ro 8 = =e > poe ‘eat ior peat 4 i Byte > fee ter ~ At ee ., n * le $A) Ca - opere more rar: rarer PoP ore + re ban ro ee 74 awe — Ss rae e re ‘a speicietere os ots clratats cok etaay ss sinsotr tate be 1) ere ee OP ee Sa renekearns Re ty sl oaeeinea@ate sre oy Be tat ante ast He eens ve = a y= ee: xs nbc be wepe de dese at Woe ve teks toe a = Sens ea = Toe ye tebe ee Ps a yo ee ee es Piles’ be ae frag ve nvetetvteve ateibionvee <5 ram e esos = nae selene wey WSS t is 2 - dese teterree ra] : THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, INCLUDING ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, ann GEOLOGY. (BEING A CONTINUATION OF THE ‘MAGAZINE OF BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY,’ AND OF LOUDON AND CHARLESWORTH 'S ‘MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY,’) CONDUCTED BY Siz W. JARDINE, Barr., F.L.S.—P. J. SELBY, Esq., F.L.S., GEORGE JOHNSTON, M.D., CHARLES C. BABINGTON, Esa., M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., J. H. BALFOUR, M.D., Prof. Bot. Edinburgh, AND RICHARD TAYLOR, F.L.S., F.G.S. LONDON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY R. AND J. E. TAYLOR. SOLD BY 8. HIGHLEY; SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL; SHERWOOD AND coO.; W. WOOD, TAVISTOCK STREET ; BAILLIERE, REGENT STREET, AND PARIS: LIZARS, AND MACLACHLAN AND STEWART, EDINBURGH! CURRY, DUBLIN: AND ASHER, BERLIN, 1845. ‘¢Omnes res create sunt divine sapientie et potentie testes, divitie felicitatis humane :—ex harum usu bonitas Creatoris; ex pulchritudine sapientia Domini; ex ceconomia in conservatione, proportione, renovatione, potentia majestatis elucet. Earum itaque indagatio ab hominibus sibi relictis semper estimata; a veré eruditis et sapientibus semper exculta; malé doctis et barbaris semper inimica fuit.”— LINNAUs, ..««+- hic obitus rerum contemplor et ortus, Et quibus é causis ordine cuncta fluant. Et disco, quidquid medicos mare gignit ad usus, Quidquid et omnifero terra benigna sinu. Sepe juvat solem gelida vitare sub umbra, Multaque de plantis arboribusque loqui. Quid varios pisces, et nata corallia ponto * Eloquar, et conchis ostrea tecta suis ? Ille sed equoree numerum subducat arene Qui volet undivagos enumerare greges. P. Loticait Elegiarum lib, iii. eleg. 4,—lib. ii. eleg. 6. CONTENTS OF VOL. XVI. NUMBER CII. I. On some species of Cuscuta. By Cuarues C, Babryeton, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S. &c: (With a Plate.) s..sseccceseees eodswerssoscnseesadon ae II. Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorce Jounston, M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons uf Edinburgh. (With a Plate.) ........ 4 II1. On the British Desmidiee. By Joun Ratrs, Esq., M.R.C.S., Page Penzance. (With a Plate.) ....ccccsscssseseceers Rseuaens Abunda dandecuasiooas i AO IV. On the Colours of Leaves and Petals. ’ By Wittiam E. C. Nourse, M.R.C.S. ......00006 siaen dons anione et ve eS aa ae aeoe% garnesaevansie 16 ¥. Descriptions of Coleopterous Insects collected by Charles Ae _ Esq., in the Galapagos Islands. By Groner R. Wareruousse, Esq.... 19 VI. On the Organization of the Lucine and of Corbis. By M. ri VALENCIENNES csvcsessesevees ssacnedivenveentess aasaacnesases se ccerceens covccsoee 41 New Books :—The Genera of Birds, by G. R. Gray, F.L.S., illustrated by D.W. Mitchell, B.A., F.L.S.—Descriptiones Animalium que in itinere ad Maris Australis terras per annos 1772-74 suscepto col- legit J. R. Forster, nunc demum editz curante H. Lichtenstein 45—47 Proceedings of the Zoological Society ; Microscopical Society ; Entomo- logical Society ....cssserseeeeeeees Coe ndesecsseccacqvepesivececectecece 48—66 Observations on the group Schizopetalee of the family of Cruciferae, by J. Marius Barneoud ; On the Microscopic Constituents of the Ash of Fossil Coal, by Professor Ehrenberg and Dr. F. Schulz; On the Tendrils of the Cucurbitacee, by M. J. Payer; Meteorblogical Ob- servations and Table......csccssscssesseseseees Gods veged sas ceaVadiweses 66—72 NUMBER CIII. VII. Notes of a Microscopical Examination of the Chalk and Flint of the South-east of England; with remarks on the Animalculites of certain Tertiary and Modern Deposits. By Gipron Aucernon Man- TELL, LL.D., F.R.S. POOH eee OAE HEROD EEF eseeee CORP eee OOS ere Eee eSeeeeeeeeeeeerese . ’ os 25 #4 a . = : , y na ia ‘ He wedi: Nag TP i : + - PY oe wey 7 = FIT ht aly fi i , ‘ rd é ‘ % a pee * v8 4 3 . : a “ ' . “A = - me: ‘ aD tS A : ae & 4 . eo ': % . 4 A) . Z _¥ ; ~ - 3 < ~ - British Annelides. CS del. ' AD.CSowerhy, set ; Dr. Johnston on British Annelides. 5 the orifice naked: segments numerous: branchia in the form of a globular tubercle over each foot, which is uniramous ; the bristles simple : ¢ai/ truncate, without styles. Oss. The relations of this genus are rather obscure. To Nephtys and Gilycera it may be considered to approximate in the rudimentary state of the antenne, but in all other respects there is too great a dissimilarity to allow us to consider them as very nearly affined. The branchial tubercles over the feet might sug- gest a comparison with Phyllodoce, but there is no structural re- semblance ; the lamellee in Phyllodoce being merely modifications of the superior cirrus, moveable and jointed at the base, and acting as a kind of oar in the animal’s locomotion, while in Pol- licita they are branchial only, being immoyeable, and of no use or applicability as locomotive organs. The difference in internal structure is equally great, for in the one genus the organ is veined with the ramifications of the blood-vessels, while in this it is very distinctly areolar. I have seen one species only, which may be named— 1. P. Peripatus. Plate II, fig, 1—6, Hab, In deep water amid corallines, &e. Berwick bay. I have seen several Irish specimens in the collettions of Mr. W. Thompson of Belfast. Desc. Worm about 2 inches long, very slender, narrowed to- wards both extremities, almost cylindrical, of the usual yellowish- brown colour, roughish: head small, indistinctly separated from the following segment, longer than broad, rounded in front, where there are three unjointed antenne, the medial nearly as long as the lateral; on the sides of the head there are besides a few minute fleshy papille, and the feet advance on each side rather before the eyes, which are placed unusually backwards: eyes small, four, the anterior pair most approximate: mouth in- ferior : proboscis exsertile, large, smooth, emandibulate, the ori- fice plain: segments numerous, about the length of their own diameter, each of them furnished with a globose lamella or branchial tubercle on each side placed over and above the foot, immoveable, unjointed, smooth, with a small papillary tip; feet about sixty pairs, one pair to every segment, conoid, uniramous, papillary, not projecting beyond the branchize when at rest, but capable of being protruded beyond them, armed with four or five bristles and a spine; the bristles simple, sharp, curved like a hedge-knife, altogether retractile : the skin is covered with minute papille or granules, only visible under a high magnifier: anal seg- ment truncate, without styles, but on each side there is a mam- millary foot, which is larger than the penultimate, and, like it, appears to be destitute of bristles, 6 Dr. Johnston on British Annelides. The specific name attached to this worm was suggested by the resemblance it has to the Peripatus juliformis of the Rev. L. Guilding (Zool. Journ. vol. u. pl. 14). It is slow in its motions. In some positions what appeared to be a minute antenna was visible on the top of the head, and such as our figure represents it, but of its real nature I could not satisfy myself, and the ap- pearance may have been produced by a mere fold, or possibly by some refraction of the light. The areolated structure of the branchiz seems to be peculiar ; and a foot bristled with papille is a very rare formation among the Annelides Errantes. Puate ll. fig. 1. Pollictta Peripatus of the natural size. Fig. 2. The same highly magnified. Fig. 3. The anterior portion of the body from below, to show the situation of the mouth and proboscis. Fig.4. A few segments from nearly the middle of the body. Fig. 5. A single foot and branchiz to show their structure. Fig. 6. Three of the branchial globes separate from the feet. The figures were taken from a specimen that was only eight lines in length. The larger specimens were from the Irish coast, Family Eunica. ONUPHIS TUBICOLA. Nereis tubicola, Mill. Zool. Dan. Prod. 2625. Zool. Dan. i. 18. tab. 18. fig. 1\—6. Turt. Gmel. iv. 87. Aud. and M. Edw. Litt. de la France, ii. 154. I am indebted to Mr. C. W. Peach for my specimen of this worm. It has lost the posterior half of the body, but what re- mains is in excellent preservation, and will enable us to supply some deficiencies in the figures and description of Miller, which are very good so far as they go. The shape of the body is similar to the Nereis, and composed of numerous homologous segments ; it is somewhat compressed, but convex or rounded on both dorsal and ventral surfaces, which are smooth and polished. The colour appears to have been a uniform yellowish-brown. The cephalic segment (for it can scarcely be recognised as a head) is very narrow, even behind, but tri-sinuated in front, and in each sinus there originates a long awl-shaped tentaculum (wood- cut, fig. 1 a), the three being of nearly equal length. They are smooth but annulated, the three basal joints very distinct and short, the others less distinct, elongate, and rather irregular. At the base of the tentacula are the eyes, which appear to be four in number, but they are so obscurely marked that the two outer ones may possibly be only dark spots. Underneath the tentacula and partly concealed by them are the antenne (fig. 2 aa), which are minute organs reminding us of the antennze of some beetles, having a short moveable pedicle with a clavate head. They arise from the rounded front margin. Dr. Johnston on British Annelides, 7 The mouth is inferior, and so concealed that it can be seen only from the ventral aspect. The wide undefined orifice is surrounded by a thick dip, the upper lip being formed of two comparatively large egg-shaped tubercles (fig. 2¢) ; and within the under lip there are two processes like palpi. From the external side of the anterior tubercles there arises, on each side, a tentacular cirrus (figs. 1, 2 6), similar to the tentacula in all respects, and projected. in the same direction, but only one-third of their length. The proboscis is armed with several small dark corneous jaws, denticulated on the inner side, and arranged in two rows, in the same way as in the genus Eunice. See Aud. and Edw. Litt. de la France, pl. 3. fig. 11. | The occipital segment has no appendages. The segment behind is nearly of the same size, but those which follow are narrower, the length being about one-third of the transverse diameter. Above and below the foot there is a cirrus (fig. 3). On the an- terior segments the superior cirrus does not project beyond the foot, but it becomes considerably longer on the posterior, and is simple on all of them, with a joint at the base. The foot is formed of a tubercle and sheath, armed with bristles collected into two fascicles. Each fascicle is furnished with a spine (fig. 4), with two forceps (fig. 5), and with many lanceolate bristles curved at the points (fig. 6) and very sharp, with a double edge at the point of curvature. I have not before met with a worm furnished with forceps-like bristles; and none of the kind are figured by Audouin and Edwards. The worm lives in a tube which has a singularly exact resem- 8 Dr. Johnston on British Annelides. blance to the barrel of a dressed quill. It is about three inches in length; and the superior portion is thinner than the lower, which is very tough and not easily cut with a knife. I made a vain attempt to form it into a pen. Let us see if, in its curious structure, we can find a key to the habits of the animal. We learn from Miiller that it lives in soft mud, and one unceasing object of its life is the capture of prey. For this end it must protrude the anterior portion of the body beyond its tube, and raise it above the surface of the mud, and in this position remain on watch. To enable the worm to do this with ease, is, I conjecture, the office of the forceps-like bristles of the feet: with their ends it may hook itself to the rim of the tube, and thus support itself extended without the waste of mus- cular power. A long watch is thus rendered less irksome, while at the same time its capacity to seize upon a passing prey is in- creased. The prey caught, analogy leads us to believe that the worm will instantly retreat and sink within its tube, where it can feed without disturbance or fear. But as the entry and passage are narrow and unyielding, it seems to follow that the prey should be held by the mouth alone when in the act of being dragged within the tube, and hence surely the reason that the mouth has been furnished with the hard tubercles to the lips; for, when con- tracted, they must give a firmer gripe and hold than could other- wise be taken, The use of the tube is to protect the body from the pressure of the soft mud in which it stands immersed. When the tube is overset or cast out by the waves or accident, the worm leaves it, and becomes, in its turn, exposed to enemies. To protect itself from these while a new tube is being secreted, nature has amply furnished the Onuphis with a series of bristling lances on each side. These arms are of exquisite make, very fine and very sharp ; and those of the upper bundle have their pomts bent and in- clined towards those of the lower bundle, which are likewise bent to meet them. Do examine a foot under the. microscope, and I defy you not to admire them: and your wonder will increase when you consider that a complex mechanism is also provided by which these polished instruments can be drawn within their sheaths, and pushed forwards and beyond at will. I can easily suppose that the wounds they inflict upon the tiny assailants of the Onuphis are severe and painful ; but worms are too retentive of life to permit us to believe that the repulsed foe ever dies of them. Family APHRODITACER. Genus SpintHer, Johnston. Cuar. Body oval, exannulate, scaleless, acephalous; antenne Dr. Johnston on British Annelides. 9 — ?; eyes none ; proboscis emaxillary : feet very numerous, all alike, uniramous, and all furnished with an inferior cirrus. 1. Spinther oniscoides, Plate II. fig. 7. “ Dredged off Castle Chichester (Belfast Bay) Aug. 26, 1844, in -6—10 fathoms, Mr. Hyndman,” W. Thompson. Desc. Body ovate, convex dorsally, flat on the ventral surface, of a uniform cream-yellow colour, rounded and obtuse at both extremities, which are so much alike, that, without a close exami- nation, the anterior is not to be distinguished from the posterior. There is no head, tentacula nor tentacular cirri. With a com- mon magnifier we perceive that the back is crossed by numerous (about thirty) narrow roughish edges (fig. 8), the roughness being produced by a series of minute bristles which scarcely pro- trude beyond the skin: the ridges are regular and equidistant, and are continuous with the feet on each side. The feet form a close-set range round the body, interrupted only in front by a very narrow fissure in which the mouth is situated. They are all alike, short and equal, formed of a single thick stump armed with a bundle of bristles (fig. 10) that project very little beyond the . margin, and are all glued together by a sort of albuminous mem- brane. There did not seem to be any cirrus above the foot, but at the rogt of each of them underneath there is a cirrus shorter than the foot itself, and with a large bulb at the base (fig, 11), The bristles are of three kinds: viz. (1.), the spinous (fig, 12), sharp and fashioned like a needle ; (2.), the forked (fig. 13), which are filiform with a bulbous root, and eut into two scarcely equal prongs at the apex; and (8.), the clawed (fig. 14), a bristle which has a stem slightly incrassated upwards, where a strong curved and sharp claw is articulated by an oblique joint. The forked bristles are the most numerous; and I did not observe more than one clawed bristle im each foot, but there were two or three from which the claw appeared to have been broken away. There are no anal styles. For the only specimen of this smgular worm that I have seen, I am indebted to Wm. Thompson, Esq. of Belfast, It is half an inch in length, with a breadth fully one half of the long diameter. It has at first glance more resemblance to a Doris than to any Annelide ; and when it was placed under a common magnifier, it was compared, aptly enough, to the Cyprea europea, the compa- rison being suggested by the stmilarity in the ridges that cross the back. The description, I am aware, is in several respects imperfect, but from the distinctness of the worm as a species, it is assuredly sufficient for its future recognition. Observations on living in- dividuals seem necessary to ascertain the number and nature of 10 Mr. J. Ralfs on the British Desmidiez. the oral appendages. That it is a member of the Aphroditacee no one can doubt, although it possesses few of the technical cha- racters by which that family has been hitherto defined, It has no near ally in the family. In common with the Palmyre, the back is naked or destitute of scales; but there is nothing else in which the two genera agree. Puate IL. fig. 7. Spinther oniscoides of the natural size. Fig. 8, The dorsal aspect viewed through a common magnifier. Fig. 9. A view of the ventral surface, Fig. 10. Two feet detached and viewed from the back, Fig. 11. A foot as seen from below. Figs. 12, 13, 14. The bristles. [To be continued. } III.—On the British Desmidiee. By Joun Ratrs, Esq., } M.R.C.S., Penzance *, [With a Plate. ] Dipymorrivum, Kiitz. Filaments elongated, gelatinous, fragile, cylindrical or subcylin- drical, with a bidentate process or angle on each side of the joints. The filaments are elongated, simple, jointed, gelatinous and very fragile, and finally separate into single joints ; each joint has two opposite, bidentate angles or processes. Hence the margins of the filaments are crenate, and as it is regularly twisted it not only appears of unequal breadth, but the form of its joints also varies as more or less of the angles is seen at the margin; in short, as they are at one time fully visible and at length entirely disappear. For synonyms, habitats, and description of the species, I must refer to my former article on Desmidium. 1. D. cylindricum, Ktz. Filaments subcompressed, inclosed in a di- stinct mucous sheath; joints broad as long. Kiitz. Phy. Gen. p- 165. Desmidium cylindricum, Annals of Nat. Hist. vol. xi. p. 373, pl. 8. fig. 1; Menegh. J. ¢. p. 204. Puate III. fig. 4. Didymoprium cylindricum, joint dividing into two. 2. D. Borreri. Filaments cylindrical, not inclosed in a sheath ; joints inflated, twice as long as broad. Desmidium Borreri, Annals of Nat. Hist. vol. xi. p. 375. pl. 8. fig. 4. Additional habitats. Ashdown Forest and near Battle, Sussex, Mr. Jenner; Ireland, Mr. Andrews. Prare ill. fig. 5. Didymoprium Borreri, joints dividing. Guiazoprium, Berk. (in lit.) Filaments elongated, simple, cylindrical, very gelatinous ; joints * Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, July 11, 1844, Mr. J. Ralfs on the British Desmidice. dil with either a slight constriction which produces a crenate ap- pearance, or a grooved rim at one end which forms a bifid pro- jection on each side. The filaments are cylindrical, simple, jointed, invested with a broad gelatinous sheath, and very fragile in one species, but not so in the other. Hither a groove passes round each joint, giving a crenate appearance to the margins of the filament, and dividing the endochrome into two portions, or else a grooved rim at one extremity of the joint appears on each side like a bifid process. A transverse view shows a radiate endochrome in one species, but in the other I was unable to obtain this view on account of its want of fragility. The cylindrical filaments distinguish this genus from Desmi- dium and Spherozosma. From Didymoprium it differs in the absence of angular projections, in not being twisted, and in al- ways having the same apparent breadth. 1. G. dissiliens. Filaments fragile, crenate ; a shallow groove round each joint divides the endochrome into two portions. Desmidium mucosum, Breb. Alg. Fal. p. 65. pl. 11; Menegh. Synop. Desmid. in Linnea 1840, p. 204; Ralfs in Annals of Nat. Hist. vol. xi. p. 374, pl. 8. fig. 2. This plant is apparently common, as, in addition to the habitats already given, Mr. Jenner has gathered it in numerous stations both in Sussex and in Kent. It has also been gathered in Ire- land, near Bandon, by Dr. Allman, and in Kerry by Mr. Andrews. In an advanced state it becomes of a pale opake green. The mucous sheath is easily perceived, and is on each side of the filament as broad as the central coloured portion. The en- dochrome is divided into two portions by the central constriction, which can always be detected on a careful examination with the higher powers of the microscope. This plant has been involved in much confusion ; it was by mistake figured in ‘Eng. Bot.’ for the Conferva dissiliens of Dillwyn, and afterwards altogether omitted in Hooker’s ‘ Br. Flora’ and in Harvey’s ‘ Manual of the British Alge’ From the synonyms in Meneghini’s ‘ Synopsis Desmidiearum,’ it seems that De Brébisson considered it the Conferva mucosa of Mertens and Dillwyn. 2. G. mucosum. Filaments scarcely fragile; joints not constricted, but having at one of the ends a minute bidentate projection on each margin, the adjoining end of the next joint bearing similar projections. Conf. mucosa, Mert. ; Dillw. Brit.Conf. tab. B. ; Hook. Br. Fl. vol. xi. p. 351; Harv. Br. Alg. p. 127. Gloeotila monili- formis, Kiitz. Phyc. Generalis, p. 245? In shallow pools and gently-flowing streams, probably not uncom- 12 Mr. J. Ralfs on the British Desmidieze. mon. Most plentiful in the autumn. Bantry, Miss Hutchins ; Appin, Capt. Carmichael. Trentishoe, Devonshire ; Penzance and Dolgelley, J. R.; Cheshunt, Mr. Hassall; Chiltington Common near Pulbo- rough, Sussex; and in the peat bog at Fisher's Castle near Tun- bridge Wells, Mr. Jenner, Filaments elongated, very gelatinous, of a pale translucent green, not fragile. Under the microscope the joints are generally about equal in length and breadth, and the endochrome forms a single irregular patch. The joints are not constricted, but at one end they have on each margin a minute bidentate projection ; as the similar ones of the next joint are at its adjoining extremity, these projections occur only near the alternate dissepiments. When, however, the joint is elongated, preparatory to the forma- tion of two joints, the endochrome is divided into two portions, and then these processes are present at both ends, the next joint undergoing a similar change. These projections are extremely minute, and can only be detected by employing the highest power of the microscope, and even then are liable to be overlooked if not carefully sought for. IT examined many specimens of this plant in 1841, but did not perceive these curious projections until the following year. I believe they are really formed by a grooved rim round the end of the joint, because however the filament may be moved they are equally apparent ; whereas if they were processes, as in Didymo- prium, they would be sometimes either entirely concealed or ren- dered less apparent. The filaments have a very broad mucous sheath, which from its great breadth and absence of colour is not easily discerned ; it is more evident when a specimen is dried on tale or glass, as the margins are then generally perceptible. When gathered the filaments are very distinct, frequently parallel and subdistant even to the naked eye : this depends on the great breadth of their mucous sheaths, which prevent the coloured filaments coming into contact. By this character G. mucosum may in general be known even without the aid of a microscope. The same circumstance occurs in young plants of G. dissiliens, but is less remarkable, as its mucous sheath is not more than half as broad. Under a low power of the microscope G. mucosum has consi- derable resemblance to G. dissiliens, with which it is probably not unfrequently confounded, But they may always be distinguished even without the aid of the microscope. The G. dissiliens is ex- tremely fragile, and will break into pieces if a small portion be placed on the hand and the finger gently passed over it; this plant, on the contrary, will not break if it be taken out of the water and allowed to hang down in long strings. It always has a clear translucent appearance ; the G. dissiliens, except when very young, Mr. J. Ralfs on the British Desmidiee. 13 is of an opake green. The latter if kept in water for a few days spontaneously separates into fragments; G. mucosum, although treated in the same manner for weeks, has not separated into fragments sufficiently small to enable me to obtain a transverse view. I am therefore unable to say whether the endochrome in that aspect appears stellate, as in G. dissiliens. Under the microscope G. mucosum may be known by the joints not appearing crenate and by the endochrome being in a single patch, orif divided, the joints are longer than in G. dissiliens. Its mucous sheath is with difficulty detected, and when seen will be found to extend on each side twice the breadth of the coloured filament ; whereas in G. dissiliens the mucous sheath is, except in old specimens, detected without difficulty. This is a remarkable plant, and differs in many respects from the other Desmidiee ; indeed so much so, that I had some doubts whether it would be correctly placed in this family; but as the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, as well as every other algological friend whose opinion I solicited, considers that its place must be in the same genus with the preceding species, I have described it here. The joints seem to be in pairs, and a single one is consequently unsymmetrical. G. mucosum agrees with the other Desmidiee in its capability of being kept a long time without undergoing decomposition. I was indebted to Mr. Hassall for the information that the plant under consideration was the Conferva mucosa, Dillw., as also for an opportunity of examining a foreign specimen under that name from the herbarium of Dr. Greville. I have since been able to compare our plant with a portion of an Irish specimen of Conferva mucosa presented to me by Mr. Borrer, who received it from SirW.J. Hooker. From the latter I learn that this was an original specimen from Miss Hutchins. Sur W. J. Hooker has also presented me with an Appin specimen collected by Capt. Carmichael. All these are identical with the present plant, Prarte III. fig. 6. Gleoprium mucosum : a, portion of a filament much magnified to show the bifid projections; 8, less magnified to show the breadth of the sheath. Spy #rozosma, Corda. Filaments gelatinous, plane, fragile; joints closely united by means of glandular processes, and deeply divided on each side, thus forming two segments and giving a pinnatifid appearance to the filament. _The filaments are pale green, gelatinous, simple, plane, have a pinnatifid appearance from the division of the joints into two segments, are fragile, and finally separate into single joints. [| 14 Mr. J. Ralfs on the British Desmidiex. have not observed that the filaments are twisted, as in Desmidium and Didymoprium. At the junction of the joints there are on each margin one or two minute glands or processes which are scarcely discernible in the front view, and do not interfere with the close junction of the jomts. The transverse view is linear or oblong, and the processes, one or two at each side, are much more evident than in the front view. * This genus differs from Desmidium, Didymoprium and Gleo- prium in its flat filaments (which are not twisted), in the deep di- vision of the joints into segments, and especially in the presence of the minute gland-like processes at the junction of the joints. From the Odontella of Ehrenberg it may be known by the joints being united along their entire breadth, whereas in Odontella they are connected only by the elongated angles which inclose a small vacant space between them. On account of its deeply constricted joints, this genus forms a connecting link between the three preceding genera and Stau- rastrum. : In Spherozosma, as in the other genera with deeply constricted cells, the segments are frequently unequal during the growth of the plant, and they become in like manner equal when it ap- proaches maturity and its joints no longer divide. 1. S. unidentata. Joints as broad as long, divided into two segments by a linear notch on each side ; junction-glands stalked, oblique, solitary at the centre of each margin. Odontella unidentata, Ehr. Infus. p. 159; Pritch. Infus. p.191. Desmidium compressum, An- nals of Nat. Hist. vol. ix. p. 253. Isthmia vertebrata, Menegh. 1. c. p. 205? This plant has been gathered at Rotherfield and near Tun- bridge Wells by Mr. Jenner since the publication of my former notice of it. I then considered it an undescribed species of Des- midium. I have since been favoured by Mr. Berkeley with the following extract from Ehrenberg’s observations on the Odon- tella unidentata :—“ This species is surprising by reason of its evolution. There are always two great and two small joints alternately turned to one another, and the processes are found alternately between the small and large joints. This reminds one of Scenedesmus convergens and the Euastra.” This extract leaves no doubt that Ehrenberg’s Odontella unidentata is identical with the plant I described under the name of Desmidium compressum. He correctly pots out the affinity between the joints in this plant and the frond in Euastrum. As in both genera he consi- ders the segments of the cell to be distinct joints, he has de- scribed the process or junction-gland in the present plant as oc- curring at every alternate dissepiment. But his description of the Mr. J. Ralfs on the British Desmidieze. 15 alternate occurrence of two small and two large segments is in- correct, for although the smaller segments are necessarily in pairs, being formed during the elongation and bisection of the cells, | have never seen all the joints thus dividing at the same time, which must always happen if his statement be correct; on the contrary, many joints with equal segments will often succeed each other, here and there followed by the unequal segments, as I have described above. When the reproductive granules are perfected and the filament of the mature plant ceases to elongate, all the joints will be found similar and their segments equal. In my former notice of this plant I described it as destitute of a mucous sheath; I have not gathered it since; but on further consideration I believe that the sheath exists, although I failed to detect it. The reason for coming to this conclusion is, that the filaments when gathered were remarkably distinct and parallel, exactly as those in Gleoprium mucosum ; | have no doubt that in both this appearance is an effect of the same cause, and that broad colourless sheaths separate the coloured filaments. I sup- pose therefore its tenuity, want of colour and great breadth pre- vented its observation. Puare III. fig. 7. Spherozosma unidentata: a, portions of filaments ; b, front view of an empty joint; c, joint with one of its segments newly formed ; d, transverse view. 2. S. excavata. Joints longer than broad, with a deep excavation on each side, and two sessile glands on each margin at their junc- tion. Pools, Dolgelley and Penzance, J. R.; Cross-in-Hand, and Ash- down Forest, Sussex, and bogs at Fisher’s Castle, Kent, Mr. Jenner. Very minute, seldom more than twenty joints in the filament, which is fragile, and finally separates into single joints ; at their junction, in the front view, are two minute processes or glands invisible before the escape of the endochrome, and situated one near each angle. The jomts are from one and a half time to twice as long as broad, much constricted in the middle ; the con- striction is like an excavation or broad sinus on each side, so that the margins of the filament appear sinuated. The transverse view is oblong with four sessile minute glands, two on each side and situated near their ends. The endochrome is pale bluish green with minute scattered granules. Piate III. fig. 8. Spherozosma excavata: a, portion of a filament ; b, front view of an empty joint ; c, transverse view. 16 Mr. E. C. Nourse on the Colours of Leaves and Petals. IV.—On the Colours of Leaves and Petals. By Wi1i11aM E. C. Noursg, M.R.C.8. Tue colours of leaves and petals depend on several conditions ; some mechanical or structural, and some chemical. The latter have been made the subject of many investigations. The former, though requiring little more than common observation, have been passed over, or but slightly noticed. It is to a clearer knowledge of these that the present paper, so far as it goes, is intended to contribute. The structural or mechanical circumstances which influence the colours are, lst, the situation of the coloured cells ; 2nd, their size, form and number ; 3rd, their mixture with each other ; and 4th, their degree of visibility. 1. The situation of the coloured cells is different in leaves and petals, though their general structure is anatomically similar, If a leaf be torn, the green colour appears to be in the central sub- stance ; while in a petal the centre is nearly white, and the co- lour peels off with the cuticle. This difference merits a degree of attention which has not hitherto been paid to it. The structural parts of a leaf or petal are, the substance, con- sisting of cellular tissue and venous ramifications ; the cuticle, or epidermis ; and a layer of cells immediately beneath the cuticle, to which we may give the provisional name of Rete. This latter structure is seldom mechanically distinet, but is either continuous with the substance, as in leaves, or adherent to the cuticle, as in petals; though it can sometimes be shown in a separate form in petals of a large size. Its characters, however, effectually distmguish it from the other structures. It is the densest parenchyma of the organ, consisting of an immense number of nearly circular cells without any interstices. But the circumstance which makes it most conspicuous is, that it is the seat of colouring matters which are scarcely found in the other structures. The rete thus appears entitled to be considered as a distinct tissue, and may be found to perform important func- tions, especially in the petals, in which its development is most distinct. The colours of the rete possess an almost endless variety, and, in fact, it is in this structure that the most highly coloured cells are always found. Of petals, it contains the entire colouring ; the yellow, red, blue, brown, black, and all the intermediate tints are wholly produced i in its cells, and can be completely removed by simply stripping it off with the cuticle. This can be easily done with any common flower. In leaves the rete is the seat of all the modifications of the green colour which those organs present, excepting variegation, cuticular changes, and what may be called Mr. E. C. Nourse on the Colours of Leaves and Petals. 17 venous colours, like red cabbage, &c. All dark shades of green are the effect of an immense crowding together of green cells in the rete, as may be readily seen in the yew, the bay, the holly, &c.; and all those lesser variations and shades, such as brownish and reddish, and a number of others, which add so much to the beauty of each leaf and to the picturesque effect of the whole, are due (with the above exceptions) to the different colours of the cells in the rete. Of this kind are the shadings in the leaf of the common wild ivy; the reddish tips and edges of rose- and peony- leaves, the purple of the cornel and cineraria, and many similar appearances. The colours of the substance, on the contrary, are marked by their want of intensity and by their extreme simplicity. Few coloured cells are found in this structure. In petals it is either white or lightish, or some faint shade of the general colour of the flower. It requires some care to show this im small specimens ; but in large ones, such as garden poppies or peonies, the cuticle - and rete can be easily peeled off on both sides, and the colourless substance shown in a distinct form, having the exact shape of the petal. The substance in leaves is always green, except in the lght parts of variegated leaves, or in leaves of unusual thickness, like the aloe. With these exceptions, there is but little difference in the shade of green between the substance of one leaf and that of another, taking them, of course, in a state of health and matu- rity. Thus, in the holly and ivy, the substance is very little darker than it is in the beech or laurel. In a great number of leaves the difference of shade is not perceptible ; and even in the holm-oak, remarkable for its gloomy foliage, the green of the substance is not by any means so dark as might be imagined. It will thus be seen that the coloured cells both in leaves and petals are chiefly placed in the rete. A few are occasionally found in the substance of petals, and a certain number in that of leaves ; but not in general sufficient to determine the outward colour. | 2. The size, form and number of the coloured cells always vary with the intensity of the general colour of the structure. When the colour is very deep the cells are small, roundish, and densely packed together in immense numbers. ‘This is their appearance in the rete. If the colour is lighter the cells are larger, more elongated, and less closely packed together, as they are seen in the substance of leaves, and of those petals which are somewhat coloured throughout ; and where there is little or no colour, as in the substance of the greater number of petals, the cells are generally large and oblong, often muriform, and with distinet intercellular passages. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. C 18 Mr. E.C. Nourse on the Colowrs of Leaves and Petals. In white flowers, the cells which contain opake white matter are always rounder and more thickly packed together than the empty cells. 3. Tints may be produced by the mere mechanical mixture of the coloured cells. In these cases no union of the colours takes place, but they remain distinct in their separate cells, side by side. When the cells are mixed with regularity, a uniform tint results ; but when the colours are more or less massed together, variega- tion or marking is the consequence. Coloured cells sometimes lie over one another, causing a new tint by one layer being seen through the other. | The leaf of the Pelargonium zonale is well-known for its pecu liar dark stain. This is entirely in the rete, for the substance of the leaf is pure green. The rete however, viewed carefully in various sections beneath the microscope, appears to consist, not of dark cells, but of distinct red and green ones, very minute, densely packed together and intermingled ; and it is by this juxta- position of the red and green, and by the green cells of the sub- stance being partially visible through it, that the effect of a dark tint seems to be caused. The leaf of the variegated elder pre- sents an appearance of similar orig. Some parts of the leaf are of a decided green, and some almost white; but there are also patches of a sort of imperfect green, paler, and somewhat glau- cous. The substance in these parts is not less green than in the darkest parts of the leaf, as may be seen by looking at the under surface ; but the rete, instead of containing dark green cells, con- sists of a thin layer of white ones; and these, with the cuticle, to which they are adherent, by lying over the green substance, produce the glaucous appearance. 4. The cuticle in this mstance contributes to the effect. This structure has not yet been mentioned, because coloured cells are never found in it; and it merely modifies the appearances of co- lours by regulating the visibility of the coloured cells. This is so obvious, that it only needs to be referred to, as well as the effects of the cuticular appendages. In most petals the cuticle is extremely delicate ; often consist- ing of the finest web, impossible to be detached, and only to be seen occasionally at the carefully torn edges of a flower. It is somewhat thicker in large petals, and can then be raised and torn off in shreds. Of course, in these instances, it is perfectly trans- parent, and permits the colours to be seen through it in the most distinct manner. . Such are the structural circumstances relating to the colours of leaves and petals. Simple as they are, and easily observed, they required to be stated, to receive their proper share of atten- tion. The chief points about them are, the anatomical differences Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on some Coleopterous Insects. 19 between leaves and petals in the situation of the colours ; and the location of the colours of the petals in the rete, a fact hitherto unnoticed, and one which may hereafter throw light on some interesting points of vegetable physiology. Reference was made to another kind of colours, also found in the leaves and petals. These, with their peculiarities, which may prove not devoid of practical interest, together with some other matters connected with the subject or suggested by it, remain to be brought forward at some future time. London, June 9, 1845. V.—Descriptions of Coleopterous Insects collected by Charles Darwin, Esq., in the Galapagos Islands. By Guoren R. Wareruovsse, Hsq. Tux insects here described are nearly all of small size, and none of them display any brilliant colourmg. Some of the species are referable to a little group found in Chile and Peru,—the genus Ammophorus, a genus hitherto only found in those parts ; others appertain to a genus. (Anchonus) which is almost confined to the West Indian islands and the northern parts of South America. Again, in the collection under consideration are species of ge- nera which are found all over the world or nearly so, such as Feronia, Notaphus and Oryctes* ; and, lastly, there are species * It is from genera like these, which have a very wide geographical range, that the minor, local groups appear as it were to radiate. ‘Those genera which are confined to comparatively limited districts, often containing but few species, and also often presenting very remarkable abnormal modifica- tions of structure, are in most cases referable to some family which has re- presentatives in most parts of the world. Groups of high value, such as classes, are never confined to any particular quarter of the globe; and even when we descend to families, restricted as they now are by natu- ralists, it is comparatively rare to find them so defined as not to embrace species from widely separated localities. Genera may be arranged under three principal categories as regards their geographical distribution. First may be noticed those of universal range, such as Cicindela; secondly, those which occur in both hemispheres but affect particular zones, such as Mega- cephala, which is confined to the tropical zone; and thirdly, those which are restricted to a comparatively small district, such as Manticora, which is con- fined to South Africa. ‘These genera all belong to the same family of beetles, and of this family Maniicora presents certainly one of the most aberrant forms. The genus Cicindela would by most entomologists be regarded as the typical genus of the family Cicindelide, and here we find, as in many other cases, the presumed typical genus has a universal range; it may be inquired, therefore, whether such is not generally the case. I must here observe that Mr. Swainson has expressed the opinion that typical genera have a great geographical range; I was not aware, however, of this fact until after the idea had been suggested to me by a tabular ar- rangement which I had formed of the Mammalian order Rodentia, in which 2 20 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on Coleopterous Insecis which cannot be located in any known genus, but which apper- tain to families having representatives in most parts of the world, such as the Pedinide, Tentyriide, Anthribide and Halticide. But four species amongst the Galapagos Coleoptera occur, so far as I have been able to ascertain, in any other quarter, and of these, two (Dermestes vulpinus and Corynetes rufipes) are insects which, feeding upon dried meat and such substances, have been earried to all parts frequented by ships; the third is a wood- feeding insect (genus Apate), and might be transported for a con- siderable distance by floating timber ; and the fourth is a water- beetle which appears to me to be clearly identical with the Hy- drophilus lateralis (genus Tropisternus of Solier), an inseet found in the United States, Mexico, and some of the West Indian islands. I should observe, moreover, there is in the collection a second, minute, species of Hydrophilus closely resembling the Philhydrus affinis of our English collections, but which is rather smaller, less distinctly punctured, and of a darker hue. I have in my collection a species from North America from which the Galapagos Philhydrus differs only in being of a darker colour ; perhaps this little Hydrophilus should therefore be incorporated amongst the species which are not peculiar to the Galapagos Islands. Some of the insects of the collection have labels at- tached, from which may be ascertained the particular island of the Galapagos group from which they were procured, and where this was the case I have not found any species which is common to two or more of the islands. : both the classification of the minor divisions and their geographical distribu- tion were displayed at the same time. After working out the affinities of the groups of the Carnivorous quadrupeds, the idea again occurred to me ; five out of the six great divisions 1 had formed from the consideration of characters furnished by the skull and dentition combined, had a typical form of very great geographic range. In the order Rodentia I had made three great di- visions, and had pointed out the distinguishing characters of a fourth, though I hesitated to raise that fourth to the rank of the other three. Were the geographical range to be taken into consideration, there would be four great families of Rodents. In the order Pachydermata, the various species appear all to approach more or less to four principal forms, typified by the genera Equus, Tapir, Sus and Mastodon, and these genera, or very nearly related genera, are found either living or in a fossil state in all the principal quarters of the globe, Australia excepted, where only the last has been found. What is characteristic of part of a small group might also be characteristic of part of a larger group. I have noticed that in a certain family, Cicindelide, one genus is confined to a tropical zone; so might we find in an order of ani- mals, a family which is confined to the tropical zone—the Psittacide among Birds is nearly a tropical family ; and in the class Mammalia we have an in- stance (certainly a rare one) of an order (the Quadrumana) which is almost confined to the tropical zone. The sections of water insects have generally a wider range than most others, and the above generalizations, as regards the distribution of groups, will not apply to parasitic insects. from the Galapagos Islands. 21 Section GEODEPHAGA. Family Feron11p2. Feronia Calathoides. Fer. nigra oblongo-ovata, nitida ; antennis pi- ceo-rubris ; pedibus piceis; thorace subquadrato, subplano, foveis duabus oblongis postice impressis, elytris sulcato-striatis.—Long. corp. 44 lin. ; lat. 12 lin. This insect very much resembles the Calathus cistelloides ; its head however is rather longer, and both thorax and elytra are rather shorter ; the latter, moreover, are much more deeply stri- ated, and the interstices between the striz are convex. With the exception of being a trifle shorter, the thorax resembles that of Calathus cistelloides in being nearly quadrate and but little con- vex: the sides are nearly straight and parallel behind, but slightly contracted in front ; the posterior angles are right angles; the dorsal channel is distinct, and midway between the dorsal channel and either side of the thorax is a narrow, impunctate, longitudinal groove, in length occupying fully the basal third of the thorax. The elytra are of an oblong-ovate form, and rather broader than the thorax ; the somewhat deep strize with which they are marked are smooth, but a few punctures are observable on the outer margin of each elytron. 'The legs are sometimes pitchy and sometimes pitchy-red. Feronia galapagoensis. Fer. angusta, nigro-znea, nitidiuscula; an- tennis rufescentibus, pedibus piceis; thorace subquadrato, sub- plano, postice angustiore ; foveis duabus postice impressis ; elytris elongatis, lateribus subparallelis, leviter striatis.—Long. corp. 55 lin. ; lat. 13 lin. This species is equal in size to the Calathus cistelloides, but is of a narrower and much more elongated form. The broadest part of the thorax is rather in front of the middle, and from this point they are gradually contracted before and behind ; in front in such a manner as to give to the sides a slightly rounded outline, but behind, the margins are nearly straight, and converge in no very marked degree. The elytra are elongated, but little broader than the thorax ; the shoulders are obtusely rounded, and the sides form a very gentle curve, so that they might be compared to a very long oval ; they have delicate simple striz : on the second stria are two punctures rather remote from each other and situated on the hinder half of the elytron ; and on the third stria is another puncture situated on the anterior half: besides these, there are a few punctures on the outer margin. The legs vary in colour from pitchy-black to pitchy-red. The eneous tinge on the body is nowhere very distinct. These two insects will not associate well with any of the sub- 22 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on Coleopterous Insects divisions of the great Feronian group; possessing the essential characters of Feronia, they have the general form and aspect of the species of Calathus: so like indeed is one of the species to Calathus cistellotdes, that I could scarcely doubt its belonging to the same genus, and was somewhat surprised to find the claws of the tarsi destitute of the usual denticulations. The dilated tarsi of the males have the joints triangular; as in Feronia. Family Harparips. Selenophorus (?) galapagoensis. Sel. piceus, marginibus thoracis ely- trorumque rufescentibus ; antennis, palpis, pedibusque ferrugineis ; thorace transverso-quadrato, postice paululum angustiore, angulis posticis obtusis, foveis duabus postice obsolete impresso ; elytris striatis, striis 2*, 5° et 7* punctis remotis, indistinctis, impressis ; interstitiis levibus.—Long. corp. 43 lin.; lat. 12 lin. But one specimen of this species was brought home by Mr. Darwin, and that being a female, I cannot feel certain that it be- longs to the genus Selenophorus ; it agrees in general aspect with the species of that genus, and in having no tooth in the emargi- nation of the mentum. Amblygnathus (?}) obscuricornis. Ambl. niger subobscurus ; antennis fuscis, articulis basalibus nigris apicibus piceis, palpis rufescentibus, tarsis piceo-rufis ; thorace transverso, subquadrato, postice paulo angustiore, supra convexo, angulis posticis rotundatis ; elytris subparallelis, convexis, striatis, striis 2*, 52 et 7* punctis remotis obsolete impressis, interstitiis convexis.—Long. corp. 44 lin. This insect like the last is a female, there being but one spe- cimen in Mr. Darwin’s collection ; it is almost destitute of any gloss, and has a slight silky appearance. In general aspect it greatly resembles a Cratognathus, having the same convex form of body; the mandibles however are obtuse at the apex, the labrum much less narrow in the antero-posterior direction, the head smaller, and the anterior tibiz less dilated. Both in this and the preceding insect there are three or four short spines on the outer side of the anterior tibiz. The thorax has the ordinary two impressions behind, but they are extremely indistinct: the elytra are distinctly striated ; and the striz are impunctate, if we except the second, fifth and seventh from the suture, in each of which are a few punctures which are widely separated and by no means distinct: at the apex of the elytron, near the outer margin, is a series of five or six tolerably distinct and large punctures ; the interspaces between the striz are rather strongly convex on the hinder part of the elytra, and but slightly convex on the anterior part. I am not acquainted with Dejean’s genus Amblygnathus, ex- cept through. his description, and with that the present insect from the Galapagos Islands. 23 will not agree in all respects ; like Amblygnathus, it has no tooth to the mentum, and the antennz short, but the eyes must be more prominent, The tarsi are short. Family BemBrp1ip@. Notaphus galapagoensis. Not. eneus, nitidus, antennis nigrescen- tibus, ad basin, pedibusque testaceis; thorace transverso, postice utrinque fovea oblonga impressa, lineaque longitudinali elevata notato ; elytris punctato-striatis, fasciis duabus arcuatis, rufescen- tibus, ornatis.—Long. corp. 14 lin. Body rather short and broad. Thorax broad and transverse, mo- derately convex, the sides boldly rounded and but slightly sinuated near the posterior angles, which are nearly right angles; dorsal channel distinct, and continued from the base to the apex of the thorax; a narrow oblong fovea is situated on each side behind, rather nearer the lateral margin, or angle, than the mesial line, and extending from the angle is a ridge which is about one-third of the length of the thorax and parallel with the mesial line, and hence, although the ridge springs from the angle, it is somewhat remote from the lateral margin at its apex,—the margin being bowed out- wards ; the disc of the thorax is smooth, but the lateral and poste- rior margins are coriaceous, The elytra are rather broad, of a brownish zeneous hue, distinctly punctate-striated ; rather in front of the middle is an irregular, transverse, yellowish band, which is subinterrupted in parts, and does not extend to the suture ; it de- scends obliquely downwards as it runs in from the outer margin, where it is met by a humeral pale mark : there is a faint trace of two pale spots above this band: about the hinder third of each elytron is a curved mark which commences on the second inter- stice from the suture, runs outwards to the margin, and forming a segment of a circle, extends to the apex of the elytra. A largeish depression is observed on the third interstice from the suture on the anterior third of each elytron. The whole of the basal joint, - and the base of the second, third and fourth joints of the antennz are yellow ; the rest of the joints are blackish. This species is from James’ Island. Section HYDRADEPHAGA. Family Dyviscip2. Copelatus (?) galapagoensis. Cop. ovatus, parum convexus, piceus ; capite, marginibus lateralibus thoracis et elytrorum, antennis pe- dibusque rufo-testaceis ; thorace disco nigro, punctis minutissimis subremotis impressis ; elytris distincte sed anguste striatis.—Long. corp. 2% lin. This is a small insect, and might be mistaken for a species of 24: Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on Coleopterous Insects EHydroporus before examined ; it however belongs to the Dytiscide as defined by Aubé, and agrees with Erichson’s genus Copelatus, excepting that its posterior tarsi are not ciliated. The hinder tarsi are provided with a few spines only: the three basal joints have each two large spines at the apex, and there are besides some few very minute spines on other parts. I have seen several spe- cies presenting this structure ; among others I may notice the Colymbetes elegans of Babington, an insect which I have had sent to me with the name Copelatus posticatus attached. Another species was brought by Mr. Darwin from the Mauritius ; they all possess the sharp distinct strize to the elytra which are mentioned as characteristic of the genus Copelatus, and neither of the four specimens here alluded to have the slightest trace of dilatation of the anterior tarsi. The Galapagos species differs from the Colymbetes elegans of Babington (which is found both in Rio de Janeiro and in Colom- bia) in being smaller and proportionately rather narrower ; in having the legs of a paler hue (these being pitchy-black in C. ele- gans and pale testaceous in C. galapagoensis), and the strize of the elytra more perfect. In C. elegans the second stria from the suture is obliterated on the hinder half of the elytron ; the fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth are also obliterated, but continued for the most part to the hinder third (or rather beyond that point) of the elytra. In C. galapagoensis the same striz are abbreviated, but the second and others mentioned, all terminate on the same line or nearly so, that line being about the posterior fourth of the elytron.. The tho- rax presents extremely delicate punctures, and numerous minute longitudinal scratches, requiring a tolerably powerful lens to per- ceive them; they are most distinct towards the sides and hinder part of the thorax.. Should this little section of water-beetles be not already characterized, I think it deserves the rank of a sub- genus, which might be called Chetosphyrus, from yatrn, a bristle, and opvpa, the ankle; the spines at the base of the foot being much developed. I may further add, that all the species have the anterior tibie somewhat dilated at the apex, and obliquely. truncated on the outer side at the same part ; the truncated por- tion is provided with three or four spines. Section: BRACHELYTRA. Creophilus, nov. spec. ?—Three specimens found under a dead bird in Chatham Island. These specimens approach very nearly in size and form to the Cr. mazillosus of Europe, and the C. vil- losus of North America. They have scarcely any hairs either on the head, thorax or elytra, and are but sparmgly clothed on the meso- and metasternum ; the hairs on these last. parts are how- from the Galapagos Islands. 25 ever entirely black, a character in which it approaches nearer to the European species, for the same part is white at the sides in C. villosus, and grayish black in the C. mawillosus. 'The few hairs which I can perceive of the elytra are perfectly black ; they occur however almost entirely on the hinder margin of the elytron. It is possible that the insect may have had pale markings (which have been rubbed off) on these parts, but I cannot trace any pale hairs in either of the three specimens. The abdomen is clothed throughout with hairs, but they are rather less dense than in C. villosus and C. mazillosus ; on the upper surface of the abdomen the hairs are black, excepting on the second and third visible segments, where they are yellowish white, but interrupted with black on the middle of each segment : on the under surface the hairs are black on the first segment, and yellow-white on the second and third segments throughout ; the remaining segments are rusty white in the middle only, and the pale hairs are almost confined to the posterior margin, the sides being black in all the specimens. In C. mazillosus I find the fourth segment white throughout beneath, with the exception of a small black dot on each side. C. villosus agrees with the Gala- pagos insect in having the side of the fourth segment black. Section STERNOXI]. Family EvaTerips. Physorhinus (?) galapagoensis. Phys. oblongus sublinearis ; piceo- fuscus, pube pallida tectus; capite rugoso-punctato, antice flavo ; thorace rugoso-punctato, linea longitudinali leviter impresso ; ely- tris punctato-striatis, interstitiis punctatis ; antennis pedibusque flavescentibus ; abdomine fusco.—Long. corp. 44 lin. ; lat. 14 lin. I have placed this Galapagos Elater mm a genus founded by Eschscholtz, with which it agrees very closely in many of its cha- racters ; as Germar’s definition of the genus* in question does not, however, in all respects apply to the insect before me, it will be necessary to notice the points of disagreement ; but I will first observe, that the Galapagos insect agrees with Physorhinus in ha- ving the tarsi apparently but four-joimted, the fourth joint being very small; in having the third joint short, and produced on the under surface into a long, undivided, membranous lobe: the lobe in the insect before me is equal in length to more than half that of the terminal jomt. The fourth joint is exceedingly small; forming a mere node, as it were, at the base of the claw-joint : the basal jot is long. The antenne are rather less than half the length of the body, and composed of longish, conical, and * The account I refer to will be found in Dr. Germar’s ‘ Zeitschrift fiir die Entomologie,’ Part 2 for 1840, p. 244. 26 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on Coleopterous Insects slightly compressed joints ; the first joint is rather stouter than the rest, and perhaps a trifle longer ; the second and third joints are short, but the third rather exceeds the second in length; the remaining joints are very nearly equal. There is an agreement also in the form of the thorax, the length of which is about equal to the breadth behind ; the fore-part contracted, and of the same width as the head; the posterior angles produced posteriorly, and acute; the antennal groove beneath, short, and confined to the anterior part of the preesternum, which has its point bent imwards. The mesosternum has a small hollow with raised margins in front. The metasternum is produced posteriorly so as partially to cover the trochanter. In all these characters the Galapagos insect ap- pears to me to agree with the type of the genus Physorhinus ; but, on the other hand, it differs in having the head rather shorter, presenting when viewed from above very nearly a semicircular outline, but slightly inclining to a conical form,—whilst Germar says of the genus Physorhinus, the head is longer than broad ; and it differs also in having the terminal joint of the tarsus (as it would appear from the figure) rather longer, so that although the basal joint is long, it is not quite equal to the other four taken together, as it is said to be in Physorhinus. The claws are slender and simple, and the tarsi very hairy. Section CLAVICORNES. Dermestes vulpinus, Auct. Corynetes rufipes, Auct. From James’ Island. Section PALPICORNES. Tropisternus (lateralis, Fab.). Philhydrus ——? Section LAMELLICORNES. Oryctes galapagoensis. Oryct. castaneus nitidus ; capite punctato, ca- rina transversa tri-emarginata obsito; ante oculos lobis subtrigonis productis ; clypeo producto, antice recurvo, constricto, subemar- ginato; thorace punctis distinctis remotis, impresso ; elytris latis, punctis minutissimis remote adspersis, rugisque indistincte notatis ; stria punctarum apud suturam.—Long. corp. 10 lin. ; lat. thora- cis 44 lin.; lat. elytrorum 52 lin. Head with large irregular scattered punctures ; these most nu- merous, and confluent, on the fore-part; the vertex flat and smooth; the sides produced into an obtuse angle immediately in front of the eyes ; the fore-part with a distinctly elevated ridge, which is most prominent in the middle, and has a deep notch ; it becomes gradually less prominent towards the sides, but is there produced from the Galapagos Islands. 27 again into an obtuse angle. Clypeus broader than long, con- tracted and slightly recurved at the apex, which is indistinctly emarginated. Thorax convex, withthe sides rather boldly rounded; the posterior margin also rounded, but forming a segment of a larger circle ; the fore-part emarginated ; anterior angles slightly acute, posterior obtusely rounded ; the surface above with distinct punctures, but these remote from each other—most numerous on the fore-part ; there is moreover a fovea on each side about mid- way between the anterior and posterior angles, and a little re- moved from the lateral margins. Scutellum triangular, slightly rounded at the tip. Elytra convex, much broader than the thorax, and broadest at the posterior third ; the humeral angles obtusely rounded, the hinder part very obtusely rounded ; they have a few exceedingly minute scattered punctures, some indistinct little ruge, and one or two longitudinal larger impressions. The sutural stria is composed of a subinterrupted series of distinct punctures. The body beneath is well-clothed with yellow hairs, and so are the legs: the terminal segment of the abdomen, like the elytra, has exceedingly minute scattered punctures; it is convex, rounded at the extremity, and its transverse diameter is about three times greater than the antero-posterior ; the penul- timate segment above is tolerably well-clothed with yellow hairs (the last has but few hairs), presents a distinct longitudinal fur- row in the middle, and this furrow is bounded on either side by a slightly elevated ridge. The legs are short and stout, and the anterior tibiee have three tooth-like processes on the outer side. The insect is very glossy and of a bright chestnut-brown colour. Section HETEROMERA. Family Tentyr1p 2%. Genus Stomion* (nov. gen.). Clypeus truncated in front, its lateral boundaries indicated by two slightly impressed longitudinal grooves. Labrum prominent, transverse, and slightly emarginated in front. Mandibles projecting beyond the clypeus when closed, covered at the apex by the labrum, but with the sides exposed when the head is viewed from above ; they are bidentate at the apex. Mentum broad and transverse and very nearly semicircular, the rounded part being in front. Mazxillary palpi moderate ; the terminal joint triangular, at least as long as broad : labial palpi short. * Sropesov, a little mouth ; having allusion to a peculiar conformation of the mouth of this and some allied genera, viz. that of having the mouth closed beneath by a large mentum, by the sides of which there does not exist the usual emarginations for the maxille, which are therefore hidden. 28 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on Coleopterous Insects Head small, in width not equal to more than half that of the thorax ; inclosed in the thorax as far as the eyes; the outline of the part in front of the’ eyes, including the mandibles and | labrum, is conical, but taking the arch formed by the outline of the clypeus, it is nearly semicircular ;—slightly indented on each side of the clypeus. Antenne of moderate length; if extended backwards would scarcely reach the base of the thorax; slender, the joints of a long obconie form ; the second joint short, the third long, but not equal in length to the two following joints taken together ; the last three joints dilated ; the antepenultimate and penulti- mate present a triangular outline ; the last joint is about equal in size to these, but of an oval form. Eyes tolerably large and moderately convex, kidney-shaped, being very slightly encroached upon in front by the lateral ridge of the head. Thorax transverse, narrower before than behind, rather deeply emarginated in front, rounded at the sides and bisinuated. be- hind, where it is closely applied to the thorax: the upper sur- face is convex, and there is an impressed line (not very distinct) following the margins, but interrupted in the middle of the anterior margin: the angles are acute in front and right angles behind,—or nearly right angles. Scutellum rather small, but distinct ; rounded behind. Elytra soldered together, very convex, broader than the thorax and of an ovate form, but sinuated in front, where the curved outline corresponds to that of the hinder margin of the thorax ; the humeral angles somewhat obtuse. Presternum with its hinder margin obtuse, notched, and not pro- duced. posteriorly beyond the anterior coxe. Abdomen but little inclosed at the sides by the elytra. Legs slender and moderately long ; the tibie nearly cylindrical, and terminated by two small spines : tarsi slender ; the hinder tarsi equal in length to more than two-thirds of that of the tibia. In general appearance the species of this genus greatly re- semble those of the genus Helops, and more particularly those shorter-bodied species of which our common Helops striatus may be said to form thetype. In size and general form, the Stomion levigatus (hereafter described) greatly resembles the insect just mentioned, but its thorax and elytra are more convex. The Sto- mion galapagoensis is half as large again as the H. striatus, and of a much broader form and more convex above : the third species of Stomion known to me is considerably less than the H. striatus, and of a shorter and broader form. The structure of the mouth, from the Galapagos Islands. 29 however, shows that the present insects are in affinity remote from the Helops group, and indeed belong to the Tentyriide. In having a distinct scutellum, the eyes transverse and not covered by the lateral ridge of the head, the mentum truncated, and the tibiz simple, the genus Stomion approaches to Anatolica, and yet the general form of the species of Stomion is very differ- ent to that of the species of Anatolica; the more slender antennz with the terminal joints incrassated, and the absence of emargi- nation to the mentum, would alone, however, serve to distinguish Stomion from Anatolica. Perhaps Eschscholtz’s genus Eurymeto- pon is more nearly allied to our present genus; the species of Eurymetopon are represented by Eschscholtz, however, as having the head broad, the thorax nearly as broad as the elytra, the eye small, and the tibiz very short, all of which characters will not well apply to Stomion. The approach, on the other hand, is evinced, as it would appear, in the structure of the antenne and the truncated form of the clypeus. Stomion galapagoensis. Stom. ater, obscurus, antennis palpisque piceis, pedibus piceo-nigris ; corpore ovato, convexo; capite tho- raceque crebre punctulatis ; elytris seriatim punctatis, interstitiis convexis, punctis minutissimis adspersis.—Long. corp. 54 lin. ; lat. 22 lin. | The body is very convex, of a broad ovate form, and dull black colour ; the head is flat above or slightly concave in the middle and thickly punctured ; the thorax is broader than long, and nar- rower before than behind, slightly emarginated in front, where the angles are somewhat acute ; evenly and gently rounded at the sides, and indistinctly sinuated behind ; the posterior angles are right angles; the upper surface is distinctly convex, and very thickly and rather finely punctured; an impressed line runs parallel with, and close to the posterior and lateral margins, and is also continued on the anterior margin, but is interrupted in the mid- dle. The scutellum is small and transverse ; the elytra are very convex; at the base they are scarcely broader than the thorax, but in the middle they are considerably wider, and at the apex they are pointed ; they have series of punctures forming the or- dinary striz, but these punctures are by no means strong; the interstices are convex and covered with very minute scattered punctures. The mentum is distinctly punctured, and the thoracic segments are strongly punctured in the middle beneath : the ab- dominal segments have fine scattered punctures. Two specimens in Mr. Darwin’s collection agree with this de- scription ; there are others of a much smaller size, being about four lines in length, and in which the notch on each side of the fore-part of the head, marking the outer boundary of the clypeus, 30 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on Coleopterous Insects is scarcely perceptible ; these notches are tolerably distinct in the large specimens ; in other respects they all agree. Stomion Helopoides. Stom. fusco-piceus, antennis pedibusque fusces- -centibus ; corpore ovato, convexo; capite sat crebre punctato; elytris seriatim punctatis, interstitiis planis punctis minutis ad- spersis.—Long. corp. 3—3 lin.; lat. 13 lin. The punctures forming the striz on the elytra of this species are less distinct, and those on the interstices are more distinct than in the St. galapagoensis ; the interstices moreover are flat, or sometimes, the one or two nearest the suture are very slightly convex. The thorax is transverse, evenly rounded at the sides, and of equal width before and behind, or very nearly so ; the an- gles are slightly obtuse; the upper surface is pretty thickly co- vered with smallish punctures ; the under surface is smooth at the sides, but presents small rugze and a few punctures near the base of the legs. The punctures which are arranged in rows on the elytra are by no means strong, and are distinctly separated ; and the smaller punctures on the interstices are moderately numerous. The abdomen is finely punctured. Two specimens in Mr. Darwin’s collection agree with this de- | scription; there is a third individual which agrees in other respects, but is rather larger and almost of a black colour, and has the legs of a pitchy hue. Stomion levigatus. Stom. ater nitidus, antennis, palpis, pedibusque piceis; corpore valde convexo, oblongo-ovato ; capite punctulato ; thorace punctis minutissimis impressis; elytris levibus.—Long. corp. 4 lin. ; lat. 12 lin. Both the antennz and legs are rather shorter and a trifle thicker in proportion in this species than in others of the genus here described ; the form of the body is more oblong, and the thorax is not sensibly broader behind than in front ; the head moreover is larger. The insect is very glossy, and to the naked eye its thorax and elytra appear to be perfectly smooth. The head is distinctly and thickly punctured : the thorax is but little broader than long, has the sides nearly parallel and very indistinctly rounded ; its upper surface is very convex and rather thickly punctured, but the punctures are extremely minute: the elytra are very convex and but little broader than the thorax ; sometimes they exhibit excessively minute punctures arranged in strie, and there are a few punctures in the interstices ; it requires however a tolerably powerful lens to perceive these punctures : the thoracic segments are punctured beneath, and so is the mentum ; the ab- domen is smooth, or most indistinctly punctured. Family Tacentipa# (TacEnirss, Solier). Ammophorus galapagoensis. Amm. ater, nitidus, antennis pedibus- from the Galapagos Islands. 31 que rufo-piceis, vel piceis; capite thoraceque crebre punctatis, punctis oblongis, prope latera plerumque confluentibus, interstitiis angustissimis longitudinaliter parum elevatis ; thorace angulis an- ticis acutis, posticis subacutis ; elytris sulcatis, sulcis catenato- punctatis, interstitiis costatis; corpore subtus profunde punctato. —Long. corp. 24—2 lin. This species is smaller and proportionately rather shorter than the Amm. peruvianus. The head is thickly covered with narrow oblong punctures which run into each other, so as to leave very narrow, irregularly longitudinal ridges, The thorax is moderately conyex above, rather broader than long, moderately rounded at the sides, and but slightly sinuated near the posterior angles, which are nearly right angles, but slightly acute; the anterior angles are prominent, project forwards, and are somewhat acute. The elytra are rather broader than the thorax and of an oblong form, rounded at the apex, and moderately convex ; the humeral angles are produced laterally into an acute angle (more prominent and distinct than in Amm. peruvianus) ; each elytron presents eight sulci, in each of which are a series of impressions or largeish shallow punctures ; the interstices form narrow ridges, on which a few very minute punctures are scattered. The mentum is ru- gose and has two oblong depressions ; the thoracic segments pre- sent a few large, regular punctures beneath; the abdominal segments are very coarsely punctured, if we except the last two; the penultimate has a transverse groove, and like the terminal segment is rather finely punctured. The palpi are red ; the legs and antennze pies He and sometimes pitchy. Found by Mr. Darwin under stones upon a hill in Chatham Island. Ammophorus bifoveatus. Amm. ater, nitidus; antennis pedibusque piceo-nigris ; capite punctato ; thorace angulis anticis acuminatis, posticis acutis, extrorsum productis, supra punctulato, foveis duabus et rugis tenuibus impressis ; elytris crenato-striatis, interstitiis an- gustis elevatis.—Long. corp. 3 lin. The Amm. bifoveatus is so named from its having two largeish but shallow depressions, situated, one on each side, about the middle of each lateral half of the thorax : the thorax is moderately convex, broader than long, broadest in the middle, and about equally contracted before and behind; the sides are contracted rather suddenly near the angles, which are prominent; the hinder angles, which are most prominent, are acute : the surface of the thorax is rather finely punctured, and presents numerous little longitudinal rug, which are most distinct on the sides, hinder part, and in the fovez described ; two grooves, more distinct and longer than the rest, are observed on the middle of the thorax, where they are separated by a narrow ridge. The elytra are broader than the thorax, oblong, and have the humeral angles 32 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on Coleopterous Insects produced laterally into small acute processes ; the ordinary inter- stices of the stric of the elytra are very narrow and elevated ; the punctures of the striz are large, transverse, and separated from each other by narrow spaces. A few large punctures are seen on the under surface of each of the thoracic segments ; the abdominal segments are more thickly punctured ; the penultimate however is nearly smooth, and the last is very delicately punctured. The abdomen is depressed in the middle. Two specimens from James’ Island present the above charac- ters ; some other specimens in the collection which cannot other- wise be separated, display the thoracic fovea rather less distinctly, and the double ridge on the disc is sometimes wanting. Ammophorus obscurus. Amm. ater, obscurus; antennis pedibusque piceis ; capite thoraceque rugoso-punctatis ; angulis thoracis acutis extrorsum productis ; elytris crenato-striatis, interstitiis angustis elevatis.—Long. corp. 25 lin. This species has the thorax narrower than in either of the pre- ceding, from which it may moreover be distinguished by its dull colour, the thorax being rugosely punctured : the sculpture of the elytra is rather more decided, and the suture is not raised as in the other species. In Amm. galapagoensis the suture is fully as much raised as the ridged interspaces of the strie ; in dmm. bi- foveatus the suture is also distinctly raised, but not quite so much as the ridges between the strize ; in the present species the suture is flat. Like Amm. bifoveatus, the angles of the thorax are pro- duced, and as in both the preceding species ; the humeral angle of the elytra is produced and acute. The ordinary interstices of the elytra form very narrow and considerably elevated ridges, in the grooves between which are large transverse impressions, and si- milar impressions are observed on each side of the suture; not extending quite to the suture, they give that part the appearance of being slightly raised, and indeed it is so on the hinder part of the elytra. The three species of Ammophorus here described have the third joint of the antennz shorter in proportion than in Amm. peru- vianus, but they agree in this respect with Amm. costatus and Amm. rubripes of Solier, with which they also agree in size; they all have the interstices of all the striz of the elytra elevated, whilst in one only of the Chilan species (4. costatus) are any of these interstices distinctly ridged, and here it is only the alter- nate spaces between the striz which present that condition. Family Pepinipz. Pedoneces*, nov. gen. Clypeus distinctly emarginated. Labrum small, transverse. * From xédov, the ground, and oixtw, to inhabit. from the Galapagos Islands. 33 Mandibles short and obtuse, bidentate at the extremity, and hidden by the clypeus, when the head is viewed from above. Mentum small, ovate, concave externally. Mazillary palpi moderate ; the terminal jomt securiform: labial palpi short ; the terminal joint swollen. Head considerably narrower than the thorax; the visible portion broader than long; the fore-part in front of the eyes forms nearly a semicircle, but is emarginated in front ; no indentation marks the posterior or lateral boundaries of the clypeus: the lateral ridge of the head, which protects the basal portion of the antenne, is well-developed, and runs backwards so as to divide the eye into two parts; the upper portion of the eye is rather large and round, or very nearly so ; the lower portion is nearly of equal size with the upper, and also nearly round. Antenne moderate ; if extended backwards would reach the base of the thorax; the joints of a shortish obconic form ; the se- cond joint short ; the third nearly as long as the two following taken together; the last three joints incrassated, and fully as broad as long ; the terminal joint is round, and as large as the penultimate. Thorax subquadrate, but little broader than long, emarginated in front, and with the anterior angles rather prominent and some- what acute; the sides are indistinctly rounded, and the hinder part is but little broader than the front ; the posterior margin is distinctly bisinuated, and the posterior angles are right angles, or somewhat acute: the surface is moderately convex, and there is a distinct impressed line running parallel with, and close to, both the lateral and posterior margins. Scutellum distinct, triangular. 7 Elytra soldered together, oblong, convex, rounded at the extre- mity: the humeral angles nearly right angles, but somewhat obtuse, and presenting a slightly concave triangular surface in front, against which the thoracic angles are applied. Presternum rather contracted, pomted behind, and but little pro- _ duced beyond the coxee of the anterior legs. Abdomen with the penultimate segment very narrow in the antero- posterior direction; the last segment semicircular and depressed, or concave, in the middle. _ Legs moderate ; the tibie straight, very little compressed, and but slightly dilated at the apex: the four anterior tarsi dilated in the male sex, the anterior pair distinctly so, the width of the second or third joint being nearly equal to the length of the four basal joints taken together ; the first and fourth joints are small, the second and third equal or very nearly so; the three basal joints only appear to be covered with the velvet-like sub- stance beneath: the middle pair of tarsi are less distinctly di- Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. D 34 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on Coleopterous Insects lated ; the claw-joint of each tarsus is nearly equal in length to the four basal joints taken together. In general appearance, in the structure of the head and. of the tarsi, the species of this genus approach very nearly to the mem- bers of Dejean’s genus Blapstinus; they have the legs however rather longer, the thorax less distinctly transverse, and the elytra more convex; these are moreover soldered together, and there are no wings as in Blapstinus. Judging from the definitions of the various genera of Pedinide, the present genus presents a combination of characters not hitherto noticed. Those genera of the family of which I possess examples in my own collection I find are capable of being distinguished from each other by the following characters, which it will be observed are not peculiar to either sex, and are therefore preferable, as it appears to me, to those which have hitherto been pointed out, and which are chiefly derived from the variations in the structure of the tarsi of the male. I. Apterous; elytra soldered together at the suture. A. Eye divided by the lateral ridge of the head. a. Anterior tibiz distinctly dilated at the apex. a *. Antenne short, submoniliform................ Heliophilus. a**, Antenne with the joints, most of them, obconic. eet a*1. Middle tibiz dilated at the apex . Pedinus. a* 2. Middletibie not dilated at the apex Jsocerus. b. Anterior tibize not dilated at the apex ......... ee Pedoneces. B. Eye uncovered (not divided by the lateral ridge of the head). © BL a, Clypeus truncated or slightly rounded in front .... Platyscelis. a*, Clypeus emarginated in front. a*], Antenne distinctly incrassated at — . the BPew cs iv sage sy seo epsddassacbese's Eurynotust. a*2. Antenne with the terminal joints 3 oblong, not broader than the rest. Dendarus. IT. Winged ; elytra free. | A. Eye divided by the lateral ridge of the head......... -. Blapstinus. B. Eye uncovered at the sides ...secccssesssseceeeees disetes Opatrinus. + The mentum in Lurynotus is distinctly trilobed, having a central prin- cipal portion and two lateral wings; these wings or lateral lobes diverge as they part from the base of the mentum and are acutely pointed at the ex- tremity ; they are separated from the mesial lobe by a deep hollow on each side. In the great Indian species, which Dejean arranges under the head Platynotus, the same structure of mentum is observable as well as in Opa- trinus ; but the lateral lobes do not exist in Heliophilus, or at least they are here exceedingly minute and curved inwards, as I have observed to be the case in the mentum of Blaps; Dendarus appears to agree with Heliophilus in this respect. Platynotus of Dejean must undoubtedly be placed near to from the Galapagos Islands. 35 Pedoneces galapagoensis. Ped. ater, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque nigro-piceis ; capite thoraceque confertim punctulatis ; elytris subsulcato-punctatis, interstitiis convexis punctis minutissimis adspersis.— Long: corp. 3 lin.; lat. 14 lin. © Var. §. Elytris sulcato-punctatis, interstitiis convexioribus, quarto et sexto elevatis, subcostatis. This species has the general form of the P. costatus, but the thorax is rather longer in proportion ; here the interstices of the strie of the elytra are simply convex, and do not form narrow ridges as in P. costatus. The legs have minute yellow spiny hairs as in that species, and on the under surface of all the femora is a small brush of yellow hairs. edoneces costatus. Ped. niger, parum nitidus ; antennis pedibusque ~ rufo-piceis; corpore oblongo, convexo ; capite crebre punctato ; thorace confertim punctato, punctis longitudinaliter confluentibus ; elytris sulcato-punctatis, interstitiis subcarinatis, alternis elevati- oribus, costatis.