J, /&r^/:t,o^ ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY? OE, MAGAZINE OF ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, AND GEOLOGY, (being a continuation of the 'magazine of zoology and botany,' and SIR w» J. hooker's ' botanical companion.') CONDUCTED BY Sir W. JARDINE, Bart.— P. J. SELBY, Esq., Dr. JOHNSTON, DAVID DON, Esq., Prof. Bot. King's Coll. Lond., AND RICHARD TAYLOR, F.L.S. VOL. V. LONDON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY R. AND J. E. TAYLOR. SOLD BY S. HIGHLEY; SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL ; SHERWOOD AND CO.: W. WOOD, TAVISTOCK STREET , BAILLIERE, REGENT STREET, AND PARIS : LIZARS, AND MACLACHLAN AND STEWART, EDINBURGH : CURRY, DUBLIN : AND ASHER, BERLIN. 1840. " Ornnes res creatse sunt divinse sapientiae et potentiae testes, divitize felicitatis hunianae : ex harum usu honitas Creatoris ; ex pulchritudine sapientia Domini ; ex oeconomia in conservatione, proportione, renovatione, potentia majestatis elucet. Earumitaque indagatio ab hominibus sibi relictis semper sestimata; avere eruditid et sapientibus semper exculta ; male doctis et barbaris semper inimica fuiL" — Linn. ^£> 9 -// J' CONTENTS OF VOL. V. NUMBER XXVIII. Page I. On Scrophularia aquatica of Linnaeus and Ehvliart. By Chari,es Abbot Stevens, Esq., B.A., F.B.S.E. (With a Plate.) page 1 II. Catalogue of the Species of Fungi obtained in the North of Ire- land, by John Templeton, Esq., of Cranmore, Belfast. By Thomas Taylor, M.D., M.R.I.A., F.L.S. ^v....v, 3 III. Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. By W. Thompson, Esq., Vice-Pres. of the Natural History Society of Belfast 6 IV. Nonnullorum Cerambycitum novorufn, Novam Hollandiam et Insulam Van Diemen habitantium, characteres. By Edward Newman, F.L.S., &c 14 «. V. Description of Limneus involutus, Harvey, MS. By W. Thomp- son, Vice-President of the Natural History Society of Belfast; — with ■an account of the Anatomy of the Animal. By John Goodsir, Esq. {With a Plate) , „ 22 VI. On certain characters in the Crania and Dentition of Carnivora which may serve to distinguish the subdivisions of that Order. By G. R. Waterhouse, Esq. *. ,., 25 VII. Summary Description of Four new Species of Otter. By B. H. Hodgson, Resident at Catmandu, Nepal 27 VIII. Information respecting Botanical Travellers; — Mr. Schom- burgk's Narrative of his recent Expedition in Guiana 29 New Books: — A History of British Ferns, by Edward Newman, F.L.S. — Iter Hispaniense, or a Synopsis of Plants <;ollect«d in the South- ern Provinces of Spain and Portugal, by Philip Barker Webb — Otia Hispanica, seu Delectus Plan tarum rariorum aut nondum rite notarum per Hispanias sponte nascentium, Auctore P. B.Webb. — On theOrgans of Secretion in Plants, by Dr. F. J. F. Meyen, — De- scription of a new Genus of Plants of th« Family Legwninoste, by Guglielmo Gasparini.— Observations on the duration and germina- tion of Grammitis, by Guglielmo Gasparini 36 — 43 Proceedings of the Liniwean Society ; Zoological Society; Microscopical Society; Royal Irish Academy 44 — 67 On Datisca Cannahina and Impregnation ; On a new Genus of Cepha- lopoda ; Derivation of the TefT and the Tocusso, two Species of IV CONTENTS. Abyssinian Grasses; The Snake Nut; M. von Humboldt on Mr. Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle, and on Mr. Schomburgk's Expedition; Meteorological Observations and Table page 69—72 NUMBER XXIX. IX. On the Structure of the Cellular Membrane in Mosses and He- paticae. By Dr. M. J. Schleiden 73 X. On a minute Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake, in the county of Antrim. By Wm. Thompson, Esq., Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast 75 XI. Contributions towards a knowledge of the Mollusca Nudi- branchia and Mollusca J'unicata of Ireland, with Descriptions of some apparently new Species of Invertebrata. By Wm. Thompson, Esq., Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast. (With a Plate) 84 XII. On some New and Rare British Mollusca. By Edward Forbes, M.W.S., For. Sec. B.S., &c. (With a Plate) 102 XIII. Catalogue of the Species of Reptiles collected in Cuba by W. S. MacLeay, Esq. ; — with some Notes of their Habits extracted from his MS. By J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S. 108 XIV. Characters of Five new Species of Orchidaceous Plants from Dominica. By Prof. Lindley 115 XV. Information respecting Zoological and Botanical Travellers : — Mr. Gould's Expedition to examine the Zoology of Australia 116 Mr. Griffith's Journal of the Mission to Bootan 119 New BooTcs: — Observations on the Blood Corpuscles, or Red Particles, of the Mammiferous Animals, by George Gulliver, F.R.S. , F.Z.S. — Genera et Species Staphylinorum Insectorum Coleopterorum fa- miliae : auctore Guil. F. Erichson, &c. &c. — The Petrified Insects of Solenhofen, described by Professor Germar of Halle. — Transac- tions of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club.. 125 — 129 Proceedings of the Linnaean Society ; Tweedside Physical and Anti- quarian Society ; Orkney Natural History Society ; Microscopical Society of London ; Zoological Society 130 — 139 Hirundo purpurea, Purple Marten of America ; Notice respecting Am- phipeplea glutmosa\ On Pinus pitmilio, Hk^ by Professor Goep- pert; On the Nests of the Fifteen-spined Stickleback, or Gaste- rosteus spinachia of Linnaeus ; On Vespertilio tsdilis, Jenyns ; A new Marsupial Animal ; A new Species of Fossil Dolphin ; On the Mineral called Dysodil as a product from the Shells of Infusoria, by C. G. Ehrenberg; Meteorological Observations and Table 146 — 152 NUMBER XXX. XVI. On the Irregular Form of the Flower of the PapiUonacece. By H. Walpers, from the Linneea, vol. xiii 153 CONTENTS. V XVII. On the StmctniG of the Ovule in Plants. By M. J. Sciileiden, M.D., Proffessor of Botany in the University of Jena page 162 XVIII. On the Bone of an unknown Struthious Bird of large size from New Zealand. By Richard Owen, Esq., F.R.S IGG XIX. Miscellanea Zoologica. By George Johnston, M.D., Fel- low of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 168 XX. On the British Actiniadce. By Edward Forbes, Esq. (With aPlate.) 180 XXI. A short Outline of a Fauna for Part of Herefordshire. By R. M. LiNGwooD, Esq., F.L.S , 184 XXII. Monograph of the Dorylidcs, a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna, By W. E. Shuckard, Esq 188 XXIII. Description of the Snake-nut Tree of Guiana. By Robert H. ScHOMBURGK, CM., R.G.S. (With a Plate.) 202 XXIV. Information respecting Botanical Travellers : — Mr. Griffith's Journal of the Mission to Bootan 205 New BooJcs : — A Report on the Progress of Vegetable Physiology du- ring the year 1837, by F. J. F. Meyen, M.D., Professor of Botany in the University of Berlin. Translated from the German, by William Francis, A.L.S. — A list of the Genera of Birds, with an indication of the Typical Species of each Genus, by George Robert Gray 211—214 Proceedings of the Zoological' Society 215 Botanical Information : — "Unio Itineraria;" Note on Argulus folia- ceus, Juvine, by Wm. Thompson, Esq. ; Infusorial Animalcules in Red Snow ; Meteorological Observations and Table 219 — 224 NUMBER XXXI. XXV. On the recent Doctrines of Vegetable Embryology. By Herbert Giraud, Member of the Council of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh. (With a Plate.) 225 XXVI. Observations on the Family Helicidcs, and description of a new Genus. By Dr. L. Pfeiffer of Cassel 238 XXVII. Some Remarks on the foregoing Paper of Dr. L. Pfeiffer, especially on the Clausium of Clausilia. By John Edward Gray, F.R.S., Keeper of the Zoological Collection in the British Museum ... 243 XXVIII. Additions to the Fauna of Ireland, By Wm. Thompson, Esq., Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast 245 XXIX. On the " Freshwater Carriers," or Thelidomus oi Mr. Swain- son • 257 XXX. Monograph of the Dorylida;, a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. By W. E. Shuckard, Esq 258 VI CONTENTS. XXXI. Miscellanea Zoologica. By George Johnston, Esq., M.D., &c. — Beania mirabilis, a new Genus of Zoophyte page 272 XXXII. Descriptions, &c. of some rare or interesting Indigenous Insects. By John Curtis, Esq., F.L.S., &c 274 XXXIII. Information respecting Botanical and Zoological Travellers : — Mr. Schomburgk's recent Expedition in Guiana : — Otters of Guiana 282 New Booh : — A Manual of the Land and Freshwater Shells of the British Islands, with Figures of each of the kinds, by William Tur- ton, M.D. A new Edition, by John Edward Gray, F.R.S 288 Proceedings of the Wernerian Natural History Society : Microscopical ^ Society 290, 291 On a Torpedo taken on the Irish Coast, by Wm. Thompson^ Esq. ; Meteorological Observations and Table 292 — 296 NUMBER XXXII. XXXIV. Notes on some Viviparous Plants. By George Dickie, Esq., A.L.S., Lecturer on Botany in Marischal College, Aberdeen ... 297 XXXV. On Ulex. By Charles C. Babington, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c. (With Wood Engravings.) 300 XXXVI. Miscellanea Zoologica. By George Johnston. M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh : — Irish Anne- iides. (With a Plate.) 305 XXXVII. On the Corymorpha nutans of Sars, a remarkable Hy- droid Polype. By Edward Forbes, Esq., and John Goodsir, Esq.... 309 XXXVIII. Monograph of the DorylidcB, a Family of the Hyme- noptera Heterogyna. By W. E. Shuckard, Esq. (Concluded.) 315 XXXIX. Description of a new Species of the genus Lophotus, from the collection of Charles Darwin, Esq. By G. R. Waterhouse, Esq., Curator to the Museum of the Zoological Society, &c. &c 329 XL. Description of a new Species of Balanus, from the Cabinet of Samuel Wright, Esq., of Cork. By the Rev. W. Hincks, F.L.S 333 XLI. On the Effects produced upon Animal and Vegetable Life by the Winter of 1838. By P. J. Selby, of Twizel House 331 XLII. Information respecting Botanical and Zoological Travellers : — Dr. Parnell, Mr. Jerdon, Mr. Cuming, Dr. Krauss, and Mr. Schomburgk 340 Proceedings of the Zoological Society ; Botanical Society of London ; Royal Irish Academy; Orkney Natural History Society 348 — 360 Prize Question in Vegetable Physiology; Bottle-nosed Whale; Re- markable change of Habit in the Hare ; Note on Animalcules, CONTENTS. Vll by E. Forbes, Esq. ; Mr. Thompson's Notes on Irish Birds ; New Species oi Agrilus; The Rev. Mr. Hincks on Mr. Gray's edition of Turton's Manual of Shells ; Meteorological Observations and Table page 361—368 NUMBER XXXIII. XLIII. Remarks on Du Petit Thouars's Theory of the Origin of Wood. By Edwin Lankester, M.D., F.L.S., &c 369 XLIV. On the Teuerium regium of Schreber. By Charles C. Ba- BiNGTON, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c 375 XLV. On the Strength of the Vital Principle in Intestinal Worms. By Dr. C. E. Mi ram, Teacher of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy in the Academy of Wilna 377 XLVI. Excerpta Botanica, or abridged Extracts translated from the Foreign Journals, illustrative of, or connected with, the Botany of Great Britain. By W. A. Leighton, Esq., B.A., F.B.S.E., &c 380 M. Brongniart on the Functions of the Hairs on the Stigma in the Fecundation of the Campanulacese. XLVII. Sketch of the Natural History of Leeds and its Vicinity for Twenty Miles. By Henry Denny, Esq 382 XL VIII. i^ppendix to Mr. Shuckard's Monograph of the Dorylidee, containing a Description of two new Species oi Lahidus 396 XLIX. Information respecting Botanical and Zoological Travellers : — M. Tschudy 398 Mr. Schomburgk 399 Mr. Griffith 405 New Books : — A History of the Fossil Fruits and Seeds of the London Clay, by James Scott Bowerbank, F.G.S., &c. — British Entomo- logy ; being Illustrations and Descriptions of the Genera of Insects found in Great Britain and Ireland : containing coloured Figures from Nature of the most rare and beautiful species, and in many instances of the Plants upon which they are found, by John Curtis, Esq., F.L.S., &c 410—415 Proceedings of the Microscopical Society of London ; Zoological So- ciety ; American Philosophical Society 415 — 421 On the Flower or Fruit of Ferns ; Potamogeton pralongus ; The Cocos de Mer; Propagation by Hybrids; Meteorological Observa- tions and Table 421—426 Index 427 PLATES IN VOL. V. Plate L Limneus involutus. — Scrophularia Ehrharti. II. British Mollusca. III. Iluanthus Scoticus. — Snake-nut. IV. Vegetable Embryology. V. Polynoe scolopendrina. *IV. Nipadites Parkinsonis. * This Plate retains the Number (IV.) which it holds in Mr. Bowerbank' Work. ERRATA. Page 76, line 8 from bottom : for latter read last. — 315, — 14 : /or noticed rearf naked. — 363, — 8 from bottom : for isolating one specimen to a drop of, &c,, read isolating one specimen. To a drop of, &c. y^/C/t-J^tZil/l-St .Vol .^ J^i//z^isi/s invol^vti/,? Scro/iA/v/yyyV-a. A'/irA^.rli ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY. I. — On Scrophularia aquatica of Linnaeus and Ehrhart. By Charles Abbot Stevens, Esq., B.A., F.B.S.E.* [With a Plate.] An examination, through the kindness of Professor Don, of the specimens of Scrophularim in the Linnaean and Smithian Her- baria has confirmed a suspicion I have for some time had, that under the name of S, aquatica two distinct species have been confounded by botanists : one, the original S, aquatica of Lin- naeus ; the other the S. aquatica of Ehrhart^s ^ Plantae Offici- nales/ Thus in his ' English Flora,' Sir J. E. Smith has com- bined the characters of the two under that name ; his diagnosis, which is merely a translation from that in Linn. ^ Sp. PL', be- longing to the former plant, while to the latter his description principally refers, — not entirely, as some of the characters of S. aquatica, Linn, are mixed up in it. The fact of there being a specimen of each of the two species on the same paper in his Herbarium will account for the description having been thus drawn up from their combined characters, as he evidently considered the two as one species, and identical with S, aqua- tica, Linn. By several German authors the plant of Ehrhart is described under the name of /S. aquatica, while the true >S^. aquatica, Linn, is described as another species under the name of S, Balbisii, It seems not improbable that the combination into one of the two species by the late possessor of the Linnaean Herbarium may, for the very reason of that possession, have been the cause of their mistake. The inspection during the last season of a great number of specimens, amounting to not less than several hundred, of S. aquatica, Linn, afforded me no instance of any variation in the integrity of the staminodium ; nor have I ever seen any specimen at all approaching ;S^. aquatica, Ehrh. in the inflo- rescence or in general habit. There can, I imagine, be na * Read to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, Feb. 13, 1840. Ann, Nat, Hist, Vol. 5. No. 38. March 1840. b 2 Mr. C. A. Stevens on Scrophularia aquatica. doubt of their distinctness. Roots are, I understand, in the possession of an eminent British botanist, who, by cultivation thereof, will doubtless be enabled shortly to determine the point beyond dispute. In the mean time it may be useful to give the respective characters of the two plants. They are as follow : 1. S. aquatica, Linn. Foliis cordato-ovatis rotundato-obtusis cre- nato-serratis, inferioribus auriculatis, caule petiolisque alatis, panicula terminali, cymis lateralibus corymbosis multi-(8 — 15)- floris, laciniis calycinis subrotundis margine late scariosis, sta- minodio subrotundo-reniformi integro, capsula ovata subacuta. Betonica aquatica, Dalech. Hist. 1356. Ger. Em. 715. f. S. radice fibrosa, Moris. Oxon. ii. 482. s. 5. t. 8. f. 4. S. aquatica major, Raii Hist. 764. S. foliis conjugatis, &c.. Hall. Helv. 618. Boehm. Lips. QQ. n. 150. S. aquatica, Linn. Herb. Sp. PL 864". Curt. Fl. Lond, v. t. 44. Engl. Bot. t. 854. Krock. Fl. Siles. ii. 393. Sibth. Fl. Oxon. 196. Sm. Fl. Brit. 663. Hook. Fl. Scot. 189. Grev. Fl.Edin. 137. Sm. E. Fl. iii. 139. (diagn. only). Sm.Herb. n. 2. With Bot. Arr. (ed. 7.) iii. 738. Hook. Br. Fl. (ed. 4.) 239. *Sebast, et Mauri Fl. Rom. 205. *PollinusFl. Veron. 325. S. scorodonia (aquatica ? Sm. not.) Linn. Herb, (without ref. to Sp.Pl.) S. Balbisii, "Hornem. FL Hafn. ii. 577." Bluff et Fingerh. (ed. 2.) i. p. 2. 389. Koch. Syn. 515. ''Guss. Fl. Sic. Prodr. ii. 172. Hab. Cambridgeshire, very common, Mr. H. Baber. Shropshire, common, Mr. W. A. Leighton. Very common in ditches and damp places in Kent, and probably general throughout England. Perennial, July — September. Root fibrous. Stem erect, from 2 — 8 feet high, branched below, mostly simple above, square, winged at the angles. Leaves ovate-oblong or elliptical, cordate at the base, very ob- tuse, uppermost occasionally subacute, the lower ones with one or a pair of variously shaped stalked or sessile accessorial leaflets, smooth or downy beneath, doubly-, the upper ones most simply-, crenate. Petioles winged, channelled, decurrent. Panicle of many distant, mostly opposite, dichotomous, many flowered, compact, corymbose cymes. Peduncles and pedicels glandulose. Bracts linear obtuse, rarely (as in the specimen in the Linnaean Herbarium, which is, however, apparently * For these references I am indebted to Mr. C. C. Babington. Mr. Templeton on the Fungi of the^Nort/i 0/ Ireland, 3 of garden growth), developed into lanceolate acute leaves. Sterile filament rotundato-reniform, entire. Sepals with a broad membranous margin, torn at the edges. Capsules ovate, more or less acute. 2. S. Ehrharti. Foliis ovato-lanceolatisve basi subcordatis acutis serratis, caule petiolisque alatis, panicula terminali, cymis late- ralibus laxis pauci-(4 — 6)-floris, laciniis calycinis subrotundis margine late scariosis, staminodio bifido laciniis divaricatis, cap- sula globosa obtusissima. S. aquatica, Ehrh. PL Off. n. 156. Sm. Herh. n. 1. FL Dan. t. 507. Kunthy FL BeroL ii. 60. Bluff et Fingerh. 1. c. Rchb, FL excurs. Ti. 2^Q2. Koch, Syn. 515. "^Peterm.FL Lips. 459. *Host. FL Austr. ii. 203. *Wimm. et Grab. FL Siles. ii. 226. Hab. Edinburgh, Mr. W. H. Campbell-, Cramond Woods, West Lothian, Dr. A. Hunter. It has also, I believe, been found near Primrose Hill by Mr. J. D. C. Sowerby. Perennial Root fibrous. Stem erect, 2 — ? feet high,^ simple, square, winged at the angles. Leaves ovate, ovate-oblong or lanceolate, slightly cordate at the base, acute, simply and finely serrate. Panicle of many, mostly alternate, dichotomous few-flowered cymes. Peduncles and pedicels divaricating, slightly glandu- lose. Bracts foliaceous lanceolate acute, simple or tripartite, in which latter case the segments are lanceolate. Sterile fila- ment obreniform, bifid, the lobes divaricating. Sepals with a broad torn membranous margin. Capsule globose, very obtuse. REFERENCES TO PLATE I. fig. L a a. Single cymes of the two Plants. b b. Staminodia of ditto. c c. Margins of leaves of ditto. II. — Catalogue of the Species of Fungi obtained in the North of Ireland, by John Templeton, Esq., of Cranmore, Belfast. By Thomas Taylor, M.D., M.R.I.A., F.L.S. Dunkerron, Kenmare, 12th March 1839. The following Catalogue of Fungi collected by the late Mr. John Templeton in the vicinity of Belfast, is drawn up from drawings and specimens left by him, and which Mrs. Templeton placed in my hands, with a desire that I should carefully ascertain the species and their modern names with a view to * For these references I am indebted to Mr. C. C. Babington. b2 4 Dr. T. Taylor on the Fungi collected publication. I have bestowed upon them my best attention ; and yet the list is deficient by a few of the drawings whose counterparts I have not yet met with in nature, and by a very few of the specimens from whose imperfect state no satisfac- tory conclusions could be drawn. Still I cannot but admire the industry and talents of one who, at least equally successful in all the other departments of zoology and of botany, dis- played so intimate a knowledge of plants difficult of investi- gation, at least before the termination of the last century, when the greater part of his collection was already made. Thos. Taylor. collinitus, Sow. fastibilis, Pers. flavidus, Schcsff. scaber, Mull. geophyllus, Bull. tener, Schoeff. involuttis, Batsch. variabilis, Pers. Georgii, With. campestris, L. semiglobatus, Batsch, 1. Agaricus, Linn. vaginatus, Batsch. muscarius, L. clypeolarius, Bull. cristatus, Bolt. eburneus, Bull. rutilans, Schoeff. multiformis, Schoeff. personatus, Fr. "• alutaceus, Pers. emeticus, Schoeff. cilicioides, Fr. zonarius, With. giganteus, Sow. nebularis, Batsch. pratensis, Pers. puniceus, Fr. coccineus, Wulf. laccatus. Scop. pelianthinus, Fr. butyraceus, Bull. compressus, Sow. confluens, Pers. Clavus, Bull. Rotula, Scop. androsaceus, L. caulicinalis, Bull. galericuiatus, Scop. purus, Pers. corticola. Bull. stellatus, Fr. umbelliferus, L. fragrans, Sow. flabelliformis. Bolt. applicatus, Batsch. fertilis, Pers. pascuus, Pers. evernius, Fr. gentilis, Fr. $ublanatus, Sow. bulbosus. Sow. scamrus, Fr. aureus, Bull. squarrosus, Miill. mutabilis, Schoeff. 5. Boletus, Dill. luteus, L. bovinus, L. piperatus, Bull. subtomentosus, L. edulis, Bull. fascicularis, Huds. semiovatus, Sow. Boltoni, Pers. disseminatus, Pers. atramentarius, Bull. micaceus, Bull. cinnamomeus, L. personatus, Fr. fragilis, Batsch. dilutus, Pers. cohaerens, Pers. cyathiformis, Bull. chalybeus, Pers. Bulliardii, Temp. 2. Canthakellus, ^'mans, Wulf. 4. PoLYPORUS, ilficA. lentus. Berk. squamosus, Huds. perennis, L. giganteus, Pers. versicolor, L. pallescens, Fr. radiatus. Sow. medulla panis, Jacq. ferruginosus, Schrad. 6. FiSTULlNA, hepatica. With. 7. Hydnum, Linn. repandum, L. 8. Thelephora, Ehrh. epidermea, Pers. ccerulea, Schrad. aurantiaca. Sow. calcea, Pers. purpurea, Pers. rubiginosa, Schrad. hirsuta, Willd. laciniata, Pers. 9. Clavaria, VaiU. coralloides, L. rugosa. Bull. pistillaris, L, vermicularis. Sow. tuberosa, Sow. cornea, Batsch. insequalis, Miill. pratensis, Pers. 10. Geoglossum, Pers. glabrum, Pers. 11. Mitrula, Fr. paludosa, Fr. 12. Typhula, Fr. erythropus, Fr. 13. PiSTILLARIA, Fr. puberula. Berk. in the K of Ireland by Mr, Templeton. 14. HELVELiiA, Linn. lacunosa, Afz. 15. Leotia, Hill. lubrica, Scop. 16. Peziza, Dill vesiculosa, BulL humosa, Fr. coccinea, Jacq, brunnea, Aib. &[ Schw. scutellata, L. stercorea, Pers. virginea, Batsch. calycina, Schum, inflexa, Bolt. Calycvdus, Sow. citrina, Hedw. lenticularis, Bull. cinerea, Batsch. acicularis, Bull. aurantia, Pers. aquatica, DeCand. cochleata, Bull. lycoperdioides, DeCand. nivea, Hedw.fil. villosa, Pers. papillata, Pers. 17. Bulgaria, Fr. sarcoides, Jacq. 18. Tremella, Dill. mesenterica, Retz. albida, Smith. sarcoides, With. difFormis, With. 19. Dacrymycks, Nees. stillatus, Nees. 20. ScLEROTiuM, Tode. complanatum, Tode. durum, Pers. 21. NiDULARIA, Bull. Crucibulum, Pers. 22. Sph^robolus, Tode. stellatus, Tode. 23. PiLOBOLus, Tode. crystallinus, Tode. 24. Sph^ria, Hall. militaris, L. Hypoxyloii, L. carpophila, Pers. fragiformis, Pers. fusca, Pers. stigma, Hoffm. disciformis, Hoffm. flavo-virens, Hoffm. coccinea, Pers. aurantia, Pers. byssiseda, Tode. moriformis, Tode. Pulvis pyrius, Pers. ocellata, Fr. Tiliae, Pers. Gnomon, Tode. punctiformis, Pers. iEgopodii, Pers. Vaccinii, Sow. Taxi, Sow. rimosa, Sow. Ilicis, Schleich. lanciformis, Fr. spermoides, Hoffm. acuta, Hoffm. serpens, Pers. 25. DoTHiDEA, Fr. typhina, Pers. Geranii, Fr. 26. Rhytisma, Fr. Acerinum, Pers. 27. Phacidium, Fr. 28. Hysterium, Tode. pulicare, Pers. Fraxini, Pers. eonigenum, Mong. et N. Rubi, Pers. Pinastri, Schrad. Juniperi, Grev. 29. BovisTA, Dill. nigrescens, Pers. 30« Lycoperdon, Toum. cselatum, Bull. 31. Elaphomyces, Nees. granulatus, Alb. et Schw. 32. iETHALiUM, LinJk. septicum, L. 33. Spumaria, Pers. alba, Bull. 34. DiDYMiuM, Schrad. physaroides, Pers. 35. Physarum, Pers. sinuosum, BtiU. 36 Craterium, Trent epohl minutum, Leers. 37. Stemonitis, Oled. fusca, Roth. ovata, Pers. typhina, Pers. 38. DiCTYDiUM, Schrad. umbilicatum. 39. Arcyria, Hill. incarnata, Pers. iiutans, Bull. 40. Trichia, Hatt. chrysosperma, DeCand. varia, Pers. 41. Perichjena, Fr. populina, Fr. 42. LiCEA, Schrad. cylindrica, Fr. fragariformis, Nees. 43. Onygena, Pers. equina, Pers. 44. Stilbum, Tode. vulgare, Tode. bicolor, Pers. 45. MucoR, Mich. caninus, Pers. Mucedo, L. 46. EuROTiUM, Link. Herbariorum, Lk. 47. Cladosporium, Z/i/i/f. Herbarura, LL 48. Dematium, Pers. ciliare, Pers. 49. Aspergillus, Mich. glaucus, L&. 50. Stachyhdium, Li. diffusum, Fr. 51. Ceratium, Alb, et S, hydnoides. Alb. et S. 52. BoTRYTis, Mich. vera, Fr, 53, MoNTLiA, Hill. racemosa, Pers. 54. FusARiUM, Lk. tremelloides, Grev. 55. Aregma, Fr. bulbosum, Fr. mucronatum, Fr. 56. PODISOMA, Lk. Juniperi Sabinae, Pr. Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland. 57. PucciNiA, Pers. Gramitiis, Pers. Epilobii, DeCand. 58. iEciDiuM, Pers. Grossulariae, DeCand. 59. HiMANTiA, Pers. Candida, Pers. 60. Ukedo, Pers. Segetum, Pers. Caries, DeCand. Labiatarum, DeCand. Senecionis, Schlecht. Violarum, DeCand. Rubonun, DeCand. Leguminosarum, Lk. Candida, Pers. Lini, DeCand. Rubigo, DeCand. III. — Additions to the Fauna of Ireland, By W. Thompson, Esq., V. Pres. of the Natural History Society of Belfast. Mammalia. Delphinus melas, Traill. This species is stated by Robert Ball, Esq. of Dublin, to be occasionally driven ashore in large herds on the southern coast of Ireland, and to be of frequent occurrence in the month of June at Youghal. Here a herd of seventy-five came ashore a few years ago, of which the average size was from 11 to 1 8 feet, but one individual had attained to 22 feet in length. When visiting the South Islands of Arran (off the coast of Clare) in June 1834, accompanied by Mr. Ball, a portion of the skeleton of a D, melas was found by us on the beach. On this gentleman revisiting the same islands in the following summer, he saw the remains of a herd of these animals lying where they had perished : the inhabit- ants speak of them as common. AVES. SoMATERiA sPECTABiLis, Lcach. King-Eider. A female speci- men of this rare British bird was shot in Kingstown harbour near Dublin about the 1st of Oct. 1837, and a few hours afterwards came into the possession of Mr. R. Ball. When first seen it was accom- panied by two others. Lestris Richardsonii, Swains. Richardson's Skua. An adult Lestris shot at Malahide, county of Dublin, in September 1837, and in the collection of Dr. Farren of Feltrim, exhibits characters much in unison with what are considered to be two species, the Lest. Richardsonii, and the Stercorarius cepphus, Leach, (Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 432.) agreeing with the latter in dimensions, and with the former in colouring. At the same time it in size approaches the X. Richardsonii as described by Jenyns (Man. Brit. Vert. Anim. p. 282.) as nearly as his does the original description in the ' Fauna Bor.-Amer.' (vol. ii. p. 433). The following table contains the com- parative measurements :— Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland, 7 Lesi.Richardsonu, L. Richardsonii, Stercorarius cepphus, Lestris, Irish. Swainson. Jenyns. Leach. specimen, in. lin. in. lin. in. lin. in. lin. Length, total 22 8 21 19 19 9 l^IlSittrT:} >5 « '« 1« IS ' ofwing 13 6 13 13 12 6 ofbillabove 1 1 1 2^ 1 2 1 3* of billto rictus . 110 1 9i 2 110 of tarsus 1 10 1 9 1 8 1 9 "^dlr!'.'!!.!!!} > '4 » «* • « » n Two longest tail feathers very much acuminated, the others in- creasing gradually in length from sides to centre, those next in length to the two central ones exceeding the outer feathers by one inch; breadth of bill at base 6 lines. Top of head, back, upper surface of wings and tail blackish brown, varying in some places to blackish ; entire under surface likewise dark- coloured, except the tail feathers which show a little white beneath ; patch from the eye downwards pale straw colour. This colouring is in accordance with that of the L. Richardsonii of Fauna B. A. Mr. Jenyns remarks that the species is subject to consider- able variation of colour in the adult state : — his description of its plumage accords tolerably well with that of S. cepphus. I should have set down the Irish Lestris simply as a small indi- vidual of L. Richardsonii, had not its general accordance with S, cep- phus at the same time suggested whether it might not as well be considered this bird, and consequently whether these terms apply to two really distinct species. An examination of specimens would at once decide the question f. Anser ferus, Steph. Wild Goose. In the collection of R. Ball, Esq. there is a specimen of this goose purchased by him in Dublin market early in the winter of 1 837, and which was stated to have been shot in this country ; two others of this species were exposed for sale at the same time. Judging from its small size, the specimen is a fe- male : it displays the blackish markings disposed irregularly over the lower part of the breast and the belly, which Temminck consi- ders indicative of very old individuals of both sexes (Man. d'Orn. I'Eur. t. 2. p. 819.). These markings have generally been unnoticed * Following the curve ; the others may have been measured in a straight line. t Since the above was written the 4th part of Temminck's * Manuel' has been published, and here -5*. cepphus appears as a synonym of L. parasiticus (p. 502.). The description ot' S. cepphus would indeed seem about equally applicable to a small L. Richardsonii or a large L. parasiticus. 8 Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland. in the descriptions of the species. This is the first Irish specimen of the true Wild Goose or Grey Lag, that I have seen, the Bean Goose being in this country, as in England and Scotland, the common spe- cies, and with the White-fronted, to be seen in our markets every winter. Anserferus is the scientific appellation bestowed on the wild-goose noticed in some of our county histories, but as it there appears to the exclusion of the two more common species just named and has not a place in Mr. Templeton's catalogue of Irish Birds, I introduce it here. At the same time there is little doubt that the true A.ferus is the species alluded to in Rutty's * Natural History of Dublin' as the "larger sort which stays and breeds here, particu- larly in the bog of Allen," vol. i. p. 333 ; similar allusions to it ap- pear in one or two other county histories. Mr. Jenyns considers it " highly improbable" that the domestic goose has been derived from this species. (Manual, p. 222.) After a careful comparison of the individual under consideration with the domestic species, I cannot perceive any difference except in the su- perior size of the latter, the result I presume of domestication. The form of the bill in the A.ferus is quite identical with that of the tame goose, and at once distinguishes it from A. segetum and A. al- bifrons*. Reptilia. Chelonia Caouana, Schweigger. Testudo caretta, Linn. Loggerhead Turtle, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. iii. p. 85, pi. 23. To the kindness of H. H. Dombrain, Esq. of Dublin, I owe the op- portunity of examining a turtle of this species hitherto unnoticed on the British shores, which was obtained on the coast of Donegal in May 1838, and soon afterwards came into his possession. The spe- cimen, about a foot in length, was taken by a man engaged in col- lecting sea- weed for manure, and who finding the hook at the end of the long pole used for " hauling in the rack," had caught in some- thing, carefully drew it towards him, when the captive proved to be a living turtle whose eye the hook had entered. Mr. R. Ball in- forms me that a turtle of this species in his collection was taken alive in the sea near Youghal, but he has been inclined to regard it merely * Totanus Glareola, Temm. Mr. R. Ball has described to me a species of Totanus which he saw for several years about the month of June fre- quenting a stream in Glenbower Wood near Youghal, and believed to be this bird. In the late Mr. Templeton's MS. a sandpiper considered to be of this species is noticed as having been seien in the neiglibourhood of Belfast, but as in the previous instance in terms which do not warrant its introduction Jto the Fauna with certainty. Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland. 9 as an individual washed oiF the deck of a vessel, or one that had escaped from the cord which was intended to secure it, when (as is a common custom on board ship) it may have been committed to the sea for the benefit of a swim. However, as both the specimens which have been procured on the Irish coast are of the same species, and one which according to Dumeril and Bibron is very common in the Mediterranean, and of occasional occurrence in the Atlantic Ocean, they may by the natural influence of winds and waves have been car- ried to our shores. This remark would from the circumstance of its frequenting the same seas likewise apply to the much rarer species, the Leathery Turtle, Sphargis coriacea, which has been taken on the English coast. The Hawks-bill Turtle, Chelonia imbricata, now in- cluded in the British Fauna, may more probably than the other two species, have been washed off the decks of vessels or outlived their wreck, its native abode being so far remote from the British seas as the West Indies and the Indian Ocean*. Pisces. Scomber Thtnnus, Linn. Tunny. Dr. Jacob (Professor of Ana- tomy in the Royal College of Surgeons) of Dublin, informs me, that during the herring season about twelve years ago he purchased a specimen of this fish about 2 feet in length, (and evidently a recent capture,) from a fisherman who supplied him with the rare species he procured, and whose ordinary fishing-ground was off Dublin Bay, within forty miles of the metropolis. GoBius UNipUNCTATus, Pamell. One- spotted Goby. ' Wem. Mem.' vol. vii. p. 83, pi. 29. I have obtained this on the north-east coast of Ireland ; and in Mr. R. Ball's collection there is a specimen, 3 inches in length, which was procured at Glendore (county Cork) by Mr. Geo. J. AUman. Although well-marked individuals of G. unipunctatus may appear specifically different from G. gracilis and G. minutus, yet from having remarked some specimens intermediate in character between the two first mentioned, I am led to doubt whether in these days of refinement the old Gobius minutus has not been multiplied into too many species. Cyclopterus goronatus, Couch. Coronated Lump-fish. ' Cornish Fauna/ p. 47. ' Annals Niit. Hist.' vol. ii. p. 382. Of this fish, considered by Mr. Couch distinct from the C. lumpus, I procured two specimens, rather exceeding 10 Unes in length, by dredging in * All the localities noted by Dumeril and Bibron, except Havanna, are within, or bordering on the Indian Ocean. — Erpetologie Generale, tome ii, p. 551. 10 Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland, Strangford lough on the 1st of Oct. ; the particular date is men- tioned in reference to the question whether the C. coronatus may no be the young of C. lumpus. Without offering any opinion on this point, it seems to me proper to notice the capture of this minute fish elsewhere than on the coast of Cornwall, where one individual only has been observed. MOLLUSCA*. ** Nautilus calcar\, Mont. Miltown Malbay (co. Clare), in sand." W. H. Harvey, Esq. " lavigatulus, Mont. Ditto." Ditto. *• Vermiculum intortum, Mont. On a sponge from Strangford.** Templeton's MS. '* Lagenula (Flem.) striata, Mont. Among sand at the Whitehouse Point [Belfast bay], Oct. 1810." Temp. MS. *• — globosa, Mont. Among Conferva pennata, Belfast Bay." Temp. MS. «« . Icevis, Walk. M. Malbay, rare — in sand." W. H. Harvey. ** Orthocera glabra. Flem. Ditto." Ditto. — trachea. Flem. Ditto. Ditto. Miliola ovata. Crouch, lUust. Lamarck, p. 40. pi. 20. f. 11. Com- mon on the north, east, and south coast. *' Loligo medial. Specimens occasionally received from Dublin har- bour, Strangford lough, and other inlets." Temp. MS. ** Octopus vulgaris, Lam. Not uncommon." Temp. MS. " Arion ater, var. rufus, var. marginatus. Common." Temp. MS. * These having been mostly communicated to me (in 1835) in the order and under the names in which they appear in Fleming's 'British Animals,' are chiefly so arranged, and thus some genera, &c. on which new light has been thrown, still appear under their old appellations. The multiplication of ha- bitats has not been thought of in an article like the present, in which I am particular only about noting the place (in so far as I am informed) where the species occurred to those who in this country first studied and deter- mined them. Notices of Irish mollusca are so widely scattered, that I may, after having taken considerable care, still be in error respecting the introduction of some species as " additions " to the Fauna. f Spirula australis, published many years ago as found by Mr. O'Kelly on the coast of Kerry, is mentioned in the late Mr. Templeton's MS. as havingbeen obtained " near Whitehouse," Belfast Bay ; and at Portrush near the Giant's Causeway, by Mrs. Clewlow. Mr. R. Ball has procured it near Youghal, as Mr. W. H. Harvey once did on the coast of Clare. X This is indicated as Irish in the abstract of a paper by Mr. R. Ball just published in the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy : with this expla- nation the species is here retained in consequence of the late Mr. Temple- ton's note on it. Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland. 11 *' Avion hortensis, Fer. Common at Cranmore [Belfast]." Temp. MS. Coloured drawings of the var. of this species named A. circumscriptus by Dr. Johnston were made by Mr. Templeton in 1808. ** Limax agrestis, Gmel. Common.'* Temp. MS. variegatus, Fer. (Hist, de Moll. p. 71. pi. 5. f. 1 — 6.) Youghal in Mr. Ball's collection. Helix concinna, Jeff. Common in Ireland, especially in the north. Succinea gracilis, Alder. Widely diffused in Ireland. Mr. Alder, I believe, now rather considers this to be a variety of S. amphibia. Limneus lacustris. Gulnaria lacustris, Leach. Found in Lough Neagh and lakes generally. Lottia ? pulchella, Forbes. ' Malac. Monensis,' p. 35. * Mag. Nat. Hist.' viii. p. 691. f. 61. In Mr. Hyndman's collection (Belfast) are a few small specimens of this shell — the first obtained on the shore of Belfast Bay by Mrs. M'Gee, the others found by Mr. H. adhering to oysters in Belfast market in 1831. Patella ? Forbesii, -^mith., ' Wern. Mem.' vol. viii. p. 107. pi. 2. One of this species was found by Miss M. Ball several years ago in company with Orbicula Norvegica, Lam. on a stone dredged in very deep water at Youghal. ? ancyloides, Forbes, MS. Obtained by Mr. Hyndman many years ago on oysters from Strangford lough. Length 3 lines, breadth 2|, height 1|. The great resemblance this shell bears to the Ancylus fluviatilis is not confined to external appearance, but internally it exhibits the same blueish cast. ** Dentalium striatulum. Found in sand near Cove." Mr. John Humphreys. Portmarnock, Mr. Warren. '* Chiton ruber, Linn. Among oysters from Killinchy, Down." Temp. MS. Found by Mr. Hyndman and myself in different localities on the north-east coast. albus, Mont. As last. fuscatus. Brown. Ditto. Aplysia depilans, Linn. Youghal and Dublin, R. Ball, Esq. M. Mal- bay, W. H. Harvey, Esq. Obtained by dredging in Belfast and Strangford loughs by Mr. Hyndman and myself. " punctata, Cuv. Dublin." R. Ball, Esq. " Bulla catena, Mont. M. Malbay, rare. A beautiful little species about a line in length marked with elegant chain-like bands." W. H. Harvey, Esq. r- — striata. Brown, Illust. pi. 38. f. 41, 42. Bangor, co. Down. Mr. Hyndman. 12 Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland. Littorina saxatilis. Bean, MS. Northern and eastern coasts: common. Eulima Donovani, Forbes. ' Mai. Mon.' p. 15. Youghal and Dubhn, R. Ball, Esq. Dredged off Dundrum, co. Down, by Mr. Hynd- man and myself. Jeffreysu. Dublin coast, Mr. Ball and Mr. Warren. bilineata, Jeff. A Eulima so named by Mr. Jeffreys is in the collection of Mr. Warren, who found it at Portmarnock. *' Rissoa striatula. Turbo monilis, Turton. M. Malbay, rare." W. H. Harvey, Esq. alba, var. Brown. Youghal, Miss M. Ball. Odostomia unidentata, Flem. Youghal, R. Ball, Esq. ; M. Malbay, not rare ; W. H. Harvey, Esq. Natica Alderi, Forbes, ' Mai. Mon.' p. 31. Of frequent occurrence in north, east, and south of Ireland, and hitherto passing under the name of N. canrena. Marginella valuta. M. Malbay, rare; W. H. Harvey; Macgilligan (co. L. Derry) and Belfast Bay, G. C. Hyndman ; South Islands of Arran, R. Ball. Auricula bidentata, Fer. Youghal and Portmarnock, R. Ball. ** Buccinum ovum. [Turt. ' Zool. Joum.' vol. ii. p. 366. pi. 13. f. 9.J Found in the intestines of a Red Gurnard brought to Cork market." Mr. John Humphreys. ** Cerithium tubercularis. {Murex tubercularis, Mont.) M. Malbay, common . ' * W . H . Harvey, Esq . Cerithium Pennantii, mihi. Turbo tuberculata, Penn. * Brit. Zool.* vol. iv. p. 129. pi. 82. f. 111. Terebra fuscata, Flem. * Brit. Anim.* Cerithium fuscatum, Brown, ' lUust. Conch.' p. 9. pi. 5. f. 67. Of this shell there is a specimen from Youghal in Miss M. Ball's collection, agreeing with the descriptions of Fleming and Brovm, but only tolerably represented in the above-quoted figures. Mr. E. Forbes having informed me that the Turbo tu- berculata of Linn, is a different shell, and that the Cerithium to which Costa applied the name of C. fuscatum is likewise distinct, I have considered it necessary to bestow a new name on the present species. •* Fusus gyrinus. Clare and Youghal." R. Ball, Esq. Lamellaria tentaculata, Mont. 'Linn. Trans.' xi. 186. pi. 12. f. 5, 6. Johnston, * Mag. Nat. Hist.' ix. 229. f. 25. In January 1835 two small individuals, about 4 lines in length, of this rare species were dredged in Strangford lough by Mr. Hyndman and myself. '• Pecten glaber. Found in the intestines of a Haddock bought in Cork market." Mr. John Humphreys. Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland, 13 " Anomia punctata. Youghal." R. Ball, Esq. " Hyalea trespinosa, GrifF. Cuvier, Moll. pi. 3. f. 7." An individual of this species and the first Pteropode I believe that has occurred on the British shores, was found by Mr. R. Ball on the coast near Youghal some years ago. At the same time Spirula and /a»- ihincB occurred, but none of them in a living state. *' Arcafusca. Coast of Galway." R. Ball, Esq., who considers its rank as a species doubtful. Nucula tenuis. Found at Portmarnock by T. W. Warren, Esq. nitida, Sowerby. Coast of Dublin. Pinna fragilis, ^ Turt. Bivalves. The three first named noted by papyracea, I Mr. John Humphreys as found at Cove ; the two pectinata, first and P. muricata by Mr. R. Ball as obtained muricata, J from the same locality. As species they are looked upon with much doubt. Cardium nodosum"^, Mont. North and east coasts. This shell is noticed by Mr. Smith as found in the newer pliocene deposits in Ireland. * Wern. Mem.' vol. viii. part 1. Anodon intermedius. Lam. I have found this in the rejectamenta of the river Lagan near Belfast. cellensis, Pfeif. River Shannon and Grand Canal. The An. anatinus and An. cygneus have been recorded as Irish. Although enumerating these, I am not disposed to take the views of au- thors who make so many species in this genus. " Amphidesma distortum. Youghal." R. Ball, Esq. " Donax complanata. Bantry Bay, rare." Mr. J. Humphreys. " Tellina similis. Dublin." R. Ball. " bimaculata. Bantry." R. Ball. This species is given doubtfully as Irish in Mr. O'Kelly's catalogue. Tellimya ovata, Brown's * lUust. Brit. Conch.' pi. 14. f. 20, 21. Spe- cimens of this shell from the southern coast are in Mr. Hynd- man's cabinet. Myrtea spinifera, Turt. Bantry Bay. Miss M. Ball. Marked with doubt by Mr. O'Kelly as a Portmarnock shell. It has been in- dicated as an Irish species by Mr. Jeffreys when noticing the moUusca he obtained at Oban in Argyleshire : he remarks that • Mytilus edulis, Linn. The variety? M. suhsaxatilis^Vf{\]\a.m%or\f 'Mag. Nat. Hist.' vii. 353. has been found at Youghal by Miss M. Ball. The var. M. incurvatus monopolizes, almost to the exclusion of the other forms of this species, the shores of Ireland that are exposed to the swell of the ocean. Venus virginea, Linn. The var. V. Sarniensis, Turt. dredged on the Dub- lin coast by Dr. Lloyd of Malahide. 14 Mr. E. Newman on Australasian Longicorns, the individuals here procured were " only half the size of the Irish specimens." Sowerby's * Malac. and Conch. Mag.' No. 2. p. 43. •* Cyprina minima. M. Malbay, rare." W. H. Harvey. Bantry Bay. Mr. J. Humphreys. Pisidium obtusale, Pfeif. .'' Jenyns, I have collected in a few locali- ties in the north-east of Ireland. cinereum, Alder. As last. La Bergerie, Queen's county. Rev. B. J. Clarke. " Teredo bipennata. From the mast of avessel cast ashore at Youghal." R. Ball. M. Malbay, W. H. Harvey. *' Xylophaga dorsalis. In rotten wood at Ringsend, Dublin." W. H. Harvey*. Montacuta purpurea. My a purpurea, Mont. Abundant on the north- east coast. It was this species and not Kellia rubra that was found in the stomach of mullet as noticed in ' Annals Nat. Hist.' vol. i. p. 354. K. rubra also occurs on the Irish shores. Pandora obtusa, Leach, Lam. Penn. ' Brit. Zool.' vol. iv. pi. 64. (three lowest figures) ed. 1777 : same work, ed. 1812. Solen pinna, vol. iv. p. 175. pi. 67. f. 3. Dredged off Carrickfergus Sept. 1835, Mr. Hyndman ; subsequently by Mr. H. and myself in Strangford lough. [To be continued.] IV. — Nonnullorum Cerambycitum novorum, NovamHollandiam et Insulam Van Diemen habitantium characteres. By Ed- ward Newman, F.L.S., &c.t Genus. Sceleocantha, Newman. Prioni facies : prothorax utrinque spina recurva laterali armatus ; pone spinam excavatione semicirculari incisus, postice bisinuatus : tibiae sulcatse, carinatse, extus spinosae. * Pholas papyraceus, Solander. Turt. Brit. Biv. Mr. Harvey has shown me a specimen which he found in 1826 in a fishing-boat in Dublin Bay ; but as Torbay boats occasionally visit this place, and in one of them it may pos- sibly have occurred, the species cannot be announced as Irish. f At the particular request of Mr. Davis, now settled at Adelaide, in South Australia, I have written characters for some of the fine Coleoptera which he has sent to this country : that portion of the list containing the Longi- corns being ready, I have added a few more descriptions from specimens in the collection of Mr. Children, to which he has most obligingly allowed Mr. E. Newman on Australasian Longicorns. 15 Sp. 1 . S. glahricollis. Piceus, prothorax glaberrimus : elytra profunde puncta, punctis humeralibus rarioribus, discoidalibus majoribus, apicalibus cre- brioribus. Corp. long. 1-5 unc, lat. -66 line. Exemp. unic. in Mus. D. Children. Habitat. Insula Van Diemen. Sp. 2. S. pilosicollis. Prionus pilosicollis, Hope, Trans. Ent. Soc. torn. i. p. 16. Exemp. unic. in Mus. Soc. Ent. " Habitat. Nova Hollandia apud Swan River." Genus. Toxeutes, Newman. Mallodonis fere fades : prothorax utrinque spinis recurvis, lateralibus, acutissimis armatus ; spina antica ad marginem anticum sita, valde arcuata ; spina 2^* mediana minus arcuata : tibiae inermes. Sp. 1. T. arcuatus. Prionus arcuatus, Fabricius, Syst. Eleu. torn. ii. p. 259. Exemp. In Mus. Brit, &c. Habitat. Insula Van Diemen. Genus. Mallodon, Serville. Sp. M. stigmosum. Piceum : prothorax parallelipipedus, marginibus late- ralibus crenatis, angulis posticis acutis, disco minutissime puncto, ob- scuro, spatiis 2 glabris fere trigonis exceptis : elytra rugosa : abdominis segmenta stigraate magno utrinque impressa. Corp. long. 1*5 unc, lat. "6 unc. Exemp. unic. in Mus. D. Children. