eee) : bits », sa Bit at » BEY - ne yo 0 et i? yee , ¥ e be RAL I N4 steht } oe diel ay Sik astetitstee , sth yells ° 1 . Hy , * i fe ? ent oe cat a ee - » aa hetero 2S oy i; - bs A's} ir » « Co at lene : a al bi a rt 5 \w 4 € 1 i ’ BS ra ms) ety ae are PROCEEDINGS OY THE SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON FOR THE YEAR PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY, AND SOLD AT THEIR HOUSE IN HANOVER SQUARE. LONDON: MESSRS. LONGMANS, GREEN, READER, AND DYER, PATERNOSTER ROW. Oia rhea FRANCIS, ~ inch in diameter. How ever closely they may simulate the form of true hexradiate spi- cula, they may always be distinguished from them by their attach- 80 pR.J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [ Jan. 28, ment to the primary skeleton-fibres and by their habit of inos- culation. Beside the auxiliary fibres, there are in some parts of the sponge an abundance of true rectangular hexradiate spicula (Plate III. fig. 2); but they are rarely found mixed with the auxiliary fibres or in the same spaces with them. Although occurring in closely packed groups, they never unite with each other, nor are they even attached to any parts of the surrounding skeleten-fibre, and they always preserve their normal form. They are slender, smooth, and their radii are very slightly inclined to become clavate. The termination of the elongated basal portion of the spiculum is frequently incipiently spinous. Their length is 3'; inch, the expan- sion of the lateral radii +4, inch, and the diameter of the axial shaft varies from zj5q to today inch. The trifurcated attenuato-hexradiate stellate (Plate III. fig. 5) and the trifurcated spinulo-hexradiate stellate spicula (Plate III. fig. 4) are both very abundant, and in some small masses of sarcode they are so numerous and so closely packed together as to render it quite impossible to count them. ‘The sarcode appears to have been very abundant, as in some parts it completely fills up the reticulations of the skeleton; it is of a full amber-yellow colour. Thus far we have positive characters by which to discriminate this beautiful species of sponge from its nearly allied congeners ; but I have been fortunate in finding other characters, which, from the mode in which they have been obtained, although not so deci- sive in their nature, are yet of such importance that their descrip- tion cannot be omitted in treating of this species. I carefully examined the half of the type specimen of D. pumi- ceus that is in the British Museum in the hope of finding a small fragment of the dermal portion of the sponge, but I did not suc- ceed in detecting any remains of it on the cup-shaped portion of the specimen; but on the basal surface of the pedicel there were remains of what appears to have been the basal membrane. It consists of a dense yellow incrustation, closely intermingled with the basal skeleton-structure, and agreeing in colour and appearance with a few very minute specks of the animal matter of the external surface of the sponge. I mounted a small portion of this basal mat- ter in Canada balsam ; but this material did not render the fragments transparent ; yet there were at some portions of their margins unmis- takable evidences of their containing spicula. There were also fragments of the skeleton-structure of the base of the sponge, the reticulations of which were, as might be expected from their situa- tion, very close and dense (Plate III. figs. 14 and 15); and along with these fragments there was a group of three large and very remarkable verticillately spined cylindrical spicula, very closely re- sembling in their structure the one represented by fig. 69, plate 3, vol. i., ‘ Monograph of British Sponges,’ and also by fig. 23, plate 36, Phil. Trans. for 1862, but differing from those figures in being much longer in their proportions, and in having a greater number of circles of spines (Plate III. fig. 6). Having seen thus much of the dermal 1869.] DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 81] structures, I treated the remaining portion of the specimen by boil- ing it in nitric acid, and obtained not only numerous specimens of the spicula I have described above, but others of an exceedingly in- teresting description, which I shall now proceed to describe. The large verticillately spined spicula are very numerous, and ex- ceedingly various in their proportions. They are usually more or less curved, and vary greatly in size and in the mode of their spina- tion: some of the larger ones are acerate; that is, each end termi- nates in a well-produced point; others have at one end an irregular aggregation of stout spines, while the other is acutely terminated ; and in some both ends are crowded with stout spines; and the general character of the shaft is that of a cylindrical spiculum. They occur in every imaginable stage of development, from extremely delicate diameters with the whorls of spines in quite an incipient condition (Plate III. fig. 6a) up to the fully developed spiculum (fig. 6 6). The number of whorls of spines vary from 9 to 16; one with the latter number measured =, inch in length, and the diameter of the shaft was ;1, inch. The spines are large, acutely conical, and there are seldom more than five or six in each whorl. These spicula must have been very numerous and closely disposed in the membrane. The two small pieces acted upon by the acid would not have exceeded the space of a quarter of a superficial square inch, while the results of their dissolution by the acid would cover more than a superficial square inch, and in a microscopic field of view ~!; inch in diameter I counted as many as twenty-one of them. Under all these circum- stances there can be no reasonable doubt of these spicula being those of the defensive system of the dermal membrane of the sponge; and such spicula are usually found as abundant in the basal membrane as in other parts of the dermal system. I found also a considerable number of small equiangular or sub- inequiangular triradiate spicula with smooth attenuated radii, varying in size, from point to point of the rays, from 51, to =45 inch (Plate III. fig. 7). Such spicula are usually comparatively few in number, and are dispersed irregularly on the surfaces of the dermal or inter- stitial membranes of sponges. At the margin of a fragment of the sponge from very near the basal attachment, which was mounted in Canada balsam in its natural condition, I found the small equiangular spicula and little acerate ones (Plate III. fig. 8) imbedded in the mem- brane amidst minute attenuato-stellate ones. In this position they may therefore be regarded as tension-spicula of the dermal membrane. Amidst the other spicula resulting from the dissolution of the fragments from the base of the sponge by nitric acid there were several fureated attenuato-patento-ternate (Plate III. fig. 9) and dichotomo-patento-ternate (fig. 10) connecting spicula. One large one of the last-named form measured across its ternate termination sy inch; and all of them had large central canals in their radii. These spicula appear to vary considerably in size; a smaller one measured +1, inch in greatest expansion. There can be no doubt that they belonged to the expansile dermal system of the sponge ; and the small number of them found may be accounted for by their Proc. Zoo. Soc.—1869, No. VI. 82 DR.J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [Jan. 28, forming no part of the economy of the basal membrane, although usually abounding in the dermal one; and their presence may be accounted for by the fact that the material operated on was princi- pally taken from the margin of the base of the sporige, at the junc- tion of the membrane of the pedicel with that of the base. Imbedded in the remains of the membranous structures operated upon by nitric acid, there were a few very minute attenuato-stellate spicula ; and I subsequently found at the margin of a fragment of the basal portion of the sponge, mounted in Canada balsam in its natural condition, several dichotomo-patento-ternate connecting spicula in situ, and along with them a crowd of the minute attenuato- stellate ones. They were so numerous as to entirely obscure the small portion of dermal membrane on which they reposed. The regular mode of their disposition on the membrane, and the contact of the latter with the expanded outer surface of the heads of the dichotomo-patento-ternate connecting spicula, unmistakably indi- cates their especial office and true position in the sponge as reten- tive and defensive spicula of the dermal membrane. I measured several of these minute spicula. The largest was rais7 inch from the opposite points of their radii; the smallest was xzyz inch in extreme diameter ; but by far the greater number were about ;;1;; inch in diameter, and the largest measurement was of rare occurrence. Occasionally, but very rarely, the radii were cylindrical, instead of attenuating to an acute point. From the indications afforded by the spicula I have described above we may reasonably predict that, when a specimen of D. pumi- ceus shall have been found in a living state and perfectly preserved, we shall find it to be furnished with a beautiful expansile dermal system similar in character to those of the siliceo-fibrous sponges which are well known to us in a perfect state of preservation, such as D. Prattii and D. Masoni. But our evidence regarding the structure of the sponge is not yet exhausted; for by a careful exa- mination of a series of minute fragments which I subsequently ob- tained from the margin of the base of the type specimen in the British Museum and mounted in Canada balsam in their natural conditions, I strengthened the evidence obtained from the spicula operated on by nitric acid. In several cases these spicula were seen imbedded together in the same membrane at the transparent edges of the fragments under examination. In one such case the membrane was thickly studded with the minute attenuato-stellate spicula, and amidst them was imbedded one of the subequiangular triradiate and several of the small acerate tension-spicula; from the edges of an- other fragment the ternate heads of two connecting spicula, covered by dermal membrane containing innumerable minute attenuato-stel- late spicula, were projected, thus confirming the inferences raised by the spicula arising from the dissolution of the fragments in nitric acid. The evidence derived from the dissolution of portions of the basal part of the sponge in nitric acid might reasonably be questioned ; but when we are able to confirm it by detecting the spicula separated 1869.] DR. J. S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 83 by the acid imbedded together in their natural conditions in the membranes of the animal, this at once removes all doubts respecting their really appertaining to the animal under consideration. In a small fragment of the skeleton from the inner surface of the sponge near the base I found portions of the interstitial membranes filling the areas of the network of the skeleton in a good state of preservation ; they were coated with dense yellow sarcode, in which were a considerable number of trifurcated hexradiate stellate spicula completely imbedded; but I could not detect any of the minute attenuato-stellate, the equiangular triradiate, or the small acerate spicula; it may therefore be fairly inferred, from their absence in the interstitial membranes, that the latter three forms appertain more especially to the dermal one, in which they occur in such abundance. In the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes at Paris there are two very interesting specimens of Dactylocalyx pumiceus; one is a small and apparently young specimen, the other a tall ewer-shaped specimen in a well-developed adult condition. The first of these two specimens, I was informed, had not been in the possession of Dr. Lacaze-Duthiers more than a few weeks previously to my seeing it. It was labelled “Iphiteon panicea, Valenciennes. La Marti- nique.’ It is 2? inches in height, and the same in diameter at the top of the cup. It is based on the edge of a flat piece of what is apparently tufa. In form, it isa symmetrical cup without a pe- dicel ; the base is about 14 inch by | inch in diameter. The thick- ness of the cup at the margin varies from a quarter to rather exceed- ing half an inch. Onthe outer surface there are deep channels run- ning most frequently in a longitudinal direction, varying in width from about 1 to 2 lines, and in length from 3 inch to 2 inches; and where they are not present, their places are supplied by round or oval deep apertures. On the interior surface there are also 9 or 10 lines of large round or oval apertures radiating from the base of the cup to the margin. Many of these deep interstitial cavities pass entirely through the sides of the cup, so that they are common to both internal and external surfaces. In some of these cavities on the inside of the cup there were one or two long slender spicula, the whole lengths of which could not be seen. The structural peculiarities of the skeleton agree perfectly with those of the type specimen of Stutchbury’s genus Daciylecalyx, and the specific characters, as far as they were present, with the species pumiceus. The specimen has been too well washed, to make it look beautiful; but notwithstanding this injudicious treatment, I found, in the minute section of the skeleton, made at right angles to its sur- face, several little groups of spinulo-trifurcated hexradiate spicula imbedded in the remains of the animal matter. The second or ewer-shaped specimen is 14 inches in height ; its upper margin is not circular, but has one portion of its cireumfe- rence bent outward and downward like the lip of a large water-ewer. At this depressed part it is 12? inches across; and at right angles to this line the measurement is 10 inches. It is labelled ‘ Zphiteon panicea”’ from “ Martinique par M. Plée 1829.” It has no part 84 DR.J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [Jan. 28, remaining of the basal membrane or true surface of attachment, and has in the centre of its present base a hole through it big enough to receive my first finger; and it is probable that the true base was an inch or more below the present one. On its external surface it has numerous wide and deep channels, radiating irregularly from the base towards the margin of the cup. The ridges between these channels have rounded edges, and they have frequently round or oval aper- tures irregularly dispersed upon them. Both channels and round orifices penetrate deeply into the substance of the sponge. The in- terior surface has very few of these interstitial channels; but there are an abundance of large cavities of a somewhat funnel-shaped form, their lower orifices being small compared with their surface ones, many of which are } inch in diameter. There is a very slight tendency towards a radial arrangement of these large orifices. The results of the microscopical examinations of fragments of the tissues of this sponge from various parts were exceedingly satis- factory. From the part of the base of the sponge, where it is stained yellow by the remains of the animal matter, I obtained portions of membranous structure containing numerous specimens of dichotomo- patento-ternate spicula, like those in the basal membrane of the type specimen in the British Museum. Dense patches of small acerate spicula with numerous minute simple attenuato-stellate ones inter- mixed with them, precisely similar to those in the type specimen, were also abundant and in situ, completely covering and concealing comparatively large fragments of the skeleton-tissues. A few frag- ments of a basal siliceous reticulation similar to that in the type spe- cimen were also observed. From a part of the external surface of the sponge near its upper margin, which was stained of a brown colour by the animal matter, I obtain fragments containing numerous patches of dark amber- coloured sarcode and a considerable number of gemmules in situ. They are globose and variable in size (Plate III. fig. 12); they are membranous and aspiculous, and are very like those figured in plate 25. fig. 340, ‘Monograph of British Spongiadee,’ vol. i., from Iphiteon panicea in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes. Im- bedded in the patches of sarcode there were trifurcated attenuate and spinulo-trifurcated hexradiate stellate spicula in considerable quantities ; and in some dust shaken out of the inside of the sponge numerous fine specimens of the large fusiformi-acerate spicula, like those of the type specimens, were obtained. The discovery in the French specimen of the dichotomo-patento-ternate spicula, and the patches of the small acerate and simple attenuato-stellate spicula in- termingled, is highly satisfactory, as it places beyond a reasonable doubt their true positions in the sponge, and that they were not ad- ventitious in the type specimen, but were really characteristic of the species; and at the same time it marks the specific identity of the French specimen with the type one of Stutchbury’s genus. None of the large acerate or cylindrical verticillately spinous spi- cula which abound in the basal membrane of the type specimen, or of the subequiangular triradiate spicula of the dermal membrane, 1869,] DR. J. S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 85 were observed ; but their absence may be readily accounted for by the condition of the basal portion of the French specimen and the apparently total destruction of its dermal membrane. In every other specific character there is a complete agreement between the two specimens under consideration. Among the spicula resulting from the dissolution of a portion of the basal structures of the type specimen of D. pumiceus, I found two trifurcated expando-ternate spicula, which are represented by fig. 14, Plate III., x 666 linear. They are very minute, and probably belong to an unknown species of the genus, and were adherent to the basal membrane of D. pumiceus. I have never met with this form of spiculum before ; I have therefore thought it advisable to record its occurrence. DactTyLocaLyX HETEROFORMIS, Bowerbank. Coscinospongia heteroformis, Valenciennes. Sponge sessile, fan-shaped, plicated sinuously. Surface slightly undulating, minutely hispid. Oscula on the upper surface slightly elevated and marginated, margins rounded; uniform in size and very numerous, irregularly dispersed, rarely exceeding one-third of a line in diameter. Pores congregated on the under or inhalaut surface ; porous areas scarcely visible to the unassisted eye, slightly depressed, very numerous, dispersed, rarely more than once their own diameter from each other. Expansile dermal system exceed- ingly ramified and complicated ; inhalant surface furnished abun- dantly with long, slender, flexuous spicula, irregularly dispersed amid the dermal fibres. Dermal membrane pellucid, furnished with a fine but very irregular network of apparently siliceous fibres. Skeleton —reticulations close, irregular, and very much ramified ; fibre smooth, slightly compressed ; frequently terminating in dense short tufts of minutely ramified fibres. Colour in the dried state, dark brown. Hab. Shanghai (M. Montigny, 1854). Examined in the dried condition. The sponge is composed of numerous sinuous plications or folds from 3 to 4 lines in thickness near the margin. It is 5 inches in height, 43 inches in breadth, and, including the plications, from 3 to 4 inches from back to front. The membranous and sarcodous tis- sues are apparently in the same state of preservation as when taken from the sea in a living condition. The surface of the plications is slightly undulated. The hispidation of the surface is not visible to the unassisted eye; but, in a section at right angles to the surface, beneath the microscope it is distinctly apparent. The integral parts of the expansile dermal system appear to be inextricably locked to- gether; but this external layer of tissue is distinctly separated from the solid mass of the skeleton beneath it. The porous system on the under or inhalant surface of the sponge is a very beautiful mi- croscopical object. The inhalant areas are exceedingly numerous and closely adjoining each other ; they vary to some extent in their 86 DR.J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [Jan. 28, form from circular to oval, and occasionally they are nearly oblong. They are protected from the incursions of minute annelids and other enemies by the projection into their areas of the fureated termina- tions of the skeleton-fibres of the surface-tissues (Plate IV. fig. 2). This beautiful mode of defence is very characteristic of the species, and is an excellent substitute for the usual defensive spicula in such organs. Beside this mode of defence, the dermal surface is fur- nished rather abundantly with long slender flexuous spicula, which pass over the inhalant areas in various directions. The oscular surface of the sponge is not furnished with the same minute slender acerate spicula that abound on the inhalant one, but the whole of the former surface is protected by a modification of the style of defence that is so beautifully exhibited on the margins of the inhalant areas. The oscular membrane which closes that organ and the slightly elevated ring whence it proceeds have not the same furcated defences that are so abundant at the margins of the inha- lant areas; but as we focus downward through the orifice towards the surface of the rigid skeleton of the sponge, we occasionally ob- serve some of the furcated defences projecting from the parietes of the cavities. The oscular membranes at several of these orifices were ina semicontracted state; numerous minute grains of sand were scattered on their external surfaces, but no spicula were appa- rent in any of the membranes. In one of them the margin was in a very perfect condition, slightly thickened ; and the membrane exhi- bited faint concentric lines of contraction (Plate IV. fig. 3). The dermal membrane is pellucid, and is furnished with a fine but very irregular network or stratum of slender siliceous fibres, their sili- ceous structure being well characterized by the frequency of their frac- tures at right angles to their axes ; they do not appear to anastomose, but to overlie each other without any approach to symmetry in the mode of their disposition. Plate IV. fig. 4 represents a small por- tion of this tissue beneath a power of 308 linear. The skeleton-tissue is exceedingly irregular and intricate. The fibres of which it is composed are more or less compressed ; they are quite smooth, but frequently throw off short branches which terminate with crowded masses of minute ramifications of siliceous structure. In July 1861, when I first saw this sponge in the collection of the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, the late Professor Valenciennes told me that he had not yet described it; and on the occasion of my last visit to Paris, in May 1868, I could not learn that he had subsequently done so. I am therefore quite ignorant of the characters he would have assigned to his genus Coscinospongia ; but as it agrees in the structure of its skeleton with Stutchbury’s previously established Dactylocalyx, I have assigned it to that genus accordingly. DactyLtocaLtyx M*‘AnprRewu, Bowerbank. MacAndrewia azorica, Gray, P. Z. 8. 1859, p. 438, plate xv. Sponge pedicelled, sinuously cup-shaped. Surface even or slightly undulating. Oscula small, evenly dispersed on the inner or 1869.] DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 87 exhalant surface; simple or slightly elevated and marginated. Pores inconspicuous, evenly dispersed on the outer or inhalant surface, furnished with a protective fringe of minute short acerate spicula. Expansile dermal system—dermal membrane abundantly furnished with minute, short, stout, acerate spicula, evenly matted together. Connecting spicula foliato-expando-ternate ; foliations of the apex depressed, very elaborate and irregular, shaft rather long. Skeleton- surface covered by a secondary dermal membrane ; abundantly fur- nished with minute, short, acerate spicula, same as those of the pri- mary dermal membrane. Skeleton-fibres somewhat compressed, smooth, furnished at intervals with groups of large spicular attenu- ated spines. Sarcode in the dried state amber-coloured. Colour, in the dried state, nut-brown. Hab. St. Michael’s, Azores (Robert M*Andrew, Esq.). Examined in the dried state. This sponge was described by Dr. J. E. Gray in the ‘ Proceedings’ of this Society for 1859, p. 438, plate xv. Radiata, under the name of Macdndrewia azorica. In its external appearance it very closely resembles Dactylocalyx heteroformis of the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, and Dactyloealyx Prattit; but in its structural characters it differs in many important respects from either of them. The structure of the skeleton is truly that of a Dactylocalyz, and I have therefore referred it to that genus. The description of the genus in the ‘ Proceedings’ of this Society for 1859 refers only to its external characters, and is so vague that it might be equally well applied to several other species of this tribe of sponges. In the ‘ Proceedings’ for May 1867 Dr. Gray gives another version of its generic characters, in which he designates the sponge as a coral, thus:—‘‘ The coral expanded, cyathiform ; the upper and lower surface smooth, the upper surface with small oscules; the fibres of skeleton small, with stellate spicules on the dermal surface. The stellate spicules three-rayed ; the rays forked and reforked. Bowerbank, British Sponges, fig. 53.’? This de- scription is not only quite as vague as the original one, but, in addi- tion, is very incorrect. In the first place, the specimen is undoubt- edly not a coral; and, secondly, there are no stellate spicula on the dermal surface, nor have the connecting spicula ‘‘ the rays forked and reforked.’? And the reference made to ‘ British Sponges,’ fig. 53, is a mistake, as a reference to that work will prove, the spiculum there represented by the figure quoted being ‘“‘a spiculated dichotomo- patento-ternate ” one ‘‘from an unknown sponge.” And, moreover, no such form of spiculum is to be found in Dr. Gray’s Mac Andrewia azorica. The specimen is in the British Museum. The sponge is elevated on a short stout pedicel, from the top of which it expands into an irregular sinuously shaped cup with rounded margin. The external or inhalant surface is smooth, but slightly -undulating. The internal or exhalant surface is slightly roughened by the presence of the oscula, which are evenly distributed over the 88 DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [Jan. 28, whole of its surface; they rarely exceed a line in diameter; the smaller ones are frequently simple orifices, the larger ones are slightly elevated and marginated. The pores are not visible without the aid of considerable microscopical power; with about 100 linear their structure exhibits an exceedingly beautiful appearance. They each occupy an area formed by the intermingling of the elegant foliations of the ternate connecting spicula ; and each little porous area is fur- nished with a regular fringe composed of a single series of the small dermal tension-spicula, which, projected from its margin inwards, meet at about the centre of the space, forming a complete defence against the incursions of any minute enemy ; in the dermal mem- brane around, the minute tension-spicula are closely and irregularly matted together (Plate IV. fig. 5). : When we view a section of the sponge made at right angles to its surface, the structural peculiarities of the expansile dermal system of this tribe of sponges are very beautifully displayed. The outer surface is densely covered with the terminations of the ternate spi- cula of that organ, and again with the dermal membrane and its closely matted tension-spicula. Immediately beneath we see the pendent shafts of the ternate spicula, more or less clothed with minute acerate spicula, and with the proximal terminations of the shafts cemented by keratode to projecting portions of the fibre of the rigid skeleton, the surface of which is covered by a stratum of membra- nous structure, abundantly furnished with minute acerate spicula ; the space between this surface-membrane of the rigid skeleton and the under surface of the expansile dermal system forms a large ca- vernous or crypt-like cavity supported by innumerable pillars at about equal distances from each other. The arrangement of the fibres of the rigid skeleton have all the complete irregularity of a Dactylocalgz, and there is not the slightest approach in any part to the confluent radial structure of an Iphiteon. ‘There are a few comparatively large acerate spicula dis- persed amid the reticulations of the rigid skeleton ; they are about four or five times the length of the dermal ones, and they are not frequently to be seen iz situ. The connecting spicula are exceedingly beautiful objects. They are very variable in size and structure ; and no two of them are alike in the mode of the foliations of their ternate radii, which are evidently modified to meet the necessities of the in- termingling of their terminations, so as to secure a strong and elastic covering to the interstitial cavity beneath, and at the same time to produce abundant spaces for the porous areas of the dermis of the inhalant system. The structural aspect beneath the exhalant sur- face is very different from that of the inhalant one: here we find, as might be expected, large cavernous spaces for the reception of the effete streams from the rigid skeleton beneath, and, instead of the regular crypt-like form with its numerous minute pillars, we have elongated extensive spaces, the sides of which are, to a great extent, composed of irregularly disposed large acerate spicula imbedded in membranous structure; the shafts of the connecting spicula above are some of them connected with the parietes of the cavernous spaces, 1869.) DR. 5.5. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 8) while others appear to have no connexion with the tissues beneath them. Dacty.Locatyx Pratti, Bowerbank. Sponge irregularly cup-shaped, pedicelled ; surface even, slightly undulating. Oscula simple, small, dispersed, numerous. Pores congregated in areas formed by the distal terminations of the ex- pando-ternate connecting spicula, numerous and large. Expansile dermal system—dermal membrane pellucid, furnished abundantly with minute entirely spined fusiformi-cylindrical spicula, short, frequently semilunate or angulated, irregularly dispersed. Con- necting spicula irregularly fureated patento-ternate; radii slightly depressed, apices thin and expanded; ternate heads combining to form a dermal network. Enveloping membrane of the rigid skeleton abounding with the same minute spicula as those of the dermal membrane, and also with numerous separate flat fasciculi of long and slender acerate tension-spicula. Skeleton—rete compact ; fibres smooth, or irregularly and slightly spinous ; free terminations of fibres ramose, or abundantly tuberculated. Interstitial spicula acerate, long, slender, and frequently flexuous, mostly disposed in lines at right angles to the dermal surface. Interstitial membranes pellucid, furnished with the same form of retentive spicula as the dermal membrane. Colour in the dried state, light brown. Hab. East-Indies (8. P. Pratt, Esq.) ; off the island of Formosa (Mr. Swinhoe). Examined in the dried state. I am indebted to my late friend Mr. S. P. Pratt for the very in- teresting specimen under consideration. He stated that he was not quite certain of its locality, but he believed he had received it from his son, who was then in India, along with many other interesting marine specimens. The form of the sponge is that of an irregularly shaped cup, the rim of which is nearly an oblong, 44 inches long and 33 inches wide ; and at one corner there is a depression of the mar- gin, so as to form a lip to the cup of rather more than an inch in depth. The height of the cup in its present state is 4 inches. It has been broken away from its natural base ; but, from the indications remaining, it is probable that it was elevated on a short pedestal. The margin of the cup is unequal in its thickness, varying from half an inch to a thin sharp edge. The specimen was evidently in a living state when taken from the sea, and it is still in an excellent state of preservation. The oscula are simple orifices, without any especial defensive or- gans ; they have the usual contractile membrane to Open and close them in accordance with the necessities of the amimal, The greater portion of them were closed, while others were more or less open. Through one in the latter condition, in a slice from the surface mounted in Canada balsam, the surface of the rigid skeleton was seen, covered by the enveloping membrane, which was closely adhe- 90 DR.J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [Jan. 28, rent to the outer portion of the rigid skeleton. When the back of this specimen was presented to the eye, this membrane was seen to be abundantly supplied with large, long, flat fasciculi of slender acerate tension-spicula. The minute short fusiformi-cylindrical spicula were as profusely scattered over the surface of this membrane as on the external dermal one. The porous system, especially when we view its inner surface, isa most beautiful object for the microscope. The interlacing radii of the large patento-ternate connecting spicula form a beautiful series of round or oval areas, each containing from one to four or five large pores, the greater portion of which were open ; and the dermal mem- brane on which they exist is beautifully freckled with innumerable minute, entirely spined fusiformi-cylindrical spicula, so clesely packed together as to completely obscure the surface of the membrane, while the acutely conical shafts of the connecting spicula are seen at re- gular intervals projected towards the eye. A portion of this beau- tiful membrane is represented by fig. 8, Plate V. The expansile dermal system is admirably displayed in this sponge by a section at right angles to the surface from almost any part of it. In some portions of such a section the dermal surface is closely pressed on to the surface of the rigid skeleton, while in others it is seen more or less separated from it, forming a cavity above it, into which the shafts of the connecting spicula are projected towards the surface beneath, as represented by fig. 6, Plate V. The irregularly furcated patento-ternate connecting spicula are singular in their structure, and very characteristic of the species. No two of them are precisely alike, either in size or form ; the ec- centricity with which the radii are projected from the head of the shaft and the exceedingly variable mode of their ramifications are not a matter of chance, but they are evidently influenced by the ne- cessities of their combinations with each other in forming the dermal network and porous areas; for if we view them in situ, we observe no points straying from the lines of combination, but the whole of their radii are locked together so as to form a compact but expansile network for the support of the dermal membrane and the formation of the porous areas. The interstitial membranes filling the areas of the network of the skeleton are very translucent, and would scarcely be visible when immersed in Canada balsam, if it were not for the minute, short fusi- formi-cylindrical spicula which are dispersed over their surfaces. These spicula, though exceedingly minute, afford very decisive spe- cific characters. They are dispersed, more or less, over every part of the membranous structures, but more especially on the dermal membrane and the enveloping membrane of the rigid skeleton, which tissues they completely cover. They require a power of from 700 to 1000 linear to define their structural characters in a satisfactory manner. They vary considerably in size; one of the largest that I measured was 5); inch in length, and ;;4,, inch in diameter ; one of the smallest measured ;2.; inch in length, and z5);5 inch in diameter. 1869.] DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 91 The continuous reticulating fibre of the skeleton is smooth and slightly compressed; but there are numerous stout branches pro- jected from it that are full of large tuberculations, so that they very closely resemble the young budding antlers of a stag which are being renewed after the old ones have beenshed. There are also occasion- ally small short groups of tubercles on the angles of the reticulating skeleton ; but these are probably an incipient state of the large tuberculated branches which are projected in such great numbers into the interstitial cavities of the sponge. These organs apparently supply the place of auxiliary fibres and the rectangulated hexradiate spicula so plentiful in other species of Dactylocalyx, but which appear to be totally absent in this one. The numerous fasciculi of long slender acerate spicula also appear to replace the rectangulated hexradiate ones in their office of supplying support to the interstitial membranes of the sponge in the larger spaces within the skeleton ; a few single ones are frequently seen passing amid the reticulations of the skeleton in directions either horizontal or diagonal to the surface. During a visit to the British Museum on the 23rd of October, 1868, I was fortunate enough to find a second specimen of this spe- cies, from Formosa by Mr. Swinhoe. It differs materially in form from the type one that I received from my late friend Mr. Pratt. It is a much less developed sponge; but what there is of it is on a larger scale; and fortunately the basal attachment, wanting in the type specimen, is in a perfect condition. It is seated on one end of a small mass of what appears to be sandstone, the under surface of which is covered by serpule. On the sandstone at the base of the sponge there is a cream-coloured patch of a compound tunicated animal, about 14 inch in length and ? inch in breadth. The base of the sponge is 2 inches by 14 inch in diameter ; half an inch above the at- tachment the specimen is contracted (and at that part the development of the cup commences), and it expands slightly upward; the height of the specimen is about 3 inches. The sponge is fortunately in very nearly as fine a state of preservation as when taken from the sea; and every organ that is found in the type specimen appears in abundance in the one from Formosa. In truth, portions of the structures taken from the one specimen cannot, by microscopical examination, be distinguished from those mounted from the other. There are some points in the state of the two specimens that are very instructive. ‘Thus in the type specimen the porous system is in a beautiful condition, and the numerous pores in the areas are all open, while in the corresponding portions of the dermal membrane in the specimen from Formosa they are entirely closed; so that the important character of the congregation of the pores in areas could not have been determined from the latter specimen alone. The acquisition of this specimen from Formosa is in favour of Mr. Pratt’s belief that the type one was really an East-Indian specimen. DactryLocatyx Masont, Bowerbank. Sponge sessile, sinuously fan-shaped; surface even, margin 92 DR, J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [Jan. 28, rounded. Oscula small, slightly elevated, dispersed, very numerous. Pores inconspicuous, dispersed. Expansile dermal system—dermal membrane abundantly spiculous. Connecting spicula furcated, at- tenuato-patento-ternate, large and numerous; heads combining to form an irregular dermal network. Retentive spicula elongo-at- tenuato-stellate ; radii long and slender, rather numerous. En- veloping membrane of rigid skeleton—retentive spicula same as those of the dermal membrane, rather numerous. Skeleton—areas of reticulation round or oval, nearly equable in size ; fibre smooth, but umbonated at intervals; umbones cylindrical, smooth, short ; apices very nearly flat. Gemmules membranous, smooth, sub- globular. Colour, in the dried state, nut-brown. Hab. Madeira (H. N. Mason, Esq.). Examined in the dried state. The form of this sponge is that of a broad, irregularly sinuous, fan- shaped plate about 5 or 6 lines in thickness ; it is 73 inches high, 123 inches wide, and 37? inches from back to front. On the latter, or inhalant surface, at about the middle of its width, there are three sinuously fan-shaped plates given off, the largest one from about midway between the base and top of the sponge, and two smaller ones from near the base; the upper one has grown on a plane about parallel to that of the parent sponge, and its inhalant and exhalant surfaces aecord with those of that portion of the specimen. The two lower ones are projected from the large sponge at nearly right angles to its inhalant surface; and they have their inhalant surfaces on their upper sides, and their exhalant ones within the folds of their under ones. The sponge has evidently been sessile: there are no remains of an expanded base, but the attachment has apparently been near the middle of the basal portion of the specimen; and it appears to have grown on a somewhat elevated piece of rock, as both of the extreme ends of the sponge project below the apparent plane of attachment. It is evidently an old and well-matured specimen, as it has numerous parasites attached to its inhalant surface, among which are several specimens of Vermetus, and three of what is apparently Caryophyllia Smithii, two of which are full-grown, and one of them has numerous parasites on its external surface. The condition of the sponge is excellent: all its organs are evi- dently in the state they were when it was taken alive from the sea ; and it has apparently never undergone the deterioration of immersion in fresh water, as a quantity of salt remains in crystals on its surface. This specimen is therefore especially valuable as leading to a natural elucidation of the general characters of the singular and beautiful class of sponges to which it belongs. The oscula present no very striking characters ; the margins are slightly elevated and rounded ; many of them are completely closed, while others are only partially so ; and through the central orifice on these the enveloping membrane of the rigid skeleton, thickly studded 1869.] DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 93 with elongo-attenuato-stellate spicula, may frequently be seen in situ. The connecting spicula are very numerous beneath the dermal mem- brane of this surface, and their closely intermingled ternate heads form a strong and very complicated dermal network. Occasionally the oscula run from two or three to six or seven in a line, ona slightly elevated ridge ; but in other respects there is no approxima- tion to a definite arrangement. The pores are situated each in a single area, the margin of which is slightly thickened and elevated; the areas are visible by the aid of a lens of 2 inches focus; they are very numerous, and about equidistant from each other; the greater portion of them were in a closed condition. The expansile dermal system of this sponge affords excellent specific characters: the furcated attenuato-patento-ternate connect- ing spicula are large and strong, and their shafts comparatively long, and the central canals in both the shaft and the radii are large and well defined ; the fureations of their ternate heads are closely in- termingled, forming a fine but very irregular and complex dermal network. They vary very considerably in size and proportions: one of the largest measured {4 inch in length, and zs inch in the extreme expansion of its ternate head; one of the smallest measured zy inch in length, and in extreme expansion of its ternate head th inch. The elongo-attenuato-stellate retentive spicula of the dermal mem- brane are very minute ; two of the largest measured ;7,, inch and zosv inch in length. Their shafts are rarely straight ; they have usually two or three angular bends. The radii are long, slender, and exceedingly acutely terminated. Their structure and profuse dispersion on the surface of the membrane renders them a most effective protection against the insidious attacks of voracious enemies on that organ. Those on the oscular surface are larger than those of the inhalant one. The skeleton is also strikingly characteristic. The fibre is some- what compressed; it is perfectly smooth excepting the umbones with which it is studded at intervals; they project from half to once their own diameter from its surface, are nearly cylindrical in form, and have either a flat or a hemispherical apex. In the dried con- dition of the sponge, when closely adherent to the inner surface of the dermal membrane, they may at first sight be readily mistaken for pores ; their form and general appearance is unlike any cor- responding organs of a similar description in any other known species of this tribe of sponges. A few gemmules were observed; they were somewhat globular, with a broad attachment; with a power of 308 linear they appeared to be filled with minute semitransparent molecules. Their general character is very much that of the similar organs in Iphiteon panicea of the Porto-Rico specimen in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes. When portions of the interior of the skeleton of this sponge are immersed in water, and examined beneath the microscope, the sar- code is found to be abundant in the interstices of the skeleton, some- times completely filling the interstitial spaces, and quite ignoring 94 DR.J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [Jan. 28, the idea that it occurs in but very small quantities in the siliceo- fibrous sponges. In truth, if we compare the abundance of its pre- sence in this species, as well as in D. M*Andrewii and other such sponges which have been preserved in their natural condition, we cannot come to any other conclusion than that this vital substance is as abundant in the siliceo-fibrous sponges as it is in the Hali- chondroid species, and even in the true Spongie. DacryLocaLtyx BowERBANKII, Johnson. Sponge sinuously and expansively cup-shaped, sessile. Surface even; margin flat and angulated. Oscula simple, dispersed, nu- merous. Pores inconspicuous, dispersed. Expansile dermal system —dermal membrane abundantly spiculous ; connecting spicula fur- cated patento-ternate, and rarely dichotomo-patento-ternate, large and long; tension-spicula fusiformi-acerate, small and short, few in number ; retentive spicula elongo-cylindro-stellate, with very short radii, minute, exceedingly numerous; and elongo-attenuato stellate few in number. Skeleton—areas round or oval, irregular; fibre cylindrical, smooth, but irregularly nodulous at intervals ; nodules cylindrical, short, terminating hemispherically. Interstitial mem- brane—interstitial spicula fusiformi-acerate, long, slender, and flexu- ous, and same form rather short and stout; retentive spicula elongo-cylindro-stellate, and elongo-attenuato-stellate, the same as those of the dermal membrane, few in number. Colour, alive, white (J. Y. Johnson, Esq.), in the dried state light brown. Hab. Deep water off Madeira (J. Y. Johnson, Esq.). Examined in the dried state. The only specimen of this species known was obtained from “ deep water off the coast of Madeira,” by James Yate Johnson, Esq., and was described and named by him in P. Z. 8. 1863, p. 259. The general description he has there given is very correct as far as it goes; but he has not given a definite specific description of its cha- racters. The specimen is now in the British Museum. Dr. Gray, in his “Notes on the Arrangement of Sponges” (P. Z. S. 1867, p. 507), notices the specimen as a synonym of his genus and species MacAndrewia azorica, in the following terms :— «The specimen which Mr. J. Yate Johnson has described under the name of D. Bowerbankii is larger, more orbicular and expanded than I described years before as Macdndrewia azorica; but I cannot see any other difference.” But as the learned author has nowhere, that I can find, given any particulars of the structural peculiarities of the specimen as compared with those of his species Mac Andrewia azorica, his hasty assignment of it to that species is in reality devoid of any authority. Half an hour’s microscopical investigation of the two specimens which are in his possession would have completely satisfied him that they were very distinct species of animals, as the reader may readily satisfy himself by comparing the figures illustrating the species under consideration in Plate V. figs. 2, 3, 4, & 5, from D. 1869.] DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 95 M°Andrewii, with those representing the organization of D. Bower- bankit in Plate VI. figs. 6, 7, 8. The form of the sponge under consideration is that of a shallow cup with expansively undulating margin. The diameter varies from twelve to fourteen inches, and its thickness from half to very nearly one inch. It has six large sinuous doublings of its margin, which extend as much beyond the general plane of the sponge at its under as at its upper surface ; two of these foldings of its substance have met at its under surface, and have become cemented together. The greater portion of the sinuous margin of the sponge is flat, the outer and inner edges in some parts being quite sharply defined. The dermal system in this sponge presents very important specific characters. In some sections made at right angles to the surface it was evidently in a state of complete collapse; the under surfaces of the connecting spicula were closely in contact with the surface of the rigid skeleton, and their shafts were deeply immersed in its sub- stance. ‘This position of the expansile dermai system of the sponge is probably its natural one while the animal is in a state of repose. The connecting spicula vary considerably in their size, form, and degree of development. The primary ternate rays are usually short ; and the secondary fureating ones are fiveor six times the length of the primary ones, and without any secondary fureations, while at other times one or more of the furcating rays have a second terminal fureation ; these terminal radii are short, and are frequently pro- jected on a plane at right angles to the other furcations; these terminal furcations are sometimes very irregular, their apices, instead of two only, having three or four small branches projected in different directions, as represented by fig. 7, Plate VI. The mode of the disposition of the ternate heads of these spicula in the dermis is remarkable: they are not arranged so that their ternate radii form definite inhalant areas; but the rays cross each other in every imaginable direction, and the pores are found in the little irre- gular areas, one, or rarely two together, and they therefore appear indiscriminately seattered over the whole of the porous surface. They are simple orifices without any defensive spicula such as we observe in Dactylocalye M°*Andrewii. The dermal membrane is abundantly supplied with retentive spicula; they are so numerous and closely packed as to completely obscure it. ‘They are very minute, and no two are alike in size or form; they require a micro- scopical power of about 700 linear to render them distinct to the the eye. Under these circumstances they present remarkably thick and obtuse proportions, and are distinctly different from any others of this class of spicula that I have ever seen. Sometimes the shaft is multiangulated, each angle producing a single short cylindrical ray, while in other cases the shaft is quite straight, and the radii are projected from it in a perfectly irregular manner. Besides these two prevailing forms, they assume every imaginable variation of shape that such spicula can be subjected to. One of the largest and most regular of the multiangulated forms that I measured pre- sented the following proportions :—length of spiculum 55 inch; 96 DR.J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [Jan. 28, greatest lateral expansion ;g;7 inch; diameter of shaft g3'g3 inch ; length of projection of a ray zh inch; diameter of a ray 7350 inch. The greatest disparity existing between them is not in the size of the shaft, or in the length of tie projection of the radii, but in the length of the spiculum and in the various modes of its struc- ture. I have been thus particular in its description because it is a new form of spiculum, and is especially characteristic of the species of the sponge in which it occurs (Plate VI. fig. 82). The elongo-attenuato-stellate spicula are comparatively few in number, and very different in their general aspect to the elongo- cylindrical ones. They vary exceedingly in their forms: sometimes they assume the shape of spiculated biternate ones; but generally their long, slender and attenuated radii are projected without any approximation to regularity. An average-sized one measured, length gtd inch, length of a ray rise inch, diameter of shaft z75q inch (Plate VI. fig. 84). There are also a few short cylindrical spicula, with an irregular inflation near the middle ; but this form is probably an undeveloped state of the elongo-cylindro-stellate spiculum. From the collapsed state of the expansile dermal system, no very clear view could be obtained of the investing membrane of the rigid skeleton ; but in sections parallel to the surface, mounted in Canada balsam, small portions of it were occasionally visible; and these appeared to be rather sparingly supplied with the elongo- cylindro-stellate and elongo-attenuato-stellate spicula that are so abundant in the dermal membrane. A few of both these forms of spicula are also found dispersed on the interstitial membranes. The long, slender and flexuous interstitial spicula occur either singly or in bundles of four or five together, and are usually disposed at nearly right angles to the surface, immediately beneath the in- vesting membrane of the rigid skeleton. They are very long and slender, and attenuate to extremely acute terminations. Short, stout fusiformi-acerate spicula in considerable quantities are sometimes found intermixed with the skeleton-fibre, immediately beneath the enveloping membrane of the rigid skeleton; but they are not found in such quantities in all parts of the sponge ; amid the deeper portions of the skeleton a few single ones only are occasionally found. A few short, stout cylindrical spicula were found among the spicula obtained by the dissolution of portions of the sponge in nitric acid ; but these are probably cases of immature development. The sarcode is as abundant in this as in other species of the same genus. Its quantity cannot be correctly appreciated in its dried condition, or when mounted in Canada balsam ; but in wet prepara- tions of portions of the skeleton, when fully expanded by moisture, it is in many cases to be seen completely enveloping the skeleton- fibre, and filling the interstices of its reticulations. DacTyLocALyx PoLypiscus, Bowerbank. Sponge irregularly cup-shaped, pedicel short. Surface even; sides of cup thick; margin rounded. Surface even. Oscula slightly 1869.] DR. J.s. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 97 elevated and margined, dispersed. Pores inconspicuous. Expansile dermal system—dermal membrane pellucid, furnished abundantly with small fusiformi-acerate spicula irregularly dispersed. Retentive spicula fusiformi-cylindrical, short and variable in size. Connecting spicula—apices discoid, irregularly cireular or oval, smooth and thin; margins entire; shafts short and conical. Skeleton—fibres cylindrical, smooth, their free terminations abundantly tuberculated ; tubercles cylindrical, short, terminations hemispherical. Interstitial membranes—tension-spicula fusiformi-acerate, short, rather nume- rous, dispersed. Gemmules membranous, spherical. Colour light fawn-brown in the dried state. Hab. Island of St. Vincent, West Indies (Rev. Lansdowne Guilding). Examined in the dried condition. This interesting little specimen is in the collection of the British Museum. It was obtained by the Rev. Lansdowne Guilding at the Island of St. Vincent, West Indies. The specimen is a small, unequally developed, cup-shaped sponge ; the margin is nearly oval, with an average diameter of seven-eighths of an inch, and it is about five-eighths of an inch high; the thick- ness of the sponge near the margin is about three lines. From its general aspect it would seem that the specimen was a young one in an early stage of development. The oscula are slightly elevated, have a thin margin, and are about one-third of a line in diameter ; they are equally distributed, and are about five or six lines apart, just as they might be expected to appear on a sponge of very much larger dimensions. The pores are dispersed on the outer surface of the cup; they are not readily detected even in a piece of the dermis when mounted in Canada balsam; they are found in intervals between the discoid plates, which frequently have semilunar notches to afford space for the passage of the inhalant streams. The dermal membrane is very translucent ; but the fusiformi- acerate spicula with which it is furnished are so exceedingly nume- rous that they render the discoid heads of the connecting spicula immediately beneath them perfectly undistinguishable. An average- sized one measured ;1, inch in length (Plate VI. fig. 12). The retentive spicula are comparatively few in number; they are very much smaller than the tension ones, and although mixed with them are readily distinguished by their fusiformi-cylindrical shape (Plate VI. figs. 13 & 14). The connecting spicula are singular in their form, and very cha- racteristic of the species; the normal form of their discoid heads appears to be nearly circular, but they vary to a very considerable extent to suit the circumstances of their situation. ‘Their margins lap over each other to frequently the extent of one-third or one-half of their diameters, so that they not only form a secure and con- tinuous platform for the support of the dermal membrane, but they also admit of a very considerable extent of lateral expansion and Proc. Zoo. Soc.—1869, No. VII. 98 DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [Jan. 28, contraction. Their margins are entire, and their surfaces perfectly smooth and even. In a section made at right angles to the surface of the sponge, a portion of the expansile dermal tissue remained in situ, and the sharply conieal shafts of the connecting spicula were seen projecting into the space between the dermal membrane and the surface of the rigid skeleton of the sponge. The spaces of the rete of the skeleton are tolerably equable, but without any approximation to order in their arrangement. The fibres of the skeleton are cylindrical and quite smooth, excepting at their free terminations, which are fre- quently abundantly tuberculated. The tubercles are cylindrical, with hemispherical terminations, and are usually about once their own diameter in height. . The interstitial membranes are very pellucid, and-are rather abun- dantly supplied with the same description of tension-spicula that are so abundant in the dermal membrane ; and they may also frequently be seen imbedded in the sarcode that surrounds the skeleton-fibres. A few gemmules were observed ; they were globular, membranous, and very like those of Iphiteon panicea ; they were adherent to the inner surface of the dermal system. When sections of the sponge were examined in water, there were numerous moniliform series of spherical molecules, varying from three or four to six or eight in number, on the inner surfaces of the discoid heads of the connecting spicula, and also on the surfaces of the interstitial membranes. Such molecules in moniliform series are not uncommon in the sarcode of the interstitial membranes of many species of Halichondroid sponges; and this arrangement apparently arises from axial attraction. It is the first case of their occurrence that I have observed in the siliceo-fibrous sponges. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES. Puate IIT. Fig. 1. Surface of the rigid skeleton of the type specimen of Dactylocalyx pu- miceus, Stutchbury, exhibiting the irregularity of the skeleton-struc- ture and the auxiliary skeleton-fibres in the large interstitial cavities opposite, a, a, a, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 2. A rectangulated hexradiate tension-spiculum, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 3. A portion of one of the large fusiformi-acerate spicula from amidst the rigid skeleton of the type specimen of D. pwmiceus, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 4. A trifureated spinulo-hexradiate stellate retentive spiculum, magnified 666 linear. . A trifureated attenuato-hexradiate stellate retentive spiculum, magnified 666 linear. Fig. 6. A large and a small yerticillately spined spiculum from the basal portion of the type specimen of D. pwmiceus in the British Museum, mag- nified 108 linear. Fig. 7. Subequiangular triradiate tension-spiculum from the type specimen, magnified 108 linear, Fig. 8. Acerate tension-spiculum from the type specimen, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 9. A furcated attenuato-patento-ternate connecting spiculum from the type specimen, magnified 108 linear. eI ee ou on 1869.] DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 99 Fig. 10. A dichotomo-patento-ternate connecting spiculum from the type spe- cimen, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 11. Minute attenuato-stellate retentive and defensive spicula from the type specimen, magnified 666 linear. Fig. 12. A gemmule adhering to auxiliary fibres of the skeleton from the large specimen of D. pwmiceus (Iphiteon panicea, Valenciennes) in the col- lection of the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 13. A profile view of two of the tubercles on the skeleton-fibre of the type specimen of D. pumiceus, exhibiting the papillation of their summits, magnified 666 linear. Figs. 14 & 15. Portions of the densely reticulated basal skeleton-structure from the type specimen, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 16. Trifurcated expando-ternate connecting spicula, probably belonging to an unknown species of Dactylocalyx, magnified 666 linear. Puate IV. Fig. 1. A portion of the rigid skeleton of Dactylocalyx heteroformis (Coscino- spongia heteroformis, Valenciennes), exhibiting the complicated reticu- lations of the structure, and the ramified free terminations of the fibres, magnified 175 linear. Fig. 2. One of the large incurrent areas of the inhalant surface of the same sponge, exhibiting the protective furcated terminations of the marginal fibres, magnified 308 linear. Fig. 3. One of the oscula from the exhalant surface of the same sponge, exhibiting the oscular membrane in a half-open condition, magnified 183 linear. Fig. 4, A portion of the dermal membrane of D. heteroformis, with its fine but very irregular network of siliceous fibre, magnified 308 linear. Fig. 5. A portion of the dermal membrane of Dactylocalya MeAndrewii (Mac- : Andrewia azorica, Gray), exhibiting the ramifications of the foliato- expando-ternate connecting spicula beneath, and one of the inhalant pores with its defensive system of minute acerate dermal spicula, magnified 183 linear, Puare VY. Fig. 1. A portion of the rigid skeleton of Dactylocalyx MeAndrewii, magnified 175 linear. Fig. 2. A foliato-expando-ternate connecting spiculum from the expansile dermal system of D. MeAndrewii, with the inner surface towards the eye exhibiting the short acutely conical shaft of the spiculum, magni- fied 175 linear. 3. An elongated and’ more ramose variety of the ternate head of the same sort of spiculum as that represented by fig. 2, magnified 175 linear. Fig. 4. A view in profile of a spiculum of the same form as those that are re- presented by figs. 2 & 3, magnified 175 linear. 5. One of the minute fusiformi-acerate tension-spicula of the dermal membrane of D. M¢Andrewii, magnified 666 linear. 6. A section at right angles to the surface of D. Prattii, exhibiting a portion of the expansile system (a) in a state of separation from the rigid siliceo-fibrous skeleton beneath, with the shafts of the connecting spicula pendent in the space between them, and also the primary dermal membrane, and the secondary membrane covering the external surface of the rigid skeleton filled with the innumerable retentive spicula of those organs, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 7. Two of the retentive spicula of the dermal membrane and the investing membrane of the rigid skeleton, magnified 1250 linear. Fig. 8. A view of the inner surface of a portion of the expansile dermal system, exhibiting the interlacing of the radii of the irregularly furcated patento-ternate connecting spicula to form the inhalant areas, in which are situated the pores of imbibition, magnified 108 linear. Figs. 9, 10, & 11. Three of the irregularly furcated patento-ternate connecting spi- cula, exhibiting their extreme diversity of form, magnified 108 linear. 100 DR. J. MURIE ON THE SEALS OF THE FALKLANDs. [Jan. 28, Puate VI. Fig. 1. A piece of the fibre of the rigid skeleton of Dactylocalyx Masoni, mag- nified 108 linear. Fig. 2. A view of the inner surface of part of the expansile dermal system of D. Masoni, with a portion of the rigid skeleton in situ, magnified 108 linear. 3. One of the furcated attenuato-patento-ternate connecting spicula of D. Masoni, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 4. A minute elongo-stellate retentive spiculum from the dermal membrane of D. Masoni, magnified 666 linear. Fig. 5. A piece of the fibre of the rigid skeleton of D. Bowerbankii, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 6. One of the furcated attenuato-patento-ternate connecting spicula of the normal form from the expansile dermal system of D. Bowerbankii, magnified 175 linear. Fig. 7. A furcated attenuato-patento-ternate connecting spiculum with ramified terminations to the fureations of the radii. This form, with more or less ramified terminations, is frequently found in this species. Mag- nified 175 linear. Fig. 8. Retentive spicula from the dermal membrane of D. Bowerbankii: a, a, the elongo-cylindro-stellate form, variable in size, and very numerous ; : the elongo-attenuato-stellate form, few in number: magnified 666 inear. Fig. 9. A fragment of the fibre of the rigid skeleton of D. polydiscus, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 10. A portion of the expansile dermal system of D. polydiscus, with the dis- . _ coid expando-ternate connecting spicula in situ, magnified 108 linear. Fig. 11. Two varieties in form of the connecting spicula of D. polydiscus, mag- nified 108 linear. Fig. 12. A fusiformi-acerate tension-spiculum from the dermal membrane of D. polydiscus, magnified 666 linear. Figs. 13 & 14. Two of the retentive spicula of the dermal membrane of D. poly- discus, magnified 666 linear. 4. Report on the Eared Seals collected by the Society’s Keeper Francois Lecomte in the Falkland Islands. By James Morisz, M.D., F.L.S., Prosector to the Society. (Plate VIL.) An account of the Society’s keeper Lecomte’s expedition to the Falkland Islands for the purpose of collecting live specimens of Eared Seals, Penguins, &c., has already, in November last, been laid before the Scientific Meeting by our Secretary, Mr. Sclater (see P. Z, 8. 1868, p. 527). It devolves upon me to add to that report memoranda concerning the skins and skeletons of the Phocide ob- tained during Lecomte’s sojourn at the above islands. The speci- mens in question, owing to difficulties and mishaps in the way of transport, did not arrive in England until some time after the live stock, brought home by Lecomte himself. Furthermore, I regret to mention that, from a variety of causes, the condition of the objects is not so perfect as could be wished ; but, under the adverse circum- ctances incident to the voyage, this is not to be wondered at. I am happy to add, though, that some points in connexion with the es ’ Im i sony amen e fot 1869.] DR. J. MURIE ON THE SEALS OF THE FALKLANDS. 101 Otariide, which hitherto have been indefinite, receive elucidation, even from the imperfect supply now furnished. The skins were preserved in a salted condition, the bones roughly dried. They have been compared and identified with those in the British Museum. The total number of animals to which the specimens belong is sixteen: they comprise but two species, namely, the Otaria jubata, Foster, and Otaria nigrescens (Arctocephalus nigrescens, Gray). Of these, fifteen belong to the first, and but one to the second species. I. OTARIA JUBATA. 1. Skin and cranium (tolerably perfect) of an adult male, but not aged, Sea-lion, technically called by the traders a ‘“ Bull;’’ shot at Kelp Island, one of the eastern islets of the group of the Falkland Islands. Lecomte states that there were altogether about 40 Seals com- posing the herd of which this male was a member. Another, much larger and maned male was wounded by a shot at the same time, but it managed to escape. The above skin, in its present moist condition, measures 96 inches from the muzzle to the posterior end of the hind flippers as they are thrown backwards ; fromthe muzzle to the tip of tail 73 inches ; from point to point of the outstretched fore flippers 763 inches. The pelage on the back and belly is worn and rubbed off, the ani- mal evidently having been just shedding its coat when slain. There is a very slight tendency to development of a mane, the longish hairs here being of a brindled yellow-and-brown shade. The throat is lighter-coloured and with shorter hairs; but towards the mandible they are longer, darker, and beard-like. The upper surface of the head, almost as far as the nose, is of a light or yellowish-. brown shade; the two cheeks dark brown; the muzzle black. The fresh undercoat of shorter hairs (not the underwool) all along the back inclines to a yellowish grey. The long and partially abraded hairs in scattered patches are dull brown, which becomes slightly redder and richer in tint at the buttocks and posterior tibial regions. This same hue is apparently the original one previous to the shedding of the outer coat ; it is well seen in the axille. The belly, with very short and finely set hair, is of a brownish yellow. The flippers are black where bare of hair. The skull is a good representative of the species during middle life—that is, before the extraordinary high occipito-parietal and longi- tudinal parieto-frontal crests peculiar to very old age are developed. These elevations have just commenced to show themselves in a raised narrow plate of bone. The surface of the cranium is altogether rough. The palate is broad, and but moderately deep (see fig. 1, p. 103). The teeth exhibit a most remarkable condition, and such as I have only witnessed (and that but slight in comparison) in one other spe- cimen of the genus. Not only the whole of the smaller-sized molars and premolars, but also the great canines of both upper and lower 102 DR. J. MURIE ON THE SEALS OF THE FALKLANDS. [Jan. 28, jaws, in the specimen under consideration, are worn in a circular grooved manner, as if compassed by a ring in their middles. The canines are not so grooved round about, but rather deeply excavated behind. The crowns of the canines and the grinding-teeth are like- wise ground down and flattened; but this is of less moment than the way in which the dentine is grooved. The worn surface is black- ened, but smooth. Three reasons may be given for the wearing of the teeth in thi uncommon way :— (a) It is possible for the dental apparatus of the upper and lower jaws to effect a wearing away of the softer dentine by their unequally fitting and rubbing against each other. Examination, however, of the maxillze when approximated proves this to have been unlikely— in fact, impossible. (6) Again it may be suggested that granules of sand and pebbles, which these animals swallow, as I shall afterwards mention, may have ground down the teeth at the gums. This also is a most unlikely circumstance, if we attentively consider the nature of the polished surfaces and the apparent mode in which they are eroded. Besides, it would be too good a joke to admit that the Sea-lion possessed a bad dentifrice and tooth-brush. (c) In the human being, cases do come before dentists where circular abrasion occurs such as we have here. This has been proved beyond doubt to be effected by an altered condition of the glandular fluids ejected into the mouth. The tongue, laving the surfaces of the teeth with the changed secretion, by degrees abrades the den- tinal surface, wears irregular grooves, and leaves the harder enamel comparatively unchanged. Such may likewise happen even to an Eared Seal for aught I know to the contrary. 2. Skin and skeleton (the cranium considerably injured) of a preg- nant female Eared Seal (termed ‘‘ Clapmatch”’). This was killed by the stroke of a baton at Kelp Island on the 8th June 1868. The sex is well authenticated, inasmuch as Lecomte extracted a foctus of about a foot long from the womb. This fcetus, curious to say, was pounced upon and carried off by a Chimango (?), which had been ho- vering overhead watching the operation. Greatest length of skin, including hind extremities, 803 inches ; from muzzle to end of. tail 663 inches; tip to tip of fore limbs out- spread 58 inches. Teats well developed, 4 in number ; front ones 2 inches from the middle line of abdomen, and distant 5 inches behind the axille ; hinder ones 1 inch outside the median line, and 9 inches distant from the pectoral ones. From the forehead, along the whole line of the back and the upper sides of the body to as far as the tail, the colour is blackish mingled with grey, the tips of the hairs being grey, their bases black. There is a black streak from the muzzle to the forehead, on either side of which and above the eye is aight grey patch, the cheeks outside of that being of the same shade as the back. A light and longer-haired beard is partially developed ; behind is a moderate-sized darker patch ; 1869.] DR. J. MURIE ON THE SEALS OF THE FALKLANDS. 103 and then the throat and the whole of the abdomen posteriorly is of a yellowish-grey or light drab tint. Around each eye is a narrow circlet of brown. The hair on this skin, as well as on those of the next three females, is much shorter than the outer coat of the male No. 1; indeed it resembles, both in colour and texture, the inner coat of the said male. The skull of this female being considerably injured in the maxil- lary and premaxillary regions, I shall make no comments on it further than to mention the size—namely, greatest length 10°3 inches. The skeleton agrees with that of specimens of Otaria jubata. Under views of male and female skulls of Ofarta jubata. Fig. 1. Adult male, that described in text as No. 1. 2. Adult female, the specimen referred to as No. 3. (Both reduced to one-third of nat. size.) 104 DR. J. MURIE ON THE SEALS OF THE FALKLANDS. (Jan. 28, 3. Another skin and skeleton (in better condition) of an adult and pregnant female, killed at the same time and place as the fore- going (No. 2). The foetus found in this specimen corresponded in size to the other. The colour of this skin corresponds in every particular with that described as No. 2, only it is not quite so dark. The maxillary and premaxillary bones of this skull are also partly broken by the fatal blow with the baton. The palate, however, a good character of the species, is entire. This demonstrates, as does the whole inferior region (compare figs. 1 and 2), ‘that the cranium of the female is much narrower and shallower than that of males of the same age and size. Especially is this the case in the maxillary region of the palate. The teeth altogether are much weaker and more sharply pointed than in the male. So marked is this that the skull of a female can at a glance, and by this character alone, be distinguished from that of a male. In some respects the female skull approaches that of Arctocephalus hookeri; but the posterior nares and great length of the palatines of both male and female Otaria jubata readily separate them. The greatest length of this cranium is 10°5 inches, the greatest breadth (at the zygoma) 6 inches. The crests of the roof are but feebly developed. 4. Skin and skeleton (not perfectly complete) of a female Otaria, young but nearly adult. This was captured alive on the 4th June 1868, at North-Point Island, situate at the south-east corner of the Falklands. In markings and colour this younger female is hardly to be dis- tinguished from the older pregnant animals. There is perhaps a more marbled aspect, produced by a greater and more irregular dis- tribution of the light upper hairs. 5. Skin, disarticulated fragmentary skull, and leg-bones of another female, about the same age as No. 4. This specimen also was taken alive at North-Point Island, 4th June 1868. No difference in colour and hairy covering is appreciable between this and No. 4. 6. Skin, leg-bones, and cranium, with imperfect dentition of a young but considerable-sized male Sea-lion. This animal was taken alive at Kelp Island on the 8th June 1868, and said to have been about eighteen months old at date of capture. The entire head, neck, and body of this skin is clothed with short, fine, smooth, closely set hairs of a nearly uniform chocolate tint. The nape of the neck and the belly are a trifle lighter than the other parts. 7. Skin only of a very young male O¢aria, technically called a “pup.” Caught alive, 16th February 1868, on one of the islets near Kelp Island. This and the three succeeding specimens (Nos. 8, 9, and 10) were seized at one raid. They shall be described and commented on together. 8. Another skin, closely resembling the last. 9. A skin, vertebral column, leg-bones, and feet of a similar very young but female Seal. 10. Similar skin of another young female. 1869.] DR. J. MURIE ON THE SEALS OF THE FALKLANDS, 105 One of the females died on the 3rd of March 1868, the other three days after, namely, on the 6th. One of the males lived a month longer, to the 9th April; the last of the four specimens died on Good Friday (April 10th). The accompanying admeasurements of three of their bodies were taken in centimetres by Lecomte immediately after their death. I have reduced these to inches and decimals. ? 3 Length from the muzzle to the tip of the tail......... 340 | 33:2 | 37:71 Length from the muzzie to the furthest point of 47-7 | 41-3 | 46-7 the backwardly stretched hind flipper............ } a . Greatest length of the pectoral extremity ... ........ 11:3 | 11°7 | 12:9 Greatest length of the pelvic limb ..................04. 90; 90] 11:0 The hair on these skins is short, firm, and thick in the pile. Beneath is a reddish underwool, but very sparsely scattered. The colour of one and all is a very rich dark brown, approaching black on the upper parts, and appearing quite so under certain lights when the skin is moist. The flippers are black only where bare. Scarcely any appreciable difference exists between the males and the females ; if any, the males are darkest. By way of comparison with the adult male and female of the same species (Nos. | and 2), I shall here give the diameters of the soft skins of the young ones (Nos. 7 and 10)—all four, adult and young, having been pickled in the same manner. No. 7. Greatest length (from the muzzle to hinder flipper) 50 inches, to the end of the tail 403 inches; breadth between the furthest point of the extended pectoral members 32 inches. No. 10 gives these consecutive mea- surements as 47, 39, and 303 inches. 11. Large and much worn skull of a very old Sea-lion. 12. Large and much worn skull, alsoold. This specimen has the left ramus of the lower jaw attached. 13. Another aged cranium, but without mandible. 14. Another aged cranium, but without mandible. 15. Another aged cranium, but without mandible. The respective proportions of the above venerable cranial remnants of the once plentiful race of Falkland-Island Sea-lions may be tabulated thus :— No. 11. Length 14-8 inches. Greatest (zygomatic) breadth 10:0 inches. 41 10: ae ” 1 ” ” ” ” ” 13. he LO. 3 a » ” ene PETA cacy ))73 i ds ithe. aes 15. ” 135 ” ” ” ” 9-0 ” The occipito-parietal crests of all are enormously developed, and the extra processes in No. 12 are peculiarly prominent. The mandible of the latter specimen measures 11°5 inches long, and it is 6°5 inches in vertical height at the coronoid process. These five skulls, evidently much worn by being rolled on the 106 DR.J. MURIE ON THE SEALS OF THE FALKLANDS. |[Jan. 28, shingle, were picked up on the beach at Elephant Island, on the east side of the Falklands. Lecomte and his companions believed these large old skulls of Otaria jubata to be those of the Elephant-Seal (Morunga elephantina), as it was stated by some of the party that these animals formerly did exist on this island. One of the pilots (Louis Despreaux by name) had resided thirty-two years on the Falkland Islands, and he distinctly remembered shooting many Elephant-Seals in the neighbourhood in bygone years ; but about twelve years ago they began to get scarce and disappear. While Lecomte was absent on one of his excursions, a report was current on the islands that a young Elephant-Seal, about 8 feet long, had been killed with a baton by the lighthouse-keeper at Cape Pembroke. On his return Lecomte endeavoured to obtain the skeleton, but it had in the meantime been destroyed. II. OrariA NIGRESCENS. 16. Bones of the two pectoral extremities of an adult male Fur- Seal. Specimen shot by Mr. Cobb (the Manager of the Falkland- Island Company) on the Volunteer Rocks, north-east of the Falkland- Island group. Habits and Economy of the Eared Seals.—Under this heading I append chiefly such observations as I. have received verbally from Lecomte upon interrogating him respecting what he had witnessed of the daily life of these creatures. He corroborates the statements of the older voyagers as regards the gregarious habits of the Eared Seals. At various times he has seen families of six, a dozen, and even up to twenty; but, generally speaking, he supposes from ten to fifteen to be the average number of a family group. Several families, again, congregate near each other in the same creek or islet, but, notwithstanding, they do not intermingle. In one instance he calculated there would be about forty individuals, old and young, in the herd. This was when the old male was shot and the four youngsters captured alive. On an- other occasion, that on which the two adult pregnant females were killed, he reckoned there would be as many as 100 in the herd, dis- tributed, of course, hither and thither in clusters. They seem to prefer {it may be through a wise precaution on their part) headlands or isthmuses, and choose the most southern locality thereon as a resting-place. One of the old males guards as a sen- tinel. Usually he is seen perched on an eminence, and invariably, as Lecomte affirms, with outstretched neck and upraised head, as if sniffing around for the slightest ominous warning. ‘The signal of a grunt or growl sets the others on the alert ; and on any real approach of danger they rush all helter-skelter towards the water, which they never wander far from. Their daily occupation seems divided between sleeping and pro- curing food. They lie huddled together in a drowsy condition, or slumber, for a great part of their time, and this both during the day and night. At high tides, day and night, they take to fishing near 1869.] DR.J.MURIE ON THE SEALS OF THE FALKLANDS. 107 the entrance of the freshwater rivulets into the sea. At such times they will remain a whole tide dabbling about singly after food. This consists of fish and crustaceans. In capturing their prey they swallow it either above or below the water. Our live Sea-lion in the Gardens, as a rule, comes to the surface during the process of deglutition ; the other Seals swallow underneath the water. Lecomte says the Eared Seals never drink water ; and he substantiates the fact that he kept the first animal he brought to this country for a year without fluid, except such as adhered to the fish he fed it with. He tells me, moreover, he has noticed the common Seals in our own collection occasionally suck in water as a horse would, but the Otaria never. Another curious circumstance he assures me of is, that in the stomach of every one he has examined, with the single exception of a young animal, there existed a quantity of pebbles. The amount varied in individuals from a few to many. Indeed one of the Falk- land-Island pilots told Lecomte in good faith that he himself had removed 28 lb. of stones from the digestive cavity of an Elephant- Seal, an old Otaria jubata(?). The common notion among the traders and hunters is that these Seals swallow the stones as a kind of ballast to enable them to dive quickly after their prey. For my own part I cannot at all accept this reason on the evidence. The voices of the old and young animals differ in tone. The adult, and more particularly the old ones either growl in an undertone, or, when excited during the breeding-season, heighten this to a volu- minous interrupted roar. The young cries with a kind of bleat like a sheep. In the first Sea-lion possessed by the Society the pupils of the eyes contracted and dilated to an enormous extent ; and when enlarged, which took place towards sunset, they became of an opaline hue. The live Otaria jubata at present in the Gardens also mani- fests considerable dilatability of the pupils, but not quite the same change of colour. At night the eye of Phoca vitulina appears iri- descent, as in some Carnivora. As regards this frequent change in the diameter of the pupil in Otaria, this may have relation to its nocturnal habits as much as to the difference of medium in which the animal lives. The sexual season lasts for about a month, namely, between the latter end of February and that of March. As has been described by other observers, Lecomte remarks there are then regular pitched battles, the females looking on but not interfering. The males at such times are savage, and if attacked do not run away ; but the females are rather timid and shy.. After these matches are adjusted, a good deal of playing and gambolling in the water occurs, but the act of coupling takes place on the land. When a male, through age or otherwise, is driven away, he leads a solitary life, and then often goes further inland. The females go with young about ten months, giving birth to a single one about Christmas or the end of the year, equivalent to our midsummer in this country. Lecomte says there is no great interval between parturition in the females of a herd, as the young range much of a size. They rear their offspring at a short distance from 108 DR.J.MURIE ON THE SEALS OF THE FALKLANDS. (Jan. 28, the water’s edge; the young, however, does not enter the water for some time. At the earliest stage the baby Seals are like so many puppy dogs, fat, plump, and shapeless. They play, fight, and frisk about in twos and threes, at times dabbling and floundering in the shallow pools left by the receding tide. Suckling continues until they are about three months old, at which period the mother entices them by degrees towards and into the water. From that time the young begin to cater for themselves. In youth, as has been shown, the skin is of a dark brown hue. This changes very gradually, and lightens after they are a year old; it then seems sensibly to alter annually by a partial shedding of the coat. The males remain darkest, and have always the longest hair throughout life. No lean animals are ever observed. There appears to be a periodical migration towards the south. In November the Sea-lions come to the Falkland Islands, where they remain till June or July, when the greater number depart ; but some remain at the islands the whole year round. With respect to certain doubtful specific forms of the genus Otaria which Dr. Peters and Dr. Gray have named, I must say I do not entirely agree with their determination. I differ from Dr. Gray in ranking the skin described by him in the ‘Annals of Natural History,’ 1868, i. p. 219, as a distinct species— his Arctocephalus nivosus. This I believe to be but a variety, seasonal, sexual, or of a different age from those specimens hitherto obtained. Also I do not acquiesce in his critical remark that Dr. Peters’s figured skull of Otaria philippii is most nearly allied to O. stellert from California, inasmuch as I consider it to be nothing else than O. hookeri. As in Dr. Gray’s case, I have not seen the skull, but base my judgment on a careful comparison of Dr. Peters’s figure with the British-Museum specimens of skulls named O. hookeri. On the other hand, I unhesitatingly agree and support Dr. Gray’s criticisms on Dr. Peters as regards the species of Sea-lions termed respectively O. byronia, O. leonina, O. godeffroyi, and O. ulloe, as I am perfectly convinced they are but differently aged specimens of Foster’s Otaria jubata. From the manner in which Dr. Peters ranges these in his tabular view, I have no doubt that he has arrived at the same determination, although still clinging somewhat to his own nomenclature. P.S.—The fresh information gained, and the clearing of dubious points, in connexion with the Otariide, which the preceding report conveys, may be summed up as follows :— 1. The young of both sexes of Otaria jubata are alike of a dark brown or very deep chocolate colour. 2. The males of a year old or thereabout retain somewhat of the chocolate tint of youth, which, however, is paler, and subsequently changes annually as the coat is shed. 3. The females of equal age assume a dark grey hue dorsally, ROR Me yang P Zs. 1869: Pas W.8.Kentdel. E.T Smith hth W.West imp. Embletonia er ayil. 1869.] MR. W. S. KENT ON A NEW NUDIBRANCH. 109 while the abdominal parts are light yellowish. As they grow older they alter little. 4. Males a couple of years old or more become of a rich brown shade on the back and sides, and lighter or yellowish beneath. Old males alone are maned. 5. There is a sparse underwool on the young, which sensibly di- minishes with age. 6. The skulls of the adult male and female differ considerably, the latter being comparatively the narrower of the two—the former pos- sessing a somewhat different form of teeth, besides proportionally immense canines. 7. The teeth of Otaria jubata are occasionally subject to a pecu- liar wearing, of a median constricted character. 8. The sexes differ in size, the males attaining far the largest growth. 9. Between the female and male of this species there is a wide difference as regards the stretch of the pectoral flippers. In the skin of the male the breadth from tip to tip of the fore flippers is equal to or greater than the length of the body; in the female the reverse obtains. This fact points to greater strength and swimming-power in the former. 10. It appears that the Elephant-Seal (Morunga elephantina) is now only rarely met with in the Falklands. 11. The bones of the pectoral limb of the Fur-Seal of commerce (Otaria nigrescens, Gray) differ from those of the Sea-lion (Otaria jubata). DESCRIPTION OF PLATE VII. Fig. 1. Adult male Ofaria jubata, from the skin No. 1. The abraded surfaces have not, however, been delineated. 2. Adult female of the same species, from the skin described as No. 2. 3. Young O¢aria jubata, about four months old, referred to as No. 10 in the preceding list. 5. On a new British Nudibranch (Hmbdletonia gray). By W.S. Kent, F.R.M.S. (Plate VIII.) The last October excursion to the Victoria Docks of the Quekett Microscopical Club afforded me the pleasure of capturing, in some quantity, a minute representative of the Nudibranchiate Mollusca. It belongs to Alder and Hancock’s genus Eméletonia, which is characterized as follows :—‘‘ Head terminal, furnished with two flat- tened lobes, broadly expanded laterally. Tentacles two in number, linear. Branchiz papillose, placed in a single or double row down each side of the back, alternating posteriorly.” Three species are described by the authors above quoted, viz. 2. pulchra, EF. minuta, and E. pallida. Of these, Embletonia pallida is the most closely allied 110 MR. W.S. KENT ON A NEW NUDIBRANCH. [Jan. 28, to the species I here introduce, it being the only one possessing a double row of branchial papillze down each side of the back. In the species recently obtained from the docks, and for which I here propose the name of Embletonia grayi, the branchial papille are developed to a still further extent, three, in the adult specimens, entering on each side into the formation of the second anterior fas- ciculus*. The oral lobes, moreover, are highly developed, while in Embletonia pallida they are described as being small and indistinct. The lingual membrane, or odontophore, again, furnishes points of distinction, the median denticles surpassing the lateral ones in size more considerably than in £. pallida; and the odontophore in this respect more closely approximates to that of Holis nana. The number of lingual plates also exceeds that possessed by Hmbletonia pallida, being not fewer than thirty-five, while in the latter there are said to be but twenty-one. The colour of the little Mollusk is a semitransparent white, having the integument of the antero-dorsal region usually more or less sprinkled with minute ramifying pigment-cells of a blackish hue, these occasionally extending over the papillee. The eyes are deeply sunk beneath the integument, and situated, some distance apart, immediately behind the tentacula; in many instances these organs are scarcely discernible, more especially in those specimens wherein the superficial pigment-cells are greatly developed. It is particularly remarkable that this Nudibranch is a denizen of water containing but about one-third of the saline constituents of pure sea-water. Its habits are gregarious; and its tastes appear to be eminently carnivorous, the luxuriant masses of Cordylophora lacustris clothing the submerged timber-balks in the docks proving a special attraction, and serving not only for the purpose of food, but also as a suitable nidus whereon to deposit its spawn. ‘The ova, or spawn, on being extruded are enveloped in a gelatinous mucus, adherent at first to any object wherewith it may be brought into contact ; this property, however, disappears after a brief exposure to the surrounding medium. The spawn masses are of an irregular oval form, each mass containing from five or six to as many as forty or fifty ova. On first leaving the egg the young are, in common with other Nudibranchiata, furnished with a delicate nautiloid shell, and propel themselves through the water with great activity by means of their ciliated lobes, or epipodia. Figs. 12 and 13 represent the animal about one month after quitting the egg; but further stages of deve- lopment remain to be traced. The length of the adult animal varies from one to as much as three tenths of an inch, though the majority of the specimens examined have not exceeded that of two tenths of an inch. * One or two specimens have been met with having three papille in the first anterior fasciculus also. The arrangement of the papille also holds good in distinguishing this spe- cies from the Calliopea bellula of D’Orbigny, figured and described in the ‘ Mag. de Zoologie’ for 1837. 1869. ] LETTER FROM DR. J, ANDERSON. 111 EXPLANATION OF PLATE VIII. Embletonia grayi, natural size. The same, magnified. The same, viewed dorsally when in a state of repose. . The head, seen from above, showing the expanded oral lobes. A portion of the odontophore, viewed laterally. The same, from above. . A single lingual plate detached and magnified 300 diameters. A mass of ova. . First condition of the embryo on quitting the egg. 10, The same having lost its ciliated lobes, or epipodia. 11. The cast nautiloid shell. 12 &13. The embryo about a month old, showing at a the eyes, at 4 the auditory vesicles, and at c the heart. Fig. $2 OI. OTB G9 Or February 11th, 1869. Osbert Salvin, Esq., M.A., in the Chair. The following extract was read from a letter addressed to the Secretary by Dr. John Anderson, C.M.Z.S., dated Calcutta, Janu- ary 5th :— X I have brought back a tolerably large collection from Yunan and Upper Burmah; but I had great difficulties to contend with, and it is not so large as I expected it would be. Once across the Kak- hyen Hills, our road lay through paddy-fields in elevated valleys (4000 to 5000 feet), defined by long ranges of high mountains, It was unsafe to venture on the hills; so that my spoils are almost entirely derived from a cultivated country. di/urus abounds; and two, if not three, species of Manis are very common. Pheasants are plentiful ; and Western Yunan, on the very confines of Burmah, is apparently rich in Thaumalea amherstie.. If I could have ven- tured on the hills, I believe I could have made good bags of this splendid bird. On our way through the Shan states we saw its handsome tail-feathers very frequently in the hands of the natives, who use them as ornamental fly-switches. But all the information gained in the journey will be given in the Report which will be sub- mitted to Government.” Mr. W. B. Tegetmeier exhibited a pair of remarkably Jarge horns of the Cape-Buffalo (Bos caffer), and two remarkable pairs of horns of the Domestic Goat. Mr. William Jesse read the following Report to the Council of the Society upon his proceedings in connexion with the Abyssinian Expedition ;— GenTLEMEN.—It is with pleasure that I find myself in a position 112 REPORT OF MR. W. JESSE. [Feb. 11, to lay before you a sketch of my proceedings during my recent journey with the late expedition in Abyssinia. I should first like to state that, my late arrival on the scene of action having prevented me from accomplishing anything like the work I wished to carry out, I eagerly seized upon an opportunity which presented itself, after the close of the campaign, of supplying the deficiencies thus occasioned. I heard from Mr. W. T. Blanford, Geographer to the Expedition, that he, Capt. Mokeler (political officer), and Mr. Munzinger (1.B.M. Consul at Massowah) contemplated an excursion into the Bogos country ; and I therefore wrote to the Consul begging his per- mission to make one of the party. This permission I subsequently received, and under these auspices found means to fulfil my mission more completely than I had anticipated. On the 27th of January, 1868, I left England, and on the 24th of February we cast anchor in Annesley Bay. My arrangements on shore not being completed, I obtained a boat and crew from the Captain and started with a party to the head of the bay. I spent a couple of days here, examining the surrounding country and shooting. I procured specimens of the Naked-necked Francolin of the plains, one species of Hornbill, and a variety of other birds, the most im- portant of which were eight specimens of the Dromas ardeola. These latter I especially wished to bring home, both as skeletons and in spirits. Unfortunately I could not carry out this intention, as, instead of returning safely in about two hours’ trip to the ‘ Great Victoria,’ we were nearly wrecked on the opposite shore; and the energies of our crew and selves were so severely tried by wind and rain that we with difficulty, and utterly exhausted, reached the fleet at the end of twenty-four hours. My specimens being spoiled, this was rather a discouraging commencement of my duties. I may here remark that I did not again obtain specimens of this bird until on my voyage home, at Suakim. On the 27th I landed at Zoulla, and reported myself to General Stuart, there awaiting orders from the Commander-in-Chief. Ina few days I received an intimation from his Excellency that I should find ample scope for my researches in the neighbourhood of Zoulla ; it was, however, at that time impossible to prosecute them with any result, on account of the country being utterly devastated of wood and grass, offering but small opportunities for the zoologist. I ob- tained a few specimens, when an attack of sickness put an end to my endeavours, and compelled me to go on board the hospital ship, After some days I returned ashore ; but in the course of a few hours I had a relapse, which induced me to leave the plain and move up towards the highlands. I was also disappointed in not meeting at Zoulla with the taxidermists Lieut. R. C. Beavan had given me reason to expect would be there; but before quitting the place I was fortunate enough to find a man who eventually proved of use to me in this department. The country lying between the sea and the foot of the hills at Koomayli was of the most barren description—to the seaward sandy, 1869. ] REPORT OF MR. W. JESSE. 113 and nearer the hills broken ground, bearing, at the period of which I speak, but few traces of vegetation beyond those of low thorny mimosas and a stunted species of cypress. The plain is intersected by dry watercourses, running from the hills towards the sea. The presence of salt in the soil is to be detected from the sea even up to Koomayli. Along the seashore are belts of mangroves, affording shelter for many species of waterfowl. About an hour’s ride from Zoulla towards the head of the bay are some hot springs, near a large grove of tamarisks. It was at this place I found spoor and dung of Elephants, three species of Antelope, and one of Bustard. The tenants of these barren districts, as far as I could ascertain, are Elephants (during the wet season), three species of Antelope, Wart- Hogs, a small Hare, one species of Hyena (probably the spotted), one of Jackal (probably Canis anthus), a Jungle-Cat (supposed to be identical with the Syrian Cat, of which I obtained a female and cubs), also a Jerboa-like Rodent. Scorpions are here numerous and large. For further details I shall refer to my collections at a later date. The character of the fauna of the plains is migratory, chan- ging almost monthly from the hills to the plains, and vice versd. Proceeding up the passes, the only object worthy of special notice was the curious Rodent named by Mr. Blyth Pectinator spekii, the existence of which was made known to me by Mr. Blanford, and of which I obtained specimens. I should have procured more speci- mens had not my taxidermist fallen ill with fever, and my own health continued far from good. On arriving at Senafe I made that place my headquarters; and health rapidly improving, I set to work in the surrounding neigh- bourhood. Here, on one of my excursions, a companion who had separated from me was robbed of one of my rifles, and returned to camp stripped. Unfortunately, this happening out of my reach, I lost the opportunity of procuring a skeleton of one of the inhabitants for our investigation in England. From Senafe I made a short trip to Addigerat, adding somewhat to my collection. The rapid and successful termination of the Abyssinian campaign brought my labours to an unexpected close; but i continued work- ing until Lord Napier’s return to Senafe obliged me to return. I here found the list of birds numerically increased. About Senafe and Rareguddi the “ Koodoo,” or ‘‘ Aggazin’’ (Strepsiceros kudu), was found in small herds, and a fine young buck came into my possession alive—a present to the Society from Dr. Knapp, surgeon to the 25th Bengal Native Infantry. Unfortunately, two consecutive attacks of dysentery reduced the animal to such a state of weakness that it was impossible to save it—a fact which I much regretted, as I believe at that time the Society did not possess a specimen alive in their gardens. The “ Klipp-springer’” Antelope existed in these regions ; and the “ Beni-e-Israel’’ Antelope I found in the valleys at the back of Senafe, as also the ‘‘ Wart-Hog.” Two species of “ Ground-Squirrel,” one striated, the other not, and one species of Ichneumon, came under my notice up the passes. On the hills in the neighbourhood of Senafe I found another Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. VIII. 114 REPORT OF MR. W. JESSE. [Feb. 1], species of Hare, about equal in size to a threequarter-grown English Leveret, and of the same colour. A small sandy, strong-haired Rat I also procured a specimen of, which was unavoidably lost. On the return journey I spent a few days at Undel Wells, with a view of obtaining a more specific knowledge of the fauna of that elevation, having reason to believe it differed materially from that of the higher and lower zones. I did not, however, obtain much satis- factory information until my subsequent trip, at a later date, into Northern Abyssinia. I arrived with the rearguard at Zoulla, where, after having made some additions to my collection, I prepared seven cases to be sent to England. AsI have before stated, I obtained permission from - H.B.M. Consul at Massowah to join him, Capt. Mokeler, and Mr. Blanford in an expedition into the Bogos country, which, although already explored by Brehm and Heuglin, I thought worthy of atten- tion. Had opportunity offered, I should, in accordance with my in- structions and my own wishes, have visited the country towards lake Assal. During the third week in June we were occupied in preparing for our proposed trip. We sent our baggage and pro- visions round to Massowah by buggalow, and our animals by land. We ourselves started on board the ‘General Havelock’ for Mas- sowah, where we had to remain a few days arranging our affairs. On the 22nd of June we left Massowah for the mainland, assem- bling our caravan at about four miles distance, at Monkooloo, and started the next morning with 38 camels, 8 horses, and about 30 men. We halted at Sahati, en zoute for Ailet, and heard there of Lions, but found no traces of them, so proceeded to Ailet the following day. Our camp here was situated on the banks of a wild nullah, watered by a hot spring at no great distance. This place is noted but too truly for its man-eating Lions and Panthers. It is a legend in the village ‘that no man dies in his bed.’ During one or two days I accompa- nied Capt. Mokeler (Mr, Blanford being lame) in pursuit of a lioness, tracks of which we had seen close to our tent, but with no success, Capt. Mokeler only obtaining one shot, which was without effect. On the 27th of June, after some premonitory symptoms, I received a sunstroke, which completely put an end to my researches. My friend Mr. Blanford was more fortunate, and laid the good founda- tion of his subsequent collection. On the 29th, at about 12 o’clock at night, I was awoke from a sick bed, along with my companions, by shrieks of the most fearful kind. It was pitch dark; and we rushed out of our tents with our arms in our hands, to find our fol- lowers in a state of most dire terror and confusion, filling the air with cries of “the Lion, the Lion;” and then a dusky form was seen to bound away over the thorn fence and disappear in the dark- ness. After having in some degree quieted the fears of our people, we called the roll, and fuund that one of my gun-bearers, a Shunk- galla of huge proportions, lay dead in the midst of us, his throat bearing but too terrible marks of the manner in which the poor fel- low had perished. I may add that, only the night before, Mr. Blanford’s butler had been severely wounded in the head by the claws 1869. | REPORT OF MR. W. JESSE. 115 of what we supposed to be a Panther. These brutes had passed by our camels, horses, milch-goats, and fires without harming anything. In the morning, after a useless search for the brute of the preceding night, on which we naturally desired to wreak our vengeance, we buried the poor victim, covered him with a pile of stones, and left for Asoos. From here we started the same day, and halted at Kooserit. On the 31st we left Kooserit, and, halting at Anagully, arrived in the evening at Kanzal, where I managed to stroll out, but I was still very ill. I fired at two Panthers without effect. At 6 p.m. on the 4th of July we started across the desert to Ain, on the’ river Lebka, which rises in the hills and flows across the plains to the sea. I stopped to look at a Bedouin village, consisting of about 100 mat huts. The inhabitants were a portion of nomad tribes which pas- ture their flocks, during the wet season, on the coast, moving up towards the highlands as the pasturage fails. We passed through the Ostrich-country, but we did not see any. During the night, the moon being up, we saw several herds of Antelopes. We arrived at Ain at about 10 o’clock. In the afternoon I went out, and succeeded in procuring some specimens. This place is very prettily situated, forming quite an oasis in the desert. A bright stream runs through grass and high reed jungle, bordered with tamarisks and other trees; a background of rugged barren hills, rising tier above tier, enhances the beauty of the scene. On the 7th of July we left Ain for Mahabar; and when there I began to regain my health. Between Ain and Mahabar we found spoor of Elephants, evidently in a state of migration from the low- lands to the highlands. At Mahabar I added considerably to my collection, particularly by specimens of a small hawk, which I take to be the Misus sphenurus of Riippell. Mr. Blanford obtained several. The night before our arrival a native had been killed by a Lion. The animal left his track by the waterside, and it was taken up by Mr. Blanford and Capt. Mokeler without effect. I took up the track of a solitary Elephant with a like result. At 5 o’clock a.m. the next day we continued our march, halting at Gelamet for lunch, and arrived at 6 p.m. at Kokai, or the City of the Lions. Between Gelamet and Kokai the scenery improved greatly, exchanging rather stunted tamarinds and barren mimosas for the baba tree, or 4dan- sonia, the cactus-like Euphorbia, and a dense jungle, with a strong undergrowth of rank grass and aloes. Here the climate was truly European, and, indeed, at night in- tensely cold. The fauna began to show the peculiarities which I had expected at Undel Wells, and in which I was disappointed; the transition was so sudden that on the first day I procured three species of “ Roller,” a Parrot, and several other birds. The next morning we found on inquiry that Elephants were in the neighbourhood ; so, having supplied my taxidermist with ma- terials for his day’s work, I joined Capt. Mokeler and Mr, Blanford in an excursion in search of thein. I remained two days longer in this neighbourhood collecting with success, and then proceeded over the pass to Bejook on the river 116 REPORT OF MR. W. JESSE. [Feb. 11, Anseba. Here I had a good week, securing many specimens I had hitherto failed to obtain. On the 14th of July we went out in pur- suit of a Rhinoceros we had heard of the day before, and which Mr. Blanford and I had the good fortune to shoot. The next morning I went out with my attendants and posse comitatus of natives, to bring in the skeleton, and on arriving at the place I witnessed a scene precisely similar to that described by Sir Samuel Baker as taking place over the carcass of a Hippopotamus :—women, old and young, the former hideous, scratching, screaming, and fighting over the entrails, pulling furiously at these or at one another’s hair, it mattered not which so that possession of the prey was secured ; the men jabbering like jackals, fighting with sticks and knives, one and all knee-deep in filth and blood ; so that between them, in about four hours, the skeleton was utterly bared of meat and skin, leaving not an atom for the Vultures. On the 18th we had the first earnest of the rainy season, which was ushered in by a terrific storm of rain and hail, some of the hail- stones being as large as small walnuts. The Anseba, an affluent of the Barca, from a dry bed with an occasional waterhole became a splendid river, varying from 50 to 100 yards in width, and flowing between banks of dense jungle and fine forest trees. The spoor of Elephants, Black Rhinoceros, and Lions were plentiful along the banks, so much so as to give the appearance of a place frequented by giant rabbits. The valley here varied from 15 to 20 miles in width, the jungle and forest limiting itself to about a couple of miles on each side. The remainder of the ground was stony and barren, rising gradually towards the hills, and intersected by numerous nullahs running into the Anseba. Here we came in for a glimpse, on two occasions, of another species of Antelope, slightly larger than the “ Beni-e-Israel.’’ Unfortunately I had but a momentary view of it, and never succeeded in obtaining a specimen. On the 19th we left Bejook for Waliko, seeing on the road plenty of spoor of Elephants and Rhinoceros ; from the dung of the latter I collected a few Coleoptera. While at Waliko, finding a great scarcity of birds, I followed up more closely the tracks of the Rhinoceros, pass- ing through very dense jungle that is never penetrated by sun or air, by means of their paths, which are from 2 to 3 feet broad, and formed like galleries in a mine, about four feet high—and so entering their dens, which are very curious, having the appearance of immense arbours; they vary in size from 13 to 20 feet square, and have in some cases a smaller retreat adjoining. On the 24th, Mr. Blanford and I went out birding, and came upon fresh tracks of two Lions; they had followed Elephants’ spoor for over two miles. The herd consisted of three old ones and a young one. The next day we left for Maraguay, where Capt. Mokeler shot a doe Koodoo, and I procured a few birds, one species of “Indicator.” Mr. Blantord obtained a new Kingfisher, of which I also secured a specimen the next day. I also shot a pair of fine Ground-Hornbills (Bucorax abyssinicus), which I prepared as ske- letons. The rains having set in, and the term of our excursion 1869. | REPORT OF MR. W. JESSE. 117 drawing to a close, we left Maraguay on the 3lst of July on our return journey. When I arrived at Waliko, to which place Capt. Mokeler had preceded us, I found that he had been charged by a herd of some twenty Elephants, and had been forced to make good his escape into a tree, after hard running, and having left a bullet in the head of a large bull. At a later date I found myself in the same disagreeable predicament, and under a like disagreeable necessity. At Waliko I found two species of crested Cuckoo and the English Cuckoo. I also obtained a Bateleur Eagle, two species of Tortoise, and a small Squirrel. I must here state that Waliko is not, as represented in the map, on the right side of the river, but on the left, running down stream. From here we crossed over to Gabena Weld Gonfallon, or the River-plain, where Mr. Blanford and Capt. Mokeler killed a Rhinoceros. We returned by the old route to Kokai and Gelamet, and then branched off to Rairo; here we stopped two days collecting. On the 15th of August we moved on again to Mombarharattby, where we killed a Lioness, one out of four, the others running away,—from this place to Ain (where we reentered our former route), which we quitted on the 17th of Au- gust for Amba and Mai Wallet. Mr. Blanford and I stayed in Amba from the 19th to the 21st, trying to obtain specimens of the “ Oryx beisa.”” I unfortunately did not even see one; Mr. Blanford pro- cured four specimens. We went from Amba to Massowah, which I left on the 27th for England. I append a list of my collections, full information relative to which will appear at a later date :— bo Aaococomwrwre sh Skins of mammals, about .......... Skull of an aboriginal ............ Skull of African Elephant.......... Skeleton of Rhinoceros . desis Heads of Antelope................ Skeletons of other mammals, about .. Skins of birds, about.............. Birds and Mammals in spirit, about. . Reptiles in spirit, about ........... Tortoises and Lizards, about........ Mish vabouts.O0, 2.938 Ma fo egeLio 2 30 Crastacea; about. 32). Petcare ood. Os 50 Lepidoptera, about................ 150 Coleoptera,abouty si afagssicd oiers:e's os 200 “NI boo Total number of specimens, about.. 1250 The following living specimens were also forwarded to the Zoolo- gical Society from Zoulla :— Noung Wild Cats #1) 6i)45 0 .cesion 2 Jerboa-like Land-Rats .......... 2 Guincastowlsts cee ee. 2 * These were the only specimens forwarded by Mr. Jesse that reached the Society alive. They were the young of Felis maniculata, Riippell—P. L. 8. 118 MR. P. L, SCLATER ON BIRDS [Feb. 11, The following papers were read :— 1. On a Collection of Birds from the Solomon Islands. By P. L. Scrater, M.A,, Ph.D.; E.R.S., Secretary to the Society. (Plates IX. & X.) Our Corresponding Member Mr. Gerard Krefft, the active Curator and Secretary of the Australian Museum, has most kindly presented to me a collection of birds in spirits, made by the captain of the (former) yacht ‘Chance,’ owned by Mr. J. A. Buttray of Bristol, during a voyage to the Solomon Islands*. The collection contains thirty specimens, belonging to twenty-one species, many of them of great interest. But before speaking of them I will say a few words upon what has hitherto been recorded concerning the ornithology of this group of islands. Our present authorities upon this subject are few in number, namely :— (1) The “ Zoologie” of the voyage of the French ships ‘ L’As- trolabe’ and ‘La Zélée,’ under the command of Dumont-d’ Urville, in 1837-1840, commonly known as the ‘ Voyage au Péle Sud.’ The “Atlas” to this voyage contains figures of ten species of birds from the Solomon Islands, concerning which ‘some further details are given in the letterpress of the same work, subsequently written by Dr. Pucheran and published in 1853. These ten species, which are all described as new to science, are :— Zool. vol. iii. Atlas. ex ins. Athene teniota .........60.045 p- 50, pl. 3. fig. 1. 8. George. Pachycephala orioloides ... p. 57, pil. 5. fig. 3. S. George. Lamprotornis fulvipennis... p. 81, pl. 14. fig. 2. Isabel. Dic@um Eneum ..... cc. ceceeee p- 97, pl. 22. fig. 4. 8. George. Myzomela lafarget ......... p. 98, pl. 22. fig. 5. WMS SOUGOIO Sones eke. Ronit oe p. 99, pl. 22. fig. 6. Lorius cardinalis ..........4. p- 103, pl. 24 dis. fig. 2. Pionus heteroclitus ......04. p- 103, pl. 25 dis. fig. 1. 8. George and Isabel. SEE CY OLCETIS wick ciaeistafia\s% sea ses p- 105, pl. 25 dis. fig. 2. Cacatua ducorpsié ........... p- 109, pl. 26. fig. 1. (2) Mr. Gould’s notices of new birds collected during the voyage of the ‘ Rattlesnake’ (P. Z. S. 1856, p. 136 et seqgqg.). The species here described from the Solomons are :— 1. Centropus milo, from Guadalcanar. 2. Turaceena crassirostris, from Guadalcanar. 3. Lorius chlorocercus, from San Cristoval. 4. Iotreron eugenie, from “the Solomons.” * The name of these islands is variously spelt “Salomon” and ‘‘Solomon” Islands. But we learn from Hakluyt (iii. p. 802) that the discoverer (Mendana) “named them the Isles of Salomon to the end that the Spaniards, supposing them to be those isles from whence Solomon fetched gold to adorn the Temple, might be the more desirous to go and inhabit the same.’’ It would appear, therefore, to be better to call them in English “Solomon” Islands, according to the ordinary English orthography of Solomon’s name. lLdtdYM VINIVaO f J.SMIT LITH RALLUS INTACTUS ‘ M&W HANHART IMP 1869. ] FROM THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. 119 (3) Mr. G. R, Gray’s ‘Catalogue of the Birds of the Tropical Islands of the Pacific Ocean’ (London, 1859), which mentions seven species as occurring in the Solomon Islands, besides those given by the two already quoted authorities, namely :— Halcyon cinnamomina, Sw. Carpophaga pistrinaria, Bp. sancta, Vig. & Horsf. rubracera, Bp. leucopygia (Verr.). Nycticorax manillensis. Trichoglossus massene, Bp. Mr. Gray has not stated his authority for the occurrence of these species in the Solomon Islands, and there is probably some error as regards the first two of them. H. lewcopygia is described by Verreaux from the Solomons, and the type is in the British Mu- seum. Of Trichoglossus massene and the two Carpophage there are examples from San Cristoval (collected by M°Gillivray) in the British Museum. The Nycticorax is probably given on the authority of Bonaparte’s ‘Conspectus’ (ii. p. 140), but must be regarded as a very doubtful denizen of the Solomon Islands until the statement is confirmed. (4) My description of the new Nasiterna from the Solomon Islands, published in the Society’s ‘ Proceedings’ for 1865 (p. 620). For this interesting representative of the V. pygma@a of New Guinea I was likewise indebted to Mr. Krefft’s kindness. When I described it I was not certain from what island it came; but a subsequent communication from Mr. Krefft informed me that it was obtained in New Georgia, or St. George* Island. The present collection from the Solomon Islands contains the fol- lowing species :— 1. SAULOPROCTA MELALEUCA. Muscipeta melaleuca, Q. et G. Voy. Astr. Zool. i. p. 180, Atlas, t. 4. £. 4. Rhipidura melanoleuca, Bp. Consp. i. p. 322. Sauloprocta melanoleuca, Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 57. Originally discovered by the naturalists of the ‘Astrolabe’ expe- dition in New Ireland. A specimen from the same island (with which my example agrees), in the British Museum, was obtained in New Ireland during the voyage of the ‘ Sulphur.’ A fine series of this species is in Mr. Wallace’s collection, from Bouru and other Moluccan and Papuan islands. Rhipidura atri- pennis, G. R. Gray, from the Aru Islands, appears to be scarcely distinguishable. 2. DicRURUS MEGARHYNCHUS. Edolius megarhynchus, Q. et G. Voy. Astrol. Zool. is p. 184, Atl. t. 6. My single specimen of this Dicrurus seems to agree with a mounted specimen in the British Museum, received from ‘‘ New Ireland” * Cf. Finsch, Papag. 1. p. 328. 120 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON BIRDS [Feb. 11, through the late Sir Charles Lemon, F.R.S. Messrs. Quoy and Gaimard give Havre Dorey, New Guinea, as the habitat of this Drongo. But this is probably an error, as Mr. Wallace and other collectors who have since visited that locality have never met with it, and Drongoes are mostly abundant individually, and not easily missed if present. The species is probably restricted to the group of New Ireland and the Solomon Islands. 3. PHILEMON VULTURINUS*. Tropidorhynchus vulturinus, Hombr. et Jacq. Voy. au P. 8. Zool. iy py G9; AG t2182 ¢. 1. A single imperfect skin of a Honey-eater, which seems to agree generally with the figure above referred to. Pucheran gives the locality as Raffles Bay, New Holland; but the species is not known to the Australian fauna, and it is more than probable that there has been some error in M. Jacquinot’s notes as to the locality. The present bird is generally darker above than is represented in the figure, and has the apical portion of the bill light yellow. It is more like the so-called Tropidorhynchus diemenensis, Lesson, than any other species I am acquainted with, but has not the bluish wing-patch which distinguishes that species. 4, CALORNIS METALLICA (Temm.). Lamprotornis metallica, Temm. Pl. Col. 266. Aplonis metallica, Gould, B. Austr. Suppl. pt. 1. Calornis metallica, Gould, Handb. B. Austr. i. p. 477. Three skins (two ¢ and one 2) agree with marked specimens in the British Museum. The species was originally described by Temminck from Amboina, but seems to extend over the whole of the Moluccan and Papuan Islands, including the northern promon- tory of New Holland. Mr. Wallace has a fine series from many localities, which vary but little inter se. 5. GRACULA KREFFTI, sp. nov. (Plate IX.) 4Eneo-nigra: regione oculari late denudata flava: caude tectri- cibus superioribus et inferioribus, speculo alari et ventre imo albis, hoc fiavescente tincto: rostro et pedibus aurantiacis : long. tota 11:0 poll. Angl., ale 6°3, rostri a rictu lin. dir. 1°5, caude 4:2, tarsi 1°45. Hab. Inss. Salomonenses. Obs. Proxima Gracule dumonti, sed valde major, cauda longiore, et ventre medio non flavo differt. * Tt is always a misfortune to be obliged to change well-established names ; but there seems to be no doubt that Zropidorhynchus of Vigors and Horsfield (1826) must give place to Philemon of Vieillot (1816). The first type given by Vieillot (Analyse, p. 47) is Le Polochion of Buffon = Merops moluccensis, Latham. This species is stated to inhabit Bouru, and is clearly the same as that subse- quently described by Mr. Wallace (P. Z. 8. 1863, p. 31) as Tropidorhynchus bouruensis. It is a typical species of the genus, and should be called Philemon moluccensis. 1869. ] FROM THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. 121 This fine new Gracula is, as might have been expected from its patria, nearest to Gracula dumonti of New Guinea and the Aru Islands, of which I exhibit a fine skin from Mr. Wallace’s collection for comparison. The naked space round the eye is nearly, though not quite, of the same form. There is also a narrow naked line along the lower edge of the mandible ; but this is not nearly so broad as in G. dumonti, and is almost hidden by the feathers on each side. The primaries have a broad white bar across them, about halfway up on the outer primary, but descending gradually towards the apex on the inner primaries. This forms a white speculum, as in G. du- monti. All the dimensions of the new species exceed those of its ally ; but this is particularly the case in the tail, which in @. dumonti is rather stumpy, measuring only 2:6 inches from the insertion of the feathers in the coccyx, instead of 4:2. I have great pleasure in naming this new Grackle after our active Corresponding Member Mr. Gerard Krefft, to whose kindness I am indebted for the whole of the very interesting series of which it forms a part. The stomach of the single specimen in the collection contained seeds and stones of semidigested fruit. There is a single skin of this Gracula in the British Museum, received from ‘ New Ireland”? through the late Sir Charles Lemon, F.R.S. It agrees very well with the present specimen, except in having the lower belly rather more deeply tinged with yellow. 6. EURYSTOMUS CRASSIROSTRIS, sp. NOV. Similis E. pacifico, sed major, rostro latiore, crassiore, robustiore ; capite supra nigricante nec fuscescente; dorso toto viridescenti- ceruleo: ventre magis ceruleo: cauda valde longiore : long. tota 11°5, ale 7°2, caude 5:0, rostri ab ang. oris lin. dir. 1:6, ejusdem lat. 12. fab. Inss. Salomonenses. There is a single specimen of this Roller in the collection. I have compared it with Mr. Wallace’s series of Z. pacificus, from which it presents readily appreciable differences, and with other Australian specimens. The strong thick bill and longer tail seem to render it impossible to leave it as a variety of E. pacificus. In Mr. Wallace’s collection, however, is a single skin from Waigiou which is generally very similar to the present example, differing principally in having the wing-coverts of a more bluish tinge. The wing-coverts of EF. erassirostris are more like those of E. pacificus. 7. ToDIRHAMPHUS CHLORIS (Bodd.). Alcedo chloris, Bodd. ex Buff, Pl. Enl. 783. f. 2. A. chlorocephala, Gm. One specimen apparently referable to this widely distributed spe- cies, which is diffused from the north-east coast of Africa over India, the Malayan archipelago, and the Moluccan and Papuan Islands. In Australia it appears to be represented by 7’. sordidus. 122 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON BIRDS [Feb. 11, 8. BuCEROS RUFICOLLIS. Buceros ruficollis, Vieill. Temm. Pl. Col. 557. A young male of this species, which is the only one of the family found in the Papuan subregion. 9. CENTROPUS ATERALBUS. Centropus ateralbus, Less. Voy. Coq. Zool. i. p. 620, Atlas, t. 33 ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 108. One example of this Coucal, which was originally discovered by Lesson, during the voyage of the ‘ Coquille,’ at Port Praslin, New Ireland, 10. CacaTUA GOFFINI. Plictolophus goffini, Finsch, Papag. i. p. 308. A single skin of a white Cockatoo, is apparently referable to this species, of which the exact habitat was previously unknown. 11. GEOFFROIUS HETEROCLITUS. Pionus heteroclitus, Hombr. et Jacq. Voy. au P. S. t. 25; Puch. ibid. Zool. ii. p. 105. Pionias heteroclitus, Finsch, Papag. ii. p. 390. Two skins apparently referable to the female or young of this species as represented in the second figure of the Atlas of the ‘Voyage au Péle Sud.’ Dr. Pucheran has recognized in this form a distinct species, which he has proposed to call Pionus ecyaniceps, but Dr. Finsch believes him to be in error on this point. Dr. Finsch has examined the two specimens in the present col- lection. One of them has had its wings cut, having been apparently in captivity. 12. Loxrus CHLOROCERCUS. Lorius chlorocercus, Gould, P. Z. S. 1856, p. 137; G. R. Gray, List of Psitt. p. 49; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1867, p. 183, pl. xvr. Domicella chlorocerca, Finsch, Papag. ii. p. 767. Three skins of this splendid species are in the collection. 13. Lorrus HYPH@NOCHROUS. Lorius hypoinochrous, G. R. Gray, List of Psitt. p. 49 (1859). Domicella hypoinochroa, Finsch, Papag. ii. p. 768. One skin of this fine Lory is in the collection. I have compared it with the typical example in the British Museum, which is, as far as I know, unique. 14. Eos CARDINALIS. Lorius cardinalis, Homb. et Jacq. Voy. au P.S. Zool. iii. p. 101, t. 24 bis. f. 2. Domicella cardinalis, Finsch, Papag. ii. p. 785. Dr. Finsch has kindly undertaken the examination of this rare 1869. ] FROM THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. 123 Parrot, and his notes upon it will be read to the Meeting ; so I need say no more*. 15. TRICHOGLOSSUS MASSEN#. Trichoglossus massene, Bp.; Finsch, Papag. ii. p. 834. One skin agreeing with the specimen so named in the British Museum (cf. Finsch, /. c. p. 826). 16. ATHENE VARIEGATA. Noctua variegata, Quoy et Gaim. Voy. Astr. Zool. i. p. 166, Atl. fe Yet 2. Athene variegata, Bp. Consp. i. p. 41. One example which seems to agree well enough with Quoy and Gaimard’s figure and description. These naturalists met with the species in New Ireland. 17. CARPOPHAGA RUBRICERA. Globicera rubricera, Bp. Consp. i. p. 31. Carpophaga rubricera, G. R. Gray, List of Columbe, p. 18. C. lepida, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1854, p. 230. I have compared this with the type specimen in the British Mu- seum. Bonaparte states that an example in the Paris collection is from New Ireland. A second example in the British Museum is from San Cristoval (M‘Gillivray). 18. Rauius rnractus, sp. nov. (Plate X.) Supra olivaceo-brunneus ; capite colloque toto et remigibus pri- mariis externis rufis: uropygio et cauda nigricanti-cinereis : subtus gula albicante; pectore toto rufo, capite concolori ; ventre plumbeo, crisso nigricante: hypochondriis et tectricibus subalaribus nigricantibus, albo guttatis: long. tota 10°5, ale 6°8, caude@ 1:8, rostri a rictu 1:9, tarsi 2:5, dig. med. c. u. 2°0. Hab. Inss. Salomonenses. Obs. Similis R. plumbeiventri (G. R. Gray, P. Z. 8.1861, p. 432), sed rostro breviore, capitis et pectoris colore rufo obscuriore, ventris autem dilutiore plumbeo distinguendus. The collection contains only a single skin of this Rail, which is more nearly allied to Rallus plumbewentris of Mysol and Morty Island than to any other species known to me. 19. ARDEA SACRA (Gm.). Two skins of this wide-spread and variable species :—one in uni- form nearly black plumage (as represented by Buffon, Pl. Enl. 926), with faint indications of a narrow gular stripe; the other white, but showing traces of the black plumage gradually making its appear- ance. Upon this species consult Hartlaub and Pelzeln (Fauna Central-Polynesiens, p. 201). * See below, p. 126. 124 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON BIRDS [Feb. 11, 20. TRINGOIDES HYPOLEUCUS (Linn.). Three skins of this species, or of the Australian form of it, Actitis empusa (Gould, B. Austr. vi. pl. 35). 21. SreRNA LuNATA, Peale; Finsch et Hartl. Fauna Centr. Pol. p. 231. A skin of a Tern in transition plumage, which Dr. Finsch has kindly determined for me. After inserting in their places such of these twenty-one species as have not been previously recorded by the before-named authorities upon this subject, we shall have the following list of well-authenti- cated species of birds from the Solomon Islands :— I. Passeres. Distribution. 1. Sauloprocta melaleucd ......ce0eeersecernes Papuan subregion. 2. Pachycephala oriolotdes ........ 00000000000 Peculiar to Solomons. 3. Dicrurus megarhynchus .......cseeceeeeee New Ireland. 4. Philemon vUlturinus ......cceccevccnecneees Probably peculiar. 5. DiC@uitt CNCUM ..20.0200c00soesseceessoseces Peculiar. 6. Myzomela lafarget..........cc.cccceveceeeees Peculiar. ile SOUTATEO (ants sjuanacesnanaztesss sth sp Peculiar. 8. Calornis Metaied ....c.6.coscscaesserseces Papuan subregion. Q. ——= fulipennts. .....ecoccevceescnesconceocee Peculiar. 10. ofy 146 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON THE BIRDS OF LIMA. [Feb. 25, standing its use, in the extract from the Rev. T. Phillips’s MS., before referred to. P.S. A singular habit of the Flamingoes has been observed, which induces me to believe that something analogous to the secreting- power already alluded to exists in these birds. During the time the Flamingoes were kept in the same aviary with the Cariamas, the latter birds, as is their habit, frequently turned their bills upwards and uttered their harsh and loud notes. The Flamingoes, appa- rently under the impression of their want of food, advanced to their assistance, and holding their heads over the gaping mouths of the Cariamas ejected a glutinous fluid (nearly resembling blood in colour), which fell sometimes into the mouths of the Cariamas, but more frequently on to their backs, and rendered their feathers glutinous and, when dry, very dirty. Since writing the foregoing, I have obtained some of the coloured fluid from the Flamingoes, ejected this day (March 22, 1869), and, having submitted it to the examination of Dr. Murie, find by view- ing it under the microscope that it contains a vast proportion of blood-corpuscles, and is little else than blood. Have we here an explanation of the old story of the Pelican feeding its young with its own blood? I think we have; for the Flamingo was, and is still, found plentifully in the country alluded to; and it may be that in the translation the habit of the one bird has been transferred to the other. At any rate, I have no doubt that the Flamingo feeds its young by disgorging its food, as is shown by the bloody secretion that I find ejected by these birds in their endeavour to feed the craving Cariamas. This habit has been observed and remarked upon, and has doubtless led to what we have so long considered a fable. I have yet to learn if the same power may not exist in the Pelicans, and perhaps in other birds, of supplying nutriment to their young by these means. 4, On the Birds of the Vicinity of Lima, Peru. By P. L. Scrater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. With Notes on their Habits; by Professor W. Nation, of Lima, C.M.Z.S. (Part ITI.*) (Plate XII.) A third small collection of birdskins from Professor Nation has lately reached me, together with notes upon some of the species, which I have now the pleasure of submitting to the Society. 1. CAMPYLORHYNCHUS BALTEATUS, Baird, Rev. A. B. p. 103. C. zonatoides, Scl. P. Z. 8. 1860, p. 272. C. pallescens, Sclater, Cat. A. B. p. 16. * Continued from P. Z. S. 1867, p. 344. TIX ZAI OT wi | UO WERT UO PINUS 1869.] MR. P. L, SCLATER ON THE BIRDS OF LIMA. 147 Professor Baird is probably right in recognizing in the species I have hitherto called Camp. megalopterus the true C. pallescens of Lafresnaye. I therefore adopt his suggested name for the present species, which I had at one time supposed to be Lafresnaye’s C. pallescens, and at another time to be his C. zonatoides. Mr. Nation sends one young specimen, agreeing with a skin of Fraser’s from Babahoyo in my collection. 2. PHructicus CHRYSOGASTER (Less.). An adult male of this species. Itisaclose ally of P. aureiventris (Lafr. et D’Orb.), but easily separable in the adult, although I am not yet prepared to say this is always the case in immaturity. 3. NeorHYNCHUS NAsEsuS. (Plate XII.) Callirhynchus masesus, Bp. C. R. xlii. p. 822. *‘This rare and singular Finch is a summer visitor; it arrives about the end of November, and leaves about the beginning of May. Its favourite haunts are clumps of tall willow trees, in the vicinity of water. Rarely more than one or two individuals frequent the same clump. During the day it conceals itself in the densest foliage of the trees, utters at intervals a whistling note, not unlike the call- note of Cardinalis virginialis ; when disturbed, it glides from branch to branch and from tree to tree; and it is so shy and recluse that it requires great caution and perseverance to procure even a glimpse of it. It feeds on the seeds of grasses that grow in wet shady places ; in the stomach of one example I found unripe Indian corn and bits of a substance that resembled egg-shells. “The upper mandible of this species, when perfect, greatly curves over the lower, as in some of the Psittacide ; but the tip, being weak, is very often broken or worn away. “In March 1867 I picked up a young bird that had escaped from the nest before it could fly; it is now living in a cage along with some Spermophili.’—W. N. Mr. Nation has forwarded a single skin of this bird, which is the first specimen that has come under my notice of this rare species. It agrees with the late Prince Bonaparte’s short description of his Callirhynchus nasesus* sufficiently well to prevent my describing it as a new species. Lesson’s term Callirhynchus having been previously employed for a well-known genus of fishes, I propose Neorhynchus in its place. 4, SPERMOPHILA TELASCO, Lesson; Sclater, P. Z. 8.1867, p. 341. A young pair of this Finch, of which Mr. Nation had previously sent specimens. 5. SruRNELLA BELLICOSA, De Filippi; Sclater, C. A. B. p. 128. Examples of both sexes of this species. * This name is printed in the C. R. masesus. I suppose this may be a misprint for nasesus—in allusion to the worn tip of the upper mandible.—P. L. S. 148 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON THE BIRDS OF LIMA. [Feb. 25, 6. MoLtoTHRUS PURPURASCENS, Cassin, Pr. Acad. Phil. 1866, p- 20. No doubt the species spoken of by Cassin under this name (J. ¢.), hut probably not the bird intended by Hahn. Specimens of both sexes. 7. CERYLE CABANISI, Tsch. F. P. Aves, p. 253; Sharpe, Alced. pt. 2. t. 16. A single skin of this Kingfisher. 8. Ruovorts vesrerA (Lesson). “This is one of our rarest Humming-birds, visiting us at long and uncertain intervals. I have seen a single individual in imma- ture plumage occasionally in spring, and once or twice I have seen one in adult plumage in summer. Like Thawmastura cora, it fre- quents low bushes and flowering plants near the ground. At a distance it resembles the Cora Humming-bird ; but its note is louder and its flight stronger.’—W. N. 9. THAUMASTURA FRANCESC&, Sclater, Cat. A. B. p. 299. Ornismya fanny, Less. «This is the rarest of Lima birds. I saw it for the first time in the winter of 1865; in the spring of 1867 I saw it again. In habits it resembles the Cora Humming-bird.”—W. N. -Mr. Nation sends one young male of this species, the only one he has ever obtained. 10. CroropHAGA SULCIROSTRIS, Sw. Crotophaga casasii, Tsch. F. P. Aves, p. 256. 11. CurysopriLus ATRICOLLIS (Malh.). Chrysopicus atricollis, Malh. R. Z. 1850, p. 156; Mon. Pic. ii. p- 178, t. 88. f. 4. A male of this distinct species, which I had not previously met with. 12. THINOCORUS RUMICIVORUS, Eschsch. A single skin of a Thinocorus sent by Prof. Nation agrees very nearly in plumage with skins of 7’. rumicivorus from Chili, but is very much smaller in dimensions. Before separating it specifically I should like to have an opportunity of examining more specimens. (See remarks, P. Z. 8. 1867, p. 989.) 13. Porzana ERyTHROPS, Sclat. P. Z. S. 1867, p. 343, t. xx. ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. 8. 1868, p. 457. A second example of this curious species of Crake. 1869. ] EXHIBITION OF A HYBRID PHEASANT. 149 March 11, 1869. St. George Mivart, Esq., F.Z.S., in the Chair. The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of Mr. E. P. Ramsay, of Dobroyde, C.M.Z.S., specimens of some of the new birds described in Mr. Ramsay’s paper read before the Society on the 11th of June, 1868. Amongst these were examples of both sexes of Orthonyx spaldingi (P. Z. 8. 1868, p. 386), Glyciphila subfasciata (1. c. p- 385), and of a supposed new species of Podargus. These skins were to be placed in Mr. Gould’s hands to be figured in the Supple- ment to his work on the ‘ Birds of Australia.’ The Secretary called the attention of the Meeting to the follow- ing remarkable additions to the Society’s Menagerie during the months of January and February :— 1. A Black Ape (Cynopithecus niger), purchased January Ist, being an example of a form of Monkey that had long been unrepre- sented in the Society’s collection. 2. A young specimen of the Two-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius bicarunculatus), purchased January 13th from the Zoological Society of Rotterdam. This Cassowary had been originally described in 1860* from a specimen living in the Society’s collection. The original specimen had subsequently died, and was now in the British Museum. As in the former example, the present bird was in the immature brown plumage, but was nevertheless of great interest as serving to confirm the validity of this species. 3. An American Badger (V'axidea americana), purchased January 23rd, and believed to be the first living example of this species ex- hibited in the Society’s Menagerie. 4. A Fennec Fox, captured at Mount Sinai by the members of the Sinai Survey Expedition, and presented to the Society on the 19th of February. This animal was obviously distinct from the true Fennec (Canis cerdo, Gm.), and appeared to be referable to the species described and figured by Riippell as Canis famelicus (Atlas, p. 15, t. 5). The Secretary exhibited, on the part of Mr. G. F, Westermann, For. Memb., a stuffed specimen of a hybrid Pheasant, which had been transmitted living from Japan to the Zoclogical Gardens, Am- sterdam. The bird appeared to be due to hybridism between a Silver Pheasant (Huplocamus nycthemerus) and a Gold Pheasant (Thaumalia picta), but was remarkable for a curious tuft of feathers on the back of the head. * See Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. iv. p. 358, and P. Z. S. 1860, pp. 211, 248. 150 MR, W. H. FLOWER ON BUCEROS CoRRUGATUS. [Mar. 11, The following papers were read :— 1. Note on a Substance ejected from the Stomach of a Horn- bill (Buceros corrugatus). By W. H. Furower, F.R.S. &e. The body described by Mr. Bartlett and Dr. Murie at the last Meeting of the Society*, and placed in my hands for further exami- nation, consists of a sac of somewhat globular form, and averaging an inch and three-quarters in diameter. On one side it has a large ragged aperture, the margins of which are folded inwards so as to close the orifice. Its walls are thin, slightly plicated, moderately tough and consistent, though torn without difficulty, translucent, and of a dark brown colour. The margins of the aperture are softer and of a paler colour. The contents of this sac are perfectly non-adherent to it and readily removed. They consist of sixteen raisins in an undigested condition, mostly with their skins broken, packed pretty closely together and somewhat softened; but as the specimen had become partially dry before it was procured, and has been for several months in spirit, their exact condition at the time of ejection cannot now be ascertained. Among the raisins were a few flakes of the same ma- terial as that of which the sac was composed. A superficial examination led at once to the belief that it consisted of the entire epithelial lining of the gizzard; and a closer investiga- tion, aided by comparison with the gizzard of the bird which ejected it, removed after death and preserved by Dr. Murie, corroborated this view. The muscular coat of this gizzard is thin, almost membranous ; and the epithelial lining forms a layer of nearly uniform thickness, having no specially thickened lateral triturating disks as in gra- nivorous birds. It, moreover, peels off from the subjacent fibro- vascular coat (from the follicles in which it is secreted) with great facility. In this instance numerous small nematode worms had lodged themselves beneath it. Making allowance for the drying and subsequent hardening in spirit that the former has undergone, the microscopic structure of the ejected sac and of the epithelial layer which lined the stomach of the bird at the time of its death are identical. Both swell up and become more transparent when treated with liquor potasse ; both turn a bright yellow colour with nitric acid. Sections of both pre- sent a matrix slightly laminated, with scattered nuclei and granules. I was not able to detect in either the definite structure ascribed to the epithelial stratum of the gizzard of granivorous birdst; only near the attached surface, where the secretion is most recent, a parallel striation was observed in vertical sections of both. The specimens have, through the kindness of Dr. Murie and Mr. Bartlett, been placed in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons. * See P. Z. 8. 1869, p. 142. T See P. Z. S. 1860, p. 330. 1 N77 1869.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. 151 2. On Peruvian Birds collected by Mr. Whitely. By P. L. Scrarer, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and Osserr SALvIn, M.A., F.L.S.—Part IV.* (Plate XIIL.) The present collection of Mr. Whitely contains 131 specimens of birds, obtained in May, June, July, and August last, at Tinta on the Vilcamayo, south-east of Cuzco, and at Tungasuca and Pitumarea, two villages in the immediate vicinity of Tinta. Tinta is about 11,000 feet above the sea-level, and therefore belongs to the upper part of Tschudi’s Eastern Sierra regiont. Tungasuca and Pitumarea are both higher on the hills, the former on the right bank, and the latter on the left bank of the Vileamayo, and may probably come into Tschudi’s Puna region (11,000-14,000 feet). The total number of species contained in the collection is forty-six, of which four appear to be undescribed, namely Saltator laticlavius, Poospiza cesar, Agriornis insolens, and Centrites oreas. The others are mostly known to us from the researches of D’Orbigny in Bolivia, and Tschudi in higher Peru. We have added some field-notes, taken from Mr. Whitely’s MS. catalogue. 1, Hirunpo anpicota, Lafr. et D’Orb. Tinta, May 22, 1868. 2. DiGLossA BRUNNEIVENTRIS, Lafr. Tinta, May 1868. “Shot in a garden. Its habits closely resemble those of a Blue Tit (Parus); it frequently clings beneath the branches of trees.” 3. TANAGRA DARWINI, Bp. Tinta, May 10th. 4, SALTATOR LATICLAVIUS, sp. nov. Saltator aurantiirostris, Lafr. et D’Orb. Syn. i. p. 35, et D’Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 288 (partim). Supra cinereus, fulvescente tinctus : superciliis postocularibus albis : capitis lateribus cum torque collari antico lato conjunctis migris: gula alba; abdomine medio fulvo, lateraliter cinereo perfuso; cauda nigricante, rectricibus duabus utrinque extimis albo terminatis: rostro aurantiaco, pedibus nigris: long. tota 9°5, ale 4:2, caude 4:2 poll. Angl. Hab. Peruvia alta (Whitely). Obs. Similis S. aurantiorostri ex rep. Argentina, sed torque col- lari lato, et rectricum apicibus albis angustioribus dignoscendus. * See Part I., P. Z. 8. 1867, p. 982; Part IL, P. Z. S. 1868, p. 173; and Part ITT, ibid. p. 568. t Faun. Per. Vorrede, p. xxv. 152 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. [ Mar. I], In Sclater’s “Synopsis of Tanagers” (P. Z. S. 1856, p. 75) he speaks of certain specimens of S. aurantiirostris in which the “front, sides of the head, throat, and breast are all deep black, a postsuperciliary stripe and middle of the throat only being white.” These specimens (collected by D’Orbigny in Bolivia, and MM. Cas- telnau and Deville in high Peru) were no doubt identical with the present example, which, however, we believe to be specifically dis- tinct from the true S. aurantiirostris, and propose to call laticlavius from its broad-bordered throat. Mr. Whitely’s skins of this Sa/tator were obtained at Tinta. One was shot in a garden, the others off cactus plants on the hills above Tinta, in May and June. “Eyes dark hazel; bill orange; legs, toes, and claws black.” The sexes, as marked, are coloured alike. 5. CATAMENIA ANALIS (Lafr. et D’Orb.). Tinta. “Shot off cactus plants. It frequents lanes, appearing to have the habits of a Finch. Bill bright yellow; legs and feet brownish black ; eye dark hazel.”—H. W. 6. Poospizs C#sar, sp. nov. (Plate XIII.) Supra plumbea: remigibus et rectricibus obscurioribus, unicolo- ribus : superciliis albis: capitis lateribus nigricantibus : sub- tus alba, pectore lato et crisso castaneis: ventre lateraliter plumbeo, medialiter albicante : rostro nigricanti-plumbeo, man- dibula subtus albicante: pedibus corylinis: long. tota 7°7, ale 3°2, caude 3'1, tarsi 1:1. Hab. Peruvia alta (Whitely). Two skins of this Poospiza are in Mr. Whitely’s collection. One is a young male; of the other the sex is not marked, but we should suppose it to be an adult of the same sex. They were both obtained at Tinta in May last. The species is larger than any other member of the genus known tous. In colour it is something like P. thoracica, but has distinct white superciliaries, and no chestnut-colour on the flanks, “Shot in a ‘hedge. Length 77 inches, ditto of wing 33. Bill slate-colour ; eye dark hazel; legs and toes brownish flesh-colour.” 7. PHRYGILUS PLEBEIUS, Tsch.; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. 8.1868, p. 568. Tinta, May 1868. ‘« Shot in a cactus hedge.” 8. PHryGILUs FRUTICETI, Kittl, Tinta, May 1868. “Shot off cactus plants, Eye dark hazel; bill, legs, and toes brownish flesh-colour.” 9. CHRyYSOMITRIS ATRATA (Lafr. et D’Orb.); Scl. Cat. A. B. p. 125. Pitumarca, August 1868. 1869.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. 153 10. Sycanis caxoris, Cab.; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 568. Two adult males of this bird in full plumage, both obtained at Tinta in June last. “Shot on the banks of the river. Appears to be common, fre- quenting also the houses of the village.” 11. Acrxasticus THILIus (Mol.); Scl. Cat. A. B. p. 136. Agelaius xanthocarpus, Bp. Consp. p. 430 (av. jr.). One adult male of this species from Tungasuca, May 1868. “Shot on the margins of the lake, where it frequents the reed- beds. Eye dark hazel; bill, legs, toes, and claws black. Total length 77 inches, ditto of wing 33. Stomach contained the remains of small beetles.” 12. Grosirra TeNvurIRosTRIS (Lafr. et D’Orb.). Certhilauda tenuirostris, Lafr. et D’Orb. Syn. Av. p. 72; D’Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 359, t. 43. f. 2. Four skins from Tinta and Tungasuca; sexes alike. “* Found near the lake, and also near the banks of the river. Eye dark hazel; bill sepia; legs, toes, and claws black.” 13. CrncLopzs Fuscus (Vieill.); Sel. et Salv. P. Z. $.1867, p- 985. Tungasuca. 14. AGRIORNIS INSOLENS, sp. nov, Supra fuscescenti-cinerea unicolor; alis nigricantioribus, colore pallidiore marginatis: loris et superciliis indistincte fulvis : subtus pallide fulvescenti-cinerea, gutture albicantiore et nigro striata: ventre dilutiore: subalaribus, crisso et cauda Sere tota albis; rectricibus autem duabus mediis cinereo-nigrican- tibus et his duarum proximarum pogoniis internis cinereo marginatis : rostro et pedibus nigris : long. tota 10-0, ale 5-3, caude 4:1, rostri a rictu 1°4, tarsi 1°35. Fem. Mari similis. Hab. Peruvia, Tinta (Whitely). Four specimens of this Ayriornis were collected at Tinta in May and June. It approaches nearest to 4. solitaria of Ecuador, being nearly of the same build, and having, like that species, the three pairs of external tail-feathers wholly white. But it may be imme- diately distinguished by its much paler colour below, and by the distinct black markings on the white throat. A. pollens, Sclater* (A. andicola, Sclater, nec D’Orb.), has also the external rectrices wholly white, and is very like the present bird in general colour, but is much larger and stronger in form, resem- bling in these respects 4. livida, the type of the genus. “Shot off the roof of a house. Quite solitary in its habits; I have never seen two birds together.” * The name andicola having been used by Lafresnaye and D’Orbigny for a species of this genus, I have altered my former name (given P. Z. 8. 1860, p. 78) into pollens.—P. L. 8. 154 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. [ Mar. 11, 15. OctrHorca Leucorurys (Lafr. et D’Orb.); Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1867, p. 986. Tinta, May. “Shot off cactus plants. Bill black; eye dark hazel; legs and toes black.” 16. MuscisaxICOLA RUFIVERTEX, Lafr. et D’Orb.; D’Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 354, t. 40. f. 2. One example from Tinta (marked 9), May. Rather larger than Chilian specimens, and varying otherwise, but very slightly. “‘ Shot off the top of a rock. Eye dark hazel; bill, legs, and toes black.” 17. MuscisaxicoLa MACULIROSTRIS, Lafr. et D’Orb.; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 568. Tinta. “‘ Shot on a bank.”’ 18. CENTRITES OREAS, Sp. nov. Centrites niger, Scl. et Salv. P. Z.S. 1867, p. 987, et 1868, p. 569. Niger: dorso castaneo: remigum primariorum pogoniis internis albicantibus : long. tota 5°5, ale 3°2, caude 20. Fem. Fusea: dorso luride castaneo: primariis, sicut in mari albi- cantibus sed cinnamomeo tinctis. Hab. Peruvia alta (Whitely). Obs. Centrites niger remiges intus nigros unicolores ostendit. Two pairs of this Centrites were collected at Tinta. D’Orbigny does not appear to have recognized its distinctness from the common species of the Argentine Republic, of which we have examined many specimens. Besides the difference in the wing-feathers, the present species is larger, and has the back of a rather lighter chestnut. Mr. Whitely’s former specimen from Salinas belongs also to the present species. «© Shot on the river bank ; common.’’—H. W. 19. Paracona e1Gas (Vieill.). Tinta. 20. Coxtapres rupicoLaA, Lafr. et D’Orb.; D’Orb. Voy. Ois. p- 377, t. 62. f.1; Sundev. Consp. Pic. p. 78. Tungasuca and Tinta. “Appears rather common, frequenting holes in banks, there being no timber in the neighbourhood. Some specimens were shot off a mud wall. Eye greenish yellow; legs and toes greenish brown ; bill black.” 21. BoLBORHYNCHUS ORBIGNESIUS (Bp.); Finsch, Papag. i. p- 129; Sel. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 569. Tinta. Sexes, as marked, are alike. «Found frequenting the top of a church.” 1869.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. 155 22. MitvaGo MEGALOPTERUS, Meyen; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1867, p. 988. Adult and young from Tinta. 23. Burro eryTHRONoTUS (King); nob. J. c. p. 988. One skin, marked female, in the plumage figured by D’Orbigny (Voy. t. 3. f. 2), from Tinta. * Legs and toes bright chrome-yellow ; claws black.” 24. GERANOAETUS MELANOLEUCUS (Vieill.). Tungasuca. * Bill black at the tip, yellowish green at the base; eye light hazel; legs and toes chrome-yellow; claws black. Total length 183 inches.” 25. TINNUNCULUS SPARVERIUS (Linn.). Tinta. 26. HyporTriorcHIs FEMORALIS (Temm.). Tinta. “Shot by a native off the top of a cactus plant. Bill slate-colour at the point, yellow at the base; eye dark hazel; eyelid, legs, and toes bright yellow ; claws black.” 27. CrRCUS CINEREUS (Vieill.). One skin, apparently an immature male, of this species from Tinta. “Bill slate-colour; eye yellow; legs and toes chrome-yellow; claws black.”’ 28. Strix PERLATA, Vieill. Tinta. 29. Buso virGiniaAnus (Gm.). Tinta. Smaller, as is usually the case, than northern specimens. “Shot by a native, in the daytime, off a cactus plant. Eye bright yellow.” 30. PHoLeoprynx CunrcuLARIA (Mol.). Tinta. 31. MerriopeLIA MELANOPTERA (Gm.); Bp. Consp. ii. p. 75. Tinta. 32. CHAMMPELIA ERYTHROTHORAX (Meyen); Sel. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1867, p. 989. Tinta. “Shot off the top of a mud wall.” 156 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. [ Mar. 11, 33. VANELLUS RESPLENDENS (Tsch.); Sclater, P. Z. 8. 1858, p- 956. Four examples from Tinta, obtained at an elevation of 12,000 feet. Sexes alike. «Shot on marsh land. Has the habits of a Plover. Bill pink at the base, reddish brown at the tip; eye, eyelid, legs, and toes pink.” 34, GAMBETTA MELANOLEUCA (Gm.). Tinta and Tungasuca. ‘* Shot on marshy lands in the vicinity of the lake of Tinta; quite alone. Bill horn-colour; eye dark hazel; legs and toes yellow ochre; claws black.” 35. GALLINAGO FRENATA. Scolopax frenata, Max. Beitr.iv. p. 712; Tsch. F. P. Aves, p. 299. One skin from Tungasuca, with the tarsus shorter than usual. ‘Found in pairs on the borders of the lake, but not common. Bill reddish slate; eye dark hazel; legs and toes brownish flesh- colour; claws black.” 36. Funica arpestaca (Tsch.) ; Scl. et Salv. Ex. Orn. p. 113, tos Two specimens from the lagoon of Tungasuca. “Appears to be common. Bill white, marked with orange at the base ; crown of the head chocolate-colour ; legs and toes light green.” 37. ARDEA EGRETTA (Gm.). A. leuce, Burm. Syst. Ueb. iii. p. 416. Tungasuca. « Bill yellow-ochre ; eye cream-colour ; legs, toes, and claws black.”’ 38. Nycricorax osscurus, Bp. Consp. ii. p. 141. Adult and young from Tinta. “Upper mandible of bill black, marked with olive-green at the base ; lower mandible olive-green, marked with streaks of black ; eye crimson lake ; legs and toes greenish yellow; claws black.” 39. Isis FALCINELLUS (Linn.); Schlegel, Mus. d. P.-B. Ibis, p. 2. Ibis ordii, Tsch. F. P. p. 298. Tungasuca. “‘Frequents the neighbourhood of the lake in flocks of from twenty to thirty. Bill reddish slate-colour ; eye crimson lake ; legs, toes, and claws black. ‘Total length 247 inches.” 40. BerRNICLA MELANOPTERA (Eyton). Anser melanopterus, Eyton, Anatide, p. 93; Tsch. F. P. dves, p. 308 ; Darwin, Voy. Beagle, Zool. iii. p. 134, t. 50 ; Phil. et Landb. Wiegm. Arch. 1863, p. 185. Anser andicola et A. montanus, 'T'sch. 1869.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. 157 Two examples from Pitumarca, in the plumage figured in the ‘ Voyage of the Beagle.’ “Common on all the large swamps near Tinta. Bill, legs, and toes Indian-red ; eye dark hazel.” 41. Dariua sprnicaupa (Vieill.). Anas spinicauda, Schlegel, Mus. des P.-B. Ans. p. 39. Two skins from the lagoon of Tungasuca and a river near Tinta, which we believe to belong to this species, although they do not quite agree with Burmeister’s description (La Plata-Reise, ii. p. 515). But they are identical with a skin from Buenos Ayres, obtained by Mr. Hudson (cf. P. Z. 8S. 1868, p. 146); and we think Burmeister must have made some error in separating the Peruvian bird (4. oxyura, Meyen) from the eastern form. “Total length 244 inches. Upper mandible yellow, marked with a streak of black down the centre; lower mandible yellow at the base, black at the point; eye dark hazel; legs and toes lead-colour.”’ 42. QUERQUEDULA OXYPTERA (Meyen) ; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1867, p. 990. Specimens of both sexes of this Duck from the lagoon of Tunga- suca and a river near Tinta. The males and females are alike. * Found in the river.” 43. QUERQUEDULA PUNA. Anas puna, Tsch. F. P. Aves, p. 309. Two skins, both of females, from the lagoon of Tungasuca. This species seems most nearly allied to Q. versicolor, but is readily dis- tinguishable by its larger black bill, blacker head, whiter throat, and finer markings above. We have previously seen this species only in the gallery of the Jardin des Plantes, where there is a specimen from Cochabamba (D’Orbigny), and a second said to be from Chili (Gay). “Found in pairs; rare. Bill light blue, with a streak of black down the centre of the upper mandible; eye dark hazel; legs and toes bluish slate-colour.”’ 44, MEeRGANETTA LEUCOGENYS. Anas leucogenys, Tsch. Wiegm. Arch. 1843, p. 390. Erismatura leucogenys, e}. l. ce. 1844, p. 316. Merganetta leucogenys, Tsch. F. P. Aves, p. 310. Mr. Whitely has sent a pair of this Merganetta, which is cer- tainly distinct from both the Chilian and New-Granadan species. The male was obtained by his friend Mr. Turner; the female was shot by himself at Tinta in July last. The male has a black neck, like M. chilensis, but a pure white neck and throat, with only a small black line round the base of the bill, as in M. columbiana, 'schudi’s description appears to have been taken from a bird uot quite adult. The female appears to 158 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON [ Mar. 1], resemble the female of M. armata, as figured by Des Murs (Icon. Orn. pl. 48). « Bill, legs, and toes Indian red.” 45. Larus serRaAnvs, Tsch. F. P. Aves, p. 307. L. personatus, Schlegel, Mus. des P.-B. Lari, p. 35. Several skins from Tinta, obtained in July, in winter dress or im- mature plumage, with the head almost white. One of them, appa- rently most immature, shows traces of a black subterminal tail-band. 46. Popicers catiparevs, Lesson; Tsch. F. P. Aves, p. 315. Lagoon of Tungasuca. ‘« Bill lead-colour ; eye red; legs and toes lead-colour.” 47, PopIcErs ROLLANDI, Q. et G. Lagoon of Tungasuca. “ Bill black ; eye red; legs and toes slate-colour.” 3. Second List of Birds collected at Conchitas, Argentine Republic, by Mr. William H. Hudson; together with some Notes upon another Collection from the same locality. By P. L. Scratzr, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and Ossert Satvin, M.A., F.Z.S. A second collection of birdskins made by Mr. Hudson having been transmitted to us for inspection by the authorities of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, we beg leave to offer to the Society a list of the species therein contained which were not enu- merated in our former paper on this subject *, with occasional remarks upon them. The collection consists of 105 specimens, referable to fifty different species. The following fourteen were not in the first collection. Two only of these, namely Cyanotis azare and Elanus leucurus, are not mentioned in Burmeister’s work on the zoology of La Plata. 1. TROGLODYTES FURVUS (Gm.) Tr. platensis, Burm. La Plata-Reise, ii. p. 476. Basacaraguay, Azara, Apunt. ii. p. 19. Several examples of this widely diffused species. It has been already pointed out (P. Z. S. 1867, p. 321) that the true Sylvia platensis of Latham (founded on Buffon’s Pl. Enl. 730. f. 2) is Burmeister’s Cistothorus fasciolatus, which should be called Cisto- thorus platensis. Azara’s Todo voz, Apunt. il. p. 29. no. 151 (Thryothorus polyglottus, Vieill.), is, no doubt, the same species. Mr. Hudson gives Ratoncito as the vernacular name of the pre- sent bird. * See P. Z. S. 1868, p. 137. 1869.] BIRDS FROM THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. 159 2. PROGNE pomMEsTICA (Vieill.). Hirundo domestica, Vieill. N. D. xiv. p. 521, et E. M. p. 527; ex Golondrina domestica, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 502. Progne domestica, Baird, Rev. A. B. p. 282; Burm. La Plata- Reise, ii. p. 477. One skin of this species, which seems to us very nearly allied to . the Central-American P. Jeucogastra, though larger. Burmeister describes the adult as being steel-blue all over, having, we suppose, confounded it with the southern representative of P. purpurea (i. e. P. elegans, Baird, Rev. A. B. p. 751). 3. Arricora CYANOLEUCA (Vieill.) ; Burm. J. c. p. 479. Golondrina timoneles negros, Azar. Apunt. ii. p. 508. no. 303. Two examples of this widely spread species. 4, CycLoruis virgins (Vieill.); Burm. J. c. p. 472. Habia verde, Azara, 1. c. i. p. 361. no. 89. Sclater’s Bolivian specimen (C. A. B. p. 46) has a rather stronger bill, and the base of the lower mandible black. The chestnut eye- brows are also deeper in colour. It approaches C. flavipectus. The present species comes nearer the Brazilian C. ochrocephala, and has no black spot on the lower mandible. 5. AGELASTICUS THILIUS (Mol.). Ageluius thilius, Burm. J. c. p. 492. Tordo negro cobyas amarillas, Azara, 1. ¢. i. p. 301. Agelasticus chrysopterus, Cab. M. H. i. p. 188. Agelaius canthocarpus, Cassin, P. Acad. Phil. 1866, p. 12. Two males and a female of this species, which we agree with Burmeister in regarding as hardly distinct from the Chilian bird. It only differs in its smaller size. The single Peruvian skin we have seen is most like the Chilian in size ; so that Bonaparte’s 4. zantho- carpus (ex Peruvia) is probably a mere synonym of ZA. thilius. Ca- banis wishes to call the Argentine form chrysopterus, from Vieillot’s Agelaius chrysopterus, which name, however, has no reference to Azara’s species, and is a mere synonym of Icterus cayanensis. 6. XANTHOSOMUS RUFICAPILLUS (Vieill.). Tordo corona de canela, Azara, 1. c. i. p. 315. Agelaius ruficapillus, Vieill. Chrysomus frontalis, Burm. l. ec. p. 492. Dolichonyx ruficapillus, Cassin, Pr. Acad. Phil. 1866, p. 17. Cassin is quite right in separating this bird from the Brazilian Y. frontalis, with which it has been generally confounded. 7. CYANOTIS AzAR#& (Licht.); Scl. C. A. B. p. 212. Tachuri rey, Azara, Apunt. ii. p. 72. no. 161. Two pairs of this species, which Mr. Hudson marks as a “ summer bird frequenting swamps.”’ Not mentioned by Burmeister. 160 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON [Mar. 11, 8. HAPALOCERCUS FLAVIVENTRIS (Lafr. et D’Orb.); Burm. La Plata-Reise, ii. p. 456. Tachuri vientre amarillo, Azara, Apunt. ii. p. 89. no. 171. One example obtained in November 1867 and marked as a “summer bird.” On comparing this with other specimens in Scla- ter’s collection, including a typical Chilian example of Arundinicola citreola, Landbeck (Wiegm. Arch. 1864, p. 58), we find them all identical*. The latter name may therefore be regarded as a synonym of Hapalocercus flaviventris. 9. CERYLE AMERICANA (Linn.); Burm. l.c. p. 447. One skin of a female of this Kingfisher. 10. Evanus Levucurus (Vieill.); Burm. Syst. Ueb. ii. p. 113. Alcon blanco, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 165. Two specimens. Not included in Burmeistet’s list. 11. RostrHaAmus socraBitts (Viceill.). Gavilan de estero sociable, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 84. no. 16. R. hamatus, Burm. La Plata-Reise, ii. p. 435. One example of this species. 12. ARAmus scoLopaceus (Vieill.); Burm. /. ¢. p. 504. Cardu, Azara, Apunt. iii. p. 202. no. 366. “Cardu”’ or “ Viuda loca.”,—W. H. H. 13. QUERQUEDULA CYANOPTERA (Vieill.) ; Burm. J. ¢. p. 516. Pato alas azulas, Azara, Apunt. iii. p. 437. no. 434. ‘© Pato chocolate.”—W. H. H. 14. DENDRocyGNA vipvaTA (Linn.); Burm. J. c. p. 515. Pato cara blanca, Azara, Apunt. iii. p. 440. no. 435. We have likewise lately examined a small collection of birds made near Buenos Ayres by Mr. Haslehust of that city. Out of forty-five species represented in it, the following ten have not been yet sent by Mr. Hudson :— 1. VIREOSYLVIA CHIVI. Sylvia chivi, Vieill. N. D. xi. p.174, et E. M. 437, ex Azara, no. 152. Contramaestre gaviero, Apunt. ii. p. 34. V. chivi, Baird, Rev. A. B. p. 337. A single skin, which we are not able to separate from V. agilis of Brazil (V. virescens of Sclater’s American Catalogue). But put- ting aside virescens, which Prof. Baird, perhaps rightly, considers to be a synonym of V. olivacea, chivi is the oldest name for this bird. This species is not mentioned by Burmeister. * Of. Sclater’s remarks, P. Z. 8. 1867, p. 326. 1869. ] BIRDS FROM THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. 161 2. STEPHANOPHORUS LEUCOCEPHALUS (Vieill.). Lindo azul cabeza blanca, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 375. no. 93. Tanagra leucocephala, Vieill. N. D. xxxii. p. 408, et E. M. 774. Several skins of this Tanager. 3. Donacospiza ALBIFRONS (Vieill.); Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p.136. Poospiza albifrons, Burm. 1. c. p. 484. Cola aguda vientre de eanela, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 263. no. 234. Poospiza oxyrhyncha, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1864, p. 168, ex MS. Natt. On comparing the present specimen with Sclater’s type of Poospiza oryrhyncha, there remains no doubt of their identity. Natterer’s specimen in Sclater’s collection, which was obtained at Curytiba in Brazil, has the tail-feathers rather worn. The species is well figured in the ‘ Voyage of the Beagle’ (t. 29) as Ammodramus longicaudatus. 4. SYCALIS CHLOROPSIS. Crithagra chloropsis, Bp. Consp. i. p. 521. Sycalis chloropis, Burm. Journ. f. O. 1860, p. 257, et La Plata- Reise, ii. p. 489. A pair of what we suppose to be this Sycalis, which has not been very sufficiently described either by Bonaparte or Burmeister. It is most nearly allied to S. brasiliensis, but rather smaller, with the front less deeply orange, and the back strongly striated with fuscous. 5. STURNELLA DEFILIPPII, Bp.; Sclater, Cat. A. B. p- 138. Trupialis militaris, Burm. 1. ce. p. 490. Tordo degollado primero, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 304, no. 68. Easily known from the true S. militaris (which is found near Mendoza and along the Cordilleras) by its black under wing-coverts. 6. AMBLYRHAMPHUS HOLOSERICEUS (Scop.); Sclater, Cat. A. B. p. 137. A. ruber, Burm. l. c. p. 491. Tordo negro cabeza roxa, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 316. no. 72. 7. Picotapres aNnGustrrostris (Vieill.); Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1850, p. 151. Trepador comun, Azara, Apunt. ii. p- 279, no. 242. Nearest to P. bivittatus, as pointed out by Lafresnaye, but re- cognizable by the well-marked striz below and the longer beak. Not mentioned by Burmeister. 8. Myrarcuus swarnsont, Cab. et Heine, Mus. Hein. ii. p. 72. Suiriri pardo amarillo menor, Azara, Apunt, ii. p. 138. no. 193. We are inclined to think this form may be really distinguishable from M. ferox, although in some cases it is exceedingly difficult to say to which of the two species a particular skin should be referred. A Nattererian specimen of Myiarchus cantans (Pelzeln, Orn. Bras. Proc. Zoo. Soc.—1869, No. XI. 162 MR, J. BRAZIER ON BULIMUS MILTOCHEILUS. [Mar. 11, p. 117) in Selater’s collection agrees very well with the Buenos- Ayrean bird. Pelzeln unites M. swainsoni with M. ferox, and may thus have fallen into the error of describing his M. cantans as new. This species is not included in Burmeister’s list. 9. PHyTOTOMA RUTILA (Vieill.); Burm. l. c. p. 452. Dentudo, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 361. no. 91. 10. VANELLUS CAYANENSIS (Gm.); Burm. J. c. p. 502. Terutéro 6 Tetéu, Azara, Apunt. iii. p. 264. no. 386. 4. Observations on the Distribution of Bulimus miltocheilus in the Solomon’s* Archipelago. By Joun Brazier, of Sydney, New South Wales. (Communicated by the. Secretary.) BuLIMUS MILTOCHEILUS. Bulimus miltocheilus, Reeve, Conch. Icon. . pl. 49. fig. 322 ; Deshayes in Fér. yol. ii. p. 105, pl. 154. figs. 3&4; Pfeiffer, Mon. Helic. vol. iii. p. 372, and vol. iv. p. 440; Chenu, Manuel de Conch. part. 1. fig. 3216. Aspastus miltocheilus, Albers, Heliceen, first edition, p. 149. Otostomus miltocheilus, H. & A. Adams, Recent Mollusca, vol. ii. p. 151. During my visit to the Solomon’s archipelago in H.M.S. ‘Curagoa,’ under the command of my esteemed friend Commodore Sir William Wiseman, C.B., in the months of August and Septem- ber 1865, I found that Bulimus miltocheilus is not only met with at Port Makera, San Christoval Island, but also on two other islands in the archipelago. On the Island of Sesarga or Contraictés (situated 9° 48! S. lat., 162° 8’ 10” E. long.) I believe I was the first that ever landed in search of conchological specimens; and I was well rewarded by finding B. miltocheilus on a species of palm tree about twenty feet from the ground. The next island that we visited is one known by the name of Golfe Island; the native name is Ugi; here B. miltocheilus is found in thousands on the palm trees. ‘Ihe third place that we visited was Wanga Bay, San Chris- toval Island; here we found this Bu/imus rather scarce, not getting more than thirty specimens. At this spot they are found on leaves of bushes and other small plants, quite vigorous and crawling about, where the land is very low and damp. ‘The next place that we visited was Recherche Bay, San Christoval Island, where the land is very high on the coast. To obtain B. miltocheilus you must go three or four miles inland; here it is found on a broad-leaved tree, but * Recent writers on the Mollusca of this archipelago (such as Pfeiffer and others) make use of the term “‘ Salomon” Islands; it should be Solomon's Archi- pelago or Islands. aN LYVHNVH WN AIX Id 6981 ALIT SNVADTOAN TT 1869. ] MR. R. B. SHARPE ON THE GENUS CHETOPS. 163 is rather rare. At Port Achard it is found in abundance, and is used by the natives to make necklaces of, or strung in clusters round their waist in their war-dances. It is always found in company with Helix merziana and H, eleryi. The most northern limit of it is Sesarga or Contraietés, the southern limit is San Christoval. Spe- cimens vary much both in colour and in size. 5. On the Genus Chetops. By R. B. Suarpr. (Plate XIV.) The genus Chetops was founded by Swainson in 1831, and up to the present time contains only two species, viz. C. frenatus and C. aurantius. In a collection of birds formed in Damara-land by the late Mr. C. J. Andersson, I met with a species of Chetops which I have every reason to believe is new to science. On taking my specimen to the British Museum I discovered another in the na- tional collection; and my friend Mr. George Robert Gray coin- cided in my opinion as to its novelty. He had, indeed, noted it as new, and intended to describe it himself shortly, I have therefore very great pleasure in naming this species CHZTOPS GRAYI, sp. n. (Plate XIV.) C. valde minor: gutture et pectore superiore albidis: pectoris la- teribus nigro guttatis : long. tot. 6°8 unc., rostri 0°7, ale 2°8, caudeé 3-0), tarsi 0°85, dig. med. 0°7. Had. in terra Damarensi, in Afr. merid. The above short diagnosis is quite sufficient to distinguish it from either of the species hitherto known; and the following diagnostic Table indicates the specific characters of the three species :— A. Majores: gutture nigerrimo. a’. Abdomine intense castaneo .............ccceccseccseceeeceecees C. frenatus. bPAAOMING SUP ANtIACOM lae eck aaceaes set occe eho ai as vlads oo dhs cwas's C. aurantius. ram VINEON OUCMITE ALDIGCO. caassayoveacnce fonasccsttassasascbatobasccovsaes C. gray?. 1. CH&TOPS FRENATUS. Malurus frenatus, Temm. Pl. Col. 385 (1826). Chetops frenatus, Gray, Gen. of Birds, i. p. 217 (c. 1844); Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 278 (1850); Layard, Birds of S. Afr. p. 125 (1867). poh burchelli, Swains. Fauna Bor.-Am. p. 486 (1831); Classif. of Birds, ii. p. 233 (1837). The following account of the habits of this rare bird is taken from Mr. Layard’s work (oc. cit.) :— “This bird is, as far as I yet know, peculiar to the mountain- ranges between Caledon and Swellendam. It frequents the tops of the hills and high elevations on their stony sides, and seeks its food, consisting of insects, about stones and rocks. In habits it much resembles the Rock-Thrush, and, like it, is fond of perching upon the 164 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON THE GENUS CH&£TOPS. [Mar. 11, summit of some conspicuous stone or ant-hill, from which it surveys the surrounding prospect, and seeks for safety by immediate flight on perceiving the approach of a foe. It progresses by a series of enormous hops, its powerful legs being well suited to this end ; while its strong pointed claws enable it to traverse with ease the inclined surfaces of slippery rocks. It conceals itself readily in holes, and, if wounded, seeks such a retreat in which to die. Generally found in small families of three or four individuals.” 2. CHETOPS AURANTIUS. Chetops aurantius, Layard, Birds of S. Afr. p. 126 (1867). This species was first recognized by my friend Mr. Layard; a single specimen is in the British Museum ; and I agree with him in considering it to be distinct from C. frenatus. The following ex- tract from his work sufficiently explains the reasons that induced him to separate the two birds. «“This handsome species was obtained by Mr. J. O’ Reilly in some abundance in the mountains near Graaff-Reinet. He describes it as very wary and difficult of approach, and feeding on insects, for which it seeks among the low brushwood. It has also been received from Captain Bulger at Windvogelberg, and from Mrs. Barber.” Mr. J. O'Reilly writes as follows :—‘“ Graaff-Reinet, January 2nd, 1863. Inhabits rocks in high mountain-ranges. Scarce ; very shy and cunning, usually frequenting places assimilating to its plu- mage. Continually on the hop, and seldom takes wing; when it does so, flies but a short distance. Always on the watch, seldom showing much more than its head above the stones. Found about Graaff-Reinet all the year round, and in pairs. Food consists of small insects of any sort; drinks in the evening. Note, a sharp chirp, particularly when surprised. Breeds in December. Nest built of grass and rock-mosses, in crevices among rocks. Eggs three to four ; green, with brown speckles.” «‘ When this bird was sent home, Dr. Hartlaub and Mr. Sclater identified it as C. frenatus, Temm. Since then, specimens have been obtained corresponding entirely with Temminck’s figure of that bird, and I am convinced that this species is distinct. I have male, female, and young birds of each; and Mr. O'Reilly describes the nest and eggs of the orange-bodied species which Dr. Hartlaub sup- poses to be the young of C. frenatus. C. frenatus breeds about Caledon; and our C. aurantius never appears there by any chance.” 3. CH&TOPS GRAYI. The specimen in the British Museum is labelled as coming from South Africa. My bird was obtained by Mr. C. J. Andersson on the Omaruru River, Damara-land, October 30th, 1866. The present species cannot be mistaken for either of the others mentioned above, its much smaller size and white throat distinguishing it at a glance. I should add that the British-Museum specimen has more black spots on the sides of the breast than my bird. AX Td 6981S Zd ONVOTIE VALIIVE 2 SASOWHOT XANOMHILT 1869. ] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 165 6. Notes on the Families and Genera of Tortoises (Testudi- nata), and on the Characters afforded by the study of their Skulls. By Dr. Jonn Epwarp Gray, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S., F.L.S. (Plate XV.) Papers on the skulls of Chelydide and on the skulls of the Asiatic and African species of Trionychide were read at meetings of this Society in 1867, and I was enabled to found on the study of their skulls what appeared to me tu be more natural arrangements of the Species into genera and larger groups. I wished to follow the same plan with regard to the other families of Testudinata, but I was stopped by want of material. The British Museum has since then received some additional skulls and skeletons ; and I hope that, with these and with the examination of the heads and mouths of the specimens in spirits and stuffed, I have been able to place the characters of the genera and to group the genera into sections on a firmer basis than that hitherto used, and thus to add to our knowledge of these neglected animals. Anatomists have been content to study the osteology of the three or four larger groups of the Tortoises, and have paid very little atten- tion to the skulls, much less to the skeletons, of the genera or other smaller groups ; and very few skeletons or skulls have been figured. To give some idea of the little attention hitherto paid to the sub- ject and of the difficulty that existed of examining the skeletons and skulls of them, the Museum of the College of Surgeons, when Pro- fessor Owen printed his Catalogue of the osteological series in that collection, only contained the skulls or skeletons of five species of Testudinide, of one of the Cistudinide, of two Emydide, and of one of the Chelydrade. Iam glad to say that the collection has been lately increased by the addition of several other skeletons and skulls. To remedy this evil, 1 have exerted myself to bring together the skeletons and skulls of as many specimens of Tortoises as I could procure for the British Museum collection; and there are now in that collection 78 complete skeletons, and 59 skulls, besides bones of parts of the body, belonging to 67 species, as follows :— Species. Skeletons. Skulls. Testudinide ........ 13 22 10 Cistudinide ........ 3 5 = Mingeides! Si el. 22 24 5 Chelydrade ........ 6 8 _ “Ghelydide .. 5... .... 7 6 6 Trionychide ........ 12 6 17 Ghelaniads. | CS 6 15 Sh 0 1 1 6 In my paper on the skulls of Chelydide (P. Z. S. 1864, p. 128) I divided them into two groups—one having the temporal muscles Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XII. 166 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, almost entir ely covered with a bony case formed of the dilated zygo- matic arch, as in the Sea-Turtles (Cheloniade), and the other with those muscles only covered with skin, and protected externally by a broad band-like zygomatic arch, as in the Tortoises (Testudinide and Trionychide); and I observed that the same difference in the form of the skull was to be observed in the genera of the Emydide ; but some genera, as Geoemyda and Cistudo, like several genera of Chelydide, are even without any zygomatic arch, the ‘temporal muscles being only covered with skin between the orbit and the tympanic bone as on the temple and crown. The families may be divided, according to the state of the temple, thus :— Temple bony. Temple fleshy. Ie pFect clavate, (ernestniel vey ce acs oeey asks si Mee eee. oeaar Testudinide. 1]. Feet palmate. Fluviatile. A. Thorax covered with bony plates. a. Pelvis free below ; sternal shields BLOF U2 rss. seas pemeanes ae gees Platysternide. Cistudinide. Emydide. Chelydrade. b. Pelvis attached to the sternum ; sternal shields 13 ............... Podocephalide. Chelydide. bse Piorax(COVErea with skims 1)2.-s0- a8 Meese otenerees eo ss Trionuchide. WD: Reetiintshapedys:. tac. cntee ce ecisnarscresses Cheloniada. Sphargidide. The horny beak of these animals not only forms a cutting instru- ment for the separation of the food from the mass, but it also covers the chewing surface on the sides of the jaws, there being a more or less extended plate on the inside of the jaws for this purpose. In some the surface of the bone and the horny covering is smooth, as in Malaclemys and Chelydra. In general there are one or more ridges on the upper jaw fitting into grooves in the lower jaw. In the Tor- toises and some of the more terrestrial Hmydide, the ridge and groove are simple; in the more aquatic Terrapims (as Pseudemys and Ba- tagur) they are more numerous and wider. Unfortunately, the form of the masticating surface is not to be usually seen in stuffed specimens; so that it is only known in a limited number of species. It must have great influence, or, rather, it shows that there is great variation in the habits of the animals, and ought to be studied for the natural arrangement of the groups. Indeed I can only regard the notes I am now making asthe breaking of the sod, and consider that much has to be done before one can arrive at a satisfactory history of the habits and structure of these creatures, and form an arrangement of them consistent with their habits and manners and peculiarities. I. LAND-TORTOISES—TESTUDINIDZ. Skull solid. Orbit complete, lateral, large, hinder edge moderate. Zygomatie arch strong, well developed, united to the ear-bone be- hind, with a large cavity for the temporal muscle above. Temporal muscles covered with skin or horny plates. 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. : 167 They may be divided into sections thus :— Section I. Sternal shields 12, regularly arranged in pairs on each side of the central line. Pectoral plates large, like the others. A. The inguinal plates moderate ; the nostrils in a square fleshy nose, between the upper edge of the beak and the frontal plates ; thorax solid. TEsTuDININA. . Testupo. Gular plates separate. Claws4.5. Alveolar plate with two ridges. 2. Petrastes, Gular plates separate. Claws4.5. Alveolar plate with an indistinct ridge. — 3. Homorus. Gular plates separate. Claws 4.4. 4, Pyxis. Gular plates separate. The front lobe of the sternum mobile. . Cuersina. Gular plates united and produced. or B. The inguinal plates very large; the nostrils in a notch on each side of the upper edge of the beak; thorax, hinder part mo- bile. KinixyiNna. ‘ 6. Kinrxys. Section II. Sternal shields 10, arranged in five pairs. The two pectoral shields small, short, triangular, far apart, on the sides at the hinder edge of the axilla. Manourina. 7. Manourta. This genus, before the animal was known, was erroneously arranged in Hmydide. 1. Testupo. The skull has a well-developed zygomatic arch. The palate is deeply concave, especially in front ; and there are three more or less distant, narrow, elevated, parallel longitudinal ribs onit behind tie internal nostrils, which are placed in front of the palate. The alveo- lar margin of the upper jaw broad, with two ridges parallel to and as long as the outer margin of the beak. The central ridge is divided into conical teeth ; the inner marginal ridge higher and with a more even edge. The nostrils are placed in a more or less square fleshy muffle, which is situated on the upper edge of the horny beak. The genus may be divided into two sections by the form of the alveolar surface of the lower jaw :-— a. Lower jaw narrow, with a deep groove extending the whole length of the edge; front of upper jaw with a central notch and two slight prominences. ‘TEstuDoO. Testudo indica, T. planiceps, T. tabulata, T. radiata. 6. Lower jaw narrow in front, with a short deep groove as long as the hinder half of the outer margin. Scapra. T. (Scapia) falconeri. 168 7 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, The hinder part of the skull over and near the ethmoid bones varies considerably, and affords very good characters for the distinc- tion of the species. 1. Tesrupo rnpica, Gray. Testudo indica, (skull figured) Cuvier Oss. Foss. v. t. f. ; copied, Wagler, N. Syst. Amph. t. 6. f. 51, 52, 53; Gray, Cat. Shield Reptiles in B. M. t. 35. fig. 1. T. elephantopus, Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. Col. Surg. p. 194. no. 1011 (skeleton), 1058 (skull). Skull—length 53 inches, width at zygomatic condyles 43; the alveolar plate in the upper jaw broad, with a central and marginal ridge, and a groove in the lower jaw, the whole length of the margin. There is a skeleton of a small adult specimen of this species in the British Museum. 2. TESTUDO PLANICEPS. T. planiceps, (skull figured) Gray, Cat. Shield Reptiles in B. M. t. 34. Skull—length 53 inches, width over zygomatic arches 4}; the alveolar plate in the upper jaw narrower, with a central and marginal ridge, and a groove in the lower jaw, the whole length of the margin. 3. TresTUDO TABULATA. T’. tabulata, (skeleton) Wiedemann, Arch. Zool. ii. 181; Wagler, N. Syst. Amph. t. 6. f. 1-6; Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. Coll. Surg. p. 200. no. 1044 (skeleton with mutilated skull), 1046 (skull ?). Var. Testudo boiei, Wagler, N. Syst. Amph. t. 6. f. 7-13. Junior? 7°. denticulata, Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. Coll. Surg. p. 201. no. 1045 (skull); not Green. The upper jaw with a high triangular ridge, and the lower with a deep triangular groove with a very high inner edge, parallel to and nearly as long as the short-edged outer margin, only represented in the front of the upper jaw by the broad, deep, central, anterior pit. The upper jaw with a notch on each side of the centre, and the lower with a broad, compressed, conical projection. Palate very deep nearly the whole length, deeper on each side in front, with three laminar ridges, the middle one being the most distinct. The ethmoid bones smooth, without any distinctly raised ridge on each side. There are a skeleton and two skulls appearing to belong to this species in the British Museum. Length of the skull of the skeleton, from nose to condyle, 2} inches ; width at zygomatic arches 12 inch. Length of largest separate skull 2 inches 5 lines, width 12 inch. There is also in the Museum the skeleton of a small but adult spe- cimen of the variety, with very deeply sulcated shields. ‘They differ from each other somewhat in the depth, and slightly in the form of the concavity in the palate, and in the strength of the margin on 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 169 the side of the hinder part of the palate within the temporal muscles. They all three vary in the form of the ethmoid bone: in one it is nearly square, with evenly truncated front edge; in the other two it is more elongated, and the middle of the front edge is more or less projecting in front. Of the skeleton of a young specimen in the British Museum the skull is well formed; it has the symphysis between the two bones very narrow; the beak has the three anterior notches, and the alveolar ridges or grooves, as in the adult. A half-grown specimen from Xeberos, obtained from Mr. Hig- gins, in spirit, has the head black, the crown and cheeks yellow- varied, the two oblong longitudinal shields on the nose and the small shield edging the upper part of the orbit pure white; a small spot on each temple and a large shield between the orbit and the upper edge of the tympanic cavity yellow. 4. TESTUDO RADIATA. Testudo radiata, Cuv. Oss. Foss. v. 193, t. 12, 13; Wagler, N. Syst. Amph. t. 10. f. 37, 40, t. 11 (skeleton). The skull of the skeleton in the British Museum is solid, heavy, rather longer than wide in the widest part; crown rather convex ; nose erect ; sides of face concave ; orbit large ; zygomatic arch strong, broad, convex, about as wide as the small oblong tympanic cavity. Palate very deeply concave in front, gradually shelving off to the ethmoid, with three narrow laminar longitudinal ridges near together in the centre of the concavity. Ethmoid bone narrow, with a narrow, linear, rather arched ridge on each side. Lower jaw with a deep narrow groove parallel to and as long as the short outer margin, and with a prominence in front. The skull is 2 inches long from the nose to the condyle, and 12 inch wide over the zygomatic arches, which is the widest part. The mastoid bone, in the different species of Tortoises, differs greatly in shape; in this species it is short, with a shelving outer surface ; it is always hollow, forming a tym- panic cavity. 5. Testupo (Scapia) FALCONERI. B.M. Skull solid, oblong ; face broad, rounded in front. The groove on the palate very deep and wide. The upper jaw with three narrow ridges—one on each edge of the margin, and a short oue interme- diate between them ; the outer margin high and without any teeth. Lower jaw with a sharp edge, a rather acute sharp edge in the front part, and with a sharp inner ridge rather more than half the length of the side, separated from the outer edge by a deep groove. Hab. India? Length of skull from nose to condyle 3} inches ; width 2 inches 5 lines, of forehead between orbits 24 inches; length of outer edge of upper jaw 1 inch 8 lines. The skull above described was received in Dr. Falconer’s collection, which was presented to the British Museum by his brother on his 170 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, Figs. Testudo falconeri. Note.—The figures are all of the natural size, except when otherwise stated. death. It is most probably from India, and perhaps from the mountain-regions. It is evidently the skull of a very large species of the genus and very distinct from Testudo indica, the skull of which was figured in the ‘ Catalogue of Shield Reptiles in the British 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 171 Museum,’ t. 35. f. 1, and the larger Testudo planiceps, figured in the same work, t. 34, and only known from a skull in the Museum collection. From its size, it is most probably the skull of one of the Black Tortoises of Asia that have been called Testudo indica, which are found spread over all parts of the Asiatic region, also on the islands off the east coast of Africa, and in California and the Gala- pagos, and of which certain variations in form were regarded by the older writers as denoting distinct species. Modern writers on the subject have united these into a single species under the name of Testudo indica. Testudo falconeri and T. planiceps having been described from skulls in museums, without any knowledge of the thoraces of the animals to which they belonged, I am not able to say if they are identical with any of the Tortoises which have been described from thoraces only, under the names of Testudo elephantopus, T. nigra, T. dussumieri, T. gigantea, T. vosmaeri, T. nigrita, T. daudini, T. ele- phantina, T. perraultit, and T. peltastes. This is one of those in- stances which ought to teach naturalists caution in determining species without the examination of all the parts of the animal, the skull as well as the thorax. The Tortoises that have been called 7. indica are found in India, Africa, and America, or rather on the islands of these two latter continents; and it has been supposed that they have been intro- duced to these places by ships, as they are sometimes collected and used as food aboard ship. Some say they were introduced into India, and the original habitat of the species is unknown. Perhaps the discovery that there are several species confounded under the name of T'. indica may solve this problem. : There is a large species of Tortoise from India named Manouria Susea, the skull of which has somewhat the general form of that of Testudo falconeri; but the latter differs in having a broad, well- developed zygomatic arch, the arch in Manouria fusca being slender and weak. 2. PELTASTES. The alveolar margin of the upper jaw rather broad in the hinder part, interrupted in front by a broad concavity over the anterior in- ternal nostril; the broad hinder part with a slightly raised ridge and a similar raised inner edge nearly parallel to the margin of the jaw ; the front of the jaws has two slight prominences, separated by a slight notch. Lower jaw slender, with a short edge in front, and with a rather deep rounded groove with a very thin inner edge oc- cupying the inner surface of the hinder half of the margin. '], PELTASTES ELONGATUS. Testudo elongata, Gray, P. Z.S. 1861, p. 139. Hab. India. There are two skulls of this kind in the British Museum, the smaller sent by Professor Oldham with the thorax, which proves it to be the skull of 7. elongata; the larger one was presented by the 172 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, brother of Dr. Falconer on the death of the Doctor. The larger skull (from Dr. Falconer) is 24 inches long, 14 inch wide; the other (from Professor Oldham) is 1 inch 11 lines long, and 123 inch wide. Peltastes elongatus. The thorax has all the characters of Testudo. Claws5.4. The nostrils in a fleshy disk, with a slight notch in the upper edge of the beak, directly under and partly enclosing them. Palate deeply con- cave nearly the whole length, with three laminar longitudinal ridges in the centre of it. Ethmoid bone flat, with a more or less distinct raised marginal edge. Young specimen in spirit, from Pegu, obtained from Mr. Theo- bald :—Thorax oblong, hemispherical, rather convex, dull brown ; centre of dorsal shield blackish; sternum yellow, biack in the cen- tre; nuchal shield short, square ; the four lateral hinder marginal shields produced into an acute point behind; the caudal shield broad, with a straight denticulated hinder edge, with a longer acute point at each end ; legs and feet very dark olive. Hab. Pegu (Theobald). 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 173 2. PELTASTES? SULCATUS. Testudo sulcata, Miller, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. B. M. p. 9. Hab. Africa. Skeleton in the British Museum. Skull imperfect, the nose and lower jaw having been crushed; but from what remains I suspect that it belongs to the genus Peltastes. The skull is high and short, rather like the skull of Testudo in- dica. The central ridge on the palate is very high and laminar, much higher than the ridge on each side of it. Zygomatic arch broad and short and convex. Tympanic cavity imperfect behind ; the mastoid bone is large and entirely hollow, forming a tympanic cavity. Length of skull from nose to condyle 2? inches, width at zygomatic arches 2 inches. 3. PELTASTES GRECUS. Skeleton in the British Museum. Skull thin; the upper alveolar edge with a regular groove parallel to the margin, with a sharp ridge on the inner margin; the lower jaw with a regular triangular groove parallel to the whole of the lateral margin. There is a very pretty specimen (young) of P. grecus, in spirit, in the British Museum, from the valley of the Minder, Asia Minor, presented by Mr. R. MacAndrew. There are two skulls in the British Museum received from Mr. Yarrell as the skulls of Testudo greca. They are evidently of a very distinct species ; they both belong to the genus Peltastes. 4. PELTASTES GEOGRAPHICUS? Skull of a smaller species in the Museum of the College of Sur- geons, without any number. From the size, probably the skull of Testudo geographica. Skull short, broad, crown flat, broad, truncated in front; nose- hole very large, square ; orbit large, lateral ; zygomatic arch slender, rather convex ; tympanic cavity oblong, erect; mastoid bone half- oval, hollow, labial edge even, with three slight teeth in front; the palate very concave ; the alveolar surface very narrow in front, wider behind, with a very slight submarginal ridge on the hinder part of it. Lower jaw weaker ; alveolar edge narrow, with a swollen dentary groove behind, about two-thirds of the length of the outer side of the bone, and with a very slightly raised point in front. 5. Peirastes? MARGINATUS. Skull figured as the Caret, Spix, Cephal. t. 4. f, 12-15. 4. Pyxis. Pyxis ARACHNOIDEA, var. oblonga. Skeleton in the British Museum, received from Leyden. It is exactly like the oblong specimens figured by Duméril and Bibron, Erp. Gén. t. 13. f. 2. 174 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, Skull small, thin; crown convex, arched ; nose-hole very large, with a deep oblong notch in the upper edge ; orbit very large ; side of face shelving ; the hinder edge of the orbit very thin ; zygomatic arch very slender, short; tympanic cavity small, oblong, erect. Lower jaw slender. Beak of upper jaw with a smooth edge, and entire in front. The alveolar edges narrow, parallel, linear, simple ; internal nostril like exterior. The thorax is very like that of some of the varieties of Testudo stellata, which is a very variable species both in size and surfaces ; so that one might almost regard it as only a variety of it. The sternum is divided by a straight suture between the second and third pairs of plates; the second pair large, with a straight posterior edge. The abdominal or the fourth pair of plates very large; the first or gular plate small, narrower than the small anal ones. 5. CHERSINA. CHERSINA ANGULATA. Testudo angulata, Owen, Cat. Osteol. M. C. 8S. p. 201. n. 1050 (skeleton), 1051 (skeleton of trunk and extremities). Skeleton in the British Museum. Back edge of the orbit thin; zygomatic arch short, rather slender from the middle part of the back edge of the orbit ; tympanic cavity small; nose-hole large, square; nostril in a small granular disk ; orbit large, lateral; upper beak with three anterior teeth, with a deep notch in the upper edge for the nose-disk. Lower jaw weak, the beak with a short central hook. The alveolar surface of the upper jaw linear, rather wider behind, with a very short central ridge. Lower jaw sharp-edged in front, rather wider on the hinder half of the margin, with a middle groove for the ridge on the upper jaw. 6. Kinrxys. KINIXYS BELLIANA. Sheath of the upper jaw very high, with the nostril in a notch in its upper edge, between it and the front edge of the frontal shields ; of lower jaw high, convex in front. Zygomatic arch (as seen through the skin in the stuffed specimen) convex, narrow from the back of the orbit to the upper front part of the oblong tympanic cavity. 7. Manouria. MANOURIA FUSCA. The stuffed specimen shows that the skullis oblong, forehead flat, face short ; orbit large, lateral, rounded; zygomatic arch weak and thin, compared with the same bone in Testudo ; the tympanic bone surrounding the ear is deep-seated ; the mastoid is not prominent as is usually the case in Land-Tortoises. II. The TERRAPINS or FRESHWATER TORTOISES. After a patient examination of the skulls and skeletons and a re- vision of the specimens of the Freshwater Tortoises, or Terrapins, 1869. ] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 175 in the British Museum, which have hitherto been referred to the family Emydide as defined in the ‘ Catalogue of Shield Reptiles in the British Museum,’ published in 1855, I think they may be more conveniently divided into four very natural groups, which may be called families. These groups may be thus characterized :-— 1. The temporal muscle covered with skin, and generally protected by a narrow band-like zygomatic arch. 1. Cistupinip#. The sternum united to the thorax by a cartila- ginous lateral suture, and divided transversely into two move- able portions. 2. CueLyprRApD#&. The sternum united to the thorax by a bony symphysis, covered with from 7 to 11 shields; the middle por- tion fixed to the thorax; the front and hinder portions often separated from it by a transverse suture and moveable. 3. Emypip#. The sternum united to the thorax by a bony sym- physis, solid, and covered with 12 shields. 11. The temporal muscle covered with a bony hood formed by the ex- tension of the zygomatic arch. Head very large. Sternal shields 11. 4, PLATYSTERNID&. Asiatic. Fam. I. Cisrup1n1p or Box-Torro!sss. Head moderate, covered with a hard thin skin. Eyes lateral or subsuperior ; pupil annular. Temporal muscle covered with the skin and (except in Cistudo) protected by a band-like zygomatic arch. Thorax covered with horny plates. Sternum very broad, attached to the thorax by a ligamentous suture, covered at the sides by the pectoral and abdominal shields, and divided across into two parts by a suture between the pectoral and abdominal plates. Sternal shields 12; the axillary and inguinal plates very small or wanting. The mastoid bone is excavated to form a tympanic cell. I have little to add to my monograph of the species of the family printed in the ‘ Proceedings’ of the Society for 1863, p. 173, except that the temporal muscle of the North-American genus Cistudo is only covered with skin, and the skull is destitute of any zygomatic arch between the orbit and the tympanic bone. In this respect, as well as in the position of the suture between the sternum and the thorax, this genus differs from the Lutremys of Europe and the genera found in Asia, all of which have a well-developed zygomatic arch for the protection of the temporal muscle. The skull of Lutremys of Europe is figured by Cuvier, Bojanus, and Wagler. Iam not aware that the skull of the very common Cistudo clausa has been figured or described. I have not seen any specimen of the Californian Cistudo blondinsia ; but, judging from the figure of the animal in Holbrook’s ‘ North-American Herpeto- 176 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 11, logy,’ p. 39, t. 3, it appears to agree with the other American spe- cies. If it does, this is another reason why it should not be referred to the genus Lutremys, in which Agassiz has placed it in his ‘ Con- tributions.’ Tribe I. Cistupini1na or North-American Box-Tortoises. The temporal muscle only covered with skin. The skull without any zygomatic arch between the orbit and the ear-bones. Lobes of the sternum moveable at all ages, unequal; front shorter, almost free from the symphysis; the hind fixed, narrow, elongate. 1. Cistupo. CISTUDO CLAUSA. Skeleton in the British Museum. Cistudo clausa, Owen, Cat. Mus. R. C. 8S. p. 192. n. 998 (skele- ton), 1009 (skull of young). Professor Owen describes a peculiarity in the neural arch of the atlas and the other vertebrze, and in the bones of the feet; but he does not notice the absence of the zygomatic arch in the skull. Fig. 3. Cistudo clausa. Skull in College-of-Surgeons Museum, No. 999 :—Nose-hole square, moderate ; orbit excessively large ; tympanic cavity oblong, erect ; upper jaw with a straight lateral edge and a broad central part ; palate flat, internal nasal apertures anterior, with a broad tri- angular concavity behind them with a central ridge ; alveolar plate _ smooth, narrow mm front, rather wider behind ; alveolar surface of the lower jaw rather wide, concave. “NI 1869. ] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 17 Tribe IT. Lurremyrna or Old-World Cistudinide. The temporal muscle protected by a well-developed band-like zy- gomatic arch. Sternal lobes more or less moveable, subequal ; both lobes forming part of the lateral symphysis. * Lobes of the sternum moveable at all ages. 2. Pyxipea, Gray, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 175. PyxIDIA MOUHOTII. The skull (as seen through the skin in the preserved specimen) is trigonal, flat on the sides; the crown flat, triangular, short, scarcely produced behind the hinder edge of the orbit ; truncate behind, rather more produced in the centre ; zygomatic arch flat, weak, narrowed in the centre, much narrower than the orbit in front, and gradually dilating so as to be almost half as broad as the front edge of the tympanic cavity behind; orbit rather large, lateral ; beak of the upper jaw entire, with a strong central hook. 3. CistocLemmys, Gray, P. Z.S. 1863, p. 175. 4. Cuora, Gray, P. Z. 8. 1855, p. 198; 1863, p. 176. Fig. 4. Cuora amboinensis, CuORA AMBOINENSIS. Skeleton in the British Museum. Skull rather elongate, rhombic, ovate ; crown flat; nose erect ; nose-cavity square, moderate ; orbit large, oblong, transverse, lateral ; 178 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 11, zygomatic arch complete, broad in front, narrowed behind and at- tached to the upper front part of the tympanic cavity ; mastoid bone acute behind, keeled on the outer upper side, hollow; palate flat ; internal nostrils anterior, with a short, oblong, slightly sunken con- cavity behind, each separated from the other by a blunt ridge; alveolar plate very narrow, linear, with a slight ridge on the inner margin; upper beak with a smooth edge and an entire, recurved, sharp tip. Lower jaw moderately strong, rounded below in front ; lower beak with a simple sharp edge, rather produced and acute in front, with a slightly concave linear inner margin. 5. Pyxictemmys, Gray, P. Z. 8. 1863. 6. Lurremys, Gray, P. Z.8. 1855 & 1863. The anatomy of the animal is well described by Bojanus. The skull is figured by Cuvier (Oss. Foss. v. t. 11. f. 13-16) and Wagler (in N. Syst. Amph. t. 5. f. xv.-xvii.). There is a skeleton in the British Museum ; it has a well-developed zygomatic arch. 7. Norocuetys, Gray, P. Z. 8. 1863. ** Lobes of the sternum moveable in the young state, often becoming anchylosed. 8. CycLtemys, Gray, P. Z.S. 1855, p. 198, 1863, p. 177. The thorax convex or depressed. The sternum flat or slightly convex, with the lateral symphyses well marked, truncated before and notched behind; the cross suture indistinctly marked and nar- row, more or less obliterated in the adult, covered with the produced front edge of the ventral shields. The legs covered with large, band- like thin plates in front. The toes banded above, the front one short, webbed. The hind feet flattened, with the toes broadly webbed ; the hinder edge keeled and angularly produced. CYCLEMYS ORBICULATA. Skeleton in the British Museum, from Java. Skull elongate; zygomatic arch rather narrow, distinct. The alveolar surface of the upper jaw is narrow, with a well-marked lon- gitudinal groove the whole leugth of the outer edge, and with a raised internal margin. Edge of the upper jaw rather arched on the side, with a small central tooth. The lower jaw with a simple, short edge shelving inwards in the centre, and with a rather concave sur- face on the inner side, and a sharp, produced central anterior process. Fam. I]. CueLtyprRapD&. Head large, covered with a thin, hard skin, or hard bony plates ; temporal muscle large, covered with the skin, and protected on the edge by a well-developed band-like zygomatic arch. Eyes lateral or 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 179 superior, often rather close together. Thorax covered with horny plates. Sternum attached to the thorax by a bony symphysis, generally small (compared with the size of the thorax) and cross-like, sometimes large (nearly as big as the thorax); sternal shields vari- able in number from 7 to 11, never 12. Toes short, spreading, webbed to the claws, shielded above. Skull with a well-developed zygomatic arch, extending from the orbit to the tympanic cavity, leaving a large wide space for the tem- poral muscles. Palate flat; internal nostrils anterior. Alveolar plate narrow, simple. Iris annular, without any spot on the sides. Section I. CrucisterwNA. The sternum small, cross-like, narrow at the ends. Head and tail large. Tribe I. CuorLtyprarna. Sternum solid, cross-like, acute before ; sternal plates 10, with a broad one (the displaced abdominal plate) on each side over the produced sides of the sternum. Palate flat; internal nostrils anterior. Alveolar plate flat, rather broad. 1. MacrocuE ys, Gray, P. Z.S. 1855, p. 200= Gypsochelys, Agas- siz; (skull figured) Gray, Catalogue of Shield Reptiles, t. 38, 39, 40. The alveolar plate very broad. Eyes lateral, distant. 2. Cuxetypra, (skull figured) Gray, Cat. Shield Reptiles, t. 38 & 40. f. 2. Alveolar plate moderate. Eyes superior, rather close together. Staurotypus salvini’. 180 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, Tribe II. Sravroryprna. Sternum cross-like, middle portion narrow, covered by the abdominal plates, and extended to the thorax; the front and hinder lobes often moveable on the central fixed one. Axillary and inguinal plates large; sternal plates 7; the gular, humeral, and pectoral plates of each side united ; the femoral and anal small, united into one large ventral shield. 3. Sraurotypus, Wagler; Gray, P. Z.S. 1864, p. 127. Sraurotypus saLvini. (Fig. 5, p. 179.) 4, Sraurrmys, Gray, P. Z. 8. 1864, p. 127. Tribe II]. ARoMocHELYINA. Sternum truncated in front, nicked behind; sternal shields 11; gular pair united into a narrow linear shield. Head large ; zygomatic arch very broad, strong, arched. 5. AromocuE ys, Gray, P. Z.S. 1855, p. 199,==Goniochelys and Omotheca, Agassiz, 1857. Section II. KinosreRrNa or Double-flapped Box-Tortoises. Ster- num broad; sternal shields 8 or 11; the short process that unites the sternum to the thorax covered with the elongated axillary and inguinal plates; front and hinder lobes of the sternum generally moveable on the fixed central portion. In- ternal nostrils anterior. Alveolar plate flat. Tribe 1V. KinosTERNINA. 7. Swanka, Gray, Cat. Shield Reptiles. 