PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY
OF
NATURAL SCIENCES.

Description of a New Species of Melica.

BY H. N. BOLANDER.

Melica L.

M. stricta Bolander.

Spikelets very large, secund, horizontal, four to six-flowered; flowers stipitate, upper ones imperfect and abortive, slightly tinged with purple.

Glumes equal, oblong, membranaceous, five-nerved; nerves evanescent at about three-quarters the length of the glumes; scarious margined and pointed, nearly the length (one-half inch) of the flowers.

[5]

Paleæ very unequal, chartaceous; lower oblong, seven-nerved, all except the middle one evanescent at about two-thirds the length of the palea; scabrous, largely scarious margined and pointed; upper palea spathulate, bicarinate, ciliate, one-third shorter than the lower.

Ovary obovate, contracted near the truncated apex, sessile, smooth; styles terminal, divergent; stigmas plumose; pilis fasciculate, minutely serrate; squammulæ very small, connate, entire; stamens three; caryopsis?

Root perennial; culms upright, terate, striate, one and one-half feet high, very brittle; sheaths striate, scabrous; ligula exserted, lacerated; leaves narrow, one-sixteenth to two-sixteenths of an inch wide, acuminate, outside and margins scabrous, (four to seven inches long) striately nerved, upright, nearly appressed.

Raceme upright, rather simple; branchlets smooth, appressed, few-flowered; pedicels pubescent at the angle.

Collected by Mr. George W. Dunn, at Silver City, Nevada Territory.

On the Inaccuracy of the Eighth Census, so far as it Relates to the Metallic and Mineral Statistics of the United States.

BY J. D. WHITNEY.

It has, for a long time, been a subject of regret, that our United States Census returns are so imperfect; and that, in all that relates to mining and metallurgy, they are especially and extraordinarily unreliable. Mr. Kennedy’s “Preliminary Report on the Eighth Census,” (1860), recently issued, is at hand, and some remarks may here be made in reference to what appears in it, which is connected with our mineral interests. It will soon appear, from an examination of this public document, that the same unfortunate ignorance in regard to one of the most important of the sources of our national wealth, which has characterized previous Census Reports, still prevails among our officials at Washington; and that all which Mr. Kennedy’s Report contains must be taken with many grains of allowance. It is certainly the duty of those who are better posted to give notice of these deficiencies, and to call public attention to them again and again, in the hope that something may be done, hereafter, to make this department of the Government less ridiculous in the eyes of those who are acquainted with such matters, and less liable to mislead those who look on a Census Report as something to be blindly quoted, and relied on as a document which must necessarily be correct.

The only metals in regard to which anything is stated in Mr. Kennedy’s report are iron, nickel, lead, zinc, and copper; thus omitting gold, silver, and quicksilver, of each of which we are large producers. Of the mineral productions, coal is the only one noticed.

The first metal mentioned in the text accompanying the tables compiled from the Census returns is iron, and the quantity of pig iron produced in 1860 is given at 884,474 tuns, valued at $19,487,790, and this is stated to be an increase in the value returned by the Census of 1850, of 44·4 per cent.

Here the question arises, how far are these figures to be relied on as accurate? This can only be decided by comparison with returns known to be approximately accurate, and of these we have none later than the year 1856, in which year the make of pig iron was ascertained, by the Iron-Makers’ Association, to be 812,917 tuns. Either the Census returns of 1860 are too low, as they were in 1850, or else the increase in this branch of our industry has been very slight since 1849, when the make of iron was ascertained by the Pennsylvania Iron-Masters to be 800,000 tuns. On the other hand, assuming the Census returns of 1860 to be correct, there is no ground for making the statement, as is done by Mr. Kennedy, that there has been an increase of 44·4 per cent. in the value of the iron produced in 1860 over that of 1850; it is evident that the increase has been very slight, since 1846 or 1847 even, in which years the make of this metal, on reliable authority, reached nearly 800,000 tuns.

But what shall we say of Mr. Kennedy’s method of arriving at the production of iron, as related to the amount of population in the United States, or the number of pounds produced per head? To obtain this, he adds together the[7] amount of pig iron and the amount of bar and other wrought iron produced, and thus obtains a result of 92 pounds of iron produced for each inhabitant of the United States; which, as he says, “speaks volumes for the progress of the nation in all its industrial and material interests.” It speaks a volume or two for his own ignorance of the elements of metallurgy; since, as everybody, except the Superintendent of the United States Census, knows, the bar and rolled iron is nearly all converted from the pig, and only a small proportion made direct from the ore; so that his method of computation is as near correct as it would be, for instance, to estimate the amount of beef consumed per head in San Francisco, by adding the weight of all the cattle slaughtered in the city to that of the beef produced by said slaughtering. As, in 1856, only 28,433 tuns of bar iron were made directly from the ore, to 812,917 of pig produced; so, allowing that 28,000 tuns were made direct in 1860, the amount, per head, of all the iron made in that year would be 65 pounds, instead of 92, as Mr. Kennedy calculates.[1] Taking the population of the United States at 23,000,000, in 1850, and the make of iron at 800,000 tuns, as given by the returns of the Commission of the Iron-Masters of Pennsylvania, the amount produced, per head, in that year, would be 78 pounds; so that all Mr. Kennedy’s glorification goes for naught, unless we admit that his returns for 1860 are wrong.

In regard to the statistics of the other metals mentioned in the Census Report, it may be said, with truth, that they are very defective. No mention is made of gold, silver, or mercury, the value of the first-named of which produced in this country is nearly double that of all the other metals. Under zinc, there is no mention made of New Jersey, the great zinc-producing State. The yield of lead in the Mississippi Valley is put down at considerably less than its real amount.

But the most important remark to be made, in this connection, is in reference to the mode of reporting the results adopted by Mr. Kennedy. Instead of giving the amount of metal produced, the number of tuns of ore is stated, and no clue given to the yield of the ore. This is something as an assessor’s report would be, which should give the valuation of the individuals he might be called on to appraise, in pieces of money, leaving it uncertain whether five cent or twenty dollar pieces were intended.

The table given by Mr. Kennedy does not state what amounts of each metal are produced; and, if we attempt to arrive at them by examining the columns of values, it is found to be impossible to decide whether these values are those of the ore as mined before being smelted, or of the metals produced from them. In short, the whole matter is left in such obscurity, that it is much to be wished that the table could be expunged from the Report, as it can only serve to mislead and confuse those who resort to Government documents for information in regard to our metallic and mineral productions.

Description of two New Species of Plants from Nevada Territory.

BY A. KELLOGG, M.D.

Aplopappus Cass.

A. Nevadensis Kellogg. [Fig. 1.]

Fig. 1.

Suffrutescent, caudex branching, branches three to four inches in height, somewhat ascending; rigid, striate, scabrous throughout. Heads solitary and terminal, homochromous and many-flowered. Leaves alternate, crowded near the base, oblanceolate, very acute, quite entire, three-nerved; the reticulate veins and nerves prominent, sub-petiolate (half to one inch in length, by about one-fourth in breadth); the lowermost leaves more distinctly petiolate, spatulate, obtuse, or sub-acute; upper cauline leaves few or solitary, lanceolate, very acute or acuminate, three-nerved.

Involucre campanulate, the greenish somewhat foliaceous scales rigid, many-nerved, (chiefly three to five) margins scarious, cleft-ciliate, or somewhat fimbriate, oblanceolate, acute, in three series, often one or two bractoid scales at the base.

Receptacle flat, alveolate; alveoli toothed, naked. Rays (about eight) orange-yellow, oblong-oval, two or three-toothed, pistillate, fertile, tube slender, about as long as the achenia, or one-third to half the length of the ligule.

Disk corolla cylindrical, slightly expanding, five-toothed, erect, glabrous. The achenia (about twenty, including the ray) angular, oblong, somewhat compressed; base cuneate, satiny appressed pubescent (with white hairs); pappus of unequal capillary scabrous bristles, rigid and fragile, or deciduous.

Appendages of the style much longer than the stigmatic portion, lance-subulate, hispid, much exsert, erect-spreading.

This plant was brought from Nevada Territory by Mr. Herbert C. Dorr.

[10]

Mirabilis L.

M. Californica Gray, Var. villosa Kellogg.

Stem about a foot in height, somewhat ascending, flexuous, divaricately branching, nodose, internodes slightly curved; minutely villous throughout. Leaves rounded-cordate, obtuse, entire, three to five-nerved; the uppermost ovate-cordate, petioles short, (one-fourth to one-sixth the length of the lamina).

Flowers pedicellate, in loose terminal dichotomous panicles, with a solitary flower in the axils; perigonium pink, pedicels recurved in fruit.

This plant, from the interior—Devil’s Gate and Carson River—differs much from the plate of the coast plant of the Mexican Boundary Report. It is not at all “glabrous,” nor are the flowers “sub-sessile;” the pairs of leaves are remote, with a much more open and spreading aspect; the flowers are pentandrous and deciduous.

Description of two New Species of Bivalve Shells, from the Tertiaries of Contra Costa County.

BY AUGUSTE RÉMOND.

Cardium Brug.

C. Gabbii Rémond.

Shell cordate, ventricose, nearly equilateral; posterior side truncated, direct; anterior side slightly depressed; height and length nearly equal. Umbones very prominent; beaks incurved, approximate; lunule well marked, carinated; surface even, with fine imbricated lines of growth. Hinge (of the left valve) comparatively narrow; anterior fosset small, shallow, triangular; cartilage pit large, deep, long; lateral teeth heavy, thick, prominent.

Locality: vicinity of Kirker’s Pass, south of New York (of the Pacific) Plain from a late tertiary deposit.

The C. Gabbii will easily be distinguished from any other species yet discovered, from its heavy hinge and enormous lateral teeth. I take great pleasure in dedicating this beautiful fossil to Mr. W. M. Gabb, to whom I am indebted for repeated assistance in my palæontological studies.

This species occurs in shelly sands, together with Tapes regularis Gabb and Murex ponderosus Gabb, two other extinct species. The specimens are in the collection of Mr. W. M. Gabb and my own.

Ostrea L.

O. Bourgeoisii Rémond.

The description is from two lower valves, from the collections of Mr. l’Abbé Bourgeois (Pont-Levoy, France) and Mr. Pioche, (San Francisco.)

Shell sub-oval, higher than long, strongly contracted near the cardinal area, sub-rounded on the ventral margin; inferior valve comparatively thin, convex, irregular exteriorly, with remote, somewhat rugose, plaits of growth. Ligament fosset long, profound, minutely wrinkled and finely striated, oblique and turned downwards; muscular impression very large, oblique, and sub-central, somewhat prominent.

Locality: vicinity of Kirker’s Pass, from a late tertiary bed.

I dedicate this new species to Mr. Bourgeois, Professor of Natural History at the School of Pont-Levoy, (Loir-et-Cher, France) who was my first teacher in geology.

Description of two Species of Scutella.

BY AUGUSTE RÉMOND.

Scutella Lam.

S. Gibbsii Rémond.

Disk oblong-sub-oval, rounded before and truncated behind, posteriorly convex above, slightly depressed in front; inferior surface flat, somewhat concave about the mouth. Apex about midway between the center and posterior margin;[14] ambulacral star non-symmetrical; petals unequal, open at their extremities. Anterior petal straight, longer than the others; the lateral ones nearly straight, diverging from the apex with an angle of about eighty degrees; posterior petals very short, sub-oval, having the anterior side most curved. Four rows of pores in each petal; the inner pores transverse, the outer ones pointed obliquely inwards. Mouth posteriorly sub-central; anal-aperture small, submarginal. Ambulacral furrows double, nearly symmetrical, slightly ramified. Each ambulacral and inter-ambulacral space is occupied by two rows of irregular plates, either pentagonal or hexagonal. Tubercles numerous, crowded in the ambulacral furrows, but much worn off in the specimens examined.

Locality: Kern Lake, Buena Vista County.

The specimens described are in the collection of the Academy; they were found by Dr. Gibbs, to whom the species is dedicated.

Obs.—This species, considered by Mr. Gabb as of probably miocene age, is closely allied to the S. striatula, which is found living on the Californian coast, and occurs fossil in the faluns (miocene formation) of Bordeaux, France; but it differs from it in the outlines and the size of the shell, the former being comparatively small and longer than broad, while the latter is broader than long. Besides, the apex of the S. Gibbsii is situated more posteriorly, and the lateral petals, in the S. striatula, diverge from the apex, with an angle of from one hundred and ten to one hundred and fifteen degrees; this latter has also its ambulacral furrows more ramified at their extremities.

S. interlineata W. P. Blake.

Disk sub-circular, broad, upper surface convex towards the middle, depressed on the margins, plane beneath; apex central; ambulacral star symmetrical; petals long, equal, closed at their extremities, nearly reaching from the apex to the margin of the shell, terminated by five or six irregular hexagonal plates. The petals are longitudinally divided into four rows, which are connected by numerous and regular transverse lines of pores. Mouth central; anus submarginal; ambulacral furrows symmetrical, not much ramified. Inter-ambulacral areas occupied by two rows of pentagonal plates, convex, of equal length, increasing in size until they unite with the ambulacral plates; hexagonal from that point and decreasing towards the margin.

Two sorts of appendages; spinous processes numerous and crowded, above and beneath. Spines of the superior surface short, striated, pyriform, irregularly pentagonal or hexagonal; inferior spines slender, comparatively long, dentaliform, striated longitudinally, tubular and round.

Obs.—Water-worn fragments of this fine fossil occur in abundance on the beach, between Merced Lake and the Pacific, south of Point Lobos, in San Francisco County. It was made known to science by Mr. W. P. Blake, Geologist of the Railroad Survey, who found it in 1853, among the shingles thrown up by the surf, and first described by Mr. W. Stimpson. At that time the locality whence the scutellæ were derived had not been discovered, so that the specimens obtained being imperfect, no complete description could be made;[15] this is the reason why I offer a new and complete description of the Scutella interlineata, from specimens procured in situ. As was suggested by Mr. W. P. Blake, the rocks bearing these fossils are found a few miles southward, north of the boundary line between San Mateo and San Francisco Counties, where the scutellæ stick out from conglomeratic sandstones, which Mr. Gabb considers as belonging to the pliocene or post-pliocene formation; we find them in a fine state of preservation, with their spines retained.

The S. interlineata is figured in the Railroad Reports; see vol. V, Geological Report, plate IV, fig. 30; and for Mr. Blake’s remarks and Mr. Stimpson’s description, the same Report, chap. XII, p. 153.

This genus was defined by me in 1855 (Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sci., vol. I, p. 72) to include a species occurring in the Bay of San Francisco. In 1858 Girard refers to the species (P. R. R. Rep., vol. X, p. 367) under the generic name Heptanchus, of which he considers Notorhynchus a synonym. In 1861, Mr. Gill refers it to Rafinesque’s genus Heptranchias. (Annals of the Lyc. Nat. Hist., N. Y., vol. VIII, Dec.) In a more recent paper (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phil., Oct., 1862) Mr. Gill restores my species to the name under which it was originally described. He says: “This generic name of Notorhynchus was proposed by Dr. Ayres under a misapprehension.” My “misapprehension” was that I regarded the species as the type of a new genus; a conclusion at which Mr. Gill himself has, after several changes, also arrived. He gives as a synonym of Notorhynchus only “Heptanchus, Sp. Müller and Henle, Gray, Girard, Gill,” whereas it is necessary to include also “Heptranchias, Gill,” as above indicated.

I may remark that the description given by Mr. Gill of the teeth of Notorhynchus maculatus, (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phil., Oct., 1862, p. 495) will not bear examination. It represents the individual specimen on which it was founded; but the species is quite common here, and I find that the number and the forms of the teeth vary so much, that my original description, which Mr. Gill says is “equally applicable to any species of the family,” is fully as close as nature will allow us to draw. I am at a loss to understand how it is possible for him to refer the jaws of a shark, collected at a point so far removed from us as Nisqually, to my species, when my description is so extremely indefinite.

This collection comprises over one thousand specimens of rocks, ores, fossils, and miscellaneous objects of natural history. It is supposed that they are chiefly of Japanese origin; but, as there is among them a fragment of a Dutch tobacco-pipe, carefully labeled, there may be other objects in the collection from foreign countries. The articles are all labeled, in the Japanese language: they are carefully fastened to the cases in which they are arranged, with exquisite Japanese neatness. The small crystals are inclosed in glass receptacles, having nearly the form of two large watch-crystals, attached to each other by the edges.

In the general character of the specimens in this collection, a singular resemblance was noticed to the productions of California, especially in the fossils and silicified woods, of which latter there are a number of beautiful specimens. There are several bivalve shells of pliocene or miocene tertiary age, and some casts of gasteropods, exquisitely formed in chalcedony. A number of sharks’ teeth, of the genus Lamna, were also noticed. Among the fossils is a single shell of palæozoic age, a Spirifer; it is not impossible, however, that this may have been carried from China to Japan; at all events, a Spirifer from that country resembling this, and of Devonian age, has been described in the Proceedings of the Geological Society of London.

There are quite a number of specimens of copper ore in the collection; they are all of the common yellow sulphuret, (chalcopyrite) except one or two of erubescite. This would indicate that the principal ore of this metal in Japan, as in other countries, is the sulphuret of copper and iron.

Native gold in quartz is also present in the collection; but no ores of silver were noticed, except one specimen of steel-grained galena, which is probably argentiferous. There are several specimens of realgar. Among the other minerals noticed were: calcite, adularia, chalybite, in the form of flos ferri, garnets, small crystals of pyroxene, crystals of mica, pectolite, and another zeolitic mineral resembling Thomsonite, as also native sulphur, obsidian, and a variety of volcanic rocks and lavas.

The collection is quite interesting, and would be more so if the labels could be read. The principal inference to be drawn from it, is the predominance of volcanic formations, and of the later tertiary strata, in the region in which this collection was made.

Description of two New Species of Collomia from Nevada Territory.

BY A. KELLOGG, M.D.

Collomia Nutt.

C. tinctoria Kellogg. [Fig. 2.]

Fig. 2.

Stem erect, slender, one to three inches in height (often so minute as to appear almost stemless) villous and pulvurently viscid glandular throughout. Leaves opposite, lower pair oblong-spatulate obtuse, lamina slightly decurrent down the petioles; those above, lanceolate, petiolate, acute, or acuminate, mucronate, one-nerved, quite entire.

The minute yellow flowers crowded at the summit in pairs, from the axils of the much abbreviated branchlets, short, pedicellate; and with the long, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, bractoid leaves aggregated into a somewhat dense,[18] subsessile head. Calyx obconic, membranaceously diaphanous at the base; segments green, cup prismatic (or pentangular); also with five prominent processes, or folds, at the clefts, the semi-lanced segments acute, or acuminate, subulate pointed, three-nerved.

The filiform flowers twice the length of the calyx, border spreading, tube contracted below, stamens equal, or sub-equal, inserted into the throat; capsule obovate, emarginate.

A very diminutive species from the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, found by Mr. Herbert C. Dorr. The plant yields a beautiful yellow dye, hence the specific name.

C. micrantha Kellogg. [Fig. 3.]

Fig. 3.

Plant upright, simple, or branching above; somewhat viscid-pubescent.

Lower leaves opposite, ovate, obtuse, petioles very short; middle cauline leaves ovate-oblong, obtuse or subacute, corneously mucronate, sessile or subsessile, three to seven-nerved; upper leaves mostly alternate, all somewhat silky, viscid-pubescent. Flowers pedicellate, axillary and terminal in a condensed, sub-cymose head; calyx lobes sub-equal, linear-lanceolate, often sub-spatulate, acute,[19] corneously mucronate, three-nerved, ciliate, cleft to the middle (membranous between the segments as in Gillia).

Flowers filiform, very minute, one-third to one-half longer than the calyx; border blue, throat slightly swelled, stamens included, three long and two short, style simple, stigma undivided, about as long as the tube. Capsule oval, compressed (?), about three-seeded, seeds oblong, cuneate, flattened.

A plant four to six inches in height, found by Mr. G. W. Dunn, in the vicinity of Silver City, Nevada Territory. In one of the specimens the first pair of leaves appears to manifest a serrate tendency.

Description of a New Genus and Species of Plant from Nevada Territory.

BY A. KELLOGG, M.D.

Pterostephanus Kellogg.

Involucre obconically-companulate; scales loosely imbricated in about two to three series; the exterior unequal, calyculate, suborbicular, oval, or oblong, obtuse; the inner series (of about eight) sub-equal, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse; scarious margins entire; (a broad, diffusely green line marks the centre). Receptacle naked, alveolate, alveoli, toothed. Achenia (mature wanting), oblong, sub-cuneate, or sub-obovate, somewhat compressed (?), slightly contracted at the crown, smooth, sub-pubescent above, on a short stipe. Pappus double; the exterior coroniform, persistent—a hyaline crateriform cup, with an even but minutely crenulate edge; interior of five (white) plumose, glabrous bristles, gradually dilating towards the base.

Californian herbs, with runcinately, pinnatifid, radical leaves, and numerous naked scapes, bearing solitary, tigulate, yellow flowers; closely allied to Malacothrix and Calycoseris, but with a plumose pappus.

[21]

P. runcinatus Kellogg. [Fig. 4.]

Fig. 4.

Acaulescent, several naked scapes, two to four inches high, sub-glabrous, (rarely a few scattering glandular hairs); leaves radical, runcinately pinnatifid, lobes spinulose, frosty, or sub-wooly, pubescent, three to seven-nerved, short petioles winged, dilated at the base; rosulate, from a simple perennial somewhat fusiform root.

Gundlachia Pfeiffer.

G. Californica Rowell. [Fig. 5.]

Fig. 5.

Shell with the aperture sub-oval, obliquely expanded towards the left, posteriorly ronaded, and wider anteriorly. Internal shelf reaching forward about one-fifth the length of the shell, its margin slightly concave and oblique.

Dorsal surface convex, becoming somewhat keel-shaped towards the apex, which is strongly and obliquely deflected so as to make the right border nearly a straight line, while the expansion on the left projects nearly as far back as the apex, at an obtuse angle. Structure corneous, with strong concentric lines of growth, and faint radiating striæ. Color dark brown, opaque; inner surface shining and purplish, the plate white towards the edge, and in some specimens showing a thickened, white semicircle continuous with its margin across the arch of the shell.

Length about sixteen one-hundredths, breadth eight one-hundredths, and height six one-hundredths of an English inch.

[22]

More than fifty specimens were found on water plants in clear stagnant ponds, two or more often sticking on the back of a larger one.

The discovery of this little shell in California is of great interest, the only species hitherto known being found in Cuba. The generic characters of this shell are strictly parallel with that species, while those mentioned as specific easily distinguish it. The Cuban shell is more elongated, regularly oval, the apex projecting considerably beyond the margin of the aperture, which is not obliquely expanded posteriorly. Its size is about one-fifth larger than that of ours. According to Bourguignat, the young shell is a simple obtuse cone, with a semicircular aperture formed by the edge of the shelf, and the thickened dorsal margin; but as it grows, the animal changes the form of the aperture until the opening beneath the shelf becomes like the small end of a broad funnel, which in some of our specimens is still shown by the white semicircular ring.

The shell much resembles that of the marine Crypta (Crepidula), and also Navicella of tropical estuaries; but the animal is quite different in the Cuban species, and will undoubtedly prove so in the Californian.

The Act of the Legislature authorizing a geological survey of this State was approved April 21st, 1860; but operations were not commenced until about the first of December of that year, consequently the work has been in progress for a little more than two years.

The plan of the survey, according to the requirements of the act by which it was organized, demands “an accurate and complete geological survey of the State,” and a report containing “a full and scientific description of its rocks, fossils, soils, and minerals, and of its botanical and zoological productions.” Provision is also made for the collection of specimens in all departments of geology and natural history, which specimens are to be deposited “in such place as shall be hereafter provided for that purpose by the Legislature.”

The following persons have been employed on the survey since it was commenced: Professor W. H. Brewer, as Principal Assistant, and specially in charge of the department of Botany and Agricultural Geology. Professor Brewer, however, up to the present time, has been chiefly engaged in the geological field work of the Survey. Mr. William Ashburner was employed from the commencement of the work, up to the spring of 1862, in the field; and, for a considerable portion of the time, in examining the gold-quartz mines and machinery in the principal mining counties of the Sierra Nevada. Mr. A. Rémond served as volunteer, in the field work, during the season of 1862. Mr. W. M. Gabb took the place of Palæontologist to the Survey at the beginning of the year 1862, which position he still continues to hold. Mr. C. Averill was connected with the Survey from its commencement up to the month of February last, as Clerk, Commissary, and Barometrical Observer. Dr. J. G. Cooper has been in charge of the department of Zoology, and has been employed, at intervals, as the financial condition of the Survey permitted, since July 1st, 1861. In the topographical department, Mr. C. F. Hoffmann has been employed constantly since March, 1861; and Mr. V. Wackenreuder, at intervals, during the past year.

The uncertainty peculiar to all undertakings of this kind in the United States, arising from the necessity of appealing to each successive Legislature for the means of carrying on the work, and the disturbed state of the country during the whole time since we commenced operations, as also the unfortunate condition of the finances of the State, which has kept the treasury from one to two years behind in the payment of the legislative appropriations, have combined to render it difficult to arrange and carry out as systematic a plan for the conduct of the work as would, under more favorable circumstances, have been practicable.

Two ideas have, however, as far as possible, governed the survey in its operations: the first was, to make, as rapidly as could be done, a reconnoissance of[24] the State, with the view of acquiring a knowledge of its general geological structure, the age of the various formations which occur in it, and as complete a general idea as possible of their range and extent, so that a foundation might be laid for the detailed work which would follow the preliminary examination; the second idea was, at the same time that the general examination was going on, to work up in detail certain more important districts, so that the public might have light on questions of economical interest, and at the same time be able to form an idea of what the work might be if ever carried to completion. Besides this, the natural history part of the survey was to be carried on, in connection with the geological work, as rapidly as possible, progress in all departments being necessarily proportioned to the varying amounts of the annual appropriations.

California is covered by a vast net-work of mountain ranges, separated by comparatively narrow valleys, with the exception of those of the Sacramento and San Joaquin, which do not, together, cover more than one-fifteenth of the area of the State. The remaining fourteen-fifteenths may be called mountainous, as the valleys include but a small portion of its surface. Into this mountainous region no accurate surveys have ever been carried; even the General Land Office work stops at the base of the mountains. A few ranch lines have been run among the moderately elevated portions of the Coast Ranges; but, as a general thing, the genuine Mexican grants were limited to the plains.

Without considerable topographical work in connection with the geological survey we should, then, be entirely unable to carry on our geological work with any pretense to accuracy, as we could neither locate our observations nor make our descriptions of the country intelligible. The authority for doing something for the increase of the geographical knowledge of the State is found in the clause of the act authorizing the survey, which requires “proper maps” to accompany the reports.

What has been done, up to the present time, in this department may be briefly recapitulated as follows:

A series of maps, forty-nine in number, has been compiled by Mr. Hoffmann from the original documents at the United States Surveyor-General’s Office; the scale of these is half an inch to the mile. They contain a compilation of nearly all that is known at that office in regard to the geography of the State. The maps, as thus blocked out, have been used by us in the field, by filling in the topography wherever our route has laid.

The maps which have been or are now being prepared for publication are:

1st. A map of the vicinity of the Bay of San Francisco, on a scale of half an inch to the mile, four feet by three; it extends from near Santa Cruz on the south to Napa on the north, and from the Pacific to Corral Hollow, east and west. The area of land which it covers is 4,248 square miles, which is just twice that of the State of Delaware, and only lacks two hundred square miles of equaling that of Connecticut. As near as can be ascertained, it contains one-third of the population of the State, and has about thirty inhabitants to the square mile—the average density of the population of California being but little over two to the square mile. This map, on which all the details[25] of the topography are given, as minutely as the scale allows, is nearly completed, and will be soon ready for the engraver.

2d. A detailed map, on a scale of two inches to the mile, of the vicinity of Mount Diablo; this is about two and one-half by three feet in dimensions, and includes the most important coal mining district yet known to exist in the State. The map can be made ready for the engraver in a few days.

3d. A map of the Coast Ranges, from the Bay of Monterey south to Santa Barbara. It is about three feet by two and one-half in dimensions, is on a scale of six miles to the inch, and embraces about 16,000 square miles of territory. To complete it will require about another year’s work in the field with two sub-parties.

4th. Map of the Washoe silver-mining region—three and one-half by two and one-half feet in dimensions, on a scale of two inches to the mile—and extending over all the important mining ground of the district. This map is from an accurate trigonometrical survey by V. Wackenreuder; it is nearly completed.

5th. Map of the Comstock Lode, on a scale of four hundred feet to the inch, completed.

6th. Map of the central portion of the Sierra Nevada; scale not yet determined on. Extensive surveys have been made by Mr. Wackenreuder for this part of the work, and these will be continued during the present season.

Of the above mentioned maps, Nos. 1 and 2 will accompany the first volume of the Report. Nos. 4, 5, and probably 6, the second volume.

It is intended, if the survey is carried to completion, to construct a final map of the State on a scale of six miles to the inch, in nine sheets, each about three feet square.

In addition to the regular topographical work, an extensive series of barometrical observation has been made, for the determination of altitudes, some two hundred and fifty important points having been ascended and measured. The most interesting operation in this department was the determination of the height of Mount Shasta, which, by an elaborate series of observations, we found to be 14,440 feet above the sea level. This is the first of the lofty volcanic peaks of the Sierra Nevada which has been accurately measured.

In the department of geology proper, our explorations have extended over portions of forty of the forty-six counties into which the State is divided; and when it is remembered that the average size of a county is equal to half that of the State of Massachusetts, (California having just twenty-four times the area of that State,) some idea of the magnitude of our work may be obtained. The chain of the Sierra Nevada may be parallelized with that of the Alps for extent and average elevation; while the Coast Ranges are nearly as extensive as the Appalachian chain of mountains.

We have obtained a pretty clear idea of the general structure of the Coast Ranges from Los Angeles to Clear Lake; the vicinity of the Bay of San Francisco has been worked out in considerable detail, including all of San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Marin Counties, with portions of Santa Cruz, Solano, Napa, and Sonoma. Considerable field-work has been done in the Sierra Nevada, chiefly in the lower portion of[26] the range between Mariposa and Shasta Counties. Our observations have also been extended to the Washoe Region, and we have received considerable collections of fossils from the Humboldt Mining District, (known by this name on the Pacific Coast, but designated on Warren’s Map as the “West Humboldt River Range,” and in longitude 180°) by which we have been able to fix the age of the formations in that region.

Mr. Gabb has been chiefly occupied, the past year, in figuring and describing the cretaceous fossils of the Coast Ranges and the foot-hills of the Sierra, of which he has nearly two hundred new species ready for publication. He has also described the triassic fossils, collected by the Survey at Washoe, and by Gorham Blake, Esq., in the Humboldt Range. The fossils older than the Trias have been referred to Mr. Meek for investigation. A portion of the fossil plants have been placed in the hands of Dr. J. S. Newberry for description.

It is to the department of General Geology that, up to the present time, by far the greater portion of our attention has been given, since the first thing required in a geological survey is a knowledge of the general geological structure of the State, the age of the various formations which occur in it, and their range and extent, or the position which they occupy on the surface, and their relations to each other. Each group of strata, thus determined by its lithological peculiarities, and by the fossils which it contains, is then to be laid down upon the map, in the position in which its outcrop occupies on the surface. The general character of the minerals and ores which occur in each formation or group of strata having been thus determined, the details of their mode of occurrence, their relative abundance, and the facilities which may exist in each separate district for making them economically available must, after the preliminary general work has been done, be the object of more special and detailed examinations. It is not, however, the business of a geological surveying corps to act, to any considerable extent, as a prospecting party; to do this, would require that we should confine our operations to a very limited area; the labors of the whole corps for an entire season would not suffice to thoroughly prospect more than a few hundred square miles in a very rich mineral region, and we should have often to engage in expensive mining operations to decide what was really of permanent value. It is our task, rather, to limit the field of research, and to show to others where their labors will be best bestowed, preventing foolish expenditures of time and money in searching for what our general geological investigations have determined not to exist in sufficient quantity, in certain formations, to be worth working. Especially in the first years of our work, in a State of such an immense area as California, our labors have more the character of a geological reconnoissance than of a detailed survey.

Already, however, during the progress of our work, a large amount of information has been collected in regard to the mode of occurrence and abundance of the useful ores and minerals of this State and the adjoining Territories. The principal deposits of coal have been carefully examined, and their geological position ascertained. Most of the important quartz mines of the State have been visited by Mr. Ashburner, and a large amount of information has been collected by him, preparatory to an elaborate investigation and report on this[27] important branch of the industry of the Pacific Coast. Considerable work has been done, preliminary to a full report on the geology, mineralogy, and metallurgy of the Washoe region.

In the department of botany and agricultural geology, the work has thus far been chiefly confined to collecting the plants of the State.

Extensive duplicate suites have been preserved both for study and exchange, the specimens now collected amounting to not less than twelve thousand or fifteen thousand in number, and embracing probably half of all the species described from the State, besides many new and undescribed ones. The collections have been made by Professor Brewer while engaged in geological explorations, at a very trifling expenditure of time and money.

In the department of Agriculture proper, less has been done, owing to limited means. Partial preparation was made for investigating the subject of grape culture, and the production of wines; but discontinued from the same cause. Especial attention has been paid to our native forage plants, to aid in devising some means of arresting the rapid decrease of forage in this State, and correspondence entered into to obtain all possible information on this subject from other regions whose climates are similar to our own.

In the zoölogical department—in charge of Dr. J. G. Cooper, who has been employed about half the time since the Survey was commenced—the annexed table gives a succinct idea of what had been accomplished, up to the close of the year 1862, in the way of collecting.

Of Articulata and Radiata no statistics can be given for want of works especially devoted to the California species.

From this it appears that, notwithstanding the large collections made by Government expeditions and by individuals, during the last ten years, which have been elaborately described in the Pacific Railroad and Mexican Boundary Reports, the Smithsonian publications, and various other works, we have been able to add materially to the known Fauna of California, and of the country at large, even among the highest and best known classes.

Arrangements have been made for having the collections in natural history referred to the highest authorities in each branch, and portions of our materials have already been placed at the disposition of eminent men in Europe and the United States for examination and description.

[28]

Deferring the fitting up of a laboratory, and the engaging of a special assistant in the chemical department, until a suitable permanent place could be provided in the State Museum building, Mr. Ashburner went East in the spring of 1862 and commenced the examination of some of the ores and minerals of the State in the laboratory of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale College, under the direction of Professor Brush, who has charge of the metallurgical department of that institution. The reduction of the appropriation to fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars for the year, made it necessary to suspend this work soon after it was commenced, in order that the whole force of the Survey might be concentrated on the field operations.

A small sum has been allowed to Mr. F. H. Storer, of Boston, for a chemical investigation of the bituminous substances found in different parts of the State. His researches will probably be embodied in the first or second volume of the annual reports. Qualitative examinations, as well as a few quantitative ones, have been made at the office of the Survey, of specimens which have been collected. A considerable number of coals have been analyzed. Information in regard to ores and minerals has been given to a large number of persons who have applied for the same by letter or otherwise, as will always be done when practicable.

If the survey is continued, it will be necessary to fit up a complete laboratory, in which the important questions constantly arising, both in regard to the composition and metallurgic treatment of our ores, may be carefully and systematically investigated.

No provision has yet been made by the Legislature for the arrangement and exhibition of the collections made by the Survey. These are already quite extensive, embracing many thousand specimens of rocks, fossils, minerals, ores, all of which are of importance in illustrating the Natural History, the geological structure and the mineral resources of the State. Such as have not been required for study remain packed in boxes, and are stored at the office of the Survey in Montgomery Block, San Francisco.

Of course it is highly desirable that a permanent, fire-proof building should be provided for the State collections, the proper disposition of which is a subject of great interest, not only as connected with the welfare and progress of the survey, but as influencing the educational and material progress of the State.

The only official step thus far taken in this matter is the appointment, by the last Legislature, of the State Geologist, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the State Surveyor-General as a Board of Commissioners “to report to the Legislature, on or before the second Monday of December, 1863, upon the feasibility of establishing a State University, embracing an Agricultural College, a School of Mines, and a Museum, including the geological collections of the State.”

A considerable number of specimens, some of them of value, have been already given to the State by individuals; and there can be no doubt that many interesting and valuable articles would be contributed, provided it were demonstrated that they would be properly exhibited, and well taken care of. It is believed, that when the State Museum is once established, and a suitable building[29] provided, the value and importance of it to the people will soon be made so clear, that it will be sustained and fostered by the Legislature.

By the terms of the Act of the Legislature authorizing a Geological Survey of the State of California, it was made the duty of the State Geologist to present to the Governor, to be laid before the Legislature, as near as may be to the beginning of each session, a “Report of Progress,” in which the operations of the Survey during the preceding year should be set forth, and its more important practical results made public. He is also required to communicate an account of the expenditures, and to furnish estimates for the continuance of the Survey.

By an Act of the Legislature of 1862, however, the State Geologist was authorized to combine his first and second annual reports into one volume, to be printed during the winter of 1862 and 1863, and an appropriation of $3,000 was made to pay the expenses of printing, engraving, etc., while the size, form, and style of the report, and the place of printing, were left to the discretion of the State Geologist, under the advice and with the approval of the Governor.

According to this, there is a report now due the State; but, as no part of the appropriation of last year for the continuance of the Survey has been yet received, or is likely to be, for months to come, and as the appropriation for printing is in the same condition, the work has been necessarily delayed. As it is presumed that the amount due the Survey from last year will be available some time next winter, it is not anticipated that there will be any difficulty in issuing the first volume; and, if the Legislature takes the necessary steps early in the session, two, or perhaps three, volumes can be published in 1864. It is intended that they shall be of royal octavo size, in the best style of typography, and illustrated with maps, sections, plates of fossils, etc. The maps will be engraved on copper and printed from transfers, in order the original plates may be preserved, to be used, after necessary corrections and revisions, in the final report, or otherwise, as may be found desirable. The maps will be sold separately, with or without the geological coloring, as desired. The first volume will be chiefly devoted to the geology of the Coast Ranges; the second to that of the Sierra Nevada and the mining districts of the eastern slope. If my plans are not thwarted by the Legislature, both these volumes will be issued together next year, and will form a “Report of a Geological Reconnoissance of the State of California.” By the law, as it now stands, the publications of the Survey are required to be copy-righted, and sold for the benefit of the Common School Fund; hence, it has been impossible to communicate to the public, from time to time, through the medium of the Academy’s publications, the results which have been obtained. It is proper to say, in this connection, that the extent of territory to be examined, the complexity of the phenomena, and the bearing which our investigations will have on important questions of economical interest, make it eminently proper that there should not be an undue haste exhibited, on the part of the Survey, to place its results before the world. We can only hope to influence the mining public, in this State, by degrees; and it is necessary, first of all, that it should be made clearly to appear, with the lapse of time, that our statements are to be relied on as closely approximating to the truth.

Sheffield Laboratory of Yale College,
New Haven, March 30th, 1863.

Professor J. D. Whitney, State Geologist, San Francisco, Cal.

Dear Sir:—I have examined the specimen of meteoric iron from Tucson, which you sent me for analysis, and herewith communicate to you my results.

The density of the mass is 7.29. When a fragment of it is placed in a solution of neutral sulphate of copper, it quickly becomes coated with metallic copper, proving the iron to be “active.” An inspection of the specimen with a lens showed it to be dotted with little cavities, which on the fresh fracture were lined with a white silicious mineral, giving the surface a porphyritic, or pseudo-porphyritic, appearance.

When a fragment was attacked with an acid, a portion of the iron was dissolved, leaving the silicious mineral projecting from the surface of the specimen; and with a magnifier, black particles of Schreibersite could be seen. After complete solution of the iron, a careful microscopic examination was made of the insoluble residue. With a magnifying power of 25 diameters, it appeared to consist chiefly of two substances: one a milk-white to transparent mineral, having a fused, rounded surface, occurring in little globules, or elongated, rounded particles; while the other constituent was black and angular, and attractable by the magnet. The first named substance, when observed with a magnifying power of 100 diameters, proved to contain minute specks of the black mineral disseminated through it; some of the silicious fragments were translucent and of a milk-white color, and others colorless and transparent; a large number, however, were transparent at one end, shading into milk-white at the other, thus seeming to indicate that the transparent and translucent portions were not two distinct minerals. A blowpipe examination of the silicious mineral showed it to have characters very much resembling olivine. The black mineral proved to be Schreibersite. A minute trace of chromium was also observed in the insoluble residue.

The qualitative analysis of the portion soluble in nitric acid indicated the presence of iron, nickel, cobalt, copper, phosphorus, lime, and magnesia with unweighable traces of chlorine, sulphur, and alumina. For the quantitative examination of the meteorite a fragment weighing 4.3767 grammes was treated with nitro-chlorohydric acid (aqua regia), and after solution of the iron the whole was evaporated; on approaching dryness, gelatinous silica separated, showing that the silicate had been partially, at least, decomposed by the acid. After heating until the silica was rendered insoluble, it was repeatedly treated with acid and evaporated, so as to insure the oxydation of all the Schreibersite, and finally the soluble part was taken up with chlorohydric acid, and on dilution separated by filtration from the silica and insoluble residue.

[31]

The filtrate, or soluble part, was accurately measured and divided into four portions for analysis—two portions were used for the determination of the iron, nickel, cobalt, phosphorus, and alkaline earths; a third portion was employed to estimate the copper, and the fourth portion was reserved to answer in case of accident.

Two methods were used for the separation of the iron from the nickel and cobalt—one by precipitation of the iron as basic acetate, and the other by precipitation with carbonate of baryta in the presence of an excess of chloride of ammonium; but in neither case was the separation perfected on the first precipitation, and traces of nickel remained with the iron even after the second precipitation. The nickel and cobalt were separated by means of nitrite of potash, and the cobalt was subsequently converted into sulphate and as such weighed. The lime and magnesia were separated by oxalate of ammonia, care being taken to redissolve and reprecipitate the lime to insure its being free from traces of magnesia. On spectroscopic examination of the precipitate, it proved to be lime, free from other alkaline earths.

The precipitate of iron, after being weighed, was fused with carbonate of soda; the product of the fusion was dissolved in chlorohydric acid, and the phosphoric acid precipitated with molybdate of ammonia. This phospho-molybdic precipitate was dissolved in ammonia to free it from possible traces of silica and other impurities, and the phosphoric acid precipitated from this solution by an ammoniacal mixture of sulphate of magnesia and chloride of ammonium.

The copper was precipitated as sulphide by sulphuretted hydrogen gas, redissolved in nitric acid, and determined as oxyd.

The insoluble residue, containing free silica and undecomposed silicate, was perfectly white, and free from all traces of Schreibersite. It weighed 0.1855 grm. equal to 4.24 per cent. of the specimen analyzed. It was fused with carbonate of soda, and the silica and bases determined in the usual manner. It contained 0.159 grm. silica; 0.0054 protoxyd of iron, with a minute trace of alumina; 0.0028 lime, and 0.0168 magnesia.

The soluble and insoluble portions gave in the analysis the following per centage composition:

[32]

If the silica found in this analysis be considered to exist in combination with lime, magnesia, and iron, in the proportions to form olivine, it will be necessary to deduct 2.12 per cent. from the amount of metallic iron (equal to 2.73 per cent. of protoxyd of iron), in order to give the silicate the olivine formula, (3 R O, Si O₃). Admitting this to be the correct view, the mass analyzed contains 10.07 per cent. of olivine, and by the addition of the oxygen of the protoxyd of iron the analysis adds up 99.69 instead of 99.08.

The variable composition of Schreibersite in different specimens of meteoric iron, and the peculiar character of the insoluble residue of this meteorite, together with the small amount of material in my possession, rendered it impracticable to determine the exact amount of this substance contained in the specimen.

The composition of this meteorite corresponds very closely with another meteoric-iron from Tucson, discovered by Mr. Bartlett, and described by Prof. J. Lawrence Smith, in the American Journal of Science, vol. XIX, page 161. Dr. Smith’s analysis gives Iron 85.54, Nickel 8.55, Cobalt 0.61, Copper 0.03, Phosphorus 0.12, Chromic-oxyd 0.21, Magnesia 2.04, Silica 3.02, Alumina, trace = 100.18. He considers it to correspond to Nickeliferous Iron 93.81, Chrome Iron 0.41, Schreibersite 0.84, Olivine 5.06 = 100.18. By an evident inadvertence Dr. Smith adds the magnesia and silica together, and gives the sum as olivine; these substances are obviously not in the proportions to form the silicate 3 R O, Si O₃, and if we consider the silicate to be olivine, we must reckon the excess of silica as combined with protoxyd of iron. To do this, we must deduct 2.78 from the amount of metallic iron (equal to 2.58 protoxyd of iron), necessary to be combined with the silica and magnesia to give the olivine formula. The amount of olivine contained in the Bartlett meteoric-iron will then be 8.64 per cent. Thus the two masses of iron will be seen to agree very nearly in composition, the only trifling difference being, that Dr. Smith has determined quantitatively the small amount of chromium contained in the Bartlett meteorite, while I have found a little lime and traces of sulphur and chlorine in the specimen you sent to me. The specific gravity I have stated to be 7.39; this was taken on about 12.5 grammes of the iron, and probably is somewhat higher than the portion which I analyzed, as the two surfaces of the larger mass had been rubbed down, and as thus a considerable portion of the exposed silicate would be mechanically removed, it would make the density correspondingly higher.

I regret that I had not more of this interesting meteorite at my command, in order to have determined more definitely and satisfactorily the character of the insoluble residue. I shall be glad to make a further investigation of this point if you will supply me with more material.

Very respectfully yours,

GEO. J. BRUSH.

Head Quarters Column from California,
Tucson, Arizona, June 30th, 1862.

To General George Wright, U. S. Army, Commander Dep. of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.

My dear General:—Soon after my arrival at this place I sent by a train to Fort Yuma, to be shipped to your address at San Francisco, a very large and beautiful Aerolite, which I found here and which I had heard and read of for many years. In Bartlett’s Explorations, vol. 2, page 297, it is described as follows: “In the afternoon,” July 18th, 1853, “I called to take leave of General Blanco, and at the same time examine a remarkable meteorite, which is used for an anvil in a blacksmith’s shop. This mass resembles native iron, and weighs about six hundred pounds. Its greatest length is five feet. Its exterior is quite smooth, while the lower part which projects from the larger leg is very jagged and rough. It was found about twenty miles distant on the road towards Tubac and about eight miles from the road.”

I desire that you present this aerolite to the City of San Francisco, to be placed upon the Plaza, there to remain for the inspection of the people and for examination by the youth of the city forever. It will be a durable memento of the march of the Column from California.

I am, General, sincerely and respectfully,

Your friend and servant,

JAMES H. CARLETON,
Brigadier General U. S. A.

The weight of the mass of which the analysis is given above was six hundred and thirty-two pounds, when it arrived in this city, and about two pounds have been since cut from it.

Its shape is irregular, but in general it is that of a flattened elongated slab, having a length of four feet one inch and an average breadth of about eighteen inches; its thickness is irregular, varying from two to five inches. It has evidently been long used as an anvil, having been partly buried in the ground in an upright position, having a flat face of about four inches square on the top, with two holes drilled in the projecting edge for adding to the convenience of its use as a blacksmith’s anvil.

The mass is now placed in the Mayor’s office, it having been deemed inadvisable to expose it on the Plaza, as desired by the donor, on account of its liability to rust in the damp atmosphere of San Francisco, and the difficulty of securing it from injury by careless or mischievous handling.

Professor Brush remarks that “the composition of this meteorite corresponds very closely with that of another meteoric iron from Tucson” discovered by Mr. Bartlett and analyzed by Professor J. Lawrence Smith. A comparison of the analyses of Professors Brush and Smith and a reference to Mr. Bartlett’s work seem to render it highly probable, to say the least, that the two analyses were of pieces cut from the same mass.

In this connection I will add to General Carleton’s quotation from Mr. Bartlett’s book a few lines which complete what is said in regard to the meteorites seen by him at Tucson. Mr. Bartlett adds, after stating that the mass was found about twenty miles distant towards Tubac and about eight miles from the road, “where we were told are many larger masses. The annexed drawing gives the appearance of this singular mass. There is another large mass within the garrison grounds, of which I did not take a sketch. With much labor Dr. Webb broke off a fragment of this meteorite, for the purpose of analysis.”

The wood cut which Mr. Bartlett gives of the meteoric iron, which he notices as having been used as an anvil, shows at once, as does also the description, that, contrary to General Carleton’s idea, this mass and the one which is now in San Francisco, are not the same. The mass figured by Mr. Bartlett is of a very peculiar shape, well adapting it to use as a common blacksmith’s anvil, as it has a broad, flat top, and is supported by two legs.

In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is reasonable to suppose that the mass forwarded by General Carleton is the one spoken of by Mr. Bartlett as “another larger mass,” and of which no drawing was made; while, on the other hand, a piece was taken for analysis. This piece is almost certainly the one analyzed by Dr. Smith, and hence the close agreement in the two analyses—this[35] chemist, however, not having apparently made so complete a separation of the nickel as Prof. Brush has done. Still it is possible, of course, that different portions of the mass may differ slightly in composition.

Infusoria from the Moving Sands in the Neighborhood of San Francisco.

BY JAMES BLAKE, M.D., F.R.C.S.

The infusoria to which I would call the attention of the Society, were collected from the sands in the neighborhood of Point Lobos. These sands form a moving surface, which in dry weather is drifted by the prevailing winds from the shore of the ocean landwards, and are entirely devoid of any signs of vegetation for some distance from the shore. On walking over these sands when a strong north-west wind was blowing, a wind that does not bring up any fresh sand from the ocean beach at that part of the sand field, I noticed a number of small sized bodies projecting above the surface of the sand as it was being carried onwards by the wind. A closer examination showed that these bodies were formed of particles of sand, agglutinated together by some substance which rendered them almost black, and where dried possessing considerable tenacity. Some of these bodies projected as much as an inch and a half above the surface of the sand, with which however they all remained connected, forming generally small ridges. On examining a portion of this agglutinated sand under the microscope, the water with which I had moistened it was found to be full of infusoria, which commenced moving about as soon as the sand was moistened, although it had been quite dry for some days before being examined. These infusoria probably belong to the genus Monas, but they are so extremely minute that it was impossible to resolve them; they were, in fact, the smallest living infusoria I had ever examined. With a quarter-inch object glass of Powell and Lelands, they appeared as small globular moving bodies, although occasionally a movement would present one of them with apparently a narrow edge. Nothing much more definite could be made out with the microscope of my friend, Dr. Trask, when using an eighth object glass of Smith and Beck, as they could not be resolved into any form sufficiently definite to classify them. They appeared mostly as globular bodies moving about slowly, and presenting sometimes a longer axis, one end being larger than the other, and offering the appearance as if there was a semi-transparent mass attached to the larger end. The size was estimated at from a fifteenth to the twenty-thousandth of an inch. After a careful examination I was unable to detect any vegetable or organic nucleus which might have served as a nidus for these masses of infusoria. They would seem to become developed in the pure sand, or at least in the sand as it was blown up from the beach, after the salt had been washed out of it by the rain. [I would remark that it had been raining some days before I collected them.] Subsequent researches have shown that these infusoria are very generally diffused through the sands that form our drifting sand-hills around the city; and on examining some sand taken at a depth of fourteen feet from the surface,[36] where the hills were being cut through, I found it full of well developed infusoria on placing it under the microscope a few minutes after it had been collected, so that there can be no doubt but that these infusoria were present in the sand at the time it was collected, where they had probably been in a torpid state for ages. It is possible that they might have been carried there by the infiltrating water during the rains; but I am inclined to think that they had been torpid there, as the circumstances in which they were placed were not favorable for propagation except by fission, a process that cannot be carried on indefinitely, even in these lower organisms. In fact, these infusoria, taken from the deep sands, copulated most extensively the moment they were placed in water. I am not aware that analogous observations have been made as to the office of these lower infusoria in fixing the moving sands, and thus initiating that series of changes by which they eventually become clothed with verdure; the first germs of organic life being generally supposed to be established by the lower vegetable organisms.

Description of Two New Species of Plants.

BY A. KELLOGG, M.D.

Conyza Less.

C. salicena Kellogg. [Fig. 6.]

Fig. 6.

Stem fruticose, erect, three to four feet in height; branches subglabrous or slightly puberulent, angular; leaves lanceolate, short petiolate, cuneate, base entire, triplinerved, apex acute with few remote teeth on the upper third, lamina fleshy, varnished, subglabrous, minute glands scattering, slightly puberulent chiefly beneath (two to three inches in length, about half an inch in breadth), panicle subcorymbose; heads pedicellate, mostly subtended by linear nerved bracts; involucral scales ovate-oblong, sub-acute, scarious, margins irregularly cut-toothed or somewhat erose, cut-ciliate; achenia pubescent; pappus equal, white, scabrous; florets, teeth villous on the tips and back, tube short; anthers not caudate; receptacle convex, naked, punctate.

This plant is closely allied to the South American C. triplinerva, but differs in the shrubby character of the stem—the leaves also are not “ovate-lanceolate,” but lanceolate, and somewhat glandular, and like the branches puberulent—the heads are subtended by bracts, the involucral scales are not “linear lanceolate,” but ovate-oblong and sub-acute, etc. The white pappus is not short, but equal if not longer than the florets—the achenia are not “glabrous,” etc. Found at Clayton, Contra Costa County.

Collinsia Nutt.

C. divaricata Kellogg. [Fig. 7.]

Fig. 7.

Stem erect, divaricately branching, one to three inches high, pubescent, interspersed with a few short glandular hairs. Cotyledons oval or oblong obtuse, entire, petioles as long as the lamina; middle cauline leaves on shorter petioles, ciliate at the base or subsessile, ovate or oblong sub-acute, entire at the base, coarsely[37] three to five-toothed, nerves obsolete, all pubescent above, glabrous below; superior pairs, sessile, lanceolate, acute, entire.

Flowers small, axillary, and solitary on long divaricate ascending peduncles, articulated at the base by a swelled joint, purplish pink alike throughout, twice the length of the calyx, upper lobes broadest, margins crenulate, saccate base of the tube much compressed above, glabrous within, throat constricted, the external expansion purple spotted above, filaments hirsute, stigma minutely bilobed. The obconical expanding calyx narrowed and slightly depressed above at the base, and correspondingly swelled below, segments ovate acute, fleshy, glabrous; margins minutely ciliate, somewhat unequal, or three larger and two smaller; capsule globose, pink and purple spotted above, seeded. Flowering in March and April.

This very minute species—often barely an inch or more in height—had hitherto escaped our observation, until little friend George Bloomer discovered it, while on a trip with us to the hills in this vicinity. The whole plant at length often assumes a scarlet or purplish hue. It certainly is not the C. violacea of D. C. and appears quite as distinct as any species known to us.

Description of a New Species of Hosackia.

BY A. KELLOGG, M.D.

Hosackia Dougl.

H. argentea Kellogg. [Fig. 8.]

[39]

Fig. 8.

[40]

Appressed satiny pubescent throughout, prostrate, much branching from a perennial crown.

