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PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

COMMITTEE

SCIENCE AND CORRESPONDENCE

OF THE

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

OF LONDON.

a

C PART o> » 1830—1831.

PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY, BY RICHARD TAYLOR,

RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET,

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NTHIOR ANT AOL:

LIST OF

CONTRIBUTORS.

With References to the several Articles communicated by each.

Arnoxp, Mr. J. B. page

Letters’ on the Naturalization ‘of Sea-Fishes in a Lake chiefly supplied with fresh water ...... VIVOZA b.90d, J ih? 126 Bancrort, BE. N., M.D. On several ‘Fishes‘of Jamaica oo. tte tee ec ete ne 134

Bexcuer, Capt. R.N. : Account of a Collection of Fishes fromthe Atlantic Coast of Northern Africa, presented by ..........sseeeeees ube 145 Bett, T,. Esq. werd Account of a pair of living Acouchies (Dasyprocta Acuschy, 1) S ppapaibelia ee AIRS gnalad Me red i eae arte dh a oe «PEN ore srtle aE Wott CG Bennett, E. T. Esq. Characters of a New Species of Polyborus ? (since ascertained

to be the young of Vultur Angolensis, Penn.) ....s+.+.44. 13 On the History and Synonymy of the Cereopsis Nove Hol-

landie Lath. (< 2c bax de eots.. Lain: «+h $} c.gintas’)-.se aoe Characters of a New Species of Deer (Cervus, Lj) «...+: 27 -

Description of a young Nyl-ghau (Antilope picta,Pall,)j.5,34 -

Characters of a New Species of Spider-Monkey (Ateles, Gente) orn. fen 8 1a oh: PPO LENT ERPS ELE eT ae we ee

Observations on a Collection of Fishes from the Mauritius, present. by Mr. Telfair, with Characters of New Generaand | | Species ...... POG. ai. GO.nWMIW cand .t 59, 61, 126, 165

On the Vultur auricularis, Daud. 22.22. 2b ee ee. 66 Characters of two Species of Mammalia (one constituting a new genus) from Sierra.Leone .. 20s. oes. bee ee ee es 109

Observations on a Collection of Fishes, formed during the voyage of H.M.S. Chanticleer, with Characters of two New PPecles esi... a tae Ree eee ics ar yaa a ne Pnigca ck bo

Characters of a New Species of Pterois.........--++.-- 128

Characters of New Genera and Species of Fishes from the Atlantic Coast of Northern Africa, presented by Captain IGMENCES NTs 54 Ut tee SS bbe eben ee athe ree ae+- 146

iV

- Bore, J. Esq. page On two Species of Mammalia, from Sierra Leone, presented tS eee n yaar Y aide Bosme ghs se eden BER 109

Caruisce, Sir A. On a Specimen of Labrus maculatus, Bl. taken on the Bri- fishicoast, presented by’. she weeds. one is sa Cen 17 - Coteman, E. Esq. On the propensity of Domesticated Quadrupeds to destroy their young when suffering under a deficiency of milk ...... 57

Couutiz, A. Esq. On the Pouch of the Frigate-bird (Tachypetes Aquilus,

WASHED sc cieceseutaneus © <ietse sie ayricratageye ae eset loners = «eels elepeks 62 Coox, Captain. Ona Collection of Birds from the South of Europe, pre- SEMUCO DY nse wise ein wie eels oie wee ale moo sterile ieee Ree inc 96 Cox, J. C. Esq. anny, Observations on the. Treatment.of the Sylviade i in captivity 13 On the Preservation of a Proper Temperature; for, Exotic

AIS, Soi teres. crores ets iy opMepe sayejevase epee ie Sais sg acccain 18

On Prolapsus Uteri in Sheep.igcs saat Yee aaast: [ease ad ‘nt . ae Cuvier, M. F. ‘

Letter on several subjects of Zoological interest ........ 57

Dessarpins, M. J. Abstract of the Proceedings of the “Société de Histoire Naturelle de l'Isle Maurice,” to.the 24th of August 1830. 45

Dituwyy, L..W. Esq. On the Capture of a Specimen of Labrus maculatus, BI. in

Swansea Bay .....+.. nate PRR Here pened le paels aa 35 Exus, H. Esq. | Onia Gellection of Birds from Afriea, presented by.. 92

Fayrer, Captain, RN. On the Migration of Birds between the Coasis of Scotland

sand -Lrelanids® 284, SSS NSs MONAT S BAM nF E2 EON {igQeott 145

Fiennes, Hon. Twisetton. ~ Ona Hybrid betweena Male Pintail and a Common Duck 158

Franxuin, Major James.

Catalogue of . Birds, collectart on ‘hie Ganges between Cal- cutta.and Benares, and in the Vindhyian Hills between the latter place and Gurrah Mundela‘on the Nerburlila, with Cha- racters of the New Species .... 0.0... BLISLA GOR (2ueay We 114

- Frienp, Lieutenant mt. C:

On two New Species of Mammalia from’ New ‘Holland, presented by vo... ote tes goss oa peer

~ Gravgid ke Esq.

On the Identity.of the Ctenodactylus Massonii, Gray, with,

the Mus Gundi, Rothm. Se a Ae TOE fh «asain oe

: —

sa

v page On the frequency of the Natter-jack of Pennant, (Rana Rubeta, L.) .on the Commons; in the neighbourhood of Lon-

BOs with obs ws Sa i ce ON Me og 2i461 On two Species of tha Genus Rhynchea, @uivid ol -adi.nt 62 On_ the Vultur. Angolensis; Lath. 0. 26. oes i aes 67 Characters ‘of, three New Genera, including two New. Spe-

cies of Mammalia from China iw...) so. eee a bale es 94 Characters of.a New Genus of Fresh-water. Tortoise from

NS Ge lipw ce ccan Spite can ks Bieka tai avahitels talgrctave ie arte ait 106 Observations on the Animal (Oeythod) found in she shells

of the Genus Arzonauta... 0.504 cancern va 0(eRlOWlee sidbavshO7

Hay, E.W. A. Drummonp, Esq. Letter accompanying a present of se Living Animals from the. Empire of Marocco ». 6. sanieee ai) adi. 10. d100% « 145

Hearu, J..M.-Esq. On two Species of Bats, accompanying a large Collection of Birds from Madras, presented by. o. 6.5) o6.e eee eee ws 113

Hopexrson, E. Esq. Account. of . a. Pe cae 4 of Gulo eto Att Li, Sresenited Dy \cewveees Got abIw). peed nha lio seis: qc.wel wat 74

Hoveson, B. H. Esq. Description and Characters of the Chiru Antelope (Antilope Hodgsovtit, ABER? SIS8S ) BID, SAOTY O83 NO Yaoi BiLes S85, Of 52

Horipsworrs, Rev, R. Ona Specimen of the Umbrina (Sciena Aquila, Cuv.), taken ‘on the South Coast of Devon .................4-, 112 Horsrie.p, T,,.M.D. Observations on, two Species af Bais; from Madras, one of them new, presented by Mr. Heath...,...... sateh okt: (© 193 - Hoy, Baruow, Esq: °°: very ees Sieg si On the Aylurgus pihipovitd, Lat eels qauamatare seis ae ache * 126 Jexxins, F. Esq. Secretary to the Physical Committee of fhe Asiatic Society. |» Letter accompanying a Collection of Indian Birds....... 6 Kine, Captain P, P.y:R.N. Characters of New Genera and Spotics of Birds from the

» Straits .of Magellan.............. weascces (stl, git 14,29 Leacnu, W. E., M.D. ; On a Collection of Italian Insects, presented by ........ 24 Linpsay, H. H. Esq. Ona Collection of Birds from Manilla, bh ete by . 96 | Loppices, Mr. G. ‘ES Notice of a New Genus of TrOGMRAANS ) net aints 0414 “iG 12 Lorp, Mr. W.

On a Collection of Birds madgd in Shetland, and presented BO oes: amet beinssows ¢- reikea'l: ‘ceushavehtaiates onsten’ itt west) oe

vi

Martin, Mr. WituraM. page Report on the Diseased Appearances of a Beaver (Castor Fiber,.Lis). -sessrseseornccceeercistsecscceavcgrcteed 12 ~On. the. Morbid Appearances of a Lion (Felis Leo, Liye. 28 On the Anatomy of the Testudo Indica, L. 2)... 2 2. 46 On the Anatomy of the Rujfed Lemur (Lemur Macaco,L.) 58 On the Anatomy of the Testudo Greca, L. se... ee 63 On the existence of a Rudimentary Caecum in certain Tor- GOLSES a 5, 0s winnie svn 4:6 08 ws Sie! nill Safe! 0:4 ule ietd ORNS’ s leo ARO 74 On the Anatomy of the Alligator Tortoise (Chelydra ser- Pentina, Schweig.) 0 rr nareerra en PUNO Poi Le Pett) 129 On the Anatomy of a Monitor 52%. «emer we ntk sé.) Yoik ABH Miuier, Mr. Report on the Circumstances attending the Birth of two Armadillos (Dasypus sexcinctus, L.). ..... 1. «+ « pate ddl de qs 48

Oaiipy, W. Esq. On the Identity of the Ctenodactylus Massonii, Gray, with

the Gundi Marmot (Mus Gundi, Rothm.) .......6.2.0++ 6% 50 On two New Species of Phalangista, Cuv. ... 0.066000 135 On a New Species of Indian Deer (Cervus, L.) ........ 136

On two New Species of Mammalia from New Holland .. 149

Owen, R. Esq. On the Anatomy of the Orang Utan (Simia Satyrus, L.)

4,9, 28, 67

On the Anatomy of the Beaver (Castor Fiber, L.)........ 19 On the Anatomy ofa Female Suricate (Ryzena tetradactyla,

TM SM Fa Lee a as chee sicane's bee lew eal cee eee 39

On the Anatomy of a Male Suricate... 0... ...... 600005 51

On the Anatomy of the dcouchy (Dasyprocta Acuschy, Il.) 75 On the Anatomy of the Thibet ne (Ursus Thibetanus, F.

Cave sictsicieis uhegie oe aiheed emon deen. Bom ame Mie 76 On the Anatomy of the Gannet (Sula Bassand..) <> aseios oof 90 On the Anatomy of the Sharp-nosed Crocodile (Crocodilus

CLUS IMO EVE ote pede sine cites states se tee street eee ae 139, 169 On the Anatomy of the 9-banded Armadillo (Dasypus Peba,

(Eee geaogg ask eg Ne ign A ral dete ey eM Me A echt rt gcd

-On the Anatomy of the Seal (Phoca vitulina, Linn.)...... 151 -On the Anatomy of the Weasel-headed Armadillo (Dasypus

sebdinctus, LInN:) . <:-\0/0 « oo eels oa ep s.6,2 2k Ra oeiereee alae 154 On the Organs of Generation of the Female Kangaroo

(Macropus MAI OF g SHAW «),, 0.9964. ee “ad Rt AS tee ee ae 159 ~On the Anatomy of the American Tapir (Tapir Americanus,

Gere) yoo es she sles oho gis ‘pls Sie is Ihe Nici hae ne 161

Porter, Sir R. K. On the Tapir (Tapir Americanus, Gmel.)........ pene beat On the Ant-Bear (Myrmecophaga jubata, Linn.) ........ 149

Reeves, Joun, Esq. Notice ofa living Specimen of the Phasianus Reevesii, Para, & Gray ( Phasianus veneratus; Temm.) presented by,.....%. 77

- vit

\ Ricuarpson, J., M.D. page Birds. and Mammalia collected during the last Arctic Land. Expedition under Sir John Franklin 2.0... 6.050. 00 eee ees 132 -

Suarpr, D. Esq: On the Luminous Appearance of the Ocean............ 24

Sairn, ANDrREW, M.D. Letter accompanying a Collection of Fishes from South

ASRERE (2278 XDD DOG) ) ) SOO te tO TOE vt oar lta Re utete ashi Spooner, Mr. On the accumulation of Fat in Animals................ 164

Swinton, G, Esq. Letter accompanying a Dugong (Halicore Dugong, Ill. » Presented by, odors nual exeeree oes Io venotards ob « Oo U3

Syxess, Lieut.-Col. W. H.

Catalogue of the Mammalia of Dukhun (Deccan); with Observations on their Habits, &c., and Characters of New Species «iw vvewensrs wes aee (URDIOIS. DOH MAID, POU 99

Characters of a New Species of Monkey (Semnopithecus?) 105

Terair, C. Esq. Account. of a Collection. of Birds from the Mauritius; pre-

eburtiNe: Mae ee Gas arene es ene gate ams ees ales 41 Account of a Collection of Fishes from the Mauritius, pre-

PT I ah EO ELE ELEN IU TE PRI 59, 61; 126, 165 Letter on several Subjects relative to the Zoology of the

Mauritius and Madagascar...... REA S cB renaha «tha, etge ts Mare 89

Tuomrson, J. V. Esq. On the Metamorphosis of Crustacea .........

Tuursriz_p, R. Esq. Account of a Hybrid between the Hare and the Rabbit :.) 66

_—Vicors, N. A. Esq. _ Observations on the Genus Ortyx, with Characters of two err fanceteng ofc. Boe a eat \e wataareteeniiie «ia «aa. alae: ofaga aca 2 Observations on a Coliection of Birds from the Himalayan Mountains, with Characters of New Genera and Species 7, 22,35, 41, 54,170

conte “yale 4 ‘ewe

\

Characters of a New Species of Humming-Bird .:...... 12 Characters of a New Species of Ground-Parrakeet (Platy- eepetieg Vie Miu d sins takoa «by. blaaiss worse swat, Ciies, H 23 Characters of the Phasianus lineatus, Lath. MSS......... 24 } On the absence of the os furcatorium in some of the groups We Ue Pest Rey eos wets ore etait ape Wo iavaos Sagioels 25.8 oes 36

On a Collection of Birds from the Mauritius, presented by Mr. Telfair, with Characters of a New Species of Spoonbill

CPanel, 5's ..2 brits wh alealoy. ordeals . on, aoe B3 ° 4] On a New Species of Owl (Strix, L.) from New Holland.. 60 On a New Species of Cockatoo (Plyctolophus, Vieill.).... 61

On the Habits and Economy of the Frigate- Bird ( Tachy- \° petes Aquilus, Vieill.)......4%

vill

age On a Collection of Birds from Africa, presented by H. Bilis; $

Esq:, with Characters of New Species) 2. 2.00222... oe 92 On a Collection of Birds from the South of Europe, pre-

sented by Captain:Cook. . 2... .. ss. seo ++ oe 2a ob cee 96 On a Collection of Birds from. Manilla, presented by H. H.

Lindsay, Esq. with Characters of New Species,..........- 96

YarReELL, W. Esq. On the Preservation of Whitebait (Clupea alba, Yarr.) alive. 13 - On the Morbid Appearances of a Rein-deer (Cervus Tarandus

1 BTC SDR Red SPER RR Ry Socom -ope ear EMER ah ora ee PHR ahON RY 14 On the Occurrence of the Sylvia Tithys, Scop., in England. 18 On the Assumption of the male plumage by the female of

the -Contiion GanrkO Pow?) 2892. £ AAI eg mons TI 22 On the Anatomy of the Cereopsis Nove Hollandia, Lath. ;

and on the Relations between the Natatores and Grallatores. 25 On the Sexual Organs of a hybrid Pheasant. .......50. ae

\» On the specific Identity of the Gardenian and Night Herons

(Ardea, Gardeni, and Nycticorar). 020 hee hee ole oe 0+ 910 27 ~On the Anatomy of the Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) . 31 On the Trachea of the Red-knobbed Curassow (Crax Yarrellii,

BOT es sa cera carci Ah eect eee Sa Sas Es ane ene Sas AER Be Bee sp rer ecince 33 Characters of a New Species of Herring (Clupea, L.) ..... 34 On the Occurrence of several North American Birds in En-

aC EA OR eS cE PS cennee ie kang eS = 35 On the Anatomy of the Lesser American Flying Squirrel —

(Pieromystolucella;'Cuy.) .4\n,.. + 26s onqueia mieeden tal bin ey eee 38 On the Anatomy, &c. of the Ctenodactylus Massonii, Gray ;

AiiMus. Gundi, Rothims), o.-0.. - s+ «see ges be eee eee eee 48 * On the sterno-tracheal Muscles in the Razor-billed Curassow

(Ourax: Mite, Guy.) © dir eterna xlole 2p inynass opt DO oak aa ee 59 On the distinctive Characters of the Tetrao medius, Temm.

(T. hybridus, Lath.) oe cece eee ee eee eee ened b chet tees 73 On two Species of Entozoa found in the Eel....... ena dee On the Generation of Eels and Lampreys...... 1.0.08 0+ 132 On the Brown-headed Gull (Larus capistratus,Temm,) .. 151 On the Anatomy of the Conger Eel (Conger vulgaris, Cuv. ),

and on, the Diflerences between the Conger and Fresh-water

159

Eels eo Pa Wee Bae ee the oh RAE i Sit > digi daar eran ne

— ———

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE or SCIENCE ann CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.

November 9, 1830. R. W. Hay, Esq. in the Chair.

The Chairman opened the business of the Meeting, by stating the objects contemplated by the Council in the formation of the Com- mittee. He explained these objects in conformity with the sub- joined Extracts from the Minutes and Report of the Council.

Extract from the Minutes of Council, July 2).

“On a consideration of the advantages likely to accrue to the Society, by cultivating an extensive correspondence on subjects of Natural History ; it was Resolved, that a Committee be appointed, to be entitled ‘The Committee of Science and Correspondence,’ for the purpose of suggesting and discussing questions and experi- ments in animal physiology, of exchanging communications with the Corresponding Members of the Society, of promoting the im- portation of rare and useful Animals, and of receiving and preparing reports upon matters connected with Zoology.

“That the Committee be requested, in the first instance, to pre- pare a Report upon the Animals, for the importation of which it is most desirable that the Council should take measures, whether for purposes of utility or exhibition, under the heads of the seve- ral countries in which they are produced; and pointing out the means which should be taken for their preservation, either on the passage or after their arrival; and secondly, to obtain all informa- tion possible, upon the subject of the importation and breeding of Fish.”

Oct. 6.

“It was ordered, that the Committee of Science, nominated at the Council of the 2lst of July, should be requested to meet at the Society's rooms, at eight o’clock on Tuesday the 9th of November, and on every subsequent second and fourth Tuesday of the month. It was also Resolved, that the Committee should have power to add to their numbers ; and that the members of the Coun- cil should be ex officio members of the Committee.”

[No. I.] A

2

Extract from the Report of the Council, Nov. 4, 1830.

“Tt has been objected to the Council, that but little of their attention has been directed to the advancement ef Zoological Science; and the apology which they have to offer is, that their time has been necessarily devoted to the very complicated and extensive arrangements under which the formation of their present establish- ments has been begun and accomplished. They have latterly been particularly anxious to place the responsibility of detail upon their salaried officers, so that their own time may be principally applied to more general superintendence, and particularly to the encou- ragement of scientific researches : they have, therefore, endeavoured to establish meetings of such members of the Society as have prin- cipally applied themselves to science; at which, communications upon Zoological subjects may be received and discussed, and occa- sional selections made for the purpose of publication. ‘They propose from time to time to publish in the cheapest form an abstract from the most interesting of these communications; and they trust that the first of these papers will be ready for delivery on the first of January, 1831. hey further propose, that these meetings shall take place on the second and fourth Tuesdays in every month ; and they have invited, for the 9th of November next, such members of the Society as appeared likely, from their scientific pursuits, to take an interest in their views.

“The Council have moreover suggested that letters be sent to the superintendents of the principal Menageries in Europe, viz. at Paris, Leyden, Munich, Vienna, Madrid, &c. proposing mutual communication of all observations upon these matters, and an occasional interchange of such animals as may be most easily pro- duced or imported in each country. They have also proposed, that circulars be addressed to the Corresponding Members of the So- ciety, requesting particular information upon such facts of Na- tural History as it may be desirable to investigate at each place; and they further propose that a prize be offered for the Essay which shall contain the best and most extensive practical knowledge upon the importation and domestication of foreign animals in this and other countries.”

The Chairman concluded his Address by calling on the Members, collectively and individually, to forward the views of the Council, by communicating such facts as might tend to the advancement of Zoological Science.

Mr. Vigors called the attention of the Committee to a Galli- naceous group of America, which supplied in that continent the place of the Quails of the Old World. Of this group, or the genus Oriye of modern authors, which a few years back was known to ornithologists by two well-ascertained species only, he exhibited specimens of six species; namely, of Ort. virginianus and californicus, which had been the earliest described, the former by Linneus, the latter by Dr. Latham; of Ort. capistratus, a species lately named and figured in Sir W. Jardine’s and Mr. Selby’s “ Il-

vores Pe

3 lustrations of Ornithology”’: and of Ort. Douglasii, Montezume, and squamaius, which had been characterized by himself in the ‘ Zoolo- gical Journal.” In addition to these species he exhibited plates of three others of which he regretted that he could obtain no spe- cimens in London; namely, of Ort. macrourus, figured by Sir W. Jardine and Mr. Selby; of Ort. Sonninii, figured by M. Temminck in the ‘‘ Planches Coloriées”” [No. 75.]; and of the Ort. cristatus, figured in the ‘‘ Planches Enluminées”’ [No. 126.] of M. Buffon. To these nine described species, he added two others apparently new to science, and which he characterized under the names of Ort. neoxenus and afinis; stating at the same time his doubts whether both might not be the females or young males of the imperfectly known species Or¢. Sonninii or cristatus.—The following are the specific charactevs of these birds.

+ Ortyx neoxEenus. Ort. brunneus, supra fusco rufoque undulatim variegatus, subtus pallido-rufo maculatus ; genis lateribusque colli rufescentibus ; caudd brunneo-fusco rufogue undulatim Susciaiad ; crisid brevi bruaned.

Statura minor quam Ort. californicus. 4+ Ortyx arrinis. Ort. pallide brunneus ; dorso alisque fusco palli-

doque rufo variegatis ; caudd pallescenti-brunned, fusco alboque undulatim fasciaté ; capite, collo, pectore, abdomineque rufescen- tibus, hoc albo guttato, illis albo nigroque variegatis ; fronte apiceque criste elongate rujo-brunnee albesceniibus.

Statura minor quam species precedens.

Mr. Vigors proceeded to state, that individuals of four of the above-mentioned species, namely, Ort. virginianus, californicus, neoxenus and Montezume, had been exhibited in a living state in the Gardens of the Society. Specimens of the former three, he added, were still alive there, having braved the severity of the last winter without any artificial warmth. They were all natives of the northern parts of America. ‘The Ort. virginianus, he also mentioned, had bred in this country, and had even become naturalized in Suffolk.

He stated in addition, that Capt. P. P. King, R.N., had pointed out to him, amongst his collection lately brought home from the Straits of Magellan, specimens of a bird which he made no doubt was the same as the Caille des Isles Malouines of M. Buffon, figured in the ‘‘ Planches Enluminées”’ [No. 222.], and which was subse- quently named Perdix Falklandica by Dr. Latham. ‘This bird has been added to the genus Oriyx by modern authors, but erroneously ; as the structure of the wing, in which consists the chief difference between the Ortyx of America and the genus Colurnix or the Quails of the Old World, associates the Magellanic bird more closely with the latter group than with the birds of its own continent. Mr. Vigors mentioned, that the form which characterizes the true Quails extends to Australia, where several species are found. And referring to the deviation in form, which partially separates the South American bird from the allied groups of the same continent, and brings it in contact with those of Australia, and through them with those of the old continent, he dwelt upon the beautiful series of geographical affinity, which in this instance united the zoology

A 2

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of the southern extreme of the New World with that of the nearest portions of the southern hemisphere, in like manner as the zoology of the northern extreme is united with that of the neighbouring continents of Europe and Asia. He pointed out some additional instances, in which the same union might be traced.

