieuw. Zool. Braz. Rept. p. 170. Ameiva vulgaris Licht., Dum. & Bibr. Erp. Gen. Two series of antibrachial plates, nine in the exterior, which is continuous with the brachial; postbrachials irregular, subquadrate. Larger scales extend- ing across the posterior gular region ; those of the neck-fold in about four rows. * " Said to be abundant at Para." Hallowell, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 483, 1860. Panama, not Para, is meant, 1862. J 68 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF A few large plates exterior to the superior part of the exterior tibial row. Of the latter there are eight or nine, second, third and fourth largest. Posterior preanal plates largest. Above olivaceous, more or less vermiculated with black upon the head, nape and anterior extremities. Sides of a much darker shade, which is well defined superiorly, and is crossed by vertical series of yel- low black-bordered spots. External belly and anterior femoral plates yellow and black varied. In the female the lateral shade takes the form of a band. In a large specimen from Venezuela the anterior regions and extremities are light brown, speckled with black on the head and neck; the lateral vertical spots are upon a ground similar to that of the back. This is Lacerta ameiva, figured by Spix. Total length 20 in. 6 lin. ; head and body 7 in. Hab. Surinam, Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil, ("south to Rio Janeiro." Neu- wied), ?Paraguay, ?Trinidad. Mus. Philada. Acad. Washington. C. A. corvina Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philada. p. 312, 1861. Premaxillary teeth ten. Median occipital plate short ; position of external occipitals longitudinal divergent. Four continuous supraorbitals ; marginal plates five, anterior two longest. Median gular scales small, those of the me- soptychium scarcely larger. Anterior half of antebrachium with a series of plates ; brachium without plates, coarsely scaled ; postbrachials a little larger. Abdominal plates in twelve series. Median preanals largest. Large anterior femoral plates upon the terminal portion of femur; pores in ^ 36, in 9 32. Tibial series four, eight or nine in the external, of which three or four are of nearly equal size. External digit extending beyond internal. Tail plates weakly keeled. General color black; under surface of belly and tail glaucous green, sometimes tinged with yellow. Total length 16 in. 2 lin.; head and body 4 in. 10 lin. Hab. Sombrero Island, West Indies. Mus. Philada. Acad. Smithsonian. Compar. Zoology Cambridge. A. punctata Gray, Catal. Liz. Brit. Mus. p. 17. Postbrachial plates rather large, rhombic. Ventral shields in fourteen rows. Exterior tibial series seven, the second and third largest, nearly equal. Olive with black wavy lines ; sides darker with white spots upon the lower part; head in spirits pale reddish. Hab. Demerara. A. major Hum. el Bibr., Erp. Gen. v. p. 117. Median gular scales larger than the external, equal to those of the mesop- tychium. Brachial plates large, separated from the antebrachials, which are near the fore-foot; posthumerals granular. External tibial plates large. Ab- dominal plates in from fourteen to eighteen series. Preanal plates numerous, not large. Above olivaceous, beneath yellowish or greenish; in the young two light lines on each side, the superior from the temporal ridge. Total length 20 in. 7 lin. ; head and body 8 in. 2 lin. Hab. Cayenne. Trinidad. The antebrachial plates of this species seem to be similar to those of A. corvina. D. A. a u b e r i Cod. et Bibr., De la Sagra's Hist. Cuba Rept. p. 74. Abdominal shields in ten or twelve rows. Occipitals five : marginal supra- oculars five or six, posterior three small ; the superior supraoculars three, sometimes a rudimentary fourth. Temporal region with superior and anterior marginal plates. Premaxillary teeth ten. Gular scales equal; plates of the fold large, in four rows. The antebrachial series of plates bounded within by smaller shields; brachials continuous with the former, little dilated trans- versely. Postbrachials large, transverse. Femoral series eight or nine. Pores [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 69 fourteen to sixteen. One or two anterior preanals larger than any of the four or six marginal. Two series of tibial shields, the internal imperfect, six plates in the external, the second and third very large. External digit extending beyond the hip of the internal. General color light olivaceous brown, shaded with yellow on the head and extremities. A series of irregular spots, forming a broken band, extends from above the axillary region to the groin. Beneath yellowish. Total length 13 in. ; head and body, 4 in. Hab. Cuba. Mus. Philada. Academy. Washington. Cambridge. A. trilineata Gray, Catal. Liz. Brit. Mus. 19. Supraoculars three, marginals five. Gular scales minute ; four series of moderate plates on the antero-pectoral fold. Temporal region bounded above and anteriorly by plates. Antebrachial and brachial plates continuous, the latter little dilated. Postbrachials large, dilated. Ten rows of abdominal plates. Eight series of femoral plates ; fifteen pores ; median preanals larger than posterior. Three tibial series, seven in the external, the second and third very large. External posterior digit extending beyond the internal. Above olivaceous, with a median yellowish band, which covers a width of four scales anteriorly, six posteriorly. A light lateral line extending from the temporal angle, bounded beneath by a more or less irregular black band, and above, in adult specimens, by another, very narrow and irregular in its superior outline, A light line extends from the ear to the groin, and a trace of a third is some- times seen beneath it Sides posteriorly, and anterior and posterior extremi- ties coarsely vermiculated and varied with black and light olive. Gular and prethoracic regions black. Total length 10 in. ; head and body 3 in. Hab. Cuba. Mus. Washington. Phila. Acad. This animal appears to be identical with that described by MM. Cocteau and Bibron, and by the authors of the Erpetologie Generale, as the young of the A. auberi. Small specimens of the latter, however, resemble the adult closely, while the trilineata reaches a size nearly equal to that of the full grown auberi. It nevertheless offers no distinctive marks beyond those of colora- tion. We should therefore suspect it to be the female of the latter, were it not that some of the specimens appear to be males. While the opinion expressed in the Hist, de l'Isle Cuba is entitled to much respect, I accept for the present that of Dr. J. E. Gray as most tenable. Compared with the female of A. thoracic a, it differs as follows: The continuity of the brachials and antebrachials is not interrupted by small scales ; the postbrachials are larger; there is a single large external palmar tubercle instead of two of equal size. The vermiculated banding of the extremities does not exist in the thoracica, and the vertebral band is much narrower. There are no calcaneal spines. A. d o r s a 1 i s Gray, Ann. Nat. Hist. i. p. 277. A. Sloanei Dum. & Bibr., v. 107 Five occipitals, all short, especially the median. Temporal region bounded anteriorly and superiorly by plates. Three supraorbitals, five marginals, the second longest. Median gulars small ; scales of the mesoptycbis moderate, in five rows. Premaxillary teeth ten, the external on each side sometimes wanting. Brachial plates small, subhesagonal. Antebrachials usually not continuous with them, sometimes confined to the terminal portion of the fore- arm. Postbrachials large, transverse. Posterior preanals largest ; one or two anterior plates. Femoral plates in nine to eleven rows medially; pores twenty- three to twenty-five. Three tibial series, the internal minute, the median incomplete, the external of six or seven plates, the second, third and fourth large. Above olivaceous, darkest superiorly. A median vitta commences at the occiput and extends to the crural region ; in the former region it is narrow, in the latter it occupies nearly the whole dorsal surface. Four longitudinal series of spots upon each side, those of the two superior elongate, sometimes 1862.] 70 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP forming bands. In the female these bound a more or less irregular black band ; another dark band margins the dorsal vitta. Beneath greenish white. Total length 14 in. ; head and body 4 in. 6 lin. Eab. Jamaica. Mus. Philada. Academy. Smithsonian, (No. 5770.) The short occipitalis, the small brachials and shortened series of antebrachials of this species, are repeated in the A. c o r v i n a . II. Eunectes notaeus. General form elongate ; tail one-eighth of the total length. Muzzle de- pressed, broadly rounded. Rostral plate twice as broad as high, its labial sutures divergent, straight. Of the three nasal plates, the two superior are trapezoid, the inferior three times as long as wide. Lor'eal, preocular and superciliary large, their superior border nearly continuous. They are bounded superiorly by three large elongate plates which embrace a median series of three smaller rhombic plates. Of the former, the posterior are as long as the anterior, the median shorter. Of the latter, the two anterior are in contact, the posterior not smaller, sometimes isolated anteriorly by the exterior plates. In addition to the superciliary and preocular, the orbital ring is formed by five small plates, of which the two anterior are in contact with the sixth, seventh and eighth superior labials, without the intervention of a second sub- orbital series. Superior labials thirteen, the anterior but little higher than the rest. Scales large, broad as long, in forty-five rows on the thickest part of the body. Maxillary teeth 15 on each side; mandibulars 17. Urosteges 59. Total "length 9 ft. 4 in. Of tail 1 ft. 4 in. Above, light yellowish brown anteriorly; upon the middle and posterior parts of the body, dark brown. A deep brown band commences upon each temple, and unites with its fellow on the middle of the muzzle. A similar band commences at the eye, and extends beyond the canthus of the mouth. A broad median head band arises between the orbits, and extending upon the neck becomes zigzag, and is finally broken into transverse blackish spots which extend to the end of the tail. There are fifty-three distinct spots on the body, seventeen on the tail. They extend over twelve scales transversely, and are two scales apart. Two bands commence on each side of the neck, the supe- rior is continuous for a short distance, and is then broken into longitudinal spots which alternate with the dorsal. The inferior band is soon broken and is merged into two or three very irregular series of lateral black spots. Belly yellow, irregularly spotted with black, outlining two longitudinal streaks. Habitat. Paraguay River and confluents. Mus. Acad. Phila. Smithsonian (No. 4707). Capt. Page's Exped. This serpent is one of the largest in America ; in its proportions it is rather more slender than the E. murina or anaconda, which attains a greater size than any of the Boas, and equals or exceeds the largest Pythons. It also differs from the murinain the greater size of the posterior three head plates, especially the median ; in the immediate contact of the orbitar ring of plates with the labial shields, and the less narrow and elevated form of the latter anteriorly. The dorsal scales are larger, and in fewer rows. Both the ground color, and the distribution of spots upon it, are quite different from those of the murina. Homalochilus multisectus. Head rather elongate, very distinct from the neck, the plates of its superior surface irregular, not large. Three small superciliaries on each side, sepa- rated by five longitudinal series of frontal scales. Rostral plate five sided, those in contact with the labials shortest. Internasals confluent with the pre- nasal (as sometimes occurs in H. s t r i a t u s), their common suture very short. Prefrontals large, their common suture as long as the posterior border of each. Posterior to these a pair of transversely oval postfrontals (sometimes divided). [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 71 Postoculars five, small; preoculars two. the superior vertical, the inferior the last of a series of three or four cut from the summits of the labials. Two loreals, anterior larger. Superior labials sixteen or seventeen, eighth and ninth entering orbit. Inferior, twenty ; six pair of scales separated by the mental groove. Scales of the body in sixty longitudinal rows, the lateral smallest. Anal plate entire. Tail slender, contained six and a half times in the total length. The latter amounts, in the only specimen, a young one, to 26 inches ; head and body 22 inches. General color above, brown, with about one hundred yellowish cross bands bordered posteriorly with darker brown. Near the middle of the body these are about five scales apart ; posteriorly they are nearer together. One, sometimes two, series of irregular spots exist on each side, which are confluent anteriorly into one imperfect longitudinal band. Two narrow dark bands posterior to the eye, separated by about five temporal scales. Beneath yellow, marked with irregular longitudinal lines posteriorly. Habitat. Mus. Academy Nat. Sciences, from Messrs. Smith and Stewardson. Ilomalochilus strigilatus. Head rather stouter than in other species of the genus, distinct. One large superciliary plate on each side, separated from the other by two, or some- times one, large shield. Anterior to these are two transverse series of irregu- lar plates, in front of which are two elliptical postfrontal shields in contact. Between these and the supranasals is a pair of transverse prefrontals ; their posterior border is curved, parallel with the anterior, much longer than their common suture. Both nasal plates distinct. One loreal, which is a little shorter than in s tri a tu s. Two preoculars, the superior nearly as long as high, the inferior narrow, bounded below by two labial plates. No small plates anterior to the latter. Eye small, less than is usual in H. s triatu s, bounded beneath by the seventh and eighth, sometimes the ninth superior labial plate. The latter number fifteen. Inferior labials eighteen, the an- terior six elongate. Scales in fifty-one longitudinal rows, the median lateral smallest. Anal plate entire. Tail 9 in., in a specimen 67 in. long, i. e. one 8-5th. General color above, dark brown, almost black posteriorly. One or two series of transverse, short, dark bordered pale spots extend throughout the total length, or become obsolete posteriorly. The lateral ground color is paler ; it is sometimes separated from that of the back by a zigzag outline. A lateral series of brown light bordered rhombic spots is converted upon the anterior fourth of the body into a longitudinal band, extending past the can- thus of the mouth and through the orbit. Posterior to the latter, a light band bounds it above. Muzzle paler. Beneath brownish white, becoming darker posteriorly; a median dark band beneath the tail. Habitat. Id. New Providence, Bahamas. Mus. Academy Natural Sciences. From Dr. H. C. Wood, Jr.'s, collection. Briefly, H. s t r i a t u s of Hayti, differs from this species in its two supercili- aries, in its subloreal, in its cross bands, and absence of the lateral and sub- caudal stripes. Tachynectes chryostictus. Scales elongate, poreless, in twenty-three rows, all keeled except sometimes the first. Superior angles of the nasal plates in contact, one trapezoid loreal as high as long, one narrow preocular not reaching the vertical ; two post- oculars in contact with the occipital and one temporal. Occipitals short, their common suture scarcely as long as the vertical ; the lateral borders of the latter are parallel, elongate. Superior labials eight, eye over the lourth ; sixth and seventh largest. Twelve inferior labials, five posterior small. Anal plate divided ; tail one-third the total length, i. e., in the type specimen 5 in. in 15. 1862.] 72 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP Color above as far 'as the fourth row of 'scales on each side, reddish brown, with five alternating series of indistinct quadrate spots of a darker hue. Sides light yellowish brown. Beneath dark chocolate, near the middle of the body every third or fourth gastrostege one-half yellow. Posteriorly these spots are smaller and closer together, upon the gular region they form a broken longitudinal series, which is crossed by a similar series extending from one angle of the mouth to the other, and by an anterior one upon the chin. Tail scarcely spotted beneath. Head light brown, a yellow shade upon the posterior superior labials. A median longitudinal nuchal band. Habitat. Amazon. Mus. Smithsonian (No. 6007). From Lieut. Henderson's collection. I have placed this species in Tachynectes, Fitz. on account of its slender body and elongate, tail ; in all respects it is a Helicops as defined by Dumeril. Hypsirhynchus s c a 1 a r i s. Scales in nineteen longitudinal rows, thin, not elongate, with a single large pore at the extremity, not median. Head lanceolate flat, the muzzle slightly, the superciliary plates very much, elevated. Rostral plate transverse, oblique from the prominence of the muzzle, its lateral and superior outlines continu- ous, curved. Vertical plate more than twice as long as broad, the lateral borders concave; superciliaries broad arched; occipitals elongate, rounded posteriorly, the median posterior emargination nearly acute angled. Nasals two, nostril principally in the anterior ; posterior larger, its posterior outline oblique. Loreal none. Preocular single, longer than high, not reaching the vertical. Postoculars two, the inferior half the size of the superior, and in contact with an elongate temporal and the angle of the occipital. Eight superior labials, second elongate, third, fourth and fifth entering the orbit, sixth largest. Ten inferior labials, sixth largest ; post genials longer than pregenials. Anal plate bifid ; tail elongate (mutilated). Length of head and body nineteen inches. General color dark brown, the result of close punctulations on a paler ground. A darker band extends upon the third, fourth and fifth rows of scales on each side, throughout the length of the body, though indistinct posteriorly. The dorsal space enclosed is crossed by numerous incomplete bands of the same shade, at distances of three or four scales. The lateral band is more distinct anteriorly, where it is bounded beneath by a nar- row yellowish vitta extending from the canthus of the mouth. A yellowish band extends through the eye. Superior labial, mental and gular regions, blackish brown. A brown spot upon each frontal plate, longitudinal vermi- culations on the plates posterior to them. Beneath brownish yellow, thickly punctulated. Habitat. Hayti, (near Jeremie). Mus. Compar. Zoology, Cambridge (No. 1517). Dr. A. F. Weinland donor. In the present species the teeth are widely spaced and become longer on the posterior portions of the superior maxillary bone. The absence of the loreal plate, and the pattern of coloration, separate it from the H. f er o x, Gthr., of Barbadoes, the only other species of the genus. Pliocercus euryzonus. Dentition diacranterian, as in P. le q u a 1 i s Salvin.* Head broad posteriorly and at the muzzle. Rostral plate low, the nasal sutures long, straight. Com- mon prefrontal suture less than half that of the postfrontals. Vertical broad, sides convergent ; obtuse angled behind. Occipitals well developed, rounded posteriorly ; temporals one large, (narrow, ) four small. Nasals two, loreal *This author spells the generic name Pleiocercus ; a more consistent orthography would be Pleiokerkos. Those who prefer the unlatinised method should also write kua- noura, skutale, kaloura, etc. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 78 well developed ; superior preoculars not reaching vertical, the inferior want- ing on one side. Superciliaries very narrow. Two postoculars. Superior lahials nine, fifth and sixth entering the orbit. Ten inferior labials. Scales in seventeen rows, rather lanceolate medially. Total length 23 in. 9 lin ; the tail 9 in. 8 lin., rather more than two-fifths. Ground color red. This is crossed on the body by nineteen black rings, which leave it in spaces of only a scale in width above, and one to three gastrosteges beneath. On the head the ground only appears as a spot on the second and third labials, one on the middle of each superciliary, one near the anterior angle of the vertical, and one on the common occipital suture ; also a band extending from the seventh and eighth superior labials posteriorly to the occipitals. Anterior and pos- terior inferior labials black. Tail with eleven black rings broader than those on the body. Hob. Region of the Truando, New Grenada. Mus. Smithsonian, (No. 4303,) Lieut. Michler's Exploring and Surveying Expedition Coll. Philodryas latirostris. Muzzle obtuse, depressed, rather broad. Rostral shield elevated, rounded above. Prefontals broader than long, postfrontals broad. Vertical narrow, not twice as long as its anterior breadth, the lateral borders concave ; occipi- tals not elongate ; temporals five, the anterior and largest narrow, in contact with the whole posterior border of the inferior postocular. Preocular grooved so as to appear divided, in contact with the vertical ; loral parallel sided ; prenasal larger than postnasal. Eight superior oculars, fourth and fifth enter- ing orbit, the posterior three as high as, or higher, than long. Pregeneials longer than postgeneials. Scales smooth, in nineteen longitudinal rows. Gastrosteges not angulated. Total length 3 in. 2 lin. ; the tail 6 in. 6 lin. Green, paler beneath, yellowish on the mental and superior labial regions. A narrow black band from the eye along the borders of the upper labials. Hab. Paraguay. Mus. Smithsonian, (No. 5811,) Capt. Page Coll. This species has a broader muzzle than P. viridissimus Giinth. The vertical plate is more elongate than in P. crassifrons Cope. From both it differs in the contact of the latter with the preocular, and in the absence of angulation of the gastrosteges. Ialtris yultuosa. Char. gen. Form elongate, principally on account of the development of the tail. Head moderately distinct, a little elongate, rather massive. Eye mode- rate, pupil round, The nine normal cephalic shields. Rostral normal, not prominent. Two nasals, one loreal, one preocular. Anal plate divided. Scales smooth, the pores double. Anterior superior maxillary teeth moderate, equal, separated by a short space from an elongate stout grooveless tooth which occupies a position half way between the extremities of the maxillary. Posterior half of this bone edentulous, except a long grooved tooth at its hinder extremity. Several anterior mandibulars long, stout, separated by a space from the succeeding series of small ones. Char, specif. Scales not elongate, in nineteen longitudinal rows. Posterior border of each postfrontal convex. Vertical twice as long as its anterior breadth, the lateral borders a little concave, the posterior angle obtuse. Oc- cipitals elongate, acuminate posteriorly, the common emargination acute angled ; common suture as long as the vertical. Temporals, three large, one small, on each side, the anterior in contact with the two postoculars, and the fifth and sixth superior labials. One grooved preocular, one parallelogrammic loreal, two nasals, the posterior higher. Rostral low, rounded above. Seven superior labials, third and fourth entering the orbit, seventh longer than high. Nine inferior labials, the fourth and fifth very large. Total length 45 in. 6 lin., tail, 13 in. 6 lin. or -38 of the whole. The general color is leaden olivaceous ; the gastro and urosteges are bor- 1802.] 74 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF dered more or less distinctly with darker, the latter clouded with the same. The mental region sometimes spotted with darkish. The posterior borders of the superciliary and vertical plates are black; from the posterior angle of the latter extends a black band which bifurcates with the border of the plates, and widening, unites with a straight longitudinal postocular band. The latter approaches more or less nearly a large black muchal spot. A series of alternating spots extends for a few inches posterior to this ; they are then re- solved into transverse bars, which are obsolete through tbe greater part of the length. Posteriorly the scales are all bordered with darker. Obtained near Jeremie, Hayti, by Dr. Weinland. Mus. Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., (No. 1519). The genus Ialtris (<*xxa> jacto, rapio) is allied to Dromicus, but differs widely in dentition. In the latter respect it somewhat resembles Psammophis, and evidently lessens the brief interval between this genus and the former, which herpetologists have hitherto admitted. A peculiarity not shared by any other genus, is the absence of solid teeth on the os maxillare posterior to the median long one. In specific characters this serpent resembles Also- phis a n g u 1 i f e r, especially the variety of the latter found in eastern Cuba. It must be in some degree similar to the Philodryas dorsalis from Hayti, but I have not been able to compare them. Alsophis v u d i i. Scales in seventeen longitudinal rows, biporous. Head lanceolate de- pressed, canthus rostralis distinct, rounded. Rostral plate rounded, not prominent ; vertical plate once and a half times as long as its anterior breadth, lateral borders slightly concave. Occipital plates very elongate, posterior emargination acute angled, common suture remarkably deep, longer than the vertical plate. Temporal plates, two large, two or three small, the anterior in contact with one or both of the postoculars, and the posterior three superior labial shields. Of the latter there are eight, the third, fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Nasals and loreal elongate, superior border of the latter nearly parallel to the inferior. Preocular extending upon the sur- face of the head, not reaching the vertical. Inferior labials eleven, sixth largest; postgenials longer than pregenials. Total length 39 in.; tail 11 in. Light brown above, leaden brown beneath, everywhere thickly punctulated with darker. A deeper shade, which is sometimes of a rufous tint, occupies the median line of the back. Many of the scales have one white margin. Many one or two black margins ; the latter are sometimes arranged in trans- verse series, most distinct anteriorly. The common occipital, posterior and supercilio-vertical sutures are dark shaded. A dark brown band extends from the end of the muzzle and terminates at the neck ; it is succeeded by a few interrupted brown spots or lines or lines on the neck, beneath which a reddish tint prevails. Labials yellowish, punctulated and bordered with brown ; gular and mental regions indistinctly lined with the same ; gastro- steges bordered with leaden brown. Habitat. New Providence Id., Bahamas. Mus. Academy Nat. ScL, Phila. Salem, Mass. This species is dedicated to my friend. Dr. H. C. Wood, Jr., author of me- moirs on Myriapoda and extinct Cryptogamia. According to this gentleman, who obtained it, it is the most common snake in its native island. It is very nearly alied to Alsophis an gu lifer of Cuba, but differs constantly in coloration, and in a greater attenation of form. The occipitals are longer as compared with the vertical than in angulifer. That a variety of the same serpent is found in the same island is proven by Dr. Wood's collection. It is light yellowish brown as in angul if er, with complete blackish cross bands upon the posterior portion of the body, three scales apart. These are wanting upon the anterior third of the body, but are represented by black margin ; margined scales at intervals upon the side. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 75 Head without markings, except a darker shade posterior to the eye. Rela- tions of vertical and occipital plates as in typical v u d i i. In the extensive series of serpents possessing the diacranterian dentition and bifid anal scutum, which connect the stout, heavy bodied Xenodons with the slender Drymobii, the authors of the Erpetologie Generate have recognized two generic forms, viz. Liophis, Wagl., and Dromicus, Bibr. These they sepa- rate upon a difference in the relative development of the tail ; in the former this member is said to be short, in the latter elongate. In thus defining their groups thev have well contrasted the prominent characteristics of the extremes of the series in question. Another point of contrast is here added, viz. in the short tailed extreme there are no scale pores ; in the longest tailed, these pores exist in pairs. The first may be represented by the Liophis c o b e 1 1 a, the last, by the Dromicus a t e r of authors. That these species belong to dif- ferent genera admits of no doubt; they are placed in different "families" by some authors. The Dromicus a t e r, and its immediate allies, more nearly resemble in general form and habits some species of Drymobius, than they do the Liophis c o b e 1 1 a ; the latter represents a genus of water snakes, the former are terrestrial and arborial. The relative length of the tail cannot be entirely relied upon as a definite index of the genera included between these extremes. There are species in which this member is of an intermediate length, and some of these though included by authors in their genus Dromicus, can by no means be separated from the genus Liophis, as has been elsewhere shown.* From these types to that of the D. a t e r, the gradation seems complete. In like manner the num- ber of rows of scales on the body is a safe index of genera in some parts of the system, in others it is not specific, varying with the age and circumstance of the individual ; the same may be said of the division of the anal plate and pre- ocular, of the carination of the scales, of the grooving of posterior maxillary teeth ; also of the number of the toes in the sauria, and in an infinite number of instances which will occur to every zoologist. Where, however, an organ exhibits a perfect gradation between its different type forms, as we know to be the case with most or all, at one or more points in the morphic scale of each, the usual breaks or steps in this scale of modification of some other structure or organ, most commonly indicate to us Nature's divisions as at present exist- ing. In passing from Dromicus a t e r toward the species with shorter tails, we find the two scale pores become reduced to one. Finally, in the third series, typified by Dromicus lineatus, where the pores have disappeared, the tail never, so far as is known, equals that of the Dromicus ater group in length, nor is it thick, nor is the body heavy as in the poreless cob ell a group. A fifth series, also with poreless scales, represented by Dromicus fugitivus, exhibits the very elongate tail of the ater group. I know of no species connecting it with the third, or lineatus type, though the discovery of such an one would not be a matter of surprise ; in that case the forms would be included under one head. The groups thus defined, with their species, may be enumerated as follows : Ophiomorphus Fitz. (sine diagnosi). Body short, stout. Head distinct. Scales poreless. Tail short, thick, about one-fifth the total length. (Liophis Fitz. Dum.) 0. co b el la, 0. merr emm ii,f (type,) 0. d o li a t us, 0. breviceps. Lygophis Fitz. (sine diagnosi). Body, slender, elongate. Scales poreless. Tail one-fourth the total length, sometimes a little longer, rarely shorter, always slender. * Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1860, p. 251. t Xenodon typhlus, Schl. is almost identical in form with these species, but our speci- mens being wiihout epidermis, the absence or presence of pores cannot be determined. 1862.] 76 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP L. line a tu s (type\ L. d il ep is n. sp., L. e 1 egan s, L. fl a'vi fre n a- t u s n. sp. , L. r u t i 1 u s n. sp., L. conirostris (approaches near to Ophi- omorphus). Dromicus Bibr. Body moderate or short. Head little distinct. Scales poreless. Tail one-third, or a greater proportion of the total length. [Calo- phis Fitz). D. fugit i v u s (type). D. p a r vi fr o n s n. sp., D. t e mp o ral i s,* D. callilaemus, D. exiguu s n. sp. Liophis Wagl. Body elongate, slender. Head distinct. Scales uniporous. Tail one-fourth the total length, or longer. [Orophis et Limadophis Fitz). L. r e g i n a e (type) ? L. taeniurus, L. almadensis, L. subfas- ciatus n. sp., L. m el an on o tu s, L. temminckii, L. perfuscus n. sp., L. epinephelus n. sp., L. p u t n a m i i, n. sp. Alsophis Fitz. (sine diagnosi). Body moderate. Head distinct, acute. Scales biporous. Tail one-third total length, or longer. A. antillensis (type). A. sancticrusis n. sp., A. melanich- n u s n. sp., A. a n g u 1 i f e r, A. v u d i i, n. sp., A. 1 e u c o m ela s,f A. ater, A. fun er ens n. sp. Dromici triscalis, inornatus, rufiventris and pie i of the Erp. Gen. and D. rufodorsatus and a f f i n i s of Gunther ; Liophis bicinctns Dum., L. taeniurus and L. 1 a t e ri s tr i g a, J Berth. I have not been able to compare. So far as is known, Alsophis and Dromicus are West Indian, Lygophis and Ophiomorphus South American ; Liophis inhabits both regions. Alsophis sancticrucis. Body thick. Scales broad in seventeen longitudinal rows. In other respects the squamation is similar to that of H. a n t i 1 1 e n s i s, as pointed out by Dr. Gunther, || including the peculiar loreal plate, which presents an angle up- wards. The color superiorly is deep yellowish brown, or almost black, some- times the scales of the fourth row with yellowish centres, producing a banded appearance, others with one yellow margin. The whole, or anterior part only of the superior surface of the head is varied, or shaded with dark yellow. A narrow band of the same passed along the canthus rostralis beyond the eye to the temporal region. Superior labials and chin bright golden yellow, some- times varied with brown. Gastrosteges deep yellow, margined, finally shaded and obscured with brown and blackish, the yellow remaining upon their ex- tremities, forming a band of spots. A narrow yellow line extends for some distance upon the neck, on the line of separation of the second and third rows rows of scales. Total length 50 inches, tail 17 inches. Habitat. St. Croix Id , W. Indies. Mus. Philadelphia, Washington. Examination of a number of specimens of A. antillensis and compari- son of them with two of this animal, and with Dr. Giinther's description of three that came under his notice, has resulted in a conviction of their specific difference. This and the succeeding species would be called by some zoolo- gists " geographical" or " local varieties." Alsophis melanichnus. Squamation as in H. sancticrucis; seventeen rows of rather broad scales, two more than antillensis. Yellowish olivaceous above, without lines or punctulation, every scale tipped, and bordered with brown. Superior labials lighter, unspotted. A narrow black band from the rostral plate to the * Pr. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1860, p, 370. t This species is not identical wiih H. ater, as stated by Gunther. t Goettingen Nachrichten, 1859, p. 210. || Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 1859, p. 210: Here also are noticed the double scale pores of this species. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 77 temporal region, and three, one median and two lateral divergent, from the posterior border of the occipital shields. Urosteges and posterior three- fourths of the gastrosteges bordered with brown, ground color olivaceous yellowish, unspotted. Total length 36 in., tail 10 in. 3 lin. Habitat. Hayti, near Jeremie. Mus. Compar. Zoology, Cambridge, Mass. (No. 1522). Dr. Weinland Coll. Alsophis funereus. Head distinct, not lanceolate. Rostral plate scarcely visible from above. Superciliaries and vertical plate9 not elongate ; the lateral borders of the latter straight, convergent, as long as the anterior. Occipitals rather broad, the com- mon suture as long as the vertical; three large, two small temporals. Supero- anterior border of loreal continuous, curved. Preocular not reaching vertical ; two postoculars. Seven superior labials, third and fourth entering the orbit. Seventeen rows of obtuse scales. Total length of specimen 16 in. ; tail 5 in. 6 lines. General color black ; anteriorly the inferior surface is plumbeous, as are also the superior labials. Habitat. Jamaica. Mus. Washington, (No. 5779.) Prof. C. B. Adams' Coll. The breadth of the vertical plate distinguishes this species at once from others of the genus. Liophis perfuscus. Scales obtuse, rather broad, in nineteen longitudinal series. Head mode- rately distinct, not very elongate, the front slightly curved in profile ; canthus rostralis very obtuse. Ro3tral shield much broader than high, not appearing on the superior surface of the muzzle. Prefrontals very small, their common suture half the length of that of the postfrontals. Vertical plate elongate, less so than in Haliophis antillensis, more so than in H. funereus, its anterior broader more than half the total length, the lateral a little concave, not convergent. Occipitals moderate, acuminate, bifurcate. Two postoculars, both in contact with an elongate temporal, which is not in contact with the last (eighth) superior labial. This labial is well developed ; the seventh i3 high, five-sided, its commisural border shorter than it3 anterior, superior, and some- times its lower posterior border ; upper posterior very short. One preocular, not reaching the vertical, the superior extremity half separated by a suture from the orbit. Geneials of about equal length. Total length 17 in. ; the tail 3 in. 9 lin. General color deep mud brown, paler on the sides and beneath ; sometimes certain scales are irregularly darker or lighter. Habitat. Barbadoes. Obtained by Prof. Theodore Gill, who has presented specimens to Mus. Phila. Acad, and Smithsonian, Wash., (No. 6044.) Liophis subfascial e. Form stout, tail short, thick, head moderately distinct. Scales in nineteen longitudinal rows. Rostral plate small, swollen, a little recurved superiorly. Can- thus rostralis none. Prefrontals small, their common suture more than half that of the postfrontals. Vertical shorter than in L. regi n ae, lateral borders, slightly curved and convergent, posterior angle right. Occipitals short, broad and obtuse posteriorly, bounded by two large and one or two small temporals, the anterior in contact with two labials and two postoculars. Of the latter the superior is twice the size of the inferior. One preocular not reaching vertical ; one loreal nearly rectangular. Superior labials eight, fourth and fifth entering orbit. Last two higher than long. The posterior superior maxillary tooth is of unusual length and curvature. Total length 18 in. 3 lin. ; tail 3 in. Color above brown, sometimes nearly unicolor, sometimes with transverse bands of deep brown, one and two scales apart. These bands are formed by dark edges and tips of the scales, and so have a zigzag form ; sometimes they 1862.] 78 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP are broken into spots. Their extremities are separated into lateral spots, which become smaller posteriorly, and are finally confluent into a line, which is on the third or fourth rows of scales; it is obsolete on the tail. Superior labials and tinder surface yellowish ; a few dark shades upon the margins and extremities of the gastrosteges. Habitat. Paraguay. Mus. Smithsonian, (No. 5809.) Capt. Page's Expedi- tion. This species is a near relation of L. almadensis.* It has one more row of scales on each side, a shorter, thicker tail, a less distinct head, a more acute muzzle and different coloration. It is annectant to Ophiomorphus, where it most resembles 0. c o b e 1 1 a. Liophis epinephalus. General form elongate, the head not very distinct, with broad muzzle, the tail slender, more elongate than in the preceding species, not so much so as in L. r e g i n a e. Rostral plate flat, broad, rounded, visible from above; com- mon suture of prefrontals two-thirds that of the postfrontals ; the latter are very broad. Vertical and superciliaries elongate, the former one aud a half times as long as its anterior suture ; lateral sutures straight, convergent, pos- terior sutures short. Occipitals rather short, rounded posteriorly, bounded by two large and two small temporals. The anterior of these is elongate, in con- tact with two labials and two postoculars. Loreal higher than long, encroach- ing on the preocular. Superior labials eight ; third, fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Inferior labials ten. Total length 20 in. 9 1.; tail 4 in. 9 1. General color above brown ; the sides tinged with yellow ; a few scales, with a light margin. Large alternating black spots, broad on the median line, nar- rowed upon the sides, almost obscure the ground color. They are more distinct anteriorly; posteriorly the ground is visible in short alternating half bands. Tail blackish above, a black band on each side, which is the continuation of a confluent series of spots which are cut off from the extremities of the dorsal spots. Top of head blackish ; a black dot on each side of the occipital suture. Superior labials light yellowish, immaculate. Habitat. Truando, New Granada. Mus. Washington, (No. 4305.) Lieut. Michler's Expedition. This species is a near ally of L. r e g i n a e and almadensis. In squa- mation it resembles them closely, but differs very widely from both in colora- tion. The absence of temple bands and of ventral spots, separate it from the former, while the ground color and spots of the upper surface are not imi- tated by the latter. Liophis putnamii. General form elongate. Head very distinct, rather short, with narrow pro- minent muzzle, flat above. Rostral plate not visible from above, vertical and superciliaries elongate, the former very nearly twice as long as the anterior border ; lateral borders a little concave. Occipitals not elongate, bifurcate, obtuse. Temporals two large, one or two small, the anterior in contact with two labials and two postoculars. One preocular, considerably separated from vertical. Loreal higher than long, its superior border longitudinal. Eight superior labials, fourth and fifth entering orbit ; sixth with a postocular suture longer than a temporal. Temporal suture of seventh very long. Inferior la- bials ten. Scales in seventeen longitudinal rows. Total length 25 in. 9 lin.; tail 7 in. Yellowish brown above, with a deep brown median dorsal band occupying three rows of scales. The median row of scales for a short distance anteriorly is lighter. On the tail the band is narrow, and is wanting on the terminal * S. wagleri, Jan. Arch. f. Naturgesch. 1859- Natrix atmada et semilineata Wagl Spix Serp. Braz. L. rtgina, var. Pr. A. N. S., 1860, 253, [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 79 third. A similar lateral band occupies the third and fourth rows, and is continued to near the end of the tail ; anteriorly it is continuous with a nar- row band on the superior margins of the lateral plates. Muzzle and labials yellowish ; beneath yellowish white, unspotted. Habitat. Martinique. Mus. Acad. Philada. ; Mus. Gard. Plants in ex. This is the specimen referred to in the "Catalogue of Colubridae," Pr. A. N. Sc, 1860, p. 560, as a variety of Dromicus f u g i.t i v u s. It differs from the the Cuban form of that species in having uniporous scales, a shorter tail, a broader and more distinct head, a much narrower anterior temporal, and dif- ferent system of coloration. I have named it in honor of ray friend Fredk. W. Putnam, Esq., of Cambridge, Mass., in recognition of his merit as a zoologist, and of obligations for opportunities of examining valuable collections. Dromicus parvifrons. Some scales upon the nape with a pore. Scales of the back obtuse, not elon- gate, in seventeen or nineteen longitudinal rows. Head small and but little distinct from the body. Eyes moderate. Rostral plate rounded above. Suture of prefrontals with pre-nasal twice or thrice as long as with postnasal. Vertical and superciliaries elongate, the former twice as long as its anterior breadth, longer than the common occipital suture ; its lateral borders a little concave, its posterior angle less than right. Occipitals rather small ; temporals three large, two small, the anterior large, in contact with two labials and two post- oculars. Loreal nearly quadrangular, preocular a little concave, not reaching vertical. Superior labials eight; third, fourth and fifth entering the orbit ; the first very narrowly. Preanal plate divided. Total length 26 in. 6 lin. ; tail 16 inches. General coloration dark olivaceous. A brown band extends from the muzzle through the eye, and for the greater part of the total length upon the fourth row of scales. It is bounded above by a light band, which occupies half of the fifth row; it becomes lighter anteriorly and extends to the superciliary plates. The median dorsal band thus remaining is sometimes divided anteriorly by a daiker vertebral line, upon one row of scales. Habitat. Hayti, near Jeremie. Mus. Compar. Zoology, Cambridge, Mass. From Dr. Weinland. Dromicus exiguus. Size small ; body stout ; head little distinct, flat above, muzzle prominent. Rostral plate broad, presenting no superior surface. Prefrontals well de- veloped. Vertical elongate, lateral borders straight, the posterior long, form- ing au acute angle. Occipitals well developed, the median or common suture shorter than vertical plate, obtuse posteriorly, bounded by one large and five small temporals on each side. Postoculars two ; preocular one, rather broad ; loreal small. Postnasal longer than prenasal. Eight superior labials, third, fourth and fifth entering orbit. Nine inferior labials, fourth and fifth largest. Scales in nineteen longitudinal rows. Total length of largest of five speci- mens 17 in. 1 lin. ; tail 5 in. 4 lin. Above light brown, sometimes yellowish, densely punctulated with darker. The median dorsal region is of a deeper shade ; distant dark brown dots some- times form two parallel series, one on each side of it. A dark brown band along the fourth row of scales nearly to the end of the tail ; it is sharply defined only superiorly ; it is continuous with a head-band which passes through the eye. Beneath yellowish, punctulated with brown, especially toward the extremities of the gastrosteges. Hub. St. Johns and St. Thomas, W. I. Mus. Washington, (Ruse Coll.) Phila. Academy. This species may be readily mistaken for the young of Alsophis a n t i 1- 1 e n s i s, and probably has been. In very small specimens of the latter, the double scale-pores may be observed ; the animal is also more elongate, the 1862.] 80 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF gastrosteges reaching ISO or 190 ; in the exiguus, 137 is the most that I have counted. The head of the latter is relatively smaller and less distinct, in accordance with the character of Dromicus. D. callilaemus is similar in some respects, but exhibits a broader vertical shield, a more elongate tail, and only seven suptrior labial plates. Lygophis r u t i 1 u s . Form approaching Ophiomorphus, but the tail is slender, though not long. Scales in nineteen longitudinal rows, rather elongate medially. Head mode- rately distinct, rather short. Rostral plate not low, the nasal borders a little concave. Prefontals as long as broad. Vertical and superciliaries elongate ; the former nearly twice as long as broad, the borders a little concave, scarcely convergent. Occipitals very short. Temporals small, three larger, three smaller. One pre- two postoculars, both in contact with the temporal. Eight superior labials, fourth and fifth entering orbit, all higher than long excepting sometimes the first and last. Inferior labials ten, fifth and sixth largest. Pregeneials longer than postgeneials. Total length 18 in. 10 lin. ; tail 3 in. 9 1in. Above dark brown ; two yellow lines extend from the anterior extremity of the superciliary shields to the end of the tail, occupying on the body the centre of the scales of the seventh row, being separated by five scales. The median line is occupied by a similar red stripe which is most distinct behind the occipital plates and on the posterior regions. The space between the yellow lines contains two series of black spots which usually alternate, sometimes coalesce. The sides are marked with vertical black spots or bars which extend from the second row to the yellow line, and which are one or two scales apart. Small yellow dots are scattered over these and other parts of the body. Head above black. A yellow line near the inner border of each occipital, a bifurcate one on the vertical, a large one on each pre- and postfrontal, also on each nasal, the loreal, the pre- and postoculars. Labials and chin yellow ; belly deep rose-red, every second or third gastrostege with its posterior angle black. Hab. Paraguay, along the Parana River and its branches, in particular the Tigre. Mus. Smithsonian, Washington, (No. 5397.) Acad. Philada. In this beautiful water-snake I find a depression near the tip of some of the scales, but nowhere have I discovered a true pore. Lygophis flavifrenatus. Scales rather elongate, in seventeen longitudinal series. Head slightly dis- tinct, rather elongate. Rostral plate a little produced posteriorly above ; nasal sutures slightly concave. Prefrontals as long as broad. Superciliaries narrow ; vertical elongate, the lateral borders a little concave, posterior sutures short. Occipitals short, much rounded posteriorly, bounded by six temporals which decrease in size from the anterior. The latter is short, in contact with both postoculars and two labials. Eight superior labials, none very high, fourth and fifth (which are longer than high) entering the orbit. Inferior labials ten. Total length 25 in. 10 lin. ; tail 6 in. 10 lin. Above brown, inferior two rows of scales tinged with olivaceous. A narrow yellow line extends from the summit of the rostral plate across the superciliary and occipital plates on each side to the end of the tail. It is on the seventh row of scales on the body. Three rows separate these lines ; the scales of the external of the three have their terminal halves black. Tips of scales of the first row black anteriorly ; tips, and finally the whole of those of the third black, form- ing a band on the posterior fourth of the body and tail. Anterior angle of every gastrostege black ; remainder greenish white. Some black spots on the sides of the neck ; oue posterior to the eye prominent. Hab. Rio Vermejo region. Mus. Phila. Acad. ; Smithsonian, (Nos. 5397, 5398,) Capt. Page's Expedition. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 81 This serpent at first sight resembles the preceding species, but is more truly allied to that that follows. Lygophis d i 1 e p i s . Form slender. Head elongate, distinct, rather obtuse. Scales not abbrevi- ated, in nineteen longitudinal series. Rostral plate elevated, a little recurved posteriorly. Prefrontals well developed, their common suture longer than that of the postfrontals. The latter are rather small. Vertical twice the length of its anterior suture, lateral borders a little concave. Occipitals mode- rate, rounded posteriorly ; one large, four medium or small temporals, the anterior narrow, in contact with both postoculars and two labials. Prenasal larger than postnasal, loreal nearly rectangular. Inferior preoculars higher than long, lower than loreal ; superior nearly reaching vertical. Eight supe- rior labials, posterior labial suture of the penultimate as long as the anterior. Inferior labials ten. Total length 25 in. 6 lin. ; of tail 4 in. 10 lin. A deep brown band extends from the muzzle, occupying nearly the whole upper surface of the head throughout the body, where it is black bordered, and occupies one and two halves rows of scales to the end of the tail. A darker band extends from the eye, throughout the total length, occupying the fifth row and the halves of the adjacent rows above and below. Belly, sides and labials yellowish ; space between the bands pale brown. Hab. Paraguay. Mus. Smithsonian, Washington, (No. 5861,) Capt. Page's Expedition. This species bears much resemblance to the L. lineatus; it may be dis- tinguished by the broader head, stouter body and shorter tail ; by the greater width of the lateral and head bands ; by the two preoculars, etc. Colorhogia redimita. Char. Gen. Dentition diacranterian. Head moderately distinct, obtuse. Pupil round. Head shields normal except in the coalescence- of the two post- frontals. One preocular, one loreal, one nasal. Rostral plate small, obtuse. Dorsal scales smooth, poreless. Anal plate divided. Tail elongate. Char. Specif. Size small, head little distinct, short, obtuse. Scales short obtuse, in seventeen longitudinal rows. Rostral plate low, rounded above. Prefontals small, transverse. Postfrontal large. Anterior border of vertical plate equal to the lateral, which are straight, convergent ; posterior angle acute. Occipitals elongate, obtuse posteriorly, bounded by three large and two small temporals, the anterior large, in contact with the fifth and sixth superior labials and the inferior postocular. Of the latter plates there are two. One preocular curtailed above by the superciliary, which forms part of the anterior border of the orbit. Loreal rectangular, longer than high. Nasal nearly rectangular, the nostril near the superior suture. Superior labials seven, third and fourth entering the orbit. Inferior labials nine ; pregeneials longer than postgeneials. Total length 7 in. 9 lin. ; tail 2 in. 9 lin. General color brownish grey, lighter beneath. The median portions of the dorsal scales are punctulated with brown ; a narrow line of the same color occupies the middle of the fourth row of scales to the end of the tail. The vertebral series is occupied by a similar narrow line for the same extent. A dark brown band passes through the eye and is continuous with the lateral line. The entire crown is occupied by a large subsagittiform liver-brown spot, whose outline is parallel with the lateral brown bands. Between these is enclosed a light frontal and temporal band (redirniculum.) Posteriorly it is joined by the median dorsal band. Two light occipital spots as in Tropido- notus sp. Labial plates and chin punctulated with deep brown. Belly im- maculate. Hab. Eastern Cuba. Mus. Smithsonian, (No. 5747,) from Mr. Charles Wright. This little serpent is allied to Dromicus and Contia, but is readily distin- 1862.] 6 82 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP guished by tlie single postfrontal. Five other genera have been enumerated* which possess this structure, but none of them have any close affinity with the present. Specifically it resembles the Dromieus calliljemus from Jamaica ; it may also be loosely compared to the Cuban Arrhyton tseniatum. Hab. Cuba. Mus. Smithsonian, Prof. Poly. Coll. Arrhyton fulvum. Arrhyton tmniatum Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1860, p. 421. This species differs from the A. t se n i a t u m in its broader head and more acute muzzle. The preocular plate is larger, the postfrontal in contact with the second labial only ; the vertical is shorter, with more convergent outer borders. Temporals six or seven on each side, the anterior as deep as long. The head and body above the third row of scales is deep brown ; the lateral band occupies the fourth and fifth and half the third and sixth rows of scales ; the median the vertebral series alone. In taenia turn these bands are of equal width, occupying one and two half rows. Hab. Cuba. Mus. Smithsonian. Arrhyton bivittatum. Scales in seventeen longitudinal rows. Dentition, as in other species of the genus, strongly diacranterian. Head wider than body, arched in profile, with acute prominent muzzle. Rostral plate visible from above : nasal plates united '! Loreal present, longer than high, rectangular. Preocular plate a little higher. Superior labials seven, third and fourth entering the orbit. Postoculars two ; temporals, three large, two small, anterior broad : the external borders of the vertical parallel. Prefrontals not small. Inferior labials seven ; anterior gene- ials longer. Total length 11 in. ; tail 3 in. 2 lin. General color brown ; a blackish band on each side which occupies the adja- cent halves of the scales of the third and fourth rows. Hab. Cuba. Mus. Smithsonian, (No. 5784.) Monograph of the species of TROGDSITA, inhabiting the United States. EY GEORGE H. HORN, M. D. The publication of the present paper was suggested by the neglected condi- tion of the genus. Many American species have been published from time to time by various authors, amounting to about twelve or thirteen, of which Mel- sbeimer (Proc. Acad, ii.) and Pal. de Beauvois, (Ins. d'Afrique et d'Amerique) have published one half, the other half being scattered among various authors. It is to be feared that Beauvois has, from describing insects from two widely sepa- rated parts of the globe, caused confusion by the mingling of specimens. Some of his other American (?) insects remain unknown even now. The pos- session of several of Melsheimer's types enables us to determine their true value with certainty. The species here described have been derived in great part from the collec- tion of Dr. Le Conte, with whom all the typical specimens will be found, the collections from other sources serving rather to increase the number of speci- mens than species. Our species may be arranged in groups as follows : Sec. A. Antennae with the eighth joint equal to the ninth. Species 1 2. Sec. B. Antenn;e with the eight joint much smaller than the ninth : 1. Sides of thorax sinuate or rounued, strongly emarginate before the posterior angles, which are acute. Species 3 6. 2. Thorax subquadrate, sides moderately rounded, posterior angles acute. a. Convex Species 7 10. 6. Depressed Species 11 13. * Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phil. 1861, pp. 302, 524. [Feb, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 83 3. Thorax broad, sub transverse sides much rounded, posterior angles small, obtuse. Species 14 20. 4. Thorax broad, sides strongly rounded posterior aDgles scarcely evident. Species 21. A. 1. T. mauritanica, nigro picea, obscura, modice depressa, capite thoraceque parce grosse punctatis, hoc linea dorsali lasvi, lateribus, sinuatis, antice latiore, postice angustato, margine vix reflexo, basi rotundato, angulis posticis parvis acutis, elytris oblongis, basi late emarginatis, siriis punctatis interstitiis paulo convexis, rugulosis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, ab- domine prosternoque parce punctatis, gula postice subtiliter punctulata, antice grosse punctata, antennis pedibusque rufis. Long. "38. T. mauritanica, Linn. (Tenebrio,) Mann. Bull. Mosc. 1843, 302. T. caraboides, Fab. 1, 151. This species has been carried all over the world in articles of commerce ; specimens have been received from Europe, Cuba, Sierra Leone, Texas and Pennsylvania. With the succeeding species, the mauritanica forms a natural section, characterized by having the joints of the antennae gradually in- creasing in breadth, while, in the next group, the last three joints are suddenly larger, forming a loose club. These two forms appear to be characteristic, the former of the species of the eastern hemisphere, the latter of those of North and South America. 2. T. n i t i d a, nigro-picea nitida, modice depressa, subtus subtiliter punctu- lata capite thoraceque parce subtiliter punctulatis, hoc antice latiore, postice an- gustato, lateribus sinuatis, margine reflexo, angulis posticis, acutis reflexis, basi rotundato, elytris oblongis, basi vix emarginatis huineris rectis, striis punctatis interstitiis planis parce rugulosis biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, abdomine prosternoque parce subtiliter punctulatis, gula antice parce grosse punctata, postice lajve, antennis pedibusque piceo-rufis. Long, "40. This species like the mauritanica has been imported. Numerous speci- mens were obtained from a vessel from Sierra Leone, in the spring of 1861, since then others have been found in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. In its general form it resembles closely the mauritanica, from which it may be readily distinguished by its more glossy appearance, and less deeply and closely punctured head and thorax. The posterior angles of the thorax are somewhat larger, more acute, and slightly reflexed. The under surface of the body is also more finely and less densely punctured. B 1. 3. T. calif or nica, nigro-picea, subnitida, depressa, capite thoraceque parce grosse punctatis, hoc antice latiore, postice angustato lateribus sinuatis ante angulos emarginatis, his acutis reflexis, margine vix reflexo, basi rotun- dato, medio truncato, elytris oblongis, basi late emarginatis versus humeros impressis, his rectis, striis valde punctatis interstitiis planis, parce rugulosis, bi- seriatim subtiliter punctulatis, antennis pedibusque rufis, abdomine prosterno- que parce subtiliter punctulatis, gula antice vix punctulata, postice subplicata. Long. -40. California, one specimen ; Dr. Le Conte. This is the largest California species yet known. The thorax is much broader anteriorly than long, the breadth posteriorly is about equal to its length. The sides are sinuate, anterior to the angles deeply- emarginate. This character is possessed in a greater or less de- gree by all of the California species. In all of this group the posterior angles are well developed, acute and slightly reflexed. 4. T. crassicornis, rufa subnitida, depressa, subtus parce punctata, ca- pite thoraceque parce grosse punctatis hoc medio laeviore, antice latiore postice angustato, lateribus haud rotundatis, ante angulos emarginatis, his acutis reflexis 1862.] 84 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP margine reflexo, basi modice rotundato medio truncato elytris oblongis basi late emarginatis, humeris rectis, striis punctatis, interstitiis planis vix rugulosis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, gula modice rugosa. Long. -23. California, one specimen ; Dr. Le Conte. Distinet from the preceding by its smaller size, more depressed form, and less deeply punctured head and thorax. Its color is light rufous, probably immature. The antennae in this species are much shorter, and the joints much more globose, than in any other of this group. The eighth joint is not as much smaller as in all the other American Trogositas, exhibiting thus a relationship with Section A. 5. T. pleuralis, nigro-picea depressa, capite thoraceque parce grosse punctatis, hoc lateribus densiore punctatis et colore ferrugineis, antice la- tiore postice angustato, lateribus modice rotundatis ante angulos modice emarginatis, margine reflexo, basi rotundato, elytris oblongis, basi rectis, striis punctatis, interstitiis planis rugulosis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis punctatis, abdomine parce grosse punctate, gula prosternoque parce subtiliter punctulatis, antennis pedibusque nigro ferrugineis. Long. -23 *30. California, two specimens ; Dr. Le Conte. This species is the most depressed of this group, resembling the c o 1 1 a r i s, Sturm. The sides of the thor.ix and anterior portion of the head are ferrugineous. The elytra are much wider in proportion to their length than in any others of this group. 6. T. li tubal is, brunnea, modice convexa, capite thoraceque dense punc- tatis, hoc lateribus rotundatis, antice latiore, postice angustato, ante angulos vix emarginatis, his acntis, margine reflexo, basi rotundato, elytris oblongis basi late emarginatis humeris rectis, striis punctatis, interstitiis, planis, nitidis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, gula transverse plicata antennis pedibusque pallidioribus Long. -22. T.limbalig, Mels. Proc. Acad. ii. 109. Pennsylvania, two specimens ; Dr. Le Conte. Resembles crassicornis, from which it differs by its more convex form, its smooth elytral interspaces, and the plications of the gular region, which are in three transverse series. The antennae are of normal form, the eighth joint being much smaller than the ninth. 7. T. corticalis, nigra, subnitida, modice convexa, capite thoraceque grosse punctatis, hoc lateribus modice rotundatis, antice latiore, postice vix angustato, margine reflexo, angulis posticis acutis, basi rotundato, elytris ob- longis, basi vix emarginatis, humeris rectis, striis punctatis, interstitiis modice convexis, subtiliter rugulosis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis. abdomine pros- ternoque grosse punctatis, gula baud plicata, pedibus nigris, antennis nigro- ferrugineis. Long. -33' T. corticalis, Mels. Proc. Acad. ii. p. 109. Common in Pennsylvania. This is, probably, the best known of all our spe- cies. It may be found under the bark of stumps, at almost any season. The thorax is broader than long, coarsely punctured, and in Melsheimers typical specimen with the sides near the margin with shallow impressions, The elytra are twice as long as broad, and slightly dilated behind the middle. 8. T. intermedia, nigro-picea, subnitida, convexa, capite thoraceque parce grosse punctatis, hoc lateribus rotundatis, antice latiore postice angus- tato, margine reflexo, angulis posticis acutis vix reflexis, elytris oblongis, basi late emarginatis, versus humeros impressis his rectis, striis punctatis, intersti- tiis planis parce rugulosis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, abdomine confertim punctulatis, prosterno parce punctato, gula subplicata. Long. *32. Kansas two, San Jose one specimen. The species resembles the corticalis differing in the more elongate thorax which is more narrowed posteriorly, the posterior angles are better developed and slightly reflexed, its body is less de- pressed, and the sides of the elytra more nearly parallel. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 85 9. T. d u b i a, Mels, nigro-picea, convex*, capite thoracqtie grosse punc- tatis, hoc antice latiore, postice parum angustato, lateribus vix rotundatis, an- gulis posticis acatis, margine reflexo, basi rotundato, elytris oblongis, humeris rectis, basi rectis, versus humeros impressis, striis punctatis, iaterstitiis planis, parce rugulosis, biseriatiru subtiliter punctulatis, abdomine prosternoque sub- tiliter punctulatis, gula triseriatim trausverse-plicata, antennis pedibusque nigro- ferrugineis. Long. -25. T. dubia, Mels. Proc. Acad. ii. 110. Pennsylvania, common. Resembles both the c orticalis and interme- dia, but is smaller than either. Its thorax is more quadrate, the sides neither so much rounded as in the former, nor so convergent as in the latter species. The gular region is rendered less smooth than in the other two by the presence of three transverse ridges or folds. 10. T. s e m i c y 1 i n d r i c a, rufa, valde convexa, subtus parce grosse punc- tata, capite thoraceque parce punctatis, hoc quadrato, versus latera vix punctata, postice haud angustato, lateribus vix rotundatis, angulis posticis rectis, margine reflexo, basi rotundato, elytris oblongis hunieris rectis, basi late emargiaacis, striis grosse punctatis, interstitiis planis, vix rugulosis, biseriatiui subtiliter punctulatis, gula transverse-plicata, femoribus auteuuisque pallidioribus. Long. -23. Two specimens, Georgia ; Dr. Le Conte. This can hardly be confounded with any other American Trogosita. Its form is rather elongate, very convex and with parallel sides ; the thorax is nearly quadrate, slightly narrower posteriorly, the posterior angles right, and with coarse punctures not closely arranged. The interstrial spaces are flat, scarcely roughened and having the two rows of smaller punctures very poorly marked, in some interspaces but one row appear- ing. Its color is light rufous, with a slight Drassy refulgence . It may be im- mature. B 2b. 11. T. n a na, rufo-picea, depressa, capite thoraceque parce grosse punc- titis, hoc antice latiore, postice parum angustato, lateribus modice lotun- d itis, margine reflexo, angulis posticis acutis parvis, basi rotundato elytris ob- longis, striis punctatis, interstitiis modice convexis, parce rugulosis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, prosterno vix puuctulato, gula antice abdomineque parce grosse punctato, gula postice transverse plicata. Long. "24. T. nana, Mels. Proc. Acad. ii. p. 110. ? T. mutica, Palisot de Beauv. Ins. p. 126, pi. 32, fig. 6. Pennsylvania, common. This species can hardly be confounded with any other. The thorax is slightly broader than long, its sides moderately rounded, and somewhat convergent posteriorly. The eljtra are about twice as long as wide, with the sides moderately rounded, and broader behind the middle. Its color approaches castaneous. The color of the species of the genus Trogosita is generally black or dark brown, hence from the color of this and the prece- ding species, their immaturity might be inferred, but in this instance the color appears constant, being the same in each individual of a full series, collected during several seasons. 12. T. co liar is, valde depressa, subtus vix punctulata, capite thorace- que parce subtiliter punctulatis, rubris, hoc antice latiore, postice vix angus- tato lateribus rotundatis, margine reflexo, angulis posticis acutis, basi rotun- dato, elytris oblongis, nigris, humeris rectis, basi emarginatis, striis vix punctu- latis, interstitiis planis, laevis, vix biser.atim punctulatis. hong. *23 -28. T. collaris, Sturm., Ins. Deutsch ii. p. 246.pl. 48. T. nigripcnnis, Dej. Catal. Georgia, two specimens; Dr. Le Conte. The color alone would serve to dis- tinguish this from any other species. The head and thorax are of an orange red, and the elytra black. In shape this resembles the preceding species. Its 1862.] 