The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-11-20
Portland Society of N.,ura, History.

At the regular meeting, held Monday even
ing, a Communication was read from Nathan
Clifford Brown, in relation to the Avocet, a
bird presented at the previous meeting held
Nov 4th. He says that this specimen is prob
ably uHique, as he can find no record of its
previous occurrence within the limits of Maine
1t is described by DR.. De Kay as scarce bird
on the shores of New York, though it breeds
in New jersey, where it is known as the Blue
Stocking from the color of its legs. Its range
is from the tropics to the 6Ssh parallel. This
specimen was shot at Simonton's Cove, Cape
Elizabeth, by e. boy, and by him presented to
the society. Mr.. Brown has kindly consented
TO mount it for the cabinet where before long it
will be placed.
Another communication was from Mr.. John
NJ. Batchelder of Cambridge, Mass. He says
that he found a few weeks ago some very Curl
oas clay vases (same material as the nests of
the mason wasp upon his window sills DIR.
Hager Of the Agassiz Geological Museum was
called to examine them aud they removed two
of them in nearly perfect condition. He
sends an outline of the form and size of the
vase, in the bottom Of one of which was
measure or canker worm, which, with the dia-
bolical ingenuity of the builder, had been rem
dered torpid and placed in that position to
serve as living larder for its young.
1t would almost appear from this drawing
that the insect world had begun to feel little
the inspiration of the period for keramics and
had undertaken to improve uron its old time
style of architecture, and to show to the Swans
and poets of that renowned centre Of science
and art that forms of baauty are not the produc-
ton solely of the potter's wheel. Here are vases
about an inch in height and breadth construct
ed by the tact and instinct of an insect with
that consummate skill, accuracy and grace of
outline to which man can only attain by means
of this revolving table. The general form of
this vase is that of the old time Florence flask,
only fattened a little upon the bottom aud with
flaring lip to the narrow neck Of entrance.
A letter from c. III. Hitchcock, State Geolo-
gst of New Hampshire was read, offering for
sale collection of $50 carefully selected spsci-
mems of the crystalline rocks of Eastern
America, with the report of G. W. Halves of
Yale College upon the same, for the sum of
$50. He also offers few choice slabs of the
celebrated Massachusetts "bird tracks, Of
which it will bs remembered we had fine col
lection in our old cabinets, purchased by James
7. McCobb, Esq, who, at the request of the
society, attended large sale Of them at Green
field. Conn. They are of great value to the
geologist and impress with deep interest all
who exam inc them.
Valuable and interesting donations were re-
ceived from Captain and Mrs. F. G. White of
this city, consisting in part of corals such as
Meandriua Tophyllia, Euphyilia Siderastrea,
etc., from Demerara, S. A.; also photographs
representing specimens of the eight different
tribes Of the aborigines Of Guiana. and of abb
riginal inscriptions upon the Teminki rocks of
Corintym river. A bow and barbed arrows six
feet In length, used by the natives in taking
fish.
Mr.. Fuller exhibited sections of the Chinese
yam showing its cells filled with raphides, or
beautiful acicular crystals and starch granules
also sections of the Bragmansis arborea filled
with starch grains of minute size, the crop Sec
ton of the wood presenting a very beautiful
arrangement of the cells and vessels.