or unwound at full length. It was contractile, also, and quickly jerked the body beneath the sand when alarmed. But the most startling discovery in connection with this interesting animal was the fact, that its blood was red. This was strongly marked in the gills, which were found in the shape of a series of rows of simple lamellæ, hanging from the internal surface of the mouth; thus proving the correctness of Vogt's observations from alcoholic specimens. At times the peduncle would become conjested, and a deep rose blush was markedly distinct. The sexes were distinct. The writer believes the Brachiopods to be true articulates, having certain affinities with the crustacea, but properly belonging to the worms, coming nearest the tubicolous annelids. They may better be regarded as forming a comprehensive type, with general articulate features. Possibly they have affinities with the mollusks, through the homologies pointed out by Allman as existing between the Polyzoa and Tunicates. It is interesting to remember that Lingula, though one of the earliest animals created, has yet remained essentially the same through all geological ages to the present time. - EDWARD S. MORSE. Fig. 76. Peduncle perfect, retaining a portion of the sand tube, Fig. 77. Showing the valves in motion; the peduncle broken and new sand case being formed. Fig. 78. Peduncle broken close to body and sand case being formed. THE RUBY CROWNED WREN. — In reply to Mr. Allen's question, I may state positively that, according to my experience, the adult fertile female is "ruby-crowned" like the male. She is perhaps a trifle smaller, not quite so brightly colored, and with the flame-colored patch possibly of a little less extent; but she cannot be distinguished from the male with certainty, except on dissection, and even then it is not always easy to determine from slight inspection, unless the organs are enlarged in functional activity. The barren or sickly female may possibly not acquire the ornament. Birds of both sexes lack it for at least a year; whether they breed or not with plain heads I do not know. These come along in spring in the rear of the mature birds; they are most abundant at the time when the latter are about leaving. - ELLIOTT COUES. GEOLOGY. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF IOWA. The legislature of this state has discontinued the survey which was being so ably conducted by Dr. C. A. White. This seems inexplicable in a state which must necessarily be very largely benefited by the exploration and discovery of its natural resources. Legislatures, however, are not governed by the same rational laws of self interest which actuate private corporations and individuals. Though single mining and manufacturing companies consider it necessary to employ an engineer or a chemist, the legislatures are far too poor or too anxious about the next election to pay any attention to the development of the natural resources and mining interest of the state. Provision has been made, however, for the publication of the State Geologist's Report, which is to be completed in the same style as the Illinois Geological Survey. NEW FOSSIL TURKEY. At the meeting of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, March 8th, Professor O. C. Marsh of Yale College, exhibited a number of fossil remains from the Post-tertiary deposits of Monmouth county, New Jersey, which indicate a new and distinct type of birds, closely related, apparently, to the turkey, and not unlikely the progenitors of the existing species. The specimens shown were portions of three skeletons, of different ages, which belonged to birds about the size of the common wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo Linn.), although proportionally much taller. The tibia and tarso-metatarsal bones were, in fact, so elongated, as to resemble those of wading birds. These interesting remains were referred provisionally by Professor Marsh to the genus Meleagris, and the species they represent was named Meleagris altus. MICROSCOPY. CIRCULATION OF THE LATEX IN THE LATICIFEROUS VESSELS. — Within a few days I have repeated some experiments (first made more than fifteen years since) upon the circulation of the latex in the laticiferous vessels of the leaf of Chelidonium majus, to which I desire to call attention. Before detailing these experiments it ought, perhaps, to be stated that Amici, Dutrochet and Mohl deny any visible motion in them except such as is the result of injury; while Schleiden says "that in the uninjured vessels, the motion of the latex can very seldom be successfully shown;" even in Chelidonium majus it is only occasionally possible, and then presents great optical difficulties. Now, I find, by potting a young plant of this kind, and placing any young leaf between two strips of glass (upon which a drop of glycerine has been put) in such a manner as to bring the under side of the leaf up or unwound at full length. It was contractile, also, and quickly jerked the body beneath the sand when alarmed. But the most startling discovery in connection with this interesting animal was the fact, that its blood was red. This was strongly marked in the gills, which were found in the shape of a series of rows of simple lamellæ, hanging from