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Genus. Dorx, Newman. Dorci facies ; caput porrectum, medio longitudinaliter sulcatum, mandibulse validse, extus et intus arcuatse, apice bidentatse, intus inermes : labi- et maxipalpi elongati, longitudine fere sequales, arti- culo apicali incrassato ; antennae corporis dimidio longiores, 11-ar- ticulatae, articulus 2"^ brevissimus, ceteri subaequales, compressae oculos haud attingentes ; prothorax longitudine pauUo latior ; margo anticus postico latior ; margines laterales pauUo sinuatae ; elytra linearia, prothorace pauUo angustiora, disco convexo, apice rotundata : tibiae angulares, pedetentim incrassatae, apice spinis 2 acutis, halteribus 2 obtusis armatae : tarsi manifesto 5-articulati: articulus 4"® brevis at satis notabilis. me free access, and from some others in the British Museum. These hasty notes will, I trust, not merely serve to secure me priority in nomenclature, but will, on account of the extreme singularity of some of the forms described, afford considerable interest to our scientific entomologists. 16 Mr. E. Newman on Australasian Longicorns. S^. Dorx pentamera. Nigra: elytris punctis, spina apicali suturali bre vis* sima armatis : pedes picei. Corp. long. 14 unc, lat. '5 unc. Exemp. unic. in Mus. D. Children. Habitat. Nova HoUandia. Genus. Pithanotes, Newman. Prioni fades : Caput porrectum : mandibulae validae, extus arcuatae, intus dentibus duobus minutis armatis, apice acutissimse : labi- et maxipalpi brev.es articulo apicali cylindrico : antennae corporis di- midio longiores, 1 1 -articulatse, articulus 2'" brevis, 3^^ 4""* cum 5° longitudine sequans : prothorax brevis, angulis rectangulis, utrin- que spina acuta mediana laterali armatus : tibiae fere pracedentis. Sp. Pith, falsus. Niger : prothorax tuberibus nonnuUis, quaruift 4 seriem transversam constituunt, armatus : elytra ad humeros verrucosa, apici- bus rotundatis, spina nulla suturali armata. (Corp. long. 1*25 unc, lat. •55 unc. Exemp. unic. in Mus. D. Children. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Genus. Brachytria, Newman. Caput in prothorace receptum : oculi fere reniformes : mandibulae et palpi brevissima : antennae dimidio corporis longiores, 1 1 -articulatae ; articulus P^ latitudine duplo longior, curvatus ; 2"^ 3"^ et 4"^ bre- vissimi ; caeteri longitudine subaequales, vix elongati : prothorax capite latior, subglobosus, angulis posticis late excavatus : scu- tellum elongatum, apice rotundatum : elytra prothorace latiora, fere parallela, dorso complanata, apice rotundata, inermia : pedes breves, femoribus pedetentim tumentibus. Sp. B. gulosa. Fusca ; facie, gula, capitis parte postica, prosterni parte antica croceis : elytrorum margo costalis, macula mediana albida sig- natus : caput rugose punctatum : prothorax rugosus punctis magnis confluentibus impressus : elytra 3-carinata, utriusque carinas duae di- stinctae fere ad apicem desinienes, 3"* subsuturalis indistincta longe ante apicem desinens. Corp. long. "7 unc, lat. •] 75 unc. Exemp. 1. in Mus. Brit, ex dono Rev. August! Beaufort. Habitat Insula Van Diemen. Genus. Necydalis, Linnaus. Caput exsertum : antennarum articulus 4"^ sequentibus manifesto brevior ; femora apice pedetentim tumida, metatarsi manifesto di- latati. Sp. N. auricomus. Niger ; capite croceo, antennis oculisque nigris ; pro- thorax nigerrimus, opacus : elytra semipellucida, pallida, apicibus ni- Mr. E. Newman on Australasian Longicorns. 1/ gricantibus : pectus et abdomen lanugine aui*ea vestita. (Corp. long. •4 unc, lat. '075 imc.) Exemp. 1 . in Mus. D. Turner. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. *' Exemp. unic. prope Adelaide lectum tan- tum vidi." A. H. Davis. Genus. Hesthesis, Newman. Caput pronura, in prothorace ad oculos reconditum : antennae maris corpore longiores r2-articulat8e,/(?mm« corpore breviores 11-arti- culatae apice paullo crassiores, articulus 4"^ ^^ et sequentibus vix brevior: prothorax valde convexus capite manifesto latior vix lon- gior lateribus medio vix productis : elytra abbreviata, quadrata : cor- pus obesum lanuginosum : pedes compressi, femoribus vix tumidis; protarsi paullo dilatati meso- et metatarsi nuUomodo dilatati. Sp. 1. H. varieyntus. Molorchus variegatus, Fah. Syst. Eleu. torn. ii. p. 375, Exemp. in Mus. Ent. Club, Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Sp. 2. H. ferrvglneus. Molorchus ferrugineus, MacLeay ? Boisduval, Faune de VOceanief p. 487. Exemp. in Mus. Ent. Club. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Sp. 3. //. ciiigulatus. Molorchus cingulatus, Kirhy, Trans. Linn. Soc, vol. xii. p. 470. Exemp. in Mus. Ent. Club. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Sp. 4. H. hlzonatus. Abdominis zonulas 2 ; prothoracis margo anticus tenue flavus; antennae basi graciles ferruginese ; apice crassiores fuscae : pedes ferruginei, femoribus apice nigris profemora fere tota nigra. Corp. long. '7 unc, lat. '175. Exemp. 1. in Mus. Soc. Zool. Lon, Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Genus. Heliomanes, Newman. Caput pronum vix exsertum ; antennarum gracilium articulus 4"^ se- quentibus baud manifesto brevior ; elytra oblonga apice rotunda ta : corpus gracile : femora apice repente et manifesto tumida ; tarsi mediocres simplices. Sp. 1. H. Sidus. Fiiscus; antennae corpore breviores: prothorax elongatus medio longitudinaliter impressus, utrinque pone medium dente laterali armatus : elytra extus curvata, fusca, fasciis albidis undulatis duobus. (Corp. long. '3 unc, lat. "075 unc.) In Mus. D. Children et D. Hope. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Ann. Nat, Hist, Vol.5. No. 28. March 1840. c 18 Mr. E. Newman on Aastralusian Lonyicorm, Genus. Callidium, Fabricius. Sp. C. Fabe-^. Fuscum, nitidum : elytra puncta, utriusque discus macula magna testacea signatus : femora pallida, tumida : tibiee tarsique sutu- ratiora. Corp. long. -325 imc, lat. -1 unc. Exemp. 2. in Mus. D. Turner, Habitat. Nova HoUandia. "Exemp. 2, prope Adelaide lecta." A. H. Davis. Genus. Coptomma, Newman. Caput in prothorace fere ad oculos reconditum, porrectum, protlio- race angustius ; oculi arcuati, medio ad antennarum basin profunde emarginati, fere divisi : antennae glabrae, maris valde, femmce. vix corpore longiores, ll-articulatse, articuli e quarto compress! : elytra basi prothorace latiora apice angustiora, rotundata, inermia, femmce hand abdomen tegentia : femora pedetentim tumida inermia. Sp. 1. C. virgatum, Atrum, fulgore chalybao nitens : antennarum apicibus albidis : caput albido 4 lineatum ; linese 2 verticis inter antennas desi- nunt, 2 laterales oculos secant et in faciem adjunguntur : prothorax al- bido 4 lineatus, linese lineis capitis continuse : elytrorum lanugo lutea maculam basalem obliquam, alteram medianam transversam, nuiltasque minores irroratas format : metafemora macula mediana albida signata, (Corp. long. '8 unc, lat. '3 unc.) ^ Exemp. 2. in Mus. D. Children. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Sp. 2. C.textorium. Testaceum, fulgore cbalybeo nitens; lineis 2 capiti,. prothoraci, elytrisque communibus albidis : linese elytrorum medio lon- gitudinaliter hiantes. (Corp. long. '6 unc, lat. -2 unc.) Exemp. 1 . in Mus. D. Children. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Genus. Ischnotes, Neivmaji. Caput pronum in prothorace ad oculos reconditum ; oculi magni, sphseroides, vix emarginati ; antennae prothorace duplo longiores, filiformes, 11-articulatse ; articulus 1*^^ tumidus, 2 minimus, se- quentes graciles elongati : prothorax absolute cylindraceus, capite quintuplo longior, ad marginem posticum pedes brevissimos ferens : elytra linearia, prothorace vix latiora at manifesto longiora, apice rotundata inermia ; pedes simplices. Sp. I. cylindraceus. Nigra, opaca : inter oculos linea longitudinalis vix ele- vata : prothorax subtilissime punctus, sed ad marginem posticum serie transversalipunctorum profundorum impressus: elytra profunde puncta : pedes brevissimi. (Corp. long. '525 unc, lat. '05 unc.) Exemp. 1. in Mus. D. Turner. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. " Exemp. 1. prope Adelaide leotum." A. II. Davis. Mr. E. Newman on Australasian Longicorns, 19 Genus. Xystrocera, Serville. Sp. X. virescens, Fusca, splendore virescenti Iccta: prothorax et elytra puncta, punctis plus ininusve confliientibus: elytra 3-lineata, lineis baud promi- nentibus, apice rotundata. (Corp, long. 1*2 iinc, lat. '3 unc.) Excmp. 1. in Mus. Brit. D. Hardwicke legato. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Genus. Phoracantha, Newman, Hujus generis species sub genere " Stenocorus'' celeberrimi Geof- froyi collocant MacLeay, Hope et Boisduval : autem Stenocorus cum genere " Rhagium" distincte est synonymus, scilicet Sp. 1 . Ste. bifasciatus Rhagium bifasciatum certe est ; iterumque Sp. 2. Ste. Inquisitor Rha. Inquisitor sine dubio. Audinet Serville (nisi sub nomine " Mallocera" insectorum Americse Me- ridionalis genus) species haud collocat. Generis typus Cerambyx semipunctatus Donovani. Antennarum articuli plus minusve apice-1 spinosi : prothorax utrinque medio 1-spinosus, spina plus minusve prominens : elytra apice truncata plus minusve bispinosa : descriptionem fusiorem haud requirat genus percognitum. Novam Hollandiam species omnes incolant. Sp. 1. P. Synont/ma. Stenocorus punctatus. Kirby * Transactions of the Linnsean Society/ xii. 471. '* AntennEB breviores rufo-picese articulis 5 intevmediis, extus apice spina armatus, &c." Sp. 2. P. tricuspiSf ined.* Sp. 3. P. quinaria, ined. Sp. 4. P. punctata. Stenocorus punctatus, Donovan, * Epitome of the Insects of New Holland.' Sp. 5. P. ohscura. Stenocorus obscurus, Donovan, Id. Sp. 6. P. semipunctata. Stenocorus semipunctatus, Oliv. 69, tab. ii. fig. 19. Stenocorus semipunctatus, Fab. Syst. Eleu. ii. 306. Stenocorus semipunctatus, Dono- van, Epitome, &c. Sp. 7. P. curvispina, ined. Sp. 8. P. riibripes. Stenochorus rubripes, Boisduval, ' Faune de I'Oceanie,* p. 477. Sp. 9. P. dorsalis. Stenochorus dorsalis, MacLcay, * Appendix to King's Voyage,' ii, 451. Sp. 10. P. aherrans, ined. Sp. 11. P. ventralis, ined. Sp. 12. P. higuttata. Stenocorus biguttatus, Donovan. ________ tessellatus, Latreille. Sp. 13. P. senio, ined. * I was on my way to the printers, with the MS. of these notes in my pocket, when accidentally meeting Mr. Westwood, I learned that the Rev. F. W. Hope was about to publish figures and descriptions of several new species of this genus : I have therefore withdrawn the descriptions I had written, lest my new species should clash with Mr. Hope's. c 2 20 Mr. E. Newman on Australasian Longicorns. Genus. Didymocantha, Newman, Caput exsertum, vix pronum ; oculi magni, reniformes, antennas fere amplectentes ; antennae corpore manifesto longiores 11-articu- latse ; articulus l"^paullo tumidus, 2"^ minutissimus ; 3"^, 4*°paullo longior, 5"^, 3**° vel 4^ pauUo longior, caeteri ad apicem praece- dentibus longiores, compressi ; prothorax capite longior et angus- tior, lateribus spinis, 2^^^ armatis et inter spinas dente obtuso in- structis : elytra prothorace latiora parellela apice rotundata iner- mia : femora pedetentim vix tumescentia. Sp. D.ohliqua. Antennarum articuli 1"* et 2"* nign, 3"' 4"* et5"' lutei apice nigri, casteri fusel : scutellum albidum : elytra sordide testacea fasciis binis abnormibus nigris. Corp. long. -525 unc., lat. -175 unc. Exemp. 1 . in Mus. D. Children. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Genus. PnLYCTieNODEs, Newman. Caput exsertum, vix pronum ; maxipalpi mandibulis valde longiores ; antennae 11-articulatse, articulus 1"* pauUo tumidus, 2^*^ subglo- bosus ; caeteri longitudine fere aequales, ultimo breviori : protho- rax dorse 4-spinosus, spinis 2 anticis acutis pauUo retrorsum curvatis; 2 posticis vix acutis nullo modo curvatis; lateribus 1 -spinosus ; spina mediana, acuta retrorsum curvata : elytra pa- rallela prothorace latiora, apice obtusa inermia ; femora pedetentim tumida. Sp. P, pustulosa. Fusco-niger concolor ; caput, prothorax et elytra pus- tulis — basi majoribus apice minutissimis — crebre tecta. (Corp. long. 1*2 unc, lat. '3 unc.) Exemp. 1. in Mus. D. Children. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Genus. Tessaromma, Newman. Caput exsertum, porrectum ; antennae graciles, corpore vix breviores, 11-articulatae; articulus 1"^ pyriformis, basi constrictus, apice tumidus ; 2"' brevis obconicus ; ceteri fere lineares ; 3"® 2^° pauUo longior, 5"^ et sequentes 3*^^ paullo longiores : oculi 4, anteriores majores : prothorax capite angustior elongatus, dorso gibber spinis 2, lateribus spina mediana armatus : elytra prothorace quadruple longiora vix duplo latiora, parellela apice extreme oblique abscissa, femora apice repente tumentia. Sp. T. undatum. Testaceum, fnsco variegatum lanugine serica splendidum ; antennae et pedes testacea : femora et tibiae fusco cincta (Corp. long. •8 unc, lat. -15 unc.) Exemp. unic in Mus. D. Turner. Habitat, Nova Hollandia. '* Exemp. unic. prope Adelaide, sub cortice. Mr. E. Newman on Australasian Longicorns, 21 mense Junio lectum ; vivens formosissimus coloreque fulgoreque." A. H. Davis. Genus. Rhagiomorpha, Newman. Caput exsertum porrectum ; antennse liliformes longitudine corpus aequantes, ll-articulatae; articulus 1"^ elongatus, arcuatus, apice tumidus ; 2^^ minutus ; czeteri graciles, longitudine fere sequales : prothorax capite haud latior dorso tuberis 4 fere confluentibus in- structus, lateribus medio gibberis in spinam obtusam productis : elytra prothorace latiom linearia apicibus rotundatis : femora ma- nifesto ac pedetentim tumida. * Species normales. Sp. 1. R. Leptiiroides. Stenocortus Lepturoides, Boisduval, Faune de I'Oceanie. p. 479. Exemp. in Mus. D. Gory, Dupont, et Buquet. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Apud Port Jackson lectum. Sp. 2. R, concolor. Stenoderus concolor, MacLeay. Appendix to King's Voyage, vol. ii. p. 45 1 . Exemp. unic. in Mus. D. Children. Descriptio vix distincta. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Sp. 3. R. sordida. Fusca, lunugine argenteo sparsim vestita ; caput inter antennas excavatum, punctum : prothoracis dorsum longitudinaliter impressum : singuli elytri linese vix elevatae 3 : femora basi pallidiorrt. (Corp. long. '5 unc. lat. '1 unc.) antennae desunt. Exemp. unic. in Mus. D, Turner. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. " Exemp. 1. prope Adelaide lectum." A. H. Davis. ** Species aberrantes. Sp. 4. R. oculifera. Caput exsertum linea longitudinali impressum ; an- tennarum articuli 1 et 2 nigri; 3"* hirsutie exteriori rufa ornatus; 4"* et sequentes picei : prothorax lateribus lanugine aurea vestitus ; elytra quasi reticulata, 4 carinata, carina prima macula rotimda lanur ginosa aurea interrupta est et ante apicem desinet; 2"' !<> longior fere ad apicem desinens ; inter l"« et 2"" linea aurea, lanuginosa, basalis apparet ; 3"' ad humerum oritur et longe ante praecedentes desinet ; 4"* infra humerum oritur et ante apicem 2° conjungitur : mesoster- num utrinque linea lanuginosa argentea signatum. (Corp. long. '7 unci lat. •! unc.) Exemp. 2. in Mus. Brit. Habitat. Nova Hollandia. Genus. Stenoderus, Dejean. Sp. grammicus. Fallide ferrugineus : oculi nigri : prothoracis latera fusca : singuli elytri margo suturalis lineasque tres elevatae albida, linea prima ad marginem suturalem, secunda ad lateralem,. in medio tendit. Corp. long. -425 unc, lat. -075 unc. Exemp. 3. in Mus. D. Turner. Habitat.Nova Hollandia. "Exemp. 3, prope Adelaide ledum." A. fl. Davis. 22 Mr. Goodsir on the Anatomy of the Limneus itivolutus. V. — Description of Limneus involutus^ Harvey^ MS. By W. Thompson, Vice-President of the Natural History So- ciety of Belfast ; — with an account of the Anatomy of the Animal. By John Goodsir, Esq. [With a Plate.] Limneus involutus^ 1 tt T»m Amphipeplea involuta,j ^' Spec. Char. Spire sunk within the outer whorl ; aperture very large, extending to the apex. The finest specimen I have examined is 5| lines in length, and 3^ in breadth ; volutions four, the largest enveloping the other three, of which none are visible in the profile of the shell ; aperture very large, wide at the base (exposing the co- lumella throughout its entire length) and extending to the apex of the shell, margin reflected only where it joins the pil- lar. Shell polished, of a pale amber colour, extremely thin, with coarse longitudinal striae. This species approaches the L. glutinosus more nearly than any other native Limneus, but from the circumstance of the aperture extending to the apex, has at a cursory view as great a resemblance to the Bulla Akera, Mont., as to any other Bri- tish shell ; a coincidence which is rendered still more remark- able by the columella presenting the same appearance in the L. involutus as it does in that species. The discovery of this new and beautiful mollusk is due to my friend Wm. H. Harvey, Esq. (well known for his botanical investigations) who obtained a few specimens in a small alpine lake on Cromaylaun mountain, near the celebrated lakes of Killarney, in the month of April 1832. The above account was read to the Linnaean Society of Lon- don in April 1834. To the present time (Sept. 1839), I have not heard of the occurrence of the species in any other locality in Ireland. The original station was visited by Mr. R. Ball and myself in June 1834, when we procured only a few small specimens. The time was however unfavourable for seeing these mollusks to any advantage, being at a very early hour in the morning, before the warmth of the sun had tempted them to leave the bottom of the lake or adjoining rivulet. This shell, from partaking more of the form of the marine Mr. Goodsir on the Anatomy of the luimnens Involutus. 23 genus Bulla than of the other Limnei, seemed so highly in- teresting, that I conceived that the mere description of it would be of comparatively little value without that of the ani- mal. Its dissection was most kindly undertaken by Mr. Good- sir, to whom I am indebted for the following description, and the admirable drawing which illustrates it. -7 ^^ In structure the Limnceus involutus resembles the other ' species of the genus. When its organs are compared with those of the L. stagnalis as described and figured by Cuvier, they are found, with the exception of the nervous collar, and the reproductive organs, to be nearly identical in arrange- ment and structure (Plate I. fig. 2.). ^^ In his memoir on the Limnceus and Planorbis, Cuvier de- scribes the supra-oesophageal portion of the nei'vous collar as consisting on each side of three small globules, connected mesially by a narrow portion ; of an infra-cesophageal gan- glion composed of three masses, and of a small ganglion at the junction of the buccal apparatus and gullet. In the L. invo- lutus the nervous collar presents the following arrangement (fig. 3.). On each side of the gullet and buccal mass, there are two fusiform ganglia {a a), connected superiorly by a straight narrow commissure {b), and inferiorly by four small lateral {c c c c) and two large median gangha {d d). Ante- rior to these and concealed by the buccal mass are two large ganglia (e e), connected mesially to one another, and laterally to the middle of the lateral ganglia {a a), having no connexion with the six posterior ganglia. The masses {a a) give off* near their anterior extremities two nerves, which run forward along the inferior surface of the buccal apparatus, and terminate in two small ganglia iff), which are connected by a filament, and distribute nerves to the buccal mass and oesophagus. The lateral ganglia therefore have one superior commissure, con- sisting of a simple cord, and two inferior commissures, the pos- terior containing six ganglia, the anterior two. The lateral and the six posterior ganglia give off* all the nerves described by Cuvier ; the two anterior connecting masses supply the m cular bundles in their neighbourhood. " The arrangement of gangUa described above is not peculiar 24 Mr. Goodsir on the Anatomy of the Limneus involutus. to this species^ as it exists also in the L. Feregev\ and one si- milar but more complex has been described and figured in the ^ Annales des Sciences Naturelles^ for 1837^ page 112, by Van- beneden as existing in the L.glutinosus. Vanbeneden describes a median between the two large anterior ganglia, and an- other between the two small stomato-gastric ganglia. *^ Cuvier in his memoirs on the Limnaus and on the other gasteropod moUusks, mistook the testicle for the ovary, and consequently reversed certain of the other reproductive or- gans. Prevost of Geneva, in a paper published in the Trans- actions of the Physical and Natural History Society of that place for 1828, and in another contained in the ^Annales des Sciences Naturelles' for 1833, pointed out this error, and de- scribed the very beautiful structure, by means of which the seminal fluid is conveyed along the cavity containing the eggs, without coming in contact with them. This structure may be distinctly seen in the Helix aspersa, in which it consists of a groove, wdth the orifice of the duct at both extremities, run- ning along the inner surface of the oviduct. When the fluid is passing from the testicle this groove is converted into a temporary tube by the close apposition of its lips ; a structure similar to the groove in the true ruminating stomach. The arrangement of the reproductive organs in L. involutus, al- though different from that described by Cuvier in the L. stag- nalis, is yet similar to that given by Prevost. The testicle, «, fig. 2. which is situated in the extreme whorls of the shell, sends off a duct, which has attached to it in the middle of its course, small follicles {b) of the same diameter as itself, which appear, if carelessly examined, like duplications of the tube. The duct then becomes closely connected with the point of junction of the ovary and oviduct, runs along the latter for a short di- stance, and opens into the acute extremity of an oblong sac (c), which is closely but not intimately adherent to the oviduct. This sac appears granular from the follicular arrangement of its inner surface ; it is bulbous at its anterior extremity, near which it sends off the second division of the seminal duct {d), which running along the terminal extremity of the oviduct, at length leaves it, and dives under the transverse muscles (e) of the foot, as described by Cuvier in L. stagnalis, again Mr.Waterhouse or. 28 Mr. B. H. Hodgson on Four new Species of Otter, — which may be slain and their osteological as well as other charac_ ters thus accurately examined — the discrimination of specific differ- ences is a work of extreme labour and delay. Many years ago I announced to Mr. Bennett, the late Secretary of the London Zoolo- gical Society, the fact that there are several species of Lutra in Nepal, and before he died he was nearly convinced of the correct- ness of the statement, though I could not then, nor can now, give a full exposition of even those with which I am best acquainted. Waiting, however, for the perfect knowledge when the materials of it are not under command, is, I find, like waiting on the river's side for a dry passage after the waters have flowed past ; and 1 shall therefore offer no apology for briefly characterizing those four of the seven Nepalese species of Otter of which I have considerable cer- tainty, leaving the remaining three to some future occasion. Genus LUIRA. \st Species — Tarayensis nobis. Size, medial. Structure, typical. Scull and head much depressed. Lower incisors ranged nearly in line. Tail equal to two-thirds the length of the animal, and much depressed. Form robust. Nails compressed, exserted from the finger ends, and acute. Fur short and smooth. Colour — above, clear umber; below, and the hands and feet, pure yellowish white; the yellow tint deepest on the limbs; the pale colour on the head and neck extending upwards to the line of the ears — ^less so on the body ; and the distinction of dark and pale hues very decidedly marked. Tail above and below, dark. 2wc? Species — Monticolus nobis. Sizcy large. Structure, upon the whole similar to the above. Tail equal to more than two-thirds of the animal, and less depressed. Scull and head less depressed. Intermediate incisors of lower jaw ranged entirely within or behind the line of the rest. Colour — -above, deeper than the above, or bistre brown ; below, sordid hoary, vaguely defined, except on the edge of the lips and chin ; limbs nearly as dark as the body. Fur longer and rough, or porrect from the skin in a considerable degree. Zrd Species — Indigitatus nobis. General form and proportions of Leptonyx, to which it is affined. Habit of body more vermiform than in the above. Tail but half the length of the animal. Toes very short, and more than half buried in the palmary mass. Nails short and worn., but not depressed nor Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 29 truncated, as in Leptonyx. Size, medial. Colour — same as in the last, but deeper still, or dusky bistre ; paler and ruddier on the body- below, and "albescent on the head below ; but the colours not well defined, and only really distinct (except in shade) on the inferior surface of the head. Character of the fur as in the last, and indeed in all the mountain species. 4th Species — Auko-brunneus nobis. Size, small. Habit of body still more vermiform. Tail less than two-thirds of the length of the body. Toes and nails fully developed. Fur longish and rough, as before. Colour — rich chestnut brown (the fruit) above ; and golden red below and on the extremities. Remarks. — The three last species are confined to the mountains, as is the first species to the plains at their foot. The dimensions in inches, and the weight of the four species are as follow : — 1 2 3 4 Tip of snout to j 26 to 28 30 to 32 22 to 24 20 to 22 base or tail . J Tail 16 20 10| 12 to 13 Weight . 16 to 20 lbs. 20 to 24 11 to 13 9 to 11 I am. Sir, Your obedient servant, Nepal, May, 1839. B. H. HODGSON. VI I L — Information respecting Botanical Travellers. Mr. Schomburglis recent Expedition in Guiana. [Continued from p. 434 of vol. iv.] The Yamanack of the Creoles, or Wawula of the Arawaaks, may be considered the representative of the Madagascarian Lemur in Guiana. It is the Potos caudivolvulus of Desm., or Cercoleptes cau- divolvulus of lUiger. Its general appearance is so much like a Lemur that it has been classed under that family. In its sanguinary disposition, its teeth, and feet, it resembles the feline race, from which it diflfers however in its slightly prehensile tail, which is con- siderably longer than the body. The hind legs are a little longer than the fore, and they walk altogether on the soles and palms. They carry their food with the fore paw to the mouth, and are ex- pert climbers. Their prehensile tail is of great advantage in cHmb- ing trees when in search of honey, their fur and skin being appa- rently impervious to the sting of bees. They feed likewise upon young birds, eggs, and mice ; they pass the day in hollow trees and 30 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. stir out only by night. The glare of the day appears painful to their eyes ; those which in a tamed state are exposed to it, appear uncomfortable and slow in their movements, while in the dark they are all dexterity. I have seen several in a tamed state, which when awakened in the day seemed uncomfortable and rolled themselves up again to sleep. Its tongue is long ; this organ is therefore ad- mirably qualified for sucking honey. When tamed it appears partial to syrups or any other sweets, but indeed nothing comes amiss to it, and it feeds as well on meat, yams, &c. as on fish. They are more common at the sea coast, but inhabit likewise the Savannahs. The Macusi Indians of the Savannahs call it Yawari, the Warraus at the sea-coast Uvari. Those coppices of wood, which rise from amidst the Savannahs like verdant isles from the bosom of a lake, are the favourite abode of an animal, which, if we except its plantigrade feet, approaches in its habits and appearance our martens. It is the Gulo of authors. We observed two species in Guiana, the larger of which may be identified with the Gulo barharus. The size of the individual from which the following description is taken, was two feet from the tijD of the nose to the insertion of the tail, the latter being eleven inches. The head was broad and compact, the ears short and round, the back arched, the tail low and bushy, the legs thick and strong, especially the fore feet, which were somewhat shorter than the hinder. The head is gray, the fur above deep brown tipped with white ; all the rest of the body is of a deep shining black, with the exception of a large whitish-yellow spot on the breast, which contrasts strongly with the other colours. It possesses the peculiarity of being able to erect all the hair of its bushy tail at pleasure. The whole appearance of these animals bespeaks strength, and their toes being armed with crooked nails, they have every requisite for indulging in their sanguinary habits. Their principal food are small animals, as mice, rats, birds, and insects, but they also feed on fruit and are partial to honey. As they are expert climbers, they plunder the nests of the wild bees, and like the Coati or Nasua, are able to run down a tree which grows perpendicular, head foremost. They feed by day, and generally betake themselves to a hollow tree for their night quarters. Here they likewise seek refuge when hunted. They are found more commonly on Savannahs than else- where, and only occasionally in the forest ; they never seek their food near human habitations. They are sometimes tamed, and are then gentle and playful ; but they are easily excited, and when pre- paring for defence or war they erect the hair of their tail. They Information respecting Botanical Traveller's, 31 possess the skill of cats in spying out and destroying rats and mice, which from their long slender shape, they are able to follow better to their retreat than the former. Two glands which are situated near the anus contain a fluid which possesses a disagreeable odour. The animal is called by the Arawaak Indians Hacca, by the Macusi Maikang. The Orisons have been divided from the true Wolverines (Gulo), and Mr. Bell has formed the genus Galicfis, Guiana possesses two species, namely Galictis vittata and G. Allamandi of Bell. The Ga- lictis vittata or Petit Frurat of Azara, inhabits the mountainous di- stricts where the Essequibo has its sources. I saw the first in a tame state at a Woyawai settlement in the Acarai mountains. It mea- sured about 16 inches from the tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail, the latter being 6 inches long. Its colour is of a light- brown on the back, but near the head it is of a pale -gray colour, mixed with black ; the muzzle, throat, chest, and body underneath are of a shining black. The claws are strong and sharp, and the toes are half connected by a membrane. In its tamed state it lived on boiled fish, meat, fruits, yams, &c., but in the forests it subsists on birds, reptiles, and small game. It feeds during day, and selects the hollow of a tree for its abode during night. The second species, Galictis Allamandi, Bell*, is equally scarce in Guiana ; but it is occasionally met with near the sea coast in Demerara. It is somewhat larger than the Galictis vittata ; its total length is about 2^ to 3 feet, and although it exhi- bits the same general character, it differs widely in its colouring. The fur on its back is at the base of a deep black, and the points are white ; the muzzle, lower jaw, throat, and part of the belly are of a shining black. A whitish line extends from between the eyes over the ears to the sides of the neck. In a state of nature it is said to be ferocious, and it is more difificult to tame it even when taken in a young state than the Gulo barbarus. I have been told of one which was kept on board of a colony schooner ; this is however the only instance which came to my knowledge where it had been reconciled to a domesticated state. The specimen which I possess in my collection appears to be the young of Galictis Allamandi ; the hairs on its back are more of a silvery gray than in the adult, but there are no specific diff^erences. Both species are alike in their habits ; and, aware of their inca- • Vide Mr. T. Bell on the genus Galictis. Trans, Zool. Soc. vol. ii. Ft. 3, p. 201. .32 Infbrmation respecting Botanical Travellers. pacity to overtake their prey by swiftness, they resort to stratagem. When pressed by hunger they do not despise carrion. The Gulo barharus and Galictis vittata which I have seen in a tame state, had the greatest aversion for water. I recollect the boys at the Woya- wai settlement amused themselves with carrying the tame Galictis vittata to the banks of the brook ; it availed itself of the first oppor- tunity to escape, and if it had wet its feet, it used the same manoeu- vres as a cat to get rid of any moisture which might have remained on it. The Gulo harharus is equally fearful of the water. If, there- fore, naturalists have observed any resemblances between the Grison and the Otter, this does not refer to their habits. It may resemble the bear in its gait and semi-plantigrade feet, but there exists no further affinity ; while at the first glance, its slender body, the short- ness of its legs, the softness of its fur, its dentition and sanguinary habits, and not least, the strong odour, point to the typical Mustelidce with regard to the position which the Grison ought to occupy. Our tents were pitched on the 9th October, 1838, at the foot of a hillock, the summit of which was crowned by a remarkable natural column, known to the Macusi Indians under the name of Pourae Piapa, or the felled tree, from the resemblance which it bears to a trunk of a tree deprived of its leafy crown. While we were ascend- ing the hill for a nearer inspection of this wonderful freak of nature, the Indians had set the Savannahs on fire. A general bustle of those who had remained in the camp attracted my attention. I saw the men armed with bows and arrows, and accompanied by their dogs under full cry in pursuit of some game. The chase was of short duration, and when reaching the spot where the pursuers had come to a stand, I found that an Armadillo of gigantic size, which no doubt had been chased by the flames from its retreat, had caused the com- motion. It was lying there a round misshapen mass, its head partly buried under its armour, the feet drawn together, and its body pierced by numerous arrows. Ever and anon the barking dogs in- flicted new wounds, or another iron-headed arrow was sent through its shell into the flesh of the poor animal, which off'ered not the slightest resistance to its tormenters ; and I do not know how long they would have continued to inflict new tortures, if I had not de- sired them to end its suff*erings by the heavy stroke of a club. I continued my visit to the Pourae piapa with the intention of ta- king the dimensions of the Armadillo after my return to the camp ; in this I was however disappointed ; when I arrived there it was cut Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 33 up, and parts of it were already boiling in the pots of the Indians, not for the purpose of eating it, as the Macusi abhors the flesh of this species of Armadillo, but for the sake of extracting its fat or oily substance. T estimated its weight from 110 to 120 lbs.*, its height about 3 feet, its length 5 J feet. Its tail was about 14 to 16 inches in length, and its root nearly as thick as a man's thigh, tapering very abruptly. The fore foot had five toes, the middle one of which was 7^ inches in length. These are the only details which I can offer of a species which in its size surpasses the largest giant Armadillo known {Dasypus giganteus, Desm.). As far as I recollect, the head was comj^aratively small ; but as I intended to have it inspected more closely on my return, T have mentioned only such circumstances as have fixed themselves in my memory, and which I wrote down after my intentions were frustrated by the Indians. I cannot pretend to as- sert that it is a different species from Dasypus giganteus, but its enormous size will attract the attention of naturalists and geologists to the fossil genera, which if compared with the existing species will not offer so great a difference in size. The Macusi Indians in our train named it Maouraima, the Wapisianas Marura, the War- raus Okaiye, the Arawaaks Iassi o hara. I possess from Mr. Vieth, the following note of a species which 1 do not doubt was the Dasypus giganteus. " I stuffed at Devonshire Castle Plantation in Demerara, an Armadillo which weighed 701bs., but I did not take its dimensions ; and eight years having since elapsed, the present description is entirely from memory. The shell may have been 2 feet to 2^ feet long, and its total length about 5 feet, of which the tail was about 2 feet. The shell was very thick and hard, covered with scales of different shape. On the belly and those parts where it was without scales, were a few scattered hairs ; the claws on the fore feet were very long and strong. The tail, which was covered with the same kind of coat of mail as the back, was about 3 inches in diameter, at the root gradually tapering to a point. The back and all those parts which had the scaly covering were of a horn colour ; the under part, which was without scales, whitish. As it was killed by Negroes near the coast I could not procure the Indian name." The third species in size is the Dasypus encoubert, Desm. with six or seven bands. It appears to be very common at the savannahs which extend between the rivers Berbice and Demerara. • Two men were requu-ed to carry it when they took it to our halting place. Ann, Nat. Hist, Vol.5. No. 28. March IS40, d 34 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. The fourth species with which I am acquainted is the Dasypus Peba, Pesm. with from seven to nine bands. It is the most common in Guiana, and found as well at the coast region as in the interior. Its length is about 18 inches, and the tail is as much more. The head, back, and tail is covered with scaly armour like its congeners. The belly, under part of the head and throat, legs and thighs, are covered with a whitish skin, set with a few scattered hairs. The claws are strong, and these animals can dig with so much ease that there is little hope of taking them without great exertions by dig- ging after them*. They bear eight or nine young at a time, which follow the mother like young pigs. The young are blind at their birth. The principal feeding time is in the night, but they go sometimes abroad in the day. Their food consists generally of worms and in- sects. In a tame state they readily eat farinaceous food and also roots. They are called by the Arawaaks Iassi, which is the general name of the Armadillo. The Savannah Armadillo is Desmarest's Dasypus villosus ; and, as we were assured by the Indians, it inhabits only the plains, and is never to be met with in the forest. The Indians accuse it of feed- ing occasionally on carrionf. It is distinguished by its being more flat in shape than the others, and by the numerous hairs which cover as well the shell as the body. Among my collection is a specimen of the Dasypus tatouay of Desmarest, which was procured at the coast regions at Demerara. Its claws, of which there are five on the fore feet, are very large in proportion. It has from 12 to 13 moveable bands; the tail is round, short, and covered with a few tubercles. Its ears are large and erect. The head resembles D. Peba, The Iassi Baracatta of the Arawaaks is the smallest Armadillo in Guiana {Dasypus minutus, Desm.); its body is about 10 inches, and covered with numerous brown hairs. Its geographical distribution extends over the southern half of South America. * Mr. Waterton, in his amusing Wanderings, p. 166, tells us " that the Indian, to prevent disappointment when discovering a hole where he sup- poses an Armadillo to have taken up its abode, carefully examines the mouth of the hole, and puts a short stick down it. Now if on introducing the stick a number of musquitos come out, the Indians know to a certainty that the Armadillo is in it ; wherever there are no musquitos in the hole, there is no Armadillo." f The Indians on the Rio Branco gave us the same information, and at their dances they sing to that effect, that when once dead their relations should only throw them on the savannahs, where the Armadillo would bury them. Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 35 I have enumerated seven species of Armadillos which I know to inhabit Guiana. They resemble each other in their habits and ap- pearance ; and their form, number of claws, and dentition give to the naturalist the specific difference. The number of bands of which their armour consists is so variable in difterent individuals of the same species, that the systematic naturalist should not attach the slightest value to it. They all burrow, and their general food appears to be worms and insects ; they sometimes commit depredations in the provision grounds, and the giant and savannah Armadillo are said to feed on carrion. All Indians agree in this assertion. When about to bring forth, the mother is said to make a nest in the burrow, and gives birth to from seven to nine young, which are blind. They afterwards follow the mother, who, whilst the young ones are still helpless, never ventures to leave their hole by day. They feed generally by night, but from the circumstance that we have secured several in the daytime which we found walking, it may be concluded that hunger forces them sometimes to go in search of food during the day. Their walk is swift, but they can neither run, leap, nor climb. If pursued, therefore, without being able to reach their hole, they roll themselves more or less up, and submit to their fate without defence. The smaller species are eaten by all the Indians and are consi- dered a delicacy. The Arawaak Indians are the only tribe whom I have ascertained to eat the giant Armadillo. The Dasypus Peba, or common Armadillo, is even esteemed by many Creoles, and its flesh is white and tastes somewhat like rabbit ; we may therefore sup- pose that they receive no mercy. As they are seldom found from their retreat, nor stir out except by night, the pursuit of them re- quires some skill and patience. I myself have seen that when pursued and they are far from their retreat, they begin digging a fresh burrow, and when half buried and laid hold of by the tail, it is so difficult to pull them backwards that they often make their escape with the loss of their tail. Their pursuers, sensible of this, avoid dragging the tail vdth all their force, while another tickles it behind with a small stick, upon which they relinquish their hold and are secured. [To be continued.] d2 36 Bibliographical Notices. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. A History of British Ferns. By Edward Newman, F.L.S. London, Van Voorst. 8vo. We rejoice to find that Mr. Van Voorst is not confining the valuable series of Natural History works which is issuing from his establishment to zoology, and beg to congratulate him upon the beauty of the first botanical portion of the collection. The ferns have long attracted the attention not only of botanists but of all admirers of nature by their great elegance, and indeed we know of nothing more worthy of admiration than a lofty hedge bank, such as may be often seen in the western parts of England, covered by these beautiful plants of numerous species, of all sizes and in different stages of growth. We have often been asked to point out some work which, combining a popular account, with scientific descriptions and characteristic figures, should be equally fitted for the drawing-room or the study, for the amateur or the bo- tanist, and have been compelled to acknowledge that no such book existed. These requisites are at length answered by the work before us, which we are quite convinced cannot be surpassed in the ele- gance of its numerous figures, equally deserving of praise for their beauty and correctness, and claiming our admiration by the com- ])leteness of its account of each species, and the philosophical views and pure love of science displayed in it. Agreeing as we do with the author in most of his conclusions, we think it right to state a few points in which, in our opinion, the work admits of improvement. We consider the want of any distinct specific characters as a great imperfection; for although the distinct- ive points are fully stated in the account of each species, yet much difficulty is thereby introduced into the determination of the several plants. More exact references to the works of authors quoted, and the introduction of authorities for those localities in which the author has not himself seen the plants growing, even though he may have had specimens before him, would have been desirable. A large portion of the introduction is occupied by an account of Mr. Ward's plan for growing plants in closed cases ; a plan deser- ving of much greater attention than it has yet received, from its value in causing the healthy growth of ferns, heaths, saxifrages, and other plants in the centre of the smoky atmosphere of London, its use in promoting the successful transport of plants by sea, and its elegance when employed as an ornament of the drawing-room. Great stress is laid upon the venation as affording the best ge- Bibliographical Notices. 37 neric characters for ferns, and it cannot be denied, that the form, situation, &c. of the veins assist greatly in distinguishing allied ge- nera; but yet we must express our dissent from the author's opinion, when he says that he "is inclined to believe, that henceforth in the veins* of a new fern will be sought the characters which shall decide its genus," and on this subject we cannot do better than quote an observation of the younger Agardh, contained in his recently pub- lished Recensio specierum generis Pteridis. He says, *' Ex una enim facile altera oritur venarum configuratio, ita ut per seriem specierum maxime affinium, a simplicissima ad compositam structuram ssepe progrediunt venae, unde species saepe maxime affines in diversa genera divellerentur ;" and afterwards he adds, '* Ubi itaque appa- renter ex una altera oritur venarum configuratio, hoc charactere tan- tum innisa genera, summa injuria me judice conduntur. Ad divi- siones vero generum exstruendas, venarum decursus et distributio, meojudicio optime adhibentur." Numerous changes have been made in the nomenclature of the plants, but in all cases the oldest name has been adopted and no new ones are introduced; the localities of each species are given in sufficient detail, and the illustrations are remarkably numerous. In the genus Woodsia the species are combined, nor do we know of any certain character by which to distinguish them. In Cystopteris also we quite agree in reducing the native plants to one species, a. careful study of them in a wild state having convinced us that they can only rank as varieties. C. regia, Smith, we consider as distinct,, but as not having a valid claim to be included in the British lists. We now come to Polysticum (Aspidium, Sm.) lobatum, aculeatum, and angulare, and here again we agree in most points, but differ from Mr. Newman in believing that the Linnsean P. Lonchitis is really the same as the Irish and Scotch plant known by that name, and probably distinct from the protean P. aculeatum. Aspidium di- latatum, spinulosum, and dumetorum of Smith are, we think, rightly combined, although several of our most eminent botanists consider them as truly distinct, depending chiefly upon the form and direc- tion of the frond, the position of the upper surface of the pinnae (either in the same plane with the rachis or in different ones,) and upon the much more deeply impressed veins upon the upper surface of the plant usually denominated A. spinulosum. See Hooker's Brit. Fl. ed. 4. p. 386, note. Mr. Newman combines Polypodium * This subject has been recently investigated by Mr. Smith of Kew, in a paper read before the Linnaean Society, of which we hope to give an abs.