—Long. corp. 22 lin.; lat. 1 lin. This species, which is from James’ Island, is easily distin- guished from the Ped. galapagoensis by the sharp keel-like ridges formed by the alternate interstices of the striz of the elytra, and by the narrowness of the other interstices : the thorax, moreover, is more strongly and more thickly punctured, and the punctures are oblong, and the greater portion of. them are confluent, join- ing each other in such a way as to leave little, narrow, irregularly longitudinal ridges for the mterspaces. The thorax is rather broader than long, subquadrate, the sides but slightly rounded, and indistinctly simuated near the posterior angle, which is nearly a right angle; the posterior margin is sinuated, presenting a con- vex outline in the middle, and a slightly concave emargination on either side near the angles. The elytra are scarcely broader than the thorax, of an oblong form, but little broader in the middle than at the base, and at the apex.they are rounded. The legs, which, like the antenne, are of a pitchy colour, have very small spiny yellowish hairs, and these become more dense and rather longer on the under side of the middle part of the hinder femora. The three terminal joints of the antennz are pitchy-red. The body is distinctly punctured beneath thronghout. Eurynotus. In two species of Platynotus before me (one of which appears to be the P. gigas) I find the scutellum is scarcely to be seen, whilst in Zu- rynotus it is distinct ; this, combined with the sinuated sides to the thorax of the former, and the thorax being broadest behind in the Eurynotus, will help to distinguish the two genera. I may add, the mesial lobe of the mentum is distinctly emarginated in Platynotus and. truncated in Lurynotus: the structure of the tarsi and antennz also differ in these genera. 36 2 = Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on Coleopterous Insects Pedoneces pubescens. Ped. oblongo-ovatus, supra Modice convexus ; piceo-niger, pilis brevissimis, adpressis, fuscis, obsitus; antennis pedibusque piceis; capite thoraceque creberrime punctulatis ; elytris punctato-striatis, striis non pilosis, interstitiis convexis.— Long. corp. 3+ lin. The thorax is rather broader than long, has the sides slightly rounded, the anterior margin rather narrower than the posterior, the hinder angles right angles : the elytra are of an oblong form, scarcely broader in the middle than elsewhere, and very little broader than the thorax ; the pale brownish minute hairs have a tendency to a linear arrangement, and are confined to the in- terstices of the strize, which under a strong lens have a coriaceous appearance ; the punctures of the strize are by no means deep, and distinctly separated from each other. Mr. Darwin found this species under stones on a hill in Chat- ham Island im the month of September. Section XYLOPHAGI, Latreille. Genus Apate, Fabricius. In Mr. Darwin’s collection are three specimens of a species of this genus which are about equal in size to the Apate capucinus of authors, but differ in being of a black-or pitchy-black colour, in having the elytra more convex in the transverse direction, with the punctures rather less deep and more distinctly separated ; the hinder portion is obliquely truncated, but descends more sud- denly than in A. capucinus, and each elytron is somewhat humped towards the apex: the upper surface of the thorax is covered with small flattened, polished tubercles which are extremely close together ; the fore-part is covered with angular or acutely pointed tubercles of large size, and is produced into two largeish conical protuberances, the points of which are bent downwards and over- hang the head; these protuberances are not only covered with tubercles, but have numerous pale hairs * : the mesial portion of the head, between the eyes, is smooth and polished ; the anterior part is rough ; the under parts are clothed with whitish hairs. I have an insect in my own collection from a part of the world which is much better known (Colombia), and which is undoubtedly the same species as the Galapagos insect. From the wide range which it has, it is no doubt known and described. The specimens above referred to were found by Mr. Darwin in the branches of a dead Mimosa tree in Chatham Island, and that gentleman states in his notes that the whole length of the bough was perforated by them. * These protuberances are less developed than in the Apate cornuta. from the Galapagos Islands. 37 Section RHYNCQPHORA. Family ANTHRIBIDZ. Ormiscus *, nov. gen. Rostrum very short, transverse, truncated in front ; the mandi- bles rather prominent and sharply pointed. Head shorter than broad, its vertex on the same plane with the rostrum. ; Eyes large, prominent, converging in front, and contracting the forehead to about half the width of the head; emarginated below. Antenne springing from a little round cavity immediately beneath the eye ; if extended backwards they would reach the posterior margin of the thorax, or extend perhaps slightly beyond that part ; the joints most of them slender ; the first joint nearly hidden ; the second thicker than the following six joints, and nearly globose; the third joint slender and the longest, but shorter than the two following joints taken together ; the fourth to the eighth inclusive obconic, becoming successively shorter ; the three terminal joints dilated, closely joined, and together forming an ovate club. Thorax rather broader than long ; contracted, and subtruncated in front, broadest near the posterior margin, and convex in the transverse direction ; with an obtuse ridge at the side, but con- fined to the hinder part, and a curved transverse ridge behind ; this ridge is very distinct ; in the mesial line of the thorax it nearly touches the hinder margin, but from that part it ascends as it runs outwards, so that it is somewhat distant from the posterior angle; the hinder margin straight, and the posterior angles right angles. Scutellum very small. Elytra rather broader than the thorax; short, subcylindrical, rounded at the apex, and with the humeral angles obtuse. Legs moderate ; tarsi as long as the tibie; the first and fourth joints long and nearly equal ; the second and third rather short, the latter distinctly bilobed at the extremity ; the lobes equal. Ormiscus variegatus. Orm. ater flavescenti-tomentosus ; capite tho- raceque rugosis; elytris sneo-micantibus, indistincte punctato- striatis, pube alba, flava et fusca variegatis ; postice macula fusca communi cordiformi ; singulo prope medium fascia obliqua ornato ; antennis articulis basalibus ad basin, tibiisque flavescentibus ; femo- ribus piceis, ad basin pallidioribus.—Long. corp. 1 lin. Var. 2. Elytris rufescentibus, marginibus maculaque transversa prope medium nigrescentibus. * “Oopioxos, a small necklace, a collar. The little insect here described has a curved ridge crossing the back part of the thorax, a character not peculiar to it, but which is more distinct here than in most others of the Anthribide. 38 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on Coleopterous Insects Amongst the numerous genera of Anthribide defined by Schén- herr, I have found none presenting the combination of characters which are above pointed out. Ormiscus approaches most nearly perhaps to Areocerus, but may be distinguished by the different form of the eyes, which have the long diameter considerably greater than the transverse, and are much narrower in front than behind; the position of the antennz is also different, and the form of the jomts, which are shorter, and especially the form of the club, which is considerably shorter, and has not the joints distinctly separated. The zneous tint of the elytra is only seen in parts where the pubescence has apparently been rubbed off: at the base of each elytron near the seutellum is a slight hump, which, wanting the pubescence, always presents a dark hue ; on the outer side of this is an oblong patch of a pale yellowish colour, and this is not due to the colour of the pubescence only, for the elytron itself ap- pears to be pale at this part: in the middle is a tied brownish band, which as it parts from the suture to the outer margin slightly descends: on the outer margin is a broad dusky patch, and there is a brownish heart-shaped spot on the suture, about midway between the central fascia and the apex of the elytra; the tibize are somewhat dusky at the apex. Mr. Darwin found this insect amongst others when sweeping the herbage in the high central parts of Charles’ Island, in the month of October. . Family OrrorHYNCHID2. Otiorhynchus cunetformis. Ot. ater, fusco-cinereo-squamosus, setis brevibus adspersis; antennis pedibusque piceis. Caput breve subconvexum, fronte longitudinaliter rugosa; oculi fere globosi: rostrum capite vix longius sed angustius, apice modice dilatatum, supra fere planum longitudinaliter rugosum. Antennz mediocres, funiculo articulis primo et secundo subzqualibus ; clava breviter ovata, apice acuminata. Thorax que longus ac latus, subcylindricus, apice truncatus, angustior, lateribus pone medium parum ampliatis; basi leviter bisinuatus ; supra rugosus. Scutellum apice rotundatum. Elytra oblongo-subovata, antice tho- racis basi haud latiora, supra convexa, lateribus pone medium am- pliata, apicem versus. subacuminata, ad apicem rotundata; rude punctato-striata, interstitiis parum elevatis impunctatis, seriatim setosis. Pedes mediocres.—Long. corp. 2? lin. ; lat. 14 lin. This insect is so thickly clothed with mud-coloured scales that it is difficult to see the sculpturing. It is considerably smaller than the Otiorhynchus raucus, and the elytra being broadest rather behind the middle, the thorax but little rounded at the sides, and narrower in front than behind, where it is equal in width to the base of the elytra, gives to the general outline a from the Galapagos Islands. 39 wedge-form, or at least an approach. It departs from other spe- cies of the genus in having the lateral processes of the rostrum, forming the lower boundary of the groove for the antenne, rather less prominent, the eyes more convex, and the antennz shorter. It is not without considerable hesitation that I place this msect in the genus Otiorhynchus. From Charles’ Island. Found in sweeping the herbage in the high central parts of the island. Family Errruinip2. Genus Anchonus, Schonh. Anchonus galapagoensis. Anch. subovatus, niger, opacus; rostro basi constricto, rugoso-punctato ; thorace fere cylindrico sed intra apicem distincte constricto, antice truncato, postice sub-bisinuato, rugoso-punctato, setis fuscis adsperso; elytris seriatim punctatis interstitiis tuberculis magnis, oblongis, dense fusco-setosis, obsitis ; corpore subtus punctis magnis adspersis ; antennis tarsisque pi- ceis.—Long. corp. preter rostrum 24—24 lin. ; lat. 1 lin. From James’ Island. The thorax:is narrower than usual in this species, being less dilated in the middle ; its sides are nearly parallel, but in front it is rather suddenly constricted, and immediately behind the constricted portion the thorax is sometimes a trifle broader than elsewhere : the punctures in the thorax are very large and coarse, and close together, the interspaces being mere ridges. The elytra are nearly ovate, but the sides in the ‘middle evince an approach to parallelism ; they are strongly punctured, and the punctures are arranged in rows, and for the most part distinctly separated from each other ; the interspaces between the rows of punctures are impunctate, but present very narrow tubercles, and these are rather widely separated on the fore-part of ‘each elytron, but on the apical portion they are longer and nearer together, and here the interstices are somewhat convex; on the third, fifth and seventh interspace the tubercles are rather more developed than on the intermediate interspaces ; these tubercles are provided with largeish semi-erect setiform scales, and these are of a brownish yellow colour; similar scales are scattered im other parts, and. sometimes the whole surface of the thorax and elytra is covered with a brownish substance, of the nature of which I cannot satisfy myself. | . Section CYCLICA. Family Hauricipz. Haltica galapagoensis. Wal. enea, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; corpore oblongo-ovato, valde convexo ; thorace postice transversim 40 Mr. G.R. Waterhouse on some Coleopterous Insects. impresso ; elytris punctatis, punctis subseriatim depositis.—Long. corp. $ lin. From Charles’ Island. Procured by sweeping the herbage on the high central parts of the island in the month of October. This little insect somewhat resembles the Haltica (Podagrica) erata, but has the body rather more convex in the transverse di- rection, the thorax broader, and the antenne shorter and stouter ; when extended backwards they scarcely reach the middle of the elytra. The thorax is transversely grooved behind, as in the ge- nera Graptodera, Crepidodera, &c.; but it has not the small pos- terior longitudinal indentations which we observe at the extre- mities of the transverse groove in the latter genus, and in the structure of the antennee and tarsi it differs from both. The tarsi are formed as in Haltica rustica, auct. (Mantura of Stephens), but the joints of the antenne are shorter ; the basal joint is long and stout ; the second and eight following joints scarcely differ in length, but they very indistinctly increase in width towards the apex of the antenne ; the second joint is nearly ovate ; the third, fourth, fifth and sixth are of a very short obconic form, and the rest nearly globose, with the exception of the last, which is longer than the preceding, and acuminated at the apex: the tarsi are short ; the first jomt very large and broad ; the second rather less than the third, and nearly triangular ; the third cordiform, and the fourth scarcely equal in length to the preceding two joints taken together. The eyes are lateral, moderately prominent. The thorax is narrower than the elytra, broader than long, and very convex in the transverse direction ; it is truncated behind, and slightly rounded and produced over the head in front: the posterior angles are very obtuse; the surface impunctate: on the hinder part is a very distinct transverse impression which does not ex- tend quite to the sides. The elytra are of an oblong-ovate form, and distinctly punctured above; the punctures show a tendency to arrange themselves in lines : each elytron is obtusely rounded at the apex. The upper surface of the insect is glossy and of a greenish brass colour: the legs and antennz are testaceous, but the three or four terminal joimts of the latter are somewhat dusky. Of the various genera and subgenera of Halticide which have been characterized, I know none in which it can be placed ; its nearest affinities appear to me to be with Mantura; but the an- tennze are less incrassated at the apex, and on the other hand, as I have before stated, the basal joints are shorter and stouter : it moreover has a transverse groove to the thorax not found in that genus, and wants the longitudinal impressions on the hinder part, which all the species of Mantura which have come under my notice present. M. Valenciennes on the Organization of Lucina and Corbis. 41 Section TRIMERA. Family CoccinELLID2&. Scymnus Galapagoensis. Scym. ater, pubescens ; capite piceo ; tho- race utrinque flavo; elytris pallide testaceis, indistinctissime punc- tulatis ; sutura, margine anteriore, fascia valde flexuosa, maculisque duabus subapicalibus, nigris ; antennis pedibusque flavis.—Long. corp. # lin. From James’ Island. This species is about equal in size to the Sc. minimus ; its form is rather more elongated and less convex than in that insect. The suture of the elytra is black; the black forms a broad mark at the base, but becomes very narrow towards the tip of the elytra ; the outer margin of each elytron is narrowly edged with black, but on the anterior third the dark colour is suddenly expanded, and forms a broadish mark which extends to the humeral angle, and there meets a broad transverse black mark which crosses the base of the elytra: about the middle of the elytron is a narrow black fascia, which as it parts from the suture descends, about the middle is suddenly bent upwards so as to become longitudinal, and then again descends obliquely outwards and nearly reaches the outer margin: behind this central band is an oblique black spot. VI.—On the Organization of the Iwucine and of Corbis. By M. A. VaLencrennes *. THosE anatomists who have been engaged in the study of the Acephalous Mollusca, that numerous class of animals related to the oysters, mussels, &c., regard as one of the constant characters of these creatures, that the respiratory organ fixed on each side of the body under the folds of the mantle is composed of two pairs of branchial leaflets, 2. e. that under the common covering of the body there are four branchiz arranged symmetrically on each side of the visceral mass. These branchiz are in some pectinated, or composed of small, straight and triangular lamine arranged close together; the oysters, scallops, and the Spondyli present examples of this general structure, which calls to mind that of the branchiz of almost all the osseous fish. In other Acephalous Mollusca the pectinated lamellz are connected by numerous transversal ridges which im- part more consistence to the branchial leaflet and render it more dense ; the Anodonta, so common in all our fresh waters, offer, _ with a large number of other Acephala, examples of this struc- ture ; a confirmation which is seldom met with in fish, for Xiphias is the only one in which I have observed this arrangement. * From the Comptes Rendus, June 9th, 1845. 42 M. Valenciennes on the Organization of Lucina and Corbis. However, whatever be the organization of the branchize of Mol- lusca, it is admitted and established by malacologists, that all the Acephala have four branchial leaflets. This general rule has hitherto been based on the study of several hundred animals of this class. Between the leaflets and near one of the extremities, called the anterior one, is the mouth, a round aperture terminating imme- diately in the cesophagus, without any hard organ for the masti- cation, and without any external lingual tubercle; it is sur- rounded. by small folds which bear the name of lips, and which are frequently ornamented with appendages or plaited filaments, varying somewhat according to the genera. Beyond the lips and on each side of the body there are two small triangular processes traversed by numerous ridges, which give to these organs an ap- pearance of branchial lamelle ; they are called the labial palpi. I have called attention to these external appearances of the Acephalous Mollusca to render more intelligible what I am about to describe. I have now to communicate to the Academy an ob- servation opposed to'the general rule of the four branchial laminee. The family of the Lucine is composed of mollusca which have only a-single branchial leaflet on each side of the visceral mass and of the foot. This single branchia resembles that of the Ano- donta ; it is large, thick, and formed of pectinated and anastomo- sing lamellz. I first noticed this smgular fact on Lucina jamai- censis. Surprised at this peculiarity, which I found tobe con- stant im all the individuals in the collection of the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, I was immediately induced to ascertain whether this difference occurred in other species of Lucina or in animals allied to them. I observed the same conformation in a mollusk which had for a long time been placed among the Ve- nuses, which Lamarck and his followers arranged in the genus Cytherea, but which I have been led .to place near to Lucina from the insertion and. nature of the ligament of the two valves; I mean the Venus tigerina of Linneus. My previsions have there- fore been verified in this respect, for the far more important cha- racter of the unity of the branchial leaflet leaves not the least doubt respecting the affinity of the two mollusca, which moreover resemble each other in several other details of their organization, although the shells differ widely with the exception of the liga. ment, A third species well-known to conchologists, Lucina colum- bella, Lam., from the seas, of Senegal, has likewise but one single branchial leaflet on each side of the foot. And lastly, a small species very abundant on all the sandy coasts of the Mediterra- nean, Lucina lactea, Lam., which Poli formed into a new genus under the name of Loripes, has also only one branchial lamina. But this is not all. In the Polynesian Archipelagos an ace- M. Valenciennes on the Organization of Liucina and Corbis. 48 phalous mollusk occurs, whose elegant shell, for a long time rare and consequently sought for in collections, is well-known. Lin- neus called it Venus Corbis; Lamarck arranged it among the Lucine. Cuvier founded a genus with this species which pre- sents indeed very striking characters; he left it near Lucina, as Lamarck had previously done. I have been so fortunate as to meet with an animal of this species in a state of excellent pre- servation among the collections made at the Friendly Islands by M. Quoy, and which that zoologist has not had time to study ; at least he has not spoken of it in the account of the voyage of the Astrolabe. This mollusk has likewise only a single branchia on each side of the visceral mass, and I have confirmed this same conformation on a second individual brought from the Feejee Islands. However, the structure of its non-perforated foot di- stinguishes it from the animals of Lucina. . From a sole comparison of the shells, it -was thought that the Unguline offered some relations with the Lucine. We are ac- quainted with the mollusk of this genus from the excellent anatomical descriptions made and published by M. Duvernoy. As this anatomist found four branchial lamine, it is impossible any longer to admit of an approximation between the Unguline and the Lucine. My investigations confirm the relations pointed out between the Unguline and Mytilacea. ; It results, therefore, from the observation made by me, that the Lucine and Corbis differ from all the Acephalous Mollusca by a very prominent character, viz. that they possess only a single branchia on each side of the foot and viscera. Since I have confirmed this fact on animals inhabiting the Mediterranean, the coasts of Africa, the Antilles, as well as the seas of Brazil:and of the Indies, we are led to-admit it as a ge- neral fact in the animals of this family ; it cannot be regarded as a simple exception, which might have been the case had it been observed only on a single individual or on a single species of Lucina. . This great exception is not the only one which the Lucine present: the aperture of the mouth is very small, surrounded by two weak and thin folds of the skin, which require the greatest attention to be seen; they are the rudiments of lips. But what is most remarkable is, that the labial palpi are all four wanting. There may possibly be traces of them in the animal of Corbis. Poli has given a very excellent figure of his Loripes, or of Lucina lactea, It will be seen from it that he was entirely pre- occupied in his investigation with the singularity of the foot of the animal, for he has represented the branchiz situated to the right and left of the viscera, without noticing the very remark- able exception in the number of the lamine. As M. Cuvier has 44, M. Valenciennes on the Organization of Lucina and Corbis. only mentioned Loripes in order to verify the observations of the Neapolitan anatomist respecting the foot of this mollusk, it may be conceived why he has not pointed out the absence of one pair of branchiz. I must however add, that the Lucina lactea, ex- amined by these expert zoologists, is a very minute mollusk of one to two centimetres in diameter, while I have been able to examine Lucine from five to six centimetres in diameter; the observation was therefore easy to make ; and when once I had as- certained the possibility of the existence of one single branchial lamina in Lucina jamaicensis and L. tigerina, I could readily de- tect the same organization in the smallest individuals of Lucina lactea from the Mediterranean. The conformation of the foot of these mollusks, which had at- tracted the attention of Poli, is very remarkable ; but this anato- mist has not given a very complete description of it, which it nevertheless deserves. This foot is a fleshy cylinder folded back on itself so as to be hidden between the plates of the mantle of the mollusk, for it is frequently twice as long as the diameter of the animal. When not contracted it is much longer. It is re- markable that it is hollow throughout its entire length, and that this tube opens directly and widely into the spaces of the visceral cavity. I have verified this fact by following the canal in its en- tire length either by cutting it open or by injection, when the spaces of the visceral mass became filled, and I also thought I could perceive traces of injected vessels. This result will not appear surprising if we call to mind the observations which M. Milne Edwards and I have communicated to the Academy on the circulation in Mollusca, and on the large communications ex- isting between the visceral cavity and the sanguiniferous vessels of the Acephala. But there is a new fact here deserving of especial attention, from its importance for the physiology of Mol- lusca; it is, that the imner cavities containing the blood are placed by means of the canal of the foot in Lucina in free com- munication with the surrounding element. The heart and the other viscera which I was able to observe of these animals, pre- served in spirit, did not appear to offer anything remarkable. [It is to be regretted that M. Valenciennes has not accompanied his notice of the single gill on each side of the Lucina with some account of its structure: from the statement that it is large, thick, and formed of pectinated and anastomosing lamella, it may agree essen- tially with the apparently single gill in the genera Pholadomyu and Anatina, described by Prof. Owen in his ‘ Lectures on the Inver- tebrata,’ 1843, p. 283, where the exception to the ordinary struc- ture and number of the gills in the Lamellibranchiate Acephala is distinctly pointed out as follows :— «« The two branchial lamelle of one side are usually connected with those of the opposite side by their posterior extremities only; but Bibliographical Notices. 45 sometimes the union is more extensive. In a few genera, as Anatina and Pholadomya, the two lamelle of the same side are so united as to appear like a single gill. In the Pholadomya it forms a thick oblong mass, finely plicated transversely, attenuated at both extremities, slightly bifid at the posterior one. A line traverses longitudinally the middle of the external surface, which has no other trace of division. The branchiz on each side adhere to the mantle by the whole of their dorsal margin, and are united together where they extend beyond the visceral mass, being separated, by the interposition of that mass, along their anterior two-thirds. A narrow groove extends along the free anterior margins of each gill. When the inner side of this appa- rently simple gill is examined, it is seen to be divided into three longi- tudinal channels, by two ridges, containing the vascular trunks and nerves of the gills. A style passed from the excretory siphon, behind the conjoined extremities of the branchiz, enters the dorsal channel, from which the excretory respiratory currents are discharged: the middle channel is characterized by an orifice which conducts into the cavity of the gill, where the ova are hatched : the third channel forms the inner or mesial surface of the gill, which is not otherwise divided.” —Ep. Ann. Nat. Hist.] BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. The Genera of Birds. By G. R. Gray, F.L.S., illustrated by D. W. Mitchell, B.A., F.L.S. Imperial 4to. Parts 1—14. Ir is now nearly twenty years since any naturalist has attempted to give a complete synopsis of the species of birds. The accessions to our knowledge during the interval have been very great, and the progress which has been made in elucidating the characters and im- proving the classification of the species previously known, is no less remarkable. The facts thus elicited were however scattered through rare and costly publications, many of which, especially the volumi- nous Transactions of foreign Societies, are almost inaccessible to the working naturalist, who will therefore hail with gratitude the work before us, which supplies him with a ready index to the whole sub- ject of ornithology. Mr. Gray’s position in the British Museum has given him peculiar facilities for perfecting his laborious undertaking, which requires a constant and ready access to books and specimens. The classification which he has adopted is for the most part con- sistent with natural affinities, though some of the groups, Pachyce- phaline for instance, consist of rather incongruous materials. Really natural groups are generally confined within certain geographical limits, and when we see an assemblage either of species or of genera from remote parts of the world: brought together to form:a superior group, there is often reason to suspect that their supposed affinities are apparent rather than real. The definition of families and genera is one of the most difficult duties of the naturalist, and he is often unable so to generalize the characters of groups as to satisfy the logician. We frequently seea species connected by the closest affinity to others, yet differing from them in the very points in which the latter mutually agree, so that 46 Bibliographical Notices. it is impossible to draw up a definition which shall embrace the whole, without qualifying it with such terms as “ generally,” ‘‘ more or less,” “except,” &c. Mr. Gray has overcome these difficulties by care and judgement, and has given us very full generalizations of generic cha- racters, though these would have been more useful if the diagnostic portion of them were printed in a different type, or otherwise sepa- rated from the general mass. Another important feature in the work is the condensation of superfluous genera, which are daily manu- factured by scores on trivial or imaginary characters, and which Mr. Gray has used a sound discretion in reducing within reasonable limits. - In regard to species, the author has only been able to give a full list of them under each genus, accompanied by their chief synonyms and references to the principal works where they are figured or de- scribed. To have annexed their specific characters would have ex- tended the work fourfold and consumed years of valuable time. The localities might however have been mentioned with advantage, and the specific characters of the new species which are occasionally in- troduced ought to have been added. In other respects the student is-guided at once to the best sources of information, while the rigid impartiality with which the rule of priority is enforced supplies him with a nomenclature which seems likely to be permanent. In the illustrative plates the essential characters of every genus are admirably displayed, and in each subfamily a coloured plate of some new or unfigured species is introduced. This portion of the work is beautifully executed by. Mr. Mitchell, who has entered fully into the spirit of that improved style of delineation first introduced into or- nithology by Mr.and Mrs. Gould’s unrivalled pencils. Mr. Mitchell has been the first to apply the art of lithotint to the illustration of zoological subjects, and in representing that wonderfully organized structure, the plumage of birds, we are inclined to prefer it to any other method, as attaining the happy medium between the hardness of line-engraving and the indistinctness of common lithography. Indeed in respect both of drawing and colouring, it would be scarcely possible to produce more perfect copies of nature than some of these plates exhibit. The only defect which we have noticed is the occa- sionally too abrupt transition of the leg into the body in some of the figures, that of Hsacus and Syrrhaptes for instance. . It will be evident to the practical zoologist that this beautiful and elaborate work will tend greatly to advance our knowledge of orni- thology, and that no’ public or private museum can be scientifically arranged without its aid. Descriptiones Animalium que in itinere ad Maris Australis terras per - annos 1772-74 suscepto collegit J. R. Forster, nunc demum edite curante H. Lichtenstein. 8vo. Berlin, 1844. Pp. 424. Professor Lichtenstein has conferred a boon on literature and sci- ence by rescuing from oblivion these original observations of a pro- found and learned naturalist. John Reinhold Forster is well-known as the companion of Cook in his second voyage round the world, but by various mischances these memoranda of the valuable additions which he made to natural history have remained in MS. for seventy Bibliographical Notices. 47 years, and only obscure and imperfect notices of his. zoological dis- coveries have hitherto seen the light. The drawings of animals made by his son George have met with nearly the same neglect as the text to which they refer; having remained unpublished. to the present time in the archives of the British Museum. Schneider in- deed, in his edition of Bloch’s Fishes, introduced some of the mate- rials of Forster’s MSS., and Latham founded many of bis species of birds on the specimens and drawings brought home by the two Forsters. The descriptions of Latham were however generally vague and insufficient, so that it is often difficult to determine. the precise species or even genus to which they refer, and the exact descriptions and measurements now furnished us by this work of Forster’s will therefore be of the utmost use in identifying many obscure species, especially those of the little-known islands of the Pacific. It is in- deed much to be regretted that the work before us was not published at the time that it was written, as it would then have supplied the com- pilations of Gmelin and Latham with materials of the highest value, while Forster would have had the credit due to his labours, and the scientific. names which he proposed would have been generally adopted. But by publishing the work at the present time, nearly all Forster’s specific names have lost their right of priority and must take their rank as synonyms. Yet in spite of this imconvenience, the work comes “‘ better late than never ;” it will remain a monument of Forster’s accuracy of observation and high attainments as a natu- ralist ; and though the majority of the animals described were pre- viously known from other works, yet some, especially of the Inver- tebrata, appear to be now first described, while the most important additional light is thrown upon others. This volume is in fact the Zoological Appendix to ‘ Cook’s Second Voyage,’ and is also a valuable accompaniment to the ‘ Observations made during a Voyage round the World,’ which Forster published in 1778, and to the ‘ Journal of the Voyage’ which his son edited. Some portions of it are in the form of a diary, narrating the events of the expedition, but the greater part is occupied with minute de- scriptions of the animals collected or observed. Professor Lichten- stein deserves great praise for the strictness with which he has ad- hered to Forster’s text, and for his valuable notes on the synonymy of the species described. In the latter department he has been aided by Erichson, who has identified many of the insects described by Forster. We may hope that this publication may draw attention to the drawings of the younger Forster, now in the British Museum. It is much to be wished that a selection of such of these drawings as are of the greatest interest to science were engraved and published. Their importance is shown by the fact that foreign zoologists have on several occasions made pilgrimages to London to inspect these designs, and. have quoted them as the authorities on which specific distinctions have been founded. The first step towards this object would be to publish an exact catalogue of Forster’s drawings, distin- guishing under each design the name which has been given to the species by Schneider, Latham, Forster, and the modern zoologists respectively. 48 Zoological Society. PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. January 14, 1845.—William Yarrell, Esq., in the Chair. Mr. Gould exhibited to the Meeting a number of Birds from China, being the first collection forwarded from Amoy to this country. He described the following new species :— Corvus pastrnatTor. Cor. plumis ptilose saturate purpurascente- nigris ; caudd virescenti ; scapulariis tectricibusque caude maculd semilunari nigrd ad apices ornatis ; rostro tarsisque nigris. ‘The entire plumage deep shining purplish black or plum-colour, glossed with a greenish hue on the tail-feathers ; the scapularies and upper tail-coverts with an obscure crescent-shaped mark of black at the tip; bill and feet shining black. Total length 18 inches ; bill, 23 ; wing, 12; tail, 7; tarsi, 2}; mid- dle toe and claw, 23. Hab. Chusan. Remark.—This species is closely allied to the Rook of Europe, but differs from it in the hue of the plumage, which is of a beautiful pur- ple or plum-colour where the European bird is green; the bill is also straighter and the face much less denuded, the fleshy base of the nostrils being the only part destitute of feathers ; the feet and claws are also larger. MeEreus onIENTALIS. Mer. (Foem.) capite cristd colloque rubi- ginoso-rubris ; mento albo ; corpore superiore, caudd, alis, lateri- busque griseis; primariis ferrugineo-nigris ; secundariis albis ; corpore inferiore pallide cervino ; tectricibus caude albidis. Female.—Head, neck and crest dark rust-red ; chin white; all the upper surface, wings, tail and flanks grey; primaries brownish black ; secondaries pure white; under surface cream-colour, fading into white on the under tail-coverts. Total length 23 inches ; bill, 24; wing, 92; tail, 5; tarsi, 2. Hab. Amoy. Remark.—Nearly allied to the Goosander of Europe, but smaller in size and more delicate in colour than that bird. I believe a male of this bird is in the British Museum; the female is in my own col- lection, and is the only one I have seen. The specimen in the Mu- seum assimilates as closely to the male of the European bird as the one here described does to the female. Pica srerica. PP. capite, collo, pectore et tectricibus caude saturate nigris ; tectricibus alarum cinereo-ceruleis, ventre et scapulariis albis ; cauda metallicé nigro-viridi ; rostro et pedibus nigris. Head, throat, chest, upper part of the back, upper and under tail- coverts deep black; secondaries and greater wing-coverts shining steel-blue ; spurious wing and edges of the base of the outer webs of the primaries shining deep green ; inner webs of the primaries white ; the tips of the primaries and the margins of the inner webs for a short distance from the tip black; scapularies and belly pure white ; tail greenish black, with bronze reflexions ; bill and feet black. Zoological Society. 49 Total length about 19 inches; bill, 2; wing, 8; tail about 12; tarsi, 2}. Hab. Amoy. Closely allied to the common Magpie, but differs in the wings being blue instead of green, in the rather less extent of the white, and in having a longer bill and much longer tarsi. Mr. Gould also exhibited to the Meeting a small species of Mam- mal, which he characterized as Dromicia concinna. Drom. maculd nigrd ante oculos ; corpore superne et parte exteriore crurum pallide brunneis ; crurum parte interiore et corpore subtis distincte albis. Before the eye a mark of black; all the upper surface, the outer side of the limbs and the tail, pale sandy brown; all the under sur- face and the inner side of the limbs white ; the two colours distinctly separated, or not blending into each other. Length of the head and body, 33 inches; of the tail, 34; of the ear, 5. Hab. Western Australia. Very nearly allied to the Dromicia of Van Diemen’s Land, but distinguished from that animal by its much smaller size, by the di- stinct separation of the colours of the upper and under surface, and by the absence of any enlargement at the base of the tail. Also a new Grallatorial bird, which he named Furica austrauis. Jul. capite colloque nigris; superné griseo- nigro, subtis fuliginoso ; iridibus rubris ; rostro cinereo-ceruleo ; vertice viridi-albo ; tarsis pedibusque griseis. Head and neck black ; all the upper surface greyish black; under surface sooty black ; irides bright red; bill light bluish grey ; crown of the head greenish white ; legs and feet French grey. Total length 14 inches; bill, 14; wing, 8; tail, 24; tarsi, 2}. Hab. Western Australia. ** Descriptions of species of Bats collected in the Philippine Islands, and presented to the Society by H. Cuming, Esq.” By G. R. Water- house, Esq. Ps The following descriptions and notices, added to those given in the ‘Annals,’ vol. xiii. p. 302, include all the species of the order Cheiroptera collected by Mr. Cuming in the Philippine Islands; and it is necessary to state, with regard to the descriptions alluded to, that they are all drawn up from specimens preserved in spirit; and although every care has been taken to ascertain the true colouring of the fur as nearly as possible by repeated examinations of the spe- cimens, mounted as they were in clear spirits of wine, the colours may not prove to be exactly as I have supposed. The following table displays some of the more prominent charac- ters of the species of Vespertilio (generally so difficult to determine) about to be described :— Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol, xvi. KE 50 Zoological Society. A. Wing-membrane extending to the distal end of tibia, a. Ears moderate, or rather small, rounded ; tragus rather short, rounded at the apex; heel-cartilage short, a.1, Nostrils separated by a moderately wide space, and opening sublate- THY 6 yea ey hen ae Caves gee een rite, a. 2. Nostrils with a narrow space be- tween them (a distinct notch, how- ever, in that space), and opening almost.in front 05 6... s eee ee Se Vesp. Eschscholtzii. 6, Ears large and pointed; tragus long, narrow and pointed ; heel-cartilage long. 6.1. Hind-foot very large.......... 8. Vesp. macrotarsus. 6.2. Hind-foot small.............. 4. Vesp. pellucidus. B. Wing-membrane extending to base of toes, a, Ears short, rounded at apex; tragus short, subpointed ............ 5. Vesp. Meyeni, b. Ears large, pointed ; tragus long, at- tenuated and pointed ,......, 6, Vesp. rufo-pictus. VEsPERTILIO TRIsTIS. Vesp. vellere molli, nigricanti-fuliginoso ; auribus mediocribus, rotundatis ; tragis mediccribus arcuatis, apice rotundatis ; rostro brevi obtuso; alis angustis. — unc, lin Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin.... 2 5 ai ie ga a ek aR A BE 9 Ceo et ae Wate Gckce es ease eke eek OT a BEG Shiai dis, ana i, dag | AYMPOA WIRE ss the ce sete 35 tac 13 0 The fur is dense in this species, but not long; dense fur extends on to the head, and leaves but a small portion of the muzzle, which is covered with shorter hair: the general colour is sooty black, and the hairs appear to be uniform to the root; those on the belly are slightly tinted with greyish at the point. The incisor teeth are =, The forehead is much arched; the muzzle short and obtusely rounded, very broad and hairy; the lower lip has a narrow trans- verse naked area at the tip; the nostrils are sublateral, moderately separated, and there is a slight depression between them, The ears are moderate, rounded, but with the upper, or anterior, margin nearly straight; the tragus is curved, and rather obtusely rounded at the point, about 25 lines in length, and 12 line in width, The Wings are rather narrow, and have the membranes black; they ex- tend to the heel of the hind-foot, which has the metatarsus narrow and long, the distance from the heel to the base of the toes exceeding the toes in length; the toes are shortish and equal, the nails are also short and but little curved; the heel-cartilage is short, bent back, and not easily brought in a right angle with the tibia, as in many of the species of the present genus. The hind-legs are rather long ; Zoological Society. 51 the interfemoral membrane ample, naked above and below, excepting quite at the base; the tail is enclosed to the point in this membrane ; the thumb is moderate, VesprrtiLio Escuscnourzi. Vesp. vellere longo fusco-nigricante, corpore subtis pilis apicibus cinerascentibus ; artubus fuscis ; au- ribus brevibus ; tragis angustis, ad apicem rotundatis, antice emar- ginatis, unc. lin. Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin,... 2 0O DOs ea ve eh feces 8 peep pF 2 0 ——— STOO svc isc eV ees oh 4 1” 9 moms AUTES oe eee eee om Me OBE Adarwum amplitudo 5 voces tissieceddrvses 42°.0 Incisor teeth F; the outermost incisor of the upper jaw is smaller than the inner one. The forehead is much arched, and separated, as it were, from the muzzle by a deep transverse depression; on each side of the head is a naked groove, which runs over the eye. ‘The muzzle is short and rounded, naked at the tip only, the other parts moderately well clothed with hairs: the nostrils open almost in front, and are more than usually approximated; their upper boundary is prominent, and there is a deep groove between them. On the inner side of the upper lip are two small fleshy folds, and some com- pressed tubercles situated toward the angle of the mouth; the lower lip has a narrow triangular naked area at the tip. The ears are short, broad and rounded, but have the upper margin subtruncated; on the inner side are two transverse ridges; the lower part of the ear is extended forwards to the angle of the mouth. The tragus is narrow, curved, rounded at the point, indistinctly emarginated on the outer side, and about 22 lines in length. The wings are rather narrow, and extend along the hind-leg to the distal end of the tibia only. The hind-legs are moderate; the metatarsus narrow and long, the distance from the heel to the base of the toes exceeding the toes in length; the toes are rather short and nearly equal. ‘The inter- femoral membrane is ample, naked, excepting at the base; the heel- cartilage is short; the tail enclosed in the interfemoral membrane to the point; the thumb is very small. Of the species described in this paper, Vespertilio Eschscholtzit approaches most nearly to the V. tristis; it is much smaller, how- ever, than that animal, has the thumb smaller in proportion, and its colouring is less dark. Among the species of M. Temminck’s Mo- nograph our V. tristis most nearly resembles, in the form of its head and ears, the V. blepotis (pl. 53. fig. 2.); the V. Eschscholtzii (of which Mr. Cuming brought home several specimens) is at least one- third smaller. ’ VESPERTILIO MACROTARSUS. Vegsp, supra cinereus, subtis albicans ; auribus longis, angusiis, ad apicem acutis, postice fer? rectis ; trago elongato, atienuato, acuto; alis amplis fuscis, ad basin pal- lidioribus. E2 52 Zoological Society. es =) ne. lin. Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin.... 2 3 ad basin auris .... O 5 cade SE SS pace veces ewes “8 40 — antibrachii...... “cB LERERN PSS the pollicis Se eh i ee IE os bsoe OU 3 auris . Rissa es Shetek he 0 65 pedis postici a calce ad apicem digiti 0 6 Alarum amplitudo eid au's % shay AAS eae ll 0 The fur on the back is apparently eke grey next the skin, and pale ashy grey externally, and on the under parts the hairs are grey at the base and whitish at the point. The incisors are os ; the pair of incisors on either side of upper jaw nearly equal. The fore- head is convex, and separated from the muzzle by a transverse de- pression: the muzzle somewhat produced and pointed, the mesial portion above and in front naked, the naked portion above extending about two lines from the tip, and separated from the somewhat swollen cheeks by a longitudinal groove on each side: between the nostrils, which are widely separated and pierced almost laterally, is a shallow grooye. The lips have small scattered hairs, excepting at the tip, where they are naked; on the chin is a naked wart some- what removed from the apex. The ears are largeish and rather nar- row, pointed, and have the hinder margin nearly straight. The tragus is narrowish, attenuated, and pointed at the apex. ‘The wings are ample, and the membranes encroach on the back so as to reduce the portion covered with fur to a narrow strip of about half an inch in width ; they extend along the hind-leg to the heel only ; the thumb is comparatively long; the hind-foot very-large, and having the toes equal, excepting the outer one (according to the natural position of the foot, but the toe corresponding to the inner toe in most other animals), which is rather shorter. The interfemoral membrane is moderately ample, and does not extend quite to the tip of the tail, a portion of about one line in length being free. The heel-cartilage is very long. In the large size of the hind-foot the present species approaches the V. Hasseletii of Temminck’s Monograph, but it does not appear that that. species has the wings encroaching on the back as in V. ma- crotarsus; the ears are much larger, the thumb also larger, tail longer, &c. The proportions, as compared with those of M. Tem- minck’s V. macrodactylus and V. brachypterus, differ considerably, though both these species have the hind-foot large; the larger ears, longer thumb, and more ample wing will serve to distinguish it. VESPERTILIO PELLUCIDUS. Vesp. vellere longo, pallide rufo, cor- pore subtis cinerascenti-albo ; alis fuscis, pellucidis ; auribus mag- nis, apice acutis, postice emarginatis ; trago elongato, attenuato ; rostro producto, depresso, subacuto. unc. lin. Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin.... 1 8 CME OS corners eee ay Gals ake, oe Zooloyical Society. 53 une. lin. Longitudo antibrachit.......00ceeveecveee he ie ~——— UIIS . 6.6% ie s.¢h Ad RROD pals iad Alarum amplitudo ........++seeeseeeeees 9 6 The fur in this animal is long, of a delicate pale rufous on the upper parts of the body, but slightly tinted with grey next the rian" the under parts are ashy white. The incisor teeth are as usual 7 ae ; the two innermost of the upper jaw are widely separated, long-pointed, and resemble‘canine teeth; the outer pair are very small. The forehead is considerably arched ; the muzzle produced, pointed and depressed, and has a slight concavity above; the nostrils are widely separated, pierced laterally, and have a slight depression between them; the tip of the muzzle is naked. ‘The lower lip has a small, hence naked space at the tip. ‘The ears are of a very pale brown colour, large, trans- ‘parent, pointed, and strongly emarginated behind; the tragus is very long and slender (its length being about 42 lines, and width at the base less than 1 line), and decreases gradually in width from the | base to the point; close to its root, externally, is a slightly promi- nent angle. ‘The wings are large and supported by very delicate and slender bones, very transparent, and extend slightly on to the toe of the ltind-foot. ‘The hind-legs are long and slender; the foot small; the metatarsus shorter thau the toes, which are slender and very nearly equal, if we except the one to which the wing is slightly attached, which is distinctly shorter than the rest. The interfemo- ral membrane is ample, and presents a few scattered hairs: the heel- cartilage long. The tail is long, and enclosed in thé membrane to the point ; the fourth vertebra from the base has much flesh about it, which forms a small lump,—perhaps this is accidental. ‘The thumb is slender, but rather long. This species is remarkable for having long and extremely slender limbs, and for the transparency of its flying-membranes. I could read this writing through the wing-membranes, moistened as they were with the spirit, at a distance of more than a quarter of an inch. VesPeRTILIO Mryeni. Vesp. intense rufescenti-fuscus, pilis ad basin albescentibus ; corpore subtiis cinereo lavato; brachiis ru- FSescentibus ; rostro brevi, obtuso ; auribus subtriangulis, ad apicem rotundatis, postice emarginatis; tragis arcuatis, angustis, ad apicem subacutis. ; une. lin. Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin.... 1 7 ne COMA» ss aint aro veh Snare Cokie HewK 0 11 — antibrachii........ Sib pie ote RN gio e ee | ee CUTE Ki ei bay ign et reac 0 2? Alarum amplitudo ............ ba Ha Waite 4s 6 6 This species has the usual number of incisors Ge) ; the inner- most pair of the upper jaw are larger than the external pair, and bifid at the apex. The forehead is moderately arched; the muzzle is broad and but sparingly clothed with hairs, swollen at the sides ; (64 Zoological Society. two longitudinal grooves mark the usual external boundaries of the nasal bones; and these grooves, at first shallow, become deeper be- hind, where they are curved outwards towards the eyes, over which is a small fleshy tubercle; the upper part of the nose (between the two grooves mentioned) is almost naked, but a few minute scattered hairs are observed at the tip, and even in front, and along the edge of the upper lip. The lower lip presents a very small triangular . naked patch at the tip. The nostrils are rather widely separated, and open obliquely outwards. The ears are short, subtriangular, have the extreme point rounded, and the posterior border slightly emarginated; on the inner side are three or four transverse ruge. The tragus is narrow, subpointed, and has a notch in the middle of the external margin. The wings are somewhat narrow, and have the membranes of a very dark brown colour, the limbs being of a dusky purplish red tint; the membrane of the wing extends to the base of the toes. The thumb is small; the hind-legs shortish; the metatarsus short, being about equal in length to the toes, which are very nearly equal, the outer one being but a trifle shorter than the others. ‘The interfemoral membrane is by no means ample, brown above and very pale beneath, where pale scattered hairs are observa- ble, especially near the tail; above, this membrane appears to be naked, excepting at the base. The heel-cartilage is moderate, and on the lower or outer side of this cartilage is an obtusely-angular piece of membrane, about 2 lines in length and 1 line in breadth. The tail has the extreme point free. I have attached to this and one of the foregoing species the names of two able naturalists who have contributed to our knowledge of the zoological productions of the Philippine Islands. The V. Meyeni apparently approaches most nearly to the V. trala- titius of Temminck’s Monograph, but has the muzzle broader and more rounded, the ears less pointed, the tail, antibrachium and tibie shorter, the latter considerably so ; the foot is also shorter and broader than represented in M. Temminck’s figure of that species. The co- louring (so far as one may judge from specimens preserved in spirit) also differs. VESPERTILIO RUFO«PICTUS. Vesp. supra ochraceis, pilis ad basin cinereis ; corpore subtis flavescenti-albo ; alis nigrescentibus, ared magnd ad basin, brachiis, membrandque interfemorali rufis ; auribus longis, angustis, acutis, posticé distincté emarginatis ; tragis at- tenuatis, acutis. unc. lin. Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin.... 2 3 et COMME 6 EAB ETASE SD Es re (mee tae) @ | antibrachtt’........ enviysaeeccn” FY IT ht MeL EL EER eee Tee 0 53 Alaruin Mplitudo: péo. on tiikPaieicns alesei 13 6 Fur moderate ; on the upper parts of the body pale grey at the root, and of a delicate yellow colour externally ; on the under parts of the body yellowish white, scarcely tinted with grey at the root. The wing-membranes are black, excepting in the region of the bones of Zoological Society. 55 the fingers and a large area at the base, at which parts they are of a bright red colour; a straight line drawn obliquely across the wifig from the thumb to the heel would mark the boundary of the red basal portion. ‘The small strip of membrane above the arm is red, clouded with black. The limbs and interfemoral membrane are also red, and the naked tip to the muzzle, as well as the ears, are very pale flesh« colour. Tlie hinder toes are dusky at the tip. The forehead is but little arched; the muzzle is produced, but somewhat rounded at the tip, which is the only part which is naked, and even here a few minute scattered hairs are observable in the middle. Above the nose are two loigitudinal grooves. The lower lip has a semicifcular naked space at the tip, and a tubercle is ob- served between this point and the throat. ‘The nostrils are lateral, and the space between them is slightly depressed. The eats are long, rather narrow and pointed, and distinctly emarginated behind. The tragus is about 44 lines long, narrow; attenuated and pointed. The wings aie very ample and extend to the base of the toes. The thumb is long; the hind-legs moderately long; the metatarsus shorter than the toes (claws not included), and these are very nearly equal. The interfemoral membrane is moderately ample, well-clothed with hair at the base, arid a few longish scattered hairs are observable on other parts, especially on the upper surface. The heel-cartilage is long, extending to within about four and a half lines of the tail. This species very much résemibles the Vesperiilio pictus of Pallas, but is much larger, and differs in the form and proportions of its ears. Tapnozovs pnitippinensis. Tuaph, vellere brevi fuscescente vel castaneo, corpore subtis pallidiore ; pilis ad basin albescentibus ; auribus mediocribus. : une. lin Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin.... 3 14 —caude ..... AMER REALS OR Ben’ 0 8 ab apice rostri ad basin auris .... O 5 — auris ...... eye ere ore 0 6 — ARUOPUORE 6 o's sins bie d ives sy Q 7 ogg tibie i ee oe eer | Ce et se wes e vs ites 0 ll AlaPaint aimplitudo ig iis as, i nats cr ea «e's 13 6 This species approaches most nearly to the Taphozous saccolaimus, but differs in being considerably smaller, in having the muzzle shorter and more pointed, the ears larger, and the feet considerably smaller ; the colouring moreover is different. It agrees with 7. lon- gimanus in having no throat-pouch or nakedness at that part, but differs in its proportions, &c. The fur is short and by no means dense, nearly white next the skin both on the upper and under parts of the body; on the upper parts the hairs have the visible portion tipped with reddish brown or chestnut colour, sumetimes brown. ‘The under parts are always of a paler hue than the upper, and sometimes almost white, merely suffused with pale chestnut-brown : on the throat this colour is usually more intense. ‘The wing-membranes are brown, sometimes dusky ; the interfemoral membrane assumes a paler hue beneath. 7 56 Zoological Society. The head, viewed from above, presents a triangular figure, of which the tip of the muzzle forms the apex, and is somewhat acute; the nose is slightly prominent; the nostrils terminal, and but slightly separated ; the upper lip terminates in a point ; the under lip is some- what swollen at the extremity, and a largeish transverse swelling or tubercle is observed below the chin. ‘The ears have the anterior part running on to the forehead, but separated by a space of about two lines, which space is occupied by the deep frontal pit; they are of moderate size, perhaps might be called rather large; the lateral and anterior margins meet so as to form nearly a right angle; on the anterior margin, which is thickened, is a series of pointed tubercles ; the lateral or outer margin is very slightly emarginated, and on the inner side numerous transverse small folds or ridges are perceptible ; the point of the ear is narrow, but rounded. ‘The tragus is scarcely 2 lines in length, and about 23 lines in width, rounded at the apex and contracted at the base. ‘The tail is enclosed in the interfemoral membrane rather less than one-third of its length. The interfemoral membrane is about eleven lines in antero-posterior extent, naked beneath, slightly hairy above to the base of the free portion of the tail, which has a few long scattered hairs. ‘The feet are almost naked, having only a few scattered hairs. The limbs are of a pale dirty flesh- colour. The teeth most nearly resemble those of skull fig. 11. pl. 60. of Temminck’s Monograph, but the incisors are more expanded at the apex than represented in that figure, and very deeply notched. The formulee are the same, viz. incisors, 2; canines, = ; molars, 3 : the first false molar of the upper jaw is small and almost hidden by the gum; the second distinct; both first and second false molars of lower jaw are distinct; the latter is most elevated, but the foremost is the largest. The palate has numerous well-developed transverse ridges, seven in number, if we commence from between the canines, in front of which are two others less distinct; the third, which is between the false molars, is most developed. ‘The tongue is thick, but pointed at the apex, and presents a triangular transverse section, extending in its ordinary position to the incisor teeth, which on the inner side are covered by the gum up to their points. Besides these, and the Philippine Island Bats noticed or described in the ‘Annals,’ vol. xiii. p. 302, I have to add, as also forming part of Mr. Cuming’s collection, a species of Nycticejus which agrees most closely with the N. borbonicus; this and the Taphozous phi- lippinensis appear to be extremely abundant in the Philippine Islands ; and lastly, a species of Dysopes, which I feel very little doubt is the D. tenuis of Horsfield; it agrees most closely with the detailed de- scription and figure given by Temminck. January 28.—William Horton Lloyd, Esq., in the Chair. ‘Description of three new species of Shells belonging to the genus Artemis,” by Sylvanus Hanley, Esq. ARTEMIS SIMPLEX. Art. testd orbiculari-subirigond, solidd, sub- Zoological Society, 57 inequilaterali, nitidd, eburned, ventricosd, concentrice et subimbri- catim sulcatd; sulcis haud confertis ; margine ventrali arcuato ; dorsali utringue declivi, antic? retuso, postice arcuato ; utrdque extremitate rotundatd ; lunuld haud magnd, impressd ; ared dorsali posticd nulld. Long. 1°63; lat. 1°55 poll, Index Testaceologicus, sup. t. 15. f, 41. Hab. Panama, St. Elena. Mus. Cuming, Hanley. The general outline, owing to the abruptness of its slopes, closely resembles that of excisa; but in that species the sulci (or rather cos- tell) are elevated, the hinder dorsal area is excavated, and the lunule is large and ill-defined, The colour is ivory-white, with usually a zone or two of very pale blue; and, contrary to the other two spe- cies, the greatest length is from the beaks to the lower or ventral margin. . ARTEMIS suBQqUADRATA. Art. testd suborbiculari, subquadratd, compressa, subpellucidd, valde inequilateralt, intus extusque albidd, concentrice substriatd ; margine ventrali posticé arcuato, antice convexo et sursim acclivi; dorsali antice convexo haudque declivi, postice subrecto et declivi; extremitate postica latissimd, anticd angustd ; lunuld magnd, subobsoletd, Long, 1°62; lat. 1°75 poll. Ind. Test., sup. t. 15. f. 39. Hab. St. Elena, West Columbia. Mus. Cuming, Hanley. The peculiar breadth of the posterior side, whose upper or dorsal angle is horizontal, or even ascending, the freedom from incurvation and abrupt slope of the front dorsal line, and the scarcely defined lunule, concur to render this rare shell strikingly different from any known species in this genus. ArteMis scuteTa. Art. testd orbiculari-subquadratd, magis mi- nusve ventricosd, solidiusculd, inequilaterali, subnitidd, sordideé albidd aut albido-lutescente (nonnunquam pallid? livido-fuscescente alboque marmoratd), concentricé sulcatd ; striis radiantibus, sulcos confertissimos antice (plerumque etiam posticé) decussantibus ; sulcis medio subimbricatis, ad utramque extremitatem lamellosis ; margine ventralt subarcuato ; dorsali postice convexiusculo vixque declivi, anticé retuso et pauld declivi; lunuld impressd, ovato- cordatd; ared dorsali posticd nulld; natibus haud prominentibus. Long. 1°80; lat. 2 poll. Ind, Test., sup. t. 15. f. 42. Hab. Australia? Mus. Hanley, &c. The radiating lines are not always perceptible on the posterior side of the adult, and the concentric sulci in that case appear fim- briated. It is allied to subrosea of Gray. February 11.—William Yarrell, Esq., in the Chair. A specimen of Cancer norvegicus, taken by a fishing-boat at the ** Silver Pits,” eighty miles eastward of Scarborough, was presented by Mr. Ingarfield. A communication was read from James Stark, M.D., F.R.S.E., in which he advocates the hypothesis that the Tetrao medius is neither 58 Zoological Society: a hybrid nor a distinct species, but merely an immatiire male of the Tetrao Urogallus or Capercailzie, founding his opinion of the ap- pearance of the Tetrao medius immediately after the re-introduction of the Capercailzie into Scotland by the Earl of Breadalbane, and on the fact, that no two species of a genus; however similar they may be in appearance, pair voluntarily while in a state of nature. February 25.=-R. ©. Griffith, Esq., in the-Chair. * Descriptions of six new spécies of Donaz, in the collection of Hugh Cuming, Esq. (Corr. Memb.),” by Sylvanus Hanley, Esq. Donax tTicaonicus. Don. testd cuneiformi, converd, nitidissimd, solidd, obliqud, levigatd, maxime inequilaterali, albidd, aut livido- purpurascente, concolore, epidermide flavescente induid ; margine ventrali integro, magis minusve convexo; dorsali, antice declivi et subrecto dit subretuso, postice subrecto et subitd declivi; extre- mitate lateris antici producti, aitenuatd, rotundatd ; latere postico brevissimo, truncato et inferné obtuse angulato ; pube concentrice et profunde rugosd ; natibus acutis, prominentibus ; superficie in- ternd aut violaced aut albidd violaced postice fucatd; dente late- rali antico remoto, postico approwimato. Long. 1*; lat: 1‘50 poll. Hab. 'Ticao, Philippines (Cuming). - Remarkable for its obliquity and the abrupt truncation of the pos- terior side. Donax cutter. Don. tesid elongatd, angustd, converd, satis inequi- laterali, nitidd, striulis exilibus confertim radiatd, variis coloribus pictd (plerumque purpured, sed etiam flavd linets purpureo-brun- neis radiatd, albidd radtis violaceis aut lividis, aurantid et rosed, sepe radiis albidis ornatd) ; margine ventral crénulato, antice sub- recto, postice convexo; dorsali antice recto et vie paululim de- chivi, postice convexo satisque declivi; latere antico producto, ad extremitatem obtuse rotundato ; postico rotundato-cuneiformi ; lu- nulé ligamentoque angustis ; pube striis simplicibus radiatd ; costd umbonali obtusissimd ; dentibus lateralibus haud remotis: Var. a. Testa subinequilaterali ; margine ventrali medio subpostice reiuso; dente laterali antico, plerumque magis dpproximato. | ' Var. b. Testd minus elongatd et magis inequilaterali ; margine ven- trali rard retuso ; dente laterali antico plerumque magis remoto. Long. 0°50; lat. 1°50. Hab. Var. a. Matzellan, Gulf of California (Cuming). Var. 6. Acapuleo (Cumiiig), Rather a common shell, and élosely allied to pulchella: Donax asreR. Don. testa trigond, ventricosd, solidd, subinequilate- rali, albidd aut carned, antic? nitidiusculd et radiatim striatd, pos- tice impolitd et radiatim costellatd ; striis exilibus et simplicibus; costellts parvis, decissatis, aut subsquamosis aut subgranosis, supra costam umbonalem angulatam confertis ; marginé ventrali crenato, arcuato ; dorsali antico, valde declivi, subrecto ; postico retuso, inermi, subitoqué declivi: extremitate lateris antici longioris, ro- tundatd, posticd angulatd ; natibus valde prominentibus et maxime Zoological Society. 59 incurvatis ; pube pland ; dentibus lateralibus approximatis. Long. 1°30; lat. 1°60 pol. Hab. Tumbez, Peru (Cuming). Closely resembling dentiferus, but not provided with the charac- teristic tooth, much stronger and more triangular, and with its ven- tral edge more arcuated, and its front extremity more attenuated. The front dorsal edge appears retuse (which it is not in reality), from the lateral projection of the swollen beaks. The lower margin is stained with violet anteriorly. Donax Navicuta. Don. testd elongato-trigond, crassd, subventri- cosd, nitidd, subinequilaterali, sublevigatd (striis radiantibus tantum in medio perspicuis), albd, epidermide flavd indutd, prope marginem dorsalem utrinque brunneo-purpurascente strigatd ; mar- gine ventrali in medio ventricoso, intus crenato; dorsali antic? — subrecto et subdeclivi, postic® incurvato et declivi; ared posticd levi, subconcavd ; latere antico longiore, angustato, ad extremitatem rotundato ; postico cuneiformi, ad extremitatem obtuso ; ligamento minimo ; costd umbonali obtusd ; superficie internd albidd, utrinque Superne purpured; dentibus lateralibus maxim? approzimatis. Long. 0°40; lat. 0°90 poll. | Hab. Gulf of Nicoya, Central America (Cuming). Allied to californiensis, but more triangular. Donax Gracitis, Don, testd elongatd, angustd, nitidd, valde in- equilaterali, compressd, sublevigatd, albidd aut pallide violaceo- rufescente, epidermide lutescente indutd ; margine ventrali convexo aut subarcuato, haud flexuoso, intus crenulato ; dorsali magis mi- nusve livido, utrinque subrecto, antic? vie paululim declivi, postice valde declivi; latere antico producto, attenuato, ad extremitatem rotundato, postico acuminato-cuneiformi ; ligamento minimo ; ared posticd levi, obtusissimd ; costd umbonali obtusd ; superficie internd purpurascente ; dentibus lateralibus perspicuis, approximatis. Var. b. Testa albidd,; radiis paucis livido-rufescentibus ornatd. Var. c. Testd rufescente aut lividd. Long. 0°40; lat. 1 poll. : Hab. Bay of Guayaquil. Var. b. Chiriqui. Var. ¢. Bay of Garac- cas (Cuming). Allied to Owenii, but with the margin crenulated. Donax sornpipus. Don. testid abbreviato-cuneiformi, convexd, niti- diusculd, solidd, valdé inequilaterali, strits exilibus simplicibus confertim radiatd, sordide albidd ; lineis elevatis obliquis subcon- centricis, partem superiorem et levigatam teste postice asperanti- bus ; margine ventrali crenulato, medio arcuato ; dorsali antico, declivi et subrecto ; postico subrecto et valde declivi ; latere antico attenuato ; postico brevi et inferne (in adultis etiam superne) obtuse angulato ; pube fortiter et confertim rugis subdecussatis concentrice exardtd ; costd umbonali subangulaid ; superficie internd albidd, purpureo infectd; dentibus lateralibus approximatis, antico per- magno. Long. 0°70; lat. 1 poll. Hab. Cape of Good Hope. Mus. Brit., Cuming. 60 Zoological Society. Intermediate between striata and semisulcata. The raised oblique lines which roughen the posterior side near the beaks where the strie have become entirely obsolete, are a striking character in this rare species. Mr. Fraser exhibited to the Meeting and characterized three new species of Birds from the Society’s collection, viz :— PaLtmornis MopEstus. Pal. ptilose viridis; genis pallideé cervinis ; vittd a anes ad oculos viridescenti-nigrd ; mandibulis nigris. Hab. This bird is nearly allied to the P. pondicerianus, but differs in the colour of the cheeks, breast and mandibles; it differs also from P. malaccensis in the paler colour of the cheeks, and that colour not extending further back than the ears, in the colour of the beak, &c. ; it may also be readily distinguished from Mr. Hodgson’s Nepaul spe- cies by the colouring of the cheeks. Lorius superBus. Lor. capite et tectricibus majoribus inferioribus alarum nigris; genis, lateribus, pectore et uropygio rubris ; nuchd, ventre, femore, et tectricibus caude inferioribus ceruleis ; scapulis, tectricibus alarum inferioribus minoribus, et dimidio ter- minali caude ceruleis ; alis externis viridibus. Hab. This bird is about the size and is closely allied to the Lorius Phi- lippensis, Briss., but differs in having the shoulders and smaller under wing-coverts blue, the larger ones black (in this respect it somewhat resembles the Lorius domicellus, Auct.) ; in the absence of the red band immediately below the black crown ; and in having an entire red band from shoulder to shoulder, whereas in L. Philip- pensis it is only partial. Larus Bripeesiu. Lar. ptilose griseus; capite et mento pallidé ci- nereis; primartis et secundariis nigris, apicitbus secundariarum albis, fasciam albam trans alas formantibus ; quibusdam primariis apicibus albidis ; vittd nigrd lat. 1 poll. prope apices remigum ; rostro pedibusque nigris. poll. Tok, Meee isc oe wont se npipetimiane s ree 18 ae aes “ae: ee: 8 | ANE S90 = pins og tthe « wae es ines es eas 5s RI Foc Ve Cea a a © ates « avn. s 24 THERE: bc te de 4s Ce Bs Be Genie tial ele is 2 Digits WON igi sae. > Ge Vanes 8 13 From Valparaiso, Chile. Collected by Mr. ‘Thomas Bridges, Corr. Memb. This apparently new species of Gull is closely allied to the Larus fuliginosus, Gould, but differs in the beak being much more slender, in the general colour being lighter, in the head and chin being nearly white, in having a white band across the wings, and the black band across the tail being more decided. Zoological Society. 61 March 11.—Rev. John Barlow, M.A., F.R.S., Sec. R.1., in the Chair. A paper by Sylvanus Hanley, Esq., was read, containing descrip- tions of two new species of Donax :— Donax assimiuis. Don. testd cuneiformi, magis minusve crassa, antic? compressa, postice ventricosd, valde inequilaterali, lividd, albo-violascente, aurantid aut flavidd, zonis saturatioribus aut vio- laceis plerumque pictd, radiatim striatd; striis haud confertis, antice simplicibus, postic? elevatis et decussatis ; margine ventral crenulato, haud arcuato, antic? sursum acclinato; dorsali, antic? subdeclivi subrecto aut convexiusculo, postice subrecto et valde de- clivi; latere antico producto, ad extremitatem rotundato et atte- nuato; postico perbrevi et infern? angulato ; costd umbonali sub- angulatd ; pube decussatd, et costelld ad extremitatem dentiferd, sepe radiata ; ligamento prominente et satis magno ; superficie in- ternd in adultis, prope marginem violaced ; dente laterali antico haud remoto, postico subapproximato. Long. 1; lat. 1°55 poll. Hab. Panama. Mus. Cuming, Hanley, &c. Very variable in colouring, often with a short purple perpendicular ray upon the umbones; sometimes with three or four pale rays on a darker ground, but usually uniform and only marked when aged, with the rib-like stria projecting at the margin like a tooth. This latter character and the identity of its sculpture render the species liable to be confused with dentiferus, but the greater tenuity and less elon- gated shape of that shell is preserved even in the younger specimens. Donax tusricus. Don. testa cuneiformi, compressd, solidiusculd, valde inequilaterali, nitidissimd, lividd aut albo-violascente, antice levigatd, posticé striis radiantibus ornatd ; margine ventrali ex- iliter crenulato, convexo aut convewxiusculo ; dorsali, utrinque sub- recto, antic? declivi, postic? valde declivi ; latere antico attenuato, ad extremitatem rotundato; postico perbrevi et inferne obtuse angulato ; vulvd rugis confertis concentricis, stritsque exilibus ra- diantibus, eleganter decussaté ; costd umbonali subobtusd ; natibus acutis ; dentibus lateralibus obsoletis. Long. 0°6; lat.0°8 poll. Hab. ? Mus. Cuming. Peculiar for uniting a smooth surface to a crenulated margin. March 25.-—William Horton Lloyd, Esq., in the Chair. Mr. Gould exhibited to the Meeting a new species of Trogon, from South America, and seven new Birds from Australia, which he cha- racterized as follows :— Trogon PuELLA. Trog. loris, plumis auricularibus et guld fusco- nigris ; capite, corpore superiore, et pectore aureo-viridibus ; alis nigris ; tectricibus alarum maculis minimis albis ornatis ; corpore inferiore vivide coccineo, separato a viridi pectore fascid semilunari albd; tribus remigibus exterioribus nigris vittis albis angustis Srequentibus ornatis ; femoribus nigris. Lores, ear-coverts and throat dull black; head, all the upper sur- face and chest golden green; wings black ; the coverts very minutely freckled with white, and the primaries with a very narrow line of 62 Zoological Saciety. white along the basal portion of their outer webs ; all the under sur- face scarlet, separated from the green of the chest by a semilunar mark of white ; two middle tail-feathers golden green ; the two next on each side golden green on their outer webs and black on their inner, the whole six tipped with black; the three outer feathers on each side black, crossed by numerous narrow bars of, and narrowly tipped with, white; thighs black; bill orange ; irides red; feet dark ey. Total length, 10 inches; bill, 1; wing, 5}; tail, 53; tarsi, 4. Hab, Escuintla, South America. Remark,—Nearly allied to Trogon collaris, Vieill, Cucunus opratus. Cuc, corpore superiore ceruleo-griseo ; pogo- niis internis primariarum fasciis latis albis ornatis ; remigibus sa- turate violaceo-brunneis ; apicibus subalbidis, serie macularum ob- longarum albarum alternatim ordinatd ; corpore subtis albo, fasciis nigris, The onal of the upper surface slaty grey ; inner webs of the pri- maries broadly barred with white; tail-feathers dark violet-brown, with a row of oblong spots of white placed alternately on either side of the stem, and slightly tipped with white; the lateral feathers have also a row of white spots on the margin of their inner webs; chin and breast light grey; all the under surface buffy white, crossed by bands of black; irides, bill and feet orange. Total length, 13 inches; bill, 1}; wing, 73; tail, 6}; tarsi, 3. Hab. Port Essington, Australia. . Remark.—Closely allied to the Common Cuckoo of Europe. Cucutus ryspuratus. Cuc, capite, guld, et corpore superiore ca- ruleo-griseis ; alis, dorsogue nitide viridescentibus ; caudd brunneo- viridi singuld plumd apice albo, et marginibus pogoniorum inte- riorum ordine macularum albarum triangularium ornatis ; parte subscapulari tectricibus caude inferioribus, crissogue rufis ; corpore subtis rufo-tineto-griseo, Head, throat and all the upper surface dark slate-grey; back and wings glossed with green; tail glossy brownish green, each feather tipped with white, and with a row of triangular-shaped white marks on the margins of the inner webs; primaries and secondaries with a patch of white on their inner webs near the base; edge of the shoulder white; under surface of the shoulder, vent and under tail-coverts rufous; the remainder of the under surface grey, washed with rufous ; bill black; feet olive. — Total length, 94 inches; bill, 1; wing, 67; tail, 5; tarsi, 2. Hab. New South Wales. Remark,—Nearly allied to C. cineraceus of Vigors and Horsfield. CucuLtus pumMErornuM. Cuc. eapite, uropygio, collogue saturate eeruleo-griseis ; alis, caudd dorsoque metallic? brunneis ; apicibus remigum leviter albis ; pogoniis interioribus serie macularum tri- angularium parvarum ornatis ; pectore griseo, rufo-tincto. Head, neck and rump dark slate-grey ; back, wings and tail bronzy brown ; tail-feathers slightly tipped with white and with a row of _ Zoological Society. 63 small triangular-shaped spots on the margins of their inner webs ; breast grey, washed with rufous; under surface of the shoulder, flanks, vent and under tail-coverts deep rufous; irides brown, Total length, 85 inches; bill, ; wing, 5; tail, 43; tarsi, 4, Hab. Port Essington, Australia, Remark.—Nearly allied to Cuculus insperatus. SpHena@acus eramingus, Sphen. vittd supra oculos albd ; yi superne brunneo; medid plumarum saturate brunned ; subtis griseo ; lateribus crissoque cervinis ; medida parte singule plume pectoris lined minimd saturate brunned ornatd, Stripe over the eye white; all the upper surface brown, the cen- tres of the feathers being dark brown; secondaries brownish black, margined with buff; tail pale reddish brown, with dark brown shafts ; under surface grey, passing into buff on the flanks and vent; each feather of the breast with a very minute line of dark brown down the centre ; bill and tarsi fleshy brown. Total length, 54 inches; bill, $; wing, 24; tail, 24; tarsi, 3, Hab. Van Diemen’s Land and the southern coast of Australia. PacHYcEPHALA @LAucURA. Pach. capite, loris, spatio infra oculos, et latd maculd semilunari trans pectus saturate nigris ; guld, intra maculam nigram, albd ; nuchd posteriore, lined angustd apud latera pectoris pone semilunam nigram, et corpore inferiore flavis ; caudd grised ; tectricibus caude inferioribus albis vel subflavis. Head, lores, space beneath the eye and a broad crescent-shaped mark from the latter across the breast deep black ; throat within the black, white ; back of the neck, a narrow line down each side of the chest, behind the black crescent, and the under surface yellow; back and wing-coverts yellowish olive; wings dark slate-colour, margined with grey; tail entirely grey; under tail-coverts white, or ve slightly washed with yellow; irides reddish brown; bill black ; feet dark brown. Total length, 7 inches; bill, $; wing, 4; tail, 3%; tarsi, 1. Hab. Van Diemen’s Land. ; Nearly allied to Pachycephala gutturalis, but distinguished by a shorter bill and by the colouring of the tail, which is entirely grey. CystTicoLa CAMPEsTRIS, Cyst. capite ferruginea-rubro, dorso tec- tricibusgue alarum brunneo-griseis ; singulis plumis corporis supe- rioris fascid longitudinali saturate bruaned ornatis; caudd rufo- brunned, plumis duabus mediis latd maculd nigrd juata apices ; corpore subtis pallidé cervino, Head rusty red; back and wing-coyerts brownish grey, all the feathers of the upper surface with a broad stripe of dark brown dawn the centre; wings blackish brown, the primaries margined externally with rusty red, and the secondaries edged all round with brownish grey; tail reddish brown, all but the two centre feathers with a large spot of black near the tip; all the under surface pale buff, Total length, 53 inches; bill, $; wing, 28; tail, 23; tarsi, . Hab. Australia. Remark.—For the loan of this new species I am indebted to the kindness of H, E, Strickland, Esq, 64 Microscopical Society. CALAMOHERPE LONGIROstTRIS. Cal. vittd pallidd, supra oculos cer- vind; corpore supern? rufo, subtis saturate cervino; mento albido. Faint line’ over the eye fawn-colour ; all the upper surface reddish brown, becoming more rufous on the upper tail-coverts; primaries © and tail dark brown, fringed with rufous ; chin whitish ; all the under surface deep fawn-colour ; irides yellowish brown. Total length, 64 inches; bill, +4; wing, 3; tail, 3; tarsi, 1. Hab. Western Australia. ; MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. June 18, 1845.—Thomas Bell, Esq., F.R.S., President, in the Chair. A paper by George Shadbolt, jun., Esq., “Ona British species of Izvodes found upon Cattle,” was read. The insects forming the subject of the present paper were found on some cows belonging to’ a farmer residing at Chingford, Essex, on the borders of Epping Forest. ‘They are known to the country people by the name of the ‘“ Tick,” but they are aware that they differ from the insects of that name which infest sheep and goats. They are found upon cattle, attacking all parts indiscriminately, and causing much irritation and annoyance to them. ‘They have been found in the number of several hundreds on a single cow, and have also been known to attack even human subjects, but this is not com- mon, and although it is probable that they infest other animals, the author has seen them only on cows. ‘They do not appear to breed on the animals infested, but are produced in the forest into which the cattle are sent to graze, and which appear to become infested with them by their crawling up their legs while feeding. After having attached themselves by means of a very curious apparatus with which they are furnished, they gorge themselves with blood, and the abdomen increases in size from about the jth of an inch until they become as large as a small bean; when fully gorged they fall off, and the author was not able to ascertain their further progress. The form of this insect is oval: it has eight legs, in which particular it differs from the Brazilian species described by Mr. Busk in a former paper read to the Society, these last having but six. These legs are attached to the anterior half of the trunk, and consist of seven joints, the tarsi being terminated by a species of webbed foot, capable of being folded together and furnished with two recurved claws. The oral apparatus by which it attaches itself is exceedingly interesting ; it consists of two palpi serving as a kind of sheath to the other parts when inactive, two jointed mandibles, and a barbed or hooked labium. Specimens of this and other species were afterwards exhibited. Also a paper by H. Deane, Esq., “On the Existence of Fossil Xanthidia in the Chalk,” was read. After mentioning that the occurrence of Xanthidia in a fossil state had not hitherto been observed in any other situation than in the flint-nodules of the chalk, and consequently that great doubt existed whether these fossils were really independent animal existences or ‘only parts of some other creature, Mr. Deane stated that there is a grayish kind of chalk having no flints, but containing quantities of Entomological Society. 65 nodules of iron pyrites, which juts: into the sea between Dover and Folkstone, forming the beach for some distance, Upon exposing a portion of this to the action of hydrochloric acid, and examining microscopically the insoluble sediment, bodies similar to, if not iden- tical with, the Xanthidia in flints were exposed to view ; several spe- cies were clearly to be recognised, together with casts of Polythalamia and other bodies frequently found in flints. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. July 3rd, 1843.—George Newport, Esq., President, in the Chair. Mr. Samuel Stevens brought for exhibition a box of insects from Dorking, in which were specimens of Claviger foveolatus taken from the nest of Formica flaya; also Molorchus minor, Micronyx Junger- mannie, Tychius lineatulus, &c.; also a box from Charlton and Plum- stead, in which were Acalles Ptinoides, A. roboris, Pecilus lepidus, &c.; also the following moths from the Hammersmith marshes : Leucania straminea, reared from the larve exhibited at the last meeting, Leucania obsoleta, Sensia sericea, Nudaria senex, Chilo phrag- mitellus and gigantellus, the latter being most probably the female of the preceding insect. Mr. Walton exhibited specimens of Hrirhinus Chamomille, and Mr. Rich, a female Goliathus, apparently identical with G. regius, Klug. _ A paper was read by Mr. Westwood on the Indian genera Trigo- nophorus and Rhongorkina, published in vol. iv. part 1. of the Trans- actions. August 7th.