Mr. Owen commenced the reading of a paper On the Anatomy of the Orang Utan (Simia Satyrus, L.).

The subject principally referred to was a young male, probably about four years of age, which had recently been presented to the Society by Mr. Swinton of Calcutta; it reached England in a very debilitated state, and died on the third day after its arrival in Bruton- street.

The morbid appearances met with in its examination were very slight, and of themselves not sufficient to account for the death of the animal. The brain was firm, and its membranes bore no traces of inflammation. The stomach and intestines were also equally free from morbid appearances. ‘The liver was perfectly healthy, which was the more remarkable, as on the third day before death the feces were clay-coloured from a deficiency of bile. ‘The heart was healthy, except that it had two or three patches of organized lymph upon its surface, indicating old inflammation: the pericardium con- tained more than half an ounce of fluid: about four ounces of fluid were also effused in the cavity of the chest, and the cellular tissue of the lungs was gorged with serum, a circumstance which must have occasioned a great obstruction of the circulation. There existed be- fore death evidence of this effusion, in the slow and laboured breath- ing of the animal, as noticed by Mr. Martin, who also states that the pulse was 100 and very feeble, but, as far as he observed, without intermission. No other organ exhibited any lesion of structure ; the lungs and liver were free from tubercles, the development of which appears to be the most frequent cause of death in animals which, coming from warm countries, have sojourned in our damp climate. The effusion observed may probably be considered as one of the consequences of that debility and exhaustion of the system, produced by a long voyage, improper food, and diarrhea, which terminated in premature death.

The general appearance and position of the abdominal viscera in the Orang bear much resemblance to those of the human subject. The stomach is thicker and narrower at its pyloric end, and the vil- lous coat is of less extent. The small intestines are lined by a smooth and uniform membrane, and are without valvule conniventes. The position of the cecum is the same as in man: to its extremity is at- tached the vermiform appendage, which is wider at its commence- ment; thus exhibiting as a permanent structure in the Orang, that which in man is a fcetal peculiarity. The colon is sacculated, and ap- pears, from the existence of glandule solitarie and from the presence of lacteal glands in the meso-colon, to take a great share in the functions of digestion. ‘The liver generally resembles the human; the gall bladder is long and tortuous; the pancreas is relatively larger, and the spleen more pointed at its extremities than in man; the

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hepatic and pancreatic secretions enter the duodenum separately, but close together. In the structure of the abdominal ring, the Orang recedes further than the Chimpanzee (Simia Troglodytes, L.) from the human type; the kidneys also differ, and present, like those of the Monkeys generally, only a single papilla. The palate, unlike that of man and of the Chimpanzee, has no pendulous uvula.

In external form, the brain resembles the human and that of the Chimpanzee : it differs from the brains of other animals in the num- ber and disposition of the /amine of the cerebellum; in the posterior fissure of that part; and in wanting the transverse band of fibres posterior to the pons Varolii. As compared with that of the Chim- panzee, the medulla oblongata is shorter in proportion, as are also the anterior lobes; and the cerebellum projects further behind the cerebrum. The internal structure of the brain has not yet been examined ; some previous preparation of that part having been deemed necessary, in order to render it sufficiently firm for dis- section. ;

The structure of the larynx is minutely described, and contrasted with the anatomy of the same part in the Chimpanzee, in which the laryngeal sacs are not developed as in the Orang. The left laryngeal sac in the present instance was the largest, and extended over the top of the sternum. In the Chimpanzee the laryngeal sac is produced into a cavity in the body of the os hyoides, presenting the first indication of the excavation which is carried to so great an extent in the Monkeys of the genus Mycetes. The thyroid gland is small in the Orang. ‘The lungs are entire on each side, and not divided into lobes. The aorta gives off by a common trunk the right subclavian and the right and the left carotid arteries, the latter of which is given off in the Chimpanzee, as in man, from the arch of the aorta.

In the course of his illustrations of the anatomical differences which exist between the Orang and the Chimpanzee, Mr. Owen frequently referred to T'yson’s ‘‘ Anatomy of a Pigmy,” and con- firmed many of the descriptions given in that work.

November 23, 1830. Dr. Waring in the Chair.

The following letter from F. Jenkins, Esq., Secretary to the Physical Committee of the Asiatic Society, was read :

‘** Calcutta, 24th March 1830.

‘«« Sir,—I am directed by the President of the Physical Committee of the Asiatic Society to present, in their name, to the Zoological Society, a small collection of Indian Birds, made (for our Society) by Capt. Franklin, (one of its most zealous members) during a late geological tour.

«J am instructed at the same time to state, that it will afford pleasure to the Physical Committee of the Asiatic Society to pro- mote as far as may be in their power, the views of the Zoological Society in this country ; and they will be happy to receive commu- nications of their wishes on the subject.

«The collection is in charge of Captain Franklin, who is pro- ceeding in the ship Lady Nugent, to England. Iam, &c. &c.

“ N. A. Vigors, Esq. Sec. Z. S. “FE, JENKINS.”

The collection alluded to in the preceding letter was laid on the table. It was formed by Major Franklin, F.R.S. &c., on the banks of the Ganges, and in the mountain chain of Upper Hindoo- stan. It contained one hundred and seventy-one species, and was accompanied by drawings of each of the birds, made while they were recent. Mr. Vigors briefly remarked on several of them, as afford- ing interesting illustrations of the extent of the geographical dis- tribution of certain species. He declined to enter at any length into the subject, which he expected would be fully treated of by Major Franklin in a paper which that gentleman was preparing, and which would be communicated to the Committee at an early meeting.

Mr. T. Bell exhibited a pair of living Acouchies, (Olive Cavy, Penn., Dasyprocta Acuschy, Ulig.) recently obtained by him from Guiana. Although they are abundant in their native country, he had never, before the arrival of these individuals, seen a specimen of the species, nor was he aware of the existence of even a preserved skin in any English collection. The Acouchy is readily distinguish- able from the well-known Agouti by its smaller size, its lighter and more elegant proportions, its deeper colours, and other cha- racters, which have been well pointed out by Barrére, Buffon, and other naturalists. The most marked difference is found in the tails of the two animals, that of the Agouti being little more than a tubercle, while the tail of the Acouchy is upwards of two inches in length ; it is slender, and of equal diameter throughout its extent,

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and resembles a quill, or a portion of a tobacco-pipe. The animal frequently agitates this oryan with a quick tremulous motion. Both the individuals are mild and gentle in their dispositions, but some- what timid ; they are, however, familiar with their master, and run to him whenever he enters the room in which they are kept, and about which they are allowed to range during the day. Their food is entirely vegetable; they are especially partial to nuts and almonds 5 they drink but little. They are extremely cleanly, and take great pains to keep their fur in order, in cleansing which they mutually assist each other. They leap occasionally in play to a considerable height, and frequently on springing from the ground to an elevation of two feet, descend on the spot from which they rose. ‘Their voice is a short, rather sharp, plaintive pur. The individuals, male and female, show great attachment to each other.

Mr. Vigors exhibited specimens of several species of birds, ap- parently undescribed, from the Himalayan mountains. These formed part of a collection which Mr. John Gould, A.L.S., had lately received from India, and of which he intended to publish coloured illustrations, to the number of one hundred figures. Se- veral of the plates, representing some of the most interesting of the species, were laid upon the table.

Mr. Vigors having called the attention of the Committee to the expedition with which these birds were made known to science— the specimens themselves not having been more than two months in England, while representations of many of them were already within that short space of time brought before the public,—pro- ceeded to make some remarks upon the geographical distribution of the species. He particularly pointed out the identity of a large proportion of their forms with those of Northern Europe; observing that the elevation of their native mountains placed them on an equa- lity in point of climate with the birds of more northern latitudes. At the same time he added that many of the forms peculiar to Southern Asia and the Indian Archipelago were found intermingled with those of the northern regions. Among the forms similar to the European, he particularized three species of Jays, the two first of which exhibited a striking affinity in their markings to our well- known British hird. ‘They were named and characterized as follows :

GaRRULUS LANCEOLATUS. Garr. vinaceo-badius ; capite sub- cristato, gulé, jugulo, alisque atris ; collo anteriori albo lanceo- lato ; pteromatibus remigibusque ceruleo fasciatis, illis albo ter- minatis ; caudd ceruled, nigro fasciatd, fascid latd apicalt albo terminata notatd.

GaRRULUS BISPECULARIS. Garr. pallid? badius, uropygto cris- soque albis ; maculd lata postrictali, caudd, pteromaiibus, remi- gibusque atris ; his duabus ceruleo fasciatis.

GarruLus srriatus. Garr. pallid? brunneus, subtus pallidior ; corporis supra subtusque plumis in medio albo longitudinaliter striatis ; cristd verticali, remigibus, rectricibusque unicoloribus.

This latter species was observed to deviate in general colour and markings from the European species, although according in form ;

8

and in the former characters to exhibit a manifest approach to the Nutcrackers, or the genus Nucifraga of Brisson.

A new species of this latter European form was also observed in the collection ; a second species being thus added to a group which had hitherto been supposed to have been limited to one. In the shape of the bill, which was somewhat shorter and stouter at the base than in the European &pecies, it indicated an approach to the Jays. Its characters were as follow :

NucrrraGA HEMIsPILA. Nuc. castaneo-brunnea ; capite subtus, collo anteriori, dorso, pectoreque albo maculatis ; capite summo, alis, rectricibusque intense brunneis ; his, duabus mediis exceptis, ad apicem late albis.

The two following species of Woodpecker, which approached in size and colouring most closely to the European green Woodpecker, were also described.

Picus occrpiratis. Mas. Pic. viridis, uropygio lutescenti ; fronte coccineo ; vertice, strigd lata occipitali ad nucham extendente, al- terdque utringue sub oculos postrictali, atris ; remigibus rec- tricibusque fusco atris, harum duabus mediis pallido-fusco striatis, ills externé albo maculatis ; guld genisque canis.

Fem. Fronte atra albo lineata.

Picus squamatus. Pic. supra viridis, uropygio sublutescenti ; guld juguloque viridi-canis ; capite coccineo; strigd superocu- lari, alterd suboculari, abdomineque viridi-albis, hoc atro squa- mato; strigd superciliari alterdque utrinque mentali atris ; remi- gibus rectricibusque fusco-atris, illis externe, his utrinque albo maculatis.

A species of Hawfinch, according accurately with the characters

of that northern form, was also described.

Coccornraustes icTERIoipEs. Mas. Coce. capite, jugulo, dorso medio, alis, femorum tectricibus, cauddque atris ; nuchd, uropy- gio, corporeque subtus luteis.

Fom. Olivaceo-cana, uropygio abdomineque lutescentibus ; remigibus rectricibusque atris.

As also a small Owl, very nearly allied to the Noctue passe-

rina and Tengmalmi of Europe.

Nocrua cucutoipes. Noct. brunneo-fusca ; capite, dorso, tectri- cibus alarum, corporeque subtus albo graciliter fascialis ; remi- gibus externe albo maculatis ; rectricibus utrinque fasciis albis quinque notatis ; guld albd.

Among the forms peculiar to India was observed a second spe- cies of the singular group which contains the Horned Pheasant, or the Meleagris Satyra of Linneus, and which has been lately sepa- rated by M. Cuvier under the name of Tragopan. Its specific cha- racters are:

Tracopan Hastinesu. Trag. dorso brunneo-fusco undulato, abdomine intense rubro, amborum plumis ad apicem nigris in medio albo guttatis ; cristd crissoque atris, illd ad apicem coccined, hoc albo maculato ; collo posteriori coccineo ; thorace aurantio ; regione circumoculari nudd, carunculisque pendentibus luteis ; caudd atrd, lutescenti-albo undulatd.

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A species of true Pheasant, which seems to have been indicated by former writers from incomplete descriptions or drawings, but never to have been accurately characterized, was also exhibited and named.

PuHasIANus ALBo-cristatus. Mas. Phas. supra ater, viridi nitore splendens ; dorso imo alho fasciato ; criste plumis albis, elongatis, deorsim recumbentibus, basi subfuscis ; remigibus cor- poreque inferiori fuscis ; pectoris plumis lanceolatis albescentibus.

Foem. Corpore supra cristdque breviort fuscescenti-brunneis ; ab- domine pallidiore ; guld, plumarumque corporis apicibus et rha- chibus albescentibus ; rectricibus laterélibus atris, mediis brunneis alhescenti undulatis.

A third species was likewise added from the collection to the group of Hnicurus of M. Temminck, which has hitherto been con- sidered as limited in range to the Indian Archipelago. ‘The fol- lowing are its characters :—

Enicurus macutatus. En. capite, collo, dorso superiori, pec- tore, ptilis, remigibus secundariis, cauddque intense atris ; Srontis notd latd, maculis confertis nuche et sparsis dorsi, pteromatibus, dorso imo, abdomine, rectricibus lateralibus, mediarumque apici- bus albis ; remigibus primartis fuscis ; rostro nigro ; pedibus al- bescentibus.

Statura Hn. specioso xqualis.

Mr. Owen resumed the reading of his paper On the Anatomy of the Orang Utan (Simia Satyrus, L.). This part of the com- munication is devoted to the osteology of the animal, which is minutely described and contrasted with that of the Chimpanzee. With the skeleton of the Pongo (Pongo Wurmbii, Desm.) the re- semblance is in many particulars almost complete ; and the exten- sive examination which Mr. Owen has made of entire skeletons of both the Pongo and the Orang, and of numerous crania of the latter at various ages, has led him to adopt the opinion of those who maintain that these constitute really but one species, of which the Orang is the young, and the Pongo the adult. The remarkable differences in the crest of the cranium, and in the facial angle, appear to be the result of the action of the powerful muscles of manducation, and of the development of the extremely large laniarit.

A marked peculiarity of the cranium of the Orang exists in the junction of the sphenoid with the parietal bones; a junction which is not found in the Chimpanzee, and has been asserted to exist in man alone. Other peculiarities are met with, in the absence of a crista galli on the ethmoid bone, and in the non-existence of either mastoid or styloid processes : there is a process from the par- ticular surface of the temporal bone, which is necessary to prevent dislacation backwards of the lower jaw, the auditory process not being adapted to prevent such an accident. The intermaxillary bones are distinct. ‘There are large foramina behind the deciduous teeth, which lead to cavities containing the permanent ones; the crowns of the latter are as large as those of the Pongo. The os

10

nasi is single and triangular ; it has a strong spine at the back part. There are three infra-orbital foramina ; and large foramina in the malar bone. ‘The anterior condyloid foramina are two on each side.

The true vertebre are 23: 7 cervical, with long simple spines ; 12 dorsal; and 4 lumbar. ‘There are 8 false vertebre, viz. 5 sacral, and 3 coccygeal. The ribs are 12; 7 true, and 5 false. The sternum is composed, below the first portion, of a double series of bones alternating with each other: the same structure obtains in the Pongo.

The spine of the scapula is strongly incurvated upwards. ‘The bones of the arm and hand are much elongated. ‘The thumb is short; the proximal phalanges of the fingers bent.

The lia are narrow, flattened, and elongated. ‘The femur is short and straight; it has no ligamentum teres, a deficieucy which occurs also in the Elephant, the Sloths, in Seals, the Walrus, Ornithorhyn- chus, &c., and by which a greater extent of motion is allowed to the thigh. The tibia and fibula are shorter than the femur: these, like the bones of the fore-arm, have a greater interosseous space than is found in man. The pateila is very smail. ‘The os calcis pro- jects far behind. The bones of the metatarsus and the phalanges are elongated, the first series of the latter being bent. The hinder thumb is very short: in the individual examined it had a metatar- sal bone, and two phalanges. A nail existed on the thumb of each hinder hand.

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December 14, 1830. G. B. Greenough, Esq. in the Chair.

A letter was read from Dr. Andrew Smith, addressed to N. A.

Vigors, Esq. ‘The following are extracts : «Cape Town, 8th Sept. 1830.

“T am sure you will be pleased to Jearn that I have disco- vered another species of Macroscelides, as well as a new one of Erinaceus; and three species of the genus Otis, together with one of Brachypteryr. The descriptions of these I hope to be able to forward to you in the course of three weeks or a month. The first is designated in our Museum, Macroscelides rupestris ; the second, Hrinaceus Capensis; the third, fourth, and fifth, Otis Vigorsii, Ot. feror, and Ot. Afraoides; the sixth, Bra- chypteryx Horsfieldii. The first was found by myself on the mountains near to the mouth of the Orange river, and the circum- stance of its always residing among rocks, together with the differ- ence in its colcuring, readily pointed it out as being of a distinct species. As to the colour, the most marked distinction consists in the Cape species having a large tawny rufous or chestnut blotch on the nape and back of the neck. The second, EHrinaceus Ca- pensis, exhibits considerable affinity to the European species, yet betrays such marked peculiarities as to warrant its being considered as really different from it. The third, Otis Vigorsii, inhabits the most dry and barren situations in the south of Africa, and is known among the colonists by the name of Karor Koran. The prevailing colour above is a light tawny or reddish yellow, and below tawny gray, passing into dirty white on the belly. The back is variegated by numerous violet blotches or reflections, as well as by whitish spots, and the under parts by transverse narrow zigzag black lines. The fourth is above principally tawny yellow, and below dull blueish gray: it is found in the country toward Latakoo. ‘The fifth is met with on the flats near the Orange river, and is called the Bushman Koran. With the exception of a great portion of the quill feathers being white, it resembles much the common Koran of the colony, the Otis Afra. The sixth is met with in high rocky situations, and agrees in most respects with the generic character of Brachypteryz, as described by Dr. Horsfield.”

With the above letter Dr. Smith transmitted to the Society a present of sixteen specimens of fishes, obtained in the neighbour- hood of the Cape of Good Hope, “the details relative to which,” he states, “will be forwarded as soon as possible.” ‘The specimens were exhibited, and Mr. Bennett laid on the table a list in which they were enumerated as the Sebastes Capensis, Agriopus torvus,

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Sciena hololepidota, Otolithus cequidens, Chrysophris globiceps, Chr. gibbiceps, and Pagrus laniarius, of MM. Cuvier and Valen- ciennes; an undetermined species of Dentex: a fish alhed to Oblada, Cuv., and apparently the type of a new genus; a new species of Scomber, Cuv.; a Lichia?; two species of Clinus, Cuv., one of which is probably the Clinus Capensis ; an undescribed species of Bagrus, Cuv., of the section distinguished in the ‘‘ Regne Animal” by having six cirri and a rounded and smooth head; a species of Scyllium, Cuv., probably new to science; and a second species of the genus Rhina, Schn., which deviates from the type by a slight production of the front of the head, and thus makes an approach to Rhinobates, Schn.

Mr. Vigors exhibited several species of Humming-birds from the collection of Mr. John Gould, one of which, previously unde- scribed, had been dedicated to Mr. George Loddiges, F.L.5., &c. It approaches most nearly to the Trochilus Lalandei, Vieill., but may be distinguished from that bird (in which the crest is brilliantly green and the throat and breast rich blue,) by the following cha- racters : 4+ Trocuitus Lopprersu, Gould. Troch. cristd elongatd, purpu-

reo-lilacind ; guld crissoque saturate cinereis ; pectore abdomine- que nigris.

This species is from Rio Grande.

Mr. Loddiges stated that both species belonged to a genus which he had distinguished among the Trochilide by the name of Cephal- lepis; and promised to bring before the Committee, at an early meeting, the results of his researches on the Trrochilide generally.

At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Martin reported the diseased appearances noticed on the examination of the Beaver which re- cently died in the Society’s Menagerie. ‘They were stated to be such as result from great and universal inflammation. On exami- ning the stomach, its lining membrane was found covered with a blush of inflammation, prevailing more especially about its cardiac portion, where a number of dark-coloured spots and patches indi- cated the existence of gangrene. Both the stomach and the colon contained undissolved fibres of bark in considerable quantity, the function of digestion having been for some time past necessarily de- ranged. Along the course of the small intestines, traces of high arterial action were still presented; in the large intestines the traces of inflammation were more obscure. ‘The pericardium was highly inflamed, its inner surface presenting a granulated appearance. The heart also, as well as the lungs, gave evidence of having partaken in the general disease. Much disease existed about the lower jaw, which may probably have been the primary cause of all the mischief, as it must have existed for several months, and necessarily have produced a continued state of irritation in the system. The alveolar processes of the lower jaw, embracing the incisor teeth, were destroyed by caries, and the teeth themselves had fallen out.

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In the adjacent soft parts there were extensive abscesses, and a wide spread of discoloration, evidencing the progress of the dis- organization.

Mr. Cox exhibited a Nightingale in fine plumage and full song, which had been for four years in confinement. He stated that the error generally committed by persons attempting to keep these birds and the other species cf Sylviade, was the over care bestowed upon them. A treatment not more tender than that afforded to granivo- rous species, agreed well with the Nightingale, for which it was by no means necessary to provide insects as food ; meat scraped fine and mixed with egg forming a sufficient substitute, and furnishing a nourishment at once erateful to the bird and fully adequate to supply its wants.

Mr. Bennett called the attention of the Committee to two birds which had been for some time living in the Society’s Garden. In many respects, especially as regards the nakedness of their cheeks, and the nakedness, length, and reticulation of their farsi, they agree with the Caracaras (Polyborus, Vieill.); but differ from the type of that genus in the greater compression of their beaks; their trans- verse oval nostrils; their comparatively slender make; and their more vulturine appearance, which is much increased by the soft downy nature of the plumage of their head and neck. From the genus Morphnus of M. Cuvier, which they resemble in many parti- culars, they are at once distinguished by the length of their wings, which reach, when closed, to the extremity of the tail. He stated his opinion that they would be found, on a close examination, (which could only be made after death,) to constitute a new genus. Until the opportunity of determining this question should occur, he asso- ciated them provisionally with the Caracaras; and having met with no trace of a description of them in any ornithological writer, he proposed for them the following specific character :

PoLYBORUS ? HYPOLEUCUS. Pol. ? capite, collo, pectore, abdomine- que albis ; scapularibus fusco-griseis ; dorso tegminibusque fuscis ; remigibus nigricantibus ; caudd basi nigrd, apice fascid latd al- bidd.

Jun. Fuscus, capite, collo, corporeque subtus dilutioribus, remigibus Susco-nigricantibus.

The following observations, by Mr. Yarrell, on the subject of his attempts to preserve Whitebait alive, were read.

«* Several dozens of strong lively fish, four inches in length, were transferred with great care from the nets into large vessels, (some of the vessels, to vary the experiments, being of earthenware, and others of wood and metal,) filled with water taken from the Thames at the time of catching the fish. At the expiration of twenty mi- nutes nearly the whole of them were dead, none survived longer than half an hour; and all fell to the bottom of the water. On examination, the air-bladders were found to be empty and collapsed.

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There was no cause of death apparent. About four dozen speci- mens were then placed in a coffin-shaped box pierced with holes, which was towed slowly up the river after the fishing-boat. This attempt also failed: all the fish were dead when the vessel had reached Greenwich.

«“T was told by two Whitebait fishermen that they had several times placed these fishes in the wells of their boats, but they inva- riably died when brought high up the river. ‘The fishermen believe a portion of sea water to be absolutely necessary to the existence of this species, and all the circumstances attending this particular fishery appear to prove their opinion to be correct.”