- tract in our next Number. 38 Bibliographicah Notices, dryopteris and calcareum; but to this we must object, as the character taken from the presence of glandular pubescence in the latter may, we think, be always depended upon. We have examined numerous specimens since the publication of Mr. Newman's work, and find it constantly present in P. calcareum, and always wanting in P. dry- opteris. In conclusion, we beg strongly to recommend this volume to the notice of our readers, as we are convinced that it is only by an ex- tensive sale that it can ever repay the expense attending its publi- cation. Iter Hispaniense, or a Synopsis of Plants collected in the Southern Pro- vinces of Spain and Portugal, with Geographical Remarks and Ob- servations on rare and undescrihed Species. By Philip Barker Webb. 8vo. Paris, Bethune and Plon; London, Coxhead, 1838. Otia Hispanica, seu delectus plantarum rariorum aut nondum rite no- tarum per Hispanias sponte nascentium. Auctore P. B. Webb. Pentas I. Fol. Paris, Brockhaus et Avenarius ; London, Cox- head, 1839. We crave pardon of our subscribers and of the author for not ha- ving sooner noticed these two works, the former of which has peculiar interest from its supplying us with a catalogue of the native plants of a region which has received but little attention from naturalists, and which we fear, from the disturbed state of Spain, must long con- tinue to be of difficult access to the student of the peaceful science of botany ; and the latter is highly deserving of attention from its splendour and scientific value. The Iter Hispaniense exactly meets our views of the best form in which a local Flora can be presented to the public, that is, that it should be for the most part a mere catalogue of names and localities, referring to the large descriptive works for the specific characters and the greater number of synonyms, but that descriptive critical and geographical observations should be introduced in those cases in which the author supposes that he is possessed of new or little known and valuable information. Several such works have been pub- lished of late both in this country and on the continent, and we re- ceive this addition to their number with great satisfaction. The author is well known by the great work which he is publishing in conjunction with M. Sabin-Bertholot under the title of * Histoire Naturelle des lies Canaries,' — a work which we fear has not received that attention from the scientific men of Britain of which it is so highly deserving. The plants are arranged according to the natural Bibliographical Notices, 3^ system, commencing, as is now becoming the more frequent plan, with the less perfect plants. We had intended to have given the specific characters of all the new species contained in this book, but find them to be so numerous that space will not allow us to do so : we must therefore refer to the work itself, which will no doubt soon, if indeed it is not already, be in the hands of all those who are interested in the plants of the South of Europe, only noticing here a few of the more interesting points. Narcissus juncifolius, LaGasc. Foliis filiformibus, rigidis, acutis convolutis, scapo gracili, subbifloro, brevioribus ; petalis ovato- lanceolatis mucronulatis. — N. juncifolius alter. Clus. Hisp. 250. JV. Jonquilla, Linn. Foliis angustis, carnosis, angulosis, obtusiiis- culis, scapo 2 — 6-floro longioribus ; petalis lanceolatis acutis. — N . juncifolius prior . Clus. Hisp. 250. The latter of these plants, which is the Jonquil of the gardens, has not been noticed in its native locality since its first introduction into cultivation by Clusius 250 years since. Mr. Webb finds it upon the grassy slopes upon either side of the long range of the Sierra Morena, to which range of mountains it appears to be entirely con- fined. It is possible however, as suggested by Mr. Webb, that it may be found hereafter on the chain of Atlas in the northern part of Africa. The former species originally and correctly separated from the Jonquil by Clusius inhabits the warmer and drier parts of the coasts of the Mediterranean. Pages 11 to 15 are occupied by a very valuable catalogue, with extended observations, and in several cases amended specific charac- ters of all the species of Quercus (oaks) noticed by the author in Spain and Mauritania, consisting of 11 species, the last of which, the Q. pseudo-corcifera, Labill., but not of Desf. is considered as a new species, and named Q. Calliprinos, Webb. Anthemis fuscata, Brot. is formed into a new genus, with the fol- lowing characters and name (page 37.) PERiDER^A,Webb. Involucrum discoideum, imbricatum. Flosculi radii ligulati, disci 5-dentati, superiores steriles. Receptaculum conicum, foveolatum, paleaceum, paleis ad basin latis, fusco- marginatis, tubo coroUse sequalibus, persistentibus, superioribus brevibus, scariosis, caducis. Stylis disci ramis f .^appendiculatis. Achsenium exalatum, subquadrangulare, glabriiin striatum, cal- vum, areola terminali indistincta. Herba littorum maris interni, annua, inodora, glabra, prsecox, facie Chamaemeli. Rami foliosi, apice monocephali. Radius albus, repandus. Folia bipinnatifida, lobis incisis. Discus fructu 40 Bibliographical Notices, mature superne nudus, basi collari seu irepi^epaiu palearum per- sistentium cinctus. Sp. 1. P.fuscata, Webb. Anthemis fuscata, Brot. At page 48 the Uleoe provincialis, Loisel, is referred to U. australis Clemente, as in the opinion of our author the plants are identical, and therefore the older, although neglected name conferred by Don Simon Clemente must be employed. We now come to the magnificent work placed second at the head of this article, of which we believe that the first part alone has as yet been published. It is in folio, and is intended to form a volume con- taining between 50 and 60 uncoloured plates, with accompanying descriptive letter-press. The present number contains 8 pages of letter- press and 5 plates, representing Holcus coespitosus, Boiss. ; Artemisia Granatensis, Boiss. ; Cytisus tribracteolatus,Wehh; Adeno- carpus Boissieri, Webb ; and Salsola genistoides, Poir. The latter is a very remarkable plant, having all the appearance in habit, &c. of a Genista combined with the characters of a Salsola. The plates appear to us to be of the highest character, being clearly and beautifully executed with very numerous illustrative dissections, and (as far as we can judge without having the plants before us) they are highly characteristic. We hope to have an opportunity of noticing the successive numbers of this work as they appear, and cannot but recommend it strongly to our botanical readers. Ow the Organs of Secretion in Plants. A prize question crowned in 1836, by the Royal Society of Sciences of Gottingen. By Dr. F. J. F. Meyen. With Nine Plates. Berlin, 1837. This Memoir contains a vast number of excellent observations on those organs in plants which possess the property of secreting any substance : a number of admirable drawings illustrate the text. The Royal Society of Gottingen required '*an accurate representa- tion of the secreting organs in vegetables with reference to the structure of the secreting parts, and of the effects which secretion in general produces on the process of vegetation." The organs which have the power of secreting have been arranged according to the secretions produced ; and the author commences with those which secrete air ; he distinguishes between the cavities originating from laceration ; and those air cavities or canals formed by the sepa- ration of the rows of cells, which may be regarded as widened intercellular passages, frequently have septa consisting of a stellate cellular tissue, and allow therefore of free transmission. He then Bibliographical Notices, 41 passes on to the consideration of the vesicles (Blasen) in Utricularia^ the structure of which is accurately expounded. They are at first filled with a slimy liquid, the place of which is subsequently occu- pied by air. Then follow the ascidia of Nepenthes, which like- wise, when young, contain air only. The secretion of water at the apices and margins of the leaves of many plants is not considered to be a secretion, nor could the author find the apertures described by Schmidt, which produce this. In the second chapter those organs are treated of which secrete within the cellular tissue mucus, gum, oil, balsam, and resin. The author regards the resin-canals as widened intercellular passages, having no epidermis, and whose con- tents are formed by the immediately adjacent cells. In Rhus typhina there is no latical sap (Milchsaft) nor vessels, but passages with a liquid resin containing much turpentine. In the Umhellatce there is also evident in summer a formation of passages containing an oily li- quid. The oil vessels in the seminal envelopes of the Umbellatie ^o^sess the same structure, but are smaller than the former. The mucus and gum passages are of similar origin, but are shorter and without laevigated walls. They occur of a very large size in the Cactece, Malvaceae, and Zamice. The glands are treated of in the third chapter, in which Guettard's observations are maintained against the views of De Candolle. The author divides the glands into ex- ternal and internal, the former again into simple and compound. The simple are petiolated or nonpetiolated, in the first case similar to glandular hairs ; here the formation of hairs is shortly touched upon. The petiolated glands of a number of plants are described and in part figured ; they are claimed for the Chenopodece, where they are said to form respiratory and secreting parts, and the glandular cell to be formed last on the hair ; even when a compound gland exists on the hair, it is formed last. The simple nonpetiolated glands comprise the glandes miliaires of Guettard, or stomata ; the author at present confesses that they possess apertures, but that the two cells act like a kind of sphincter (Schliessmuskel) , and at the same time have the function of glands. Of the compound glands several are accurately represented, among others those oiDictamnus, which more- over have a cavity for the secreted matter ; those of the hop, the globules contained in which on their exit into the water present an extremely lively and free movement ; those of Ribes, Galium, &c. The organs secreting a caustic substance in Urtica, Jatropha, and Loasa, and the rotation of the cellular sap in the two latter, are then described, after which follow the compound internal glands without cavities of secretion ; when the cells contain small drops of oil or 42 Bibliographical Notices, resin the author terms them Pearl glands, (Perldrusen) ; these occur in Cecropia, Begonia, Piper, Bauhinia, Urtica, and many other plants. Remarkable is the ascent (Jiinantreten) of a spiral vessel up to the gland in the marginal glands of Drosera ; in this case likewise the cellular sap globules possess motion. The consideration of the nec- taries, with some reference to Kurr's memoir on this subject, forms the conclusion. The second section treats of the internal glands ; they are described and figured from Dictamnus, Ruta, Melaleuca, Citrus, Hypericum, Gossypium, &c. The so-called glands of the LahiatcB are treated of in supplementary notes. The fourth chapter relates to the secretion of peculiar substances by individual cells in the interior of the cellular tissue. It is a well-known fact, observes the author, that individual cells at times contain a colouring sub- stance which the adjacent cells do not exhibit ; the formation of chlorophylle must also be regarded as a product of secretion. In the Lysimachiee, it is in some single large cells that the red resinous pigment is situated, which appears to be composed of a number of minute bars (Stcibchen). These resinous secretions are exceedingly remarkable in the elongated cells of the parenchyma near the spiral tubes in species of Aloe, where at first brown resinous globules occur along with green globules, gradually increase in number, and at last fill in a mass the entire cell. In the roots of the Valeriana there are also found, in the outer layers, resinous globules in the cells ; a similar occurrence is also described in Amomum, Curcuma, and other ScitamineaB. The fifth chapter is devoted to the consi- deration of the vital sap or milksap vessels (vasa laticis) ; the author here endeavours to maintain and confirm his opinion that they pos- sess walls, and are therefore true vessels ; he also endeavours to de- monstrate the motion of the sap in them, although he is not able to establish any result founded on direct observation respecting the terminal extremities and the mode in which the current is carried through the entire plant ; he lastly treats of the external structure of the milk sap and its globules, as also of the chemical characters it presents. The sixth chapter contains some concluding remarks ; the author enlarges on the phsenomena in relation to which substances are secreted externally without the existence of any peculiar appa- ratus ; as in the scales of buds, in the aerial roots of Ma:is, in the occurrence of tragacanth, in the efl[lorescence of sugar on Algee, of waxy substances on fruits and leaves, &c. In this memoir, which contains so great and valuable a mass of information, we are glad to find that the author does not give way to a polemical spirit. — Linncea, Part III. 1839. Bibliographical Notices. 43 Descrizione di un nuovo Genere di Piante della Famiglia delle Le- guminose, di Guglielmo Gasparini. Description of a new Genus of Plants of the Family LcguminoscB, by Guglielmo Gasparini. Sign. Gasparini has given in a short memoir, published separately, a full description of the Acacia Farnesiana, of which it appeared necessary to form a new genus, from its holding an intermediate place between the genera Lagonychium and Acacia, and forming the transition from the MimoscE to the Acacia. He terms it Farnesia, and thus characterizes it : — Flores hermaphroditi. Cal. minimus tubulosus 5-dentatus. Cor. gamopetala, minima 5-dentata calyce inserta ac cum ipso coa- lita. Stam. numerosa exserta, omnino soluta, antheris mini- mis rotundatis. Pist. corollee subsequale, ovario oblongo, stylo filiformi, stigmate oculo nudo inconspicuo. Legumen inde- hiscens, subteres, subfusiforme, torulosum s. seminibus abortis hinc inde constrictum, sessile, primo pulpa spongiosa farctum deinde cellulosum, nempe ex endocarpio semina involvente ac in sepimenta producto in plures cellulas divisum. Semina nuda. — F. odor a. The plant is described at length, and the flowers and fruit deline- ated on an annexed plate. This small tree is cultivated in Sicily to decorate the garden, under the names of Gaggia or Cassia : its flowers are odorous, but the roots have a bad smell, which is also imparted to the spittle when the seeds have been chewed. It how- ever, in this case, proceeds solely from the radicular end of the embryo. — Linrnea, Part III. 1839. Osservazioni intorno la Durata ed il Germogliamento della Grammite, fatte da Guglielmo Gasparini. Observations on the duration and germination of Grammitis, by Guglielmo Gasparini. The Grammitis leptophylla, one of the most frequent ferns occur- ring on the coast districts of Naples, dies annually towards the end of spring, and shoots forth again in autumn and winter from the spores. The author describes the plant at length, and the process of its germination and development, which, together with the per- fect plant, are figured on the first plate. The second plate con- tains the first stage of development of Adiantum Capillus Veneris, Scolopendrium officinarum, Asplenium Adiantum nigrum, and Aspidium hastulatum . — Ibid. 44 Linnaan Society. PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. LINNiEAN SOCIETY. December 17. — Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair. Specimens of the Lagurus ovatus collected last summer at Sewer's End, two miles from SaiFron Walden, were presented by Mr. Gum- ming, who discovered the plant about three years ago in that locality, which is its only actual English station. Read, " Description of the Curata, a plant of the tribe of Bamhusece, of the culm of which the Indians of Guiana prepare their Sarbacans or Blow-pipes." By Robert H. Schomburgk, Esq., communicated by the Secretary. Referring to a passage in Baron Humboldt's " Personal Narra- tive" of his Travels in America, in which the learned author de- scribes the reeds of which the Indian Blow-pipes are made, and re- grets his inability to determine from what plant they were obtained, Mr. Schomburgk states it to have been a point of the greatest in- terest with him in his recent journeys in the interior of Guiana to ascertain this fact. He found that the Macusi tribe of Indians ob- tained these remarkable reeds by barter from the Arecunas, w^ho again made journeys of several months' duration to the westward to procure them from the Maiongcong and Guinan Indians, to whose country they are restricted, and who have thence acquired among the other natives the appellation of the Curata people. The Are- cuna thus becomes the medium of the barter carried on of blow- pipes on the one hand for Urari poison on the other, the latter being found in the district inhabited by the Macusi, and exchanged by them for the tube through which the arrows impregnated with it are discharged with such deadly effect. It was at a settlement of Maiong- cong Indians near the river Emaruni that Mr. Schomburgk at last succeeded in obtaining positive information of the locality of these reeds, which he was informed were found on two lofty mountains, named by the Indians Mashiatti and Marawacca, the former of which was pointed out to him at the distance of about 20 miles. The latter however lying more directly on his route was visited by him in pre- ference ; it is seated at a day's journey from a Maiongcong settle- ment on the banks of the Cuyaca, from whence the natives showed the beaten track. After having ascended the mountain to a height of about 3500 feet above the Indian village, the traveller followed the course of a small mountain stream, on the banks of which the Curas or Curatas, as these reeds are called by the Indians, grow in dense tufts. They form in general clusters of from forty to a hundred gtems, which are pushed forth, as in many other Bambusca, from a Linncsan Society, 45 strong jointed subterranean rootstock. The stem rises straight from the rhizoma, without knot or interruption, and preserving an equal thickness throughout, frequently to the height of 16 feet, be- fore the first dissepiment is stretched across the interior and the first branches are given off. The joints that folio w^ succeed each other at intervals of from 15 to 18 inches ; and the whole plant attains a height of from 40 to 50 feet. The stem when full-grown is at the base about an inch and a half in diameter, or nearly 5 inches in cir- cumference ; but Mr. Schomburgk mentions having seen young stems, which'at the height of 20 feet, and with a thickness of scarcely a quarter of an inch, offered no signs of articulation. The branches are only formed when the stem begins to increase in diameter. The full-grown stem is of a bright green colour, perfectly smooth and hollow within. The branches are verticillate, generally from 3 to 4 feet in length, very slender, terete and nodose ; the upper joints separated by an interval of from 2 to 3 inches, and clothed by the sheaths of the leaves, which are split at the apex, persistent, striate and somewhat scabrous. The leaves are linear-lanceolate, obliquely rounded at the base, acute, of a bright green above, glaucescent below, nervoso-striate, with the midrib prominent, and the margin scabrous, from 8 to 9 inches long, and 5 or 6 lines broad ; they are furnished with a short petiole, which is articulated to the vagina ; and a series of long setse occupy the place of the ligula. The inflo- rescence is in terminal spikes, with a flexuose rachis ; the locustae subsessile, lanceolate, lax, from li to 2 inches in length. The en- tire plant is from 40 to 50 feet in height ; but the weight of its in- numerable branches causes the slender stem to curve downwards so that the upper part generally describes an arch, which adds greatly to the gracefulness of its appearance. Leaving out of consideration the length of the first nodeless joint, it resembles in its general habit the Bambusa latifoUa of Humboldt, which Mr. Schomburgk was not unfrequently led into the mistake of confounding with it at a di- stance. He estimates the height at which it grew as 6000 feet above the level of the sea ; and its growth appears to be limited to the chain of sandstone mountains which extends between the second and fourth parallel, and forms the separation of waters between the rivers Parima, Merewari, Ventuari, Orinoco and Negro. The only ascertained localities were Mounts Mashiatti, Marawacca and Wanaya. Mr. Schomburgk describes at length the process by which the blow-pipes are prepared, and encased, for their better security in the hollowed trunk of a slender species of palm ; together with the mode in which other parts of the apparatus are supplied in order to render 4G Linncean Society, it available for its important uses, and the various modifications in its construction occurring among the different tribes. He adds also a particular description of the arrows and quivers in use among several of the native tribes. To this paper was appended the following note by John Joseph Bennett, Esq. F.L.S. ** Mr. Schomburgk having placed in my hands specimens of the grass which forms the subject of his communication, with a request that (if I should find it to be unpublished) I would describe it, I consulted the publications of Nees von Esenbeck and Kunth, and was at first strongly inclined to suspect that it was identical with the Arundinaria verticillata of those authors ; but a subsequent examination has satisfied me that it is a distinct species of that genus. I have had no opportunity of comparing it with specimens of ^. verticillata, but it differs from the descriptions of that species, given by the two eminent botanists above named, in the following particulars. Its leaves are linear, instead of lanceolate, and smooth on both surfaces, instead of scabrous ; the mouth of their sheaths is furnished on either side of the articulation of the leaf with a fringe of long rigid setae, which are not mentioned as occurring in A. verti- cillata ; its locustse are sessile, instead of being pedicelled ; and the hypogynous scales are lanceolate and acute, instead of obovate and obtuse. The following character will therefore serve to distinguish the species : — Arundinaria Schomhurgkn. A. foliis linearibus acuminatis Igevibus; vaginarum ore utrinque longe sietoso, spic^ simplici pauciflora, locustis sessilibus, squamulis hypogynis lanceolatis acutis." January 21, 1840.— Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair. Mr. Hewett Cottrell Watson, F.L.S. , exhibited specimens of Ca- rum Bulhocastanum discovered by Mr. W. H. Coleman, near Cherry Hinton, Cambridgeshire, and of Seseli Libanotis gathered by the same in a Dean west of the river Cuckmere, near Seaford, Sussex, being the first time it has been observed in that county. Mr. Solly, F.L.S., exhibited two splendid drawings executed by Mrs. Withers of a male plant of Encephalartos pungens, which flowered in the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, in October last. Mr. Iliff, F.L.S., exhibited some urate of ammonia voided by the Boa Constrictor at the Surrey Zoological Gardens, in the midst of which were several larvae supposed by Mr. Curtis to be those of the Musca Canicularis of Linnaeus. Mr. Iliff is of opinion they were voided with the excrements of the Boa, and referred to a case in the LinncEan Society. 4? Memoirs of the Medical Society of London, where he believes si- milar larvae were voided from the intestines of a man. Specimens of the Lastrea rigida collected at Settle, Yorkshire, were presented by Mr. Daniel Cooper, A.L.S. Read " Observations on the Ergot." By Francis Bauer, Esq., F.R.S., and L.S. The author, as is well known, has made the ergot a subject of particular study, and about thirty years ago he undertook, at the suggestion of Sir Joseph Banks, a series of careful microscopical ob- servations, with a view to determine the nature and cause of that singular production, and the beautiful drawings prepared by him at that time, illustrative of the ergot in various stages of its develop- ment, form part of the Banksian collections now deposited in the British Museum. Mr. Bauer's investigation led him to determine the ergot to be a morbid condition of the seed, but he was unsuc- cessful in ascertaining the cause of the disease, which Messrs. Smith and Ouekett have satisfactorily shown to be occasioned by a mi- nute filamentous fungus, a fact already recorded at p. 1 & 4. After a long lapse of years Mr. Bauer was induced to resume the subject, and the result has been an additional drawing from his masterly pencil, displaying the minute fungus already noticed in different stages of its growth. The fungus has been named by Mr. Quekett Ergotatia abortifaciens. February 4. — Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair. Read, " On the Heliamphora nutans, a new Pitcher Plant from British Guiana." By George Bentham, Esq., F.L.S. The interesting subject of this communication was discovered by Mr. Schomburgk growing in a marshy savannah on the mountain of Roraima, on the borders of British Guiana, at an elevation of about 6000 feet above the level of the sea. It belongs to the Sarraceniacea, and constitutes a very distinct genus of that small but remarkable family of plants, hitherto exclusively confined to the United States. The genus is principally distinguished from Sarracenia by the entire absence of petals, small apterous stigma, and trilocular ovarium. The following are the characters of this new genus : HELIAMPHORA. Perigonii foliola 4, 5, (vel 6 ?) hypogyna, libera, aestivatione valde imbri- cata, subpetaloidea. Stamina numero indefinita, hypogyna. Anthercc oblongo-lineares, versatiles, biloculares, loculis oppositis iongitudinaliter dehiscentibus. Ovarium triloculare, ovulis numerosis anatropis pluri- serialiter placentae axili affixis. Stylus simplex, apice truncatus. Stigma parvum, obscure trilobum, minute ciliatum. " Capsula trilocularis, trivalvis, polysperma" {Schomh.). Seynina obovata, compressa, testa 48 Linneean Society. fusca laxiuscula, vix rugosa, in alam fusco-membranaceum semen cingentem expansa. Embryo parvus, teres, rectus, prope basin albu- minis copiosi, radicula juxta hilum, cotyledonibus parvis. ^^Qx\i?i jterenms^ uliginosa. F oVia radicalia ; petiolus tuhuloso-amphor^- formis, ore obliquo margine subrevoluto. Scapus erectus, apice simpli- citer racemosus, glaber. Flores nutantes, albi v. pallide rosei. 1. H. nutans. Read a paper, entitled " On the Structure of the Tissues of Cij- cadea," By D. Don, Esq., Libr. L. S., Prof. Bot. King's College. In ConifercB the structure of the stem presents the ordinary appear- ance of dicotyledonous trees ; the annual layers are distinctly marked, and there is a regular bipartition of each into wood and bark (liber) ; but in Cycadece no bipartition takes place of the fibro-vascular bundles, which in that respect resemble those of monocotyledonous plants, and the differences otherwise are very striking, Cycas having, be- sides a large central pith, several thick concentric alternating layers of cellular and fibro-vascular tissue ; and in Zamia and Encephalartos, besides the pith, there are only two very thick layers, one of fibro- vascular, and the other, which is also the exterior one, of cellular tissue. The great peculiarity of the Coniferce, and which distin- guishes them as well from Cycadece as from every other family, is the remarkable uniformity of their woody tissue, which consists of slender tubes, furnished on the sides parallel to the medullary rays with one or more rows of circular or angular dots ; but in Cycadea no such uniformity is observable, their tissue, as in other phaenoga- mous plants, consisting of two kinds of vessels, namely of slender transparent tubes, without dots or markings, and of dotted, reticulated and spiral vessels, which are capable of being unrolled. The former are identical with the fibrous or woody tissue, whilst the latter, which form a part of each bundle, can only be compared to the strictly vascular tissue of other plants. These dotted vessels in Cycadece bear a con- siderable resemblance to the vessels of Coniferce, and especially to those of Dammara and Araucaria, from the dots being disposed in rows, and confined to the two vertical sides of the vessel only, and they are moreover alternate, as in the two genera just mentioned. In Cycadea, however, the dots present much less regularity in number and size than in Coniferce, not only in different vessels of the same bundle, but in different parts of the same vessel, forming one, two, three, four, and five rows ; and they are not always confined to the vertical sides, but appear in some cases to follow the entire circle of the vessel. Their form is oblong, or elliptical, in Cycas re- voluta, circinalis, glauca, and speciosa, Zamia furfur acea and pumila, as well as in Encephalartos horridus and spiralis; but they are sometimes longer, narrower and nearly linear, giving the vessel Linncean Society. 4.1 the appearance of being marked with transverse stripes. The vessels in all present so much similarity, that no generic distinction can be drawn from them. The dots are always arranged dia- gonally. The dotted vessels of Zamia furfuracea and pumila were observed to unroll spirally in the form of a band, pre- senting a striking resemblance to those of Ferns. The band was found to vary in breadth in different vessels, and was furnished with transverse rows, composed of two, three, or more dots. The coils followed the direction of the dots, and the unrolling was from right to left. In Cycas revoluta dotted vessels frequently occur with a single row of dots ; but, from the circumstance of the dots on both sides being in view at the same time, they are liable to be mistaken as having a double row on each side. Besides the dotted vessels, there occurs throughout Cycadece another variety, differing but little from the ordinary spiral vessel, except in the tendency of the coils to unite. In some vessels the coils are free, and the fibre ex- hibits frequently, at intervals, bifurcations or narrow loops ; in others the coils unite at one or both sides, in which case the vessel presents a series either of rings or bars ; the fibre then is with dififtculty un- rolled, and it often breaks off into rings, or the bars separate at the point where the coils unite, which is generally on the perpendicular sides of the vessel. In other cases the vessels are distinctly reticulated, and they then exhibit a striking analogy to the dotted cellules inCycas revoluta. All these modifications are frequently to be observed in the same vessel in Zamia furfuracea aiid pumila, a fact which affords conclusive evidence of the accuracy of the theory advanced by Meyen, which refers the spiral, annular, reticulated, and dotted vessels to a common type. The dots and stripes are evidently the thinnest portions of the tube, being most probably parts of the primitive membrane re- maining uncovered by the matter subsequently deposited on the walls. The cellular tissue of Cycadeee consists of tolerably regular paren- chyma, composed of prismatic, six-sided cellules. In the species of Zamia and Encephalartos, so often referred to, the walls of the cellules appear to be of a uniform thickness and transparency, and destitute both of dots or markings ; but in the adult fronds of Cycas revoluta a different structure presents itself, for the walls of the cellules are furnished with numerous elliptical, obliquely transverse dots or spaces, where the membrane is so exceedingly delicate and trans- parent as to give to the cellules the appearance of being perforated by holes, the intervening spaces being covered by incrustating matter, disposed in the form of confluent bands, which, when viewed under the microscope, resemble a kind of network. The Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 28. March 1840. e 50 Linndean Society, dots or spaces uncovered by incrustating matter, are generally of a large size, and occur more particularly on the vertical sides of the cellules, a band usually running along the middle of the two opposite sides. The bands vary in breadth, as do the dots, and they not unfrequently exhibit minute transparent points or spaces where the solid matter forming the band shows a tend- ency to separate. The extreme delicacy and transparency of the dots or spaces of whatever size, appear fully to prove that they are parts of the primitive membrane of the cellule, which are un- covered by the incrustating matter. A solution of iodine will be found of great service in determining the actual existence of the membrane at those parts ; for although it does not materially alter its colour, it tends very much to diminish its transparency and ren- ders it distinctly visible, so as to leave no doubt that the spaces are not openings. The bands are evidently the result of a partial ligni- fication ; and indeed no better example can be offered than Cycas revoluta to illustrate and confirm the correctness of the views ad- vanced by Schleiden as to the origin of the bands and fibres in the cellules and vessels of plants. Being anxious to ascer- tain whether the bands exist at an early period, the author had recourse to the examination of a young undeveloped frond, about two weeks old, and he was much gratified by finding his previous suspicions fully confirmed ; the cellules then being of a uniform transparency, presenting neither bands nor dots, but furnished with a distinct cytoblast or nucleus, which was found to have entirely dis- appeared from those cellules in which the incrustating matter was visible, proving that the incrustating matter is formed at the expense of the nucleus. The matter forming the bands is continuous, and is evidently not formed by a coalescing of spiral fibres, as some might suppose ; for it is perfectly solid, and shows no disposition to un- roll or to break up into fibres. The bands most probably originated from the shrinking up of the incrustating substance, which at first was equally diffused in a fluid state over the walls, and which, from the mere effects of consolidation, aided by the distention, and per- haps enlargement of the cellule, would naturally leave portions of the primitive membrane uncovered. That the dotted and reticulated vessels in Cycadea are of the same nature, and originate in a similar way as the cellules just described, there seems no reasonable ground to doubt. The parenchymatous cellules in Cycas circinalis, glauca, and speciosa resemble those of Zamia and Encephalartos in having their walls of a nearly uniform thickness and transparency, being but rarely furnished with a few elliptical obliquely transverse spaces Zoological Society. 51 or dots. The cellules in Cycas revoluta vary both in size and structure, some being three or four times longer, whilst others are still longer and narrower, and furnished with more numerous and much smaller dots, which are not confined to the sides, but are disposed around the tube. These last, which have been observed also in Cycas glauca and circinalis, present an evident transition to the dotted vessels. The whole of the Cycadea are supplied with numerous gummife- rous canals, often of great length, and uniformly furnished with distinct cellular walls of considerable thickness, and which have been accurately described and figured by Professor Morren in a recent memoir. Notwithstanding the analogies presented by their reproductive organs, the author considers the Cycadea as related to Conifercs only in a remote degree, and that they constitute the remains of a class of plants which belonged to a former vegetation. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. June 25, 1839. — Dr. Bostockinthe Chair. A paper by T. C. Eyton, Esq., entitled " Catalogue of a Collection of Birds from Malaya, with descriptions of the new species," was read. " The collection of Birds, of which the following is a catalogue, are in the possession of Mr. Evans, of the Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, having been collected by his brother in the above-mentioned coun- try. This collection is particularly interesting when taken in con- junction with that of the neighbouring islands of Sumatra and Java, an account of which is published in the Transactions of the Linnsean Society, vol. xiii., by Sir T. Stamford Raffles and Dr. Horsfield. •' The zoology of Malaya is altogether highly deserving of the at- tention of the naturalist, presenting as it does a connecting link be- tween those families of which Australia is the metropolis, and the forms of the Old World. The ornithology of Australia is distin- guished by the number of species belonging to the family Melipha- gidce which it produces, and we find from the present catalogue and that above-mentioned, that the Indian islands and the Malay penin- sula also possess a greater number of species belonging to this family than any other portion of the world excepting Australia. This trans- ition may also be traced through the marsupial animals, and man, the Malay variety of the human species approaching nearer to the Australian than any other in the form of the cranium. " The present collection contains eighty-nine species, of which se- veral are new to science ; there are also some entirely new genera ; E 2 52 Zoological Society, it is singularly deficient in Raptorial and Natatorial birds, not pos- sessing one of either order ; but this perhaps may be owing to the col- lection having been made chiefly in the interior." Podargus Javanicus, Horsf. Native name, Burong Saiang. Harpactes Duvaucelii, Gould. Native name, Burong Mass. Harpactes Diardii, Gould. Native name same as preceding. Eurystomus cyanocolUs, Vieill. Native name, Tihong Lampay. The collection contains both male and female ; the latter is merely distinguished from the former by its more obscure colouring. Eurylaimus Cory don, Temm. Cymbyrhynchus cucullatus. Eurylaimus cucullatus, Temm. Native name, Tamplana Lilin. Cymbyrhynchus nasutus, Vig. Native name, Burong Ujuu. Halcyon Capensis, Sw. Native name, Burong Kaha. Halcyon varia. H. pectore, guld, ventre, strigdque oculos cin- gente ferrugineis ; capite, nuchd, et strigd a mandibuld inferiore ad capistrum brunneis, singulis pennis tceniis cceruleis ornatis : primariis, dorso, scapularibusque, brunneis, his externe flavo mar- ginatis, illis maculatis ; rostro jlavo, culmine obscuro. Long. tot. 8 J unc; rostri, 1-l-f unc; tai^si, 1-tV. Native name, Kaing Kaing, Halcyon pulchella. Dacelo pulchella, Horsf. Native name, Kaing Kaing Kimba. Alcedo Smyrnensis, Lath. See Kaing Kaing. Alcedo ccerulea, Linn. Native name. Raja Ulang. Nyctiornis amictus, Sw. Merops amictus, Temm. Native name, Kay Chua. Merops Javanicus, Horsf. Native name, Berray Berray. Cinnyris Javanicus, Steph. Native name, Clichap. Cinnyris affinis, Horsf. Native name. Major. Calyptomena viridis. Raff. Native name, Siebo. Chloropsis Malabaricus, Jard. and Selby . Native name, Burong daou. The female differs from the male in having the markings less distinct. Chloropsis Sonneratii, Jard. and Selby. Native name, Mirbadaon. The female and young are destitute of the black throat, a straw- coloured mark being sometimes substituted for it. Irena puella, Horsf. Native name, Krouing. Muscipeta paradisea, Le Vaill. Native name, Mirajabone. MusciPETA ATROCAUDATA. Mus. toto corpore purpureo-atro, sed pectore imo abdomineque albis. Long. tot. 9 unc. : rostri, 1 unc. ; tarsi, -^ unc. Native name, Murrajabone. Zoological Society. 53 Genus Mickotarsus, n. g. Rostrum fer6 capiti sequale, altius quam latum, ad apicem incisum, ultraque nares compressum, ad basim setis armatum; nares mem- branacese, parvse, rotundatse. Tarsi brevissimi, superiore parte plumati ; digit i debiles, externi vix longiores quam interni ; posteriores medios sequantes ; ungues com- press!, posteriores longissimi ; scuta tarsi indivisa. Alee mediocres rotundatse, prima pennarum spuria, secunda breviore tertia, tertia duabusque proximis inter se sequalibus. Cauda rotundata tectricibus superioribus mollibus et longis. Obs. The above genus is closely allied to Micropus of Swainson. MiCROTARsus MKLANOLEUcos. Micr. tttev, tectricibus primariis apicibus albis ; rostro pedibusque atris. Long. tot. 6^ unc. ; rostri, ^ unc. ; tarsi, 6J unc. Native name, Mirba tando. Genus Malacopteron, n. g. Rostrum fere capiti sequale, altius quam latum, ad apicem incisum, ultraque nares compressum, ad basim setis armatum ; mandibuli inferiore ad basim tumida. Tarsi mediocres ; digiti externi vix longiores qukm interni, poste- riores medios sequantes ; ungues compressi posteriores longissimi ; scuta tarsi vix divisa. Alcehreves, rotundatse ; pennis secondariis primarias fer^ sequantibus; prima pennarum spuria, secunda breviore tertia, quae longissima est. Cauda paucarum pennarum composita, rotundata ; tectricibus supe- rioribus mollibus et longis. Obs. This genus is allied to Microtarsus in some particulars and to Brachypus in others : it agrees with both in the soft and downy- nature of the tail coverts. Malacopteron magnum. Mal.fronte cauddque ferrugineis, nuchd atrd, dorse strigdque transversd pectore, cinereis, alis brunneis, rostro fiavo. Long, tot., 6 unc; rostri, -rV unc; tarsi, ^V unc Fem. mare minor, capite nuchaque ferrugineo et atro maculatis. Native name, Burong Map. Malacopteron cinereus. Mal.feminaspecieipracedentis similis sed magnitudine multiim inferior. Long. tot. 5i unc. ; rostri, 5 lin. ; tarsi, 8 lin. Brachypus entylotus, Jard. and Selb. Native name, Merfa. Brachypteryx nigrocapitata. Bra. vertice atro, genis cinereis, guld albd, dor so cauddque brunneis, pectore abdomineque ferru- gineis h6c obscurissimo ; rostri mandibuld superiore fuliginosd, in- feriore flavd, tarsis pedibusque brunneis. ' Long. tot. 6J unc. ; rostri, \ unc ; tarsi, l-rV i^iic. Dicrurus Malabaricus, Steph. Native name, Chanwee. Obs. Die. ceratus of Stephens is the female of this species. Lanius virgatus, Temm. Native name, Burong Tana. 54 Zoological Society. Lanius strigatus. Lan. dorso, caudd alisque ferrugineis, illo atro strigato ; paucis pennis tertiarum etjiexurcc alarum lined atris ; ca- pite cinereo, sparso et strigato atro ; corpore subtHs obscure albo ; lateribus pectoreque parce atro strigatis ; rostro apice atro, basi albd ; tarsis pedibusque brunneis. Long. tot. 6| unc. ; rostri, 4-r ^iic. ; tarsi, xV unc. Obs. This is probably a young bird. Lamprotornis chalybeus. Turdus chalybeus, Horsf. Native name, Terling. Turdus Mindanensis, Gmel. Native name, Murray. Kittacincla macrourus, Gould. Turdus macrourus, Gmel. Native name, Mura but a. Turdus modestus. Tur. dorso, tectricibus alarum, verticeque oli- vaceO'brunneis ; paucis tectricum primarium praepilatis albo ; pri- mariis cauddque brunneis ; guld, strigd oculari abdomineque albis. Hid maculis cinereis sparsd ; lateribus capitis, et pectore inferiore cinereis ; lateribus pectoreque superiore ferrugineis ; mandibuld superiore pedibusque brunneis, inferiore flavd. Long. tot. 8J unc. ; rostri, -iV ^nc. ; tarsi, \-^ unc. Native name, Kwaran. Pastor Malayensis. P. dorso, caudd alisque viridi-ceneis ; tec- tricibus tertiariis abdomineque albis ; vertice nuchdque pennis elon- gatis, cinereis ; paucis pennis viridi circumclusis ; mento albo ; cor- pore subtus cinereo. Long. tot. 6;| unc. ; rostri, \ unc. ; tarsi, 1 unc. Fern, dorso brunneo ; reliquis coloribus obscuris. Native name. Brass Brass. lor a scapularis, Horsf. Native name, Durong Capas. Genus Crataionyx, n. g. Rostrum forte ; mandibuld superiore arcuata, mediocri ; nares rotun- datse, basales, setis brevibus tectse. Pedes validi syndactyli ; digitis medio posteriori inter se sequantibus, exterioribus interioribus vix longioribus. Tarsi validi elongati ; ungues validi, posteriores maximi. Alcd remigibua primariis spuriis, secundis vix brevioribus tertiis ; 4tis^ 5tis, 6*^^^"^ inter se sequalibus. Cauda longa rotundata. Crataionyx flava. Crat. ater vertice cristato ; abdomine pecto- reque inferiore flavis ; tarsis pedibusque flavis. Long. tot. 7 unc. ; rostri, \ unc. ; tarsi, ^^ unc. Native name, Seray Seray. Crataionyx ater. Crat. cenea, vertice cristato ; abdomine pecto- reque inferiore, fiavis ; tarsis pedibusque flavis. Long. tot. 7 unc. ; rostri, ^ unc. ; tarsi, -{-1 unc. Oriolus xanthonotus, Horsf. Native name, Simpelong Rait. Oriolus Sinensis, Linn. Native name, Kapindary. Zoological Society. 