—George Newport, Esq., President, in the Chair. Mr. Westwood exhibited a male specimen of Tengyra Sanvitali, taken duriny the last month by sweeping in hedge-rows near Ascot heath. Mr. Saunders exhibited a specimen of the Australian genus Cilibe, which had been captured alive in a garden near London. Alsosome pupe of a small Homopterous insect which had proved very injurious in the oak plantations throughout extensive districts in Scotland, by raising blisters upon the leaves. Also specimens of a small Di- pterous insect (Phytomyza lateralis), which attacks the petals of the pansy by puncturing them, as was stated, with the ovipositor, and then sucking out the colouring matter with the haustellum. Mr. Marshall exhibited a remarkable specimen of Hipparchia Ga- lathea of a white colour with the ordinary markings obliterated, and Mr. Evans a specimen of Lamia Textor, taken near Canterbury in July. The following memoirs were read :— On the Insects residing in Bramble-sticks. By Mr. F. Smith. (Published in the first part of the fourth volume of the Transactions of the Society.) Description of a new species of Ceria. By Mr. W. W. Saunders. (Published in the first part of the fourth volume of the Transactions of the Society.) On some new exotic species of Aphodiide. By Mr. Westwood. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. 66 Miscellaneous. September 4th.—Edward Doubleday, Esq., V.P., in the Chair: Dr. Becker of Wiesbaden exhibited a new species of Papilio from South America, and also a specimen of the very rare P. Protodamas. Mr. S. Stevens exhibited specimens of Sibinia arenaria, Mononychus Pseudacori, Cicindela germanica, Micronyx pygmea, &c., recently captured in the Isle of Wight; also of Apion Schénherri, Choragus Sheppardi, Mecinus circulatus, and various Lepidoptera, the latter captured by daubing sugar upon the trunks of trees in the neigh- bourhood of Arundel. Mr. F. Smith exhibited specimens of Platypeza subfasciata? (a Dipterous insect varying greatly in the two sexes,) reared from fungi from Birch wood; also Pissodes Pini from Weybridge. Mr. Evans exhibited specimens illustrating the natural history of Mamestra Brassice and Euthalia impluviata ; also a specimen of Mar- garitia diversalis, taken by himself either in Yorkshire or at Darenth wood in June last. 3 _ The following papers were read :— Notice of a Gynandromorphous specimen of Smerinthus Popult. By George A. Thrupp, Esq. Description of an ancient Irish Amulet made in the form of and used as a charm against the Murrian Caterpillar. Communicated by W. F. Evans, Esq. Descriptions of some new species of Exotic Spiders, and two species of Peciloptera. By A. White, Esq., by whom some additional ob- servations were made on the study of arachnology, and upon the struc- ture of the nests of two British species of spiders. He likewise read an extract from Abbott’s MSS. in the British Museum, on the habits of one of the fossorial Hymenoptera which collects spiders for the provisioning of its nest. MISCELLANEOUS. . Observations on the group Schizopetaleze of the family of Crucifere. By J. Marius Barngoup*. In 1822 Mr. Francis Place, on his return from a voyage to Chili, intro- duced into England a charming plant having four elegantly pinnate petals, and furnished with an embryo with four yellowish cotyledons rolled in a spiral. These extraordinary characters did not prevent Sir William Hooker from placing this plant in the family of the Crucifere ; he formed of it the genus Schizopetalon, of which he pub- lished an excellent description and a very detailed figure in the ‘ Exotic Flora,’ vol. i. p. 74, by the name of Schizopetalon Walcheri. A new coloured figure, but without analysis, appeared somewhat later in the ‘ Botanical Magazine,’ tab. 2379. Mr. Robert Brown, on his part, had adopted in the ‘ Botanical Register,’ no. 752, precisely the determination and classification of Sir W. Hooker. Nevertheless these two botanists, struck with the remarkable forms which the embryo of this genus presented, had not neglected to state, that it ought to serve as type of a new tribe ‘of Crucifere ; they differed solely on one point: Mr. R. Brown con- * From the Annales des Sciences Naturelles for March 1845. Miscellaneous. 67 sidered the embryo as consisting of four entirely distinct cotyledons ; Sir W. Hooker, on the contrary, stated that there were only two semicylindrical cotyledons, each one divided into two very deep lobes. But this interesting question, from the simply descriptive na- ture of this note, will be examined subsequently in a more general manner ; at all events, up to the present day the Schizopetalon Wal- cheri continued the sole representative of a very curious group of plants well deserving the attention of botanists. Aug. Pyrame DeCandolle, after having established in his beautiful memoir on the Crucifere the bases of an embryonal classification, subsequently applied them in his ‘ Prodromus,’ and adopted thein more or less successfully to the new species ; but he had the prudent reserve to place the Schizopetalon Walcheri at the extremity of the series and among the genera Incerte sedis. Moreover the species, then somewhat rare, was not well known to him, and he did well to follow in this case the wise principles laid down by Jussieu. ‘The rich collections of plants brought from Chili by our indefatigable traveller Claude Gay have furnished us with numerous materials on the subject ; and since the true position of Schizopetalon can no longer be called in question, we shall be able to show, that although science owes its most beautiful and most profound investigations on the Crucifere to the genius of DeCandolle, there may nevertheless be objected to his embryonal classification, its frequently artificial side, owing to the starting from one single organ. Nature appears to have created the group of the Schizopetalee to prove how little stable are frequently the majority of those sections or subdivisions of family which are not founded upon a totality of characters of affinity, as the true natural method requires. In the herbarium from Chili we find six species of Schizopetalon, of which five are new. If we study these plants with care before dissecting the seed, we are led to arrange them all in the same genus; all have a perfect similitude in the various organs of the flower, the same aspect, and nearly the same habit; in a word, we find an al- most uniform plan of generic structure. The anatomy of the seed then demonstrates a considerable difference between several of the species. We find, on the one hand, very minute globular seeds pre- senting an embryo with four linear and spiral cotyledons, with curved radicle, evidently belonging to the Spirolobee of DeCandolle ; and on the other, oval seeds larger than the preceding, their embryo with two incumbent spathulate cotyledons, and with an almost straight dorsal radicle, evidently belonging to the section Notorhizee. ‘This is the most striking character of the new genus Perreymondia*. Now it is quite plain that it is impossible to separate, without violating the laws of natural affinity, in a methodical distribution of the Cruciferous plants, these two genera (Schizopetalon and Perrey- mondia), so nearly related, and solely distinct as respects the embryo, as it would be necessary to do according to the classification of De- Candolle. The anatomical structure of the seed of the Schizopetalee is com- * In honour of Perreymond, a distinguished botanist of Provence. F2 68 Miscellaneous. posed——1. of an extremely thin, transparent, cellular external enve- lope, coated with papille; 2. of a brown, somewhat thick, central coating; and 3. of an internal membrane surrounding the embryo, and performing the functions of a kind of perisperm. Iodide of potassium shows the presence of numerous grains of starch in it. The following is a brief monographic sketch of this tribe of the Crucifere hitherto so little known :— Scuizorrrates, R. Br., Botan. Reg. No. 752. Petala pinnatifida, longe unguiculata zestivatione involuta. Sta- mina 6 tetradynama subequalia. Glandule 4 hypogyne. Siliqua longa, polysperma. Semina globosa vel ovata subalbuminosa. Em- bryonis cotyledones 4 spirales, vel 2 crasso-spathulate. Folia ele- ganter pinnatifida vel dentata. Pili omnes ramosi. Flores albt.—Herbe andicole vel maritime in regno Chilensi. ScuizopetTaton, Hooker, Exot. Flor. i. p. 74. Calyx 4-phyllus, apice clausus, erectus. Petala 4 pinnatifida longe unguiculata. Stamina 6 subzequalia. Siliqua pilosa. Stigma basi hastatum subsessile. Semina globosa, minima, papilloso-rugulosa. Embryonis cotyledones 4, lineares, equales, spiraliter convolutee. Radicula curvata. 1. Schizopetalon Walcheri, Hook. in Bot. Mag. tab. 2379. 2. Schizopetalon maritimum (nobis). Caule subsimplici, foliis an- gustis pinnatifidis pilosis, spica laxissima, siliqua nervosa glabrius- cula, embryone albo. © PERREYMONDIA, Noy. gen. Calycis foliola 4, eequalia, erecta, obtusa, clausa. Corolla petala 4, hypogyna, longe unguiculata, lamina ovata, eleganter pinnatifida, laciniis linearibus obtusis estivatione involutis. Stamina 6, hypo- gyna, tetradynama. /i/amenta libera, edentula. Anthere sagittato- lineares. Glandule hypogyne 4, lineares, erectz, obtusz, petalis suboppositee. Ovarium 2-loculare, pubescens. Stylus brevis vel nullus. Stigma hastatum, apice subacuminatum. Siliqua bivalvis, dehiscens, et seepe ad maturitatem pendula, polysperma, anguste linearis, et pilis ramosis vestita. Septum membranaceum stomatibus destitutum. Semina ovata, fulva, subrugulosa, subalbuminosa. Hm- bryonis albi cotyledones 2, incumbentes, spathulate, apice crassz. Radicula dorsalis recta.—In regno Chilensi. Flores albi. 1. Perreymondia dentata (nobis). Pubescens; caule macilento, foliis oblongis ineequaliter dentatis; spica pauciflora, laxissima; florum pedicellis pilosis. © 2. Perreymondia rupestris (nobis). Canescens ; caule folioso, ramoso, foliis cano-pinnatifidis, carnosulis; spica laxa; floribus pilosis ; siliqua vermiculata, tomentosa. © 3. Perreymondia multifida (nobis). Caule ramoso hispidulo, foliis angustis inciso-subbipinnatifidis albicantibus ; floribus pilosis; si- liqua gracili; stigmate subsessili. © 4, Perreymondia Brongniartii (nobis). Caule erecto, ramosissimo, pa- tulo, foliis dentato-pinnatifidis, canescentibus, crassiusculis; spica longa multiflora; siliqua vermiculata; stigmate sessili. © Miscellaneous. 69 On the Microscopic Constituents of the Ash of Fossil Coal. By Professor EnrENBERG. At the meeting of the Berlin Academy of the 25th of October, Prof. Ehrenberg communicated an observation of Dr. Franz Schulz of Eldena, which the latter had addressed to M. v. Humboldt in a letter, in which he describes his method of separating the silica contained in coal so chemically pure as to enable us to recognise the microsco- pical siliceous organisms. ‘The usual method of burning the coal,” Dr. Schulz states, ‘‘is attended with an unavoidable vitrifi- cation of the mineral constituents, even when conducted in the slowest. and most cautious manner, owing to which their cellular structure is lost. After many fruitless experiments I succeeded in hitting upon a method of incineration, which leaves the silica con- tained in the coal perfectly unaltered. Very instructive preparations are readily obtained (from the already known structural relations of siliceous earth in plants) on moistening grass-halms, ears of grain, Equisetum, Spanish cane, &c., with nitric acid, and afterwards burn- ing them on platinum foil. The nitric acid not only facilitates the combustion of the organic substance, but also prevents the potash combined with the vegetable acid from being converted into carbo- nate of potash before the silica has been heated to such a degree as to be less liable to be acted upon. ‘The greater degree of heat required for the perfect combustion of the coal no longer destroys the cellular form of the silica after nitric acid has prevented the production of carbonate of potash on the first application of heat. An excess of nitric acid has the effect of destroying the connexion of the siliceous cells and acts too powerfully upon them, and should therefore be avoided. ‘Encouraged by the success of these experiments, I turned my at- tention to coal, it being exceedingly desirable to be enabled to detect remains of organic structure init. ‘The large quantity of siliceous earth contained in all varieties of coal led me to infer that a judi- cious method of incineration would be attended with good results ; your excellency will be enabled to judge from the preparation at- tached in how far I have succeeded. A piece of coal of about two equare inches was broken into twelve pieces of nearly the same size, and then treated with nitric acid ina platinum vessel. The nitric acid being evaporated at a moderate heat, I ignited the residue until no further empyreumatic vapours were given off, treated the resi- due again with nitric acid and repeated the ignition. Thus prepared, the coal was placed in a platinum crucible with a lid perforated in the centre, and air was blown from a gasometer through the aper- ture in the lid, whilst the crucible was kept at a red heat over a spirit-lamp, so that the coal was necessarily slowly consumed. The ash thus obtained had not coked, but formed a brownish powder, Some white splinters occur among this, which appear.on microsco- pical examination to be aggregated siliceous cells arranged in regular succession, of the structure of the prosenchymatous cells of wood.” Prof. Ehrenberg added, that the importance of a method for ob- taining the organized siliceous parts from the lower strata of the earth with their forms preserved for microscopical observation is ma 70 Miscellaneous. nifest, and requires no recommendation, to judge from the results which have already ensued. His own efforts with respect to coal had never been attended with success, and he therefore considers this method as a most useful and important discovery. He further stated that the clearness of the specimens (which were, it was to be re- gretted, not numerous) communicated by M. Schulz had astonished him, and, as might have been expected, had immediately been at- tended with a result. Prof. Ehrenberg had during many years brought before the Academy descriptions of the parts of plants (con- taining silica) which are found in marshy soils of all zones and in the infusorial deposits, and had likewise alluded to their origin from re- cent plants. This group, called Phytolitharia, had been as it were classified by him into eleven genera. Of these eleven genera only one is found in several forms in the purified siliceous ash of the coal forwarded by M. Schulz, namely the genus Lithostylidium, which contains regular siliceous nuclei of cells of plants. Lithodontia, or marginal teeth of grasses, Lithodermatia, or epidermis of plants (Equisetacea, Arundinacea), could not be distinctly recognised, al- though the presence of the latter may be presumed. Other nega- tive results were also particularly remarkable, namely the absence of all Lithasterisci, Lithosphere, Spongolites, &c. &c., otherwise so frequent. Finally, no trace of infusoria possessing a siliceous shell -was found, notwithstanding the most careful investigation. He concluded by expressing a conviction that a rapid development of our knowledge on this subject would, now that a method had been discovered, undoubtedly take place, and a wish that this may be the commencement of its study. On the Tendrils of the Cucurbitaceee. By M. J. Payer. In organographical researches it is sometimes necessary to examine comparatively the same organ, not merely in plants of the same fa- mily, but likewise in the same plant at various periods of its exist- ence, and, if necessary, to have recourse to anatomy. It is from having neglected these two modes of investigation that all botanists who have studied the nature of the tendrils of the Cucurbitacee have either been completely mistaken, or have perceived the truth but in a very indistinct manner, and without being able to demonstrate it. There are many plants in which fibro-vascular bundles are de- tached at three different points of the circumference of the cylinder constituting the medullary sheath, generally at one and the same height and at a little distance from the origin of a leaf: these bun- dles traverse the herbaceous envelope and pass into the pulvinus (coussinet) of that leaf. There, sometimes aJl three enter the pe- tiole, sometimes only one of them,—the central one, the two lateral ones continuing the nervation of the two lateral stipules. Now, if the lower leaves of the cultivated melon be examined, no tendril will be found to exist at their side*; it will be seen that the three fibro- * This fact may be generalized, for it results from a large number of ob- servations which I have made, that plants with tendrils, of whatever kind, yever present tendrils at their lower extremity. Meteorological Observations. — 71 vascular bundles which separate from the medullary sheath ascend all three into the petiole, and that the bud formed at their axil, and always placed between the intermediary bundle and the stem, is de- cidedly at the middle of the base of the leaf. If, on the contrary, the stem-leaves which have a lateral tendril are considered, we observe that of the three fibro-vascular bundles, only two, the central and one of the lateral ones, enter the petiole, and that the other pene- trates into the tendril. In this case, the bud, from its constant position between the intermediary bundle and the stem, is no longer, like this intermediary bundle, at the centre of the base of the petiole, but on the side, and appears to be almost between the leaf and the tendril. Lastly, we frequently meet in botanical gardens with the upper leaves each accompanied by two lateral tendrils. The anatomy then indicates that a single bundle, the central one, traverses the petiole, and that the two lateral ones pass each one into a tendril. With respect to the bud, it necessarily is situated between the middle of the base of the petiole and the stem.—Ann. des Sci. Nat., March. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR MAY 1845, Chiswick.—May 1,2. Very fine. 3. Fine, with clouds. 4, Cloudy and cool. 5. Fine: dense clouds: clear, 6. Cloudy: rain. 7. Cloudy: showers. 8. Rain, 9. Cloudy: clear. 10. Foggy: cloudy: clear at night. 11. Cloudy. 12. Rain: showery. 13. Cloudy and fine. 14, Fine. 15. Overcast: fine. 16. Cloudy. 17. Overcast: slight frost at night. 18. Cloudy: showery. 19. Cloudy and cold. 20. Cloudy: rain. 21. Heavy rain. 22. Cloudy: veryclear. 23. Over- cast: fine: heavy rain, 24. Hazy clouds: heavy rain at night. 25. Rain, 26. Overcast: heavy rain. 27. Very fine. 28. Hazy anddamp. 29. Thick haze: rain. 30. Fine. $1. Very fine; cloudless: overcast at night.—-Mean temperature of the month 5°3 below the average. Boston.—May 1. Fine. 2. Fine: thunder and lightning p.m., with rain. 3. Cloudy: thunder and lightning r.m., with rain, 4. Fine: rain earlya.m. 5. Fine: rain early a.M.: raine.mM. 6. Rain. 7. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: rain p.m. 8. Fine: rain a.m. 9. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 10. Rain, 11. Cloudy. 12. Fine: rain A.M. and p.m. 13, Fine: rainem, 14,15, Fine. 16. Cloudy. 17. Cloudy: rain a.M. 18. Windy. 19. Fine: rain early am. 20. Fine: rainem. 21. Cloudy, 22, Fine. 23, Cloudy:rainem, 24, 25. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 26. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: raine.m. 27. Fine. 28. Fine: rain early a.m. : raine.M. 29, Cloudy: rainr.m, 30, $1. Fine. Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—May 1. Drops: showers, 2. Showers. 3. Showers: sleet. 4. Bright: showers. 5—7. Clear. 8. Rain: showers. 9, 10. Showers. 11. Bright: cloudy. 12,13. Clear. 14. Drops: clear. 15. Fog: drizzle. 16. Showers: drizzle. 17. Bright: clear, 18. Cloudy: clear. 19. Clear. 20. Cloudy. 21. Bright: cloudy. 22,23. Cloudy: damp. 24, 25. Cloudy. 26. Bright: cloudy. 27. Cloudy. 28, 29, Bright: clear, 30, Cloudy: fine. 31. Bright : fine. Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire-—-May 1. Heavy showers. 2, 3. Heavy showers, with hail. 4, Sunshine and showers. 5. Fine. 6. Moist: light drops. 7—9. Slight showers. 10, Fine. 11. Rain p.m. : hoar-frost a.m. 12. Showers, 13, Fair and fine. 14, Rain nearly all day. 15—17. Fair: fine: bracing air. 18, Fair, but threatening. 19, Fair, but threatening: fine, 20, 21. Fair, but threatening: droughty, 22—24, Fair, but threatening. 25. Fair, but threaten- ing: few drops of rain. © 26. Fair, but threatening: very droughty. 27—30. Fair, but threatening. 31, Fine: warm, €9.0 LE-€ (68-2 | ito. .P 6 “3S | £76.62 |ZE6-62 £18-62 08-62 | 9£-6% |9£8-6z |S88-6z | siseeelerceneleceeee|eeeere] eoveee | cog | urea] ems | SGP | $6h | PH/FE9| Go| Ev | 69 L0-0€ | PI-0€ | 00-0€ | 90-0€ | 79-62% |99T-O£ |T8T-0€ | “1€ 99917000 | FO. fy | cou | “ou | cu oF | 2G | St| zo] 9S] 6€ | F9 |PI-O€ | 1-0 | 00.0€ | 16.62 | SE-6% |ISL.0€ |S70.08 "0f vessel go. | 70. | an | cou | a | on | OF | 2G |¥0h! S| 0S] gh | SF | PLO | PI-0€ | 73.62 | 68-62 | SE-6% 789-62 669-66 "6% seeeieereer’ zo. | 19. | on | toa | ‘a | cau | ob | 6P |feh| LS| LG] 6 | Lo |0%-0€ |€%-08 | $6.62 | 00-0€ | 0F-6% |ZLL-62 06.62 "gz srecesieeeseel On, 100. | com | ‘oul ‘s “Ou CV 6v |\4S~) S| 090} 87 Lo |\61-0€ | 11-08 | S6.6z gL.6% | £€.6% |8SL.62 gLL-6% "LE: tesceeeel oo, 17%. | sau | auu|uea| *s | §9h | 0S |FEP/FS| HS) 9 | 69 |86-6% | 86-66 | 19.62 | 89-60 | ST-66 019.62 G89-6% | °9% resvesieeeooel 7a. lon. | cou | ‘au | wea! a ov | §sh tv) fSS| oS) oF | LS 66-62 |Z0-08 | 84.6% | 18-62 | 9£-6% |$89-6% g8L-6z| “Sz ‘+++ 99.0 /9F [PG | aa | ‘au | wyeo! «m | Soh | $6h |SPF| 9S) £9] SP | 19 |90-0€ | 60.08 | £8.62 886% | SZ-6% |€08-6% |ZZ8-6% | “Ve 90: eeeroslsesees Ol- "ou ou. “ul “MU £0P LV £07 v9 G.1S VV 09 00-:0¢ 00-0€ F8-6% G8-6% Co.6% 86L-6Z PE8-6z a reerseleseeeslereeel zo. | og | cou | can | a | Sh} oS | 9f| 69] 96] IF | 6G |00-0€ |00-08 | 19.62 | 08-6% | 62-6% |769-62 \682-6z | “zz tesesieeererl 6g. loz. | aa | cou | mypeo| mu | gh | oS (fh! 19 S-gh| Zh | 9G | 00-08 |£0-0€ | gZ.6z | 61-62 VE-6Z |VSS-62 |P9L-63| “1ZO sievedesererleereerl 7, | gua | ‘oua| ‘u | ‘a | op | Lb |f€h| ELE] FS| 1h | 6G | 10-0€ |S0.0€ | 08.62 | 68-62 | VE-62 |T78-6% 678-60 | “0% Serenalinesstl Qs poet «du ‘ou ‘ul u ov Lv | gt! o9| 19]. g€ 6S |£0-0€ 86-62 | S8-6% | 08-62 | 0€-6z 908-62 F18-62) “61 temleeelog, (7p. | a | cau} cu | cm | ob | gh |1h|$¥9'¢-bS| ar | 69 | 96-62 |S0-08 | 28.62 | L6-6% | VS.6% |158-6% |9S0.0£ | “SI Ol. rr 90. | cau | *# | ued} co ov | gh | 0S! 19)9-29| I€ | LG |GI-0€ |91-0€ | 80.08 | $0.08 £5-6% |ST1-0€ |gf1-0€ | “LT go. logo */e""} «au | *m | ueo| va | Sop | €6h | gh) F9| SS| Sb | Eo | OT-OF |L1-0€ | C1-0€ | Zz-0€ | 41-62. |PET-OF |880-08| ‘OT [teessslereersleeteelereleuam | tm (ueo| a | gh | of |$Zh| $9\¢-09| gh | €9 | 92-0 |P2-0€ | z-0€ | 12-0€ | GL-6% |PLZ-0F 842-08 | “ST terseleeenl go, [eeelmom | “a | cau | cu | gh | $67 | 6E/ $99! SG! o£ | 19 |£2-0€ |Pz-0€ |04-0€ | LZ-0£ | 08-6% |LPZ-0€ |Z0€-0€ | “VI C resvesleseeeelgz. 169. | +s | a | a | cou | $oh | $6 | shi $69 1G-€9| TH | 19 |9%-0F |€1-0€ | gI.0€ | 00.0 | 86-66 [£76.66 |ILT-0f | “ET go. [rele] 60. [mua a |myeo! a | ov | 6F | Zvi EZS| PS] oh | 8G | 68-60 |99-62 | 08.62 | 6-62 | 72-66 |LEL-6% 658-60 | “oI vreseleereel tg, |Q9. | cass | *s |ueo| ‘a | of | of | PE] 69] 0G| sh | 8S |09-6% | 89-62 | 09.6% | 69-62 | O-62z |S08-66 678-62 | “IT Ol. '""""|60. |fo. | ‘a | *ou | wyeo] cu ty | Le | 6&1 SS} 6F| 9€ | gS | 81-62 |L9-6z | 09-6 | SP-6% | 80-66 |LST-62 |L6S-62| “OT 160. [errs] Po. freee] ca | *@ | wyeo| ms | Ep | LV | LE| SS} gh} €€ | 6S 0L-6% |69-6Z | 1V-6% | 17-6% | 80-6% |€8h-6% 060-62 | *6 OT: I1£-0/SE. | To. | *a |asteu| wyeo| «ms | ‘Eh | Sh | ¥6E! S| oS | VE | ZG | Z9-6% |Z9-6z | OF-62 CP-6% | 00-6% \LOP-6z |\LSV-6Z| °8 vevveeleeveee] tr. 1gz. | coun) u |uyeo| ma] PP | Seh |F1F| 67| OF] LE | 0G |F8-6% | 86-62 | 89-62% | SL-62 02-62 |689-62 |679-62| *L rereeeioveres! 6. | QP. | “ou | “aU | WUTRD| “aA av | EP |S0€! S| LH! LE | SS |90-0€ | 76.6% | LL-6% | ZL-6z | 0£-6% |189-6z 9£8-62| 9 @ zz \r"t'| €o- | €o. | *as | ‘auujwyeo| emu | fop | ob | PE] GGlG.o¢} Le | gS |P6-60 | 76-62 08-6 | 8L-6% | OV-6% |ZZ8-62 |$88-62| *S ssreveleseael] oe, deereee] emu}! cm |urpeo| ‘mua | op | $eh | 6€) 99] 6F| 9€ | 09 | 98-62 | 9L-6% gL-6% | 99-62 | VE-6% |16L-6% |$68-62 | “V iz {"|S0. |to. | -m | ‘m |upeo| «a | Eh] gh | Shl¥Ss] o¢| LE | 6G | 19-62 |0S-6z | 99-62 | 09-62 | OF-62 [818-62 \686-6z 5 sesteslenseesleereeeleereee] om | em | unqeo| cas | Ph | 6b | FOr) ¥SS| LS| o€ | Fo |ZS-6% |PE-6z | 99-62 | 8P-6z | BB-62 |108-62 |L96-63 | "% cerovolsorersioscoool Ta, 1° “ms | “ASS | MA | * AA sh | zo | 6PiZS| 09] gh | SO |.0%-6% |£%-62 | 0-62 | ZV-6Z LZ-6% |6Z8-62 |S06-62 | “E o 2 s) o|? = 2 |e 2 2 | curd | cor ‘urd | ‘ure ; : ; folezle [2 [de] ef ese) Bele [ PLE ler) FLEE || | ep) ee =o ar S 5S —O am S — ‘ i. 5S f = : ee S a > ad me "E . *e Teenage eorgecici BS * “MOrMstyD piety *aALYs-soLuNd BS *yorMsiyD = Y “Urey “pula *I9JOULOWIIY J, *IaJOULOIV e : *ASNTEO “ony younpuny 4D ‘UoysNO]D *_ “Adz 247 4g puv faulHs-saluaMacy ‘asunpyy yuvdagddp yo ‘xequag *A\ “A874? hg {NoLsog 9p “BoA “AI 49 fuopuorT «vau ‘XOIMSIHY) Jo Ajawog jounynoysopy ayy fo uapany) ayz qv vosdwory, ayy 49 apom suornasasga 702G0]0.409,9 Ar THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. No. 103. AUGUST 1845. - VII.— Notes of a Microscopical Examination of the Chalk and Flint of the South-east of England ; with remarks on the Ani- malculites of certain Tertiary and Modern Deposits. By GiDEON Aucrernon Manrett, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S.* Tue founders of this Society could scarcely have imagined that the structure and economy of those minute forms of animal ex- istence which are invisible to the unassisted eye, would become a legitimate subject of geological investigation ; and that the du- rable coverings or cases of these miniatures of life would be found preserved in a fossil state, and in such inconceivable numbers, as to constitute not only a large proportion of many rocks, but the entire mass of certain deposits of great thickness and extent : still less could they have surmised that the soft perishable bodies of animalcules of this kind would be preserved by mineralization, and be found entombed, like flies in amber, in the flint nodules of which our roads are so largely constructed. When the attention of geologists was first directed, a few years since, to this most interesting department of paleontology, by the surprising discoveries and startling deductions. of that emi- nent philosopher, M. Ehrenberg, several observers in this coun-. try entered upon the investigation with much alacrity, to satisfy themselves of the correctness of the marvellous statements of the Prussian naturalist ; but this mexhaustible and most inviting field of inquiry has not been followed up with the zeal and assiduity which might have been anticipated, from the facility of the ex- amination, and the important results which could not fail to be obtained by any competent and patient observer. With the exception of the able “Memoir on the Siliceous Bodies of the Chalk, Greensands and Oolites,” by Mr. Bowerbank, and which is published in the sixth vol. of the Geological Trans- actions,—a memoir to which I shall hereafter have occasion to refer,—-no express communication on this subject has, I believe, * Read before the Geological Society of London, May 14th, 1845, Ann, & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. G 74: Dr. G. A. Mantell on the Animaleulites of the been laid before this Society. My friend the Rev. J. B. Reade (of Stone, Bucks), a gentleman well-known as an eminent observer, was the first to investigate the flints of the English chalk in search of those curious bodies termed Xanthidia ; several species of which were discovered by him, and are figured and described in the ninth number of the ‘ Annals of Natural History.’ Mr. H. Hopley White subsequently pursued the inquiry, and contributed a notice on flint Xanthidia to the first vol. of the ‘ Microscopical Journal,’ illustrated with figures of several new forms. Many interesting remarks on the microscopical examination of flint and chalk by Mr. Reade are inserted in the fourth edition of my ‘ Wonders of Geology,’ as well as in my recent work, ‘ The Medals of Creation’ ; which also contains an account of some dis- coveries by my assistant Mr. Hamlin Lee, and by my son*. I propose on the present occasion, to lay before the Society the general results of a microscopical examination of numerous spe- cimens of chalk and flint, from the south-east of England, with the hope of exciting those who have more leisure and greater ability than myself, to pursue the inquiry, and not from an undue estimate of the inpartane of the facts embodied in this commu- nication. With a view to conciseness, it will be convenient. to arrange my observations under three heads, viz.— I. On the organic composition of the white chalk. II. On the organic structure and minute fossil bodies of chalk flints. III. On the animalculites of the tertiary strata of England; and on the occurrence in the British seas of living genera and species of infusoria, identical with many that occur fossil in the miocene deposits of Virginia. I. On the White Chalk.—Mr. Lonsdale long since demon- strated that the white chalk of England was largely constituted of minute shells, corals, and foraminifera, which bodies might be readily detected by brushing the chalk in water and collecting the sediment ; but it was not at that time suspected that almost the whole of the residue of the detritus was composed of distinct organisms, so minute as to require the highest magnifying powers, and a peculiar mode of manipulation, to develope and define. Ehrenberg, who has determined. several hundred species of ani- malculites from the chalk, states that some layers of that lime- stone are so rich in fossil remains, that a cubic inch is made up of at least one million of recognizable forms. In his memoir “On numerous Animals in the Chalk Formation which are still to be found in a living state,” are particularized all the * See ‘ Medals of Creation,’ vol. i. chap. vii. Chalk and Flint of the South-east of England. 75 species and genera detected in the chalk from various parts of Europe, Asia, and America*. It will suffice for my present purpose to enumerate a few of these fossil organisms, premising that the term Polythalamia, or polythalamian animalcules, de- signates the caleareous-shelled foraminifera, as for example, Ro- talia, Textilaria, Nodosaria, &e., and that of Infusoria, the sili- eeous-shelled animalcules, as Xanthidia, Coscinodisct, &c. ; while the name Animalculites, is a convenient general designation for the fossil remains of both divisions of these microscopic forms of animal organization. _ Infusoria of the Chalk.—M. Ehrenberg describes one species of Eunotia and two of Fragillaria from Gravesend ; and from the ehalk marls of Sicily several species of Actinocyelus, Coscinodiscus, and Gaillonella, which are also found alive in the sea at Cuxhaven. The most remarkable forms are certain species of Dictyocha, a genus formerly supposed to be extinct, which abound in the white marls of the chalk of Cattanisetta, and have lately been found living in the Baltic +. Another interesting animalculite is the Peridinium pyrophorum, which occurs in the flint of Delitzsch, and has recently been de- tected living and luminous in the Baltic. Numerous species of all the above genera abound also in the tertiary strata, and were formerly supposed to be absent in the secondary formations ; and with the exception of a few kinds to be noticed hereafter, my own researches and those of several competent observers have not revealed any traces of these orga- nisms in the English chalk; we have never found Kunotie or Fragillaria in that of Gravesend. Of the microscopic calcareous- shelled animaleules, the chalk contains species, said by Ehrenberg to be identical with living, of the genera Globigerina, Rosalina, Cristatella, Textilaria, Rotalia and Nodosaria; and so far as my observations extend, species of these genera form the greater part of the cretaceous animalculites of England. But although it is easy to demonstrate the abundant. occurrence of these forms in some masses of chalk, yet in many of the strata it is scarcely pos- sible to detect any well-defined specimens ; and I confess, that frequent disappointment in my search for these bodies, had made me somewhat sceptical of receiving at their full value, the glow- _* See a translation of this memoir, with plates, in Taylor’s ‘ Scientific Memoirs,’ vol. iii. Art. 13. Alsq a masterly abstract of Ehrenberg’s ob- servations “‘ On the Composition of Chalk Rocks and Marls by invisible or- geile bodies,” by Mr. Weaver in the ‘ Annals of Nat. Hist.’ for June and July 1841. ‘ t The Dictyoche are polygastric animalcules of the family Bacillaria, which are invariably coloured by green granules, and have a slow creeping motion. G2 76 Dr. G. A. Mantell on the Animaleulites of the ing descriptions of the Prussian philosopher. A short time since, however, | discovered some layers of chalk which are wholly com- posed of polythalamia, principally of the genera Rotalia and Tea- tilaria ; and it may perhaps be interesting to other observers if I mention the circumstances which led me to institute a microsco- pical examination of these deposits. Every one knows that in our white chalk corals are but spa- ringly distributed, and that the species hitherto determined are _ comparatively few. Those enumerated in Mr. Morris’s ‘Catalogue of British Fossils’ amount to between twenty and thirty spe- cies, and belong to sixteen or seventeen genera. The cretaceous deposits of Maestricht and Faxoe present in this respect a striking contrast with those of England. There are however a few loca- lities in which certain layers of the chalk abound in small, deli- cate, calcareous polypidoms; and of late years many beautiful specimens of the genera Idmonea, Ceriopora, Pustulopora, Rete- pora, &c. have been obtained from the neighbourhood of Dover. For the most part the specimens are small, but occasionally some occur of considerable size, as in the fine example on the table (presented to me by Mrs. Smith of Tunbridge Wells), which consists of hundreds of branches of Pustulopora and Idmonea, intertwined into a mass more than two inches in thickness. When clearing this beautiful fossil, the extremely friable nature of the chalk, and the sensation of a peculiar asperity to the touch, which experience had taught me was commonly characteristic of the presence of minute fossil bodies, induced me to submit a few grains to a microscopical survey; and the entire block of chalk in which the coral is imbedded, proved to. be almost wholly con- stituted of Rotalie and Textilarie, associated with spines of sponges and of other Amorphozoa, and a few discs apparently of Pyzidicula: the residue consists of the detritus of similar orga- nisms and of polyparia. I have distributed samples of this coral- line chalk among my friends, and the result of their exploration is in accordance with my own. The incoherent character of the Dover coralline chalk, results therefore from its organic composition, and the absence of any cementing material. or im other cretaceous strata where an infiltration of cale-spar has consolidated the rock, the chalk pos- sesses great compactness and durability, and the. organisms may be seen in polished slices, and sometimes in relief on the surface. That the white chalk was originally everywhere of the same or- ganic constitution there can be no reasonable doubt ; and it is remarkable how universal was the distribution of certain species throughout the cretaceous ocean. The Rotalia globulosa, Rot. perforata, and Textilaria globulosa, have been found in every chalk district in Europe; and I have the same species, through the Chalk and Flint of the South-east of England. | 77 ‘kindness of Dr. Bailey of West Pomt, New York, from various parts of Asia and. America. I will now venture to digress for a brief space to inquire whe- ther the original organic incoherent condition of the chalk, as shown by the above investigations, may not offer a satisfactory explanation of the formation of the grooves and furrows on the surface of chalk rocks, and of the vertical funnels or sand-pipes with which in certain districts the cretaceous strata are traversed ; and of the origin of the beds of loose, but not water-worn, flint nodules, which are so constantly met with lying on the surface of the rock, and immediately beneath the turf of the downs, and with scarcely any intermixture of transported materials ; phzeno- mena, that have very recently been brought under the notice of this Society. From what has been advanced, it is manifest that the chalk when first deposited at the bottom of the ocean must have been in the state of a fine white detritus or mud, resembling in appearance and in chemical and organic composition, the chalk now in progress of formation along the coasts of the Bermuda Islands ; some layers of which are as rich in animalculites as any of the American tertiary formations. The veins and beds of flint, probably originated from the periodical introduction of thermal waters highly charged with silica, into the calcareous sediment : and the subsequent conversion of the incoherent detritus into compact white chalk, must have resulted in part from pressure, and from the infiltration of crystallized carbonate of lime ; a pro- cess which at the present moment is in constant action on the shores of the Bermudas, and whose effects are seen in the spe- cimens on the table, in which the sediment thrown down by the sea is shown in various states, from that of a white pulverulent earth, to the compact limestone with which the forts and bridges of those islands are constructed. | It may, therefore, with great probability be assumed, that at the period when the cretaceous strata of the south-east of En- gland were exposed to those elevatory movements which ulti- mately raised them, together with the Wealden deposits on which they repose, above the level of the sea, the lowermost beds of chalk were already consolidated ; but the uppermost and latest deposits were in the state of the soft Bermuda earth. Upon the emergence of the chalk above the sea, those last formed and con- sequently least coherent beds, would be the first exposed to the destructive effects of the waves; and if the elevation were gra- dual, successive strata would be subjected to the same agency, until the chalk-hills were lifted up above the operation of these denuding causes. The drainage of the elevated portions of the soft calcareous rock would then commence, and give rise to nu- merous streams and rills, by which the surface would be worn 78 E Dr. G. A. Mantell on the Animalculites of the into furrows and channels; and funnels (sand-pipes) would be formed. by the gyratory action of eddies, or whirlpools, induced by opposing currents ; effects in every respect analogous to those observable on the mud-banks of a delta, during the recession of the tide. The beds of loose, unrolled, and but slightly abraded flints, the smooth rounded contour of the gently swelling hills and undulated coombs and valleys of chalk districts, appear to me to be the natural consequences of the phenomena here contem- lated. Il. Chalk Flints—I now proceed to the consideration of the organic structures, and microscopical fossil bodies, observable in chalk flints. It was a current opinion with Parkinson, Towns- end, M. Guettard, and other early observers, that the external forms of a large proportion of the flit nodules had been derived from various kinds of sponges and alcyonia, which, while growing in their native sea, or floating in its waters, had become enve.. loped and saturated by the fluid silex ; and it was also inferred that these organisms had served as points of attraction for the siliceous matter, and were in a great measure the cause of the irregular nodular character, and mode of distribution, of the flints of the cretaceous formation. The occurrence of minute shells, corals, and other organic remains in the flints, was adduced as ad- ditional confirmation of this opinion ; since a similar entangle- ment of foreign bodies in the hollows and meshes of recent sponges is constantly observable. My much-valued friend the late Mr. Parkinson, investigated this subject with his wonted ability and caution, and many interesting observations on fossil sponges, illustrated by excellent figures, will be found in the second volume of the ‘Organic Remains of a Former World.’ That various kinds of Porifera or Amorphozoa have formed the nuclei of im- mense numbers of the flint nodules, will be readily admitted by all who have paid but a moderate share of attention to the sub- ject ; and the prevalence of spicula of sponges in chalk and flint, proves the abundance of these organisms in the cretaceous seas, The microscopical examination of flint corroborates this inference, for the brown reticulated tisswe, so general in siliceous nodules, is unquestionably referable to certain kinds of sponges. This fact Mr. Bowerbank has satisfactorily established in the valuable me- moir previously cited ; a memoir which presents so admirable an illustration of the nature of the spongeous structure observable in chalk flints, and in the agates of Oberstein, and in the green jasper of India, and such clear and ample directions for the successful investigation of these organic remains, as to render but few re- marks on the subject necessary. I will only state that my own observations confirm those recorded by Mr. Bowerbank in every essential particular ; namely, in the frequency of the reticulated Chalk and Flint of the South-east of England. 79 spongeous tissue, and of spicula, in our flints; in the presence of polythalamia and infusoria, particularly of Xanthidia, in the canals of sponges, and their frequent suspension throughout the mass of a siliceous nodule ; as if the spongeous tissue had retained its form sufficiently long to allow of the silicification of the animal- cules, and had subsequently perished. At the same time I must express my conviction, that the facts he so faithfully portrays do not warrant the hypothesis that all the nodules, veins, dikes, and sheets of flint, are to be ascribed to the silicification of sponges ; neither can I admit that the cavities of the shells of echinoderms and mollusks, now found filled with flint, were previously occu- pied by sponges. The theory of M. Ehrenberg, that the compact nodules of flint are the consolidated pulverulent siliceous parti- cles of infusoria, I conceive to be equally untenable. Nor do the facts hitherto brought before us seem to warrant the inference, that the abundance of siliceous spicula in any of the porifera rendered those bodies more favourable for silicification ; on the contrary, the soft gelatinous animal matter, as Mr. Bowerbank has suggested, does appear to have exerted such an influence by some species of elective affinity or attraction: hence the frequent silicification of the bodies of mollusks, while the shell retains its _ ealcareous character, as in the specimen of an oyster figured in the ‘ Medals of Creation,’ p. 363. Loy : In many of the silicified fossils of the chalk, the mineralization is sumply that of incrustation and infiltration ; such is the state of numerous sponges, which are, as it were, invested by the flint, and have their pores and tubes filled withthe same substance ; but the spongeous tissue is in the condition of a. brown friable earthy sub- stance. In other examples the sponge has been incrusted by a mass of liquid silex, and its tissue has subsequently perished; in this manner have been formed those hollow nodules, which, on being broken, present a large cavity containing only a little white pow- der, or some loose fragments of silicified sponge; while in other specimens the cavity is lined with quartz and chalcedony, probably introduced by subsequent infiltration through the nodule. It fre- quently happens that the zoophyte is only partially invested with silex, while the other portion is imbedded in the chalk, and is a friable calcareous substance. The Choanites and Ventriculites are often found in this condition, and hence the protean forms assumed by the flints that have been moulded in the cavities of these orga- nisms. These specimens appear to demonstrate that the organic bodies became permeated with flint, only when they happened to be exposed to the current or stream of liquid silex, which pene- trated such portions of structures, or entered the cavities of such shells, and echinoderms, as were lying at the bottom of the ocean over which it flowed, or were immersed in the calcareous detritus 80 Dr. G. A. Mantell on the Animalculites of the into which the stream was injected. And there are innumerable nodules of flint which exhibit no trace of spongeous structure ; as well as veins, dikes, and sheets of tabular flint, that may be regarded as pure, and free from organic remains, excepting such as must necessarily have become entangled and imbedded in a stream of mineral matter flowing over a sea-bottom. The shells of mollusks, and the crustaceous cases of echino- derms, do not occur silicified in the white chalk, but their cavities are very commonly filled with flint, and these casts are well known as among the most common fossils of the ploughed lands of chalk districts. The phosphate of lime, like the carbonate, seems to have been unfavourable for the phenomenon of silicifica- tion. I have seen but two examples of bone imbedded in flint, and in one of these the silex has merely inerusted the bone ; in the other, a caudal vertebra of the Mososaurus from Brighton, the mineral has partially invested the bone and permeated the cells, but the calcareous tissue remains unchanged. A coprolite of Macropoma, partially surrounded by flint, retains its calcareous character ; and the teeth of fishes, although sometimes enveloped in flint, are not silicified. I had teeth of the Hypsodon, and Mr. Charlesworth has a portion of a jaw with teeth of the Moso- saurus from the chalk, in which the pulp-cavities are filled with flint, which must have permeated the parietes of the teeth, and yet the calcigerous tubes remain unchanged, and are not filled with silex; here probably the contents of the pulp-cavity in- fluenced the pseudomorphism, as in the case of the oyster. But in other fossils the mineralization pervades the entire or- ganism, and has been effected by replacement. The original sub- stance has been removed, and the silex substituted in its place ; such is the common petrifaction of wood, and of most examples of the softer zoophytes. The Choanites, which, from their per- fect silicification, are in such request at Brighton for brooches and other ornamental purposes, afford a good illustration of this process. This complete transmutation of organic structures into flint, quartz, or chalcedony, is very common in other divisions of the chalk formation. In the well-known fossils of the Devonshire whetstone, the shells are almost invariably converted into flint or jasper. An able American mineralogist, Mr. Dana, suggests* that the reason why silica is so common a material in the constitution of fossilized wood and shells, as well as in pseudomorphic crystals, consists in the ready solution of silex in water at high tempera- tures under pressure whenever an alkali is present, (as is seen at * See American Journal of Science for January 1845. Chalk and Flint of the South-east of England. 81 the present time in many volcanic regions,) and its ready depo- sition again when the waters cool. A solution of silica, whether resulting from the deposition of felspar at the ordinary tempe- rature, or whether proceeding from submarine volcanic action, will in either case contain other substances. The alkali of the felspar, potash, or soda, passes off with the liberated silica ; and in the latter case, the heated waters, if marine, will include both soda and magnesian salts. Mr. Dana goes on to show that a mere heated solution of silica in water, under great pressure, is sufficient to explain the phenonienon of silicification of organic structures. Thus in the strata of white chalk, in which the shells of mollusea are not silicified, but remain calcareous, the streams of water holding silex in solution, were probably of a lower tem- perature than in the case of the Devonshire silicified shells, the pseudomorphism of which may have been effected by a very hot solution of silica. ‘ For a crystal of calc-spar in such a fluid, being exposed to solution from the action of the heated water alone, the silica deposits itself gradually on a reduction of tempe- rature, and takes the place of the lime, atom by atom, as soon as set free. Every silicified fossil is an example of this pseudomor- phous process ; but there seems to be no union of the silica with the liberated lime, since silicate of lime occurs extremely seldom, if at all, either in the fossils themselves or in the surrounding rock. There appears to be something in the chemical or electro- chemical forces excited among the molecules by the process of solution, which leads the molecules of any body that may be passing at the time from a liquid state to take the place succes- sively of each molecule that is removed ; and thus it is that the form of the original structure, to the minutest character, is so ex- actly assumed by the substituting mineral. Fluor spar, and even heavy spar or barytes, although stated to be insoluble, have evi- dently undergone solution in heated waters, and thus been depo- sited in cavities and veins of sedimentary limestones that show no trace of the effects of a higher temperature ; for they are not fused, nor even rendered crystalline. The agency of hot waters and vapours in producing changes in rocks and in organic remains has perhaps scarcely received sufficient attention. When we con- sider the number of hot springs on the surface of the earth in regions of modern volcanic action, as well as in others not of this nature; when we remember the many eruptions of hot water even from subaérial volcanoes ; and when further we have before our eyes the wide-spread effects of volcanic action beneath the sea,—can we refuse to the agency of heat thus conveyed by vapours and flowing mineral waters, a large share of the various meta- morphic changes in the mineral kingdom ; especially if we take into view the condition of a vast submarine volcanic region in - 82 Dr. G. A. Mantell on the Animalculites of the full action, with its floods of melted rocks, its opened fissures, and its fountains of boiling waters and jets of heated vapours ?” For a full explanation of these views I refer to the original paper of Mr. Dana in the ‘ American Journal of Science’ for January 1845. The elaborate work of Dr. Blum on the Pseudomorphous Minerals may also be studied with advantage*. I return from this digression to the consideration of the minute fossils which are of most frequent occurrence in our flints. The polythalamian forms are chiefly referable to the genera Rotalia, Ro- talina and Textilaria ; there are also some kinds of the compound foraminifera, but these are comparatively rare, and I have not yet examined them with sufficient attention. In some slices of flint prepared by Mr. Darker from the Paramoudra of Ireland, polytha- lamia are very numerous. The shells or cases invariably appear to be silicified, and the cells of the dead shells to be filled with flint. By dead shells I mean those in which the animal was dead, and its soft parts removed and the shell empty, before its immersion in the silex ; for I can now bring unequivocal evidence to prove, that in many examples the animal itself must have occupied its shell, and all its soft parts been entire, at the moment when it became en- veloped by the siliceous fluid. A specimen figured in the ‘ Me- dals of Creation ’ first directed my attention to this interesting fact ; and several specimens both of Rotalia and Textilarie have since been discovered, which confirm the opinion I then ventured to suggest. In illustration of this highly interesting fact, I select on the present occasion an atom of flint (scarcely larger than a pin’s - head) discovered by Mr. Lee, mm which are imbedded two Rotalie, having the cells filled with a rich amber-coloured substance, that under a high power presents a granular structure analogous to that of the body of the recent Rotalie. In these fossils the soft parts appear to be in the state of molluskite, or they may have undergone silicification ; the mineral being coloured by the ani- mal matter. To persons unaccustomed to the microscopical ex- ploration of objects of this nature, these specimens may seem to be merely casts of the interior of the shell; but to the eye well- instructed in the character of such remains, they will at once be seen to be entirely dissimilar. I would content myself with re- ferring to the ‘ Medals of Creation,’ in proof of the above infer- ences, did I not know that many of the Fellows of this learned * The experiments of Mr. Jeffrys, published in the Report of the British Association for 1840, confirm these opinions, and prove that simply by the agency of heated water and vapour, silex will be dissolved, and be precipi- tated upon the cooling of the liquid or vapour. In one of these experiments several pounds of silica were deposited on substances placed within reach of the current of vapour. Chalk and Flint of the South-east of England. 83 Society do not read works of so unpretending a character, and may consider this statement as startling and unsatisfactory ; I therefore claim the indulgence of entermg upon a few details to render the above remarks more intelligible. It must be borne in mind that the case or shell of the Rotalia, although presenting the general form, and the internal chambered structure, of the shell of the Nautilus, is essentially different ; for the whole of the external case is perforated with numerous holes or foramina (hence the name Foraminifera), designed for the pass- age of delicate processes called pseudopodia, which are organs of motion ; and the cells or chambers are dissimilar in form, and still more so in their office, from those of the Cephalopoda. For while in the Nautilus the animal occupies only the outer chamber, and all the posterior compartments are successively-quitted empty dwellings, in the Rotalia the body distinctly fills up all the single cells. According to Ehrenberg, the first four cells in the living animal are occupied by colourless matter ; the hinder ones are filled with less transparent parts, consisting of two differently co- loured organs. One of these is the very thick alimentary canal, which forms, like the whole body, a jomted chain expanded in each chamber of the shell, and connected by a narrow isthmus (the sipho ?) with the adjoming anterior and posterior ones. M. Ehrenberg dissolved the shell of a living polythalamian, nearly allied to the Rotalia (the Nonionina germanica), by im- mersion in weak hydrochloric acid, and thus exposed the ali- mentary canal, which was then seen to be a simple organ dis- tended in the compartments of the body, consequently itself ar- ticulated with a single anterior aperture; and various siliceous infusoria were distinctly perceived in the digestive tube, having been swallowed by the animal. Beside the alimentary canal, a yellowish brown or amber-coloured granular mass was percep- tible in each of the cells, up to the last of the spirals, the first excepted. It was the striking resemblance between the specimen first submitted to my notice, and the figure of the Nonionina deprived of its shell, as given by Ehrenberg, that led me to suspect the true nature of the fossils under review ; and the exquisite example which will be placed under the microscope for the inspection of those present, appears to me to leave no doubt of the correctness of that opimion. In the same chip of flint there is another and larger Rotalia, im which the body of the animal also is pre- served. And now that we are accustomed to the microscopical appearance of these organisms, we find that the pale yellowish brown, or amber colour, of many semidiaphanous flints is derived from the soft parts of Rotalie, Textilarie, and other polythala- mian animalcules; in like manner, as I showed in a paper read 84. Dr. G. A. Mantell on the Animalculites of the before this Society (but not published), the dark ves and mark- ings in the pillars of Purbeck marble in the Temple Church, are attributable to the remains of the soft bodies of the fresh- water shells of which that limestone is composed, in the state of molluskite. : I have stated my conviction that the experienced microscopical observer will not hesitate to agree with me in the opinion, that in- the fossils before us we have the mineralized soft bodies of polythalamia; and I have obtained, through the kindness of Mr. Williamson of Manchester, a recent object for comparison, which is perfectly analogous, not to say identical, with the best- preserved flint specimen. It is the body of a Rotalia from which the shell is removed, and is associated with other polythalamia, &c.; it was obtained with numerous other interesting recent or- ganisms in sediment from the Levant. Infusoria in Flint :—Xanthidia.—Our flints contain abundance of several kinds of infusoria ; as for example, various species of the genera Pywidicula, Peridinium and Xanthidium. 1 shall re- strict my remarks to the last-named animalculites, which, from their elegant forms and good state of preservation, are highly in- teresting to microscopic observers. The Xanthidia are minute, globular or spherical bodies (from 545th to 51,th of an inch in diameter), beset with tubular processes, which terminate either in fimbriated or acuminated extremities. They are stated by Ehrenberg to be siliceous, and to be analogous, and some of the species identical, with living forms which abound in boggy pools and ponds. Several of the recent kinds occur in the ponds on Clapham Common, Hampstead Heath, and other places around London. ‘These organisms are however considered by the most eminent botanists not to belong to the animal kingdom, but to be vegetable structures, related to the Desmidiacee; and are defined as plants having “ fronds simple, constricted in the mid- dle ; segments slightly compressed, turgid, reniform or orbicular and entire ; their surfaces more or less furnished with simple or branched elongated spines, either scattered over the surface or confined to the margin, where they are placed in two rows, one on each side the marginal line*.” Ehrenberg, on the other hand, describes the Xanthidia as animals having spontaneous motion and increasing by self-division. But I must not dwell on this important and difficult question ; the arguments on both sides are concisely stated in ‘ Annals of Nat. Hist.’ March 1845, p. 188, to which I would refer those who are interested in the subject. I do not presume to think that my opinion on this problem is of any value ; but waving the question of the animal or vegetable * See Mr. Ralfs’s paper on the Desmidiacee, Ann. Nat. Hist. Jan. 1845. Chalk and Flint of the South-east of England. 85 nature of these bodies, I may be permitted to state, that a careful examination of both recent and fossil Xanthidia leads me to doubt whether there is any analogy whatever between the organisms in our flints and their supposed living types. The fossil forms have the body more decidedly spherical or globular, their spines more strictly tubular and differently arranged ; and they never exhibit that reniform or constricted character so constant in the recent Xanthidia, nor do they present any indication of spontanequs fissuration. The fossils are supposed by Ehrenberg to have been originally siliceous like the shields of other infusoria, but I know not that any proof has been obtained of this inference. On the contrary, so many examples occur in which the tubular arms are bent, contorted, and contracted and shrivelled in the middle, as to convey the idea of a flexible, rather than of a brittle, un- ee substance. A crushed or torn specimen very lately found y my son, exhibits an appearance much at variance with the supposition that the original was composed of silex or of any other material that had a conchoidal fracture. If the Xanthidia were originally siliceous, there is no reason why they should not be detected in the chalk itself, since bodies equally minute are readily discoverable*. If to these arguments be added the d-priort objection as to the probability that habitants of fresh water, of boggy pools and ponds, should be found swarming in the sponges and other marine structures of the cretaceous ocean, I think in the present state of our knowledge it will be proper, notwith- standing the high authority from which we must. differ, to con- sider the so-called Xanthidia of the chalk as distinct from the recent organisms after which they have been named ; in fact, as a genus of marine infusoria, should they not hereafter prove to be the gemmules of polyparia or the spores of marine plants. I will conclude this imperfect notice of the flint animalculites, by stating that several kinds of disciform bodies of great beauty have recently been detected by Mr. Lee; these appear to be transverse sections of different species of the foraminifera termed Nodosaria, or of some allied genus. Ill. Tertiary Animalculites—I now arrive at the last division of the present inquiry, which will comprise a few remarks on the occurrence of animalculites in the tertiary strata of Great Britain ; and of living species and genera of infusoria in the British seas, analogous to those of the miocene deposits of North America. The organic constitution of the tertiary marls of Virginia, and the nature of the fossils of which they are composed, are too well * Since the above remarks were written, numerous Xanthidia have been detected in chalk from Dover by Mr. Henry Deane of Clapham; but the ap- pearance of these specimens, when cleared from the chalk and mounted in Canada balsam, seems to support the opinion that the originals were flexible and not siliceous. 86 Dr. G. A. Mantell on the Animalculites of the | known to require particular description. They are almost entirely made up of the aggregated siliceous cases or skeletons of infusorial animalcules ; the prevailing forms belonging to the genera Cos- einodiscus (sieve-like disc), Actinocyclus (wheel-hke disc), Dic- tyocha, Gaillonella, Pyxidicula, and numerous kinds of the family of Bacillaria. Figures and descriptions of many of these fossils by Dr. Bailey will be found in several of the late numbers of the ‘American Journal of Science.’ The most remarkable of the si- liceous shields are the orbicular cases of the Coscinodisci, which, when entire, consist of a pair of dises, connected at the periphery by a broad band or rmg. The delicate and elegant markings with which the surfaces of these shields are elaborately sculptured, render them objects of great beauty and interest. An assemblage of these tertiary animalculites presents so striking a contrast to any I have seen from the chalk of England, Asia, or America, that I am very desirous M. Ehrenberg’s statement as to their preva- lence in cretaceous strata should be verified by further investi- gations ; and the more so, as Dr. Bailey mentions that Ehrenberg referred certain unquestionably miocene American deposits to the chalk, because they yielded animalculites resembling some he had obtained from European strata supposed to belong to the Chalk formation. I have sought in vain among the tertiary strata of England for infusorial deposits analogous to those of America. Polytha- lamia frequently occur in the London clay (as was first made known by Mr. Wetherell in a valuable paper published in our Transactions); and within the last few weeks several kinds of fo- raminifera have been obtained from clay brought up in sinking a well at Clapham, at the depth of 120 feet. But no one has dis- covered in our tertiary formations a bed, or even seam of earth, composed of fossil infusoria. In fact, so far as my information extends, our only rich deposits of this kind are of very recent ori- gin. Near the banks of the river Bann, in the county of Down, Ireland, there is a layer of infusorial earth a foot thick, under- lying a bed of peat. Specimens of this earth, with which I have been favoured by the Countess of Caledon, accompanied with drawings by her ladyship of the prevailing organisms, show that the bed consists of an aggregation of the siliceous shields or cases of numerous kinds of Bacillaria, but no traces of Coscinodisci or other usual American tertiary species occur ; this arises probably from the Irish deposit being of fluviatile origin*. * It may be added, that the property of polishing metal, which deposits of this kind are so well known in Germany to possess, has been discovered by the Irish ; and as this earth occurs on the estate of Lord Roden at Tul- leymore, it is locally known as Lord Roden’s plate-powder. Some white earth recently sent from New Zealand as magnesia, proves to be a fluviatile infusorial deposit like that of Ireland. Chalk and Flint of the South-east of England. 87 _ But if I have hitherto been unsuccessful in the microscopical exploration of our tertiary strata, an unexpected assemblage of the American miocene forms has been found in the digestive organs of certain living mollusca. Mr. Lee’s discovery of recent Coscino- disci in the barnacle (announced in the ‘ Medals of Creation’) has been followed up by his detection of numerous species and genera of infusoria in the stomach of the eommon scallop (Pecten mazi- mus*). These recent animalcules present almost all the genera and some of the species that prevail in the tertiary marls of Virginia ; in particular two very striking and abundant fossils of the Rich- mond earth, the elegant Coscinodiscus radiatus and the Dictyocha fibula. Soclose is the analogy, not only of the mdividual shields, but even of their collocation, that it would be difficult for an ex- perienced observer to distinguish slides mounted with the re- spective organisms, although the one group is from deposits of unfathomable antiquity, and the other from the British seas. I have already stated that the modern calcareous deposits of the Bermuda Islands contain layers of infusorial earth ; these are made up of organisms resembling those of America and the recent species found in the scallop. One more fact in connexion with this subject remains to be mentioned. Along the shore of the Sussex coast to the east of Brighton, a bed of sand and calcareous mud, the detritus of the neighbouring cliffs, is in the progress of formation ; and in this sedimentary deposit my son, Reginald Neville Mantell, has discovered shells of recent Rotalie, Nodosaria, and other poly- thalamia, associated with the siliceous shields of Coscinodisci, Dic- tyoche, and other infusoria, and with fossil Rotalie and Tezti- larie from the chalk. Here then at the present moment a deposit is in progress, whose organic contents consist of an assemblage. of the living species of the animalcules of the present sea with the fossil forms of the ancient chalk ocean ; in like manner in the bed of the Nile, the polythalamia of the Nummulite rock are being imbedded with the existing mollusca of that river: collocations of this nature may perhaps exercise the ingenuity of the geolo- gists of future times, and give rise to speculations of as little value as some of those with which I have ventured to trespass on the indulgence of the Society. In conclusion I would remark, that the preceding observations are the result of the examination of organisms within the reach of the best microscopes which modern art has produced; yet there can be no doubt, that if the powers of our instruments could be increased, fossil structures yet more minute and far * See Annals of Nat. Hist. April 1845. yr 88 M. Sars on an Intestinal Worm in an Acaleph. more abundant would be detected. And if the naturalist be al- lowed to assume, that in the existing creation, “within and be- neath all that minuteness which the aided eye of man is able to explore, there may be a world of invisible beings ; and that could we draw aside the mysterious curtain which shrouds them from our senses, we should behold a theatre of as many wonders as astronomy can unfold,—a universe within the compass of a point so small as to elude all the powers of the microscope,’—surely the geologist may be permitted to conclude, that a large propor- tion of the sedimentary strata, which at present appears to con- sist of amorphous particles of lime, of flint, and of iron, may be the aggregated skeletons of beings yet more infinitesimal than those which have formed the subject of the present communica- tion. 19 Chester Square, Pimlico, May 1845. VIII.— On the Occurrence of an Intestinal Worm in an Abaleph, By M. Sars*. | [ With a Plate. ] In Wiegmann’s Archiv,’ vol. ii. p. 322, 1841 (Annals, vol. iii. p.148), it 1s stated that a parasitical worm resembling a Filaria had been discovered by Prof. E. Forbes in a species of Cydippe, and subsequently (vol. ii. p. 370, 1842), that this parasite, which attaches itself by means of four suckers to the walls of the stomach or vessels, had been described by Messrs. Forbes and Goodsir under the name of Tetrastoma Playfairii. The reporter adds, that further observation would be of interest, as hitherto no intestinal worms had been met with in the Meduse. The reporter had forgotten that the discovery of an intestinal worm in an Acaleph had been published by me already in the year 1837. (See Ann. des Sci. Nat. 1837, vol. vii. p. 247.) It is not to claim any priority as to this discovery, which is a matter of perfect indifference to science, that I return to this subject, but merely to communicate the following short notices written down in 1835, which I have hitherto kept back on ac- count of their imperfect state, in the hope, unfortunately hitherto delusive, of completing them by further observations. - It was on a gigantic individual of my Mnemia norwegica, five inches in length, which I caught on the 4th of November 1835, near the island Florée,that I observed, within the transparent clear body, from ten to twelve longish opake white bodies of about a line in length, which proved, on closer examination, to be intes- * Translated from Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1845, part 1. Sen ee ee eee - J.Basire.lith. M. Sars on an Intestinal Worm in an Acaleph. 89 tinal worms. They were affixed to the internal wall of the stomach of the Acaleph by one of their extremities, and moved but slightly and very slowly the rest of their bodies. Carefully detached from their place of adhesion they became more lively, and crept about a glass plate, alternately lengthening and short- ening their body (PI. IV. fig. 1’. of the natural size). The form of the body is consequently very variable, being sometimes much elon- gated, sometimes ribbon-shaped (fig. 1 to 3) ; sometimes shorter and broader anteriorly, or in the centre (fig. 4), but posteriorly (6) always acute; further somewhat flattened, so that the two sides (fig. 1) are broader than the other two (fig. 2). Not a trace of articulation is visible on the smooth, soft body, which even in the perfectly contracted state, in which it almost acquires the form of a pitcher, indicates no perceptible transverse folds. The anterior extremity of the body (a) is circular, and surround- ed by four suckers, (cc) of oval form, and whose longitudinal axis coincides with the axis of the animal: each of them is divided interiorly by a septum into two spaces or cavities, the hindermost of which is largest, the front one being a little smaller and nar- rower. By means of these organs the worm attaches itself to the walls of the ventral cavity of the Acaleph. From between these suckers projects the conical anterior extremity of the body, at the apex of which is observed a small circular aperture, which is pro- bably the mouth. When the worm crawls, the anterior extremity is sometimes projected (figs. 1. and 4), sometimes retracted within the suckers (figs. 2, 3.) ; this always takes place alternately, the entire body expanding and contracting, in which manner the ani- mal each time advances a little distance. The worm observed by me may probably be identical with that which the British naturalists have described as a new genus with the name Tetrastoma. I have for the time placed it in the ge- nus Scolexr, O. F. Miiller, with the specific name Acalepharum. EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV. FIGS. 1 To 6. Fig. 1'. Two individuals, natural size ; all the other figures are more or less magnified. Fig. 1. An individual seen from the broad side, with the anterior extremity projected. Fig. 2. The aan from one of the narrow sides with retracted anterior ex- tremity. Fig. 3. The same slightly, and fig. 4. greatly contracted. Fig. 5. The anterior portion of the body with the suckers highly magnified. fig. 6. An individual pressed flat under the compressorium. In all these figures, a designates the anterior extremity of the body; d, the posterior ; cc, the suckers. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. me: 90 Rev. T. Salwey : List of the scarce Lichens found IX.—A List of the scarcer amongst the Lichens which are found in the neighbourhood of Oswestry and Ludlow, with occasional observations upon some of them. By the Rey. T. Sarwry*. As a study of the Lichens is confessedly one of the greatest difficulties the botanist has to contend with, and as Sowerby’s ‘English Botany’ and the ‘ Lichenographia Britannica’ (so far as this last extends), the principal works in our language which give any detailed description of them, are in the hands of few, I have thought that observations upon some of the least common of such Lichens as are found in this part of England may be acceptable to those who are entering upon the study of them. Having already made some remarks upon the Welsh Lichens in the ‘Annals and Magazine of Nat. History,’ vol. xii. pp. 25, 260, I have enumerated in the present list such only as I have met with out of the Principality, and these more particularly such as are found in the neighbourhood of Oswestry and Ludlow, so that the following may be regarded almost as a list amongst the scarcer of the Lichens of Shropshire, the great majority of the habitats being such as are confined to this county. The de- scriptions of the several species in the ‘ English Flora’ are much too concise to enable the student, without occasional help from some experienced botanist, to make them out. Dr. Taylor in the ‘ Flora Hibernica’ has given much more ample details of such as he describes, and has added several new species, some of which are still to be discovered on this side of the Channel, but his work necessarily embraces such only as are found in Ireland. It is much to be regretted that we have as yet no monograph of the Lichens, and till some one competent to undertake so arduous a task shall have supplied this desideratum, any occasional obser- vations upon them may perhaps meet with acceptance at the hands of those who are desirous of studying this branch of botany. It is only as a help to such, and not under the presumption that I am capable of throwing much light upon the subject, that I have ventured to send to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh the following list of Lichens, with such observations upon some of them as a long acquaintance with, rather than an accurate knowledge of them, has led me to form. If my observations should be the means of removing any difficulties in the way of a single inquirer into this branch of botany, my end will be fully answered. Oswestry, March 28, 1845. Baeomyces anomalus. Craigforda and Pentregaer in the parish of Oswestry. * Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, June 12, 1845. in the neighbourhood of Oswestry and Ludlow. 91 I retain this name in deference to the authority of my friend Dr. Taylor, though I confess I am more inclined to consider it as a Lecidea. Whatever generic name it may properly claim, it certainly ought to retain the specific one of awomalus ; for a plant which has been de- scribed by Acharius as a Lecanora, by Hooker as a Verrucaria, and by Taylor as a Beomyces, evidently occupies so doubtful a place, that its position can scarcely be considered as thoroughly established. It is not an uncommon lichen on the Cambrian rocks. The rock at Craigforda indeed on which it grows is an indurated sandstone ; but at Pentregaer it grows on the rocks of the Silurian system. It varies very much in the colour of the thallus from a dull or yellowish white to a smoky brown. The apothecia are immersed in the crust, and do not appear to me to possess a sufficient stipes to enable it to rank with Beomyces. Calicium stigonellum (sessile, Persoon, M. and N. 858). Upon old oaks at Llanforda, scarce, but profusely upon a single oak in Mid- dleton-lane, just beyond the Llys House. This plant and the following one, the turbinatum, have been fre- quently confounded, though no two plants can be more distinct. The present is a plant of unfrequent occurrence, growing either upon the crust of the Porina pertusa, or else upon the rugged bark of old oaks. On the oak-tree in Middleton-lane it is much more developed than when growing on the Porina pertusa. The apothecia are per- fectly sessile, and when cut exhibit rather a thick, white layer im- mediately underneath the disc, connected at the edges with a lower one of much less thickness, and containing between these two a black powdery mass. The disc is covered with a gray bloom, and has a border of a darker colour, giving it the appearance of a Lecidea. C. turbinatum (gelatinatus, With.; Spheria sphincterica, Sow, Fung. 286, M. and N. 366). This is a very common plant, grow- ing on the crust of the Porina pertusa. ‘The apothecia in this are polished and pear-shaped, with a depression at the top and a little dot in the centre of the depression, giving it the appearance of a Verrucaria or a Spheria. I had suspected that it ought to be re- moved again to the genus Spheria where Sowerby had placed it, but upon requesting my friend Mr. Berkeley to examine it, he confirms the authority of Fries in still retaining it as a Calicium. C. ferrugineum. Old park pales at the Moor Park and Hay Park near Ludlow ; not of very common occurrence. C. chrysocephalum. Park pales at Downton Castle in Hereford- shire, near the bridge above the Hay Mill. This is one of the scarcest of this genus ; the bright vivid hue of the crust will not fail however to arrest the practised eye of the lichenist, should he come within its reach, so that he will not be likely to overlook it. C. pheocephalum. Pales of Hay Park near Ludlow. This is a very distinct species, and cannot possibly be confounded with any other. The ‘‘ tumid, crowded and leaf-like appearance of the crust,” so well described in the ‘ Lichenographia Britannica,’ gives it indeed very much the appearance of a minute Beomyces, or a diminutive H 2 92 Rev. T. Salwey : List of the scarce Lichens found resemblance of Cenomyce cespititia. The pilidia however are truly those of a Calicium ; and the dull brownish green hue of the capitu- lum, surrounded, as it frequently is, by the bright yellow ring of the sporules bursting from the edge of the disc, give the plant a very distinct and peculiar appearance. It is of very unfrequent occur- rence. Calicium spherocephalum. Probably ec common upon the old decaying timber of barns, &c., but overlooked from its minuteness, the crust appearing to be scarcely more than a stain upon the wood of a bluish gray colour, in which the young apothecia before they are fully de- veloped appear to the naked eye like immersed black dots. C. furfuraceum. Dry banks about Oswestry ; om the bank be- tween the pool and the common at the Lodge near Ludlow. This is not a plant of general occurrence. The bright pale lemon colour of the whole plant readily points it out. It is quite dissimilar in habit and place of growth from the rest of the Calicia, and has been removed by Dr. Taylor to Beomyces. Opegrapha sazxatilis. Sandstone rocks, Craigforda. O. dendritica. On the smooth bark of trees, but not common. Verrucaria gemmifera. Craigforda. This plant arrests the eye by presenting the appearance of a ver- digris or bluish gray stain upon the rock: the apothecia are very minute. V. gemmata. Upon the bark of old ash-trees, Pentregaer, &c. This is the largest of the Verrucarie, and not uncommon upon the bark of old ash-trees, where the size of the apothecia contrasting with the white ground of the bark, give it a conspicuous appearance. V. rupestris. Common upon the limestone rocks at Oswestry, upon the Moelydd, and at Pentregaer. V.immersa. In the same habitats as the former and at Craig- forda, but less common.. The smaller size both of the apothecia and of the cavities in which they are immersed, its gray crust as opposed to the white one of rupestris, and a certain peculiar neatness in the appearance of the whole plant, distinguish it from the former. V. levata. Upon stones in the Morda Brook under Craigforda. V. epipolea. Limestone rocks on the Moelydd and at Pentregaer. This is a very handsome and conspicuous species; the crust is often suffused with a pale rose-colour, which, contrasting with the bluish colour of the apothecia, gives this plant a very beautiful ap- pearance. V. acrotella. Craig-y-Rhu: scarce. V. epigea. Hay Coppice, Herefordshire. Perhaps not uncommon in a barren state, when it may be overlooked as a young state of some Conferva or Vaucheria. V. Hookeri. Mynydd-y-Myfyr : very scarce. Endocarpon miniatum. Limestone rocks, Oswestry ; Wickliff rocks, Ludlow, and Downton Castle. E.. Hedwigii. On the top of the wall opposite the house at the Moor Park near Ludlow, and other similar situations. E. lete-virens. In fruit on Mynydd-y-Myfyr in the parish of in the neighbourhood of Oswestry and Ludlow. 93 Oswestry. Common on the Welsh mountains, but scarce with us. The apothecia are immersed, but protrude in an oblique direction from the thallus ; small, and of a dull opake black colour. Endocarpon rufo-virescens. Craigforda and Mynydd-y-Myfyr. Common in Wales, but of more rare occurrence with us. Lepraria chlorina. Craig-y-Rhu. L. Iolithus. Craig-y-Rhu. Variolaria globulifera. Upon old ash-trees at Craig-y-Rhu. V. conspurcata. Limestone rocks, Pentregaer. Lecidea fusco-atra. Craigforda and Pentregaer. This minute Lecidea, with its finely radiating thallus, presents a beautiful appear- ance on the surface of quartz or chert. L. fumosa. Moelydd and Craig-y-Rhu. The crust forms brown smoky patches upon the rocks. It is probably not uncommon. LL. petrea. In great abundance and perfection upon the mud- stones of the Silurian system about Ludlow, and common also about Oswestry. My reason for noticing this common lichen is because there is some resemblance to the naked eye between this and Japi- cida, and experienced botanists have I believe proposed to unite them ; but the crust of /apicida is smoother, more polished, harder, and more cream-coloured. The apothecia too are more sunk in the crust in lapicida. In petrea they are often surrounded by a whitish border formed of the crust, giving the plant the appearance of a Lecanora; in a more advanced stage they have an urceolate appearance, the border being raised and inflexed ; and the under side of this being white, the plant still retains somewhat of the appearance of a Leca- nora. ‘The concentric arrangement of the apothecia is usually very strongly marked, so that the name of Davies and Dickson (concen- trica) ought I think to be restored to it instead of that of petrea, to which it has no more title than many others which are equally confined to rocks, and which, in fact, expresses nothing peculiar to the plant itself. The petrea grows upon soft rocks. I only know lapicida as growing upon the hard slaty rocks of the Cambrian sy- stem, where it is by no means a common lichen. L. prominula. A minute and obscure lichen, varying however much in the size of its apothecia. The var. /ygea of Ach. has been sent to me by Mr. Leighton from Haughmond Hill. LL. anomala. Acharius characterizes this species as ‘‘ polymorpha, nam apothecia, quoad formam et colorem eximié variant ;” we have what I believe to be one of the varieties of this polymorphous species growing upon some elm-trees at the Lodge near Ludlow. The crust is very thin, smooth, polished, and of a pale whitish colour. The apothecia conspicuous, variable in size, and of a brownish black colour. L. eleochroma and parasema. ‘These lichens have been well di- stinguished in the work of Mougeot and Nestler, ‘ Stirpes Crypto- gamz Vogeso-Rheuane,’ and by Dr. Taylor in the ‘Fl. Hib.’ The crust of parasema is frequently almost white ; the apothecia scattered irregularly about the disc, and larger than in eleochroma. In this last the crust is always greenish and granulated, the apothecia 94 Rev. T. Salwey : List of the scarce Lichens found " smaller, and usually crowded together in a circular group in the centre of the thallus. The eleochroma is by far the most common species ; the parasema indeed is of rather rare occurrence. Lecidea dubia. Upon barns at Overton and Maryknowle, and at Little Leinthall near Ludlow. It is not a common lichen with us. L. Griffithsii. Upon old oaks in the Hay Coppice, Herefordshire. We have what is perhaps a variety of this growing upon the scales of some old spruce fir-trees at the Lodge near Ludlow. The apo- thecia are larger and more convex than in the usual state of Griffithsi, and more variable in colour, varying from a pale fawn to a deep claret colour. Mr. Borrer, to whom I sent a specimen, said it much resembled one he had received from Acharius as his Lecanora hy- popta. L. aromatica. Upon the mortar in an old wall in Llanforda-lane : scarce. This plant has been considered as a state of ceruleo-nigricans or vesicularis. If it be so, I see no reason why it should not grow to the same size, and assume the same habit in every respect as vesicu- laris. The vesicularis grows with us on limestone; the aromatica on mortar; what should prevent the latter, if the same plant as the former, from attaining the same size as the former, seeing they both have a calcareous base? L. sanguinaria. Upon the pales of the Hay Park, Herefurdshire, and upon the pales below the Ambry at Croft Castle, Herefordshire. LL. muscorum. Pentregaer. L. scabrosa. An obscure lichen, and probably not uncommon. Upon a wall in Weston-lane, Oswestry, and at Craig-y-Rhu. L. Lightfootii. Birch-trees, Llanforda: scarce. L. incompta. Upon an old wych-elm at the Hayes near Oswestry, and upon an old maple-tree upon the High Vawr. An inconspi- cuous lichen and of rare occurrence. L. quernea. Old oaks, Oswestry, and at the Lodge near Ludlow, and in the Hay Coppice. A very handsome lichen when in per- fection. L. eruginosa. Old gates and posts, Oswestry : not common. L. quadricolor. Craigforda and Mynydd-y-Myfyr. These and the Cyrn Moelfre in the adjoining parish of Llansilin are the only habitats I have for this plant. L. Pineti. Wood above the house at Llanforda, on the scales of fir-trees. This is a very rare lichen with us, the habitat here given being the only one I know. It grows principally on the base of the stem just above the roots. The pale yellow apothecia present to the naked eye nothing but minute specks on the thin green crust of the thallus. L. cornea. Upon oak-trees in the Hay Coppice, Herefordshire, and about the Lodge near Ludlow. L. marmorea. ‘This occurs with us upon the roots of old thorn- trees growing in the crevices of the rock, as well as upon the rock itself. It seems to be almost wholly without crust, the shields thus presenting the appearance of minute Pezize. Fries, who makes this in the neighbourhood of Oswestry and Ludlow. 