378 [August, 3. Portions of three teeth, and fragments of two tympanic bones of a species of spermaceti whale, from the sands of Ashley River. The best preserved por-tion of a tooth in its perfect condition appears to have been about five inches in length, and at its middle it measures four and three-quarter inches in circumfer-ence. For the species the name Physeter antiquus is proposed. 4. Quite lately I received from Prof. Holmes fragments of both sides of a lower jaw, two teeth, and a portion of a rib of a cetacean, from the miocene formation of Virginia. The species belonged to the family Delphinidae, and probably ap-pertains to a new genus. The more perfect of the two teeth appears to have been about five inches in length, and it is curved conical. The fang is quadrate and hollowed, and the surface of the tooth, nearly to the end of the crown, which appears not to have been covered with enamel, is annularly and longitudinally corrugated. The greatest circumference of this tooth is three inches in length, and nearly straight. For the animal I propose the name of Orycterocetus quadra-tidens. August 9tli. Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. A letter was read from Samuel Y. Merrick, Esq., acknowledging the receipt of his notice of election as a Member. Also a letter from James M. Hamilton, Esq., dated New York, Aug. 6, 1853, addressed to Mr. R. E. Peterson, in relation to the Hamilton Lands. Referred to the Committee on the subject. Mr. Charles Girard made a communication, on behalf of Prof. Baird and himself, upon a species of frog, and another of toad, which they had recently de-scribed from specimens in the Herpetological Collections of the U. S. Explor-ing Expedition. Both of the species were obtained in Oregon, the frog on Puget Sound, and the toad on Columbia River. He characterised them as follows : Rana pretiosa, B. and G. Ground color above reddish-brown, blotched with black. A deep brown vitta extending from the eye to the shoulder in passing over the tympanum, and below which is a yellowish one passing over the angle of the mouth. Beneath dull greenish-yellow. Vomerine teeth disposed in two roundish groups, between the inner nostrils. Tympanum very distinct, rather small. Feet underneath granulated. Fingers slender and tapering. Toes webbed to their tip. A small and flattened horny processus at the base of the inner toe, and a minute conical metatarsal tubercle situated between the fourth and fifth toes. Skin finely granular on the anterior portion of the back, more coarsely posteriorly, and also on the sides of the abdomen. Two dorsal series of pores, one on each side of the back, but not very conspicuous. Obs. Is distinguished from R. aurora in havinjj proportionally much shorter leiis, especially the hind ones ; also by the palmation of the toes, the membrane of which extends to their very tip, whilst mR. aurora the tip of the tees extends beyond thpir membrane. The granulation of the body and inferior surface of the feet is another feature by which both species differ. BuFo coLUMBTENSis, B. and G. Ground color light greenish, with large and irregular black blotches and reddish dots : a dorsal white vitta ; an oblique black patch under the eye. Beneath of a soiled yellow, maculated. First finger equal to the second in length. Upper surlace of head without elevated ridges and grooves; skin in this region rather thin, and firmly adhering to the skull. Pa-rotids oblong, quite small. Tympanum small, very distinct. Toes webbed to nearly their tip. Two large metatarsal tubercles. A membranous ridge along the inn'M-edge of the tarsus. Skin glandulous. 055. May be distinguished from B. boreas by the relative size of the first
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