A report by Mr. Yarrell on the morbid appearances observed in the examination of the Society’s Reindeer, was read. It is as. follows :

«*On opening the body and removing the viscera, the lungs ap- peared highly inflamed, of a dark purple colour; and on cutting into their substance, the cells contained matter. The small intestines also bore marks of inflammation, but in a much less degree: the mesenteric glands were diseased, but not to the extent that might have been expected in an animal that had been many years in an artificial state. The external surface of the neck and head exhi- bited a high degree of vascularity, and the animal appeared to have been under the influence of that periodical determination of blood to the head, which is known to occur in all deer at the annual pro- duction of new horns. As far as the brain could be examined by the occipital foramen, both the substance and its investing mem- branes were also inflamed; but I have no doubt the primary cause of death was the inflammation of the lungs.”

Several new species of birds belonging to the collection brought home from the Straits of Magellan by Captain King were exhibited. In the absence of that gentleman, the following species were pointed out by Mr. Vigors, which are thus characterized in Captain King’s MSS.

+ Turpus Macetuanicus. Turd. corpore supra grisescenti-olivaceo, sublus pallidé rufescenti ; capite supra, remigibus, cauddque fusco- airis ; guld albd, fusco-atro lineatd.

Habitat in Fretu Magellanico.

—+ PsITTACARA LEPTORHYNCHA. Pitt. viridis; fronte, strigd per oculos, cauddque rufis ; capite nigro, abdomine imo rufo, varie- gatis ; mandibuld superiori elongatd, gracillima.

Statura Psitt. Lichtensteinii equalis.

Habitat in insula Chiloe.

Picus MELANOCEPHALUS. Pic. capite corporeque supra nigris, hoc albo maculato ; pectore abdomineque albis, illo albo lineato, hoc albo fasciato.

Longitudo 6 vel 7 uncias circiter.

Habitat in Fretu Magellanico et insula Chiloe.

15

~f Hytacres. Novum genus, Megapodio affine.

Characteres Generici.

Rostrum subelongatum, subtenue, apice subemarginato: naribus basalibus, longitudinalibus, membran4 subtumescenti pilisque per mediam longitudinem tecta.

Ale brevissime, rotundate ; remige 5ta longissima.

Cauda subelongata, gradata.

Pedes fortes; tarsis subelongatis, in fronte scutellatis ; digitis unguibusque elongatis, his fortioribus subcompressis ; hadluce fortis- simo, incumbente.

Hyvacres Tarnu. Hy. saturate fusco-brunneus ; fronte, dorso,

abdomineque rufis, hoc fusco fasciato.

Habitat in insula Chiloe et Portu Otway Sinu Pefias.

Cotumsa Firzroyit. Col.vinacea ; alis, dorso imo, cauddque plum- beis; hujus fascid, remigibusque atris; nuche plumis viridi- splendentibus ; fascid occipitali alba.

Habitat in nemoribus insule Chiloe.

Cyenus anatoipes. Cygn. albus, remigibus primuriis ad apicem nigris ; rosiro pedibusque rubris, illo lato, subdepresso, tuberculo nullo.

Habitat in sinubus interioribus apud extremitatem meridionalem Americe.

AwsER inornatus. Mas. Ans. albus: dorso inferiori, caudd, Sasciis nuche dorsique superioris femorumque tectricum, ptero- matibus, remigibusque atris ; rostro nigro, pedibus flavescentibus.

Foem. Capite collogue canis; dorso superiori corporeque inferiori albis, nigro confertim fasciatis ; dorso imo, remigibus, rectrici- busque nigris ; ptilis speculoque albis ; tarsis subelongatis.

Habitat in Fretu Magellanico.

Microrrerus Patracuonicus. Micropt. supra plumbeo-grises- cens ; guld scapularibusque rufescentibus ; abdomine speculoque alarum albis ; rostro virescenti-nigro, ungue nigro.

Habitat in parte occidentali Frets Magellanici.

Statura minor Micropt. brachyptero.

| Awas cnILoENsis. An. fronte, genis, abdomine, uropygio, ptero- matibusque albis ; capite posteriori, collo, dorso inferior, ptilis, remigibus primariis, cauddque fuscis ; dorso superiori pectoreque Susco et albo fasciatis ; remigibus secundariis et tertiis scapulari- busque nitidé atris, his albo lineatis ; abdominis lateribus crisso- que rufescentibus ; strigd post oculos latd splendid? purpurascenti- viridi.

Longitudo circa sexdecim uncias.

Habitat in insula Chiloe.

+ Avwas FrerTensis. An. guld, genis, collo, pectore, dorsoque ante- riort pallide badiis ; collo graciliter undulato ; pectore dorsoque anteriori atro maculato ; dorso abdomineque imis, crisso, cauddque albis nigro fasciatis ; dorsi fasciis latis, abdominis gracillimis, caude sublatioribus, crissi sparsim undulatis ; capite supra, remi- gibus, scapularibusque virescenti-atris ; his albo in medio linea-

16

tis; tectricibus plumbeo-canis, fascid apicali albd : speculo supra viridi, deinde purpureo, fascid atrd apice albo terminata. Statura Anatis creccoidis, Nob. Habitat in Fretu Magellanico. It was announced that the whole collection of Capt. King’s birds, with the descriptions of the remaining new species, would be brought forward at an early meeting.

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December 28, 1830. W. Yarrell, Esq. in the Chair.

The form of a circular letter, to be addressed to the heads of Menageries and Museums in foreign countries, was submitted to the Committee, and approved of.

A letter was read, addressed to the Secretary of the Society by J. V. Thompson, Esq., dated “‘ Cork, Dec. 16, 1830.” In it Mr. Thompson urges, in support of the universality of a metamorphosis among the Crustacea, that he has ascertained the newly hatched animal to be a Zoea in eight genera of the Brachyura, viz. Cancer, Carcinus, Portunus, Eriphia, Gecarcinus, Thelphusa?, Pinnotheres, and Jnachus; and in seven Macrourous genera, viz. Pagurus, Por- cellana, Galathea, Crangon, Palemon, Homarus, and Astacus. “These embrace all our most familiar native genera of the Deca- poda.”’ ‘The Lobster, or Astacus marinus, Mr. ‘Thompson states, “does actually undergo a metamorphosis, but less in degree than in any other of the above-enumerated genera, and consisting in a change from a cheliferous Schizopode to a Decapode ; in its first stage being what I would call a modified Zoea with a frontal spine, spatu- late tail, and wanting the subabdominal fins; in short, such an ani- mal as would never be considered what it really is, was it not obtained by hatching the spawn of the Lobster.” In the other indigenous species of Astacus, Ast. fluviatilis, the River Crawfish, it would appear from the excellent treatise of M. Rathke on the development of its eggs, that the young are hatched in a form according with that of the fully grown animal. Mr. Thompson, however, suspects that some source of error may exist in these observations. ‘‘ If it should be found otherwise, it can only be regarded as one solitary exception to the generality of metamor- phoses, and will render it necessary to consider these two ani- mals for the future as the types of two distinct genera.” In il- lustration of the change of form observed by him in the limbs of the Lobster, Mr. Thompson inclosed a sketch of the “ cheliferous member of its /arva,”’ which is represented as divided to its base, and consisting of, 1. a cheliferous portion ; 2. a portion of equal length with the preceding and terminated by natatory cilia (described as the outer division of the limb, or future fagrum) ; and 3. a short rudiment of one of the future branchie.

A specimen of the Labrus maculatus, Bloch, presented to the So- ciety by Sir A. Carlisle, was exhibited. When quite recent, its rich

[No. II.] Zoot. Soc. Procerpines or Comm. or Science, &c.

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deep blue colouring was stated to have been extremely beautiful ; but this had already disappeared considerably, although the specimen had been but twelve days in spirit. Still enough remained to show how defective in this particular is the figure in Bloch’s Ichthyology [No. 294.], which appears to have been taken from a dried speci- men, and exhibits scarcely a trace of the rich colouring of the recent fish.

The Chairman brought to the recollection of the Committee the recent addition to the British Fauna of a species of Warbler (the Sylvia Tithys, Scop.) nearly allied to the Redstart, Sylvia phenicu- rus, L., but distinguished from that bird by its dark slate-coloured breast, and by the dusky-black colour of its two middle tail-fea- thers. ‘The first occurrence of this bird in England was recorded in the 5th volume of the ‘“ Zoological Journal,” page 102, by Mr. John Gould, who has since ascertained that two other individuals have been met with; one in the neighbourhood of Bristol, the other at Brighton. Both these specimens were obtained during the last summer. The Chairman added, as a peculiarity of this bird, that its egg, as described and figured by continental writers, is white; while the egys of all the nearly allied species are pale blue.

A communication by J. C. Cox, Esq., F.L.5., &c., was read, on the subject of preserving a proper temperature for exotic animals. Mr. Cox commences by remarking on the capability of animals for enduring great extremes of temperature, and instances the experi- ments of Sir Joseph Banks and Sir C. Blagdon, in which a heat of at least 230° was borne without great inconvenience ; while, on the other hand, Captain Parry and his men were exposed to a tempera- ture of —40° and even lower: thus showing that the human frame is susceptible of a range of temperature of probably 300°, without injury to life. Such extremes can, however, be submitted to but for a short period. ‘To keep animals, natives of tropical climates, in good health, they should be preserved from too great extremes ; and as it is important to imitate as much as possible the character of the climate from which they are brought, the hygrometric state of the atmosphere should be attended to almost equally with the temperature. The hot winds of the Desert (Mr. Cox remarks), to- gether with the absorbent nature of the sandy soil, render the general state of the atmosphere in the central parts of Africa that of extreme dryness; but this is an exception to intertropical regions in general. In Guiana and La Plata, for instance, and in Ceylon, the thick woods exhale a considerable degree of moisture, far exceeding that of our own country; the mean dew point of the atmosphere of London being 44°°5, while that of intertropical regions is from 70° to 75°. Animals from such climates, it is suggested, require a moist atmosphere, and this may readily be produced by watering the flues used for heating the houses in which they are kept. Analogous to this is the advantage obtained in the cultiva- tion of stove plants by keeping the houses well-watered. The

19

neglect of supplying to the air a sufficient quantity of simple and innoxious moisture is attended with two evils. Not only are the animals kept in an atmosphere too dry for their healthy preserva- tion ; but the dry air, greedily absorbing moisture, becomes impreg- nated with the excreted fluids of the animals in confinement; and thus the secreting surfaces of the lungs are at once exposed to a constant stimulus from increased and rapid exhalation, and to the additional stimulus inflicted by the continual breathing of air loaded with saline and irritating particles. In well-constructed houses it is of the first importance that the fluids of the animals should be conducted from the buildings. Ventilation should also be perfect not only through the body of the building, but through each indivi- dual cage or den. This is doubly necessary where the air is viti- ated, not only by the animals themselves, but by numerous visitors. For the general regulation of the admission of cold air a convenient plan is to have a leaden or iron weight balanced in a vessel of mer- cury, attached to a sliding sash, which will thus rise or fall in proportion to the height of the mercury. Mr. Cox regards it as of no importance, as to the effect produced on the atmosphere, by what means an increased temperature is preserved, whether by flues or steam or hot water, if the degree obtained be the same: the only reason for preferring one to another is the greater facility it may afford of keeping up an equable temperature.

Mr. Owen read a portion of his notes made at the dissection of the Beaver which died lately at the Society’s Gardens. He limited himself on this occasion to the description of the organs connected with digestion. ‘The salivary organs and those of deglutition were treated of in detail: the former parts, which are remarkably deve- loped in all the Glires, were especially examined on account of the peculiar nature of the animal’s food; while the latter claimed par- ticular attention from the recent interesting discovery by Mr. Mor- gan of a peculiar construction of the fawces in the Capybara, and some others of the Rodent order.

Of the salivary glands the parotid are the largest. They are united, like the lateral lobes of the thyroid gland in man, by an anterior transverse portion; and form together a conglomerate mass which extends across the front of the neck to within a short distance of the upper part of the sternum, covering the larynx and its muscles, and passing backwards on each side as far as the mas- toid process. There are, however, two ducts, one on each side, which terminate in front of the molar teeth. The submavillary glands are quite distinct from the parotid, and are each about the size of a walnut: their ducts pass under the jaw and terminate at the side of the frenum lingue. The sublingual glands are very small.

Between the membrane of the palate and the bone, in the narrow space between the rows of molar teeth, a layer of mucous glands is situated : and a thick stratum of the same kind of glands exists also immediately exterior to the membrane of the fauces.

The soft palate extends backwards from the posterior edge of the

20

bony palate as far as the circular aperture of the posterior nares. The sides of the soft palate are continuous with the tongue, and, becoming gradually contracted, form fauces of a funnel shape, the posterior aperture of which just admits a black-lead pencil of the usual size for drawing. The membrane covering the posterior part of the dorsum of the tongue is continued smoothly and uninter- ruptedly to the epiglottis, without the production of any fold of membrane in front of this part, nor was there any corresponding duplicature above, or at the sides of, the fauces: so that here no structure existed that would allow any part of the fauces to be pro- truded in a conical form into the pharyne, beyond the opening of the glottis, as in the Capybara and Guinea-pig.

The fauces of the Rat are formed after the same type as those of the Beaver: a type which is peculiar, inasmuch as there is properly speaking no velum pendulum palati, the membrane forming the roof of the fauces being continued straight, without duplicature or re- flection, to the posterior aperture of the nares: this aperture is of a circular form, on a horizontal plane, and situated immediately above the glottis.

The muscular apparatus of the fauces consists of a pair of muscles which arise, one from each side of the tongue, and ascend, the fibres diverging a little ; their action is to contract the commence- ment of the fauces, being analogous to the palato-glossi: besides these there are, at the narrower part of the fauces, circular fibres, apparently continued from the superior constrictor of the pharyna, and analogous to the palato-pharynget.

There are no palatal arches, neither were any tonsils detected.

The peculiar cardiac gland much resembles tonsils in structure, being composed of numerous small glands or follicles, forming an aggregate of about 14 lines in length and half an inch in thickness, which pour a viscid secretion, by numerous apertures, into the inte- rior of the stomach.

The pancreas is of considerable extent, measuring in length nearly two feet, and following the course of the duodenum down to the iliac region and up again as far as the umbilical, being attached to the intestine by a process of mesentery; it is thin and narrow, and has one small branch or process lying parallel with its body where it passes behind the liver, and a few others at the curvature of the duodenum. Its duct, somewhat larger than a crow-quill, enters the small intestine at the extremity of the gland, one foot and nine inches from the pylorus, and one foot and six inches from the ter- mination of the ductus choledochus.

At the commencement of the colon there are two pouches of an oval form, from the union of which the rest of the intestine proceeds with very distinct saccu/i. An analogous structure exists in the cecum of the Guinea-pig, where however the two sacculi appear rather to belong to the cecum, being partially separated from the colon by a circular production of the lining membrane in a valvular form.

January 11, 1831.

Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., in the Chair.

An Address by Mr. J. V. Thompson ‘‘ To the Members of the Zoological Society, and the Zoologists of the United Kingdom in general,” was read, soliciting such support, by subscription, as may enable him to continue, without further loss, his ‘‘ Zoological Re- searches and I]lustrations.”” This Address is printed, together with a list of the subjects of some of the succeeding Memoirs, on the cover of the Fourth Number of the Researches, which was at the same time laid on the table.

An Extract was read from a Letter addressed by Daniel Sharpe, Esq., to Mr. Bennett, in which the writer describes the lnminous appearance of the ocean as observed by him on several nights du- ring his passage to Lisbon. A considerable sparkling was visible in the water close under the vessel’s side, particularly in the spray just thrown off from the bow, and also occasionally when a wave broke: it gradually vanished as the water became quieter. The appearance was that of a number of small sparks not brighter than the smallest stars. When a bucket full of the water was taken up, nothing was visible until it was stirred or shaken, when it was in- stantly filled with spangles, which disappeared as the water settled : the most elegant effect was when the waves or spray broke over the deck, which then became covered with stars for a few minutes. Mr. Sharpe states that he collected a great quantity in a glass, and exa- mined them carefully with a microscope the next morning, in the expectation of observing minute Crustacea, &c., to which the ap. pearance he describes has frequently been attributed. He could, however, detect nothing but an abundance of small fibres and shreds of, apparently, animal matter, and did not find even one entire animal. Hence he is disposed to infer that, in some instances at least, the phosphorescence of the sea arises from the quantity of particles of dead fishes, &c., always floating on its surface ; although he con- fesses himself unable to explain the reason why these shine only when the water is disturbed.

It was remarked that Commerson and others have attributed the phznomenon described to the putrefaction of animal matters: and M. Bory de St. Vincent has declared that marine animalcula take no share in it. Sir Joseph Banks, Dr. Macartney, and others, on the contrary, have referred it to the presence of marine animals, prin- cipally Crustacea; and the existence of such, as the cause of this appearance, has been recently insisted on by Mr. J. V. Thompson.

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Dr. MacCulloch has also attributed it to the latter cause; and states that every marine animal that he has examined is luminous. Assuming the observations of M. Bory de St. Vincent and those of Dr. MacCulloch to be equally correct in the instances which fell under their notice, it is worthy of inquiry whether any, and what, differences exist in the luminosity of the ocean, when it is occasioned by marine animals, or when it is owing to other causes.

Mr. Yarrell exhibited a female of the common game Fow/l which had assumed the plumage of a male. The dull brown colour of the breast was varied by an intermixture of the jet black plumage peculiar to the male; the feathers of the neck and those on the sides of the tail were long, slender, hackled and bright in colour; all the tail feathers were more or less curved; and the spurs were half an inch in length. ‘This bird very closely resembled the representation attached to Dr. Butter’s paper on this subject in the third volume of the ‘“‘ Memoirs of the Wernerian Society.” A portion of the body of the bird was also shown, the disease of the sexual organ pointed out, and its appearance contrasted with preparations of the same parts from healthy birds. The cause of this change in the external character is fully detailed in John Hunter’s ‘‘ Animal Eco- nomy,”’ in the Wernerian Memoirs before mentioned, and in a paper by Mr. Yarrell, published in the ‘“ Philosophical ‘Transactions ” for 1827,

Mr. Vigors resumed the exhibition of the birds from the Hima- layan Mountains, which he had commenced at the Meeting of the 23rd Nov.; and named and characterized the following apparently new species :

ALcEDO GuTTATus. Alc. cristatus, supra ater, maculis rotundis albis guttatim notatus ; subtus albus; colli lateribus pectoreque atro maculatis.

Statura Alc. maximi.

MuscipeTa PRINCEPS. Musc. capite, collo, dorso summo, alls, rectricibusque duabus mediis nigris ; corpore inferiort, dorso imo, fascia latd alarum, maculis paucis remigum secundariarum, rec- tricibusque lateralibus aurantio-coccineis ; rostro fortiori.

Longitudo circiter 9 uncias.

Lanius ErytTHRopreRUs. Mas. Lan. nuchd dorsoque griseis ; capite supra, alis, cauddque atris ; corpore subtus, strigd superci- hari, remigumque apicibus albis ; alis macula latd rubrd notatis.

Foem. Capite griseo ; dorso, alis, rectricibusque virescenti-olivaceo notatis ; harum apicibus flavis.

Statura Lan. Collurionis.

Parus monticoLtus. Par. capite, collo, pectore, abdomine medio, alis, rectricibusque atris ; genarum maculd latd nuchalique parva, tegminum remigum secundariarum rectricumque apicibus, et remi- gum primariarum rectricumque lateralium pogoniis externis albis ; abdominis lateribus flavis.

Statura paulo minor Par, majori.

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Parus xantTHocenys, Par. capite cristato, guld, pectore, abdo- mine medio, strigd utrinque colli, scapularium maculis, alis, cau- ddque atris, his albo notatis ; dorso scapularibusque virescenti- griseis ; genis, strigd superciliari, maculd nuchali, abdominisque lateribus flavis.

Statura precedentis.

Parus MELANoLopHUS. Par. griseus; capite cristato pectore- que atris ; genarum, nuche, tegminumque alarum maculis albis ; remigibus rectricibusque fuscis ; maculd sub alis rufa.

Statura Par. atro paulo minor.

Parus ERYTHROCEPHALUS. Par. supra pallide brunnescenti-ca- nus, subtus rufescenti-albus ; guld, strigd superciliari, rectricum- gue lateralium pogoniis externis albis ; capite supra rufo ; strigd lata per oculos ad nucham extendente, thoraceque atris.

Statura Par. pendulini, Linn.

FRINGILLA RODOPEPLA. Fring. supru brunnea; capite, nuchd, dorsoque lineis fuscis rosaceoque nitore notatis ; strigd utrinque superciliari, guld, thorace, maculis alarum, uropygio, corporeque subtus rosaceis.

Longitudo circiter 7 uncias.

FrinGILLA RopocHroa. Fring. supra brunnea; capite, nuchd, dorsoque lineis fuscis, illo rosaceo tinctis ; fronte, strigd utrin- que superciliari, guld, pectore, corpore subtus, uropygioque rosa- ceis ; alis immaculatis.

Longitudo circiter 54 uncias.

CarpDUELIs canicePs. Card. brunnescenti-canus ; alis cauddque nigris ; circulo angusto frontem rictum gulamque circumcingente coccineo ; fascia alarum aured ; thorace, maculis paucis alarum, uropygio, abdomine imo, crisso, rectricum externarum pogoniis internis, mediarumque apicibus albis.

Statura Card. commuiis.

Picus uyperyturus. Mas. Pic. corpore supra nigro, albo-ma- culato, subtus rufescenti-badio ; capite crissoque coccinets ; strigad utringue per oculos extendente albd ; mandibuld superiori nigra, inferiori alba.

Fem. Capite nigro albo-lineato.

Statura Pic. medii, Linn.

Cotumpa LEuconoTA. Col. capite canescenti-atro ; crisso cau- déque nigris ; nuchad, corpore subtus, dorso medio, caudeque fas- cid laté medida, albis; tegminibus alarum vinaceo-canis ; dorso superiori scapularibusque brunnescenti-canis ; remigibus, fasciis- que alarum brunnescenti-fuscis.

Statura Col. Palumbi, Linn.

Oris HIMALAYANUS. Of. niger; alis albis ; dorso medio sca- pularibusque pallido-rufo brunneoque variegatis ; dorso imo pal- lido-rufo undulatim sparso ; criste collique plumis anterioribus et posterioribus confertis, elongatis.

Mr. Vigors exhibited a living specimen of a new species of Ground Parrakect, which had lately been added to the Society’s Menagerie. Its native place was not ascertained: but from the more graduated

24

form of the tail and the plumbeous colour of the bill, it was conjec- tured to have belonged to some of the Australian islands; the Par- rakeets of which are distinguished by these characters from the allied groups of the same genus Platycercus of the Australian con- tinent. The lively and active gait of this bird, as distinguished from the slow and climbing motions of the Parrots in general, was particularly noticed. Its colour was a uniform green without any markings. It was named and characterized as

Piatrycercus unicoLtor. Plat. corpore viridi concolore ; rostro

basi plumbeo, apice nigro.

Mr. Vigors also exhibited a specimen of the lineated Pheasant of Dr. Latham [Gen. Hist. vol. vii. p. 201. sp. 14.] which had lately been received from the Straits of Malacca. The bird ac- corded accurately with Dr. Latham’s description, as communicated to him by Dr. Buchanan from a living specimen in an aviary in India, and afforded evident proof of being a distinct and strongly marked species. It may be characterized as follows :

Puasianus LinEAtTus, Lath. MSS. Phas. supra cano-griseus ; fasciis gracilibus nigris undulatus ; capite, crista elongata, guld, collo anteriori, corporeque infra nigris ; abdominis laterum plu- mis in medio lineis gracilibus albis notatis ; caudd albo nigroque undulatim sparsa.