95 plant his Gyalecta cupularis, makes the Gyalecta Wahlenbergiana of Ach. ‘ Syn.’ his var. 6. of this plant. Now, if what I regard as the Gyalecta Wahlenbergiana of Ach. be indeed that plant, I cannot but confess my surprise at its being united with marmorea. The two plants appear to me ‘toto ceelo distincte.” I first discovered the Gyalecta Wahlenbergiana about twenty years ago upon the rocks at Craig-y-Rhu in this parish, but the habitat there is now lost. I did not find it again till the year 1840 upon the Wickliff Rocks at Lud- low, where it still grows, investing decayed mosses. ‘This plant forms a continuous crust of a pale yellowish colour, and of a sub- stance somewhat between leprous and waxy. The apothecia, which are numerous, appear to be of exactly the same substance as the crust, and are of an urceolate form, having the disc either of a pale yellow, or in some instances of a diluted greenish colour. The border, which is inflexed, is granulated. The apothecia are far more fragile and tender than in marmorea. The plant resembles much, upon a very minute scale, the beginning of a honeycomb. Wabhlen- berg’s description of his plant, ‘‘ substantia mollis et subgelatinosa,” and its habitat, ‘in locis obscuris supra muscos putridos,”’ agree ac- curately with our plant, which indeed I can have no doubt is the same as his, and I cannot reconcile myself to its being united with marmorea. Lecidea lutea. Upon a single tree at Llanforda, now cut down. LL. polytropa. Mynydd-y-Myfyr. This is the only English ha- bitat I at present know for this plant. L. lucida. Upon sandstone walls about Oswestry, in fruit, but seldom found in this state. L. desertorum. Dr. Taylor, to whom I sent this plant, seems in- clined to refer it to ceruleo-nigricans. Mr. Borrer regards it as the desertorum of Acharius. I cannot but regard it as distinct both from ceruleo-nigricans and from Lecidea coronata, and also from quadricolor, with which Ach. unites it. It grows upon the lime- stone rocks here with ceruleo-nigricans, but is much scarcer. It differs from this in having the crust more continuous, and in the scales of this being far smaller and flatter, and having to the naked eye somewhat of a filmy appearance. ‘The shields also have not the bluish colour of those of ceruleo-nigricans, nor are they smooth like these, but are of a deep black colour, and appear rough under the lens. In quadricolor again the shields are always some shade either of brown, yellow, or red, and the crust not scaly, but granulated. The quadricolor too grows upon the earth in heathy situations; the desertorum upon limestone. In coronata again the crust is a conge- ries of minute bluish granules which form also the border of the apothecia, which are of a reddish brown colour. Fries makes quadri- color and desertorum the varieties a. and (3. of his Lectdea decolorans. L. canescens. In fruit upon an old oak at Whittington : common upon old oaks, but usually barren. L. ceruleo-nigricans. Limestone rocks at Pentregaer, Craig-y-Rhu, and on the Moelydd. L. scalaris. Pales of the Hay Park near Ludlow : scarce. 96 Rey. T. Salwey : List of the scarce Lichens found Lecanora periclea. \This is an obscure and by no means a com- mon lichen. It grows with us occasionally upon old oak- and ash- trees; upon an ash-tree in a field south of Treflach-lane, about a quarter of a mile from Croeswilin. L. squamulosa. On the Moelydd, and upon the rocks at Pentre- gaer. . LL. glaucocarpa. Craig-y-Rhu, but barren. The crust of this plant consists of a number of thick, smooth, hard scales, here and there collected together, but more usually scattered, wavy, and rounded in the centre ; in colour varying from a glaucous to a dark brown in an old state, and the younger ones white at the edges. It grows upon the perpendicular face of a limestone rock. L. rubra. This is a very beautiful lichen and of rare occurrence. The only two habitats I know for it are upon the walls of Wigmore Castle in Herefordshire, and at Craig-y-Rhu in the parish of Oswes- try. In both habitats the plant grows upon patches of decayed Hypna hanging loose from the stone. L. hematomma. Craigforda, Craig-y-Rhu, &c. Parmelia glomulifera. Upon a wych-elm at Lianforda. There is only a single plant of this upon the tree in question, and it is at pre- sent the only English habitat I know for it. I have watched this plant for upwards of twenty years, and cannot perceive that it has either increased or decreased. It has glomeruli, but no apothecia ; many of the Parmelie certainly seem to propagate themselves by buds or gonidia without apothecia. The shields of scortea and of /a- nuginosa are I believe yet a desideratum in English botany, and those of proboscidea, perlata, Borreri and others are very rare, even where the plant itself is not uncommon. I cannot but suspect from the above instance, that the apothecium is at all events the only mode by which this particular species is propagated. Dr. Taylor considers the glomeruli of the present plant as the only distinction between this and herbacea. I confess I cannot be of this opinion. Even Fries, so prone as he is to diminish species, though he removes both of these to the genus Sticta, and in which I think they may well be placed, still keeps them distinct. Dr. Taylor also considers that they would rank as well with the Sticte as with the Parmeliea. Both of them grow in great profusion in the wooded parts of Wales, often upon the same trees ; but whether in a wet or dry state, they equally strike the eye as being distinct ; but most so in a dry state, the smoky white colour of the thallus of the glomulifera contrasting with the brownish green of that of herbacea. It is also thicker and more leathery, and not so much wrinkled. P. herbacea. Upon an old wych-elm on Bringewood Hill, oppo- site Downton Castle, in Herefordshire. P. caperata. Craigforda and other places about Oswestry, but not common, and usually barren. P. conspersa, Craigforda: not common. ‘The var. stenophylla of Ach. grows upon the sandstone rocks there. P. Borrert. Woodhill and Porkington, but with us always barren ; this plant is scarce with us. in the neighbourhood of Oswestry and Ludlow. 97 Parmelia aquila. Upon the north side of a small mass of sandstone rock on the southern slope of Mynydd-y-Myfyr. This may almost be called a maritime plant, being so commonly and abundantly found on maritime rocks, and scarcely met with elsewhere. ‘The late Sir J. E. Smith told me however that he had met with this plant at Stonehenge, which is about thirty miles from the sea, in a direct line ; we are about forty-five. In the great storm however of January 6th, a few years ago, our windows even at this distance from the sea were copiously incrusted with sea-salt, so that the seeds of a maritime lichen would be readily carried to us. The plants in question do not spread upon the adjoining stones, and which is perhaps singular, they occupy the face of the rock from the sea ; upon the coast, as far as I have observed, they always face the sea. P. aleurites. Not uncommon upon old pales: Hay Park near Ludlow, and Oteley Park near Ellesmere. P. ambigua. In similar situations to the last, but very scarce in fruit; upon an old gate at Pentregaer. P. physodes. Very finely in fruit upon the pales of the Hay Park and about the Moor Park near Ludlow. P. plumbea. Upon ash-trees at Craig-y-Rhu, but barren. _ P. crassa. Limestone rocks, Oswestry. P. hypnorum (Lecanora). Hay Coppice, Herefordshire : scarce. ' P.erosa. Upon the elm-trees in the walks at Ludlow Castle on the west side. . P. cesia. Not uncommon, but usually barren. I have found it in fruit on the Moelydd. Sticta scrobiculata. Hay Coppice, about the roots of old oaks in fruit. S. limbata. Hay Coppice, on hazels. S. pulmonaria. Ditto, and at Oswestry : not uncommon. S. sylvatica. A single plant only of this has grown for many years upon a mass of rock in the Hay Coppice. Collema fragrans. On trees at Llanforda and Pentregaer, but not common. It clothed nearly the whole inside of an old pollard-ash (now cut down), one half of which had been torn away, and the other half exposed to the weather. I could never detect any pecu- liar scent about it to entitle it to its specific name. C. ceranoides. Upon a wall near the garden at Llanforda. C. multipartitum. This is a beautiful plant, radiating from a centre upon flat masses of the limestone rock, the rounded appear- ance of the narrow segments of the thallus giving it an appearance as if made of minute cord; the centre soon decays, so that what is usually found of the plant are simply detached broad ares of a circle. It grows both on the Moelydd and at Pentregaer. C. marginale. Pentregaer. C. tuneforme. Ditto: scarce. Mr. Borrer considers this to be the same as dermatinum. C. granulatum. } C. dermatinum. > Pentregaer. C. sinuatum. 98 Rey. T. Salwey : List of the scarce Lichens found Collema velutinum, Ach. Upon ash-trees at Craig-y-Rhu. Dr. Tay- lor refers this to nigrum. | Solorina saccata. Wickliff Rocks, Ludlow : scarce. Peltidea venosa. Ditto. Ditto. P. scutata. On trees at Pentregaer, in fruit. P. horizontalis. Wickliff Rocks, Ludlow, Craigforda, &c. P. aphthosa. Craigforda, and woods at Downton Castle, Here- fordshire. P. spuria. Dry banks at Oswestry, but very scarce. I do not regard this as the same with venosa. If not a distinct species, I should consider it with Fries a state of canina. Though about the same size as venosa, the spuria is distinguished from it by not having the thick dark-coloured veins underneath which that plant has, and by the apothecia being smaller and narrower. In venosa they are of a roundish shape and flat, something like those of horizontalis, but of a dark colour like those of scutata. ‘There is a Peltidea I have occasionally met with, which I believe is regarded, if it has been no- ticed at all, as the young state of canina ; it is however of much less frequent occurrence than the canina, whilst the great difference in habit and appearance inclines me two believe it to be a distinct one. It is of an extremely thin and delicate texture, of a light bluish co- lour, and grows in an imbricated manner, forming cushion-shaped plants upon dry bare banks. The segments of the thallus are cir- cular and inflexed, and the surface is copiously sprinkled by white soft sorediz. It has much the habit and appearance of Sticta lim- bata. Though I would not undertake to affirm that it is not the young state of canina, I am inclined to think it is not. I am satis- fied that a most patient and long-continued examination of parti- cular plants in the same locality is required to enable us to clear up many difficulties which make the study of the Lichens so perplexing. P. polydactyla. 'This is not so common as either rufescens or ca- nina. I never saw it growing in such perfection as upon some heaps of burnt turf upon a common which had been left for two or three years before they were spread. I mention this because lichens are generally considered to be, and certainly are usually, of very slow growth, and yet here, where the turf on which they were growing had undergone the action of fire, the plants were of a larger size than usual, grew in the greatest profusion, and were copiously fringed with apothecia. Now even admitting that the original ve- getation upon these heaps had not been destroyed by the fire, but that the plants in question escaped, still their unusual growth and luxuriance were unquestionably influenced by the alteration the soil had undergone. It has been suppposed however that lichens de- rive their nourishment only through the media of air and light: «‘Typicus lichenum omnium proventus est in aére et luce,” says Fries. I cannot but think however that in the instance now men- tioned, the rapid growth and luxuriance of the plants must have arisen from their deriving some nourishment through their roots, if the fibres attaching the thallus to the soil may be so considered. I have seen frequently an analogous case in the Hepatice, the old beds in the neighbourhood of Oswestry and Ludlow. 99 where charcoal has been burnt in our woods being often carpeted over for many square feet with a luxuriant growth of Marchantia polymorpha. In both these instances, the carbonized soil has un- questionably exerted an influence upon the development of the plants. Liebig, in his ‘ Organic Chemistry,’ p. 62, remarks upon the effects of charcoal in promoting the vegetation of plants, and attributes the effect to the charcoal supplying the roots of plants with an atmo- sphere of constantly renewed carbonic acid and air. I cannot but think that the two instances I have now adduced tend to show that it was through the fibres underneath the thallus that the carbonic acid reached the plants in question and affected their growth, and therefore that these fibres do in some degree supply the place of roots in conveying nourishment from the soil. Nephroma resupinata. Upon rocks in woody situations ; Craigforda, Craig-y-Rhu, &c. } N. parilis. In one instance in fruit at Craig-y-Rhu. Gyrophora polyphylla. Mynydd-y-Myfyr: very scarce with us and in a dwarfish state. Umbilicaria pustulata. Nesscliff, growing very finely upon the red sandstone rocks at that place. Cetraria sepincola. Upon some old park pales at Oteley Park near the water. C. glauca. Craigforda. Borrera furfuracea. Mynydd-y-Myfyr, and pales of the Hay Park, Herefordshire, near Ludlow. Ramalina pollinaria. Dorrington: not uncommon upon old barn doors ; grows also upon some elm-trees at the Lodge near Ludlow. Alectoria jubuta. Not common with us. Cornicularia aculeata. Craigforda. Isidium coccodes. Old oaks, Oswestry. I. microsticticum. Rocks, Pentregaer. I. corallinum. Craigforda, &c. woe ae coralloides aud compressum. Ditto, and Mynydd-y- yfyr. Stereocaulon denudatum. Clee Hill and Mynydd-y-Myfyr, &c. S. nanum. Upon walls at Sweeney. Cenomyce cespititia. Craigforda: scarce. I have received it also from Mr. Leighton, I think from Haughmond Hill. C. sparassa. Hay Coppice, Herefordshire. _C. deformis. Ditto. C. bellidiflora. A barren state of this grows at Craigforda. Pycnothelia papillaria. Barren: Craigforda. This is very scarce with us. I never met with it in such perfection as upon the com- mon immediately above the house at Llandrindod Wells in Radnor- shire. Addendum to the List of Welsh Lichens. Parmelia stygia. Llandegley Rocks, Radnorshire, upon the end of the range next to the village, and upon the side facing the east, Sept. 1844. 100 Prof. Owen on the genus Mylodon. X.—Reply to some Observations of Prof. WAGNER on the genus Mylodon. By Prof. Owen, F.R.S. To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. GENTLEMEN, In the very excellent report on Mammalogy, in 1842, by Prof. A. Wagner, which forms part of the first valuable volume just published by the Ray Society, there occur two criticisms, to which satisfactory replies were given soon after they appeared, but which, being reproduced in an English translation, without comment, might mislead the zoological student on the points to which those criticisms refer. The first (p. 60) relates to the genus Mylodon, and Prof.Wagner cites the late lamented and talented naturalist Dr. Harlan as having “ proposed, in 1835, the name Aulaxodon or Pleurodon for Mylodon ;” adding, “ the latter of these two is evidently better than Mylodon, which signifies nothing else than grinder.” I have shown in a letter, which the editors of.the ‘ American Journal of Science’ did me the honour to insert in the 44th vol. (January—March 18438) of their most useful periodical, that the fossil remains to which Dr. Harlan proposed to attach the names Aulazxodon or Pleurodon belong to an entirely distinct genus from the Mylodon, and that Dr. Harlan himself. recognised the di- stinction, when remains of a true Mylodon were first presented to him, and accordingly proposed, in ignorance of my previous de- termination of the genus, to call the extinct animal to which those remains belonged ‘ Orycterothertum missouriense.’ This species, also noticed as new in Prof. Wagner’s Report (p. 60), is synonymous with my Mylodon Harlani, first described in the ‘ Fossil Mammalia of the Voyage of the Beagle,’ 4to, part 3, 1839, and afterwards with further details derived from examina- tion of the very Missouri specimens on which Harlan had founded his genus ‘ Orycterotherium’ in my memoir on the Mylodon ro- bustus (4to, 1842). With regard to Harlan’s Aulaxodon or Pleurodon, that genus is much more closely allied to Megalonyz, if it be really distinct from Cuvier’s genus. And now a word for Mylodon as a name, admitting the genus to be a reality in nature. It is true that wvrn, mola, ddovs, dens, implies merely a beast having molar teeth only, and no canines or incisors; and that this character is equally applicable to other genera of Megatherioids. But the same objection might be urged against Megalonyx (wéyas, magnus, dvvé, unguis), the species of which genus had not longer or larger claws than those of My- lodon or Megatherium. All the Megatherioids were remarkable for the enormous bulk and strength of their hind legs, and: Sce- Prof. Owen on the genus Mylodon. 101 lidotherium (cxerts, femur, Onplov, bellua,) manifests but a slight exaggeration of this character in its fossil thigh-bones. Nor can any of the known Megatherioids be termed other than great beasts, although the Megatherium proper best merits that deno- mination. In selecting, therefore, the term Mylodon for an ad- ditional genus to this extinct race, I had in view a principle of the nomenclature of the Megatherioid genera by which all the cha- racteristic peculiarities of the family are readily fixed in the memory. The second remark on which I beg to advert bears upon an anatomical point, but one which I believe to be of high import- ance. Dr. Wagner (p. 38), referring to Prof. Mayer’s valuable remarks on the Anatomy of the Marsupialia, specifies those of the brain, in which, in opposition to Owen, he recognises convo- lutions and a ‘ corpus callosum,’ p. 38. I need only refer to my paper in the ‘Philos. Transactions,’ 1837, where the cerebral convolutions in the kangaroo and wombat are specially de- scribed, in order to demonstrate the want of a concomitant deve- lopment of the ‘ corpus callosum’ in those animals. The great transverse band or commissure which unites the two hemispheres, spanning from one to the other above the lateral ventricles,—which is plainly visible, as such, in the lowest. Rodent or other Placental Mammal, with the smoothest, and, to outward appearance, simplest brain,—this great commissure or corpus callosum, I again affirm, after reiterated dissections, to be absent in all the known genera of Marsupials. If the narrow transverse band, which unites together the hippocampi majores, at the front part of the fornix, be regarded, as I originally stated it might be, a rudiment of the ‘corpus callosum,’ the comparative anatomist is at liberty to apply that name to it. But, in point of fact, a great hiatus exists between the condition of the cerebral com- missures in the Implacental and that condition which we find in the lowest of the Placental Mammalia. The transitional struc- tures by which M. de Blainville traces a progressive deterioration of the commissural apparatus from Bats and Rodents to Marsu- pials I have not yet met with, and they seem to have equally escaped the observation of the able editors (Fréd. Cuvier and Laurillard) of the posthumous edition of Cuvier’s ‘Legons d’ Anat. Comparée,’ 8vo, tom. ii. 1845, who have subjoined the following note tothe text of the great master :—“ Le corps calleux semble- rait étre en rapport de développement avec le corps strié, si l’on constatait dans d’autres animaux ce que montre déja le cerveau du dauphin, qui a des hémisphéres volumineux, un corps calleux proportionnellement petit et peu épais, et un corps strié trés mé- diocre. Mais il y a, dans les Marsupiaux, une disposition re- marquable de Pappareil de commissure formé par la vodite (fornix) 102 Mr. H. M. Drummond: List of Birds found et le corps calleux (corpus callosum). Cet appareil y est réduit a ce point, que on a pu dire avec quelque vérité que le corps calleux n’existe pas.” The editors then give a detailed account of a dissection of the brain of a kangaroo, confirmatory in all re- spects of my own, and they rightly remark: “ Cette disparition presque totale du corps calleux ne se lie pas & un développement moindre du cerveau. Les hémisphéres sont, avec la masse totale de l’encéphale, dans leurs rapports ordinaires, et rien au premier aspect ne ferait soupconner la disposition de la votite.” They add, probably in reference to Prof. Mayer’s statement: “ L’observa- tion de M. Owen sur cette disposition du cerveau des Marsupiaux a été repoussée A tort comme erronée. II ne nie pas l’existence du corps calleux dans les Marsupiaux: il déclare formellement qu’on peut voir, si on le veut, dans ce qui reste de la commissure, le rudiment d’un corps calleux; mais il reléve avec raison Vab-_ sence dans les Marsupiaux @un corps calleux comparable a celui des autres Mammiféres.”—Loe. cit. pp. 101, 102. The interest which you have always shown in the maintenance as well as the discovery of truths in natural history, has induced me to beg permission to trespass thus far on your valuable space. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, London, July 18th, 1845. ~Ricnarp Owen. XI.—List of Birds found in the vicinity of Tunis and Biserta, from observations made during a month’s visit from April 21st to May 21st 1845. By H. M. Drummonp, 42nd R. H. Tue following list of a few of the birds frequenting the N. coast of Africa, as well as a former one of the birds of Crete (vide Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. xu. p. 423), I have been enabled to draw up through the kindness of Capt. Graves, H.M.S. Beacon, in in- viting me to accompany him to the above-mentioned places, to whom also I am greatly indebted for the facilities he afforded me in accompanying the boats on an expedition up the lakes of Biserta. This list however is necessarily imperfect, owing to the shortness of my visit, as well as from the passage of the migra- tory birds being nearly terminated at the time of my arrival. The whole of these birds are found in the vicinity of the Biserta lakes, with the exception of the Pterocles arenarius, P. setarius, and Otis houbara. The lakes of Biserta are about 40 miles to the ‘cad of Tunis; it was said that they are much more extensive than is really the case, and also that a communication for shipping could easily be opened, rendering the lower lake one of the finest har- in the vicinity of Tunis and Biserta. 103 bours in the Mediterranean. That however is out of the question, the channel being so shallow and filled up with sand, that it would be a Herculean task to clear it out, and when done, pro- bably the very first north-easter would fill it up again. The lake, the entrance of which is about a mile from the sea, is a beautiful sheet of water about 20 miles in circumference, and from 3 to 7 fathoms deep. It swarms with various kinds of fish ; an exten- sive weir reaches across the mouth, and the fisheries are very valuable. Benayed, a wealthy Moor, who is the present pro- prietor, assured us that he pays an annual rent to the Bey of Tunis of nearly 3300/. sterling. The surrounding country is most beautiful; it abounds with game, chiefly boars, partridges, hares and wildfowl, and is clothed down to the water’s edge with olive- trees and corn-fields. This is I believe the richest district in the regency ; I could have fancied myself in one of the most beautiful parts of England, and the climate is delightful. The upper lake is freshwater, and nearly as large as the salt one, but only 6 or 7 feet deep. On the upper part is a deep and extensive marsh, out of which Gibel Tschar rises almost perpendicularly to the height of 2000 feet and upwards. This lake also swarms with fish, chiefly large barbel of 10 lbs. weight, gray mullet (Mugil Chilo, Cuv.), basse (Labrax Lupus, Cuv.), spotted shad (Alosa Finta) and eels. The lakes are connected by a river winding through a rich plain about two miles in extent, more or less cultivated according to the encroachments made by the floods in winter. From the great variety of country, consisting of hill, plain, and undulating ground, olive-groves, thick brushwood, corn-fields, marsh, and rich pastures, it is a very general resort of the - feathered tribes, as will be seen from the following list. j Vultur fulvus. Seen in great numbers on Gibel Tschar, Cathartes percnopterus. { at the head of the upper lake of Biserta : they probably breed there. Falco tinnunculus. A few seen: breed on the cliffs at Cape Carthage. F. tinnunculoides. | These birds do not appear to remain, as only a F. rufipes. few were seen on my first arrival, F. Bonelli*. F. brachydactylus *. F. haliaétus. Common on the lakes of Tunis and Biserta at the fisheries. F. albicilla. A few seen in the marshes round the lakes of Biserta. F. ater *. F. cyaneus. One or two only. F. rufus. Found in the marshes: not very common. * These birds I understand are not uncommon, none however were seen, but having obtained some well-preserved skins of all three species that were shot near Tunis last winter, it is perhaps as well to mention them. 104 Mr. H. M. Drummond: List of Birds found Strix noctua. This is the same species given in a former list of the birds of Corfu under the denomination of S. passerina: they are common in the olive-groves about Biserta, and on the approach of any one seem easily disturbed, as I constantly saw them flitting from tree to tree; probably this may be only during the passage. S. brachyotus. A few seen at the ruins of Carthage 21st of May, none afterwards. Corvus Corar. A pair only of these birds were seen: they breed on the cliffs at Cape Carthage. Coracias garrula. | Common, though none of the nests of these Oriolus Galbula. birds were found; they probably breed in ‘this part of the country, as they were always seen in pairs. Sturnus unicolor. ‘This is the common starling of the country, and seems (at least at this season of the year) quite to have sup- planted the S. vulgaris, which I understand is also found, but pro- bably only in the winter ; their habits as also their song, or rather the chattering and long plaintive whistle of the cock-bird, are precisely the same; they are very common, especially in the neighbourhood of Biserta; they build on houses as well as in trees, and are also found in small flocks on the muddy parts of the shores of the lakes, in company with stints and ring dottrels, feeding on the larve of small marine insects. Lanius excubitor. One was shot near Tunis; it is I suspect very rare, as I have only known of one instance of its being shot at Malta, and have never met with it in the Ionian Islands or Levant. L. minor. Only one seen, probably owing to the passage being nearly over. L. cucullatus. 1 obtained a beautiful specimen of this rare bird (at least in Europe) through the kindness of Sir Thomas Reade, H.B.M. Consul General ; it was shot last December along with se- veral others ; they are never seen near the coast, but chiefly frequent the thick brushwood on the sides of the mountains, about twenty miles in the interior, where they are not uncommon. L. Collurio*. One individual only : probably rare, as they have never been found in Malta, and are very rare in Corfu. L. rutilus. Most numerous, the olive-groves round Tunis and Biserta being literally filled with them : breed there. Muscicapa grisola. Very common: breeds. M. albicollis. Common: M. luctuosa. One or two only. Turdus Merula. Very common at Biserta, making the woods re- sound with their melody. T. cyaneus. Only one seen. Sylvia turdoides. A few seen in the marshes at Biserta. S. palustris. A few seen in the olive-groves. * It is singular that these birds, which I have found most numerous in the spring and summer months in Switzerland, and also in some parts of England, where they are not uncommon, should be so rare along the shores of the Mediterranean. Query, as they have not been noticed during the autumn passage, where do they go in winter ? an the vicinity of Tunis and Biserta. 105 Sylvia Phragmitis. | Both these species are very common in the S. arundinacea. - vicinity of Carthage, frequenting the high standing corn, where they breed. S. Luscinia. A few met with in the thickets along the shores of the upper or freshwater lake. S. orphea. Common: breed. S. rubiginosa. Most numerous, especially at Biserta, frequenting the olive-groves. S. atricapilla. Only one or two seen ; probably do not remain. S. melanocephala. Common: breed. S. cinerea. Common; breed. S. conspicillata. A pair only of these birds seen 21st April. S. Phenicurus. Ditto. S. hippolais. ) S. trochilus. f Sazicola Ginanthe. A few seen at Biserta 1st of May, none after- wards. S. stapazina *. S. aurita. ha few seen, S. rubetra. . S. rubicola. Very numerous: breed. Motacilla cinereo-capilla. Very common, frequenting the pastures. Anthus arboreus. A. pratensis. Alauda arvensis. A. cristata. A. brachydactyla. Very common: found in small flocks on the dry sandy grounds near the Goletta of Tunis. A, Calandra. Very common about the freshwater lake at Biserta, also in the immediate vicinity of Tunis : breed. Parus ceruleus +. Common : breed. Emberiza Miliaria. Very numerous: breed. Ei. Hortulana. Not very common: these birds are kept in cages at Tunis, being much prized for their song, and one that sings well will fetch as high a price as sixty piastres ; the Tunis piastre is equal to eightpence. Fringilla Chloris. Common: breeds. F, hispaniolensis. This is the common house-sparrow of Barbary ; it is very numerous, and though frequenting the towns and villages, I also found it in large flocks in the country many miles from any habitation. I was unable to ascertain whether it also builds in trees, or whether these large flocks so late in the season might have been occasioned by their being on their passage to Europe ; they were en- One or two seen about the end of April. } Not uncommon. Very common, especially the latter : breed. * From my own observations I have been unable to decide whether the stapaxina and aurita are the same species; probably they are; but it is re- markable that out of numbers examined and shot at the same season of the year, none should be found in an intermediate state. + It is curious that the Parus major should not have been found, as they generally frequent the same localities. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. I 106 Mr. H. M. Drummond: List of Birds found tirely composed of old birds. The eggs of these birds vary like those of the F. domestica, which they closely resemble. Fringilla Celebs.) F.. cannabina. | Common about Biserta ; probably breed there, F. Montium. > as they were seen as late as the middle of F. citrinelia. |} May. FF. Carduelis. —_) Cuculus canorus. Common about Biserta. Upupa Epops. Very common: probably breed: seen as late as the 21st of May. Merops Apiaster. Very common during the passage : the first of these birds made their appearance this season the 27th of April, none seen after the 15th of May. I could not ascertain if any remain. Alcedo Ispida. Only one seen at the Goletta 2ist of April. I un- derstand they are common in winter. Hirundo rustica. 7 : ; EF abbion Most numerous, especially H. rustica : I saw no H. riparia. signs of their building. Cypselus alpinus. Only two seen, on the tops of Gibel Tschar. C. murarius. Very numerous. Caprimulgus europeus. A few seen as late as the 10th of May. Columba Livia. Very common: breed in the old wells about the | ruins of Carthage. C. Turtur. Very common ; breed in the olive-groves. Pterocles arenarius..{ Very common about ten miles from Tunis P. setarius. , and throughout the interior: sedentary. Perdiz petrosa. Most numerous, especialiy at the upper lake of Biserta and throughout the interior; rare in the immediate vicinity of Tunis. A young covey was found as early as the 22nd of May : sedentary. P. Coturnix. Most numerous, especially about the ruins of Car- thage during its passage, which I understand commences about the beginning or middle of March, and lasts until the end of May: a very few only remain. Hemipodius lunatus. Occasionally found near Tunis and Biserta. Sir Thomas Reade assures me that these birds do not migrate. Glareola torquata. The first of these birds made their appearance the 24th of April, and after that were most numerous, especially on the muddy flats between the lakes of Biserta, where they were so tame that they would unwillingly take wing though approached within a few feet, and would almost immediately settle again. Otis* houbara. ‘These birds are never found near the coast, but as they are not unfrequently met with in the interior, it is perhaps as well to mention them. They are very wary and difficult of approach, frequenting the dry arid plains, and are only taken by means of hawking, of which amusement the Arabs are excessively fond. Sedi Mohammed, the Bey of the Camp, keeps a number of falcons trained for the purpose. * I could obtain no account of the Odis tarda ever having been met with in this regency, though it is I believe common in other parts of Barbary. in the vicinity of Tunis and Biserta. — 107 Otis Tetrax. The Pollo di Cartagini, or Carthage fowl, the name it is generally known by at Tunis; it is held in great estimation for the table, and is consequently rare in the immediate vicinity. I however met with a few, chiefly in the high corn-fields, where at this season they probably have their nests: from the quick vibratory motion of their wings, the flight is so peculiar that they are not easy to be mistaken ; they appear when flying almost white. Cidicnemus crepitans. Common : breed in the fallows. Himantopus melanopterus. A few seen in the marshes at the head of the freshwater lake at Biserta: probably breed there, as they were seen in pairs. a HMiaticulas\ Con mon along the shores of the salt lake. C. cantianus. I never found these birds mixing with the other kinds of dottrels and sandpipers, but they were generally seen scat- tered about the dry sandy grounds near the Goletta, or in some neighbouring fallow, where on the approach of any one they run most swiftly in preference to taking wing ; indeed they are so much the colour of the ground they frequent, that they are not easily de- tected: though I did not find their eggs, yet I have no doubt they breed there. Vanellus melanogaster. A few seen on the shores of the saltwater lake. Strepsilas collaris. Common on the shores of the saltwater lake. Grus cinerea. ‘These birds were not seen, but Sir Thomas Reade informs me that they are not uncommon in the winter months round the lake of Tunis, and are probably found at Biserta. G. Virgo. Is also occasionally seen in winter at Tunis, during the breeding-season ; they are very common on some of the islands along the coast, especially at Lampidosa. Ciconia* alba. A few seen at Biserta, in the marshes only. Ardea* cinerea. Very common. A.* purpurea. Only one seen. A.* Garzetta. Very common, especially on the banks of the river that connects the fresh with the salt lake at Biserta. A.* Verany. A few of these very rare birds I found at the fisheries at Biserta; they seem more addicted to perching than others of the tribe, as when disturbed they would immediately fly for refuge to some tree, where, standing with outstretched neck on the highest part, it is difficult to get near them: though frequenting localities . where fish abounded, and which one would suppose to be their na- tural food, yet on examination I never in any one instance found a vestige of fish in the stomach, but invariably found it to contain the remains of the blind-worm (Anguis fragilis) ; one I found entire and about 8 inches long, also locusts and small beetles. A.* ralloides. Common along the banks of the river between the lakes. * It is remarkable, that though most of these birds were common about Biserta, none of them should have been found on the borders of the Tunis lake. 12 108 List of Birds found in the vicinity of Tunis and Biserta. Ardea* minuta. Very common in the deep marshes. Nycticoraz* ardeola. Common at the fisheries at Biserta, and generally seen sitting on the reed-fences of which the weirs are composed. Phenicopterus antiquorum. Very common on tee lake of Tunis, which they seem to monopolize; a few also were seen at Biserta; they are excessively shy and difficult of approach; they do not breed here, but probably go over to Cagliari in Sardinia, as they leave about the beginning of June, at which season they are occasionally met with in Malta, and return in September. I was informed by Sir Thomas Reade that a smaller species inhabits the lake, and though I certainly saw some of a smaller size, yet being unable to procure one, I could not ascertain whether these may be the young or a distinct species. Recurvirostra Avocetia. One seen on the salt lake at Biserta, oe I fortunately procured: these birds I consider to be very rare, for though I have been several years in the Mediterranean, this and another shot at Corfu in April 1841 are the only two of the species I ever obtained. sit esiaiannn \ A few seen at Biserta. umenius arquatus. Totanus fuscus. Common at Biserta: these birds were in the summer plumage, and differed widely from those shot in winter at Corfu; the legs of the present ones were black, with a very slight tinge of orange about the knees. x bebropee, \ A few seen at Biserta. . glareola. T. hypoleucos. Common. T. glottis. A few seen at Biserta. Scolopax ge Ne found at this season, but are numerous . ys i about Biserta in winter. Rallus aquaticus. Only one seen. Gallinula Porzana. G. pusilla. Only one or two seen inthe marshes at Biserta. G. chloropus. 3 Fulica atra. Very numerous on the salt lake: breed in the marshes. Podiceps cristatus, P. cornutus. } sere seen on the salt lake. P. auritus. Sterna Hirundo. S. nigra. ber common about Biserta. S. minuta. S. leucoptera. A few seen on the river between the lakes. ° Larus argentatus. Common: breed. L. melanocephalus. Large flocks of these birds were seen in the Bay of Tunis 21st of April; none afterwards. Puffinus cinereus, Very numerous all along the coast : breed. * See note, preceding page. ” rs . ‘ \ ‘ hes fe . 5 . ' i ’ x " . y ¥ r ue . Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.Vol36 2 IT. (a |e S| S| oo] 6 [o's] 8! @| ‘|e/@ 39) 9) 6| SDCAS. sculp. W. Hillis & FhHalfs. del. Gleeopram . Mr. J. Ralfs on the British Diatomacec. 109 Puffinus anglorum. A few seen. Thalassidroma pelagica. Very common: breed. Cygnus musicus. A few seen in the lakes of Biserta, and one in the lake of Tunis. Anas Boschas. Common: breed in the marshes round Biserta. A. marmorata. I only saw two small flocks of five or six each flying up the river between the lakes; one of these very rare birds I was fortunate enough to procure ; it proved to be a female. A. Fuligula. Very numerous: seen on the salt lake only in large flocks of two or three hundred ; it is singular that they should be in flocks so late in the season. Pelecanus onocrotalus. A few seen on the salt lake. Carbo Cormoranus. Very numerous on both lakes. XII.—On the British Diatomaceee. By Joun Raxrs, Ksq., M.R.C.S., Penzance*. [ With a Plate. ] Homa@ocrapia, 4g. Frond membranaceous, tubular, filiform, transversely wrinkled, branched in an umbellate manner ; frustules linear. 1. H. anglica, Ag. Fronds umbellate at the base, above elongated and either simple or dichotomous ; frustules linear, many times longer than broad, with striated lateral surfaces. Ag. Consp. Diatom. p. 25; Harv. Br. Alg. p. 208; Kiitz. Die Kieselschaligen Bacillaria oder Diatomeen, p. 110. tab. 30. fig. 82. Oscillatoria chthonoplastes, Harv. in Hook. Br, Fl. vol. ii. p.373. Microcoleus marinus, Harv. Br. Alg. p. 168. On marine rocks, Ilfracombe, and Petitor near Torquay, Septem: ber and October. Since my former note on.this plant (Ann. Nat. Hist. vol.xi. p.77) I have examined specimens in a fresh state, and find its structure agrees so closely with Agardh’s description of H. Martiana, that the difference appears to be but slight. It is brownish when recent and becomes of an opake olive-brown when dry, and often acquires a metallic lustre, particularly in the Torquay specimens. It arises from a comparatively thick seutate base, but soon divides in an umbellate manner into many branches, each of which is again similarly divided. In this second division the branches, which vary in number from three to five, are elongated, and are either simple or once dichotomous, or occasionally trichotomous. The extremities are often clavate, but not unfrequently slightly at- tenuated. The frond, which is from one to two inches high, is terete, erect, tubular, with numerous transverse but irregular wrinkles, which produce a crenated appearance of the margin. * Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 110 Mr. J. Ralfs on the British Diatomacece. The frustules are numerous, and either scattered or collected in bundles, between which the frond is somewhat contracted. The extremities of the frond finally become ruptured and suffer the frustules to escape. The frustules are remarkable for their length, being many times longer than broad; they are siliceous, simple or binate, linear, not unlike those of Frustulia Ulna, but their ends are rounded. The lateral surfaces in form resemble the front, but are marked with numerous transverse striz. The endochrome is interrupted at regular Eras by hyaline globules producing a variegated appearance. Puate III. fig. 1. Homeocladia anglica: a, natural size; b, portion of a filament magnified ; c, front view of frustule; d, lateral view of empty frustule. BERKELEYA, Grev. Frustules linear, included within tubular submembranaceous fila- ments which are free at one extremity, but have the other im- mersed in a gelatinous tubercle. This genus differs from Homeocladia and Schizonema in having the base of the filaments immersed in a tubercle. 1. B. fragilis, Grev. Filaments subsimple, minute; frustules nu- merous, crowded, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, eight to twelve times as longas broad. Grev, Crypt. Fl. tab. 294; Grev. in Hook. Br. Fl. vol. ii. p. 416; Ag. Consp. Diatom. p. 24; Harv, Br. Alg. p- 209; Kutz. /. c. p. 109. Parasitical on Zostera marina and the smaller marine algz, also on rocks in the sea; November. Southampton, Miss Hill; Mount’s Bay, J. R.; Ireland, Mr. M‘Cailla, according to a specimen from Dr. Scouler. When recent this plant is dark olive-brown with a slight lustre ; when dried it becomes greener, and is generally glossy. The filaments are very short, seldom exceeding a quarter of an inch in length, and pale at their immersed base. They issue from the tubercle in a penicillate or radiate manner, and though usually simple are occasionally dichotomous at their origin. The tubercle is colourless and large in proportion to the size of the plant. It is more diffuse in those growing upon rocks than in parasitic ones, sometimes indeed to so great a degree as to lose the appearance of a tubercle. It is always gelatinous, is easily broken, and if put mto fresh water very soon becomes partially dissolved, and thus allows the separation of the fila- ments. Under the microscope the filaments are hyaline and slightly crenate at the margin ; the frustules are simple or binate, nume- rous, crowded, often confined to the middle of the filament, elon- Mr. J. Ralfs on the British Diatomacez, lll gated (eight to twelve times longer than broad), not striated ; the front view is narrow linear-lanceolate with truncate ends, and the lateral surfaces, which are about the same breadth, are lan- ceolate with subacute extremities. The colourmg matter occupies only the central third of the frustule, and consequently the ends are hyaline. Prats III. fig. 2. Berkeleya fragilis: a, front view; 6, lateral view, Encyonrma, Kiitz. Frustules cymbiform, siliceous, arranged in longitudinal series within submembranaceous, tubular filaments. _ The filaments are tubular, submembranaceous, and under the microscope colourless. The lateral surfaces of the frustules being convex are observed in the front view, in which also the frustules are quadrilateral with two puncta at each end. These puncta are less easily discerned in the dorsal view as the dorsum is longi- tudinally convex. The lateral view is semi-elliptic with numerous transverse striz, which are interrupted. as in Cocconema by a lon- gitudinal pellucid line. This genus differs from Sehizonema and other frondose genera of Diatomacee in the form of its frustules, as a single frustule resembles one of Cymbella or Cocconema ; therefore, notwithstand- ing the similarity of habit, it belongs to a different series. It is far more probable that some bodies of a totally different kind will be at first sight classed with Hncyonema. These, which ‘are really congeries of the ova of certain insects, were once de- scribed by Agardh as Algee under the name of Gloionema. A little attention however will secure the observer from this mistake, for although cymbiform and arranged in longitudinal series, the eggs are neither siliceous nor striated. 1. E. prostratum, Berk. Kitz. Die Kieselschaligen Bacillaria oder Diatomeen, p. 82. t.25.f.7. H.paradorum, Kitz. Synop. Diatom. in Linnea 1833, p. 589. f. 73; Die Kies. t. 22. f.1. Monema prostratum, Berk. Br. Alg. p. 15. t. 4, f. 3. (1832)! Schizonema prostratum, Grev. in Hook. Br. FI. vol. ii. p. 414; Harv. Br. Alg. p. 214. Gloionema paradoxum, Ehr. Inf. p. 237 (not of Agardh nor Kiitzing) ; Portlock in Microscop. Journ. vol. ii. p. 6. pl. 3. fig. 1. In freshwater rivulets, outlets of ponds, &c. near King’s Cliffe, Northamptonshire, Rev. M. J. Berkeley ; Farnham, Surrey, Mr. W. Reeves; Brambletye, Sussex, and ‘‘ abundant in the rivulet which parts Kent and Sussex between Bodiham and Sandhurst,” Mr. Jenner; near Bristol, Mr. Thwaites. Ilfracombe, Devonshire, J, R.; ‘‘ Lough Erne, Ireland, Capt. Portlock.” This plant forms small tufts, which not unfrequently are so 112 Mr. J. Ralfs on the British Diatomacee. : crowded as to constitute considerable patches. When recent it is dark brown, but dried it assumes a dull green colour. It is soft, but not gelatinous, and adheres only imperfectly to paper or glass. The filaments are short, straight or flexuose, simple or slightly branched, slender, subequal, quite colourless under the micro- scope. Generally the frustules form a single series and have their convex margin alternately in opposite directions; occa- sionally a frustule is placed transversely, and in the broader fila- ments there are two, or even as many as three or four longitu- dinal series of frustules. — The frustules are in the front view about three times as long as broad, and slightly rounded at the ends ; their convex lateral surfaces are visible at the sides. The lateral view is broader than the front and semi-elliptic. The inferior margin is mostly prominent at the centre. The ends, which are rounded and separated from the body by a slight con- striction are usually similar, but in the Ilfracombe specimens one of them is often produced into a short beak. A pellucid line passes from one to the other and divides the strize into two un- equal series. There is a dilatation at each extremity of this line, and at the centre a larger one, towards which, as in Gomphonema and Cocconema, the strie slightly converge. In the recent frustule the endochrome is tawny with a paler transverse band in the centre. Kiitzing in his last work describes two species of Eneyonema*. Judging from his characters and figures, I doubt whether they are sufficiently distinct, as I find that the form of the frustules varies even in the same specimen. I have examined an original specimen of Mr. Berkeley’s Mo- nema prostratum. The frustules in the lateral view are generally less constricted at the ends than in my other specimens, but they vary in this respect as well as in size. Gloionema paradoxum, Ag., which at first sight bears some re- semblance to this plant, has been shown by the Rev. M. J. Ber- keley to be an animal production +. Pruate III. fig. 3. Encyonema prostratum: a, front view of frustule ; b, lateral view, Sussex specimen ; d, front, and c, lateral view of empty frus- tules from an Ilfracombe specimen ; e, lateral view of frustules deprived of their colouring matter from an original specimen of Monema prostratum. * “ EF, paradoxum, tubulis sparsis, solitariis ; cymbellis a latere secundario acuminatis cornutis striatis. . paradoxum, Kiitz. Syn. 1833. Gloionema paradoxum, hr. Inf. Isthmia catenata, Menegh.” “ FE. prostratum, stratum gelatinosum formans, tubulis maxime intricatis ; cymbellis minoribus, obtusiusculis non cornutis, striatis. Monema prostra- tum, Berk. Encyonema paradoxum, Menegh.”’ ¢ Annals of Nat. Hist. vol. vii. p. 449. Botanical Notices from Spain. 113 XII1.—Botanical Notices from Spain. By Moritz WitLKomMM*. {Continued from vol, xv. p. 419.] No. IV. Granapa, August 12, 1844. Weaariep with the view of the endless plains of the Mancha, which present only an aspect of corn-fields and brown arid heath, here and there broken by a copse of the Quercus Ilex or Pinus Pinea, 1 was not a little delighted, when on the morning of the 10th of July I descried the blue mountain-ranges of the Sierra Morena, the frontier of the long-desired Andalusia. This long and wide chain of moun- tains, which rises in gentle gradations to a height scarcely exceeding 6000 feet, is at this point almost wholly covered with copses of oak. The rivulets, which are particularly numerous on the south side, permeating the valleys, and emptying their waters into the Guadal- quivir, give birth to a richer vegetation than I had hitherto observed in the Spanish mountains, and were chiefly inclosed: with flowering oleanders, ash-trees and elms, interspersed with the vine, which grows almost wild here, as in the lowest part of the Sierra Nevada, and hangs in picturesque festoons from the tops of the trees down to the ground. After traversing the celebrated Pass of Spinasperros, and crossing many wide mountain-ridges, we arrive at the ancient Swabian colonies of S@ Helena and Carolina; and the environs of these beau- tiful localities, especially of Carolina, show the traveller, by their fer- tility, that he has reached the happy land of Andalusia. Hedges of Agave americana and Opuntia vulgaris, which surround the intermina- ble fields of wheat, maize, hemp, beans, garbanzos( Cicer arietinum, L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.), pimento (Capsicum annuum, L.), plantations of mulberry-, olive-, almond- and vine-trees, which extend to the banks of the Guadalquivir, recall to mind the fruitful plains of Valencia. ‘The extensive and very barren Sierra de Jaen separates the wide valley of the Guadalquivir from the noble Vega of Granada,—the former so celebrated in history, which extends at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, rising like an immense wall with snow- capped summits to more than 11,000 feet in height, and bounded on the west by the Sierra Tejeda and Sierra de Alhama. Although, in the country around Granada, neither the date- and dwarf-palm, nor the orange-hedges of Valencia are found, yet the vegetation bears a far more southern character. I had nowhere before seen in Spain such a luxuriant and almost tropical vegetation, not excepting even Aran- juez, where it is evident that the cultivating hand of man has pro- duced by artificial irrigation that rich growth of trees and plants of all kinds which convert this spot into a charming oasis in the deserts of New Castille. On one of the peninsular tracts of land formed by the small but celebrated rivers of the Jenil and Darro lies the ancient royal city of Granada, at the foot of the proud Alhambra, whose Moorish towers crown the last offshoot of the rocky wall which divides the valleys * Translated from the Botanische Zeitung, Nov. 29 and Dee. 6, 1844. 114 Botanical Notices from Spain. of the Jenil and Darro, and forms an offshoot of the Sierra Nevada. The south side of this rock, which consists of disintegrated lime- stone, as well as the other hills, is covered with thick bushes of Opuntia vulgaris, which are now in flower, and whose fruit yield a favourite food to the lower classes. Interspersed are everywhere seen the Agave americana, which is here quite wild and very generally now in bloom. For instance, I have seen in the environs of the Capella San Miguel, on the southern slope of the valley of the Darro, more than twenty specimens together in a small space, whose flowering stems reached a height of 12 to 20 feet. Both plants ascend in the warm valleys of the Sierra Nevada, for instance in that of the Jenil, to a height of 3000 feet. Copses of elms, impenetrable hedges of Rubus fruticosus *, Bupleurum fruticosum, L., Coriaria myrtifolia, L., interspersed with Lonicera etrusca, Santi, Clematis cirrhosa, DeC., Cl. Flammula, L., and other climbers, clothe the northern slopes of the valleys ; whilst the arid, sunny hills, destitute of all shrubby ve- getation, are covered with a number of Labiate (several Thymi and Teucria, especially T. Polium, L., Ballota hirsuta, Bth., Origanum virens, Lk. and Hoffmsegg.), accompanied by several species of Ononis, Rubiacee and Composite, as an Andryala, Delphinium pere- grinum, L., Ruta montana, Clus., R. angustifolia, L., Antirrhinum molle, L., &. On shady walls—frequent for instance on the walls of the Alhambra as well as on the aqueducts—grows the Tra- * This Rubus, the only species which I have hitherto met with in Spain, but which seems to be everywhere frequent, belongs to the Rubus digitati- foliis, in the Div. I1.** R. candicantes of Reichenbach’s ‘ Flora,’ and is very different to the R. fruticosus, L., which belongs to the Div. I., as well as to the species in Diy. II. Boissier enumerates it in his Voyage, under No, 601, as &. fruticosus, L., without adding any remark. I regard it as new, and propose to call it R. hispanicus. R. hispanicus, turionum fo!. omnibus quinato-digitatis, foliolis oblongo- lanceolatis, caulis floriferi fol. ternatis, foliolis oblongis aut ellipticis, late- ralibus seepe bilobis, corymbo composito erecto muitifloro, floribus amplis roseis, calyce fructifero reflexo, mora mediocri atra nitida ex acinis parvis numerosis composita, dulcissima. Frutex 12-pedalis et ultra, turionibus longissimis decurvatis 5-angularibus subtomentosis infra purpurascentibus superne lzte-virescentibus, fol. omnibus supra obscure virentibus subtus albo-tomentosis, aculeis conformibus recurvis numerosis, calyce peduncu- lisque divergentibus cano-tomentosis, laciniis calycis ovatis ,petalis calyce duplo longioribus obovatis roseis. Differt a R. fruticoso, L., foliolis tomen- tosis oblongis nec glabris cordato-ovatis, corymbo composito nec simplici, turionibus tomentosis decurvatis nec glabris erectis, petalis roseis nec albis ; a R, discolore, Whe., cui maxime affinis, foliolis turionum oblongo-lanceo- latis nec suborbicularibus, aculeis recurvatis nec rectiusculis, mora aterrima nec atro-cerulea.—I have frequently observed this beautiful species (No, 157 of my Spanish Plants), which forms impenetrable and entangled hedges, and bears flowers and fruit in uncommon abundance (the bunches of fruit attain the length of one foot), around Valencia, in the Sierra de Chiva, in Murcia, in the Mancha near Aranjuez, Madrid and Escurial, and in Andalusia, where they grow in the valleys of the Sierra Nevada up to a height of 4500 feet, and are common, especially in the environs of the village of Guejar. In Anda- lusia this Aubus bears the name of ‘ Sarza mora.’ Botanical Notices from Spain. 115 chelium ceruleum, L., which is also found in the low warm valleys of the Sierra Nevada: from the rocks hang down the thorny branches of Capparis spinosa, L., mingled with Sedum amplezicaule, Boiss. ; and in the moist grassy valleys, in the shade of willows and elms, is frequently found Dorycnium rectum, Ser., Mentha rotundifolia, L., Lythrum Salicaria, i Epilobium hirsutum, L., Retama spherocarpa, Boiss., and Chamepeuce hispanica, DeC., which occurs in the Sierra Nevada up to a height of 4500 feet. As soon as I had made all arrangements requisite to prolong my stay in the Sierra Nevada, whose lofty mountains attracted me irre- sistibly, I quitted Granada; and accompanied by a merry Andalusian, who acted at once as servant, guide and assistant, as well as a ca- pital beast of burden, I set out for the Cortijo de S$. Geronimo, which consists of a few scattered dwellings lying about 4500 feet above the sea, the highest inhabited spot on the northern side of the mountain, whose inhabitants still retain a clear recollection of Boissier. The Sierra Nevada is, with the exception of the mountain-ridges which enclose the valleys, almost wholly bare, and is even deficient for the greater part in the ‘Monte bajo,’ which everywhere covers the Spanish . mountains, All the lower portion of the northern slope consists of limestone, in part interrupted by a beautiful marble, which for in- stance at S. Geronimo and Guejar forms immense rocks, In some places are found traces of coal (for example at the north foot of the Cerro Trevenque) and mines of mica (as on the southern slope of the Dornajo); and on the Cerro Calal, at the village of Guejar, are still found some lead-mines, which are now abandoned, I have however not succeeded in finding any trace of fossils in the whole of this limestone range. ‘These limestone mountains rise to a height of 7000 to 7500 feet, and the highest and most interesting summits are those of the mountains Dornajo, Cerro Tesoro and Cerro Treven- que, in the neighbourhood of 8. Geronimo. At S. Geronimo the gneiss formation commences, which in the snow-region passes into the micaceous slate and constitutes the highest chain of the Sierra, whose highest peak is the Cerro Mulehacen (said to be 11,600 feet), Picacho de Veleta (11,200 feet), Cerro Alcasava and Cerro Caballo. The region which is scarcely to be termed that of eternal snow, since every summer it melts, with the exception of some scattered snow-fields (hitherto I have nowhere observed the glaciers of which Boissier speaks), begins at about the height of 8500 to 9000 feet, and is clearly distinguished by its geognostical nature as well as by its highly peculiar vegetation from the lower regions. ‘Traces of iron are here found frequently. The alpine region commences at a height of about 6000 feet, and the mountain region at 3500 feet. The environs of the Cortijo de S. Geronimo, on the southern slope of the magnificent alpine valley through which the rapid Monachil takes its course, form those districts of the entire northern declivity which abound most in water, and consequently in plants. The northern ridge, enclosing the valley known by the name of the De- hesa de S. Geronimo, whose highest slaty ridge rises to 8000 feet, is especially remarkable for its arboraceous luxuriance, being almost 116 Botanical Notices from Spain. wholly covered with copses of various species of oak (especially Qu. Ilex, L. and Qu. Toza, Bosc.), Berberis vulgaris, var. australis, Cras tegus granatensis, Boiss., Cotoneaster granatensis, Boiss., &c. Rye and barley are cultivated high up in the alpine region, whilst in the valley and on the southern slope much wheat, maize, Phaseolus com- munis and Cicer arietinum, are grown. In the very first excursion which I made into a side valley of the Dehesa, I found the two celebrated trees discovered by Boissier, Lonicera arborea and Adenocarpus decorticans, both in fruit. LL. ar- borea has a very shrubby growth; but I have observed single trees, from twenty to thirty feet high, which were then mostly crowned by arounded top of thick foliage. This rare tree, which according to Webb is also found in Asia Minor, has a fissured grayish-brown and almost leathery bark, and leaves of a dark green on the upper side and somewhat shining, and underneath of a sea-green colour. I have not observed any flowers; the berries are oval, and when ripe black. This Lonicera is somewhat frequent, both in the valleys of the De- hesa and in the ravines of the south side of the valley, and ascends to 7000 feet,—nearly to the limit of the region of trees. The Adeno- carpus decorticans is much more frequent, especially in single spots, but it does not grow at a height exceeding 5500 feet. ‘The lowest point at which I have: seen it is in the valley of the Jenil, below Guejar, at a height of about 2500 feet. In that valley, where I first found it, I met with only small trees, all growing on the north side, on an arid limestone soil; but it is much more frequent in the copse of Pinus sylvestris, which bears the name ‘ La Cartejuela,’ and covers the saddle between the Cerro Tesoro and Trevenque, as well as on the northern slope of the valley, through which the river Maydena flows, where it forms the arboraceous vegetation together with the Quercus Toza. This tree, which from its narrow and small leaves appears at a distance to be a Conifer, and has quite the habitus of shrubs of the Juniperus communis, attains a height of twelve to twenty feet, and a thickness of half a foot. The yellowish-white wood is very tough, and its yellowish-brown bark separates even from the youngest branches, and hangs down from the whole stem in long riband-like bands, whilst the ground all] around is covered with pieces of bark shed from the tree. Beside these two trees, which are pecu- liar to the Sierra, the following also are found :—Sorbus Aria, L., which ascends from the rocks at the Monachil to the limit of the region of trees, accompanied by the Cotoneaster granatensis, Boissier, which still decorates the highest northern limestone rocks of the Dornajo and Trevenque, and is especially frequent in the wide valley between the Cerro Tesoro and ‘Trevenque; Acer opulifolium, Vill. (A. granatense, Boissier, El. 39.), on the rocks near the Monachil, frequently in fruit ; Pinus sylvestris, L., which forms the above-men- tioned Cartejuela; Salix Caprea, L., only a few specimens in the upper part of the valley; S. alba, around the Cortijo, more frequent in the valley of the Jenil; S. purpurea, ditto; and Taxus baccata, L., on the upper Monachil, rare. The southern declivity lying opposite to the Dehesa, as far as the limestone formation and the mountain Botanical Notices from Spain. 117 region extends, is almost entirely covered with thorny shrubs, of the Berberis vulgaris, L., var. australis, Crategus. granatensis, Boiss., Prunus Ramburei, Boiss., Rhamnus infectorius, L., and Cerasus pro- strata, DeC., which forms small and very entangled and stiff shrubs, from half a foot to three foot high, and is found as far as the highest summit of the Dornajo, where, creeping up the loose rocks, it covers them like a kind of moss. In very isolated spots, under the thorny shrub, grows the beautiful Lonicera splendida, Boiss., which is di- stinguished from L, Caprifolium, L., and L. implexa, Ait. (to which it is nearest allied), partly by the many-flowered racemes, and partly by the white dust on the under side of the evergreen leaves and of the young branches. The berries are oval, large and orange-coloured. L. etrusca, Santi, is found in the neighbourhood of brooks, in shady bushes, generally in company with the Clematis Flammula, L. On the banks of the Monachil I found frequent the Rumew pulcher, L., Delphinium pentagynum, Desf., Thalictrum glaucum, Desf., Nepeta granatensis, Boiss., Junci, Euphorbia, and two Resede; in the upper part of the valley, Heracleum granatense, Boiss., with Cochlearia glastifolia, L., and Aspidium nevadense, Boiss. ‘The shady clefts of the rocks are decorated with patches of the delicate and fragile Linaria villosa, DeC., and L. verticillata, Boiss., along with Hiera- cium amplexicaule, L.; whilst on the sunny limestone and marble rocks of the southern declivity are found the pretty Campanula Leeff- lingit, Brot., in company with Putoria calabrica, 'T., several Teucria and others. Among those portions of the limestone alps which are the most celebrated as producing the rarest plants, the Dornajo and Cerro Trevenque occupy undoubtedly the first place. The latter, above 7000 feet high, presents a huge pyramid of rock, and is seldom as- cended by the inhabitants of the mountain on account of its extra- ordinary steepness. I ascended it on the 7th of August, accompa- nied by my servant. We first followed the steep bed of a rivulet filled with blocks of marble, which contributes the waters of its little stream to the Monachil, and soon saw ourselves surrounded with some isolated pines, which announced the Cartejuela. In this copse- wood, which is scarcely to be called thick, as well as in the ascent, I found frequent the tender Reutera gracilis, Boiss., of the habitus of an Asperula, as well as the Paonia coriacea, Boiss., which is not rare on the Dehesa, S. Geronimo, and even around the Cortijo. When we had reached the plateau, about 6000 feet, I first ascended the Cerro Tesoro, lying on the right, and of a not much greater ele- vation, whose entire northern declivity is covered with Anthyllis erinacea (common throughout the whole limestone alps) and a thorny Astragalus. Besides the Passerina Tartouraira, L., which is here very small-leaved, Anthyllis tejedensis, Boiss., and Ononis cephalotus, Boiss., the vegetation consists of the same plants as I had already found on the Dornajo. ‘The Odontites longiflora, Webb, is found, as well as on the Dornajo, from the base to the summit ; in the clefts of the rocks grow on both mountains Potentilla caulescens, L., forming hard thick beds, in company with Arenaria Armeriasirum, Boiss., 118 Botanical Notices from Spain. Cerastium repens, L., Ptilotrichum longicaule, Boiss., &c. From Cerro Tesoro I descended to the Cartejuela, where there are several springs,—a rare occurrence in these frightfully arid limestone alps. With the exception of a few very scattered specimens of Vicia lutea, L., and-Hypericum hyssopifolium, L., there was scarcely anything of importance to be found; in May the vegetation may be more inter- esting. In that part which lies at the foot of the Trevenque, whose immense cone rises here proudly, the Adenocarpus decorticans is, as I have said, very common ; besides this, the Juniperus Sabina, L., and Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi grow in great abundance, as well as Bupleu- rum spinosum, L. fil., which is found very abundant on many spots of the limestone portion of the Sierra, and grows as low down as 3000 feet and more. At length we gained the base of the cone of the Cerro Trevenque, the ascent of which I undertook from the east side. This, as well as the western declivity, is almost wholly filled with steep rocks and boulders of limestone, and it was often necessary to dig out steps in the soft limestone sand to get a firm footing. Notwithstanding these circumstances, so unfayourable to vegetation, the rarest plants are found on this very side, as for instance, Scabiosa pulsatilloides ; Boiss., Helianthemum pannosum, Boiss., Santolina elegans, Boiss. (the only locality for this plant hitherto known is the ‘Trevenque, and even here it is rare), Convolvulus nitidus, Boiss., Anthyllis tejedensis, Boiss., Ononis cephalotes, Boiss. On the highest summit, from whence there is an indescribably beautiful view over the whole limestone alps, as well as the charming Vega of Granada as far as the Sierra Morena, no plants worthy of mention grow, except the Cotoneaster grana- tensis, Boiss., and some trees of Pinus sylvestris. 'The whole north- ern declivity is covered with Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi. Excepting these spots, which are distinguished by rare plants, the vegetation of the limestone range is throughout very uniform. As far as the warm region extends, the hills and mountains are covered with the same plants which I have-already mentioned in the environs of Granada. ‘The Berberis vulgaris, var. australis, charac- terizes the mountain region, and extends into the alpine region, and is everywhere common, especially on arid sunny spots. Besides this, the Salvia officinalis, L., together with another species of this genus clothed with a thick white wool, Santolina rosmarinifolia, Mill., Helichryson serotinum, Boiss., Daphne Gnidium, L., Lavandula lanata, Boiss., an Andryala and a Thymus are the principal constituents of this mountain flora. The Inula montana?, the beautiful Hehium albicans, Lag., and others, are limited to some localities. Of Cryptogamia, beside some few mosses and liverworts, some Alge and Aspidium nevadense, Boiss., there are only lichens, apparently in great quantity, especially of the genera Parmelia, Lecidea and Ver- rucaria. No. V. Gursar DE LA Srerra, September 5. Since the middle of August I have been staying in this village, which is situated in the valley of the Jenil, about 3000 feet above Botanical Notices from Spain. 119 the level of the sea,—the highest on the north side of the Sierra Nevada. In spite of its lofty position, one might fancy oneself in the neighbourhood of Granada, this village being surrounded by the most luxuriant vegetation of the warm region. Fig- and almond- trees raise their heads in the dells, even in the mountain region, and are almost to be considered wild here, while the slope of the valley lying to the north of the village is partly clothed with luxu- riant chestnut trees, succeeded by an extensive wood of Quercus Ilex. The whole valley of the Jenil, the chief river of the north, is con- siderably wider and deeper than that of the Monachil and Dilar, and therefore much warmer. The banks of the river are bordered, from Granada to a league above Guejar, with thick woods of Salix alba, L., Populus nigra and alba, Ulmus campestris, L., and Celtis australis, L., which latter tree occurs in countless numbers in the immediate en- virons of the village. ‘The underwood consists of the already-men- tioned Rubus, Coriaria myrtifolia, Daphne Gnidium and Retama sphe- rocarpa, while the numerous impenetrable hedges are composed ex- clusively of Rubus hispanicus and Kleagnus angustifolia, with a spe- cies of Clematis, Tamus communis, L., and Asparagus albus, L., running over them. Feniculum vulgare, Geertn., with other Umbellifere, are plentiful along the river. In some places Hypericum beticum, Boiss., Chiora perfoliata, L., &c. Mentha rotundifolia, L., is most abundant in moist shady spots, in company with Luphorbia, species of Atriplex and Chenopodium, Plumbago europea, L., Origanum virens, Lk. et Hoffmsegg., Heliotropium europeum, L.,and Althea cannabina, L. On the rugged cliffs of marble I found a Dianthus common, with Bupleurum gibraltaricum, Lam., and in the shady dells to the northward Hypericum Caprifolium, Boiss., Pyrethrum Parthenium, L., Lithospermum officinale, L., Epilobium hirsutum, L. On dry sandy places, in sunny fields and on the road-sides grew Senecio linifolius, L., ascending as far as the alpine region, Picnomon Acarna, Cass., with other thistles, and in a single place, Cynara alba, Boiss. For the rest, the vegetation is exactly the same as in the other parts of the — limestone alps. Very different from the above-described vegetation of the limestone districts of the Sierra Nevada is that of the primary rocks, which begins at a height of about 4000 to 5000 feet. The flora of the lower mountain region agrees tolerably with that of the moun- tain limestone, but in the upper region and the alpine portion many other plants make their appearance. Among trees and shrubs Quer. cus [lex and Quercus Toza especially prevail, mingled with Lonicera arborea and Crategus granaiensis, which rise to the highest alpine valleys and are the most beautiful trees here. Adenocarpus decorti- cans also occurs frequently; more rarely, Cerasus Avium, Pyrus Aria and Tarus baccata. ‘The whole upper mountain and lower alpine region is clothed with Genista aspalathoides, DeC., and Astra- galus aristatus, L’Hérit., with a woody stem often as thick as a man’s arm; both ascend to the snow-region, where I have even found the latter in flower. ‘The mountain region is also particularly charac. terized by Artemisia campestris, L., var. glutinosa, Ten., which 120 Botanical Notices from Spain. spreads over all the mountains, in many places alternating with A. camphorata, L., while A. Absinthium is abundant chiefly in the alpine region. In the bogs and springy places of the mountain region, especially in the upper part of the valley of the Jenil, Helosciadium nodiflorum, Koch, occurs frequently, and Anagallis tenella, L., in company with a Lythrum and Senecio, Juncus glaucus, L., which also fills all the bogs of the limestone formation, and is the commonest species in the Sierra; a few Carices are also met with; while on very dry, sunny places, with soil of a stony hardness, particularly in the neighbourhood of the chalets, Merendera Colchicum, Ram.., are still in flower in countless numbers. The upper alpine and lower snow-region is the richest in rare plants, peculiar to and most plentiful in these mountains. These consist almost solely of micaceous slate, the stra- tification of which has an inclination of about 20° from south to north. Accordingly the north slope of the chief alpine chain is encompassed by much steeper and sometimes formidable perpendicular cliffs and pre- cipices than the south side, which is almost everywhere covered with loose masses of slate rock. On this side, in the passes between the highest peaks of the mountain-chain, pools or small mountain-lakes are frequently met with, occasionally of unfathomable depth, as for instance the famous Laguna de Vacares: these lakes are more rare on the north side. The main valleys, which extend to the snow-region, terminate in peculiar scattered meadows, watered by many springs and brooks, and sometimes perpetually inundated, and in grassy, often very steep declivities. These peculiar meadows bear the name of Borreguiles, and are particularly distinguished by their vegetation from the rest of the snow-region. Excepting these green meadows the snow-region presents from a distance a forbidding and seemingly quite sterile appearance, for nothing is seen but gray boulders of slate ; but between the several masses of this rock grow a number of small alpine plants, often scarcely an inch high, mostly in thick patches. The beautiful Ptilotrichum spinosum, Boiss., which ascends from the valleys of the lower alpine region up to the highest summits of the snow-region, is generally diffused and very frequent. Besides this, the following plants occur on almost every part of the summit : —1. In the upper alpine region : Senecio Tournefortii, Lap., 6. gra- natensis, Boiss., very frequent on moist loose masses of rock ascend- ing into the snow-region; Thymus angustifolius, Pers. ; Dianthus brachyanthus, Boiss. (here and in the snow-region scarcely an inch high, whilst in the limestone alps it reaches a height of from half a foot to one foot); Plantago serpentina, Vill. ; Jurinea humilis, DeC. ; Eryngium Bourgati, Gou., also in the snow-region ; Armeria allioides, Boiss., especially on steep rocky declivities ; Hieracium- Pilosella, L., var. incanum, Boiss.; Arenaria tetraquetra, L., var. granatensis, Boiss., in the thickest beds up to the highest summit of the snow- region, mingled here and there with a small form of A. Armeriastrum, Boiss.—2. In the lower snow-region, at about 8500 to 9500 feet : Arenaria tetraquetra, L., var. A. pungens, Clem.; Ptilotrichum pur- pureum, Boiss.; Ranunculus demissus, DeC., var. hispanicus, Boiss. ; Plantago nivalis, Boiss., on moist and grassy loose masses of rock, on Botanical Notices from Spain. 121 both sides of the Sierra, exceedingly frequent ; Anthyllis Webbiana, Hook.; Pyrethrum radicans, Lag.; Lepidium stylatum, Lag.; Eryn- gium glaciale, Boiss., very frequent up to the highest summits ; Silene Boryi, Boiss. ; Cerastium ramosissimum, Boiss.; Carduus carlinoides, DeC. ; Herniaria alpina, L.; Jasione amethystina, Lag.; Armeria au- stralis, Boiss., a most striking shrubby form, with stiff, almost spines- cent branches; Agrostis nevadensis, Boiss.—In the upper snow-region, 9500 to 11,000 feet and above: Viola nevadensis, Boiss. ; Savxifraga miata, Lag.; Linaria origanifolia, DeC., y. glareosa, Boiss.; L. su- pina, DeC., var. nevadensis, Boiss., rare; Artemisia granatensis, Boiss., known and celebrated as a popular medicine under the name of Manzanilla; Umbilicus sedoides, DeC.; besides Eryngium glaciale, Ptilotrichum purpureum, Pyrethrum radicans, Jasione amethystina, Sideritis scordioides, var., and Agrostis nevadensis. Upon the above-mentioned Borreguiles are found in particular the following plants: Savifraga stellaris, L., also frequent near the rivu- lets of the upper alpine region ; Stellaria cerastioides, L. ; Campanula Herminii, Lk. and Hoffmsegg.; Pedicularis verticillata, L.; Huphra- sia minima, Schleich.; Reseda complicata, Bory, descending into the alpine valleys ; Ranunculus angustifolius, var. uniflorus, DeC.; R. ace- tosellefolius, Boiss.; Veronica alpina, L.; Gentiana verna, L., also frequent on the banks of the alpine lakes; G. Pneumonanthe, var. depressa, Boiss., especially on the Borreguil de S. Juan; Pinguicula leptoceras, Rehb.; Lotus corniculatus, var. glacialis, Boiss. (very dif- ferent from the typical form!) ; Sempervivum tectorum, L.?; Meum athamanticum, L.; Epilobium origanifolium, Lam. The following plants appear to be more limited to certain locali- ties of the snow-region, but are there frequent : Savzifraga oppositi- folia, L., which I met with most beautiful on the frightful precipice on the northern declivity of the Mulehacen, called the Val de Casil- las; Butinia bunioides, Boiss.,in rocky clefts near the Laguna de Dilar ; Senecio quinqueradiatus, Boiss., on the way to the perpendicular groups of rocks called the Pollo de Vacares, and in the Val de Casillas ; Nepeta Nepetella, L., ditto; Vicia pyrenaica, Pourr., very sparingly in the Val de Casillas and in the upper part of the Barranco de Guel- non, &c. In the highest part of the great valleys stretching into the snow- region the following are very frequent: Parnassia palustris, L., in many places very small; Huphorbia Esula, L.; Cirsium acaule, var. gregarium, Boiss. ; Carum verticillatum, Koch ; Aconitum Lycoctonum, L., and A. Napellus, L. Among the rarest plants of the snow- region are the Potentilla nevadensis, Boiss., which I have hitherto found only in small quantities on the Borreguil of S. Juan, and Linaria glacialis, Boiss., a small grayish-green and very large-flowered species, of which I have only met with three specimens in the highest snow-region. From the valleys of the upper mountain region,—for example, from the banks of the Monachil at S. Geronimo up to the snow-region,—the Digitalis purpurea, L., is found frequent, which at a height of from 8000 to 9000 feet takes a somewhat different habi- tus, but seems to me not sufficiently to differ from the typical form Ann, & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. 122 Botanical Notices from Spain. to be regarded as a distinct species, especially as we find various forms of transition at different heights. Among the inost interesting points of the snow-region and the whole primitive rocks is the Corral de Veleta, a deep and frightful basin situated on the northern declivity of the Picacho de Veleta, whose rocky sides are perpetually filled with snow, and on which: are the sources of the principal branch of the Jenil, which flows down hence through the deep Barranco de Guelnon, and afterwards unites with the two other small rivulets proceeding from the Barranco del Real and the Barranco de Vicares. A marrow steep path, partly over loose masses of rock, partly over snow and ice, leads from the lofty precipice, above 10,000 feet in height, down into the rocky basin, whose highest patches of meadow are about 9000 feet high. Around the margin of the Corral de Veleta I found especially beau- tiful the Artemisia granatensis, Sempervivum tectorum, Ptilotrichum purpureum, and Gentiana verna: on the descent, the Brassica Chei- ranthus, Vill., var. montana, DeC.; Ranunculus acetosellefolius, Le- pidium stylatum: on dripping mossy perpendicular sides of rock, be- tween masses of ice, the Montia fontana, L.; Stellaria cerastioides ; Veronica alpina: but on the level meadows, the Gentiana verna, with G. alpina, L., Plantago nivalis, Pinguicula leptoceras, Lotus cornicu- latus, vax. glacialis, Luzula spicata, Phleum pratense, &c. The cryptogamous flora of the primitive rocks is, as respects the ferns and mosses, far richer than that of the limestone alps, but as regards the lichens, poorer. Of ferns I found Ceterach officinarum, W.., very sparingly ;‘most frequent, especially on the shores of the Laguna de Dilar, a species similar to the Aspidium falcatum, in com- pany with Cystopteris fragilis and Cheilanthes odora; besides these are found Asplenium Trichomanes, A. Filix femina, Aspidium Filix mas and A. nevadense. Of the Lycopodiacee I have hitherto found no trace in the entire Sierra; on the other hand, the Hguisetum sylvati+ cum is frequent on the banks of the Jenil in the upper warm region. The alpine rivulets of the Borreguiles are filled in parts with several liverworts, especially a species belonging to Nees von Esenbeck’s genus Chiloscyphus ; but I have hitherto not seen any in fructification, which is the case also with a large number of mosses. Algze are rare, and of the Fungi I have hitherto observed only a few Coniomy- cetes on the leaves of the Quercus Ilex and the stems of Keseda com- plicata, Bory. Of lichens there are searcely any, except stone lichens, amongst others especially a reddish-yellow, but little-fructifying Parmelia, up to the highest rocks of the Picacho de Veleta, Mule- hacen and Cerro Aleasana. I have now, as far as time permitted, gone through the portion of the northern side of the Sierra Nevada which lies between the rivers Agua blanca, Maydena, Jenil, Monachil and Dilar; and I purpose now to explore the south side of the range, in the district known by the name of the Alpujarras. British Association. 123 PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.—-MEETING ; HELD AT CAMBRIDGE. Section of Zoology and Botany. June 19, 1845.—The Rev. Professor Henslow in the Chair. The following are abstracts of the principal communications laid before the Section, The first paper read was a Report by Dr, Richardson ‘‘ On the Ichthyology of China.” Till within a recent period little was known of Chinese fishes. Linnzeus was acquainted with about a score of Japanese fish ; and a few were afterwards added to the list by Langsdorff, who accompa- nied the Russian admiral, Knesenstiern, in his voyage to the Isles of Japan and the South Sea. With these exceptions, the fish of the eastern coasts of Asia, from the sea of Ochotsic down to Cochin China, were till very recently known to European naturalists only from Chinese and Japanese drawings, several collections of which are to be found in the Paris and British libraries. Yet the fish of the coasts of China are abundant, and the fisheries extensive and important. Materials for the description of these fishes were not wanting. Mr, John Reeves had beautiful coloured drawings, mostly of the size of life, made of no fewer than 340 species of fish which are brought to the markets in Canton. Copies of these drawings now exist in the British Museum. Some fishes have been recently sent from Chusan ; other Chinese fishes haye been described in the account of the voyage of the Sulphur. A collection of 100 fishes made at Canton exists in the museum of the Philosophical Society of Cambridge. From these and other recent sources the present report was drawn up. The author concluded from his researches, that the existence of chains of islands or of continuous coast having an east and west tendency pro- motes the range of a species or of a group of species. Thus, to take the intertropical zone of the ocean, we find very many fish common to the Red Sea, the coasts of Madagascar, the Mauritius, the Indian Ocean, the southern parts of China, the Philippines, the whole Ma- lay Archipelago, the north coasts of Australia, and the entire range of Polynesia, including the Sandwich Islands. In the generic forms of its freshwater fish, China agrees closely with the peninsula of India. If we could suppose the extensive belt above alluded to, enclosing more than two-thirds of the circumference of the globe, to be suddenly elevated, we should find the remains of fish scattered over it to be everywhere very nearly alike; the species having a local distribution being comparatively few and unimportant. These spoils of fish would of course, in accordance with the observation of Prof, E. Forbes, be associated. with very various assemblages of mollusks and other marine animals, according to the depth at which the de- posit took place. This was an important fact for the science of geology. K2 124. British Association. «On a new genus of Mollusca Nudibranchiata.” By Messrs. Alder and Hancock. This new genus is founded on the Tritonia arborescens of authors and its allies, which are distinguished from the true Tritonie (T. Hom- bergit, &c.) by the form of their tentacula, and the free, arborescent nature of their branchiz. These characters alone induced the authors to consider them generically distinct before they had an opportunity of examining their internal structure, in which such important dif- ferences in the digestive organs were exhibited as to show that this new genus, for which the name of Dendronotus is proposed, should be removed from the family Doride to that of Kolide, to be placed first in order, as the connecting link between these two families. “On the Cilia and Ciliary Currents of the Oyster.” By the Rev. J. B. Reade. The author stated that in a microscopic investigation of infusoria which had for some years occupied his attention, he had been led particularly to notice the beautiful contrivance by which many spe- cies, when not exerting their powers of locomotion, are supplied with food. When they are examined under the microscope by such an arrangement of transmitted light as makes the infusoria luminous points on a perfectly dark field, it is immediately seen that the action of the cilia attached to their tentacula produces a strong current in the water, and hereby a countless number of minute living organisms is brought within the influence of the cilia, and a sufficient supply is selected for food. Thus with respect to infusoria it is a known fact, that the absence of the prehensile organs possessed by larger crea- tures is compensated by this delicate but efficient ciliary apparatus. It is also a fact equally well known, that the lips of the oyster which surround the orifice of the alimentary canal are in the same manner fringed with cilia; and that these cilia of the oyster, as of infusoria, equally cause currents in the water. But it has never been suggested and proved by any naturalist, that the proper office of the cilia of oysters is to bring to these acephalous mollusks that food which they have no power to follow or to seize. Such however, without doubt, is the case ; and accordingly an examination of the contents of the stomachs of oysters discovers to us their infusorial food; and after undergoing the process of digestion in the stomach, the siliceous shields of these infusoria, deprived of their organic and carbonaceous integuments, are ejected as effete matter. In a paper communicated last year to the Microscopical Society of London, on animals of the chalk still found in a living state in the stomachs of oysters, these infusoria were described and enumerated. The apparent identity ex- isting between these recent living infusoria and the fossil makes the inquiry of considerable interest to the geologist; for the addition of this connecting link to the chain of organized beings extends a con- tinuous line of the same organic structure from the secondary for- mation to the tertiary, and seems to preclude the supposition of Prof. Phillips, that below the tertiary formation are no recent species. Whether or not this conclusion be admitted, it is a fact, ascertained by pursuing this inquiry, that the oysters and other bivalves, which are British Association. 