86 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF thorax and head are much more finely punctured, the elytra smooth, scarcely striate and the intermediate rows of smaller punctures scarcely evident. Ex- cepting the obtusa, this is the most depressed of our Trogositse. 13. T. sinuata, nigro-picea nitida, depressa, cap'te thoraceque sat parce punctatis, hoc latitudine paulo breviore, postice parum angustato, lateri- bus late rotundatis, postice sinuati?, margine fortius reflexo, angulis posticis rectis, basi sinuatim truncata, elytris oblongis, basi late emarginatis, humeris rectis, striis punctatis haud impressis, interstitiis planis. parce rugulosis, bi- seriatim subtiliter punctulatis, antennispedibusque piceo rufis, abdomioe pros- ternoque parces subtiliter punctulatis gula amice vix punctulata, postice, laeve nitida. Long. -28. T. sinuata Lee. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1861, p. 344. East of Fort Colville, one specimen ; Mr. Gibbs. This species resembles in appearance T. corticalis MeU'., and several others from the Atlantic States, but is easily known by the thorax being less transverse and less narrowed be- hind, with the hind angles more prominent, and the base not rounded, but nearly truncate and sinuate, and slightly eraarginate at the middle. B 3. 14. T. cue uj i form is, rufa, valde depressa, capite thoraceque parce grosse punctatis, hoc lateribus rotundatis, antice latiore. postice parum angus- tato, margine vix reflexo, angulis posticis parvis, obtusis, basi rotundato, elytris oblongis, humeris rectis, basi vix emarginatis, striis punctatis, interstitiis planis, parce rugulosis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, abdomine subtiliter punctulatis prosterno grosse punctato, gula antice punctulata, postice trans- verse plioata. Long. -20. One specimen, Pennsylvania ; Dr. Le Conte. This is the most depressed spe- cies of the group. Its upper surface is flat, much more so than in any other known species. The thorax is about one half wider than long, with the sides moderately rounded, scarcely converging posteriorly. 15. T. nigrita, nigro-picea subnitida, modice depressa, capite thoraceque parce grosse punctatis, hoc lateribus rotundatis, margine fortiter reflexo, angu- lis posticis obtusis, basi rotundato, elytris oblongis, humeris rectis, basi late emarginatis, striis punctatis, interstitiis convexis, rugulosis, biseriatim subtili- ter punctulatis, gula antice grosse punctata, postice laevi, prosterno parce sub- tiliter punctulato, abdomine confertim punctulata. Long. -22 30. Kansas, two specimens ; Dr. Le Conte. This species resembles the cast a- nea, Mels. It may be readily distinguished by the less transverse thorax, the more reflexed margin and more rounded sides. The interstrial spaces are more convex and rugulose than in either of the two succeeding species. 16. T. castaoea, nigro-picea, modice depressa, capite thoraceque con- fertim subtiliter punctulatis, hoc lateribus rotundatis, margine reflexo, angulis posticis obtusis parvis ; basi vix rotundato, elytris eloogato-ovalibus basi vix emarginatis, striis punctatis, interstitiis modice convexis rugulosis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, gula antice parce grosse punctata, postice laevi, prosterno parce punctata, abdomine confertim punctulato. Long. -42. T. castanea, Mels. Proc. Acad. ii. 109. T. bremcolli", Dej. Catalogue (?) Texas, common. This is the broad depressed species so common in our Southern State?. The thorax is broader than in the preceding species, and is less deeply and coarsely punotured. 17. T. 1 a ti co 11 is, nigro-picea, modice depressa, capite thoraceque confertim subtiliter punctulatis, hoc transverso, latitudine duplo breviore, lateribus ro- tundatis, margine reflexo basi rotundato, angulis posticis obtusis parvis, elytris oblongo-ovalibus, basi vix emarginatis, humeris rectis. striis puuetatis, inter- net). NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 87 stilus planis, vix rujrulosis biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, subtus subtiliter punctulata, Lor.gr. '35. Southern and Western States; Dr. Le Conte. Closely allied to the preceding species. Differing in the -much more transverse thorax, and the flat scarcely rugulose interstrial spaces. 18. T. b i m a c u 1 a t a, nigro aenea, subnitida modice depressa, capite thoraceqae confertim puncUilatis hoc transverso, lateribus rotundatis, nuirgine vix reflexo, angulis posticis parvis obtusis, basi rotundato, elytris elongatc- ovalibus, macula flava ante medium, basi vix emarginatis, versus bumeros im- pressis, striis punctatis, interstitiis modice convexis, valde rugulosis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, gulaantice subtiliter punctulata, postice biseriatim trans- verse plicata. Long. -20. T. bimaculata, Mels. , Proc. Acad. ii. Middle States, rare : Southern States common. May be readily distinguished by the subtransverse thorax with rounded sides and the brassy refulgence of the elytra, which have an irregularly shaped yellow spot, slightly in advance of the middle. 19. T. o b s c u r a, rufo picea, subnitida, modice depressa, capite thoraceque parce punctatis, hoc transverso, lattribus rotundatis, margine modice reflexo, antice latiore postice vix angustaio, angulis postice parvis vix acutis, basi mo- dice rotundato, elytris oblongo-ovalibus, basi vix emarginatis, humeris rectis, stiiis punctatis valde impressis, interstitiis modice convexis, rugulosis, biseria- tim subtiliter punctulatis, abdomine prosternoque parce subtiliter punctulatis, gula antice confertim punctulata, postice modice plicata. Long. -20. Illinois ; two specimens, Dr. Le Conte. Resembbs the bimaculata Mels. The thorax is less transverse and sides less rounded, the punctures are coarser and less closely placed. The interstrial spaces are much less elevated and ru- gulose. 20. T. rugosipennis, rufo-picea, modice depressa, capite thoraceque, confertim punctatis, hoc transverso, lateribus rotundatis, postice vix angustato, margine vix reflexo, angulis posticis obtusis parvis, basi modice rotundato, elytris oblongo-ovalibus, basi emarginatis, versus humeros impressis, striis punctatis, interstitiis convexis valde rugulosis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, abdomine prosternoque parce punctatis, gula antice punctulata, postice subpli- cata. Long. -17. One specimen, Pennsylvania; Dr. Le Conte. This is the smallest known North American species. Its form is more convex, and the sides of tie thorix are more narrowed than in the other species of this group. The interstrial spaces of the elytra are very convex and rugulo-e, the intermediate rows of punctures are quite large, giving to the elytra a roughened appearance not seen, in any other member of tne genus. B 4. 21. T. obtusa, ferruginea, subnitida, valde depressa, capite thoraceque conb-rtim subtiliter punctulatis, noc lateribus valde rotundatis, antice latiore, postice angustato, margine vix reflexo, basi rotundato, medio emarginato, an- gulis parvis minutis, vix prominulis, elytris ob'ongis, basi rectis, striis punc- tatis, interstitiis planis parce rugulosis, biseriatim subtiliter punctulatis, abdo- mine gula prost* rnoque parce subtiliter punctulatis. Long. -27. Two specimens, Pennsylvania, H., Dist. Columbia; TJike. This species may be readily known from any other by its more elongated de- pressed form, the postetior angles of the thorax small, scarcely' evident, and sides much rounded. The width of the base equals about one half the width anteriorly. Its form is more depressed than any other Trogosita. the lateral view being almost linear. 1862.J 88 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP The following species cannot be properly identified from the descriptions given : T. americana Kirby, N. Z. 166. T. subnigra Beauv., Ins. 127, tab. 32, fig. 9. T. depressior " " 126, " fig. 7. T. marginata " " 125, " fig. 3. The marginata of Beauv. may be an immature form of n ana Mels. ; d e- p r e s s i o r may be mauritanica Linn. The catalogue of Dejean contains many species named from North America ; as no descriptions have ever been given of the greater part of them, their synonymy cannot be determined. Trogonta p u s i I 1 i m a Mann. Bull. Mosc. 1843, 302, does not belong to the genus ; it is, however, unknown to me. Descriptions of PLANTS. No. 3. BY S. B. BUCKLEY. GrAMINE/E. Polypogon alopecuroid.es, s. n. Radice fibrosa ; culmo erecto (6 8 policar.) glabro ; vaginis glabris ; ligulis elongatis (3 4 lin.) membranaceis integerrimis vel tarde fissis ; foliis planis glabris (24 policar.); panicula terminali (1^2 policar. Ion. 3 4 lin. lata) densiflora ; glnniis paulo insequalibus dorsis scabris marginibus hyalinis, apicibus brevi-aristatis ; val- vulis albo hyalinis gluma ^ brevioribus, inferiore longe aristata. Columbia plains, Oregon; Nuttall. Bristles of the lower valve 3 4 lines long and more than double the length of those of the glumes ; awn of the lower glume a little larger than that of the upper ; rays short, fasciculated, compound and many flowered ; glumes tinged with purple. Vilfa agrostoidea, s. n. Culmo decnmbente (3 4 pedali) glabro tereti ; foliis lineari-lanceolatis ; vaginis internodio parum brevioribus fauci- bus dense pilosis ; panicula elongata 4 Spolicari basi nonnunquam in vagina inclusa ; spiculis glabris parvis ovatis acutis ; glumis inasqualibus inferiore superiore duplo breviore ; valvulis subsequalibus glabris acutis gluma longi- oribus ; caryopsi rotunda ovata breviter apiculata glabra. Llano County, Texas. Panicles axillary ami terminal ; also often with their bases enclosed in the sheaths, especially in a dry season, when at least one-half of the panicle is thus encased ; rays opposite or alternate, scarcely more than an inch in length and appressed ; flowers numerous and tinged with reddish-brown ; upper glume nearly as long as the palea, which are shortly pointed ; throat of the sheath densely bearded with long white hairs, which sometimes_extend about an inch downward on the margins of the sheath. Radical leaves a foot or more in length, and cauline leaves 2 6 inches long, and about 2 lines wide. Sporobolus (Vilfa) angustus, s. n. Radice fibrosa; culmo erecto 2 3 pedali, tereti simplice glabro ; vaginis striatulis glabris internodio duplice brevioribus ; ligulis nullis ; foliis glabriusculis anguste linearibus apice setaceis ; panicula elongata 5 8-policari anguste coarctata ; glumis insequali- bus, inferiore ovata acuta vel obtusa valvula f breviore ; superiore acuta inferiorem fere duplo excedente ; valvulis imequalibus niuticis membranaceis acutis ; caryopsi ovoidea ellipsoidea obtuse caduca. Buchanan County. June. Glumes variable, the lower being not half the length of the upper and obtuse, and again nearly equal to it in length and acute ; valves nearly equal or one almost I longer than the other, nerveless, or the lower obscurely 1 3 nerved ; [Feb. 6 NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 89 panicle 4 6 lines in width ; rays numerous and densely flowered ; leaves 4 8 inches long ; palea ^ longer than the seed. Vilfa rigid a, s. n. Culmo glabro rigido erecto 2 3-pedali tereti ; vaginis glabris ; ligulis breviter ciliatis ; foliis glabris convolutis 6 8-policar. 1 lin. latis ; panicula patente terminate stricta ; radiis compositis solitariis infimis basi nudis glabris ; spiculis acutis circum. 3 lin. Jongis ; glumis inse- qualibus lanceolatis acutis inferiori superiore j breviori ; valvulis subcequali- bus glabris acuminatis basi pilosis glumam superiorem aequantibus aut parum excedentibus. Oregon ? In the herbarium of the Academy, without a label. Panicle 6 8 inches long and 2 inches broad in the widest part; lower branches two inches long, with the lower half naked, and the upper with short alternate branches, containing two or three florets each on short pedicels ; upper branches with flowers from the base to the top. Vilfa (Sporobulus) alba, s. n. Culmo erecto glabro tereti simplici ; vaginis glabris internodio longioribus aut parum brevioribus ; ligulis inembranaceis apice laciniatis ; foliis planiusculis 4 8-policaribus glabris ; panicula coarctata albescente 3 4-policari ; glumis insequalibus scabriusculis inferiore liueare subacuta, superiore ovata acuta palea breviore ; valvulis insequalibus sub- acutis muticis. Oregon. Spalding. Culm 1 2 feet high ; panicle contracted, densely flowered, 4 8 lines wide and base scarcely exserted from the upper sheath ; lower glume about half as wide as the upper, and nearly \ shorter; upper glume keeled, more or less obscurely 3 nerved ; and little shorter than the lower valve, upper valve not much longer than the lower, and both nerveless. Sporobulus (Vilfa) arenaceus, s. n. Radice fibrosa; culmo erecto vel decumbente 6 10-policari ; foliis lineari-setaceis ; 1 3 policaribus ; vaginis scabriusculis striatulis internodio longioribus vel brevioribus ; ligulis mem- branaceis lacineatis 3 6 lin. Ion.; panicula patentissima ; radiis insequalibus capillaribus paucifloris ; spiculis acutis ; glumis insequalibus uninerviis acutis hyalinis valvula ^ brevioribus ; valvulis subrequalibus uninerviis vel carinatis : acutis aut mucronatis caducis ; caryopsi ellipsoidea caduca. Hill sides, Western Texas. Radical leaves and abortive stems numerous ; panicle 3 4 inches long, and its lower branches about 2 inches in length ; pedicles one flowered. Uralepis (Tricuspis) e 1 o n g a t a, s. n. Culmo erecto aut decumbente glabro ad nodos piloso ; vaginis scabris internodium obtegentibus faucibus pilosis mar- ginibus parce ciliatis ; foliis planis aut convolutis 8 12 policar. longis 1 2 lin. latis ; panicula elongata 7 9 policar. Ion. 2 3 lin. lata basi inclusa ; rachi tereti scabra ; radiis solitariis erectis ; spiculis oblongis acutis 5 7-floris breviter pedicellatis ; glumis ovatis subpequalibus acuminatis paniculis infimis spiculam superantibus, superioribus spicula brevioribus ; valvulis ovatis 3-nerviis basi et margine infra dense ciliata, apice breviter 3-dentata, medio dente breviter cuspidato ; valvula superiore apice bifida ovata ^ valvula superiore breviori. Northern Texas. May. Internodes of the rachis 1 2 inches long, and the rays of about the same length, with spikelets from base to top. Spikelets somewhat terete ; pedicels 1 3 lines long. Glumes on the lower part of the panicle as long or longer than the spikelets, above they are shorter than the spikelets. Vilfa (Sporobulus) varians, s. n. Culmo erecto (1215 policari) ; va- ginis internodium superantibus ; ligulis setiformibus ; foliis planiusculis mar- gine scabriusculis convolutis ; panicula (5 6-policari) diffusa basi inclusa ; 1862.] 90 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF glumis inaequalibus, inferiore linear! acuta valvula breviore, superiore ovata acuta valvula parum breviore ; valvulis inaequalibus aut sequalibus muticis. Dry plains at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Nuttall. Smooth and of a pale green ; leaves and sheaths of abortive culms, nume- rous at the base ; panicle somewhat spreading, with the lower branches (23 inches long) appressed upward, with many flowers on short branchlets ; glumes and valves very variable, and more or less unequal, green, with chartaceous margins ; stem leaves 4 6 inches long and the upper portions lilamentose. Sporobulus (Vilfa) d i f f u s i s s i m u s, s. n. Tota glabra ; culmo erecto simplici 2 pedali ; vaginis internodio brevioribus ; ligulis pauci-pilosis ; foliis 8 12-policaribus planis aut convolutis apice filiformibus ; panicula diffusa ampla pyriinidale ; radiis filiformibus patentibus ramosis ; glumis hyalinis ovatis muticis inaequalibus valvula brevioribus ; valvulis muticis lato- ovatis subaequalibus albo-hyalinis caryopsi parum longioribus ; caryopsi ellipsoidea obtusa. Western Texas. Panicle spreading, its lower branches 46 inches long and refracted ; upper sheath 3 4 inches below the panicle ; flowers rather numerous, on short branchlets. Vilfa (Sporobulus) Sabeana, s. n. Decumbens culmis basi numerosis teretibus ; foliis planis (2 6-policar. ) marginibus scabris ; vaginis internodio brevioribus faucibus villosis ; paniculis terminalibus lateralibusque patentibus subpyrimidalibus et albescentibus ; radiis capillaribus infimis verticellatis, su- perioribus alternatis 10 15-floris ; glumis inaequalibus, inferiore parva su- periore f breviori ; valvulis a?qualibus acutis ; glumis et paleis albo-hyalinis ; caryopsi ovoidea obtusa castanea. San Saba County, Texas. Culms 1 2 feet long, often divaricately branched near the root ; panicles 3 4 inches in length ; lower 12 15 lines long ; seeds caducous ; when ma- ture the glumes and valves are translucent ; upper glume as long as the valves. Agrcstis aquatic a, s. nov. Radice fibrosa repente ; culmis decumbent i- bus teretibus striatulis glabris; foliis linearibus planis 2 3-policaribus; ligulis scabrosis ovatis 5 9-nervosis acutis vel subobtusis ; vaginis striatulis inter- nodio brevioribus ; panicula coarctata decomposita densinora ; radiis filiformi- bus, subverticellatis ; glumis sequalibus scabrosis acutis vel subobtusis ovatis ; valvulis ovatis subacutis aut obtusis gluma A brevioribus callo utrinque breve piloso ; rudimento nullo. On small floating islands in the mill-pond or large spring at San Saba, the capital of San Saba County. Achenia ovate, smooth; stems 1J 2 feet long, decumbent, growing in dense tufts ; leaves 2 3 inches long and 2 3 lines wide ; valves transparent. Agrostis scabriuscula, s. n. Radice repente fibrosa; culmo basi pro- cumbente erecto glabro tereti 12 15-policari ; vaginis scabriusculis internodio brevioribus ; ligula ovata acuta integerrima seu parum fissa ; foliis scabris planis 3 4-policaribus, 2 3 lin. latis ; panicula ampla interrupte rubescente 7 8-policari ; radiis scabris semiverticellatis inaequalibus 5 7-nis apice ra- mosis et subdensifloris, inferne 4 5-policaribus ; glumis parum inaequalibus acutis scabris valvula solitaria longioribus ; callo antrorsuni brevissime bar- bato ; rudimento nullo. Oregon ; Columbia Plains. Nuttall. Branches of the panicle semi-verticellate and naked below, about midway verticellately branched, the flowers being near the summit of the branchlets, on pedicels more or less elongated; pedicels one- flowered ; base of the panicle often sheathed. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 91 Agrostis albicans, s. n. Culmo erecto glabro simplici subgeniculato, 2 3 pedali ; foliis planis glabris 4 5-policaribus ; vaginis internodio breviori- bus ; ligulis ovatis lanceolatis acutis aut apice fissis ; panicula interrupta subcoarctata elongata 5 9-policari ; radiis lateralibus confertis insequalibus scabriusculis densifloris ; glumis sequalibus aut parum insequalibus lance- olatis acutis dorsis scabris viridescentibus lateralibus albo-hyalinis ; valvulis hyalinis subacutis gluma | brevioribus callo nudo ; receptaculurn nullum. Oregon, Columbia Woods. Nuttall. Intervals between brandies of the panicle \ 1 inch long and the branches 1 1J inches long; panicle greenish white. Muhlenbergia a r e n i c o 1 a, s. n. Radice fibrosa culmo erecto tereti glabro 12 18-policari; foliis linearibus convolutis 2 6-policarisbus ; vaginis inter- nodium aaquantibus aut excedentibus striatulis glabris ; ligulis membranaceis linearibus acutis vel laciniatis 4 6 lin. ; paniculis terminalibus diffusis ; radiis capillaribus ramosis ; glumis subaequalibus scabriusculis acutis valvula brevioribus, inferiore breviter aristata ; valvulis sequalibus inferiore breviter aristata. Arid places in Western Texas. Stem leaves few and also the radical leaves, which are short ; panicle spreading, its lower branches 3 4 inches in length, which have branchlets 48 lines long, with 3 6 flowers on pedicels 5 10 lines in length ; pedicels one- flowered ; valves about twice the length of the glumes, with bristles 2 4 lines long. Muhlenbergia monticola, s. n. Caule ramoso decumbente glabro ; foliis convolutis2 4-policaribus ligula 4 6 lin. tissa vel integerrima ; panicula co- arctata basi inclusa glumis insequalibus acutis valvula brevioribus ; paleis insequalibus scabrosis basi pilosis, inferiore longe aristata. Northwestern Texas. Stems 1 1J feet long ; lateral branches with small, slightly exserted pani- cles ; awns 3 4 times longer than the ; brownish red valves ; lower valve linear, J shorter than the upper, and gradually elongated into the awn ; some of the pairs of valves are nearly equal in length ; panicles 34 inches long ; upper glume \ shorter than the upper valve ; glumes equal, or the lower J shorter ; keels green and scabrous, sides hyaline. Muhlenbergia p a u c i f 1 o r a, s. n. Culmo subdecumbente 12 18-poli- cari ; foliis convolutis apice setaceis glabriusculis ; vaginis internodio parum brevioribus ; ligulis membranaceis linearibus subobtusis ; paniculis 2 3-poli- caribus interruptis paucifioris ; glumis ovatis acutis sequalibus subcarinatis valvula | brevioribus ; valvulis lanceolatis inferiore valde 3-nervia et longe aristata ; spiculis rufescentibus ; carinis et nervis subviridescentibus. Hill sides, Western Texas. Panicle terminal, with short appressed branchlets of 4 6 flowers, each of a brownish red color ; bristles longer than the flowers. Muhlenbergia T e xa n a, s. n. Culmo erecto ad basin decumbente gracile (4 6-policari) tereti ; foliis subsetaceis scabriusculis ; vaginis internodio brevioribus 6 12 lin. longis convolutis ; panicula elongata 4 5-policari lucida patula ; radiis alternatis capillaribus 3 5-floris ; spiculis minutis ovatis acutis ; glumis pilosis sequalibus valvula parum brevioribus ; valvulis lance- olatis acutis subsequalibus, inferiore in aristam flosculo parum breviorem terminata ; caryopsi lineari-ellipsoidea subobtusa glabra palea breviore. Northern Texas. Maj T . Roots small and fibrous ; culms 12 inches long, scabrous, terminated by the elongated open panicle ; lateral panicles small, scarcely exserted from the sheaths of the lower leaves. 1862.] ' 92 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Calamagrostis Oregonensis. s. n. Culmo geniculate) erecto H 2 pedali glabro ; vaginis glabris ; ligula elongata membranacea ; foliis planis yel convolutis glabris 4 8-policaribus 13 lin. latis ; panicula contracta sub- interrupta 3 5-polieari 'longis ; radiis 5 7-nis compositis angulatis scabris ; glumis inaequalibus glabriusculis acutis, inferiore sub 3-nervia flosculo pa- rum longiore, superiore valvulam suba?quante ; valvulis parum inaequali- bus, inferiore bidentata dorso aristata ; aristisque et pilis corollam exceden- tibus. Columbia River. Nuttall. Internodes oh the panicle about an inch long ; glumes tinged with purple. Calamagrostis rubescens, s. n. Culmo glabro (2 3 pedali) erecto : vaginis glabris; ligula elongata (3 4 lin.) membranacea apice fissa : foliis planis parce pubescentibus ; panicula coarctata 3 4-policari 6 lin. lata : radiis fasciculatis compositis confertissiinis multifloris ; glumis paulo inaequali- bus lanceolatis acuminatis glabris aut parce scabris rubescentibus ; valvulis glabriusculis integerrimis acutis ; arista torta paulo infra medium vel ad basin inserta et valvulam subaequante ; pilis numerosis valvula i \ brevi- oribus. Oregon. Nuttall. Radiis and blanches of the panicle terete and glabrous ; branches erect, rigid, about an inch in length, with numerous pedicels, more or less bent and densely flowered ; internodes of the rachis \ 1 inch in length. Calamagrostis albicans, s. n. Culmo erecto glabro supra scabro 3 i pedali ; vaginis glabris ; ligula membranacea apice integra obtusa tarde parum fissa 12 lin. longa ; foliis planis marginibus scabris 1 1J pedalibus ; pani- cula 6 9 lin. longa subcoarctata vel patente ; radiis 5-nis basi ramosis et supra compositis angulatis scabris ; glumis inaequalibus lanceolatis acutis, inferiore valvulam superante, superiore corollam aequante ; valvulis aequali- bus, inferiore glabra apice bifida arista dorsali parum longiore ; pilis flosculo 2 brevioribus ; rudimento brevissimo. Oregon, Columbia Plains. Nuttall. Internodes of the panicle \ 1 inch long ; rays fasciculated, erect and branching about a line from the base, and also above ; sides of the glumes membranaceous and white ; the palea are also more or less hyaline and white ; bristle often near the base, or about the middle of the lower valve, rarely near the top ; it is \ shorter than the valve. Aristida c u r t i s e t a, s. n. Tota glabra, culmo simplici glabro erecto 6 8-policari ; vaginis internodio brevioribus ; ligulis pauci pilosis ; foliis radicalibus plurimis convolutis filiformibus ; panicula stricta pain-Mora ; ra- diis geminis inaequalibus unifloris ; glumis aequalibus aut inaequalibus cari- natis paleam sequantibus vel superantibus ; palea inferiore valde 3-nervia : setis brevibus inaequalibus. Northern Texas. May. Bristles 4 8 lines long, 2 3 parted and sometimes undivided : leaves of the stem 2 inches long; radical leaves 3 4 inches in length ; joints of the stem obscure. Aristida p a u c i f 1 o r a, s. n. Radice fibrosa ; culmo rigido erecto 1.} 2 pedali ad nodos ramoso et suhgeniculato ; foliis radicalibus convolutis fila- mentis culmum sequantibus vel superantibus glabriusculis ; ligulis nullis aut brevissime pilosis ; panicula paucittora glumis inaequalibus apice setaceis ftosculum superantibus scabriusculis ; flosculo glabro compresso vel angulato apice non torto ; aristis 3 inaequalibus 1 2 policaribus ; radiis unifloris solitariis 2 4 lin. longis. Northern Texas. It has abortive stems and leaves at the joints, which are often not sheathed at the base ; upper leaves mixed with the panicle, which has 5 8 solitary [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 93 dowers ; lower glume strongly 3-nerved ; nerves green, or slightly tinged with reddish brown ; the midrib of both glumes is prolonged into bristles, the one exceeding the other 34 lines. Aristida filipendula, s. n. Culmo erecto glabro, firmo simplici tereti li 2 pedali ; foliis paucis convolutis 3 8-policaribus vaginis glabris inter- nodio brevioribus ; ligulis breve pilosis ; panicula interrupta 7 9-policari ; radiis capillaribus insequantibus flexuosis longissimis (1 2 policaribus) ; gluinis inaeqnalibus mucronatis, inferiore fiosculo J breviore, superiore riosculum superante ; fiosculo scabro et albo-punctato apice torto ad basin pi- loso ; setis 3 subsequalibus lato divaricatis circum 1| policaribus. Western Texas. June. Flowers purple and somewhat fascicled on short pedicels near the ends of the filiform branches. This is a common species on dry hills, often being found in the vicinity of the dens of the stinging ant. It differs from the A. purpurea of Nutt. in its shorter bristles, scabrous and dotted florets, which are often more or less twisted at the top. It also flowers about two months later, the A. purpurea flowering the last of March and first of April, being then very common and conspicuous on the prairies of Northern Texas, with its purple panicles, with bristles 3 4 inches long, waving in the wind. The Aristida longisetaof Steudel is apparently founded on dwarf speci- mens of A. purpurea, judging from specimens collected by Fendler in New Mexico which are in the Herbarium of the Academy. Bouteloua p u m i 1 a, s. n. Radice fibrosa; culmis basi ramosis genicu- latis glabris 4 (5-policaribus ; vaginis glabris ; ligula breve membranacea apice multilaciniata ; foliis planis glabris 1 2 policaribus 1 lin. latis ; spicis secundis solitaries breviter pedicellatis 20 30 spiculatis ; spiculis ovatis densis 2 3- floris : gluinis 2 ovatis insequalibus carinatis apice brevisetis ; superiore tlosculum requante ; valvulis hermaphroditis ovatis inferiore tridentata glabra margine ciliata, superiore glabra tridentata basi et apice breviter ciliata ; fiosculo sterili triaristato ; setis hermaphroditam sequantibus. Northwestern Texas. Growing in tufts on hill sides ; culms slender ; spikes 3 4 on a stem, 5 1 inch distant ; florets, including the bristles, about a line in length. Bouteloua br e v i fo 1 i a, s. n. Radice fibrosa; culrnis basi numerosis erectis teretibus pilosis geniculatis ; vaginis glabriusculis ; ligulis pilosis ; foliis convolutis aut planis glabris 1 2-policaribus circum 1 lin. latis; spicis secundis breviter pedicellatis ; pedicellis valde pilosis ; rachi compresso parce scabro 10 15 floro ; spiculis bifloris brevissime pedicellatis alternatis con- fertis ; glumis glabris insequalibus, inferiore lineari subulata superiore duplo breviore ; inferiore glabra apice breviter aristata ; fiosculo sterili 3-aristato. Northwestern Texas. Growing in tufts on dry hill sides ; roots perennial ; bristles of the neutral florets little longer than those of the upper glume ; culms 1 2 feet high ; spikes | 1 inch long ; hairs of the stem white, numerous and suberect. Uralepis (Tricuspis) brevicuspidata, s. n. Culmo glabro (3 4-pe- dali) erecto geniculato ; vaginis glabris internodio brevioribus ; ligula brevis- sima laciniata ; foliis scabris 6 12-policaribus 3 4 lin. latis ; panicula pa- tente 8 14 policari long. 4 6 policari lato ; radiis solitariis aut gemi- nis a basi floriferis scabris 4 6-policaribus multispicatis ; spiculis 5 7- floris obovatis distichis breviter pedicellatis ; glumis parum insequalibus carinatis dorso scabris acuminatis flosculis brevioribus ; valvula inferiore tri- nervia apice bifida margine breviter ciliata, medio dente brevissimo aristato ; lateralibus dentibus obtusiusculis scariosis. Northern Texas. May. 1862.] 94 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Branches of the panicle mostly solitary, with spikes 3 4 lines distant from their hases to their summits ; axils at the base of the rays pubescent ; pedi- cels about a line in length ; spikes 3 4 lines long and two lines wide, loosely flowered ; intervals on the rachis, between the branches, 1 2 lines long. Uralepis (Tricuspis) p i 1 o s a, s. n. Radice fibrosa csespitifera ; culmis erectis (6 12-policaribus) basi numerosis glabris ; vaginis internodio breviori- bus faucibus pilosis ; ligulis nullis aut villosis ; foliis basi plurimis striatulis marginibus albis, 2 4-policaribus 1 2 lin. latis ; panicula coarctata subcapi- tata ; radiis solitariis alternatis 2 4-spicatis angulatis scabris ; spiculis lato- ovatis distichis 8 12-fioris ; glumis subsequalibus ovatis acutis carinatis : valvula inferiore 3-nervia basi et margine cihata neuris viridescentibus caeteris albido-meinbranaceis, apice 3-dentata, medio dente exserto cuspidato ; valvula interiore apice integerrima subobtusa. Middle Texas. Dry hill sides, growing in tufts ; spikes about .} an inch long and 4 lines broad; pedicels filiform, 2 3-spiked ; panicle 1 1 inch long and f of an inch wide, compressed and greenish white ; hairs of the valves numerous, white, 34 lines long ; ligules none, unless the hairs at the mouth of the sheath be considered as such. The two lateral nerves of the lower valve are on or near its margins. Uralepis (Tricuspis) poseoides, s. n. Culmo tereti glabro (1 2 pedali) erecto ; vaginis glabris internodis longioribus ; ligula membranacea ovata integra 2 lin. longa ; foliis glabris 2 5 policaribns 1 2 lin. latis ; pani- cula terminali patente 3 4-policari, 4 6 lin. latis ; radiis 2 3-nis erectis basi nudis compositis parum scabrosis angulatis ; glumis subsequalibus acutis glabris aut parum scabris spicula J brevioribus ; spiculis ovatis teretibus acutis 4 5-floris ; valvula inferiore ovata infra mediam villosa apice breviter 3-dentata, dentibus lateralibus obtusis, medio dente brevi-cuspidato ; valvula superiore bicarinata, carinis breviter ciliatis. New Mexico. Fendler, 932. Internodes of the rachis \ 1 inch long ; lower rays about 2 inches long, and the lower half naked ; the upper rays are \ \ an inch long, with spikes on short pedicels from the base to the summit. Uralepis (Tricuspis) densiflora, s. n. Radice fibrosa, culmo erecto ri- gido simplici glabro ; vaginis glabris ore pilosis ; ligulis setaceis ; foliis planis aut convolutis 10 12 policaribus 2 3 lin. latis, radicalibus 15 18-policari panicula elongata stricta 6 7-policari 4 6 lin. lata ; ramis solitariis glabris dense-spicatis 6 12 lin. longis ; spiculis 5 7-floris lato-ovatis ; glumis sub- squalibus glabris carinatis acutis lateralibus membranaceis carinis viride- scentibus ; superior! apice bifida breve-aristata ; inferiore integra basi nuda ; valvula inferiore margine et dorso dense ciliata apice 3 5-denticulata ; dente medio breviter cuspidato. Middle Texas. Branches erect and appressed ; spikes about 3 Hues long and nearly the same width, numerous, with close diverging florets, the two upper forming an open angle at the top ; intervals on the rachis between the branchlets 6 lines to one inch long. Uralepis (Tricuspis) composita, s. n. Radice fibrosa; culmo erecto glabro rigido 34 pedali ad nodos ramoso ; ramis erectis strictis ; vaginis glabris ; ligulis S lin. longis apice fissis ; foliis glabris planis 8 12-poli- caribus 34 lin. latis ; panicula 8 12-policari ; ramis solitariis aut geminis erectis 3 4-policaribus dense spicatis glabris ; spiculis oblongo-ovatis 7 9- floris breviter pedicellatis ; glumis insequalibus carinatis acutis dorso parum scabris ; valvula inferiore basi et margine dense ciliata, superne glabra apice tridenta, medio dente breve-aristato. New Mexico. Dr. Woodhouse. [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 95 It has 34 erect stems from one root, branched at the joints ; branches erect, straight, with large terminal panicles, densely flowered ; leaves at the joints of the culm without sheaths and stems, smooth and naked below, the base of the panicle is often sheathed by the upper leaves ; whole plant pale green. Uralepis (Tricuspis) pilosa, s. n. Culmo erecto rigido 1 2-pedali ; vaginis pilosis internodium obtegentibus ; ligulis ciliatis ; foliis convolutis rigidis numerosis pajce ciliatis aut tarde glabris 6 12-policaribus 1 2 lin. latis ; panicula terminale basi inclusa 2 3-policari 4 6 lin. latis dense-spi- cata ; radiis solitariis compositis scabris ; glumis insequalibus lanceolatis acutis glabris ; valvula inferiore 3-uervia supra medium glabra basi dense pilosa apice breve tricuspidata, dentibus lateralibus obtusis, dente medio brevissima cuspidata. Northern Texas. Hairs of the sheath erect and numerous ; lower leaves abundant ; spikelets 3 1 lines long, packed closely on the short rays ; internodes of the rachis 4 6 lines long, scabrous. Pleuraphis mutica, s. n. Culmo subprostrato geniculato glabro, (l|-pe- dali) ; foliis planis parum scabris 3 4-policaribus 2 3 lin. latis ; vaginis fau- cibus pilosis internodio brevioribus ; ligulis membranaceis laciniatis ; spica terminali 2 policari 5 6 lin. lata; glumis lato-obovatis 5 -7-nerviis apice albo-hyalinis breviter laciniatis inermisbus ; valvulis subsequalibus muticia hyalinis vel 1 3-nerviis obtusis laciniatis. Northern Texas. It is a much smoother plant, with fewer leaves than P. Jamesii Torr. A very few of its glumes with 7 nerves have a short bristle on each side below the middle, formed by the extension of the lateral nerves ; nerves green, the remainder hyaline. Glyceria bulb os a, s. n. Culmo erecto; vaginis scabris; ligula brevis- sime truncata ; foliis planis vel convolutis glabris ; radiis angulatis patenti- bus compositis scabris ; spiculis 3 4-floris oblongo-ovatis sublaxifloris ; glumis glabris ovatis subacutis inferiore breviore ; valvulis oblongis acutis inferiore ovata obscure 7-nervia parum scabra, interiore margine ciliata. Columbia Woods. Nuttall. Glyceria leptostachya, s. n. Culmo erecto gracilenti tereti simplici basi geniculato ; vaginis glabris ; ligulis 3 4 lin. longis fissis ; foliis planis glabris 6 policaribus 4 lin. latis ; panicula elongata circum 12 lin. longa inter- rupta ; radiis geminis scabris angulatis ; spiculis 3 4-fioris ; flosculis remo- tiusculis obtusis scabris ; glumis membranaceis ; valvula inferiore distincte 7-nervia obovata apice obtusa scariosa, superiore obtusa apice membranacea. Oregon, Columbia River. Nuttall. Panicle about one foot long ; its branches double, and placed at intervals of 1 2 inches on the stems, the longer branch about an inch in length, with 2 3 loose spikes of flowers on short pedicels, the shorter branch 3 4 lines long, having one spike. Glyceria s t r i c t a, s. n. Culmo rigido erecto tereti glabro 2 3-pedali ; vaginis glabris ; ligula brevissima truncata ; foliis planis vel convolutis glabris 6 12-policaribus, 23 lin. latis ; panicula stricta coarctata 5 6-policari 4 5 lin. lata ; radiis 2 3-nis erectis scabris angulatis ; spiculis 3 4-floris glabris laxis ; glumis insequalibus uninerviis oblongo-ovatis acutis ; valvula inferiore plus minus distincte 5-nervia oblongo acuminata glabra ; superne subacuta integerrima. Middle Texas. Branches of the panicle erect and unequal, the longest naked near its base, and with 34 spikes at and near its extremity ; the longest of the lowest 1862.] 