55 Gr acuta retigiosa, Auct. Native name, Tchong. Ptatytophus gatericulatus, Temm. Native name, see Jerray, Pitta hrachyura, Auct. Native name, Mortua Plando. Pitta coccinea, P. occipite, nuchd, corporeque suhtiis coccineis ; alls, dorsOy caudd, strigdque utrinque nucJicB, cyaneis; gutture ferrugineis ; laterihus capitis, pedibus, rostroque atris. Long. Corp. 8 unc. ; rostrum, J unc. ; tarsi, 1^ unc. Native name, same as the last. BucERos BicoLOR. Buc. atcr, rectricibus tertiis lateralihus caudce- que apicibus albis ; rostro albo, strigd cingente basim atrd ; casside medio cri carinatd d dimidio capitis ad bis trientis rostri tendente. Long. corp. 33^ unc. ; rostri, 6 unc. ; carina cassidis, 5 unc. ; tarsi, 2^ unc. Jun. casside non perfecta et atrd. Native name, Kay Kay. Euplectes Phitippinensis. Lowia Phitippinensis , Linn. Native name, Tampua. Anthus Malayensis. An. dorso brunneo, marginibus pennarum saturatioribus ; corpore subtus ferrugineo teviter tincto ; duabus rectricibus exterioribus cauda atbis ; pectore macutis brunneis adsperso ; primoribus marginibus exterioribus flavis . Long. tot. 6J unc. ; rostri, i unc. ; tarsi, \^ unc. ; ung. post. •J unc. Native name, Lanchar. The present species, vi^hich is the An. pratensis of Raffles, and of which the collection possesses two specimens, is nearly allied to An- thus trivialis, but differs in being of a larger size. Dicceum cantiltans, Ste. Dicceum saccharina. Certhia saccJiarina, Lath. Nat. name, Netta. Dicceum cruentata, Horsf. Dictum ignicapilla. Die. dorso, caudd, tectricibus alarum, primariis externis partibus, lateribusque capitis obscure azureis ; strigd oculari atrd; guld corporeque subtiis aurantiacis ; maculd pectorali verticeque rubris. Long. tot. 31 unc. ; rostri, -/-,- unc. ; tarsi, \ unc. Native name, Nalloo. Fem. superne cinerea subtiHsque flava irregulariter cinereo-maculata ; rubro cristata. Anthreptes flavigaster. An. capite, dorso, pectore colloque cinereo-viridibus ; corpore subtus flavo; alis, caudd tectricibusque alarum, brunneis; rostri mandibuld superiore atrd, inferiors jiavd ; pedibus brunneis. Long. tot. 8 unc. ; rostri, l^ unc. ; tarsi, -f^ unc. Native name, Chichap Rimba. Anthreptes modesta. An. vertice, dorso, alis, cauddque viridi-olivaceis hdc singulis pennis mediis brunneis, ilia prcepi- latd atro ; corpore subtus viridi, singulis pennis in mediis obscuris ; rostro pedibusque brunneis. Long. tot. 6J unc. ; rostri, l^ unc. ; tarsi, | unc. Native name, Chichap Nio. 56 Zoological Society. Phoenicophaus tricolor, Steph. Native name, Kado hesar. Phvenicophaus chlorocephalus . Cuculus chlorocephalus , Raffles. Native name, see Lahia. Phoenicophaus Crawfurdii, Gray. Native name, Kada Kachie. Phoenicophaus Javanicus, Horsf. Native name, Kada Apie. Phcenicophaus viridirostris. Phcen. alls dorse cauddque castanets ; primariis apicibus brunneis ; rectricibus candce api- cibus albis, pone strigd atrd ornatis ; capite, collo, pectoreque superior e cinereis, corpore subtus ferrugineo. Long. tot. 13 unc. ; rostri, 1 unc. ; tarsi, 1 unc. Native name, see Lahia Psittacula Malaccensis, Kuhl. Native name. Tana. Bucco trimaculata, Gray. Native name, Tanda. Bucco versicolor, RafF. Native name, Tahoor. Bucco QUADRicoLOR. Buc. viridis ; primariis brunneis ; rec" tricibus catidm inferioribus partibus azureis ; fronte aureo, ma- cula coccined posteriore utrinque ad latus locatd ; strigd per- oculari atrd, hdc antice maculd coccined, infra azured ornatd ; guld coccined; pectore super iore cceruleo maculis coccineis ornato ; maculd jlavd ad angulum inferius rostri ; rostro, tarsis, pedi- busque atris. Long. tot. 8|- unc. ; rostri, \^ unc. ; tarsi, \^ unc. Native name, Tahoor Capata Cuning. Genus Megalorhynchus. n. g. Rostrum validum culminatum, carina basali vix ad apicem aduncd ; altius quam latum ; nares magnse, basales, rotundatae ; setis tectae. Pedes scansorii ; digiti bini locati ; exteriores singulis partibus aequales et longiores quam interiores; posteriores et exteriores brevissimi. Alee primis pennarum spuriis, secundis brevibus, tertiis, 4*'^, 5*'^, 6*", inter se sequalibus. Tarsi mediocres. Cauda rotundata, mediocris. Megalorhynchus spinosus. Meg. superioribus partibus brun- neis ; pe7inis prcepilatis olece colore, vertice pennis mediis spino- sis, oculis spatiis nudis et rubris circumdatis ; guld obscure ferrugined ; corpore subtus sordide albo. Long. tot. 6i unc. ; rostri, \^ ; tarsi, -f^ unc. Native name, Ariko Berine. Chrysonotus Tig a. Picus Tig a, Horsf. Native name, Glato. Chrysonotus miniatus. Picus miniatus, Gmel, Native name, Glato. Picus validus, Temm. Native name, Glato. Hemicircus badius, Picus badius, RafF. Hemicircus brunneus. Hem. brunneus transversim ferrugvieo Zoological Society. 5f strigatus ; guld strigis minutis ; vertice genisque hrunneis et nan strigatis ; macula oblongd ad latera cervicis jiavo-ferrugi- ned ; notd ah angulo inferiore rostri utrinque ad gulam ten- dente coccined. Long. tot. 7 j unc. ; rostri, 1 unc. ; tarsi, | unc. Hemicircus tristis. Picus tristis, Horsf. Picus poicilolophus, Temra. Native name, Glato. Polyplectron Chinquis, Temm. Nycthemerus erythrophthalmus. Phasianus erythrophthalmus. Raffles. Native name, Pagas. Cryptonyx coronatus, Temm. Native name, Bestum. Perdix ^ruginosus. Perd. ceruginosus ; tertiariis transverstm strigatis atro; abdomine guldque saturatioribus ; nulla calcare; r astro tarsisque atris, illoforti. Long. tot. 10 unc. ; rostri, | unc. ; tarsi, 1| unc. Native name, see Hole. Hemipodius Taigour, Sykes. Native name, Pochio. Hemipodius atrogularis. Hem, guld pectoreque superiore atris ; pennis ad latera colli albis atro prcepilatis ; illis verticis etfrontis atris, albo prcepilatis ; dor so brunneo, singulis pennis transverstm strigatis atro, et maculis parvis albis sparsis ; tec- tricibus atro prcepilatis, et transverstm late strigatis flavo-ferru- gineo ; iectricibus caudce ferrugineis, et super caudam tendenti- bus ; laterihus atris ; rostro aurantiaco pedibus, tarsisque hrun- neis. Long. tot. 6| unc. ; rostri, 7 lin. ; tarsi, 1 unc. Native name, Pochio. Coturnix Sinensis, Temm. Native name, Pechan. Columba Javanica, Gmel. Native name, Paonay Crochi. Columba jambu, Gmel. Native name, Paonay Gadang. Vinago vernans. Columba vernans, Linn. Native name, Paonay Crochi. Vinago Olax. Columba Olax, Temm. Native name, Semboan. Rallus gularis, Horsf. Native name, Rentar. Gallinula phcenicura. Lath. Native name, Roa Roa. Porphyrio Indicus, Horsf. Native name, Burong Tedone. Charadrius Virginianus, Bostik. Native name, Kangbang Saut. Totanus Damacensis, Horsf. Native name, Kadidie. Scolopax heterura, Hodgs. Native name, Reshail. Mr- Waterhouse read a paper on a new species of Rodent which had been sent from the island of Luzon, one of the Philippines, by Hugh Cuming, Esq., Corresponding Member. In general appearance this Rodent might be^mistaken for a species of Capromys) in size it is about equal to the C. Fournieri-, the gene- 58 Zoological Society, ral characters of the skull and dentition, however, indicate that its affinity is with the Muridce. " The skull, compared with that of the common Rat, differs in being of a more ovate form, the occipital portion being somewhat elongated, and considerably contracted; the width between the or- bits is comparatively great ; and behind the orbits the frontal bones are expanded, and join with the temporal to form a distinct post- orbital process. The interparietal bone, instead of being transverse, is almost circular. The auditory bulla? are very small. The inter- dental portion of the palate is slightly contracted in front, so that the molares diverge posteriorly ; the rami of the lower jaw are less deeply emarginated behind, the coronoid portion is smaller, and the descending ramus is broader and rounded ; the symphysis menti is of considerable extent. The incisor teeth are less compressed and less deep from front to back. The molar teeth are of a more simple structure ; the anterior molar of the upper jaw consists of three transverse lobes, and the second and third consist each of two transverse lobes. In the lower jaw the anterior molar consists of four lobes, a small rounded lobe in front, followed by two transverse lobes, of which the anterior one is the smaller, and finally a small transverse posterior lobe ; the second molar consists of two equal transverse lobes, and a small lobe behind them ; the last molar con- sists of two simple transverse lobes." On account of the differences observable in the structure of the teeth, and form of the skull, combined with the hairy nature of the tail and ears, Mr. Waterhouse regarded this animal as constituting a sub-genus, and proposed for it the name of Phlceomys, this name being suggested by the habit of the animal, which Mr. Cuming (after whom the species is named) states, feeds chiefly on the bark of trees. It may be thus characterized : Mus (Phlceomys) Cumingi. M.vellere setose, suberectOy pilis la- nuginosis intermixtis ; aurihus mediocribus extus pilis longis obsitis ; mystacibus crebris et perlongis ; pedibus permagnis et latis, subtus nudis ; caudd mediocriy pilis rigidis et longis {ad Murem Rattum ratione habitd) crebre obsitd : colore nigrescenti- fusco sordidefiavo lavato, subtus pallidiore ; caudd nigrescente; pilis longioribus in capite et dorso nigris, unc. lin. Longitudo capitis corporisque 19 Cauda 13 antepedis {unguihus exclusis) 1 8^ tarsi 2 10 auris 1 cranii ossei 2 4 Latitudo ejusdem 1 8^ Hub. apud insulam Luzon. Zoological Society, 59 July 9, 1839.— The Rev. J. Barlow in the Chair. A letter addressed to Col. Sykes by Sir John McNeill was read. It related to a Dog recently presented by that gentleman to the So- ciety. This kind of dog, Sir John McNeill states, is used by the wandering tribes in Persia to guard their flocks : it is a shaggy ani- mal, nearly as large as a Newfoundland, and very fierce and power- ful. The dam of the animal at the menagerie killed a full-grown wolf without assistance. A letter from Augustus Eliott Fuller, Esq., was read. In this letter, which is addressed to the Secretary, and is dated June 29, 1839, Mr. Fuller encloses an account from his head keeper, Henry Cheal, respecting two broods of Woodcocks (Scolopax rusticola), which were bred in the woods of Mr. Fuller's estate at Rose Hill in Sussex. The two broods referred to consisted each of four birds, and when first observed, about the second week in April, they could but just run ; as they grew very fast, however, they were soon able to fly. Mr. Fuller's keeper believes the young woodcock is able to run as soon as hatched, and states that, according to his own observation and the report of others, they always build in a small hole, which they make on the plain ground : they select a dry situation for the nest ; but this is placed near a moist soil, to which the old birds lead their young to procure food. Mr. Waterhouse pointed out the distinguishing characters of a new species of Toucan, which had been forwarded to the Society by the President, the Earl of Derby, for exhibition and description. This species of Toucan approaches most nearly in size and colour- ing to the Pteroglossus hypoglaucus of Mr. Gould's Monograph ; but the beak, which is totally black, is much smaller, and less arched ; the nostrils do not extend so far forwards, and are hidden by the feathers of the head, and there is no longitudinal groove in front of them, as in the species above named, and others of the genus ; the blue of the under parts of the body is of a much paler and purer tint, and the feathers on these parts are white at the base. It diff^ers, moreover, in having the throat and cheeks white, and the upper tail- coverts black. A totally black beak being an uncommon character in the species belonging to the subgenus Pteroglossus, Mr. Waterhouse proposed for this new species the name nigrirostris, and proceeded to charac- terize it as follows : Pteroglossus nigrirostris. Pt. rostro, capite summo, nuchdque nigris ; guld alba ; corpore supra olivaceo-fusco ; rectricibus se- condariis olivaceo-viridibus ; uropygio pallide sulphureo : caudd, 60 Zoological Society, tectricibus caiida, nigrescenti-viridibus, plumis quatuor intermediis ad apicem, femoribusque castanets : corpore subtiis pallid^ cyaneo, crisso coccineo, pedibus nigris. Long. tot. 20 unc. ; rostri, 3-^^ ; alee, 6f ; caudce, 7 ; tarsi, 14. Hab. } Mr. Fraser read his descriptions of two new species of Birds, from a collection made in the Island of Luzon, and recently forwarded to the Society by Hugh Cuming, Esq., 'Corresponding Member. The first of these belongs to the family Cuculidce, the genus Phceni- cophaus, and to Mr. Swainson's subdivision of that genus, to which he has applied the name Dasylophus. It may at once be distin- guished from all the known members of the family by the singular structure of the feathers of its crest and throat : the shafts of these feathers are expanded at their extremities into laminae, which may be compared to the shavings of whalebone ; and in this respect they resemble the feathers of the crest of the Toucan, to which Mr. Gould in his Monograph applies the name Pteroglossus ulocomus, which is the Pt. Beauharnesii of Wagler*, but are not curled as in that species. The feathers above the nostrils, of the crest and chin, and along the middle of the throat, are gray at the base ; have a decided white spot towards the middle, and are terminated by a broad expansion of the shaft, which is of a glossy black colour, and exhibits blue or greenish reflections. The external edge of this expanded portion of the shaft is minutely pectinated. The occiput and sides of the head are gray, passing into dirty white on the cheeks and sides of the throat : the hinder part and sides of the neck, and the breast, are of a deep chestnut colour ; the back, wings, and tail are of a deep shi- ning green colour ; all the tail-feathers are broadly tipped with white ; the vent, thighs, and under tail-coverts are dusky brown, tinged with green ; the bill is horn-colour, and the feet are olive. This beautiful and interesting species Mr. Fraser proposed to name after its discoverer Mr. Cuming. Its principal distinguishing cha- racters may be thus expressed : Phcenicophaus Cumingi. Ph. cristatus, plumis crista et gutturis laminis corneis ovalibus splendide nigris terminatis ; nuchd, et pectore castaneis ; facie pallide cinered ; alis et caudd metallice virescentibus, hdc ad apicem alba. Long. tot. 16 unc; rostri, 1^; alee, 6; caudce, 8; tarsi, }^. To the bird above described the following memorandum was at- tached : — " Ansic En Bicol, language of Albay. Eyes red, pupil * Oken's Isis for 1832, part iii. p. 279; also in the * Ausland/ 1830, No. 11 8, p. 470. Zoological Society. 61 large and black, length from beak to tail, 8J inches, around the body 5 inches." Signed H. Cuming. The second bird characterized by Mr. Fraser is a new species of Duck {Anas), which is nearly allied to the Anas superciliosa, Gmel., but differs in being of a smaller size, in having the whole of the plu- mage much lighter in colour, and in the sides of the head and neck being rufous, instead of pale buff : it moreover has but one dark stripe on the side of the head, whereas Anas superciliosa has two. The middle of the forehead, crown of the head, and a line down the back of the neck, are dark brown ; from the bill to the eye, and thence to the occiput, is a brown line, which is separated from the crown of the head by a broad stripe, which is of a pale rufous tint ; the cheeks, sides of the neck, chin, and upper part of the throat, are of the same colour ; the whole of the body is brown, becoming gra- dually darker on the rump and tail feathers : all the feathers on the upper parts are edged with pale rufous ; the wing coverts are crossed by a narrow white band near their extremity, and terminate in a deep velvet-like blf^ck colour ; the speculum is deep glossy green, with purple reflections, and bounded behind by velvety black ; to this succeeds a narrow white line : the bill and feet are apparently dark olive. To this species Mr. Fraser applies the name Luzonica : it may be thus characterized : Anas Luzonica. An. supra cinereo-fusca, vertice nigrescenti-fusco ; strigd super oculari, genis, et gutture, pallide castaneis ; speculo alarum purpureo-virescente, antice et postice nigro marginato ; corpore subtus fuscescenti-cinereo. Long. tot. 21 unc. ; rostri, 2^; alee, 8| ; caudce, 41; tarsi, Ij. A collection of Birds from South Australia was exhibited. This collection, recently presented to the Society by the South Australian Company, contains the following species : — Falco melanogenys, Gould. Native name, Monkah. Falco Bei'igora, Vig. et Horsf. Native name, Car-cown, ya. Falco Cenchroides, Cenchris Cenchroides, Gould. Native name, Monne-monnie ; Golden Hawk. Athene fortis , Gould. Native name, Ounda-y-papa. jEgotheles lunulata, Jard. et Selb. Native name, Na-nie ; Night Hawk, or Eve-jar of the colonists, Dacelo gigantea. Leach. Native name, Cracow-Kata ; Laughing- Jackass of the colonists. Graucalus melanops, Vig. et Horsf. Native name. Or a. Cracticus hypoleucus, Gould. Native name, Corow-Raw ; Whis- tling Magpie of the colonists. Platycercus Pennantii, Vig. Native name, Na-kall-ya; Rosetta Parrot of the colonists. 62 Zoological Society, Nanodes undulatus, Vig. et Horsf. Native name, Tir-cou-ce ; Scalp Parrot of the colonists. Trichoglossus concinnus, Vig. et Horsf. Trichoglossus purpureus. Native name, Warrow-Ka. Meliphaga NovcE-Hollandice, Vig. et Horsf. Native name, Wandow. AnthochcBra rufogularis. Acanthegonys rufogularis, Gould. Sitella melanocephala, Gould. Native name, Coolta-tacoow. Coturnix Australis, Temm. Native name, Tou-ta-wa-tee. Coturnix pect oralis, Gould. Native name, Tou-ta-wa-tee. This is no doubt the male of the preceding species. Charadrius nigrifrons. ^gialitis nigrifrons, Gould. Rallus Philippinensis, Less. Native name, Eerncou ; Land-Rail of the colonists. Porphyrio melanotus, Temm. Native name, Cow-oue ; Bald Coot of the colonists. Nycticorax Caledonicvs, Less. Anas superciliosa, Gmel. Native name, Tow-an-da ? Rhynchaspis Rhyncotis, Steph. Cygnus atratus, Shaw. Phalacrocorax Carho'ides, Gould. Native name, Yal-tow ; Black Shag of the colonists. Mr. Fraser, w^ho brought these birds severally under the notice of the meeting, and who at the same time furnished the above list, ob- served that the chief interest attached to this collection consisted in the locality in which it was formed, as naturalists were no doubt anxious to learn the geographical ranges of the Australian birds. July 23, 1839. — WiUiam Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President in the Chair. A collection of 68 Bird-skins, made by Capt. Belcher on the west coast of South America, and presented to the Society by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, was exhibited, and commented on by Mr. Vigors. Among other observations, Mr. Vigors directed the attention of the Societ}'^ to typical or leading characters, of the various groups of which specimens were found in the collection ; and pointed out the relations which subsist between the great primary groups of his own system of ornithology, and the different situations they are fitted to occupy, — the earth, the water, the air, the forests, and the marshes. Mr. Vigors afterwards went over the collection in detail, and made many interesting observations respecting the habits and relations of the different species. Mr. Ogilby called attention to a new species of Squirrel sent from the west coast of South America, by Capt. Belcher, at the same time as the bird-skins noticed by Mr. Vigors. This species more nearly resembles the Coqualiin of Buffon (S'c. supru fulvo nigvoque variegatus ; subtus helvolus ; caudd longd, cylindricd, floccosd, canescente ; au- riculis imherbibus, subrufis, nigro marginatis. line. lin. Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caudse basin . . 10 Cauda 11 tarsi digitorumque 2 6 auris 9 ab apice rostri ad basin auris. ... 2 li A new species of Squirrel, sent by Hugh Cuming, J Esq., Corre- sponding Member, from one of the Philippine Islands, was thus cha- racterized by Mr. Waterhouse : SciURUS Philippinensts. Sc. supra intense fuscus, pilis nigri- rufescenti-flavo annulatis, subtils cinerescenti-albus, capita et anti- cis pedihus cinerescentihus ; auribus parvulis ; caudd mediocri. unc. Hn. Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caudse basin. ... 6 6 caud(E 6 3 ab apice rostri ad basin auris .... 1 6 tarsi digitorumque 1 9 autis 3| Hab. Mindanado. •* This species is rather larger than Sc. Palmarum, and less than Sc. bivittatus. The general hue of the upper parts, sides of the 64 Microscopical Society, body, and outer side of the hinder legs, is deep brown (a much richer and deeper colour than the same parts in Sc. bivittatus) : this tint is produced by the admixture of rust colour and black, the hairs being of the latter colour, and rather broadly annulated with rusty-red near the apex. The tail is not very bushy ; the hairs are black, with two bright rusty bars. The under parts of the body are grayish white, with a faint yellow tint : the head and fore legs are grayish, and the feet are black, slightly grizzled with rust colour." Mr. Waterhouse then proceeded to point out certain differences observable in the skulls of two species of Squirrels, which are usually confounded under the name Sciurus Palmarum, and the external characters of which he had pointed out in the " Magazine of Natural History" for September 1837, p. 496. The specific name tristriatus is there proposed for the new species. "The skull of Sciurus tristriatus," observes Mr. Waterhouse, " diiFers from that of Sc. Palmarum in being a little larger, consider- ably broader in proportion, and in having the upper surface less convex ; the post- orbital process is larger, the width between the orbits is greater, and the nasal portion is more suddenly contracted ; the nasal bones are larger, and narrower posteriorly. Following are the dimensions of the crania of these two species of Squirrel." Sc.Palmarum^ unc. lin. Total length 1 6 Width 104- between orbits 54 Length of nasal bones 5-^ From outer side of incisors (upper jaw) 1 to front molar tooth J Space occupied by the five molars on 1 „ , either side of upper jaw J "^ Length of palate 7-1- of ramus of lower jaw from! front to' posterior part of condyle . . j 10 Sc. tristriatus, unc. lin. lU 64- 6 54 4+ 9 Oi MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. The Microscopical Society of London, held their first Meeting on Wednesday, January 29th, at the Horticultural Society's Rooms, No, 21, Regent Street. The meeting was attended by upwards of a hundred members and visitors. The President Professor Owen, announced that since the provi- sional meeting on the 20th of December, for the purpose of forming the Society, the number of members had increased to one hundred and ten, and a further addition of twenty- nine names was announced in the course of the evening, making a total of one hundred and Microscopical Society* 65 thirty-nine original members of the Society, it having been deter- mined that those who joined the Society on or before the first night of meeting should be considered original members. Mr. Owen communicated a paper on the application of Microsco- pic examinations of the structure of teeth to the determination of fossil remains. After alluding to the essential service rendered by the microscope to the chemist, mineralogist, and vegetable physio- logist, he proceeded to offer a few examples of the utility of the microscope to the geologist, when applied to the investigation of the structure of fossilized teeth. The first example adduced was that of the Saurocephalus, an American fossil animal which had been referred to the class of rep- tiles. After pointing out the destructive characters of the micro- scopic texture of the teeth in reptiles and fishes, it was shown that the Saurocephalus, according to this test, unquestionably belonged to the latter class, and that it most closely resembled Sphyraena among recent fishes in its dental structure. The second instance was the Basilosaurus of Dr. Harlan, which had been refeiTed to the class Reptilia ; and the double-fanged struc- ture of its teeth, had, on the strength of its supposed Saurian aflfi- nities, been adduced to weaken the arguments advanced in favour of the mammiferous nature of certain fossils from the Stonesfield oolite. Mr. Owen, after describing the microscopic character of the teeth of the Basilosaurus, showed that it deviated from the Saurian structure in this respect as widely as the Saurocephalus, but that the modifi- cation of its dental structure resembled most closely that of the cachalot and herbivorous Cetacea. Lastly, Mr, Owen alluded to the difference in the views entertained by Cuvier and M. de Blainville, as to the affinities of the megatherium, which was referred by the one to the family of the Sloths, and by the other to that of the Armadillos : after explaining the well-marked differences in the microscopic cha- racters of the dental structure in these two families of the so-called Edentata, Mr. Owen proceeded to describe the structure of the teeth of the megatherium, and to show that in its close resemblance to the dental structure of the sloths, it confirmed the views of the great founder of the science of fossil remains. This paper was ac- companied by a number of very beautiful illustrative drawings, ex- hibiting the minute structure of the teeth of the animals referred to. Mr. Jackson then read a short paper drawing the attention of the Society to a mode of mounting the compound microscope, which differs in some particulars from the methods generally adopted. The principal object to be kept in view in the construction of the Ann. Nat, Hist, Vol.5. No. 28. ikfarc^ 1840. f 66 Microscopical Society. instrument, is the prevention of those accidental vibrations which so much interfere with microscopic examinations, especially in the neighbourhood of crowded thoroughfares. This object is effected by connecting together the body and stage of the instrument in such a manner, that whatever vibrations are communicated to the one shall be equally communicated to the other. In the instrument of Mr. Jackson this principle has been carried further than has hitherto been effected ; and it also affords improved facilities for minute ad- justments, and the accurate admeasurement of microscopic objects. A discussion ensued on the subject of Mr. Jackson's paper, and also on the best methods of measuring microscopic objects, and the greater difficulties encountered in ascertaining the antero-posterior diameters of minute bodies, as compared with the facilities which we possess of obtaining lateral measurements. The meeting then resolved itself into a conversazione, during which a number of inter- esting objects were exhibited by individual members, many of whom had their microscopes upon the table. The meeting adjourned at 11 o'clock. Wednesday, February 19, 1840, R. H. Solly, Esq. in the Chair. A paper was read by Mr. Quekett, on the development of the vascular tissue of plants, in which it was shown that the membra- nous tube of vessels originated from a eytoblast in a manner similar to that described by Schleiden in the formation of cells*, from which at first it is difficult to recognise them ; but in a short time they assume a very elongated form, and the eytoblast disappears. Before the fibre is deposited, the contents, which are gelatinous, are crowded with numerous most minute granules, which possess the motion known as " active molecules," and after a short time when they have become a little enlarged, they adhere to the inner surface of the tube containing them in a different manner for each vessel, so that the several varieties of vascular tissue are not degenerations of each other, but are each constructed originally on the plan they are always observed to present to the eye. It had been conjectured by Schleiden that a current existed be- tween the gelatinous contents of the cell and its walls, which pre- ceded the formation of a fibre and gave the direction it afterwards took ; this was refuted by showing that the granules become sepa- rately attached to the inside of the vessel, a little distance from each other, beginning first at one end and proceeding to the opposite ; the fibre elongating like a root, by the materials of growth being * See Taylor's Scientific Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 281. Royal Irish Academy. 6? always added to the point. The granules so attached, becoming nourished by the contents of the vessel, and the spaces between them, are in a short time obliterated by the fibre acquiring a defined border which completes its development. This act is the one observed in the formation of the fi])re of all vessels, but the arrangement of the granules differs so as to consti- tute the several varieties. In the annular vessel the granules attach themselves horizontally, forming rings. In the spiral they become inclined, and by continuing this direction around the interior of the membranous tube, the peculiar character of the vessel is obtained. In the reticulated, each division or branch of the fibre or granule becomes enlarged in the line, and forms the starting-place for the fresh direction of the fibre. In the dotted and scalariform vessels, the fibres become so reticulated as to have portions of the outer membrane of the vessel without any deposit within ; and this spot, so left, constitutes the dot or linear marking seen in these vessels. This dot is plain in all such vessels, excepting those found in woody exogens, where it possesses (from a slight diff^erence in structure) a central mark analogous to that on the woody tissue of coniferous plants with which Mr. Quekett considers it identical, but only of a smaller size. The paper was illustrated with numerous diagrams, which gave representations of the successive stages of the minute process Mr. Quekett had observed. ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY. November 11, 1839. — Mr. Ball read a paper **on the Bolina Hihernica," by Robert Patterson, Esq., Member of the Natural History Society of Belfast. In a note appended to his paper on the Cydippe Pomi/ormis, (Trans. R. I. A., vol. xix., part 1, page 96,) the author had men- tioned the occurrence on the Irish coast of a species of ciliograde, which he had named provisionally Bolina Hibernica. A large num- ber hav.'ng been taken in the bay of Bangor, county of Down, on the 11th of July, 1839, the drawings now brought forward were executed from living specimens. The movement of this Beroe was stated to be less vivacious than that of the Cydippe Pomiformis, and it is much more susceptible of external injury. The long-continued action of certain portions of the cilia, after the animal was broken to pieces, was mentioned ; the variety of aspect presented by the tentacula described ; and the situation of certain whitish cords or vessels minutely detailed. The lobes of the mouth were shown by the figures not to occupy more p 2 68 Royal Irish Academy. than one- fifth of the entire length. The hody is transparent, and, when agitated in the dark, becomes highly luminous — a property not possessed after death. In conclusion, the author enumerated the localities in which it had been hitherto observed, and proposed some brief specific charac- ters by which it might be distinguished. November 30. — Mr. Ball read a paper " on a Species of Loligo, found on the Shore of Dublin Bay," about three years ago. Its dimensions are the following : — Extreme length, to the end of tentacula, 10*0 inches. Do. of the body or mantle, 3'1 „ Do. of the head, 1*6 „ Average length of arms, 2*8 ,, Length of tentacula, 6*0 „ Breadth of fin, S'O Length of fin, 1-3 „ Extreme breadth of body, I'T ,, Length of dorsal lamina, 3*5 ,, Extreme breadth of dorsal lamina, .... 0'2 ,, Breadth of largest horny hoops of ace- tabula about 0*2 „ It was thus shown to be of much shorter proportions than the Loligo vulgaris. Its body is urn-shaped. The large fin, which is somewhat inequilateral, approximates to an ellipse in form, and resembles, not a little the fin of Loligo Brongnartii, as figured by Ferussac, to which it also bears likeness, in the structure of its five-ribbed dorsal lamina ; but it differs from this animal in its general proportions, and in the horny hoops of its acetabula, which have in each of the twelve largest in the tentacula about thirty- six sharp and equal teeth. The general form of the whole animal much resembles Onychoteuthis Leachii — a cephalopod of a different genus, with which it may be confounded by a casual observer. Mr. Ball proposes to name the species Loligo Eblance*. In addition to the foregoing, the following species of Loligo have fallen under Mr. Ball's notice, as occurring in the Irish seas : — Soligo sagittata, var. differing in the shortness of its tentacula from the figure given by Ferussac. Several specimens were taken off the coast of Cork by George Allman, Esq. Loligo vulgaris. Loligo media. * The ancient name of Dublin. Miscellaneous. 69 Loligo media, var. — easily distinguished by its greater propor- tionate length of body, and by the shortness of its tentacula, from the true L. Media ; in the form of the fin ternating its mantle, it strongly resembles Loligo suhulata. A few specimens, obtained on the coast of Down by the late J. Montgomery, Esq., were submitted to Mr. Ball's inspection by W. Thompson, Esq.* December 9. — Mr. Lloyd exhibited a specimen of the Vege- table Flannel described in p. 359 of our 4th volume, brought by him from Berlin. He at the same time laid on the table of the Academy a specimen of a very similar substance, which he had re- ceived from Sir John Herschel, and which was found investing the rocks at the mouth of one of the rivers of Southern Africa. It re- sembles the other very much in external appearance, except that the fibres are coarser, and more compactly matted together. It appears to consist almost entirely of confervce, but apparently of a different species. MISCELLANEOUS. ON DATISCA CANNABINA AND IMPREGNATION. Dr. Fresenius has observed that in Datisca canndbina, when female plants remain isolated, they are able nevertheless to produce ripe fruit in abundance ; and he thinks he is justified in concluding that this and other purely female forms are, in the absence of male organs, endowed with the capability of developing, by a purely vegetative process, the highest vital product, the terminal bud. In the summer of 1837 a female specimen of the above plant in the Frankfort bota- nical garden, developed a stem from its root which now bears male flowers also. — Linncea, Part III. 1839. ON A NEW GENUS OF CEPHALOPODA. M. Eschricht has given in the Transactions of the Academy of Copenhagen a description of a highly remarkable Cephalopod from Jacobshavn, in Greenland, as a new genus, under the name Cirro- teuthis Mulleri, with the following character : ** Octopus suctoriis minimis unam seriem in quo vis brachio formantibus ; brachiis cir- * Since the foregoing was written, Mr. Ball was favoured with an in- spection of Cuttle-fish bones, found at different times on Magilligan Strand, county of Deny, by Mr. Hyndman, of Belfast. They seem to be those of Sepia rupellaria, figured in Ferussac's third plate of Sepia. His attention was also directed to beaks of Cuttle-fish, found in the stomachs of Delphi- nus melas and Hyperoodon bidens. They belonged to a species of Cepha- lopod he has not yet determined. As he purposes writing a monograph of the Cephalopoda of the Irish seas, he requests information on the subject from all who can afford it. 7-0 Miscellaneous, ratis et cum membrana natatoria vel cum plicis ejus pendulinis usque ad apicem fere connatis ; alis natatoriis duabus transversalibus, ver- tebrae cartilagineae corporis insertis. Suctoriis singulorum brachi- orum 30, cirris 32." Length of body 3 J" ; of the arms 4^". — Wiegmann's Archiv, Part V. 1839. Berlin, 1840. DERIVATION OF THE TEFF AND THE TOCUSSO, TWO SPECIES OF ABYSSINIAN GRASSES. The cultivation of the seed of the TefF, brought to Europe by Riippel, has shown that this grass is the Poa ahyssinica, .Tacq.* and that the drawing of Bruce, although somewhat rude, is also to be referred to the same plant. The Tocusso, which Bruce likewise mentions, is, according to the specimens cultivated from Ruppel's seed, an Eleusine, very similar to El. indica, but yet forming a new species, Eleusine Tocusso. This grass is principally cultivated on hills, for the brewing of beer. — Linnaa, Part III. 1839. THE SNAKE NUT. This extraordinary vegetable curiosity is a nut about the size of an ordinary walnut, nearly round, and of a fine brown hazel colour, and very light. When broken, the kernel is found to bear so stri- king a resemblance to a snake that it is always called the snake nut. It grows in the marshes of British Guiana. Had we only examined one specimen we should have taken it for a lusus naturcB,-^a. merely accidental resemblance to the snake, assumed by the kernel in slirinking ; but the gentleman who favoured us with a sight of it has several of the nuts, and they are all alike, which circumstance, together with the name which has been given to it in the country where it is produced, proves that it is not a mere freak of nature, but a regular natural production. We do not recollect ever having heard or read of the species of nut which we have here briefly de- scribed, and if any of our readers can, and will, throw some light on the subject, we shall be much obliged for the information. The specimens of the snake nut which we have seen were brought home by the Palmyra which arrived lately in this port from Demerara. — Liverpool Mercury, Jan. 17. The unknown Correspondent from whom we have received the above is informed that a Description and Drawing of the Snake Nut was commu- nicated by Mr. Schomburgk to the Linnaean Society, in June, 1837. * The identity of the plant produced from the seeds brought home by Bruce under the name of TV/, with the Poa Ahyssinica of Jacquin, was pointed out by Solander in 1789, in the first edition of " Hortus Kew- ensis," vol. 1, p. 100. But Bruce 's figure, making every allowance for its rudeness, cannot possibly be referred to the same grass. Meteorological Observations. *J\ M. VON HUMBOLDT ON DARWIN's VOYAGE, AND ON SCHOMBURGk's EXPEDITION. " The volume of Mr. Charles Darwin is an admirable Supplement to the voyage of the Beagle : it is one of the most remarkable works that, in the course of a long life, I have had the pleasure to see pub- lished. Mr. Darwin unites to sagacity for detailed observations en- larged views in general physics, I should rather say in natural phi- losophy — views which embrace at once geology, the geographical distribution of plants, and the influence of temperature on the organic types of the primitive world." " Mr. Schomburgk continues to explore with the same ardour. I hope that he will reach the Cerro Duida, the forest of Bertholletia, and the mission of Esmeralda, where I was almost devoured by mos- quitoes. May this excellent young man, my countryman, always en- joy the kindness of your illustrious Society!" — Letter of M, von Hum- boldt in the Transactions of the Geographical Society, vol. ix. p. 50. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR JAN.j 1840. Chiswick. — Jan. 1. Overcast: fine. 2. Very fine. 3. Fine: slight rain. 4. Rain. 5. Cloudy and fine : frosty at night. 6. Frosty. 7. Clear and frosty : severe frost at night. 8. Severe frost. 9. Overcast: fine. 10. Overcast: frosty at night. 11. Sharp frost. 12. Frosty : fine. 13. Clear. 14. Hazy. 15. Drizzly. 16. Fine. 17. Foggy. J 8. Frosty and foggy : rain. 19. Boisterous, veith heavy rain. 20, Rain : fine: boisterous at night. 21. Very boisterous with rain. 22. Cloudy: clear at night. 23. Rain : windy at night. 24. Boisterous. 25. Overcast : rain : fine. 26. Stormy and wet. 27. Clear and cold. 28, Rain : boisterous. 29. Very fine. 30. Hazy. 31. Very fine. The frost was, for a short time, very intense between the 7th and 8th, being 20° below freezing. Boston. — Jan. 1. Cloudy. 2. Fine. 3, 4. Cloudy. 5. Fine. 6. Fine : little snow p.m. 7. Fine. 8, 9, 10. Cloudy. 11, 12, 13. Fine. 14, 15. Cloudy. 16. Fine. 17. Rain. 18. Cloudy. 19,20. Cloudy: stormy with rain p.m. 21. Stormy : thunder and forked lightning with rain a.m. 22. Cloudy. 23. Rain. 24. Stormy: rain p.m. 25. Fine : snow a.m. 26. Rain : rain early a.m. 27. Fine. 28,29. Rain. 30. Fine. 31. Cloudy: rain early a.m. Applegarlh Manse, Dumfries-shire, — Jan. 1. Fine morning: rain p.m. 2. Very wet A.M. : showery all day. 3. Quiet day with slight showers. 4. Fine day and fair : aurora borealis. 5. Clear day : hard frost. 6. Fine frosty day. 7. Dull and cloudy. 8. The same : thaw. 9. Frost again. 10. Still frosty but cloudy. 11. Wet and stormy. 12. The same all day. 13. Fair, but threatening rain. 14, 15, 16. Wet and boisterous, 17. Clear and tending to frost. 18. Rain again and wind. 19. Heavy rain a.m. : showery all day. 20. Frequent show- ers. 21. Wind very high. 22, 23, 24. Boisterous weather. 25. The same : slight showers. 26. Moderate but showery. 27. Succession of snow showers. 28. Frost A.M. : snow : thaw p.m. 29. Frost a.m. : fine winter day. 30. Frost early A.M. : change p.m. 31. Slight showers a.m. : fine day. Sun shone out 22 days. Rain fell 18 days. Snow 2 days. Frost 7 days. Wind north 1§ day. North-east 5\ days. East 1 day. South-east 5 days. South 3 days. South-west 9^ days. West 4 days. North-west 1^ day. Cajm 8 days. Moderate 5 days. Brisk 3 days. Strong breeze 9 days. Boisterous 5 days. Storm I day. Temperature of spring water, taken 3- times in the month, 43°'3. Mean temperature of the atmosphere 37*8. -OaS a •ajiqs -sajjjuina •uojsoa o : "^ • CI c o Is :S^: » > • z ^ w .a ^ fe ^ ^^s J s a a E s"a a a a a" ... . ... a .a- ^(SiJol "^ ^* ^* g ^* i w ^* ^* « <^ « - c^ ^" &• « ^* & ^* ^- ^* i i^ a i I w ^* ^* ^ =^ M ^* - '^ ^ ^ ^ " i ^* "' "" " " in m >■ > a? M ^ w & .• ^ •g «3 S i CO Tf -^ CO (N d— iC<*COCOCp ^I>.CO00O — !>•— tccoco*ooi'^t^^ ^o^oo to ^O t^-rt-^ tci'^'^cocococ* co^ocow CI coco"^Tfcoco'^"^u:>Tj<'^ioco-^cocococo-^ .5 HOONOO-^ONCIVOaNtot^CION— OO^OrfOO-^rOQO OM>.00 -^u^ d "O O ON gjTtcO-^COCI — ^CICI-<-*CICI-^COCOClTtTt'^'!*CO'^COCOCOCO'^dCOd C0O00Ot;*»p9f0j:)Om:^oooo co— < toc^t^c-^oo o on'-< qo o c^inm^r!-* locioo .n-rfioo CO'*a^QOQp•^O^OC^C^OQp ■^<0po^— r^— p'^d90N3pt>.ipt;^cp-7rcp^oocor^^-7itpioi^ OnONOiONOnO O O O O O O O OmOiOnOnONONONONOnONOnONQO ONONOnONON dddddCOCOC^COCOCOOCOddddddddddClddddddd s&- ""^r-iONtOOCCOCOONONOOC^ddOO'-'t^OOOt^dVOOO—Od'-OOt^Od;^ -^■^ONt^^tO— r-QOOOtOtOOit^CO. OitCOiON— dCO'^'OOO — lOdCO'OQO oiONONOiONd cpd <^'P'p<^'r< 9 •7' ^9P 9^^ ^C^f '^ "PS^^'C^'?'°P ?^f OiOiOiOiOiO O O C O O O O O O OmOnOiONOiOiONOiONONC^OnOnOiOiON dddddCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOdddddddddddddddd OO-CO— — iQOO'^'-- i-i-OONOOOd —d'^tOd .^ON'7"r^'^ON-*'OCOOQOCpp 0>iOnO ononO O O O C O O O OnO o^O^O^O^O^O^O^O^O^O^oo ononOiOnO ddCOddCOCOCOCOCOCOCOcodCOdddddddddddddddd ^ -IfNcoT^iovor^aoo^o — d'co'^tovd r^od c?i o — d* co rt 10 vo t^oo o> o -h ■Hc>irT5Tuj>fc.'i *''-'' ;:i^_^_^^_^_, qui se dissipe. 84 Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. Species unica. Aphanizomenon incurvum, Nobis, vid. tab. fig. 1 — 12. Lamella plana, alba-viridi, incurva, Jilis coadnatis, articulis 2 — 8 duplo longiorihus, discretis, cceruleo-viridibus . Habitat infossis et stagnis aquts dulcis in Flandria, mense Maio ad Julivm. " II est Evident que ce genre lie les conjugees vrais aux zy- gnemees, par un accouplement bien prononce chez ces derniers, mais devenant une simple soudure chez les aphanizomhnes, II met en rapport les conjugees avec les laminaires des eaux ma- rines, par la forme de la lamelle qui resulte de la soudure des filets. II etablit une analogic entre les oscillariees et les con- fervees, en demontrant qu'un mouvement de reptation, de na- tation ou d^oscillation, pent appartenir aussi bien a I'organi- sation des conferves qu'a celle des oscillatoires, dans lequels on croit reconnaitre les caracteres de Panimalite. Les vesi- cules renflees ramenent Vaphanizom^ne a la Conferva vesicata d'Agardh, et les articles, comme I'organisation des filets elle- meme, lui conservent avec les confervces vrais des rapports si clairs, qu^il serait Kors de propos de placer ailleurs que parmi elles ce genre nouveau." 1. Appearance of Anahaina spiralis under alow power of microscope. 2. Its appearance considerably magnified — when consisting of this number of spiral folds ^V <^f ^^ inch in length. 3. Different appearance of granules as noted in 3. description on Sept. 27. XI. — Contributions towards a knowledge of the Mollusca Nudibranchia and Mollusca Tunicata of Ireland, with De- scriptions of some apparently new Species of Invertebrata, By Wm. Thompson, Esq., V.P.N. Hist. Society of Belfast. [With a Plate.] Mollusca Nudibranchia, Cuv. Doris tuberculata, Cuv. Johnst. Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. i. p. 50. pi. 2. fig. 1. D, argo, Penn. In the late Mr. Templeton's Journal, " Doris argo, Penn., Brit. Zool. p. 22," is mentioned as twice found by him in t^ s ^ <- 5"c JtC Mr. Thompson on the MoUusca of Ireland, 85 ] 812, on the shore towards the entrance of Belfast Bay ; and Dr. J. L. Drummond informs me, that about the same time he procured a Doris here equalling a hen's egg in size, and which he considered to be of this species. At Youghal (county Cork,) it has been taken by Mr. R. Ball, and to this gentleman and myself has occurred at the island of Ireland's Eye, off the Dublin coast. Mr. Geo. J. Allman, of Bandon, has favoured me with specimens procured by him at Court- masherry harbour, county of Cork, where he states that the species is common. The Irish specimens I have seen were generally straw-coloured. In one of them the anterior por- tion of the foot was margined with a line or band of a fine blue colour. Doris affinis, mihi. Body elongated, equally rounded at both ends, depressed, above closely studded with stout prolonged tubercles, orifices of tentacula without sheaths ; branchial processes short, numerous, pinnate. Length 1^ inch, breadth equal to half the length ; of a very pale straw colour; tentacula without sheaths, short, lamellate, in all respects resembling those of D. tuberculata ; cloak covered with long stout tubercles varying in size, the largest along the sides, and I of a line in height, generally of equal breadth throughout, but occasionally expanding towards the end, which terminates in a mass or fasciculus of spicula, conspicuous under a low power of the lens, and giving to thsm the appearance of a spinous armature ; margin of the cloak moderately broad, its under surface granulated ; space between it and the foot, and also this latter smooth ; branchiae short, pectinate, about 18 in number, disposed in a broadly horse- shoe form as in D. bilamellata, and the space within them likewise covered with tubercles. This Doris approaches D. bilamellata more nearly than any other British species, and would perhaps be regarded by some authors as only a variety of it ; for this reason I have named it affinis, to mark that as a species it may be viewed w ith some suspicion. Compared with D. bilamellata, the D. affinis has more solidity, is somewhat more depressed, its outline of body less elegant, margin of the cloak narrower, tentacula and branchiae apparently* less developed, and instead of the • The specimens were not attended to when living, consequently we must remain in uncertainty about some characters. 86 Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland, pretty rounded termination which the tubercles of D. hila- mellata generally present, are fasciculi of spicula, and these not so tastefully disposed over the surface of the cloak as in that species : in all respects it is a less attractive animal. In the month of December 1837, I obtained three speci- mens of this Doris from among oysters dredged at Green- castle, county of Londonderry. Doris bilarnellata, Linn. Johnst. Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. i. p. 53. pi. 2. fig. 8. D, verrucosa, Penn. I have obtained this between tide-marks, at the island of Lambay, off the Dublin coast, and by dredging in about ten fathom water, in Belfast Bay. A specimen which was particu- larly examined, was found to agree with Dr. Fleming's de- scription of D, verrucosa in the number of branchial processes, which are 24, and in their arrangement being somewhat ^^ se- micircular,'' in a broadly horse- shoe form, thus 0« In Dr. Johnston's specimens, the branchial processes seemed "not much to exceed twelve," and were disposed in an ^^ uninter- rupted circle." Annals, vol. i. p. 55. Although the precise number of these organs is of no specific value, the difference alluded to is so great as to be worthy of attention. In a specimen from Newhaven, near Edinburgh, favoured me by Mr. E. Forbes, these processes are twenty in number. Doris muricata, Mull. Zool. Dan. vol. iii. p. ?