Leaves short, very densely set or crowded along the lower stem, leaflets three, very small, rounded, and scarcely mucronate; the upper leaves larger, leaflets four (only one of the lower pair developed), obovate obtuse, very abruptly mucronate-acute; stipules red, minute and gland-like, glabrous. Peduncles twice the length of the leaves; umbels six to ten-flowered, bract of a single sessile obovate leaf (a few separate pink glands or embryoid stipules often present).

Flowers orange yellow throughout; keel obtuse, wings and banner equal; teeth of the calyx about one-third its length, acuminate, embryo legume terete, appressed pubescent, two-seeded; mature fruit unknown.

From Kern River, pendent from rocky cliffs. The Society is indebted to Mrs. Hutchings for this new and very beautiful species.

Description of a New Species of Mentzelia.

BY A. KELLOGG, M.D.

Mentzelia L.

M. pectinata Kellogg. [Fig. 9.]

Fig. 9.

Rough, with a white minutely-barbed pubescence throughout; stem four to six inches high; simple, or slightly branched at the summit; greenish, or a little blanched at the base; leaves pinnatifid, lower petiolate, the upper sessile, three-nerved; flowers of a shining golden color, with a lustrous metallic hue, shading from a deep, vivid orange to a burnt carmine center; stamens very numerous, all filiform, scarcely half the length of the petals; anthers white; style longer, spirally twisted above at the divisible portion; petals five, spreading, obcordate or obovate cuneate at the base. Flowers from three-fourths to one inch in diameter, clustered at the summit by the short branches; short pedicellate (the uppermost often sessile or sub-sessile); two or three linear-subulate bracts above the pedicel at the base of the capsule; capsule thickened upwards from a sharp base; calyx segments lance-subulate acute.

Root ligneous.

Found by Mrs. Hutchings on the mountains above Visalia.

Description of Three New Plants.

BY A. KELLOGG, M.D.

Linum L.

L. trisepalum Kellogg. [Fig. 10.]

Fig. 10.

Stem suffruticose; base flexuous, smooth, cinnamon brown, numerously branched above; branches green, slender, erect, subsimple, stellate pubescent from minute scabrous elevations, and also simply short pubescent; plant sub-triangular throughout. Leaves erect, sub-appressed, small, linear, obtuse, slightly narrowed at the base into a very short petiole, alternate. Flowers small, yellow, in sub-terminal racemoid panicles; pedicels as long, or twice the length of the flowers; calyx bi-bracteate (appendaged?); bracts minute (about half the length of the sepals), linear, foliaceous (rudimentary sepals); proper sepals three, nerveless, ovate, acute (or sub-acute), imbricated margins glabrous, as long as the capsule. Petals obovate, sub-cuneate, scarcely twice the length of the sepals; stamens ten (yellow), shorter than the calyx; styles one, short; stigmas three, or united the entire length; capsule spheroid obtuse, sub-triangular, three-valved, each valve two-seeded, false dissepiment incomplete.

A small shrubby species, six inches to [Transcriber’s Note: the second measurement was omitted] in height, found by Mr. Bolander on the White Hills back of Oakland.

P.S.—From the ripe fruit since obtained, the capsule is more ovate; separating invariably into three valves, only two to three ovules attaining to maturity; the seeds black, sub-compressed ovate, plano-convex or with two plain sides, the third convex, surface rough.

[43]

L. decurrens Kellogg. [Fig. 11.]

Fig. 11.

[44]

Stem annual, smooth, somewhat erect, sparingly branched, four to six inches of their summits racemed (the simple branches but slightly diverging from a vertical direction) much decurrent, from one to two feet in height. Leaves alternate, narrowly lanceolate, one-nerved, sharply acuminate (the lower-most leaves unknown). Flowers secund, large purplish blue, unilateral on long much decurrent pedicels, expansion of the pedicel above the articulation at the base of the calyx quadrangular; sepals five, ovate-oblong acute, margins scarious, seven-nerved, rather more than half the length of the capsule. Petals obovate, cuneate, claw short emarginate or crenate at the apex, marked by about five deeper blue veins. Styles five, free to the base, stigmas capitate. Stamens five, short; anthers oblong, white. Capsule ovate, very abruptly short pointed, completely ten-celled. Seeds oblong, hilum slightly narrowed.

Found by Mrs. Thayer on the head waters of Feather River.

Silene L.

S. Dorrii Kellogg. [Fig. 12.]

Fig. 12.

Stem simple or dichotomous above, minutely velvety glandular pubescent throughout, upper and cauline leaves lanceolate, acute or acuminate, sessile or sub-sessile, opposite, erect, slightly cilliate at base (radical leaves unknown). Flowers white, very small, sub-solitary on long peduncles; calyx tubular-campanulate, at length inflated, teeth short, acute (tipped with purple), tube ten-nerved; petals not crowned, minute border sub-two-lobed, lamina expanded, claws long and very slender; stamens ten, longer, at length shorter, filaments glabrous, anthers sagittate; styles two to three, separate, recoiled; stigmatose along the entire inner face. Ovary somewhat globose, apex slightly contracted; compressed seeds granular, stipe of the capsule very short.

A plant about three to five inches in height.

Collected by Mr. Herbert C. Dorr in Nevada Territory.

On the Gradual Elevation of the Land in the Environs of San Francisco.

BY JAMES BLAKE, M.D., F.R.C.S.

The gradual elevation and depression of large portions of the earth’s surface has, within the last few years, been attracting considerable attention from geologists. It is a vast geological process of which we are the actual spectators, offering us the most imposing terrestrial phenomenon of which we can be cognizant, and at the same time affording us some tangible idea of the vast periods that have been required for bringing the surface of the earth to its present shape. It is the general opinion of geologists that the western shore of our continent is gradually rising. This has been proved to be the case as regards the southern portion of the continent; but the following facts, observed in the neighborhood of this city, afford undoubted evidence that at least this portion of the northern continent is being gradually elevated above the level of the ocean.

On the northern bank of Lobos Creek, a small stream running from Mountain Lake to the ocean, muscle shells and rolled pebbles are found at an elevation of from eighty to one hundred feet above the present level of the ocean, and probably at the distance of half a mile from the present beach. These shells and pebbles are exactly analogous to those now being deposited at the mouth of the creek, and were undoubtedly placed there when the spots at which they are found formed the beach of the ocean. The surface of the country is so much covered by drifting sands, that it is only in spots that these shore remains show themselves. The deposits first seen contain remains of shells considerably weathered—lower down the creek, shells and larger pebbles are seen; still lower down I found the same materials mixed with smaller pebbles, and at an elevation of about fifty feet small bands of black peat earth were found interstratified with the sand and gravel. These small bands of vegetable earth were evidently formed near the level of the ocean by the waves throwing up a barrier of sand which dammed up the waters of the creek, so as to form a pond in which a layer of vegetable matter was deposited. This process is going on at the present time, a dam having been thrown up by the heavy storms of the winter of 1861-1862.

Another evidence of the recent elevation of the country is seen near the western end of the Puerta Suelo, at a distance of about eight miles from the city. Here there is a depression in the hills, extending from the bay to the ocean, and forming a narrow neck to the peninsula on which San Francisco stands. Even at present, the distance from the waters of the bay to the ocean is not more than two or three miles at this point, and it is evident that at no very distant period this depression formed a channel of communication between them. Near the western end of this former channel, and at about a mile inland from the present sea beach, the skeleton of the head of a whale is found on the surface of the ground. The specimen measures about six feet across, and must have belonged to an animal fifty or sixty feet long. The bones, which are not at all mineralised, are in a good state of preservation. At the time they were[46] carried there, there must have been eight or ten feet of water over the surface, and as the place is at present from ten to fifteen feet above the level of the ocean, a rise of twenty-five or thirty feet must have taken place at this spot since the animal was washed there.

Another locality at which evidence of the gradual elevation of the land can be obtained is found to the west of Black Point, where abundant remains of our present bay shells are found at a considerable elevation above the level of the sea; and, were not the surface of the country, particularly the lower levels, so completely covered in by the drifting sands, no doubt many analogous deposits could be found. To the south and west of the Mission, and in all the lower levels between there and the range of hills overlooking the Puerta Suelo, the surface is covered by these recent post tertiary deposits, through which the older rocks protrude in many places as isolated masses, the recent argillaceous sandstone being deposited in nearly horizontal strata around their base. These sandstones have given rise, by their decomposition, to the extensive surfaces of yellow sandy loam seen between the Mission and the Ocean House. I think the highest of these beds does not attain a greater elevation than one hundred feet above the present level of the ocean.

More recent evidence of the gradual elevation of the land is furnished by the holes made by the marine worms in the rocks on the shores of the bay, many of these holes being found at elevations which the highest tides do not at present reach.

On the age of these deposits it is useless at present to speculate. All that we know for certain is, that geologically speaking, they are recent; but whether it is five hundred, or five thousand, or fifty thousand years since the present site of Mountain Lake was on a level with the ocean, our present data do not enable us to form an opinion. All that the facts prove is that this portion of the continent is being gradually raised en masse.

From observations I have made on the main range of the Sierra, I am inclined to think that this process of gradual elevation is not confined to the land bordering the sea coast, but extends far into the interior. The undisturbed position of the post tertiary strata on the western slope of the Sierra, would indicate that the same process of gradual elevation must have been going on for hundreds of thousands of years, so that the original beach of the earlier post tertiary ocean is now at an elevation of four or five thousand feet above the present level of the sea. Should subsequent observations confirm the truth of this supposition, this country would afford a more striking example of the action of existing causes in modifying the surface of the earth, than is to be found in any other portion of the globe. It is desirable that some means should be taken to ascertain and record accurately the present relative level of the sea and land, as, after a few years, such a determination might furnish some very useful geological data. I have no doubt that it will be found that every shock of an earthquake is accompanied by an elevation of the land.

San Francisco, July 6th, 1863.

“Through the kindness of Mr. Edwards, I have had the opportunity of looking at your two recent papers on Argynnides and on Danais, and have been much interested therein. Reading the latter article, I instantly had recalled to me some statements in regard to localization of the species at the Sandwich Islands by the sons of one or two American missionaries long resident there—gentlemen in every way to be depended on for common accuracy—by those statements I was led to an opposite conclusion from yours in regard to the means by which it was introduced; and since I have read your paper I have met with Dr. Gulick, for some time a missionary at Ascension Island, one of the Micronesian group, now in America for his health, from whom I have received some additional facts. They all concur in stating that this butterfly was formerly wanting at the Sandwich Islands, and spread over the Islands just as fast as did the milk-weed upon which they feed—the two keeping pace with one another. Dr. Gulick makes some more definite statements; he says that a gentleman in Hawaii sent him on Ascension Island (2,000 or 3,000 miles distant) a large box of plants under glass; that when they reached Ascension Island he found among them the milk-weed, which was set out with others; in five or six weeks they reached maturity, and then they discovered upon them the larvæ of Danais which nearly destroyed them—the natives have never before seen them and the butterfly was altogether unknown, indeed, no such large and showy butterfly exists there. Subsequently and purposely, as an experiment, he took some seeds to the opposite side of the Island, twenty-five miles distant, and sowed them, and was absent some four or five months; when he returned the larvæ were there. A gentleman and the natives had been put upon the watch by him for the butterflies but none had been seen, and these larvæ changing produced the first they had any of them seen.

“It seems to me that the appearance of the larvæ on the transported plant in its early growth leaves but little room to doubt that the eggs of the insect were transported also in the Wardian case.”

By a singular coincidence, we have now the pleasure of seeing in this city the two great masses of meteoric iron which have been so often spoken of as being at Tucson, in Arizona, one of which was brought here and presented to the city by General Carleton, in November last, a notice of which, with an analysis, has already appeared in our proceedings. This mass may properly be designated as the “Carleton (Tucson) Meteoric Iron,” while the one which is destined for the Smithsonian Institution may be called the “Ainsa (Tucson) Meteoric Iron,” as it has been rendered accessible for scientific investigation by Mr. Jesus M. Ainsa, as will be seen by the following memorandum of the circumstance kindly furnished by his brother, Mr. James M. Ainsa:

“This aerolite was first discovered by the early Jesuit Missionaries in the mountains called the ‘Sierra de la Madera,’ near Tucson.

“In 1735, El Capitan de las Provincias del Occidente, Don Juan Bautista Anza, induced by the accounts of the science-loving Jesuits, ordered the aerolite to be removed from the mountains, with the intention of sending it to Spain. However, through the want of wagon roads and the proper means of conveyance at that time, to take it to San Blas, then the nearest port of entry, the attempt was entirely abandoned.

“The aerolite was left at Tucson, where it continued to attract the attention of the scientific men who visited that country for more than a hundred years. Since the acquisition of Arizona by the United States, greater notice has been taken of this aerolite, it having been mentioned several times in the official reports of the Government agents.

“By a singular coincidence, Augustin Ainsa, the great-grandson of Don Juan Bautista Anza, undertook, in 1860, to transport the aerolite and present it to the Smithsonian Institution. With great difficulty it was brought as far as the Yñigo hacienda, where it remained until May, 1863, when Jesus M. Ainsa, in his late visit to Sonora, brought it to this city, with the intention of forwarding it to the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, where it will soon be sent.”

At present the mass in question lies upon the steps of the Custom House, where it has been most admirably photographed by Mr. Watkins.[2]

It was said by Mr. Ainsa to weigh 1,600 pounds.

The shape of this meteoric mass is very peculiar; and, at first, it would hardly be recognized as the identical specimen figured by Mr. Bartlett at Tucson, especially as this gentleman estimated its weight at 600 pounds only. Instead of being, as Mr. Bartlett supposed, a mass supported on two legs, it is, in reality, a ring of metal, of very irregular dimensions, of which about one-quarter was buried in the ground, in order to support it in a convenient position for use as an anvil, when it was seen by him at Tucson.

[49]

The dimensions of this ring are as follows:

The weight of the mass corresponds, taking the specific gravity at 7.2, with a circle-ring, having an average width of one foot, and a thickness of a small fraction less than eight inches—the diameter of the circle represented by the exterior of the ring being assumed as four feet.

On examining with a magnifying glass a fractured surface of the mass, it was seen at once to be different in composition from the Carleton Meteoric Iron, and my conjecture that Prof. Smith was mistaken in supposing that he analyzed a fragment from the mass figured by Mr. Bartlett, was confirmed.[3] It is now almost certain that Messrs. Brush and Smith did analyze fragments of the same meteoric iron.

The Ainsa Meteoric Iron contains a large per centage of a white—almost transparent—silicious mineral, having a vitreous lustre, which may be olivine; but the amount seems larger than that in the Carleton mass. The Smithsonian Institution will undoubtedly cause a chemical investigation to be made of this superb meteoric mass, and it will be interesting to compare its composition with that of the Carleton meteorite, as the two were found so near each other that they may be supposed to have formed portions of the same body, and to have fallen at the same time.

The photograph was taken by Mr. Watkins, at my request, partly to be sent abroad as a specimen of the high degree of perfection which has been attained by this gentleman in this department of art, and partly that an exact representation might be secured of this very remarkable body, in case it should be lost or captured on its way to Washington.

In concluding this notice, the following statement is given of all that is known of the size and position of the masses of meteoric iron which have been noticed by various travelers in Arizona and the adjacent portions of Mexico and New Mexico.

In the Madera range, “Sierra de la Madera,” between Tucson and Tubac, “enormous masses of pure iron, some of which were transported to Tucson, and for many years were to be seen in the Plaza of that Presidio.” Francisco Velasco, in W. F. Nye’s Translation of his work on Sonora, p. 146, published at San Francisco in 1861.—Two of these masses have been brought to this city, the one weighing 1,600, the other 632 pounds; the question arises, how many more are left in the Sierra Madera? To this, no answer can be given at present.

[50]

“At the Hacienda de Concepcion, on the road from Chihuahua to Rio Florida,” a mass of meteoric iron estimated to weigh 3,853 lbs.—Bartlett. The exact locality of this hacienda I have not been able to ascertain.

“Ninety miles north-west of Santa Rosa,” supposed to be the Santa Rosa in the province of Coahuila, in Mexico, lat. 28°, long. 101° 30’; Ass’t A. Schott, of the Mexican Boundary Survey, reports a large number of masses of meteoric iron; see page 34, Part II, of Major Emory’s Report. This statement needs confirmation.

“Sancha Estate, some fifty or sixty miles from Santa Rosa, in the north of Coahuila.” This is the locality of the mass of meteoric iron, weighing 252 pounds, and now in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, figured, described and analyzed by Professor Smith; see Smithsonian Report for 1855, p. 154, and Silliman’s Journal, (2) XIX, 160. Professor Smith says, “various accounts were given of the precise locality, but none seemed very satisfactory.” It is not unlikely that this mass is from the same locality mentioned by Mr. Schott.

“Near the South-western edge of the Balson de Mapimi, on the route to the Mines of Parral, there is a meteorite, near the road, of not less than a ton weight;” on the authority of Mr. Weidner, of the mines of Freiberg, as stated by Professor Smith (Smithsonian Report for 1855, page 155), Mapimi is in lon. 103° 30’; lat. 25° 45’ nearly.

“At the Hacienda of Venagas, there was (1827) a piece of iron that would make a cylinder, one yard in length, with a diameter of ten inches. It was said to have been brought from the mountains near the Hacienda.” Professor Smith, on the authority of Dr. Berlandier (Smithsonian Report for 1855, p. 155), makes the above statement; the exact locality of the Hacienda I have been unable to ascertain; it is probably nearly in lat. 24°, lon. 101°.

La Paz, New Mexico, near the Colorado River, about lat. 33° 30’. A mass of meteoric iron, weighing 10 pounds, was brought from that locality, in 1862, by Mr. H. Ehrenberg.

A number of other localities of meteoric iron might be added from more southern and central portions of Mexico; but as that is a region to which the attention of Californian explorers and capitalists has not yet been much directed, it will not be necessary to cite them here. It is hoped that the circulation of the above list may be the means of procuring further information in regard to the masses of iron noticed; and that, possibly, more of them may be brought to San Francisco.

Description of Four New Species of Echinodermata, from the Tertiaries of Contra Costa County.

BY AUGUSTE RÉMOND.

Astrodapsis Conrad.

A. Whitneyi Rémond.

Disk circular, or sub-pentagonal, slightly notched at the extremity of the ambulacra.

Apex central and elevated; edge depressed.

Ambulacral star symmetrical, prominent near the apex; petals equal, reaching to the margin of the disk.

Interambulacral spaces much depressed near the edge.

Lower surface slightly and gradually concave; furrows well marked and straight.

Mouth central, circular; anal aperture small, sub-marginal.

Papillary tubercles somewhat remote, smaller above than beneath, situated in wide and shallow cells; miliary tubercles very numerous and crowded, both on the superior and inferior surfaces.

Locality: Kirker’s Pass formations. Found in lower pliocene beds.

The genus astrodapsis, to which I have referred the above species, was indicated by Mr. Conrad, in the Pacific Railroad Reports, Vol. VII, Palæontological Report, page 196, without any generic description.

The genus is closely allied to clypeaster, but differs from it in having the petals of the ambulacral star extending to the edge of the disk, opened at the extremity, and in the margin of the disk being slightly notched at the extremity of each petal. The inter-ambulacral spaces are depressed. On the under surface there is a deep groove corresponding to each petal.

My collection, and that of the State Geological Survey.

A. tumidus Rémond.

Disk rounded sub-pentagonal, thick, rounded on the edge, very slightly notched at the end of the ambulacral areas.

Apex small, central, depressed.

Ambulacral petals symmetrical, very prominent, reaching to the margin, longitudinally grooved by a median line. The outer pores of the petals abruptly depressed on each side.

Inferior surface slightly concave.

Mouth central, small, rounded.

Ambulacral furrows straight, well marked.

Anus small, sub-marginal.

[53]

Papillary tubercles numerous, especially in the ambulacral areas, and in the center beneath, not prominent, situated in comparatively deep and sub-angular cavities.

Locality: Kirker’s Pass formations; occurs as the preceding species; also two miles west of Walnut Creek House.

From the collections of the California Academy of Natural Sciences, of the State Geological Survey, and my own.

Echinarachnius van Phels.

E. Brewerianus Rém.

Disk small, oval-elongated, broader behind, rather thin.

Upper surface slightly convex; margin rounded.

Apex posteriorly sub-central.

Petals close, nearly symmetrical, the anterior and posterior ones the longest, as wide as or even wider than the inter-ambulacral spaces; ambulacral areas composed of very narrow plates, widening on the margin.

Inferior surface plane.

Ambulacral furrows not visible in the specimens examined.

Mouth small, central.

Anus very small, sub-marginal.

Papillary tubercles numerous, rounded, somewhat prominent, more crowded beneath than above.

Locality: Two miles east of Walnut Creek House; from miocene beds.

Collection of the State Geological Survey, and mine.

This species is dedicated to Prof. W. H. Brewer, Botanist to the Survey.

Clypeaster Lamark.

C. Gabbii Rém.

Disk rather small, comparatively thick, varying from circular to sub-pentagonal and irregular sub-oval.

Apex nearly central, sub-elevated; margin rounded; genital apparatus sub-angular.

Ambulacral star almost symmetrical; petals about equal in length, elongated, open at their extremities.

Inferior surface flat near the edge, and gently concave in the center.

Mouth depressed, sub-central.

Ambulacral furrows straight, slightly marked.

Anal aperture very small, marginal.

[54]

Tubercles of the upper surface numerous, especially in the ambulacra, round and prominent.

Locality: The C. Gabbii occurs abundantly on the eastern shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Mare Island, in soft sand-stones of miocene age.

Collections of the State Geological Survey, and Academy of Natural Sciences; also Mr. Gabb’s, Mr. F. L. A. Pioche’s, and mine.

Description of a New Species of Allium.

BY A. KELLOGG, M.D.

Allium L.

Allium parvum Kellogg. [Fig. 13.]

Fig. 13.

Scape short, naked, narrowly ancipital; leaves two, long linear-lanceolate, acute, apex recurved, plain above, much attenuated towards the subterranean base, which is somewhat canaliculate; lamina from five to ten-nerved, margins remotely subscabrulose; flowers pale, purplish, about eight; umbel convex, pedicels triangular, thickening upwards, about as long as the flowers, nerves of the sepals distinctly purple to the tips; three outer sepals longer and broader, erect, entire, oblong, somewhat obtuse, carinate; the three inner linear-lanceolate sub-acute; genitals included, inner stamens slightly longer, anthers pale, blueish, filaments simple, expanded at the base; style equal, stigma acute, simple (or obsoletely lobed); capsule in outline obcordateley trigastric, embryo granular (mature fruit not observed), appears to be somewhat substipitate, as seen in the figure, the three cells somewhat grooved on the back; spathe persistent, two-parted, ovate, sub-acute, about eleven-nerved, hyaline, and lilac purple; bulb ovate, oblong, externally loosely coated with light-colored, smooth-nerved membranaceous tunics. The scape is often found only an inch above ground, as in the recent specimens from Mount Davidson by Mr. Herbert C. Dorr. The leaves are two to three times the length of the scape. Our figure is from a cultivated specimen furnished by Mr. H. G. Bloomer, from bulbs sent us some years since by Mr. Andrew A. Veatch, from Washoe. This is the largest form of it we have yet seen. The bulbs, however, under culture, are often three or four times the size here represented. It has none of the garlic odor so common in this genus.

On New or Rare Mollusca Inhabiting the Coast of California.—No. II.

BY J. G. COOPER, M.D.

The following species were collected while exploring for the State Geological Survey, along the main land and islands bordering Santa Barbara channel, in May, June, and July last. Besides those described as new, I obtained additional specimens of some of those described in 1862, confirming the specific characters then given, and to some extent establishing the generic more accurately.

Careful notes and drawings from living specimens furnish the basis of most of the descriptions, together with examination of the specimens in alcohol.

With regard to localities, it must be noticed that “Santa Barbara” and “Santa Barbara Island” are very distinct both in local characteristics and the groups of animals inhabiting them. The island is about seventy-five miles from the town, and thirty-five from the nearest main land. Catalina Island is twenty-four miles from the main land, and very different in its molluscous animals from both the main land and the other islands, being the richest locality on our shores.

I have not been able to compare these species with those from South America described by D’Orbigny and others; but, like our other littoral mollusca, they are probably distinct. I have, however, found the pelagic species Ommastrephes[57] giganteus D’Orb in large numbers, and “hundreds” of a species of Argonauta washed ashore last spring as far north as Santa Cruz Island, as I was informed by Dr. Shaw, who presented specimens to the State collection.

Aplysia Linn.

A. californica Cooper. State Collection, species 1045.

Form and external appearance as usual in the genus. Length fifteen inches, breadth five, height about the same. Color pale gray or greenish, becoming purplish on the side, folds of mantle with scattered white specks, from which an irregular network of brown lines extends over the rest of the body, interspersed with large brown blotches. Inner surface of mantle varied with alternating painted bars of white and dark brown interlocking together. Sole of foot black. Eyes very minute and black.

Shell contained in the substance of the mantle cartilaginous, translucent, trapezoidal or hatchet-shaped, margins rounded, slightly convex above, the nucleus or centre in old specimens distant from the posterior end or apex. Faint radiating lines diverging from the nucleus, crossed by an irregular network of darker lines, all ending abruptly at some distance from the margin, which has thus a wide, nearly transparent border. An accessory plate arises on the inner surface from the nucleus, spatulate in form and slightly raised.

The two younger specimens have the clear border and accessory plate less developed, and very young ones do not probably show these characters at all, but resemble the typical Aplysia in the form of the shell. On this account I am unwilling to constitute it a new genus, but propose to call it a sub-genus under the name of Neaplysia.

There was no appearance of a multiplication of shells, said to occur in old specimens of Aplysia. Not having any full description of the internal anatomy[58] of Aplysia, I cannot at present determine whether there are many other differences in structure.

The stomach was full of large fragments of Algæ. I found three specimens only, on the beach at San Pedro, July 25th, just after a heavy blow which occurred at the lowest summer tides. Kept in water for some time, they were very slow and uninteresting in movements, showing no evidence of any means of defence except the exudation of a beautiful purple fluid from the mantle when handled. This fluid, common to the Aplysiæ, though formerly supposed to be poisonous and indelible, possesses no such properties, though it may be a defence against marine animals which attack them.

The figure, taken from a tracing of the shell, and electrotyped by Dr. A. Kellogg, represent the inner surface of the most developed specimen, of the natural size.

Fig. 14.

Navarchus, Cooper, Proc. Cal. Acad. Ap. 1863.

N. inermis Cooper.
Syn. Strategus inermis Cooper, Proc. Cal. Acad. II, 1862, p. 202.

One small specimen, dredged among seaweeds in ten fathoms, near the eastern shore of the “Isthmus,” Catalina Island, shows no variation from those obtained at San Diego.

Doris, Linn.

D. albopunctata Cooper. State Coll. Species 1000.

Form ovate, pointed behind, flattened, surface shining, minutely rugose. Tentacles club-shaped, retractile, branchial plume, 6-8 parted, bipinnately divided, situated near the posterior extremity. Color yellow or orange brown, dorsal surface thickly speckled with small white dots, each forming a slightly raised papilla. Beneath paler.

Dredged from a rocky bottom in twenty fathoms, a mile from the shore at Santa Barbara. Also found on rocks at low water mark near the north-west end of Catalina Island.

Length about one inch, breadth one-third of an inch.

Doris montereyensis Cooper, Proc. Cal. Acad. II, 1862, p. 204.

Found at Santa Barbara Island on rocks at low water, differing from the original specimens only in larger size and deeper color. The tentacles are club-shaped, the branchial 7-8 parted, bipinnate and from one opening.

Doris sanguinea Cooper, loc. cit. (Asteronotus.)

Four specimens found with the last, differ from the type only in having the black spots very small. The tentacles are acute, cylindro-conic, retractile into a cavity bordered by a toothed membrane. The branchiæ form an erect chimney-shaped expansion. I cannot discover the stellate valvular structure of the branchial opening, which characterises the genus Asteronotus, in these specimens.

Doris Sandiegensis Cooper, loc. cit.

Two found with the last agree exactly with specimens from San Diego. The[59] tentacles are conical and acute. The branchial orifice does not present the peculiar characters of Actinocyclus. Although all these species differ to some extent, they have no characters to distinguish them generically from the typical Doris, unless anatomical or microscopical examination should reveal them, or the characters of that genus should be more closely limited.

Triopa Johnston, 1838.

T. catalinæ Cooper. State coll. species, 1002.

Form much elongated, narrow, dorsal surface flat, becoming spatulate posteriously. Head expanded laterally and flattened, wider than the body, ornamented with 14 ciliæ, equally distributed around its margin, so as to form nearly a circle. Tentacles long, conical, retractile. Three pairs of short ciliæ at equal distances apart between the tentacles and middle of the body, connected by the sharp edges of the dorsal surface. Branchial plume five parted, bipinnately divided, expanding to nearly twice the width of the body, situated a little behind the middle of the body. Two short ciliæ close together on the medium line, a little behind the branchiæ. Length 1.50, breadth 0.25 inch. Color yellowish, speckled with white, filaments vermilion red.

Four specimens found on sea weed among rocks at low water near north end of Catalina Island, June 16th.

Dendronotus Alder and Hancock, 1845.

D. iris Cooper. State coll. species 959.

Pale purple, varying to orange red, foot narrowly edged with white, tentacles with white tips and a subterminal orange ring, branchial processes purple, the smaller ones sometimes olive near the base. Length of largest specimens 3, breadth 0.50 inch.

Several found on the beach at Santa Barbara, May 5th, having been washed ashore by an unusually heavy sea, occurring at a very low stage of the tide. One, also, dredged on seaweed, from a depth of 28 fathoms, two miles off shore.

This species seems more variable in color than the other nudibranchiata of this coast, but I saw no reason for considering them of more than one species. Those washed ashore being somewhat injured, although still alive, I made no drawing of them, and the more perfect one dredged was too small for this purpose.

In the “Mollusca and Shells,” of the U. S. Exploring Expedition under Commodore Wilkes, Dr. Gould mentions a species of Dendronotus collected at Puget Sound, but does not name it or give any clue to its characters, except that the branchiæ have white tips, unlike our specimens. It is very probable, however, that it belongs to the same species, as so many of the Mollusca of this coast have an equally wide range.

Æolis Cuvier, 1798.

Æ. barbarensis Cooper. State coll. species 978.

Rose-red, longer tentacles tipped with yellow, branchial ciliæ simple, in six longitudinal rows, all short, the middle rows longest and tipped with blue, anterior[60] tentacles two, above the mouth, dorsal tentacles club-shaped, a white streak extending from the median line between them to the mouth. Length nearly an inch.

One specimen dredged on a rocky bottom, in a depth of 16 fathoms, a mile from the shore at Santa Barbara.

Although small, its characters are too different from those of our other species, when of the same size, to allow us to consider it the young of any of them.

Flabellina Cuvier, 1830.

F. opalescens Cooper.
Syn. Æolis, (Flabellina?) opalescens, Cooper—Proc. Cal. Acad. II, 1862, p. 205.

This species, dredged from the same locality as the last, presented exactly the same characters as the original specimens from San Diego. I also found a few of them on the rocky shore of Santa Barbara Island, differing only in having the branchial olive, tipped with white.

Phidania Gray, 1850.

P. iodinea, Cooper—Syn. Æolis (Phidania?), iodinea, Cooper, loc. cit. sup.

I found one of this species on the beach at Santa Barbara, agreeing exactly with those from San Diego.

Chioræra Gould, 1855.

C. leonina (?) Gould—Molluscs and Shells, U. S. Expl. Exped.

Wholly translucent, pale yellow, the variations marked only by a darker shade. Form of head nearly conical, the apex anterior, forming an angular roof above the oral opening. Bronchial processes five on each side, larger than represented in Gould’s figure, imbricated and decumbent. Length 2.75, height 1 inch. Otherwise as in the description and figure of Gould’s specimen.

A single specimen dredged in 20 fathoms off Santa Barbara, May 15th, differs in the points above mentioned from the northern animal, but being much smaller, the differences may arise from immaturity, and I have therefore preferred to retain the same name for it.

The single specimen which formed the type of the genus was dredged in Puget Sound, was over five inches long and of various bright colors, the head subglobose, higher than oral opening, branchiæ in six pairs, comparatively smaller and erect, all of which differences may have arisen from more perfect development, and from having been observed under more favorable conditions.

From its rarity on our southern coast we may expect to find it more abundant northward.

Description of a New Species of Alsine.

BY A. KELLOGG, M.D.

Alsine Wahlenb.

A. palustre Kellogg.

Plant slender, somewhat decumbent at the base, simple or slightly branching at the summit, glabrous, sulcate on opposite sides of the stem, sub-flexuous, six inches to a foot in height. Leaves lance-linear, acute, mucronate, glabrous, margins scabrous, sub-connate and slightly sheathing at the membranous base, shorter than the internodes (half to more than an inch in length). Peduncles slightly compressed, axillary, solitary, long, naked. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, acute or subacute, one to three-nerved, green with scarious margins, about half the length of the petals. Petals white, oblanceolate, obtuse, entire. Stamens ten, subequal, short. Styles three; stigmas deeply biparted.

A plant very abundant in swamps in this vicinity, known to us for the last ten years, but as we find no description which we recognize, we conclude it must be unknown. Blossoming in July and August. Specimens by Mr. Bolander.

On a New Genus of Terrestrial Mollusca Inhabiting California.

BY J. G. COOPER, M.D.

Binneya Cooper.[4]

Generic characters.—General form of animal like Limax, with a shell resembling that of Omalonyx or Lamellaria.

Body about three times as long as shell, semicylindrical, obtuse in front, forming an acute angle behind; foot extending the whole length, somewhat distinct anteriorly, and carinate behind. Mantle shield-like, covering the back anterior to the shell for about one-fourth its length, not reflected over the shell. Eye-peduncles moderate, slender, two short acute tentacles in front of head. Lingual teeth resembling those of Helix in form and arrangement.

Shell entirely external, ear-shaped, nearly flat, about one-third as long as the animal, which it does not half cover when retracted. Spire flattened, forming two horizontal volutions, last whorl enormously expanded and slightly arched. Columella distinct, entire, hiding the interior of the convolutions.

Binneya notabilis Cooper. State Coll. Species 988.

Specific characters.—Animal dark lead-colored, with black reticulations, and a wide brown stripe along the median line, extending from the mantle to the front of head, about one-fourth of the total length.

Shell with a pale brown, smooth and shining epidermis, extending beyond the margin, translucent when young, becoming thickened by an opaque white deposit on the interior when old. First whorl or nucleus ornamented with about thirty delicate parallel revolving ribs, not concealed by the epidermis, and ending abruptly at the commencement of the transverse lines of growth in the body whorl.

Length 0.46, breadth 0.34, height 0.12 inch.

This genus resembles Limax in its shield-like mantle, but in the more essential characters of the lingual teeth, appears to belong undoubtedly to the Helicidæ. It approaches nearest to the subfamily Vitrininæ, in having the mantle in front of the shell, approaching nearest to the Daudebardia of Europe; but differs in the form and opacity of the shell, which resembles some of the Succininæ, especially Omalonyx of South America, etc. It differs from these very[63] much in the form of the animal, and the shell being wholly external, forming one of those connecting links which make it difficult or impossible to divide the Helicidæ into distinct groups.

Habitat. So far this animal has been found only in Santa Barbara Island, one of the group within this State. It there inhabits but one station, so far as I could discover after very careful search. That is the head of a ravine facing the south-east and about two hundred and fifty feet above the sea. During the wet season there may be a little water springing from this place, but for at least five months it is not even damp, while the remainder of the island is entirely destitute of water. Myriads of Helix kelletii and two other species (probably new) inhabit it, but during the dry season retire into a torpid æstivation, not disturbed by the fogs and mists of summer. The Binneya, the rarest of all, and not protected from drought by its shell, burrows down to the under surface of thick succulent roots, and contracting to about twice the size of its shell, covers the rest of its body with a white mucous secretion, which appears to be impervious to the moisture within, and dries into a tough leathery shell.[5] When moistened for a few hours, the animal separates the edge of this box from that of its true shell, and becomes active.

The figures [Fig. 15] represent three positions of the shell, the animal æstivating and also crawling.

Fig. 15.

I found but three alive, and eighteen dead shells.

Descriptions of New Species of Fishes.

BY ANDREW GARRETT, OF HONOLULU, S. I.

Julis Cuv.

Julis ornatissimus Garrett.

D. 9-13; A. 2-13; V. 1-5; P. 12; C. 2, 1, 6, 6, 1, 2.

The body of this Julis is rich green, which gradually passes into light blue on the breast and belly. The scales on the green ground are margined with vermillion red, and there is a slight tinge of the latter color on the abdominal scales. Four alternate oblique light red and blue vittæ pass from the middle of the gill-opening, and gradually fade away beneath the anterior portion of the abdomen. The head, which is emerald green, is ornamented with vermillion red stripes, which have their margins shaded off with brilliant blue. The stripes are disposed as follows: one traverses the upper line of profile, two extend from the upper lip to the eye, one follows the lower line of the head, passing up the hinder margin of the gill covers; two horizontal ones on the cheek, and, posteriously to the eye they assume reticulations. Irides golden yellow, with shades of light red; cornea dusky green. The dorsal, anal and caudal fins are carmine red, margined with pale blue. The former with a basal row of large spots, and[64] an intramarginal band, dark green. Two similar bands mark the outer half of the anal fin, and spots of the same color may be observed on the caudal. The ventrals are pale, straw-yellow, with blue, anterior margins. Pectorals have a pale, yellow tinge at their base.

The greatest depth of the body, as compared to the entire length of the fish, is about one to four. The scales are rather large. The head constitutes a little less than a fourth of the total length. In addition to the usual teeth which characterize the genus, we observe a spiniform tooth projecting obliquely forward from the posterior portion of the branches of the upper jaw. The caudal fin is posteriorly rounded off, and the ventrals are long and pointed.

Length, 4½ inches.

Habitat, Sandwich Islands.

Remarks.—We have observed only a single example of this very rare and beautiful fish, which was captured at the island of Hawaii in 1856. Its peculiar markings will readily distinguish it from any of the numerous species inhabiting our coasts. In shape and markings of the head it resembles Julis pæcila, figured in the Zoology of the Voyage of the “Blossom,” but the colors of the body and fins are widely different.

Chironectes Cuv.

Chironectes rubro-fuscus Garrett.

D. 3-13; A. 9; V. 6; P. 11; C. 9.

A single example of this species now before me has been preserved in spirits several years. It is in fine condition, though the colors are much faded. The general shape is oblong-oval, and much compressed. The thickness at the base of the head enters about five and a half times in the total length. The whole surface is covered with crowded minute hispid asperities, and very small, remote, cutaneous, tuft-like appendages. The head, as viewed in profile, is irregularly rounded, the chin forming the anterior end, being slightly in advance of the mouth. The eyes are exceedingly small, elliptically oval in shape, their greatest diameter being only three-twentieths of an inch. Their distance from the margin of the upper jaw is five times their own length. The mouth is vertical. On the top of the snout, midway between the eyes and the end of the upper jaw, is a long setaceous appendage, articulated to a tubercle, and tufted at the end. On the cranium there are two stout, curved processes, which project posteriorly, the hind one the largest, and both enveloped in the integuments. The dorsal fin takes its origin at a point corresponding to the middle of the total length of the fish, caudal exclusive. Its height equals the length of its own base. The caudal trunk and fin are slightly oblique to the horizontal axis of the body. The anal fin is small and rounded off along its outer margin. The rays in all the fins have their ends slightly prolonged in little fleshy points. The color, as noted from the living fish, is dark red, with irregular, cloud-like markings and spots, dusky gray. Everywhere maculated with small, irregular, dusky spots, which are the most numerous on the belly. A few deep black maculations on the vertical fins and scattering ones on the body. The interior of the mouth[65] and tongue are mottled with red and white. Irides pale flesh color; cornea black. The smooth inner surfaces of the pectoral and ventral fins are intensely red.

Length, 8½ inches.

Habitat, Sandwich Islands.

Remarks.—This fine large species is very rare. As compared with the C. leprosus from the same location, it is much larger, more compressed, the eyes much smaller and the ground color is quite different. In the leporina the eyes are less than twice their own diameter distant from the anterior margin of the upper jaw. In our fish they are five diameters distant from the same point.

Chætodon L.

Chætodon multicinctus Garrett.

D. 13-24; A. 3-19; V. 1-5; P. 14; C. 3, 1, 8, 7, 1, 2.

Form oval. The head enters about four and a half times in the total length. The upper line of profile from the snout to the dorsal fin is nearly straight, rising at an angle of 60°. The snout is short. The eye is large, circular, its diameter one-third of the length of the head, and placed just midway between the opercular corner and the end of the snout. The preopercular margin exhibits a few small dentations. The scales are moderate size.

The dorsal and anal fins are posteriorly rounded off. The hinder margin of the caudal is truncate. The anterior soft ray of the ventrals is slightly prolonged beyond the margin of the fin.

Color creamy-yellow. The sides are marked with five vertical, yellowish-brown, diffuse stripes, the two anterior ones terminate on the side of the belly, and the others at the base of the anal fin. There is a slight indication of a sixth one along the basal half of the soft portion of the dorsal fin. Each scale is marked with a faint, yellowish-brown dot. A yellow line starts from a point above the base of the ventral, follows the line of the belly, and unites with a black one which traverses the anal fin. A blue black spot in front of the dorsal fin gradually passes into the ocular fascia, the latter being brown above and yellow beneath the eye. Irides chrome-yellow. Upper lip brown. A vertical black stripe, shaded off anteriorly with vermillion, marks the middle of the caudal trunk. The dorsal spines and filaments are orange-yellow, the inter-radial membrane is colorless. The soft portion of the dorsal and anal are ochre-yellow along their middle-third, the former with a broad yellow and the latter with a pale greenish margin. The two colors on either fin separated by a narrow black and white line. The caudal is colorless, with a basal vertical luniform bar, its convex margin anterior. The ventrals are whitish, and the pectorals colorless.

Length, 3½ inches.

Habitat, Sandwich Islands.

Remarks.—Two examples of this species were procured in Honolulu market.

[66]

Ophisurus Lac.

Ophisurus Californiensis Garrett.

This Ophisurus is more robust than usual in species of this genus. The head is large, swollen beneath, and comprises about one-twelfth of the entire length. The depth, taken at the origin of the anal fin, enters about twenty-eight times in the total length, or twice in the length of the head. The pectorals are large, elliptical in shape, their tips reaching posteriorly nearly as far as the origin of the dorsal fin. The dorsal and anal fins are well developed, the latter passing over a base considerably more than half the length of the fish.

The color in spirits is brown, paler on the lower half of the head, and cinereous along the throat and belly. A dorsal row of large, roundish, brownish-black spots extends from the occipital region to the end of the tail; the spots being intersected by the fin, and the two anterior ones are saddle shaped. A second row, disposed alternately to the first, occupies the upper half of the flanks. The head is irregularly maculated, the spots becoming paler beneath. The fins are light, brownish-grey; the dorsal and anal with a narrow darker margin, which is articulated with dark brown.

Length, 19½ inches.

Habitat, Lower California.

Remarks.—The specimen described above, was captured at Margarita Bay, by Mr. White, of the whaler Rambler, to whom I am indebted for a valuable collection of objects of natural history.

On new Genera and Species of California Fishes—No. I.

BY J. G. COOPER, M.D.

The fishes described in the following articles were collected by me for the State Geological Survey, along the Southern Coast of this State and among the adjoining islands. While it is possible that some of them may have been described in works not now accessible to us, the probabilities are entirely in favor of their being new, as we have very recent lists of all the species described as inhabitants of this Coast since the report on fishes collected by the Pacific Rail Road Surveys.

For much information and assistance in their determination, I am indebted to Dr. W. O. Ayres, and also to Dr. George Hewston, for the use of books not contained in any public library in the city.

The outline illustrations, reduced from accurate measurements, were electrotyped and presented by our industrious collaborator, Dr. Kellogg.

The colors described are in all cases those of the living fish.

Dekaya, n. g.[6]

Generic characters.—General shape elongated and fusiform, head small and short, premaxillaries slightly protractile, eye large, situated above the level of mouth, profile moderately sloping, snout broad and obtuse.

Preoperculum serrated behind, operculum with one obtuse spine; branchiostegal rays five on each side. Opercular openings connected below.

Front rows of teeth on premaxillaries small, conical, acute, and slightly recurved; those of upper jaw largest, their size decreasing from the middle towards each angle, where there are one or two large canines; those below hidden by the upper jaw. Behind this row in both jaws, a band of velvet teeth in about six irregular rows near the symphysis, but ending entirely near the middle of each ramus. Tongue and vomer toothless. Pharyngeal bones and branchial arches densely crowded with large velvet teeth.

Infraorbital bone short, curving up under posterior border of orbit, and not connected with the operculum.

Nostrils double, anterior opening smaller, lips rather thick and fleshy.

Scales small, numerous, oblong, subquadrangular, finely pectinated, covering the whole body and head as far as front of orbit, but leaving a bare space around the eye.

Fins scaleless, as well as caudal rays. Dorsal and anal fins very long at base; spinous rays few. Lateral line normal.

[71]

Dekaya anomala, Cooper, n. sp., State coll. No. 618. [Fig. 17.]

Fig. 17.

Specific characters.—Length of head contained five times in total length. Distance from end of snout to orbit one-third the length of head, and greater than[72] width of orbit. Height of head just behind orbit about equal to distance from tip of snout to edge of preoperculum; breadth one-third to one-half of its length. Skin on occiput elevated from the bone by a thick layer of fat, not by any bony expansions.

Height of pectoral fin less than length of head; its width about one-third of its height, middle rays longest.

Dorsal arising above pectoral joint, its length one-third that of the fish; first spine one-ninth the length of the fin; the other spines lengthening to the commencement of the soft portion, of which the longest ray is one-fifth the length of the fin, and the last ray one-fifteenth; the entire fin having a gradually arching outline.

Caudal moderately broad, deeply forked, and acutely pointed; the upper lobe slightly the largest.

Anal similar in form to dorsal, arising opposite its eighth soft ray and prolonged a little farther back. It is three-fifths as long as dorsal, its height about one-fourth its length, the first (spinous) ray and the last each half as long as the longest.

Ventrals four-fifths the height of pectorals, arising immediately behind them; their width one-third of their length.

D. VII, 23-2, C 3-1-6-6-1-3, A I-2-21-2, P 6-1-11, V, I-1-1-3. Scales 175, 13/32-10/10.

Colors.—Pale silvery brown, white below; an obscure row of brown spots and mottlings on sides; fins and tail olive near base; iris dark brown and gilt.

Remarks.—This fish seems to be a very aberrant form of the Percoid family, having many of the characters of other orders. Its general form and dentition are those of some Sciaenoids, while its entire dorsal, opercular armature and only five branchiostegals separate it both from them and the Percoids. The very long anal is another character found in few if any members of these families. I can find nothing in the pharyngeal bones to indicate its affinities, these being closely like those of both the above families as shown in Seriphus politus and Paralabrax clathratus, which on comparison have them almost exactly similar.

The genus Heterognathodon, of Bleeker, has several of the most peculiar characters of this one; but not having a full description of it, I cannot compare them. There are generic differences at least, and the habitat is widely different, being the East Indies. Richardson places it with other aberrant genera in the family Theraponidae—(Datninae, of Swainson,) which is probably a mixture of several.

The outline figure represents the fish one-third the natural size; 22 inches.

This fish is caught rather plentifully in autumn at Catalina Island, where I obtained the one here described, in October, 1861. During my late visit there, in June and July, none would bite, and I have not yet obtained any duplicates. It is called by the very vague name of “White-fish.”

The figure being made from a skin may be a little inaccurate in proportions; but I hope to be able to present a better one in the Report of the Geological Survey.

This white-fish is not remarkable for excellence as food.

[73]

Ayresia, n. g.[7]

Generic characters.—Form elongated, suboval; the outline more curved above than below. Scales large, finely pectinated, completely covering the body and head, except in front of orbit; smaller on head, and becoming very small where they extend over parts of the fins and tail.

Teeth numerous, acute, entire, the anterior row largest; those below larger than above, and flattened posteriorly. A few smaller ones crowded behind these near symphysis. Pharyngeals villiform.

Premaxillars protractile, the upper arched, twice as high as wide, the lower shutting within it.

Preoperculum entire, a very small obtuse spine at angle of operculum.

Pectorals rather long and pointed. Caudal deeply forked, the lobes acute. Dorsal long, anal moderate.

Differs from Pomacentrus (Lacepede) chiefly in a more arched dorsal outline, armed operculum and unarmed preoperculum, pointed fins and tail, proportions of fins.

The dorsal outline appears to become much more convex with age, chiefly from deposit of fat on the occiput, as is the case in some Labroids, as for instance, L. pulcher (Ayres) and Julis modestus (Girard), the latter also growing higher in proportion to its length throughout. The dotted line represents the dorsal outline of a specimen one-fourth larger than that figured, but otherwise closely like it.

Ayresia punctipinnis, Cooper, n. sp., State coll. No. 596. [Fig. 18.]

Fig. 18.

Specific characters.—Head forming less than a fourth of total length (0.18), eyes less than one-third the length of head, and less than its own diameter from end of snout, height of head behind orbit about equal to its length. Greatest thickness of body about one-eighth of total length.

Height of pectoral equal to one-fourth the distance from snout to fork of tail (0.21). Dorsal commencing above pectoral joint, its spinous portion nearly one-third of its total length, and one-sixth of its height, the first spine shortest. Soft rays becoming three times as high, forming an obtuse point behind; the last ray about as long as the spines (the first dorsal spine should be one-fourth longer than in the figure). Caudal peduncle slightly contracted, shorter than caudal rays. Fork of tail extending half-way to its base, the upper lobe longest, being one-fifth of the total length. Anal commencing beneath the tenth dorsal spine, and ending a little anterior to end of soft dorsal, its base less than one-sixth of total length (0.17).

Br. V-V D.XIII, 6-1-6, C. 3-1-6 6-1-3, A.II-11, V. I-8, P-19. Scales 30 3/8 4/9 3/3 lat. line ant. 19.

Color.—Bluish or greenish-black; sides, paler, sometimes coppery, fins smoky, the dorsal and caudal spotted with black, iris bronzed brown. Beneath whitish in young, all the hues darker in the old fish. Some are also spotted on the body posteriorly.

[74]

In the winter of 1861-2, I caught several in San Diego Bay, which bit freely at the usual baits. I did not hear any peculiar name applied, but they are confounded with “Perch,” which they little resemble. Also found at San Pedro.

A larger one, taken in a net at Santa Barbara Island, in May, 1863, has the different characters supposed to indicate an older fish, and is much fatter; its head is also shorter in proportion, but as I find a similar difference in specimens of Girella nigricans Ayres, as well as in the Labroids before mentioned, I must consider these as sexual differences, or in part depending on age and condition. They do not differ more than some specimens of Embiotoca jacksoni from each other, and agree closely in the number of spines and rays of their fins.

[75]

Orcynus, Cuvier, 1819.

Orcynus pacificus, Cooper, n. sp., State collection, species 1033. [Fig. 19.]

[76]

Fig. 19.

Specific characters.—General profile elliptical, height of body nearly one-quarter its length, breadth about half the height.

Head laterally compressed, somewhat flattened on top, the nose horizontally rounded, but laterally pointed. Base of tail vertically compressed, one-third broader than it is high. Head half the length of body, its height behind orbit equal to half its length. Diameter of orbit one-sixth the length of head, its form obliquely oval. Jaws equal, gape of mouth one-third the length of head.

Pectoral fin, arising at middle of vertical of side, nearly half the total length, its width at base one-eighth of its length, but suddenly narrowing to one-fifteenth, which width it retains nearly to the end, its outer third curving gradually downward, and becoming pointed. First dorsal commencing directly above pectoral, its length nearly one-fourth of total length, and its height in front two-fifths of its length. Spines rapidly decreasing in length from the first to the eighth, the next six about equal, and a third of the first, the last one very short. Second dorsal immediately behind the first and a little higher, triangular, nearly one-third higher than long, its base lengthened posteriorly, and one-third the length of the first dorsal. Finlets eight above and eight below, acutely triangular, those near the middle a little larger.

Caudal large, its lobes equal, their length three times their width, and one-third that of the pectoral; posterior outline arcuately concave, with slightly widened lobes near the middle.

Anal opposite end of second dorsal, similar to it in form, but smaller, and about twice as high as long, its position half way between the ventrals and caudal. Its first spine is only about one-third as long as the second, which is two-thirds the height of fin; both concealed by the skin.

Ventrals arising opposite second dorsal spine, about twice as high as wide, their inner margin with a small pointed lobe.

Cartilaginous ridge on side of caudal peduncle moderate, highest anteriorly, its length half that of caudal lobe. Two slight oblique ridges behind the median ridge.

Lateral line imperceptible in front of fourth dorsal spine, parallel with outline of back. No scales on head. Thoracic corselet of very large consolidated[77] scales above pectoral, bordered by six rows of large distinct scales, which grow smaller from before backwards. Scales underneath ventrals and around other fins, similarly consolidated, and depressed under pectoral and ventral. Rest of scales nearly uniform in size.

Teeth numerous, very small, in one row, the palatine dense and velvety. Rays of second dorsal and anal fins nearly hidden by adipose skin.

Br. VI-VI D.XIV-12-|-8, P 32, V, I-8 A.II-8,-|-8 C.11-1-6-6-1-12.

Colors.—Above blackish, sides steel-blue, below silvery white, fins smoky, iris brown, finlets yellow edged with blue.

The largest I saw measured thirty-three inches to fork of tail, and weighed twenty-five pounds.

Numerous in summer among the islands off the southern coast of this State, and is said to occur as far north as San Luis Obispo. It affords excellent sport, being caught by trolling while sailing very rapidly, biting voraciously at a white rag. It is in my opinion the best fish for the table that is caught on this coast, but it is said to be sometimes poisonous.

It belongs to the typical Orcynus of Cuvier, distinguished from Thynnus, by the very long pectoral, eight pairs of finlets, small corselet, etc. The type of Orcynus (Scomber alatunga, Linn., or O. alalonga, Duhamel), is called “Ala longa” (Long-wing) in the Mediterranean and resembles this species closely, but is figured as less high and with a smaller pectoral fin.

This species is one of several confounded by sailors under the Spanish names of Albicore and Bonito. The English name Tunny is applied to an allied species on the coast of Europe, the Thynnus vulgaris, Cuv., and to its near representative the T. secundi-dorsalis, Storer, of the eastern American coast. These, however, are evidently of a different genus, and as Thynnus is preoccupied in insects, the name Orcynus, applied by Gill to the same type, may perhaps be retained, although founded on a mistake. O. coretta, Cuv. and Val., probably represents our species in the Gulf of Mexico.

Enumeration of Shrubs and Trees growing in the vicinity of the mouth of San Francisco Bay.

BY HENRY N. BOLANDER.

The territory in question is divided naturally into three parts:

1. The northern part of the peninsula of San Francisco, with an undulating and hilly surface, consists of drifting sand, with a small per centage of humus mingled with it.

2. The Oakland Hills, running N. 54° W. mag., from the Bay of San Pablo to San Leandro, a distance of twenty-three miles, with the adjacent slopes and valleys. Heavy clayey soil predominates; but where shrubs and trees grow it is mostly a loose, light, and slightly sandy soil.