96 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 3 branches is about 1J inch in length ; the remainder, the one is sessile and one-spiked, the other nearly | an inch long and two-spiked ; the upper branches are about i an inch long and 1 3-flowered ; some of the palea are smooth and nerveless, and others distinctly nerved ; florets 3 4 lines long, the two upper somewhat divided from the lower, being distant from each other on the rachis 1 2 lines. Glyceria micro thee a, s. n. Caule erecto geniculato simplici glabro tereti ; vaginis glabris internodio brevioribus ; ligulaconspicua apice fissa basi decurrente ; foliis planis 3 4-policaribus et 3 4 lin. latis glabris ; panicula patente 3 4-policari 3 4 lin. lata; radiis geminis compositis basi nudis parum scabris ; spicuHs ovatis sub 5-floris ; glumis inrequalibus scariosis ob- tusis ; valvulis apice scariosis obtusis, inferiore distincte 5-nerviarare 7-nervia, interiore apice bifida. Oregon, Columbia River. Nuttall. Panicle terminal, with few pairs of branches at intervals of h 1 inch apart, lower branches about 2 inches long ; spikes about 4 lines long and 1 2 broad on filiform pedicels ; valves caducous, glumes persistent. Glyceria m o n t a n a, s. n. Radice fibrosa ; culmo erecto tereti simplici glabro 10 15-policari ; vaginis glabris internodio longioribus superiore mar- ginibus albo-hyalinis ; ligula ovata integra 1 2 lin. longa ; foliis planis vel convolutis 4 5 pol. longis et 1 2 lin. latis ; panicula elongata interrupta basi inclusa 3 5-policari 6 8 lin. lata ; radiis 2 4-nis erectis compositis sca- bris lh 2-policarihus ; spiculis 3 4-floris ovatis acutis ; glumis ovatis ; valvu- lis ovatis acutis, inferiore obscure 7 nervia. Rocky Mountains. Nuttall. Intervals on the rachis between the branches of the panicle J 1 inch long ; lower branches naked near the bases and 4 5 spikes at and near their ex- tremities ; spikes small, pale green ; a semi-transparent membrane from the ligula extends down along the margins of the sheath 1 2 inches. Poa laxi flora, s. n. Culmo erecto 2 3-pedali simplici geniculato scabro ; vaginis internodio multo brevioribus scabris ; ligula conspicua sub- obtusa 23 lin. longa; foliis planis scabris 4 5-policaribus 2 3 lin. latis ; panicula patente circum 6 policari ; radiis 2 4-nis compositis filiformibus 1 2-policaribus ; 3 4-stachyis ; spiculis pedicellatis 3 4-floris laxis ; glumis insequalibus acutis dorso scabris; valvula inferiore oblongo-ovata acuta obscure 5 -nervia glabra basi parum villosa ; interiore basi et dorso parce ciliata. Oregon, Columbia Woods. Nuttall. Culm 6 8 inches below the panicle, naked ; leaves few. Poa t en ui folia, s. n. Radice fibrosa ; culmo geniculato glabro rigido tereti (1 IV pedali), vaginis internodio brevioribus glabris ; ligulis 3 4 lin. longis ovatis fissis ; foliis planis vel convolutis basi plurimis (3 4-policaribus), parum scabris aut glabris 1 2 lin. latis ; panicula coarctata 3 4-policari 8 12 lin. lata; radiis 2 3 nis ad pressis scabris compositis apice multista- chyis ; spiculis 2 3-floris oblongo ovatis acutis ; glumis subaequalibus ovatis acutis scabris ; valvula inferiore margine et dorso scabra obscure 5-nervia basi nuda ; interiore margine ciliata. Columbia River. Nuttall. Poa d ens i flora, s. n. Culmo erecto (l.> 2 pedali) glabro; vaginis internodium obtegentibus glabris ; ligula membranacea brevissima truncata ; foliis planis (4 9-policaribus) marginibus scabris 2 3 lin. latis ; panicula conferta parum interrupta 2 8-policari 10 12 lin. lata ; radiis 5 7-nis dense spicatis scabris; spiculis 5 9-floris distichis lato-ovatis sublaxis ; ^lumis parum insequalibus carinatis dorso scabris acutis ; valvula inferiore [Feb. > NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 97 plus minus obscure 5 7 nervia acuminata basi et interiore parce lanosa aut glabra. Northern Texas. April. Longest branches of the panicle about an inch in length and its upper half densely spiked ; spikes in twos and threes on short pedicels ; short rays with spikes of flowers at and near the base; internodes on the rachis I 1 inch long. Eragrostis diffusa, s. n. Culmo csespitoso erecto vel basi procumbente et geniculato glabro ; foliis planis 6 8-policaribus et basi numerosis ; vaginis glabris internodio brevioribus ore pilosis ; ligula margine longe ciliato ; pani- cula diffusa ampla in long. 10 12-policaris, in latit. 6 9-policari ; radiis 3 4-nis aut solitariis scabris basi parce villosis 20 35-spiculatis ; spiculis oblongo-ovatis acutis 9 11-floris; glumis insequalibus acutis margine albo- hyalinis inferiore breviore ; valvula inferiore valde 3-nervia acuta hyaliuo- membranacea ; nervis viridescentibus ; valvula superiore virido-carinata mar- gine albo-hyalino persistente. Northern Texas. May. Stems from the root many, both procumbent and erect ; spikes 4 5 lines long and 1 Ik broad, and about equal to the pedicels in length ; pedicels appressed to the stems ; lower valve about double the size of the upper, leaves 3 4 lines broad, 5 7-nerved and glabrous. Eragrostis curtipedicell3ta, s. n. Culmis erectis basi decumbenti- bus glabris 2 3 pedalibus; vaginis glabris internodium obtegentibus aut brevioribus ore pilosis ; ligula margo ; foliis plauis glabris 4 6-policaribus et 3 4 lin. latis ; panicula diffusa patente 10 12-policari in latit. ti 8-policari ; radiis scabris solitariis alternis compositis ; axillis pilosis ; spisulis alternis breviter pedicellatis 5 7-floris ; glumis subsequalibus ovatis acutis carinatis ; valvula inferiore margine ciliata 3-nervia acuta ; carinis scabris ; superiore apice breve hirsuta. Northern Texas. June. Pedicels generally shorter than the spikes, which are more or less appressed, often touching each other on the branchlets, along which they extend from the base or near the axils to the top ; spikes 2 3 lines long and about 1 line wide. Eragrostis sessilispica, s. n. Culmo decumbente ramoso glabro rigido ; vaginis glabris internodium superantibus ore pilosissimis ; foliis paucis planis glabris ; panicula diffusissime 1 1 pedali in. latit. 12 15 - policari ; radiis rigidis glabris compositis ; axillis pilosis ; spicis solitariis alternatis sessilibus adpressis oblongo-ovatis 4 6-fioris ; glumis subsequali- bus carinatis dorso scabris acuminatis ; valvula inferiore ovata longe acumi- nata dorso scabriuscula ; superiore carinata arcuata ad carinam leviter ciliata persistente. Near Austin, Texas. Lower palea strongly 3-nerved, equal in length or little longer than the upper, which is often curved outward, leaving an open space between the two ; spikes about k an inch distant, the lowest being in the axils, where they (spikes) are sometimes double. Festuca gradient a, s. n. Radice fibrosa; culmis basi numerosis geniculatis (1 1J pedali) gracilentis pubescentibus tarde glabris ; vaginis striatulis pilosiusculis ; ligulis membranaceis tarde fissis ; foliis planis 3 4- policaribus, 1 lin. latis parce pubescentibus ; panicula terminali gracilente patente (3 4 policari) interrupta ; radiis solitariis aut 2-nis angulatis dis- tantibus scabriusculis insequalibus ; spiculis ovatis 2 4-floris breviter pedi- cellatis ; glumis insequalibus acuminatis lineari-lanceolatis flosculo brevioribus 1862.] 98 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF inferiore \ I breviore ; valvulis infra glabris supra scabris inferiore breviter . aristata ; aristis 1 2 lin. longis. Northern Texas. May. Grows in tufts ; internodes of the rachis \ Ik inches long, longest ray at the base of the panicle about H inches long"; short rays 46 lines in length. Festuca reflex a, s. n. Culnio geniculato glabro tereti 1 \\ pedali; vaginis parce pubescentibus marginibus breviter ciliatis ; ligula brevisshna membranacea truncata; foliis glabris tarde convolutis 2 4-policaribus 1 2 lin. latis ; panicula terminate patente pauci-radiata ; radiis solitariis parum ciliatis ; spiculis 3 4-floris breviter pedicellatis tarde reflexis ; glumis inrcqualibus flosculo \ brevioribus superiore 3-nervia subobtusa marginibus albo-hyalinis ; valvulis glabris inferiore aristata, aristis 3 4 lin. Upper California. Nuttall. Panicle 3 4 inches long; rays about an inch in length, somewhat rigid, having 12 branches. Spikelets about as long as the bristles and 3 4 lines distant. Festuca p u s i 1 1 a, s. n. Culmo decumbente geniculato tereti ad basin glabro supra pubescenti (10 12-policari) ; vaginis glabris aut parce pubes- centibus ; ligulis membranaceis ovatis subintegris ; foliis convolutis glabris 3_4-poliearibus 1 lin. latis ; panicula terminal! coarctata 2 3-policari longis circum 6 lin. lata; rachi. pubescentibus subangulatis ; radiis 2 3-nis scabris angulatis dense spicatis ; spiculis 6 8-floris ; glumis injequalibus superiore 3-nervia acuminata flosculis \ breviore ; valvulis scabris, inferiore aristata. Upper California. Nuttall. Bristles 34 lines long, being a little longer than the lower valve ; rays nearly an inch in length and densely spiked ; internodes of the rachis \ 1 inch long. Bromus breviaristatus, s. n. Culmo erecto piloso simplici \\ 2 pe- dali ; vaginis villosis internodio brevioribus ; foliis plains pilosis 5 6 policari- bus 2 3 ped. latis ; ligula breve membranacea integra vel fissa ; panicula stricta circum 6 policari, et" 6 lin. lata ; radiis geminis vel solitariis scabris erectis 1 2 spicatis ; spiculis 2 3-fioris oblongo-ovatis ; glumis insqualibus ovatis acuminatis obscure nervatis ; valvula inferiore obscure 7 9 nervata pilosa apice integra aristata 2 3 lin. Ion. Ceratochloa breviaristata ? Hook. Rocky Mountains. Nuttall. "Whole plant pilose, with short white erect hairs ; panicle of few spikes ; in- tervals on the rachis between the branches 12 inches long ; longest ray about an inch in length, erect and 12 spiked, of which the lowest is near the base ; short ray 23 lin. long and 1-spiked ; spikes about \ an inch long. Bromus virens, s. n. Culmo erecto aut decumbente glabro (\\ 2 pe- dali) subgeniculato ; vaginis internodium sequantibus vel superantibus fauci- bus marginibusque superioribus villosis ; ligulis 12 lin. Ion. laciniatis ; foliis planis glabris 68 policaribus, 23 lin. latis ; panicula patente 3 4 policari, circum 1 ped. lata ; radiis 2 3 nis vel solitariis a basi fioriferis aut breviter nudis scabris ; spiculis laxis 5 7-floris circum policaribus ; glumis ina?qualibus ovato-lanceolatis acuminatis scabris, superiore 5 7-nervia, infe- riore 3-nervia ; valvula inferiore 7 9-nervia scabra margine et apice albo- hyalina; apice subintegra aristata ; setis 4 5 lin. Ion. Rockv Mountains and Columbia River. Nuttall. Branches of the panicle unequal, the longest 2 3 inches in length and erec t 2 2 spiked, near its top spikes on short pedicels ; short branches 3 lines to 1 inch long and 12 spiked. Bromus setaceus, s. n. Culmo erecto 23 pedali ; vaginis inferioribus [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 99 glabris, superioribus marginibus et faucibus parce villosis ; ligulis 2 3 lin. Ion. apice laciniatis ; foliis glanis pubescentibus margine ciliatis 4 6 policari- bus 3 4 lin. latis ; panicula diifusa composita 6 8 policari 4 5 polic. latis ; radiis 5 7-nis basi nudis hirsutis ad apiceni compositis ; ramulis 3 4 nis, unispicatis ; spiculis 4 5-floris oblongo-obovatis ; glumis parum insequalibns carinatis lineari-lanceolatis ciliatis acuminatis, marginibus apicibusque albo- hyalinis, superiore 3 5-nervia ; valvula inferiore lanceolata 5 7-nervia ciliata apice bifida et aristata ; seta 6 lin. Ion. Northern Texas. The longest of the lower branches of the panicle 3 4 inches in length, and the shorter branches 1 2 inches long, all destitute of spikes excepting near their tops ; spikes loosely flowered ; internodes on the rachis 1 2 inches long ; pedicels 4 6 lines in length ; spikes without the bristle about an inch long, loosely flowered ; upper florets abortive, 2 3 united, appearing to the naked eye like one with 23 bristles. Uniola (Brizopyrum) flexuosa, s. n. Culmis erectis gracilentibus glab- ris 1J 2 pedalibus ; vaginis glabris internodio brevioribus ore parum pilosis vel nudis ; ligula nulla ; foliis planis glabris 4 6 policaribus et 1 3 liu. latis ; panicula terminali conferta 23 policari, 6 10 lin. latis, 15 20 spicatis ; spiculis 10 12-floris oblongo-ovatis acutis 68 lin. Ion. et 2 3 lin. latis ; glumis insequalibus ovatis obscure 3-nerviis seu glabris acutis ; valvula infe- riore obscure nervata glabra subacuta ; superiore bicarinata apice obtusa aut truncata. On the Brazos at Fort Belknap. Culms weak, smaller at the base than above ; leaves of the stem 22^ inches distant, not rigid ; roots fibrous and small. Elymus interruptus, s. n. Culmo tereti simplici glabro erecto 2 3 pedali ; vaginis glabris marginibus breviter ciliatis ; ligula brevissima mem- branacea laciniata ; foliis planis scabriusculis 6 8 policaribus, 3 4 lin. latis ; spica pauciflora interrupta 3 5-policari ; spiculis geminatis 3 4-floris laxis ; glumis setaceis flosculum superantibus ; valvula inferiore 5-nervia glabra in aristam terminata ; arista arcuata scabra valvula duplo longiore ; valvula su- periore integerima, apice et margine breviter ciliata. Llano County, Texas. Internodes on the rachis about ^ an inch long ; flo- rets about the same length ; bristles of the palea an inch in length, those of the glume nearly eight lines long ; rachis angular or compressed, smooth, or a little scabrous on the margins. Elymus triticoides, s. n. Culmo geniculato glabro (1 2 pedali) ; va- ginis glabris vel parum pilosis ; ligula brevissima laciniata ; foliis convolutis aut planis (2 3 policari) pubescentibus ; spica stricta lh 2 policari ; spicu- lis solitariis aut geminis 23 floris racheos internodium superantibus ; glumis subulatis marginibus scabris vel brevissime setosis ; valvula inferiore enervia seu obscure 5-nervia glabra apice breviter aristata ; valvula superiore sub- sequali obtusa apice et margine pubescente obscure 2-nervia. Rocky Mountains. Nuttall. Rachis slightly rough ; bristles of the palea 2 3 lines long ; glumes shorter than the valves. Elymus g 1 a u c u s, s. n. Culmo basi glabro ad apicem parum scabro 1 2 pedali ; vaginis parce scabris internodium superantibus ; ligula membranacea truncata parum fissa ; foliis planis glabriusculis 4 8 policaribus 2 3 lin. lat. ; spica 2 3 policar. 3 4 lin. lat. ; spiculis 2 3-floris adpressis ; glumis flosculis parum brevioribus aut requantibus 3 5-nervis lineari-lanceolatis subulatis ; valvula inferiore convoluta glabra obscure nervata vel enervia apice pubescente ; setis scabris valvula 2 3-plo longioribus. Columbia river. Nuttall. 1862.] 100 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Its spikes are more slender than the other North American species. Rachis somewhat scabrous, and its internodes 2 3 lines long. Trisetum glabrum, s. n. Radice fibrosa ; culmo glabro erecto geniculato 8 10 policari ; vaginis glabris ; ligula membranacea elongata fissa ; foliis planis glabris 2 3 policaribus 1 lin. latis ; panicula elongata patente ; radiis 2-nis glabris basi nudis compositis filiformibus, spiculis 2-floris pedicellatis ; glumis sequalibus lanceolatis acuminatis 3-nerviis glabris flosculos superanti- bus ; valvulis glabris hyalinis ovatis subtruncatis apice 3-dentatis infra me- diam aristatis ; arista geniculata flosculo duplo longiore. Texas. Dr. Linsecum. Glumes longer than the two paleaceous florets, which are vertical, the upper having a long sericeus stipe. Trisetum interrupt um, s. n. Culmo geniculato pubescente erecto basi ramoso S 12 policari ; radiis 3-nis sen solitariis scabris compositis basi ad apicem densiHoris ; spiculis 1 2 floris sessilibus vel breviter pedicellatis ; glumis scabris 7-nervatis acuminatis sequalibus valvulam subaequantibus marginibus et apicibus albo-hyalinis ; valvulis glabris acutis paulo infra apicem longe aristatis, inferiore bifida basi parce setulosa. Middle Texas. The lower flowering branches are partly included in the sheaths, and are at intervals of from 1 2 inches from near the base of the culm to its summit, forming a vertical succession of little panicles, which are from 1 li inches long, densely flowered. Trisetum canescens, s. n. Radice fibrosa ; culmo erecto (3 4-pedali) parce piloso ; vaginis inferioribus canescenti villosis, superioribus glabriuscu- lis ; ligulis membranaceis (1 2 lin. Ion.); foliis planis paulo pilosis ; 4 6 policaribus, 3 4 lin. latis ; panicula elongata stricta patente 8 10 policari ; radiis 5 7-nis scabris inaequalibus compositis ; spiculis 2-floris pedicellatis ; pedicellis scabris ; glumis insequalibus carinatis acutis dorsis scabris, supe- riore duplo latiore ; valvula inferiore glabra paulo infra apicem longe setulosa apice bifida callo dense piloso. Oregon, Columbia Plains. Nuttall. Internodes of the panicle 1 2J inches long ; rachis terete and slightly sca- brous ; branches of the panicle filiform and erect, the longest about 3 inches in length ; margins of the glumes white and hyaline ; bristles of the palea 4 6 lines long : florets about 3 lines in length. Hierochloa occidentalis, s. n. Culmo glabro erecto 1^ 2 pedali sim- plici ; vaginis glabris internodio brevioribus ; ligula membranacea apice fissa ; foliis planis glabris 2 3 policaribus et circum 2 lin. latis ; panicula patente 2 3 policari ; radiis solitariis compositis glabris basi nudis ; pedicellis 1 2-spi- catis ; glumis ovatis acutis hyalinis 5 7 nerviis lateralibus et apicibus albidis, caeteris ferrugineis flosculos fere sequantibus ; flosculis masculis lsevibus mu- ticis parce ciliatis ; hermaphroditis glabris apice breviter ciliatis. Columbia woods. Nuttall. Lower branches of the panicle about 2 inches long, with lower half naked ; internodes between the branches 6 15 lines long. Note No. 2. On Q.UERCUS HETEROPHYLLA, Mich. BY S. B. BUCKLEY. Since the first note was written, I have seen a young tree on the grounds of Joshua Hoopes at West Chester, near Philadelphia, which grew from an acorn obtained from a tree now living at Marshalltou a few miles from West Chester. The Marshall tree is a seedling from the original Bartram Oak. The Bartrams [Feb. NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 101 wishing to continue the species, which was founded on a single tree, caused acorns from it to be planted in different places, from which two living trees are now known ; one at the Bartram garden mentioned in a former paper, and the other in the old Marshall garden. The Hoopes tree is about 15 feet high and 23 inches in diameter, and its leaves have a striking resemblance to Michaux's figure of the Bartram Oak. This may be caused in part from a tendency in many young oak trees to have lobed leaves, often quite different from those of mature trees of the same species. This is well known to many observers. Mr. T. Meehan, of German- town, has specimens similar to Q. heterophylla, from Townsend, in New Castle County, Delaware, collected from the young shoots growing around a stump, surrounded by living willow oaks, of which it had every appearance of having been one. The following is an extract from a letter lately received from Mr. Hoopes : "There is a Bartram Oak in the garden at Marshallton, with foliage corres- ponding to the figure in Michaux, yielding acorns, which produce trees having foliage true to the original." Dr. Darlington lately told me what amounts to the same as that just quoted from Mr. Hoopes. Should these trees maintain their present distinctive cha- racters, and continue to produce trees of the same sort, it will be an example of the formation of a new species from a form of an old one ; nor is it by any means improbable that the Bartram Oak may become distinct from its parent, the willow oak. It is believed by some botanists that new species have been formed, and are now being made from varieties of old species ; but human life is so short that we cannot perceive the long gradual changes necessary for this creative process. These Bartram Oaks should be carefully preserved and propagated, that future generations may see whether a good species of Quercus heterophylla has been thus created. It is singular that acorns from the original Bartram Oak should yield trees of such different foliage as the one at the old Bartram garden, and that at Marshallton. The oak in the Bartram place shows a tendency to breed back to tbe original stock of the willow oak, while the one at Marshallton seems to keep most of the characters of its Immediate parent, the Bartram Oak. In confimation of this I have just received the following note from Mr. Meehan in reference to some Bartram Oaks now being raised by Mr. Buist. "Mr. Buist says his seedlings from the Bartram Oak all approach the willow oak, but none quite like, all having a few lobed leaves. His seed was gathered by himself from the tree in the Bartram garden which I pointed out to you. T. Meehan." These seedlings as they acquire age will probably be much more like the willow oak than at present, young trees often having foliage different from mature trees, as before stated. March ith. The President, Mr. Lea, in the Chair. Twenty-eight members present. The following papers were presented for publication : Synopsis of the Cirrhitoids ; On the limits and arrangement of the Scomberoids ; Descriptions of new species of Alepidosauridae ; and on a new species of Priacanthus. By Theodore Grill. On a tropical Isopod found near the shores of Massachusetts, by "Win. Stimpson. 1862.] 102 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Mr. Norris remarked that Dr. Hayes' Arctic collection contained a specimen of the common brook trout, (Salmo fontinalis,) taken near God- haven, Greenland ; and specimens of the salmon trout, (Salmo trutta,) common to the coasts of Scotland and new Brunswick, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. March 11th. The President, Mr. Lea, in the Chair. Thirty- two members present. Mr. Warner made some remarks on the imitation of the section of esgs by mathematical lines. Dr. Corse exhibited, under the microscope, specimens of Nitella, showing the circulation within the nucule. Dr. Carson exhibited specimens of metallic copper, deposited by vol- taic action in the felt of the sunken frigates at Sevastopol. March 18 th. The President, Mr. Lea, in the Chair. Twenty-nine members present. The following papers were presented for publication : On the West African genus Hemichromus, etc., by Theo. Gill. Catalogue of the Fishes of Lower California, etc., by Theo. Gill. On some new and little known American Anura, by E. D. Cope. March 25th. The President, Mr. Lea, in the Chair. Twenty-nine members present. On report of the respective Committees, the following papers were ordered to be published in the Proceedings : Synopsis of the Family of CIRRHITOIDS. BY THEODORE GILL. Family CIRRHITOIDS Gray. Synonymy. Percoidei pt. ) Cm . mu &C- Sciaenoidei pt. \ Cirrbitidje Gray, Synopsis of the contents of the British Museum. " Richardson. Theraponidse pt. \ Riehardl0n , Polynemidte pt. ) Oirrhitoidei Bleeker, Acta Societatis Scientiarum Indo-^ederlandicae, vol. n., Vischsoorten von Amboina. Cirrhitidse Gtinther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, &c, vol. ii., p. 70. SparidiE (Haplodactylina) Gtinther, op. cit., vol. i., p. 434. The body is oblong and compressed, with the dorsal and abdominal outlines [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 103 unequally arched. Scales cycloid and of moderate or rather large size. Lateral line simple, concurrent with the back. Head compressed, and of mode- rate or rather small size. Forehead n parly flat, or little convex transversely. Eyes submediau. Nostrils double, moderately approximated to each other. Suborbital bones not crossing the cheek nor articulated with the preoperculum. Preorbital bone moderate, or rather large. Preopercular, opercular, suboper- cular and interopercular bones normally developed. Mouth moderate, cleft on the sides. Intermaxillary bones with the ascending processes variable in de- velopment. Maxillary bones expanded towards their ends and behind the intermaxillaries at the ends. Teeth variable in form and position. Branchi- ostegal membrane generally extended more or less behind under the throat, and free. Branchiostegal rays normally six, rarely five and exceptionally three. Dorsal fin extending along the entire back, and with the spinous portion nearly as much or more developed than the soft. Anal fin commencing nearly under the first soft dorsal rays, and short or little oblong ; spinous ray three. Caudal fin entire, or emarginated. Pectoral fins normally inserted on the sides, with the inferior rays well developed, simply articulated and not branched. Ventral fins inserted considerably behind the pectorals and with one spine and five branched rays. The vertebral column is composed (in Cirrhitina;) of the normal or nearly normal number of vertebra? (^) or a moderately increased number (in Latri- 14 16 . dina?, 5jj ; in Haplodactylince, said by Richardson to be jj in Dactylosargus arcti- dens.) The stomach is csecal, and a few (4 to 5) pyloric appendages are present. The air bladder is sometimes absent (most Cirrhiliuce and Chironema- tinee) ; or present and simple (most Haplodactylince) ; or lobed or fringed (most Latridince.) This family is a very distinct and perhaps a natural one, although its several groups or subfamilies offer rather peculiar characters and decided vari- ations. The chief characters by which those various groups are united, are the position of the ventral fins very considerably behind the bases of the pectoral, and the simple, thickened and produced rays of the pectoral fins ; the branchiostegal membrane is also generally more ample beneath than in those forms which most resemble the Cirrhitoids in external appearance. In the artificial arrange- ment of Cuvier and hi? disciples, in which the fishes with the typical or percoid form were arranged according to the presence or absence of palatal teeth and of opercular armature, the members of the present family were partly referred to the Percoids and partly to the Sciaenoids, with which they have very little affinity. Dr. Gray appears to have been the first to propose the family which Sir John Richardson was afterwards inclined to adopt, although in his essay on " Ichthyology," in the Encyclopa-dia Britannica, he has referred Cirrhites, Aplodactylus and Chironemus as the first of thegerera, to bis family of Therapo- nidae, which family certainly is, as he admits, " a rather heterogeneous assem- blage of Percoids, brought together by the single character of six branchios- tegals." The other genera, Chcilodactylvs and Latris, are placed by him after Polynemus, and constitute with it his family of Polynemidae. Dr. Bleeker has adopted the family of " Cirrhitoidei," aDd divided it into three subfamilies, Cinhitiformes, Ilaplodactylifotmes and Cheilodactyhformes. Chironemus has been once placed in the first subfamily, and again, as Threp- terius of Richardson, in the third, Bleeker not having perceived their affinity to each other. Dr. Giinther has a family of " Cirrhitidre," which is naturally constituted, but he has placed the Haplodactylns in a peculiar " group" or subfamily among the Sparidae, to which it has apparently little true affinity. The Cirrhitoids, so far as known, are peculiar to the torrid and temperate portions of the Pacific Ocean and its indentations. The CirrhitincB are princi- 1862.] 104 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF pally tropical, and chiefly developed in the Indian seas and those of the great archipelago, from which some wander to the Pacific, Chinese and African seas, and one (Cirrhilus maculatus) ranges to the Red Sea, where, indeed, it appears to be most common. Another (Cirrlritus rivulalus Val.) is found at both the Gallapagos Islands and Lower California, it having been observed at the latter place by Mr. Xantus.* The Chironematince are peculiar to the Australian Seas. The Ilaplodaclylince and Latridince are principally inhabitants of the Southern temperate seas, and most numerous in the Chilian and Peruvian and the Aus- tralasian seas. Several are also found at the Cape of Good Hope, while several others are northern and inhabitants of the Chinese and Japanese waters. The following synopsis will enable one to readily distinguish the different subfamilies : Synopsis. I. Spinous portion of the dorsal longest, but with only 10 (9) 10 spines. Vertebras jg Cirrhitinte. II. Spinous portion of the dorsal more or less subequal to the soft, with 14 22 spines. A. Teeth of jaws compressed and tricuspidate or lanceolate. Vetebras ^jt Haplodactylinae. AA. Teeth small, conic and acute. B. Ventral fins (generally) rounded ; caudal subtrun- cated ; dorsal deeply notched behind each spine Chironematinse. BB. Ventral fins angulated ; caudal with extended lobes ; dorsal not notched behind each sepa- 14 rate spine. Vertebrae ^ Latridime. I have not been enabled to examine many of the species of the family, but I trust that the suggestions and views enunciated in this treatise will forward the classification and knowledge of the group, and prove useful to naturalists if it should only direct attention to the imperfect knowledge we have of some forms. Several of the species have been so described that it has not been possible to positively refer them to any group. The whole family, indeed, re- quires a careful revision, and the present classification will be doubtless con- siderably modified. Subfamily CIRRHITINiE Gill. Cirrhitaeformes pp., Sleeker. Teeth conical and mostly small, but often with larger or canine ones inter- mixed. Dorsal fin with its spinous portion longer than the soft, and with ten spines, the last of which truly belongs to the second portion. Ventral fins generally angulated or subangulated, the second (branched) ray being rarely somewhat longest. Caudal fin truncated or emarginated. The vertebral column, in all the species examined, has been found to be constituted of ten abdominal and sixteen caudal vertebrae. The Cirrhitinae as defined above form a natural group, and differ from the Cirrhitaeformes of Bleeker by the exclusion of Chiro7irmus, which appears to represent a distinct subfamily. *Another species not yet described is found at Cape St. Lucas. It had been unfortun- ately overlooked uniil after the transmission of the above paper ; it will be described in the catalogue of the Fishes of Lower California. [March, NATUKAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 105 Synopsis. Spinous portion of dorsal longest, but with only 9 or 10 rays. Vertebra about JJ CIRRHITIN.U. a.. Head abbreviated, with the jaws not produced. Head decurved from the nape ; operculum unarmed. Origin of dorsal nearly over preopercular margin. Canine teeth obsolescent Amblycirrhitus. Origin of dorsal generally above carpus; canine teeth in both jaws Cirrhitus. Head very obliquely incurved to the pointed snout. Oper- culum with two small spines Cirrhitichthys. Preorbital not higher than the eye's diameter Cirrhitichthys. Preorbital considerably higher than an eye's di- ameter Cirrhitopsis. 0. Head oblong and incurved to the snout; intermaxillary produced, and with the posterior processes tootbed..Oxycirrhites. AMBLYCIRRHITUS Gill. Synonymy. Cirrhites sp. Cuv. el Vol. Rostrum convexum. Dentes canini obsolescentes. Pinna dorsalis fei e supra preoperculi marginim incipie?is. Body oblong-cuneiform, highest before the ventral fins, before which it is rapidly curved upwards. Scales large. Head short and elevated, higher than long. Occipito-nasal outline very oblique and nearly straight ; snout slightly convex. Nape gibbous. Preoperculum finely serrated behind. Mouth little oblique and of moderate size, chiefly under tbe eyes. Teeth pluriserial, with the canine obsolete or rudimentary. Branchiostegal rajs 6, 6. Dorsal fin commencing at the nape above the preoperculum ; its spinous portion is convex, much lower behind than the articulated, and the membrane is very profoundly notched and produced into a slender lobe behind each spine. Anal fin with three spines, the second of which is largest, and with six branched rays. Cau- dal fin entire, with its angles acute. Pectoral fins with its undivided rays slightly produced. Type. Amblj cirrhitus fasciatus Gill. The Cirrhitus fasciatus of the " Histoire Naturelle des Poissons" differs from the typical Cirrhiti by the form of the body, the region of greatest height being before the ventral fins and not above it, as in the latter; by the resultant more anterior commencement of the dorsal fin, and the deeply-notched and lobigerous membrane behind the spines of that fin, and by the absence of larger canine teeth. Only one species of the genus is known. Amblycirrhitus fasciatus, Gill. Cirrhites fasciatus Cuv. et Vol., Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, torn, iii., p. 76, pi. 47. Habitat. East Indian seas, (Pondicherry.) CIRRHITUS (Commerson) Lac. Synonymy. Cirrhitus (Comm.) Lactp&de, Histoire Naturelle des Poisons, torn, v., p. 2, 1803. Rostrum convexum. Dentes canini anticiin maxilla superiore 2. Pinna dorsalis supra pinnae pectoralis basin incipiens. Body oblong-oval, highest before or above the ventral fins, covered with 1862.] 