• tab. 85. f. 2—4. I have not unfrequently taken this minute species when (accompanied by Mr. Hyndman,) dredging in the loughs of Strangford and Belfast; it was generally adhering to the leaves of tangle {Laminaria digit ata), Muller describes it as 5 lines long by 3 broad : my specimens were all even under this size. The D. muricata has hitherto been unnoticed in the British seas. Doris pilosa, Mull. Zool. Dan. vol. iii. tab. 85. figs. 7 and 8. Johnst. in Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. i. p. 54. pi. 2. figs. 9 and 10. The first Irish specimen of this Doris that I have seen was found in Dublin Bay, by G. J. Allman, Esq., to whom I am ^;v.^-.A^ar..//^:sf:VolY.TlJL. 3 # M§mfh '^^ rs JJ/7J^l,?A A/r?///ysrY/ . A. /;-//--..■ r/r/.. ■ Z72 C., Sh »y/^/Jy /hi/^. Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. 87 indebted for it ; subsequently two individuals were taken by Dr. J. L. Drummond^ when dredging in the month of June in Belfast Bay. Mr. E. Forbes now agrees with Dr. Johnston in considering D. Flemingii of his " Malacologia Monensis/' (D. nigricans, Flem.) a variety of D. pilosa. The Dublin Bay specimen is the var. : the others are of the ordinary form. Doris sublcBvis, mihi. PI. II. fig. 1. Z). convex, broadly ovate, smooth, basal sheaths to the tentacula, foot broad, branchial filaments 8, long and finely plumose. Length of specimen (from spirits) 7 lines, height equal to about half the length, breadth 41 lines, margin of cloak narrow, foot of nearly equal breadth throughout, tentacula long and acuminated. Colour white. In being smooth, this species agrees with the D. Icevis, Linn. Mull. Z. D. vol. ii. p. 9. tab. 47- figs. 3—5, but differs much in its convexity* and in the breadth of the foot, which is represented very narrow in that species. Dredged in Belfast Bay by Mr. Hyndman, September 1835. Doris Barvicensis, Johnst. Ann. Nat, Hist. vol. i. p. 55. pi. 2. fig. 11— 13. I have been favoured by G. J. Allman, Esq., with speci- mens of this Doris, of which he procured about a dozen in Courtmasherry harbour, in the months of August and Sep- tember, 1838. They were all found among the roots of Laminaria digitata cast ashore, and being alive, a minute de- scription of them, as observed in this state, was drawn up by Mr. Allman. In all details except the following, these individuals agreed with those described by Dr. Johnston in the Annals. Slightly elevated white tuberclesf^ chiefly disposed in straight lines, appeared on the sides of the body ; 9 branchial leaflets ; in the several specimens examined these do not encircle the vent, but are wanting for the space of \ of a circle posteriorly, two hinder leaflets shortest. On calling Mr. Allman^s attention to Dr. Johnston's description, he re- * a Doris ovalis alba corpore supra planiuscula Isevi," is Muller's dia- gnosis of D. IcEvis. f Mr. E. Forbes, to whom the species is well known, considers what are here called tubercles to have been only coloured spots having such an appearance. 88 Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. marked that the appearance described as an orifice behind the vent, " is merely formed by the partial apposition of the edges of a sht existing in the posterior margin of the mantle, and which approximation is dependent on the will of the animal/' In addition to these specimens, beautifully coloured figures, both of the natural size and magnified, drawn by Miss AUman from the living mollusk, illustrate the above points. Doris elongata, mihi. PI. II. fig. 7. Goniodoris^ do. do. D. elongated, narrow, a row of papillae on each side the back, branchial filaments about 10, plumose. Length of specimen (from spirits) 3 lines, breadth 1 line, height J line, breadth of body equal throughout. This species resembles in form the D. gracilis and D. pal- lens of Rapp. Nova Acta, vol. xiii. part 2. p. 522. tab. 27. figs. 9 and 10. I obtained this mollusk in June 1838, between tide-marks, at the island of Lambay, off the Dublin coast. Tritonia Hombergii, Cuv. Johnst. Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. i. p. 114. pi. 3. figs. 1 and 2. A specimen about 4 inches in length, with the examination of which I have been favoured by Mr. R. Ball, was dredged with oysters some years ago at Howth, county Dublin. Tritonia lactea, mihi. PI. II. fig. 3. T. of a milk-white colour, with 6 large branchial appendages on each side, bifid and ramosely pinnate ; mantle terminating anteriorly in 4 arborescent processes. Length of specimen (from spirits) 8 lines, sheaths of the tenta- cula deeply fimbriated. Colour milk-white, but with the aid of a lens a few very minute scarlet dots are seen scattered over parts of the body and the branchial appendages. The approximation of this species to the T. arborescens, Cuv. renders necessary some notice of the characters in which they correspond and differ from each other. The dia- • A new and well-marked genus constituted by Mr. Forbes. See present No. of Annals, p. 104. Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. 89 gnosis of T, arbor escens in Fleming's Brit. Anim. p. 284, — " branchiae 6 on each side, in the form of plumose tubercles/' applies equally to the T. lactea, as does the detailed descrip- tion in the following particulars — "foot narrow, sides com- pressed; cloak smooth, its margin above the mouth with 4 plumose appendages ; branchiae decreasing in size towards the tail," — this in T, lactea is very small. On comparing it with a specimen of T. arbor escens from St. Andrews, in Mr. E. Forbes's collection, the most striking diiFerence is in the shorter body of T, lactea, and consequently the nearer ap- proximation of the branchial filaments, which are considerably larger than in its congener, whilst the sheaths of the tenta- cula are somewhat less developed than in that species: the colour too is very different, T, arbor escens being of a rose-red, varied with darker spots and markings. The specimen occurred to me when dredging at the en- trance of Strangford lough, in the month of October, in com- pany with Mr. Hyndman. Eolidia papillosa, Johnst. Mag. Nat. Hist. 8. 376. fig. 35. Annals N. H. 1. 118. Of this fine species, three individuals were found by Dr. Lloyd (of Malahide) and myself, under stones at Lambay is- land, on the 1st of June; at the same time their spawn, just as described and figured by Dr. Johnston in Mag. N. H. as above-cited, was obtained. One of these animals examined critically had 25 lateral rows of branchial processes, and about 12 of these to each row. Eolidia Cuvierii, Johnst. Ann. Nat. Hist. 1. 120. pi. 3. fig. 9—11. Among the Nudibranchia which I owe to the kindness of Mr. Allman, was a small individual of this species, taken by him at Courtmasherry harbour, in the autumn of 1838. Eolidia rufibranchialis, Johnst. Mag. Nat. Hist. 5. 428. fig. 85. Annals N. H. 1. 121. The first specimen of this Eolidia that I am aware of being taken on the Irish coast, occurred to myself at Newcastle, county Down, in August, 1836, but besides its careful pre- Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 29. April 1840. h 90 Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. servation in spirits, no attention was bestowed upon it. In June last, a considerable number of individuals of this species were taken in the dredge near Bangor, (county Down,) by Dr. J. L. Drummond, who being unacquainted with them, at once drew up a very minute and excellent description from the living animals, illustrating it at the same time with several sketches. Under the head of ^^ general observations,'^ it is remarked in Dr. Drummond's journal : " Animal either very active and coursing repeatedly round the basin, or hanging by its disk applied to the surface of the water. Touch very acute, the tentacula and cirri shrinking at the slightest ap- plication of a foreign body. On killing a specimen by keep- ing it some time in fresh-water, the cirri every one dropped off on the slightest touch*.'' Some of these specimens (from spirits) are of large size, several being 9| and 10 lines in length. In the disposition and length of the branchial fila- ments there is great diversity: in one individual these fila- ments are as long as its entire body, or 7 lines in length ; in another of equal size, they are half the length of its body ; in some they are conspicuously in fasciculi ; in others they ap- pear to be in a continuous row : none however exhibit fila- ments of a clavate form like those of the Doris pedata of Montagu (see Johnston in Annals above-cited) ; they are ge- nerally pointed f. To the kindness of Edmund Getty, Esq., I owe the results of a day's dredging in Belfast Bay, in October last, among which was a mollusk of this species. Euplocamus plumosuSy mihi. PI. II. fig. 4. E. with body elongated, tapering to the tail, 3 plumose branchial filaments. * Mr. R. Patterson, who accompanied Dr. Drummond on the occasion, favours me with the following note : "To avoid this, I took a number of living specimens, and by the successive addition of some table salt, con- verted the sea-water into pretty strong brine. While doing so the motions of the animal became gradually more feeble, and then ceased. The branchiae did not appear detached, and the specimens were placed in a bottle along with the brine in which they had been killed. The result was however the same ; they separated as much as if the shock from fresh-water had still been sustained, and the liquid became so foetid and discoloured (perhaps from the presence of too much animal matter,) that the entire contents of the bottle were thrown away." f Nevertheless I cannot but think that D. pedata is identical with the species under consideration. Mr. Thompson on the Molliisca of Ireland. 91 Length 10 lines, mouth "sub-inferior terminal;" frontal appen- dages 6, the two central very small, 3 beautifully plumose branchial filaments, situated at about two-thirds the length of the body from the head ; mantle separated from the disk by a deep channel ; edge of cloak thin and waved ; no eyes apparent ; lateral appendages 9 on each side, terminated by disks*. Colour — body white, tail orange, cla- vate, tips of the processes surrounding the body orange, as are those of the frontal appendages and tentacula ; branchial filaments orange ; on the back are a number of papillae of this colour, as is likewise a line of spots along each side between the cloak and foot. The gliding motion of this beautiful species along the bottom of the vessel in which it was placed for examination was regular and graceful. It Vi^as dredged in Strangford lough^ adhering to a Laminaria, by Mr. Hyndman and my- self, in January, 1835. The description and figure were taken from the living animal. Of the genus Euplocamus I know^ but five species, three of which, described by Philippif:, have been found in the Me- diterranean alone; these differ so much from the northern species as to render comparison unnecessary. The E.plumosus in general appearance much resembles the E. clavigera of MuUer, but differs from it in having only 3 instead of 4 branchial filaments, and in these being plumose — in this cha- racter too, it differs from the E. pulcherX of Dr. Johnston, although the number of these filaments is the same in both; besides, its body and lateral appendages are more elongated ; altogether it is a much more graceful animal than the last mentioned. * Mr. Forbes suggests that these may possibly be suctorial. t E, croceus, Phil. Enum. Moll. Siciiiae, p. 103. tab. 7. fig. 1. E.fron- dosus and E. cirriger. Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. iv. pp. 88 and 89. pi. iii. fig. 1 and 2. — translated from Wiegmann's A.rchiv. X Dr. Johnston first described this species under the name of Tergipes pulcher, and subsequently constituted a new genus, IViopa, for its reception. Ann. Nat. Hist. i. 124. He was unaware at the time that the same judicious view had previously been taken by Philippi, who founded his genus Euplo- camus on an allied species. This latter name, in right of priority, must be retained. Mr. Forbes has taken the E. pulcher at the Isle of Man and at Shetland ; and joining him, as I do, in the opinion that it is distinct from E. clavigera, 1 have ventured to restore the original specific name. The genus Triopa will still rank under its banner the anomalous T. nothus of Dr. Johnston. H 2 92 Mr. Thompson on the MoUusca of Ireland, " Polycera quadrilineata,^' var. nonlineata, PI. II. fig. C*. Doris quadrilineata, Mull. Zool. Dan. vol. 1. p. 18. tab. 17» fig. 4—6. Frontal processes of the mantle 4, angles of the foot produced ; pair of branchial lobes rather small. Length of specimen (from spirits) 3 lines ; body broadly truncate anteriorly, tapering to the tail ; tentacula lamellated ; 3 branchial filaments ; eyes two, at the inner side of the posterior base of the tentacula. Colour — whitish, with the frontal processes of an orange- yellow ; a few scattered dots of this colour on the mantle. Although the four black lines described by MuUer as ex- tending in an interrupted manner along the body of P. qua- drilineata, are entirely wanting in my specimens, I cannot, possessing as they do every other character in common with it, regard them as of a different species. They are at the same time quite distinct from the supposed varieties of P. quadri- lineata figured in table 138 of the ^Zoologia Danica.' Three individuals of this species occurred to us on the same occasion as the Tritonia lactea, when dredging at the entrance of Strangford lough ; they were adhering to Laminaria digi- lata. When placed in a phial of sea-water, they were generally to be seen suspended by their threads from the surface, the body at the same time moving freely about with much grace. This species has hitherto been unnoticed in the British seas. Polycera typica^ mihi. Plate II. fig. 5. P. with 4 frontal appendages, tapering towards the point ; tenta- cula lamellate ; branchial lobes very large. Length 5 lines, body narrow, tail tapering ; branchial filaments elongated, in a tuft anterior to the lobes ; disk thin and flexible at the edges. Colour — whitish, tentacula and branchial lobes tipped with yellow ; back and sides thinly studded with tubercles (spots ?) of a yellow colour, three of which are in the middle of the back, and six or seven close to the tuft of branchial filaments ; the intestines (seen through the skin) of a dark colour. Of this well-marked species, two individuals were dredged in Strangford lough, by Mr. Hyndman and myself, in * The figure is necessarily stiff, having been drawn from a dead specimen. Muiler's was done from the living animal. Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland, 93 January, 1835, at the same time with Euplocamus plumosus. They seemed partial to coming to the surface of the water in which they were for some time kept, and to moving along with the foot upwards. From the P. quadrilineata and P. cornuta (vol. 4. p. 29. tab. 145. fig. 1 — 3.) of the ^Zoologia Danica% the P. flava of Montagu (Linn. Trans, vol. vii. p. 84, pi. 70 and the P. li- neatus of Risso, (Hist. Nat. PEur. Merid. iv. pi. 1. fig. 5.) all the species of Polycera that I have seen described and figured, the P. typica differs remarkably in the development of the branchial lobes. The P. capensisy Freycinet, is known to me by name only. All the Mollusca Nudibranchia treated of in this commu- nication are for the first time recorded as Irish species. Mollusca Tunicata. The Mollusca Tunicata have in Ireland as in other coun- tries engaged very little attention ; yet if mere outward beauty be any attraction to the naturalist, where wiU he behold it more surpassing than in the compound species of this portion of the animal kingdom ? Of every hue — arrayed in purple and gold — will he find them even in this " cold and cloudy clime.^' The species of the British seas are now, I rejoice to state, about to be investigated by naturalists highly qualified for the task. This I learned when about to attempt entering oa the study of our native species; and communicating my spe- cimens to the parties alluded to, that in connexion with their own they might be properly elucidated, I at once ceased from my incipient investigation. For this reason, the follow- ing species, belonging to the first division, "Ascidies Simples,^' are placed, without regard to systematic arrangement, merely under the name used by the author in whose work I found them described. Small as is the number, the species are one- half more numerous than those published in 1828 in Fleming's British Animals. "^Ascidia venosa, Mull. Zool. Dan. vol. i. p. 25. tab. 25. * This mark before the species denotes those which I have not seen re- corded as British — the others are new only to the Irish Fauna. 94 Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. Obtained by dredging in the loughs of Strangford and Belfast ; first distinguished as an Irish species by Dr. J. L. Drummond. It is remarked by Muller to be common about Christiansand. Ascidia prunum, Mull. Z. D. vol. i. p. 42. tab. 34. fig. 1 — 3. Procured in the same localities as last. "^Ascidia aspersa, Mull. Z. D. vol. ii. p. 32. tab. 65. fig. 2. As last. "^Ascidia scabra, Mull. Z. D. vol. ii. p. 33. tab. 65. fig. 3. As last. Possibly not distinct from it. Ascidia rustica, Linn. Mull. Z. D. vol. i. p. 14. tab. 15. Commonly investing the larger marine plants — found on shells, stones, &c. This species is much less common on our shores in the adult than in the young state, when assuming a flattish oval form, and coloured like red cornelian, it is seen beautifully studding our larger Fuci. Lamarck strangely considered that the A. scabra, Mull, might be identical with this — they certainly have no relation to each other. Nor can I believe with him that the A. patula and A. aspersa, Mull, have any connexion with A. rustica, Anim. sans Vert. t. 3. p. 123.. "^Ascidia par allelogramma, Mull. Z. D. vol. ii. p. 11. tab. 49. I have taken this beautiful species (which is admirably re- presented in the work just cited,) on different occasions when dredging in Strangford lough ; it was attached to Algae. Ascidia echinata, Linn. Mull. Z. D. vol. iv. p. 10. tab. 130. fig. 1. Of this well-marked and pretty species, I obtained an in- dividual parasitic on one of the larger Ascidice dredged in Strang-ford lough. "^Ascidia orbicularis, Mull. Z. D. vol. ii. p. 53. tab. 79. f. 1,2. Obtained on Zoster a marina in Strangford lough. "^Ascidia mammillaris, Delle Chiaie, vol. iii. p. 187, 197. tav. 45. fig. 14. Found attached to Laminaria digitata^ &c. in Belfast and Strangford loughs. The spinous tubercles in my specimens Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland, 95 are not so regularly disposed over the body as represented in Chiaie^s work ; they are most developed about the orifices. ^Cynthia claudicans, Sav. Mem. p. 150. pi. 2. fig. 1. Not uncommon on oysters and other shell-fish taken in the north-east of Ireland. Savigny describes it as common on the oysters brought to Paris. Phallusia intestinalis, Sav. Mem. p. 169. pi. 11. fig. 1. Obtained in Strangford lough. Clavelina lepadiformis, Sav. p. 110, 174. Ascidia lepadiformis, Mull. Z. D. vol. ii. p. 119. tab. 79. f. 5. As last. ^Distoma rubrum, Sav. Mem. p. 177- pl* 3. fig. 1. and pi. 13. On Laminaria digitata, dredged in Belfast Bay, by Edm, Getty, Esq., and kindly sent me. This species was communi- cated by Leach to Savigny, who notices it simply as inhabiting the European seas. My specimens were not of so lively a colour as represented in Savigny^s work. Distoma variolosum, Gaert. Sav. Mem. p. 38 and 178.? A Distoma apparently from description (I have not seen any figure) of this species has occurred to me investing Fucus serratus in Belfast Bay; the colour was always whitish- yellow. Gaertner announced the D. variolosum to be found enveloping Fucus palmatus, on the coast of England. Botryllus Leachii, Sav. Mem. p. 199. pi. 4. f. 6. and pi. 20. f. 4. Delle Chiaie, vol. iii. p. 94. tav. 36. f. 14—16. North-east of Ireland, occasionally investing the roots of Laminaria digitata, &c. ; when dried it has somewhat the appearance of a sponge. This species was sent by Leach to Savigny, who marks it with doubt as from the English coast. On the shores of Naples it has been found by Delle Chiaie as above cited. Botryllus Schlosseri. Phil. Trans, vol. 49. p. 449. pi. 14. I have occasionally obtained this on Algae, in the loughs of Strangford and Belfast, and have found it attached to stones at the island of Lambay, Dublin coast. ^Botryllus polycyclus, Sav. Mem. p. 47. pi. 4. fig. 5. J5o- tryllus Renieri. Delle Chiaie, vol. iii. p. 93. 96 Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. This very beautiful species, which is admirably described by Savigny, I have found much more common in the north of Ireland than the B. Schlosseri ; it occurs chiefly on the leaves of Laminaria digitata. The Adriatic Sea and the Manche are the localities whence Savigny procured it. What Delle Chiaie figures as a variety of this species, tab. 36, fig. 9, has occurred to me as commonly as the ordinary state. Sydneum turbinatum, Sav. Mem. p. 239. I once procured this in Strangford lough ; and by Dr. J. L. Drummond it has since been found in Belfast Bay. In the Magazine of Nat. Hist., vol. vii. p. 129, et seq., two Ascidice are figured and described as new by " C. M.,^^ — a signature adopted by my friend Robert Templeton, Esq., Roy. Art., in this and another communication in the same vol. p. 10. To the first, Asc. gemina, no habitat is given, but the entrance to Strangford lough may be mentioned as one, as I have found the species there, adhering to the sub- merged rocks. The Asc, ancejps is perhaps not distinct from Asc. prunum, INVERTEBRATA MISCELLANEA. Mollusca. lanthina nitens, Menke.? Philippi Enum. Moll. Siciliae,p. 164. tab. 9. fig. 16. ? /. pallida, Harvey MS. PL II. fig. 2. This lanthina, of which a number of specimens were found some years ago by my friend W. H. Harvey, Esq. (the well- known botanist) at Miltown Malbay on the coast of Clare, is very distinct from the two known British species, I.fra- gilis and /. exigua, and was named I, pallida by Mr. Harvey; whether it be really a nondescript species is difficult to be determined. The nearest approach I find to it is the /. ni- tens, Menke, as described and figured by Philippi in his excellent ^ Enumeratio MoUuscorum Siciliae,^ but from this it differs in the columella being curved so as to present a somewhat rounded appearance, instead of being straight ; the lanthincc, however, are subject to considerable variety. With the exception of this character, it agrees w^ell in form with the /. prolongata, Blain., figured in Payraudeau's ^ Moll, de Corse j' but the colour of this, (dark blue,) is very different Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. 97 from mine. Philippi at the same time quotes the /. prolon- gata in Payraudeau as identical with his, which in colour, " pallide violacea/^ is similar to the Irish specimens, hence named pallida. This author again refers to what Blainville figures as one of the forms of I.fragilis (Malac. tab. 37 bis. fig. 1.) for a representation of his /. nitens. Philippics dia- gnosis of this species is, "Testa ovata, obtusa, anfractibus omnibus valde rotundatis, sutura profunda divisis, apertura semiovata. labro profunde exciso angulo columellae cum labro acuto." Habitat, Sicily. Size of Irish specimens, 11 lines long, 8| broad. The genus lanthina is in much confusion, which the pre- sent notes tend in no way to clear up : they are only intended to introduce a third species of this attractive genus to the British Fauna. Rissoa Harveyiy mihi. Cingula sculpta, Harvey^s MS. PI. II. fig. 11. This species — two lines in length — is most nearly allied to the 7?. excavata, Philippi, (Enum. Moll. Sicil.,p. 154. tab. 10. fig. 6), the following description of which, with the mere sub- stitution of the numbers between the brackets, is equally applicable to R, Harveyi, " Rissoa excavata, mihi, tab. x. fig. 6. " R. testa oblonga, obtusa, alba, anfractibus supeme angulatis, medio concavis, longitudinaliter costatis, ultimo inferne cingulis tribus transversis elevatis instructo, apertura ovata simplici [costse circiter 12 (24) in quovis anfractu* supeme et inferne angulatse.] " Testa rainuta, 1'" longa (2), oblonga, anfractibus 4 — 5 (6), apice obtuso ; apertura ovalis superne vix angulata, labrum simplex." Mouth not so large as inR. excavata. This shell was discovered at Miltown Malbay (county of Clare), by Mr. W. H. Harvey, some years ago, and charac- teristically named by him C. sculpta-, the term insculpta being applied to a species of the allied genus Odostomia, has induced me, perhaps unnecessarily, to change the name. The species is dedicated to its discoverer, who had success- * My species shows the necessity of making this part of the diagnosis : tlie words used are Philippi's, and taken from his general description. 98 Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. fully studied our native Mollusca before his attention was directed to botany, in which department his labours have now long been known and appreciated. Rissoa tristriata, mihi. PI. II. fig. 10. R. conic, volutions 5|, rounded, smooth, with spiral rows of tawny spots, first whorl very large, aperture roundish oval, umbi- licus none, 3 striae winding round the summit of each whorl. Length 1^ line. A connecting link between R. semistriata and R. interrupta. Found at Youghal by Miss M. Ball. Rissoa Ballice, mihi. PI. II. fig. 9. R. elongated, white, apex obtuse, 5 slightly rounded whorls, deeply marked longitudinally with somewhat distant striae, aperture ovate, margin of the mouth thin, lower portion of the first whorl spirally striated. Length 1 j line. Although of a more slender form, this species, in sculpture, &c., somewhat resembles Odostomia spiralis, but is a true Rissoa. Found at Youghal by Miss M. Ball, after whom it is named, though a very trivial compliment to her acquirements in different departments of the Invertebrata of Ireland. ^ Turritella fulvocincta, mihi. T. with about 1 1 whorls, transversely ribbed, spirally striated, whitish, with a single fulvous band winding round the volutions. Length 3 J lines. Found at Portmarnock, near Dublin; and communicated to me by Miss M. Ball. ^^ Cerithium reticulatum, var. /3.^^ Harvey's MS. PL II. fig. 8. Whorls 9 or 10, with three spiral ridges, the uppermost very pro- minent and forming a keel round the suture, ridges crossed by some- what distant longitudinal furrows. Length 3^ lines, breadth 1^ ; colour purplish brown. This shell differs from C. reticulatum in the prominent keel bounding the whorls on the upper side, and in the spiral furrows being much deeper than the longitudinal, and these rather less marked than in that species. Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Irelund, 99 As one individual only has been obtained, I named it, doubtfully as new, C carinatum\ but according to the better judgment of Mr. Harvey, it is only a variety of C reticulatum', the shell was found by this gentleman at Miltown Malbay. Naiica, A shell belonging to this genus, obtained at Youghal by Miss M. Ball, presents the following characters. It is in length 12, in breadth 9 lines, of a tawny colour, without bands or markings of any kind ; in form it is similar to N. Alderi, but is a larger species ; umbilicus divided by a spiral ridge. To my friend Mr. E. Forbes, who has attentively studied the British Naticcs, I submitted this shell, but he had not seen any like it. Until more specimens are examined, (more, I understand, have been procured,) I am unwilling to desig- nate it as a new species ; but should it prove to be so, I would propose N.fulva as an appropriate name. The N, castanea, Lam., is stated by M. Reclus, who has examined the original specimens, to be identical with iV". monilifera. Lam. t. viii. p. 625, 2nd edit. M. Deshayes sets it down as the young of this species. Id. p. 639*. ECHINODERMATA. Ophiocoma Ballii, mihi. Disk round or pentangular, covered with imbricated scales, two diverging broadly wedge-shaped scales at the base of each ray. Largest specimen — disk 2| lines broad, rays in length nearly equal to four times its breadth ; rays above with fan- shaped scales, beneath with rudely heart-shaped plates; spines four in each row, rough, as long or longer than the breadth of ray. Colour pink. * In a MS. sent me by my friend Robert Templeton, Esq., Roy. Art., before his departure for Ceylon, are the following descriptions of what he considered to be two new species : *' Nautilus pulchella, mihi. Size xV inch, opake white, exteriorly cre- nated, becoming toothed towards the inner volutions; chambers about 20, marked externally by a depression, adjoining which the shell is minutely tuberculated, or crenato-tuberculated. " Among some minute shells from Bangor, county Down, presented me by Mr. G. C. Hyndman. Nautilus dentatus, mihi. Size^Jj inch, opake white, chambers of the last whorl about 12, broad, crenato-tuberculate exteriorly, the margin toothed, the teeth less acute towards the mouth. With last." 100 Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland, Several specimens of different size dredged some years ago in Dalkey Sounds on the coast of Dublin^ by R. Ball^ Esq. The species is named after my friend^ than whom no one in Ireland does more to advance the science of natural history. Holothuria Drummondii, mihi. H. of an olivaceous and white colour, with light brown suckers, which are very numerous on the angles, from 6 to 1 2 in each trans- verse irregular row ; when contracted, tentacula long, pedicled, trifid, plumose, purple. Lengtli 10 inches. After having been kept in spirits for a short time, it ap- pears angular, corrugated, the corrugations smooth; a few suckers between them. The specimen was dredged in Belfast Bay, in the month of June, by Dr. J. L. Drummond, who drew up the following description from the living animal : "Bangor, June 27, 1839. Holothuria dredged yesterday of an olivaceous and white colour; at first, the shape of a lemon, and nearly as large as a middle-sized one ; today, ten inches long, contracting itself slowly in various places, but has not yet shown its tentacula. It has five broad longi- tudinal bands of tubercle-hke suckers running from end to end ; these have four in each transverse row ; suckers light brown ; down the middle of each of the five series a whitish band extends; spaces between the belts of suckers of a blueish-white, with numerous irregular narrow transverse whiter lines of various breadth.^^ Holothuria Hyndmaniy mihi. H. white, 5 -angled, skin smooth, a double close row of large (non-retractile.?) suckers on each angle; tentacula 10, sessile, white, plumose. Length 2 inches. Dredged in Belfast Bay, by my friend Mr. G. C. Hynd- man, a well-informed and zealous naturalist, to whom it is dedicated*. * " Holothuria hrunnea, Forbes MS. " H. brown, angulated, suckers 6 to 8 in each row, tentacula long, whitish, pinnated towards their extremities. Forbes." This minute HoIothuri;i, generally under an inch in length, is the most common species taken by dredging in the loughs of Strangford and Belfast. Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. 101 Sipunculus papillosus, mihi. S. vermiform, brownish white, skin striated concentrically and covered with brown papillae. This is a fine and large species; throughout the greater part of its length posteriorly^ the papillae are more numerous and larger on the two sides than on the dorsal and ventral surfaces^ and are particularly numerous at the posterior ex- tremity, which is pointed and not perforated. It does not appear to be parasitic. S[)ecimens have been obtained at Miltown Malbay by Mr. Harvey^ and at the south islands of Arran (an adjacent locality) by Mr. Ball. Mr. Harvey informs me that this species is not uncommon under stones in sand-covered rocks at Miltown Malbay. The last four species will be more fully treated of, and figured, by Mr. Forbes, in his forthcoming work on the British Echinodermata. ZOOPHYTA. Flustra stellata, Memhranipora stellata, mihi*. M, stellate, or of a sub-stellate outline, cells without hairs or setae. Polypidom of a light sandy colour, encrusting the larger marine Algae in somewhat of a stellate form ; a few inches in diameter ; aperture of the cells without hairs or bristles (like those of M, pilosa and M. spongiosa, Temp.f), but beset with spines or denticles, varying much in number, one at the base generally exceeding the others in magnitude. Along the cen- tre of each ray extends a series consisting of a few rows of oblong or roundish-oblong cells, on either side of w^hich are transverse rows of square and roundish cells considerably- larger than those w^hich constitute the central portion ; " pa- rietes of the cells prettily punctured J. ^^ This description apphes to the species in its most perfect state. When the * Considering all the generic characters of Flustra and Membranipora, the present species would seem to appertain about as niuch to the *• crus- taceous" division of the former as to the latter genus. t Brit. Zooph. p. 282. This is identical with Flustra? carnosa, Johnston. X A character that I had overlooked, but which was noticed by Dr. Johnston. 102 Mr. Forbes on new British Mollusca. stellate figures coalesce — which they rarely do — so as to cover the surface of the plant, the form and arrangement of the cells, as just mentioned, are generally preserved. When de- viations from this arrangement do occur, the general form of the zoophyte is the most obvious character. This species first occurred to me in Belfast Bay, in September, 1833, when a quantity of tangle^ Laminaria digitata, had been thrown ashore, on the broad leaves of which its stellate form at once arrested my attention. In Strangford lough I similarly found it afterwards; and more recently in Scotland, near Ballantrae (Ayrshire), on Fucus serratus, but not in perfection on this plant, whose leaves are too narrow to permit its per- fect growth : on the shore at Leith too I have gathered it ; and on a specimen of Nitophyllum Gmelini, from Sidmouth, favoured me by Dr. Greville, it appears. Its distribution would thus seem to be extensive. I lately ascertained that it had been found by Dr. Drum- mond, many, perhaps thirty, years ago, at Larne. In the Supplement to Dr. Johnston^s British Zoophytes the species will be figured. To my accomplished friend Edward Forbes, Esq., I am indebted for the figures which illustrate this paper ; without the aid too of his superior knowledge, a portion only of the species here introduced as new could, with any degree of certainty, have been announced as such. REFERENCES TO PLATE II. Fig. 1. Doris sublsevis. 2. lanthina nitens ? 3. Tritonia lactea, 4. Euplocamus plumosus. 5. Poly cera ty pica. 6. Poiycera quadrilineata, var. Fig. 7. Goniodoris elongata. 8. Cerithium reticulatura, var, 9. Rissoa Ballias. 10. Rissoa tristriata. 11. Rissoa Harvey i. XII. — On some New and Rare British Mollusca. By Ed- ward Forbes, M.W.S., For. Sec. B.S., &c. [With a Plate.] I. Doris Argo. Dr. Johnston pointed out some time ago that the Doris Argo of Pennant and British authors generally Mr. Forbes on new British Mollusca. 103 was not that species^ but the Doris tuberculata of Cuvier, and accordingly described it as such in the Zoological Jour- nal and in his valuable paper on Scottish Mollusca in the first volume of the Annals. During the last two years, however, I have dredged on the Manx coast two specimens of a Do7'is which may be considered as the true Argo, and as such is an addition to the British Fauna. This Doris is of an oval form, the largest 1 J inch in length, by rather more than f broad. It is of a most vivid orange-red colour with lighter specks on the back. The mantle is covered with very minute papillae, and round the base of each tentacle, which is formed as in other Dorides, there is a circle of papillae somewhat larger than those studding the back. The branchiae are ten in number, bipinnate, bright red edged with blackish green. The foot is smooth and red. It was dredged in about 20 fathoms water on the shell-bank off the coast of Ballaugh, Isle of Man. In its motions it is extremely sluggish, but from the beauty of its colouring is a most attractive spe- cies. The original Doris Argo is represented in Bohadsch, '^ De quibusdam Animalibus Marinis^^ tab. v. figs. 4 and 5. The animal there figured was 3 inches and 5 lines long, but the accompanying description well agrees with my specimens. In the figure it seems smooth, and as such it has generally been described, but from their minuteness the papillae might have easily been overlooked. Bohadsch^s description of the colour of its back, ^^ In parte prona seu dorso colore coccineo splendet'^ (p. ^^^ is most appropriate. The origin of the name "Argo^^ as applied to this species is singular. Bo- hadsch, observing the summits of the tentacula to be speckled with minute black specks, fancied them to be eyes, and ac- cordingly bestowed on his animal the name of Argo or Argus, as he said he could easily count a hundred or more of these eyes. This speckled appearance is seen on the tentacula of many Nudibranchiay and is merely a variation in the colour- ing of the animal. II. Doris Maura. Nov. Sp, Forbes. Plate II. fig. 17. D. elongata, dorso nigro cmruleo-maculato, tuberculis carneis 104 Mr. Forbes 07i new British Mollusca. obtecto^ tentaculis carneis bast tuber culatis^ branchiis albis, pede albo, Lon. 1^ unc. This beautiful addition to our Fauna was found in July last under a stone at low water at Devar Island, near Camp- beltown, Argyleshire. In form it is more elongated' than any other British species of its division. Its colouring is most remarkable : the ground colour of the mantle is jet black, dotted here and there with little round spots of the brightest cobalt blue, and covered at regular distances by ovate pink tubercles, which are larger around the roots of the large white plume-like branchia (six in number), and also around the bases of the tentacula. The tentacula are singular, on ac- count of being planted as it were on the summit of a tuber- cled pedicle, in shape resembling the stalk of a clove. This pedicle is pink, the tentacula darker, rather inclined to brown- ish ; some of the tubercles, especially those near the anus, are lobed. The foot is pinkish white, its anterior margins not produced into tentacula. The creature is rather sluggish in its motions, but noble in its aspect : its ornate mantle, its sceptre-like tentacula, and plume of snowy branchiae like ostrich feathers, dignifying it much above its British bre- thren. III. Nov, Gen. Goniodoris. Forbes, Body prismatic : mantle marginally reflected, abbreviated pos- teriorly : oral veil forming two sustentacula : posterior ex- tremity acute, caudiform : branchia dorsal, unprotected. Having to describe a new prismatic Doris, I avail myself of this opportunity to characterize the above genus; the establishment of which I consider absolutely necessary for the following reasons. The dorso-branchiated Nudibran- chia form a most natural family, consisting of the genera Doris, Goniodoris, Polycera, (Thecacera}), and Euploca- mus, which last genus conducts us to the next family, the Tritoniacece, On reviewing their characters, we find their generic distinctions to depend, 1st, on the form of the body; 2nd, on the form of the mantle ; 3rd, on the sustentacula ; 4th, on the posterior termination ; and 5th, on the position and protection of the breathing organs, which also afford Mr. Forbes on new British Mollusca. 105 family characters along with upper-tentacula, the structure of which is laminated throughout the tribe. GoNioDORis EMARGiNATA. Nov. Sp, Forbes. G. ovata, pallio postice emarginato dorso Icevi, sustentaculis ovatis, acutis. Lon. 21 lin. (Plate II. fig. 12.) The body of this species is quadrangularly ovate, the man- tle broad, turned up and waved at the margin : posteriorly it is deeply notched. The back is smooth. The branchiae are six in number ; the upper tentacula are rather long, the lower ovate, acute, and largely developed. The back is of a fawn colour, the branchiae and foot white, the border of the mantle yellow, and there is a yellow stripe on the tail. It was dredged in twenty fathoms water off the coast of Ballaugh, Isle of Man, in October, 1839. On the same coast also occurs at low water, in considerable abundance, the Doris nodosa of Montagu, another species of this genus. As it seems to have escaped British naturalists for many years, I add a description from my Manx speci- mens. In form it is quadrangularly oblong : the mantle is broad, turned up and waved at the margin, the back smooth, with a central carina and four equidistant papillae on each side. The lower or oral tentacula are lanceolate, acute and large; the upper or dorsal laminated. The branchiae are from 7 to 9 in number, plumose, narrow, arranged in a circle (sometimes interrupted), forming an erect cup. The scallops or wavings of the cloak are generally eight on each side, and the papillae appear to be mucronate. The colour of the back is white tinged with rose : the foot, tentacula, and branchiae are white, and there is a yellow stripe on the tail. This stripe is seen in several species of this genus. The Gonio- doris nodosa is nearly three-fourths of an inch in length. The Doris Barvicensis of Dr. Johnston (Annals Nat. Hist. V. i. p. 55., PL II. fig. 11-13) is a Goniodoris. In addition to the locality originally given, it was found by Mr. Goodsir and myself during the past summer under stones at low water in Bressay Sound, Shetland. The Doris pallens and Doris gracilis of Rapp (Nov. Acta Acad. Nat. Curios., torn, xiii. 2nd part), also belong to this genus. The sources of Ann. Nat. Hist, Vol.5. No. 29. 4/?ri/ 1840. i 106 Mr. Forbes on new British Mollusca. specific characters in this genus appear to be : 1st, the gene- ral form as regards elongation ; 2nd, the smoothness or rough- ness of the back, including the number of papillae, when pre- sent; and 3rd, the form of the oral or sustentacula. The genus ranges from the northern shores of Britain to the south of Italy. IV. MoNTAGUA viRiBis. Nov, Sp, Forbes, Plate II. fig. 18. M, elongata alba, branchiis elongatis viridibus apicibus albis, in seriebus quinque digestis : tentaculis superioribus longi- oribus, Lon. 0^ unc. The body of this very distinct new species is lanceolate, tapering gradually to the finely attenuate tail. On the back there are five transverse rows of long branchiae, seven or eight in the broadest> rows, which are those placed foremost. There appear to be no papillae on the sides as in the two other British Montaguce, The head is furnished with four long tentacula, the uppermost ones longest, and have two large black eyes at their bases. These tentacula do not appear to be ciliated : they are rugose, or wrinkled concentrically. In this respect they differ from the tentacula of such Eolidce as have their branchiae arranged in lateral tufts, which have the upper tentacula ringed and covered with vibratile cilia. Such cilia are seen also on the laminated tentacula of Doris: those on the upper tentacula of Goniodoris nodosa are larger than the branchial cilia in that species: the lower or oral tentacula are not so covered. The upper and lower tentacula among most of the Nudibranchia, perhaps in all, are evidently very different organs, the latter for touch, the former for some finer sense. The body and tentacula of Montagua viridis are white, saving a narrow greenish line down the back. The branchiae are green with white ocellated tips and sometimes a few scat- tered dark green spots. The green colour is caused by a cir- culating fluid, the particles of which may be seen rushing from the central vessel or dorsal stripe into the branchiae, where they remain for a short time, and then flow back. This pretty little species was found on a specimen of An- Mr. Forbes on new British Mollusca. lOjT tennularia indivisa, dredged in deep water off the coast of Ballaugh, Isle of Man, September 30, 1839. V. RissoA RUPESTRis. Nov, Sp, Fovbes. Plate II. fig. 13. R, testa oblongO'turritd, albd, anfractibus 7 planulatis, ultimo basi striato ; suturis marginatis ; labro simplici, Lon, Oy% unc. Shell translucent, white, with seven flat whorls, which are almost smooth ; round the summit of each runs a spiral stria, which gives a marginated appearance to the suture. The basal whorl is shghtly carinated and spirally striated below the carination; a few obsolete striae sometimes appear above : the mouth is pear-shaped, and has no rib thickening the outer lip ; the pillar lip is broad, and slightly folded back. Animal milk-white. This Rissoa is found in crevices of rocks at half-tide along with Rissoa cingilla (to which it is nearly allied), Kellia rubra, and Auricula alba, at Kirk Santon Head, Isle of Man. VI. Pleurotoma Smithii. Nov, Sp. Forbes. Plate II. fig. 14. P. testa fusiformi-turritd, sub lente tenuissime striata ; an- fractibus 8 convexiusculis, costatis, costis 12 ; aperturd ob- long o-lanceolatd, spird multb breviore, caudd brevi. Lon. 0/^ unc. This pretty species has the whorls slightly rounded, and ornamented with strong longitudinal ribs, which are not, however, continuous from whorl to whorl. The whorls are slightly angulated at their summits : the sutures are deep. Its colour is yellowish white, with numerous spiral bands of yellowish brown, which give it a very elegant appearance. The mouth is oblong, and the outer lip is thickened by a rib. The canal is short and slightly inclined to the left. I have dedicated it to James Smith, Esq., of Jordanhill, by whom it was dredged in July last in Lamlash Bay, Arran. VII. Pleurotoma coarctata. Nov. Sp. Forbes. Plate II. fig. 15. P. testa anguste fusiformi, striatd, anfractibus 7 convexiuscu- I 2 108 Mr. J. E. Gray on Reptiles lis, costatis, costis 7 ; aperturd anguste lanceolatd ; caudd mediocri, Lon. Oy*^ unc. The shell of this species is more attenuate than the last, and the mouth and beak longer and much narrower ; seven strong ribs proceed from base to apex in the manner of those on Pleurotoma septangularis, to which it is nearly allied, but differs, besides form, in being spirally striated : it is nearly as strong. Its colour is dusky white, with obscure rufous spiral bands. Several specimens were dredged at the same time and place with the last. VIII. Patella ? ancyloides. Nov, Sp. Forbes, Plate II. fig. 16. P, testa, tenuissimd, pellucidd, rotundatd, gibbd, albd, sub lente reticulatd, vertice versus marginem inflexo, Lon. 2 lin. Possibly a Lottia, A shell so nearly resembling an Ancy- lus, that had I not dredged it, I should have looked on it as such. The apex is more incurved than in any of our other species of smaller Patellae, and the shell much more conical. It was dredged along with the two last described species in Lamlash Bay, Arran. XIII. — Catalogue of the Species of Reptiles collected in Cuba by W. S. MacLeay, Esq. ; — with some Notes of their Habits extracted from his MS, By J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S. The Catalogue is a continuation of the former one of Mam- malia from the same island, published in a former Number of this work, vol. iv. p. 1. It is worthy of remark that all the species described in the former paper are different from any mentioned in the Fauna of Cuba now in course of publication by M. Sagra. Several of the reptiles contained in this list appear to have been also found by that naturalist ; but others which have been brought home by Mr. MacLeay we have reason to think have escaped his research. As the species of the genus Anolis are difficult to distinguish, and as there are several species in the British Museum which I cannot refer with any certainty to the species described by brought from CubaJby Mr. MacLeay. 