A large collection of Insects, of various orders, presented to the Society by Dr. Leach, was exhibited. It was chiefly formed in the neighbourhood of Rome and Florence; and notes were ap- pended to the greater number of the species, indicating the precise locality of each, the time of its appearance, its food, comparative rarity, &c.

The attention of the Committee having been directed to that part of the Minutes of the Council which referred to the prepara- tion of a Report on the animals which it was desirable for the So- ciety to import :

It was resolved,

That Sir Thomas Phillipps, Mr. Vigors, Mr. Owen, Mr. Cox, and Mr. Bennett, be requested to prepare, for the consideration of the Committee at its next Meeting, a Report on the animals for the importation of which the Council should be recommended to take measures.

The following Resolution was also submitted to the Committee, and adopted :

Resolved,

That Mr. Morgan, Mr. Yarrell, and Mr. Vigors, be requested to prepare a series of questions on points relating to the generation, gestation, parturition, and suckling of the Kangaroo, in order that the same may be submitted to the Council, with a request that directions may be given to the Superintendents of the Society’s establishments to obtain information thereon,

January 25, 1831. Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart. in the Chair.

A specimen of the Cereopsis Nove Hollandie, Lath., which had recently died at the Society's Menagerie in the Regent’s Park, was exhibited.— Mr, Yarrell stated that having examined the body of the bird, he had remarked that its trunk was much shorter than that of the true Geese, and more triangular in its shape: the pectoral muscles were large and dark ¢oloured. The trachea was of large, but nearly uniform, calibre, without convolution, and attached in its descent to the right side of the neck as in the Heron and Bit- tern ; in the form of its bone of divarication and bronchi@é it most resembled the same part in the Geese. The muscles of voice were two pairs; one pair attached to the shafts of the os furcatorium, the other to the inner lateral surface of the sternum. The lobes of the liver were of large size, morbidly dark in colour ; their substance broke down under the finger on the slightest pressure. The sto- mach, a true gizzard, was of small size as compared with the bulk of the bird. The first duplicature of intestine was six inches in length, at the returning portion of which the biliary and pancreatic ducts entered ; from thence to the origin of the ceca four feet six inches ; the c@ca nine inches each; the colon and rectum together five inches : the whole length of the intestines was seven feet five inches. The stomach and intestinal viscera were loaded with fat ; the other parts exhibited nothing remarkable.

Internally this bird,which was a male, resembled the true Geese ; but externally, in the character of the bones, particularly in the rounded form of the edge, and great depth, of the keel of the ster- num, and the lateral situation of the trachea in reference to the cer- vical vertebra, it was decidedly similar to the Ardeide.

Mr. Yarrell availed himself of the occasion to remark that the Natatores of Mr. Vigors’s systematic arrangement in Ornithology were placed between the Grallatores or Waders on the one side, and the Raptores or Birds of Prey on the other: and that the order con- tained five groups, two of which, the Alcade and Colymbide, were called normal, containing those birds which were considered to be the types of the true Swimmers, and three groups, Anatide, Peleca- nide, and Laride, called aberrant, as deviating from the type, and exhibiting some characters which connected them either with the Grallatores or the Raptores. Some of the Larid@ and Pelecanid@ in the length of their wings, their consequent power of flight, and the mode of taking their food in the air, exhibited their obvious affinity to the Birds of Prey on the one hand ; while some of the Anatide, by their lengthened legs and neck, and their habit of passing much

[No, III.] Zoot, Soc. PRocEEDINGS OF THE CoMM, OF SCIENCE.

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of their time on land or frequenting shallow pools of water, showed an equal affinity to some of the Waders. This was the case with the Cereopsis, and occurred also in the Semipalmated Goose and in another Goose now living in the Society’s Gardens, the Anser ju- batus, Spix.

It was stated that in proportion as these birds departed from the characters of the true Geese in their external appearance and habits, and in both approached to the Ardeide@, they would also be found on examination to resemble them in their internal organization. In proof of this an extensive series of parts of the skeletons of birds from the true Divers to the Cranes was exhibited, and the peculia- rities pointed out. The keel of the breast-bone in the Ducks and true Geese was shown to be of considerable depth, with its inferior edge nearly straight ; those of the Semipalmated Goose and Cereopsis were shown to be much deeper in the keel, and the inferior edges much more convex ; and comparison with the same parts from the Spoonbill, Herons, Bitterns, and Storks, showed the approximation to the Ardeide in form. The peculiarities of the whole series indi- cated, between the two extreme points, the developement of the powers of flight as contrasted with the maximum of the powers of diving, in a succession of characters as easily recognisable in the skeletons as in the external appearances of the birds themselves, and supplied a valuable auxiliary chain of affinities to assist the natura~ list in his views of arrangement.

On the subject of the Cereopsis Mr.Bennett observed, that having lately had occasion to investigate the history of that bird, hehad met with some facts respecting it which might not be without interest. After noticing the mistakes in Dr. Latham’s original description and figure, which have been already corrected by MM. Temminck and Vieillot, he pointed out certain errors in those given by the two last-named writers, as compared with the bird on the table, and with seven living specimens in the Society's Collection, all of which, he believed, had been hatched in this country. Thus in the description of the latter author it is said, “la téte est couverte d’une peau nue, ridée et jaune, depuis la base du bec jusqu’audela des yeux”; and in that of the former, ‘une peau ridée et jaunatre couvre le front”; but this supposed naked skin does not exist in nature, and although represented in M. Vieillot’s figure, is very properly omitted in that of M. Temminck. The latter indeed is, with the exception of the legs being coloured of a dingy yellow instead of a deep orange, a very characteristic representation. No synonyms had hitherto been added to the original name ; but Mr. Bennett stated that he had little doubt, both from the description and locality, that a bird mentioned by Labillardiére as seen at Esperance Bay, on the south coast of New Holland, and named by M. Vieillot, in the ‘‘ Nouveau Dictionnaire d’Histoire Naturelle,” Le Cygne cendré, was of the same species. To this bird it would ap- pear, from d’Entrecasteaux’s Narrative, that the unfortunate Riche had applied in his MSS. the name of Anas Terre Leeuwin. Ona specimen, in all probability not distinct, brought home by Labillar-

27

diére, M. Vieillot founded a new species of Goose, Anser griseus, described at length in the second edition of the “ Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat.” Ifthis assumption be correct, the same individual must have afterwards served as the type of his figure of the Cere- opsis ; for only a single specimen of that bird existed until very lately (or indeed probably still exists) in the gallery of the Paris Museum, in which Labillardiére’s specimen was deposited.

A specimen was exhibited of a small species of Deer from Chili, which had lived in the Society’s Menagerie for upwards of twelve months, and which Mr. Bennett stated that he believed to be new. It is a female, and consequently does not offer the accessory cha- racters which zoologists have been in the habit of deriving from the horns. The other distinctive marks are as follows :

Crervus HUMILIs, Cerv.parvus, obesus, brevipes ; facie latd, brevt, obtusa ; fissurd infra-orbitali mediocri ; cauda subnulla : cor- pore toto rufo, antic? nigrescent?, posticé fronte pedibusque infe- rioribus saturatioribus, infra dilutiort.

Alt. ad humeros vix 14 ped.: long. caudz vix unciam superans.

Mr. Bennett added that he was informed by Captain P. P. King, R.N., that a second skin of the same species had been brought to England by him; that the young was spotted with yellow, and had a yellow stripe on each side of the back ; and that the animal was plentiful at Concepcion, and found even as far south as the Archi- pelago of Chiloe, living, he believed, in small herds.

A hybrid Pheasant belonging to the Society having lately died at the Garden, Mr. Yarrell observed that he had examined its body, a preparation of a part of which, together with the preserved skin, was then on the table. tie remarked that in mules produced. be- tween animals placed at different degrees of distance from each other in the scale of Nature, it was a point of some interest to as- certain the relative state of the sexual organs, which it might be expected would be found more or less perfect, depending on the extent of the distance interposed between the parent animals. The bird in question was a male, bred between the pheasant and the common fowl, but most allied in appearance to the former. The sexual organs appeared to be perfect and of large size for the pe- riod of the year.

Three examples of the Ardea Nycticorax, Linn., were placed on the table. On these Mr.Yarrell observed that the Menagerie of the Society had furnished an interesting link in this species, in a young bird which united in its plumage the brown spotted wing of the Gardenian Heron with the black head and ash-coloured back of the Night Heron: thus exhibiting the change from the young to the adult bird, and proving that the two supposed species are really but one.

Two living specimens were exhibited of the Suricate, Ryzena

ey

28

tetradactyla, Mllig., which had recently been added to the Society’s Collection. Both individuals were extremely gentle, and suffered themselves to be handled and played with, without evincing any uneasiness.

At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Martin reported the morbid appearances observed in the Lzon which recently died at the So- ciety's Gardens. Beforeremoving the skin, the whole of the body presented aremarkably bloated appearance, which was found on exa- mination to be owing to general emphysema. This was suspected by Mr.Martin to be the result of morbid arterial secretion ; it could not have been caused by putrefaction, the animal having been dead but a few hours, and the body being still warm. The same appearance had been not unfrequently observed by Mr. Spooner, the Veteri- nary Surgeon of the establishment, in animals worn out by linger- ing chronic disease. | On examining the lungs, their cellular struc- ture was found completely obliterated, except in one small portion, where alone any oxygenation of the blood could have taken place. They presented a dark appearance on the surface, with a hardness or density of structure which must have resulted from lonz-conti- nued inflammation. They were also partially studded with tubercles. On cutting into them, purulent matter oozed from the incision, and several abscesses, though not large, were discovered. ‘The liver was dark, and so soft as to break down with the slightest touch. The spleen presented no decided trace of disease. The intestines adjacent to the liver were tinged with a dark and somewhat purplish hue ; but although distended with air presented nothing remark- able. The stomach contained only a little bile and mucus.

The muscles generally were pale and flabby, as might have been anticipated, where a chronic disease had wasted the vital energies, and where the blood, impeded in its passage through the lungs, had long ceased to be sufficiently oxygenated. .

Mr. Owen commenced the reading of his account of the Myology of the Simza Satyrus, L. He confined himself to the notice of such muscles as are peculiar to that animal, and have not any ana- logues in the human frame ; of those which, if analogous, deviate remarkably in their proportions and attachments; and lastly, of such as have been considered as of doubtful existence in the Orang.

The occipito-frontalis, which escaped the observation of Tyson and Dr. Traill (Wernerian Trans. iii.) in the Chimpanzee, and which some physiologists have asserted to be peculiar to man, is distinctly developed in the Orang Utan. Portions of this muscle were also found on the head of a Chimpanzee that had been flayed with great care, the rest having been removed with the scalp, to which the tendinous part closely adheres.

The following muscles of the face were described, corrugator supercilit, levator labii supertoris aleque nast, levator anguli oris, aygomaticus major, depressor angult oris, orbicularis palpebrarum and orbicularts orts. On reflecting the inner membrane of the lips,

29

the depressores labit superioris and levatores labii inferioris were found of considerable breadth and strongly developed : their action in protruding the lips in a conical form has been frequently noticed by those who have had opportunities of observing the living animal.

The platysma myoides is of greater extent than in the human subject, and some of the fibres have a different direction, bearing a resemblance to the cervical portion of the panniculus carnosus in some quadrupeds, as the Beaver and Guinea-pig.

The muscles of mastication, and the articulation of the lower jaw were described.

The digastricus has not any connection with the os hyoides, the anterior fleshy portion being altogether wanting in the Orang Utan. It is inserted by a strong round tendon into the angle of the lower jaw. This circumstance is interesting in connection with the me- morable dispute between Dr. Monro (primus) and the French ana- tomists, concerning the actions of this muscle; and it is remarkable that Winslow, with his accustomed ingenuity, should have alluded to such a disposition, in illustrating his opinions of the actions of the digastricus on the lower jaw in the human subject. Some peculiarities in the mylo-hyoideus, genio-hyoideus, and omo-hyoideus were noticed.

The peculiar muscle discovered by Tyson in the Chimpanzee, and called by him Jevator clavicule, arises in the Orang Utan from the occiput and transverse process of the atlas, In the Chimpanzee which Mr. Owen dissected, he also found it arising from the trans- verse process of the at/as, and not from the second or third cervical vertebra. It is inserted broadly into the humeral extremity of the clavicle.

Neither in the Orang Utan nor in the Chimpanzee is there any true ligamentum nuche. The part commonly so called in the human subject, consisting also in these animals only of the inelastic com- missural tendons of the trapeziz, the rhomboidet and the serrati postici superiores. ‘To give additional support, however, to the head of the Orang Utan, which preponderates so far anterior to the oc- cipital foramen, the origins of the rhomboidei are extended upwards to the occipital bone, to which they broadly adhere, beneath the trapezii. In the Chimpanzee this disposition does not occur, but in both animals the rhomboideus is a single muscle, without division into a greater and lesser portion.

Three muscles supply the place of the pectoralis major in the Orang Utan. Their proportions and attachments were minutely described; and while speaking of these with reference to each other, it was found convenient to apply to them the names of sterno- humeralis, costo-humeralis, and sterno-costo-humeralis.

The reading of the remainder of this part of the anatomy of the Orang Utan was postponed to a future meeting of the Committee.

Several species of Birds belonging to the collection recently ~ made by Capt. Philip P. King, R.N., during his survey of the Straits of Magellan, were exhibited. Other birds from the same collection had been named and characterized at the Meeting on the 14th of

30

December: and on the present occasion Capt. King pointed out the distinctive characters of the following species which he believed to be new.

SYNALLAXIS ANTHOIDES. Syn. supra brunnea, plumis in medio

usco laté striatis, tectricibus alarum superioribus rufo tinctis ; subtus pallide cinerea ; rectricibus lateralibus ad marginem eater- num, fascidque alarum, rufis.

Statura Syn. Spinicaude.

DENDROCOLAPTES ALBO-GULARIS. Dend. corpore supra abdo- minisque lateribus rufo-brunneis ; remigibus secundaris, dorso imo, cauddque rufis ; mandibuld inferiori ad basin, guld, jugulo, pectore, abdomineque medio albis, hujus plumis brunneo ad api- cem marginatis ; rostro sursum recurvo.

Longitudo circiter 7 } uncias.

Trocuitus Fernanvensis. Tock. ferrugineo-rufus ; capitis vertice splendenti-coccineo ; remigibus fuscis.

Longitudo 5 uncias.

Habitat in insula Juan Fernandez.

TrocuiLus Strokesii. Troch. corpore supra viridi-splendente, subtus albo viridi-guttato ; capite supra, guttisque confertis gule lazulino-splendentibus ; remigibus fusco-atris ; remigum omnium, mediis exceptis, pogoniis internis albis.

Longitudo 44 uncias.

Habitat in insula Juan Fernandez.

PHALACROCORAX IMPERIALIS. Phal. capite cristato, collo pos- teriori, corporeque supra intense purpurers ; alis scapularibusque viridi-atris ; remigibus rectricibusque duodecim fusco-atris ; cor- pore subtus, fascia alarum, maculdque dorsi medii sericeo-albis ; rostro nigro ; pedibus flavescentibus.

Statura Phal. Carbonis.

Habitat in sinubus interioribus ore occidentalis.

PHALACROCORAX SARMIENTONUS. Phal. capite, collo, dorsoque imo atro-purpureis ; pectore abdomineque albis ; dorso superior, scapularibus, alisque viridi-atris ; remigibus rectricibusque duo- decim atris; guld, gents, femorumque tectricibus superioribus albo-notatis ; rostro nigro ; pedibus flavescentibus.

Statura precedentis.

Habitat in Freto Magellanico.

PHALACROCORAX ERYTHROPS. Phal. capite, collo, corporeque supra purpureo-atris ; pectore abdomineque albis ; genis parcé albo-notatis ; facie nuda rubra ; remigibus, rectricibus duodecim, rostroque sub-brevi atris: pedibus flavescentibus.

Statura paulo minor precedentibus duobus.

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February 8, 1831. N. A, Vigors, Esq. in the Chair.

It was announced that the Council had Resolved, « That the Meetings of the Committee are open to every Member of the So- ciety.” In this resolution the Committee cordially concurred ; and also in the propriety of distributing cards of the Meetings to the Members of the Society residing in or near London.

The skeleton and parts of the viscera of one of the Society's spe- cimens of the Chinchilla, (Chinchilla lanigera,) were exhibited, and the following notes by Mr. Yarrell were read.

«On the death of one of the specimens of this interesting little animal in the collection of the Zoological Society, the Museum, previously containing a preserved skin, was enriched with a skeleton and preparations of parts of the viscera. Of these additions I have been permitted to furnish a description, which I was the more de- sirous to do, as no notice of the internal parts of this animal has appeared, that I am aware of, except as far as regards its dentition ; and on this part of the subject I was anxious to correct an error I had committed in a short notice published in the fourth volume of the ‘ Zoological Journal,’ page 317, from the prescribed use of li- mited materials.

‘¢It may be necessary to state that at the time of examination ail the viscera had been preserved some months ina weak solution of spirit.

pe The lungs are composed of three small lobes on each side, The heart is flattened in form from behind forwards, measuring ,¢,ths of an inch across its base, and but -3,ths in depth ; the want of apex gives it a rounded and muscular appearance. The liver exhibits two large and equally-sized lobes, and two smaller lobes. The sto- mach, a single cavity, measures from the entrance of the esophagus round the great curve to the pyloric contraction 5 inches ,%,ths, the greatest breadth 2 inches ,2,ths, the depth 1 inch ,3,ths; the spleen is small and elongated. The length of the small intestines from the pylorus to the end of the ilium 3 feet 10 inches ; the c@- cum and first portion of the colon are of large size, made up of three half-circular convolutions, one central, with one of smaller dimen- sions on each outer side, containing numerous cells and divisions, strengthened by muscular bands and septa ; the whole length of cecum, colon and rectum, measures 4 feet 10 inches. With the exception of the cecum and commencement of the colon, which as Ihave stated are voluminous, all the intestines are of very small

32

calibre. The kidneys vary somewhat in shape ; one measures +%,ths of an inch in length and 3,ths in breadth, that on the opposite side is much more spherical. The specimen is a female, and the uterine cornua measure each 3+ inches in length.

‘Of the skeleton, when mounted, the whole length from the nose to the end of the tail is 13 inches ;*,ths ; the upper surface of the cranium from the occiput to the inter-orbital space is in form triangular and flat, the width at the occiput 1 inch +,th, of the inter-orbital space -4,ths, the whole length of the head 2 inches 72,ths, the mastoid processes and auditory cells of very large size, the external meatus also large, oval, directed upwards and backwards; the zygoma narrow and slender posteriorly, but deep and stronger at its junction with the malar bone, which has an ascending bony division between the orbits and temporal fosse ; the nasal bones narrow, convex, and of parallel diameter; the lower jaw is curved, broad and strong, the course of the znczsor teeth is visible, and the alveolar cavities of the molar teeth are well defined externally ; the coronoid processes are wanting, apparently as if broken off during the preparation of the skeleton, but have obviously been of very small size; the condyle elongated from before back- wards, the plate deep, and the posterior angle of considerable length. Dentition 3=8: the exposed portion of the znczsors measures +4,ths ofan inch in length; the molar teeth are all made up of three parallel portions or bony lamina, each portion invested with a thin coat of enamel and closely united, the base of a molar tooth presenting six lines of enamel and three cavities; the anterior third of the first molar tooth on each side, above and below, is smaller than the other two portions, and gives to these teeth a triangular-shaped crown; the posterior third portion of the last molar tooth on each side above is nearly round, and gives an increase of surface to these also; in the molar teeth of the lower jaw the fold of enamel between the first and second portions of the bony damine of each tooth does not reach quite to the outer edge, and the two portions of bone ap- pear therefore to be only partially separated. The direction of the parallel Jamine of all the molar teeth is not at right angles with the line of the maxillary bones, but inclining obliquely from without backwards.

‘The length from the aélas to the end of the tail is 11 inches ,4,ths ; cervical vertebre 7, dorsal 13, lumbar 6, sacral 2, and cau- dal 23. The scapule are small, measuring 1 inch from the exter- nal angle to the articulation with the humerus, the spine is but little elevated, the acromion ample, the clavicles perfect; length of the humerus 1 inch ,2,ths, the bone streng and furnished with an elongated crest descending from the head; from the olecranon to the carpal articulation 1 inch ,°,ths, the wna and radius firmly an- chylosed throughout the distal half of their length ; thence to the end of the longest of the five toes 8,ths of an inch. The ribs 13 pairs. The hones of the pelvis slender and elongated ; from the crest of the ilium, which is but little produced, to the inferior edge of the ischium is 1 inch {%,ths; the ossa pudis, slight in structure, advan-

33

cing but little, the symphysis elongated, and the obturator foramen of large size. The femur is straight, strong and smooth, and mea- sures 1 inch ,8,ths ; the ¢ibza 2 inches ,+,ths ; the fibula is complete and forms the external malleolus ; from the os calcis to the end of the longest toe 2 inches +,th; the toes four in number, of which the outer one is the shortest, the third from the outside the longest, the second and fourth equal.

‘«‘In the published observations before referred to I stated that the Chinchilla appeared to be closely allied to Mr. Brookes’s new genus Lagostomus, and the character of the skeleton of the Chin- chilla compared with the figure and description of Lagostomus in the Ist part of the 16th volume of the ‘Transactions of the Lin- nean Society’ confirms the general similarity. Still, the more complicated structure of the teeth, and the existence of an additi- onal toe on each of the feet, require for the Chinchilla the generic distinction claimed for it by Mr. Bennett and by Mr. Gray.

«The resemblance of the skeleton of the Chinchilla to that of the Jerboa is also remarkable, particularly in the form of the head, in the excessive development of the auditory cavities, and the small size of the anterior extremities compared with the hind legs.”

Mr. Yarrell having concluded the reading of his Notes, it was remarked that MM. Isidore Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire and Dessalines d’Orbigny had proposed, in the ‘ Annales des Sciences Naturelles’ for November 1830, the creation of a new genus, Callomys, to in- clude the Chinchilla and the Viscaccia, The latter animal is the Dipus maximus, De Bl., and consequently the type of the genus Lagostomus, described by Mr. Brookes in a paper read before the Linnean Society in 1828, and published in the Transactions of that body in 1829, in which the system of dentition and the osteology are treated of in detail. The Chinchilla, long known in commerce but only recently made known to science, was described as the type of a distinct genus, under its common name, by Mr. Bennett in 1829, and by Mr. Gray in August 1830: its true characters seem even now to be unknown to the French authors above referred to, who appear to be acquainted with its skin alone, and never to have examined either its teeth or the number of its toes. In these re- spects it deviates from the characters of their proposed genus; a genus which cannot be adopted, inasmuch as it is composed of heterogeneous materials, and as the two types included in it have both previously been described and designated as distinct groups.

Specimens were exhibited of the trache@ of various Gallinaceous Birds included in the genera Pauai, Crax and Penelope of M. Tem- minck ; and Mr. Yarrell observed that these birds have each, as far as they have yet been examined, been found to possess a spe- cific difference in their organs of voice. Among thetrachee placed on the table was that of the Red-knobbed Curassow, Crax Yarrellii, Benn., a new species lately described from the Society's Menagerie, and which had recently died. The trachea of this species differs from all those previously known, but most resembles that of the

34

Crax Alector, L.; while in external characters the bird approaches the Crax globicera, L., from which it is distinguished by the redness of its cere and by a prominence on each side under the base of the lower jaw, in addition to the globose knob near the base of the upper. The tube in the Crax Yarrellii is straight throughout its whole length, except a short convolution imbedded in cellular membrane placed between the shafts of the os furcatorium. ‘The trachea is narrow, and the fold, invested and supported by a mem- branous sheath, gives off one pair of muscles, which are in- serted externally helow the apex of the os furcatortum. The lower portion of the tube, immediately above the bone of divarication, sends off a pair of muscles to be inserted upon the sternum. ‘The upper pair of muscles (furculo-tracheal) influence the length of the tube above the convolution. The inferior pair (sterno-tracheal) have the same power over the bronchial tubes and that portion of the trachea which is below the convolution.