125 innumerable in the Kimmeridge clay, lived, like recent oysters, upon infusoria ; and consequently the conclusion is unavoidable, that the Kimmeridge clay, like the chalk, contains a considerable per-centage of these minute and indestructible bodies which the microscope dis- covers in it, and is not the mere comminuted detritus of more an- cient and unorganized materials. With these facts established, we may still further conclude from analogy, that a similar ciliary appa- ratus and similar infusorial food were common to the still earlier bivalves in the seas of the transition formation; and we may then ask,—what right have we, in the absence of a careful microscopic examination of still earlier rocks, to deny the possibility of any por- tion of their mass being due to the agency of siliceous infusoria ? June 20.—The Rev. L. Jenyns read a paper ‘‘ On the Turf of the Cambridgeshire Fens.” This turf was not formed by sphagnum, as most peat, but from various species of aquatic plants which had been accumulated for a long period of years above the remains of forest trees which lie buried at the bottom of the moor. There are two distinct kinds of turf, the upper and the lower. 'The former is the more compact and heavy of the two; the latter consists entirely of the bark, wood and branches of the submerged trees. The turf is not now rapidly formed, on account of the improved system of drainage. Formerly it was supposed to grow about twenty inches in sixteen years. Sir R. Schomburgk read a description of the Murichi, or Ita Palm of Guiana. This tree grows from the Llanos of Cumana to the western tributaries of the Rio Negro and the mouth of the Amazon, or over an area of 550,000 square miles. It was called by Father Gumilla the arbol de la vida, or tree of life, on account of its various uses. It is of the greatest importance to the inhabitants of the country in which it grows. The trunk*and its leaves are used for various household purposes.. The sap is a saccharine fluid, much drunk by the natives. The flowers afford a sweet fermentable liquid, resembling champagne. ‘The pith of its trunk affords a kind of sago. Even in its decay this palm is of use, and affords a delicacy to the Indians, which likewise many colonists do not refuse, namely, the larva of a large beetle. The Curculio palmarum is found in large numbers in the pith when the trunk is near its decay, and which, when boiled or roasted, resembles in taste the marrow of a beef bone. Its average height is about fifty feet, and it has been observed grow- ing at a height of 3000 to 4000 feet above the level of the sea. . Prof. Allman laid before the Section a monstrosity occurring in Sazifraga Geum. 'The three external verticels of the flowers were normal, but between the stamens and pistil there was developed a series of adventitious carpels crowded upon the margin of a cup-like production which surrounds the lower half of the pistil. ‘These ad- ventitious carpels were characterized by their backs being turned towards the axis of the flower. ‘The carpels bear ovules on their margins, which acquired a very considerable degree of development, becoming completely anatropous, like those in the normal ovary. Dr. Allman explained this monstrosity by supposing the existence of 126 British Association. a series of secondary axes, which are given off in a whorl between the stamens and the primary axis of the flower. These axes termi- nate in imperfect flowers, of which the additional carpels are the only remains. . Prof. Henslow exhibited a specimen of Papaver orientale, in which the filaments of the stamens were converted into bodies bearing ovules. Prof. E. Forbes read a paper on the Endemic Distribution of Plants. The hypothesis of the descent of all the individuals of a species either from a first pair or from a single individual, and the conse quent theory of specific centres being assumed, the isolation of as- semblages of individuals from their centres, and the existence of endemic or very local plants, remain to be accounted for. Natural transport, the agency of the sea, rivers and winds, and carriage by animals, or through the agency of man, are insufficient means in the majority of cases. It is usual to say, that the presence of many plants is determined by soil or climate, as the case may be; but if such plants be found in areas disconnected from their centres by considerable intervals, some other cause than the. mere influence of soil or climate must be sought to account for their presence. This cause the author proposes to seek in an ancient connexion of the out- posts or isolated areas with the original centres, and the subsequent isolation of the former through geological changes and events, espe- cially those dependent on the elevation and depression of land. Se- lecting the flora of the British Islands for a first illustration of this view, Professor Forbes calls attention to the fact, well-known to bo« tanists, of certain species of flowering plants being found indigenous in portions of that area at a great distance from the nearest assem- blages of individuals of the same species in countries beyond it. Thus many plants peculiar in the British flora to the west of Ireland have the nearest portion of their specific centres in the north-west of Spain; others, confined with us to the south-west promontory of England, are, beyond our shores, found in the Channel Isles and the opposite coast of France; the vegetation of the south-east of En- gland is that of the opposite part of the continent; and the alpine vegetation of Wales and the Scotch Highlands is intimately related to that of the Norwegian Alps. The great mass of the British flora has its most intimate relations with that of Germany. The vegeta- tion of the British Islands may be said to be composed of five floras : 1st, a west Pyrenean, confined to the west of Ireland, and mostly to the mountains of that district; 2nd, a flora related to that of the south-west of France, extending from the Channel Isles, across Devon and Cornwall, to the south-east and part of the south-west of Ireland; 3rd, a flora common to the north of France and south- east of England, and especially developed in the chalk districts ; 4th, an Alpine flora, developed in the mountains of Wales, north of England and Scotland ; and 5th, a Germanic flora, extending over the greater part of Great Britain and Ireland, mingling with the other floras, and diminishing, though slightly, as we proceed west- wards, indicating its easterly origin and relation to the characteristic British Association. - FZ flora of northern Germany. Interspersed among the members of the last-named flora, are very few specific centres) peculiar to the British Isles. The author numbers:in ascending order these floras, accord~ img to their magnitude as to'species, and also; in his opinion, accord- ing to their relative age and period of introduction into the area of the British Islands. His conclusions on this point are the following : 1. The oldest of the floras now composing the vegetation of the British Isles is that of the mountains of the west of Ireland. Though an alpine flora, it is southernmost in character, and is quite distinct as a system from the floras of the Scottish and Welsh Alps. Its very southern character, its limitation, and its extreme isolation are evi-~ dences of its antiquity, pointing to a period when a great mountain barrier extended across the Atlantic from Ireland: to Spain. 2. The distribution of the second flora, next in point of probable date, depended on’ the extension of a barrier, the traces of which still remain, from the west of France to the south-east of Britain; and thence to Ireland. 3. The distribution of the third flora depended on the connexion of the coast of France and England towards the eastern part of the Channel. Of the former existence of this union no geologist doubts, 4. The distribution of the fourth, or alpine flora of Scotland and Wales, was effected during the’ glacial period, when’ the mountain summits of Britain were low islands, or members of chains of islands, extending to’ the area of Norway through a glacial sea, and clothed with an arctic vegetation, which, in the gradual upheaval of those islands and’ consequent change of climate, became limited to the summits of the new-formed and still existing mountains. 5. The distribution of the fifth, or Germanic flora, depended on the upheaval of the bed of the glacial sea, and the consequent con- nexion of Ireland with England, and of England with Germany, by great plains, the fragments of which still exist, and upon which lived the great elk and other quadrupeds now extinct. - The breaking up or submergence of the first barrier led to the de- struction’ of the second’; that of the second to that of the third ; but the well-marked epoch’ of migration of the Germanic flora indicates the subsequent formation of the Straits of Dover and of the Irish Sea, as now existing. i 2B To determine the probable geological epoch of the first or west- Irish flora,—a fragment perhaps with that of north-western Spain, of a vegetation of the true Atlantic,—we must seek among fossil plants for a furthermost starting-point. This we get in the flora of the London clay or eocene, which is tropical in character, and far ante- rior to the oldest of the existing floras. The geographical relations of the miocene sea, indicated by the fossils of the crag, give an after- date certainly to the second and third of the above floras, if not to the first. ‘The epoch of the red or middle crag was probably coeval with the second flora; that of the mammaliferous crag with the third. The date of the fourth is too evident to be questioned ; and: the author regards the glacial region in which it flourished: as ‘a local: climate, of which no true traces; as far as animal life is: concerned, exist 128 British Association. southwards of his second and third barriers. This was the newer pliocene epoch. ‘The period of the fifth flora was that of the post-. tertiary, when the present aspect of things was organized. Adopting such a view of the relations of these floras in time, the greatest difficulties in the way of changes of the earth’s surface and destruction of barriers—deep sea being found where land (probably high land) was—are removed when we find that those greater changes must have happened during the epoch immediately subse- quent to the miocene period ; for we have undoubted evidence that elsewhere, during that epoch, the miocene sea-bed was raised 6000 feet in the chain of ‘Taurus, and the barriers forming the westward boundary of the Asiatic eocene lakes so completely annihilated, that a sea several hundred fathoms deep now takes their probable place. The changes required for the events which the author would connect with the peculiar distribution of the British flora are not greater than these. Prof. Forbes maintains that the peculiar distribution of endemic animals, especially that of the terrestrial mollusca, bears him out in these views. He proposes to pursue the subject in detail, with reference both to animal and vegetable life, in connexion with the researches of the geological survey. June 21.— Report on the Microscopic Structure of Shells.” By W. B. Carpenter, M.D. This report formed the continuation of last year’s on the minute structure of the skeletons of Bivalves and Echinodermata. Dr. Car- penter stated that he had lately examined a recent Terebratula pre- served in spirits, and ascertained that the perforations in the shell, before described, were filled up in the living animal by membranous ceca, containing cells, forming, as he considered, a glandular appa- ratus, though its connexion he had not yet been able to trace. He then described the structure of those bivalve mollusks in which the mantle is more or less closed as being generally less characteristic than that of the families already described, their texture being ap- parently more homogeneous, and the membranous residuum left by the action of acid being less distinct. Frequently, however, traces of a cellular origin were to be seen in shells whose general texture was most homogeneous; sometimes it was seen in the shell, and not in the decalcified membrane, and frequently in the membrane when no traces of it were visible in sections of the shell. Hence Dr. Carpenter felt himself justified in regarding all shells as originating in the secreting action of the cells forming the superficial layer of the mantle; these cells remaining persistent and separate in some cases, whilst in others they coalesced. The peculiar tenacity of the cellular membrane in Pinna and its allies was attributed to the pre- sence of an intercellular horny matter, between the true cell-walls ; the same substance being elsewhere thrown out upon the surface of the layer as an epidermis or periostracum. Among the shells under consideration in the present report, those of the family Myade were particularly distinguished by their evident cellular structure; the genus Pandora, formerly referred to as one of the most aberrant and British Association. 129 exceptional in the structure of its shell, was now shown to be con- nected with the surrounding families by Mya, Thracia, Anatina, and other genera of Myade, whose characters were of an intermediate nature. In the class Echinodermata, Dr. Carpenter extended and confirmed the results he had before given respecting the minute structure of their skeletons, which preserve a remarkable conformity throughout the group, extending to the small calcareous plates met with in the Holothuride. Dr. Carpenter had also ascertained that the same minute structure existed in the Nummulite with the small existing foraminifera described by Ehrenberg ; but that the supposed Nummulites brought by Mr. Pratt from Bayonne presented several forms of structure entirely distinct from that of the true Nummulite. ‘Qn the Sounds produced by one of the Notonectide under Water.” By Mr. Ball. He stated, that the fact having been mentioned to him some two years since, he had not had an opportunity of testing the observation until within the last few days, when a specimen was brought to him in an ordinary jelly-glass; it was, he believed, the Corriza affinis. When suspended in the water, about four inches below the surface, it emitted three short chirrups, and then a long cricket-like sound. It appears the sounds are emitted in the evening and night, and are so loud that they may be heard in an adjoining room, and are con- tinued during the night. Mr. Ball stated that time did not permit him to make any accurate observation; but he thought the matter so curious, that he noticed it with the view of attracting the atten- tion of entomologists, in the hope of obtaining an explanation of the manner in which this noise is produced under water. “‘ On the Scientific Principles on which Classification in the higher Departments of Zoology should be based.”’ By Mr. Ogilby. The dental system was, no doubt, a valuable means of diagnosis, and this depended upon the fact that it had a relation to the stomach and other viscera intended for the digestion of food. Just in the same way, the extremities of the mammalia, more particularly the fore-arm, are the exponents of the habits, mental power and ceconomy of animals. The fore-arm is the seat of the function of locomotion, of manipulation and touch. According to the real position of an animal in the scale of organization will be the character of its fore- arm. ‘This position was illustrated by examples from the various families of mammalia. He thought, that in our usual systems of zoology a too exclusive regard had been given to the structure and form of the teeth. Mr. W. Thompson read a letter from Mr. Alder, dated Salcombe, June 17, 1845, in which the writer stated that he had lately obtained in Torbay at least ten, and perhaps twelve new species of Mollusca nudibranchiata, to add to the British fauna. They consist of four species of Doris, five or six of Holis, and an animal of an entirely new genus, approaching nearest to Tritonia. A singular species of mollusk obtained at the same time, resembling in general appearance the genus Pelta of Quatrefages, was noticed in detail. 130 British Association. June 23.—* On the Development of Vegetable Cells.” By Mr. A. Henfrey. The conclusions were as follows :—1. That there is no such thing as the interruption of continuity between the liber and alburnum, ealled the cambium layer. 2. That the potentiality of the black nules described by Schleiden is not proved, and that the utricle tst developed from the so-called cytoblast is not the permanent cell, but the primordial utricle of Moh}, the existence of which in growing tissues seems to be universal. 3. That this primordial utricle is not a layer of mucilage, as stated by Nageli, but a tue membrane. ‘The nucleolus, or central spot of Schleiden’s cytoblast, is the germinal point, and is situated on the wall of the primordial utricle. When a new cell is to be formed the nucleolus divides into two, and a corre- sponding construction of the primordial utricle takes place until it separates inito two, a layer of permanent cell-wall substance being meanwhile secreted in this fold from the circumference to the cen- tre, till a complete septum is formed: The lateral walls grow by extension, being moulded on the growing primordial utricle within them. In the nascent cell the primordial utricle is filled with gra- nular matter, which during the subsequent growth of the cell re- tains aggrégated round the nucleolus, and thus gives rise to the appearances whence Schleiden derived his theory of development from a cytoblast. : “On the Phytelephas Macrocarpa (Vegetable Ivory or Tagua Plant).” By E. Lankester, M.D. The author brought this plant under the notice of the Section, as he was enabled to present a drawing of a young plant, which was now growing in the garden of Messrs. Loddiges of Hackney. A fruit also of this plant existed in the British Museum, of which a drawing was exhibited. A remarkable point in the economy of this plant was, that the horny albumen of the seed appeared to undergo no change during the process of germination. In the plant at Loddiges’ which was now five yéars old, the seed still remained on the surface of thé soil, apparently as hard as ever. In germination the young embryo was carried down by a rhizoma an inch or more long into the earth, and commenced growing at that point. Several analyses of the albumen of the seeds had been made by Payen, Connell, and Batimhauer, and, at the author’s request, by Dr. Percy of Birmingham. Prof. Allman gave a description of the fruit of some of the Hepa- tice. In the capsules, he poirited out thé existence of spiral cells or vessels which he believed had a hygroscopic power, and that it was by their expansion that the capsule burst. “ On Ergot.” By Dr. R. Latham. Dr. Latham stated his conviction, that ergot was on the incréease in this country. Wher he first began to observe it eight years ago, he found it on only a few plants; he now found it in great quanti- ties. He had collected it altogether from eighteen different species of grasses. It had also mereased on the cultivated grain, and he believed that ergot was, at this moment, increasing absolutély and indefinitely. A friend of his attributed its increase to the use of Royal Society. 181 animal manure, and stated that he had always found the ergot most abundant in the grasses of churchyards. June 24.“ On the Germination of Plants.’”’ By Dr. Lankester. The author took the following view of the phenomena :—That the only essential process in germination is the growth of the young plant, or embryo. The process of development of the embryo, from primitive cytoblasts developing its tissues, is precisely the same as that of every other part of the plant, and from an identity of struc- ture an identity of function might be inferred. But the ordinary theory of germination gave a different function to the tissues of the embryo. ‘The atithor regarded the absorption of oxygen, the disen- gagement of carbonic acid gas and ammonia, as the consequence of the decomposition of the starch and proteine contained in the albu- men or perisperm of the seed; and that the growing cells of the embryo appropriated the carbonic acid, ammonia and water, just in the same way as all other cells in the vegetable kingdom. Mr. Westwood itiade some remarks on the Honey-Bee.— After shortly noticing the general ceconomy of the hive-bee as to the pro- duction of queens and the swarming of casts, he contended, from the analogy between the circumstances connected with the latter event atid those which accompany the swarming of ants, gnats, white ants, mayflies, &c.,— 1st, that the swarming of insects has for its principal object the union of the sexes; 2nd, that from analogy with other insects subject to swarming, it is to be inferred that that species does not differ in this respect from other swarming species; and, 8rd, that it is the newly-hatched, and not the old queen which leads off the swarm. | June 25.—** Notes on the Irish Species of Robertsonian Saxi- frages.” By Mr. Andrews. The author having studied the Itish Saxiftages, and compared them with those of the Pyrenees, had come to a different conclusion from Mr. Babington, and believed that there were only two true species if Ireland, the Savifraga umbrosa and the S. Geum, The other species desctibed by Mr. Babington in his ‘ Manual,’ he re- garded as varieties of one or other of these forms. ROYAL SOCIETY. Jiine 19, 1845.—* The Blood-Corpuscle considered in its different phases of development in the Animal Series.” By Thomas Wharton Jones, Esq., F:R.S., Lecturer on Anatomy, Physiology and Patho- logy, at the Charing Cross Hospital. This paper is divided into three parts: the first relating to the blood-corpuscles of the Vertebrata ; the second to those of the In- vertebrata; and the last to a comparison betweeti thetwo. He first describes the microscopic appearances of these corpuscles in differ- ent classes of vertebrate animals, beginning with the skate and the frog, and proéeeding to birds and mammifera; first in their early embryonic state, and next in the subsequent periods of their growth. He finds in oviparous vertebrata generally, four principal forms of 132 Royal Society. corpuscles. These he distinguishes as the phases, first of the gra- nule blood-cell, which he describes as a cell filled with granules, dis- closing by the solvent action of dilute acetic acid on these granules a vesicular, or as the author terms it, a “celleform” nucleus. These granule cells appear under two stages of development, namely, the coarsely granulous stage and the finely granulous stage. The se- cond phase is that of the nucleolated blood-cell, oval in shape, con- taining a vesicular (or “ celleeform”) nucleus, and red-coloured mat- ter. These cells likewise appear under two stages of development; colourless in the first and coloured in the second, in which last stage it constitutes the red corpuscle. In the early mammiferous embryo, he finds, in addition to the former, a third phase, that of free vesicu- lar nucleus, exhibiting, like the nucleolated cell, the colourless and the coloured stages. On examining the corpuscles of the lymph of vertebrate animals, the author finds them in all the classes to be identical in structure with their blood-corpuscles, and differing only in the inferior degree of coloration attending their last stage. In the oviparous classes, he observes that the nucleolated are more numerous than the granule cells, while in the mammifera the latter are predominant, which is the reverse of the proportion in which they exist in the blood of these animals. He finds that some of the nucleolated cells of the contents of the thoracic duct exhibit a marked degree of coloration, and have an oval shape; thus offering a resemblance with the blood of the early embryonic state. The blood-corpuscles of all the invertebrate animals in which the author examined them, present the same phases of granule and nu- cleolated cells as in the higher classes, excepting that in the last stage of the latter phase the coloration is very slight, but the vesi- cular nucleus is frequently distinctly coloured. As in the higher classes, corpuscles exist in different states of transition from the gra- nular to the nucleolated form of cell. In some of the invertebrata, corpuscles are found which appear to be the nuclei of some of the nucleolated cells become free ; and these the author considers to be abortions, rather than examples, of cells having attained their third phase of free cells. Corpuscles are also met with in these animals, in greater or less abundance, belonging to the lowest forms of or- - ganic elements, namely, elementary granules. The comparison which the author institutes between the blood- corpuscles of the vertebrate and invertebrate divisions of the animal kingdom, tends to show that they in all cases pass through similar phases of development, except with respect to the last, or coloured stage of the nucleolated cell, which they do not attain in the lower classes of animals. He finds that the blood-corpuscles of the crab, according to an analysis made by Professor Graham, contain a sen- sible quantity of iron, perhaps as much as red corpuscles. He con- siders the corpuscles of the blood of the invertebrata, inasfar as re- lates to the absence of nucleolated cells, as resembling those of the lymph of vertebrate animals. “ Observations on the Growth and Development of the Epider- Royal Society. | 138 mis.” By Erasmus Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., Lecturer on Anatomy and Physiology in the Middlesex Hospital. The author adduces evidence derived from his microscopic obser- vations, in confirmation of the commonly received doctrine respect- ing the origin of the cells of the epidermis and epithelium generally, from the materials furnished by the liquor sanguinis or plasma of the blood; which fluid, passing by endosmosis through the walls of the capillary vessels and peripheral boundary of the surface, deve- lopes granules by a vital process, analogous to coagulation. Ona careful examination of the inner surface of the epidermis with the aid of the microscope, he finds it to be composed of four kinds of elements, arranged in such a manner as to constitute an irregular plane, similar to a tesselated or mosaic pavement. These elements are,—1. Granules, which the author terms primitive, of a globular form, solid and apparently homogeneous, and measuring about 1-20,000th part of an inch in diameter. 2. Aggregated granules, having about double the diameter of the former and apparently com- posed of as many of these as can be aggregated together without leaving an unoccupied space in the centre of the mass. 3. Nucleated granules measuring in diameter from the 6000th to the 4000th part of an inch, each being composed of an aggregated granule as a nucleus, enveloped by a single layer of aggregated granules, giving to the whole mass an oval or circular, and at the same time flat- tened shape. Their constituent granules have acquired, during this aggregation, greater density, and are separated from each other by distinct interstitial spaces filled with a transparent homogeneous sub- stance. 4. Nucleolo-nucleolated cells pervading the deep stratum of the epidermis, and of which the longer diameter measures from the 3000th to the 2500th part of an inch. These cells, which constitute the principal portion, and may be regarded as the chief constituent of the epidermis, are formed from the nucleolated granules, on the ex- terior of which there is superposed a transparent layer, bounded by a well-defined outline, by the dark interstitial substance of the wall of the cell; the nucleolated granule being the nucleus, and the aggregated granule the nucleolus of these primitive cells of the epidermis. The author is of opinion that the nuclei, up to a certain point, grow with the cells, by the separation of the original granules from the deposi- tion between them of interstitial matter, and also by the cleavage of the latter and the consequent multiplication of the granules. This peripheral growth of the cells is totally different from the mode of growth described by Schwann, and explains the disappearance of the nucleus in the scales of the epidermis. The observations of the author lead him to believe that the same process of development and of growth is followed ‘in the epithelium as in the epidermis; and he offers evidence, showing that similar arrangements take place in the cells of melanosis, in the pigment cells of the choroid membrane of the eye, and in those of the skin of the negro. “On the Temperature of Man.” By John Davy, M.D., F.R.S. L. & E. Having in a former paper shown that, contrary to a commonly 184 Royal Society. received opinion, the temperature of the human body, as mea- sured by a thermometer placed under the tongue, is not a constant one, the author has resumed the inquiry, and gives, in the present paper, the results of numerous observations made with a particular instrument constructed for the purpose, admitting of minute _accu- racy (each degree of the scale being divided into ten parts), and when used with the precautions pointed out, affording satisfactory indications of the many problems which may be proposed relative to the temperature of man, &e., confining himself to a small number, and offering the information he brings forward only as a preliminary contribution iu aid of their solution. The paper is divided into seven sections. The first treats of variations of temperature during the twenty-four hours. The author finds from his observations, that the temperature is highest in the morning, on rising after sleep; that it continues high, but fluctuating, till the evening; and that it is lowest about midnight, ranging on an average from 98°7 to 97°9. The second, of variations during the different seasons. These, he finds, bear some relation to the temperature of the air, but less than might be expected; which he attributes to the majority of the ob- servations having been made within doors, under circumstances pe- culiarly favourable to uniformity. The third, of the influence of active exercise on the temperature. The effect of this, when not carried to the length of exhausting fa- tigue, he finds to be elevating; and that the augmentation is, within a certain limit, proportional to the degree of muscular exertion. The fourth, of passive, such as carriage exercise. The effect of this in a cool air, cqntrary to that of quick walking or riding, would appear to be lowering. The fifth, of abstinence from all exercise in a cold atmosphere. This he finds to be depressing in a still greater degree; sitting in a cold church has occasioned a reduction of temperature from 1° to 2°, the air of the church being from 42° to 32°. The sixth, of sustained attention or exertion of mind. This would appear to have the effect of raising the temperature, but ina much less degree than bodily exercise. The seventh, of taking food. It would appear that a light meal, such as breakfast, alters very little the temperature, whilst a heavy meal, such as dinner with wine, tends to lower it. The conclusion drawn by the author from his observations, con- sidered in their greatest generality, is, that the temperature of man is constantly fluctuating within a certain limit, regularly during the twenty-four hours; and irregularly according to the operation of certain disturbing circumstances. Should multiplied observations give similar results, he infers that they will admit of many applications, both as regards the regulation of clothing, the warming of apartments, and it may be the preven- tion and cure of diseases,—conducive alike to increase of comforts and health. Tables are appended containing a series of observations extend- Geological Society. 185 ing through eight months, in which not only the temperature of the body is noticed, but also the frequency of the pulse and of respira- tion, and the temperature of the air. GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Feb, 26, 1845,—A paper was read by Mr. Lyell, ‘‘ On the Miocene Tertiary Strata of Maryland and Virginia, and North and South Carolina.” These rocks of the middle tertiary period are chiefly exhibited between the hill.country and the Atlantic, and forma band of low and nearly level country, almost 150 miles wide, and not 100 feet high. ‘They are assumed to belong to this period, because they are _ seen resting on the eocene deposits, and exhibit about the same pro- portion of recent species. The United States miocene beds consist chiefly of incoherent sand and clay, and the sandy beds, otherwise barren, have often been fertilized by the use of shell marl. In.the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, there is however a remarkable bed of siliceous sand, derived from the cases of infusorial animalcules, The paper was accompanied by comparative tables and lists of the fossils. A paper, also by Mr. Lyell, “On the White Limestone and other Eocene Tertiary Formations of Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia,” The eocene beds extend chiefly to the south of the miocenes de- scribed in the foregoing paper, and are very widely spread in the Southern States on the shores of the Atlantic. The mineral character of the beds in the north is so like that of the cretaceous series, that were it not for the fossils, they might readily be mistaken; but to- wards the south a new mineral type is put on, and the rocks consist of highly calcareous white marl and white limestone. In point of fact, there seems to be as great a chasm between the cretaceous rocks and the tertiaries in America as.in Europe. A second part of Mr. Lyell’s paper gave an account of a series of rocks, called in America the Burr-stone, a siliceous rock, containing fossil sponges, and belonging, it would seem, to the upper division of the eocene period. March 12.—A communication was read by Prof, Sedgwick, ‘On the Comparative Classification of the Fossiliferous Slates of North Wales, with the corresponding deposits of Cumberland, Westmore- land and Lancashire,” The object of the author in this memoir was to give a general ae-+ count of the Silurian rocks of the lake district of the North of En- gland, comparing them with those of North Wales, so far as he had hitherto investigated the subject. In both there appears to be a se- ries extending through the various members of the Silurian rocks, In the lake district, the Lower Silurian rocks are imperfectly seen, and are not more than 300 or 400 feet thick, the Ash Gill beds being the highest ; but the Upper Silurians are admirably shown, and con- tain characteristic fossils. Of these latter, the Coniston limestone 136 Geological Society. and the Coniston flags form an important group as much as 1200 or 1400 feet thick, and correspond with the Denbigh flags of North Wales and the Wenlock shale and limestone of the Silurian system. The Ireleth slate and grits succeed and occupy a considerable space, and must be of very great thickness. These higher beds in Cumber- land abound with Terebratula Navicula, but above them are remark- able bands with Asterias, while the upper portion is full of fossils, the prevailing type of which is Upper Ludlow. April 2.—A paper was read by Mr. Austen, “On an Aérolite said to have fallen near Lymington, Hants.” A paper was also read by Capt. Bayfield, R.N., ‘‘On the Junction of the Transition and Primary Rocks of Canada and Labrador.” April 16.—A paper was read by Mr. Macintosh, “ On the Sup- posed Evidence of the former existence of Glaciers in North Wales.” Mr. Macintosh combated the opinion of Dr. Buckland as to the origin of scratches and grooves on various rocks, referring these ap- pearances, in many cases, to structural phenomena. April 30.—A paper was read by Mr. Murchison, ‘‘ On the Pale- ozoic Deposits of Scandinavia and the Baltic provinces of Russia, and their relations to Azoic or more ancient crystalline rocks, with an account of some great features of dislocation and metamorphism along their northern frontiers.” In this paper Mr. Murchison gave a general outline of the result of his recent examination of Northern Europe, and the conclusions to which he has arrived, chiefly with reference to the classification of a large tract of country before undescribed on a large and compre- hensive scale. May 14.—An extract was first read from a letter by Dr. A. Ges- ner, ‘‘ On the Gypsiferous Red Sandstone of Nova Scotia.” A paper was read by Mr. Austen, “On the Coal Beds of Lower Normandy.” The chief object of the author was to describe the actual geolo- gical position of these small basins, and suggest that they might rather be of the Permian than the true Carboniferous period. Dr. Mantell read a paper, entitled ‘* Notes of a Microscopical Ex- amination of the Chalk and Flint of the South-east of England, with remarks on the Animalcules of certain Tertiary and Modern Deposits.” This paper is given entire in our present Number, p. 73. A paper was read by Mr. Bowerbank, ‘‘ On some specimens of Pterodactyl recently found in the Lower Chalk of Kent.” May 28.—A communication was read, ‘“‘On the Geology of Lycia.” By Prof. E. Forbes and Lieut. Spratt, R.N. The authors stated, that the rock forming the greater part of Lycia consists of the scaglia, or Apennine limestone, a series not very di- stinctly defined, and that near the river Xanthus another rock of greenish sandstone, whose age was not determined, rested conform- ably on the scaglia. In other places true tertiary beds, both marine and freshwater, overlie the scaglia ; and of these the marine are the most ancient, and, from the fossils which occur in the different beds, they are found to be all of the same age. The authors then described Asiatic Society. 137 the districts in which the tertiary marine beds appear, some of them being from 2000 to 3000 feet, and others at a still greater elevation above the sea-level. The freshwater tertiaries of Lycia are much more extensive than the marine beds, and extend over the district at heights of 200 or 300 feet above the plain. They consist of marls, capped by flat tables of conglomerate limestone. The relative age of these tertiary beds is determined by the presence of both marine and freshwater strata in the two great valleys of the Xanthus, the former being identified with the Bordeaux miocenes, and the latter therefore being much newer than the eocene freshwater tertiaries of Smyrna. A considerable™mass of travertine is found in the great plains of Pamphylia, and it forms cliffs of considerable height, through which the rivers pour. Certain recent changes of level were also noticed, which had attracted the attention of Sir C. Fellows. In conclusion, the authors consider that the scaglia, the formation of most ancient date, was deposited as fine sediment in a deep sea, and was in progress during the whole of the secondary, including the cretaceous, epoch ; the evidence of this consisting in the remarkable © mixture of fossils observable in Mount Lebanon and elsewhere, and the great thickness, the extent, and the conformable superposition of the different beds. The sandy beds resting on the scaglia seem to have been more recent than the miocene marine strata, the pre- sence of which marks a great change in elevation. This change was more than paralleled by a converse one of depression, producing lakes in which the freshwater tertiary beds were deposited, and which have been since drained by changes in level still going on. A short notice was read, being the translation of a memoir by the - Baron Leopold von Buch, “‘ On a new family of Crinoidal Animals, called Cystidee.” The stony cases of these animals differ from Encrinites chiefly in the absence of arms and the presence of ovarial apertures in the plates. They are found abundantly in the lower beds of the Silurian series, chiefly in Scandinavia. A paper was read, “ On the Relation of the New Red Sandstone to the Carboniferous Strata in Lancashire and Cheshire.” By E. W. Binney, Esq. The author endeavoured to show that the Lancashire coal-field, al- though of great thickness, does not exhibit a passage upwards into the new red sandstone, but that it is a more perfect series than that in the west of Yorkshire and Derbyshire. He also supposes that the coal-measures are generally thrown down by the various faults, the dislocation being of some extent; that these measures continue un- altered beneath the upper beds ; and finally, that the lower portions of the new red sandstone are but imperfectly exhibited in the coal- field in question. ASIATIC SOCIETY. June 21.—Sir G. T. Staunton, Bart., M.P., in the chair. Mr. A. Bettington, of the Bombay Civil Service, read a paper “‘ On certain Fossils procured by himself on the Island of Perim, in the Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. L 138 Asiatic Society. Gulf of Cambay ; more particularly on a Gigantic Ruminant, having some affinities to the Sivatherium and the Giraffe.” After adverting to former notices of fossils obtained on this island, the writer de- scribed its situation in the midst of the gulf-stream of Cambay, which separates it from the main land, and deposits large quantities of alluvium brought down by the rivers emptying themselves into it. These rivers, in the present day, in the freshes, transport into the Gulf large trees, and the bodies of oxen, deer, bears, and other ani- mals; and in the great floods of past ages are considered to have brought down and deposited, as now discovered, the remains of rumi- nants and Pachydermata, some extinct and unheard-of, others having, in the present day, their living congeners in the Indian rivers. The bed from which the writer obtained the fossil specimens exhibited is below the usual water-mark, and inaccessible except at the ebb of spring-tides. A portion only of those obtained were brought to England, the remainder were left in India. The most remarkable of those in this country was a large skull, which is now, by competent judges, pronounced to be the first specimen of a new genus. The mass of conglomerate which contained it weighed about 170 lbs., and the separation of the skuli from near 100 lbs. of matrix occupied Mr. Bettington many weeks. The skull, on the whole, is well-preserved, though a portion has suffered from the action of water. ‘The lines of teeth on the two sides of the palate are unconformable ; and it has been conjectured that the head must at this part have suffered from violence, but there is no appearance of fracture. For the purposes of comparison, Mr. Bettington had made a close measurement of every part of the Perim fossil, of the Sivatherium, and of the skull of the adult giraffe in the British Museum ; from all which it appeared that the Perim fossil is the smaller. ‘The teeth are similar in number and character to those of the Sivatherium, and are somewhat smaller, as the comparative size of the heads would lead us toexpect A marked distinction between the two is found in the excess in width of the cranium at the vertex, being in the Sivatherium twenty-two inches, and in the Perim fossil little more than eleven inches, in which cha- racter the latter approaches nearer to the giraffe. But the greatest point of difference is in the form and position of the horns. In the Sivatherium the horns bear somewhat the same relation to each other as in the four-horned antelope; whereas, in the fossil under consi- deration, the anterior horns rise from a confluent base measuring twenty-five inches, the horns above the line of division measuring eighteen inches. ‘This formation the writer considers to be without precedent in the animal kingdom, fossil or recent. ‘The general character, cancellar structure, and extensive development of the pro- tuberance at the lower edge of the transverse ridge of the occiput, compel the conviction that it was a posterior horn, “reflected’’ as in the common Indian buffalo, and must have produced an appearance truly monstrous. The whole formation indicates great force and power. Among the other fossils, there were some identical with those of the Sevalik hills, and others peculiar, as yet, to Perim. Among the latter was a new Crocodilean. There were specimens of Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 139 three species of mastodon, gariols and rhinoceros, and the heads, horns and teeth of stags, antelopes, oxen, &c. ‘The writer concluded with the observation that there was still a rich field of research re- maining at this deposit, and that he had sent to India, not only for some of the specimens before referred to, but was also making ar- rangements for prosecuting further research. Dr. Mantell remarked, that the specimens afforded additional confirmation of the fact, first pointed out by Capt. Cautley and Dr. Falconer, that in the tertiary formations of India were collocated the remains of several species of reptiles and mammalia, with those of extinct species and genera belonging to the most ancient European deposits of the same geological group (the eocene) ; as, for example, the teeth and bones of the Cheiropotamus, and other pachyderms of the Paris basin, with those of the existing gariol of India. Dr. Mantell then offered some observations on the analogy which the specimens from Perim, as well as those from Ava and from the Se- valik hills, presented in their mineralogical condition, and the me- chanical action to which they had been subjected, with those more ancient fossil bones and teeth that abound in the Wealden deposits of the south-east of England, particularly with those obtained from the conglomerate and grits of Tilgate Forest. ‘The Indian and the British fossils are alike mineralized by iron, and have an investment of indurated ferruginous sand, interspersed with quartz, pebbles and rolled fragments of other rocks ; and the bones are, for the most part, mutilated and much water-worn, proving that previously to their mineralization they had been exposed to abrasion from streams and rivers, and were transported from a great distance by currents. ‘Dr. Mantell dwelt on the discrepancy between the faunas of the two epochs, although that of the Wealden was as decidedly of a tropical character as that of the tertiary strata of India; but in the latter large mammalia prevailed, while in the far more ancient secondary formation of England mammalia were absent, and the place of the gigantic ruminants and pachyderms was occupied by herbivorous reptiles of appalling magnitude. BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. May 8, 1845.—Dr. Seller, V.P., in the Chair. A collection of British specimens was announced from the London Botanical Society ; and fresh specimens of a Primula, regarded as the P. elatior of Jacquin, from Dr. Dewar, Dunfermline, were placed on the table. The following papers were read :— 1. ‘On some species of Cuscuta.” By Charles C. Babington, M.A., F.L.S. &c., Cambridge. (Ann. Nat. Hist. p. 1 of the present volume. 2. “On the genus Diodium, Breb.” By John Ralfs, M.R.C.S. &c,, Penzance. June 12.—Dr. Douglas Maclagan, President, in the chair. The following communications were read :— 1, ‘List of the rarer Lichens found in the neighbourhood of L2 140 Botanical Society of Edinburgh. Oswestry and Ludlow, with occasional observations.” By the Rev. T. Salwey. (See p. 90 of the present Number.) 2. Dr. Seller read part of a paper, entitled ‘‘ Observations on some Plants obtained from the shores of Davis’s Straits.” 8. ‘On Datura tatula, as a Specific for Relief of Asthma.” By Mrs. H. N. Ferguson of Biel. In this communication (which is an extract from a letter), the Datura tatula is described as most effica- cious in relieving asthmatical complaints, while the D. Stramonium, the species commonly used, was found quite inert. The following directions regarding the preparation of the plant may be deemed useful :—‘‘ The proper time for taking up the roots is towards the end of October, when the seed-pods are ripe; the plants should be drawn from the ground, and the roots cut off, with an inch or two of the stalk. They should then be freed from soil, and dried in the shade. When required for use, the root should be torn into small shreds, and put into a clean tobacco-pipe. The smoke causes no nausea, so that the most delicate lady may use it.” July 10.—Dr. Douglas Maclagan, President, in the chair. The Curator reported that several valuable additions had been made to the Society’s collections during the present season, both in the Foreign and British departments, and that the lbrary had re- ceived valuable additions through the liberality of members and correspondents. During the past year the Assistant-Curator has been chiefly engaged in adding to and arranging the Society’s her- barium, and he has to acknowledge the valuable assistance rendered by Mr. C. C. Babington of Cambridge, in reducing to order the ex- tensive collection of European plants. A very valuable and instruc- tive series of these has been selected for the Society, the remainder being set aside for distribution among the members. Much of the Assistant-Curator’s time has also been employed in the distribu- tion of the Society’s duplicates, éspecially to foreign members. This work is now nearly completed. A large collection of British plants which have been accumulating for several years is now being ar- ranged, and specimens for the Society selected, in order to fill up the different sections marked out in Mr. Brand’s plan for arranging that part of the herbarium. A detailed account of the donations to the herbarium and library will be published in the annual report. The following communications were read :— 1. Dr. Seller read the remainder of his paper, entitled ‘‘ Observa- tions on some Plants from the shores of Dayis’s Straits.” 2. ‘* On two species of Desmidiee.” By Mr. J. Ralfs. | Mr. James M‘Nab exhibited a Pelargonium bearing two distinct varieties of flowers which were strikingly dissimilar, and were growing on separate branches, no artificial means having been em- ployed in their production. Dr. Neill exhibited a specimen of the Tussac grass, received from the Falkland Islands. Miscellaneous. | 141 MISCELLANEOUS. RANUNCULUS LENORMANDI, F. W. SCHULTZ. In my ‘ Manual’ I have noticed a plant as a variety (3. grandiflorus) of R. hederaceus, which it seems quite certain is the above species, described by Schultz in the ‘ Flora,’ vol. xx. p. 726, and again in the same journal, vol. xxiv. p. 171, and recently figured by Cosson and Germain in the first portion of their beautiful ‘ Atlas de la Flore des Environs de Paris.’ It differs from R. hederaceus by each lobe of its leaves having two or three notches, its carpels obovate and tipped with a terminal style, petals broader and longer, stipules very broad and scarcely at all adnate to the petioles. It is a considerably larger plant than R. hederaceus, and has probably been overlooked in En- gland as either that species in a vigorous state or perhaps as a state of R. aquatilis, from which the want of capillarily-divided leaves and the absence of sete on the receptacle distinguish it.—C. C. B. CAREX MONTANA, LINN. Mr. William Mitten, of Hurstpierpoint, has had the good fortune to find this plant in a field in Sussex, near to Tonbridge Wells. It much resembles C. pilulifera, a specimen of which is I believe pre- served in the Linnzan herbarium in mistake for C. montana; but the true plant of Linnzeus has been accurately determined in Sweden. C. montana differs from C. pilulifera by having ovate fertile spikes, much blunter or retuse and darker glumes, oblong-obovate hairy fruit, and an oblong nut.—C. C. B. MIGRATIONS OF SALMON. About a year and a half ago, Lord Glenlyon, with the praiseworthy motive of deciding the long-agitated question as to whether the sal- mon, after returning to the ocean from its spawning-ground, again resought the same river on another return of the season, caused a number of kelts, or foul fish, to be caught and marked, by attaching a label, by a ring, to what is called the dead fin of each. Last sum- mer a number of these were captured on various stations in the Tay, but, so far as we have heard, none in the Earn; on Tuesday last an- other was caught at the Rashbush, a fishing-ground below Inchyra. This fish was in excellent condition, and weighed 21 lbs. The label bore as follows :—‘‘ Lord Glenlyon, Dunkeld, No. 129.”—Perth Advertiser. ON THE SPORES OF SOME ALGEH. BY M. GUSTAVE THURET. M. Unger has published a very interesting investigation of the Achlya prolifera*. The researches which I have made on this sin- gular Alga, whilst confirming most of the observations of M. Unger, have presented to me some new facts, which I shall describe else- where. I shall content myself here with rectifying an error into * Ann. des Sc, Nat., 3rd Series, 1844, vol. ii. p. 5. pl. 1. 142 Miscellaneous. which the German naturalist has fallen on the subject of the organi- zation of the spores. M. Unger regards them as clothed with a ciliated membrane, similar to that which he was the first to observe on the spores of the Vaucheria. I am convinced, on the contrary, by repeated observations, that they are furnished with two long cilia inserted on the rostrum; an analogous arrangement to that which I have figured in the spores of the Conferva glomerata and crispata*. During the excursion which I made with M. Decaisne on the coasts of the British Channel, we had frequent opportunity of studying the spores of Kctocarpus siliculosus, of Ulva lactuca, and of Enteromor- pha compressa. In the Ectocarpus we found two cilia inserted on a colourless rostrum. In Ulva and Enteromorpha the spores have four cilia. I found this same number in soft-water Alge, the Con- ferva zonata, whose spores are similar to those of the Chetophora and Draparnauldia. They present a very visible red point, which I have even perceived sometimes on spores still enclosed in the tube of the plant. I may remark that the Conferva zonata is, moreover, a very distinct Alga from the true Conferve. These latter appear to me to form a clearly limited genus, all the species of which have the tube finely striped with longitudinal strie, for instance Conferva glomerata, crispata, rupestris, &c. These longitudinal striz are themselves in- tersected by extremely fine transversal strie, which appear to me to have hitherto escaped all microscopic observers.—Ann. des Sci. Nat., Mai 1845. On the Extinct Mammals of Australia, with Additional Observations on the genus Dinornis of New Zealand. By Prof. Owen. In a previous report Prof. Owen had demonstrated the former existence in Australia of two genera of Marsupial animals, rivalling in size the rhinoceros and hippopotamus of the old continent. Since the reading of his first report, Prof. Owen had received three molar teeth belonging to the upper jaw of the Diprotodon; the crown of each tooth was divided into two principal transverse ridges, like those of the lower jaw, and the enamel presented the wrinkled and punc- tate surface peculiar to the genus. With these was found a large scalpriform incisor, whose bevelled cutting edge showed that it worked upon a similar tooth in the lower jaw. ‘The Diprotodon, therefore, had molars like the kangaroo; but, instead of the two large incisors in the lower jaw being opposed to six smaller in the upper, as in the kangaroo, it had two large incisors above as well as below, agreeing in form and structure, and relative size, with those of the Wombat. Prof. Owen considered himself justified in conclu- ding that the Diprotodon combined the characters of Phascolomys with those of Macropus, exhibiting both upon a gigantic scale, and constituting one of those links in the chain of being which the course * Recherches sur les Organes Locomoteurs des Spores des Algues (Ann. des Sc. Nat., 2nd Series, 1843, vol. xix. p. 266. pl. 10.). In that memoir I have erroneously designated the Conferva crispata by the name of C. rivu- laris. Meteorological Observations. : 143 of time has broken and destroyed. Prof. Owen also stated that a large collection of bones of the Dinornis had been obtained from a new locality by Mr. Percy Earle. This collection contains four of the species of Dinornis already described, including the three most remarkable for gigantic stature. One of these, with a stature nearly equalling the ostrich, presents in all the bones of its leg double the thickness in proportion to their length, and must have been the strongest and most robust bird in proportion to its size that ever existed. Of the gigantic species, vertebre, ribs, and an almost en- tire sternum, most resembling that of the Apteryx, have been ob- tained. The Rev. Mr. Williams has also transmitted the cranial portion of a skull related in size to the Dinornis struthoides, mani- festing many peculiarities and a striking resemblance to the same part in the Dodo and Apteryx.—Proc. Brit. Assoc. Cambridge. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR JUNE 1845. Chiswick.—June 1. Overcast and fine. 2. Very fine: sultry. 3. Sultry: rain at night. 4, Showery. 5. Slight rain: cloudy: boisterous at night. 6. Cloudy and windy. 7. Very fine: showery, and boisterous at night. 8. Boisterous: clear and fine. 9. Very fine. 10—12. Very fine: sultry: clear and fine at nights. 13. Foggy: sultry. 14,15. Very hotand sultry. 16. Overcast. 17. Sultry. 18. Rain: clear at night. 19, Hazy: very fine. 20. Cloudless: very fine. 21—23. Very fine. 24. Uniformly overcast: heavy rain: clear. 25. Cold and dry: cloudy: rain. 26, Cloudy: fine. 27. Rain. 28. Overcast: heavy showers: clear. 29. Very fine. 30. Slight rain: very fine.— Mean temperature of the month 14° above the average. Boston.—June 1. Rain: rain early a.M.: rain am. 2. Fine. 9%. Fine: 2 o’clock v.m. thermometer 72°: rain rp.m. 4. Fine: thunder and lightning, with rain e.m. 5. Cloudy: rainearly a.m. 6, Windy. 7. Fine: rainr.m. 8, Cloudy. 9. Fine. 10. Fine: 3 o’clock p.m. thermometer 74°. 11, Fine: 1 o’clock p.m. thermometer 75°. 12. Fine: 4 o’clock p.m. thermometer 76°. 13. Fine: 1 o’clock p.m. thermometer 78°, 14, Fine: 12 o’clock noon thermometer 78°. 15. Cloudy. 16. Cloudy: 1 o’clock p.m. thermometer 78°. 17. Fine. 18. Cloudy: rain early A.M.: rain A.M.and p.m. 19. Fine. 20, Cloudy. 21. Fine, 22. Cloudy. 23. Fine. 24. Fine: rain, with thunder and lightning p.m. 25. Cloudy. 26. Fine. 27. Cloudy: rain a.m.and p.m. 28, Cloudy: rain a.m.: thunder and lightninglv.m. 29. Fine. 30, Fine: rain early a.am.—N.B. The warmest June since June 1826. Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—June 1. Cloudy. 2. Cloudy: clear. 3. Bright: cloudy. 4. Showers. 5. Bright: showers. 6. Bright: drops. 7. Clear: fine. 8. Drops: rain: clear. 9. Drops: cloudy. 10. Bright: damp. 11, 12, Bright: cloudy. 13. Bright: clear, 14, Damp: cloudy: fine. 15. Cloudy: rain. 16. Fog. 17. Bright: damp. 18. Rain: damp. 19. Bright: clear. 20. Bright: damp. 21. Cloudy. 22. Showers: cloudy. 23. Bright: cloudy. 24. Damp: fine. 25. Bright: showers: cloudy. 26. Rain: damp. 27. Showers. 28. Cloudy: showers, 29. Showers; clear. SO. Cloudy : clear, Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire—June 1. Fine soft rain. 2. Very fine: fair. 3. Finerain. 4. Showers all day. 5. Rain continued. 6. Kain. 7. Soft showers, . 8. Heavy rain a.m.: fair r.m. 9. Showers. 10, Fair and growing. 11—14, Very fine summer day. 15. Very fine summer day: thunder: a few drops of rain. 16. Showery all day. 17. Slight showers. 18. Slight showers vr.M. 19, 20. Fair and fine. 21. Fair and fine: a few drops: rain. 22. Fair and fine: very dry. 23. Fine: one slight shower. 24. Rain, very heavy. 25. Showers. 26. Fairand fine. 27. Rain: wind: thunder. 28. Fair and clear. 29. Fair a.m.: shower p.m. 30. Showers, Mean temperature of the month ...,c..e.seccesceceveseeees 56°°55 Mean temperature of June 1844 —........cceeceees Pi cece 55 °10 Pee ‘ OV:Z | 8V-E Fo0.z ‘db 9F-19 98-65 1-08 o-£9 t-F9 |EL-6V 9S-VL | 1LL.6 OLL-6e | | ah Reese 1€L-6% OPL-6 a rr 8V8-6% 016-6% | “UReayA LO. j0L-1| Po. |€0. | *9 | ‘ms | ‘m | *m | 6F | PS) 1S) Z| FO} ES | OL | 9-62 | 89-62 | 69-62 | 8S-6e | E€-62 |8E8-6z 998.62 |. “of sree") 6+ | FO. | tm rasmus] wea} “Mm | OF | T6V | SV} 09) €9/ IG | ZL | 12-64 |8S-6% | £9.62 | 89-62 | 6€-6z |L68-6z L€6-6z| “6% Lo. "| €€. |or- | cu | a |uyeo| sm | Oh | F1S | LP) gS) 19] EF | 69 | 29.6% | 19-62 | 19-66 | 81-62 | GL-8% |0€%.62 |1S1-6z | “gz Lie jrnyeee) GT. | vou | ta | mea) sms | 6b | OF | FIP f09] LG} 9G | 99 | 69.6% |FL-62 L2-6% | 09-62 | 62-62 \Z9P-6z |09L-6z| “Lz OE. frre rereeiereest cm | tw | tm | cm | 8h | Bh TEP TIO! 19] 6h | PL |08-6% | PL.62 | £L-62 | 69-62 | 0£-6z \9LL-6% 958-62 | “9% D meee") 0B+ | 60+ | “ma | cm | tm | cms | OS | PS | Bh) ZO GS-09! ZG | PL |$9-6% |99-62 | 19-62 | 85-66 | 90-62 |864-62 808-62 | “Sz 60- |ST-0 "| 1G | “wm |*mum) smu | cms} 19) LG Fgh, 99} Lo] 2G | PL |99-6% |08-62 | 09-62 | LL-62 | Lv-6% |L6L-62 FE0-0£ | “bz LO. [rorreeirerrerierrers] sms | smum) smu | sas | 1G | $69 | Lb} €9| ZO} 19 | EL | 00-0€ |00-08 | L6.6z | 00-0€ | 09-6 |P60-0F 921-08) *€z seelsseeesleeceecisorees! ems [emuM| Ted | “ou 1¢ | af | gh fzo| Fo| gh | EL | 26-62% | £6.62 | 16.62 | L6-62 | PV-6% |SE6-6% V10-0€ | *z% SO. forrrr*irereesiseeers| cm | tm | unyea] ‘a | 1G | ZG |S) Lo} So} 19 | 0g | 00-0 | 16-6% | L6.62.|.00-0€ | 69-62.|166-6% Z80-0£ | “1z rerlecererieeseeeicorere! ems | em | uted | “ou eG | §#S | OS g9! 09] OS CL |S6-6% |90-0€ | £0.08 | S0-0£ | 89-6 \€g0-.0€ LIT-0£! ‘oz seeeerteceooe! TH. leoeeer] sm MUM | oA ‘s zS | FS! OS) 19! So! gb | SZ | 00-0€F |08-6z | $6.62 | 64-62 | 6€-6% |FF6-6% 6£0-08| “610 GG "| ST. | GO. | “wu mum | avo} oa | PS | go | PS\t€9) bo) HH | OL | 9L-6% | 08-62 | $9-6% | 14-62 | 91-62 6€L.62 L98-62| “SI poeetpeeresiseeees GT. | sa | eas | uyeo) vou | 3G | SG | FS) €9.9-GL| 6G | 08 | 88-6% 198-60 | VL-6% | VL-62 | 61-62 |1LL-6Z |V18-62| “LI ZI- |ET-O "**""/"*****| tesa | ‘ass | yea] *s | $29 | #€¢9 | gS) z9| Lo| oS | SL | 8L-6% |€8-6% | 69-62 | £L-6% | 22-62 |P6L-62 |PV8-62| “OI tettetleeeees eoeeee cesses! 0c ‘s | mea} ‘as ZS GS | 26S 69; L9| 09 rg 68:62 |£0-0€ | Z8-6z | $6.62 | 97-6% [06-62 '/8£0-0£| *ST “seeesreseeeisrssesieeeree! sm irasaps| “a | a | €G) 09 | ES /FSL| o£) €S | 28 |SI-O€ |1Z-0€ | Z0-0€ | 60.0€ | SP-6 \0G0-0€ \OZ1-0€ | “VI “eetieeeeericesescecees) tm | ems | urea] ‘au | Of | PG |T@S|7SL'9.1L| LG | VE |0t-0F |60-0€ |E1-0€ | ST-0€ | 67-62 \90T-0F LST-0€| “Er C Tereeeleeeseeiscesecicesroe! ems | ems |ueo| ‘a | LG | £9 | Z| SL) oL| PS | Sg |£0-0€ |OI-0€ |O1-0€ | O1-0€ | 9F-62 |IPVI-0€ |SO1-0£| “aI reeeeeirersee) sms | sms (wea | ‘au | Go| go | PS) OL} €L| OF | BL | ET-0€ |90-0€ | F1-0€ | 71-0€ | 09-62% |1ST-0€ |SEt-08 |) “IT tttteleeeeeeeeeeseereee! egg | ems | uupea| ‘a zS | bo |. €S; Fo} Lo! oF | OL |11-0€ |61-0€ | S1-0€ | 61-0€ | 89-6% |69%-0€ |SOL-0£ | ‘oI gP- “eererisesencerses| msm) "ms | tm | “ms | of | €9 | Lh) LG; z9| OF | GL | 00-0€ | 16.62 | 10-0€ 60-08 | 99-62% |SEE-0€ |S9L-08 | *6 “0G. 7 PZ et) tM ftwom | tm | Ms | gh | OF | 6h) 19) 99] IF | 89 | 28.6% | PL-6Z | 68-62 | 6b-62 | €1-6% |L08-62 |002-08 | *g “*eteeleeeeesieeeres GZ, | “Ss | tau | ‘mM | *s | €¢ | $19 | 46h} 29} GO| Lb | Lo |ZL-6% | ¥S.62% | 29.62 | 19-62 | 0€-6% |9EL-62 |V98-6z| *L VI jrrrresiterceeiterees| mss | cms | tm | tms | LO | $79 | 39] 99/¢.z9] of | LO | £%-6% | 01.62% | 8.6% | £0-6% | £8-8% |SL9-62 |008-62| “9 “srtte|eeeees eT. 1 go, | cas | ms | tms | ‘ms | £9 | Go |¥eh|F6S| gS} So | go |L1-6% |ZE-62 | L0-62 | €2-62 | 76.82 |EPS-62 |L6S-62| “S @ Z9- |"*"""*| fo. | Go. |*Msm| sms | sm | ms | 6h | OG | PH) LS] 69] 6h | OL | LI-6% | 80-62 | 62-6Z | S1-6% | 62-8% 919-62 |L09-62 | “V Teertejtereesiserees) Og. | oerees | ws | wapea} “ms | OG | 69] OG} 09| 89] HF | 18 | PI-6% |SZ-6z | Z0.62 | OF-62 | €6-8% |L9E-6z |0Z9-62| “€ *eeeeeieereess Do. [revere cs | es | tm | ts | PG | 6G] ZS] o9| £9] Ob | 1g | 19-6% | 79-6% | 29-62% | GL-62 | LE-6Z {19-62 |196-62 | °% "eeeeteerees Ty. [rere] sms | *s | unea} sms | ZG] Zo | TOV; LS] 99) Eb | ZL | 18-6% | 06-62 | 18-62 | 16-62% | VS.6% |ZP0-0€ |CE1-0€ | “I fe) s) eee aoe 2 *urd ‘ur ‘urd *ul = , : e a i 9 ze a y =e Be | BS f |e ze F = ty r | iy 2p un | “xe oes, ae/8e1 5 )2 12 a?Pi 5s | ss [7 3 PS roc a payer]? |e 1B | Pe] P| FR | gums | Come |For | AMOS Lonueryuma| FF | mmo [ee of “Urey ‘PUM, *I9JOMIOW LOY J, *19JVMLOIV = @ PE ea. “XENTIQ ‘asupypy younpung 7H ‘u0ysNO[D “°C “Ady 2y7 fg puy {aulHs-salUIWA(] ‘asunpy yzunsagddp yo ‘xequng * AA ‘Ady 947 49 {NoLsog ap {JB9A “AI 49 Suopuo'T avau ‘MoIMSIHD 70 Ayavv0g younynoysozy 242 fo uapivy ay, yo uosdwoyy, ‘ayy 49 apvu suornasasgQ yorrFoposoajayy Anatomy of Acte@ on. AL. Alimon det. aay IDECS, M. Allman. del. > Anatomy, ep ge = WoLi6. FLV.” % REY, of Actwon. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist Voli. Pl —_ Anatomy of Actwon, aed MAbinen. hel. THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. No. 104. SEPTEMBER 1845. : > XIV.—On the Anatomy of Acteon, with remarks on the Order Phlebenterata of M. de Quatrefages. By Guo. J. ALLMAN, M.B., F.R.C.S., M.R.1.A., Professor of Botany in Trinity Col- lege, Dublin, late Demonstrator of Anatomy T.C.D.* [ With three Plates.] In the seventh volume of the ‘ Linnean Transactions’ isa memoir | by Colonel Montagu, in which is described, under the name of Aplysia viridis, a small gasteropod discovered by this naturalist on the coast of Devonshire. The Aplysia viridis of Montagu was afterwards separated by Oken from the true Aplysias, and made to constitute a distinct genus under the name of Acteon. A mollusk evidently referable to the same genus is named Aplysiopterus neapolitanus by Delle Chiaje, who describes and figures it in his great work on the Invertebrate animals of the kingdom of Naples. The Italian naturalist gives some details of its anatomy, but his account is manifestly full of errors, and he seems to mistake the ramified apparatus in connexion with the stomach for a vascular system. A mollusk also apparently referable to Oken’s genus Acton is described in the ‘ Faune d’Europe Sep- tentrionale’ of Risso, under the name of Elysia timida ; and more recently M. de Quatrefages (Ann. des Sci. Nat. March 1844) has published a very elaborate description of the genus, in which he advances some new and startling views to which he had been pre- viously led by the examination of Holidina, a small nudibranch, apparently an Kolis, but for the reception of which this naturalist believes it necessary to construct a new genus. The claims of M. de Quatrefages’ opinions to reception by naturalists will be considered. in the present paper. The following anatomical details have been drawn up from careful dissections of Acton viridis, and as no figure which we have seen represents with sufficient accuracy the external cha- racters of this little mollusk, we have thought it necessary to give among the illustrations of the present memoir a drawing made with great care from the living animal. * Read before the Meeting of the British Association at York, Sept. 1844. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. M 146 Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon. Actmon, Oken, Aplysia, Mont., Aplysiopterus, Delle Chiaje, Elysia, Risso. : Body subcylindrical, with two foliaceous lateral expansions which are produced beyond the posterior extremity of the body, where they unite with one another along the mesial line. Ten- tacula two, auriform, not retractile. Anus lateral, placed at the right side. _ A. viridis (Pl. V. figs. 1, 2, 3.).—The largest specimens of A. viridis measured about nine lines in length ; the general colour of the body and foliaceous expansions is a dull green; the latter are margined with purple and dotted on both sides with small green, blue, and rose-coloured points of a brilliant metallic lustre, and arranged in groups without any definite order ; similar dots are also found upon the upper surface of the body; a nearly co- lourless line extends from the posterior extremity of the body to the termination of the branchial expansions. The tentacula are of a dull purple, and the eyes are placed in the centre of a nearly colourless areola. The upper lip is dark purple. This little mollusk was obtamed abundantly by means of a small dredge among Zostera marina in the harbours of Glandore, Castletownsend and Crook Haven, co. Cork, in the months of August and September 1844. When confined in a glass of sea-water it would creep upon the sides of the vessel, adhering not only by the under surface of the body, but by that of the lateral expansions along the whole length of their junction in the mesial lime ; external however to a narrow space corresponding to their line of junction, the expan- sions were entirely free, and possessed no power of attachment. Our little mollusk would also take delight in suspending itself in a horizontal position with its back downwards, from the surface of the water. It would sometimes separate its lateral expansions till they became placed nearly in the same plane, and again ele- vating them vertically, would bring their opposed surfaces nearly into contact. _ ANATOMY, Digestive system.—From a simple unarmed orifice in the an- terior extremity of the body, a short but rather wide canal, Pl. VI. c, with membranous walls leads beneath a slightly bifid lip (PI. V. fig. 3.) to an irregularly spherical body, Pl. VI. a, which consists of thick walls inclosing a central cavity. In this body is contained a tongue of very singular structure, Pl. VI. 6 and Pl. VII. fig.5. It consists of a chain of hard transparent spines, and is curved so as nearly to return into itself, thus forming a loop, whose long diameter will be parallel to the axis of the buccal mass. M. de Quatrefages has given a correct figure of the organ _as detached from the animal, but has overlooked a most singular Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon. 147 appendage with which it is furnished. This appendage is a py- riform sac, Pl. VII. fig. 5 a, which communicates by means of a canal with the left extremity of the tongue. The sac is filled with spines, precisely similar to those of which the tongue is composed. They seem to be perfectly formed, and are placed without any apparent order in the sac. It is difficult to assign to this sac any other function than that of secreting the tongue-spines ; and we can easily conceive that as the tongue is worn away at one extremity, additions are as constantly made to it from the contents of the sac at the other. The lingual sac is applied against the outer side of the buccal mass, bemg wholly external to this body. The tongue terminates at the right side in a small unarmed prolongation, Pl. VII. fig. 5 6, which curves forwards along the convexity of the loop. h From the posterior part of the buccal mass a slightly sinuous esophagus, Pl. VI. d, runs backwards and terminates in an oval, longitudinally striate stomach, e, from which a short intestine, f, runs transversely to the right side in order to terminate near the anterior margin of the lateral expansion. The direction of the in- testine thus places the true position of the anus beyond all doubt, though so accurately is the external orifice kept closed, that it has hitherto escaped my attempts at detection. The stomach and intestine are clothed internally with a ciliated epithelium, by which their contents are kept in a constant state of agitation. In connexion with the alimentary canal just traced are several accessory organs which require special mention. Four glands analogous to salivary may be detected. Of these, two, Pl. VI. gg, are connected with the anterior extremity of the buccal mass, and. appear to consist each of a cluster of small vesicles, which pour their contents into the commencement of the alimentary tract: The posterior pair of salivary glands, 4 h, consists each of a sim- ple tube of great delicacy, which commences in the buccal mass just anterior to the origin of the cesophagus, and then becoming™ attached to the cesophagus runs over the supra-cesophageal ganglia, and soon exhibits a series of little cecal offsets forming small sacs appended to the tube for the remainder of its course, Pl. VII. fig. 6. he gland thus constituted runs back through the body of the animal, extending for a considerable distance behind the stomach. The salivary glands in Acteon are highly interesting from their simplicity of constitution, and afford a fine illustration of the reduction of glandular structure to one of its least complex ex- pressions. At a short distance from the termination of the cesophagus there opens into this tube a small sac of a pyriform figure, Pl, V1.i; M2 148 Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzeon. but whether this is destined to receive from the cesophagus a por- tion of the alimentary matter, thus performing the office of a crop, or whether its function is that of simply discharging into the ali- mentary tract some peculiar product of secretion, I have been unable to determine. But perhaps the most remarkable of all the organs accessory to digestion is the singular ramified system which constitutes so large a portion of the viscera of Acteon, and which M. de Quatre- fages, conceiving it to be of high importance, has assumed, along with certain other peculiarities of structure which he supposes invariably to accompany it, as entitling him to unite into a new order a certain number of Gasteropodous Mollusca, distinguishing them under the name of Phlebenterata. The system under consideration consists in our mollusk of two tubes which open, close to one another, into the stomach, at its cardiac extremity. Near to its termination in the stomach each tube divides into two branches, one, Pl. VI. kk, passing forwards towards the head, the other, //, running backwards into the late- ral expansions. Hach of these branches then undergoes minute subdivision, the ramifications extending forwards nearly to the anterior margin of the head, and backwards to the posterior ex- tremity of the lateral expansions. The ultimate ramuli terminate each in a cul-de-sac, mmm, and Pl. VII. fig. 4, filled with a green or brownish substance, in which the microscope enables us to detect oleaginous globules floating through a fluid of aqueous consistence. It is to this curious system, visible through the semitransparent integuments, that the prevailing colour of the species must be attributed ; its nature and function, and its claim to constitute a character of ordinal importance, will be presently considered. Vascular and Respiratory systems.—The best way of detecting the vascular system of Actzon is to view the mollusk as an opake object by means of a single lens and without compression, when a delicate ramification of vessels will be seen creeping over the upper surface of the foliaceous expansions, Pl. V. fig.4. Those vessels which spread themselves over the posterior part of the ex- pansions terminate in two trunks, aa, one for each lateral half, which running nearly parallel to the mesial line and at a short distance from it, at either side appear to end in a circular canal, 6, into which the vessels from the anterior part of the expansions also open. This circular vessel cannot be satisfactorily seen with- out actual dissection ; it is placed immediately beneath the inte- guments of the back and over the posterior part of the body, and embraces an organ, c, of an irregularly semicircular figure, into whose structure strong fibres may be seen to enter with a reticu- lated arrangement. Beyond this point my researches have failed Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Acton. 149 to trace the anatomy of the apparatus under consideration. We can however have no difficulty in recognising in the system now described a heart and vessels. That the vascular ramification ob- served upon the upper surface of the foliaceous expansions is a system of branchial vessels, there can indeed be no doubt, and the expansions themselves must therefore be considered as true aéra- ting organs. It will at once be seen too, that the ventricle must be sought for in the reticulated organ just described, though, from the difficulty of the investigation, I have been unsuccessful im my attempts to discover its direct connexion with the vessels. The circular vessel also must be considered as performing the func- tions of an auricle, and it is indeed by no means improbable that what appears under the microscope as simply a circular canal surrounding the ventricle, is really the projecting margin of a de- licate transparent auricle, whose central portion is rendered invi- sible by the stronger and: more opake ventricle. The general opacity of the tissues m Acton, the extreme te- _ nuity of the walls of the vessels, and the transparency of the fluid which these contain, render the investigation of the circulatory apparatus a subject of great difficulty. If too much reliance be placed on the compressor, it will certainly escape detection ; and I have no doubt that the:abuse of this instrument will account for the fact of M. de Quatrefages having denied the existence in Ac- tzon of a vascular system, as well as for many other errors into which this naturalist has fallen. Nervous system : Sensation.—Soon after the cesophagus leaves the buccal mass it passes through a system of seven ganglia, Pl. VI.n, and Pl. VII. fig. 1, of which six are arranged m three symmetrical pairs, and’one is azygous. Of these ganglia, the two largest, Pl. VII. fig. 1 aa, are placed upon the upper surface of the cesophagus, being in contact with each other internally. The ganglia of the second pair, b 4, are placed immediately below the first, upon the sides of the ceso- phagus, being thus separated to allow of the passage of this tube. The third pair, ¢c, seems like a protuberance upon the under side of each of the ganglia last mentioned, and the azygous ganglion, d, occupies an inferior and median position, completing the sub- cesophageal portion of this ganglionic collar. The different parts of this system of cesophageal ganglia are maintained in union by three commissures. One commissure, ee, springs from each of the large ganglia on the upper surface of the cesophagus, and then running down along the side of this tube, terminates in the azygous ganglion; while the third commissure, f, runs trans- versely beneath the oesophagus, uniting the two ganglia of the second pair. The cesophagus thus passes between the great supra-cesophageal ganglia above, and the transverse commissure below. ‘Two small spherical bodies, Pl. VI. 0, most probably 150 Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon. pharyngeal ganglia, are placed upon the cesophagus just as this organ emerges from the buccal mass; but the means by which they are connected with the other parts of the nervous system, I have not succeeded in detecting. The great supra-cesophageal pair seems to be chiefly destined for the organs of sense. The optic nerves, Pl. VI. p, arise from this pair, and large nerves, g 7, are sent off from it to the tenta- cula and lips and the parts immediately surrounding the mouth. Some nerves going to the generative organs would also seem _ traceable to the same source, while the digestive and other sy- stems would appear to derive their nerves, s, from the remainder of the cesophageal mass. Vision.—The organs of vision are placed at a short distance behind the tentacula, and to the naked eye present the appear- ance of minute black points; with the assistance of the micro- scope, the following parts may without difficulty be detected in them. The first thing which strikes us is a pigmental body, Pl. VII. fig. 2a, of a somewhat pyriform figure, furnished poste- riorly with a prolongation, at one side of which the optic nerve, b, may be seen entering. Whether this body contains a cavity with a retinal expansion I cannot assert as the result of observa- tion, though all analogy would lead us to suppose such to be the case. The pigment is of a deep black colour, and is doubtless in- tended to effect the absorption of all rays of light which may happen to fall on it. A crystalline lens, c, of a nearly spherical figure and powerfully refractive, is imbedded in the anterior ex- tremity of the pigmental body, and surrounding the whole appa- ratus 1s a transparent capsule, d, perforated posteriorly by the optic nerve, and apparently performing the function of a cornea anteriorly. Hearing.—The organs detected by Siebold in several mollusca, and supposed by this anatomist to be destined for the function of hearing, are demonstrable without much difficulty in Acteon. They look like appendages to the cerebral system, and present the appearance of nearly spherical bodies, Pl. VII. fig. 1 gg, with a transparent refractive nucleus, and supported upon a club- ‘shaped peduncle. They would seem to consist of two spheres concentric with the nucleus, which become apparent when a short exposure has caused some degree of collapse in the bodies from a slight evaporation of thew contents. The nucleus, which corre- sponds with the otolites observed by Siebold, is single, and did not present the peculiar oscillatory motion manifested by the oto- lites of other mollusca. The peduncles arise between the first and second pair of ganglia, but with which of these they are more intimately connected I have not been able to satisfy myself. Touch.—Though the sense of touch is without doubt univer- Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon. 151 sally diffused over the soft and constantly lubricated skin of the mollusk, yet it would appear that the tentacula are specially ap- propriated to its exercise. These organs consist in auriform expansions rolled into a cylindrical tube, Pl. V. figs. 1 and 2, but eapable of being to a certain extent opened out at the will of the animal. ‘They are incapable of undergoing any true retraction, but may be slightly shortened and thickened, in which condition they present a number of transverse ruge. They are supplied with large nerves from the supra-cesophageal ganglia. No fact has thrown any light upon the question whether another serse besides that of touch has also its seat in these organs. The entire surface of the skin is copiously lubricated with a thick mucous secretion, which is poured out in large quantity when the animal is irritated. The source of this fluid would seem to be in certain pyriform bodies, Pl. VII. fig. 8, which are found in considerable numbers beneath the integument. Hach termi- nates in a sinuous duct, which after running for some distance beneath the skin, opens, most probably, upon the surface. These organs are described and figured by Quatrefages, but the French naturalist is in error when he speaks of them as the source of the beautiful metallic tints with which the surface of our mollusk is adorned. These tints are due to a pigment inclosed im distinct cells, arranged in irregular groups beneath the epidermis, consi- derably smaller than the bodies just described, and evidently without any duct or external communication whatever. I am unable to bring forward any observations of interest relative to the senses of taste and smell in Acton. Generative system: Embryology.