10(5 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF rather large scales. Head moderate, and generally longer than high. Occipito- nasal profile obliquely and moderately decurved. Nape convex. Eyes moderate, above the rostro-opercular line and submedian. Preoperculum more or less serrated behind, rarely entire. Anterior nostrils generally with short fimbri- ated tubes. Mouth oblique and of moderate size; the supratnaxillary bones generally end under the eyes. Teeth pluriserial, margined by an external row of larger ones ; canine teeth generally present on each jaw, in the upper in front, and in the lower on the sides. Front of vomer furnished with a row of small teeth. Branchiostegal rays six on each side. Dorsal fin furnished with ten spines and ten to twelve (rarely fourteen) rays, the former of which form nearly two-thirds of its length ; the spinous portion is convex at the middle and behind much lower than the soft portion ; the membrane is moderately notched behind each spine. Anal fin with three strong spines, the second of which is largest, and six branched rays. Caudal fin generally entire and ab- ruptly truncated. Pectoral fins with "the simply articulated rays moderately produced. Type. Cirrhitus maculatus Lacpede. The species retained in the genus Cirrhitus as now limited, appear to have the same physiognomy and to bear a strong resemblance to each other: but the Cirrhitus maculatus, which was the only species of the genus known to its founder, has a small patch of teeth on the anterior portion of each palatine bone, while in all the others the teeth are confined to the front of the vomer. For this reason Drs. Bleeker and Giinther have referred that species, although the type of Cirrhitus, to the genus Cirrhitichthys, established by the former naturalist for fishes differing from Cirrhitus by the presence of palatine teeth. As the Cirrhitinse with unarmed palatine bones do not appear to differ in any other respect from the Cirrhitus maculatus, and as the dentigerous palatine area is very small, we retain the species having the same specialized resemblance in the genus. Cirrhitichthys is apparently an excellent genus, and is consequently retained, but with quite different limits and on other grounds than those for which it has been distinguished by Bleeker and Gunther. As before mentioned, it was separated by them from Cirrhitus on account of the presence of palatine teeth. The most essential character appears to us to be the form of the head. Nine species of the genus are now known. Palatine bones with teeth anteriorly C. marmoratus. Palatine bones unarmed. Preoperculum denticulated. Dorsal IX. I. 10, 11. Body not transversely banded. 7 simple pec- toral rays. Pectoral thickened, not extending beyond the anus. Scales of the lateral line 40 C. alternatus.*_ Scales of lateral line 48 50. Head simply dotted with black C. Fosteri. Head with a margined area behind the eyes. Area marked by a whitish semicircular line, edged with brownish ; sides above late- ral line with a longitudinal whitish band..C. arcatus. Area brown, bounded by yellow; sides with many (16) longitudinal lines C. amblycephalus. C. alternatus has five indistinct, oblique, purple bands, the first of which alternate below the lateral line with their lower halves, while the last is continuous. But, as it has seven simple pectoral rays, and is closely allied to C. marmoratus and C. Forsteri, it is placed between them. _, , [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 107 Pectoral thickened ray extending to the origin of the anal ; scales of lateral line 42 C. punctatus. Body (red) with 6 vertical blackish bands ; 6 simple pectoral rays C. aprinus. Dorsal IX. I. 13. Scales 49 C. fasciatus. Preoperculum entire C. rivulatus. 1. ClURHITDS MARMORATUS Gill. Labrus marmoratus Lac, Hist. Nat. des Poissons, tome iii., p. 492, pi. 5, fig. 3. Cirrhitus maculatus Lac, op. cit., tome v., p. 3. Cirrhitus maculosus Bennett, Zoological Journal, 1829, pi. 38. Cirrhitichtbys maculatus Bleeker. Habitat. Red Sea, Southern Asia, Indian Archipelago, Isle of France and Polynesia. 2. Cirrhitus alternatus Gill. Habitat. Sandwich Islands. 3. Cirrhitus Forsteri Giinther. Perca taeniata Forsler. Grammistes Forsteri Bloch, Systema Ichthyologiae, Schneid. ed., p. 191. Sparus pantherinus Lac, Hist. Nat. des Poissons, tome iv., p. 100. Cirrhitus pantherinus Cuv. et Val., tome iii., p. 70. Serranus Tankervillae Bennett, Fishes of Ceylon, pi. 27. Cirrhitus Forsteri Giinther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, &c, p. 71. Habitat. Cape seas, Eastern Africa, Southern Asia and Indian Archipelago. 4. Cirrhitus arcatus Cuv. et Val. Cirrhitus arcatus Cuv. et Val., tome iii., p. 74. Cirrhitus vittatus Val. in Cuv. Regne Animal, ed. ill. Poissons, pi. 39. Habitat. Mauritius, Southern Asia, Indian Archipelago, and Sandwich Islauds. 5. Cirrhitus amblycephalus Bleeker. Cirrhitus amblycephalus Bleeker, Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Neder- landsch Indie, vol. xii., p. 378. Habitat. Sangi. 6. Cirrhitus punctatus Cuv. et Val. Cirrhitus punctatus Cuv. et Val., tome iii., p. 70. Habitat. Indian Ocean. 7. Cirrhitus aprinus Cuv. et Val. Cirrhitus aprinus Cuv. et Val., tome iii., p. 7G. Habitat. Sea of Timor. 8. Cirrhitus fasciatus Bennett. Cirrhitus fasciatus Bennett, Zoological Journal, 1829, p. 39. Cirrhitus cinctua Giinther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, vol. ii., p. 73. Not Cirrhitus fasciatus Cuv. et Val. (=Amblycirrhitus fasciatus Gill.) Habitat. Madagascar, Isle of France and Sandwich Islands. 9. Cirrhitus rivulatus Val. Cirrhitus rivulatus Val., Voyage de la Venus, Poissons, p. 309, pi. 3, fig. 1. Habitat. Galapagos Islands and Lower California. 1862.] 108 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF CIRRHITIOHTHYS Bleeker. Synonymy. Cirrhitichthys Bleeker, Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indie, vol. x., (Index,) p. 474, 1856. Cirrhites sp. Temminck et Schlegel, Bleeker. Rostrum acutum. Dentes canini in maxilla superiori nulli ; denies palatini. Body oblong-ovate, highest above the ventral fins, and covered with rather large scales. Head moderate, and nearly equally long and high. Nape and crown convex. Occipito-nasal outline obliquely concave and incurved towards the pointed snout; pectori-nasal outline curved upwards. Crown and forehead scaly; suborbital bones naked. Preoperculum finely serrated behind. Sub- orbital bone entire, or dentated posteriorly. Operculum armed with two minute spines. Nasal cirrhi fringed. Mouth oblique and rather small ; supramaxillary bones ending under or nearly under the anterior borders of the orbits. Teeth pluriserial, larger in the external row ; in the lower jaw on each side are larger canine teeth. Front of vomer and palatine bones armed with a band of villi- form teeth. Branchiostegal rays 6 6. Dorsal fin with its spinous part convex, and the last ray generally longer than the penultimate. The interspinal mem- brane is simply notched, or produced in penicilligerous lobes behind each spine. The first articulated ray is more or less elongated. Anal fin with three spines, the second of which is very stout, and six or seven branched rays. Caudal fin subtruncated. Type. Cirrhitichthys graphidopterus Bleeker. Under the name of Cirrhitichthys, Dr. Bleeker has collected together several fishes which appear to have a considerable mutual resemblance, and to deci- dedly differ from Cirrhitus, to which genus most of them had been previously referred. Four species have been placed in the genus which appear to concur in having the same physiognomy, but are distinguished from each other by some very decided characteristics. Three have a nearly similar size and posi- tion of the eye, which is separated about a diameter, or even less, from the end of the snout. A fourth has smaller eyes, much more distant from the snout. Of the first three, one has a distinctly serrated preorbital, while in the other two it is entire ; the latter again are distinguished by the condition of the inter- spinal portion of the dorsal fin. The following analytical synopsis will more readily show the relative dif- ferences : Snout shorter than the eye ; suborbital bone scalele3s. Preorbital serrated behind C. graphidopterus. Preorbital entire behind. Interspinal membrane penicilligerous C. oxyrhynchus. Interspinal membrane not penicilligerous C. oxycephalus. Snout longer than the eye ; suborbital bone scaly C. aureus. j In the preceding table the categories have been arranged in the order which appears to best express their value. The most distinct groups or natural sec- tions seem to be those characterized by the size of the eyes and their position. Many naturalists, confiding in characters which may be of very little real value, although at the same time trenchant and well defined, would regard the den- tated or entire posterior margin of the preorbital bones as a character of greater value ; and some would doubtless even consider it as entitled to generic rank. But, after a careful comparison of the descriptions of the various spe- cies that have hitherto been made known, we cannot discover that there is any other essential character by which Cirrhitichthys graphidopterus is distinguished from C. oxyrhynchus and C. oxycephalus. There appearing, then, to be no differ- ences coincident with the condition of the preorbital margin, and the physi- [March, NATUKAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 109 ognomy being apparently similar, one cannot be disposed to regard such a character in this case as generic. The Cirrhitus aureus of Temminck and Schlegel is probably the type of a dis- tinct genus. We have provisionally proposed for it the designation of Cirrhi- topsis, but having seen none of the species of Bleeker's Cirrhitichthys, hesitate to rank it as a genus. The Cirrhitus maculatus of Lacepede has been referred to Cirrhitichthys by Dr. Giinther, as well as Dr. Bleeker, on account of the presence of " a very small patch of teeth anteriorly on each palatine bone." In other respects, that spe- cies perfectly agrees with most of the species retained under the name of Cirrhitus by those gentlemen. Its physiognomy is entirely similar to theirs, and quite different from that of a typical Cirrhitichthys. We therefore retain that species in the genus Cirrhitus, not regarding the extension of a few of the teeth on the palatine bones as entitling it to generic distinction, and certainly not to be grouped with Cirrhitichthys. The name Cirrhitichthys could in no case be accepted for the Cirrhitus maculatus, as it is the type and only species placed by Commerson and Lacepede in their genus ; it must therefore always retain that name, and if isolated from others, they must receive a new generic appella- tion, and not it. Subgenus Cirrhitichthys. 1. Cirrhitichthys graphidopterus Bleeker. Cirrhitichthysgraphidopterus Blocker, NatuurkundigTijdschrift voorNeder- landsch Indie, 1853, p. 106. Habitat. Amboyna, 2. Cirrhitichthys oxyrhynchcs Bleeker. Cirrhitichthys oxyrhynchus Bleeker, Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Neder- landsch Indie, deel xv., 1858, p. 205. Habita. Goram. 3. Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus Bleeker. Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus Bleeker, Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Neder- landsch Indie, deel viii., 1855, p. 408. Habitat. Amboyna. Subgenus Cirrhitopsis. 4. Cirrhitopsis aureus Gill. Cirrhites aureus Temm. et Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Pisces,]}. 15, pi. 7. fig. 2. Cirrhitichthys aureus Bleeker. Habitat. Japan and China. OXYCIRRHITES Bleeker. Synonymy. Oxycirrhites Bleeker, Achtste Bijdrage tot de kennis der Vischfauna von Am- Jboina, p. 39; in Acta Societatis Indo-Nederlandicje, vol. ii., 1856 7. Bostrum aculissimum, procluclum. Dentes canini nulli. Body elongated, compressed and about five times as long as high. Scales large. Head very acute, nearly twice as long as high, with the nape convex ; concave between the occiput and snout. Cheeks and opercular bones scaly. Preoperculum dentated, and with its angle obtusely rounded. Operculum armed with aflat'spine. Anterior nostrils each famished with a divided cirrhus. Mouth almost prolonged into a tube. Jaws equal; the upper produced more than an eye's diameter beyond the snout, dentated on their ascending and de- cending branches. Teeth pluriserial on each jaw, preceded by a row of larger ones, but no canines. Front of the vomer with a semilunar band of small ones ; palatine none. Branchiostegal rays 6 6. Dorsal fin with ten spines, the third, fourth and fifth of which are longest, and the first and penultimate shortest ; 1862.] 110 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP soft portion acute and elevated in front, low and rounded behind. Anal fin with three spines, the second of which is elongated ; soft portion rounded be- fore and behind, and with seven or eight rays. Caudal fin emarginated and with pointed lobes. Pectoral fins irregularly rhomboidal, and with none of its entire rays produced. Type. Oxycirrhites typus Bleeker. This genus is almost peculiar among fishes by the extension of the intermax- illary bones and the armature of their ascending branches. It also differs from Cirrhitkhthys and Cirrhitus by the more elongated body and head, and the form of the caudal. A single species is known. Oxycirrhites typds Bleeker. Oxycirrhites typus Bleeker, Achtste Bijdrage tot de kennis der Vischfauna von Amboine, p. 40, in Acta Societatis Indo-Nederlandicae, vol. ii. Habitat. Amboyna and Isle de France. Subfamily HAPLODACTYLIN^E Gunther. Haplodactyliformes Bleeker. Haplodactylina Gunther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, &c, vol. ii., p. 434. Teeth compressed, trenchant and lanceolate, or tricuspidate. Dorsal fin nearly equally divided into spinous and soft ; the former with fourteen to seven- teen spines. Ventral fins generally with the second branched ray longest. Caudal fin truncated or emarginated. Tne vertebral column is composed of an increased number of vertebra?. Richardson having found sixteen abdominal and eighteen caudal ones in the Dactylosargus arctidens. Gunther, however, adopts the correctness of that number. This subfamily is distinguished principally by the dentition ; the physiognomy of its representatives is also rather peculiar. The group is divisible among three genera, which may be thus distinguished. Teeth of jaws compressed, tricuspidate or lanceolate. Vertebras |j^ HAPLODACTYLINA. Vomerine t^eth present. Teeth in both jaws tricuspid Haplodactylus. Teeth in both jaws sublanceolate, or with lateral lobes small Dactylosargus. Vomerine teeth obsolete. Teeth tricuspid in jaws...Crinodus. HAPLODACTYLUS Cuv. et Val. Synonymy. Aplodactylus Cuv. et Val. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, vol. viii., p. 476, 1831. Aplodactylus Guichenot. Haplodactylus Gunther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, &c, vol. ii., p. 434. Denies tricuspidati et velutinae in maxillis ambobis ; in maxilla superiori tricus- pidati, triseriati ; inferiori biseriati. Dentes vomerini velutini. Body oblong, highest above or behind the ventral fins, covered with small scales. Head scarcely longer than high, with the profile behind the eyes ob- liquely straight or little concave, before eyes very oblique and high. Eyes high and mostly anterior. Preorbital bones higher than long. Preoperculnm with an entire membranous border. Mouth small, transverse and terminal. Teeth villiform or cardiform in each [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. Ill jaw, preceded in the upper by three rows of tricuspidate teeth, and in the lower by two rows. The tricuspidate teeth have the cusps rounded, and the median longest. Front of vomer with villif'orm teeth. Anterior dorsal tin convex, de- clining in a straight line behind and with fifteen or sixteen spines, the last of which are very short. Anal fin with three spines, the first two of which are very short, and with seven or eight branched rays, which very rapidly diminish in size. Type. Haplodactylus punctatns Cuv. et Val. The genus Haplodactylus, as here defined, has the same limits given to it by Cuvier and Valenciennes and by Guichenot. Two species that have since been referred to it by Sir John Richardson and Dr. Gunther, have been abstracted from it, and are considered to be the types of as many distinct genera. The diagnosis given by Dr. Gunther to Haplodactylus is indeed equivalent to ours, but his Haplodactylus arctidens and H. lophodon do not correspond to his defi- nition. The correctness of the elimination of these two species is confirmed by their geographical distribution. The typical Haplodactyli are, as far as known, peculiar to the temperate salt waters of western South America. The other two species are inhabitants of the Australian seas. Four forms have been described as distinct, but the specific differences of all of them have not yet been fully demonstrated. Dr. Gunther has united the Haplodactylus punctatus and H. reginae, but, if the figure of the latter is correct, it is apparently a very good species. The species appear to be distinguished by the following characters ; but it will be necessary to confirm them, and they must be accepted with reserve : Secondary color or markings dark. 1. Body brownish gray, covered with irregular, brown vermiculated markings; fins thickly spotted. A. III. 8. H. vermiculatus. 2. Body brownish red above, irregularly dotted with black. A. III. 8; first three dorsal spines short and gradu- ated, much shorter than the fourth? H. reginae. 3. Body brownish above, dotted all over with blackish. A. III. 7 ; first four dorsal spines regularly graduated to the fifth H. punctatus. Spots or dots whitish, on a yellowish ground. A. III. 7 H. guttatus. 1. Haplodactylus punctatus Cuv. et Val., Gunther. Aplodactylus punctatus Cuv. et Val., Hist. Nat. des Poissons, tome viii p 477, pi. 242. Habitat. Chili. 2. Haplodactylus regin;e Val. Aplodactylus reginae (Vol..) Gray, Historia Fisica y politicade Chile. Zoo- logia, tomo ii., p. 158, lam. 1, fig. 2. Haplodactylus punctatus p*.. Gunther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygiau Fisbes, vol. ii., p. 434. Habitat. Chili. 3. Haplodactylus vermiculatus Gay, Gunther. Aplodactylus vermiculatus Gay, Op. cit. tomo ii., p. 159, lam. 1, fig. I. Habitat. Chili (Valparaiso.) 4. Haplodactylus guttatus Gay, Glinther. Aplodactylus guttatus Gay, Op. cit., tomo ii., p, 160. Habitat. Chili. DACTYLOSARGUS Gill. Synonymy. Aplodactylus sp. Richardson. HaplodactyluB sp. Giinther. 1862.] 112 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Denies omnes in maxillis tricuspidati, vel lanceolati, lobis externis parvis, in seriebus externis majores. Dentes vomerini velutini. Body oblong, highest above or behind the ventral fins, covered with small scales. Head scarcely longer than high, with the profile behind the eyes ob- liquely straight, or little concave, and in front very oblique. Preorbital bones aa high or higher than long. Eyes elevated and mostly anterior. Preoper- culum with an entire membranous border. Mouth small, transverse and ter- minal. Teeth in the old, narrow, thin and little cuspidate, arranged in a band on each jaw; the teeth of outer rows are largest. Front of vomer with a small patch of villiform teeth slightly extending on the palatine bones. Branchios- tegal rays six on each side. Dorsal fin convex and with sixteen spines, the last of which are small. Anal fin with three spines and eight branched rays. This genus is nearly allied to the genuine Haplodactyli, but is distinguished by the trilobation of all the teeth, and not only the large ones of the external rows as in Haplodactylus. One species has been well described, and perhaps another indicated. Dactylosargus arctidens Gill. Aplodactylus arctidens Richardson, Proc. Zoological Society of London, 1839, p. 96. Habitat. Port Arthur. The following species is referred to the genus Dactylosargus with doubt, being only known through the description of Paikinson : Dactylosargus meandratos Gill. Scisna meandrata Parkinson MSS. Aplodactylus meandratus Richardson, Transactions of the Zoological So- ciety, vol. iii., p. 83. Habitat. New Zealand. CRINODUS Gill. Synonymy. Haplodactylus sp. Giinthcr. Dentes tricuspidati in maxilla superiori pluriseriati, uniseriati in inferiori. Vomer inermis. Body oblong, highest above or behind the ventral fins, covered with rather small scales. Head little longer than high, with the forehead flattened, and the snout obtusely rounded and projecting. Eyes elevated and mostly ante- rior. Preopereulum entire and with a membranous margin. Mouth narrow, horizontal, and situated beneath the snout. Teeth elongated and tricuspidate, with the terminal lobe largest, arranged in a band on the upper jaw, and uni- serial on the lower : palate unarmed. Branchiostegal rays five on each side. Dorsal fin with its spinous portion convex, and with about seventeen spines, the last of which are short. Anal with three graduated spines and six branched rays. Crinodus appears to be decidedly different from either Haplodactylus or Arcti- dens, the snout being more protuberant, the teeth of the lower jaw confined to one row, and only five branchiostegal rays being present on each side. This also is represented by a single known species. Crinodcs lophodon Gill. Haplodactylus lophodon Giinthcr, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, &c, vol. ii., p. 435. Habitat. Coast of New South Wales. Subfamily CHIRONENEMATIN.E Gill. Teeth acutely conical and small. Dorsal fin with its spinous portion gene- rally more or less longer than the soft, and with thirteen to fifteen spines, the [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 113 membrane behind each of which is deeply and acutely notched. Ventral gene- rally obtuse or rounded. Caudal fin truncated or subtruncated. Chironemus appears to be entitled to take rank as the type of a distinct group of Cirrhitoids, its physiognomy being quite different from that of any other division 5 the characters above, given are sufficient to distinguish it, and they will doubtless be found to be accompanied by others of more importance when the family shall have been fully investigated. Chironemus Cuv. et Val. Synonymy. Chironemus Cuv. et Vol., Histoire Naturelie des Poissons, vol. iii., p. 78. Threpterius Richardson, Proc. Zoological Society of London, 1850, p. 68 ; ib. in Annals and Magazine of Natural History, vol. vii., p. 284, 1851. Chironemus Giinther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, &c, vol. ii., p. 76. Body oblong, highest above or before the ventral fins. Scales rather large. Head moderate, subcorneal and longer than high. Occipito-nasal profile nearly straight; snout scarcely convex. Crown, forehead and cheeks naked. Oper- culum, suboperculum and interoperculum scaly. Preoperculum entire, nearly vertical or slightly oblique behind and rounded at its angle; operculum with two spines. Eyes anterior. Suborbital bones narrow. Anterior nostrils with a membranous appendage. Mouth oblique, moderate. Supramaxillary bones ending near the vertical of the anterior borders of the orbits. Teeth generally villiform, in a band on each jaw and on the front of the vomer. Branchios- tegal rays 6, 6. Dorsal fin commencing above or little before the bases of the pectorals, with its spinous portion longer than the soft, convex and with four- teen or fifteen spines, the penultimate of which is lower than the soft portion ; its membrane is deeply notched behind each spine. Anal fin short, with three spines and six or seven branched rays. Caudal fin entire or convex. Pectoral fins with its inferior simple rays produced, and the intervening membrane deeply no'ched. Type. Chironemus georgianus Cuv. et Val. With Dr. Giinther, we have, for the present, retained the Threpterius maculo- sus of Sir John Richardson and the Chironemus marmoratus of the former gentleman in this genus to which both have been referred. It is quite probable, however, that the genus may be hereafter found not to be homogenous, and that Threpterius may be re-established, but with quite different characters from those assigned to it by its founder, who named it from a misconception of its true relations, and did not perceive its affinity to the Cuvieran Chironemi. The principal distinctive characters of the three species combined under this generic designation are as follows : Second simple pectoral ray produced to the anal ; soft dorsal half as long as spinous C. georgianus. None of the pectoral rays much produced beyond others. Teeth of jaws nearly uniserial : soft dorsal two thirds as long as spinous C. maculosus. Teeth of jaws villiform, in a broad band ; soft dorsal rather shorter than spinous C. marmoratus. Not having been able to examine any of the species of the genus, we are not prepared to state what may be the value of those characters, or whether they are entitled to be regarded as more than specific. The type of the genus is very imperfectly known, having been only described by Cuvier and Valenci- ennes from a much injured specimen. The three species are confined to the Australian seas. 1862.] 8 114 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 1. CHIRONEMUS georgianus, Cuv. et Val. Chironemus georgianus Cuv. el Val. Hist. Nat. de Poissons, tome Hi. , p. 78. Habitat. KiDg George's Sound. 2. Chironemus maculosus, Guother. Threpterius maculosus Richardson, Proc. Zoological Society, 1850, p. TO, pi. 2, figs. 1, 2, Habitat. King George's Sound. 3. Chironemus marmoratus, Gunther. Chironemus marmoratus Gunther, Catalogue of Acanthopterygian Fishes, vol. ii., p. 76. Habitat. Western coast of Australia. Subfamily LATRIDIN^E Gill. Teeth acutely conical and generally small. Dorsal fin with its spinous and soft portions subequal or one not much longer than the other ; the spinous por- tion has from fifieen to twenty-three spines, behind which the membrane is notched. Ventral fins generally acutely angulated, the first branched ray be- ing the longest. Caudal fin with the angles more or less obliquely produced aDd acute or rounded. The vertebral column is composed of a moderately in- creased number of vertebrae, all those examined having fourteen abdominal and twenty caudal. This subfamily appears to be a very natural one, all the species having the game general physiognomy, and equally differing from the representatives of the other groups of Cirrhitoids. The genera are rather numerous; their prin- cipal distinctive characters are given in the following synopsis. Several species have been retained provisionally in genera to which they apparently do not belong, the descriptions alone of their several describers not being sufficiently characteristic to enable one to positively allocate them. Ventral Ads angulatt-d, the first branched ray being longest ; caudal with its lobes produced ; dorsal not acutely notched behind each spine LATRIDIN^E. I. Branch iostegal lays 5 or 6 Latrideb. A. Anal fin nearly coterminal with dorsal, and with more than 30 rays. Vomerine teeth Latris. Vomerine teeth obsolete Latridopsis. AA. Anal fin with 30 branched rays or less. H. Teeth only in the upper jaw Mendosoma. BB. Teeth in both jaws. C. Spinous dorsal convex or arched. D. Branchiostegal rays VI. 1. Head high and much decurved. Anal ob'ong and nearly uniformly high..Dactylopagrus. 2. Head conic. Anal oblong. Dorsal and anal spines robust Acantholatris. 3. Head conic. Anal short, produced at its anterior angle, and when ex- panded with the raj ed margin ver- tically truncated or emarginated...Chirodactvlus. DD. Branchiostegal rays V. Scales small (L. 1. 75.) Chilodactylus. CC. Spinous dorsal elevated in front, preceded by three graduated spines and obliquely incurved behind Goniistius. II. Branchiostegal rays III Nematodactyli. Teeth of jaws uniserial Nematodactylus. [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 115 Latridopsis Gill. Synonymy. Latris Richardson. Cheilodactylus sp. Richardson. Pinna analis dorsali coterminalis, radiis 30 plusve. Palatum edentutum. Body subfusiforra, highest above the ventral fins ; caudal peduncle slender. Scales of moderate size. Head compressed, short and conical in profile, with the occipito-nasal outline straight. Eyes moderate, above the rostro-opercular line, submedian and remote from the snout. Scales on the head above and laterally. Preoperculum vertical behind. Mouth small. Teeth only the jaws, where they are small and pluriserial in front. Branchiostegal rays 6 6. Dorsal fin nearly equally divided ; the anterior portion convex and with about seven- teen spines, the last of which are very low. Anal fin long, with three small spines and about thirty or more rays, coterminal with the soft dorsal. Pectoral fins rounded and with its simple rays not produced. Type. Latridopsis ciliaris Gill. Syn. Latris ciliaris Richardson. The present genus and Latris are pre-eminently distinguished from all the other members of this family by the many-rayed anal fin, which is quite long and coterminal with the dorsal fin. The physiognomy is also quite dissimilar to that of other L^tridinae, and would itself sufficiently distinguish them. The only difference from Latris appears to be the absence of teeth on the front of the vomer. As this is unaccompanied by any other modification of importance, it may be urged that, as in the case of Cirrhitus, the two might be combined. The absolute presence or absence of teeth on the palate appears, however, to be of greater value than the slight extension of a patch on neighboring bones, and we have therefore considered the absence of the vomerine teeth as a cha- racter which generically distinguishes the Latris ciliaris from the type of that genus. The dentition of the present genera does not appear to have any analo- gy to that of the Therapoooids, where the presence or absence of palatine teeth appears to be dependent on age, the teeth being deciduous. Latridopsis ciliaris Gill. Anthias ciliaris Block, Systema Ichthyologise, Sehneid. ed. y p. 310. Sciaena ciliaris Forster. Latris ciliaris Richardsott. Habitat. New Zealand. Latris Richardson. Synonymy. Latris Richardson, Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, vol. iii., p. 106. Chilodactylus Richardson. Pinna analis dorsali coterminalis, radii 25 plusve. Denies vomerini. Body subfusiforra, highest at the ventral fins. Scales of moderate size. Head compressed, short and conical laterally, with the occipito-nasal profile nearly straight. Eyes moderate, above the rostro-opercular line, submedian and re- mote from the snout. Scales on the superior surface and the sides. Pre- operculum vertical behind. Mouth small. Teeth present on the jaws and front of vomer; pluriserial at the symphisis. Branchiostegal rays 6 6. Dorsal fin nearly equally divided into spinous and articulated ; the former is convex and has about seventeen spines, the last of which become very low. Anal fin long and coterminal with articulated portion of the dorsal, provided with three small spines and thirty or more rays. Pectoral fin with none of its simply articu- lated rays produced. One species of this genus is known; its relations are discussed in the remarks on Latridopsis. 1862.] 116 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Latris hecateia Ricli. Latris hecateia Rich., Proc. Zoological Society of London 1839, p. 98 ; Trans. Zool. Soc, vol. iii. p. 106, pi. 6, fig. 1. Cheilodactylus hecateius Rich , Proc. Zool. Soc. 1850, p. 6T. Habitat. Van Diemen's Land. Mendosoma Gay. Synonymy. Mendosoma Gay, Historia Fisica y Politica de Chili, Zoologia. torao ii., p. 212, 1848. Mendosoma Gilnther, Catalogao of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, Ac, vol. ii., p. 83. Denies maxilla superiori solum. Body fusiform, highest above or behind the ventral fins, with a slender caudal peduncle. Scales of moderate size. Head rather small, much com- pressed, acutely conical in profile, slightly depressed above the eyes. Eyes large ; pupil intersected by the rostro-opercular line. Scales covering the head on the sides and above. Preoperculum angulated, with posterior mar- gin vertical. Mouth moderate ; jaws subequal. Teeth small and pluriserial, present only on the upper jaw. Branchiostegal rays six. Dorsal unequally divided, the spinous being longer than the soft, convex and highest in front of the middle, and sustained by about twenty-two spines ; soft portion much higher than the last spines. Anal fin oblong, and little shorter than the soft dorsal, with its three spines moderate and the eighteen rays gradually decreas- ing. Pectoral fins rounded and with ncne of the rays produced. Type. Mendosoma lineatum Gay. Mendosoma is the only known representative of the Cirrhitoids in which the teeth are confined to the upper jaw. The physiognomy is somewhat similar to that of Chirodactylus or Goniisthis, but from both of them it differs espe- cially by the length and nearly uniform height of the anal fin and the less produced simple rays of the pectoral fins. Three forms have been described as so many species, but the only clear characters are those relating to the colors. Whether the difference of colora- tion is not only one of degree and has not been exaggerated remains to be discovered. The diagnostic phrases below inserted are extracted from Gay's work. Mendosoma lineatum (Gay.) Mendosoma lineata Gay, Historia Fisica y Politica de Chile, Zoologia, tomo ii., p. 212, lam. 5, fig. 2. M. corpore oblongo ; dorso et lateribus viresceutibus, lineis fnscis longi- tudinalibus ; ventre pallide albo ; pinnis fuscis, caudali solum nigro-maculatis emarginata. D. XXII. I. 24. A. III. 18. Habitat. Coast of Chili. Mendosoma CjEkulescens Gay. Mendosoma cserulescens Gay, op. cit., p. 215. M. corpore elongato ; supra casruleo, infra cinero, ita pinnis omnibus. Habitat. Coast of Chili. Mendosoma fernandezianum (Gay.) Mendosoma fernandezianus Gay, op. cit., p. 216. M. corpore subovata, supra subgriseo, infra argentata ; pinnis omnibus nigrescentibus ; lateribus lineis fuscis distinctis, Habitat. Coast of the Island of Juan Fernandez. [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 117 Dactylosparus Gill. Synonymy. Sparus sp. Parkinson. Cheilodactylus sp. Cuv. et Vol., Richardson. Chilodactylus sp. Giinther. Body highest and arched above the ventral fins, convex behind, and with the caudal peduncle very slender. Scales of moderate size. Head moderate, with the crown arched and the profile much decurved. Eyes elevated above the rostro-opercular line and nearer the nape than the snout ; preorbital bones very high ; cheeks scaly. Preoperculum vertical behind, and with its angle broadly rounded. Mouth moderate. Teeth villiform on each jaw, preceded by a row of larger conical ones. Branch iostegal rays 6, 6. Dorsal fin with its spinous and soft portions nearly equally long and high ; the former is con- vex near the middle, and scarcely lower than the soft part behind, with seven- teen spines. Anal fin oblong, with its three spines moderate, and its soft rays subequal. Pectoral fins with one of its simply articulated rays much produced. Type. Dactylosparus carponemus Gill. Syn. Cheilodactylus carponemus Cuv. et Val. Dactylosparus has quite a different aspect from most of the Latridinse, and, as the new name indicates, has a considerable analogical resemblance to a Sparoid, the head being high and much decurved from the nape. The anal fin of the typical species at least has considerably more numerous rays than that of most of the allied genera, and the dorsal is nearly entire. Perhaps the type may be the only known species. Dactylosparus carpokemds Gill. Sparus carponemus Parkinson MSS. Cheilodactylus carponemus Cuv. et Val., Hist. Nat. des Poissons, tome v. p. 362, pi. 128. D. XVII. 31. A. III. 19. P. 17. Habitat. Coasts of Australia and New Zealand. A fish found at Van Diemen's Land was at first referred to the Cheilodac- tylus carponemus of Cuv. and Val. as a variety by Sir John Richardson, but was afterwards distinguished as a peculiar species, under the name of C. as- persus. It is certainly very distinct, and indeed scarcely appears to be con- generic with the C. carponemus, differing from it in the short anal, the much stronger spines and the decided notch between the spinous and soft portions of the dorsal fin as well as by the elevated preorbital bones. The Cheilodac- tylus macropterus of Richardson appears to be most nearly related to his C. aspersus. In the present condition of our knowledge we will not venture to propose a distinct genus, but simply enumerate them in an appendix to Dacty- losparus, under the names bestowed on them by Richardson. Chilodactylus aspersus Richardson. Cheilodactylus carponemus Richardson, Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, vol. iii. p. 99. Not Cheilodactylus carponemus Cuv. et Val., from whom, however, the radial formula is copied. Cheilodactylus aspersus Richardson, Proc. Zoological Society, 1850, p. 64. D. XVIII. 