109 Messrs. Dumeril and Bibron, I have added to the paper a description of them. REPTILIA. Cyclura. 1. Cyclura carinata, Harlan, Jour. Acad. Sci. Philad. iv. 242. 1. 15. Iguana Cyclura, Cuv. R.A.ii.45. Iguana (Cyclura) carinata. Gray, Griffith A. K. ix. 39. Cyclura Harlani,Coc^.//'2s?. Cub.Erp., t. 6. Dum. andBibr. iv.218. Young Lacerta nubila, E. W. Gray, MS. Brit. Mus. Cyclura nu- bila, Gray, Griffith A. K.ix. This is probably the Guana figured by Catesby in his Carolina, ii. 68. t. 64. ** Found in the Isle of Pines, where it occurs of a large size nearly 4 feet long, and In great numbers. It runs with extreme velocity : becomes easily domesticated. In confinement it would not eat any kind of meat, but was very fond of bread and biscuit." — W. S. M. Leiocephalus. 2. Leiocephalus carinatus, Gray, Phil. Mag. ii. 208. Synopsis of Griflith's A. K. ix. 42. Holotropis raicrolophus, ** Th. Cocteau in Sagra Hist. Cub. Rept. t. 5. ined." Dum. and Bibr. Hist. Rept. iv. 264. Roquet of Rochefort Hist. Nat. and Mor. des Antilles, 131. Bibron by mistake refers my Leiocephalus carinatus to his Hole- trophis Herminieri, which has according to his description and figures the ventral scales strongly keeled. He considers that this specimen is the same as Tropidurus Schreibersii of Fitzinger's Catalogue. The Cuban specimen agrees exactly with the specimens on which the species was established, except in being rather larger and in having one large in the place of 3 or 4 small plates in the centre of the muzzle behind the nose. A second younger specimen has the smaller frontal plates rather different from either of the other specimens, and the tail is regularly brown-banded. It has no anterior odd plates between the two an- terior pair. This animal is the Roquet described by Rochefort, and referred to by Mr. MacLeay in his paper on Urania and Mygale in the Transactions of the Zoological Society 1831, where he observes, '* It does not change its "colour ; nor, as far as I know, does it distend the throat like the genus Anolis, neither are the toes as in that genus supplied with oval discs for climbing, so that it is never seen on trees. Never- 110 Mr. J. E. Gray on Reptiles theless Cuvier gives the name of Roquet to a species of his genus AnoUs, which by the way is not the Anolis of Rochefort but his Gohe- mouche, so that the confusion is almost inextricable;" and he further observes, ** the under side of the belly and legs is of a dirty cream- colour, becoming yellowish towards the extremity of the tail. The underside of the head and breast is marbled gray, as is the upper side of the head, and about 26 or 28 transverse faint dorsal bands, which on the dirty cream-colour ground become more conspicuous as they approach the extremity of the tail ; its colouring in short is exactly that of the gray Madrepores which it haunts, and into the cavity of which it retires when alarmed. The largest I have seen have been more than a foot long." This description of the colouring shows how it diflfers when alive from the specimens we have to examine in spirits. They live on the sea-coast : for Mr. MacLeay, when speaking of the sandy shore behind the belt of coral reefs, observes, " Here gray lizards of different sizes with saffron bellies and tails curled in spiral, peep from under the dusky flat stones which are generally sea-broken and time-worn pieces of Madrepores." Tropidurus. 3. Tropidurus (Leiolamus), Cubensis, n. s. Head shields many, keeled and imbricate. Scales of the back and sides broad rhombic, keeled ; the keels forming oblique lines ; back and tail slightly crested. Ears moderate with 3 or 4 scales in front. Temples with small keeled scales (discoloured) blueish chin and throat blueish white spotted ; belly and underside of tail white. Two series of scales over the upper labial plates, the plate immediately under the eye of the upper series large, elongated. The underside of the toes with 3 or 4 keels. Anolius. The genus Anolius may be divided into genera and sections to faci- litate the distinction of the species ; and in making these divisions I have not adopted the characters used by MM. Dumeril and Bibron, as I found the table of the species given in their work of very little use to me for making out the species. Most of the specimens in our collection have the scales of the sides smaller than those of the back and belly, while these naturalists place only a single species as having this character. The genus may be thus divided : — I. XiPHosuRUs, Fitzinger. The penultimate joint of the toes dilated, the back and tail with a brought from Cuba by Mr. MacLeay. Ill fin-like crest. Nostrils above the keel on the muzzle, the ventral shields imbricate. 1. Xiphosurus velifer. Anolis velifer, Cuv. R. A. t. 5. f. 1. A. Cuvieri, Merrem. Sides M^ith a black spot. 2. Xiphosurus Ricordii, Anolis Ricordii, Dum. and Bihr. iv. 167. Sides with two broad black streaks. II. Dactyloa. The penultimate joint of the toes dilated, the back and tail with a crest formed of a series of compressed scales ; ventral scales flat, imbricate. * Scales small, granular, convex. 1. Dactyloa Edwardsii = Anolus Edwardsii, Merrem, Edwards Glean. Head flat, shields keeled, green with 4 or 5 pale cross bands. ** Scales large, flat, not imbricate. 2. Dactyloa equestris = Le grand Anolis a ^charpe, Cuv. R. A. ii. t. 5. f. 2. Lacerta major e viridi cinerea dorso crista breviore donata, Sloane Jam. 333. t. 232. f. 2. Anolius equestris, Merrem = A. Rhodolsemus, Bell Zool. Jour. ii. 285. t. 20. Supp. Head tu- bercular ; shields conical, green ; throat, pouch, and streak over the shoulder white. Inhab. Cuba. This species was first figured and described by Sloane in his Hi- story of Jamaica, and afterwards by Cuvier in his Animal Kingdom, and more lately Mr. Bell has described it as a new species under the name of A . Rhodolcemus. It appears to be common to several of the West Indian Islands as well as Cuba. Sloane's specimen was found in Jamaica. " Basks on the trunks of trees in the same way as the next, called the Qhamodeon, and may like it be made to live in confinement." — W. S. M. III. Cham^eleolis, Cocteau. The penultimate joint of the toes dilated, back and nape with a crest formed of a series of compressed scales. Ventral scales small, convex, granular. 1. Chamceleolis Fernandina, " Coct. H. Nat. Cub., t. 12."=Anolis Chamseleonides Dum. and Bibr. iv. 168. Inhab. Cuba. This species was first described by Messrs. Dumeril and Bibron from specimens sent from Cuba by M. Sagra. Like the Chameleons the chin and belly are crested beneath, but 112 Mr. J. E. Gray on Reptiles the crest consists of two series of elongate scales ; those on the chin are much larger than those on the belly. '• Found always basking on the trunks of trees in forests near the sea side on the north coast of Cuba. It generally basks with its head downwards and is exceedingly alert. It will live in confinement." — W. S. M. IV. Anolis. The penultimate joint of the toes dilated. Back and nape simple or with a low crest formed of two diverging series of short triangular scales. Ventral scales flat, imbricate. The specimens of this genus which we have in the British Museum may be thus divided into groups and described. A. Crest produced along the back. a. Tail much compressed, irregularly serrated above. Ventral scales square, smooth. 1 . Anolis maculatus. Scales of the back convex, of the sides smaller, granular ; blueish, black-spotted; lips, streak over ears and shoulders white ; and a streak from the back of the eyes, over the ears black. Inhab. . b. Tail compressed, regularly serrated above, and many keeled beneath. Ventral scales ovate, keeled. 2. Anolis occipitalis. Scales of the back many-sided, keeled, of the sides smaller, elongate ; brown, beneath blueish- white ; occipital pit large, rounded, toothed, head shields smooth. Inhab. West Indies. Presented by Thomas Bell, Esq. c. Tail sub compressed, slightly serrated above. Ventral scales square, smooth. 3. Anolis similis. Scales of the back rather convex, of the sides rather smaller ; olive green with a few black spots ; head shields rather convex. Inhab. . 4. Anolis Alligator (Dumeril and Bibron, iv. 134 ?). Scales of the back polygonal, nearly flat, of the sides smaller ; green scattered with white spots ; head shields flat with two series of large close transverse convex shields between the eyes. Inhab. . B. Crest only on the nape or wanting. a. The ventral scales ovate, keeled. * Tail roundish without any central crest. 6 . Anolis porcatus. Scales of the back moderate, hexangular, keeled, brought from Cuba by Mr, MacLeay. 113 of the tail large, keeled, keels forming continued ridges ; muzzle elongate with live very prominent keels ; brown or green with irre- gular black cross lines on the back, and a streak on the side of the neck, beneath (and sometimes the dorsal line) silvery. Inhab. Cuba and " Texas." " Found on the leaves of trees jumping from branch to branch after insects. It is also found on garden walls lying in wait for flies."— Mac Leay, MSS. ** Tail roundish with a slight central crest. 6. Anolis Richardii, Dum. andBibr. Herp. Scales of the middle of the back ovate, keeled, of the sides small, granular, of tail small, keeled ; nape slightly crested ; head short,, muzzle shelving with four slight crests ; blueish-grey, crown black, beneath whitish. Inhab. . *** Tail compressed, slightly crested. 7. Anolis punctatus. Scales of the back small, six-sided, keeled, of the sides rather smaller, similar ; of the base of the tail small keeled ; nape scarcely keeled ; head depressed ; head shields keeled ; blue, white- spotted, belly and hind limbs whitish. Inhab. . 8. Anolis nehulosa = Dactyloa we6M/o5a,Wiegmann, Herp. Mex. A. Sagrei, Coct. = Dum. and Bibr. Herp. iv. Scales of the back rather rhombic, keeled ; of the sides rather smaller, similar ; of the tail and limbs larger, keeled ; nape scarcely keeled ; head short, shelving, shields keeled ; pale brown (back of young with two series of tri- angular brown spots,); throat brown, lined. Inhab. Cuba and Texas. '* On garden walls seeking for flies." — W. S. MacLeay. 9. Anolis lineatopus. Scales of the centre of the back small, slightly keeled ; of the sides smaller, granular ; head elongate ; muzzle slightly four-keeled with strongly keeled scales ; pale brown with five longitudinal paler streaks ; sides of the tail varied with triangular spots ; throat brown, lined. Inhab. . Very like A. nebulosa, but the head is more depressed and with more keeled shields, and the scales are smaller. 10. Anolis maculatus. Gray. A. marmoratus. Gray MSS. not Dum. and Bibr. Scales of the middle of the back small, hexangular, keeled ; of the sides smaller ; of the tail and limbs larger, keeled ; nape slightly keeled ; head elongate ; muzzle shelving, slightly four- 114 Mr. J. E. Gray on Reptiles keeled ; shields elongate, keeled ; brown with transverse white spots or streaks ; head white spotted. Inhab. . b. Ventral scales keeled, square ; tail rather compressed, slightly crested. 11. Anolis stenodactylus. Scales of the middle of the back small, elongate, keeled ; of the sides granular : nape slightly double-ridged ; muzzle depressed, sHghtly four-keeled, shield irregular ; toes very slender ; blueish, beneath whitish. Inhab. Jamaica. c. Ventral scales smooth, suhovate ; tail rather compressed, slightly crested. 12. Anolis reticulatus. Scales of the middle of the back small, an- gular, keeled ; of the sides granular ; nape slightly 2-ridged ; ventral shields subovate ; muzzle depressed, slightly 4-keeled ; shields smooth ; blue, black spotted and varied ; throat brown, lined. Inhab. . d. Ventral scales smooth, four-sided; tail rather compressed, slightly crested. 13. Anolis aneus. Scales small, elongate, slightly keeled, rather smaller on the sides ; nape rounded ; muzzle depressed with a lozenge- shaped impression, shields smooth, flat ; shields between the eyes without any shields between them ; golden brown, black dotted, beneath yellowish, brown spotted. Inhab. . V. Draconura, Wagler. Penultimate joints of the toes slightly dilated ; back and nape not crested ; tail round. 1. Draconura nitens, Wagler. Anolis refulgens, Schn. Dum. and Bibr. iv. 91. Inhab. . VI. NoROPS, Wagler. Toes not dilated, the fourth longer than the third ; scales many, keeled, imbricate, of the sides smaller ; back and tail not crested. 1. Norops auratus, Wagler. Anolis auratus, Daud. iv. 69. Inhab. . Amieva. 8. Amieva trilineata. Abdominal plates ten- rowed ; olive brown with 3 very narrow distinct silvery lines, with a series of irregular black spots on the upper part of the sides, beneath silvery; a band of small granular scales between the lower labial and the gular shields. brought from Cuba by Mr. MacLeay. 115 Young with three distinct streaks on the back, the central one being rather the broadest ; the upper part of the sides with black net- work leaving a series of round olive spots. Inhab. Cuba. This species differs from all the other species of the genus we have in the British Museum in colour as well as in the peculiarity of the band of granular sides between the lateral and gular shields. *' Found under large stones in woods, and always on the ground looking for insects under the brushwood." — W. S. M. Alligator. 9. Alligator fissipes. Caiman fissipes, Spix. Braz.t.3. Champsa fissipes, Wagler Icon. t. 17. Alligator Sclerops, Br. Max. Abild. Braz. t. 69. Crocodilus Scle- rops, Schinz. Nal. Rept. t. 12. copied from Pr. Max. Alligator Cynocephalus, Dum. and Bibr. Rept. iii. 87. " Occurs sometimes 25 feet long." — W. S. M. Testudo. 10. Gopher Tortoise, Bartram. Testudo Polyphemus. Inhab. Cuba. Lives in domestication. Amphisbjena. 11. Amphisbana punctata. Bell Zool. Journ. iii. Inhab. Cuba. XIV. — Characters of Five new Species of OrchidsiceovLS Plants from Dominica. By Prof. Lindley. In a small but interesting collection of dried plants of Orchi- dacece, collected in the island of Dominica, for the possession of which I am indebted to Prof. Henslow, there are the fol- lowing new species. 1. Stelis scabrida; folio oblongo bidentato marginato basi cuneato caule longiore, racemo filiform! stricto folio lon- giore, bracteis ovatis amplexicaulibus acutissimis, petalis vertice scabridis labelloque laevi truncatis, anthera pube- scente. 2. Pleurothallis aristata"^ ; caespitosa, folio ovali acute * Since this was in type, I have foimd this plant described and figured, under the same name which had been given it by me, in the 2nd volume of this work, p. 329, t. 15, by Sir W. Hooker. There are however differences enough between the two definitions to induce me to let my own remain. 116 Prof. Lindley on new OrcJddacece from Dominica, apiculato basi anguatato caule longiore, racenio capillar! flexuoso erecto 4 — 6-floro folio ter longiore^ bracteis va- ginantibus cuspidatis, pedicellis elongatis, sepalis aristatis subciliatis lateralibus semiconnatis, petalis lanceolatis acuminatis semipinnatifidis duplo brevioribus, labello lineari glanduloso-hispido apice rotundato basi glabro utrinque auriculato.— Flowers purple, apparently streaked with yellow. 3. Camaridium inflexum ; caule elongato subramoso pseu- dobulbifero, foliis geminis inaequalibus coriaceis oblongis basi canaliculatis, floribus solitariis, sepalis petalisque ovatis acutis, labello concavo erecto trilobo : laciniis mem- branaceis lateralibus inflexis falcatis serrulatis intermedia subrotunda leviter emarginata basi tuberculata. — Leaves about 2 inches long. 4. RoDRiGUEZiA cochlearis ; pseudobulbis subrotundis com- pressis monophyllis caespitosis, foliis oblongis sessilibus horizontalibus racemo erecto radicali subcorymboso pau- cifloro duplo brevioribus, sepalo supremo cum petalis obtuso lateralibus acutis semiconnatis breviore, labello obovato cochleari obtuso basi crista hippocrepica utrin- que elongata bicarinato. — Flowers apparently yellow. 5. Pelexia bursaria ; caule elongato folioso, foliis ovato- lanceolatis petiolatis, petiolis basi vaginantibus, scapo rachi ovariisque pilosis, bracteis membranaceis acumi- natis pilosis ovarii longitudine, labello indiviso apice glanduloso, calcare inflato obtuso ovario paulo breviore. — A fine species with the habit of Goodyera procera. Stem from 1 — li^ feet high. XV. — Information respecting Botanical and Zoological Travellers. Mr. Gould's Expedition to examine the Zoology of Australia. We have received a letter from Mr. Gould written from the banks of the Hunter river; and having his permission to make such extracts from it as we may consider interesting to our readers, it gives us sincere pleasure to be able to state that the expedition of this orni- Information respecting Zoological Travellers, 117 thologist and naturalist has hitherto been attended with the most signal success ; and we have no doubt, if spared to complete his in- tended voyage to New Zealand, that the information and collections gained will be of the most important and valuable kind. His remarks on the habits of Menura and Cinclosoma will be read with much in- terest by the ornithologist. "Maitland, River Hunter, N. S. Wales, Sept. 28, 1839. *' You may readily imagine the extreme gratification I feel in vi- siting this fine country, teeming as it does with so many interesting and beautiful productions. My success up to the present time has been greater than I could have anticipated, both in obtain- ing much information that is entirely new, and in bringing to- gether one of the finest collections that has ever been formed. I have as a matter of course made a point of attending to those parti- culars which have hitherto been overlooked, not only by collecting the birds in their various changes of plumage, but by preserving all the principal forms for dissection, as well as by preparing skeletons of the same in the country. I have also made the quadrupeds a par- ticular object of my attention, and have extensive collections in this department; and I hope to possess myself of sufficient information before my return to enable me to clear up the confusion which exists with regard to the kangaroos, &c. " Six months ago I sent a short summary of my proceedings to the Zoological Society*, with the characters of some new species of birds, since which I have visited South Australia, a part that has afforded me more novelties than any other. This journey has also enabled me to draw some very important conclusions relative to the range of a number of species; the absence of those found on the sea side of the great ranges in New South Wales being particularly stri- king, while those which inhabit Liverpool plains are also found in South Australia. Out of two and a half months' visit to this part, I spent five weeks entirely in the bush in the interior, partly on the ranges and partly on the belts of the Murray. To give you a de- tailed account of all the new species I have discovered would occupy too much time at this moment : some of the more interesting are as follows : A new form of the gallinaceous birds nearly allied to Tm- namus, but scarcely larger than an English sparrow or half the size of a quail; it is in fact a diminutive bustard with a hind toe. A new and beautiful Cinclosoma, which I intend calling castanotus from a * This will be found among the Proceedings of the Society in our pre- sent Number, p. 139. 118 Information respecting Zoological Travellers, rich chestnut mark on the back and rump, in other respects very like my C. punctatum, and precisely of the same generic form. These birds differ more in habits and oeconomy from the true thrushes than their outward appearance indicates ; the C. punctatum gives preference to rich scrubby brushwood, depending for security more on the speed with which it runs than upon its powers of flight, which are limited ; its carelessly constructed nest is placed on the ground ; the eggs, two in number, are of a large size ; the young run immediately after they are hatched : all but the last fact I have myself verified, and I re- ceived it from such authority as leaves little doubt in my own mind upon the subject ; when flushed it makes the same burring noise as the quail and partridge, and has a whistling note somewhat resem- bling that of the former. What a beautiful analogy, you will say, does this bird present in its own circle to the Rasores ! Two species of Ptilotis ; a bird whose form approaches nearly to Orpheus ; two spe- cies of Sericornis, &c. "From the head of lake Alexandrina northwards, for the distance of nearly a hundred miles, and in breadth nearly thirty or forty, appears from the top of the range to be one flat or dead level covered with low shrub-like trees, of a character quite different from any I have seen elsewhere, particularly that portion which lies at the foot of the eastern range. They are of the most beautiful and singular forms that can be imagined ; this is succeeded by a belt of dense dwarf Eucalypti, through the centre of which the river Murray winds its course, the banks only being studded with Gums of another and larger species. *• Through the kindness of Col. Gawler, the Governor, and Capt. Sturt, whom I accompanied into the interior on an especial expedi- tion of survey, I was provided with horses, a cart, and a small com- pany, with the view of reaching the Murray. Having with difficulty crossed the range over an entire new country, and penetrated to the centre of the dense Eucalypti scrub alluded to, in which I spent a night and part of two days without water for my horses, I was com- pelled, much to my regret, to beat a retreat back to the ranges, in the o-uUies of which I even found a difficulty in obtaining water. During a week's stay under the ranges I made daily visits to this rich arboretum, which would have served me to investigate until this time without exhausting its treasures ; but, alas ! our provisions failing, we were obliged to retrace our steps, and after visiting Kangaroo Island I returned to New South Wales in order to carry out another expe- dition to the interior. Nearly a fortnight was occupied in Sydney in preparing for the journey. My men proceed with the drays to Information respecting Botanical Travellers, 119 the upper part of the Hunter, near the Liverpool range ; but this being Saturday I follow on Monday, and from the slow travelling shall soon overtake the party. I am sure you would be delighted to spend a week among the Menuras, as I hope to do, it being my in- tention to encamp near their haunts, in order if possible to obtain their eggs and learn something of their habits and nidification. I paid a short visit to Liverpool Range last winter, and obtained seven or eight specimens ; of two I made skeletons, and placed three entire bodies in pickle for dissection. In its oeconomy and structure the Menura bears little or no relation to the Gallinacese ; its sternum is quite plain with a small ridge ; it is a cheerful bird, singing and mocking all the birds of the forest ; and of all creatures I have en- countered it is the most shy and wary, and difficult to procure, inha- biting precipitous rocky gullies covered with climbing plants and dense vegetation. I find the natives very useful in assisting, being scarcely ever without a tribe or portion of a tribe with me when in their neighbourhood ; they are nearly all excellent and dead shots, and are excessively fond of shooting. I frequently give into their hands my best guns, and never find them in the slightest degree disposed to take advantage : I am of course not speaking of those far in the interior, where I shall require to be strictly on the alert." Mr. Gould also writes that he had sent his principal assistant to Swan River, and has already received from him a large and valuable collection. He expresses an intention of endeavouring to visit New Zealand before returning to Britain, and it will be satisfactory to all his friends and well-wishers to know that at the date of the above letter he and Mrs. Gould continued to enjoy uninterrupted good health. Extracts from a Journal of the Mission which visited Bootan, in 1837-38, under Captain'^. Boileau Pemberton. ByW. Grif- fith, Esq., Madras Medical Establishment. [Continued from vol. iv. p. 429.] Feb. \st. Our march commenced by descending, gradually at first and then very rapidly, to the Dumree Nuddee ; crossing this, which is of small size, at the junction of another torrent, we wound along the face of the mountain forming the right wall of the ravine, ascend- ing very gradually at the same time. The country throughout was of a most barren appearance, the vegetation consisting of coarse grasses, stunted shrubs, and an occasional long-leaved pine. Feb, oth. On leaving this place we descended by a precipitous 120 Information respecting Botanical Travellers, path to the Monass, which we crossed by a suspension bridge, the best and largest, I suspect, in Bootan. The bed of this river, which is of large size (the banks which are mostly precipitous being sixty or seventy yards asunder) and of great violence, is 1 300 feet below Benka. We then commenced ascending very gradually, following up the north side of the ravine, until we reached Nulka : the march was a very short one. The country was perhaps still more barren than any we had hitherto seen, scarcely any vegetation but coarse grasses occurring. Near Nulka the long-leaved pine recommenced. We passed two miserable villages scarcely exceeded by Nulka, in which we took up our abode. No cultivation was to be seen, with the exception of a small field of rice below Nulka. Feb. 6th. We descended to the Monass, above which Nulka is si- tuated 600 or 700 feet, and continued along its right bank for a con- siderable time, passing here and there some very romantic spots, and one or two very precipitous places. On reaching a large torrent, the KooUong, we left the Monass, and ascended the former for a short distance, when we crossed it by a wooden bridge. The remainder of the march consisted of an uninterrupted ascent up a most barren mountain, until we reached Kumna, a small and half-ruined village, 4300 feet above the sea. Little of interest occurred : we passed a small village consisting of two or three houses and a religious build- ing, and two decent patches of rice cultivation. The vegetation throughout was almost tropical, with the exception of the long- leaved fir, which descends frequently as low as 1800 or 2000 feet. I observed two wretched bits of cotton cultivation along the Monass, and some of an edible Labiata, one of the most numerous make- shifts ordinarily met with among Hill people. Feb. 7th. Left for PhuUung. We ascended at first a few hundred feet, and then continued winding along at a great height above the Koollong torrent, whose course we followed, ascending gradually at the same time, until we reached our halting-place. As high as 5000 feet the Kumna mountain retained its very barren appearance ; at that elevation stunted oaks and rhododendrons commenced, and at 5300 feet the country was well covered with these trees, and the vegetation became entirely northern. Feb. 8th and 9th. We were detained partly by snow, partly by the non-arrival of our baggage. On the 9th I ascended to a wood of Finns excelsa, the first one I had noticed, and which occurred about 1000 feet above PhuUung. The whole country at similar elevations was covered with snow, particularly the downs which we passed after leaving Bulphei. Tassgong was distinctly visible. The woods were Information respecting Botanical Travellers, 121 otherwise composed of oaks and rhododendrons. At Phullung they were endeavouring to keep alive the wild indigo of Assam ; a spe- cies of Ruellia, but its appearance showed that it was unsuited to the climate. The country about Tassangsee is picturesque, with large woods of Pinus excelsa, which here has much the habit of a larch ; a few villages are visible on the same side of the Koollong, and a little cultivation. The place is said to be famous for its copper manufac- tures, such for instance as copper caldrons of large dimensions ; but I saw nothing indicating the existence of manufactures, unless it were a small village below the castle, and on the same side of the Koollong, which looked for all the world like the habitation of char- coal burners. Snow was visible on the heights around, and espe- cially on a lofty ridge to the north . We found Tassangsee to be very cold, owing to the violent south or south-east winds ; the thermo- meter however did not fall below 34°. Its elevation is 5270 feet, the vegetation entirely northern, consisting of primroses, violets, willows, oaks, rhododendrons, and pines ; very fine specimens of weeping Cyprus occur near this place. Feb, \4ith. Snow became plentiful as we approached Sanah. This we found to be a ruined village, only containing one habitable house. It is situated on an open sward, surrounded with rich woods of oaks and rhododendrons, yews, bamboos, &c. Its elevation is very nearly 8000 feet. Feb. l^th. We started at the break of day, as we had been told that the march was a long and difficult one. We proceeded at first over undulating ground, either with swardy spots, or through ro- mantic lanes ; we then ascended an open grassy knoll, after passing which we came on rather deep snow. The ascent continued steep and uninterrupted until we reached the summit of a ridge 11,000 feet high. Although we had been told that each ascent was the last, we found that another ridge was still before us, still steeper than the preceding one, and it was late in the day before we reached its sum- mit, which was found to be nearly 12,500 feet. Above 9500 feet, the height of the summit of the grassy knoll before alluded to, the snow was deep ; above 10,000 feet all the trees were covered with hoar-frost, and icicles were by no means uncommon. The appear- ance of the black pines, which we always met with at great eleva- tions, was rendered very striking by the hoar-frost. Everything looked desolate, scarce a flower was to be seen, and the occasional fall of hail and sleet added to the universal gloom. The descent from the ridge was for the first 1500 feet or thereabout, most steep, chiefly down zigzag paths, that had been built up the faces of pre- Ann, Nat, Hist, Vol.5. No. 29. April 1840. ic 122 Information respecting Botanical Travellers, cipices ; and the ground was so slippery, the surface snow being frozen into ice, that falls were very frequent, but happily not at- tended with injury. It then became less steep, the path running along swardy ridges or through woods. In the evening I came on the coolies, who had halted at a place evidently often used for that purpose, and who positively refused to proceed a single step further. But as Captain Pemberton and Lieut. Blake had proceeded on, I de- termined on following them, hoping that my departure would sti- mulate the coolies to further exertions. After passing over about a mile of open swardy ground I found myself benighted on the bor- ders of a wood, into which I plunged in the hopes of meeting my companions ; after proceeding for about half an hour slipping, sli- ding, and falling in all imaginable directions, and obtaining no answers to my repeated halloos ; after having been plainly informed that I was a blockhead by a hurkarah, who as long as it was light pro- fessed to follow me to the death — *' Master go on, and I will follow thee to the last gasp with love and loyalty" — I thought it best to attempt returning, and after considerable difficulty succeeded in reaching the coolies at 8^ p.m., when I spread my bedding under a tree, too glad to find one source of comfort. I resumed the march early next morning, and overtook my companions about a mile be- yond the furthest point I had reached ; and as I expected, found that they had passed the night in great discomfort. We soon found how impossible it would have been for the coolies to have proceeded at night, as the ground was so excessively slippery from the half- melted snow and from its clayey nature, that it was as much as they could do to keep their legs in open day-light. We continued de- scending uninterruptedly, and almost entirely through the same wood, until we reached Sing6 at 9^^ a.m. The total distance of the march was 15 miles — the greatest amount of ascent was about 4500 feet, of descent 6100 feet. We remained at Singe up to the 18th, at which time some coolies still remained behind. On the night of the 17th snow fell all around, though not within 1000 feet of Sing^. The comparative mildness of the climate here was otherwise indi- cated by the abundance of rice cultivation about and below it. It stands on the border of the wooded and grassy tracts so well marked in the interior of Bootan, at least in this direction, and about mid- way on the left side of a very deep ravine, drained by the river Koosee. On both sides of this villages were plentiful ; on the oppo- site or western side alone 1 counted about twenty ; about all there is much cultivation of rice and wheat ; the surface of the earth where untilled being covered with grassy vegetation and low shrubs. Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 123 Feb. 18M. After arriving at the Koosee the country became bar- ren, resembling much that about Tassgong, and the only cultivation we passed in this portion of the march was some rice along the bed of that river. The village itself is a poor one, most of the inhabi- tants being quartered in the castle. We had an interview with the Soobah in an open place close to the village : it was conducted with much less state than that at Tassgong. We found the Soobah to be very young, in fact almost a boy ; he behaved civilly and without any pretension. There is but little cultivation about this place, which is 4520 feet above the sea, and the surrounding mountains are very barren. About the village I noticed a few stunted sugar- canes, some peach and orange trees, the castor-oil plant, and a betel vine or two. The only fine trees near the place were weeping cy- presses; the simul also occurs. Feh. 23rc?. After the usual annoyances about coolies and ponies, we left Singlang without regret, for it was a most uninteresting place. We commenced by an ascent of about 1000 feet, and then continued following the course of the Koosee downwards. The road throughout was good and evidently well frequented. At an eleva- tion of about 6000 feet we came on open woods of somewhat stunted oaks and rhododendrons ; the only well-wooded parts we met with being such ravines as afforded exit to water-courses. We passed several villages in the latter part of the march, some containing 20 and 30 houses, and met with a good deal of cultivation as we tra- versed that tract, the improved appearance of which struck us so much from Singe, Tumashoo is an ordinary-sized village, about 5000 feet in elevation. We were lodged in the Dhoompa's house. Feb. 24th. Left for Oonjar, ascending at first over sward or through a fir wood for about 800 feet, when we crossed a ridge, and thence descended until we came to a small torrent which we crossed; thence we ascended gradually, until we surmounted a ridge 7300 feet high; descending thence very gradually until we came over Oonjar, to which place we descended by a steep by-path for a few hundred feet. The features of the country were precisely the same. At the elevation of 7300 feet the woods became finer, consisting of oaks and rhododendrons, rendered more picturesque from being co- vered with mosses, and a gray pendulous lichen, a sure indication of considerable elevation. Various temples and monumental walls were passed, and several average-sized villages seen in various directions. A fine field of peas in full blossom was noticed at 5500 feet, but otherwise little cultivation occurred. Oonjar is a small village at an elevation of 6370 feet. K 2 124 Information respecting Botanical Travellers, Feb, 25th. Leaving this place, we continued winding along nearly at the same altitude until we descended to the river Oonjar, which drains the ravine, on the right flank of which the village is situated. This river, which is of moderate size, is crossed twice within 200 yards. From the second bridge one of the greatest ascents we had yet encountered commenced ; it was excessively steep at first, but subsequently became more gradual. It only terminated with our ar- rival at the halting-place, which we denominated *' St. Gothard," but which is known by the name Peemee. Its elevation is about 9700 feet, and we had ascended from the bridge as much as 4350 feet. Snow commenced at 7500 feet, and became heavy at 8500 feet. Feb. 26M. We continued the ascent through heavy snow. For the first 1000 feet it was easy enough, but after that increased much in difliculty. Great part of the path was built up faces of sheer pre- cipices. The remainder of the ascent was very gradual, but con- tinued for about 1^ mile ; and I consider the actual pass from which we commenced descending to be at least 12,600 feet. The descent was at first very rapid, passing down the bold face of the mountain, which was covered entirely with stout shrubby rhododendrons. We then descended gradually through a line wood of the black fir. On recommencing the steep descent we passed over swardy patches sur- rounded by fiir woods, and we continued through similar tracts until within 1 000 feet of our halting- place, to which we descended over bare sward. From the summit of Rodoola a brief gleam of sun- shine gave us a bird's-eye view of equally lofty ridges running in every direction, all covered with heavy snow. The vegetation of the ascent was very varied, the woods consisting of oaks, rhododendrons, and bamboos, up to nearly 11,000 feet. Beyond this the chief tree was the black fir ; junipers, alpine polygonums, a species of rhubarb, and many other alpine forms presented themselves in the shape of the withered remains of the previous season of active vegetation. That on the descent was less varied, the trees being nearly limited to three species of pines, of which the black fir scarcely descended below 11,600 feet, when it was succeeded by a more elegant larch- like species, which I believe is Pinus Smithiajia ; this again ceased towards an altitude of 9500 feet, when its place was occupied by Pinus excelsa, now a familiar form. We found Bhoomlungtung to occupy a portion of rather a fine valley. The valley is for the most part occupied by wheat fields, but the prospect of a crop appeared to me very faint. Two or three villages occur close to Bhoomlung- tung. The tillage was better than any we had seen, the fields being Bibliogro/phical Notices, 1"25 kept clean, and actually treated with manure, albeit not of the bes quality ; in a few instances they were surrounded with stone walls, as were the court yards of all the houses, but more commonly the inroads of cattle were considered sufficiently prevented by strewing thorny branches here and there. With the exception of a sombre looking oak near Bhoomlungtung, and some weeping willows, the arboreous vegetation consists entirely of firs. The shrubby vegeta- tion is northern and so is the herbaceous, but the season for this had not yet arrived. It was here that I first met with the plant called after Mr. James Prinsep ; the compliment is not, in Bootan at least, enhanced by any utility possessed by the shrub, which is otherwise a thorny, dangerous looking species. Here too we first saw English looking magpies, larks, and red-legged crows. [To be continued.] BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. Observations on the Blood Corpuscles, or Red Particles, of the Mam- miferous Animals. By George Gulliver, F.R.S., F.Z.S., Assistant Surgeon to the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards. — Memoirs in the London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine for Jan. Feb. and March 1840. As we fully concur in the justice of the author's remark, that a complete history of the blood* corpuscles Would form a very accept- able addition to anatomical and zoological science, we proceed to give a short abstract of his observations, referring such of our readers as may be desirous of more complete information on the subject to his original memoirs. To persons who are but imperfectly acquainted with the blood corpuscles, it might appear that these bodies are mere microscopic curiosities, rather to be classed with some of the apocryphal " wonders of the microscope" than regarded as objects of sober philosophic research. However, some of the most distinguished philosophers of the present day have expressed their conviction of the importance of the red particles of the blood, and we conceive that this view derives additional force from the fact that these curious bodies have now been observed and found to possess regular and determinate forms in no less than 136 diiFerent species of the class mammalia alone, for such is the number in which Mr. Gulliver has already measured and examined the blood corpuscles. They had only been described in a few of the mammalia previously to the publication of his re- searches ; but as he promises to continue his observations, and Pro- fessor Wagner and M. Mandl, besides some other eminent physio- 126 Bibliographical Notices. logists, have been or still are engaged in a similar line of inquiry, we have good reason to hope that this interesting branch of compa- rative anatomy will soon receive much of the illustration of which it may be susceptible from the improved resources of modern science. Of the 136 species in which Mr. Gulliver has at present described the blood corpuscles in the class mammalia, the following table will exhibit at one view the number in each order. Quadrumana 31 Cheiroptera 1 Ferae 38 Marsupialia 6 Glires 19 Edentata 1 Pachydermata 9 Ruminantia 31 Total 136 1. Quadrumana. The corpuscles seem to differ but little from those of man. 2. Cheiroptera. In the bat the average diameter of the particles is about :^V(jth of an inch, a very common size it seems of the cor- puscles among the mammiferous animals generally. 3. Ferce. The average-sized corpuscles of this order appear to be generally between j oVc*^ ^^^ Wo o*^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^° diameter. In the seal and dog they are a little larger ; and in the Javanese Ichneumon they seem to be as small as in any of the carnivora. In the larger species of the genus Felis, as the lion, tiger, and puma, the blood particles are very nearly alike in all respects ; and the corpuscles in the smaller species, as the cat, serval, &c. are much of the same diameter, the blood disks in the cat being very slightly smaller than those of the tiger. 4. Marsupialia. The blood corpuscles in the interesting animals of this order presented nothing peculiar. The average diameter ap- pears to be between :3, jVo^^ ^^^ ^^jVo^^ °^ ^^ inch. 5. Glires. The common-sized corpuscles appear to be compre- hended between ^j^jo^^ ^^^ TzV^^^ o^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ diameter. Of the nineteen species examined nothing remarkable was seen in the blood particles, except some of very small size, though of regular form, in certain species of the genus Sciurus. These little disks Mr. Gulliver thinks deserving of further attention. 6. Edentata. In the weasel- headed armadillo the blood corpuscles presented nothing unusual ; their most common diameter was from ^^th to 52-Voth o^ an inch. Bibliographical Notices, 127 7. Pachydermata. In the elephant the average- sized corpuscles appear to be gyW*^ ^^ ^'^ i'^^^ i^ diameter, which is larger than any at present known in the mammalia. But to show how little re- lation there is between the size of the animal and that of its blood disks, the author mentions that they are smaller in the horse than in the mouse ; and suggests that those who have the opportunity should examine the blood of the larger Cetacea, — a hint which we hope will not be lost to zoologists residing near the sea coast either at home or in the colonies. In the rhinoceros the blood corpuscles appear to be about ^Vo*^^ °^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ diameter, and they are of much the same size in the pig and in the peccary. 8. Ruminantia, It is in this order that the most novel and inter- esting results were obtained. The blood corpuscles of the goat were the smallest known to physiologists before the publication of the author's observations ; but in the genus Moschus, as it appears from his examination of the blood of the Napu musk deer (see Dub- lin Medical Press, Nov. 183.9, and Annals of Natural History, Dec. 1839), the particles are singularly minute and yet very regular in size and definite in form. He fixes their most common diameter at TT^o 0^^ of an inch. In the Vicugna and Guanaco he shows that the blood disks have a very distinct oval shape, as M. Mandl had pre- viously observed in the dromedary and paco. In Reeves's Muntjac and some other species of the genus Cervus, besides many of the common circular disks, the author announces the existence of certain oblong corpuscles of very peculiar appearance and forms, generally lunated or crescentic, with acutely pointed ends, but altogether sin- gularly variable in shape. Genera et Species Staphylinorum Insectorum Coleopterorum families. Auctore Guil. F. Erichson, &c. &c. Pars prior, accedunt tab. sen. 3. pp. 400. 8vo. Berol. 