3. That part of Marin County between San Rafael, the head of Tomales Bay and Bolinas Bay, forming a triangle, with a hilly surface, the ridges running N. 54° W. mag. Soil a heavy clay, in the valleys and on bare hills; or a light, slightly sandy loam among shrubs and trees.

In all parts a metamorphic sand-stone underlies the soil.

Berberis (Mahonia) Aquifolium Pursh.

A low evergreen shrub, three to four feet high, not gregarious; in clay soil on the hill sides; rare.

Dendromecon rigidum Benth.

A shrub with slender upright branchlets, four to six feet high, rare; on white sand-stone, Oakland hills, third range eastward, not gregarious.

Rhus diversiloba Torr. and Gray. Poison Oak.

Everywhere, deciduous, exceedingly variable, three to eight feet high.

Negundo Aceroides Mœnch. Box-Elder.

A medium sized tree, twenty to thirty feet high; common among the Oakland hills, on banks of creeks.

Acer macrophyllum Pursh. Large-Leaved Maple.

Common on the banks of Walnut Creek, N.W. of Mount Diablo; fifty to seventy feet high, and two to five feet in diameter, in light sandy soil.

Æsculus Californica Nutt. Horse-Chestnut.

Mostly a shrub, seldom a medium sized tree, largest on the banks of creeks and moist hill sides; grows commonly in groups. Common.

Euonymus Occidentalis Nutt. Spindle-Tree.

A shrub seven to fifteen feet high, with slender upright branches; in swampy places, near the head of Tomales Bay; rare.

Frangula Californica Gray. California Buckthorn.

Very common, variable, four to ten feet high; evergreen, gregarious, in clayey soil.

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Esch. California Lilac.

Very common, and variable in size, sometimes handsome trees; exceedingly[79] gregarious, forming dense chaparral, on the northern and eastern slopes of hills and mountains; evergreen. Much cultivated on account of the profusion of its fragrant flowers, and the various shapes that may be given it by trimming.

Ceanothus rigidus Nutt.

Low, straggling, four to six feet high, less gregarious than the former; on the white sand-stone hills, east of Oakland.

Ceanothus ——.

A small shrub, three to four feet high, with very small glandular leaves; mostly single or in groups, on Mount Tamal Pais at 2,700 feet elevation.

Lupinus albifrons Benth. Silver-Leaved Lupine.

Very common in almost pure sandy soil, oblong in outline, two to six feet high; growing mostly single, evergreen.

Lupinus macrocarpus Hook. and Arn. Yellow Lupine.

Large, spreading, oval in outline, evergreen, with large fragrant flowers; gregarious in moist gravelly places along the shore of the bay, and in depressions, or banks of runs, where the soil partakes of a clayey nature.

Pickeringia montana Nutt.

Large, spreading, four to seven feet high; evergreen, and gregarious on the Oakland white sand-stone hills.

Cerasus Ilicifolia Nutt. California Cherry, or Plum.

A small tree, eight to fifteen feet high, with thick, shining, spinously serrate, evergreen leaves; fruit of a yellowish pink color, with a thin pulpy external portion. Hill sides on the peninsula of San Francisco, growing mostly in groups; rare.

Cerasus serotina Ehrh. Black Wild-Cherry.

A group of three or four small trees, eight to twelve feet high, near a road in the Oakland hills. Undoubtedly introduced from the Atlantic States.

Cerasus emarginata? Dougl.

A small shrub, three to four feet high, with very slender reddish and white dotted branchlets, and deciduous leaves; rare. Tamal Pais, 2,700 feet elevation.

Nuttallia Cerasiformis Torr. and Gray.

Oblong in outline, four to six feet high, deciduous; common on the northern slopes of hills, in clayey soil. Along the bay and Oakland hills.

Spiræa Opulifolia Linn. Nine-Bark.

Large, spreading, eight to fifteen feet high; common on the banks of creeks among the Oakland hills.

Spiraea Ariæfolia Smith.

Common on banks of creeks and northern slopes of hills, Oakland.

Cercocarpus parvifolius Nutt.

Rare, on the hills in Marin County. Its spirally-tailed seeds give the shrub an appearance as if in full blossom.

Adenostema fasciculata Hook. and Arn.

Oblong in outline, four to five feet high; very gregarious, forming extensive[80] dense chaparral on the southern and western slopes of the Oakland bills; evergreen.

Rubus Nutkanus Lindl. Thimble-Berry.
Rubus velutinus Hook. and Arn.
Rubus macropetalus Dougl. Blackberry.

Northern slopes of hills, Oakland and Marin County.

Rosa blanda Ait. Wild Rose.

Very common on the banks of creeks, forming thickets. Oakland hills and Walnut Creek.

Rosa gymnocarpa Nutt.

Hill sides, Oakland. A small but beautiful species, rather rare.

Photinia Arbutifolia Lindl.

A handsome evergreen tree of medium size, in sandy soil. Common everywhere in the vicinity of water and springs.

Amelanchier Canadensis. Var. Alnifolia Torr. and Gray. Service-Berry.

Northern slopes, four to twelve feet high; in clayey soil, at Mission Dolores and Oakland hills.

Ribes divaricatum Dougl. Black Gooseberry.
Ribes glutinosum Benth. Red Gooseberry.
Ribes malvaceum Smith. Black Currant.

Banks of creeks and northern slopes.

Whipplea modesta Torr.

In loose, light soil, in the Redwoods; one to two feet high, rare.

Cornus pubescens Nutt. Soft-Leaved Dogwood.

Large, spreading, ten to fifteen feet high. Banks of creeks, Oakland hills.

Lonicera involucrata Banks. Twin-Berry.

Large, with slender upright branches, ten to fifteen feet high. Borders of creeks and swamps, Bay of San Francisco, Oakland, Marin County.

Lonicera Californica Torr. and Gray; et var. hispidula. Honeysuckle.

Slender, climbing; borders of streams. L. hispidula, on the out-croppings of white sand-stone, Oakland hills.

Symphoricarpus racemosus Michx. Snow-Berry.

Forming thickets in depressions on the Oakland hills, at 2,000 feet elevation, and along streams in the valleys. Clay soil—three to four feet high.

Sambucus glauca Nutt. Elder.
Sambucus pubens Michx. Red-Berried Elder.

Dry hill sides and borders of wet places. S. glauca, often tree-like and twenty feet high. Oakland, Marin County.

Aplopappus Laricifolius Gray.

A low fastigiate-branched shrub, one to three feet high; very common in drift-sand on the peninsula of San Francisco.

[81]

Linosyris ——?

A beautiful little shrub, three to five feet high, with upright branches and long linear leaves, densely set. Branchlets and leaves covered by a resinous exudation. In glades on the northern slopes of Tamal Pais, 1,500 to 2,000 feet elevation.

Grindelia ——?

A low shrub, two to six feet high, bordering the channels in the salt marshes at Oakland and San Rafael.

Baccharis consanguinea D. C.

B. pilularis D. C. et B. glomeruliflora Hooker, seem to be identical. It is an exceedingly varying shrub; on sandy soil, low, creeping, with numerous fastigiate branchlets, the flowers mostly pistillate, and the heads less crowded; on clayey soil, especially on the banks of creeks, it is often fifteen feet high, quite tree-like, oblong in outline, the flowers mostly staminate, and the heads very much crowded. All forms are subject to excrescences, but especially those growing in a sandy soil. Evergreen.

Bahia Artemisiæfolia Less.

Ovate in outline, two to three feet high, evergreen; common on northern slopes, shores of the bay, and Oakland hills.

Artemisia filifolia Torr. Wormwood.

Large root-stocks with numerous slender branches, three to four feet high. Occupying almost invariably the southern slopes in common with Diplacus glutinosus. Both plants, on account of the leaden color of their leaves and branches, give the southern slopes that barren appearance, contrasting so strongly with the vegetation of the northern slopes.

Artemisia pachystachya D. C.

Sandy soil, three to four feet high. Peninsula of San Francisco.

Vaccinium ovatum Pursh. Evergreen Huckleberry.

A beautiful shrub, five to ten feet high, with slender upright branches; berries delicious. In light sandy soil, on the eastern slopes of Oakland hills.

Arbutus Menziesii Pursh. Madroña.

Evergreen, twenty to thirty feet high, on the northern and eastern slopes of the Oakland hills, but more common and generally larger and finer on the hill sides near San Rafael.

Arctostaphylos tomentosa Dougl. Mansañita.

Low, straggling, evergreen, and gregarious on the out-croppings of white sandstone in the Oakland hills.

Arctostaphylos pungens H. B. K. Mansañita.

Obovate in outline, ten to fifteen feet high; scattered.

Gaultheria Shallon Pursh. Maris. Sallal.

Low, creeping, evergreen, covering large tracts of land among the hills of Marin County. Berries eatable.

[82]

Azalea occidentalis Torr. and Gray.

On the banks of creeks in Marin County. Quite common; five to twelve feet high.

Diplacus glutinosus Nutt.

Southern and western slopes. Resinous, eight feet high; common.

Sphacele calycina Benth.

Mostly gregarious, five to eight feet high. Near the coast, Marin County; eastern slopes near San Mateo.

Eriodiction Californicum Benth.

Very glutinous, two to four feet high—evergreen. Dry hill sides, Tamal Pais.

Solanum umbelliferum Esch.

A slender evergreen shrub, two to four feet high on the bluffs of the bay.

Fraxinus Oregana Nutt. Oregon Ash.

On the banks of creeks, Marin County; twenty to thirty feet high.

Oreodaphne Californica Nées. Spice Bush, Mountain Laurel, Balm Of Heaven.

Often a large tree in moist localities, forty to fifty feet high, sometimes three to six feet in diameter; used for ship-building.

Dirca palustris Linn. Leatherwood.

Very common on the eastern slopes of the Oakland hills, where its flowers make it very conspicuous in spring; two to four feet high.

Croton (Hendecandra) procumbens Hook and Arn.

A very low shrub, common on the peninsula of San Francisco, in almost pure sandy soil.

Garrya elliptica Lindl.

Mostly a shrub with slender branches, but sometimes a small-sized tree; evergreen, gregarious, in sandy soil in this city, and on the eastern slope of the Oakland hills.

Platanus racemosa Nutt. Sycamore.

Banks of San Leandro Creek, Oakland hills.

Alnus viridis D. C.

A large tree on the banks of creeks, Oakland hills.

Myrica Californica Cham. and Schl. Wax Myrtle.

Mostly a medium sized tree, in moist localities and on the eastern slopes of Oakland hills.

Juglans rupestris Engelm. Var. major Torr. Walnut.

A beautiful large tree, forty to sixty feet high and two to four feet in diameter,[83] with rather smooth bark and dense, graceful foliage; it may well vie with its Eastern congeners. Banks of Walnut Creek east of the Oakland hills.

Castanea chrysophylla Dougl. California Chinquapin.

A low, straggling evergreen and gregarious shrub, occurring only on the outcroppings of the white sandstone in the Oakland hills.

Quercus densiflora Hook and Arn.

Tamal Pais and Redwoods of Marin County.

Quercus agrifolia Nées. Live Oak.

A shrub as well as a large tree; everywhere in moderately moist situations.

Quercus tinctoria var. Californica Torr. Black Oak.

Hill sides, Marin County.

Quercus lobata Nées. White Oak.

Hill sides Marin County and banks of Walnut Creek.

Quercus acutidens? Torr. Scrub Oak.

Evergreen; forming dense chaparral on Tamal Pais.

Corylus rostrata Ait. Beaked Hazelnut.

Very common on the eastern slopes of the Oakland Hills. A shrub four to six feet high.

Salix (four species.) Willow.

Wet grounds everywhere, six to twenty feet high.

Populus tremuloides Michx. Aspen.

A medium sized tree on the banks of Walnut Creek.

Torreya Californica Torr. California Nutmeg Tree.

A large tree with long spreading branches, and rather smooth bark. Wood valuable; rare, on banks of Papermill Creek, Marin County.

Sequoia sempervirens Endl. Redwood.

A very large tree, forming small groves on the northern slopes of hills in Marin County, and on the eastern slopes of the Oakland hills.

Pinus insignis Dougl.

A small tree ten to fifteen feet high, on the outcroppings of white sandstone in the Oakland hills, third ridge eastward; rare.

Pinus contorta Dougl.

A medium sized tree, ovate in outline. Hills of Marin County; rare.

Abies Douglasii Lindl. Oregon Pine.

A very large tree, yielding excellent timber. Grows with S. sempervirens in small groves on the northern slopes of hills, Marin County.

Cupressus Mac-Nabiana? Murray. Cedar.

A spreading shrub, eight to twelve feet high, on Tamal Pais; rare.

On Californian Lepidoptera—No. III.

BY H. BEHR, M. D.

The following species of butterflies were mostly collected by the members of the State Geological Survey, among the higher regions of the Sierra Nevada; but some of them are from other portions of California.

Danais, Latr.

1. Danais Archippus, Cramer.

This species was found everywhere, both on the plains and at the highest elevations, up to the limits of Lepidopterous life, 10,500 feet above the level of the sea. The specimens caught in the Sierra were in a poor condition, and differed remarkably in habits from those found near San Francisco Bay. Like most Danaids, ours is rather a lazy and heavy butterfly, gifted it is true with great power of flight, which is shown not by swiftness, but by perseverance. It is however quite easily caught. But according to the statement of Mr. Hoffman, of the Geological Survey, this same Danais was on the mountain summits so restless and active that although very common, only two specimens could be obtained.

We consider these specimens as something like “enfans perdus,” of an otherwise respectable family, led away by an innate desire to strive against the current. Thus they struggle against the mountain breeze until finally they reach the bleak heights of the Sierra, where such tropical forms contrast strikingly with the alpine flora.

Argynnis, Fabr.

2. Argynnis montivaga, Behr, n. sp. [Argynnis, No. 4. Proc. Cal. Acad. II, 1862, p. 174.]

If, as I strongly suspect, this species is still undescribed, I propose for it the above name. It is not found near this bay, but seems to be widely spread through the Sierra from whence I have specimens collected at different localities. Those obtained by the Geological Survey are from an elevation of 10,500 feet.

3. Argynnis rupestris, Behr, n. sp. [No. 6 of former article.]

To the diagnosis formerly given I add the following character:

Margo anterior alarum anteriorum subtus quam disco pallidior.

The saturated coloration of the radical half of the hind wings, is not always equal in its extent beyond the middle macular fascia, so that the diagnosis of No. 9 is in some respects near enough to cause confusion, if it were not that in No. 9 the anterior margin of the forewings is always decidedly darker than the disk, furnishing a good diagnostic character. In general aspect they differ enough to be recognized at the first glance, but it is very difficult to describe the other differences.

The name I propose for No. 6, is derived from its inhabiting the steep rocky declivities characterizing the lower part of the Sierra. The specimens were collected by Prof. Brewer at a moderate elevation above the sea.

4. Argynnis monticola, Behr, n. sp. [No. 8 of the former article.]

This species was found in Yosemite Valley and some other localities, being apparently not rare.

[85]

5. Argynnis Antithore, Boisd.

One specimen only from Yosemite Valley.

Melitæa, Fabr.

It will be necessary to give a monograph of this genus before we go on with the enumeration of the mountain species.

We have in California eleven well-marked species, a number far exceeding those of the Atlantic Slope, and about equal to those of the whole of Europe. In the “Synopsis of North American Lepidoptera,” written for the Smithsonian Institution by John G. Morris, I find only two Californian species mentioned and described, viz.: M. Editha and M. Palla, the “M. Zerene” of the same work being without doubt an Argynnis. In a catalogue published by the same author in 1860, I find besides those just mentioned another, viz; M. Chalcedon.

Dr. Boisduval names several Melitæa in his letters to me, but gives no diagnosis.

Our Californian Melitæa belong to four types.

Type I. The first is that of M. Tharos, represented by four distinct species in California. This type is peculiar to the American Continent, occurring also in the Atlantic States, and in the tropics.

Type II. That of M. Athalia, represented by M. Palla, and several others. It is also abundantly represented in Europe, but seems to be wanting in the Atlantic States.

Type III. That of M. Phaeton, corresponding exactly to the European, M. Maturna, M. Artemis, etc., is represented in California by M. Editha, M. Chalcedon, and others.

Type IV. That of M. Leanira is numerous in the tropics of America but seems to be wanting everywhere else except in California.

Melitæa, Type I.

1. M. montana, Behr. Syn? M. Pyrrha, Doubleday.

Alae supra aurantiacae, nigro clathratae, inter secundam et tertiam fasciam nigram magis dilutae; posticae inter primam et secundam fasciam, serie punctorum nigrorum signatae, fascia prima ab angulo anteriori interrupta, et costam versus quintam tantum denuo cursum ad angulum posteriorem recipiente.

Alae anticae subtus aurantiacae, disco fere concolori, nec maculis pallidiouibus nec fasciis obscurioribus bene distinctis, apicem versus flavidae, maculls fasciisque fuscis, et prope angulum posteriorem macula nigra signatae. Alae posticae flavidae signaturis plus minus obscurioribus, in morem Argynnidum undulatis, serie punctorum brunneorum inter primam et secundam fasciam ut supra pertranseunte. Insuper inter costam quintam et sextam exstat lunula submarginalis pallidior, interdum candida pruinaque argentea induta, quam umbra amplectitur obscurior. Altera umbra a margine anteriori prope apicem extenditur.

This species is very variable as to the markings of the underside of the hind wings. Two specimens, which I received through the kindness of Mr. Lorquin, have scarcely any markings there. These were collected in the neighborhood[86] of Los Angeles. The others, received from the gentlemen of the survey, were mostly collected at the headwaters of Tuolumne River, but some from Yosemite Valley.

2. M. collina, Behr, n. sp.

Alae omnes supra fulvae, nigro clathratae, posticae inter fasciam primam et secundam serie punctorum nigrorum instructae.

Alae anticae subtus fulvae apicem versus gilvescentes, ubique signaturis fuscis, marginemque versus aliquot maculis nigris obsitae.

Alae posticae subtus gilvae, hinc pruina argentea indutae, signaturis fuscis in morem Argynnidum undulatis, binis semper per umbram quandam connexis, hinc et illinc confluentibus, serie punctorum nigrorum halone amplexorum ut supra inter fasciam primam et secundam pertranseunte. Lunula submarginalis inter costam quintam et sextam major quam reliquae lunulae submarginales, et umbra brunnea amplexa.

This species is not rare in the vicinity of San Francisco, and the hills of Contra Costa, especially on the grassy valleys, along creeks, and on hillsides with a varied vegetation of herbaceous plants. There must be many generations of these annually, for the perfect insect is found from spring to autumn.

3. M. campestris, Behr, n. sp.

Alae supra nigrae fasciis macularibus ochraceis et aurantiacis alternantibus. Series punctorum nigrorum in alis posticis in fascia aurantiaca submarginali.

Alae anticae subtus aurantiacae apicem versus luteae. Macula disci et fascia intermedia infracta luteae, haec intus nigro marginata. Alae posticae subtus luteae, linea transversa undulata divisae; A radice usque ad lineam transversam brunneo signatae et prope mediam lineam transversam umbra obscura indutae; quae umbra extenditur usque ad seriem punctorum. Lunula inter quintam costam et sextam candida, aucta et umbra amplexa.

This species is very common in different localities, especially on marshy places, where Hemizonia abounds. Seems to be peculiar to the lower regions, and produces several annual generations.

4. M. pratensis, Behr, n. sp.

Alae supra nigrae fasciis macularibus fulvis instructae. Maculae fasciae submarginalis alarum posticarum singulae singula puncta nigra gerentes.

Alae anticae subtus ochraceae maculis pallidioribus hinc et illinc signatae. Marginem versus posticam extant aliquot maculae nigrae. Alae posticae subtus hepaticae lineis undulatis, maculis, umbris serieque punctorum cunctis aeque brunneis instructae. Lunula submarginalis vix pallidior et umbra amplectente tantum e reliqua ala discerni potest.

This species is found on grassy hillsides and is common enough in some localities near San Francisco. Several generations are found from spring to the beginning of the rainy season.

Before I had a sufficient series of these nearly allied species in my possession, I considered them local varieties of one single species. Afterwards I had an idea that two of them, M. collina and pratensis might be seasonal varieties or alternating generations, like for instance Arachnia Prorsa, whose vernal generation[87] A. Levana was for a long time considered another species. But according to my observations continued through several years, these species are not confined to certain seasons, but are to be found throughout the dry season. If they were alternating generations of the same insect the different forms would be found only at certain seasons; but such is not the case.

M. montana is very variable but never approaches to the characters of the other three species. The rest are as constant as a species can be, and in a long series of duplicates from different localities I do not find anything like an intermediate form.

The four species of this type agree in the following points:

1. A row of dots between the first and second transverse lines of the hindwings, in the space that represents in these species the submarginal fascia. This row is clearly visible on both sides.

2. The marginal lunula between the fifth and sixth vein is perceptibly augmented on both sides, and on the other side is frequently of lighter color and always surrounded by a deeper shade.

The most positive characters distinguishing the species is found on the disc of the underside of forewings.

1. M. montana, has the disc uniform fulvous the markings of the upper-side shining through the coloration of the disc.

2. M. collina, has the disc orange color; markings very perceptible and towards the exterior margin bordered by a series of black spots.

3. M. campestris, has the disc with a yellow spot between the first and second primary costa, and is bordered towards the exterior margin by an angular row of yellow spots, which are themselves bordered at the inner side by deep black.

4. M. pratensis, has the disc ochre yellow with irregularly diluted spots and some black marks near the posterior margin.

There are plenty of other points of difference, as may be seen by comparing the diagnoses. But for recognition of any of the species it is sufficient to examine the disc. The other differences are difficult to describe, as all those who know by their own experience the difficulties of analyzing the complicated markings of the underside of the hindwings in this group will testify. As to the larval state of these insects nothing is known, and this want of facts regarding their metamorphosis, is the more to be lamented as the natural affinities of this type are by no means very clear or simple. It seems to constitute a kind of intermediate group between the true Melitæae and the Arctic type of Argynnides. The eyes are more prominent than in the typical species of Melitæa, and I find a similar conformation of the head in M. Tharos from the Atlantic States. At the same time the underside of the hindwings of all these species does not represent the well-defined alternate bands of the typical Melitæae, but the intricate undulations and undefined lights and shadows of the underside of the Arctic type of Argynnis. In fact M. montana approaches in this respect very closely to A. Aphirape.

Type II.

This type corresponds to the European type of M. Athalia, and even in the differential characters of the four species known to me there is a striking parallelism to those of four European species, so that each of them[88] looks as if it was the transposition of a foreign species separated by a peculiarly Californian character, afterwards to be pointed out, from its European congener, and separated amongst themselves by the very same characters that separate the four European parallel species from each other. Their analogies are as follows:

The Californians differ from their European analogues in the orange color that fills the space between the margin and the marginal line on the underside. In the European species this space always has the same pale tint that forms the ground color.

Then the two waving lines that inclose the submarginal band on the underside of the hind wings, are not entirely filled by the orange or fulvous spots as in the European, but have an empty space between the first and second, and the second and third veins.

1. Melitæa Palla, Boisd.

Alae maris supra fulvae nigro clathratae, feminae nigrae nonnullis fasciis macularibus gilvis instructae.

Alae posticae subtus gilvae lineis nigris et maculis aurantiacis ordinariis instructae, necnon serie lunularum fasciae submarginalis fulvarum a vena tertia inchoantium usque ad ultimam decurrentium. Quaeque lunula continet ocellum.

I repeat the diagnosis for the purpose of adding a character that has been hitherto overlooked but is essential for separating this species from the following. It is the eye-spot contained in each of the orange-colored spots of the submarginal band. It is true that these spots are not in every specimen equally visible, and often require the help of the glass to make them visible, but still they are never wanting as in the following species.

M. Palla is the only one of this type found in the vicinity of San Francisco, where it is rather common. Nevertheless I have not yet succeeded in finding the caterpillar, but have heard from our celebrated entomologist, Mr. Lorquin, that he has raised this butterfly from a caterpillar found on a species of Plantago.

2. Melitæa Whitneyi, Behr, n. sp.

Alae maris supra rubricantes nigro clathratae feminae, fere eædem, colore tantum dilutiori hinc et illinc paululum alternantes.

Alae posticae subtus iis M. Pallae similes sed lunulae fasciae submarginalis ocellis omnino destitutae.

At the first look the difference between this species and M. Palla is striking enough, for the coloration of the upperside is quite different and the reticulate black marking runs in much thinner lines and is more regular than in M. Palla, where towards the margin the black markings unite more or less and cover the ground color. The striking alteration in the colors of the upper side in[89] the series of M. Palla does not exist here and the female is sometimes quite like the male. Sometimes the ground color alternates transversely with a slightly diluted tint, and for the female this character would be sufficient. But both sexes differ in the constant absence of the eye-spots of the submarginal band.

I received this species from the headwaters of the Tuolumne River where it was collected during the stay of the State Geological Survey in the elevated and uninhabited regions. I take this opportunity of showing my respect for Prof. Whitney and the other members of that learned party, to all of whom I am under obligations for the kindness with which, under all kinds of hardships, they collected materials for a Fauna of our Californian Lepidoptera.

3. M. Gabbii, Behr, n. sp.

Alae maris supra ut in M. Palla, feminae fasciis transversis alternantibus luteis et fulvis totae nigro clathratae.

Alae inferiores ut in M. Palla, sed maculae radicales candidae pruinaque argentea renitentes ita ut fascia intermedia lunulaeque marginales. Fasciae, maculae, et margo aurantiacae ordinariae. Fasciae submarginalis spatium, quae non occupatur lunulis aurantiacis, sulphureum.

I received this species from the mountains near Los Angeles and have seen a series of specimens constantly showing the same characters. This description I made from a pair kindly communicated to me by Mr. Lorquin.

4. M. Hoffmanni, Behr, n. sp.

Alae et maris et feminae a radice usque ad medium nigrae hinc et illinc maculis luteis fulvisque obsitae, a media ala luteae marginem versus fulvescentes plus minus nigro clathratae.

Alae inferiores subtus ut in M. Palla, sed fascia submarginalis inter lineas undulatas nigras, non lunulis sed punctis omnino rotundis constituta.

This species is less rare than the two preceding. Nevertheless it has not yet been found near San Francisco and seems peculiar to the higher regions of California.

Melitæa, Type III.

Of this type, we know already as many Californian as European species, but except M. Phaeton, I do not know any Eastern representative of this type. The most robust and gaily colored species belong to this type and it is one of the most predominant of the diurnal types in California, not only from the number of its species but also of its individuals.

1. Melitæa Chalcedon, Doubleday.

This showy species is very common around the Bay of San Francisco. The caterpillar is somewhat of the coloration of that of Vanessa Antiopa, but short and thick like all the Melitæa caterpillars and beset with short fleshy thorns. The dorsal row of spines is brick red and so is the lateral stripe above the feet. All other parts, both of the body and spines, are black, which tint, being thickly sprinkled with white dots has a bluish luster like the same tint in the caterpillar of V. Antiopa.

Most commonly this caterpillar is found on Scrophularia, but I have found it also on Diplacus glutinosus and on a Lonicera, related to L. Caprifolium.[90] The chrysalis is white with black and yellow dots. The butterfly is developed towards the end of April and is found until the end of June. There exists only one generation. The caterpillars grow very slowly through the summer. They are social and weave a kind of nest, in which they also hibernate. In spring their growth is quick enough, but they seem to be subject to much disease, and even in their natural state are frequently found half dried up. The butterfly also is often caught with crippled wings.

2. M. Cooperi, Behr, n. sp.

Alae supra ut M. Chalcedontis, subtus inferiores sulphureae fasciis et maculis ordinariis fuscis, maculis fasciae submarginalis fuscis concoloribus, neque ullo halone cicumdatae.

This species is very similar to M. Chalcedon, but the want of the yellowish halo around the lunulae of the brown band on the underside, is a very positive diagnostic character. The brown color of the bands also is always of the same somber hue as that of the underside of the forewings, and never of the fiery brick red that colors this fascia on the underside of M. Chalcedon, forming a perceptible contrast to the somber coloring of the underside of the forewings, which is the same in M. Chalcedon and M. Cooperi. With all these well-marked differences, the two species look so much alike, that it would have been a long time before M. Cooperi would have been recognized as a distinct species, if it had not been for the striking difference of its caterpillar, which was discovered by Mr. Lorquin near Clear Lake on a species of Scrophularia. This caterpillar is much more elongated than that of Chalcedon. It is nearly of the shape and coloration of that of the European M. Artemis, brimstone yellow, with a dorsal and a lateral black stripe. We were quite justified in expecting from such a caterpillar something strikingly different from the very common type of Chalcedon. But to our surprise our chrysalids gave us a series of crippled butterflies, which could scarcely be distinguished from M. Chalcedon. Since that time I have received a well-developed specimen through the kindness of Baron Koels, who caught it with several other insects on an excursion to Mount Tamal Pais.

It is pretty certain that M. Cooperi will be found in many other localities, as it is only its similarity to our most common vernal butterfly, the M. Chalcedon, that makes it escape our attention.

3. M. Quino, Behr, n. sp.

M. Chalcedonti similis sed antennae clava discolor, fusca nec concolor antennae reliquae aurantiacae.

Alae supra ut in M. Chalcedonte sed series macularum submarginalium in anticis rubra et marginalium in posticis flava rubro tincta. Series quarta in anticis bifida, fere tota rubra, tertia in posticis omnino rubra.

Alae inferiores subtus ut in M. Chalcedonte sed fascia flava prope radicem in maculas sex dissecta maculaque flava discalis puncto ejusdem coloris extus aucta.

Melitæa Quino may at once be distinguished by the entirely different and much gayer coloration of the upper side, which much more resembles that of[91] M. Anicia than M. Chalcedon. To the latter species it comes the nearest in the peculiar shape of the wings, so characteristically different in the two sexes. In M. Anicia this difference exists but not to the same degree. The yellow part of the underside of the hindwings is much paler than in M. Chalcedon and M. Anicia. The yellow radical band is dissolved into six distinct but nearly connected maculae. In M. Chalcedon the band is not interrupted and only the sixth macula is separated, making part of the yellow coloration of the anal side of the wing. From M. Anicia it differs besides, in the underside of the forewings being nearly all of a reddish-brown color with scarcely any indication of the markings of the upperside, closely resembling M. Chalcedon. From both species M. Quino differs in the coloration of the club of the antenna.

This species I received from Dr. Cooper, formerly of the State Geological Survey, who collected several specimens near San Diego. I have called it Quino in remembrance of the California Pioneer, Padre Quino, the first European that ever succeeded in erecting a permanent settlement in California, and at the same time contributed very considerably by his learned writings to a more exact knowledge of these then scarcely discovered regions.

4. M. Anicia, Doubleday.

This species seems to be restricted to the eastern and more elevated part of the State. Most of my specimens are from Mariposa.

5. M. nubigena, Behr, n. sp.

M. Aniciae similis sed antennarum clava nigrescens, et subtus in alis posticis fasciae pallidae intermediae bipartitae pars exterior aurantiaca, ut fascia lunularum quae sequitur eam.

This species was caught in considerable numbers by Mr. Hoffman at the headwaters of the Tuolumne River and beyond, up to elevations of 11,500 feet. It evidently stands in the same relation to M. Anicia as in Europe M. Merope does to M. Artemis. I am not certain if M. nubigena is to be considered an alpine variety of M. Anicia or an independent species, nor as far as I know is the question yet decided as to the right to distinction of M. Merope, a long-known alpine insect of Europe. Nevertheless, considering the different coloration of the antenna club, I am very much inclined to think M. nubigena more than a mere alpine variety.

6. M. Editha, Boisd.

This species is found in different localities near San Francisco and Contra Costa. Nevertheless, it is much rarer than M. Chalcedon and of a more restless disposition. It makes its appearance before M. Chalcedon and is one of our first vernal butterflies. About the caterpillar I have not yet succeeded in ascertaining anything.

Melitæa, Type IV.

Of this type only one Californian species is yet known, but there may be perhaps some other species in the southern parts of the State, as the subtropical territory of New Mexico seems rather to abound in this type.

1. M. Leanira, Boisd. (In litteris.)

Antennae totae fulvae.

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Alae supra nigrae, fasciis macularibus duabus et radicem versus maculis tribus quadrangularibus omnibus gilvescentibus instructae. Alae anticae prope marginem anticam, apicem versus et ad marginem externam mediam, e nigro rubescentes.

Alae anticae subtus rubrae iisdem maculis ut supra ornatae. Fascia macularis externa extus nigro marginata. Alae posticae subtus gilvescentes nigro venosae, et nigro marginatae, radicem versus nigro signatae; supra medium fascia nigra instructae, catenam moniliformem continente punctorum gilvorum.

Limbus ubique et supra et subtus nigro alboque variegatus.

M. Leanira is so distinct from all other Melitæae, that it is impossible to make any error in reference to its diagnosis. It is found in June and July in valleys of the Contra Costa hills, where I collected it myself. I received other specimens from Yosemite Valley. I have not succeeded in finding the caterpillar.

I have to add a few observations regarding the geographical distribution of the genus Melitæa in general and of its different types separately.

The genus Melitæa spreads from the Arctic zone to the tropic of Cancer and some mountain species even farther. Unlike the genus Argynnis in its geographical distribution Melitæa has no Antarctic species. It has its center of abundance in the temperate zone and decreases towards the tropics as well as the arctic zone. According to that peculiarity of the western slope of continents by which the temperate zone is more developed in extent and quality, than in the eastern slopes, the greatest number of species are found in Europe and on our coast. Eastern Asia has very few species, but the genus is better represented on the Atlantic side of this continent, where however, it appears in the aberrant forms of M. Tharos, M. Pyrrha, etc, whose real nature seems still doubtful and which are at least intermediate between Argynnis and Melitæa.

The genuine type is very uniform, and therefore the diagnosis of the Californian as well as the European species is enveloped in many difficulties, so that even in regard to many European species known and described for more than a century, the limits of the species are frequently more or less doubtful and nearly every Catalogue gives the series of closely allied species in a different form.

California possesses two types wanting to the European Fauna; Europe one type wanting to California. To us the type of M. Cinxia is wanting, to Europe that most characteristic form of M. Leanira, which is a very natural transition to the genus Synchloe. The other wanting to the old world is that of M. Pyrrha, an osculant form peculiar to the new world where it extends nearly as far as the equator.

As regards the development of the genus in size and brilliancy of color, the Californians have a decided advantage. The giants of the genus are all Californian and the coloration more bright and more distinct than the somber hues of their less-developed European allies.

Like the Argynnides the Melitæae are essentially local. There is no Amphigeic species, and even the Polar species (which in Argynnis are sometimes Amphigeic) are always different in this genus, never occurring both in Europe and America. In the same way the Atlantic and Pacific species seem always to differ.

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These butterflies not having a very powerful flight are generally confined to circumscribed localities, in which they are generally plentiful and easily collected. Their caterpillars are frequently social like those of the Vanessæ, preferring the family of Scrophalarineous plants, (Scrophularia in California, Linaria and Veronica in Europe), but inclined more to polyphagy than the Argynnides, in their predilection for the Violarineae. Besides the Scrophalarineae the Melitæae live on Plantago, Lonicera, Scabiosa, and some even are found on shrubby trees of Salix, Populus, and Fagus.

On new Genera and Species of Californian Fishes—No. II.

BY J. G. COOPER, M. D.

Exocœtus, Artedi.

E. Californicus, Cooper, Californian Flying-Fish, State collection, species 1012. [Fig. 20.]

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Fig. 20.

Specific characters.—Height of body one eighth of its length from tip of nose to fork of tail, length of head almost one fifth of the same (0·19). Width of forehead in front of eyes more than five eighths the length of head (0·69); diameter of eye less than one third of same length (0·30). Scale between eyes equilateral, and a little less than half of the width of head. No granulated area in front of orbit, and but a very narrow one behind it. Preoperculum rounded rectangular. Pectoral fin extending to halfway between end of dorsal and base of caudal, 0·60 of total length. Ventrals inserted nearer operculum than base of caudal, and extending to middle of anal. Dorsal commencing over 36th scale and extending to 48th.

D. 12, P. 14, V. 6, A. 10, C. 3-1-4-5-1-6. Scales 58-7/1.

Colors.—Steel-blue, fins smoky, below silvery, iris gilt.

General form much elongated, subcylindrical. Top of head perfectly flat, its width equal to its depth. Anterior half of body nearly as broad as high, compressed above. Posterior half compressed laterally, tapering to tail, the caudal peduncle three times as high as it is broad. A slight ridge along insertion of dorsal. Lateral line prominent, running close to insertion of ventrals. Proportions of fins to total length, as follows:

Length of specimen fifteen inches, the figure representing it half the natural size. One specimen obtained at Catalina Island.

Remarks.—In the preceding diagnosis I have followed the arrangement of specific characters adopted by Gill in his description of two new species of Exocœtus from the Pacific Coast of Central America. (Proc. Acad. Phil.,[95] June, 1863, p. 167.) By comparison it will be seen that our species is very distinct.

This large species of Flying-Fish is found in great numbers during the summer south of Point Conception, and some wander as far north as Santa Cruz at least. They can only be taken when they happen to alight on board of a vessel or in gill-nets, which I was not provided with during my late voyage among the islands. Their flight is rarely higher than ten feet above the water, but sometimes extends nearly a quarter of a mile.

Urolophus, Müller and Henle.

Urolophus Halleri, Cooper, State collection, species 522. [Fig. 21.]

Fig. 21.

Specific characters.—Disk suborbicular, obtusely pointed in front, and with the pectoral fins rounded behind. Length anterior to anus a little greater than that of the tail behind it. Posterior outline of ventral fins projecting a little behind that of disk. Claspers as long as ventrals and projecting entirely behind them. Tail 0·47 of total length, gradually tapering from a cylindrical base to the spine, thence becoming flattened laterally expanding into a fin, which commences opposite the base of spine below, and ends opposite to its end above, broadest near its end, where its width is 0·10 the length of tail. Spiracles a little larger than orbits and farther apart, the distance between them equal to that from snout to orbits. Ventrals forming nearly equilateral triangles, their basal length one fifth that of head and body. Caudal spine arising at 0·48 of the length of tail, and not quite one third as long. Female more elongated than male but tail and spine shorter; the ventrals a fourth longer and more acute.

Colors.—Reddish speckled with yellow, below white. In some specimens the dark and light colors above are about equally distributed, the spots having a somewhat marbled arrangement. In others the light spots are very few and widely separated. Popular name “Round Stingray.” The figure is half the natural size. The dots show the principal outlines of the cartilaginous skeleton.

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Remarks.—While this fish has the nearly orbicular outline of Urotrygon (mundus), Gill, from Panama (Proc. Phil. Acad., June, 1863, p. 173), it differs generically in having obtusely triangular teeth (equilateral), tail shorter than body, spine nearest to its base, smooth skin, etc.

It differs from Urolophus, as described by Richardson, in the upper velum of mouth being entire, and in having about twenty small tubercles on the surface of lower velum. These however can scarcely be considered generic differences.

Found abundantly in muddy creeks at San Pedro and San Diego, those from the former place being more uniform in color.

While I was at San Diego the little son of Major G. O. Haller, U. S. A. was wounded in the foot, probably by one of these fish, while wading along a muddy shore of the bay. The wound was very painful for some hours, though small. Another large rhomboidal species also abundant there but apparently still undescribed, inflicts very severe and dangerous wounds, of which I may have more to say hereafter.

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This fish has great muscular power and can dart very rapidly through the water by lateral vibrations of its tail, at the same time quickly flapping the edge of its disk, to keep its level in the water and to regulate its direction.

It frequently buries itself slightly under the mud, and if disturbed obscures the water by stirring the mud, vanishing in the cloud thus raised to hide itself again. It will allow a boat to pass over its place of concealment, and may, if detected, be easily killed by a blow with the end of an oar. Many are also caught in the seines of the fishermen.

Their food consists of small mollusca, crustacea and such other animals, alive or dead, as they can obtain.

Resolved, That hereafter the Proceedings of the Academy be distributed gratuitously only to resident members and to such Societies and individuals as the Academy shall direct; and that the price of subscription to others be regulated by the Publishing Committee.

Amendment to Art. II, Sec. 4—That the Membership Fee, to be paid by an applicant for Resident membership, shall be two dollars, etc.—the remainder of the section remaining as before.

Amendment to Art. III, Sec. 2—This Association shall hold meetings on the First and Third Monday evenings of each month, for the investigation of Natural History, etc.—the remainder of the section remaining as before.

Descriptions of New Californian Plants—No. I.

BY PROF. ASA GRAY.

Streptanthus Nutt.

S. Breweri, n. sp. [§ Euclisia.]

Wholly glabrous and glaucous, annual, branched from near the base; cauline leaves (except the lowest) strongly cordate-clasping, with a closed sinus, entire or denticulate, the uppermost sagittate; flowers purple, on very short ascending pedicels, the lowest often leafy-bracted; the buds often a quarter of an inch long, obtuse, or barely acute; the sepals with scarious but blunt recurved tips; siliques narrowly linear, ascending or erect, straight or slightly incurved (1½-2½ inches long, less than a line wide,) compressed but torulose, the nerve of the valves obscure; seeds wholly marginless.

This most resembles S. tortuosus Kellogg (which is S. cordatus Torr., in Bot. Pacif. R. R. Whipple’s Rep. but evidently not of Nuttall), from which the above character indicates the differences.

There are three forms in the collection: 1. A dwarf state, in flower only, from Mt. Shasta, at an altitude of 8,000 feet. 2. A very glaucous form, with more numerous and rather smaller flowers, and with fruit, from the top of a dry mountain of the Mt. Diablo Range, near head of Arroyo del Puerto, at an altitude of 3,200 feet. 3. Another, in flower and fruit, with more naked and virgate branches, a foot or two in height, from San Carlos Mountain, near New Idria, 5,000 feet altitude. This is remarkable for having the calyx hoary-downy, but the plant is otherwise glabrous and glaucous.

S. hispidus, n. sp. (§ Euclisia.)

Very dwarf, (2-3 inches high, from an annual root,) hispid throughout, even to the siliques; leaves cuneate or obovate-oblong, coarsely toothed or incised, the cauline-sessile but hardly at all clasping; raceme short and loosely flowered; pedicels spreading or at length recurved in flower (which is red or red-violet) but the linear compressed siliques (1½ inch long, a line wide,) are erect; stigma almost sessile; immature seeds winged.

Mt. Diablo, dry places near summit.

This ranks next to S. heterophyllus.

Viola L.

V. ocellata, Torr. and Gray, var.

Glabrous, smaller; leaves somewhat thickish; peduncles elongated. Very curious and distinct. From Tamalpais.

Arenaria L.

A. brevifolia Nutt.? var. Californica.

Much branched or diffuse, cymosely many-flowered; petals and sepals somewhat narrower.

Leaves as in Nuttall’s plant, thickish, plane, mostly obtuse and spreading. Valves of the capsule entire. Filaments opposite and twice the length of the sepals, more dilated and glandular at the base. Seeds minute, minutely muricate,[102] turgid. The fruit and seed are known only from Frémont’s specimens communicated to Dr. Torrey (No. 284 of Coll. 1846,) from California, a taller and less diffuse form than that now collected by Prof. Brewer, and more like Nuttall’s, from Tatnall County, Georgia. But my original specimen of the latter little-known plant is too incomplete to make certain the identity; and the two are widely sundered in geographical station. Still no adequate characters yet appear to distinguish specifically. Prof. Brewer collected his plant April 18th, in the valleys among high ridges in Sonoma, where it abounded.

Calandrinia H. B. & K.

C. Menziesii, Hook.

In various forms in southern California. Capsule slightly if at all exceeding the calyx; seeds rather turgid, shining; petals mostly much exceeding the calyx.

C. Menziesii, var. macrocarpa.

Stems and racemes at length more elongated and loosely-leaved; pedicels in fruit much spreading or recurved; capsule ovoid-fusiform, projecting beyond the calyx; seeds smaller, compressed and opaque.

Dry hills of the Santa Inez mountains, near Santa Barbara.

Perhaps a distinct species, but I want to see it confirmed by other specimens.

Linum L.

L. Breweri, n. sp.

Annual; glabrous; stem very small, not striate, with few flowers crowded at the apex; leaves filiform, smooth, alternate and opposite; stipules conspicuously glandular; pedicels shorter than the calyx; sepals oblong-ovate, acute, one-nerved, margin not scarious, glandular, less than half as long as the bright yellow, obovate-oblong petals; anthers elongated-oblong; sterile filaments almost wanting; styles three, distinct; stigma somewhat acutely pointed.

Dry hill sides of the Diablo Range, near Marsh’s Ranch, May 29th.

Plant barely two to three inches high, “but seen in the valley larger, with many flowers, not yet expanded.”

This, like L. Californicum, appears to be uniformly tri-carpellary; flowers about the size of those of that species, and the anthers elongated-oblong; but the leaves narrower; the stigmas not at all capitate or enlarged, but minute and acute; fruit not seen.

Trifolium, L.

T. bifidum, n. sp.

Somewhat villose or glabrous; stems from small (annual?) root, slender, spreading; stipules ovate-lanceolate, setaceously-acuminate, entire; leaflets linear-cuneate, lateral ones rarely dentate, bifid or incised at the apex with a mucronate point between the lobes; peduncles twice or three times as long as the leaves; heads naked, six to twelve flowered, or more; flowers pedicelled, at length reflexed; calyx five-parted, dentate, subulate-setaceous, somewhat hirsute, and nearly equal to the persistent, rose-colored scarious corolla.

Near Marsh’s Ranch, between Monte Diablo and the San Joaquin, among grass in a ravine near the water, May 29th.

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Stems six to sixteen inches long. Heads and flowers about the size of those of the small form of T. gracilentum, to which species it is allied. Ovary two-ovulate, seeds single.

Astragalus L.

A. curtipes, n. sp. (§ Phaca, *Inflati.)

Minutely canescent, at length glabrate, a foot high; stipules connate, opposite the leaf; leaflets twelve to sixteen pairs narrowly oblong, retuse petiolulate, glabrous above; raceme in fruit short; calyx-teeth slender, subulate, slightly shorter than the campanulate tube; legume membranaceous, inflated, glabrate (1½ inches long,) semi-ovoid, (the ventral suture nearly straight, the dorsal very gibbous,) scarcely acute at either end, jointed to a rigid stipe, which does not exceed the tube of the calyx.

Dry hill sides, San Luis Obispo. Corolla not seen.

A. oxyphysus, n. sp. (§ Phaca, *Inflati.)

Tall, very softly canescen-villous; stipules small, scarious, distinct; leaflets 8-11 pairs, oblong; peduncles much surpassing the leaf; raceme elongated; bracts small and subulate; teeth of the silky calyx subulate, half the length of the cylindraceous tube; corolla white or greenish; legume obovate-acuminate, the base attenuate into a recurved stipe which somewhat exceeds the calyx.

Monte Diablo Range, near Arroyo Puerto, on dry hills.

A most distinct and striking new species.

A. Breweri, n. sp.

Allied to A. tener Gray, Rev. Astrag. (Phaca astragalina, var.? Hook. and Arn., and probably A. hypoglottis, var. strigosa, Kellogg,) but more branched from the annual root, and with broader leaflets, (4-5 pairs, oblong-obcordate); head 5-7 flowered, compact; immature legume globose-ovate, silky-canescent, not stipulate, erect, six-ovulate, one-celled, the dorsal suture slightly intruded.

Fields in Sonoma Valley, April. Common.

Descriptions of New Species of Fishes—No. II.

BY ANDREW GARRETT, OF HONOLULU, SANDWICH ISLANDS.

Cheilodactylus Lacep. 1803.

C. vittatus Garrett.

B. 6; D. 17-30; A. 3-8; V. 1-5; P. 8-6; C. 5, 1, 7, 6, 1, 4.

The height of the body is a trifle less than one-third of the total length. The upper profile rises in a convex line from the snout to the occipital region, whence it suddenly ascends in a nearly vertical curve, giving that portion of the fish a strongly gibbous appearance. The body rapidly tapers posteriorly, though preserving a slightly convex outline. The head enters nearly four and a half times in the entire length. The eyes are large, sub-circular in shape, even with the[104] line of profile, and their greatest diameter is nearly one-third the length of the head. They are placed nearer the origin of the lateral line than the end of the snout. The small maxillary bone extends as far back as the anterior margin of the eye.

The dorsal fin takes its origin immediately above the posterior limb of the orbit and terminates within one diameter of the eye of the caudal fin. Its three anterior rays are very small, and the fourth, which is the tallest, is one-third as long as the base of the whole fin, or equal to two-thirds the height of the body. Posteriorly the spiny rays rapidly diminish in altitude so that the last one is shorter than the succeeding soft rays. The soft portion of the fin is comparatively low, gently convex along its upper edge, and is equally as long as the spiny part. The anal fin is small, being inserted just in advance of the middle of the soft portion of the dorsal. Its extreme margin is slightly concave and the rays rapidly diminish in length posteriorly. The ventrals when laid back reach as far as the anal fin. The second simple pectoral ray extends as far back as the vent. The caudal, which is deeply forked, has its lobes rounded off.

Color greyish-silvery, and ornamented with five oblique blackish-brown bands which are disposed as follows: one extends from the snout to the preopercular margin, the second starts from the eye and terminates on the pectoral base, the third, which passes over the occipital region, extends below the pectoral axilla; the fourth, which is much broader, starts from the origin of the dorsal fin, curves downward and backward, becoming wider in its descent, and passes beneath the abdomen; the fifth one commences on the upper anterior half of the spiny dorsal, extending along the back to near the termination of that fin. Three irregular, pale spots may be observed in the dorsal band, and three large blackish-brown spots on the caudal trunk. The opercular flap and snout tinged with orange-red. The interorbital space is marked with two transverse brownish-red bands. Irides yellowish-silvery. That portion of the dorsal fin anterior to the fifth band is white, the remainder, together with the anal and caudal, light-yellowish, the latter tipped with blackish-brown. The pectorals are orange-red, and the ventrals are deep blackish-brown.

Length, 7 inches.

Habitat, Sandwich Islands.

Remarks.—An extremely rare fish, of which the solitary specimen now before me is the only example that has come to my notice. It is the more interesting in a geographical point of view, as being the only species—as near as I can ascertain—recorded from the Polynesian Seas. Sir John Richardson, in his interesting “Notices of Australian Fish,” published in the “Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London,” describes, and gives a list of thirteen species. Nine of those occur in the Australian Seas, one from China and Japan, two from the Cape of Good Hope, and one from Tristan d’Acunha. In the number and arrangement of the fasciae, our fish closely resembles the C. gibbosus, Sol., (Chætodon) from Van Diemen’s Land. The latter species is less gibbous, the eyes smaller, the soft portion of the dorsal fin shorter, and the caudal forks are more pointed than in the C. vittatus.

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Apogon Lacep. 1802.

A. maculiferus, Garrett.

B. 7; D. 7-1-9; A. 2-8 V. 1-5; P. 13; C. 4, 1, 8, 7, 1, 3.

The upper profile of the head is slightly concave; otherwise the general shape of the fish closely resembles the Apogon fraenatus, Val. The greatest depth of the body, taken at the commencement of the anterior dorsal fin, equals the length of the head, or two-sevenths of the entire length of the fish. The eye is large, sub-circular in shape, even with the upper line of profile, and its diameter nearly one-third as long as the head. The upper jaw is slightly the longest, and the hinder termination of the maxillary is on a line with the posterior border of the pupil. The margin of the preopercle is finely and regularly dentated, and its anterior crest or ridge exhibits but few irregular teeth. The lateral line may be traced over twenty-four scales.

The first and second dorsal fin are of equal length along their base, both being higher than long, and the altitude of the latter, which exceeds that of the former, is, as compared to the entire length of the fish, one to five. The anal fin is inserted a trifle more posterior than the fin above. The large ventrals, when laid back, cover the vent with their tips. The caudal is sub-bifurcate.

Color brilliant silvery, with an iridescent reflection in which carnation predominates. The upper two-thirds of the body is ornamented with longitudinal rows of small olivaceous spots, one on each scale, and those above the lateral line more or less coalescing, forming broken bands. The head, which is more or less tinged with diluted carmine-red, is marked by a diffuse olivaceous band, which extends from the end of the snout, passing through the eye and terminating on the opercle. Irides silvery white; cornea black. The membranes of all the fins are tinged with orange-yellow, and their rays are red.

Length, 5½ inches.

Habitat, Sandwich Islands.

Vernacular, “Upapalu.”

Remarks.—The longitudinal series of maculations will readily determine this species. Under the lens the spots assume the appearance of clusters of minute dots, some of which have blue central points.

Scorpæna Artedi, (L.)

S. parvipinnis, Garrett.

D. 13·10; A. 3-5; V. 1-5; P. 7-9; C. 5, 1, 6, 5, 1, 3.

In this species the upper and lower outlines are quite similar, being gently arched. The greatest depth of the body falls slightly short of one-third of the total length, and the greatest thickness at the base of the head, is a little more than two-thirds of the above mentioned depth. The head constitutes just one-third of the whole fish. The eye is large, circular, its diameter being nearly one-fourth of the length of the head. Four spines may be seen along the upper edge of the orbit, and the same number on each side of the occipital region and nape, the posterior one the larger. Two intraorbital spines, one on the nasal bone, and a longitudinal row of four along the supratympanic region. Two on[106] the opercle, the lower one long and projecting posterior to the margin of that bone. A stout one may be observed on the humeral region, one on the infra-orbital, three on the margin of the preopercle, and a longitudinal row of irregularly disposed ones along the cheek. The lower jaw is slightly longer than the upper, and the tip of the maxillary extends as far back as the hinder border of the eye. Fine scales envelop the basal portions of all the fins except the ventrals, and cover all parts of the head except the jaws and the lower half of the maxillary bone. Minute filaments are observed on all parts of the fish, being more numerous on the upper anterior third of the body. The dorsal and anal fins are small, the former commencing above the origin of the latter line. The spiny portion of the dorsal is very low, gently arched, and constitutes nearly two-thirds of the fin. The soft portion of the anal fin is very narrow and rounded off.

The head and anterior half of the body is greyish, passing into light carnation beneath, and obscurely clouded with dusky. The posterior half of the body is dusky black, which fades into pink beneath, maculated with small darker spots. Caudal trunk, pink. Two large dusky black spots on the anterior dorsal region. Irides greenish-yellow. Fins pinky-red, the spiny dorsal mottled with dusky, and the other fins dotted with pinky-brown, and a bar of the same color on the caudal base.

Length, 4 inches.

Habitat, Sandwich Islands.

Remarks.—The scaly head, small dorsal and anal fin will readily distinguish this beautiful species.

Crenilabrus, Cuv.