8. Kinosrernon, Fitzinger; Gray, P.Z.S. 1855, p. 398, = Thy- rosternon aud Platythyra, Agassiz, 1857. CHELYDRA SERPENTINA, Gray, Cat. Shield Reptiles, t. 40. f. 2. B.M. Skull depressed, very broad behind, crown rhombic, sides of the face shelving outwards; orbit very large, anterior, subsuperior on the shelving side of the face; the cavity for the temporal muscle very wide ; the zygomatic arch very broad, broader than the orbit and much broader than the oblong erect tympanic cavity. ‘The palate flat, internal nostrils in the front of the palate, the outer edge sharp, with a central anterior bony hook, and with a broad, flat, smooth alveolar plate parallel to the outer edges. The lower jaw moderately strong, narrow in front, with a conical central bony pro- cess, and with a smooth, shelving, rather concave band inside the sharp margin. A young specimen in spirits, which was brought from North America, and presented by Mr. Arthur Russell, F.Z.S., is very beau- tifully painted on the sternum and underside of the margin of the 1869. | DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 181 thorax. The sternum is black, with symmetrical variously shaped white spots, most abundant near the outer edge; the underside of the margin of the thorax is yellow, varied with dark edges to the shields. The animal is pale brown and more or less yellow-spotted. There is a series of triangular yellow spots on the lower edge of the lower beak. AROMOCHELYS ODORATA. An adult specimen, in spirits, in the British Museum, from North America, presented by Odo Russell, Esq. Head large ; nose produced, conical, acute, shelving to the mouth below; nostrils surrounded by a very small fleshy margin. Head dark olive, punctulated, with a narrow white streak from the upper and the lower edge of the nose, the upper streak edging the crown over the orbit to the nape; the lower diverging under the eye and tympanum and crossing the beak. The lower beak with a streak on each side of the centre in front, diverging to the chin on the lower edge of the horny sheath. Neck with streak of roundish confluent spots. SwaNKA. The sternal lobes as broad, or nearly as broad, as the opening of the thorax, rounded in front, and rounded or very slightly truncated behind. a. The sterno-costal suture and the abdominal shields as long as the front sternal lobe ; hinder lobe rounded at the ends. Thorax three-keeled. Vertebral plate elongate. 1. SwaNnKa SCORPOIDES. Kinosternon scorpoides, Gray, Cat. Shield Reptiles, p. 44. Cinosternon scorpoides, Wagler, N. Syst. Amphib. t. 5. f. xxxi.- xxxvii. (skull); Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. C. S. p. 191. n. 992 (skeleton). Skeleton in the College of Surgeons, No. 992. Skull thin, light ; nose rather produced ; crown rhombic, flat; sides of face flat; orbit moderate, lateral; zygomatic arch very broad, strong, nearly flat. Palate flat. The alveolar edge smooth, rather wider behind. In- ternal nostrils close, anterior between the fronts of the alveolar plates. Lower jaw rather strong, broad, and convex, in front more slender than the sides ; the upper edge broad, rather concave, with an acute central process. The two small specimens from M. Sallé both with rather rough and worn dorsal shields. One of them is keeled the whole length of the back, and the other only keeled over the hinder part of the back. They both have the front lobe of the sternum very nearly of the same ‘length as the rather long abdominal shield. I cannot take on myself to say if they are of two species or only varieties of the same without having more information respecting them and the develop- ment of the animals. Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XIII. 182 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 11, b. The sterno-costal suture and the abdominal shields not so long as the front lobe of the sternum; hinder lobe rounded behind. Thorax not keeled. Vertebral plate longer than broad. 2. SwWANKA MACULATA. The sides of the head, neck, and throat grey, with a few indistinct dark-edged subcylindrical spots, largest on the front of the chin ; fore legs with three cartilaginous ridges. Thorax dark olive. Ster- num-ridges and lower side of margin yellow, with dark spots on areoles of shields. The fore and hinder ends of sternum regularly rounded. Vertebral shields longer than broad. Hab. Mexico (Sallé); Vera Paz (Salvin). A specimen in spirit, collected by M. Sallé in Mexico. The sternum and underside of the margin pale yellow ; the areola of the third and fourth pairs of sternal plates, which are situated on the outer side of the anterior transverse suture, is surrounded by an ir- regular-shaped brown ring. A more or less obscure indication of such a ring is to be seen surrounding the areola of the other sternal plates. The areola is on the outer hinder side of all the sternal shields, except of the fourth or abdominal pair, where it is on the front outer angle. Two large specimens in spirit, from the Lower Forest of Vera Paz, received from Mr. O. Salvin. They are like those from Mexico, but darker below. The head is large, very hard, and the beak and temporal muscles very strong. ‘The two beards are in front of the chin, quite near the hinder edge of the lower beak. The zygomatic arch is wide, strong, and rather convex. Toes very strong, short, with a few bands above near the ends, with narrow webs to the claws. The fore legs with the skin smooth, and three oblique, arched, sharp-edged horny cross ridges just above the feet, the lower one the shortest. In the band over the orbit this species agrees with Kinosternon hippocrepis, figured from a young specimen, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. t. 20c. f. 3,4; but the sternum is much broader than in that spe- cies, and more completely closes the cavity of the thorax. Thorax about 4 inches long. A large well-grown specimen in spirit in the British Museum, received from M. Brandt of Hamburg as from North America. The skull is pale olive, speckled with darker brown ; thorax pale bright brown, the underside of the margin of the thorax being uniform blackish brown. Four specimens in spirit, obtained by M. Sallé at Papaleo Apoia ; but it is not stated that they were from the same district. If they were, it will go to prove that the height of the front lobe, as com- pared with the length of the abdominal shield, is probably a character of age and not of specific distinction. They each have a speckled or mottled neck, and are without any head-streak. The two larger specimens vary in other particulars, but probably from local circum- stances, as one has a good smooth shield, and of the other the shield is rugose and covered with mud and alge, and the whole specimen 1869. | DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 183 looks as if it had lived in dirty water. They both have the front lobe of the sternum about one-fourth of its length longer than the abdominal shields, which are short. c. The sterno-costal suture and the abdominal shields not so lony as the front lobe of the sternum; the hinder lobe of the sternum slightly truncated behind. Thorax not keeled. Vertebral plates as broad as long. 3. SwaNKA FASCIATA. Head olive, with a dark-edged pale streak from the nostril, over the eye, to the upper part of the tympanum (it is narrow before, and wider behind the eyes), and with a streak from the lower edge of the orbit, over the angle of the jaw on the side of the neck ; occiput and back of neck white-spotted. The lobes of the sternum are rather narrower than the opening of the thorax. Hab. ——? (from M. Brandt). KINOSTERNON. 1. KiInosTERNON PENNSYLVANICUM. The skull in the British Museum is depressed, ovate triangular, crown rhombic, narrow behind, short, only slightly produced behind the orbits; orbit lateral, large ; zygomatic arch broad, rather convex and prominent behind, including the whole front edge of the small tympanic cavity ; palate deeply concave in the centre, with three longitudinal ridges on each side of the central line, very narrow behind ; upper jaw with. a broad intermediate ledge edged with a slightly raised ridge; lower jaw with a shelving edge to the back, and hooked in front. 2. KINOSTERNON HIRTIPES, Wagler, N. Syst. Amph. The skull is figured by Wagler in N. Syst. Amph. t. 5. f. xxxi.— xxxvil. The figure is very like the skull of Chelydra. Fam. III. Emyp1ip# or True Terrapins. When my two papers on the skulls of Chelydradee and Trionychidze were published, I hoped that some of the American zoologists, who have so many species of one group (Emydidz) living in their country, and consequently at their command, would take up the sub- ject. But they have not done so; and as the British Museum has received a few more specimens, 1 have determined to do the best I can with the specimens at my command, and the figures of the spe- cimens that have been published by Wagler and others. It is to be regretted that Agassiz, in his notes on the American Ter- rapins in his ‘ Contributions,’ has confined his attention so com pletely to the external characters, and the development of the young animal. He does make some observations on the form of the jaws; but they are so indistinct and general that they afford very little information. 184 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 11, The family Emydide, as now restricted, may be thus divided :— Section I. AMpursprociemmys. The alveolar surface of the upper and lower jaws linear, narrow, with a sharp outer edge. Internal nostrils in front of the palate. Toes short, strong, erect, and included in the skin to the claws, or more or less expanded and united by a narrow scaly webb to the claws. These spe- cies are amphibious, and some of them more or less terrestrial. Subsection 1. The temporal muscle only covered with skin, without being protected by any band-like zygomatic arch in the skull uniting the orbit to the ear-cavity of the temporal bone. Eyes lateral. Toes short, strong, conical, free or very slightly webbed. Legs covered with short triangular scales. Tribe I. GEOEMYDINA. 1. Geormypa. The alveolar surface of the jaws has not been examined. 2. MELANOCHELYS. Subsection 2. The temporal muscle protected on the outer side by a distinctly band-like zygomatic arch extending between the orbit and the tympanic cavity. Tribe Il. GkoctemMMypINA. ‘Toes short, enclosed in the skin to the claws. Legs covered with thick, hard, triangular scales. Eyes lateral (or subsuperior) ; pupil annular. Jaws with a narrow alveolar plate. Internal nostrils in front of the palate. * Eyes lateral. 3. GrocLtemmys, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 17. ** Byes subsuperior, on the margin of the crown. 4. Nicorta, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 17. 5. Rurnocitemmys, Fitzinger. Tribe III. Emyp1na. Toes strong, short, spreading, covered above with bands of transverse shields, united by a narrow web to the claws. Jaws with a narrow alveolar surface. Internal nostrils in the front of the palate. Head covered with a thin, hard skin. Eyes subsuperior, with a dark spot on each side of the pupil. 6. Emys. 7. CLEMMys. 8. CurysEmys, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 32. 9. Graeremys, Agassiz. Emys §§, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. 29. 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 185 10. CatticHELys, Gray, Ann. and Mag. N. H. xii. 1863, p. 176. 1]. DerrocuHEtys, Agassiz. I have not been able to examine the alveolar edge of the last three genera; they may belong to the next tribe. Section II. Hyprocutemmys. The alveolar surface of the upper and lower jaws broad, expanded, covering more or less of the ~ sides of the front of the palate, so that the internal nostrils open near the middle of the palate. Lower jaw strong. ‘Toes webbed. Tribe IV. Matactemmynina. The alveolar surface smooth. Toes strong, spreading, covered with a soft skin. Eyes subsuperior ; pupils annular, without any lateral spot. 1. The upper or alveolar surface of the under jaw broad, concave, rather narrower on the hinder part of the side. Internal nostrils subposterior, behind the middle of the alveolar surface. * Front of the palate, before the internal nostrils, with a broad central groove. Eyes subsuperior (Estuarian). 12. Matacuemmys, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 37. ** Front of the palate, before the interior nostrils, simple. Eyes lateral: 13. Damonia. 11. The upper or alveolar surface of the under jaw wide, angular, concave in front, narrow and sharp-edged on the sides behind. Internal nostrils subanterior. 14. GuypTemys. 111. The upper or alveolar surface of the lower jaw narrow, sharp- edged in front, wider and flattened on the hinder part of the sides. Internal nostrils subanterior. 15. Bexura. Skin of neck and limbs with very minute granular scales. Tribe V. Baracurina. Head large, nose rather produced ; angles of the mouth covered with minute scales. The alveolar surface of the jaws very broad, with one or two strong ridges or grooves. Internal nostrils subposterior. Toes elongate, weak, expanded, covered with small scales, united by broad webs to the claws ; hind feet fringed. The cavity of the thorax much contracted on each side at each end by broad, erect, internal, bony lateral plates. Asia. 186 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 11, A. Claws 4.4. Head covered with a soft skin, divided into small shields on the crown and temple. Nose conical, produced. The chin with a series of distinct shields at the under edge of the beak. The alveolar surface of the jaws very wide, with two well-marked subparallel ridges. Gular shield short, band- like. 16. Terraonyx. Batagur, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 35. B. Claws 5.4. Head covered with a thin skin. Nose subconical, more or less produced. Alveolar surface of the jaws with a single well-marked angular ridge. Gular shields triangular, moderate. a. The alveolar surface of the jaws very wide and well-developed, with a denticulated ridge parallel to the outer edge. The in- ternal edge of the alveolar surface, which edges the internal nostrils, is denticulated ; it must not be confounded with the second ridge in the genus Tetraonyx. 17. Kacuuea, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 35. b. The alveolar surface narrower, with a single well-marked ucute ridge. Back of the thorax high, subangular ; keels subnodose. The sternum high, keeled on each side. 18. PANGSHURA. Tribe VI. Pseupemyp1na. The alveolar surface of the jaws very broad, with one or two strong ridges or grooves. Internal nostrils subposterior. Toes elongate, slender, covered with a few small bands, united by broad webs to the claws. Hind feet fringed. The cavity of the thorax simple, not much con- tracted at the ends. America. * Sternal costal suture simple, normal. 19. Psrupemys, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 33. 20. Tracuemys, Agassiz. ** Sterno-costal suture with four sterno-lateral shields. 21. DERMATEMYS, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 49. Tribe I. GrorMyYDINA. 1. GroremMyDA, Grormypa Granpis. The skull (as seen through the skin) in a very large old and a younger stuffed specimen, like the skull of Cistudo, is destitute of any zygomatic arch uniting the orbit to the ear-cavity of the temporal bone, the temple and temporal muscles’ behind the orbit being only covered with a skin protected by thin, small, tessellated plates. 1869. ]} DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 187 A second half-grown specimen agrees with the very large old specimen above noticed in the absence of the zygoma. 2. MELANOCHELYS. The thorax oblong, three-keeled. Vertebral plates broad, six- sided. Skull rather depressed ; zygomatic arch imperfect, tapering behind, and not reaching the tympanic bone ; lower jaw weak ; the alveolar surface narrow, linear. ‘Toes strong, webbed to the claws. MELANOCHELYS TRIJUGA. Emys trijuga, Gray, Cat. Shield Reptiles in B.M. t. 37. f. 2 (“E. subtrijuga,” not good, zygomatic arch too broad and extending to the ear-bone). Skull (as seen through the skin in the stuffed specimen) ovate, elongate, triangular in front; sides of the face nearly erect ; orbit lateral, subsuperior, large; nose rather narrow; crown rather con- vex, elongate rhombic, narrowed and produced behind; from the Melanochelys trijuga. hinder point to the back edge of the orbit more than once and one- half the distance of the latter from the end of the nose; zygomatic arch rudimentary, very slender, linear, extending from the middle of the back edge of the orbit to the upper part of the front edge of the large tympanic cavity, which has a narrow, rounded edge ; sheath of the upper jaw with a simple straight edge, without any 188 PR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 11, eentral hook; the lower jaw moderately strong, covered in front with a convex horny sheath. Toes strong, included in the skin to the claws, covered above with band-like shields. A skull received from Mr. Oldham, which appears to belong to this species, may be thus described :—Skull depressed, nose nearly erect from upper lip; crown rather convex, tapering behind ; orbit large, circular, lateral, subsuperior; zygomatic arch imperfect, rather broad in front, about half as broad as the back edge of the orbit, and tapering off behind just before it reaches the upper edge of the small circular tympanic cavity; palate flat, broad, with a short shallow concavity behind each internal nostril; the lateral edge of the upper jaw nearly straight, with a slightly produced broad central beak, and with a narrow alveolar plate having a slight groove parallel to the short outer edge for the greater part of its length; lower jaw weak, erect on the side, shelving in front, with a central conical prominence in front, and with a straight, thin, sharp edge, without any dilatation of any kind. Tribe II. GrocLEMMYDINA. 3. GEOCLEMMYs. 1. GEOCLEMMYS GUTTATA. A beautiful skeleton is in the British Museum, and a skeleton without lower jaw in the Museum of the College of Surgeons, no. 9774. Skull thin, crown slightly arched, nose erect; orbit lateral, very large ; zygomatic arch broad, short; palate flat behind; lower jaw slender; side edges of the upper jaw slightly arched, and with a notch in front; alveolar groove very narrow, even; mastoid bone conical, produced, hollow. Toes short, strong. 2, GEOCLEMMYS SEB. Specimen in spirit in the British Museum. Nose rather pro- duced, shelving to the lip below, triangular, soft, in a notch on the upper edge of the upper beak ; alveolar process linear, marginal ; upper beak with a straight edge and a very slight acute central notch, lower hooked and acute in front. Toes short, included in the skin to the base, but slightly separate, conical, with a central series of narrow six-sided scales above; web very slight, if any. 3. GEOCLEMMYS MUHLENBERGII. An adult specimen in spirit, from North America, with the yellow spots on the occiput well-marked. The beaks have an even lateral edge and an acute notch in the centre in front; the lower beak convex and rounded below; crown rather convex, dark olive, with black spots. Toes united in the skin to the claws, with a few band-shaped shields above. The upper alveolar surfaces rather broadly linear, with a submarginal internal ridge ; the lower with a ccntinuous submarginal groove, rather broad, and produced, with a sharp edge, in front. 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 189 4, GEOCLEMMYS CALLOCEPHALUS, Gray, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 254. The upper beak with an acute central notch ; the alveolar surface linear, with a submarginal ridge on the upper, and a narrow groove in the lower jaw. 4. Nicorta. NIcoRIA SPENGLERI. Skull (as seen through the skin in the stuffed specimen) narrow, rather acute in front, flat on the sides; orbit very large, lateral ; zygomatic arch broad, flat, as wide as the back edge of the orbit, as wide behind as the rather small tympanic cavity ; lower jaw rather weak, with a large inferior space, rather rounded in front. The sheath of the upper jaw is strongly and acutely hooked at the tip, and entire on the edge. Palate ? The toes enclosed in the skin to the claws, covered with band-like shields. 5. Rainociemmys, Fitz. This genus may be divided thus :— * The sternum flat longitudinally, and very slightly elevated at the sides under the sterno-costal symphyses. 1. RHINOCLEMMYS ANNULATA. =* The sternum slightly arched longitudinally, and much elevated at the sides under the sterno-costal symphyses. 2. RHINOCLEMMYS SCABRA. Crown flat, with a spot before each eye, and an oblong band on the crown, over back part of orbits. Skeleton in the British Museum received from the Utrecht Mu- seum. Skull elongate, rather solid; nose erect, shelving beneath ; crown rather convex ; orbit large, circular, lateral; sides of the face nearly erect ; zygomatic arch very broad, forming part of the temple above, slightly convex on sides; mastoid bone rather elongate ; edge of upper beak straight, with a slight central notch. Palate flat ; internal nostrils anterior, with a short, rather deep oblong con- cavity behind each, separated by a strong central ridge. Alveolar surface narrow, linear, with a slight sunken groove, edged internally by a slightly raised sharp edge. Lower jaw wider; upper surface slightly prominent in front, with a sharp edge having a slightly concave linear depression on the inner side. Toes short, strong. Specimen in spirit in the British Museum. Skull ovate rhombic, rather elongate, sides of the face flat, erect ; nose short ; orbit large, subsuperior, on the outer edge of the crown ; crown rhombic, pro- duced, and acute behind; rather longer from the hinder edge to the hinder edge of the orbit than from that part to the end of the nose ; zygomatic arch thin, flat, dilated, forming part of the crown in front, narrow and only attached to the upper front part of the small sub- trigonal tympanic cavity ; upper jaw with a narrow double edge, the edges parallel and separated by a rather deep narrow groove; lower 190 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, jaw moderate, nearly erect and with a narrow simple edge rather produced into an acute point in front. Palate flat, broad, with a triangular flat plate over the interior nostrils in front, and with a slight central keel with a slight concavity on each side just behind the openings of the internal nostrils. Toes short, imbedded in the skin to the base of the claws. Tribe III. Emypina. 6. Emys. 1. Emys JAPONICA. An adult specimen from Japan, in spirit. Thorax oblong; dorsal shields broad, six-sided, with a well-marked large central areola of the same shape and with a few concentric ridges, and more or less distinct radiating grooves and some rather nodulose radiating ridges, dark-brown or black varied with orange rays or lines, the areola of the marginal plate near the outer hinder edge; sternum and lower side of the margin uniform black. Legs and tail uniform black. Head ovate rhombic, longer than broad, crown and sides olive-black. Neck with longitudinal ridges and conical short spine-like scales, those on the back of the neck being the largest. Crown flat; eyes lateral, subsuperior; nose truncated, rounded in front ; edge of the beak even, without any central notch; lower beak weak. Alveolar surface narrow, linear, with a submarginal ridge on the upper, and a groove on the lower jaw ; lower jaw scarcely thick, with the edge pro- duced into a sharp point in front. Tail conical, elongute, flat above, with a pale streak on each side of the upper surface. Front legs covered with rather large scales; the hind legs and feet spinulose. 2. EMYS TRISTRAMI. Head oblong trigonal, half as long again as wide (to the end of crown-ridge) ; eyes subsuperior ; temple and jaws with a few dark- edged pale sinuous lines; temple, between orbit and the wide zy- gomatic arch, short, flat ; lower jaw strong ; alveolar surface of both jaws linear, marginal ; internal nostrils subanterior. Hab. Holy Land. See also Hmys undetermined, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. in B. M. t. 35. f. 3 (skull). 7. CLEMMyYs. CLEMMYS CASPICA. Clemmys caspica, Wagler, Nat. Syst. Amph. t. 5. f. iv., v. (skull figured). A specimen in spirit (from Arabia Petraea?), purchased of the Rey. H. Tristram. Thorax oblong; nuchal plate broad. The upper surface of each marginal plate with a subcentral darker-edged cross streak, sometimes dilated and extended into a streak along the upper edge of the plate. Back pale olive, with indistinct paler yellowish reticulated lines edged with black; sternum and underside of the margin black, with irregular-sized subtriangular yellow spots on the 1869. ] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 191 outer side of each sternal shield and a pale blotch on the outer edge of the inguinal shield. Head and neck olive, sides of the neck and throat with numerous black-edged pale parallel streaks. Legs with irregular rather broad black-edged pale streaks. Beaks olive, rounded in front; upper with a slight acute central notch with a slight tooth on each side of it. 8. CHRYSEMYS. CHRYSEMYS PICTA. Emys picta, Owen, Cat. Osteol. Mus. C.S. p. 189. no. 964 (skull and thorax). Skull in the Museum of the College of Surgeons, no. 964. Skull rather solid, crown very flat; orbits large, oblong, forming part of the crown-edge ; nose-hole moderate, labial edge even, with two small close teeth quite in front ; zygomatic arch broad, strong, convex externally; palate flat; internal nostrils quite anterior, with a concavity in front between, and with a slight oblong concavity behind each, separated by a slight raised central ridge; lower jaw depressed, rather broad in front and on the sides, rather convex externally (the jaws are fastened together). There is also a skull of a smaller specimen, no. 967. The alveo- lar surface of the upper jaw linear, with a slight narrow raised ridge parallel to the outer edge, and occupying the middle, half its length. Lower jaw depressed ; alveolar surface linear, with a well- marked groove with a sharp raised edge on each side for the greater part of its length, except in front, where the jaw is thinner, simple, and acute. 11. DerrocHetys. ? DEIROCHELYS RETICULATA, Agassiz. A young specimen in spirits, received from Mr. Arthur Russell, from North America, under this name. It is most beautifully orna- mented, both on the back and sternum, with dark-edged rings and irregular marks; the beaks are most beautifully ornamented with regular black-edged yellow streaks diverging from the nose across the lower beak, so as to form the lines on the throat; the underside of the lower beak is convex. The alveolar surface of the upper and lower jaw rather wide; the upper with a very slightly raised narrow submarginal ridge; the lower jaw with a regular well-marked conti- nuous submarginal groove. Tribe IV. MaLacLeEMMyYDINA. 12. MALACLEMMYyYsS. MAaLACLEMMYS CONCENTRICA. Two skeletons in the British Museum. Skull broad, ovate tri- gonal, rather depressed, sides of the face rounded; crown flat, rhombic, hinder end narrow, extended into a crest, as long from the hinder edge of the orbit as that part is from the end of the nose; 192 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, orbit lateral, superior, on the outer edge of the crown; zygomatic arch strong, broad, convex, rather wider than the orbit in front, so much so that the circular tympanic cavity behind is rather con- tracted in the middle. The palate flat; internal nostrils near the centre of the palate, from under a rather convex plate in front, and with a central keel in the wide sunken space behind them. The alveolar surface of the upper jaw very wide, quite simple, occupying all the front of the palate but a central triangular space, without any internal ridge. The lower jaw very strong, flattened out in front and on the sides of the front, without any gonyx, the upper edge simple, with a very broad, shelving, concave inner aveolar surface and an acute central point. Toes rather elongate, webbed to the claws, with band-like shields above. Malaclemmys concentrica, Skull in the Museum of the College of Surgeons, no. 1057, with- out.horny sheath. The palate flat; the aveclar process very wide, smooth, rather convex on the front part of the inner edge. The part of the palate behind the internal nostrils broad, slightly sunken, 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 193 flat, with three rather thick ridges, the central one long, the side ones short. The lower jaw very strong, thick, bent up in the centre in front and acute; the alveolar surface very broad, slightly concave the whole length of the sides. Length 1 inch 73 lines, width 1 inch 5 lines. 13. Damonta. Head very large, covered with a hard thin skin. Nose high, truncated ; nostrils in a small disk notched out on the upper edge of the very high convex upper beak. Eyes lateral, subsuperior. Sides of the face shelving outwards below. Zygomatic arch strong, wide. The labial edges of the upper beak slightly arched, bent inwards. Lower jaw very strong, convex and rounded in front below, with a strong, sharp-edged, broad central tip. The alveolar disk of the upper and lower jaws very broad, the upper flat, and the lower Fig. 8. Damonia macrocephala. concave. The internal nostrils subcentral, with a short oblong sunken space behind each. The thorax oblong, more or less dis- tinetly three-keeled ; the vertebral shields six-sided, as broad behind as before; marginal plates dilated over the hinder limbs. Sternal 194 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. {Mar. 11, plates regular. Toes strong, covered with band-like shields, united, to the claws, by a very narrow web covered with scales; hind toes longest. Asiatic. The skull and palate similar to those of Malaclemmys, but the feet, shell, and head different. 1. DAMONIA MACROCEPHALA. Geoclemmys macrocephala, Gray, P. Z.S. 1859, p. 479, t. xx1., 1861, p. 139. Emys trijuga, Mus. Utrecht. Hab. Siam and Cambogia. The skull (as seen through the skin in the stuffed specimen) has a very broad, strong, rather convex zygomatic arch between the orbit and the ear-cavity ; crown broad, flat, trigonal, broader and trun- cated behind. Skeleton in the British Museum. Skull large; nose rather pro- duced, conical ; crown flat, rhombic, short ; orbit lateral, very large ; zygomatic arch very broad, short ; palate slightly concave ; internal nostrils near the middle of the palate; alveolar surface of the upper jaw rather arched, very convex. The lower jaw curved upwards and acute at the tip, with a very broad, rather concave alveolar surface the whole of the length, broader and most concave in front. There is a second skeleton, of a small specimen, of this species, which, from the bad state of the shell, must have been kept in con- finement for a long time. 2. DAMONIA REEVESII. Emys reevesii, Gray, Syn. Rept. 73. Geoclemys reevesii, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 18. Skull (as seen through the skin in the stuffed specimen) small, ovate trigonal; crown rhomboid, rather convex, produced in the centre behind, about as long from the back edge of the orbit as from the nose to that part of the skull; orbit rather large, lateral; zygo- matic arch short, broad, wider than the back of the orbit, and con- fluent with the crown above, not quite so wide as the front edge of the tympanic cavity behind. Sheath of the upper jaw simple, without any central hook. Lower jaw strong, convex in front, and with a convex horny sheath. Toes enclosed in the skin nearly to the claws, covered above with band-like shields. An adult specimen in spirit, obtained from Mr. Blyth, most pro- bably from India, but received without any habitat. Head large, strong; crown flat and short, not so long as wide; nose high, rather shelving to the mouth; eyes lateral; cheek flat; temple and zygomatic process convex. Upper beak very large and thick, with a straight edge without any central notch ; the lower curved and acute in front, convex beneath. The alveolar processes very broad ; upper rather convex and rugose ; lower rather concave and broad the whole length of the side of the jaw. Neck and feet lead-coloured, without any streak. The thorax solid, thick, oblong, with three very ob- 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 195 scure keels, the central one broad, and the lateral ones narrower, about one-fourth of the width of the shield from the upper edge. The back dull olive, the chest black, the underside of the margin pale yellowish. Toes strong, united in the skin to the claws, with a few shields above; claws acute, black. ‘Tail moderate, conical, tapering at the end. The 1st vertebral plate rather longer than wide, narrowed behind, with a concave hinder edge; the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th vertebrals as wide as long, with a rounded front and an arched hinder edge, the 2nd and 3rd wider behind than in front, and the 4th wider in front than behind. This specimen chiefly differs from typical D. reevesii in the larger size, the larger head, and a difference in the form of the dorsal shield ; but all this may depend on age and nourishment ; and what were considered adult D. reevesii may have been young animals. 3. DAMONIA HAMILTONII. Geoclemys hamiltonii, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 17. Skull (as seen through the skin in the stuffed specimen) ovate trigonal, sides flattened ; orbit lateral, rather large ; crown rhombic, rather convex in the middle, concave over the orbits, produced be- hind, about once and a half as long from the back edge of the orbit as from that point to the tip of the nose; zygomatic arch very short, broad, confluent with the crown above, and much wider than the orbit in front, as wide as the tympanic cavity behind; sheath of the upper jaw simple, without any central hook ; lower jaw strong, convex, and covered with a horny sheath in front; toes enclosed in the skin to the claws, with band-like shields above, claws small. A specimen in spirits in the British Museum. The head mode- rate ; nose with each nostril in an oblong soft space; the upper beak with a simple short edge, rounded in front ; lower beak with an acute produced centre. Alveolar surface of the upper jaw wide, linear, convex and rugose on the sides; alveolar surface of the front of the lower jaw broad, rugose, concave in the upper surface, narrow on thesides. Toes broadly webbed, crenulated on the edges, with a series of hexangular larger scales on the upper surface. This animal has the feet of Batagur; but the cavity of the skull is not contracted at the ends as in that group. 4. DaMoNIA NIGRICANS. Emys nigricans, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 20, t. 6. Skull (as seen through the skin of the stuffed specimen) oblong triangular, sides of face flattish ; orbit lateral, rather large; crown nearly flat, with an arched hinder edge, which is about as far behind the hinder edge of the orbit as that part is from the end of the nose ; zygomatic arch flat, as wide in front as the back edge of the orbit, and as the front edge of the tympanic cavity behind; the sheath of the upper jaw rather notched at the tip, with a simple edge; lower jaw broad, convex, and covered with a broad horny sheath in front. ‘Toes slightly webbed to the claws. 196 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, 14. GLypTremys. GLYPTEMYS PULCHELLA, Agassiz. Geoclemys pulchella, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 18. The skeleton of a large specimen which had been in confinement, with the bones separate, in the British Museum, prepared by Dr. Giinther. The skull with a broad, very flat forehead, and high, square nose ; the latter granular, the lower half sunk in a deep wide notch in the upper edge of the upper beak. Upper beak high, with an acute central notch. Lower jaw strong, thick and convex in front. Zygomatic arch strong, convex. Orbit large, quite lateral, with a narrow lower hinder edge. Palate concave in front, flat behind; internal nostrils large, anterior. The alveolar surface of the upper jaw rather broad, smooth, with a slight concavity in front; of the lower jaw broad in front, narrower on the sides, regularly concave. The broad front of the alveolar surface of the lower jaw separates these animals from the genus Geoclemmys; and therefore I have adopted Agassiz’s generic name. Glyptemys pulchella, A large specimen in spirit in the British Museum. Skull rather thin, ovate rhombic, sides flat; orbit very large, subsuperior, in the upper margin of the crown; crown rhomboid, produced into an acute point behind, the hinder end as far from the hinder edge of the orbit as that part is from the end of the nose; zygomatic arch short, broad, rather broader in front than the back edge of the orbit, ss 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 197 about as large as the small circular tympanic cavity behind, but attached to the temple rather below the upper margin of the tym- panic cavity. ‘The upper jaw (with the sheath on) has a sharp edge with a broad internal groove edged on the inner side by a slight ridge. Palate rather concave, especially in front. The sheath of the upper jaw with a slightly bidentate notch in front, and simple straight sides. The lower jaw strong, erect on the sides, shelving, convex, and rounded in front, covered with a horny sheath, and with a central acute point. 15. Bevuta. Head very large, short, covered with a thin and hard skin, over the orbit and other fleshy parts covered with very small granular scales. Nose high, truncated in front; nostrils in the upper edge of the horny beak. Beak of the upper jaw high, convex, with broadly arched dependent sides and a central notch. Lower jaw strong, convex in front, with a central acute sharp-edged point. Thorax oblong ; back three-keeled ; vertebral plates elongate sub- trigonal, areola of discal shields with a narrow longitudinal ridge. Toes strong, expanded, with transverse band-like shields, united, to the claws, by a narrow scaly web. Asiatic. Skull solid. Nose-hole square; the front and sides of the upper lips shelving inwards. Orbit large, oblong, subquadrangular, lateral. Palate flat, internal nostrils anterior, with a short oblong concavity behind each. Alveolar plates moderate, band-like, rather wider behind, rather concave. Lower jaw short, strong, convex in front, and wide and thick behind, with a conical central prominence and a broad flat alveolar edge that is broader behind and with a very slightly raised outer margin. Bellia has the large head, with dependent lips, of Damonia; but the alveolar surface of the upper jaw is not so wide, and the inner nostrils are anterior. BELLIA CRASSICOLLIS. Emys crassicollis, Bell; Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. B. M. p. 20. Skull (as seen through the skin of the stuffed specimen) broad, depressed, ovate, sides shelving outwards ; orbit subsuperior, on the lateral edge of the crown; crown flat, rhomboid, broader in front, rather produced and narrow in the middle of the hinder edge, which is almost as far from the back edge of the orbit as that part from the end of the nose; zygomatic arch short, broad, convex, forming part of the crown, and wider than the back edge of the orbit in front, not quite so wide as the front edge of the tympanic cavity behind ; edge of tympanic cavity rounded; sheath of the upper jaw very strong, and high in front and on the sides, lower margin truncated in the middle, and larger and arched on the sides ; the lower jaw strong, short, broad in front, covered with a broad horny sheath. Toes strong, short, webbed to the claws, covered with band-like shields. Feet like those of the American Emydide. Skeleton of a half-grown specimen in the British Museum, re- Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XIV. 198 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, ceived from Holland as ‘‘ Clemmys sprengleri.”” The head of the younger specimens is rather more slender and thinner than that of the adult. A young specimen in spirit, sent with an adult and a half-grown specimen from Borneo, and presented by Mr. Dillwyn. The head is black, with an elongated yellowish white spot over each orbit, extended towards the nostrils, and a large round opake pure-white spot on each temple over the zygomatic arch, a triangular white spot on each side of the lower jaw, and a small white spot on the side of the head under the tympanum. The head of the adult specimen has not these distinct spots ; but the region of the orbit and temple is varied with white. Unfor- tunately, however, the older specimens are not in such a good state as the young one. Bellia crassicollis. Two skulls in the Museum, sent by Prof. Oldham, are very solid ; nose rather produced, conical ; nose-hole in front large, four-sided ; cheeks shelving outwards; crown flat, rhombic, narrow and acute behind ; zygomatic process moderately broad, from back of orbit to the upper front half of the oblong tympanic cavity; orbit oblong, large. The labial edge of the upper jaw arched on each side and overlapping. The palate nearly flat, with a concavity in front be- hind each internal nostril.. The alveolar plate broad, flat, smooth, broader behind, and with a slight oblong central pit and a larger 1869.) DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 199 central concavity behind it. Lower jaw very strong, short, with a narrow erect front edge ending in a central conical prominence ; broad and flattened out behind, especially just before the condyle. The tympanic concavity opens into the larger cavity that occupies the whole of the mastoid bone. Gis" is Tetraonyx haska. Two-thirds of nat. size. 200 DR. J, E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 1], Tribe V. BATAGURINA. 16. TETRAONYX. Trerraonyx BASKA. (Fig. 11, p. 199.) Batagur baska, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 35. Skull B.M. 17. KacuuGa. * The upper jaw with a short very distinct central longitudinal dentated ridge behind the deep conical pit in the front of the jiw, which commences between the ends of the secondary ridges. The lower jaw with a deep longitudinal groove in front behind the central conical prominence on the edge. + Palate flat, with two very deep oblong concavities, one behind each of the internal nostrils. The ridges of the upper jaw are elongate, and the anterior central ridge is broad at the base, with a deep broad concavity on each side between the sphenoid and condyle. The inner surface of the front part of the lower jaw is erect, without any expanded plate. BAaTAGURELLA, 1. KacuuGa PEGuUENSIS. (Fig. 12, p. 201.) The concavities behind the internal nasals as broad behind as in front ; orbit large, irregular, oblong, nearly as high as long in front. Hab. India. Presented by W. Theobald, Esq. The thorax is unknown. ++ Palate narrow, concave, with a ridge on each side and two mo- derately deep concavities behind each internal nostril, each marked with a central longitudinal ridge. The ridges on the upper jaw short, and the anterior central ridge narrow and sharp-edged. The front part of the lower surface of the tem- poral bone, between the condyle and sphenoid, shelves upward, not forming a broad cavity. The inner surfaces of the front part of the lower jaw have a shelving plate for the support of the inner longitudinal ridge on the upper dental surface. The orbit regular, oblong, moderate. The thorax is unknown. KacuuGa. 2. KacuuGa TRiInineATa, Theobald. (Fig. 13, p. 202.) The concavities behind the internal nostrils oblong elongate, narrow, narrower and deeper behind; orbits very large, regular oblong, much longer than high. Hab. India. Skull Brit. Mus. 3. KacnuGa oLpHAMI. (Fig. 14, p. 203.) Hab. India. Presented by Prof. Oldham. ** The upper jaw with a notch between the two divergent ridges, and an indistinct broad longitudinal ridge in the centre of the 1869. ] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 201 Fig. 12. Kachuga pequensis. Two-thirds nat. size. plates behind them. The lower jaw with a distinct sharp- edged short longitudinal central ridge just between the back edge of the conical marginal prominences and the middle of the diverging ridges, and a deep ovate longitudinal concavity be- hind the middle of those ridges: the lower jaw with a slightly shelving plate for the support of the diverging dental ridges. The palate narrow, rather concave, with a very deep oblong 202 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, Fig. 13; Kachuga trilineata. Two-thirds nat: size. concavity behind each internal nostril. The orbit regular ob- long, longer than high. DonGoxa. 4. KaCHUGA HARDWICKII. Batagur dongoka, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. in B, M. t. 36. f. 1 (skull). Hab. Nepal (B. H. Hodgson, Esq.). 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 203 Fig. 14. Kachuga oldhami. Nat. size. 5. KACHUGA AFFINIS. A specimen of the young animal in spirit, from Penang, from the Cantor Collection, named Tetraonyx junior by Dr. Cantor. It has five distinct claws on the fore, and five on the hind feet. The shell is nearly circular, and the sides of the sternum are very sharply and strongly keeled. The upper beak is straight-edged, with two small 204 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [Mar. 11, acute teeth in the centre in front. The alveolar surfaces rather broad, the upper with a single triangular ridge separated by a central concavity ; the lower with a single ridge parallel to the edge. The vertebral shield rugulose, with a broad flat-topped keel ; the costal shields with an indistinct central keel more prominent behind, the part above the keel rugulose, that below it smooth ; inguinal shields very wide. 6. KaAcCHUGA BERDMOOREI. There are two specimens in spirit, purchased of Mr. Theobald, in the British Museum. The alveolar surfaces of the upper and lower jaws very wide, as wide behind as before, rugulose, tubercular ; the upper one with a very strong triangular submarginal ridge ending short of the centre and in front sharply turned towards the outer margin; the central part concave in front, and flat behind; the portion behind the ridge very broad. Lower jaw with a very strong triangular ridge stopping short of the centre, which is coneave. The upper beak even on the side, with a broad triangular central nick with a slight tooth on each side; the lower with a short conical centre; the whole surface of the upper and the outer surface of the lower grooved and rugose. The nostrils small, circular, pierced in a horny plate that edges the nose and with a lower process produced downwards, on the upper edge of the beak. Hab. ? 18. PANnGsHuRA, Gray. Pangshura, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 36. The beaks of Pangshura tecta, in a specimen in spirit, are unlike the beaks of Tetraonyx; the gape is scaly, but the lower beak is broad in front, with a rather curved hinder edge, and there is a series of more or less distinctly separate long trigonal shields below the outer margin on the hinder part of the beak. The skin on the crown is continuous, without any grooves; the skin over the tym- panum is soft, with some very obscure concentric wrinkles or grooves. 1. PANGSHURA TECTA. Emys nomadicus, Theobald. A specimen in spirit in the British Museum. The alveolar pro- cess wide on the upper and lower jaws. The upper jaw with a subcentral acute ridge interrupted in frout by a central longitudinal ridge, and with an acute ridge on the inner margin which is conti- nuous in the centre. Alveolar process in the lower jaw broad, with a strong triangular ridge parallel to the margin, and with a short central longitudinal ridge. Labial edge of the upper beak simple, of the lower beak acute and bent up in the middle. Skull (as seen through the skin in the stuffed specimen) ovate thombic, rather high in front, nearly erect on the sides; crown thombic, produced and acute behind, rather longer from the pos- 1869. ] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 205 terior end to the back edge of the orbit than from that part to the end of the nose; eyes lateral, eyebrows rather convex ; zygomatic arch short, narrow, from the middle of the hinder edge of the orbit to the upper part of the front margin of the tympanic cavity, which is only furnished with a narrow edge. Sheath of the upper jaw with straight, closely denticulated edges ; lower jaw strong, very convex, and covered with a horny sheath in front. Toes slender, with a few hexangular shields above, very broadly webbed; claws small. 2. PANGSHURA TENTORIUM. Skull (as seen through the skin of the preserved specimen) very like that of P. teeta, but the crown is rather more produced behind, or rather the orbits are more in front of the head; the bony temple is broader behind the eyes; and the zygomatic arch is broader, being as wide as the upper half of the front edge of the tympanic cavity. The horny sheath of the upper jaw is rather sinuous, dis- tinctly but closely denticulated. Toes slender, very widely webbed to the claws; claws small. 3. PANGSHURA DURA. Skull (as seen through the skin of the stuffed specimen) ovate triangular, sides erect ; orbit very large, subsuperior; crown rhombic, produced and acute behind, twice as long from the hinder end to the back edge of the orbit as the length from that part to the end of the nose; zygomatic arch short, convex, the front end form- ing part of the crown, and wider than the orbit, and the hinder part narrower and only attached to the upper part of the edge of the tympanic cavity. Sheath of the upper jaw broad, high, with a straight simple edge; lower jaw strong, covered with a convex horny sheath in front. Toes slender, broadly webbed to the claws. Tribe VI. Ps—EUDEMYDINA. 19. PSEUDEMYS. 1. PsEUDEMYS SERRATA. A mounted skeleton in the British Museum, from North America. Skull solid, crown flat, produced and narrow behind, very broad, square, high in front, shelving to the mouth below; the labial edge nearly straight, with a notch in front, and minutely denticulated on the margin. The zygomatic arch very broad, slightly convex ex- ternally ; the mastoid bone produced horizontally, flat above exter- nally, and keeled above, with a moderate-sized internal cavity. Palate concave behind the internal nostrils. The alveolar surface of the upper jaw flat, wide, rather produced behind; inner or palatine edge simple, and armed in front with a large tooth on each side of the centre, which is produced into a longitudinal sharp-edged irre- gular ridge parallel to the outer margin and nearer to it than to the inner edge of the alveolar surface. The lower jaw strong, much depressed and wide in front, and quite flat on the lower surface ; 206 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 11, the alveolar surface broad, expanded, nearly as broad behind as in front, the centre of the outer edge produced and acute, with a large concavity on each side behind it, and with an irregular sharp-edged ridge nearer the inner edge than the outer margin, with a conical compressed prominence in front; the labial margin with a series of conical teeth. Pag, 15: Pseudemys serrata. A second skull depressed, ovate, sides of the face shelving ; nasal aperture very large; orbits very large, superior, separated by a very narrow space; crown rhombic, produced behind; zygomatic arch very broad, convex, nearly as wide as the back edge of the orbit and the front edge of the oval tympanic cavity. Upper jaw with a well- marked irregularly dentated ridge parallel with the outer edge, and a broad flat space behind it; there is a conical tooth on the front end of the ridge, and a deep conical pit on the front of the upper jaw. Hinder nasal opening arched in front, near the middle of the palate. The lower jaw strong, broad, expanded ; lower surface flat ; upper surface with a short denticulated marginal edge, and a conical central prominence in front, with a central longitudinal ridge and a stronger arched ridge parallel with the outer margin. Toes long, slender, broadly webbed. 2. PsEUDEMYS DECUSSATA. Pseudemys decussata, Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. xii. p. 183. 1869. | DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 207 Emys decussata, Bell; Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. in B. M. t. 36. f. 2 (skull). Skull in British Museum. The internal nostrils subanterior, be- tween the converging alveolar plates; lower jaw with a short groove. 20. TRACHEMYs. TRACHEMYS HOLBROOKII. Trachemys holbrookii, Gray, Aun. & Mag. N. H. xii. p. 181. Limys cumberlandensis, Holbrook. Trachemys holbrookii. Skeleton (in separate bones) in the British Museum, prepared by Dr. Giinther. Skull ovate, solid, crown quite flat, sides of face shelving outwards; nose rather produced beyond the mouth; orbit very large, lateral, subsuperior, upper hinder edge narrow; zygo- matic arch very broad, convex ; tympanic cavity subcircular. The edge of the jaws swollen, convex, labial edge rather arched, entire in front. The palate flat; internal nostrils large, subanterior, with an elongated broad slight concavity behind them. The alveolar 208 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 11, surface broad, divided just over the internal nostrils by a large, thick central ridge parallel with the outer side, having a broad space on each side of it. Lower jaw strong, rather short, front and sides convex and rounded beneath; alveolar surface broad, with a short outer edge of an irregular narrow subcentral ridge parallel with the outer margin. 21. DeRMATEMYS. Dermatemys, Gray, Cat. Shield Reptiles in B. M. p. 49. Skull figured by M. Aug. Duméril in the ‘ Archives du Muséum,’ vi. p. 223, t. 15. ‘The alveolar surfaces are broad, with distinct dentated ridges, like those of the genera Pseudemys and Batagur.” Gray, P. Z. 8. 1864. This genus was arranged, in the ‘ Catalogue of Shield Reptiles,’ in the Chelydradea, near Chelydra, on account of the additional shield on the suture; but at that time the thorax only was known. The animal, like the skull, is very like Pseudemys and Batagur. The specimen in spirit of the animal in the British Museum, re- ceived from Mr. Salvin, has very small gular shields, for the greater part of their length united, which gives them much the appearance of a single shield. This union and their small size give the animal at first sight the appearance of an Hydraspis, the gular shields being regarded as the intergular of that genus. Fam. [V. PLatysTERNID. Head very large, covered with a thick, hard, bony case; upper jaw with a strong short-edged central hook. Skull thick, hard ; zygomatic arch much dilated posteriorly and forming a bony cover- ing over the temporal muscles. Toes 5.4, short, free at the ends ; the three middle ones of the fore foot and the two middle ones of the hind foot longest; claws compressed, acute. Tail cylindrical, elongated, covered with rings of square shields. ‘Thorax thin. Ster- num solid, broad, attached to the thorax by a bony extension co- vered with the ends of the pectoral and abdominal plates; not transversely divided, separated from the marginal shields by a longi- tudinal series of small shields. Emydide, b, Gray, Cat. Shield Reptiles, p. 49. Emydide, § B, Gray, Cat. Tortoises in B. M. p. 13. PLATYSTERNON. Platysternon, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 49. Fam. CHELYDID2. In the ‘ Proceedings’ of the Society for 1864, p. 128, I proposed an arrangement of the genera of this family founded on the exami- nation of the skull of the genera which I then knew, and I figured some of them. 1869 | DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 209 I have since obtained the skull of Chelodina colliei. It does not render necessary any alterations in the system; but I would propose that the place of the genus (Chelodina) in the series should be rather altered: instead of following Hydraspis in Hydraspidina, 1 think that it had better be arranged before it in that tribe, as the skull is more depressed and has a more slender lower jaw, and many other characters render it intermediate in form between the genera Hydraspis and Chelys. Fig. 17. Chelodina colliez. Fam. TRIONYCHID. When my “ Revision of the Species of Trionychide”’ was read, on the 23rd February, 1864 (see P.Z.S. 1864, p. 76), I was in doubt whether the alveolar surface of the jaws of these animals did not change in form as the animal increased in age, this doubt being caused by receiving from West Africa skulls from the same locality which chiefly differed in size and in the form of the alveolar surface. The British Museum has since received other specimens from West Africa; and after examining them I am satisfied that the skulls re- ferred to belonged to two species, and that the difference of form and structure above mentioned is permanent, and found in young speci- 210 DR. J. KF. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. { Mar. 11, mens as well as old of the two species; and the examination of the jaws of the young specimens of other species in the Museum collec- tion has convinced me that very little, if any, change of form occurs in the alveolar surface of the soft Mud-Turtles of the same species from youth to old age, and that the various forms of the alveolar surface afford excellent characters for the distinction of the species and genera of the group, and are also in conformity with their habits and food. Extending the examination to the mouth of old and young specimens of Tortoises of other families, I find that these characters are equally permanent in them. When the above-mentioned essay was prepared, as we had only a limited number of skeletons, I was obliged to leave init a number of species doubtful as to the genera to which they ought to be referred. Having discovered that the characters afforded by the alveolar pro- cess were the same in the young specimens as in the older ones, I was induced to examine the mouths of all the young specimens which we had in spirit in the British Musenm; and finding that, by very careful preparation and manipulation, I could open the mouths of the stuffed specimens in the same collection without in the least degree injuring them, I have examined the mouth and alveolar surfaces in all of them, and thus satisfied myself of the permanence of the characters that these afford, and have been able to determine with certainty the systematic position of some species, which was before doubtful. This reexamination has also shown me the permanence and the importance, as a specific character, of the manner in which the odd bone in front of the bony dorsal disk is developed, and whether it is in an early or late stage of its development that it becomes pitted like the rest of the bones of the disk, and when it becomes united to the front bone of it. These additions to my knowledge of the structure and develop- ment of the animals induce me to propose the following amended arrangement of them. A natural arrangement of the genera can only be prepared by taking account of all the changes of the animal during growth, and deriving the characters from it in its perfect state. The young specimens are required in order to know the coloration of the species, the adult to know the perfect development of the sternal callosities, and those of intermediate ages to give the manner the odd bone in front of the dorsal disk is developed, and when and how it becomes fitted like the other bones of the back- shield; but this has rendered it impossible to interpolate in their proper place in the system those specimens in the Museum which are only in a young or imperfect state of development, not showing the sternal callosities or the true form of the dorsal disk. The Mud-Turtles with depressed head and thin depressed skull have a very short face, and the eyes only a very short distance from the end of the nose; all the genera which have a higher, strong, hard skull have a short face and a convex rounded forehead, except Tyrse, which has an elongate conical face, and the eyes considerably further back. 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 211 The genera of the latter group may be arranged according to the number of the sternal callosities, thus :— I. Sternal callosities two, lateral: Aspilus, Rafetus, Dogania. II. Sternal callosities four, lateral and anal: Tvionyx, Potamochelys, Pelochelys, Chitra, Tetrathyra, Platypeltis. III. Sternal callosities six, lateral, anal, arid pectoral; the latter transverse and developed late : Landemania. IV. Sternal callosities seven: Heptathyra. V. Sternal callosities nine (or ten): Emyda. VI. Sternal callosities fifteen, and often some subsidiary ones: Cy- clanosteus and Baikiea. The development of the pittings on the surface of the odd bone in front of the bony dorsal disk affords good generic characters. 1. It is smooth to a comparatively later period, even after the sternal callosities are developed in Aspilus. 2. It is pitted in the centre in very young, and gradually becomes more covered with pits in young specimens in Trionyax, Potamochelys, and Tyrse. The Mud-Turtles with a depressed thin skull and very short face have a broad flat palate and scarcely any indication of a central groove in front of the internal nostrils, and only a slight depression, if any, behind them; whereas in the more or less oblong, thick, solid skulls the palate is more or less concave, and almost always has a central groove in front and two more or less deep concavities behind the internal nostrils. The extent and form of the depressions afford very good generic characters. The skulls of the Trionychide may be arranged in sections thus :— 1. The central groove in front of the internal nostrils narrow and— a, Deep: Landemania, Sarbieria, Potamochelys, ? Platypeltis, Callinia, ° Emyda. 6. Very shallow: Aspilus. 2. Centra: groove in front of the internal nostrils short, triangular, narrow in front: Cyclanosteus, Baikiea, Tetrathyra. 3. Central groove in front of the internal nostrils wide and shallow, but well marked: Trionyx, Rafetus, Dogania, Tyrse. The form of and the extent of the development on the edge of the jaws afford excellent characters, and show the differences in the habits of these animals. In the Mud-Turtles with depressed, thin, light skull, and short face, the alveolar edges of the jaws are thin and linear. In those which have a more or less high, solid, strong skull, the edge of the lower jaw and the surface of the upper one that meets it offer several variations. The genera Se be arranged by the different forms of the alveolar surface, thus :— 1. The edge of the lower jaw flattened and broad in front and on the sides: Trionya, Aspilus, Rafetus, Batkiea. 212 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 11, 2. The front edge of the lower jaw narrow; the inner surface of the front part of the jaw shelving inwards. a. In some of these the hinder part of the sides of the edge is more or less expanded and flattened out into an alveolar disk: Dogania, Potamochelys, Cyclanosteus. - 6. In others the sides of the edge are as narrow as the front part: Tyrse, Platypeltis, Callinia. The genera of the family may be thus arranged :— Section I. The head ovate or oblong, face moderate. Skull strong, x or 6. thick, solid. . The sternum contracted behind, without any flaps over the hind legs. . Nostrils small, far apart, on the sides of the end of the proboscis. . Amypa. A. mutica. . Nostrils moderate, circular, close together in the middle of the end of the proboscis, with a small lobe on the inner side. Head short, forehead convex. The front and sides of the lower jaw with a broad, expanded, flat or slightly concave alveolar surface. Anterior palatine groove deep. a. Sternal callosities six. . Lanpemanta. UL. irrorata. }. Sternal callosities four. . Trionyx. Head short, forehead convex. Anterior palatine groove broad, shallow. Alveolar surface of the lower jaw broad, as wide in front as on the sides, rather concave, with a central longitudinal ridge in front. Hab. Asia. T' gangetica. . Forp1a. Head short, forehead convex. Anterior palatine groove narrow, linear, deep. Alveolar surface of the lower jaw very broad, as wide in front as on the sides, flat, granular. Hab. Africa. F. africana. . SarsprertA. Head rather elongate. Anterior palatine gruove (in beak) narrow, deep, gradually becoming wider behind (in skull). Alveolar surface (of beak) in lower jaw regularly con- cave and smooth in front, and slightly concave on the sides. Odd anterior bone of dorsal disk free and smooth in the young specimens. S. frenata. y. Sternal eallosities two, lateral. Aspitus. Head oblong, elongate. Alveolar surface of the upper jaw wider behind ; of the lower jaw broad, rather wider in front 1869. ] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES, 213 than on the sides, flat, with a slight concavity on the outer and couvexity on the inner side béhind. Central anterior palatine groove in the beak narrow, linear, deep, in the skull narrow, elongate, but very slightly marked ; the front of the palate is very deeply concave to the front edge of the internal nostrils, and then bent up on the sides of them. Internal nostrils oblong. A. cariniferus, P. Z. 8. 1364, p. 83, f. 4-6. 7. Rarerus. Head broad, forehead convex. Skull rather longer than broad at the ears. Anterior central palatine groove broad and shallow, rather broader behind than in front. Alveolar surface of the jaws narrow, linear, in the upper jaw scarcely wider in front than behind, in the lower jaw rather wider in front, smooth, slightly concave on the sides, with an oblong slight concavity on each side; the concavity behind the inter- nal nostrils deep, and rather narrower behind. Internal nostrils large, circular. R. euphraticus, P. Z. S. 1864, p. 81. ** The front of the lower jaw with a shelving inner surface and a narrow sharp alveolar edge, and with a more or less dilated concave alveolar surface on the sides, rather narrow behind. a. Face short, rounded ; forehead convex ; anterior central longitu- dinal palatine groove narrow, deep, short. Sternal callosities four. 8. PoramocueEtys. The alveolar surface of the upper jaw convex, shelving outwards, elongate, only slightly wider behind; of lower jaw rather wide, concave, and shelving inwards in front, rather dilated on the hinder half of the sides, with a slightly shelving oblong concave surface. The upper jaw bent down in front. The palate flat behind ; the central anterior palatine groove narrow, deep, short; internal nostrils oblong, anterior, in a deep cavity, partly hooded by the alveolar surfaces of the upper jaw, and with an elongate deep concavity behind each. P. stellatus, P. Z. S. 1864, p. 85, f. 7, 8. B. Face tapering on sides, narrow in front ; forehead shelving. An- terior central palatine groove broad and shallow; internal nos- trils oblong, large. 9. Docanta. Head broad; face very short, narrow infront. Skull depressed, broad ; underside of skull straight, not bent down in front. Anterior central palatine groove shallow, broad, rounded in front, very slightly narrowed behind. Alveolar sur- face of the upper jaw flat, broader behind, of lower jaw mode- rately broad, with a shelving upper surface, and a sharp, simple alveolar edge, rather expanded and flattened out behind and slightly concave on the surface. Internal nostrils oblong, large, Proc. Zoo. Soc.—1869, No. XV. 10. ee 12. DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES, [ Mar. 11, obliquely longitudinal, with a short concavity behind each. Sternal callosities two, lateral, narrow. D. subplana. PLatype.tis. Head oblong, rather depressed ; face moderate, rounded in front. Front of the palate with a very wide, shal- low concavity, which is rather narrowed and rounded in front, and gradually dilated behind. Alveolar surface of the jaws flat, rather wider behind, of the upper jaw flat in front, rather wider on the hinder part of the sides, with a raised longi- tudinal subeentral ridge; of the lower jaw oroad, flat in front, with a sharp front edge, narrow in the front part and rather dilated on the hinder part of the sides, with a deep central longitudinal groove. Sternal callosities four; the late- ral ones twice as wide on the inner as on the outer side; the hinder triangular, front edge sinuous and wider than the length of the straight inner sides. P. ferox. (From Pennant’s spe- cimen. ) Tyrsr. Head elongate, face elongate, conical, narrow in front ; forehead shelving. Skull, underside scarcely bent down in front. Palate nearly flat ; central longitudinal concavity in front of the internal nostrils wide, much wider behind ; internal nos- trils small, rounded, with a short concavity behind each. The alveolar process of the upper jaw linear, ‘elongate, scarcely wider behind. Lower jaw rather broad, with a shelving concavity on the upper surface in front, with a sharp alveolar edge which is rather wider and has a linear elongate concavity on the upper surface of the hinder half of the sides. Sternal callosities four, lateral and anal; anal triangular, rather broader than long. The hinder costal bones short, forming together a semicircle which is about two-fifths of the width of the costal pieces before them. Z. nilatica. CauuintA. Head small, face short, tapermg in front. Ante- rior palatine groove (in head with beak) narrow, linear, deep. Alveolar edge of the beak and upper jaw narrow, linear, taper- ing behind; of the lower jaw rather wide, shelving inwards, with a sharp edge in front, and narrow, short, and tapering to a point behind. Sternal callosities four, lateral and anal. C. microcephala and C. spicifera. g. Sternum dilated behind, with a flap on each side covering the hind legs. * Margin of dorsal disk cartilaginous, without marginal bones. 13. Anterior central palatine groove short, triangular, broader be- hind. African. CYcLANostEus. Sternal callosities 15. Alvcolar surface thin in front, broad on the sides. C. senegalensis. 1869.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 215 14. Barxrea. Sternal callosities 15 or more. Alveolar surface broad in front and on the sides. B. elegans. ** Dorsal disk with marginal bones. Asiatic. 15. Emypa. Sternal callosities 9 or 10. . punetata. Section II. Head depressed, broad, face very short ; eyes anterior. Skull depressed, thin and weak. Alveolar edge of the jaws thin. Palate flat. a. Sternum dilated behind into flaps on each side covering the hind legs. Sternal callosities odd. 16. Hepratuyra. Sternal callosities seven. H. frenata. b. Sternum contracted behind, without any flaps over the hind legs. Sternal callosities in pairs. 17. Penocue ys. P. cantorii. 18. Cuirra. C. indica. 2. LANDEMANIA. Head elongate ; the odd bone in front of the dorsal shield in adult specimens pitted, and united to the first costal by a straight suture. Fig.-E8. Landemania irrorata, Sternum. Sternal callosities six—two sternal, two lateral, and two anal; the sternal pair narrow, transverse, and not developed until the animal 216 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 1], is nearly adult. Jaws strong; alveolar surface broad in front and on the sides, rather broader on the sides behind, that of the lower jaw shelving inwards. The anterior central palatine groove deep, narrow in front, and wider behind. 1. LANDEMANIA IRRORATA. Head and body closely speckled with minute white dois ; the chin and underside of the throat with rather larger but similar white spots. Trionyx peroculatus, Giinther, MS. in B. M. A specimen (which had been allowed to get dry) now in spirit, from Shanghai. Head black (face without any diverging lines), with very small white speckles very close together, and most of the same size and form, of underside (if any difference) very slightly larger; the skin of the back similarly and equally minutely white-dotted. Ster- nal callosities six; the anterior pair narrow, band-like, transverse, in the centre of the front of the sternum ; lateral callosities narrow in the middle, very broad at the inner end; the anal broad, sub- trigonal, united in the middle line by a truly dentated suture. 2. LANDEMANIA! PEROCELLATA. Head olive, with diverging brown lines from the eyes and across the forehead ; chin and throat with large white spots. ‘ Trionyx perocellatus, Gray, Cat. Tort. B. M. p. 48; Cat. Shield Rept. p. 65, t. 31. Potamochelys? perocellatus, Gray, P. Z.S. 1864, p. 86. Hab. China and Chusan. A specimen in spirit, received from Mr. Swinhoe, from Formosa. The front of the lower jaw with a flat triangular alveolar surface ; the central groove in the palate before the internal nostrils narrow, deep, wider (sublunate) quite in front. Forehead with a narrow in- terrupted dark line from the front canthus of one eye to the other. Face with five diverging brown lines from the underside of the eye— the three front to the lower lip, the two hinder from the hinder ean- thus of the eye across the temple. Sternal callosities four; the hinder pair subtrigonal, with the angles rounded, and well sepa- rated. Sides of lower jaw, chin, and throat with large, symmetrical, but different-shaped white spots. A stuffed half-grown specimen in the British Museum, from China. The bony dorsal disk oblong ; the front odd bone united to the first costal by a straight edge, and rugose like it, with a very small pit on each side of the middle of the hind edge; the front edge with a few tubercles in the centre ; the hinder flap with roundish tubercles. Sternal callosities four; lateral narrow on-the sides, much wider in the middle ; the hinder callosities ovate, oblique, with short convex sides and rounded ends. Head moderate; alveolar surface of the jaws broad, rather broader behind; the anterior central palatine groove deep, wide, and rather wider behind. N 1869. | DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 21 3. TRIONYX. The odd bone of the dorsal disk covered with a pitted coat in the young animals. The genus may be divided into sections thus :— * Head short, broad (about as long as broad at the ear-bone), rounded in front. The alveolar surface of the lower jaw concave, with sharp raised inner and outer margins, and an indistinct short central ridge on the inner side of the front. The central pala- tine groove in front of the internal nostrils very wide, as wide in front as behind. 1. TRIONYX GANGETICUS. ** The head rather elongate (rather longer than the breadth at the ears), rather tapering in front. The alveolar surface of the lower jaw as wide in front as on the sides, slightly concave, with a central longitudinal ridge across the front, and with a slight concavity on each side. The central anterior palatine groove shallow, narrow in front and wide behind. 2. Trionyx JeupI. (Fig. 19, p. 218.) Hab. Java? From the Museum of Prof. Lidth de Jeude. This species is described from a fine adult skull received from the Utrecht Museum, which, no doubt, was obtained from some of the Dutch colonies. It is most distinct from the Indian species. I have named it after the Professor who formed the Museum. The front longitudinal ridge is very distinct in the jawbone, almost more so than in the horny beak of the jaw. The front of the jaw of the 7’. gangeticus is simply concave, without any indication of a ridge, but only a slight prominence on the inner part of the inner edge; and the alveolar surface on the sides of the lower jaw is flat and with.a deep oblong concavity on each side. In the British Museum there is the head of an adult animal in spirit that was purchased of Mr. Theobald, who obtained it in Pegu. It has the narrow central anterior palatine groove, and the cylindri- cal ridge across the front of the lower beak, of this section of the genus; but the ridge is only slightly raised and very different from that in the skull from Utrecht. 3. TRIONYX FoRMOSUS. (Plate XV. fig. 1.) This species is described from a young specimen in spirit, pro- cured by Mr. Theobald from Pegu. The back shield olive, with four very large black-eyed spots, the central spot circular, black, with a narrow white margin, and a dark brown ring close to it, which is surrounded by a larger pale brown ring, separated from the inner one by a broad olive space. The outer ring forms part of a regular series of netted dark lines, which are symmetrical on the two sides of the keel, forming a large open space in the middle of the back, and a smaller one near the margin and on the hinder part of the disk. The underside of the margin of the disk sooty grey, paler in part, with a white edge on the margin 218 DR. J. E.GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. . [Mar. 11, Fig. 19. Trionyx jeudt. of the shield. The upperside of the limbs olive, with small white spots. The head and back of the neck olive, varied with black-edged white spots, which are of various sizes, but symmetrically disposed on the two sides. There is a small oblong white spot on each temple, and an irregular larger white spot just before the angle of the mouth, and a large white spot below on each side, and a larger spot in centre of the hinder part of the gullet, and a series of small white 1869. ] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 219 spots on the flap of the upper lip. The hinder part of the head is encircled by a broad black-edged white band or collar, which is in- terrupted by a small olive spot in the middle of the back of the neck. The collar is broader and more diffused on the sides of the throat ; it gives off a horizontal streak from its hinder side nearly as broad as itself, which is extended for a short distance on the sides of the neck. The alveolar surface of the lower jaw broad and slightly concave. Hab. Pegu. In its young state this Zrionyx is one of the most ornamental species, the dorsal shield being decorated with four large eyed spots, each surrounded by several concentric rings of different width, and the white interrupted collar on the neck is very striking. It has the four large spots on the dorsal shield so common with the young state of Trionyx gangeticus, figured in that state in my ‘ Illustrations of Indian Zoology’ as Trionyzx ocellatus, which is copied from Dr. Buchanan Hamilton’s drawing of Testudo ocellatus. But in this species and in the more advanced state of the young animal figured in my ‘Indian Zoology’ as Trionyx hurum, from another of Dr. Buchanan Hamilton’s drawings, there is a yellow spot on each temple just behind the eyes; while in 7’. ormatus the temples are olive, and the white collar is much further back—as far from the back edge of the eyes as the eyes are from the tip of the nose. The upper part of the head is olive, very closely and minutely dotted with black ; the underside is uniform greyish white, The nostrils are very close together, with a slight lobe on the inner side of each. This may be the species indicated as a T'rionyx phayrei by Mr. Theobald (Journ. Proc. Linn. Soe. vol. x. p. 18), but so indis- tinctly described as not to be recognizable. 4. Forpia. . Head short, broad; face short, forehead convex. Anterior pala- tine groove narrow, linear, deep. Alveolar surface of the beak of the upper jaw very wide, flat; of the beak of the lower jaw very broad, as wide in front as on the sides, acute, flat, granular, with a yery indistinct indication of a longitudinal central ridge. The hinder pair of costals about half as broad as the pair of costals before them. Skull ——? Had. Africa. Known from Trionyzx by the flatness and width of the alveolar surface of the beaks. I have named this genus after Mr. Ford, who has illustrated so many of my papers. ForpDIA AFRICANA. The head and neck (and most likely the other parts of the body, limbs, and dorsal shield) olive, minutely and regularly speckled with small white spots. The hinder sternal callosities triangular, rather longer than wide, straight in front and on the inner side, very acute behind. Hab. Upper Nile, Chartoum (Petherick, adult male and female in the B. M.). 220 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 11, These specimens are those referred to as having been sent from Chartoum by Mr. Petherick in the account of Tyrse nilotica in the P. Z. S. 1864, p. 88, where they were regarded as being specimens of the common Nilotic Mud-Tortoise; but the examination of the alveolar surface of the jaws at once showed that they had no affinity with that genus, but must be more allied to the Gangetic Trionyz ; and then I observed that they had the shorter face of that group, which character had been previously overlooked. The alveolar sur- face of both jaws is very wide, nearly flat (not concave in front as in Trionyx gangeticus). The species is, no doubt, peculiar to the Upper Nile, and had not been before observed. The examination of the alveolar surface of Du Chaillu’s specimen, which had been named Aspidonectes aspilus by Mr. Cope, showed that it was (as [had previously determined it to be) identical with Tyrse nilotica of the Lower Nile. The head and neck of this large specimen, when the skin was wet, showed that it was speckled with white like the true Nilotic Mud-Tortoise Tyrse nilotica. The ster- nal callosities rather differ in form from those of T’.. nilotica; the hinder ones are larger, and more acute behind. ‘The last of the ribs are also wider, compared with the others, than in that species. A young specimen in spirit, from the Upper Nile, obtained from Mr. Petherick, probably belongs to this species. ‘Che head, neck, feet, and dorsal disk covered with close, small, dark-edged, annular white spots, those on the sides of the head and, especially, on the chin and throat being rather the largest. 5. SARBIERIA. Head rather large; eyes lateral, subsuperior. Jaws strong ; alveolar surface (of beak) broad, broader and more dilated behind, surface shelving inwards,—of lower jaw deeply concave, smooth, and with a sharp edge in front, and slightly concave on the sides. The central anterior palatine groove narrow and deep, with a short slight dilatation in front and with rather diverging sides behind. Dorsal disk small. Costal bones separate. Front odd bone in the young and half-grown specimens separate, broad, transverse, and with a smooth ‘upper.surface. Sternal callosities four ; lateral nar- row on the outer side; anal 2 This genus is in many respects allied to Dogania; but it appears to have four callosities, and the upper surface of the back is concave ; it is narrow in front, and wider behind. But it is difficult to com- pare a head with the beak on with a prepared skull without a beak. SARBIERIA FRENATA. Trionyx frenatus, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 67. Potamochelys® frenatus, Gray, P. Z.S. 1864, p. 87. Hab. Singapore (Wallace). A stuffed specimen in the British Museum, “of a young female with full-sized eggs,” from Mr. Wallace. The odd bone in front of the dorsal disk entirely covered with the skin, and smooth. The 1869. | DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. ail | sternal callosities are scarcely developed, only showing a slight roughness on the surface. Head olive, with a black central streak from the snout to between the eyes, which divides behind into three diverging streaks on the crown and nape; a streak from the nose, through the eye, and continued on the temple, to the side of the neck. The alveolar surface of the upper and lower jaws very broad the whole length of the outer edges; the alveolar surface of the upper jaw is so large as to cover the greater part of the palate, much more so than in Trionya gangeticus; in the lower jaw it is very broad, as broad hehind as before, and slightly concave. The central palatine groove in front of the internal nostrils narrow, deep. The bones of the dorsal shield are distinctly marked and separate; the vertebral plates are very narfow, nearly twice as long as broad; the costal ones are linear, scarcely broader at the outer ends, the last one being the least and narrow at the outer end. The odd bone in front is quite separate from the granular buckler, covered with skin, and quite smooth. The lateral sternal callosities are scarcely developed, only showing a slight roughness on the surface. The hinder pair of sternal bones are broad at the inner end and united together in front of the inner edges by two broad lobes. Very like the figure in Cuvier’s ‘ Ossemens Fossiles,’ v. t. 23. f. 5. 6. AspiLus. The odd bone in front of the dorsal shield in the younger speci- men is separate, and smooth on the upper surface, and it becomes pitted and united to the costal by a straight suture in the adult animal. 8. PoTAMOCHELYS. The odd anterior bone of the dorsal disk in the young animal is pitted on the surface and separate, but in the older ones it is united to the dorsal disk by a straight suture. The skull resembles that of Cyclanosteus. 12, Caxuinia. Head small, elongate ; face narrow, tapering ; eyes lateral, superior. The jaws weak ; the alveolar plates narrow at the hinder part, trian- gular and broader in front. The lower jaw slender, narrower at the hinder part of the sides. The central palatal groove in front of the internal nostrils rather wide and deep. The dorsal disk oblong, broad. The odd bone in front of the dorsal shield separate, trans- verse, and pitted in the young animal; in the older one it is united to the front costal bones by a straight edge with two round perfo- rations, one on each side of the central part. The vertebral callo- sities narrow. The costal callosities scarcely broader at the outer edge, except the fifth and sixth pairs; the hinder pair short, and narrow at the outer ends. Sternal callosities four ; the lateral pair broad on the inner side ; the hinder or anal pair oblong triangular, oblique, with a straight inner edge. Aspidonectes, sp., Agassiz, not Wagler. 222 Di. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. (Mar. 11, 1. CALLINIA MICROCEPHALA. Potamochelys? microcephalus, Gray, P. Z.S. 1864, p. 87. Hab. Sarawak (Wallace). 2. CALLINIA SPICIFERA. Trionyx spiciferus, Lesueur, Mém. Mus. xv. p. 258, t. 15. Trionyx ferus, Holbrook, Herp. N. A. ii. t. 1. Tyrse argus, Gray, Knowsley Menag. t. Hab. North America. 14. BarKIEra. In the “ Revision of the species of Trionychide,” in the P. Z.8. 1864, p. 95, I figured the skull of an African Trionychid with a very broadly dilated concave alveolar surface to the jaws, which [ considered might perhaps be the adult state of the jaws of Cy- clanosteus senegalensis. In my paper on the genus Tetrathyra, in the Society’s ‘ Proceedings’ for 1865, I thought that it might perhaps be the skull of the Trionychid which I then described under the name of Tetrathyra. Since that time I have been able to examine the skull of a young Trionychid from Africa, which has the broadly expanded alveolar surface of the adult skull that I figured. This shows that the form of the alveolar surface does not depend on the age of the specimen, and that it is the character of an ad- - ditional genus, which I have named after Dr. Balfour Baikie, from whom we have received so many species from Central and Western Africa. Unfortunately there are only skulls of adult and a specimen in spirit of a young.animal of this species ; so that we do not know the form and number of the sternal callosities, especially those of the adult form. TI suspect that the thorax in the British Museum, received with the jaws, may be that of an adult animal; but there is no material to show that this is the case. If it is, the ster- nal callosities are as in Cyclanosteus with some smaller additional ones in front, as in the specimen figured as Cyclanosteus senega- lensis, var. callosa, Gray, P. Z.S. 1865, p. 424, f. 1. Ba1ktEA ELEGANS. (Plate XV. fig. 2.) The young specimen in spirit has the back of the thorax dark olive-brown with large yellow spots, which are somewhat similar but not quite symmetrical on the two sides of the central keel ; and there is a series of large but smaller square or roundish yellow spots on the margin. The sternum and under surface of the margin blackish, with yellow spots, and a narrow yellow edge to the lobes of the sternum. The underside of the shield is varied with yellow on the edges. Head grey-brown, white-spotted. Thorax white. The young specimens of Cyclanosteus senegalensis in spirit are known from those of Batkiea elegans by having the white spots on the crown and sides of the head nearly of the same size; in B. ele- 1869. | DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. 223 gans the spots on the crown are small and those on the sides of the head are larger and unequal-sized. III. THE SEA-TURTLES—CHELONIA. The common Turtle, covered with horny plates, has a skull as different from that of the coriaceous Turtle, which has the bones of the body covered with a soft skin, as the two animals are different in external appearance. I formerly regarded the coriaceous and the scale-bearing Turtles as forming two distinct families (Annals of Philosophy, 1825, vol. x. p. 212); but having received from Mr. Collie, as stated in the ‘Catalogue of Shield Reptiles,’ a skull of a true Chelonian as that of a coriaceous Turtle (Sphargis), and find- ing they were so much alike, I was induced to reconsider the ques- tion and to unite Sphargis and Chelonia in the same family, regard- ing them as distinct tribes characterized by the nature of the surface. Such a mistake was excusable, as I am not aware that the skull of the adult Sphargis is in any European collection, or has ever been figured, and I had overlooked the figure of the skull of the very young specimen that is given in Prof. John Wagler’s ‘ New System of Amphibia,’ t. 5. f. 1. In that work the skulls of the young Chelonia and young Sphargis are figured side by side; therefore the distinction can be easily seen. The great peculiarity of the skull of the genus Sphargis consists of the opening to the nose being in the upper part of the head, the nose-cavity being carried up by the elongated erect form of the intermaxillary bone; the orbits are also exceedingly large. Fam. I. CHELONIAD. Cheloniade, Gray, Ann. Phil. 1825, x. p. 212. The thorax covered with distinct horny plates; the sterno-costal suture covered with a longitudinal series of sterno-lateral plates. Nose anterior, erect; the nostrils anterior, at the upper edge of the nose. Upper jaw simple, or rather hooked in front. Eyes moderate. Skull oblong, crown flat behind; orbit moderate, nose truncate, erect ; nostrils anterior, on the upper part of the nose. The inter- maxillary bone small, narrow, short, erect. The study of the skulls of these animals first led me to observe the importance of the alveolar chewing-surface of the jaws for distin- guishing the genera. The Turtles may be divided into two groups thus :— * The alveolar surface of the upper jaw concave, broad, narrower behind, with a single linear central ridge. Lower concave, with a rather strong ridge on the inner side. Carnivorous. | 1. CARETTA. 224 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TORTOISES. [ Mar. 11, ** The alveolar surface of the upper jaw with two arched ridges, the inner one near the inner margin, the outer near the outer margin, and interrupted by a deep pit in front. Lower one strongly toothed on the edge, with a subcentral ridge, with a large conical prominence in the middle, and a deep pit on each side in front of it. Algivorous. 2. CHELONIA. 3. Mypas. Cheloniat+, Gray, Cat. Shield Rept. p. 75. Fam. Il. SpHarcipipz&. Sphargidide, Gray, Ann. Phil. 1825, x. p. 212. The thorax covered with a continuous soft skin. Nose blunt and broad ; nostrils on the upper surface of the nose. Upper jaw with a deep notch on each side. Eyes very large. Skull oblong; crown swollen, subglobose behind. Orbits very large. Nose-cavity superior, carried up by the elongated erect intermaxillary bone. Maxillary bone with a deep notch in the front of the lower edge, near the intermaxillary. Lower jaw produced, acute, bent up in front. Dermatochelyde, Fitzinger ; Wagler, Amph. p. 20, t. 1. f. 1. Sphargiide, Agassiz, Contrib. Spwarcis, Merrem=Coriudo, Fleming; Sytina, Wagler; Der- matochelys, Fitzinger. Sphargis mercurialis. Mr. E. Gerrard has prepared a beautiful skeleton of a very young specimen of this genus, about 4 inches long. It is a most curious preparation, with its odd-shaped head with very large nasal cavities and orbits, extremely large fore fins with extremely slender fingers, 1869.] DR. J. E.GRAY ON THE AFRICAN RHINOCEROS. 225 and ashort hind foot like the skeleton of a human hand, with the short metatarsi and thumb springing from one side of the base of them, as if it might be opposable. The fingers and toes five; the fingers long, slender, the second, third, and fourth very long, of four joints, lower large, the last joint small and short; the first and third toes of three joints, the first strongest, the fifth shortest. The hind feet much like the human hand. The toes short; the thumb short, strong, from the base of the metatarsus, the other four toes longer, subequal, the third or middle toe being rather shorter, the second and fourth subequal, and the fifth rather the shortest and most slender. Sternal bone very narrow, only forming a large, oblong, elongated ring. See also Wagler, N. Syst. Amph. t. 5. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XV. Fig. 1. Trionyx formosus, p. 217. 2. Baikiea elegans, p. 222. 7. On the Incisor Teeth of the African Rhinoceros. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. The skull of the nearly adult female specimen of Rhinaster keitloa in the British Museum killed by Mr. Jesse in Abyssinia has the small intermaxillary bones well preserved. They are not united together in front; the dental edge has unfortunately been injured in the carriage from Abyssinia; but they each exhibit small cylindrical blunt rudimentary incisor teeth. The intermaxil- lary of the right side has a large tooth on the hinder part; the intermaxillary on the left side has a middle-sized tooth in the middle of the dental surface, and a very small rudimentary tooth behind it near the hinder edge of the bone. These teeth would induce one to believe that in the perfect state there are two, or perhaps three, in- cisors in each intermaxillary ; for close to the symphysis is a small alveolus in the front part of the dental margin on each intermaxillary ; but these do not now contain any rudimentary teeth. Professor Vrolik has described the lower incisor teeth in the skull of the young Afri- can Rhinoceros (see Ann. d. Sci. 1837, p. 20, t. 1B); but I believe that they have not before been observed in the adult animal. If the observations of MM. Lefebvre, Petit, and Dillon, in the ‘Voyage en Abyssinie,’ Paris, are to be relied on, there must be other Rhinoceroses in Abyssinia than those we have yet seen. They state, “Il y a plusieurs espéces de Rhinoceros en Abyssinie. I] y en a qui ont deux, trois et quatre cornes: cela est certain ; il l’est moins qwil y en ait A cinq et six, mais on l’assure. Sur l’animal vivant elle est toujours mobile, sans os 4 l’intérieur ” (pp. 26, 27). 226 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE TRAGULUS KANCHIL. [Mar. 11, 8. On the Bony Dorsal Shield of the Male Tragulus kanchil. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. Mr. Edward Gerrard the younger has prepared for the British Museum a beautiful skeleton of the male Tragulus kanchil which lately died in the Society’s Gardens. The skeleton is very like that of other ruminants ; but it has the remarkable peculiarity of the lumbar vertebrae and pelvis being co- vered with an expanded thin bony plate, or, rather, a series of small irregular-shaped plates united together by a dentated suture into a dorsal and lumbar disk, apparently formed by the ossification of the lumbar fascia. This lies immediately on the upper surface of the dorsal muscles, and between them and the skin. The plate is attached by the whole length of the central line, and extends on each side considerably beyond the sides of the lumbar vertebrz and the pelvis. Bony dorsal shield of Tragulus kanchil. Mr. Gerrard informs me that it did not occur in a female T. kan- chil that he had examined ; so that it may be peculiar to the maie sex. M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards has figured a somewhat similar ex- pansion covering the pelvis in the skeleton of Tragulus napu (see 1869.] MR. ST.GEORGE MIVART ON PACHYBATRACHUS. 227 Aun. des Sci. Nat. 1864, t. 4. f. 2). It appears to be common to the species of the genus Tragulus, but, I believe, does not occur in the genus Meminna. M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards (loc. cit. t. 10. f. 7) figures the pelvis of that animal without any bony disk. April 8, 1869. Dr. E. Hamilton, V.P., in the Chair. A communication was read from Dr. George Bennett, F.Z.S., dated Sydney, January 26th, enclosing a copy of an article upon the Tuatera Lizard (Sphenodon punctatum*) of New Zealand, contri- buted by him to the ‘Sydney Herald’ of January 19th, which was read to the Meeting. It appeared from this article that so recently as December 1851 this Lizard was abundant in one of the islands in the Bay of Plenty, in New Zealand. The island in question was stated to be one of four small volcanic islands, distant about eight miles from the coast and situated opposite to the mouth of the Waka- tane river. The party of officers who visited it upon the occasion in question are stated to have collected in half an hour nearly forty of these Lizards of different sizes, varying from two feet long to three inches. They stated that the island seemed to be swarming with them and with another Lizard called the Moko-moko (Tiliqua zeelandica).’ In the daytime these Lizards are seen basking them- selves in the sun on the bare rocks. Noon is therefore the best time to visit the island. It was stated that there were four small islands, on two of which Tuateras are found. They are called Rurima and Montoki. The largest is about half a mile in circumference at high water. They are all of volcanic origin, and are scantily covered with soil, but it is sufficient to grow a few of the most hardy New- Zealand shrubs and creepers, among the latter of which was observed the delicate flower of the Pohne or Panapa (Calystegia sepium), the long fleshy root of which was formerly a source of food to the New Zealander. There was no fresh water on the island but what was contained in the crevices of rocks from rain. The following papers were read :— 1. Note on Pachybatrachus robustus. By Sr. Gzorce Mivart, F.Z.8. &e. I had the honour to read before the Zoological Society on the 12th of November, 1868, a paper which was published in the * Olim Hatteria punctata. Cf. Gray, Ann: Nat. Hist. 4th ser. vol. i. p. 167 (1869).—P. L. 8. 228 MR. F. H. WELCH ON LEPUS AMERICANUS. [Apr. &, Society’s ‘ Proceedings’ for the same year (page 557). In that paper I described a new Frog, which I proposed to name Pachybatrachus robustus. I now find that, by a singular coincidence, the very same generic term was applied about the same time by Professor W. Keferstein, M.D., of Géttingen, to another new Batrachian. This appears in the third number of the ‘Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte’ for 1868, where, at page 273, Professor Keferstein has published a description of his Pachybatrachus. 1 therefore beg leave to with- draw the name which I before gave, and to substitute for it the more appropriate term Clinotarsus. I propose therefore that my new Frog should bear the name CLINOTARSUS ROBUSTUS. 2. Observations on Lepus americanus, especially with refer- ence to the Modifications in the Fur consequent on the rotation of the Seasons, and the Change of Colour on the advent of Winter; based on Specimens obtained in the province of New Brunswick, North America. By Francis H. Wetcu, Assistant-Surgeon, Ist Battalion, 22nd Regiment*. This species is the sole representative of the Leporide in the pro- vince of New Brunswick. In the List of Mammalia of the Portland Natural-History Society it is called the ‘‘ White Hare,” and in the ‘New York Fauna,’ by De Kay, the “Northern Hare.” It is also termed the ‘‘American Varying Hare,” and was for a long time con- founded with the L. variabilis of Europe. Its geographical range appears as yet undetermined. According to Sir John Richardson it ‘is found as far north as 64° 30', Fort Enterprise, forming the staple food and clothing of the Hare Indians on the banks of the Mackenzie River.” Its southerly limits are given by De Kay as “‘ the northern parts of Pennsylvania and the mountain-tops of the northern part of Virginia.” Of the many species of Leporide inhabiting the North- American continent, it appears to be the only one that undergoes a complete change of colour during the winter+,—the Greenland Hare remaining white during the whole year, L. nanus becoming of a lighter hue, and occasionally iron grey, during the winter months, and L. glacialis assuming occasionally in the adult a greyish tint during the summer, limited to the points of the hair, the deeper parts remaining white permanently, the young, however, being born grey, and changing to white on the advent of wintert. Its weight varies—in its southernmost limits reaching 63 lbs. ; in New Bruns- wick averaging 3 lbs. ; in Hudson’s Bay Territory 4 lbs. * Communicated by Mr. G. Busk, F.R.S. t i. e. provided the L. campestris be only a variety of L. americanus, as stated by Sir J. Richardson, but denied by Baird. + Fauna Boreali-Americana. 1869. ] MR. F. H. WELCH ON LEPUS AMERICANUS. 229 This Rodent is described in the ‘New York Fauna’ by De Kay; but I believe, up to the present time, no detailed account of the fur- changes in sequence to the seasons has appeared. Its representative among the European species is L. variabilis, the process of change in which is summed up in the ‘ Naturalists’ Library’ (vol vii.) as follows :—‘‘ From the examination of individuals at different periods of the year, I have inferred that in this species the hair is almost always changing; that in April and May there is a general but gradual shedding, after which the summer colours are seen in per- fection ; that towards the middle of autumn many new white hairs have been substituted for coloured ones; and that by degrees all the hairs and under-fur are shed and renewed before the end of Decem- ber, when the fur is in the perfection of its winter condition, being closer, fuller, and longer than in summer.” In the ‘ Edinburgh Philosophical Journal’ (vol. xi. p. 191) the conclusion arrived at is that “during the whole of this remarkable change in the fur no hair falls from the animal; hence it appears that the hair actually changes its colour, and that there is no renewal of it.” Thus, in the former article the change is attributed to an autumnal shedding and new winter growth; in the latter to a change of colour only in the existent hair. I propose in the following remarks to enter fully into the details of the process, as illustrated by Lepus americanus. In order to appreciate fully the cycle of changes in the coat of this Rodent in séquence to the rotation of the seasons, it seems best to take the summer dress as our starting-point, and inquire into the varieties of hair entering into the composition of the fur at this period, for the better elucidation of the part each individually plays in the subsequent phases ; for in scientifically inquiring into the change of colour in the fur-bearing animals, it is essentially necessary to make a clear distinction between that resulting from alteration of colour in the already existent coat, and that consequent on a fresh under- growth, which by gradual increase may eventually obscure the summer and autumnal hues. Each portion also of the skin must be separately examined, and individual peculiarities noted. The summer dress may be described as follows:—Back and sides of a glistening fawn-colour, interspersed with black, especially over the vertebral ridge; tail white; face and ears reddish brown, sparsely variegated by black hairs; edges of ears externally black or dark brown;*in- creasing towards the tips; internally whitish, especially posteriorly ; whiskers and eyebrows black ; margin of lids dark brown or black, pupil the same, iris yellow; underparts white; anterior surface of feet light brown, the treading surface dirty white with hair very wiry. On examination, the components of this coat will be found to vary according to the portion of the animal examined ; consequently it is necessary to enter somewhat into details. In the fur are to be distinguished the external firm hairs con- stituting the pile and determining the colour, and the soft woolly undergrowth constituting the thickness of the coat and mainly in- strumental in the retention of the animal heat. On the back the pile is made up of firm, straight, pointed hairs of diminished thickness Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XVI. 230 MR. F. H. WELCH ON LEPUS AMERICANUS, [Apr. 8, at their insertion into the skin, divisible mto two varieties as to length and colour,—the one, in the minority, entirely black, average length 1,2; inch; the other, black at extreme tip, succeeded down- wards in the shaft by a well-defined tawny band again merging into black, which bo into light brown at the attached extremity, ave- rage length ;, inch. The delicate, wavy, flocculent undergrowth i is of a slaty Ma passing into reddish brown at the free extremity, and of an average length of 3 inch; the commingling of the hairs in situ produces five zones of colour in the coat, viz. (proceeding from within outwards) slaty blue, reddish brown, brownish black, tawny, black. On the underparts the components of the fur are the same, of finer texture; the pile being entirely white lightens the hue of the undergrowth, which is slaty blue. No undergrowth is present on the ears, except at the base, and is very slight on the head and feet, especially on the treading-surface ; here the hairs are of the same length, wavy in outline, and wiry in character. On the head, ears, and feet the pile is made up only of the shorter coloured hairs ; at the nape of the neck only the undergrowth is present. The autumnal coat is characterized by an increase in length of the outer hairs and undergrowth, generally over the whole body, and more appreciable as winter approaches. About the commencement of October the first indications of the hybernal change are to be detected: the nose and lips assume an iron-grey aes from the presence of white hairs; many of the whiskers are white at the tip or some portion of the shaft ; ; a patch of white hairs, twenty to thirty in number, of the size of a split-pea, forms on the centre of the forehead* ; white hairs become apparent on the edges of the ears outside and at their junction with the neck, while on the inside a crop of downy white fluff springs up; a few of the longer hairs of the pile of the back, especially towards the tail, are observed to be blanched wholly, or only at the tips, while the greater part of the smaller kind are brown at the tip, with the tawny band of the shaft much lighter in colour or even white ; the anterior surface of the feet, especially of the hind ones, is mottled with white. Thus far the most careful examination fails to elicit any addition to the autumnal coat, the change being superficial and entirely de- pendent on an alteration of colour in existent hairs; the hind feet are the most advanced, then the ears and muzzle, lastly the back. During November this surface-change gradually deepens in intensity, especially around the tail, and on the feet, ears, and face (on the latter by a white streak extending from nose to eyes and upwards to the ears), and is accompanied by a deeper one of a much more potent character ; for on separating the fur a thick crop of white stiff hairs (first apparent at the root of the tail) is to be detected springing up over the back and sides. These hairs, at first extremely minute and entirely of a new growth, rapidly increase in length, accompanied by an advance in the superficial changes above mentioned ; soon they are * “ Fancy Rabbits have often a white star on the forehead, and so has the young of L. americanus, like the English Hare” (Darwin, Animals and Plants under Domestication, vol. i. p. 140). 