Several specimens were laid on the table of a Clupea taken in the mouth of the Thames, which Mr. Yarrell regarded as distinct from the common Herring of our coasts, the Clupea Harengus, Linn. He dedicated it to Dr. Leach, who, he was informed, has often stated that the British coast possessed a second species of Herring, The Clupea Leachit is much deeper in proportion than the common Her- ring, an adult fish 8 inches long being 1 inch Zths deep, while a com- mon Herring of the same depth measures 103 inches in length. The dorsal and abdominal lines of the new species are much more con- vex; the latter is keeled, but has no serration. The under jaw has three or four prominent teeth placed just within the angle formed by the symphysis: the upper maaile have their edges slightly cre- nated. The eye is large. The scales are smaller than in the other species, and there is no distinct lateral line. The back and sides are deep blue with green reflections, passing into silvery white be- neath. The dorsal fin is placed behind the centre of gravity; but not so far behind it as in the common Herring. The number of the

fin-rays and of the vertebre differ in the two species as follows : D. PB V. A. C. Vertebre,

Clup. Harengus LZ eepeh4in i) Dyk: LE 6 2O0rc35t SE

Clup. Leachia 18:.5 17 iar Dh. elGie, ZO. sie oa The new species differs also from the common Herring in flavour, being much more mild. It is now full of roe, while the adult com- mon Herrings ceased spawning in November, and having retired subsequently to the deep waters are not at present to be met with on the southern coast. Mr. Yarrell added, that there was reason to believe that a third species of Herring, of a larger size than either of the others, occurred sometimes on our eastern coast. He also men- tioned that he had obtained last summer from the Thames, the two Shads regarded by M. Cuvier as the Clupea Alosa, Linn,, and the Clupea fallax, LaCép.

Mr. Yarrell stated that he had received a letter from Mr. Dill-

35

wyn, mentioning the capture in Swansea Bay of a specimen of the Labrus maculatus, Bloch ; being a second instance of the occurrence of this fish on the British coasts within a few weeks.

Mr.Yarrell also stated that the Summer Duck, Anas sponsa,Linn., male and female, had been shot recently near Dorking. The Anas occidua had also occurred in this country : and another American and Northern species of bird, the Alauda alpestris, Linn.

The Chairman resumed the subject of the Himalayan birds, and

exhibited and described the following species.

PHGNICURA CO@RULEOCEPHALA. Pheen. atra, abdomine striga- que alarum longitudinal albis ; capite pallidé ceeruleo.

Statura Pheen. communis.

PHGNICURA LEUCOCEPHALA. Pheen.corpore apicequecaude atris ; abdomine, crisso, uropygio, caudaque rufis ; capite supra albo.

Statura Phen. rubecule.

PHG@NICURA RUBECULOIDES. Pheen. capite, collo, corporeque su= pra atro-ceeruleis, capitis summo splendidiore ; abdomine albo ; pectore rufo.

Statura Phen. ceruleocephale.

PHGNICURA FULIGINOSA. Phen. corpore fuliginoso-plumbeo ; caudda rufii.

Statura paullo major quam precedens.

Emperiza crisTAtaA. Mas, Emb. capite cristato corporeque atris ; alis caudaque rufis.

Foem., aut Mas jun.? Capite subcristato corporeque fuscis, abdo- mine imo pallidiori ; alis cauddque rufescentibus, fusco tinctis.

Statura Carduelis communis.

LAMPROTORNIS SPILOPTERUS. Mas. Lamp. supra plumbeo-ca- nus, plumis ad apicem fusco marginatis ; subtus albus, rufo tinctus ; uropygio rufescenti ; remigibus atris viridi splendentibus, ma- cula alba ; caudd brunned ; guld intensé rufa,

Fem. Supra pallidé brunnea, subtus albescens, brunneo tincta,

Statura Lamp. cantoris.

Myornonus Horsrietpu. Myoph. ccerulescenti-ater, fronte, humeris, marginibusque plumarum pectoris splendidé ceeruleis.

Statura Myoph. cyanei, Horsf.

Puasianus Stacett. Phas. stramineo-albus, supra frequenter, subtus parce nigro fasciatus, dorso abdomineque imis rufescenti- bus ; capite cristato fusco ; caudd fasciis latis nigris, ad basin interné rufis, ornata.

Longitudo corporis ab apice rostri ad apicem caude, 3 pedes

4+ uncias.

Oris NIGRICEPS. Ot. corpore supra pallidé badio, rufo-brunneo graciliter undulato ; collo, maculis parcis alarum, abdomineque al- bis ; capite cristato, tectricibus alarum eaxterioribus, remigibus, no- tdque grandi pectorali nigris.

Longitudo corporis ab apice rostri ad apicem cauda, pedes 4 ;

latitudo, 44.

36

The Chairman also directed the attention of the Committee to a remarkable deficiency observable in some of the groups of the Pszé- tacide, viz. the absence of the os furcatorium. This deficiency he had observed in the osteology of the Psittacus mitratus, the Platycercus eximius, and the Pszttacula galgula; skeletons of the two last of which species were exhibited. He observed that this extraordinary defi- ciency evinced the approaching affinity of that group of birds to the Rasores, one of the most conspicuous groups of which, the typi- cal Struthionide, exhibited a like deficiency, indicating a corre- sponding failure in the powers of flight.

if

February 22, 1831.

N. A. Vigors, Esq. in the Chair.

A specimen was exhibited of a young Nyl-ghau, (Antilope picta, Pall.,) which was born at the Society’s Farm in January last. The mother of this individual had borne two young about twelve months since, while in the possession of His late Majesty. On the present occasion she had also borne two, one of which is still living. The differences between the young and the adult animal were pointed out. The latter is well known. The former is generally of a dull reddish fawn colour, which is brighter on the lower part of the legs. A line along the belly, descending a short distance down the inside of the legs, together with a line on the fore part of the hock, is white. The under lip, a line along its under surface, and a cres- cent-shaped spot mounting on each side round the base of the lower jaw, are also white. A spot above the front of the eye, and one behind the angle of the mouth are white, as are also the inside of the ears. A black line passes along the middle of the nose, and spreading out between the eyes, becomes suffused and lost. From between the ears a black line passes along the middle of the back tothe root of the tail. A black line passes down the front of the fore legs, commencing near their upper part, expanding in front of the knees, then contracting, and afterwards dilating again above the base of the hoof, which it surrounds. Above the pastern on the inner side is a white spot ; and there is a white spot just above the hoofs both on the outer and inner side. On the front of the lower part of the hinder legs there isa black line, and the pastern and feet are black. Above the pastern the limb is surrounded in front by a broad half ring of white ; and there are two white spots, nearly uniting in front, above the hoofs. The ears at their base for more than half their length, together with their extreme tip, are of the general fawn of the body becoming much lighter towards their outer margin : but a broad black blotch occupies nearly their upper half, with the ex- ception of the extreme tip. The tail is white beneath, and its tip is black.

Mr. Cox adverted to the prevalence among Sheep of prolapsus uteri, which he stated to be almost universally fatal to the animals afflicted with it, and for the relief of which he pointed out a simple and efficient method. In a sheep suffering from this cause he re- moved the protruded parts by the application of a ligature ; the animal was subsequently turned out to grass, and became as healthy and as fat as any of the flock with which it was associated. Mr. Brookes stated that prolapsus is equally frequent in some other animals, and gave the history of a case in which profuse and almost

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fatal hemorrhage ensued from cutting away the displaced parts : he fully agreed in the propriety of removing them by ligature.

Mr. Bennett called the attention of the Committee to one of the Spider- Monkeys, (Ateles, Geoff.,) at present living in the Society’s Garden, which he regarded as a new species. He named and cha- racterized it as the

ATELES FRONTALIS. Af. ater, maculd frontali semilunari alba. Statura 4t. atr7, F. Cuv.

By the white patch on the forehead and the radiation of the hair from the back of the neck, this monkey approaches the 4t. hybridus, described in the ‘ Dictionnaire Classique d’ Histoire Naturelle,’ by M. Isidore Geoffroy-Saint Hilaire. In the latter, however, the co- lours of the body are varied and generally light, the darkest tint which is mentioned as occurring on the specimen described being the pure brown of the head and anterior limbs. In the Society’s individual, on the contrary, the whole of the hairs, with the excep- tion of the frontal patch, are jet black: the naked parts of the skin are also black, except a flesh-coloured space on the face including the eyes, nose, and lips. It has been suspected that as the lighter- coloured species of Ateles advance in age they acquire the black which is so generally prevalent in the group; but this change of colour yet remains to be proved.

Some notes by Mr. Yarrell of an examination of the body of the lesser American Flying-Squirrel, (Pteromys volucella, Cuv.,) were read, The individual examined had lived in the Society’s Collec- tion for upwards of a year.

The pectoral muscles, and also the muscles of all the limbs were well marked and of Jarge size ; the clavicles perfect ; and the general character of the bones similar to that of the Squirrels. The heart was comparatively large, and the lungs were formed of two unequally sized lobes on each side, bearing evident marks of inflammation ; the chest was capacious, the diaphragm being situated very low down, and dividing the body into two nearly equal cavities. The liver was composed of six lobes, varying in size, deeply divided, and placed three on each side; the gall-bladder was small, elon- gated, and collapsed. The stomach in form and position resembled that of the Sguzrrel ; it was triangular, the apex forming the pyloric portion; the breadth 1-1,th of an inch, and 1 inch in depth. The length of the small intestines was 19} inches; the cecum 1 inch; the colon and rectum 7 inches; the cecum also resembled that of our Squirrel in form, but the membrane connecting its inner surface being more free, the caecum was less curved upon itself. The kid- neys measured each ;5,ths of an inch in length by 43,ths in breadth ; they were inflamed; and both ureters were also diseased and en- larged, The subject was a female, and the uterine cornua measured each 1 inch in length. The whole length of the intestinal canal was 28 inches ; the length of the animal from the nose to the origin of the tail 44 inches.

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The stomach, cecum, and portions of the skeleton were laid on the table. Mr. Brookes remarked that the cartilage which, passing from the carpus, affords support to the volitant membrane in the Flying-Squirrels, is found in all the Péeromyes and Sciuroptert ; but that it does not exist in Galeopithecus.

One of the specimens of Suricate (Ryzena tetradactyla, Mllig.), which were exhibited to the Committee on the 25th January, having died, the following notes respecting its anatomy were read by Mr. Owen.

« The specimen was a female, and measured, from the end of the snout to the vent, 11 inches. On opening the body it was observed that the bile had exuded through the peritoneum, and had stained the ensiform cartilage close to which the fundus of the gall-bladder lay. The viscera of the abdomen presented a beautiful appearance when exposed; the liver occupied the hypochondriac and epigastric re- gions ; below this appeared the stomach with its vessels injected, and along the convexity of this organ the spleen swept across the abdomen from the left to the right lumbar region ; the convoluted intestines occupying the lower part.

“ The esophagus has a course of about half an inch in the abdo- men, and enters the stomach half an inch from the left extremity of that viscus. The stomach is of a full oval shape, without any contraction in the middle, and retaining the same circumference to very near the pylorus: its longitudinal diameter is 2 inches; its depth 1 inch 10 lines. There is a large omentum, broadly attached to the stomach and spleen, which was hidden among the convolu- tions of the small intestines. The duodenum makes a large curve at the right side of the abdomen, is a loose intestine throughout its whole course, having a mesoduodenum which becomes shorter as it approaches the spine at the lower part of its curve; it is continued into the jejunum before it crosses the spine. The small intestine then descends into the left iliac region, makes a sudden turn up- wards, and after a few convolutions again at the lower part of the abdomen, terminates in the cecum which is situated in the left lum- bar region just above the left kidney. The circumference of the small intestines is nearly the same throughout their course, viz. 1 inch; their length 3 feet 2 inches.

«¢ The cecum is nearly an inch in length, with a rounded extremity, and rather contracted at its commencement ; but its position and direction are the reverse of the cecwm in the human subject, having the blind end pointing to the diaphragm, and lying, as in birds, by the side of the small intestine, and in the direction of the large intes- tine, which is continued almost straight down to the anus. There is not any natural division into colon or rectum, the large intestine being without longitudinal bands or sacculi, and measuring in length only six inches. The circumference is rather more than that of the small intestines.

« The liver is tripartite, with a lobulus Spigelii ; the right division is bilobed; the middle division has three lobes, with the gall bladder

40

lodged deep in the right fissure, and the coronary ligament in the left; the left division is entire. The gall-bladder is large; it had an irregularly contracted surface. The ductus choledochus enters the duodenum half an inch from the pylorus.

«« The pancreas has a singular form. A thick transverse portion extends from the spleen behind the stomach to the pylorus ; it then divides and forms acircle, which lies in the concavity of the great curve of the duodenum; sending off one or two processes in the mesoduodenum.

‘«« The spleen is a flat elongated body, four inches in length, about an inch in breadth, with the margins irregularly notched ; one of these is thicker than the other, so as to give it the appearance of a three-sided body. ‘Two large veins go from it to the vena porte ; on inflating these, the whole substance rose and became turgid, ap- pearing to be little else than a receptacle for venous blood.

« The kidneys are small oval bodies, having the veins partly ramifying on their exterior, as in the Civet, the Genette, and the Cats.

“« The lungs have three lobes on the left side and four on the right, one of which lies in the mesial line behind and below the heart. This single lobe, which is very general in the Mammalia, has consider- able analogy with the Jobudus Spigelii of the liver.

« The heart is oblong, with a round obtuse apex. The left brachial vein joins the superior cava ; the arch of the aorta gives off the two carotid arteries and the right brachial by a common trunk, then the left brachial artery.

«« The rings of the trachea are regular and of uniform size, in- complete behind, in number thirty-six. The arytenoid cartilages have thin elevated apices. The sides of the epzglottis extend back- wards as far as the cricoid cartilage, and it arches over the rima glottidis like a penthouse or shed. ‘The thyroid gland consists of detached lobes lying below the darynz, in the interspace of the eso- phagus and trachea.

« The tongue measures one inch and eight lines ; it becomes gradually thinner to the tip, which is neatly rounded. ‘The horny papile are principally collected in three groups, one near the apex, and one on either side near the middle of the tongue.

“ The esophagus has longitudinal ruge internally.

«* The parts ef generation showed, by their vascular condition, evident traces of recent excitement: this individual, indeed, had been observed to receive the advances of the male a short time pre- vious to her death ; but there was no visible proof of impregnation having taken place. The vagzna had longitudinal rug@ on its inner aspect ; the urethra opened close to the external aperture, within a small fold of membrane, but without any appearance of clitoris. From the os tince to the commencement of the cornua uteri was half an inch ; the cornua were an inch in length; the fold of perztoneum, or broad ligament, was continued from them as high as the upper part of the kidneys. The fallopian tubes made a turn round the ovaries, their extremities being closely attached to the capsules of these

41

glands. The ovaries themselves were small oval bodies, being about three lines in the long diameter, and were surrounded bya small cap- sule of peritoneum ; I observed on one part a small dark coloured speck, which was probably a corpus luteum.

«© Two small glandular follicles open on either side of the orifice of the urethra, and two larger spherical bags open at the verge of the anus ; these were filled with a white unctuous secretion, which had a faint odour, like the ordinary secretions of glandule odorifere. The quantity of this secretion probably had reference to the con- dition of the sexual organs before alluded to.

‘* The principal morbid appearances were in the lungs. They were of a dark livid colour, and in a state almost approaching to hepatization. Hurried and impeded respiration was the principal symptom noticed before death. The stomach and small intestines betrayed traces of inordinate vascular action.

*« In the structure of the alimentary canal, especially of the cecum, and in the remarkable shortness of the large intestines, this animal has a close affinity with the Czvet and Geneite, as well as in the structure of the kidneys as before mentioned. ‘The inferior sur- face of the tarsus is destitute of hair, as in many of the Viverride, in the true plantigrade Mammali1, and in the Kangaroo; like the latter animal, the Surzcate is in the habit of assuming the upright position, resting on the ¢arsus. It is carnivorous, and while in con- finement, manifested great agitation at the sight of small birds.”

In conclusion, Mr. Owen remarked, that the appearances which he had noticed, agreed with the description of the viscera of the ani- mal, as recorded by Daubenton, so far as that distinguished com- parative anatomist had observed them.

The Chairman exhibited a collection of Birds which had been made in the Island of Mauritius by Mr. Telfair, an active and well known Corresponding Member of the Society. They had been consigned to Mr. Barclay of Bury Hill in Surrey, who had pre- sented them to the Society. Several species were of interest, as being confined to the Island and its immediate vicinity, and being uncommon in European collections: and others, although found in Europe, as affording some facts respecting the geographical range of species. Mr. Vigors proposed to lay a catalogue of the collec- tion before the Committee at an early Meeting; and on the present occasion named and characterized the following apparently new species of Spoonbill.

PLataLea Tevrairit. Plat. corpore unicolore albo, rosaceo levi- ter tincto; regione circa rostrum, mandibula superiori, pedibus- que rubris ; mandibuld inferiori nigresceuti, basi flavd.

Longitudo corporis a mandibule basi ad apicem caudex, 251; rostri, 8; ale acarpo ad apicem remigis 2de, 16 ; tars, 6 ; caude, 6.

The Chairman again resumed the exhibition of the Himalayan birds ; and calling the attention of the Committee to the number of species now known to belong to the genus Lanius as restricted by

42

modern authors, and to the expediency of subdividing the group according to the modifications of form exhibited in the wings and tail, proposed the following characters as separating the two ge- nera.

LANIus.

Rostrum longitudine mediocre, robustum, compressum, ad basin rectum, ad apicem curvatum, mandibule superioris tomiis fortiter emarginatis, dentem conspicuum exhibentibus ; naribus basalibus, lateralibus, feré rotundatis, membrana partim tectis ; rictw setis rigidis munito.

Pedes mediocres ; digitis liberis ; acrotarszis laté scutellatis.

Ale subacuminate, subbreves ; remige prima brevissima, tertid longissima, ceteris gradatim decrescentibus.

Cauda brevis, equalis aut subrotundata.

Typus genericus, Lantus Collurio, Linn.

CoLLuRIo.

Rostrum pedesque ut in genere Lanio.

Ale subrotundatz, breves; remige prima brevi, secundaé sequen- tibus paullo breviore, tertiad quarté et quinta feré equalibus lon- gissimis.

Cauda elongata, gradata.

Typus genericus, Lanius Excubitor, Linn.

To the latter group the following Himalayan species belong.

Cotturio Harpwickil. Coll. capitis parte anteriore, strigd per oculos ad collum extendente, alis, cauddque nigris ; capitis vertice, corpore infra, macula medid alarum, caude@ tectricibus, rectricibus duabus lateralibus, ceterarumque, quatuor mediis exceptis, bast apiceque albis ; occipite, nuchd, dorsoque imo albescentt-griseis ; dorso medio lateribusque abdominis ferrugineis.

Rostrum pedesque nigri. Caput superné albo nigroque colore in duas feré partes transversim divisum. Longitudo corporis, 8; ale a carpo ad remigem 3tiam, 343 rostri, +; tarsi, 4; caude, 33.

Bay-backed Shrike, Lath.? Gen. Hist. vol. 11. p. 13. sp.6.

This bird appears to be the same as that referred to in Dr. La- tham’s work, the description of which is taken from one of the draw- ings of General Hardwicke, to whom the species is inscribed.

CoLLURIO ERYTHRONOTUS. Coll. striga frontali per oculos ad

medium colli extendente, alis, rectricibusque quatuor mediis ni- ee 3 capite supra, nucha, dorso superiori, rectricibusque latera- ibus pallidé cinereis ; corpore infra, alarum macula media, remi- gum interiorum apicibus, rectricum lateralium marginibus omni- umque apicibus, albis ; seapularibus, dorso imo, abdominisque la- teribus ferrugineis.

Rostrum pedesque nigri, illius mandibula inferiori ad basin flaves- centi. Striga per oculos nigra, supra graciliter albo marginata. Tectrices alarum inferiores albz. Longitudo corporis, 10:; alea carpo ad apicem remigis 3tia, 33; rostri, 7; tarst, 14; cauda@, 4+.

This bird was observed to bear a great resemblance to the de-

43

scription of the grey-backed Shrike of Dr. Latham, (Gen. Hist. vol. ii. p.9. sp.3.) but to differ from it in the colours of the lesser wing- coverts and tail; the former being all black in the Himalayan spe- cies, and blue-grey, ending in pale rufous in Dr, Latham’s, while the tail in the former species had four black middle feathers and the rest cinereous, but in the latter had the two middle ones only black, the rest being white. In a group exhibiting so much similarity in the disposition of the colours as the present, such differences are material as distinguishing species.

CotLurio TEPHRONOTUS. Coll. fascid frontali pergracili ad medium colli per oculos latiis extendente nigra ; capite, nuchd, scapularibus, dorsoque saturatius cinereis ; collo anteriori pecto- reque albescentibus, hoc fusco graciliter fasciato ; abdomine cris- soque ferrugineis ; alis cauddque brunneo-fuscis, apicibus palli- dioribus ; dorso imo tectricibusque caude superioribus subrufes- centibus.

Tectrices alarum inferiores ferrugineo fuscoque notate. Statura

paullo minor quam in specie precedenti.

This bird also was observed to be closely allied to the last, and to differ from it probably only in sex or age. Until such points however could be ascertained, it was considered adviseable to regard it as specifically distinct.

Another interesting modification of form was exhibited among the Shrikes, in which the forked tail, acuminated wing, and short and feeble legs of the birds allied to Dicrurus appeared united to the head and bill of some of the Stares, particularly the genus Pastor. Mr.Vigors characterized the form under the generic name of

HyPSsIPETES.

Rostrum subelongatum, debile, parum curvatum, apice leviter emarginatum ; narzbus basalibus, lateralibus, longitudinalibus, mem- brana partim clausis; réctis setis paucis, parum rigidis.

Ale subelongate, subacuminate ; remige prima brevi, secunda longiori septimee zequali, tertia et sexta zequalibus, quarta et quinta zqualibus longissimis.

Pedes brevissimi, debiliores ; acrotarsiis scutellatis.

Cauda subelongata, forficata, rectricibus extrorsum spectantibus.

Hyrsipetes Psaroipes. Hyps. capite supra subcristato, remi- gum apicibus, rectrictbusque nigris 3 corpore alisque cineraceo- griseis ; abdomine imo crissoque pallidioribus.

Rostrum pedesque flavi. Tectricum alarum remigumque pogonia interna fusca. Tectrices alarum inferiores cineraceo grisez. Lon- gitudo corporis, 114; ale a carpo ad apicem remigis 3tiz, 5; rostri 1; tarsi, §; caude, 4+.

The following species were also exhibited and described.

MuscipETA BREVIROSTRIS. Mas. Musc. capite, collo, nuchda, dorso superiori, alis, rectrictbusque mediis splendenti-nigris ; corpore infra, dorso imo, pteromatum apicibus, fascia remigum, rectricibusque lateralibus splendidé coccinets ; rostro brevi, sub- debilt.

AL

Foem.? Fonte, corpore infra, dorso imo, fascia alarum, rectrici- busque lateralibus flavis ; capite, nuchd, scapularibus, dorsoque superiori griseis ; alis rectricibusque medus nigris.