C. modestus, Garrett.

B. 6; D. 12-10; A. 3-12; V. 1-5; P. 17; C. 2, 1, 6, 6, 1, 2.

The greatest depth, which occurs beneath the origin of the dorsal fin, is about one-fourth of the total length, and the greatest thickness is just half of the above mentioned depth. The head, which comprises a little more than one-fourth of the whole fish, presents a slight concave depression above the eyes. The preopercular serrations are very small. The eyes are sub-circular, their greatest diameter entering nearly six times in the length of the head, and twice in advance of their own orbit. The hinder tip of the maxillary reaches a vertical, passing through the center of the eye. Twelve longitudinal rows of scales may be enumerated between the lateral line and the vent, ten rows on the side of the caudal trunk, and the median longitudinal row on the body contains thirty scales. The lateral line, which passes over thirty-three scales, consists of slightly branched tubes.

The dorsal fin extends over a base equal to half the length of the fish, caudal fin excluded. Its soft portion falls slightly short of one-third of the whole fin. The anal fin, which is nearly half as long as the dorsal, has its hinder termination slightly more posterior. The acuminately pointed ventrals, when closely appressed to the abdomen nearly reach the anal fin. The large caudal has its posterior upper and lower angles considerably prolonged and pointed.

[107]

Color purplish-brown, passing into bluish grey beneath, and obsoletely lineated longitudinally with darker. A large oblong pale diffuse spot beneath the posterior end of the dorsal fin, which is directed obliquely downward and forward. Irides silvery, tinged with yellow. The dorsal fin is pale greyish, marked anteriorly with a large diffuse blue-black spot, its soft portion being tinged with reddish and margined above with yellow. The anal, ventrals and caudal are bluish-grey, the former posteriorly tinged with faded red and edged with yellow. Pectorals nearly colorless.

Length, 18 inches.

Habitat, Sandwich Islands.

Remarks.—We have obtained only two individuals of this large species, both of which were exposed for sale in the Honolulu fish-market. The colors, which are no doubt considerably changed, were taken from the dead fish.

Chironectes Cuv. 1817.

C. niger, Garrett.

D. 3-12; A. 6; V. 5; P. 10; C. 1, 7. 1.

The head constitutes about one-third of the total length, caudal excluded. The eyes are elliptically-oval, and inserted just once their greatest diameter distant from the margin of the upper jaw. The skin is covered with fine closely set prickly asperities, which gives it a velvety appearance. The general outline is ovate, and the greatest thickness equals one-sixth of the entire length. A range of conspicuous pores commences on the upper part of the gill covers, curving downward and upward to the symphysis of the lower jaw. Another row follows the margin of the upper jaw, passing over the snout, where it branches off posteriorly, curving over the eye and disappearing on the posterior portion of the body. Each pore is encircled with brush-like appendages, which gives them a tufted appearance. The dorsal fin extends over a base equal to one-third the length of the fish. Its upper margin is arched, and its height as compared to length is as one to two. The height and length of the anal fin are about equal.

Color deep black and obsoletely maculated with rather small roundish darker spots. On the basal portion of the dorsal and anal fins may be observed two large ocellations, with deep black pupils and paler areolae. Very minute opaque white points may also be seen scattered along the lower parts. Eyes blackish.

Length, 3½ inches.

Habitat, Sandwich Islands.

Remarks.—This species possesses the nasal tufted bristle and two horn-like processes that we observe in all the species inhabiting these seas. When handled it emits a most disagreeable odor.

On New Genera and Species of Californian Fishes—No. III.

BY J. G. COOPER, M. D.

Myxodes Cuvier, 1817.

M. elegans, Cooper, State Collection, No. 707. [Fig. 23.]

Fig. 23.

Specific characters.—Form elongated, high and narrow, the head wider than the thickest part of body. Length of snout equal to diameter of eye, lower jaw very slightly longest. Total length a little more than four and a half times that of head, which is equal to the greatest height of body. Head moderately arched, rounded above, the width between eyes a little less than the width of orbit. Orbit circular, contained four and a half times in length of head. Anterior lobe of dorsal commencing just behind head, triangular, one-twentieth of the length of fin, equal to the middle lobe in height; middle lobe gradually arched, its spines more slender than those of the first lobe; posterior lobe with soft rays only, about equal to the first, in size and form, extending nearly to the tail. Caudal fin quadrangular, its end obtusely truncate, nearly twice as long as wide. Anal commencing opposite seventeenth dorsal spine, nearly straight, its height one-fifth its length, and ending a little anterior to end of dorsal. Ventrals narrow, the middle ray longest. Pectorals arising opposite third dorsal spine, nearly as wide as long.

D. V-xxvii to xxx-8; C. 5-5; A. 26 to 28; V. 3; P. 11.

Scales in about 250 rows along middle of side, in 18/50-18/18 vertical rows along lateral line. Proportional measurements:

Colors.—Exceedingly variable, but the general pattern, as preserved in alcohol, consists of a series of vertical bands, alternating with spots of various shapes and sizes, and often densely mottled with dark and light blotches distributed regularly, but not describable. The fins have alternating bands, and in all the specimens the membrane between the third and fourth dorsal spine is as clear as glass, as if intended to be seen through, but probably shines in the water as a sort of signal. When fresh the colors of those from San Diego were as follows: 1st, dark brown, a purple lateral stripe, sides with dark and light brown bars, having silvery blotches between them; below yellowish, top and sides of head blotched with yellow, a bright red ring with a green centre near pectorals, and another near caudal. Dorsal with alternating bars of olive and yellow; pectoral yellow at base, its rays reddish, barred with purple, ventrals and anal smoky.

Another was striped and cross-barred with brown, and mingled with this[109] pattern were blotches of olive-brown, yellowish and purple, but no rings. Fins marked like the body, but paler.

It is possible that the rings observed in the first one, and not seen in any other, were caused by the growth of vegetable parasites, which are often found on fish of similar habits.

Remarks.—This is the first instance of a Myxodes being found on our coast north of the equator, though a nearly allied genus, the Heterostichus, has been long known. I was in some doubt whether to refer the fish to Myxodes on account of the meagre descriptions of the genus accessible, but having sent a copy of the outline to Mr. Gill, I have been confirmed in the correctness of the diagnosis. The following are some of the most important generic characters not shown in the outline of our species:

Branchiæ VI-VI, the apertures freely connected below. Teeth uniserial in each jaw, those of lower jaw largest, some of those along sides larger than the rest. No teeth on vomer. Scales minute, entire, cycloid, closely adherent—none on head or fins.

The two-lobed form of the spinous dorsal does not apparently exist in some of the species. Suspecting that some of the other characters will be found sufficient to distinguish it, I propose for it provisionally the name Gibbonsia, in honor of Dr. W. P. Gibbons, of Alameda County, whose descriptions of our viviparous fishes, published in 1854, by the Academy, have only of late been awarded the credit they deserve.

These beautiful little fish are found at low water in holes among rocks along our coast south of Point Conception, and at the adjoining islands. Their varied and elegant coloration would make them beautiful objects for a marine aquarium, but I had nothing suitable for the purpose, in which I could keep them alive long enough to study their habits.

I obtained three at Pt. Loma, San Diego, three at Catalina I., and two at Santa Barbara I., all manifestly of the same species, though differing individually in color, as above mentioned. They have no popular name.

Gillichtyhs, n. g.[8]

Generic characters.—Form moderately elongated, laterally compressed. Head depressed, broader than body, forming more than one-fourth of total length. Eyes small, situated far forward, and obliquely turned upward. Mouth moderate, its gape extending to the vertical of the posterior rim of orbit, but the angle of lower jaw half way to branchial aperture. Upper maxillaries extending back the same distance, thence prolonged by a cartilaginous expansion which reaches as far back as the opercular opening, and being there connected to an expansion of the skin of the lower jaw, forms a channel running back from the mouth and as long as the gape of the mouth itself. This channel is entirely free from the side of head, but only slightly movable forwards, so that it cannot serve to widen the mouth when opened.

[110]

Premaxillaries not protractile, movable at their symphysis, and only half as long as maxillaries, with which they are connected by a thin membrane, ending below orbit.

Villiform teeth on premaxillaries throughout, also on lower maxillaries to angle of mouth, and on pharyngeals; none on upper maxillaries, vomer or palate. A minute nasal aperture close behind maxillary and another opening just in front of anterior rim of orbit.

Preoperculum covered by the skin of the head.

Branchiæ four, all double, and free, opercular apertures small, as wide as base of pectorals, and separated by the whole width of the base of head.

Tongue broad and thick. Air-bladder small, liver very large and alimentary canal short.

Scales small, cycloid and thin, imbedded in the skin so as to be scarcely perceptible anterior to dorsal fin, or on back. None on ventral surface.

No lateral line perceptible. Dorsal fins two, situated far back, and rather large. Caudal small, obtusely rounded. Anal opposite to second dorsal. Ventrals united into a funnel-shaped disk opposite base of pectorals. Pectorals large and rounded. Fin rays all soft, dividing into three or four branches toward their ends. A small “papilla genitalis” in front of anal fin.

Whole fish covered with thick mucous secretion. Skin of head rather loose and soft, and perfectly smooth.

[111]

Gillichthys mirabilis Cooper, State Coll. No. 627. [Fig. 24.]

Fig. 24.

Specific characters. Scales along middle of side, about 90 in 27 rows.

D. 6-13; C. 13-13; A. 11; V. 6 + 6; P. 20.

Colors.—When alive mottled with light and dark olive, paler below, sides of head reddish. In alcohol black, pale below, and scales below middle of sides finely punctate each with 8-10 dots, only visible under a microscope.

Hab.—I found these remarkable fish only in San Diego Bay, and in but one station, which was among seaweed growing on small stones at the wharf of Newtown the military post, in November, 1861. They were left by the receding of the tide, and must have been out of the water from three to six hours daily, though kept moist by the seaweed. The four obtained were all females containing large masses of ova, and may have come to the spot in order to deposit them.

I could not obtain a glass vessel suitable for an aquarium, so as to keep them alive and observe their habits. The use of the strange maxillary processes or channels is obscure, nothing analogous being known in other fishes, the nearest approach to them being apparently the lengthened maxillaries of some Salmonidæ and Clupeidæ, fish of entirely different habits and affinities, this one being evidently one of the Gobidæ. The stomach contained small crabs, apparently swallowed whole.

Pteroplatea Müller and Henle, 1837.

P. marmorata, Cooper, State Collection, Species 674. [Fig. 25.]

Fig. 25.

Specific characters.—Outline of disk rhomboidal, the anterior borders forming an obtuse angle in front, nearly straight in their course to the lateral angles, which are sub-acute; the posterior borders rounded.

Ventrals small, oblong, obtuse-angled, projecting a little behind the disk. Tail nearly twice the length of ventrals, slender and pointed, flattened laterally behind the spine, and bordered by a very narrow membrane, commencing opposite the end of the spine below, and ending a little farther back above.

Spine arising at a point one-third the length of the tail from its base, one-sixteenth of its length, and less than a fourth as wide as it is long.

Both surfaces are nearly flat.

Proportional measurements:

[113]

Colors.—Thickly marbled with blackish and grayish mottlings equal in size; ventrals and tail with a few scattered white spots; below, white. It is probable that the colors are variable, as in the allied Urolophus.

I was doubtful at first whether to consider this fish a Pteroplatea, as that genus is described by Richardson as having the mouth curved, and the dental plate extending to its corners, also the teeth lobed. These characters, however, may change with its growth, this being evidently a young specimen. Mr. Gill, of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C., to whom I sent a figure of it, agrees with me in referring it to this genus.

Compared with the P. Maclura (Lesueur), of the Atlantic coast, described and figured by Dekay in the Nat. History of New York, this species is less wide in proportion to its length, the difference being as 10 to 16. There is also some difference in the markings. The P. Maclura is said to attain the enormous width of 18 feet.

I found but one specimen of this fish at San Diego, where it was caught in a seine. I have also seen one, when the steamer was lying at anchor, at San Pedro, swimming near the surface of the water, apparently supporting itself by flapping its wing-like expansions, while it progressed slowly by lateral motions of its tail.

[114]

Note.—By an oversight of the printer, the proper references to the figures on page 110 were left out. The reader will however understand from the descriptions that the right hand figure is the Myxodes (Fig. 23), and the others the Gillichthys (Fig. 24).

Transcriber’s Note.—This oversight has been addressed! Illustrations were relabelled correctly and placed next to the text describing them.

Descriptions of Nine New Species of Helix Inhabiting California.

BY W. NEWCOMB, M.D., OF OAKLAND, CAL.

Helix L.

Helix Hillebrandi Newc.

H. testa supra planulata, luteo-cornea, sub-carinata, fasciis albis bi-cingulata, sub-lente crebre granulata, hirsuta; anfractibus 6 undique minute striatis, striis oblique transversis; anfr. ultimo descendente; umbilico late-aperto;[116] apertura lunari-ovale; peristomate tenuo, albo, reflexo, prope umbilicam expanso.

Lat. maj. 0.9, min. 0.8 pol. Alt. 0.35 pol.

Hab. Tuolumne County, California.

Shell sub-planulate above, yellowish horn color, sub-carinate, under the glass thickly granulate, hairy(?); whorls 6 very finely striate, striæ obliquely transverse; the last whorl descending; umbilicus broadly open; aperture lunate oval; lip thin, white and reflected, near the umbilicus expanded.

Remarks.—But one recent specimen, with a number in a fossil state, were collected by M. Voy and kindly placed in my hands. The granulated surface is confined to the epidermis, and the summit of many of the granules is marked with a cicatrix indicating a hirsute character. The nearest allied species is H. Dupetit-Thouarsi, from which it differs in its more depressed form and surface structure. It is dedicated to Wm. Hillebrand, M.D., of Honolulu, a well-known naturalist.

Helix Tryoni Newc. State Collection, Species 1098.

H. testa solida, depresso-globosa, anguste obtecte umbilicata, supra cæruleo-cinerea, infra sordido-alba, spira sub-turbinata; anfr. 6 convexi, ultimus descendens; striæ sub-lente numerosæ insculptæ circum-volutæ; apertura sub-rotundata; columella callosa, obsolete unidentata; peristoma vix reflexum, introrsum callosum.

Diam. maj. 1, min. 0.88 pol. Alt. 0.75 pol.

Var. b, anfr. superiores undis transversis albis.

Hab. Insulis “Santa Barbara,” et “San Nicolas,” Cal.

Shell solid, depressly globose, umbilicus narrow and covered, above of an ashy sky-blue, below of a dirty white; spire sub-turbinate; suture well impressed, whorls 6 convex; numerous microscopical striæ, sculptured and revolving with the whorls; aperture rounded; columella callous, obsoletely one (sometimes two) toothed; lip scarcely reflected, thickened within; var. b, superior whorls with white transverse undulating lines.

Hab. Santa Barbara, and San Nicolas Islands, Cal.[9]

This species was found in great abundance alive. The animal is of a deep smoky hue, almost black, with sometimes the terminal half-inch of the foot of a dirty white. It is dedicated to a distinguished American Conchologist.

Helix crebri-striata Newc. State Collection, Species 1036.

H. testa obtecte vel aperte umbilicata, turbine-depresse-globosa, translucido-cornea; anfr. 5 convexiusculi, ultimo descendente; apice sub-mamillato; sutura bene impressa; striæ transversæ valde et creberrime insignæ, striæ longitudinis microscopice incisæ; apertura sub-rotunda; peris. diverso (tenue, acute, sub-reflexo, vel crasso intus calloso) approximato cum callo profuso conjuncto, vel sine callo; prope umbilicam expanso.

Diam. maj. 0.92, min. 0-75 pol. Alt. 0-55 ad 0-80 pol.

Hab. Ins. “San Clemente,” Cal.

[117]

Shell with a covered or open umbilicus, turbinately depressly globose, whorls 5 a little convex, the last descending; suture well impressed; transverse striæ well and densely shown, longitudinal striæ fine and impressed; aperture rounded; peristome various (thin, acute, a little reflected, or heavy, with an interior thickening) approximate, with (or without) a profuse callus connecting the outer and inner lips; near the umbilicus the columellar lip expands so as to partially cover the perforation.

Hab. San Clemente Island, Cal. Abundant.

This shell, so difficult to describe, owing to its variable characters in different specimens, makes the nearest approach to H. Kelletii Forbes, from which it may readily be distinguished by its sculpture and other characters. In size and the elevation of the spire, it is one of the most variable of the California species of Helix. Distinguished from H. intercisa W. G. Binney, by its not being solid, having the umbilicus partially or completely open, and from the figure referred to, in being more depressly trochiform in shape. The locality of H. intercisa is given as “Oregon Territory.” The shell varies in some minor particulars, as in the want of a rufous apex, and its not being of the same color; in other respects it seems to be a closely allied species.

Helix rufocincta Newc. State Collection, Species 624.

H. testa depresso-globosa, cornea, rufo-unifasciata, umbilicata, sub-lente decussata-striata; anfr. 6 ultimus non descendens; apertura sub-rotundo, labio reflexo, albo; sutura impressa; columella non callosa.

Diam. maj. 0.70, min. 0.60 pol. Alt. 0.40 pol.

Hab. San Diego, et Insula “Santa Catalina,” Cal.

Shell depressly globose, horny, red-banded, umbilicate, under the lens decussately striate; whorls 6, the last not descending; aperture sub-rotund; lip white, reflected; suture impressed; columella not callous.

The adult of this species is allied in outline to H. Pytyonesica Pfr., but is less elevated, and bears in other respects no especial relation to that species. The size varies considerably, and the umbilicus in some specimens is nearly closed, while in the typical specimens it is quite open.

But one dead specimen was found at San Diego; but on Catalina Island it was more common, 19 adult and mostly living specimens occurring, æstivating on the under surface of stones, in June.

Helix Gabbii Newc. State Collection, Species 1097.

H. testa sub-obtecte umbilicata, tenuis, pallide cornea, depresso-orbicularis, fusco obscure zonata; anfr. 5 convexis ultimus descendens; sutura bene impressa; apertura sub-orbiculari; labro albo non calloso, reflexo.

Diam. maj. 0.40, min. 0.35 pol. Alt. 0.20 pol.

Hab. Insul. “San Clemente,” Cal.

Shell with umbilicus partially covered, thin, pale corneous, depressly orbicular, with an indistinct brown band; whorls 5 convex, the last descending; lip white, not thickened, reflected.

I have seen but a solitary specimen of this species. The size corresponds nearly with H. facta, but the thinness of the shell, the color, the more rounded[118] whorls, the deeper suture, and the thin, white, reflected lip, sufficiently characterize this as a distinct species.

Helix facta Newc. State Collection, Species 1099.

H. testa obtecte rimata, depresso-orbiculari, solida, compacta, glabra, albida, fusco-rubro uni-zonata; anfr. 5 ad 5½ convexiusculi, ultimus descendens; sutura modice impressa; apertura ovalis; labro crasso, reflexo, flavido.

Diam. maj. 0.42, min. 0.35 pol. Alt. 0.22 pol.

Hab. Insul. “Santa Barbara,” et “San Nicolas.”

Shell with perforation covered, depressed orbicular, solid, compact, smooth, whitish, zoned with a brownish red band; whorls 5 to 5½ somewhat convex, the last descending; suture slightly impressed; aperture oval; lip thick, reflected, yellowish.

A sub-fossil variety measures 0.60 by 0.32 inches. Very numerous on Santa Barbara Island; less so on San Nicolas.

This species differs so essentially from the ordinary type of California Helices as to suggest a tropical region as its original habitat. One character in common with many of our species may be noticed, viz.: the colored band cutting the body whorl, inclosed between two faint light colored cinctures.

The shell has a little the aspect of H. Rothi Pfr., from the Island of Syra, but is smaller, less elevated, and with a thick reflected yellow lip.

Helix Whitneyi Newc. State Collection, Species 1112.

H. testa corneo-fumosa, sub-planulata, polita umbilico perspectivo; sutura bene impressa; apertura lunaris; labro simplici; anfr. 4.

Diam. 0.20 pol. Alt. 0.10 pol.

Hab. prope “Lake Taho,” Cal., in montibus “Sierra Nevada,” elevatione 6100 ped. Angl.

Shell smoky horn color, nearly flat above, smooth, with a perspective umbilicus; suture well impressed; aperture lunate; lip simple; whorls four.

In the umbilicus resembling H. striatella Anthony, with a smooth surface and a dull, smoky hue. Only three specimens were found, under damp logs and bark along a mountain stream, together with H. Breweri, and chersina.

H. Breweri Newc. State Collection, Species 1113.

H. testa discoidea, pallide-cornea, nitida, lucida; sutura sub-canaliculata, late umbilicata; anfr. 5. apertura lunaris; labro tenue simplici.

Diam. 0.20 pol. Alt 0.10 pol.

Hab. prope “Lake Taho,” Cal., et montibus septentrionalibus.

Shell discoidal, pale corneous, shining, transparent, suture slightly channelled, broadly umbilicate; whorls 5; aperture lunate; lip thin, simple.

This shell may be compared with H. arborea Say, from which it differs by its less elevation, more polished and lighter colored surface, and more open umbilicus. Eight specimens found; one from Northern California, by Prof. Brewer.

Helix Duranti Newc. State Collection, Species 987.

H. testa depressa, discoidea, pallide-cornea sub-lente minutissime striata,[119] opaca, late et perspective umbilicata; anfr. 4. ultimus declivis non descendens; sutura linearis; apertura rotundata-lunaris; peristomate simplici, approximato.

Diam. 0.20 pol. Alt. 0.07 pol.

Hab. “Santa Barbara Island.”

Shell depressed, discoidal, pale corneous, under the lens minutely striated, opaque, broadly and perspectively umbilicated; whorls 4, the last shelving but not descending (at the aperture); suture linear; aperture rounded, lunate, lip simple, the external and internal approximating.

This pretty little planorboid Helix bears a striking resemblance to Planorbis albus Müller, (hirsutus Gould,) especially in its upper aspect. Beneath, the whorls are less distinctly shown than in the Planorbis. I take pleasure in dedicating this species to Professor Henry Durant, of the College of California.

In addition to the above, the State Collection contains the following species of Californian Helices:

Helix arrosa Gould, sps. 858, common near mouth of S. F. Bay. Also a yellow variety from Santa Cruz, Mr. Rowell.

Helix Californiensis Lea, (?) sps. 969, or a var. of H. nickliniana Lea? J. G. Cooper.

Helix Carpenteri Newc., sps. 1136, a broken dead shell, from the head of San Joaquin Valley, Mr. Gabb.

Helix Columbiana Lea, sps. 901, near San Francisco.

Helix chersina Say, sps. 1125, found near Lake Taho; very large. J. G. C.

Helix Dupetithouarsi Desh. sps. 492, from Point Cypress, Monterey. J. G. C.

Helix exarata Pfeiffer, sps. 920. Mt. Diablo, Prof. Brewer; Santa Cruz, Mr. Rowell.

Helix fidelis Gray, sps. 1135, Humboldt Bay, and mountains near lat. 42°. Prof. Brewer. A black variety; Dr. Frick.

Helix infumata Gould, sps. 880, near Ballenas Bay, Mr. Rowell.

Helix Kellettii Forbes, sps. 856, San Diego, and Catalina Island; the latter a very fine variety. J. G. Cooper.

Helix loricata Gould, sps. 880, near Oakland, Dr. Newcomb.

Helix Newberryana W. G. Binney, sps. 881, Temescal mountains, near Los Angeles, Prof. Brewer.

Helix Nickliniana Lea, sps. 912, near S. F. Bay; common. J. G. C.

Helix sportella Gould, sps. 899, near San Francisco. J. G. C.

Helix mormonum Pfeiffer; San Joaquin Valley, Mr. Gabb; north to Mount Shasta, Prof. Brewer.

Helix Traskii Newc., sps. 863, from mountains near Santa Barbara, Prof. Brewer. May be a variety of H. Dupetithouarsi.

Helix tudiculata Binney, sps. 768, near San Diego and San Pedro. J. G. C.

Helix Vancouverensis Lea, sps. 1093, Straits of Fuca, Mr. Gabb. Perhaps extends south to Humboldt Bay.

Description of a New Species of Virgularia from the Coast of California.

BY WM. M. GABB.

Virgularia Lam.

V. gracilis Gabb.

Polypidom long and very slender. Decorticated stem circular or elliptical in section, smooth on the surface. Polypiferous lobes, slender, exsert, lunate, acute at the tips and broad at the base; arranged obliquely and alternately on the antero-lateral face of the stem. These lobes occupy the upper half of the polypidom; retaining their full size to the extreme apex, but diminishing below, so that on the middle of the stem they are exceedingly minute; and an inch or two below, are only represented by a slight ridge on the sheath, in which are two or three cells. The lower fourth of the sheath is dilated to about three times the thickness of the rest of the stem.

Length 19 inches; diameter of the naked stem .03 in.; smallest diameter of stem, with the sheath, .04; diameter of expanded base .13 in.; length of largest lobes .15 in.

Locality, Bay of Monterey, 20 fms. Collected by Dr. J. G. Cooper, of the State Geological Survey.

This species can be at once distinguished from V. elongata, G. (Proc. Cal. A. N. S., vol. 2, p. 167) by its more slender form, its proportionally large polypiferous lobes, its cylindrical stem, without any grooves, and by the comparatively smaller portion of the stem bearing the lobes.

Notice of Plants found Growing in Hot Springs in California.

BY PROF. WM. H. BREWER, OF THE STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

More than two years ago I laid before this Society some facts in regard to the growth of plants in the thermal waters of this State. Since that time we have more observations, and some of the facts are worthy of record, although the fact is not new that plants will grow in hot water.

At the Geysers in Lake County, there are numerous hot springs and steam jets, in and around which there is an abundant growth of a low form of vegetation (Nostoc?) growing on the soil and covering it with a bright green coating. In some of the warm springs and streams it accumulates in considerable quantities in the water. The highest temperature of water observed at the time of our visit, in 1861, was 207° F.; the water of many of the springs boiling violently at temperatures ranging from 196° to that stated. This vegetable[121] flourished in waters of the temperature of 200° F., but was most abundant where the temperature ranged from 125° to 140° F. It coated the soil around the steam jets, where it would be alternately exposed to the jets of steam issuing at a higher temperature than that of boiling water, and of the cooler air.

In water of the temperatures of 100° to 125° there are filamentons algæ.

At the Little Geysers similar facts were observed.

In Plumas County, near Lassens Peak, there are three groups of hot springs, at all of which the same form of vegetation is abundant under similar conditions, especially around steam jets. Various gases, especially sulphohydric and sulphurous acids, accompanying the steam in all of these localities, and the soil is generally impregnated with various saline substances. All the specimens of the plants were unfortunately lost, so that no microscopic examination has been made, further than could be done on the spot with a pocket lens.

Near all of these springs, the Panicum thermale Bolander, grows on the saline soils, sometimes where the soil is warm and the grass is subjected to steam; but its station appears to depend more upon the saline character of the soil than upon its temperature. It was frequently found on soil saturated with sulphates of soda, lime, etc., and having a strongly acid reaction.

None of these forms are universally found about all the hot springs of the State; many springs have been visited where neither of them occur, but where one is found the other is generally found also.

Description of a New Species of Pedicularia.

BY W. NEWCOMB, M. D.

Pedicularia Swainson.

Pedicularia Californica Newc.

P. testa depresa-globosa, coccinea, minute transverse striata, supra rotundata, infra late aperta; labio expanso, semi-circulare; columella crassa, dilatata, intus recta; apertura elongato sub-ovata; extremitatibus effusis:

Hab. California.

Shell depressly globose, crimson colored, minutely transversely striated, above rounded, below broadly open; lip expanded, semicircular; columella thick, dilated within, straight; aperture elongately sub-ovate; extremities broadly notched.

The Genus Pedicularia was established by Swainson for the reception of a single species (P. sicula) of that author. During the past year another species has been added by that eminent Naturalist, G. P. Deshayes, of Paris.

In a work published, on the shells of the Isle of Bourbon, he describes a beautiful violet-colored species under the name of P. elegantissima. The California species (of which only one specimen has been obtained) can scarcely be surpassed in brilliancy by its Indian Ocean congener, although bearing the exquisite name of elegantissima.

[122]

For the specimen of the species here described, I am indebted to the extreme liberality of D. N. Robinson, Esq., of San Francisco, who obtained it from a coral growing on a monster crustacean of the genus Echidnocerus, which was taken in very deep water at the Farallones Islands.

On Californian Lepidoptera. No. IV.

BY H. BEHR, M.D.

Fam. Vanessidæ.

Grapta.

Grapta Comma Harris.

I possess but one specimen of this Grapta. It was collected by Dr. Hillebrand, in Yosemite Valley, during his late visit to California. It agrees in all essential points with two other specimens which I obtained through the kindness of Mr. W. H. Edwards, of New York. The California specimen differs by a somewhat lighter coloration on both sides, especially below where the ground color passes into a yellowish brown, while in the Eastern specimen it becomes a bluish gray. On the upper side, also, the bluish coloration of the edge of the angulated wings of the Eastern form is replaced by a yellowish tint.

I would be inclined to take G. Comma for a local variety of G. C-album, were it not for the caterpillar, which, according to Mr. Harris, resembles that of G. interrogationis, and is entirely without that strangely dimidiate coloration so characteristic in G. C-album.

In G. C-album I cannot find any difference between my Californian and European specimens. Our vernal generation is larger and somewhat lighter colored than any European specimens I have ever seen. The caterpillar has a curious dimidiate coloration, which I have never seen except in this species: the fore part being white, the abdominal part yellow. I found it on Urtica, but it will probably be found on other Urticaceous plants, herbaceous as well as arborescent. G. C-album is not common in the immediate neighborhood of San Francisco, but it is rather abundant in woody and mountainous districts.

The Atlantic States are richer in species of this genus than either Europe or California, the two latter of which possess the same number of species.

Vanessa Fabr.

Vanessa Californica Boisd.

The caterpillar of this species feeds on Ceanothus, and lives socially like that of V. Urticæ L., from which it differs very little. It is of a velvety black, and the spines which cover it are also black.

[124]

V. Californica is remarkable from its being one of the few wandering Lepidoptera yet known. The first migration I observed was on November 15th, 1856, when numbers of this butterfly flew over San Francisco in a general direction of south-south-east. They flew singly, and never crowded into swarms. Most of these butterflies passed over our streets at too great a height to permit close inspection—a few alighting here and there on lamp-posts, sign-boards, or in the more rural parts, on flowers. It was from these that I obtained the specimens in my collection. They nearly all looked worn and shattered, and there were no fresh specimens among them: clearly indicating that they were not raised in the neighborhood of the city, but had come from distant parts. On the 18th some of the stragglers were still to be seen, but on the 19th they had all disappeared. The second migration took place last fall, but did not reach San Francisco. I received a series of specimens, caught by Dr. Cooper, on the road to Lake Taho. Others I received from Oregon, where they were collected by Mr. Gabb, during his geological examination of those northern regions. Neither Dr. Cooper nor Mr. Gabb observed any marked direction in the flight of these butterflies; they agree that the species was strikingly numerous. Mr. Gabb represents it as settling on the ground in dry arroyos, very shy, and when frightened, always returning to the same spot—a behavior which pretty nearly corresponds with that of the nearest relative, the European V. Polychloros. Both of these authorities prove merely an unusual number of this butterfly at an unusual time of the year. The description of the habits of the insect, as observed by Mr. Gabb in the Umpqua Valley, show clearly that there it felt at home. By comparing notes received from Mr. Johnson, of Marin County, I have come to the conclusion that the country to the northward, crowded with this Vanessa, must have sent at least one colony south; and I was told by the above-mentioned gentleman, the statement being confirmed by several intelligent farmers of the same neighborhood, that large numbers of a brown butterfly had come from San Quentin, and crossed over that part of the bay which stretches between San Rafael and Saucelito. About the same time, great numbers of the same insect were observed in Lagunita Valley, at the base of Tamal Pais, where the swarms gathered in a great crowd, and disappeared as suddenly as they came.

I trust that my loquacity in regard to the habits of this species will be pardoned. I consider the observation of facts touching the migration of animals, of the highest importance, and think it desirable that all observations on these points should be put on record: so that hereafter, when a sufficient number of instances may have been collected, conclusions may be drawn, and perhaps many hitherto inexplicable points in the geographical distribution of insects, and of organic life in general, may be explained.

This butterfly is rather rare in common years, and is, perhaps, notwithstanding its name, V. Californica, not exactly an indigenous species, at least not in the middle counties of our State. Unlike all other Vanessidæ known to me, it has but one generation, at least in California, where the imago is always found late in the season. I do not venture to decide whether V. Californica requires a longer time for development in the larva state than the other Vanessidæ, or[125] whether it has its vernal generations somewhere else in adjacent countries. I have found but one colony of caterpillars. It was in July, and most of the individuals were nearly full grown; they were rather delicate, the majority died in the larva state, seven transformed about the end of the month, and a single chrysalis produced a crippled butterfly.

Vanessa Milberti Godt.

This species is common in woody localities. The caterpillar is very much like that of V. Californica, and only a few individuals show a distinguishing mark in the shape of a longitudinal, lateral stripe of sulphur yellow. It feeds on Urtica.

Vanessa Antiopa L.

There is nothing to add in regard to this long and well-known species. The caterpillar feeds here, as everywhere else, on willows.

The true Vanessæ have about the same geographical distribution as the Graptæ. They also have a predilection for Urticaceous plants. Only the most northern species is amphigeic.

There is a balance in favor of the Old World—the beautiful type of V. Io not being represented on this continent—and also the type of V. Polychloros, containing a few species, as, for instance, V. Xanthomelas, that make it appear more numerous.

Pyrameis Hubn.

Pyrameis Atalanta L.

Larva feeds on Urtica.

Pyrameis Carye.

This species is by far the most common butterfly in California. The caterpillar is very variable in its coloration, and is so like that of P. Atalanta, in company with which it is frequently found, that I have never succeeded in finding any distinguishing characters. It feeds throughout the year on Urtica and on several malvaceous plants, and has the habit of all its congeners, of hiding itself in a rolled up leaf.

Pyrameis Cardui L.

This most cosmopolitan of all diurnals, affects here, in its larva state, several malvaceous plants, and also the genus Gnaphalium, and its relations; but the plant for which it shows the greatest predilection is Silybum Marianum, a plant which formerly did not exist here, and has only spread since 1852. It now forms thickets in the neighborhood of San Francisco, as well as near most of our inland towns, but has never spread to a great distance from settlements. P. Cardui frequents the same localities, and I found the same species in Australia in the same relation to the same immigrated plant, Silybum Marianum. I know very well that P. Cardui existed here, as well as in Australia, before the immigration of this Mediterranean plant; but still, it is a remarkable fact that this cosmopolitan butterfly, notwithstanding its ability to adapt itself to[126] plants of the most different families, still clings with such tenacity to a cosmopolitan plant, to whose universal distribution it is perhaps much indebted for the wide range which it itself attains.

Next to the cosmopolitan character of this plant, P. Cardui owes its great extent probably to its many generations and certain irregularities in the time of the appearance of the perfect insect; so that small colonies of the species are not so liable to be destroyed by inclemency of climate or exceptional atmospheric agencies; for a being that exists at the same time in the four stages of the egg, larva, chrysalis, and imago, has more chances of escaping cataclysms and deluge than others that are all at one time in the same stage of existence. The extent of the influence exerted by the number of generations, and the irregularity of period, can be very clearly recognized by the circumstance that species with one generation are always the most local; for instance, certain Meliteæ, Argynnidæ, Theclæ, most of Sphingidæ, etc.; that also the cosmopolitanism develops in proportion to the number of generations, and attains its maximum in certain Vanessidæ, Danaidæ, Pyrameis, etc.

Pyrameis Hunteri Fab.

This species seems to have, in California, but one generation. It is not common. I have found it only in the latter part of the season, and have not yet succeeded in finding the caterpillar. The genus Pyrameis has the widest range of all the genera of this family. It extends through all latitudes from the Arctic regions to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn. On the northern hemispheres it is best represented in California, which country possesses one peculiar species in addition to all three of Europe and the Eastern Slope of the United States.

Junonia Hubn.

Junonia Cænia Boisd. et Lee.

Several generations. Caterpillar not yet found in California. From this enumeration of California Vanessidæ we find, 1st. That with the exception of V. Californica, there is not yet found any species of this group peculiar to our State, for even P. Carye exists as well in Chili as here, and is also said to have been found in Brazil. This circumstance is more striking since our Argynnidæ and Meliteæ prove altogether local; none of them being identical with Eastern species, unless a Melitæa, of the type of Mylitta, should be found identical with a form found in Texas. 2. The genera of this group, north of the Tropic of Cancer, are essentially amphigeic, the European Arachnia being almost the sole exception. But, as it were, to compensate this, the tropical amphigeic genus Junonia, wanting in Europe, extends, on our continent, to high latitudes. 3. As regards the number of specks, the genus Grapta predominates at the Eastern Slope, Vanessa in Europe, Pyrameis in California, and our own Junonia is counterbalanced in Europe by our Arachnia.

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Fam. Limenitidæ.

Limenitis Fabr.

Limenitis Lorquini Boisd.

Like its congeners in other parts of the world, this species occurs in shady woods, or on the banks of arroyos. It is peculiar to California and Oregon.

Limenitis Eulalia Doubleday.

In localities similar to the preceding species. These two species are, as yet, the only ones found in our State. They represent a peculiar type, forming, in their coloration, a transition from Limenitis to the South American genus Heterochroa. Neither of these Californians have been found on the Eastern Slope. L. Eulalia extends to Mexico.

The family Apaturidæ as yet, has not been found in California.

Earthquakes in California During the Year 1863.

BY JOHN B. TRASK, M.D.

During the year 1863 we have had but five earthquakes, and as in former years they have been marked by no serious event, if we except the light degree of fright induced at the time among our people.

January 25th.—A severe shock was experienced at San Diego at 2h. 20m. M., which lasted five to eight seconds. There was no undulation in this case, it consisting of a series of sharp jars. It was preceded by a deep rumbling noise.

February 1st.—A very smart shock at the Mission San Juan, Monterey County, at 4h. 1m. P.M. This shock was felt at Gilroys at 4h. 15m. This town is twelve miles east of the former. At both places the shock was marked by the undulatory motion. It was not observed at Monterey, which is nearly twelve miles west of the Mission.

June——A smart shock at midnight at San Francisco.

August 1st.—Two light shocks at San Francisco, at 10h. 48m. P.M., and at 11h. 6m. P.M., another shock.

December 19th.—At 2h. 38m. P.M. a smart shock was felt throughout the city; directly afterwards another and more severe one occurred. The first was a short, sudden jar, while the second was undulatory. The accuracy of the telegraph operator at Santa Clara has enabled us to form a correct idea of the course of this shock, and to correct to some extent the popular errors relating to the direction of the seismic wave. His time was 2h. 44m. 31s., being within 29 seconds of true time, which would then be 2.45. This gives us only 6½ minutes difference in elapsed time, and gives for the direction of the wave an east course in place of north and south, as reported, which corresponds to our measured observations here. I take this opportunity of expressing the thanks of the Academy to this operator for his accuracy and kindness in furnishing us data in this and other phenomena of scientific and public interest.

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February and March, 1864.

During the present year, 1864, we have had two smart earthquakes at the date of writing this report.

February 26th.—At San Francisco a light shock at 0h. 40m. M., and another at 2h. 10m. M. These were reported to me by persons who were up in the south and west parts of the city. At 5h. 47m. a very smart shock occurred, having three distinct vibrations, which induced many to rise somewhat earlier than was usual. This earthquake was preceded by a strong electric storm (so called here), between this city and Visalia; the particulars of which have not as yet all come to hand. It was followed next day by one of those severe “northers” with which the people of this State are very familiar. Barometer very low. This fact is mentioned only on account of the unseasonable period at which the gale occurred.

This earthquake was felt more severe at San José and Santa Clara than at this place, and occurred at nearly the same hour.

March 5th.—A severe shock of earthquake at San Francisco at 8h. 49m. M. The first wave had a north and south direction and continued 1¾ seconds; nearly 1¾ seconds elapsed before the second shock, which was at 8h. 49m. 3s., and continued 1½ seconds. The second shock was rotatory; the pendulum swinging north and south from the first shock, began and continued to describe a short oval or nearly a circle from the effects of the second shock, and continued thus for more than half an hour, until stopped and brought to rest. Magnetism was not suspended in this earthquake, nor any other that has occurred since my instrument was suspended. These observations were made at the height of twenty feet four inches from the ground. The total of time included in the shock was nearly five seconds. The farthest point south to which I have been able to trace its effects is the Mission San Juan, and north to Sacramento, a distance inclusive of 177 miles. In an easterly direction we have not traced it east of Stockton, about 60 miles. It was felt at Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Gilroys, south of San Francisco, and at Santa Rosa and Petaluma to the north.

Since the above was in type, advices have been received from Visalia. At that locality the shock was very smart. The first shock took place at 8h. 45m. M., being four minutes earlier than that at San Francisco. This gives for the entire distance, north and south (over which the earthquake extended), 257 miles. This extent of latitude, and the almost simultaneous period of time at which it was observed along the entire line of distance so far as heard from, leads to the conclusion that its probable centre was south of San Francisco and nearly in the same longitude. From the violence of its action I feel inclined to the belief that its centre was in the neighborhood of San José, for all accounts agree in this one point, that more turbulence of the earth’s surface occurred in this region during its continuance than at any other place yet known. At Visalia the first shock was a mere tremor, but was followed by an undulatory movement when the second shock occurred, which was some three or four seconds later. This wave moved in an east and west direction at that place.

Earthquakes in California from 1800 to 1864.

BY JOHN B. TRASK.

As the subject of earthquakes for some years past has engrossed much of the attention of scientific observers, I have, at the request of several members of the Academy, made out a complete report upon the occurrence of those phenomena upon this coast, as far as personal observation is concerned, and also so far only as we have authentic records prior to the occupancy of the present State of California by the American Government.

The present paper contains, probably, all that can be verified, and places the subject in a form to which future reference may be made by other observers abroad; thus enabling them and ourselves also, to bring together the statistical facts which, it may be hoped, will help to form some rational theory in future years relating to the causal agency of those phenomena, as well as the physical laws governing their action.

In this paper I have reduced the periods of their occurrence for the thirteen years past to astronomical time, in all instances where the hour on which the shocks occurred have been known with certainty, and, without attempting to combat any theory that has been advanced, or the suggestion of another relating to their origin, their history has been left as a record of facts, which will become useful when others of like character accompany them. Our record, in this State alone has reached a little more than one-tenth of the number on which M. Mallet has founded his theory of their origin, and which were drawn from all parts of the world, and although this may seem a large proportion for this district of country alone since 1850, it is not to be presumed that a greater frequency of shocks have occurred here than elsewhere, but that the same attention has not been bestowed in recording their occurrence in other countries where they are known to be much more frequent and severe than upon our coast.

It might be asked why, if such unquestionable frequency occurs within the[131] limits of this State we are not subject to momentary destruction from their effects; the answer to this is found in the preceding paragraph, from which cause it will be seen that our experience is more apparent than real, relatively, and farther still, we should find a much greater frequency of shocks, beyond all doubt, if the instruments for their registry in different parts of the State were more plentiful than at present.

There is no good reason for the supposition that we are in more danger from these phenomena than upon the Atlantic border, for the reason that we are so far removed from the centers of immediate and violent volcanic action, that it would require dangerous tension of the imagination to place California within the range of those physical causes which are so conducive to violent, repeated, and destructive earthquakes. This State cannot be considered more subject to earthquakes than it is to volcanoes, relatively, and this is said too in the face of our own records relating to the former. We need have little fear from these disturbances so long as we are so far removed on either hand from the great centers, and even from the terminal points of those centers of volcanic disturbance, from the action of which such disastrous consequences have, and will again follow to their immediate districts.

A moment’s consideration will convince the most sceptical of the prevailing fallacy relating to this subject. In the first place, we are situated between two great termini of active volcanic ranges, the nearest being Colima, 1,200 miles south, the other on the coast of Alaska, more than 1,300 miles to the north; the distance inclusive between the points being nearly or perhaps quite 2,600 miles, in which NO active volcanic vents abound, unless we make an exception of Mounts Hood and St. Helen in Oregon, of which the testimony is somewhat dubious, and the nearest of which is 700 miles. To the east there are no volcanoes for a distance of 2,500 miles, and to the west for a much greater distance than in either of the other directions. This, certainly, should be sufficient to palliate the fears of the timid, in some degree at least, and to silence in part also the sensational articles which appear from time to time in the press of this and the eastern States, as to California being an oven within the range of active volcanic action, and a volcanic country.

In preparing this paper I have endeavored to obtain, as far as possible, the most correct information relating to the history of these phenomena in former years. It is my desire also to correct some of the misrepresentations and statements current relating to the severity of earthquake shocks in this country during the earlier periods of its history.

I have at the present time some additional information relating to the great earthquake of 1812, which did not appear in my first paper on this subject, and which must now be placed on record. These facts relate more to the phenomena occurring during that year, rather than to the destruction of the missions, all of which will be found in their proper place below.

From careful inquiry of the early settlers and residents I cannot learn that any more than one earthquake has occurred which was in any considerable degree of a serious character, and but one which has caused the destruction of either life or property to any extent.

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This earthquake occurred in the month of September, 1812, and destroyed the Mission San Juan Capistrano, in Los Angeles County, and the Mission Purissima (Viejo) in the County of Santa Barbara. The following is the history of that event as obtained from the older native inhabitants and foreign residents on the coast at that time.

The day was clear and uncommonly warm; it being Sunday the people had assembled at San Juan Capistrano for evening service. About half an hour after the opening of service, an unusual loud, but distant rushing sound was heard in the atmosphere to the east and also over the water, which resembled the sound of strong wind, but as it approached no perceptible breeze accompanied it. The sea was smooth and the air was calm. So distant and loud was this atmospheric sound that several left the building attracted by its noise.

Immediately following the sound, the first and heaviest shock of the earthquake occurred, which was sufficiently severe to prostrate the Mission Church of San Capistrano almost in a body, burying in its ruins the most of those who remained behind, after the first indication of its approach was heard.

The shock was very sudden and almost without warning, save from the rushing sound above noted, and to the severity of the first shock at that moment is to be attributed the loss of life that followed.

The number reported to have been killed outright, is variously estimated from thirty to forty-five (the largest number of persons agree on the smallest number of deaths given), but in the absence of records such statements should be received with many grains of allowance, where memory alone is the only means left, and the term of forty-three years has elapsed before the period at which this account was placed on paper. A considerable number are reported to have been badly injured.

There is a universal agreement on this point with those from whom these facts were derived, viz.: that the first shock threw down the entire building, and that a large number of persons were in it at that moment, and under the circumstances it would be most singular if no deaths were caused by such an event.

It is now nine years since the above facts were published, and in March, 1864, a writer to me unknown, corroborates this statement relating to that Mission in these words. “The church thrown down at San Juan Capistrano by an earthquake in 1812, was a well built-affair of stone and cement. The cupola or short steeple falling over the church completely destroying the building.”

The motion of the earth is described as having lifted vertically, attended by a rotatory movement. No undulatory motion is described by any one. Dizziness and nausea seized almost every person in the vicinity.

A heavy, loud, deep rumbling, accompanied the successive shocks that followed, which were five in number, all having the motion above described, though comparatively light in their effects to the first. The sounds attending the phenomena came apparently from the South and East.

In the valley of San Inez, to the south and west of Santa Barbara, the church now known as the “Mission Viejo” (La Purissima), was also completely destroyed. At this locality there were also a number of lives lost, but what number is as yet very uncertain. The distance between Capistrano and San[133] Inez is about one hundred and seventy miles. The shock which destroyed this building occurred about one hour after the former, and the greater portion of the inhabitants had left the building but a few minutes before it fell, service having closed. The first shock felt here prostrated the building, as in the preceding case.

A Spanish ship which lay at anchor off San Buenaventura, thirty-eight miles from Santa Barbara, was much injured by the shock, and leaked to that extent, that it became necessary to beach her, and remove the most of her cargo.

The writer above quoted corroborates the fact of a ship having been in this vicinity at the time. The distance of this ship from Santa Barbara is nearly the same as in my original statement but in a different direction. From the circumstantial details of the writer as to the ship “Charan,” alias, “Thomas Newland,” I am inclined to the belief that his statements are more entitled to adoption than my own; I therefore present his statement also and leave the reader to adopt either, so far as regards the ship and her position. “At the same time a Boston ship the Thomas Newland, known before as the Charan, commanded by Capt. Isaac Whitmore, was lying off the anchorage not far from the Gaviota Pass, Santa Barbara County.”

It is an interesting fact, and at the same time somewhat remarkable, that the time which elapsed between the advent of the shocks at Capistrano and San Inez is widely variant from what we should look for, when the distance apart and velocity of motion in earthquakes are taken into consideration. If the velocity of the seismic wave in this earthquake was uniform with those of more recent times, it should have reached La Purissima in twenty-eight minutes and fifty seconds in lieu of an hour; but all due allowances must be made for a question of time in an event of this nature, and also for errors in memory of persons after the lapse of so many years.

The effect of this earthquake on the sea, in the Bay of Santa Barbara, is described as follows: “The sea was observed to recede from the shore during the continuance of the shocks, and left the latter dry for a considerable distance, when it returned in five or six heavy rollers, which overflowed the plain on which Santa Barbara is built. The inhabitants saw the recession of the sea, and being aware of the danger on its return, fled to the adjoining hills near the town to escape the probable deluge.”

The sea on its return flowed inland a little more than half a mile, and reached the lower part of the town, doing but little damage, destroying only three small adobe buildings.

Here again I take the liberty of quoting the late writer above noticed, in corroboration of its effects upon the sea. “The sea was seen to retire all at once, and to return in an immense wave, which came roaring and plunging back, over the beach. This wave penetrated the low lands and gulches a mile from the shore, forming one of the most terrific sights possible to conceive.”

Very little damage was done to the houses in town from the effects of the shocks, while the Mission at San Inez was prostrated almost instantly. There is no evidence that I can find, that this earthquake was felt in San Luis Obispo, though such has been the report.

In addition to my former paper I will now add some information relating[134] to this and other earthquakes, touching more particularly a series continuing through a long period for such phenomena, but preceding the great event of September of that year.

So far as the archives of the old missions assist us, it is found that from the foundation of the first mission in 1769, up to the year 1800, a period of thirty-one years, not an entry was made of these phenomena. In the latter year an earthquake is recorded as occurring at San Juan Bautista, on the eleventh of October. On the eighteenth of the same month, at supper time another shock was felt, and another still at about eleven o’clock on the same night. From the records of the Presidio of San Francisco, we are able to glean the fact, that between the twenty-first of June and seventeenth of July, 1808, there occurred twenty-one shocks of earthquakes at this post.

I will here correct the popular error relating to this earthquake or series of earthquakes during that year. It is generally stated that this was contemporaneous with the earthquake which destroyed San Juan Capistrano and La Purissima; by reference to the dates it will be seen that the destruction of those missions did not occur until four years later.

The above are the only records of these phenomena that have as yet made their appearance in the archives of the province during the existence of the Mexican Government; and, from the fact that these archives are all in our possession, there is no hazard in stating that they constitute all, of which we have any positive knowledge. As they stand, they are a sufficient rebuke to the mendacity of sensational itemizers of the public press; they will find in those records, no basis on which to indite column articles of such doleful prophecies as the public of late have been surfeited with.

During a period of thirty-nine years the records of the country exhibit the fact, that there were but twenty-three days on which earthquakes occurred and were deemed worthy of record. If we compare these figures with those recorded from 1850 to the close of 1863, we shall find much more ground for prophecy during the latter period than for the eighty-two years of which records were kept on this coast previous to that time.

From the above extracts from the archives we are left to infer one of two facts; either that earthquakes were entirely unknown during the intervals of the record dates, or that they were of so trivial a character as not to merit the notice of the early padres during this time; the latter is the probability, for we can scarcely conceive that nothing of this nature had taken place. If, however, such be the fact, it cannot be looked upon in any other light than a manifest anomaly in the history of this or any other country.

It appears from all the testimony on the subject, that in May, 1812, the south part of the State was frequently agitated with shocks of greater or less severity, and their continuance was literally incessant for about four and one-half months. Their frequency was not less than one each day or two; four days seldom elapsing without a shock. As many as thirty shocks occurred in a single day on more than one occasion. So frequent were they, that the inhabitants abandoned their houses for the greater part of this period, and lived under trees, etc., and slept out of doors at Santa Barbara.

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This period of time seems analogous in some respects to the year 1852, and was one of very marked severity on this coast, as was also the latter year; it was analogous to other periods of subterranean disturbance in other parts of the earth since the historic era began, and there is no good reason why we may not look for the recurrence of similar events in future time. But we must not lay too much stress on the destruction of the two mission churches in 1812, to guide us in an estimate of the force of this earthquake, for the construction of those buildings had but little relation to similar structures of modern date, either in strength or material.

From 1812 to 1850, the archives are silent on this subject. In the latter year our record began and has continued with little interruption to 1863, a period of thirteen years. Within that period there are but few earthquakes occurring north of the thirty-ninth parallel which have escaped notice and have not been made matter of record.

1850.

During this year the following earthquakes were recorded:

1851.

1852.

From the beginning of this year until the middle of its last quarter, no disturbances of the coast was noted until the month of November. In this month the southern portion of the State was violently disturbed.

This earthquake or the series was experienced over the entire country, east[136] and south of Luis Obispo to San Diego and the Colorado River, covering a line of country about three hundred miles in extent.

From subsequent accounts we learn that it also reached as far as Guaymas, in the province of Sonora, Mexico.

For a period of six days subsequent to the twenty-sixth of November, the whole of this region to the Colorado, was convulsed, with slight intermissions. During this time a mud volcano opened on the Colorado Desert, and another south of the river; one of these was visited by a portion of the United States command under Col. Hientzelman.

During the months of November and December, the southern particularly, and middle portions of California were much disturbed; shocks were experienced in those sections for sixty-five days, with variable intermissions; they were noticed as far north as the thirty-seventh parallel, but generally light in their nature. The latest date of this series was to the fifth of January, 1853, on the valley of the San Joaquin.

The period of time inclusive between the sixteenth of November (the date of the terrible earthquake at Banda Neira in the Moluccas), and the twenty-sixth of January, 1853, must be regarded as one of the most remarkable and portentious periods of the earth’s history during modern times. For in that period a greater proportion of the earth’s surface was convulsed by subterranean forces than has been known for many scores of years, in the same length of time.

The area most severely affected by these phenomena is included between the parallels of forty degrees south latitude and thirty-seven degrees north latitude, and extending from one hundred and twenty degrees east to the forty-fifth degree west longitude, being nearly equal to three-fifths of the equatorial, and a little more than one-half the polar circumference of the earth.

At this time the coast of eastern Asia, the Islands of the South Indian Ocean, Singapore, the fated Moluccas, the east coast of China, the north, east, and south coasts of Australia, the coast of California, Mexico (west coast,) South America, with portions of the Atlantic coast of the United States south of the thirty-fourth parallel, north latitude, shared in the general disturbance which prevailed on our own shores during this time. With the twenty-sixth of January ceased the vibrations on this coast at that time, but we have positive intelligence that they continued much later on the east coast of China and Australia, in which countries they did not cease until the month of February. With these facts before us we cannot but believe the period included one of the most turbulent in the earth’s career during modern times.

1853.

Total in 1853, 15.

1854.

Total in 1854, 12.

1855.