27. A. III. 11. P. 8 | 7. Scales 5557 . (B. 6.) Habitat. Van Diemen's Land. Chilodactylus macropterus Richardson. Scisena macroptera Forster. Cichla macroptera Bloch, Systema Ichthyologise, Schneid. ed., p. 342. Cheilodactylus macropterus Richardson, Proc. Zoological Society, 1850, p. 62. 1862.] 118 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP D. XVII. 26. A. III. 14. P. 9 | 6. Scales 55 ^- Giinther. (B. 6.) Habitat. Australia (Port Arthur, Port Essington) and New Zealand. CHILODACTYLUS (Lacepede.) Chilodactylus Lactpede, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, tom. v. p. 6. Trichopterus Gronovius, Catalogue of Fish collected and described by L. T. Gronow, now in the British Museum, p. 162, 1854. Cynsedus sp. Gronovius, Zoophylacium. Pteronemus Van der Hceren, Handbook of Zoology, vol. ii. p. 177. Ossa branchiostegalia 5 5. Body highest and arched above the ventral fins, and with a moderate caudal peduncle. Scales small. Head moderate, apparently with the crown arched and the profile decurved ; crown and sides of the head scaly. Pre- operculum vertical behind. Operculum with two blunt points separated by an emargination. Mouth moderate. Teeth on both of the jaws villiform. Branchiostegal rays five on each side. Dorsal fin with its spinous and soft parts nearly equal in length ; the former has eighteen or nineteen spines, is convex near the middle, and little lower behind than the soft part. Anal fin short, with its three spines moderate and its soft rays rapidly diminishing in length. Pectoral fins with one of the articulated rays much produced. Type. Chilodactylus fasciatus Lace'pede. The genus Chilodactylus, as now characterized, is distinguished by the form of the head and the presence of only five branchiostegal rays. Its scales are also in the type rather smaller than those of the allied genera. There is per- haps not more than one species. Chilodactylus fasciatus Lacepede. Cynaedus sp. Gronov., Zoophylacium p. 64, No. 221, pi. x. fig. 1. Cheilodactylus fasciatus Laceptde, Hist. Nat. des Poissons, tom. v. p. 6, pi. 1, fig. 1. Trichopterus indicus Gronovius, Catalogue, Gray ed. p. 162. Pteronemus fasciatus Van der Hoeven, Handbook of Zoology vol. ii. p. 177. D. XVIII. 23. A. III. 11. Scales 75. Hob. Cape of Good Hope. The following species may provisionally be retained here ; it differs from Chilodactylus fasciatus by the larger size of the scales and the brevity of the simple pectoral rays. Chilodactylus brachydactylus Cuv. et Vol. Cheilodactylus brachydactylus Cuv. et Vol., Hist. Nat. des Poissons, tome v. p. 361. (B. V.) D. XVII. XVIII. 31. A. III. 9. Scales 50 6-13. Hah. Cape of Good Hope. A species discovered in King George's Sound has been described as approach- ing to C. carponemus in shape, but rather more elongated in the body, and with a more arched spinous dorsal, the situation of the eyes nearer the snout, the abbreviated simple pectoral rags and the naked cheeks. "The disk of the preoperculum is broad, that of the interoperculum fully equal to it, and both these bones and the cheeks are scaleless in the specimen, which has sustained some damage in the head, but not apparently in these places," (Richardson.) If the cheeks are really naked in a normal condition, the species is so distin- guished from every other species of the group of Latrides. It doubtless does not belong to the genus, but it cannot well be characterized until better known. Perhaps the Cheilodactylus brachydactylus belongs to the same genus. Chilodactylus nigricans. Cheilodactylus nigricans Richardson, Proc. Zoological Society 1850, p. 63. Ha b. Australia. [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 119 ACANTHOLATRIS Gill. Synonymy. Chaetodon sp. Carmichal. Cheilodactylus sp. Cuv. et Val., &c. Chilodactylus sp. Giinther. Caput conicum. Pinna analis o 7 >longa spinis tribus robustis et radiis circa iluodecim paulo decrescentibus. Body oblong and subfusiform, higbest above the ventral fins, and with the caudal peduncle slender. Scales moderate or large. Head rather small, conical and with the profile nearly straight. Eyes mostly above the rostro- opercular horizon, and nearly intermediate between the snout and nape. Pre- operculum subvertical behind. Mouth smalL Jaws nearly equal. Lips thick. Teeth pluriserial in each jaw. Branchiostegal rays six. Dorsal fin with its spinous portion rather longer than the soft, arched and with about seventeen stout spines, as high or higher than the soft dorsal. Anal fin oblong, with three robust spines and twelve rays which very slowly diminish in length. Pectoral fin with a simple ray considerably produced. Type. Acantholatris monodactylus Gill. This genus is distinguished by the nearly uniform height of the anal, the strong spines of the dorsal and anal and the conical head. It appears to be most nearly allied to Chirodactylus and Chilodactylus, but differs especially from the first in the development of the anal fin and the strength of the spines, and from the second by the larger scales and the presence of six branchioste- gal rays. The only species of the genus that is well known is the one described by Carmichal in his treatise on the Fishes of Tristan d'Acunha. Acantholatris monodactylus Gill. Chaetodon monodactylus Carmichal, Transactions of the Linnsean Society, vol. xii. p, 300, pi. 21. Cheilodactylus Carmichselis Cuv. et Val., Hist. Nat. des Poissons, tome v. p. 360 ; ib. tome ix. p. 489. Cheilodactylus Carmichselis Cuv. Regne Animal, ed. ill., Poissons, pi. 31, fig- 2. Chilodactylus monodactylus Giinther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, &c, vol. ii. p. 81. Hab. Coast of Chili. CHIRODACTYLUS Gill. Synonymy. Chilodactylus auct. Caput conicum. Pinna analis ad angulum anticum multo producta, spinis tribus et radiis 7 10. Body highest above the ventral fins, declining quite rapidly towards the slender caudal peduncle. Scales of moderate size. Head rather small, much compressed, presenting in profile a conical appearance, with the profile oblique and nearly straight. Eyes on or just above the rostro-opercular line, and mostly anterior. Cheeks and crown scaly. Preoperculum extended below, with the posterior margin vertical. Mouth small. Lower jaw shorter than the upper. Lips well developed. Teeth on each of the jaws pluriserial in front. Branchiostegal rays (J 6. Dorsal fin with its spinous and soft por- tions nearly equally long. The former is convex and highest near the middle, and much lower behind than the soft part. Anal fin short, with its three spines moderately produced at its anterior angle and rapidly diminishing be- hind, so that the rayed margin is nearly vertical. Pectoral fins with one of the simply articulated rays moderately produced. 1862.] 120 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Type. Chirodactylus Antonii Gdl. This genus differs chiefly from Chilodactylus by the form of the head and the presence of six branchiostegal rays. Chirodactylus is distinguished by the conical head, the convex outline of the spinous portion of the dorsal fin and the form of the anal. Two species are known of the genus ; a third, described by Dr. Giinther, is provisionally re- ferred to it, which differs from the first two by the depth of the preorbital bones and the consequent position of the eyes and the brevity of the third anal spine. It appears to have the form of the anal characteristic of the genus, the length of the second soft anal ray equalling three inches three lines in a fish twenty seven inches long. The species may be thus distin- guished. Synopsis. Eye nearer the snout than the end of the operculum. Anal fin III. 7 C. antonii. Anal fin III. 10 C. variegatus. Eye rather nearer the end of operculum than to the snout. Anal fin III. 9 C. grandis. The typical species of the genus are inhabitants of the Chilian seas, while the C. grandis is a native of the Southern African seas. Chirodactylus antonii Gill. Cheilodactylus antonii Cuv, et VaL, Hist. Nat. des Poissons, tome ix. p. 494. Bab. Chili. Chirodactylus variegatus Gill. Cheilodactylus variegatus Cuv. et VaL, Hist. Nat. des Poissons, tome ix. p. 494. Cheilodactylus tschudii Miill. et Troschel, Horse Ichthyologicse vol. iii. p. 25. Cheilodactylus cinctus Tschudii, Fauna Peruviana. Ichthyologia, p. 15, taf. 2. Hub. Chili and Peru. f Chilodactylus grandis Giinther. Cheilodactylus grandis Giinther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, &c, vol. ii. p. 79. GONIISTIUS Gill. Synonymy. Chilodactylus sp. auct. Pteronemns sp. Van Der Hoeven. Pinna dorsalis spinis priinis tribus parvis, quarto elongata; postice incurvata. Body highest before the ventral fins, declining rapidly under the second dorsal to the slender caudal peduncle ; ante dorsal region obliquely convex and carinated. Scales of moderate size. Head rather small, much compressed, with the profile oblique and nearly straight or slightly incurved. Old indi- viduals have a pair of tubercles on the forehead and another on the snout. Eyes below, nearly on a line with the posterior termination of the operculum or suboperculum. Cheeks and crown scaly. Preoperculum posteriorly ver- tical and entire. Operculum spiniform behind and deeply emarginated above. Mouth small. Lower jaw shorter and received within the upper. Lips well developed and free. Teeth on each of the jaws, pluriserial in front, uniserial on the sides. Branchiostegal rays six on each side. Dorsal fin with its spinous and soft portions nearly equally long ; the former has about seventeen spines, the first three of which are very small and graduated ; the fourth is longest, and the outline behind is slightly incurved towards the soft part ; the latter is of a nearly uniform bight, exceeding the last spinous rays. Anal fin short, nearly under the middle of the soft portion of the dorsal, provided with three small spines produced at its anterior angle, and with about eight or nine [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 121 rays, the posterior of which rapidly diminish in length, so that the rayed margin is subvertical. Pectoral fins with the simply articulated inferior rays moderate, and moderately elongated. Type. Goniistius zonatus Gill. This genus is proposed for species of Oriental and Australian fishes that have been referred by previous naturalists to the genus Chilodactylus, from which they appear to differ sufficiently to authorize their separation. They are readily distinguished from all the other Chilodactijii of Cuvier by the struc- ture and outline of the dorsal fir., the size and form of the head, and the en- tire physiognomy. They agree with the Chirodactyli in the form of the anal fin. Three species have been described, one of which has been long known and is now taken as the type of the genus. The most distinctive characters of the respective species are exhibited in the following analytical table : Body with 7 to 10 oblique bands. 9 Head not banded, unicolor. Scales 60 G. zonatus. 16 Head with a nearly vertical band below the eye. Scales 9 54 G. quadricornis. 17 Body with a blackish longitudinal band on the back ascend- ing to the apex of the spinous dorsal ; bands on and behind the head. Scales 63 G. gibbosus. 1. Goniistius zonatus Gill. Cheilodactylus zonatus Cuv. et Vol., Hist. Nat. des Poissons. tome v. p 363, pi. 129. Chilodactylus zonatus Giinther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, &c. vol. ii. p. 82. Hab. Japanese and Chinese seas. 2. Goniistius gibbosus Gill. Cheilodactylus gibbosus Richardson, Proc. of the Zoological Society of Lon- don 1850, p. 65, pi. 2, figs. 3, 4. Hab. Coast of West Australia. 3. Goniistius quadricornis Gill. Chilodactylus quadricornis Giinther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, vol. ii. p. 83. Hab. Sea of Japan. Group NEMATODACTYLI Gill. Latridin;e radiis branchiostegalibus tribus ; caput plerumque nudum. Branchiostegal rays three. Head mostly or entirely naked. NEMATODACTYLUS (Richardson.) Synonymy. Nemadactylus Richardson, Proceedings Zoological Society, 1839, p. 98 ; lb. Transactions of the Zoological Society, vol. iii. p. 116. Dentes maxillis uniseriati, parvi. Body robust, fusiform, highest behind the ventral fins. Scales thin and of moderate size. Head rather small, with the outlines above and below slightly curved to the snout. Eyes mostly anterior, on or scarcely above the rostro- opercular line. Crown and forehead only scaly; cheeks and opercula naked. Opercular bones unarmed. Preoperculum nearly vertical behind. Teeth 1862.] 122 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF uniserial on each jaw. Branchiostegal rays only three on each side. Dorsal fin nearly equally divided ; its spinous portion convex and with seventeen spines, the last of which are lower than the second part. Anal fin oblong, with three moderate spines and about fifteen gradually decreasing rays. Pec- toral fins with one of its simple ra\s produced beyond the rest. The genus Nematodactylus is distinguished from all the other representatives of the family by the presence of only three branchiostegal rays. Notwith- standing this anomalous character, its resemblance to the Latridinse, and especially to Chiredactylus and the allied genera, is such that scarcely a doubt can be entertained as to the affinity of the genus to the rest of the subfamily. Another characteristic feature cf the genus is the nudity of the cheeks. Only one species is known. Nematodactylus concinnds (Rich.) Nemadactylus concinnus Richardson, Transactions of the Zoological Society, vol. iii. p. 116, pi. 4, fig. 2. Habitat. Port Arthur, Van Diemen's Land. Description of a new species of CIRRHITUS. ClRRHITUS ALTERNATUS Gill. The form is similar to that of the typical species of the genus. The region of greatest height is above the ventral fins, and there equals three-tenths (3-10) of the total length ; thence the back is slowly decurved towards the caudal peduncle ; the height behind the dorsal equals an eighth and that at the lowest part of the peduncle a tenth of the length. The thickness at the pectoral region is between a fifth and sixth of the length. The head is very obliquely decurved, and is longer than high ; it nearly equals the height (29-100) to the end of the bony projection of the operculum, and the membranous portion extends two fractions beyond (31-100.) The distance from the snout to the nape equals 23-100 of the total length, and is as great as the height at the latter region ; the height at the pupil equals 18-100 of the length. The interorbital region is channelled or concave. The distance between the orbital ridges is less than the diameter of the eye (4^-100. ) The eye is moderate, the diameter being nearly a fourth of the head's length (7-100 of the total), and is greater than the height of the preorbital, which is about a fifth of the head's length (6-100.) The snout exceeds a third of the same (11-100.) The preoperculum has a convex margin, which is deli- cately serrated above the interoperculum. The preorbital is entirely concealed in the integuments and entire, and equals in height the diameter of the eye. The cheeks are covered with very small scales ; the preopercular border naked ; the operculum and suboperculum have three rows of scales, larger than those of the body ; the interoperculum three in one row ; the operculum two in the lower row and two smaller ones in an upper. The postnasal fringe has two larger filaments and several smaller ones. The cleft of the mouth has a semi- elliptical contour, and is moderate, the supramaxillary bones ending under the posterior border of the pupil. The canine teeth are well developed, two being in the front of the upper towards the sides, and six to eight in the lower in front, while on each side of the lower are also two larger ones. The band of villiform teeth is quite broad in each jaw. The front of the vomer only has a narrow lambdoidal band, and the palatines are unarmed. The dorsal fin commences over the end of the bony operculum and the axilla of the pectoral, or nearly with the third tenth (32-100) of the total length. The spinous portion covers three- tenths (31-100) of the length, and is convex ; the first spine equals a twentieth (5-100) of the total length, and is less than half as long as the third to the sixth inclusive, they equalling a ninth (11-100) of [March, 6 NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 123 the same ; the ninth spine equals 7-100 of the same. The memhrane is not acutely notched, and is penicilligerous behind each spine. The soft portion, inclusive of its spine, exceeds a fifth (21-100) of the length, is higher in front than the spinous and declines little in height. The anal fin commences nearly under the first soft dorsal ray and at the posterior half of the length (53-100) ; the entire base equals 13-100 of the total length, and the soft portion, inclusive of its spine, an eleventh (9-100) ; the latter is much higher than long, and vertical truncated behind when ex- panded ; the second soft or first branched ray is nearly twice as long as the base of the soft part (17-100). The membrane behind the first and second spines is acutely notched ; the length of the first spine nearly equals a twelfth (8-100), that of the second an eighth (12-100) of the total length, and is greater than that of the third. The caudal fin truncated behind and forms nearly a fifth (19-100) of the length. The pectoral fins are well developed, but none of the rays are much elon- gated, the second and third simple rays from the branched being about equal, not a quarter (23-100) of the length, and not much larger than the fourth, which exceeds a fifth (21-100) of the same. There are seven simple rays, the membrane below each of which, except the uppermost, is very deeply and acutely notched. The ventral fins are inserted nearly at the vertical, between the fourth and fifth dorsal spines, and extend backwards to the anus, the length nearly equal- ling a sixth of the total (17-100) ; the spine equals a tenth (10]) of the same ; the first ray is longest and about a quarter longer than the inner. The branched rays of the dorsal are divided from the middle, and the pos- terior branch again divided ; those of the anal are dichotomous, both branches being divided, as are also those of the caudal. Those of the pectorals are unequally branched, like those of the dorsal, the lower branch only being divided. The central rays of the ventrals are thrice divided ; the others are more or less unequally branched. The scales are large, there being only forty along the lateral line ; above are four rows, and below ten. The obliquity is such that a row from the front of the dorsal fall behind the anus. 11 4 [>. IX. 1. lOy. A.III. 5y. C. 6. 1.7. 6.1.5. P. 1.6 | 1. 6. V.I.5. Scales 40j^ The color is grayish or light purplish, apparent on the back in five spots, the first of which is below the third to fifth spine ; the second below the seventh and eighth ; the third below the second to fifth soft rays ; the fourth unpaired and behind the dorsal, and the fifth at the base of the caudal ; below the lateral line are as many more under the superior row, and these alternate below with as many bands as broad as the intervals. The intervals between the spots on the back, especially the last, are band-like. The spinous part of the dorsal is purple, with two lighter longitudinal bands ; the soft part is also purplish at the base. The rays of the caudal and anal are sometimes spotted. The head is purple, and the chin is marked with three purple spots, forming a triangle. The bands are much darker on the back. Body Total length from snout to caudal, 5| 100 Greatest height 30 Height at caudal peduncle behind 12 2 " " in middle 10 Thickness of body at pectoral region 18 Head Length from snout to opercular angle 29 " " opercular membrane 31 " " nape 23 Width at operculum 18 " eyes 14 " between orbits 4 2 1862.] 124 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Height of preorbital 6 Eye Diameter 7 Distance from snout H Dorsal Distance from snout 32 Length to base of last spine 31 " of soft portion 21 Anal Distance from snout. 53 Length.. 13 Length of 1st spine 8 Length of 2d spine 12 Caudal Length of middle ray 19 " outermost rays 19 Pectoral Length of 2d and 3d simple rays 23 " 4th simple ray 21 Ventral Length of 1st ray 17 " spine 10j A single specimen of this species, in very fine condition, is contained in the Smithsonian museum, and was obtained at Honolulu (Sandwich Islands), by the Rev. W. H. Pease. It differs from the other species chiefly in color and the size of the scales, resembling in the last respect the Cirrhitus maculatus. It is nearly related to that species, but differs not only in color, but in the smooth palatine bones, and would consequently be placed in a different genus by Bleeker and Giinther. On the limits and arrangement of the Family of SCOMBROIDS. BY THEODORE GILL. The family of Scombroidse, as established by Cuvier, was a very heterogenous group, containing many dissimilar forms which certainly cannot, in the present state of our knowledge, be characterized or distinguished by any decisive diagnosis, nor is one of the characters given by Cuvier himself either peculiar to his family or applicable to all its constituents. Various attempts have been made to distribute the species referred to the Cuvieran family among natural groups. The most recent of these, and the most valuable on "account of the knowledge of the authors, are those of Drs. Bleeker and Giinther. Neither of those naturalists appear to have been successful in giving an entirely natural arrangement of the family. Dr. Bleeker has not characterized his groups. Dr. Giinther has distinguished his by the number of vertebrae and the compara- tive extent of the dorsal fins. The following arrangement is a sketch of one which it is proposed to shortly publish in more detail. The family thus esta- blished comprises parts of Dr. Giinther's Trichiuridae and Scomberidae, as the characters given to the former are equally applicable to some of the genera of the latter. Family SCOMBROIDS (Cuv.) A. Body fusiform and moderately elongated. First dorsal with less than 25 spines. B. Spinous dorsal abbreviated and widely separated from the soft. Pectorals at the horizon of the eyes Scombrinje. a. Teeth on the palatine arcade Scomber. b. No teeth on the palate Auxis. BB. Spinous dorsal contiguous to the soft, variable. Pec- torals equidistant from the back and breast, or nearer the latter Obtckin^b. C. Tail with cutaneous keel on each side. [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 125 D. Dorsal spines not more than 22. a. Vomer unarmed, al. Dorsal and anal finlets 6. Corslet not scaly. First dorsal XIV , Gymnosarda. a2. Dorsal finlets 8 9. Anal 7 9. Corslet with very small scales. D. XI. XIII Orycnopsis. Corslet with larger scales. D. XVIII. XXII Sarda. aa. Vomer and palatines dentigerous. b. Teeth of jaws rather small. Corslet on the sides before formed by larger scales. D. XII. XV. Lateral line simple Orycnus. Lateral line double Grammatorycnus. bb. Teeth of jaws strong. Corslet obsolete and body generally partly naked. Teeth compressed, nearly equal in each jaw. Dorsal and anal finlets similar, 710. D. XIV. XVI. (XX.) Cybium. Teeth conic, much larger in the lower. Dorsal and anal finlets 4 5. D. XII...Lepidocybium. Teeth conic, subequal. Dorsal and anal finlets 39. D. XV. XVIII Apodontis. DD. Dorsal spines 25, Acanthocybium. CC. Tail not keeled, a. Ventrals I. 5. al. Dorsal and anal finlets developed. 1. Lateral line present. Dorsal and anal finlets 6. Lateral line abruptly decurved behind the last spines Thyrsites. Dorsal finlets 5 ; anal 4. Lateral line nearly straight Thyrsitops. 2. Lateral line obsolete. Skin with spini- gerous or stellate tubercles Ruvettus., a2. Dorsal and anal fins undivided Epinnula. aa. Ventrals represented chiefly by the spines. Preoperculum unarmed. Dorsal and anal fin- lets 2 Prometheus. Preoperculum spinigerous at its angle. Dorsal and anal finlets none Dicrotus. AA. Body very long, (height much less than a tenth of the length.) First dorsal with numerous spines Gempylinje. Spinous dorsal XXX., XXXI. Ventrals minute, I. 5 Gempylus. The types of the respective genera are the following: SCOMBRINLE (Bon.) Sw. 1. Scomber (Z.) Scomber scombrus L. 2. Auxis (Cuv.) Scomber Rochei Risso. - ORYCNIN.E Gill. 3. Orycnus (Cuv.) Scomber alatunga L. S. thynnus L. 4. Grammatorycnus (Gill.) Thynnus bilineatus Riippell. 5. Gymnosarda (Gill.) Thynnus unicolor Riippell. 1862.] 126 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 6. Orycnopsis {Gill.) Scomber unicolor Geoffroy. 7. Sarda (Cuv. 1829.) Scomber pelamys Briinnich. 8. Cybium {Cuv.) Scomber commersonii Lace'pdde. 9. Lepidocybium (Gill.) Cybium flavobrunneum Smith. 10. Apodontis (Bennett.) Apolectus immunis Bennett. 11. Acanthocybium (Gill.) Cybium sara Bennett. 12. Thyrsites (Cuv.) Scomber atuu Euphrasen. 13. Thrysitops (Gill.) Thyrsiies lepidopoides Cuv. et Val. 14. Ruvettus (Cocco.) Ruvettus pretiosus Cocco. 15. Epinoula (Poey.) Epinnula magistralis Poey. 16. Prometheus (Lowe.) Gerapylus prometheus Cuv. et Val. 17. Dicrotus (Giinther.) Dicrotus armatus Gilnther. GEMPYLIN^E Gill. 18. Gempylus (Cuv. 1829 ) Gempylus serpens Cuv. Thus limited, the family Scombroids appears to be a very natural one. The Lepituroidoz appear to be represented by four genera : 1. Lepturus (Artedi.) Trichiurus lepturus Linn. 2. Euplearogrammus (Gill.) Trichiurus muticus Gray. 3. Lepidopus (Gouan.) 4. Aphanopus (Lowe.) The other genera included in the family of Scombroids by Dr. Gunther may be variously distributed. Naucrates Raf., Cubiceps Lowe, Neplomenus Gthr., Platystethus Gthr. and pos- sibly Elacate Cuv., appear to belong to the family of Carangoids. Echeneis (L.) is the representative of a peculiar family. Gasleroschisma Rich, and Nomeus Cuv. we also believe to represent a distinct family. Ditrema (Temm. et Schlegel) belongs to the family of Embiotocoids, as has been shown by Mr. Brevoort, and is very closely allied to Embiotoca and Phane- rodon furcatus. The group of Cyttina is equivalent to the family of Zenoidae Lowe, and is well entitled to rank as such. It is divisible into two subfamilies and five genera : ZEIJLE (Bon.) 1. Zeus (Artedi.) Zeus faber Linn. 2. Zenopsis (Gill.) Zeus nebulosus Temm. et Schley el. 3. Cyttus (Gunther.) Capros australis Richardson. 4. Cyttopsis (GUI.) Zeus roseus Liowe. OREOSOMATIN^J. 5. Oreosoma (Cuv. et Val.) Oreosoma atlanticum Cuv. Zenopsis is distinguished by the presence of osseous plates at the base of the dorsal, and of three anal spines, &c. The Zeus ocellatus of Storer is a member. The genus Cyttopsis has no plates at the bases of the fins, but several intervene between the ventral fins and the anus, and each ventral has a spine and eight branched rays. The Stromateina appear to be entitled to family rank as much as the Caran- goids. The genera are the following: 1. Stromateus (Artedi.) Stromateus fiatola Z. 2. Chondroplites (Gill.) Stromateus atous Cuv. et Val. 3. Stromateoides (Bleeker.) Stromateus cinereus Bloch. 4. Apolectus (Cuv. et Val ) Stromateus niger Bloch. 5. Peprilus (Cuv.) Sternoptyx Gardenii (Bloch) Schneider. 6. Poronotus (Gill.) Stromateus triacanthus Peck. [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 127 Nearly allied to the preceding are the Centrolophinae, with the genera Cen- trolophus Lac, Leirus Lowe and Palinurichthys Gill, Blkr., (=Pammelas Gthr.) Closely connected to the Centrolophinae are the genera Sckcdophilus Cocco and Moplocoryphis Gill, (type Schedophilus maculatus Gthr.) Brama and Taractes appear t j belong to a peculiar family, Pteraclis Gronovius and Plerocombus Fries, the latter of which has been over- looked by Dr. Giinther, seem to constitute a distinct group. Diana Risso and Luvarus Raf. (=Ausonia Risso) probably also constitute a distinct family, as well as Lampris Eetzius. Mene is more related to Equula. Coryphcena is the type of a peculiar family early established. The genus Lampugus is probably, as Bonaparte and Giiuther have believed, identical with it. Valenciennes has announced* a discovery of M. Dussumier proving that the interparietal crest of the male is much more elevated than that of the female, while Dr. Giinther considers the elevation of the crest as the accom- paniment of mature age. Several forms referred by Dr. Giinther to his family of Carangidse should be also withdrawn. They are Pammeias Gthr., which is nearly allied to Centro- lophus, Pseltus Com., Platax Cuv. et Val., Zanclus Com., Capros L., Antigonia Lowe, Equula Cuv. and Gazza Riippell, as well as the group Kurtina. Capros and Antigonia form a family already established by Mr. Lowe ; to it also belongs the genus Hypsinotus (Temm. et Schlegel), included by Giinther in the group of Chaetodontina and family of Chaetodontidae. Equula and Gazza represent another peculiar family (Equuloidaa Blkr.) ; the Equula longimanus of Cantor, is the type of a distinct genus (Clara Gill), dis- tinguished by the composition of the fins (D. X. 15. A. IV. 13), the large scales, entire preoperculum and long pectorals. It is, perhaps, also somewhat doubtful whether Psenes (Cuv. et Val.) belong* to the Caranproids, but it would be premature to separate them until better known. The Trachinotus anomalus of Temminck and Schlegel referred to Psenes differs by the presence of seven branchiostegal rays and of only six dorsal spines ; it may be called Psenopsis anomalus. The genus has a superficial re- semblance to Crius or Palinurichthys. Descriptions of new species of ALEPIDOSAUROID.E. BY THEODORE GILL. In this paper are described two new species of the family of Alepidosauroids, both of which are found in the waters of Western North America, and a third from the Carribean Sea is indicated. They all belong to that subgenus or genus whose members have a spine and twelve branched rays in each of the ventral fins, and of which the only other known species has been very recently described by M. Poey in his " Memorias Sobra la Historia Natural de la Isla de Cuba." The three species appear to agree in all other respects with Ahpi- dosaurus, and have the same elevated dorsal fin. The family of Alepidosauroidae, including the species now described, appears to include seven species, but they require to be critically examined and rede- scribed, as the descriptions hitherto published are not sufficiently character- istic to establish their distinction. Two (Alepidosaurus ferox Lowe and A. azureus Val.) are inhabitants of Madeira, while a third (A. Richardtonii Bikr. ) is found at New Zealand. The family of Alepidosauroids still appears to me to be more nearly allied to the Lepturoidse than Siluroidae, as has been urged by Mr. Lowe, with whom Sir John Richardson, and perhaps Parnell alone of all the native na- turalists of Britain, can well contest the palm of excellence as a scientific * Cuv- et Val. Hist, Nat. des Poisaons. torn? xsi. p. 8. 