April 21st.

The

papers

read were

1. "On some species of Musci and Hepatica, additional to the Floras of Japan and the Coast of China," by William Mitten, Esq., A.L.S.-2. "Descriptions of new species and varieties of Annelides in the collection of the British Museum," by William Baird, Esq., M.D., F.L.S.-3. "On a new species of British Annelid, belonging to the family Chatopteride," by the same.-4. "A Monograph of the Corynodina," by the Rev. T. A. Marshall, B.A.

The

papers

May 5th.

read were

1. "Note on Conurus," by T. S. Cobbold, M.D., F.L.S.-2. “On four new genera of plants of West Tropical Africa, belonging to the natural orders Anonacea, Olacineæ, Loganiacea, and Thymelaceæ, and on a new species of Paropsia," by Professor Oliver, F.R.S., F.L.S.-3. "On a new genus of Conantherea," by John Kirk, M.D. -4. "On a species of Chatopterus from North Wales," by John Williams, Esq., in a letter to Dr. Baird, F.L.S.—5. "Note on Cygnus Passmori," by the Rev. Wm. Hincks, F.L.S.

4. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, (11, Hanover Square).

March 8th.

Dr. E. Crisp read a paper entitled, "Contributions to the Anatomy of the Eland."-Dr. Sclater read a communication on the Mammals collected by Capt. Speke during the East African Expedition. The species enumerated were 38 in number, amongst which the most remarkable was a new antelope of the genus Tragelaphus, proposed to be called T. spekii. Dr. Sclater also read a communication on the Birds collected by Capt. Speke during the same expedition. These were 61 in number, amongst which were five new to science.-Papers were read by Dr. Günther on the Reptiles and Fishes-by Dr. H. Dohrn on the Shells-and by Mr. F. Smith on the Insects collected by Capt. Speke during the East African Expedition. -Dr. Gray communicated some additional observations on Dermatemys, a genus of Emydide, from Central America, and gave the description of a new species of Tortoise of the genus Staurotypus, from Guatemala, which he proposed to call S. salvinii, after Mr. O.

Salvin, its discoverer.-Dr. Gray also read some notes on the genera of Chelydide, as distinguished by the characters of their skulls, and gave a synopsis of the Sand-Moles of Africa (Georychus), in which were comprised the characters of two new species of that genus obtained by Capt. Speke. A note was read by Mr. H. Carter, on the colour of the new Arabian lizard (Spatalura carteri), lately described by Dr. Gray, as it appeared in a living state, as recorded in his Journal.-Dr. Sclater read a synopsis of the members of the American genus Coccyzus, with the characters of a new species from Jamaica, for which he proposed the name Coccyzus bairdi.—A paper was read by Mr. J. K. Lord, containing notes on the use by the natives of Vancouver's Island and British Columbia, of a mollusk of the genus Dentalium, as a medium of currency, with some remarks on the species in question by Dr. Baird.

March 22nd.

A communication was read from Dr. George Bennett, containing notes on the habits of the Tooth-billed pigeon Didunculus strigirostris, as observed in two living specimens, one of which he had reported as shipped for the Society from Sydney in the La Hogue, on the 12th January, 1864.-A paper was read by Mr. G. Gray, describing a new Fly-catcher of the genus Smithornis, from Western Africa, proposed to be called S. rufolateralis.—Dr. Günther read the first part of an account of a large collection of fishes made by Capt. Dow and Messrs. Salvin and Godman at Panama, amongst which were many new and interesting species. Dr. Günther also pointed out the structure and mode of operation of a poisonous organ in a new species of fish of the genus Thalassophryne, of the family Batrachida (proposed to be called T. reticulata), which was contained in the same collection.-Dr. Sclater called the attention of the meeting to some recent acquisitions to the Society's menagerie, the most remarkable of which were a young monkey (Pithecia satanas), and four examples of the Rufous-tailed pheasant (Euplocamus erythrophthalmus), the latter having been presented to the Society by their corresponding member the Baboo Rajendra Mullick of Calcutta.Dr. Gray pointed out the characters of a new night-lizard from the Cameroons River, proposed to be called Lepidodactylus turneri, after Mr. A. Turner, M.P., who had presented the specimen upon which the description was founded to the National Collection. Mr. Lead

beater exhibited a series of antlers of the Cariboo reindeer of North America (Rangifer tarandus), which had been presented to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales during his travels in Canada.

April 12th.

Mr. J. K. Lord read some notes on the habits of the rare insectivorous animal Urotrichus gibbsii of Baird, as observed by him on the Fraser River, on the western side of the Cascade Mountains in British Columbia.-A paper was read by Dr. J. E. Gray upon a supposed new form of Echinoderms, proposed to be called Myriosteon higginsii, founded upon a specimen contained in the Derby Museum at Liverpool.-Dr. E. Crisp gave a notice on the cause of death of some young lions recently born at the Society's Gardens, and exhibited some drawings of a dark variety of the common trout, from dark streams in Dartmoor.-Dr. P. L. Sclater pointed out the characters of two new species of birds lately perceived in Bogota collections, for which he proposed the names Basileuterus plumbeicollis and Heliobletus guttulatus. Dr. Sclater also announced the safe arrival by the ship La Hogue, of a living example of the Didunculus strigirostris presented to the Society by Dr. George Bennett of Sydney.