The following is the record of earthquakes for this year, in the State of California, with the date and hour of the day at which they were observed:

This earthquake was quite severe at Gibsonville on the north, at Forrest City, Minnesota, in Sierra County, and at Orleans Flat, Eureka, in Nevada County, at Georgetown and Nashville in El Dorado County on the south, and at Keystone Ranch, in Yuba County, on the west. The entire distance north and south affected was ninety-four miles, and in a westerly line, thirty miles. The shock was preceded by a deep rumbling, and the rushing sound of wind in the distance. It shook buildings severely. A large pinnacle of rocks on the summit of the Downieville Buttes was thrown down, and some of the large fragments reached the south branch of the North Yuba, at the base of the mountain.

There were four distinct shocks during the earthquake, with a period of about two or three seconds elapsing between each vibration. During their continuance the ground opened in several places, in fissures of one or two inches, the marks of which remained for several days afterwards. There were some twenty-six buildings in the city more or less injured, which I personally examined, and among them the church, the west wall of which was split from top to bottom in two places, the fissures being from one to two and a half inches in breadth, running entirely through. The east wall split at a slight angle from the perpendicular, and had but one fissure. The walls of the Star Hotel were split in several places, and on the west side there appears to have been a decided horizontal motion, as the wall was displaced on that side horizontally to the depth of about one inch, and some eight or nine feet in length. The amount of displacement decreased from the west end of the building towards the center. It is a fact worthy of note, that none of the thin adobe walls of the buildings suffered injury, while most of the thick-walled buildings were injured to a greater or less extent.

During the earthquake, many articles were thrown down; those that were standing on shelves against the east end of the buildings were thrown westward on to the floor, and those on the opposite end of the buildings were thrown back in an inclined position against the walls. These features were noticed in the drug stores of Doctors Winston and Hope, situated on the main street, and a short distance west of the church.

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The meteorological condition of the atmosphere was rather unusual, and is described as follows: The day was unusually warm and sultry, attended with a little rain, (the latter very unusual) and a sudden change of temperature to unpleasant coldness. At Point San Juan there was observed considerable commotion in the water, attended with a strong rushing sound, and two unusually heavy surf swells, immediately following the last shock.

This shock was felt distinctly at the saw-mill, some eight miles east of San Bernardino, about seventy miles east of Los Angeles, and at Santa Barbara, about one hundred miles in a westerly direction.

The whole number of which I have a record for 1855, amounts to twelve only; but there may be others which have escaped my notice on account of absence from the city.

The following table will show the number of shocks for each year, and each month of the year, for six years from 1850 to 1855, inclusive.

From the above it will be seen that of the total number of shocks in six[140] years in this State, forty-eight have occurred during the spring, summer, and autumn months, and eleven during the winter months.

Of the total number noted, twenty-seven have occurred from San Luis Obispo south, and of the thirty-two remaining, nine have been felt in San Francisco at the same time they were observed at San Luis Obispo, while the remaining twenty-three were felt at San Francisco and north of that point.

Notwithstanding we have had, what may, perhaps, be considered a frequency in the recurrence of these phenomena, still there are but a very few of the total number that would merit a moment’s consideration south of the twenty-fifth parallel of north latitude, for there they would be regarded as minor affairs entirely.

From all the facts in our possession relating to the phenomena on our coast, it appears that the greatest preponderance in action and severity of effects, is exerted, for the most part, south of Point Conception, for, from this place, east, south and north, to near the Colorado, the most conclusive evidence exists of very recent volcanic action having been exerted on rather an extensive scale, and is also still persistent in several localities within the area named, though in a minor degree.

It would be interesting to examine the changes of level that have evidently taken place in this State within the last five years; but as more extended observations would greatly assist us in forming conclusions on this subject, I will defer that portion until a future day.

1856.

At the close of 1855, I presented to the Academy a statement of the occurrence of earthquakes in this State for that year and a term of years preceding.

During the year just passed, I have kept a careful record of these phenomena, which have been noticed in this city, and other parts of the State, and which will be found below, with their date, and the hour of the day on which they took place; they comprise all that have occurred, with perhaps two exceptions, the dates for which were so obscure as to render it impossible to determine with accuracy the precise period of their occurrence. So far as I am informed, those shocks that have taken place in this State during the past year have not been marked with more severity than has been usual in years preceding, frequently amounting to a slight tremor, and at other times to more distinct movements; three only have possessed sufficient intensity as to command general attention during the busy hours of day.

Very few have been noticed by persons who were standing upon the earth at the period of their occurrence. By far the greater proportion were observed in high situations from the ground, and in the more retired parts of the city, or on the alluvial covering of the country to the west and south.

The total number for the past year is sixteen, and of this number thirteen were observed between sunset and sunrise.

By reference to the statistics below, it will be seen that even mountain districts, where during the day there is much less of turmoil and noise arising from business than in the populous city, that of all those noticed, none have been of sufficient[141] intensity to attract the attention of the inhabitants during the hours of daylight. These facts, though few in themselves, are of importance, to disabuse the public mind in relation to the danger to be apprehended from the occurrence of these phenomena. The character which we sustain both at home and abroad, as being in constant danger of being swallowed up by these occurrences, and that our country is but a bed of latent volcanoes ready to burst forth at any moment, spreading devastation over the land, is one of the greatest fallacies that ever obtained possession of the human brain. Our State is as primitive as Massachusetts or New Hampshire, and the dangers that surround us from the sources above mentioned, are equally great as in the States just named.

We should remember that when speaking of California as a State, that we include a line of territory equaling that of the seaboard lying between Cape Hatteras on the south and the British Possessions on the north, and including eleven of the seaboard States of the Union; and when we place our comparative estimates on this basis in matters of this character, it will become at once evident that the danger of annihilation from the causes under consideration, are not of that magnitude which at first sight would appear.

Along the coast of Mexico and Central America, to the south of California from all the records that are obtainable here there appears to have been a much greater exemption from those phenomena than has been usual in former years; this seems to have been the fact, also, throughout the Pacific, Oceanic, and most of the Continental Islands along the coast of China, while to the north and north-west, beyond the fifty-fifth parallel, both volcanic and earthquake phenomena appear to have been greater than usual. This has been observable, for the most part, in the neighborhood of the Aleutian Archipelago, along the north-east coast of Japan, and in the British and Russian Possessions of North America on the Pacific, and islands of the Ochotsk Sea.

It would be interesting to know more of the predominance of these phenomena in those regions, and such information could be easily obtained from the commanders of the whaling fleet, if the proper measures were adopted to secure it.

Below will be found some interesting matter upon this subject, which took place during the past year near the Straits of Ourinach.

The earthquakes which have occurred in this State during 1856, and the period of their occurrence, is as follows:

The upper part of a building on Battery Street, for seventy feet in length, was thrown down, the whole of which was above the cornice, very thin, and the mortar with which it was constructed had not become hardened, being easily removed by the fingers—it more resembled wet sand than a firm mortar.

There appears to have been but little difference in the sensation of persons situated either in upper or basement stories.

It was preceded by a deep, heavy rumbling, and the motion apparently came from the north-west. A distinct shock was felt at eight minutes past two o’clock the same morning, by persons who were awake and up at the time.

The rotatory movement was shown in the fact that small square bottles and boxes that stood upon a line, were moved from their position horizontally, describing an arc of thirty degrees and upwards, as shown by the dust upon the shelves on which they stood.

The first wave came with a force sufficient to project small articles three or four feet on the floor, from shelves on which they were placed; they were apparently all thrown in the same direction. Several clocks were stopped at precisely 5 hours 25 minutes.

All the cracks in walls and ceilings had a direction nearly north-west and south-east, and most of them had the appearance of having been produced at the moment of elevation.

The earthquake was felt heavily at Monterey, at five hours twenty minutes; it was also felt at Bodega, but no time is given.

The vessels on the coast, and ranging from San Pedro on the south to Southern Oregon, and at distances varying from eight to one hundred miles from land, did not experience any shock. They were twenty-two in number.

Up to the present date the most northern point of which we have any record of its having been felt, is at Santa Rosa, which is fifty-three miles north of San Francisco, and at Monterey, ninety miles south of the latter place; to the east of this city we have no record beyond Stockton. This would give for its length one hundred and forty-three miles, and its breadth sixty-six miles.

Inquiry was made through the State line Telegraph at El Dorado, Nevada, Downieville, Placerville, Marysville, Sacramento, Stockton, and San José; it was not felt in any of the localities named, excepting the two last, and at Stockton it was quite light.

If the time as given at Monterey was the same as at this city (San Francisco), the velocity of the earth-wave must have been much slower than that of the great earthquake at Simoda.

From the record before us it will be seen that of fifteen, the total number of earthquakes recorded during 1856, seven have been felt in San Francisco in common with other parts of the State; seven have occurred south of this locality that were not observed here, and four north of it. Of the seven shocks noticed here five only were not observed in any adjacent district, and may be considered as strictly local. The periods of the year at which the shocks have occurred, are as follows: During the winter months, five; during the autumn, three; during the spring and summer, six. None have taken place between the vernal and autumnal equinoxes.

We have records of considerable and violent volcanic phenomena throughout the northern seas, and islands both to the east and west of Alaska. The Russian frigate Dwina, while lying at Shuam Shu, brings intelligence of the outburst of a volcano in that vicinity about the twenty-second of June, and on the twenty-fifth of the same month passed through fields of floating pumice; the latitude by observation being fifty degrees fifty-three minutes, and longitude one hundred and fifty-eight degrees thirty-two minutes east, per chronometer.

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An interesting account of a submarine volcano was reported by the Captain of the bark Alice Frazer, in latitude fifty-four degrees thirty-six minutes, longitude one hundred and thirty-five degrees west, which is as follows: A portion of the whaling fleet, four in number, were running through the Straits of Ourinack, on the twenty-sixth of July last; while passing the straits a submarine volcano burst out, sending a column of water several hundred feet upward; immediately following this, immense masses of lava were projected into the air, and the sea for miles and for days afterward, was covered with floating fragments of pumice. The ships Scotland and Enterprise were nearer the volcano than the ships Frazer and Wm. Thomson; on the decks of the two former considerable pumice, lava, and ashes fell. There were seven vessels in the straits at the time of the occurrence, three of which names I could not learn.

The outburst was accompanied with violent shocks of earthquake. It is the opinion of Captain Newell, of the Alice Frazer, that considerable shoaling has been the result of this submarine action.

On the Direction and Velocity of the Earthquake in California, January 9, 1857—By Dr. John B. Trask.

The earthquake which occurred in various parts of this State, on the morning of the ninth January last excited at the time considerable attention. This arose from two causes. First, from the varied reports that appeared on the following day through the press of the city, detailing its occurrence in remote mountain towns, and for which there was no foundation. Secondly, from the great extent over which the commotion was felt, as was subsequently proved.

Immediately following the occurrence of the phenomenon, letters were addressed to all the principal towns between Mariposa and Downieville, east of the valleys, for the purpose of learning how far the shocks may have extended eastward of this city. These letters were forwarded by the Pacific Express Company to their agents, and through them answers were returned in every case but two through the same source. From the facts thus obtained, it was found that in no locality east of the foothills, was any shock felt on that day or night.

Another report, equally unfounded, reached us on the arrival of the steamer from the southern coast, to the effect that several houses had been demolished in San Diego from its violence, while the facts in the case are that the steamer left that port twenty-four hours before the shock occurred there.

This earthquake, or more properly speaking the series of shocks that began on the night of the eighth in this city, and which continued in the south part of the State during the following day and night of the ninth, was probably the most extensive of any on record on this portion of the Pacific coast, excepting, perhaps, that of the wave of the Simoda earthquake in December, 1854. The linear distance over which we are able to trace its course, amounts to six hundred and two miles, and its breadth, so far as now ascertained, is two hundred and ninety miles. It has all the appearance of having been the terminal movement of some more violent commotion at a distance from our coast.

From the best evidence obtainable at present, it seems to have had its origin to the west and traveled in an easterly direction. This is conclusively proved[145] from the fact that it was felt earlier at San Francisco than at any other locality east of this city within the State. We have no record as yet of its occurrence along the coast of Mexico or of Oregon.

I have been able to determine with considerable accuracy the period of time at which the shock between eight and nine o’clock on the morning of the ninth took place, at four localities east of the City of San Francisco, in this State; as the shock at that hour seems to have been more generally noticed than those which either preceded or followed it here or elsewhere, though at this city it was much less marked than the shocks at 1h. 33m., 4h. 15m., and 7h., these three latter occurring at those hours of the morning when most persons are sleeping. The shock at 7h., produced a circular motion in the pendulum, the diameter of which was about five inches. The oscillations of the pendulum in all the others were in an easterly and westerly direction.

The precise period of time at which the shock took place at San Francisco, between eight and nine o’clock, is determined by the stopping of a time-piece belonging to J. W. Tucker, whose rate of error was three seconds fast. The time at San Diego was furnished by Mr. Cassidy, of the army, and that of the Tejon Reserve is by persons at that post. To private gentlemen at Sacramento and Stockton we are indebted for the time at those places. The accompanying table of latitudes and longitudes of localities named, gives the hour at which the shock took place at each; the difference or elapsed time, from which the velocity was deduced, are the mean times corrected for the places named, the time as given above being taken as the standard at San Francisco.

It is proper to state that three minutes four seconds, was the greatest error in time found, and the least was twenty-two seconds:

The velocity is given in miles per minute, and by dividing the sum of the same by their number, it will be found that the movement of the wave at that time averages a fraction over 6.2 miles per minute.

The results obtained from the above data approximate closely the deductions of Prof. Bache on the wave which reached our shores and resulting from the earthquake at Simoda on the twenty-third December, 1854, and which will be found in a paper read by that gentleman at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, during the early part of last year.

From the facts before us, there can be but little doubt of the direction of the commotion, and that it proceeded from the west, or a little south of that point. The motion of the earth, as described at the different localities at which it was felt, with the motion of the pendulum—which was slightly south of a west[146] line—leads to that conclusion. Time is an important element in aiding us to form correct conclusions regarding these phenomena, and it is to be hoped that our friends in different parts of the State, in reporting the same, will be precise in this particular. Of the incidents attending the shocks, many and varied reports have reached us; it seems to have acted with greater violence in the vicinity of the Tejon Reserve and upper Tulare County than at any other place. It is most remarkable that so small an amount of intensity of force was manifested when the area over which it extended is taken into consideration.

The effects were felt in San Francisco several hours before they are reported to have been observed at any other place north or south. They began here at twenty minutes past eleven, on the night of the eighth, and continued till thirteen minutes past eight the following morning—six shocks occurring in the interval; while to the south, the first shock noticed at the Tejon, was at six hours thirty minutes, on the ninth. In Los Angeles they continued at long intervals through the day until twenty-three hours thirty minutes of the same date. I have learned from persons who were present in Los Angeles at this time, and also at the shock of the fourteenth July, 1855, that the severity of the latter exceeded that of the ninth January last past.

1857.

During the past year there has been rather a frequency in the occurrence of the phenomena of earthquakes; and, with the exception of two, there have been none that were particularly remarkable either for extent of surface affected or severity of action. In one, that of the ninth of January, the greatest extent of surface, and greatest intensity of action was manifest. Its principal force seems to have been expended in the more southerly portions of our State, and in the immediate vicinity of those volcanic (?) vents found at different localities upon the Colorado Desert. It is manifest, however, that this shock and those which preceded it on the night of the eighth, had their origin to the west of our coast, as the times of occurrence of the shock at different localities most fully prove. This matter was fully discussed in my previous paper, “On the direction and velocity of the earthquake of January 9th, 1857,” read before this Society March 30th, which will be found in their proceedings.

The other shock of greatest extent, on the second of September, extended over an area of about two hundred miles, but was marked by no particular severity or injury, except that of fright to those who experienced it.

The whole number that can be authenticated as occurring during 1857, amounts to seventeen, being greater than the number recorded in 1853 and 1856; and it would seem probable from our records that this number is the maximum to which we shall probably be subjected in this State.

From the Sandwich Islands we have no news of earthquakes save one, which is here inserted: “A very severe shock of earthquake was felt at Kawaihae, Hawaii, on the twenty-fourth of February, the most severe that the residents there have had for many years.”

The arrival of the whaling fleet from the Northern seas brings no intelligence of the occurrence of these phenomena, as was the case of the preceding year;[147] hence, the presumption is, that subterranean action has not been violent in those distant regions during the year just passed.

On the coast of Mexico, and inclusive between the twenty-fifth and thirty-second parallels, we have received intelligence of the occurrence of one earthquake, which appears to have been felt on both shores of the Gulf of California for a distance of nearly two hundred miles, both north and south. We have no records south of that point.

The shocks which we can authenticate within the limits of our own State, are as follows:

Of the whole number which have occurred during the year, two only have been felt at San Francisco that were not experienced at other localities, and four others have occurred which have been felt in common at other portions of the State—thus making about one-third of the whole number that were in common here and elsewhere.

Eight of the aggregate have occurred between the summer and winter solstices.

Seven have occurred during the spring and summer months, and ten during the winter and autumn.

Eight have occurred between the vernal and autumnal equinoxes.

1858.

During the past year we have had occasion to note the occurrence of eight shocks of earthquake in this State. This number is one-half less than that in 1857, and one-third less the number in 1856. The shocks, with one exception, have been unmarked by anything like violence, being little else than mere vibrations or tremors, not noticeable by the great majority of the people. They are as follows:

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1859.

Whole number of shocks during this year was eight.

1860.

During the year last past this portion of the Pacific coast has been but little disturbed by earthquakes. There have been but three during this period that can be well authenticated, and one, viz.: December 21st, whose character is somewhat doubtful.

The shocks that have occurred are as follows:

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The oscillations were watched carefully by Mr. J. Roach and myself for half an hour, at which time they ceased. The maximum of the mercury column was a fraction over an inch, which was attained through vibrations of one-fourth to one-eighth of an inch rapidly repeated and continuous, and as gradually, through a series of lighter vibrations, the displacement would diminish and the column subside to its former level; this was three times repeated, the column at no time being at rest. The period of time occupied by the column in reaching its maximum of disturbance each time was from eight to twelve minutes. There was no apparent cause for this disturbance, unless it be attributable to a series of light vibrations of the earth occurring in a vertical direction, and to that cause I am disposed to assign it.

The passing of carriages on the street did not affect these vibrations of the column, for they continued in the same manner when those vehicles were not passing. While the oscillations were going on, I took a sledge and struck some half a dozen blows on an anvil block in the workshop, which did not make any perceptible difference in the movements of the column; after it had come to rest, the same experiment was repeated, but the column did not in any manner react to the concussion thus produced.

1861.

During 1861 there has been but one earthquake recorded in the State.

1862.

1863.

During the year 1863 we have had five earthquakes, and unmarked by any serious event.

The figures derived from our statistics furnish us the following interesting results as to the frequency of shocks in one season of the year more than in another. The tables below furnish the details.

It is found from these figures that during the thirteen years ending December, 1863:

First. The number of days on which earthquakes have occurred, is one hundred and ten.

Second. The month in which the greatest number have occurred is January, being sixteen; and the months in which the least number have occurred, is April and February, the sum of each being six.

Third. The winter months have given the largest number in the aggregate, the sum being thirty-four. The summer months the smallest number; their sum being twenty-three. The spring months have given twenty-four, and the autumn months twenty-nine.

Fourth. The number of shocks between the equinoxes foot up thus. Between the autumnal and vernal equinoxes the sum is sixty-four; between the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the sum fifty-two.

Fifth. The number of shocks that have taken place between the solstices stand thus. From the winter to the summer solstice the sum is fifty-four. From the summer to the winter solstice, the sum is fifty-nine.

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Table 1.—Giving the number of shocks in each month of the year, for thirteen years.

Table 2.—Number of shocks occurring between the dates of the equinoxes and solstices, for thirteen years.

I regret that my records of the occurrence of earthquakes upon the east coast of the United States is not more complete than it is, and also that it does not extend through an equivalent period of time as our own, from 1850 to date; but I have no authentic records of their occurrence on the other side later than 1854; my business at that time, and the subsequent period that has elapsed, being such that I was not able to maintain their continuation. In order to prove the statement made on a preceding page correct as to our relative immunity on this coast over equal extent of territory, I here subjoin the totals on both coasts during that period of time. This statement will also include those shocks which were matters of record belonging to the West India Islands, and which properly belong to the eastern-coast series.

The figures relating to this matter, stands thus:

In California during 1850, five shocks; 1851, six shocks; 1852, two shocks; 1853, thirteen shocks; 1854, eleven shocks. Total, thirty-seven shocks.

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In United States, east coast. 1850, three shocks; 1851, seven shocks; 1852, ten shocks; 1853, thirteen shocks; 1854, eleven shocks. Total, forty-four shocks.

Balance against east coast, seven shocks.

West India Islands. 1852, seven shocks; 1853, three shocks; 1854, one shock. Total, eleven shocks.

These inclusive with the continental series foot up eighteen days on which shocks occurred in excess of this coast during the same period of time, and thus shows a margin of greater frequency of little more than thirty per cent.

ERRATUM.

Page 131, line 16 from bottom, for “an oven” read “or even.”

On Cretaceous Fossils from Sahuaripa Valley, State of Sonora, Mexico, discovered by August Rémond

BY W. M. GABB.

Mr. Rémond announced in a letter to me, the discovery of fossiliferous rocks about a league and a half east of Arivechi, Sahuaripa Valley, Sonora, Mexico. The fossils occur in a clay slate, and are in a fine state of preservation. He says: “The shales rest on sandstones, barren of fossils; feldspathic porphyries protrude through them, but no alteration of the beds were observed at the points of contact. Even the lamination of the fossiliferous strata has not been disturbed, and shells are found but a few millimetres from the porphyry.” He adds that the fossil bearing strata may attain a thickness of four or five hundred feet. The shales are overlaid by thick strata of compact blueish limestone. The strata dip to the south-east with an inclination of from thirty to fifty degrees, and form the first range of foot-bills of the Sierra Madre.

I have identified the following species on a hasty examination, proving conclusively the cretaceous age of the formation. It is an interesting fact, that the fossils indicate a closer relationship to the eastern deposits than to those of California.

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Turritella seriatim-granulata Roem. Cardium Tippanum? Con. Chemnitzia (?) gloriosa Roem. Trigonia Evansii? Meek. Neithea quadricostata Sow. Exogyra Texana Roem. Turbinolia Texana Con.

Descriptions of New Marine Shells from the Coast of California.
PART I.

BY PHILIP P. CARPENTER, B.A., PH.D.
Corresponding Member of the Académies of Philadelphia and California, etc.

Warrington, England, May 4th, 1864.

The shells to be described in these papers were collected by Dr. J. G. Cooper,[156] for the State Geological Survey of California. Being aware that I was engaged in preparing descriptions of the shells of the Smithsonian collections, to serve as a handbook on the Mollusca of the western coast, and also (at the present time), a “Supplementary Report on the present state of our knowledge of the Mollusca of the west coast of North America,” for the British Association; he has very obligingly transmitted to me such duplicates as could be spared from the State collection for identification.

Calliostoma Swainson, 1840.

Calliostoma formosum Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species 615 a.

C. t. subelevatá, brunnescens, fusco-purpureo nebulosa, anfr. vii. valde tumentibus, suturis impressis; carinis majoribus in spirâ duabus, gemmatis, interdum brunneo huc et illuc tinctis; serie granulorum minorum prope suturam; serie quartá minimorum inter duas carinas; lirulis basalibus circ. ix., fusco maculatis; interstitiis à lineis incrementi corrugatis; aperturá subquadratá. Long. 0.47, long. spir. 0.34, lat. 0.43, div. 68°.

Hab. San Pedro five; San Diego four dead on beach at low water—very rare. It is well distinguished by the two principal necklaces, with smaller rows intercalating. In coloring it resembles C. eximium Reeve, (versicolor Menke, Mazatlan Catal.), from the Gulf of California.

Calliostoma splendens Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species 530 a.

C. t. parvâ, latiore, tenuiore; exquisité rufo-castaneo et purpureo, interdum intensioribus, et livido, varie nebulosâ et punctatâ; anfractu primo nucleoso diaphano, granuloso, apice mamillato; dein iv. normalibus, subtabulatis; primo costibus spiralibus ii. acutis, valde expressis, alterâ parvâ suturali; anfr. penult. costis iii. quarum media extantior, superior subgranulosa; anfr. ult. aliis intercalantibus, supra peripheriam v. quarum tertia magis extans; interstitiis à lineis incrementi vix decussatis; costâ circa peripheriam angulatam conspicuâ; basi costulis rotundatis, haud extantibus, peripheriam et axim versus conspicuis, medio sæpe obsoletis; basi nitidâ, subplanatâ; aperturâ subquadratâ, intus carneo-nacreâ, valde splendente: operculo tenuissimo, levissimo, pallido, diaphano, concavo; anfr. circ. x. crebris, parum definitis.

Long. 0.23, long. spir. 0.15, lat. 0.24, div. 87°.

Hab. Monterey, 20 fms. dredged 2, dead; Santa Barbara, in roots of kelp growing in about 10 fms. 13, dredged in 16 fms. 2, dead; S. B. Island, 2, dead, on beach; Catalina Island, 30-40 fms. 2, alive; San Diego, 1, dead.

The specimens here described are probably mature, and are well marked in character. The painting is richly lustrous, of a fleshy nacre inside; outside, of a rich orange-chestnut or red, variously laid on a light ground, sometimes with streaks of nacreous purple, often with dots on the ribs. The operculum is extremely thin and transparent.

Solariella Searles Wood, 1843.

Solariella peramabilis Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species 1025.

S. t. tenuissimâ, elegantissime sculptâ, lividâ, rufo-fusco pallide maculatâ; anfr. nucl. ii. valde tumidis, lævibus, apice mamillato; dein anfr. norm. iv. tabulatis,[157] suturis fere rectangulatis, supra spiram bi-seu tri-carinatis, carinulis aliis postea intercalantibus; totâ superficie elegantissime et creberrime radiatim lirulatâ, lirulis acutissimis, extantibus, supra carinas subgranulosis, interstitia anfr. primis fenestrantibus, postea decussantibus; basi valde rotundatâ; carinulis circ. v., anticâ granulosâ, sculptâ; umbilico maximo, anfractus intus monstrante, lineis spiralibus circ. iii. distantibus, et lirulis radiantibus à basi continuis, concinne ornato; aperturâ rotundatâ, à carinulis indentatâ, vix parieti attingente, intus iridescente, nacreâ: operculo tenuissimo, multispirali, anfr. circ. x., radiatim eleganter rugulosis.

Long. 0.38, long. spir. 0.19, lat. 0.42, div. 85°.

Hab. Catalina Island, 30-120 fms. 20, both alive and dead.

The name Solariella, given to a crag fossil (tertiary) species by Searles Wood, which he afterwards reunited to Margarita, is here used as a subgenus, in the author’s sense, for Margaritæ with large crenated umbilicus. This is one of the many instances in which the North Pacific fauna carries out the ideas of the English crag. Unfortunately, the name appears in Add. Gen. I, 431, for a subgenus of Monilea, with which these shells have only a limited affinity; and, accordingly, the true Solariellæ have been reconstituted as part of Minolia, A. Ad. That gentleman, however, fully accords with the present arrangement. The Solariellæ are known from Trochiscus, and from all forms of Solariadæ, by the normal (not inverted) nuclear whirls; and from the Solarids, by the nacreous texture.

Dr. Cooper’s very lovely species of a very lovely group may possibly prove to be a variety of the Japanese “Minolia aspecta A. Ad.” ms. in Mus. Cuming; but, until more specimens from each district have been compared, it is more prudent to keep them separate. It seems to have exhausted the powers of sculpture on its graceful habitation. Under the microscope, the sharp transverse lirulæ, mounting over the keels, dividing the interspaces, and even ascending the wide umbilicus, are eminently beautiful. Even the operculum is sculptured with delicate waved radiating lines. It has the aspect of an extremely thin Torinia, with a funnel-shaped umbilicus. This is not only bounded by a granular keel, but has three other distant spiral lines crossing the lirulæ. The radiating sculpture is more distant on the upper whirls, where first two, then three keels appear, fenestrated by the lirulæ, which afterwards become much closer, and are sometimes worn away behind the labrum.

Margarita Leach, 1819.

Margarita acuticostata Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species 354.

M. t. M. lirulatæ simili; parvâ, tenui, albido-cinereâ, olivaceo-fusco varie maculatâ, seu punctulatâ; anfr. nucleosis ii. lævibus, tumidis, fuscis, apice mamillato; anfr. norm. iii. tumidis, tabulatis, suturis rectangulatis; carinis acutis in spirâ iii., quartâ peripheriali, æquidistantibus; interstitiis spiraliter striatis; in spirâ et circâ basim radiatim creberrime striulatis; basi subrotundatà, lirulis distantibus circ. ix. ornatâ; umbilico magno, infundibuliformi, vix angulato, intus interdum striis spiralibus paucis sculpto; aperturâ subrotundatâ, pariete parum attingente: operculo anfr. paucioribus, circ. vi. suturis subelevatis.

[158]

Long. 0.18, long. spir. 0.12, lat. 0.19, div. 87°.

Hab. Santa Barbara, in kelp-root, 2, dead; Catalina Island, 8-10 fms. 20, some alive; Monterey, 20 fms. 4, dead.

This shell might be taken for a delicate form of Gibbula parcipicta, which in painting it exactly resembles. It is known from the Vancouver M. lirulata by the three sharp keels on the spire, between which there are no others intercalating, and by the details of sculpture. The patches of color are very variable, sometimes scarcely appearing; and are generally deeper tinted on the keels, giving a false appearance of granulation.

Margarita salmonea Carp. (? var.) State Collection, Species 352.

M. t. inter M. undulatæ et M. pupillæ intermediâ; minore, spirâ satis elevatâ; anfr. nucl. iii. purpureis; dein iv. normalibus, colore salmoneo; liris spiralibus in spirâ viii., quarum ii. suturales, minimæ; suturis haud undulatis; interstitiis à lineis incrementi creberrimis, haud elevatis, sculptis; basi lirulis creberrimis, æqualibus, circ. xviii. ornatâ; aperturâ subquadratâ; umbilico minore, angulato: operculo tenuissimo, diaphano, anfr. circ. x. vix definitis.

Long. 0.22, long. spir. 0.14, lat. 0.22, div. 80°.

Hab. Monterey, 6-20 fms. 5, alive; Catalina Island, 30-40 fms. 2, alive.

This shell differs from the common Margarita of the Vancouver district (M. pupilla Gld. = calliostoma A. Ad.), in its much deeper and salmon-tinted hue; its finer sculpture, absence of decussation, and want of distant liræ round the umbilicus. From the Norwegian specimens of M. undulata it is known by the absence of sutural waves, and by the finer basal riblets, of which the interstices are minutely sculptured across. The operculum differs from both, in its great thinness and smoothness. Additional specimens may better display its true relations.[10]

Liotia Gray, 1842.

Liotia fenestrata Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species 1006.

L. t. parvâ, primum subdiscoideâ, postea variante, albido-cinereâ; anfr. nucl. lævibus, planatis, apice depresso; anfr. norm. ii. et dimidio, convexis; clathris validis distantibus circ. xv. radiantibus, et vii. spiralibus, subæquantibus, conspicue fenestratâ; aperturâ circulari, sæpius plus minusve declivi, parieti vix attingente; umbilico maximo, anfractus monstrante; labio, regione umbilicari, sinuato.

Long. 0.09, long. spir. 0.04, lat. 0.12, div. 170°.

Hab. Catalina Island; beach to 40 fms. 20, dead.

This strongly sculptured species varies greatly (in the two specimens sent to the Smithsonian Institution), in the declivity of the mouth and consequent size of the umbilicus, where the labium is, as it were, scooped out.

[159]

Liotia acuticostata Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species 519 a.

L. t. parvâ, subglobosâ, albâ; anfr. nucl. ii. lævibus, apice satis extante; anfr. normalibus iii., carinis in spirâ maxime extantibus ii., anfr. ult. vi.; suturis subrectangulatis; aperturâ circulari; labro extus parum contracto; labio conspicuo; umbilico haud magno.

Long. 0.12, long. spir. 0.06, lat. 0.10, div. 95°.

Hab. Catalina Island, 10-20 fms. 4, alive; Monterey, 4, dead, dredged?

This pretty little Cyclostomoid species is easily recognized by the sharp revolving keels, and absence of radiating sculpture.

Amycla H. & A. Adams, 1858.

Amycla undata Carp. n. sp. State Collection, Species 1067.

A. t. parvâ rufo-fuscâ, turritâ, epidermide tenui indutâ; marginibus spiræ subrectis; anfr. nucleosis iv. lævibus, tumidis, apice mamillato; anfr. normalibus v. valde tumidis, suturis impressis; costis radiantibus ix. valde tumidis, latis, antice et postice obsoletis; interstitiis undatis; liris spiralibus acutioribus, distantibus, costas superantibus, secundum interstitia eleganter undulatis, quarum vi.—viii. in spirâ monstrantur; aperturâ ovali, in canalem brevem rectam productâ, intus haud liratâ; labro acuto, labio acuto extanti ad suturam juncto; columellâ planatâ: operculo nassoideo. ?

Long. 0.44, long. spir. 0.20, lat. 0.20, div. 45°.

Hab. Catalina Island, not rare, 30-40 fm. 10, some alive.

The nuclear whirls in this shell resemble a minute Paludina. The only operculum in the specimens sent was broken in extraction, but appeared to be Nassoid. The sculpture consists of elongate knobs swelling in the middle; with spiral lines hanging as it were from pier to pier, as in a suspension bridge. The aperture is somewhat Columbelloid, the inner and outer lips joining at the suture; but neither are lirate within, although they have that appearance from the outside sculpture showing through.

The relics consist of part of a foot and hair from different mummies, a string of beads made of bone, with a few of blue stone, also part of a belt and tassel, and a piece of very strong cloth of vegetable material. These were found by Mr. Wilson in a cave situated on the western slope of a very high mountain of the Sierra Madre, which seems almost to hang over the ancient Pueblo of Chiricahui—a name signifying the Mountain of Bones. This Pueblo was occupied by the Spaniards soon after the conquest by Cortez; and from previous traditions it is supposed by the inhabitants that this cave, and another on the opposite side of the valley, had been used as a place of burial by the natives for several hundred years. It is supposed that no bodies have been deposited there for the past hundred and fifty years, and perhaps longer.

On visiting the cave, Mr. Wilson found an excavation in the floor made three or four years since by some persons digging for saltpetre-earth, partly filled in, but still several feet deep; and exposed at the sides of this pit were several rows of bodies placed in regular order one above another, in a remarkable state of preservation. They were in a compact position, the knees bent up to the chin, and the face drawn back close to the buttocks, then securely sewed up in the remarkably strong and well-woven cloth here presented, which, on all of the four or five bodies examined, showed the same degree of strength and perfection. Over this was another covering of palm-leaves also sewn closely together. The bodies were dried and shrunken, but retained their form and integuments. Under each body were two small sticks, on which the body was laid on its back, the feet towards the mouth of the cave.

The circumference of the cave was about a hundred feet, and the height above the floor, thirty or forty feet.

Mr. Wilson and his companions “came to the very decided conclusion,” that the floor of the cave, for a depth of twenty feet or more, was formed of bodies similarly arranged in layers which had been placed there from time to time, as they died, and covered with earth and pebbles from the sides of the mountains. There can be no doubt that a thorough exploration of these relics would reveal very much of the lost history of the Indian tribes of Mexico, and richly reward the labors of the antiquarian. The excellent material of the cloth in which[161] the bodies were sewn up, surpassing in texture and strength anything now manufactured in Mexico, is worthy of investigation, as it may still be found valuable for making bags, sails, etc. There was no sign of any embalming substance by which the bodies and cloth could have been preserved, and the only explanation suggested by Mr. Wilson is that it is due to the dryness of the atmosphere, and the saltpetre contained in the earth. He also suggested that the fibres of the cloth may have been derived from the “Maguey,” (Agave Americana) or some allied plant.

Notes on Californian Satyrides.

BY HERMAN BEHR, M. D.

Chionobas Nevadensis. Boisduval, in litteris.

A few specimens of this new and as yet undescribed Chionobas, were caught by Mr. Lorquin, the discoverer of the species, and named by Dr. Boisduval. Not possessing a single specimen of this rare species, I am not able to give a diagnosis, and have only an indistinct recollection, that the species bore most resemblance to the Gerontogeic, Ch. Tarpeja, a Siberian species that has also been found on the summit of the Appenines, in Italy, but that in size it is superior to any Chionobas known to me.

Satyrus Sthenele Boisd.

Is rather common near San Francisco, where it is found in June. Only one generation annually.

Satyrus Sylvestris Edwards.

Edwards’ description shows very clearly the marks by which S. Sylvestris can be recognized from S. Sthenele. This species is found on grassy hills thinly covered with live-oak, where its habits show a very marked difference from those of its relations, by preferring the underside of oak branches to any other seat, while Sthenele and Boopis almost exclusively settle on the ground.

[164]

Satyrus Boopis Behr.

Sthenele similis at limbus non tesselatus, sed linea transversa distincte partitus et fœminæ ocelli alarum superiorum in fascia dilutiori positi. Alae subtusdimidiatæ pars radicalis brunnea, marginalis grisea, marginem versus brunnescens. Utraque marmorata, halone ocellorum in alis anticis solo excepto dilutiori et concolori.

This Satyrus is the biggest of our Californian species, the male being nearly double the size of the female of S. Sylvestris. I find this Satyrus in July in Contra Costa, on the hills as well as on the plains. In regard to the diagnosis of these three closely allied species, I would mention, that the presence or absence of one or two more or less distinct eye-marks, on the upper or under side near the anal angle of the hind wings, is of no diagnostic importance.

S. Ariane Boisd.

I confess I can not find any constant mark of difference between this species and S. Alope, Nephele, and Pegala, however different at first glance their forms may appear. I am very much inclined to consider them local aberrations of one far spread species, that gradually slopes from S. Pegala Fabr., through S. Ariane Boisd. to S. Nephele and S. Alope Fabr., in a similar way as the Gerontogeic P. Egeria L. looks very different from its African form P. Xiphia Fabr., with which, nevertheless, it is insensibly united by its intermediate form P. Meone.

All my Californian specimens agree perfectly with Dr. Boisduval’s diagnosis of S. Ariane; with the exception of one that approaches to S. Pegala, by its having only one eye-mark on the upper side of the anterior wings, but differs by the entire absence of the wide rusty band on the same. The specimen was among several undoubted S. Ariane, caught near Mono Lake, by Prof. Brewer, of the State Geological Survey. Besides the above mentioned locality, I received specimens from San Diego and Santa Cruz. Near San Francisco the species is wanting.

As to S. Sthenele and S. Sylvestris, I entertain no doubts regarding their rights as distinct species, but S. Boopis being only distinguished by the absence of the series of eyes on the under side of the hind wings from S. Nephele, may, perhaps, prove a local variety or aberration of that most polymorphous and far spread species S. Alope. In the mean time, until the connecting forms are found, I consider it to be specifically distinct.

Coenonympha Hubner.

C. Galactina. Boisd.

I consider this species as identical with C. Californica Dbld. At least I find in a long series of specimens, no point where Californica ends and Galactina begins. C. Galactina, according to Boisduval, exists also in Kamtschatka. In California it is one of the commonest species of Diurnals, and is found in the most different localities, in several generations throughout the year. There exists a second Cœnonympha in some sequestered valleys of the Northern Sierra, that approaches in its coloration, the European C. Pamphilas. I have only[165] seen one pair of this species, and not possessing it, I can not give a diagnosis. It may be that it is identical with C. Inornata, Edw., or C. Ochracea, Edw., or some other Northern species.

Extratropical America is not rich in Satyrides, if compared to the same latitudes in Europe or Asia, and California is especially poor.

There are seven European genera, each of them represented by a whole series of species connecting different types. In California there are only three of which none is known to contain more than four species.

The Atlantic States add some tropical genera to the three genera already obtained in California, viz.: Neonympha Hubner, Hyphthima Hubner, Debis Dbld., and Calisto Hubner. The genus Calisto seems to be confined to subtropical North America; the genus Neonympha spreads in numerous species through the tropics of America, and trespasses only in a few species the Cancer; Hyphthima is found in many species in the tropics of the Old World, and it is a very curious circumstance, that one species of this essentially Gerontogeic genus should be found in the Southern States. But the two American species of the genus Debis, are even more interesting, for all other species of this genus, are confined to the Indian Archipelago.

The metamorphoses of the Satyrides, are only with difficulty to be investigated.

They feed as far as they are known, on Monocotyledoneous plants, the extra-tropical ones, with one exception perhaps, exclusively on Graminaceous plants. The Caterpillars shun the sunlight and hide themselves in the grass. Some of them bury themselves in the daytime in the ground and feed only at night. The tropical species feeding on Scitaminaceous, Aroideous plants, palms, and arborescent grasses, sport the shady thickets of tropical forests, in whose twilight depths, most of the species are also found in their imago state. Other ones like some of the Morphonides, and even some Nymphalides of the tropics, spend their days hidden under the luxuriant foliage of primeval forests and begin their flight only after sunset.

In a most interesting treatise on the characteristics of the insect fauna of the “White Mountains,” by Samuel H. Scudder, (Boston Journal, Vol. VII, Part IV), I find the description of the Caterpillar of Chionobas Semidea, Edw., with a notice that it was found on Lichen. This would prove a most remarkable exception, as all the other Satyrides feed on Monocotyledoneous plants. Nevertheless, larvæ of Artic types are generally polyphagous, and adapted to some degree, to accommodate themselves to circumstances, and so I would not entertain any doubts about the feeding plant of the Chionobas, if it were[166] not for the circumstance that Mr. Scudder confesses that he did not succeed in bringing the Caterpillar, with Lichen, to perfection. Perhaps the Caterpillar fed on grass, or perhaps some Carex, and was only, by some accident, compelled to crawl to the lichen-covered stone, where that gentleman found it. I hope to hear very soon about this most interesting object, for I consider the discovery of the metamorphoses of one insect, a more valuable fact than the diagnoses of ten new species, of which we do not know more than the external appearance.

Note on a large lump of Gold found on the Middle fork of the American River.

BY PROF. WM. P. BLAKE.

In July last, a mass of gold nearly free from quartz, was taken out of a placer on the Middle Fork of the American River, about two miles above Michegan Bluffs. It weighed, as taken out, 187 ounces troy, and sold for $17.50 per ounce, netting the finder $3,272.50. In melting, a loss of six ounces was experienced. There was a further loss to the purchaser, from the poor quality of the gold, the assay return of which I have not yet been able to obtain. The ordinary gold of the claim is worth $17.50. It is a singular fact, often remarked by dealers, that the large lumps of gold are almost always poorer in quality than the smaller ordinary grains from the same placers.

Note on the Fossil remains of the Horse and Elephant, mingled, at Mare Island, San Francisco Bay.

BY PROF. WM. P. BLAKE.

The entire lower jaw and teeth of a horse, the fragments of which I exhibit to the Academy, were taken by me from the face of the shore cliff of Mare Island, together with broken pieces of bones of other large quadrupeds. The teeth of an Elephas had been found in the same place, a few weeks before, by Mr. Brown, the Naval Engineer, by whom my attention was directed to the place. The fossils occur in a stiff sandy loam, which rests on the eroded surface of the Tertiary or Cretaceous beds below. Near the surface is a layer of oyster shells, apparently an upraised bed, most of the shells being entire. The fact that the Horse and Elephant roamed together over our hills and plains, at the dawn of, or before the human period, is certainly not without interest.

Ammonites or Ceratites from Oregon Bar, Middle Fork of the American River.

BY PROF. WM. P. BLAKE.

The specimen which I exhibit to the Society this evening, is from the collection of J. J. Spear, of this city. It was kindly loaned to me by that gentleman for examination. Not wishing to risk the specimen, by sending it to a paleontologist at the East, I had it photographed, and sent a copy to F. B. Meek, Esq., of Washington. It is not possible to determine from the specimen, whether these fossils are new or not, or even, whether they are Ammonites or Ceratites. They appear to be not unlike the fossils described by Dr. Trask, under the name of A. Chiceonsis, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Cal.; but it is not safe to identify them, without the septæ can be clearly made out.

There are several casts in an argillaceous, somewhat micaceous slate. This locality is about 15 miles from Coloma. It is not certain, whether the specimen was taken from the slates in place, or broken from a loose mass.

On Brushite, a new mineral occurring in Phosphatic Guano.

BY GIDEON E. MOORE, PH. B.

In the spring of the present year, I received through the kindness of Wm. E. Brown, Esq., of Mare Island, in this State, a specimen of a mineral discovered by him in a cargo of phosphatic guano, at Camden, N. J. The locality from which it was derived, is not known, and though letters of enquiry have been sent to the parties to whom the cargo was originally consigned, no reply has been received up to this date. The texture and appearance of the guano would, however, point to some one of the Caribbean Islands, and more particularly, to the Island of Sombrero, as its probable source. It is very probable that the mineral may be recognized among the crystallized products occurring in other guano deposits.

In the specimen in my possession, the mineral occurs filling seams in the guano, varying from ⅛ to ¼ of an inch in width. The matrix itself is of the variety known as rock guano. It possesses an oolitic structure and a brownish white color, interspersed with small spots of pure white.

The mineral is in the form of small but very perfect and brilliant crystals with a cleavage in the direction of their greatest length, nearly equal to that of selenite; the laminæ, being also slightly flexible, as in the case of the latter species. Hardness, 2.25 (Moh’s scale). Specific gravity, 2.208, (mean of two determinations). Color, yellowish white. Transparent. Lustre, vitreous splendent, inclining to pearly on the cleavage faces.

When heated in a closed tube before the blowpipe, it whitens and gives off[168] water, at an incipient red heat. In the platina forceps, it fuses with intumescence, at about 2. of Von Kobbell’s scale, tinging the flame with the peculiar green characteristic of phosphoric acid. The button formed by fusion, crystallizes on cooling, showing numerous brilliant facets. Readily soluble, even in coarse crystals, in dilute nitric and hydrochloric acids.

A qualitative analysis, revealed the presence of Lime, Phosphoric acid, and water, with barely discernable traces of Magnesia and Alumina.

The quantity of mineral at my disposal was very small, scarcely exceeding one gramme in weight. In each of the following analyses, the water was determined in 0.2 grammes, the remaining 0.3 grammes being employed in the determination of the Lime and Phosphoric acid. The results were as follows:

These figures agree exactly with the composition of the neutral tri-basic phosphate of lime (2 CaO., H O, P O₅), with the addition of four equivalents of water of crystallization, (2 CaO, H O, P O₅ + 4 aq.) viz.:

In the polarizing microscope, the mineral shows a vivid succession of colors. A sample has been sent to Prof. J. D. Dana, who has kindly undertaken the study of its crystallographic characters, and I hope, in a short time, to be able to communicate the results of his investigations to the Academy.

It is with very great pleasure, that I dedicate this species to Prof. Geo. J. Brush, of Yale College, to whose unwearied zeal and efficient labors, American Mineralogy stands so deeply indebted.

Note on the discovery of Fossils in the Auriferous Slate formation of the Mariposa Estate, California, and the probable geological age.

BY PROF. WM. P. BLAKE.

During a recent visit to the Mariposa Estate, Mariposa County, my attention was called to some organic remains in the slates, near Bear Valley, by Miss Errington, a lady who takes an enthusiastic interest in the sciences of geology and mineralogy, and has for some time past, been seeking for fossils in the gold formation of that neighborhood. One of the specimens was the cast of a bivalve shell, and appeared to me to be a Plagiostoma. On further search, we found other specimens, some of which much resemble Inoceramus, to which I am inclined to refer them. Certain long tubular cavities in the slates, marked with heavy lines, and slightly converging, seemed to be casts of long, nearly cylindrical shells, possibly Nerinæa. These forms would indicate a Jurassic or Cretaceous age for the formation. I propose to submit these specimens to a competent Palæontologist, at the East, for examination, and to dedicate one of the species, if new, to Miss Errington.

Notes on some Fossils from the Gold Bearing Slates of Mariposa, with description of some new species.

BY WM. M. GABB.

Through the kindness of Miss Errington, of Bear Valley, Mariposa County, I have had the opportunity of examining a series of fossils, discovered by that lady on the Mariposa Estate. The shells appear to be of Jurassic age. The genera so far recognized, are Belemnites, Nucula or Leda, Lima, Pecten, and Pholadomya. The following are sufficiently perfect for description. Fuller descriptions and figures will be published hereafter in the Geological Report of the State.

[173]

Lima, Brug.

L. Erringtoni G. Shell very oblique, sides subparallel; beaks small; anterior end prominently rounded, sloping with a broad curve below to the base; posterior side nearly straight, continuing upwards in a long narrow ear; anterior ear obsolete (?).

Surface marked by strong concentric undulations, crossed on the upper and posterior portions by fine radiating lines.

Length, 2.25 inches; width, 1 inch.

The specimens are all very much compressed, and may be somewhat distorted in form, though the outlines are very nearly uniform in all of the specimens.

Pholadomya, Sow.

P. orbiculata G. Compressed, sub-circular; beaks rather prominent, nearly central; anterior end and base regularly rounded; posterior end slightly produced, more prominent below than above. Surface ornamented by concentric ribs, irregular in size, crossed by undulating, radiating lines on the anterior half of the shell. These lines become gradually obsolete and disappear on or about the middle of all of the specimens, although more perfect examples might show them continuing further.

Height, from a slightly distorted specimen, 1.1 inch; width, 1.3 inch.

Like the preceding species, all of the specimens have suffered considerably by compression; and had we perfect specimens, the shell would be found to be quite convex.

Belemnites.

B. Pacificus G. Long, slender, tapering very gradually and with a slight convexity to the tip. Section, sub-elliptical; alveolus deep and narrow.

A specimen 3 inches long, measures .35 in. in diameter in the middle. One cast has been found with a diameter of .9 inch at the broadest part.

I first discovered this species, as imperfect casts, in the slates near Spanish Flat, El Dorado County. Since then, numerous fragments and casts have been found at Mariposa, by Mr. C. R. King and Miss Errington.

Communication on the San Luis Obispo Quicksilver Fossils.

BY WM. M. GABB.

Mr. Attwood has recently presented to the collection of the State Geological Survey, a series of Fossils collected by himself, in the formation in which the San Luis Obispo cinnabar deposits occur.

Through the kindness of Prof. B. Silliman, Jr. I have had the opportunity of examining another small collection, made by that gentleman, at the same locality. I consider the result of sufficient interest to warrant a special communication on the subject.

[174]

The Fossils, though few in number of species, point unequivocally to the Miocene formation, the species being among the most familiar forms in the middle deposit of that formation in California.

They were: Dosinia ponderosa, Saxidomus aratus, Conus ravus = C. Californicus Reeve, Turritella Ocoyana Con., Natica, probably N. Recluziana, Pecten Pabloensis Con., Pallium Estrellanum Con., Carcharodon rectus Agas. a Balanus and one or two small shells too imperfect for determination.

On the Crystallization of Brushite.

BY JAMES D. DANA, L.L.D., PROFESSOR OF MINERALOGY IN YALE COLLEGE.

The specimens of the mineral Brushite, which I have had under crystallographic examination, were received from Mr. G. E. Moore, the discoverer of the species.

The crystals are slender prisms, not over a third of an inch in length. A common form (containing all the observed planes), is shown in the annexed figure. The prisms are monoclinic, and are often flattened, parallel to the clinodiagonal, as here represented.

Fig. 26.

Cleavage is perfect, parallel of the clinodiagonal section, or the plane iì; also distinct parallel to the line cl, as apparent often in the cross fractures of the crystals, and by occasional striæ. This plane of cleavage may be taken as the basal plane O.

The planes I and l are brilliant, especially the former. The oblique plane situated on the back side in the figure, and which may be called r, is quite rough, owing to the oscillatory combination between two hemi-octahedral planes. In many of the crystals, only the right one of the two planes I is present, and also only the left one of the two planes l. The prisms frequently terminate above in an irregular edge, made by the meeting of the one, or two, planes I, and the rough plane r, and this edge is sometimes cut off, more or less deeply, by a single oblique plane, which is one of the planes l.

According to measurements with the reflective goniometer;

The inclination of the I on l could not be accurately measured, on account of the minuteness of the planes in the crystals, in which both planes occur, and the want of perfection in the reflection. The angle obtained for l:iì would give, for l:l, 156° 40’.

By measurement with a goniometer attached to a compound microscope, the plane angle between the lines of cross cleavage, or cl, and the edge I:I (which equals the inclination of O on the orthodiagonal section, or a plane ii)[175] was found to be 117-117½°; and that between edge I:I and edge l:l (which equals ii on li, both unobserved planes) 95°-95½°: whence O:li would equal approximately 147° 30’. The inclination of the rough plane r on the edge l:l is about 110°, but varies much.

The results of calculation, taking as data the above mentioned angles I:I and l:ii, along with the inclination of O to ii = 117° 15’, and that of the edge l:l (or lì) to ii = 95° 15’ are as follows:

C (= O : iì) = 117° 15’ and 62° 45’

a (vert. axis) : O (clinodiag.) : c = 0.5396 : 1 : 2.614

l : l = 156° 46’

-l : -l (unobserved planes) = 164° 22’

The species is related in form to Vivianite, in which

a : b : 2c = 1.0792 : 1 : 2.614.

The crystals of the two species are also alike in the perfect and pearly clinodiagonal cleavage.

On new Californian Marine Shells. No. II.

BY PHILIP P. CARPENTER, PH. D., OF WARRINGTON, ENGLAND.

Genus Collonia, Gray, 1852.

This genus was established (in English) by Dr. Gray, for Turbinate shells having an “operculum circular, with many gradually enlarged whirls, with a convex external rib and central pit.” The type (still appearing as such in the B. M. Col.) is a smooth fossil from Grignon, = Delphinula marginata, Lam., with a keeled and crenated umbilicus, like Phillippia. Another (African) shell is joined to the diagnosis, with the following brief description: “C. striata, Gray. Shell red, white marbled, striated.” It is quoted by Phillippi, Handb. Conch. p. 206, who assigns as a type T. sanguineus, Linn. For this species and its congeners, we now propose a subgenus Leptonyx, as they do not agree with the type. The genus was reconstituted by Messrs. Adams, Gen. i. 396 for shells with “imperforate axis and contracted aperture:” the description of the operculum being copied from Gray. The type is now “C. marginata, Nutt.” pl. 44, f. 2, the operculum of which is figured as with few whirls. The same description and figure are given in Chenu, Manuel i. 348, f. 2560. The error seems to have arisen thus. Mr. H. Adams (who acted for the ‘firm’ during his brother’s long absence in Japan,) probably took Gray’s C. marginata to be the ‘Turbo marginatus, Nutt.’ of Reeve, and from this species as type, described the genus to be imperforate, etc. Unfortunately, Dr. Gray did not observe the error, which had arisen from confounding two different shells called marginatus; and in his guide to Mollusca (in loco) he adopts the description of Messrs. Adams; so that Collonia, Gray, (hodie) = Collonia, Add., but not Collonia, Gray, (olim). Of the species arranged by Mr. H. Adams under Collonia, some may belong to the original genus: some are included under Cynisca, A. Ad.; and one (Turbo phasianella, C. B. Ad.) appears[176] to be Eucosmia. They appear in the Br. Mus. Col. distributed between Gibbula and Photinula. The true Turbo marginatus of Nutt. is the ordinary black Californian Chlorostoma, like mœstus, and well named from its frilled margin near the suture. But the label having become affixed to the T. marginatus Rve. (which must stand as Reeve’s species and not Nuttall’s) the Californian shell was left without name, and was described by Mr. A. Adams as Chl. funebrale, under which name it must stand as Nuttal’s prior name was (unfortunately) in MS. only. The name Collonia marginata must stand for the original fossil of Lamarck. It is probable that Reeve’s shell belongs to another group; else it must, according to the usual custom of honoring error, be called C. Reevei. For the Californian species, which are imperforate and have a thin, smooth operculum, Mr. A. Adams and I propose to form a subgenus Leptonyx; a diagnosis of which will appear in the next paper, after the foreign species have been examined. The following are the Californian forms.