1862] 128 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP ichthyologist. On another accasion, I will give my reasons for the retention of this family near the Acanthopteri and against the supposed affinity of its members to either the Salmonoids to which Valenciennes has referred them, or the Silnroids, to which Giinther has lately approximated them. The species herein described, as well as the Alepisaurns altivel s of Poey, or those Alepidosauroids, whose ventrals have each a spine and twelve branched rays, may at least be placed in a separate subgenus, to which the name of Caulopus may be given. The number of ventral rays appear to be constant, and as there is rarely so wide an interval as that of between nine and thirteen in the same natural genus, its title to such distinction or even generic rank appears to be good. Alepidosaukus (Caulopus) bokealis Gill. The head has the form and outlines common to the other members of the tribe. The superior surface is flat and declines in a nearly uniform line to the snout, and is sculptured as usual. The height at the vertical of the preoper- cular margin enters nearly four times and a half (44-100) in the length ; the width at the same region nearly equals a fourth (24-100) of the same ; thence it regularly diminishes to the pointed snout. The eyes are circular and normally large, a diameter entering eighteen- hundredths (18-1001 times in the head's length. The distance of the eye from the snout equals two-fifths (40-100) of the length. The nostrils are nearer to the eyes than to the snout, and are situated at the twenty-third-hundredth (23-100) of the length. The operculum is of a rhomboidal form ; above it is straight, and its length exceeds a quar- ter of the head's ; its longest diameter, from the centre of radiation to the postero-inferior angle margin, equals three-tenths of the same ; its posterior margin is nearly vertical, or rather parallel with the preopevculum ; the ante- rior curved upwards from the inferior. Its surface has about eighteen promi- nent stria? or ridges, besides additional smaller ones. The coalescent inferior opercular bone is divided into two parts by an ele- vated stria or ridge, commencing above the articulation of the lower jaw ; the part above that ridge is vertically semi-kastlform, or irregularly triangular, with an oblique emarginated base or posterior side ; from its angle of radia- tion above the lower jaw, about nine stria? radiate ; its least diameter, from the apex to the base or posterior oblique margin, equals an eleventh (9-100) of the head's length ; its greatest, behind the preoperculum, exceeds twice the lat- ter (19-100), while that of its posterior oblique side equals only about an eighth (12-100) of the head. The inferior portion, besides the upper dividing ridge, has one under it continued to the margin, and the whole surface has coarse radiating stria? or ridges, the upper of which are interrupted behind by the anterior of two or three ridges parallel with the posterior border. The lower jaw is robust, and its length is equal to three-fourths of the head's. Its upper outline is slightly arched or convex. Its greatest height is under the last median trenchant small teeth of the sides, where it equals an eighth of the length of the head. The teeth of the intermaxillary bones are very small, acute and numerous, and continued to the angle of the mouth. There are about three very large and nearly equal vomerine teeth, which are slender and considerably curved. The length of the hinder equals a seventh (15-100) of the head's length ; one is unpaired, while the two behind are nearly opposite. The large palatine teeth are shaped like the vomerine and equal in length nearly a tenth of the head's ; there are in our specimen one on the left and two on the right side. The succeeding small trenchant teeth commence con- siderably behind, the first being scarcely before the anterior border of the orbit ; they are not contiguous, and rapidly increase in size, are scarcely cari- nated, and the posterior border is slightly recurved. There are about six. The [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 129 lower jaw lias, first, in front, on each side, two small teeth, then behind a larger, slender, conical and recurved one. Each species has three on the right and four on the left,(normally ?); thirdly, about six small, slender, nearly straight ones ; fourthly, three large, slender, compressed and curved trenchant ones, and behind ten or twelve small, trenchant ones. The large dentary teeth are slender and moderately curved ; the length is four times greater than the height, and nearly equals a twelfth of the head's length. The posterior small trenchant teeth are separated by considerable intervals. The dorsal fin has about thirty-four rays, the first of which is rather stout, and anteriorly has a prominent compressed ridge, crenulated in front ; the distance between the first and second equals about three-fourths of that be- tween the second and third. The ventral fins are as long as the head, and each is composed of a slender spine, crenulated on its external edge, and of twelve rays divided nearly to the base ; the external branches of the last are also more or less deeply divided. Head Length (7| inches) 100 Height at preoperculum 44 Width at preoperculum 24 Eye Distance from snout 40 Diameter of eye 18 Nostril Distance from snout 23 Lower jaw Length 75 Greatest height 13 Intermaxillary bones Length of posterior processes 15 Operculum Length of upper margin 25 Greatest length 30 Height 26 Infraoperculum Length 29 Length of shortest ray above the superior hori- zontal ridge 10 Teeth Length of posterior vomerine tooth 15 Width " " " 3 Length of large posterior dentary tooth 8 Width " " " " 2 This species is probably nearly allied to the Alepidosaurus ( Caulopus) altivelis (Poey) of Cuba, but is distinguished by the length of the ventral fins, which appear to be at least equal to the head, and from others by the form and sculpture of the opercular pieces, as well as by the relative proportion and dimensions of the other parts of the head. A single specimen was obtained in Puget's Sound, by Dr. C. B. Kennedy, the Naturalist of the Northwestern Boundary Survey, under the command of A. Campbell, Commissioner. The head, dorsal, caudal and ventral fins were only preserved. The reflection will naturally arise, whether the individual captured there was not a wanderer from more southern waters. The discovery of a species of the family in such northern waters is a discovery of no slight interest. A plate illustrative of the species will be published in the work on ih^ Fishes of Western North America. Alepidosaurus (Caulopus) serka Gill. The head has the typical generic form, and constitutes about a sixth of the total length. The upper surface is flat, and declines in nearly a straight line to the snout. The height at the preopercular border equals two-fifths (40-100) of the length. Its width at the same place, or above the preoperculum, ex- ceeds a fifth (22-100) of the same, or half of the height ; thence, the width regularly decreases towards the pointed snout. The eyes are of the usual size, the diameter entering about five and haH 1862.] 9 130 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF times (18-100) in the head's length ; they are nearly central, the distance from the snout exceeding the height, (two-fifths (43-100) of the length.) The nostrils are within the posterior half of the interval between the snout and orbit. The operculum is oblong, and has a somewhat trapezoidal form ; its superior margin advances obliquely upwards ; its posterior snbtruncated and nearly parallel with the preoperculum ; its inferior nearly straight and parallel with the upper margin for half of the length of the operculum, and then curved upwards to the centre of radiation, or from the posterior inferior angle to the angle of radiation, it nearly describes the segment of a circle. Its length above nearly equals four-tenths (39-100), and its greatest exceeds three-tenths (33-100) of the head's length ; its greatest height is less than a fifth (18-100). Its radiating strise and ridges are moderately developed, most distinct and distant on the median and superior surface, and finest most approximated and curved beneath. There are about twenty- four, of which half terminate behind. The coalescent inter- and subopercular bones are divided into two portions, an upper and lower ; the upper is nearly equally triangular, with its apex above the articulation of the lower jaw, and its base Innately emarginated and below the operculum ; it has from ten to fourteen radiating strise or slight ridges ; its least diameter, from the apex to the base, equals an eighth of the head's length ; the sides nearly twice as much (23-100). The inferior por- tion is defined above by a straight ridge from the centre of radiation to the end, and scarcely passes beyond the operculum; its greatest length equals tiiree-tenths of the head's ; its surface above is wrinkled parallel with the ob- lique posterior margin, and has slight radiating stria; on its lower half. The form of the lower jaw and the dentition offer important characters. The lower jaw forms three-quarters of the head's total length; its superior outline is nearly straight ; its height is somewhat greatest under the second large tooth, but behind is subequal ; its height there equals a tenth of the head's length. The teeth of the intermaxillary bones are of normal size, very small, acute and numerous. The large vomerine teeth* are greatly developed and stout ; the curve of the posterior is moderate. The length equals an eighth of the head's, and is three times longer than wide. The posterior or large palatine teeth behind have nearly straight posterior borders. The length nearly equals a twelfth of the head's or three-fourths of the palatine. The smaller teeth behind are contiguous at their bases, oblique, broad and with the posterior margin nearly straight or slightly convex near the base. Each has a median ridge on the surface, which is more distinct towards the tip. There are about nine such teeth. The slender and elongated tooth of the front of each branch of the lower jaw is moderately curved ; then follow about twelve slender conical ones ; then three large dagger-shaped ones. The latter are robust ; the posterior margin is at first straight and then slightly curved forwards to the tip ; the posterior tooth has a length equalling half of the hinder vomerine (Go -100), and its width at the base 2\. The posterior smaller teeth are broad and contiguous at their bases ; the anterior border is curved very obliquely backwards, and the posterior is nearly straight. There are from thirteen to fifteen. Each one is carinated along the middle. Of the dorsal fin, only the roots of the first few rays are not preserved, from which it appears that the first must have originated nearly over the postero- superior angle of the operculum ; the ventrals have been also mostly de- stroyed, but enough is retained to show that there were the usual number of rays, one spinous and twelve-branched. * Only the two posterior ones are present in the specimen. QMarch, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 131 Head Length (S inches) 100 Height at preoperculum 40 Width " " 22 Eyes Distance from snout 43 Diameter of eye 18 Lower jaw Length 75 Greatest height 10 Intermaxillary hones Length of posterior processes 12 Operculum Length of upper margin 29 Greatest length 33 Height 18 Iufraoperculum Length 30 Length of shortest ray ahove the superior longi- tudinal ridge 12 Length of its angular processes about 22 Teeth Length of posterior vomerine tooth 14V Width " " " 3| Length of largest dentary tooth 9 Width " " " 3 The present species differs from the Caul opus boreahs by the oblong opercu- lum, the nearly equal triangular shape of the coalescent infraopercular bone above the dividing ridge, but with an oblique excavation at its base which describes nearly the third of a circle, as well as the sculpture of the portion below the dividing ridge. The vomerine teeth are stronger but less elongated, and the palatine approximated and not curved. This fish was discovered at Monterey, Lower California, by Mr. A. S. Taylor, and the head as well as the caudal and ventral fins, all considerably mutilated and "sun-dried," were preserved and forwarded to the Smithsonian Institu- tion, in whose museum they are now contained. The notes of Mr. Taylor describe it as an "eel-like fish," "shaped something like a Barra30uta" (Sphyrana) and apparently "a female (?)" It was " caught near Monterey Rocks, 19 April, 1859." Its weight was seven pounds ; the length "from snout to end of tail four feet," circumference round the belly seven inches ;" it had "simple viscera; the gall bladder, three inches long, was filled with transparent green gall ; it had two simple straight guts ; the female (?) organs of the roe (not impregnated) white and four inches long." It was " evidently in very poor condition." The species is "called ' serra,' or saw fish, by the Lower Californians, but it is a very rare species." The specific name given to it has the advantage of at the same time perpetuating the popular name and of being classical and describing one of the peculiarities of the palatine dentition, which distin- guishes it from the A. (C.) borealis. Alepidosaukus (Caulopus) Poeyi Gill. A species at least very nearly related to the A. (C.) serra, is found in the Caribbean Sea. It has been noticed in M. Poey's " Conspectus Piscium Cuben- sium" as perhaps a new species, or, perhaps, the other sex (sp. nova? an sexus alter?; of his Alepisaurus altivelis. That professor has kindly sent to me outlines of both the Alepisaurus altivelis and the doubtful form, and I find that the dimensions of the latter and the present almost exactly agree in the height of the head, length of the snout, size of the eyes, and depth of the lower jaw. There appears, however, if full reliance is to be placed in the figure^ to be some difference in the opercular bones, that portion of the coalescent, in- ferior, opercular piece, which is above the longitudinal dividing ridge, being much wider towards the. upper angle of the preoperculum, and not deeply excavated on its oblique base, thus approaching the A. (C.) borealis; the operculum itself appears to be less long, its longest ray being little more than 1862.] 132 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF a third (31-100) of the head's length. The head itself is not so large, form ing only a seventh of the total length. Finally, the first dorsal spine is repre- sented as heing nearly over the axilla of the pectoral fin. M. Poey distin- guishes it further from his A. altivelis in his correspondence as follows : "Le337 diffJredu 619 par 15 fois la hauteur dans la longueur totale, au lieu de 13. La tete 7 fois au lieu de 6i. De la base de la pectorale a la base de la ventrale, ily a la mime distance que jusqu' a l'auale, moins , au lieu de moins . Premier rayon-dorsal ^ de i'autre au lieu de |. Le 2e egal le ler. Le 4e est le plus grand. Du 6e au 24 tous sont hauts, et egaux, au lieu que chez 619 le 2 22 sont hauts, egaux. D. 41. Lobe sup. caudal prolonge, lobes separes, trois rayons au melieu. Ventr. d'epassant l'anus et la hauteur du corps. Couleur de la dorsale uniforme. Je n'ai pas note dans 619 que la ler rayon fut rabotteux, a la dorsale." In honor of the gentleman who has thus distinguished the species, it may take the name of Alepidosaorus (Caulopus) Poeyi. On a new Species of PRIACANTHUS discovered in Narragansett Bay, R I. BY THEuDOkE GILL. During a recent visit to Philadelphia, I discovered in the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences, a species of Priacanthus, which was at once discovered to he most nearly allied to a species of Japan. In the same bottle was a note confirming the label and giving the following information : " From Mr. Philip Caswell; taken at Cananicut Ferry, Narragansett Bay, Sept., 1860. Color like Gold Fish." I am assured by Dr. Bridges, one of the principal ichthyologists of Philadelphia, that he is himself conversant with the circum- .stames of its discovery, and that there can be no doubt of the fact of its having been found in Rhode Island as well as Sarothrodus maculo ductus and Hyporthodus Jiavicauda, described in a previous number of these Pro- ceedings, from the same State. The species may be named Pkiacanthus altus Gill. The height of the body equals about a half of the total length, inclusive of the caudal fin. The head forms more than a third of the same. The diameter of the eye in the young specimens is contained 1\ times in the head's length. The posterior nasal aperture is a long curved slit. The angle of the preoper- culum is armed with a strong spine passing beyond the branchial aper- ture. The caudal fin truncated ; the spines of the dorsal and anal fins longi- tudinally striated. The scales are proportionally large. The whole body is rough. 1 D. X. 11. A. III. 9- 1 The body appears to have been reddish or rose colored ; behind and at the pectoral region, the color is plumbeous, but perhaps accidentally so. The dorsal fin has its spinous portion punctulated with very numerous blackish dots, and with two rows of large roundish clear spots, besides a row of smaller basal ones and one of similar small spots near the margin ; the diameter of the large spots nearly equals the space between adjoining spines. The soft portion of the dorsal, as well as the anal and caudal fins, are more or les? dotted with blackish ; the spinous portion of the anal also so thickly covered as to be blackish. The pectoral fins are entirely blackish, the dots being densely crowded. The specimen is little more than an inch (1 1-5) in length. [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 133 There can be no doubt as to the validity of this species, as it widely differs iu the number of its rays from all except one otherspecies of Priacanthus, and especially from the formerly known American ones. The only species which resembles it in the number of the rays of the fins is a Japanese species the Priacanthus niphonim of Cuvier and Valenciennes, and the Fauna Japonica. In other respects also the Japanese and North American species are closely related. The f >rm is nearly similar but the height even greater in ours than in the Priacanthus niphonius, and consequently exceeding that of any other known species of the genus ; the scales of the body and head are very rough ; the ventral fins in the young, at least, entirely blackish ; the spinous portion of the anal fin is also very dark. It is probable that the species undergoes a change of color somewhat similar to the Priacanthus niphonius. The discovery of three new species of fishes on the coast of Rhode Island, all representing forms almost entirely confined to warmer seas, in such rapid succession, is an event of no little interest and importance. The specimens obtained were all young ; single examples only were found of the Sarothrodus ( Chato'lon auct.) maculo-cinctus and the Priacanthus, and two of the Hypor- thodus flavicauda. They were all doubtless brought to the New England shores by the Gulf Stream, which runs near the Rhode Island coa-t, and in which the traveller often finds small fishes, as well as other animals, of which the Isopod Crustacean, described below by Dr. Stimpson, is an example. None of the three species of fishes previously mentioned have yet been seen in the West Indian seas, where they will undoubtedly be hereafter found. It is important also to compare the discovery of these fishes on our own northern shores with the discovery on the Scandinavian and Greenland coasts of forms equally characteristic of the tropics. In another article I will allude to the analogy between the denizens of the Carribean and Japanese seas. On aa oceanic ISOPOD found naar the south-eastern shores of Massachusetts, BY VVM. STIMPSON. In the summer of 1859, while cruising among the south-eastern islands of Massachusetts in company with my friends Dr. Slack and Mr. Ordway, we approached the shores of the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard the Isle of Wight of New England. When becalmed in the Vineyard Sound north of Gay Head, we were occupied in observing the small medusae and other pelagic animals which appeared near the surface of the water. Among them we no- ticed some pretty blue isopods quite new to our shores, which reminded me of forms which I had met with in the temperate parts of both great oceans. They were swimming at the surface and could be easily distinguished from the deck of our boat, even at some distance, by the ripple they made in their progress. Several of them were caught, and found to be Idothece of that oceanic type which has the habits of the miniature sailors Physalia, Velella and Janthina, which are occasionally cast upon our south-eastern shores. It proves to be Idothea robosta Kr. Body strongly convex, two and two-thirds as long as broad, and broadest at the fifth thoracic segment ; lateral outline convex at the thorax, but some- what concave at the abdomen. Surface pubescent. Inner antennae reaching to the penultimate joint of the peduncle of the outer ones, which are less than one-half the length of the body. Thoracic segments protuberant, and laterally somewhat rugose ; their epimera large, distinct and rather sharply projecting. Abdomen strongly three-jointed, with partial separation of a 1862.] "" 134 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF fourth joint, as in other species of the group. Extremity of the abdomen truncated, or slightly excavated. Color in life deep blue beneath the silvery or pearly pubescence. Length 0*8; greatest breadth 0*29 inch. Its nearest ally is /. margaritacea Dana, found in the ocean between Aus- tralia and New Zealand, in which the abdomen is regularly rounded at the extremity, while in our species there is a well-marked angle on either side. On the West African genus HEMICHROMIS and descriptions of new species in the Museums of the .Academy and Smithsonian Institution. BY THEODORE GILL. Mr. P. DuChaillu, the African traveller, obtained among other objects of natural history, specimens of several species of fishes, one of which is a new form of Peters' genus Hemichromis. The genus Hemichromis was proposed, in 1857, by Dr. Peters for Chromoids, having the habit of Chromis or Tilapia, and with a row of conic, brown tipped teeth in each jaw, the two median of which in the upper were considerably larger, and also with an interior row of smaller teeth in the upper jaw. The only species was obtained in Guinea by Pel. Recently, M. August Dumeril has described and figured a species as a new generic type under the name of Chronriichthys elongatus Guichenot. It agrees in every respect with Hemichromis, except in the presence of only one row of teeth in the upper jaw. As, however, the inner row of Hemichromis is formed by very small teeth, it is probable that it has been overlooked by Guichenot and Dumeril, and that their species is therefore a genuine Hemichromis. That genus will then embrace four species, which may be distinguished as follows : Hemichromis fasciatus Peters. Hemichromis fasciatus Peters, Monatsberichte der Koniglichen Preuss. Akade- mie die Wissenschaften zu Berlin, 1857, p. 403. " Fasciis transversis fuscis sex, macula operculari nigra; pinna dorsal i et anali oblique fasciatis, albo marginatis ; pinna caudali supra in/raque albo margi- nata; pinnis ventralibus externe fuscis." D. XIV. 1112. A. III. 910. Habitat. Guinea. (Peters.) Hemichromis adritus Gill. Fasciis quinque, latere medio expansis, macula operculari nigra, margaritacea supra infra /ue m trginata ; pinnis ventralibus externe fusco-purpureis. D. XIV. 11. A. III. 8. Habitat. Gaboon River ? Hemichromis bimaculatus Gill. Unicolor, macula corporis latere unica et operculi apice nigris. 1 1 3 D. XIV. 1. Sy. A. III. 6y. Squam. ser. 25 y. Hemichromis elongatus Gill. Chromichthys elongatus (Guich.,) Dam., Archives du Museum, tome x. p. 257, pi. xxii. lig. 3. Fasciis quinque (macula ope.rcul iri nulla) : squamis buccis quinqueseriatis. D. XIII. 9. A. III. 8. Habitat. Gaboon River. [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 135 Hemichromis aukitos Gill. The body is oblong and arched from the iuterorbital region to the end of the dorsal, both of which are at the same horizon ; the height is greatest under the seventh dorsal spine where it nearly equals three-tenths ( - 29) of the length; behind the dorsal fin, it exceeds an eighth ("13), and at the lowest part nearly equals a ninth ("11) of the length. The greatest thickness is nearly equal to a seventh of the length. The head forms three-tenths ( - 30) of the total length ; its height at the pre- opercular margin bears a proportion to the same length of 23-100, and at the pupil of 18-100. The profile above is perfectly rectilinear, and little oblique along the intermaxillary groove, from the region above the pupil to the sym- phisis of the jaw. The snout is acutely conical and nearly equals a third of the head's length (9-100 of total.) The preorbital bone is highest behind, and exceeds half the diameter of the eye, while between that point and the nostrils it equals the same half. The preoperculum is vertical behind, slightly prominent at its angle and obliquely curved forwards. The operculum forms less than a third (9-30) of the head's length, and its angle is rounded. The subopercular border behind is nearly vertical, and has a shallow emargination, while below it is very obliquely rounded ; the height of the operculum and suboperculum combined exceeds half (16-30) of the head's length. The iu- terorbital region is flattened, and the sinus for the pedicles of the intermax- illary bones is indicated by a semielliptical outline, terminating at the vertical of the front border of the pupil. The teeth are tipped with brown and in a regular row in each jaw, about twenty-five on each side in the upper (25 I. I. 25), and sixteen in the lower 16(-3, 4-)16 ; the two front teeth of the upper are two or three times as long as the others, and that on each side is also rather larger than the others. The three or four teeth on each at the front are somewhat larger and separated from the others. The second series of small teeth, which are also tipped with brown, is separated by a wide interval in front, but gradually approaches the outer row towards the side. The dorsal fin commences over the end of the operculum ; its base is one and a half times longer than the head (44^ of length) ; the spinous portion exceeds the head's length ('31), and the soft is considerably less than half as long (*13^). The spines rapidly and regularly increase in a curved line from the first to the fifth, and behind the latter very slowly increase towards the last ; the first spine nearly equals the lesser height of the preorbital bone ( '3j), and is much less than half as long as the fifth ("8) and less than a third as long as the last one ( - 11). The soft portion is acuminated at the middle or sixth ray, which exceeds by half the length of the longest spine as well as the last ray. The anal fin commences under the third ray of the dorsal fin, and ends under or nearly under or slightly behind its last ; its base exceeds an eighth ("12) of the total length ; the three spines regularly increase ('4; *7; '9) towards the soft part ; the latter is acuminated like the dorsal, its longest ray equal- ling that of the dorsal ("16), and twice the length of its last ray (-8). The caudal fin, when expanded, is almost truncated, the median rays form- ing almost a fifth (*19), and the longest quite equalling a fifth ("20) of the total length. The pectoral fins are slender and equal the longest dorsal and anal rays (*16). The ventral fins are immediately behind the vertical of the lower axillae of the pectorals. The spine equals a third ('10) of the head's length, and is as long as the fifth ray; the first ray is simply bifurcated, and equals - 23 of the total length ; the other rays doubly or triply subdivided. The scales are nearly equal, except on the abdomen, where they are much smaller. There are twenty-five oblique rows, and at its deepest portion thir- teen longitudinal rows, three of which are above and nine below the lateral 1862.] 13b" PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF line, while on the caudal peduncle there are seven rows, three above and three below. The anterior portion of the lateral line runs along eighteen scales, and the posterior along nine. A row from the front of the anus would end above, near the seventh dorsal spine. The scales of the cheeks are in three regular rows, without including those in the limb. D. XIV. 11. A. III. 8. C. 3. I. 7. 7. I. 3. P. I. 1. 13. V. I. 5. The color of alcoholic specimens is purplish brown above, fading into lighter on the sides, where margaritaceous spots on each scale form faint, interrupted longitudinal lines. The sides have five ovate black spots terminating in lighter processes above and below, and forming indistinct vertical bands. The first is above the base of the pectoral fin ; the second on the seventh to ninth oblique rows of scales ; the third above the spines of the anal fin ; the fourth nearly behind the fins, and the fifth at the base of the caudal. The head is uniform and like the body, except at the angle of the operculum, where there is a rhomboidal black spot, and bordered before and behind, below the angle, with margaritaceous. The fins are immaculate ; the ventrals only having the external half dark purple. This species is closely allied to the Hemichromis fasciatus of Peters, but is distinguished from it by the uniform color of the fins, the presence of only five vertical bands, the margaritaceous margination of the opercular spot and the presence of only eight anal rays, the last two of which are simple, but entirely separated. Dr. Peters attributes to his species the formula for the 3 scales 2S -, I do not know whether this indicates the actual number of rows 9 or the sum of those pierced for the two parts of the lateral line. If the latter is the case, it would nearly agree with the H. auritus. Specimens of this species were obtained by Mr. DtiChaillu in the Gaboon River,* and are preserved in the Museums of the Academy of Natural Sci- ences of Philadelphia and of the Smithsonian Institution. Length from snout to end of median caudal rays 4 1 - 100 Body Greatest height 29 Height behind dorsal fin 13 Height of caudal peduncle 11 Length " " lOi Greatest thickness 13^ Head Length laterally , 30 Height at preopercular margin 23 pupil 18 of preorbital end of jaw 4V near nostril 3| Length of snout 9 * Miny specimens of a new Cyprinodont allied io the African Pof-cilia> of A- Dumeril were also collected. It may be called Epiplatys sexfasciatus Gill. Allied to E. homalo- iiutus, but the head above is ohlung, with the snout transversely semicircular and the lower jaw little but uniformly prominent. The caudal peduncle is not consiricted, and its length equals the height behind the dorsal 3 D. 3. 7 (3. 8.) A. 3. 12. Scales 28-. 5 The color is reddish, wiih six bands below the lateral line ; Is', behind the pe toral ; 2d, close before the ventral ; 3d, close before the anal; 4ih, over ninih to eleventh anal rays ; 5th, behind dorsal ; 6th, at end of caudal peduncle. The name of Epipla lysis proposed for the present species and the Poccilia omalonata , P. spi/lara-i/rcia and P. spitanchen of A. Dumenl, which differ from the true Poecilite ? P. vivipara Schneid., P. Surinamensis Val.) by the longer anal, whose hinder portion is opposite to thf dorsal, &c. Mollinesia is distinguished by the difference of the sexes and the large dorsal. [March, it cc NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 187 Length of front operculum 9 Height of operculum and suboperculum l(i Width of interorbital area 8k Eye Diameter 7\ Dorsal Origin from snout 32 Length of base 31 + 13V Height at first spine 3i " " fifth spine s" " " lastspine 11 " " longest ray 16 " " last ray 9 Anal Origin from snout 57 Length of base 12 Height at first spine 4 " " second spine 7 " " third spine 9~ " " longest ray 11 " " last ray..." 8 Caudal Length of median rays 19 " ' longest rays 20 Pectoral Length 16 Ventral Length of spine 10 " " first rav 23 " fifth ray 10 Hemichromis bimaculatus Gill. The form is similar to that of its congeners, and is highest under the fifth and sixth dorsal spines, the height there somewhat exceeding a quarter ("26) of the extreme length ; that of the caudal peduncle, behind the anal fin, equals half of the greatest height, and that of the lowest part exceeds a ninth (11 2) of the total length, and is considerably greater than the length of the peduncle. The thickness of the body at the pectoral region equals half the height (-13). The head forms three-tenths (*30) of the length ; its height at the preoper- cular margin exceeds a fifth ( - 22), and that at the pupil nearly equals a sixth (16) of the total length of the fish. The length of the snout equals an eleventh (*9) of the same, and exceeds twice the height of the preoibital bone (*4). The length of the operculum is twice as great as the height of preorbital (*8). The eyes are oval, and the longitudinal diameter equals the length of the operculum (-8), and is greater than the width of the forehead between them ; the latter is plain, the emargination for the intermaxillary processes being very shallow and extending little beyond the anterior borders of the orbits. The mouth is small and oblique ; the supramaxillars extend backwards to the anterior borders of the orbits. The larger teeth are moderate, uniserial and nearly or quite contiguous in each jaw; there are about twenty on each side in the upper and seventeen in the lower jaw, besides the two larger on each side in front in the upper and one equal in size to the rest, but removed backwards on each side in the lower ; the teeth of the inner, small, transverse row of the upper jaw are well devel- oped, but much smaller than the outer, and two to four on each side separated by a wide interval from those of the opposite side. The dorsal fin commences over the base of the pectoral, or at a distance from the snout exceeding the head's length (*31) ; its spinous portion equals 28 of the total length, and its soft nearly an eighth (-12) ; the former in- creases in a gradually curved line towards the soft portion, the first spine being very short (*2i), the fourth more than twice as long (-6), and the last nearly four times as long (*09). The soft portion is produced at the median 1862.] 138 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP rays which equal at least a sixth of total length, while the last double ray equalt a tenth. The anal fin commences before the vertical of the last dorsal spine and is coterminal with the dorsal fin, its base equalling a seventh ( - 14) of the total length. The three spines rapidly increase in length, equalling respectively the first, fourth and fifteenth dorsal ones ("02.], -06, - 08) ; the produced median rays nearly equal a seventh (-15) and the last a tenth ('10) of the total length. The caudal fin appears to have been truncated behind and rounded at its angles, and forms nearly a fifth (-19; of the length. The pectorals nearly or perhaps quite equal the caudal in length. The ventrals are also about equal to the caudal. The scales are normally large, there being about twenty-five oblique rows ; the anterior portion of the lateral line runs through eighteen and the posterior through nine scales. There are three rows above and nine below the lateral line in front, and on the caudal peduncle three above and three below. The buccal scales appear to be triserial. 1 1 D. XIV. 1. 8 -. A. III. 8 -. C. 2. 1. 7. 7. 1. 2. P. 2. 12. V. I. 5. 