1839. The above is the title of an elaborate work executed by Dr. Erich- son upon the obscure family of the Staphylini. We much rejoice that this difficult task has fallen into such able hands, the careful ac- curacy of his previous works being a sure guarantee for the successful accomplishment of the present. Since the publication of the mono- graphs of Gravenhorst at the commencement of this century, the most extensive discussion of the family is the abridgement of Mr. Kirby's incorporated by Mr. Stephens in his ' Illustrations of British Entomology,' and we much regret to observe that Dr. Erichson should not have sufficiently controlled national prejudices to do jus- tice to his British fellow-labourers, who notwithstanding the many imperfections of their work, certainly deserve more attention than 128 Bibliographical Notices. Dr. E. has chosen to bestow upon them. The consequence of this will be that very many of the names that Dr. E. has imposed must upon the further elaboration of the family fall into synonyms by those very laws of priority to which in some of his preceding works he has so inflexibly adhered by restoring Fabrician names, upon his consultation of the Fabrician cabinet, to insects which had been re- named subsequently by others owing to the imperfection of the ori- ginal Fabrician diagnostics. This manifestly evinces very unscientific caprice ; for surely the characters in Stephens's work are never less characteristic than those in Fabricius, and he therefore has an equal claim to the priority which his date of publication gives him. But time and common justice will set this affair to rights. We cannot here go into a detailed examination of the work before us. It will suffice to observe that a second part is to complete it, which was promised to have been published ere this, — and that it embraces all the Staphylini, exotic as well as European. The generic and specific characters are very carefully drawn, and the former aided by figures of the trophi, and in a few instances of the insects themselves. The work as far as yet published comprises an introductory generaliza- tion upon their natural characters, affinities, externdl structure, in- ternal structure, metamorphoses, habits of life, geographical distri- bution, history of their systematic arrangement, and this is followed by the author's distribution into eleven tribes, viz. 1 . Aleocharini ; 2. Tachyporini ; 3. Staphylinini ; 4. Paederini ; 5. Pinophilini ; 6. Stenini; 7. Oxytelini ; 8. Piestini ; 9. Phlseocharini ; 10. Omalini ; 11. Proteinini. A tabulation follows of the genera comprised in these tribes, and this is succeeded by the body of the work, and the por- tion now published includes the first two tribes and a part of the third : on its completion we shall enter more into detail upon the subject. The Petrified Insects of Solenhofen, described by Professor Germar of Halle, with Three Lithographic Plates, In the Nova Acta Physico- Medica Academiae Caes. Leopol. Carol. Naturae Curiosorum. Vol. XIX. Pt. I. The learned Professor, whose labours in entomology the lovers of sound science can well appreciate, gives us here an account of 18 insects discovered in the limestone formation of Solenhofen. He had previously described 25 from the lignite of Rod and Arzberg in the Seven Mountains on the Rhine and of Bayreuth. The paper is accompanied by twenty lithographic figures, which greatly assist the descriptions, and indeed without which the latter would be al- Bibliographical Notices. 129 most useless. We should much like, for the sake of our geological as well as entomological readers, to give a translation of his prefatory- observations, which contain a synopsis of all that is yet known of fossil entomology, and also many useful observations directing us in the determination of the existence of insects without their actual presence ; and in methods for facilitating the discovery of collateral evidence of the same fact : to this however we may possibly return, as it is a subject replete with interest. The application of trivial names to such mutilated remains is a vain and hopeless endeavour to enlarge our knowledge of species, and can scarcely answer any end, especially when we reflect what nice discrimination is frequently required to determine recent species, in the best state of preservation ; and in a fossil state the same individual species, from the variety of states of preservation in which it may come down to us, would be thus propagated into as many species, from their presenting no tan- gible means of identification. All therefore that we can reasonably hope for in fossil entomology is a knowledge of the genera peculiar to certain geological formations and their contemporaneous zoology and botany. Of course it will be understood that we exclude from this sweeping condemnation insects preserved in amber and copal, in which substances they usually retain their pristine perfection. We must however be thankful that this uninviting task has fallen into hands which can enliven with great interest a subject apparently so barren. Transactions of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club. The unassuming Transactions of this locally useful Club, printed for private circulation among its members and their friends, has been kindly forwarded to us. The exertions of the Club are continued, and we now have the result of their labours during 1839, commencing with the Annual Address of the President, the Rev. T. Knight, Vicar of Ford. — Next a " Notice regarding the Cessation of the Flow of the river Teviot" on 27th Nov. 1838 ; by Dr. Douglas of Kelso : which proves that it was occasioned by accumulation of ice. — " On the effects produced on Animal and Vegetable Life by the Winter of 1838 ;" by P. J. Selby, Esq. of Twizel House : a Paper very in- teresting to compare with the season in other parts of Britain and Ireland. — " Meteorological Observations made at the Abbey St. Ba- thon*s, Berwickshire." — " On the Metamorphosis of Balanus punc- tatus of Montague;" by the Rev. T. Riddel, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. — " A description of the Cephalopoda which inhabit the coast of Berwickshire ;" by Dr. Johnston. — " On the Nests of the Fifteen-spined Stickleback, or Gasterosteus spinachia of Linnaeus." — . 130 Linncean Society, " Notice of a curious Aquatic Larva found in a water-jug at Twizel ;** by P. J. Selby, Esq. — " Case of Andrew Mitchel, aged 10 years, from whose nose Larvae of a coleopterous Insect were discharged." — " Notice of the Myliohates Aquila of Cuvier, or Eagle Ray of Yarrell;" by Dr. Johnston : a specimen has been taken in Berwick Bay. — " Contributions to the Flora of Berwickshire ;" by Mr. James Hardy. We have been much interested by the narratives of the periodical excursions of the Members of the Club. They present to our view a most delightful means of instructive intercourse and pleasing re- creation, in which we see the clergy and members of the medical profession assisting their neighbours in the promotion of a love for the study of nature, and joining them in the investigation of the di- stricts in which it is their lot to reside. The example is well worthy of imitation. PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. LINN^AN SOCIETY. Feb. 18. — The Lord Bishop of Norwich, President, in the Chair. Mr. George T. Fox, F.L.S., exhibited a specimen of the Phryno- soma cornutum {Agama cornuta of Harlan) from Texas. Mr. Cameron, A.L.S., presented a specimen of a new fern (Cibo- tium Baromez, J. Sm.) which has lately borne fructification, for the first time in this country, in the garden of the Birmingham Horti- cultural Society. A description of the plant by Mr. Westcott ac- companied the specimen. The fern has been cultivated for some years in the gardens as the Agnus Scythicus or Vegetable Lamb (Polypodium Baromez, Linn.), but whether identical with the plant of Linnaeus is a question still undetermined, as there happens to be no specimen in his herbarium, and the description alone is too meagre to settle the point. Mr. Westcott is however in possession of a spe- cimen of a fern collected in Mexico by Mr. Ross, which closely re- sembles the plant of the gardens, and should they prove to be iden- tical, all doubt will be removed as to the claims of the present plant to be regarded as the Baromez of liinnaeus, which is a native of China. The following is Mr. Westcott's description of the species : Rhizoma densely clothed with yellow woolly articulated hairs. Stipes about 7 feet high, roundish, of a dark reddish brown colour, more or less covered with tufts of woolly hairs near the base, naked for about half its height : upper part flexuous from the point where the pinnae commence. Frond bipinnate ; pinna alternate, ovate-lan- ceolate, acuminate, smooth, under surface glaucous, upper surface Linncean Society. '"* 131 dark green ; those pinnae bearing the sori curved, the barren pinnse straight ; pinnula pinnatifid, alternate, linear -lanceolate, acuminate ; upper ones decurrent ; lower ones shortly petiolate ; lobes oblong, sharply serrated, more or less truncated, acute ; margins somewhat revolute, lobes in the upper row of each pinnula somewhat larger than those of the lower row, and those nearest to the rachis in the upper row the largest of all. Venation in the barren pinnae branched, in the fertile pinnae simple ; veins alternate. Indusia pouch-like, coriaceous sessile, situate on the apex of a vein at the margin, and near the base of the lobe of the pinnula : dehiscence by a transverse slit near the apex ; outer valve white, inner valve brown, and form- ing a persistent operculum or lid. Thecce roundish, stipitate, half surrounded by an articulated ring, Sporules numerous, angular. Read, " Observations on a certain Crystalline Matter found on the recently cut surfaces of the Wood of the Red Cedar." By Edwin J. Quekett, Esq., F.L.S. Mr. Quekett remarked, that on the recently cut surfaces of the wood of the Red Cedar {Juniperus virginiana) a crystalline matter is observed to form, which puts on the appearance of a mouldiness, but which, when viewed with a magnifying glass, is seen to consist of innumerable extremely minute crystals of an acicular form. The substance was observed to form on the duramen or heart wood only, and not universally, but in patches. It is easily volatilized by heat, and gives out the well-known odour of the wood. Mr. Quekett showed that the duramen of the red cedar contains an abundance of a concrete volatile oil, on which the peculiar odour depends, and that the crystalline substance is a compound formed between the air and the oil, for when the latter was obtained from the wood, and ex- posed to the action of the air, it was soon also found to be covered with the same acicular crystals. This substance, which possesses many of the properties of benzoic acid, Mr. Quekett considers new, and he proposed for it the name of Cedarine. March 3. — Mr. Brown, V.P., in the Chair. Mr. Ward, F.L.S., exhibited a specimen of the Agnus Scythicus, or Vegetable Lamb, from the collection of the Apothecaries' Com- pany. Read, " A Note on the Fern known as Aspidium Baromez." By Mr. John Smith, A.L.S. This plant, of which a description by Mr. Westcott was read at the preceding Meeting, and of which an abstract has been given^ was shown by Mr. Smith to be a legitimate species of the genus A 32 Linncean Society, Cibotium, with which it agrees in the venation of its frond, the dis- position of its sori, and in the structure and texture of its indusium. March 17.— Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair. Addresses of congratulation to Her Majesty and to His Royal Highness Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, on occasion of Her Majesty's marriage, were read from the Chair, and unanimously adopted by the Meeting. Read " On some new Brazilian Plants allied to the Natural Order Burmanniaceiis obiusioribus, capsule 6-costati apice dehiscenti. — Guiana. CYMBOCARPA. Perianthium tubulosum, ovario adnatum, supern^ liberum : limbo 6-fido, laciniis tribus alternis minoribus. Stamina omnino Dictyostegce. Stylus simplex. Stigmata 3-loba, lobis gibboso-rotundatis, cornubus 2 subulatis erectis instructis. Ovarium gibboso-3-gonum, 1-loculare, placentis 3 parietalibus. Capsula 1-locularis, latere unico angulo su- periore tantum dehiscens. Semina scobiformia, numerosissima, testa reticulata nucleo vix excedente. Plantae (brasilienses) rkizocarpece, radice fbrosd. Caulis simplex, sub- flexuosus, erectus, albescens. Folia sessilia, bracteiformia, erecta, aut adpressa. Inflorescentia dichotome spicata, paucifiora, floribus fla- vescenti-albidis, basi bracteatis, cum pedicellis brevissimis summo abrupte declinatis geniculatis. 1. Cymbocarpa refracta. — Monte Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro. 134 Linnaean Society. STEMOPTERA. Perianthium ovario adnatum, supra Hberum, subinfundibuliforme : fauce turgida sacculis 3 interioribus auct& : limbo 6-partito, laciniis acutis, aestivatione marginibus induplicatis, 3 alternis brevioribus. Stamina 3, fauci adnata : Jilamentis complanatis, e margine sacculorum orienti' bus bifurcatis, ramulo singulo antherifero alato. Ovarium turbinatum, 1-loculare, placentis 3 parietalibus. .S^^/ms longitudine staminum. Stig- mata 3, recurvata, apice glandulifera. Capsula 1-locularis, polysperma, subtrivalvis, apice 3-fisso dehiscens. Placenta 3, parietales. Semina numerosissima, scobiformia, test4 iiucleo vix excedente, reticulata, are- olis elongatis obliqu^ dispositis. Plantae (brasilienses) rhizocarpecBy radice Jibrosd. Caulis erectus, snhdi- chotome ramosus, ramis subflexuosis, pallidis, subpurpurascet/libus. Fo- lia pauca, sessilia, erecta, bracteiformia, pallida. Inflorescentia fermi- nalis, uniflora. Flores cceteris majores, ebracteati, purpurascentes, Ap- terioe Nutt. hand absimiles, 1 . Stemoptera lilacina. — In uliginosis ad Serra dos Orgaos Prov. Rio de Janeiro. All the species are described at length in the paper, and their cha- racters are further illustrated by drawings, with details of the parts of fructification. The author remarks that upon the same principle that Apostasiacea have been separated from OrchidecB, and Xyridecd from Restiacea, these plants ought to constitute an order distinct from Burmanniacene ; but the difference between the unilocular cap- sule with parietal placentation and the trilocular capsule with axile placentation, which at first sight seems to offer a wide and well- founded distinction, appears of less value when we consider that the extensive order Gentianece presents similar differences, toge- ther with every possible gradation of transition from one extreme to the other. He therefore inclines to the view of preserving all within the natural order Burmanniacea, dividing it into two sub- families, viz. 1. Burmanniece, which will contain only the single genus Burmannia (and perhaps the Gonyanlhes of Blume may be found to belong also to this section) ; 2. Dictyostegea, com- prising Dictyostega, Cymbocarpa, Stemoptera, Apteria, Gonyanthes, and Gymnosiphon. He then proceeds to show the close affinity which Burmanniacece bear to Orchide^e, which often also present nearly a naked stem, with imperfectly developed leaves, and instances are moreover known in which they exhibit three distinct stamens and three stigmata : they have also an unilocular ovarium, with parietal placentation ; there exists also a close resemblance in the structure of the walls of the capsule, and there is hardly any difference in the Linncean Society, 135 shape and structure of the seeds of Dictyostega and some species of Pleurothallis, which have both a transparent reticulated testa, show- ing distinctly the included nucleus suspended from the apex. The pollen of these plants also bears much resemblance to that of Or- chidece, in being inclosed in a peculiar anther-case, and consisting of coarse grains cohering in waxy masses. Dictyostega orobanchioides also offers a beautiful illustration of the emission of pollen tubes, which are seen penetrating the stigmata in crowded bundles of cot- tony filaments, each thread being clavately terminated by its respec- tive grain of pollen. There was also read a paper, entitled, " On the existence of Spiral Cells in the Seeds of Acanthacece." By Mr. Richard Kippist. Com- municated by Prof. Don, Libr. L.S. After briefly enumerating the other natural families in whose seeds spiral cells had been previously observed, the author proceeds to de- scribe those of a plant brought from Upper Egypt by Mr. Holroyd {Acanthodium spicatum, Delile), whose peculiar appearance when placed under the microscope, first led him to examine those of other Acanthacece, in which family the existence of spiral cells had not be- fore been noticed. The entire surface of the seed in Acanthodium is covered with whitish hairs, which are appressed, and adhere closely to it in the dry state, being apparently glued together at their ex- tremities. On being placed in water, these hairs are set free, and spread out on all sides, they are then seen to be clusters of from five to twenty spiral cells, which adhere firmly together in their lower portions while their upper parts are free, separating from the cluster at different heights, and expanding in all directions like plumes, forming a very beautiful microscopic object. The free portions of the cells readily unroll, exhibiting the spire formed of one, two, or occa- sionally of three fibres, which may sometimes be seen to branch, and not unfrequently break up into rings. Throughout the whole length of the cell the coils are nearly contiguous ; in the lower part they are united by connecting fibrils, aiid towards the base of the adherent portion become completely reticulated. The testa is a semitrans- parent membrane formed of nearly regular hexagonal cells, whose centre is occupied by an opake mafes of grumous matter. Those cells which surround the bases of the hairs are considerably elon- gated, and, gradually tapering into transparent tubes, appear to oc- cupy the interior of the spiral clusters. Some of these appearances were noticed by Delile, who described the Acanthodium in the splendid work on Egypt, published by the French Institute, where also a slightly magnified figure of the seed will be found, but with- 136 Thveedside Physical and Antiquarian Society, out representing the spiral cells, which Delile does not appear to have detected. Two species of Blepharii are mentioned as possessing a structure very similar to that of Acanthodium spicatum, differing chiefly in the smaller and more uniform diameter of the spiral cells, and in their thicker fibre, which is always single and loosely coiled. The seed of Ruellia formosa on being placed in water develops from every part of its surface single short thick tapering tubes, within which in some case a spiral fibre is loosely coiled ; whilst in others the place of the spiral fibre is supplied by distant rings. In the seeds of Ruellia littoralis, Phaylopsis glutinosa, and Barleria noctifiora, the whole surface becomes covered with separate tubes, very similar in form, but destitute of spiral fibre, and terminating in a minute pore, from which streams of mucilage are discharged. Those of several species of Barleria, Lepidagathis, &c. are entirely covered with long tapering simple hairs, which expand in water, and like the rest are enveloped in a thick coat of mucilage. In all the foregoing species the hairs occupy the entire surface of the seed, and are usually directed towards its apex, though they occur often most abundantly at the edges ; in others they are only found attached to a marginal ring of a different texture from the rest of the seed. This is the case in Strohilanthus lupuUna. The seeds of many plants of this family are wholly destitute both of spiral cells or of any other appendages possessing hygroscopic proper- ties, such for example as Acanthus mollis and ilicif alius, Dipteracan- thus erectus, Blechum Brownii, &c., Ruellia secunda, and several spe- cies of Justicia and Eranthemum. TWEEDSIDE PHYSICAL AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. A Quarterly Meeting of the Tweedside Physical and Antiquarian Society was held at the apartments of the Institution, Kelso, Feb. 1 7th, when Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, Bart., the Society's Presi- dent, occupied the chair. The attendance of Members was more than usually numerous. The donations which were announced as having been received by the Society, during the interval which had elapsed since the last Quarterly Meeting, were numerous, and many of them interesting and valuable. Among those in the department of Botany and Zoology, were a collection of British insects, of the orders Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, amounting to several hundred species, systematically arranged, being the first instalment of a general collection, illustrative of the ento- Ch'kney Natural History Society. 137 mology of Great Britain, from Prideaux John Selby, Esq. of Twizell. From Mr. Plummer Johnston, Sprouston. — 1st, specimen of Fe- male Pintail Duck {Anas acuta) ; 2nd, Ditto, of Female Oyster- Catcher (H^«ma^ojOM5 Ostralegus). From Mr. John Rutherford, Kelso. — Specimen of Common Bunt- ing (Emberiza miliaria). From Mr. Wilkie of Ladythorne. — Twenty-two skins of foreign birds, of beautiful plumage. From Mr. Murray, Corsbie. — White variety of Common Rook. Other specimens of birds, &c. for preservation, were also received from Mr. Eliott Lockhart of Borthwickbrae, Mr. Wilkie of Lady- thorne, Mr. D. M'Dougall, Cessford, &c. &c. From Miss Makdovigall, Makerstoun. — Specimens of a species of Pinna from Australia. From Dr. William Scott, Milsington. — Various skins of birds, &c. from Hindostan. The splendid contributions by Mr. Selby to the entomological col- lection of the Institution were also much admired, and warmly ac- knoM'ledged by the Members present. Dr. F. Douglas read to the Meeting a letter from Mr. Selby, con- taining the outline of a plan for sending abroad an experienced natu- ralist, with the view of making collections in the different depart- ments of Natural History, to be afterwards transmitted to this coun- try, and divided among a certain number of subscribers, who are to bear the expenses of the expedition ; and requesting the Society to join as one of the partners in the undertaking. The Meeting felt compelled to decline this proposal, on the plea of its being attended with an expense too heavy for the present state of the Society's funds, which, besides, they considered as properly devoted to ob- jects of a local nature merely ; upon which. Sir Thomas Brisbane, with that zeal for science by which he has always been characterized, declared his wish to become a subscriber to the scheme in behalf of the Society, to the Museum of which he would cause to be handed over such objects as might be obtained. The Meeting acknowledged, in the warmest manner, this new proof of the liberality of their Pre- sident ; and Dr. F. Douglas was desired to communicate with Mr. Selby on the subject. ORKNEY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. From accidental causes we have only just received the first An- nual Report of this Society (instituted on the 28th of Dec. 1837), Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 29. April ISiO. l 138 Orkney Natural History Society, which we consider as of great interest, both as showing that the in- habitants of that far distant part of the United Kingdom are deter- mined not to be behind their more favoured countrymen of the south; and also as being the first instance that has come under our notice of a Society for the pursuit of science being so constituted as to ad- mit to membership individuals belonging to the poorer classes of so- ciety. It will be seen by the laws of the Society, extracts from which we subjoin, that the annual subscription is fixed at the very small sum of two shillings, and yet the committee are able to state, at the end of the first year of the Society's existence, that " the funds, so far from being embarrassed, have more than met the numerous out- lays." Amongst the laws of the Society are the following ; •• 1. The Society shall be designated * The Orkney Natural History Society' and shall have for its object the promoting of natural sci- ence by the support of a museum, and by any other means in its power. ** 2. The property of the Society shall be inalienable. '* 3. The ordinary Members of the Society shall pay the sum of two shillings sterling annually. *' 4. The general meetings of the Society shall be held quarterly, viz. on the third Tuesday in January, April, July, and October, the chair to be taken at 1 o'clock, p.m. ; and that of January to be the anniversary, when the office-bearers shall be elected. ** 7. Gentlemen friendly to the institution may be elected Corre- sponding Members, and such as are eminent for science may be elected Honorary Members of the Society." The objects that they have in view are stated in the first sentence of the report in the following terms : — " The Orkney Natural History Society was instituted for the twofold object of investigating the Natural History and Antiquities of the county, and of stimulating the inhabitants of these islands to the study of the Almighty's works ;" and the progress which they have made in one year is stated as fol- lows : — In geology there are now in the museum above 500 speci- mens from Upper Canada, Norway, France, Italy, and the British Isles. The Orkney specimens include about 100 fossil fish. The specimens in mineralogy amount to 400. There are about 60 specimens of birds and 200 eggs. The collection of land plants already consists of upwards of 600 specimens, and the collection of Algse, for obtaining which there is not a better place in Britain than these islands, is " truly excellent." The Society possesses se- veral most ardent cultivators of marine botany, amongst whom may Zoological Society. 139 be mentioned the Rev. Charles Clouson, Dr. PoUexfen, Miss Watt of Skaill, and Mrs. Traill of Woodwick. It is interesting to find, that the study of the Algse, which has been so highly honoured by numbering among its most successful cultivators a Mrs. Griffiths and a Miss Hill, still continues to be a favourite pursuit with our fair countrywomen. The Museum also contains about 100 species of shells, and nume- rous antiquarian and miscellaneous objects of interest. The number of ordinary members in January 1839 was 118. We trust that such an instance of what may be done by enlisting the poorer classes of society in the support of institutions of this character will not be without its \ise, but that the inhabitants of the towns of England will do for their poorer neighbours that which has been already done with such distinguished success by the clergy and other influential persons in the distant and stormy Orcades. We may add that the address of the Secretary of the Society is the Rev. W. Stobbs, Stromness, Orkney. MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. March 18, 1840.— Mr. Owen in the Chair. A paper was read by Mr. Edwards " On the Structure and Affi- nities of the Bacillarice of Ehrenberg." After commenting on the Polygastric characters of these animalcules, the indestructible nature of their siliceous coverings, and their mode of reproduction by spon- taneous division, the author proceeded to discuss the merits of those views, which have claimed for the Bacillarice, on the one hand a place in the vegetable, and on the other a position in the animal kingdom. The mixed nature of the phsenomena exhibited by these animalcules, which has also led some naturalists to consider them as in one stage of their existence animals, and in another vege- tables, furnish, according to the author, sufficient grounds for consi- dering the Bacillarice as an osculant group, uniting the two great kingdoms of nature. An interesting discussion followed on this sub- ject, in which Dr. Lindley, Messrs. Quekett, Varley, the President, and other Members took a part. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. October 8, 1839 The Rev. F. W. Hope in the Chair. The following letter, addressed to the Chairman of the Scientific Committee by John Gould, Esq., Corresponding Member, was read ; it is dated Van Diemen's Land, May 10th, 1839: — " Although my present occupations will not permit me to send a L 2 140 Zooloyical Society. lengthened communication, still, as a Corresponding Member of the Zoological Society, I am desirous of contributing to the pages of its proceedings ; I therefore forward herewith the characters of some new species of birds, together with a very slight summary of my peregrinations since leaving England, trusting to lay before you at some future period a more full account of the results of my labours. The greater number of the birds from which the following characters are taken are from the collection made by the officers of Her Ma- jesty's ship the Beagle. To Captain Wickham and the other officers of that vessel I am indebted for much kindness and attention. By the exertions of Mr. Bynoe, surgeon of the Beagle, science has been enriched, not only by the discovery of these new species of birds, but of several others, and some quadrupeds of a most interesting de- scription, the whole of which have been placed in my hands for the purpose of describing, figuring, &c. " It is now twelve months since I left England. The early part of the passage was boisterous and adverse, our ship being detained eleven days in the Bay of Biscay, during which period numbers of land-birds, all of European species, constantly visited the vessel ; but as no great interest attaches itself to their chance occurrence, I shall confine my observations more particularly to those species that make the expansive ocean their home, and whose natural limits have been but slightly recorded. The members of the genus Thalassidroma were the birds to which my especial attention was directed, from the circumstance of the group being but slightly understood, and from the great interest these little tenants of the ocean excite in the mind of the voyager. Immediately off" the Land's End, Wilson's Storm- Petrel ( Thalassidroma Wilsoni) was seen in abundance, and con- tinued to accompany the ship throughout the Bay. The little Storm- Petrel {Thalassidroma pelagica^ Selby) was also seen, but in far les^ numbers : both species disappeared on approaching the latitude of Madeira, their place there being occupied by another species, which I took to be Thai, Bulweri. This latitude was also favourable to the Shearwaters, Pifffinus cinereus, and Puff, obscurus, the former being there in great numbers, " Wo came to anchor in the roadstead of Santa Cruz, Island of Teneriffe, on the 1 1th of June. During our short stay at this island, I proceeded as far into the interior as circumstances would permit, and spent a part of two days most delightfully. Among the birds I observed during my rambles were the Common Blackbird {Merula vulgaris, Ray)? the liobin {Uryihaca i-ubecula. Swains.), and the Black-cap Warbler ( Cwrrwm atiicapilla^ Bechst.), — a more southern Zoological Society. 141 locality, I believe, than has been hitherto recorded against these spe- cies. The fishes of this island also claimed a portion of my atten- tion, several species of which I procured and preserved. " We crossed the equator on the 7th of July, having been more than twenty days within the tropics, part of which time our vessel lay- becalmed. This portion of the ocean's surface was also inhabited by Storm-Petrels, but of a distinct species from any I had hitherto ob- served, and which I believe to be new to science. These birds, with now and then a solitary Rhynchops and Frigate Bird (^Tachypctes)^ were all of the feathered race that I observed in these heated lati- tudes, a part of the voyage which always hangs heavily upon those destined to visit these distant regions ; by me, however, it was not so much felt, the monotony being relieved by the occasional occur- rence of a whale, whose huge body rolled lazily by ; by a shoal of porpoises, who sometimes perform most amusing evolutions, throw- ing themselves completely Out of the water, or gliding through it with astonishing velocity ; or by the occasional flight of the beautiful Flying Fish, when endeavouring to escape from the impetuous rush of the Bonito or Albacore. " On the 20th of July we reached the 26th degree of south lati- tude, and were visited for the first time by the Cape-Petrel {Procel- laria Capensis of authors). On the 23rd, lat. Sl° 10' S., long. 24° W., we found ourselves in seas literally teeming with the feathered race. Independently of an abundance of Cape-Petrels, two other species and three kinds of Albatrosses were observed around us. The latter were Diomedea exulans^ D, chlororhyncha, and D.fuli' ginosa. A few days after this we commenced running down our longitude, and from this time until we reached the shores of Van Diemen's Land, several species of this family (^ProcellaridcB) were daily in company with the ship. Whenever a favourable opportunity offered. Captain McKellar obligingly allowed me the use of a boat, and by this means enabled me to collect nearly all the species of this interesting family that we fell in with. " As I had every reason to expect, I found the Australian seas inhabited by their own peculiar Storm-Petrels { TJialassidroma), four distinct species of which I have already observed since leaving the Cape. " From the westerly winds which prevail in the southern hemi- sphere, between the latitudes 35° and 55°^ I am induced to believe that a perpetual migration is carried on by several of the members of this oceanic family continually passing from west to east, and cir- cumnavigating this poiiion of the globe. This remark more par- 142 Zoological Society, ticularly refers to the Albatrosses, Prions, and other large kinds of Petrels ; the same individuals of several of these species having been observed to follow our ship for some thousands of miles. Until I had ascertained that they were nocturnal, it was a matter of surprise to me how the birds which were seen around the vessel at nightfall were to be observed crossing our wake at daybreak on the following morning, the ship having frequently run a distance of nearly 100 miles during the night. " In conclusion, I may observe, that whatever success I have met with on the ocean, or whatever pleasures I may have enjoyed during the voyage, the country to which we were safely conveyed by our frail bark (now lying a wreck on the Trowbridge Shoal, Spencer's Gulf) has still greater treasures. " During the eight months spent in these regions, six have been devoted to Van Diemen's Land and the islands in Bass's Straits, where I have made extensive and most interesting collections. In- dependently of the skins of birds and quadrupeds, skeletons of all the forms, together with entire bodies for dissection, have been pro- cured, as also the nests and eggs of nearly seventy species of birds from Van Diemen's Land alone. The short visit I have paid to the continent of Australia has convinced me that much of interest there remains buried in obscurity, and that I shall there find much to oc- cupy my attention when I fairly commence my researches in that country. The drought this season has been most distressing to the colonists. The Liverpool range was the furthest journey T made into the interior. While there I procured several specimens of the Me- nura superha ; three of these I have entire for Mr. Owen to dissect ; I have also the skeletons of two others, besides skins, &c. The only remark I shall now offer respecting this truly interesting bird is, that it has no relationship whatever to the GallinacecBy as has hitherto been considered. " My assistant is now at Swan River, and I start for South Au- stralia tomorrow ; after which I proceed to Sydney ; thence into the interior*. I intend going to Moreton Bay and New Zealand before my return, and if I can accomplish it, to Port Essington and other parts of the north. " I am happy to add, that in the execution of my researches the governors of the different colonies lend me their aid most willingly ; and I shall ever be proud to acknowledge the unremitting kindness of Sir John Franklin, whose goodness of heart is only equalled by his zealous attention to the duties of his high official station." * See Letter dated September 1839, p. 116 of our present Number. Zoological Society. 143 Mr. Gould's descriptions of the new Australian birds referred to in the letter were next read. Cypselus australis. Cyp. gutture et uropygio alb'is ; corpore superne et subtus intense fusco ; dorso metallice splendente ; plumis pectoris abdominisque albo marginatis ; alls cauddque ni- grescentibus ; rostro^ oculis, et pedibus nigris. Long. tot. 6^ poll. ; rostri, J ; alcB, 7^ ; caudcB, 3^ ; tarsi, ^. This species is about the size of Cypselus murarius : I first met with it on the 8th of March, 1839. They were in considerable abundance, but flying very high. I succeedod in killing one, which was immediately pronounced by Mr. Coxen and others to be new to the colony. On the 22nd I again saw a number of these birds hawk- ing over a piece of cleared land at Yarrondi, on the Upper Hunter : upon this occasion I obtained six specimens, but have not met with it since. PoDARGUS PHALiENOiDES. Pod. ciuereo, fuscoque ornatus, lined nigra centrali per plumas singulas excurrente ; scapularibus ^ tectricibusque majoribus castaneo spar sis ; primariis fuscis, albo anguste fasciatis ; caudd cuneiformi, nigro anguste fasciatd ; rostro fusee scenti-corneo ; pedibus olivaceis. Long. tot. 14 J poll. ; rostri, 2 J ; alee, 8^ ; caudoe, 6^ ; tarsiy 1. Hah. The north-west coast of Australia. This bird is smaller than any other species of the genus yet dis- covered in Australia. From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. Graucalus Phasianellus. Grauc. cinereus ; uropygio abdo' mineque albis, anguste nigro-fasciatis ; crisso albo ; alis can- ddque nigris, hdc ad basin alba; rostro tarsisque nigris. Long. tot. 15 poll.; rostri, IJ ; alee, 8 J ; caudce, 8 ; tarsi, If. Hah. Liverpool Plains. From the collection of Stephen Coxen, Esq. Pachycephala LanioYdes. Pack, vertice, plumis auricularibus et pectore nigris ; dorso poster tore fascia castaned ornato ; gut- ture, abdomine medio, crissoque albis ; dorso, lateribus, humeris, necnon primariis secundariis tectricibusque, externe, cinereis ; caudd, rostro, pedibusque nigris. Long. tot. 7^ poll.; rostri, 1 ; alee, 3 J ; caudce, 3;J ; tarsi, 1. Hab. The north-west coast of Australia. From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. Petroica rosea. Pet. (nias) vertice, guld, corporeque superne cinereis ; fronte fascia angustd alba notato ; pectore rosaceo ; ab- domine, crissoque, albis; alis, Tectricibusque caudce sex inler- mediis nigrescentibus ; rectricibus externis ad apicem albis ; ros- tro pedibusque nigrescentibus. Fcem., fascia frontali luted; corpore supra cinereo-fusco ; alis, fasciis, secundariis fasciis duabus luteis, obscure notatis ; caudd fused. Long. tot. 4^ ; rostri, ^ ; alee, 2| ; caudce, 2^ ; tarsiy J. Hab. Hunter, and the Liverpool Range. 144 Zoological Society, This species is nearly allied to Petroica Lathami. It inhabits thick brushes. I killed specimens both on the Hunter River and the Liverpool Range. Petroica pulchella. Pet. nigra, fronte notdqiie kmnerali al- bis ; pectoi'e ahdomineque coccineis ; rostro nigro ; pedibusfuscis. Long. tot. 5 poll. ; rostri, | ; ate, | ; caudce^ 2J ; tarsi, 1 . Hab. Norfolk Island. Malurus cruentatus. Mai. (mas) dorso, humerisque cocci- neis y partibus reliquis nigris. Fcem., pallide fusca, abdomine albescente ; rostro, tarsisque pallide fuscis. Long. tot. 4 poll. ; rostri, ^ ; alee, 1^ ; caudce, 1| ; tarsi, J. Hab. North-west coast of Australia. Pardalotus uropygialis. Pard. verttce et lined oculari nigris ; lined superciliari, pectore, et abdomine medio, albis ; guld, genis- que croceia ; uropygio sulphureo ; dorso cinerescenti-olivaceo ; alts nigris, primariis plurimis ad basin albo notatis ; aid supr^ ad apicem coccined ; caudd nigrd, plumis externis tribus ad apt- cem albis ; rostro nigro ; tarsis plumbeis. Long. tot. 3^ poll. ; roslri, J ; alee, 2^ ; caudce, 1 ; tarsi, |. Hab. North-west coast of Australia. From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. Amadina annulosa. Am. facie guldque albis, vittd nigra mar" ginatis ; pectore albescente, subtHs fascid nigrd marginato ; ver- tice dorsoque cinerescenti-fuscis, lineis albidis transversis, anguste notatis ; uropygio, crisso, cauddque nigris ; alis fuscis ; tectrici- bus, secundariisque cinereo crebre ornatis ; rostro pedibusque plumbeis. Long. tot. 4 poll. ; rostri, | ; al(B, 2 ; caudce, 2J ; tarsi, ^, Hab. North-west coast of Australia. This species is nearly allied to JSstrilda Bichenovii. From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. Amadina acuticauda. Am. vertice genisque cinereis ; corpore cervino ; abdomine roseo lavato ; loris, guld, fascia per uropy- gium currente, cauddque, nigris ; tectricibus caudce, crisso, et femoribus, albis ; rostro pedibusque flavis . Long. tot. 5 j poll. ; rostri, | ; alee, 2| ; caudce, 3 j ; tarsi, ^. Hab. North-west coast of Australia. This species has the two central tail-feathers very long and ta- pering. From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. Dasyornis striatus. Das.fuscus ; abdomine cinerescente ; plu- mis dorsalibus lined centrali albd notatis ; rostro jyedibusque ni- grescentibus. Long. tot. 6 J poll. ; rostri, | ; alee, 2| ; caudce, 3^ ; tarsi, 1 . Hab. Liverpool Plains, New South Wales. This species is nearly allied to the Amytis textilis of Lesson. Myzantha flavigula. Myz. spatio pone oculos, fronte, gu- ldque Jlavis ; uropygio albo ; dorso cinereo, obscure albofasciato; Zoological Society. 145 loris, plumisque auricularibus, nigris ; gidd, gems, corporeque subtiiSj alh'is , pectore notis fuscis in formd sagittce ornato ; alts cauddque fuscis ; primariis externe, cauddque ad hasinjla- vcscentibus ; caudd ad apicem alhd ; rostro Jlavo ; pedibus Jlave- scenli-fuscis. Long. tot. 9| poll. ; rostri, 1 ; alcB, 5 J ; caudce, 5 ; tarsi, if^. Hah. Banks of the Namoi, interior of New South Wales. This species is rather larger than Myzantha garrula, to which, and M. citreola, it is closely allied. Myzantha lutea. M. cute nudd pone oculos, fronte, apic'ibus- que pliimarum ad latera colli, citreis ; loris nigro-fuscis ; plum'is auricularibus nigrescentibus splendore argenteis ; corpore supra cinereo, nucha dorsoque albo transversim fasciatis ; uropygio, tec- tricibus caudce, et corpore subtiii, albis ; guld, pectoreque cinereo lavatis, plumis singulis notd fused fasciatis ; alis fuscis plumis obscure citreo marginatis ; caudd fused ad ajncem alba ; rostro citreo ; pedibus Jlavescenti fuscis. Long. tot. lOj poll. ; alcB, 5 J ; caudcB, 5 J ; tarsi, l^. Hah. North-west coast of Australia, From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. Tropidorhynchus argenticeps. Trop. veriice argenteo, capi- tis partibus reliquis nudis, et nigrescentibus ; corpore subtHs albo ; pectoris plumis lanceolatis ; corpore supra cauddque fuscis ; ros- tro pedibusque nigrescenti-fuscis. Long. tot. 10^ poll. ; rostri, 1| ; alee, 5^ ; caudce, \\ ; tarsi, \^. Hah. North-west coast of Australia. From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. PoMATORHiNUs RUBECULUS. Fom. guld, strigdque superciliari albis : pectore, et abdomine superiore rufescentifuscis ; strigd a rostro, per oculos, ad occiput tendente nigrescenti fused ; vertice, dorso, ahdomineque imo intense fuscis, olivaceo-tinctis ; tectrici- hus caudce, crisso cauddque nigris, hdc ad apicem alba, rostro corneo ; pedibus nigrescentibus. Long. tot. 9^ poll. ; rostri, ] J ; alee, 4 ; caudce, 4f ; tarsi, l^. Hah. North-west coast of Australia. From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. Ptilotis flavescens. Pt. olivaceO'cinerea, capite corporeque subtus citreis ; notd ad latera capitis fused, et pone hanc allerd nitide flavd. Long. tot. 4^ poll. ; rostri, | ; alee, 2| ; caudce, 2^ ; tarsi, |. Hah. North-west coast of Australia. From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. Myzomela erythrocephala. Myz. intense fusca, capite, et uropygio, coccineis ; rostro pedibusque nigris. Long. tot. 4^ poll. ; rostri, j ; alec, 2^ ; caudce, 1| ; tarsi, |. Hah. North-west coast of Australia. From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. Sittella leucoptera. Slit, vertice, plumis auricularibus, neC" non alis, cauddque nigris, hdc ad apicem alba, illisjascid trans- 146 Miscellaneous, versd albd ornatis ; guldy tectricibus caudal corporeque subtiUs al- bis; dorso, cinerescenti^uscOf plumis ad medium Jusco notatis ; rostro ad basin pallidejlavo, ad apicem nigro, pedibus Jlavis. Long. tot. 4 poll. ; rostri, \^ ; alee, 3 ; caudce, 1^ ; tarsi, \^, Hab. North-west coast of Australia. From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. Hemipodius castanotus. Hem. capite, et pectore olivaceo- cinereisy plumis colore cervino notatis , illius ad apicem, hujus apud medium ; abdomine medio crissoque stramineis ; striga superci- liari, cauda, dorso et humeris, castaneis, dorsi, humerorumque plumis albo guttatis, singulis guttis antice nigro marginatis ; pri- mariisjuscisy cervino colore marginatis ; rostro pedibusque pal- lida Jlavis. Long. tot. 7 poll. ; rostri, J ; alee, 3^ ; tarsi, 1. Hab. North-west coast of Australia. From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq. Mr. Yarrell exhibited a small but perfect specimen of the Eagle Ray, Myliobatis aquila of British fishes, which had been found on the shore of Berwick Bay, and was sent to him from thence by Dr. George Johnston. " Particular interest attaches to this very rare specimen," observed Mr. Yarrell, " since it establishes the fact that this fish is a native species ; the only evidence which previously existed of the Eagle Ray being a British fish was founded on some parts of a specimen, believed to belong to this species, which were procured from a fish- erman of Scarborough by Mr. Travis, a surgeon in that place." A fresh specimen of the Angler-fish {Lophius piscatorius), pre- sented by John Goldham, Esq., was also exhibited. MISCELLANEOUS. HIRUNDO PURPUREA^ PURPLE MARTIN OF AMERICA, SHOT IN BRITAIN. In the seventeenth Number of Mr. Yarrell's British Birds, that ornithologist quotes a letter from Mr. Frederic McCoy of Dublin to the following efi^ect : " I beg to send you a notice of a bird new to the European Fauna which has lately occurred on our coast. It is the Hirundo purpurea, the Purple Martin'of American ornithologists. The specimen was a female, corresponding accurately with the de- scription of Wilson. It was shot near Kingston, county of Dublin, and sent for dissection to my friend Dr. Scauler a few hours after- wards. As it agrees perfectly with the description of authors, it will be unnecessary to describe the specimen, which is now preserved in the Museum of the Royal Dublin Society." — Yarrell's B. Birds, ii. p. 275. Miscellaneous, 147 NOTICE RESPECTING AMPHIPEPLEA GLVTINOSA, M. Troschel lately read an account before the Society Der Natur- forschender Freunde in Berlin, of the examination in which he had been engaged of Amphipeplea glutinosa, Nilss. {Limnaus* glutinosusy Drap.) recently found in the neighbourhood of Berlin. He had ac- curately examined the tongue and other mouth-parts, and found that from these, as well as from the structure of the mantle and nervous system recently described by M. Vanbeneben, it deserves to form a distinct genus, and to be separated from Limnceus and Fhysa. Am- phipeplea agrees with the former genus in the structure of the an- tennae, of the foot, and in the position of the respiratory, anal, and sexual aperture on the right side ; with the latter, in the absence of lateral maxillae, and also from the tongue being provided with ser- rated teeth. There is therefore between the genera Physa and Lim- nceus a twofold transition, — one through the genus Planorbis, the se- cond through Amphipeplea. I propose therefore the following schema for the family of the water Pulmonata. I. An upper maxilla, serrated teeth on the tongue, the mantle ge- nerally folding over the shell. Animal active, lively. 1. Antennae filiform; foot posteriorly acuminate; respiratory, anal, and sexual aperture on the left side. Physa. 2. Antennae triangular; foot posteriorly rounded; respiratory, anal, and sexual aperture on the right side. Amphipeplea. II. An upper and two side maxillae, simple conical teeth on the tongue, mantle not folding over the shell. Animal inactive. 