Leptonyx sanguineus, Linn.

H. t. parvâ, solidâ, rubrâ, anfr. V. subtumentibus, suturis plus minusve impressis; costulis spiralibus plus minusve rotundatis cinctâ, quarum iv.-viii. in spirâ monstrantur; aperturâ subcirculari; columellâ t. adolescente foveâ basali et dente ut in ‘Modulo’ munitâ; adultâ, callositate tenui labiali, foveam tegente, obscure bidentatâ; labio tenui, continuo; umbilico nullo.

Hab. Mediterranean, Phillippi, Hanley. Japan, A. Adams. Monterey, Jewett, Taylor, Cooper. Neeah Bay, W.T., Swan.

= Turbo sanguineus, Ln. Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, p. 1235:—Phil. Moll. Sic. in loco: Hanl. Ips. Lin. Conch, in loco.

= T. Belliæi, Michaud in Mus. Paris: teste Hanl.

Non “Turbo sanguineus, Linn.” Rve. Conch. Ic. sp. 55: = T. coccineus, Desh. = Globulus roseus, Chem. teste Rve. Nec (Gibbula) sanguinea, Risso.

Reeve says of his shell. “I am not quite sure that this is the T. sanguineus of Linnæus, but have every reason to believe it is.” That is, every reason except the one only convincing proof, which was so easy to a London naturalist, an inspection of the original type in the Linnæan Collection. A mere glance at this would have exposed his error. Reeve’s shell is whitish, with blood-red spots, and is probably a S. African species. Whether Linnæus described from Mediterranean or Japanese specimens, cannot be told from his rubbed shells; nor as yet have sufficiently perfect specimens been compared from the two oceans; but no character has been observed by which they can be separated. The great author obtained his Algerine and his Philippine shells from the Swedish consuls; and Japanese species may have been mixed with the latter. It is very rare in the Mediterranean; common in Japan; common also at Vancouver; but rare further south. It is, we believe, the only Californian shell described by the father of modern Natural History. The specimens vary very greatly in strength of sculpture. There is also a purple variety.

Leptonyx (sanguineus, var.) purpureum.

H. t. ‘H. sanguineo’ simili, sed purpureo fuscâ; lirulis spiralibus crebioribus, interstitiis parvis, labio obsoleto.

Hab. Sta. Cruz, Rowell. Monterey, Cooper. Neeah Bay, Swan.

[177]

Leptonyx bacula, Carp.

L. t. “L. sanguineo, jun.” simili; sed rufocinereâ, sculpturâ obsoletâ; anfr. iv. planatis, suturis vix distinctis, marginibus spiræ valde excurvatis; lirulis obsoletis latioribus, et circa basim striis crebris, vix sculptâ; apertura rotundatâ, declivi; columellâ vix callosâ.

Long. 0.08, long. spir. 0.06; lat. 0.14.

Hab. Catalina Is., dead on beach; Cooper, No. 1056.

This unpretending little shell resembles on the back one of the small Helicinæ. It differs from L. sanguineus in its small size, ashy color, flattened sutures, and nearly obsolete sculpture. A groove in the somewhat callous columella, continued slightly round the labrum, seems intended for the broad-margined operculum of the genus.

On Californian Lepidoptera.

BY HERMAN BEHR, M. D.

ERYCINIDÆ

Nemeobius Boisd.

N. Dumeti Behr.

Alæ supra nigræ, fasciis duabus albis signatæ, altera medias per alas transgrediente, altera per spatium inter fasciam mediam et marginem, utraque hinc interrupta vel macalari. Alæ anteriores a radice ad fasciam mediam fulvæ, maculis quatuor quadrangularibus nigro marginatis signatæ.

Alæ subtus grisescentes, marginem versus dilutiores. Anteriores a radice ad fasciam mediam fulvæ, ceterum ut supra signatæ, posteriores fascias demonstrant ut supra, sed confluentes, et hinc coufusas.

This species is found in some parts of California, and always in localities that are covered by the peculiar vegetation called Chaparral.

N Virgulti, Behr.

Alæ supra nigræ, fulvo mixtæ, fasciis duabus signatæ, altera medias per alas transgrediente, colore fulvo fere ubique obducta, altera per spatium inter fasciam mediam et marginem ad punctorum alborum seriem reducta.

Alæ anteriores usque ad marginem fere fulvæ, fascia intermedia maculisque disci albis, nigro marginatis. Margo alarum anteriorum, alæque posteriores totæ grisescentes punctis maculisque albis, nigro marginatis variegatæ.

This species was found near Los Angeles, by Mr. Lorquin, who gave me several specimens. In the male the black color is more predominating, in the female the fulvous coloration.

For the sake of completing this series of diagnoses, I give here the description of a third species, that I received, by the kindness of Dr. Dinklage, from the Sierra Madre, in the neighborhood of Mazatlan. I think it indispensable to give the marks of this closely allied Nemeobius, as I am of the opinion that thus errors will most effectually be avoided.

[179]

N. Mejicanus, Behr.

Alæ supra fulvæ, marginem versus brunneæ, fasciis maculisque ordinariis omnibus albis nigro marginatis instructæ. Subtus alæ anteriores fulvæ, apice et margine grisescentes, fasciis et maculis ut supra. Alæ posteriores grisescentes, macalis albis et nigro marginatis et confluentibus cum colore universali irregulariter variegatæ.

The most positive and striking points of difference would be thus:

1. N. Dumeti. Fore wings alone show a fulvous coloration on the upperside. Bands and spots perfectly white.

2. N. Mejicanus. All wings are occupied with it, till beyond the second band, where the brownish coloration of the margin begins. Bands and spots perfectly white.

3. N. Virgulti. Extension of the fulvous as in the preceding, but all the space more or less occupied by black. Middle band nearly altogether fulvous, other bands and spots white.

As much as we know, the type of this genus N. Lucina L, was the only species known heretofore, and it is another proof of the various repetition of types on occidental coasts, that we have to add three Pacific representatives of a genus first discerned in a single European species.

The group of the Erycinides belongs essentially to tropical America. The beforementioned Nemeobius Lucina is the only European representative of this numerous and polymorphous group. Besides this, there exist some few Asiatic members of this family, very aberrant in their type, scarcely known and insufficiently examined, so that possibly they may belong somewhere else. In America the tropical genera Nymphidia and Lemonias, extend beyond the Cancer on the Atlantic side; but on the Pacific side reappears the European genus Nemeobius, extending into the Tropics, and seems to find here its very centre.

Description of New Species of Land Shells.

BY W. NEWCOMB, M.D.

Helix Blakeana, Newc.

Hel. testa unicolor flavido-alba, rotundato, semi-globosa, nitida, translucida; umbilico amplo, profundo et parum obtecto; apice obtuso; anfractibus sex, convexis, tribus superioribus sub-planis, reliquiis rapide accrescentibus, ultimo inflato; sutura bene impressa; aperturâ rotundato-lunare; peristomate tenue, ex panso-reflexo cum columellâ sub-late dilatatâ, non adnatâ.

Alt. ·7 pol., Diam maj. 1·1 pol., min. 1· pol.

Hab. Insula Niphon—Japan, (teste Blake).

Shell uniformly yellowish white, rounded, half globular, shining, translucent; umbilicus large, deep and slightly covered; apex obtuse; whorls six, convex, the three first nearly on the same plane, the balance rapidly increasing, the last swollen; suture well marked; aperture roundly lunar; lip thin, flatly reflected, at the columella broadly dilated but not adherent.

[180]

Note.—In general form and color, this species makes a nearer approach to H. candida, Moricand, than to any species with which I am acquainted. It varies in the less elevation, in the form of the spire, and in some other respects. Professor Blake had remarkable facilities for collecting in Japan, but unfortunately the mice proved so destructive to his terrestrial shells, as to leave him but few specimens as the result of his labor.

Helix declivis, Newc.

Hel. testa perspectivo-umbilicata, lenticulare, oblique striata, tenue, pallide-cornea; anfr. IV, planulatis, ultimo declivi, in medio sub-carinato; sutura sub-canuliculata; peris. fragile, simplici: apertura obliquo-sub-rotundata.

Alt. ·1 pol., Diam. maj. ·3 pol., min. ·2 pol.

Hab. Insula Niphon, (Japan).

Shell perspectively umbilicate, lenticular, obliquely striate, thin, pale horn color; whorls four, planulate, the last shelving down to the centre, which is obscurely keeled; suture channelled; lip fragile, simple; aperture oblique, almost round.

Remarks.—Bears some resemblance to H. ruderata, Stud., a species common in Europe, from which it may readily be distinguished by comparison.

Note.—The Japanese species herein described, were collected by Professor Blake, in the interior of the Island of Niphon, out of the range permitted to foreign travel.

The Professor, who was employed by the Japanese Government as a special geologist, had the privilege of penetrating districts not before visited by any scientific or mercantile foreigner. The following species of Helices were also among those collected:

• Helix peliomphala, Pfr., (Mon. Hel. viv. Vol. 4, Sp. 1764).
• H. quesita, Deshayes, (Reeve’s Mon. fig. 1355).
• H. Perryi, Jay, (Perry’s Exped. Vol. 2, page 294, Plate 5, fig. 7, 8, 9).
• H. Simoda, Jay, (do. fig. 1 to 6).

Some doubt may exist as to the H. quesita being identical with H. Perryi. But one specimen was preserved, and this fully agrees with the description and figure of the first named, but the locality for the species is given as the “Moluccas.”

It also agrees (except in colour) with Dr. Jay’s description, and also in the very poor figures illustrating the species of H. Perryi. The only question in my mind is one regarding locality.

Helix Cronkhitei, Newc.

Hel. testa aperta umbilicata, depressa, luteo-cornea sub-lente regulariter costulato-striata; spira depressa-convexa; sutura excavata; anfractibus quatuor, sub-cylindraceis; umbilica ampla, sub-perspectiva; apertura rotundata; peristomate simplici, acuto, marginibus conniventibus.

Alt. ·15 pol., Diam. maj. ·2 pol., min. ·15 pol.

Hab. Klamath Valley, Oregon, (Gabb).

[181]

Shell openly umbilicate, depressed, yellowish horn colour, under the glass regularly rib striated; spire depressed, a little convex; suture wide and deep; whorls four, rather cylindrical; umbilicus large, indistinctly perspective; aperture rounded; lip simple, acute, margins approximating.

Remarks.—Mr. Bland may possibly refer to this species as H. striatella, Anthony, which was obtained by Dr. Cooper on the Pacific side of the Rocky Mountains. (See addenda to “Remarks on Classification, etc.,” 1863). This species is certainly distinct from striatella, by its smaller size, rib-like costa, and almost channelled suture.

A few specimens were obtained by Mr. Gabb, of the State Geological Survey, in Klamath Valley, which were collected jointly by himself and Dr. Cronkhite, U. S. Army.

Helix Rowelli, Newc.

Hel. testa aperta-umbilicata, orbiculato depressa, alba, opaca, polita, minutissimo-oblique striata; anfractibus quatuor vel quinque convexis, ultimo magno antice deflexo; spira vix elevata, apice sub-mamillato; sutura modice impressa; apertura fere circulari; labro tenui, reflexiusculo, marginibus continuis ad juncturam; anfr. ultimo adnato.

Alt. ·4 pol., Diam. maj. ·6 pol., min. ·5 pol.

Hab. Arizona, (dicto Frick).

Shell with open umbilicus, orbicular, depressed, opaque white, polished, very finely obliquely striate; whorls four and a half, convex, the last large, anteriorly descending; spire but little elevated, at the apex projecting like a nipple; suture moderately marked; aperture truly circular; lip thin, slightly reflected, margins continued, adhering to the last whirl.

Remarks.—This is another of the Cyclostomoid species of which H. Carpenteri, Newc., H. Cærulano, Muhl., and H. Angasiana, Pfr. form striking examples. Our species approaches nearer in lightness of substance and in its depressed form to Muhlfeldt’s shell, than to either the others.

I take pleasure in dedicating this species to the Rev. M. Rowell, of San Francisco.

Succinea Japonica, Newc.

S. testa ovato-conica, flavido-cornea, lævissima, striatula, nitida, pellucida; anfractibus III, nucleo sane mamillato, ultimo 4·5 longitudinis fere æquante; apertura elongato-ovali; peristomate simplici; columellâ regulariter arcuata ad juncturam labro superiorem acuto-angulata.

Long. ·55, Diam. ·35, Apert. long. ·4, lata. ·233 pol.

Hab. Japan, (Prof. Blake).

Shell ovately-conic, yellowish horn color, very smooth, finely striate, shining, pellucid; whirls three, nucleus truly mamillate, the last four-fifths of the entire length; aperture elongately ovate; lip simple; columella regularly arched; at the juncture of the lip above, acutely angular.

Remarks on Helix Hillebrandi, Newc.

At the time of publication of this species, but a single recent specimen had been obtained, and that was freed from the epidermis. The statement that the[182] shell was hirsute, was founded upon the cicatrices observed upon the surface, Mr. Gabb, who has recently returned from a trip to Mariposa, was successful in finding a few specimens, by which the diagnosis may be enlarged, and conjecture resolved into certainty. The whole surface is covered with an epidermis, of a yellowish brown colour, thickly studded with slightly curved rigid hairs about one-twentieth of an inch in length. The animal is of a reddish brown color, with the tentacles of a smoky hue; tentacular sheaths darker than the body, which is small, slender, finely granulated and unusually long and tapering behind.

The shell bears the same relations to H. Dupetit Thouarsi, Deshayes, that Helix infumata, Gould, bear to H. fidelis, Gray. In the description of infumata, an important omission occurs, owing doubtless to the imperfect condition of the type specimen. In good specimens, all of the last whirl, except a circle round the umbilicus, is covered with very short and thickly studded soft hairs, feeling harsh when dry, but velvety to the touch when moistened.

Achatinella Alexandri, Newc.

Ach. testa perforata, sinistrorsa, elongato sub-cylindracea, nitida, rufo-brunnea, nigro-elongato-venulato-inosculante picta; anfr. VI convexis, regulariter accrescentibus; apice obtusiusculo; sutura modice impressa, non emarginata; apertura parva, sub-ovata; labro acuto; columella alba breve, sub-recta, truncata, infra in plicam tortam terminante.

Long. ·6 pol., Diam. ·25 pol., Aper. long. ·2 pol. ·1 lata.

Hab. Insula Sandwich, (Maui).

Shell perforated, left handed, elongately sub-cylindrical, shining, reddish-brown, with painting of elongate, inosculating black veins; whirls six convex, regularly (but slowly) increasing; apex a little obtuse; suture moderately impressed, not emarginate; aperture small, sub-ovate; lip acute; columella white, short, almost straight, truncate, terminating by a twisted plait passing within.

This species is more cylindrical than any of its congeners, resembling most A. Renyi, Newc., which is longer, not umbilicate, more pointed at the apex, with a twisted, not truncate columella.

From venusta and citrina, Mighels, it varies both in form and color. With some varieties of picta it claims analogy only in the general plan of painting. Its striking characteristics are its blunt apex, slightly rounded whorls, small aperture, short and white columella, umbilicus, and general plan of coloring.

A few specimens were collected at an elevation of 7,500 feet, on West Maui, by the Rev. M. Alexander, to whom the species is dedicated.

Description of New Species of Marine Shells from the Coast of California.

BY WM. M. GABB.

The following are a few of the shells collected by Dr. J. G. Cooper, of the State Geological Survey, during his explorations along the coast of this State.[183] The specimens are preserved in the collection of the Survey; most of them appear to be very rare in a living state, though I have encountered several of them in the later Tertiary deposits, especially in the Post Pliocene.

MUREX, Linn.

S. G. Muricidea, Swains.

M. Barbarensis, G.

M. t. unicolor, fusca; varicibus V-IX, haud magnis ad angulum auctis; varix ultima prælata; anfractu primo lævi, anfractibus V supra recte truncatis, infra parum convexis; tota superficie liris spiralibus et squamosis induta; apertura subelliptica, intus lactea; labio incrassato, polito; labro extante, tuberculis intus ornata; canali interdum recto, interdum recurvato.

Long. ·77, lat. ·46, long. aper. ·2, long. canal ·24.

Shell small, brown; whorl six, the first smooth, the remainder angulated, horizontally or a little concavely truncated above and very slightly convex below the angle; varices variable, from five to nine, usually about six or seven to a whorl, angular but not very prominent, except on the angle, where they are sometimes prolonged into long recurved processes, in other cases only making a prominent angular tubercle; the whole surface is covered with strong revolving ribs, crossed by fine squamose plates; aperture sub-elliptical, lips prominent, white within, the outer lip with five or six tubercles internally, last varix forming a broad lateral expansion to the lip; canal closed, straight, or more usually a little recurved.

Hab. Catalina Island, 40 fms., and Santa Barbara Channel, 20-30 fms. Dr. Cooper.

Nos. 515 b, c and d, Mollusca, Survey Cabinet.

PLEUROTOMA, Lam. 1799.
Turris, Bolt. 1798, not Turris, Hump, 1797.

S. Gen. Surcula, H. & A. Ad.

P. perversa, G.

P. t. sinistra, unicolor, rufo-brunnea; sub-fusiformis; anfractibus XI vel XII lævibus rotundato-compressis; apertura angusta, labio tenui, acuto.

Long. 1·2, lat. ·35, long. aper. ·45.

Shell sinistral, elongate sub-fusiform, apex acute, sometimes slightly bent, nuclear whorls two, very convex, loosely twisted and white; whorls, eleven or twelve, slightly convex; color a light reddish brown, somewhat lighter on the middle of the whorl; aperture narrow, canal short, inner lip moderately encrusted with a white callus, brown on the outer margin; columella twisted; outer lip acute, sinus rounded, shallow, broad and adjoining the suture.

Hab. Catalina Island, 60 fms., Dr. Cooper. Also fossil, not rare, in the P. Pliocene at San Pedro. One specimen from that locality is two inches long.

No. 1020, Mollusca, Survey Cabinet.

P. (S.) Carpenteriana, G.

P. t. fusiformis; anfractibus VIII, prope suturam concavis; tota superficie confertim[184] et spiralitur costulata; colore aurantiaco, lineis rufo-brunneis interruptis induta; apertura angusta; sinu postico lato, haud profundo.

Long. 2·, lat. ·7, long. aper. 1·1.

Fusiform, spire high, acute, whorls eight, slightly concave near the suture, convex below. Surface marked by numerous rounded revolving ribs, sometimes alternating in size, especially on the lower part of the body whorl. Color, orange with broken revolving bands of a bright reddish brown; these lines or bands usually occupy the larger ribs, and are more distant on the middle of the whorl and more closely placed above and below; they average about a tenth of an inch apart. Aperture narrow, growing proportionally broader in older shells; canal moderate, slightly twisted, inner lip lightly encrusted; outer lip acute, sinus broad and shallow.

Hab. A beach specimen retaining color, from San Diego, and a younger dead shell dredged from 120 fms. by Dr. Cooper. Also, two fossil specimens from P. Pliocene, Santa Barbara. The finest of these measures long. 3·, lat. 1·1; long. spir. 1·6.

Nos. 819 and 1021 Survey Moll.

CLATHURELLA, Carpenter.

Defrancia Millet, non Müll.

C. constricta, G.

C. t. albida, solida, lævis, sub-fusiformis; anfr. VII; regione infra-suturali haud constricta; apertura lata, labio parum incrassato, labro sub-acuto; sinu posteriore profundo, suturam attingente.

Shell white, solid, smooth, sub-fusiform; whorls seven, suddenly constricted at the upper portion, near the suture; suture impressed; body whorls rapidly expanded below the constriction; aperture wide, columellar lip encrusted; canal short; outer lip acute, prominent in the middle; posterior sinus deep, angular above and adjoining the suture.

Hab. Santa Catalina Island, 80 fms. Dr. Cooper.

No. 1055 Mollusca, Survey Cabinet.

C. crystallina, G.

C. t. parva, fusiformis; anfr. II lævibus; anfr. normalibus IV, supra oblique planulatis, infra, convexiusculis; superficie minutis et confertim concentricis costulis instructa, media parte sola excepta, in qua sunt III vel IV costæ moniliformes; apertura lata; labio parum incrassato; labro crasso, margine sub-acuto; sinu postico profundo lato; colore candidissimo, nitente.

Long. ·35, lat. ·13, long. aper. ·16.

Shell small, fusiform; nuclear whorls two, smooth, normal whorls four, obliquely truncated above, angulated, below the angle somewhat convex; surface marked by numerous small revolving ribs, except on the middle of the whorls, where they are larger, more distant and ornamented by small nodes; aperture rather broad; inner lip lightly encrusted; outer lip thickened behind, sub-acute on the margin; posterior sinus moderately deep, round and with a polished and thicked margin, placed close to the suture; canal very slightly twisted; color, a pure white, polished.

[185]

Hab. Catalina Island, 40 fms. Dr. Cooper.

No. 1052, Mollusca, Survey Cabinet.

DAPHNELLA, Hinds.

D. clathrata, G.

D. t. parva, fusiformis, tenuis; anfr. III nucleosis, lævibus; anfr. normalibus III+ supra oblique truncatis; superficie confertim clathrata; striis radiantibus obsoletis circa basim; apertura magna; columella parum tortuosa; labio parum incrassato; labro acuto; sinu postico sub-profundo, supra acuto, ad suturam attingente; colore albido, sparsim brunueo punctato.

Long. ·37, lat. ·14, long. aper. ·22.

Shell small, fusiform, thin, aperture longer than the spire; nuclear whorls three, smooth; normal whorls three or more, obliquely truncated above, convex below, this truncation is partially obsolete on the last whorl; surface closely clathrate, except on the lower part of the last whorl where the radiating lines become obsolete; aperture large, columella somewhat twisted, slightly encrusted; outer lip thin, acute, posterior sinus moderately deep and narrow, adjoining the suture and angular at its upper corner; color, brownish white with minute brown spots sparsely scattered, usually placed on the larger of the revolving ribs.

Hab. Santa Catalina Island, 60 fms. Dr. Cooper.

This little shell looks not unlike the young of Pleurotoma Carpenteriana, supra, but on a critical comparison, shows several characters incompatible with such a reference; the strongest of these is the peculiar shape of the posterior sinus. In addition to this, the whorls of the present species are much more numerous in proportion to the size, the first six whorls of P. Carpenteriana making a shell three or four times the diameter of this one.

No. 1053, Mollusca, Survey Cabinet.

MANGELIA, Leach.

M. hexagona, G.

M. t. parva, fusiformis, gracilis; apice sub-acuto; anfr. II lævibus; anfr. norma libus V, costis radiantibus VI acutis induta; tota superficie minute et confertim clathrata; colore albido, lineis rufo-brunneis spiralibus fasciato; apertura angusta; columella vix tortuosa, labro acuto; sinu postico lato, haud profundo.

Long. ·34, lat. ·1, long. aper. ·15.

Shells small, slender, fusiformis; spire sub-acute, nuclear whorls two, smooth, normal whorls five, slightly sub-angular and ornamented by six large acute radiating ribs with broad concave interspaces; besides these, the whole surface is cancellated by minute raised lines; color brownish white ornamented by a few reddish brown revolving bands, one much larger than the rest, in the middle of the whorl; aperture narrow, columella very slightly twisted; outer lip acute, sinus almost obsolete.

Hab. one specimen from Catalina Island, 40 fms., another from the beach at Monterey. Dr. Cooper.

No. 425, Mollusca, Survey Cabinet.

[186]

TURBONILLA, Risso.

Chemnitzia, d’Orb.

T. Gracillima, G.

C. t. elongata, gracili, albida vertice?; anfractibus XI(?) subplanatis; sutura impressa; costis radiantibus, circiter XXIII obtusis, sub-obliquis, ad basin evanidis; apertura sub-rotunda; columella incrassata.

Long. ·32?, lat. ·06, long aper. ·04.

Shell small, very slender, long, white; vertex broken; whorls eleven or more, flattened on the sides; suture strongly impressed; ribs about twenty-three, large, obtuse, running from the suture to the margin of the base; base convexly subtruncated, smooth; aperture subcircular; columella thick.

Hab. Monterey; a single specimen. Dr. Cooper.

This shell can be readily distinguished by its extremely slender form and the strong, slightly oblique ribs.

CANCELLARIA, Lam.

S. Gen. Narona, H and A. Ad.

C. (N.) Cooperii, G.

C. t. subfusiformi; anfractibus II lævibus; anfr. VII sub-angulatis; regione infrasuturali excavata, angulo coronato; regione infra-angulari oblique costata; costis circiter XII; tota superficie concentrice et confertim lirata; colore luteo lineis fuscis regulariter et concentrice lirato; canali elongato; columella vix tortuosa; plicis II; umbilico nullo; labio parum incrassato; labro acuto.

Long. 2·4, lat. 1·05, long. aper. 1·25.

Broadly subfusiform, nuclear whorls two, smooth, round; normal whorls seven, subangulated, concavely excavated above the angle; angle acutely tuberculated; below the angle the surface is ornamented by about twelve slightly oblique ribs, each rib ending in a tubercle at the upper angle; the whole surface is ornamented, besides these ribs, by small, closely placed, revolving ribs; color yellowish brown crossed by about a dozen brown revolving bands; these bands usually cover the larger of the concentric ribs; canal elongate, columella but slightly twisted; umbilicus obsolete; inner lip but slightly encrusted, bearing two sharp oblique folds; outer lip acute, simple.

Hab. One beach specimen, San Diego; another inhabited by a crab, Monterey, 10 fms., and a fragment much larger than the others, Monterey, 16 fms. All collected by Dr. Cooper.

No. 463, Mollusca, Survey Cabinet.

CALLIOSTOMA, Swains.

Zizyphinus, Gray.

C. tricolor, G.

C. t. conica, spira vix elevata; anfr. I nucleari, lævi; anfr. VI ad marginem truncatis, supra declivibus, infra planulatis; tota superficie confertim costata; costis minute granulatis; colore fulvo, lineis purpureis albo maculatis, spiraliter fasciato; apertura subquadrata, intus margaritacea; labio crasso, labro acuto; umbilico albo.

Long. ·45, lat. ·5, long. aper. ·19, lat. aper. ·24.

[187]

Shell conical, spire somewhat elevated, nuclear whorls smooth; other whorl sloping above, truncated on the margin, nearly flat below; surface marked by numerous, finely granulated, revolving ribs; color yellowish brown, banded by a variable number of spiral purple lines, interrupted by white spots; aperture subquadrate, nacreous within; inner lip heavy, outer lip and base acute, umbilicus white.

Hab. San Pedro, five alive on the sand shoal; and Half Moon Bay, beach; also San Diego. Dr. Cooper. Also fossil in the Post Pliocene, San Pedro.

No. 602, Mollusca, Survey Cabinet.

The brown lines are variable in number, the under side of one specimen showing two and of another six of these lines. The granulation of the ribs is arranged in the lines of growth.

N. Gen. PTYCHOSTYLIS, G.

Testa Calliostomati similis, conoidea; spira elevata; apertura subquadrata; columella antice truncata, plicis obliquis duabus induta, labro acuto, umbilico nullo.

Shell resembling Calliostoma, Swains, (Zizyphinus, Gray,) conical not umbilicate, internally pearly, spire moderately elevated; aperture subquadrate; columella bearing two oblique folds, the lower of which ends abruptly at the end of the columella; outer lip and base acute, smooth or internally striate; operculum unknown.

P. caffea, G.

T. conoidea, tenui; spira elevata; anfr. I nucleari, lævi, anfr. V ad marginem subangulatis, supra recte declivis, ultimo infra sub-planato; sutura valde impressa; tota superficie concentrice tuberculato costata; costis circitur XVIII ad ult. anfr.; epidermide flavida; apertura oblique sub-quadrata, intus albida.

Long. ·55, lat. ·58, long. aper. ·26, lat. aper. ·28, ang. diverg. 58°.

Shell conical, thin; spire elevated; one nuclear whorl, smooth, five perfect whorls, subangulated at the margin, obliquely flat above; body whorl very slightly convex at the base; suture strongly impressed; surface marked by revolving tubercular ribs, about eighteen on the body whorl, one broad one on the margin and about eight or nine on the under side; these ribs are less numerous on the preceding volutions, only four can be counted on the upper side of the penultimate whorl; the tubercles are arranged so as to present an irregular quincunx; epidermis a rich coffee brown, darker between the tubercules than on their summits; aperture obliquely quadrangular, outer lip and base acute, internally pearly white, columella bearing two strong folds, the lower one of which borders the truncated end and terminates in a faint tubercular enlargement; behind the columella is a slight groove running from the base to the end of the upper columellar fold.

Hab. Monterey, 20 fms. Dr. Cooper. Also fossil, not rare, in the Post Pliocene of San Pedro and Santa Barbara, where some specimens have been found an inch in height.

No. 355, Mollusca, Survey Collection.

This shell appears to be allied to the genera Calliostoma and Thalotia, from which it is separated by the peculiar mouth. In the absence of the operculum, it is impossible to define its position certainly.

[188]

EMARGINULA, Lam.

E. bella, G.

E. t. alba, oblongo-ovalis, subelevata, antice parum convexa, postice excavata, parte anteriori angustiori; apice excentrico, prominente, parum recurvato; sinu mediocri; costis radiantibus circiter XIX cum costis minoribus interstitialibus irregularitur alternantibus, per lineas concentricas clathratis.

Long. ·55, lat. ·36, alt. ·22.

Shell oblong oval, somewhat elevated, narrowest anteriorly; apex excentric, posterior, prominent and somewhat recurved; outline in front of the apex slightly convex, from the apex to the posterior margin slightly excavated, sides descending nearly straight; sinus moderate, variable, situated at the extremity of a strong rib; surface ornamented by about nineteen large radiating ribs, with smaller ones interposed, all crossed by moderately prominent concentric ridges; color white.

Locality Monterey, Dr. Cooper. “Two dredged dead.”

No. 466, Survey Mollusca.

GADINIA, Gray.

S. Gen. Rowellia, Cooper.

Animal tentaculis ultra testam porrectis, latis, compressis, margine anteriori rotundato, pectinato; pes mediocris, circularis.

Testa Gadiniæ similis.

Animal with broad flat tentacles, rounded and pectinated in front, projecting beyond the shell; foot moderate, round. Shell as in Gadinia.

G. (R.) radiata, Cooper.

Animal album; testa sub-circularis; apex centralis; color albus vel ex albo virens; superficies XXX costis radiantibus dichotmis induta, per lineas concentricas cruciatis; intus alba vel livida, margine crenulato; fovea siphonalis bene impressa, margo prope extremam foveam parum incisus.

Long. ·90, lat. ·85, alt. ·45.

Animal white; shell sub-circular; apex central or sub-central; color white to greenish externally, internally white, livid or various shades of a light purple; surface marked by about thirty radiating and sometimes dichotomous ribs crossed by irregular concentric lines; internal margin crenulated, the teeth corresponding to the external ribs; muscular scar horseshoe-shaped with a little supplementary scar adjoining the left limb; siponal groove rather strongly impressed, producing a very faint emargination on the edge of the shell.

Localities, Farallone Islands, Half Moon Bay, New Year’s Point, Santa Barbara and Santa Catalina Islands. Cooper and Rowell.

No. 826, Mollusca, Survey Cabinet.

TYLODINA, Raf.

? T. fungina, G.

T. testa sub-elliptica, elevata; apice sub-centrali; epidermide rufo-brunnea, prope[189] apicem lutea, ultra marginem testæ projecta; intus lutea, prope marginem cærulescens.

Long. 1·3, lat. 1·1, alt. ·5.

Animal unknown, shell sub-elliptical, elevated; apex sub-central, blunt; epidermis reddish brown, yellowish on and near the apex, projecting beyond the margin of the shell; color internally straw yellow, shading towards the margin into a bluish white.

The above measurements are approximate, making allowance for the epidermis which in the dry specimen is contracted and incurved around the margins to a width of about a tenth of an inch.

A single specimen, fresh, though without the animal, was found by Dr. Cooper on the shore of Santa Barbara Island.

No. 994, Mollusca, Survey Cabinet.

CIRCE, Schum.

S. G. Lioconcha, Morch.

C. (L.) Newcombiana, G.

C. t. tenui, trigono-ventricosa, polita, minute et concentrice striata; apicibus magnis, subcentralibus; lunula haud profunda, cordata, margine arata; colore gilvo, lineis angulatis, rufis pieto; intus pallida.

Long. 1·2, lat. 1·37, alt. ·45.

Shell thin, trigonally ventricose, polished, marked by minute concentric striæ; beaks large, subcentral; anterior end prominent, narrowly rounded, posterior a little the widest, base convex; lunule not excavated, bounded by an impressed line; color yellowish white, variously lined with brown angular lines; interior whitish; internal margin smooth; hinge teeth delicate.

Hab. two valves, Catalina Island, 120 fms. Dr. Cooper.

No. 1058, Mollusca, Survey Cabinet.

The relative length and width of the two specimens is different, the smaller specimen not being so convex at the base as the one measured.

YOLDIA.

Y. Cooperii, G.

Y. t. tenui, compressiuscula, valde inæquilaterali, antice angusta, postice expansa; umbonibus minutis, per positionem anteriorem excentricis; epidermide olivacea, nitida; concentrice et confertim lirata; liris minutis, sub lamellosis; intus lactea; cicatricibus muscularibus magnis.

Long. 1·25, lat. 2·6, alt. ·25.

Shell thin, somewhat compressed, very inequilateral, beaks placed about a third of the length from the anterior end, minute; anterior end narrow, sub-acuminate, posterior end broadly rounded; base most prominent just posterior to the middle of the shell; surface sculptured by numerous small concentric ribs, rarely dichotomous or anastomosing on the widest part of the shell; these ribs are flat and abruptly truncated on the side nearest the beak, giving the surface, under a glass, the appearance of an overlapping. Epidermis shining, olivaceous; internally a[190] bluish white; muscular scars large, the anterior triangular, posterior a third the largest, broadly suboval.

A single fresh valve was found on the beach at Santa Cruz, Cal., by Dr. Cooper.

Earthquakes in California during 1864.

BY DR. JOHN B. TRASK.

Feb. 26th, 0 h. 40 m.—A light shock of earthquake at San Francisco. At 5 h. 45 m. a smart shock, having three distinct vibrations. On the day previous, an “Electric Storm” prevailed between Visalia, Tulare Co., and Los Angeles, which was very violent in its effects on the telegraph lines.

On the 27th, a heavy “Norther” commenced and continued till the eve of the 28th. This earthquake was felt at San José, fifty miles south, at the same hour, and was marked by two very smart shocks following each other in quick succession.

March 5th, 8 h. 49 m.—A smart shock of earthquake at San Francisco. The earthquake began at the above hour. The first wave was in a direction north and south, and lasted one and three-fourths seconds. Nearly one and a half seconds elapsed before the second shock, which occurred at forty-nine minutes, three seconds past eight o’clock, and had a duration of one and one-half seconds. The motion in this shock was rotatory.

Magnetism was not suspended in this nor either of the other shocks, this year. The total length of time included in this earthquake, was nearly 5 seconds. These observations were made at the height of 20 feet 4 inches above the ground, but persons situated at a greater height felt the vibrations longer and more severely.

We have brief details of this earthquake from Santa Rosa, at the north, to Santa Cruz at the south, and from Stockton at the east, for which we acknowledge our obligations to the Telegraph Company. At Santa Rosa it occurred at 8 h. 50 m. the shock was light. At Petaluma 8 h. 50 m., also light. At Stockton about 9 h., shock was severe. At Santa Clara 8 h. 40 m., the shocks were very severe. The church spires waved to and fro, and the earthquake is reported to have continued over two minutes, with light vibrations between the heavier waves. At Santa Cruz no time is given.

March 10th, 14 h. 8 m.—A light shock was felt in San Francisco.

” ” 16 h. 30 m.—Another shock at San Francisco, marked by two distinct vibrations and lasting three and one-half seconds.

March 20th, 23 h. 45 m.—A light shock of earthquake having four distinct tremors, and occupying a little more than three seconds.

March 22d, 13 h. 0 m.—A smart shock was felt at Stockton, causing some little commotion.

May 20th, 18 h. 1 m.—A light shock of earthquake at San Francisco. At Stockton the shock was quite severe and occurred nine minutes later. At San José it also was very sharp. At Napa the earthquake, which was quite severe at[191] this place, occurred at 18 h. 57 m. At Sacramento the shocks occurred at 18 h.: and was very severe. There were two distinct waves felt at this locality. This earthquake was felt as far north as Long Valley, in Mendocino County, and was followed by two loud reports like artillery, almost instantly.

June 6th, 11 h. 7 m.—A light shock of earthquake at San Francisco.

June 22d, 20 h. 53 m.—A smart shock of earthquake at San Francisco, consisting of three distinct waves and a profound low rumbling sound. Each of the shocks were marked by a peculiar abruptness, like sudden sharp jolts. They were followed by a series of lessening tremors which gradually died away.

This earthquake was felt as far north as Healdsburg, (about 80 miles distant), at Napa, at Pacheco, at Stockton, and at San José, south of this city fifty-two miles, making a distance of one hundred and thirty-two miles, north and south, over which its influence was well marked.

July 5th, 20 h. 3 m.—An earthquake at San Francisco, not severe; this consisted of four distinct vibrations occurring during a period of seven minutes. The second vibration and the longest lasted nineteen seconds. The shortest vibration was six seconds in length. The elapsed time between the waves varied from forty seconds to one and one-fourth minutes.

July 21st, 2 h. 7 m.—A smart shock was felt at San Francisco.

” ” 22 h. 40 m. 38 s.—A very smart shock of earthquake at San Francisco, consisting of two waves at four seconds apart. The direction of the motion was north thirteen degrees east. The displacement was one and a fourth inches, at twenty feet four inches from the ground. Pendulum suspension eighteen inches.

The earthquake was experienced at San José at the same hour, and consisted of four strong shocks. At Stockton the earthquake was severe, and took place twelve minutes later than at this city. The earthquake was felt at Los Angeles, but was not very heavy. No time is given from this latter locality.

July 25th, 23 h. 56 m.—A shock of earthquake at Los Angeles.

Aug. 17th, 22 h. 39 m.—A light shock of earthquake at Nevada and vicinity.

Aug. 18th, 5 h. 18 m.—A very strong shock of earthquake was experienced at Grass Valley and Nevada, which threw down a wall of stone and brick in the well of Dr. Fellows. This earthquake was felt at Gibsonville at the north and at Marysville to the west; at the latter locality it was twelve minutes later than at Grass Valley.

Sept. 6th, 10 h. 3 m.—A shock of earthquake at San Francisco.

Sept. 20th, 11 h. 0 m.—A light shock of earthquake at San José; it was observed at the Mission Dolores.

Sept. 27th, 10 h. 32 m.—A heavy shock at Mission San Juan, Monterey Co.

Oct. 6th, 21 h. 9 m.—A smart shock of earthquake at San Francisco.

Oct. 14th, 1 h. 8 m.—Two heavy shocks of earthquake were felt at Mission San Juan, and another severe shock at 10 h. 25 m., the movement was from west to east.

Dec. 11th, 20 h. 52 m.—A shock of earthquake at San Francisco. This shock was felt at San José at 20 h. 51 m., and was evidently more severe there than at San Francisco.

During 1864, we have had twenty-one days on which earthquakes have occurred, and of at number there have been two days, (March 10th and July 21st) in[192] which more than one shock has taken place within the twenty-four hours of each day.

The British Colonist, of Victoria, Vancouver Island, furnishes the following statement:

From a gentleman who has resided on Vancouver Island for 15 years, we learn that slight earthquakes have occurred annually, with one or two exceptions, during the entire period. Only on one occasion (1858) does he remember experiencing a shock at all approaching in severity that of Saturday morning, October 29th 1864. The oscillation, as on this last occasion, has almost invariably been from west to east: and he accounts for this, by supposing that the internal convulsion of the earth beneath, has to find vent in the crater of Mount Baker, situated to the east of us. This volcano has not had any visible eruption for several years. On the last occasion, it sent up a dense volume of smoke, and occasionally a bright flame was seen to issue from the fiery furnace. Another old resident informs us, that the appearance of the summit of Mount Baker has undergone a material change within late years, giving room for the conjecture that large portions have crumbled away and descended into the yawning abyss of the crater which lies between the two highest peaks.

Relating to earthquakes at San Francisco and its immediate vicinity, we have an item of interesting information relating to their effects at the Farrallones Islands, situated some fifteen miles to the west of the city. It appears, upon the testimony of the lighthouse-keeper at these Islands, and who has resided there for several years, (seven or eight), that but two of the whole number occurring at this city, have been felt at the Islands, and of these he made an official record. The first was the shock of Dec. 23d, 1862, and that of June 22d, 1864.

From 1857 to date, we have seven years, during which time twenty-five shocks have been authenticated at San Francisco, while two only of the number have been felt at the above locality west of the city.

New Mineral Oil Regions in the Tulare Valley.

BY WILLIAM P. BLAKE.

Recent examinations of prospecting parties, have added largely to the well-known oil-bearing portions of the State. A district some sixty miles in length, on the inner slopes of the Coast mountains, towards the Tulare Valley, has been found to abound in oil springs, or indications of oil. Oil exudes from the surface in large quantities, and collects rapidly in small pits sunk by prospectors. The soil about these pits is very black and saturated with oil. The gases escaping from this soil are inflammable, and many of the prospectors have been startled to see flames spreading over the ground, beyond their camp fires. In digging pits about these springs, large quantities of bones of various kinds have been thrown out, and all are wonderfully well preserved. These bones appear chiefly those of the horse, deer, and elk, though there are many others which I have not been able to recognize. The teeth of the horse, sent to me, are of unusual size, and induce the question, whether they are not of greater antiquity than the present race of horses. I am assured that the variety of bones and teeth of many kinds is very great.

The oil found gives an excellent article for lubricating purposes, and must be very similar to the oil found near Zanesville, Ohio, according to the descriptions given of the latter.

Note upon the occurrence of Sphene in the Granite of the Sierra Nevada.

BY WILLIAM P. BLAKE.

Sphene, in small hair-brown or amber-colored crystals, appears to be abundantly distributed in the granite of the Sierra Nevada. It may be found at the sources of the American River, in the exposures of granite about Slippery Ford, and other points, and upon the Mokelumne River, further south. The crystals are seldom more than the thirty second part of an inch in diameter, and are not conspicuous, but may be found in almost any specimen of the rocks.

It appears, that this mineral is also of common occurrence in the granite of the British Islands. In a report to the British Association, (1863) upon the composition of the granite of Donegal, it is stated, that the rock contains, almost universally, small crystals of sphene, in some varieties so abundantly, as to induce the authors of the Report to term it “sphene granite.” It is also observed that this mineral has long been known to exist in the granite of parts of Scotland, and in that of Galway.

Euphorbia Prostrata as a remedy for the bite of venomous animals.

BY MAJOR EDWARD PREISS.

Mazatlan, January 7th, 1865.

...I send you herewith a sample of Gollindrinera, (Spanish,) Euphorbia prostrata, (Linn.) It is found growing in the territories of New Mexico and Arizona, in the United States, and the provinces of Sonora and Sinaloa, in Mexico. In Jalisco this plant is more scarce, and occurs mostly in a poor condition.

It thrives in hard, sandy or stony soil, and therefore is most frequently found on roadsides, in the streets of villages and in house-yards. In Mazatlan I found a plant with branches, measuring two feet.

It is a remedy against the bites of snakes and other venomous animals.

During my voyage in New Mexico, I camped on the 5th of June, 1864, at noon, between Cubera and Pawate, near a waterhole. A Pueblo-Indian approached me, and entered into a conversation. He could read and write Spanish, and was very well versed on the map of the country. Noticing a snake in the waterhole, I asked him whether there were many rattlesnakes in those parts, to which he gave an affirmative answer. On questioning him whether Indians frequently died from snake-bites, he answered: “No, as they have an antidote against the poison.” At my request, accompanied by a gift of some cigarritos, he brought me a plant, which he gathered from the roadside, and which he called “Gollindrinera.” He told me that nobody ever died, not even from the bite of a rattlesnake, if this plant was applied in time. At the same time he told how it was used.

In Mexico I also found the country people well acquainted with the property of this plant. They apply it when their domestic animals are injured by venomous amphibia or insects.

The branches and roots of this plant contain a quantity of a milky sap. This is obtained by pounding and squeezing the plant, and is given to the patient in doses of about one drachm. The remaining fibres of the pressed-out plant are externally applied on the wound. The dose is repeated every hour,—or in aggravated cases, every half hour,—until the patient feels relieved; which will occur in a few hours. The external application must be frequently renewed.

I ascertained from reliable authority, that two dogs, being bitten by rattlesnakes, were cured, one after four, and the other after six repetitions of the dose. The poultice was frequently changed. Both dogs were perfectly restored within twenty-four hours.

Tepic, March 28th, 1865.

...Myself and companion arrived on the 14th of March, 1865, at 3 o’clock P. M.,[196] at San Blas. In the evening, our faces, necks and hands were badly bitten by myriads of sandflies. The sting of these flies is exceedingly painful, and the effects of them last for several days. Every person visiting San Blas will not easily forget these insects; each sting produces a reddish swelling, which hardens after awhile, and sometimes remains for eight days and more. We left San Blas on the 15th of March, at 1.30 A. M., and arrived at 5 P. M. at Tepic. The fly-bites were excruciatingly painful. On the 16th we used liquid ammoniac to allay our suffering, but without result. In the forenoon of the 17th I found two small Gollindrinera plants in the streets of Tepic; I pulled it, roots and all, from the ground, broke them into several parts, and rubbed the milky juice over my sores. In half an hour all the pain had left. Not being able to find any more of the plants, my companion had to suffer for several days longer; which proves, however, that my relief from the tormenting pain was directly to be credited to the medical virtue of the Gollindrinera.

During my lengthened stay among the natives of Australia, I observed that no black man ever died from the bite of a venomous reptile,—excepting always the dead-adder, (bothrops)—while a white man seldom escaped death. The remedy of the blacks is very simple, consisting merely in sucking out the wound, and in keeping awake the patient for at least twenty-four to forty-eight hours. The dead adder (bothrops) of Australia is probably the most poisonous reptile. A black man, if bitten by this snake, will be abandoned to death by his friends, they being sure that help is out of the question. I witnessed once the death of a victim of the dead-adder.

I read in an Australian paper, that a white boy, who was bitten in the finger by a dead-adder, had so much presence of mind, as to chop it off with his pocket-knife. The finger had afterwards to be regularly amputated, but the boy’s life was saved.

Occurrence of Fossils in the Auriferous Slates of California.

BY PROF. W. H. BREWER.

I find in published Proceedings of the Academy, just received, that some remarks I made at the meeting of October 3d, 1864, were not published, that I wish recorded.

In the discussion on the occurrence of fossils in the auriferous rocks of California, I stated that fossils had been found by the Geological Survey, in the rocks associated with gold, along a line nearly 300 miles in length, extending from Pitt River to the Mariposa Estate; that the associated rocks of similar age, bearing gold, had been traced upwards of 550 miles in the Sierra Nevadas, and that Jurassic fossils had been found in the “auriferous slates,” along a belt of 200 miles of this distance, and that both Jurassic and Triassic fossils had been found in considerable numbers near and in Genesee Valley, Plumas Co.

On the existence of an Atoll near the west coast of America, and proof of its elevation.

BY W. HARPER PEASE, OF HONOLULU, H. I.

Having read an interesting paper by Dr. Blake, in a late number of the Proceedings California Academy, on the proofs of a recent elevation of the coast[200] of California, it occurred to me that I had in my note book, information unpublished on the same subject. As it lies within the field occupied by your Academy, I furnish it herewith for publication. My information was gathered from a Journal kept by Lieut. Griswold,[11] (a young gentleman of scientific taste, and a close and accurate observer,) during a cruise off the west coast of Mexico, in search of guano. Among the islands visited, was “Clipperton Rock,” which is the locality I refer to.

Before giving any extract, I will state what was known of the island.

It is situated in Lat. 10° 17’ N., Long. 109° 19’ W., and was discovered by Capt. Clipperton, in 1705. He appears to have sighted only the tall volcanic rock, which stands near the south end of the island, and passed on without learning of the existence of the island. It appears not to have been noticed again for more than a century, so that its position, and even its existence was doubted.

The only published account of its having been visited since, are those by Capt. Benj. Morrell[12] and Sir Edward Belcher.[13] The former called there during a sealing voyage, in 1825, and gives a meagre account of it in a few lines, remarking, that “it produces a little shrubbery and some coarse grass, among which, I think, fresh water might be found by digging. Among the few vegetable productions of this island, we found a plant resembling sarsaparilla, which badly poisoned several of the crew who handled it.”

Sir Edward Belcher, during his surveying expedition, wishing to verify the existence and position of the island, searched and found it. He did not land, but gives the result of his examination from the mast-head. With other remarks, he states that “it is a coral lagoon island, three miles long N. and S., and the same E. and W. There are two entrances, both on the weather side, which at high-water may be safe, but at the moment we passed, the surf was too heavy and the reflux showed the rocks bare. On the beach several large trees were observed, but no living trees were seen.” (May 8, 1839.)

Lieutenant Griswold notes in his journal, as follows: “On the 6th of August, 1861, we lay on our oars, just outside the breakers on the N. E. side. At half past six we were ashore, shooting in on a high roller, which left us high and dry upon the beach, with a hole stove in our bow. The beach was covered with drift wood, and while the crew were collecting it, I started to examine the island.

“Upon every side it is girdled by a broad barrier of coral, about fifteen feet above the level of the ocean. There is no entrance to the lagoon, neither does it communicate with the ocean by subterranean passages, as the water inside is fresh and potable. It is slightly brackish, but will appease thirst. The ‘Rock’ is a ragged pile of volcanic formation, on the south end of the island, gray and splashed over with the deposit of the birds. It is cracked and split in every possible direction, here and there shooting into tottering pinnacles. As you wander through the caverns and clefts, with which it is perforated, there is an incessant splashing and dropping of water. On the very topmost pinnacle, which[201] I reached after a hard climb, I found a little basin containing a couple of buckets full. The caverns were dreary looking places, dark and wet, and echoing to the hoarse cries of the sea-birds. The rock, on its sides, is rounded and smoothed by the action of the waves, at some long past time, and in many places ‘the walls are crusted with coral.’

“The highest pinnacle of the rock is about 120 feet high, and it covers, I should think, about two acres. It stands on the edge of the lagoon, or rather within it, being connected with the coral barrier only by a narrow isthmus of coral clinker. Between this rock and the sea, however, the barrier, instead of being as elsewhere, a solid platform of coral, is only a heap of fragments, piled in winrows by the waves, 250 or 300 yards in width. The lagoon is a quiet fresh water pond, two miles long and about one broad, with a long spit of mud running out into the middle of it, but elsewhere of a light green color, which seemed to indicate a considerable depth. Its shores are abrupt, the coral platform in most places projecting out over water of a considerable depth. I did not find the least sign of vegetable life upon the island.

“The only plant[14] seen, grew in considerable quantities in the lagoon, which I pulled out of the water, where it was growing. There is nothing but a coral platform, coral clinker and coral sand. We found nothing to detain us and left the island on the afternoon of the day on which we landed.”

Mr. Darwin, on his remarks on the geographical distribution of reef-building corals, states that he could find no evidence of their living on or near the west coast of America, and consequently discredits the statement made by Sir Edward Belcher; for after examining a Ms. chart of Clipperton Rock, at the Admiralty Office, drawn by Sir Edward, came to the conclusion that it was more of the shape of a crater. The Island is, however, a true Atoll and has been elevated at least 100 feet.

It must have been closed since 1839, and the freshening of the water has probably been caused by rain.

We may also add, that it stands within the limits of reef building corals, as deduced by Mr. Dana, from tables of the temperature of the sea, and consequently is confirmatory of his opinion.

We might add other facts in support of Mr. Dana’s theory, but from other parts of the Pacific.

MEASUREMENTS OF THE HEIGHT AND CIRCUMFERENCE OF TWENTY-FIVE OF THE “BIG TREES,” (SEQUOIA GIGANTEA,) IN CALAVERAS COUNTY, BY DR. CHARLES T. JACKSON AND MR. JOSEPH B. MEADER, AUGUST 2d AND 3d, 1865.

Instruments made use of:—

• 1. Sir H. Douglass’ Reflecting Semicircle; (Cary).
• 2. A Reflecting Level; made by J. H. Temple, of Boston.
• 3. A common Measuring Tape.

The horizontal point was fixed upon each tree, and the angle measured by the Reflecting Semicircle, and protracted by it.

The circumference of the trees was measured above the swell of the roots, about six feet, where the stem takes its proper form.

Several measurements, originally made with too high an angle, were taken over again with a longer base, so as to avoid the error of refraction in the glasses of the mirrors.

We trust, therefore, that the following measurements will be found to be correct.

[205]

The stump of the “Original Big Tree” measured in six diameters, gives for mean, 23 ft. 1⅓ in., diameter inside of the bark,—which was two feet thick.

The following List of Grasses, accompanied by the very judicious and practical observations of the Corresponding Member of our Natural History Society, Mr. C. J. Croft, of the 1st Cavalry California Volunteers, was received by mail from Fort Goodwin, Arizona Territory, some little time since. From the same intelligent source, we have, from time to time, received many valuable specimens, preserved with uncommon care, and reaching us in a state quite unusual, even from localities far more favorably situated. We are very hopeful, we shall shortly be placed in possession of specimens of the seed of the White Layia Mexicana, for ornamental culture, as also of a species of native Potato, from the same indefatigable individual, who has also furnished us with a very interesting account of numerous species of the Cactus family, of that District.

The Grasses of Arizona.

BY C. J. CROFT, U. S. A.

The grasses of this Territory, principally consist of four varieties:

No. 1. (Pleuraphis Jamesii, Torr.,) is the lowland Grama which grows in great profusion along the valley of the Gila, and constitutes the principal feed for our animals, which do quite well upon it, moderately worked.

No. 2. (Aristida purpurea, Nutt.) The highland Grama, growing upon the sand “mesas,” or highlands, seems to differ but little, if any, from that found in some portions of California.