1 1 The color is uniformly purplish red, fading into lighter below. There is a single vertical black spot under the lateral line, below the twelfth and thir- teenth dorsal spines. The operculum is also black at its angle. The following is a table of the relative proportions of the species ; the measurements in this, as in all other cases, being taken by compasses, and indicating the direct dimensions without consideration of any curvature. Extreme length 3| 100 Body Greatest height 26 Height behind fins 13 Least height of caudal peduncle 11} Length of peduncle 9 Head Length 30 Height at preoperculum 22 " " pupil 16 " of preorbital bone *4 Length of operculum 8 Length of snout 9 Greatest width 13 Width of interorbital area 7 Eye Diameter 8 Dorsal Distance from snout 31 Length of spinous part 28 Height at first spine 2J " " fourth spine 6 " " last spine 9 Length of soft part 12 Height at longest ray 17 " " last ray 10 Anal Length of base 14 Height at first spine 2i " " second spine..... 6 " " third spine 8 " " longest ray 15 " " last ray 10 Caudal Length of external ray 19 Pectoral Length 18 Ventral Length 18 [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 139 This is a very distinct species, readily distinguished by the small mouth and short intermaxillary processes, as well as by its dimensions and the color. A single specimen is in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, to which it has been transferred from the former National Institute of the City of Washington. There is no indication of locality, but it is probable that it was sent from Liberia. With it are three other species, a foetal Rhirtobatus, a new Clarias* and a new Mormyroid,\ all in a poor state of preservation. Three African genera of Chromoids appear to be now known, all of which differ from the American ones. All have a regular form, interrupted lateral line, large scales and three anal spines. They may be briefly distinguished as follows : Tilapia A. Smith, A. Dumeril. Chromis Heche! , Miiller, Peters, Giinther, (nee Cuv.) ? Coptodon Gervais. (? = Haligenes Gthr.) Corpus ovatum ; caput breve ; dentes apicibus oblique espansis, uni vel bi- emarginatis, in maxilla superiori triseriales, inferiori biseriales. Type. Tilapia nilotica. Haligenes G-Linther. Corpus ovatum; caput breve; dentes apicibus oblique expansis, uni vel biemarginatis ; in maxilla superiori biseriales, serie interna minores, infe- riori uniseriales. Type. Haligenes Tristrami Giinther. Hemichromis Peters. Corpus oblongum ; caput oblongo-conicum, acutum ; dentes conici, apici- bus nigri, in maxilla superiori biseriales, serie interna minuti, inferiori uni- seriales. Type. Hemichromis fasciatus Peters. * Clarias la-viceps Gill. Height at anus a lenth of length; head (laterally) a sixth; its breadth an eighth ; the surface smooth ; maxillarv barbels lwice as long as head. D. 86. A 61. t Marcusenius brachyistius Gill. The height in front of the anal fin equals a fit' li of the length, exclusive of the caudal, and scarcely exceeds the length of the head. The distance of the short dorsal from the snout is three and a half times ('69) greater than the head's length; the anal has about ten rays before and four behind lhe dorsal. The pectorals are shorter than the head ( 15) and scarcely extend as far as the bases of the ventrals. The head is decurved and the snout convex. All the teeth (about six in each jaw) are em irgin.ued. D. II. 1. 14. A. II. 1. 24. Scales 50; between ventrals and lateral line 10 rows; in 9 front of anal I. 9 Widely distinguished from its congeners (itf. anguilloides, M. Tucheyi and M. zamba- nerije) by the radial and scale formula?. The Mormyroids are divisible as follows: I. Dorsal very long. Vomer covered by anterior processes of pala- tine bones; cerebellum entirely concealed above. . . Mormyrin.e. Muzzle tubulifurin (M. caschive Has.) ...... Mormyrus. Muzzle obtuse (M. Hasse/quistii Geoff.) Mormyrodes. II. Dorsal more or less abbreviated. Vomer uncovered. Cerebellum and quadrigeminal bodies more or less exposed above. . . Petrocephalin^e. A. Snout not produced ; mouth not continued to vertical of eyes. a. Anal (25 50), not more than twice as long as dorsal Lower jaw prominent, M. anguilloidex. L . . . Motmyrops. Upper jaw longer, (M. cyprinoidex L.) .... Marcusenius. b. Anal three times as long as dorsal. Palatal teeth pixiform (M. dorxalix Geoff.) . . . Hyperopisus. B. Snout produced. Mouth under eye, (M banc Val.) . . Pe.rocephalus, 1862.] 140 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF Catalogue of the Fishes of Lower California in the Smithsonian Institution, collected by Mr. J, Xantus. BY THEODORE GILL. PART I. Mr. John Xantus, when stationed at Cape St. Lucas, Lower California, as a tidal observer for tbe coast survey, brought together a very large collection of objects of natural history, among which is a most excellent series of the fishes of the coast. The collections were formed under the auspices and direction of the Smithsonian Institution, to which the species were sent from time to time and deposited in its museum. By permission of the Secretary of the Institu- tion, 1 propose to give a preliminary synopsis of the species discovered on that coast, embracing descriptions of the numerous new species. At a future time I trust that I shall be enabled to publish a more complete monograph accom- panied by figures of the various species. The following descripiions are, how- ever, pertinent, and will enable naturalists, in most cases, to readily identify the species. The Pomacentroids are the only ones, I believe, concerning which there can be doubt, but I think ihat I have succeeded in giving them, also, their distinctive characters after an examination of many species. In the final part of this catalogue, the peculiarities of the Fauna of Lower California will be discussed, and its relations to that of other regions. Some species are common to even the temperate seas of South America and the West Indies, but a very large proportion of those discovered are new. Family LABROID^E (Cuv.) Bleeker. Subfamily Labrinae (Bon.) Gill. The representatives of the Labrinae found in the California waters belong to the "group" of Julidina, characterized by Dr. Gunther in his excellent Synop- sis of the Labroid Genera. The course of the lateral line appears to be more important than the number of spines, and, consequently, we may associate those Labroids with an interrupted or suddenly deflected line (except Gotn- phosinae) in one subfamily, (Xirichthyinae) and provisionally refer the rest of the Julidina, the Hypsigenina and Labrina of Dr. Gunther to one subfamily, (Labrinae) as I know of no important characters coincident with the number of dorsal spines. Only one species of the Labrinae inhabiting the California coast has been hitherto described. It is the Semicottyphua pulcher Gthr. (Labrus pidcher Ayres.) Two new species are now described, both of which belong to the genus Harpe (Lac.) or Cossyphus Cuv., (not Fabricius.) Genus HARPE Lac. This may be retained as by Lacepede for those species whose median dorsal and anal rays become much extended in the adult. The Cossyphus axillaris Cuv. et Val*. &c, may be then referred to a new genus (Lepidaplois) distin- guished by the nearly uniform anal. Harpe diplot^enia Gill. The greatest height, inclusive of the scaly sheath of the dorsal fin, equals a fourth of the length from the snout to the end of the median caudal rays. The bead scarcely exceeds the height ; its profile is not or very little gibbous in the adult. The preoperculum is entire or scarcely crenulated ; its posterior margin is vertical, and its angle obliquely rounded. The eye is subcircular, contained about six times in the head's length, and distant from the snout about two diameters and-a-half. The height of the preorbital bone equals half the length of tbe snout. The mouth is moderate, the supramaxillary bone ending [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 141 nearly under the posterior nostril. The four canine front teeth of the upper jaw are conoid, and of nearly equal size, the two median curved slightly for- wards, and the external downwards and sideways ; the four of the lower jaw have nearly the same inclination forwards ; the two median are aubot half as long as the external, contiguous to them, and themselves inclining towards each other. Behind the canine teeth are small granular ones. The acuminated dorsal and anal fins increase in length with the age of the fish, and in the adult the former extends nearly to, and the latter beyond the median caudal rays, while the external rays of the caudal are twice as long as tbe median. The ventrals of the adult are also elongated, and extend to the third anal spine. The pectorals are as long as the head in front of the oper- culum. The scales are moderately large, there being thirty-three along the lateral line, five rows above, at the origin of the dorsal fin, and twelve rows beneath. On the caudal peduncles there are four rows above, and five beneath. D. XII. 11. A. III. 13. The color is brownish yellow, reticulated on the trunk with a dark brownish hue, which margins each scale. A dark band commences behind the snout, obliquely tends towards the eye, and behind is divided into two, the upper of which runs along the oculo-scapular groove, is continued high on the side, and nearly joins the corresponding one on the back of the caudal peduncle; the lower one croises the operculum at its angle, and on the caudal peduncle runs along the lateral line, but ceases before the end of the latter, and alternates with two spots behind the base of the caudal fin. A band less distinct runs on the head from the angle of the mouth, and passes close above the angle of the preoperculum. The pectoral fins are immaculate and yellowish ; the spi- nous dorsal has its postspinal tips orange ; the posterior parts of the dorsal and anal as well as of the caudal are yellowish, while the rest is darker. The first ray of the ventrals is orange. Two specimens of this species were sent to the Smithsonian Institution by Mr. Xantus ; one is in spirits and is nearly nine inches long. The dorsal ex- tend back to the end of the caudal scales ; the anal to the base of the lower caudal rays; the external caudal rays are scarcely produced; the ventrals do not extend to the anus. The other is about sixteen inches long; the dorsal ends raiher behind the caudal scales, while the anal is much produced, and ex- tends as far back as the posterior caudal margin ; the external caudal rays of the naked part of the caudal are nearly twice as long as the others. Haupe pectorallis Gill. The greatest height is little more than a third of the length. The head is con- tained about three times and a third in the same length, and in the young is symmetrical and conical, the profile being nearly straight, but in the adult the loreuead is very giboous above the eyes Tne preoperculum is either entire or very slightly crenulated, vertical behind, and with its angle obliquely rounded and curved forwards. The eye is subcircular, and its diameter a little less than a six'h of the head's length; it is disant two and-a-half times its diameter from the snout; the height of the preo bital bone equals half the length of the snout. The mouth is moderate, the supramaxil'ary b me ending nearly under the posterior nostril. The four large teeth of the upper jaw are nearly equal in size; the median are approximated and curved outwards, and are separated by a diastema from the external, each of which is curved downwards ar.d out- wards. Of the front teeth of the lower jaw, the two median are very small, nearly vertical, and separated by a diastema from the external, which are as large as those of the upper and directed forwards. Behind the large teeth is a band of granular ones. The summits or angles of all the fins, except the pectoral, become elongated with advancing age, so that, finally, the dorsal extends backwards nearly to, 1862.] 142 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF and the anal beyond the median caudal rays; the external caudal rays increase, and become twice as long aa the median, and the ventral extend backwards nearly as far as the base of the anal. The pectorals are constant in their pro- portion, and equal the length of the head exclusive of the operculum. 5 4 D. XII. 11. A. III. 13. Scales 3233 . 12 5 When dried, the color is brownish-yellow, and reticulated, the margin of each scale being darker. The terminal halves of the posterior dorsal and anal fins, as well as of the shorter caudal rays, are orange ; the largest caudal rays, and the anterior borders of the dorsal and anal are reddish ; the rest of these fins, as well as the ventrals, are darker. The pectorals are orange, with its tip marked by a large dark spot. " When alive, a yellow patch of the size of a half dollar is just behind the side (pectoral) fins. Head, tail, and all the fins bright red, with the tips black and yellow. Whole body bright blue." It is allied to Harpe rufus Cossyphus ?/; Gthr., or Cossyphus bodianus Cuv. There are three specimens in the collection: 1st. One a foot long from the snout to the concavity of the caudal, beyond which the external rays project about an inch ; the dorsal extends little beyond the scaly sheath of the caudal, and the anal to the middle of the external rays ; the ventrals reach the anal. The forehead is not gibbous. 2d. One sixteen inches long to the concavity of the caudal fin, of which the exposed parts of the external rays are twice as long as those of the others ; the dorsal extends backward nearly to, and the anal beyond the caudal margin; the ventrals pass the middle of the base of the anal. The hump of the fore- head exceeds by a half the eye's diameter. 3d. An old specimen, two feet long, with the caudal lobes rather more pro- duced, but the dorsal, anal and ventrals rather less than in the second. The hump on the forehead is very elevated, and twice the diameter of the eye. Subfamily XIRICHTHYINAE Gill. Group JULIDES. Genus JULIS (Cuv.) Giinther.* JULIS LUCASANCS Gill. The height at its highest part equals a fifth (19-20) of the total length. The head is oblong, moderately decurved in front of the eyes, and forms nearly a quarter of the total length ; its height above the preopercular margin nearly equals two thirds (15-24) of its own length, and over the pupil, a half (12-24). The length of the snout equals a third and is about twice as great as the height of the pieorbital. The diameter of the eye equals a quarter of the head's length. The interorbital area is nearly arched transversely, and its shortest width exceeds the diameter of the orbit. The dorsal fin commences nearly over the bases of the ventral fins, and is * The Julis modeling of Ciirard (Halichceres cali/ortiicus Gther) belongs to this genus. The discnption by (iirard of ihis species, as well as most oihers, is very defective, the churacters being chiefly vague or generic. 'J lie Julis modestus has an oblong, acutely 2 3 conic head ; D. VIII. 14 j scales 26 -. Lin. lat. ant. 20 ; the tubes of the lateral lines JO 3 simple and straight. 1 have not seen the Julis semic'nctus of Ayres, bui on account of its height and the presence of nine dorsal spines, am inclined to refer it to Hulichreres, or rather V/iceroju/is, the former name being preoccupied for a genus of Seals. Ayres, like Girard, may have mistaken the number of ypines, but it may be assumed ihat he is correct. [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 143 nearly uniform at its respective parts, the soft being rather higher than the spinous. The anal fin commences at or close before the middle of the length. The caudal, when expanded, is truncated, and forms a sixth (*17) of the total length. The pectorals have very oblique bases, and equal in length the height of the body, (*19). The ventrals are inserted somewhat before the lower axilla of the pectoral, from which each is separated by a space equal to the base of the pectoral. The length equals an eleventh of the total. The tubules of the lateral line are generally more or less trifid (rarely quad- rifid) on each scale. 1 D. VIII. 13. A. III. 10 -. Scales 25. 1 The color of the upper half, except a lighter band below the dorsal fin, is lark purplish, and abruptly separated from the light brownish or rose of the lower half. The soft portion of the dorsal is margined with whitish ; the rest, as well as almost the whole of the spinous portion, is dark. The basal half of the anal is light brownish, and the margined half whitish. The cau- dal has above and below a narrow marginal line of whitish and a submar- ginal purplish band ; the rest is yellowish. The upper axilla of the pecto- rals has a dark purple dot. Many specimens of this species, the largest of which is three inches long, were obtained by Mr. Xantus. Group XIRICHTHYS. This group, embracing the Xirichthyinse with an interrupted line, is repre- sented by a number of genera which may be briefly characterized as follows : I. Dorsal spines 9 (10). A. First two spines forming a distinct fin. Cheeks with small scales Novacula. Cheeks naked (Xirichthys pavo C. V.) Iniistius. B. Dorsal fin continuous. C. Cheeks naked. <*. Scales large. Ventrals thoracic Xirichthys. Ventrals subjugular (Xir. tceniurusC. V.) Malacocentrus. /?. Scales small (Xir. micro! epidotus C. V.) Cymolutes Gthr. CC. Cheeks with large scales. a. Supramaxillars normal. 1. Head and eyes moderate. Dorsal and anal acutely angulated near end Cheilinus. Dorsal and anal angulated at end (Cheil. arena- tus C. V.) Oxycheilinus. 2. Head very large ; eyessmall ( Cheil. undulatus C. V.)..Crassilabrus. 0. Supramaxillars prelonged behind by a membran- ous extension Epibulus. II. Dorsal spines 11 Cirrhilabrus. There is another genus (Doratonotus Gthr.) which is said to have the spinous portion of the dorsal strongly depressed in the middle. It has as yet been only indicated. The Xirichthys altipinnis of Ruppell has a similar depression of the dorsal. Xirichthys mundiceps Gill. The greatest height close behind the ventral fins nearly equals a quarter (23-100) of the total length ; the elevation above the axis is nearly uniform at the spinous dorsal, but under the soft is slowly decurved to the caudal pe- 1862.] 144 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP duncle ; the preanal region is nearly horizontal, but behind is nearly recti- linear and slowly trends upwards to the caudal. The height of the caudal peduncle equals a tenth (*10) of the total length. The head is scarcely longer than high, and curved from the dorsal to the eyes ; it is laterally rhomboid, the profile in front of the eyes descending down- wards in a nearly straight and oblique line at an angle of about 43 to the longitudinal axis of the body, and nearly parallel with the preoperculum. The length from the snout to the end of the subopercular membrane con- stitutes a quarter of the total, and is a fifth greater than the height at the vertical margin of the preoperculum. The snout (from the orbit to the sym- phisis of the intermaxillaries) is more than a third (9-27) of the head's length, and nearly twice (9-5) as great as the oblique height of the preorbital. The eye is moderate, the diameter being contained between five and six (4}-25) times in the length of the head ; the distance from the profile equals two- thirds of that diameter ; that from the lower margin of the preoperculum nearly (8-9) equals the distance from the snout. The preoperculum is rounded at its angle, vertical behind and horizontal below. The operculum equals the depth of the preorbital, and the suboper- culum extends nearly an eye's diameter, the distance between the end of the subopercular membrane and the preoperculum equalling the height of the operculum behind the latter. The dorsal fin commences nearly over the middle of the operculum, or more than a fifth ('21) of the total from the snout ; the spinous portion occupies a quarter (*25), and the articulate much more than a quarter ("29) of the total length. The spinous portion is nearly uniform, the first spine nearly equal- ling the diameter of the orbit (*4) and the second and following exceeding it, (5 *6) : the whole fin almost imperceptibly increases towards the middle ol the soft part. The articulated rays are not branched, the last only being di- vided at its base. The anal fin commences behind the second fifth of the length and nearly under the ninth dorsal spine ; its base equals a third (*33) of the total length ; its height is nearly uniform. The caudal is scarcely convex, and forms a sixth (*17^) of the length. The pectoral fins extend nearly to the vertical of the anus, and equal in length a sixth ("16) of the total length. The ventrals are inserted under the lower axilla of the pectoral, and the length equals an eleventh (*9) of the total ; they are acutely pointed, the first ray being considerably longest. The scales are in twenty-four oblique transverse rows ; at the region of great- 1 3 est height in ten longitudinal ones, (-) and on the caudal peduncle in seven (-) 9 3 rows. The lateral line is composed of simple tubules ; its elevated part runs through nineteen and its caudal portion through five scales. 11 1 13 D. IX. 11 - - A. III. 10 -. Scales 24 . Lat. line 195. 19 1 8 3 The color is uniform flesh-colored tinged with brown. Total length, 3| 100 Body Height over ventrals 23 " of tail 10 Width 8 Head Length 2. r > Width & Height at preoperculum 20 Height of preorbital 5 Length of operculum 1" [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 145 Orbit Diameter 4 J Distance from snout 9 " " profile 3 " above preoperculum 8 Dor3al Distance from snout 21 Length of spinous part 25 soft part 29 Anal Distance from snout 42 Length 33 Caudal Length 17 Pectoral Length 16 Ventral Length 9 Numerous specimens were obtained by Mr. Xantus, but most of them are very small ; the largest is less than four inches long. Genus INIISTIUS Gill. Iniistius mdndicoupds Gill. This species has the same form of the head and body as Iniistius pavo. The greatest height equals three-tenths (-30) of the length and that of the caudal peduncle a ninth (.11) ofthe same. The head forms less than three-tenths ( - 28) of the length, and is equal to the height over the preoperculum. The eye is small, its diameter entering seven times (-4) in the bead's length; it is distant a diameter from the profile. The height of the preorbital equals a tenth (-10) of the total length. The front teeth ofthe upper and lower jaws are nearly equal, and those of the latter are received between those of the former. The anterior occipital spine equals the length of the pectoral and nearly a fifth (-19) of the total. The ventrals exceed a seventh (-15) of the length and are inserted en- tirely under the upper angle of the base of the pectoral. The caudal scarcely forms a seventh ( - 14) ofthe length. 1 1 D. II. VII. 22, 19 -. A. 3, 11 -. C. 2, 5, 5, 2. P. 2, 10. V. I. 5. Scales 1 1 2 3 2 24 . 25 inclusive of large one on caudal, behind occipital fin ; at anus-. 10 10 8 The body is yellowish or brownish and entirely immaculate. The dorsal alone has several oblique bars between its rays. One specimen, nearly ten inches long, was obtained by Mr. Xantus at Cape St. Lucas, and is now in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. The right front tooth ofthe lower jaw is deflected forwards horizontally. Family POMAGENTROIDM. Genus EUSCHISTODUS GUI* This name is appropriated to a group of Pomacentroids having nearly the same physiognomy as Hypsypops, but the teeth, instead of being entire, are very * A second species of this genus is an inhabitant of Panama, where it was discovered by Capt. J. M. Dow. The forehead is transversely convex but not arched, the profile in front less steep, the preorbital higher behind, and the caudal peduncle shorter than in Euschiatodusdeclivifrons. D. XIII. 12. A. II. 10. 4 3 Scales 26 , L. 1. 21. 10 3 The color is uniformly chocolate or purplish brown ; the bases of the pectorals with falciform black line pointed below. The species may be named Euschislodus concolor. 1862.] 10 146 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP deeply and acutely notched. The genus Glyphidodon, whose teeth are emar- ginated, have al30 a short conic head and low (or narrow) preorbital bones. Er/SCHISTODUS DECLIVIFRONS Gill. The region of greatest height is at the sixth dorsal spine ; the height there, exclusive of the dorsal sheath, -45 of the total length ; behind the vertical fins the height equals -18, and at the lowest portion of the caudal peduncle -.15 of the length. The outline from the dorsal fin to the nape is convex and very obliqne, then rectilinear, and at an angle of 50 to the axis as far as the interorbital region, which is transversely convex ; in front the profile is also nearly rectilinear and at an angle of about 73 ; the snout, or rather jaw. is convex or curved inwards. The length of the head forms a quarter of the length, inclusive of the median caudal rays, and equals the height at the vertical of the pupil, but is a sixth less than that at the vertical of the preoperculum. The nape is above the hinder margin of the orbit. The length of the snout exceeds a third (9-25) of the head's, and is twice as great as the greatest depth of the preorbital bone and nearly three times (9 3J) as great as the depth at the angle of the mouth. The preoperculum is entirely vertical behind, horizontal below and obtusely angulated. The operculum forms about a third of the head's length (-81) ; the operculum and suboperculum together are two and a third times (20 8|)~higher than the length of the operculum. The eye is contained nearly three times (9-25) in the length of the head, and the interorbital area is transversely arched and exceeds the eye's diameter. The mouth is small and its periphery semioval ; the lower jaw is considerably shorter than the upper. The supramaxillary bone ends under the anterior mar- gin of the orbit. The lower lip has a free margin, but it is partially attached at the symphysis. The dorsal fin commences at the vertical from the upper axilla of the pec- toral fin ; its spinous portion nearly equals two-fifths (-39) and its soft a seventh (14) of the total length; the spines progressively increase in a curved line towards the fifth, the first spine equalling half the length of the ventral spine (5) ; the fifth, from its hase, much exceeds (-13), and on its exposed part nearly equals (-10) twice its length; thence they diminish towards the last, which equals the length of the exposed part of the fifth. The soft part at its middle equals the height immediately behind the fin ("18) and is much more than twice as great as the length of the last ray (-7). The anal fin begins under the penultimate spine, and its soft part is similar to and opposite the corresponding part of the dorsal. The length of the first spine nearly equals that of the first dorsal one (-5), and the second is twice as long (-11). The caudal fin is emarginated and its lobes rounded ; its median rays form 18 of the total length and are a quarter less than the longest (-25). The pec- torals are rounded at the angles and equal in length "22 of the total. The ventral fins are inserted a little behind the bases of the pectorals. The spine equals the second anal (-11) and is half as long as the first and longest ray (=22) and equal to the internal (-11). The scales are arranged at the region of greatest height in fifteen rows( ) and on the caudal peduncle in seven / \. There are twenty-six obliquely transverse rows, and twenty-one are perforated for the upper part of the lateral line. The scales of the cheeks are in three rows. The formula for the fins and scales are as follows : D. XIII. 12. A. II. 12. C. 5. I. 7. 6. I. 4. P. I. 1. 17. V. I. 5. Scales 4 3 2526 L. 1. sap. 2021. 10 3 [March, NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 147 The color is greenish, tinged with brassy and with lighter areas in the centres of the scales on the sides, which form faint, uninterrupted lines. There are six transverse dorsal bands ; the first almost obsolete before the dorsal fin ; the second under the third to fifth spine; the third under sixth to eighth; the fourth under the tenth to twelfth ; the fifth under the anterior half of the soft portion, and the sixth behind the fin. Length from snout to end of median caudal rays (3-J) 100 Body Greatest height ." 43, 45^ Height behind vertical fins 18 " of caudal peduncle 15 Greatest thickness 17 Head Length laterally 25 Height at preopercular margin 30 " at pupil 25 " of preorbital at end of jaw 3J " " at highest part 4| Length of snout 9~ Length of operculum 8f Height of operculum and suboperculum 20 Width of interorbital area 9^ Eye Diameter 9" Dorsal Origin from snout 27 Length of base 3914 Height at first spine 5 " " fifth spine (10)-13 _ " " last spine 8,10 " " longest ray 18 " " last ray 7 Anal Origin from snout 57 Length of base 19 Height at first spine 5 " " second spine 11 " " longest ray , 18 " " last ray 7 Caudal Length of median rays 18 " " longest ray 25 Pectoral Length 22 Ventral Length of spine 11 " " firstray 22 Seven specimens of this species, varying between nearly two and four inches were obtained by Mr. Xantus. Genus HYPSYPOPS Gill. This genus, framed for Glyphidodonle, with elevated preorbital bones and entire teeth, is rather allied to Pomacentrus than to Glyphidodon, the technical character bringing its species in the latter genus, being of less real value than the dentition or development of the suborbital bones. Hypsypops dorsalis Gill. The height much exceeds a third (-37) of the extreme length. The head is rather depressed in front of the nape and very steep in front of the eyes ; it forms nearly a quarter (-23) of the total length ; its height at the vertical of the preoperculum much exceeds the length (-28), and that at the pupil is less (21). The length of the snout equals two-fifths of the latter height (-8i), is about a quarter more than the height of the preorbital bone (6), which itself is not much less than the diameter of the eye (-7). The preoperculum is per- fectly entire, and the teeth of the jaws truncated. 1862.] 148 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF The dorsal fin commences above the first scale of the lateral line; its greatest height equals or exceeds a quarter of the length ( # 26), The caudal ha3 acute lobes, forming more than a quarter (-27) of the length, while the median rays scarcely equal a sixth (-16) of th'o same. The pectorals and ventrals are nearly equally long and exceed a quarter (-21 -22) of the length ; the latter are inserted immediately behind the former. The dorsal and anal are densely scaly. 3 2 D. XII. 13. A. II. 11. Scales 26 . Lat. line 21. 10 3 The color of the entire fish is a deep purplish brown, relieved on the back by two blue spots on each side, as in Pomacenlrus quadrigutta, (under the fourth spine and under the third or fourth ray,) close behind the dorsal by a transverse linear spot, and on or just above the first scale of the lateral line by another spot. A blue line extends from the snout to the front of the orbit, and a spot exists above before the middle of the orbit. Another blue line crosses the preorbital and passes under the eye. There are also a few other blue dots scattered on the head. A single specimen of this species, four inches long, was sent by Mr. Xantus to the Smithsonian Institution. Genus POMACENTRUS Lac. POMACENTRUS RECTIFRiENUM Gill. The height equals a third (34) of the total length, inclusive of the entire caudal. The head is regularly decurved from the nape and forms nearly a quarter (23) of the total length ; its height at the preopercular margin ex- ceeds the length (-24) and is rarely a quarter greater than that of the pupil (19). The length of the snout exceeds a third (-8) of the head's, is greater than the diameter of the eye (-7), which itself is more than twice as great as the height of the entire preorbital (-3) at the angle of the mouth. The pre- operculum is finely dentated and vertical behind. The teeth are entire. The dorsal commences above the upper axilla of the pectoral ; the greatest height exceeds a fifth (21) of the total length, and equals the length of the pectoral (21). The ventrals are inserted behind the pectorals, and equal a quarter of the length. The caudal forms about a quarter of the extreme length, and the inner rays exceed a sixth (-16) of the same. 3 2 D. XII. 16. A. II. 15. Scales 25--. Lat. line 21. 10 3 The color is a deep chestnut, dotted with light blue on each scale on the back and tail, and on the sides with a faint crescentiform line, parallel with the border of each scale. The head has two blue lines diverging from the snout and passing over the eyes to each side of the dorsal ; there is an oblique one on the preorbital and also a suborbital line, as well as one below the suborbital chain. Another proceeds backwards from the upper angle of the orbit. A black spot, bordered by blue, is more or less developed behind the dorsal. The dorsal, anal and pectoral are very dark, and the first two dotted with blue. There are six specimens in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution. The pattern is similar, but not equally vivid in all. There is no indication of a dor- sal ocellus. The following two species were at first supposed to be varieties of one spe- cies of romacentrus, but, as there are no gradations, and as they differ slightly in pattern of coloration as well as the presence of a dorsal ocellus, it is impro- bable that such is the case. POMACENTRUS FLAVILATUS Gill. This species differs from the preceding by the presence of a very distinct [March. NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 149 ocellus on the anterior half of the soft part of the dorsal fin, which also advances downwards as far as the lateral line. The color of the body, below the late- ral line, is yellowish brown, with an indistinct dot on each scale; the caudal, pectoral, ventral and anal fins as well as the dorsal fin behind are also yellow- ish, the external ventral ray and margin of the anal before being darker. One specimen, about three inches long, was discovered at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus and sent to the Smithsonian Institution. POMACENTRDS BaIRDII Gill. This species has the hinder and lower part of its length colored like the pre- ceding, but there is no trace of an ocellus, and the base of the soft part of the dorsal is blue. The ventral fins are also very light. The blue lines from the snout end over the pupils ; a transverse line, a third of the interorbital area, exists on that area, and behind it are two short parallel longitudinal lines. There are three blue spots on the suborbital chain and one behind the angle of the mouth. The scales below are not dotted with blue in the middle. Two specimens, rather less than an inch long, are in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution. The preopercular serrature is almost obsolete. POMACENTRDS QUADRIGUTTA Gill. The present species differs from P. rectifrcenum by the greater portion of each scale being blue ; the presence of two distant blue spots on the back, one be- low the end of the dorsal fin, and another at the end of the base of the anal ; the color of the head above more like th