Longitudo corporis, 84; ale, 34; rostri, 77,3; tarsi, &; cauda@, 4.

CARDUELIs spinoiprs. Mas. Card. fronte, occipite, collo corpo- reque infra, ptilis, pteromatum apicibus. fascid remigum, rectri- cumque lateralium basibus flavis ; capite supra dorsoque oliva- ceis ; alis cauddque fuscescenti-nigris.

Foem.? Coloribus minis saturatis ; abdomine dorsoque olivaceo- Susco striatis.

Statura paulo major quam Card. Spini.

Picus auniceps. Mas. Pic. capite supra aureo ; occipite, cbdomine amo, crissoque coccineis ; colli parte posteriori et striga utrinque laterali, corporeque supra nigris ; colli parte frontali et lateribus, corporeque infra albis, hoc nigro striato ; scapularibus, pteroma- tibus, remigibus, rectricibusque lateralibus albo-maculatis ; dorso medio griseo, albo nigroque fasciato,

Foem. Sine notd coccinea occipitalt.

Statura Pic. medi.

Picus pyemmus. Mas. Pic. capiie supra dorsoque medio griseo- canis, hoc albo nigroque fasciato; striga utrinque per oculos ad nucham extendente, guld, maculisque pteromatum remigum et rectricum lateralium albis ; pectore abdomineque albescentibus,

Jusco graciliter striatis; nota longitudinali gracili utrinque post oculos coccined.

Foem. Sine notd coccined postoculari.

Statura minor quam Pic. minoris.

The male exhibited of this species was observed to have the two middle tail feathers elongated beyond the rest, and the lateral fea- thers were shewn to be altogether soft and flexible, like those of the genus Picumnus, Temm.

Cinnyris Goutpia. Cinn. capite supra, guld colloque in fronte, regione auriculari, strigd utrinque gracilt ad latera colli usque ad humeros extendente, uropygio, caude tectricibus, rectrici- busque duabus mediis elongatis purpureo et ceeruleo metallicé splendentibus; capitis lateribus, occipite, nuchd, scapularibus, dorso summo, ptilisgue sanguineo-rubris ; dorso imo, pectore, abdomi- neque sulphureis, his sangutineo sparsis ; remigibus rectricibusque lateralibus fuscis.

Longitudo circiter 5 uncias.

Mr. Vigors expressed the pleasure which he felt in dedicating

this species to the accomplished artist, Mrs, Gould, who executed

the plates of these Himalayan birds.

March 8, 1831. Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart. in the Chair,

The Report on the animals for the importation of which the Coun- cil should be recommended to take measures (prepared in pursuance of a Resolution of the Committee, Jan. 11.), was presented and read by Mr. Vigors. It was directed that it should be suspended in the Meeting Room for the consideration of the Members of the Com- mittee until the next Meeting, to which it should be again submitted, and its adoption be recommended.

An extract was read from the ‘ Lecture faite a la lére Séance Annuelle de la Société d’Histoire Naturelle de I’Isle Maurice, 24 Aout, 1830, par M. Julien Desjardins, Sécretaire de la Société,’ a manuscript copy of which had been transmitted by that Society.

The zoological labours of the Mauritius Natural History Society have, during the first year of its existence, embraced numerous de- partments of animated nature.

The Mammalia of the island have been treated of by M. J. Desjar- dins. They are twenty-six in number, of which twelve only exist in the wild state. These are enumerated as the Simia Aygula, L. ; Pteropus vulgaris; Pter. rubricollis, Geoff. ; Nyctinomus acetabulo- sus, Geoff. ; Taphozous Mauritianus, Geoff. ; Erinaceus setosus, L. ; Sorex Indicus, Geoff.; Mus Rattus, L.; Mus Musculus, L.; Lepus nigricollis; Sus scrofa, L.; and Cervus Elaphus, L.

Various Birds of Mauritius have been brought before the Society, including the Fulica Chloropus, L.; the Numenius Madagascariensis, Briss. ; and a Snipe, known in the island as the Cul blanc. To the latter M.L. Desjardins has given, with some doubts, the name of Sco- lopax Mauritiana.

Several birds from Madagascar have also occupied the attention of the Society, and M. J. Desjardins has identified them as follows : two species of Falco, Cuv.; Strix flammea, L.; Lowia Madagascariensis, L.; Corvus Dauricus, Lath. ; a species of Regulus, Cuv.; Cuculus canorus, L.; Tetrao Coturnix, L.; Scopus Umbretta ; Rallus Mada- gascariensis, n.s.; Fulica Chloropus, L.; Fulica cristata, Gmel. ; Scolopax Capensis, L.; Colymbus minor, L. ; and four species of the genus Anas, L.

There are very few Reptiles met with on the island. An instance has occurred of the discovery of a living Snake, the second within the memory of the inhabitants. It was the Coluber rufus, LaCép. ; and had probably been brought from India in some ship. The earlier travellers speak of the existence of Tortoises, but none are now found. M. J. Desjardins has, however, discovered three deposits of the re- mains of these animals, all of which are evidently of modern date, their age not exceeding two or three centuries, There are two

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Saurian Reptiles, which, although common, remained undescribed until M. L. Desjardins gave to them the names. of Scincus Telfairii and Scinc. Bojerii: he has also described a third, smaller and much more uncommon than the others, the Scinc. Boutonii.

Three new species of Fishes have been described and figured by M. T. Delisse. They are a Heniochus, Cuv.; a Holacanthus, Cuv. ; and an Ophidium, L.

In invertebrated animals, especially those which inhabit the sea, Mauritius is rich. Among the Annelida, M. Liénard, sen. has de- scribed an Amphitrite, which he believes to be new: he has also described the Amph. voluticornis and Amph. splendida, Lam., together with three new species, the 4mph. fuscata, albicans, and tricolor. A lacustrine Erpobdella has been described by M. L. Desjardins, who has preserved to it the trivial name of sex-lineata, doubtingly given by MM. Quoy and Gaimard. Three new species of Crustacea, of the genera Lupa, Plagusia, and Cancer, have been described by M. Lié- nard, jun.: and M. De Lisse, sen., has proposed to regard as the type of a new genus the Homard sans cornes of the fishermen ; to this group he gives the name of Scyllibacus, and places it between Scylla- rus, Fab. and Ibacus, Pér. The species is named Scyllibacus orientalis. Many Insects have been exhibited at the meetings of the Society, and M. J. Desjardins has read a description and history of the metamor- phoses of the Coccinella sulphurea, Oliv. Among the Cirrhipeda a new species of Pentalasmis, allied to Pent. striata, Leach, has been de- scribed by M. Desjardins under the name of Anatifa Mauritiana.

The Radiata which have been described, are a species of Fistularia, Lam., and anew species of Cephea, the Ceph. lamellosa, so named by M. Liénard, jun. on account of the foliaceous lamelle which cover the under surface of its arms.

Among the Mollusca, six species of Doris have been described by M. Liénard, sen., to one of which, regarded by him as new, he has given the name of Dor. marginata. The same gentleman has also de- scribed a Plewrobranchus. M. Liénard, jun. has described another species of Doris, and has given a description of a Dolabella, with an account of its anatomy.

Such is a brief outline of the zoological labours of the Mauritius Natural History Society, which within the short period of its exist- ence has received no less than fifty memoirs, descriptions, and notices on different branches of natural science.

At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Martin read his notes of the dissection of a specimen of the Testudo Indica, L., which recently died at the Society’s Gardens.

The animal was of large size, although considerably less than one formerly in the possession of the Society, the dissection of which, by Mr. Yarrell, has been published in the Zoological Journal. ‘The carapace or dorsal shell measured 2 feet 11 inches in length, and the plastron or ventral shell 2 feet 4 inches. The breadth was 1 foot

9 inches. f The length of the stomach was 2 feet ; the circumference in the

47

largest part 1 foot 3 inches; its shape a flattened oval, contracting gradually towards the pylorus. On opening it, the coats, and espe- cially the middle or muscular, were found extremely thick and firm, and increasing in thickness towards the pylorus, which protruded in a singular manner, to the distance of nearly an inch into the duo- denum, at which part a few longitudinal rug@ were observed, the rest of the lining membrane being perfectly smooth. It contained a little fluid only. The liver presented nothing remarkable ; it con- sisted of two principal lobes, in the right of which the gall-bladder was buried, so as just to show itself; the length of the gall-bladder was 2 inches,

The small intestines were thick and firm, their length being 3 feet 6 inches. The gall-duct enters the duodenum 3 inches, and the pancreatic duct 10 inches, below the pyloric orifice. On laying open the small intestines, their lining membrane appeared corrugated with numerous longitudinal rug@, and they were found perfectly empty.

The large intestines were smooth on their internal surface, and filled with an immense mass of condensed vegetable matter, which was green and fibrous, and appeared to have only partially under- gone the process of digestion. In the colon near the entrance of the small intestines were two or three small black patches, seemingly gangrenous. There was no cecum. The circumference of the colon measured 9 inches. The length of the large intestines was 6 feet 8 inches, exclusive of the cloaca, which was 1 foot.

At the lower part of the abdomen, (in a singular cavity, formed by a diaphragm-like expansion of peritoneum, from which, to the oppo- site or extreme side, passed numerous bands, bearing a resemblance to the chord@ tendine@, )the urinary bladder, of enormous capacity,was lying loose, irregularly folded, but containing a considerable quan- tity of viscid fluid: its parzetes were thin, but very fibrous in texture. When moderately distended with air, its shape was made manifest, as trilobed, or rather, as consisting of one large central bag, from each side of which, a conical process jutted out ; the extent from point to point being 1 foot 10 inches. It opened by aneck of about 3 inches in length, and closely invested with lung, into the cloaca, about 6 inches from its termination ; the penis was long and deeply furrowed, and the glans large at the base, with a pointed apex.

The lungs were very florid in colour, and extremely light, spongy, and cellular, the cells being large and distinct. They extended the whole length of the carapace.

The kidneys were situated at the back of the abdomen, in shape oval; flat on*one side, convex on the other; about 5 inches long, 25 inches broad, and consisting of numerous lobes, which gave to their surface a furrowed or brain-like appearance ; the relative proportion of the venous ramification in them was found to exceed that of the arterial.

As regards the death of the animal, nothing positive could be determined ; but it appeared to Mr. Martin, from the black patches about the colon, and the quantity of undigested matter in the large intestines, to have resulted principally from an unnatural accumu- lation of fecal matter, and the attending evil consequences.

AS

March 22, 1831. Joshua Brookes, Esq. in the Chair.

The Report on the animals for the importation of which the Coun- cil should be recommended to take measures, was again brought under the consideration of the Committee, and was adopted.

A Report from Mr. Miller, the Superintendent ‘of the Society's Gardens, was read, explanatory of the circumstances attending the birth of the Armadillos. On the morning of the Ist February it was discovered that the female had made a nest of straw, close up to the pipe that conveys the warm water round the building, and had brought forth two young, which were quite blind, and measured about four inches from the head to the tail. The male was imme- diately removed to another cage, but it was supposed that he had injured one of the young ones on the head before they were disco- vered, of which hurt it died on the following morning. At that time the other young one seemed to be perfectly well, and was sucking; but it also was found dead on the morning of the 3rd of February. It was bitten on several parts of the head by the mother. It is probable that the injuries were inflicted by her in consequence of her young ones having been moved about ; and measures have been adopted to prevent the recurrence of such disturbance on any future occasion.

The following notes on the Ctenodactylus Massonii, Gray, were read by Mr. Yarrell :—

** ‘The death of two examples of an interesting little animal from Barbary, very similar to the Lemmings in external appearance, has enabled me to place before the Committee some particulars of struc- ture and anatomy which possess considerable novelty. The subjects themselves were presented to the Society by Hanmer Warrington, Ksq., British Consul at Tripoli, a Corresponding Member of this So- ciety, and one of its most liberal donors.

“«* From two preserved skins of the same species, in the collection at the British Museum, Mr. Gray, in his ‘ Spicilegia Zoologica,’ has lately published an account of this animal, under the name of Cteno- dactylus Massonii. These specimens were received from the Cape of Good Hope, and were considered new to science. There is reason however to believe, as suggested by Mr. Ogilby, that all the four specimens may be considered identical with the Mus Gundi of Roth- man, On whose description is founded the Arctomys Gundi of Gmelin and other writers, and the Gundi Marmot of Pennant’s Zoology, vol. ii. p. 137: Rothman’s short description coincides with the animal in question, and he states that his species inhabits Barbary, towards Mount Atlas, near Massufin.

** The resources of the Society furnish the following additional particulars ;—

49

“« The length of the animal from the nose to the origin of the tail is eight inches ; of the tail itself, one inch, The general external re- semblance to the well-known Lemmings has been noticed, but these examples have but four toes on each foot, with one small naked pad under each toe: the two middle toes are the longest and equal, the outer toe the shortest, the inner toe intermediate in length, and on the hind feet of remarkable structure.

**« Immediately above a short curved nail there is a transverse row of horny points forming a pectinated apparatus ; above this is a se- cond parallel row of stiff white bristles ; and over this, a third row of bristles, which are much longer and more flexible: there are thus three distinct parallel rows of points of unequal firmness. The toe next the inner one has two small fleshy tubercles above the nail, covered by two rows of bristles, the under one short, the upper long ; it has no horny points. The two outer toes, without tubercles, have each only one tuft of long bristles.

** With this described comb-like instrument on the inner toe only of each hind foot, the little animals were observed to be continually dressing their soft light brown fur; and the facility with which they managed to reach every part of each lateral half with the toe of the foot on that side, as well as the rapidity of the motion, were very re- markable.

«© When walking, the whole length of the hinder foot, from toe to heel, was placed upon the ground; of the anterior extremity the toes only rested on the ground.

«© When deprived of the skin, the head appears large compared to the bulk of the body ; itis wide and flattened in form: the meatus au- ditorius externus is elongated, forming a tube 2-10ths of an inch in length on the inferior surface, and lined with a dense black pigment. No cheek pouches exist. The teeth are of singular character, the molars of the upper and under jaws being decidedly different.

2

Incisors 5, canine 9 molars aaa The incisors of the upper jaw are

stout, square and truncated ; the molars are oblong, flat and plain on the inside, with one indentation on the outerside. The incisors of the lower jaw are slender and pointed ; the molars somewhat dia- mond or lozenge-shaped, with one indentation between each of the four angles. ‘This character more particularly applies to the two an- terior molar teeth of each jaw, the last molar tooth, both above and below, being more elongated. From the superior incisors to the molars, the roof of the mouth presented four prominent tubercles ante- rior to the usual rough expanse of the palate. The pharynx and eso- phagus were narrow. The lungs were made up of one large and two small lobes on each side ; the heart presented nothing remarkable. The liver paler than natural, soft, and granulated in appearance, was composed of two small and one large lobe on the right side, and two equal-sized lobes on the left: the gall-bladder large and spherical. The spleen measured | inch and 7-10ths in Jength, and 6-10ths in width. The stomach, a single cavity, without any apparent division, measured | inch and 2-10ths in depth, in the direction of the entrance

50

of the wsophagus, and 2 inches in breadth: the pyloric orifice con- tracted, the duodenum dilated to | inch and 2-1] Oths in circumference = length of the small intestines 2 feet and 9 inches. The cecum 3 inches in length, curved upon itself, 2 inches and 4-10ths in circumference, and divided by numerous septa. ‘The colon equally large at the com- mencement, but gradually diminishing : at the distanee of 7 inches from the insertion of the ileum it was of small calibre, occasionally dilated, forming sacculi, in which the faecal matter was collected and detained. The rectum narrow and uniform in size ; the whole length of colon and rectum 3 feet 8 inches. The kidney of the right side was two-thirds of its length in advance of that on the left : each mea- sured 7-10ths of an inch in its longest diameter, and 4-10ths in width. :

“« Some peculiarities observed in these little animals are worthy of notice. The molar teeth, as before stated, presented the singular anomaly of those of the upper jaw being different in their structure and surfaces from those of the lower jaw. The former, in their crowns, are very similar to those figured by M. F. Gace as pecu- liar to his genus Helamys (Pedetes, Tllig. ); while those of the lower jaw somewhat resemble the teeth of the various species of Arvicola. The stomach, in form and pyloric contraction, is like the same organ in the Lemmings (Lemmus), Jerboas (Dipus), and Gerbilles (Ger- billus).. The cecum resembles that of the Guinea-Pig (Cobaya), Agouti (Dasyprocta), and Marmot (Arctomys) ; while the sacculated form of the colon is found in the common House- Rat (Mus decuma- nus, 1.)

‘* Both the specimens possessed by the Society proved to be females. The skin of one has been preserved for the Museum: the bones of the other are in preparation for a skeleton, and when mounted may probably be the subject of further notice.”

Mr. Yarrell having concluded the reading of his notes, it was stated by Mr. Ogilby, that since the time when he had originally mentioned his belief of the identity of the Ctenodactylus Massonii with the Gundi Marmot, that opinion had been confirmed by a passage in Captain Lyon’s Travels in Northern Africa, in which the Gundi is so well described, as to leave no doubt on his mind of its being the same animal as those presented to the Society by Mr. Warrington.

Mr. Gray remarked, that the individuals of the Ctenodactylus Mas- sonii which he had described, having been sent from the Cape of Good. Hope, he did not suspect their specific identity with an animal from Barbary, known to science by short and imperfect notes alone, and of which no specimen was recorded as existing in any collection. He added, that the size mentioned by Rohtman, that of a small rabbit, ap- peared to him to be greater than should be attributed to the animal in question ; which, moreover, he could not regard as being of a testa- ceous red colour. In the other particulars mentioned in Rothman’s brief description, his Mus Gundi agreed weli with the Ctenodactylus Massonii.

A specimen was exhibited of the Olis Kori, Burch., which forms

51]

part of the collection of Mr. Gould. This gigantic species of Bustard, the largest yet known of its genus, measures upwards of five feet in height. No figure of it has yet appeared, nor is it described in any of the general works on ornithology ; but its characters will be found, together with some other particulars respecting it, in Mr. Burchell’s Travels in Southern Africa, vol. i. p. 393.

The following notes on the anatomy of a male Suricate were read by Mr. Owen :—

** Since I had the honour to lay before the Committee an account of the anatomy of the female Suricate, her male companion, the only surviving specimen which the Society possessed of this interesting species, has also died. This circumstance, otherwise to be regretted, has enabled me to add the following particulars to that account.

« The ruge of the wsophagus are longitudinal throughout the whole length of the tube ;—in the Lion, and some others of the feline genus, the rug@ are transverse at the lower or terminal half of the esophagus ;—the cuticular lining is continued about two lines into the

cavity of the stomach, where it terminates by a well-defined edge.

This viscus, which was found moderately distended, presented no rugé on the inner aspect, but was lined by a simply villous membrane, to which layers of coagulated mucus adhered very firmly. The mus- cular coat was thicker, as is usual, at the pylorus: this aperture was very small, not more than a line in diameter. An inch beyond this part the biliary and hepatic ducts entered by a common orifice. The interior of the small intestines presented a finely villous surface; and in the ileum were five patches of glandule aggregate, about half an inch in diameter, with intervals of four or five inches: the largest of these patches was situated at the termination of the ileum. The apex of the cecum was occupied by a similar glandular structure. The terminal orifice of the t/ezm was of a circular form, about two lines in diameter, with a tumid margin, but unprovided with a val- vular structure. In the lining membrane of the short tract of large intestines, villi were not perceptible to the naked eye. The verge of the anus was covered by the apertures uf numerous follicular glands.

“‘ The disposition and admeasurements of the alimentary canal corresponded with those of the female previously given. ‘The spleen was one-third smaller ; the pancreas had the same peculiar form, re- sembling the neutral symbol of the entomologist ?. The liver had the same minutely mottled aspect which was observed in the female ; but on employing the test of injection, the vascularity of the small bodies, which might have been mistaken for tubercles, became immediately evident, proving them to be the acini of the liver, remarkably dis- tinct in this animal. The inner surface of the gall-bladder and its duct was villous, but without ruge or valvular structure. The tubu- lar structure of the kidneys terminates in a single pointed papilla : the ureters communicate, and end by a common orifice at the middle of the pesterior surface of the bladder.

«« The testes were about the size of horse-beans, and lay upon the pubes ; the integument covering them had not any distinct appearance

52

of scrotum. The extremities of the epididymis or globi were propor- tionately large. The vas deferens had a blind process on each side. The urinary bladder was contracted, and its coats consequently were thick: the membranous portion of the wrethra was one inch and a half long, and its canal wide. The prostatic glands, analogous in their situation to Cowper’s, were two in number, and as large as the testes; each terminated by a single wide duct, a few lines from the extremity of the glans. An interesting provision exists to prevent the secretions of these glands being driven into the large extent of wrethra, which lies between them and the bladder: the inner membrane of the canal is raised in a semilunar fold behind the entrance of the ducts, which must act as a very complete valve during the turgescent state of the parietes of the canal. The penis is about eight lines in length ; the glans of a pointed form, unarmed, the external orifice a lon- gitudinal groove directed backwards.

«* Both animals died with the pupil expanded, and of a circular form,”’

A description of the Chiru Antelope, by B. H. Hodgson, Esq., dated Valley of Nepal, Oct. 18, 1830, was read.—This animal, the supposed Unicorn of the Bhotians, was first described imperfectly by Dr. Abel, from an injured skin, and the notes of Mr. Hodgson. Dr. Abel gave to it the name of Antilope Hodgsonii ; and it has subsequently been mentioned by M. Lesson as the Ant. Chiru, and by Major Hamilton Smith as the Ant. Kemas? Opportunities which have occurred since his original notes were prepared have enabled Mr. Hodgson to make some additional observations on other indi- viduals, the results of which are given in the present paper. The species may be characterized as follows :—

Ant. Hopcsonu, Abel. Ant. cornubus longissimis, compressts, gradatim attenuatis, suberectis, lyratis, annulis 15-20 antice pro- minentibus, apicibus tantim levibus : vellere duplici ; interno la- nato cinerascentt-ceeruleo ; externo piloso superneé cervino, inferneé alho: tumore molli utrinque supra nares.

Foem. szmellima ?

Longitudo circa 5 ped. ; alt. ad humeros 2}—3 ped.

In form the Chiru Antelope approaches the Deer. Its limbs are long and slender, but not weak: its neck is also rather elongated and slender: its head tapers forwards, but is somewhat deficient in elegance on account of the nasal tufts, and of a rather unusual quantity of hair and bristles about the mouth and nose. In its or- dinary attitude the line of the back is nearly horizontal; the neck is bowed outwards and downwards, so that the head is carried not much above the level of the back ; and there is a stoop in the hind legs on account of which, though they are rather longer than the fore legs, the hind quarters are not perceptibly raised.

The ears and tail are moderate, and devoid of any peculiarity ; so likewise are the suborbital sinuses. The horns are exceedingly Jong, measuring in some individuals nearly two feet and a half. They are placed very forward on the head, and may be popularly

53

said to be erect and straight, although properly speaking they bend forwards and outwards, and become suddenly incurved towards their tips. These latter are rather acute, and the horns near them be- come round; below they are laterally compressed, and are marked by aseries of from fifteen to twenty rings, extending from the base to within six inches of the tip. On the lateral and dorsal surfaces of the horn these rings are little elevated, and present a wavy rather than a ridged appearance ; but on the frontal surface they exhibit a succession of heavy, large ridges, with furrows between.

Close to the outer margin of either nostril is a soft, fleshy, or ra- ther skinny, tumour or tuft, about the size and shape of the half of a domestic fowl’s egg. These tufts, the purpose of which Mr. Hodgson has been unable to discover, appear to be peculiar to the Chiru.