the internal surface of the mouth; thus proving the correctness of Vogt's observations from alcoholic specimens. At times the peduncle would become conjested, and a deep rose blush was markedly distinct. The sexes were distinct. The writer believes the Brachiopods to be true articulates, having certain affinities with the crustacea, but properly belonging to the worms, coming nearest the tubicolous annelids. They may better be regarded as forming a comprehensive type, with general articulate features. Possibly they have affinities with the mollusks, through the homologies pointed out by Allman as existing between the Polyzoa and Tunicates. It is interesting to remember that Lingula, though one of the earliest animals created, has yet remained essentially the same through all geological ages to the present time. - EDWARD S. MORSE. Fig. 76. Peduncle perfect, retaining a portion of the sand tube. Fig. 77. Showing the valves in motion; the peduncle broken and new sand case being formed. Fig. 78. Peduncle broken close to body and sand case being formed. THE RUBY CROWNED WREN. state positively that, according is "ruby-crowned" like the m so brightly colored, and with extent; but she cannot be except on dissection, and from slight inspection, un ity. The barren or sick Birds of both sexes lac with plain heads I do of the mature birds; are about leaving. GEOLOGY. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF IOWA.-The legislature of this state has discontinued the survey which was being so ably conducted by Dr. C. A. White. This seems inexplicable in a state which must necessarily be very largely benefited by the exploration and discovery of its natural resources. Legislatures, however, are not governed by the same rational Paws of self interest which actuate private corporations and individuals. Though single mining and manufacturing companies consider it necessary to employ an engineer or a chemist, the legislatures are far too poor or too anxious about the next election to pay any attention to the deelopment of the natural resources and mining interest of the state. Provision has been made, however, for the publication of the State Geologist's Report, which is to be completed in the same style as the Iinois Geological Survey. NEW FOSSIL TURKEY. At the meeting of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, March 8th, Professor O. C. Marsh of Yale College, exhibited a number of fossil remains from the Post-tertiary deposits of Monmouth county, New Jersey, which indicate a new and distinct type of birds, closely related, apparently, to the turkey, and not unlikely the progenitors of the existing species. The specimens shown were portions of three skeletons, of different ages, which belonged to birds about the size of the common wild turkey (Meleagris galloparo Linn.), although proportionally much taller. The tibia and tarso-metatarsal bones were, in fact, so elongated, as to resemble those of wading birds. These interesting remains were referred provisionally by Professor Marsh to the genus Meleagris, and the species they represent was named Meleagris altus. MICROSCOPY. CIRCULATION OF THE LATEX IN THE LATICIFEROUS VESSELS.-Within a few days I have repeated some experiments (first made more than fifteen years since) upon the circulation of the latex in the laticiferous vessels of the leaf of C majus, to which I desire to call attention. experiments it ought, perhaps, to be stated that Hohl deny any visible motion in them except such ary; while Schleiden says "that in the uninjured the latex can very seldom be successfully shown;" mak only occasionally possible, and then pre gplant of this kind, and placing any glass (upon which a drop of glycerine to bring the under side of the leaf up or unwound at full length. It was contractile, also, and quickly jerked the body beneath the sand when alarmed. But the most startling discovery in connection with this interesting animal was the fact, that its blood was red. This was strongly marked in the gills, which were found in the shape of a series of rows of simple lamellæ, hanging from the internal surface of the mouth; thus proving the correctness of Vogt's observations from alcoholic specimens. At times the peduncle would become conjested, and a deep rose blush was markedly distinct. The sexes were distinct. The writer believes the Brachiopods to be true articulates, having certain affinities with the crustacea, but properly belonging to the worms, coming nearest the tubicolous annelids. They may better be regarded as forming a comprehensive type, with general articulate features. Possibly they have affinities with the mollusks, through the homologies pointed out by Allman as existing between the Polyzoa and Tunicates. It is interesting to remember that Lingula, though one of the earliest animals created, has yet remained essentially the same through all geological ages to the present time. - EDWARD S. MORSE. 900 Fig. 76. Peduncle perfect, retaining a portion of the sand tube. Fig. 77. Showing the valves in motion; the peduncle broken and new sand case being formed. Fig. 78. Peduncle broken close to body and sand case being formed. THE RUBY CROWNED WREN. - In reply to Mr. Allen's question, I may state positively that, according to |