1869.) MR. F. H. WELCH ON LEPUS AMERICANUS. 231 on an equality with the pile of the autumnal coat on the sides, form- ing a mottled whity-brown band from ears to tail, contrasting strongly with the centre of the back, at present comparatively unchanged; anon they outstrip this, reducing the mottling on the sides to a pure white, and, gradually implicating the centre of the back in the same process (through the varying hue-phases, according as the rapidly advancing white growth appears through and finally overwhelms the variegated changing autumnal coat), they clothe the animal in a thick white outer garment, generally assumed about the first week of December. As soon as the new growth renders itself superficially evident, the change of colour in the old hair, which on the back up to this time has been slow in progress, advances with great rapidity, so that in a few days only a few coloured hairs, generally remaining unchanged throughout the whole winter, are to be detected. The feet and ears, the first to show indications of change, are the last in completing the winter hue: generally the head and ears have no hybernal fresh growth; but occasionally it is to be met with. During this period, and especially when the new hybernal growth of white hair renders itself conspicuous on the surface of the autumnal coat, an extremely handsome fur is produced; every degree of variation may be met with, and each step of the process can be traced with accuracy and clearness. Modifications of the progressive changes enumerated above often occur in individuals, from an anticipation or retardation of change in one part relatively to the whole; these, however, are of a temporary nature—mere individual peculiarities, and finally merge into the all but universal midwinter clothing, which may be described as under. A white, with a leaden tinge, from a few long black hairs undergoing no change, pervades the entire skin, with the exception of the edges of the ears, eyelids, and legs; a narrow rim of black hair, + inch wide, is present at the tip of the ear externally and 14 inch downwards on each side of the cartilage, which is thrown into strong relief by the thick white woolly coat now existent on the inside ; a narrow rim, also black, on the free edge of the eyelids ; the whiskers white entirely, or interspersed with some not changed, the shaft of hair white only at tip, or with alternating white and black bands ; the anterior surface of the feet mottled reddish white,— the colour of the ears and eyelids being the resultant of no change in these situations, that of the feet and whiskers from a non-completion of the process. However, although this is the general rule, yet it is not difficult to find specimens where the length of the hybernal growth on the ears and around the eyes conceals the normal black, and the absolute completion of change elsewhere obliterates these peculiarities, leaving the animal snowy white, broken only by the glistening dark-brown pupil of the eye and yellowish iris. Contrasting the winter with the summer and autumnal coat we find a colour-change with a great increase in the length and thick- ness of the fur ; let us inquire minutely into the process and its local modifications. On the back is to be distinguished the pile and undergrowth. The former is made up of straight pointed hairs, slightly varying in length, the average 1,5, inch, and white through- out the entire shaft, mingled with a few isolated black hairs and 232 MR. F. H. WELCH ON LEPUS AMERICANUS. (Apr. 8, reddish-brown ones with white tips: these latter are evidently un- altered or partially changed summer varieties; but the mass of the pile, trebly increased in number and at least half an ineh in length, is the produce of the hybernal growth superadded to the elongated and blanched autumnal coat. The under-fur has increased ;4, inch in length, but is unaltered in thickness or colour. A crop of white hair has sprung up on the inside of the ear, on the outside and on the face the hairs have increased in length, and the shaft is partially or wholly whitened from the tip downwards. In most specimens no new hybernal growth is perceptible in these localities, in some there is a slight addition, in a very few it is as complete as on the back. However, where no increase in number ensues, compensation is effected by an extra augmented growth in the existent fur. On the legs the change is limited to a lengthening and bleaching of the outer hair ; often this is limited to the tips of the shaft; and an occasional absence of change in spots leaves an irregular fawn-coloured mottling and streaking, especially on the front paws ; the hair on the treading surface is lengthened and dirty white. On the underparts there is no addition beyond an increase of length of the fur ; occasionally the whiskers and eyebrows remain black. Thus the winter hue would appear to be brought about by a change of colour in the pile of the autumnal coat combined with a new hybernal white crop, the latter undoubtedly playing no small part in the colouring process and in the thickening of the fur. ‘There is no indication of shedding. An increase in length ensues over the whole body. On the underparts the change is limited to this, but elsewhere it is associated with a bleaching of the pile, generally commencing at the tip of the hair and involving part or the whole of the shaft. On the feet, and gene- rally on the outside of the ears and face, no additional growth is perceptible ; but on the inside of the ears, and over the whole back and sides, a thick crop of white hair springs up as the winter ad vances, and, blending with the changed surface, materially increases the thickness of the fur, protects the animal against the clemency of winter, and assimilates it in colour to external nature. The pro- cess may be summed up as a combination of colour-change (except in the underparts) of the lengthened outer hairs of the autumnal coat, with an additional hybernal growth ; the former universal over the body, the latter limited to certain portions. The shaft of the hair of the new growth is invariably white, a cir- cumstance which renders it easily distinguished from the autumnal hair in process of change. Careful examination of a great number of these latter hairs will render it evident that, although the blanch- ing process commences, perhaps, most frequently at the tip and proceeds downwards, involving the whole or a part only of the shaft, yet it is easy to obtain specimens (especially among the shorter variety of the pile) demonstrating its commencement at the centre, and occasionally at the attached extremity. The whiskers, which apparently do not lengthen but merely alter in colour, will demon- strate each variety. Microscopically examined, the hair of this Rodent, circular in outline, is composed of oval or irregular shaped cells placed end to 1869. ] MR. F. H. WELCH ON LEPUS AMERICANUS, 233 end and arranged in linear series in the long axis of the shaft, covered externally by a delicate tissue of elongated flattened epithelium (fig. 2). The shaft of the under-fur (fig. 1) averages =>, inch in thickness, has one series of cells in its structure; the pile, ;4, inch in diameter (fig. 3), four or more, according to the varying thickness of the shaft, Fig. 1. Microscopic aspect of shaft of under-fur. 2. Epithelial covering of shaft. 3. Shaft of pile. one series only at the tip, and the number gradually augmenting to the greatest cireumference—the cells varying in colour according to the portion examined, but when white to the naked eye then colour- less microscopically. The increase in the length of the autumnal hairs has been already noted ; to this must be added that the blanch- ing shaft, in the majority of cases, has also augmented in thickness, the average ~4, inch in diameter (corresponding to the new growth), the increase being consequent upon a more than usual number of series of cells entering into its composition. In some hairs where the centre of the shaft has changed, bounded on each side by an unchanged portion, it will be noted that at the altered segment the shaft bulges out, increasing in diameter from <4, to <4, of an inch by the addi- tion of one or more series of colourless cells, and that at the unaltered portion, both above and below, it is contracted to the former size, contrasting strongly both in the number of series of cells and in the absence of colour in the changed parts. If also we examine one of the long black hairs bleaching at the tip, the addition of the colourless cells, as contrasted with the same portion of an unchanged hair, is very marked. Again, a comparison of changed hairs with unchanged ones of almost equivalent length, from the same vicinity, gives frequently a double thickness to the former over the latter. The increase of series to the shaft of the hair in process of change seems the rule, the absence of colour invariable ; but in the whiskers, which in their structure approach rather the human hair with its fibrous cylinder and cellular centre, the former is not so apparent. 234 MR. F. H. WELCH ON LEPUS AMERICANUS. [Apr. 8, What is the rationale of the process in virtue of which to the naked eye the colour of the hair is changed from black or tawny to white? Is it dependent on an abstraction of pigment, an alteration, or new deposition ? and must we regard it in the light of some general condition of the animal frame modifying the whole capillary pig- mentary secretion, or, on the other hand, interrogate the hair itself for the solution of the problem? The gradual character of the pro- cess, the immunity of some hairs from all change whatever, the irre- gularity of its course in involving different hairs in the same portion of the body, the all but invariable commencement of change m any other part of the shaft than that first to be influenced by altered secretions, the temporary localization of the process to some one part of the shaft, entirely limited to this or gradually implicating the rest, and the freedom from all change in colour in the under-fur, incline the balance of evidence to the latter opinion, and, moreover, indicate a capability of action of one portion of the shaft of the hair indepen- dently of any general change affecting the whole, and derived from the organism within. It would seem that the rapid development of new hairs, varying in no appreciable respect except colour from the pile, called forth by the increasing rigours of climate for the pro- tection of the animal frame, involves the autumnal outer fur in the same process, leading to an increased length and thickness in the shaft of the hair by the superposition of layers of the same colour- less cells entering into the structure of the new growth—perhaps combined also with an arrested production of pigmentary matter. Although, as a general rule, it may be stated that the hybernal change commences about the first week in October, and is finished the first week in December, thus occupying two months, yet departures from it are not at all uncommon, both as regards the comparison of one individual with another at the same period of time, and as regards the modifications consequent on yearly climatic variations. For ex- ample, a specimen shot in December 1866 was only beginning to turn white. On November 6th, 1867, a skin (before the first fall of snow) had a head piebald, feet white, back with a scattered white hair, no undergrowth. On November 18th (after the first fall), two Hares were shot in the same vicinity, one changing, the other not. On the 22nd, from a high ground, one was perfectly white on head and feet, and ov each side and around the tail deeply patched of the same colour ; the other showed only slight superficial changes, but on separating the fur the new growth was easily detected, } inch in length, hidden under the autumnal coat. Again, on the 21st one was in the same state as the preceding, while another from the same vicinity presented a dark streak along the centre of the back gradually fading into the white sides ; change elsewhere accomplished except on centre of forehead, On the 28th one was pure white. In the first week in December 1868 one was complete in the change; another was still very brown along the spine. On the 11th December 1868 three were examined, —one, ears not whitened at all in front, feet very reddish, body changed ; another, feet changed, side of face mottled, centre of back not yet implicated; the third, complete except a patch on each side 1869. } MR. F. H. WELCH ON LEPUS AMERICANUS. 235 of the face. Although the examples quoted demonstrate how indi- vidual peculiarities, apart from age, sex, or habitation, may modity a general law, there can be no doubt that the change is esseutially dependent on the season, and is hastened or retarded by its severity or otherwise. On the seaboard it is postponed in comparison with inland districts in the same latitudes. Sir J. Richardson remarked the early change of L. americanus in the Hudson’s Bay Territory, as well as the carrying of its winter coat until June. He also especially mentions “the absence of change of dress in the winter time in the southern parts of the United States’’*. 1am informed that one kept in con- finement at St. John’s, N. B., in a warm barn, retained the summer colours. Respecting the popular idea of the white-fur coinciding with the first tall of snow, careful observation does not corroborate it. The change is essentially gradual, and spread over some seven weeks ; but the rapidity with which the new white growth, when it first ren- ders itself apparent externally, involves the entire surface of the back may somewhat explain the popular belief on the subject, although at least seven days must be taken up in this part of the process. The winter’s coat is generally carried in New Brunswick until the middle of May, when it is gradually shed, so that in June the animal may be said to have assumed its summer fur. Thus five months may be regarded as the period during which in this province L. americanus is clothed in white—from December to April; two mouths are occupied by the autumnal change, and one by the vernal. We have seen how in the Arctic regions the duration of the winter coat is extended, and its absence in southern latitudes. Considering the increased duration of the winter coat over the summer one in proportion to the seasons, as well as its importance to the animal in assimilating it to the natural features of the country for the greater part of the year, and as a protection against cold and its numerous enemies, it would be rational to regard the winter fur as the ordinary coat of this Hare in New Brunswick and northern climes, and the summer change its modification; the opposite would hold good in more southern latitudes, in sequence to the relative length of the seasons. The dimensions of this Rodent, as met with in New Brunswick, are as follows :— in Length-from nose to end of tail ...........-.... from ear to end of hind leg stretched DU CEE Ae Re oe ea ———ofhead ....... x 75 Fore leg, from middle toe to ulna extremity . —, from wrist-joint to middle claw . Hind leg, from middle claw to hip-artieulation -—— foot, from middle toe to calcis ... SEAR + breadth posteriorly ...........-..., —— —, breadth anteriorly .. =. JDw. aan expanded . . jo BH SAWN AWW: Vo) eccooscococcon+? HlooH loo real weight, 3 |b. * Appendix to Parry’s Arctic Expedition. L. americanus. 236 MR. W. V. LEGGE ON PEDIONOMUS. [Apr. 8, Thus the peculiarity of L. americanus consists in the develop- ment of the feet relatively to the body generally, as contrasted with other species. Although only weighing 3 Ib. in New Brunswick, against 62 lb. in southern districts, with a corresponding diminution in the dimensions of the body, the feet yet retain fully as great deve- lopment in one as the other. ZL. ¢imidus, with an average weight of 8 lb., and length 26 inches, has a hind foot only 53 inches long ; whilst L. variabilis, with an average length of body of 23 inches, has also 54 inches. L. glacialis, found in common with the American, 7 lb. weight, and 22°6 inches long, has dimensions as follows :—from wrist-joint to end of claw 2 inches 9 lines, heel to point of middle claw 5 inches 9 lines. Not only is the foot of L. americanus proportionately lengthened, but a remarkable degree of lateral extension is allowed between the metacarpal and metatarsal bones, with great laxity of the web membrane. Inhabiting the woody districts, where the snow remains deep and soft during the greater part of the winter, the advantage of such a modification in the feet, especially when com- bined with the lengthened stiff winter hair on the treading-surface, is apparent, allowing it to pass over the softest snow with the slightest impress, and thus giving it the power of eluding by swiftness its numerous enemies. A recent impress of these natural snow-shoes gave the following shape and dimensions :—Fore feet oval, each 32 inches long by 2 inches broad. Hind feet egg-shaped (large end anteriorly), each 6 inches long by 3 inches in front and 12 inch behind. The average snow-shoes adapted to an ordinary-sized man have a superficial area 53 inches for each pound in weight, which is extended in this Rodent to 11°4 inches. In the Hudson’s Bay Territory L. glacialis and L. americanus exist in the same district, the one inha- biting the open barrens, the other the soft snowy woodlands. It appears much to be desired that the modifications in the feet and winter coat of this Rodent, under different latitudes and varia- tions of natural conditions, should be accurately traced out, inasmuch as the indications are that, both in the one and the other, they fully illustrate the capability of external circumstances to call forth structural changes, placing the animal frame in harmony with the surrounding natural features, and allowing it to compete advan- tageously with its numerous and powerful enemies in the great struggle for existence. 3. Notes on the Habits of the Collared Plain Wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus, Gould). By W. Vincent Lecee, FE.ZS. Mr. Gould says this bird is not uncommon in South Australia, where it inhabits the plains of the interior; but I think he does not record its presence in Victoria. It makes its appearance in 1869.] MR. W. V. LEGGE ON PEDIONOMUS. 237 the vicinity of Melbourne in the summer, coming down from the interior along with Coturnix pectoralis, probably for the pur- pose of breeding, and departing northward, I should say, about April. Mth of the country round Melbourne, including the district called the Keilor Plains, is in features suited to the habits of the “Collared Plain Wanderer ;’’ and one or two individuals fall every season to the gun of the sportsman, as it is found in the same loca- lities as the Pectoral Quail. It was in the vicinity of the Keilor Plains that I met last January with this singular bird; and as the ‘locality I found it in was a field of short English grass, I had, for- tunately, ample opportunity of observing minutely for some time its actions and deportment. In these it has every resemblance to a grallatorial, and, as far as can be seen from short observation, very little to a rasorial bird. It runs at a medium pace hither and thither, checking itself and pausing at times, at the same time twist- ing about its high-carried head like a member of the Plover family. When in a state of quiescence, it holds itself erect with its head raised. Its mode of flight, however, is entirely peculiar to the bird itself; it rises suddenly, and for a little space proceeds with a dip- ping Finch-like motion, and then settles down into a steady flutter- ing flight, reminding one somewhat of a young Lark. A ver peculiar feature was exemplified in a second individual (the mate of the bird the actions of which I have just described), which, after I had flushed it several times, flew off and perched on the lower rail of a “ post-and-rail” fence ; it remained in this position for a couple of minutes, and then again took flight. What I would wish here to call particular attention to is the ege of Pedionomus torquatus, which I took perfect in shape and colora- tion out of the specimen now before me. It was very large for the bird-and was Plover-like, being pytiform and of the exact shape and dimensions of the egg of Oharadrius hiaticula. It was of a green- ish white ground-colour, blotted and speckled, principally at the larger end, and faintly streaked throughout, with umber-brown and lilac-grey. In form, then, the egg resembles that of a Wader, though the coloration is somewhat peculiar. As some authors arrange this bird in the family of the Turni- cide, while Bonaparte regards it as belonging to Coturnix (solely on account of the presence of the hallux, I suppose), it seems a disputed point where to place it exactly. To the mind of the inquiring though inexperienced naturalist the subject presents some difficulties, as the bird appears intermediate between the rasorial and grallatorial orders, and to belong to a separate group. Its habits and actions, the shape of its head and bill (which latter is longer than that of other mem- bers of the Bustard-quail family ), its length of leg (especially that of the tibial joint, so much of which is bare), the delicate structure of the leg, moreover, and its feet, its Bustard-like upper plumage, and chiefly its egg place it somewhat near the Grallatores ; while its diminutive size, the contour of its body, and the Quail-like tail show its affinities to the rasorial birds. 238 DR. A. GUNTHER ON FISHES FROM ST. HELENA. [Apr. 8, The following are a few of the exact measurements, taken from the specimen in my collection :— inch. Bill, from gape to tip of upper mandible .......... YA EP en BPA UE i" oe a ae 13 Bare portion of tibia, from tarsal joint .. = TSO cede Seon Pe eee i, ces eres 1 Middle $06 wn ao ee ig oe Is it not probable that other members of a group in which this bird might be placed may in future be found in the unknown north- western districts of the continent? The fact of representation of species between the north and south is true with regard to most forms of the Australian avifauna. 4. Report of a second Collection of Fishes made at St. Helena by J. C. Melliss, Esq. By Dr. Atserr Ginruer, F.R.S., F.Z.S., &e. (Plate XVI.) The British Museum received in the month of June of last year a second collection of fishes made at St. Helena by J. C. Melliss, Esq. With regard to the preservation and number of the specimens it proved to be as valuable as the first, of which an account is given in the ‘ Proceedings’ of this Society (1868, pp. 225-228). I have now also examined the Eels, which are evidently very well represented in that part of the ocean. Their descriptions will be found in the eighth volume of the ‘Catalogue of Fishes ;’ but I may mention that the new genus Myroconger is of great interest, being a Murena with pectoral fins. The following list contains twenty-one species, which raise the total number of fishes collected by Mr. Melliss to fifty-six. As in my former paper, I have marked the localities from which the species were previously known, thereby indicating the affinity of this fauna to that of other parts of the Atlantic :— 1. Polymizxia nobilis, Lowe. Madeira. 2. Myripristis jacobus, C. & V. West Indies, Brazil. . Chetodon dichrous, sp. n. . Auxis rochei, Risso. Tropical seas. Caranxz erumenophthalmus, Bl. Tropical seas. . Caranx hippos, L. Tropical seas. . Antennarius pinniceps, C. & V. Tropical seas. . Antennarius multiocellatus, var. 3, Gthr. Caribbean Sea. - Acanthurus chirurgus, Bl. Atlantic coasts of Tropical Ame- rica and Africa. 10. Heliastes marginatus, Castel. Coasts of Brazil and California. 11. Saurus atlanticus, Johnson. Madeira, Zanzibar. 12. Saurus myops, Forst. Tropical seas. CON] OT Oo TAX Id 6991 S Bet © SQOGHD IG NO ora rie PTH =e yy i 1869.] LIEUT.-COL. PLAYFAIR ON THE FISHES OF ZANZIBAR. 239 13. Exocatus cyanopterus, C. & V. Brazil. 14. Conger vulgaris, Cuv., var. nigra. Europe, South America, East Ind. archipel., Japan, Tasmania. 15. Congromurena mellissii, sp. n. 16. Ophichthys regius, Shaw. St. Helena. 17. Myroconger compressus, g. et sp. n. 18. Murena flavopicta, Kaup. Tropical Atlantic. 19. Murena sancte helene, sp. n. 20. Murena moringa, Cuv. Tropical Atlantic. 21. Murena unicolor, Dela Roche. Mediterr., Madeira. The new Chetodon may be described as follows :— Cu&TODON picHRovuS. (Plate XVI.) D.5. A.=. L. lat. 53. Snout rather produced, a little longer than the eye, with the upper profile concave; preeoperculum slightly serrated. Dorsal spines strong, the third and fourth the longest, two-thirds of the length of the head ; the soft portion of the dorsal and anal fins low, rounded. Body bicoloured—the anterior parts to the fourth dorsal spine and the lower half of the fish being uniform brown, the remainder (tail and caudal fins included) pinkish white. The scales of the lateral line silvery. There is only one example of this remarkable species in the col- lection ; it is 5 inches long. 5. Further Contributions to the Ichthyology of Zanzibar. By Lieut.-Col. R. L. Poayrarr, H.B.M. Consul-General in Algeria. With a Note by Dr. A. Ginrunr. A large cask of fishes was lately sent to me by Dr. Kirk from Zan- zibar ; but, for want of adequate accommodation for examining so extensive a collection, I was compelled, after a single cursory in- spection, to close the cask again and send it to the British Museum. I, however, kept a few small specimens; and amongst these I find one new species, and two others which I had not before observed on the east coast of Africa. They are:— . ANTENNARIUS NIGROMACULATUS, sp. n. Divs 2s Ant ZeiPs 10; It is not without considerable reluctance that I venture to describe a new species of Antennarius with the limited means of identification at my disposal in Algeria; but this specimen differs so distinctly from all I have observed at Zanzibar and Seychelles, and from all that I can find recorded, that I am inclined to regard it as an unde- scribed species, Diagnosis.—Cleft of mouth subvertical and ascending in an oblique line, slightly inclined backwards. Length of maxillary bone one- 240 LIEUT.-COL. PLAYFAIR ON THE FISHES OF ZANZIBAR. [Apr. 8, sixth that of the body. Anterior dorsal spine filiform, terminating in a lanceolate trifid (or fringed?) lobe ; its length is more than twice that of the second spine, which is about one-half that of the third. The third is remote from the soft dorsal, but connected with it by a low cutaneous fold. The end of the soft dorsal is remote from the base of the caudal; it is quite unconnected with it, and the last ray does not reach so far if laid backwards ; anal not half the length of the soft dorsal. There are a few very minute tentacles on the lower jaw, but none on the body. A cutaneous fold runs along the sides a little distance below and parallel to the base of the soft dorsal, than which it is somewhat shorter. Skin rough, covered with minute spines. Colour.—Ground-colour brownish, a large black patch extending over the whole of the abdominal region; other smaller mass-like patches below chin, on sides of head, on upper part of body, soft dorsal, anal, and across the tail; these sometimes anamostose and enclose spots of the ground-colour ; several round ocelli above base of pectorals and on base of dorsal; all the patches and ocelli have light edges, as also have the pectoral and ventral fins. Length 4 inches. DIAGRAMMA ORIENTALE. Anthias orientalis, Bl. t. 326. f. 3. Serranus orientalis, Cuv. & Val. ii. p. 318. Diagramma orientale, Cuv. & Val. v. p. 299, pl. 124; Ginth. Fish. i. p. 326. D. sibbaldii, Benn. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1832, p. 182. Zanzibar. Seas of Ceylon and Bali. PROSOPODASYS LEUCOGASTER. Prosopodasys leucogaster, Richardson, Voy. Samarang, Zool. Fish. pl. 5. f. 1, 2; Ginth. Fish. ii. p. 141. Height of body less than length of head, and one-fourth of total. Lower jaw slightly prominent, cleft of mouth oblique; maxillary reaches slightly beyond centre of eye. Interorbital space much less than orbit. Preeorbital with two spines, of which the first is rather small, and the second very long. Infraorbital with bony ridges, but no distinct spine. Preeoperculum with five spines; the interoper- culum with one, and the operculum with two bony ridges. The first dorsal spine is situated before the posterior of orbit ; it and the two succeeding ones are contiguous with, but rather remote from, the remainder ; the third is the longest ; the fourth is situated above the opercular margin. Caudal acutely rounded. Ventrals reach- ing to the vent, and pectorals much beyond it. Head and body naked. Colour brownish, marbled with darker and lighter. Upper part of head black; a black spot on spinous dorsal between fifth and eighth spine. Length 23 inches. Zanzibar. 1869. ] MR. C. HORNE ON THE GREY HORNBILL. 241 Addendum. By Dr. A. Ginruer. Col. Playfair has sent to the British Museum, besides the fishes described in the preceding paper, an example of a small Labroid fish, which he regarded as a new species of Labrichthys, requesting me to examine it also. It proves to be identical with Labrichthys cya- notenia of Bleeker; but it would have been difficult to recognize it from Bleeker’s description, as he has omitted to say that the ground- colour of examples preserved in spirits changes into black. Beside an example sent by Dr. Bleeker as L. eyanotenia, the British Mu- seum possesses an example of Thysanochilus ornatus of Kner. This I find is identical with the Zanzibar fish, although it appears really to be the type of a distinct genus closely allied to Labroides, for which the name proposed by Kner ought to be retained. The synonymy is :— THYSANOCHILUS CYANOTENIA. Labrichthys cyanotenia, Blkr. Thysanochilus ornatus, Kner. Samoa Islands, Flores, Zanzibar. Specimens in the British Museum :— a. 63 inches long. Samoa Islands. Type of Th. ornatus. 6. 3; inches long. Flores? (LL. eyanotenia.) e. 37 inches long. Zanzibar. 6. Notes on the Common Grey Hornbill of India (Meniceros bicornis). By C. Horne, F.Z.S. Dr. Jerdon, in his ‘Birds of India’ (vol. i. p- 244), has briefly sketched the habits of the Homrai, or Great Hornbill, and allusion is there made to its curious custom of building-up its mate in the hole of a tree for the purposes of incubation; and I observe that Mr. Wallace, in an interesting article in the ‘Intellectual Observer’ (June 1863), states that a similar habit has been observed in at least three species, including that under notice. Dr. Jerdon also quotes Major S. R. Tickell as having “seen this with his own eyes.” The number of observers must of necessity have been very small who have had the opportunity of watching the process of nidifica- tion; and as I only last year was so fortunate, I have deemed the subject worthy of a note. The beak, neck, and tail of this bird being long, and the wings comparatively short, its flight is rather undulating, accompanied by frequent flapping of the wings, as the bird traverses the short dis- tance from grove to grove in search of its favourite food, the fig of the Peepul tree (Ficus religiosa). Moreover, as during its flight it often utters its harsh note, it is a bird which attracts the notice of the most casual observer. It often flies in threes; and a visit from 242 MR. C. HORNE ON THE GREY HORNBILL. [Apr. 8, these birds is much to be dreaded in well-stocked fruit-gardens. It feeds on all kinds of fruit, but more especially on figs, whether cul- tivated or of the wild varieties. The bird, its beak, and its structure have been so often described, that I will confine my remarks to what I have myself observed. During the year 1867 I was resident at Mainptri, N.W. pro- vinees, India, and was much troubled with these birds, of which I shot a dozen. This was an easy matter, as when in search of food they are very fearless. 1 observed its habit of climbing by the beak, somewhat as a Parrot does ; and the way in which they cleared the trees of fruit and jerked the said fruit into their throats, after seizing it with the points of their beak, was very curious. I had some very choice, large, loose-skinned oranges ; and I often found apparently entire skins only still attached to the twig, the whole of the inside having been extracted, piece by piece, section by section, by this clever “ Dhanel,” as he is there called. In April 1868 I received intelligence of two nests, and found that both had been made in the trunks of “Seemal,” or cotton-trees (Bombax heptaphyllum), the bird having dug out and enlarged with his bill holes in this soft wood which had been previously used by Parrots. In each case I obtained three eggs; and the hole, at a great height from the ground, appeared to have been plastered up with cowdung, or something nearly resembling it. I could not, however, determine this positively, as in each case I had to go some six or eight miles, and so had no opportunity of observing the process. The bird which I took from one nest had lost many of her loosely put-on feathers, and appeared to be in bad condition. As, however, the natives wanted her flesh for medicinal purposes, I allowed them to take her. I was, however, more fortunate at the close of the same month (April 1868). Ou my lawn, surrounded by other trees, stood a noble sissoo-tree (Dahilbergia sissoo) ; and where the first great fork diverged was a hole, for the possession of which for purposes of in- cubation the Rollers and Parrots were always noisily contending. I had often wished the Hornbills to use this ; and I was much pleased to see that, after great consultation and inspection, and vociferation by the Rollers, and screeching by the Parrots, they on April 28, 1868, made up their minds to use it. The hole was nearly a foot in depth, and roomy inside. On the 29th of April the female went into the hole, and did not again come out. There was sufficient room in it for the female to draw in her head altogether when she wished to conceal herself or to bring up the ordure from below. The hole being about 10 feet from the ground and opposite my verandah, I could watch everything perfectly through a glass. The tree was also very near to the house. From the time the female went in, the male was most assiduous in feeding her, bringing generally the small Peepul-fig. On April 30th I observed the female working hard at closing the ee 2 7 i * a nh he i, A 7 . J SMIT LITE BAYA OCEKUS eoiee 1869. ] MR. C. HORNE ON PLOCEUS BAYA. 243 orifice with her own ordure. This she must have brought up from the bottom of the hole; and she plastered it right and left with the flat sides of her beak, as witb a trowel. I never saw the male bring anything but food; and I never found any fruit which had been rejected under the tree, and but very little ordure, which latter had apparently been thrown out by the female when the closing-work was finished. The male bird would alight near, then fly to the hole, holding on to the bark by his claws, and knock with his beak. On this the points of that of the female appeared and received the fruit, when the male flew off. I herewith beg to submit some of the substance with which the hole was closed up, which is manifestly what I suppose it to be, and when fresh, possesses great viscidity. It contains the remains of insects, which probably the female had eaten before she entered the hole—thus confirming Dr. Jerdon’s statement as to their various diet. The hole was at first perhaps 6 inches in height, and 3 or 4 wide. When closed up, the opening at the widest part was a little larger than would admit the finger. It should, however, be borne in mind that the bill opened upwards, and thus had 3 or 4 inches play. The plastering-operation took two or three days, after which the ordure was thrown out. The third Hornbill used to hover about, watch proceedings, and sometimes quarrel with the accepted lord, but he never brought food to the female. On May 7, thinking that I had given time enough for the female to lay her three eggs, which I wanted, I got a ladder, opened out the nest, and with some difficulty got out the bird, who was fat and in good condition, with the desired eggs (three). At first she could scarcely fly, but did so after a little time. The natives, who know the habits of these birds well, told me that the female digs herself out directly her newly hatched young need food; and this is most probably correct. 7. Notes on Ploceus baya and its Nest. By C. Hornz, F.Z.S. (Plate XVIL.) In submitting these notes upon Ploceus baya I do not suppose that I am narrating anything not previously observed, although 1 have never met with any account of the method in which this inge- nious bird obtains its material. I cannot solve the mystery of the lumps of clay found in the nests, although I have examined many at all seasons for the pur- pose. I may remark, however, that I have seldom, if ever, found a finished nest without them. 244 MR. C. HORNE ON PLOCEUS BAYA. [Apr. 8, Here is an extract from my journal :—‘ This morning (July 7, 1865), as I passed our solitary palm tree (Phenix dactylifera) in the field, I heard a strange twittering overhead, and looking up saw such a pretty sight as I shall never forget. “Tn this tree hung some thirty or forty of the elegantly formed nests of woven grass of the Baya bird, so well known to all. The heavy storms of May and June had torn away many and damaged others, so as to render them, as one would think, past repair. Not so thought the birds; for a party of about sixty had come to set them all in order. “These little birds are about the size of a Sparrow, and have yellow in their crests, and are darker about the wings, being paler below, with shortish tails. The scene in the tree almost baffles description. Each bird and his mate thought only of their own nest. How they selected it I know not, and I should hke much to have seen them arrive. I suppose the sharpest took the best nests, for they varied much in condition. Of some of the nests, two-thirds remained, whilst others were very nearly all blown away. Some of the birds attempted to steal grass from other nests, but generally got pecked away. **As the wind was blowing freshly, the nests swung about a good deal; and it was pretty to see a little bird fly up in a great hurry with a long bit of grass in his beak. He would sit outside the nest holding on by his claws, with the grass under them. He would then put the right end into the nest with his beak, and the female inside would pull it through and put it out for him again; and thus the plaiting of the nest went on. All this was done amidst tremen- dous chattering, and the birds seemed to think it great fun. When a piece was used up one would give the other a peck, and he or she would fly off for more material, the other sitting quietly till the worker returned. Nests in every stage of building afforded every position for the bird, who seemed at home in all of them. The joy, the life, the activity, and general gaiety of the birds I shall never forget. «July 11, 1865.—To-day I noticed that nearly all the nests had been repaired, and the birds were more scattered, either helping themselves to my Jowahor (Sorghum vulgare) in the field or collect- ing insects. «July 20.—I observed some eight or ten newly built nests on the ground under the tree, which I believe to have been deliberately cut off from their supports by the thievish Striped Squirrels (Sccurus palmarum) for use by them in their nests. Some of these had un- broken eggs in them. “August 18.—Noticed to-day how the birds obtain their grass. The little bird alights at the edge of the high strong Seenta grass (Andropogon euripeta’) with its head down, and bites through the edge to the exact thickness which it requires. It then goes higher up on the same blade of grass, and having considered the length needed, bites through it again. It then seizes it firmly at the lowest notch and flies away. Of course, the strip of grass tears off and 1869. ] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE SPOTTED HYENA. 245 stops at the notch. It then flies along, with the grass streaming behind it. As the edge of the grass is much serrated, the bird has to consider and pass it through the work the right way. This serration renders it so difficult to pull a nest to pieces, and makes the same nest last for years. In some instances the male continues to build for amusement after the nest is finished, not only elongating the tubular entrance, but also making a kind of false nest. Before the colony ceased building there were more than seventy nests in the tree, which is represented in the photograph now exhibited (Plate XVII.). Three great notches may be seen on the trunk. These were made when the tree was smaller, by baring a side of the crown and tapping the trunk for toddy to be used in bread-making. This operation so weakened the tree, that last year in a violent storm the crown broke off, and thus destroyed the whole settlement. 8. Note on the Young of the Spotted Hyzna (Crocuta macu- lata). By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., V-P.Z.S., &c. The British Museum has lately acquired a very young female pup of the Spotted Hyzna (Crocuta maculata), which was born in the Society’s Gardens. The animal is covered with a short soft fur of nearly uniform length, of a nearly uniform rather brownish-black colour, which is rather paler on the face. It is without any indication of spots. The tail is slender, tapering. There is a stuffed specimen of a rather older and larger male in the British Museum, which was preserved by M. Verreaux at the Cape; it is of the same uniform tint, but is much paler, and has become paler than it originally was on one side by exposure in the case. I may observe that the pups of the Striped Hyzna (Hyena striata) are pale and streaked like the adult. There are some spe- cimens of very young pups of this species in the British Museum. The skull of the very young female pup is svulid; and the bones are well ossified, and united in all parts by very narrow and often indistinct sutures. The bulle of the ears are peculiar for having a large space on the outer side of the under surface only covered with membrane, which has the opening of the ear in the upper part near the margin of its outer side. This disk occupies about one-third of the lower surface of the bony bulla. The cutting-teeth and the canines are well developed, the cutting-teeth in each of the jaws being placed in a straight line, the outer tooth in each series being rather the largest. The grinders are not developed above the-alveoli ; but their situation is indicated by the dried pulps. There are three pulps on each side of each jaw: the two front ones on each side of the upper jaw, belonging to the premolars, are small; the others in both jaws are rather large. Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XVII. 246 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE SPOTTED HYNA, [Apr. 8, Fig. 1. Fig. 1. Skull of young Hyzena (lateral view). 2. Lower surface of ditto. 3. Left ramus of lower jaw. 1869.] pR. E. HAMILTON ON A VARIETY OF THE COMMON FOX. 247 The upper jaw, when cut away at the side (as shown in fig. 1, p- 246), exhibits a very rudimentary canine tooth of the adult series, and three molars, the middle being the flesh-tooth of the milk-series. The lower jaw shows three molars of the milk-series in a moderate state of development, and a cavity in which the large hinder molar is to be developed, but which is now in a very rudimentary state. The first tooth indicated on the edge of the jaw is the permanent canine, and the two other teeth are the anterior molars. I am not aware that the skull of the young animal of this genus has been figured; so I have had some drawings, to illustrate this paper, made by Mr. Ford. 9. On a Variety of the Canis vulpes (Vulpes vulgaris, Brisson) found in the Forest of the Ardennes, Belgium. By Dr. Epwarp Hamitron, F.L.S. The Prince of Musignano, in his ‘ Fauna Italica,’ describes a variety of the Canis vulpes under the name of melanogaster, and claims specific characters, in that the colour of the fur on the throat, chest, and abdomen is black instead of whitish grey; the head and back dark greyish, and mixed with a quantity of silver hairs; the tail more bushy, and furnished with a white tip. Mr. Gerrard, in his ‘Catalogue of Bones in the British Museum,’ places the Vulpes mela- nogaster as a distinct species. Dr. Gray, ‘‘Catalogue of the Canidee”’ (P. Z. S. 1868, p. 515), describes it as a variety only; Had. Italy. Linnzeus describes a variety, Canis alopex, with a straight tail black at the tip, and smaller than the Canis vulpes. Bufton’s Renard charbonnier, or Alopex europeus, is of a silver greyish colour, tail tipped with white; remarkable black feet and legs, which appear as if produced by charcoal-dust, hence its name; it is smaller than the common Fox. Hab. Burgundy. The variety which I bring before the notice of the Society was shot last autumn in the Forest of the Ardennes, near Rochefort, in Belgium. The hunters there know it under the name of “ Le Renard Noir.” It is comparatively rare ; about five or six are killed during the season. It is larger than the Common Fox, and a very active animal. Colour brownish grey, mixed with silver-grey hairs; deep brownish red stripe extending down the back, lighter towards the tail ; head, face, and neck brownish red, mixed with silver-grey ; throat, chest, and abdomen black, merging into blackish grey at the posterior part ; tail blackish brown on the upper part, blackish yellow beneath, the tip black ; fore legs blackish grey from shoulder to claws; hind legs, a blackish grey stripe running from the hip and becoming black at the feet. The skin measures from tip of nose to root of tail 3 feet; tail 1 foot 6 inches. Approximate height at shoulders 1 foot 5—6 inches. In comparing the skin with the figure given by the Prince of Musignano (/. c.) there is a great similarity, with the exception of 248 LIEUT. DE CRESPIGNY ON THE HABITS OF AN ACTINIA. (Apr. 8, the white tip to the tail and the size, the Ardennes variety being a much larger and stronger animal. Nilsson describes a variety very like the Vulpes melanogaster as inhabiting Scandinavia. 10. Notes on the Friendship existing between the Malacopte- rygian Fish Premnas biaculeatus and the Actinia crassi- cornis. By Lieut. C. C. De Cruspicny*. The Anemone here spoken of is found at Labuan in various ha- bitats—sometimes domiciled in rows along the horizontal fissures of sandstone rocks (the positions being chosen so that at low water they may be just awash), in other cases surrounding and covering a mass of exposed dead madrepore. It is also found attached to rocks or dead coral some inches under the surface of the sand, and from this vantage ground protruding or withdrawing its tentacula at pleasure, so that when they are withdrawn the animal is no longer visible. On a calm evening, when the tide is out, one may observe with advantage the sympathy which appears to exist between this animal and the little fish called Premnas biaculeatus. The Actinia is in a state of quiescence, allowing its tentacula to float and move about freely in obedience to the impulse of each ripple of the water, they being now supple, pointed at the extremities, and gravitating downwards. A Premnas now passes over the Anemone, and imme- diately the tentacula become erect and diverge as if galvanized, while their extremities become clubby and phosphorescent. The fish hovers over it, gently rubbing the tentacula with his pectoral fins, and so will remain for some time. The hand-net is passed quietly down under the Anemone, and the alarmed fish, instead of swimming away, dives into the body of its friend, the tentacles closing over it and thus burying it in a living tomb. The hand of the captor now disturbs the fish in its hidden retreat, and upon its again rushing forth from its hiding-place the net is drawn to the surface of the water and the little fellow captured. The natural colour of this fish is pale red, having three perpendicular white stripes on the body. Upon its attaining full growth, however, when it is from four to five inches long, it becomes almost black, and the stripes are very nearly obliterated. In captivity I have known an Anemone live in perfect harmony with a Premnas for nearly a year. One morning the fish was found dead outside its tub, from which it had leapt in the night ; the Anemone sickened, became elongated and flaccid, and died in a few days. On the other hand, I have known a fish live in a tub for a long time without the society of its complementary Anemone. It may be that the fish spawns upon the Anemone, or that by continually rubbing its fins against the extremities of the tentacles it rids itself and its friend of disagreeable parasites, or that it causes a continuous flow of water across the body of its friend, in which stream are conveyed the animalcula on which it lives. * Communicated by E. Iliggins, Esq., F.Z.S. 1869.] MR. G. GULLIVER ON THE @SOPHAGUS OF THE AYE-AYE. 249 These points may be determined by future observations. It will be noticed that the extremities of the fins and tail of the Premnas are attenuated to what appears to be the utmost degree consistent with cohesion of their molecules. April 22, 1869. The Viscount Walden, President, in the Chair. Mr. G. Dawson Rowley, F.Z.S., exhibited some specimens of Bri- tish-killed Pipits, and made the following observations upon them :— I have the pleasure to exhibit a series of Water-Pipits (Anthus aquaticus) and Rock-Pipits (Anthus obscurus), all shot or taken near Brighton, in spring and autumn plumage, male and female respec- tively, showing the distinction between the two species in the several states. Only two or three of the former have ever been, I think, noticed in print as found in the British isles, and considerable con- fusion has existed in collections respecting them. I have at times observed each one doing duty for the other. A. aquaticus is not very common ; but it visits the south coast regularly in the spring, moves on to breed, and again stops with us a few weeks on its return in autumn. In spring it has a blue tinge on the back, with a vinous one on the chest, underparts greenish; in the autumn dress these are lost, and the underparts turn pure white. The outer tail-feather also changes from buff to white. Males differ little from females. A communication was read from Mr. Thomas Graham Ponton, F.Z.S., containing a criticism of the arrangement of the shells of the genus Mangelia adopted by Reeve in his ‘ Monograph,’ in which it was pointed out that the seventy species of this group given in the ‘Conchologia Iconica’ ought to be distributed amongst the genera Defrancia, Cythara, and Mangelia. Mr. Ponton gave a list of the species which he considered referable to each of these three genera, and proposed to assign one to Defrancia, fifty-three to Cythara, and sixteen to Mangelia. The following papers were read :— 1. On the Muscular Sheath of the Cardiac End of the Cso- phagus of the Aye-Aye (Chiromys madagascariensis) . By Grorce Gutuiver, F.R.S. Among the many inexplicable structural arrangements of animal organs is that of the comparative distribution of the striped muscular fibre to the same part in different orders; and the obscurity is not 250 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN [Apr. 22, lessened by the discovery of this fibre on the whole alimentary canal of the Tench* (Tinca vulgaris), after I had observed that this is not the case in some other cyprinoid fishes. Such facts tend to weaken the value in systematic zoology of the character afforded by the muscular sheath of the cesophagus. But whatever structure proves constant cannot be devoid of importance, however difficult the explanation may be; and, so far as my limited observations have gone, it is always easy to distinguish between certain orders of Mammalia, and these from birds and reptiles; simply by the muscular fibre of the cesophagus. For example, in the Quadrumana the striped muscular fibre stops short of the cardia, while in the Rodentia this fibre extends quite to that part of the stomach, as has been more particularly described of these and other vertebrates in the ‘ Proceedings’ of this Society (1842, p. 63 e¢ seq.). Hence it seems desirable to add this character, for as much as it may be worth, to the descriptions already known respecting such Mammalia as may have a questionable position in systematic zoology. The Aye-Aye is one of these; for it has been alternately placed among the Rodentia and Quadrumana. And by the courtesy of Mr. Flower I have examined for striated muscle about an inch of the cardiac end of the cesophagus of this animal, preserved in spirit of wine. The results were entirely negative. Not a single striped muscular fibre appeared, although the whole thickness of the ceso- phagus was examined, from the outer part of the preparation to the plaster with which it had been artificially distended ; in short, nothing of muscular tissue but the smooth variety could be found. And thus, so far as regards this point, the cesophagus of the Aye-Aye is as unlike that of Rodentia as it is like that of Quadrumana—a fact which tends to support the latest and now general conclusion as to the affinities of this singular animal. 2. On Venezuelan Birds collected by Mr. A. Goering. By P. L. Scuatrer, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and ean SALVIN, M.A., F.L.S.—Part Til. t (Plate XVIII.) Mr. Anton Goering’s present collection was principally formed in the vicinity of the Lake of Valencia, into which district he has made * Since this fact first came to my knowledge, through the last edition of Professor Beale’s excellent work on the Microscope, in which Weber is quoted as the observer, I have examined the intestines of the Tench, and found the striated muscular fibre on the greater part of its alimentary canal. The primi- tive inuscular wen of the cesophagus, stomach, and intestines presented an average diameter of =; 5, of an inch, while those of the dorsal and ventral muscles measured as much as ; Thus the striated fibres of the hollow muscles are only about one-fourth = thickness of those of the ordinary voluntary muscles ; and this agrees with my old measurements in fishes and other vertebr. ates, tabu- lated in the ‘Proe. Zool. Soe.’ (1842, p. 68). t See Part I., P. Z. S. 1868, p. 165; Part II, P. Z. 8. 1868, p. 626, M & N HANHART IME J SMIT LITH SRACHYGALBA GOERINGI 1869. ] ON VENEZUELAN BIRDS. 251 excursions from San Esteban, near Puerto Cabello, where he has been lately resident. The collection contains altogether fifty-six species of birds, most of which are already well known as inhabitants of this part of the continent of South America. There are, however, several of great interest among them, and one in particular, a new species of Jacamar, which appears to have been hitherto undescribed. The following extracts from a letter recently received from Mr. Goering will give the Society some information concerning the loca- lities which he has lately explored, and the route which he is now intending to follow :—. «« The Lake of Valencia seems to be a station for birds which come from the Ilanos and from the river-districts of the south of Vene- zuela. When the swamps and the llanos are dry, thousands of birds resort to it. There is, however, great difficulty in obtaining a boat for the purpose of shooting, nearly all of them having been demo- lished during the recent revolution. The mountains on the south of the lake (the Serro Azul of Guiguc) are tenanted by the same birds as the coast-range ; but the vegetation is not so rank, and the species of small size appear to be less numerous. San Esteban is situated about six English miles inland from Puerto Cabello, in a valley, through which runs a small river. Most of the birds obtained here are different from those found in eastern Venezuela, where my first collections were formed. It is singular that Cardinalis pheenicens, so common near Cartipano, is very rare here. I have never seen this bird on the hills, but only on the plains near the coast, which are covered with a simple vegetation of Mimosa, Cactus, &c. .The Chasmorhynchus variegatus is common here, but only during the months of April and May. It is also abundant in tlie forests of Caripé; and this spot seems to be nearly the extreme limit of its western range. «« Speaking of Caripé, I may mention that the Steatornis is not only found in the well-known cave near that city, visited by Hum- boldt, but also inhabits several other caverns in the forests situated to the south-east. I visited three of these, and found one of them much larger than the cave of Caripé. It was eight English miles in extent, and every part of it seemed to be inhabited by thousands of this wonderful bird. It is very impressive when, at sunset, they leave their subterranean abodes, and make the forest resound with their shrill cries.” Mr. Goering contemplates moving his quarters into the Sierra Nevada of Merida, to which district he will proceed by Maracaibo and Zulier. The following is a list of the species contained in Mr. Goering’s present collection, to which are added notes upon such of them as call for remark :— Name. Locality. 1. Donacobius atricapillus.........6000+-20000 Lake of Valencia. 2. Henicocichla noveboracensis .......-..++++- Maruria, north of the lake. 3. Dendreca @Sttvd .... ec. sce ec neers ee eneen ees S. side of the Lake of Valencia. 252 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALYIN [Apr. 22, Name. Locality. 4. Geothlypis equinoctialis ........00000.0008 Maruria. 5. Hylophilus acuticaudus,......1.00e0ecceee Plain of Valencia. %6. Calliste cyaneicollis .....:2..s.ceceeeeeeeees Maruria. Mf. OTYZO00OTUS TELUS WricecdsNecueeras-seseenat San Esteban. 8. Spermophila Vineola ......02.2.ceececeee eens Maruria. #9, CCE aly sett. ¥eFs56 sie wilde steee ese ees Plain of Valencia. 10. Coryphospingus piledtus ......00c2ceeeeee Lake of Valencia. WN, ie tStGS' GULOMENSIS. a ais sldng e weet rbiaesecoos Plain of Valencia. 12. Xanthosomus icterocephatus ..........+.++- Maruria. 1S? \Cassidee OryZvi0Te Ty. necswcwctes~csceteen Plain of Valencia. *14, Philydor colwmbianus ......02.0.02.0000202 Coast-range of Puerto Cabello. 15. Synallawis albigularis .......0.00cceee eee ee Plain of Valencia. 16. Leptoxyurd CinnamMomed .......2-.2- 00.00 Lake of Valencia. V7. Dendrornts SUSUPTANS —.-.... 22-15 .---0.-00 Guacara, Lake of Valencia. 18. Myrmotherula menctriest .......020000.0++- San Esteban. 19. Formicarius ertssalis......1..ceccccesseeeees San Esteban. 20, Arundinicola lencocephala.........01-+++++- Marshes in the Plain of Valencia. 21. Platyrhynchus albogularis .....-+.+++++++ Lake of Valencia. De, COLO PLETUS PULOTES, carexacvecernseaes=-scaacca N. side of the Lake of Valencia. *23. Huscarthimus tmprger......cecveceeevererees Guacara, Lake of Valencia. 24. Tyranniscus, 8p. iC ........2202cerceseneeee Maruria. 25. Pyrocephalus rubineus ...0.0..02.0000e0000s Plain of Valencia. 26. Milvulus ty1 Annus .........cccnaceesee-ruceer Plain of Valencia. 27. Pachyrhamphus, sp. ine. 9 ....1.s0se0200s Guacara. Sn RUDTCOMLY OT QIOSIb. Va stance inp sures Ceres Coast-range of Puerto Cabello. 29. Pyroderus Orenocensts .........c0..0.22.00- Puerto Cabello. *30. Brachygalba goeringi, sp. NOV-...-....-... Maruria. SIs, Ceryle CMAZONG os -t oiieces--saseeboedees =e Lake of Valencia. 32. Nyctidromus albicollis .......-..s.2sse000: Maruria. 33. Ramphastos ambiguus .......1.00-00-02008 Guataparo. 34. Palco columbaritus, Vu. 7...2.to.ccs.scscess¥s Marnuria and Lake of Valencia. 35. Hypotriorchis femoralis (Temm.) ...... Lake of Valencia. 36. rufigularis (Daud.) ............-..06 San Esteban. *37. Tinnunculus sparverius (L.).......22+0-++- Plain of Valencia. 38. Elanus leucurus (Vieill.) .........222+0000 Lake of Valencia. 39. Gampsonyx swainsoni, Vi. ......100e0000 Maruria. 40. Accipiter bicolor (Vieill.) .......... Sonosose Maruria. *41. Micrastur zonothorax secccerssceceeececee Coast-range of Puerto Cabello. 42. Urubitinga meridionalis (Lath.) ......... Plain of Valencia. 43. Circus macropterus, Vieill, ....02secs.ee0 Plain of Valencia. 44, Polyborus tharus (MOl.) .........++-8e00 Maruria. 45. Milvago chimango (Vieill.) .........4066 .. Lake of Valencia. 46. Eupsychortyx sonnini (Temm.) .....+... Plain of Valencia. *47. Crypturus strigulosus (Temm.) ......... Serro Azul of Guigue. 48. Vanellus cayennensis (Gm.) .......0..0000 Lake of Valencia. 49. Aigialites collaris (Vieill.) .....2......-++ Lake of Valencia. 50. Limosa hudsonica (Lath.).......2.0.000000 Lake of Valencia. BL. Porzana carouna) (Up) s2-s eceial. bas os 1:70 Transverse thickness of tail at about its mid-length........ 30 Vertical extent of tail at the same place .... ........... 1°40 Distance between.the, eyesh ads saactigloail avis obs ws etown Jere 1-00 — - the pubemwiates wosswad ssrcstit eet «ls “40 Extreme length of pectoral limb (with manus)............ 133 BS DSc i Sa ip den Ur ll dt ace Aa rl “40 Extreme length of pelvic limb (with pes)................ 1-80 Tis angesh eietigarecer tals ab stanseebes « ace svatniersiclolesgiar® « scars "50 256 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON [Apr. 22, inches. Distance from mid-point between the eyes to end of muzzle . “56 Extreme width of mouth .... 23 see leoo Distance from mid-point between the ‘angles of the mouth to the mandibular symphysis.. ... ae "65 Length from angle of mouth ‘s branchial orifiee, dbontrs 1:22 — branchial orifice to root of pelvic limb, about. . 72 Proportions. Length of head compared with its breadth at 100 ........ 94°10 Height of head compared with its breadth at 100 ........ 53°88 ——— of body compared with its breadth at 100 ........ 48°82 Breadth of mid-tail to its height at 100 .. . 46°66 — of body to its length (without head and tail) at 100 33°13 Height of body to its length TEIOG® ORS? OE AOD area ee 16°17 Length of tail to length of bodycat TOURS los P20r ae, Sis SL Sass Length of pectoral limb to length of body at 100 ........ 29°82 Length of pelvic limb to length of body at 100 .......... 39°08 Myo.oey. On removing the skin of my specimen I do not find the fat which, according to Drs. Schmidt, Goddard, and Van der Hoeven *, exists in the hollows at the roots of the limbs in Cryptobranchus. Neither have I found any conspicuous cutaneous muscle or the contrast in colour which those authors have described as existing in the last-named genus between some and others of the muscles, but all are moderately pale in my specimen. The general muscular investment of the body is, in the tail, di- visible into an antero-posterior series of segments corresponding to the division of the vertebral column into vertebree. In the trunk this divisibility is very obscurely indicated, least so towards the mid- dle of the abdomen, where there are transverse tendinous inter- sections. The muscular envelope consists of four longitudinal portions sepa- rated by four more or Jess marked linear divisions. The first of these divisions extends backwards from the mid-cranial region to the end of the dorsum of the tail. It is deepest by far in the caudal region of the body, where it is filled up by a very large accumulation of fat. A fibrous membrane extends down from the bottom of this dorsal furrow to the spines and neural arches of the vertebree, and forms a partition between the dorsal muscular mass of one side and that of the other side. The second antero-posterior linear division extends similarly along the ventral surface of the body from the thoracic region backwards. It is only a deep furrow, however, behind the cloacal aperture ; in * Aanteekeningen over de Anatomie van den Cryptobranchus japonicus door Dr. F. J. J. Schmidt, Dr. Q. J. Goddard, en Dr. J. Van der Hoeven. Natuur- kundige Verhandelingen van de Hollandsche Ma aatschappij der Wetenschappen te Haarlem. Tweede Verzameling, Negentiende Deel, Eerste stuk, 1862. 1869.] THE MYOLOGY OF MENOPOMA. 257 front of that orifice it is represented by a more or less marked ten- dinous interval, or linea alba, in the midst of the superficial muscles of the ventral portion of the abdominal muscular mass. The third and fourth linear divisions are placed one on each side of the throat, trunk, and tail. Inthe throat region the anterior end of this furrow forms the gap out of which the ends of the branchial arches protrude. In the trunk it is a mere shallow furrow, dividing the dorsal part of each lateral half of the muscular mass from the ventral portion of such half. In the trunk this linear division is situated above the middle (ver- tically) of the side of the body. In the tail it is situated at about the middle. Each dorsal portion of the lateral muscular mass (7. e. the part Fig. 1. Ww Superficial muscles of right side of head and of anterior part of trunk. D.\. Digastric. #8. Erector spine. L.A. Levator arcuum. L. D. Latissi- mus dorsi. Mf. Masseter. M. H.2. Mylo-hyoideus posterior. P. 8. Del- toid. Z. Temporalis. 7. Trapezius. 258 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON [Apr. 22, between the dorsal furrow and the lateral linear division) extends from the upper surface of the skull to the distal end of the dorsum of the tail (figs. 1 & 8, #. S), investing the transverse processes, neural arches, and spines of the vertebrae, and also the ribs, but it has no direct connexion with either the pectoral or pelvic girdle. It forms a continuous and very thick fleshy mass, answering to the erector spine of higher animals, but not differentiated into distinct muscles. Its fibres are all antero-posteriorly directed. Each ventral portion of the lateral muscular mass (7. e. the part between the lateral linear division and the middle of the ventral sur- face of the body and tail) presents a larger surface than does the dorsal portion of the lateral muscular mass. It extends from the basihyal to the distal end of the ventral surface of the tail, inter- rupted, however, by the pelvis. As in higher vertebrata, the abdominal portion of this mass is distinguished into muscular layers with differently directed fibres ; in the caudal region, however, as might be expected, this distinction does not obtain. MuSCLEs oF THE TRUNK. The external oblique (figs. 2, 3, 5, & 7, Hx. O). This is an elongated sheet of muscular fibres (with the usual direction down- wards, backwards, and mesiad) extending from the lateral longi- tudinal furrow to the outer margin of the rectus. The muscle ex- tends forwards as far as the scapula (passing beneath the latissimus dorsi), its anterior extremity being overlapped by the minute and oppositely directed serratus magnus. Posteriorly it is inserted into the fascia investing the root of the thigh, also with the ilium and the pubis. It fuses so gradually with the rectus that I have not suec- ceeded in defining the line of demarcation between the two. The ex- ternal oblique appears to be continued on in the caudal region as the most external portion of its infero-lateral muscular mass. This caudal continuation, however, takes fresh origin from the hinder side of the ilium. The internal oblique (fig. 5, In. O) is the largest muscle of the body, and extends antero-posteriorly from the basihyal backwards to the end of the tail (for the pelvis seems only partially to interrupt it), and inwards from the lateral longitudinal furrow. ‘The fibres are but very slightly oblique, very many are altogether antero-posterior in direction, and the fasciculi are very large and coarse. The muscle is thickest anteriorly and in the tail. In the pelvic region many fibres are inserted into the ilium and into the rib which articulates with the ilium, but other fibres appear to continue on altogether beneath these bones without being interrupted by them. At its anterior end this muscle becomes indistinguishably fused with what may be a deeper part of the rectus, and which has here been called the sterno-hyoid (fig. 2, S¢. H). This is inserted into the basihyal and into the adjacent root of the first branchial arch. Transversalis. A very delicate lamella of transversely directed muscular fibres represents this muscle. It extends in a continuous 1869.] THE MYOLOGY O¥ MENOPOMA. 259 Fig. 2. Muscles of ventral surface. On the right side superficial muscles. On the left side deeper muscles, with removal of left pectoral limb. B. Biceps. C.A. Constrictor arewum. CC. B. Coraco-brachialis. @. F. Con- strictor faucium. C. H. E. Cerato-hyoideus externus. C. H. I. Cerato-hyoi- deus internus. £.Z. Extensor longus. Er. O. External oblique. F. LZ. Flexor longus. G.H. Genio-hyoideus. M. H.1. Mylo-hyoideus anterior. M. H.2. Mylo-hyoideus posterior. P.1.& P.2. Pectoralis. P. 7. Pronator teres. S. Subclavius. §.Z. Supinator longus. S.M. Submentalis. S¢. H. Sterno-hyoideus. 7. Triceps. 260 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON [Apr. 22, sheet from the region of the heart backwards to the inside of the pelvis. It does not seem to extend so far inwards towards the middle line of the body as does the internal oblique. The abdominal nerves pass along between this muscle and the in- ternal oblique. Rectus. This muscle consists, as usual, of antero-posteriorly directed fibres in the middle of the abdomen, but is very difficult accurately to define. It seems to be overlapped externally by some of the fibres of the external oblique, while internally it is closely adherent to what is either a deeper portion of the rectus or the median part of the internal oblique, and which runs forwards (with the scapular arch, except the sternum, altogether superficial to it) to be inserted, as before said, into the basihyal. ‘The external por- tion of the rectus is inserted anteriorly into the sternum, posteriorly into the anterior part of the pelvis. Retrahens costarum. ‘This elongated muscle passes antero-pos- teriorly, on each side of the spine, beneath the bodies of all the trunk-vertebrze, being attached to them and to the ribs down to their extremities, where it is closely connected with the fascia of the transversalis. The muscle gets thinner and smaller backwards, and appears to end at the commencement of the caudal region; but anteriorly it enlarges and passes, as a fleshy mass, beneath the skull. Throughout the trunk this muscle is separated from the dorso-lateral muscular mass by the internal oblique and transversalis ; but where these diverge from that mass to leave space for the branchial arches, there the muscle now described becomes applied to the under surface of the dorso-lateral mass, and more or less closely connected with it. MuscuLes oF THE HEap. Temporalis, his (fig. 1, 7.) is the most anterior of all the muscles on the dorsal aspect of the body, its anterior margin even extending forwards in front of the eyes. It is not a completely distinct muscle, as its hinder end is but imperfectly separated from the innermost part of the dorsal lateral mass of the same side; of which it, in part, may therefore be considered the extreme anterior prolongation. It also takes origin, by fascia, from the first three neural spines and from the anterior part of the upper surface of the skull—Cuvier’s frontal. The most anterior fibres slope backwards ; but all converge, and passing behind the eyeball, are ultimately at- tached, by means of a strong tendon, to the inner side of the summit, of the mandible just in front of its articulation with the suspensorium, and behind and somewhat within the insertion of the masseter. The pterygoid. Dr. Fischer* describes this muscle as arising from the side of the skull and from the upper surface of the pterygoid, and with a similar insertion to the temporal, from which it is very indistinctly separable. In my specimen it seems to be so intimately united with the temporal that I cannot but doubt its distinctness. * Anatomische Abhandlungen iiber die Perennibranchiaten und Derotremen. Hamburgh, 1864, p. 63. 1869. | THE MYOLOGY OF MENOPOMA, 261 Fig. 3, Superficial muscles of right side. A, A. Adductor arcuum. JB. Biceps. C.A. Constrictor arcuum. C.F. Con- strictor faucium. D. Deltoid. D.1. Digastrie. £. Z. Extensor longus. Ex. O. External oblique. L.A. Levator arcuum. JL. D. Latissimus dorsi. M. Masseter. M.H.1. Mylo-hyoideus anterior. MM. H.2. Mylo-hyoideus posterior. _S. Subclavius, S.Z, Supinator longus. TZ. Trapezius. 7. Triceps. U, Ulnaris. Masseter (figs. 1, 3, & 5, M). This is an exceedingly thick muscle, which arises from the anterior surface of the suspensorium as far as the margin of the parietal. It is inserted into the upper border and outer surface of the posterior part of the mandible. It covers externally the descending terminal portion of the temporal, which runs down in a sort of groove on its inner surface. The digastric (figs. 1, 3, & 5, D.1 & D.2) is a very large and powerful muscle, consisting of two parts, which are together inserted into the posterior extremity of the mandible. The hinder portion of the muscle arises from the dorsal fascia, closely connected with the similarly arising part of the posterior mylo-hyoid, and overlapping the levator areuum. The anterior portion takes origin from the occiput, the hinder surface of the suspensorium. Both portions pass over the cornu of the hyoid (without being directly connected with it) to their before-mentioned insertion. Levator arcuum (figs. 1 & 3, L.A). This is a small delicate layer of fibres springing from the dorsal fascia in the angle between the digastric and the temporal. Passing obliquely downwards and backwards, and covered, more or less, by the hinder part of the digastric and the posterior mylo-hyoid, the fibres go to the dorsal segments of the last three branchial arches as Fischer has described *, Mylo-hyoideus anterior (figs. 2 & 3, M.H.1). This forms, with * L.c. p. 83, tab. 4. fig. 2, Za. Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XVIII. 262 MR. ST.GEORGE MIVART ON © [Apr. 22, its fellow of the opposite side, a thin transverse sheet of muscular fibres immediately beneath the skin. It springs from the inner surface of the lower margin of the mandible, almost as far backwards as the articulation of the latter with the suspensorium. Its fibres incline slightly backwards; and a sort of faint linea alba is interposed between it and its fellow of the opposite side. The mylo-hyoideus posterior (figs. 1, 2, & 3, M. H. 2), with its fellow, forms another thin transverse sheet of muscular fibres placed immediately beneath the skin, except where the mylo-hyoideus anterior is superficial to it. It springs from the dorsal fascia and from that over the cornu of the hyoid, and covers the hinder portion of the digastric and part of the levator areuum. Submentalis (fig. 2, S.M). This small, azygos, transverse muscle connects together the anterior ends of the two mandibular rami. It is placed immediately above the most anterior portions of the mylo- hyoidei anteriores, and is much connected with them and with the genio-hyoidei. LAS. Tx. O: In. BAe) ‘ Pat. B Deeper muscles of right side, the mylo-hyotdei, the trapezius, and the latissimus dorsi being removed or cut short. A. A, Adductor arcuum. C. A, Constrictor areuum. C.F. Constrictor faucium.- C. H. E. Cerato-hyoideus externus. (C,H. Z. Cerato-hyoideus internus. D. Deltoid. D.1& D.2. Digastric. Ex, O. External oblique. G.H. Genio- hyoideus. Jn. O. Internal oblique. L.A. S. Levator anguli scapule. L. D. Watissimus dorsi. MM. Masseter. SS. Subclavius. S.M/. Serratus magnus. 7. Trapezius. Constrictor faucium* (figs. 2, 3, and 5, C. F). This muscle springs from the under surface of the dorsal segment of the second branchial arch (i.e. the second after the hyoidean cornu), and is inserted into a fascia beneath the throat, into which the genio-hyoid of the same side is also inserted. As the constrictor faucium passes downwards it is overlapped (and strapped in, as it were) by the band-like constrictor arcuum. The constrictor pharyngis is a delicate muscular sheet arising * Constrictor faucium internus of Schmidt, &c., see /. c. p. 29, and pl. 6. fig. xiii. 4, 1869.] THE MYOLOGY OF MENOPOMA. 263 partly from the postero-ventral border of the last branchial arch*, partly from the fascia of the side of the neck behind the branchial arches}. Thence it descends to the middle line of the body beneath the trachea, and above the sterno-hyoid, which latter is superficial to it. Genio-hyoideust (figs. 2 & 5, G. H). On removing the mylo- hyoidei, the two genio-hyoidei are seen running backwards (one on each side) from the symphysis of the mandible. Each genio-hyoid arises from the anterior part. of the ramus of the mandible of its own side (more or less connected with the submentalis), and is inserted posteriorly into the fascia, which also receives the insertion of the constrictor faucium. The cerato hyoideus externus (figs. 2 & 5, C. H. FE) is a con- siderable muscle which arises from the first branchial arch, and is inserted into the cornu of the hyoid towards its middle. The cerato-hyoideus internus (figs. 2 & 5, C. H. I) can hardly perhaps be reckoned a distinct muscle in Menopoma, in which it has a common insertion with the muscle last noticed. It arises, however, from the ventral segment of the second branchial arch. Constrictor arcuum (figs. 2,3, & 5, C. A). This small band- like muscle arises from the first branchial arch, and is inserted into the last two branchial arches. Fischer says§, no doubt correctly, that the muscle consists of two layers, the superficial one being inserted into the last branchial arch, and the deeper layer into the penultimate branchial arch. This muscle overlaps and binds down the constrictor faucium. The adductor arcuum (figs. 3 & 5, A. A) is a very small muscle, arising from the fascia on the ventral surface of the sterno-hyoid. Passing upwards and outwards, it goes to the last branchial arch. Sterno-hyoideus (fig. 2, St. H) A considerable muscular mass, which may conveniently be distinguished by this name], though in fact it is the anterior termination of that great ventral muscular mass which consists of the united internal oblique and rectus. Its insertion is into the posterior part of the under surface of the basi- hyal and the adjacent parts of the ventral segments of the branchial arches. The antero-internal portion of the ventral part of each sterno- hyoid shows a slight indication of distinctness as a muscular fasci- culus inserted into the fascia into which the genio-hyoideus is inserted. This appears to represent, in a rudimentary manner, the distinct muscle named levator maxille inferioris brevis by the Dutch authors]. * The hyo-trachealis of Fischer, /. c. p. 92. + The dorso-trachealis of Fischer, /. c. p. 92. + The levator maxillz inferioris longus of Schmidt, &c., see /. ¢. p. 29, pl. 6. fig. xii. 5. § L.c. p. 75, and tab. 4. fig. 2, ca, | It is so by Dr. Fischer, see 7. c. p. 104, and tab. 4. fig. 2, sk. It is the cerato-hyoideus of the Dutch authors, Schmidt &c., see /. c. p. 30, pl. 6. fig. xiii. 9. § See Schmidt &c., p. 50, and pl. 6. fig. xii. 6. 264 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON [Apr. 22, Omo-hyoideus (fig. 6, O. H). This is a flat band of muscle which springs from the lower part of the anterior margin of the scapula, and, passing forwards, downwards, and inwards, loses itself in the lateral part of the sterno-hyoid, with which it coalesces. Deepest muscles of outside of right shoulder, the trapezius and subclavius being cut short to show the omo-hyoid. D. Deltoid. L.A. S. Levator anguli scapule. 0. H. Omo-hyoideus. S. Subclavius. TZ. Trapezius. Genioglossus. I have not succeeded in defining this muscle ; but, according to Dr. Fischer*, it is represented by some fibres which pass from the hinder surface of the mandibular symphysis to the skin of the mouth. This is not the genioglossus of Schmidt &c., which is my submentalist. APPENDICULAR MUSCLES. Precrorau Lis. Trapezius (figs. 1, 3,5, & 6, 7). This is a small subtriangular muscle which arises from the fascia outside the trunk-muscles, and immediately behind the levator arcuum and mylo-hyoideus externus. Passing downwards and slightly backwards, it is inserted into the angle between the scapula and the precoracoid (of Parker), but mainly into that side of the angle which is formed by the lower end of the anterior margin of the scapula. The Jatissimus dorsi (figs. 1, 3, & 5, L. D) is a small triangular muscle of about the same size as the trapezius. It arises from the fascia outside the dorsal muscles, and, passing downwards and for- wards, is partly inserted into the head of the humerns, and, partly fusing with the triceps, is continued on by that muscle to the proxi- mal end of the ulna. The pectoralis (fig. 2, P.1 & P.2) consists of two parts with a common insertion. The first and larger part springs from the sur- face of the superficial abdominal muscles ; the second portion from the sternum. They are inserted into the inner side of the radial (greater) tuberosity of the humerus. Serratus magnus (fig. 5, S. M). This very small muscle arises * Dc. p: 66. + Z.c. tabb. 6, 7. 1869.] THE MYOLOGY OF MENOPOMA, 265 from the lateral muscular mass just at the lateral longitudinal groove, and is inserted on the inner side of the upper part of the scapula. The levator anguli scapule (fig. 5, L. A. 8) is the antagonist of the muscle last described. It is very long and slender, and arises from the hinder and inferior margin of the exoccipital, and is inserted into the upper part of the inner side of the scapula. The omo-hyoid has been already described as the last but one of the muscles of the head. The subclavius* (figs. 2, 3, 5, & 6, S.) arises from the outer sur- face of the precoracoid (of Parker) and, passing backwards beside the coraco-brachialis, and more or less connected with the latter, is inserted into the summit of the great tuberosity. Coraco-brachialis (fig. 2, C. B). This muscle is large, and con- sists of two parts. The first of these springs from the whole surface of the coracoid, and is partly covered up by the pectoralis; it is inserted into the inner side of the radial tuberosity of the humerus. The second part, thick and long, arises from the posterior margin of the coracoid, close behind the glenoid cavity; passing down into the bend of the elbow-joint, it is inserted into the shaft of the humerus down to the internal condyle. Deltoid (figs. 3, 5, & 6, D). A muscle which may perhaps answer to the deltoid of higher forms springs from the outside of the scapula, and passing down is inserted into the outer side of the radial tuberosity, near its summit. Subscapularis. A very small triangular muscle, springing from the inner side of the scapula close to the glenoid surface, and im- planted into the humerus. It passes between the two heads of the triceps, which spring from the scapular arch. Biceps (figs. 2 & 3, B). This muscle, which appears to answer both to the biceps and brachialis anticus of higher animals, consists perhaps of two parts, though one is with difficulty separable from the long coraco-brachialis. This latter portion springs from the poste- rior margin of the coracoid, close to the glenoid surface ; and a strong tendon runs along it. The other part arises from the front of the shaft of the humerus, immediately below the insertions of the pecto- ralis and subelavius. The muscle is partly inserted into the shaft of the radius, and in part fuses with the supinator longus. Triceps (figs. 2 & 3, 7’). This is a large muscle arising partly, by a considerable head, from the junction of the scapula and cora- coid just in front of the glenoid surface, by another and much smaller head from the inner surface of the coracoid, just behind the glenoid surface. It also takes origin from the inner and outer surfaces of the humerus near its summit, and it receives an accession by the union of the latissimus dorsi, It is implanted into the proximal end of the ulna. Supinator longus (figs. 2, 24, 3, & 4, 8. LZ). <{ =] eae u) doar ‘qawqrer 079 1 il, SUBWETMLey"<) ‘£ Six aoe mie id eM eo + Pere eat a 1869. ] LETTER FROM DR. J. ANDERSON, 277 Phacocherus eliani. Mr. Sclater exhibited drawings illustrative of the external differ- ences between these two Wart-hogs, and also made remarks upon their well-known cranial and dental differences, which had been fully described by F. Cuvier, Van der Hoeven, and Owen, but which had not prevented Dr. Gray from uniting the two species in his recent Catalogue* of these animals. The following extract was read f: na letter addressed by Dr. J. Anderson, C.M.Z.S., to Mr. A. Grote, F.Z.S., concerning his recent expedition to Yunan :— **T have brought back a large collection of birds, mammals, rep- tiles, fishes, insects, and land and freshwater mollusks, and believe I have a number of novelties amongst them. I will send you a copy of my report when finished, but that will not be for some time yet. * P. Z. 8. 1868, p. 46, and Cat. Carnivorous, Pachydermatous, and Edentate Mamm. p. 352 (1869). Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XIX. 278 LETTER FROM DR. J, ANDERSON. [May 13, Mr. W. T. Blanford has kindly given me the names of the shells, and Dr. Day of Madras has worked out the fishes. I shall do the mammals, birds, and reptiles myself, and give an account of the geology. I have collected vocabularies of the various native tribes, and shall be able to give you a rather interesting account of the hill tribes between Burmah and China. “T have brought two living Monkeys of the Rhesus group from Yunan, quite different from anything I have ever seen. I also came across another peculiar form of this genus, and sent the specimen alive to Bhamaun under the care of a policeman (one of our guards), with strict orders, if it died, to preserve the skin and skeleton ; this, however, was not done. The two specimens | have brought with me are small, and have the red face of Macacus rhesus. I agree with you that more than one species have been hitherto united under that name. My specimens are great pets; and after they have been figured, I will send them to the Zoological Society. They were obtained in the province of Yunan, at an elevation of from 4000 to 5000 feet. I got Thaumalea amherstie, aud a Francolin which I am not quite sure about, as also a Pheasant, which is the living image of the English bird. I have also species of Suthora and Pyc- nonotus, and other birds which have yet to be determined. The mammals and reptiles are not yet finished. Day has described a number of new fishes, and Blanford about twelve new species of land _and freshwater shells. “TI am trying hard to get living specimens of the pigmy Hog of the Terai for the Zoological Society, and hope to succeed. To-day I have had a letter from Mr. J. C. Haughton, Commissioner of Jul- pigom, offering me a living Aretonya:, which I have also accepted for the Society. I do not know the species yet, but it will probably be A. collaris.” The Secretary also read the following extract from a letter addressed to him by the same gentleman, dated Indian Museum, Calcutta, April 11th, 1869 :— ««] know you will be interested to learn that the three specimens of Ailurus have arrived. I have taken them under my charge, and am doing all I can to mitigate their sufferings from the heat, which has been very great during the last few days, reaching as high as 95° on the cool shaded side of the house. I have a man attending to them all day; and when the sun goes down I have them carried out into a cool breezy spot. I have had a new and comfortable airy cage constructed, as the one they were in was filthy in the extreme. «The original specimen, which I found at Darjeeling, and which now belongs to Dr. Simpson, is in capital condition, and may live through the heat of the Red Sea; but I doubt much if the others will. I have told Dr. Simpson to preserve their bodies if they die. They are most interesting animals. In appearance they are wonder- fully like Raccoons. Every movement is Bear-like; they sit up on their hind quarters and strike with their paws in the same way as the Bear, climb like the Bear, and when irritated make the sudden 1869. ] LETTER FROM DR. F. V. MUELLER. 279 rush of that animal and emit a nearly similar ery ; the bushy barred tail, which is fully as long as the body, is carried straight out, or nearly so. They are very fond of milk, bamboo-leaves, and grass, and have a strong penchant for sugar. We cannot get them to eat any of the plain’s fruits. It will be a splendid success if they reach Europe alive.”’ A communication was read from Dr. F. von Mueller, F.R.S., C.M.Z.S., containing a list of birds permanently occurring, or perio- dically visiting, the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne :— 1. Falco melanogenys. 40. Sphenceacus gramineus. 2. Ieracidea berigora. 41. Calamanthus fuliginosus. 3. occidentalis. 42. dAnthus australis. 4. Astur nove-hollandia. 43. Sericornis osculans. 5. approximans. 44. Acanthiza chrysorrhoa. 6. Accipiter torquatus. 45 lineata. 7. Circus assimilis. 46. nana. 8. Strix tenebricosus. 47. Ephthianura albifrons. 9. Athene boobook. 48. Petroica phenicea. 10. strenua. 49 multicolor. 11. Aigotheles nove-hollandia. 5). Cincloramphus rufeszens. 12. Hirundo neowrena. 31. Estrelda bella. 13. Atticora leucosternon. 52. temporalis. 14. Dacelo gigantea. 53. Amadina lathami. 15. Alcyone azurea. 94. Oreocincla lunulata. 16. Haleyon sancta. 59. Oriolus viridis. 17. Artamus sordidus. 56. Meliphaga australasiana. 18. superciliosus. 97. ——- longirostris. 19. Diceum hirundinaceum. 98. Glyciphila albifrons. 20. Pardalotus punctatus. 59. Sulvifrons. 21. Graucalus melanopsis. 60. Ptilotis penicillata. 22. Pachycephala melanura. 61. Anthochera lunulata. 23. pectoralis. 62: mellivora. 24. Colluricincla harmonica. 25. Oreoica gutturalis. 26. Falcunculus frontalis. 27. Gymnorhina tibicen. . Acanthogenys rufogularis. . Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris. . Tropidorhynchus corniculatus. . Melithreptes lunulatus. 28. leuconota. 67. Ciimacteris scandens. 29. Corcorax leucopterus. 68. Sittella chrysoptera. 30. Corvus coronoides. 69. Calyptorhynchus naso. 31. Strepera anaphonensis. 70. Aprosmictus scapulatus. 32. graculina. 71. Platycercus eximius. 33. Rhipidura motacilloides. 72 pennantiz. 34, ——- rufifrons. 73. Nymphicus nove-hollandie. 35 albiscapa. 74. Euphema elegans. 36. Seissura inquieta. 75. Melopsittacus undulatus. 37. Malurus cyaneus. 76. Trichoglossus rubritorques. 38 melanotus. ir pusillus, 39. Stipiturus malacurus. 78. Cuculus cinerascens. 280 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. [ May 13, 79. Chrysoccecyx lucidus. 98. Cygnus atratus. 80. Phaps chalcoptera. 99. Cereopsis nove-hollandia. 81. Peristera elegans. 100. Anseranas melanoleuca. 82. Synecus australis. 101. Bernicla jubata. 83 diemenensis. 102. Anas superciliosa. 84. Lobivanellus lobatus. 103. ——- nevosa. 85. Scolopax australis. 104 punctata. 86. Scheniclus australis. 105. Malacorhynchus membrana- 87. subarquatus. ceus. 88. Rhynchea australis. 106. Biziura lobata. 89. Herodias syrmatophorus. 107. Nyroca australis. 90. Nycticorax caledonicus. . Sternula nereis. 91. Grus australis. 109. Pelicanus conspicillatus. 92. Botaurus australis. 110. Phalacrocorax carboides. 93. Platalea regia. a le leucogaster. 94. Porphyrio melanotus. 112. sulcirostris. 95. Fulica australis. 113. Podiceps australis. 96. Rallus pectoralis. 114. gularis. 97. Gallinula tenebrosa. The following papers were read :— 1. On the Classification of the Anurous Batrachians. By Sr. Grorecr Mivart. In June 1858 Dr. Giinther read a very valuable paper before the Zoological Society *, stating the principles according to which he was disposed to arrange, systematically, the Anurous Batrachians. The system therein offered is that adopted by the same author in his Catalogue of the Frogs and Toads contained in the British Mu- seum ft. In 1865 Mr. E. Cope gave to the world another and very different plan for arranging the same animals tf, a plan which he has amended and further elaborated in papers published in the ‘Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia’ §. Dr. Giinther’s system reposes mainly on external and readily as- certainable characters. Mr. Cope’s system is founded on certain points of osteological detail. I venture here to propose a classification which is derived from, and in all the most important points agrees with, that of Dr. Gun- ther, but which differs from it in certain minor respects (owing to a different estimate of the value of certain points of structure), while * Proc. Zool. Soc. 1858, p. 339. + ‘Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia in the Collection of the British Museum,’ by Dr. Albert Giinther. 1858. + Natural History Review, vol. v. 1865, p. 97. § Vol. vi. of the new series of that Journal, part 1, July 1866, p. 67, and part 2, September 1867, p. 189. 1869.] MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. 281 it adopts from the labours of Mr. Cope osteological characters noticed by him, but which are here restricted in their application to the limitation of more subordinate groups than those tor which he uses them. Mr. Cope’s osteological system would divide the Anura into two great series, the Arciformia and the Raniformia. The Raniformia are thus characterized * :—*‘ Coracoidei abutting ; epicoracoidei, when present, continuous, transverse, and abutting on coracoidei ; not connected with the latter by overlapping longitudinal cartilages.” The Arciformia are distinguished as follows + :—‘ Acromials and coracoids divergent, the former directed forward and connected with the latter by a longitudinal arched cartilage, which is free from, and overlapped by, the corresponding cartilaginous arch of the opposite side.” This system associates Bombinator, Pelodytes, and Cultripes with Hyla, Cystignathus, Hylodes, and Bufo, in one division; while Engystoma, Phryniscus, and Hemisus are altogether separated from the trne Toads, in order to be classed with Rana, Hylarana, &c. Such approximations seem to me forced and unnatural, and likely to lead to the rejection of the system from which they necessarily result. Mr. Cope employs other osteological characters for more subor- dinate groups; thus his Hylidet are characterized, among other points, as having the ‘‘ fronto-parietalia shortened anteriorly, usually embracing a fontanelle,’’ and ‘‘superior plate of ethmoid never covered by fronto-parietals, usually produced anteriorly, between fronto-nasals.”’ Skeletal characters are, indeed, most valuable ones in leading us to detect the deepest and truest affinities of vertebrate animals. But these affinities once found, it is very desirable that zoological classi- fications should not, if it can possibly be avoided, repose upon them only, but rather on more externa] and more readily ascertainable characters. Such external characters will probably be found to exist in all really natural groups, although they may turn out to be distinctions so little obvious that they might never have been noticed, but for the guidance afforded by the previous careful study of the osteology of such groups. As to the particular character selected to distinguish Mr. Cope’s two great primary divisions, I cannot think it of anything like the importance § he attaches to it. The point is one easily to be studied, as the Common Frog is the type of the Raniformia, while the Com- mon Toad exemplifies the Arciform type of structure. When the two adult shoulder-girdles are compared, a considerable * Journal Acad. Phil. new series, vol. vi. pt. 2, p. 190. t Ibid. pt. 1, p. 67. { Ibid. p. 83. § Lam fortified in this, I rejoice to say, by the valuable opinion of one of the very first of existing osteologists, I mean my esteemed friend Mr. W. K. Parker, E.R.S. 282 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. [ May 13, difference certainly appears at first sight to exist; but if a Frog of a somewhat earlier age is examined, it will be seen to be as “ arcife- rous”’ asin the Toad. In Mr. Parker’s elaborate Monograph on the shoulder-girdle, published by the Ray Society, this fact is well shown at plate 5, where the various stages are represented between the shoulder-girdle of the Frog-tadpole, ‘‘ with budding limbs but per- fect tail’? (fig. 1), and that of the “old male Frog” (fig. 11). In the Frog, a few weeks after metamorphosis (fig. 9), the arched car- tilages are well shown; and the young Frog with the tail absorbed (fig. 6) exhibjts a condition, as regards the overlapping cartilaginous arches, closely resembling that presented by the Toad of the first summer (fig. 16). Now the existence of structures in a rudimentary, transitory con- dition during the development of certain animals, does not necessarily invalidate the employment of the manifest conspicuous presence of such structures in the adult condition of other animals as distin- guishing characters of the latter. But in all such cases a really marked distinction must be capable of being drawn. This cannot be said to be the case in the present instance, where two animals (the common Frog and Toad) closely resemble each other after they have assumed their final, adult external form. The Anura, then, can hardly, I think, be divided into two primary sections on the strength of a character so little distinctive as Mr. Parker’s observations prove the visible presence of these cartila- ginous arches to be. I say visible presence, because even in the old male Frog this arch really persists, though its existence is dis- guised and hidden by the superficial extension over it of the lower part of the coracoid. Some of the other characters are also but little satisfactory. Thus the presence of a fontanelle is sometimes at least merely a proof of the immaturity of the individual possess- ing it. “The Anura form such a remarkably homogeneous group, that their subdivision is a work of great difficulty, I fully agree with Mr. Cope that adaptive modifications should be neglected as affording distinctive characters of groups, in favour of others going deeper into their essential relations and affinities. But here it is not at all evident to me which ave the really essential characters; and when these cannot be clearly distinguished, I think it well to turn to such others as can easily be observed, though regretting at the same time the absence of more significant and satisfactory distinctions. Thus the system proposed by Dr. Giinther should, I think, be retained as far as possible, being so ‘complete and practically use- ful,” as Mr. Cope acknowledges*. That Dr. Giinther’s system admits now of some modification, i think its author would freely acknowledge. The discovery that some species of Callula have very large digital disks, while others are totally devoid of such expansions, cannot but cause grave doubts as to the propriety of the dividing the Anura into large groups on the strength of such a character. ‘Then the presence or absence of a * Natural History Review, vol. v. p. 120. 1869.] MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. 283 web is.sometimes so variable in one and the same genus, that, I snb- mit, family distinctness can hardly be determined by it. I therefore propose to treat the presence or absence of disks as a character of minor importance, and to place in one family all forms not otherwise distinguishable than by the presence or absence of a web. The two remarkable and aberrant genera Pipa and Dactylethra (which agree in having the eustachian tubes so united as to have but one pharyngeal orifice, and in being destitute of a tongue) I am not disposed to regard as low forms. The absence of the tongue is a -defect ; but then the highest of all reptiles (the Crocodilia) differ from the inferior forms of their class by a similar one. The single eusta- chian opening is certainly rather an evidence of higher development. It is with considerable doubt, and mainly out of deference to the opinion of others, that | make Pipa and Dactylethra types of one and the same primary subordinal division, It may be that Pipa is to the edentulous Anura what Dactylethra is to the toothed forms, and that they are, as Mr. Cope has suggested*, extremes of two different series. Nevertheless the agreement between these genera is very remarkable, not only as to the absence of a tongue and the structure of the tympanum, but also as regards the expanded sacral vertebra, the absence of parotoids and of teeth on the palate, the hidden tympanum, and the broadly webbed toes. In searching for an important character by which to divide pri- marily the rest of the Anura, I have to choose between that afforded by the expansion or non-expansion of the transverse process of the sacral vertebra, and the presence or absence of maxillary teeth, as (considering the conditions presented by the genus Callula) I de- cline altogether to adopt as an important distinction the expansion of the ends of the digits into disks. The sacral dilatation is certainly a very remarkable structure, and one probably rather essential than adaptive+. Nevertheless, were -it to be selected as the primary character, it would lead to the asso- ciation of Engystoma and Bufo with Hyla and Discoglossus, and the radical separation of the last-named genus from Rana, and of Poly- pedates and Hylodes from Hyla. 1 therefore conclude to adopt that character which Dr. Giinther considers the most important after the * Natural History Review, 1865, vol. v. p. 98. + Dr. Ginther says, ‘‘ What influence the dilated or more cylindrical form of the’ process of sacral vertebra has upon the mode of life is difficult to explain, as it does not absolutely correspond with other physiological or anatomical charac- ters. The pelvis obtains by the dilatation of these processes much more firm- ness ; and a lateral motion is more or less entirely impeded. We should there- fore expect to meet with this character in those Batrachians which are provided with the longest and most: powerful hind legs, according to the physical problem that the longest lever requires the strongest centre. But, on the contrary, the Batrachians with the shortest legs exhibit a much-dilated sacral vertebra, whilst on the other hand the long-legged Hylide show the same peculiarity. In fact, this osteological form seems to be connected with none of the modifications of loco- motion; for we find among these Batrachians good swimmers as well as bad, tree- as well as earth-frogs, those which always hop as well as those which often crawl ; finally we are unable to refer to it a peculiarity of any part of the propa- gation.” (P. Z. 8. 1858, p. 340.) 284 MR.ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUKOUS BATRACHIANS. [ May 13, tongue and digital disks—which latter I decline to select. This character is the presence of maxillary teeth. On this subject Dr. Giinther observes *, “‘ When we consider that the lower jaw of the tailed Batrachians is provided with a series of teeth, and that these are wanting in all the tailless Batrachians, we are obliged to acknowledge the importance of this character.’’ Since this was written, however, two forms have been discovered which ave provided with mandibular teeth}; and this may perhaps be considered to strengthen Dr. Giinther’s refusal to consider the possession of teeth a primary character—a refusal he fortifies by reference to the Eden- tata and Salmonide. But the learned Doctor’s refusal was mainly grounded on his “not being able to consider the character of the dentition among the tail- less Batrachians as one intimately connected with their mode of life”’ , an objection the force of which I am so far from being disposed to admit that I would select for classificatory purposes the least adaptive characters I could find, provided they were constant and easily to be ascertained. It is true that in the Edentata we have edentulous and many toothed forms, but then these forms are ver distinct; we have no edentulous Armadillos and no toothed Ant- eaters, and indeed the order may well be primarily divided according to the dentition; so that I think that, on the whole, the Edentata favour my view. Characters as to dentition serve also to define the primary divisions of the orders Primates, Chiroptera, Insectivora, Cetacea, and Mar- supialia, at the least, if not others also ; and the edentulous Chelonia form the most natural and well-defined primary groups of existing Reptiles. Mr. Cope opposes the adoption of dental characters fur important divisions as follows :—‘‘ The increase of knowledge furnishes us with cases of rudimental dentition, indicating a less significance for the character which has been supposed to characterize the Bufoniformia. Such occurs in the genus Colostethus, Cope, which seems to be quite identical with Dendrobates, except in the possession of teeth. Miero- Ayla, a true Engystomatid, is said by Dr. Ginther to possess teeth ; and minute rugosities on the maxillee of Callula natatrix deceived me into the belief at one time that teeth actually existed. Among arciferous genera Eupemphix (Steindachner) is said by him to possess very minute teeth, which in some adults are entirely wanting” To this it may be replied that the loss of teeth in certain individuals, perhaps aged, can hardly be a valid reason to reject this character as one of weight. Secondly, Microhyla does not possess teeth; the possession of teeth was attributed to it by Dr. Gunther on the * Proce. Zool. Soc. 1858, p. 340. + These are :—Hemiphractus scutatus, described by Peters, in ‘ Berlin. Monats.’ 