Regular Meeting, January 18th, 1864.

President in the Chair.

Present twelve members, four visitors.

Donations to the Cabinet: Cone of Pinus pinea from the south of Europe, by Mr. Grosseillier. Bottle of Scorpions and other insects, by Mr. Dawson. Jar of fruits, and cloth made by the natives of Hilukukaki Island, by Capt. J. B. Edwards: A jar of alcoholic specimens from Rio Janeiro, one from Panama, and one from Acapulco, by S. Hubbard. A specimen of Phasma from Manzanillo, Mex., by Col. Heintzelman. A specimen of Gordius from this vicinity, by Mr. Keith. A box of cretaceous and tertiary fossils from the Atlantic States, by the Smithsonian Institution.

Donations to the Library:

Correspondenzblatt des Naturforschenden Vereins zu Riga, 13ter Jahrgang; Riga 1863. Verhandlungen der K. K. zoologisch-botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien, Band XII, Heft 1, 2, 3, 4, Wien 1862. Personen-Orts-und Sach-Register der Sitzungsberichte und Abhandlungen der Wiener K. K., Zool. bot. Gesellschaft, Wien 1862. Oversigt over det Kongelige danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Forhandlinger Aaret 1861; 8vo. Kiöbenhavn. Der Zoologische Garten, IV Jahrgang, Nr. 1-6, 1863, 8vo. Frankfurt a M. Proceedings of the Royal Horticultural Society, Vol. III, Nos. 6, 7, June and July, 1863. Schriften der Königlichen physikalish-ökomischen Gesellschaft zu Königsberg, IIIter Jahrgang, Abtheilungen 1, 2, 4to, 1862-3. Abhandlungen der K. K. geologischen Reichsanstalt, Band I-III & IV, 1-2, 3-4, 4to, Wien 1855-6. Jahrbuch der K. K. Reichsanstalt, Band XII 3, 4; XIII, 1, 8vo. Wien 1862-3. General-Register der ersten zehn Bände des Jahrbuchs der K. K. geol. Reichsanstalt, 8vo. Wien 1863. Considerations on the phenomena attending the fall of Meteorites on the earth, by W. Haidinger, (from the Philosophical Magazine for Nov. and Dec., 1861.) Seven papers on natural History, by George V. Frauenfeld, extracted from the Verhandlungen der K. K. Zool. bot. Gesellschaft in Wien. Also three papers by Messrs. Böck, Brunner, V. Wattenwyl, and Doleschall, from the same journal, together with the seven papers mentioned above, presented by G. Ritter V. Frauenfeld.

Prof. Whitney remarked that these donations were of great value, especially those relating to the Geological Survey of Austria, obtained through Baron von Richthofen. On motion, the special thanks of the Academy were tendered to him and to the “K. K. Geologischen Reichsanstalt” for the donation.

Sheet seven of the Proceedings of this Academy, pps. 97-112, was received from the printer.

Committees of Finance and of Publication were then elected.

Dr. Cooper, on behalf of Dr. Newcomb, corresponding member, presented the following paper on new Californian Helices, all of which, except the first species, were discovered by Dr. Cooper, while connected with the State Geological Survey.

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; 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.

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 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, 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.