In its double covering the Chiru agrees with all the hairy animals of Tibet; where not merely the goats and sheep, but the dogs, horses, and kine, possess an under fleece of soft and fine wool. The hair forming the external coat is about two inches long, and so closely set as to present to the touch an impression of solidity ; it is straight, nearly erect, rather harsh, and feeble, being for the most part hollow like a quill. Grey blue is the general colour of the hair throughout nine-tenths of its extent from root to tip, as well as exclusively so of the wool beneath the hair. This radical and prevalent colour is, however, but dimly seen through the external or superficial hues with which it is overlaid; hues which on the upper parts of the animal are fawn-red, and on its under surface and the inside of its limbs are white. The shoulders are faintly marked by a tracing of colour lighter than that of the surround- ing parts. Down the front of all the legs runs a black line reaching to the hoofs on the fore legs, but to the knees only on the hind legs. The forehead is perfectly black, and a fringe of the same hue proceeding from the bottom of the frontal skin passes round the outsides of the nasal tufts. These tufts, as well as the rim surrounding them, are black ; as are also the bristles of the mouth and lips; the few hairs, however, which depend from the lower lip are white. :

Some of the dimensions of the fully grown young maie from which the preceding description was taken are as follow : Entire length, 4 feet 11 inches; length, minus tail, 4 feet 2+ inches ; length, minus head and tail, 3 feet 63 inches; height at the shoulder, 2 feet 8 inches ; height of the fore-leg, 1 foot 8 inches ; of the hinder leg, 1 foot 9 inches; length of the horns, 2 feet + inch; basal depth of the horns, fore and aft, 24 inches, from side to side, 14 inch.

‘The Chiru Antelope is highly gregarious, being usually found in herds of several scores and even hundreds, It is extremely wild and unapproachable by man, to avoid whom it relies chiefly on its wariness and speed; but though shy it is not timid, for if over- taken it meets danger with a gallant bearing. The individual which was kept alive at the Residency, though captured very young, was perfectly fearless, and could only be approached with caution. It

54:

is said by some to inhabit the plains of Tibet generally ; while, ac- cording to others, it is confined to those plains which are within sight of mountains, especially of the Hemachal mountains. It cannot bear even the moderate heats of the valley of Népal; an in- dividual belonging to the Lama of Digurchee, having died at the commencement of the hot season, when the maximum of tempera- ture was only 80°, a temperature seldom reached for two hours a _ day or for two days of that month, March.

The Chiru is extremely addicted to the use of salt in the summer months, when vast herds are often seen at some of the rock-salt- beds which so much abound in Tibet. They are said to advance under the conduct of a leader, and to post sentinels around the beds before they attempt to feed.

To complete this abstract of Mr. Hodgson’s account of the Chiru, it may be added, that at the following meeting of the Committee there was exhibited a drawing of its head and horns, which had been subsequently transmitted by that gentleman ; together with a duplicate of his paper, to which he had added that he had recently seen a very old male, in which the dark parts had become grizzled and almost white.

Mr. Vigors recalled the attention of the Committee to the sub- ject of the Himalayan Birds; confining his observations this evening to some species of the family of Merulide or Thrushes. Among these was a new species closely allied to the common European Blackbird, exhibiting the yellow bill and general black plumage of that bird, but differing from it in the varied markings of the wing. It was characterized as follows.

Turpus paciLorrerus. Mas, Turd. corpore nigro, abdomine imo subcinerascenti-fusco ; remigum mediarum pogoniis externis pteromatibusque cineraceo-griseis, his apice albis ; rostro peds- busque flavis.

Foem.? Corpore supra brunnescenti-griseo, subtus pallidiort ; ptero- matibus remigumque mediarum pogoniis externis ul in mari nota- tis, sed colore subrufescentz tinctis.

Statura feré Turdi Merule, Linn.

A species of Cinclus was exhibited, differing from the European in the uniform colouring of the plumage. Mr. Vigors expressed his opinion that it was the same species as that discovered in the Crimea by Pallas, and described by M. Temminck in his ‘ Manuel’ as having “tout le plumage, sans exception, d’une seule nuance brune, couleur de chocolat.”

The following may be given as its specific character.

Cincitus PAaLtaAsit, Temm, Cincl. unicolor, intense brunneus ;

rostro pedibusque fuscis.

Statura Cincli aquatici, Bechst.

Mr, Vigors referring to the bird which had been described by the Prince of Musignano among the species from the Rocky Moun- tains, added to his Synopsis of North American Birds in the ‘Annals of the Lyceum of New York,’ [p. 439, sp. 94 bis], and which was

55

conjectured by that distinguished naturalist to be the same as the Cinclus Pallasii, stated that upon comparing the original specimen, so described by the Prince, with the present bird, he found them perfectly distinct. The American bird is of a deep ashen grey co- lour, the Himalayan of a chocolate brown ;—the bill of the former is yellow with a dark apex, and the legs are yellow, the same mem- bers in the latter being fuscous. There are thus three species well known of this genus; the Cinel. aquaticus, Pallasii, and unicolor, which latter name had been originally given by the Prince of Mu- signano to the American bird, on the supposition of its being dis- tinct. The Cincl. Mexicanus, Swains., [Phil. Mag. July 1827], if not the same as the Rocky Mountain bird, as stated in the ‘Annals of the Lyceum,’ will form a fourth species,

A series of Birds belonging to this family were then exhibited, which Mr. Vigors referred to a group characterized by Dr. Hors- field and himself in the 15th volume of the ‘ Linnean Transactions,’ under the name of Cznclosoma, the type of which was an Australian species, the Turdus punctatus of Dr. Latham. Mr. Vigors pointed out the characters that seemed to distinguish the true Thrush, or the type of the restricted genus Turdus, Auct.; which consist in a subacuminated wing, in which the first quill feather is ex- tremely short, almost spurious, the second somewhat shorter than the third, and the third, fourth and fifth almost equal, and the longest ; in the tail being even, and of moderate length; and in the acrotarsia or front covering of the tars: being generally entire, or undivided by any perceptible scales. To this typical division of the family belong the Throstle, Blackbird, Ring-Ouzel, Red-Wing, Field- fare; and Missel Thrush of Europe, the migratory Thrush of North America, the Himalayan Blackbird just described of India, the varied Thrush of New Holland, &c. &c. On the contrary, the group of Cinclosoma, while it exhibits the general characters of the bill of the true Thrushes, although partially modified in some of the spe- cies, displays an entirely different conformation of the wing and tail; the former of these members is comparatively short, and rounded, the first quill feather being of moderate length, the se- cond, third, fourth, and fifth, gradually increasing in length ; the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth, nearly equal; and the rest gradually de- creasing; the tail at the same time being lengthened and gra- duated, as is usually the case in birds where the wings are short and rounded. The scales also of the acrotarsia in Cinclosoma are conspicuously distinct. In this group the feathers are generally de- composed, as has been observed to be the case in the genus 77- malia, Horsf., to which it bears a close affinity, and from which per- haps it can only be separated by the more short and arched beak of the latter group. Mr. Vigors observed that there were several In- dian species which might be referred to this group. ‘The four fol- lowing, which were apparently hitherto undescribed, were then cha- racterized as belonging to it.

CINCLOSOMA OCELLATUM. Cinclos. capitis fronte et lateribus, cor-

poreque supra rufo-brunneis ; vertice, colloque in fronte nigro-

56

brunneis ; pectore albescenti-rufo nigro fasciato ; abdomine pal- lidé rufo, nucha, dorso, alis, caudeque tectricibus ocellis anticé atris postice albis, notatis ; remigibus et rectricibus lateralibus griseo-fuscis, apicibus albis.

Rostrum pedesque flavescentes, illius culmine fusco, Remigum mediarum pogonia externa grisea, strigam griseam alarem ex- hibentes. Tectrices alarum inferiores rufe nigro albescentique variegate. Longitudo corporis, 14; ale a carpo ad remigis 6te apicem, 5; rostri, 153, ; tarsi, 147%; cauda@, 7.

CINCLOSOMA CAPISTRATUM. Cinclos. capite supra, genis, ptero- matum macula, rectricibusque ad basin intensé atris ; remigum pogoniis externis, rectricum apicibus, tectricibusque alarum fusco- griseis, his fascia albd notatis ; dorso medio pallidé brunnescenti- griseo ; collo in fronte, nucha, pectore, abdomineque summo pal- lide, dorso abdomineque imis saturatits, rufis.

Rostrum nigrum, pedes flavescentes. Remiges interiores, rectri- cumque mediarum bases rufi. Longitudo corporis, 10; ale a carpo ad apicem remigis 6te, 4; rostri, +2; ; tarsi, 1.3,; caude, 42,

CINCLOSOMA VARIEGATUM. Cinclos. strigd a rictu per oculos ex- tendente, mento colloque in fronte, macula pteromatum et media alarum, rectricumque mediarum basibus atris; fronte, strigd ge- narum infra, pectoreque pallidé albescenti-rufis ; notd pteroma- tum, abdomine crissoque rufis ; capite supra, nucha, dorsoque brunnescenti-grisets ; alarum pogonis externis, rectricumque me- diarum quatuor apicibus cineraceo-griseis ; rectricibus quatuor utringue lateralibus externé fiavo-olivaceis, apicibus albis.

Rostrum nigrum, pedes rubri. Longitudo corporis, 11; ale a carpo ad apicem remigis 6te, 4; rostr2, +3, ; tarsi, 1435; caude,

1 Fe

CINCLOSOMA LINEATUM. Cinclos. capite supra, nuchd, dorso imo, rectricibusque duabus medtis brunnescenti-griseis ; regione post- oculari, dorso summo, corpore infra, rectricibusque lateralibus pullescenti-rufis ; his fascia nigra pone apicem album notatis ; capitis nucheque plumis in medio lineis fuscis, pectoris dorsique sume dineis pallidis, per totam rhachium longitudinem graciliter strigatis.

Rostrum pedesque flavescentes. Longitudo corporis, 91; ale a carpo ad apicem remigis 6tx, 34-5; rostri, 25; tarsi, 1; caude,

3 Je

bas |

Gi

April 12, 1831. N. A. Vigors, Esq., in the Chair.

Mr. Coleman, adverting to the statement made at the last meet- ing of the Committee that the female Armadillo had destroyed her young, remarked that the cause of this apparent aberration of in- stinct in a mother was generally to be found in the deficiency of her supply of milk. In the many cases which had fallen under his notice, in which female pigs, rabbits, and other domesticated ani- mals had destroyed their progeny, he had always observed that the secretion of milk in the mammary glands of the dam was greatly, if not entirely, deficient.

A letter was read from M. F. Cuvier, acknowledging the receipt of the Society’s circular, and embracing the offer contained in it of establishing a scientific correspondence. M, F. Cuvier states that the zoological subjects which possess at the present moment the greatest interest in Paris are those which have been transmitted from Chili, by M. D’Orbigny, who is now engaged in travelling on account of the Jardin des Plantes. M. F. Cuvier has not yet ex- amined them with care; but he has observed among them a large Rodent animal, which is probably the Patagonian Cavy of Pennant, a species unknown to later zoologists: it forms the type of a new genus allied to Anema and Kerodon, its teeth having nearly the form of those of the last-mentioned group, and being without distinct roots. He has also remarked a very small species of Ratel, distin- guished from the type of the genus, as it exists in the old continent, by having two false molar teeth less in each jaw: it is also much smaller, its size not exceeding that of the Pole-cat, (Mustela puto- rius, L.) It is remarkable, he adds, that in Chili, the southern extremity of America, a second species should at length be found of a genus hitherto met with only in Africa and in India. «If Buffon had been acquainted with this fact, he would have had a fine example to adduce in favour of his hypothesis of the diminu- tive size of the animals of the New World, as compared with those of the Old.” The Jardin des Plantes has recently obtained living individuals of the small Deer of America, named by M. F. Cuvier Cervus campestris ; this will shortly be figured in his ‘ Histoire Na- turelle des Mammiféres. Two other Deer have been presented to the collection by M. Dussumier, by whom they were brought from Timor: these appear to belong to two new species. From Mada- gascar, M. Goudot has brought a small carnivorous animal, which he states to be the true Vansire. The cranium of a very young specimen agrees closely with that of a very young individual of the Gulo orientalis, Horsf.; and as these crania in their general struc- ture and their system of dentition differ from those of the genus

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Gulo, and approach the crania of the Viverrida@, it is probable, M. F. Cuvier remarks, that the Gulo orientalis, and M. Goudot’s ani- mal, should both be referred to the family of Civets.

At the request of the Chairman, the following Notes of the dis- section of the Ruffed Lemur (Lemur Macaco, L.,) were read by Mr. Martin.

“ The Ruffed Lemur which died lately in the Museum was a male, and one of a fine pair recently brought to this country. It exhibit- ed marked symptoms of illness a few days only before its death, but had probably been long diseased.

“On the abdomen being opened, the viscera presented themselves as follows. In the epigastric and hypochondriac regions, stretch- ing from side to side, appeared the liver, and below this the sto- mach, and the omentum loaded with fat, extending to the pudes, and covering the whole of the intestines. On turning aside the omentum and intestines the spleen was observed ; it was large, dark coloured, bound by adhesions to the surface of the kidneys, and studded with numerous small vomice, from which, on cutting, a thick pus oozed out abundantly.

‘«‘ The liver was trilobed, deeply divided, of a pale colour, singu- larly mottled with red, and indurated: on cutting into it, the same paleness was found to obtain, joined to a sort of granulated ap- pearance and fracture. The gall-bladder was small, and contained no bile, to the secretion of which the liver was probably of late inadequate. The ductus choledochus communis entered four inches from the pylorus.

‘¢ The intestines were pale and flaccid with extensive adhesions both of these and the mesentery, affording proofs of inflammatory action. ‘The length of the colon and rectum was two feet; that of the cecum thirteen inches; the shape of the latter was not unlike that of a horn, its base being broad, from whence it gradually ta- pered to a point, with spiral gyrations on the mesentery. The small intestines measured 5 feet 44 inches.°

“« The cavity of the chest was relatively small, that of the abdo- men advancing high. The lungs were divided into three lobes on the left, and three large’and one small lobe on the right side. Their surface afforded strong indications of inflammation, and their sub- stance when squeezed between the fingers communicated a very distinct crepitus. ‘The heart was large, and tolerably firm; on the surface of the right ventricle there were two hydatids in a line one above the other.

“The kidneys were rather large, and their structure soft and pulpy. The estes were small, elongated, lying in front of the pudes and distant from the abdominal ring about one inch. The bladder was small and long; and the ureters entered about a line from the neck. The vesicule seminales were small and handle-shaped, with a single turn.

“« The tongue was long, thin, rounded at the tip, of a black co- lour except at the root, soft in texture, and covered with downy

9

papille, which increased in size and length, but diminished in num- ber, towards the root. The epiglottis was large and broad; the rima glottidis long ; and from the arytenoid cartilages two processes extended backwards, having a triangular flattened surface ending in a point,”

io

The body of one of the Society’s specimens of the Razor-billed Curassow, (Ourax Mitu, Cuv.,) was laid on the table, and Mr. Yar- rell pointed out the peculiarities of its very elongated trachea, which is produced between the skin and the muscles beyond the sternum, and reaches almost tothe vent. It has been figured by Dr. Latham, M. Temminck, and others. Mr. Yarrell displayed the sterno-tra- cheal muscles extending along the whole of the tube, and remarked that this disposition prevails, with one or two exceptions, in all birds in which the fold of the ¢rachea is not included in bone. In those birds, on the contrary, in which the prolongation of the trachea enters a cavity in the sternum, (as for instance in the Hoopers Cygnus

Jerus and Cygn. Bewickii,) the sterno-tracheal muscles pass from the entering portion of the tube to that which has just left the bone, and are not continued along the fold of trachea included within the bone.

A portion of a large collection of Fishes from the Mauritius, pre- sented to the Society by Mr. Telfair, was exhibited; and Mr. Ben- nett called the attention of the Committee to the species of Mullet contained in it. These were eight in number, and belonged to the extra-European form to which the name of Upeneus has been given by M. Cuvier, and which is distinguished from the European Mullets by the presence of teeth in the upper jaw. Four of these fishes appear to have been previously undescribed, and may be thus cha- racterized : :

UpENeEus BITHNIATUS. Up. dentibus velutinis apud macillas, vomerem, et ossa palatina: capite pone oculos subdepresso : pin- nis dorsalibus caudalique nigro oblique fasciatis ; corpore toto rubicundo, dorso argenteo-vittato, vittis duabus aureis infra li- neam lateralem. 7

Drsteke te Agta Cobos 7 be lGs (Wek:

Affinis Up. vittato, Cuv. & Val.: sed differt vittis duabus aureis ; differt etiam vertice depresso rostroque subtumido, capite haud vequaliter rotundato.

Ureneus Maovritianus. Up. dentibus velutinis mazillaribus : rostro brevi, orbite subequali: pinnis dorsali secundd analique declivibus.

Dat, ts Ast Cs95.¢ PB. 16.) -V.4.

Affinis Up. flavo-lineato, Cuv. & Val.: brevior est, rostrumque

multo brevius, in illo nempe orbite sesquidiametrum equat.

UreNeEus PLEUROSTIGMA. Up.dentibus conicis maxillaribus : cor- pore pinnisque (preter dorsalt 2da& analique) cinnabarinis ; ma- cula magna rotundata laterali media nigra; punctis plurimis infra et post oculos aureis.

DS, iesy, G5, P. 16; Ve 2.

60 Affinis Up. lateristrige, Cuv. & Val, Caput rotundatum sicut in Muilo Surmuleto, L.

Urreneus IMMACULATUS. Up. dentibus conicis maxillaribus dis- tantibus : corpore, basi antertore pinne dorsalis prioris, apiceque lobi inferioris caudalis, cinnabarinis : cirris albis, ultra opercu- lum productis.

Geta Abo Moko: 7e dG, Vee

Affinis Up. chryserydro, Cuv. & Val.: sed corpus duplo latius,

rostrumque magis declive.

The species characterized embrace instances of three of the dis-

tinct types of dentition indicated in this genus by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes.

The original drawings by Mr. Abbott of the Lepidopterous In- sects of Georgia, (engravings from which were published by the late Sir J. E. Smith,) were exhibited. The Committee was indebted to Mr. Henry Brogden, F.L.S. for this exhibition.

Mr. Vigors referred to a pair of Owls which had been lately added to the Society’s collection. These were closely allied to the European Strix flammea, a species which is found with some slight modifications of character all over the globe; but from which the present species differs essentially, exclusively of other characters, by the markings of the disk of the face. They were from Australia ; and not having appeared to have been noticed by any ornithological writer were characterized as follows.

STRIX PERSONATA. Strix pallidé badia; capite supra, dorso, alisque fusco brunneo variegatis, albisque guttulis parce sparsis ; corpore infra pallidiori, brunneo parcé maculato ; cauda badio brunneoque undulatim fasciatd ; disco purpurascenti-badio, cir- culo marginali intensé brunneo notato ; digitis unguibusque for- tassims. \

Longitudo corporis, 133; ale a carpo ad apicem remigis 2de, 9; tarsi, 2; caud@, 7+.

A series of birds, belonging to several Families, which were ap- parently undescribed species, was exhibited by Mr. Leadbeater who mentioned his intention of continuing a similar exhibition du- ring some future meetings of the Committee, and then giving a ge- neral description of the whole.

April 26, 1831. Joshua Brookes, Esq. in the Chair.

Mr. Vigors exhibited, from the collection of Mr. Leadbeater, an undescribed species of Cockatoo from New Holland, and pointed out its distinctive characters, which may be expressed as follows :

Prycrotopnus Lreapseatert. Plyct. albus ; genis, collo in

fronte, pectore, tectricibus alarum inferioribus, abdomineque

medio roseo-tinctis ; criste elongate occipitalis plumis bast rosels, apice albis, macula flava in medio notatis ; pogoniis remigum rectricumque internis roseis, ulorum saturatioribus.

Statura Plyct. sulphurei, Vieill.

Eleven species of Chetodons, forming part of the collection of Fishes from the Mauritius presented by Mr. Telfair, were laid on the table. Seven of these were referable to the genus Chatodon as restricted by M. Cuvier; and among them Mr. Bennett pointed out more particularly the Chat. strigangulus, Sol.; the Cheat. vittatus, Schn.; the Chet. Lunula, Cuv. & Val.; and two species which he believed to be net to science, and which may be thus characterized :

Cumr. FLAVEsceNS. Chet. flavus; ore, fascia oculari, linea

pinnas dorsalem analemque posticé ambiente, apiceque pinnarum ventralium nigris ; lateribus argenteo vittatim guttulatis ; pinna caudali rectd, apice late hyalino.

Bee A. ae ae

Affinis, ut.videtur, Chet. virescenti, Cuv. & Val. Differt colore flavo; pinnis verticalibus posticé nigro tenuiter cinctis; lateribus obscuré argenteo-guttulatis.

Cur. Zoster. Chet. brunneo-niger ; zond lata media ventreque

argenteis ; pinnd caudalt recta albd: fascia oculari nulla.

1B ie 2 eR ah arg rie! bs oie ee

‘The remaining species exhibited types of the genera Heniochus, Cuv.; Zanclus, Cuv. & Val.; Holacanthus, Lacép.; and Plataz, Cuv.: the Heniochus being the species recently described by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes as the Hen. monoceros. In this individual the spine in front of each orbit is strong, almost equalling the single spine which projects from the middle of the slope of the head; and the whole contour of the anterior part of the fish ap- proaches very nearly to that of Taurichthys, Cuv. & Val.

Mr. Gray exhibited several living specimens of the Rana Ru- beta, L., the Natter-jack of Pennant, a reptile intermediate in form and habits among the British Amphibia between the Toad and the Frog. He stated that this animal, the indigenous existence of which has frequently been doubted, is found abundantly on Black- heath, and on other commons in the neighbourhood of London.

[No. VI.] Zoot. Soc, PRocEEDINGS OF THE COMM. OF SCIENCE.

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Mr. Gray also exhibited several specimens of the genus Rhyn- cha, Cuv., and pointed out from among them two distinct species, which may be thus characterized :

Ruyncu#A Carensis, Sav. Rhynch. remigibus angustis, fasctis

latis flavis sex notatis, infra griseis, nigro-vermiculatis, flavoque Jasciatis ; secundariarum macula pogont externi, fascidque po- gonit interni, flavis. 4

Long. corporis 93 unc.: tarsi, 214 lin.: digiti unguisque medii, 208 lin.

Ruynceu#a Picta. Rhynch. remigibus sublatis, externis flavo laté 7-fasciatis, infra griseo nigroque vermiculatis, interno obso- leté flavo-fasciato: secundariarum apicibus, maculd ultima fascie- formi pogonit externi, fascidque pogonit interni, albis.

Long. corporis 105 unc. : tarsi, 193 lin.: digiti medii, 19 lin.

The wing-coverts of both species are spotted with yellow in the young state; and in the adult state are metallic olive with black bands.

Mr. Gray added that the three figures of birds of this genus which were published by Buffon, and which had of late years been re- garded by M. Temminck and by M. Cuvier as representing various states of but one species, were none of them sufficiently correct in the details to enable him to refer either of the present species to the representations given in the ‘Planches Enluminées;’ but that the figure of the Rhynchea Capensis given by Savigny in the ‘ Oiseaux d’Egypte’ [tab. 14. fig. 2.|, furnished a faithful representation of the tirst species exhibited by bim. He had not, however, obtained this bird from the Cape of Good Hope, his specimens being from India and China. The second species, Rhynchea picta, he had re- ceived from Africa as well as from India and China.