1863, p. 144; and Grypiscus, described by Cope in ‘Journal of Acad. Phila- delphia,’ 1867, vol. vi. part 2, p. 205. t Proc. Zool. Soe. 1858, p. 340. . § Journal of the Acad. of Nat. Sc. of Philadelphia, new series, vol. vi. part 2, p. 189. 1869.] MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. 28) authority of Tschudi* and MM. Duméril and Bibron +. Thirdly, Mr. Cope admits that he was misled as to the existence of teeth in Callula natatriz. Perhaps a similar circumstance may have occurred as regards Colostethus, or perhaps Hylaplesia may be found to have teeth at some period of life. Next in importance to the presence or absence of teeth I am dis- posed to rank the condition of the development of the ear and the dilatation of the sacral transverse process, I am moreover inclined to lay additional weight on them from their not being adaptive cha- racters—the dilatation of the sacral vertebra being, as we have seen, apparently independent of locomotive habit. As to the condition of the internal ear, neither Dr. Giinther nor Mr. Cope are disposed to attach primary importance to it; and I fully agree with the first-named author in thinking that “the Batra- chians with imperfectly developed ear would form together an un- uatural group, and would be separated too far from other allied forms’’+, if that character were made the main character in Batra- chian classification. Nevertheless it seems to me a character of such great importance that I propose to rank it next after the presence or absence of teeth. Of the characters that remain the most readily available are the presence or absence of parotoids and the dilatation or non-dilatation of the tips of the digits. That the latter character is, as Mr. Cope considers, not one of any great real value, seems to me to be demonstrated, as before said, by the varying condition in which it is found in the single genus Callula. The presence or absence of parotoids therefore may, I think, well take precedence of the digital disks as a distinctive cha- racter. As to the ‘ presence or absence of a web between the toes,”’ that character can only be applied with doubt and uncertainty even to certain groups ranking as low as genera. Making use of these characters in the subordination above indi- cated, we shall have, besides Pipa and Dactylethra, two great series— (1) a toothed (Frog) series, and (2) an edentulous (Toad) series. As some of the animals of the latter series seem to offer the lowest condition found in the order, we may ascend through them to the Frogs, beginning with a section containing those in which the ear is imperfect. The first family of these will be the Rhinophrynide, which have parotoid glands and a tongue free anteriorly. The second family will be the Phryniscide, in which there are no parotoid glands, and in which the tongue is fixed in front.- The next eden- tulous section will consist of such toothless forms as have a perfect ear. It will contain one family with an undilated sacral vertebra (the Hylapleside) and three families in which the sacral vertebra is dilated, the first of the three (Bufonide) having parotoid glands, the other two being destitute of such structures and distinguished from * “Classification der Batrachier,’ p. 71, “Dentes masillares et palatinos bre- visstmos.” t Erpétologie Générale, vol. viii. p. 614. | Proce. Zool. Soc. 1858, p. 342. 286 MR. 8T. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. [ May 13, each other by the tongue being fixed in front as usual (the Engy- stomide) or free in front (the Xenorhinide). The toothed (or Frog) series may also be similarly divided into two sections :—first, those with an imperfect ear, the Bombinatoride; secondly, those with a perfect ear. This latter section contains more families than any other section of the order, there being three families in which the sacral vertebra is not dilated, and four in which it is dilated—seven in all. In order, however, to place those families in juxtaposition which have most affinity for each other (e.g. the Discoglosside next to the Ranide, &c.) I have thought it desirable, in the annexed table, to treat the dilatation of the sacral vertebra as subordinate to the presence or absence of parotoids. I do not, how- ever, consider, as I have already said, the latter character to be infe- rior in importance ; but such a way of treating the matter is conve- nient in this particular instance. Thus the Plectromantide, with parotoids and non-dilated sacral vertebra, will come first, then those with parotoids and dilated sacral vertebra; first, the Alytide, without digital disks, and then the Pelodryadide, with them. Of those without parotoids the Hylide have a dilated sacral vertebra and digital disks; while undilated sacral vertebra is common to the Polypedatide and Ranide, which differ in the presence or absence of the disks; after these the Discoglosside, which have the sacral vertebra dilated, but are devoid of disks. Finally come Pipa and Dactylethra, which thus form a third primary division of the Anura, characterized by a highly developed tympanum, but no tongue. ANURA, A. Without mawillary teeth at any time of life, but with a tongue. I. Ear imperfect. Tongue free in front .............. Rhinophrynide. Tongue fixed in front .............. Phryniscide. Il. Ear perfect. a. Sacral vertebra not dilated ........ Hylapleside. 3. Sacral vertebra dilated. |. SPATOCOIGS, steer So, agen as ... Bufonide. 2. No parotoids. Tongue free in front ...... . Xenorhinide. Tongue fixed in front........ Engystomide. B. With mawillary teeth at some time of life and with a tongue. I.) Har imperfect) i e.0s vedas waeeeee.. Bombinatoide. II. Ear perfect. a. Parotoids. 1. Sacral vertebra not dilated .... Plectromantide. 2. Sacral vertebra dilated. NoidieitalsGisks in ok sje ete Alytide. Drettalimisks~ 08. 2kG a Seis Pelodryadide. 1869.] MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. 287 {. No parotoids. 1. Sacral vertebra dilated; digital SGISLSssfsifaie- SARE ving tanta Hylide. 2. Sacral vertebra undilated ; digital CRSA Es Poth Heh slawiehe “he tte Polypedatide. 3. Sacral vertebra undilated; no BISON AISI 5 F. ovain. ag heii Nt pos Ranide. 4. Sacral vertebra dilated ; no digital 6 ELC SP ney te Discoglosside. C. No tongue ; maxillary teeth present or absent. Fr Maxillary teetin ausent.... Pen sss Pipide. TT. Wiixillary teeth present +. .: ee Dactylethride. Section A. No maxillary teeth; a tongue. Division I. Kar imperfect. Fam. I. Rurnopurynip2@. No tympanum ; no cavum tympani; no eustachian tubes; trans- verse processes of sacral vertebra dilated ; parotoid glands present but hidden, large, with smooth surface ; tongue free in front, fixed behind ; fingers webbed at the base, toes half webbed; “no articulated ribs or opisthoccelian vertebree ;”’ “ ethmoid septal walls ossified to the end of the muzzle, and separating the prefrontals; its superior plate covered by the completely ossified fronto-parietale. Fronto- nasalia well developed, entirely in contact with fronto-parietalia, separated by a median point of the latter and by the ethmoid sep- tum.” ‘*Coracoid and epicoracoid divergent, connected by a nar- row single cartilage; the former not dilated, in contact with, or slightly separated from, that of the opposite side.’’ Nine vertebrae and a coceyx attached by two condyles. Tropical America. . Rhinophrynus, Dum. & Bibron, viii. p. 748, pl. 91. figs. 2, 2a; Ginther, P. Z. S. 1858, p. 348; Cope, Nat, Hist. Review, vol. v. 1865, p. 100. Genus Rhinophrynus, Mexico. Fam. II. Puryniscip2. No tympanum ; no cavum tympani; eustachian tubes absent or rudimentary ; transverse processes of sacral vertebra dilated ; no pa- rotoid glands; tongue more or less elongate, fixed in front, free behind, where it is entire; digits free or webbed, but undilated or only moderately dilated. No arciform cartilages. Neotropical and Australian, Indian and Ethiopian regions. This is almost equivalent to the Brachycephalina of Dr. Giinther, including, as it does, the Phryniscide, Brachycephalide, and adding to them the Micrhylide (Cat. of Bat. Salientia, pp. 42, 45, & 121, and Synopsis, p. 8), 288 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. | May 13, Subfam. 1. PHRryYNISCINA. « Prefrontals small, widely removed from each other and from the fronto-parietals ; eustachian tubes rudimentary; no digital disks ; precoracoidei present and smaller than coracoids’’*. See Cope, Journal of Acad. of Phil. 1867, p. 195. Genera :—Phryniscus, Neotropia; Pseudophryne, Australian ; Brachycephalus, Neotropia. Subfam. 2. HEMIsSINA. No eustachian tubes; tongue posteriorly retractile into a sheath; fronto-parietal and prefrontal bones fully developed, in contact, the latter separated to end of muzzle by ossified ethmoid septum ; manu- - brium present ; coracoids more slender than precoracoids ; no digital disks. See Cope, /. c. p. 198. Genus Hemisus, Ethiopia. Subfam. 3. Micurytina. Precoracoidei wanting ; no eustachian tubes; ethmoid arch ossi- fied; prefrontals fully developed, in contact with each other and fronto-parietals ; latter complete ; moderate digital disks. Genus Micrhyla, Indian region. Division II. Ear perfect. Subsection a. Sacral vertebra not dilated. Fam. II]. Hynapiesip& (Giinther). A tympanum and cavum tympani; two eustachian tubes ; pro- cesses of sacral vertebra not dilated; no parotoid glands; tongue free behind; digits free and all dilated at their ends; no arciform cartilages ; precoracoids present ; sacrum distinct from coecygeal style, three lobes to the liver ; prefrontals widely separated ; ethmoid broad, ossified to extremity of muzzle; terminal phalanges with two divaricate limbs. Tropical America. Hylapleside, Giinther, Cat. of Bat. Sal. p. 124. Dendrobatide, Cope, Journal Phil. 1867, p. 197. Genus Hylaplesia, Neotropia. Subsection 5. Sacral vertebra dilated, Fam. IV. Buronrp& (Giinther). A tympanum and cavum tympani; two eustachian tubes; pro- * These characters may not apply to Pseudophryne, which does not appear to be included by Cope in his Phryniscide, though in the paper in the Nat Hist. Review it is placed beside Phryniscus, 1. c. p. 102. 1869.] MR.ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. 289 cesses of sacral vertebra dilated; parotoid glands present ; tongue free behind ; digits not dilated, toes more or less webbed. Cosmopolitan, except Australia. Subfam. 1. KALopHrRyNINA. No arciform cartilages; precoracoids present ; prefrontals fully developed, forming suture with each other and fronto-parietals ; skin of the back forming one large flat parotoid. East-Indian islands. Genus Kalophrynus, Indian region. Subfam. 2. Buronina. Arciform cartilages ; precoracoids present ; parotoids normal, pro- minent. Cosmopolitan, except Australia. Genera :—Bufo, cosmopolitan, except Australia ; O¢ilophus, Neo- tropical region; Peltaphryne, Neotropical region; Pseudobufo, East- Indian archipelago; Schismaderma, Ethiopian. Fam. V. XENORHINIDA. A tympanum and cavum tympani; two eustachian tubes; pro- cesses of sacral vertebra dilated; no parotoid glands ; tongue en- tirely attached behind, free in front; digits all free, but only the toes provided with disks ; tympanum distinct, large ; no tarsal tubercle ; habit of Hngystoma. New Guinea. See Peters, Berlin. Monats. 1863, p. 82. Bombinator oxycephalus, Schlegel, Handleiding tot de beolfening der Dierkunde, ii. p. 58, tab. iv. fig. 74. Genus Xenorhina, Australian region. Fam. VI. EnGystomip. A tympanum and cavum tympani; two eustachian tubes ; pro- cesses of sacral vertebra dilated; no parotoid glands ; tongue fixed in front; digital disks present or absent. African, Indian, Neotropical, and Australian regions. Includes Engystomide, Rhinodermatide, Brachymeride, and Hyledactylide of Dr. Giinther, Cat. of Bat. Salientia, Synopsis, pp. 8 & 9. Subfam 1. ENGysromina. Coracoidei abutting; no precoracoids; no arciform cartilages. Engystomide of Cope, /. c. pp. 190 & 191. Genera :—Engystoma, Neotropical region; Diplopelma, Indian region; Cacopus (Systoma), Indian; Glyphoglossus, Indian; Callula, Indian ; Brachymerus, Ethiopian ; Adenomera, Neotropical ; Pachy- batrachus (?), Australia. Subfam. 2. BrevicrprtTina. Coracoidei abutting ; precoracoids present ; no arciform cartilages. 290 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. [ May 13, Genera :—Breviceps, Ethiopian region; Chelydobatrachus, Aus- tralian; Hypopachus, Neotropical; Rhinoderma, Neotropical ; dte- lopus, Neotropical; Copea, Neotropical. Subfam. 3. PALUDICOLINA. Coracoids and precoracoids present ; also arciform cartilages. Genus Paludicola, Neotropical region. ; Section B. With mavillary teeth at some time of life, and with a tongue. Division I. Ear imperfect. Fam. VII. Bomsinatorip (Giinther). Tympanum and cavum tyampani present or absent; eustachian tubes always absent, or reduced to a minute foramen with an absent tympanum (Cacotus); transverse processes of sacral vertebra alinost always dilated ; no parotoid glands; tongue fixed in front ; toes free or webbed ; no digital disks; arciform cartilages present. Palearctic and Neotropical regions, and New Zealand. Subfam. 1. BOMBINATORINA. No tympanum ; no cavum tympani ; eustachian tubes rudimentary, minute, or wanting; tongue entirely adherent; fingers free; toes webbed ; vomerine teeth; vertebree opisthoccelian ; ribs present; a fronto-parietal fontanelle; prefrontals in contact anteriorly; one coccygeal cotylus. Genus Bombinator, Palearctic region: Subfam. 2. PELOBATINA. No tympanum ; no cavum tympani; eustachian tubes, if present, very narrow; tongue free behind (Didocus?), nearly entire; ver- tebrz proccelian ; no ribs ; vomerine teeth ; ‘‘ coccygeal style without condyloid articulation, its axial portion restricting that of the sacrum and connate with it.” Genera :—Pelobates, Europe; Didocus, Europe. Snbfam. 3. ALSODINA. No tympanum, cavum tympani, or eustachian tubes (T'e/mato- bius?); toes webbed; sacral vertebra not, or scarcely dilated ; ver- tebrz proccelian; no ribs; coccyx attached by two condyles ; vome- rine teeth present or absent. Genera.:—Alsodes, Neotropia; Telmatobius, Neotropia. Subfam. 4. Cacorina. Tympanum absent, but minute eustachian tubes; sacral vertebra not dilated; toes quite free ; vomerine teeth. Genus Cacotus, Giinther, P. Z. 8. 1868, p. 482, Neotropia. 1869.] MR Sf. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. 291 When reading his paper before the Zoological Society, Dr. Giinther called attention to the interesting and highly remarkable parallelism between this genus of South America and the European Bombinator. Subfam. 5. LiopELMATINA. Tympanum none (or hidden) ; no eustachian tubes; sacral ver- tebra dilated; no vomerine teeth; toes webbed at the base. Genus Liopelma, Fitz., and Giinther, B. Mus. Cat. MS., New Zealand. Divison II. Ear perfect. Subsection a. Parotozds. Fam. VIII. PLecrroMANTID&. A tympanum and cavum tympani; two eustachian tubes, each with a considerable aperture; transverse processes of sacral vertebra not dilated; parotoids present as a large oblong gland behind the mouth; tongue large, rounded and free behind; toes nearly all free, but with small disks; no disks to fingers. [Arciform cartilages present ?] Genus Plectromantis, Neotropical region. Fam. IX. ALyTiIp&. Answers to the Alytide and Uperoliide of Dr. Giinther. A tympanum, cavum tympani, and eustachian tubes present ; transverse processes of sacral vertebra dilated; parotoid glands pre- sent; tongue fixed in front ; digits not dilated at the tips; arciform cartilages present. Palearctic, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions. Subfam. 1. ALyTina. Vertebrze opisthoceelian ; ribs present ; “‘ first coccygeal vertebra united as usual with the second or style, but furnished with posteriorly divergent diapophyses, and attached to the sacral by two eotyloid cavities ; a fronto-parietal fontanelle ; terminal phalanges continuous, simple.”’ Genus Alytes, Paleearctic region. Subfam. 2. ScAPHIOPODINA. - Vertebrze proceelian ; no ribs; no coccygeal diapophyses ; coccyx connate with sacrum ; terminal phalanges continuous, conic. Genus Scaphiopus, North America. Subfam. 3. Uprroxitna (Uperoliide, Giinther), Vertebree proccelian ; no ribs; coccyx separate, attached to two condyles, with no diapophyses ; terminal phalanges simple. Genera :—Hyperolius, Neotropical region ; Helioporus, Neotro- pical ; Nattereria, Neotropical. 292 MR.ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. [ May 13, Fam. X. PELopryapip& (Giinther). A tympanum, cavum tympani, and eustachian tubes present ; transverse processes of sacral vertebra dilated; parotoid glands pre- sent ; tongue fixed in front; digits dilated at the tips. Genera :—Phyllomedusa, Neotropical region; Pelodryas, Aus- tralian; Chirodryas, Australian. Subsection 5. No parotoids. Fam. XI. Hytrp# (Giinther). A tympanum, cavum tympani, and eustachian tubes present ; transverse processes of sacral vertebra dilated; no parotoid glands ; tongue fixed in front; digits dilated into disks at the tips ; arciform cartilages present; coccyx articulated by two condyles; ‘ fronto- parietals shortened anteriorly, usually embracing a fontanelle ; ter- minal phalanges articulated inferiorly on to the extremity of the penultimate, globular or swollen proximally, and giving rise to the curved acute distal portion.” Genera :—Hyla, Cosmopolitan, except Indian and Ethiopian re- gions; Hylella, Neotropical; Ololygon (Thoropa), Neotropical ; Pseudacris (Chorophilus), North American; Pohlia, Neotropical ; Litoria, Australian; Triprion, Neotropical; Opisthodelphys, Neo- tropical ; Trachycephalus, Neotropical ; Nototrema, Neotropical. Fam. XII. Potyeepatip# (Ginther). A. tympanum, cavum tympani, and eustachian tubes present ; transverse processes of sacral vertebra not dilated; no parotoid glands ; tongue fixed in front ; arciform cartilages present or absent ; digits dilated at the tips. Answers to the Polypedatide and Hylodide of Dr. Giinther. Cosmopolitan, except Palzearctic region. Subfam. 1. PotypEDATINA. Coracoids and precoracoids, but no arciform cartilages; simple coceyx attached by two cotyloid cavities; manubrium bony. No fronto-parietal fontanelle ; toes almost always more or less webbed. Genera :—IJvalus, Indian and Ethiopian regions; Megalixalus*, ——?; Hylarana, Indian and Ethiopian; Leptomantis+, Indian ; Hylambates, Ethiopian; Platymantis, Indian and _ Polynesia; Cornufer, Indian and Australian; Hemimantis, Ethiopian; Rhaco- phorus, Indian; Chiromantis, Ethiopian; Polypedates, Indian and Ethiopian ; Thelodermat, Indian; Rappia, Indian and Australian regions and the Seychelles. Subfam. 2. AcRIDINA. Arciform cartilages present ; vertebrae proccelian ; simple coccyx * Skeletal characters unknown, but placed provisionally beside Zra/us. + Placed here on the authority of Peters, who says it is so like Zvalus. + Placed here on the authority of Cope. 1869.] MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. 293 with two condyles ; terminal phalanges curved, sharp-pointed, swollen at the base, hyloid; ethmoid never covered by fronto-parietals. Genera:—Acris, North America; Leiyla? (Keferstein), Costa Rica. Subfam. 3. Hynopina. Arciform cartilages present ; vertebree proccelian ; coccyx separate, attached to two condyles ; manubrium wanting, or cartilaginous ; ter- minal phalanges with a transverse limb (Strabomantis?), not hyloid. Genera :—H/losia, Neotropical region; Zpirhexis, N eotropical ; Phyllobates, Neotropical; Hylodes, Neotropical; Cropodactylus, Neotropical ; Strabomantis (?), Neotropical. Subfam. 4. CaLosTerHIna. Precoracoids present, but no arciform cartilages; xiphisternum and manubrium wanting ; terminal phalanges with transverse limb ; no vomerine teeth. Calostethide, Cope, Journ. Ac. Philad. 2nd ser. vol. vi. pt. 2. Genus Calostethus, Neotropia. Fam. XIII. RAnipaz. A tympanum, cavum tympani, and eustachian tubes present ; transverse processes of sacral vertebra not dilated; no parotoid glands; tongue fixed in front ; arciform cartilages present or absent ; digits not dilated at the tips. Answers to the Ranide and Cystignathide of Dr. Giinther. Cosmopolitan. Subfam. 1. Rania. No arciform cartilages; manubrium with a strong bony style; xiphisternum similar; no fronto-parietal fontanelle ; no mandibular teeth. Genera :—Rana, all regions except the Australian region; Qdon- vophrynus, Neotropical ; Dicroglossus, Indian; Oxyglossus, Indian ; Phrynobatrachus, Ethiopian; Hoplobatrachus, Indian ; Phryno- glossus (? skeletal characters unknown, but otherwise very like Oxy- glossus) ; Clinotarsus (skeletal characters unknown), —— ? Subfam. 2. CysTiGNATHINA. Arciform cartilages present ; manubrium wanting or cartilaginous (except Limnocharis) ; a styloid osseous xiphisternum with a carti- laginous disk ; sometimes a fronto-parietal fontanelle ; no mandibular teeth. Genera :—Pseudis, Neotropical region ; Pithecopsis, Neotropical ; Mixophyes, Australian ; Pywicephalus, Ethiopian and Indian; Cera- tophrys, Neotropical ; Zachenus, ?; Platyplectrum, Australian ; Neobatrachus, Australian ; Cyclorhamphus, Neotropical ; Limnody- nastes, Australian; Crinia, Australian; Husophleus, Neotropical; Pleurodema, Neotropical; Leiuperus, Neotropical; Hylorhina, Neo- Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XX. 294 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON ANUROUS BATRACHIANS. [ May 13, tropical; Limnocharis, ?; Cystignathus, Neotropical and Ethiopian. Subfam. 3. HEMIPHRACTINA. Mandibnlar teeth. Genus Hemiphractus, Neotropical. Fam. XIV. Discocioss1p& (Giinther). A tympanum, cayum tympani, and eustachian tubes preseut ; transverse processes of sacral vertebra dilated; no parotoid glands ; tongue fixed in front; digits not dilated at the tips; arciform carti- lages present or absent; bony manubrium present or absent; ribs present or absent; mandibular teeth present or absent. Answers to both the Discoglosside and the Asterophrydide of Dr. Giinther. Cosmopolitan, except Nearctic and Ethiopian regions. Subfam. 1. CuiroLeprTina. Vertebree proccelian; no ribs; arciform cartilages present ; ma- nubrium wanting or cartilaginous; fronto-parietal bones complete, no fontanelle; xiphisternum a cartilaginous plate; no mandibular teeth. Genera :—Chiroleptes, Australian region; Zachenus(?); Calyp- tocephalus, Neotropical. Subfam. 2. ASTEROPHRYDINA. Vertebree opisthoccelian; no ribs; arciform cartilages present ; no mandibular teeth. Genera :—Cryptotis, Australian region; Asterophrys, Australian ; Xenophrys, Indian; Megalophrys, Indian; Nannophrys, Indian. Subfam. 3. PrLopyTINA. Vertebree proccelian; no ribs; arciform cartilages present; no mandibular teeth. Genera :—Pelodytes, Palearctic region ; Leptobrachium, Indian region. Subfam. 4. DiscoG1Lossina. Vertebre opisthoccelian ; short ribs present; arciform cartilages present ; no mandibular teeth. Genera:—Discoglossus, Palearctic region ; Zaphrissa, Palearctic ; Latonia, Paleearctic. Subfam. 5. ARTHROLEPTINA. No arciform cartilages; no ribs; precoracoids present; no man- dibular teeth ; manubrium and xiphisternum bony ; no fontanelle, Genus Arthroleptis, Ethiopian region. 1869.] MR. J. GOULD ON A NEW HUMMING-BIRD. 295 Subfam. 6. GryPISCINA. Arciform cartilages present; no ribs (?); mandibular teeth developed. Cope, Journ. Ac. Philad. 1867, vol. vi. pt. 2, p. 205. Genus Grypiscus, Neotropia. Section C. No tongue; mazillary teeth present or absent. Division I. No maxillary teeth. Fam. XV, Prpip. A tympanum and an entirely bony cavym tympani; eustachian tubes united, with a single oral opening; transverse processes of sacral vertebra dilated ; no parotoids; no tongue; atlas and second vertebra confluent; vast cartilaginous xiphoid and great arciform cartilages, Genus Pipa, Neotropical region. Division II. Mawillary teeth. Fam. XVI. DacryLeTHRID&. A tympanum and an entirely bony cavum tympani; eustachian tubes united, with a single oral opening; transverse processes of sacral vertebra dilated; no parotoids; no tongue; atlas and second vertebra distinct ; coccyx and sacrum confluent; moderate carti- laginous xiphoid, and no arciform cartilages; yet coracoid and pre- coracoid very widely diverging. Genus Dactylethra, Ethiopian region. 2. Description of a New Genus and Species of the Family Trochilide. By Joun Gouxp, F.R.S, &e. Genus OREONYMPHA. Gen. Char.—Bill longer than the head, stout, and with a some- what downward curvature; wings large and sickle-shaped; tail ample and forked; tarsi clothed nearly to the toes, which are of moderate size ; the hinder toe and nail rather shorter than the middle toe and nail. ) Notwithstanding the length and stoutness of the bill, I consider this form to be nearly allied both to Oxypogon and Ramphomicron. It has the same kind of brilliant gular streak, a similar laxity of plumage, and soft flexible tail-feathers. OREONYMPHA NOBILIS. Bill and legs black ; crown blue, with a streak of black down the centre; on the throat a lengthened streak of brilliant feathers, of which those nearest the bill are green, those which succeed are red- 296 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 13, dish purple, and those at the tip purplish blue, the whole being bordered on each side with black ; sides of the neck and chest greyish white; abdomen, flanks, and under tail-coverts mottled white, grey, and light brown; back of the neck and upper surface bronzy brown ; wings vurplish brown; outer tail-feather on each side white, with a longitudinal streak of bronzy brown at the tip of the inner web; the next on each side the same, but the bronzy mark of greater extent ; the central feathers entirely bronze, as in Oxypogon. ‘Total length 6 inches, bill 1}, wing 33, tail 3, tarsi 7. Remark.—This remarkably large and handsome species was dis- covered by Mr. H. Whitely at Tinta in Peru, at an elevation of 11,500 feet. 3. On the Fishes of Orissa. By Surgeon F. Day, F.Z.8., F.L.S.—Part 1. Having during the last few months been employed in conducting an inquiry into the present state of some of the freshwater fisheries on the eastern coast of India, I propose in the following paper giving a list of such species of fishes as I obtained in the province of Orissa. This portion of Bengal is comprised in one Commissionership, com- mencing in the south at the Chilka lake, and terminating at Jella- sore in the north. I have also included a few species from the Cossye at Midnapore. My investigations occupied December 1868 and the following month, and were instituted into the condition of every river which empties itself into the sea, also into the condition of many tanks, and the fisheries at the mouth of the Balasore river. Although I was not so fortunate as to obtain many species new to science, I was much gratified in procuring several of Hamilton Buchanan’s and M‘Clelland’s fish whose existence has been doubted, or which have been referred to different species or genera or even renamed. Before commencing the list I may remark upon the interesting fact that at last I have been a witness to fish being exhumed alive from beneath the mud of an Indian tank. On January 18, I was “out fishing a tank, when I mentioned to an intelligent native official my wish to see fish exhumed from the mud of tanks. He remarked that the Labyrinthici, Ophiocephalide, and Rhynchobdellida, be- sides the Saccobranchus and Clarias, invariably retire into the mud of tanks when the water dries up, but denied that the Carps ever did so. Pointing to a neighbouring tank which was almost dry, he ob- served that we could at once make the examination. I promised a reward to whoever would let me see him exhume fish, and we ad- journed to the spot. The tank was about one acre in extent, and had not above 4 inches depth of water at its centre, whilst its circumference was sufli- ciently dried up to walk upon. ‘The soil was a thick, consistent, bluish clay, and I refused to allow any one to go nearer the water than 30 paces. Six coolies set to work, and in less than five minutes 1869.] MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 297 extracted from at least 2 feet below the surface of the mud, two specimens of the Ophiocephalus punctatus, Bloch, and three of the Rhynchobdella aculeata, Willughby. All of these fish were very lively, and not in the slightest degree torpid. They were covered over with a thickish adherent slime; and on dissecting them at a subsequent date, none contained ova. ‘The natives stated that if I returned in about a month, by which time they expected the ground would be hard and caked, they were confident that we should still find fish below the surface. 1. LATES CALCARIFER, Bloch, Bekkut (Ooriah). This marine Perch ascends the rivers far beyond the influence of the tides, following those species which migrate to the fresh waters for the purpose of depositing their ova. In the Mahanuddi it is frequently taken at Benki, about 76 miles from the sea. 2. MESOPRION CHIRTAH, Cuy. & Val. Soosta (Ooriah). Beye: Ds B19. Vee. Avge C1 Lido Metts S Ceec. pyl. 6. The form I obtained was the young M. annularis, C. & V., at Chanderpore, near the mouth of the Balasore river, where I examined the stake-nets on three different days during the spring tides, and obtained several species of fish and two sorts of sea-snakes, one of the latter of which bit my left heel whilst wading in the sea amongst the fishing-nets. I procured specimens, and I find it to be the Enhydrina bengaliensis, Gray. As the fangs drew blood, I am in- clined to think that perhaps the reptile had discharged his venom on some fish previously to trying his teeth on my heel. I may men- tion that I found alive on the shore at the same place a very fine specimen of that handsome Sea-snake the Pelamis bicolor, Schneider. 3. Mesoprion siLuaoo, Cuy. & Val. Purruwa (Ooriah). Pee ee ol Va ey On 1g LT a0 Lith, a i 8 Some fine specimens of this fish were taken in the sea at Chan- derpore; I likewise saw many which had been dried in the sun. 4, Ampassis ALTA, Cuv. & Val. Chandee (Ooriah). Bove Ds 7 [er BAIR Ve igh 0. 17 W..58: 12-15" "13-15" Several spines about the head ; six directed backwards on the pre- orbital ; one moderately strong one is placed on the centre of the anterior margin of the orbit, and five more along its lower edge. On the centre of the posterior margin of the orbit is a similar spine, with 298 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 13, five more, decreasing in size, along its superior half. The horizontal limb of the preoperculum with a double denticulated margin. Hab. Rivers and tanks of Orissa. 5. AMBASSIS PHULA, H. Buchanan. Goa chuppi (Ooriah). Bitiagts.J |aay-Peddass Vaige eAaagy ea ADs aay Lower jaw much the longest. Three denticulations along the an- terior edge of the orbit. Vertical limb of preeoperculum with two or three small denticulations at its angle in the young, which be- come blunted by age; its horizontal limb with a double denticulated margin, which also becomes blunter in the adult. Other opercles entire. A large canine tooth on either side of symphysis of lower jaw. Scales very minute. Lateral line at first curves upwards, and becomes horizontal under the second dorsal fin. Hab. Tanks in Orissa. 6. AMBASSIS DUSSUMIERI, Cuy. & Val. Chandee (Ooriah). Biss 2 Di7 lea Eee VS L. tr. . Lateral line interrupted. Hab. Mostly in rivers even within the influence of the tides, but is also found in tanks. ole > Q a7 s- Tales 7. AmBAssis NAMA, H. Buch. Cartcana (Ooriah). Bagi, D7] Poe, Veg Be Ga, ht dee Lower jaw much the longest. One denticulation at centre of the anterior margin of the orbit, and another at its posterior superior angle. Prezeorbital with three strong denticulations along its margin. Vertical limb of preeoperculum entire, but two or three denticulations at its angle becoming blunter with age; its horizontal limb has its double edge scarcely denticulated. Canine teeth in lower jaw. Lateral line entirely absent. Hab, Tanks. 8. Amsassis LALA, H. Buch. Laal chandee (Ooriah). B.vii D.7|G. Pell. Viz. Avg C. 17. Length of head a little above 4, of pectoral 4, of caudal 2 of the total length. Height of head 4, of body 3 of the total length. Eyes. Diameter 2 of length of head, = of a diameter from end of snout, 1 diameter apart. 1869. ] MR, F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 299 Preorbital strongly serrated; horizontal limb of preeoperculum with a double denticulated margin. No denticulations around the orbit. Scales minute. Lateral line entirely absent. Colours as described by Buchanan. The term Jala is evidently derived from ‘laal,” ‘ red,” the predominant colour. Hab. Tanks in northern Orissa, where it grows to 12 inch in length. 9. THERAPON TRIvITTATUS, H. Buch. Gahnu (Ooriah). _ These fish are frequently taken inside large medusie. Hab. Seas and estuaries in salt or brackish water. 10. Losorres suRINAMENSIS, Bloch. Chota bekkut (Ooriah). Not uncommon at Chanderpore in the sea. 11. SrzuaGco s1HAma, Forsk, Curama (Ooriah). B. vi. D.10-11| 555. Cec. pyl. 4. Vert. a No elongated spine in dorsal fin. Teeth villiform. This species about Coconada begins to give place to the next, which is most numerous in the sea at Orissa. BiGoMes Ayam. C. 175° 1, 74 22-23 12, SILLAGO DOMINA. Gudji curama (Ooriah). Be. vite. 0 oe epi Bhan) VagenrAsige 1G 19. (, L. 1.-90. Cee. pyl. 4. An elongated spine in the first dorsal fin. Teeth. An external conical row in both jaws, with the four largest in the centre of the upper jaw, and several villiform rows posterior to them. A transverse semicircular band of villiform teeth in the palate. 13. Mueit corsuua, H. Buch. Kakunda (Ooriah). Betws Wee Eds. Wg Mage Oe To 2k 1s. 500 EN GEES, The eyes of this species of Mullet are considerably elevated, their superior margin being above the level of the upper profile of the head. This fish is very abundant in the rivers of Orissa, ascending far beyond tidal influence. I took considerable numbers above Cuttack, or 60 miles from the mouth of the river. It grows to a foot in length, and is excellent eating. 300 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 13, It swims with its snout on a level with the water, so that its eyes are above it ; immediately it perceives any one approaching it rapidly darts down out of sight. 14. Mueit axiLuaris, Cuy. & Val. Magi (Ooriah). B.v. D.4|3. P. 15. V.g. Acgy C.14. L142. L. tr. 14, Hab. The sea and brackish waters, along with the M. parsia. 15. Mucit parsts, H. Buch. B. vi. D. 4/2. P.14. Vig. ALS. C. 14. L135. 1, tr. 12. I took this species in brackish water within tidal influence, but not in the sea. Jt grows to 8 inches in length. 16. Mvuart BporneEnsis, Bleeker. B. vi. D.4|:. P15. Vig. A C.14. 1,34. ZL. tr. 13. One specimen from Chanderpore in the sea. 17. ScarorHaGus ARGuS, Linn. Found in the sea at Chanderpore, and also ascending the mouth of the river. Is not used as food. 18. Corvina MILES, Cuv. & Val. Hab. Chanderpore, in the sea. I may here mention that I have satisfied myself that the species I named C. neilli in my ‘ Fishes of Malabar,’ p. 59, is the C. albida, Cuv. & Val. I took specimens at Pondicherry and Madras. The rays &c, were B. vii. D.9|sp5. A.z L.1. 53. L. tr. 24, Dr. Giinther gives them as follows from the British Museum speci- mens:— OD. 10| 5: A. . 1 Pg ees eis a ard 19. Corvina corror, H. Buch. Botahl, Putteriki (Ooriah). This species ascends rivers to far beyond tidal influence for breed- ing-purposes. I took it above Cuttack. 20. OrotirHus MACULATUS, Cuv. & Val. Birralli (Ooriah). Biv. D. Way abeeer ve ar Avs. C. 19. This fish, hitherto recorded from Malaysia, is very common in the sea at Chanderpore, where specimens were taken up to 13 inches in length. 1869.] MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 301 21. Boxa rama, H. Buch. Botul (Ooriah). B.vi. D.10\g55- Vig Meg O17. ° LI. 70-80. L. tr. =. Vert. 24. Cze. pyl. 9. It ascends rivers for breeding-purposes as far as does the Corvina coitor. It grows to 5 feet in length; and if cooked directly it is taken from the water, it is fair eating. 22. PoLYNEMUS PARADISEUS, Linn. Tupsi (Ooriah). B. vii, D.7|35 P.1d/vii, Vij. Avg C19. L170. L. tr. ;. Cee. pyl. 5. Common in the sea at Chanderpore. I found only five cecal appendages, and not ten, which is said to be the normal number. 23. PotyNeMvus sEXxTARIUS, Bloch. Boivin, De Sloan Peddie Meco Magee CZ. oT Leds, L. tr. = Grows to 7 inches in length. Common in the sea at Chanderpore. 24, PoLyNEMUS INDICcUs, Shaw B. vii. D. 8| jj. P.20/v. V.z A. Gigs. C.17. L. 1. 62-65. Wyte. es, Verts 25: One 30 lbs. weight taken at Chanderpore in the sea. 25. TRICHIURUS SAVALA, Cuv. & Val. Droga puttiah (Ooriah). Hab. Chanderpore, in the sea. - 26. ScomBeR KANAGURTA, Cuv. & Val. B. vi. D.8-9|7 |v. P. 21. V.5. A. | v-vii. C. 25, Vert. 5. No preeanal spines. Hab. Chanderpore in the sea. 27. Cypium Gurratum, Bloch. Very common at Chanderpore. Hab, Chanderpore, in the sea. 28. SrROMATEUS ARGENTEUS, Bloch. Hab, Chanderpore, in the sea. 29. STROMATEUS CINEREUS, Bloch. Hab, Chanderpore, in the sea. 302 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 13, 30. SrRoMATEUS NIGER, Bloch. Baal (Ooriah). Hab. Chanderpore, in the sea. 31. CARANX ARMATUS, Forsk. Hab. Chanderpore, in the sea. 32. CHoRINEMUS LYSAN, Forsk. One large specimen taken at Chanderpore, in the sea. 33. EquuLa rucontus, H. Buch. ? Hquula splendens, Cuv. & Val. _ Tunker chandee (Ooriah). 8 1 3 ; B.v. D. 16-17" Pao ve 3 ‘is C2195, sls 0s; This species Dr. Giinther has considered to be the same as the E. interrupta, Cuv. & Val., of which he observes, “‘ No spines above the orbit; the cavity on the head is triangular, and twice and a half as long as broad. ‘The lower preeopercular margin is minutely ser- rated.” The following is a description of Hamilton Buchanan’s fish, which I found common in the rivers of Orissa, far beyond tidal influence :— Length of head 3, of pectoral fin above 4, of base of first dorsal }, of base of second dorsal 1, of base of anal 3 of the total length. Height of head 4, of body 4, of first dorsal 3, of second dorsal 7%, of ventral =},, of anal 4 of the total length. . Eyes. Diameter nearly + of length of head, 1 diameter from end of snout, and 1 diameter apart. Dorsal profile rises rather abruptly to opposite the anterior third of the orbit, and the occipital process ascends very abruptly, as shown in Hamilton Buchanan’s figure. Lower jaw inferiorly concave. Lips fleshy. Cavity on head lanceolate, half as wide as long. Lower margin of pracoperculum with a strongly serrated edge. Two strong sharp spines, one over the anterior third of the orbit, the other above it and posterior to the nostril. The upper margin of the orbit serrated in the whole of its posterior two-thirds. Fins. Dorsal spines strong, the second being one-third as high as the body, and slightly longer but not so strong as the second anal spine. Third anal spine serrated on the lower half of its an- terior margin. Caudal forked, lower lobe slightly the longest. Scales minute, but firmly adherent to the fish. Lateral line in 68 fine tubes, and distinct from the scales. It first ascends slightly, and opposite to the end of the second dorsal it proceeds horizontally. Colours. Silvery, shot with purple, and having dusky greyish bands descending from the back to the middle of the body. Snout covered with black spots. Fins yellowish. Eyes with a dark supe- rior edging. A silver stripe is sometimes apparent along the side of the body. 1869.] MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 303 34. Goxstus cruris, H. Buch. Gulah, Bali gulah (Ooriah). Hab. Tanks and rivers throughout Orissa. 35. APOCRYPTES LANCEOLATUS, Bloch. Pittalu (Ooriah). This fish resides in fresh or brackish water, but not beyond tidal influence so far as I have observed; the best place to capture it is the mud at the sides of rivers. Considering its size, this is a most savage species, biting at any other fish that comes near it, and hold- ing on with its teeth most tenaciously. 36. Apocryrtes BATO, H. Buch. Rutta (Ooriah). This fish inhabits the same localities as the last. The largest specimen captured was 54 inches in length. Natives take them in the following manner: they walk about in the mud, and as soon as they see or feel a fish moving they seize it with both hands. 37. Evcrenocostvus striatus, Day. Mahturi, Naolli (young, Ooriah). The very young have black vertical bands, most apparent in the posterior half of the body. The first dorsal is occasionally stained orange. Hab. Found in the rivers of Orissa. 38. BoLEOPHTHALMUS BODDAERTII, Pall. Apocryptes punctatus, Day, P. Z. 8. 1867, p. 941. This fish climbs up rocks and on to pieces of wood, and appears to mostly inhabit muddy estuaries. It may be seen bobbing about in the soft mud or dirty water as the Mugil corsula does in rivers. In deep water it becomes drowned. It is as savage as the Apocryp- tes lanceolatus. 39. Exrorris rusca, Bloch. Bundi, balah kera (Qoriah). Hab. Fresh and brackish waters along the coast, also extending its range beyond tidal influence. 40. ELeorris ampornensis?, Bleeker. Gagi balah kera (Ooriah). Bows UD: Ga. Falige Nesp Ase. “Oddy byl. aac Ltelhs, Length of head 4, of pectoral 1, of base of first dorsal 4, of base of second dorsal 3, of base of anal a, of caudal + of the total length. Height of head 4, of body 4, of first dorsal 3, of ventral 3, of anal = of the total length. Eyes. Diameter 2 of length of head, 14 diameter from end of snout, 1{ diameter apart. 304 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA, [May 13, Head broad, depressed; snout produced. The greatest width is opposite the opercles. There is a considerable rise from the snout to the base of the first dorsal. Lower jaw the longest. The maxilla extends posteriorly to be- neath the centre of the orbit. A finely serrated ridge along the superior and posterior edges of the orbit, from which in the adult it is divided by one or two rows of scales. This serrated ridge is con- tinued towards the snout, dividing opposite the nostrils and enclosing an irregular lanceolate space which extends close to the margin of the upper lip. Teeth in numerous fine villiform bands, those on the outer row being slightly enlarged. Fins. Base of pectoral rather muscular, the fin wedge-shaped, rays not silk-like. Caudal cut square. Scales ctenoid, but cycloid on the chest; they extend as far forward as the snout. Colours. Of a blackish stone. Fins black, second dorsal and caudal edged with white. Pectoral also white, with the exception of two black blotches at its base. Specimens were captured up to 23 inches in length in the Balasore river. It is said never to be found in salt water, This species may be the same as Dr. Bleeker’s fish from Amboina. Still in this Indian specimen there are serrated ridges extending along the summit of the head and on to the snout, whilst the pectoral rays are not silk-like. 41. AmBiyopus czcu.us, Bloch. This species ascends rivers as far as tidal influence extends, even into fresh water. It is found in the same situations as the Apocryp- tes, and captured in the same way. 42. Bapis BUCHANANI, Cuy. & Val. Boondei, kahli bundahni (Ooriah). Bow Dia Pls V3.) Age 1C, 26. ae eeeee, Le tr. 3. Cec. pyl. 0. Air-bladder large and simple. Hab. Common in tanks in Orissa, up to 3 inches in length. 43. Nanpus MARMORATUS, Cuy. & Val. Bodosi, Gossiporah (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers and tanks. 44, ANABAS SCANDENS, Dald. Corvu (Ooriah). In Madras the species of Anabas has no cecal pylori, and its body is banded. At Tranquebar and Pondicherry, to the south of Madras, and 1869.] MR. F, DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 305 Ganjam and Orissa to the north, every specimen dissected had three cecal pylori, as stated by Cuvier. Placing the two varieties together, there does not appear to be any difference apparent exteraally, except in the coloration. In the Ganjam district one was captured of a deep orange-colour, it appeared to be quite healthy, and the fishermen asserted that this change in colour is not uncommon. 45. TricHOGASTER FasciATus, Bloch. Kussuah (Ooriah). ITab. Common in tanks. 46. OpHI0cEPHALUS MARULIUvS, H. Buch. Saal (Ooriah). The coloration of these fish widely differs from the Madras speci- mens, and the ocellated blotch on the caudal was as distinet in a specimen 16 inches long as in the young. 47. OpHIOCEPHALUS sTRIATUS, Bloch. Sola (Ooriah). Hab. Common in tanks and canals. 48. OrpHtocePHALus GAcuua, H. Buch. Cheyung (Ooriah). Hab, Found in tanks, canals, and sluggish rivers. 49. OpHIOCEPHALUS PUNCTATUS, Bloch. Cartua gorai (Ooriah). IZab. Found in tanks, canals, and sluggish rivers. 50. RaHYNCHOBDELLA ACULEATA, Bloch. Gutti (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers and tanks. 51. MASTACEMBLUS PANCALUS. Turi, Bahru (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers and tanks. 52. MAsrAcEMBLUs ARMATUS, Lacép. Barm, Bummi (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers and tanks. 53. Erropius SURATENSIS, Bloch. Cundahla (Ooriah). Hab. Found in tanks in the southern portion of Orissa near the sea-coast. 306 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 13, 54, Cuarias MAGuR, H. Buch. Magur (Ooriah). Hab. Tanks. 55. SAcCOBRANCHUS sINGIO, H. Buch. Singi (Ooriah). Hab. Tanks. 56. Warxaco Attu, Bloch. Boalli, Ballia, Moinsia ballia (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers and tanks. 57. CALLICHROUS CHECKRA, H. Buch. Pobtah (Ooriah). “ Butterfish ” of Europeans. Hab. Rivers and tanks. 58. Eurropicutuys vacua, H. Buch. Bak Borla: Pere Vaby Biggs els Butchria (Ooriah). Cleft of mouth extending in the adult to behind and beneath the posterior extremity of the orbit. Teeth. Villiform teeth in a triangular spot on the vomer, and in a long pyriform shape on the palate ; the whole of these with those on the upper jaw are so closely set together that it may give the ap- pearance on a superficial examination that there are “no teeth on the palate,” as remarked by Dr. Ginther. 59. PsEUDEUTROPIUS ATHERINOIDES, Bloch. Battuli, Jemmi carri, Bipotasse (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers and tanks. 60. PsrupEuTROPIUS MURIUS, H. Buch. Eutropius® murino, Giinth. Cat. v. p. 54. Motusi (Bengali). eit. V.6,. A. seyag: 7 ihe Snout rounded, upper jaw overhanging the lower to a slight ex- tent. The angle of the mouth is under and close to the anterior third of the orbit. Nasal cirrus extends from between the two nostrils to opposite the posterior margin of the orbit. Maxillary cirrus arises opposite the centre of the anterior margin of the orbit, and extends to the base of the pectoral fin. The four mandibular cirri arise on a transverse line just behind the lower lip, and extend to slightly behind the vertical from the posterior margin of the orbit. Eyes lateral. Out of sixteen specimens, the largest was 6 inches; it, however, was said to grow to a greater size. Those I obtained were from the Cossye at Midnapore. 1869. } MR. F, DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 307 61. PseupruTrRopius GaruA, H. Buch. Punia buchua (Ooriah). Pultosi (Bengali). B.vi. -D. 5/0. P.g- V-6.. Bears, O, 17, This species forms the type of the genus Schilbeichthys, Bleeker, which differs from the Pseudeutropius chiefly in having no second or adipose dorsal fin. I have taken a large number of the young of this species from 4 to 9 inches in length, and find that the adipose dorsal, though small, is distinct in the fry; but as the size of the specimens increases up to 6 or 7 inches it has either almost or entirely disappeared, and is invariably absent in the adult. I therefore consider the species to be a Pseudeutropius ; for the difference which exists in the nostrils between it and some others of the genus is insufficient for more than a specific division. Hab. Rivers of Orissa and the Cossye at Midnapore. 62, AILIA BENGALIENSIS, Gray. Puttuli, Bounce puttri (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers and tanks. 63. PANGASIUS BUCHANANT, Cuv. & Val. Hab. Ascends rivers far beyond tidal influence. 64, Stnunpia GANGETICA, Cuy. & Val. Jillung, Sillund (Ooriah). Hab. Taken in the same places as the last. 65. Macrones cavastus, H. Buch. Guntea, Cuntea (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers and tanks. 66. Macronss Aor, H. Buch. Alli, Arriah alli; if young, Gugah alli (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers and tanks. 67. Macrones TENGARA, H. Buch. Bikuntia (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers and tanks. 68. Macrones corsuta, H. Buch. Punjah gagah (Ooriah). eee. Ul Pease Woe Ae O. Iz sell Hamilton Buchanan has given an engraving of this species; but the description was omitted from the ‘ Fishes of the Ganges.’ Length of head 2, of pectoral +, of base of first dorsal 3, of base of adipose dorsal ;!;, of base of anal =1;, of caudal 4 of the total 308 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 13, length. Height of head 3, of body 4, of first dorsal 1, of adipose dorsal qo of ventral g of anal 4 of the total length. Lyes. Diameter + of length of head, 2 diameters from end of snout, 2 diameters apart. Mouth antero-inferior ; upper jaw the longest, its posterior extre- mity does not reach so far as to below the centre of the orbit. Nasal cirri extend to opposite the middle of the orbit, maxillary cirri to the base of the anal fin, the external mandibular to the base of the pectoral, and the internal to opposite the posterior extremity of the preoperculum. The central longitudinal groove along the summit of the head reaches to the base of the occipital process, which latter is short its whole length, not being equal to one diameter of the orbit. Fins. Dorsal spine slender and equals half the length of the head in extent; it is slightly serrated posteriorly in its upper fourth. Pectoral spine strong, flattened, rugose externally, and serrated in its whole extent internally ; it is slightly longer than the dorsal spine. Caudal deeply forked, upper lobe the longest. Lateral line ceases at the base of the caudal fin. Colours. Greyish brown superiorly, dirty white inferiorly. Fins greyish, stained with black, several vertical rows of black spots along the anterior portion of the lateral line. Three specimens obtained from the Mahanuddi river at Cuttack, the longest being 8 inches. 69. Rira KuTURNER, Sykes. Rita buchanani, Bleeker. Mussayahri, cunta gagah (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers of Orissa. 70. ARIUS THALASSINUS, Riipp. Cuntea (Ooriah). At Chanderpore large numbers were taken in the sea; some were of a very large size. ‘They are much esteemed by the natives as food. 71. HemtermeLopus cenra, H. Buch. Jungla (Bengali). This species appears to have been entirely overlooked in the ‘ Catalogue of Fishes.’ Hor D0, eV; 6: Al a7 Length of head +, of pectoral, +, of base of first dorsal nearly 3, of ee of adipose Fegeal zy, of base of anal To of caudal + of the total length. Height of head 3, of body 4, of first dorsal 3 ” of ven- tral nearly 2 i, of anal 3 of the ‘ofall length. Eyes. High, covered by skin, diameter + of length of head, 1 diameter fcons end of snout, 1 diameter apart. Body fusiform, with compressed sides. A considerable rise from the snout to above the orbit. Snout overhanging the mouth, upper 1869.]} MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 309 jaw the longest, the angle of the mouth is situated about midway between the snout and the anterior margin of the orbit. Maxillary cirrus osseous in its basal half; it extends nearly to the base of the pectoral fin. The four mandibular cirri arise in a transverse line just behind the margin of the lower jaw; they only extend to opposite the middle of the orbit. The occipital process is one-third as wide at its base as it is long; it extends to the basal bone of the first dorsal fin. The superior longitudinal groove is wide, but rather shallow, becoming indistinct. For a short distance opposite the posterior margin of the orbit, its upper portion extends nearly to the base of the occipital process, which, as observed by Buchanan, may be regarded as a point from which seven bony ridges arise. The upper surface of the head granulated. Nostrils large and placed close together ; no well-developed valve to the posterior one. Teeth. Five in both jaws, none on the palate. Fins. Dorsal spine strong, anteriorly rugose. Pectoral spine somewhat stronger and of the same length as the dorsal; it is ser- rated internally, rough externally. The ventrals arise posterior to the vertical from the last dorsal rays. Caudal deeply forked. Lateral line ceases at the base of the caudal fin. Colours. Yellowish bronze, becoming silvery on the abdomen ; three dark bands over the head, and four more over the back, de- scending as low as the lateral line. A black edging to the caudal, and a black blotch on each lobe. A dark mark across the dorsal fin. It grows to about 3 inches in length, and is abundant in the Cos- sye river at Midnapore. 72. BAGARIUS YARRELLHU, Sykes. Sahlun, Cart cuntea (Ooriah). Hab. Rivers of Orissa. 73. GaGata Typus, Bleeker. Callomystax gagata, Giinther. This species was Dr. Bleeker’s type of the genus Gagata, of which Dr. Giinther remarks, ‘ Dr. v. Bleeker does not appear to have been acquainted with this fish ; so that not only the characters of the genus which he proposed for it are incorrect, but it is also improperly referred to the ‘ phalanx’ of Ariz, and to the ‘stirps’ of Bagrini.” He therefore renamed the genus, taking the same species as his type! vit he air-bladder is divided into two portions, and enclosed in a bony capsule formed from the bodies of the anterior vertebra. It grows to 1 foot in length, and is common in the rivers of Orissa. 74. BELoNeE cancixLa, H. Buch. Gungituri (Ooriah). Hab. Common in rivers and tanks. Proc. Zoou. Soc.—18v9, No. XXI. 310 DR. W. BAIRD ON NEW ANNELIDES. [May 13, 7d. Hemirampuus EctuntTio, H. Buch. Gungituri (Ooriah). , Do Pal. ¥. 6. Ava. Os d9. bd Dee Ln are A]: Length of head 3, of pectoral 5, of base of dorsal 3, of base of anal j;, of caudal + of the total length. Height of head +4, of body zy» of dorsal +4, of ventral 345, of anal zs of the total length. Eyes. From 14 to 2 diameters from the posterior extremity of the opercle, and 1 diameter apart. Przeorbital one-third longer than high. Upper jaw nearly trian- gular, its base slightly longer than its length; it is keeled along its central line. Teeth in both jaws, also on palatines. Fins. Dorsal commences somewhat in advance of the anal; the ventral nearly midway between the posterior margin of the orbit and the base of the caudal fin, which last is lobed, the lower being the longest. Scales scareely deciduous, covering the body, and existing between the orbits and over the preorbital; none on the bases of the fins. Lateral line runs the lower fourth of the abdomen. Colours. Greenish above, silvery below. A burnished silvery line extends from above the orbit to the centre of the caudal fin; it is widest over the anal, where it has a dark edge along its upper margin. Dorsal and caudal stained at their edges. This fish is very numerous in the rivers of Orissa ; it has, how- ever, been placed amongst the ‘doubtful species” in the Catalogue of the British Museum. 76. HapLocHeiLus PANCHAX, H. Buch. Kanakuri (Ooriah). Hab. Tanks and rivers throughout Orissa. 77. HapLocHEILUS MELASTIGMA, M‘Clelland. Panchaz cyanophthalmus, Blyth. Be? PT. Pye ACP 1S) ay 1 Boe te 1s Hab. This species is not uncommon in tanks in Orissa. 4. Descriptions of some new Suctorial Annelides in the Col- lection of the British Museum. By W. Barrp, M.D., F.R.S., &e. Genus BraNCHELLION, Savigny. 1. BRANCHELLION INTYBIFOLIUM, Baird. Body elongate, very concave ventrally, convex dorsally, consisting of about 48 segments, which are transversely striated on the back. Neck distinct from the body, consisting of 10 or 12 short, narrow segments. Oral sucker small. Ventral sucker large, circularly 1869.] DR. W. BAIRD ON NEW ANNELIDES. 311 striated round the external margin, and studded with granules in- ternally, at the bottom of the cup. Both suckers are plaited on the margins. Each segment from the commencement of the body to within four of the posterior sucker is furnished on each side with a large foliaceous appendage, which is sessile, simple on the margin, but puckered and sinuated like the leaf of the endive. The only specimen the British Museum possesses is of a uniform very dark colour, the edges of the posterior sucker excepted, which are much lighter. Length about 14 inch, breadth (of body) 4 or 5 lines*. The habitat is unknown. The specimen was added to the Museum collection by the late Mr. H. Cuming. , 2. BRANCHELLION LINEARE, Baird. Body linear-elongate, flattened, distinctly annulated. Segments of body about 32, those of neck not so distinct as those on the body, and about 10 or 12 in number. The neck is separated from the body by a well-marked constriction, but is nearly equal in diameter to the body. The oral disk is cireular and smooth, or only finely striated interiorly. The ventral is considerably larger, circular, and densely granulated within the cup. The disks are slightly excentral. Branchiform lateral appendages simple, not puckered on the margin. Length about 6 lines, breadth about 1 line. This species was taken from a species of Mustelus in King George’s Sound, N. Australia, by Mr. Rayner, Surgeon to H.M.S. ‘ Herald.’ 3. BRANCHELLION PUNCTATUM, Baird. Body narrow, elongate, nearly flat on both ventral and dorsal surfaces, distinctly annulated. Segments somewhat striated on their backs, those of the body about 32 in number. Neck indistinctly annulated. Ventral surface light-coloured; dorsal dark, with nu- merous small, round, yellow spots scattered over the surface. The oral sucker is much smaller than the ventral, the margin thickened, and the cup is minutely granulated interiorly. Ventral sucker large, quite terminal, shallow, and with larger granulations on its interior surface. Branchiform appendages larger on the posterior portion of the body, simple, not puckered on the margin. Length of largest specimen nearly 13 inch, breadth about 2 lines. The only specimen we possess in the British Museum collection was taken from a species of My/iobates caught in King George’s Sound, N. Australia, by Mr. Rayner, Surgeon of H.M.S. ‘Herald.’ Genus EvBRANCHELLA, Baird. Margins of body furnished with linear, pinnated, instead of broad, foliaceous, appendages, much more resembling true branchiz than those in Branchellion. Neck separated from the body. Head smail, leech-like. * The species described in this paper are all preserved in spirits; and being more or less corrugated by the spirit, the dimensions are only approximative. 312 DR. W. BAIRD ON NEW ANNELIDES. [May 13, EUBRANCHELLA BRANCHIATA. Hirudo branchiata, Menzies, Linn. Trans. i. 188, tab. xviii. fig. 3. Polydora testudinum, Oken. Branchellion pinnatum, Savigny, Grube. Branchiobdella menziesi, De Blainville, Diesing. This, as far as I am aware, is the only species of this genus known. Savigny was the first to recognize it as belonging to a different genus from Branchellion. Diesing and Moquin-Tandon appear to con- sider the species doubtful; but Mr. Rayner, Surgeon of H.M.S. ‘ Herald,’ succeeded in taking it from a turtle in Sharks’ Bay, Aus- tralia, eleven or twelve years ago. ‘The animal is only half an inch long. Genus PontosBpE.ua, Leach. 1. PonrospELLA AFRA, Baird. Body cylindrical, ventricose in the middle, attenuated at each ex- tremity, slightly posteriorly, but more so anteriorly. Segments en- circled with a series of rather large warts, each wart being circular in form, rather flattened, and covered with a series of smaller warts or minute tubercles on its centre. The neck consists of 12 segments, every third one being the largest and warty, the intervening ones quite smooth, and is separated from the body by five narrow smooth segments. The acetabulum or ventral sucker is much larger than the head, which is very small in comparison and armed on its margin with six rather small nodules or conical tubercles, three on each side. The postoccipital segment is armed with a row of similar small conical tubereles, differing from the warts on the body. The colour of this Leech is a dark olive, or of a blackish hue. The worm is about 4} inches long, and the largest portion of the body is about 27 inches in circumference. The only specimen the Museum possesses is ticketed “San Vicente,’ and was presented to the collection by the Rev. R. T. Lowe, late of Madeira. 2. PonroBDELLA PLANODIsSCUS, Baird. Body much flattened, attenuated at the anterior extremity. Seg- ments surrounded with a row of conical raised warts, each wart having two or three small nodules on the upper surface. The neck consists of 12 segments, all of which are warty, the warts, however, being much smaller than those of the body, from which it is sepa- rated by five warty rings. The acetabulum is considerably larger than the head, is quite plane, not hollowed at all, and rayed exter- nally with numerous rather broad bands of brown. The head is small and puckered round the edges, and has six small conical papillz on the margin, three on each side, not in a line with each other but set in a triangular manner, two on the same plane, the third, forming the apex of the triangle, at some little distance from the margin. The body is marked on the anterior portion and the neck 1869. } DR. W. BAIRD ON NEW ANNELIDES. 313 with rather narrow circular bands of dark brown on a yellowish ground. We possess only one specimen of this species. It was collected in Possession Bay, Patagonia, by Dr. Cunningham, naturalist to the late Surveying Expedition to the Straits of Magellan. Length of body about 2 inches, breadth (at broadest part) about 4 lines. 3. PoNTOBDELLA VARIEGATA, Baird. Body cylindrical, somewhat fusiform, much attenuated at the an- terior extremity. Posterior extremity the larger in cireumferenée, gradually tapering towards the head. Segments covered with smooth, conical, rounded warts, of nearly uniform size. The neck is com- posed of 10 or 11 segments, and is separated from the body by five narrower ones, all the segments being slightly warty. The aceta- bulum is considerably larger than the head, which is smooth on its margin, having no nodules round the rim. The body is marked with spots of a deeper brown colour on a yellowish ground, and the acetabulum is rayed with the same hue. We possess two specimens,—one in very good preservation from the Straits of Magellan, presented by the Lords of the Admiralty ; the other from Possession Bay, Patagonia, collected by Dr. Cun- ningham along with the preceding species. One specimen (somewhat contracted) measures about 2} inches in length, the other (more relaxed) is nearly 3 inches long; circum- ference (at the broadest part) 14 inch. 4. PoNTOBDELLA RAYNER], Baird. Body cylindrical, much attenuated at the anterior extremity. Segments surrounded with raised conical warts, each wart having several small warts on itssummit. The neck is elongated, and sur- rounded, as is the body, with warts. It consists of 12 segments, and is almost continuous with the body, being slightly separated from it by five warty rings. The acetabulum is larger than the head, faintly rayed with brown, and somewhat puckered round the margin. The head is small, circular, and the margin has six small conical papillae. On the side of the head are two well-marked brown spots, somewhat triangular in shape. The warts on the body are so ar- ranged as to present one row of large ones, and two rows of smaller ones succeeding it; that is to say, every third row of warts is the largest. _ When relaxed, the length is about 1 inch ; when corrugated by the spirit it diminishes one-fourth. Hab. Found on a species of Rhinobatis in Sharks’ Bay, Australia. Collected by Mr. Rayner, Surgeon H.M.S. < Herald.’ Genus AuLasroma, Moquin-Tandon. 1. AULASTOMA PLANUM, Baird. Body flattened, slightly convex dorsally, very flat ventrally, at- 314 DR. W. BAIRD ON NEW ANNELIDES. [May 13, tenuated anteriorly, broadest about the centre. Colour of a light olive, uniform underneath, but marked with irregular black spots on the back. Rings rather narrow, with an indistinct keel along both dorsal and ventral surfaces of each. Oral sucker rather small, ventral large. Anus large. Teeth on the jaw nearly black. Length of body (in spirits) 3 inches, breadth (at broadest part) 9 lines. Hab. Cuba? From the collection of the late Mr. John Christy, F.R.S. &e. 2. AULASTOMA EXIMIO-STRIATUM, Baird. Body flattened, especially on the ventral surface, slightly at- tenuated at each extremity, but more so anteriorly ; broadest about the centre. Back olive-coloured, speckled with black spots or marks scattered profusely over the surface ; ventral surface of a uniform colour, lighter than the back. Rings very distinct, particularly well- marked at the sides, which appear as if crenate; on the back they are marked with very numerous, minute fine striz, which are best seen when the specimen is taken out of spirits. Oral sucker small ; ventral moderate and rather deep, granose on outer edge. Anus large. Length about 2 inches, breadth about 8 lines. Hab. ? Old collection. Genus Hirupo, Linneeus. 1. Hirupo rnconcrinna, Baird. Body much depressed, of a uniform dark olive-colour, somewhat lighter underneath, much attenuated at anterior extremity. Body broad posteriorly, coarsely annulated; surface of rings roughly wrinkled. Oral sucker small; ventral large, shallow, bordered with a smooth margin, distinctly radiately plaited on interior surface, and covered with flat granulations externally, or as it were tessellated. Breadth of anterior portion immediately below the oral sucker 3 lines, breadth at broadest part of body 9 lines ; diameter of ventral sucker 5 lines; length of body 4 inches. Hab. Ceylon (Sir A. Smith, M.D.). Several species of Leeches are found in Ceylon, and are particu- larly mentioned by the late Sir J. E. Tennent in his history of that island. This may be the Leech mentioned by him in vol. i. p. 305 (footnote), which was observed by Mr. Thwaites at Kolona Koole, but which he was not able to examine particularly. He describes it “as flatter and of a darker colour” than the paddy-field Leech“ (Homopsis sanguisorba) of Ceylon. 2. Hrrupo towet, Baird. Body depressed, concave on ventral surface, slightly convex dor- sally, of a uniform olive-colour, rather lighter underneath. No bands or marks on the surface to be seen. Attenuated anteriorly. Body distinctly annulated ; rings very irregular, contracted at about every fourth or fifth, the.fourth or fifth being smaller than the rest, 1869. } DR W. BAIRD ON NEW ANNELIDES. 315 and as it were sunk beneath the others. Rings beset with spinulous tubercles, about 30 or 35 in number. In many the spines are only on the lower edge of the ring and point downwards. Oral sucker small; ventral deep and large, much plaited both internally and on the external margin, and covered externally with spinulous tubercles. Length nearly 3 inches, breadth (at broadest part) about 9 lines. Hab. Borneo. From the collection of Mr. Lowe, H.B.M. Consul at Sarawak. 3. Hirupo BEeLcHeER!, Baird. Body depressed, slightly convex on the back, of a yellowish grey colour, indistintly banded near the dorsal margin with dark olive ; edges as it were serrated, attenuated anteriorly. Body consisting of about 95 very narrow rings, each ring beset all round with nu- merous pointed raised dots or small tubercles, about 40 on each ring. Oral sucker of considerable size ; ventral moderate, and ra- diately plaited internally and on external margin. The rings of this species are narrower and much more distinctly tubercular than those of Hirudo granulosa from India. Length of body 2} inches, breadth (at broadest part) 6 lines. Hab. Borneo (Sir EL. Belcher, R.N.). 4, Hrrupo macutarta, Baird. Body depressed, flat beneath, slightly convex on the back; at- tenuated anteriorly. Back of a deep grey colour, marked in the centre with an interrupted black line, and a row of spots of the same colour near the edges, the spots being distributed alternately —first on one ring with an intermediate ring without a spot, then, secondly, a spot and two rings without a spot, and thus alternately throughout its whole length *. Abdominal surface lighter-coloured, with a broad line of a dark colour on each side. Rings very narrow, beset with numerous small tubercles, about 36 in number. Oral sucker of considerable size ; ventral circular, with a simple border, strongly plaited internally and granulous externally. Length of body about 2} inches; breadth (at broadest part) about 72 lines. Hab. Siam. 5. Hirvupo assiMiLis, Baird. Body rather narrow, attenuated anteriorly, of a light yellowish colour above and beneath. Back convex, marked with an indistinet row of small spots in the centre, and an interrupted row of larger black spots at the margins, the spotted alternating with the unspotted rings, in the same way as in H. maculata, described above. Ventral surface of a uniform colour, without any markings. Rings larger * In general I have observed that in European species the marginal row of spots is continuous, a spot occurring on each ring, whilst in those from the Eastern countries the spots are alternate, as I have described them in the species mentioned here. ‘This holds good with the Hirudo granulosa trom India, the present, and succeeding species, all from the East. 316 DR. W. BAIRD ON NEW ANNELIDES. [May 13, than in maculata, and tubercular. Oral sucker moderate in size; ventral circular, radiately plaited internally and granulous externally. Length of body about 3 inches, greatest breadth about 4 lines. Hab. Hong-Kong, China (Sir A. Smith, M.D.). A species has been described by Blainville from a drawing made by a native artist in the Chinese ‘ Encyclopaedia,’ and named | by him Hirudo.sinica. This Leech is said to be employed medicinally in China. It is small and entirely black, which would show it to be a different species from that found in Hong-Kong. 6. Hirupo semicarInaTa, Baird. Body rounded, of a uniform dark olive-colour above and beneath, slightly narrower at anterior extremity. Rings narrow, with a few tubercles on the surface. Oral sucker round, with scarcely any lip, but plaited round its margin; ventral sucker moderate, indistinctly plaited on internal surface. Anus small. The anterior half of the body is marked on the dorsal surface with a sort of raised keel. Length of body 16 lines, breadth of body about 3 lines (largest specimen). Hab. Vancouver Island a K. Lord, Esq.) ; Great Bear Lake, N. America (Sir J. Richardson, M.D.). 7. Hrrupo Leavis, Baird. Body depressed, flat ventrally, slightly convex dorsally, attenuated anteriorly. Of a uniform dull yellowish colour above and beneath: No bands or marks to be seen, unless an indistinct continuous band on each side dorsally. Rings quite smooth ; the lower margin of each raised somewhat like a keel; and on the edges at the sides the rings are as it were divided into two, but only on the edges. Oral sucker small; ventral rather small, radiately plaited. Length 4} inches, greatest breadth about 9 lines. Hab. ? Old collection*. Genus HeTEROBDELLA, Baird. Body composed of 160 rings. Male organ situated between the twenty-ninth and thirtieth ring; female between the forty-eighth and forty-ninth. Eyes five pairs—three situated on first ring, one on second, and one on fifth. Anus rather small, round, and distinct, situated between the fourth and fifth last ring, in the centre, a little above the ventral sucker, which is obliquely terminal, and so placed as to have a ventral aspect. * A cargo of Leeches was lately imported into London from Australia; but, the demand for Leeches being now much restricted owing to the disuse of blood- letting by medical men in this country, it appears that they were almost all thrown into the Thames. Three or four specimens, however, were saved from the mass, and kindly sent alive to the British Museum by Mr. Morson of South- ampton Row. This Leech is one which is used in Australia for medicinal pur- poses ; and a dissection of the mouth shows the teeth to be strong and well deve- loped. The species is the Azrudo quinquestriata of Schmarda, and described by him in his ‘ Neue Wirbelthiere,’ vol. ii. Ke ay 1869.) DR. W. BAIRD ON NEW ANNELIDES. 317 HetTreROBDELLA MEXICANA, Baird. Body rounded dorsally, flattened ventrally; narrow, nearly uniform in breadth, but slightly attenuated anteriorly ; of a uniform pale brown colour. Rings very narrow, rather rugose. Oral sucker rather small; upper lip prominent, plaited. Ventral sucker round, deep, plaited on outer margin, smooth, obliquely terminal, and with a ventral aspect; in several specimens this sucker was closed, being contracted longitudinally. Anus distinctly visible, of moderate size, between the fourth and fifth last ring, above the ventral sucker. Length about 20 lines, breadth about 4 lines. Hab. Mexico. Collected by M. Salle. Genus GLossipHonIA, Johnson. 1. GLosstIPHONIA RUDIS, Baird. Body of an obovate form, and of a uniform olive-colour ; roughly annulated, each ring armed with a series of tubercles along its sur- face, and having a number of larger, reddish-coloured tubercles scat- tered irregularly over the surface of the back. Head and body continuous. Dorsum rather convex, ventrally concave. Oral sucker smaller than ventral, which is round, hollow, and smooth internally. Eyes? six in number (as far as could be made out). Sexual orifice about the twenty-third ring. Length about 1 inch, greatest breadth nearly 3 inch. Hab. Great Bear Lake, N. America (Sir J. Richardson, M.D.). 2. GLOSSIPHONIA TRISULCATA, Baird. Body obovate ; head small, distinct from the body, being separated by a distinct notch. Eyes two, or, if four, placed so close together that they look as only two. Of a uniform dull olive-colour, with three distinct raised sulci or ridges, which converge to a point at the upper part of the body, just below the head, and nearly converging posteriorly also. The ridges are beset, all along their upper margins, with raised tubercles. Ventral surface as if trellised by crossing strie. Ventral sucker rather small, round. Back somewhat con- vex, ventral surface concave. Length about 10 lines, greatest breadth 4 lines. Hab. 2? Qld collection. 3. GLOSSIPHONIA CIMICIFORMIS, Baird. Body rounded oval, flat, somewhat concave ventrally, nearly flat on dorsal surface. Rings very close and indistinct, beset with six longitudinal rows of raised tubercles, the two central rows the largest and most distinct. Colour above of a reddish brown, the tubercles lighter in hue. Borders or margins of body very thick and large, leaving a hollow space in the centre of ventral surface, with a row of black spots on each side running longitudinally for the greatest part of its length. yes six ; anterior pair very small, second pair large, and third pair smaller than second. Body of a hard crusta- 318 MR. G. KREFFT ON NEW AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. [May 13, ceous sort of structure ; and the form altogether presents very much the appearance of a bug. Ventral sucker round and rather deep. Length about 3 lines, breadth about 23 lines. Hab. ? Old collection. 5. Descriptions of new Australian Snakes. By Gerarp Kroerrt, F.L.S.,C.M.Z.S8., Curator and Secretary of the Australian Museum at Sydney, N.S.W. CaACoPHIS FORDE. (Figs. 1 & 2.) Seales in 15 rows. Abdominal plates ——? Subcaudals Two anal plates. Total length 13 inches, head 4, tail 12. Figs. 1 & 2. Py: Cacophis fordei. Body elongate and rounded ; head rather small, not distinct from trunk, flat, regularly shielded ; vertical moderate, with a very sharp angle behind ; superciliaries much smaller, occipitals slightly larger than the vertical; rostral rather depressed, with a groove on its lower edge ; one anterior, two posterior oculars ; one large and elon- gate temporal shield, with two others behind, the upper one being nearly as large as the first temporal ; six upper labials, the third and fourth coming into the orbit ; these shields increase from the first to the last, which is the largest ; the lower labials are also six in number ; the eye is small, with rounded pupil; scales hexagonal, about as broad as they are long, except the upper rows on the back, which are more elongate. The head is scarcely to be distinguished from the body, and for one-fourth of the whole length there is no increase in size; the body then gradually enlarges, being much stouter pos- teriorly, with a short and very distinct tail. In young and half- grown individuals these characters are not so clearly defined; the tail is nearly of the same size as in the adult, rather stout, but dis- tinct from the body. The. general colour is a kind of sepia-brown above, in adults much lighter anteriorly, a white or yellowish collar 1869.) MR. G. KREFFT ON NEW AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 319 dividing the head from the neck. This collar commences at the last labial shield, covers five scales in Jength by one (or at the angle two scales) wide ; it then crosses the neck, the width of a scale or less, and joins the opposite angle. The shields on the side of the face are all more or less spotted with white, including the onter edges of the superciliaries, the rostral, and the first pair of frontals. The general colour of the body covers the outer margin of every abdominal plate, rather jagged and irregular in the middle, but sharply defined on the sides, particularly in young individuals ; the inner margins of the two-rowed subcaudals are marked in the same way to the tip. The abdominal plates are otherwise of a clear straw- yellow, brighter in young individuals. The outer margin of each scale of the back is darkly shaded, with a light elongate spot in the middle, giving the body a keeled appearance. Haé. Mr. George Masters discovered this handsome little Snake at the Pine-Mountain, near Ipswich, Queensland, and states that it can be freely handled without offering to bite. CacopHis HARRIETTH. (Fig. 3.) Scales in 15 rows. Abdominal plates 193. ‘Two anal plates. Subcaudals 35/35, or more. Total length 12 inches, head 3, tail 14. Cacophis harriette. Body rather elongate and rounded ; head scarcely distinct from trunk, quadrangular, not much depressed; tail rather short and stout, distinct from the body. The vertical is rounded off behind, about as large again as the superciliaries ; the occipitals are rather small and narrow, not much larger than the vertical (too large in my figure). The plates on the side of the face are similar to those of C. fordei ; the third and fourth upper labials come under the eye, and the sixth and last is the largest; the temporal shields are one large one and two others of unequal size behind. The general colour is a kind of purplish brown above, each scale with a white central streak (except the outer row on each side), forming thirteen thin lines from nape to base of tail; head and ueck white above, with a central spot (the colour of the body) covering part of posterior frontals, vertical superciliaries, and occipitals, and one row of scales surrounding the occipitals. The shields on the side of the face, the lower labials, and chin-shields are dark-spotted and blotched; eye small, pupil rounded. Abdominal plates uniform purplish brown, with a light outer edge; subcaudals with similar markings. 320 MR. G. KREFFT ON NEW AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. [May 13, Hab. Warro, Port Curtis, Queensland. Discovered by F. A. Blackman, Esq. CacopHis BLACKMAN. (Fig. 4.) Scales in 15 rows. Abdominal plates 197. Two anal plates. Subcaudals 43/43, or more. Total length 16 inches, head 3, tail 27. Cacophis blackmanii. Body elongate and rounded ; head distinct from neck, rather de- pressed, with obtuse muzzle. The vertical without the sharp angle behind would form a square; the superciliaries are very small, slightly larger than the anterior ocular ; occipitals also of small size, and not as large again as the vertical; the hind part of the head rather thick ; the vertical and occipitals depressed. Six upper labials, the two last of about equal size, with a large temporal shield wedged in between them; seven lower labials. Purplish brown above, lighter on the sides; all scales with a slightly transparent outer edge, but without any markings; ventrals straw-yellow, with darker spots in the corners. Head, from the muzzle to the occipitals, dark brown above; the upper margin of the upper labials tinted with the same colour, the rest of the lower labials yellowish; mental shield dark brown. The upper part of the head behind the occipitals light brown; a clear small spot in the corner of each superciliary yellow. Hab. The Pine-Mountain, Queensland. Discovered by Mr. George Masters. VERMICELLA LUNULATA. (Figs. 5 & 6.) Scales in 15 rows. Abdominal plates 220, or more. Two anal plates. Subcaudals 26/26, or more. Total length 83 inches, head less than 3, tail 3. Figs. 5 & 6. Vermicella lunulata. 1869.] MR. G. KREFFT ON NEW AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 321 Head very flat ; rostral not quite so high as in V. annulata; ver- tical and occipitals more elongate. Head, body, and tail covered by fifty-nine elliptical spots, which, only in a few instances near the tail, join beneath, but very faint and scarcely a line in width. On the middle of the back these spots are about 3 inch wide. Hab. The Upper Burdekin. A single specimen in the Museum collection. DentsoniA, Krefft. Head high and quadrangular, distinct from trunk, regularly shielded, but with a large loreal, which is absent in all other Aus- tralian venomous Snakes. Body not very elongate. DENISONIA ORNATA. (Fig. 7.) The present species is a very peculiar form on account of the loreal shield, which in the venomous Colubrine Snakes is, I believe, generally absent. The head is rather thick, distinct from trunk, high, and quadrangular, with shelving snout; and in this respect resembles the genus Acanthophis. The markings of the upper and lower labials, the chin-shields, and the first ten or fifteen abdominal plates are almost identical with those of young Death-adders of the first year. The occiput is black from the posterior frontals to the commencement of the neck, leaving a mottled spot on the inner margin of the superciliaries, and another very small one at the pos- terior part of the vertical. The tips of the two occipitals and the scale between them are also light-coloured; and below these is another whitish spot formed by the inner portions of eight scales with a darker centre. The occipitals are slightly raised above the eye, and resemble in this respect the same scales in Acanthophis. The frontals are shelving downwards ; and the rostral is very low, and not visible from above if the head is put in a horizontal position. Body and tail above lead-coloured, beneath whitish; the abdominals with brown spots in the corner of each plate, which become faint towards the tail. Denisonia ornata. Hab. Mr. Thomas Nobbs, a liberal donor to the Museum, dis- covered this new Snake near Rockhampton, in Queensland. EmypocreruHauus, Krefft. Anterior half of the trunk rounded, posterior part compressed ; ventral plates well developed. Head shielded, gape of mouth short ; 322 MR. G. KREFFT ON NEW AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. [ May 13, three upper and three lower labials, the middle one largest, covering nearly the whole upper and lower lip (scales large and much imbri- cated, in sixteen rows). Occipitals not much larger than the super- ciliaries, very irregular, with sometimes a plate between them, and much broader than long. Tail much compressed, ending in a large flat scale, with two or three denticulations and a strong keel on each side. Scales in sixteen or seventeen rows, hexagonal, much imbri- cated, and covered with from five to ten or more tubercles. Ventral plates much tuberculated, in particular those near the tail. EmMYDOCEPHALUS ANNULATUS. Scales in 16 or 17 rows. Ventral plates 144. One anal plate. Subcaudals 36 (ending in a broad spine). Total length 30 inches. Scales large and imbricated. Head small, about as long as broad, covered with rounded plates, which are more or Jess raised in the middle and much tuberculated ; one or two elongate shields wedged in between the superciliaries ; the number of upper and lower labials reduced to three, a middle one of extraordinary size between two small scale-like shields, each scale and plate covered with many small tubercles, and the body encircled by thirty-five black and as many white rings. The white scales upon the back and sides more or less black, and some of the black rings white-spotted. Hab. Probably the Australian seas. Two specimens in the Mu- seum collection. EMYDOCEPHALUS TUBERCULATUS. Scales in 17 rows. Abdominal plates 135. One anal plate. Sub- caudal plates 30. Total length 32 inches, head 1, tail 52, girth 4. Head short, but longer than in the previous species ; neck rounded ; all the other parts of the body compressed, very stout, with strongly compressed tail, ending in a large flat scale or spine divided into three segments. Scales very large, hexagonal, the greater portion fully one quarter of an inch wide, much imbricated and tuberculated. Abdominal plates large, with a fold or ridge in the middle, but not keeled; each plate covered with several elongated tubercles. Head shielded, the sutures of the frontals and nasals forming right angles ; vertical nearly rounded; superciliaries large, five-sided ; occipitals short, much broader than long. Three upper and lower labials, the middle one very large, covering nearly the whole gape; the middle lower labial shield very irregular in form, with one or two indenta- tions. One anterior and two posterior oculars ; eye of moderate size. General colour uniform purplish brown; some of the scales on the side mottled with lighter brown spots. Hab. Probably the Australian seas. A single specimen in the Museum collection. P.Z.S. 1869. Pl XX. Jiens Aldous delet lith Siliceo-fibrous ‘ CTR RIT OT Sa oon . diens Aldous del et Irth PZ. 9.1869. PLXXIL = A. TNS a P/ae Lens Aldous del et lth W. West imp Diliceo-fibrous Sponges. lens Aldous del. e+ lith Siliceo-fibrous Sponges. — Pe ed AALS ae Ry ‘ t ae "9 Ce, AC ey i PL XXV. PLS eee Sit 7 j W West imp. Siliceo-fibrous Sponges. , Lens Aldous del. et lith 1869.] DR. J. S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 323 6. A Monograph of the Siliceo-fibrous Sponges. By J. S. Bowrersank, LL.D., F.R.S., F.Z.S., &e.—Part I1.* (Plates XXI.-XXV.) Ipuitrron, Valenciennes. Iphiteon panicea, of the Museum, Jardin des Plantes, is distinctly a symmetrical structure. The skeleton is reticulated in a very remark- able manner. The whole consists of a series of regular areas, with pentagonal or hexagonal margins, from each angle of which a fibre passes in a direct line to the centre of the area, where they unite, forming a central, slightly protuberant mass. From each of these centres one or two fibres are given off at about right angles to the plane of the area, in opposite directions to each other, by which the adjoining areas above and below are connected. These connecting fibres always terminate at junctional angles of the nearest adjoining area, and the fibres thus projected never seem to unite with any other portions of the reticulating skeleton. The appearance resulting from this mode of structure is very re- markable when we view a microscopical plane of this beautiful tissue. The effect is that all the areas present a singularly confluent appear- ance, each perfect in itself, and each forming, as it were, a part of a neighbouring area. Occasionally square spaces may be found; but these are only intervals of the reticulations. In treating of the gemmules in my paper “On the Anatomy and Physiology of the Spongiade,” I have figured a small portion of the skeleton of the specimen in the French Museum, said to be from Porto Rico (plate 34. fig. 17, Phil. Trans. for 1862), and I have there designated it as identical with Stutchbury’s genus Dacty- localyx ; but a more critical examination, with a view to the deter- mination of its specific characters, has convinced me that I was in error in doing so, Neither Dactylocalyx nor Iphiteon appear in Lamarck’s ‘ Animaux sans Vertébres,’ second edition, published in 1836, nor in Agassiz’s ‘ Nomenclator Zoologicus,’ published in 1848. Nor is there any notice of the subject in the list of the works of Prof. Valenciennes published in the ‘ Bibliographia Zoologize et Geologie,’ by the Ray Society, 1854; we may therefore reasonably conclude that although named by Prof. Valenciennes in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes, he never published any descriptive characters of the genus. The symmetrical arrangement of the skeleton-structures distinctly separates Iphiteon from Dactylocalyx, with which it has hitherto been confounded by other English naturalists as well as by me. I therefore propose the following characters for the genus IpHITEON, Valenciennes. Skeleton siliceo-fibrous. Fibre solid, cylindrical. Reticulations symmetrical. Areas rotulate, confluent. Type Iphiteon panicea from Porto Rico, Museum of the Jardin des Plantes, Paris. * For Part I. see ated, pp. 66-LO0, 324 DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [May 13, IPpHITEON PANICEA, Valenciennes. Sponge cyathiform, slightly pedicelled. Surface of rigid skeleton even? Oscula, pores, and dermal membrane unknown. Skeleton symmetrically radial ; radii short and stout ; areas of the rete mostly six-sided, spaces within triangular; fibre cylindrical, incipiently spinous. Tension-spicula simple, hexradiate, slender, abundantly spinous; radii terminally more or less clavate. Retentive spicula spinulo-pentafurcated? hexradiate stellate, few in number. Gem- mules simple, membranous, subspherical, irregularly dispersed, very numerous. Colour in the living state unknown. Hab. Porto Rico, 1799 (Prof. Valenciennes). Examined in the state of skeleton. The specimen designated Iphiteon panicea in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, is said to have been brought from Porto Rico in the year 1799. It is an irregularly cup-shaped sponge, the diameter of its distal margin being about equal to its height, which, to the best of my recollection, was from 7 to 8 inches. From the colour and general appearance of the specimen, I believe it to be the one from which Prof. Valenciennes gave a small fragment to Prof. Melville some years since, which he kindly transferred to me, and which fragment contains the gemmules in situ. I have so fully de- scribed the general structure of the skeleton in my description of the genus, as to render it unnecessary to dilate further on that portion of its history. No fragments of the expansile dermal system could be detected ; and we are therefore deprived of the most important specific cha- racters. I could not detect auxiliary skeleton-spicula, simulating hexradiate spicula, springing from the primary skeleton-fibres and anastomo- sing freely with each other, as in Dactylocalyz ; but in lieu of them true simple hexradiate tension-spicula were frequently to be seen in groups in the interstitial spaces, but they never appeared to inoscu- late with each other or to deviate from their normal forms. These spicula are of comparatively large size; the radii are slightly and progressively attenuated, and entirely and acutely spinous, but they do not terminate in a point, but either in a group of acute spines or they are more or less subclavate. The retentive spicula appear to be exceedingly few in number in the interstitial tissues; in several small masses of the skeleton abounding in sarcode and gemmules I found but two of them. The secondary radii were apparently five in number, but they were so much obscured by the surrounding sarcode as to render the deter- mination of this character very uncertain. The simple membranous subspherical gemmules are very like those of a halichondroid sponge; they are very numerous, some- what variable in size and form, and are nearly all of them attached to the skeleton-fibres. A portion of the skeleton with the gemmules is figured in the 1869.] DR. J.S, BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 325 illustrations to my paper “ On the Anatomy and Physiology of the Spongiade”’ (Phil. Trans. for 1862, plate 34. figs. 17 & 18), and also in vol. i. of ‘ Monograph of British Spongiadz’ (plate 35. figs. 340 & 341). The latter figure in each of these quotations represents one of the gemmules filled with granular matter, x 666 linear. A small portion of the skeleton from the Porto Rico speci- men is also figured in Plate XXII. fig. 1, of the present work, x 108 linear, to exhibit the abundance of these organs iz situ. In this portion of the skeleton (fig. 1, Plate XXI., representing the general contour of the skeleton) the gemmules are very few in number, the original of the figure being from a different portion of the sponge. IpHITEON BEATRIX, Bowerbank. Aphrocallistes beatriz, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1858, p. 115, pl. xi. Sponge fistulous, branching irregularly. Surface of the rigid skeleton undulating or tuberous. Oscula congregated, terminal. Pores and dermal system unknown. Skeleton symmetrically ra- dial; radii short and stout ; areas of the rete mostly six-sided, spaces within triangular ; fibre cylindrical; central umbo of the areas spi- nous. Inhalant spaces of the skeleton-surface armed with stout elongo-conical, acutely terminated, arl abundantly spinous defensive fibres. External defensive spicula of the skeleton acerate, distal por- tions incipiently recurvato-spinous, long and slender, very numerous ; and also stout subfusiformi-cylindrical, entirely spinous spicula, few in number. Interstitial spicula attenuated rectangulated hexradiate, large and small; axial ray of the latter occasionally spinous at one or both of its terminations; spines very long and slender, curving towards the extremities. Spicula of the membranes :—Tension- spicula acerate, very slender. Retentive spicula acerate, verticil- lately spinous ; verticilli few in number; spines large and acute, and also porrecto-spinulo-multiradiate spicula with slightly attenu- ated shafts ; radii from three to six or more, slender and minute, few in number. Gemmules spherical, membranous, irregularly dispersed. Colour in the living state unknown. Hab. Malacca (Admiral Sir Edward Belcher). Examined in the skeleton state. Dr. Gray’s description of this beautiful sponge in the ‘ Proceed- ings’ of this Society for 1858 is inaccurate in several important points. In the first place he describes it as calcareous, whereas it is purely siliceo-fibrous. He also states the outer surface to be “formed of intertangled transparent spines which inosculate and unite with each other at the intersection,’ while the whole of the skeleton is formed of a symmetrical network of siliceous fibre. He further states that “the end of the main tube is closed with an open network formed of spicula,” when in reality it is an intricate reticulation of siliceous fibre of a very remarkable structure. Subse- quently the author writes, “in this genus the mass of the sponge is formed of small spicula, which inosculate and are united together, forming a hard mass pierced with numerous closed, small, uniform Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XXII. 326 DR.J.S., BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [May 13, hexangular pores, lined with a thin layer formed of elongate fusiform spicula, placed parallel in bungle in a more or less longitudinal direction round the inner mouth of the pores.” The whole of this latter description of the structure of the sponge is remarkable for its inaccuracy. He repeats the fallacy that ‘the sponge is formed of small spicula,” and describes their inosculation, when no such inos- culation ever takes place among true spicula, He describes the pores in the total absence of the dermal membrane, evidently mis- taking the incurrent orifices of the skeleton for those organs, and then he lines the cavities ‘‘ with spicula placed parallel in bungle.” What may be the mode of disposition of spicula in bungle I must leave my readers to imagine, as I really cannot conceive their arrange- ment under such circumstances, and especially as I have been totally unable to detect any such lining of spicula within the orifices de- scribed by Dr. Gray. The sponge, of the natural size, and slightly magnified, has been beautifully represented in plate 11 of the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoolo- gical Society’ for 1858. The natural surface, and the whole of the dermal system of this sponge, have been entirely destroyed, and the pores are therefore un- known to us; but from the regularity of the size and mode of dis- position of the incurrent orifices of the skeleton, it is very probable that they were congregated immediately above them. Within the sponge, on the surface of the great cloacal cavity, there are a series of large areas for the discharge of the excurrent streams into the cloaca ; they are very like in size and form to those of the inhalant surface, but they are destitute of the elaborate defences that characterize the inhalant organs, Fig. 4, Plate XXI. represents one of these areas x 108 linear. The form and mode of disposition of the oscular area readily in- dicates the congregation of the oscula after the same manner as that indicated in Alcyoncellum speciosum, and as exhibited in various species of Geodia. The reticulation-fibre closing this area in the sponge under consideration is remarkably complex and beautiful ; each fibre of the oscular area is a compound structure. Whena portion of it is immersed in Canada balsam, and viewed by a micro- scopic power of about 150 linear, it is seen to be a complete cylinder formed of a dense network of siliceo-fibrous structure, produced on the same radial principle as that which prevails in the skeleton of the sponge, but in consequence of the small elongate cylindrical space in which it is developed, its structure is necessarily very con- fused; yet the indication of radial fibres within it are sufficiently * apparent to assure us of this fact. On the surface, and within the reticulations, there were a few very slender, smooth, acerate spicula which, from the mode of their disposition, are evidently the tension- spicula of the membranous tissues of the sponge. From the ex- ternal surface of the compound fibre there were a few basal portions of, apparently, hexradiate auxiliary fibres projected; but none of them were developed to the extent of the production of the rectan- gulated lateral fibres. The external fibres of this beautiful com- 1869.] DR. J. S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 327 pound structure were incipiently spinous, but the internal ones were smooth. The portion of the compound fibre examined measured +}; inch in diameter, and is represented by fig. 2, Plate XXII., x 108 linear. The structure of the skeleton of Aphrocallistes beatrix, Gray, is precisely in accordance with that of Iphiteon panicea; and if agree- ment in organic structure be an evidence of close alliance, the two must belong to the same genus, however different their external forms maybe. The same description of symmetrical confluent areas of siliceo-fibrous structure forms the skeleton, the only difference being that the areas are rather less in their average diameter than those of I. panicea. In the latter species they average ;4, inch, while in the former they are 7; inch; but in their general structural aspect they so closely resemble each other that, if it were not for the spinous umbonate centres of the areas in J. beatriz, they could not be distinguished when examined beneath the microscope. Fig. 2, Plate XXI. represents a section at right angles to the surface of the sponge. The view of the surface of the sponge does not exhibit distinctly the peculiar rotulate structure of the areas ; and it is only when we obtain a section at right angles to the surface that this strikingly characteristic structure is to be seen in all its symmetry and beauty. But the surface view exhibits many of the specific characters in an extremely striking and beautiful manner. Here we observe large inhalant spaces, abounding in rectangulated hexra- diate spicula, for the support and multiplication of the nutrient membranes of the sponge ; and that the delicate tissues may be pre- served from the ravages of minute annelids and other insidious ene- mies, the mouths of the apertures are abundantly defended by the projection into them of large elongate cones of fibre, profusely fur- nished with minute spines ; and deeply imbedded amidst the skele- ton-fibre we find an abundant supply of acerate tension-spicula, and of the short, acerate, verticillately spined retentive ones, and occa- sionally groups of two or three of the porrecto-spinulo-quaternate spicula with attenuating shafts (fig. 3, Plate XXI., x 108 linear). The surface of the skeleton is furnished with a profusion of attenu- ated acerate external defensive spicula, the distal portions of which are abundantly spinous, the spines appearing as if notched upward out of the shaft of the spiculum, their acute points being all directed downward. The greater portion of these defensive organs are deeply immersed in the skeleton-mass beneath, their distal ends projecting not more than about one-fifth or one-sixth of their length beyond the general surface of the sponge. A section at right angles to the mass of the skeleton is necessary to exhibit distinctly their structure and position in the sponge. The auxiliary rectangulated hexradiate fibres of the skeleton are produced very sparingly in this species ; they do not attain the full development of the shaft and lateral ra- diations as in Dactylocalyz, the lower half of the shaft only being produced ; and this portion of it is abundantly spinous, and termi- nates hemispherically. In one portion of the skeleton, mounted in Canada balsam, their purpose in the economy of the animal is dis- 328 DR.J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [May 13, played in a very beautiful manner. Five of them are projected at different angles in about the same plane; and as it fortunately happens that the interstitial membrane is in a beautiful state of preservation, it is seen suspended on the points of the fibres, the margin curving gently from one to the other of them, in precisely the same man- ner as wet linen cloth would if it were supported ona series of short props for the purpose of being dried ; and the resemblance is rendered the more complete by the doubling and folding of the membrane at the points of contact with the rough terminations of the supporting fibre ; and in the space of membrane between two of these support- ing props, we have one of the rectangulated hexradiate interstitial spicula, with its almost brush-like spinous axial spiculum, imbedded in the surface of the membrane, to contribute its share of support to that portion of the structure. The attenuated hexradiate rectangulated interstitial spicula are comparatively small and delicate in their structure ; the proximal and distal portions of the axial spiculum are very nearly equal. They have usually one or both of these parts furnished with very long and slender spines, which curve in the directions of the terminations of the shaft (fig. 3, Plate XXII.). But when this form of spiculum occurs in some of the larger interstitial cavities, they are increased in size in proportion to the necessities of the situation, and two or three of them are grouped so as mutually to support each other, as well as to perform the common office of supporting the membranous structures. In this case their radii appear to be entirely destitute of spines. The slender acerate tension-spicula are few in number, and appear to abound more towards the surface of the sponge than in its deeper recesses. The acerate verticillately spinous retentive spicula are exceedingly abundant in those parts where there are any remains of the mem- branous and sarcodous structures. The spinous verticilli are few in number ; when in a fully developed condition there are frequently as many as four of them; but three is the more usual quantity, with perhaps a single intermediate spine to represent the fourth whorl. Sometimes they exhibit only two irregular terminal groups of spines and a smooth shaft intervening. The spines are long and acutely conical (fig. 4, Plate XXII., x 308 linear). The porrecto-multispinulate spicula are comparatively few in number. They do not appear to be irregularly dispersed, but occur in groups of two or three together. They agree very nearly in size, but the degree of expansion of their terminal radii differs considerably ; nor do all the rays on the same spiculum agree in that respect. The number of the radii at their apices appears to vary considerably ; those I have observed and figured in Plate XXII. figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, range from 3 to 6 spinulate radii. The shaft is long, slender, and attenuating to its base. Prof. Wyville Thomson, in describing this form of spiculum in his paper on Sponges in the ‘ Annals and Maga- zine of Natural History’ for February 1868, p. 124, says, ‘‘no doubt these are the separate branches of a complex hexradiate spi- 1869.] DR. J. S. BOWRRBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 329 cule, closely resembling those figured by Bowerbank (‘ British Sponges,’ vol. i. figs. 190, 192).’’ I cannot agree with the learned Professor in this opinion. All the numerous specimens that I have seen, both separated from the sponge and in situ, have their natural basal terminations ; and no indication whatever exists of any central hexradiate spiculum from which they may have been separated. A few gemmules were observed adhering to the skeleton-fibres of the inner surface of the interstitial cavities of the sponge; they are similar in character to those of I. panicea, but in the specimen under consideration they are not nearly so numerous as in the Porto-Rico specimen of that species. IPHITEON SUBGLOBOSA, Bowerbank. F Dactylocalyx subglobosa, Gray, P. Z.S. 1867, p. 506, plate xxvii. e@. 1: Sponge massive, somewhat cyathiform, sessile. Surface uneven. Oscula and pores unknown. Dermal membrane—retentive spicula spiculated biternate, minute, very numerous? Skeleton symmetri- cally radial; areas confluent, somewhat irregular, mostly six-sided, spaces within triangular; skeleton-fibre at the external surface coarsely and irregularly tuberculated ; fibre within the sponge mi- nutely tuberculated ; disposition of the tubercles sublinear. Auxi- liary fibres rectangulated hexradiate, abundantly spinous ; radii spi- nulate. External defensive spicula fusiformi-acerate, very large and long, distal terminations occasionally incipiently spinous. Intersti- tial spicula rectangulated hexradiate, very slender, radii subclavate, basal ray very long. Spicula of the membranes—retentive spicula spinulo-quadrifurcate and pentafurcate hexradiate stellate, numerous; margins of the spinulate terminations crenulate. Colour in the living state unknown. Hab. Malacca? (Dr. J. EB. Gray). Examined in the state of skeleton. This sponge is in the collection at the British Museum. It is figured of the natural size in the ‘ Proceedings’ of this Society for 1867, plate 27. fig. 1; and at p. 506 of the same volume, Dr. J. KE. Gray gives the following brief description of it :—“ Sponge subglo- bose, with a deep central concavity above; the outer surface with irregular anastomosing oscules. ‘“‘ Hab. Malacca?” The sponge is based on a fragment of coral, and has very much the form of a young and undeveloped specimen of one of the best description of Turkey sponges, in which the form of the cup is rather indicated than produced ; and it is very probable that in its fully developed state it will be found to be a truly cyathiform species. The expansile dermal system of the sponge has been entirely de- stroyed; the oscula and pores are therefore unknown to us; but on one fragment of the outer portion of the skeleton submitted to exa- mination there was a very small piece of the dermal membrane ad- hering to the surface of the skeleton, and this was densely crowded 330 DR.J.S, BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [ May 13, with minute spiculated biternate retentive spicula, and a few single ones were entangled in the adjoining interstices of the skeleton, As the colour of this small portion of the membrane was the same as that of minute portions of sarcode dispersed amidst the reticulations of the skeleton, there can be no reasonable doubt of its really belong- ing to the sponge. These spicula are so minute that they require a microscopic power of about 700 linear to define them in a satisfactory manner, and in the present case they were only visible after having been immersed in Canada balsam, A detached specimen of one of these spicula is represented by fig. 11, Plate XXII. The structure of the skeleton is stronger, larger, and more irre- gular than that of I. panicea or I. beatriz; but there is no doubt of its being truly an Iphiteon. The average diameter of the skeleton- fibre is =4,, inch. The surface-fibres are very closely tuberculated, the tubercles looking very like small extraneous patches of silex adherent to the surface; and clusters of these coarse tubercles are frequently accumulated on the umbones of the confluent areas of the skeleton-structures, as represented in fig. 10, Plate XXII., which re- presents a portion of the surface of the rigid skeleton. The tubercles of the interior fibres are much more regular in their form, and are frequently disposed in lines, consisting of five or six of them at nearly right angles to the axis of the fibre; and a very considerable number of the fibres have no tubercles upon them. The rectangulated hexradiate auxiliary fibres were very abundant in some of the large interstitial spaces of the skeleton: when fully developed they are abundantly spinous, and the radii have spinulate terminations ; in an early stage of growth they are frequently spine- less, or only incipiently spinous, and in this condition, intermixed with the stouter and more developed ones, they may be readily mis- taken for spicula; but their habit of anastomosing with each other, and their basal connexion with the parent skeleton-fibre, readily dis- tinguish them. Fig. 12, Plate XXII., represents two of the auxili- ary fibres in a less complicated form than they are usually met with in the interstitial spaces of the skeleton, and exhibiting distinctly their basement on the skeleton-fibre, and their subsequent inoscula- tion. The rectangulated hexradiate interstitial spicula are comparatively few in number; they are very slender, smooth, and their radii are clavate. The auxiliary fibres seem to have superseded them in their peculiar office of affording support to the interstitial membranes, and of multiplying the sarcodous surfaces of the interstitial spaces. The external defensive spicula of the skeleton are remarkably large and long. I have not seen an entire one; but in a perfect condition they cannot be less than } inch in length, and the diameter of the middle of one im situ was =45 inch, more than twice tue size of an average-sized skeleton-fibre. Their basal portions are deeply im- mersed in the external portion of the skeleton. The basal termina- tion in a few cases appeared to be incipiently spinous; but this seemed to be rather the exception than the rule. 1869.] DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 331 The retentive spinulo-quadrifurcate and pentafurcate spicula are very numerous, and the numbers of the two appear to be about equal. When a power of 700 or 800 linear is applied to them, their margins are seen to be regularly and closely crenulated. I do not remember to have seen this remarkable character in the correspond- ing spicula of any other species of siliceo-fibrous sponges. Ipuitron INGAuuI, Bowerbank. Dactylocalyx pumicea, Gray, P. Z. 8. 1867, p. 506, plate xxvii. fig. 2. Sponge cup-shaped. Rigid skeleton—upper or exhalant surface with large intermarginal excurrent canals radiating irregularly from the centre towards the circumference. Under or inhalant surface with short radiating intermarginal canals. Surface even. Oscula, pores, and expansile dermal system unknown. Skeleton—fibre stout, more or less furnished with scattered warty tubercles. Auxiliary fibres abundantly tuberculated, terminating spinulately. Interstitial spicula rectangulated hexradiate, large; radii nearly equal, attenuated and acutely terminated. Retentive spicula spinulo-quadrifurcate hexradiate stellate; terminal radii long. Colour in the natural state unknown. Hab. St. Vincent's, West Indies (Thos. Ingall, Esq.). Examined in the skeleton-state. This sponge is figured by Dr. Gray, on the scale of one-eighth of its natural size, in plate xxvii. of the ‘Proceedings’ of this Society for 1867, and is erroneously designated Dactylocalyx pumicea in p. 506 of the same volume, but without any reference either to its internal or external characters, although the latter in J. Ingaldi are strikingly different from those of the rigid skeleton of the former, as I have stated at length in my description of the surface-characters of Dactylocalyx pumiceus, anted p. 77. Beside the difference in the surfaces of the rigid skeletons, there are such conclusive structural characters in their configurations that, had Dr. Gray taken the trouble to compare sections of the two sponges, he must have at once seen that they were not only different species, but distinct genera as well. In the absence of the expansile dermal systems in both sponges, they agree in their external forms exceedingly well; but this cha- racter is common to so many and such discordant genera and species as to be of little or no value in their specific discrimination, even had they belonged to the same genus. I have been unable to detect any characteristic fragments of the expansile dermal system of the type specimen of I. Ingalli. The outer or inhalant surface of the sponge is covered in numerous places with a thin brown membrane adhering closely to the surface of the rigid skeleton, and dipping into and lining the incurrent orifices of the sponge. The membrane is completely covered by minute spherical vesicles; but I could not detect any imbedded spi- cula. From its close adherence to the surface of the rigid skeleton, 332 DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [ May 13, its delicate structure, and the total absence of dermal spicula, it is evident that it has formed no part of the expansile dermal system, and that it is truly the enveloping membrane of the rigid skeleton of the sponge thickly covered by sarcode. Whether these minute molecules are the basal vesicies of the ciliary system is a question of considerable interest, to be hereafter determined by naturalists who have the opportunity of examining these interesting sponges fresh from their native element. Their situation and general character are very similar to the homologous organs in Gruntia compressa, and their position in I. Ingalli is just that in which we should expect to find the ciliary system. We cannot hope to find any cilia remaining under such circumstances ; those of Grantia compressa and other nearly allied species are rarely visible, except during the life of the animal and while in a state of activity. In a small piece of the membranous structure of this sponge which I received from my friend Mr. Ingall, in March 1860, the appearances presented are widely different from those of the mem- brane I have described above. The colour and the sarcode are very similar; but there is a total absence of the minute spherical bodies. The field of view presents a very confused appearance. Numerous long, slender, and flexible attenuato-acerate spicula are confusedly matted together, and amongst them there are a considerable number of large rectangulated hexradiate spicula with radii of equal length, gradually attenuated from their proximal to their distal terminations ; and amidst this complicated mass there are innumerable spinulo- quadrifurcate hexradiate stellate retentive spicula. From what part of the sponge these portions of its structure have been derived it is difficult to conjecture ; but it is evident that there are other forms of spicula than those we have observed im siéu that belong to it, and that, although the spinulo-quadrifurcate retentive spicula are rather abundant in the interstices of the rigid skeleton, there are other parts of the sponge in which they are crowded te such a degree as to be innumerable. The general appearance of the spinulo-quadrifurcate hexradiate spicula is very like that represented by fig. 2, P]. XXIII.; and I have chosen a mutilated specimen which has only three of its primary rays remaining as best calculated to display its quadrifurcate structure. The configuration of the rigid skeleton is decidedly that of an Iphiteon of a somewhat delicate structure. The skeleton-fibres near the surface are rather strongly tuberculated; but those of the interior are very much less so, and in some parts they are almost smooth. The mouths of the incurrent canals on the surface of the rigid skeleton are numerous and frequently closely adjoining each other, the sepa- ration often not exceeding half of their own diameter. The auxi- liary fibres at some distance within these canals are frequently abundant and much complicated in structure. They are stout, very rugged, with irregularly disposed tubercles, and their free termina- tions are spinulate. The rectangulated hexradiate interstitial spi- cula in situ are few in number, and their radii are gradually 1869.] DR. J. S, BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 333 attenuated to a sharp point. In size, compared with those I have previously described in a fragment of the membranous tissue, they are small and slender. The genera of the two sponges I. Ingalli and Daetylocalyx pumi- ceus being distinctly different, it is unnecessary to enter into a long description of their differential characters to prove that Dr. Gray is in error in assigning the type specimen of the former to the latter genus; but it may be as well to state that none of the singular and beautiful forms of spicula which I have obtained from the type speci- men of D. pumiceus, and have figured in Plate III., part 1, are to be found in the tissues of the type specimen of I. Ingalli. IpHITEON CALLOCYATHES, Bowerbank. Myliusia callocyathes, Gray, P. Z. 8. 1859, p. 439, Radiata, pl. xvi. Sponge sessile or slightly pedicelled, cyathiform. Upper surface of rigid skeleton even ; under surface sinuously plicated and tubulated. Oscula and pores unknown. Expansile dermal system—dermal mem- brane pellucid, furnished abundantly with minute short, stout, acerate tension-spicula ; connecting spicula furcated foliato-expando-ternate. Skeleton—fibre variable in diameter, verticillately spinous, spines small, acutely conical ; interstitial spicula rectangulated hexradiate, axial and_rectangulating radii nearly equal in length, slender, termi- nations subclavate; retentive spicula spinulo-multifurcate hexra- diate stellate, terminations of each heptaradiate or octoradiate; of two sorts, one with terminal radii expanded, the other with terminal radii contracted into separate groups. Colour in the natural state unknown. Hab. West Indies (Dr. M‘Gee). Examined in the skeleton-state. In the description of the external characters of this sponge it must be remembered that it is that of the rigid skeleton only, and that it is probable that both surfaces would be more or less smooth and even when covered by the expansile dermal system. The arrangement of the skeleton is decidedly that of an Ipiiteon ; but the structural character of the fibres of which it is composed is strikingly distinct from any other species of the genus. ‘They are variable in size to a considerable extent ; but whatever may be their diameters, they are always furnished with numerous small sharply conical spines, which exhibit a strong tendency to a verticillate ar- rangement ; and around the central umbones of the confluent areas of the skeleton they are frequently congregated on slightly elevated detached patches, each containing from seven to ten minute spinules. These structural characters would have sufficed, in the present state of our knowledge of the species of this genus, to distinguish it from any other member of the group; but, by a careful exami- nation of the type specimen, I fortunately obtained from near the base of the sponge on the inner surface a small piece of the ex- pansile dermal system in connexion with a portion of the surface of 334 DR.J.S8. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [May 13, the rigid skeleton ; but as these tissues on the exhalant surface are not nearly so distinct and regular in their structure as those of the inhalant surface, I could not find a piece that would have afforded a satisfactory figure, although when viewed beneath the microscope the nature and characters of the tissues were beyond a doubt. The furcated foliato-expando-ternate connecting spicula, when thus seen in situ, are so closely packed, and the terminations of their radii are so locked together, that they cannot be separated by the eye ; and the small acerate tension-spicula so profusely scattered on the dermal membrane covering their apices tends greatly to confuse the aspect of the tissues beneath: it is only when we have one of them separated, as represented by fig. 6, Pl. XXIII., that we are enabled to comprehend their structure. But although ineligible for figuring, this fragment of the expansile dermal system clearly demonstrated the agreement in general structure of this species with those in which it is more amply and clearly exhibited. The furcated foliato-expando-ternate connecting spicula are sin- gular in their form, and are very characteristic of the species. Both the primary and secondary ramifications of their apices are very much depressed ; they are very thin, and small short branches are projected from their edges so as greatly to increase their plane of support to the dermal membrane, which appears to have closely ad- hered to them in the living state, as I have not seen any separate spi- culum of this form without a portion of the dermal membrane and its numerous tension-spicula closely adhering to its external surface. The rectangulated hexradiate interstitial spicula appear to be few in number in the present condition of the sponge. They are small and slender, and the apices of the radii are slightly inclined to be clavate; the axial and rectangulating radii are usually of very nearly the same length,—a few of them only having the basal portions of the axial radii elongated to about twice that of a rectangulated ray. There are two sorts of spinulo-multifurcate hexradiate retentive spicula, with seven or eight spinulate radii to each termination :—one in which the primary radii are short, and the secondary ones pro- jected expansively, so as to form one great compound stellate spicu- lum, in which it is very difficult to separate with the eye the six sets of terminal spinulate radii; the other form in which the primary radii are longer and the terminal groups of spinulate spicula, usually six, rarely seven or eight in number, are projected contractedly so as to form six separate and very distinct groups of terminal spinulate spicula, as represented by fig. 7, Pl. XXIII. The first-mentioned form is very like that from Dactylocalyx pumiceus, represented by fig. 4, Pl. III., part 1, with the imaginary addition of as many more radii as are there represented. Mytivusta, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1859, p. 439. Skeleton siliceo-fibrous. Fibres sclid, cylindrical. Rete symmetri- cal, disposed in a series of crypt-like layers parallel with the external surface, with intervening planes of pertorated siliceous tissue. 1869.] DR. J. 8. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 335 The stratified character of the reticulating skeleton of the type sponge of this genus, when viewed in a section at right angles to its natural surface, with a microscopical power of 100 linear, at once separates it from the unsymmetrical structure of Dactylocalyzx ; and although participating with Iphiteon in the character of symmetrical arrangement of its skeleton, it is equally well distinguished from that genus by the total absence of the confluent areas that are so characteristic in those sponges. In a paper read before this Society, November 22, 1859, by Dr. J. E. Gray, entitled “ Description of MacAndrewia and Myliusia, two new forms of Sponges,” and published in the ‘ Proceedings’ of the Society for that year, page 437, the author has described his genus Myliusia, page 439, and has figured in plate xvi. Radiata, of the same volume, his species Myliusia callocyathes as the type of his genus ; subsequently, in the ‘ Proceedings’ of this Society for 1867, p. 506, in his ‘“‘ Notes on the Arrangement of Sponges,” he has given the following characters as those of the genus ;—‘ The sponge conical, cup-shaped, pierced with numerous short truncated tubes, forming raised folded anastomosing laminee on the lower sur- face.’’ This description applies only to the external characters of the skeleton, entirely omitting all the other anatomical peculiarities of the sponge. On microscopically examining the structures of the type specimen I found them to be identical with those of the genus Iphiteon, and I have therefore arranged Dr. Gray’s Myliusia cal- locyathes as Iphiteon callocyathes in the present paper. In Dr. Gray’s ‘‘ Notes on the Arrangement of Sponges,” p. 506, he states that, “‘ There are two small specimens in the British Mu- seum which probably belong to the same species. The smaller one was collected by the Rev. L. Guilding at St. Vincent’sin 1840; and the other was received from the West Indies by Mr. Scrivener in 1842.” On examining microscopically the structures of the speci- men collected by the Rev. L. Guilding at St. Vincent’s, I found it to differ widely in the construction of its skeleton from either Iphiteon or Dactylocalyx, and I therefore propose to apply Dr. Gray’s genus Myliusia to this species in place of the one to which he has erro- neously attached it. The specimen from ‘‘ Mr. Scrivener in 1842 ” is identical in struce- ture with Dr. Gray’s type specimen of his genus Myliusia, both as regards generic and specific characters, and should therefore be ar- ranged with that sponge as [phiteon callocyathes. Myutvusta Grayit. Myliusia callocyathes, Gray, P. Z. 8. 1859, p. 439, et 1867, p. 506. Sponge sessile, massive. Dermal surface unknown. Surface of rigid skeleton uneven and excavated. Oscula, pores, and expansile dermal system unknown. Skeleton stratified, forming a series of expanded crypt-like spaces. Fibre cylindrical, incipiently or mi- nutely spinous. Interstitial spicula numerous, acerate, large and long, variable in size; disposed in lines at right angles to the strati- 336 DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [May 13, fication in loose fasciculi of two to four or five together. Retentive spicula spinulo-multifurcate hexradiate stellate. Colour of skeleton translucent white. Hab. St. Vincent’s, West Indies (Rev. Lansdown Guilding). Examined in the skeleton-state. The specimen proposed as the type of the genus Myliusia has on the front of the board on which it is fixed JZyliusia, St. Vincent’s, Rev. L. Guilding, 40. 10. 23. 11.” On the back of the board ‘ Scri- vener.”’ The sponge is sessile, the base being as wide as the specimen, which has a diameter of about three-fourths of an inch, and is about half an inch in height. The form of the mass is slightly oval ; it is composed of a series of thin sinuous plates of skeleton-structure not more than one-third of a line in thickness. The sinuations of the plates form deep orifices in the substance of the sponge, which some- times extend nearly to the base. By the aid of a lens of an inch focus, the stratified texture of the sinuous plates is distinctly visible. No sarcodous matter could be detected. There are no visible remains of the expansile dermal system of the sponge. When viewed by the microscope the surface of the rigid skeleton has a very remarkable aspect. It is formed of a series of square or irregularly angular areas, the angles of which are filled in with thin perforated angle-plates with their inner margins curved, so that when combined they leave a large circular or oval orifice in the middle of each space; and the upper surface of each layer of vaulted structure presents as nearly as possible the same aspect as the external layer of the rigid skeleton. There is no uniformity, either of size or arrangement, in the perforations of these horizontal angle-plates ; but combined they present to the eye the idea of the greatest amount of lightness, strength, and beauty that can well be conceived to exist in such a structure (fig. 8, Pl. XXIII). When we obtain a favourable section of the rigid skeleton at right angles to the surface of the sponge, we find that it is formed of a series of crypt-like layers of skeleton-fibre, each layer forming as it were a distinct and extensive crypt-like space with short, stout, cylindrical pillars with gradually expanded bases and capitals, the intervening portions of the shafts of the columns being irregularly studded with acutely conical incipient spines. Occasionally the regularity of the columnar arrangement is broken by the occurrence of large irregular interstitial spaces, into which short, stout, very spinous cylindrical or attenuating portions of fibre are projected, very like the basal portions of the auxiliary fibres that occur in several species of Iphiteon, but never appearing to throw off rectangulating lateral branches. These organs are evidently rather for defensive purposes than as auxiliary supporters of the sarcodous membranes, as beside them these spaces frequently have several long and slender acerate interstitial spicula traversing them in various directions; while in the crypt-like spaces a few only of such spicula are seen passing through them in diagonal directions (fig. 1, Pl. XXYV.). 1869.] DR. J. S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 337 These interstitial spicula are very long and are frequently flexuous, and are sometimes extremely numerous and closely matted together. In this state they have probably belonged to the expansile dermal system; but in the present well-washed condition of the specimen the true position of these matted groups could not be determined. The probability, however, of their having belonged to the external surface is increased by the presence among them of fragments of a thin brown membrane and numerous grains of sand. The skeleton-fibres are more or less spinous. The spines are acutely conical, and are irregularly dispersed over the surface; some parts of the skeleton have the fibres nearly spineless, while others are abundantly furnished with those minute organs. The spinulo-hexradiate stellate spicula are found dispersed in all parts of the skeleton-tissues ; but there are some little patches of in- termingled remains of membranes and spicula in which eight or ten were in close conjunction, indicating the probability that in the natural condition of the sponge they were very numerously dispersed in the membranous tissues. I counted thirty rays in some of them ; and we may therefore designate them as spinulo-multifurcate hexra- diate stellate spicula. The basal structure of the sponge is a remarkably beautiful tissue. It has on its surface an indistinct indication of irregular areas, similar to those of the skeleton-structure, when viewed at right angles to its surface ; but the spaces of the open central areas are filled up by plates of siliceous structure perforated by numerous round or oval holes. The skeleton-structure immediately above it is an irregular modification of the ordinary skeleton-tissues, with dense patches of stout acerate spicula intermixed with it. A few patches of the basal membranous tissue remain in situ; in its present state it is of a brown amber-colour ; no spicula could be detected imbedded in them. Kaurapsis, Bowerbank. Skeleton siliceo-fibrous. Basal fibres cylindrical and canaliculated ; distal fibres non-canaliculated, compressed. Basal reticulations sym- metrical and reversedly arcuate ; distal reticulations unsymmetrical and continuously ramifying. The structures of the sponge which is the type of this genus are remarkably anomalous, it combining in its skeleton both solid and eanaliculated fibre, each having a separate and distinct mode of dis- position in the animal. The terminations of the central canals of the basal cylindrical fibres are abrupt, and they are distinctly visible at the parts where the ramified skeleton commences. No evidence of central canals could be detected in any part of the upper ramify- ing portion of the skeleton-structure, which divides continuously as it approaches the surface, where the terminations spread horizontally in every direction, their extremities interlocking and forming a com- plicated and very beautiful lace-like surface to the rigid skeleton, a small portion of which is represented in Plate XXV. fig, 3. These structures, and their modes of disposition, are so remarkable 338 DR, J. S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [ May 13, as to cause this genus to be readily distinguished from any others with which we are acquainted among the siliceo-fibrous sponges. KALIAPSIs CIDARIS, Bowerbank. Sponge coating, parasitical, very thin. Oscula and pores unknown. Expansile dermal system furnished with foliato-peltate connecting spicula, peltate heads more or less mammillated, very various in form; shafts short and conical. Dermal membrane furnished abundantly with minute incipiently spinous fusiformi-cylindrical spi- cula, short and stout, dispersed. Skeleton—basal portion eomposed of stout canaliculated cylindrical fibre arranged symmetrically in a series of reversed semicircular confluent arches, from the crowns of which emanate short stout cidarate prehensile fibres with acutely conical terminations. Basal limbs of the arches attenuating and ra- mifying irregularly upwards, and terminating at the surface of the rigid skeleton in a plane of very complicated non-canaliculated reti- form layer of depressed fibres. Colour in the dried state white. Hab. Parasitic on the base of Oculina rosea, from the South Seas (J. S. Bowerbank). Examined in the dried state. I found this singular and beautiful little sponge on the base of a specimen of Oculina rosea from the South Seas in 1855, and figured a portion of it in illustration of my paper on the “Anatomy and Physiology of the Spongiade”’ published in the ‘Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society’ for 1862, plate 28. fig. 12, p- 759, as a specimen of prehensile sponge-fibre ; and also in vol. i. of ‘A Monograph of the British Spongiade,’ plate 15. fig. 278, p- 80, for the same purpose. I also figured seven specimens of the dermal connecting spicula in the ‘ Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society’ for 1858, plate 24. figs. 32-38 inclusive, in illustration of the foliato-pel- tate forms of connecting spicula, and described in detail the mode of their development from the simple discoid form to their mature and most complicated ramified condition, They are also figured in ‘ Mo- nograph of British Spongiadee,’ plate 4. figs. 102, 103, and plate 5. figs. 104-108 inclusive, in illustration of the terminology. The whole sponge, when attached to the base of the coral, did not exceed about 3 lines in diameter; and the largest portion obtained for examination is nearly square, 2 lines in length, and about 13 line . in breadth, and not exceeding =, inch in thickness. Its peculiar structure is singularly illustrative of its parasitic habit. I have carefully examined many other specimens of Oculina rosea, but have never been fortunate enough to find another specimen. On several portions of the largest piece of rigid skeleton I found one or two of the foliato-peltate spicula adherent and in situ; and in the material scraped from the coral matrix immediately surround- ing the sponge, they were found in abundance in every stage of de- velopment, and along with them numerous very minute fusiformi- 1869,] DR, J.S, BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 339 cylindrical spicula, which had every appearance of belonging to the dermal membrane. With this indication, I mounted all the remain- ing fragments of the sponge in my possession, and I was fortunate enough to find a small piece of dermal membrane crowded with these minute spicula, and having several of the foliato-peltate spicula attached to its under surface, thus leaving no doubt remaining re- garding the presence and nature of the expansile dermal membrane of this singular and beautiful species of siliceo-fibrous sponge (Pl. XXV. fig. 4). The specific characters of the sponge, although few in number, combined with the peculiar and very striking ones derivable from the skeleton, which I have described in detail in treating of the genus, enable us readily to distinguish the species from any other siliceo- fibrous sponge. The cidarate prehensile fibres at the base of the sponge are remarkably curious organs ; they proceed at right angles from the crowns of the reversed basal arches, and terminate in stout and acute cones; and intermediate between their origins and termi- nations each has a ring of stout round bosses admirably fitting them first to penetrate the fleshy external coat of the coral, and, when once inserted, to securely maintain their position. There is no mistaking the office of these curious and beautiful organs and the admirable adaptation to the nature of the basis on which they were destined to be parasitic (Pl. XXYV. fig. 2). The forms of the foliato-peltate heads of the connecting spicula are exceedingly various, passing through every gradation from simple circular plates to the most elaborate foliations. On some of the heads of the detached spicula groups of three or four of the minute fusiform-cylindrical retentive and defensive spicula were attached ; but on some parts of the small fragment of the dermal membrane they were so numerous and so crowded together as to render their individual forms perfectly undistinguishable. The membrane is of a dark brown colour, and can scarcely be said to be transparent, in con- sequence of the number of the spicula and the density of the sarcode in which they are imbedded. I measured some of the largest and smallest of them, and found their average length not to exceed 545 ae The greatest diameter of a large one was gj55 inch (Pl. XXV. g. 5). In these minute spicula the central canal was visible with a linear power of 666 throughout the whole of their lengths, and it occupied about one-sixth of the greatest diameter, so that its own diameter could not exceed about ;¢);5 inch. FarREA occa, Bowerbank. Sponge massive, pedicelled? Surface even? minutely hispid ? Oscula and pores unknown. Dermis furnished with a quadrilateral smooth siliceo-fibrous network, armed at the angles oppositely, ex- ternally and internally, with short imbricated conical spicular de- fences. Skeleton—rete irregularly quadrilateral ; fibre cylindrical, more or less minutely tuberculated or spined. Tension-spicula biternate, spiculated biternate, and furcated spiculated biternate, 340 DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [ May 13, and rarely attenuato-rectangulated triradiate spicula. Retentive spicula attenuato-stellate, very irregular in structure, minute, very numerous. Colour in the living state unknown. Hah. Seychelle Islands (Capt. Etheridge, R.N.). Examined in the state of skeleton. The remarkable sponge, the subject of the present description, is beautifully figured in the ‘Transactions of the Linnean Society of London,’ vol. xxii. plate 21, as the basal mass ‘of a coarse irre- gular siliceous sponge,” upon which the subject of the paper, Luplectella cucumer, Owen, is based. The author very briefly notices the structure of this basal portion of his figure; and three small portions of its structure are represented by figures 8, 9, and 9a, with scarcely a sufficient amount of microscopic power to give an adequate idea of their structures. The sponge is an irregular mass, 4 inches in length by about 21 inches in width, of siliceo-fibrous structure: about 2 inches of the basal portion of its length consists of a dense irregularly cylindrical stem about 3 inch in diameter; from its surface-structure, as seen by the aid of a 2-inch lens, there appears to be no doubt of its being truly a portion of the sponge whence it is projected. The dense structure and mode of projection of this indurated portion of the sponge renders it probable that in the living state the animal was more or less elevated on a pedestal. The greater portion of the hody of the sponge is in a disrupted state, apparently from compression ; but the whole of its structures are loosely bound together by the numerous long prehensile basal spicula of the Huplectella, which penetrate its substance and envelop it on every side. Fragments of the beautiful harrow-like tissue of the dermis are dispersed on various portions of the specimen; and in one place, partly hidden by what appears to be the small valve of a Terebratula, there is a portion cf the harrow-like tissue about equal to half or three-fourths of a superficial square inch. The general distribution of the fibres of the skeleton is not readily to be deter- mined, as the intermixture of the prehensile basal spicula of the Lu- plectella with its tissues is so abundant as to very much confuse its general aspect to the eye of an observer. The dermal structure of this sponge is very remarkable. It consists of a regular quadrilateral network of smooth siliceous fibre, from the angles of which a double set of short conical spiculum-shafts are projected, each about =4, inch in length, and entirely covered with spines. Each set are at right angles to the plane of the network, one series pointing inward and serving the purpose of attaching the dermis to the body of the sponge beneath, while the other set are directed outward, serving as defen- sive weapons; so that a small piece of this tissue beneath the micro- scope closely resembles an agricultural harrow, with the difference that it has two sets of teeth in opposite directions instead of one. The dermal membrane has been nearly all destroyed ; but entangled with the fibres of the skeleton there are some of the attenuato-stel- 1869.] DR. J. S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 341 late spicula, with which it is probable that the membrane was amply furnished as secondary defences against minute enemies. This singular tissue is figured in the ‘ Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society’ for 1862, plate 32. fig. 7, and also in my ‘Monograph of the British Spongiade,’ vol. i. plate 21. fig. 311. I believe the portions presented to the eye in the picces figured to be the external surface, as the fragments of the dermal membrane which remained all seemed to cover that side of the fibres of the network, and the presence of the external series of the spicular organs is strongly indicative of the minute hispidation of the surface of the sponge in its natural condition. In the present condition of the sponge it is impossible to deter- mine whether this singular harrow-like dermal structure was con- tinuous over the whole of its surface when in the living condition ; but the probability is, judging from the general structure of the ex- pansile dermal system of every other known species of siliceo-fibrous sponge, that it was composed of detached sections, so as to allow of the usual amount of expansion and contraction that we observe to exist in every other such sponge. The reticulation of the skeleton is always angular, but the areas vary from square into ail imaginable varieties of the oblong figure. The fibre is stout and strong, with a well-defined central canal in its fully developed condition ; a portion of it is represented in Plate XXIV. fig. 1, with numerous attenuato-stellate retentive spicula ad- hering to the fibres. Occasionally in some portions of the skeleton-fibre we find two canals, neither of which are central: this abnormal form probably arises from two immature fibres, closely approximated in an early stage of their development, uniting longitudimally; and in one cage I observed as many as three irregular portions of canals in one frag- ment of the fibre; but this irregularity of structure is the exception and not therule. The spination of the skeleton-fibres is very slightly produced in the form of acute cones, and in some of the larger fibres it may be almost designated as incipient, while occasionally in some of the immature ones the spinules assume the forms of tubercles, which are sometimes more or less bifurcated. The interstitial tension-spicula of this sponge are very remarkable organs. ‘hey are simple biternate, spiculated biternate, and fur- cated spiculated biternate. Sometimes one termination only is spicu- lated, sometimes both are thus furnished. One or two of the terminal radii are frequently furcated; but it is of rare occurrence that the whole of them are produced to that extent. They occur in groups entangled together; in several of these groups they were numerous and closely packed, much in the same manner in which we find the spinulo-trifurcated hexradiate spicula of the interstitial membranes of Dactylocalyx pumicea when seen in situ. They are stout and comparatively of large size (Pl. XXIV. figs. 5 & 6). The attenuato-stellate retentive spicula are minute and very irre- gular in their structure and in the number of their radii. They have evidently been very numerous, as they are frequently found adhering Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XXIII. 342 pR.J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [ May 13, in considerable numbers around portions of the skeleton-fibres ; and it is probable that the dermal and interstitial membranes were abun- dantly furnished with them (Pl. XXIV. figs, 2, 3, 4). This remarkable sponge is in its skeleton-structures exactly like those of a Verongia, its siliceous nature constituting the only essen- tial difference. The specimen is undoubtedly by far the most valu- able of the two represented in the plate in the ‘Transactions of the Linnean Society.’ In conclusion, I must return my best thanks to my friend Dr. A. Farre for the repeated opportunities I have had of closely examining its structure. PurRIsiPHONIA, Bowerbank. Skeleton siliceo-fibrous, reticulate, unsymmetrical; fibres com- posed of concentric layers of solid silex, with a continuous central canal. This genus is intermediate in its structure between Dactylocalyz, Stutchbury, and Farrea, Bowerbank. Like the latter, its fibres are continuously canaliculated ; but it has not anything approaching the angulated symmetrical arrangement of its skeleton-fibres; on the contrary, it very closely simulates the mode of the distribution of the fibres that prevail in Dactylocalyx. The central canals in the fibres of the species of Purisiphonia on which the genus is founded occupy from about one-fifth to one-third of the entire diameter of the fibre; they are straight and uniform in their own diameter, and have little or no enlargements at their junctions with each other. The reticulations of the skeleton are frequently extremely close, so that the areas do not exceed, or sometimes even equal, the diameters of the fibres bounding them. PurisipHonta CLARKEI, Bowerbank. Sponge fistulous, branching ; surface of rigid skeleton even. Os- cula simple, dispersed over the inuer surface of the fistulae. Dermal structures unknown. Skeleton stout, closely reticulated. Inter- stitial cavities furnished with rectangulated hexradiate spicula. Hab. Wollumbilla, Queensland, Australia (Dr. Clarke). Fossil. There is much greater difficulty in the specific description of a fossil sponge than of a recent one, as a considerable portion of the most decisive specific characters are usually absent, in consequence of the decomposition of the softer. parts of the organization previously to fossilization ; and this is doubtless the case with the specimen under consideration ; but although thus deprived of the use of many valu- able descriptive characters, there are sufficient remaining to enable us to securely determine its specific identity. It is difficult to say what has been the correct form of the speci- men in its unmutilated state; but, judging by its present condition, it has originally been a large fistulous sponge, giving off fistular branches at irregular intervals. The large fistular body of the sponge has been split longitudinally, and a portion 4 inches in length, and of about half of the tube of the sponge, remains, and from the 1869.] DR. J. S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 343 surface of this the entire basal portions of two secondary fistular branches proceed. There are also the remains of another such branch at the margin of the primary fistula at the right-hand side. The outer surface of the sponge has an irregular reticulation of stout siliceous fibres, very similar to those of Dactylocalyx immediately beneath the dermis. In all the recent species of this tribe of siliceo-fibrous sponges with which I am acquainted, there is an expamsile dermal system attached to the stiff non-expansile skeleton beneath by connecting spicula cemented at their basal points more or less to the mass of the skeleton beneath by keratode only, and which would naturally be separated from the body of the sponge by maceration and by de- composition of the membranous and keratose matter a short period after its death; and none of the expansile dermal system, it is pro- bable, would appear with the fossil unless it were to be enveloped and fixed in the matrix after its death—a result scarcely to be ex- -pected. This organized envelope usually affords the most distinct and determinative specific characters of the sponge, and it was very important to discover its remains if possible; but in this attempt I have been unsuccessful. In its living condition this sponge would probably exhibit a smooth membranous surface ; but in its present state we have large open areas exhibited tm liew of the smooth dermal membrane. These areas are, in fact, the distal ends of the intermarginal cavities, and are usually much larger than the interstitial spaces immediately be- neath them. In the specimen under~consideration, as in similarly organized recent sponges, the proximal terminations of the intermar- ginal cavities communicate immediately with the distal ends of the interstitial spaces, and these uniting increase in their size as they progress towards the inner parietes of the great cloacal cavity of the sponge, into which they finally discharge their streams through the oscula. In this organization they closely resemble the structures in the recent genera Grantia, Verongia, and many of the fistular keratose sponges of the West-Indian seas. I have not detected any connecting spicula, and I have assigned the rectangulated hexradiate ones to the interstitial cavities on the faith of some very dilapidated remains of them, deeply immersed in the tissues, and rendered visible only by the penetrating power of the Lieberkiihn—and by two other fragments, one detached, repre- sented in Plate XXV. fig. 7, and the other im situ, in the portion of the skeleton figured at a, fig, 6, Plate XXV. The nearest relations to this tribe of sponges among the fossil ones are decidedly the siliceo-fibrous sponges of the Flamborough Chalk ; below that formation I am not aware of any such sponges haying ever been found. The matrix of the Australian fossil also possesses much of the character of chalk ; it dissolves completely in pe hydrochloric acid, leaving only a small quantity of sandy resi- uum. * I may also observe that the similarity of form and structure be- tween the Australian and the English Chalk fossil sponges in this 344 DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [May 13, case is by no means a new fact, as there are abundant instances of similar close alliances existing among the recent Australian sponges and those of the chalk formation of England ; and amongst the most prominent are the existing representatives of Choanites and Ventri- culites. ALCYONCELLUM SPECIOSUM, Quoy et Gaimard. Luplectella aspergillum, Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. iii. p. 203. Luplectella cucumer, Owen, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxii. p. 117, pl. 21. Sponge sessile, cylindrical, more or less curved, enlarging pro- gressively from the basal to the distal extremity; upper portion furnished with numerous sharp ridges of interlacing fibres disposed diagonally and somewhat symmetrically ; apex truncate, closed by a coarse, ventricose, fibrous network, and encircled by a strongly pro- duced fibrous ridge or frill. Base furnished with numerous fasciculi of large and long prehensile spicula projected downward ;_spicula at- tenuato-quaternate, barbed alternately for about one-third of their length from the distal extremity. Oscula congregated, terminal. Pores congregated ; inhalant apertures symmetrically equidistant, disposed in lines radiating from the base to the apex of the sponge. Dermal membrane abundantly spiculous; spicula acerate, long and slender, fasciculated; fasciculi compact, disposed in radiating or parallel groups. Skeleton symmetrical: primary lines radiating from the base to the apex, equidistant; secondary lines at right angles to the primary ones ; interstitial structures interlacing diagonally. Spi- cula of the membranes—interstitial spicula rectangulated attenuated hexradiate, short and stout, rarely completely developed; also at- tenuated rectangulated triradiate apically spined. Spicula of the sarcode trifurcated attenuato-hexradiate stellate, and floricomo-hex- radiate,yery minute. Colour amber-yellow ? Hab. Philippine Islands; Island of Bohol, 10 fathoms (Mr. Hugh Cuming) ; Island of Zebu, about 24 fathoms (Mr. R. Geale). Examined in the skeleton-state. There are several indications of a close alliance between Aleyon- cellum and Dactylocalyx, Iphiteon, and the other genera of well developed siliceo-fibrous sponges. The structure of the skeleton-fibres and their habit of anasto- mosing whenever they touch each other are precisely the same as they are in the genera I have named. The floricomo-hexradiate stel- late retentive spicula of Alcyoncellum, Plate XXIV. fig. 11, and the beautiful spinulo-multifurcate hexradiate spicula of Iphiteon callo- cyathes, Plate XXIII. fig. 7, are so peculiar in their forms, and so similar in the mode of their constructicn and relative positions in the two sponges, as to at once lead us to the conclusion that the two species are in very close alliance with each other. A similar close alliance is indicated by the comparison of the slender attenuated rec- tangulated-hexradiate interstitial spicula of Aleyoncellum (Pl. XXIV.. fig. 9) and those of Iphiteon callocyathes represented Plate XXIII, 1869.] DR. J. 8. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 345 fig. 5. These strongly marked points of resemblance in form and identity in relative situation and office between the auxiliary spicula, in addition to those of the skeleton, irresistibly lead us to the con- clusion that these sponges, however different in their forms, are structurally members of the same family. Strongly marked dif- ferences in form are apt to lead our judgments astray when super- ficial observations only are made of the specimens before us; but when we see such extraordinary variations of form occurring in the same species under different circumstances and amounts of develop- ment as those we observe in sponges with the habits of which we are perfectly familiar, as, for instance, in our protean species Hali- chondria panicea, we should be prepared to admit, as in truth we ultimately must do, the same latitude of variation among the nearly allied species and individuals of the same species of the siliceo-fibrous sponges. In all the numerous specimens of Aleyoncellum with which I am acquainted, the skeleton is composed of rigid inosculating siliceous fibre, as I have stated in my paper on Aleyoncellum speciosum, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1867, p. 351, in my description of the generic character in p. 353, in the following terms :—‘ Skeleton siliceo- fibrous ; primary lines radiating from the base in parallel, straight, or slightly spiral lines ; secondary lines at right angles to the pri- mary ones.” I will not reiterate here the full details of the struc- ture of these beautiful sponges that I have given in my paper as quoted above ; and such a repetition is the more unnecessary as they have been imported so abundantly of late as to place specimens for microscopical examination within the reach of almost every one interested in the subject. The sponges have also been figured in Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. iii., and in Trans. Linn. Soc. London, xxii. pl. 21, and also in the Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. for Feb. 1868, pl. iv. ; but in none of these plates is there any delineation of the skeleton- structure with a high microscopical power, and it is this want that I purpose at the present time to supply, that we may be enabled to arrive at a sound conclusion as regards its true skeleton-structure, and also as to such of its specific characters as have not hitherto been figured or described. Dr. Gray, in his “ Notes on the Arrangement of Sponges,” Proc. Zool. Soc. 1867, p. 492, has, at p. 504, described the Luplectellade (Aleyoncellum, Quoy et Gaimard) as having a “skeleton composed of longitudinal, transverse, and oblique bundles of spicules inter- secting each other and forming a network ;’’ and Prof. Wyville Thomson, in his paper on the “ Vitreous’? Sponges, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. for Feb. 1868, p. 114, at p. 126, in his description of his proposed new genus “ Habrodictyon,’’ has adopted the error into which Dr. Gray has fallen by describing the skeleton as consisting “of a perfectly irregular network of siliceous needles loosely and irregularly arranged in sheaves crossing one another at low angles, and connected by a small quantity of soft mucilaginous sarcode.”’ These descriptions of the skeleton are, in both cases, completely erroneous, as can be readily demonstrated by boiling portions of the 346 DR.J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [ May 13, skeleton in nitric acid, when it will be immediately apparent that no disintegration of the reticulated structure results from this operation, which would inevitably be the case if it were formed of fasciculi of spicula held together by sarcode only. On the contrary, the whole of the skeleton is formed of an irregular network of solid siliceous fibres approaching each other and anastomosing with more than the usual frequency in such sponges. Very few, if any, of the secondary fibres in either the transverse or diagonal portions of the skeleton are simple in their structure. -They seem always to be composed of two or more simple fibres running parallel to each other and anastomosing at short distances. Sometimes the anastomosing points of two parallel fibres are so close to each other that the two thus combined have the appearance of a narrow tape or ribbon with thickened margins and a line of nearly uniform pinhole perforations running down the middle of it. Amidst these complicated anastomosing lines of the skeleton nu- merous stout rectangulated hexradiate and triradiate spicula are irre- gularly mixed; they appear as if they were simply entangled amidst the tissues supporting and supported by the interstitial membranes of the sponge. None of them under these circumstances have any permanent connexion with the skeleton; neither do the spicula of the numerous bundles of long prehensile organs so abundant towards the base of the sponge ever anastomose with the skeleton-fibres or with each other. No marks of such an attachment can be detected upon any part of them ; and, in truth, their recurved spinous appen- dages and their long and flexible shafts imbedded in the tough mem- branous integuments of the dermal tissues renders such anastomsis of the organs with the rigid skeleton quite unnecessary ; and if we measure the probability of the possession of such dermal integu- ments by Alcyoncellum in a living state with what we know of the dermal structures of Dactylocalyx Masoni, Prattii, &c., little doubt can remain in our minds that its dermal integuments are much of the same nature as those of the rest of the rigid siliceo-fibrous sponges. The structure of the stout network of the oscular area is very similar to that of the corresponding organ in Iphiteon beatrix. Kach fibre of the net is compounded of a condensed mass of simple skeleton- fibres anastomosing in every direction as in that of I. beatriz. In truth, the more searchingly we examine the skeleton-structures of the beautiful subject under description the more closely we find its alliances to be to the great family of the siliceo-fibrous sponges. It is much to be regretted that, amidst the large number of speci- mens that have recently been imported, there does not appear to have been any one of them preserved in the living state as when taken from the sea; nor have we any well authenticated report by a competent naturalist of their condition when thus obtained. But if we may reason from the analogies presented by other siliceo-fibrous sponges preserved in the state in which they were taken from the sea, we should expect to find Alcyoncellum with a stout and some- what coriaceous enveloping dermal membrane; and I have in my possession a fragment of such a membrane about 2 lines in length, 1869.] DR. J. S, BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 347 and 2 in breadth, which was shaken off a specimen of 4. speciosum that I purchased of Mr. Geale in January 1867. This fragment of membranous tissue is, comparatively speaking, of considerable thickness, and abounds in amber-coloured sarcode, and there appear to be two well-defined layers of tissue. In the external one there are numerous fasciculi of long slender acerate spicula, the number in each being much too numerous to be counted, and they are very compactly disposed. In one part of the surface the fasciculi radiate from a common basal point, while in two other parts they are nearly parallel to each other. On reversing the speci- men the internal layer presented a rudely cellulated appearance, abounding in sarcode, in which two of the most characteristic auxili- ary spicula of Alcyoncellum were deeply imbedded—one of them, an incompletely developed stout rectangulated hexradiate interstitial spiculum, exactly represented by fig. 181, plate 7, Mon. Brit. Spon- giadee, vol. i., and the other a rectangulated hexradiate one, repre- sented by fig. 198, plate 9, of the same work; and there is also a slender rectangulated hexradiate spiculum, like the one represented by fig. 10, Plate XXIV., illustrating the present paper. With these indications, I think there is little doubt that the structure I have described is a portion of the dermal system of Alcyoncellum, and that, when we obtain a specimen in the condition in which it is taken from the sea in the living state, we shall find the beautiful skeleton entirely enveloped by such a dermal membrane as I have described from the fragment in my possession. Should these ideas prove correct, a slight addition would become necessary in my description of the specific characters of Aleyoncellum speciosum in the Proc. Zool. Soc. for March 28, 1867, p. 354, line 12 of the specific character, where the dermal membrane is described as “unknown,” in place of which should be added, ‘‘ Dermal membrane abundantly spiculous ; spicula acerate, long and slender, fasciculated ; fasciculi compact, disposed in radiating or parallel groups.” In this description of the dermal structure of the sponge, it will be observed that there are no connecting spicula present ; and we may therefore infer that the genus Alcyoncellum is not furnished with an expansile dermal system as in the massive rigid skeletons of Dactylocalyx and other similar siliceo-fibrous sponges. The fistular construction of the skeleton in Aleyoncellum renders such a provi- sion as an expansile dermal system quite as unnecessary as it would be in the genus Grantia and numerous other fistulous sponges. I obtained also two fragments of the skeleton in which there was a considerable quantity of sarcode; and immersed in this substance numerous rectangulated triradiate and rectangulated hexradiate spi- cula of the slender descriptions were intermixed without any apparent arrangement. Every one of the interstices of the fibrous skeleton, large or small, was abundantly supplied with them. The well- washed specimens of the sponge now so numerous afford no adequate idea of the profusion of these descriptions of spicula that exist in the sponge in its natural condition. There were also numerous indications of the presence of floricomo- 348 DR. J.S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [ May 13, hexradiate stellate spicula amidst the sarcode; but the density of that substance rendered them almost invisible. In some of the specimens that I have recently examined, I have observed a remarkable habit of some of the rectangulated hexradiate spicula—that is, that one of the axial radii is more or less sheathed or enveloped by branches of skeleton-fibre, so as to give the spiculum a firm and permanent position; and this appears to be more frequently the case with those which are projected into the inhalant areas. This attachment of the spiculum by the fibre is not a fusing of one into the other, as when two fibres touch each other, but it is simply a partial envelopment of a portion of one of the radii, so as to give it a secure basal point of attachment to enable it to perform its appointed office of sustaining the interstitial membranes of the sponge under peculiar circumstances, or to protect the orifice over which it is projected. The portion of the ray thus enveloped may frequently be traced within the enveloping fibre. It is a very remarkable fact that none of the other auxiliary spicula, although large and strong, are ever seen to be tlius agglutinated by the fibres. This singular habit of the rectangulated triradiate spicula assimilates them in their office in some measure to the auxiliary fibres in the skeletons of Dactylocalyx and Iphiteon. Although thus agglutinated by the fibre, they really form no essential part of the true rigid skeleton of the sponge, but are in reality neither more nor less than auxiliary supports to the interstitial membranes under certain conditions. APPENDIX (May 25, 1869). Since the preceding portion of this paper was written, I have seen several specimens of Aleyoncellum speciosum that were sent home in spirit in the condition they were in when taken from the sea. There were five specimens, all as nearly as possible in the same condition. They were of a dark dirty colour, and looked very much as if they had been dipped into thin mud and then dried. On mounting slices from the surface, and fragments of the entire structure of the skele- ton, this dirty-looking substance, when immersed in Canada balsam, proved to be the remains of the membranous and sarcodous tissues ; but I could not find any traces of a dermal membrane, such as might naturally be expected to be present if the sponges were in a living condition when taken from the sea. The largest specimen in spirit had a considerable portion of one side of it entirely deficient of the sarcodous and membranous structures that were abundant in the other parts of the specimen. This cireumstance, the deficiency of dermal membrane, and the condition of the sarcode and interstitial mem- branes in the whole of the specimens, appears to lead to the conclusion that these specimens were dead sponges in a state of partial decom- position, and that we have yet to acquire specimens which were in the living state when brought up from the bottom of the sea, Although not in so satisfactory a condition as may have been desired, they were still in such a state of preservation as to afford some interesting points of information regarding the structural pecu- 1869.] DR. J. 8. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. 349 liarities of the animal. Thus the true natural positions and mode of arrangement of the stout attenuated rectangulated hexradiate spi- cula, the full series of the varieties of which are figured in the ‘ Philo- sophical Transactions,’ 1858, plate 25. figs. 24-33, and in Mon. Brit. Sponges, vol. i. plate 7. figs. 174-183, are well exhibited in situ, which I have never yet seen in any of the well-washed specimens with which we are now so familiar. In the large lateral orifices of such specimens they are sometimes entirely wanting, or a few only of them are found in the neighbourhood of the large circular area. In the specimens in which they are held in their natural positions by the sarcodous and membranous tissues, they are regularly disposed around the circular area, forming a compact marginal ring, their stout radii projecting in every direction among the surrounding por- tions of the skeleton, but not within the circular area; so that where one of the radii would, by the natural laws of development, have been found, its production is arrested, and it is represented by only a slight tumefaction on the axis of the spiculum ; hence it is that we find such numerous varieties of form among these remarkable spi- cula. All the other radii immersed in the surrounding structures are completely developed, crossing each other in every direction ; so that although uncomnected by siliceous cementation with the fibrous skeleton, they form a strong but somewhat expansile marginal band to the circular area. We are thus enabled to perceive the reason of the numerous cases of the suppression of frequently several of the radii of these marginal spicula, and to read the important fact from their positions and modifications that their production is as much reculated and modified by the structural necessities of the organs in which they form important parts, as are the bones and other organic structures of the most highly constituted animals. The true positions of the slender rectangulated hexradiate spicula with elongated basal axial rays are also well determined in these specimens ; they are seen in considerable numbers in the interstitial cavities of the sponge, supporting the interstitial membranes, and vastly increasing the amount of surface in those vital organs. - The trifurcated attenuato-hexradiate and floricomo-hexradiate spi- cula are not very numerous; they are irregularly dispersed on the sarcodous membranes of the sponge, and are completely immersed in the sarcode, and without the aid of Canada balsam are usually invi- sible. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES. Puate XXT. Fig. 1. A portion of the rigid skeleton of Zphiteon panicea from the specimen from Porto-Rico, in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, ex- hibiting the confluent structure of the rotulate areas of the skeleton, Senet hexradiate spicula, and a few gemmules zm situ, x 108 inear. Fig. 2. A section at right angles to the surface of Zphiteon beatriz, exhibiting the confluent rotulate structure of the rigid skeleton, the fusciculi of acerate spicula, and the yerticillately spinous retentive spicula i sétw, 108 linear. 350 DR. J. S. BOWERBANK ON SILICEO-FIBROUS SPONGES. [ May 13, Fig. 3. One of the inhalant areas on the external surface of the rigid skeleton of J. beatriz, exhibiting the elongo-conical defensive fibres and numerous verticillately spined retentive spicula im situ, x 108 linear. Fig. 4. One of the large excurrent orifices on the side of the great cloacal cavity within the sponge of L, beatrix, x 108 linear, PuatEe XXII. Fig. 1. A small portion of the rigid skeleton of Zphiteon panicea from Porto Rico, exhibiting the abundance of the gemmules in some parts of the sponge, X 108 linear, Fig. 2. A portion of one of the fibres forming the oscular area of [phiteon beatrix, exhibiting the compound reticulate nature of its structure and a few of the slender acerate spicula iz situ, X 108 linear. Fig. 3. One of the attenuated rectangulated hexradiate interstitial spicula with one of the shaft-radii spinous, from Z. beatriv, < 308 linear. Fig. 4. A retentive verticillately spined spiculum from Z. beatriv, 308 linear. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8. Four of the porrecto-multiradiate retentive spicula from Z. bea- trix, 308 linear. Fig. 9. One of the subfusiformi-cylindrical entirely spinous spicula from J, beatriz, X108 linear. Fig. 10. A portion of the surface of the rigid skeleton of Iphiteon subglobosa, ex- hibiting the umbonal clusters of coarse tubercles, rectangulated hex- radiate interstitial spicula 7 situ, and numerous spinulo-quadrifur- cate and pentafurcate hexradiate stellate retentive spicula dispersed amidst the interstices of the skeleton, x 108 linear. Fig. 11. One of the minute spiculated biternate retentive spicula of the dermal membrane of J. subglobosa, x 666 linear. Fig. 12. Two of the rectangulated hexradiate auxiliary fibres from I. subglobosa, based on a portion of a fibre of the rigid skeleton, anastomosing by their radii, X 175 linear. Fig. 13, One of the pentafurcate hexradiate stellate retentive spicula of 1. subglo- bosa, X 666 linear. Puiate XXIII. Fig.1. A small portion of the surface of the rigid skeleton of Zphiteon Ingalli, exhibiting its confluent rotulate structure with quadrifurcate hexra- diate stellate spicula amidst the fibres opposite a, a, a, a, X 108 linear. Fig. 2. One of the quadrifurcate hexradiate stellate retentive spicula of Z. Ingalli; three of the primary radii having been broken off, the quadrifurcate structure of the remaining radii is very distinctly displayed: x 530 linear. Fig. 8. One of the rectangulated hexradiate interstitial spicula of L Ingalli, x 108 linear. Fig. 4. A small portion of the surface of the rigid skeleton of J. callocyathes, exhibiting the more or less verticillate disposition of the minute spines of the skeleton-fibre, x 108 linear. Fig. 5. One of the rectangulated hexradiate interstitial spicula of Z. callocyathes, f 175 linear. Fig. 6. A furcated foliato-expando ternate connecting spiculum of J. callocya- thes, covered by the minute, short, stout acerate tension-spicula of the dermal membrane, x 183 linear. Fig. 7. A very perfect and beautiful example of a spinulo-multifureate hexra- diate stellate retentive spiculum of J. callocyathes, x 666 linear. Fig. 8. A view of portions of two of the intervening planes of perforated sili- ceous tissue parallel with the external surface of the rigid skeleton, and which divide the layers of crypt-like tissue of the skeleton of Myliusia Grayii from each other, with their numerous circular orifices of intercommunication between the upper and lower strata of the skeleton, X 108 linear. 1869. ] MR. R. B, SHARPE ON THE GENUS ALCYONE, 351 Prats XXTY, Fig. 1. A small portion of the rigid skeleton of Farrea occa, exhibiting its an- gulated structure and central canals in the fibres, on which are dispersed numerous small attenuato-stellate retentive spicula, x 108 linear. Figs. 2, 3, & 4. Three of the small attenuato-stellate retentive spicula from F, ocea, showing some of their numerous variations in form, size, and the number of their radii, figs. 2 & 3 x 400, & fig. 4 x 666 linear. Fig. 5. A spiculated biternate interstitial spiculum from J’, occa, X45 linear. Fig. 6. A tga spiculated biternate interstitial spiculum from Ff. occa, x65 near. Fig. 7, A portion of the harrow-shaped quadrilateral siliceo-fibrous dermal structure of Ff. occa oppositely armed at its angles, x50 linear. Fig. 8. A fragment of the siliceo-fibrous skeleton of Aleyoncellum speciosum. Fig. 9. A slender attenuated rectangulated hexradiate interstitial spiculum with nearly equal radii from A, speciosum, 175 linear. Fig. 10. A slender attenuated rectangulated hexradiated interstitial spiculum with elongated basal shaft from A. speciosum, X< 108 linear. Fig. 11. Avery fine specimen of floricomo-hexradiate stellate retentive spicu- lum from A, specioswm, x 666 linear. Puate XXYV. Fig. 1. A portion of a section of the rigid skeleton of Myliusia Grayii, at right. angles to the surface, exhibiting the crypt-like arrangement of the skeleton, x 108 linear. Fig. 2. A section at right angles to the surface of the skeleton of Kaliapsis cidaris, from the surface to the basal prehensile organs, exhibiting the change of the structure from the basal canaliculated fibres to the imperforate and ramifying ones of the superior mass of the skeleton, x 183 linear. Fig. 3. A portion of the minute ramifications of the fibrous structure of the surface of the rigid skeleton of K. cidaris, X308 linear. Fig. 4. Three of the foliato-peltate connecting spicula of the expansile dermal system of K. cfdaris, one of them (a) haying upon it a group of minute incipiently spinous fusiformi-cylindrical spicula, x 175 linear. Fig. 5. Two of the minute incipiently spinous fusiformi-cylindrical spicula of the dermal membrane of K. cidaris, x 666 linear. Fig. 6, A portion of the rigid skeleton of Purisiphonia Clarkei, exhibiting the irregular mode of disposition of the canaliculated siliceo-fibrous struc- ture, and one of the rectangulated hexradiate interstitial spicula in situ, opposite (a), x 108 linear. Fig.7. An imperfect rectangulated hexradiate interstitial spiculum from P, Clarkei, 175 linear. 7. On the Genus Alcyone. By R. B. Suarre. I propose to give short synopses of some of the more obscure genera of the family Alcedinide, in order that the various species, before appearing in my ‘Monograph,’ may be brought under the notice of ornithologists, and thus my arrangements and synonymy may be fairly exposed to criticism. It is my wish to make the Monograph of the Kingfishers as complete as possible ; and I there- fore invite the criticisms of all my friends, in order that I may be able to take advantage of them in my larger work. 352 MR. R. B, SHARPE ON THE GENUS ALCYONE. [May 13, Having already (P. Z. 8.1868, p. 587) treated of the genus Ceyz, I propose in the present paper to discuss the genus Alcyone, which has only three toes, and is otherwise closely allied to Ceyx. The genus Alcyone was founded in 1837 by Swainson (Classif. of Birds, il, p. 336), and at present contains seven species. The two most distinct and clearly characterized are Aleyone pusilla and A. eyanopectus; but the other five are very closely allied and hard to distinguish. I believe that the following synoptic table will materially assist in their identification :— A. Torque pectorali lazulino .cs..sscscsscsssereessscensveeeesveene L, A, cyanopectus. B. Torque pectorali nullo. a. Abdomine rufo, a. Rostro robustiore. a”, Supra saturate ultramarina............00. 2. A, lessoni. o”. Supra leetissime ultramarina ........... 3. A. affinis. ’. Rostro tenuiore. a’. Rostro breviore: pileo nigro indistincte LiRTO EON i boondsdebegbamaaticeencboa -obdcns 4, A. diemensis, 6”, Rostro longiore: pileo haud fasciato. a”, Wypochondriis rufis .............4. 5. A. azurea. o/’, Hypochondriis pulcherrime ul- tramarinis ...... Acecet gente o- 6. A, pulchra. Br AbAOMMe ADO) iateat sees neanetc eae ssa ecaenaneean tM as 7. A. pusilla. The first on the above list, Alcyone cyanopectus, serves to connect the genus Alecyone with Ceyz, as it is very closely allied to Ceywx philippinensis, Gould; and, on the other hand, another link is dis- covered in Aleyone pusilla and Ceyx solitaria, both of which species are closely allied. The principal difference between the genera Ceyzx and Aleyone is in their habits. Whereas the Ceyces are almost entirely insectivorous, the members of the genus Alcyone feed almost entirely on fish. The geographical distribution of each genus is also in favour of their direct affinity. Ceyw is an Indian genus strictly speaking, extending all over the Indian peninsula and Malayasia, being also distributed over the Malay archipelago, where, how- ever, a different form of the genus (with bright blue back) is met with. On the other hand, Aleyone is essentially a typical Austra- lasian genus, being widely distributed over the whole Australian continent, and thence extending northwards, through the Austro- Malayan subregion, to the Philippines. In these islands the aber- rant species Aleyone cyanopectus occurs; and in every respect as regards plumage this species is a true Ceyx. In form of bill, how- ever, it is an Aleyone—although, but for the distinct pectoral band and blue flanks, it might be mistaken for Ceya philippinensis. My friend Dr. Salvadori has written to me, calling in question the pro- priety of my placing this latter bird in the genus Ceyr; but in my opinion the species really belongs here. —— pusilla. 12. 4, ~~ Ptilotis auricomis. May 27, 1869. W. H. Flower, Esq., F.R.S., in the Chair. Mr. J. E. Harting, F.Z.S., exhibited a skin of a rare wading bird, Anarhynchus frontalis, from New Zealand, together with three bills of the same species which had been saved from birds eaten by the natives, and remitted through the kindness of M. Jules Verreaux. He remarked that the chief peculiarity in this bird lay in the form of the bill, which was curved, not downwards as in Numenius, nor upwards as in Recurvirostra, but to one side, and that he had good grounds for believing that this peculiarity was constant. He had seen six examples of the bird, and had heard of others, in all of which the bill was curved as described. He had no doubt, from its general appearance, that its habits resembled those of Strepsilas, although it differed in other respects from the only two species known of this genus. He believed that its nearest ally would be found in another New-Zealand bird, Thinornis nove zealandia, of which genus Thinornis another species, Thinornis rossii, had been found in the Auckland Islands. The bird now exhibited had been described so long ago as 1830 by MM. Quoy and Gaimard in their zoology of the ‘ Voyage de l’Astrolabe’ (i. p. 252, pl. 31. fig. 2), and had since been noticed by Mr. G. R. Gray, in ‘ Dieffenbach’s Travels in New Zealand’ (ii. p. 196), in the ‘ Voyage of the Erebus and Terror’ (Birds, p. 12), and in ‘The Ibis’ (1862, p. 234). Mr. Harting proposed at some future time to offer some further remarks on this curious bird. 1869.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON MEXICAN BIRDS. 361 The following papers were read :— 1. On a Collection of Birds made by Mr. H. S. le Strange near the city of Mexico. By P. L. Scrarer, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and Ospert Satvin, F.L.S. Mr. H. 8. le Strange, during his residence in Mexico, as attaché to the British Legation in 1865 and 1866, formed a considerable series of bird-skins, principally in the vicinity of the capital itself and in the upper parts of the valleys which fall towards the Atlantic. Mr. le Strange having kindly submitted this collection to our exami- nation, we have had great pleasure in determining the species con- tained in it (which are 262 in number), and beg leave to offer to the Society some notes on a few of the rarer species, made during our examination of the specimens. 1. Piprto macuatus, Sw. Phil. Mag. 1827, i. p- 434. Three skins of this bird are in the collection. Mr. le Strange notes that it is found in the tierra fria, in the barrancas, aud that its Mexican name is “ Chalmero.”’ It seems to us very doubtful whether it will not be necessary to unite under this name Pipilo arcticus, Sw., P. oregonus, Bell, and P. megalonyz, Baird. The northern specimens are mostly blacker on the back; but a skin sent to Sclater by Prof. Baird as P. mega- lonyx trom South California, and another as P. arcticus, are not, in our opinion, separable from Mexican specimens. This bird descends as far south as the highlands of Guatemala, and was obtained by Salvin near Quezaltenango (‘ Ibis,’ 1866, p. 193). 2. Prprto macronyx, Sw. Phil. Mag. 1827, i. p- 434, We have usually called the species in our collections Pipilo vires- cens, under which name it was described by Hartlaub, ‘Journ. f. Orn.’ 1863, p. 169. But upon referring to Swainson’s characters there can be no doubt that the same bird is his Pipilo macronyz. It is easily known from the preceding (P. maculatus) by the olive- green edgings of the back- and wing- and tail-feathers; but Mr. le Strange has not distinguished the two species in his MS. Sclater has one of the original specimens of P. virescens in his collection, received trom Dr. Hartlaub, also examples collected by Boucard during his last expedition, and a skin obtained by Mr. White near the city of Mexico. 3. PIpPILo FUSCUS. Pipilo fusca, Sw. Phil. Mag. 1827, i. p. 434, et Anim. in Men. p. 347; Bp. Consp. p. 487 ; Cab. J. f. Orn. 1862, p. 474. Pipilo mesoleucus, Baird, Pr. Ac. Phil. vii. p. 119, et B. N. A. p- 518; Sclater, P. Z.S. 1856, p. 304. There is no doubt that, as pointed out by Cabanis, the present 362 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON MEXICAN BIRDS. [May 27, species (called by Baird P. mesoleucus) is the true P. fuscus of Swainson, and that the Californian bird (called P. fuscus by Baird and others) should be termed P. crissalis. Sclater’s collection con- tains an original specimen of P. mesoleucus, collected by Kennicott in New Mexico, which agrees perfectly with the skins in Mr. le Strange’s collection, and with others obtained in Mexico by Boucard and De Saussure. Mr. le Strange notes that this bird is ‘ common in the valley of Mexico.” 4. Carpopacus cassinu, Baird, B. N. A. p. 414. Three specimens (2 ¢ and 1 Q) of this species, obtained by Mr. le Strange, are the first of it we have seen. As stated by Baird, it is most like C. purpureus, but remarkable for the large size and elongation of the bill. Baird’s specimens were from New Mexico. 5, CurysomitTris PINuS (Wils.); Baird, B. N. A. p. 425; Sclater, P. Z. 8. 1864, p. 174. Three skins of what we believe to be this North-American species, agreeing with one in Sclater’s collection from the same locality. We much doubt the distinctness of C. macroptera, Du Bus (Esq. Orn. t. 23), which appears to be the same bird. 6. Icrerus BULLOCKU, Sw. Ph. Mag. 1827, i. p. 436; Baird, B.N. A. p. 549. Examples of both sexes of this species, which is stated to inhabit the tierra fria, and is called “ Calandria nogalera.” 7. IcTERUS ABEILL&I (Less.); Sclater, P. Z. S. 1860, p. 252, et 1864, p. 175; Cat. A. B. p. 130. A pair of this species, stated to have been brought in alive and kept in a cage for some time. Mexican name “ Calandria mielera.” The female does not appear distinguishable from that of I. bullockit ; the males are readily separable by the black sides and uropygium of the present species. 8. CYANOCITTA CALIFORNICA (Vig.); Sclater, Cat. A. B. p. 143. Aphelocoma floridana, Bp. C. R. xhii. p. 956. Cyanocitta floridana, Scl. P. Z. 8. 1856, p. 300. Mr. le Strange’s skin (obtained in the tierra fria) agrees well with a Californian specimen in Sclater’s collection, and with the charac- ters whereby Baird distinguishes C. californica from C. woodhousit. It is white without any bluish tinge below, and the crissum is nearly pure white. It is probable, therefore, that Prof. Baird has wrongly referred his specimen no. 8465, from Mexico, to C. wood- housit. We have little doubt that Sallé’s specimen (no. 186 of his first collection), referred by Sclater (following Bonaparte) to C. foridana, 1869.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON MEXICAN BIRDS. 363 was really of this species. Salvin has received a skin of this Cyano- citta from the vicinity of Oaxaca, collected by Mr. A. Fenochio. 9. PstLoRHINUS MORIO (Wagler). Two skins of this bird, marked ¢ et 92, and coloured alike, ob- tained from the tierra caliente of the Atlantic, where Mr. le Strange says they are ‘‘ very common, and often follow the passer-by, taking short flights from tree to tree, and making a harsh and discordant noise.”’ This bird has long been confounded with the Psilorhinus meai- canus of Rippell, which is immediately distinguishable by its white belly and the broad white terminations of the rectrices. Riippell gives the locality of his species as Tamaulipas ; but all the Mexican specimens of Psilorhinus which have come under our notice have belonged to the black-tailed Ps. morio, while all the Guatemalan and more southern examples have been of the (so-called) Ps. mexicanus. Under these circumstances it is not unlikely that there may have been some mistake in Riippell’s locality. The two species (if such they be) will stand as follows :— PsILORHINUS MORIO. Pica morio, Wag]. Isis, 1829, p. 751. Pica fuliginosa, Less. Traité d’Orn. p. 333. Psilorhinus morio, Bp. Consp. p. 381; Cab. Mus. Hein. p. 226 ; Baird, Birds N. Am. p. 592; Scl. P. Z. 8. 1556, p. 300, and 1859, pp. 57, 365. Diagn. Ventre cinerascente ; rectricibus totis concoloribus. Hab. S. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (de Oca). PsILORHINUS MEXICANUS. Corvus morio, fem. et juv., Wagl. Isis, 1829, p. 751. Psilorhinus mexicanus, Riipp. Mus. Senck. ii. p. 189, t. 11. f. 2. Psilorhinus morio, Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 22; Taylor, Ibis, 1860, p. 113; Cab. Journ. f. Orn. 1861, p. 83; Sel. Cat. Am. B. p. 145; Lawr. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. ix. p. 104. Diagm. Ventre albicante, rectricum lateralium apicibus latis albis. Hab. Guatemala (Salvin), Honduras (Taylor), Costa Rica (Arcé), ‘*Tamaulipas, Mexico (Riéipp.).” 10. Srrrasomus OLIvAcEus (Max.). We have already given our reasons for using this name for the bird usually called S. sylvioides (cf. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 630). 11. CoaTura RvTILA (Vieill.), Sclater, Cat. A. B. p. 283. Mr. le Strange’s collection contains a pair of this beautiful Swift from the tierra fria, the first Mexican specimens we have seen of it. Mr. Lawrence has lately presented to Sclater an Ecuadorian skin of the bird, which agrees perfectly with Mexican and Gua- temalan examples. 364 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN [May 27, 12. CeNTURUS ALBIFRONS (Sw.). Picus albifrons, Sw. Phil. Mag. 1827,1. p. 439 ; Sund. Pie. p. 52 ; Cab. Journ. f. O. 1862, p. 324. Centurus santacruzi, Bp. P. Z. S. 1837, p. 116; Sclater, Cat. A. B. p. 343. We have hitherto called this species by Bonaparte’s name; but there can be no doubt that, as pointed out by Cabanis, it is the P. albifrons of Swainson. It is common in Southern Mexico and Guatemala. 13. Bureo eveGans, Cassin; Baird, B. N. A. p. 28. Mr. le Strange’s collection contains a single skin of this Buzzard, agreeing with Texan specimens collected by Mr. Dresser. We have also seen an example of it in a collection recently sent to M. Sallé from Orizava by M. Botteri. 14. Orratipa veTuLA, Wagler, Isis, 1830, p. 1112, et 1832 p- 1227; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1859, p. 391. O. poliocephala, Sclater, P. Z. 8S. 1856, p. 310. Mr. le Strange’s collection contains a single skin of this Ortalida, which he found “very common” in the tierra caliente of the Atlantic. He shot many on the road to Tampico, in April 1866. We believe that the Texan bird called by the American ornitholo- gists O. vetula, O. poliocephala, and O. maccalli is probably refer- able to this species. 15. ORTALIDA POLIOCEPHALA, Wagler, Isis, 1830, p. 1112, et 1832, p. 1227. Two skins of this species, in Mr. le Strange’s collection, are the first we have met with. It is immediately distinguishable from the preceding by its larger size, longer tail, whiter belly, and the much broader terminal bands of the tail-feathers, which are fulvous and not pure white. ‘ 2. Notes on the Species of the Genus Micrastur. By P. L. Scrater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and Osperr Satvin, M.A., F.L.S. As in case of the Asturine, to which we have lately called the Society’s attention*, some of the members of the genus Micrastur are at present in a state of great confusion. We trust that the following remarks may serve to render the species of the group with which we are acquainted more readily distinguishable. The genus Micrastur, established by Mr. G. R. Gray in 1841+ * See P. Z. S. 1869, p. 129. } List of Genera of Birds, p. 6. 1869.] ON THE GENUS MICRASTUR. 365 (in the place of Brachypterus of Lesson, previously employed), embraces a series of American Hawks with the general structure of Accipiter, but distinguished by their short toes and more rounded tail. We have examined specimens of seven species of it, which may be shortly distinguished as follows :— A. Majores: subtus albi fere unicolores. @. WAjOY, SUPTA NIPTICANG.........0.ceeceersercesrecseeerones 1. M. semitorquatus. G-MiNOL, SUPA CINETOUS”’s..2.-25...sJanccesaveceecssneces es 2. M. mirandollit. B. minores: subtus albi, dense transfasciati. a. dorso rufo: pileo cinereo: w’, voinor : dorso dilutiore rufo..............se0eees 3. M. rujicollis. 6”, major: dorso saturatiore rufO ......eeee eee 4, M. zonothorax. 6. dorso cinereo: pileo concolore: a’. yentre imo et crisso albis immaculatis......... 5. M. gilvicollis. b”. yentre imo et crisso cinereo transfasciatis : a”, dorso ilutiore CiINCTEO ........-seeeeeeeeees 6. M. leucauchen. b/”. dorso saturatiore cimereO ............1000 7. M. guerilla. 1. MicRASTUR SEMITORQUATUS. Sparvius semitorquatus, Vieill. N. D. x. p. 322, et Ene. Meéth. . 1263. , Sparvius melanoleucus, Vieill. N. D. x. p. 327, et Enc. Méth. p- 1267. Falco brachypterus, Temm. Pl. Col. 116 (jr.) et 141 (adult.). Micrastur brachypterus, Pelz.Orn. Novara, p. 12, et Orn. Bras. p. 7. Micrastur semitorquatus, Scl. et Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 218; Law- rence, Ann. L. N. Y. ix. p. 134. Climacocercus brachypterus, Burm. Syst. Ueb. ii. p. 88. ‘alco leucomelas, Licht. Doubl. p. 62. Carnifex naso, Lesson, Rev. Zool. 1842, p. 379. Falco percontator, Cabot, Boston Journ. iv. p. 462. Hab. Rio Janeiro (Natt.); Mato Grosso (Natt.) ; Borba (Natt.); Rio Negro et Rio Brancho (Naét.) ; Costa Rica (Zeledon) ; Guate- mala (Salvin) ; Yucatan (Cabot). This species, well known by the figures of the adult and young m Temminck’s ‘ Planches Coloriées,’ is widely distributed throughout Tropical America, from Yucatan to Paraguay. It does not, however, appear to occur in the wood-region of Eastern Brazil, nor have we yet seen specimens from New Granada and Ecuador. In Guatemala it seems to be rare, as Salvin only obtained one specimen from Retaluleu, in the forest-region bordering the Pacific. Another Guatemalan specimen, in the Norwich Museum, is probably from Vera Paz. The large size of this bird renders it easily distinguishable from every other species of the genus. 2. MiIcRASTUR MIRANDOLLII. Astur mirandollii, Schl. Ned. Tijdschr. i. p. 130, et Mus. de P.- B. Astures, p. 27. Micrastur macrorhynchus, Natt. MS.; Pelz. Orn. Novara, p. 21, et Orn. Bras. p. 7. 366 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN [May 27, Micrastur mirandollei, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1867, p. 759. Hab. Eastern Peru, Chyavetas (Bartl.); Rio Negro et Rio Brancho (Naét.) ; Barra do Rio Negro (Cast. et Dev.). This bird is most nearly allied to the preceding species, but is easily recognizable by its smaller size and slaty-grey upper plumage. The only example of it in this country is, as far as we know, the specimen obtained by Mr. E. Bartlett in Eastern Peru, noticed in our article, P. Z. S. 1867, p. 759. As already mentioned there, Sclater has compared the typical specimen of Astur mirandollii in the Leyden Museum with an example of v. Pelzeln’s Mierastur macrorhynchus in the same collection, and has little doubt of their being identical. In the Paris Museum there is a specimen of this bird collected by Castelnau and Deville at Barra do Rio Negro. In its range this species appears to be restricted to the district of Upper Amazonia. 3. MicrAsSTUR RUFICOLLIS. Sparvius ruficollis, Vieill. N. D. x. p. 322, et E. M. iil. p. 1263; Puch. R. Z. 1850, p. 91. Micrastur ruficollis, Strickl. Orn. Syn. p. 122. Falco xanthothorax, Temm. Pl. Col. 92. Climacocercus wanthothorax, Burm. Syst. Ueb. ii. p. 85. Micrastur xanthothoraz, Pelz, Orn. Bras. p. 7. Hab. S.E. Brazil (Burm.); S. Paulo (Natt.); Goyaz (St¢.- Hilaire). The adult of this species is well figured in Temminck’s ‘ Planches Coloriées,’ no. 92. It is easily recognizable by its deep rufous, almost chestnut breast. In younger specimens this colour is only partially apparent, and the bars on the belly are much wider apart ; but in all stages we have seen the reddish-brown back is more or less persistent, thus distinguishing it from M. leucauchen. Our specimens of this bird are from Rio and Bahia. Natterer obtained it in the Province of San Paulo, and St.-Hailaire in that of Goyaz. 4. MicrasturR ZONOTHORAX. Climacocercus zonothorax, Cab. J. f. O. 1865, p. 406. Micrastur zonothoraz, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 253. Hab. Puerto Cabello; Bogota. Dr. Cabanis has lately separated this bird as a northern repre- sentative of the preceding, stating that it differs in its larger size, stouter bill, and in the darker reddish-brown of the upper surface, also in having the red-brown on the lower surface confined to the throat and not extending over the breast. We have not yet met with the adult of this species, but have referred to it a bird in immature plumage collected by Mr. Goering in the coast-region of Porto Cabello, which is the same district as that whence Cabanis’s type specimens were derived. A second im- mature bird, in the collection of Salvin and Godman, is from Bogota. 1869.] ON THE GENUS MICRASTUR. 367 5. MIcRASTUR LEUCAUCHEN. Falco leucauchen, Temm. PI. Col. 306. Micrastur leucauchen, Strick. Orn. Syn. p. 123. Micrastur gilvicollis (adult.), Pelz. Orn. Nov. p. 10. Hab. Brazil; Bahia (Wucherer) ; Mato Grosso (Natt.). This Micrastur is immediately distinguishable from M. ruficollis by its grey back and by the entire absence (in the adult bird) of any rufous colouring upon the throat and breast. In specimens not quite mature there is a rufous tinge upon the breast, which has apparently caused the species to be confounded in most collections with M. rujicollis. As in the latter bird, the belly is regularly banded con- tinuously down to the crissum. This character and its paler upper surface serve to distinguish it from M. gilvicollis. In his ‘ Planches Coloriées’ (no. 306) Temminck has figured his Falco leucauchen, which has been regarded by most writers as being the young of the same author’s Falco xanthothorax (= Micrastur ruficollis, Vieill.). Temminck does not expressly say whether his figure was taken from a specimen in the Paris Museum or in that of Vienna, both of which he states contain examples of this bird; but according to Schlegel (Musée des Pays-Bas, Astures, p. 51) Temminck’s type is one of Natterer’s specimens now in the Leyden Museum. To determine positively whether Temminck’s figure is applicable to the young of the present species or to that of M. rufi- collis, reference must be made to this type specimen, which we have not yet had an opportunity of doing. But to avoid the unpleasant necessity of giving a fresh name to the present bird, which is certainly a most distinct species, we propose for the present to use Temminck’s name for it, bearing in mind that M. Pucheran, a very accurate ob- server, has stated that in his opinion naturalists have erred in consi- dering Temminck’s two names synonymous*. Three specimens of this Hawk, in the collection of Salvin and Godman, are from Bahia, and were received from Dr. Wucherer. An example which we regard as the adult, and of which we shall speak subsequently, was obtained by Natterer in Mato Grosso. 6. MicrasTuR GUERILLA. Micrastur guerilla, Cass. Proc. Ac. Phil. iv. p. 87, et Journ. Ac. Phil. vol. i. p. 295, t. 40; Bp. Consp. Av. p. 30. Micrastur concentricus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 285. Micrastur gilvicollis, Scl. et Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 218; Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 96; Scl. P. Z. S. 1860, p. 96; Lawr. Ann. L. N. Y. vii. . 317. Micrastur xanthothorax, Scl. P. Z. 8. 1859, p. 368. Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Cassin) ; Cordova (Sallé); Guatemala (Salvin) ; Veragua (Arcé) ; Western Ecuador, Nanegal (Fraser). We have long been well acquainted with this Micrastur ; Salvin obtained specimens of it in every stage of plumage during his expedi- tions to Guatemala, and it is also common in Mexican collections ; * Rev. Zool. 1850, p. 91. 368 ON THE GENUS MICRASTUR. [May 27, but we have hitherto wrongly referred it to its southern representa- tive M. gilvicollis, in which other authors have followed us. In its plumage above, this present bird very much resembles that species ; but beneath the narrow grey bands are closer together, and are con- tinued regularly over the thighs, belly, and crissum, whereas in M. gilvicollis they gradually disappear, leaving these parts nearly white. In the adult of M. guerilla also there appear to be three distinct white tail-bands besides the narrow terminal band; in the adult M. concentricus the normal number seems to be one, or sometimes two. Cassin founded his Micrastur guerilla upon immature specimens obtained by Mr. Pease near Jalapa in Mexico, and has figured the bird in this plumage. As already stated, we have seen other ex- amples in the numerous collections recently made in the same dis- trict. In Guatemala Salvin found it common in all the low- lands of the Atlantic slope. From Veragua Arcé has transmitted individuals both in the adult and immature plumages. We have not yet seen it from Panama; but it certainly extends as far south as Western Ecuador, where Mr. Fraser obtained an adult specimen in 1859. This bird is now in the collection of Salvin and Godman. 7. MiIcRASTUR GILVICOLLS. Sparvius gilvicollis, Vieill. N. D. x. p. 323, et Enc. Méth. p. 1264 ; Puch. Rev. Zool. 1850, p. 91. Micrastur gilvicollis, jr., Pelz. Orn. Novara, p. 10, et Orn. Bras. p- 7; Sel. et Salv P. Z. S. 1867, p. 590. Nisus concentricus, Less. Tr. d’Orn. p. 60 ; D’Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 88. Climacocercus concentricus, Cab. in Tsch. F. P. pp. 18, 98, et in Schomb. Guian. iii. p. 735; Burm. Syst. Ueb. ii. p. 87. Hab. Cayenne (Less.) ; Eastern Peru(Tsch.) ; Bolivia (D’ Orb.) ; Rio Negro, Barra and Para (Natt.). Vieillot’s Sparvius gilvicollis was founded upon a specimen in the Paris Museum, which Pucheran, in one of his articles upon Vieillot’s types, declares to be the same as M. concentricus. Now, although Falco concentricus is an old MS. name of Illiger’s, it was first pub- lished by Lesson, and based upon a specimen brought by Poiteau from Cayenne, likewise in the Paris Museum. It follows that M. Pucheran, having had the two types before him, had an excellent opportunity of arriving at the result which he came to. Our worthy friend Herr von Pelzeln, of Vienna, has, however, recently come to a different conclusion, and, in his treatise on the birds of the Novara Expedition, has treated M. gilvicollis and M. concentricus as different species. This caused us no small perplexity, until, with his usual kindness, Herr v. Pelzeln transmitted to us for examination the whole series of specimens of these two supposed species upon which he had founded his remarks. We trust that our good friend will pardon us, if, in the interests of science, we state that, after inspection of the specimens and comparison of them with others now before us, we have arrived at a somewhat different conclusion. It is certain that the bird from Mato Grosso, which Herr v. Pelzeln regards as the adult of his M. gilvicollis, is distinct from his M. con- 1869. ] SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 369 centricus; but, as we have already stated, we believe that this bird should be referred to the Brazilian species which we have termed M. leucauchen. The younger specimens, called M. gilvicollis by Herr v. Pelzeln, in spite of the number of tail-bands, we consider referable to the present bird, which he calls M. concentricus. One of the main points which Herr v. Pelzeln urges as distinguish- ing his M. gilvicollis from his M. concentricus is that the former has in every age and sex, besides the termination, three white tail-bands, whereas the latter has usually only one, but sometimes two. But we do not consider this character altogether to be relied upon, it being notoriously variable in other species of Accipitres. When it is discarded there is, as far as we can see, nothing to prevent us associating the two immature female birds from the Amazonian district, which Herr v. Pelzeln refers to M. gilvicollis (as dis- tinguished from M. concentricus), with the present species. We may also urge that this interpretation is more consonant with the phenomena of geographical distribution, it being primd facie un- likely that two so closely allied species should be found maintaining their distinctive characters in the same area. All the specimens of the present species which have come before us with ascertained localities have been either from Guiana or from some part of Amazonia, which we regard as belonging to the same fauna. Natterer’s specimens were collected at Para and upon the Rio Negro. Other specimens we have seen are from Cayenne and the Lower Amazon. Tschudi’s Peruvian specimens have no doubt been correctly referred by Cabanis to the present bird; but we have not yet had an opportunity of ascertaining to which species D’Orbigny’s Bolivian examples belong. 3. On the Fishes of Orissa. By Surgeon Francis Day, F.Z.S., F.L.S.—Part II.* Amongst the Siluroids, I captured one small specimen of a Hara in Orissa, which I left undescribed; I have since taken many more, and compared them with those in the Caleutta Museum. It is the 78. Hara sucuanantl, Blyth. Dea. Pb. a. V. 6, A. oC. 15. Length of head 4, of caudal 1 of the total length. The bases of the first dorsal and anal fins are of the same length, and equal the dis- tance from the posterior margin of the orbit to the end of the snout. The length of the base of the adipose dorsal is only equal to one-half of that of the anal. Height of body equals the length of the head ; the width of the head opposite the opercles equals 14 its length. Eyes small, situated in the posterior half of the head. Gill-openings narrow, the skin confluent with that of the isthmus. * See P. Z. S. 1869, p. 292. 370 SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES Or ORISSA. [May 27, Maxillary barbels dilated at their bases ; they extend as far as the pectoral fin. The four mandibular barbels are on a transverse line ; the two outer the longest, reaching the gill-opening. Nostrils placed close together and divided by a short barbel. The occipital process is about three times as long as wide at its base, and has another parallel bony process on either side. Basal bone considerably dilated. Humeral process rugose, elongate, and with two ossicles posterior to it. Teeth villiform in the jaws and also in a fine band on the palate. Fins. Dorsal spine stout and nearly as long as the head, serrated posteriorly. Pectoral spine one-fourth longer, flattened, strongly serrated internally, and with finer serrations externally but arranged in a very peculiar manner, each alternate tooth being directed anteriorly or posteriorly. Pectorals reaching ventrals. Caudal deeply forked. Skin covered with little rough elevations, which in the posterior part of the body are in parallel lines. This roughness is also seen on the cheeks. Lateral line proceeds direct towards the centre of the base of the caudal fin, but ceases before arriving so far. Colours. Brownish, banded with a darker shade. Fins banded with black. Barbels annulated with black. This little fish grows to about 23 inches in length, and lives amongst weeds or in very muddy parts of rivers. The Cyprinide are extensively represented in Orissa. 79. CaTLA BUCHANANT, Cuv. & Val. Barkur (Ooriah). Bo De, Pee NG Ane. COSTS toate L. tr. a, Vert. a The gill-rakers in the adult are long, moderately strong, and set rather widely apart. The Cyprinus abramioides, Sykes, may be this species, which abounds in the river Kistna. 80. AMBLYPHARYNGODON MoLA, H. Buch. Morara (Ooriah). Bite Dae.¢ Pilb. Vi,9. gga eee 20>, «la I. Gabe L. tr. 20. Dr. Giinther observes that the engraving of Leuciscus melettinus, Cuv. & Val., is incorrect ; for he considers the lateral line, instead of being continued to the base of the caudal fin as delineated, ought to cease, which would make it an Amblypharyngodon. Might not the drawing be correct, and the species be a Thynnichthys, as I have taken onein India? Mr. Blyth (Journ. Asiat. Soc. of Bengal, 1860, p. 164) observed of his genus Mola, of which he made this species his type, “The (Leuciscus) harengula and (L.) melettina of Valenciennes should also range in the same division, even if the lateral line be 1869.] SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 371 continuous as represented in the figures of those species.” The correctness of placing Amblypharyngodon and Thynnichthys as distinct genera is, I think, questionable ; and I am the more confirmed in this belief by an examination of the A. atkinsonii, Blyth (not A. pellucidus, M‘Clelland), from Burmah, in which the lateral line is continued for one-third of the length of the body of the fish, or for 19 scales, thus reaching nearly as far as the base of the ventral fin, from which it is divided by six rows of scales. 81. Crrruina mrIGALA, H. Buch. Mrigale, Mirrgah (Ooriah). Beam Dig gh keim V9. Als C219.” E4043, L. tr. . Differs from the C. lesehenaultii, Cuv. & Val., by only having the rostral barbels. In Orissa it appears entirely to supersede the C. leschenaultii, which is a species very common in Madras. Amongst the fishes brought to Caleutta by the late expedition to China are specimens of the C. mrigala, H. Buch., probably identical with C. chinensis, Giinther. 82. CrossocHEILus BATA, H. Buch. Crossocheilus rostratus, Giinther (immature). Dunguda porah (Ooriah). Dommarci batta (Bengali). Ba Deze Pris. NSPS AG! 6.19 Ti, L d6-B8. 