—The reproductive system of Acton is one of great complexity, and one im which there must be great difficulty in assigning to each part its proper function. Acteon is hermaphrodite. A pyriform body, Pl. VI. ¢, placed anteriorly and at the right side, would seem to be the male in- tromittent organ. This body is furnished with a tubular perfo« ration which occupies the axis, and leads from the apex into an oval cavity, v, situated in the base. From this cavity a smuous tube, or vas deferens, w, may be traced backwards, which, after a course of considerable length, communicates with an oval body, 2, to be presently described, and then pursuing its course backwards may be seen to bifurcate, one branch passing to the right and the other to the left. Beyond this point I have in vain attempted to trace the course of the tube. Its whole internal surface is thickly clothed with cilia, whose presence is rendered manifest by the constant rotatory motion imparted to the granular fluid with which the tube is filled. Occupying a median position in the posterior part of the body is an oval sac, y, near whose anterior extremity two tubes may be 152 Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon. seen to enter close to one another. One of these tubes, z, runs a little forwards, then bends backwards and bifurcates, the divi- sions again bifurcating dichotomously : its ultimate distribution, however, I have not succeeded in tracing. The other tube, 9, runs forwards to the oval body, #, just alluded to, into which it opens. This body is evidently furnished with a cavity ; its ante- rior half is of a peculiar complex structure, perhaps glandular, and destined for the elaboration of some definite secretion. From its anterior extremity a tube may be traced forwards till lost be- neath the edge of a large, irregularly-shaped, somewhat plicated body, y. In this body the tube would seem to terminate, though here I cannot speak with certainty. The sac, y, contains a yel- lowish semifluid secretion, which can be forced by the action of the compressor forwards into the oval body, #, and backwards through the bifurcating tube, z. With the plicated body, y, which I would feel inclined to look upon as a testis, a pyriform sac, 6, is connected ; this sac contains a substance of a semifluid consistence, and is furnished with a long neck, which can be traced into the plicated body ; but whether it terminates here or is continued to some external outlet, I have been unable to satisfy myself. Occupying the great lateral expansions, and placed immediately beneath the ramified organ already described in connexion with the digestive system, is a curious and very complicated body, f€¢. This body, which is perhaps an ovary, is double, being formed of two perfectly similar portions, one of which is placed in each branchial expansion, and consists of a delicate tube dichotomously ramified, and furnished along its entire length with closely-set sacciform appendages, Pl. VII. fig. 8 a. These contain a granular substance, but whether they communicate with the interior of the tube is not very manifest. Besides these appendages, numerous spherical capsules, Pl. VI. @ 0, and Pl. VII. fig. 8b, may be seen arranged at tolerably regular intervals along the tube, and appa- rently communicating by means of a short neck with its interior. These capsules inclose a number of oval bodies, Pl. VII. fig. 8 ec, and fig. 7, in each of which is a granular mass surrounding a very distinct nucleus, which is placed towards one extremity, and is itself furnished with a secondary nucleus. The connexion be- tween this curious system and the other parts of the reproductive apparatus has escaped my attempts at detection: neither can I speak positively as to the exact position of the external orifices of generation. Embryology.—Some days after the capture of our little mol- lusk, I was much gratified at finding that it had deposited its spawn upon the sides of the glass jar in which it was confined. The spawn was laid in little spiral discs, Pl. VII. fig. 9, of four or Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon. 153 five lines in diameter, and I at once recognised it as similar to what I had observed in considerable abundance upon the leaves of Zostera marina in the locality where the Act@on was captured. It consisted of numerous ova enveloped in a gelatinous covering, and deposited in the form of a ribbon rolled into a plane spiral. In about six days after the deposition of the spawn the eggs were hatched, and the young Actzons, Pl. VII. figs. 10, 11, 12, escaped, not in any respect resembling the parent, but of a totally different type of organization,—very similar to what has of late years been observed in the young of Doris, Aplysia, and some other Gaste- ropoda. The embryo-Actgon is inclosed in a nautiloid shell, and fur- nished anteriorly with two oval discs, figs. 10, 11aa, ciliated along the margin, and capable of being approximated till the upper sur- faces are brought into contact, fig. 11, and again separated till they lie nearly in the same plane, fig. 12. The discs are con- tinued anteriorly into a sort of foot, figs. 10, 114, also ciliated on the margin and provided with an operculum, figs. 11, 12 c, which is drawn after the little animal when it retires into the re- cesses of its shell, and thus completely protects it from all intru- sion from without, fig. 12. Near the place where the foot joins the discs are two ocelli- form spots, figs. 10, 11, 12 d, doubtless visual organs, though Van Beneden considers what are evidently the same organs in the embryo of Aplysia, as the rudimental cesophageal ganglia. That the organs under consideration are not ganglia, would alone ap- pear from their high refractive power. I could not succeed in detecting a mouth, though a tube, fig. 11 e, which I believe to be an cesophagus, may with some care be traced from the root of the discs backwards, till it dilates into an oval cavity or stomach, f, part of which is concealed beneath a ee mass, g, which occupies the posterior convolutions of the shell. Near the origin of the cesophagus are two spherical bodies, A ; these I believe to be the true rudiments of cesophageal ganglia. Two fibres, fig. 1177, may be seen to run from the root of the discs backwards, and would seem to have some attachment to the interior of the shell ; they bifurcate near their termination. It is difficult to say whether they be nervous filaments connected with the cesophageal ganglia, or muscular fibres destined for the re- traction of the embryo. The little embryo is eminently natatory, swimming about with wonderful activity by means of its curious ciliated discs, and by its varied and elegant gyrations, constituting an object of great beauty and interest. 154 Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon. General Observations. Such are the facts which, from a most careful examination of a great number of specimens, I believe myself justified in consi- dering as demonstrated. 1 took much pains in again and again verifying their correctness ; and as most of them have not as yet been recorded, while many are in direct variance with recently published statements, I lose no time in making them public, This I am the more desirous of doing, from the fact of the ana- tomy of our little mollusk having within the last year been as- sumed by an acute and indefatigable French zoologist as charac- teristic of a new order of Gasteropoda which he has thought fit to construct, but which appears to me to be constituted upon grounds totally insufficient, in some respects the result of im- perfect observation, and in others of conclusions which the ob- servations, supposing them to be correct, will im no degree warrant. In the ‘ Ann. des Sci. Nat.’ 2nde série, tom. xix., is a memoir by M. de Quatrefages on the anatomy of a small Nudibranchiate Gasteropod, which this naturalist conceives himself justified in separating, under the name of Kolidina, from all previously cha- racterized genera of Nudibranchs. In this memoir M. de Qua- trefages maintains, that in the anatomy of EKolidina there are pe- culiarities of such importance as to afford grounds for the esta- blishment of a new order among the Gasteropodous Mollusca. M. Milne Edwards had previously directed the attention of zoologists to a remarkable character of the stomach in the Holi- dian Nudibranchs, demonstrating the existence m Calliopea of an extensive system of ramified canals connected with this organ. Upon this fact M. de Quatrefages seizes with avidity : he main- tains that the gastric ramifications perform the office of branchial vessels ; that they are therefore subservient to respiration as well as to digestion ; and finding them also in his Eolidina, he con- nects them with other peculiarities which he asserts to have dis- covered in this mollusk, raises them to a rank of ordinal import- ance, gives them the name of phlebenteric system, and then sur- prises zoologists with the somewhat startling announcement of the existence of a new order among the Gasteropodous Mol- lusea. The doctrines which the examination of M. de Quatrefages’ Eolidina had thus led him to adopt, are carried out to their full extent in a subsequent memoir (Ann, des Sci. Nat. March 1844), in which, after the examination of Act@on and of five new genera of his own characterizing (Zephyrina, Acteonia, Amphorina, Pelta and Chalidis), he maintains the complete establishment of his new order, and enters into the details of its zoological affinities. Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon, 155 The general characters upon which the French naturalist main- tains the distinctness of his new order of Gasteropods, are the dis- appearance in whole or in part of the circulatory system, and the transference of the-respiratory function from special organs to the digestive system or common integument,—peculiarities which he asserts draw with them a general degradation of the organism, approximating it to the Acalephe, and thus establishing a group of animals which depart from the type of their class, and are among the Gasteropods what the Entomostraca are among the Crustacea. The memoirs of M. de Quatrefages are certainly characterized by great ingenuity and will well repay perusal. They have how- over, I fear, thrown themselves open to justly severe criticism, and by advancing statements of great zoological importance upon what must be admitted to be imperfect and too manifestly pre- judiced observations, would, if not corrected, exercise a most in- jurious influence upon a science so strictly inductive as zoology. Of the various animals dissected by M. de Qnotdiotasen in the con- struction of his Phlebenterate group, Acteon is the only one which I have had an opportunity of examining. The result of the ex- amination of this one however is so totally at variance with the anatomy of the same animal as recorded by the French zoologist, that though we can hardly be justified in asserting from this, that his observations on the others are equally erroneous, we must yet surely hesitate before we adopt conclusions of such great im- portance in zoology as those to which M. de Quatrefages has arrived. On comparing the description and figures of Acton, as given by M. de Quatrefages in the memoir to which allusion has just been made, with the structure which my own observation of this animal had revealed to me, I was struck with a discrepancy, for which I must confess I found it difficult to account by reference to any of the ordinary and unavoidable errors to which the obser- vation of these minute animals is necessarily liable. Among the most important points in which the observations just recorded differ from those of M. de Quatrefages, may be mentioned the detection of a distinct heart and vessels, organs whose existence is denied by the French naturalist, and of a‘la- teral termination to the intestine, which is described in the fo- reign memoir as opening dorsally and medially. The form and disposition of the gastric ramifications do not at all correspond with M, de Quatrefages’ description; the terminal culs-de-sacof this system are arranged very differently from the disposition which he assigns to them, and the ramifications of opposite sides do not communicate. There is certainly no such organ in the posterior 156 Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Acton. extremity of the branchial appendages as M. de Quatrefages de- scribes under the name of cloaca*. The length of the cesopha- gus and the form of the stomach are altogether at variance with his description. The cesophageal collar consists of seven, not four, ganglia ; and if to these points of discrepancy we add some others mentioned in the present paper, and call to mind that he has totally overlooked the salivary apparatus and made no men- tion of the highly-developed generative system, we cannot but conclude that the establishment of a new order of animals on ob- servations so imperfect is unwarrantable and rash. But suppose the observations of the French zoologist not al- together so erroneous as is here maintained, is he yet justified in the step which he has taken? We assuredly think not. Let us consider for a moment whether the singular ramified system connected with the stomach in Acteon and other allied genera is really of that vast importance in a zoological point of view with which M. de Quatrefages would imvest it. If the sy- stem in question be merely a ramification of the stomach, we can certainly see in it a disposition by which the surface of the gastric cavity is greatly increased; but this disposition, exercising no marked influence over the organism, cannot be supposed to de- mand any important modifications in the other organs, and surely offers no solid grounds for believing that its office is to expose the products of digestion to the influence of the aérated medium. In truth it is ill-adapted to this function, separating its contents from the surrounding fluid, not only by its own walls but by the intervention of a portion of the cavity in which it floats, and by the whole thickness of the integumentary structures. But it may be asked, what office is it possible to assign to the system now under consideration, if it be not that of respiration ? I believe that the ramified apparatus in Actzon and the Kolidide is truly a hepatic system, and affords an interesting example of the reduction of a gland to one of its simplest conditions. We have in these gastric ramifications one or more offsets from the lining membrane of the alimentary canal greatly extended * We can in no way explain what M. de Quatrefages intended by the organ which he describes as a cloaca, unless we suppose that he really meant the oval sac (y, Pl. VI.) in the posterior part of the body, which we have de- scribed in connexion with the generative system, and which by some strange confusion he has transferred to the posterior extremity of the branchial ex-~ pansions. + Since the opinions here expressed were laid before the Association, there has been placed in my hands a number of the ‘ Comptes Rendus,’ con- taining a paper by M. Souleyet on the PAlebenterata (Annals, xiv. p. 342), in which I find that the author’s observations on this subject are entirely in accordance with my own. Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon. 157 and terminating in culs-de-sac, where doubtless resides the func- tion of elaborating the biliary secretion. We have just such an appearance as a careful preparation of glandular structure would present with all its component ducts and terminal culs-de-sac accurately disentangled ; we have in fact in the Phlebenteric sy- stem of M. de Quatrefages nothing more or less than an unra- veled liver. This view of the subject would appear to be admitted to a cer- tain extent even by M. de Quatrefages himself, who describes the blind terminations of the branches as surrounded with a layer of a peculiar substance which he believes to be the liver. Of the connexion of this substance with the gastric ramifications I can- not speak, as in Acte@on I could find nothing of the kind. As M. de Quatrefages however has not succeeded in isolating it from the culs-de-sac, his statement amounts to an admission that on these terminations of the branches devolves the function of secre- ting the bile*. To the view now taken it may be objected, that the biliary ducts ought to open into the intestine behind the stomach. In- stances however of the bile being poured into the stomach itself are by no means without example among the Gasteropoda, and in some cases, as in Scyllea and Onchidium, this secretion is discharged into the ceesophagus. The remarkable partition of the liver in Onchidium moreover is an evident approach to the con- dition assumed by this organ in the mollusca now under consi- deration. Another objection to the hepatic character of the gas- tric ramifications may be urged from the curious discovery by Messrs. Alder and Hancock, that in Holis the extremities of the ramuli are not really ceca, but open externally through the ter- minations of the branchial papille. This however cannot be con- sidered as a valid objection. It is true that the termination of the ducts in culs-de-sac has been described as a universal con- dition of glandular structure, but it has been by no means proved that a perforate state of the terminations of these tubes is incon- sistent with the performance of the secreting function. The pur- pose served by this curious condition of the organ in Holis it is not very easy to explain. I cannot however avoid looking upon the perforations in the extremities of the branchial papille as analogous to the orifice placed at the base of the branchial plume * I have just seen an excellent paper on the anatomy of Eolis by Messrs. Hancock and Embleton (Annals, xv. pp. 1, 77), in which these gentlemen describe the terminations of the gastric ramifications in Zolis as lined by glandular structure, which in most‘species exhibits a complex follicular dis- position. The czeca in Act@on are certainly much more simple, nor do they seem to be furnished with any distinct glandular lining. 158 Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon. in Doris where it gives exit to a part of the hepatic secretion,—an office which it is by no means unlikely the branchial apertures in Holis are also destined to fulfil. M. de Quatrefages maintains, that throughout the whole of his Mollusca Phlebenterata, with the exception of Holidina, there is a total absence of a heart and vessels. In Holidina he allows the existence of a heart and arteries, but denies that of a venous sy- stem. We have already seen that so far as Acte@on is concerned, the French anatomist is quite in error, and we have no doubt that future researches will still further prove the untenableness of his positions. When we consider the extreme tenuity of the venous tubes in these animals, and the colourless nature of their contents, we can surely place but little reliance on any statements which deny their existence solely from the fact of their having escaped detection. : But after all, is a diffused condition of the venous fluid of such great importance in determining the position of a molluscous animal in the zoological scale? Setting aside the Ascidia, a group universally allowed to manifest a degradation of structure, we know that in Aplysia a diffusion of this very kind begins to show itself in the remarkably imperfect condition of the venous trunks in this genus, and yet M. de Quatrefages himself would hardly be rash enough to degrade from its co-ordinate Gastero- pods this highly organized mollusk. It remains for us now to consider the zoological relations of Acteon and its true position among the Mollusca. We have seen that Montagu originally described this mollusk under the name of Aplysia, and all zoologists since his time have, with the ex- ception of M. de Quatrefages, agreed in placing it in the vicinity of the Aplysia. Sander Rang, it is true, in his ‘ Manuel des Mollusques,’ expresses in a note his opinion that the position of Acteon is in the neighbourhood of Placobranchus, a genus esta- blished by Van Hasselt for a mollusk discovered by him on the coast of Java; in the text however he follows the opinion of other zoologists,, making Acteon a genus in his family of Aplysiens. It is without doubt to M. de Quatrefages that we are indebted for having first decidedly removed Acteon from the Tecti- branchiate Mollusca, and placed it in the vicinity of Holts and its allies,—a position which is assuredly its true one, being fully borne out, not only by its internal structure but by its external conformation, however at variance this last may at first appear with the legitimacy of the position now assigned to it. The lateral expansions of Acton are truly analogous to the branchial papille of Zolis, their real homology being easily found Prof. G. J. Allman on the Anatomy of Acteeon. 159 in the united branchize of an Kolidian mollusk ; and if to this we add the gastric or hepatic ramifications, and consider the general character of the anatomy as detailed in the present paper, we can have no hesitation in making Acte@on a genus of NuDIBRANCHIATE Motuvusca. As to the close affinity of Acteon to Placobranchus, I fully agree in the opinion of M. Sander Rang, expressed in the note just alluded to. Indeed I believe the relation between these mollusca to be closer than has been yet suspected, though, from the imperfect state of our knowledge of Placobranchus, it would be at present premature to urge with confidence any further opi- nion upon this subject. 7 While I have thus strongly objected to the establishment of a new order for the reception of the Holidian Nudibranchs, I yet believe that strict zoology peremptorily demands the formation — among the Nudibranchs of a distinct group for these mollusca, by which they may be kept apart from other Nudibranchs with which many zoological writers have too closely united them. In- deed the light which has of late years been thrown upon the ana- tomy of the Mollusca Nudibranchiata places us in a position for recognising those relations by which a natural’ subordinate group- ing of the order may be effected. A dismemberment founded upon the differences of organization of the Mollusca Nudi- branchiata had been to a certain extent carried out by M. de Blainville in the establishment of his groups Polybranchiata and Cyclobranchiata, the former corresponding to the family Trito-_ niade of subsequent zoologists, and the latter to that of Dori- dide. De Blainville divides the Polybranchiata into two minor groups, Tetracerata and Dicerata, both natural, the’ former in- cluding Holis, Glaucus, &c., and the latter Tritonia, Scyllea and Thetis. With the position heye assigned to Tritonia, Scyllea and The- tis, though the group is in itself natural, I cannot concur, as I believe these mollusca much further removed from Holis and its allies than from Doris. Sander Rang (Man. des Mol.) rejects De Blainville’s groups Polybranchiata and Cyclobranchiata, and primarily divides the entire order into five families: 1. les Ptérosomes, established for the reception of a single genus Pterosoma, discovered by Lesson in the equatorial seas; 2. les Glauques = Polybranchiata Tetra- cerata, Blainy.; 3. les Tritonies = Polybranchiata Dicerata, Blainy.; 4. les Doris = Cyclobranchiata, Blainv. ; 5. les Placobranches, esta- blished for the Placobranchus of Van Hasselt. Pterosoma, upon which Rang founds his first family, is cer- tainly a very doubtful Nudibranch, and I believe admitted into this order upon very uncertain grounds. Lesson, its discoverer, 160 Prof. G, J. Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon. described it (Mém. de la Soc. d’Hist. Nat.) as a Nucleobranch nearly allied to Firola, and there is at least as much reason for considering it in this point of view as for assigning it a place among the Nudibranchs. Rejecting therefore Pterosoma from the Nudibranchs as a mollusk as yet too imperfectly understood, the remaining four families are judiciously constructed, based as they are upon true differences of organization, and consisting of really natural groups. gait In the beautiful work of Messrs. Alder and Hancock on the British Nudibranchiate Mollusca, the first part of which, just published by the Ray Society, I have had an opportunity of seeing, since the present paper was placed in the printer’s hands, these gentlemen distribute the British genera under the three families, Doridide, Tritoniade and Eolidide. They make more- over a most important revision of the old genus Tritonia, separa- ting from it the Tritonia arborescens of previous authors, which they find, notwithstanding its divided branchize and general Tri- _tonia-like appearance, to possess a true Kolidian structure, and Which they accordingly locate in the family of the Kolidid@ as a distinct genus under the name of Dendronotus. | In order however that Actgon may also find a place among the Mollusca Nudibranchiata, an additional family must be formed for its reception. The family which it is thus found necessary to constitute will perhaps correspond with the Placobranches of Sander Rang, though, from our entire ignorance of the structure of Placobranchus, it is impossible to form a decided opinion as to the identity of the two families. Having thus established four families among the Mollusca Nudibranchiata, the next question which suggests itself is, whether these families, when arranged in strict zoological co-ordination, are separated from one another by equal intervals? The answer must here be at once given in the negative, the Doridide bemg much more nearly allied to the Tritoniade than these are to any of the remaining families of the order. This circumstance there. fore demands the division of the entire order into two great pri- mary sections, by which means a natural grouping of the families themselves may be effected, and their true relations to each other be rendered apparent. : The grounds upon which this primary division of the Nudi-— branchiata is based, will be found in the singular system of hepatic ramifications, to which attention has already been so frequently directed, and which, though far from being of that importance with which it has been invested by M. de Quatrefages, is yet a decided indication of the existence of two subordinate groups in the order Nudibranchiata. Prof. G. J, Allman on the Anatomy of Actzon. 161 In accordance therefore with this arrangement, the Nudi- — branchiate Mollusca will stand as follows :-— ORDER. SECTION. FAMILY. GENUS. ‘Branchize in the mesial line, placed in a circle more or less complete 4 around the anus, Liver compact ......+++ 4 Doripip2z. Doris, Polycera, &c, the sides, or scattered. lea, Thetis. Branchie arranged along } Ti Scyl- TRITONIADZA. branched or muricated. > Dendronotus*, Eouipipa&, Glaucus,-&c, NupDIBRANCHIATA. A. (Branchie papillose, rf De Alderia, | Liver disintegrated..." Branchie foliaceous. Actzon, Placo- . AcTAONIDA. branchus ? acl EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. Puate V. Fig. 1. Acteon viridis, viewed from above. Fig. 2. The same, viewed in profile. Fig. 3. The head seen from below. Fig. 4. Vascular system : aa, trunks which receive the blood from the pos- terior parts of the branchial expansions; 8, circular vessel into which the trunks @ a@ open, and which also receives the blood from the anterior part of the branchial expansions ; ¢, the ventricle. Pirate VI. Acie@on viridis opened from above; that portion of the hepatic ramifications which occupies the right side has been removed in order to sim- plify the figure, and for the same reason the ovaries? have not been ages on the left: a, buccal mass; b, tongue; c, canal through which the buccal mass opens exteriorly ; d, esophagus; e, stomach; J, intestine; gg, anterior pair of salivary glands; hh, posterior pair ; i, pyriform sac opening into cesophagus ; k #, anterior trunks of hepatic ramifications; //, posterior trunks; m mm, culs-de-sac in which the hepatic ramifications terminate ; , ganglionic collar of cesophagus; 0, pharyngeal ganglia? ; p, optic nerve; g7, nerves running to tentacula and lips; s, nerves supplying the digestive system ; ¢, penis; v, oval cavity in base of penis; w, vgs deferens ; * I would feel well-inclined to separate Dendronotus as the type of a small family distinct from the true Holidide. With Dendronotus | would also join Doto (Melibeea, Johns.), and then the second section ef Nudi- branehs would consist of three families, of which the Dendronotide would be exactly co-extensive with the subfamily MZelibaeine of Messrs. Alder and Hancock, With the animal assumed by Rang as the type of his genus Me- libea, I am not sufficiently acquainted to decide upon its exact location, Ann, & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. 162 Mr.J.E. Gray on a new genus of Night Lizards. x, oval body with which vas deferens communicates ; y, sac of un- known function ; x, dichotomously divided tube which opens into the sac y; 6, tube connecting the sac y with the oval body 2; y, the testis ?; 3, pyriform sac connected with y; ¢€ €, the ovary ?; 6 6, capsular bodies connected with ovary. Puate VII. Fig. 1. System of cesophageal ganglia : aa, great supra- cesophageal ganglia ; bb, second pair; cc, third pair; d, azygous ganglion; e e, com- missures connecting supra-cesophageal ganglia with azygous gan- glion; jf, commissure which runs beneath the cesophagus and unites the two ganglia of the second pair ; gg, organs of hearing. Fig. 2. Organ of vision: a, pigmental body ; 6, optic nerve; ¢, crystalline lens ; d, transparent capsule inclosing pigmental body and lens. Fig. 3. Subcutaneous mucous glands. Fig. 4. Terminal culs-de-sac of the hepatic system. Fig. 5. The tongue: a, lingual sac; 6, unarmed prolongation, in which the tongue terminates at the right side. Fig. 6. Portion of posterior salivary glands. Fig. 7. One of the oval bodies contained in the ovarian capsules. Fig. 8. Portion of the ovary with its capsule: aa a, sacciform appendages; b, capsule ; c, oval bodies inclosed by the capsule. Fig. 9. Group of ova as deposited upon the leaves of Zostera marina, &c. Fig. 10, 11, 12. Embryo: aa, locomotive discs; b, foot; c, operculum ; d, organs of vision ; e, cesophagus; f, stomach; g, granular mass, beneath which the posterior part of the alimentary canal is con- cealed ; h, rudiments of cesophageal ganglia; ii, filaments which pass backwards from the base of the discs. XV.—Description of a new genus of Night Lizards from Belize. By J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S. &c. To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. GenTLEMEN,—This interesting new ‘form of Gecones, or Night Lizards, was sent from Belize by Mr. Dyson under the name of “‘ Gallwaspe,” a name which appears to be generically applied to most Lizards by the English in Tropical America. It is at once di- stinguished from all the genera of the family before known by the short, blunt, compressed, equal-diametered toes, but more particularly by the very small size of the claws, which are completely hidden be- tween two large, half oblong scales, which have a narrow one between the base of the upper edge. Genus CoLtzonyx. Fam. Gecoripa. Toes rather compressed, equally thick their whole length, blunt at the end; edges simple, rounded ; upper surface covered with a single, and the sides with three series of six-sided scales, the under surface witha single series of rather narrow, slightly convex, transverse scales ; the end of each toe furnished with large, oblong, convex scales on each side, forming a complete sheath to the small claws, and with The Arctic Expedition. 163 an elongate tapering scale covering the suture between these two scales above. Preanal pores distinct, in an angular series; scale gra- nular, with series of larger, round, convex granules. ‘Tail cylindrical, with rings of larger subangular tubercles, swollen near the vent be- neath, and with large tubercles on each side. Coleonyx eleyans. Gray ; head and nape with concentric black streaks; back and tail with irregular black cross-bands, beneath gray ; back with numerous series of roundish tubercles, smaller and more distant on the head and nape, and more crowded on the limbs. Inhab. Belize. Collection of the British Museum. XVI.—The Arctic Expedition under the command of Sir Joun FRANKLIN. We have been favoured with the sight of letters from Mr. H. Goodsir, who is attached to this expedition, and hasten to com- municate to our readers an outline of the results already obtained. The zeal and scientific knowledge of our friend Mr. Goodsir have raised high anticipations of the value to natural science of this voyage, and these have, if possible, attained a still greater eleva- tion by what has been already done. It is most satisfactory to learn that the officers of the expedition, and also a considerable number of the men, are most active in rendering every assistance to him in his researches. They have indeed kept him at work almost night and day (if there can be said to be any night in these latitudes), examiming, drawing, and describing new or highly interesting animals. We will now proceed to give a short account of the voyage, as learned from Mr. Goodsir’s letters, which are dated from “ Disco in Baffin’s Bay, July 7, 1845.” The earlier part of the voyage was rather tedious, owing to ad- verse and stormy winds, so that the ships were driven far to the north-east, near enough on June 11th to have seen the moun- tains of Iceland, had the state of the atmosphere allowed. On the 22nd they were off Cape Farewell, the southern point of Greenland. Up to this date there were only two days upon which he could make any observations, but the results of these are extremely interesting. On the 10th of June, in lat. 61° 47’, long. 14° 14/, numerous specimens of a species of Briareus were obtained, furnishing an important addition to our knowledge of these animals. The presence of “ cilia frmging the bifurcated _ portions of the lateral extremities of its body,” decides the posi- tion of the genus in nature, and proves that Quoy and Gaimard’s idea of its being molluscous is not correct. Its intestinal canal consists of a straight tube with but one oval opening. The re- 164. The Aretic Expedition. jection of the indigestible portion of its food is effected by dila- ting the whole body with water and then ejecting it. At the same time a small species of Clio, several Beroé, one specimen of a free Actinia, and a very beautiful Crustacean, form- ing a new genus in the family Pontia and allied to Ireneus, were obtained. The last is characterized by its large size, “the enor- mous length of the four central tail-filaments, the inner of which are not themselves armed with filaments, all the others being so ; each of the antennz has a joint at the distal part of the first third, thus enabling the animal to bend them and conceal them under its body.” _ On the second fine day a most interesting Ciliograde was ob- tained of very peculiar form, and having the ciliated ribs trans- verse instead of longitudinal; the cilia arising from either edge of the ribs. Mr. Goodsir thinks that its minute structure, which is very complicated, proves its aflinity to the Diphyde and also the Salpe. All the Meduse obtained on these two days were Ciliogrades. : On the 28rd of June, having rounded Cape Farewell in a heavy gale of wind on the preceding day, on entering Davis’ Straits numerous. beautiful Pteropoda of the genus Clio were ob- tained in company with Spiratella. They were swimming ac- tively in the water and were adorned with the brightest colours ; only approaching the surface of the sea on calm evenings. The observations made upon these animals have enabled Mr. Goodsir to confirm the observations of Eschscholtz in most points. On the 25th numerous Meduse were seen, all of these of the fa- mily Beroide and mostly of the species B. punctata of Eschscholtz. On the 27th soundings were obtained in 41 fathoms and a dredge put down, which produced, amongst many other interesting cap- tures, a new species of Caprella, Amphipoda in great number, several Asteriade, a Terebratula and several other Mollusca, an Isopod forming a new genus allied to Munna, a very beautiful Ascidian, four species of fish— Cyclopterus, Liparis, Ammodytes, and a beautiful species new to the observer. On the same day a large shoal of the Caing whale (Phocena Melas) passed on their way towards the south. On the 28th a dredge was sunk to the enormous depth of 300 fathoms, and produced many highly interesting species of Mollusca, Crustacea, Asteriade, Spatangi and Corallines ; such as Fusus, Turritella, Venus, Dentalium, &c.; and also some large forms of Jsopoda. As bearing upon the geographical distribution of species, Mr. Goodsir considers the occurrence of Brissus lyrifer (Forbes) and Alauna rostrata (Goodsir) as of the greatest in- terest, both of them being natives of the Scottish seas. The vemarkable depth also appears to us to give peculiar interest to The Arctic Expedition. | 165 these researches, as we believe that the deepest dredgings ever previously obtained were those of Prof. E. Forbes in the Levant, the deepest of which was 230 fathoms, itself far beyond any made by other naturalists. Such valuable and laborious researches can only be made when the officers of'a ship have such kindly dispo- sitions towards the observer of nature as was the case during Prof. Forbes’s voyage, and is now shown by those under the command of Sir J. Franklin. On the 1st of July two specimens of a small species of Beroé were obtained, which greatly illustrated the process of their deve- lopment. A thick germinal membrane of a red colour was ob- served lining the central cavity of the body, in which both male ~ and female cells appeared to be developed. The ova haying ar- rived at some size project so far as to become pedunculated, and so hang from the membrane into the cavity. The male cells are also developed in the same membrane.” Mr. Goodsir is making minute observations upon the ice of the bergs, and as he purposes continuing them throughout the voy- age, there can be little doubt of his arriving at valuable conclu- _ sions. He observes that it is quite without salt; this was to be expected, when we consider that they are not formed of marine ice, but are parts of glaciers which have become detached and fallen into the sea. “ The surface of a mass when melting pre- sents numerous flat concavities, all of them of about the same size and form, and without any interruption, excepting the ridges forming the walls of separation.” A loud cracking noise is heard and small particles are occasionally thrown off. The minute structure of the ice consists of three series of cells—two traver- sing the mass in one direction, and one at right angles to them. Of the former, one series consists of moderately large and quite globular cells of nearly uniform size, each having within it “a small globule of a peculiar fluid ;” the oblong, sausage-shaped cells of the other series also contain small globules, but usually several instead of one. The mode of formation of these cells and the nature of the inclosed fluid are subjects to which his atten- tion will be especially turned. The third series consists of very minute cells, arranged in well-defined wavy bands, which run across the lines formed by the other series. These bands are of an opake white colour. We also find some observations upon the action of floating ice upon the granitic shores of the islands. All the rocks below high water mark and some considerably above it are rounded off into long irregular ridges with intervening hollows by the half-float- ing masses of ice. As the ships were to stay at the Whale-fish Islands for a few 166 Dr. W. Seller on some Plants obtained days, Mr. Goodsir hoped to obtain a complete collection of the animals, plants and minerals existing upon them. The expedition has now proceeded into the mhospitable icy regions of the north, and we must not expect to receive any further accounts of it until it has either succeeded in making its way into the Pacific Ocean, or having found that to be impossible, is on its return to England. In either case there can be no doubt that much valuable scientific information will be obtained. XVII.— Observations on some Plants obtained from the shores of Davis’ Straits. By Witi1amM Setier, M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh*. A rew weeks since, Mr. Sutherland, a student of medicine, who made a voyage last summer to Davis’ Straits as medical officer of a whale ship, presented me with some plants gathered on the coasts and dried as he best could without any of the usual bota- nical conveniences. There are in all about twenty-five species, and a few of them are plants which cannot fail to interest the botanist. All of them were gathered within or close upon the Arctic Circle, on the coasts of Davis’ Straits and Baffin’s Bay, adjacent to the usual course of whale-fishing vessels, so that, were it deemed desirable, it would be easy, by holding out a little en- couragement, to induce some of the many young men who go out annually in the same capacity with Mr. Sutherland to bring home collections of this description. It is impossible to believe that the variations of species under the opposite circumstances of different regions, as respects soil, situation and climate, do not take place in obedience to fixed ge- neral laws. Yet our knowledge on this head at present consists almost exclusively of what may be called unreduced particular observations on certain species ; too few to found upon. It may be that such laws prevail, yet lie beyond our reach. If such be the case, the only resource is to make up our minds to sacrifice brevity in regard to species observed to vary, and to practise de- tailed description of all their varieties. And fortunately, while this method serves as a considerable corrective of the evil in the meantime, it is the only plan, by following out which we can hope to arrive at the general laws of variation, if these be attain- able. When a species is known to be polymorphous, we might, in the meantime, advisably lay aside the ordinary circumscribed * Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, 12th of June and 10th of July, 1845. from the shores of Davis’ Straits. 167 form of definition in regard to it as leading only to error, and, in its stead, adopt detailed descriptions drawn from individuals pro- duced in distant localities offering the widest possible range of circumstances. The obvious objection to such a practice is the room it takes up. In methodical botany, without doubt, brevity is a prominent excellence. But here there can hardly be any real sacrifice of brevity. For the needless multiplication of spe- cies is an unavoidable result of our definitions being not universal but local, that is, applicable to some localities only. All who have attended to Arctic botany feel in particular the force of the diffi- culties referred to. Sir Wm. Hooker has well remarked on the extreme difficulty which attends the determination of what ought and what ought not to be considered as good species among Arctic plants: “ Ve- getables,” he says, “of our own more southern latitudes often assume in those frigid regions an aspect quite different from what we are accustomed to see them wear ; and which, without referring to a very extensive series of specimens, might well be supposed to afford decided marks of specific distinction*.” And Wahlenberg, the well-known author of the ‘ Flora Lapponica,’ speaking of the botanist who limits his attention to the charac- ters of species as studied in one district, says, “ Fingit sibi cha- racteres sic dictos certos, et putat se eorum criterus dijudicare posse diversitatem specificam plantarum totius mundi ;” adding, after some further observations, “In hac re alii faciant que me facere vetant visa repertaque +.” On such views the observations with which I am about to trouble the Society are chiefly founded. Crucirer£.—Among the plants in this small collection are some Crucifere. There are several specimens of Cochlearia and a Draba. Most of the specimens of Cochlearia are so imperfect, that it would be a waste of time to attempt to determine whether they should be referred to the C. officinalis or to the C. anglica, the latter of which is said to be the most common of the Arctic species. There is however one well-developed specimen in fruit which agrees with the C. fenestrata of Mr. Brown, with the ex- ception of having long peduncles, particularly in the lower fruit, in which respect it answers to the C. lenensis of DeCandolle. It seems very certain, as Sir Wm. Hooker has remarked, that the fenestra occurs in the fruit-septum of other species of Cochlearia besides that which Mr. Brown named fenestrata ; still, if the fe- nestra or rima be of rare occurrence in the other species, and if the absence of it be the exception in the C. fenestrata, it is a * Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 382. t+ Flora Lapponica, Ratio operis, p. 9. 168 Dr. W. Seller on some Plants obtained useful descriptive character. In our specimen it appears in almost all the silicule that have been opened. In DeCandolle’s description of the Crucifere, he mentions, as occasional, the pre- . sence of a stria or a rima in the axis of the fruit-septum ; and as far as I have observed, the stria, which may be regarded as indi- cating the tendency to the rima or fenestra, occurs generally in the species of Cochlearia. This stria or fenestra in the axis seems to suggest the idea that the dissepiment in the fruit of the Cru- cifere is composed of two portions extended from the opposite sides to meet there. And if this be deemed probable, then the conclusion would follow that their seed-vessel is composed, not of two, according to the received view, but of four carpels. As Mr. Brown says he met with one specimen of C. fenestrata in which many of the silicule were three-valved and three-celled, I was curious to ascertain if any of those in our specimen presented this anomaly, but was disappomted. Mr. Brown does not say how the second dissepiment was placed. It is impossible to sup- ose that there were two dissepiments parallel to each other. I infer then, particularly as Mr. Brown uses the word “ dissepi- mentum” in the singular number, that the additional septum joined the normal septum in the axis. Mr. Brown’s discovery | of three-celled pericarps in a cruciferous plant is an encourage- ment to botanists to search for the farther anomaly of four-celled pericarps among the same; which can hardly fail to occur, if the theory of their fruit bemg composed of four carpels or carpellary leaves be correct ; for on this view it must be by abortion that placente and a septum fail to appear opposite to the cleft of the stigma, at the place in the valves occupied by the carina, when that is present in this kind of fruit. Mr. Brown also remarks, | in his description of the C. fenestrata, that the umbilical cords are joined together at their bases by a narrow membrane. This narrow membrane farther illustrates the structure of the fruit in the Crucifere. It represents the margin of the interior layer of the carpellary leaf stopping short close to the inner side of -the middle rib, which here enters into the replum or frame of the dissepiment, while the dissepiment itself is composed of the outer layer joined with its fellow of the adjacent carpellary leaf and ex- tended to the axis. This accords in so far with DeCandolle’s account of the structure of the septum in the Crucifere, though he describes it in different terms ; he says the septum is formed by the reflexion inwards of the epicarps, while the endocarps stop short close to the suture and produce the placente. But if there be four such shortened borders of the endocarp, two at each margin of the septum, as in all silicule with a double row of seeds in each cell, then there must have been four original car- pellary leaves, two entering imto each valve, and two into each from the shores of Davis’ Straits. 169 half of the septum ; and the replum or frame of the septum must be double, being composed on each side of the middle ribs of two of these leaves united ; and further, each lobe of the stigma must be double, as being a prolongation of this double replum. Again, as the middle ribs of the carpellary leaves which make up each double lobe of the stigma are manifestly to the right and left of the portions of these produced into the dissepiment, the place of the dissepiment itself, though not in appearance, is in reality between these united halves of each lobe of the stigma, or the dissepiment in the Crucifere, according to this view, is not a false but a true dissepiment, as alternating with the divisions of the stigma; and this must be very apparent if cases occur in which the usual abortions do not take place in the region of the carinze of the valves. ; Our next Cruciferous plant is plainly a Draba. It is not easy to say with certainty to what species this plant should be re- ferred. But for the small number of leaves on the stems, it might pass for a variety of the D. incana. I set it down as the D. hirta ; not the D. hirta of the ‘English Botany,’ but the D. hirta, var. a, of Wahlenberg. The number of leaves on the scape is not so constantly two in our specimens as stated in the descrip- tion of that species ; sometimes there is but one ; sometimes even four. The silicles are glabrous, oblique or slightly twisted, the peduncles shorter than the silicles and not absolutely free from pubescence. Some of the root-leaves are slightly toothed, those of the scapes uniformly toothed. DeCandolle remarks on this species, “ Planta polymorpha cum sequentibus sepe confusa et extricatu difficillima.” Caryoruytie#.—Of the Caryophyllee we have the Lychnis alpina, the Cerastium alpinum, and a single specimen of a small plant with the habit of a Stel/aria. The plant being far advanced, the form of the petal could not be made out at first, so that it was difficult to say whether it was an Arenaria or a Stellaria. At our last meeting, when the plant was shown, Mr. M‘Nab sug- gested its being the Stellaria scapigera. This 1 believe it to be, and have since found that the petal is cleft to the base as in that species. Though found on our highland mountains, the S. sea- pigera has not appeared, as far as | have observed, in any of the lists of Arctic plants hitherto published. I[t does not occur im Wahlenberg’s ‘ Flora Lapponica,’ nor even in Hooker’s ‘ Flora Boreali-Americana.’ In a small collection of Arctic plants in the Society’s museum, a specimen of what appears to be the same plant occurs under the name of Séellaria Edwardsii. To this species, however, our plant has but a distant resemblance. In our plant the leaves are connate, which I do not find to be re- 170 Dr. W. Seller on some Plants obtained marked in the descriptions of Stellaria scapigera. As the plant in the Society’s herbarium was obtained also from the shores of Davis’ Straits, we may hope that opportunities will occur of ex- amining the species under more favourable circumstances. Rosacr#.—Of the Rosaceae, besides the Potentilla tormentilla, there are several specimens of a Potentilla which deserves some attention. These specimens are of the same species, though one is much more branched than the others. The lower part of the ‘stem is covered with a dense brown mass, composed of the en- larged stipules of the inferior leaves. In the midst of this cover- ing the stem divides into several branches. These stems or branches in all our specimens are one-flowered and few-leaved, yet each at its base is covered with brown stipular sheaths arising from itself. The radical or lowest leaves are on pretty long pe- tioles arising in the mass of stipular sheaths. These petiolated leaves are ternate, and each leaflet is crenate, having from five to seven convex teeth nearly but not absolutely equal; in the ter- minal leaflet there are commonly seven such teeth. Both sur- faces of the leaflets, particularly the lower, are covered with silky hairs, and hairs of the same description copiously ciliate their margins. They are rather small, each leaflet being about the third. part of an inch long and less than a quarter of an inch broad. The few leaves on the flower-bearing stems are also ter- nate, but smaller and less perfectly developed, the terminal leaflet having no more than three convex teeth ; these have no petiole, but in lieu of it a pair of connate stipules. The flower-bearing stems, as well as the petioles of the lower leaves, are hairy, the hairs on the former being shorter. The calycine sepals are ovate, blunt or subrotund, the five exterior rather smaller than the five interior, the mner rather less round than the outer, subequal in both rows; both are hairy and fringed with hairs. The petals are considerably longer than the sepals, large and broad, obcor- date or emarginate. _ There are not a great many species of Potentilla hitherto de- scribed with ternate leaves. Of these, the only species to which our plant approaches are the P. nivea, Vahliana, emarginata and nana. In some respects it agrees with each of these. The flowers are too large for the P. nivea, and moreover it differs in its whole aspect from the P. nivea at least of the Alps. It agrees better with the P. Vahliana, which is held to be the same as the P. Jamesoniana from Greenland, described by Dr. Greville. The leaves however in Dr. Greville’s figure have hardly the same ‘aspect; in Dr. Greville’s plant the lateral leaflets are trifid, in ours usually quinguefid; moreover Dr. Greville describes the leaflets as gashed at the apices, those of our plant are crenate from the shores of Davis’ Straits. 171 over the whole margin. The description of the P. emarginata is rather vague ; it seems indeed, as Sir Wm. Hooker * suggests, to be the same as the P. nana. Our species on the whole agrees very well with the P. nana, though the name does not seem very applicable to it, unless it refer to the large size of the flowers as compared with the moderate height of the plant. Lehmann, as cited by Hooker+, says the P. nana is distinguished from all the allied species by the “ foliola calycina exteriora subrotunda obtu- sissima.” These leaflets in our specimens are certainly roundish, though it may be doubted if they come completely up to the strong expression just quoted. The remarkable fringing of the leaves with silky hairs, so striking in our specimens, is hardly referred to in the description of P. nana or of the allied species. : SaneuIsorBE#.—Here we have the Alchemilla vulgaris, a well-developed plant. OnaGrarEx.—Among the plants before us there are two Epilobiums: one a single imperfect specimen, which may probably pass for the EKpilobium angustissimum of Linnzeus, among the habitats of which he gives Greenland ; the other the Epilobium latifolium, of which there are several excellent specimens ; the most beautiful indeed in this small collection. DeCandolle says, in his definition of the Epilobium latifolium, “ caule simplici,” with a mark of interrogation ; Sir Wm. Hooker says, “caule subramoso.” In all our specimens there are several stems arising immediately from the root, while there is hardly any branching ineach. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate, as stated by all authorities. It is not however commonly noticed that the leaves are distinctly unequal on the opposite sides of the middle rib. Again, they are said by DeCandolle to be “ integriusculis,” and by Hooker to be “subintegerrimis.” On examining the leaves in the specimens before the Society, I find the margins minutely revolute with slight irregularities, which give the ap- pearance of very small straggling teeth. This appearance has possibly given rise to the belief of the leaves not being absolutely entire, as the above expressions imply. In these specimens the leaves are glabrous, which seems to be less usual. The leaves moreover in our specimens are alternate and opposite, as described by Linneus. The peduncles are axillary, yet sometimes so close as to appear to be ternate or fasciculate. These peduncles, which are as long-as the flower, are purple and inflated. The calyx is coloured as in the EL. glandulosum of Lehmann. SAXIFRAGEX.—There are four Saxifrages, the Sazxifraga op- positifolia, S. tricuspidata, S. cernua and S. rivularis. * Flora Boreali-Americana, vol. i. p. 194. tT Jb. 172 Dr. W. Seller on some Plants obtained Of the S. oppositifolia I have nothing to observe. The speci- mens of S. ¢ricuspidata are several and very well marked. Of the S. cernua the specimens are pretty numerous, while very few, as is usual, have flowers. One has a rather large flower with two unblown flowers near it, so as to form an approach to a simple umbel. In another there is a well-blown flower and an unblown small flower near it. The only specimen besides, which has a flower at all, is one-flowered. Sir Wm. Hooker in the ‘ British Flora’ remarks on this species, “frequently there is no flower, and I have never seen more than one upon a stem.” Linnzus also describes the S. cernua as one-flowered. Wahlenberg how- ever says, “ caule subunifloro,” and Sir Wm. Hooker in his ‘ Flora Boreali-Americana’ has in the definition “ flore seepe subunifloro.” In these specimens the minute rounded bodies or bulbils which stand instead of flowers are easily extracted from the axils of the uppermost leaves. And in all the specimens the root is clothed with amylaceous scales, giving to it at the first inspection no small resemblance to the root of the S. granulata. In none of the de- scriptions that I have consulted is this singularity of the root referred to except by Mr. Don, who speaks of the “ radix squa- mata, squame e basibus petiolorum foliorum primordialium enata.”” And moreover he places this species in his third section of the genus Sazifraga, termed Leiogyne, of which he remarks, that “the roots, whether scaly or fibrous, scarcely afford any spe- cific character, as they have all a tendency to become scaly.” Our fourth Saxifrage is the S. rivularis. It is wholly in fruit, and is taller and stouter than usual. Wahlenberg says the 8S. r7- vularis hardly exceeds an inch in height. Hooker describes it as “pigmea.” Don gives two inches as the height of the stems. Our specimens approach to three inches. There can be no doubt however that these are specimens of the S. rivularis. Composirz.—Of the plants before us, one only belongs to the Composite. On mentioning at our last meeting that I took this syngenesious plant. for a species of Arnica, my opinion met with very little countenance. I have since examined the speci- mens with some care, and I feel satisfied that the plant is an Arnica, and that it is the same as what authors have described as one of the Arctic forms of the Arnica montana. As however this Arctic plant differs so much in aspect from the luxuriant plant of more temperate countries, it may be worth while to give the results of that examination. Our specimens have no root-leaves, and Mr. Sutherland assured me that he saw none when he gathered them. On this however I shall not insist. The scape is five or six inches long, hollow, one-flowered. Be-° tween one and two inches above the base two opposite leaves or leafy scales arise, in some degree amplexicaul, or even approach- from the shores of Davis’ Straits. 173 ing to connate, each almost an inch long, triangular, acute, broadish at the base; above the middle of the scape are produced two other leaves, alternate, of the same form, smaller in size, the lower being rather the larger, distant from each other about the third part of an inch, each being amplexicaul in the same degree as the two opposite leaves beneath. The leaves are mbbed. In one of the specimens these upper leaves are wanting, and in another they are opposite, like those below. The scape has a jointed appearance at the origin of the opposite leaves, and is somewhat inflated just below the flower. It is shghtly striated and clothed, as the leaves also are, with soft hairs varying in length. The receptacle is round, slightly convex, distinctly pitted, the apertures minute but deep, of two sizes with a raised narrow margin, which is fringed with an evident pubescence. In. the Linnzean definition of the genus Arnica, which has been fol- lowed by most authorities, the receptacle is represented as naked ; but DeCandolle says, “ receptaculum fimbrillferum pilosiuscu- lum,” as exhibited m these Arctic specimens. The leaflets of the involucrum are in two rows, eleven in the outer row, eight in the inner ; those of the outer row ovate-lanceolate, nearly uniform ; those in the inner less regular, some being of the same form and. size with the outer leaflets, while others are narrower and even shorter. The outer leaflets are near half an inch long, more hairy on their external surface than the scape, their outer sur- face and both surfaces of the inner leaflets being less hairy. The leaflets in both rows are deeply concave on their inner aspect, or rather carinate, with a middle rib. The ligulate florets are few compared with the number of tubular florets in the disc. They stand in a single row, and being eight in number, one seems to correspond with each of the inner leaflets of the involucrum. The pits or apertures in the receptacle answering to the insertion of these ligulate florets are wider than those from which the bases of the tubular florets arise, with the exception of two pits near the centre, which have the same diameter as those around its border. The ligulate florets are rather large and conspicuous, being an inch in height from the receptacle ; the lamina is broad, marked with several prominent, nearly parallel nerves, which branch off to bound the margins of the terminal teeth. The tubular florets are short, intermixed with the abundant pappus and overtopped by it: these are five-toothed. The style is forked in the florets of both dise and ray, the branches being long and pubescent, a part of DeCandolle’s character of the genus Arnica. The pap- pus is scabrous, the achenium hairy. Ericace&.—The Ledum palustre. Monorropea&.—The Pyrola rotundifolia. ScROPHULARINEZ.—There are several specimens of Pedicu- 174 Sir W. Jardine’s Jilustrations of Ornithology. laris. The form of the petiole and leaves resembling the snout of the saw-fish, marks them out as belonging to P. hirsuta. Potycone2£.—Polygonum viviparum and Oxyria reniformis. Emerretre &.—Hmpetrum nigrum. Sarices.-—-Saliz Myrtilloides and two imperfect specimens not yet determined. Cyprrace£.—LHriophorum capitatum and E. polystachion. I owe an apology to the Society for the length to which these observations have extended,—far beyond the slight notices at first designed; and yet I have been able but very imperfectly to execute the task proposed. But im the progress of this slight attempt I have felt more and more convinced of the advantage to be derived, in abler hands, towards the improvement of prac- tical botany from detailed descriptions of individual plants m the case of species liable to much variation. XVIII.—Hore Zoologice. By Sir W. Jarvinz, Bart., F.R.S.E. & F.L.S. [ With two Plates. ] No. VI. Jilustrations of Ornithology. Artamus mentalis (Plate VIII.).—Of the native country of this Artamus we have no information. The specimen from which our illustration was taken forms part of the ornithological collection belonging to the York Philosophical Society, and was noticed there by Mr. Gould as distinct from any of the previously described species. The principal characters that are at first sight apparent, are, the strength and size of the bill, the dark colour of the upper plumage, and the small size of the dark space on the chin com- pared with the colouring of the same part on A. leucorhynchus, where it covers the whole front of the throat and neck. The bill is dilated and swollen at the base, and appears to have been of the same rich blue colour which prevails in those species which have been described from recently killed birds ; towards the tip it shades gradually imto black. The head, cheeks, mental patch, back and wings brownish black with an opake grayish shade ; tail black, narrowly tipped with white ; the throat, breast and under parts, the rump and ‘upper tail-covers, under wing- covers and axillary feathers pure white. Entire length of the stuffed specimen, 6,8, inches; bill to gape, 1; to forehead nearly 8; ; of the wing to the end of second or longest quill, 5. The accompanying figure is slightly reduced. Genus GnatHopon, Jard. Gen. Characters.—Bill strong, maxilla hooked, sharp-pointed ; mandible cut at the tip into three distinct angular teeth ; nostrils “Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist.Vol.16.P1.VUL. —_— ee we ARTAMUS MENTALIS. \ 4 1845. Sir Wr Jardine delt Wii lizars Se. 2D Es LEB STI ye ‘ ALL y Z oy a Avy == - y, #3 og Oe Lee i ee wz, CZs yy ge PS St (ln A a, = 4; 194: Zoological Society. of Pteruthius and our Heterornis ; Heterornis at all events must take place next Pteruthius ; but I think the true position of Stachyris is among the Brachypods, near to Jéra and Icteria, with the forms that we shall next give, and leading to the Crateropodans. Genus Mizornis, mihi. General structure of Jéra, but the bill quite different and Meruline ; commissure and culmen subarched throughout; tarse lower and not exceeding the large thumb with its nail; tail fully rounded. Type, M. ruficeps, mihi.—Timalia gularis of Horsfield ? M. ruficeps.—Body vernal green, passing to yellow on the throat and breast, where also there are dark lines down the shafts of the plumes; cap, wing and tail brunescent; bill bluish horn ; legs Aaehy grey; iris hazel. Length 53 tpahes ; bill, $3 tail, 24; tarse, 13; central toe and nail, 5% ; hind, 8, ; closed wing, 25. Sexes alike. Genus Erpornis. General structure of the last, but the bill very straight, compressed, with the culmen well-raised and keeled between the nares, as in Sta- chyris and in Jéra, but less thick and rounded and the notch more remote than in Jéra; wings longer and more acuminate, with the first three quills less equally gradated; legs smaller; tail even. Type, Erpornis vanthochlora, mihi.—Above vernal yellow, below white ; legs and bill fleshy grey ; iris brown. Five inches long; bill, 4; tail, 2;4,; closed wing, 22; tarse, 44; central toe and nail, +; hind, 58. Sexes alike. - Remarks.—The above two forms are much related to each other, as well as to Stachyris and the other Brachypodan clinging-birds ; but Mizornis inclines towards Timalia among the Crateropodans, while Erpornis is nearer to Stachyris and Zosterops, which last I consider to be a Brachypod. Both inhabit the lower and central hills, and feed on tiny tree-insects and their larve and pupe. ‘Their tongue is simple. Genus Jzulus. General structure of Polyodon, but the bill, tongue and nares sim- ple, and Brachypodan, not Meliphagian ; bill short and singly notched at the tip. Type, Polyodon flavicollis or Yuhina flavicollis, as printed. Remark. —Polyodon i is a strictly Meliphagian form. Julus is one of the genera serving to connect the true Honeysuckers with the re- pent Brachypods, such as Zosterops, Chloropsis, &c., and which are so like the former. CRATEROPODINA. Genus Pyctoris, mihi. Bill short, strong, perfectly entire, arched throughout the culminal and tomial lines; nareal fosse’and scale obsolete; rictus with very strong short bristles; orbits nude; wings short and feeble, the first two quills much, the next two little gradated; third pair equal and longest ; tail long, broad and gradated throughout; legs and feet ty- Zoological Society. 195 pically Crateropodan, with a high strong tarse ; toes medial, unequal, central not elongated, laterals unequal, hind large; nails large, but not much curved nor acute; hind one largest. Type, Timalia hypoleucos, Auct. Hab. The plains only, represented in the hills by Deceira. A. rufifrons, mihi.—Above sordid ashen olive, passing to clear rusty brown on the alars, caudals, brows and chin, and the former (typically) marked with frequent regular cross-bars of black; tail longer and more gradated than in Nipalensis ; head similarly crested ; bill and feet embrowned fleshy or horny grey; iris brown. Length, 83 inches; bill, 4; tail, 42; wing, 34; tarse, 14; central toe and nail, 13; hind, 14. Remarks.—These birds form one of those singular links which unite the Crateropodan and Brachypodan thrushes with the Meli- phagide, of which last our Alcopus is a true member, having the brushed tongue in perfect development. Zosterops, Chloropsis, Hypsipetes, &c. of the Brachypodan group, likewise have the brushed tongue in more or less development, but not so perfectly as in Al- copus. In Izops there is little trace of it. Ixops leads from a Meli- phagian type (Alcopus) to the Crateropods, and Jrulus from another (Polyodon) to the Brachypods. ‘MyoruERina&. Genus Pnoepyga (olim Testa), mihi. Bill short, straight, Cinclosylvian, depressed as far as the nares, compressed beyond, with inflexed tomia and tip faintly inclined and notched; nares large, fossed, unplumed, furnished with a salient membranous scale, which lunates the aperture; rictus and brows smooth ; wings very short, bowed, and perfectly rounded; tail rudi- mentary, consisting of only six plumes, which are hid by the puffy rump-feathers; legs and feet ambulatory; tarse elevate, smooth ; lateral toes equal. Types, the following :— Ist species, albiventer (M. squamata, Gould, postea), mihi.— Above and sides olive-brown, more or less dotted with rufous ; below white, largely picked out with central dusky drops; feet dusky grey ; bill dusky horn. Length, 42 inches; bill, ;%; tail, 8; closed wing, 23; tarse, 1 ; central toe and nail, 1%; hind, 12. 3 2nd species, rufiventer.—Very like last, but the ground-colour below invariably rufescent, not white, and size rather less. 3rd species, unicolor, mihi.—Throughout of a dull brunescent olive, like Cinclus. Length, 32 inches; bill, ,%; tail, 44; closed wing, 2,5; tarse, 15; central toe and nail, $; hind, 5%. 4th species, pusillus, mihi.—Above saturate olive; below orange tawny, margined finely with black above and below; the colours confused towards the vent; legs sordid fleshy; bill dusky horn; iris brown. Length, 33 inches; bill, 4; tail, 5%; closed wing, 13; tarse, +3; central toe and nail, +4; hind, 5%. Genus Oligura, mihi. General structure of Pnoepyga, but the tail more developed and P2 196 Zoological Society. furnished with twelve plumes; the bill more depressed ; rictus less entirely smooth; nareal tect less developed and nares consequently ovoid ; lateral toes unequal, hind large, and nails more acute. ‘Types, the following :— Ist species, flaviventer, mihi.—Above deep grass-green, below rich yellow ; cap bright chestnut ; legs fleshy grey ; bill dusky above, fleshy below; iris brown. Length, 32 inches; bill, 3%; tail, 1; wing, 14; tarse, 1%; central toe and nail, 12; hind, plus Z. 2nd species, cyaniventer, mihi.—Above grass-green, below slaty blue; legs and feet smoky grey; bill dusky above, horn below. Length, 3% inches ; bill, +2; tail, 14; closed wing, less 2; tarse, 1 ; central toe and nail, 14; hind, ,%. Remarks.—The above genera were first discovered and described by myself, but I failed then to note the distinction between the two. I have now thrown all the prior and new species together. These singular birds are peculiar to the mountains, and dwell in moist woods where there is plenty of underwood ; they are solitary, silent, live and breed on the ground, and feed on seeds, gravel and insects ; their stomach is thick—almost a gizzard. They should stand with Aipunemia and Brachypteriz, between Pitta and Cinclus. Our Horor- nis and Monticola are analogous forms among the Sylviane, and Todus among the Muscicaps. Gould has figured our first species of Tesia, which he calls Micrura squamata. SYLVIADA. SaXICOLINA. Dimorpha, mihi (see ‘ Indian Review,’ Siphia). Bill short, cylindrico-depressed ; Muscicapan, but less wide and less armed at the tip; base loaded with a forward soft zone, putting forth hairs which partly conceal the nares; rictus less wide and less armed than in Muscicapa, but approaching thereto; wings more or less elongated and acuminated, with 4th, 5th, or 6th quill longest ; the first three or four more regularly gradated than in Muscicapa ; alar and caudal plumes wedged and mucronate, and the tail itself either slightly gradated from centre and sides, or cuneate; legs and feet more suited to walking than in Muscicaps; tarse smooth and exceeding the mid toe and nail; toes medial, compressed, unequal ; hind sometimes large, but not broad; nails large and slender, or . small and more bent. The subgenera seem to be three, or Dimorpha, Digenea, and Syn- ornis. Dimorpha proper, with long wings, having the fourth quill longest; tail broad and gradate from centre and sides; feet with the lateral fore-toes nearly equal and the hind-toe small, and the nails faleate and short. Types, D. strophiata, monileger and rubrocyanea. LD. strophiata printed apud Indian Review, quod vide. D.? monileger, mihi.—Above olive-brown, sordid, save on the wings and tail; below diluted and sordid; frontal zone rusty; chin Zoological Society. 197 and throat white, enclosed by a black band; bill black; legs fleshy ; iris brown. Length, 5} inches; bill, $; tail, 2; closed wing caret ; tarse, 12; central toe and nail, 13; hind, 1%. Sexes alike nearly. D. ? rubrocyanea, mihi.—Above indigo-blue, below deep rusty ; frontal zone, basal edges of tail and vent white; bill black; legs fleshy. Length, 43 inches; bill, 5%; tail, 14; closed wing, 23; tarse, $ ; central toe and nail, plus 5%, ; hind, ;8;._ Deviates from the type in form of wing, which has first three quills much gradated and fifth longest, and it has the legs, feet and nails of the next sub- genus, : Digenea, mihi, which differs from Dimorpha proper by having the wings shorter, with the fifth or sixth quill longest, the legs and feet longer and slenderer, and the nails less bent, but larger; the thumb larger and the nail cuneate. The types are tricolor and leucomelanura. D. tricolor.—Above olive-green, passing into ruddy olive-brown as you recede from the head; below sordidly luteous or fulvous ; bill blackish ; legs fleshy grey. Length, 4% inches; bill, 3 ; tail, 2; closed wing, 2,°,; tarse, less #; central toe and nail, 2; hind, 5. D. leucomelanura, mihi.—Above saturate slaty, passing to black on wings and tail ; tail laterally towards the base white, below albescent slaty; throat pure white; bill and legs black. Length 5 inches; bill, 3; tail, 2.3;; wing, 23; tarse, 1%; central toe and nail, 18; hind, 55. Passing next to the subgenus | Synornis, we have a medial Muscicapan wing, whereof the first quill is spurious, the second long, and 3-4 longest. The bill is more exposed at its base, the rictal and nareal hairs are shorter, and the legs and feet are more ambulant, with smaller thumb and nails, neither slenderly elongate nor shortly faleate. The type of this form is our Joulaimus, but it is the species whereof the male seems to be Sykes’s Sazicola rubeculoides, and the female Gmelin’s Muscicapa leucura. S. Joulaimus, mihi.—Above earthy brown, below diluted to luteous ; throat and breast bright rusty ; sides of head and neck dull slaty ; tail black, with white lateral base. Female below void of the red colour, being throughout sordid white. Length, 53 inches ; bill, %, ; tail, 24; wing, 22; tarse, #; central toe and nail, 5%; hind, 7,4. Weight, 4 02. ” Hab: Tarai. Rarely or never the hills, to which the others are as entirely confined. PHILOMELINA, Genus Muscisylvia, mihi. General structure as in Grillivora, but feebler; gape wider and bristled ; tip of the bill more suddenly bent; nares elongated, with nude membranous tect and lunato-elliptic aperture, set over by tiny hairs; wings and tail ample, with broad webs and obtuse mucronated terminations ; wings round, acuminate ; fifth quill longest; tail me- 198 : Zoological Society. dial, even, broad; legs and feet suited to walking and perching ; tarse equal to mid toe and nail; toes long and slender; nails acute ; hind much the largest, and equal to the digit; exclusively Montico- lous; stomach muscular and strong; feeds on hard and soft insects, pulpy berries and small seeds. A shy forester; not gregarious. Type, M. leucura, mihi.—Throughout deep indigo-blue, passing to black on alars and caudals; forehead and shoulders rich cobalt blue ; tail basally and laterally whitened ; a white spot on the side of the neck of the male; bill and legs black; iris dark. Length, 74 inches; bill, 2; tail, 31; wing, 33; tarse, 1,3,; central toe and nail, 1%; hind, 3. Weight 1 oz. Genus Nemura, mihi. General structure of Phenicura, but slighter, with slenderer legs and feet, and bill more armed at the point, and lateral toes unequal ; wings and tail mucronated, as in the last, but the webs less broad and the tips narrowed wedgewise; nails long, slender and delicate, like the digits and legs. Manners of Phenicura, but a forester and shy. Feeds on insects, soft and hard, and on pulpy berries. Found in central and northern regions of hills. Types, N.rufilatus et flavo- livacea et cyanura. N. rufilatus, mihi.—Above and the cheeks indigo-blue; brows, shoulders and rump soft cerulean; below white, save the flanks, which are bright rusty ; bill and legs black; iris brown. Length, 53 inches ; bill, 3; tail, 23 ; wing, 34; tarse, 11,; central toe and nail, 3; hind, 5%. N. flavolivacea, mihi.—Possibly female of the last. Above olive- green, with a yellowish tinge ; below sordidly fulvescent ; bill and legs fleshy grey. Length, 53 inches; bill, %; tail, 23; wing, 3; tarse, 11; central toe and nail, +; hind, }$. N. cyanura, mihi.—Head, neck, breast and wings olive-brown, more diluted below ; rump and tail verditer-blue ; flanks bright rusty ; chin, belly and vent white ; legs and feet black, Sexes alike. Length, 53 inches ; bill, 3; tail, 22; wing, 3; tarse, 1; central toe and nail, 3; hind, less 2. SYLVIANZ. Genus Tarsiger, mihi. Bill equal to head, straight, subdepressed, feeble, gradually widen-~ ing from the tip ; the upper mandible more than half exceeded by the nareal fosse, and much overlaid by the soft frontal plumes; nares broad lunate, forward, apert, shaded by a nude membrane; tip of bill obtuse, and nearly unarmed; gape rather wide and ciliated; wings submedial, round rather than acuminate, firm; fifth quill longest ; 4—6 and 3-7 respectively equal; alars and caudals wedged and mucronate; tail medial, rounded; tarse very elevate, slender and smooth; toes ambulant, simple; laterals unequal, hind rather large ; nails large, slender, simple; hind largest. Exclusively mon- ticolous; dwells in low brushwood solitarily, and is much on the ground, feeding chiefly on small ground insects. Makes its nest on the ground, saucer-shape, of moss, and places it under cover of some Zoological Society. 199 projecting root or stone; eggs verditer. Has much analogy with both the last genera, which it represents among the feebler Sylviane, to which it belongs, as they to the Philomeline. It differs from the last by its feebler, more depressed bill, larger and more membranous nares, and more slender legs and feet; also by its mucronate and wedge-tipped alars and caudals. The mucronation allies it to Mus- cisylvia, from which it differs by its less ample wings and tail, more elevate tarse, and feebler bill. Type, 7. chryseus, mihi.—Below the whole body with the entire shoulders, the lower back and greatest part of tail, deep gamboge- yellow; superciliary line the same ; head above, neck and upper back, yellow-tinted olive; lores, orbits and ears continuously, central caudals and tips of the others black; alars dusky black, fringed on the lower edges with yellow; legs fleshy brown; Dill horn-yellow below, dusky above. Female duller-hued, devoid of the black cheek- mark and superciliary line; her body above entirely olive-green ; alars and caudals dusky olive. Length, 5? inches ; bill, 14; tail, 2}; wing, 23; tarse, 1,5, ; central toe and nail, 1%; hind, 44. Genus Orthotomus, Horsf, 1st, subgenus, Orthotomus. - Bill sub-certhian, long, slender, inclining to arch, and entire, with the base largely exceeded by the nareal fosse ; nares large, membra- nous, free, the aperture lunate-linear and shaded above by a large unarched membrane; rictus slightly bristled; wings short, bowed, and feeble, but not perfectly rounded ; first four quills conspicuously gradated in a diminishing ratio; 5-6 equal and longest; tail mode- rate, narrow, feeble, much-rounded, with the two central plumes frequently elongated, as in the Bee-eaters; tarse high, stout, double that of the central toe, and strongly scaled; toes short, unequal, the outer fore longer and basally.connected ; the hind large and strong; nails strong and acute, the hind largest. Nearly confined to the hills; rare below in the cold season; solitary or in pairs; familiar ; dwells in low bushes and hedge-rows and fences, picking up minute insects from the leaves and decayed wood, and frequently descending to the ground, where they move fitfully, by hops, to take minute in- sects, and presently return to their low perch. Make beautiful pen- sile nests, by sewing together the edges of large leaves, and hence are called ‘ Patia’ or the ‘ Leaf-bird’ in the hills. Type, Sylvia putoria, v. sphenura, v. rujicapilla, Auct.—Above vernal green, below white; the great alars and caudals dusky; the top of the head brown-red; bill dusky horn; legs fleshy brown; iris brown. Female similarly coloured, but wanting almost entirely the prolonged central tail-feathers of the male, and smaller. Length (of male), 53 inches; bill, ?; tail, 2; closed wing, 14; tarse, $; cen- tral toe and nail, .%; hind, 4. Weight + or} oz. Has a loud shrill monosyllable note—tee-tee-tee. 1 suspect there are two spe- cies, because the eggs differ in colour in the nests brought me, some being verditer-blue and unspotted, and others bluish white, with fawn spots. ‘The latter, I think, belong to the above, and the 200. Zoological Society. former. to a smaller species, having the caudal appendage very little developed. — I call this Orthotomus Patia, and subjoin the following measurements. Length (of male), 43 inches; bill, 3; tail, 12; wing, 12; tarse, 15; central toe and nail, plus 9; ; hind, ;4. 2nd subgenus, Prinia, Horsf. Bill shorter and straighter, but still longer than the head, and not notched; less cut out at the base by the nareal fosse; rictus hispid ; nares smaller, with wider aperture ; wings yet shorter and absolutely rounded, with the first five quills conspicuously gradated up to the sixth and longest; tail ampler, more elongate and more gradate, fan-shaped, feeble; legs and feet slighter. Manners and nidification of the last, but a lowlander, being more rarely found in the hills than these. Type, Prinia fusca, mihi.—Length 5 inches; bill, =%; tail, 2,4; wing, less 12; tarse, 1%; central toe and nail, ;% ; hind, ;%. Above lutescent brown ; laterally luteous ; below white ; tips of the caudals with black drops, margined with white; bill dusky; legs carneous ; iris brown. : 2nd species of Prinia, P. brunnifrons, mihi; ruficapilla, Auct. ?— Above olive-brown, deeper and ruddier on the cap, wings and tail; below sordid white; under tail-coverts sordid olive, and the thighs the same; bill yellow horn; legs plumbeous grey; tail smaller than in the last. Length, 4 inches; bill, plus 4; tail, 13; tarse, ?; central toe and nail, 18; hind, 54. Remark.— Aberrant towards Horeites by its smaller tail and more perfect foot. This is a common species in the plains, and may pos- sibly be the Tailor-bird of authors rather than our Patia, which is rare there. 3rd subgenus, Horeites, mihi. Bill shorter than the head, quite straight, cylindric, feeble, di- stinctly notched; nares basal, ovoid, covered with a membranous scale; legs and feet stronger than in either of the above, and more suited to ground action; tarse high, strong, and heavily scaled, as in Orthotomus ; toes longer, more ambulant, with the laterals equal and central elongated; rictus quite smooth; wings and tail as in Prinia, or as in Orthotomus. Inhabits the northern region near the snows, dwelling in brushwood and being much on the ground. lst species, H. pollicaris, mihi.—Remarkable for its small wings and tail and large hind digit, the tail being equal in length to the closed wing, which is perfectly rounded and short, as in Prinia. Above olive-brown; below and the eyebrow pale yellow ; bill sordid corneous grey; legs fleshy grey. Length, 34 inches; bill, 54; tail, 12 ; wing the same; tarse, 13; central toe and nail, 19; hind, $. 2nd species, H. schistilatus, mihiimHas an ampler wing and tail than the last and a smaller thumb; its wing is as large as in Ortho- tomus, and its tail broad and fan-shaped, like Prinia. In colours very like brunnifrons, but distinguished by its broader ampler tail, larger Zoological Society. 201 wing, and shorter Regulus-like bill. Above uniform olive-brown ; laterally pale slaty and below pure white; cap clear brown-red or chestnut. Dwells near the snows, like the last-named. Length, 41 inches; bill, $; tail, 2},; wing, 14%; tarse, 2; central toe and nail, 8; hind, ;%. Allied to the last two species are some more Cachar birds of very similar manners and plumage, distinguished by a compressed bill, which is raised between the keeled nares, as in our Stachyris, and by the inner toe and nail of their strong ambulant feet being longer than the outer toe and nail. Some have the tarse smooth and the tail more or less scansorial, that is, cuneate in form and rather rigid or worn; these I call Tribura. The others have the turse scutellate and rather longer, and the tail broad and fan-shaped, and not at all rigid or worn; these I style Horornis, though they hardly deserve subgeneric separation. Genus Tribura, mibi. Bill to gape equal to head or less, straight, cylindric, compressed ; at base higher than broad, and having the ridge raised and keeled between the oval apert nares ; tip of upper mandible scarcely inclined, but distinctly notched ; rictus smooth; wings short and feeble, but not much or equally gradated ; first two quills conspicuously gra- dated, three next subequal and longest ; tail more or less elongated, and gradated throughout, rather cuneate than fan-shaped, and some- what rigid or worn ; tarse stout, smooth, longer than the mid toe and nail; toes and nails simple, compressed, inner fore with its nail ex- ceeding the outer fore, central elongate, hind least; nails acute. Type, T. luteoventris, mihi. Tribura luteoventris, mihi.—Above olive-brown, with a luteous lustre; below lutescent laterally and albescent centrally; a pale line over the eye; bill dusky horn; legs carneous. Length, 53 inches ; bill, 9; tail, 25; wing, 2),; tarse, 13; central toe and nail, 11; hind, ;8;._ Inhabits the Cachar, among brushwood; manners un- known. Genus Horornis, mihi. General structure of Tribura, but the rictus more or less armed ; the tarse strongly scaled ; the wings more gradated, having the fifth or sixth longest, and the tail broad, fan-shaped, and not worn or rigid. Inhabits the northern hills ; manners unknown. Types, fortipes and flaviventris. H., fortipes, mihi.—Above olive-brown, dark and pure; below and the brow yellowish ; bill yellow horn; legs pure fleshy. Length, 44 inches; bill, $; tail, 2; wing, 2; tarse, 1%; central toe and nail, 14; hind, 5. H. flaviventris, mihi.—Very similar to the last, but a smaller bird, with shorter tarse ; above olive-brown ; below and the brow greenish yellow and pale; bill and legs fleshy. Length, 43 inches ; bill tail, 13; wing, 2; tarse, +3; central toe and nail, 44; hind, es H, ? fuligiventer, mihi.—Aberrant ; probably a Tribura, having the wing of that form, but the tail not worn or rigid, and hence perhaps i. a 202 Zoological Society. that character may not be permanent. Above dusky olive-brown, diluted into greenish of a dusky cast below; bill and feet dark. Length, 5 inches; bill, 4; tail, 2; wing, 24; tarse, 2; central toe and nail, 14; hind, 4. H.? fulviventris, mihi.