3. Antennae filiform ; foot posteriorly acuminate; respiratory, anal, and sexual apertures on the left side. Planorbis. 4. Antennae triangular; foot posteriorly rounded; respiratory, anal, and sexual apertures on the right side. Limnceus. ON PIN US PUMILIOy HK. BY PROFESSOR GOEPPERT. There are still botanists who regard the Dwarf Pine as a mere form of Pinus sylvestris produced by the elevated habitat. The present notice of an experiment made with seed will perhaps not be without interest, and tend to refute this, in my opinion, erroneous view. In 1828 M. Beinert of Charlottenbrunn in Silesia procured some ripe cones of P. Pumilio from the Riesengebirge, together with some * A multitude of needless synonyms burthen the descriptions of this genus, because conchologists cannot agree as to its orthography : — Limnceusy LymncfuSy Lymneus, ^c. We believe the classical authority of Dr. Goodall, whose loss we have to deplore, was decidedly in favour of Limneus. — Ed. 143 Miscellaneous, of P. sylvestris, and planted them on the northern pent of the Lor- beerberg, near Charlottenbrunn, 1800 feet above the level of the sea. In the second year the plants made their appearance, of which, how- ever, only one specimen of P. Pumilio succeeded. On the 9th of Sept. 1839, I visited this spot and found the plants in the following condition. The specimen of P. Pumilio is at its base one inch in diameter, bends down immediately at its exit from the soil with de- flected convexity, and divides at a distance of two inches into two main branches, of which one is 12, the other 9 inches long. Each of these branches again divides 1 inch from their origin into 5 or 6 diverging branches of from 5 to 6 inches in length, which all lie ex- tended on the earth. The numerous leaves are stiff, fasciculate, compressed, curvate, and shortened, just like those occurring on the highest elevations of the Riesengebirge. As yet no flowers have made their appearance. Now while this plant creeps on the soil, the neighbouring specimens of P. sylvestris which germinated at the same time have attained a perpendicular height of 10 to 18 feet, with a diameter of from 21 to 3 J feet. — Linnaa, Part V. vol. xiii. 1839. ON THE NESTS OF THE FIFTEEN-SPINED STICKLEBACK^ OR GASTER- OSTEUS SPINACHIA OF LINN^US. These nests are to be found in spring and summer on several parts of our coast, in rocky and weedy pools between tide marks. They occur occasionally near Berwick, but seem to be more common near Eyemouth and Coldingham. They are about eight inches in length, and of an elliptical form or pear-shaped, formed by matting together the branches of some common Fucus, as, for example, of the Fucus nodosus, with various confervse, ulvae, the smaller floridese, and coral- lines. These are all tied together in one confused compact mass by means of a thread run through, and around, and amongst them in every conceivable direction. The thread is of great length, as fine as ordinary silk, tough and somewhat elastic ; whitish, and formed of some albuminous secretion. The eggs are laid in the middle of this nest in several irregular masses of aboat an inch in diameter, each consisting of many hundred ova, which are of the size of ordi- nary shot, and of a whitish or amber colour according to their de- gree of maturity. The further advanced are marked with two round black spots, which are discovered by the microscope to be the eyes of the embryo, at this period disproportionally large and developed. Masses of eggs, in different stages of their evolution, are met with in the same nest. It is evident that the fish must first deposit its spawn amid the growing fucus, and afterwards gather its branches Miscellaneous, 149 together around the eggs, weaving and incorporating at the same time all the rubbish that is lying or floating around the nucleus. For the safety of its nest and spawn, the fish is apparently very anxious for a time. Some individuals were watched, by Mr. Duncan and the Rev. Mr. Turnbull, for some weeks, and it was observed that the same fish was always in attendance upon its own nest. During the time of hope and expectation, they become fearless, and will al- low themselves to be taken up by the hand repeatedly. There can be no doubt that their object in remaining near the nest is to guard it against the attacks of such animals as might feel inclined to prey upon its contents. Note. — Since the preceding notice was read to the Club, the second volume of Mr. Swainson's ' Natural History of Fishes,' &c. has been published ; and I find that in it these nests are said to be constructed by the Gobies, on the authority of Olivi. The question is worth further inquiry ; but on mentioning this statement of Olivi's to Mr. Maclaren of Coldingham, he assured me that he had seen and watched the stickleback in the act of making the nests we have just described. G. J. — From the Transactions of the Berwickshire Na- turalists' Club. ON VESPERTILIO MDILIS, JENYNS. In Wiegmann's Archiv, Part I. for 1840, we find, in a valuable paper by MM. Keyserling and Blasius " On the generic and spe- cific character of the European Bats," the following notice on the above animal lately descril)ed by Mr. Jenyns as probably forming a new species : *' Vespertilio cedilis, Jenyns (Annals of Nat. Hist. No. XV. p. 73, Plate XIIL), is brought forward as a new species, and carefully de- scribed by Mr. Jenyns from a white-coloured stuffed specimen ; it is compared with V. Daubentonii, from which it is said to be distin- guished : "1. by its more acute snout. — In dried specimens the snout is ge- nerally more acute than in fresh ones, and this affords therefore no ground for comparison. " 2. by the form of the tragus. — The incision at the apex is pro- bably accidental and individual ; we have found such incisions even to vary on both ears of one and the same individual. The tooth at the base exists in all, although in most cases overlooked, and affords no distinction. "3. by the hairy covering of the interfemoral membrane. — The gra- nules mentioned by Jenyns, upon which the hairs originate, are also to be seen on fre^h, and less distinctly on dried, specimens of V. Daubentonii. 150 Miscellaneous, " The admeasurements agree very closely with V. Daubentonii, to which we believe it must in every respect be referred." A NEW MARSUPIAL ANIMAL. Perameles Tuckeri, n. s. Head short, conical ; ears large, hairy, coloured like the back, with a blackish edge ; fur soft, brown, va- ried with gray hairs, and black tips ; sides yellow-brown, beneath yellowish gray, under fur of back lead-coloured ; tail as long as the body, tapering, hairy, and coloured like the body at the base, black- ish and with rather adpressed hairs for two- thirds of its length. Length of the head 2^, of the body 5 J, of tail 5|, of hind foot 2 J inches. Inhab. Australia. In the collection of Mr. Tucker, the naturalist dealer, after whom I have named it. — John E. Gray. A NEW SPECIES OF FOSSIL DOLPHIN. M. Von Olfers laid before the meeting of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Berlin (Dec. 19, 1839), the fragments of some fossil re- mains of Cetacece found in the Prussian states. The most important are the clearly distinguishable remains of the skull of a Dolphin (Delphis Karstenii) converted into sandstone, which differs from all hitherto found, and appears to form the transition between D. glo- biceps and the allied species and the fossil genus Ziphius. It oc- curred near Bunde in Westphalia. Vertebrae of Baltsnoptera were also communicated by Prof. Becks; they occurred in a clay bed [Thonlager] between Bocholt and Oeding. ON THE MINERAL CALLED DYSODIL AS A PRODUCT FROM THE SHELLS OF INFUSORIA. BY C. G. EHRENBERG. In 1808 M. Cordier in Paris gave this substance the name of Dysodil, as a peculiar species of mineral ; it had, however, previously been placed by mineralogists amongst the bituminous substances, and called foliated mineral pitch {bldttriges Erdpech) . As is well known, it is combustible, and in Sicily, where it was first discovered, it is used as peat. As early as the 16th of April of this year, I made a communica- tion to the Society of the Friends of Natural History in Berlin (see the Staatszeitung of the 29th of April), in which I stated that this mineral occurring in Sicily, resembling yellow wax, and composed of densely matted together siliceous shells (Kieselschalen) of the Navicular penetrated and cemented by a kind of resin, consists of a species of mail- covered infusoria. I also stated that there existed in the collections of the mineral-dealer, M. Krantz of Berlin, a lig- nite from Westerwalde, the colour of which is quite black, and in which may be recognised all the microscopic characters of the yellow Meteorological Observations, 151 dysodil of Sicily, but which is distinguished by its containing a con- siderable quantity of pine-tree pollen, and other vegetable remains. Since that time it has been found in two other places. The foli- ated serviceable bituminous coal from Geistinger Busch near Rott and Siegburg, to the north of the Siebengebirge, is, although as black as old leather, quite similar to the dysodil, only it is richer in vegetable remains. In a fourth similar foliated lignite from Vogelsberge, given me to examine, as were the former, by Ober-Bergrath von Dechen, there may be recognised very beautifully preserved infusorial shells. This substance is also like the black dry sole of a shoe. From these inquiries we see that the species of mineral called dysodil belongs to the infusorial conglomerates, and is evidently a Polirschiefer or Bldttertripel diCci^QntvWy penetrated by mineral pitch ; whilst at Bilin, Cassel, etc., it appears without any mixture of bitumen. Its colour maybe yellow or even brown and black. It nowhere forms exceed- ingly large, but sometimes rather extensive and useful beds. — Pog- gendorff's Annalen. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR FEB.j 1840. Chiswick. — Feb. 1. Cloudy : rain. 2. Very fine. S. Rain. 4. Boisterous with rain. 5. Rain : clear. 6. Rain : cloudy. 7. Rain. 8. Heavy showers. 9. Fine. 10. Heavy showers: clear and very fine at night. 11. Fine. 12. Rain. 13. Very fine. 14. Foggy. 15. Frosty : rain. 16. Hazy and mild. 17. Dense fog. 18. Dry cold haze. 19. Clear and cold. 20. Cloudy, with some snow-flakes falling. 21. Bleak and cold. 22. Overcast. 23. Cold and dry. 24. Fine but cold. 25. Frosty haze. 26. Cold haze. 27. Cloudy, cold and dry. 28, 29. Fine but cold. Boston. — Feb. 1. Cloudy : rain p.m. 2. Fine : rain early a.m. 3. Stormy : rain early A.M. 4. Stormy: rain early a.m. : rain p.m. 5. Cloudy: rain p.m. 6. Cloudy. 7. Cloudy : rain early A.M. : rain p.m. 8. Fine: rain and snow p.m. 9. Fine. 10. Rain. 11. Fine. 12— 15. Fine : rain p.m. 16, 17. Cloudy. 18. Fine. 19. Cloudy: snow a.m. and p.m. 20. Cloudy : snow a.m. 21. Cloudy: gnow melted. 22. Cloudy. 23 — 27. Fine. 28. Cloudy. 29. Fine. Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire. — Feb. 1. Frequent showers. 2. Frequent showers : snow gone. 3. Frequent showers. 4, 5. Shower a.m. : fair rest of the day. 6. Rain very early : fine day. 7. Heavy rain a.m.: stormy p.m. 8. Occasional showers of rain and hail. 9, 10. Occasional showers of rain and hail with high wind p.m. 1.1. Fine day : a few drops of rain. 12. Storm of wind and rain P.M. 13. Fine day : no rain. 14. Fine day, but cloudy. 15. Wet morning: cleared up p.m. 16. Calm, cloudy, and mild. 17, 18. Fine a.m.: grew cloudy and sharp. 19. Cold easterly wind, but fair. 20. Cold easterly wind with slight frost and snow showers. 21. Cold easterly wind: frost: threatening snow. 22 — 24. Cold easterly wind: still frosty : sprinkling snow. 25. Cold easterly wind. 26. Beautiful sunny day, but still frosty. 27. Beau- tiful sunny day : frost very keen. 28. Cloudy all day : but still freezing. 29. Fine frosty day. Sun shone out 25 days. Rain fell 13 days. Snow 2 days. Frost 10 days. Wind north-easterly 6 days. Easterly 83 days. South-easterly 7 daya. Southerly Sg days. South-westerly 8g days. West 1 day. Calm 14|^ days. Moderate 8 days. Brisk 1^ day. StTong breeze 2 days. Boisterous 3 days. ■I O I g « li ; o • 6 •uo;soa :r99r9 99999 :SS cx) o .^ooo'^^ooNao'«spr^^»pco(»o<^^vo■TJ•cx5^09 rf-^ -^loihihob —dbob oidb coo a>r^6 o^-^ vo roco-^ih lO CO c« t>. lOlh^hob•-cbcbc^db(o66^^^66^'^vococo■^^b^^l^ •rJ<^-^"<*iorO'^'^'^'*u:>cO'^u:)"<*rtcocococococococococo r>.C-l>-'Mt^C. --HO^c»r^•^lpr^(N'7^•yt'(X)7- CO 6^obooaDdb 6^c^^6^6^c^6^c^c^l•^0^6^c^o o o O c O o o 6 O O C<0»0«(NOI^o o^o^o^c^oo voto^o r-co^oo o to»r5i>^o tc^:^o^cocx> '- o\ t->-*OOCri'-iO-r}000 010lJC0C0C0C0'"0C0Or0C0C0C0r0C0 s o . T! . • C ^«' COO— i(NOC^>O0JCsV0>O-O00lO'OOr0'-'Q0OQ0'rf>OC0'^^'— co-^— c^o»pco7f" 0^6^6^db 6^0^C^6^6^6^6^a^c^6^6^6^0 O o c O O O O O O o O O ocritooio(NOir^O". cri>o--.to coco--«07p»p•7rcoo 6^6^c^do C^c^6^6^6^a^6^6^c^6^6^c^^o6o6ooo6oo 0«0«C>IO«OJCNC4tNCNCMOI(NC9 each other so closely, that it is not, in some instances, easy to decide what should constitute their permanent diagnostics ; or to express, in a few apt words, the minute shades of dif- ference in certain organs which seem to mark them as distinct species. I am satisfied that, in this genus, the form of the body of specimens preserved in spirits will afford no specific character ; and that as little reliance can be placed on colour, although this is perhaps more uniformly alike in living indi- viduals. The number of segments is also, as Otho Fabricius long ago remarked*, liable to considerable variation, both from age and from mutilation; for if the posterior segments have been lost by accident they are indeed again renewed, but not in their original numbers or size ; and moreover it is often very difficult to count the segments from the minuteness and crowding of the posterior ones. The pattern after which the prickles of the proboscis are arranged varies in some species, but it is almost impossible to define those variations in words, and the character fails us in the nearest allied species, where only it is required. Such is also the case with the number of serratures along the falcate edge of the jaws, though the cha- racter is one not to be neglected ; but, from the peculiar shape of the jaw, I have sometimes found a difficulty in determi- ning the exact number of these serratures ; and, in other in- stances, have had a doubt whether one or two of them, from their obsoleteness, ought to be reckoned. I place little value on any differences in the shape of the head, or in the propor- tions between the palpi and antennae ; but a specific character, it appears to me, may be justly founded on differences (1) in the proportion of the first or post-occipital segment to the se- cond; (2) in the comparative lengths of the longest pair of ten- tacular cirri ; but (3) principally in the variety exhibited by the lobes and appendages of the feet. Every foot, let it be remembered, consists of a superior and an inferior cirrus, three papillae presumed to be branchial, and two tubercles * " Cetemm numeravi sine respectu magnitudinis segmenta 56, 65, 76, 78, 86 in diversis; igitur de numero nil certi statiii posse patet : hunc cha- racterem etiam quam maxime vacillare facile credat, cui rnutilatio et redin- tegratio articulorum innotuit ; sub reintegrando enim articulo caudali pri- mum accrescente, reliquis vero successive, a momento conspectus numerus dependet." — Faun. Grcenl. p. 292. Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 30. May 1840. n 170 Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. armed with compound bristles, — the superior tubercle being always situated between the dorsal and second papillse, and the inferior tubercle between this and the ventral papillae. On these particulars I will endeavour to define the British spe- cies before me ; and I trust that, with the designs which il- lustrate the specific characters, the student will now be able to determine, with comparative ease and certainty, such of them as he may meet with in his researches. Genus Nereis. (Nereis, Cuv, Reg. Anim. iii. 201. Aud. 8f M. Edw. Litt. de la France, ii. 181. — Lycoris, {Savigny,) Lam. Anim. s. Vert. v. 311. 2de edit. v. 548,) For the character of the genus see Annals of Nat. History, iii. p. 289. • Feet homologous. 1. N, brevimanus, post-occipital segment not longer than the second ; tentacular cirri once and a half or twice its dia- meter; jaws with 8 serratures, the apices unarmed; feet homologous, the branchial papillae subequal, the inferior coa- lescent with the setigerous tubercle on the posterior feet ; cirri very^short, not reaching the apex of their lobes ; setigerous tubercles well-developed, the bristles smooth. Fig. 1. Nereis hrevimanus. Hah. Coast of Ayrshire, Mr. P. W. Maclagan. Worm about 3 inches long, and about the size of an earth- worm of the same length. Head narrow : eyes very distinct : antennae not projecting beyond the palpi : proboscis rough- ened as usual with black horny spinules : the serratures of the jaws coarse but not reaching to the point, which is plain. Segments about 88, narrowed posteriorly, the anal one ter- minated with rather long styles. The inferior branchial lobe becomes smaller as we trace the feet backwards, and near the Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. 171 middle of the body forms almost a part of the setigerous tu- bercle (fig. m.), the union being still more complete on the posterior pairs of feet, on which also there is a mere vestige of the ventral cirrus (fig. />.). The colour of the specimens in spirits is a wax-yellow with a tinge of brown, and a dusky line across the margin of the segments. This species very closely resembles Nereis pulsatoria, but in the latter the jaws are serrated to the apex, and the termi- nal joint of the bristles is finely serrulated along one edge. 2. N, viridis, post-occipital segment twice as long as the se- cond ; tentacular cirri once and a half or nearly twice as long as its breadth ; jaws serrated to the point ; feet homologous, with papillous subequal branchial lobes, the dorsal one (of the posterior feet especially) somewhat humped ; superior cirrus scarcely reaching beyond the apex of its lobe ; upper setige- rous tubercle obsolete. Fig. 2. Nereis viridis. Hah. Strangford Lough, Wm. Thompson, Esq. ; co. Cork, Geo. J. All- man, Esq. To the description of this species given (under the name of N, pelagica), in the Annals, vol. iii. p. 291, I have only to add that the jaws appear to have 10 serratures on their cutting edge. To show how far the feet of the same species may vary, I have given the above figures, — the three upper ones taken from an individual immediately after being killed by immer- sion in spirits, — the three lower ones from a specimen that had N 2 172 Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. been preserved for some years. It would have been easy to have multiplied figures exhibiting still other dissimilitudes, but the pattern, though modified, is always essentially the same. Some of these differences proceed from selecting feet of non- corresponding segments ; others are produced by differences in the condition of the worm when killed, — for example, from its being filled with ova or not ; and others again from a dif- ference in the strength of the spirits in which the specimens are placed. In some specimens which had been long preserved, the post-occipital segment was scarcely larger than the one behind ; but when alive the great proportional size of the former is always very obvious. Though the specific name is less appropriate than it might be made, I have deemed its restoration better than the impo- sition of a new one ; for the opportunity of consulting Muller's figure, afforded me by my kind friend Mr. Alder of Newcastle, has fully convinced me that this is not the N. pelagica of Lin- naeus, nor N, verrucosa of MuUer. The true synonyms of N, viridis appear to be the following : Nereis coerulea, Penn. Brit. Zool. iv. 93. pi. 27. fig. sup. edit. 1812. Turt. Gmel. iv. 88. Turt. Brit. Faun. 135. Stew. Elem. i. 390. — Lycoris viridis, Johnston in Zool. Journ. iv. 419. — Lycoris margaritacea, Ihid. .in lib. cit. 420 ; and in Mag. Nat. Hist. vii. 230. — Nereis pelagica, A7i- nals Nat. Hist. iii. 290. 3. iV.j9eZa^ica, post-occipital segment about twice as long as the second ; ten- tacular cirri longer than its transverse diameter; serratures of the jaw not reaching the apex ; branchial lobes of the feet papillary, subequal, the dorsal one more or less humped ; superior cirrus twice as long as its lobe. Fig. 4. Fig. 3. Nereis pelagica. Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. 173 Hab. Shore of co. Cork, Geo. J. Allman, Esq. ; Strangford Lough, Wm. Thompson ; Bangor*, Dr. Drummond. (Orkney and Shetland, and coast of the Isle of Man, Edw. Forbes ; Ayrshire, Mr. P. W. Maclagan.) This species sometimes attains a length of 8 inches^ with a thickness equal to that of a swanks quill. It is thicker in pro- portion to its length than N, viridis, and has the organs of the head more developed. The proboscis of both species are al- most exactly alike armed, but the serratures of the jaws in N, pelagica do not reach the points, which are rather obtuse. The number of serratures on the jaw appears to be more than 10, but not more than 6 of them form prominent denticles on the edge. The segments vary from 80 to 90, and are marked with a few obhque striae on each side above the feet, which are homologous and well-developed. The dorsal branchial lobe is rather larger than the others and somewhat humped ; and from the front of the hump originates the cirrus, of nearly double its length. The inferior cirrus almost reaches to the tip of its lobe. The bristles are smooth. The greater number of specimens preserved in spirits are of a uniform pearly iridescent colour with a slight tinge of brown or pink, but some specimens are of a dusky brown with glossy reflections. The figure given of Nereis pelagica in the ^ Encyclop. Method.^ Vers, pi. 55. fig. 21 — 23, undoubtedly represents this species ; hence it follows that it is also the Nereis verru- cosa of MuUer (Prod. p. 217), and of Otho Fabricius (Faun. Groenl. p. 292.). That it is the Nereis pelagica of Linnaeus is not so certain, for his specific character — ^^ N, segmentis XL, subtus sulcata'' — is at variance with the fact ; but as I can scarcely consent that any of our great master's species should be deleted from the ^^ Systema,'' I wiUingly appropriate the name to the one before me ; 1. because such was the opinion of MuUe.r and Fabricius; 2. because Linnaeus quotes as a probable representation of his species a figure of a worm in Baxter's Opusc. Subsc. tab. vi. fig. 6, with 70 segments and upwards; and 3. because it is very probable that there is not existing a species of Nereis with so few as 40 segments. * It is the small town of this name on the coast of Down that is alluded to throughout the paper. 174 Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. I have also scarcely a doubt of this being the Nereis mar- garitacea of Leach (Supp. Encyl. Brit. i. p. 453. pi. 26.), but Dr. Leaches character of the species is entirely generical ; and Savigny and Milne-Edwards and Audouin have particularly described a Nereis margaritacea, which is not the same with the one before us, but more nearly related to N, viridis. Neither has this any relation to the Nereis margaritacea of the ' Annals/ vol. iii. p. 294, which belongs to a different sec- tion of the genus. 4. iV. bilineata, I have nothing to add to the character and description of this species given in the ^ Annals/ iii. p. 295. It does not occur in the Irish collection. 5. N. Dumerilii, post-occipital segment equal in length to the second ; tentacular cirri 3 times longer than its breadth ; jaws serrulated ; branches of the mid and posterior feet widely separate, the lobes papillary, divaricate ; superior cirrus pro- jecting far beyond the apex of its lobes. Aud. and Edw. Litt. de la France, ii. p. 196. Fig. 5. Nereis Dumerilli. Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides, 175 Hab. Apparently not iinfrequent on the Irish coast. Strangford Lough, and elsewhere on the coast of Down, JVm. Thompson, Esq. ; Belfast Bay, Dr. Drummond. Body vermiform, flattish or rarely subcylindrical, as thick as a goose-quill, only slightly tapered backwards, smooth, flat on the ventral surface, which has the median line faintly im- pressed. Head small, armed as usual : eyes very large : jaws small, with brown apices, serrated along the edge to the tip or nearly so : tentacular cirri 3 times as long as the diameter of the post-occipital segment, which is of about the same length as the next, and rather narrower. Segments about 80, narrowish, thickened above the origins of the feet, which are well-developed and most crowded on the posterior half of the body. Feet of the anterior segments with 3 short obtuse branchial lobes, the dorsal one more prominent than the others, and the setigerous tubercle minute ; of the middle and poste- rior feet the branches are widely remote, with the branchial lobes of the superior branch nearly equal, divaricate^ and a large brush of bristles between them : the inferior lobe rather small and simple : superior cirrus twice as long as its lobe : inferior cirrus rather short : spines dark brown : bristles nu- merous, pale yellow, smooth and slender. In spirits the worm is generally of a uniform cream or ochre- yellow colour, with a brown line across the front of every seg- ment, and there are two spots of the same or of a rich yellow colour at the base of the dorsal lobe of every foot. These spots appear to be constantly present, and consequently afford a good character of the species, but they are sometimes less perceptible than is desirable. 6. N.fucata, first and second segments nearly equal; ten- Fig. 7. Nereis fucata. tacular cirri not longer than the head ; jaws finely serrulated ; 1 76 Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. feet oblique, the dorsal lobe disproportionably larger than the others and more prominent, strongly humped, with a cirrus twice as long ; inferior cirrus reaching to or beyond the apex of its lobe. Aud. and Edw. Litt. de la France, ii. p. 188. Hah. Down Coast, Wm. Thompson, Esq. The single specimen in the collection was about 5 inches in length and as thick as a large swanks quill : the colour was a blueish gray with a pearly lustre, but the feet were a dusky reddish brown, and this colour had tinted the posterior half of the body. Head small, the palpi projecting beyond the antennae : proboscis armed as usual ; the jaws slender with dark brown apices, serrulated along the whole falcate cutting edge : tentacular cirri not longer than the breadth of the post- occipital segment, which is nearly of the same size as the one behind. Segments about 90, with well-developed feet, which are more distinctly stalked than usual, and their lobes are very obliquely placed in relation to each other. The dorsal lobe of all the feet is largest, humped, and furnished with a cirrus hanging far beyond its apex ; but on the middle and posterior feet this lobe becomes greatly larger, and is raised abruptly into a large hump, in front of which the cirrus originates. On the posterior extremity the hump advances, so to speak, on the foot, and leaves only a small papillary apex, over which the long cirrus hangs. The inferior cirrus is longer than its lobe. The spines and bristles present no peculiarity. ** Feet dissimilar, the posterior with foliaceous larnellcB. 7. iV. renalis, jaws with 5 strong serratures ; proboscis Fig. 8. Nereis renalis. prickly ; posterior feet with 3 foliaceous lamellae, of which the Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. 177 upper one forms a helmet-shaped crest on the dorsal lobe ; the mid one a large kidney-shaped leaf to the setifei-ous tu- bercle ; and the other, also kidney-shaped, is attached under- neath the ventral cirrus ; dorsal cirrus much overreaching its lobe. Hah. Bangor, Dr. Drummond ; (shores of the Isle of Man, Mr, Edw. Forbes ; Berwick Bay, G. J.) Body rather flattish, about 4 inches long, very slightly tapered to the tail, which is obtuse and terminated with two short styles. Head distinct, obtusely triangular, pointed in front with the antennae, which project beyond the palpi : eyes large, occipital : proboscis armed with prickles as usual : jaws chestnut-brown towards the apex, serrated with 5 denticula- tions : tentacular cirri as long as, or longer than, the breadth of the body : post-occipital segment rather larger than the one behind: segments about 110, smooth, marked with two or three rugae above the insertions of the feet, which are well-de- veloped and crowded on the posterior half. Anterior feet normal, with short papillary branchial lobes, of which the dorsal one is the largest and most prominent. The posterior feet are complicated and much unlike the others, for above the base of the superior lobe there is a helmet-shaped com- pressed crest ; and the superior setigerous tubercle is also furnished with a very large kidney-shaped veined leaf-like lamina, under which there is a small oblong lobe ; while the ventral cirrus has appended beneath its base another kidney- shaped leaf-like lamina, and a curved lobule on its upper side. Dorsal cirrus much longer than its lobe ; that of the middle feet crenated on the under side : ventral cirrus rather long. Bristles slender, forming considerable brushes on the middle and posterior feet : spines dark brown. Specimens preserved in spirits are of a uniform pearl-gray colour with pale yellowish feet. Nereis renalis is in many respects'so much like the N. lo- bulata of Savigny that I have hesitated in describing them as distinct species ; but the dissimilarity in the structure of the feet, though apparently slight and difficult to be expressed in a definition, seems to be of a kind that nothing less than spe- cific origin could produce. In Nereis lobulata the leaf-like 1 78 Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. lamina of the setigerous tubercle is oval and not more than half the size it has in N, renalis ; and the foliaceous appendage to the ventral cirrus in the former is also proportionably small^ and of a roundish figure^ without any additional lobular ap- pendage. Nereis margaritacea, described in the ^ Annals/ vol. iii. p. 294, is also nearly alHed to this species, and is, I suspect, the same as the Nereis podophylla of Savigny. It requires re-ex- amination ; and I would remark, that as these species are easily injured, and their appendages tear and fold up readily, several feet ought to be examined before fixing on their true shape and character. I had made several figures of the feet of iV. renalis before the one now given, which, I beHeve, ex- hibits a correct outline of its ordinary conformation. 8. N, longissima, jaws obsoletely serrated at the base, plain towards the points; proboscis without prickles; upper branchial lobe with a helmet-shaped crest, the setiferous tubercle with large kidney-shaped lamellae, and a smaller one of the same figure is appended to the base of the ventral cirrus ; superior cirrus rather longer than its lobe. Fig. 9. Nereis longissima. Hah. Coast of co. Down, Wm. Thompson, Esq. The specimen before me is of the extraordinary length of two feet ! but as it has become very soft in the spirits, it would perhaps not much exceed 18 inches when alive. It is of the thickness of a goose-quill, and of a pearl colour with olivaceous feet, which are very large and flexile. Head di- Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. 1 79 stinct, rather small^ obtusely triangular ; the antennae minute and shorter than the palpi ; proboscis large, destitute of all horny prickles, but armed with powerful jaws, which are only faintly serrulated near the base. Post-occipital segment not larger than the second : tentacular cirri short, not so long as the breadth of the segment. Segments very numerous : feet of the anterior pairs with 3 rather long papillary and equal branchial lobes, the dorsal cirrus not reaching much beyond their apices ; but the posterior feet much resemble those of N. renalis. Although the size of an animal is not usually reckoned a good specific character, yet we know that every species has in this respect certain limits which it never either much exceeds or falls short of. For this reason it seems to me impossible to regard Nereis longissima as a variety of N, renalis, notwith- standing the similarity in the structure and figure of the feet would induce that belief; and I have been fain to resort to the distinctions afforded by the jaws and proboscis for their separa- tion. This is the only known species with a prickless proboscis, and the serratures of the jaws are likewise fainter than in any other I have examined. As the specimen of N, longissima is not in a good condition, some allowance will be made, should the outline given of the posterior foot be found not wholly exact, but I am confident that the general contour and pro- portions are accurately expressed. Before I exalnined this worm I had mistaken it for a spe- cies of Phyllodoce, which it more resembles in size and gene- ral aspect than a Nereis, and it is obviously a transition spe- cies, proving the affinity of these two genera. The foliaceous lamellae of the feet are quite similar in structure to the branchial leaflets oi the Phyllodoce, and from the manner in which they are veined, are evidently also branchial in their function. N.B. The numbers affixed to the figures express the number of the seg- ment from which the foot was taken that served for the figure : m means that the foot was from near the middle ; and p from near the posterior ex- tremity of the body. [To be continued.] 180 Mr. E. Forbes on the British Actiniadae. XX. — On the British Actiniadae. By Edward Forbes, Esq. [With a Plate.] I. Such Actiniadae or simple soft Helianthoid Polypes as are found in the seas of Britain may be arranged under five ge- nera, namely, Lucernaria (Muller), Anthea (Johnston), Acti- nia (Linnaeus), and two which I propose to constitute under the names of Adamsia and Iluanthos, the first for the recep- tion of the Actinia maculata of Pennant, the second for a new animal procured on the west coast of Scotland during last summer. As the Actiniadae conduct us very naturally from the Zoophytes to the Actinodermata, we should expect to find some two genera more closely linking the approaching fami- lies of each great order than the other genera composing these families ; such seem to me to be found among the Zoophytes in Lucernaria and among the Actinodermata in Vorticella, which I regard as a pedunculated Actinodermatous animal. By the laws of analogy such an animal should exist, corre- sponding with the Crinoid Starfishes among the Echinoder- mata, which in like manner connect that order with the Zoo- phytes through the suborder Ascidioidea on the part of the latter. As there can be but one analogy in the tribe of the importance assumed by Lucernaria, the other genera are representatives of minor groups, Anthea standing by itself as' the typical ge- nus of the Actiniadae. Actinia we may regard as a soft Ca- ri/ophyllia, Huanthos as a soft Turbinolia, and Adamsia pro- bably as an encrusting Zoophyte. The points of generic character among the Actiniadae ap- pear to be, (1st,) the general form ; (2nd,) the mode of attach- ment ; and (3rd,) the arrangement and retractility of the ten- tacula. The sources of primary specific character are in Lucerna- ria, (1st,) the mode of attachment ; (2nd,) the number and ar- rangement of tentacula ; and (3rd,) the presence or absence of intermediate marginal tubercles (eyes?). In Anthea, (1.) the characters of the body j (2.) the length ; and (3.) the structure of the tentacula. v47^^.. yf^y^^^f/.Vol.V. PI. ni J^^i/a^^.fJfi/s sr^f^ci/s. A S//^/y^ J^/yt. . ^// f'.''i'oivrr/>y/rrfy. <^MUS^ and not a freak of nature. As is often the case with the pro- ductions of the interior, the colonists were entirely unac- quainted with the mode of growth of the plant which pro- duced these strange nuts. They were generally found after the annual swelling of the Essequibo had subsided along its banks, and for a length of time it was pretended that they grew on a creeper ; and from the resemblance of its kernel to a snake, it was supposed that it might prove an antidote to snake-poison. After my return from the interior of British Guiana, and while at the post Ampa at the Essequibo, I ascertained from Mr. Richardson, then postholder, that the snake-nut was the fruit of a large tree, and that several grew in the vicinity of his abode. I therefore embraced the first opportunity to ascend the brook Ampa in order to see it. The tree stood near the banks of the brook, as also did other trees of the same description which I saw afterwards, and this explains its fruits being so frequently found along the low banks of the islands Leguan, Wakenaam, &c., on the mouth of the Essequibo. The tree was just about ceasing to bear for the season, and began to put forth its blossoms ; unfortunately they were not far enough advanced to determine without hesitation its class and order, but there is no doubt that it belongs to the natural order of Terebinthacece, nearly related to the division Ju- * Communicated to the Linnaean SoQiety, and read June 6, 1 837. Mr. Schomburgk on the Snuke-nitt Tree, 20* glandice^ . All the buds which I opened consisted apparentl}^ of 3 stamens and 1 pistil ; the calyx was imbricated, and this might have induced me to consider it a Carya or Juglans ; but the leaves of the tree in question are smooth and entire, while those of the others, with the exception of two species, are serrated. It is not a Carya^ the nut of which is 4-angulated and 4- valved, while the nut of Juglans, as well as the snake-nut, is 2-valved. I had requested Mr. Richardson to procure me some of the flowers of the Snake-nut tree when perfectly open, but he did not succeed in drying them, which unfortunately prevented him from sending any, and I am thus obliged to wait for another opportunity of correctly describing this re- markable plant. I offer the following description meanwhile provisionally. Order. Terebinthace^.. Calyx imbricatus. Corolla 3-petala. Drupa bivalvis. 1-sperma. Vulg. Snake-nut tree. Arbor excelsa, truncus glaber, cortice laevi cinereo. Folia pinnata ; fo- liola petiolata 3 — 6-juga cum imparl, lanceolato-ovata, acuminata, in- tegerrima, sifbcoriacea, venosa, glabra, nitida. Petioli universales supra canaliculati, glabri, articulati, partiales breves. Flores paniculati; paniculae in ramulis terminales subinde axillares; ramosas; floribus brevissime pedicellatis, numerosis confertis. Calyx imbricatus. Co- rolla 3-petala, ovata, concava. Drupa coriacea unisperma, unilocu- laris, glabra, sphaerica, Nux dura, glabra, bivalvis, unilocularis ; nucleo albo. Hah. in sylvis Guianse prope fluvium Essequibo. Floret ApriJi. It is a tree of the first magnitude ; its bark is gray, rather smooth, dividing in a few branches at a height of from 40 to 60 feet, adorned with pinnated leaves, consisting generally of four to six pairs with an odd one ; the common foot- stalk as well as the petioles are articulated, the former channeled; the leaves entire, lanceolate, ovate, acuminate, lucid, coria- ceous, their colour between light and dark green, with a shade lighter below. The flowers appear in panicles, are pendulous, and the flower-stalks of red-brown colour, almost farinaceous, chiefly the smaller flower-stalks ; verticillate and * It stands perhaps between the Anacardice and Juglandice. P 2 204 Mr. Schomburgk on the Snake-nut Tree, sparely flowered; the calyx is imbricated, the corolla has 3 petals_, ovate and concave, and is of a lilac colour. What is most remarkable is however the fruit, a thin cori- aceous drupa, with a smooth nut, the kernel of which resem- bles a snake most strikingly. It is covered like the walnut with a membrane ; the embryo is roundish ; the head of the snake becomes a claviform radicle, and the tail (Mirbel's scapellus or DeCandoUe's ^ tigelle ') bears two large foliaceous cotyledons, with several nerves, depressed, plaited, and applied to the radicle ; the colour of the embryo and cotyledons is white, but the nerves of the latter are of a lake colour ; as soon as exposed to the air they change into a dark -brown. When the fruit is about to ger- minate, the scapellus or Higelle' bends towards the base of the cotyledons, bursts the nut, and having made room for the seed-lobes, they unfold and take an erect situation, while the rhizoma has sent its roots into the earth. No trials have been made whether the tree or its fruit pos~ sess any medicinal properties : as already observed, the re- semblance of a snake has induced the populace to consider it an antidote for snake-poison. The tree appears to be peculiar to the lower part of the river Essequibo and its tributaries, at least it has not as yet been found anywhere else. It blos- soms in March and April, and its fruit comes to maturity in November. The above figure exhibits the appearance of the embryo after the outer shell has been removed : a, is the radicle or rhizoma ; J, the neck, tigelle, or collet ; c, the two cotyledons, which have been unfolded, as they are other- ■wise applied to d r/, and partly surround the embryo. The figures in Plate III. represent the Nut and its snake-like Kernel. Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 205 XXIV. — Information respecting Botanical Travellers. Extracts from a Journal of the Mission which visited Bootan, in 1837-38. U7ider Captain R. Boileau Pemberton. By W. Grif- PiTH, Esq., Madras Medical Establishment. [Continued from p. 125.] March 1st. Proceeded to Byagur or Juggur. The vegetation con- tinued the same, the road traversing either sward or fir woods, con- fiisting entirely of Pinus excelsa. The valley in which Byagur is si- tuated is still larger than that of Bhoomlungtung : it is drained by a large river, which is crossed by a somewhat dilapidated wooden bridge ; the elevation is about 8150 feet. The cultivation is similar to that of the other valley, but the crops looked very unpromising. The soil is by no means rich, and the wind excessively bleak ; wheat or barley are the only grains cultivated. The mountains which hem in this valley are not very lofty ; to the north, in the back ground, perpe- tual snow was visible. To our west was the ridge which we were told w^e should have to cross, and which in its higher parts could not be less than 12,000 feet. March 4th. We commenced ascending the above ridge almost im- mediately on starting ; surmounting this, which is of an elevation at the part we crossed of 1 1 ,035 feet, we continued for some time at the same level, through fine open woods of Firms Smithiana : having de- scended rapidly afterwards to a small nullah, 9642 feet in elevation, we then reascended slightly to descend into the Jaisa valley. On the east side of the ridge, i. e. that which overlooks Byagur, we soon came on snow, but none was seen on its western face, notwithstand- ing the great elevation. The country was very beautiful, particu- larly in the higher elevations. I may here advert to the bad taste exhibited in naming such objects after persons, with whom they have no association whatever. As it is not possible for all travellers to be consecrated by genera, although this practice is daily becoming more common, we should connect their names with such trees as are familiar to every European. As we have a Pinus Gerardiana and Webbiana, so we ought to have had Pinus Herbertiana and Moor croft ■■ iana, &c. By so doing, on meeting with fir trees among the snow- clad Himalayas, we should not only have beautiful objects before us, but beautiful and exciting associations of able and enduring travel- lers. Of Capt. Herbert, the most accomplished historian of these magnificent mountains, there is nothing living to give him a " local habitation and a name." It will be a duty to me to remedy this neglect; and if I have not a suflSciently fine fir tree hitherto unde- 206 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. scribed in the Bootan collection, I shall change the name of the very- finest hitherto found, and dignify it by the name Herbertiana. The prevailing tree was the Smithian pine. We saw scarcely any villages, and but very little cultivation. Jaisa is a good-sized village ; it was comparatively clean, and the houses were, I think, better than most we had hitherto seen. There is a good deal of wheat cultivation around the village, which is not the only occupant of the valley : this is the highest we had yet seen, and is perhaps one of the high- est inhabited valleys known, as it is 9410 feet above the sea; it is drained by a small stream, and is of less extent than either that of Byagur or Bhoomlungtung. The surrounding hills are covered with open fir woods, and are of no considerable height. Larks, magpies, and red-legged crows, continued plentiful, but on leaving this valley we lost them. March 5th. We proceeded up the valley, keeping along the banks of the stream for some time ; we then commenced ascending a ridge, the top of which we reached about noon ; its elevation was 10,930 feet. The descent from this was for about 2500 feet very steep and uninterrupted, until we reached a small torrent at an elevation of 8473 feet; from this we ascended slightly through thick woods of oak, &c. until we came on open grassy tracts, through which we now gradually descended at a great height above the stream, which we had left a short time before. We continued descending rather more rapidly until we came to a point almost immediately above Tongsa, by about 1000 feet ; from this the descent was excessively steep. The distance was 13 miles. On the ascent snow was com- mon from a height of 9000 feet upwards. The vegetation on this, or the eastern side, was in some places similar to that above Byagur. Beautiful fir woods formed the chief vegetation, until we came close to the summit, when it changed completely. Rhododendrons, Bogh putiah, and a species of birch and bamboos, were common, mixed with a few black pines. The woods through which we de- scended, were in the higher elevations almost entirely of rhododen- drons ; and lower down chiefly of various species of oak and maple — the former being dry and very open, the latter humid and choked up with underwood. After coming on the open grassy country we did not revert to well- wooded tracts. No villages occurred, nor did we see any signs of cultivation after leaving the valley of Jaisa until w^e came near Tongsa, above which barley fields were not uncommon. Tongsa, although the second, or at any rate the third place in Bootan, is as miserable a place as anybody would wish to see. It is wretchedly situated in a very narrow ravine, drained by a petty stream, on the Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 20? tongue of land formed by its entrance into the large torrent Matee- sum, which flows 1200 feet below where the castle stands. The sur- rounding country is uninteresting, the vegetation consisting of a few low shrubs and some grasses : of the former the most common are a species of barberry, and a hitherto undescribed genus of Hamamelid