53-6} L. tr. =’. This species I obtained throughout Orissa, as well as from the Cossye, where Dr. Giinther’s specimen, 4 inches long, was captured. I have therefore no doubt respecting its identity, although he re- marks of the genus, “ Barbels two or four; if two, the upper only are present :”” and of the species, ‘two barbels, only shorter than the eye ;” whereas in this fish it is the maxillary ones which exist. It loses the black spots on the lateral line more or less completely when it attains a mature state. Being largely domesticated, how- ever, it is subject to certain variations. In one specimen, 10 inches long, the snout was covered with elevated pores, whilst another of the same size, taken along with it, was destitute of them. The number of rows of scales between the lateral line and base of the ventral fin sometimes alters with age. Thus in the immature there are generally four series, but in the adult five. This fish grows to two feet in length. 83. CrossocHEILUS GoHAMA, H. Buch. Kala batta (Bengali). B. iii, D.3. P.15. V.9. A.Z. C.19. L. 1. 38-40. L. tr. & This fish has a distinct lateral lobe to the snout. Hab, Cossye river, at Midnapore. 372 SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 27, 84. CrOssOCcHEILUS REBA, H. Buch, Chetchua porah (Ooriah). Batta (Bengali). B. ii, D. 2. P15. WV. OF AL IC, 19, U,.1 39-38. Ea tr. 2s The Chondrostoma boggut, Sykes, appears to be identical with this species, which is common in the Kistna river. 85. LasBro FimsBrRiAtus, Bloch. Labeo leschenaultii, Cuv. & Val. Bahrum (Ooriah). B. iii, D. ay. P.15. V.9. AZ C.19. L. 1. 44-48. 9-10 L. LTS B° Hab. Found in rivers aud tanks. The Varicorhinus bobree, Sykes, appears to be this species, which is abundant in the Kistna. 86. Laseo Gonius, H. Buch. Labeo microlepidotus, Cuv. & Val. Labeo dussumieri, part.?, Giinther. Cursua (Ooriah). Beit. Digg B17... V9: Angee C. 19. Ld. Oot: L. tr. < Length of head -2,, of pectoral =2;, of base of dorsal 2, of base of anal 54, of caudal 52; of the total length. Height of head 14, of body 3, of dorsal fin 5?;, of ventral 3, of anal 4 of the total length. Eyes. Diameter 2 of length of head, 13 diameter from end of snout, 23 diameters apart. No lateral lobe to snout, which is covered with fine pores. Two pairs of very short barbels, the maxillary being slightly the longest. Lips thick, with a distinct fold, and also fringed. Teeth pharyngeal, with flattened crowns, 5, 4, 2/2, 4, 5. Fins. Dorsal commences much nearer to the snout than to the base of the caudal fin, and anterior to the ventral. Scales. Nine and a half rows between lateral line and base of the ventral fin, in large specimens from Burmah eight and a half. As food this fish is said to be indifferent. Many specimens were taken in the rivers of Orissa up to 13-2; inches in length. The species is very closely allied to, if not identical with Labeo cursa, H. Buch., which, however, is said to have 11 or 12 rows be- tween the lateral line and base of ventral fin. 87. Lasro CALBASU, H. Buch. Cirrhinus affinis, Jerdon, Madras Journ. Lit. & Se. Kala beinse (Ooriah). Bo iit. Dy a beta. Y¥. 9. A. C.19. L.1 ala tr: Ce 1869.] SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 373 Tn one specimen taken in the Cossye the scales were spotted with red. Hab. Rivers and tanks in Orissa. 88. Laseo rouira, H. Buch. Ruhu (Ooriah). B. iii. D. 5: Hab. Rivers and tanks in Orissa. PAl7. V.9. A.2. C.19. LL 41s. L. tr. 9. 89. LaBeo r1cNoRHyNCHUs, M‘Clelland. Kul-ka-batta (Bengali). ; Bim.) Deg Pol¥cn Nada Nees, Cu 19x) Ld. ARt La te, 2. mee Pharyngeal teeth 5, 4, 2/2, 4, 5. I am doubtful whether this fish should not be referred to Cyprinus mustha, H. Buch., which, however, Dr. Giinther considers to be the Labeo morala; and he remarks, “‘ four barbels as long as the eye ;” whereas Buchanan observes, ‘‘it (Cyprinus musiha) differs from the description of the mora/a in nothing but the want of tendrils.” 90. Lasgo Boca, H. Buch. Kala battali (Ooriah). Ba iiiy D, re P17. Vn ALS 4 Cn49e. U.). 42. Ji, tre. ane My reason for being unable to accept the genus T'ylognathus, Giinther, is, that ‘the separation of this genus from Ladeo is arti- ficial,’ being defined in its having nine or less branched rays, down to which number Laéeo is included. Thus the existence of an extra ray in the dorsal fin, or whether the last double dorsal ray is re- garded as one or two might alter the genus of the species. The same author has observed respecting the genus Barbus, which has been subdivided into several genera and subgenera, ‘‘ Nothing would more be contrary to the idea of natural genera, the transition from one extreme species to the other being perfect” (p. 84). Hab. Rivers and tanks of Orissa. Dr. Giinther notices how the subgeneric forms of the genus Barbus, as Barbodes with two pairs of barbels, Capoeta with one pair, and Puntius destitute of any, pass gradually from one into another. But in specimens from India I do not think it will be of common occur- rence to find barbels abnormally increased or decreased in numbers. I have tried, but hitherto unsuccessfully, to obtain such specimens. Even if such were frequent, their abnormal or accidental absence will scarcely be considered a sufficient reason against accepting such natural subgeneric divisions of this exceedingly extensive genus. Dorsal ray serrated. 91. Barsus (Barpopes) cHacunio, H. Buch. Barbus beavani, Giinther. Jerruah (Bengali). Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XXV. 374 SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 27, B. iii, D.3, P15. V.9. A.z. ©.19. L144. L. tr. F- Many of the young of this species were taken in the Cossye river, at Midnapore, up to 3} inches in length; it is said, however, to attain to 18 inches. A specimen 11 inches long exists in the Calcutta Museum. 92. Barsus (BARBopEs) SARANA, H. Buch. Barbus chrysopoma, Cuv. & Vai. Barbus russellii, Giinther. Sarana (Ooriah and Bengali). Kunnaku (Telugu). Bini, D. =. P.15. V.9. Ag. C219 i T.'28-32. “Le This species is subject to slight variations in accordance with age, the locality it inhabits, and the sex of the specimens. I obtained it from Trichinopoly in the south, to the Hooghly in the north, and have received it from Yunam in China. Dorsal ray entire. 93. Barsus (Barsopes) Tor, H. Buch. ? Cyprinus mosal, H. Buch. B.iii, D.2. P.18. V.9. A.2, C.18. L.1. 23-27. L. tr. 3 Some young specimens of the species or variety with the thick labial lobes were taken in the Mahanuddi. The fish is said to grow to 3 or 4 feet in length at the base of the hills. Dorsal ray entire. 94. Barsus (Capo#éta) cHoxa, H. Buch. Barbus sophoroides, Giinther. Kerrundi (Bengali). B.iii, D.3 P.15. V.9. A.2 C.19. L.1.25-26. L.tr. 9, Hab. Cossye river. Dorsal ray serrated. 95. Barsus (Puntivus) amaassis, Day. Bunkuai (Ooriah). By ieee PLL. Ve 9. Ae R O099) Lh 36: Hab. Rivers of Orissa. 96. Barus (Puntivus) cexius, H. Buch. Cutturpoh (Ooriah). Bi ii. DS Boge 8. AS | C.19. | Ta 26s ae Lateral line incomplete, only extending along 5 or 6 scales. Hab. Tanks in Orissa. er 1869.] URGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 37: 97. Barus (Puntivus) tTicro, H. Buch. Kudji kerundi (Ooriah). Boa, (D. 3) PL Da Me GS hep 9c) acl 28i- Us. ti. 5. Lateral line incomplete. In some specimens the fins are black. Hab. Rivers and tanks. 98. Barsus (Puntivs) poutunio, H. Buch. Kudji kerundi (Ooriah). B. ii. D3. P.15. V.9. A.3. C.19. L.1. 20-23. L. tr. 8-10. The dorsal ray in some specimens, apparently in all in Orissa, undergoes a very curious change in this species. Serrated in the young, the teething decreases as age advances, so that when the fish is about 2 inches in length the ray is quite smooth, This I do not find to be the case in specimens from Burmabh, five fine ones of which are in the Calcutta Museum, up to 2 inches inlength. Their lateral line has 23 scales, and their lateral transverse 5/5. Mr. Blyth remarked upon these specimens in the ‘Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng.’ 1860, p. 159, considering them, and I believe correctly, to be of this species. Dr. Giinther has named some specimens from Ceylon B. cumingit and B. nigrofasciatus, the one having two, the other three vertical bands, a very common occurrence in this species —adding also that the latter have one more row of scales, and are scarcely striated, which is not the case in those he has seen of the former. Dr. Bleeker appears to have considered the Ceylon and Indian forms identical; but, without comparing specimens from the two localities, it must be exceedingly difficult to offer an opinion, especially as this fish is subject to considerable variations, and the Indian form does not appear to be in the British-Museum collection. Some of my Orissa specimens have six striz on each scale, others four, whilst in some no striz are observable. Many have twenty-one rows of scales on the body. Dorsal ray entire. 99. Barsus (Puntivus) stigma, Cuv. & Val. Systomus sophore, M‘Clelland. Puntius modestus, Kner. Patia kerundi (Ooriah). Bee eo fe ts. . Ve 9s Avo. C19. Theo. L. tr. 5/4. Vert. = Kner’s fish shows a coloration which is very common, denoting the specimen to be out of season, in bad health, or that it has been macerated some time. I gave my reasons, in the P. Z. S. for 1868, p. 198, for not accepting Dr. M‘Clelland’s fish as identical with Hamilton Bucha- nan’s. In the old collection of the fishes of the Asiatic Society of ~ 376 SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF orIssA. [May 27, Bengal I find the true species still exists, but without any label; it is as follows :— Barsus (Barsopes) sopHore, H. Buch. B, i... 3/9:- PATS. “Vs 9. ‘AS ofoetinao: elitr Length of head 3 of length of body. Height of body rather more than the length of the head. Eyes. Rather more than + of length of head, 1 diameter from end of snout, 1 diameter apart. Barbels four, the rostral ones reaching the anterior margin of the orbit, the maxillary ones extending to below the middle of the eye. Cleft of mouth extending to under orbit. Fins. Dorsal arises midway between the snout and the base of the caudal ; its third ray is rather weak, osseous, smooth, and as long as the head without the snout. The ventral arises a little posterior to the dorsal. Scales. Two and a half rows between the lateral line and the base of the ventral fin. The specimen is 3} inches to the base of the caudal fin, which is injured from pressure. The specimen is bleached. 100. Barus (PuntTiIus) cosvaTIs. By His Dy 3/8570 Pil Bec: No 9eys 6 Ae 2/Sei- Os 19s pods Wee L. tr. 6. Lateral line incomplete, ceasing on the fourth scale. Hab. This little species I took in the Midnapore district. 101. Barus (Puntius) virratus, Day. Putti (Ooriah). Bodie D. 28. Pel2. 9 Vs Qed Asi 2/Scre€. 20.) Lal) 20-22; L. tr. + Lateral line incomplete. Hab. Rivers and tanks in southern Orissa. 102. Barsus (Puntivs) Ter10, H. Buch. Kakachia kerundi (Ooriah). Bin. Ds 0 16 V9. A.3/5, (C118. “4.1.21. Tt Lateral line incomplete. Hab. Tanks in Orissa. 103. Rasgora DANICONIUS, H. Buch. Dundikerri (Ooriah). Bi. Dy 2/7 eects = Oe A. 3/5: 0, 19. An 1 Sea. L. tr. 5/3. Hab. Rivers and tanks, 1869. ] SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 377 104. Nurra panrica, H. Buch. Dundikerri (Oor'ah). Heui-¢ 0.2/6. 1 Pole. oVe9. p Ae oy Tsk 3234.0 L. tr, =. Hab. Rivers and tanks. 105. Asprpoparta Morar, H. Buch. Aspidoparia sardina, Heckel. Bayi (Ooriah). Morari (Bengali). Bo8t. 2 D3 /Se Pek bu Vi, Sache] Wao IC h9s oo L142. L. tr. Be Vert. ee This species is very common in Orissa, but still more so in the Cossye river, where it attains 43 inches in length. I obtained one adult specimen in which the anal fin was entirely absent. 106. Danio (ParapANIo) Devario, H. Buch. Bonkuaso (Ooriah). Bowley Ug Balan Veer Cul. Ls li Abe ieditiere: Length of head 1, of pectoral 4, of base of dorsal 1, of base of anal +, of caudal j of the total length. Height of head ;?,, of body +4, of dorsal fin +, of ventral 4, of anal 4 of the total length. Eyes. Diameter + of length of head, ? of a diameter from end of snout, 1; diameter apart. Posterior extremity of upper jaw extends to beneath the anterior margin of the orbit. The lower jaw is the longest. Third sub- orbital bone broad. Barbels absent. Fins. Dorsal commences midway between the anterior margin of the orbit and the base of the caudal fin. Pectoral reaches the ventral, which last extends nearly to the anal. The anal commences below about the third dorsal ray. Caudal lunated. Scales. Two and a half rows between the lateral line and the base of the ventral fin. Colours. Superiorly greenish, becoming silvery white on the abdo- men. ‘The anterior portion of the body is reticulated in its centre with stecl-blue lines, divided from one another by narrow yellow bands. Three bluish lines are continued towards the caudal fin, where the two lower coalesce, and passing upwards become lost on the upper half of the caudal fin. Hab. Salundee river, in Orissa. This species varies but slightly from the D. devario, H. Buch., of which I consider it a variety. Some five specimens of the D. devario have been received from Assam at the Calcutta Museum, and they have A. a but do not otherwise differ from the Orissa fish, 107. Barixius (Pacuaystomus) cosca, H. Buch. Bahgra bahri (Ooriah). Bilt Diao Ba 1B ay) Ve Seyi Ae Pye Coe BBs: Decl A@eordn ts ge Hab. Common in rivers in Orissa. 378 SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 27, 108. Bariirus (Pacuysromus) LINEATUS, Day. Poncha geraldi (Ooriah). B. ii, D2. P.13. V.8. Avge Cel9- Lol 28. L. tr. 6. Lateral line absent. This fish I have placed as a Barilius instead of Danio, in accord- ance with Dr. Giinther’s division of the two genera. I find in the Calcutta Museum several specimens obtained from the Hooghly by Mr. Blyth, and labelled Cyprinus rerio, H. Buch. It may therefore turn out to be this latter species, which I shall shortly be able to determine in the locality where the original species exists; the C. rerio is said to have D. 8, V. 7, A. 16. 109. Bartxius (Benpiisis) BARILA, H. Buch. Gilland (Bengali). B. iii, D.3. Pl13. V.9. A. s. C.19. 1.1. 44-46. L. tr. 9. 7 4 This species has two very fine rostral barbels, whose existence Pee been overlooked. Teeth. Pharyngeal 5, 4, 3/3, 4, 5. Hab, Cossye river, where it attains 4 inches in length. 110. Baritius (Bariiivs) Barna, H. Buch. Bahri (Ooriah). Bia? De. BP 13" Veg? APS. lige E142 TE tr. 974. Dorsal fin rather higher than long; its last ray is over the anal, and only extends halfway to the base of the caudal. A variety exists in the Mahannddi which has the dorsal rays rather more elevated, the eye slightly larger, and the cleft of the mouth a little greater. 111. Barriius (BARILIUS) PAPILLATUS, sp. 0. B. iti, D.3/7.. P15 ¥.9, A. son. Cul td oo Li. 'tr. 2 e 63 tenet of head 4, of pectoral ;2,, of base of dorsal 52, of base of anal YP of caudal t seh the total length. Height of head 4, of body 2, of dorsal ae 77; of anal 4 of the total length. Byes. Diameter 4 of length of head, nearly | diameter from end of snout. Third suborbital bone thrice as deep as the cheek below it; humeral process rather narrow. No barbels. Fins. Dorsal arises midway between the posterior margin of the orbit and the base of the caudal fin; its base is as long as the fin is high ; the last ray is thickened and divided to its root ; it reaches as far as the base of the caudal fin. The pectoral extends to beyond the origin of the ventral, and the latter fin to the base of the anal; its inner rays are thickened and rather stiff. The caudal is forked in its posterior two-thirds, and the lower lobe is rather the longest ; the ends of both are rounded. 1869.] SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 379 Scales in regular rows, each scale having a few round elevated spots upon it. Three and a half rows between the lateral line and the base of the ventral fin. _ Lateral line first curves gently downwards ; subsequently it is con- tinued to just below the centre of the base of the caudal fin. Colours. Canary-colour, with the back stained grey, and from seven to nine broad and deep blue bands extending from the back to the abdominal profile. Dorsal fin stained with grey in its upper third, as is also the caudal in its posterior third. Hab. Cossye river, attaining 3 inches in length, and said not to be common; however, I obtained eleven specimens. A variety exists in the Mahanuddi, the eye being somewhat smaller, opercle less wide, but otherwise similar. Genus OpsarIvs. Opsarius, sp., M‘Clelland. Bola, Giinther, preoccupied by Genus VI. in Hamilton Bucha- nan’s ‘ Fishes of the Ganges,’ p. 73. 112. Opsarrus coua, H. Buch. Leuciscus salmonoides, Blyth. Bugguah (Bengali). B. iii, D.Z. PL13. V9. ALS. C.19. L188. Ltr. %. Hab. Cossye river at Midnapore. Genus Bouter, Sykes, 1841. Osteobrama, Heckel, 1842. 113. Rourrer vicorstt, Sykes. Osteobrama rapaz, Giinther. Gollund (Ooriah). 3 [oer eae Lp le SA ake a a Ge aa OH ae Brag 8 L. tr. = Dr. Giinther considers that Colonel Sykes’s species is identical with Rohtee (Cyprinus) cotio, H. Buch.; but if the two figures pl. 39. f. 93, ‘Fishes of the Ganges,’ and t. 63. f. 3, of Sykes’s ‘ Fishes of the Dekkun,’ are compared, the distinction is apparent. In the former the ends of the jaws are even in front ; in the latter the lower jaw projects. Besides this I obtained numbers of this species in the Kistna river, from one of whose tributaries some of Col. Sykes’s specimens were probably procured ; on the other hand I could not find the R. cotio in that river. Col. Sykes appears to have written 29 instead of 26 rays for the anal fiv, but a few more or less does not seem to have been considered of great moment, especially as the drawing gives 36. Hab. Rivers and tanks in Orissa. 380 SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF orIssA. [May 27, 114. Router ALFREDIANA, Cuv. & Val. Gunda, Gollund (Ooriah). B. iii Dee. P13.4-V..10.. 7 Ange.” Ca¥. Uel D700. Hab. Rivers and tanks in Orissa. Genus PeritAmpus, M‘Clelland. Cachias, Giinther. 115. PertLampus ATPAR, H. Buch. Perilampus macropodus, Jerdon. Bonkuaso (Ooriah). Bi ti) 3D. -2/7 5. SPV See a. 10.) Le ee * 19-21° 10-12 L. tr. TE This fish in some rivers and tanks appears to entirely supersede the Rasdora. 116. PertLampus LAusuca, H. Buch. Bankoe (Ooriah). By fi. 532/00 2s tae Vo. Aa LL. tt 7/2. Length of head 4, of pectoral 3, of base of dorsal 3, of base of anal 1, of caudal + of the total length. Height of head 4, of body 7, of dorsal 3, of ventral ;4,, of anal 4 of the total length. Eyes. Upper margin near the dorsal profile, diameter + of length of head, nearly 1 diameter from end of snout, 1; diameter apart. Body somewhat elevated to the base of the dorsal fin, with a slight concavity over the occiput. The whole of the body much com- pressed, with the abdominal edge cutting from the pectoral to the anal fin. Teeth pharyngeal, 5, 4, 1/1, 4, 5. Fins. Dorsal arises slightly posterior to the origin of the anal. Pectoral ray elongated and reaching as far as the base of the anal. The outer ray of the ventral slightly elongated. Caudal deeply forked. Seales. Three and a half rows between the lateral line and the base of the ventral fin. Colours. Silvery, with some vertical golden stripes, which disap- pear after death. The whole of the body with fine black dots, and a black mark, shot with green, above the base of the pectoral fin, and another at the base of the caudal. This fish is common in Orissa, growing to 3 inches in length, and is without doubt Hamilton Buchanan’s species delineated by M‘Clel- land at t. 45 (erroneously also marked 56), and t. 4 (erroneously marked 10)*. Many specimens received from different localities exist in the Calcutta Museum, and have been correctly labelled Perilam- * See M‘Clelland, ‘ Indian Cyprinide,’ p. 514. Or 19, oo. Deke 34: 2 * 17-20" 1869.] -SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 381 pus laubuea, H. Buch., by Mr. Blyth. Dr. Giinther has evidently received a very different fish from the Hooghly (? Cyprinus dan- cena, H. Buch.) ; for it is referred to the genus Ohela, under which head I perceive he has also placed the Perilampus fulvescens, Blyth, whose two typical specimens I have examined in the Calcutta Museum, and which do not belong to the genus Chela, H. Buch., but to Perilampus, M‘Clelland. 117. Cueva pHuLo, H. Buch. Be itis Di 2 [Fer Reba oa Ok osha lie Oy 1984 D1, 87. L. tr. 12/6. Hab. Rather common in rivers and tanks in Orissa. 118. CHELA UNTRAHI, sp. n. Untrahi (Ooriah). eee VO Coals Merged, At eon Ge 17. slus ban?: L. tr. 7/5. Length of head 3, of pectora 1, of base of dorsal 54, of base of anal {, of caudal } of the total length. Height of head 1, of body 1, of dorsal $, of ventral 4, of anal + of the total length. Eyes. Upper margin near the profile, diameter 4 of length of head, § of a diameter from end of snout, nearly 1 diameter apart. Dorsal profile nearly horizontal, abdominal profile with a cutting- edge from opposite the base of the pectoral fin. Mouth very oblique, knob or symphysis minute. The lower jaw in advance of the upper, and the maxilla extends to under the ante- rior margin of the orbit. Suborbital ring of bones moderately wide. Fins. Pectorals reaching ventrals, and a dilated humeral support- ing a smooth thoracic edge. Dorsal arises midway between the posterior margin of the orbit and the posterior extremity of the caudal fin, and is situated over the anterior anal ray. Caudal lobed, the lower the longest. Scales deciduous, extending as far forwards on the nape as to opposite the posterior margin of the orbit. Lateral line descends rather abruptly to opposite the posterior third of the pectoral fin, whence it is continued along the lower margin of the abdomen, ceasing a little beyond the posterior extre- mity of the anal fin. One row of scales between it and the origin of the ventral. Colours. Silvery. Hab. Mahanuddi, grows to 5 inches in length. 119. Cuexa Gora, H. Buch. Hum catchari (Ooriah). Boni Ds Bhdt REALS PNG O:; As 2/13. C.19. L.1. 140-160. The scales on the top of the head extend as far forwards as the nostrils. This species I first obtained at Jellasore, in Orissa, on the frontier of the Midnapore district. It grows to 9 inches in length. 382 SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 27, 120. Cura BacatLa, H. Buch. Jellahri (Ooriah). Bodie, 1 0/d. Pe Tee Ve Set Ata ie AD ata ae Hab. Common in rivers and tanks, attaining 9 inches in length. Dr. Jerdon, in the Madras Journ. of Lit. & Sci. 1849, p. 327, ex- pressed his doubts whether a species of Chela which he obtained in the Canvery, and termed Pelecus flavipinnis, might not be identical with the Leuciscus novacula, Val. Having taken the former in the Canvery, I find the fins rays to be as follows :— Boa DI Size VPS ASS 0.19, Loe L. tr. 9/5. ; The Chela novacula is said to have the following :-— Boi =D.9. A. 17. (L160: Lettre 15/3. 121. Nemacueiuus Botta, H. Buch. B. ii ‘D. 3/11... P. 13... V. 8. As3/5« G19.) L. h70=80-. L. tr. 14/15. The variety existing in Orissa is that without any projection below the skin in the preeorbital region (VV. belturio, H. Buch.), whilst in all the Assam specimens I have examined this prominence is more or less distinct (NV. botia, H. Buch.). Hab. Orissa, and in the Cossye river at Midnapore, where it attains 24 inches in length, 122, NEMACHEILUS MUGAH, §p. n. Mugah (Bengali). B. iti, Di 2/7., P. Uy Vi8. A. ge C217. Length of head }, of pectoral 4, of base of dorsal 4, of base of anal J, of caudal + of the total length. Height of head 4, of body ~,, of dorsal fin ;2;, of ventral -2,, of anal 75 of the total length. Eyes. Small, diameter + of length of head, 2 diameters from end of snout, 14 diameter apart. Body fusiform, with compressed sides. The free portion of the base of the caudal as long as high. Snout pointed, overhanging the jaws. Nostrils much nearer to the orbit than to the end of the snout. No enlargement of the pree- orbital. The two pairs of rostral and the maxillary barbels all about as long as the eye. A rather deep central longitudinal groove ex- tends from opposite the posterior margin of the orbit to the end of the occiput. Fins. Dorsal arises midway between the snout and the base of the caudal fin, its upper margin is straight. Pectoral extends more than halfway to the base of the ventral, which latter is situated under the anterior third of the dorsal, whilst the fin reaches halfway to the base of the anal. The anal is situated in the posterior two- fifths of the total length. Caudal emarginate in its last fifth. Scales small but very distinct; twelve rows exist between the 1869.] SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA, 383 lateral line and the dorsal profile, and thirteen between it and the base of the ventral fin. Lateral line arises by two roots close to the head ; they soon join, when it goes direct to the centre of the base of the caudal fin. Air-bladder small, enclosed in a bony capsule, Colours. Yellowish, with a tinge of green. About fifteen brown bands, one-third as wide as the ground-colour, pass across the back and descend on either side below the lateral line ; a few near the head, and some in the posterior third of the body, are interrupted. Upper surface of head marbled with black. Fins immaculate ; but the first two rays of the anal are black anteriorly, and there are also slight black marks near the end of the ventral and on the outside of the pectoral. Rostral barbels orange. Hab. Cossye river at Midnapore, where it attains 2 inches in length. 123. Cosiris GunTEA, H. Buch. Kondaturi, Jupkari (Ooriab). Ba ity Us seg ihe Ge:.. Vin 8, Aven Co)Lze Length of head 3, of pectoral 4, of base of dorsal Ti of base of anal 74, of caudal 4 of the total length. Height of head 4, of body 1, of dorsal fin 4, of ventral 4, of anal 4 of the total length. Hyes. Diameter + of length of head, 2 diameters from end of snout, 1 diameter apart. Body strongly compressed. A free bifurcated suborbital spine arises opposite to, but below, the anterior margin of the orbit, and extends to below its centre. The posterior extremity of the upper jaw does not extend so far as to beneath the orbit. Barbels large, well developed, and all six longer than the eye. Fins. Dorsal arises midway between the posterior margin of the orbit and the base of the caudal ; its first three or four rays are an- terior to the ventral fin. Caudal generally entire ; but its centre rays are sometimes the longest, occasionally the shortest, Scales very conspicuous. Lateral line absent. Colours. Generally dirty yellowish, with a dark band extending from the centre of the snout, and ending in a black ocellus just above the centre of the base of the caudal fin. Along this dark band are a series of indistinct but nearly black blotches, whilst the back has similar dark stains. Dorsal and caudal with blackish rows of dots, Hab. Rivers and tanks throughout Orissa, growing to nearly 4 inches in length. 124, LeprpocerHAicutuys BALGARA, H. Buch. Jubbi cowri (Ooriah), Bil. | eee Naa As 2 C; 16. I have not seen the armed pectoral ray in this species, which 384 SURGEON F. DAY ON TIE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 27, otherwise appears very similar to the Madras one ; however, I have no specimen from that locality with me so as to be able to compare the two. Dr. Giinther remarks, in ‘ Catalogue of Fishes,’ vol. vii. p. 365, that in my drawing in the ‘ Proceedings’ of this Society and in the ‘Fishes of Malabar,’ the pectoral fin of the latter fish is “ erro- neously represented,’’ as the semiosseous spine is attached to the fin by the usual interradial membrane, and not detached. The drawing was a correct one of my single specimen, which was not in a good state of preservation, and which I placed in the British Museum. My reason for not delineating the membrane, which normally exists, was simply because it was absent; and I merely copied correctly from what I saw before me, without adding to or subtracting from it. 125. ENGRAULIS B@LAMA, Forsk. B:xi-\ D. 7 P- 13. Vo6. A=, .C.19. L. | 40. the ouae Teeth. Five in both jaws, vomer, and palatines. The serrated abdominal scales extend from the gill-openings, there being fifteen anterior to the base of the ventral, and nine posterior to it. One specimen 53 inches long from the sea at Chanderpore. 126. ENGRAULIS puRAvVA, H. Buch. Tampara, Pussai (Ooriah). Boat. Dee BP. 15s Nob As E46. ie te tee Hab. Taken in numbers in the sea at Chanderpore. 127. ENGRAULIS RHINORHYNCHUS, Bleeker. B. xi. D. 5. “P..13) We9e Acs. C.19.4s 1, 37) ee 10° * 33-34" Hab. Many specimens up to 4 inches in length were taken in the sea at Chanderpore. 128. EneGrAv.is Taty, H. Buch. B. xiii, D.G. P.16. V.7. A.g2q. C.19. L.1. 42-46, Hatred 2: Hab. Rivers in Orissa within tidal influence. 129. ENGRAULIS TELARA, H. Buch. Pencha (Bengali). Tampara (Ooriah). B. xin. Die obs We Vee eg 0.19. L. Leb 2 eg Mad Hab. Rivers in Orissa within tidal influence. 130. CorL1A RAMCARATI, H. Buch. Oorialli (Ooriah). Bie xi. DD, Side eels ien i Auell Qeir Tra 1s 20265 1869. ] SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA, 385 Dr. Giinther observes, “ Abdomen not serrated in front of the ventrals,” and apparently has four specimens to describe from. However, I have not been fortunate in obtaining any such as he records ; for out of 28 specimens in Orissa and at Coconada, all were serrated anterior to the ventrals, with 4 sharp scales, and with from 8 to 11 posterior to it. I obtained a very curious malformation in one of these fishes. The caudal end of the fish is superseded opposite the 44th scale of the lateral line, and an entirely new description of tail exists, being a long forked one, nearly ; of the total length of the fish. Hab. Orissa, from the sea. 131. Cuatro&ssus MANMINA, H. Buch. ? Clupanodon cortius, H. Buch. Mackundi (Ooriah). (= Poon Daeg rl phelps Rat glee ert eal G7) Png Dare T U. dr.:22. Hab. Grows to about 8 inches in length, and is found in rivers and tanks in Orissa. 132. Ciupea cuaprRa, H. Buch. C. indica, Gray. Having been favoured with an examination of the MS. drawings of Hamilton Buchanan, of which he was deprived when leaving India, I find the Clupea chapra of Hardwicke’s illustrations is traced from the Clupanodon chapra of Hamilton Buchanan, and is the same as the species described by Dr. Giinther as Clupea indica (Gray). Hamilton Buchanan’s description is at pp. 248, 383, of his work on the fishes of the Ganges. On the back of the original drawing is written ‘‘ Clupanodon chapra,” leaving no question of doubt as to its identity. 133. CLUPEA PALASAH, Cuy. & Val. Clupanodon ilisha, HW. Buch. Ilisha (Ooriah), Hilsa or Ilisha (Bengali), Pulasu (Telugu), Oo- lum (Tamil). B.vi. D. yg P15. V.9. AZ. C.19. L. 1 45-49. stra 7. Having for the last few months been examining the fisheries of this and other species of fish, I have no hesitation in most positively asserting that Russell’s fish and Hamilton Buchanan's are identical. I have specimens from 2 inches in length to 19 inches. This fish ascends the rivers to breed, and I have seen it taken in thousands from the Hooghly to the Canvery. Genus Corica, H. Buch. Clupevides, Bleeker. 386 SURGEON F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 27, 134. Corica soporna, H. Buch. Cutwal alise, Godhaee (Ooriah). D5. P13.) VB. As gill. Go 10-.. Tee 1. 40,; Ts. tre 10. Both this genus and species, as given in the ‘ Fishes of the Ganges,’ appear to have escaped Dr. Giinther’s observation. Length of head ;%,, of pectoral ;#,, of base of dorsal +, of base of anal 4, of caudal ;?; of the total length. Height of head 4, of body 4, of dorsal fin 4, of ventral 4, of anal 1 of the total length. Eyes. Diameter 2 of length of head, } a diameter from end of snout, 3 of a diameter apart. Abdominal edge cutting, having 11 serrated scales between the base of the pectoral and ventral fins, and 6 more posterior to the ventral. Lower jaw the longest. Posterior extremity of the maxilla ex- tending to beneath the centre of the orbit. Fins. Origin of dorsal rather nearer to the base of the caudal than to the snout, the origin of the ventral being slightly anterior to it. The anal commences under the last dorsal rays. Caudal forked in its posterior third, the lower lobe the longest. Colours. Silvery. Hab. Mahanuddi river. 135. PELLONA DUSSUMIERI, Cuv. & Val. Paunia puiee (Ooriah). Bovi. D. 5. P.19.-V.6. ALS. ©. 21. Le. 46... Lite, 12, Hab. Chanderpore, in the sea. 136. Pettona motivus, H. Buch. Ursi (Ooriah). B, wip, Do grapes Pade, YuiGe As Seo 19, dene 45.> Entree Hab. Rivers and tanks in Orissa, growing to 4 inches in length. 137. RaconDA RUSSELLIANA, Gray & Hard. P13. 8.92). Cri0. > 5..1-64,:) date Hab. Specimens from 2 to 10 inches in length taken in the sea at Chanderpore. 138. MEGALOPS CYPRINOIDES, Brouss. Naharm (Ooriah). B. xxiv.-xxvi. D L. 1.39. L. tr. §. Hab. Rivers and tanks in Orissa. 3 Degen Eek Va... A. 24. ie 139. CHIROCENTRUS DORAB, Forsk. Kunda (Ooriah). B. vii. D.y P15. V.7. A.gg. C. 19. Hab. Sea at Chanderpore. 1869.] DR. W. BAIRD ON MEGASCOLEX DIFFRINGENS. 387 140. Nororrrerus cuiTaua, H. Buch. Chitul (Ooriah). B. viiiix. D. +. P.19. V. 6. A. 110-125. C. 11. L.1. 180. Cee. pyl. 2. Hab. Rivers and tanks in Orissa. 141. Noroprerus Kapirat, Lacép. Pulli, “a slice”? (Ooriah). B. vi-viii. D. 3. P.17. V.6. A. 100-108. C.13. L. 1. 225. Vert. BS Hab. Fresh waters of Orissa. 142. Symsprancuus cucuiA, H. Buch. Hab. This Eel is not rare in the rivers of Orissa. 143. TryGon UARNAK, Forsk. Sankush (Ooriah). This fish ascends the Mahanuddi as high as Cuttack. The spine on its tail is very much dreaded by the fishermen. 144. Micropuis cuncuuus, H. Buch. Kunnur dant (Ooriah), ‘‘ Crocodile’s tooth. The Ooriah natives say that these little pipefishes have some mysterious connexion with the teeth of the Crocodile, some fisher- men asserting them to be vivified teeth, others that they are rejected tooth-picks. 145. TeTrRopon potoca, H. Buch. Bheng pulli (Ooriah). Hab. Found at Cuttack in rivers and tanks. 146. TeTrRopon GuuaRis, H. Buch. Teepah benki (Ooriah). This species is still more common than the preceding, and at long distances inland. Besides the foregoing, I took several specimens of the Common Ganges Shark as far inland as. Cuttack, and a species of Pristis, which I have not as yet identified. 4, Additional Remarks on the Megascolex diffringens. By W. Barro, M.D., F.R.S. &e. Since I sent to the Society, last January*, a short account of a new species of Earth-worm (Megascolex diffringens), found in the hot-bed for stove-plants in the garden of Plas Machynlleth, in * Vide antea p. 40. 388 DR. W. BAIRD ON MEGASCOLEX DIFFRINGENS. [May 27, North Wales, I have had several specimens of the same species of worm forwarded to me from a similar habitat, viz. a stove-bed for hothouse plants in the garden of Lady Cullum, at Hardwick House, near Bury St. Edmunds, in Suffolk. I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Maxwell Masters, editor of the ‘Gardeners’ Chronicle,’ for the first intimation of the creature’s existence in Suffolk ; and since then, a letter from the intelligent gardener at Hardwick House, Mr. D. S. Fish, explains to me the particular localities in which he has found this worm, and gives some very in- teresting information with regard to its habits and manners. In his letter to me Mr. Fish says that he has known the worm for about twenty years, and that from its peculiar motions he has always called it the eel-worm. This name applies very well to its particular wriggling movements, and answers exactly to the description given by my first correspondent, Mr. Johnstone, of Machynlleth. Mr. Fish says, in the letter mentioned above, ‘I first made acquaintance with this worm, twenty years ago, at Glevering Hall, near Wood- bridge, in the eastern division of this county. I have only met with it there and at this place (Hardwick House). It was found among tropical plants, and is limited in its range by the temperature. I have not found it among greenhouse plants, and it seems incapable of subsisting out of doors. It differs from other worms in the following particulars. At night it will come out and travel along bare walls and clean stones with great rapidity, and without apparent inconvenience. When disturbed it vanishes at once, and is thus difficult to destroy. Again, on turning ont a plant infected with worms of the common sort, they are readily brought to the surface of the ball by tapping or vibrating the mass of earth. We imagine that the worms anticipate moles, and so rush to the surface to escape ; they thus become a ready prey to us. But these worms, unless seized at once, make for the centre of the ball the moment they are disturbed, and thus avoid detection and destruction. Again, you will observe they differ wholly in the rate and manner of their loco- motion. They are also much more destructive. I cannot say that they eat the roots: I think not; but they speedily render the soil incapable of supporting them in health. They appear to eat out its centre stamina, causing it to undergo a species of putrefaction. They seem fonder than the common worm of getting down among the potsherds and crocks at the bottom of the pots, and they speedily work down among them to the complete destruction of the drainage. Lastly, the plants show signs of distress sooner under the infliction of these worms than any other. The roots decay, the leaves turn yellow, and the whole life becomes as it were paralyzed. It seems to affect their vitality somewhat as heart-disease affects animal life. Every vital function loses force ; and unless the worms are destroyed, the contest ends in the destruction of the plant. “Tt is most difficult to eradicate this worm. It is evidently of foreign origin and is far from common; but once established it breeds rapidly in heat, and is uot easily destroyed by the usual remedies of lime-water &c.”” 9 Mr. Fish’s supposition that this 1869. | DR. J. S. BOWERBANK ON THEONELLA. 389 worm is a foreign importation is what I have already, in my previous paper, suggested. The chief habitats for worms of this peculiar genus are Ceylon and India. We have specimens also of a species from Australia. In a second letter from Mr. Fish, dated April 9th, he further says, as to its foreign origin, “I think it probable the worms come from the Cape of Good Hope, or some part of Africa. The proprietor of Glevering Hall, where I first met them, was a great fancier of bulbs and imported a good many; and it was in a large Crinum-amabile pot that I first found the worm. My theory is that they came from Glevering here (Hardwick House), as it is quite possible that plants may have been exchanged between the two places.” ‘‘They seem to have no fear of moles, as when disturbed they rush inwards, and not outwards as our common worm always does.” Mr. Fish, in repeating that he has known this worm for twenty years, says that he has observed it for the last fourteen years at Hardwick House. I have very little doubt that this curious worm will be found in various gardens throughout Great Britain. 5. On Dr. Gray’s Genus Theonella. By J. S. Bowrrsann, LL.D., F.R.S., F.Z.S., &e. On October the 23rd, 1868, I visited the British Museum for the purpose of reexamining some of the Siliceo-fibrous Sponges before sending my paper on that subject to this Society ; and I then saw, for the first time, the specimen from Formosa sent by Mr. Swinhoe. I pointed it out to Dr. Baird, and expressed my wish to examine it. He forthwith conveyed it to the entomological department, where I closely inspected its structures and satisfied myself that it was a specimen of my previously named Dactylocalyx Pratlii; and as such I have alluded to it in the first part of my paper on the Siliceo-fibrous Sponges, which was read at the meeting of this Society, January 28, 1869. I was not then aware that Dr. Gray had read a paper on the Formosan Sponge on November 12, 1868, immediately after my inspection of it at the British Museum. I received my copy of the ‘Proceedings’ of the Society on the 28th of April last, and I then saw Dr. Gray’s description of the Formosan specimen under the designation of ‘‘ Note on Theonella, a new genus of Coral- loid Sponges from Formosa,” P. Z. 8. 1868, p. 565, and a very excellent woodeut of the sponge, p. 566. Having previously become well acquainted with the specimen, I was somewhat surprised to see it designated as a new genus. The author’s generic characters are ample enough it is true, as he em- braces not only external form and the skeleton-structure, but every other character with which he became acquainted ; but unfortunately he describes the anatomical structure so incorrectly as to inevitably lead the student into doubt and difficulty in the very first stage-of Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XXVI. 390 DR. J. S. BOWERBANK ON THEONELLA. [May 27, his researches. Thus in the second line of his generic description he says :—“ Internally formed of netted spicules arranged so as to leave an hexangular mass; the spicules subeylindrical, united at the inosculation of the network by a siliceous callosity.’’ This is cer- tainly the most incomprehensible description of a purely siliceo- fibrous network that can possibly be imagined; and the figure he has given of the reticulations of a portion of the skeleton-structure, P. Z. S. 1868, fig. 2, p. 566, at once contradicts his description. Throughout the remainder of his description he continues to describe the siliceo-fibrous structure as spicula. In the first paragraph, p. 565, the author writes :—‘‘ The sponge in some external characters is like the genus Macandrewia ( Dactylo- calyx, Stutchbury), but it differs from that sponge in not having any stellate spicula.” It is quite true that the Formosan sponge has no ** stellate spicula;’’ but neither has the Doctor’s Macandrewia azorica; so that it is not ‘the only sponge of the family in which they are not discovered.” The author describes the long slender interstitial spicula inter- mixed with the fibrous skeleton; but it is a singular circumstance that he appears to have entirely failed in detecting the remarkable forms of connecting spicula on the dermis, which I have desig- nated as irregularly fureated patento-ternate, and which were first figured in the Phil. Trans. R. S. 1858, plate xxix. fig. 8, in situ, and fig. 9 as separated by nitric acid; and they are also repre- sented in P. Z. 8S. 1869, Plate V. fig. 9, in situ, and figs. 9, 10 & 11 in the separate condition ; and it is stated in the first part of my paper on the siliceo-fibrous sponges that they belong to my Dacty- localyx Prattii. These spicula certainly form the most prominent specific characters of the sponge, and they are so abundant in the expansile dermal system of the animal that it appears singular that any approach to a careful examination of its structure should fail to immediately discover them ; nor has the author observed the minute entirely spined fusiformi-cylindrical spicula which are so abundantly dispersed on the surfaces of the dermal and other membranes of this species of sponge, and which are represented in Plate V. fig. 7, P. Z. 8. 1869. Thus the author has been led into the error of believing the sponge to be the type of a new genus by merely abs- taining from a careful and proper examination of the structural peculiarities of the specimen under consideration. I will not reiterate the description of the Formosan specimen that I have given in my paper, P. Z. S. 1869, in my history of Dactylocalyx Pratt; I will quote only a few lines comparing the two specimens under consider- ation: —“ The sponge is fortunately in very nearly as fine a state of preservation as when taken from the sea; and every organ that is found in the type specimen appears in abundance in the one from Formosa. In truth, portions of the structures taken from the one specimen cannot, by microscopical examination, be distinguished from those mounted from the other.” 1869.| ON THE MALLEUS AND THE INCUS OF THE MAMMALIA. 391 6. On the Representatives of the Malleus and the Incus of the Mammalia in the other Vertebrata. By T. H. Houxtry, F.R.S. In the course of the last two years, Professor Peters has contributed to the ‘ Monatsberichte’ of the Berlin Academy a series of papers in which he advocates what I may term, for brevity’s sake, the ‘‘ Oke- nian ”’ doctrine of the homologies of the ossicula auditis of Mammals and of the quadrate bone of the other Vertebrata. According to this view, the osstewla auditis of Mammalia are completely repre- sented by the auditory columella in other Vertebrata, while the tympanic is the homologue of the quadrate bone. In supporting it, Professor Peters necessarily argues against the doctrine originally put forward by Reichert, and subsequently adopted by myself, that the auditory columella of the lower Vertebrata does not answer to all the ossicula audités of the Mammalia, but only to the stapes—the incus being represented by the quadrate bone, the malleus by the articular ; while the homologue of the tympanic is only to be found occasionally, in ossifications of the fibrous frame of the tympanic mem- brane. In the first two papers of the series, Prof. Peters bases his argu- mentation upon the anatomical relations of the lower jaw and the tympanic bone in the Marsupialia and Monotremata ; but as these facts are, undoubtedly, capable of being interpreted as well upon the Reichertian as upon the Okenian hypothesis, I did not conceive it necessary to enter, at present, upon any discussion of them. On the 19th November, 1868, however, Prof. Peters made a third communication to the Berlin Academy, “ Upon the Auditory Ossicles aud the Meckelian Cartilage in Crocodiles,” which was followed on the 7th January, 1869, by a fourth, “ Upon the Auditory Ossicles of Chelonia, Lizards, and Ophidia, as well as upon the cavities of the Lower Jaw of the Crocodile,’ which seemed to me to demand imme- diate attention ; for the quadrate bone of the Crocodile cannot pos-, sibly represent either the incus, or the malleus, if the statement of anatomical facts made by Prof. Peters is correct. I therefore proceeded to the verification of his descriptions with much interest and a little anxiety ; but after dissecting the skulls of several young Crocodiles with great care, I must declare my convic- tion that Prof. Peters is in error as to the facts, and, therefore, that the argument he bases upon them falls to the ground. The able anatomist Stannius first drew attention to the pnenma- ticity of the lower jaw in the Crocodile, in the following terms :— “The os articulare of the lower jaw is distinguished by its pneu- maticity ; its great hollow cells communicate, by a canal which lies at the back of the os tympanicum [quadratum ], with the air-chambers of the cranial bones. The lowest part of the canal in question forms a groove in the dry skull. This, in the fresh skull, is converted into a soft tube ; and a free membranous tube leads into a hole placed on 392 PROF. HUXLEY ON THE REPRESENTATIVES OF [May 27, the inner side of the surface of the os articulare.”’ (Stannius, ‘ Haad- buch d. Zootomie,’ Zweiter Theil. Amphibien, p. 58, 1856.) Prof. Peters adds to this account of the matter the following statements (Monatsberichte, 1869, pp. 593, 594) :— That Meckel’s cartilage, which persists throughout life in the Crocodile, becomes very slender posteriorly, and passes through the hole in the os articulare; that this slender cartilage then ascends upon the posterior and upper face of the quadrate bone enclosed in a membranous sheath; that, having reached the posterior edge of the membrana tympani, ‘‘it becomes connected with a cartilagimous plate, the narrow middle part of which is bent inwards towards the columella auris, with the external end of which it is connected by a joint. The broadest part of this cartilaginous plate is shaped like an axe-head, is directed perpendicularly against the membrana tym- pani, and forms, at the anterior end of its convex outer edge, a little plate which lies in the middle of the membrana tympani. It causes this region of the membrane to project slightly outwards, in the adult as well as in the young, and gives attachment to a filiform tendon which proceeds from the posterior boundary of the tympanic cavity. The other part of the cartilaginous plate bends away at an obtuse angle from the former, and has also the form of an axe-head, the convex edge of which, however, is narrower, and is applied below the posterior and inner part of the tympanic membrane to the carti- laginous margin of the tympanum.” Prof. Peters considers that the last mentioned triangular cartilage is the homologue of the ma/leus. In another embryo 203 centimetres long, Prof. Peters finds (/. e. p. 594) a “little, short, cylindrical, intermediate cartilage,’ which connects the columella {s/apes]| and this so-called malleus, and which he compares to the zaeus, or the os lenticulare. In a subsequent communication (7th January, 1869, Monats- berichte, pp. 6-8) “‘ On the cavities of the Lower Jaw in the Croco- dile,” Prof. Peters repeats the assertion that his so-called ‘ malleus ”’ is connected by a cartilaginous cord with the posterior end of Mec- kel’s cartilage, and states that he is unable to find the duct by which (as Stannius states) the pneumatic cavity of the os articulare is placed in communication with that of the quadrate bone. Nevertheless the description given by Stannius is perfectly correct, and I am puzzled to comprehend how the pneumatic duct, which places the air-cavities of the quadrate and articular bones in com- munication, can be confounded with a cartilagimous rod surrounded by a membranous sheath. The fact is that there is no direct con- nexion between the posterior part of Meckel’s cartilage and the so- called “ malleus ;”’ and thus, I cannot but think, the whole founda- tion of Prof. Peters’s argument collapses. Before particularly describing the very curious and instructive character of the outer extremity of the stapes (or so-called columella auris) and of the parts connected with it in the Crocodile according to my own observations, it is proper to remark that both Cuvier and Windischmann observed, though they did not quite rightly inter- pret, its structure. 1869.] THE MALLEUS AND THE INCUS OF THE MAMMALIA. — 393 Cuvier (Ossemens Fossiles, ix. p. 177) states of the stapes of the Crocodile, that “it consists of a long narrow elliptical plate, attached to the fenestra ovalis, from which passes a long and slender stem, which goes, becoming a little softer, to attach itself to the tympanic membrane ; it then bends back and follows it, being fixedly attached thereto and taking a cartilaginous consistency, as far as its posterior margin. From the posterior wall of the tympanum a muscular fila- ment. proceeds and becomes attached to the stem of the bone at about a third of its length [from the tympanic membrane]; anda fold of the internal lining of the tympanum forms a triangular ligament which extends to the same point, and thus contributes to fix the stem to its recurved and tympanic portion.” Windischmann observes, “‘Ossiculum auditorium Scarpa delineavit, fere quatuor lineas longum, opereulo triangulari instructum. In altera extremitate in cartilaginem tripartitam desinit, cujus una pars, ut dixi, in membrana media tympani adhezeret, alize duz in falce membranam hancce excipiunt.’”’ (Windischmann, De penitiori auris in Amphibiis structura. 1831.) The “triangular ligament’ of Cuvier is clearly the “ malleus” of Prof. Peters; and the same part seems to be meant by the “aliz due’ of Windischmann. What Cuvier terms the “stem”’ of the stapes of the Crocodile is more or less completely ossified ; but I find, in all cases, that it passes directly into the cartilaginous axehead-like plate, the convex edge of which is connected with the membrana tympani. There is no trace of the joint described by Prof. Peters in any of the specimens I have examined ; neither have I been able to see anything of the ‘filiform tendon ’’ which is said to “proceed from the posterior boundary of the tympanic cavity.” Where the outer end of the stem of the stapes widens out into this process for the tympanic membrane, which I shall call the “ extrastapedial”’ cartilage (fig. 1, #.S¢), it gives off, upwards and backwards, a slender cartilaginous prolongation, which expands and becomes the second ‘“ axehead-like”’ process, called “‘ malleus ”’ by Prof. Peters (S.S¢); but I have not been able to detect any trace of what Prof. Peters calls ‘‘a little short cylindrical interme- diate cartilage’ between this and the stem of the stapes. In all the specimens I have examined there is complete cartilaginous con- tinuity between the two. What Prof. Peters terms the “‘ cartilaginous margin of the tym- panum”’ is a backward prolongation of the cartilage of the periotic region of the skull, which corresponds in part, if not wholly, with the tegmen tympani of a mammal. It may be called the ‘ parotic process” (fig. 1, Pe.c); and in the adult it is converted, in great measure, into a slender and curiously curved process of the pro-otic, and, in part, into a process of the so-called exoccipital bone. Mus- cular fibres, which represent the stapedius muscle (fig. 2, Stp), proceed from this cartilaginous margin, or the corresponding bones, to the margin and outer face of the cartilage called ‘malleus’? by Prof. Peters, but which I shall term the ‘ suprastapedial’’ carti- 394 PROF. HUXLEY ON THE REPRESENTATIVES OF [May 27, lage (S.S¢). The inner surface of the posterior edge of the supra- stapedial cartilage is thus closely connected with the posterior part of the parotic process of the skull, while its anterior end comes into contact with the quadrate bone, which is connected with the front part of the same process. Fig. 1. S.S¢ Art Side view of the right side of the hinder part of the skull of a young Crocodilus biporcatus. The squamosal, the postfrontal, and the tympanic membrane are removed, and the quadrate (@z) is, in part, indicated only by an outline. E.O. Exoccipital. Pc.c. Cartilaginous termination of the parotie process of the skull. £.S¢. Extrastapedial process of the stapes. S.S¢. Its suprastapedial process. Sth. The stylo-hyal cartilage supposed to be seen through the quadrate bone. a, , Air-chambers of the quadrate. D.p. Pneumatic duct, leading from the posterior of these (q) to ¢, the air-chamber of the articulare (Art). Mck. Meckel’s cartilage. In the natural position of the parts, and when the head is hori- zontal (fig. 1), the plane of the extrastapedial cartilage is also nearly horizontal. The long axis of the suprastapedial cartilage is inclined at an angle of 45° to that of the extrastapedial cartilage; and the posterior ends of the two cartilages approach one another very closely. In close proximity to both lies the upper and broader end of a small and short rod of cartilage (Sth) which tapers below to a free rounded extremity. It lies upon the upper and posterior face of the quadrate bone ; and its lower extremity terminates some distance _above the upper end of the pneumatic duct (D.p), the fibrous wall of 1869.] THE MALLEUS AND THE INCUS OF THE MAMMALIA. = 395 which is continuous with the sheath of connective tissue which en- velopes the cartilaginous rod in question. It is this relation of the parts which, I am disposed to imagine, has deceived Prof. Peters, who seems to have taken the pneumatic duct and this cartilage for one continuous cartilaginous rod. In front, this minute cartilaginous style is in relation, as I have said, with the quadrate bone; behind, the portio-dura nerve passes down close to and parallel with it, and the digastric muscle covers it; above, it abuts against the lower and posterior walls of the tympanic cavity. Can there be any doubt, therefore, that it answers to the styloid cartilage, or proximal end of the hyoidean arch, in a mammal? A fold of the lining membrane of the tympanum (a, fig. 2) somewhat obscures the junction of the extrastapedial and suprasta- pedial cartilages with the styloid cartilage; but by detaching the parts and saturating them with glycerine and caustic soda, it is plainly demonstrable that the styloid cartilage is only connected by fibrous tissue, and, indirectly, by the stapedius, with the stapes. Fig. 2. Inner view of the tympanic membrane (7ym) of a young Crocodilus bipor- catus, with the attached stapedial cartilages (S.S¢, H.S7), the fold (a), the styloid cartilage (S¢h), and the stapedius muscle (S¢p). The stem of the stapes is cut through just where it begins to ossify. Thus, then, in the Crocodile, the connexion between the articulare and the stapes, supposed by Prof. Peters, does not exist ; but there is a very close connexion between the sfapes and a cartilage which distinctly represents the upper extremity of the hyoidean arch ; and, so far from the Crocodile furnishing any ground for the supposition that the stapes and its appendages are modifications of the skeleton of the first visceral arch, as is suggested by Prof. Peters, the facts observed strongly suggest that these parts are modifications of the skeleton of the second visceral arch. This suggestion is converted into a certainty when that remark- able Lizard Sphenodon punctatum (=Hatteria) is examined. Dr. 396 PROF. HUXLEY ON THE REPRESENTATIVES OF [May 27, Ginther’s statement (Phil. Trans. 1867, p. 620), that, in this Lizard, the stapes is ‘‘attached by a fibro-cartilaginous ligament’’ to the anterior cornu of the hyoid, strongly attracted my attention when I read his valuable memoir on this reptile; and having had an oppor- tunity, thanks to him, of examining into the question for myself, I can fully confirm his assertion. Nothing can be more instructive than the arrangements represented in Fig. 3. Sphenodon has no externally visible tympanic membrane ; but on removing the integument which lies over the aural region and the anterior portion of the digastric muscle, the fibres of a strong aponeurotic expansion, which takes its place, are seen to pass from the posterior edge of the quadrate bone and from the angle of the Fig. 3. Dg The right side of the posterior half of the skull of Sphenodon punctatum, twice the size of nature. The integument is taken away and the digastric muscle (Dg) detached from its origin. EO. Exoccipital. Qu. Quadrate. I. Mandible. Ay}, Hy’. Anterior and posterior cornua of the hyoid. Sth, “‘Stylo-hyal” part of the anterior cornu. # St, Extrastapedial cartilage. Ph. The membra- nous wall of the pharynx, attached, in front, to the hyoidean cornua, and then continued into the aponeurotic outer wall of the tympanic cavity, ty. 1869.] THE MALLEUS AND THE INCUS OF THE MAMMALIA. 397 mandible, to the anterior margin of the anterior cornu of the hyoid (Hy"), the upper part of which is entirely cartilaginous. The hyoidean cartilage ascends behind the quadrate bone, with a slight backward convexity, until it has nearly reached the skull, and then appears to be suddenly bent into the form of a little scroll with a backward concavity (fig. 3, H St). The upper end of the scroll becomes connected with the skull; the concavity is filled up by aponeurotic fibres. The aponeurotic expansion which has been mentioned covers the Fig. 4. The tympanie cavity and the adjacent parts laid open from behind, and the apo- neurotic expansion removed, in Sphenodon punctatum. Five times the size of nature. The letters as in fig. 3, except:—Pa. Parietal. Pc.C. Parotic cartilage. S.S¢. suprastapedial cartilage. 6. Origin of this cartilage from the stapes. a. Foramen included between it and the extrastapedial. Mm. The cut edge of the mucous membrane. Tymp. The pharyngeal recess which takes the place of the tympanic cavity. The exoccipital is supposed to be broken away to show the fenestral end of the stapes. 398 PROF. HUXLEY ON THE REPRESENTATIVES OF | May 27, outer end of the tympanic cavity ; when it is removed, the proximal end of the cornu of the hyoid is seen to expand, and becomes converted into a broad plate of cartilage, the curved margin of which gives rise to the “scroll.” Internally the plate is continued into the stem of the stapes, and speedily becomes ossified (fig. 4). There can be no doubt, therefore, that it corresponds with the extrastapedial cartilage of the Crocodile. What answers to the axehead-shaped suprastapedial cartilage of the Crocodile is the upper process of the cartilaginous part of the stapes (8. St), which, however, passes into the extrastapedial car- tilage externally and above, so as to enclose the foramen, a (fig. 4). On the left side, the suprastapedial process was fibrous at the point 6 (fig. 4). Superiorly, the suprastapedial cartilage (8. S¢) is directly continued into the cartilaginous termination of the parotic process of the skull (Pe.C), in which granular osseous matter is deposited. Thus the suprastapedial cartilage turns out to be nothing more than the proximal end of the hyoidean arch, while the stapes and its appendages are exclusively related to this arch, and have nothing whatever to do with the mandibular arch. With respect to the stapes (or columella auris) in Birds, I may remark that Prof. Peters makes no reference to the careful investiga- tions of Platner (‘ Das Quadratbein der Vogel’), who takes the same view of the homology of that structure as himself. Platner observes (/. c. p. 16) :—‘‘ The functions of the parts which lie within the tympanic cavity of birds almost all bear upon the tightening or relaxation of the tympanic membrane. If we consider the apparatus directed to this end in the tympanic cavity of Birds, we find :—(1) the stapes with the attached cartilage, which represents the other auditory ossicles in an aborted condition; (2) the tendon of the tensor tympani, which arises from the lower part of the ccciput and is attached partly to the stapes and partly to the tympanic membrane; (3) an elastic ligament, which I have found in all the birds which I have examined, and which passes from the base of the cartilage which is attached to the stapes, on the side which is opposite to the insertion of the tensor tympani (7. e. from the front aspect), up to the tympanal articulation (Paukenhohlengelenk) of the os quadratum, where it unites with the mucous membrane which covers the tympanic cavity internally.” The disposition of the parts described by Platner, in the Common Fowl, is shown in the accompanying figure (fig. 5). As in the Crocodile, the stem of the stapes is ossified and ends in a triradiate cartilaginous expansion. When the skull is horizontal one ray of the expansiun is represented by a horizontal triangular plate, the outer edge of which is fixed to the tympanic membrane. It represents the extrastapedial cartilage of the Crocodile, but differs therefrom in being perforated by a large hole. Where the stem of the stapes passes into this plate, it gives off a short vertical process upwards and a long slender curved process downwards. Both these lie free in the tympanie cavity. From the root of the upper process an elastic ligament arises and passes forwards to the 1869.] THE MALLEUS AND THE INCUS OF THE MAMMALIA. 399 outer wall of the periotic capsule, just behind the articulation of the quadrate bone. A. The auditory region, the tympanic membrane being taken away, in a Fowl. Qu. Quadratum. S.Sz. Platner’s ligament. #.S¢. The extrastapedial cartilage, the edge of which is fixed to the tympanic membrane. 0. The end of the extrastapedial which is fixed to the posterior boundary of the tympanum. c. The ascending process. J.S¢. The infrastapedial process. B. The outer end of the stapes separated from the stem where the latter begins to be ossified. Turned round and magnified. I see no room for any doubt that this ascending process and the elastic ligament represent the suprastapedial cartilage of the Cro- codile. As in the Crocodile, the posterior end of the extrastapedial cartilage is closely connected by fibrous tissue with the posterior boundary of the tympanum and the tympanic membrane ; but I have been unable to discover even a rudiment of a styloid cartilage. The inferior, free, curved process of the stem of the stapes, which may be termed infrastapedial (I.St) seems at first to answer to that cartilage ; but its relations are quite different. Thus the Lizard, the Crocodile, and the Bird present a complete series of modifications of the parts described. In Sphenodon the hyoidean arch is histologically continuous throughout its entire length ; and in its upper part is a rod of cartilage which, at one point, passes into the stapes. In the Crocodile, the upper part of the hyoidean cornu has no direct connexion with the lower, and the rudimentary styloid part is not histologically continuous with the stapedial part. In the Bird the styloid part has vanished, and the suprastapedial is represented only by fibrous tissue. 400 PROF. HUXLEY ON THE REPRESENTATIVES OF [May 27, Such developmental evidence as exists is entirely in accordance with the view of which these anatomical facts appear to me to afford a sufficient demonstration. Rathke distinctly states that in Coluber natrix the stipes results from a modification of the upper end of the hyoidean arch. Prof. Peters does not allude to this important circumstance; and, what is still more remarkable, in giving an account of his observations on the condition of the parts in a young Crocodilian embryo, he does not point out that Rathke’s statements on the same topic are diametrically opposed to his own. The embryo examined by Prof. Peters (/. c. p. 595, figs. 1, la) was 70 millimetres, or nearly 3 inches long. He says that the quadrate bone was ‘“ angelegt,”” but contained ‘neither cartilage nor bone ;” so that it is not obvious what the histological condition of the part referred to may have been. But in an embryo of Aligator lucius of less size (2" 2!" long, the skull measuring 7!) Rathke (‘Untersuchungen tiber die Entwickelung und den Kérperbau der Krokodile,’ 1863, p. 34) found the quadratum quite cartilaginous. “The quadrate bone resembled in form that of young and adult specimens of Alligator luctus, but was narrower and thinner, in proportion to its length, in its lower part, which is provided with a shallow articular excavation. It consisted of cartilage ensheathed in its middle third hy a bone. By its broader and flatter upper half it was loosely attached to the outer surface of the cartilaginous auditory capsule, in front of and above the fenestra ovalis.... . «With the quadiate bones articulated two long and, on the whole, slender Meckelian cartilages, which extended to the mandibular symphysis. For the greater part of their length they were cylindrical, and diminished in diameter very gradually from behind forwards ; posteriorly, however, where they were connected with the quadrate bones, they were a good deal enlarged. An absolutely and relatively short, hook-like prolongation extended beyond the articulation. The thinner and longer cylindrical portion of each was loosely invested by five very thin, but completely ossified, plates, which enclosed it, as in a sheath, though they were separated by larger or smaller intervals. At a later period these plates grow and become closely united, thus giving rise, as in other Reptiles and in Birds, to the greater part of each ramus of the mandible. But of Meckel’s cartilage only the enlarged part ossifies, and thus gives rise to the articular piece of the lower jaw.” How is this discrepancy to be accounted for? Unfortunately I have been able to procure no specimen of an embryonic Crocodile so small as either of those here described ; but Prof. Peters’s figures (Taf. i. figs. 1, la) leave very little doubt on my mind that the cartilage which he marks m, and imagines to be his ‘ malleus” (the suprastapedial cartilage) is really the quadratum, the articula- tion of which with Meckel’s cartilage takes place in the ordinary way, and that 7, called the columella (or stapes), is neither more nor less than the pterygo-palatine cartilage. The most cursory glance 1869.| THk MALLEUS AND THE INCUS OF THE MAMMALIA. 401 is sufficient to prove that the inner extremity of 7 must needs lie beneath and internal to the eye, and cannot by any possibility come near the fenestra ovalis. It therefore seems to be impossible that can be the stapes. i Bearing clearly in mind the demonstration now given that the stapedial apparatus (if I may so term the stapes with its appendages) of the Sauropsida is connected entirely with the hyoidean arch, and that it consists of a stem terminating, at one end, in the plate which covers the fenestra ovalis, and, at the other, in sundry processes of cartilaginous or fibrous texture, one of which is connected with the tympanic membrane (when that structure exists), while another passes up to be united with the otic region of the skull, close to the articulation of the quadrate bone, we may pass to the consideration of the homologies of these parts in the ordinary Mammalia, of which Man may be taken as an example. The Okenian view, adopted by Prof. Peters, assumes that the ramus of the mandible of the Mammal answers to the whole ramus of the mandible of a Sauropsidan, that the tympanic bone of the Mammal answers to the quadrate bone of the Sauropsidan, and that the ossicula auditis of the Mammal, or the mal/eus, incus, and stapes, col- lectively, correspond with the stapedial apparatus of the Sauropsidan. The Reichertian view, which I have hitherto supported, assumes that the ramus of the mandible of the Mammal answers only to part of the ramus of the Sauropsidan, inasmuch as the arti- cular piece of the Sauropsidan mandible answers to the malleus of the Mammal—that the quadrate bone of the Sauropsidan is the homologue of the ixews of the Mammal—and, consequently, that the stapedial apparatus of the Sauropsidan is entirely represented by the séapes of the mammal. In the place of the tympanic bone of the mammal there are only the ossifications which are found in the membranous frame of the tympanic membrane in some Saurop- sida (e.g. many birds) and Amphibia. The arguments by which this view has been supported are briefly these :— In the Sauropsidan embryo a rod of cartilage occupies the first visceral arch on each side, and meets its fellow in the middle line. The rod becomes jointed, and the part on the distal side of the joint is converted into Meckel’s cartilage, while that on the proximal side of the joint is modelled into the rudiment of the quadrate bone, which is invariably, in its earliest state, cartilaginous. Soon, how- ever, the quadrate cartilage ossifies, and a centre of ossification appears in that part of Meckel’s cartilage which articulates with the quadratum. This gives rise to the articular element of the mandible. All the other constituents of the lower jaw are developed in the fibrous tissue which surrounds the rest of Meckel’s cartilage, which structure either persists throughout life, or disappears. In a mammalian embryo the first visceral arch also contains a rod of cartilage, which, there can be no doubt, is the homologue of that in the Sauropsidan. The ramus of the mandible is developed in the fibrous tissue which surrounds the distal portion of the rod, which 402 PROF. HUXLEY ON THE REPRESENTATIVES OF [May 27, remains for a time, as Meckel’s cartilage, but soon disappears. The ramus of the mandible of a Mammal, therefore, cannot contain any representative of the os articulare of the Sauropsidan, which takes its origin in the proximal end of Meckel’s cartilage. The tympanic bone of the Mammal is developed, quite indepen- dently of the cartilaginous axis of the first visceral arch, in the fibrous rim of the tympanic membrane. Therefore it cannot repre- sent the Sauropsidan quadrate, which is preformed in cartilage, and is, in fact, the proximal end of the cartilaginous axis of the first visceral arch. These arguments, to my mind, retain their full force, and have not been affected by the observations of Prof. Peters. In the next place, it is not disputed that the malleus of the Mammal arises by the direct ossification of a part of the cartilage of the first visceral arch. But I have shown, in the present paper, that the supra- stapedial of the Sauropsidan is the proximal end of the hyoidean, or second, arch. It is therefore impossible that the suprastapedial should be, as Prof. Peters supposes, the homologue of the malleus, Fig. 6. AY HNN Ms \ 4 yh M Wy The ear-bones and the adjacent parts (the tympanic membrane, the tympanic bone of the squamosal, and the ramus of the mandible being removed) of a human foetus at about the 5th month. Magnified four diameters. T.t. The tegmen tympani, part of the periotic mass. MM. The malleus, with its Folian process (Pg) passing into Meckel’s cartilage. JZ. The incus. S¢. The stapes, with the cartilaginous process @, which extends {rom the region of the orbicular bone into the stapedius muscle, Sip. St.h. The stylo-hyal or styloid process, still quite cartilaginous. jr, The foramen rotundum. 1869.| THE MALLEUS AND THE INCUS OF THE MAMMALIA. 403 Thus I find myself compelled to dissent from every one of Prof. Peters’s conclusions ; but, in working over the ground again, I have also been led to depart from the Reichertian view (which I have hitherto adopted) in one point, and that a very important one. In a young mammalian foetus, Meckel’s cartilage passes, above, directly into the malleus ; and at no time is any articulation developed between the malleus and the rest of the cartilage. Further, the in- cus articulates by a broad surface with the malleus, and its dimen- sions are such that its long axis appears to continue that of the mal- leus and Meckel’s cartilage. In fact it appears exactly as if the incus were the proximal end of the cartilage of the first visceral arch. If so, the articular surface between the inmeus and the malleus must needs answer to that between the quadratum and the articulare of the Sauropsidan; and as the incus and the malleus ossify, nothing can seem closer than the resemblance which they bear to the quadra- tum and the articulare respectively. Hence Reichert conceived that the quadratum was the homologue of the ineus, and the malleus that of the articulare, and I have foilowed him. But the study of Sphenodon and of the Crocodile has led me to believe that we have fallen into an error. It is admitted, on all hands, and indeed cannot be disputed, that the stem and fenestral plate of the stapedial apparatus of the Sau- ropsidan answer to the crura and fenestral plate of the stapes of an ordinary mammal. But the ineus of a mammal is related to the stapes on the one hand, and to the walls of the tympanic cavity on the other, nearly as the suprastapedial of a Crocodile is to the same parts ; if the zncus remained cartilaginous the resembance would be complete. On the other hand, in the human feetus, the stapes has a cartila- ginous prolongation which is embraced by the stapedius muscle, and contributes to reduce the interval between the stapes and the upper extremity of the cartilaginous styloid process (or upper end of the hyoidean arch) to a very small space. Thus, in the Mammal, the proximal end of the hyoidean arch is in nearly the same condition as in the Crocodile, except thae— (1) There is a distinct articulation between the suprastapedial part and the stem of the stapes. (2) The extrastapedial portion of the ‘stapes is no longer distin- guishable, and the séapes has lost its direct connexion with the tym- panic membrane. (3) The suprastapedial is ossified and converted into an incus. The zncus, therefore, cannot be the homologue of the quadratum. If this view be correct, it follows that as the malleus is the ossified proximal end of the cartilage of the first visceral arch, the madleus must represent the guadratum. And thus the difference between the Sauropsidan and the Mammal will be, that in the latter the cartilage of the first visceral arch does not become jointed, and does not develope any representative of the articulare ; while it gives off an extrastapedial process, which becomes connected with the middle of the tympanic membrane. Thus, in principle the Reichertian doctrine still holds good ; but 404 PROF. HUXLEY ON THE REPRESENTATIVES OF [May 27, in one matter of special homology it must be altered, and for gua- ratum=incus we must read quadratum=malleus. The modification of Reichert’s view which I now propose completely removes a difficulty which has often presented itself to my own mind, and which is urged with much force by Prof. Peters, in his first two papers. If the ércus be the homologue of the quadratum, why does it become so small and insignificant in the Marsupials and Mono- tremes, which, in so many respects, approach the Sauropsida? This question I have always felt could only be met by another. Why, if the ossicula auditis of the mammal do not represent bones of much more importance in the Sawropsida, does the malleus attain such a vast size in the Monotremata? If the malleus is, as I have endeavoured to prove it to be, the ho- mologue of the quadratum, the last question receives an obvious answer ; and no less readily is it intelligible why the zxeus should be reduced, seeing that the suprastapedial is always insignificant in size, and may even become a mere fibrous band, in the Sawropsida. The left tympanic cavity and the adjacent parts in Hehidna setosa. Some por- tions of the squamosal and of the periotic bones, with the tympanic mem- brane, have been removed. Mn. Mandible. Sg. Squamosal. P#.g. The pterygoid. S¢.4. The stylo-hyal. VIL. The portio dura. St. The stapes. Z. The incus, the greater part of the contour of which is supposed to be seen through the malleus (M). Pg. Folian process of the malleus. 77.7. The tensor tympani. I may mention, incidentally, that Hehidna presents other anomalies than those which have been described by Prof. Peters and others. The muscle which plays the part of the tensor tympani is very large and arises from the base of the skull, where it forms the roof of that posterior and inner region of the tympanic cavity which is bounded below by the pterygoid. The strong tendon of this muscle 1869.] THE MALLEUS AND THE INCUS OF THE MAMMALIA. 405 passes outwards, and is inserted into the upper aspect of that knee- like process of the malleus which is fixed to the tympanic membrane. The cartilaginous “ styloid’’ end of the hyoidean areh is fixed into the wall of the outer and posterior end of the tympanic cavity, very near the éneus and stapes; but I can find neither a stapedius muscle, nor any ligament representing it. It will be observed that the proximal end of the skeleton of the first visceral arch (whether it be osseous, cartilaginous, or fibrous), like that of the second, remains attached to one and the same part of the skull, viz. the outer and upper wall of the periotic mass, external to the vestibular sac, throughout the Mammalia and the Sauropsida. In Mammals the proximal skeletal elements of the arches (malleus and incus) are very generally equal, or the incws may be the smaller, In the Sauropsida, the suprastapedial (=incus) is always smaller than the quadratum (=malleus). In Teleostean and Ganoid fishes, and in the Sharks, the general relations of the two arches remain unchanged, but their proportions are reversed. The only vertebrated animals in which a portion of the first visceral cleft remains open throughout life are some Ganoidei and most Elasmobranchii, in which, according to Wyman’s observations, the spiracle is the remains of that cleft. It follows that any skeletal part which bounds the spiracle posteriorly cannot belong to the first, or mandibular, visceral arch, but must appertain to the second, or hyoidean arch. Now the suspensorial cartilage of the Elasmobranchs occupies this position. Its proximal end is attached to the outer wall of the auditory capsule ; its distal end bears the proper hyoidean arch. Thus it answers exactly to the upper end of the second cartilaginous visceral arch, and therefore must contain the homologue of the zzeus. But the suspensorial cartilage of the Elasmobranchs is undoubtedly the homologue of the hyomandibular bone and symplectic of the osseous Ganoidei and of the Teleostei—which, therefore, must, in part or wholly, answer to the incus. Where, then, is the homologue of the proximal end of the skeleton of the first visceral arch of the fish, if the hyomandibular belongs altogether to the second? I find it in that prolongation of the quadrate cartilage of the Teleostean which ascends in front of the hyomandibular, and is at first quite free from it, but afterwards becomes surrounded and replaced by the metapterygoid, which eventually helps to bind it to the hyomandibular. Thus the puzzling division between the mandibular and the hyoidean parts of the suspensorial apparatus in a fish becomes intel- ligible as the result of their primarily separate development. In the osseous fishes the proximal end of the mandibular arch is arrested in its development and loses its direct connexion with the skull; but in the Sharks the ascending portion of the quadrate atrophies altogether, or is represented merely by pre-spiracular car- tilages ; and the quadrate itself forms only the posterior termination of the palato-quadrate arch, or so-called upper jaw. Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XXVII. 406 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MALLEUS AND THE INCUS. [ May 27, In the Chimere, Dipnoi, and all Amphibia, the proximal ends of the cartilaginous first and second visceral arches become united together, at an early period, into a common plate, in which the malleal and incudal elements are not separately distinguishable. In the Chimere, Dipnoi, and the lower Amphibia they remain in this condition throughout life; but in the higher Amphibia changes of a most remarkable kind take place, of which I do not now propose to speak, as my friend Mr. Parker is engaged in working out that part of the subject. Fig. 8. I have endeavoured to give visual expression to my interpretation of the medifications of the proximal ends of the mandibular and hyoidean arches in the series of diagrams A, B, C, D, EH, F, displayed in fig. 8. In all these the mandibular arch is shaded with vertical lines, while the hyoidean arch is left unshaded or nearly so. The letters have the same signification through- out. In the mandibular arch :—Qw. Quadrate. Mn. Mandible or Meckel’s cartilage.. In the hyoidean arch :—a. Extrastapedial. 0. Suprastapedial. Stp. Stapes. St. Stylo-hyal. Hy. The ventral moiety of the hyoidean cornu. A. Sphenodon. B. Crocodile. C. Bird. D. Mammal. E. Teleostean fish. F. Shark. In D, od stands for the orbiculare; in BE, Mp? is the metapterygoid, and Sy the symplectic. 1869.] THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. 407 I subjoin a tabular view of the homologies of the parts under dis- cussion in the Mammalia, Sauropsida, and Teleostean Fishes. Mandibular arch :-— ‘ IT; Mamaat ......... MaMeus, -.cvvaiens: Meckel’s cartilage. II. Sauropsmpan ,..Quadratum ......... Articulare...Meckel's cartilage. ITI. TE.EosTEBAn... Be geet \ & Quadratum | ...Articulare ...Meckel’s cartilage. Hyoidean arch :— SO NUAREMAI rote MRCUS 2. -icoann Se SEA PES hoctn. snseaa- Stapedius, Styloid, Hyoid cornu IL. Savrorsipan. Suprastapedial. Columella auris...Hyoid cornu (Sphenodon). III. Teveostwan... qyomandibular .......cccccc cece ees Stylo-hyal, Hyoid. June 10, 1869. George Busk, Esq., F.R.S., in the Chair, The Secretary called the attention of the Meeting to the following noticeable additions to the Society’s Menagerie during the month of May :— I. Five Greenland Seals (Phoca grenlandica), which had been brought from the north by one of the sealing-vessels into Peter- head, and purchased for the Menagerie on the 6th and 11th of May. This species of Seal had not been previously exhibited in the Society’s Menagerie, and presented several interesting points of difference when compared with its allies. In particular it was noticeable for the use of its fore limbs in locomotion, instead of progressing by the action of the muscles of the belly as is the case with Phoca vitulina and Phoca feetida. On the 18th of May two additional specimens of the same species had been brought home in one of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s ships, and presented to the Society by Sir C. M. Lampson, Bart., F.Z.S. 2. A Golden-headed Marmoset (/Tapale chrysomelas), from Brazil, purchased May Ith, and believed to be the first example of this scarce species ever exhibited in the Society’s collection. 3. Two additional specimens of the Aard-wolf of South Africa (Proteles lalandii), brought home by Captain Dixon on the 20th of May, and purchased for the Menagerie. ‘Theseanimals had been placed in the collection in company with the former specimen, purchased October 26th, 1868 (see P. Z. 8S. 1868, p: 530), All three of them appeared likely to thrive in captivity. 4, A fine example of the Vulturine Eagle (Aquila vulturina), brought home by Captain Dixon, on behalf of Mr. E. L. Layard, F.Z.8., by whom it had been presented to the Society’s Menagerie. 408 THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. [June 10, The only example of this Eagle previously exhibited was believed to be the one acquired at the sale of Lord Derby’s Knowsley collection in 1851. 5. An example of the Panda (Ailurus fulgens), presented by Dr. H. Simpson, May 22nd, being one of three specimens obtained in the neighbourhood of Darjeeling, as mentioned by the Secretary in a former communication to the Society (anted, p. 278). Two of the animals of this species, with which Dr. Simpson had started from Caleutta, had unfortunately died upon the voyage; the third Ailurus fulgens. had reached the Gardens in a very exhausted state, but was gra- dually recovering under the care of the Superintendent. Its food appeared to be mainly of a vegetable nature. 6. A specimen of the West-Indian Brown Pelican (Pelecanus fuscus) in immature plumage, presented by Captain Dow, F.Z.S., of the Royal Pacific Steamship Company’s ship ‘ Costa Rica,’ and received May 30th. This bird had been captured by Captain Dow on Pedro Gonzalez Island, one of the group of Pearl Islands in the Bay of Panama, on the 4th of May. 1869.] MR. G, BUSK ON FOSSIL REMAINS FROM BORNEO, 409 The following papers were read :— 1. Notice of the Discovery at Sarawak in Borneo of the Fos- silized Teeth of Rhinoceros and of a Cervine Ruminant. By Groner Buss, F.R.S. As the existence of the Rhinoceros in the Island of Borneo is at present a matter of considerable doubt amongst zoologists, the discovery of remains belonging to that genus in the country of Sara- wak is one of considerable interest in a zoological point of view. Palzontologically, also, the fact that these remains are in a fossilized or subfossilized condition and associated with the tooth of a probably extinct ruminant renders the discovery one of great interest, if only as affording encouragement to the attempt that it is to be hoped will shortly be made, under the auspices of Mr. Brooke, the present Rajah of Sarawak, to investigate the mammalian paleontology of that tropical region—an investigation which, if successfully carried out, cannot fail to afford results of the highest interest. As regards the existence of a Rhinoceros in Borneo at the pre- sent time, the question must be regarded as quite an open one. In the opinion of some (amongst whom, I believe, I may cite Mr. Wallace), and certainly in that of Mr. Brooke, the existence of a Bornean Rhinoceros is by no means improbable, although perhaps limited to the northern parts of the island. It is certainly not now found in the Sarawak country; but the present specimens are amply sufficient to show that it existed there at some former period. It should, moreover, be stated that some direct evidence, were it fully to be relied upon, has recently been afforded of the presence of Rhinoceros sondaicus in Borneo, in the shape of a very perfect and beautiful skull now in the British Museum, which was purchased as coming from that island; but as this testimony rests, so far as I am aware, solely upon the statement of a dealer, it may not be regarded as of much weight. The evidence I have now to adduce of the former residence of a Rhinoceros in Sarawak is that afforded by two molar teeth, for an opportunity of exhibiting and describing which I am indebted to the kindness of Sir Charles Lyell, to whom they were sent by Mr. Brooke. In a letter to Sir Charles the Rajah states that, ‘although he has forgotten the exact locality in which the teeth were found, he is able to say positively that they were picked up in the Sarawak country, but whether in a cave or not does not appear.’’ As addi- tional evidence of their provenance I may state that within the last few days Sir Charles Lyell has been informed by Signor Beccari that when he was at Sarawak he was shown some fossils, consisting of the neck-bone and tooth of a pachyderm, and, if he is not mis- taken, two teeth of a ruminant, which were not found in a cavern, but in transported strata, formed by the decomposition of basalt, in the east of Sarawak, where the Chinese are working gold. It is highly probable, however, that Signor Beccari’s memory may have 410 MR. G. BUSK ON FOSSIL REMAINS FROM BORNEO. [June 10, failed him, and that the two teeth are those of the Rhinoceros, and the single one that of the Ruminant in question. The Rhinoceros-teeth are the right and left second upper molars (m. 2), evidently belonging to the same individual. They consist only of the crown portions, which appear to be not fully developed at the base, and are wholly in the “germ” state, having no fangs and never having been protruded from the alveolus ; they amply suffice, however, to afford distinctive characters. As regards the condition in which they are, the enamel and dentine, so far as the latter can be seen here and there, are extremely brittle and obviously contain but little animal matter. The surface is of a deep brown colour, and the subjacent substance has also a strong ferruginous tinge ; it is also, as shown by experiment, strongly impregnated with iron. There is no dendritic appearance in any part When wetted they exhale a remarkably strong peaty or earthy odour. These circumstances prove that they have lain for a long time in soil containing much iron and vegetable matter, and probably of a peaty nature. The hollows of the teeth, moreover, were partially filled with mould having the above characters. It may consequently be concluded from this, and from the entire absence of anything like the usual cave-earth, that the teeth had in all probability been lodged in a dried-up bog or peaty marsh, and not in a cavern—a conclusion which is in accordance with the statement of Signor Bec- cari above cited. They must be regarded as fossilized in the same sense as the usual remains found in quaternary deposits of a similar kind, though it is impossible, in the absence of other data, to express any opinion as to the probable period they had been so imbedded. Before proceeding to describe the morphological characters of the teeth, it will be as well to premise a few words in explanation of the terms employed. The upper molars of Rhinoceros are of a more or Jess quadrilateral form, and are almost always rather wider in the transverse than in the longitudinal or antero-posterior direction. They present, therefore, four sides—an external or dorsal (the dorsum), an internal, an an- terior, and a posterior. They may also be described as consisting of an external wide lamina, which forms the entire outer side of the tooth, and from which project obliquely, inwards and backwards, two transverse plates which, on the inner aspect, end in two conical or pyramidal columns or pillars. These columns and plates are sepa- rated from each other by a wide and deep valley, the median sinus ; aud in front of the anterior column, towards the inner part, there is in most cases a shallow valley, the anterior sinus, and behind the posterior column a much deeper one, the posterior sinus. On the dorsum may be observed, besides the anterior and pos- terior margins, which are very usually more or less elevated, three vertical elevations or coste, of which the anterior is always by far the most prominent. On the anterior face the anterior sinus is crossed at the bottom by a prominent ridge, the anterior vallum; whilst the posterior sinus, on the opposite side of the tooth, is closed in behind by the 1869.] MR. G. BUSK ON FOSSIL REMAINS FROM BORNEO, 41] posterior vallum, which extends across from the posterior and external angle of the tooth to the side of the posterior column. This val/um is In some species deeply emarginate in the middle, and in others presents in the middle a dentic/e or small pointed cusp. On the inner face are seen the two pyramidal columns separated by the entrance of the median valley or sinus; and at the bottom of this entrance there is frequently a small tubercle, the median tubercle. Within the median sinus is seen projecting into it from the posterior column a process of enamel, which is usually termed the “ crochet,” and by some the ‘ posterior combing-plate;’’ and in addition to this, in many cases, there are one or more small projections of the same kind, usually springing from the eufer lamina into the sinus, which have been termed the “anterior combing-plate or plates.” They might be conveniently designated as the erista or criste. To deseribe the Sarawak teeth in the same order :— 1. On the dorsum the anterior costa (ae, fig. 1) is very prominent and prolonged to the base of the crown in its present immature con- dition. It is of considerable thickness. The second or median costa is very distinct and rounded ; the third or posterior almost obsolete, Pir 5 Dorsum of m. 2, Sarawak tooth. being visible only towards the base and quite at the apex. The hinder border of the dorsum is much raised, so that between it and the an- terior costa the surface of the tooth is deeply hollowed or concave. 2. The anterior vallum (a. v. fig. 2, p. 412) is strongly developed, and the anterior sinus deep, especially at the base. 3. The posterior vallum (p.v. fig. 3, p. 412) is deeply emarginate and presents no trace of a denticle, and its upper edge is even and not tuberculated. 4, On the inner face the entrance of the median sinus is contracted at the bottom and wide upwards, so that the columns, and especially ‘ 412. MR. G. BUSK ON FOSSIL REMAINS FROM BORNEO. [June 10, the posterior, are somewhat slender, and the latteris curved forwards towards the summit. There is a very minute tubercle at the bottom of the fissnre. The crochet (ec, fig. 4, p. 413) projects directly for- wards, and rises from the hinder column at a very open angle. There is no trace of a crista. Posterior surface. The question now is to determine the species, recent or extinct, to which these teeth belong. Although the evidence afforded by a single tooth, and that in a not fully developed condition, cannot be regarded as very ample or sufficient in many cases, still I think in the present it may be safely relied upon. Without entering into other details, I may say that the dimen- sions of the tooth alone exclude from consideration, among existing species, R. indicus, R. bicornis, and R. simus, leaving of known species only &. sondaicus and R. sumatranus, and, amongst quater- 1869.] MR. G. BUSK ON FOSSIL REMAINS FROM BORNEO. 413 nary fossil or extinct forms, all except R. etruscus. All the other characters, moreover, would equally exclude these species ; I shall, therefore, at present advert only to the latter three above named. Fig. 4. Crown surface. 1. If we regard the entire dentition of Rhinoceros sondaicus*, it is of course at once distinguished from R. sumatranus by the size of the outer incisor, and by the conformation in many respects of nearly all the teeth, and especially of the premolars; but as we are now concerned only with the second upper molar, I will limit what I have to say to that tooth alone. As regards the dorsum (fig. 5, p. 414), the resemblance between this surface in R. sondaicus and in the Sarawak tooth is obvious at first sight ; the only difference, so far as 1 can perceive, is in the cir- cumstance that the anterior costa (ac) is not prolonged quite to the base of the crown ; but this, I think, may be explained by the imma- ture condition of the Sarawak specimens. But by this surface alone it would not be easy, I conceive, or even possible, in some cases, to distinguish between R. sondaicus and R. sumatranus, as shown in figure 6 (p. 414), which represents the dorsal surface of the same tooth in R. swmatranus. The chief points upon which I should rely, as showing the identity of the Sarawak teeth with those of R. sondaicus, are :—1, the wide angle at which the crochet (c) is given off (fig. 7, p. 415); 2, the emargination and absence of a denticle on the posterior vallum; 3, the comparatively greater transverse as compared with the longitudinal diameter of the crown,—since in R. sumatranus. the crochet springs at a right angle or even less from the hinder column (fig. 8, p. 415), and the posterior vallum, which has a more or less crenate edge, presents a very distinct and constant * Under this name I include R. nasalis, R. stenorhynchus, and R. floweri of Dr. Gray, not because I would venture at present to decide as to the true rela- tions of these forms to each other, but because the dental characters at any rate, so far as I can perceive, afford no sufficient distinctions between them ; and one thing appears abundantly clear, that, as contrasted with other well-marked spe- cies, they all constitute a group apart which I should myself regard as specific. 414 MR. G. BUSK ON FOSSIL REMAINS FROM BORNEO. [June 10, denticle, whilst the longitudinal exceeds the transverse diameter of the crown. Fig. 6. Dorsum of im. 2, R. sumatranus. 2. As regards R. etruscus, which, in the crochet and posterior vallum, exhibits the same characters as R. sondaicus, the distinction from the Sarawak fossils, and from the latter species, is to be sought (1) in the dorsal surface, in which the anterior costa is very little pro- minent, and much narrower or thinner than in R. sondaicus, and the hinder border is not at all raised, so that, instead of a concavity, the surface behind the anterior costa presents a convexity. The second or median costa also is much wider and more convex, and the third 1869.] MR. G. BUSK ON FOSSIL REMAINS FROM BORNEO. 415 or posterior is continuous throughout the entire height of the crown (see fig. 9, p. 416). Fig. 7. Fig. 8. Crown surface, PR. swmatranus. I consider, therefore, as regards the Sarawak teeth, that they belong to a species not distinguishable by its dental characters from R. sondaicus, and that that species formerly inhabited the country about Sarawak. Before concluding, I would mention that Mr. Wallace has been good enough to place in my hands two upper molars, and, strangely enough, the two upper second molars of the same individual, and in the most beautiful and perfect condition, which he procured in Sumatra, but which present indubitably all the characters of the 416 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN [June 10, tooth in question in R. sondaicus. That species, therefore, would seem to exist in Sumatra as well as in Java; but I am not aware that zoologists are acquainted with this fact. Dorsum of m.2, R. etruscus. Tur Cervine Tooru. I shall say but very few words on the subject of the other fossil tooth sent by Mr. Brooke to Sir Charles Lyell, as it is scarcely in a state to justify any extended observations. It is probably the second upper molar of a species of Cervus ; but it is considerably larger than the corresponding tooth of Cervus hippelaphus, and it is remarkable among all the ruminants’ teeth with which I have had an oppor- tunity of comparing it by the depth and wideness of the median sulcus in the outer surface. It appears to me to belong to an extinct species ; but at present I shall refiain from expressing any decided opinion on it. The fragment is much worn, and imbedded im a hard dark-coloured matrix which looks as if it had been much rolled; in fact the specimen bears a very close resemblance to many of those procured from the Crag. 2. Descriptions of six new Species of American Birds of the Families Tanagridz, Dendrocolaptide, Formicaride, Tyrannide, and Scolopacide. By P. L. Scuarrr, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and Osprert Satvin, M.A., F.L.8. (Plate XXVIII.) 1. CaLLIsTE FLORIDA, sp.nov. (Plate XXVIII.) Lete viridis ; pileo et uropygio aurulento lavatis ; interscapulio nigro variegato ; alis nigris, secundariis et tectricibus omnibus IMP HANEART a&N M 1869. | ON NEW AMERICAN BIRDS. 417 viridi marginatis: cauda nigra, rectricibus intermediis extus cerulescenti-viridi late marginatis : regione parotica nigra: ventre medio cum crisso et tectricibus subalaribus flavicantibus : rostro et pedibus nigris: long. tota 5:0, ale 2°5, caude 1-7 poll. Angl. Hab. Costa Rica. Obs. Species Calliste schranki maxime affinis, sed fronte nigra et pectore flavo omnino caret, et rostrum magis tenue habet. A collection of Costa-Rican birds recently received from Mr. Julian Carmiol contains a single skin of this new Calliste. It is marked “female ;”’ but the male is probably hardly different, though it may be a little brighter in colouring. The only described species at all resembling it is Calliste schranki, which is of the same general appearance, but may readily be distin- guished by the characters given above. In his last catalogue of Costa-Rican Birds*, Mr. Lawrence in- cluded five Tanagers of this group—namely, Calliste icterocephala, guttata, gyroloides, francesca, and dowii. Salvin has received examples of all these from the same district. The present bird is therefore the sixth Costa-Rican species of Calliste. 2. SYNALLAXIS AREQUIP#. Synallavis orbignii, Sel. et Salv. P. Z. 8. 1867, p- 986, nec auctt. Supra fusca, pileo parum obscuriore, uropygio rufo: alis extus Susco-nigris, tectricibus et secundariis fusco indistincte margi- natis: cauda nigra, rectrice una utringue extima fere omnino et duabus utrinque proximis in pogonio exteriore rufis: subtus lacteo-alba, macula gulari, tectricibus subalaribus, hypochon- driis et crisso rufis : rostro obscure corneo, pedibus nigris : long. tota 6°8, ale 2°7, caude 3:0, tarsi 1:0. Hab. in vicin. urbis Arequipz, Peruy. occidentalis. We now find that we have been wrong in identifying this bird with S. vrbignii (S. humicola, d’ Orb.) —that species being easily distinguishable on comparison by its rufous wings, and the more rufescent tinge of the upper plumage, particularly on the head and forehead. In S. orbignit the rufous colour of the secondaries extends through both webs, and makes a conspicuous large square basal patch of this colour. This patch is quite absent in the present bird. For an opportunity of examining the true S. orbignii, and thus correcting our error, we are indebted to Mr. T. Moore, Curator of the Derby Museum, Liverpool, who has kindly submitted to our inspection two skins of it belonging to that collection. They were obtained by Mr. Bridges, in Bolivia, and purchased by the late Lord Derby through Mr. Cuming in 1846. 3. GYMNOCICHLA CHIROLEUCA, sp. n. Gymnocichla nudiceps, Moore, P. Z. 8. 1859, p- 95; Scl. et Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 119; Lawr. Ann. L. N. Y. ix. p. 109. * Ann. Lye. N. Y. ix. p. 98. 418 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN | June 10, Nigerrima : campterio toto et tectricum alarium marginibus, nec- non remigis primi limbo angusto, albis: rostro et pedibus nigricanti-plumbeis, illo versus apicem albicante: long. tota 6:0, ale 3°2, caude 2°8, tarsi 1:3, rostri a rictu 1:0. Hab. in Costa Rica et in rep. Honduratensi. Obs. Similis G. nudicipiti, sed campterio toto albo et rostro validiore insignis, et plaga dorsi ad basin plumarum alba valde minore. Upon comparing Arcé’s specimens of Gymnocichla collected at Tucurriqui with Panama skins of G. nudiceps, we find that they belong to different species, of which we have pointed out the characters above. We have therefore selected the name chiroleuca for the present bird, as expressing one of its most noticeable characters, the pure whiteness of the bend of the wing. We have also, through Mr. Moore’s kindness, had an opportunity of reexamining the bird collected by Leyland at Omoa, in Honduras, and named by him G. nudiceps, in his list of Leyland’s collection (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1859, p. 55), and find it also belongs to the present species. Mr. Moore notes that the bareness of the head in his specimen is only partial; and this is likewise the case in the Costa-Rican example. The denudation only extends, over the top of the head, rather further than a line joining the eyes, but embraces the whole space immediately round the eyes. In the adult G. nu- diceps (as is shown in Cassin’s figure, Pr. Acad. Se. Phil. v. p. 106, t. 6) the whole summit of the head is bare. 4. GRALLARIA PRINCEPS, Sp. Nov. Grallaria guatemalensis, Salvin, P. Z.S. 1867, p. 146. Supra oleaginea, plumis niyro marginatis ; pileo et collo postico valde obscurioribus et cineraceo tinctis ; loris et oculorum am- bitu rufescentibus : alis obscure fuscis, extus et intus castaneo limbatis : cauda omnino fuscescenti-castanea: subtus saturate ferruginea, pectore paulo obscuriore, gutturis medii plumis nigro variegatis: rostro obscure corneo, mandibule basi albicante ; pedibus corylinis : long. tota 6°5, ale 4-3, caude 1°7, tarsi 1-9, rostri a rictu 1:3. Hab. in Veragua (drcé). Obs. Similis G. guatemalensi, sed rostro robustiore, altiore, colore corporis superi obscuriore, ventris autem rubiginoso saturatiore distinguenda. The receipt of a second and more adult specimen of this Grallaria from Veragua has enabled us to distinguish it from its northern ally, to which Salvin had previously referred it with some hesitation. It is still more different from G. regulus of Western Ecuador, which is smaller and much less deeply ferruginous below. The present species makes the sixth of the group allied to G. rea, which are thus distributed :— 1. G. imperator, ex Brasilia. 2. G. rex, ex Guiana. 3. G. regulus, ex Aiquator. occidentali. 1869. | ON NEW AMERICAN BIRDS. 419 4. G. princeps, ex Veragua. 5. G. guatemalensis, ex Guatemala. 6. G. mexicana, ex Mexic. merid. 