Mr. Vigors called the attention of the Committee to the Frigate- bird (Tachypetes Aquilus, Vieill.), and dwelt upon those peculiarities of its organization which point out its station in the series of na- tural affinities that connect the orders of birds. Although it possesses the webbed feet which constitute the technical character of the Na- tatorial Order, the weakness of its legs and their complete covering of feathers preclude it from employing these members in the same manner as the typical groups of the Swimming Birds ; while on the other hand its great powers of wing and tail adapt it for powerful and long-continued flight, and evidently connect it with the Rap- torial Order, which it also resembles in its manner of taking its food. It is in fact rather an inhabitant of the air than of the water ; and it has been believed that it derives support during its unlimited flights not merely from the strength and expansion of its wings and the singular mechanism of its tail, but also from the buoyant nature of the inflated sac beneath its throat. A proof of the correctness of the opinion that this pouch is really an air-sac, and that it is filled with air, which passing through the bones becomes rarified and ca- pable of imparting a high degree of buoyancy, has recently been obtained from the anatomical notes made by Mr. Collie, late Sur-

63

geon of H.M.S. Blossom, who accompanied Captain Beechey in his voyage to Behring’s Straits; notes which will shortly be pub- lished in illustration of the natural history of that expedition. “ The pouch beneath the throat of this bird,” says Mr. Collie, “is of a yellowish red colour, and when distended, the feathers on its upper and posterior surface are separated to some distance from each other, and exhibit very distinctly the quincuncial order in which they are implanted. On first looking at this pouch, I was a little surprised at finding that it did not communicate with the mouth or Jauces in any way that ! could perceive. I succeeded in inflating it only by long and forcibly blowing into the trachea. I desired the man who had the skinning of the specimens brought on board to inflate the pouch before commencing the skinning, and to let me know when he had advanced to the shoulders. He however dis- located the shoulder-joint first, when the distended pouch imme- diately collapsed. The ¢vachea had been tied. As soon as I was informed of this, I had little doubt that the pouch had been in- flated from the lungs ; and on observing two wide openings, one anterior to the humeral articulating face of the scapula, the other the usual opening of the joint, I hesitated not to infer that it was through the first of these the air had passed in, and that the dislo- cating of the joint, by which its capsular ligament was torn, had allowed the air to escape at the opening which corresponds to that on the head of the humerus, and which immediately leads, as well as the other just mentioned, into the centre of the scapula. I now opened the trachea immediately before the sternum, and again attempted inflation from that part, but in vain. I tried it also, but with no better success, from the /arynz. I next examined with the blowpipe near the opening of the scapula, in the cellular substance under the skin, and soon detected a small opening that conducted the air to the pouch, which was readily inflated by blowing through the opening, and so long as it was shut the pouch continued dis- tended. ‘That this opening was not artificial,—the effect of the rupture of the fine membrane lining the air-bladder,—was evident from its not opening directly into it, but only after a passage of some length, gradually enlarging. ‘That this was the sole opening into the pouch appears proved from the fact that after detaching the sac from all the parts beneath, z. e. from all the parts excepting the skin, it did not permit the gas to escape except by this open- ing, and that it continued to be capable of inflation from it. 1 was satisfied in discovering it on one side; and of course inferred that it was similar on the other, the opening of the scapula being similar.”

At the request of the Chairman, Mr, Martin read the following notes of the dissection of a female Testudo Greca, L., which died in the possession of Oct. Morgan, Esq. The animal was of the usual size, its dimensions being as follows: the carapace in length 13 inches ; the plastron 9% inches in length ; and the circumference of the shell, 18 inches.

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“ The plastron being removed, the viscus which first attracted notice was the liver, of large dimensions, stretching across from side to side, and quite covering the stomach. Its structure was very firm, and its colour a dull ochre. It consisted of two lobes, both deeply fissured. In the cleft of the right lobe was situated the gall- bladder, of the size of a large nut, and containing green bile. ‘The cystic and hepatic ducts united, and entered the duodenum 14 inch below the pylorus.

‘* On the liver being turned aside, the stomach presented itself; its coats were firm and thick, especially in the pyloric portion, which was produced long and narrow to the extent of 34 inches; the total length of the stomach was 65 inches.

«¢ The small intestines, remarkable also for their firmness, mea- sured 2 feet 8 inches in length, and terminated in jarge intestines very little exceeding them in circumference. In the Testudo In- dica lately dissected, there was no cecum, but in the present species the cecum existed ; its form was globular. On the left side the large intestine assumed a sigmoid flexure with a bold sweeping fold, and then took on a straight and short course to the cloaca ; the length of the large intestines was 1 foot 8 inches. They con- tained faeculent matter in small quantity, consisting of fibrous vege- table substance. There were no longitudinal bands.

‘The cloaca, into which opened the bladder and oviducts, was in length 2 or 3 inches. ‘The bladder in the present instance did not exhibit that immense volume which was so remarkable in the Test. Indica: it was of amoderate size ; both in this respect and in figure resembling a pear. It was united to the sides of the upper shell by a broad peritoneal ligament, and was connected also to the pelvis by several fibrous bands. Its coats were extremely thin and fibrous; and it contained a small quantity of thick fluid.

«¢ The oviducts were before their opening into the cloaca united for a considerable distance, and were there thick and firm, becoming gradually thinner as they proceeded upwards, their course being in an indefinite convoluted manner. Throughout the greatest part of their length there ran a number of longitudinal folds, which became fainter, and were at length obliterated as the oviducts proceeded.

«« The ovaries contained a multitude of eggs of various sizes, and of around figure ; fifty of them at Jeast were nearly as large as a pigeon’s egg: they were not covered with a shell, and were filled with a thick yellow yelk.

«The kidneys laid upon the lungs (which extended over the carapace), to which they adhered ; their figure was somewhat 3-sided, from a broad flat base, with a rounded apex: their length was 24 inches. ‘Their surface was convoluted in a very singular manner, the folds being divisible, producing an appearance not unlike that of the cerebellum, which they also resembled in colour.

‘¢On the mesocolon and near the intestine was situated an oval glandular body of a dark colour, and of the size of a sparrow’s egg, containing white gritty specks. From this, which I suspected to be the spleen, a large vein proceeded along the mesentery, and uni-

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ting with several others, entered the liver ; all the veins proceeding from the viscera along the mesentery were very large and full of dark blood.

‘«« The tongue was thick and fleshy, about an inch in length and two-thirds in breadth, white in colour, and covered thickly with elongated papille ; the tip was rounded, the base heart-shaped. Between the glottis and base of the tongue so slight a distance in- tervened, that the durynx might be said to open directly into the mouth, the glottis rising to a point corresponding with and adjusted to the heart-shaped indentation at the base of the tongue. This elevated apex is divided downwards and a little way longitudinally by the rima. The larynz is supported posteriorly by the os hyordes, which is broad, flat, and pointed with double barbs, resembling some double-barbed arrow-heads: it is however composed of three bones, viz. a body, and two long curved bones united by cartilages to it, the body itself ending in two long cartilaginous processes ; where the osseous processes arise there is also on each side a small cartilaginous projection. An inch below the rima the trachea divides into two branches, or bronchie@, which run down for a little way on each side of the neck, but shortly, in consequence of the bend of the neck, almost at the back of it, and describing in their course a large sigmoid inflexion, they then subdivide and immediately enter the lungs. About half an inch below the great division a strong muscle of two or three lines in breadth passes across, arising from the ver- tebre of the neck on one side and united to the same on the oppo- site, thus acting as a constrictor on the two tubes, and being doubt- less of use in the deglutition of air. The length of the trachea and the great branches to the lungs was 74 inches ; the rings were per- fect. The subdivisions of the bronchia before entering the lungs are surrounded closely by numerous yellow glands.”

May 10, 1831. W. Yarrell, Esq. in the Chair.

A letter, addressed by Richard Thursfield, Esq. to Dr. Roots, was read, in illustration of the history of a hybrid between the Hare and the Rabdit, which was lately living at the Society’s Farm. A gentleman who was rearing a pair of tame rabbits, placed with them, when they were about two months old, a young buck hare appa- rently about the same age, which became in a short time as domes- ticated as its companions. When the doe rabbit was old enough, she had, by the buck rabbit and the hare, a litter, consisting of three young ones, which resembled in all respects the mother and buck rabbit, and of three mules. Two of these mules shortly died: the third, a female, was reared with rabbits of her own age, and when six months old produced one young one : she was afterwards bred from eight times, by tame rabbits and by a wild one, but no oppor- tunity occurred of placing a buck hare in confinement with her. Her progeny by a white tame rabbit, with which she bred twice, consisted of two young ones, which were perfectly gray, and of two which were spotted: the latter are still alive, and breed regu- larly, producing from five to eight at a time. The average weight of the progeny of the mule female was about five pounds ; one, however, weighed six pounds and a half. She died shortly after coming into the Society’s possession.

Mr. Owen, having examined the body of this hybrid animal after its death, reported that its size and colour were those of the Hare, but that its hinder legs were shorter than in that species, and agreed rather with those of the Rabéit. The length of its small intestines corresponded with that of the hare; its cecum was seven inches shorter ; while its large intestines measured one foot more than those of the hare.

Mr. Bennett called the attention of the Committee to the speci- men of the Soczable Vulture ( Vultur auricularis, Daud.), which has been an inhabitant of the Society’s Gardens for nearly two years. His object in adverting to this bird was to correct an erroneous im- pression which might be produced on the minds of those who had never seen an individual of the species, by the statement made by M. Ruppel, in a late Monograph of the genus to which it belongs, that considerable doubts as to the existence of such a species might reasonably be entertained. M. Ruppel's doubts appear to have been excited by the fact which he reports, that the stuffed skin in the collection of the Duc de Rivoli at Paris, which has been regarded as that of the Vult. auricularis, is evidently factitious ; the folds of the skin on the head and neck having been produced in that speci- men by artificial means. These doubts must, however, be at once

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dissipated by the existence of a living specimen brought from the Cape of Good Hope, according in every particular with Le Vail- lant’s description of the Oricou, and having the remarkable folds of skin which pass up the sides of the neck and round the ears developed even to agreater extent than is represented in his figure. A specimen of the Pondichery Vulture ( Vultur Ponticerianus, Daud. ), the-only other species in which the naked neck has on each side a longitudi- nal fold of skin, was laid on the table: and it was pointed out that in this bird the fold of skin terminates an inch below the opening of the ear, while in the Sociable Vulture it passes upwards and sur- rounds the upper part of the ear; and that the breast-feathers of the Pondichery Vulture are short and rounded, while those of the Sociable Vulture are very long and somewhat sabre-shaped.

Mr. Gray stated, that since M. Ruppel’s Monograph was written, he had apprised that scientific traveller, in answer to his previous inquiries on the subject, that a specimen of another vulture rejected by him as a doubtful species (the Vadtur Angolensis, Lath.) exists in the British Museum, to which it was presented on the return of the unfortunate expedition up the river Congo.

Mr. Owen resumed the reading of his Memoir on the Anatomy of the Orang Utan (Simia Satyrus, L.), portions of which had been communicated by him to the Committee at several of its previous Meetings. n this occasion he limited himself to the myology of the lower extremities.

He commenced by remarking, that no anatomist can contemplate the lower extremity of a 4uadrumanous animal, or experience the degree of mobility of which the several parts of it are susceptible in the living or undissected body, without being prepared to find cor- responding modifications of the muscular system and consequent de- viations from the structure of these parts as they exist in man. It is accordingly in this part of the body that the most remarkable diffe- rences in the forms, proportions, and attachments of the muscles are found to obtain between the ape and the human subject; and it will not therefore be matter of surprise to find, that in the Orang Utan, whose inferior extremities, from their shortness and flexibility, are so well adapted to the various agile movements of a climber, there exists a high degree of this deviation from the human structure, and an approximation, in some measure symmetrical, to the arrange- ment of the moving powers in the upper extremity. Variations of more or less consequence occur, indeed, so frequently as to render it necessary to consider the whole of the muscles sertatim; and each of them was accordingly described separately as regarded its attachments, form, and relative position. These details are necessarily abridged in the present abstract, except as regards the muscles of the hinder hands, which require a developed notice to render their structure intelligible.

The gluteus magnus is a thin narrow muscle, inserted lower down the thigh bone, and having a more posterior origin than in man: its extent of action is consequently increased, though its strength

68

is diminished. The gluteus medius is also relatively longer than in man, and is four times as thick as the preceding muscle. The glu- t@us minor is narrow, long, and thin. The pyriformis is narrower than in man. The tendon of the obturator internus passes as usual between the gemini, of which the inferior is much the largest. The obturator externus is considerably larger than the znternal. The quadratus femoris has very little of the square in its shape, being much longer than it is broad, and becoming narrow and rounded at its insertion.

The biceps cruris consists of two portions, each maintaining a distinct course and having a distinct insertion: one of these may be termed ischio-fibularis, and is inserted into the head of the f- bula; the other may be termed femoro-fibularis ; its insertion is into the outer edge of the fibula from the head to the middle of the bone, and into the fascia in front of the leg. The semitendinosus and semimembranosus have the same origins as in the human sub- ject, and the latter muscle a similar insertion; but the semztendino- sus separates from it at the lower part of the thigh, and continues fleshy for some distance below the knee joint ; after which the ten- don expands into a broad strong aponeurosis, which is attached along the anterior and inner aspect of the ¢zbza to within a short distance of its lower extremity. In its insertion, the semztendinosus of the Chimpanzee approaches more nearly to the human type, being im- planted by a narrower tendon in front of the ¢2bza immediately be- neath the insertion of the gracilis; but both these muscles are inserted lower down than in man.

Mr. Owen remarked, that the names of these last-mentioned muscles by no means agree with the proportion of tendon found in them either in the Orang or the Chimpanzee, the fleshy portion being in these animals of much greater extent ;—a fact which is in accordance with a law that receives many illustrations from the myology of the Orang Utan, viz. that the extent of the fleshy part of a muscle is in proportion to the quantity of motion it has to produce: and this is generally indicated by the degree of motion allowed by the structure of the joint which is the centre of the mo- tion in question. Thus in the human subject it is very rare that an individual can, by the contraction of the flexors of the leg, bring the heel in contact with the back of the thigh; but in the Orang Utan this action is readily performed, and without the slightest op- position at the knee-joint.

The tensor vagine femoris exists distinctly in the Chimpanzee, but no trace of it was found in the Orang. A more powerful rotator of the thigh inwards exists in both animals in a peculiar muscle, which may be termed znvertor femoris. It was first discovered by Dr. Traill in the Chimpanzee ; and its origin, form, and insertion in that animal agree with those which are met with in the Orang Utan. Mr. Owen considers that from its insertion into the under and outer part of the trochanter major, and consequently very near to the centre of motion, it can have little effect in drawing the thigh up towards the body as compared with the power of the proper flexors

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of the thigh. It appears rather to have reference to that structure of the hip-joint which, in the Orang especially, from the absence of the ligamentum teres, and in the Chimpanzee, from the yielding tex- ture of that ligament, permits a greater extent of inward rotation than can be accomplished in man.

The sartorius is inserted lower down than in man. The rectus cruris corresponds with the same muscle in the human subject ; but the vasti and crureus are much weaker and thinner, and are evi- dently little adapted to support the thigh and trunk upon the ¢zbia.

The psoas magnus and alzacus internus are, on account of the form of the pelvis, proportionally longer muscles than in man. Beneath them exists a small distinct muscle passing from the fore part of the alium, over and attached to the capsule of the hip-joint, to be inserted into the root of the trochanter minor. This muscle is not found in the Chimpanzee. The pectineus is a narrower muscle than in man, and gives off, in the Chimpanzee, a small slip, which is continued under the femoral vessels and outwards to the origin of the sartorius. The gracilis is a very powerful muscle in the Orang, but is comparatively of less bulk in the Chimpanzee, in which it is inserted beneath the sartorius. On this muscle being removed, a number of others appear passing from the pelvis to the inner part of the thigh, among which it is difficult to select those which are precisely analogous to the muscles in the corresponding region of the human subject. Mr. Owen, however, distinguished the adductor longus ; an accessory adductor arising from the upper part of the symphysis pubis; the adductor brevis ; and the adductor magnus.

The gastrocnemius preserves nearly a uniform thickness and breadth throughout its course, and is continued fleshy down to the os calcis: it has no sesamoid bone, as possessed by some monkeys (e. g- Macacus cynomolgus, Lacép.), at either of its origins. The soleus has only one origin, and is continued fleshy to the os calcis. The tendon of the popliteus contains, behind the knee-joint, a fibro- cartilaginous sesamoid body, which was noticed by Camper, who states that it exists also in baboons, dogs, cats, &c.: this body, how- ever, is not found in the Chimpanzee.

In the Orang Utan there are some important differences in the disposition of the flexors of the toes, as compared with the Chim- panzee and inferior Simie ; thus the muscle analogous to the flexor longus pollicis pedis sends no tendon whatever to the thumb of the foot, and its origin is extended above the knee-joint in a manner analogous to the fleror sublimis in the upper extremity. It has two origins, one from the outer condyle in common with the gastro- cnemius internus, the other from the head of the fibula, and is con- tinued down the posterior part of that bone and the interosseous ligament to within an inch of the ¢arsus; under which it passes through a broad synovial sheath, deeper seated than, and external to, the flexor longus digitorum ; becoming tendinous centrad, but con- tinuing fleshy on the dermal aspect till it has reached the sole. There it divides into two stout perforating tendons, which are in- serted into the distal phalanges of the third and fourth toes, Im-

70 mediately after the division each tendon gives origin to a lumbri- calis muscle, which terminates in a thin aponeurosis attached along the tibial side of the proximal phalanges of the third and fourth toes.

The flexor longus digitorum pedis arises as in the human subject, but continues fleshy till it has passed under the abductor pollicis ; it then gives origin to a dumbricalis muscle, and divides into three tendons. The dumbricalis terminates in the middle tendon of the three. The innermost or first tendon goes to the distal phalanx of the second toe; it also gives rise to alumbricalis, which is inserted into the tibial side of the proximal phalana of the same toe. ‘The second tendon, after receiving the insertion of the /uméricalis before mentioned, goes to form the perforated tendon of the fourth toe. The third or outer tendon is inserted into the distal phalanx of the fifth toe, and also gives origin to a dumbricalis, which terminates in the tibial side of the proximal phalanzx of the same toe.

The flexor brevis digitorum pedis arises from the posterior part of the os calcis, its fibres passing transversely over the insertion of the tendo Achillis. At about two inches from its origin it gives off a small tendon, which is inserted into the second phalanx of the second toe. It then continues fleshy for an inch further, and terminates in the perforated tendon of the third toe.

Thus all the toes from the second outwards, have a flexor tendon inserted into the distal phalanx: they have also alumbricalis tendon attached to the proximal phalanz, and the second, third, and fourth have tendons inserted into the middle phalanx. As each perforating tendon gives origin to the Jumbricalis muscle of its respective fin- ger, these not only assist in the flexion, but act as guys on the tendons, from which they originate, preventing them from starting from the long concavity of the sole over which they travel: they also afford a variety of independent motions to the fingers. The tibvalis posticus has the usual origin; its tendon passes along a dis- tinct sheath close.by the internal malleolus ; it is inserted into the os cuneiforme internum. The tendon has no sesamoid bone where it passes over the astragalus. In the Chimpanzee it is inserted into the os naviculare.

The muscles in front of the leg are covered with a strong fascia, into which the tendons of the semitendinosus and biceps are inserted; it affords origins for the muscles situated beneath it, and becomes very strong at the ankle, binding down and forming sheaths for the several tendons. The ¢bialis anticus arises from the anterior inner and posterior aspects of the ¢2bia, embracing it, as it were, and giving the appearance of a rickety convexity to the leg; it passes over the malleolus internus posterior to the centre of motion, and is consequently an extensor of the foot; it also turns the sole inwards. In close connection with this arises another muscle, not found in man; it becomes tendinous about three-fourths down the leg, and is inserted into the base of the metatarsal bone of the thumb, which it extends: this muscle is found in the Chimpanzee, and also, ac- cording to M. Cuvier, in the inferior Simic. The extensor longus pollicis makes its appearance as usual between the tibialis anticus and

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extensor longus digitorum ; it is inserted into the base of the phalanz : (the female specimen that was dissected had only one phalanz to the hinder thumb). The digitorum tensor longus has the usual origin, continues fleshy to the ankle-joint, there divides into three tendons, which diverge at the middle of the foot, and are attached to the third, fourth and fifth toes; each tendon expanding into a sheath over the back part of the phalanges.

The extensor brevis digitorum pedis arises from the os calcis, and divides into three portions; the strongest of which gives two ten- dons to the second toe, one being inserted at the base of the proximal phalanx, the other expanding over the second and distal phalanges like the tendons of the extensor longus. The remaining portions go to the fibular aspect of the third and fourth toes,

The peroneus longus and brevis arise together from the outer, fore, and back part of the fibula ; on the latter aspect they are in con- nection with the flecor longus pollicis. The tendon of the peroneus brevis is inserted into the base of the metatarsal bone of the little toe. The tendon of the peroneus longus passes under the cuboid bone, without the interposition of a sesamoid bone, crosses the foot, and is implanted into the metatarsal bone of the thumb of the hinder hand, of which, as far as the structure of the articulation will permit, it isa flecor. There is no peroneus tertius.

The thumb is very short, consisting, in the female at least, of only two bones, set on at right angles to the foot, and at a great distance from the toes, In this part, however, the power of a considerable muscular apparatus is concentrated. Receiving no tendon from the flexor longus pollicis, it is rendered more inde- pendent in its actions; not being necessarily flexed, except in the action which turns down that side of the foot to which it is attached, and by which it is brought closer to the object to be seized. On the sole of the foot we find an abductor and an adductor pollicis, both powerful muscles inserted at very open angles into the phalanz ; which, when they cooperate in their contraction, they must draw down in the diagonal with great force. Between these are situated two more direct flexors, constituting what is usually termed the flexor brevis pollicis.

The space between these muscles, which in man and the Chizm- panzee is filled by the tendon of the flexor longus pollicis, in the Orang Utan is occupied by a small peculiar muscle which arises from the metatarsal bone, and is inserted into the phalanz. Ina young male Orang that had two phalanges the flexor brevis was inserted partly into the second phalanx, The extensor brevis pol- licts arises from the os naviculare and os calcis, and is inserted into the base of the proximal phalanx, when there are two.

On the dorsum of the foot may also be observed interossez ex- terni of a penniform shape; they are attached to the fibular aspect of the proximal phalanges of the toes. There was also an adductor minimi digiti, and interossei interni, but not any trace of transver- salis pedis.

Mr. Owen concluded his observations with some remarks on the

712 structure of the principal joints of the lower extremity, and on the degrees of mobility of which they are susceptible.

In the hip-joint the most remarkable circumstance is the freedom of motion in the rotation inwards; this is, however, more limited than in the opposite direction. The motions of flexion and ex- tension, abduction and adduction, are also very free. On examining the cause of the limitation of the inward rotation, he found it to be a strong band of ligamentous fibres arising from the posterior margin of the cotyloid cavity, and passing along the back part of the cap- sule to the root of the great trochanter ; when this was divided the rotation inwards was as free and extensive as happens in other cases after a division of the /igamentum teres. The synovial membrane is reflected over a greater part of the anterior and upper than of the back and under part of the cervix femoris. The marginal ligament of the articular cavity is four lines in depth, a remarkable thickness for the size of the cavity. The blood-vessels enter the joint by the usual notch, and supply abundantly the process of synovial and adipose substance called the gland of Havers.

The motion at the knee-joint is sufficiently free to allow the