No. 3. (Muhlenbergia pungeus, Thurb.) Black Grama, or, “Grama China,” as vulgarly called by the natives, is the most valuable as feed; upon it animals will fatten. It grows on the highlands in sandy arid soil. I have never met any of this variety in the valley of the Colorado, and but very little in the territory of New Mexico. At this post we have had as many as 700 animals, and the scarcity of forage required us to herd our stock upon this grass during the winter. We were often obliged to make rapid and distant marches in pursuit of Indians, over a country almost impassable, yet our horses stood it well, fed only upon this grass.[206] Our cavalry here had no grain during the entire winter. This Grama, like the other species, grows in bunches several feet apart, and the lower stalks are green during the winter season.

No. 4. (Sporobolus airoides, Trin.) This grows in the valleys. A great portion of the Gila Valley is covered with it. Animals eat it readily when green; it is however a powerful diuretic. As a winter grass it is of no account.

Besides these four enumerated grasses, the letter contained three others from the same locality:

1. Panicum capillare, L.

2. Tricuspis pulchella, Kunth.

3. A Poa, much of the habitat of Poa sudetica. Vivid green; leaves plane, rather large; spikelets four-flowered, oval; lower glume one, and the upper three nerved; lower palea distinctly three-nerved, scabrous on the Red nerve. The nerves of the glumes, as well as of the lower palea, are of a vivid green color, and exceedingly prominent. The whole aspect of the plant sent, would rather suggest that it is not indigenous to that section of the country.

Note on the abundance of Iron Ore in Northern Arizona.

BY WM. P. BLAKE.

In 1863 I observed an iron formation of considerable extent and interest upon and near the William’s Fork of the Colorado, near its mouth. The ore is chiefly the micaceous variety of Hematite, or “specular iron,” and occurs in thick beds and in thin sheets, in a ferruginous limestone or dolomite, evidently metamorphic, and tilted up at a high angle.

It forms a belt of peculiar appearance, that may be traced by the eye for miles across the country, in a direction a few degrees south of west. This rock and[207] iron ore is inter-stratified with chloritic and talcose slates and granite, and the series also bears copper ores and gold.

From the collections made by Lieut. Whipple’s party, in 1853, in the mountains north, it would appear, that similar rocks exist in the Cerbat and Aquarius Mountains, the extreme geological antiquity of which, was commented on by me in the Pacific R. R. Reports, Vol. III, p. 59. It is possible that this ferriferous formation is connected with the extensive iron formation of the coast of Mexico, south of Acapulco, described by Mr. Manross, (Am. Journ. Sci., XXXIX, 358,) and it may be of pre-Silurian date.

Descriptions of New Marine Shells from the Coast of California.
PART III.

BY PHILIP P. CARPENTER, B. A., PH. D., OF WARRINGTON, ENG.

Genus Corbula, Lam. (Auct.)

Corbula luteola, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 587.

C. t. “C. biradiatæ,” formâ simulante, sed multo minore; haud obesâ, transversâ, luteo-cinereâ, dorsum versum interdum obscure biradiatâ; angulo plus minusve carinato, postice definito; antice rotundatâ, expansâ; concentrice crebre sed obtuse lirulatâ; umbonibus obtusis; intus, dentibus minoribus; linea pallii angulatâ, haud sinuatâ; cicatricibus adductoribus callosis; margine t. adultâ postice altero alterum amplectante.

Long. 0·42, lat. 0·28, alt. 0·16.

Hab. San Diego, San Pedro, 50, alive, at low water.

Genus Plectodon.[16] Cpr.

Testa tenuis, scaber, rostrata, haud inflata: margo dorsalis sub umbones intus nexa, dentem cardinalem formans: dentes laterales longi, laminati: cartilago fossâ minutâ, sub umbones celatâ, dente laterali postico contiguâ, sita: sinus pallii parvus.

Plectodon scaber, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 1062.

Pl. t. ledæ-formi, tenui, subdiaphanâ, pallidâ; totâ superficie minute pustulosâ; marginibus dorsalibus rectis, ad angulum 150°; antice et ventraliter productâ, marginibus excurvatis; postice valde rostratâ, truncatâ: intus, margine sub umbones interrupto; plicâ ex apice oblique usque ad marginem dorsalem anticum excurrente; dentibus lateralibus laminatis, extantibus, postico longiore; cicatricibus adductoribus parvis, subrotundatis, ad extremitates dentium lateralium sitis; sinu palii lato, haud impresso.

Long. 0·62, lat. 0·34, alt. 0·20.

Hab. Catalina Island, two right valves, 40-60 fms, Cp.

[208]

This very distinct genus has the aspect of Theora, and appears allied to Neæra. It is probable that the cartilage was strengthened by an ossicle. The great peculiarity is the twisting-in of the dorsal margin, which ascends the umbo in a very loose spiral.

Genus Macoma, Leach.

Macoma indentata, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 365.

M. t. “M. sectæ” simili; sed postice valde rostratâ, sinu inter plicam et regionem ventralem valde expansam indentato.

Long. 2·20, lat. 1·40, alt. 0·56.

Hab. San Pedro, (young, living, Palmer;) large dead valves, Cooper.

Differs from M. umbonella, Lam., in its secta-like post-ligamental wing. This being rubbed off in the large dead valves, the shell has the aspect of a very distinct species.

Genus Œdalina, Cpr.
Œdalia, Cpr., Brit. Ass. Rep., 1864. (pre-occup.)

Subgenus Cooperella, Cpr.

Œdalina; cartilagine fossâ semi-internâ, ligamento externo contiguâ, sitâ; dentibus cardinalibus laminatis, haud bifidis, sen uno bifido.

Dedicated to the memory of Judge Cooper, of Hoboken, N.J., author of the Report on the Mollusca of the Pacific Railway Expeditions.

Cooperella scintillæformis, Cpr. n. sp. State Collection, No. 533 a.

C. t. tenuissimâ, subdiaphanâ, latiore; forma “Scintilæ Cummingii” simulante; extus argenteo-iridescente, striulis incrementi exillimis interdum uudatâ; parte posticâ paullum majore rotundatâ; intus, valvâ dextrâ dent. ii. laminatis, arcuatim divergentibus, extantibus, quorum anticus major, ventraliter sulcatus; v. sinistr. iii., quorum ant. et post. laminati, arcuati, centralis triangularis, bifidus; fossâ cartilaginali parvâ, semi-internâ, sub umbones angustiores, satis prominentes, sitâ; laminâ ligamentali nullâ, nymphis longioribus; sinu pallii oblongo, lato; lineâ pallii anticâ minus declivi.

Long. 0·60, lat. 0·48, alt. 0·32.

Hab. San Diego; San Pedro, 2 dredged in 8-20 fms. Cooper.

Genus Semele, Schum.

Semele incungrua, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 1061.

S. t. formâ et indole “S. pulchræ” simili, sed sculpturâ diversâ; transversâ, tenuii, subplanatâ, umbonibus prominentibus; pallide carneâ, radiis intensioribus ornatâ; totâ superficie minute et creberrime radiatim striulatâ; marginibus dorsalibus postico rectiore, antico parum incurvato; reliquis regulariter excurvatis, parte anticâ diagonaliter valde productâ; v. sinistr. liris crebris subacutis concentricis, antice sæpe irregulariter interruptis, postice circiter quaternis solum conspicuis, extantibus; v. dextr. liris pancioribus, acutis, antice vix interruptis, postice alternantibus, extantibus: intus; dent, card. parvis, fossâ cartilaginali angustâ elongatâ; dent. lat., v. dextrâ, elongatis, regione cardinali purpureo tinctis; cicatr.[209] adduct. subrotundatis; sinu pallii maximo, ovali, ascendente, per quintas inter sex totius interstitii partes porrecto; colore secundum paginam externam tinctà et radiatà.

Long. 0·58, lat. 0·40, alt. 0·16.

Hab. Santa Barbara, 16 fm. 1 valve; Catalina Island, 40-60 fm., not uncommon; Cooper.

Genus? Venus, Ln. Subgenus Psephis, Cpr. 1864.

Psephis salmonea, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 1068.

Ps. t. Parvâ, subinflatâ, subæquilaterali, subtrigonâ; colore salmoneo; extus nitidâ minutissime et creberrime concentrice striatâ; margine ventrali excurvato; dorsalibus antico et postico subrectis: intus, dent. card. iii.-iii., quorum utrãque valvâ anticus porrectus, quasi lateralis, centrales parvi; v. dextr. dente postico in marginem sulcatum decurrente; cicatr. adduct. satis conspicuis, subrotundatis; lineâ pallii satis internâ, vix obsolete sinuatâ.

Long. 0·12, lat. 0·11, alt. 0·06.

Hab. Catalina Island, 30-40 fm., rare.; Cooper.

Placed under Psephis by analogy; whether the animal be ovoviviparous has not yet been ascertained.

Genus Astarte, J. Sby.

Astarte fluctuata, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 1060.

A. t. valde planatâ, ovoideâ, costis concentricis valde distantibus, angustis, undulatis, ornatâ; marg. dors. post. subrecto, ant. concavo, lunulâ longâ, parum impressâ; ventr. satis rotundato; ant. valde rotundato; post. subquadrato; intus, v. dextr., laminâ cardinali planatâ; dent. card. i. inter fossas ant. parvam, post. triangularem, extante; dent. lat. ant. acutiore, satis elongato, post. nullo; cicatr. adduct. ovalibus, posticâ callo definitâ; margine haud crenato; sulco ligamenti externi elongato.

Long. 0·33, lat. 0·26, 0·10.

Hab. Catalina Island, 30-40 fm. Cooper.

Only dead right valves having been found, it is not known whether this species be an Astarte (according to Messrs. Adams and Hanley) or an abnormal Crassatella. It scarcely differs from the young of Astarte omalia, from the Coralline Crag.

Genus Cardium, Ln. Subg. Fulvia, Gray, 1847, [or Lævicardium? Sw., 1840.]

Cardium (? modestum, var) centifilosum, Cpr. State Collection 381.

C. t. parvâ, tenuissimâ, inflatâ, subquadratim rotundatâ; umbonibus angustis, tumidioribus; marginibus, dorsalibus subalatis, antico et ventrali æqualiter rotundatis, postico vix truncato; totâ superficie, (nisi umbonibus et dorsum versus utroque latere lævibus,) tenue liratâ; liris circ. centum, quoad magnitudinem extantibus, angustis; interstitiis subæqualibus, subquadratis, interdum punctato-decus satis; parte posticâ à lineâ definitâ, lirulis minus conspicuis, laminis concentricis[210] extantibus, crebrioribus eleganter exasperata; intus, dent. card. validioribus, lat. subdistantibus; cic. adduct. ovalibus, haud impressis.

Long. 0·51, lat. 0·48, alt. 0·34.

Hab. (modestum.) Quelpart Island, China Seas, and Japan; A. Adams.

(Centifilosum.) Monterey, 20 fms. alive; Santa Barbara 1, Catalina Island, 40 fm. Cooper.

Rounder than C. modestum, Ad. & Rve., with fewer and sharper ribs; but the Eastern shells vary, and Mr. Adams considers them conspecific.

Genus Lepton, Turton.

Lepton meroëum, Cpr. n. s.

L. t. parvâ, subplanatâ, Meroæ-formi; transversâ, marginibus omnino excurvatis; antice valde productâ; umbonibus acutis, prominentibus; dent. card. (v. sinistr.) uno, celato; lat. ant. prominente, post. subobsoleto; fossâ cartilaginali angusta; cic. adduct. remotis.

Long. 0·11, lat. 0·08, alt. 0·03.

Hab. San Diego, 1 broken valve among shell washings. Cooper.

Genus Pristiphora, Cpr.[17] n. g.
Syn. Pristes, Cpr. Rep. Brit. Ass. 1864, (pre-occupied.)

Testa “Tellimyæ Adamsiorum” similis; dentibus cardinalibus nullis; lateralibus utrâque valvâ conspicuis, postice elongatis, antice curtioribus, cardinem versus transversim sulcatis; fossâ cartilaginali inter eos sitâ.

Pristiphora oblonga, Cpr. n. s.

P. t. oblongâ, parvâ, subquadratâ, valde inæquilaterali; parte anticâ fere nullâ; marginibus, dorsalibus subrectis, fere rectangulatis, ventrali parum excurvato, postico rotundato; umbonibus antice flectis; lunulâ parvâ, concavâ: intus, v. sinistr., dent. lat. post. per totam longitudinem dorsalem decurrente, parte cardinali acutâ, alte transversim sulcatâ; ant. secundum lunulam incurvato curto, serrato; cicatr. adduct. sub fines dentium sitis.

Long. 0·14, lat. 0·10, alt. 0·06.

Hab. San Diego; 1 worn valve among shell washings. Cooper.

Genus Leda, Schumacher.

Leda hamata, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 984.

L. t. “L. caudatæ” simili, sed valde hamatâ; planatâ, valde inæquilaterali; umbonibus angustioribus, lævibus, ad trientem sitis; marginibus, dors. post. maxime incurvato, ant. parum, ventr. valde excurvatis; parte posticâ valde rostratâ, rostro biangulato, curvato, angustiore, biangulatâ; sulcis et costis validis, concentricis, supra rostrum continuis, dorsum versus postice obsoletis.

Long. 0·37, lat. 0·10, alt. 0·10.

[211]

Genus Acanthochites, Risso? (Leach, 1826).

Acanthochites avicula, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 1072.

A. t. “A. arragonitei” formâ magnitudine, pallio, et indole simillimâ; sed sculpturâ et laminis terminalibus diversâ; jugo longitudinaliter sulculis circ. vi. instructis, interstitiis quasi planato-squamosis, umbonibus latis; areis diagonalibus haud definitis; lateribus, squamis (quoad magnitudinem) maximis, planatis, ovalibus ornatis, seriebus indistinctis divergentibus instructis; mucrone parvo, antice sito; colore livido et olivaceo-fusco varie tincto; laminis insertionis valv. lat. ut in A. arragonite; anticâ, fissuris v.

Long. 0·16, lat. 0·10.

Hab. Catalina Island, 10-20 fm., rare; Cooper.

Genus Acanthopleura, Guilding.

Acanthopleura fluxa, Cpr.? n. s.

A. t. “A. scabræ” simili, sed latiore, pallidiore; viridi, rubro-aurantio conspersâ; valvis rectangulatis; suturis marginalibus haud conspicuis; areis diagonalibus satis distinctis; radiis obtusis fluxis ii., alterâ diagonali, alterâ suturali; totâ superficie conspicue granulosâ, granulis acutioribus præsertim albidis; jugo obtuso, vix vallato: laminis insertionis ut in A. scabrâ instructis.

Long. 0·60, lat. 0·40, div. 110°.

Hab. Santa Barbara Island, Cooper.

Foot, in the only dried specimen seen, extremely thin, flat, and narrow.

Genus Ischnochiton, Gray.

Ischnochiton veredentiens, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 518 a (bis).

I. t. parvâ, albidâ, rosaceo tinctâ; valvis gothice arcuatis, jugo subacuto; totâ superficie minute granulosâ; areis lateralibus conspicue definitis, minoribus, costis diagonali et suturali validis instructis, bullis valde expressis munitis; valv. term. costulis subobsoletis radiantibus; areis centralibus clathris longitudinalibus utroque latere circ. viii. distantibus, expressis, subgranulosis, supra jugum obsoletis; interstitiis â costulis subradiantibus decussatis; umbonibus conspicuis; marginibus umbonalibus à costis bulliferis valde indentatis, dentibus viii.-x. jugum versus obsoletis, marginibus haud intortis; mucrone submediano, vix extante; marginibus lobatis eleganter à clathris pectinatis: intus, sinu maximo, planato, interdum serrato; laminis insertionis acutis, late unifissatis, valv. term. circ. viii-fissatis, subgrundis conspicuis; limbo pallii squamis majoribus, planatis, tenuibus, vix striatis.

Long. 0·25, lat. 0·10, div. 90°.

Hab. Catalina Island, 20-30 fm., Cooper.

Subgenus Lepidopleurus, Risso.

Isch. squamis magnis, ut in Chitone (Lophyro) instructis, striatis.

Lepidopleurus pectinatus, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 1073.

L. t. “L. Mertensii” simili, sed omnino olivaceo; areis diagonalibus radiis[212] plerumque iv. dense tuberculiferis, radioque altero suturali tuberculis inflexis, margines valvarum pectinantibus; costis transversis crebris validis; costulis longitudinalibus acutis distantibus superantibus, quarum margines suturas anticas pectinant; valv. term. ut in areis diag. sculptis, seriebus tuberculorum creberrimis; totâ superficie minutissime tuberculatâ: intus, valvis centralibus unifissatis, terminalibus xi.-xv.-fissatis: scalis pallii irregularibus, confertis, minutissime longitudinaliter striatis.

Long. 0·85, lat. 0·50, div. 110°.

Variat: interdum aurantio nebulosâ.

Hab. Catalina Island, Santa Barbara Island, beach, Cooper.

Lepidopleurus scabricostatus, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 1071 c.

L. t. parvâ, aurantiâ, elevatâ; valvis gothice arcuatis, jugo acuto; totâ superficie conspicue et creberrime granulata: areis lateralibus majoribus, conspicue definitis; seriebus granulorum majorum iii. radiantibus, subobsoletis; umbonibus haud conspicuis; marginibus umbonalibus colore intensiore pseudodentatis, parum intortis; areis centralibus seriebus costularum angustarum subobsoletarum longitudinalibus, valde distantibus, granulis majoribus instructis; valv. term., costulis granulosis similibus radiantibus; mucrone vix mediano, parum conspicuo: intus, lobis suturalibus separatis, sinu maximo, planato; laminis insertionis lat. unifissatis, term. x.-xii.-fissatis, subobtusis; subgrundis modicis, subconspicuis: limbo pallii latiore, squamis imbricatis, elongatis, transversim striatis, crebris ornatâ.

Long. 0·30; lat. 0·17; div. 100°.

Hab. Catalina Island; 10-20 fm., Cooper.

Subgenus Trachydermon,[18] Cpr.

Ischnochiton: squamis pallii minimis, confertis.

Trachydermon Gothicus, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, 518a.

Tr. t. parvâ valde elevatâ, viridi, rosaceo et olivaceo eleganter tinctâ; valvis gothice arcuatis, jugo acuto; areis lateralibus parvis, arcuatim distincte definitis, granulosis; umbonibus prominentibus; marginibus umbonalibus colore tessellatis, intortis; areis centralibus longitudinaliter costatis, costis rotundatis, crebris, haud valde expressis, interstitiis parvis, vix interdum decussatis; valv. term. ut in ar. lat. sculptis, posticâ mucrone mediano, subelevato: intus, lobis suturalibus haud separatis, medio latissime sinuatis; laminis insertionis, lat. unifissatis, term. viii.-x.-fissatis, obtusis, subgrundis haud elevatis: limbo pallii minutissime squamuloso, granulis confertissimis, subrotundatis, lævibus; circa marginem pilulis suberectis.

Long. 0·20, lat. 0·10; div. 80°.

Hab. Catalina Island, 8-20 fm., Cooper.

Genus Leptochiton, Gray.

Leptochiton nexus, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, 1071a.

L. t. parvâ, albocinereâ, valvice gothis arcuatis; areis lateralibus vix definitis;[213] totâ superficie squamulis subquadratis seriatim ornata; seriebus ar. centr. longitudinalibus, ar. lat. et valv. term. radiantibus, creberrimis, haud interruptis; jugo elevato, sub-acuto; umbonibus inconspicuis; marginibus umbonalibus vix inflectis, lateralibus vix à squamulis serrulatis; mucrone conspicuo, mediano: intus, laminis centralibus valde lobatis, sinu maximo, planato; lam. insertionis obsoletis: pallio, squamulis paleatis, striatis, confertis instructo; pilis elatioribus aciculinis, crystallinis, huc et illuc et circa marginem ornato.

Long. 0·30, lat. 0·18; div. 90°.

Hab. Catalina Island, 10-20 fm., Cooper.

The appearance of this northern genus among the Mopaliæ and Ischnochitons is very remarkable; as is the character of the mantle-margin.

Genus Nacella, Schumacher.

Nacella (? palleacea, var.) triangularis, Cpr. State Coll. No. 416c.

N. t. “N. palleacea” simili, sed multo minus elongatâ; apice elato, marginibus rectangulatim divergentibus; albidâ, maculis fuscis perpaucis ornatâ; striulis subobsoletis.

Long. 0·28, lat. 0·12, alt. 0·18, div. 90°.

Hab. Monterey, 4 dredged dead, Cooper.

Probably a distinct species. The solitary shell sent by Dr. Cooper is shaped like a right-angled triangle, with five large brown spots near the base.

? Nacella subspiralis, Cpr.? n. s. State Collection, 416b.

? N. t. parvâ, carneâ, lævi, tenuissimâ; vertice “Emarginulæ” simulante, subspirali, sed apice patelloideo, adunco; t. adultâ valde elevatâ; margine laterali antico subrecto, apice projiciente, valde remoto; postico maxime fornicato; aperturæ margine antice et postice prolongato.

Long. 0·26, lat. 0·19, alt. 0·20, div. 80°.

Hab. Catalina Island, 10-20 fm., 4 dead, Cooper.

This may be the young of the long-lost Patella calyptra, Mart. It may be a Scutellina. Even the genus cannot be predicated from the shell alone.

Genus Acmæa, Eschholtz.

Acmæa (? pileolus, var.) rosacea, Cpr.

A. t. parvâ, conicâ, tenui, lævi; t. jun. pallide rosaceâ, elegantissime maculis albis et fuscis subradiatim sparsis; t. adulta strigis fusco-rosaceis et albidis pictâ; apice elevato, parum antico; intus rosaceo.

Long. 0·20, lat. 0·16, alt. 0·08, div. 100°.

Hab. San Diego, 1 sp. jun. (Palmer): Monterey, 1 dead sp. Cooper.

The absence of striæ, very thin texture, and regularly conical growth, distinguish this shell from A. patina, a rare variety of which has a pinkish tinge. Specimens in Mus. Cuming are marked “pileolus, Midd.,” but do not accord with the diagnosis. It is almost exactly like Herm[19] specimens of A. virginea. Col. Jewett’s similar shells, marked “Panama,” were perhaps West Indian.

[214]

Genus Scurria (?), Gray.

Scurria (?) funiculata, Cpr. (?) n. s. State Collection, No. 466d.

? Sc. t. parvâ, albidâ, regulariter conicâ, apice acuto, elevato, parum antrorsum sito; liris validis, rotundatis, interdum vix nodulosis, irregulariter, huc et illuc duplo vel tripliciter dispositis; margine à costis extus undato; cicatrice haud conspicuo.

Long. 0·50, lat. 0·38, alt. 0·26, div. 80°.

Hab. Monterey, 6 dredged dead, Cooper.

So different from the most strongly marked young specimens of Sc. mitra that I presume it to be distinct. The genus depends on the animal, which has not yet been seen.

Genus Puncturella, Lowe.

Puncturella Cooperi, Cpr. n. s. State Collection No. 1029.

P. t. “P. galeatæ,” fere exacte simulante; sed laminâ internâ solidâ, planatâ, haud antice sinuatâ, haud suffultâ.

Long. 0·30, lat. 0·21, alt. 0·24, div. 70°.

Hab. Catalina Island, not rare, 40 to 20 fms., Cooper, alive.

Outside like P. noachina; but with the lamina like P. cucullata, without eye-holes. The latter species is extremely variable in sculpture, but never so fine as this; and the shape is less conical.

Genus Gibbula, Leach.

Gibbula optabilis, Cpr. n. s.

G. t. parvâ, pulcherrimâ, subconicâ; lurida, fusco-purpureo maculatâ; anfr. v. subquadratis, suturis distinctis; carinis principalibus in spirâ ii., aliâ intercalante; carinâ fortiori peripheriali, et lirulis circ. vi. basalibus, regulariter colore punctatis; lirâ posticâ subobsolete suturam attingente; aliis minoribus intercalantibus; interstitiis ubique tenerrime et creberrime decussatis; basi subtumente, ad carinam peripherialem fere rectangulato; aperturâ subquadratâ, columellâ parum arcuata; umbilico magno, infundibuliformi, angulato; liris ii. intus spiraliter ascendentibus.

Long. 0·19, long. spir. 0·10, lat. 0·19, div. 80°.

Hab. San Pedro, Palmer, one specimen.

Genus Calliostoma, Swainson.

The names Calliostoma and Ziziphinus having been published in the same year, I have no hesitation in preferring the generic to the specific.

Calliostoma supragranosum, Cpr. n. s.

C. t. parvâ; anfr. v. tumentibus; liris acutis cincta, quarum mediæ læves, posticæ granosæ, basales ix. minores.

Hab. San Diego; Cooper.

The single specimen sent differs as above from the young of the next species.

[215]

Calliostoma gemmulatum, Cpr. Br. Assoc. Rep. 1863, pp. 612, 653.

Syn. C. formosum, Cpr. Proc. Cal. Ac. 1864, 155: non Forbes.

While the sheets of the Report were passing through the press, it was found that the name had been preoccupied by Forbes. As it happened the Californian sheet was being printed simultaneously, and there was no time to make the alteration.

Genus Ethalia, Adams.

Ethalia supravallata, Cpr. n. s.

E. t. parvâ, albidâ, nitente, subdiaphanâ, planatâ; anfr. nucl. ii. et dimidio, lævis, diaphanis; norm. uno et dimidio, rotundatis; postice carinâ valde extante, et fossâ concavâ contiguâ suturam tenus, supra spiram vix planatam ascendente; in medio basis rotundatæ carinâ alterâ plus minusve extante; inter eas, circa peripheriam, lirulis radiantibus minimis, haud expressis, sub lente vix conspicuis; regione umbilicari parum concavo; aperturâ circulari; labro à carinis angulato; columellâ, valde callosâ, porrecta; callositate pyriformi regionem umbilicarem circumambiente.

Long. 0·03, long, spir. 0. (?) lat. 0·45, div. 180°.

Hab. San Diego, Cooper, shell-washings.

Typical among the Vitrinelloid Ethaliæ described in Maz. Cat., Nos. 310, 318. Remarkable for the small number of turns in the mature shell as compared with the nucleus.

Ethalia var. invallata, Cpr.

E. t. “E. supravallatæ,” aliter exacte simili; sed vallo spirali omnino carente; basi angulatâ, haud carinatâ.

Hab. San Diego, shell-washings, Cooper.

These shells would certainly have been regarded as distinct, but for one specimen which began smoothly, yet after a fracture suddenly commenced a (not prominent) keel: an instructive lesson on variations in sculpture.

Genus Galerus, Humphreys.

Galerus contortus, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 369.

G. t. parvâ, tenui, albidâ; vertice nucleoso planato, extante, minimo, anfr. uno et dimidio planorbi-formibus, apice conspicuo; dein conoideâ, elevata, solute spirali, suturis impressis; superficie rudi, laminis incrementi interdum conspicuis; laminâ internâ.

Long. 0·26, lat. 0·24, alt. 0·15, div. 80°.

Hab. Monterey, 20-40 fm.; Santa Barbara, 16-20 fm.; Catalina Island, 30-40 fm.; Cooper.

The vertex stands out like a tiny Planorbis, and is more minute than in any species I have examined.

Genus Cæcum, Fleming.

Cæcum crebricinctum, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 388.

C. (Anellum) t., quoad genus, magnâ, tereti, solidiore, rufofusca, interdum[216] radiis intensioribus longitudinalibus ornatâ; annulis gracillimis, creberrimis, rotundatis, haud elevatis circ. lxxx. cinctâ; interstitiis nullis; sculpturâ longitudinali nullâ; aperturâ acutâ, vix contractâ, vix declivi; septo subungulato, submucronato; margine laterali recto; apice acuto, ad angulum circ. 45°, maxime elevato; operculo vix concavo, lirâ spirali elevatâ.

Long. 0·14, lat. 0·04.

Hab. San Diego, 8-10 fms., 12; Monterey, 20 fms., 20, some alive; Santa Barbara, 20 fms., 3, Cooper.

Has the aspect, but not the sculpture, of an Elephantulum.

Cœcum Cooperi, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 667a.

C. (Anellum) t. parvâ, satis tereti, albâ; annulis crebris acutioribus, angustis, circ. xxxiv.-xxxviii., interstitiis subconcavis; septo subungulato; apice obtuso, haud elevato, margine laterali recto; aperturâ declivi, parum contracto et postice expanso; operculo?

Long. 0·09, lat. 0·025.

Hab. San Diego and Catalina Island, 8-10 fms., 18, Cooper.

Known from similar Mazatlan species by the very numerous but separated and somewhat sharp ribs.

Genus Turritella, Lamarck.

Turritella Cooperi, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 564.

T. t. valde tereti, tenuiore, cinereâ, rufofusco tinctâ; anf. plurimis, angustis, subplanatis, suturis distinctis; liris ii. et striulis crebris spiraliter ornatâ; basi angulatâ; aperturâ subquadratâ; labro valde sinuato.

Long. 1·80, long. spir. 1·50, lat. 0·45.

Hab. San Pedro, 60; San Diego, 16 dead on beach; Santa Barbara, 4 dead, in 16-20 fms. Cooper.

As I have seen no complete list of the very numerous fossil species of this genus, it appears allowable, rather than risk a synonym, to name this graceful shell after its discoverer.

Genus? Mesalia, Gray.

? Mesalia tenuisculpta, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 666 a.

? M. t. tenui, regulariter turritâ, fusco-cinereâ; anfr. nucl. lævibus, normalibus, apice acuto; norm. viii. rotundatis, suturis impressis; lirulis spiralibus; haud extantibus, plus minusve distantibus, irregularibus cinctâ quarum anfr. primis duæ anticæ majores; lirulis circa basim rotundatam obtusis, subregularibus; rugulis incrementi irregularibus, interdum decussantibus; aperturâ subrotundatâ, peritremati haud continuâ; labro acuto, postice flexuoso; labio tenui.

Long. 0·28, long. spir. 0·18, lat. 0·10, div. 15°.

Hab. S. Diego; 4-6 fms., 15, alive. Cooper.

Intermediate in character between Mesalia and Fenella.

[217]

Genus Isapis, H. & A. Adams.

Isapis obtusa, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 682.

I. t. “I. fenestratæ” indole simili, sed magis elongatâ, subnitente, pallide rosacea; vertice nucleoso decliviter immerso, celato; anfr. norm. postice subplanatis, suturis obtusis; costis tumentibus rotundatis circ. vii., suturas et umbilicum minorem versus obsoletis, plus minusve extantibus; interstitiis parvis, irregularibus, haud decussatis; peritremati continuo, labro tenui, secundum costas variantes undulato; labio medio calloso.

Long. 0·23, long. spir. 0·09, lat. 0·16, div. 60°.

Hab. S. Diego, 10 fm.; Sta. Barbara, 20 fm.; Cooper.

The fortunate discovery of some perfect young specimens displays a nucleus so like Odostomia that, despite the resemblance of the shell to Fossarus, which has a tuberoid nucleus, it most probably belongs to Pyramidellidæ.

Genus Rissoina, D’Orbigny.

Rissoina interfossa, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 387, b.

R. t. satis magnâ, crassâ, albâ, satis turritâ, conspicue sculptâ; marginibus spiræ rectis, vertice mamillato; anfr. nucl. ?.. [detritis]; norm. vii. tumidis, angulatis, suturis angulatim impressis; carinis spiralibus validis, in spirâ ii.; alterâ posticâ interdum intercalante; anfr. ultimo duabus quoque peripherialibus, quintâ axim circumeunte; costis radiantibus validis, extantibus, circ. xiv., ad suturas contiguis, liris regularibus spiram ascendentibus, ad intersectiones carinarum nodulosis, ad peripheriam continuis; interstitiis quadratis, alte infossatis; aperturâ ovatâ.

Long. 0·26, long. spir. 0·18, lat. 0·10; div. 28°.

Hab. Catalina Is. 8-10 fm. 4; San Diego 1; Monterey, (var.) Cooper.

Genus Rissoa, Freminville.

Rissoa acutelirata, Cpr. n. s.

R. t. tenui, satis turritâ, rufocinereâ, marginibus spiræ parum excurvatis; anfr. nucl. iii. normalibus lævibus, vertice parum mamillato; norm. iii. subrotundatis, suturis valde impressis; liris radiantibus circ. xviii. acutis, distantibus, ad peripheriam evanidis; lirulis acutis spiralibus distantibus circ. xv., quarum vi. in spirâ monstrantur, liris radiantibus et interstitiis latis, undatis, eleganter superantibus, haud nodulosis; basi rotundatâ, haud umbilicatâ; aperturâ ovatâ, peritremati continuo.

Long. 0·09, long. spir. 0·05, lat. 0·05, div. 35°.

Hab. S. Diego; 1 sp. and fragment in shell-washings. Cooper.

Genus Fenella, H. & A. Adams.

Fenella pupoidea, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 389.

F. t. Truncatellæformi, sed apice haud decollato; colore maxime variante; seu unicolori, albido, cinereo, viridescente, rufofusco, seu splendide rubro; seu varie fusco maculato; anfr. nucl. iii. lævibus, globosis, vertice mamillato; norm.[218] v. rotundatis, fere æqualibus, plus minusve solutis, suturis subimpressis; totâ superficie tenue spiraliter striatâ; striis in spirâ majoribus, circ. viii. distantibus, minoribus creberrimis intercalantibus; circa basim rotundatam circ. x. majoribus, contiguis, minoribus paucis; aperturâ circulari, peritremati continuo, solido, ad suturam parum callosam appresso; umbilico nullo.

Long. 0·23, long. spir. 0·16, lat. 0·09, div. 12°.

Hab. Monterey, 20 fm. 45, dead. Cooper.

Genus Amphithalamus,[20] Cpr.

Testa Rissoidea; nucleo magno; apertura labio producto, labro subpostice juncto, subito in adultâ contracta.

Type. Amphithalamus inclusus, Cpr. Br. Assoc. Rep. 1863, p. 656; Ann. Nat. Hist. Jan. 1865.

Hab. Santa Barbara, Jewett; S. Diego, in shell-washings. Cooper.

? Amphithalamus lacunatus, Cpr. n. s.

? A. t. adolescente “A. incluso” simili; nucleo similiter minutissime et confertissime spiraliter et radiatim striulato; sed majore, latiore, anfr. subplanatis; basi late lacunatâ, haud carinatâ; adultâ ?..

Long. 0·06, long. spir. 0·03, lat. 0·03, div. 50°.

Hab. San Pedro. Cooper.

Two dead specimens in the shell-washings of Dr. Palmer’s consignment to the Smithsonian Institute might have been passed over as the young of Barleeia subtenuis, but for the possession of exactly the same remarkable nucleus as A. inclusus. It is presumed, therefore, that they are congeneric; if so, the adult has not been seen.

Genus Diala, H. & A. Adams.

Diala acuta, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 390.

D. t. parvâ, turrito-conicâ, cerinâ, politâ, nitente; anfr. nucl. ii. naticoideis, vertice mamillato, apice indistincto; norm. v., omnino planatis, suturis indistinctis; peripheriâ acute angulatâ, vix carinatâ; basi omnino planatâ; aperturâ subquadratâ; peritremati continuo; labro postice paullum contracto; labio appresso; columellâ antice angulatâ, vix sinuatâ.

Long. 0·15, long. spir. 0·09, lat. 0·07, div. 29°.

Hab. Catalina Is. 8-10 fm.; on beach to Monterey. Cooper.

Diala marmorea, Cpr. n. s.

D. t. solidâ, exacte conicâ, læviâ, nitente; subdiaphane pallidâ, rufo maculatâ; anfr. nucl. rotundatis, planorbeis, sub-oblique sitis, apice celato; norm. vi. planatis, suturis indistinctis; basi planatâ, sub-angulatâ; aperturâ ovali, peritremati continuo, haud varicoso.

Long. 0·17, long. spir. 0·11, lat. 0·08, div. 31°.

Hab. Monterey, S. Pedro; Cooper. Lower California, off Haliotis. Rowell.

[219]

The description is written from a single perfect specimen in Mr. Rowell’s collection, and some fragments from the shell-washings of Dr. Cooper’s.

Genus Styliferina, A. Adams.

Styliferina turrita, Cpr. n. s.

St. t. minimâ, albidâ, solidiore, lævi, turritâ; anfr. nud. iii. subnaticoideis, apice mamillato; norm. v. planatis, angustis, suturis parum impressis; basi subito rotundatâ, haud umbilicatâ; aperturâ subrotundatâ; labro postice parum contracto.

Long. 0·06, long. spir. 0·04, lat. 0·02, div. 20°.

Hab. S. Pedro. Cooper.

A single specimen of this tiny shell was found in the shell-washings of Dr. Palmer’s consignment. The mouth is unfortunately choked up with a grain of coarse sand which I have not been able to extract.

Genus? Jeffreysia, Alder.

? Jeffreysia translucens, Cpr. n. s.

? J. t. “Barleeiæ subtenui” simili, sed tenuiore, tumidiore; corneâ, pallide fulvâ, lævi, nitente, satis diaphanâ; anfr. nucl. normalibus, apice submamillato; norm. iv. subconvexis, suturis distinctis; basi rotundatâ, haud umbilicatâ; aperturâ ovatâ, peritremati vix continuo; labro acuto; labio appresso, regione umbilicari parum calloso.

Long. 0·08, long. spir. 0·045, lat. 0·06, div. 55°.

Hab. S. Diego; in shell-washings. Cooper.

Only one specimen having been seen, without animal or even operculum, the genus is doubtful. In its slight labial deposit it resembles “Litiopa” dubiosa, C. B. Adams.

Genus Cythna, A. Adams.

Cythna albida, Cpr. n. s.

C. t. minutâ, albidâ, lævi, diaphanâ, latâ; anfr. nucl. normalibus, vertice mamillato; norm. iii. tumidis, rotundatis, rapide augentibus, suturis valde impressis; basi rotundatâ, valde umbilicatâ; umbilico subangulato; aperturâ subrotundatâ; peritremati continuo, acuto, t. adultâ nonnunquam à pariete separato.

Long. 0·03, long. spir. 0·015, lat. 0·025, div. 80°.

Hab. S. Pedro; in shell-washings. Cooper.

Known from C. tumens, Maz. Cat. No. 421, by the non-keeling of the umbilicus.

Genus Chrysallida, Cpr.

Chrysallida pumila, Cpr. n. s.

Chr. t. minutâ, angustâ, albâ; vert. nucl. subito immerso, dimidium truncationis tegente; marginibus spiræ parum excurvatis; anfr. norm. iv. planatis, suturis vix distinctis; clathris radiantibus rectis, validis, planatis, circ. xx., marginibus spiræ utroque latere parallelis, sæpius attingentibus, circa basim[220] elongatam, rotundatam continuis; interstitiis lirulis acutis distantibus, haud extantibus, circ. x. decussatis, quarum iv. v. in spirâ monstrantur; aperturâ ovali, peritremati vix continuo; plicâ parietem tenus acutâ, haud celatâ, declivi.

Long. 0·06, long. spir. 0·03, lat. 0·025, div. 12°.

Hab. S. Pedro. Cooper.

One specimen and a few fragments were found in the shell-washings of Dr. Palmer’s consignment. Differs from Chr. ovulum, in its slender shape and delicate spiral sculpture.

Chrysallida cincta, Cpr. n. s.

Chr. t. satis regulari, albâ, marginibus spiræ vix excurvatis; vert. nucl. parvo, celato, dimidium truncationis vix superante; anfr. norm. iv. parum excurvatis, suturis distinctis; costis spiralibus obtusis circ. x, cinctâ, quarum iv. in spirâ monstrantur; costis iii. posticis radiatim subgranulosis, seriebus circ. xv., marginibus spiræ utrinque parallelis, supra quartam subobsoletis; interstitiis latis, delicatim decussatis; basi satis prolongatâ; columellâ antice valde effusâ; plicâ parvâ, medianâ.

Long. 0·11, long. spir. 0·07, lat. 0·05, div. 35°.

Hab. Santa Barbara group of islands. Cooper.

The solitary specimen is probably immature. Intermediate between Chrysallida proper and Mumiola.

Genus Chemnitzia, D’Orbigny.

Chemnitzia chocolata, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 428.

Ch. t. “C. tridentatæ” magnitudine et indole simili; sed teretiore, dense castaneâ, fasciis pallidioribus sub epidermide adhærente ornatâ; anfr. primis gracillimis; vert. nucl. anfr. iii, helicoideis, valde decliviter sito, marginibus spiræ rectis, angustis, haud superante; anfr. norm. xii. planatis, primis tumidioribus, suturis impressis; costis circ. xxviii. rotundatis, validis, circa basim prolongatam haud subito evanidis, anfr. ult. sæpe obsoletis; interstitiis haud æquantibus, haud undatis, haud sulcatis; totâ superficie sub lente minutissime et creberrime spiraliter striulatâ; aperturâ ovali, columellâ parum contortâ, labro intus tenui, haud dentato.

Long. 0·55, long. spir. 0·43, lat. 0·13, div. 17°.

Hab. S. Pedro, S. Diego, Monterey; rare. Cooper.

One specimen, in Dr. Palmer’s consignment, is known from Ch. tridentata by the very effuse spire, prolonged base, and crowded ribs without waved sculpture between.

Chemnitzia subcuspidata, Cpr. State Collection, No. 670, a.

Ch. t. parvâ, minus tereti, cerinâ seu purpureo-fuscâ; anfr. nud. ii. et dimidio, valde decliviter sitis, marginibus spiræ parum excurvatis superantibus; norm. viii. planatis, suturis excavatis; costis radiantibus circ. xviii. acutis, circa basim prolongatam vix continuis, ad suturas valde elevatis, subcuspidatis; interstitiis[221] latioribus, undulatis; sulcis spiralibus creberrimis, altis, in spirâ circ. x., costas vix secantibus, circa basim impressis; peritremati vix continuo, labio distincto; columellâ vix tortâ.

Long. 0·23, long. spir. 0·16, lat. 0·06, div. 25°.

Hab. S. Diego; 25 dredged in shoal water. Cooper.

Differs from the figure of Ch. tenuicula (which represents a shell with more numerous ribs than the diagnosis) in its more distant ribs with broader interstices; closer and deeper spiral sculpture; impressed sutures; and especially by the elegant murication of the tops of the ribs, with projecting, curved lines between. This is best seen in the young shells, when the ribs are distinct over the base.

Genus Eulima, Risso.

Eulima (? var.) compacta, Cpr.

Eu. t. “Eu. micanti,” jun. simili, sed multo minus tereti; marginibus spiræ parum excurvatis; anfr. nucl. ?.., [detritis], norm. vii.; basi et aperturâ elongatis; labro parum sinuato.

Long. 0·25, long. spir. 0·15, lat. 0·09, div. 22°.

Hab. San Pedro; Cooper.

A single dead shell was found in Dr. Palmer’s consignment.

Eulima (? var.) rutila, Cpr.

Eu. t. “Eu. micanti” jun. simili, sed magis tereti; valde nitente, rosaceo et livido tinctâ; anfr. nucl. ut in “Eu. micante;” norm. x. elongatis, gracillimis; basi et aperturâ valde prolongatis; columellâ magis tortâ; labro valde sinuato, supra suturam retrorsum calloso; labio angusto.

Long. 0·26, long. spir. 0·19, lat. 0·07, div. 20°.

Hab. Monterey; Cooper.

Closely allied to Leiostraca producta, Cpr. Maz. Cat. No. 551, but displays no varices. The Eulimidæ are very difficult to distinguish, from a few shells alone.

Genus Scalaria, Lam.

Scalaria bellastriata, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 393, b.

S. t. curtâ tenuissimâ, albidâ; anfr. vii. valde tumentibus, haud nisi per costas attingentibus; costis circ. xvii. acutis extantibus, reflexis, haud semper in spirâ attingentibus, postice angulatis, parum spinosis; interstitiis circa spiram basimque dense spiraliter lirulatis, lirulis rotundatis, super varicum angulum obsoletis; aperturâ ovatâ, umbilico magno.

Long. 0·78, long. spir. 0·55, lat. 0·38; div. 40°.

Hab. Monterey, a fragment; San Diego, 1; San Pedro, 3; Cooper.

So different in sculpture from S. pretiosa and other species with which it agrees in shape, that there will be no difficulty in recognizing perfect specimens.

Scalaria subcoronata, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 393, a.

S. t. compactâ, haud elevatâ, albâ; anfr. x. rotundatis, parum attingentibus;[222] costis circ. xiii. acutissimis, expansis, vix reflexis, postice attingentibus, lineis margini spiræ dextro parallelis spiram, ascendentibus, t. adolesc. postice vix coronatis, adultâ simplicibus; aperturâ subcirculari, umbilico nullo; sculpturâ spirali nullà.

Long. 0·45, long. spir. 0·29, lat. 0·22, div. 38°.

Hab. Monterey; Cooper.

Like S. communis, jun., but with the upper whorls slightly coronated.

Scalaria crebricostata, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, 393.

S. t. gracili, tenui, albâ; anfr. x. rotundatis, haud attingentibus; costis circ. xv., acutis, reflexis, vix attingentibus, lineis irregulariter spiralibus ascendentibus; costis juxta suturam eleganter coronatis; sculpturâ spirali, nisi striulis interdum exillimis, nullâ; aperturâ rotundatâ; umbilico nullo; operculo normali, dense corneo.

Long. 0·70; long. spir. 0·52, lat. 0·18, div. 26°

Hab. Monterey, San Pedro, Cooper, common.

= “Scalaria, unique” Mus. Cum. No. 32.

Somewhat resembles S. tenuis, Sby., but is not so turrited.

Genus Opalia, H. & A. Adams.

Opalia spongiosa, Cpr. n. s.

O. t. turritâ, parvâ, albidâ, marginibus spiræ rectis; anfr. ix. subplanatis, suturis impressis; costis undulantibus circ. xiii., plerumque (nisi ad suturas crenulatas) obsoletis; totà superficie lineis punctorum creberrimis, spiralibus, punctis creberrimis, minutis, altissimis; circa basim imperforatam costa anticâ latissimâ, spirali; aperturâ ovatâ, valde callosâ; operculo aurantiaco, paucispirali.

Long. 0·36, long. spir. 0·26, lat. 0·12, div. 20°.

Hab. Monterey, Cooper. From shell washings.

The solitary specimen has the general aspect of O. granulosa on a very small scale.

Opalia retiporosa, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 1014.

O. t. “O. bullatæ” formâ simulante, sed sculpturâ omnino diversâ; anfr. nucl. ?... (decollatis); norm. vii. subrotundatis, suturis impressis; costis radiantibus rotundatis, subarcuatis, haud varicosis, circ. xiv., super suturas tenue continuis; anfr. ult. seriebus nodulorum spiralibus irregularibus, vice costarum, instructâ, peripheriâ tuberculosâ; totâ superficie retiporosâ, interstitiis alte interpunctatis, punctulis minutissimis, confertissimis; basi vix costatâ, à serie nodulorum angulatâ; aperturâ rotundatâ; peritremati continuo, varicoso; labro haud sinuato; operculo? paucispirali.

Long. 0·28, long. spir. 0·20; lat. 0·10; div. 20°.

Hab. Catalina Island; 3 dead in 40 fm.; Cooper.

The texture has a rotten appearance; yet one of the specimens was stained with purple, and contained the dried remains of the animal, with its operculum. In the endeavor to extract this, the shell gave way.

[223]

Genus Nassa, Lam.

Nassa insculpta, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 1008.

N. t. satis elevatâ, compactâ, tenuiore, elegantissimâ, marginibus spiræ subrectis; albescente, rufo-carneo varie maculatâ; anfr. nucl. iv. lævibus, normaliter augentibus, apice minuto, satis extante; norm. v. subrotundatis, suturis satis impressis; aperturâ subrotundatâ, canali acute reflexâ; totâ superficie sulculis æquidistantibus, quarum x. anfr. penult. apparent, insculptâ; anfr. norm. ii. primis costulis quoque radiantibus circ. xvi. haud expressis ornatâ; labro rotundato, extus varicoso, intus sulcidentato; labio valde calloso, supra basim seu parietem expanso, haud extante, intus ruguloso.

Long. 0·80, long. spir. 0·43, lat. 0·46, div. 45°.

Hab. Catalina Island, 30-40 fm.; 15 mostly alive, but few mature; animal white; Cooper.

This singularly beautiful species probably belongs to the section Zeuxis, H. & A. Adams. The callus is slightly reflexed in the best specimen.

Genus Amycla, H. & A. Adams, 1858. (auctum.)

? Amycla chrysalloidea, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 613.

? A. t. parvà, eleganter effusâ, marginibus spiræ utrinque excurvatis; albidâ, rufofusco concinne punctatâ seu tinctâ; interdum strigâ albida subsuturali, rufofusco tesselatâ; anfr. nucl. iii. lævibus, haud tumidis, apice declivi; norm. v., t. adolescente planatis, dein tumidioribus, suturis distinctis; totâ superficie elegantissime tenuiter sulcatâ, sulcis æquidistantibus, anfr. penult. circ. xx.; aperturâ flexuosâ subpyriformi; canali oblique sinistrorsum truncatâ, axi quasi umbilicatâ; labro intus acuto, postice sinuato, deorsum quasi tumidiore, intus vii-dentato; columellâ tortâ; labio antice rugis paucioribus interdum munito.

Long. 0·37, long. spir. 0·22; lat. 0·14; div. 25°.

Hab. San Pedro, 1 on beach; San Diego, 30, some alive in 8 fms. on sand, in upper part of bay. Cooper.

This is one of the most beautiful, but (without a knowledge of either animal, or operculum) most puzzling of the small shells of California. It has relations with Euryta, Truncaria, Metula, and Daphnella.

Genus Anachis, H. & A. Adams.

Anachis subturrita, Cpr. n. s.

A. t. minuta, angusta, Rissoinoideâ, pallide purpureofuscâ, albido maculosâ; anfr. nucl. ? (decollatis); norm. v. subplanatis, suturis distinctis; costulis radiantibus circ. xx. angustis, vix extantibus, parum flexuosis; sculpturâ spirali nullâ; aperturâ quadratâ; labro acuto deorsum tumente, postice sinuato; labio conspicuo; columellâ tortâ, truncatâ.

Long. 0·13, long. spir. 0·09, lat. 0·05, div. 30°.

Hab. San Diego, Cooper. From shell washings.

The only specimen seen of this tiny species is not quite mature, and has formed no labral teeth.

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Genus Trophon, Montfort.

Trophon triangulatus, Cpr. n. s. State Collection, No. 580, a.

T. t. parvâ, tenui, albâ, postice latâ, antice attenuatâ; anfr. nucl. ii. minutis, lævibus, attenuatis, vertice declivi, celato; norm. (t. adolescente) iv. subtriangulatis, postice tabulatis, axi fere rectangulatis; suturis acute impressis; antice rapidissime angustatis, canali longâ, arcuatâ; varicibus circ. vii. laminalis, acutis, ad angulum in spinam apertam compressis, spinis radiantibus, parum superne arcuatis; lineâ seu angulo obsoleto peripheriali, suturam continuante; aperturâ pyriformi; labro antice haud indentato.

Long. 0·35, long. spir. 0·15, lat. 0·15, div. 70°.

Hab. Catalina Island, 60 fm.; 4 alive, of equal size, Cooper.

Resembles the young of Murex centrifuga, Hds., and is related to Trophon muricatus, Hds.

Besides the above species, which were entirely new to science, the fresh and perfect specimens collected by Dr. Cooper, on the Survey, from authentic localities have enabled me to make out and complete the diagnoses of many species first found indeed by other naturalists, but in such poor condition, or with such uncertainty of habitat, that it would have been unsafe to have ventured on their description.

Remarks on California Trees.

BY HENRY N. BOLANDER.

Note.—Localities given with two !! I have not visited myself. I would also further remark that I am by no means sure of having correctly determined the two oaks—Quercus Douglasii and Garryana.

It may not be altogether amiss to offer some observations on the distribution and value, as specimens, of some of our trees which I have met with on my various trips over a portion of this State.

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1. Pinus Sabiniana, Dougl. (Digger Pine.)

Invariably disposed over south-hillsides of the interior, occupying the driest expositions—Mount Diablo! Russian River Valley! Geysers! Auburn and Forest Hill! San José Valley! Near Mission San Antonio!! Mountains east of San Diego!!

As to its value there are a great many contradictory assertions made by farmers; some assert it yields an excellent wood for yokes and similar objects, while others denounce it as entirely useless.

2. Pinus Lambertiana, Dougl. (Sugar Pine.)

Pine Mountains near Geysers! Near Cloverdale! Forest Hill! Mountains east of San Diego!! Generally with Pinus ponderosa in groves, occupying the damper localities.

3. Pinus ponderosa, Dougl. (Yellow Pine.)

Russian River Valley! south of Clear Lake! Geysers! Auburn and Forest Hill! San José Valley! Blue Mountains!! (Mr. Dunn) Rocky Mountains!! New Mexico!!

4. Pinus insignis. Dougl. (Monterey Pine.)

Monterey! Carmelo Valley!

This species covers many thousand acres of land near and by Monterey and Carmelo, forming quite an extensive forest along the coast between these two places. Height, sixty to one hundred feet, and one to three feet diameter; outline very irregular, consisting often of only a few rigid spreading branches; foliage dense and of a vivid green color; cones persistent, often from ten to nineteen whorls; bark very thick and rimose. Wood extremely resinous and rather coarse-grained; excellent for street planks, bridges, and floors. At present it is no more in the market as lumber; the good timber has been all cut, and the saw-mill removed.

Considering that there is, besides this species, only Pinus muricata growing in that forest, which could not be confounded with the species in question—it is certainly most singular to meet with so many synonyms for it. Pinus radiata, Don.; Pinus Sinclairii and Pinus tuberculata, provided this last should not prove to be a good species. It is the more astonishing since trees and cones are of great conformity throughout the entire forest.

5. Pinus tuberculata, Don.

Santa Cruz! Ukiah! Oakland hills! Forest Hill! Eureka!!

In all these localities, it is a small tree, from twenty to thirty feet high, and from six to fourteen inches in diameter. It retains its lowest branches, which spread generally very much, often horizontally. The foliage seems to me less dense and less vivid-green, than that of the preceding. Young trees raised here, side by side, show the same differential characters. The cones from all these different localities are very uniform, and differ essentially from those of Pinus insignis at Monterey. The seeds, however, resemble each other very much. Both species grow near the coast, but on different soil. Pinus insignis, on a soil produced by the disintegration of a bituminous slate and granite; Pinus tuberculata, in all the above-mentioned localities, on a soil derived from[227] metamorphosed sandstone. Should these two species be definitely united, after a thorough investigation, they would afford a most striking example of the influence of a different soil. It is certainly singular to find such a well-characterized form restricted to one locality only. This fact, however, would not stand isolated with us here; Abies bracteata, we find similarly confined to one locality only in California. Isolation is more or less a characteristic feature with all our trees, and there is probably no country where the influences of soil, climate, and exposition are so well and abruptly marked and unmistakably defined.

6. Pinus muricata, Don.

Monterey! Mendocino City!

In a moist depression at Monterey, I found a small group of this species, averaging about fifteen feet in height, and five to six inches in diameter. Bark reddish and nearly smooth; branches almost at a right angle with the main axis and generally from five to seven in a whorl; leaves of a darker vivid green, and more succulent and longer, than those of Pinus insignis, of which there were trees of the same size by the side of it; cones from three to seven, in a whorl very much aggregated and clustered. I counted seventeen whorls on a tree fifteen feet high. The lower portion of the trunk was clad with dead leaves.