—Above saturate olive-brown ; below sordid luteous, shaded on the flanks with the upper hue ; bill and legs dusky grey. Length, 43 inches; bill, .%; tail, 12; wing, 23; tarse, 18; central toe and nail, 14; hind, 5%. Our singular genus Temnoris (olim Suthora), and which name, if objected to, may give place to Hemirhynchus, is I think a Parian form, being much allied to the small long-tailed Tits. — It seems however to group well with our Heteromorpha and Conostoma and Gould’s Paradorornis, and the whole may perhaps fall into the Glaucopine. ‘There are two species of Suthora confounded by me under the name of nipalensis ; I now erase that name, and substitute atrifrons and fulvifrons, thus : T. atrifrons, mihi.—General colour bright rusty, palest on the belly and vent, brightest on the wings; false wing black; margins of the prime alars albescent; caudals and alars internally blackish, and apertly so towards their tips; head saturate slaty, margined late- rally and in front by a darker zone, and passing into diluted slaty, mixed with rusty on the sides of the neck; chin transversely barred black ; cheeks albescent; bill dusky, with a bluish base; legs sordid grey. Length, 4} inches; bill, less +; tail, 24; wing, 144; tarse, 3; central toe and nail, 4; hind, 3. T. fulvifrons, mihi.—General hue of the preceeding, but the head ~ and neck concolorous with the back; the cheeks not whitened, the chin unbarred, and the size larger; bill paler or fleshy, with a dusky ridge. Length, 44 inches; bill, 4+; tail, 2}; wing, 2,,; tarse, 1%; central toe and nail, 5%; hind, a. MuscicaPiInez. Genus Chelidorynz, mihi. General structure of Rhipidura, but the bill very short and Crypto- lopho-hirundine, being as broad as long from the forehead and very slightly armed at the tip; rictal bristles long, as in Rhipidura; nares advanced, lateral, elliptic, and shaded above by a membrane; tail rigid, with wedged tips to the plumes, smaller and less rounded than in Rhipidura. Type, Ch. chrysoschistos, mihi.—Above slaty, with a greenish smear; below bright yellow; wings and tail dusky; shafts of the caudals whitened ; ears, lores and orbits black. Length, 4% inches ; bill to gape, 2; tail, 24; wing less 2}; tarse, ;%; central toe and nail, =2,; hind, ;5,. Weight 40z. Inhabits the central hilly region and great valley, on skirts of woods, among shrubs and low trees; very lively and shows itself much; solitary or in pairs. Stomach distinctly muscular ; diet small insects. Zoological Society. 203 This type seems to require a place between Rhipidura and Crypto- lopha, to which last it is allied by the bill, which however is shorter and broader, leading to the next singular form, which is a flycatcher in the guise of a swallow, and forms with this one a perfect passage from the Flycatchers to the Swallows. Genus Hemichelidon, mihi. General structure of a swallow, with only something Muscicapan in wings and rictus; bill as in Hirundo exactly, but the gape hardly so wide and slightly bristled ; nares round and vertical, as in Hirundo ; wings long and pointed; Ist quill spurious, 2nd long, 3rd longest ; tail moderate and subfurcate; legs and feet small and slender. Types, H. fuliginosa and ferruginea. H. fuliginosa, mihi.—Uniform sooty brown, darkest on the wings and tail, and shaded with white on the belly, vent, and under tail- coverts; the body below paler than above, Length, 4% inches; bill, 4; tail, 2; tarse, ;4; central toe and nail, less 4; hind, 5; wing, 23. H. ferruginea, mihi.—Size and proportions of the last; colour rusty brown, passing to olive on the cap; alars and caudals inter- nally blackish, and more or less so apertly; bill dusky carneous ; legs pure fleshy ; tail (in both) moderate and slightly forked. Found only in the hills, and chiefly the central region; dwell in woods and have the general manners of the Flycatchers, but with a bolder and more continuous flight. Genus Hemipus, mihi. General structure of Rhipidura, passing to Myiagra ; legs and feet very small; bill more or less elongated and cylindric; rictal bristles moderate, that is, shorter than in Rhipidura; tail gradated and narrow. | Type, H. picecolor, mihi,—Above dusky brown, passing to black on the wings and tail; a large oblique central bar of white down the wing; two bars on the croup, the margin of the black cap, and the terminal part of the lateral alars white; below pale sooty to the breast, thence to tail-coverts albescent ; bill and legs black. Female wanting the black cap of the male. Length, 53 inches; bill, 11; tail, 28; wing, 25; tarse, 4; central toe and nail, ;4; hind, 5. Inhabits the hills generally ; chiefly procured in the great valley. ALAUDINA. - Genus Heterura, mihi. Bill to gape equal to the head, to brow much less than the head ; Anthine in the general character, but stronger, with the culmen, commissure and gonys more or less curved; base of the upper man- dible a good deal cut out by the nareal fosse, and its tip inclined and notched ; tomiee trenchant and scarpt internally ; nares advanced, la- teral, oval, shaded above by a nude scale-like membrane; rictus to eye, and slightly bristled ; wings very short, not surpassing the base 204 | Zoological Society. of the tail, yet strictly Alaudine in all their details, with the primes ungradate, the tertials equal to primes, and all the centrals notched at the tips and emarginated on the outer web towards the tips, as in the Alaudines ; 1st quill equal to 5th, and both rather less than 2,3, 4, which are equal and longest ; tail ample, scansorial, that is, distinctly rigid, and the separate plumes acutely wedged; form of the tail Pa- rian, or slightly gradate from centre and from sides; legs and feet strong and typically ambulant, with high scutellate tarse and medial, compressed, full, solid toes, having the laterals equal, the central sufficiently long, and the hind least and not depressed ; nails simple, slender, fully curved ; hind long and nearly equal to the digit. Exclusively monticolous ; found in the brushy uplands of the cen- tral region ; feed and breed on the ground ; food grylli and other in- sects and seeds; stomach strongly muscular; intestines of medial length and furnished with tiny ceca. Nest made loosely of grass and saucer-shaped ; eggs bluish, thickly spotted. Type, H. sylvana, mihi. H. sylvana.—Above clear brown, picked out marginally with clear rufous, as in the Larks; below rufescent, with narrowing central stripes ; chin immaculate; a dark mustache ; superciliary line pale ; tail-feathers internally and laterally albescent; upper coverts pro- longed and pointed, as in the Larks; bill sordid fleshy or horn ; legs clear, carneous; iris brown; sexes alike. Length, 74 inches ; bill to gape, 44; tail, 22; wing, 3; tarse, 1,),; central toe and nail, 418; hind, 2. Remark.—This singular bird has been thus particularly described because of the difficulty of sparing details by anything like an assured allocation of it. It seems to be an analogous form to Praticola, and to belong to the Alaudine, near Brachonyz. Its tail in form reminds one of Dolichonyz. PARIANE? Genus Accentor, Auct. These birds are found in the central and northern regions of the hills only, and chiefly in the northern. We have four species, all of which are I believe new. 1. Acc. Nipalensis, mihi.—Head and neck dusky olive ; body above ferruginous, with large central dashes of black ; shoulders and all the wing-coverts dusky, with white drops; alars and caudals blackish, with ochreous red margins ; breast and belly ochreous ; under coverts of the tail dusky, picked out with white; bill dusky, with a yellow horn base ; iris golden brown ; legs sordid brown. Length, 63 inches ; bill, 22; tail, 23; wing, 35; tarse,1; central toe and nail, 33; hind, 44. 2. Acc. Cacharensis, mihi.—Very similar in colours to the last, but larger, and the wing proportionally longer; head and neck, shoulders and wing-coverts dusky; throat white, with black bars ; breast and belly deep clay-red ; back and upper tail-coverts rusty, with large central blotches of blackish ; alars and caudals blackish, margined and tipt with rusty red; vent dusky, picked out with Zoological Society. 205 whitish ; bill yellow horn, with dusky tip; legs fleshy. Length, 7 inches ; bill, 14; tail, less 3; wing, 34; tarse, 1,;; central toe and nail, +3; hind, +8. 3. Acc. immaculatus, mihi.—Least of the three; not unlike them in colours, but the plumage more uniform and freer from spots and blotches; head and neck dusky olive, passing gradually into em- browned ochreous red on the body above and below, as well as on the whole visible part of the closed wing; shoulders pale slaty blue and unspotted; alars and caudals dusky brown, and nearly void of brighter margins or tips; bill blackish ; legs fleshy grey ; iris straw- colour. Length, only 6 inches; bill, ,% ; tail, 14; wing, 27; tarse, Z; central toe and nail, #; hind, wy. 4. Acc. strophiatus, mihi.—Above and laterally sordid rusty, with black central blotches ; below white, with similar marks, but smaller and paler; wings and tail black-brown; the alars and their coverts margined with embrowned rusty; ears and lores margined towards the body all round with bright rusty, and a large gorget of the same on the top of the breast ; from nares to brow a white line, joining the red one above spoken of; bill dusky horn; legs fleshy brown ; iris brown; wings shorter and tail longer than in any of the others. Length, 6 inches ; bill, plus 4; tail, 22; wing, 24; tarse, 14; central toe and nail, #; hind, ;%. Weight less 1 0z. Breeds on the ground, making a saucer-shaped nest of moss, well-compacted. These birds are much on the ground and have an ambulatory structure of legs and feet: I should place them among the Finches, near to the next- named, or Buntings, which also are exclusively monticolous I believe, and are found in the central and northern regions. They are con- stantly flushed from the ground in corn-fields and are comparatively familiar birds to the Accentors, which avoid houses and cultivation. Genus Emberiza. We have four species, three of which are the erythroptera, chlo- rocephala, and aureola of authors, and the fourth is I think new, as follows :—Emberiza oinops, mihi. New subgenus, Ocyris, mihi. Bill very acute and perfectly conic, without any curve along the culmen or gonys; mouth simply angulated, without palatal knob ; wings with 2~3 longest and equal. Type, H. oinops, mihi.—Above rusty red, picked out with large blackish central dashes ; below white, with narrower dark marks, and none on the lower belly and vent ; wings and tail black-brown ; wing with large ruddy margins; alars internally and laterally albescent ; head and face rusty red, with two longitudinal black marks on the crown and another circling round the ear from the eye nearly to gape ; bill dusky horn; legs embrowned fleshy; iris brown. Length, 54 inches ; bill, ;4 ; tail, 23; wing, 23 ;-tarse, #; central toe and nail, £, Weight $ to 0z, Sexes alike. Stomach gizzard-like; contents seeds and gravel. 206 Zoological Society. PyRRHULINE. Genus Lozia. L. himalayana, mihi.—Structure typical and plumage very similar to that of the European type, and indeed I believe to all the known species ; size small,and most resembling the American bird ; most part of the head and neck and whole body below red, of a hue between roseate and blood, and more or less sordid; rest of the head, neck, back, wings and tail deep dusky brown, more or less suffused, and emarginated with the richer colour; wings long, reaching two- thirds down the tail; 1-3 quills rather shorter than the second; legs and feet strong; tarse heavily scaled, less the mid-toe and nail; lateral fore-toes equal and basally connected ; hind large, equal alone to the laterals, and, with its large nail, much exceeding them; claws large, but not greatly curved. Female dusky brown above, slightly suffused and margined with vernal greenish yellow; below greenish ellow, with dusky centres to the plumes; bill and legs in both lackish ; female smaller. Male measures 5% a bill, th tail, 23,; wing, 34; tarse, 1%; central toe and nail, 3 qi; hind, 18 In- _habits the Cachar only, near the snows, and rare there. To the same region are for the most part confined the other thick- billed Finches of the genera Coccothraustes, Corythus, Pyrrhula, and their allies; but most of these pass into the central hilly region in spring in search of ripe fruits and berries, and in the winter some of them proceed to the plains in search of food and warmth, or are car- ried there by dealers. The Himalayan Siskin is almost always found in the central region, where indeed it is commoner than in the north- ern; and one of the roseate Finches is very common below in the winter, under the name of the Tooti or Surkha Tooti. This I believe is the Hemorhous rosea and Coccothraustes rosea of authors; it is an anomalous or osculant form, which cannot I think be referred to any known genus. I call it Pyrrhulinota, because it unites a semi-« pyrrhuline bill with the wings, tail and feet of Linaria and Linota. Genus Pyrrhulinota, mihi. Bill Pyrrhulo-Linarian ; wings long and pointed, with the first quill usually longest ; tail deeply forked ; tarse rather shorter than the mid- toe and nail; toes long, laterals unequal, central long, hind least, but with the nail equal to the inner fore; nails simple. Type, the common Tooti or Surkha Tooti of Hindostan ; Cocco- thraustes roseata of Vieillot? P. roseata, mihi. The other two rosy Finches of the hills are much less known be- low, though they also are found there, in the hands of dealers at least, and are called without distinction Goolabi Tooti. They are the Fringilla rhodopepla and rhodochroa of Vigors, apud Gould; but they are not I think true Fringille, but nearer to Passer. I deno- minate them Zoological Society. 207 FRINGILLINA. Genus Propasser. Bill Passerine, with the culmen and gonys more or less curved or straight, and the tip distinctly notched; wings short, first quill less than three next, and longest; tail forked; legs and feet ambulant ; tarse longer than mid-toe; toes compressed, laterals equal, central long, hind least; nails simple. Types, rhodochroa and rhodopepla, We have in the northern region chiefly two species of true Bull- finch or Erythrocephala, Gould, and Nipalensis, mihi, to which we must add a third species, styled epauletia by me, but which deviates too much from the typical form to remain under Pyrrhula; I separate it as a new type, by the name of Pyrrhoplectes. Bill Pyrrhuline, but longer and less tumid, with the upper mandi- ble subterminally, and the lower subcentrally notched; the gape angulated ; wings shorter and more gradate than in Pyrrhula, with the fourth quill commonly longest; tail even or divaricated, not forked ; legs and feet slenderer, longer, and more suited to action on the ground than in Pyrrhula. Type, Pyrrhula epauleita, As. Trans. vol, xix. 4 Propyrrhula Rubeculoides, mihi.—Above, together with the lower breast, belly and vent, smoky brown; face as far back as the eye, chin, throat and breast, bright red, of a sanguineous scarlet hue; bill dusky horn, paler below; legs dusky. Female fulvous, below with large central dashes of dusky brown, and the croup the same. I shall conclude this paper with the description of a new an splendid species of Buzzard, peculiar to the Cachar and Tibet. FALCONIDA. BurEeoNINa. Genus Buteo ? Buteo leucocephalus, mihi.—General structure Buteonine, but the tarse two-thirds plumed to the front, and the nude part reticulate, not scutellate ; acropodia half reticulate and half scutellate ; colour medial brown, with the head and neck more or less perfectly albescent ; chin to breast darker, and breast again paled crescent-wise ; tail with frequent pale buff bars ; bill blue ; its tips and the talons black ; legs and cere greenish yellow ; iris hoary ; size extremely large. Length, 25% inches (fm.) by 583 in expanse of wing; closed wing, 173 ; bill to gape, 2; tail, 114; tarse (to sole), 32; central toe and nail, 28; hind, 13. Weight 33 lbs. Caught beyond the snows in Tibet. Another species, with the tarse considerably plumed, leads to this bird from the Moor Buzzards. This second species has the general form and characters of the moor buzzard, but is distinguished at once by half the tarse being plumed; the tarsi likewise are shorter, and so are the toes ; but the tarse is scutellate before and behind, as in that species and the rest of the Buzzards, There is no sign of 208 Entomological Society. the Circine facial disc in the present bird, which is I believe new, and belongs to Buteo proper and not to Circus. Buteo plumipes, mihi.—Throughout of a uniform dusky brown, as in the moor buzzard; region of the lores only albescent; cere and legs greenish yellow; bill blue, with black tips and talons; tail very vaguely rayed with a paler shade of colour and wings inter- nally. Of slender make, and with long and acute talons, whereas the white head is of very robust make, and has less acute but stronger talons. This is in make as in colours, a Circus; that, a buzzard proper or an eagle. In plumipes the tarse is scutellate before and behind, reticulate to the sides and at base, and two-thirds of the acropodia likewise are reticulate. The cere is large in both, and in both the nares are longitudinally cleft and irregularly ovoid in form. The one passes towards Buteo from Circus, the other towards Aquila from Buteo. Length (foem.), 194 inches; bill, 12; tail, 9; tarse, 3 ; central toe and nail, 2; hind, 14. Procured in the central hilly re- gion. Manners not noted. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. October 2nd, 1843.—George Newport, Esq., President, in the Chair. Captain Parry exhibited a box of Coleopterous insects from Co- lombia, including Megasoma Elephas, a curious genus allied to Me- galopus, and another apparently allied to Ancistrosoma. Mr. Westwood exhibited a gynandromorphous specimen of Ln- dromis versicolor from the collection of Dr. Becker, the antenne and wings on the left-hand side being masculine, and those of the right side being female. The Rev. F, W. Hope exhibited a specimen of the larva of Acilius voided by a boy at Tunbridge Wells. The following memoirs were read :— ‘‘ Description of new species of exotic Coleoptera.” By the Rev. F. W. Hope, F.R.S. Lucanus Parryi, Hope. Niger nitidus, mandibulis longitudine capite aqualibus, apicibus acutis supra dentatis ; elytris glabris ; tibiis anticis externé serratis, posticis unispinosis. Long. corp. lin. 16}; lat. lin. 54. Affinis L. nepalensi, Hope.—Hab. in Agro Nepalensi. Mus. Parry. Lucanus Vitulus, Dejean (ined.) 2. Niger nitidus glaber, man- dibulis brevibus acutis; thorace marginato, angulis anticis haud productis, posticis partum rotundatis ; tibiis anticis externé denti- culatis, posticis 4 in medio unispinosis. Long. corp. lin. 16; lat. lin. 6.—Hab. in Java. Mus. Buquet. Lucanus (Hexarthrius) Buquettii, Hope. Niger, mandibulis exsertis arcuatis, apicibus 2-furcatis, introrsum crenatis unidentatis den- teque majori fere basali; capite thoraceque scabriusculis ; tibiis intermedits 1-spinosis, posticis 2 inermibus. Long. corp. lin. 35 ; lat. lin. 9.—Hab, in Java. Mus, Buquet. Entomological Society. 209 Pholiodotus Reichei, Hope, 2. Niger, capite thoraceque rugosis hoc tuberculato, mandibulis apice acutis ; thoracis lateribus ser- ratis, angulis posticis acutis ; elytris fere glabris obscuris, lined elevatd obliqud erosd, e humeris ad medium disci extensd ; pedibus simplicibus. Long. corp. lin. 15 ; lat. lin, 5. —Hab. in Colombia. Mus. Reiche. Callirhipis Laportei, Hope. Rubro-testaceus seu fulvus ; antennis nigris, articulo basali antrorsum flavescente ; thorace lineis tribus nigris ; elytris maculis tribus basalibus apicibusque nigris ; pe- dibus nigris; femoribus fulvis. Long. corp. lin. 6}; lat. lin. 15.— Hab. apud Coban. Mus. Hope. Saperda ocularis, Hope. Aurantia, antennis nigro-griseis pubescen- tibus, capite antrorsum atro, oculis albo cinctis ; thorace postice nigro, maculis 5 albis ; elytris octo maculis albis atro-cingulatis ornatis ; pedibus atro-griseis. Long. corp. lin. 44; lat. lin. 1. —Hab. in Amer. Merid. Mus. Hope. ‘‘ Description ofa new exotic genus of Longicorn Beetles, remark- able for the dilatation of the anterior femora.” By J. O. Westwood, F.L.S. Evuprromera, Westw. Corpus breve, crassum, subdepressum. Caput breve, verticale, pronoto parim angustius. Antenne fere corporis longitudine, 11-articulata, subfiliformes ; prothorax subquadratus, dorso lateribusque subtuberculatis, pone medium subconstrictus ; elytra lateribus parallelis, apice inermia. Femora antica maxima inflata, tibie antice curvate, tibie 4 postice in medio haud sco- pifere. Eupromera Spryana, Westw. Griseo-villosa fusco luteoque parim variegata, apicibus articulorum antennarum fusco-cinctis, elytris fusco tuberculatis. Long. corp. lin. 34.—Hab. in Brasilia. In Mus. Hope and Westwood. ‘“* Account of the Fire-flies observed at the Baths of Lucca.” By G. Woolmer, Esq. These insects, which are termed Luccioli by the natives, evidently from their bearing light, belong to the same family (Lampyride) as the English fire-fly ; but the females are winged, and in the spring und early part of the summer are seen in all directions on the wing, emitting a phosphoric kind of light at intervals ; thus producing a most beautiful effect where they abound in company with the glow- worm. Previous to a storm they are more than usually active, and their light much more brilliant. In the day-time they rest on the bushes in a state almost of torpor. Their flight is very regular, the light appearing and disappearing at short distances. They entirely disappear shortly after the hay is gathered in. — It is considered that it is the female which emits the light, thus attracting the male. The lower (posterior) part of the body, which emits the light, is of a sul- phur colour, and is observed to shine for a short time even after death. When alive, any irritation offered to the part causes the in- sect to emit its light. “Descriptions of various exotic Crustacea, Coleoptera and Homo- Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. 210 Entomological Society. ptera.” (Annals of Natural History, vol. xii. p. 342.) By Adam White, Esq.; by whom it was stated, that a nest of Pelopeus pro- visioned with spiders had recently been presented to the British Museum from Sierra Leone by Mr. Whitfield. November 6th.—The President in the Chair. Mr. F. Bond exhibited two distinct species of Geophilus, which he had ascertained to possess luminous powers. Also a species of Or- nithomyia (O. viridis?) which he had found to be parasitic both on bats and swallows. Mr. W. F. Evans exhibited a specimen of the common Hornet, which he had confined in a small box, in which, some time. subse- quently, were found several specimens of the Dipterous genus Mo- lobrus, which Mr. J. F. Stephens suggested had been hatched from eggs deposited upon the hornet after death and whilst still damp. He also exhibited the larva and pupa of a Lepidopterous insect (most probably the Diatrea sacchari, Guilding) which he had found in sugar-canes brought from Madeira. Also specimens of Trechus ful- vus captured during flight after dark by candle-light. Mr. Yarrell exhibited a specimen of Lemargus imbricatus which had been found parasitic upon the short sun-fish. Also specimens of Cecrops Latreillet from both the sun-fish and tunny. A paper by G. R. Waterhouse, Esq., containing descriptions of some new species of Curculionide from the Philippine Islands, was read. Mr. Walton brought under the notice of the Meeting the following case, in which some fixed rule of nomenclature seemed necessary. It appears that the Curculio Alliarie of Linnzeus belongs to the mo- dern genus Magdalis. A very careful description of a species of the modern genus Rhynchites has however been published by Paykull, who applied the specific name of Alliarie to it, expressing at the same time his doubts whether it were really the Curculio Alliarie of Linnzus. Paykull’s specific name has subsequently been altered by Stephens and Schonherr, as they considered, that as it was not the species described by Linnzeus under the name of Alliarie, it was improper to give the Linnean name to it. After considerable dis- cussion among the members present, it appeared to be the general opinion, that as Paykull had first given a good description of Rhyn- chites Alliarie, it was proper to retain his specific name, citing his name, however, and not that of Linneus, more especially as the Linneean species belongs to a distinct modern genus, so that no con- fusion could arise from the employment of the same name in both genera. : December 4th.—The President in the Chair. Mr. Westwood exhibited a drawing of a new genus of Goliath Beetles, received by Mr. Melly from Signor Passerini (Amaurodes Passerinii). Also a box of Beetles from the Ashantee district, in- cluding a new genus of Goliath Beetles (Asthenorhina Turneri), Paussus microcephalus, and other rare and new species from the col- lection of Mr. Turner. Entomological Society. 211. Thé Rev. F. W. Hope exhibited a series of drawings of the trans- formations of various Indian Lepidoptera, made by Mr. Ezra Downes. The following memoirs were read :— “On the Existence of Thoracic Branchi in the Imago state of the Neuropterous genus Péteronarcys.” By George Newport, Esq., Presi- sident E.S. (Annals of Natural History, vol. xiii. p. 21). In refer- ence to this memoir Mr. Westwood stated, that he had detected some thoracic appendages in the genera Ptychopteryx and Heliophi- lus, described and figured in his ‘ Introduction to the Modern Clas- sification of Insects,’ vol. ii. fig. 126, 7. p. 526. note t, and p. 557, which he considered to be analogous to the branchiz discovered by Mr. Newport in Pteronarcys. The latter gentleman however objected to this analogy, as the organs in question existed simultaneously with the true spiracles. Mr. E. Doubleday, in reference to a suggestion made by Mr. Newport, stated that he had always noticed that the North American species of Chauliodes are on the wing in rainy evenings. “On the proceedings of a species of Trombidium which infested the Plane-trees in the Regent’s Park during the past summer.” By George Wilson, Esq., M.R.C.S. Communicated with additional notes by A. White, Esq. At the beginning of September Mr, Wilson’s attention was directed to the trees, several of which had the trunks and branches entirely or partially covered with a very delicate web, upon which myriads of a small Arachnidous insect were running to and fro, extending their webs rapidly along the branches. The web was so fine as to appear like a thin compact layer of varnish upon the stems of the trees; and from the vast numbers of the insects, the grey web ap- peared dusted with a reddish powder, the insects being of a light orange colour inclining to brown. From the web so completely en- veloping the tree and obstructing the vital influence of the atmo- sphere, the leaves became withered and fell. This was especially the case with the plane-trees, the elms and horse-chestnuts being free from them. ‘The weather for several days previously and sub- sequently was fine and sultry, but in the course of afew days a heavy fall of rain, accompanied by a thunder-storm, put a stop to the injury. by destroying the insects. On placing a portion of the web with its inhabitants in a bottle, Mr. Wilson observed that in about an hour a beautiful transparent cylinder had been spun within the bottle from the base of the top, impinging against the side of the bottle at about half its height; and it was remarkable that there was not a single thread stretched across the inside of the cylinder, nor was a single insect enclosed within it. Having completed their first cylin- der, they threw a second around it more slender than the former, leaving only a small interval between them. Mr. White considered the species to be the Trombidium tiliarium, Herm., or an allied species, and distinct from the Acarus telarum, Linn., and Trombidium socium, the habits of which, as described by Hermann, were mentioned by Mr. White. Mr. Walton informed the Meeting that a specimen of the true Q 2 212 Miscellaneous. -Curculio Bacchus, Linn,, but not of Marsham, had been captured on the 20th of September last on a young oak-tree at Birchwood, Kent, by Mr. B. Standish; Mr. J. F. Stephens however stated that he had taken both R. Bacchus and auratus from the same tree at Crayford. MISCELLANEOUS. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF AFRICAN MONKEY. Black-cheeked Ascagne, Cercopithecus melanogenys, n. s. Black, olive speckled ; ears, middle of the back and end of tail red- dish ; sides and outer side of the limbs grayish; hands and feet, frontal band, and lower part of the cheeks black ; temples yellowish, broad cordate spot on the nose white ; chin, chest and beneath ashy white. Inhab. Africa. British Museum. This species is at once known from the Cercopithecus Petaurista, with which it appears to have been confounded, by the distribution of the colour on the cheeks : in this species they are black below and yellowish above, while in that they are black above and yellow be- neath, like the throat and chest, and in the spot of the nose, which is ovate and elongate in C. Petaurista, and broad and cordate in the one now described, and it also differs in the general colouring of the fur. The species of this genus may be thus divided :— a. Face flesh-coloured, whiskers white: C. Cynosurus. b. Face black, whiskers white. * Frontal band none: C. Sabeus. ** Frontal band distinct, not bearded: C. pygerythrus, C. Engy- thithia and C. ruber. *** Frontal band distinct, chin bearded : C. Diana, c. Face black, whiskers annulated : C. albogularis, C. Mona, C. Camp- bellii ?, C. leucocampyx, C. labiatus, C. Temminckii, C. Burnettii, C. Pogonias. d. Nose reddish: C. erythrotis. e. Nose blue, white beneath: C. Cephus. jf. Nose white: C. nictitans, C. Petaurista, and C. melanogenys. J. E. Gray. MEXICAN FOSSILS. In a letter to Prof. Bronn, M. Claussen states that he has again found in Brazil a great many fossil bones, and among them the head of a large tiger related to Felis meganthereon (Ursus cultridens), but it is much larger; the upper canine teeth are nearly 10 inches long and 14 broad. The French Institute has purchased it for 4000 francs. The remainder of the collection, except the duplicates, has been dis- posed of to the British Museum. He promises subsequently to com- municate some remarks on the occurrence of these fossil bones, and ~ especially on that of the human remains, which are found among the bones of various extinct animals. He has discovered two kinds of monkeys, which approximate to the genera Mycetes and Cebus. A Miscellaneous. 213 short time since also, among a number of pieces of amber (not copal), he found some containing insects, in which distinct spiders’ webs could be seen (thus fossil spiders’ webs!!) ; in some, the webs and also the insects hanging in them were evident.— Leonhard and Bronn’s Jahrbuch fiir Geologie. COUNTY OF DOWN FOSSIL INFUSORIA. To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. Belfast, August 9, 1845. GentLEmen,—As Dr. Mantell, in a communication published in the last Number of the ‘ Annals,’ p. 86, briefly notices some Fossil Infusoria from the county of Down, without any allusion to their having been previously described, it is perhaps desirable for the in- formation of persons interested in the subject to state, that a paper on the subject of these same Infusoria, accompanied by some figures, appeared in 1839 in Charlesworth’s ‘ Magazine of Natural History,’ vol. iil. Ww. Tuompson. CAPTURE OF ACIPENSER HUSO. Cork, July 31, 1845. A fine specimen of the Isinglass Sturgeon (Acipenser Huso), 8 feet 4 inches long, and weighing 14 cwt., was taken within a mile of this city on Tuesday July 1st. I examined it carefully, and compared it with the plate of 4. Huso in Shaw’s ‘ Zoology,’ with which it exactly agreed. As this is, I believe, the first instance of that fish having been cap- tured on the coast of this county, or, as far as I am aware, on any part of the coast of Ireland, I feel a pleasure in sending information on the subject to the ‘ Annals of Natural History.” The common sturgeon (A. Sturio) has been taken more than once in the river Lee, near Cork. Joun Humpureys, Librarian R. C. Institution. ON THE CYSTIDEX. BY VON BUCH. In a letter to Prof. Bronn, M. Buch states that his monograph of the Cystidee is now printing. ‘Troschel’s drawings to it are very beautiful, and he hopes that the copper-plates will turn out well. A lucky incident has rendered this work more perfect than he had anticipated. The Hchino-encrinus (a barbarous term, and one founded upon an entirely erroneous analogy !), described by Meyer and Schlotheim,—this extinct form has been collected and brought here in several pieces, by the industry of M. Krantz. Hence he had an opportunity of studying all its peculiarities, its affinity, the points in which it differs from other Cystidee, and the laws of its develop- ment. He clearly saw that M. Vollborth in his first paper (Bullet. de Pétersb. 10. no. 19. pl. 1 and 2) had figured it well and accurately, with a commentary which did not seek for laws but curiosities! In Bullet. 1844, 3. 2b, he imagines that this form possesses two rows 214 Miscellaneous. of arms, and consequently refers it to the Crinoidea. M. Vollborth saw these tentacula once only; no one else has seen them. ‘They are placed on the lip of the mouth; the arms of the Crinoidea how- ever are really never placed there; the apertures which our speci- men exhibits on the lip, moreover, are so small, that they could only have allowed the passage of very small tentacles. And worse than all, what a huge ovarian aperture! No crinoid ever had such. M. Vollborth continually calls it the anus of the animal, not considering that in all such animals the anus is situated very near the mouth, never in the deeper-seated parts; in fact, in Pentremites it is in the mouth itself. But in Spheronites and Cryptocrinites this is still more striking; in both, at the point of the five valves which close the ovarian aperture, there are five openings, just as in the mi- nute ovarian plates of the Cidarites and other Echinodermata. Who will hereafter seek in them for cloacal excretions ? The Cystidee are essentially distinguished from the Crinoidea by these ovarian apertures; this M. Von Buch states that he shall al- ways maintain, and to have explained it is certainly of some service. —Leonhard and Bronn’s Jahrbuch fir Geologie, &c. ON THE ORIGIN OF INFUSORIA AND MUCOR. In the ‘ Ann. des Sci. Nat.’ 1845, Zool. p. 182, Dr. M. F. Pineau. describes the first origin of infusoria and of mould, which resemble one another so much on their first appearance, that it is impossible to determine what will become an infusorium, what a mould. We shall here merely communicate one of the cases relating to the man- ner in which Penicillium glaucum is formed; as in the other cases enumerated, the observer could not follow the originating mould to its perfect development, and was consequently unable to determine it. An infusion of bread exhibited up to the sixth day at a tempera- ture of 10° to 12° R. the appearance of a considerable production of Bacterium Termo, Vibrio lineola and Monas lens. Soon after this pe- riod acid fermentation commenced, when all these animals died, and the liquid became covered with a uniform granular pellicle. The surface of the piece of bread was also covered with granulations, and numerous particles, more or less in the granular state, were seen floating about in the water. On the following day traces of a sepa- ration in the form of a network with polyangular meshes 0°003 mil- limeters broad were noticed in the granular mass covering the sur- face. A similar formation of small globules also took place in the granular substance on the bread. After twelve hours these globules possessed well-defined outlines and began to assume an oval form. Small isclated patches consisting of considerably larger oval globules, difficult to separate from one another, likewise floated about. A few hours afterwards the liquid contained a number of micodermic glo- bules which had evidently originated from the above patches; these globules now expanded into filaments and formed the Penicillium glaucum. In the same manner this Penicillium likewise formed on milk; but the author could not observe what Turpin has said re- Meteorological Observations. 215 specting the fat globules which change into filaments of mucor. The other experiment, which was not carried on to the fructification of the mould, was made with isinglass and the addition of a little vine- gar. No animals were formed in it, but in other respects it presented all the appearances of the other case, only that the filaments aggre- gated into a thick thallus. PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION. Dr. Johnston is preparing for the press a second edition of his ‘History of British Zoophytes.’ It will be published by Mr. Van Voorst in a style to correspond with that spirited publisher’s series of ‘ Histories of British Animals,’ and will contain descriptions of all the species discovered since the publication of the first edition, with numerous additional plates. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR JULY 1845. Chiswick.—July 1. Rain and boisterous, with heavy rain in forenoon: over- cast. 2. Overcast: rain. 3. Sultry: thunder and rain: clear at night. 4, 5. Very fine. 6. Sultry, with slight dry haze: lightning at night. 7, 8. Very fine. 9, Cloudy: rain. 10. Rain: overcast. 11. Rain: cloudy: 1 p.m. thunder and excessively heavy rain commenced. 12. Fine. 13. Slight rain: overcast. 14. Very fine: rain. 15, Showery: fine. 16. Very fine: rain. 17. Showery. 18, 19. Very fine. 20. Cloudy: rain. 21. Fine. 22. Very fine: rain. 23. Drizzly. 24. Overcast. 25, 26. Foggy: overcast. 27, 28. Cloudy: rain. 29. Heavy clouds: clear. 30. Densely clouded: rain. 31. Heavy showers.— Mean temperature of the month 14° below the average. Boston.—July 1. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: rain a.m. and stormy P.M. 2. Cloudy. 3. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: rain with thunder and lightning a.m. 4. Cloudy: rain, with lightning p.m. 5. Fine. 6. Fine: lightning at night. 7. Fine: 3 o’clock p.m. thermometer 81°. 8. Fine. 9, Fine: rain rm. 10, Cloudy. 11. Rain. 12,13, Cloudy. 14. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: rain p.m. 15,16. Fine. 17. Rain. 18. Fine. 19, Cloudy. 20. Cloudy: rain p.m. 21—27. Cloudy. 28. Fine: rain p.m., with thunder and lightning. 29, Rain: rain early a.m: rainy.m. 20. Fine: raine.m. 31. Fine: rain, with thunder and lightning p.m. Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—July 1. Cloudy: rain. 2. Damp: clear. $. Clear: drizzle. 4. Clear: showers. 5,6. Clear. 7. Rain: fog. 8. Clear. 9, Cloudy: showers. 10. Showers: clear: damp, 11. Bright: showers, 12. Showers, 13. Showers: clear. 14, 15. Cloudy: showers. 16. Cloudy. 17. Clear. 18,19. Bright: hot. 20. Damp: fog. 21. Fog. 22, 23. Cloudy. 24, Clondy: damp. 25. Cloudy: drops. 26. Drops: cloudy. 27. Clear: showers. 28. Clear: rain: clear. 29. Fine.- 30. Cloudy: fine. 31. Bright: drops. Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire—-July 1. Very heavy rain. 2. Very beau- tifulday. 3. Showers: thunder. 4. Fine. 5. Very fine. 6. Showers ; thunder. 7. Showers a.m.: fine p.m. 8,9. Showers. 10. Fair and fine. 11. Showers. 12. Fair and clear. 15. Wet.: 14. Heavy showers. 15, Fair and fine. 16. Heavy showers. 17. Fair and fine. 18, 19. Fair, but cloudy. 20, 21, Fair, but clear. 22, 23. Fair, but cloudy. 24,25. Fair and fine. 26. Showers, 27. Fair a.M.: showersp.m. 28. Fine: thunder. 29. Showersr.m. 30, 31. Showers. Mean temperature of the Month ......seceeeeeseeeees 56°2 Mean temperature of July 1844 —...eeceseeeeceeees 56 °9 Mean temperature of July for twenty-three years . 58 *1 Rain in July. o005...ccverssece Cee eocereeerpvenasboocseens 2 +18 inches. Mean rain in July for eighteen years —.........+8, S91 ,, ee ee Se OE EE . a a. ee per 69-1 (81-3 |1S-B |1£-% PLS 98-45 V-8P s-€9 L-19 |P8-1 |€0. TL |€S8-62 |SP8-6z 6PL-6% |POP-6z | 88.6% |%Sg-6% |LZ6-6z | “aeay serseciroerrel ZTe | QIe | 8 | "aS | sm | ems | SPS | OG | 19/%19} 19] OF | 69 | G9-6%|Z9-6Z | 62-62 | 8Z-6% | 60-62 | SPS.62/L8S-62} “1 "11.0 /61- |€€. | ‘as | cas jumwo| «ms | 19 | €¢9 | for | #29} 29] Sh | FO | C9-6%|SS.62 | O£-6z | 0S-62 | ¥Z-6z | LLS-6Z/06L-6z| “of Cr fled. |v} eeeees | ems | eo} om | 3G] 96 | 2th! So] €S| EF | So | ZL-6z|PL-6z | 09-62! 85-62 | 01-62 | 6SS-62/F6L-62| °6% sereeetererecirereee! Go. [oerree | tm | unywo} smu | 19 | SG |tSV/ £9 /9.€90] PH | ZL | $9-66/SS-6% | £9.6% | $9-6z | Z-6% | LLS-6Z/9PL-62| “gz OT. jeere*| LO. | tm | cms | wupeo| «m | 3G | 09 |fSS| F9| £9) gh | LO | BV-6z)0F-62 | 1S.6z | Bh-62 | LZ-6% | VLL-62\698-62| “Lz "reteeieeeeeeleeccesieecers] og | sms |unrea| tas | LG | 9S | 0f|%€0! Fo| 2G | 124 | 19-6%| 99.62 | 99.62 | SL-6z | EF-6z | 126-62/626-62| “9s D tereeeleoeresieecoesiceserr! sms | *s | ued! cau | EG | OG | #hS\¥S9} 19| LS | P9 | gl-6z/S9.6z | 08-62 | £8-6z | 0S-6Z | 1£6-62/Z£6-62| *Sz Ripe <7 h patbapad iabebaed Mae “wm | UIT@O | *au oS | S¢ |¥19 $090; LG] SS | 09 | Z6-6%/£0.0€ | 06.62 | 26-62 | P-6z | $06.6z'726.6z| “hz. *sresejeoeceeieereee! CO. | “mu | ‘au j/uyea| ‘ou | 19 | ZG | OS) gS) LG) €S | gS | OT-0£/$1-0€ | $6.62 | 96-62 | SP-6z | S06-62/016.6z| "fa Tereneieerersieveeee CQ. | ‘au | aud) ‘a | tou | 2G | $19 | FIG) f09) LG) PE | IL | 08-0€ | SZ.0€ | 00-0£ | 00-0€ | 67-6 | 998-62/S£6-6z:| “SGer *ereveteeororl Oye jerer’| cau | *auad | we] «¢a oS | S| 0S) H9; 19| LS | EL | G%-0€ | LZ.0€ | F0.0€ | ZO-0€ | 0S-62. | 806.62/7Z6:6%)| “1S = ies! as wap: ED Shs a. a a oS | bo |%19\F29| LS} €¢ | IL | L%-0€|9Z-0€ | H0.0€ | g0.0£ | 09-62 | $96.6z| 170.08) ‘oo ttsesalesereelecceesiereees! cag | gua | «m | +a €G | gG |F1S| Go| 8G) ZG | IL | 22.08 |Zz-0€ | G0-0£ | £0-0€ | 8S-6% | 0Z0-0£|gS0-08) “6LO seceuslescsesleseeeeieeeree| oc 2 | *m | sms | $29 |} gS |¥2S| g9| 19) gv | OL | LI-0€|80.0€ | 00-0€ | 76-62 | SS-6% | 990.0£|160-08| ‘gr. seeeseineeee"] 60. | ZO. | “OS | “Mm juvo/-ms | ES | FS |F1S|/¥s9| 8S] HS | SL | 6-62) 26.62 | 8.62 | 42-62% | LV-6% | VL6.62/6z0-0€ | “LT “***9"199.0 |"**"""| LO. | “AS | *MS | wea} ms | Of | 767 | FIV) 29 ,S-89) PS | IL | 6-6%/Z0.0€ | 7g.6z | £6.62 | 99-6% | $00-0£|SF0-0€ | ‘OI GI. """"""|90. |€0-. | “a | ‘mu | mu | u | 67 | 6V | PH f€9| 09] OV | IL | 60.0£ |OI-0€ | 76.6%) 00-0€ | 19-6% | 690-0£/690-.0€ | °S1 Po. |"""""*|90- | FO. | “mu > emu | -m | sm | $6P | $19 | 429) F€9! 19] 6h | IL | €0-0€| 18.6% | 96.62 | 08-62 | SE-6% | P88-6Z/S£0-08 | “FI 60. j""*"\"""""*| TO. | “wu | tas | myeo| «ms | OS | $19 | f97 | f09| Po} SS | 1L | 08.6%| 8-62 | 69-62 | 6L-62% | 67-62 | 118-62/0F6-6z| “EI Go. /*""""/ 80. | LO. | “mu j*mua) *m | smu | Of | S¢ |#PP) €9| 99) gh | FO | Lg.6%/£8-62 | 18-62 | 8Z-6% | OF-62 | L06-62/976.62 | “a1 C OI. /°""""|O1- | TZ. | ‘mu | aud} *m | sms | LP | $29 | LV; Go| PO} OV | OL | 8L-6z/ZL-6% | 99-62% | £9-6% | PO-6% | €ES.62/Z3L-6% | “11 OT. |7°""""190- | ZO | “U | “Ss | tm | sms) OG | GG} PS) LO} 19; SG | IL | L9.6% | 09-6% | Z9-6% | 99-62 | Z-6Z | 124-628 18-62 | *O1 seeeeejeoceesicecoee CT. [*msm | “MS | *m | sms | ES | go l|tPS;} 99} 99] €S | IL | LS.64|LS-6% | 99-62 | 99-62 | 9£-6% | 8L6-62|100.08 | *6 €0- [28-0 "*""""|} 10. | “es | *S | tm | sms | FE9 | 09 | SS} 99| 99} HS | BL | 09.6%) LL-6z | 19.62 | 1L-6% | ZE-6% | 0F6.62/696.62 | °8 go. |""""|""""""| 10- | °s ‘Ss jm | ‘es | ZG} ZG |¥9S) 99) ZL) 9S |-¥S | ¥8-62| 00-08 | 18-64 | 62-62 | VE-6z | £76-62'096.6z | *L sereselecereeseesesircerrst 9 | "OS | tas | ‘a | ZG] 19 | Z9|#89| 69] 09 | 18 | OT-0€|1%-0€ | 06-62 | L0-0€ | gS-6Z | 066-62|290.0€ | *9 Oe fares) Paci" 8 eae Te *s GG | #89 | 0G] 99] go] 99 | LL | 61-08) £0-0€ | O1-0€ | VO-OE | 69-6% | 191-0£€\961-0€ | *S Pz. [7° OG [oot cmsm] ‘oss | om | ss 0S | gS | $09 | $29 |¢-29| of | SL | Lg.6z| PE-6z | 76-62 | 99-62 | gV-6z | €£0.0€|\601.0€ | ‘7 @ *eeseeioeerrs) ST. | 10+ | °O | “OU | WTB] °s wo | LG} 6V; GO| IL} ZS | HE | $9-6%)|88-6z | OF.6Z | 09-62 | 61-62 | OF9-.6Z/gz8.6z| *€ OP. f°" OT- | Qo. | “as | “mu | eo] ‘s | $29 | $67 | of) FO} 19] 9S | GO | 08-64 |SP-6z | 02-62 | $S-6% | 92-63% | 9LL-6Z|0Z8-62 | seeeerierere’) GOe | ET. | “OU ['ms—d) "Ss jms | 1G | EG | 19) LG} gS| ZS | IL | 18-62 |9P-6% | 01-62 | 91-62 | 60-66 | ZLS-62|S99.62 | “I s fe} s) o|? ro |s| & 2 = | eurd | cure | urd | -ur “Aqne Eg ee 18 |g =e ee| 2 | se Ee | Be] F | & ey Ph] & | @ | 6 | 6 | all ial asiazis |= |z at 8 | gS | = » S : 2 BS "8 a * oe "3 % fo ieakion Seconds 35 | “MOTMStyD ‘mane *aATYs“solung e g *yorMmsiyO Es S g< F “Urey “pul, *JOJIWOW OY], “IojoULOIe Ss S “AANYUQC) ‘asunpy younpung pv “uojysnojD °C *aoy 247 Ag pun fau1Hs-saruamag ‘asunyy yuwSaddy yw ‘requag * AA ‘Ady 2y7 49 {NoLsog 7D “POA “AIA 49 SuopuoT anau ‘HOIMSIHD J Ayavv0g pounqynoysozy 249 fo uapsvy ayz yo vosdwoKy, “IJ 29 apnu suoynasasga yondoposoajapy THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. No. 105. OCTOBER 1845. ) ae ROS e BS yk L a} la) “nn y Sey; pe) we! Kd @) y \) Mr. J. Ralfs on Spirulina and Coleochaete. 309 no determinate form, and by the naked eye cannot be distin- guished from Oscillatoria, to which indeed it is nearly allied, as its filaments are in like manner simple, oscillating and radiating. Kiitzing describes them as inarticulate, and I have failed to de- tect any joints or striz ; but as I have also been unable to per- ceive any granular matter, the apparent. absence of striae may pro- bably depend upon the extreme fineness of the filaments. The close and regular spires formed by the filament are very remarkable, and constitute, I believe, the only certain distinctive mark between Spirulina and Oscillatoria. 1. S. tenuissima, Kiitz. ‘‘ Stratum very lubricous, eruginose, sub- radiant ; filaments densely spiral, very slender, parallel, flexuose.”’ Kiitz. Ale. xiv. no. 131!; Phycol. Gener. p. 183. On decaying alge in a biackiah pool near the Menai Bridge, Anglesea. On sticks in brackish pools at Penman Pool near Dol- gelley. It forms at first a thin pellicle of a rich green colour, but in an advanced state becomes somewhat skin-like and tinged with brown ; filaments shortly radiate. Under the microscope the filaments are extremely slender, of a pale bluish green colour, elongated, straight when free, equal, not attenuated at the extremities, vividly oscillating. Spires very close, like the volutions of some shells, broader than long. There is no appearance of granular matter, and the filaments are so fine that I cannot ascertain whether they are jointed. The oscillations of this plant are more vivid than those of any species of Oscillatoria I have examined. When I first gathered this plant in 1841, I suspected, not- withstanding its different colour, that it might be the Oscillatoria spiralis of Capt. Carmichael; but having communicated a speci- men to the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, he informed me of its real name, and sent me a specimen of Carmichael’s plant, which is a true Oscillatoria, and cannot belong to this genus, as the filaments, in the dried state at least, though somewhat distorted, are not regularly spiral. Through the kindness of Mr. Borrer I have been able to com- pare our plant with the specimen in Kiitzing’s ‘ Alg. Aq. Dul.,’ and am satisfied of their identity, although his specimens were gathered in fresh water, and I have always found mine in brack- ish pools. Prats X, fig. 1. Spirulina tenuissima. Cotrocuazte, Bréb. Fronds minute, parasitic, green, disciform, appressed, composed 310 Mr, J. Ralfs on Spirulina and Coleocheete. of series of cells radiating from a centre and connected together by a hyaline substance ; spores imbedded in the frond*. 1. C. scutata, Bréb. Cells having on their upper surface a cylin- drical truncate sheath, from which a bristle at length protrudes, Bréb. Ann. d. Sc. Nat. série 3. vol. i. p. 29. tab, 2. In ponds, parasitic on aquatic plants, especially on the under sur- face of the leaves of Potamogeton natans and Nymphea alba when verging to decay. Victoria Park, Manchester, and in Windermere, Mr. Sidebotham; Aberdeen, Dr. Dickie; Henfield and near Tun- bridge Wells, Sussex, Mr. Jenner; near Fleetwood, Mr. J. S. Ash- worth; near Bristol, Mr. Thwaites; ponds at Singleton and Sketty near Swansea, Mr. Moggridge ; also abundant in Cromlyn Bogs near the same town. In several stations near Penzance and Dolgelley. This parasite, I suspect, is not uncommon, but from its mi- nuteness it is difficult to detect, especially when growing on leaves which still remain slightly green. It was first gathered in this country by Mr. Sidebotham, who kindly sent me specimens ex- ceedingly well-mounted. The very minute fronds, which to the naked eye seem mere specks, are under the microscope found to consist of many series of cells radiating from a centre and connected together by a co- lourless substance, which is best seen at the margin. Hach series of cells is repeatedly dichotomous ; the cells are longer than broad and truncate, the fot or five central ones somewhat irregular, the others of equal length, forming concentric circles. These circles vary from five to twenty in number. Endochrome green, and usually contracted into a central spot in each cell. After some time a cylindrical, colourless process appears on the upper surface of each cell; it is directed outwards and is trun- cate at the extremity ; within it a bristle becomes visible, gra- dually protrudes, and finally becomes much elongated. The bristle sometimes contains pale granular matter, when it may be traced ever before it issues from the tube. Before the protrusion of the bristle the sheath is always truncate, as if open at the end, but afterwards it is sometimes conical, as if a membrane was pushed out and then perforated. Although the fronds are closely appressed, if care be tised they may generally be separated by a penknife from the leaf on which they grow. The margin of the frond is well-defined; in young plants it is usually circular, but in the larger speciihens often slightly lobed. The spores, which are imbedded in the frond, are suborbicular * “Frons disciformis, adpressa filamentis e centro radiantibus szepius coadunatis; formata filamenta articulata dichotomo-ramosa e dorso articulo- rum vaginas cylindricas, truncatas longe setigeras passim prodeunt. Endo- chromas viride.” —Bréb. Ann. d. Sc. Nat. sérié 3. vol. i. p. 29. Messrs. Alder and Hancock on Nudibranchiate Mollusca. 811 dnd at first green; but finally brown; they are latge compared with the size of the plant, and are arranged in a circle near the margin. I am indebted to Dr. Dickie for determining the naine of this plant, which I had supposed was one hitherto undescribed, and also for @ specimen gathered at Falaise which he had received from M. Lenormand. Having sent a British specimen to Professor Kiitzing, he in- formed ime, that as far as he cotild determine from the dried specimen; it is his Phylactidium pulchellum; but although he considers it distinct from Coleochete scutata, which he has also gathered ii Prussia; I believe that he has only described its young state as Phylactidium pulchellum, for his figure well repre- serits our plant before the appearance of bristles ; and as it is un- doubtedly Brébisson’s plant; I have retained the present name*, Piate X. fig. 2. Coleochete scuiata: b, portion of a frond in frictifica- tion ; ¢; portion magnified to show the processes. XXXIV.—Notice of a new genus and several new species of Nudibranchiate Mollusca. By JosHva ALpER and ALBANY Hancock, Esqrs. oe Genus HuMENIS. | ar Bopy elongated, quadrilateral ; head subinferior, with corneous jaws ; veil very small or none. Tentacles two, dorsal, clavate and fainieated, with sheaths. Branchie papillose, set on a waved pallial expansion down the sides of the back. Foot litiear. Ori- fices of the generative organs and of the antis? on the right side. Eumenis marmorata. Body nearly linear, tapering to an ob- tuse point behind; olive-brown, streaked and spotted with dark chocolate-brown and white. Head with a few tubercular pro- cesses in front. Tentacles clavate, broadly lamitiated on the upper part and truncated at the apex; lowe? part plain, inclosed in small and rather tight sheaths. The sides of the body are pro- duced into a pallial expansion, which wndulates into three or four lobes, the margin set with irregular papillose bratichise of a fawn- colour with pale edges. Interrupted dark brown imarkings run down the centre of the back, streaked and spotted on each side with brown and white. The sides of the body below the margin of the cloak are also streaked with interrupted lines of dark brown * « Phylactidium, Kiitz, Phylloma minutum, mondstromaticum, orbicu- lare,s. flabellatim conjuncta constituentibus compositum. Spermatia ignota,” —Kiitz. Phycologia Generalis, p. 294. aS “1, P. pulchellum, Kiitz. Orbiculare, amoene viride; célltilis ce#logoni- micis, demtiin transverse zonatis, centro globulo gotiithicd majori notatis.” =Kiits. 1: ¢. p: 295. t. 16. #11. 312 Messrs. Alder and Hancock on a new genus and and white. Foot nearly linear, transparent white, the front trans- versely slit and produced at the sides into tentacular points. Length rather more than half an inch. From deep water, Torbay. This genus belongs to the family of Kolidide, having a ramified digestive system. In general appearance however it greatly re- sembles a Tritonia. It has the same squared or prismatic form, with a pallial expansion down the sides of the back bearing the branchie, which are papillose and not branched as in that genus. The jaws are large and powerful, resembling those of Holis, but rather shorter and flatter. The tongue is covered with numerous rows of strong teeth denticulated at the edges. In most respects, the anatomy, as far as it could be made out from a single speci- men imperfectly preserved, agrees pretty nearly with that of Holis. The principal trunk of the digestive system appears to be follicu- lated and the branches much-divided. The foot, in the only known _ species, has long tentacular processes, as in several of the Kolides, which it also approaches in the papillose branchiz. We thus find the external characters of the two typical genera of the Tritoniade and the Kolidide so united in this animal, that were it not for its internal organization, we should have been at a loss in which fa- mily to place it. From this circumstance we see the impropriety of dividing these families into separate orders. The anatomy of Dendronotus leads to the same conclusion. This genus, which we have found it necessary to establish in the first part of our ‘ Monograph of the British Nudibranchiate Mollusca’ for the Tritonia arborescens of authors, shows the ramifications of the digestive system peculiar to the Holidide, with a remarkable modification approaching it to the other two families of the order. The follicular portion, instead of being entirely at the extremity of the branches as in Eolis, is principally concentrated round the main trunk, thus re- verting in part to the form of the true liver, and supporting the views of those anatomists who consider the ramifications to be merely modifications of the hepatic ducts. So far, therefore, as the digestive system is concerned, there appears to be no good reason for dividing the order as proposed by M. de Quatrefages ; and respecting the vascular system, we have cause for believing that we were correct when we hazarded an opinion that there would be found less difference throughout the order than was supposed. We have recently discovered that the Dorides—even the most spiculose—have the whole of the cloak covered with vibratile cilia. From this circumstance alone it might be imferred that the Do- ridide as well as the Kolidide have the blood partially aérated from the general surface of the body. This inference however is ‘several new species of Nudibranchiate Mollusca. 313 rendered still more probable from the fact that the skin is a tissue of cells, or perhaps is rather composed of a sort of network of vessels running in every direction and uniting in two large trunks that pass along the sides and pour themselves into the posterior angles of the auricle. The blood that comes from the skin con- sequently never passes into the true branchie. Cuvier, we are aware, states that these vessels empty themselves into the gills. With all deference to his high authority, we have convinced our- selves after repeated dissections that such is not the case, but that they go at once, as above stated, to the auricle. This fact is interesting, as it shows that even in those Nudi- branchs which have the branchiz most perfectly specialized, only a portion of the blood passes through the gill ; and when taken in connexion with the anatomy of Dendronotus, and with the peculiar form and internal organization of Kumenis, goes far to establish the unity of the order Nudibranchiata. . Doris diaphana. Body not much depressed, equally ronnded 1 at both ends, transparent yellowish white: cloak covered with rather large clavate tubercles. Tentacles nearly linear, laminated with eight oblique plates ; apertures without sheaths. Branchial plumes eleven, simply pinnate, retractile within separate cavities, set in an imperfect open circle. Head with a large veil. Foot yellowish white, showing the liver through in a large dark patch. Length nearly an inch. Under stones near low-water mark on Meadfoot sands, Torbay. This Doris approaches nearest to D. bilamellata, but has much fewer plumes and is quite transparent and colourless. Doris pusilla. Body ovate, much depressed: cloak yellowish 1 white, thickly freckled with dark brown spots, and having nume- — rous conical papillz obtusely pointed at the top. Tentacles long and slender, pure white and finely lammated. Branchial plumes nine, beautifully white; simply pinnate, set in an incomplete, rather distant circle round the vent, and retractile within sepa- rate cavities. Head with a broad veil: Foot rather broad. Length about three lines. Under stones between tide-marks, Tec biiy: This pretty little species is not unlike D. depressa, but has the papille less slender. The plumes are fewer and form a smaller circle, but are more conspicuous from their snowy whiteness con- trasted with the darker colour of the cloak. Doris subquadrata. Body rather elevated, white with a slight yellowish tinge, semitransparent. Cloak small, scarcely covering the head and foot, a little squared before and behind, with the edge slightly raised, not very. convex, thinly covered with small papillary tubercles. Dorsal tentacles finely laminated, retractile within short smooth sheaths. Branchial plumes seven, non-re- — 314 Messrs. Alder and Hancock on a new genus and tractile, large and spreading, bipinnate, the central stem large and lying flat on the back. Head covered by a broad veil; pro- jecting frequently a little beyond the cloak in front: Foot large and thick, rounded before; and extending to a blunt point consi- dérably beyond tle cloak behind; the sides rather high. Length nearly an inch. One specimen was dredged near Berry Head in Torbay. Doris oblonga. Body rather convex, oblong-ovaté, tapering behind: Cloak pale straw-coloured, freckled and spotted with -umber-brown; densely spiculose, covered with moderate-sized, nearly équal ¢onical papille. Tentacles rather thick and firel laminated; without sheaths. Branchial plumes seven, shottiah and not much spreading, surrounded by a circle of large tubercles. Head furnished with a large veil. Foot narrowish, straight and slightly notched in front, not extending beyond the cloak behind. Length nearly half an inch: Obtained with the last. - ~ Goniodoris castanea: Body ovate, rather broad and flattish, of - a reddish brown hue, covered-with soft warty tubercles. Head bilobed, deeply sinuated in the centre; arched and terminating in tentactilar points at the sides. Cloak small, warty, the margin reflected all round ; interrupted behind. An elevated waved ridge ruiis down the centre of the back, intersected by a small tratis- verse one about half-way down. Dorsal tentacles small, very broadly laminated and truncated at the apex. Branchial plumes eight or nine, rather large, purplish brown, bipinnate, forming a complete circle round the vent. A waved tubercular ridge ex- tends down to the tail, which is rather obttise. Foot broad, ex- tending iitueh beyond the cloak, with a deep notch under the mouth in front, and rounded at the sides; yellowish with a tinge of purple. The upper surface tuberculated like the rest of the body, the prominent parts being blotched with opake white. Length three-quarters of an isch. . Under stones at low-water mark tear the ruins of Salcombe Castle, Devonshire. Eolis glauca. Body rather depressed, obloiig, tapering to a firie point behind, of a pale brick-red, more intense towards the head. Dorsal tentacles moderately long and rather slender, ta- pering: Oral tefitatles about the same length as the dorsal ones; set wide apart, whitish With a tinge of red. Branchie numerotis, rather stout; vermicular, tapering at the ends and depressed to- wards the base ; of a pale sige-green colour, speckled with brown atid opake white, and frequently with a reddish tinge neat the apex ; arranged in about fourteen transverse rows on each side, leaving a bare space for about half-way down the back ; the front rows divided into clusters of two or three rows each. Foot pel- several new species of Nudibranchiate Mollusca. 815 lucid, broadish in front, slightly arched and extending into broad tentacular points at the sides; tapering to a fine point behind. Length 14 inch. One specimen of this fine species was dredgéd up in Torbay. Eolisinornata. Body ovate-oblong, rathér depressed, tapering ‘toa fine point behind. Oral and dorsal tentacles rather short and thick, nearly of the same length; the first white, the others yellowish and slightly wrinkled. Back pale fawti-coloured or nearly white. Branchie cylindrical, tapering to aii obtuse point, set in eight or nine rows of four or five papillé each; of a dull brownish orange freckled with brown and white: apicés for some distance transparent white, with the ovate vesicle of a more opake white seen distinctly through. Foot white, expanded in front, curved and extended into points at the sides. Length ;4,ths of an inch. Under stones near low-water mark, Torbay. When in motion, the branchic nearly cover the whole of the back: This species is allied to E: angulata. Eolis punctata. Body yellowish, inclining to flesh-colour on the back, covered with largish opake white spots. Dorsal ten- tacles yellow, thickish, tapering and truncated at the top; laimi- nated with twelve or thirteen oblique folds sloping downwards behind as in Doris: Oral tentacles very long and tapering. Branchiz nearly linear, tapering to a fine point; of a yellowish brown colour spotted with white, arranged in five or six clusters down the sides of the back, the first and second: large, the rest small and confluent, extending neatly to the tail. Foot nearly linear, the front bow-shaped and extending into tentatular points at the sides. Length nearly an inch: Dredged in deepish water, Torbay. , This Holis is peculiar from the shapé of its dorsal tentacles atid the conspicuous white spots with which it is entirely covered. It is allied to the Kolis Drummondi of Mr. Thompson. “, Eolis tenuibranchialis. Body fawn-colotired or yellowish, rose- coloured near the head. Dorsal tentacles oraige tipped with yellow, and ringed with numerous small latiinte. Oral tentacles rather longish and thick at the base. Branchize sitiall and very slender, linear, of an olive colour tipped with opake white ; set in seven clusters down the sides of the back, the first three distinct, the others coalescing. The back in the region of the stomach is of a dark purplish colour. Foot with a deep transverse slit in front and extending into tentacular processes at the sides: Length an inch and a quarter. A single specimen in a sickly state was dredged in Torbay and died very soon afterwards. Allied to £. Drummondi. 316 Messrs. Alder and Hancock on Nudibranchiate Mollusca. |” Eolis amena. Body slender, greenish or yellowish white. Dorsal tentacles wrinkled, long, linear, greenish with a band of brown and spotted with white. Oral tentacles much shorter than the dorsal ones, white. Branchiz linear or slightly elliptical, of a warm green spotted with white, brownish towards the base, and a faint yellowish white rmg near the apex. They are set in eight transverse rows ; each row has three, sometimes four papille on each side: the three anterior rows are placed close together, the rest wide apart. The back has rich brown markings near the region of the heart. oot rather slender, rounded in front, and not produced at the sides. Length about three lines. Two specimens of this beautiful little Hols were eroded up at different times in Torbay. Allied to E. viridis of Forbes. Eolis elegans. Body slender, subpellucid, yellowish white. Oral tentacles long, tapering. An opake white line runs down each, and is continued across the front of the head. Dorsal ten- tacles not above half the length of the oral ones, stoutish, erect, tapering at the top and wrinkled, pale fawn-coloured or buff. Branchiz numerous, slender, nearly linear, set in about seven dense clusters on each side : the first cluster large and approach- ing very near the dorsal tentacles; the remaining diminish gra- dually and extend very close to the tail. They are of a deep rosy flesh-colour, terminated above and below by a dark patch of pur- plish brown approaching to black, above which, on the apex, is a ring of white. Foot slender, produced into longish angles at the sides. Length half an inch. One specimen dredged up near Berry Head, Torbay. The contrast of the dark spot with the white and ted on the papille gives this species a very elegant appearance. ~~ Eolis amethystina. Body yellowish, slightly depressed. Oral and dorsal tentacles of a yellowish tinge, the latter twice as long as the former, bases approximating, points fine and spreading. Branchie elliptical, much inflated one way and somewhat de- pressed the other, set in nine or ten rows of four papille each ; the gland linear, purple, granulated ; apices with a broad ring of pale orange-red. Foot transparent, linear, rounded in front, and a little widened for a considerable way backwards. Length three- eighths of an inch. Under stones at low-water mark, Cullercoats. This species comes near to H. tricolor, but differs from it in the shape of the anterior portion of the foot, in the length of the tentacles, and in the size and character of the branchie. Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on some Heteromerous Coleoptera. 817 XXXV.—Descriptions of some new genera and species of Hetero- merous Coleoptera. By G. KR. Warernovss, Esq. PLATESTHES, nov. gen. Head rather short, the lateral lobes or ridges protecting the base of the antennz, less prominent than the eye. Clypeus separated from the head by a distinct transverse impres- ~ sion, and by two less distinct lateral grooves ; the anterior mar- gin slightly emarginated. Eyes transverse, convex, rather large and distinctly emarginated in front. Labrum prominent, transverse, distinctly emarginated in front. Mandibles moderate, bidentate at the apex. ; Mazille with the outer lobe entirely uncovered by the mentum : the maxillary palpi moderate, the terminal joint triangular. Labial palpi short and stout, the terminal joint truncated. Mentum broader than long, four-sided, the hinder margin di- stinctly shorter than the front, which is obscurely emarginated, but nearly straight. Labium transverse, corneous, exposed. Throat-plate* with a narrowish oblong polished and transversely grooved area in the middle, joming the mentum by a straight margin. Antenne rather long and slender ; if extended backwards would nearly reach the base of the thorax ; the joints, most of them, of a long obconic form ; the second joint short, the third scarcely longer than the fourth ; the three terminal joints distinctly broader than the rest, the last of a short ovate form and equal to the penultimate. Thorax large, very nearly equal in width to the elytra, and nearly quagrate, but slightly narrower in front, the outer edge emar- giyated, the posterior margin very nearly straight, and not closely applied to the elytra; the angles nearly right angles, but slightly rounded ; the upper surface slightly convex in the middle, but the lateral margins are recurved ; the whole dorsal surface however is pretty nearly flat. Scutellum very broad, but rather short, and obtusely pointed be- hind. . Elytra soldered together at the sutures oblong; the dorsal sur- face nearly flat, the sides parallel, but on the posterior third gradually contracted, so that the outline of that region would form half an oval; the apex however is produced, recurved and * This part, which I term throat-plate, often furnishes somewhat import- ant characters ; it is the mesial part of the head beneath, below (or behind) the mentum. 818 Mr, G.R. Waterhouse on some new genera and rounded ; the lateral keel is very distinct, acute, and. remote from the lateral margins of the elytra. Legs moderate ; the anterior tibie but little compressed, and very little dilated at the extremity ; they are provided with a short spine on the inner side at the apex, and the outer angle is somewhat prominent. Tarsi moderate as to thickness and rather long, those of the middle and hind legs being equal to the tibiz in length, and those of the anterior pair of legs but © little shorter than the tibiee from which they spring: claws rather large. eG Presternum not produced posteriorly. This genus, to which I have given the name Platesthes in allu- lusion to its flat covering, the whole back of the insect being de- pressed and nearly on the same plane, evidently approaches closely to the genera Gyriosomus and Praocis, near to which should also be placed, in my opinion, the genus Physogaster. The last-men- tioned genus, M. Le Comte de Castelnau says, is closely allied to Pimelia ; but in making this assertion he must entirely have over- looked the structure and position of the labium, a part of the mouth which furnishes good characters for the sections of the Heteromera. . On this subject I cannot enter at present, but I will merely remark, that in the Pimelide, Akiside, Tentyriide and Erodiide the labium is attached to the back part of the mentum in such a manner as to be totally hidden, or, at most, to leave ex- posed the points only of the paraglosse*; to these we may also add the Adesmia and Epitragus group}. In the genus, the affi- nities of which I wish to determine, as well as the genera with which I have associated it, the labium is attached to the anterior extremity of the mentum, and is completely exposed and com- bined with a great similarity in the structure of other parts of the mouth ; they all have the throat-plate marked with the pecu- * The term paraglosse is applied by Kirby and Spence to the lateral lobes of the labium of the bees, and as the same parts exist in beetles, [ think it well to call them by the same name; they lie for the most part behind the tongue, and are nearly always fringed with hairs in the Heteromera; but in the latter groups (according to Dejean’s arrangement of the order), Taai- cornes and Tenebrionites, where the tongue is narrower, the outer margins of the paraglosse are distinctly exposed ; in some cases where the tongue is broad, as in Bolitophagus, the paraglossz are still very distinct (viewing the labium from its outer surface), projecting as they do considerably in the lateral direction. + Why should not these groups, in which the tongue is hidden, be asso- ciated together? We might commence with Epitragus, and continue through the other groups, Tentyriide, Erodiide, Adesmia, &c., where there is no separate emargination for the maxilla, and where the mentum covers that organ, to the Pimelide, Akiside and Nyctelide, where there is a sepa- tate notch in the throat-plate for the maxilla, which are exposed—at the base at least. species of Heteromerous Coleoptera. 819 liar transverse rugze in the middle, and the part thus marked is more or less distinctly separated from the other under parts of - the head by an oblong furrow on each side. Near to these in- sects are the Nycielide, also a South American group,-in which the throat-plate presents a more striking peculiarity,—that of having a distinct and deep mesial groove immediately under the mentum, and extended more or less in the longitudinal direction ; they however have the labium almost entirely hidden. Platesthes silphoides. Platesth, ater, nitidus, corpore oblongo, late- _ ribus fere parallelis; capite distincte punctatis; thorace crebre punctatis, lateribus piceis ; elytris punctis distinctis adspersis, sin- gulo tricostatis; antennis tarsisque piceis.—Long. corp. 6 lin. ; lat. 3 lin. This insect was found by Mr. Darwin at Port Desire, Patagonia: in general aspect it greatly resembles a Silpha. The head has large punctures scattered on its upper surface, but on the fold covering the base of the antennee and under surface they are smaller, more dense, and for the most part confluent. The thorax is very thickly punctured, the punctures distinct and of a triangular form; on and near the lateral margins, however, they are less numerous and more delicate: on the anterior portion of the thorax the la- teral margins are scarcely reflected, but they become gradually more so towards the posterior margin, where the reflected portion is broad; a slightly impressed line runs parallel with, and close to the lateral margin. The elytra haye the dorsal surface nearly flat, but on each elytron are two sharp longitudinal ridges, be- sides a third, which forms the lateral keel: between the ridge on each elytron which is nearest the suture, the space is flat, but the other interspaces are concave, and the whole surface has di- stinct, and widely, and irregularly scattered punctures : the ridges themselyes have a few punctures. The produced apical portion of the elytra is pitchy ; distinct scattered punctures are observable on all the under parts. Scotobius Akidoides. Scot. ater, obscurus ; corpore supra fere plano, punctulato ; thoracis marginibus lateralibus reflexis ; elytris carina laterali distincta.—Long. corp. 9 lin.; lat. 44 lin. This species, brought by Mr. Darwin from Port Desire, Pata- gonia, is remarkable for the produced and reflected lateral keel of the thorax, the distinct lateral keel to the elytra, and the absence of any distinct sculpturing on the upper parts of the body, to which peculiarities we may add, the very slight convexity of the dorsal surface of the thorax and elytra. In size it is nearly equal to the Scotobius pilularius ; its thorax, however, is larger in proportion to the elytra than in that insect, and the anterior tibize are stouter. The head is distinctly punctured; the thorax is 320 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on some new genera and strongly emarginated in front, much broader than long, and but * little narrower than the elytra; it is contracted in front and be- hind, and broadest rather behind the middle ; the lateral margins are greatly produced and distinctly curved upwards; the dorsal surface is slightly convex and thickly but finely punctured. The elytra are but slightly convex above, have a distinct lateral keel, which is slightly reflected, and towards the apex of the elytra this keel is indistinctly broken up into some small tubercles; the whole surface is finely punctured, and there are some extremely faint traces of striz ; the apex of the elytra is slightly produced. It is the distinct lateral keels to the thorax and elytra which gives the flatness to the back of this insect, and imparts to it the aspect of an Akis. Family TENTYRIID. Genus Turnopatis, Eschscholtz. Thinobatis rotundicollis. Thin. piceo-rufa, pilis minutissimis ad- spersis ; thorace transverso subrotundato, supra convexo ; elytris breviter ovatis, postice subacutis, indistincte striatis, interstitiis paulo convexis; antennis pedibusque ferrugineis.— Long. corp. 12 lin. This species, as it would appear (judging partly from Esch- scholtz’s description and partly from his figure*), is of smaller size than the Th. ferruginea, the thorax more transverse, and more boldly rounded at the sides, and the posterior angles must be more obtuse; indeed the hinder margin is almost evenly rounded, the angles being scarcely perceptible. The characters of the genus Thinobatis, as drawn up by M. So- lier}, are taken from an insect which evidently differs in several respects from the type of the genus (Thinobatis ferruginea), and more especially in having distinct posterior angles to the thorax, the humeral angles of the elytra prominent, and, I strongly sus- pect, in the form of the mentum. Unfortunately Eschscholtz is silent on this last point ; but in the insect above described, which approaches most nearly to the Th. ferruginea, the mentum is either truncated in front or most indistinctly emarginated, and not deeply emarginated as in the figure and description of M. Solier. Again, the elytra are of an ovate form in the two species of Thinobatis with which I am acquainted, and not subparallel. The terms “ corps filiforme, déprimé,” used by the Comte de Castelnau { in his definition of Thinobatis, will by no means apply to the type of the genus. * See Eschscholtz’s Zoologischer Atlas, part 4. pl. 18. fig. 3. p. 8. t+ Annales de la Société Entomologique de France, tom. iv, p, 406. t Cours complet d’Histoire Naturelle, Insectes, tom. ii. species of Heteromerous Coleoptera. B21 Genus MrGALopurys*, Head large, but little narrower than the thorax, strongly trilobed in front, the mesial lobe the largest, nearly semicircular, but having an indistinct angle in the middle: the lateral lobes very prominent, recurved and descending posteriorly, so as partially to inclose the base of the antenna, and indistinctly encroaching upon the fore part of the eye, above which is a longitudinal ridge. The eye lateral, tolerably prominent, with the vertical diameter the greatest, slightly emarginated in front. Labrum small, obtusely pointed in front ; hidden when the jaws are closed. Mandibles short and stout, very broad at the apex, which is strongly notched, and thus divided into two lobes, of which the lower one is the largest and longest and truncated at the extre- mity, and the upper one is pointed. Maxillary palpi moderately long ; the terminal joint securiform, and obliquely truncated at the apex. . Mentum broad, hiding the maxille, truncated im front : it may be described as hexagonal, with the hinder margin by far the longest, and the remaining sides nearly equal to each other. Antenne moderately long and slender ; the joints, most of them, of a longish obconic form; the second joint nearly equal in length to the fourth or fifth, the third about half as long again as the fourth : from the fourth to the tenth the jomts become gradually and successively shorter ; the penultimate joint pre- sents a nearly triangular outline, and the last is of a short ovate form, and smaller than the preceding ; the terminal joints are of equal width, or very nearly so, to the other joints. Thorax rather narrow, but little convex above, the width in front exceeding the length ; contracted behind and with the angles acute; its posterior margin is bisinuated, and applied to the base of the thorax : a delicately impressed line is observed close to the lateral and posterior margins, which are acute. Scutellum small, and rounded behind. Elytra soldered together at the suture, distinctly broader than the thorax, convex, and of an oblong-ovate form, sinuated at the base so as to present an outline corresponding to the hinder margin of the thorax ; the humeral angles obtuse, and the apex somewhat pointed: they are simply rounded at the sides, the lateral keel being only represented by a line situated close to the lateral margin, and which can scarcely be said to be raised excepting at, and near the humeral angle. Legs moderately long and slender, the tibize cylindrical or nearly * This name is suggested by the great projection of the lobes of the head, which are situated in front of the eye. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. 2A 322 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on some new genera and nf tarsi slender ; the hindermost but little shorter than the tibiee. Presternum rather narrow, with a longitudinal groove, and not produced posteriorly beyond the hinder margin of the anterior COXe. In having the s¢utellim distinct, the eyes not crossed by the lateral keel of the head, the tibix filiform, the thorax contracted behind, and the clypeus rounded in front, this genus approaches Tentyria ; it has the head proportionately larger, the thorax tiore strongly margined at the sides, the antenne longer, and the se- cond joint not so distinctly shorter than the rest ; its more direct affinity I believe to be with Hylithus, Thinobatis, Evaniosomus and Melaphorus. Megalophrys evinces its affinity to these insects in having the eye nearly round, more convex (as compared with Ten- tyria), and with the lenses very large (they appear to be positively larger and more distinct in the small insect, Megalophrys patago- nica, than in a Tentyria of at least five or six times the bulk) : the lateral lobes of the head, or folds which cover the base of the an- tenn, are more produced, and separated from the ¢clypeus by a di- stinct notch in all these genera with the exception of Thinobatis. None of these insects have the comparatively hard wing-cases which we find in Tentyria and its approximate genera. The prin- cipal distinctive characters of the South American genera above alluded to, may be thus expressed:— —’ I, Antenne cylindtical, the terminal joint smaller than the others. A. Antenne with the three basal joints equal or very nearly so; the head elongated ; thorax without lateral keel. ee Melaphorus, Guerin. a. Eye MINUEC oss. k es sictis eeeeeseces _ 1 Sekobnc, Solier, Vp RD MEE. cosarchaeynesedipysonses 2. Evaniosomus. B. Antennz with the second joint shorter than the first or third, and the third the longest ; head as broad or broader than long ; thorax with a distinct lateral keel............ Megalophrys. IT. Antenne iticrassated at the apex, the last joint as large, or larger than the penultimate. A. Antenne with the three basal joints nearly of equal length ; clypeus truneated in front; anterior tibiz short and distinctly dilated at CHE BOOK capcasneroathpogae seve eemntoator Thinobatis, Eschsch. B. Antenne with the second joint short; the third longer than the other joints; clypeus rounded in front ... Hylithus, Guerin. Megalophrys patagonica. Megaloph. picea; antennis pedibusque piceo-rufescentibus; capite thoraceque crebre punctatis ; thorace subquadrato, postice angustiore, marginato, angulis anticis posti- cisque acutis, supra subconvexo; elytris elongato-ovatis, convexis, seriatim punctatis interstitiis subseriatim punctulatis ; corpore subtus punctato.—Long. corp. 44 lin. ; lat. 13 lin. In general form this insect somewhat resembles a Tagenia, but ‘ species of Heteromerous Coleoptera. 323 its body is rather less narrow in proportion, and the elytra are more convex; they are considerably broader than the thorax. The thorax. is rather broader than os broadest in front, and considerably contracted behind. The elytra have the punctures forming the ordinary striz rather small, and there are some very minute punctures between these rows, and these have a tendency to a linear arrangement, there being two irregular rows of them on the fore part of the elytra, and one row on the hinder part. Mr. Darwin found this insect at Port Desire in Patagonia. ~ Family TAGENIIDA. GRAMMICUS, noy. gen. Head with obtuse posterior angles, which are rather remote from the thorax (the head being furnished with a long neck, which however is but little seen), longer than broad, the sides straight and parallel and with a lateral keel; the part in front of the eye as long as the hind part; the clypeus contracted and trun- cated in front; the fold covering the base of the antenne but little prominent, not produced laterally beyond the outline of the head, its margin somewhat reflected: cheek-plate consi- derably produced in front ; the space between it and the men- tum, for the maxilla, narrow. Hye small, nearly round ; situated entirely above the lateral groove of the head, its vertex directed upwards. Antenne about equal in length to the head and thorax taken together ; very thick, the joits equal to each other, with the exception of the last two, and presenting a square outline ; each joint is joined to the next by a narrow neck ; the penul- timate joint longer than the rest; the last very small, some- what pointed, and so joined to the last that the line of separa- tion is with difficulty perceived. Mandibles short and stout, very broad and bidentate at the ex- tremity. Mawzillary palpi vather long and with the joints moderately stout ; the first and second obconic; the third rather the longest, of an elongate-ovate form, the broadest part however rather be- yond the middle. Mentum moderate ; transverse, hexagonal, slightly emarginated in front, not covering the maxillee. Thorax fully as long as broad, slightly trisinuated in front; the hinder margin straight (or very nearly so), the lateral margins parallel on the fore half of the thorax, and from the middle gradually contracted to the hinder angles; the angles right angles ; the sides keeled. Scutellum very small, 2A2 324 Mr. G.R. Waterhouse on some Heteromerous Coleoptera. Elytra elongated, but little broader in the middle than at the base, rounded at, the extremity; distinctly broader at the base than the thorax at the same part, and with a transverse ridge; the humeral angles prominent ; lateral keel distinct. Legs moderate ; the tibize simple ; tarsi rather shorter than the tibiee. Grammicus chilensis. Gramm. rufo-piceus; corpore elongato, sub- depresso ; capite thoraceque rugoso-punctatis; thorace bicostato ; elytris singulis quadricostatis, seriatim punctatis, subtransversim ruyosis.