Donations to the Cabinet: A specimen of black oxide of manganese from Red Rock, by Mr. Stearns; fossils from near Nanaimo, by Dr. Comrie.
Dr. Behr made some remarks upon the Lepidoptera and the four different stages of their development, noticing the fact that the length of time of the egg state in some species, for instance the Chinese silkworm, admits of the transportation of the same to foreign countries, while in the Californian silkworm, Saturnia ceanothi, the period of the egg state is so brief as to render it impossible to transport the eggs either to New York or Europe. Dr. Behr also explained the difference between the larva state in the Lepidoptera and other classes of insects, and referred to the importance of the larva condition in insects as a basis for classification, and mentioned many interesting proofs of the tenacity of life during the chrysalis or pupa state; alluding to the different classes of moths in which wingless females occur, a peculiarity that is unknown to the butterflies.
Mr. Bolander stated that in his “Remarks on California Trees,” made at the meeting of October 16th, 1865, and published in the current volume, (p. 225) he had referred a small pine growing on the plains between Mendocino City and Noyo, to Pinus murcata; but he could now state positively that it is the true Pinus contorta of Douglas. He stated also, that No. 7, noticed on page 227 of that article, is P. muricata. Farther, on page 229, Quercus Wislizeni, Englm. is wrongfully referred to Q. agrifolia. Q. Wislizeni is a well characterized species with biennial fruit; the fruit of Q. agrifolia, on the other hand, is annual. These two oaks differ also materially in their distribution. Q. Wislizeni is found chiefly in the lower Sierra, and in the small valleys east of the redwoods in Mendocino County. Q. agrifolia occurs almost exclusively in the vicinity of San Francisco Bay, and on the banks of streams emptying into it. It extends also southward, approaching the coast more nearly as we reach Monterey.
Regular Meeting, October 15th, 1866.
Dr. Kellogg in the chair.
Eleven members present.
Mr. A. L. Bancroft was elected a Resident Member.
Donations to the Library:
Bodemann and Kerl’s Treatise on Assaying, translated by W. A. Goodyear, presented by the translator.