At the same distance (about two miles) from the ocean, and scarcely a mile from the above-mentioned depression, I found another group (mixed with Cupressus macrocarpa) in a deeper but drier locality. Here the tree was altogether of a different aspect, inferior in all its parts. This very transition suggested strongly, that this pine and the one previously seen on the plains near Mendocino City, on a similar soil, might be of the same species.

Near Mendocino City, on the so-called plains, I found in great abundance a small pine tree, which I refer for the present to this species.

Height, five to twenty feet, but the greater number averaged only from five to fifteen feet. Only one tree which I noticed which was fifty-five inches in circumference, and twenty to twenty-five feet in height. It had a flattish top with the branches very much imbricated and so completely covered with cones, that it was really difficult to discover its foliage. But this tree was very exceptional, compared with the mass of little trees covering the plains. These had in general upright branches with numerous and slender branchlets; leaves shorter, denser, and of a darker green than Pinus contorta? which grows with it and is a larger tree altogether; bark reddish, very thin, exhaling a strong resinous odor, and but slightly rimose; cones two to four inches long (curved when long) and scarcely an inch thick, mostly in pairs, but sometimes in threes, reflexed. I counted fifteen sets of cones on a tree fifteen feet high.

7. Pinus contorta, Dougl.?

Head of Tomales Bay! Mendocino City!

Its manner of growth resembles that of Pinus insignis very much. It attains the same height, has the same irregular spreading branches, the same thick rimose bark and very resinous wood. The leaves are invariably in pairs and slightly silvery on the lower surface. The cones are scarcely two inches long with mostly reflex pedicles (umbo) on the slightly gibbous side and persistent for a great number of years.

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From the River Albin to Mendocino City, it grows quite near the coast on a fertile and undulating plain, gently descending towards the ocean. At Mendocino City I found it to extend all over the plains about eight miles eastward.

Whether this species is identical with Pinus contorta or not I am unable to decide. Observations made by Mr. Geo. Wm. Dunn, on his recent travels through the Blue and Siskiyou mountains, have rather a tendency to show that Pinus contorta is altogether a different tree. I can state, however, most positively that this species cannot be confounded with Pinus muricata. Both species are two-leaved, but in every other respect they differ widely. The object of these remarks is only to point out the different species, met in my travels, and not to decide which name should have precedence. Murray’s discussion on the distribution of our Pines, in his “Notes on California Trees,” has not “struck” me as being so very correct. Endlicher, in his Synopsis Coniferarum, makes Pinus muricata a Taeda, which is also incorrect; it is a true Pinaster. It remains to decide only, whether the species at Mendocino City is P. contorta, or P. Murrayana, Balf.

8. Libocedrus decurrens, Torr. (California White Cedar.)

Forest Hill! (forming quite a large woods there). Rancheria Creek! Mendocino County. East of Salinas River, Monterey County. Dr. Canfield. East of San Diego!!

On the banks of Rancheria Creek, in the south-western part of Mendocino County, I found a small colony of this handsome tree. The largest were about forty to sixty feet high and two to three feet in diameter. Judging from the young after-growth, the tree seems likely to spread. I was informed that this is the only place in the county where it is to be found. In the latter part of September (1865) the tree had its aments strongly developed. Cones decidedly pendulous.

9. Cupressus macrocarpa, Hartw. (Monterey Cypress.)

Monterey! Tamal Pais (2,700 feet)! Mendocino City! and south-east of Clear Lake!

This species seems to be extremely variable. At Monterey, about two miles from the coast, I saw, upon exposed granite rocks, but slightly disintegrated, specimens only six inches high, bearing perfect cones. Going westward, at the same distance from the ocean, I found specimens in a depression associated with Pinus muricata, from ten to fifteen feet high, full with cones; and extending my walk to Cypress Point, a distance of three to four miles, I was surprised to find a large grove of this species, containing mostly large trees of great beauty and perfection. The average height may be from forty to sixty feet, and as they were (right at the point) almost all alike in thickness, I measured but three, finding their circumference to be one hundred and nineteen, one hundred and four, and one hundred and twenty inches, about four feet above the ground. At this point these trees are almost daily enveloped in a dense fog. Their branches are very densely imbricated and depressed, retaining the moisture to such an extent that the thick clusters of cones are quite mouldy. Between the cones and little dense branchlets settles a great deal of rubbish, which is almost dripping wet. It is undoubtedly owing to this very fact that so many seeds of this species, collected there, prove abortive.

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Seeing so great a variation at Monterey, I do not hesitate to refer all specimens, seen at the other localities mentioned above, to this species at present.

On the plain near Mendocino City, that species exhibited about the same gradations, although not so strikingly as at Monterey.

10. Torreya Californica, Torr. (California Nutmeg.)

Paper Mill! Marin County. Ukiah! Mendocino City! Forest Hill!

Generally dispersed, only at Ukiah I found quite a group of this species. Wood valuable.

11. Taxus brevifolia, Nutt. (California Yew-Tree.)

Devil’s Cañon, near Forest Hill! A handsome tree, twenty to thirty feet high, with extremely slender and drooping branches. Dispersed but plenty.

Wood valuable.

12. Quercus agrifolia, Nées. (Live Oak.)

Oakland! Banks of Sacramento River! Clear Lake! Russian River Valley! Anderson Valley! Monterey!

Foliage extremely variable. On river banks and in expositions close to the coast, where it is almost daily enveloped in fogs, this species exhibits quite a uniformity; the figure of Quercus oxyadenia in Sitgreaves’ Report represents this form of it very well. In the valleys of the interior the shape of the leaves of one and the same tree is very different. Some have entire margins, while others have them pretty deeply dentated, often one side is entire and the other dentate. Some trees occur of which the young shoots have the leaves “coarsely sinuate-toothed, or obliquely sinuate-toothed; teeth very sharply acute with a broad base, cuspidate-awned,” and thus agree with Dr. Kellogg’s Quercus Morehus—while the older branches have much smaller and entire leaves. In Anderson Valley I saw several trees whose entire foliage agrees admirably with Dr. Kellogg’s. Had I not seen that tree on the shore of Borax Lake exhibiting both forms, I should be inclined to call it a good species. The cups of the acorns of these trees have the scales long and loosely imbricated, and the acorn is almost entirely immerged; but this is also the case with those of some trees that have a far different foliage. Thus far I have not been able to find good, distinctive, reliable characters. There are transitions in all parts, even on the same tree. As the tree has the habit of growing in groups, one might suppose that trees of one group, at least, should show a uniformity in botanical characters; this is not so: just the very extremes may be found in one and the same group. This phenomenon I observed throughout the whole length of Anderson Valley, a distance of some eighteen miles. On dry gravelly hillsides in the interior this tree presents still another form: Quercus Wislizeni, Englm.

The acorns ripen annually and differ also essentially in shape and size. Soil, climate, and exposition, offer in this case no satisfactory explanation for so great a variation in one species. Should it not be attributed to intrinsic peculiarities?

13. Quercus Garryana, Hook. (White Oak.)

On dry easterly hillsides and in valleys on a poor buff-colored clay. Santa Rosa Valley! Clear Lake! Searsville! Anderson Valley! San José Valley!

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Exposition and soil agree in all these localities.

The bark of this tree is rather thin, whitish, and less coarsely rimose than any other of the Californian oaks. It is always a flat-topped, middle-sized tree, apparently of a very slow, almost stunted, growth. The whitish bark of trunk and branches, the glaucous foliage, and the light-green color of the acorns, which it yields, however, quite sparingly, give this tree, compared with other oaks especially, quite a pale and hoary appearance.

Farmers consider the fine-grained wood of this oak very valuable for many farming implements. It ranks highest among our oaks.

14. Quercus Douglasii, Hook. (Pale Oak.)

Anderson Valley!

The general aspect and habit of this tree resembles very much that of Quercus lobata, with which it grows in the low, flat portions of Anderson Valley. Its branchlets, however, are short, rigid, and erect, while those of Qu. lobata are mostly drooping. In fall, when laden with acorns, it presents a very striking difference by having its rather pale acorns densely aggregated and clustered at the extremities of the branchlets, resting, as it were, on the dark-green leaves. At a distance it may be mistaken for a full-bearing apple tree. It increases rapidly in number in Anderson Valley from south to north, outnumbering almost every other oak at the lower end of the valley. Its wood ranks next to that of Quercus Douglasii.

15. Quercus lobata, Nées. (Burr-Oak.)

The most common and largest oak in all the valleys of the interior of California. Thus far, I never found it on a hillside. It is this mighty oak, with its peculiar, gracefully-drooping branchlets, that gives character to the landscape of the Californian valleys. It is especially noted for its very long acorns; but they do not always attain that large size, and are never so conspicuously arranged as those of Qu. Garryana; they are usually in pairs. It may also be stated that this tree forms, on an average, about the longest trunk of Californian foliaceous trees. The acorns of this species form a principal part of the food of the Indians. On the Coast Range they seem to give, however, preference to those of Quercus Sonomensis. The wood ranks next to that of the preceding species.

These above-mentioned three species of oaks, belonging to the section of white oaks, are surely distinct. I met with no transitions thus far. They may be distinguished at a distance; every farmer distinguishes them, for there is quite a difference in the quality of the wood.

16. Quercus Sonomensis, Benth. (Black Oak.)

San Diego!! Anderson Valley! Auburn!

Eastern and northern hillsides in the Coast Ranges. It also occupies the more easterly-situated flats, among the redwoods, wherever they are too dry for redwood. Very seldom it is found in the valley; and when found, it occupies that portion of it which is adjacent to the hillsides, where there is generally a gravelly soil. It is always a middle-sized tree, having mostly numerous erect branches arranged like those of Acer saccharinum. In fall it sheds its leaves,[231] which become buff-colored, before any other of our deciduous oaks. The wood of this tree is of a poor quality; used for fuel only.

17. Quercus chrysolepis, Liebm. (Drooping Live Oak.)

The most rare of all our oaks; it bears acorns but seldom, and even then very sparingly. I have not been able to satisfy myself whether they are biannual or not, but I am rather inclined to believe they are. Northern slopes near Cloverdale! in Anderson Valley! and near Forest Hill! Tree 30-40 feet high, with a rather smooth whitish bark, and mostly long, slender, drooping branches; evergreen. Of the quality of its wood I could not learn anything from settlers. The tree being rare, and occupying always moist slopes along gulches, it is not often cut down.

18. Quercus densiflora, Hook. (Chestnut Oak.)

Along the Coast Range, associated with the redwood, increasing northwards; from Santa Cruz to Mendocino City, at least, it occurs only in or close by the redwoods. This tree attains rather a large height in dense woods, and is then but sparingly branched. Leaves and acorns very considerable. Its wood is absolutely useless; it is very coarse grained, and like the redwood wet like a sponge when cut; it is extremely perishable. At Mendocino City log-men call it Water Oak.

19. Castanea chrysophylla, Dougl. (Chestnut.)

On the Oakland hills this species is but 3-6 feet high; blooms about the fourth of July, like the Eastern Castanea vesca, and bears perfect fruit. On the so-called plains at Mendocino City, however, it is a large tree, averaging from 50-125 feet in height, and 2-3 feet in diameter. Those trees were completely covered with blossoms on the twenty-third of September, 1865; settlers say they never found its fruit. Here, on the Oakland hills, it grows only on the outcropping of a white friable slate, destitute of all vegetable remains; at the Mendocino plains it is found to grow on a cemented gravel, upon which the water rests for some months after the rainy season. The supply of an aerial moisture during the dry season is in favor of the Oakland hills, judging by the lichenose vegetation of the two localities.

20. Sequoia sempervirens, Endl. (Redwood.)

This mighty tree belongs exclusively to the foggy regions of the Coast Ranges and the underlying metamorphic sandstone, for wherever either of these conditions is wanting, this tree does not exist. From the northern boundary line of the State down to the head of Tomales Bay it forms a continual forest, increasing in width northward. At Tomales Bay the chain is interrupted by a small bed of lime-rock. The interruption extending from the lower foot-hills of Tamalpais down to Belmont, is undoubtedly owing to the lowness of the hills. A connecting link is found, however, on the Oakland hills. That grove of redwoods, now almost entirely destroyed, affords the strongest evidences of the dependency of that species on the prevalence of heavy mists. From Belmont to a few miles below Santa Cruz is another narrow continuous chain, occupying mainly the leesides of the most western ranges and the deeper gulches eastward.[232] From near the mouth of Salinas River to the head of Carmelo Valley, another long interruption is caused by a bituminous slate. The absence of redwood in this long interval can hardly be ascribed to any other cause, for it is known that Monterey and the adjacent regions are subject to heavier fogs than Santa Cruz. Pinus insignis and Cupressus macrocarpa occupy here those portions naturally belonging to the redwood and Tsuga Douglasii. Further south, from the head of Carmelo Valley to San Luis Obispo, the most southern limit, redwood occurs but sparingly, forming nowhere extensive groves. Associated with the redwood we find Tsuga Douglasii, a tree of a wide range, Torreya Californica, Arbutus Menziesii, Quercus densiflora, and in Mendocino County Abies grandis Dougl. There are also some shrubs and herbaceous plants truly characteristic to them, the shrubs increasing as underwood northward, belong mostly to the Ericaceous family. It is a noteworthy fact that the arborescent growth of the leeside of the first range of hills generally consists, almost exclusively, of Tsuga Douglasii, and that this tree forms the outskirt east and particularly westward. In Mendocino County Abies grandis unites with it for the same cause; there both trees form a dense belt, facing the ocean, and are encroaching fast on the redwood. In fact, the western portion of those redwoods show this encroachment most strikingly by a total absence of young redwood, and a dense, almost impenetrable, undergrowth of the two-mentioned species. The order of things is, however, reversed wherever the redwood has been cut. Its roots are imperishable, and as soon as the tree is cut they sprout and cover the soil rapidly to the exclusion of every other species—none being of so rapid a growth. The indestructibility of the roots prevents the clearing of such land; even large trunks cut down cover themselves, within two or three years, so completely with sprouts that they are hardly seen. The entire after growth now found on the Oakland hills, is owing solely to the indestructibility of its roots and stumps. The tenacity of life in this species, which is rather of rare occurrence in coniferous trees, shows itself also in the resistance it offers to fire, so frequent in those woods. Trees that have been bereft completely of their branches by fire, covered themselves in a few years entirely with young sprouts, giving the trunks the appearance of a pillar, or remind one of those old trunks covered with Rhus toxicodendron in the East. Fire is destructive to the young trees only; after they have obtained a thickness of two or three feet they are not liable to perish.

Another great beneficial feature in this species is the great power it possesses in condensing fogs and mists. A heavy fog is always turned into a rain, wetting the soil and supplying springs with water during the dry season. Springs in and near the redwoods are never in want of a good supply of water, and crops on the Coast Ranges are not liable to fail. The year of 1864 has proved my assertion beyond doubt; this fact is generally known—a great deal of land has been taken up since. It is my firm conviction that if the redwoods are destroyed—and they necessarily will be, if not protected by a wise action of our Government—California will become a desert, in the true sense of the word. In their safety depends the future welfare of the State; they are our safeguard. It remains to be seen whether we shall be benefited or not by the horrible[233] experience such countries as Asia Minor, Greece, Spain, and France have made, by having barbarously destroyed their woods and forests. But with us here it is even of a more serious nature; wise governments would be able to replace them in those countries, but no power on earth can restore the woods of California when once completely destroyed!

Notice of a peculiar Astringent Gum or Coloring Substance in the Cones of the Sequoia gigantea.

BY WILLIAM P. BLAKE.

I am not aware that any notice has yet been taken by scientific chemists of a peculiar substance, apparently a gum, which accompanies the seeds of the great trees, and may be shaken out of the dried cones. About twenty cones yielded me an ounce of the material. It does not adhere to either the seeds or the cone, but appears to have shrunk from both in drying. It falls out in loose broken grains with brilliant conchoidal fractured surfaces, and looks a little like dried blood. The color is purplish-red, nearly black by reflected light, and a brilliant carmine-red by transmitted.

The taste is strongly astringent, and suggests tannin; it is somewhat bitter, and is similar also to that of very strong black tea. It softens and becomes gummy between the teeth. It dissolves completely in water and in ordinary alcohol, giving a brilliant claret-colored solution which gradually darkens by exposure to the air. The addition of carbonate of soda darkens the solution and lime-water turns it black, giving a black scaly precipitate. Dilute sulphuric acid reddens the solution and causes a red precipitate.

It is in many respects similar to the kino of the shops, but has a brighter colored powder and streaks. The kino that I have seen has a brownish-red streak; this substance gives a purplish-red.

The reactions with alkalies and acids in respect to color are similar to those of green redwood boards, which may be stained as dark as rosewood by alkalies and red by acids.

This substance may be found to have some peculiar value in pharmacy, or as a coloring matter for tinctures or wine. I hope that this notice will induce a thorough investigation of its nature and properties. If it proves to be new, I suggest that it shall be known as Sequonin.

Ammonites in the Auriferous Slates of California.

BY WILLIAM P. BLAKE.

Ammonites occur in the gold-bearing slates of Bear Valley, Mariposa County, in addition to belemnites and other fossils already noted. The specimen I have seen is a cast, somewhat distorted by pressure, but apparently similar to the species from the slates on the American River, which I brought to the notice of the academy last year.

Memorial Sketch of Thomas Bridges, Esq., F.L.S., F.Z.S., and Member of the Cala. Acad. Sci.

BY W. H. DALL, ACTING DIRECTOR SCI. CORPS, W. U. T. EX.

Mr. Bridges was born at Lilly in Hertfordshire, England, on the twenty-second of May, 1807.

At an early age he became interested in Natural History, and when about nineteen or twenty—having previously studied for some three years under Sir William Hooker, at Kew Gardens—he sailed for Valparaiso. He remained here or passed the time in some of the adjoining provinces, from 1827 to 1844, when he returned to England on a short visit. On again reaching South America, he undertook the explorations in Bolivia, so well known to naturalists, through their magnificent results. During the course of this journey, in June, 1845, he discovered and obtained seeds of the great South American Water Lily, the Victoria Regia, Lindley. Although the plant had previously been detected, to Mr. Bridges belonged the honor of first introducing it into the old world, by transporting seeds which subsequently germinated at Kew.

In 1846, he returned to England, where for many months he was prostrated by severe illness contracted in his arduous explorations.

In 1847, he was married to Miss Mary Benson, of Bristol, England, a niece of the eminent collector, the late Hugh Cuming. Soon after he proceeded again to Valparaiso.

In 1851, he visited and explored the island of Juan Fernandez.

In the report of Lieut. Herndon, U. S. N., on his explorations of the Amazon, he acknowledges his obligations to Mr. Bridges, for invaluable information furnished, in regard to the head-waters of that river.

In 1855, he proceeded to Panama, remaining there some six months; and from thence to England, subsequently to France, and finally to California, where he arrived in November, 1856.

About 1857, he went to British Columbia, and remained nearly two years, collecting and exploring. In the winter of 1858, his family, hitherto in Europe,[237] rejoined him. Since then San Francisco has been his home, though travelling in many parts of California.

In April, 1865, he undertook his ill-starred journey to Nicaragua. His explorations here were limited principally to the lake country, where he passed some five months exploring the dense and tangled jungles of the vicinity; ascending the volcanoes of Mombacho and Ometepec, and visiting Leon and Granada. In June, he met at San Juan del Sur, our well-known botanist, Dr. Torry, on his way to San Francisco. These two kindred spirits passed several pleasant days together.

He left Nicaragua on the steamship Moses Taylor, Capt Blethen, on the third of September, 1865, apparently in perfect health. On the fifth, the effects of the insidious malaria of the country were evident. On the ninth, he died; being fifty-eight years old. On the seventeenth, the body arrived in San Francisco, and was afterwards interred at Lone Mountain Cemetery. He leaves a widow, two daughters, and three sons.

Mr. Bridges was of a singularly retiring and modest disposition, and very few publications of his own remain to attest his devotion to Natural Science. But works in every branch of study, particularly of Professor Lindley, and Sir William Hooker, in the department of Botany, bear abundant evidence of his untiring industry and unusual success.

That he died a martyr to his love for Natural History, there is no room for doubt; and his most appropriate memorials are the magnificent evergreens now adorning, through his agency, the groves and avenues of the old world.

With all impartial naturalists, Mr. Bridges and such as he, “who bear the burden and heat of the day,” are entitled to honors; if not precisely of the same character as those due to the students who in their comfortable libraries work up the results of the collector, still to honors quite as high.

During the past year the Herbarium of the Academy has been increased—

1st. By a set of Hall’s Rocky Mountain Plants.

2d. By a collection of plants from the Western States, made by Mr. Elihu Hall.

3d. By a large collection made by Mr. Canby at Wilmington, Del.

4th. By a small collection from M. S. Bebb, Esq., Washington, D. C.

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To the above-mentioned collections, I have added specimens of each plant collected by myself during the past year.

Dr. Kellogg and myself have presented to the Academy quite a number of Australian plants, and both Dr. Kellogg and Mr. Bloomer have assisted me in arranging and classifying our collections.

Notes on Antilocapra Americana, Ord.

BY DR. C. A. CANFIELD, OF MONTEREY.

The following notes were taken from 1855 to 1858, in Monterey County, California, and were communicated to Prof. Baird in 1859.

About the first of January the old bucks all shed their horns. A few days after, one was shot, with two hairy stumps or horn-cores, several inches long, just tipped with growing horn. This was observed to spread upward and downward till the whole of the process of the frontal bone was covered with horn. The “prong” commenced the same process at its tip, and gradually coalesced with the main horn, leaving no suture. As the horn increases in length it curves forward and inward. It takes several months to perfect the new horn. The females possess small curved horns, one to three inches long, sometimes recurving to the skull, which were not proved to be deciduous.

The horn, when shed, leaves a process of the frontal bone, covered with hair, soon replaced as above by horn at the tip. These facts were more minutely observed in two young bucks, reared by hand to the age respectively of one and two years.

These facts would tend to separate the genus Antilocapra from the family Cavicornia, and it may possibly form a family by itself.

Earthquakes in California during 1865.

BY DR. JOHN B. TRASK.

As in the preceding year we have had much frequency in shocks of earthquake, with but trifling damage.

January 9th, 7 h.—A smart shock at Santa Rosa, Sonoma County.

January 19th, 8 h. 8 m.—A light shock at San Francisco.

March 5th, 8 h. 45 m.—A light shock at Visalia, consisting of a tremulous motion, succeeded by a roll or wave after an interval of about four seconds.

March 7th, 23 h.—A smart shock at San Francisco.

March 8th, 6 h. 22 m.—A smart shock at San Francisco.

March 30th, 7 h. 28 m.—A very smart shock at San Francisco; this was felt at Oakland.

April 15th, 0 h. 40 m.—A severe shock occurred at San Diego, consisting of three waves, following each other in quick succession; the shock was preceded with a loud rushing sound.

April 18th, 13 h. 31 m.—A light shock at San Francisco, and noticed at Angel Island and Oakland. This shock was severe at San Juan (south), and felt at precisely the same hour.

April 27th, 15 h. 56 m.—A shock at San Francisco.

May 24th, 3 h. 21 m.—A smart shock at San Francisco, consisting of a single wave. At San Juan (south) the earthquake consisted of two sharp shocks, and at Santa Cruz of one only. At the latter localities it was three and four minutes later than at this city.

September 22d (no hour).—A smart shock occurred at Yreka.

October 1st, 9 h. 15 m.—A very smart shock was felt at Fort Humboldt, and throughout the district of Humboldt Bay.

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October 8th, 12 h. 46 m.—A severe shock at San Francisco. This earthquake was the most violent of any occurring on this peninsula since the American occupancy, but was not sufficiently heavy to do serious damage; all the injuries sustained to property were of a trivial nature, the principal being the demolition of parts of the parapet walls erected above the roofs, to shield the latter in cases of fire in adjoining buildings; the fracture of walls in every instance occurred in insecure buildings, and heavy buildings erected on the made lands of the city front.

At San José, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz, the earthquake appears to have been equally severe as in this city. At Petaluma, on the north, it was also quite severe. At Sacramento the shock was not marked by the same severity as at the other localities mentioned. At Stockton the shock was heavy, but no damage done, nor was there any damage at Sacramento. The shock was severe at Grass Valley.

The direction of the wave in this earthquake was north fifty degrees west; the limited area over which it extended has not furnished sufficient data to calculate its velocity.

This earthquake differs from all others that have occurred in this locality in this particular: the earth continued to vibrate with increasing and again decreasing degrees of force for ten hours, at no time entirely ceasing during this period.

22 h. 1 m., another light shock, consisting of a single vibration.

23 h. 50 m., another shock. After this shock the vibrations of the earth ceased to be noticeable.

October 9th, 10 h. 34 m.—Another light shock.

11 h. 32 m., another shock. After this shock the earth continued to vibrate at intervals till noon of the tenth.

October 13th, 2 h. 5 m.—A smart shock at San Francisco; felt at Oakland and Santa Clara; also at Angel Island.

October 14th, 23 h. 45 m.—Another shock at San Francisco.

October 15th, 3 h. 40 m.—Another shock at San Francisco.

November 24th, 3 h. 45 m.—A smart shock at Watsonville, Santa Cruz Co.

December 7th, 1 h. 15 m.—A light shock at San Francisco.

It is remarkable that no meteoric stones have ever been discovered, either near the Pacific coast or, indeed, so far as we know, anywhere on this side of the Rocky Mountains. Masses of meteoric iron, on the other hand, are known to exist in quite a number of localities, and many of these masses are of very large size.

On page eleven, of the third volume of the Academy’s Proceedings, I have given a list of the localities of meteoric iron known in Arizona and Northern Mexico. This was done in order to attract the attention of explorers and prospectors to these remarkable masses, and in the hope of getting more definite information in regard to some of them. Indeed, some additional items have already been obtained in reference to the masses there noticed.

It is stated by several persons who have visited Southern Arizona, among whom Dr. Horn may especially be mentioned, that it is universally believed, and vouched for by apparently trustworthy explorers, that there are many large masses of iron near the summit of the range next east of Tucson. This is called on the latest map of Arizona, (that published by Mr. Gird) the “Sierra de la Santa Caterina.” Whether this is the same as the “Sierra de la Madera,” mentioned by Velasco, as the locality of “enormous masses of pure iron, between Tucson and Tubac,” I have been unable to ascertain.

Dr. J. B. Trask saw, in August, 1849, a large mass of meteoric iron, at the village of Rio Florida, partly buried in the ground at the corner of the plaza. This may, perhaps, be the same mass mentioned by Mr. Bartlett, as existing “at the Hacienda de Concepcion, on the road from Chihuahua to Rio Florida.” Dr. Trask, however, has a distinct recollection that the mass he saw was at the village of Rio Florida, and not at the Hacienda.

Dr. Veatch saw, in 1849, a large mass of iron at Santa Rosa, Coahuila, which was then in use as an anvil, at a blacksmith’s shop, and was informed that many pieces of native iron had been used there for various purposes. The mass which Dr. Veatch saw, was of about the size of an ordinary anvil. It was said to have been brought from the mountains northwest of the town. This statement corroborates that of Schott, in the Mexican Boundary Report. (Vol. I, Part 2, page 34.)

It is a remarkable fact, considering the abundance of meteoric iron near our borders, that no meteorite, either stony or metallic, has yet been found within the limits of California. The piece of iron from Honcut Creek, found by Dr. Trask, and supposed to be of celestial origin, proved, on careful examination, to be ordinary cast iron. A fragment of the mass was referred to Professor Brush, and pronounced by him not to be meteoric. The existence of a piece of cast iron, in the locality where this was discovered, is not easily explained. In connection with what has just been said of the existence of meteoric iron in California, it should be added, that Dr. J. G. Cooper thinks that he observed some small pieces of native iron on the Mohave River, a little above its sink. By accident no specimen of this supposed meteorite were saved, so that it is not possible to say that Dr. Cooper may not have been mistaken. The attention of explorers in that region is invited to this supposed locality.

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An additional reason for believing Dr. Cooper’s observations to be correct is, that the locality lies in the prolongation of the path or belt in which a considerable number of masses of meteoric iron have already been found. It is certainly either a very interesting fact, or else a remarkable coincidence, that the localities of meteoric iron in Arizona and northern Mexico, lie nearly in a straight line with each other, which line extends from northwest to southeast, for a distance of twelve hundred and fifty miles, or from the Colorado River, at La Paz, to the province of San Luis Potosi, in Mexico. Along this line, at points from two hundred to two hundred and fifty miles apart, in some places one mass of iron, and in others quite a number of them, have fallen, indicating very strongly a common origin for the whole, or that they may all be fragments of one immense meteor which passed diagonally across the continent, throwing off masses in its progress. The large mass of iron discovered by Dr. Evans, on Bald Mountain, near Port Orford, in Oregon, is in a locality not far distant from the path of the supposed meteor.

The belt of meteoric iron masses may also be prolonged much farther to the south, through Mexico, and in the same general southeasterly direction, as far as the province of Oaxaca. The localities in the provinces of Durango, Zacatecas, Mexico, and Oaxaca lie very nearly in the same northwest-southeast direction from each other; but are in a line a little to the west of the main belt which has been traced down from the Colorado River. It is certain that the central part of Mexico has been highly favored in respect to the distribution of meteoric iron masses, which are not only of frequent occurrence, but often of large size. Perhaps it may be not too wild a speculation to suggest, that the grand disruption of the meteor may have taken place in this part of its course, and that the fragments were scattered far and wide in all directions. It certainly seems difficult to account for the peculiar position of the masses of iron found on the Pacific side of the continent, and their great abundance in central Mexico, on any other theory than the one which has here been suggested.

Authorities are not at hand for comparing the chemical composition of all the masses belonging to this series, or belt, which have been analyzed; but it is my impression that those meteoric irons which have been examined do resemble each other sufficiently, in the nature and proportion of the ingredients they contain, to add to the probability of their having had a common origin. The specimens thus far analyzed do not represent more than half the localities known to exist. A farther and more complete investigation of the physical and chemical character of all the meteoric masses of Arizona and Mexico, with reference to the possibility of their being originally parts of one body, is suggested as an interesting subject for those specially devoted to this class of researches.

Resolved, That any Corresponding Member who may take up his residence in this city, may become a Resident Member, on notifying the Recording Secretary that such is his wish.

Note on Octopus punctatus, Gabb.

BY W. H. DALL, ACTING DIRECTOR SCI. CORPS W. U. T. EX.

A half-decayed specimen of this species, (described by Mr. Gabb, in Proc. Cal. Acad., Ap. 7th, 1862) discovered in some alcoholic miscellanea, recently, afforded the following observations.

The buccal plates or mandibles, resemble those of O. tuberculatus, Blainv. [Woodw. Man. Pl. I. Fig. 2] but are more produced longitudinally. They are black and very brittle.

(Fig. 27.)

Dental formula, 3·3·3 (Fig. 27, A), or 1/(1×1)·2·1·

Rhachis armed with one central quinquedentate tooth, and two lateral, simple, denticles; the insertion of all is broadly arcuate. The pleuræ are provided each with two simple recurved uncini and one rhomboidal plate with a small recurved hook. The central rhachidian tooth is occasionally irregular. (Fig. 27, L, X). When immature, the dental laminæ are without color, more slender, compressed, and the dentations are less distinct. (Fig. 27, ‛L.) Immature rows, about 15, perfect 60, worn and broken 25, total 100. Mag. 100 diameters. Length of specimen 3 feet. Locality, near San Francisco. From the market.

Notice of Geological Explorations in Northern Mexico.

BY A. RÉMOND.

[Compiled from his notes, and prepared for publication, by J. D. Whitney.]

1. Preliminary Remarks.

The mountainous region comprising the central and western portion of Northern Mexico, belongs to the four States of Durango, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora. Considering how celebrated this portion of Mexico has become for its mines and metalliferous veins, and how much has been written about it, it is surprising how little exact information has hitherto been obtained with regard to either its geography or geology. On comparing the principal published maps[21] of the region in question, it will be seen at once how much they differ from each other in their delineations of even its main topographical features, while the details are entirely wanting.

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The name of the “Sierra Madre” is usually applied to the main range of mountains of this country, or the western border of the plateau which stretches north through the territories of the United States, forming what may be called the great orographical feature of the continent. In Northwestern Mexico this crumpled border of the great plateau comprises an extensive mountainous region, by no means forming a continuous single chain, but rather several central ranges, with associated groups of parallel ridges, all having the same general course, which is approximately north-northwest, and south-southeast. As the breadth of the chain widens as we go towards the north, so, too, that of the valleys increases in that direction, the whole system of mountains and valleys spreading out in something like a fan shape.

Going north, the chain appears to sink gradually, although determinations of altitude in Northern Mexico are extremely few in number. It is certain that there is, in about latitude 32°, a depression of the mountain ranges which extends entirely across the continent, and which would enable the traveler to cross from the Atlantic to the Pacific, without necessarily surmounting any elevation greater than four thousand feet.[22] The southeastern range is the highest, and the culminating point is said to be the Cerro de Cuiteco, sixty leagues northeast of Jesus Maria, on the western border of Chihuahua. The approximate altitude of the Cumbre de Basascachic is seven thousand four hundred and twenty-nine feet, and that of Guadalupe y Calvo, seven thousand eight hundred and twenty-five feet. To the north, the ranges east of Sahuaripa are also very high; but they have never been measured. No peaks or ridges, however, in this portion of Mexico attain anything like the elevation of the higher portion of the Sierra Nevada, few if any points exceeding ten thousand feet in altitude.

The direction of the sierra is nearly that of a line connecting some of the best mining districts in Mexico, which are situated on or very near the summit of the mountains. These districts are the following, enumerating them in their geographical order from the south towards the north: In Durango, San Antonio de las Ventanas, Guarisamey, and San Dimas, remarkable for their auriferous silver ores, and sixty-two Mexican leagues northeast of Mazatlan; in Chihuahua, Guadalupe y Calvo, and San Pedro de Batopilas, yielding fine specimens of native silver; also, Jesus Maria, in the same State, and the Real del la Cieneguita, Sonora, with silver and gold mines.

2. General Geology.

The geological structure of the occidental slope of the Sierra Madre, as well as that of the other parts of this great chain, is exceedingly interesting, and, as yet but very little known, notwithstanding the valuable investigations of Humboldt and other eminent men; for, up to the present time, the age of the different formations has never been fixed with any degree of accuracy, from want of materials and of sufficient observations. In 1863, 1864, and 1865, however, I explored quite a number of localities in northwestern Mexico, and was thus[246] enabled to obtain a pretty good general idea of the geology of that region; and, in Sonora, to which my attention was especially devoted, I succeeded in finding fossils in sufficient quantity to allow of the determination of the age of the principal formations of the northern Sierra Madre. By tracing the connection of these rocks with those of Central Mexico, additional light will be thrown on those districts of which, at present, but little is definitely known.

The igneous rocks, which occur more abundantly on the Pacific slope, are granites, either fine or very coarse-grained; porphyries, more or less feldspathic; and greenstones, all of which are cut by numerous dykes of extremely varied character. The granites, however, are very poor in veins of the precious metals, while the porphyries are highly metalliferous. In Sinaloa (Candelero) and Durango (San Dimas) we see that the granites underlie the metalliferous porphyries, and that the greenstones, in Sonora, (near Hermosillo and in the vicinity of La Haciendita) penetrate through them.

The oldest sedimentary rocks, which I have observed, belong to the Carboniferous series; this is represented in the eastern part of Sonora, by heavy masses of limestone, forming very high and rugged ridges, running a little west of north. The upturned strata are seen, in many places, to rest on granite. Argentiferous veins occur throughout this formation.

The next group of sedimentary rocks, in order, is the Triassic; this forms isolated mountain groups in Sonora, and offers an interesting field for investigation. Instead of limestones, it is made up of heavy beds of quartzites and conglomerates, with coal-bearing clay shales; all of these are disturbed and elevated, and rest on greenstones, feldspathic porphyries, or granite. Wherever metamorphosed, the Triassic rocks are auriferous and contain veins of silver ores. The metamorphic slates and limestones of the Altar and Magdalena districts, which include the richest gold placers of Sonora, may possibly be of Triassic age; but the fossils collected are too imperfect to admit of this being determined. There are some reasons for believing those rocks to be rather of Jurassic than of Triassic age, as they differ in lithological characters from both the Triassic and Carboniferous of Northern Mexico, resembling, rather, the Jurassic gold-bearing slates of the Sierra Nevada, in California; besides, they lie outside and to the west of the Sierra Madre. It may also be noticed that the gold which they furnish does not resemble that obtained from the Triassic strata.

The Cretaceous period is also represented at the foot of the Sierra Madre, at Arivechi, in Sonora. The strata belonging to this series are chiefly argillaceous shales, and they rest upon porphyries and Carboniferous limestone. They have been disturbed and elevated since their deposition. The fossils, which they contain in great number and in a fine state of preservation, will be noticed farther on.

All the above mentioned formations were already in existence before the first eruption of the volcanic rocks took place. These latter are found scattered along the whole Pacific coast, and extend from the Gulf of California up to the very summit of the sierra. It is very interesting to see the volcanic formations spread over so extensive a region, especially as there are no active volcanoes known in Northern Mexico, and not even any indications of ancient craters or vents.

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The lithological character of the eruptive materials is extremely varied, and there seem to have been several periods of igneous action preceded by as many disturbances of the strata, all of which took place after the close of the Cretaceous epoch. Three different series of volcanic rocks may be observed in Sinaloa and Sonora, unconformable with each other; and these may again be subdivided into groups, after a thorough examination has been made of the extensive suite of specimens which has been collected. The lower, or oldest series, affords several hundred varieties of porphyries, characterized by crystals of feldspar or augite. There are also very peculiar trachytic rocks, resembling granite in appearance. These volcanic materials occur in beds or in masses, and are frequently cut by dykes; but they are quite destitute of veins containing gold or silver, the only metalliferous ores they contain being those of copper (?) and iron, and these in small quantity. Various volcanic ridges in Sonora belong to this class. The second series consists of extensive beds of micaceous, trachytic tufas, and breccias, all more or less uplifted since their deposition, and covering the different igneous and sedimentary formations as well as the older volcanic porphyries. These attain a great thickness, between San Dimas and San Ignacio, in Durango and Sinaloa.

Above these formations occur ancient alluvial deposits, with bones of extinct animals (elephants) at two localities; near La Noria, northeast of Mazatlan, and in the Arroya de la Palma, two leagues east of La Casita, in Sonora.

Sheets of basaltic lavas, somewhat similar to those of California, and probably of the same age, forming with tufas the upper volcanic series, overlie the other formations, occupying a nearly horizontal position.

The most recent formation is that of the terrace deposits of sand and gravel, which occur in Sonora.

Having thus given a general sketch of the principal groups of rocks developed in the region in question, I pass to a more detailed description of the different formations.

Granites.

Underlying all the rocks in Durango and Sinaloa, and probably posterior to the Carboniferous limestones, which they have in places extensively metamorphosed, are masses of granite. These may be seen in many places between the coast and San Dimas, either occupying the bottoms of the valleys, or forming independent hills. There are two well-marked varieties: Of these the first are syenites, more or less fine-grained, and consisting of a mixture of feldspar, variously colored, quartz, black or green hornblende, and black or brown mica, the latter usually in hexagonal plates. Localities of this variety are: Haval, Las Higueras, San Ignacio, Santa Apolonia, Candelero, La Noria, Zaragoza, etc., in Sinaloa; San Marcial and Tecoripa valleys, Hermosillo, in Sonora. The other variety is either very coarse-grained, consisting of white feldspar, gray quartz, and plates of silvery mica, or else finer grained, and chiefly made up of feldspar; these occur, forming mountains and ridges in Sonora, in the Sierra del Amolé, near La Magdalena, Sierra del Espinaso Prieto, near Hermosillo, and the Sierra de Mazatan, south of Ures. The fine-grained granites contain[248] argentiferous veins at Zaragoza, in Sinaloa, and east of Topisco, in Sonora. These are traversed by numerous intersecting dykes of diorite, feldspar, and quartziferous and feldspathic porphyries, especially well seen near Hermosillo, and the Cajon de los Carrisos, east of San Antonio de la Huerta. There are no metalliferous veins where the granite is thus intersected by dykes.

Metalliferous Porphyries.

These may be divided into two groups. The first consists of a rock occurring in large irregular masses or beds, and having a dark colored argillaceous base, through which are disseminated small crystals of whitish feldspar. This variety, which is probably older than the granites, includes some of the richest mines of the Sierra Madre; as those of Candelaria, Bolaños, Cinco Señores, etc., near San Dimas, in Durango; and which have yielded over $20,000,000. There are also rich veins in this kind of rock at Candelero, fifty-two leagues northeast of Mazatlan, in Sinaloa. All these veins run northeast and southwest, and are cut at right angles by dykes. The second variety of porphyry is a gray feldspathic rock, apparently made up of labradorite and magnetic iron ore; this overlies the greenstones, and is covered by the Triassic beds at Los Bronces and San Javier, where there are three systems of argentiferous veins. The Nahuila mine, one of the best in Sonora, is in this rock.

Metamorphic Rocks.

Heavy masses of metamorphic rocks may be seen at various localities in Sinaloa and Durango (Tecomate, Tenchoquelite, Arroyo del Ciruelo, Arroyo de San Vincente) resting either on the granites or the metalliferous porphyries. These rocks occur in masses or beds, sometimes distinctly stratified, and sometimes without any traces of the original bedding. They are always much altered and broken up. Their lithological characters are not well marked, although the series is easily recognized. The rocks referred to in this division, are usually fine-grained, of a greenish or bluish color, when not too much decomposed, and somewhat argillaceous in composition. At the base they pass into porphyries. The argentiferous veins cut both the metamorphic and the porphyritic rocks at Tecomate, on the Rio de San Ignacio, where the dip of the formation is to the northeast, at an angle of 70°. Between La Puerta and El Pilar, Arroyo de San Dimas, they occur in jaspery layers, ribboned with green and brown hues, and resemble some of the metamorphic Triassic rocks of Sonora. Near Candelero, the metamorphic rocks are associated with whitish, semi-crystalline limestone. The formation in question may be observed in many other localities in Sinaloa, always resting on granite and passing into porphyry; it is also sometimes associated with metamorphic slates.

Greenstones.

These rocks occur in heavy masses or in beds, and are made up of a fine-grained, compact mixture of hornblende and feldspar, often containing mica, and having a greenish color. The greenstone underlies the Triassic rocks, and in many places it protrudes through the granite. This rock is highly metalliferous at Copála, Sinaloa, and also at Los Bronces and San Javier, in Sonora.[249] The greenstones or diorites which occur in the granite, appear to be anterior to the metalliferous greenstones, and the latter are posterior to the Triassic.

Carboniferous Limestones.

The Carboniferous limestones form high ridges parallel with the general course of the Sierra Madre, from Hermosillo, north of Guaymas, east of Sahuaripa. These ridges become more elevated as we approach the crest of the Sierra. The rocks of this formation are fine-grained and bluish in color, and form heavy beds with intercalated schistose layers; they contain nodules and beds of flint. There are some clay slates at the base of the formation. The thickness of the whole series is probably over five thousand feet. The principal localities where these Carboniferous rocks may be observed are as follows, naming them in order from west to east:

1st. Hermosillo, where they rest on syenitic granite and are highly metamorphosed, the limestones being converted into white saccharoidal marble, and the slates into garnet and epidote rock. Dykes of green porphyry cut through the beds of sedimentary rock, which beds have a strike of about N. 65° W., and stand nearly vertical.

2d. Five leagues from Hermosillo, at La Cruz; in the Cerro de Santa Teresa on the south, and the Sierra de Las Animas on the north. Here the limestones contain crinoids.

3d. Four leagues farther on, between La Noria and El Aguajito; here are high granite ridges with a granite axis.

4th. Twenty leagues from Hermosillo, south of Ures; Carboniferous rocks upheaved on the southwest side of the granitic Sierra de Mazatan. The direction of this range is from northwest to southeast, and its height sixteen hundred varas, according to M. De Fleury; here are a few silver mines.

5th. Haciendita, nine leagues farther northeast. The beds here are metamorphosed and much disturbed, dipping northeast; these outcrops form low hills.

6th. Between Mátape and Batuco; a very high ridge of granite, running in a northerly direction, with limestone resting upon it. To the north and east of Topisco the limestones attain a great thickness and afford fine fossils. At the Cerro de la Bonacina, one of the highest points of the range, a variety of corals, crinoids, and brachiopods may be seen weathered out from the surface of several beds of hard, compact limestone, of various colors; these beds are near the summit of the mountain. This locality was first discovered by Don Antonio Moreno, Engineer of the Bronces mine. The strata here are much disturbed, and appear to have been folded into a mass with a synclinal structure.[23]

Triassic Rocks.

This formation is usually highly metamorphosed, and passes into porphyries[250] at its base. The strata are more or less inclined, and the lower beds are very much contorted and disturbed. The rocks referred to the Trias extend from Soyopa to San Javier; but they are developed on a more extensive scale between San Antonio de la Huerta and Los Bronces, forty-two leagues northeast of Guaymas. The Triassic rocks form a chain of high and rugged mountains extending from south-southeast to north-northwest. The isolated mining districts of Tecoripa and San Marcial (between Los Bronces and Guaymas) are in the same formation; it also crops out from under the stratified volcanic rocks at the Punta de Agua, between San Marcial and Guaymas. The metalliferous greenstones and porphyries, previously noticed, form the nucleus around which the Triassic beds have been upheaved. These beds are seen near San Javier and Los Bronces, two mining towns which are situated on greenstone, but which skirt the foot of a small ridge of feldspathic porphyry, much less elevated than the metamorphic rocks themselves. They are also seen overlying granite, near the Cerro Colorado, between Soyopa and Los Bronces, and south of Tecoripa. The Cerro de la Nahuila, the highest point but one in the district, lies southeast of the Sierra de Mazatan. There are three principal divisions of the Triassic, which occur in the following order, the first mentioned being the lowest:

The interstratified clay shales and grits of the lower member, crop out in several places along the Cañada de Santa Maria, at the bottom of the ravines below Los Bronces. Here, there are three or four beds of good anthracite coal, with a considerable number of well-preserved plants occurring in the associated clay shales, both above and below the coal.

[A portion of these plants were referred by me to Dr. Newberry for examination, and he has given the following list of them. 1. Strangerites magnifolia, Rogers; Trans. Assoc. Am. Geologists, p. 306, Pl. xiv. A species occurring in the Trias (?) of Virginia and North Carolina. 2. Pecopteris falcatus, Emmons; Geol. of N. Car., Pl. iv, fig. 9. The specimens are too imperfect to decide on the identity of this plant with Saccopteris germinans. ?3. Pecopteris bullatus, Bunbury; only in fruit; nervation obscure; identity not certain, but very probable. 4. Otozamites Macombii, Newb. At top of “red beds” or “gypsum formation,” at the base of the Cretaceous rocks, copper mines near Abiquiu, New Mexico. There is no doubt about this species, and it forms an important connecting link. ?5. Pterozamites decussatus, Emmons; specimens very imperfect. 6. Pecopteris, n. sp.; a very neat and peculiar species as yet undescribed. It may be the same as one badly figured by Emmons (Pl. II, fig. 1.)[251] 7. Alethopteris, n. sp.; small fragments of the frond of a splendid new species. From this enumeration it will be seen that there can be but little doubt of the Triassic age of the formation in which these plants occur. A large lot of these plants, collected by M. Rémond, has been recently received, and among them are much better specimens of some of the species noticed by Dr. Newberry, and several quite new ones. These will also be examined, described, and figured within a short time. J. D. W.]

The strike and dip of the clay shales in the different ravines vary considerably, but the dip is usually to the southeast. The superincumbent quartzites are more regular in their inclination. There are dykes of feldspathic rock cutting through both the coal and the shales.

The following section represents, in an ascending order, the position of the coal-bearing strata in the Cañon del Retiro, near Los Bronces.

• 1. Coarse quartzites with conglomerates.
• 2. Conglomerate, 8 feet.
• 3. Argillaceous and schistose grits, 3 feet.
• 4. Clay shales, with impressions of plants, 8 feet.
• 5. Gray grits, 4 feet.
• 6. Bluish clay shales with ferns, 12 feet.
• 7. Coal, 2 feet.
• 8. Compact black clay shales, 5 inches.
• 9. Coal, 2 feet 6 inches.
• 10. Clay shales with leaves, several feet.
• 11. Coarse grits.

Another section, measured at the foot of the Cerro de la Aguja, was as follows.

• 1. Compact gray grits.
• 2. Gray clay shales with seams of coal and plants, 4 feet 6 inches.
• 3. Bluish argillaceous grits, 2 feet 6 inches.
• 4. Contorted black clay shales, with seams of coal, 5 feet 6 inches.
• 5. Coal, 2 feet 6 inches.
• 6. Black, compact clay shales, 3 feet.
• 7. Coal, 7 inches.
• 8. Carbonaceous clay shales, 8 inches.
• 9. Coal, 3 inches.
• 10. Clay shales and argillaceous grits.

[Specimens of the coal brought to San Francisco by M. Rémond, are anthracite, evidently of superior quality. J. D. W.]

The middle member of the Triassic series consists of quartzites, or metamorphic sandstones; these are both coarse and fine grained, and sometimes brecciated. They vary in color, from white to red, and are often much altered in the vicinity of the metalliferous veins. The upper member of the series, as seen in the Cañada de la Tinta, is made up of rounded pebbles of black jasper and gray quartzite; in the Cañada de los Mimbres, below Los Bronces pebbles of specular iron are included in the mass. The dip of the formation is very irregular, both in direction and amount.

At San Antonio de la Huerta, Tecoripa, and San Marcial, argentiferous veins of various ages occur in the lower and middle members of the Trias. At San Marcial, marine (?) shells are found in the clay slates, near the silver mines;[252] [but those which have been obtained, are too imperfect for recognition; they were referred to Mr. Meek for examination. J. D. W.]

At San Marcos, between San Antonio de la Huerta and the Real Viejo, metamorphic jaspery slates occur in connection with the carboniferous limestones; they are probably of Triassic age. Gold is found in the gulches between the quartzite ridges, as in the Cañada de la Higuera, near Los Bronces in the Cañada de la Iglesia, between the latter place and San Antonio de la Huerta, and generally where the quartzites occur.

Jurassic (?) Rocks.

In the eastern part of the Magdalena and Altar districts, are valleys with low hills and ridges of auriferous clay slates, with interstratified beds of porphyry and diorite. Localities of these rocks are Cerros de la Barajita, between Querobabi and Santa Ana; Cerritos de la Tierra Colorada, where the formation contains beds of variously colored limestones, entirely made up of fossils, South of La Magdalena this formation rests on metamorphic sandstones and shales. [The reasons for referring these rocks, with doubt, to the Jurassic formation, have been already given; see page 246.]

Cretaceous Rocks.

In the Sahuaripa Valley, four miles east of Arivechi, and seventy-two leagues northeast of Guaymas, is a locality of Cretaceous Fossils of great interest. The hill in which they occur is called “Cerro de las Conchas,” or “Shell Mountain.” The rocks exposed are unfossiliferous strata of coarse-grained sandstone at the base, overlain by clay shales and argillaceous limestone filled with fossils. The exposure is very limited in extent: the shales are a few hundred feet thick, and they dip to the east, as do also the beds of carboniferous limestone on which the Cretaceous deposits rest. Masses of porphyry crop out from under the shales, without there being any peculiar indication of metamorphism or disturbance in their vicinity. Other patches of shelly rock are said to occur in the valley on the eastern side, at the foot of the sierra. [A small lot of fossils collected here by M. Rémond were referred to Mr. Gabb for examination; and since that, a considerable number of additional specimens have been received, but have not yet been investigated. Several species were identified as already described from Texas, and figured by Roemer in “Die Kreidebildungen von Texas;” these are, Ammonites pedernalis, von Buch; Natica pedernalis, Roem.; Turritella seriatim-granulata, Roem.; Gryphæa navis, Hall; Cyphosoma Texanum, Roem.; Eulima Texana, Roem. Besides these, two other species are identified, namely; Cardium multistriatum, Shum., and Turbinolia Texana, Con.

There is a considerable number of new species among the specimens from this locality, among which the following genera are represented: Turritella, Chemnitzia, Avellana, Cardium, Trigonia, Panopæa, Pinna, Cucullæa, etc. These will be described and figured by Mr. Gabb, who also remarks that the[253] character of the fossils indicates a closer relationship of the formation to the eastern Cretaceous than to that of California.—J. D. W.]

Volcanic Rocks.

Stratified volcanic deposits cover a broad area of the surface between San Ignacio and San Dimas (Sinaloa and Durango); they dip to the west. On the other side of Durango they dip in the opposite direction. The serrated edges of the strata may be seen from a great distance, and are extremely picturesque, towering up like old ruins, their peculiar forms being due to erosion. They are well seen in the Cerro de los Frayles, near Guarisamey, in Durango; visible from Mazatlan. These belong to the second series of volcanic rocks. In Sonora there are three different series of volcanic deposits which form serrated, picturesque, parallel ridges, running north from Guaymas as far as La Magdalena, or over eighty leagues in a straight line. The three main ridges, enumerated from west to east, are, 1, Las Tetas de Cabra; 2, Guaymas de Zaragosa; 3, Range north of the mouth of the Yaqui River. The description of the various volcanic deposits of Northern Mexico may be reserved for a separate memoir, as the number of them is very great.

Mines.

The richest and widest veins are those northeast of Mazatlan, near San Dimas, Guarisamey, etc., in Durango. These veins cut all the rocks older than the Cretaceous, whether igneous or sedimentary. The mines of Sinaloa are richer than those of Sonora. In the former State the ore-bearing portion of the veins is from a few feet to several yards in width: in the latter, generally from one to two feet. In Durango and Sinaloa gold, native silver, and sulphuret of silver occur associated with galena, yellow blende, and iron pyrites. In Sonora the principal ores are argentiferous gray copper, with galena, black blende, copper pyrites, arsenical pyrites, carbonate of lead, ruby silver, arsenical silver, and gold. Each mining district is characterized by a peculiar system of veins; in all as many as twenty different systems have been observed. The most abundant vein stones are quartz, either chalcedonic, crystalline, or massive; brown spar; heavy spar; oxide of iron. The veins occurring in the metamorphic Triassic rocks, are usually parallel with the stratification, so that they lie nearly horizontal where the formation has been but little disturbed. As to the yield of the silver ores, it varies extremely, and it would be necessary to enter into a full description of all the different districts to give an idea of it. It may be noticed, however, that the arsenical pyrites, which is auriferous in the Sierra Nevada, becomes argentiferous in the Sierra Madre. The veins vary in their direction from a little east to a little west of north; the richest ores near San Dimas run northeast and southwest. There are but few rich mines in Sonora, a state of which the mineral wealth has been much exaggerated. There are, however, some deposits of variegated copper, and veins of magnetic and specular iron.

The annexed tabular statement will give the principal facts obtained with regard to the mines examined in Northern Mexico.

[254]

TABULAR STATEMENT,
SHOWING THE POSITION AND CHARACTER OF THE PRINCIPAL MINES OF NORTHERN MEXICO.

BY A. RÉMOND.—1863-1865.