—Long. corp. 12 lin. This little insect was found by Mr. Darwin at Valparaiso. It is exceedingly like a Tagenia, having the small, narrow, elongated form, and in having the thorax and elytra furnished with distinct longitudinal ridges it will bear a still closer comparison with M. Solier’s genus Microtelus ; from both these genera, and indeed all the Tageniide, it differs in having the eye situated entirely above the lateral groove of the head *; from Tagenia it may moreover be distinguished by the antennz being of equal width throughout, the joints being less transverse, and mdeed presenting a nearly square outline, though rather broader than long,—by the penul- timate joint being distinctly longer than the rest, and longer than broad, and the terminal joint smaller and confounded with the penultimate, to which differences may be added that of the mentum not being notched at the side. The long head and equal joints of the antennee (if we except the last two) at once distin- guish the present insect from Microtelus ; the epistoma or clypeus moreover is not emarginated in front, and in the genus last. men- tioned we do not find the penultimate joint of the antenne longer than the rest. The two longitudinal keels on the thorax divide its dorsal sur- face into three equal parts, and the interspaces are flat : the keels or ridges of the elytra are nearly equidistant, sharp and distinct ; and in the interspaces are two rows of distinct punctures, each row being placed close to a ridge; and there are moreover some irregularly transverse rugz, but these are by no means strongly marked. * In Leptinoderes I find the nearest approach, in the extremely con- tracted condition of the eye, to the present insect. ‘et C ba saree SBE Sowerby. St, ' EDS Goodsir. dett Mr. H. D. 8. Goodsir on new species of Crustaceans. 325 XXXVI.—On several new species of Crustaceans allied to Saphi- rina. By Harry D. 8. Goopsir, M.W.S., late Conservator of the Museum of the Roy. Coll. Surg. Edinburgh, Assist. Surgeon in H.M. Arctic Prplocm Ship Erebus. One of the most striking features in the structure of this pecu- har form of Crustacean is the double eye in a single dark spot. The antenne are similar in form to those of the [sopoda, being either filiform or almost truncate, the general form of these or- gans in the Jsopoda, and by no means like those of the Monocult, which are setaceous and very often dilated in the middle. As in the Isopoda, they are short, being generally about as long as one- half of the breadth of the body. The animals here referred to have a projection from the me- sial line of the carapace, analogous to the rostrum, generally found in the Monoculi, and in the extremity of this rostrum the eye is generally situated. The first segment of the body is in all cases longer than the remaining segments combined, and in some instances the lateral edge is curved inwards and downwards, so as to give it the ap- pearance and form of a carapace. The remaining segments of the body are small, gradually decreasing from the second to the terminal. In several species the terminal abdominal segment is provided with a jomted pedicle on each side, which is armed at the extre- mity with spines, and in some species this structure is exactly similar to Monoculus. The anterior extremities are very short, so much so as not to be seen extending beyond the edge of the body ; generally however one or more joints of the last pair of legs are seen posteriorly. The most striking character in this order of animals is the double extremities, a character common to the Stomapoda and Monoculi as well as this form of Crustaceans. As in Stomapoda the two terminal filaments arise from one common pedicle, the external one being much longer than the internal ; the former ‘ also is chelate and three-jointed, the latter four-jointed. The number of joints however in these legs varies. The legs arising from the carapace (first thoracic legs) are not double, or if so, one of the terminal filaments is obsolete. These animals are very active in their habits, and swim about in company with the other forms of the family Pontia. Body depressed as in the Isopoda; posterior thoracic legs double. Sterope ovalis. Plate XI. fig. 11. Rostrum not prominent; antenne unarmed, three- or four- 826 Mr. H.D.S. Goodsir on new species of Crustaceans. jointed. Eye situated behind the rostrum, rhomboid, transverse. Posterior pair of legs showing only one joint from the posterior and lateral edge of the body, armed on the lateral edges with strong spines, the two terminal spines being strongest. Description.— Body ovoid, rather dilated, anteriorly quite smooth. The anterior segment of the body as large as the whole of the remaining segments, and having the lateral edges surrounded with a narrow border, This animal is very active and swims about with great rapidity, It is exceedingly minute, not being larger than a mere point. Sterope armatus. Plate XI. fig. 9. Rostrum very prominent, rounded, and one-third the whole breadth of the body ; antennze six-jointed, and armed at the ex- tremity and on the anterior edge with a series of robust long spines. Hye not apparent. Carrillus oblongus. Plate XI. fig. 12. Rostrum one-eighth the breadth of the whole body, prominent, rounded at the extremity, with the eye very small, and situated almost upon the anterior edge; anterior edge of body hollowed ‘out on either side of the rostrum. Antenne clavate and eight- jointed, very little longer than half the breadth of the body, un- armed, last jomt pointed. Abdominal legs delicate, and armed at the extremities only with one or more spines. Abdominal segments of body taper gradually. Sterope interruptus. Plate XI. fig. 10, Rostrum prominent, one-tenth the breadth of the whole body, pomted, Eye large, and filling almost the whole of the rostrum. Anterior edge of the body hollowed out on either side of the rostrum. Posterior thoracic legs strong, spined, and serrated on the external edges. Three strong short spines arise from each side of the abdominal portion of the body, and a strong pedicle armed with three spines arises from the posterior edge of the last abdominal segment on each side of the mesial line. Zaus spinatus. Plate XI. fig. 1. Antenne three-jointed. A spine arises from the anterior edge of the carapace on each side of the mesial line, one from the base of each of the antenne. Abdominal pedicles three-jointed, distal one armed. at its extremity with three robust strong spines, the central ones longest. EXPLANATION OF PLATE XI. Fig. 1. Zaus spinatus, magnified. Figs. 2, 4, 5, 7, 8. Organs of locomotion. Fig. 6. One of the first antenne. On the Fructifieation of the genera Clathrus and Phallus, 327 Fig. 9. Sterope armatus. Fig. 10, Sterope interruptus. Fig. 11, Sterope ovalis. Fig. 12. Carrillus oblongus. Fig. 13. Second thoracic leg of Carrillus oblongus. _- #ig. 14. First abdominal extremity of Carrillus. Fig. 15. Second abdominal extremity, XXXVII.—On the Fructification of the genera Clathrus and Phallus. By M. Mavuricz Lespiavtt*, Tue Rev, M. J. Berkewey, in a notice published in 1839+, described the fructification of Phallus caninus, Huds. (Cyno- phallus caninus, Fries) ; he demonstrated by delicate observations, that, in this genus, until then wrongly separated from the Hyme- nomycetes, or rather the Basidiospore of Léveillé, the spores were supported on basidia, as in the Boleti, the Agarici, and other mushrooms of the same class. Mr. Berkeley thence presumed that an analogous organization must be found in all the Phal- loidee, but no further recent obseryations had as yet supported this hypothesis, | M. Corda, whose analyses have thrown so much light on the intimate structure of Fungi, denies the existence of the basidia in the genus Phallus : “ Spore in strata congesta, muco primum firmo dein we immerse, simplices, basidia nullat.” (Anleitung, p: 119. 3 The investigations of botanists on this subject have not gone further ; the fructification of the genus Clathrus is still more im- perfectly known, Nor ean we be surprised, when the analysis of these mushrooms presents such great difficulties, - 3 It is, in fact, not sufficient to subject to examination indivi- duals little developed or inclosed in their volva; the substance which contains the fructiferous organs must be firm and of an almost fleshy consistence. As soon as it has begun to soften, the spores are displaced, and the basidia disappear. It is moreover very difficult, even with the aid of a perfectly fine-pointed lancet, to remoye very thin sections of a mucilage which yields to the slightest pressure: we are therefore obliged, in order to obtain * Translated from the Annales des Sciences Naturelles for July.—The position which Clafhrus cancellatus should occupy in the class of the Ba- sidiospore, and the mode of insertion of the spores of this curious plant, have been already established by Mr. Léveillé, but, notwithstanding the priority and accuracy of the observations of M. Léveillé, we think the me- moir of M. Lespiault , who has extended his researches to other plants of the group of the Phalloidea, will be read with interest.—(d, Ann. des Sci, Nat.) + Annals of Natural History, vol. iv. p. 155. t There is no question here of the Phallus caninus, which has become the type of a new genus, 328 On the Fructification of the genera Clathrus and Phallus. some transparency, to wet the substance subjected to examina- tion ; but then the action of the water detaches a cloud of spores, which immediately obscure the field of the microscope. All these circumstances suffice to explain how the observations of botanists have remained so long without result. If a Clathrus cancellatus still undeveloped is cut vertically, we remark at first externally, a volva composed of two membranes separated by a thick gelatinous layer; immediately under the volva and applied to its interior surface are seen the branches, almost in a rudimentary state, which are subsequently developed, to form the most brilliant part of the mushroom. The interior of the space circumscribed by this network is occupied by a greenish matter, in the centre of which is a small cavity filled with a co- lourless and gelatinous liquid. A microscopical examination is necessary to ascertain the in- timate structure of these various parts of the mushroom. The gelatine of the volva is formed of or intermingled with a great number of anastomosed filaments, sometimes articulated, and terminated by small swellings ; it is divided by a thin membrane into parts completely isolated from one another, and susceptible of separating like the sections of an orange. This arrange- ment makes the volva appear, on the outside, barred into small polygons. The substance of the trellis, of a rose-colour, is solely composed of large, round and perfectly distinct cells: some bo- tanists, deceived by a superficial examination, have imagined that these cells contained a liquid which carried along with it the seeds ; but the branches of the Clathrus are in reality only a sup- port analogous to the stem of the Phallus, and serve solely to prop the greenish substance, the structure of which we proceed to examine. This substance, at first fleshy, then mucilaginous, is composed, as in the Lycoperdons, of sinuous cavities, variously anastomosed, separated from one another by a colourless zone, and strewed with greenish spores, supported, to the number of four to six, on club- shaped basidia. These basidia, scarcely refracting the light, should be observed with attention to be seen distinctly ; they are sometimes furnished with, and at other times deprived of, sterig- mata, and as they do not rise to the same height, the greenish layer of spores which surrounds the hymenial cavities appears to have a certain thickness. All this fructiferous mass speedily softens, tears into shreds,by the development of the anastomosing branches to which it ad- heres, and deliquesces. The liquid which carries the seeds dif- fuses a well-known cadaverous odour*. * The volva of Clathrus, on the contrary, exhales a delicious re remarkable singularity hitherto unnoticed. ; Botanical Notices from Java. 829 In the Phallus impudicus, the type of the genus Phallus, there exists, as in the preceding genus, a gelatinous volva, inclosed in two thin membranes, hymenial cavities whose agglomeration forms a mucilaginous mass, and lastly a central axis, which serves, like the branches of the Clathrus, to support the hymenium. The analogy is perfect, and to dilate further on the: structure of Phallus would merely be to repeat what we have already said. The organs of fructification deserve however particular notice. The hymenial cavities do not at all differ from those of Clathrus, but they are furnished with spores at least twice as large; these spores are grouped in fours, fives and sixes, and are undoubtedly supported on basidia, which it is very difficult to isolate and to see distinctly, but the existence of which is evident. The fruc- tiferous substance undergoes the same modifications as in Clathrus; at first adhesive, it afterwards becomes mucilaginous, and in the - end deliquesces, forming a liquid of a very disagreeable odour. An identical organization already observed in the genus Cyno- phallus ought necessarily to exist in the rest of the Phalloidee and of the Clathracee; it doubtless extends also to the Lysuroidee and to the genus Battarea, which forms a point of transition with the Trichogastree. We hope that further observations will confirm these hypo- theses, and throw some light on the structure, so imperfectly known, of the mushrooms belonging to these various groups. XXXVIII.—VJourney through Java, descriptive of its Topography and Natural History. By Dr. Fr. Junenunn*. Tue present work, by the well-known botanist Dr. Junghuhn, fur- nishes us with the results of the author’s great labours in natural history in Java. They are the more interesting, as his descriptions (as might be expected from a botanist) relate especially to vegeta- tion. They are also the more important to the phytographer, as the author has shown himself capable of connecting intimately these de- scriptions with the other natural features of the country ; and thus to present to our minds picturesquely all the details of natural history, and at the same time in a strictly scientific manner. We may also infer, from the ability of the author, that his geognostical and phy- sical investigations possess the greatest accuracy; from which cir- cumstance, we have in this work a valuable mass of observations in natural history, corresponding to the magnificence of the natural features of Java. It is our intention to give a sketch of this journey as far as our limits will allow, which will be the more easy, as the author charac- terizes episodically every distinct subject in all its relations to na- tural history. * From the Botanische Zeitung, Aug. 29th, 1845. 830 Botanical Notices from Java. Sketch of the environs of Weltevreden and Batavia lying adjacent on the north. Two leagues distant from the sea-coast, these two places lie on a plain scarcely 50 or 60 feet high, covered with the richest vegetation, which appears like one large continuous forest when viewed from a height. This large wood consists of a varied mixture of fruit- trees, under whose thick foliage are concealed the buildings and kampongs. If any one expects to see a wilderness or a primitive forest, he finds himself deceived when he enters it and goes amongst the wide-spreading stems of lofty fruit-trees ; one while hemmed in by bushes of the pisang or the sirip plantations (Piper Betle), which creep up the slender stems of the Hyperanthera Moringa, W., or by coffee- bushes and shrubs of Ananas (Bromelia Ananas). Of these trees the most plentiful are Garcinia Mangostana, Man- gifera indica, and other species of this genus, Artocarpus incisa and integrifolia, Nephelium lappaceum, numerous species of Citrus, Aver- rhoa Bilimbi, Morinda citrifolia, many Eugenie (Jambos), Anona mu- ricata and tuberculata, Persea gratissima, Lansium domesticum, Durio Zibethinus, Carica Papaya, and innumerable cocoa-palms, which are partly scattered among the former, and partly form groups in small copses. More scattered among the rest are Areca communis and the Areng-palms (Gomutus Rumphii), the stem of which is covered by numerous ferns. In the neighbourhood of Weltevreden are also found Tamarindus indica, Citrus decumana and Canarium commune, which form lofty and noble alleys; on many roads are planted the Morus indica and Hibiscus tiliaceus, a small tree, whose large yellow flowers captivate the eye. The Musa paradisiaca and bamboo bushes (Bambusa arundinacea) may also from their dimensions be reckoned trees. The latter is especially found at the entrance to villages in large clusters and on the banks of rivers, to which it imparts a peculiar physiognomy, uniting the expression of beauty and light- ness with strength. Its slender stalks, as thick as an arm, shoot up to a height of 40 to 50 feet, and interlace themselves into a foliage which forming a vaulted top gives the most agreeable shade. On the sides of the road leading toward Buitenzorg (as on many other roads in Java) is planted the Biva Orellana, small round trees covered with red hairy fruit, which at a distance give it the appearance of rose-bushes in bloom. The Casuarina equisetifolia is an ornamental garden-plant; its slender branches are divided like our fir-trees, and here and there are seen upon the tall rounded foliage the beautiful lilac-coloured blossoms of the Lagerstremia Regine, Rxb.: species of Ivora, Dra- cena terminalis, Jatropha multifida, &c. adorn the sides of the road. The whole appearance of this luxuriance of thick. groups of trees affords an enjoyment which can better be expressed by the pencil than the pen. Let the reader transport himself for example to the shade of a high vaulted Mangifera, drink in the perfume which the flowers of the Uvaria odoratissima, the Michelia Champaca, or the Plumeria obtusa, spread around ; and let him cast a glance upon the Botanical Notices from Java. 33] wood which rises on the other side of the small river :—A young bamboo-bush, crisp and round, borders the water’s edge ; then are seen upon a dark ground the light green of the gigantic Pisang- leaves, which rise up from their spongy stems and are slowly moved by the gentle breezes. Behind these the view is closed by the inter- woven foliage of the trees, among which are distinguished by their brilliant foliage numerous species of Citrus,——the Artocarpus incisa by its large serrated leaves, and Bombax pentandrum by its horizontal branches ; among these rises up the bluish green foliage of the Areng- palm ; but all these trees are surmounted by the crowns of the cocoa- palms, whose gray stems, covered with lichens, rise perpendicularly out of the dark arborescence, and majestically overtop with their lofty summits the rounded foliage of the other trees. Golden fruit, as large as gourds, glitter among their long feathery branches, which. rustle gently in the wind. In the woods and plantations of-this kind there remain here and there small open spaces and irrigated rice-fields, lying in the lovely enameled fields pf young grass; here the Pontederia vaginalis unfolds its azure blossoms. The streets in the town and the arid grass-plots, which occur here and there among the houses, are overgrown with the weeds of species of Sida (S. acuta, retusa, elongata, &c.), by Urena lobata, by some Compositze, also by species of Mercurialis, Celosia, Achyranthes, and by Portulaca oleracea, L.; between which are here and there hidden upon sandy and stony places the small Portulaca quadrifida, C. In fertile spots, on the borders of the ditches, is found the Heliotropium indicum. 'The small bushes which above Welte- vreden enliven by their green the margin of some rivulets, consist of species of Psidium and Melastoma Malabathricum ; with which are mingled the Mussenda glabra, V., whose fiery yellow blossoms and milk-white yellow calycine bracts attract the eye of the traveller. [The author here only refers to those plants which characterize the physiognomy of the country and attract attention from their masses.] Woods, properly so called, are no longer found in the im- mediate environs of Batavia; but we meet with them on the moist, inhospitable sea-shore (even at Anjol), stretching along a great por- tion of the north coast. What the author says of the occurrence of the Fungi in the tro- - pics (p. 99) is interesting: They appear under the tropics to be limited to no fixed season of the year. ‘The difference between the temperature in the wet and dry half-year is very small, at least in the mountains, where also in the dry season frequent rains fall. Heat, the first impulse of production of all vegetable life, is there- fore always present; moisture of the ground, the second thing of importance which the formation of spongy plants requires, also ob- tains from year to year in these primeval forests, whose thick foliage is never penetrated by the sun’s rays. The rich, brown soil, abound- ing in humus, is always soaked and loose and spongy; the watery particles of the atmosphere, which are precipitated by the coolness at night, and the amount of the exhalated carbonated water, moisten with their dew-drops all the leaves, so that a person can scarcely go Boz Zoological Society. into the wood in the middle of a dry day without being wetted through. Added to all this is the quantity of fallen branches, sticks and whole trunks of trees, which rot upon the ground, and the in- side of which is frequently already converted into rich earth, even if their outer bark has been preserved as a thin and light fragile crust. Thus the outer conditions requisite for the growth and origin of the fungi (heat, moisture, and abundance of decaying organic sub- stances) are always present in the tropical woods; and indeed we find these woods decorated with manifold forms of fungi throughout the whole year, without its being possible to observe at any parti- cular time a more frequent occurrence, as in the autumn of the tem- perate zones. Even the individual species are limited to no time, and the occurrence of the same species is uninterruptedly continued. On the other hand, the fungi are not found in the tropics in such groups ; they are less sociable than in our climate, where in autumn they principally enliven the woods. They here occur more scattered and isolated, although found at every period of the year; and it is the parasitic Polypori, which are especially numerous on the branches of the trees, that delight the eye by their brilliant colours. In cen- tral Europe the Agarici terrestres prevail, and determine the physi- ognomy of an autumnal wood. [To be continued. } PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. May 138, 1845.—William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. « Descriptions of new species of Land Shells, from the collection of Hugh Cuming, Esq.,” by Dr. Louis Pfeiffer :— 1. Hexix erannis, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, globoso-turbinatd, solidd, ponderosa, striatd, nigricanti-rufd, epidermide griseo- fuscescente fasciatim obductd; spird conicd, apice pallida; an- fractibus 6 vir convexiusculis, ultimo spird breviore, basi inflato, fortius striato ; columelld verticali, brevi, subtortd ; aperturd late lunari, intus margaritaced ; peristomate nigricante, late expanso, margine basali incrassato, reflexo, cum columellari valde dilatato, albido angulum obtusum formante. Diam. 68; alt. 58 mill. Found at Bangui, province of North Ilocos, island of Luzon, by H. Cuming, Esq. 2. Hexix Gmunintana, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, globoso- depressd, soliduld, irregulariter rugoso-malleatd, carinatd, nitidd, pallide viridi, ad suturam et infra carinam albo-cingulaté ; spird subelevatd, apice obtusd, albidd ; anfractibus +3 vie convexiusculis, sensim accrescentibus, ultimo non descendente, basi planiusculd ; aperture angulato-lunari ; peristomate subincrassato, margine su- pero breviter expanso, antrorsum arcuato, basali refleco, columel- lari declivi, dilatato, albo-calloso. Diam. 23; alt. 13 mill. Found at Bayambong, island of Luzon, by H. Cuming, Esq. Zoological Society. 333 3. Hexrx Linwazana, Pfr. Hel. testd umbilicatd, depressd, utrin- que convexiusculd, acute carinatd, pallide fulvd, superne rugoso- malleatd, basi minut? et oblique rugulosd ; anfractibus 54 lente ac- crescentibus, planulatis, ultimo basi subinflato, antice vie descen- dente ; umbilico majusculo, cylindrico ; aperturd angulato-lunari, ad carinam canaliculatd ; peristomate incrassato, carneo, margini- bus callo junctis, supero brevi, expanso, basali arcuato, reflexo, _ columellari breviter descendente, subdilatatd. Diam. 62; alt. 28 mill. Locality unknown. Mus. Cuming. 4, Hexix Cuemnirziana, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, depressd, solidd, superne radiatim plicato-malleatd, undique granulosd, sub epidermide olivaceo-rufd, acute carinatd ; spird subelevatd, obtusa ; anfractibus 5 planis, ultimo basi convexo ; aperturd subtriangulari, intus nitidd, carned; peristomate carneo, margine supero subex- panso, basalt reflexo, dente unico valido instructo, columellari stricto, dilatato, adpresso, inequaliter pluridentato. Diam. 57; alt. 26 mill. Locality unknown. Mus. Cuming. 5. Hexix Bainsripei, Pfr. Hel. testd umbilicatd, depressd, sub- discoided, solidd, striata, undique granulatd, cinnamomed, basi pallidd ; spird viz elevatd, obtusd; anfractibus 5} planis, ultimo rotundato, basi vix convezxo ; aperturd perobliqud, lunato-subtrian- gulari, intus nitidd, carned; peristomate subincrassato, carneo, marginibus callo junctis, supero late expanso, basali reflexo, dente unico, valido, complanato instructd, columellari perdilatato, umbi- licum mediocrem semi-occultante. Diam. 64; alt. 26 mill. Found at Demerara by Mr. Bainbridge. Mus. Cuming. 6. Hexrix Martinrana, Pfr. Hel. testd obteste perforatd, discoided, acute carinatd, solidd, striatd et minutissimé granulatd, olivaceo- fuscad; spird depress; anfractibus 5 planulatis, ultimo non de- scendente, basi inflato, antice profunde scrobiculato ; aperturd depressd, late angulato-lunari, intus lacted ; peristomate albo, in- crassato, marginibus callo tenui junctis, supero expanso, basali reflexo, dentibus 2 conjunctis, columellari dilatato, dentibus 2 in- aqualibus armato. Diam. 34; alt. 14 mill. From the island of Jamaica. Mus. Cuming. 7. Hetrx Scuroerertana, Pfr. Hel. testd umbilicatd, depressd, lenticulari, acute carinatd, solidd, obsolete granulatd, luteold, utrinque rufo-latefasciatd ; spird subelevatd ; anfractibus 5 planu- latis, ultimo antic? deflexo, basi inflato, antic? profund? scrobicu- lato ; aperturd subhorizontali, ellipticd ; peristomate incrassato, late expanso, reflexo, fusco-carneo, marginibus callo junctis, supero leviter arcuato, basali dilatato, umbilicum angustum semitegente, intus 3—4-dentato ; dentibus 2 majoribus basi junctis, 1-2 minori- bus prope columellam. 884 Zoological Society. Diam. 31; alt. 14 mill. From the island of Jamaica; Mr. P. Gosset. Mus. Cuming. Intermediate between H. tridentina, Fér., and H. Martiniana, Pfr. The position of the teeth is the same, but from the former it is at once to be distinguished by the sharp keel, from the latter by the deflexion of the last whorl. 8. Hetix BRucurerrANA, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, turbinato- globosd, solidd, nigro-castaned, epidermide hydrophand, fusca stri- gatd, sursum pallescente obductd; spird conoided, apice obtusd, purpured, nitidd ; anfractibus 5 converiusculis, ultimo non descen- dente, basi vie convexo, denudato; columella intrante, obliqud, sirictiusculd, planatd, albd ; aperturd lunato-ovali, intus lacted ; peristomate simplice, brevissime reflexiusculo, intus nigro-margi- nato. Diam. 29; alt. 24 mill. Collected on the island of Tablas by H. Cuming, Esq. 9. Butimus eitvus, Sow. Bul. testd imperforatd, ovata, soliduld, striatd, sub epidermide gilvd rufescens ; spird apice obtusd, nudd, pallida ; anfractibus 6 convexis, ultimo spird pauld breviore ; colu- melld strictiusculd, albd, subexcavatd ; apertura obliqud, lunato- ovali, intus lacted; peristomate subincrassato, breviter reflexo, margine dextro arcuato, columellari adpresso. Long. 54; diam. 38 mill. Collected in several varieties on the island of Bohol, by H. Cu- ming, Esq. GEOMELANIA, nov. gen, Testa imperforata, turrita ; apertura integra, effusa ; peristoma sim- plex, reflecum, ad basin appendiculo porrecto instructum. 10. GroMELANIA jAmaIcensis, Pfr. Geom. testd truncatd, turritd, arcuatim costaid, nitidd, albd; anfractibus 6 convexis, ultimo 4 longitudinis subequante ; aperturd ovali, intus nitidd; peristo- _ mate simplice, margine dextro sinuoso, basi in appendiculum lingui- formem porrecto, columellari adpresso. Long. 12; diam. 4 mill. Found at Jamaica, ‘‘ Savanah la Mar,” under stones in earth, by M. Attanasio. Mus, Cuming. 11. Tomocrres TuRBiInatTus, Pfr. Tom. testd rimatd, compresso- turbinatd, tenui, levissime striatuld, pallide corned, nitiduld ; spird turbinatd, acutiusculd ; anfractibus 5 convexis, ultimo spiram vix equante, & latere compresso, basi subangulato, antice adscendente, subtts constricto, serobiculato; aperturd verticali, subauriformi, sere clausd; peristomate late expanso, tenui, margine dextro ar- cuato, interne lamind validd, superne bifidd, munito, basali oblique descendente, tridentato; pariete aperturalt lamellis 3 inequalibus armato. Diam. maj. 11, min, 74; alt. 10 mill, Hab. In Brasilia. This interesting shell is nearly allied with Tomogeres sinican Spix, Zoological Society. 835 but easily to be distinguished by the substance of its shell, by the raised spire and the thin peristome, characters —_— constant in all specimens known. May 27 ean itat Yee Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. Mr. Gould exhibited to the Meeting four new species of Birds from Australia, which he characterized as follows :— ArvegA (Heropias) picata. Ard. capite superiore, occipite, plu- mis occipitalibus, corpore superiore, caudd, alisque ceruleo-nigris ; mento, nuchd, pony, et quibusdam plumis a pectore dependentibus albis. Upper part of the head, occiput, occipital plumes, the whole of the plumage of the body, wings and tail bluish slaty black; chin, neck, chest and some of the lanceolate feathers dependent therefrom white ; some few of the lanceolate feathers on the neck and breast have one web white and the other web bluish slaty black; the remainder of these lanceolate feathers are the same colour as the body; irides yellow ; bill, legs and feet greenish yellow. In young specimens the whole of the under surface is white. Total length, 17 inches ; bill, 31; wing, 10; tail, 3}; tarsi, 34. Hab. Port Essington. CoLLURICINCLA PARVULA. Col. corpore superiore, caudd, alisque olivaceo-brunnets ; subtis pallide cervind ; medio plumarum gule et pectoris vittd latd brunned ornato. All the upper surface, wings and tail olive-brown; a faint line over the eye and the chin white; all the under surface pale buff, the feathers of the throat and breast with a broad stripe of brown down the centre ; irides dark brownish red; bill blackish grey; tarsi bluish grey. Total length, 7 inches; bill, 1; wing, 4; tail, 84; tarsi, 1, Hab. Port Essington. This is the smallest species of the genus yet discovered. MELITHREPTUS MELANOCEPHALUS. Mel. toto capite, guld, et ma- culd semilunari apud latera pectoris saturate nigris ; tive su- perne flavo-olivaceo pectore albo. The whole of the head and throat, anda semilunar mark on either side of the chest, deep glossy black; all the upper surface yellowish olive, becoming brighter on the rump ; wings and tail brownish grey, with lighter margins; breast white; remainder of the under surface greyish white; bill black; irides reddish brown; feet brown; bare skin over the eye pearly white, slightly tinged with green. Total length, 53 inches; bill, =; wing, 3; tail, 2; tarsi, 2. Hab. Van Diemen’s Land. HeEMIpoDIUS SCINTILLANS. Hem. 'corpore supern2 pallide castaneo, singulis plumis fasciis latis brunneo-nigris ornatis ; marginibus plumarum cinereis ; intra margines lineis angustis nigris et albis ornatis ; tectricibus alarum et tertiariis pallid? castaneo-rubris balteis irregularibus ziczac fasciatis ; interspatiis balteorwm cine- reo-albis; mento genisque albis macula semilunari brunned ad 336 Loological Society. apicem singule plume ; pectore et corpore inferiore pallide cervino- albis ; plumis pectoris ordine macularum saturate grisearum ad marginem ornatis. Upper surface light chestnut-red, all the feathers crossed by broad bars of brownish black and margined with grey, within which are two narrow lines of black and white; wing-coverts and tertiaries light chestnut-red, crossed by irregular zigzag bars of black, the in- terspaces margined externally with greyish white; chin and sides of the face white, with a narrow crescent-shaped mark of brown at the tip of each feather ; sides of the breast chestnut, each feather tipped with white, within which is an indistinct mark of deep black ; chest and under surface pale buffy white, the feathers of the chest with a row of dark grey spots on each margin, giving that part a speckled appearance; primaries brown, narrowly edged with white; irides reddish orange ; feet yellow; bill horn-colour. Total length, male, 5 inches; bill, 14; wing, 31; tarsi, 14. Fe- male, 6 inches ; bill, ?; wing, 34; tarsi, Hab. Houtmann’s Abrolhos, off the western coast of Australia. Remark,—Like the rest of the genus, the male is much inferior in size to the female. The species is very nearly allied to, but much . smaller than, Hemipodius varius. “‘ Description of twenty-two new species of Land-Shells, belong- ing to the collection of Mr. H. Cuming,” by Dr. L. Pfeiffer :— 1. Hexix Gruner, Pfr. Hel. testd umbilicatd, depressd, superne planiusculd, minutissime punctato-striatd, rufa; anfractibus 54 sensim crescentibus, planiusculis, ultimo rotundato, antice vix de- flexo; umbilico angusto, pervio; aperturd subverticali, depressd, late lunari ; peristomate incrassato, refleco, marginibus callo tenut, superne dentem arcuatum, validum, callosum formante junctis. Diam. 38, alt. 18 mill. Locality unknown. A beautiful shell, next allied to H. unguicula, De Férussac, differing by the strong and arcuated tooth on the body of the penultimate whorl. 2. Hexix Oxentana, Pfr. Hel. testa imperforatd, orbiculari, utrinque convexiusculd, obtuse carinatd, undique regulariter gra- nulatd, superne fuscd, basi pallidd; anfractibus 54 rotundato- planatis, ultimo antice deflexo, basi profunde biscrobiculato ; aper- turd subhorizontalt, ellipticd, coarctatd ; peristomate carneo-fusco, incrassato, marginibus callo junctis, supero expanso, basali reflexo, tridentato ; dentibus equidistantibus, 2 minoribus prope columellam, tertio majore superne sulcato. Diam. 37, alt. 17 mill. Found on the island of Jamaica at Savannah la Mar, by M. Atta- nasio. To be distinguished from H. lucerna, Miill., by having three teeth at the basal margin of the aperture. 3. HELix NEOGRANATENSIS, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, depressd, carinatd, tenui, undique minute granulosd, saturate rufd; spird vie elevatd ; anfractibus 44 planiusculis, ultimo basi convexo, an- Zoological Society. 337 tice deflexo, constricto; aperturd perobliqud, lunato-rotundatd ; peristomate carneo, simplice, expanso, reflexiusculo, marginibus callo tenui junctis, basali obsoletissimé unidentato, columellari brevi, dilatato, adpresso. Diam. 34, alt. 15 mill. Found in the mountain Quendeu at New Granada. 4, Hexurx crnerascens, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, globoso-tur- binatd, tenuiusculd, stramined, fasciis 2 latis et ared basali nigri- cantibus ornatd, epidermide tenut, hydrophand, cinered, obductd ; spird breviter turbinatd, apice obtusd ; anfractibus 51 convexius- culis, ultimo basi inflato; columelld subarcuatd, carneo-fuscd ; aperturd rotundato-lunari, intus albd; peristomate breviter ex- panso, subincrassato, castaneo-limbato. Diam. 41, alt. 37 mill. Found by H. Cuming, Esq. at the island of Masbate. 5. Hexrx Turzo, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, turbinatd, solidius- culd, distincté striatd, sub epidermide tenuissimd, decidud, flaves- cente albd, medio rufo-fasciatd ; spird brevi, conoided, obtusd ; anfractibus 5 convewis, ultimo obsolet2 angulato, basi vix convezxo ; columella strictd, dilatatd, albidd ; aperturd irregulariter lunari ; peristomate expanso, margine columellari dilatato, reflexo, rimam Sormante, cum basali angulatim juncto. Diam. 43, alt. 35 mill. Hab. Isle of Mindoro. 6. Hexrx unicotor, Pfr. Hel. testd umbilicatd, depressd, acute cari- natd, tenui, fuscd, superne subtiliter striatd, subtis lineis nonnullis spiralibus elevatis munitd ; spird depresso-conoided ; anfractibus 5 planiusculis, sensim accrescentibus, ultimo antic? non descendente, basi convexo, ad umbilicum angustum abrupté angulato ; aperturd rhomboided ; peristomate saturate fusco, marginibus callo tenuis- simo junctis, supero dilatato, expunso, basali ascendente, stricto, columellari brevi, dilatato, umbilicum semi-occultante, cum basali angulatim juncto. Diam. 32, alt. 16 mill. Locality unknown. Constantly distinguished from H. Xystera, Valenc., by its narrow umbilicus, elevated spire, and the number of its whorls. 7. Hexrx ompnatopes, Pfr. Hel. testd late umbilicatd, depressd, solidd, leviter striatuld, sub epidermide flavescente, decidud albd, ad peripheriam et suturam rufo-cingulatd ; spird vie convexd ; an- fractibus 5 planiusculis, ultimo antic? vix descendente, basi pauld convexiore, circa umbilicum magnum, spiralem, intus castaneum subcompresso ; aperturd perobliqud, lunato-ovali ; peristomate bre- viter reflexo, fusco, marginibus conniventibus. Diam. 41, alt. 16 mill. Locality unknown. 8. Hexrx rnvouuta, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, depressd, su- perne convexiusculd, basi planiusculd, medio impressd, tenuissimd, Ann, & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. 25 338 Zoological Society. etrsatuld; nitidissimd, corned, fusco-radiatd ; anfractibus plane in- volutis, ultimo antice oblique depresso ; aperturd depressd, lunato- oblongd; peristomate simplice, recto, marginibus utringue centro teste insertis, dextro antrorsum arcuato-dilatato. Diam. 18, alt. 74 mill. Found on the mountains of Quendeu in New Granada. 9. Hewix campaNuLA, Pfr. Hel. testd umbilicatd, globosd, solidd, subtiliter et regulariter oblique siriatd, castaned; spird semiglo- bosd, apice obtuso, pallido; anfractibus 44 convexiusculis, ultimo antecedente viv latiore, antice vie descendente, medio pallidé cin- gulato; apertura perobliqua, lunato-ovali, intus livescente ; peri- stomaie fusco, subincrassato, breviter reflexo, marginibus callo junctis, basali introrsum obsolete albo-unidentato, extrorsum. dila- tato, umbilicum angustum, profundum semi-occultante. Diam. 27, alt. 21 mill. Locality unknown. 10. Heuix tapiata, Pfr. Hel. testd aperté perforatd, depressd, tenui, striatuld, superné lineis concentricis obsolete decussatd, basi levigatd, nitidd, fulvd ; spird planiusculd ; anfractibus 6 subpla- nulatis, ultimo dilatato, depresso ; aperturd late lunari; peristomate acuto, intus calloso-labiato, margine supero antrorsum rotundato, basali plane arcuato, columellari viz reflexiusculd. Diam. 40, alt. 20 mill. Locality unknown. Distinguished from H., citrina, Linn., by the concentrical striz, the number of its whorls, and the alias within the aperture. 11. Hexix Hanuxvi, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, depressd, len- ticulari, acute carinatd, tenui, subtilissimé decussatd, nitidd, sul- phured, ad suturam et carinam albo-fasciatd ; spire pari elevatd ; anfractibus 4 subplanulatis, ultimo antice angulatim deflexo, con- stricto; aperturd parvuld, horizontal, oblongd ; peristomate sim- plice, undique expanso et reflexo, marginibus feré contiguis. Diam. 19, alt. 9 mill. p. Testd superne nigricanti-purpured, ad aperturam albo-fasciatd, basi albidd, infra carinam castaneo-fasciatd, Found by Mr. Cuming at Sinait, island of Luzon. This fine shell is not unlike some varieties of the fel. bifasciata, Lea, but constantly to be distinguished from that species by the angular deflection of its last whorl and by the shape of its small aperture. 12. Heuix amana, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, globoso- coed, lineis longitudinalibus et spiralibus sub lente decussatd, albidd, fascid unicd spadiced supra peripheriam et lined rufd, suturali ornatd ; anfractibus 4 vir convexiusculis, ultimo obsoleté angulato, antice defleao, basi pariim converd ; aperturd transverse lunari- oblongd, intus concolore ; peristomate simplice, marginibus sub.. parallelis, dextro expanso, basali antic? reflexo, ad conmmeliam dilatato, adpressé reflexo. Diam. 18, alt. 105 mill. Found by Mr. Cuming at Catanauan, islandof Luzon. ‘This spe- Zoological Society. 339 cies is likewise similar to several unkeeled varieties of Hel. bifasciata, but by examining a large number of specimens of this and the other ones, I found the above characters to be invariably constant. 13. Hexrrx Mercauri, Pfr. Hel. testd late umbilicatd, depressd, discoided, acut? carinatd, striatuld, pallide vel rufescenti-corned, utringue juxta carinam albam castaneo-unifasciatd ; spird vix ele- vatd ; anfractibus 6 vix convexiusculis, ultimo antic vix descen- dente ; aperturd subtriangulari ; peristomate simplice, margine supero antrorsum arcuatim dilataio, depresso, basali ad columellam leviter arcuato, Diam. 21, alt. 7 mill. 6. Minor, flavida, lineis angustis nigricanti-rufis juxta carinam. Diam, 17, alt. 54 mill. y. Unicolor, fusco-cornea. Diam, 15, alt. 5 mill, Found by Mr. Cuming on the Philippine Islands and at Sibonga, island of Zebu; (3. at Tanhay, island of Negros; y. on the island of Siquijor. Distinguished from all species belonging to the same group by its flattened shape. 14. Hextrx rristis, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, ovato-globosd, tenui, striatd, lineis concentricis obsolet? decussatd, olivaceo-fuscd, rufo 5-fasciatd ; spird parvuld, conoided ; anfractibus 4 convexi- usculis, ultimo influto ; aperturd lunato-ovali, intus nitidd ; peri- stomate simplice, recto, margine columellari dilatato, reflexo, ad- presso. Diam. 21, alt. 18 mill. This species is said to be found in Sicily, but there may be a mistake. 15. Hexix Apamsir, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, orbiculato-con- vexriusculd, leviter striatuld, nitidissimd, fulvescenti-luted, unicolore vel fasciis saturate fulvis et castaneis multimode ornatd et radiatd ; spird convexiusculd, obtusd ; anfractibus 34-4 vix convexiusculis, ultimo basi planiore ; aperturd rotundato-lunari ; peristomate sim- plice, acuto, margine columellari subobliquo, dilatato, albo. Diam. 12, alt. 65 mill. Hab. Pitcairn’s Island and Opara. Collected by Mr. Cuming. The late patriarch of the island pointed out this shell to Mr. Cu- ming, and at his request I have the pleasure to dedicate it to the venerable man’s memory. 16. Hevix sanamensis, Pfr. Hel. testd anguste umbilicatd, de- pressd, tenui, corned, costulato-striatd ; spird brevi, convexiusculd ; anfractibus 44 vix convexiusculis, ultimo antic? deflexo ; aperturd subhorizontali, transverse ovali ; peristomate simplice, tenui, mar- ginibus approximatis, supero breviier expanso, basali reflexo, intus dente triangulari, valido munito, columellari dilatato, reflexo, um- bilicum angustum, pervium semitegente. Diam. 17, alt. 74 mill. ; Hab. Bahamas. - 17, Hexix sermupensis, Pfr. Hel. tesid umbilicatd, lenticulari, B2 340 Zoological Society. tenuiusculd, carinatd, leviter ruguloso-striatd, pallide fulvescente, cingulo castaneo supra et latiore infra carinam ornatd ; anfractibus 7 vix convexiusculis, lente accrescentibus ; umbilico angusto, pervio ; aperturd subtrapezid ; peristomate simplice, recto, margine colu- mellari verticali, brevi, reflexiusculo, cum basali angulum rectum Sormante. Diam. 19, alt. 102 mill, Hab. Bermuda. 18. Hexrx Pennantiana, Pfr. Hel. testd anguste umbilicatd, or- biculato-conoided, acute carinatd, tenui, striatuld, irregulariter et leviter malleatd, unicolore carned, apice rufescente; anfractibus 54 viv convexiusculis, ultimo antice vir descendente, basi planius- culo ; aperturd perobliqud, angulato-lunari, intus albd ; peristomate roseo, late expanso, margine basali reflero, columellari brevi, strictiusculo, dilatato, umbilicum fere tegente. Diam. 37, alt. 20 mill. Hab. Philippine Islands ? Nearly allied to H. labium, Fér., from which it may easily be di- stinguished by its sharp keel and sculpture. 19. Bunimus Leoparpus, Pfr. Bul. testd imperforatd, ovatd, soli- diusculd, longitudinaliter confertim costulato-striatd, fulvd, strigis et maculis albidis epidermidis hydrophane eleganter variegatd ; spird brevi, conoided, sursum pallescente ; anfractibus 5 convezis, rapide accrescentibus, ultimo spiram superante ; columella elongatd, introrsum acutd ; aperturd amplissimd, rotundato-ovali, intus albd ; peristomate laté expanso, reflexiusculo, castaneo-limbato. - Long. 47, diam. 30 mill. Hab. Isle of Mindanao, Philippine Islands. 20. Bunimus rereatus, Pfr. Bul. testd perforatd, fusiformi, soli- duld, striis longitudinalibus confertis et lineis spiralibus remotio- ribus subdecussatd, nitidd, flammis castaneis pellucidis et fulvis, opacis egregie pictd ; anfractibus 6 vir convexiusculis, ultimo spi- ram turritam equante, basi compresso; columelld subangulato- arcuatd ; aperturd oblongé, utrinque acutd, intus lividd ; peristo- mate vivide rubro, late expanso, breviter reflexo, basi canaliculato, marginibus callo tenui junctis. Long. 41, diam. 15 mill. Locality unknown. Distinguished from B. goniostoma, Sow., by its size, colouring and widely expanded peristome. 21. Bunimus canauicutatus, Pfr. Bul. testd umbilicatd, oblique Susiformi, ruguloso-striatd, nitidd, albido, carneo et spadiceo mar- moratd ; spird turrito-conicd, acuta; anfractibus 7 vix convexius- culis, ultimo spird via longiore, basi valde constricto-carinato ; columelld arcuatim antrorsum elongata ; aperturd ovali, basi cana- liculatd ; peristomate simplice, tenui, margine dextro vix expansi- usculo, columellari dilatato, reflexo. Long. 37, diam. 14 mill. Hab. Bolivia. 22. Butimus castanevus, Pfr. Bul. testd vix perforatd, ovato- Zoological Society. 341 acuminatd, solidiusculd, longitudinaliter confertim striatd, lineis spiralibus distantioribus decussatd, unicolore castaned ; spird brevi, conicd, acutiusculd ; anfractibus 44 vie convewiusculis, ultimo in- flato, 2-3 longitudinis subequante ; columella tenui, subsimplice ; aperturd ovali, intus saturate fuscd, nitidé ; peristomate vir in- crassato, brevissime reflexo, marginibus callo tenui pert colu- mellari vix dilatato. Long, 70, diam. 39 mill. Hab. Nova Granada; Vegas on the river Quendeu. Nearly allied to Bul. Gibbonius, Lea; distinguished by its trans- verse striz, closed umbilicus, peristome, etc. * Description of a new species of Amphipeplea,” by Dr. L. Pfeiffer. The shell I am describing belongs to the genus of freshwater shells distinguished by Nilsson from Limneus under the name of Amphipeplea, and sufficiently characterized by the shape and habits of its animal, perfectly agreeing with our new species, according to Mr. Cuming’s information, who first discovered it, and by whose name I am pleased to illustrate the species. AmpHIPEPLEA Cuminaiana, Pfr. Amph. testd ovato-globosd, tenu- issimd, longitudinaliter confertim striatuld, nitidissimd, pellucidd, pallide corned; spird brevissimd, mucronulatd, callo tenui semi- obtectd ; columella nulld; margine anfractuum interno arcuato, appendice membranaceo (deciduo) munito ; aperturd amplissimd, semt-ovali, margine supero breviter arcuato, patente. Long. 30, diam. 22 mill.; apertura 26 mill. longa. Found at Naga, province ‘of South Camerines, island of Luzon, by H. Cuming, Esq. June 10.—Rev. John Barlow in the Chair. ‘‘ Descriptions of twenty-two new species of Heliz, from the col- lections of Miss Saul, — Walton, Esq., and H, Cuming, Esq.,” by Dr. Louis Pfeiffer :— 1. Heurx pacuystyta, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, globosd, solidd, ponderosd, striatd, lineis concentricis decussatd, albd, epidermide sordid viridi, nigricanti-radiatd indutd ; spird brevi ; anfractibus 5 celeriter accrescentibus, ultimo globoso, antice breviter deflexo ; columeild obliqud, dilatatd, callosd, albd, obsolete et late uniden- tatd ; apertura irregulariter lunato-rotundatd, intus lacted ; peri- stomate recto, intus subincrassato, margine basali reflexiusculo. Diam. 43, alt. 37 mill. Locality, New Zealand. Similar to H. pomum, Pfr., from which it may be distinguished by its transverse striz, and by being quite imperforate. (Coll. Metcalfe.) 2, Hetrx ruryompnuata, Pfr. Hel. testd umbilicatd, orbiculato- converd, tenui, pellucida, virenti-corned, superne regulariter costu- lato-striatd, lineis concentricis obsoleté decussatd, basi remotius striatd, nitidissimad ; spird partim elevatd, obtusa ; anfractibus 6 convexiusculis, ultimo dilatato, subdepresso, antice non descendente ; 342 Zoological Society. umbilico magno, pervio ; aperturd oblique lunato-ovali, intus mar- garitaced ; peristomate recto, simplice, marginibus conniventibus. Diam. 37, alt. 17 mill. Locality, Cuba. _ To be distinguished from H. lavata, Fér., by the number of its whorls, forming a more elevated spire, by the last whorl not deflected and less dilated, &c. (Coll. Cuming.) 8. Hexix micans, Pfr, Hel. testd imperforatd, globosd, tenui, fragili, striatuld, lineis confertissimis obsolete decussatd, diaphand, albidd ; spird parvuld; anfractibus 4 planiusculis, rapide accres- centibus, ultimo inflato ; columella tenut, intrante, excavatd ; aper- turd rotundato-lunari; peristomate simplice, recto, margine ‘deatro antrorsum subarcuato. . Diam. 28, alt. 19 mill. Found at S. Juan, province of Cagayan, island of Luzon, on bushes, by H. Cuming, Esq. This shell aah easily be taken for an enormous species of Vitrina. 4, Hewrx Forsesi, Pfr. Hel. testd umbilicatd, discoided, tenui, oblique confertim striatd, unicolore rufd; spird planiusculd ; an- fractibus 5 convexis, ultimo basi convexiore, antice vix descen- dente, obtuse angulato, superneé obsolet? impresso ; umbilico magno, spirali ; aperiurd perobliqud, rotundato-lunari ; peristomate sim- plice, acuto, albido-carneo, intus subincrassato, margine supero late expanso, basali reflexo, columellari subdilatato. Diam. 41, alt. 14 mull. Locality: unknown. (Coll. Walton.) 5. Hexrx rusicunpA, Pfr. Hel. testd perforatd,; depresse turbi- natd, rugoso-striatd, obsoleté et minutissimé granulutd, subepider- mide corned, decidud rubicundd; anfractibus 53 subplanulatis, ultimo medio obtuse angulato, basi convexiore; aperturd oblique lunari ;- peristomate simplice, recto, margine dextro. antrorsum subdilatato, columellari dilatato, reflexo, perforationem semi-occul- tante. Diam. 27, alt. 15 mill. Locality unknown. (Coll. Walton.) -6. Hexrx Savuiaz, Pfr. Hel. testd umbilicatd, globoso-depressd, solidiusculd, oblique striatd, fulvidd, medio fascid unicd albd, utringue rufo-marginatd ornatd ; spird brevi, obtusd ; anfractibus 4 vie conveviusculis, ultimo basi subplanato, antic? subitd deflexo, circa umbilicum angustum, pervium rufo; aperturd perobliqud, lunato-ovali ; peristomate breviter reflexo, marginibus conniventi- bus, callo tenui junctis, columellari castaneo, valde dikatato, umbili- cum fere occultante. Diam. 32, alt. 20 mill. Locality unknown. (Coll. Cuming. et Saul.) 7. Hexix ruomsostoma, Pfr. Hel. testd imperforatd, trochiformi, tenuiusculd, oblique striatuld, lineis confertissimis concentricis subdecussatd, nitiduld, albido-fulvescente, fasctis castaneis plurimis Zoological Society. 343 ornatd ; spird brevi, conicd, apice acutd; anfractibus 5 planius- culis, ultimo acute carinato, basi vix convexo, antic? parim deflexo, @ latere subcompresso; aperturd rhombed ; peristomate violaceo, margine supero expanso, superne impresso, columellari stricto, di- latato, plano, adpresso. Diam. 28, alt, 15 mill. Locality unknown. (Coll. Saul. et Metcalf.) 8. Hexrx puanissima, Pfr. Hel. testd umbilicaid, depressissimd, lenticulari, tenui, utrinque oblique rugoso-costatd, albidd, subtis interdum corneo-fasciatd ; anfractibus 54 convewiusculis, acute carinatis (carind compressd, prominente, serrata), ultimo anticé vix descendente, basi convexiore, circa umbilicum mediocrem, spiralem subangulato ; aperturd depressd, angulato-lunari ; peristomate sim- plice, margine basali plan? arcuato, reflexo. Diam, 113, alt. 44 mill. Locality unknown. (Coll. Walton.) Similar to H. amanda, Rossm., from which it may be distinguished by its thin and flattened shell, its umbilicus, and the peristome not thickened. 9, Hexrx rizicosta, Pfr. Hel. testd subobtecté perforatd, depresso- globosd, regulariter costatd (costis filiformibus), tenuiusculd, car- neo-albidd, lineis fuscis obsoletis cinctd ; anfractibus 44 convezis, ultimo antic? deflero; aperturd lunato-orbiculari; peristomate acuto, intus subincrassato, labiato, marginibus conniventibus, callo introrsum diffuso roseo junctis, dextro vix expanso, columellari dilatato, reflexo, roseo. Diam. 14, alt. 9 mill. Locality unknown. (Coll. Saul.) 10. Hexix retirera, Pfr. - Hel. testd umbilicatd, obtuse trochi- Sormi, striato-plicatuld, lineis nonnullis concentricis elevatis reti- culatié, carinatd, diaphand, pallide corned ; spird elevatd, obtusa ; anfractibus 64 planiusculis, ultimo bast subplanulato, striato ; umbilico mediocri, pervio; aperturd depressd, securiformi ; peri- stomate simplice, acuto, margine supero brevi, basali plane arcuato. Diam. 7, alt. 4 mill. Locality unknown. (Coll. Metcalf.) 11. Butimus Grayanvs, Pfr. Bul. testd gracili, turritd, soliduld, longitudinaliter subtilissime striatd et linets impressis spiralibus subdecussatd, cinnumomed; spird turrita, apice valde attenu- atd; anfractibus 6 vix convewxiusculis, ultimo 2 longitudinis sub- equante, antice deflexo, soluto, dorso et basi carinato, lateribus scrobiculato ; aperturd angustd, oblongd, basi canaliculatd ; peri- stomate simplice, undique expanso, dentibus 7 marginem non aittin- gentibus armato; 3 in latere dextro, 4 in sinistro, summo tuber- culiformi, secundo valido, lamelliformi. Long. 35, diam. 11 mill. Locality, Brazils. Nearly allied to Bul. odontostoma, Sow., but quite distinct from the two varieties figured by Férussac. (Coll. Cuming.) 344: Zoological Society. 12. Buxrmvus coarctatus, Pfr. Bul. testd rimato-perforata, ovato- acutd, solidd, albidd, lineis interruptis, fuscis cingulatd ; spird conicd, acutd ; anfractibus 6} planulatis, ultimo convexiore, spiram equante ; aperturd angustd, ‘oblongd, coarctatd ; columella incras- satd, tuberculatd ; peristomate laté expanso, margine dextro in- trorsum incrassato, acute? prominente, medio sinuolato, cum colu- mellari dilatato, reflexo, patente angulatim juncto. Long. 34, diam. 17 mill. Locality unknown. Nearly allied to B. signatus, Desh. 13. Butrmus Dresuayesit, Pfr. Bul. testd umbilicatd, turritd, so- lidd, striatuld, violascenti-albd, strigis et maculis violascenti-fuscis irregulariter signatd ; suturd subcrenulatd ; anfractibus 9 vir convexiusculis, ultimo 4 longitudinis subeequante ; columelld sub- recta ; aperturd ovali, ‘intus violaced ; peristomate simplice, recto, margine columellari dilatato, fornicatim reflexo, rimam umbilica- rem non occultante. Long. 45, diam. 15 mill. Locality unknown. (Coll. Cuming.) 14. Butimus Tuompsont, Pfr. Bul. testd imperforatd, ovato- oblongd, soliduld, longitudinaliter striatd, fusco-olivaced ; spird conicd, apice obiusd, rubra; anfractibus 6, supremis planulatis, purpureo-strigatis, ultimo spiram equante ; suturd albo-marginatd, crenulatd ; columella rectd (non tortd), leviter arcuatd ; aperturd oblongo- ovali, intus lividd ; peristomate subincrassato, recto, intus nigro-limbato, marginibus- ‘Guile castaneo junctis, basalt cum colu- melld basin attingente subangulatim juncto. Long. 70, diam. 31 mill. Locality, Quito. (Coll. Cuming.) Nearly allied to B. Taunaysii. 15. Butimus Srquisorensis, Pfr. Bul. testd imperforatd, ovato- oblongd, tenut, fulvd, epidermide pallide fusca elegantissime mar- moratd et flammatd ; spird conicd, obtusd, apice nudd, rufescente ; anfractibus 6 vix convexiusculis, ultimo spird vix breviore, sub- angulato ; columella subtortd, longitudinaliter biangulatd, intror- sum acutd; aperturd oblongo-subpyriformi, intus albidd ; peristo- mate tenui, breviter expanso, margine dextro deorsum dilatato, basali cum columellari angulum obsoletum formante. Long. 52, diam. 25 mill. Locality, island of Siquijor (Philippines). Collected by Mr. Cu- ming. 16. AcHaTINA sEMiscuLpTA, Pfr. Achat. testd tenui, ovato-elongatd, longitudinaliter regulariter striata, fuscescenti-albidd, strigis ful- gurantibus rufis pictd; spird conicd, apice obtusiusculd, lineis confertis concentricis regulariter granulosa; anfractibus 74 con- vexiusculis, ultimo spiram subequante, usque ad peripheriam lineis impressis distantioribus decussato; columella subrectd, abrupte truncatd ; apertura ovali-acutd ; peristomate simplice, recto. Zoological Society. 345 Long. 55, diam. 23 mill. Locality, Africa, Loanda, coast of Benguela. (Coll. Cuming.) 17. Acuatina retTicuLtata, Pfr. Achat. testd oblongo-acutd, so- lidd, ponderosd, longitudinaliter confertim plicatd, sulcis concen- tricis profunde reticulatd, albidd, castaneo-marmoratd et maculata ; spird elongatd, acutd, superne minuté granulatd ; suturd subcrenu- latd ; anfractibus 8 pariim convexis, ultimo 3 longitudinis sub- aquante ; columelld crassd, albd, arcuatd, abrupte truncatd ; aper- turd utrinque attenuatd, oblongo-ovali. Long. 160, diam. 70 mill. Locality, Africa. (Coll. Cuming.) 18. Acwatina papyracea, Pfr. Achat. testd ovato-oblongd, tenut, striis longitudinalibus et concentricis obsolete decussatd, diaphand, Sulvd, castaneo obsolet? marmoratd ; spird conicd, apice obtusd ; suturd marginatd ; anfractibus 54 vix convexiusculis, ultimo spi- ram vix superante ; columella subrectd, basin aperture feré attin- gente, oblique truncatd, lined purpured ornatd; aperturd ovali, _ tntus margaritaced. Long. 66, diam. 30 mill. Locality, banks of the river Nun in Africa. (Coll. Cuming.) 19. AcwaTina FustForMIs, Pfr. Achat. testd ovato-fusiformi, tenui, longitudinaliter confertim costulatd, lineis transversis minute reti- culatd, fulvidd, saturatius strigatd ; spird conicd, acutiusculd, apice rubescente; suturd marginatd; anfractibus 7-8 convexiusculis, ultimo spiram pauld superante, basi attenuato ; columelld leviter arcuatd, abrupte truncatd, rubelld ; aperturd angustd, oblongd ; peristomate simplice, repando, margine rubicundo. Long. 87, diam. 35 mill. Locality, mountain of Coban, Vera Cruz, Central America. (Coll. Cuming.) This species, as well as the next following, may perhaps belong to the genus Glandina. | 20. Acwatina costuLaTa, Pfr. Achat. testd ovato-fusiformi, tenut, longitudinaliter confertim et regulariter costulatd, diaphand, fulvo- rubelld, strigis parvis saturatioribus ornatd; spird pyramidali, acutd ; suturd sulco parallelo crenulato-marginatd ; anfractibus 8 viz convexiusculis, ultimo spiram vix equante ; columelld subrecta, abrupt truncatd; aperturd oblongd, utrinque atienuatd, intus margaritaced. Long. 72, diam. 31 mill. Locality, mountains of Quendeu, New Granada. (Coll. Cuming.) 21. Guanpina nigricans, Pfr. Glan. testd ovato-oblongd, solidi- usculd, minutissimé striatuld, nitidissimd, nigricante, strigis remotis angustis fulvis ornatd, basi corneo-luted ; spird conicd; suturd virenti-marginatd ; anfractibus 7 planulatis, ultimo 2 longitudinis equante ; columella arcuatd, callosd, oblique truncatd, basin aper- ture non attingente ; aperturd angusid, semiovali, inius concolore. Long. 35, diam. 16 mill. Locality, Vera Cruz, in Central America. (Coll. Cuming.) 346 Microscopical Society. 22. GLANDINA MONILIFERA, Pfr. Glan. testd fusiformi-ovatd, tenui, pellucida, regulariter costulato-striatd, costulis in medio anfractts ultimi evanescentibus, fulvo-rosed, lineis remotis rufis pallid? mar- ginatis ornatd ; spird brevi, conicd; suturd eleganter et confer- tim granulosd ; anfractibus 7 planiusculis, ultimo 3 longitudinis subequante, ventroso; columelld vie arcuatd, basi abrupte trun- catd ; apertura angustd, semiovali. - Long. 29, diam. 144 mill. Locality, mountains of Coban, Vera Cruz, Central America. (Coll. Cuming.) A number of Birds’-skins from Australia were presented to the Society by Jeremiah Olive, Esq. - The Secretary exhibited to the Meeting a specimen of Sand Grouse, Tyrrhaptes paradoxus, and five specimens of Mammals (all of which were new to the Society’s collection), from the Altai Mountains of Siberia, viz. :— Meriones opimus, Aspalax Zokar, Mustela Altaica, Dipus Jaculus, Mygale moschata. Mr. Gould laid upon the table a series of ‘Terns, and characterized a new species :— Srerna Gracitis. St. summo capite et nuchd posteriore saturate nigris ; lateribus nuche et parte inferiore seriaceo-albis ; pectore et abdomine leviter rosaceis ; rostro carnicolore, apice brunneo- nigro ; pedibus aureo-fuscis. Crown of the head, nape and back of the neck deep black; sides of the neck and all the under surface silky white, with a blush of rosy red on the breast and abdomen; back, wings and tail light grey, becoming darker on the primaries; irides brownish red; bill flesh- colour, except at the tip, where it is washed with blackish brown ; feet orange-red. Total length, 13 inches; bill, 22; wing, 8}; tail, 65; tarsi, 2. Hab. The Houtmann’s Abrolhos, off the western coast of Australia. MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. Oct. 15, 1845.—J. S. Bowerbank, Esq., F.R.S. &c., in the Chair. A paper by H. Deane, Esq., being a continuation of a former com- munication, read at the last meeting of the Society, ‘‘ On Fossil Xanthidia found in Chalk,” was read. After a brief summary of the former paper, in which he stated that various species of the genus Xanthidium had been found by him in the Folkstone chalk, Mr. Deane went on to state that this discovery, by affording the means of isolating and mounting these bodies in various ways for examination, suggested to him the possibility of ascertaining their true nature. Their minuteness and other obvious Microscopical Society. 847 circumstances prevented their chemical examination, and conse- quently they could only be operated upon mechanically. Their shape is that of a flattened sphere, the major part of them closely resem- bling some of the gemmules of sponges, most of them having a cir- cular opening. The arms of all appear to be closed at the ends and not tubular, as has been supposed, from the examination of some of the flint specimens under pressure in water between two pieces of glass: they were torn asunder in the same manner as a horny or cartilaginous substance would be, and the arms in contact with the glass were bent ; some, after maceration in water for several weeks, became quite flaccid, thus entirely disproving their siliceous nature. On the contrary, there is every reason to suppose them to have been of a horny or cartilaginous nature. Some other bodies resembling the husks of peas were also observed, which appear to be identical with the Pividicule in flints ; but these, although agreeing in colour, he does not consider to have any relation to the Xanthidia, but, from their close resemblance to sponge-gemmules, to be some animal or animals in a progressive state of development. Another paper by the same gentleman, ‘‘ On a mode of isolating the siliceous shells of Infusorial animals found in the Ichaboe Guano,” was also read. After premising that the guano from Ichaboe was soon found to contain siliceous shells of microscopic animals, allied to those brought from Richmond in Virginia, and from Ber- muda, he stated that the extreme difficulty of finding them in the ordinary mode induced him to try whether, by decomposing the guano by means of nitric acid, more satisfactory results might not be obtained. The experiment was successful, and the following is the method he employed. Take any quantity of pure Ichaboe guano, and wash it by repeated ablutions of distilled water until the water is no longer coloured, observing after each addition of water that it must be well-stirred two or three times and allowed to settle for some hours. When sufficiently washed, a small quantity of hy- drochloric acid is to be added to the water last used. This dis- solves some portion of the guano with effervescence, and causes a more perfect subsidence of that portion which it does-not act upon. After this, allow sufficient time for the deposit to become well-settled down; then the clear liquor being poured off as closely as possible without loss of the sediment, a quantity of strong nitric acid in the proportion of two acid ounces to every ounce by weight of the guano employed is to be added; a strong effervescence results, which is to. be assisted by its being placed in a warm situation at a temperature of about 200° for six hours, during which time the greater part of the guano will be dissolved. After allowing it to stand in a cool place for twenty-four hours, pour off the acid liquor and wash the sediment with plenty of distilled water. The fine portion of this sediment will contain all the siliceous shells of the guano, perfectly freed from extraneous matter. 348 _ ‘Miscellaneous. MISCELLANEOUS. ON A FISH ALLIED TO LEPIDOSIREN ANNECTENS, Art the sitting of the Berlin Academy on the 5th of December 1844, Prof. Miller presented a communication from Dr. Peters, ‘‘ On a fish from the Quellimane marshes provided with both lungs and gills, re- lated to Lepidosiren annectens.”’ This animal, which resides during the dry season in a cavity formed in the earth and lined with leaves, resembles the Lepidosiren annectens so completely in many points of its external and internal organization, that Dr. Peters is inclined to regard these two animals as identical, and to consider the distinguishing characters of the latter as consequent on our still imperfect knowledge of*it. The composition of the skull, the vertebral column, the arches furnished with and those not furnished with gills, the lungs, alimentary canal, the generative organs, the brain, heart, external form, scales, and the teeth are exactly as in the Lepidosiren annectens. ‘The pectoral and ventral fins, the labial cartilages, the perforated nostrils, and the existence of external gill-filaments differ from what has been hitherto described in the latter. The pectoral and ventral fins do not consist of merely a single ar- ticulated member or ray, but also of cartilaginous rays, which ema- nate from the inferior margin of the main limb or principal ray of the fin, and to which still finer cartilaginous filaments are attached. These rays are not extensions of the main limbs of the fin, but are attached to it; the length of the rays diminishes towards the end of the main limb or principal ray of the fin until it becomes inappre- ciable ; the extremities of the rays do not lie loosely upon the skin, but the whole fin is covered by a prolongation of the skin, which also covers the principal ray of the fin. In the pectoral fins, the beard of the fin is as long as its ray. In the ventral fins, one-third of the length of the ray is free at the base of the fin; this then commences very low and remains much lower than in the pectoral fins. In the latter the beard of the fin external to the ray is 3 lines broad in its widest part. This kind of formation of the fins, in which the rays arise laterally from a main ray, is quite peculiar, and we have no other example of it amongst fish except in the dorsal fin of Polypterus. The nostrils are double, and the posterior lies on the palatal side of the upper lip, as in Lepidosiren paradoza, the labial cartilage of which is similarly placed. There are three gill-filaments above the thoracic fin behind the gill- aperture ; they are not branched, and consequently appear like ten- tacles ; they are placed closely together, one above the other. ‘Two are of equal length, being 4 lines long; the third is the lowest, and is much shorter. They are not present in the young specimens only, but in all, even those which have attained the length of 2 feet. These filaments, which are somewhat broad and pointed at the ex- tremity, are composed at their fore-part of a continuation of the external skin of the animal ; the posterior part exhibits fine feathery ramifications of blood-vessels. In the middle line of the posterior Miscellaneous. 349 part this surface is smooth ; its lateral surfaces have a colourless, soft, velvety aspect, and with a lens, crowded, small, shaggy prolongations are perceptible, in which the arteries and veins of the gills ramify. These vessels are elongations of the vessels of the inner gills ; we find them also at the posterior part of the gill-aperture, between the upper end of the gill-arches and the external gills beneath the skin cover- ing the gill-aperture: they are five, three arteries and two veins. One of the arteries arises from the second aortic arch ; the two others are the continuation of the extremities of the gill-arteries of the first and middle of the three posterior and internal gills. ‘The two other vessels, which return the blood from the external gills, terminate in the gill-veins of the first and second of the three internal and poste- rior gills, after they have separated from the superior extremity of their gill-arches. The most anterior gill, at the anterior margin of which the gill-cavity is situated, and is separated by a cleft from the most anterior of the two gill-arches which are unfurnished with gills, is a true respiratory gill, and thus represents the supernumerary respiratory gill of the cartilaginous fishes, not the pseudo-branchia of other fishes. It receives a branch of the gill-artery and gives off superiorly a gill-vein, which corresponds to the carotis anterior. It is however remarkable that the artery of the most anterior gills, al- though it arises in the same manner as the other gill-arteries, yet before it enters the gill gives off a branch for the nutrition of the body, which is distributed to the inferior aspect of the most anterior part of the head, to the skin and muscles of this part; a fact which is unique in ichthyology, and can only be explained from the gill- arteries of the heart conveying not only dark red but also partly. bright red (arterial) blood, which is transmitted from the lungs to the heart. The auricle of the heart is single. The spleen of the Lepidosiren has hitherto been overlooked. It is large, and lies be- hind the stomach and commencement of the intestinal canal, beneath the peritoneal coat of the tractus intestinalis. It must be separated from the black pigment which forms a copious substratum beneath the peritoneal covering of the intestines. The lateral anus is not always situated on the same side, being in some on the right, in others on the left. Should Lepidosiren annectens and the fish of Quellimane belong to different genera, which is not probable, Dr. Peters proposes Rhino- cryptis amphibia for the name of the latter. A circumstance which is much in favour of their identity, and renders it probable that we are not perfectly acquainted with Lepidosiren annectens, is, that this has been lately observed by Jardine * also to have filaments on the pectoral fins ; these were mistaken by Jardine for accessory fin-rays. The next point to be determined is, whether the cartilaginous fin- rays found in the fish of Quellimane are present in Lepidosiren an- nectens. ‘Then comes the question, whether these and the external branchial filaments are also present in Lepidosiren paradova. Upon this will depend whether the African fish, although identical in genus, * Ann, of Nat. Hist. vol. vii. p. 24. 350 Miscellaneous. is generically different from the American genus Lepidosiren, and whether the generic name Protopterus proposed by Owen for the Lepidosiren annectens should be restored or not. On the African Musk, Moschus aquaticus, Ogilby. Some time ago Mr. Ogilby, in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society for 1840, described an animal in the collection of the Earl of Derby under the name of Moschus aquaticus, which was very inter- esting as being an African species of a genus which had hitherto only been found in Asia and its islands. ‘The general form and colouring of the animal are so similar to that of the Mouse Deer, or Traguli, from Java, Ceylon, and India, that it was natural it should be placed with them in the same genus. But the Earl of Derby having kindly sent a specimen with its skull to the British Museum, the examination of the bones of the head have at once proved, that instead of being a species of an Asiatic genus, it is the type of a pe- culiar genus as yet only found in Africa, and therefore not, as has hitherto been thought, an exception in the geographic distribution of Mammalia. The skull is short with short broad nasal bones, which are dilated and rather truncated behind; the intermaxillaries are also short and truncated behind, not extended behind the base of the upper ca- nines. The ear-bones are large, vesicular, and produced beyond the surface of the bones of the skull, while in the genus Moschus the nasal bones are narrow, linear-elongate, and produced nearly to the front edge of the orbit; the intermaxillaries are large, dilated behind, and produced behind between the maxillaries and the front of the nasal bones, and the ear-bones are small and inclosed in the base of the skull; from these characters and the pig-like habit of the animal, I propose to form for it a genus under the name of Hyemoschus, ‘The skull is much more like that of the genus Tragulus than of Moschus, as it agrees with it in the large size and vesicular form of the ear-bones; but the Traguli are easily known from the Hyemoschi by the large size and triangular form of the hinder part of their intermaxillaries, which reach to the nasals and form the front part of the cheek in these animals. 1. Moscuus.—Nasal bones linear-elongate; ear-bones small, in- closed; intermaxularies large, produced behind, narrow, and extended far beyond the base of the uppercanines. MM. moschiferus, M. leuco- gaster, M. chrysogasier. 2. Tragutus.—Nasal bones elongate, rather dilated and truncated behind ; ear-bones large, vesicular ; intermaxillaries large, triangular, broad, oblique, truncated behind, hardly produced beyond the base of the upper canines between the maxillaries and the nasal bones. T, javanica, T. Stanleyanus (M. ecaudatus, Temm. MSS.). 3. Hyemoscuus,—Nasalbones short, dilated, and truncated behind. Ear-bones large, vesicular; intermaxillaries small, short, scarcely dilated behind on the front of the maxillaries, and not extended be- yond the base of the upper canines, H, aguaticus.—J. E. Gray. Miscellaneous. 351 OCCURRENCE OF AQUILA NZVIA IN IRELAND, Clonmel, Oct. 7, 1845. To Richard Taylor. Dear Frizny,—At the request of my friend William Thompson of Belfast, I write to inform thee of the occurrence in the south of Ireland of an eagle new to these countries, Aquila nevia (Linn.). I need enter into no description of the bird, as of course it is well-de- scribed in works on continental ornithology, but will just remark, that it is in the immature or spotted stage of plumage ; in contour it closely resembles the golden eagle, but is much smaller. This specimen (which is now in my possession on loan) was shot on the estate of the Earl of Shannon, and was in a fallow-field in the act of devouring a rabbit at the time ; this was in 1st month (Jan.) 1845 ; and another said to be similarly marked, but of rather a lighter colour, is stated to have been shot in the same place a few days be- fore : both had been observed in the neighbourhood (between Castle- martyr and Clay Castle near Youghal, co. Cork) for several weeks previous, sweeping over the low grounds there. It at present belongs to my friend Samuel Moss of Youghal, who had it from the gamekeeper who killed it, but I think it is probable that before long it will be placed in the Museum of Trinity College, Dublin. I have made a rough coloured drawing of it which I sent to Wm, Yarrell *, with similar information to what this note contains. I am, thy friend, Rosert Darrs, Jun. ON MOUNTING MINUTE ALG FOR THE MICROSCOPE. In describing the method pursued by Mr. ‘Thwaites in the prepa- ration of algee for microscopical observation, I stated that the cells were made of gold-size. As this is however liable to be softened and redissolved by the gold-size employed in fastening down the piece of thin glass, he found it advisable to look out for some more convenient substance, He now uses two compositions, one suitable for very shallow, and the other for somewhat deeper cells. For the former he takes equal measures of finely-powdered lamp-black and litharge ; a portion of this is rubbed down with equal parts of gold-size and black japan, and the cells immediately formed on the glass slides with a camel’s hair pencil. As the composition hardens very rapidly, the cells should be made as quick as possible, and to save time and trouble, a good many should be made at once. If the mixture becomes too thick for use before all the intended cells have been made, a little more gold-size may be rubbed down with it, and this may be repeated if necessary, but the last-made cells will take longer drying than the first. Before the walls are quite hard, they may be flattened by pressing them with a piece of wet glass. If this isnot done, it takes * For insertion in his 2nd edition of ‘ British Birds,’ expected to appear next month. 352 Miscellaneous. a longer time to grind down the irregularities of the surface, which is best. effected by rubbing them upon a pene of wet unpolished marble. For the deeper cells Mr. Thwaites finds neshiog so good as marine glue, which must be melted and dropped on the slip of glass, like sealing-wax, then warmed and flattened with a piece of wet glass : what is superfluous must be cut away with a knife, so as to leave only the wall of the cell; should this become loose, it ean easily be fixed by heating the other side of the slip of glass over a spirit-lamp and gently pressing. Before these cells are used, it is desirable to flatten them by rubbing gently upon a piece of wood and then upon the wet marble. In using the cells, as small a quantity as possible of gold-size, of a thick consistence, should be laid on the wall of the cell, and also on the edge of the piece of thin glass; and in covering up the cells, gentle pressure should be employed in order to squeeze out the su- perfluous fluid. It would be a very useful thing for travellers to take with them the proper ingredients for preparing the two solutions for fresh and marine alge. A portion of each species of alga might then be pre- served in small phials carefully sealed and ticketed, which may be mounted and observed at leisure. The benefit of such a practice has been strongly impressed upon me during the examination of some highly curious foreign algee which have lost many of their distinctive characters in drying. M. J. Berxexey. On the Discovery of a Fossil Frog and Butterfly in the Gypsum Deposits of Aiz. By M. Coquanp. Among the fossils in my possession from the gypsum formation of Aix, a remarkable and very distinct impression of a reptile belonging to the order of the Batracians, and to the family Anoure, has puar- ticularly caught my attention: M. Boué (Guide du Géol. vol. ii. p- 259) notices indeed, in the tertiary formations, the presence of some reptiles, such as salamanders, frogs and ophidians ; but as he does not enter into any details, either of their description or the localities in which they have been found, the paleontologist will perhaps read with interest some details respecting the — in my possession. Its dimensions are as follows :— Millimetres Millimetres Total length of the body, inclu- Cubitus and radius ............64+ ding the head .......00...0c0.00 32 truncated in part........s.c.00. Great diameter of the head .., 13 | Femur.,........... Seeseeidudésbveses 12 Transversal diameter ...s0....00s 8} Tibia... .ciccsisvee thee sonevicebe senivi 2 Diameter of the sternum at the LOLS sniiiics sap hecins div hainees ves 7 origin of the anterior feet ..._ 9 | Toe of the posterior foot ......... 5 Length of the humerus ......... 6 The body of this species, which I shall name Rana aquensis, is not so plump as that of the common frog ; its head, although as flat, is more elongated, and is terminated by a snout which describes an al- Miscellaneous. | ! 353 most perfect oval. The bones of the hind feet are proportionably longer, although less strong; lastly, its form is much more slender than that of the other Anourous Batracians, and may belong as well to the Frogs properly so called as to the Tree-frogs (Hyla), which differ from the former only in the extremity of each of their toes, which is enlarged and rounded into a kind of viscous swelling. But, as may be imagined, this character has not been preserved. ‘The Rana aquensis has preserved a portion of its skin; there is scarcely any part but the feet which has been deprived of it, and these are represented by the bones which form their skeleton. As may be judged by its dimensions, this fossil frog is small, and its form is far from corresponding to the idea which we may form of the tertiary fauna of Aix, if we imagine it among the palm-trees, the crocodiles and other animals which have left their remains in the gypsiferous marls. It is well known, that when the discovery of a diurnal lepidopterous insect in the same formation was announced to the Entomological So- ciety of Paris, M. Boisduval, one of the most celebrated entomologists in Europe, considered the fact as so novel, that he would not credit it until he had examined the specimen. As this discovery has passed, we may say, unnoticed, I shall be pardoned for entering into some details on the almost miraculous occurrence which enabled M. Bois- duval not only to recognise the genus to which this butterfly be- longed, but also to determine its species with the greatest ease. As the opinion of this naturalist perfectly agrees with the ideas which I have previously entertained and published on the probable temperature of the globe at the period of the deposit of the gypsums of Aix, I can- not resist supporting my opinion by such an authority, especially as M. de Serres (Géognosie des Terrains Tertiaires, p. 220, &c.) states that the genera of fossil insects of that locality are mostly identical with those which now inhabit Provence and more southern climates, as Sicily and Calabria ; and as M. Boué (Guide, ii. p. 286) says that it is well-known that the fossil plants and fishes of Aix are most nearly related to the vegetables and marine fishes of Provence, whilst it has been proved that the gypsiferous marls of Aix are essentially of a la- custrine origin, and that no maritime plant or animal has ever been discovered there. Mr. Curtis (Edinburgh New Phil. Journal, Oct. 1829) in the same manner refers all the specimens from Aix to still existing forms. Now as the gypsums of Aix are inferior to the ma- rine molasses of the central beds, containing animals the greater part of whose genera only live in the tropical regions, the occurrence im a lower stratum of species still existing in the country or in the ad- joining countries, established a fact of anomalous distribution, and a contradiction, not only to almost all known facts, but also to the presence in the same stratum of crocodiles, palm-trees, and other species of warm climates. We must therefore consider the conclu- sions advanced by the naturalists whom we have cited as the result of erroneous determinations, into which the specialty of M. Boisdu- val has prevented his falling. That entomologist discovers, ‘“ that the most common species of insects of the gypsiferous beds of Aix Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. 2C 354 Miscellaneous. are aspecies of Diptera of the genus Bibio or Cecidomya, several spe- cies of Tipularie, large Curculionites allied to the Otiorhynchus, larve or nymphs of Libellule, Blatte, Ichneumonide, Formicide and Arach- nida. All these fossils belong to extinct species, but their genera, which still exist, do not occur in Europe. «« The diurnal lepidopterous insect belongs to one of those genera the species of which are not numerous, and are at present confined to the islands of the Indian Archipelago or the warmest countries of the Asiatic continent. According to M. Blum of Leyden, they hover around the palm-trees, on which perhaps they feed in the state of caterpillars. ‘The individual which has been named sepulta, to recall its antediluvian origin, belongs to the genus Cy/lo, and is allied to the Rohria, Camnus, and other neighbouring species ; but it cannot be referred to any of those known at the present day. __ “ The outline and form of this insect are so well-preserved, that one might imagine it lithographed on a schist: only the right side is alone preserved, which is perfectly untouched, with a portion of the thorax and a slight impression of the abdomen. The upper wing is in great part hidden by the under one, and it is impossible to say - whether it presents other delineations than an apical ocellus sur- mounted by a white point; the other, the whole surface of which is seen, is of a brownish gray colour, as in the allied species, with a white costal spot, a sinuated, median transverse band, of the same colour, followed by two black ocelli bordered in white, connected exteriorly with two white spots. The extremity of this same wing is rather paler, almost whitish, and divided, as in most of the living species, by two parallel brown marginal lines. The caudal appendix is rather longer than in the Rohria, but situated in the same manner. The preservation of the specimen admits of distinguishing the out- line, and probably the true colour of the butterfly as it was before its incrustation.” I am not sufficiently acquainted with the species of exotic frogs to be able to compare them with the Rana aquensis, but I can assert that it differs entirely from those which exist in Europe. I await a favourable opportunity to allow me to describe and publish the fossil insects which for the last ten years I have collected in the gypsiferous beds of Aix; the number of the species I possess at the present time amounts to more than sixty.—Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France, April 21st, 1845. On a curious appearance presented by the contents of the Capsules of a Moss from Chili, extracted froma Letter to the Rev. M. J. Berxe- LEY, by Dr. MontaGne. _ “J was engaged in describing for the Cryptogamic flora of Chili a new genus allied to Weissia, and in consequence was desirous of ascertaining the form and structure of the spores in the species which I had before me. What was my surprise to find, instead of spores in every capsule which I opened, a kind of gemmez analogous to those which occur in the cups of Marchantia! They have not indeed the Miscellaneous. 355 same form, but their structure is the same, or at least appeared to me to be so. They are wedge-shaped or parallelogrammic, about