The Didunculus was stated to be a very remarkable addition to the Society's living collection. This bird had been only hitherto known from a single specimen in a private collection in this country, and two imperfect skins in America, and had until recently been supposed to be extinct in its native islands, owing to the introduction of the domestic cat. The Didunculus was of much interest as being the nearest living ally of the extinct Dodo of the Mauritius, which bird was considered by the best authorities to have been a gigantic ground-pigeon.

Mr. Fraser made some remarks on new or rare animals observed living during a recent visit to several Zoological Gardens on the Continent and in Ireland.

April 26th.

The Secretary announced that Mr. Latimer, the Austrian Consul at Porto Rico, had offered, through Lieut.-Col. Cavan, to obtain some living Manatees for the Society, and that arrangements were being made for the transport of these animals to this country. The

Secretary also reported the safe arrival of Mr. J. Thompson, the Society's head keeper at Calcutta, with the collection of birds presented by the Society to the Baboo Rajendra Mullick. Mr. Thomp son had been very successful in conveying the collection out, having lost but one single bird out of the whole number entrusted to his care. -Extracts were read from a letter received from Mr. R. Swinhoe, F.Z.S., her Britannic Majesty's Consul in Formosa, relating to the species of deer found in China.-Mr. Gould gave a description of a new species of Mergus from China, which he proposed to call M. squamatus. Dr. P. L. Sclater exhibited some specimens of birds collected by the Rev. H. B. Tristram's expedition in Palestine, among which were two belonging to new species, and proposed by Mr. Tristram to be called Passer Moabiticus and Caprimulgus tamarisci. Dr. Sclater also read a list of a collection of birds procured by Mr. G. H. White in the vicinity of Mexico, among which were several additions to the Mexican Avi-fauna.-Communications were read from Mr. Gerard Krefft of Sydney, Corresponding Member, "On new Species of Australian snakes," and "On the Fresh-Water Fishes of Australia, with descriptions of four new Species of the genus Eleotris."-A communication was also read from Captain R. H. Beddome, Cor. Mem., on a new species of Elaps from Malabar. -Mr. Louis Fraser exhibited two pairs of horns of a rare bovine animal-the Budorcas toxicolor of Hodgson.-Dr. Gray communicated a note on the "bonnet" of the right whale-Balana australis.

May 10th.

A communication was read from Mr. R. Swinhoe, her Britannic Majesty's Consul in Formosa, on a new rat from Formosa, proposed to be called Mus coninga. This species was stated to be gradually disappearing in Formosa before the advance of the common rat (Mus decumanus).-Dr. P. L. Sclater pointed out the characters of a new species of white cockatoo, living in the Society's Gardens, which he proposed to call Cacatua ophthalmica. Two examples of this distinct species had been received by the Society in 1862, from the Salomon Islands.-Dr. P. L. Sclater also read some notes on the Shieldrakes living in the Society's Gardens, and on the geographical distribution of the species of this genus of birds. A paper was read by Messrs. H. Adams and G. F. Angas, on new genera, and some new species of Chitonida, from the Australian seas.

May 24th.

Mr. W. H. Flower read a communication on a specimen of the Lesser fin whale (Balanoptera rostrata), stranded on the coast of Norfolk, and lately presented to the Museum of the College of Surgeons, by Mr. J. H. Gurney.-Dr. J. E. Gray read a paper on the cetaceous animals observed in the seas surrounding the British islands, in which he enumerated 28 species as having occurred on the coasts of this country. Dr. J. E. Gray also read a note on Urocyclus, a new genus of terrestrial gasteropodous mollusca, discovered in the Zambesi river by Dr. J. Kirk.-Dr. P. L. Sclater pointed out the characters of a new species of falcon, obtained by the late Dr. Dickinson of the Central African Mission on the river Shire, and proposed to be called Falco dickinsoni, in commemoration of its discoverer.-Dr. P. L. Sclater also read a note on the species of American cuckoos of the genus Neomorphus.-Mr. Leadbeater exhibited some remarkable tusks of an elephant, from the East Indies, from the collection of Sir Victor Brooke, Bart., F.Z.S.-A communication was read from Mr. Otto Semper, on a new species of mollusk belonging to the family Cyclostomatide, and on a new species of Vitrina, from the Philippine Islands.

LVIII.-MISCELLANEA.

1. CAVE-EXPLORATIONS IN BORNEO.

We are happy to be able to inform our readers, that steps have been taken to begin this most interesting work, concerning which we printed Mr. Wallace's letter in our last number, although it has not been thought advisable to bring the matter before the public in the way of raising funds, till certain preliminary explorations have

been made.

The Rajah of Sarawak, Sir James Brooke, who takes a great interest in the matter, has liberally offered to examine some caves in his own territory at the expense of the Sarawak Government; and Mr. G. J. Ricketts, the new Consul at Sarawak, has kindly undertaken to assist in and generally superintend the work. This gentleman left England in May, and took with him full instructions, of the completeness and utility of which it is needless to say more than