5. CoNTOPUS OCHRACEUS, sp. Noy. Supra olivaceus, pileo obscuriore: alis caudaque nigricantibus ; secundariis et tectricibus alarum ochraceo lute marginatis : subtus ochraceus, in ventre medio clarior, mentum versus ob- scurior ; rostro superiore nigro, inferiore flavo ; pedibus nigris : long. tota 6°5, ale 3°3, caude 2:9, tarsi 0'6, rostri a rictu 0'9. Hab. in Costa Rica. A single skin of this apparently undescribed Tyrant has lately been transmitted to us by Mr. Julian Carmiol. It is a typical species of Contopus, rather larger than Contopus virens, and with the bill considerably larger, but readily distinguishable from this and every other member of the genus known to us by its yellowish ochre- coloured belly. Mr. Lawrence’s Contopus lugubris (Ann. Lyc. N. Y. ix. p. 134) is not known to us, but is stated to be a “very sombre-coloured species ;” so it can hardly be intended for the present bird. 6. GALLINAGO IMPERIALIS, sp. l- Supra saturate rufa, nigro variegata et transfasciata, facie paulo dilutiore, remigibus primariis nigricantibus, secundariis extus dorso concoloribus : subtus gutture toto ad medium pectus nigro et rufo variegato; abdomine albo nigroque regulariter transfasciato: cauda brevi, a tectricibus superioribus cooperta, nigricante unicolore: tectricibus subalaribus nigricantibus, fasciis paucis obscuris albis: tarsis brevibus, robustis, tibiis Sere omnino plumis obtectis: long. tota 11:0, ale 6:0, caude 1°5, tarst 1*2, digiti medii cum ungue 1°7, rostri a rictu 3°3. Hab. in Nova Granada interiore. Mus. 8. & G. Of this very singular bird Salvin purchased an example some time since from a London’ dealer along with a number of other skins re- ceived direct from Bogota. It should be mentioned that the speci- men was not prepared after the usual well-known fashion of “‘ Bogota”’ skins, having been roughly mounted. But the dealer stated that his correspondent in New Granada had called his attention to the bird as being something rare, and that there could be no doubt as to its origin. At first sight we were nevertheless inclined to think that the bird might be Scolopax saturata, of Java, which it somewhat resembles in general coloration, and that an error had been made about the locality. This point was soon settled in the negative, by reference to the original type specimen of Horsfield. Scolopax saturata pos- sesses the characteristic white terminations of the rectrices and the cross patches on the back of the head which distinguish the veritable Woodcocks. There can be no question, however, that our bird shows consider- 420 DR. A. MACALISTER ON GYROPUS DICcoTYLIS. [June 10, able rapprochement towards true Scolopax, though we think it best to keep it within the limits of Gallinago, its nearest structural allies being G. stricklandi and G. jamesoni, both of which have short robust tarsi and the tibize feathered, as in the present species, nearly down to the tarsal joint. The wings of our single specimen of this bird are not in very perfect condition ; but, as far as we can tell, the third and fourth primaries would be rather longer than the first and second, and longest. The secondaries, as in all Snipes, are very long, and in the present bird quite reach to the points of the primaries when the wing is closed. The tail-feathers are likewise deficient, only three of them remaining in situ. These show no traces of transverse markings whatever, in which respect this bird is more like true Scolopax than Gallinago. But there are likewise no traces of the white terminations of the tail-feathers, which are so conspicuous in the Woodcocks. 3. Note on Gyropus dicotylis, a new Species of Parasite. By Avexanper Macarister, Demonstrator of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland*. The specimens of this insect which have been submitted to me were obtained from the skin of a Collared Peccary (Dicotyles tor- quatus) which died in the Dublin Zoological Gardens several years ago; and for the opportunity of examining and describing them I am indebted to Dr. Carte, Director of the Royal Dublin Society’s Museum, and to Mr. Kirby, Assistant Curator, who kindly forwarded them to me. As far as I am aware, the species is a new one; and accordingly I have followed the practice usually adopted in the no- menclature of Anoplura and have named the parasite after its host. The specimens submitted to me were ten in number, of both sexes, and had been lying in spirits for some months. They accorded in all respects with the generic character of Gyropus given by Nitzsch (Thierinsekten, p. 44) and Denny, namely :—head depressed, scale- like, horizontal; frontal and temporal margins sinuated ; mouth anterior; mandibles without teeth; maxille obscure; labium and labrum produced, trapezoidal, entire; maxillary palpi long, rigid, conical, four-jointed ; labial palps none ; antennz four-jointed, capi- tate ; eye inconspicuous or none ; thorax of two segments ; abdomen of ten segments; tarsi two-jointed, ungues simple; two posterior limbs of each side long, curved to base of femur; stomach symme- trical. The specimens vary from *]5 to ‘175 of an inch in length, the males being rather longer but narrower than the females. The head is broader than long. The clypeus is not marked with the deep frontal sinuosities which are visible in G. ovalis or gracilis, The temporal lobes are produced and acute, with their anterior margin slightly * Communicated by Dr. J. Murie. 1869. | DR. A. MACALISTER ON GYROPUS DICOTYLIS. 421 concave, and the posterior convex, ie apex of the lobe being directed forwards and outwards. This appearance is similar to the arrange- ment of these lobes in G. ovalis of the Guinea-pig. Frontal margin convex, obtuse, fringed by a few hairs ; eye very small, inconspicuous, situated in front of the temporal sinus on the upper surface of a Gyropus dicotylis (magnified). small eminence, and guarded by a few hairs. Occipital margin con- vex on either side, slightly concave in the centre, but not nearly so much as in G, ovalis. The antennz have their basal joints cylin- drical, large, the second short and rounded, the third club-shaped, the fourth and last is large and dilated, bent upwards and backwards ; these joints are well defined, and each one begins extremely narrow. In G. ovalis the last joint is securiform ; in the present species it is more club-shaped. ‘The maxillary palpi are four-jointed, each joint being more slender than its precessor, the terminal Seamcnt being the smallest, and the third the longest. The neck is one-third the breadth of the head (one-half in G. ovalis). Prothorax hexagonal, flattened, wider transversely than antero-pos- teriorly, smaller than the head ; this segment is longer than the head in G. longicollis of the Agouti, but it is equal to it in G. hispidus (the parasite of the Three-toed Sloth). There is no trace of the transverse depressed line on the prothorax, which is characteristic of G. ovalis. Sternum slightly prominent. The union between the prothorax and | the combined meso- and metathorax is of the same size as the neck. This compound segment is quadrilateral, wider behind than in front, and bearing the two posterior pair of legs, between which opens, on each side, a spiracle. It is once and a half the length of the prothorax, and very slightly wider. The first pair of limbs are °05” long, with a single incurved unguis. The tibia is armed at the junction of its middle and lower third with a prominent tooth, which Proc. Zoou. Soc.—!869, No. XXVIII. 422 DR. A. MACALISTER ON GYROPUS DICOTYLIS. [June 10, forms with the unguis about two-thirds of a circle. This tooth is capable of being opposed to the claw like a finger and thumb, by which means the parasite can ‘ pick his steps” along a hair, although uniunguiculate. In one young specimen this tooth appears as a knob and not as an incurved spine ; and it is usually a little sharper in the female than im the male. These processes are frequently no- ticed among such Anoplura as are parasitic upon bristly animals ; thus Hematopinus eurysternus of the Ox and H. suis of the Pig both possess a similar spur. In these, however, the tooth is at the lower end of the tibia, and not removed from it by one-third as in G. dico- tylis. The lower end of the femur, the upper end of the tibia, the lower end of the latter, and the base of the tarsus are each furnished with a small, brown, oval, transversely striated scale on the extensor aspect. The tarsus is two-jointed, the unguis faintly transversely striated and incurved, ending in a single sharp point. The second pair of legs is twice the length of tie first pair, the coxa being short, nearly cylindrical, the trochanter bent almost to a right angle with the femur and contracted at its coxal articulation. The femur is half as long as the entire first limb, slightly curved at its lower end. The tibia is also equally elongated and sharply incurved, destitute of a tooth at its extremity, this appendage being confined solely to the first pair; in this respect it differs strikingly from Hematopinus suis, in which a tooth exists on the tibia of each of the three pairs of legs. The tibia is garnished with a few scattered hairs, not nearly so nume- rous as in G, hispidus or G. gracilis. Unguis curved, triquetrous, transversely striated, twice as large as that of the first pair of legs ; its extremity split into two teeth, of which the outer is the longer. The third pair of limbs resemble the second in every respect ; and both exhibit the small brown scales, similar to those described on the first alr. The abdomen is large, flattened and membranous, composed of ten segments, as is usually the case in the genus. Walckenaer, however, only found eight in G. gracilis. The first segment is closely united to the metathorax, the last is small and nearly hidden. The central segments are distinctly separate, margins rather acutely toothed, each tooth having a few hairs in its vicinity, not being nearly so pubescent as G. gracilis or G. hispidus. The male abdomen is oblong and nar- row posteriorly ; the female abdomen is broadly ovate, more sharply toothed along its margin, with its segments more distinctly separate ; trachea distinct and looped. The species of this genus hitherto described have been found in- festing Rodents and Edentates, among which may be mentioned the Agouti, Guinea-pig,; and Ai. None, as far as 1 know, have been found on Pachyderms, with the exception of the present species. The characters which I would suggest as diagnostic of this species are the following :—Frontal outline convex, non-sinuated ; last joint of antennze bent and dilated ; no transverse depressed line on protho- rax, which is smaller than head ; brown scales at bases of tibia, femur, and tarsus; tibia of fore leg with a prominent spur at its lower third, colour ferruginous brown: size } of an inch. 1869.] DR. A. GUNTHER ON NEW FISHES FROM PERU. 423 The species of the Pig-family, as far as at present known, are in- fested by comparatively few parasites, which, when we bear in mind their uncleanly habits and mode of life, is rather singular. Our com- mon Pig has but one parasite, the Hematopinus urius of Nitzsch, or H, suis of Burmeister and Denny. It is an interesting fact that this genus Gyropus seems peculiarly American in distribution: the G. hispidus of the Ai, G. gracilis and G. ovalis of Cavia cobaya, and G. longicollis of Dasyprocta agree with G. dicotylis in being trom the western hemisphere. All the other Es are of minute size, the Gyropus ovalis being =", G. gracilis sig» G. longicollis } of a French line, G. hispidus about the same size. This species, being one-seventh of an inch in length, may fairly be reckoned as a giant in the genus. 4. Descriptions of some Species of Fishes from the Peruvian Amazons. By Dr. Atperr Gtnruer, F.R.S., I.Z.8., &e. Some collections of fishes sent by Mr. E. Bartlett from the Upper Amazons were noticed in Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1866, xviii. p. 30, and in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1868, p. 229. In this paper I intend to de- scribe those species which were brought home by this traveller on his return to England, and which prove to be new. Unfortunately the specimens are not in so good a condition as those previously sent. The proportion of new forms is much less than we might have expected from those almost unexplored parts of the river Amazons, Mr. Bartlett’s collections having added only twenty-three species to this fauna. I may mention that the last collection contained also Sorubim lima (Bl. Schn.), Rhytiodus microlepis (Kner), and Myletes asterias (Miill.). MEGALOBRYCON, g. n. This genus is closely allied to Bryconops, from which it is techni- cally distinguished by the presence of a maxillary series of teeth. Dorsal aa placed in the middle of the length of the body, 1 imme- diately behind the ventrals. Anal long, Abdomen rounded in front of, and somewhat compressed behind the ventrals. Cleft of the mouth of moderate width. Teeth notched, in a triple series in the intermaxillary, and in a single in the maxillary and mandible ; no other teeth behind the mandibulary teeth or on the palate. Nostrils close-together.Gill-openings-wide. Scales of moderate size, with the free portion striated. MEGALOBRYCON CEPHALUS.- (Fig. 1, p. 424.) Dot. Av 24-26.8 t.lat..ca. 70. The height of the body is one-third of the total length (without caudal), the length of the head one-fourth. Intermaxillary in a triple series, those of the outer series bemg smallest, about twice as large as those of the maxillary ; the front mandibulary teeth largest. 424 DR. A. GUNTHER ON NEW FISHES FROM PERU. [Juve 10, The upper jaw projects beyond the lower, the teeth not being covered by the lips. Snout scarcely longer than the eye. Head very broad, the interorbital space very convex, its width being equal to the length Pit Megalobrycon cephalus. of the postorbital portion of the head. The coloration appears to have been uniform. The specimens are 13 inches long, and in a bad state of preserva- tion. CHIRODON ALBURNUS. (Fig. 2.) D..10. A. 20. L. lat. 37. LL. transv.. 11. The height of the body is a little more than the length of the head, and one-fourth of the total (without caudal). Upper profile of the head not concave. The pectoral does not extend to the ventral. Teeth scarcely compressed, pointed, with a minute (microscopical) Chirodon alburnus. lobe on each side; there are about twelve in the upper and eighteen in the lower jaw. Sides with an ill-defined silvery longitudinal band ; the middle caudal rays blackish. Two and a half inches long. 1869.) pR. A. GUNTHER ON NEW FISHES FROM PERU. 425 Cua&rosTtoMus HETERACANTHUS. (Figs. 3 & 4.) Di 1/7. +A. 5). LG. lat. 22. Head much depressed, longer than broad, its length being more Fig. 3. Chetostomus heteracanthus. Fig. 4. Chetostomus heteracanthus. 426 DR. A. GUNTHER ON NEW FISHES FROM PERU. [June 10, than one-third of the total (without caudal). Head withont any ridges above; interorbital space exceedingly broad, its width being five times the horizontal diameter of the small eye. Snout covered with small scutes, which are rough with small spines along the mar- gin. Interoperculum with two kinds of spines, there being a group of about twelve slender but stiff and slightly hooked spines surrounded by a ring of long setiform spines; the longest of the stiff spines is about twice the length of the orbit, and the longest setiform spine about thrice that length. Thorax and abdomen nearly naked, with non-confluent minute granulations. Teeth exceedingly fine. Dorsal fin higher than long, but the spine is much shorter than the head. There are seven scutes between the two dorsal fins. The pectoral spine extends beyond the middle of the ventral, the ventral beyond the anal. Eleven scutes between the anal and caudal. Scutes without keels, rough, but without prominent spines. Uniform greyish ; each dorsal scute lighter in the centre. ; One specimen, 73 inches long. CH2XTOSTOMUS LATIFRONS. D. 1/8. A. 5. L. lat. 25. Head much depressed, a little longer than broad, its length being rather more than one-third of the total (without caudal). Head without any ridges above; interorbital space broad, the diameter of the eye being somewhat less than one-third of its width. Snout naked, without tentacles. Interoperculum with about sixteen spines, hooked at the apex, the longest being nearly twice the length of the eye. Thorax and abdomen naked. Scutes without ridge, but spiny, the marginal spines being rather strong and prominent. Teeth exceedingly fine. Dorsal fin rather higher than long, the first ray rather feeble, shorter than the head. ‘There are six scutes between the two dorsal fins. The pectoral spine does not extend to the middie of the ventral ; the ventral reaches beyond the anal. Eleven scutes between the anal and caudal. Pectoral spine rough, Uuiform black. One specimen, 7 inches long. LoricariA MACRoMysTAx. (Figs. 5 & 6, pp. 427, 428.) Snout somewhat produced and rather narrow, slightly concave on the side ; mouth of moderate width, the upper lip terminating late- rally in a long barbel, extending beyond the axil of the pectoral fin ; lower lip broad, with numerous barbels and smaller fringes. Small teeth in both jaws. Orbit with a very shallow notch behind, its hori- zontal diameter being not quite equal to the width of the interorbital space. Scutes smooth, the lateral ridges distinct and confluent on the eighteenth scute. Lz. lat. 31. A series of eight or nine scutes between the roots of the ventral and pectoral fins. Thorax and abdomen covered with numerous, small, irregular scutella. Of the fin-rays only the upper of the caudal is produced. Origin of the dorsal opposite to the root of the ventral. Coloration uniform. ‘One specimen, 7 inches long. 427 DR. A. GUNTHER ON NEW FISHES FROM PERU. 1869.] Figg. 0 — 7 RARE A } j ww i ware Loricaria macromystac. [June 10, DR. A. GUNTHER ON NEW FISHES FROM PERU. 428 Loricaria macromystax. 1869.] DR. A. GUNTHER ON NEW TASMANIAN FISHES. 429 STEGOPHILUS NEMURUS. DB "ASS. Caudal fin deeply forked, the upper lobe produced into a filament. The distance of the origin of the dorsal fin from the root of the caudal is contained once and two-thirds in its distance. from the end of the snout. Dorsal fin midway between the root of the ventral and origin of the anal. Anterior part of the back spotted with brown. Tail with obscure, broad, dark cross bands. One specimen, 3 inches long. 5. Contribution to the Ichthyology of Tasmania. By Dr. A. GUNTHER. The British Museum has lately received some large collections of Fishes from Tasmania. Most of the examples belong to species known, but afford much additional information of great interest with regard to geographical distribution, variation of colour, and size, so that I intend to describe them in detail in a memoir destined for the ‘Transactions’ of the Society. For the present, I give the diagnoses of two undescribed species. ANTHIAS RICHARDSONII. 10 3 Dor A. 5 L. lat ca. 60. This species has been received with, and is most closely allied to, A, rasor; but whilst A. rasor has a subvertical ovate blackish spot below the lateral line, vertically below the commencement of the soft dorsal fin, and covered by the extremity of the pectoral fin, this spot is placed more backwards in 4. richardsonii; it is placed vertically below the fifth to ninth dorsal rays, below the lateral line, and of a horizontally ovate shape; the pectoral just reaches it. NEPTOMENUS DOBULA. D. 7a Avs 2| 5 Vert. 24, The length of the head is contained thrice and a half in the total length (without caudal), the height of the body four times and one- third. Scales small and deciduous. Pectoral fin not quite so long as the head. The type of this genus, N. drama, is described from a single stuffed example; the species characterized here belongs evidently to the same genus; and I find that it has 24 vertebree, and there- fore belongs to the Carangide. There are two very small spines in front of, and at a short distance from, the anal fin. Mr. F. P. Pascoe exhibited specimens of a Beetle (Taphroderes distortus, Westw.) from Natal, belonging to the family Brenthidz, 430 THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. | June 24, in which the left mandible was greatly enlarged and deformed, the right being normal. This peculiarity was stated to be confined to the male. Mr. W. H. Flower read a memoir on the skeleton of the Chinese White Dolphin (De/phinus sinensis, Osbeck), founded on a specimen of this rare species captured near Amoy by Mr. R. Swinhoe, and presented to the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons. This paper will be published in the Society’s ‘ Transactions.’ A paper was read by Dr. O. Finsch, on the collection of Birds from North-eastern Abyssinia and the Bogos country formed by Mr. William Jesse, Zoologist to the Abyssinian Expedition, accom- panied by field-notes by the collector. The collection was stated to be of great interest, and to contain 735 specimens, referable to 221 species, whereof two appeared to be new to science. ‘These were proposed to be called A/emon jessit and Lanius fallax. This paper will be published in the Society’s ‘ Transactions.’ Mr. C. Horne read a paper entitled ‘‘ Notes on the habits of some Hymenopterous Insects of the North-western Provinces of India.” This communication was illustrated by an extensive series of draw- ings of these insects, their nests, and their parasites. This paper will be published in the Society’s ‘ Transactions.’ June 24, 1869. Dr. P. H. Pye-Smith, F.Z.S.; in the Chair. The Secretary spoke of several additions to the Society’s Mena- yerie since the last Meeting, amongst which were particularly noticed :— 1. Two Double-striped Thick-knees (Cidicnemus bistriatus) from Central America, presented by George Dawson Rowley, Esq., F.Z.S., June 3rd, being the first examples of this interesting species of Plover ever exhibited in the Society’s Gardens. 2. A Red-bellied Monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster), acquired by purchase on the 8th of June, and believed to be the second known individual of this rare species, which had been originally described by Dr. Gray from a specimen living in the Society’s Menagerie*. The animal was received from a vessel coming from * See P.Z.S. 1866, p. 169, pl. xvi. Since this was written I have seen a third example of this Monkey in the Hamburgh Museum, and have been informed by Dr. Hilgendorf that this and another specimen were recently living in the Zoolo- gical Gardens of that city —P. L. 8, 1869.] THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. 431 some part of the West-African coast; but the exact locality was unknown. 3, A New Caledonian Rail (Ocydromus lafresnayanus*), presented to the Society by Dr. George Bennett, F.Z.S., of Sydney, and re- ceived, by the ‘ Paramatta,’ on the 10th inst. This very interesting bird, which had been sent to Dr. Bennett from New Caledonia, was little known in European collections, and had never previously been received alive. It was allied to the Weka Rail (Ocydromus nove-zeelandia), but quite distinct specifically, if not generically. A more extended notice of this remarkable bird would be given whenever it died and so afforded the means of making a thorough examination of it. This it was impossible to effect while the bird was living. 4, A Cape Ant-bear (Orycteropus capensis), purchased on the 18th of June for £150, and believed to be the first specimen of Orycteropus capensis. this singular Edentate éver brought to Europe alive. This animal had been purchased at Port Elizabeth, Algoa Bay, and brought to * Gallirallus lafresnayanus, Verr. et Des Murs, Rey. Zool. 1860, p. 437. 432 LETTER FROM MR. W. H. HUDSON. [June 24, this country by the captain of one of the Union Steamship Com- pany’s vessels. It fed well, principally on raw meat pounded small, in the same manner as the American Ant-eaters (Myrmecophaga jubata), two specimens of which, obtained in October and November 1867, were still living in good health in the Society’s Menagerie. Mr. P. L. Sclater exhibited some very fine specimens of Snakes, forwarded to the Society by Mr. George Wilks, of Buenos Ayres, C.M.Z:S. These had been determined by Dr. A. Giinther as Hete- rodon @orbignyi (Giinther’s Cat. of Colubrine Snakes, p. 83) and Euophrys modestus (ib. p. 139). Mr. W. T. Blanford, C.M.Z.S., exhibited specimens of the head of a Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros keitloa?) and of an Alian’s Wart-hog (Phacocherus eliani), obtained by him during the late Abyssinian expedition, and called attention to the fact that the incisors were permanent in both jaws of the latter, a fully adult individual. Mr. Blanford also exhibited, and made remarks upon, some skins of Hyraces obtained by him in various parts of Abyssinia. Mr. Blanford exhibited specimens of three very rare Indian birds, viz. Trocalopteron fairbanki from the Anamullay Hills, Prinia adamsi (with the nest) from near Ahmednuggur, and Aleippe brucei from Mahableshwar. Mr. Howard Saunders, F.Z.S., exhibited some eggs of the Fla- mingo (Phenicopterus antiquorum), and the skull and skin of the Spanish Lynx (Felis cervaria), obtained by him in the neighbour- hood of Seville during a recent visit to Spain. The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of Mr. King, and made re- marks upon, some drawings by Mr. Tuffen West, illustrating the development of Hippocampus annulosus and H. brevirostris. An extract was read from a letter addressed to the Secretary by Mr. William H. Hudson, dated Buenos Ayres, April 30, 1869. Alluding to the paper by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin on birds col- lected by him near Buenos Ayres (P. Z. 8. 1868, p. 137) Mr. Hudson observed, ‘‘I regret to find that I have made so great a mistake as to mark as females two of the three black-plumaged Silver- bills (Lichenops perspicillatus, 1. c. p. 141). This was pure care- lessness, as all the black-plumaged birds I have ever opened were males, and the red females. I have watched them pairing and building their nests, and am therefore quité positive they are male and female, though the country-people here regard them as of differ- ent species.” 1869.] DR. G. HARTLAUB ON ANARHYNCHUS FRONTALIS. 433 Mr. Sclater remarked that the much vexed question whether L. erythropterus were really the female of L. perspicillatus might thus be considered to be finally set at rest. Dr. Habel, of New York, exhibited and made remarks on a selection from a collection of birds formed in the Galapagos Islands, to which he had recently paid a five months’ visit. Dr. Habel stated that his whole collection embraced upwards of 300 specimens, referable to about 70 species, some of which he believed to be new to science. Dr. Habel had likewise made extensive collections in other branches of natural history, and was preparing to publish a complete accouni of the fauna of the Galapagos based upon these investigations. The following papers were read :— 1. On Anarhynchus. By Dr. G. Hartravs, F.M.Z.S. It is now thirty-six years since a good French work, the zoological part of the ‘ Voyage de I’ Astrolabe,’ by Quoy et Gaimard (Zoologie, Paris, 1833), brought to our knowledge the full and rather detailed generic and specific description of a very curious grallatorial bird from the east coast of the Northern Island of New Zealand. This bird was introduced into the system under the name of Anarhyn- chus, its beak being ‘‘recourbé en haut comme les Avocettes et dévié a droite.’ Though the hunters of this expedition had killed a certain number of individuals, only one, a younger bird, “dont le sexe n’était pas encore caractéris¢,” was deposited in the galleries of the Jardin des Plantes. Besides this one specimen, the beaks of several others had been collected and preserved, to show that the most anomalous, nay almost incredible, lateral bend of the apical half of the beak was not an accidental but a constant formation. What has become of these beaks? Whether they have really been deposited in the Paris Museum, and whether they are still’ to be found there or not, nobody has ever ascertained. The unique and very indifferent-looking specimen in the Paris collection having been overlooked by most ornithologists, the whole Anarhynchus-matter be- came rather apocryphal, and the more so when the Nestor of English ornithologists, Mr. G. R. Gray, declared that this bird was represented in the ‘ Voyage de l’Astrolabe’ with a deformed beak, that organ being perfectly straight in most specimens. Now it is really diffi- cult to understand how such an apodictical opinion could have been given by one who certainly had never seen an Anarhynchus; for so much is certain, that up to this year no other specimen of the rare New-Zealand bird had reached any of the greater collections of Europe. In Dieffenbach’s work, as well as in the * Zoolugy of H.M.SS. Erebus and Terror,’ it is simply enumerated ; and Bona- parte, who most erroneously places Anarhynchus between Terekia 434 DR. G. HARTLAUB ON ANARHYNCHUS FRONTALIS. [June 24, and Numenius, had very probably never autoptically examined the old specimen of the ‘Astrolabe’ voyage. We must add that in a very complete and critical essay on a paper of Mr. Buller, on the avifauna of New Zealand, by our friend Dr. O. Finsch, the Anarhynchus is not even mentioned. So this interesting bird remained obscure and almost forgotten till a few weeks ago, when, in a large collection of New-Zealand birds sent by the well known naturalist Dr. Julius Haast to the Bremen Museum, we were most agreeably surprised by the discovery of two fine spe- cimens, adult male and female, of Anarhynchus frontalis. The label of these specimens bore the inscription, ‘‘ Hiaticula, sp., crooked bill constant.”’ We regret to say that we do not know in what particular portion of New Zealand these birds were collected. One of them, the male, is now deposited in the Bremen Museum ; the other will find its way into the splendid collection of Marquis Turati at Milan. The generic position of Adnarhynchus was very judiciously deter- mined by its first discoverers, and was afterwards adopted by Mr. G. R. Gray. It most certainly belongs to the Charadriade. The form of the bill, though quite extraordinary, and by its abrupt lateral bend quite unique in the ornithological series, offers, never- theless, a very distinct likeness to that of Strepsi/as. But in the entire absence of a hind toe, as well as in the style of the colouring, it is more like an Hiaticula. The feet are somewhat larger than in this latter division; but the proportional arrangement of the toes is the same, the inner being a little shorter than the outer. Still the formation of the feet is somewhat different from that of all other Charadriade ; for the lateral toes are united to the middle one at the base by a membrane, which occupies the first phalanx, and which is laterally continued over the other phalanges in the form of a narrow band or rim. When MM. Quoy and Gaimard point at the generic similarity to Calidris, we must not overlook that in this latter genus the inner and outer toe are of equal length, and without any mem- branaceous connexion with the middle one. The only aftinity to Thinornis consists in the comparative length of the beak, that part being much shorter in the true Plovers; the feet are totally differ- ent. In all Charadriine, without exception, the first quill is more or less the longest. ANARHYNCHUS, Q. et G. Char. gen.—Rostrum elongatum, gracile, subcompressum, apicem versus attenuatum, acutum, tertia parte apicali nonnihil sur- sum et distinctissime dextrorsum flecum, basi ad nares usque plumulis brevissimis obtectum ; naribus linearibus, in fossa lon- gitudinali elongata positis. Alz elongate, caude apicem su- perantes, acuminate, rigide, remige primo omnium longissimo, reliquis sensim brevioribus; secundariis longis, acutis, mollibus. Cauda mediocris, rotundata, e rectricibus duodecim composita. Pedes satis robusti, mediocres ; pollex nullus ; digiti membrana basali (per latera phalangum conspicue lateraliter elongata) 1869.| DR. G. HARTLAUB ON ANARHYNCHUS FRONTALIS. 435 iter se conjuncti; internus externo brevior. Ungues acuti. Ptilosis wé in Hiaticulis. ANARHYNCHUS FRONTALIS, Q. et G. A. frontalis, Q. et G. Zool. Astrol. i. p- 252, t. 31. f. 2 (av. jun.); Reichenb. Syst. Av. Nat. t. 17; id. Nat. Vg. f. 658; Less. Compl. CEuvr. Buff. ix. p. 427. Thinornis? frontalis, G. R. Gray, Gen. of B. iii. p. 545; id. List of B. N. Zeal. p. 22; Dieffenb. Trav. N. Z. ii. p- 196; Zool. Ereb. and Terr. (Birds) p. 12. ? Charadrius frontalis, Ellm. Zoologist, 1861, p. 7469; Bonap. Compt. Rend. Acad. tome xliii.; Excurs. div. Mus. et Tabl. parall. Kchass. p. 17. Diag.—Supra cinereus, scapis plumarum obscuris subfuscescenti- bus; macula frontali alba, supra nigro marginata; subtus albus, Sascia pectorali latiuscula, circumscripte nigra; remigibus ob- scure fuscescentibus, seapis albis ; subalaribus et subcaudalibus albis; rectricibus intermediis fuscescentibus, pallidius margi- natis, reliquis albis, medialiter nonnihil infuscatis ; rostro ni- gro; pedibus obscuris. Jun. Fascia pectorali nigra nulla; macula frontali alba absque margine nigro. Long. tot. cirea 63", rostr. 1", al. 4" 6", tars. 1", dig. med. 102", ung. dig. med. 1!"", Upper parts ashy grey, with the shafts of the feathers of an ob- scure fuscous-brown ; a circumscript frontal spot white, with a narrow black upper margin ; lores white ; ears whitish, mixed ; under parts pure white, with a circumscript black band over the upper part of the breast ; wing-feathers fuscous-brown, with white shafts ; the inner web whitish, but the tips all brown; secondaries grey, a little infuscated along the middle ; upper wing-coverts like the back ; under wing-coverts white; tail-feathers brownish, with the margins paler and greyish, lateral ones white, a little brownish along the middie; upper tail-coverts like the back ; under tail-coverts white ; beak black ; feet dark greyish. (¢ and 9.) The younger bird, as figured by Quoy and Gaimard, has the under parts all white, without the pectoral band; but the grey colour of the upper part advances a little on the sides of the upper breast. Long. tot. _rostr. al. caud. tars. dig. med. 6" gl jg qu gm peau }yi ROL EB.) 6 6 13 4 6 lL 6 IL 10 @2.) Ge" Shur 3 — = 13 12- (juv.) The collectors of the ‘Astrolabe’ expedition discovered the Ana- rhynchus at Chouraki (Houraki?) Bay, a deep and spacious inden- tation of the east coast of the Northern Island of New Zealand. There it lived along the marshy shores of the sea; and small flocks were observed on the salt-water channels surrounding this locality. If Mr. Ellman’s Charadrius frontalis really applies to our bird (a 436 PROF. BARBOZA DU BOCAGE ON NEW AFRICAN BIRDS. [ June 24, very doubtful supposition), it would be called Pohoera by the natives, and would never be seen inland. From what exact locality of New Zealand the two specimens sent by Dr. J. Haast came we cannot say; but the circumstance of this gentleman living at Christchurch makes it probable that they were killed on the Southern Island. P.S..Scolopaxr sumatrana, Raff. (Linn. Trans. xiii.), ‘a small species with the long bill curved upwards, grey above, white beneath, quill-feathers blackish,” a bird which Mr. G. R. Gray seems inclined to, consider not different from Anarhynchus, has nothing to do with our New Zealand bird, but is certainly Terekia cinerea. 2. Oiseaux nouveaux de |’ Afrique occidentale. Par J. V. Barsoza pu Bocace. (Plate XXIX.) 1. CossyPHA SUBRUFESCENS. Supra olivaceo-cinerea, uropygio et supracaudalibus ferrugineis ; subtus flavo-ferruginea, abdomine medio pallidiore ; cupite ge- nisque nigris; superciliis protractis, albis; tectricibus ale cine- rascente indutis, olivaceo limbatis ; remigibus fuscis, pogonio externo cinerascente ; subalaribus ferrugineis ; rectricibus dua- bus mediis nigricantibus, reliquis ferruginets, extime pogonio externo versus basim nigricante ; pedibus fuscis ; iride brunnea. Jun. Tectricibus ale macula apicali rufescente notatis. Long. 0°210 metr., rostri a rictu 0°024, alee 0-102, caudze 0°094, tarsi 0°032. Deux individus de Caconda, un male adulte et un jeune. Ils se rapprochent de Bessonornis semirufa, Riipp. (Syst. Uebers. Vog. Nord-Ost-Afr. p. 44, pl. 21), mais leur taille est plus forte, et la teinte du dos et des ailes assez distincte. 2. CRATEROPUS AFFINIS. C. plebejo, Riipp., similis, sed major. Supra brunneo-cinerascens. subtus et in uropygio pallidior ; plumis capiiis, coll, gutturt« pectorisque medio obscurioribus et macula apicali alba nota- tis; remigibus primariis totis brunneis: rectricibus cinereo- brunneis fusco transversim fasciolatis ; rostro nigro; pedibus fuscis ; iride rubra. Long. 0°235 metr., rostri a rictu 0°024, ale 0°105, caudee 0:107, tarsi 0-030. An Crat. plebejus, Hartl. (Syst. der Orn. W.-Afr. p. 79)? Un seul individu male de Leullengues, dans l’intérieur de Mossa- medes. P 3. BuccaNopon ANCHIET&. (Plate XXIX.) Brunneo-rufescens, collo pectoreque nitide nigris; pileo, mento 7, Keulemans ith N& N,Hamhart mp P. 2-8 VaGe een oe J. Smit hth M&N.Hanhart amp. L2@.EUPHONIA CHRYSOEMS LA. 3.NEOPIPO RUBICUNDA 1869.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. 437 gulaque sulphureis ; superciliis et capitis lateribus albis ; nuche collique plumis maculis parvis apicalibus albis notatis ; gutture et pectore longitudinaliter sulphureo striatis ; tectricibus ale dorso obscurioribus nitore nonnullo viridescente; remigibus primariis fuscis, secundariis fulvescenti-albo limbatis ; cauda supra fusca cinereo induta, subtus cinerea; crisso et subcau- dalibus fulvescenti-albidis ; vibrissis mollibus, nigris ; rostro pedibusque nigris ; iride rufescenti-brunnea. Long. 0°166 metr., rostri 0°024, alee 0°094, caudze 0-050, tarsi 0-018. Quatre individus males de Caconda. C’est la deuxiéme espéce connue du genre Buccanodon. L’autre espéce, B. duchaillui (Cass.) = Barbatula formosa, Verr. (Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1855, p. 218, pl. 5), vient du Gabon. Je dédie la nouvelle espétce 4 M. d’Anchieta, naturaliste-voyageur Portugais qui parcourt depuis deux ans l’intérieur de Afrique occi- dentale et a beaucoup contribué par ses découvertes a nous dévoiler la faune de ces régions presque ignorées. M. d’Anchieta m’a envoyé des mémes localités plusieurs autres oiseaux, dont je me bornerai pour le moment 4 citer les plus inté- ressants :-— Aisalon ardesiacus (Vieill.), 3. Turdus simensis, Riipp. Urolectes cissoides, Bp. Telephonus trivirgatus (Smith). Lamprotornis purpureus, Boc. Euplectes canthomelas, Riipp. Corythaiz livingstonii (Gray). Numida mitrata, Pall. Gallinago equinoctialis, Riipp. Pternistes sclateri, Boc. Lobivanellus lateralis, Smith. 3. On two new Birds collected by Mr. E. Bartlett in Eastern Peru. By P. L. Scrarer, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and Osserr Saivin, M.A. (Plate XXX.) Mr. E. Bartlett has placed in our hands for examination some birds collected during his recent expedition to Eastern Peru, subse- quently to those of which we have given an account to this Society in former communications upon this subject*. The greater part of these are, either from the condition of the specimens themselves, or from their being females or immature forms belonging to obscure groups, not very readily determinable. But there are two well-marked species amongst them which we are, with * See P. Z. S. 1866, pp. 175 et 566, et 1867, p. 748. Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XXIX. 438 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. [June 24, some confidence, able to describe as new. ‘These are, first, a new Tanager of the genus Huphonia, which we propose to call EuPHONIA CHRYSOPASTA, Sp. nov. (Plate XXX. figs. 1 & 2.) Supra eneo-viridis, in fronte et uropygio paulo magis splendens, in pileo summo obscurior: alis caudaque nigricantibus @neo limbatis: subtus medialiter lete flava, lateraliter viridi as- persa; tectricibus subalaribus, remigum marginibus internis, et tibiis albis: rostro obscure plumbeo, pedibus fuscis : long. tota 4°3, ale 2°3, caude 1'5. 2. Supra mari similis, subtus medialiter grisescentt-alba, crisso © flavo. Hab. in Peruvia orient. in ripis fl. Ucayali (Bartlett); et in ripis fl. Napo, reipubl. Aiquatorialis. Mr. Bartlett obtained three male examples of this Tanager—two on the Upper Ucayali (in June 1865), and one on the lower part of the same river. Sclater’s collection contains a pair of the same species, obtained from the Rio Napo through M. Verreaux some years since, but which have remained hitherto undetermined. This Euphonia is a well marked form, and does not very closely resemble any other described species. The change of the under surface from yellow in the male to greyish white in the female is repeated in Z. chalybea and E. wanthogastra. The second bird is a small Piprine form, allied to the rufous spe- cies of Heteropelma, which Herr v. Pelzeln has lately described as H. rufum*, but much more diminutive in size, being scarcely larger in bulk than a typical Pipra, although its tail is relatively much longer. In the shape of the bill, however, as in general structure, this bird comes nearer to Heteropelma than to Pipra. The wings reach to about the middle of the tail, the third remex being scarcely longer than the second and fourth, the first rather shorter than the fifth. The tail is nearly square at the end, the external rectrices being very little shorter than the medial. The feet are small and slender; the tarsus divided in front into five or six scutes, and covered behind with minute, almost obsolete, reticulations. The three anterior digits are closely united together, the cohesion between them extending up to, if not rather beyond, the commencement of the terminal digits. The general colour is rufous, with a cinereous cap ornamented by a half-concealed vertical stripe, as in Heterocer- cust. In the male this stripe is of a lemon-yellow; in the female and young male red, We propose to call this bird NEOPIPO RUBICUNDA, sp. et gen. nov. (Plate XXX. fig. 3.) Rufa; subtus, precipue in gula, dilutior: pileo cinerascente, striga * Orn. Bras. p. 185, We believe this bird to be the same as Schiffornis major, Bp., described and figured by Des Murs in Castelnau’s Voyage, Ois. p. 66, t. xviii. f. 2. + Herr v. Pelzeln has separated his Heterocercus flavivertex from H. linteatus, as having the vertical spot yellow and no black on the head (Orn. Bras. p. 186). But Strickland’s figure of H. linteatus, fem. (Contr. Orn. 1850, pl. 63), exactly agrees with one of Natterer’s type specimens of H. flaviverter ; and we are by no means satisfied that the two birds are distinct. Smit lith M&N Hanhart imp BUTHRAUPIS ARCA:1. P.Z.5.1869 . PY Aaa tt wt Sot tt 1869.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON NEW TANAGERS. 439 mediali capitis flava: alis intus nigricantibus, extus rufis: cauda unicolori rufa: rostro corneo, maxilla ad basin pallida : pedibus fuscis: long. tota 3'5, ale 1:9, caude 1:4, rostri a rictu 0°4, tarsi 0°5. 2. Mari similis, sed striga pilet lete rufa. Hab. in Peruvia orientali, Chamicurros et Xeberos (Bartlett). Mr. Bartlett obtained three specimens of this bird in Eastern Peru—a female at Xeberos in May 1866, and an adult and young male at Chamicurros in August 1867. The bird was met with in company with Tyrannulus elata and Elainea pagana, rather resem- bling these birds than the true Pipre in its habits. PS. Since this paper was read we have received separate copies of a paper by Mr. Lawrence, extracted from the ‘ Proceedings of the Academy of Nat. Sc. of Philadelphia’ for December 1868, wherein is a description of a bird which seems to be our Neopipo under the name Pipra cinnamomea. The species will therefore probably stand as Neopipo cinnamomea.—Aug. 7th, 1869. 4. Descriptions of three new Species of Tanagers from Ve- ragua. By P. L. Sctarer, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and Ospert Satvin, M.A. (Plates XXXI., XXXII.) A collection of Veraguan birds recently received from Enrique Arcé contains examples of three species of Tanagers which we be- lieve to have not yet been characterized. These we propose to describe as follows :— 1. BuTHRAUPIS ARC&I, sp. nov. (Plate XXXI.) Supra saturate cerulea, alis caudaque nigris ceruleo limbatis ; subtus lete flava; loris et guiture toto nigris, hoc viridi pau- lulum adumbrato; tectricibus subalaribus albis flavo tinctis: rostro et pedibus nigris: long. tota 5°5, ale 3:5, caude 2, tarsi 0°9. Hab. in Veragua. This well-marked species of the Tanagrine genus Buthraupis we have the pleasure of dedicating to Enrique Arcé, its discoverer, as likewise that of many other fine species of Central-American birds. It is smaller in size than any other member of the genus, unless it be the Buthraupis edwardsi, recently described by Mr. Elliott (N. Ann. d. Mus. i. Bull. p. 77, t. 4. f. 2), from New Granada, the only species of the group we have not yet met with. In coloration our new bird rather resembles the large B. cucullata of Bogota; but, besides the great difference in size, the head, instead of being black, is of the same colour as the back, and the under surface is of a deeper yellow. Arce sends two specimens of this Tanager, both of which he ob- 440 DR. J. D. MACDONALD ON A NEW CIRRIPED. [June 24, tained in the cordillera of Chucu. They are marked male and female, but do not differ in coloration. 2. TACHYPHONUS CHRYSOMELAS, sp. nov. (Plate XXXII.) Splendide aureus; oculorum ambitu angusto, interscapulio, alis et cauda nigerrimis ; remigum marginibus internis et subalari- bus, necnon rectricum externarum in pogonio interno limbis an- gustis flavicanti-albis : rostro et pedibus nigris: long. tota 4:9, ale 2°5, caude 1'8, tarsi 0°65, rostri a rictu 0 5. Fem. Olivacea, alis caudaque fusco-nigricantibus olivaceo lim- batis; subtus flavicans, lateraliter obscurior ; subalaribus et remigum marginibus internis albis. Hab. in Veragua. This very beautiful little species of Tachyphonus is at once dis- tinguishable from all its relatives by its black and yellow colour, which reminds one of the most brilliant Icter?. It is of diminutive size, being less in bulk even than 7’. ductuosus, which has hitherto remained the smallest known species of the genus. Its bill is par- ticularly slender and delicate, not much more so, however, propor- tionately, than that of Tachyphonus surinamus. Areé obtained several examples of both sexes of this bird in the cordillera of Chucu. 3. CHLOROSPINGUS PUNCTULATUS, Sp. nov. Supra olivaceus ; alis caudaque fusco-nigris, olivaceo limbatis ; pileo toto cum nucha et capitis lateribus nigris ; macula post- oculari alba: subtus flavicunti-olivaceus, pectore aurantiaco tincto; gutture nigro sparsim punctulato: ventre medio albi- cante: campterio alari et subalaribus limonaceo-flavis: rostro et pedibus nigris: long. tota 5°2, ale 2°7, caude@ 2°2. Hab. in Veragua. This Chlorospingus belongs to the group distinguished by a white postocular spot, which embraces C. ophthalmicus and its allies. Its black head distinguishes it from all these, except C. pileatus (Saiv. P. Z. S. 1864, p. 581). In the latter bird, however, the under sur- face is of a pale cinereous, with a yellowish pectoral band and flanks, and there are no traces of the throat-spots, which render the present species easily recognizable. Arcé collected several specimens of this new Chlorospingus in the cordillera of Chucu. 5. On an apparently new Genus of Minute Parasitic Cirri- peds, between Lepas and Dichelaspis. By Joun Denis Macponatp, M.D., F.R.S., Staff-Surgeon R.N. (Plates XXXIII., XXXIV.) On examining the gills and respiratory appendages of Neptunus pelagicus, one of the swimming erabs, occurring in great plenty at JD Macdonald del*. J. mut Lith 5 M&N Hanhart ump PARADOLEPAS NEPTUNI. J.D Macdonala de!® J).Smit ith M.&N Hanhart.ime PARADOLEPAS NEPTUNI. 1869.] DR. J. D. MACDONALD ON A NEW CIRRIPED. 441 Moreton Bay *, I found them beset with beautiful little pink-tinted barnacles, having a vitreons-looking capitulum, about one-eighth of an inch in length, with shelly depositions bearing an important re- lation to the rudimentary valves of Dichelaspis and Conchoderma. In general form, however, and even in many details of their anatomy, these little parasites are perfect miniatures of Lepas anatifera, their most striking character being that the valves, which are semitrans- parent in the greater part of their extent, are distinctly in articu- lation with each other, or closely approximate (see Plate XXXIII. fig. 3). The peduncle is of considerable length, and cylindrical, though tapering a little towards the capitulum (Plate XX XIII. figs. 1 and 2). It is, moreover, so transparent as to exhibit, under a low power, its outer circular and inner longitudinal layer of muscular fibres, with the contained tubular structure and pink-coloured ova. When more matured these latter reach the hack part of the cavity enclosed by the valves, where they become arranged in a single leaf-like layer, which, adapting itself to the curvature of the posterior and lateral valves, receives the body of the animal in its concavity. In this single expansion the union of two ovigerous lamellze is indicated by a central notch in its inferior border (fig. 2, 6 & c). To an ordi- nary observer the oral organs would present a great similarity to those of Lepas, but they appear to be somewhat more prolonged, so as to form a kind of proboscis. In the capitulum the valves are five, approximate, corneous, and strengthened by the ‘deposit of shelly matter, as above mentioned ; besides which they are marked with distinct lines or increments of growth, and dotted with minute points, indicating at least a pseudo- eell-structure (Plate XXXIII. fig. 3). These lines of growth are obtusely angular in the scuta (4), but rather semicircular in the terga (c) and carina (d). The centre of development is posterior and basal in the carina, anterior and basal in the scuta, and posterior and sub- apical in the terga. The shelly supporting piece of the scuta consists of a long and fusiform occludent segment, connected with a rudimentary basal one, and an intervening oblique ray directed towards the middle of the carina. The shelly part of the terga is subapical and narrowly crescentic, with the convexity near the dorsal border. Finally, the shelly framework of the carina consists of a narrow mid-rib extend- ing only to the base of the terga posteriorly, but bifurcated at the proximal end, where each limb skirts the base of its own moiety. In the occludent margin of the capitulum the lines of growth (Plate XXXIV. 6) increase in length and thickness from before backwards. The parts of the mouth more particularly considered afford the following characters :— The labrum (Plate XXXIV. c) is protuberant or bullate, its an- gular edge supporting a row of fine conical tubercles. * This species is also abundant at Sydney, and amongst the islands of the South-western Pacific. 442 DR. J. D. MACDONALD ON A NEW CIRRIPED. [June 24, The palps (d) consist of a base and a simple oral terminal seg- ment, with a brush of hairs at its extremity. The mandibles (e) present six prominent teeth, diminishing in size from before backwards—the sixth or apical tooth being notched, so as to give the indication of a seventh. The maxille (f/) support four or five principal conical points, or teeth, upon a slightly oblique but straight edge. The external maxillze (gy) are quite membranous, of rhomboidal shape with rounded angles, setaceous on their inner surface, and capable of meeting together below the maxille, so as to answer the purpose of a labium. The branches of the first pair of cirri (4) are richly bristled, and nearly of equal length and thickness. Assuming this little cirriped to form the type of a new genus, it may be named Parodolepas* neptuni, with the following generic characters, subject, of course, to such revision as may be ultimately found necessary :— Valves five, approximate, transparent in their general extent, but strengthened by the deposit of shelly matter, after the manner of the rudimentary valves of Dichelaspis, without, however, overlapping each other, as they are circumscribed by their respective plates. Carine not extending beyond the base of the terga, and meeting the scuta in a straight longitudinal line. Mandibles with six teeth, gra- dually decreasing in size from before backwards; the sixth or apical tooth notched, giving an indication of a seventh. Maxillee support- ing about five principal conical points, or teeth, upon an oblique but straight border. Anterior and posterior ramus of the first cirri nearly equal in length and breadth, and well clothed with hairs. In a subsequent cruise to Nandi Bay, Vanua Levu, Feejee, I met with a second little pedunculated cirriped, parasitic upon another swimming crab; but I regret to say that, although I made rough drawings of the oral organs and one or two of the cirri (see the woodcut, p. 443), I did not think it worth while to compare the capitulum with that of the species above described ; but, as far as I can remember, it presented very similar characters. The palps (a) presented an oval extremity crested with hairs ; and the mandibles (4) were four- or five-toothed, the two or three terminal ones being subdivided irregularly. The maxillze (¢) were comparatively short, and furnished with numerous points upon a slightly convex border, the two or three outer ones being separated from the rest by a shallow notch. The external maxilla (d) were small, and closely beset with long hairs upon their inner surface. The anterior branch of the first pair of cirri (e) was very short as compared with the posterior, the segments of both being armed with transverse rows of hairs in front, but quite nude posteriorly. If this inequality in the size of the two branches of the first cirrus be not of generic importance, it is probable that the species may be referable to the genus Dichelaspis. Some future inquirer may be able * Tdpoéos, transition; the specific name neptuns expresses the habitat. 1869. | DR. J. D. MACDONALD ON A NEW CIRRIPED. 443 to settle this point. It would appear, however, as though at least distinct species of Cirripeds infested distinct species of Pinnipeds. Oral organs of a Feejeean Pedunculated Cirriped. a, palp; 4, mandible; c, maxilla; d, external ditto; ¢, anterior branch of first pair of cirri. (See p. 442.) Of all the pedunculated cirripeds, Dichelaspis lowei appears to make the nearest approach to Parodolepas neptuni, both in size and the disposition of the shelly parts of the capitulum. It is, however, somewhat larger*, and there is no evidence that the approximation of its valves has been overlooked ; added to which its mandibles are only furnished with four teeth, while the maxille are thickly beset with spines, the three upper being divided from the rest by a notch ; in which latter particulars it would agree better with the Feejeean species. Parodolepas is of great interest, as showing that the unequivocal presence of “five valves approximate,”’ as in Lepas and Pecilasma, coexists with the still more obvious development of what might be denominated the centres of shell-growth of the last-mentioned genera, and which, as it were, constitute the only representatives of true * Length of capitulum -2, of an inch as compared with -% of an inch. 444 MR. W.T. BLANFORD ON NEW MOLLUSKS. [June 24, valves in Dichelaspis and Conchoderma. In all this we perceive the manifestation of, at least, a unity of design, if it be not simply an evidence of that latitude for diversity, or the susceptibility of diver- gent modification, impressed upon original types by the Great Author of Nature. Yet, though we may trace back divergent sub- types to one primary source, it would be unphilosophical to expect the mutual transmutation of any two such resultants into each other as contingent upon what the Darwinian theory is too often incor- rectly assumed to involve. For, even if a tendency to revert to the original type, such as we see in unstable variety, were to manifest itself in any case, the effect of such a tendency would be the pro- duction of something very different from the collateral forms, instead of running into them, which a superficial thinker might suppose to be most natural; for the collateral forms themselves must have ori- ginated in special and protracted change developing great, though gradual, modification. EXPLANATION OF PLATES XXXIII. & XXXIV. Prats XXXII. Fig. 1. Parodolepas, attached in a group to one of the gills of Neptunus pelagicus. Natural size. 2. a. Group of three of the same little Cirripeds attached to one of the gill- flappers. Considerably enlarged. 6. Lateral view of the single ovigerous lamella. ec. Front view of the same, showing the emargination of its anterior border ; also considerably enlarged. 3. Magnified view of Parodolepas neptuni, showing the course of the lines of growth, the shelly thickenings, and the minutely dotted surface of the valves. a. Pedicle. 6. Scutum. ce. Tergum. d, Carina. Piatr XXXIV. Highly magnified view of the oral apparatus of Parodolepas neptunt. a. Shelly support of the scutum (occludent segment). 6, Occludent margin of the capitulum, showing lines or increments of growth decreasing both in thickness and length from before backwards. ce. Labrum with minute dental points on its angular edge. d. Palp. e. Mandibles. f. Maxilla. g. External maxille. A. Anterior pair of cirri. 6. Descriptions of new Land and Freshwater Molluscan Spe- cies collected by Dr. John Anderson in Upper Burma and Yunan. By W.T. Buanrorp, F.G.S., C.M.Z.8., &c. The following are the principal novelties in the large and very interesting collection made by Dr. John Anderson when accompany- 1869. | MR. W. T. BLANFORD ON NEW MOLLUSKS, 445 ing the recent expedition to Yunan. They will be figured, and the previously described species enumerated, in Dr. Anderson’s full ac- count of his journey, together with his other numerous novelties. 1. PALUDINA BENGALENSIS, Lam., var. DIGONA (vel P. piGoNA). Testa P. bengalensi persimilis, sed decussatim striatula, anfractibus superioribus juata suturam angulatis ; ultimo biangulato, et supra et infra peripheriam, angulis singulis fasciis fuscis spiralibus congruentibus, zona tertia intermedia, aliis basalibus, lineis an- gustioribus spiralibus interdum interjectis. Long. 233-32 mm., diam. 173-23; apert. 13-173 longa, 103~ 143 lata. Hab. in valle fluminis Iravadi circa Ava, Bhamo, &c. Merely a variety of P. bengalensis, and passing insensibly into the type in Assam, and into the var. dalteata, Bs. (P. doliaris? Gould), in Sylhet. If, however, P. microgramma, v. Martens, P. suma- trensis, Dkr., and similar allied varieties be distinguished by a par- ticular name, this form should also be so, and may in that case be called P. digona. It is perfectly intermediate between P. benga- lensis, Lam., and P. orytropis, Bs. 2. Patuptna pissimtuis, Miill., var. pECussaTULA (vel P. DECUSSATULA). Testa imperforata, conoideo-ovata, tenuiuscula, olivacea, fascia pal- lida subperipheriali in anfractu ultimo plerumque signata, sub- glabra, striis incrementi et lineis subconfertis flexuosis spiralibus decussata. Apex acutus; sutura mediocriter impressa. Anfr. 6-7, convexi, ultimus tumidior. Apertura subovata, intus lactea. Peristoma tenue, nigrum. Operculum corneum, crassum. Long. 25, diam. 173 mill.; apertura 13 longa, 104 lata. Hab. Ava. Nearer to the variety premorsa of Benson than to any other Indian form. It is distinguished by its fine decussating striation. The Paludine of British India, like most of the freshwater shells, are in endless confusion—a state which has certainly not been re- moved by the work of Von Frauenfeld and Reeve. I fully concur with the remarks of Von Martens (Malakozoologische Blatter, xiii. p- 98) as to the forms figured in Reeve, which are undistinguishable as species from P. dissimilis of Miller; indeed I am inclined to go much further, and to class such forms as P. crassa, Hutton, and P. premorsa, Bens., as varieties also, though they are sufficiently dis- tinct to deserve varietal names. The form now described is equally deserving of distinction. 3. MELANIA IRAVADICA, Sp. nov. Testa elongato-turrita, tenuis, fusco-olivacea, decollata. Anfr. circa 7, primi erosi, 3-4 superstites convexi, superi seriebus duabus spiralibus nodorum confertorum circumdati, ultimus spiraliter liratus, nodis fere vel omnino obsoletis. Apertura rhomboideo- 446 MR. W.T. BLANFORD ON NEW MOLLUSKS. [June 24, ovata, antice subeffusa ; peristoma tenue, margine externo subrecto, basali antice porrecto, columellari sinuato. Operc.? Long. exempli majoris decollati 25 mm., diam. 15; apert. oblique 13 longa, 8 lata. Exempli mediocris (etiam decollati), long. 13, anfr. ultimi 11, diam. maj. 14, min. 123; apertura oblique cum pe- ristomate 13 longa, 83 lata. fab. in flumine Iravadi superiore ad Malé et Bhamo. Distinguished from the numerous varieties of M. variabilis, Bens., by the external margin of the peristome not being sharply curved outwards close to the base, but nearly straight, with a very gentle concave curve throughout. Unfortunately, the opercula have dis- appeared from all the specimens, as well as from some collected by myself in 1861. 4. BirHYNIA IRAVADICA, Sp. nov. Testa subrimata, ovato-conica, solidula, sub lente minutissime (fere obsolete) decussato-striata, pallide olivacea vel fulva. Spira ele- vato-conica, apice obtusiusculo sepe eroso, sutura parum impressa. Anfr. 6, convexiusculi, ultimus ad peripheriam obtuse angulatus. Apertura subverticalis, ovata, postice angulata, antice subangulata et subeffusa; peristoma tenue, rectum, marginibus callo junctis, columellari verticali cum basali angulum fere rectum faciente. Operc. normale. Long. 11, diam. 63 mm.; apert. 6 mm. longa, 4 lata. Hab. in paludibus et rivulis prope Mandélé urbem principalem hodiernam regni Avze. Intermediate between B. ceranospatana, v. Frauenfeld (B. cera- meopoma, Bs. MS.*), of India, and B. goniomphalus, Mor., of Siam. 5. Fairsankia? (an Birnynta?) TuRRITA, Sp. nov. Testa subperforata, turrita, solidula, fulva, glabra, nitidula. Spira elongato-conica, sutura impressa. Anfr. 7, convewi, ultimus antice subascendens, subtus rotundatus. Apertura ovata, postice vix angulata, varice externo mediocri instructa; peristoma undique expansiusculum, marginibus callo junctis, externo leviter arcuato, columellari obliquo, antice cum basali subangulatim juncto. Operc.? Long. 63, diam. 3 mm.; aperture long. 23, lat. 1? mm. Hab. ad Kyoukpong (in flumine Iravadi?). This looks like an estuary shell. In the absence of the operculum its position is doubtful; but if not allied to Fairbankia bombayana, W. Blanf., it may perhaps be a Bithynia, near B. nassa, Theobald. 6. CycLOPHORUS SUBLEVIGATUS, Sp. Nov. Testa aperte umbilicata, depresso-turbinata, solida, sublevigata, ob- lique striatula, in anfractibus superioribus et nonnunquam sed rare in ultimo lineis impressis confertis spiralibus decussata, * I believe this common Indian shell is undescribed by Benson; at least I can find no description of it. It has been referred to by name in Benson’s papers; and I regret Von Frauenfeld’s selecting such a name as ceranospatana by which to describe it. 1869. ] MR. W. T. BLANFORD ON NEW MOLLUSKS. 447 castanea, supra peripheriam et circa umbilicum spiraliter albido fasciata, periomphalo lato albo. Spira depresso-conica, lateri- bus concavis, apice papillari, magis exserto, sutura profunda. Anfr. 5, convexi, ultimus magnus, ad peripheriam angulatus, an- gulo antice evanescente, subtus converus, juxta aperturam leniter descendens. Apertura fere rotunda, obliqua, lutescenti-albida, aliquantulum latior quam alta. Peristoma rectum, incrassato-ez- pansum, subcontinuum. Unmbilicus pervius. Operculum normale. Diam. maj. 46, min. 38, axis 25 mm. ; apert. cum perist. 23 mm. lata, 213 alta. Hab. haud procul a Bhamo, ad ripas fluminis Iravadi. Somewhat allied to C. pearsoni, Benson, and C. excellens, Pfr., but more depressed than either. It is distinguished from C. theo- baldianus, Bens., by its much smaller mouth and smoother surface. 7. SPIRACULUM ANDERSONI, Sp. nov. Testa late umbilicata, depressa, discoidea, oblique striata, lineis ele- vatis minutis spiralibus superne et presertim juxta peripheriam, sed non circa umbilicum, confertissime decussata, albida, strigis castaneis fulguratis radiantibus picta. Spira plana, apice vel plano vel vir exsertiusculo, sutura profunda. Anfr. 44, teretes, ultimus versus aperturam longe descendens, 5—6 mill. pone peri- stoma tubulo suturali reverso parvo, arcuatim recurvato vel sub- recto et libero, 2-3 mm. longo muniius. Apertura diagonalis, rotunda; peristoma continuum, duplex, internum expansiusculum undique appressum, postice juxta anfractum penultimum profunde angulatim sinuatum, externum expansum, supra sinum dilatatum, juxta anfractum penultimum instar cuculli plani porrectum. Operc. persimile et Sp. hispidi, corneum, intus concavum, extus convecum, marginibus anfractuum, presertim externorum, lamel- latim liberis, apice planiusculo. Diam. maj. 153-17, min. 12-133, axis 5—6, apert. diam. intus 5 mm. Hab. ad Bhamo cum precedente. Distinguished from Sp. avanum, W. Blanf., by its more oblique mouth, differently shaped and more expanded peristome, by the horizontal cowl-shaped projection running forwards along the last whorl instead of being vertical, the greater distance of the sutural tube from the mouth, and the much more convex operculum. 8. Herrx (TRACHIA) CATOSTOMA, Sp. nov. Testa late umbilicata, depressa, subdiscoidea, cornea, tenuis, striata. Spira depresso-conveaa, sutura leviter impressa. Anfr. 7, conveci, arcte convoluti, ultimus rotundatus, circa umbilicum subcompres- sus, antice abrupte deflerus, valde descendens, pone aperturam subconstrictus. Apertura fere horizontalis, truncato-ovata ; peri- stoma album, reflexum, antice et postice prope anfractum penulti- mum arcuatum, marginibus subdistanter convergentibus, callo tenui junctis ; umbilicus latissimus, pervius. Maj. diam. 16, min. 144, alt. 63 mm. ’ Hab. Ponsee in Yunan. 448 MR. W. T. BLANFORD ON NEW MOLLUSKS. [June 24, A peculiar form, resembling H. oldhami, Bens., but with the mouth somewhat as in H. nilagarica, Pfr. 9. Hexix (PLECTOPYLIS) ANDERSONI, Sp. nov. Testa dextrorsa, latissime umbilicata, discoidea, solidula, albida, epi- dermide crassula fusca, interdum ad peripheriam laciniatim fim- briata, induta, sub epidermide decussatu-striata, lineis spiralibus supra distinctis, infra subobsoletis. Spira plana, apice vix pro- minente, sutura subimpressa. Anfr. 74-8, angusti, arcte convo- luti, supra planulati, infra in umbilico convexiusculi, ultimus superne ad peripheriam angulatus, subtus tumidus et circa umbi- licum pervium, omnes anfractus monstrantem, obtuse compressus, pone aperturam leviter descendens, juata peristoma constriclus. Apertura perobliqua, rotundato-lunaris ; peristoma album, undique expansum, superne ad extremam peripheriam leviter angulatim por- rectum, marginibus lamella curvata, ad ambas extremitates incisa junctis, lamina intranti nulla. Janua interna remota, ad 4 an- fractuum ab apertura sita, e plica unica verticali parietali, 4 pa- latalibus horizontalibus, harum tribus inferioribus versus eatre- mitates altioribus, medio humilibus, postice subbifidis, una basali etiam horizontali simplici constans. Diam. maj. 26, min. 23, alt. 8} mill. Hab. Bhamo in regno Avee et Hoetone in Yunan. Distinguished from the numerous allied Burmese forms by the absence of a reentering lamina running from the aperture, by the very simple internal plication, &e. It approaches H. laomontana, Pfr; 10. Hexrx (S1IvELLA) PERCOMPRESSA, Sp. nov. Testa aperte et pervie umbilicata, perdepressa, lenticularis, tenuis, cornea, acutissime carinata, nitida, striis incrementi oblique curvatis notata. Spira fere plana, apice vix exserto, sutura impressa mar- ginata. Anfr. 5, convexi, ultimus carina mediana acuta utrinque compressa instructus, circa umbilicum tumidior, non descendens. Apertura parum obliqua, securiformis ; peristoma tenue, rectum. Diam. maj. 12, min. 103, axis 3 mm. Hab. Bhamo in regno Ave. Near H. sanis, Bens., and H. castra, Bs., but more depressed than either. 11. Nanrna (Rorvuta) ARATA, sp. nov. Testa imperforata, lenticularis, tenuis, cornea, supra oblique plicato- striata, infra levior nitidula, radiatim striatula. Spira depresso- conoidea, apice acutiusculo, sutura parum impressa, submarginata. Anfr. 7, lente accrescentes, convexiusculi, ultimus acute carinatus, sublus convexus, non descendens. Apertura angulato-lunaris, obliqua ; peristoma rectum, obtusum, marginibus distantibus, basali subincrassato, columellari declivi vir reflexiusculo. Diam. maj. 233, min. 214, axis 11 mm. ; apertura 124 mm. lata, 8 alta. Hab, haud procul a Bhamo in regno Ave. 1869. MR. W. T. BLANFORD ON NEW MOLLUSKS. 449 Var. Minor, anfractibus arctius convolutis. Diam. maj. 17}, min. 15, axis 7} mm. Hab. ad Ponsee in Yunan. This shell is an ally of N. climacterica, Bs., but distinguished by a higher spire and sharper keel. 12. AcuatTinA (GLESSULA) OBTUSA, sp. Nov. Testa elongato-turrita, albido-cornea, cerea, solidiuscula, confertim flexuose plicato-siriata, infra suturam plicata. Spira elongata, ad apicem subcylindracea, apice perobtuso papillari, sutura vix im- pressa subcorrugata. Anfr. 12-14, fere planulati, ultimus ad peripheriam subangulatus. Apertura obliqua, subovata ; peristoma simplex, rectum. Long. 48-52, diam. 10-11, ap. long. 10-11, lat. 5-5} mill. ; apex 3 mill. latus. Hab. ad Bhamo in regno Ave. Very close to A. cassiaca, Bens., but distinguished by finer sculp- ture, narrower and less numerous whorls, and much more obtuse apex. ‘The two form a well-marked section of the genus. 13. Acuatina (GLESSULA) SUBFUSIFORMIS, Sp. nov. Testa turrita, subfusiformis, tenuiuscula, pallide olivaceo-cornea, ni- tida, striatula, ad suturam subplicata. Spira elongato-pyramidalis, apice brevissime conico mucronato, sutura impressa submarginata. Anfr. 8, convexi, ultimus subelongatus, antice attenuatus. Aper- tura subovata, columella parum arcuata, antice oblique truncata ; peristoma obtusum, leviter undulatum. Long 172, diam. 5? mill. ; apert. 6 longa, 3 lata. Hab. Ponsee in Yunan. This form may be recognized by its long lower whorl subattenuate below. 14, SuccINEA ACUMINATA, Sp. Dov. Testa conico-ovatu, tenuissima, striata, pellucida, luteo-cornea, spira brevi acuminata subconica, lateribus subrectis. Anfr. 24, penul- timus parum convexus, ultimus 2 longitudinis superans (in testa juniore = subequans), supra planulatus, infra tumidior. Apertura obliqua, ovata, subtus parum latior, basi recedens; peristoma acutum, margine externo (dextro) recto cum anfractu penultimo angulum Fere rectum faciente, columella subrecta, anguste marginata. Long. 183, diam. maj. 83, min. vix 6, ap. long. 14, lat. infra medium 7% mill. Exempli minoris long. 13, diam. 63, ap. long. 10, diam. 53 mill. Hab. ad Momein in Yunan. A peculiarly acuminate form, perhaps allied to S. indica, Pfr. A scarcely distinguishable race occurs in Kashmir, whence Dr. Stoliczka has brought specimens. 15. UN1o BURMANUS, sp. nov. Testa subovata, solida, subcompressa, valde inequilateralis, picea vel 450 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON THE [June 24, fusco-olivacea, concentrice plicato-striata, disco medio et postico rugis obliquis irregulariter angulatis, interdum granosis, hic illic presertim versus marginem ventralem obsoletis corrugato ; umbo- nibus non prominentibus, subplanulatis, angulatim corrugatis, haud procul ab extremitate anteriore positis ; lunella parva, concava ; latere antico brevissimo subacuminato-rotundato ; area conveza ; margine dorsali postice regulariter convexo-curvato, terminaliter rotundato, ventrali convexo; dentibus cardinalibus crassis, radiatim corrugatis, in valva dextra binis, anteriore minimo, in sinistra ternis vel subternis ; lateralibus elongatis subcurvatis, in valva dextra subduplicibus, in sinistra duplicibus ; margarita colore salmonis tincta. Testa junior rotundato-ovalis, omnino preter ad extremitatem anticam subradiatim granoso-plicifera. 1. 2. 3 (Testa junior). OR aed ents a hea 52 45 34 Da ts Be ris hacipen dis ial Gi EEE 32 263 Origa 0 eee /.. 22 20 17 Ligamenti long......... 23 - 205 16 Hab. in flumine Iravadi ad Bhamo in regno Ave. I know of no Unio with which I can compare this. U. pellis lacerti, Mor., from Siam, is a little like it, but is much narrower and less inequivalve. Several other species of Unio occurring with U. burmanus appear to me to be rather varieties of named species than forms deserving a distinct name. In one or two cases I feel doubtful, however. All would unquestionably be described as new by many naturalists. It is worthy of note that some of them are more closely allied to forms occurring in the Brahmapooter river, in Assam, than to those inha- biting the lower Irawady valley, in Pegu. The land shells of Bhamo and its neighbourhood are mostly either identical with forms occur- ring in Cachar and Khasia, or closely allied to them; and it is a remarkable and interesting fact connected with freshwater shells to find that they coincide in their distribution with the land animals, and do not follow the lines of the rivers in which they live, thus adding another proof of the existence of a means of migration amongst them independent of the course of rivers. 7. Notes on the Myology of Menobranchus lateralis. By Sr. Georce Mrvarr, F.R.S., Lecturer on Comparative Anatomy at St. Mary’s Hospital. The specimen which has served me for examination is one of those mentioned in my paper on Menopoma as having been confided to me from the stores of the Royal College of Surgeons. This well-known species with permanent external gills has a more slender form than Menopoma; it has also a narrower head and 1869. | MYOLOGY OF MENOBRANCHUS LATERALIS. 451 muzzle, and is destitute of the lateral folds of skin; but the tail has a cutaneous fin both above and below, extending further forwards, inferiorly, than in the last-named genus. The skin is smooth and devoid of transverse wrinkles. A deep fold passes across the underside of the throat, as in the larvee of other Batrachians. The rounded cloacal aperture is placed very much behind the origins of the pelvic limbs. The forearm and leg are respectively but little shorter than the arm and thigh, and the pectoral and pelvic limbs are widely sepa- rated. The posterior digits are not broadened by cutaneous folds. The gape of the mouth only extends backward to about the eye, though it appears from the fold of the lips to recede further. The head is flat, the eyes destitute of eyelids, and a longitudinal groove runs along the middle of the back. Dimensions. inches. Extreme length from muzzle to tail-end............ 11°00 Length from mandibular symphysis to middle point be- tween the arm-pits .....--- eee eee ete eee ee 2°16 Length from the said middle point to anterior end of CLO AC Aimer Ree Ee ea OTE a WOR heey Shen tiene oe Bee 5°34 Length from cloaca to end of tail ......... ....-. 3°25 Length of head ........-4 eee seers e eens about 1°30 Breadtbpot en dies) Sirota, deviate ae a8 olor win, 9's 1°19 Vertiosl thickness) of Head), coc she bret wis iassel moral el carege rs 53 Vertical thickness of mid-body .............. about 96 Greatest breadth of body ........--s.sneneeeeeeee 1:07 Transverse diameter of tail at about its mid-length .. 33 Vertical extent of tail at the same place ...........- 1:00 Distance between the eyes .......-....ee cere eee "57 Extreme length of pectoral limb ................-- 1:27 Extreme length of pelvic limb................++-- 1A7 Distance from mid-point between the eyes to the end of Ge WTAE sc) ss cs ER el ostyers kahats Lt “40 Distance between the origins of the pectoral and pelvic Hast bsh ad) GUE MIO och gots tee heres Scorss agit 24 +)? 4°51 Distance of the origin of the pectoral limb from the mandi alex symiplysisns scgvyelsorsis,aysrsse4 + oie +0) 2°12 Distance of the origin of the pectoral limb from the CHANT CRGNCRINES pci seal a 58 ae, see lev oii dom Sener. 34 0h 4:07 Proportions. Length of head compared with its breadth at 100.... 109°2 Height of head compared with its breadth at 100.... 44°5 Length of body (from pectoral girdle to cloaca) com- pared with its breadth at 100 ...............-.. 499°0 452 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON THE [June 24, inches Breadth of mid-tail to its height at 100............ 33°0 Height of body to length from pelvic girdle to cloaca tO OSCE Bic BR SAU its, tye Sites oats aan viedo 179 Length uitail toithe samen: Geshe te ih ee Sie. 60°8 Length of pectoral limb to the same .............- 23°7 Length of pelvic to the same .. 2... ..0 20... 27°5 Myo.uoey. As in Menopoma, so in Menobranchus, the general muscular in- vestment of the body may be divided into four longitudinal portions separated by four more or less marked antero-posteriorly directed lines of demarcation. Each of the longitudinal muscular masses is more or less clearly divided and cut up by transverse tendinous intersections, which are most marked in the hinder part of the body and the anterior part of the tail. Of the four lines of demarcation, only the dorsal one is much marked in the trunk. This extends from the mid-cranial region to the end of the tail; and above the caudal portion of it is a mass of fatty bodies which fill up the dorsal caudal fin, A similar mass fills up the ventral caudal fin and the caudal part of the ventral line of demarcation, almost as far forwards as the cloacal aperture. Imme- diately in front of that aperture, and extending thence forwards to the hinder margin of the pelvis, a very large thick glandular cushion is interposed, separating the longitudinal muscular masses more widely than they are separated in any other part of the body. In front of the pelvis the ventral line of demarcation is formed by the but-little-marked linea alba. The lateral lines of demarcation extend from the throat to the end of the tail; and the anterior end of the furrow widens into the gap, out of which the branchial arches protrude. In the trunk this linear division is situated rather above the middle (vertically) of the side of the body. In the tail it passes along the middle, each dorso- lateral caudal muscular mass being about equal in extent to each ventro-lateral caudal muscular mass. Each dorso-lateral muscular mass extends from the upper surface of the skull to the distal end of the dorsum of the tail, investing the transverse processes, neural arches, and spines of the verte- bree and ribs, but having no direct connexion with the pectoral and pelvic arches. [It is a continuous thick fleshy mass, not diffe- rentiated into distinct muscles. Its fibres are all antero-posteriorly directed. Each ventral portion of the lateral muscular mass (7. e. the part between the lateral linear groove and the linea alba and the caudal continuation of that part) extends from the urohyal to the end of the ventral portion of the tail, interrupted, however, by the pelvis and by the interposed large glandular cushion behind it. As in Menopoma, the trunk portion of the ventral lateral mass, 1869. ] MYOLOGY OF MENOBRANCHUS LATERALIS. 453 but not its caudal portion, consists of distinct muscular layers super- imposed. MUSCLES OF THE TRUNK. The external oblique (figs. 3, 4, 8,9 & 10, Ex. O). The fibres of this muscle extend obliquely backwards and downwards ; and the muscle itself forms a sheet of such fibres, which extends from the lateral furrow nearly to the ventral middle line of the body, and from the shoulder to the pelvis. Towards the tail it seems to unite indistinguishably with the internal oblique. The internal oblique. This (as in Menopoma) is the largest muscle of the body, extending, as one may say, from the urohyal to the tail’s end. The fasciculi of fibres are rather large and coarse, and extend from one tendinous intersection to another. The direc- tion of the fibres is forwards and downwards. The muscle is partly inserted into the ilium and its rib ; but some fibres pass beneath these hard parts, and the muscle is so continued on into the tail. Towards its anterior insertion this muscle appears to fuse with the rectus (which is superficial to it), and to constitute a sterno-hyoid (figs. 4 & 5, S. H). The ¢ransversalis is a delicate muscular layer, extending from the region of the heart backwards to a little behind the pelvis. Rectus (fig. 4, R). This muscle is very delicate and thin in the abdominal region ; towards the pectoral arch and in front of it it is thicker, and covers externally the internal oblique, with which it appears to fuse, when they pass forwards as the sterno-hyoid (figs. 4 & 5, S. H) to its insertion into the urohyal. This muscle may be regarded as continued on even to the mandibular symphysis by means of the genio-hyoid (fig. 4, G. 1). Retrahentes costarum. ‘The muscular fibres I thus name run backwards on each side of the spine, being applied to the under surfaces of the bodies and transverse processes of the vertebree. They extend from beneath the head to the pelvic region, but do not go on into the tail. MuscLEs oF THE Heap. Temporalis (figs. 1, 2, & 3,7’). This muscle arises from the middle of the upper surface of the skull, and (by fascia) from the first neural spine, also from the dorsum of the pterygoid and of the small bone extending outwards* in front of the suspensorium and above the pterygoid. From this extensive origin (reaching forwards a little in front of the eyeballs) the fibres converge, and are inserted, by a strong tendon, into the summit of the mandible, just in front of its articulation with the quadratum. Its insertion is poste- rior and somewhat internal to the insertion of the tendon of the masseter. Pterygoid. 1 do not find this muscle distinct from the temporal. * See ‘Ontleed en dierkundige Bijdragen tot de Kennis van Menobranchus, by J. Van der Hoeven (Leyden, 1867), pl. ii. fig. 4, 7. Proc. Zoou. Soc.—1869, No. XXX. 454 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON THE [June 24, The two appear to form but one, which arises in part (as has been said) from the dorsum of the pterygoid. Fig. 1. Superficial muscles of right side of head and of anterior part of trunk. 0. H. E. Cerato-hyoideus externus. D.1. First part of digastric, L.A. Leva- tores arcuum. J. A.1. Most anterior part of the same. MM. Masseter. T. Temporalis. ‘ The masseter* (figs. 1, 2, & 3, M) is an exceedingly thick muscle, which is more or less divisible into a larger outer portion and a smaller inner part, the fibres being inserted into the tendon (which appears towards the lower part of the muscle) in a somewhat pen- niform manner. The muscle arises (between the temporal and digastric) from the antero-superior surface of the suspensorium, and is implanted, by its tendon, into the outer side of the mandible towards its upper border and in front of the insertion of the tendon of the temporalis. The digastric} (figs. 1, 2, & 3, D. 1 & D. 2) is also a considerable muscular mass, and springs trom different origins ; it is inserted by a strong tendon into the posterior extremity of the mandibular ramus. This strong tendon also connects the dorsal end of the hyoidean cornu with the posterior extremity of the mandible. The muscle appears to me to consist of two parts. One of these springs from the outer surface of the suspensorium, the origin ex- * Fischer, ‘Anatomische Abhandlungen tiber die Perennibranchiaten und Derotremen’ (Hamburgh, 1864), p. 59, tab. iii. B. m. t Fischer, /. c. p. 50, tab. ili..B. dg’’. 1869. | MYOLOGY OF MENOBRANCAUS LATERALIS. 455 tending from the extreme end of the opisthotic forwards and down- wards to the distal end of the quadratum (fig. 2, D. 2). This portion is entirely hidden until either the masseter is drawn forwards or the digastric backwards. Deeper muscles of right side of head, the masseter being drawn forwards and inwards, the first part of the digastric outwards. C. H. E. Cerato-hyoideus externus. D.1. First part of digastric. D.2. Second part of digastric. L.A. Levatoresarcuum. JZ. A.1. Most anterior part of the same. JZ. A. P. Levator arcus primi. MM. Masseter. 7. Temporalis. Superficial muscles of right side and of extensor surface of right pectoral limb. A, B, Adductor branchiarum. ZB. Biceps. C.P. Constrictor pharyngis. C. H. E. Cerato-hyoideus externus. D. Deltoid. D.1. First part of digastric. E. B. Extensor brevis. £.Z. Extensor longus. Ex. O. External oblique. L.A. Levatores arcuum. L, A.1. First part of the same. Z.D. Latis- simus dorsi. MM. Masseter. M.H.2. Mylo-hyoideus posterior. 0. H. Omo-hyoid. S, Subelavius. S.Z.1& §.Z.2. Supinator longus. ZT. Tem- poralis. Zz. Trapezius. 7.2. Triceps. U. Ulnaris. 456 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON THE [June 24, The other part of the digastric (figs. 1, 2, & 3, D. 1) is larger, and springs from the dorsal end of the first branchial arch (above the attachment of the levator arcus primi), and is inserted behind the first part into the tendon before mentioned. Levatores arcuum* (figs. 1, 2, & 3, L. A, & L.A.1, also fig. 2, L.A.P). These are much developed, and the one going to the first branchial arch is remarkably distinct from the rest. This, the levator arcus primi (fig. 2, L.A.P), is quite hidden until the digastric is pulled outwards and the anterior part of the dorso- lateral muscular mass inwards towards the middle line. When this is done the levator arcus primi is to be seen passing out- wards and backwards from the exoccipital and opisthotic to the anterior margin of the first branchial arch, very near its superior extremity. The levatores* of the second and third branchial arches arise mainly from the dorsal fascia ; but the most anterior part (figs. 1 & 2, L. A. 1) seems to be differentiated off from the anterior end of the dorso-lateral muscular mass, and covers, and is similar in direction to, the hidden levator arcus primi. In the figure, between the most anterior part (fig. 1, L.A. 1) and the first part of the digastric (fig. 1, D. 1) a portion of the anterior end of the dorso-lateral mus- cular mass is seen to be interposed. Mylo-hyvideus anterior+ (figs. 4 & 5, M. H.1). This muscle is relatively smaller than is its homologue in Menopoma. It arises from the inside and lower border of the ramus of the mandible, and unites with its fellow of the opposite side without forming any di- stinct longitudinal tendinous interval. The mylo-hyoideus posterior} (figs. 3, 4, & 5, M. H. 2) is a con- siderable muscle, the postero-inferior part of which is enclosed on both sides by the skin forming a free fold or opercular flap beneath the throat. The muscle arises from the dorsal segments of the hyoidean cornu and first branchial arch, also from the fascia invest- ing externally the voluminous cerato-hyoideus externus. Passing downwards it unites with its fellow of the opposite side, a sort of linea alba marking their junction, At its anterior part this muscle is placed above the mylo-hyoideus anterior, the latter being super- ficial to it. I could find no trace of the muscle which I have described in Menopoma as the constrictor faucium. Constrictor pharyngis§. This consists of two parts: one (the dorso-trachealis) arises from the fascia external to the dorso-lateral muscular mass bebind and beneath the levatores arcuum; the other (the hyo-trachealis) springs from the postero-ventral surface of the third branchialarch. The fibres converge and join the fellow muscle of the opposite side beneath the trachea. The genio-hyoideus || (fig. 4, G. 1) is a rather long narrow muscle * Fischer, /.c. p. 81, tab. ii. B. da. + Fischer, J. c. p. 41. +. Fischer, /.c. p. 42. § Fischer, 7. c. p. 89. || Fischer, 2. ¢. p. 55. 1869.] MYOLOGY OF MENOBRANCHUS LATERALIS. 457 which runs beside its fellow of the opposite side from its origin, the urohyal, forwards to the mandibular symphysis. Fig. 4. Muscles of ventral surface: on the right side superficial muscles; on the left side deeper muscles, the mylo-hyoidei, pectoralis, and external oblique being removed. Also superficial flexor muscles of right pectoral limb. B. Biceps. C.B.1 & C. B.2. Coraco-brachialis. _C. H. E. Cerato-hyoideus ex- ternus. Ev. O. External oblique. FZ. Flexor longus. G.H. Genio- hyoid. M. H.1& M. H.2. Mylo-hyoideus. O. H. Omo-hyoid. P., P.1,& P.2. Pectoralis. S. Subelavius. S.H. Sterno-hyoid. S. L. Supinator longus. T. Triceps. Cerato-hyoideus externus* (figs. 1, 2,3, 4, & 5, C. H. E.). Avery voluminous muscle, springing from the whole under surface and anterior part of the inner surface of the hyoidean cornu. Passing * Fischer, /.c. p. 68. 458 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON THE [June 24, backwards, it is inserted into the outside of the dorsal part of the first branchial arch, immediately beneath the insertion of the second part of the digastric. Deepest muscles of left side of ventral surface of head, the cerato-hyotdeus externus being drawn strongly forwards. (.A.1, @. A. 2, & C.A.3. Constrictores arcuum. C. H. £2. Cerato-hyoideus ex- ternus. C H.J. Cerato-hyoideus internus. M.H.1 & M.H.2. Mylo- hyoideus. S. H. Sterno-hyoid. Cerato-hyoideus internus* (fig. 5, C. H.I). A very much smaller muscle than the last, and, as Fischer says, “spindle-shaped and ten- dinous at each end.” It arises from the inner end of the posterior surface of the hyoidean cornu, and is inserted into the lower end of the dorsal segment of the first branchial arch. Constrictores arcuumt (fig. 5, C.A.1, C. A. 2, and C. 4. 3). There are three of these small muscles. The first connects the ventral end of the second branchial arch with the dorsal end of the ventral segment of the first branchial arch. The second and largest of the three connects together the ventral ends of the dorsal segments of the first and third branchial arches. The third muscle connects together the ventral ends of the dorsal segments of the second and third branchial arches. A musclef (figs. 4 & 5, S. H), which corresponds to the sterno- hyoideus of Menopoma, though here there is no sternum, and is in fact the anterior continuation of the rectus, passes forwards and is inserted into the dorsal surface of the urohyal and into the ventral surface of the ventral segment of each first branchial arch, near its junction with the basihyal. * Fischer, l. c. p. 72, tab. i. fig. 4, pa. + Fischer, 7. c. p. 74, tab. 1. fig. 38, ca and ca’. } Fischer, /.c. p. 104. 1869. | MYOLOGY OF MENOBRANCHUS LATERALIS. 459 Omo-hyoideus (figs. 3, 4, & 5, O.H). This elongated muscle avises from the inner and upper side of the precoracoid cartilage, and passes thence forwards to between the urohyal and first bran- chial arch. Genio-glossus*. This small muscle arises, on each side, from the posterior surface of the mandibular symphysis, and thence passes outwards and backwards to be inserted into the skin of the mouth. The levatores brunchiarum+ are small muscles which pass down- wards from the dorsum of each branchial arch respectively to the dorsum of each gill-tuft. The depressores branchiarumt go from the ventral surface of each branchial arch to the ventral surface of each gill-tuft re- spectively. Of the adductores branchiarum§, the first goes from the dorsal end of the second branchial arch to the first gill-tuft ; the second similarly from the third branchial arch to the second gill-tuft ; the third, long and delicate (fig. 3, 4. B), extends from the angle be- tween the precoracoid and scapular cartilages forwards to the root of the third gill-tuft and dorsal part of the last branchial arch. APPENDICULAR MUSCLES. Pectoral Limb. Trapezius (fig. 3, Tz). This is an exceedingly small muscle, which is placed immediately behind the third adductor branchiarum aud levatores arcuum. It arises from the fascia investing the dorsal muscle, and is inserted into the lower half of the anterior margin of the scapula down to its junction with the precoracoidal cartilage. The Jatissimus dorsi (fig. 3, Z..D) is more than twice the size of the trapezius. It arises from the fascia, and ends by coalescing with the upper part of the triceps. The pectoralis (fig. 4, P. 1 & P.2)is a considerable muscle which arises partly from one of the tendinous intersections of the rectus, partly trom a raphe separating it from its fellow of the opposite side, and partly from the under surface of the posterior part of the coracoidal cartilage towards and at its inner margin. It is inserted into the lowest part of the crest of the humerus, immediately above the origin of the biceps. The part arising from the coracoid (P. 2) is slightly separated from the larger and more posteriorly arising portion (P. 1). Serratus magnus. This is a thin small muscle springing from the side of the lateral muscular mass beneath the Jatissimus dorsi. It is inserted into the inner side of the upper part of the scapula. The levator anguli scapule is a very long and slender muscle. * Fischer, /. ¢. p. 67. + Fischer, Zc. p. 38, and tab. iii. 6, 7b’, 1b’, 1b’. { L.e. p. 39, and tab. i. fig. 1, db', db’, db”. § Lic. p. 39. 460 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON THE [June 24, It arises from the occiput, and is inserted into the inner side of the dorsum of the scapula, being conterminous with the insertion of the serratus magnus. The omo-hyoid has been already described amongst the muscles of the head. Subclavius (fig. 3, S). This is an elongated muscle, like the precoracoidal cartilage to which it is attached. It arises from the ventral surface of the last-named cartilage, and is inserted into the upper part of the crest of the humerus, immediately opposite the summit of the biceps and between the insertions of the pectoralis, deltoid, and trapezius. Deeper flexor muscles of right forearm, the flexor longus being cut and reflected B. Biceps. C. B.2. Coraco-brachialis. F. B. Flexor brevis. FL. Flexor longus. P.7.1& P. 7.2. Pronator teres. S.Z. Supinator longus. 72. Triceps. Coraco-brachialis (figs. 4. & 6, C. B). This muscle consists of two parts. 1. The first part arises from the whole ventral surface of the coracoid, partly covered externally by the pectoralis, and partly appearing superficially between the second part of the pectoralis and omo-hyoid. It also arises from the postero-external margin of the coracoid. It is inserted into the humerus, between the implantation of the pectoralis and the origin of the biceps on the one hand, and the upper portion of the second part of the coraco-brachialis on the other. 2. The second portion of the muscle is thick and long. It arises from the posterior margin of the coracoid close behind the glenoid cavity ; passing down, it is inserted into the shaft of the humerus to and at the internal condyle. The deltoid (fig. 3, D) is a larger muscle than the trapezius. It arises from the outside of the scapula, and is inserted into the crest of the humerus immediately outside and behind the insertion of the subclavius. Subscapularis. A very few and short muscular fibres, passing from just inside the postero-inferior margin of the scapula (close to the glenoid surface) to the adjacent part of the humerus, appear to represent this muscle. ‘These are, however, difficult to distinguish trom the adjacent coracoidal part of the triceps. Biceps (figs. 3, 4, & 6, B). This muscle, which is quite single, springs from the tuberosity of the humerus just below the in- 1869. ] MYOLOGY OF MENOBRANCHUS LATERALIS. 461 sertion of the subclavius, and is inserted into the upper part of the radius. Triceps (figs. 3 & 6, T). A large muscle arising from the postero-external angle of the coracoid from the outer and inner sides of the shaft of the humerus, and, by direct continuation, from the latissimus dorsi. It is inserted into the proximal part of the ulna. Deeper muscles of extensor surface of right forearm, the extensor longus being cut and reflected. E. B. Extensor brevis. #.L. Extensor longus. P.@. Pronator quadratus. S.L£.1 & S.L.2. Supinator longus. U. Ulnaris. The supinator longus (figs. 3, 4, 6, & 7, S.L) appears to be double (S. Z. 1, and S. L. 2, figs: 3 & 7), unless the more internal part (S. Z. 2) represents an extensor radialis. It arises from about the lower third of the humerus, and is inserted into the lower part of the outer (or radial) side of the radius. Ulnaris (figs. 3 & 7, U). This is a rather bulky muscle passing from the distal part of the ulnar side of the humerus downwards to the corresponding side of the carpus. The pronator teres (figs. 4 & 6, P. 7’) also appears to be double (P.T.1 and P.T.2, fig. 6). Both parts extend from the lower end of the inner (or ulnar) border of the humerus, and extend downwards and outwards to the lower part of the radius. Extensor longus (figs. 3 & 7, E.L). This muscle extends from the outer (or radial) border of the lower part of the humerus, and, expanding as it passes downwards, is inserted into the digits. Extensor brevis (figs. 3 & 7, Z..B). This is a very small muscle which arises from the radial side of the distal end of the ulna, and, passing obliquely downwards and outwards, goes mainly, if not exclusively, to the most radial digit. Pronator quadratus (?) (fig. 7, P.Q). A small muscle passing from the ulna to the radius, obliquely downwards, and situated between the ulnaris, the inner part of the supinator longus, and the extensor brevis. Flexor longus (figs. 4 & 6, F.L). This muscle arises from the ulnar side of the lower end of the humerus, and, expanding as it asses downwards, is implanted into the digits. Flexor brevis (fig. 6, F. B). A small subtriangular muscle which 462 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON THE {June 24, also goes to the digits, but which takes origin from the distal half of the ulna. Pelvic Limb. Semimembranosus (figs. 8, 9, 10, & 11, S.M). This slender muscle springs from the hypapophyses of the caudal vertebrze (the first two that are elongated), and passing forwards, enclosed in a sheath consisting of the subcaudal muscular mass, joins the posterior margin of the gracilis and origin of the semitendinosus. It passes along external to the large precloacal glandular mass, and side by side with similarly directed and similar-sized femoro-caudal and ischio-caudal. Fig. 8. Superficial muscles of ventral surface of right side. A, Adductor. Hx. O. External oblique. F.C. Femoro-caudal. FD. Flexor digitorum. #. H. Flexor hallucis. G. Gracilis. Z Iliacus. ZC. Ischio- caudal. S. Sartorius. S.J/. Semimembranosus. S. 7. Semitendinosus. The ischio-caudal (figs. 8 & 11, I. C) is the most internal of the caudal appendicular muscles. It arises from the subcaudal muscular mass at the same distance backwards as does the semi- membranosus ;_ passing forwards, it is inserted into the postero- external angle of the ischium. Femoro-caudal (figs. 8, 9,10, & 11, F.C). This muscle is about the same size as that last described, and also springs from the anterior caudal hypapophyses. It comes out of the sheath formed for it and the muscles running parallel with it by the subeaudal - 1869. ] MYOLOGY OF MENOBRANCHUS LATERALIS. 463 muscular mass, and, passing forwards, is inserted into the flexor sur- face of the femur just below the great trochanter, in close contiguity both to the insertion of the adductor and to the origin of the biceps. The ilio-caudal (figs. 9 & 10, Il. C) is exceedingly large rela- tively, and thick, forming the bulk of the lateral caudal muscular mass below the lateral furrow. It is inserted into the whole length of the ilium and its annexed rib. Superficial muscles of dorsal (extensor) surface of right pelvic limb, and of outer side of posterior part of trunk and anterior part of tail. £.L.D, Extensor longus digitorum. Ex. O. External oblique. F.C. Femoro- caudal. G. Gracilis. G. Mz. Gluteus maximus. J. Iliacus. J/. C. Tlio- caudal. P. Peroneus. R&.F. Rector femoris. S. Sartorius. S. MW. Semi- membranosus. 4S. 7. Semitendinosus. ZT. A. Tibia’is anticus. Gracilis (figs. 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12, G). This muscle arises from the middle (antero-posterior) line of the ventral surface of the pelvic shield. It does not, however, extend forwards for nearly the whole length of this elongated shield, but only as far forwards as a line would be situated which should join the acetabula. It is inserted into the postero-peroneal surface of the upper half of the tibia. The adductor (figs. 8 & 11, A) is very much larger than in Menopoma, as it springs from the middle of the pelvic shield for its whole length, so that rather more appears superficially in front of the gracilis than is concealed beneath the latter. It is inserted into about the upper half of the flexor surface of the femur between the insertions of the iliacus and femoro-caudal. Semitendinosus (figs. 8,9, 10, & 11, 8.7). This small muscle takes origin from the junction of the semimembranosus with the gracilis, and not from bone or cartilage. Its insertion is the outside of the flexor digitorum, near the pes. 464 MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON THE [June 24, Tliacus (figs. 8, 9, & 10, I). Of considerable size, this muscle arises from the internal surface of the antero-exterior margin of the pubic cartilage. It is inserted into the shaft of the femur from the proximal part of its anterior (extensor) surface down to the tibial condyle. Sartorius (figs. 8, 9,10, & 11, 8). A long slender muscle, which I did not distinguish in Menopoma, and which I propose thus to name, arises from the fascia attached to the antero-outer margin of the pelvis, into which fascia fibres of the external oblique are in- serted, so that this muscle appears like a continuation downwards of that, 7. e. of the external oblique. Passing downwards along the imer or tibial margin of the iliacus, it is inserted into the inner side of the upper part of the tibia just above and on the inner (or tibial) side of the insertion of the gracilis. Fig. 10. Deeper muscles of outer side of hinder part of trunk and anterior part of tail, and of the dorsal (extensor) side of right pelvic limb—the gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, and eatensor longus digitorum being cut and reflected. E.H. Extensor hallucis. 2. Z..D. Extensor longus digitorum. Hz. O. External oblique. F.C. Femoro-caudal. G. Gracilis. G@.Md. Gluteus medius. G. Mi. Gluteus minimus. G.Mzx. Gluteus maximus. J. Ihacus. J/. C. Tlio-caudal. J. P. Tlio-peroneal. &. F. Rectus femoris. S. Sartorius. S. M. Semimembranosus. S. 7. Semitendinosus. 7. 4. & 7. 4.1. Tibialis anticus. Gluteus maximus (figs. 9 & 10, G.Mzx). This muscle is. very like the one so named by me in Menopoma, but it is rather more slender. It springs from the outside of the ilium, and, passing downwards, ends in an aponeurosis, which invests the knee anteriorly and passes to the upper part of the front of the tibia. The rectus femoris (figs. 9 & 10, R. F), very similar in shape 1869.] MYOLOGY OF MENOBRANCHUS LATERALIS. 465 and size to the gluteus maximus. Arising from the outer side of the ilium, it passes down beside the last-named muscle, and is inserted by aponeurosis into the inner side of the upper part of the tibia. Gluteus medius (?) (fig. 10, G. Md). Arising from the front of the ilium, this small muscle passes down beside the iliacus, and is inserted into the upper part of the outer side of the femur. Gluteus minimus (?) (fig. 10, G. Mi). This little muscular bundle passes from the posterior side of the ilium to the upper half of the posterior side of the shaft of the femur. Fig. 11. Deeper muscles of ventral or flexor surface of pelvic limbs, the gracilis, semi- tendinosus, and semimembranosus being cut and reflected on the right side, and the adductor also on the left side. A. Adductor. B. Biceps. Ex. O. External oblique. F.C. Femoro-caudal. F. D. Flexor digitorum. Ff. H. Flexor hallucis. G. Gracilis. J. C. Ischio- caudal. J. F. Ischio-femoral. J.P. Tlio-peroneal. S. Sartorius, S. M. Semimembranosus. S. 7. Semitendinosus. Ischio-femoral (fig. 11, J. F). A very small muscle (which may perhaps answer to the quadratus femoris of higher animals) passes from the postero-external angle of the ischium to the head of the femur very near the acetabulum. Ilio-peroneal (figs. 10 & 11, I.P). A very long and slender muscle arises from the ilium, immediately beneath and closely connected with the gluteus maximus. It is inserted into the peroneal side of the fibula above its middle. The biceps (?) (fig. 11, B) is also a very slender muscle. It extends from the shaft of the femur, just below the insertion of the femoro-caudal, downwards to the lower part of the fibula. Tibialis anticus (figs. 9 & 10', T,. A and T. 41). This muscle seems to be double in Menobranchus. It arises from the front of the distal end of the femur, and from the proximal parts of the tibia 466 ON THE MYOLOGY OF MENOBRANCAUS LATERALIS. [June 24, and fibula. It is inserted into the tarsus aud lower part of the tibia on the inner side of the leg. The inner portion (7. 4. 1) is much like the extensor hallucis of Menopoma as to its origin, but it does not appear to descend below the shaft of the tibia. Peroneus (fig. 9, P). There is a muscle descending down the outer side of the leg, from the head of the fibula to the tarsus, as in Menopoma. The extensor longus digitorum (figs. 9 & 10, #. L. D) is a large sheet of muscle covering the front of the leg. It arises by a strong aponeurosis from the front of the distal end of the femur. Passing downwards, it goes to the digits. Extensor hallucis(?) (fig. 10, Z. H). A small muscle which I thus name, with doubt and hesitation, takes origin from the lower part of the fibula, and, crossing the limb obliquely, passes to the dorsum of the hallux. Except that this muscle appears only to go to the innermost digit, it has very much the appearance of an extensor brevis digitorum. Extensor brevis digitorum. This muscle seems to be entirely wanting, unless what I have doubtfully named extensor hallucis be really the extensor brevis. wa ST: ZD. Deepest muscles of ventral or flexor surface of right pelvic limb, the fle«or digitorum being cut and reflected. F.D. Flexor digitorum. fF. H. Flexor hallucis. G. Gracilis. S. 7. Semiten- dinosus.